[OVERVIEW]
With a high Attack stat and access to Sharpness and Stone Axe, Kleavor is very consistent in dishing out great damage while setting up Stealth Rock. Moreover, with access to STAB U-turn, Kleavor can opt to run Choice Scarf sets, as it outspeeds common Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Basculegion-F and Gardevoir. Kleavor is a great lead for offensive teams, as its main utility in Stone Axe gives it an advantage over other Stealth Rock leads such as Terrakion and Azelf, which Taunt cripples. Kleavor also has Swords Dance, which allows it to not be as passive and one-dimensional as the other leads. U-turn also allows Kleavor to pivot out of defensive switch-ins such as Hippowdon, Jirachi, and Registeel and gain momentum for the team. However, Kleavor is rather frail defensively, and being weak to Stealth Rock hinders its ability to work as a momentum generator. Ultimately, as a lead, Kleavor has a low Speed stat compared to other leads, which makes it being prone to Iron Head from Jirachi and Rock Blast from Terrakion.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stone Axe
move 2: X-Scissor
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Close Combat / Trailblaze
item: Focus Sash
ability: Sharpness
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Swords Dance threatens defensive leads such as Hippowdon and Gastrodon, and STAB X-Scissor will threaten to 2HKO them. This usually ends up with Hippowdon or Gastrodon weakened, which makes it easier for Kleavor's teammates to KO them. Close Combat allows Kleavor to hit Steel-types such as Hisuian Goodra, Empoleon, and Registeel. Trailblaze boosts Kleavor's Speed and makes it a threatening sweeper, and it is especially good against offensive teams, as they do not have a solid defensive backbone and often rely on outspeeding and KOing Kleavor. Focus Sash prevents Kleavor from being KOed by faster Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Basculegion-F and Stone Edge Terrakion. Tera Ghost is used to block Rapid Spin from Cyclizar, though Kleavor should rarely Terastallize due to the value Terastallization brings to its teammates.
This is the standard lead Kleavor set on a hyper offense team. Common hyper offense teammates such as Terrakion, Revavroom, and Mimikyu appreciate Kleavor's ability to set up Stealth Rock reliably. These Pokemon will have an easier time sweeping due to Kleavor setting up Stealth Rock and weakening physical walls such as Hippowdon. Other hyper offense staples that are weak to Stealth Rock such as Gyarados and Weakness Policy Armarouge can struggle on teams with lead Kleavor, since Kleavor cannot prevent other leads such as Terrakion and Azelf from setting up Stealth Rock, making Maushold a great teammate due to having entry hazard control in Tidy Up, as well as being a strong setup sweeper.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Stone Axe
move 2: U-turn
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Close Combat
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sharpness
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Choice Scarf Kleavor takes advantage of U-turn and its decent base Speed to be a hard-hitting pivot while also being able to set up entry hazards. Choice Scarf allows Kleavor to outspeed common Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Gardevoir and Basculegion-F. Other Choice Scarf users able to set up hazards do exist in RU, mainly Krookodile, but it has to decide whether to set up Stealth Rock or attack; Kleavor bypasses that due to having access to Stone Axe. U-turn allows Kleavor to pivot out of bad matchups such as Hippowdon and Chesnaught and gives the team momentum. Close Combat hits Steel-types such as Hisuian Goodra, Empoleon, and Registeel. Tera Fighting flips Kleavor's Stealth Rock weakness and lets Close Combat OHKO Empoleon, Krookodile, and Hisuian Goodra.
Choice Scarf Kleavor fits on bulky offense teams and acts as one of the main momentum generators of the team. As a result, Pokemon that can take advantage of safe switch-ins are preferred teammates, such as Volcanion and Armarouge. Kleavor usually wants to use U-turn as the foe switches into Steel-type teammates such as Jirachi, Registeel, and Hisuian Goodra, and these teammates take advantage of the safe switch in as well as threaten them offensively. VoltTurn cores with Mienshao, Galarian Zapdos, and Magnezone can take advantage of the aforementioned Steel-types as well as Chesnaught and Talonflame that tend to switch into Kleavor. Having access to entry hazard control is almost mandatory for Kleavor, as its weakness to Stealth Rock cripples its effectiveness. As a result, Pokemon such as Cyclizar, Galarian Weezing, and Talonflame are good partners. Pokemon such as Slowbro, Hippowdon, and Palossand that can deal with faster Choice Scarf users such as Jirachi and Galarian Zapdos are appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Heavy-Duty Boots + Swords Dance is a good option for pivot Kleavor, as it mitigates the Stealth Rock weakness and makes Kleavor more offensively threatening. Tailwind is an option on lead sets, as Kleavor can set it up before fainting to threaten foes offensively, allowing naturally slow Pokemon such as Armarouge and Feraligatr be more threatening. Covert Cloak is also an option to avoid getting flinched by Iron Head Jirachi, as it is a main form of counterplay versus lead Kleavor hyper offense teams. One could also opt to run Choice Band, which works similar to Choice Scarf, but losing the ability to outspeed Choice Scarf Gardevoir, Basculegion-F, and common faster Pokemon such as Krookodile, Jirachi, and Salamence seems unappealing. Tera Bug X-Scissor has a good chance to OHKO Amoonguss and Slowbro and can 2HKO Chesnaught.
Checks and Counters
====
**Anti-leads**: Jirachi outspeeds Kleavor and threatens to KO or flinch it with Iron Head. Rock Blast Terrakion naturally outspeeds Kleavor and needs three hits to KO Kleavor, and it is a popular anti-Kleavor lead. If Kleavor cannot set up Stealth Rock, it gives the opposing team a huge advantage, as Stealth Rock allows hyper offense teams to break through opposing teams much more easily.
**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: Faster Choice Scarf users such as Krookodile, Galarian Zapdos, and Jirachi outspeed and threaten to KO Choice Scarf Kleavor after some chip damage, and they pressure lead Kleavor into switching out.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Defensive Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Chesnaught, and Galarian Weezing shrug off hits from non-Swords Dance Kleavor sets and threaten it back with STAB moves such as Earthquake from Hippowdon and Body Press from Chesnaught or can cripple Kleavor with Will-O-Wisp from Galarian Weezing. Galarian Weezing also runs Defog to easily remove Stealth Rock set by Kleavor.
**Entry Hazards**: Kleavor is weak to Stealth Rock, rendering Choice Scarf sets crippled and unable to pivot as effectively once Stealth Rock is active.
**Steel-types**: Kleavor is checked by Steel-types such as Registeel, Jirachi, and Revavroom if it is not using Close Combat or is locked into Stone Axe. Bisharp also can set up on non-Close Combat Kleavor and threaten to sweep the team. Bisharp in particular is very threatening against hyper offense teams, as it has a great matchup against the archetype.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/feen.231398/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rarelyme.513635/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sir-tetris.655207/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
With a high Attack stat and access to Sharpness and Stone Axe, Kleavor is very consistent in dishing out great damage while setting up Stealth Rock. Moreover, with access to STAB U-turn, Kleavor can opt to run Choice Scarf sets, as it outspeeds common Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Basculegion-F and Gardevoir. Kleavor is a great lead for offensive teams, as its main utility in Stone Axe gives it an advantage over other Stealth Rock leads such as Terrakion and Azelf, which Taunt cripples. Kleavor also has Swords Dance, which allows it to not be as passive and one-dimensional as the other leads. U-turn also allows Kleavor to pivot out of defensive switch-ins such as Hippowdon, Jirachi, and Registeel and gain momentum for the team. However, Kleavor is rather frail defensively, and being weak to Stealth Rock hinders its ability to work as a momentum generator. Ultimately, as a lead, Kleavor has a low Speed stat compared to other leads, which makes it being prone to Iron Head from Jirachi and Rock Blast from Terrakion.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stone Axe
move 2: X-Scissor
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Close Combat / Trailblaze
item: Focus Sash
ability: Sharpness
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Swords Dance threatens defensive leads such as Hippowdon and Gastrodon, and STAB X-Scissor will threaten to 2HKO them. This usually ends up with Hippowdon or Gastrodon weakened, which makes it easier for Kleavor's teammates to KO them. Close Combat allows Kleavor to hit Steel-types such as Hisuian Goodra, Empoleon, and Registeel. Trailblaze boosts Kleavor's Speed and makes it a threatening sweeper, and it is especially good against offensive teams, as they do not have a solid defensive backbone and often rely on outspeeding and KOing Kleavor. Focus Sash prevents Kleavor from being KOed by faster Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Basculegion-F and Stone Edge Terrakion. Tera Ghost is used to block Rapid Spin from Cyclizar, though Kleavor should rarely Terastallize due to the value Terastallization brings to its teammates.
This is the standard lead Kleavor set on a hyper offense team. Common hyper offense teammates such as Terrakion, Revavroom, and Mimikyu appreciate Kleavor's ability to set up Stealth Rock reliably. These Pokemon will have an easier time sweeping due to Kleavor setting up Stealth Rock and weakening physical walls such as Hippowdon. Other hyper offense staples that are weak to Stealth Rock such as Gyarados and Weakness Policy Armarouge can struggle on teams with lead Kleavor, since Kleavor cannot prevent other leads such as Terrakion and Azelf from setting up Stealth Rock, making Maushold a great teammate due to having entry hazard control in Tidy Up, as well as being a strong setup sweeper.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Stone Axe
move 2: U-turn
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Close Combat
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sharpness
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Choice Scarf Kleavor takes advantage of U-turn and its decent base Speed to be a hard-hitting pivot while also being able to set up entry hazards. Choice Scarf allows Kleavor to outspeed common Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Gardevoir and Basculegion-F. Other Choice Scarf users able to set up hazards do exist in RU, mainly Krookodile, but it has to decide whether to set up Stealth Rock or attack; Kleavor bypasses that due to having access to Stone Axe. U-turn allows Kleavor to pivot out of bad matchups such as Hippowdon and Chesnaught and gives the team momentum. Close Combat hits Steel-types such as Hisuian Goodra, Empoleon, and Registeel. Tera Fighting flips Kleavor's Stealth Rock weakness and lets Close Combat OHKO Empoleon, Krookodile, and Hisuian Goodra.
Choice Scarf Kleavor fits on bulky offense teams and acts as one of the main momentum generators of the team. As a result, Pokemon that can take advantage of safe switch-ins are preferred teammates, such as Volcanion and Armarouge. Kleavor usually wants to use U-turn as the foe switches into Steel-type teammates such as Jirachi, Registeel, and Hisuian Goodra, and these teammates take advantage of the safe switch in as well as threaten them offensively. VoltTurn cores with Mienshao, Galarian Zapdos, and Magnezone can take advantage of the aforementioned Steel-types as well as Chesnaught and Talonflame that tend to switch into Kleavor. Having access to entry hazard control is almost mandatory for Kleavor, as its weakness to Stealth Rock cripples its effectiveness. As a result, Pokemon such as Cyclizar, Galarian Weezing, and Talonflame are good partners. Pokemon such as Slowbro, Hippowdon, and Palossand that can deal with faster Choice Scarf users such as Jirachi and Galarian Zapdos are appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Heavy-Duty Boots + Swords Dance is a good option for pivot Kleavor, as it mitigates the Stealth Rock weakness and makes Kleavor more offensively threatening. Tailwind is an option on lead sets, as Kleavor can set it up before fainting to threaten foes offensively, allowing naturally slow Pokemon such as Armarouge and Feraligatr be more threatening. Covert Cloak is also an option to avoid getting flinched by Iron Head Jirachi, as it is a main form of counterplay versus lead Kleavor hyper offense teams. One could also opt to run Choice Band, which works similar to Choice Scarf, but losing the ability to outspeed Choice Scarf Gardevoir, Basculegion-F, and common faster Pokemon such as Krookodile, Jirachi, and Salamence seems unappealing. Tera Bug X-Scissor has a good chance to OHKO Amoonguss and Slowbro and can 2HKO Chesnaught.
Checks and Counters
====
**Anti-leads**: Jirachi outspeeds Kleavor and threatens to KO or flinch it with Iron Head. Rock Blast Terrakion naturally outspeeds Kleavor and needs three hits to KO Kleavor, and it is a popular anti-Kleavor lead. If Kleavor cannot set up Stealth Rock, it gives the opposing team a huge advantage, as Stealth Rock allows hyper offense teams to break through opposing teams much more easily.
**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: Faster Choice Scarf users such as Krookodile, Galarian Zapdos, and Jirachi outspeed and threaten to KO Choice Scarf Kleavor after some chip damage, and they pressure lead Kleavor into switching out.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Defensive Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Chesnaught, and Galarian Weezing shrug off hits from non-Swords Dance Kleavor sets and threaten it back with STAB moves such as Earthquake from Hippowdon and Body Press from Chesnaught or can cripple Kleavor with Will-O-Wisp from Galarian Weezing. Galarian Weezing also runs Defog to easily remove Stealth Rock set by Kleavor.
**Entry Hazards**: Kleavor is weak to Stealth Rock, rendering Choice Scarf sets crippled and unable to pivot as effectively once Stealth Rock is active.
**Steel-types**: Kleavor is checked by Steel-types such as Registeel, Jirachi, and Revavroom if it is not using Close Combat or is locked into Stone Axe. Bisharp also can set up on non-Close Combat Kleavor and threaten to sweep the team. Bisharp in particular is very threatening against hyper offense teams, as it has a great matchup against the archetype.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/feen.231398/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rarelyme.513635/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sir-tetris.655207/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Last edited: