qc - Leo, Finchinator, GMars.
gp - Fireflame479, martha.
Reminder that leo sucks, and GMars does not cuz he's uploading this ^^
[SET]
name: Paper Press (Choice Band)
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Smart Strike
item: Choice Band
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Leaf Blade is a strong STAB move after Kartana's sky-high Attack and Choice Band are factored in, taking down the likes of Toxapex, Gliscor, Tapu Bulu, and Clefable in two hits. The latter two are threatened by Smart Strike, but it just goes to show how risk-free Leaf Blade can be after Steel- and Flying-types are taken care of. Knock Off also hits very hard after a Choice Band boost, dealing big damage to Zapdos, Mega Latias, and Celesteela and removing Leftovers from walls, thus making Kartana's objective easier to accomplish. Knock Off notably allows Kartana to put defensive Landorus-T in the range of a 2HKO from Leaf Blade. Sacred Sword is an excellent tool for slashing through Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and opposing Kartana. Finally, Smart Strike provides solid neutral coverage alongside Kartana's other moves and takes care of the likes of Magearna, Tangrowth, and Mega Venusaur.
Set Details
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The EV spread alongside a Jolly nature maximizes Kartana's Speed and Attack, the most important stats for such a wallbreaker. Choice Band allows Kartana to have an absurd amount of raw power at the cost of being unable to switch moves. Beast Boost is Kartana's only ability, but it's a great one nonetheless, allowing Kartana to become nigh unstoppable after it claims a knockout.
Usage Tips
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Due to Choice Band locking Kartana into one move, it is important to predict your opponent's move to use Kartana to its fullest potential. Kartana has the tools to heavily threaten several balance and bulky offense teams, but good opponents will try to pivot around and circumvent its power, thus it's important to ponder risk and reward and keep up the prediction game to prevent your opponent from taking advantage of Kartana. Knock Off is usually a great move to spam early-game, as it does solid damage to most walls. Meanwhile, Leaf Blade is usually ideal to use later on, once Steel- and Flying-types are successfully weakened. Also, try to find opportunities to get Kartana in. It can be after one of your Pokemon has been knocked out, with the use of a slow U-turn or Volt Switch, or even on an expected switch from your opponent. For the latter, just be careful to not risk Kartana too much, as it will often be important to break your opponent's defensive core. For Kartana's success as a wallbreaker, try to keep entry hazards on your opponent's side of the field for as long as possible, since they really help Kartana's duty as a wallbreaker, allowing it to take down walls and enable teammates to seal the game down the line. Finally, Kartana shouldn't be used as a revenge killer, as even if it can outspeed and knock out a threat, it is still going to be locked into a move and taken advantage of, thus losing valuable momentum.
Team Options
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Magnezone is an excellent partner courtesy of its ability to trap and eliminate Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Skarmory. Tapu Bulu, despite stacking weaknesses with Kartana, provides Grassy Terrain, which makes Kartana's Leaf Blade, especially when enhanced by Choice Band, all the more threatening, achieving feats such as 2HKOing defensive Landorus-T, Timid Zapdos, Magearna, and Jirachi. Entry hazard setters are excellent teammates to help wear down Kartana's few checks. Heatran and both Greninja formes synergize very well with Kartana offensively and can set Stealth Rock and Spikes, respectively. Other Stealth Rock setters, notably Clefable, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar, also are great teammates for Kartana. Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users, such as defensive Landorus-T and Assault Vest Magearna, are great picks to give Kartana more opportunities to wallbreak, as Kartana is too frail to come in on most attacks. Balance archetypes featuring the likes of Clefable, Toxapex, and Ferrothorn can take advantage of Kartana being Choice-locked and pivot around it after the move it is locked into is known. Thus, breakers like Taunt Tornadus-T, Heatran, Mega Mawile, and Mega Medicham are great partners, all of which also appreciate Kartana taking down their checks. Late-game cleaners that can take advantage of Kartana's havoc are great picks as well; Hawlucha, Dragon Dance Zygarde, Shift Gear Magearna, and Volcarona are all great options.
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