Xurkitree: Doubles OU
[OVERVIEW]
-Xurkitree is definitely a force to be reckoned with with it's monstrous Special Attack Stat.
-Xurkitree has access to Tail Glow along with Beast Boost which can raise it's special attack to frightening levels.
-Xurkitree also has a couple niches as a Hypnosis User, and could use Ingrain to anchor itself to prevent being forced to switch out.
-Xurkitree only has one weakness, but not very many resistances defensive-wise.
-Outside of Special Attack, Xurkitree's other stats are about average, It is not that bulky and it's speed is very mediocre.
-Xurkitree's movepool is quite shallow, as it doesn't have that much coverage against Steel types such as Magnezone and Excadrill.
-Outside of Leftovers and Ingrain, It barely lacks the capability to recover itself.
[SET]
Name: Tail Glow
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Discharge
move 3: Signal Beam/Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Dazzling Gleam
item: Focus Sash
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 252 in speed, 252 in sp.atk, 4 in HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This particular set relies on Tail Glow as a boost to use it's special moves more efficiently. Xurkitree is quite dangerous as it can sweep the majority of the metagame after just one Tail Glow. Discharge, Xurkitree's main STAB move is used to hit multiple opponents at the same time for massive damage with a good chance to paralyze them in the process. Signal Beam is used as a coverage move, but even without STAB, It can still do some nice damage. Signal Beam can be used to weed out Grass-Types such as Serperior and Tangrowth, Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire can be used as a Steel-Type killer, as Xurkitree's movepool is quite shallow. Dazzling Gleam is another multi-target move to remove any pesky Dragon Types, as there are plenty of Dragon-Types in this particular tier.
Set Details
========
The 252 EV spread in both Special Attack and Speed are vital in order for Xurkitree to perform it's job well. A Modest Nature Xurkitree fares well as a wallbreaker rather than a sweeper due to it's higher special attack. With a Modest Nature, Xurkitree can take out most of the metagame, even without a boost but probably won't get the speed it needs to outspeed the opponent. Focus Sash is ideal for Xurkitree as it's defenses are quite average. Powerful sweepers like Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Serperior can easily OHKO Xurkitree without it. And Beast Boost acts like a Special Moxie, further strengthening his Special Attack to monstrous levels.
Usage Tips
========
In order to use Xurkitree efficiently, It's definitely wise to pair it up with a Ground Type or Follow Me user in order for this set to work efficiently. Ground Types will ignore Discharge, as the Follow Me users can direct single attacks over to it while Xurkitree could safely use Tail Glow. Only switch Xurkitree in if a Pokemon on your team faints, because it is definitely not a good idea to switch it in mid-turn, as it can possibly lose it's sash and/or faint.
Team Options
========
Xurkitree definitely appreciates support from Ice types and Water types that can take a hit such as Mega Slowbro or Cloyster. Their respected attacks can weed out the Ground Types on the opposing team giving Xurkitree a chance to sweep. It doesn't hurt to have your own Ground type or two on your team as Discharge can also hit your own teammate. Alternatively, Volt Absorb or Motor Drive users can user Xurkitree's move as a Power Source to power up or to heal up respectively. Xurkitree also appreciates Tsareena or Tapu Lele as a teammate as priority moves can be blocked entirely with their abilities, in addition, Tsareena can also weed out Ground Types in the process. Xurkitree could also use support from a Follow Me user to direct single-target attacks towards it to give Xurkitree a chance to set up with Tail Glow.
[SET 2]
Name: Special Choiced Wallbreaker
move 1: Energy Ball/Hidden Power Fire
move 2: Discharge
move 3: Signal Beam
move 4: Dazzling Gleam
item: Choice Specs/Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Modest or Timid
evs: 252 in speed, 252 in sp.atk, 4 in HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
If you are not comfortable with the other set, don't fret, as this one does just as good! Similarly to the other set, this set relies just on it's coverage moves. Discharge is it's main STAB move, which hits pretty hard, even giving Pokemon like Shuckle a run for their money, Energy Ball can be used to weed out other Ground Types like Dugtrio and Mudsdale. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire can eliminate any Pokemon that resists any of it's other moves such as Magnezone. Signal Beam is another useful coverage move to weed out the Grass Types such as Serperior and Tangrowth. Dazzling Gleam is the only other special multi-target move it knows, which can be useful for eliminating the Dragon Types in this tier such as Garchomp and Dragonite.
Set Details
========
In this set, It is vital to have 252 EVs in both Special Attack and Speed in order to perform it's job well. If you're looking for a speedster, a Timid Nature with a Choice Scarf is preferred, as it can outspeed the majority of the tier, but it won't hit as hard. If you're looking for a wallbreaker, a Modest Nature with Choice Specs will be for you! With an astounding 733 Base Special Attack, It can sweep even the bulkiest of walls, however, It would come at the cost of Xurkitree's speed. No matter which set you used however, Beast Boost will act similarly to Moxie, raising it's special attack, no matter the set.
Usage Tips
========
With this set, you definitely have to be wise with your choices as either Choice Scarf or Choice Specs, limits your options. Evaluate the other team and check for Ground Types or Lightning Rod, Volt Absorb, or Motor Drive users. If they don't have any of the above, you are free to lock yourself on Discharge and sweep for as long as possible. As a side note, it is definitely not a good idea to switch in Xurkitree while the opponent has a free turn, because Xurkitree's defenses aren't the best, switch him in once you've lost a Pokemon.
Team Options
========
With this set, it's a good idea to have a Ground-Type or two on your team as it can absorb Xurkitree's Discharge such as Garchomp or Diggersby. Alternatively, Volt Absorb and Motor Drive can use Xurkitree's electricity to power themselves up, although not very many Pokemon are viable enough to use it. Ice-Types and Water-Types such as Lapras and Cloyster are also good teammates to have, as they can take care of the Ground-Types on the opposing team. Tsareena and Tapu Lele are also good candidates as they'll block priority moves that will end up knocking out Xurkitree.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
-With a shallow movepool, Xurkitree really doesn't have very many options.
-Ingrain can be used to prevent forced switch outs.
-Hypnosis can be used to put the Pokemon to sleep, but has unreliable accuracy.
-Thunderbolt or Thunder can be used over Discharge, but Thunder has unreliable accuracy and only hits one target. Thunderbolt has more reliable accuracy, but has a lower base power.
-SolarBeam can be used over Energy Ball due to it's high power, but can be unreliable without sun.
-Electrium Z can be used to deliver an astonishingly powerful Gigavolt Havoc towards the opponent, but it does cost an item slot.
-Air Balloon can be used to prevent Ground Types from OHKOing Xurkitree.
-Hidden Power Water can be used instead of Hidden Power Fire to take care of threats such as Heatran and Tyranitar.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground Pokemon**:
-Pokemon like Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor can definitely give Xurkitree a hard time as they are all immune to Xurkitree's main type. It really doesn't take much to knock Xurkitree out as a simple Earthquake can end it's life pretty quickly.
**Magnezone**:
-Magnezone is a pretty good counter for Xurkitree, as Magnezone resists every move from Xurkitree's movepool, aside from Hidden Power Fire.
**Rotom Heat**:
-Rotom Heat is another viable counter for Xurkitree. Like Magnezone, Rotom-H resists any of the moves in Xurkitree's movepool, including Hidden Power Fire.
**LightningRod, Volt Absorb, or Motor Drive**:
-These three abilities can be a hassle if on the opposing team, as it can nullify Xurkitree's main STAB attacks as well as gaining a boost from it. For Thunderbolt and Thunder, Lightning Rod can definitely be a pain.
**Faster Pokemon**:
-Any Pokemon that can outspeed Xurkitree can easily try to cripple Xurkitree before it even gets a chance to attack as well as possibly knocking it out.
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