roman
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
Access to Magic Bounce lets Xatu block entry hazards from defensive Stealth Rock users, mainly the omnipresent Registeel as well as Bronzong. While Xatu struggles to switch directly into offensive hazard setters like Metagross and Roserade due to mediocre bulk, it still beats them one-on-one and forces prediction with the threat of Magic Bounce. Xatu's fantastic movepool also gives it the option to further support its team with U-turn or pose a massive threat to passive teams with Calm Mind in its last moveslot. However, Xatu is very matchup reliant. It fails to consistently beat offensive hazard setters, and its mediocre stats and defensive typing prevent it from threatening offensive teams with Calm Mind, meaning it'll only truly excel against balance teams with Registeel or Bronzong as their Stealth Rock user or against passive defensive teams lacking an Unaware user when running Calm Mind. Xatu is exploitable as well; many common Pokemon such as Zygarde-10%, Ninetales, Barbaracle, and Houndoom set up on it for free, and Pursuit users like Sneasel and Drapion can remove it, making it much easier for the opponent to set up Stealth Rock. It also has competition with Espeon, which offers a much more formidable offensive presence, and with other Defog users. For example, Defog Magic Guard Sigilyph beats Registeel and Bronzong lacking Gyro Ball nearly as well as Xatu while having better stats all around, and other Defog users such as Mandibuzz trade the ability to excel against Registeel for a much more impressive defensive presence and typing.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Roost
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: U-turn / Calm Mind
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heat Wave is important for hitting Steel-types like Metagross and Escavalier that would otherwise wall Xatu. It's especially helpful for chipping defensive ones like Registeel and Bronzong, as the main reason to run Xatu is to block Stealth Rock from them. U-turn lets Xatu generate momentum, pivoting out of switch-ins such as Mandibuzz, Florges, and Milotic and bringing in wallbreakers. Calm Mind lets Xatu function as a wincon against passive defensive teams, as Magic Bounce lets it circumvent the typical counterplay, notably Toxic and phazing moves such as Whirlwind, that these teams run. Psyshock is used over Psychic to hit Pokemon such as Roserade and Virizion much harder.
Set Details
========
A Timid nature in conjunction with 216 Speed EVs allows Xatu to outpace every entry hazard setter up through Roserade. Rocky Helmet lets Xatu more effectively block Stealth Rock from defensive users like Registeel and improves its chances against offensive Stealth Rock users such as Metagross. Magic Bounce is extremely important, as without it Xatu can't bounce back hazards and status moves from Pokemon such as Registeel. 148 EVs from Defense and then HP can be moved over to Special Attack to allow Xatu to OHKO Roserade, but Roserade faints to uninvested Psyshock after a round of Life Orb or some chip damage as is, so it's situational.
Usage Tips
========
Use Xatu to block Stealth Rock from Registeel and Bronzong, and keep in mind that if Stealth Rock Metagross is chipped a bit, you can switch in and wear it down with Rocky Helmet while recovering health with Roost until Xatu can remove it with Heat Wave. Xatu can also switch into Roserade lacking Poisonium Z unless chipped, so capitalize on that to block its Spikes. Calm Mind shouldn't be revealed until checks such as Mega Ampharos and Honchkrow are either chipped into range of Xatu's boosted attacks or removed completely. This is because if you reveal Calm Mind, they'll be played much more carefully, making it much harder to make full use of it. Use U-turn to pivot out of walls like Mandibuzz and Milotic that Xatu struggles with and bring in a threatening wallbreaker to deal with them. Take advantage of Xatu's useful defensive typing to switch in and check common threats such as Virizion lacking Stone Edge. Use Roost liberally, as Xatu's mediocre bulk makes it very difficult to switch into offensive entry hazard setters when chipped.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that are weak to entry hazards, notably Houndoom, Golisopod, and Swellow, appreciate Xatu's ability to keep them off the field thanks to Magic Bounce and as such make great teammates. Wallbreakers like Ninetales, Flame Orb Machamp, and Roserade appreciate Xatu's U-turn support giving them free turns, as their lackluster bulk makes it difficult to come in otherwise. With their typings and good offensive presence, they support Calm Mind Xatu pretty well, being able to chip its checks and counters. Defensive teammates such as Porygon2 can work in the same way, slowly wearing at the opposition until Xatu can effectively set up Calm Mind. Pokemon like Gardevoir, Shaymin, Florges, and Diancie that struggle greatly with defensive Steel-types appreciate Xatu's ability to completely beat Registeel and Bronzong.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Night Shade lets Xatu deal consistent damage to defensive Pokemon like Mandibuzz and Bronzong, but U-turn and Calm Mind are generally much more useful. Air Slash can be used on stall teams to deal with Pangoro, force out Golisopod, 2HKO Araquanid with Stealth Rock up, and do more damage against Bewear and Virizion.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Houndoom, Sneasel, Drapion, Honchkrow, and Mandibuzz all pose massive threats to Xatu. Houndoom sets up on it for free thanks to Flash Fire; Sneasel, Drapion, and Honchkrow can all remove it with Pursuit; and Mandibuzz soaks up all of its attacks easily and beats it one-on-one with Foul Play or Knock Off.
**Rock-types**: Diancie and Rhyperior are very effective at beating Xatu: their super effective STAB moves make it difficult for Xatu to come in, meaning that they can set up Stealth Rock pretty freely. Lycanroc-D can set up Swords Dance on Xatu and proceed to demolish entire teams, and other Rock-types like Choice Scarf Tyrantrum easily remove Xatu.
**Setup Pokemon**: Xatu's mediocre offensive stats make it difficult to prevent setup from Pokemon such as Zygarde-10%, Houndoom, and Barbaracle. Weakness Policy Metagross takes advantage of Xatu as well, soaking up Heat Wave to boost its offensive stats while setting up Agility.
**Wallbreakers**: Xatu's mediocre bulk leaves it struggling against wallbreakers like Mega Blastoise, Tyrantrum, Choice Band Metagross, and Arcanine. For example, it has to set up Calm Mind at least three times to be safe against Mega Blastoise, and physical wallbreakers have no trouble taking it out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[roman, 396169]]
- Quality checked by: [[Averardo, 409096], [zizalith, 410251], [Chrisloud1, 332202]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Access to Magic Bounce lets Xatu block entry hazards from defensive Stealth Rock users, mainly the omnipresent Registeel as well as Bronzong. While Xatu struggles to switch directly into offensive hazard setters like Metagross and Roserade due to mediocre bulk, it still beats them one-on-one and forces prediction with the threat of Magic Bounce. Xatu's fantastic movepool also gives it the option to further support its team with U-turn or pose a massive threat to passive teams with Calm Mind in its last moveslot. However, Xatu is very matchup reliant. It fails to consistently beat offensive hazard setters, and its mediocre stats and defensive typing prevent it from threatening offensive teams with Calm Mind, meaning it'll only truly excel against balance teams with Registeel or Bronzong as their Stealth Rock user or against passive defensive teams lacking an Unaware user when running Calm Mind. Xatu is exploitable as well; many common Pokemon such as Zygarde-10%, Ninetales, Barbaracle, and Houndoom set up on it for free, and Pursuit users like Sneasel and Drapion can remove it, making it much easier for the opponent to set up Stealth Rock. It also has competition with Espeon, which offers a much more formidable offensive presence, and with other Defog users. For example, Defog Magic Guard Sigilyph beats Registeel and Bronzong lacking Gyro Ball nearly as well as Xatu while having better stats all around, and other Defog users such as Mandibuzz trade the ability to excel against Registeel for a much more impressive defensive presence and typing.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Roost
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: U-turn / Calm Mind
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heat Wave is important for hitting Steel-types like Metagross and Escavalier that would otherwise wall Xatu. It's especially helpful for chipping defensive ones like Registeel and Bronzong, as the main reason to run Xatu is to block Stealth Rock from them. U-turn lets Xatu generate momentum, pivoting out of switch-ins such as Mandibuzz, Florges, and Milotic and bringing in wallbreakers. Calm Mind lets Xatu function as a wincon against passive defensive teams, as Magic Bounce lets it circumvent the typical counterplay, notably Toxic and phazing moves such as Whirlwind, that these teams run. Psyshock is used over Psychic to hit Pokemon such as Roserade and Virizion much harder.
Set Details
========
A Timid nature in conjunction with 216 Speed EVs allows Xatu to outpace every entry hazard setter up through Roserade. Rocky Helmet lets Xatu more effectively block Stealth Rock from defensive users like Registeel and improves its chances against offensive Stealth Rock users such as Metagross. Magic Bounce is extremely important, as without it Xatu can't bounce back hazards and status moves from Pokemon such as Registeel. 148 EVs from Defense and then HP can be moved over to Special Attack to allow Xatu to OHKO Roserade, but Roserade faints to uninvested Psyshock after a round of Life Orb or some chip damage as is, so it's situational.
Usage Tips
========
Use Xatu to block Stealth Rock from Registeel and Bronzong, and keep in mind that if Stealth Rock Metagross is chipped a bit, you can switch in and wear it down with Rocky Helmet while recovering health with Roost until Xatu can remove it with Heat Wave. Xatu can also switch into Roserade lacking Poisonium Z unless chipped, so capitalize on that to block its Spikes. Calm Mind shouldn't be revealed until checks such as Mega Ampharos and Honchkrow are either chipped into range of Xatu's boosted attacks or removed completely. This is because if you reveal Calm Mind, they'll be played much more carefully, making it much harder to make full use of it. Use U-turn to pivot out of walls like Mandibuzz and Milotic that Xatu struggles with and bring in a threatening wallbreaker to deal with them. Take advantage of Xatu's useful defensive typing to switch in and check common threats such as Virizion lacking Stone Edge. Use Roost liberally, as Xatu's mediocre bulk makes it very difficult to switch into offensive entry hazard setters when chipped.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that are weak to entry hazards, notably Houndoom, Golisopod, and Swellow, appreciate Xatu's ability to keep them off the field thanks to Magic Bounce and as such make great teammates. Wallbreakers like Ninetales, Flame Orb Machamp, and Roserade appreciate Xatu's U-turn support giving them free turns, as their lackluster bulk makes it difficult to come in otherwise. With their typings and good offensive presence, they support Calm Mind Xatu pretty well, being able to chip its checks and counters. Defensive teammates such as Porygon2 can work in the same way, slowly wearing at the opposition until Xatu can effectively set up Calm Mind. Pokemon like Gardevoir, Shaymin, Florges, and Diancie that struggle greatly with defensive Steel-types appreciate Xatu's ability to completely beat Registeel and Bronzong.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Night Shade lets Xatu deal consistent damage to defensive Pokemon like Mandibuzz and Bronzong, but U-turn and Calm Mind are generally much more useful. Air Slash can be used on stall teams to deal with Pangoro, force out Golisopod, 2HKO Araquanid with Stealth Rock up, and do more damage against Bewear and Virizion.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Houndoom, Sneasel, Drapion, Honchkrow, and Mandibuzz all pose massive threats to Xatu. Houndoom sets up on it for free thanks to Flash Fire; Sneasel, Drapion, and Honchkrow can all remove it with Pursuit; and Mandibuzz soaks up all of its attacks easily and beats it one-on-one with Foul Play or Knock Off.
**Rock-types**: Diancie and Rhyperior are very effective at beating Xatu: their super effective STAB moves make it difficult for Xatu to come in, meaning that they can set up Stealth Rock pretty freely. Lycanroc-D can set up Swords Dance on Xatu and proceed to demolish entire teams, and other Rock-types like Choice Scarf Tyrantrum easily remove Xatu.
**Setup Pokemon**: Xatu's mediocre offensive stats make it difficult to prevent setup from Pokemon such as Zygarde-10%, Houndoom, and Barbaracle. Weakness Policy Metagross takes advantage of Xatu as well, soaking up Heat Wave to boost its offensive stats while setting up Agility.
**Wallbreakers**: Xatu's mediocre bulk leaves it struggling against wallbreakers like Mega Blastoise, Tyrantrum, Choice Band Metagross, and Arcanine. For example, it has to set up Calm Mind at least three times to be safe against Mega Blastoise, and physical wallbreakers have no trouble taking it out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[roman, 396169]]
- Quality checked by: [[Averardo, 409096], [zizalith, 410251], [Chrisloud1, 332202]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
