This is part of a QC project where we revamp old badmons lol!
bird up
[OVERVIEW]
Tornadus is outclassed in almost all aspects in the DOU metagame. While it can function as either a priority Tailwind setter or a Defiant attacker, both sets are mediocre compared to Talonflame and Bisharp, respectively. The only notable advantage Tornadus has is its Speed as a Defiant attacker, but even then, it is still overshadowed by Bisharp, which is more powerful and has priority and a better typing. While it does have great Speed, good coverage, and a solid Attack stat, Tornadus's inability to run an item such as Life Orb due to its reliance on Acrobatics, by far the strongest Flying-type STAB move in its movepool, serves as a great hindrance. Furthermore, Tornadus is frail and has few resistances, leaving it unable to safely switch in and contribute most of the time.
[SET]
name: Defiant
move 1: Acrobatics
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Protect
ability: Defiant
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Acrobatics is Tornadus's only reliable STAB move. Superpower provides coverage for some Steel-types such as Heatran and Bisharp while also dealing major super effective damage to targets such as... such as Mega Kangaskhan, Kyurem-B, and Hydreigon. Knock Off allows Tornadus to do significant damage to Aegislash and Psychic-types such as Latios and Jirachi in addition to providing some utility in removing the items of foes. Protect defends Tornadus from any damage, letting it safely stall out any field condition and get into a more favorable position as needed.
Set Details
=======
Maximum Attack and Speed investment and a Jolly nature are used in order to maximize Tornadus's offensive potential, letting it deal as much damage as possible and outrun base 110s such as Gengar, Latios, and Mega Diancie. Defiant lets Tornadus function as a deterrent against Intimidate, which would boost Tornadus's Attack. No item is run in order to let Tornadus utilize Acrobatics effectively.
Usage Tips
=======
As Tornadus's main role is to be a deterrent to Intimidate, one should try to pair it with physical attackers such as Mega Diancie and Mega Kangaskhan. Against teams with an Intimidate Pokemon, Tornadus can function as a good anti-lead in order to have the initiative from the get-go. Tornadus can also take advantage of moves that lower stats such as Snarl and Icy Wind for a +2 boost to its Attack; however, one should note that Icy Wind also lowers Tornadus's Speed, making it vulnerable to more foes. One should caution against directly switching in Tornadus, as it risks getting KOed due to its frailty and few resistances.
Team Options
=======
Since Tornadus's niche is to take advantage of opposing Intimidate, physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Terrakion make for good partners. Pokemon that can deal with Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Thundurus work well; Dragon-types such as Kyurem-B and Hydreigon resist most of their blows and can deal a lot of damage back. Even though Tornadus carries the appropriate coverage moves, partners that can deal with Steel-types such as Aegislash and Jirachi are still appreciated in order to let Tornadus use Acrobatics more freely; Landorus-T and Fire-types such as Heatran and Volcanion can deal major damage against them too, with Landorus-T again also appreciating Tornadus's ability to deter Intimidate. Steel-types are also good teammates, as they can handily deal with opposing Ice- and Rock-types for Tornadus, with Jirachi capable of covering for Tornadus's frailty, letting it stay in longer on the field, and Aegislash also able to support it with Wide Guard to block Diamond Storm and Rock Slide.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A set utilizing Prankster with Tailwind is workable; however, a physical variant is wholly outclassed by Talonflame, while a special one is unreliable due to needing Hurricane. U-turn can be useful in order to let Tornadus deal some chip damage while also functioning as a positioning tool. Taunt, serviceable with either ability but naturally better with Prankster, can let Tornadus stop any kind of setup from foes.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos all resist Tornadus's STAB moves and can deal major damage back with Thunderbolt.
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Mega Diancie can take any attack from Tornadus and OHKO it in return with Diamond Storm. Terrakion can also OHKO Tornadus with Rock Slide, but it has to watch out for Superpower.
**Ice-type Pokemon**: While they have to watch out for Superpower, both Kyurem-B and Weavile can OHKO Tornadus with their respective STAB moves, the latter of which also outrunning Tornadus.
**Burns**: Will-O-Wisp from the likes of Mega Gengar and Talonflame can limit Tornadus's effectiveness greatly by weakening its blows if it's a physical variant.
**Faster Pokemon**: The likes of Deoxys-A, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Gengar threaten Tornadus greatly, as they can outrun it and hit through its paper-thin defenses. Kingdra, Ludicolo, and Venusaur also work well, but only in their respective weathers.
**Paralysis, Tailwind, and Trick Room**: Without its Speed advantage, Tornadus loses its offensive presence and becomes vulnerable to strong attacks. Thunder Wave, which is commonly used by Pokemon like Thundurus and Gyarados, permanently cripples Tornadus, while Tailwind from the likes of Talonflame and Zapdos and Trick Room from Pokemon such as Cresselia and Hoopa-U turn the tables on it entirely.
bird up
[OVERVIEW]
Tornadus is outclassed in almost all aspects in the DOU metagame. While it can function as either a priority Tailwind setter or a Defiant attacker, both sets are mediocre compared to Talonflame and Bisharp, respectively. The only notable advantage Tornadus has is its Speed as a Defiant attacker, but even then, it is still overshadowed by Bisharp, which is more powerful and has priority and a better typing. While it does have great Speed, good coverage, and a solid Attack stat, Tornadus's inability to run an item such as Life Orb due to its reliance on Acrobatics, by far the strongest Flying-type STAB move in its movepool, serves as a great hindrance. Furthermore, Tornadus is frail and has few resistances, leaving it unable to safely switch in and contribute most of the time.
[SET]
name: Defiant
move 1: Acrobatics
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Protect
ability: Defiant
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Acrobatics is Tornadus's only reliable STAB move. Superpower provides coverage for some Steel-types such as Heatran and Bisharp while also dealing major super effective damage to targets such as... such as Mega Kangaskhan, Kyurem-B, and Hydreigon. Knock Off allows Tornadus to do significant damage to Aegislash and Psychic-types such as Latios and Jirachi in addition to providing some utility in removing the items of foes. Protect defends Tornadus from any damage, letting it safely stall out any field condition and get into a more favorable position as needed.
Set Details
=======
Maximum Attack and Speed investment and a Jolly nature are used in order to maximize Tornadus's offensive potential, letting it deal as much damage as possible and outrun base 110s such as Gengar, Latios, and Mega Diancie. Defiant lets Tornadus function as a deterrent against Intimidate, which would boost Tornadus's Attack. No item is run in order to let Tornadus utilize Acrobatics effectively.
Usage Tips
=======
As Tornadus's main role is to be a deterrent to Intimidate, one should try to pair it with physical attackers such as Mega Diancie and Mega Kangaskhan. Against teams with an Intimidate Pokemon, Tornadus can function as a good anti-lead in order to have the initiative from the get-go. Tornadus can also take advantage of moves that lower stats such as Snarl and Icy Wind for a +2 boost to its Attack; however, one should note that Icy Wind also lowers Tornadus's Speed, making it vulnerable to more foes. One should caution against directly switching in Tornadus, as it risks getting KOed due to its frailty and few resistances.
Team Options
=======
Since Tornadus's niche is to take advantage of opposing Intimidate, physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Terrakion make for good partners. Pokemon that can deal with Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Thundurus work well; Dragon-types such as Kyurem-B and Hydreigon resist most of their blows and can deal a lot of damage back. Even though Tornadus carries the appropriate coverage moves, partners that can deal with Steel-types such as Aegislash and Jirachi are still appreciated in order to let Tornadus use Acrobatics more freely; Landorus-T and Fire-types such as Heatran and Volcanion can deal major damage against them too, with Landorus-T again also appreciating Tornadus's ability to deter Intimidate. Steel-types are also good teammates, as they can handily deal with opposing Ice- and Rock-types for Tornadus, with Jirachi capable of covering for Tornadus's frailty, letting it stay in longer on the field, and Aegislash also able to support it with Wide Guard to block Diamond Storm and Rock Slide.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A set utilizing Prankster with Tailwind is workable; however, a physical variant is wholly outclassed by Talonflame, while a special one is unreliable due to needing Hurricane. U-turn can be useful in order to let Tornadus deal some chip damage while also functioning as a positioning tool. Taunt, serviceable with either ability but naturally better with Prankster, can let Tornadus stop any kind of setup from foes.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos all resist Tornadus's STAB moves and can deal major damage back with Thunderbolt.
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Mega Diancie can take any attack from Tornadus and OHKO it in return with Diamond Storm. Terrakion can also OHKO Tornadus with Rock Slide, but it has to watch out for Superpower.
**Ice-type Pokemon**: While they have to watch out for Superpower, both Kyurem-B and Weavile can OHKO Tornadus with their respective STAB moves, the latter of which also outrunning Tornadus.
**Burns**: Will-O-Wisp from the likes of Mega Gengar and Talonflame can limit Tornadus's effectiveness greatly by weakening its blows if it's a physical variant.
**Faster Pokemon**: The likes of Deoxys-A, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Gengar threaten Tornadus greatly, as they can outrun it and hit through its paper-thin defenses. Kingdra, Ludicolo, and Venusaur also work well, but only in their respective weathers.
**Paralysis, Tailwind, and Trick Room**: Without its Speed advantage, Tornadus loses its offensive presence and becomes vulnerable to strong attacks. Thunder Wave, which is commonly used by Pokemon like Thundurus and Gyarados, permanently cripples Tornadus, while Tailwind from the likes of Talonflame and Zapdos and Trick Room from Pokemon such as Cresselia and Hoopa-U turn the tables on it entirely.
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