Move over Silvally, this is the real Ultra Beast slayer!
[OVERVIEW]
* Aegislash's unique ability, Stance Change, makes it a very powerful offensive force that is difficult to OHKO. It can also punish physical attackers that use contact moves while returning to its Shield forme via King's Shield.
* This is the most effective user of Weakness Policy in the game, thanks to its initial bulk and great Ghost-type STAB.
* Its awesome typing gives it good resistances and a STAB type that's hard to resist in Ghost.
* In this generation, Aegislash is an effective check to some of the most dangerous new Pokemon, such as Tapu Lele and Pheromosa.
* With the Tapu group creating a Terrain war, Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain can make Aegislash even more difficult to check than last generation due to it halving the amount of damage Earthquake does.
* Stance Change can make for a dangerous mind game for both your opponent and yourself. If you attack at the wrong time, you risk getting Aegislash KOed, while using King's Shield at the wrong time can lead to a dangerous foe switching in or even the opponent getting a free turn to set up.
* After PokeBank returns, several threats such as Heatran and Calm Mind Suicune may return to haunt it. However, not much will change for Aegislash otherwise.
[SET]
name: RETURN OF THE CRUMBLER (Special Attacker)
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: King's Shield
move 4: Sacred Sword / Flash Cannon
item: Weakness Policy / Ghostium Z
ability: Stance Change
nature: Quiet
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Shadow Ball is Aegislash's main STAB attack, with very few Pokemon out there that resist it.
* Shadow Sneak gives Aegislash priority, allowing it to snipe weakened threats later in the game.
* King's Shield allows Aegislash to go back into its Shield forme and reduces the Attack of Pokemon that use contact moves against by two stages.
* Sacred Sword gives Aegislash coverage against Dark-types such as Mega Gyarados, Hydreigon, and the rare Incineroar.
* Flash Cannon is an alright secondary STAB attack that has the bonus of hitting Clefable and Tapu Bulu harder than any other move. It's also Aegislash's best move against the rare Kommo-o and Bewear.
Set Details
========
* A Quiet nature with maximum HP and Special Attack investment allows Aegislash to become an effective bulky attacker. 4 Special Defense EVs are used so that Download Porygon2 gets an Attack boost instead of a Special Attack boost.
* Running 0 Speed IVs is recommended, as this ensures that Aegislash is always slower than Celesteela, which can seriously wound Aegislash if it's in Blade forme. This also gives you the best chance to win in Aegislash mirror matchups, being able to take Shadow Ball and KO the foe back.
* Weakness Policy is extremely effective on Aegislash, letting it take advantage of its great bulk and specific weaknesses (especially when used in Grassy Terrain against Earthquake).
* Ghostium Z gives Aegislash an attack that is slightly more powerful than a +2 Shadow Ball. While Never-Ending Nightmare can only be used once, it can surprise foes that avoid landing super effective hits on Aegislash early for fear of Weakness Policy.
Usage Tips
========
* This Aegislash often works well when used in a hit-and-run manner: switch it into a Pokemon it checks such as Tapu Lele or Pheromosa, and switch out after your opponent switches in their Aegislash check. Don't feel pressured to stay in and use King's Shield if switching out gives you a bigger advantage.
* If you opt to save Aegislash for later in the game, it becomes far less risky to take advantage of Weakness Policy, since you may know if foes like Garchomp have an Attack-boosting item or not.
* Although a bit risky, consider attacking setup sweepers such Garchomp if you see that they have an opening to sweep you, since opponents will often attempt to use your King's Shield turn as a setup opportunity.
Team Options
========
* Since Aegislash is a bulky attacker, focusing on Pokemon that resist its major weaknesses to Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark is a good idea.
* Mega Salamence provides a valuable switch-in to Fire- and Ground-type attacks, while Aegislash easily switches into Ice-, Dragon-, and Rock-type attacks.
* Gyarados and Mega Gyarados are also good options due to resisting Fire and either of Ground-type attacks and Ghost- and Dark-type attacks. Mega Gyarados in particular can set up on Pokemon that take advantage of Aegislash such as Garchomp after one Intimidate.
* While they share a Fire-type weakness, Tapu Bulu should be seriously considered as a teammate, since its Grassy Terrain will remove Garchomp's ability to effectively check Aegislash!
* Tapu Fini can take care of Hydreigon and offer status immunity, while Aegislash is perfect against Poison-type attacks. It can also surprise Celesteela by using Nature's Madness + Waterium Z on an offensive set.
* A Hydreigon of your own resists all of Aegislash's weaknesses, while Aegislash resists all of Hydreigon's weaknesses.
* Although they offer little defensive synergy beyond a Dark-type resistance, Fighting-types such as Buzzwole, Pheromosa, and Mega Lucario can help keep Porygon2 at bay. Surprise users of Toxic such as Garchomp and Celesteela are also a big help against Porygon2.
* Aegislash can be used as a lure to defeat Ground-types (most Ground-type Pokemon will not OHKO Aegislash without an offensive boost of some kind) so that Tapu Koko can sweep more easily.
[SET]
name: Toxic Staller
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: King's Shield
item: Leftovers
ability: Stance Change
nature: Modest
evs: 204 HP / 164 SpA / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Substitute is awesome on Aegislash, making it very difficult to revenge kill and protecting it from status.
* With Toxic, Aegislash can defeat Porygon2, one of its most common checks. It also allows Aegislash to become more of a team player against defensive Pokemon. It also can cripple Mandibuzz on the switch.
* Despite not affecting Normal-types, Shadow Ball is still Aegislash's best STAB option due to the lack of common Pokemon that resist it.
* King's Shield is important for letting Aegislash return to its Shield forme, since this Aegislash tends to stay in battle longer than other sets, and lets you Toxic stall foes even more effectively.
Set Details
========
* Leftovers is very important on this Aegislash, since it has no recovery otherewise. The HP EVs are designed for it to get maximum recovery from them as well.
* 140 Speed EVs let Aegislash outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Alolan Marowak to avoid the easy OHKO from it. This also gets the jump on Tapu Bulu that lack Speed investment, as well as many Celesteela so you can use Substitute before they target Aegislash with Leech Seed.
* The rest are dumped in Special Attack for decent power.
* If you are seriously paranoid of the rare Jolly Alolan Marowak, you can run 212 Speed EVs to outpace it. Just be warned, this results in a pretty serious loss in power.
Usage Tips
========
* While switching Aegislash into resisted attacks is fine, consider getting it on after a KO. This will keep Leftovers hidden, potentially luring in Porygon2.
* If you see Porygon2 in Team Preview, try to cripple it with Toxic on the switch so your foe will have no time to react with a better switch-in.
* Try to look out for Choiced attackers, since this Aegislash is particularly effective at taking advantage of them.
* Be warned: unlike other Aegislash sets, this one will lose to Celesteela that have either Flamethrower or Earthquake, since Shadow Ball won't 2HKO them.
Team Options
========
* Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge is awesome at making Earthquake less of an issue for Aegislash, and the extra recovery makes Aegislash an even better Toxic staller.
* Mandibuzz is an effective defensive teammate that can Taunt Celesteela, giving Aegislash ample time to set up.
* Despite sharing a Fire-type weakness, Celesteela is a very effective teammate for this Aegislash. Aegislash spreading Toxic can let Celesteela outstall foes even more easily, while its Leech Seed support keeps Aegislash alive longer. Celesteela is also a great Ground-type switch-in.
* Consider Pokemon that are weak to Porygon2. Mega Salamence is a fantastic idea, since it synergizes so well with Aegislash defensively, but Pokemon such as Garchomp can also work.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Iron Head / Shadow Claw
move 4: Sacred Sword
item: Weakness Policy / Ghostium Z / Life Orb
ability: Stance Change
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* While usually a special attacker, Aegislash can pull off surprise sweeps with Swords Dance and set up on defensive Pokemon such as Celesteela.
* Shadow Sneak is needed due to Aegislash's poor Speed stat, allowing Aegislash to clean up weakened teams.
* Iron Head gives Aegislash a strong move against Fairy-types like Tapu Bulu, but Shadow Claw is resisted by fewer Pokemon and can be used for a deadly boosted Never-Ending Nightmare if you're using Ghostium Z.
* Sacred Sword is Aegislash's best hope at dealing damage to Dark-types, especially if you go with Shadow Claw. It also hits Porygon2 harder than any other move.
* King's Shield can be used to make Aegislash more flexible at staying in. However, this does reduce coverage, which makes it not as good of a sweeper late-game.
Set Details
========
* Maximum HP and Attack allow Aegislash to effectively set up Swords Dance and deal good damage.
* A Brave Nature with 0 Speed IVs can help against Celesteela and opposing Aegislash. However, with Adamant, Aegislash may be able to outspeed Porygon2, which is important if you have weakened it into Sacred Sword's KO range.
* Weakness Policy can potentially allow Aegislash to get to +4 Attack in one turn.
* With Ghostium Z, Aegislash can effectively break Pokemon such as Celesteela if you use Shadow Claw.
* Life Orb is the most reliable boosting item and lets Aegislash pick off Pokemon with Shadow Sneak more reliably before setup.
Usage Tips
========
* This Aegislash is best used late-game, especially if it lacks King's Shield, since it isn't as flexible as the average Aegislash.
* Try to scout for Choice items. Pokemon locked into resisted moves such as Garchomp into Dragon-type attacks are what Aegislash is best at setting up on. You can also set up on weaker super effective attacks from the likes of Celesteela to at least tear open a hole for another sweeper.
* If Aegislash lacks King's Shield, try to get it in a situation where after you use Swords Dance, you can use Iron Head, Shadow Claw, or Sacred Swords once, since this is often Aegislash's only chance to land a powerful hit before it either has to pick the rest off with Shadow Sneak or switch out.
* Aegislash that lack King's Shield may also opt to play in a more hit and run style if they can't set up due to the lack of being able to go back into Shield forme.
* Against Celesteela you'll need only one Swords Dance to OHKO it with Ghostium Z, and +4 Attack with Shadow Claw and Weakness Policy. Life Orb will have a hard time OHKOing it without +4 Shadow Claw, since Sacred Sword is only a 12% shot at +4.
Team Options
========
* Since this Aegislash relies on priority more often than usual, considering pairing it with a Tapu to get rid of Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain. Tapu Fini is a fantastic choice, since it also removes the threat of Will-O-Wisp, while Tapu Bulu makes Earthquake less of a problem. Tapu Koko also works since it can use Volt Switch or U-turn to wear down threats into Shadow Sneak's KO range.
* Consider pairing Aegislash with Pokemon that have trouble against Celesteela. Good examples include Mimikyu, Garchomp, and Mega Salamence.
* Alolan Ninetales is a cool teammate despite sharing the Fire-type weakness, since it can set up Aurora Veil to make Aegislash very difficult to KO.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Focus Sash can be used to survive surprise attacks, especially while in Blade forme.
* Air Balloon is nice for switching into Garchomp. It can also be used with Hidden Power Ice to have a good shot at beating it in general.
* Steelium Z can be used for a powerful attack that nothing is immune to, but it offers poorer coverage than Ghostium Z.
* Head Smash is Aegislash's most powerful non-Z-move attack, but the recoil is pretty severe.
* Lum Berry is nice for avoiding sleep and burn on the Swords Dance set. This is especially valuable after PokeBank, when there will be a lot more Pokemon that can burn Aegislash.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mandibuzz**: Mandibuzz's typing is perfect for taking on Aegislash. Not even Swords Dance Aegislash is safe due to Foul Play, while Toxic Aegislash is susceptible to Taunt.
**Hydreigon**: Hydreigon takes plenty of damage from Sacred Sword, but it can otherwise hit Aegislash hard with Dark Pulse.
**Porygon2**: Porygon2 handles the special attacking sets very well but does poorly against Toxic stalling Aegislash.
**Garchomp and Mamoswine**: Garchomp and Mamoswine two are hit hard by Shadow Ball, but as long as Grassy Terrain isn't up, they can severely damage Aegislash with Earthquake.
**Fast Alolan Marowak**: Many Alolan Marowak heavily invest in Speed, which is a huge problem because Shadow Bone can OHKO Aegislash.
**Mudsdale**: Mudsdale is bulky enough to survive Shadow Ball, and its low Speed means that it can target Aegislash in Blade forme and OHKO it.
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