[SET]
Occa Berry (Celesteela) @ Occa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 96 HP / 88 Atk / 156 Def / 168 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Celesteela sets itself apart from other Leech Seed users with its excellent Steel/Flying typing and stellar bulk. Combined with Protect, it can stall out moves from Regidrago, whittling down the foe's HP while healing every turn. An Occa Berry protects Celesteela from Galarian Darmanitan's Flare Blitz. Heavy Slam is a powerful Steel-type move that prevents Celesteela from being neutralized by Pokemon like Encore Togekiss or Trick Cresselia. Flamethrower hits the Grass-type Pokemon immune to Leech Seed, like Rillaboom and Ferrothorn, and helps against Trick Metagross and Aggron.
EVs
=============
88 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature allow Celesteela to OHKO Galarian Darmanitan regardless of its Defense EVs. The Speed EVs ensure it will always outpace Aggron. The remaining EVs have been divided among HP and Defense to maximize HP while still surviving a single Icicle Crash from Choice Band Galarian Darmanitan.
Celesteela can run a faster spread of 108 HP / 148 Def / 252 Spe alongside a Timid or Jolly nature. This maximizes Speed and HP while keeping enough physical bulk to survive a Choice Band Icicle Crash from Adamant Darmanitan-G as well as a +2 Superpower from Life Orb Rillaboom. The first of these benchmarks matters if running Heavy Slam, the second if running Flamethrower. Running both is not possible, as this spread should slot Substitute. Such a set is superior versus slow atttackers like Swords Dance Rhyperior, Choice Specs Volcanion, or other Celesteela, but loses out on offensive power and versatility, which matters against Defense-invested Galarian Darmanitan or Trick Cresselia. In addition, the set cannot beat Ferrothorn or Trick Metagross without Flamethrower, and struggles versus Fairy-types like Togekiss and Tapu Fini without Heavy Slam.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Celesteela should use Leech Seed followed by Protect, then use the more damaging option out of Heavy Slam or Flamethrower and alternate this with Protect until the foe faints. Against Pokemon with Trick or Encore, like Aromatisse, Togekiss, or Porygon-Z, an immediate Heavy Slam is a safer option. Belly Drum Liquidation Sitrus Berry Azumarill is another case where Heavy Slam is preferred, as a single Liquidation will OHKO Celesteela after Belly Drum but two Heavy Slams usually deal 75% to Azumarill. Note that Flamethrower should never be clicked against Zarude, as this risks triggering its Weakness Policy. Additionally, Heavy Slam is the preferred first-turn click against Goodra, whose Sap Sipper ability nullifies Leech Seed. Against Gardevoir, Celesteela always wins by clicking Heavy Slam followed by Leech Seed.
Celesteela can use Protect to scout out the opponent's move. For instance, against a Choice Scarf Tapu Fini clicking Hydro Pump, the best countermeasure is Leech Seed followed by Heavy Slam, but against one clicking Trick, Heavy Slam should be used instead. However, this strategy should be used sparingly, as most Pokemon with Trick, Taunt, or Encore also commonly carry setup moves.
[SET]
Custap (Celesteela) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 60 Def / 140 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Endure
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Air Slash / Megahorn / Energy Ball
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Custap Berry, Celesteela can turn the tables on many faster of the faster threats that would ordinarily survive one of its moves and threaten a 2HKO, such as Choice Specs Porygon-Z and Choice Specs Naganadel. The item is also helpful against Galarian Darmanitan and Choice Specs Primarina. Heavy Slam is a strong STAB move that hits all of the aforementioned threats for neutral or super effective damage. Flamethrower provides Fire-type coverage for Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Metagross, and Aggron. Air Slash beats Choice Band, Life Orb, or Chople Berry variants of Urshifu, as well as frail Zapdos-G sets. Megahorn beats Weakness Policy Zarude and always 3HKOs Choice Scarf Cresselia. Energy Ball handles Rhyperior, as well as Water/Ground Pokemon like Seismitoad, Swampert, and Quagsire. Both Energy Ball and Air Slash help against Urshifu-R as well.
EVs
=============
The given EVs ensure that Celesteela will always be able to survive a single Choice Specs Fire Blast from Modest Naganadel, as well as two Outrages from Choice Band Regidrago, allowing it to respectively 2HKO and 3HKO these threats. All remaining EVs have been placed into Attack.
Usage Tips
=============
Unlike most Custap Berry users, Celesteela is bulky enough to make attacking T1 almost always the correct play. However, Galarian Darmanitan can OHKO with Flare Blitz, and Choice Specs Primarina with Hydro Cannon, forcing Celesteela into the 50-50 between Enduring on these moves or attacking on any other click. Against Shell Smash Crustle or Swords Dance Rhyperior, Endure can be used to counter a predicted Rock Wrecker, allowing Celesteela to survive and forcing its foe to recharge.
[SET]
Band (Celesteela) @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Atk / 36 Def / 140 SpD / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Megahorn
- Earthquake
- Superpower / Flamethrower / Seed Bomb
Set Description
=============
Celesteela's access to a diverse array of powerful physical moves makes it a good Choice Band user. Heavy Slam OHKOs Pokemon like Aromatisse, Tapu Lele, and Naganadel. Megahorn beats non-Kee Cresselia and secures the Zarude matchup. Earthquake gives solid odds versus Assault Vest Registeel, Aggron, and Metagross. Superpower ensures Celesteela can reliably beat max Special Attack Thunderbolt or Life Orb Nasty Plot variants of Porygon-Z sets even when they run some physical bulk. Flamethrower handles Iron Defense Ferrothorn and non-Mirror Coat Avalugg. Seed Bomb beats Water/Ground-type Pokemon like Swampert, Gastrodon, and Quagsire.
EVs
=============
The HP and Defense EVs ensure that Choice Band Aggron will never OHKO Celesteela with Head Smash, allowing Celesteela to finish it off with an Earthquake after recoil. The Special Defense EVs guarantee that Celesteela will always survive a Fire Blast from Choice Specs Modest Naganadel. 8 Speed allow Celesteela to outspeed fast Choice Band Steelix, which can otherwise 3HKO with Fire Fang. The remaining EVs have been invested in Attack for the best possible Porygon-Z rolls.
Usage Tips
=============
As its most of its moves have no secondary effects, Choice Band Cresselia is very straightforward to use: simply click the most damaging move. Note that versus Aggron and Tyranitar it is best to avoid stat drops, and versus Assault Vest Registeel a careful balance must be struck between 2HKOing and minimizing Counter damage, which makes Earthquake the move of choice over Superpower in all of those matchups.
[SET]
Anti-Primarina (Celesteela) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Atk / 56 Def / 144 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Set Description
=============
A Custap Berry Primarina with Encore can generally beat any Celesteela set. However, with a Mental Herb, Celesteela can lure one of its most powerful hard counters, using Leech Seed to get around Endure and Heavy Slam to 2HKO Primarina. Flamethrower helps against Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Metagross, and Protect grants extra turns of Leech Seed recovery, which comes in handy against Haxorus and Choice Specs Landorus.
EVs
=============
The Attack, HP, and Defense EVs allow Celesteela to survive any two attacks from Haxorus (used benchmark is Adamant Choice Band Low Kick) and beat it by clicking Leech Seed, Protect, Heavy Slam, and then Protect again. The Special Defense EVs do the same for two Focus Blasts from Choice Specs Landorus. The remaning 16 EVs have been placed in Speed for the best chance to outspeed Primarina.
Usage Tips
=============
Versus Primarina, use Leech Seed followed by Heavy Slam. Using Heavy Slam twice risks putting a faster Primarina in Torrent range while taking significant chip from Moonblast, while using Heavy Slam followed by Leech Seed can be punished by a faster set with Encore. The only problem for this strategy is posed by Sitrus Berry sets, which can survive two rounds of Leech Seed and two Heavy Slams and wind up in Torrent range. If Primarina is slower, stalling out two extra turns with Protect prevens this from happening, but caution should be taken that Primarina does not use Calm Mind during those turns. Make sure to use Protect whenever a Primarina with an unknown item ends up below 25% HP, to play around a potential Custap Berry.
Generally, Celesteela should use Leech Seed on the first turn of combat, then alternate Protect with attacks. This maximizes Leech Seed drain and thus recovery. Thanks to Celesteela's Mental Herb this strategy is viable even against Taunt users like Moltres-G. However, remain wary of Trick Pokemon like Porygon-Z and Tapu Fini. Scouting with Protect can be used to help decide on the proper click versus those.
Against Togekiss, Heavy Slam is generally the superior opening play, but Leech Seed should be used against Counter sets. In this matchup, scouting with Protect is not possible, as Togekiss sets with Counter almost always have Encore as well, making them capable of punishing a T1 Protect click.
[SET]
Anti-Urshifu (Celesteela) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 12 Atk / 248 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Air Slash
- Leech Seed
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
Set Description
=============
By running a very physically defensive set with Sitrus Berry, Celesteela can beat powerhouses like non-Reversal Urshifu, Shell Smash Crustle, and Choice Band Sawk. Air Slash breaks Crustle's Sturdy and KOs frail Urshifu and Sawk after two rounds of Leech Seed chip. Flamethrower beats Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Metagross. Heavy Slam is a strong STAB move that hits Pokemon like Togekiss, Sylveon, and Tapu Fini.
EVs
=============
The Defense and HP EVs gives Celesteela the best possible odds to survive two Wicked Blows from Adamant Choice Band Urshifu if it uses Leech Seed on the first turn. 12 Attack EVs maximize Celesteela's chances to beat Primarina, Liquidation Belly Drum Azumarill, and Choice Scarf Togekiss.
Usage Tips
=============
Celesteela should use Leech Seed on the first turn of combat, followed by Air Slash, to beat any Urshifu or Sawk set. Against Crustle, it should open with Air Slash to avoid a potential Counter. Choice Scarf Togekiss requires predicction - if it clicks Fire Blast, Leech Seed followed by Heavy Slam gives optimal odds of victory. However, if it clicks Trick, an immediate Heavy Slam is required. As the Heavy Slam click retains a chance to beat a Togekiss clicking Fire Blast, it is the safer option.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Wide Guard lets Leech Seed Celesteela indefinitely block spread moves like Smack Down Landorus-T's Earthquake, Moltres-G's Fiery Wrath, and Primarina's Sparkling Aria, allowing it to flip these matchups.
With a Life Orb set running Flash Cannon and Flamethrower, Celesteela can beat SubDisable variants of Tapu Bulu, which is otherwise a hard counter. Such sets can run 28 Attack EVs, a Speed-reducing nature, and Superpower to generally beat Porygon-Z. Note that such sets need Leech Seed to reliably beat Regidrago and cannot beat Urshifu reliably even with Air Slash.
A Choice Specs set is another way for Celesteela to reliably beat Urshifu. A spread of 112 HP / 236 Def / 160 SpA with a Bold nature survives two Wicked Blows from Assault Vest Urshifu, while maximizing Special Attack to almost always 2HKO even the bulkiest Assault Vest sets. Compared to the Sitrus Berry set, this set performs better against Zapdos-G and other Celesteela, but struggles versus Assault Vest Regidrago and no longer has the bulk to beat Crustle. It also cannot beat specially defensive Aromatisse anymore.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/here-comes-team-charm.501918/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/glitched.579035/
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Occa Berry (Celesteela) @ Occa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 96 HP / 88 Atk / 156 Def / 168 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Celesteela sets itself apart from other Leech Seed users with its excellent Steel/Flying typing and stellar bulk. Combined with Protect, it can stall out moves from Regidrago, whittling down the foe's HP while healing every turn. An Occa Berry protects Celesteela from Galarian Darmanitan's Flare Blitz. Heavy Slam is a powerful Steel-type move that prevents Celesteela from being neutralized by Pokemon like Encore Togekiss or Trick Cresselia. Flamethrower hits the Grass-type Pokemon immune to Leech Seed, like Rillaboom and Ferrothorn, and helps against Trick Metagross and Aggron.
EVs
=============
88 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature allow Celesteela to OHKO Galarian Darmanitan regardless of its Defense EVs. The Speed EVs ensure it will always outpace Aggron. The remaining EVs have been divided among HP and Defense to maximize HP while still surviving a single Icicle Crash from Choice Band Galarian Darmanitan.
Celesteela can run a faster spread of 108 HP / 148 Def / 252 Spe alongside a Timid or Jolly nature. This maximizes Speed and HP while keeping enough physical bulk to survive a Choice Band Icicle Crash from Adamant Darmanitan-G as well as a +2 Superpower from Life Orb Rillaboom. The first of these benchmarks matters if running Heavy Slam, the second if running Flamethrower. Running both is not possible, as this spread should slot Substitute. Such a set is superior versus slow atttackers like Swords Dance Rhyperior, Choice Specs Volcanion, or other Celesteela, but loses out on offensive power and versatility, which matters against Defense-invested Galarian Darmanitan or Trick Cresselia. In addition, the set cannot beat Ferrothorn or Trick Metagross without Flamethrower, and struggles versus Fairy-types like Togekiss and Tapu Fini without Heavy Slam.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Celesteela should use Leech Seed followed by Protect, then use the more damaging option out of Heavy Slam or Flamethrower and alternate this with Protect until the foe faints. Against Pokemon with Trick or Encore, like Aromatisse, Togekiss, or Porygon-Z, an immediate Heavy Slam is a safer option. Belly Drum Liquidation Sitrus Berry Azumarill is another case where Heavy Slam is preferred, as a single Liquidation will OHKO Celesteela after Belly Drum but two Heavy Slams usually deal 75% to Azumarill. Note that Flamethrower should never be clicked against Zarude, as this risks triggering its Weakness Policy. Additionally, Heavy Slam is the preferred first-turn click against Goodra, whose Sap Sipper ability nullifies Leech Seed. Against Gardevoir, Celesteela always wins by clicking Heavy Slam followed by Leech Seed.
Celesteela can use Protect to scout out the opponent's move. For instance, against a Choice Scarf Tapu Fini clicking Hydro Pump, the best countermeasure is Leech Seed followed by Heavy Slam, but against one clicking Trick, Heavy Slam should be used instead. However, this strategy should be used sparingly, as most Pokemon with Trick, Taunt, or Encore also commonly carry setup moves.
[SET]
Custap (Celesteela) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 60 Def / 140 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Endure
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Air Slash / Megahorn / Energy Ball
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Custap Berry, Celesteela can turn the tables on many faster of the faster threats that would ordinarily survive one of its moves and threaten a 2HKO, such as Choice Specs Porygon-Z and Choice Specs Naganadel. The item is also helpful against Galarian Darmanitan and Choice Specs Primarina. Heavy Slam is a strong STAB move that hits all of the aforementioned threats for neutral or super effective damage. Flamethrower provides Fire-type coverage for Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Metagross, and Aggron. Air Slash beats Choice Band, Life Orb, or Chople Berry variants of Urshifu, as well as frail Zapdos-G sets. Megahorn beats Weakness Policy Zarude and always 3HKOs Choice Scarf Cresselia. Energy Ball handles Rhyperior, as well as Water/Ground Pokemon like Seismitoad, Swampert, and Quagsire. Both Energy Ball and Air Slash help against Urshifu-R as well.
EVs
=============
The given EVs ensure that Celesteela will always be able to survive a single Choice Specs Fire Blast from Modest Naganadel, as well as two Outrages from Choice Band Regidrago, allowing it to respectively 2HKO and 3HKO these threats. All remaining EVs have been placed into Attack.
Usage Tips
=============
Unlike most Custap Berry users, Celesteela is bulky enough to make attacking T1 almost always the correct play. However, Galarian Darmanitan can OHKO with Flare Blitz, and Choice Specs Primarina with Hydro Cannon, forcing Celesteela into the 50-50 between Enduring on these moves or attacking on any other click. Against Shell Smash Crustle or Swords Dance Rhyperior, Endure can be used to counter a predicted Rock Wrecker, allowing Celesteela to survive and forcing its foe to recharge.
[SET]
Band (Celesteela) @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Atk / 36 Def / 140 SpD / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Megahorn
- Earthquake
- Superpower / Flamethrower / Seed Bomb
Set Description
=============
Celesteela's access to a diverse array of powerful physical moves makes it a good Choice Band user. Heavy Slam OHKOs Pokemon like Aromatisse, Tapu Lele, and Naganadel. Megahorn beats non-Kee Cresselia and secures the Zarude matchup. Earthquake gives solid odds versus Assault Vest Registeel, Aggron, and Metagross. Superpower ensures Celesteela can reliably beat max Special Attack Thunderbolt or Life Orb Nasty Plot variants of Porygon-Z sets even when they run some physical bulk. Flamethrower handles Iron Defense Ferrothorn and non-Mirror Coat Avalugg. Seed Bomb beats Water/Ground-type Pokemon like Swampert, Gastrodon, and Quagsire.
EVs
=============
The HP and Defense EVs ensure that Choice Band Aggron will never OHKO Celesteela with Head Smash, allowing Celesteela to finish it off with an Earthquake after recoil. The Special Defense EVs guarantee that Celesteela will always survive a Fire Blast from Choice Specs Modest Naganadel. 8 Speed allow Celesteela to outspeed fast Choice Band Steelix, which can otherwise 3HKO with Fire Fang. The remaining EVs have been invested in Attack for the best possible Porygon-Z rolls.
Usage Tips
=============
As its most of its moves have no secondary effects, Choice Band Cresselia is very straightforward to use: simply click the most damaging move. Note that versus Aggron and Tyranitar it is best to avoid stat drops, and versus Assault Vest Registeel a careful balance must be struck between 2HKOing and minimizing Counter damage, which makes Earthquake the move of choice over Superpower in all of those matchups.
[SET]
Anti-Primarina (Celesteela) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Atk / 56 Def / 144 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Set Description
=============
A Custap Berry Primarina with Encore can generally beat any Celesteela set. However, with a Mental Herb, Celesteela can lure one of its most powerful hard counters, using Leech Seed to get around Endure and Heavy Slam to 2HKO Primarina. Flamethrower helps against Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Metagross, and Protect grants extra turns of Leech Seed recovery, which comes in handy against Haxorus and Choice Specs Landorus.
EVs
=============
The Attack, HP, and Defense EVs allow Celesteela to survive any two attacks from Haxorus (used benchmark is Adamant Choice Band Low Kick) and beat it by clicking Leech Seed, Protect, Heavy Slam, and then Protect again. The Special Defense EVs do the same for two Focus Blasts from Choice Specs Landorus. The remaning 16 EVs have been placed in Speed for the best chance to outspeed Primarina.
Usage Tips
=============
Versus Primarina, use Leech Seed followed by Heavy Slam. Using Heavy Slam twice risks putting a faster Primarina in Torrent range while taking significant chip from Moonblast, while using Heavy Slam followed by Leech Seed can be punished by a faster set with Encore. The only problem for this strategy is posed by Sitrus Berry sets, which can survive two rounds of Leech Seed and two Heavy Slams and wind up in Torrent range. If Primarina is slower, stalling out two extra turns with Protect prevens this from happening, but caution should be taken that Primarina does not use Calm Mind during those turns. Make sure to use Protect whenever a Primarina with an unknown item ends up below 25% HP, to play around a potential Custap Berry.
Generally, Celesteela should use Leech Seed on the first turn of combat, then alternate Protect with attacks. This maximizes Leech Seed drain and thus recovery. Thanks to Celesteela's Mental Herb this strategy is viable even against Taunt users like Moltres-G. However, remain wary of Trick Pokemon like Porygon-Z and Tapu Fini. Scouting with Protect can be used to help decide on the proper click versus those.
Against Togekiss, Heavy Slam is generally the superior opening play, but Leech Seed should be used against Counter sets. In this matchup, scouting with Protect is not possible, as Togekiss sets with Counter almost always have Encore as well, making them capable of punishing a T1 Protect click.
[SET]
Anti-Urshifu (Celesteela) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 12 Atk / 248 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Air Slash
- Leech Seed
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
Set Description
=============
By running a very physically defensive set with Sitrus Berry, Celesteela can beat powerhouses like non-Reversal Urshifu, Shell Smash Crustle, and Choice Band Sawk. Air Slash breaks Crustle's Sturdy and KOs frail Urshifu and Sawk after two rounds of Leech Seed chip. Flamethrower beats Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Metagross. Heavy Slam is a strong STAB move that hits Pokemon like Togekiss, Sylveon, and Tapu Fini.
EVs
=============
The Defense and HP EVs gives Celesteela the best possible odds to survive two Wicked Blows from Adamant Choice Band Urshifu if it uses Leech Seed on the first turn. 12 Attack EVs maximize Celesteela's chances to beat Primarina, Liquidation Belly Drum Azumarill, and Choice Scarf Togekiss.
Usage Tips
=============
Celesteela should use Leech Seed on the first turn of combat, followed by Air Slash, to beat any Urshifu or Sawk set. Against Crustle, it should open with Air Slash to avoid a potential Counter. Choice Scarf Togekiss requires predicction - if it clicks Fire Blast, Leech Seed followed by Heavy Slam gives optimal odds of victory. However, if it clicks Trick, an immediate Heavy Slam is required. As the Heavy Slam click retains a chance to beat a Togekiss clicking Fire Blast, it is the safer option.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Wide Guard lets Leech Seed Celesteela indefinitely block spread moves like Smack Down Landorus-T's Earthquake, Moltres-G's Fiery Wrath, and Primarina's Sparkling Aria, allowing it to flip these matchups.
With a Life Orb set running Flash Cannon and Flamethrower, Celesteela can beat SubDisable variants of Tapu Bulu, which is otherwise a hard counter. Such sets can run 28 Attack EVs, a Speed-reducing nature, and Superpower to generally beat Porygon-Z. Note that such sets need Leech Seed to reliably beat Regidrago and cannot beat Urshifu reliably even with Air Slash.
A Choice Specs set is another way for Celesteela to reliably beat Urshifu. A spread of 112 HP / 236 Def / 160 SpA with a Bold nature survives two Wicked Blows from Assault Vest Urshifu, while maximizing Special Attack to almost always 2HKO even the bulkiest Assault Vest sets. Compared to the Sitrus Berry set, this set performs better against Zapdos-G and other Celesteela, but struggles versus Assault Vest Regidrago and no longer has the bulk to beat Crustle. It also cannot beat specially defensive Aromatisse anymore.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/here-comes-team-charm.501918/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/glitched.579035/
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Last edited:
