[OVERVIEW]
Landorus-T is a great Pokemon thanks to its good defensive utility letting it check many Pokemon paired with its solid offensive presence. Its typing, bulk, and access to Intimidate make it a good check to offensive Pokemon like Excadrill, Terrakion, Tyranitar, Breloom, and Garchomp; this is only enhanced by its immunity to sand and Spikes, giving it good longevity. These qualities, alongside its access to U-Turn, let it keep momentum and pivoting in dangerous teammates like Terrakion and Keldeo safely. This also lets it consistently set Stealth Rock throughout the game alongside its STAB Earthquake threatening the most common spinners in Excadrill and Tentacruel. Landorus-T is also offensively potent, being able to run a fully offensive set with Fighting Gem that lures checks like Skarmory and Rotom-W while also being able to blend its offensive and defensive utility together to run a Choice Scarf set that revenge kills and keeps Pokemon like Dragonite and Terrakion under control with Intimidate. However, Landorus-T is forced out by common special attackers like Latios, Keldeo, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T. It also has a tendency to get worn down throughout the gam by Stealth Rock and its tendency to switch into quite a few Pokemon that are sometimes paired together. This issue is even more true for sets lacking Leftovers, meaning its health needs to be managed throughout the game. It also has to compete with Gliscor as a defensive Ground-type, whose access to Poison Heal gives it an immunity to status and much better longevity; Gliscor can also check the same pool of Pokemon while not needing to directly switch into what it's supposed to check. Excadrill and Garchomp also give Landorus-T competition as an offensive Ground-type thanks to the former's access to Rapid Spin and ability to switch into Latios and the latter's higher Speed.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Naive
ivs: 30 Spe
evs: 240 HP / 16 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn lets Landorus-T pivot around and wear down switch-ins like Skarmory and Rotom-W and get in its teammates safely, letting it keep momentum. Hidden Power Ice hits Gliscor, Dragonite, Breloom, Garchomp, and opposing Landorus-T hard, letting it check them better.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread outspeeds Excadrill, opposing defensive Landorus-T, Modest Thundurus-T, and Substitute + Dragon Dance Dragonite. Leftovers helps Landorus-T check what it's supposed to and set Stealth Rock throughout the game. An alternative spread of 252 HP / 176 Def / 92 Spe with a Lax nature can be used to better check physical attackers while outspeeding all Breloom variants and Modest Politoed.
Team Options
========
This set fits on offensive sand teams that want their Stealth Rock setter to have more of an offensive presence and maintain momentum with U-turn. Tyranitar sets sand and Pursuit traps Reuniclus, Latios, and Alakazam with its Chople Berry set. It's able to run a coverage move or Thunder Wave with Landorus-T running Stealth Rock. It can also run a Choice Scarf set that lets it check offensive threats Landorus-T can't cover, like Starmie and Thundurus-T, while appreciating Landorus-T checking Ground-types like Excadrill and Gliscor and pivoting it in safely against Reuniclus with U-turn. Ferrothorn is able to set up Spikes to accompany Landorus-T's Stealth Rock and switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed, (add comma) while Landorus-T checks Fighting-types like Terrakion and Breloom. Breloom can check Water-types like Politoed and Tentacruel and benefits from Stealth Rock wearing down switch-ins like Latios and Thundurus-T. Psychic-types like Alakazam, Latios, and Reuniclus appreciate Landorus-T setting Stealth Rock and switching into checks like Tyranitar, Jirachi, and Ferrothorn, with each of them providing support and working well with each other. Focus Sash Alakazam is able to revenge kill any Pokemon and enjoys being safely pivoted into with U-turn while Reuniclus appreciates its switch-ins being worn down so it can sweep with Calm Mind late-game and more easily wallbreak if running its 3 Attacks set. Latios switches into Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types like Keldeo, Celebi, and Thundurus-T and can keep setup sweepers like Volcarona and Reuniclus under control with its Choice Scarf set. Jellicent can take on strong special attackers like Volcarona, Politoed, and Keldeo and spread residual damage with Will-O-Wisp and stop recovery with Taunt, (add comma) while Landorus-T checks strong physical threats like Terrakion, Garchomp, and Excadrill. Heatran counters Grass- and Fire-types like Celebi and Volcarona while also being able to drop Stealth Rock for a different support move or act in a more offensive role; (add semicolon) and appreciating it also appreciates Landorus-T's Fighting resistance. Rotom-W checks Water- and Ice-types like Starmie, Keldeo, and Mamoswine while also spreading burn with Will-O-Wisp to wear down the opponent and forms a great VoltTurn core with Landorus-T. Magnezone traps Skarmory, which would otherwise hard counter Landorus-T, while benefitting from it checking Fighting- and Ground-types for it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Naive
ivs: 30 Spe
evs: 72 HP / 140 Atk / 60 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn lets Landorus-T pivot around and wear down switch-ins like Skarmory and Rotom-W and get in its teammates safely, letting it keep momentum. Hidden Power Ice hits Dragonite, Garchomp, and opposing Landorus-T hard, letting it revenge kill them even after a boost. Stone Edge OHKOes Thundurus-T, Gyarados, and Volcarona. Stealth Rock can be used over Rock Slide as a secondary Stealth Rock user for offensive teams that need Stealth Rock up at all times or on sand teams that want Tyranitar to have more flexibility in checking Latios, Reuniclus, and Thundurus-T instead of needing to set Stealth Rock every game. It also lets Stealth Rock go up early-game against Taunt leads like Aerodactyl, Terrakion, and Skarmory that try to prevent Stealth Rock from going up, which is really crucial if the opponent has a Volcarona, Dragonite, or Cloyster.
Set Details
========
The given EVs let Landorus-T outrun Choice Scarf Excadrill and more easily take hits from it and Terrakion while maintaining an offensive presence.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Landorus-T fits on sand teams that need the role compression of a Choice Scarf user and backup check to physical attackers. Tyranitar brings sand, sets up Stealth Rock, and Pursuit traps Reuniclus and Choice Scarf Latios, which can set up on and revenge kill Landorus-T, respectively. Pokemon that can handle Volcarona, like Heatran, Keldeo, and Jellicent, are important partners since Landorus-T can't revenge kill it at +1. Heatran can also set Stealth Rock and counter Grass-types like Celebi. Keldeo provides a better matchup against hyper offense threats like Scizor and Dragonite and switch into Heatran. Jellicent can check Water-types like Keldeo and Politoed and spread burn to Skarmory and Rotom-W. Stealth Rock setters like the aforementioned Tyranitar and Heatran as well as others like specially defensive Jirachi are helpful since they wear down switch-ins like Skarmory and Rotom-W, which also get chipped by a potential U-turn, bringing them into range of Landorus-T's or its teammates' (add apostrophe) attacks. Psychic-types like Alakazam and Latios appreciate the pivoting support and ability to threaten most Steel-types that Landorus-T provides, with Focus Sash Alakazam able to revenge kill any Pokemon or cripple them with Encore and Thunder Wave, (add comma) while Latios switches into Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types like Keldeo, Celebi, and Thundurus-T and can wallbreak with its Choice Specs set. Rotom-W forms a good VoltTurn core with Landorus-T and can check Fire-, Water-, and Ice-types like Heatran, Starmie, and Mamoswine.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Imprison
move 4: Explosion
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is used to get early-game momentum for hyper offense teams and wears down foes that hyper offense sweepers are normally stopped by. Explosion lets Landorus-T wear down Pokemon that try to take it out after setting up Stealth Rock, like Keldeo, Gliscor, and Latios, while also maintaining momentum. Imprison prevents slower Stealth Rock leads from getting Stealth Rock up on Landorus-T and stops opposing lead Landorus-T should it lose the Speed tie.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash is used to guarantee Stealth Rock goes up while also letting Landorus-T use Explosion should it outspeed the Pokemon that breaks its Focus Sash.
Team Options
========
This set works well on hyper offense teams due to it getting Stealth Rock up quickly, keeping momentum with Explosion, and being able to do a lot of damage as it goes down. Volcarona can break through bulkier Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, like Tyranitar, Politoed, and Gastrodon, (add comma) and enjoys Landorus-T wearing down these Pokemon and other bulky foes. Dragon Dance Dragonite can more easily sweep thanks to being able to break through bulky targets like Slowbro, Gliscor, and opposing Landorus-T with Stealth Rock up while also revenge killing faster threats with Extreme Speed more easily for the same reason. Swords Dance Scizor benefits from Garchomp forcing in Dragon-types and Alakazam to revenge kill it since it can set up on them while enjoying its Bullet Punch being able to KO Pokemon like Volcarona, Dragonite, and opposing Garchomp, making it able to easily sweep through the offensive teams that'd otherwise check and force it out due to its lower natural Speed. Offensive Starmie more easily wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support while also appreciating Landorus-T wearing down foes into range of its attacks and getting it in easily on a chipped foe thanks to Explosion. Offensive Breloom can 2HKO Pokemon like Dragonite and Thundurus-T and is more easily able to revenge kill threats with Mach Punch if Stealth Rock is up. It also enjoys Landorus-T taking out threats like Reuniclus and opposing Landorus-T for it.
[SET]
name: Fighting Gem
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Hidden Power [Ice]
item: Fighting Gem
ability: Intimidate
nature: Naughty / Naive
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Superpower, (add comma) in tandem with Fighting Gem, (add comma) breaks through checks like Skarmory, Rotom-W, and defensive Politoed and maintains a strong hit on Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice threatens Pokemon that can switch into Earthquake and Superpower, like Gliscor, Dragonite, and opposing Landorus-T, (add comma) while also hitting Garchomp and Thundurus-T harder.
Set Details
========
Fighting Gem gives Superpower a big boost in strength, letting it greatly threaten switch-ins like Skarmory, Rotom-W, and defensive Politoed. Naughty is preferred for the higher power and maintaining Hidden Power Ice's ability to severely damage Gliscor and opposing Landorus-T. Naive can be used to outrun common threats like Jolly Excadrill, Kyurem-B, Dragonite, Thundurus-T, and opposing neutral-natured (add hyphen) Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
This set works well on offensive sand teams as a wallbreaker that opens up the game for other Ground-types. Tyranitar sets sand and Stealth Rock and Pursuit traps foes that threaten Landorus-T like Reuniclus, Latios, and Alakazam with its Chople Berry set. It can also run a Choice Scarf set that lets it check offensive threats Landorus-T can't cover, like Starmie and Thundurus-T. Other offensive Ground-types like Choice Scarf Garchomp and Excadrill enjoy having Skarmory, Gliscor, and Rotom-W eliminated or significantly damaged so they can more easily sweep with Earthquake. Skarmory can set Spikes and check the physical attackers Landorus-T can't, like Excadrill, Breloom, and Dragonite. Magnezone can trap Skarmory so Landorus-T isn't as reliant on the one-time nature of Fighting Gem to break through it and lets it save the boost for another Pokemon. Latios enjoys its answers being broken through so it can more easily sweep with Choice Scarf or wallbreak with Choice Specs. It also switches into Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types like Keldeo, Celebi, and Thundurus-T. Rotom-W can switch into and threaten Skarmory, burn checks like opposing Rotom-W, Politoed, and Latios will Will-O-Wisp, and pivot Landorus-T in safely with Volt Switch. Heatran counters Grass- and Fire-types like Celebi and Volcarona, sets Stealth Rock, cripples switch-ins to Landorus-T like Rotom-W and Politoed with Toxic, and enjoys Landorus-T breaking through Ground-types like Excadrill and Gliscor.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be run on the defensive set with Magnezone if Stealth Rock can be fit elsewhere to cripple switch-ins like Rotom-W and opposing Landorus-T. However, this is usually not worth it since many of Landorus-T's other switch-ins, like Skarmory, Gliscor, Reuniclus, and Refresh Politoed, are all immune to or can cure themselves of poison. Protect can also be used alongside Toxic to get free recovery with Leftovers, scout Choice item Pokemon, and rack up Toxic damage. Rock Polish can be run standalone or in tandem with Swords Dance and Rock Gem to try and sweep late-game by outspeeding common revenge killers. Knock Off can be used on the Choice Scarf set on Ground-spam (add hyphen) teams to remove Leftovers from switch-ins like Rotom-W, Politoed, and Skarmory so its teammates can break through them more easily while also removing Rocky Helmet from Skarmory, making Landorus-T much more easily able to safely spam U-turn. A Choice Band set may seem alluring as a way for Landorus-T to more immediately wallbreak while maintaining momentum in a similar vein to the Choice Scarf variant. However, it lacks the utility the Choice Scarf set provides and is outclassed by the Swords Dance set as a result of being unable to break past bulky Pokemon like Skarmory and Gliscor and being very punishable after locking into a move. Punishment can be used on the Choice Scarf set to KO Reuniclus after boosting with Calm Mind. However, this is quite situational, and Tyranitar can pressure it with Pursuit anyway. Smack Down or Gravity can be used on the Swords Dance set to make Pokemon that are immune to Ground like Skarmory, Gliscor, and opposing Landorus-T able to be hit with Earthquake, which benefits Landorus-T and its teammates in breaking past them. However, it's hard to fit and has less utility than the other moves on the set. Earth Plate lets Jolly Landorus-T 2HKO physically defensive Politoed and Jellicent after Stealth Rock and, (add comma) if running an Adamant nature, OHKO maximum HP Tyranitar and offensive Volcarona and 2HKO Ferrothorn after Stealth Rock. Yache Berry lets Landorus-T take one Ice-type move from Pokemon like Thundurus-T and Alakazam, letting it retaliate and KO them.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Keldeo, Volcarona, Latios, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T can all outspeed and OHKO Landorus-T with super effective coverage. It can also get overwhelmed by faster threats it's meant to check if worn down, like Excadrill, Garchomp, and Terrakion, especially the Choice Scarf set. However, many of these Pokemon struggle to switch in, and can be revenge killed by the Choice Scarf set.
**Water-types**: Water-types like Politoed, Jellicent, Rotom-W, Slowbro, Keldeo, and Tentacruel in rain can outspeed or take at least one hit from and KO Landorus-T with their strong STAB moves. However, they can tend to get worn down or revenge killed by the Choice Scarf set.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory switches into Landorus-T easily, sets up Spikes on it, and punishes U-turn if running Rocky Helmet. However, it can be trapped by Magnezone, which is easy to do since Landorus-T can U-turn into it as Skarmory comes in, and it can be taken out by a +2 Fighting Gem-boosted Superpower.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [Links, 487106]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988]]
Landorus-T is a great Pokemon thanks to its good defensive utility letting it check many Pokemon paired with its solid offensive presence. Its typing, bulk, and access to Intimidate make it a good check to offensive Pokemon like Excadrill, Terrakion, Tyranitar, Breloom, and Garchomp; this is only enhanced by its immunity to sand and Spikes, giving it good longevity. These qualities, alongside its access to U-Turn, let it keep momentum and pivoting in dangerous teammates like Terrakion and Keldeo safely. This also lets it consistently set Stealth Rock throughout the game alongside its STAB Earthquake threatening the most common spinners in Excadrill and Tentacruel. Landorus-T is also offensively potent, being able to run a fully offensive set with Fighting Gem that lures checks like Skarmory and Rotom-W while also being able to blend its offensive and defensive utility together to run a Choice Scarf set that revenge kills and keeps Pokemon like Dragonite and Terrakion under control with Intimidate. However, Landorus-T is forced out by common special attackers like Latios, Keldeo, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T. It also has a tendency to get worn down throughout the gam by Stealth Rock and its tendency to switch into quite a few Pokemon that are sometimes paired together. This issue is even more true for sets lacking Leftovers, meaning its health needs to be managed throughout the game. It also has to compete with Gliscor as a defensive Ground-type, whose access to Poison Heal gives it an immunity to status and much better longevity; Gliscor can also check the same pool of Pokemon while not needing to directly switch into what it's supposed to check. Excadrill and Garchomp also give Landorus-T competition as an offensive Ground-type thanks to the former's access to Rapid Spin and ability to switch into Latios and the latter's higher Speed.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Naive
ivs: 30 Spe
evs: 240 HP / 16 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn lets Landorus-T pivot around and wear down switch-ins like Skarmory and Rotom-W and get in its teammates safely, letting it keep momentum. Hidden Power Ice hits Gliscor, Dragonite, Breloom, Garchomp, and opposing Landorus-T hard, letting it check them better.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread outspeeds Excadrill, opposing defensive Landorus-T, Modest Thundurus-T, and Substitute + Dragon Dance Dragonite. Leftovers helps Landorus-T check what it's supposed to and set Stealth Rock throughout the game. An alternative spread of 252 HP / 176 Def / 92 Spe with a Lax nature can be used to better check physical attackers while outspeeding all Breloom variants and Modest Politoed.
Team Options
========
This set fits on offensive sand teams that want their Stealth Rock setter to have more of an offensive presence and maintain momentum with U-turn. Tyranitar sets sand and Pursuit traps Reuniclus, Latios, and Alakazam with its Chople Berry set. It's able to run a coverage move or Thunder Wave with Landorus-T running Stealth Rock. It can also run a Choice Scarf set that lets it check offensive threats Landorus-T can't cover, like Starmie and Thundurus-T, while appreciating Landorus-T checking Ground-types like Excadrill and Gliscor and pivoting it in safely against Reuniclus with U-turn. Ferrothorn is able to set up Spikes to accompany Landorus-T's Stealth Rock and switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed, (add comma) while Landorus-T checks Fighting-types like Terrakion and Breloom. Breloom can check Water-types like Politoed and Tentacruel and benefits from Stealth Rock wearing down switch-ins like Latios and Thundurus-T. Psychic-types like Alakazam, Latios, and Reuniclus appreciate Landorus-T setting Stealth Rock and switching into checks like Tyranitar, Jirachi, and Ferrothorn, with each of them providing support and working well with each other. Focus Sash Alakazam is able to revenge kill any Pokemon and enjoys being safely pivoted into with U-turn while Reuniclus appreciates its switch-ins being worn down so it can sweep with Calm Mind late-game and more easily wallbreak if running its 3 Attacks set. Latios switches into Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types like Keldeo, Celebi, and Thundurus-T and can keep setup sweepers like Volcarona and Reuniclus under control with its Choice Scarf set. Jellicent can take on strong special attackers like Volcarona, Politoed, and Keldeo and spread residual damage with Will-O-Wisp and stop recovery with Taunt, (add comma) while Landorus-T checks strong physical threats like Terrakion, Garchomp, and Excadrill. Heatran counters Grass- and Fire-types like Celebi and Volcarona while also being able to drop Stealth Rock for a different support move or act in a more offensive role; (add semicolon) and appreciating it also appreciates Landorus-T's Fighting resistance. Rotom-W checks Water- and Ice-types like Starmie, Keldeo, and Mamoswine while also spreading burn with Will-O-Wisp to wear down the opponent and forms a great VoltTurn core with Landorus-T. Magnezone traps Skarmory, which would otherwise hard counter Landorus-T, while benefitting from it checking Fighting- and Ground-types for it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Naive
ivs: 30 Spe
evs: 72 HP / 140 Atk / 60 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn lets Landorus-T pivot around and wear down switch-ins like Skarmory and Rotom-W and get in its teammates safely, letting it keep momentum. Hidden Power Ice hits Dragonite, Garchomp, and opposing Landorus-T hard, letting it revenge kill them even after a boost. Stone Edge OHKOes Thundurus-T, Gyarados, and Volcarona. Stealth Rock can be used over Rock Slide as a secondary Stealth Rock user for offensive teams that need Stealth Rock up at all times or on sand teams that want Tyranitar to have more flexibility in checking Latios, Reuniclus, and Thundurus-T instead of needing to set Stealth Rock every game. It also lets Stealth Rock go up early-game against Taunt leads like Aerodactyl, Terrakion, and Skarmory that try to prevent Stealth Rock from going up, which is really crucial if the opponent has a Volcarona, Dragonite, or Cloyster.
Set Details
========
The given EVs let Landorus-T outrun Choice Scarf Excadrill and more easily take hits from it and Terrakion while maintaining an offensive presence.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Landorus-T fits on sand teams that need the role compression of a Choice Scarf user and backup check to physical attackers. Tyranitar brings sand, sets up Stealth Rock, and Pursuit traps Reuniclus and Choice Scarf Latios, which can set up on and revenge kill Landorus-T, respectively. Pokemon that can handle Volcarona, like Heatran, Keldeo, and Jellicent, are important partners since Landorus-T can't revenge kill it at +1. Heatran can also set Stealth Rock and counter Grass-types like Celebi. Keldeo provides a better matchup against hyper offense threats like Scizor and Dragonite and switch into Heatran. Jellicent can check Water-types like Keldeo and Politoed and spread burn to Skarmory and Rotom-W. Stealth Rock setters like the aforementioned Tyranitar and Heatran as well as others like specially defensive Jirachi are helpful since they wear down switch-ins like Skarmory and Rotom-W, which also get chipped by a potential U-turn, bringing them into range of Landorus-T's or its teammates' (add apostrophe) attacks. Psychic-types like Alakazam and Latios appreciate the pivoting support and ability to threaten most Steel-types that Landorus-T provides, with Focus Sash Alakazam able to revenge kill any Pokemon or cripple them with Encore and Thunder Wave, (add comma) while Latios switches into Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types like Keldeo, Celebi, and Thundurus-T and can wallbreak with its Choice Specs set. Rotom-W forms a good VoltTurn core with Landorus-T and can check Fire-, Water-, and Ice-types like Heatran, Starmie, and Mamoswine.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Imprison
move 4: Explosion
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is used to get early-game momentum for hyper offense teams and wears down foes that hyper offense sweepers are normally stopped by. Explosion lets Landorus-T wear down Pokemon that try to take it out after setting up Stealth Rock, like Keldeo, Gliscor, and Latios, while also maintaining momentum. Imprison prevents slower Stealth Rock leads from getting Stealth Rock up on Landorus-T and stops opposing lead Landorus-T should it lose the Speed tie.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash is used to guarantee Stealth Rock goes up while also letting Landorus-T use Explosion should it outspeed the Pokemon that breaks its Focus Sash.
Team Options
========
This set works well on hyper offense teams due to it getting Stealth Rock up quickly, keeping momentum with Explosion, and being able to do a lot of damage as it goes down. Volcarona can break through bulkier Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, like Tyranitar, Politoed, and Gastrodon, (add comma) and enjoys Landorus-T wearing down these Pokemon and other bulky foes. Dragon Dance Dragonite can more easily sweep thanks to being able to break through bulky targets like Slowbro, Gliscor, and opposing Landorus-T with Stealth Rock up while also revenge killing faster threats with Extreme Speed more easily for the same reason. Swords Dance Scizor benefits from Garchomp forcing in Dragon-types and Alakazam to revenge kill it since it can set up on them while enjoying its Bullet Punch being able to KO Pokemon like Volcarona, Dragonite, and opposing Garchomp, making it able to easily sweep through the offensive teams that'd otherwise check and force it out due to its lower natural Speed. Offensive Starmie more easily wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support while also appreciating Landorus-T wearing down foes into range of its attacks and getting it in easily on a chipped foe thanks to Explosion. Offensive Breloom can 2HKO Pokemon like Dragonite and Thundurus-T and is more easily able to revenge kill threats with Mach Punch if Stealth Rock is up. It also enjoys Landorus-T taking out threats like Reuniclus and opposing Landorus-T for it.
[SET]
name: Fighting Gem
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Hidden Power [Ice]
item: Fighting Gem
ability: Intimidate
nature: Naughty / Naive
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Superpower, (add comma) in tandem with Fighting Gem, (add comma) breaks through checks like Skarmory, Rotom-W, and defensive Politoed and maintains a strong hit on Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice threatens Pokemon that can switch into Earthquake and Superpower, like Gliscor, Dragonite, and opposing Landorus-T, (add comma) while also hitting Garchomp and Thundurus-T harder.
Set Details
========
Fighting Gem gives Superpower a big boost in strength, letting it greatly threaten switch-ins like Skarmory, Rotom-W, and defensive Politoed. Naughty is preferred for the higher power and maintaining Hidden Power Ice's ability to severely damage Gliscor and opposing Landorus-T. Naive can be used to outrun common threats like Jolly Excadrill, Kyurem-B, Dragonite, Thundurus-T, and opposing neutral-natured (add hyphen) Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
This set works well on offensive sand teams as a wallbreaker that opens up the game for other Ground-types. Tyranitar sets sand and Stealth Rock and Pursuit traps foes that threaten Landorus-T like Reuniclus, Latios, and Alakazam with its Chople Berry set. It can also run a Choice Scarf set that lets it check offensive threats Landorus-T can't cover, like Starmie and Thundurus-T. Other offensive Ground-types like Choice Scarf Garchomp and Excadrill enjoy having Skarmory, Gliscor, and Rotom-W eliminated or significantly damaged so they can more easily sweep with Earthquake. Skarmory can set Spikes and check the physical attackers Landorus-T can't, like Excadrill, Breloom, and Dragonite. Magnezone can trap Skarmory so Landorus-T isn't as reliant on the one-time nature of Fighting Gem to break through it and lets it save the boost for another Pokemon. Latios enjoys its answers being broken through so it can more easily sweep with Choice Scarf or wallbreak with Choice Specs. It also switches into Water-, Grass-, and Electric-types like Keldeo, Celebi, and Thundurus-T. Rotom-W can switch into and threaten Skarmory, burn checks like opposing Rotom-W, Politoed, and Latios will Will-O-Wisp, and pivot Landorus-T in safely with Volt Switch. Heatran counters Grass- and Fire-types like Celebi and Volcarona, sets Stealth Rock, cripples switch-ins to Landorus-T like Rotom-W and Politoed with Toxic, and enjoys Landorus-T breaking through Ground-types like Excadrill and Gliscor.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be run on the defensive set with Magnezone if Stealth Rock can be fit elsewhere to cripple switch-ins like Rotom-W and opposing Landorus-T. However, this is usually not worth it since many of Landorus-T's other switch-ins, like Skarmory, Gliscor, Reuniclus, and Refresh Politoed, are all immune to or can cure themselves of poison. Protect can also be used alongside Toxic to get free recovery with Leftovers, scout Choice item Pokemon, and rack up Toxic damage. Rock Polish can be run standalone or in tandem with Swords Dance and Rock Gem to try and sweep late-game by outspeeding common revenge killers. Knock Off can be used on the Choice Scarf set on Ground-spam (add hyphen) teams to remove Leftovers from switch-ins like Rotom-W, Politoed, and Skarmory so its teammates can break through them more easily while also removing Rocky Helmet from Skarmory, making Landorus-T much more easily able to safely spam U-turn. A Choice Band set may seem alluring as a way for Landorus-T to more immediately wallbreak while maintaining momentum in a similar vein to the Choice Scarf variant. However, it lacks the utility the Choice Scarf set provides and is outclassed by the Swords Dance set as a result of being unable to break past bulky Pokemon like Skarmory and Gliscor and being very punishable after locking into a move. Punishment can be used on the Choice Scarf set to KO Reuniclus after boosting with Calm Mind. However, this is quite situational, and Tyranitar can pressure it with Pursuit anyway. Smack Down or Gravity can be used on the Swords Dance set to make Pokemon that are immune to Ground like Skarmory, Gliscor, and opposing Landorus-T able to be hit with Earthquake, which benefits Landorus-T and its teammates in breaking past them. However, it's hard to fit and has less utility than the other moves on the set. Earth Plate lets Jolly Landorus-T 2HKO physically defensive Politoed and Jellicent after Stealth Rock and, (add comma) if running an Adamant nature, OHKO maximum HP Tyranitar and offensive Volcarona and 2HKO Ferrothorn after Stealth Rock. Yache Berry lets Landorus-T take one Ice-type move from Pokemon like Thundurus-T and Alakazam, letting it retaliate and KO them.
Checks and Counters
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**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Keldeo, Volcarona, Latios, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T can all outspeed and OHKO Landorus-T with super effective coverage. It can also get overwhelmed by faster threats it's meant to check if worn down, like Excadrill, Garchomp, and Terrakion, especially the Choice Scarf set. However, many of these Pokemon struggle to switch in, and can be revenge killed by the Choice Scarf set.
**Water-types**: Water-types like Politoed, Jellicent, Rotom-W, Slowbro, Keldeo, and Tentacruel in rain can outspeed or take at least one hit from and KO Landorus-T with their strong STAB moves. However, they can tend to get worn down or revenge killed by the Choice Scarf set.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory switches into Landorus-T easily, sets up Spikes on it, and punishes U-turn if running Rocky Helmet. However, it can be trapped by Magnezone, which is easy to do since Landorus-T can U-turn into it as Skarmory comes in, and it can be taken out by a +2 Fighting Gem-boosted Superpower.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [Links, 487106]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988]]
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