[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 3 onwards
**Price Range**: 13-14 points
**Overview**: Keldeo is a powerful special wallbreaker, offensive pivot, and setup sweeper thanks to its powerful STAB moves, excellent Special Attack, good Speed, and ability to hit special walls with Secret Sword. Its typing also allows it to act as a defensive check to dangerous Dark- and Ice-type Pokemon in the format. However, Keldeo struggles to break past Pokemon that resist its STAB moves due to having very limited and weak coverage options. It also offers very few utility options, making it harder to fit into drafts due to its poor role compression.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: With the help of Choice Specs or another damage-boosting item, Keldeo's Water- and Fighting-type STAB moves can rip through many defensive cores. Access to Secret Sword allows Keldeo to hit both physically and specially, making it harder to defensively check, and a powerful Vacuum Wave also allows it to beat many frail offensive Pokemon that would be faster than it.
**Offensive Pivot**: Thanks to Flip Turn, a good defensive typing with moderate bulk, and powerful moves that tend to force foes to switch, Keldeo can act as an effective offensive pivot. Additionally, thanks to Keldeo's good Speed, especially if paired with a Choice Scarf, it can also be a powerful revenge killer.
**Setup Sweeper**: With its good Speed stat, Keldeo can use Calm Mind to be an effective late-game cleaner. Against more offensive drafts, Trailblaze is an option to outspeed an opponent's threats if the extra coverage or power boost from another setup move isn't necessary. Work Up is also a viable alternative in specific matchups, as Keldeo can run a mixed set to make use of its wider physical coverage and beat certain Pokemon that would normally check it.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Surf, Hydro Pump, Secret Sword, Aura Sphere, Focus Blast, Vacuum Wave
**Setup Moves**: Calm Mind, Trailblaze, Work Up, Substitute
**Utility Moves**: Flip Turn, Taunt, Brick Break, Reflect
**Coverage**: Icy Wind, Air Slash, Stone Edge, Poison Jab, X-Scissor
Niche Moves
========
**Swords Dance**: Keldeo has a good amount of strong physical STAB options and coverage moves, so a physical set with Swords Dance can be effective in certain scenarios against drafts that would otherwise be difficult for a special Keldeo to break through, such as against special walls that resist Secret Sword. For such sets, your STAB moves of choice are generally Liquidation and Close Combat.
**Rain Dance**: While normally outclassed by Calm Mind or another setup option, Rain Dance can be useful in a matchup against sun teams by denying their weather while also boosting its Water-type attacks.
**Aqua Jet**: While Keldeo has a much lower Attack in comparison to its Special Attack, Aqua Jet can be an option to revenge kill weakened Pokemon that are resistant to Vacuum Wave.
Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs allows Keldeo to do massive damage without needing to set up. This lets it act as a strong wallbreaker while also boosting Vacuum Wave so that it can more effectively revenge kill weakened foes.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf allows Keldeo to act as great speed control and lets it revenge kill many offensive threats, including many setup sweepers after a Speed boost.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers is Keldeo's only source of recovery and is mostly useful for Calm Mind sets, allowing Keldeo to stay on the field for longer periods of time.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: If Keldeo is being used as an offensive pivot, Heavy-Duty Boots allows it to minimize damage from entry hazards, prolonging its longevity and ability to check key offensive threats.
Niche Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Other damage-boosting items, such as Life Orb, or items that boost one of Keldeo's STAB types, can be used as a weaker alternative to Choice Specs on wallbreaking sets or on Calm Mind sets that need a power boost to break through specific defensive checks.
**Assault Vest**: Keldeo can utilize an Assault Vest, alongside its decent natural bulk, good defensive typing, and strong STAB moves, to act as a check to certain special attackers such as Greninja, Iron Moth, and Terapagos. Keldeo's lack of recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards, however, means that Assault Vest sets can eventually be chipped down and overwhelmed by said attackers.
**Salac Berry**: Salac Berry can be used alongside Substitute or Endure, mainly on Calm Mind sets, to give Keldeo a Speed boost and allow it to more effectively sweep late-game.
**Resistance Berries**: Resistance Berries can allow Keldeo to avoid being revenge killed and lure in and defeat its checks. Calm Mind sets in particular can also use them to gain more setup opportunities.
Tera
========
Keldeo greatly benefits from Tera, but it should not be your first choice for a Tera captain and should be chosen only if your higher-tier Pokemon do not benefit as much from or cannot use Tera. Tera Water and Fighting are great options to boost Keldeo's STAB moves and its wallbreaking potential. Other good options would be Tera types that can utilize Tera Blast to deal with Pokemon that would wall Keldeo's STAB options, such as Tera Electric to allow it to hit Toxapex and Tera Fairy to hit Latias.
Draft Strategy
========
Keldeo is a good option for both offensive and balanced drafts that are looking for a powerful special wallbreaker that can also act as an offensive pivot or provide decent speed control. Keldeo greatly struggles with Pokemon that resist both of its STAB types, so having teammates that can deal with such Pokemon is essential for maximizing Keldeo's potential as a wallbreaker or setup sweeper.
**Speed Control**: Having faster teammates that can fulfill the role of speed control allows Keldeo to run its powerful wallbreaker or setup sweeper sets. Pokemon such as Tornadus-T and Meowscarada are great partners for this, as they can pivot into Keldeo with U-turn and provide good utility through Knock Off.
**Other Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Chi-Yu, Urshifu-S, and Raging Bolt can be great partners for Keldeo, as they can break through most Pokemon that would wall Keldeo, while Keldeo can use Flip Turn to better position these wallbreakers and allow them to break apart opposing teams. They can enable Keldeo to have more flexibility with its set, letting it run more restricting items like Choice Scarf with less downsides.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Entry hazards—Spikes and Toxic Spikes in particular—greatly reduce Keldeo's longevity and hurt its ability to switch into Pokemon that it could otherwise check. Pokemon that can reliably remove hazards, such as Iron Treads, Excadrill, and even cheaper removal options such as Talonflame, are greatly appreciated.
**Entry Hazard Setters**: As with most wallbreakers, Keldeo greatly appreciates entry hazard support that can chip down opposing walls and allow it to more easily break through them. Pokemon such as Ting-Lu, Landorus-T, or Jirachi can fulfill this role while also supporting Keldeo by taking on types it is weak to or pivoting into it.
Checks and Counters
========
**Water- and Fighting-resistant Pokemon**: Keldeo has poor options for coverage, so Pokemon that resist its STAB moves such as Latias, Primarina, and Amoonguss can easily switch into it and threaten to OHKO or weaken it. Very specially bulky Pokemon that resist Fighting such as Scream Tail, Cresselia, and Uxie are also strong checks to Keldeo, as they take little damage from Secret Sword and can wall Keldeo's other special moves with ease.
**Faster Pokemon**: Fast Pokemon that aren't weak to Fighting such as Latios, Iron Valiant, and Thundurus naturally outspeed Keldeo and can OHKO it while taking little damage from Vacuum Wave. Opposing Choice Scarf users are also effective at revenge killing Keldeo or forcing it out, as it is outsped by most of them if it does not have a Speed boost itself. Choice Specs Keldeo sets in particular are especially prone to being revenge killed this way if they are not Choice-locked into Vacuum Wave.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Ogerpon-W, Serperior, and Hydrapple can easily switch into Keldeo's Water-type STAB moves and threaten to OHKO it, though they do not appreciate switching into a Fighting-type move or Air Slash. Rillaboom deserves a special mention, as its above average bulk and additional recovery from Grassy Terrain allow it to potentially switch into Keldeo multiple times throughout a match, and Grassy Glide allows it to easily OHKO Keldeo with little risk.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/vmnunes.613460/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno6377.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
**Draft Order**: Round 3 onwards
**Price Range**: 13-14 points
**Overview**: Keldeo is a powerful special wallbreaker, offensive pivot, and setup sweeper thanks to its powerful STAB moves, excellent Special Attack, good Speed, and ability to hit special walls with Secret Sword. Its typing also allows it to act as a defensive check to dangerous Dark- and Ice-type Pokemon in the format. However, Keldeo struggles to break past Pokemon that resist its STAB moves due to having very limited and weak coverage options. It also offers very few utility options, making it harder to fit into drafts due to its poor role compression.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: With the help of Choice Specs or another damage-boosting item, Keldeo's Water- and Fighting-type STAB moves can rip through many defensive cores. Access to Secret Sword allows Keldeo to hit both physically and specially, making it harder to defensively check, and a powerful Vacuum Wave also allows it to beat many frail offensive Pokemon that would be faster than it.
**Offensive Pivot**: Thanks to Flip Turn, a good defensive typing with moderate bulk, and powerful moves that tend to force foes to switch, Keldeo can act as an effective offensive pivot. Additionally, thanks to Keldeo's good Speed, especially if paired with a Choice Scarf, it can also be a powerful revenge killer.
**Setup Sweeper**: With its good Speed stat, Keldeo can use Calm Mind to be an effective late-game cleaner. Against more offensive drafts, Trailblaze is an option to outspeed an opponent's threats if the extra coverage or power boost from another setup move isn't necessary. Work Up is also a viable alternative in specific matchups, as Keldeo can run a mixed set to make use of its wider physical coverage and beat certain Pokemon that would normally check it.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Surf, Hydro Pump, Secret Sword, Aura Sphere, Focus Blast, Vacuum Wave
**Setup Moves**: Calm Mind, Trailblaze, Work Up, Substitute
**Utility Moves**: Flip Turn, Taunt, Brick Break, Reflect
**Coverage**: Icy Wind, Air Slash, Stone Edge, Poison Jab, X-Scissor
Niche Moves
========
**Swords Dance**: Keldeo has a good amount of strong physical STAB options and coverage moves, so a physical set with Swords Dance can be effective in certain scenarios against drafts that would otherwise be difficult for a special Keldeo to break through, such as against special walls that resist Secret Sword. For such sets, your STAB moves of choice are generally Liquidation and Close Combat.
**Rain Dance**: While normally outclassed by Calm Mind or another setup option, Rain Dance can be useful in a matchup against sun teams by denying their weather while also boosting its Water-type attacks.
**Aqua Jet**: While Keldeo has a much lower Attack in comparison to its Special Attack, Aqua Jet can be an option to revenge kill weakened Pokemon that are resistant to Vacuum Wave.
Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs allows Keldeo to do massive damage without needing to set up. This lets it act as a strong wallbreaker while also boosting Vacuum Wave so that it can more effectively revenge kill weakened foes.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf allows Keldeo to act as great speed control and lets it revenge kill many offensive threats, including many setup sweepers after a Speed boost.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers is Keldeo's only source of recovery and is mostly useful for Calm Mind sets, allowing Keldeo to stay on the field for longer periods of time.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: If Keldeo is being used as an offensive pivot, Heavy-Duty Boots allows it to minimize damage from entry hazards, prolonging its longevity and ability to check key offensive threats.
Niche Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Other damage-boosting items, such as Life Orb, or items that boost one of Keldeo's STAB types, can be used as a weaker alternative to Choice Specs on wallbreaking sets or on Calm Mind sets that need a power boost to break through specific defensive checks.
**Assault Vest**: Keldeo can utilize an Assault Vest, alongside its decent natural bulk, good defensive typing, and strong STAB moves, to act as a check to certain special attackers such as Greninja, Iron Moth, and Terapagos. Keldeo's lack of recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards, however, means that Assault Vest sets can eventually be chipped down and overwhelmed by said attackers.
**Salac Berry**: Salac Berry can be used alongside Substitute or Endure, mainly on Calm Mind sets, to give Keldeo a Speed boost and allow it to more effectively sweep late-game.
**Resistance Berries**: Resistance Berries can allow Keldeo to avoid being revenge killed and lure in and defeat its checks. Calm Mind sets in particular can also use them to gain more setup opportunities.
Tera
========
Keldeo greatly benefits from Tera, but it should not be your first choice for a Tera captain and should be chosen only if your higher-tier Pokemon do not benefit as much from or cannot use Tera. Tera Water and Fighting are great options to boost Keldeo's STAB moves and its wallbreaking potential. Other good options would be Tera types that can utilize Tera Blast to deal with Pokemon that would wall Keldeo's STAB options, such as Tera Electric to allow it to hit Toxapex and Tera Fairy to hit Latias.
Draft Strategy
========
Keldeo is a good option for both offensive and balanced drafts that are looking for a powerful special wallbreaker that can also act as an offensive pivot or provide decent speed control. Keldeo greatly struggles with Pokemon that resist both of its STAB types, so having teammates that can deal with such Pokemon is essential for maximizing Keldeo's potential as a wallbreaker or setup sweeper.
**Speed Control**: Having faster teammates that can fulfill the role of speed control allows Keldeo to run its powerful wallbreaker or setup sweeper sets. Pokemon such as Tornadus-T and Meowscarada are great partners for this, as they can pivot into Keldeo with U-turn and provide good utility through Knock Off.
**Other Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Chi-Yu, Urshifu-S, and Raging Bolt can be great partners for Keldeo, as they can break through most Pokemon that would wall Keldeo, while Keldeo can use Flip Turn to better position these wallbreakers and allow them to break apart opposing teams. They can enable Keldeo to have more flexibility with its set, letting it run more restricting items like Choice Scarf with less downsides.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Entry hazards—Spikes and Toxic Spikes in particular—greatly reduce Keldeo's longevity and hurt its ability to switch into Pokemon that it could otherwise check. Pokemon that can reliably remove hazards, such as Iron Treads, Excadrill, and even cheaper removal options such as Talonflame, are greatly appreciated.
**Entry Hazard Setters**: As with most wallbreakers, Keldeo greatly appreciates entry hazard support that can chip down opposing walls and allow it to more easily break through them. Pokemon such as Ting-Lu, Landorus-T, or Jirachi can fulfill this role while also supporting Keldeo by taking on types it is weak to or pivoting into it.
Checks and Counters
========
**Water- and Fighting-resistant Pokemon**: Keldeo has poor options for coverage, so Pokemon that resist its STAB moves such as Latias, Primarina, and Amoonguss can easily switch into it and threaten to OHKO or weaken it. Very specially bulky Pokemon that resist Fighting such as Scream Tail, Cresselia, and Uxie are also strong checks to Keldeo, as they take little damage from Secret Sword and can wall Keldeo's other special moves with ease.
**Faster Pokemon**: Fast Pokemon that aren't weak to Fighting such as Latios, Iron Valiant, and Thundurus naturally outspeed Keldeo and can OHKO it while taking little damage from Vacuum Wave. Opposing Choice Scarf users are also effective at revenge killing Keldeo or forcing it out, as it is outsped by most of them if it does not have a Speed boost itself. Choice Specs Keldeo sets in particular are especially prone to being revenge killed this way if they are not Choice-locked into Vacuum Wave.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Ogerpon-W, Serperior, and Hydrapple can easily switch into Keldeo's Water-type STAB moves and threaten to OHKO it, though they do not appreciate switching into a Fighting-type move or Air Slash. Rillaboom deserves a special mention, as its above average bulk and additional recovery from Grassy Terrain allow it to potentially switch into Keldeo multiple times throughout a match, and Grassy Glide allows it to easily OHKO Keldeo with little risk.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/vmnunes.613460/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno6377.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited:
