Genesect isn't Uber tier material as most expected him to be. This is a good thing, because now he's available in OU. So lets take a look at his most potent abilities.
Base Stats:
HP: 71
Attack: 120
Defense: 95
Special Attack: 120
Special Defense: 95
Speed: 99
Genesect @ Life Orb
Trait: Download
EVs: 88 Def / 252 SAtk / 168 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rock Polish
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam / Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt / Hidden Power [Ground]
This is the very first set I tried out on Genesect when I first started play competitively in the tier. It provides Genesect with enough speed to outrun Jolly Excadrill in Sand and every other Pokemon in the Game after using Rock Polish. Along with Genesects ability Download (this raises his special attack stat when the opponents Pokemon's defense is larger than its special defense and vice versa) coupled with his great base defensive stats of 95 def and sp def allows him to pull off the move Rock Polish and still have enough Hp left to sweep a team if he is partially damaged. Hidden power Ground provides excellent coverage for Genesect, who is a fire type magnet. Ice Beam provides a definite OHKO with LO to most dragon types before and after the possible boost in special attack.
Genesect @ Choice Scarf/Choice Specs/ Expert Belt
Trait: Download
EVs: 16 Atk / 252 SAtk / 240 Spd
Hasty/Naive Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- U-turn
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam / Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt /Hidden Power [Ground]
Genesect is also a great revenging Pokemon for any team that can put pressure on the opponent with his ability download once again. Scarf Genesect outspeeds the most common dragon dancers, which are Dragonite, Gyarados, and Haxorus. He can easily KO all three with ice beam and thunderbolt. Along with the power of course comes the option of a great stab move that could be used instead of thunderbolt in many cases based on your team, which IFM explained. Another great attribute of scarf Genesect is that he can receive a boost in Attack power to abuse his stab uturn, which makes him a great addition to Volt Turn teams. Sets like this allow you to take advantage of Genesect's great typing, because he takes neutral damage from entry hazards, no damage from toxic spikes, no damage from sandstorm, and resists Priority moves like bullet punch and extreme speed. If your team doesn't need the speed, but favors the power go with Choice Specs/Life orb Genesect. This version runs max speed because it has no speed boost of course. This set is very powerful and effective without a speed boost mostly because of Genesects nearly perfect 99 base speed stat. This will out speed most of the Pokemon that don't run max speed with base 100 speed and puts pressure on bulky Pokemon like Jirachi and Celebi who have no way to fight back other than fire moves that won't OHKO without a boost. You can also Uturn on Blissey doing well over 50% if you have the download boost. Choice specs Genesect is also very good as IFM pointed out, because you can bluff choice scarf and then completely fool the opponent with the power of Choice Specs Genesect. Expert Belt is a very good option for this move set. It takes bluffing to a whole new level when the opponent has no idea that you aren't choiced at all because nearly all Genesect are choiced or LO.
Checks/Counters
Genesect's different sets are all very viable on several teams. The question now is how do you beat the majority of them, which will either be LO or Scarf? Chansey is Genesect's number 1 counter because eviolite bold nature prevents Genesect from doing shocking damage with Uturn. Genesect will simply either get a status or hit by seismic toss if it takes on Chansey. Specially Defensive Jellicent is also a decent check to LO and Scarf Genesect, because he won't get the Special Attack boost and won't be nearly as effective scarfed attackng Jellicent. Although Jellicent can't fight back much a burn or scald can eventually take Genesect out. The last Counter would be protect Heatran, who can scout for hidden power ground, although he'd probably get uturned on before he could land the KO. Checks would consist of Scarf Terrakion, Scarf Chandelure, LO Excarill, Magnezone when the move isn't super effective towards it and Genesect is choiced, and other scarf pokemon. If you don't have speed or extensive strategy this Pokemon is going to be a major problem. It's the fast mixed agility Scizor we've always dreamed of.
His over all great coverage, speed, power, versatility, and typing make him one hard Pokemon to match and handle in battle.
Are there anymore sets that Genesect's great move pool can pump out? Discuss here.
Base Stats:
HP: 71
Attack: 120
Defense: 95
Special Attack: 120
Special Defense: 95
Speed: 99
Genesect @ Life Orb
Trait: Download
EVs: 88 Def / 252 SAtk / 168 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rock Polish
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam / Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt / Hidden Power [Ground]
This is the very first set I tried out on Genesect when I first started play competitively in the tier. It provides Genesect with enough speed to outrun Jolly Excadrill in Sand and every other Pokemon in the Game after using Rock Polish. Along with Genesects ability Download (this raises his special attack stat when the opponents Pokemon's defense is larger than its special defense and vice versa) coupled with his great base defensive stats of 95 def and sp def allows him to pull off the move Rock Polish and still have enough Hp left to sweep a team if he is partially damaged. Hidden power Ground provides excellent coverage for Genesect, who is a fire type magnet. Ice Beam provides a definite OHKO with LO to most dragon types before and after the possible boost in special attack.
Genesect @ Choice Scarf/Choice Specs/ Expert Belt
Trait: Download
EVs: 16 Atk / 252 SAtk / 240 Spd
Hasty/Naive Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- U-turn
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam / Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt /Hidden Power [Ground]
Genesect is also a great revenging Pokemon for any team that can put pressure on the opponent with his ability download once again. Scarf Genesect outspeeds the most common dragon dancers, which are Dragonite, Gyarados, and Haxorus. He can easily KO all three with ice beam and thunderbolt. Along with the power of course comes the option of a great stab move that could be used instead of thunderbolt in many cases based on your team, which IFM explained. Another great attribute of scarf Genesect is that he can receive a boost in Attack power to abuse his stab uturn, which makes him a great addition to Volt Turn teams. Sets like this allow you to take advantage of Genesect's great typing, because he takes neutral damage from entry hazards, no damage from toxic spikes, no damage from sandstorm, and resists Priority moves like bullet punch and extreme speed. If your team doesn't need the speed, but favors the power go with Choice Specs/Life orb Genesect. This version runs max speed because it has no speed boost of course. This set is very powerful and effective without a speed boost mostly because of Genesects nearly perfect 99 base speed stat. This will out speed most of the Pokemon that don't run max speed with base 100 speed and puts pressure on bulky Pokemon like Jirachi and Celebi who have no way to fight back other than fire moves that won't OHKO without a boost. You can also Uturn on Blissey doing well over 50% if you have the download boost. Choice specs Genesect is also very good as IFM pointed out, because you can bluff choice scarf and then completely fool the opponent with the power of Choice Specs Genesect. Expert Belt is a very good option for this move set. It takes bluffing to a whole new level when the opponent has no idea that you aren't choiced at all because nearly all Genesect are choiced or LO.
Checks/Counters
Genesect's different sets are all very viable on several teams. The question now is how do you beat the majority of them, which will either be LO or Scarf? Chansey is Genesect's number 1 counter because eviolite bold nature prevents Genesect from doing shocking damage with Uturn. Genesect will simply either get a status or hit by seismic toss if it takes on Chansey. Specially Defensive Jellicent is also a decent check to LO and Scarf Genesect, because he won't get the Special Attack boost and won't be nearly as effective scarfed attackng Jellicent. Although Jellicent can't fight back much a burn or scald can eventually take Genesect out. The last Counter would be protect Heatran, who can scout for hidden power ground, although he'd probably get uturned on before he could land the KO. Checks would consist of Scarf Terrakion, Scarf Chandelure, LO Excarill, Magnezone when the move isn't super effective towards it and Genesect is choiced, and other scarf pokemon. If you don't have speed or extensive strategy this Pokemon is going to be a major problem. It's the fast mixed agility Scizor we've always dreamed of.
His over all great coverage, speed, power, versatility, and typing make him one hard Pokemon to match and handle in battle.
Are there anymore sets that Genesect's great move pool can pump out? Discuss here.
