Azelf (Bulky Anti-Lead)

[Tsukiyose]

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/azelf
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[Overview]

<h4>OU</h4>

<p>Azelf has always been a top choice as a lead, as it should be. It's able to do a variety of jobs efficiently. Its speed makes it almost certain to set up Stealth Rocks, and even lay screens for your team to take advantage of. Not only that, but it's also able to create a dent in to anyone's team, with its diverse move pool. Most leads have trouble setting up against it as well, due to its access to Taunt. Additionally, it can be an offensive menace, with monstrous base 125 attacking stats and access to Nasty Plot, as well as a wonderful base 115 speed stat, which allows it to easily slay those who would kill it otherwise.</p>

<p>Azelf is able to win against a ton of leads, however its frailness hold it back quite a bit. Leads like Metagross and Machamp, whom it should be able to take out, actually dominate the pixie. With colossal attack stats, super effective moves, and even priority, Azelf has no chance winning against either. Even things like Smeargle and Roserade, both which could survive an attack from Azelf (Roserade has a 42% chance of survival and Smeargle has Focus Sash) beat it due to status moves that render it useless. So I've created this set to beat those who would, under different circumstances, batter it.</p>

[SET]
name: Bulky Anti-Lead
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Hidden Power [Ground]
item: Lum Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 172 HP/ 124 Defense/ 40 SpA/ 8 SpD/ 164 Spe
ivs: 30 SpA/ 30 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

Against top 10 leads (July)

Azelf's Fire Blast vs Lead Azelf = 289 Atk vs 176 Def & 292 HP (120 Base Power): 141 - 167 (48.29% - 57.19%)
Azelf vs Lead Azelf's Fire Blast = 349 Atk vs 177 Def & 334 HP (120 Base Power): 170 - 200 (50.90% - 59.88%)

Azelf's Psychic vs Attacking Lead Machamp = 286 Atk vs 210 Def & 381 HP (90 Base Power): 264 - 312 (69.29% - 81.89%)
Azelf vs Machamp's Payback = 358 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (100 Base Power): 226 - 268 (67.66% - 80.24%)
vs BP = 358 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (40 Base Power): 45 - 54 (13.47% - 16.17%)
= (96.41%)

Azelf's Psychic vs Lead Aerodactyl = 289 Atk vs 186 Def & 301 HP (90 Base Power): 151 - 178 (50.17% - 59.14%)
Azelf vs Lead Aero's Stone Edge = 309 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (100 Base Power): 147 - 174 (44.01% - 52.10%) (20% chance to 2HKO)

Azelf's Fire Blast vs Lead Metagross = 295 Atk vs 216 Def & 363 HP (120 Base Power): 177 - 208 (48.76% - 57.30%)
Azelf vs Metagross' MM = 364 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (100 Base Power): 172 - 204 (51.50% - 61.08%)
vs BP = 364 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (40 Base Power): 69 - 82 (20.66% - 24.55%)
= (85.63%)


Azelf's Grass Knot vs MixLead Swampert = 295 Atk vs 229 Def & 401 HP (100 Base Power): 372 - 440 (92.77% - 109.73%)
Azelf vs MixLead Swampert's Ice Beam = 206 Atk vs 177 Def & 334 HP (95 Base Power): 79 - 94 (23.65% - 28.14%)

Azelf's Fire Blast vs TrickScarf Jirachi = 295 Atk vs 236 Def & 341 HP (120 Base Power): 324 - 384 (95.01% - 112.61%)
Azelf vs TrickScarf Jirachi's U-Turn = 299 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (70 Base Power): 134 - 158 (40.12% - 47.31%)

Azelf's Psychic vs Lead Infernape = 295 Atk vs 178 Def & 293 HP (90 Base Power): 320 - 380 (109.22% - 129.69%)
Azelf vs Infernape's Fire Blast = 307 Atk vs 177 Def & 334 HP (120 Base Power): 223 - 264 (66.77% - 79.04%)
vs Fake Out = 260 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (40 Base Power): 34 - 40 (10.18% - 11.98%)
= (91.02%)

Azelf's Fire Blast vs TS Lead Roserade = 295 Atk vs 246 Def & 261 HP (120 Base Power): 308 - 366 (118.01% - 140.23%)
Azelf vs TS Lead Roserade's Leaf Storm = 349 Atk vs 177 Def & 334 HP (140 Base Power): 297 - 349 (88.92% - 104.49%) (28% chance to OHKO)

Azelf's HP Ground vs Shuca Heatran (with type res. berry) = 295 Atk vs 248 Def & 323 HP (70 Base Power): 120 - 142 (37.15% - 43.96%)
without Shuca = 295 Atk vs 248 Def & 323 HP (70 Base Power): 240 - 284 (74.30% - 87.93%)
= (131.89%)

Azelf vs Shuca Heatran's Fire Blast = 359 Atk vs 177 Def & 334 HP (120 Base Power): 262 - 309 (78.44% - 92.51%)

Azelf's Fire Blast vs Ninjask = 295 Atk vs 136 Def & 263 HP (120 Base Power): 374 - 440 (142.21% - 167.30%)
Azelf vs Ninjask's X-Scissor = 306 Atk vs 227 Def & 334 HP (80 Base Power): 234 - 276 (70.06% - 82.63%)

<p>Lum is there to beat leads like Smeargle and Roserade, who would otherwise cripple Azelf with Spore and Sleep Powder, respectively. Psychic is there as its answer to Machamp, who is 2HKO'd. Fire Blast is needed to take care of Metagross, who would otherwise have no problem dealing with this set. Grass Knot is there to OHKO leads like Swampert, and 2hko physical wall Hippowdon and Tyranitar. Hidden Power Ground is for Heatran, who gets 2hko'd, who would otherwise wall this set.</p>

<p>Even though there isn't as much power in this set, it's still able to 2HKO most of who were 2HKO'd with the 252 SpA/Spe set, with the bonus of more bulk.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EV's given makes it able to live through Machamp's Payback + Bullet Punch, as well as Metagross' Meteor Mash + BP, which wasn't possible before, as well as not getting OHKO'd by Ninjask, getting 2HKO'd by Aerodactyl guaranteed, living through ScarfRachi's U-Turn, surviving Infernape leads' Fire Blast + Fake Out, and having the possibility of living through Roserade's Leaf Storm. 40 SpA EV's allow it a guaranteed 2hko against other Azelf leads, which the 252 SpA/Spe set does. 164 Spe is able to outrun Timid Roserade, so you can beat it, as well as 192 Spe Infernape. 8 SpD EV's just to make it a bit bulkier.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Scarf Tyranitar is a really nice Pokemon to accompany this Azelf with as it's able to definitely kill Starmie and Dragonite, who as leads beats this set. Pursuit as it flees for Starmie, and Stone Edge Dragonite. Tyranitar also comes in handy for Uxie, who is growing more popular as a lead. The synergy is really nice as well between the two, since Azelf's Dark and Ghost weaknesses are solved by Tyranitar, and Tyranitar's Fighting/Ground weakness are solved by Azelf's typing and ability.</p>

[Optional Changes]

<p>Explosion could definitely be considered over Hidden Power, so that you won't have as much trouble with Suicune, and DDNite setting up. Flamethrower could be considered over Fire Blast due to its better accuracy, however you lose the ability to 2HKO Azelf and Metagross.</p>

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This is my first one, so I hope I did it right. :3

 

[Setsuna]

I sincerely appreciate the effort you have put in the creation of this topic. However, Azelf already has sets on-site that accomplish the characteristics that the one in the OP of this thread offers. For example, Colbur Azelf can take on a vast majority of attacks from opposing leads due to its overall investment in the HP and Special Defense stats, while at the same time be able to set up Stealth Rock / Taunt and use Explosion to finish off with a Pokemon. Feel free to look at the website in order to corroborate what I'm saying. Other than this, note that the place for posting new sets is the Quality Control sub-forum, which you can find right here in C&C.

One last note, bear in mind that an Anti-lead should be able to prevent a great portion of leads from setting up a hazard (which Taunt does pretty well), or force them to switch out due to an impressive pressure that said Anti-lead could put upon the Pokemon that it's meant to deal with. Example of Anti-leads are Machamp, Starmie, and Dragonite, all of which meet the aforementioned characteristics. This Azelf in particular it's not an effective Anti-lead.

Feel free to try again in the future with a different proposition. Locking.