Keldeo
Status: Adding a lead set which I tested and worked well.
[Overview]
- With the advent of Pokémon Black & White came the birth of a Pokémon based on the character d'Artagnan from the novel The Three Musketeers: Keldeo.
- A slew of resistances, stellar offensive stats, respectable 91 / 90 / 90 defenses, combined with a reasonable movepool provide this pony with the necessary tools needed to take Generation V by storm.
- Resistance to powerful priority moves such as Bullet Punch, Aqua Jet, and Sucker Punch is a huge asset.
- Resistance to Stealth Rock.
- Low Attack stat is a big letdown. However, Justice Heart allows Keldeo to raise his Attack one stage whenever hit by a Dark-type move. Can also further boost his Attack with Swords Dance.
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Sword of Mystery / Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Ghost / Hidden Power Electric
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Justice Heart
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[set comments]
- After a single boost, Keldeo's Special Attack and Special Defense skyrocket to 534 and 324 respectively.
- Hydro Pump and Sword of Mystery provide Keldeo with excellent coverage.
- Sword of Mystery uses his Special Attack to strike an opposing Pokémon's physical defense, which is particularly useful for Blissey, Chansey, and Snorlax.
- Sword Of Mystery is an event move and may be inaccessible for some time. Focus Blast is another Fighting-type move which can be used over Sword of Mystery. Beware of Focus Blast's poor accuracy however.
- The Hidden Power choice is up to you. Hidden Power Ghost gives excellent neutral coverage and hits Burungeru for a 2HKO after a calm mind as well as Latias, Latios and Celebi who otherwise wall this set. HP Electric however allows Keruidio to strike back at other walls, such as Vaporeon, and still hits Burungeru for super-effective damage.
- Surf is an alternative over Hydro Pump, but trades power for reliability
- Leftovers can be used for survivability at the cost of offensive power
- EVs are standard for an offensive sweeper. Keldeo also has the important base 108 Speed, tying with the likes of Terakion and Infernape.
- Zapdos works well with this set, switching into many of the Pokemon that wall it.
- Sazandora and Tyranitar can both trap/weaken the opponent's counters for a Keldeo sweep
- Gyarados walls non-HP Electric sets, and Shaymin-S can outspeed and KO.
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Aqua Jet / Aqua Tail
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Stone Edge / X-Scissor
item: Life Orb
ability: Justice Heart
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[set comments]
- Mediocre attack stat remedied by Swords Dance
- Swords Dance puts him at 534 Attack or 489 Attack with a Adamant or Jolly nature
- If you can switch in on a Dark-type move, Keldeo's ability gives him another Attack boost
- Close Combat and Aqua Jet provide phenomenal coverage together.
[additional comments]
- Aqua Tail can be used over Aqua Jet but the priority is usually more useful than the power boost.
- Stone Edge hits most Pokemon resistant to Keldeo's STABs, but X-Scissor hammers Latias and her brother, as well as Celebi.
- Choice Scarf Garchomp is immune to Electric attacks and can chase off Salamence, Gyarados, and Zapdos, which otherwise hamper Keldeo's sweep.
- Zapdos, Salamence, and Gyarados can take Keldeo's STABS and retaliate.
[SET]
name: Lead Attacker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Sword of Mystery
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: Taunt / Hidden Power Electric
item: Life orb
Nature: Modest
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[set comments]
- This set forgoes boosting in favor of utility.
- 2HKOs or OHKOs many common entry-hazard setters with a combination of its two excellent STABs and Aqua Jet.
- Aqua Jet is for picking of weakened foes or KOing Focus Sash users.
- The choice between Taunt and Hidden Power Electric depends on whether you want Keldeo to be more reliable at stopping entry hazards or dealing neutral damage.
- Focus sash can be used if you feel Keldeo is too frail, but Life Orb is typically superior due to the damage output.
- Pokemon which dislike entry hazards, such as Aakeosu, make great partners to this set.
- This set definitely needs to be able to remove Pokemon which resist Keldeo's STABS if it is meant to be used midgame; as such, Tyranitar is an excellent partner.
[teammates and counters]
- Tyranitar is arguably one of Keldeo's best teammates due to its ability to eliminate three of Keldeo's biggest counters: Burungeru, Latias, and Celebi.
- Entry hazards make it easier for Keldeo to KO threats. Nattorei is an excellent hazard-setter, as it also has brilliant type synergy with Keldeo.
- Garchomp can happily switch in on the Electric moves Keldeo attracts. He can also jeopardize any plans Gyarados and Salamence may have to check Keldeo.
- Many Dragon types can take attacks aimed at Keldeo and weaken teams with strong Dragon attacks, making it easier for Keldeo to clean up.
- Anything that resists Keldeo's STABs and can incapacitate it with status or strong/super-effective attacks is an excellent counter. For example, Burungeru is immune to both STABs and can burn Keldeo.
- Morobareru resists Keldeo's STAB moves and can incapacitate Keldeo with Spore
- If Keldeo lacks X-Scissor, Celebi will walk all over it.
- Gyarados and Salamence possess Intimidate and resistances to Keldeo's STAB moves, making them a fine check against Swords Dance variants.
- Shaymin-S outspeeds and can KO with either STAB attack while resisting Keldeo's.
- Keldeo can be an okay wallbreaker with Choice Specs tearing through teams, but is forced out by any prediction and often leads to losses of initiative.
- Can run a Cheer Up set with Sword of Mystery or Close Combat, Hydro Pump, and Stone Edge, but is mostly inferior to the Calm Mind / Swords Dance sets Keldeo can run.
- Shallow movepool means that not many other options are feasible. Choice Band/Scarf sets simply aren't worth it, as Keldeo does much better with boosted stats and the ability to switch attacks.
- Keldeo does not receive a Dream World ability.
