Xerneas
QC: MAMP / Funbot28 / ScarfWynaut
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / Electrolyte
[OVERVIEW]
Xerneas's high stats across the board and good offensive and defensive typing allow it to run an effective offensive Poison Heal set, giving it added longevity to set up and damage the opposing team. If it is able to find an opportunity to set up using Quiver Dance, it can be difficult for offensive teams to defeat due to its added bulk, Special Attack, and Speed, as well as its passive recovery. Its Fairy typing gives it defensive utility via an immunity to Core Enforcer, which would otherwise have the potential to negate Poison Heal, as well as offensive utility by being super effective against some of the more common defensive Pokemon in the tier, Giratina and Zygarde-C. It also gives it useful resistances to both Fighting and Dark, as well as a resistance to U-turn and super effective STAB coverage against Dark and Fighting-types. These can be useful, as the Dark-type resistance allows Xerneas to be a reliable switch into Knock Off to provide utility to the rest of the team, while the Dragon-type immunity and the Fighting-type resistance can allow Xerneas to set up against Choice item users. It also has an immunity to Dragon-type attacks, which can be beneficial. However, Xerneas struggles to break past defensive Steel-type Pokemon, which hinders its offensive capabilities to a noticeable degree due to their prevalence in the metagame. The popularity of Flash Fire Steel-type Pokemon in particular is troublesome for Xerneas, as those Pokemon are able to wall Xerneas with its most common forms of coverage. Furthermore, though Xerneas is able to perform effectively with its Poison Heal set, it is outclassed with practically any other set. It isn't bulky enough to perform well with a purely defensive set, as Mega Audino would be able to, nor does it have the offensive stats to do well with a solely offensive set, as Mega Diancie would be able to.
[SET]
name: Poison Heal
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Spore / Lovely Kiss
move 3: Moonblast
move 4: Lava Plume / Magma Storm / Earth Power
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Timid/Modest
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance allows Xerneas to boost its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, allowing it to sweep opposing teams. Additionally, the Special Defense boost allows Xerneas to more reliably set up as well as effectively handle opposing Imposter Pokemon. Spore and Lovely Kiss are used to put foes to sleep and provide Xerneas with more opportunities to set up as well as grant it extra turns of Poison Heal recovery. Sleep is especially effective against RegenVest users, as they will be unable to pivot or cause damage, and faster Pokemon that Xerneas is unable to OHKO, granting Xerneas with either additional opportunities to attack or to set up. Sleep also allows Xerneas to handle Imposter users by granting it additional turns to damage them and preventing it from being put to sleep itself. Spore is generally recommended over Lovely Kiss due to its 100% accuracy; however, Lovely Kiss is still a viable option to run, as it is not blocked by Safety Goggles. Xerneas has a powerful STAB option in Moonblast, allowing it to hit important Pokemon such as Giratina, Mega Rayquaza, and defensive Dark-types for super effective damage. It also provides strong neutral coverage towards a majority of the metagame. Lava Plume is useful to run on Xerneas, as it is able to cover opposing Steel-type Pokemon. Additionally, it is able to spread burns to passively damage foes, which can be especially helpful against Pokemon with Magic Bounce, such as Mega Audino, which are unable to be put to sleep, as well as against Shedinja, as a burn would KO it. Magma Storm is an alternative to Lava Plume, as it is still able to provide Xerneas with a strong move to damage opposing Steel-type Pokemon, in addition to partially trapping foes, which can be especially helpful against specially defensive foes such as Mega Audino and Imposter Chansey, as they could be passive and provide opportunities for Xerneas to use Quiver Dance while being unable to switch to a Pokemon that would have a better matchup against Xerneas. This move is also able to deal additional chip damage, which can be very helpful against an opposing Shedinja. Earth Power is a weaker alternative that is able to damage both Mega Gengar and Primal Groudon for more damage, as well as be able to damage Flash Fire Steel-type Pokemon; however, it would also leave Xerneas unable to damage Pokemon such as Celesteela.
Set Details
========
A Timid nature maximizes Speed and allows Xerneas to outspeed Pokemon such as Adamant Regigigas, Modest Mega Diancie, Timid Primal Kyogre, and positive Speed nature Primal Groudon. A Modest nature is an alternative that provides Xerneas with additional power, allowing it to OHKO Mega Rayquaza at +1 Special Attack, as well as nearly 2HKOing Giratina unboosted. Poison Heal alongside a Toxic Orb is necessary, with Toxic Orb being the most efficient way to guarantee that Poison Heal will activate. Poison Heal is very important, as it makes Xerneas immune to sleep, allows it to beat a foe with Imposter by letting it recover while the foe cannot, and makes Xerneas very difficult to wear down.
Usage Tips
========
Before Toxic Orb has activated, Xerneas should be used very carefully, as if it does not get poisoned, it loses a great deal of use. An effective way to reliably activate it would be to use a slow Pokemon to pivot Xerneas in, as it will generally be able to safely activate the Orb. If Poison Heal has already been activated, Xerneas is able to provide a beneficial defensive role as a switch-in to Knock Off, as it will not take much damage or care about losing its item. It is also able to work well as a sponge to status effects and can often switch into both Giratina and Mega Audino safely. It is recommended to scout for Pokemon with Unaware, as they occasionally can run sets to nullify Poison Heal, by using moves such as Gastro Acid and Entrainment. Thanks to its passive recovery, good defensive typing, and good bulk, Xerneas is able to be an effective defensive Pokemon against threats such as Mega Tyranitar and Mega Gyarados. Additionally, Xerneas can also fill an offensive role by setting up against Pokemon that are unable to do much against it, such as defensive Yveltal and Mega Audino. However, Xerneas should be careful when facing defensive Steel-type pokemon, as they are often able to survive its attacks, and will occasionally run Flash Fire, and can threaten it with either STAB moves or moves such as Entrainment. Also, be wary of letting Xerneas's HP get too low, as this might leave it unable to effectively KO an Imposter Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Xerneas appreciates teammates such as Aerilate Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo Y that are able to handle faster Pokemon such as Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo Y, which could otherwise OHKO Xerneas. They also appreciate Xerneas's ability to break through their checks such as RegenVest Primal Kyogre in return. Xerneas also appreciates teammates that are able to remove opposing Steel-types or significantly weaken them, such as Mega Mewtwo X. Pokemon that appreciate Xerneas's resistance to Dark-type moves or Knock Off, such as Giratina and Mega Mewtwo Y, are also good options for teammates. An Imposter user can scout for Unaware, Flash Fire, or a move that is able to remove Poison Heal, such as Worry Seed, Gastro Acid, or Entrainment. A defensive Steel-type switch-in could be beneficial in case the opponent has their own Poison Heal Pokemon that Xerneas would be unable to defeat, such as Primal Kyogre or Regigigas. If Xerneas is using Spore, it appreciates having a teammate with Knock Off for removing opposing Pokemon's Safety Goggles for Xerneas.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A purely defensive or utility-oriented Poison Heal set is plausible for Xerneas, running moves like Defog and Stealth Rock; however, it is generally outclassed defensively by Mega Audino. Fur Coat and Magic Bounce are alternative abilities for Xerneas, providing it with a more supportive role than an offensive Poison Heal set. Entry hazards can be run as the fourth move, as Xerneas is often able to force switches against threats such as Giratina and Yveltal, giving it an opportunity to set hazards. Taunt is an option, as it will prevent the foe from using status moves that would remove Poison Heal as well as prevent foes from recovering. Xerneas can also use an offensive set, such as with Pixilate or Contrary, working as a bulkier version of Mega Diancie; however, it is still generally outclassed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Defensive Steel-types**: Defensive Steel-type Pokemon such as Registeel and Solgaleo can easily wall Xerneas if it hasn't had the opportunity to set up. They could remove Poison Heal, attack Xerneas with Sunsteel Strike, or phaze it. Steel-type Pokemon with Flash Fire in particular are able to effectively handle Xerneas. Flash Fire Ferrothorn excels as an answer to Xerneas, as it cannot be put to sleep with Spore and isn't weak to Earth Power. However, it is threatened by Lovely Kiss.
**Unaware Pokemon**: Pokemon with Unaware such as Mega Audino are generally able to safely handle Xerneas, as it struggles to do too much damage without any boosts.
**Fast Offensive Pokemon**: Xerneas isn't particularly fast and as such needs to avoid being outsped and KOed by threats such as Mega Rayquaza and Mega Gengar if it has not yet had the opportunity to set up.
**Status Moves that Remove Abilities**: Status moves that are able to remove abilities, such as Worry Seed, Gastro Acid, and Entrainment, are very problematic for Xerneas, as they remove its only form of healing and also cause it to receive damage from poison.
**Bulky Fire-types**: Bulky Fire-types such as Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon resist Xerneas's STAB option as well as its main coverage option.
Credits:
QC: MAMP / Funbot28 / ScarfWynaut
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / Electrolyte
[OVERVIEW]
Xerneas's high stats across the board and good offensive and defensive typing allow it to run an effective offensive Poison Heal set, giving it added longevity to set up and damage the opposing team. If it is able to find an opportunity to set up using Quiver Dance, it can be difficult for offensive teams to defeat due to its added bulk, Special Attack, and Speed, as well as its passive recovery. Its Fairy typing gives it defensive utility via an immunity to Core Enforcer, which would otherwise have the potential to negate Poison Heal, as well as offensive utility by being super effective against some of the more common defensive Pokemon in the tier, Giratina and Zygarde-C. It also gives it useful resistances to both Fighting and Dark, as well as a resistance to U-turn and super effective STAB coverage against Dark and Fighting-types. These can be useful, as the Dark-type resistance allows Xerneas to be a reliable switch into Knock Off to provide utility to the rest of the team, while the Dragon-type immunity and the Fighting-type resistance can allow Xerneas to set up against Choice item users. It also has an immunity to Dragon-type attacks, which can be beneficial. However, Xerneas struggles to break past defensive Steel-type Pokemon, which hinders its offensive capabilities to a noticeable degree due to their prevalence in the metagame. The popularity of Flash Fire Steel-type Pokemon in particular is troublesome for Xerneas, as those Pokemon are able to wall Xerneas with its most common forms of coverage. Furthermore, though Xerneas is able to perform effectively with its Poison Heal set, it is outclassed with practically any other set. It isn't bulky enough to perform well with a purely defensive set, as Mega Audino would be able to, nor does it have the offensive stats to do well with a solely offensive set, as Mega Diancie would be able to.
[SET]
name: Poison Heal
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Spore / Lovely Kiss
move 3: Moonblast
move 4: Lava Plume / Magma Storm / Earth Power
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Timid/Modest
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance allows Xerneas to boost its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, allowing it to sweep opposing teams. Additionally, the Special Defense boost allows Xerneas to more reliably set up as well as effectively handle opposing Imposter Pokemon. Spore and Lovely Kiss are used to put foes to sleep and provide Xerneas with more opportunities to set up as well as grant it extra turns of Poison Heal recovery. Sleep is especially effective against RegenVest users, as they will be unable to pivot or cause damage, and faster Pokemon that Xerneas is unable to OHKO, granting Xerneas with either additional opportunities to attack or to set up. Sleep also allows Xerneas to handle Imposter users by granting it additional turns to damage them and preventing it from being put to sleep itself. Spore is generally recommended over Lovely Kiss due to its 100% accuracy; however, Lovely Kiss is still a viable option to run, as it is not blocked by Safety Goggles. Xerneas has a powerful STAB option in Moonblast, allowing it to hit important Pokemon such as Giratina, Mega Rayquaza, and defensive Dark-types for super effective damage. It also provides strong neutral coverage towards a majority of the metagame. Lava Plume is useful to run on Xerneas, as it is able to cover opposing Steel-type Pokemon. Additionally, it is able to spread burns to passively damage foes, which can be especially helpful against Pokemon with Magic Bounce, such as Mega Audino, which are unable to be put to sleep, as well as against Shedinja, as a burn would KO it. Magma Storm is an alternative to Lava Plume, as it is still able to provide Xerneas with a strong move to damage opposing Steel-type Pokemon, in addition to partially trapping foes, which can be especially helpful against specially defensive foes such as Mega Audino and Imposter Chansey, as they could be passive and provide opportunities for Xerneas to use Quiver Dance while being unable to switch to a Pokemon that would have a better matchup against Xerneas. This move is also able to deal additional chip damage, which can be very helpful against an opposing Shedinja. Earth Power is a weaker alternative that is able to damage both Mega Gengar and Primal Groudon for more damage, as well as be able to damage Flash Fire Steel-type Pokemon; however, it would also leave Xerneas unable to damage Pokemon such as Celesteela.
Set Details
========
A Timid nature maximizes Speed and allows Xerneas to outspeed Pokemon such as Adamant Regigigas, Modest Mega Diancie, Timid Primal Kyogre, and positive Speed nature Primal Groudon. A Modest nature is an alternative that provides Xerneas with additional power, allowing it to OHKO Mega Rayquaza at +1 Special Attack, as well as nearly 2HKOing Giratina unboosted. Poison Heal alongside a Toxic Orb is necessary, with Toxic Orb being the most efficient way to guarantee that Poison Heal will activate. Poison Heal is very important, as it makes Xerneas immune to sleep, allows it to beat a foe with Imposter by letting it recover while the foe cannot, and makes Xerneas very difficult to wear down.
Usage Tips
========
Before Toxic Orb has activated, Xerneas should be used very carefully, as if it does not get poisoned, it loses a great deal of use. An effective way to reliably activate it would be to use a slow Pokemon to pivot Xerneas in, as it will generally be able to safely activate the Orb. If Poison Heal has already been activated, Xerneas is able to provide a beneficial defensive role as a switch-in to Knock Off, as it will not take much damage or care about losing its item. It is also able to work well as a sponge to status effects and can often switch into both Giratina and Mega Audino safely. It is recommended to scout for Pokemon with Unaware, as they occasionally can run sets to nullify Poison Heal, by using moves such as Gastro Acid and Entrainment. Thanks to its passive recovery, good defensive typing, and good bulk, Xerneas is able to be an effective defensive Pokemon against threats such as Mega Tyranitar and Mega Gyarados. Additionally, Xerneas can also fill an offensive role by setting up against Pokemon that are unable to do much against it, such as defensive Yveltal and Mega Audino. However, Xerneas should be careful when facing defensive Steel-type pokemon, as they are often able to survive its attacks, and will occasionally run Flash Fire, and can threaten it with either STAB moves or moves such as Entrainment. Also, be wary of letting Xerneas's HP get too low, as this might leave it unable to effectively KO an Imposter Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Xerneas appreciates teammates such as Aerilate Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo Y that are able to handle faster Pokemon such as Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo Y, which could otherwise OHKO Xerneas. They also appreciate Xerneas's ability to break through their checks such as RegenVest Primal Kyogre in return. Xerneas also appreciates teammates that are able to remove opposing Steel-types or significantly weaken them, such as Mega Mewtwo X. Pokemon that appreciate Xerneas's resistance to Dark-type moves or Knock Off, such as Giratina and Mega Mewtwo Y, are also good options for teammates. An Imposter user can scout for Unaware, Flash Fire, or a move that is able to remove Poison Heal, such as Worry Seed, Gastro Acid, or Entrainment. A defensive Steel-type switch-in could be beneficial in case the opponent has their own Poison Heal Pokemon that Xerneas would be unable to defeat, such as Primal Kyogre or Regigigas. If Xerneas is using Spore, it appreciates having a teammate with Knock Off for removing opposing Pokemon's Safety Goggles for Xerneas.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A purely defensive or utility-oriented Poison Heal set is plausible for Xerneas, running moves like Defog and Stealth Rock; however, it is generally outclassed defensively by Mega Audino. Fur Coat and Magic Bounce are alternative abilities for Xerneas, providing it with a more supportive role than an offensive Poison Heal set. Entry hazards can be run as the fourth move, as Xerneas is often able to force switches against threats such as Giratina and Yveltal, giving it an opportunity to set hazards. Taunt is an option, as it will prevent the foe from using status moves that would remove Poison Heal as well as prevent foes from recovering. Xerneas can also use an offensive set, such as with Pixilate or Contrary, working as a bulkier version of Mega Diancie; however, it is still generally outclassed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Defensive Steel-types**: Defensive Steel-type Pokemon such as Registeel and Solgaleo can easily wall Xerneas if it hasn't had the opportunity to set up. They could remove Poison Heal, attack Xerneas with Sunsteel Strike, or phaze it. Steel-type Pokemon with Flash Fire in particular are able to effectively handle Xerneas. Flash Fire Ferrothorn excels as an answer to Xerneas, as it cannot be put to sleep with Spore and isn't weak to Earth Power. However, it is threatened by Lovely Kiss.
**Unaware Pokemon**: Pokemon with Unaware such as Mega Audino are generally able to safely handle Xerneas, as it struggles to do too much damage without any boosts.
**Fast Offensive Pokemon**: Xerneas isn't particularly fast and as such needs to avoid being outsped and KOed by threats such as Mega Rayquaza and Mega Gengar if it has not yet had the opportunity to set up.
**Status Moves that Remove Abilities**: Status moves that are able to remove abilities, such as Worry Seed, Gastro Acid, and Entrainment, are very problematic for Xerneas, as they remove its only form of healing and also cause it to receive damage from poison.
**Bulky Fire-types**: Bulky Fire-types such as Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon resist Xerneas's STAB option as well as its main coverage option.
Credits:
- Written by jasprose
- Quality Checked by MAMP, Funbot28, and ScarfWynaut
- Grammar checked by The Dutch Plumberjack and Electrolyte
Last edited: