QC: Spirit / EonX / Passion
GP: P Squared / Fleurdyleurse
[OVERVIEW]
Xatu is primarily known for its ability Magic Bounce, which allows it to bounce back moves like Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, and Taunt and more importantly allows it to bounce entry hazards back to the opponent's field. Xatu has a very good matchup against two common hazard setters in Uxie and Registeel, while its access to U-turn also allows it to act as an effective pivot. Furthermore, Xatu's Psychic / Flying typing gives it a 4x resistance to Fighting and a Ground immunity. It has a decent Speed tier even without investment, allowing it to invest in bulk. It also has a vast movepool, with moves such as Heat Wave, Grass Knot, Night Shade, and Roost. Unfortunately, Xatu is weak to a variety of types including Dark, Rock, Ice, Electric, and Ghost. Furthermore, all Dark-types other than Spiritomb outspeed Xatu and can threaten it with a combination of Knock Off and Pursuit. The popular hazard setter Diancie can be troublesome due to the combination of Heal Bell and Diamond Storm. If the opponent finds out the moveset Xatu is running, it becomes relatively easy to check. Finally, Pokemon like Drapion, Scrafty, and Fletchinder can take advantage of Xatu and set up on it.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Roost
move 3: Night Shade
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn allows Xatu to pivot out on predicted checks or counters, as well as predicted Pursuit trappers. U-turn also allows it to work with Pokemon like Dugtrio to trap counters like Diancie. Roost is used to maintain longevity, as Xatu needs to provide hazard control throughout the game. Night Shade is used to deal consistent damage to opposing Pokemon and helps whittle down bulky walls without recovery moves that set hazards like Uxie and Registeel. Finally, Toxic can be used to chip at Pokemon that attempt to set up on Xatu such as Fletchinder and Braviary or walls like Alomomola, Rhyperior, and Slowking.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is used for passive recovery, which paired with Roost allows Xatu to remain as a stable check towards Fighting-types and hazard setters. Colbur Berry can be used instead to mitigate Dark-type damage from moves such as Knock Off and Pursuit. Rocky Helmet can also be used because it helps to cripple physical attackers, which Xatu usually switches easily on due to its bulk. Magic Bounce allows Xatu to provide hazard control and bounce back status ailments as well as moves like Taunt. An Impish nature is used to boost Xatu's Defense without lowering its Attack, which would make U-turn weaker. Maximum HP and Defense EVs are used, as this is a defensive set, while the rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense for extra bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Try to switch in Xatu on hazard setters to bounce back hazards. It is very safe to switch Xatu into Pokemon like Uxie and Registeel, as Uxie's only attacking move is a Psychic move, while Registeel only carries Seismic Toss. Therefore, Xatu can easily use Roost on them as well as Night Shade to whittle them down, especially because they have no method of recovery besides Leftovers. Against Diancie and Rhyperior, Xatu should be played more cautiously because of moves like Diamond Storm and Rock Blast. However, if you get a Toxic on Rhyperior, you can spam Roost and win from there. Use U-turn when predicting the opponent to switch into a check to go to an appropriate answer. Use Toxic either on Pokemon that you fear are going to set up on Xatu such as Fletchinder or on bulky walls such as Alomomola and Slowking rather than immediately going for Night Shade. Use Roost when Xatu is low on health, as it needs to healthy to be useful throughout the game. Switch in on Pokemon that you expect to inflict status, such as Alomomola and Jellicent. Try not to lose Xatu until the opposing hazard setter has fainted.
Team Options
========
Teammates that appreciate hazard control like Fletchinder, Mega Glalie, Aerodactyl, and Vivillon are excellent teammates, as Xatu offers a form of hazard control on teams that don't want momentum to be sapped. Dugtrio can be used with Xatu, as the latter can U-turn to it so that it can trap Diancie. Pokemon that check Dark-types such as Fighting-types, like Medicham, Sawk, and Gurdurr, and Fairy-types, like Aromatisse and Granbull, are good partners. Bulky Fairy-types are also good because they can usually switch into Knock Off. Registeel is a good partner, as it resists Ice- and Rock-type moves while also taking on Electric-types well due to them usually using special attacks. Hazard removers such as Blastoise and Flygon can be used if Stealth Rock does get set up, as Xatu has a hard time getting in with Stealth Rock up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Xatu can run Heat Wave as a coverage move for hitting Pokemon like Escavalier, Registeel, and Bronzong super effectively. Furthermore, Grass Knot or Giga Drain can be run to hit Rhyperior and Seismitoad. Haze can be used to stop setup sweepers such as Scrafty and Drapion. 40 Speed EVs can be invested to outspeed Exploud, although Xatu cannot do much to it and prefers the added bulk. Wish + Protect can be used to let Xatu act as a cleric, but Alomomola and Aromatisse are better for such a role. Tailwind can be used to support wallbreakers, while Calm Mind can be used in conjunction with a Psychic STAB move to make Xatu a wincon. Finally, Future Sight can be used as a filler option, as it works well with Xatu's ability to U-turn into teammates and threaten Pokemon out.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: All Dark-type Pokemon aside from Spiritomb outspeed Xatu and can threaten it with Knock Off while also being able to potentially Pursuit trap it. Drapion is particularly threatening, as it is not affected by Toxic.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Aerodactyl, Diancie, and Rhyperior can threaten Xatu with their STAB moves. Diancie can also use Heal Bell to treat Toxic.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types like Mega Glalie and Sneasel threaten Xatu with their super effective STAB moves. Both of these Pokemon outspeed it, and Sneasel can also use Pursuit.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types can usually OHKO Xatu and can pivot out on it with Volt Switch. Magneton is also frightening, as it is not affected by Toxic.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Mega Banette and Rotom can threaten Xatu with super effective moves, so it must be wary of them.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Pursuit trappers can trap Xatu and deal severe damage to it. Thus, Pokemon like Aerodactyl, Spiritomb, and Sneasel should be feared.
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Fletchinder, Drapion, and Scrafty can take advantage of Xatu and set up. Scrafty's Shed Skin makes it a particularly dangerous threat.
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