Leafeon (QC 0/3)

[OVERVIEW]

  • A good Attack stat and the ability to boost with Swords Dance make it a threatening wallbreaker.
  • A good Speed tier
  • A great Defense stat means that it can take a couple of physical hits, even uninvested.
  • However, its Special Defense is rather poor, which doesn't help when Poison, Fire, and Flying moves are so common.
  • Its biggest flaw is its poor coverage, leaving it reliant on a Z-move to break through many foes.
  • Faces heavy competion from Lilligant, Shiftry, Exeggutor-A, and Ludicolo as an offensive Grass type.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Double Edge
item: Normalium Z
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Swords Dance allows it to boost its attack, allowing it to wallbreak.
  • Leaf Blade is its strongest STAB.
  • Knock Off lets it remove Eviolites, as well as hitting Ghost types such as Gourgeist and Oricorio-S who are immune to Breakneck Blitz super effectively.
  • Double Edge provides good neutral coverage, and when combined with Normalium Z lets Leafeon break through Poison, Fire, and Dragon types such as Skuntank, Magmortar, and Guzzlord.

Set Details
========

  • Max Speed with a Jolly nature lets it outspeed Skuntank and Calm Mind Oricorio. The rest is poured into attack to further its wallbreaking potential.
  • Normalium Z gives it a 190 BP Breakneck Blitz, which allows it to break through threats such as Skuntank and Weezing.
  • Both of its abilities are situational outside Sun teams, but Chlorophyll is prefered to improve the matchup against sun sweepers

Usage Tips
========

  • Its good Defense means it can switch in on a neutral physical hit if need be. Try not to switch it in on unresisted special attacks, though.
  • If there's a mon that can burn Leafeon like Gourgeist or Weezing, switch it out unless you're confident you can 1HKO it. You should always switch out of Sableye.
  • Use a Breakneck Blitz to take out a threat that its coverage is not sufficient to handle, such as Guzzlord or Skuntank, or something threatening like Magmortar or Abomasnow.
  • Don't be too scared of priority unless its health is low. It can take two Ice Shards from Abomasnow, for instance.
  • Against defensive teams, try to keep it preserved as it is a good wincon against them if its checks are weakened. It can be played more liberally against offense, as its good physical bulk lets it check threats such as Gurdurr and Carracosta.

Team Options
========

  • Stealth Rock support is essential, as the only chance Leafeon has of 1HKOing Weezing at +2 is if Rocks are up. It also really hurts the Fire, Flying, and Ice types that can be annoying to deal with. Piloswine and Carracosta are good setters. The latter especially synergizes well, as Leafeon can switch in to Ground and Grass attacks for it.
  • Dark types like Skuntank and Guzzlord that can switch in to Prankster mons.
  • Something that can check Weezing, such as Mesprit and Musharna, as Leafeon struggles to break it even at +2.
  • Things that can switch in to Fire types, like Carracosta and Assault Vest Lanturn.
  • By no means necessary, but sun support from Regirock, Volbeat, or Liepard is nice to allow it clean weakened teams. It should be noted that it has competion for this role, as this set has no moves that benefit from the sun, unlike Victreebel.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • Dig with Groundium Z lets it hit Fire, Poison, and Steel types super effectively. The main problem is you're walled by Weezing. Most of these targets are hit hard enough by Breakneck Blitz anyway.
  • Life Orb lets it hit harder, but the lack of the Z-move means you'll struggle to break through many Pokémon.
  • Synthesis increases Leafeon's longevity over the course of a match and allows it to reliably check threats like Gurdurr through the course of the match. It's rather difficult to fit in a set, though.
  • X-Scizzor hits Guzzlord super effectively and hits Skuntank neutrally, but Knock Off and Double Edge are just much better coverage options.
  • Its high Speed and ability to revenge kill Carracosta at +2 makes it seem like a decent scarfer, but its mediocre power, lackluster coverage, and lack of a pivoting move means that there are better options like Primeape and Oricorio-S.
  • Leafeon has a great support movepool with options like Wish and Heal Bell, so a more defensive support set seems tempting. However, the fact that it's easily taken advantage of by Poison types makes it suboptimal, and 65 HP isn't the best for Wish passing. Its poor Special Defense and defensive typing don't help. Audino is much better in this role.
  • Choice Band, but seriously why when you struggle to break through common Pokémon at +2 and it's so easy to take advantage of a choicelocked Leafeon. Little reason to use over Swords

Checks and Counters
===================

**Weezing**: Takes 90% max from a +2 Breakneck Blitz, and can either cripple it with Will-o-Wisp or hit it with Sludge Bomb, which has a chance to 1HKO. This is the main reason Leafeon struggles in the meta.

**Sableye**: Forces it out with Prankster Will-O-Wisp.

**Fire types**: Pyroar outspeeds and just destroys it with Fire Blast. Magmortar, Turtonator, and Camerupt also threaten it with their STABs, but can be broken past by a boosted Leafeon, especially Z-Dig variants.

**Flying types**: Swanna and Oricorio-S 1HKO with Hurricane, but the latter is beaten by Knock Off if it's not scarfed.

**Ice types**: Scarf Jynx revenge kills. Abomasnow 1HKOs with Blizzard, but is a rather shaky check as it can be beaten by an unboosted Breakneck Blitz.
 
Last edited:

Deleted User 400951

Banned deucer.
Hey, not QC, just some suggestions:
Mention in the overview that while its speed is decent, it can get outsped by a good many things.
"Knock Off lets it remove Eviolites, as well as hitting Ghost types such as Gourgeist and Oricorio-S who are immune to Breakneck Blitz super effectively"
I'd mention how it hits Ghosts first, then how it removes items in general (not just eviolites).
"Max Speed with a Jolly nature lets it outspeed Skuntank and Calm Mind Oricorio. The rest is poured into attack to further its wallbreaking potential."
Just say that max/max is used to hit as hard and fast as possible, as well as why a jolly nature.
"Dig with Groundium Z lets it hit Fire, Poison, and Steel types super effectively. The main problem is you're walled by Weezing."
Also mention with this that Knock Off + Breakneck Blitz hits most of those powerfully enough anyways.
"Leafeon has a great support movepool with options like Wish and Heal Bell, so a more defensive support set seems tempting. However, the fact that it's easily taken advantage of by Poison types makes it suboptimal, and 65 HP isn't the best for Wish passing. Audino is much better in this role."
Mention how grass isn't great as a defensive typing and it has poor special bulk anyways.
Poison-types warrant a section in C&C, tons of common ones are part of why Leafeon isn't too good in this meta.
 
Last edited:
Not QC but I don't really think Leafeon faces too much direct competition from lilligant, ludicolo and alolan eggy as the roles they perform are quite different

Mention more physical attacking grasses like torterra and you already mentioned shiftry
 

TJ

Banned deucer.
is the Smogon Tour Season 34 Championis a Past SPL Championis a Two-Time Past SCL Champion
am check

[OVERVIEW]

  • A good Attack stat and the ability to boost with Swords Dance make it a threatening wallbreaker.
  • A good Speed tier
  • A great Defense stat means that it can take a couple of physical hits, even uninvested.
  • However, its Special Defense is rather poor, which doesn't help when Poison, Fire, and Flying moves are so common.
  • Its biggest flaw is its poor coverage, leaving it reliant on a Z-move to break through many foes.
  • Faces heavy competion from Lilligant, Shiftry, Exeggutor-A, and Ludicolo as an offensive Grass type. Lilligant, Exeggutor-A, and Ludicolo have different roles.. It really only faces "competition" from Shiftry

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Double Edge
item: Normalium Z
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Swords Dance allows it to boost its attack, allowing it to wallbreak.
  • Leaf Blade is its strongest STAB.
  • Knock Off lets it remove Eviolites, as well as hitting Ghost types such as Gourgeist and Oricorio-S who are immune to Breakneck Blitz super effectively. Since you dont KO Gourgeist-Super with Knock Off I would not mention it here. And for Oricorio-G, that is only true if its non Choice Scarf
  • Double Edge provides good neutral coverage, and when combined with Normalium Z lets Leafeon break through Poison, Fire, and Dragon types. List examples of Pokemon

Set Details
========

  • Max Speed with a Jolly nature lets it outspeed Skuntank and Calm Mind Oricorio. The rest is poured into attack to further its wallbreaking potential.
  • Normalium Z allows it to break through threats such as Skuntank and Weezing.
  • Both of its abilities are situational outside Sun teams, but Chlorophyll is prefered to improve the matchup against sun sweepers

Usage Tips
========

  • Its good Defense means it can switch in on a neutral physical hit if need be. Try not to switch it in on unresisted special attacks, though.
  • If there's a mon that can burn Leafeon like Gourgeist or Weezing, switch it out unless you're confident you can 1HKO it. You should always switch out of Sableye.
  • Use a Breakneck Blitz to take out a threat that its coverage is not sufficient to handle, such as Guzzlord or Skuntank, or something threatening like Magmortar or Abomasnow. Does Break Neck Blitz OHKO Guzzlord? If it does then ignore this
  • Don't be too scared of priority unless its health is low. It can take two Ice Shards from Abomasnow, for instance.
  • Against defensive teams, try to keep it preserved as it is a good wincon against them if its checks are weakened. It can be played more liberally against offense, as its good physical bulk lets it check threats such as Gurdurr and Carracosta.
  • Mention when to use Swords Dance

Team Options
========

  • Stealth Rock support is essential, as the only chance Leafeon has of 1HKOing Weezing at +2 is if Rocks are up. It also really hurts the Fire, Flying, and Ice types that can be annoying to deal with. List examples of the Fire-, Flying- and Ice-types Piloswine and Carracosta are good setters. The latter especially synergizes well, as Leafeon can switch in to Ground and Grass attacks for it. I dont think Carracosta is the best example here
  • Dark types like Skuntank and Guzzlord that can switch in to Prankster mons. List examples of Pokemon with Prankster
  • Something that can check Weezing, such as Mesprit and Musharna, as Leafeon struggles to break it even at +2. Didnt you say Leafeon OHKOS after rocks at +2?
  • Things that can switch in to Fire types, like Carracosta and Assault Vest Lanturn. List the Fire-types
  • By no means necessary, but sun support from Regirock, Volbeat, or Liepard is nice to allow it clean weakened teams. It should be noted that it has competion for this role, as this set has no moves that benefit from the sun, unlike Victreebel.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • Dig with Groundium Z lets it hit Fire, Poison, and Steel types super effectively. The main problem is you're walled by Weezing.
  • Life Orb lets it hit harder, but the lack of the Z-move means you'll struggle to break through many Pokémon.
  • Synthesis increases Leafeon's longevity over the course of a match and allows it to reliably check threats like Gurdurr through the course of the match. It's rather difficult to fit in a set, though.
  • X-Scizzor hits Guzzlord super effectively and hits Skuntank neutrally, but Knock Off and Double Edge are just much better coverage options.
  • Its high Speed and ability to revenge kill Carracosta at +2 makes it seem like a decent scarfer, but its mediocre power, lackluster coverage, and lack of a pivoting move means that there are better options like Primeape and Oricorio-S.
  • Leafeon has a great support movepool with options like Wish and Heal Bell, so a more defensive support set seems tempting. However, the fact that it's easily taken advantage of by Poison types makes it suboptimal, and 65 HP isn't the best for Wish passing. Audino is much better in this role.
  • Choice Scarf
  • Choice Band
  • Yache Berry

Checks and Counters
===================

**Weezing**: Takes 90% max from a +2 Breakneck Blitz, and can either cripple it with Will-o-Wisp or hit it with Sludge Bomb, which has a chance to 1HKO. This is the main reason Leafeon struggles in the meta.

**Sableye**: Forces it out with Prankster Will-O-Wisp.

**Fire types**: Pyroar outspeeds and just destroys it with Fire Blast. Magmortar, Turtonator, and Camerupt also threaten it with their STABs, but can be broken past by a boosted Leafeon, especially Z-Dig variants.

**Flying types**: Swanna and Oricorio-S 1HKO with Hurricane, but the latter is beaten by Knock Off if it's not scarfed.

**Ice types**: Scarf Jynx revenge kills. Abomasnow 1HKOs with Blizzard, but is a rather shaky check as it can be beaten by an unboosted Breakneck Blitz.

**Bulky Grass-types** (Ferroseed)
 
Implemented most of this.

Does Breakneck Blitz OHKO Guzzlord?
+2 252 Atk Leafeon Breakneck Blitz (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Guzzlord: 611-719 (104 - 122.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Yache Berry
Is this really a set? Ice Shards don't do very much anyway, and I find Fire, Flying, and Poison types more threatening than Ice types.

**Bulky Grass types** (Ferroseed)
Ferroseed is not at all a check to Leafeon. It's crippled by Knock Off and can't do much back to Leafeon, so it gives Leafeon a free Swords Dance.
 

TJ

Banned deucer.
is the Smogon Tour Season 34 Championis a Past SPL Championis a Two-Time Past SCL Champion
It does not OHKO Gourgiest-Super at plus 2 (+2 252 Atk Leafeon Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 236-278 (63.1 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO) and Colbur Berry isnt rare at all lol, in fact its one of the best items for it

Yes, Yache Berry is a set worth mentioning imo in OO but thats up to QC

Ferroseed disrupts Scarf and Band sets
 
It does not OHKO Gourgiest-Super at plus 2 (+2 252 Atk Leafeon Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 236-278 (63.1 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO) and Colbur Berry isnt rare at all lol, in fact its one of the best items for it

Yes, Yache Berry is a set worth mentioning imo in OO but thats up to QC

Ferroseed disrupts Scarf and Band sets
Gourgeist warrants a mention as it walls Leafeon without Knock Off, besides aren't mixed defense spreads more common? I don't see why I should mention Yache Berry as there is no point, really I should mention all the other weakness berries if I mention that, which is unnecessary. Ferroseed shouldn't be mentioned when Scarf and Band sets are so terrible anyway.
 

yogi

I did not succumb...
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I'd like to point out that a lot of Ferroseed sets use either Toxic or Thunder Wave, which disrupt any Leafeon set; so TJ is correct.
 

Anty

let's drop
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Hi Sultan of Skook the QC team have decided to reassign this analysis due to the quality and that we don't think you have enough experience with the Pokemon to write this. For example the overview is filled with completely generic statements that don't say much about the mon or arent particularly true (for example it needs the Z-move more due to its lack of power than coverage). Furthermore, the original set (including a move leafeon doesnt learn) along with not mentioning weezing as a breakneckblitz example when its the most important one, tell us you dont know enough to write this analysis.

Don't feel discouraged in the future, but make sure you completely know pokemon and the metagame before starting an analysis
 

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