[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 2 onwards
**Price range**: 15-17 points
**Overview**: Baxcalibur is one of the most powerful physical wallbreakers available. Glaive Rush is an amazing move that makes full use of Baxcalibur’s Attack stat, and it has plenty of coverage and setup options. It sets itself apart from similar physical attackers with an immunity to burn due to Thermal Exchange and the strongest Ice Shard in the format, allowing it to pick off faster threats. However, it is still vulnerable to many foes before setting up due to its poor defensive typing and mediocre Speed. With the right support, it can feel unstoppable.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Baxcalibur has a sky-high Attack stat, several powerful attacks, and access to Swords Dance. It will usually be able to pick up a KO or at least deal significant damage whenever it gets a chance to act. Baxcalibur's respectable bulk also allows it to survive many stray hits, making it a threat to both defensive and offensive Pokemon alike.
**Setup sweeper**: Although Baxcalibur isn’t particularly fast, it is blessed with access to both Dragon Dance and Scale Shot, meaning it has multiple ways to boost its stats and tear through weakened teams. Access to Ice Shard means that few Pokemon will be able to reliably revenge kill it. Its bulk makes it even harder to revenge kill, and its immunity to burn makes it more consistently threatening.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Glaive Rush, Scale Shot, Dragon Claw, Icicle Spear, Icicle Crash, Ice Shard
**Setup moves**: Dragon Dance, Swords Dance
**Utility moves**: Substitute, Dragon Tail
**Coverage**: Earthquake, Iron Head, Crunch, Brick Break, Aqua Tail, Zen Headbutt, Thunder Fang, Aerial Ace, High Horsepower
Niche Moves
========
**Freeze-Dry**: With some Special Attack investment, Freeze-Dry can be a viable option for breaking through bulky Water-types like Azumarill and Dondozo. That being said, plans that don’t involve using its low Special Attack are usually preferred.
Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Baxcalibur is weak to Stealth Rock, and all entry hazards limit its ability to set up. Heavy-Duty Boots allows it to stay healthy as it switches in and out to continue dealing damage.
**Loaded Dice**: Loaded Dice allows Scale Shot to deal consistent damage while providing Speed boosts, simultaneously making Icicle Spear stronger than Icicle Crash.
**Choice Band**: Using its massive Attack stat, powerful moves like Glaive Rush, and a Choice Band, Baxcalibur can muscle past nearly any defensive Pokemon. The added power also turns Ice Shard into an even more potent revenge killing tool.
**Choice Scarf**: Baxcalibur can outspeed most unboosted attackers if given a Choice Scarf. It can take advantage of this fact to land powerful, unexpected attacks on foes that would normally be faster than other Baxcalibur sets.
Niche Items
========
**Leftovers**: If entry hazards can reliably be kept away, Leftovers will improve the longevity of a bulkier Baxcalibur. It pairs particularly well with Substitute and Ice Body.
**Damage-boosting items**: Items like Never-Melt Ice and Expert Belt can be used to reach specific damage thresholds against bulky foes.
**Resistance Berries**: Berries such as Chople Berry and Roseli Berry can be used to lure Baxcalibur’s checks, protect it from coverage moves, and improve its survivability as it sets up.
**Lum Berry**: Although Thermal Exchange makes Baxcalibur immune to burn, it still doesn’t appreciate other status effects. A Lum Berry can allow it to stay healthy for an extra turn against foes with moves like Thunder Wave.
Tera
========
Baxcalibur’s immense power, bulk, and setup potential make it an incredible user of Tera. As a result, it is typically not allowed to be a Tera Captain. If it’s given full access to Tera, it becomes worthy of a round 1 pick. Tera Dragon boosts its Glaive Rush and Scale Shot to a nearly unmanageable level while removing some undesirable weaknesses. Tera types like Ice, Ground, and Steel can also be used for additional power. Any Tera type that adds resistances is useful for preserving HP as Baxcalibur sets up, and Tera Fire also provides useful coverage. Tera Electric and Tera Poison also provide immunities to undesirable status effects.
Draft Strategy
========
Baxcalibur is an excellent wallbreaker and setup sweeper, but it will need to rely on teammates for all other roles. As an early pick with little defensive utility, it requires teammates that can handle its numerous weaknesses. The following roles should be prioritized in order to make the most of its strengths.
**Speed control**: Baxcalibur’s mediocre base Speed makes it vulnerable to faster attackers. Fast cleaners like Tornadus-T and Meowscarada pair well with Baxcalibur’s wallbreaking ability. Also, partners with access to paralysis like Zapdos and Scream Tail can help enable Dragon Dance and Scale Shot sets.
**Fairy-type counters**: Fairy-types are immune to two of Baxcalibur’s most dangerous attacks. At least one teammate that pressures them, such as Galarian Slowking or Gholdengo, can help Baxcalibur make progress in all matchups.
**Entry hazard control**: Entry hazards are a major concern for Baxcalibur. The presence of teammates with reliable hazard removal makes it easier to safely run items besides Heavy-Duty Boots. Reliable hazard setters are also important because they help Baxcalibur quickly wear down teams and efficiently sweep.
**Chilly Reception**: Baxcalibur’s Ice typing and access to Ice Body make it greatly appreciate snow. Galarian Slowking and Slowking are the most viable snow setters, cover some of Baxcalibur’s weaknesses, and can safely bring it onto the field, making them excellent partners.
Checks and Counters
========
**Bulky Dragon-resistant Pokemon**: Bulky Fairy-types like Scream Tail and Steel-types like Heatran can force Baxcalibur to run specific coverage options to defeat them, with Fairy-types also preventing Speed boosts from Scale Shot. Such Pokemon should be accounted for when developing a game plan; Baxcalibur can opt to either weaken them or wait for them to be weakened by teammates. If it runs coverage moves for these Pokemon, it may struggle to fit useful setup moves, or vice versa. In either case, it will end up being weak to part of the opponent’s draft.
**Fast offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with above-average Speed that aren’t weak to Ice Shard can threaten massive damage on Baxcalibur before it gets the chance to contribute. Careful positioning is important to keep it safe. A solid defensive backbone can also allow for safe switches into fast attackers.
**Entry hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots equipped, Baxcalibur is significantly weakened by all types of entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock. Even when Heavy-Duty Boots is equipped, it still has to watch out for opposing Knock Off users.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solunar11.470115/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
**Draft order**: Round 2 onwards
**Price range**: 15-17 points
**Overview**: Baxcalibur is one of the most powerful physical wallbreakers available. Glaive Rush is an amazing move that makes full use of Baxcalibur’s Attack stat, and it has plenty of coverage and setup options. It sets itself apart from similar physical attackers with an immunity to burn due to Thermal Exchange and the strongest Ice Shard in the format, allowing it to pick off faster threats. However, it is still vulnerable to many foes before setting up due to its poor defensive typing and mediocre Speed. With the right support, it can feel unstoppable.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Baxcalibur has a sky-high Attack stat, several powerful attacks, and access to Swords Dance. It will usually be able to pick up a KO or at least deal significant damage whenever it gets a chance to act. Baxcalibur's respectable bulk also allows it to survive many stray hits, making it a threat to both defensive and offensive Pokemon alike.
**Setup sweeper**: Although Baxcalibur isn’t particularly fast, it is blessed with access to both Dragon Dance and Scale Shot, meaning it has multiple ways to boost its stats and tear through weakened teams. Access to Ice Shard means that few Pokemon will be able to reliably revenge kill it. Its bulk makes it even harder to revenge kill, and its immunity to burn makes it more consistently threatening.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Glaive Rush, Scale Shot, Dragon Claw, Icicle Spear, Icicle Crash, Ice Shard
**Setup moves**: Dragon Dance, Swords Dance
**Utility moves**: Substitute, Dragon Tail
**Coverage**: Earthquake, Iron Head, Crunch, Brick Break, Aqua Tail, Zen Headbutt, Thunder Fang, Aerial Ace, High Horsepower
Niche Moves
========
**Freeze-Dry**: With some Special Attack investment, Freeze-Dry can be a viable option for breaking through bulky Water-types like Azumarill and Dondozo. That being said, plans that don’t involve using its low Special Attack are usually preferred.
Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Baxcalibur is weak to Stealth Rock, and all entry hazards limit its ability to set up. Heavy-Duty Boots allows it to stay healthy as it switches in and out to continue dealing damage.
**Loaded Dice**: Loaded Dice allows Scale Shot to deal consistent damage while providing Speed boosts, simultaneously making Icicle Spear stronger than Icicle Crash.
**Choice Band**: Using its massive Attack stat, powerful moves like Glaive Rush, and a Choice Band, Baxcalibur can muscle past nearly any defensive Pokemon. The added power also turns Ice Shard into an even more potent revenge killing tool.
**Choice Scarf**: Baxcalibur can outspeed most unboosted attackers if given a Choice Scarf. It can take advantage of this fact to land powerful, unexpected attacks on foes that would normally be faster than other Baxcalibur sets.
Niche Items
========
**Leftovers**: If entry hazards can reliably be kept away, Leftovers will improve the longevity of a bulkier Baxcalibur. It pairs particularly well with Substitute and Ice Body.
**Damage-boosting items**: Items like Never-Melt Ice and Expert Belt can be used to reach specific damage thresholds against bulky foes.
**Resistance Berries**: Berries such as Chople Berry and Roseli Berry can be used to lure Baxcalibur’s checks, protect it from coverage moves, and improve its survivability as it sets up.
**Lum Berry**: Although Thermal Exchange makes Baxcalibur immune to burn, it still doesn’t appreciate other status effects. A Lum Berry can allow it to stay healthy for an extra turn against foes with moves like Thunder Wave.
Tera
========
Baxcalibur’s immense power, bulk, and setup potential make it an incredible user of Tera. As a result, it is typically not allowed to be a Tera Captain. If it’s given full access to Tera, it becomes worthy of a round 1 pick. Tera Dragon boosts its Glaive Rush and Scale Shot to a nearly unmanageable level while removing some undesirable weaknesses. Tera types like Ice, Ground, and Steel can also be used for additional power. Any Tera type that adds resistances is useful for preserving HP as Baxcalibur sets up, and Tera Fire also provides useful coverage. Tera Electric and Tera Poison also provide immunities to undesirable status effects.
Draft Strategy
========
Baxcalibur is an excellent wallbreaker and setup sweeper, but it will need to rely on teammates for all other roles. As an early pick with little defensive utility, it requires teammates that can handle its numerous weaknesses. The following roles should be prioritized in order to make the most of its strengths.
**Speed control**: Baxcalibur’s mediocre base Speed makes it vulnerable to faster attackers. Fast cleaners like Tornadus-T and Meowscarada pair well with Baxcalibur’s wallbreaking ability. Also, partners with access to paralysis like Zapdos and Scream Tail can help enable Dragon Dance and Scale Shot sets.
**Fairy-type counters**: Fairy-types are immune to two of Baxcalibur’s most dangerous attacks. At least one teammate that pressures them, such as Galarian Slowking or Gholdengo, can help Baxcalibur make progress in all matchups.
**Entry hazard control**: Entry hazards are a major concern for Baxcalibur. The presence of teammates with reliable hazard removal makes it easier to safely run items besides Heavy-Duty Boots. Reliable hazard setters are also important because they help Baxcalibur quickly wear down teams and efficiently sweep.
**Chilly Reception**: Baxcalibur’s Ice typing and access to Ice Body make it greatly appreciate snow. Galarian Slowking and Slowking are the most viable snow setters, cover some of Baxcalibur’s weaknesses, and can safely bring it onto the field, making them excellent partners.
Checks and Counters
========
**Bulky Dragon-resistant Pokemon**: Bulky Fairy-types like Scream Tail and Steel-types like Heatran can force Baxcalibur to run specific coverage options to defeat them, with Fairy-types also preventing Speed boosts from Scale Shot. Such Pokemon should be accounted for when developing a game plan; Baxcalibur can opt to either weaken them or wait for them to be weakened by teammates. If it runs coverage moves for these Pokemon, it may struggle to fit useful setup moves, or vice versa. In either case, it will end up being weak to part of the opponent’s draft.
**Fast offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with above-average Speed that aren’t weak to Ice Shard can threaten massive damage on Baxcalibur before it gets the chance to contribute. Careful positioning is important to keep it safe. A solid defensive backbone can also allow for safe switches into fast attackers.
**Entry hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots equipped, Baxcalibur is significantly weakened by all types of entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock. Even when Heavy-Duty Boots is equipped, it still has to watch out for opposing Knock Off users.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solunar11.470115/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited:
