[OVERVIEW]
Azelf is a versatile presence in the tier thanks to its vast movepool, which grants it several coverage and utility options alike. This in tandem with its blistering Speed and excellent offenses allows it to fulfill several unique roles in the metagame. Its access to Nasty Plot and the coverage necessary to hit most of the tier hard allows it to make for a formidable late-game sweeper. It can also function as an efficient dual screens setter or suicide lead with Stealth Rock thanks to the excellent combination of its Speed and access to useful utility moves in Taunt, Explosion, and Knock Off. Unfortunately, Azelf is severely hampered by its abysmal defenses, which leave it open to faster attackers, Choice Scarf users, and powerful priority attacks. This can complicate its ability to perform its various roles without significant support, often requiring careful play in order to make the most out of its tools. Lastly, because of its pitiful bulk and typing, Azelf suffers stiff competition in all of its common roles. Celebi and Latias provide more defensive utility with their typings, bulk, and access to recovery, making them more reliable options for special sweepers. Xatu stands as solid competition as a screens setter, providing Magic Bounce and a slower U-turn. Froslass competes heavily with Azelf for the slot of a suicide lead, providing spinblocking capabilities and unique utility with Icy Wind, Destiny Bond, and Cursed Body.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 4: Dazzling Gleam
item: Adrenaline Orb / Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psyshock is Azelf's best STAB move for this set, 2HKOing Blissey after a boost and heavily damaging most targets that don't resist it. Psychic is an option over Psyshock for its ability to more efficiently power through various physically defensive Pokemon, such as Hippowdon, Swampert, Rhyperior, and Gligar, though this comes at the cost of being unable to heavily damage Blissey. Flamethrower provides strong coverage against Steel-types like Scizor and Mega Steelix, consistently OHKOing the former and powering through the latter after a boost. Fire Blast provides a stronger Fire-type move at the cost of accuracy, allowing Azelf to more easily power through the likes of Empoleon and Mega Aggron. This does notably worsen its reliability against Scizor, however. Dazzling Gleam hits Hydreigon and Latias, which otherwise wall Azelf, super effectively. It also allows Azelf to cleanly OHKO Krookodile, offensive Mega Altaria, and Crawdaunt after a boost. Energy Ball is an option for powering through Rhyperior, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Hippowdon more easily than Azelf's other attacks. It also still hits Krookodile and Crawdaunt hard but leaves Azelf unable to combat Hydreigon and Latias.
Set Details
========
Adrenaline Orb allows Azelf to take advantage of Krookodile and Mega Manectric's Intimidate to increase its Speed, it to outrun the entire unboosted metagame and every relevant Choice Scarf user once activated. Life Orb is also an option for its ability to put a great amount of power behind Azelf's attacks, allowing it to reliably OHKO Mega Aggron with a boosted Fire Blast, for instance. This, however, does put it at risk of being easier to revenge kill with priority attacks, as well as by Choice Scarf users and Pursuit. Levitate is Azelf's only available ability, though it can be useful for easier setup against passive Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert.
Usage Tips
========
Azelf's frailty usually only allows it to set up once, meaning that it should usually only try functioning as a cleaner, sweeping in late-game scenarios after its checks have been removed. This also means that Azelf should generally refrain from coming into play earlier. However, its Speed tier can be used to help revenge kill various Pokemon, such as Infernape and Gengar, if need be. Faster Pokemon capable of outrunning Azelf, like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill, should be outright removed from play to maximize its sweeping potential. Both mentioned threats can also carry Pursuit to trap Azelf with, making them particularly important to remove before bringing it out. Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon, Infernape, and Chandelure should also be removed. Azelf can circumvent this, however, if Adrenaline Orb is activated before these Pokemon try revenge killing it. Priority users like Scizor, Bisharp, Doublade, and Mamoswine should also be removed in order to more easily sweep late-game. It should be noted, however, that only Bisharp can KO Azelf from full, meaning that in emergency situations, it can still prevail against the other mentioned Pokemon. Azelf should utilize Adrenaline Orb to receive a boost in Speed from Pokemon with the Intimidate ability, such as Krookodile and Mega Manectric. This furthers its late-game sweeping potential by making it harder to revenge kill, outrunning the aforementioned threats and powering through them with its boosted attacks. If running Adrenaline Orb, Azelf should be extra careful about coming into play too early in matchups with Mega Manectric or Krookodile on the other team, as its item could get consumed too early for Azelf to adequately take advantage of its Speed boost. Azelf should capitalize on its coverage in matchups against bulkier teams to function as a wallbreaker instead of a cleaner, though it should be careful in doing this depending on the specific structures of said teams. If a Pokemon like Alolan Muk or Pyukumuku is being run, or if Azelf is using Psychic and can't break Blissey, it should try refocusing its role to break or clean after threats it can't take on are removed, much like in offensive matchups.
Team Options
========
This set's easiest fit is on offensive teams due to its nature as a late-game cleaner. Azelf greatly appreciates entry hazard support in order to more easily break past its foes, making Nihilego, Cobalion, and Terrakion solid options for teammates. Klefki can be particularly helpful due to its ability to provide Azelf with speed control with Thunder Wave as well as soften Azelf's slightly shaky matchups against Hydreigon and Latias. Knock Off support from the likes of Krookodile and Bisharp can also be beneficial, removing Choice Scarf from Pokemon like Infernape and Hydreigon and allowing Azelf to more easily sweep. Pursuit trappers such as Alolan Muk, Scizor, and Mega Aerodactyl can also patch up Azelf's shaky matchup against Latias while also taking care of Starmie, which it Speed ties with. Strong wallbreakers generally make good partners due to their ability to soften up opposing teams for Azelf to clean up. Examples include Nidoking, Primarina, and Mamoswine. Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Krookodile can help Azelf through their ability to revenge kill various faster Pokemon that threaten it, like Mega Aerodactyl. Lastly, pivots like Mega Manectric, Scizor, and Moltres can bring Azelf into play, circumventing its frailty. Mega Manectric and Moltres can also help improve the Scizor matchup.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychium Z is an option on Azelf's Nasty Plot set alongside Psyshock for allowing it to break both physically and specially defensive foes with one moveslot, giving it a decent stall matchup. However, Azelf often makes more consistent use of its other options for items, which better accommodate its poor longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Azelf's frailty allows most faster Pokemon, such as Zeraora and Mega Beedrill, to easily overwhelm it with powerful attacks. Mega Aerodactyl is particularly threatening due to its ability to trap Azelf with Pursuit. Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon, Krookodile, and Infernape can also outrun and power through Azelf fairly efficiently. However, Krookodile must look out for Adrenaline Orb variants. Mega Manectric can naturally outpace Azelf, but it also has to watch out for sets running Adrenaline Orb.
**Dark-types**: Most Dark-type Pokemon have sufficient ways of pressuring Azelf, or at the very least forcing it into mind games. Choice Scarf variants of Hydreigon and Krookodile can hinder support sets from performing their roles, while Mega Sharpedo can use Speed Boost to outrun and overpower any Azelf set with Crunch. All of these must look out for Dazzling Gleam, however. Alolan Muk can sturdily check Azelf's Nasty Plot sets while threatening it with Knock Off and Pursuit, though it also must watch out for Explosion on support sets.
**Priority Moves**: Azelf's pitiful bulk leaves it open to the majority of the tier's priority attacks. Doublade's Shadow Sneak and Bisharp's Sucker Punch both hit it super effectively, though it also takes significant damage from Mamoswine's Ice Shard, Scizor's Bullet Punch, Lucario's Extreme Speed, and Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet.
**Mimikyu**: Mimikyu serves as a particularly reliable revenge killer to Azelf thanks to its Disguise ability, which allows it to always take an attack and hit Azelf hard with super effective Ghost-type STAB moves. Even with its Disguise broken, Mimikyu can heavily damage Azelf with priority Shadow Sneak and doesn't risk getting KOed by Explosion.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Hilomilo, 313384]]
- Quality checked by: [[Twilight, 344575], [Nuked, 382658], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
Azelf is a versatile presence in the tier thanks to its vast movepool, which grants it several coverage and utility options alike. This in tandem with its blistering Speed and excellent offenses allows it to fulfill several unique roles in the metagame. Its access to Nasty Plot and the coverage necessary to hit most of the tier hard allows it to make for a formidable late-game sweeper. It can also function as an efficient dual screens setter or suicide lead with Stealth Rock thanks to the excellent combination of its Speed and access to useful utility moves in Taunt, Explosion, and Knock Off. Unfortunately, Azelf is severely hampered by its abysmal defenses, which leave it open to faster attackers, Choice Scarf users, and powerful priority attacks. This can complicate its ability to perform its various roles without significant support, often requiring careful play in order to make the most out of its tools. Lastly, because of its pitiful bulk and typing, Azelf suffers stiff competition in all of its common roles. Celebi and Latias provide more defensive utility with their typings, bulk, and access to recovery, making them more reliable options for special sweepers. Xatu stands as solid competition as a screens setter, providing Magic Bounce and a slower U-turn. Froslass competes heavily with Azelf for the slot of a suicide lead, providing spinblocking capabilities and unique utility with Icy Wind, Destiny Bond, and Cursed Body.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 4: Dazzling Gleam
item: Adrenaline Orb / Life Orb
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psyshock is Azelf's best STAB move for this set, 2HKOing Blissey after a boost and heavily damaging most targets that don't resist it. Psychic is an option over Psyshock for its ability to more efficiently power through various physically defensive Pokemon, such as Hippowdon, Swampert, Rhyperior, and Gligar, though this comes at the cost of being unable to heavily damage Blissey. Flamethrower provides strong coverage against Steel-types like Scizor and Mega Steelix, consistently OHKOing the former and powering through the latter after a boost. Fire Blast provides a stronger Fire-type move at the cost of accuracy, allowing Azelf to more easily power through the likes of Empoleon and Mega Aggron. This does notably worsen its reliability against Scizor, however. Dazzling Gleam hits Hydreigon and Latias, which otherwise wall Azelf, super effectively. It also allows Azelf to cleanly OHKO Krookodile, offensive Mega Altaria, and Crawdaunt after a boost. Energy Ball is an option for powering through Rhyperior, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Hippowdon more easily than Azelf's other attacks. It also still hits Krookodile and Crawdaunt hard but leaves Azelf unable to combat Hydreigon and Latias.
Set Details
========
Adrenaline Orb allows Azelf to take advantage of Krookodile and Mega Manectric's Intimidate to increase its Speed, it to outrun the entire unboosted metagame and every relevant Choice Scarf user once activated. Life Orb is also an option for its ability to put a great amount of power behind Azelf's attacks, allowing it to reliably OHKO Mega Aggron with a boosted Fire Blast, for instance. This, however, does put it at risk of being easier to revenge kill with priority attacks, as well as by Choice Scarf users and Pursuit. Levitate is Azelf's only available ability, though it can be useful for easier setup against passive Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert.
Usage Tips
========
Azelf's frailty usually only allows it to set up once, meaning that it should usually only try functioning as a cleaner, sweeping in late-game scenarios after its checks have been removed. This also means that Azelf should generally refrain from coming into play earlier. However, its Speed tier can be used to help revenge kill various Pokemon, such as Infernape and Gengar, if need be. Faster Pokemon capable of outrunning Azelf, like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill, should be outright removed from play to maximize its sweeping potential. Both mentioned threats can also carry Pursuit to trap Azelf with, making them particularly important to remove before bringing it out. Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon, Infernape, and Chandelure should also be removed. Azelf can circumvent this, however, if Adrenaline Orb is activated before these Pokemon try revenge killing it. Priority users like Scizor, Bisharp, Doublade, and Mamoswine should also be removed in order to more easily sweep late-game. It should be noted, however, that only Bisharp can KO Azelf from full, meaning that in emergency situations, it can still prevail against the other mentioned Pokemon. Azelf should utilize Adrenaline Orb to receive a boost in Speed from Pokemon with the Intimidate ability, such as Krookodile and Mega Manectric. This furthers its late-game sweeping potential by making it harder to revenge kill, outrunning the aforementioned threats and powering through them with its boosted attacks. If running Adrenaline Orb, Azelf should be extra careful about coming into play too early in matchups with Mega Manectric or Krookodile on the other team, as its item could get consumed too early for Azelf to adequately take advantage of its Speed boost. Azelf should capitalize on its coverage in matchups against bulkier teams to function as a wallbreaker instead of a cleaner, though it should be careful in doing this depending on the specific structures of said teams. If a Pokemon like Alolan Muk or Pyukumuku is being run, or if Azelf is using Psychic and can't break Blissey, it should try refocusing its role to break or clean after threats it can't take on are removed, much like in offensive matchups.
Team Options
========
This set's easiest fit is on offensive teams due to its nature as a late-game cleaner. Azelf greatly appreciates entry hazard support in order to more easily break past its foes, making Nihilego, Cobalion, and Terrakion solid options for teammates. Klefki can be particularly helpful due to its ability to provide Azelf with speed control with Thunder Wave as well as soften Azelf's slightly shaky matchups against Hydreigon and Latias. Knock Off support from the likes of Krookodile and Bisharp can also be beneficial, removing Choice Scarf from Pokemon like Infernape and Hydreigon and allowing Azelf to more easily sweep. Pursuit trappers such as Alolan Muk, Scizor, and Mega Aerodactyl can also patch up Azelf's shaky matchup against Latias while also taking care of Starmie, which it Speed ties with. Strong wallbreakers generally make good partners due to their ability to soften up opposing teams for Azelf to clean up. Examples include Nidoking, Primarina, and Mamoswine. Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Krookodile can help Azelf through their ability to revenge kill various faster Pokemon that threaten it, like Mega Aerodactyl. Lastly, pivots like Mega Manectric, Scizor, and Moltres can bring Azelf into play, circumventing its frailty. Mega Manectric and Moltres can also help improve the Scizor matchup.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychium Z is an option on Azelf's Nasty Plot set alongside Psyshock for allowing it to break both physically and specially defensive foes with one moveslot, giving it a decent stall matchup. However, Azelf often makes more consistent use of its other options for items, which better accommodate its poor longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Azelf's frailty allows most faster Pokemon, such as Zeraora and Mega Beedrill, to easily overwhelm it with powerful attacks. Mega Aerodactyl is particularly threatening due to its ability to trap Azelf with Pursuit. Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon, Krookodile, and Infernape can also outrun and power through Azelf fairly efficiently. However, Krookodile must look out for Adrenaline Orb variants. Mega Manectric can naturally outpace Azelf, but it also has to watch out for sets running Adrenaline Orb.
**Dark-types**: Most Dark-type Pokemon have sufficient ways of pressuring Azelf, or at the very least forcing it into mind games. Choice Scarf variants of Hydreigon and Krookodile can hinder support sets from performing their roles, while Mega Sharpedo can use Speed Boost to outrun and overpower any Azelf set with Crunch. All of these must look out for Dazzling Gleam, however. Alolan Muk can sturdily check Azelf's Nasty Plot sets while threatening it with Knock Off and Pursuit, though it also must watch out for Explosion on support sets.
**Priority Moves**: Azelf's pitiful bulk leaves it open to the majority of the tier's priority attacks. Doublade's Shadow Sneak and Bisharp's Sucker Punch both hit it super effectively, though it also takes significant damage from Mamoswine's Ice Shard, Scizor's Bullet Punch, Lucario's Extreme Speed, and Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet.
**Mimikyu**: Mimikyu serves as a particularly reliable revenge killer to Azelf thanks to its Disguise ability, which allows it to always take an attack and hit Azelf hard with super effective Ghost-type STAB moves. Even with its Disguise broken, Mimikyu can heavily damage Azelf with priority Shadow Sneak and doesn't risk getting KOed by Explosion.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Hilomilo, 313384]]
- Quality checked by: [[Twilight, 344575], [Nuked, 382658], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
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