once again I cut a worthless object

In a metagame dominated by Kyogre and Electric-types, Kartana stands out as one of the most reliable Grass-type options for any team. Its massive Attack stat coupled with high Speed and very useful Max Moves gives it the ability to tear through teams on its own. Even outside of Dynamax, Kartana's attacking prowess cannot be understated, especially once it has a Beast Boost or two under its belt. However, Kartana does possess a few downsides. Its lack of spread moves means that it will normally need to be paired with Kyogre or Calyrex-S to secure KOs, and its obvious weaknesses to Fire-types and strong special attacks often result in it getting KOed quickly.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Smart Strike
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Aerial Ace
item: Assault Vest
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Smart Strike is used as a secondary STAB option to hit Fairy- and Ice-types such as Grimmsnarl and Calyrex-I. It is also useful for access to Max Steelspike for Defense boosting.
* Sacred Sword is Kartana's main coverage option, allowing it to hit the likes of Incineroar and opposing Kartana. Access to Max Knuckle is also extremely helpful, as it negates Intimidate drops and can boost Kartana's Attack by two stages if it KOes an opponent.
* Aerial Ace is used for access to Max Airstream, providing both Kartana and its partner with a Speed boost. Notably, this allows Kartana to outspeed even Calyrex-S and Modest Venusaur in sun.
* Maximum Special Defense investment coupled with an Assault Vest allows Kartana to take strong special attacks such as Kyogre's Water Spout and Regieleki's Max Lightning that it would be unable to otherwise.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Smart Strike
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Detect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Smart Strike is necessary to hit the plethora of Fairy-type Pokemon in the metagame including Grimmsnarl, Whimsicott, and Xerneas, (AC) for as much damage as possible. If Kartana is Dynamaxed, the boosts to its Defense from Max Steelspike make it insanely durable physically.
* Sacred Sword complements Kartana's Grass and Steel STAB type combo to hit Incineroar, opposing Kartana, and Urshifu-S hard. Any KOs achieved by using Max Knuckle will also raise its Attack by two stages instead of one via Beast Boost.
* Detect is mandatory on Focus Sash Kartana, as it is otherwise very susceptible to double targets from Fake Out and other strong special attacks such as Zapdos's Max Airstream and Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage. Detect specifically is also unaffected by Imprison from Indeedee, which can only learn Protect.
* Focus Sash allows Kartana to not worry about compensating for its low Special Defense. Therefore, it can fully invest in its Attack, which is particularly helpful for netting higher rolls on Pokemon such as Kyogre and Xerneas.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Similarly to Aerial Ace, Giga Impact or Guillotine can be used as a speed control option in the form of Max Strike. However, because you are lowering the foes' Speed instead of boosting your own Pokemon's, any new Pokemon sent out onto the field will be unaffected. Brick Break is an option over Sacred Sword, as it is useful for breaking screens, but it is noticeably weaker than Sacred Sword and does not ignore stat boosts. Swords Dance can work as a surprise option on Focus Sash Kartana, but using it will leave Kartana either without a way to protect itself or without a coverage option, severely limiting its potency as a sweeper.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zeefable, 501951]]
- Quality checked by: [[Raineko, 294287], [DomarpVGC, 526614]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
In a metagame dominated by Kyogre and Electric-types, Kartana stands out as one of the most reliable Grass-type options for any team. Its massive Attack stat coupled with high Speed and very useful Max Moves gives it the ability to tear through teams on its own. Even outside of Dynamax, Kartana's attacking prowess cannot be understated, especially once it has a Beast Boost or two under its belt. However, Kartana does possess a few downsides. Its lack of spread moves means that it will normally need to be paired with Kyogre or Calyrex-S to secure KOs, and its obvious weaknesses to Fire-types and strong special attacks often result in it getting KOed quickly.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Smart Strike
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Aerial Ace
item: Assault Vest
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Smart Strike is used as a secondary STAB option to hit Fairy- and Ice-types such as Grimmsnarl and Calyrex-I. It is also useful for access to Max Steelspike for Defense boosting.
* Sacred Sword is Kartana's main coverage option, allowing it to hit the likes of Incineroar and opposing Kartana. Access to Max Knuckle is also extremely helpful, as it negates Intimidate drops and can boost Kartana's Attack by two stages if it KOes an opponent.
* Aerial Ace is used for access to Max Airstream, providing both Kartana and its partner with a Speed boost. Notably, this allows Kartana to outspeed even Calyrex-S and Modest Venusaur in sun.
* Maximum Special Defense investment coupled with an Assault Vest allows Kartana to take strong special attacks such as Kyogre's Water Spout and Regieleki's Max Lightning that it would be unable to otherwise.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Smart Strike
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Detect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Smart Strike is necessary to hit the plethora of Fairy-type Pokemon in the metagame including Grimmsnarl, Whimsicott, and Xerneas, (AC) for as much damage as possible. If Kartana is Dynamaxed, the boosts to its Defense from Max Steelspike make it insanely durable physically.
* Sacred Sword complements Kartana's Grass and Steel STAB type combo to hit Incineroar, opposing Kartana, and Urshifu-S hard. Any KOs achieved by using Max Knuckle will also raise its Attack by two stages instead of one via Beast Boost.
* Detect is mandatory on Focus Sash Kartana, as it is otherwise very susceptible to double targets from Fake Out and other strong special attacks such as Zapdos's Max Airstream and Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage. Detect specifically is also unaffected by Imprison from Indeedee, which can only learn Protect.
* Focus Sash allows Kartana to not worry about compensating for its low Special Defense. Therefore, it can fully invest in its Attack, which is particularly helpful for netting higher rolls on Pokemon such as Kyogre and Xerneas.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Similarly to Aerial Ace, Giga Impact or Guillotine can be used as a speed control option in the form of Max Strike. However, because you are lowering the foes' Speed instead of boosting your own Pokemon's, any new Pokemon sent out onto the field will be unaffected. Brick Break is an option over Sacred Sword, as it is useful for breaking screens, but it is noticeably weaker than Sacred Sword and does not ignore stat boosts. Swords Dance can work as a surprise option on Focus Sash Kartana, but using it will leave Kartana either without a way to protect itself or without a coverage option, severely limiting its potency as a sweeper.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zeefable, 501951]]
- Quality checked by: [[Raineko, 294287], [DomarpVGC, 526614]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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