uploaded - nuked
[OVERVIEW]
Tornadus is a versatile offensive Pokemon that can function as a wallbreaker with its solid power and coverage or as a utility pivot with U-turn and Prankster status moves like Defog and Tailwind. Its high Special Attack and high Speed allow it to outspeed several prominent threats in UU, including Kommo-o, Celebi, and Infernape, and overpower them with STAB Hurricane. It also can utilize Supersonic Skystrike to even break past bulkier offensive threats like Latias and Terrakion after minor chip damage. This middle ground of power and Speed allows it to distinguish itself from other Flying-type choices. Its large range of coverage options also benefits it, allowing it to utilize moves like Superpower and Heat Wave to greatly limit its switch-ins. Unfortunately, Tornadus provides very little defensive utility to teams due to its Stealth Rock weakness, lack of recovery, mediocre defenses, and lack of useful resistances. Because of this, it faces competition from other offensive Flying-types such as Moltres, Mega Pidgeot, and Togekiss, which have better defensive typings, better bulk, and access to reliable recovery. Its reliance on Hurricane as its STAB attack can be disadvantageous due to the move's poor accuracy. Lastly, due to Tornadus's poor defenses and typing, it struggles to do anything of worth to most priority users like Mamoswine and Scizor, as they can power through it easily after minor chip damage.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Grass Knot / Defog / Tailwind
item: Life Orb
ability: Defiant / Prankster
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is a powerful STAB attack that has good neutral coverage and allows Tornadus to revenge kill several slower threats, like Infernape, Krookodile, and Chandelure. Heat Wave covers some Steel-types that could otherwise come in on Hurricane, such as Klefki, Mega Steelix, and Mega Aggron. It also more reliably KOes Scizor and Cobalion. Superpower hits a most other conventional Flying-type switch-ins, dealing heavy damage to Empoleon and Stakataka. It also heavily damages Blissey and Snorlax, two Pokemon that could otherwise tank hits from Tornadus, on the switch. Grass Knot is an option for OHKOing Terrakion and Swampert, more heavily and reliably damaging Hippowdon than Hurricane, and taking out Rhyperior, which could otherwise tank the rest of Tornadus's attacks. It also reliably powers through Swampert and Seismitoad in one hit. Defog allows Tornadus to exploit the switches it forces to remove entry hazards from the field. Tailwind is an option if entry hazard removal is being provided by another teammate, allowing Tornadus to support its teammates before fainting by briefly doubling their Speed.
Set Details
========
A Hasty nature allows Tornadus to increase its Speed while refraining from decreasing Superpower's damage output. Life Orb puts considerable power behind Tornadus's attacks, allowing it to apply heavy offensive pressure to the majority of the metagame and achieve a potentially crucial guaranteed OHKO on Terrakion with Grass Knot. Defiant can be run to boost Superpower's damage output by switching in on the Defog users Tornadus beats to boost its Attack. However, Prankster can be used if running Defog or Tailwind to give them priority.
Usage Tips
========
This set is aimed to function as more of a wallbreaker on offensive teams, due to Tornadus's great coverage and attacking stats allowing it to threaten a large portion of the metagame. Because of its lacking defensive utility, Tornadus should be brought into play via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted so it doesn't compromise its already limited longevity. Hurricane should be spammed against teams due to its impressive general coverage, tough Tornadus should try predicting a switch-in to the attack, such as Klefki or Blissey, if they're on the opposing team and healthy and nailing them with super effective coverage on the switch. Defog is best to use on forced switches when entry hazards are on Tornadus's side of the field. Thanks to its ability to force out several Stealth Rock setters like Hippowdon and Swampert, it can also often successfully attempt to switch in on them as they set Stealth Rock. Defog can also be used when Tornadus is weakened in a last-ditch effort to keep entry hazards off its side of the field. Tailwind should be used when Tornadus is weakened into range of a KO from the next attack to hit it, as this can generate momentum for its teammates while also providing them with a boost in Speed. Tornadus's Speed tier should be utilized to revenge kill various threats, such as Terrakion, Cobalion, and Hydreigon, once they've been weakened a bit.
Team Options
========
This set works best on offensive teams that appreciate Tornadus's ability to break past several defensive foes while weakening opposing offensive builds. Setup sweepers like Latias, Mega Altaria, and Lucario appreciate Tornadus's ability to muscle past opposing teams for them to clean up late-game. Pokemon like Mega Beedrill, Togekiss, and Volcanion that are weak to entry hazards enjoy Tornadus on their team due to its access to Prankster Defog. Powerful offensive threats like Mamoswine, Primarina, Nidoking, and Haxorus appreciate Tornadus's Tailwind support, as their offensive presences will become even harder to combat without opposing foes capable of outrunning them. Tornadus often favors pivoting support from the likes of Hydreigon, Scizor, and Rotom-H due to its poor typing and frailty preventing it from getting in easily. Entry hazard removal from a teammate like Tsareena, Starmie, or Hydreigon is also important to support Tornadus with if it isn't running Defog itself, due to its Stealth Rock weakness. Electric-type checks, like Hydreigon, Mega Sceptile, and Hippowdon, can pivot in on the likes of Rotom-H and Mega Manectric, which can hit Tornadus super effectively while tanking a hit or two.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Superpower / Heat Wave
move 4: Defog / Tailwind
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Prankster
nature: Hasty / Timid
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is a fairly powerful STAB attack that offers good neutral coverage. It can also be useful for revenge killing some of the tier's several Fighting-types, such as Infernape, Kommo-o, and Heracross. When Flyinium Z is activated, it turns into Supersonic Skystrike, which patches up Hurricane's imperfect accuracy while powering through bulkier foes like Swampert, Hippowdon, and Togekiss after Stealth Rock damage. U-turn pivots Tornadus out of undesirable situations, such as a predicted switch into a foe that checks it, such as Mega Aggron. Superpower deals heavy damage to Blissey, a common switch-in to the majority of special attackers, while also dealing adequate damage to Flying-type switch-ins, such as Nihilego, Stakataka, and Empoleon. Heat Wave is an option over Superpower for punishing Steel-type switch-ins like Bronzong, Mega Aggron, and Klefki, though being unable to power through Blissey, Stakataka, or Empoleon as reliably is a notable drawback. Defog is boosted by Prankster and allows Tornadus to remove all entry hazards on the field. It can both be used as Tornadus forces switches and, thanks to Prankster, in a last-ditch effort when it's weakened. If entry hazard removal is not needed or is being provided by another teammate, Tailwind is an option for allowing Tornadus to double the Speed of its teammates before fainting.
Set Details
========
4 EVs invested in Attack alongside a Hasty nature are preferred for preventing Superpower's damage output from being decreased while keeping Tornadus's decent natural Special Defense intact. However, if Superpower is not being run, a Timid nature is preferred to not unnecessarily lower Tornadus's already poor Defense stat. Flyinium Z grants access to Supersonic Skystrike, which is useful for powering through bulkier foes or guaranteeing a perfectly accurate Flying-type attack. Prankster gives Tornadus's status attacks priority, allowing it to almost always move first when using Defog or Tailwind. Prankster also allows it to move before priority users like Scizor, Crawdaunt, and Mamoswine in last-ditch efforts.
Usage Tips
========
This set's main goal is to act as an offensive pivot, meaning Tornadus will often be brought into play either to weaken the opposing team with its attacks or to use Defog before generating momentum with U-turn. Due to its poor defensive utility, Tornadus is best to bring into play through the support of a pivot or after a teammate has fainted. It can come in on predicted Ground-type attacks from the likes of Gligar and Hippowdon, however. When Tornadus is weakened and entry hazards are on its side of the field, it should attempt using Defog as a last-ditch effort to remove them before fainting. If Tailwind is being run, it should be used late-game to allow a teammate to clean up with an enhanced Speed tier. It's also best used when Tornadus is weakened, as it will give a teammate a free switch into play upon fainting after using the move. U-turn should be used to pivot out of Pokemon that Tornadus won't be able to muscle past before losing to, such as Mega Aggron and Nihilego.
Team Options
========
Due to its nature as an offensive pivot, this set fits best on teams that are very offensively inclined more often than not. Pokemon that enjoy the removal or weakening of Grass-types like Zeraora and Suicune appreciate Tornadus as a partner thanks to its ability to apply pressure to the likes of Amoonguss and Celebi. Frailer offensive Pokemon, such as Infernape, Starmie, and Nidoking, like Tornadus's ability to safely bring them into play with U-turn. Ground-types such as Gligar and Krookodile make good partners thanks to their ability to check most Rock- and Electric-types for Tornadus. If Tornadus is running Tailwind, powerful offensive forces like Terrakion, Heracross, and Volcanion will appreciate having their Speed increased thanks to it. Tornadus's frailty and odd defensive typing mean oftentimes it will require the support of a pivot to get into play, making Pokemon like Scizor, Mega Manectric, and Rotom-H good options as teammates. It also often enjoys Pokemon capable of weakening Steel-types for it, such as Heracross, Mega Houndoom, and Infernape, as teammates. Entry hazard control from the likes of Latias, Starmie, and Hydreigon can allow Tornadus to forgo running Defog for Tailwind while also alleviating its Stealth Rock weakness.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tornadus's good Attack and physical coverage options can allow it to viably run Defiant-based or Bulk Up sets that utilize Acrobatics as its Flying-type STAB move, though these are often more situational than mixed wallbreaking and pivoting sets due to its worse overall physical coverage and its frailty preventing it from finding too many setup opportunities. It would also be unable to run an item due to its reliance on Acrobatics as its STAB attack. Full-on special attacking sets are also options due to Tornadus's equally diverse special movepool, though it still struggles to break past the metagame as easily as with its mixed sets. Knock Off can be run for its ability to burden switch-ins with the removal of their items, providing more overall utility to Tornadus's team. However, it is often too hard to find room for.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Due to Tornadus's poor bulk and typing, it's easily overcome by faster offensive threats that can hit it with strong neutral attacks or super effective moves. Examples include Mega Beedrill and Starmie as well as Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Nihilego.
**Electric-types**: Raikou and Mega Manectric can both switch in on Tornadus at least twice, avoiding 2HKOs from both its STAB attacks and coverage moves, while outspeeding and KOing it with super effective STAB moves. Zeraora can only switch in once due to being 2HKOed by Superpower, though it can outspeed and OHKO Tornadus with STAB Plasma Fists. Rotom-H's typing allows it to come in on Heat Wave even more comfortably, though due to its worse Speed than Tornadus's and Stealth Rock weakness, offensive variants should be wary of getting 2HKOed by Hurricane after minor chip damage.
**Rock-types**: Although they can't often take more than one Superpower, Rock-types like Nihilego and Stakataka can threaten Tornadus heavily with their super effective STAB attacks. Mega Aerodactyl resists both Hurricane and Heat Wave, avoids the 2HKO from Superpower when at full health, outruns Tornadus, and KOes it with its super effective STAB Stone Edge, making it a very reliable method of counterplay.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Some specially defensive Pokemon have easy times working around Tornadus. Alolan Muk tanks any special hit while avoiding the 2HKO from Superpower from full, allowing it to threaten to Pursuit trap Tornadus or OHKO it with STAB Gunk Shot. Florges and Sylveon can also defensively check Tornadus, tanking any of its hits while wearing it down with Fairy-type STAB moves. Both should be wary of getting 2HKOed by Hurricane followed by Supersonic Skystrike, however.
[OVERVIEW]
Tornadus is a versatile offensive Pokemon that can function as a wallbreaker with its solid power and coverage or as a utility pivot with U-turn and Prankster status moves like Defog and Tailwind. Its high Special Attack and high Speed allow it to outspeed several prominent threats in UU, including Kommo-o, Celebi, and Infernape, and overpower them with STAB Hurricane. It also can utilize Supersonic Skystrike to even break past bulkier offensive threats like Latias and Terrakion after minor chip damage. This middle ground of power and Speed allows it to distinguish itself from other Flying-type choices. Its large range of coverage options also benefits it, allowing it to utilize moves like Superpower and Heat Wave to greatly limit its switch-ins. Unfortunately, Tornadus provides very little defensive utility to teams due to its Stealth Rock weakness, lack of recovery, mediocre defenses, and lack of useful resistances. Because of this, it faces competition from other offensive Flying-types such as Moltres, Mega Pidgeot, and Togekiss, which have better defensive typings, better bulk, and access to reliable recovery. Its reliance on Hurricane as its STAB attack can be disadvantageous due to the move's poor accuracy. Lastly, due to Tornadus's poor defenses and typing, it struggles to do anything of worth to most priority users like Mamoswine and Scizor, as they can power through it easily after minor chip damage.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Grass Knot / Defog / Tailwind
item: Life Orb
ability: Defiant / Prankster
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is a powerful STAB attack that has good neutral coverage and allows Tornadus to revenge kill several slower threats, like Infernape, Krookodile, and Chandelure. Heat Wave covers some Steel-types that could otherwise come in on Hurricane, such as Klefki, Mega Steelix, and Mega Aggron. It also more reliably KOes Scizor and Cobalion. Superpower hits a most other conventional Flying-type switch-ins, dealing heavy damage to Empoleon and Stakataka. It also heavily damages Blissey and Snorlax, two Pokemon that could otherwise tank hits from Tornadus, on the switch. Grass Knot is an option for OHKOing Terrakion and Swampert, more heavily and reliably damaging Hippowdon than Hurricane, and taking out Rhyperior, which could otherwise tank the rest of Tornadus's attacks. It also reliably powers through Swampert and Seismitoad in one hit. Defog allows Tornadus to exploit the switches it forces to remove entry hazards from the field. Tailwind is an option if entry hazard removal is being provided by another teammate, allowing Tornadus to support its teammates before fainting by briefly doubling their Speed.
Set Details
========
A Hasty nature allows Tornadus to increase its Speed while refraining from decreasing Superpower's damage output. Life Orb puts considerable power behind Tornadus's attacks, allowing it to apply heavy offensive pressure to the majority of the metagame and achieve a potentially crucial guaranteed OHKO on Terrakion with Grass Knot. Defiant can be run to boost Superpower's damage output by switching in on the Defog users Tornadus beats to boost its Attack. However, Prankster can be used if running Defog or Tailwind to give them priority.
Usage Tips
========
This set is aimed to function as more of a wallbreaker on offensive teams, due to Tornadus's great coverage and attacking stats allowing it to threaten a large portion of the metagame. Because of its lacking defensive utility, Tornadus should be brought into play via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted so it doesn't compromise its already limited longevity. Hurricane should be spammed against teams due to its impressive general coverage, tough Tornadus should try predicting a switch-in to the attack, such as Klefki or Blissey, if they're on the opposing team and healthy and nailing them with super effective coverage on the switch. Defog is best to use on forced switches when entry hazards are on Tornadus's side of the field. Thanks to its ability to force out several Stealth Rock setters like Hippowdon and Swampert, it can also often successfully attempt to switch in on them as they set Stealth Rock. Defog can also be used when Tornadus is weakened in a last-ditch effort to keep entry hazards off its side of the field. Tailwind should be used when Tornadus is weakened into range of a KO from the next attack to hit it, as this can generate momentum for its teammates while also providing them with a boost in Speed. Tornadus's Speed tier should be utilized to revenge kill various threats, such as Terrakion, Cobalion, and Hydreigon, once they've been weakened a bit.
Team Options
========
This set works best on offensive teams that appreciate Tornadus's ability to break past several defensive foes while weakening opposing offensive builds. Setup sweepers like Latias, Mega Altaria, and Lucario appreciate Tornadus's ability to muscle past opposing teams for them to clean up late-game. Pokemon like Mega Beedrill, Togekiss, and Volcanion that are weak to entry hazards enjoy Tornadus on their team due to its access to Prankster Defog. Powerful offensive threats like Mamoswine, Primarina, Nidoking, and Haxorus appreciate Tornadus's Tailwind support, as their offensive presences will become even harder to combat without opposing foes capable of outrunning them. Tornadus often favors pivoting support from the likes of Hydreigon, Scizor, and Rotom-H due to its poor typing and frailty preventing it from getting in easily. Entry hazard removal from a teammate like Tsareena, Starmie, or Hydreigon is also important to support Tornadus with if it isn't running Defog itself, due to its Stealth Rock weakness. Electric-type checks, like Hydreigon, Mega Sceptile, and Hippowdon, can pivot in on the likes of Rotom-H and Mega Manectric, which can hit Tornadus super effectively while tanking a hit or two.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Superpower / Heat Wave
move 4: Defog / Tailwind
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Prankster
nature: Hasty / Timid
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is a fairly powerful STAB attack that offers good neutral coverage. It can also be useful for revenge killing some of the tier's several Fighting-types, such as Infernape, Kommo-o, and Heracross. When Flyinium Z is activated, it turns into Supersonic Skystrike, which patches up Hurricane's imperfect accuracy while powering through bulkier foes like Swampert, Hippowdon, and Togekiss after Stealth Rock damage. U-turn pivots Tornadus out of undesirable situations, such as a predicted switch into a foe that checks it, such as Mega Aggron. Superpower deals heavy damage to Blissey, a common switch-in to the majority of special attackers, while also dealing adequate damage to Flying-type switch-ins, such as Nihilego, Stakataka, and Empoleon. Heat Wave is an option over Superpower for punishing Steel-type switch-ins like Bronzong, Mega Aggron, and Klefki, though being unable to power through Blissey, Stakataka, or Empoleon as reliably is a notable drawback. Defog is boosted by Prankster and allows Tornadus to remove all entry hazards on the field. It can both be used as Tornadus forces switches and, thanks to Prankster, in a last-ditch effort when it's weakened. If entry hazard removal is not needed or is being provided by another teammate, Tailwind is an option for allowing Tornadus to double the Speed of its teammates before fainting.
Set Details
========
4 EVs invested in Attack alongside a Hasty nature are preferred for preventing Superpower's damage output from being decreased while keeping Tornadus's decent natural Special Defense intact. However, if Superpower is not being run, a Timid nature is preferred to not unnecessarily lower Tornadus's already poor Defense stat. Flyinium Z grants access to Supersonic Skystrike, which is useful for powering through bulkier foes or guaranteeing a perfectly accurate Flying-type attack. Prankster gives Tornadus's status attacks priority, allowing it to almost always move first when using Defog or Tailwind. Prankster also allows it to move before priority users like Scizor, Crawdaunt, and Mamoswine in last-ditch efforts.
Usage Tips
========
This set's main goal is to act as an offensive pivot, meaning Tornadus will often be brought into play either to weaken the opposing team with its attacks or to use Defog before generating momentum with U-turn. Due to its poor defensive utility, Tornadus is best to bring into play through the support of a pivot or after a teammate has fainted. It can come in on predicted Ground-type attacks from the likes of Gligar and Hippowdon, however. When Tornadus is weakened and entry hazards are on its side of the field, it should attempt using Defog as a last-ditch effort to remove them before fainting. If Tailwind is being run, it should be used late-game to allow a teammate to clean up with an enhanced Speed tier. It's also best used when Tornadus is weakened, as it will give a teammate a free switch into play upon fainting after using the move. U-turn should be used to pivot out of Pokemon that Tornadus won't be able to muscle past before losing to, such as Mega Aggron and Nihilego.
Team Options
========
Due to its nature as an offensive pivot, this set fits best on teams that are very offensively inclined more often than not. Pokemon that enjoy the removal or weakening of Grass-types like Zeraora and Suicune appreciate Tornadus as a partner thanks to its ability to apply pressure to the likes of Amoonguss and Celebi. Frailer offensive Pokemon, such as Infernape, Starmie, and Nidoking, like Tornadus's ability to safely bring them into play with U-turn. Ground-types such as Gligar and Krookodile make good partners thanks to their ability to check most Rock- and Electric-types for Tornadus. If Tornadus is running Tailwind, powerful offensive forces like Terrakion, Heracross, and Volcanion will appreciate having their Speed increased thanks to it. Tornadus's frailty and odd defensive typing mean oftentimes it will require the support of a pivot to get into play, making Pokemon like Scizor, Mega Manectric, and Rotom-H good options as teammates. It also often enjoys Pokemon capable of weakening Steel-types for it, such as Heracross, Mega Houndoom, and Infernape, as teammates. Entry hazard control from the likes of Latias, Starmie, and Hydreigon can allow Tornadus to forgo running Defog for Tailwind while also alleviating its Stealth Rock weakness.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tornadus's good Attack and physical coverage options can allow it to viably run Defiant-based or Bulk Up sets that utilize Acrobatics as its Flying-type STAB move, though these are often more situational than mixed wallbreaking and pivoting sets due to its worse overall physical coverage and its frailty preventing it from finding too many setup opportunities. It would also be unable to run an item due to its reliance on Acrobatics as its STAB attack. Full-on special attacking sets are also options due to Tornadus's equally diverse special movepool, though it still struggles to break past the metagame as easily as with its mixed sets. Knock Off can be run for its ability to burden switch-ins with the removal of their items, providing more overall utility to Tornadus's team. However, it is often too hard to find room for.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Due to Tornadus's poor bulk and typing, it's easily overcome by faster offensive threats that can hit it with strong neutral attacks or super effective moves. Examples include Mega Beedrill and Starmie as well as Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Nihilego.
**Electric-types**: Raikou and Mega Manectric can both switch in on Tornadus at least twice, avoiding 2HKOs from both its STAB attacks and coverage moves, while outspeeding and KOing it with super effective STAB moves. Zeraora can only switch in once due to being 2HKOed by Superpower, though it can outspeed and OHKO Tornadus with STAB Plasma Fists. Rotom-H's typing allows it to come in on Heat Wave even more comfortably, though due to its worse Speed than Tornadus's and Stealth Rock weakness, offensive variants should be wary of getting 2HKOed by Hurricane after minor chip damage.
**Rock-types**: Although they can't often take more than one Superpower, Rock-types like Nihilego and Stakataka can threaten Tornadus heavily with their super effective STAB attacks. Mega Aerodactyl resists both Hurricane and Heat Wave, avoids the 2HKO from Superpower when at full health, outruns Tornadus, and KOes it with its super effective STAB Stone Edge, making it a very reliable method of counterplay.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Some specially defensive Pokemon have easy times working around Tornadus. Alolan Muk tanks any special hit while avoiding the 2HKO from Superpower from full, allowing it to threaten to Pursuit trap Tornadus or OHKO it with STAB Gunk Shot. Florges and Sylveon can also defensively check Tornadus, tanking any of its hits while wearing it down with Fairy-type STAB moves. Both should be wary of getting 2HKOed by Hurricane followed by Supersonic Skystrike, however.
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