[SET]
name: SubCM
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Calm Mind
move 3: Scald
move 4: Secret Sword
item: Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Keldeo is a solid setup sweeper that uses its good Speed and typing to turn common offensive threats and walls into setup fodder, such as Weavile, Ash-Greninja, Mega Scizor, and Slowbro. Keldeo's STAB combination also lets it force out the likes of Gliscor, Mega Scizor, and Landorus-T. Afterwards, it can use Substitute to safely set up Calm Mind or throw out an attack, all while avoiding debilitating status from Pokemon like Toxapex and Heatran. Sacred Sword is essential in giving Keldeo a niche over Ash-Greninja, beating Pokemon like Chansey and Ferrothorn after Keldeo accrues enough boosts beforehand. It can also let Keldeo beat setup sweepers like Calm Mind Tapu Fini one-on-one. Keldeo also has a good matchup against rain teams, threatening wallbreakers like Mega Swampert and using Weavile as setup fodder. The Special Defense boost from Calm Mind prevents Clefable from 2HKOing with Moonblast after Leftovers recovery, which lets Keldeo retaliate with a boosted Scald, 2HKOing Clefable. Defensively, Keldeo's typing and Leftovers let it check threats over the course of a game, such as Heatran, Landorus-T, and Gliscor. Scald burns also make Tapu Lele and Toxapex easier to wear down over the course of a game. Despite all these benefits, Keldeo can be hard to justify over wallbreakers like Urshifu-R and Ash-Greninja. It is completely walled by the likes of Mega Latias, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex, whereas Urshifu-R can use U-turn on them to gain momentum, and Ash-Greninja can use Spikes to make it harder for Tapu Fini and Toxapex to switch in. Defensive utility with no recovery moves can see it worn down over the course of a game, eventually KOed by Pokemon it needs to check, like Heatran and Weavile. Keldeo lacks immediate power compared to other wallbreakers and is therefore easier to switch into initially, though it can uniquely break through defensive Pokemon like Corviknight and Mega Scizor with enough boosts gained beforehand.
Keldeo fits well on bulky offense teams looking for a potential wincon that also has solid defensive utility. Ferrothorn is a fantastic partner for adequately dealing with Tapu Fini and Clefable. It can also set Spikes, which makes Keldeo even more difficult to switch into. Spikes also wears down checks over the course of a game, like Assault Vest Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini, which lack reliable recovery. Weavile is an amazing partner that can Pursuit trap Mega Latias, which Keldeo cannot get past whatsoever. Tapu Lele appreciates Keldeo taking care of Steel-types and can take advantage of Keldeo checks like Mega Latias and Toxapex. Heatran wears down Tapu Fini for Keldeo and appreciates it heavily pressuring Ground-types. Heatran can also make use of Stealth Rock or Toxic to wear down Tapu Fini and Mega Latias, respectively. Sand Tomb Mega Scizor is able to pressure Toxapex for Keldeo, enabling it to clean late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Taunt may be used over Substitute to prevent Toxapex from using Recover, or Haze to remove Keldeo's boosts. However, Substitute allows Keldeo to sponge Volt Switch from Rotom-W and take hits Pokemon that would revenge kill it, like Kartana and Tapu Lele, and deal huge damage back. It's often the superior choice as a result. Choice Specs gives Keldeo immediate wallbreaking potential against the likes of Clefable and Zapdos. While this set is strong, it is much easier to play around, as Pokemon like Slowbro, Toxapex, and Mega Latias can scout much more easily against it. A Choice Scarf set with Stone Edge is able to revenge kill +1 Volcarona, but this set sacrifices all of Keldeo's power and makes it much easier to take advantage of.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Threats and Choice Scarf Users**: Common Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini easily revenge kill Keldeo after it KOes some foe. However, Tapu Lele is unable to switch in safely. Pokemon that are naturally faster than Keldeo like Serperior, Tapu Koko, and Kartana deter it from setting up.
**Bulky Water-types**: Toxapex and Tapu Fini wall Keldeo entirely; Toxapex can use Haze to get rid of any accumulated boosts and resists both of its STAB moves, while Tapu Fini can use Taunt to block Calm Mind and also resists both its STAB moves. Rotom-W can also break Substitute with Volt Switch and pivot into a faster threat like Tapu Lele to take care of Keldeo.
**Opposing Calm Mind Users**: Reuniclus and Mega Latias are two notable setup sweepers that pose a massive threat to Keldeo. Both completely ignore its accrued Special Defense boosts with Psyshock and force it out accordingly. Mega Latias is especially troublesome, as it resists both of Keldeo's STAB moves and is naturally faster than it, walling it entirely.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Serperior, Rillaboom, and Tangrowth make it incredibly hard for Keldeo to pull off a sweep, as Serperior boosts alongside Keldeo with Leaf Storm and is naturally faster, Rillaboom revenge kills it with Grassy Glide, and Tangrowth prevents Keldeo from setting up entirely because of Giga Drain recovering more than Secret Sword can damage it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sulo, 528036]]
- Quality checked by: [[Milo, 540138], [adem, 529732]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
name: SubCM
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Calm Mind
move 3: Scald
move 4: Secret Sword
item: Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Keldeo is a solid setup sweeper that uses its good Speed and typing to turn common offensive threats and walls into setup fodder, such as Weavile, Ash-Greninja, Mega Scizor, and Slowbro. Keldeo's STAB combination also lets it force out the likes of Gliscor, Mega Scizor, and Landorus-T. Afterwards, it can use Substitute to safely set up Calm Mind or throw out an attack, all while avoiding debilitating status from Pokemon like Toxapex and Heatran. Sacred Sword is essential in giving Keldeo a niche over Ash-Greninja, beating Pokemon like Chansey and Ferrothorn after Keldeo accrues enough boosts beforehand. It can also let Keldeo beat setup sweepers like Calm Mind Tapu Fini one-on-one. Keldeo also has a good matchup against rain teams, threatening wallbreakers like Mega Swampert and using Weavile as setup fodder. The Special Defense boost from Calm Mind prevents Clefable from 2HKOing with Moonblast after Leftovers recovery, which lets Keldeo retaliate with a boosted Scald, 2HKOing Clefable. Defensively, Keldeo's typing and Leftovers let it check threats over the course of a game, such as Heatran, Landorus-T, and Gliscor. Scald burns also make Tapu Lele and Toxapex easier to wear down over the course of a game. Despite all these benefits, Keldeo can be hard to justify over wallbreakers like Urshifu-R and Ash-Greninja. It is completely walled by the likes of Mega Latias, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex, whereas Urshifu-R can use U-turn on them to gain momentum, and Ash-Greninja can use Spikes to make it harder for Tapu Fini and Toxapex to switch in. Defensive utility with no recovery moves can see it worn down over the course of a game, eventually KOed by Pokemon it needs to check, like Heatran and Weavile. Keldeo lacks immediate power compared to other wallbreakers and is therefore easier to switch into initially, though it can uniquely break through defensive Pokemon like Corviknight and Mega Scizor with enough boosts gained beforehand.
Keldeo fits well on bulky offense teams looking for a potential wincon that also has solid defensive utility. Ferrothorn is a fantastic partner for adequately dealing with Tapu Fini and Clefable. It can also set Spikes, which makes Keldeo even more difficult to switch into. Spikes also wears down checks over the course of a game, like Assault Vest Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini, which lack reliable recovery. Weavile is an amazing partner that can Pursuit trap Mega Latias, which Keldeo cannot get past whatsoever. Tapu Lele appreciates Keldeo taking care of Steel-types and can take advantage of Keldeo checks like Mega Latias and Toxapex. Heatran wears down Tapu Fini for Keldeo and appreciates it heavily pressuring Ground-types. Heatran can also make use of Stealth Rock or Toxic to wear down Tapu Fini and Mega Latias, respectively. Sand Tomb Mega Scizor is able to pressure Toxapex for Keldeo, enabling it to clean late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Taunt may be used over Substitute to prevent Toxapex from using Recover, or Haze to remove Keldeo's boosts. However, Substitute allows Keldeo to sponge Volt Switch from Rotom-W and take hits Pokemon that would revenge kill it, like Kartana and Tapu Lele, and deal huge damage back. It's often the superior choice as a result. Choice Specs gives Keldeo immediate wallbreaking potential against the likes of Clefable and Zapdos. While this set is strong, it is much easier to play around, as Pokemon like Slowbro, Toxapex, and Mega Latias can scout much more easily against it. A Choice Scarf set with Stone Edge is able to revenge kill +1 Volcarona, but this set sacrifices all of Keldeo's power and makes it much easier to take advantage of.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Threats and Choice Scarf Users**: Common Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini easily revenge kill Keldeo after it KOes some foe. However, Tapu Lele is unable to switch in safely. Pokemon that are naturally faster than Keldeo like Serperior, Tapu Koko, and Kartana deter it from setting up.
**Bulky Water-types**: Toxapex and Tapu Fini wall Keldeo entirely; Toxapex can use Haze to get rid of any accumulated boosts and resists both of its STAB moves, while Tapu Fini can use Taunt to block Calm Mind and also resists both its STAB moves. Rotom-W can also break Substitute with Volt Switch and pivot into a faster threat like Tapu Lele to take care of Keldeo.
**Opposing Calm Mind Users**: Reuniclus and Mega Latias are two notable setup sweepers that pose a massive threat to Keldeo. Both completely ignore its accrued Special Defense boosts with Psyshock and force it out accordingly. Mega Latias is especially troublesome, as it resists both of Keldeo's STAB moves and is naturally faster than it, walling it entirely.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Serperior, Rillaboom, and Tangrowth make it incredibly hard for Keldeo to pull off a sweep, as Serperior boosts alongside Keldeo with Leaf Storm and is naturally faster, Rillaboom revenge kills it with Grassy Glide, and Tangrowth prevents Keldeo from setting up entirely because of Giga Drain recovering more than Secret Sword can damage it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sulo, 528036]]
- Quality checked by: [[Milo, 540138], [adem, 529732]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
Last edited: