Code:
[B][U]QC checks:[/U][/B] trickroom, shrang, barry4ever [B][3/3][/B]
[B][U]GP checks:[/U][/B] Calm Pokemaster, Jellicent (DittoCrow) [B][2/2][/B][SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Blue Flare
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Leftovers
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Blue Flare
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Leftovers
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Because Reshiram forces a lot of switches due to its brute force and unresisted coverage, it can utilize Substitute to scout switch-ins such as Kyogre, Palkia, Tyranitar, and Dialga, which take heavy damage from Reshiram's moves. Substitute also allows Reshiram to have a better chance against weather teams, especially those which are rain- or sun-based. It is able to lure in and kill Kyogre with the aid of entry hazards, and can also set up a Substitute against Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, whereas sun teams cannot switch into anything bar the rare Rock Arceus or Water Arceus, Blissey and Chansey, or Ho-Oh (which must be cautious of Stealth Rock). Moreover, prediction, a key part in order to take on Reshiram, is nullified if it packs Substitute.</p>
<p>Blue Flare, Reshiram's signature move, is also its strongest attack. Under the sun, 252 HP / 200 SpD Dialga is easily OHKOed after it has taken damage from Stealth Rock and two layers of Spikes. Dragon Pulse is a great secondary STAB move, offering perfect coverage due to Reshiram's Turboblaze ability with Blue Flare. It OHKOes 4 / 0 Giratina-O after Stealth Rock damage, easily 2HKOes physically defensive Giratina (specially defensive has a 98.05% chance to be 2HKOed after Stealth Rock damage), and has a 98.83% chance to 2HKO 52 HP Kyogre after it has switched into Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Focus Blast rounds off the set with great overall coverage, striking Rock- and Steel-types for super effective damage; Tyranitar is easily OHKOed, and Dialga, which can easily sponge a Blue Flare in rain, is going to take a lot of damage. Offensive Dialga is OHKOed 43.75% of the time, whereas defensive Dialga is always 2HKOed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread provided grants Reshiram maximum offensive capabilities. Modest nature is required to guarantee the OHKO on 4 / 0 Giratina-O after Stealth Rock; Timid is thus an inferior option, even with the boost in Speed it provides. If Speed is still a concern, Flame Charge can be used over Focus Blast to nab a Speed boost on weakened opponents, but it is very weak and results in loss of coverage. Leftovers makes the preferred item as it heals Reshiram each turn, allowing it to set up more Substitutes.</p>
<p>As said, due to Reshiram's immense power and coverage, it forces a lot of switches. Therefore, entry hazards are greatly appreciated and are key to this set's success. Groudon is an outstanding teammate to any Reshiram, as it not only lays down Stealth Rock, which ensures some OHKOs (such as the aforementioned one on Giratina-O), but also summons sun with Drought which boosts Reshiram's STAB Blue Flare. Forretress and Tentacruel also make good teammates by spinning away the entry hazards that bother Reshiram, especially Toxic Spikes. Both of the aforementioned Pokemon are also capable of laying Toxic Spikes, which allow Reshiram to get past special walls such as the pink blobs: Chansey and Blissey. That's not all; Forretress can lay down Spikes as well, whereas Tentacruel can remove Toxic Spikes instantly due to its Poison typing. Wish support is advised, letting Reshiram create more Substitutes; Chansey, Blissey, and Jirachi are viable teammates for this role. Opposing Chansey or Blissey can be problematic, so Mixed Palkia or Dialga are great partners due to their ability to lure in and defeat the blobs. Wobbuffet can grant more opportunities to set up a Substitute with Encore, as well as provide status immunity thanks to Safeguard.</p>
<p>With its great special bulk, typing, and access to Roost, Ho-Oh can easily take on this set. Once you see it in Team Preview, be sure to get Stealth Rock up as fast as possible, as Reshiram can only 2HKO it after Stealth Rock damage with Dragon Pulse. Therefore, each time you suspect it will switch in, use Dragon Pulse so that Reshiram will be able to get past it. Although this set fares better than any other Reshiram against rain, the latter still messes things up for it; rain considerably diminishes Blue Flare's power, allowing bulkier Arceus formes, Lugia, and even Deoxys-D to wall Reshiram. Gastrodon only takes 34.5% - 40.84% from Dragon Pulse, and it can 2HKO Reshiram back with STAB Earthquake or Mirror Coat while healing off the damage with Recover.</p>
