Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve done this. Feels good.
Status: Copyediting
QC Approvals (3/3): (Straw Hat Luffy) (Pocket) (Bloo)
GP Approvals (2/2): (sirndpt) (SkullCandy)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm going to kill you all. I swear.
[SET]
name: Lure (Moxie)
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Earthquake / Brick Break
item: Expert Belt / Lum Berry
ability: Moxie
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Moxie Salamence is such a threat in the OU metagame that many players have to cautiously prepare their teams with switch-ins to take the resisted or ineffective attacks from the Choice Scarf set; this common scenario can be exploited by utilizing items other than Life Orb or a Choice item. Thanks to the lack of HP modification in Leftovers recovery or Life Orb recoil, as well as the absence of Intimidate, the opponent will likely expect Salamence to be using a Choice Band or Choice Scarf set, and send in an "appropriate" check or counter. However, with this set, Salamence can retaliate with an appropriate coverage move and deal massive damage to the presumed "safe" switch-in. Thanks to Salamence's high offensive stats, it almost always achieves at least one kill, receives an Attack boost thanks to Moxie, and becomes a fearful sweeper. This set, however, should be used early-game to lure and eliminate as many foes as possible; do not be overzealous with switching Salamence in constantly if you can't afford it.</p>
<p>All attacks from the Choice Scarf set are still applicable due to this set's ability to lure in checks and counters to the aforementioned set. In order to successfully attract these threats, Outrage must be used only in case of bulky threats that cannot be KOed in any other way. Otherwise, Salamence will be locked in for a couple of turns, which creates an easy opportunity for the opponent to send in a surefire counter. Dragon Claw should be used first to scout potential switch-ins, especially Steel-types, who can then be hit super effectively with Fire Blast, Earthquake, or Brick Break. After these Steel-types are eliminated, Salamence is virtually free to go all-out with its STAB moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Maximum Attack and Speed EVs are a given because of this set's offensive nature. However, unlike other sets, a Naive nature is preferred to outrun as many Pokemon as possible, which amplifies this set's ability to bluff a Choice set. Additionally, Salamence is likely to obtain Attack boosts with Moxie, which makes up for the power lost from using the Naive nature. A Naughty nature is a viable option as well, as the extra Attack points can come in handy on a Pokemon with little to no item boosts.<p>
<p>Salamence has many items to choose from. The boost provided by Expert Belt helps especially against bulky Pokemon, as it allows Salamence to always OHKO common variants of Jirachi, Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Ninetales, and even physically defensive Latias, without an Attack boost. While Lum Berry doesn't provide any boosts necessary to OHKO such threats, it gives Salamence more flexibility against bulky status users, especially Jirachi, Ferrothorn, and Chansey; it can also heal Outrage-induced confusion. There are other fairly gimmicky but usable items that Salamence can use. For instance, if you are not too concerned about the loss of power against Rock- and Steel-types, Draco Plate can be used to boost the power of Dragon Claw and Outrage. Going further down the list of situational items, Haban Berry enables Salamence to survive unboosted attacks from Dragon-type revenge killers, such as Latios's Dragon Pulse and opposing Salamence's Outrage, and retaliate with its own Dragon-type move. Yache Berry similarly weakens Ice-type attacks, especially those from Mamoswine, Abomasnow, Landorus, and bulky Water-types. Finally, Fire, Fighting, or Ground Gems can be used to ensure OHKOs against specific Steel-types if Salamence cannot afford to only 2HKO them. Fire Gem is especially recommended as it enables Salamence to deal massive damage to Ferrothorn and Skarmory, even in rain.</p>
<p>As this set easily lures in and eliminates certain Pokemon, it should be paired with Pokemon that benefit from the removal of such threats. It performs particularly well on teams with multiple offensive Dragon-type Pokemon, as it can easily remove Steel-types while bluffing a Choice Scarf. Meanwhile, Salamence can pose an offensive threat all by itself, so it isn't completely reliant on the offensive support of its teammates. All in all, Salamence is a great fit for teams that have problems against specific defensive Pokemon, such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Tyranitar. Of course, as this set lacks a method of boosting its Speed, faster Pokemon are Salamence's bane. Once Salamence's bluff has disappeared, the opponent will be eager to revenge kill it with faster threats, such as Terrakion, Latios, Jolteon, and opposing Choice Scarf Salamence. Salamence appreciates Steel-type teammates for this matter, as they resist the super effective Ice-, Rock-, and Dragon-type moves aimed at it. Rapid Spin support is also recommended as it extends Salamence's longevity by removing Stealth Rock from the field. Donphan and Forretress are bulky enough to Rapid Spin effectively, and can both set up entry hazards themselves. For a more offensive approach, Starmie is an excellent choice thanks to its impeccable power, Speed, and coverage. Magic Bounce Espeon is also a viable teammate, as it can deflect Stealth Rock immediately while setting up defensive screens for Salamence and its teammates.</p>
Status: Copyediting
QC Approvals (3/3): (Straw Hat Luffy) (Pocket) (Bloo)
GP Approvals (2/2): (sirndpt) (SkullCandy)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm going to kill you all. I swear.
[SET]
name: Lure (Moxie)
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Earthquake / Brick Break
item: Expert Belt / Lum Berry
ability: Moxie
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Moxie Salamence is such a threat in the OU metagame that many players have to cautiously prepare their teams with switch-ins to take the resisted or ineffective attacks from the Choice Scarf set; this common scenario can be exploited by utilizing items other than Life Orb or a Choice item. Thanks to the lack of HP modification in Leftovers recovery or Life Orb recoil, as well as the absence of Intimidate, the opponent will likely expect Salamence to be using a Choice Band or Choice Scarf set, and send in an "appropriate" check or counter. However, with this set, Salamence can retaliate with an appropriate coverage move and deal massive damage to the presumed "safe" switch-in. Thanks to Salamence's high offensive stats, it almost always achieves at least one kill, receives an Attack boost thanks to Moxie, and becomes a fearful sweeper. This set, however, should be used early-game to lure and eliminate as many foes as possible; do not be overzealous with switching Salamence in constantly if you can't afford it.</p>
<p>All attacks from the Choice Scarf set are still applicable due to this set's ability to lure in checks and counters to the aforementioned set. In order to successfully attract these threats, Outrage must be used only in case of bulky threats that cannot be KOed in any other way. Otherwise, Salamence will be locked in for a couple of turns, which creates an easy opportunity for the opponent to send in a surefire counter. Dragon Claw should be used first to scout potential switch-ins, especially Steel-types, who can then be hit super effectively with Fire Blast, Earthquake, or Brick Break. After these Steel-types are eliminated, Salamence is virtually free to go all-out with its STAB moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Maximum Attack and Speed EVs are a given because of this set's offensive nature. However, unlike other sets, a Naive nature is preferred to outrun as many Pokemon as possible, which amplifies this set's ability to bluff a Choice set. Additionally, Salamence is likely to obtain Attack boosts with Moxie, which makes up for the power lost from using the Naive nature. A Naughty nature is a viable option as well, as the extra Attack points can come in handy on a Pokemon with little to no item boosts.<p>
<p>Salamence has many items to choose from. The boost provided by Expert Belt helps especially against bulky Pokemon, as it allows Salamence to always OHKO common variants of Jirachi, Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Ninetales, and even physically defensive Latias, without an Attack boost. While Lum Berry doesn't provide any boosts necessary to OHKO such threats, it gives Salamence more flexibility against bulky status users, especially Jirachi, Ferrothorn, and Chansey; it can also heal Outrage-induced confusion. There are other fairly gimmicky but usable items that Salamence can use. For instance, if you are not too concerned about the loss of power against Rock- and Steel-types, Draco Plate can be used to boost the power of Dragon Claw and Outrage. Going further down the list of situational items, Haban Berry enables Salamence to survive unboosted attacks from Dragon-type revenge killers, such as Latios's Dragon Pulse and opposing Salamence's Outrage, and retaliate with its own Dragon-type move. Yache Berry similarly weakens Ice-type attacks, especially those from Mamoswine, Abomasnow, Landorus, and bulky Water-types. Finally, Fire, Fighting, or Ground Gems can be used to ensure OHKOs against specific Steel-types if Salamence cannot afford to only 2HKO them. Fire Gem is especially recommended as it enables Salamence to deal massive damage to Ferrothorn and Skarmory, even in rain.</p>
<p>As this set easily lures in and eliminates certain Pokemon, it should be paired with Pokemon that benefit from the removal of such threats. It performs particularly well on teams with multiple offensive Dragon-type Pokemon, as it can easily remove Steel-types while bluffing a Choice Scarf. Meanwhile, Salamence can pose an offensive threat all by itself, so it isn't completely reliant on the offensive support of its teammates. All in all, Salamence is a great fit for teams that have problems against specific defensive Pokemon, such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Tyranitar. Of course, as this set lacks a method of boosting its Speed, faster Pokemon are Salamence's bane. Once Salamence's bluff has disappeared, the opponent will be eager to revenge kill it with faster threats, such as Terrakion, Latios, Jolteon, and opposing Choice Scarf Salamence. Salamence appreciates Steel-type teammates for this matter, as they resist the super effective Ice-, Rock-, and Dragon-type moves aimed at it. Rapid Spin support is also recommended as it extends Salamence's longevity by removing Stealth Rock from the field. Donphan and Forretress are bulky enough to Rapid Spin effectively, and can both set up entry hazards themselves. For a more offensive approach, Starmie is an excellent choice thanks to its impeccable power, Speed, and coverage. Magic Bounce Espeon is also a viable teammate, as it can deflect Stealth Rock immediately while setting up defensive screens for Salamence and its teammates.</p>
