QC: Dominatio / Fireburn / Nayrz
GP: P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
* Aegislash's Steel / Ghost typing makes it an amazing Xerneas and Mega Lucario check, and it can also check other powerful attackers like Tapu Lele, Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, and Mewtwo.
* Aegislash's advantage over most other Steel-type Xerneas checks is that it isn't 2HKOed by any of its coverage moves.
* Aegislash has access to King's Shield, which punishes physical attackers and allows Aegislash to play mind games with the opponent.
* It is also able to punish most of its switch-ins with Toxic, such as Primal Groudon, Yveltal, and Ho-Oh.
* However, many powerful physical attackers can overwhelm Aegislash, such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Arceus-Ghost.
* Also, Aegislash doesn't have access to reliable recovery outside of Leftovers, meaning it can be worn down over the course of the battle.
* Aegislash can be passive at some times, and it can become predictable with repeated use of King's Shield.
* Aegislash is threatened by Dark-type Pokemon like Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Darkrai.
* Aegislash also faces competition with other Steel-type Xerneas checks such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Solgaleo, with the former two having better recovery and the latter two having more damage output.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: King's Shield
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Gyro Ball
move 4: Shadow Ball
item: Leftovers
ability: Stance Change
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* King's Shield enables Aegislash to go back into Shield forme, regaining its defensive stats as well as scouting for moves.
* King's Shield can lower the opposing Pokemon's Attack if they use a contact move, which weakens physical attackers.
* Toxic allows Aegislash to punish its switch-ins such as Arceus-Water and other support Arceus formes, Primal Groudon, and Yveltal.
* Gyro Ball is Aegislash's main damage source and allows it to threaten Xerneas, dealing decent damage to it and other offensive Pokemon.
* Shadow Ball is used in order to check Mega Lucario effectively, and it can also hit Primal Groudon and Psychic-types for decent damage as well as OHKOing a Choice-locked Lunala if Shadow Shield is down.
Set Details
========
* Maximum HP and Special Defense investment ensure that Aegislash can consistently check Xerneas.
* A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs are used so Gyro Ball does maximum damage.
* Leftovers gives Aegislash a reliable form of recovery and improves its longevity.
* An Iron Ball could be used over Leftovers, which allows Aegislash to 2HKO Extreme Killer Arceus, Geomancy Xerneas, and offensive Yveltal with Gyro Ball. However, forgoing Leftovers means that Aegislash will no longer have any form of recovery.
Usage Tips
========
* It is best to switch Aegislash in on Pokemon it checks, such as Xerneas, Tapu Lele, and support Arceus formes that lack Will-O-Wisp, like Arceus-Water.
* However, try not to switch in aggressively and repeatedly against offensive Xerneas sets, as Aegislash will be quickly worn down and won't be able to check Xerneas anymore.
* Avoid taking hits in Blade forme, as its defenses are very low.
* Repeated and predictable use of King's Shield should be avoided; if the opponent reads it, then Aegislash is vulnerable and they receive a free turn.
* Note that King's Shield fails against Shadow Force, as it won't block the move nor drop the user's Attack.
* Try to avoid status effects, particularly burns, as they hinder Aegislash's ability to check Xerneas.
* Use Toxic liberally when punishing switch-ins like Primal Groudon and support Arceus formes, as its other moves don't do much damage.
* Shadow Ball can be used to chip Aegislash's switch-ins that are immune to Toxic or have already been poisoned by it.
Team Options
========
* Aegislash is a specialized utility Pokemon that fits the demands of your team, meaning it shouldn't be built around.
* It should be used on teams that require a check to Xerneas. Pokemon that appreciate a Xerneas check include Yveltal, Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, and Darkrai.
* Pokemon like Extreme Killer Arceus, Dialga, and many Dark-types appreciate Aegislash's ability to check Fighting-types for them.
* Pokemon that are weak to special attacking Psychic-types, such as some support Arceus formes and Toxapex, also value Aegislash.
* A good Primal Groudon check is nigh-mandatory, as Aegislash's best means of dealing with it is Toxic. Lugia, Zygarde-C, Arceus-Ground, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Salamence can all deal with Primal Groudon.
* Aegislash appreciates Pokemon like Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Giratina-O, and Rayquaza for their ability to switch into and threaten Ground-types.
* Pokemon like Primal Groudon, Arceus-Rock, and Tyranitar are all able to threaten Fire-types like Ho-Oh, which trouble Aegislash.
* Arceus-Water is a great partner for Aegislash, as it not only checks Primal Groudon but can remove entry hazards and also check other Ground- and Fire-types that threaten Aegislash. In return, Aegislash is able to deal with Xerneas and powerful Psychic-type special attackers for Arceus-Water.
* A secondary Xerneas check, such as Primal Groudon or Toxapex, is useful in order to relieve pressure off of Aegislash.
* Aegislash values Pokemon that can check Dark-types, such as Xerneas, Mega Lucario, and Pheromosa.
* Dark-types like Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, Alolan Muk, and Darkrai can check the Ghost-types that threaten Aegislash, while it can check the Fighting-types for them in return.
* Aegislash appreciates cleric and Wish support from the likes of Blissey, Clefable, and Aromatherapy Xerneas, as it increases Aegislash's longevity and further helps it check Xerneas. In return, Aegislash is able to check threats like Mega Gengar and Mewtwo for them.
* Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as support Arceus formes and Giratina-O allows Aegislash to switch in much more freely and more often.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Pursuit can be run to trap threats such as Mega Gengar, Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, Tapu Lele, and a Choice-locked Lunala.
* Shadow Sneak can also be used to give Aegislash priority and pick off weakened Psychic-types or Pokemon such as Lunala; however, Shadow Sneak is lacking in damage, and if Aegislash fails to KO the foe, it will be vulnerable due to it being in Blade forme.
* Aegislash can opt for an offensive special attacking set with Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon along with Choice Specs, as it has decent damage output. However, Aegislash is very slow, and there are better special attackers in the tier, like Xerneas, Yveltal, and Deoxys-A.
* Aegislash has access to coverage options like Sacred Sword, which smacks Ferrothorn and other Steel-types, and Head Smash, which OHKOes Ho-Oh and dents Primal Groudon.
* Hidden Power Ice can be used to surprise Zygarde-C and Mega Salamence.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Primal Groudon hates switching into Toxic, but it can tank Aegislash's other attacks easily and can threaten Aegislash with Precipice Blades or use it as setup bait. Ho-Oh also hates getting hit with Toxic, but it has Roost and Regenerator to mitigate the Toxic damage, and Ho-Oh can come in on Aegislash easily and OHKO it with Sacred Fire. Many Pokemon also carry Fire-type coverage moves that hit Aegislash super effectively, such as Fire Blast Mewtwo and V-create Rayquaza.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground threaten Aegislash with their super effective STAB moves; however, these Ground-types are crippled by Aegislash's Toxic. Aegislash also succumbs to super effective Ground-type coverage, such as Earthquake from Extreme Killer Arceus and Solgaleo.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C is able to switch into Aegislash extremely easily and can threaten Aegislash with Thousand Arrows or use it as fodder. Moreover, Zygarde-C doesn't care about Aegislash's Toxic, as it can use Rest to get rid of it. However, it must be wary if Aegislash is running Hidden Power Ice.
**Dark-types**: Yveltal threatens Aegislash with a super effective Dark Pulse, has Oblivion Wing to recover HP, and can Taunt Aegislash to prevent it from using King's Shield. Arceus-Dark can use Refresh to get rid of Aegislash's Toxic, use Aegislash as setup bait, and threaten Aegislash with Judgment or force Aegislash out. Alolan Muk walls Aegislash completely, as it's immune to Toxic, and it can threaten Aegislash with Knock Off. Mega Sableye can switch in on Aegislash easily, as Magic Bounce prevents Aegislash from using Toxic, and can threaten it with Foul Play and Will-O-Wisp. Darkrai 2HKOes Aegislash with Dark Pulse, but it is 2HKOed by Gyro Ball or Sacred Sword if Aegislash is carrying it. However, all of these Dark-types do not like switching into Toxic, with the exception of Alolan Muk and Mega Sableye. Mega Sableye is also hit neutrally by Shadow Ball.
**Steel- and Poison-types**: Steel- and Poison-types such as Dialga, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Alolan Muk, and Toxapex are immune to Toxic and are able to switch into Aegislash extremely easily. Ferrothorn and Celesteela can wear Aegislash down with Leech Seed, while Ferrothorn and Toxapex can use it as fodder to set up entry hazards. Alolan Muk walls Aegislash and can threaten it with Knock Off, and Dialga can come in easily and threatens Aegislash with Fire Blast.
**Offensive Ghost-types**: Most offensive Ghost-types, such as Giratina-O, Lunala, and Arceus-Ghost, threaten Aegislash. Giratina-O and Arceus-Ghost don't like taking a Toxic or a Shadow Ball, but both have access to Shadow Force, so Aegislash is unable to block it with King's Sheild. Lunala can come in on Aegislash and threaten it with a Moongeist Beam. However, all of these Ghost-types are crippled by Aegislash's Toxic and are dented by Aegislash's Shadow Ball on the switch.
**Primal Kyogre**: Offensive Primal Kyogre can switch into Aegislash rather easily, only fearing Toxic, and can 2HKO Aegislash with Origin Pulse or use it as setup fodder. Defensive Primal Kyogre doesn't care about Aegislash's Toxic, as most carry Rest to get rid of it, and it can dent Aegislash with Scald and potentially burn it.
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