NU [NU] Xatu

[lydian]

Xatu @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
Impish Nature
- Night Shade
- Roost
- U-turn / Protect
- Toxic / Protect

While Xatu is mostly known for its relevance to the native Unova mythology, it's just as influential in the NU tier, making use of its near-exclusive ability in Magic Bounce to be a strong deterrent to the ever-common Stealth Rock and other hazards, beating the likes of Steelix and Ferroseed without much struggle. Efficient hazard control like this is extremely valuable to a plethora of teams, especially when several top-tier Pokémon are weak to it, like Incineroar, Vanilluxe, Sneasel, and Braviary, which therefore make great allies to Xatu. Xatu can be a great pivot for teams that want an immediate form of hazard prevention, making great use of several utility moves like Roost and U-turn to solidify its role. That being said, some Stealth Rock setters such as Rhydon, Diancie, and most notably Druddigon can overcome Xatu, meaning partners that can pressure them, like Slowbro and Steelix, or remove their hazards, like Silvally-Steel and Blastoise, make great picks.

In this game between Kushalos and HANTSUKI, you can see how Xatu proves is effectiveness to both sides, not letting Stealth Rock go up at any point in the match.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7nu-393987

 

[Rabia]

Xatu @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
- Night Shade
- Roost
- U-turn / Protect
- Toxic / Protect

While Xatu is mostly known for its relevance for the native Unova mythology, it’s just as relevant in the NU tier, making use of its near-exclusive ability in Magic Bounce to be a strong deterrent to the ever common Stealth Rock and other hazards, beating the likes of Steelix and Ferroseed without much struggle. Efficient hazard control like this is extremely valuable to a plethora of teams, specially when several top tier Pokémon are weak to it, like Incineroar, Vanniluxe Vanilluxe*, Sneasel, and Braviary, making them great allies to Xatu. It can be a great pivot for teams that want an immediate form of hazard prevention, making great use of several utility moves like Roost and U-turn to solidify its role. That being said, some Stealth Rock setters such as Rhydon, Piloswine Diancie > Piloswine, and specially I don't know what specially Druddigon is; some Druddigon run Mold Breaker though Druddigon can overcome Xatu, thus keeping those in mind when teambuilding is important, with partners that can pressure them, like Slowbro and Steelix, being great picks. address its role as merely a secondary form of hazard control too

In this game between Kushalos and HANTSUKI, you can see how Xatu proves is effectiveness to both sides, not letting Stealth Rock go up at any point in the match
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7nu-393987

1/1

 

[Rabia]

o because I forgot: run impish > bold so as to not reduce u-turns damage output

 

[Lumari]

check

Xatu @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
Impish Nature
- Night Shade
- Roost
- U-turn / Protect
- Toxic / Protect

While Xatu is mostly known for its relevance for to the native Unova mythology, it’s it's just as relevant (influential? or any fitting synonym to reduce repetition) in the NU tier, making use of its near-exclusive ability in Magic Bounce to be a strong deterrent to the ever-common (AH) Stealth Rock and other hazards, beating the likes of Steelix and Ferroseed without much struggle. Efficient hazard control like this is extremely valuable to a plethora of teams, specially especially when several top-tier (AH) Pokémon are weak to it, like Incineroar, Vaniluxe Vanilluxe, Sneasel, and Braviary, making them which therefore make great allies to Xatu. It Xatu can be a great pivot for teams that want an immediate form of hazard prevention, making great use of several utility moves like Roost and U-turn to solidify its role. That being said, some Stealth Rock setters such as Rhydon, Diancie, and most notably Druddigon can overcome Xatu, thus meaning partners that can pressure them, like Slowbro and Steelix, or remove their hazards, like Silvally-Steel and Blastoise, being make great picks.

In this game between Kushalos and HANTSUKI, you can see how Xatu proves is effectiveness to both sides, not letting Stealth Rock go up at any point in the match. (AP)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7nu-393987