original thread here; http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3446757
He's given me permission to take it over, so I'm starting a new thread. I'll import the skeleton of the two sets up, and let QC chime in until then.
---
[Overview]
<p>Ever since it appeared in Generation II, Xatu has been consistently underwhelming. Even three generations on, Xatu is cursed with average stats, an unexciting movepool, and a less-than-stellar Psychic / Flying typing. So why has Xatu suddenly shot up through the ranks? Magic Bounce is the answer. With a permanent Magic Coat wielded only by a select few, Xatu now has an important job to perform: bouncing back status effects, Stealth Rock and Spikes, and other miscellaneous effects, making it almost the perfect anti-support Pokemon. What differentiates Xatu from Espeon, however, is the fact that Xatu is much more capable of a support role than its fellow Magic Bounce user, for a variety of reasons, most notably its larger support movepool and access to reliable recovery. While their movepools are otherwise very similar, and Espeon has better stats, Xatu is still a viable choice on any defensive team that struggles with status and other effects, provided it is played correctly.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Roost
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Light Screen
move 4: U-turn / Psychic / Night Shade
item: Light Clay
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Magic Bounce protects Xatu from Taunt, so Roost, Reflect, and Light Screen can be used without too much fear. After doubling both defenses with the screens, Roost allows Xatu to sit on the field for an extended period of time, preventing the opponent from using Stealth Rock or Toxic, making it more difficult for them to take you out. That said, Xatu is not invincible. Any super effective attack, even un-STABed, will likely KO it if the respective screen isn't up.</p>
<p>However, with Reflect and Light Screen, Xatu becomes a different wall altogether. Opposing defensive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Jellicent, Vaporeon, Skarmory, Forretress, and non-Seismic Toss Blissey will never 2HKO Xatu. This gives Xatu the chance to set up both screens, Roost off the damage, and then switch to the appropriate attacker to start wreaking havoc on the opponent's team. It is important to note, however, that serious offensive powerhouses will still give Xatu grief, due to its sub-par Speed and frail defenses. Careful support and prediction is key.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>U-turn allows Xatu to switch to a teammate without taking damage; Xatu is usually slower, so it will take a hit before U-turning, allowing the sweeper to come in fresh and unhindered. Psychic attacks Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr and Terrakion, which is useful when Reflect is up, as they will struggle to KO Xatu (with the exception of Swords Dance boosted Stone Edge from Terrakion). Night Shade hits most opponents for consistent damage, although Xatu is not aiming to stall the opponent and whittle them down like Blissey, so this is a lesser advised option. An alternative EV spread which uses 80 Spe can be used to outspeed Tyranitar and base 100 Speed Pokemon with 32 EVs; if this is desired, it is suggested to have HP left alone and extract the EVs from the defenses instead.</p>
<p>Xatu loses to Dark- and Electric-types, notably Tyranitar and Thundurus. Tyranitar will usually outspeed (unless Xatu invests in Speed also) and hit Xatu with either Crunch, Stone Edge, or Pursuit, all packing a punch if Xatu hasn't set up Reflect. Thundurus can use Taunt, making Xatu less of a threat, and can also use Nasty Plot and then Thunderbolt Xatu for severe damage, as Nasty Plot essentially negates Light Screen. Conkeldurr can take out Tyranitar with ease, and isn't fazed by Thundurus either, and it also makes for a good abuser of Light Screen and Reflect. Similarly, Garchomp, Landorus, Volcarona, and Dragon Dance users are good choices for this reason as well. Defensive attackers such as Gastrodon and Quagsire also fit the bill notably well as they are immune to Electric-type attacks and resist Rock-type attacks, giving them a free switch in from Xatu, and have already respectable bulk which is further boosted by Light Screen and Reflect.</p>
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: FeatherDance / Toxic
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 180 Def / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The metagame is infested with physically powerful Pokemon, such as Conkeldurr, Scizor, Terrakion, and Garchomp. This Xatu is effective in dealing with the aforementioned Pokemon, as well as many others, due to the tools Xatu has at its disposal. FeatherDance is extremely useful, as it can negate any Swords Dance boosts the opponent may gain, or, if they just attack, makes their attacks weaker, allowing Xatu to live another turn. Roost will continue to keep Xatu alive, assuming the opponent doesn't take it out in one hit. Psychic will take down Conkeldurr and Terrakion, and is just a nifty STAB move in general, whereas Hidden Power Fire will OHKO Scizor and significantly weaken Forretress and Ferrothorn, if necessary.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The Speed EVs put Xatu above 245 Speed, outpacing Adamant 252 Speed unboosted Tyranitar, Jirachi, and Celebi with no investment, 252 Speed Adamant Scizor, and other neutral-natured Pokemon in the base 60 Speed tier. U-turn is a viable option instead of Hidden Power Fire, as when Xatu starts going low on health, you can send in another Pokemon to take advantage of the weakened sweeper. Thunder Wave is less of an option, but due to Xatu's low Speed, it can be extremely useful for neutering Terrakion and Conkeldurr on the switch, allowing Xatu to pick them off with Psychic handily. Pokemon that dislike Terrakion and Conkeldurr, such as Excadrill, are extremely effective partners, as Xatu resists Ground- and Fighting-type moves. Excadrill in particular is an excellent partner, as it can then switch in on the Electric- and Dark-type moves aimed at Xatu and sweep once Xatu has eliminated Excadrill's problem Pokemon.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Xatu has a plethora of options at its disposal, such as Trick, which can be useful combined with Choice Scarf; Haze, which is an inferior FeatherDance but can get rid of Calm Mind and Dragon Dance; Trick Room, which alongside Screens can aid your Conkeldurr even more; Calm Mind, although Light Screen is the better choice; and Baton Pass, which is only effective with Calm Mind or Tailwind. However, it should be noted that any option listed here, any other Psychic-type such as Espeon, Reuniclus, or Celebi can do better.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>If the words "It's super effective!" come up on the screen, you can be sure Xatu is going down quickly. Excadrill and Terrakion will crush Xatu with Rock Slide and Stone Edge, respectively, Thundurus will Thunderbolt it out of the sky, and Hydreigon's Dark Pulse will strike Xatu down hard. In addition, all of these Pokemon pack enough power to KO Xatu with Stealth Rock, when Light Screen and Reflect aren't up, and will always outspeed as well. Sometimes Terrakion and Excadrill will need to be wary of Thunder Wave and Psychic, or Hidden Power Fire, respectively, but even so, it is unlikely to have a profound effect on them. Blissey and Chansey will stop Xatu from doing anything bar setting up Light Screen, but it can wear Xatu down with Seismic Toss and, in Blissey's case, Ice Beam, all the while taking pittance from Psychic. However, Xatu is very likely to U-turn away, so while they are good checks, they are poor long-term answers. Tyranitar and Scizor's Pursuit will deal hefty damage as Xatu U-turns away, even with Reflect, so switching them in as Xatu uses Roost or Light Screen is a safe solution. If you can take advantage of the fact that Xatu is relatively slow and frail without its Light Screen or Reflect, then capitalize on it and it shouldn't be a problem.</p>
He's given me permission to take it over, so I'm starting a new thread. I'll import the skeleton of the two sets up, and let QC chime in until then.
---
[Overview]
<p>Ever since it appeared in Generation II, Xatu has been consistently underwhelming. Even three generations on, Xatu is cursed with average stats, an unexciting movepool, and a less-than-stellar Psychic / Flying typing. So why has Xatu suddenly shot up through the ranks? Magic Bounce is the answer. With a permanent Magic Coat wielded only by a select few, Xatu now has an important job to perform: bouncing back status effects, Stealth Rock and Spikes, and other miscellaneous effects, making it almost the perfect anti-support Pokemon. What differentiates Xatu from Espeon, however, is the fact that Xatu is much more capable of a support role than its fellow Magic Bounce user, for a variety of reasons, most notably its larger support movepool and access to reliable recovery. While their movepools are otherwise very similar, and Espeon has better stats, Xatu is still a viable choice on any defensive team that struggles with status and other effects, provided it is played correctly.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Roost
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Light Screen
move 4: U-turn / Psychic / Night Shade
item: Light Clay
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Magic Bounce protects Xatu from Taunt, so Roost, Reflect, and Light Screen can be used without too much fear. After doubling both defenses with the screens, Roost allows Xatu to sit on the field for an extended period of time, preventing the opponent from using Stealth Rock or Toxic, making it more difficult for them to take you out. That said, Xatu is not invincible. Any super effective attack, even un-STABed, will likely KO it if the respective screen isn't up.</p>
<p>However, with Reflect and Light Screen, Xatu becomes a different wall altogether. Opposing defensive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Jellicent, Vaporeon, Skarmory, Forretress, and non-Seismic Toss Blissey will never 2HKO Xatu. This gives Xatu the chance to set up both screens, Roost off the damage, and then switch to the appropriate attacker to start wreaking havoc on the opponent's team. It is important to note, however, that serious offensive powerhouses will still give Xatu grief, due to its sub-par Speed and frail defenses. Careful support and prediction is key.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>U-turn allows Xatu to switch to a teammate without taking damage; Xatu is usually slower, so it will take a hit before U-turning, allowing the sweeper to come in fresh and unhindered. Psychic attacks Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr and Terrakion, which is useful when Reflect is up, as they will struggle to KO Xatu (with the exception of Swords Dance boosted Stone Edge from Terrakion). Night Shade hits most opponents for consistent damage, although Xatu is not aiming to stall the opponent and whittle them down like Blissey, so this is a lesser advised option. An alternative EV spread which uses 80 Spe can be used to outspeed Tyranitar and base 100 Speed Pokemon with 32 EVs; if this is desired, it is suggested to have HP left alone and extract the EVs from the defenses instead.</p>
<p>Xatu loses to Dark- and Electric-types, notably Tyranitar and Thundurus. Tyranitar will usually outspeed (unless Xatu invests in Speed also) and hit Xatu with either Crunch, Stone Edge, or Pursuit, all packing a punch if Xatu hasn't set up Reflect. Thundurus can use Taunt, making Xatu less of a threat, and can also use Nasty Plot and then Thunderbolt Xatu for severe damage, as Nasty Plot essentially negates Light Screen. Conkeldurr can take out Tyranitar with ease, and isn't fazed by Thundurus either, and it also makes for a good abuser of Light Screen and Reflect. Similarly, Garchomp, Landorus, Volcarona, and Dragon Dance users are good choices for this reason as well. Defensive attackers such as Gastrodon and Quagsire also fit the bill notably well as they are immune to Electric-type attacks and resist Rock-type attacks, giving them a free switch in from Xatu, and have already respectable bulk which is further boosted by Light Screen and Reflect.</p>
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: FeatherDance / Toxic
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 180 Def / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The metagame is infested with physically powerful Pokemon, such as Conkeldurr, Scizor, Terrakion, and Garchomp. This Xatu is effective in dealing with the aforementioned Pokemon, as well as many others, due to the tools Xatu has at its disposal. FeatherDance is extremely useful, as it can negate any Swords Dance boosts the opponent may gain, or, if they just attack, makes their attacks weaker, allowing Xatu to live another turn. Roost will continue to keep Xatu alive, assuming the opponent doesn't take it out in one hit. Psychic will take down Conkeldurr and Terrakion, and is just a nifty STAB move in general, whereas Hidden Power Fire will OHKO Scizor and significantly weaken Forretress and Ferrothorn, if necessary.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The Speed EVs put Xatu above 245 Speed, outpacing Adamant 252 Speed unboosted Tyranitar, Jirachi, and Celebi with no investment, 252 Speed Adamant Scizor, and other neutral-natured Pokemon in the base 60 Speed tier. U-turn is a viable option instead of Hidden Power Fire, as when Xatu starts going low on health, you can send in another Pokemon to take advantage of the weakened sweeper. Thunder Wave is less of an option, but due to Xatu's low Speed, it can be extremely useful for neutering Terrakion and Conkeldurr on the switch, allowing Xatu to pick them off with Psychic handily. Pokemon that dislike Terrakion and Conkeldurr, such as Excadrill, are extremely effective partners, as Xatu resists Ground- and Fighting-type moves. Excadrill in particular is an excellent partner, as it can then switch in on the Electric- and Dark-type moves aimed at Xatu and sweep once Xatu has eliminated Excadrill's problem Pokemon.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Xatu has a plethora of options at its disposal, such as Trick, which can be useful combined with Choice Scarf; Haze, which is an inferior FeatherDance but can get rid of Calm Mind and Dragon Dance; Trick Room, which alongside Screens can aid your Conkeldurr even more; Calm Mind, although Light Screen is the better choice; and Baton Pass, which is only effective with Calm Mind or Tailwind. However, it should be noted that any option listed here, any other Psychic-type such as Espeon, Reuniclus, or Celebi can do better.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>If the words "It's super effective!" come up on the screen, you can be sure Xatu is going down quickly. Excadrill and Terrakion will crush Xatu with Rock Slide and Stone Edge, respectively, Thundurus will Thunderbolt it out of the sky, and Hydreigon's Dark Pulse will strike Xatu down hard. In addition, all of these Pokemon pack enough power to KO Xatu with Stealth Rock, when Light Screen and Reflect aren't up, and will always outspeed as well. Sometimes Terrakion and Excadrill will need to be wary of Thunder Wave and Psychic, or Hidden Power Fire, respectively, but even so, it is unlikely to have a profound effect on them. Blissey and Chansey will stop Xatu from doing anything bar setting up Light Screen, but it can wear Xatu down with Seismic Toss and, in Blissey's case, Ice Beam, all the while taking pittance from Psychic. However, Xatu is very likely to U-turn away, so while they are good checks, they are poor long-term answers. Tyranitar and Scizor's Pursuit will deal hefty damage as Xatu U-turns away, even with Reflect, so switching them in as Xatu uses Roost or Light Screen is a safe solution. If you can take advantage of the fact that Xatu is relatively slow and frail without its Light Screen or Reflect, then capitalize on it and it shouldn't be a problem.</p>
