Balanced Hackmons

Analysis written by Silver_Lucario42.
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Xurkitree

Overview

Xurkitree's main selling point is its impressive base 173 Special Attack stat, giving it enough power to nearly OHKO most walls. In addition, its pure Electric typing allows it to hit many common special walls, such as Yveltal, Mega Gyarados, and Primal Kyogre, super effectively. On the other hand, Pokemon that resist Electric, such as Zygarde-C and Primal Groudon, are on almost every team, forcing Xurkitree to make predictions in order to beat these threats. Xurkitree is held back by its below average bulk and Speed, leaving it checked by foes such as Primal Groudon and Mega Mewtwo X. A lack of flexibility means that it is a generally predictable Pokemon, allowing opponents to play around it. Additionally, due to its mediocre bulk and subpar defensive typing, Xurkitree offers almost no defensive utility at all. Because of these flaws, Xurkitree needs lots of team support to function effectively, but it can perform very well if it is provided this support.

Galvanize Wallbreaker

Set Comments

Moves

Boomburst is Xurkitree's strongest attack, dealing massive damage to even defensive Pokemon such as Registeel. Ice Beam is chosen to deal super effective damage against Dragon-types, such as Giratina, Zygarde-C, and Zekrom. Earth Power is used to hit foes that resist Boomburst and are only hit neutrally by Ice Beam, like Primal Groudon, Mega Steelix, and Dialga. Steam Eruption can be used to OHKO Primal Groudon and hit Mega Swampert harder, but it misses out on some notable foes, such as Assault Vest Dialga and Desolate Land Primal Groudon. Moongeist Beam can be used to check Shedinja, but it provides almost no coverage outside of this. Volt Switch deals a reasonable amount of damage and switches Xurkitree out, allowing another breaker to switch in for free. However, keep in mind that it can be blocked by Ground-types. Trick can be used to hamper the defensive abilities of foes such as Fur Coat Chansey by locking them into one move. After being given Xurkitree's Choice Specs, they are forced to choose between forgoing recovery and giving up momentum every time they switch in.

Set Details

Choice Specs boosts the power of Xurkitree's attacks by 50%, enabling it to deal massive damage on a correct prediction. Galvanize is necessary to change Boomburst into a STAB Electric-type move. Timid is used to outspeed neutral-natured base 90s including Primal Kyogre, but Xurkitree can potentially be at risk if these foes choose to use a positive nature themselves. A Modest nature can be used instead due to Modest Xurkitree's ability to always 2HKO Sassy variants of Giratina at the cost of Speed.

Usage Tips

This Xurkitree set is very prediction reliant, and a missed prediction could potentially be disastrous even against defensive teams. Scout out opponents using Imposter users to make sure that Xurkitree isn't at risk of being trapped and KOed by threats such as Perish Trap Zygarde-C on a missed prediction. Xurkitree doesn't have much use against offense teams, so it shouldn't be needlessly conserved while facing them. Xurkitree can usually take one hit from foes like Mega Mewtwo X and OHKO in return, but this quality might not be worth the effort of safely pivoting it in. When going up against opposing Pokemon that are threatened by Xurkitree's last move, try to bluff not having the move if you can; your opponent will become less hesitant to switch these Pokemon in, easing prediction. However, an opposing Imposter user can give away this information to your opponent. Try to keep status moves such as Toxic away from Xurkitree, because it can potentially become worn down very quickly over the course of the battle. Hazard removal is also recommended, as Xurkitree can be worn down very easily by hazards such as Spikes.

Team Options

Xurkitree does well when paired with Pokemon that do well against offense, including Poison Heal Regigigas, Psychic Surge Mega Mewtwo Y, and Triage Mega Rayquaza, to supplement its own bad matchup against offensive teams. A Pokemon with a lure move, such as Knock Off Mega Mewtwo X, can help Xurkitree break through defensive teams more easily by helping it break through Assault Vest users like Giratina. Slow pivots, like Mega Audino and Registeel, are almost mandatory because they can easily bring Xurkitree in for free. Additionally, they can provide it with hazard control. Xurkitree can be imposter-proofed with Pokemon that have good special bulk and aren't weak to Boomburst. Examples include Giratina, Assault Vest users such as Solgaleo, and even your own Imposter Chansey. Alternatively, Pokemon with ability-based immunities, like Levitate or Desolate Land Primal Groudon, can do the job safely as well. Hazard setters make Xurkitree's job much easier by allowing it to effectively OHKO foes such as Mega Audino; additionally, even counters such as Assault Vest Regenerator Giratina are pressured heavily with hazards up.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Xurkitree could potentially run a Galvanize Earth Plate Shell Smash set; however, its frailty means that it does poorly against offense, and Judgment is too weak in comparison to STAB Galvanize Judgment to threaten out opposing Imposters. Even at +2, it fails to break many foes, meaning that Choice Specs is the better set.

Checks and Counters

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