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Overview
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Xerneas is a rather strange pPokemon. Xerneas'Due to its ability, Fairy Aura, is amazing as it boosts the power of Xerneas's Moonblast to the point where it deals about as much damagehard as a Life Orb -boosted Sacred Fire from Ho-oOh. After setting up a Geomancy lets Xerneas, it can OHKO every Pokemon that does not resist Moonblast, barring Blissey and Chansey, so it can stand as a great win condition for teams. It makes Xerneas so powerful to the point where it makes Pokemon that wouldn't eAs a result, it given be viable in Ubers a niche, as after setup it OHKOes every to Pokemon, barring Blissey and Chansey, that do not resist its Moonblast! normally unviable in Ubers. Xerneas is by far one of the bulkiest Fairy-types in the entire tier, allowingnd it tocan run sets that canare able to massacre enemy Dragon-types likesuch as Palkia, Zekrom, and Giratina. ItXerneas's immunityies to Draco Meteor and Outrage allows ithe deer to not just wall these dDragon-types, but potentially set up on them as well. Access to Aromatherapy, Close Combat, and Calm Mind allow Xerneas it to run a wide array of sets, punishing opponents if they switch in the wrong counter against it. Xerneas's base Speed is greater thean that of the base 90s that roam the Ubers tier, allowingso it is able to outspeed troublesome foes without requiring a Choice Scarf or a Speed boost.
However, Xerneas is not however, without its flaws. While its base sSpeed stat is higher thean that of most uany Ubers like, including Dialga and Kyogre, it simply isn't high enough to let itfor Xerneas to sweep freely sweep. Its base special attack is high, but. Xerneas also relies on Fairy Aura to compared to other Ubers itensate for its base 131 Special Attack, which is somewhat underwhelming, and results in Xerneas relying mostly on its ability, Fairy Aura, to make up for i when compared to the Special Attack stats somewhat weak strength. Wof other Ubers. Furthermore, while its Fairy typing does provides it an immunity to Dragon-type attacks, givmaking it the abilityeasier to utilize setup moves easily, it rendoers make Xerneas weak to pPoison-types, thus making it possible foroves, so Mega Gengar tocan trap and destroy Xerneas if given the chance. ItXerneas's movepool is another issue. It too, as although it's diverse yet, it's limited in what it can provide. For referencexample, while Xerneas does receives two potent setup moves, its lack of special coverage makoves Xerneasmeans that it will always be unable to ever get packst certain counters. In fact, itXerneas is one of the few Ubers that cannot rewrite its list of counter list by completely switching to anoth different set, making itso it is difficult for Xerneas to sweep an enemy team, unless it is given a good amounts of team support. ItXerneas lacks reliable recovery outside of Rest, making itso it is very difficult for Xerneas to run defensive sets and outlast its counters. All-in- in all, Xerneas is no one-trick pony. W, as what it lacks for in its stats and movepool is easily made up for with its typing, ability, and its sheer versatility.
Geomancy
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name: Geomancy
move 1: Geomancy
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Thunder / Psyshock
move 4: Focus Blast
ability: Fairy Aura
item: Power Herb
evs: 152 Def / 252 SpA / 104 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
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Geomancy is one of Xerneas's few setup moves and wWhen used in conjunction with Power Herb, Geomancy allows Xerneas to doublraise its Special Attack and Speed to frightening levels in ona single turn, making itXerneas a very potent sweeper. Moonblast is Xerneas's strongest and most reliable STAB move, and after a Geomancy, essentially OHKOes anything that faildoes noto resist it unless they be target has a ridiculous amount of Sspecial Defensebulk. The rest of the moves provide coverage and hiton the Pokemon thingsat a boosted Moonblast fails to destroyOHKO. Thunder nailOHKOes Ho-Oh and Lugia, OHKOing the two after Stealth Rock while , dealso dealing solid damage to Sspecially Ddefensive Kyogre, all Pokemon not OHKOed by boosted Moonblast. As a plus it also neutrally hitwhacks Steel-types that resist Moonblast, whacking Pokemon likesuch as Heatran, Scizor, Bronzong, and Aegislash, for solid neutral damage. Psyshock OHKOes pPoison-types, namely Amoonguss and Poison Arceus-Poison, while also providing Xerneas a way to 2HKO Calm Chansey. Focus Blast rounds upout coverage by massacring Steel-types not namedthat aren't Aegislash, Mega- Scizor, or Bronzong.
Xerneas does haves two unlisted moves that it can use on this set that aren't listed. One of them is Substitut: Substitute and Hidden Power Fire. Substitute not only shields Xerneasit from status, allowing it to better fighcombat opposing Chansey and Thundurus-I, ibut also eases its ability to set up with Geomancy. By uUsing Substitute the enemy is forced to eithers the opponent to attack or phaze Xerneas out, and so they generally forcing thave enemy to switch to something elseout or attack twice which, givesing Xerneas an opportunity to set up with Geomancy even after its used its Power Herb has been consumed. UHowever, using Substitute, however, is not recommended, as it will significantly impair Xerneas's coverage. IHowever, if Substitute caters to your team's needs, though, feel free to use it, but it is then recommended toe EVs invested in Xerneas's Special Defense should be reallocate the invested Defense EVs to HP, as doing so will allow Xerneas to make Substitutes capable of tanking a Seismic Toss from Chansey. The other move Xerneas can use that isn't listed is Hidden Power Fire. The most notable thing it does is hit Aegislash super effectively and reliably OHKOes Scizor and Ferrothorn reliably, but outside of that it just doesn'does not do much else. Although youHidden Power Fire hits Aegislash hard, you don't 2HKO with after a Geomancy boos, it cannot reliably land a 2HKO unless the weather is Sit is boosted by sunny. ScizFurthermore, Xerneas cand takes deal massive damage from allto Scizor with the other coverage moves after a Geomancy boostanyway.
Set Details
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The current EV spread maximizes Xerneas's Special Attack and invests enough in Speed sallows it to that Xerneas can outspeed Choice Scarf Terrakion after a Geomancy. The remaining EVs are placed into Defense to make it more physically bulky, primarily for the purpose of tankingso it will take less damage from priority likemoves such as Arceus's Extreme Speed and Scizor's Bullet Punch. ItThe EVs also helps Xerneas more easily tanktank attacks including Gyro Balls and Iron Heads from opposing Steel-types such as Bronzong that try to counter it, like Bronzong. If it is desired, these EVs in Defense EVs can be reallocated to HP to gainfor better mixed bulk and to make it easier for Xerneas to tank Sspecial hits. Additionally, fFully investing in Speed and Special Attack is also a viable option, as it gives Xerneas some utility and letallows it to outspeed things before it uses Geomancy. However, but after using Geomancya boost, the extra sSpeed is mostly superfluous, and does nothing aside from allowing Xerneas t you outrun a few Choice Scarf users likesuch as Shaymin-S and Darkrai, who youich already beaten thanksyway due to Geomancy's Special Defense boost. Geomancy Xerneas runs a mModest nature to makeso that its attacks are as strong as possible to help, allowing it more easilyto sweep teams. A timid natu more is viable ieasily. If you fear an opposing Xerneas setting up Geomancy in front of anotheralongside yours, a Timid nature is usable so that Xerneas at the same time, so that itsleast guaranteed to at least sSpeed tie with the opposing Xerneasit. However, there is not much else doing this accomplishes, and the loss of power is noticeable, as Xerneas now fails to do things like OHKO Lugia after it has taken Stealwith Rock damage with boosted Moonblast after Stealth Rock.
Usage Tips
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While Geomancy is an excellent setup move for setting upat Xerneas's disposal, its got does have its flaws. ItGeomancy requires Power Herb to be useful, which is a huge downside, because thait means that Xerneas can only truly set up awith Geomancy once per game, unlike other sweepers whichthat can set up more then once per gameultiple times throughout a match. As such, Xerneas should not use Geomancy until its checks have been weakened to the point wherethat they can be killedbrought down by Geomancy -boosted attacks. Using itGeomancy too early in a match will simply resultbe ineffective, as Xerneas that cannot bypass a waill afind is rather ineffective tself unable to bypass certain a matchwalls. If needed Xerneas, it can lure in its own counters like, such as Choice Banded Scizor, and hit that counterem hard with coverage move likes such as Focus Blast so that it falls intothey can be KOed by a Geomancy's OHKO range after that coun-boosted attack later comes back in.
While Geomancy Xerneas is first and foremost a sweeper that can serve as an excellent win condition for a team, it should be noted that its got o has further utility. Being a Fairy-type gives, it has a very nice defensive typing, so its not exactly is cared topable of switching into a Zekrom's Outrage or a Giratina-O's Draco Meteor and threaten to kill itKO with Moonblast. WhileAlthough Power Herb is only used to make Geomancy viable, and is generally a bad item for providing Xerneaas it does not boosts, and is only used to make Xerneas's Geomancy viabledamage output, it's very useful for allowing Xerneas to bluff another set, particularly Choice Scarf. ByAs no text is showing any text until after Xerneas has used Geomancy, Xerneasit can very well bluff a Choice Scarf very well, which can let it snag an extra KO.
Team Options
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This Xerneas's primary focus is sweeping another opposing team, so partners that can weaken Xerneas'its counters or trap and kill them are very viableappreciated. The most notable of these partners is Mega Gengar, whoich courtesy of Shadow Tag, can trap and use Focus Blast to KO most Steel-types that resist Moonblast with Focus Blast. It can also weaken Aegislash lacking Shadow Sneak and defeat Lugia through a combination of itsTaunt and STAB Shadow Ball and Taunt. Chansey is also defeated by Mega Gengar, as it cannot hurt or escape from Mega Gengar and will simply go down tobe defeated by Focus Blast and Taunt. Yveltal is a lot likesimilar to Mega Gengar, in that it can wear outdown all of Xerneas's counters, but it does not gethave the ability to trap Xerneas's countersthem with Shadow Tag. Unlike Gengar, Yveltal can also defeat Amoonguss and Ssupport Arceus formes. It should be noted that Stealth Rock support in general is very useful to Xerneas in general. ItStealth Rock not only helps wear down Xerneas's counters, but it drops most of them into OHKO range of Xerneas'its attacks. For example, Stealth Rock will remove Lugia's Multiscale and remove a large chunk of its health, allowing Xerneas to OHKO Lugiait with a boosted Moonblast. This is also true for Ho-oOh, as by takafter losing an extra 50% damage fromof its HP to Stealth Rock, it falls into OHKO range of Xerneas'scan be KOed by Psyshock andor Thunder.
If Xerneas can sweep very nicely, but what's notable is that if its sweep is stopphalted by something, the Pokemon that generally stops it is unable to do much asidegenerally only good for tanking hits, and as anis ironic result isally setup bait for another sweeper. For this reason, additional sweepers, primarily Tailwind Zekrom, are great partners for Xerneas, as they can pick up from where Xerneasit left off and proceed to clean the teamsweep that Xerneas simply couldn't finish destroye opposing team. Zekrom is a particularly good partner for Xerneas, as it not onlyXerneas can easily set up on any Amoonguss, Bronzong, or Aegislash weakened from Xerneas'by its assault, and it can also can help Xerneas break enemy walls, like such as Ho-oOh and Amoonguss. As another plus, all of Zekrom's counters-- —Hippowdon, Groudon, and Ground Arceus--—can't do much to Xerneas, allowingwhich means the deer tocan potentially set up a Geomancy on those Pokemon after Zekromthey has doneve taken considerable damage to thefrom Zekrom.
All-out-aOut Attacker
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name: All-out-aOut Attacker
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Rock Slide / Thunder
move 3: Focus Blast / Close Combat
move 4: Night Slash
ability: Fairy Aura
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Mild / Rash
Moves
========
Xerneas'sThis set focuses on spamming Moonblast, boosted by STAB and Fairy Aurawhich is frighteningly powerful, andue to this set focuses on spamming ite boosts from STAB and Fairy Aura. The rest of the moveslots exist are there solely for the purpose of removing Pokemon that can absorb Xerneas's Moonblast. Rock SlidA Life Orb-boosted by LifRock Slide Orb OHKOes Ho-oOh, even whenithout Stealth Rock isn't up, but aside from that, it doesn't really do much. Thunder is inaccurate, but it OHKOes Ho-oh if Stealth Rock is up and hits most Steel-types neutrally. As a plus it also, OHKOes Ho-Oh if Stealth Rock is up, and OHKOes offensive Kyogre after it has taken twswitched into rounds of Stealth Rock damagtwice. Close Combat also hits opposing Steel-types and, OHKOes enemy Blissey while, and 2HKOinges Chansey, but it's not as strong as Focus Blast is against most targets. In fact, the only reason Close Combat should be used over Focus Blast is if your team has issustruggles against opposing Blissey and Chansey, as they are the only targets hit harder by iClose Combat. Night Slash rounds out coverage, beingthe set, as due to Xerneas's limited movepool, it is Xerneas's strongest move andgainst Aegislash. Night Slash is the only waymove that Xerneas can use to reliably waltz around Aegislash. Unfortunately, Nigh, but it Slash is vulnerable to King's Shield and at bestonly 3HKOes Aegislash, but Xerneas really lacks any other options at hitting Aegislash due to its peculiar movepool at best. Xerneas can run specific moves to help beat down certain walls that it may gocome up against. Grass Knot OHKOes osupposingrt Rock Arceus and Water Support Arceus, while also hitting Kyogre hard. Hidden Power Fire OHKOes opposing Scizor and Ferrothorn while 2HKOing Aegislash and Bronzong inunder sunny weather. Aromatherapy is also an option on this set. While, and though it doesn't hit any enemy Pokemon,deal damage, Xerneas can use it can help Xerneas assuagto relieve a desperate team of itsa crippling status coneeditions. As a plnother bonus, Xerneas'its offensive presence helps it getscore free turns to use Aromatherapy, which is something no other cleric can doboast.
Set Details
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Xerneas uses Life Orb to provides a large boost to all of itXerneas's moves, but theits recoil might make it undesirable foron certain teams. Pixie Plate and Expert Belt are both viable alternatives to Life Orb, and they can both allow Xerneas to bluff other sets, something that itwhile Life Orb cannot do with Life Orb. The boosts the two items provide, however, are weaksmaller and less consistent thean Life Orb. If Expert Belt is run, a spread of 140 Atk / 184 SpA / 184 Spde is recommended, as it allows Xerneas to 2HKO Chansey with Close Combat 100% of the time while alsoand outspeeding ball opposing Pokemon that have 90 base Speed.
Xerneas can reallocateshift EVs from Speed EVs into Attack to make its moves hit harderhit harder with its physical attacks. A spread of 70 Atk / 252 SpA / 184 Spde gives up Xerneas's ability to sSpeed tie with opposing Yveltal and Genesect in exchange for a slightly more powerful Close Combat and Rock Slide. Rock Slide now wWhen boosted by Expert Belt, Rock Slide has a decent chance to OHKO offensive Ho-Oh, and when it is boosted by Life Orb, bears a higher chance to OHKO 252 HP Ho-Oh.
Xerneas generally runs a Mild natures that, which reduces its Defense, because the addunreduced Special Defense stat helps it better check opposing Yveltal and absorb a Dark Pulse or Oblivion Wing if needed. If, hfrom Yveltal in order to check it. However, Xerneas requires moa Rash nature can be run if an unhindered Defense because the team it is used on requiresd by it, then it can run a Rashs team. A Special Attack-boosting nature. Xerneas likes to run a nature that incr is recommended on Xerneases its Special Attack to give Moonblast maximum power, but increasing Speed by runn-boosting nature, such as Naive or Hasty nature, is also viable as it allows Xerneas to sSpeed tie with opposing Yveltal in exchange for a bit of power.
Usage Tips
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This Xerneas's main goal is not to sweep, but to break wall breaks for its team by spamming a strong Moonblast for a team, not sweep, as. As such, it should not try to sweep unless everythinge Pokemon on the opposingther team isare all ridiculously slow. A team mate should try to benefcapitalize from the holes itXerneas creates in wallsthe opposing team in order to sweep.
Xerneas's bulk is lessened now due toreduced by its nature, and as such Xerneaso it should be very carefully when switching in as to conserve its HP. At the same time though, Xerneas wants toshould be switched in as often as possible to wear down enemy walls likesuch as Aegislash. Xerneas should not be afraid to showreveal that it has Night Slash, ands the move can 3HKO Aegislash, but if Xerneas is usholding an Expert Belt or a Pixie Plate, hiding Night Slash might be worth hiding that move. Due to its item, it can bluff a Choice Scarf set very well, and as such can help it secure additional KOes. For example, trypretending to showhat Xerneas is locked into Moonblast mightcan be very helpuseful for luring out a Ho-Oh tout and OHKOing it with Rock Slide. Remember tThe main idea of this set is to wreck walls and weaken thingsPokemon that can take a Moonblast so that Xerneas can freelyin order to spam it and wlater on. Thereforeck walls, so if someonethe opposing team has little thingsfew Pokemon that can tank Moonblast, Moonblast should be spammed as often as possible.
Team Options
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If the Xerneas user can defeat Aegislash if it correctly predicts it when Aegislash will switching in, but its really hard forthen Xerneas can defeat it. Such prediction this, as suc difficult though, so Pokemon that can wear down stuff that can wall Xits counterneas are appreciated. Swords Dance Scizor, is one of the best partners for Xerneas, as it is capable of trapping and killing Aegislash with the combination of Swords Dance and Pursuit is very helpful for Xerneas. It alsocan prevents Xerneas from losing momentum, and provides some sort ofcan act as a sweeper that can take advanatage of all the holes Xerneas busts in wallopposing teams. Mega Gengar can do afunction similar jobly to Scizor, trapping Lugia and defeating it with Taunt and Shadow Ball. Life Orb Yveltal is like Mega Gengar in a sense,that it can easily defeat Xerneas's counters, but it cannot trap them. However, Yveltal does gets U-turn, which it can be used to feedgrant Xerneas opportunities to switch in. In general, Pokemon that can provide offensive pressure are useful because they can keep the stuffPokemon that walls Xerneas at bay. They cand also provide momentum and switches tolp get Xerneas into play. SomethingPokemon that can set uprovide Stealth Rock is goodare beneficial for Xerneas too, as Stealth Rock canwill damage Pokemon when Xerneas forces switches. Aside thatFurthermore, Stealth Rock also letlows Xerneas to OHKO Ho-Oh with Thunder, and breaks Lugia's Multiscale, preventing itLugia from absorbing Moonblast comfortably.
SomethingNoteworthy is the fact should be noted aboutthat most of Xerneas is the fact it's counters are rather peculiar; most of them are rather weak and have difficulty stopping other sweepers. Combine this with Xerneas's ability to cleardefeat walls from an enemythe opposing team, and it seems almost mandatory that Xerneas should be parired with somea sweeper. Tailwind Zekrom is perhaps the best sweeper that can be partnered with Life Orb Xerneas. It, as it can defeats Lugia, Ho-Oh, and just about anything that walls Xerneas while being able to. Additionally, Zekrom can set up a Tailwind on most of Xerneas's counters. As a plus, Zekrom's; Tailwind and Volt Switch greatly aid Xerneas in tormenting an enemythe other team. The former can help speeailwind uprovides Xerneas enabling ia boost to becomeits Speed, making it an even more frightening threat, while the latterand Volt Switch provides switches and momentum to Xerneas.for the team.
Defensive
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name: Defensive
move 1: Roar / Aromatherapy
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Moonblast
ability: Fairy Aura
item: Leftovers
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
nature: Calm
Moves
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Xerneas's unique typing and high HP stat let it run a bulky set capable of walling dDragon-types very well. Roar allows Xerneas to phaze opposingut Pokemon that may try to set up on it, butwhereas Aromatherapy allows Xerneas to cure a team athe status cond itionself of status. Rest isthe entire team. Xerneas's only form of recovery is Rest, but Xerneas'its bulk letmeans that it is often able to survive the two sleep turns. Sleep Talk prevents Xerneas from being completely helpless when asleep while, and Moonblast helps itcan OHKO the dDragon-types that itXerneas checks. ThanksDue to Fairy Aura, Xerneas's Moonblast hitsn't dexacently hard even without Special Attack investment, and can OHKO enemy Zekrom and Rayquaza without any investment while 2HKOing Assault Vest Palkia. Something that should be noteImportant to keep in mind is ifthat Xerneas's will wake up if Sleep Talk selects Aromatherapy, it will wake itself frommaking the sleep somewhat making the two turns Xerneas is asleep evenfrom Rest less of a nuisance.
Set Details
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248 HPThe given EVs are run over 252 HP EVs spread is designed to lessen the damage it takes from Stboost Xerneas's longevity as well as provide more health Rocking from Leftovers, but aside that theand 248 HP EVs are designed to boost Xerneas's longevityrun instead of 252 HP EVs in order to lessen the damage it takes from Stealth Rock. A Calm nature, and an EV spread that maximizum investment in Special Defense lets itXerneas check Palkia well. For reference, Lustrous Orb Hydro Pump from Lustrous Orb Palkia fails to 2HKO Xerneas, while it can OHKOes in return with Moonblast in return. Maximizum investment ing Defense instead of Special Defense is also an option, as it will allow Xerneas can then take on and check Zekrom nicely. Its got utility outside of this too. Its physical defense is so large to the point where it as well as avoids getting a 2HKOed by from Life Orbed Ho-Oh's Brave Bird from Ho-Oh.
Usage Tips
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This Xerneas's worst enemy is Mega Gengar, so be very warycautious when playing against it. This Xerneas can potentially beat Gengar by usdamaging it with Moonblast as it comswitches in, switcfleeing, smashing out, andit on then uswing Moonblastch as Gengar comes in, again. This way, Xerneas can defeatnd then KOing Mega Gengar as it lives the incomfter tanking a Sludge Wave and thanks.
Due to all the damage done earlier, Moonblast will KO Mega Gengar.
Xerneas'sFairy Aura, Moonblast is strong, even without investment, thanks to Fairy Aura, so ityou shouldn't be afraid to deal damageattack with Xerneas if it's needed. ThisHowever, Xerneas shouldn't be played recklessly though. While Rest will fully heal its HP that doesn't mean Xerneas, and shouldn't be tossforced tout stomach extremely powerful Sspecial Aattacks when somethingif other Pokemon can tank them better could tank it. Rest still. While Rest heals Xerneas completely, it leaves Xerneas somewhat helpvulnerabless for the nexta few turns and, so it should only be used when Xerneas needs to recover HP. Sis in a pinch. In a similarily fashion, Aromatherapy and Roar should not be used recklessly with the intentdea that Xerneas can just heal all damage done to ititself later with Rest. For example, if you predict that a Gengar is coming in on Xerneas, use Moonblast it. Don'tnstead of Aromatherapy knowing that since it hasn't mega-evolved yet it won't. This is because Gengar isn't too much of a threaten to Xerneas, because reallyfore it Mega Evolves, but later iton, Mega Gengar will most likely prevent Xerneas from doing much later.
Unlike with other Xerneas sets, this seXerneas variant is quite slow and abnormuncharacteristically bulky, and as a result, it can actually use Aromatherapy in front of most of the thingsPokemon that check its other sets. For example, Aegislash's Gyro Ball fails to land a 3HKO, meaning that Xerneas can safely use Aromatherapy andbefore quickly switching out quickly.
Team Options
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Xerneas is supposed to check Pokemonemies for the team, so it doesn't really need much team support bu. It it does appreciate somes Pokemone that can Pursuit trap Gengar. with Pursuit, such as Mega Scizor, Choice Band Scizor, and Tyranitar excel at doing this, although the latte. However, Tyranitar takes heavy damage from Focus Blast. In return, Xerneas can alsouse Aromatherapy to relieve burns that Tyranitar and Scizor may receive though. What should be noticed most though is that. Most importantly, Xerneas should not be used on a team aslike an inferior Sylveon or Clefable. Xerne, as it has more power, more physically bulky, and stronger then both Sylveon and Clefable, but both of the other Pokemon get Wish toaccess to Roar. However, Xerneas cannot support theirits team. with Wish, Sylveon is alsohas more specially bulky thean Xerneas while, and Clefable gets uhas Unaware and Knock Off to check and harass certain setup sweepers. It should be mentioned though that Xerneas, unlike the other two fairies, can phaze out Pokemon using Roar.
Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Focus Blast / Close Combat
move 4: Rock Slide / Sleep Talk
ability: Fairy Aura
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 76 Atk / 248 SpA / 184 Spde
nature: Rash
Moves
========
Xerneas with aA Choice Scarf can suddently boost its Xerneas's Speed to amazing levels, allowing itXerneas to revenge kill a great number of threatening sweepers in the uber tier. Moonblast is a strong StTAB move that destroys any hopwill leave Mega Mewtwo X may have had of sweeping. Its also strong enoughdent in any Pokemon that tries to leave a dentswitch in, anything that may want to cd prevents Mega Mewtwo X frome sweeping. In fact, Xerneas can sweep late -game with Moonblast if the enemyopposing team is sufficiently weakened. Megahorn stops and OHKOes Mega Mewtwo Y., while Focus Blast deals heavy damage to Steel-types that resist Moonblast, namely Heatran and Ferrothorn. Close Combat deals less damage to most Steel-types, but it 2HKOes Blissey. Rock Slide letallows Xerneas to lure in and deal very heavy damage to opposing Ho-Oh, a Pokemon thatwhich otherwise walls Xerneas. With Sleep Talk on the other hand lets, Xerneas becomeis one of the best Darkrai checks in the game, as it can absorb the Dark Void and have a near 100% chance of OHKOing the fiend the next turn after, givenif it stays in.
Set Details
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AWith a Choice Scarf increases, Xerneas's Speed to the point where it can outspeed practically outspeed the entire unboosted Ubers metagame unboosted, giving it great revenge killing utility and late-game sweeping potential. The current EV spread dumpmaximizes Xerneas's Special Attack and invests enough in Attack to give Xerneas thuarantee ability ton OHKO on Mega Mewtwo Y and maximizes Xfterneas's Special Attatealth Rock. The rest of the EVs are allocainvested toin Speed to make Xerneas as fast as possible. A spread that maximizes Special Attack and Speed is viable if Xerneas wants to be moreis focused on sweeping lan enemy te-game with Moonblast lategame and Xerneas's, but only if the team already has a sort ofcheck to Mega Mewtwo Y check. The greater Speed also helps against opposing Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal using a Choice Scarf. Its also possible to remove EVs. The EVs invested in Attack can be siphoned from Special Attack instead of Speed to boost Xerneas's Attack so that it can OHKO Mega Mewtwo Y, but realize doing so mightay make it harder for Xerneas to sweep later, as it will be slower and might fail to outspeed certain enemies bearPokemon holding a Choice Scarf. A Rash nature is used over a Mild nature because decreasing Xerneas's defense will result in it beinglead to an OHKOed by from a boosted Extremek Killer's boosted Extreme Speed and Ho-Oh'sa Life Orbed Ho-Oh's Brave Bird. DHowever, decreasing Xerneas's Special Defense does not turn any 2HKOs into an OHKO. This does not mean as. A Mild nature is not unviable. Since though, as when Xerneas will be switchinges into Yveltal to check it, a Mildthe nature can be used towill decrease the damage it takesn from Oblivion Wing. AXerneas can utilize a nature that increases its Speed can also, be utilized, buthis is unadvised against, as it decreases the power of Xerneas'swill weaken Moonblast which reallyand hurts it Xerneas's ability to clean late-game.
Usage Tips
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Xerneas should try togenerally be switched in as the opposing Pokemon as its setsting up to sweep, not when said Pokemon is trying torather than when they are attacking. For example, Xerneas should try to switch into Mega Mewtwo X when it uses Bulk Up, not instead of when it uses Zen Headbutt. This pereserves Xerneas's longevity, and letllows it check certain Pokemon continuously through out a match, and can let gives it the ability to sweep late-game. If suwitching Xerneas in on a casnon-attacking move is impossible, it is recommended to sacrifice a Pokemon to get Xerneas in safely.
Xerneas can absorb Darkrai's Dark Void and proceed to checkmate it with Sleep Talk, but doing this is not recommended to do thwhen Xerneas is when there isthe only check to a Pokemon on the opposing team that can only be checked by Xerneas. When Xerneas is asleep, it will not be able to function as a reliablye revenge kill any Pokemoner, and as sucho caution is advised if Xerneas is usrunning Sleep Talk. In this situation, if it is impossible to prevent Xerneas from gobeing put to sleep in this situation, it is best to try to stall out Xerneas's sleeping turns to make itso it can be more effective later on.
Xerneas will generally be able to revenge kill at least one Pokemon before the opponent realizes it's usholding a Choice Scarf. After the enemy realizeswards, that it carries a Choice Scarf theye opponent will generally switch to a counter to Xerneasin order to find whatscout out the move itXerneas is locked into. To prevent Xerneas from becoming useless after this, try notits set is revealed, don't try to play it safe and try. Instead, attempt to predict the Pokemon that will come in. For example, if Xerthe opponent has comes out anda Ho-Oh in the opponentwings and knows it is usingthat Xerneas holds a Choice Scarf, then whilen Xernea Ho-Oh is in wings, Rock Slides out, it should be use Rock Slide to whack the incoming Ho-Oh for solid damage.
Team Options
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This Xerneas is a revenge killer, so it doesn't really need much support. However it is helpful to have something be able to take on or r, partners to deal with the Pokemove the things that can take itnk Xerneas's hits so that Xerneas doesn't have tocan help reduce the need for predict as muchion. Mega Gengar and Swords Dance Pursuit Scizor in particularwith Pursuit excel atin this role, as they can trap and KO things that can takecertain Pokemon, allowing Xerneas's moves soto revenge kill threat it cans more reliably revenge kill things. Xerneas enjoys entry hazards, particular support, especially Stealth Rock, as it not only dropsallows Xerneas to OHKO Ho-Oh's HP so withat is OHKOed by Rock Slide, it also allows. Furthermore, Xerneas tocan capitalize off ofn Pokemon that switch out fearing they will be revenge killed by it, allowing it to better weaken athe opposing team. Stealth Rocks are is also very useful late-game, as they lowerit damages Pokemon's HP so that they fall into KO range of Xerneas's Moonblast.
Calm Mind
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name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Thunder / Psyshock
move 4: Substitute / Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
ability: Fairy Aura
item: Leftovers
evs: 44 HP / 240 SpA / 224 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
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Xerneas can choose to set up and sweep usingwith Calm Mind instead of Geomancy. Unlike Geomancy,Although the boost Calm Mind can be used multipprovides is less times in one matchmediate and does not restriaffect Xerneas's item choice. However thspeed, the move is still is a viable boption ast it provides is can be used multipless timmediatees in a match and does not changerestrict Xerneas's speed. It still is a viable option on Xerneasitem choice. Moonblast is Xerneas's strongest STAB move and hits ridiculously hard after a boost. BA boosted Thunder OHKOes Ho-Oh after Stealth Rock and hits most Steel-types neutrally, namely Bronzong, Aegislash, and Heatran, for neutral damage. Psyshock is also viable as it hits opposing Poison-types hard, namely Amoonguss, very hard and can also OHKOes Ho-Oh after Stealth Rock. Xerneas can use Substitute on this set much better thean it can on the Geomancy thanksset, due to Leftovers and sincthe fact that its Substitutes can actually tank a Seismic Toss from Chansey. Outside of that it alsoSubstitute provides Xerneas wit statush protection frorm Thundurus-I and Chansey while's status moves and allowings it to play mind games with Aegislash. For example, since Aegislash cannot use Toxic on Xerneas due to Substitute, Aegislashso it will be forced to use Gyro Ball. In response, Xerneas can either use Substitute as itAegislash uses King's Shield, or predict it trying to usthe Gyro Ball to break its new Substitute and smash AegislashOHKO with a Thunder that OHKOes. Focus Blast hits opposing Steel-types super effectively and lets Xerneas wreck asmash huge holes in enemy Heatran and Ferrothorn, whilereas Hidden Power Fire OHKOes Ferrothorn and 2HKOes Aegislash in the sun after a Calm Mind boost.
Set Details
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Xerneas uses Leftovers to increase its Xerneas's longevity and to helps it make an extra Substitute, but Xerneaother items can use items outside of Leftoversbe used too. A Life Orb boosts the power of Xerneas's attacks, and makes it justafter a Calm Mind, Life Orb Xerneas is about as powerful aits Geomancy Xerneas afcounter a Calm Mind. Xerneas's currentpart. The EV spread invests enough in HP for Xerneas to make Substitutes that can tank a Seismic Toss from Chansey, and let it absorballows Xerneas to survive a Swords Dance boosted Extreme Speed from Silk Scarf Extremek Killer Arceus. The EVs in Speed investsare enough to lefor it ito outspeed all neutral natured Rayquaza, Kyurem-W, and Kyurem-B with, and the rest of the EVs beingare dumped into Special Attack to give Xerneas more power. If the team using Xerneas is on can handle Chansey, then a Life Orb and a spread that simply maximizes Special Attack and Speed is viable. If such a spread is used its normally better to use Life Orb though. Acan be used. A Bold nature and a spread that maximizes PhysicalHP and Defense and HP that uses a Bold nature is also viable, in order to make Xerneas sweep in a bulky fashion as tsweeper. Thanks to all the investment it manages ton its bulk, Xerneas is only be 4HKOed by opposing Aegislash's Gyro Ball. If such a spread is used a C, then Resto Berry can be run in tand Rest or Rem with a Chest ando Berry or Sleep Talk can be used to restore Xerneas's HP. This Xerneas uses Aruns a Modest natureto give it even more for the extra power, but if it is desired, a Timid nature can be used to make itso that Xerneas will always outspeed Rayquaza, Kyurem-W, and Kyurem-B. Additionally, regardless of nature and sit will allow Xerneas to Speed tie with opposingmax Speed Yveltal and Xerneas at worst, but, but it is generally inferior to a Modest nature due to the decrease in Xerneas's power loss and the power boost Timidit gives to the power of opposing Gyro Ball generally makes it inferior to Modest.
Usage Tips
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Unlike with Geomancy, Xerneas can set up with Calm Mind after it has been forced out yet it also. However, Calm Mind doesn't get the s not increase Xerneas's Speed boost, meaning, so it should be played in a fashion wherutilize it uses the Calm Mind boost in order to power through a counter. If its phazed in the process, Xerneas isn' not deemed useless, so Xerneas if it is forced out in the process, so it shouldn' not be scared of enemy phazers. While Calm Mind does lets Xerneas power through checks, that doesn't mean it should be not used immediately. Xerneas should try to lure out and hit its counters as hard as it can, and set up awith Calm Mind to land a boosthed final blow and then. It should start sweeping ornly whenever it's sure it can beat its counters after thewith a Calm Mind boost. It's best for Xerneas to set up a Calm Mind on something Xerneasa Pokemon that it can forces out or something that has trouble breaking Xerneas'its Substitute. Alternatively, Calm Mind Xerneas could act like itsan feign a Ddefensive Xerneas asset, which it will appear to be one oncerunning when Leftovers are shown, and use that toen lure in thingsPokemon it can set up on.
Since this Xerneas doesn'cannot boost its sSpeed, it has issues with revenge killers and Mega Gengar, so try to get rid ofone should try them or lure them out and kill them quickly. A Xerneas withat use Leftovers will excel at taking out Mega Gengar, as ithey can act likpretend to be a helpless Ddefensive Xerneas and then proceed to smite it with a Psyshock. A Substitute can also can help with fighin combating revenge killers, as the Substitute will allow Xerneas to take a hit, release a strong one backtaliate, and then proceed to switch out.
Team Options
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ThiGood partners for Calm Mind Xerneas's partners are much like similar to those for Geomancy Xerneas's. All Calm Mind Xerneas truly wants thatHowever, unlike Geomancy Xerneas doe, Calm Mind Xerneas wanot is a Pursuit trapper for Gengar and defensive pivots that can take hits from revenge killers. Calm Mind Xerneas outside of thatalso appreciates the support of Life Orb Yveltal's and or Zekrom's support for breaking its counters. Mega Gengar and Scizor usrunning Swords Dance and Pursuit also work well for, as they can trapping and KOing opposing Xerneas's counters. Sto Xerneas. Thlth Rock is Xerneas also greatly appreciates Stealth Rock support. Id, as it breaks Lugia's Multiscale and dropallows Xerneas to KO Ho-Oh into OHKO rwith ange for unboosted Thunder or a boosted Psyshock.
Other Options
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There is one item that Xerneas can run thato deal with Mega Gengar which has not been mentioned to deal with Mega Gengaryet: Shed Shell. Shed Shell lateallows Xerneas to escape from Mega Gengar and pretty much reduces the need for a Pursuit trapper to use agains, but it heavily, but is useless outside of thatis one function. Another item Xerneas can use is Choice Specs., as a Choice Specs -boosted Moonblast hits frighteningly hard. However, but the power boost it provides doesn't help Xerneas powerbreak through any of its checks, and as a result, a Choice Specs set isn't thatvery effective.
Xerneas' has a diverse movepool is diverse, but it doesn't get what it needs like, such as a legitimate fFire-type move, so this generally. As a results in, it havings a lot of options that are inferior to the ones previously mentioned. Ingrain and Roar can both be used on a Geomancy or a Calm Mind set to prevent Xerneas from gettbeing phazed out, but it is hurt by the coverage Xerneasit loses from running another move hurts. Flash Cannon hits other Xerneas and Fairy Arceus super effectively, but does nothing notable outside of that. Close Combat can be used on Geomancy and Calm Mind sets to 2HKO incoming Blissey, but ithey provide nos coverage outside of that and as a resuln nothing else, so it tends to be useless most of the time. Similarly, Grass Knot can be used on sets, but it does nothing other then OHKO Groudon and 2HKO Kyogre, Rock Arceus, and Water Arceus. Xerneas can also use Reflect on, but does nothing else. A bulky Calm MindhestoRest Xerneas that run a Chesto Berry andcan utilize Resflect to set up multiple Calm Minds in front of opposing Scizor, Bronzong, Aegislash, and essentially anythingPokemon that reliesy on a strong physical IronSteel-type move to check it. However, buReflect is quite useless outside of that.therwise.
Checks & Counters
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**Specially Defensive Fire Arceus**: Specially defensive Fire Arceus outspeeds Xerneas, can take any offensive move, whether boosted or unboosted, and thenphaze it outspeed, and essentially phaze Xerneas or. It can set up six Calm Minds in front of every Xerneas versionariant except for defensive Xerneas usingwith Roar.
**Specially Defensive Kyogre**: Specially defensive Kyogre can take any move, even a Geomancy -boosted Thunder, and phaze Xerneas out. It does not struggle with any particular varianXerneas set but it does not enjoy facing Calm Mind Xerneasvariants, as repeated Calm Mind and Life Orb -boosted Thunders will overwhelm it. It should be noted that it is wspecialled by yet alsodefensive Kyogre walls Ddefensive Xerneas, meaningd vice versa, as Xerneas can't hit inot overy hardcome Kyogre with Moonblast but it, while Kyogre can't alsonot hit it very hard with Scald. Rest places the two in a giridlock in a sense because, as they both can just Restboth heal off the damage they've taken from each other's attacks. Xerneas running either Ingrain or Roar alongside either Calm Mind or Geomancya boosting move will overwhelm Kyogre.
**Chansey and Blissey**: Chansey and Blissey can completely wall Geomancy Xerneas and use Toxic to do damage it, howeverbut they do fear Close Combat from Life Orb Xerneas though. They are also walled by yedefensive Xerneas, but also wall Defensive Xeit in returneas. This meis because Chans they and Blissey can heal off the damage Moonblast does to them but at the same timthey take from Moonblast, while Xerneas can healRest off the damage its taken from theirdealt to it by Toxic and Seimsmic Toss. THowever, they are complete setup bait for Calm Mind Xerneas running Substitute or ResttTalk.
**Lugia**: If Stealth Rock is has not been set up, Lugia can take any hit and Whirlwind thefrom a boosted Xerneas and Whirlwind it out. ItLugia can status Xerneas variants that don't set up, and can wall them aso long as Stealth Rock is has not been set up. It should be noted that Ddefensive Xerneas will havekeep Lugia in a grid lock and Calm Mind or Geomancy Xerneas runningwith Ingrain will overwhelm Lugiait.
**Aegislash**: Aegislash's huge defenses and Steel-typing let it take a pittance from every move Xerneas can tosshrow at it and it. In return, Aegislash can statuspoison Xerneas with Toxic or releasutilize a strong Iron Head or Gyro Ball that,, which if used repeatedly, will overwhelm Xerneas. It is ht. However, Aegislash is setup bait for physically defensive variants of Xerneas withat use Calm Mind. It also does not enjoy taking a Night Slash or a sun-boosted being hit by Hidden Power Fire or Night Slash. It does not enjoy fighting Substitutealso has difficulty with Calm Mind Xerneas running Substitute, as it will have to predict whether or notif Xerneas will attack it whilen it is in its Blade form. ItAegislash does not take too much from Moonblastdamage from Da defensive Xerneas, but at the same time its Gyro Ball also's Moonblast, but does not do much to Defensive Xerneas, meaning that the two wiin return with Gyro Ball, so they essentially wall each other.
**Ho-Oh**: GivenIf Stealth Rock hais not been set up, Ho-Oh can tanke a moven attack from Geomancy andor Calm Mind Xerneas and retaliate back with a sun -boosted Sacred Fire, damage it with a Life Orb -boosted Brave Bird, or simplyphaze it out with Whirlwind the boosts and Xerneas away. However, Ho-Oh hates Rock Slide and will also succumb to a boosted Psyshock or Thunder after Stealth Rock has been set updamage.
**Bronzong**: Bronzong is much like Aegislash, except ithat it's weaker, not as bulkier or strongery, and is hit neutrally by Focus Blast, but. However, it is slower than Aegislash, which lets it deal a bit more damage with Gyro Ball. It can also run Light Screen to cushion hits and help the rest of its team take out Xerneas ifn the event that it goes down.
**Amoonguss**: Amoonguss with Sludge Bomb and Clear Smog completely stops all Xerneas that do not run Psyshock, although ifsets lacking Psyshock is run, but it will beis OHKOed by the move. Defensive Xerneas does not take much damage from Amoonguss's Sludge Bomb, and can use Rest off the damge it takes from Amoonguss, but ao recover HP. At the same time though, its Moonblast will deal pitiful damage to Amoonguss, meaningso both Pokemon essentaially wall each other.
**Poison Arceus**: Poison Arceus resists Moonblast and, can hit Xerneas hard with a super effective Sludge Bomb or Judgment. It can even set up Calm Mi, and in front of it because Xerneas cadoesn't really hurt it. It really doesn't fear anything from of Xerneas. The only thing Xerneas's moves, so it can do to potentially hurt it is attack it with aset up with Calm Mind against Xerneas. A Calm Mind or Geomancy -boosted Psyshock is the only way Xerneas can really hurt it.
**Scizor**: Mega Scizor and Choice Band Scizor can tank non-super effective hits from Geomancy Xerneas, given it is not super effective, and 2HKO Xerneasit with Bullet Punch. However, ithey will be severely weakened in the process. Mega Scizor's Bu is wallet Punch cannot 3HKOd by defensive Xerneas, yet and as a result itlso walls defensive Xerneas. Mega Scizor is walled by Ddefensive Xerneas, however Xerneas it cannot hurt it back eith3HKO the deer with Bullet Punch. However, Xerneas cand thenot damage Scizor takes fromuch with Moonblast, and the HP it loses can be easily be removgained with Roost. Mega Scizor is setup bait for Pphysically Ddefensive variants of Calm Mind Xerneas toohough.
**Priority**: Xerneas is fairly bulky, but priority moves can take out a weakened Xerneas or cripple a healthy ones, regardless of whether Geomancy boosts it has been usobtained or not. Arceus can use a Life Orb or Silk Scarf -boosted Extreme Speed to pick off weakened Xerneas. Mega Kangaskhan, aAs a last resort, Mega Kangaskhan can spam Fake Out and switch out if needed to slowly wear down and KO Xit. Howeverneas, buthis will require Xerneas to have been heavily weakened beforehand, or else it will take out a majority of the Mega Kangaskhan's team. Finally, Thundurus-I can paralyze an opposingGeomancy Xerneas even afterif it has used Geomancyt up, but it is useless against other variants as they, which don't fear much and can just switch out without fearing much and Xerneas running. Additionally, a Substitute can completely nullify how effective Thundurus-I's can beeffectiveness as a check. I, and it should be noted that most defensive Xerneas don't mind facing Thundurus-I at all.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can trap all Xerneas and OHKOsmash them with a super effective Sludge Bomb or Sludge Wave, h. However., a Geomancy -boosted Xerneas outspeeds Mega Gengar and instead easily OHKOes Mega Gengar with Psyshock. Note that Gengar cannot switch into Xerneas though, ndirectly or can it mMega eEvolve in front of it. A Shed Shell Xerneas also renders all of Mega Gengar's attempts to revenge kill itXerneas useless.
**Klefki**: Its typing lets itKlefki resists Moonblast due to its Steel typing, and thanks to Prankster, it can paralyze Geomancy Xerneas, and letllowing its partnersteammates to pick itXerneas off. Against defensive Xerneas, it can sets up Spikes. It really only fears Xerneas that run Substitute with either Calm Mind or Geomancy.
**Lucario**: Mega Lucario can outspeed and OHKO even the most defensive variants of Xerneas with Iron Tail. It can also pick off weakened Xerneas with Bullet Punch. IHowever, it cannot switch in on Moonblast though and Substitute fromis troubled by Xerneas is troublesomwith Substitute. Xerneas tIf it has not have usedreceived too much damage, a Geomancy-boosted Xerneas can OHKO Mega Lucario before it OHKOes Xerneas, given Xerneas has not received much prior damageand avoid being KOed.
**Ditto**: Ditto can copy Xerneas that have used Geomancy and threaten to sweep. It should be noted though that Ditto cannot switch in to Geomancy Xerneas and is completely useless against any other Xerneaset.
**Revenge Killers**: Choice Scarf users thasuch as Genesect withave a STAB super effective move such as Genesect's Iron Head can OHKO Xerneas that have yet to uset up with Geomancy.