Overview
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Alakazam has made a major splash in UU as is one of the most reliable revenge killers. Its in UU,(ac) with access to amazing coverage with moves such as Dazzling Gleam, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, and Energy Ball. Thanks to its amazing ability, Magic Guard, it doesn't have to worry about switching into hazards or being crippled worn down by status. Focus Sash guarantees it can live any hit, compliementing its the perfect coverage in has thanks to its movepool. It also has a,(ac) decent base 120 Speed, and base 135 Special Attack, meaning it can naturally outspeed all but two Pokemons in UU, Noivern and Crobat, and reliably revenge kill them all.
While it does have all the things to make it an excellent revenge killer,(rc) it also has a few flaws. Its However,(ac) Alakazam's pitiful bulk means it has to rely on OHKOing the Pokemon it is trying to revenge kill or otherwise its Sash will be is broken.,(period to comma) Also and while it is an amazing revenge killer, it cannot reliably revenge kill Choice Scarf users, Noivern, or Crobat,(ac) as they all outspeed Alakazam. It also has a hard time switching in as for it to switch in,(rc) it tends to require a Pokemon to be sacrificed so that it can get a free switch -in.
Focus Sash (Revenge Killer)
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name: Focus Sash (Revenge Killer)
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast / Energy Ball
move 4: Dazzling Gleam
ability: Magic Guard
item: Focus Sash
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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Psyshock is an amazing STAB move that allows Alakazam to get around common special walls such as Florges, allowing it to stay in and continue to hit hard. though Psychic may be an option if special walls are not a problem to the team. Shadow Ball allows Alakazam to hit opposing Psychic- and Ghost- types hard.,(period to comma) and Focus Blast is a great move to bop Steel- types,(rc), who are not hit as hard from Shadow Ball, such as Mega Aggron,(rc), and Dark- types, although the accuracy is a bit below par. Energy Ball can be a possible replacement if Bbulky Water- types provide a problem to the team. Last slot goes to Dazzling Gleam,(rc) allowing allows Alakazam to hit Dark- types more reliably than Focus Blast.
Set Details
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Focus Sash is used to ensure secure that Alakazam can take a hit before it proceeds to OHKO the Pokemon in front of it,(rc), as the combination of Focus Sash +and Magic Guard means Alakazam is guaranteed to get a hit in. Max Special Attack EVs and max Speed EVs are used to allow Alakazam to hit as hard and as fast as it can. A Timid is used as this nature allows Alakazam to outspeed positive natured, fully invested base 115s,(ac) such as Azelf.,(period to comma) This also and allows Alakazam to sSpeed tie other positive natured fully invested Alakazams.
Usage Tips
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This set should be used on an offensive team,(ac) as it is too frail to take hits and should only be coming in after something dies. Alakazam has amazing coverage and this set capitalizes on it, allowing it to run four moves that, when predicted right with correct prediction, can hurt switch-ins for a lot. The Focus Sash also guarantees that Alakazam can get a hit off no matter what if it is brought in safely, as Magic Guard allows it to not be affected by entry hazards.
Team Options
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Wallbreakers, such as Choice Band Entei or Life Orb Darmanitan, love having Alakazam as a "cleaner" of sorts,(ac) as they can reliably wear down walls to the point that Alakazam can reliably revenge kill them. Hazard setters, such as Forretress or Froslass, are really helpful for Alakazam as they can secure some OHKOs for Alakazam with Stealth Rocks or Spikes.,(period to comma) These hazards are particularly beneficial to and generally wear down the opponent,(rc) to allowing Alakazam to finish them off cleanly. Volt-Turn strategy is a great asset to Alakazam as it is a great way to keep the momentum on your side whilst also wearing down the opponent's Pokemon, allowing Alakazam to come in and KO them. GA good partners for this can be Mega Ampharos, as a slow Volt Switch can bring in Alakazam safely and it hits hard coming off of Mega Ampharos' base 165 Special Attack.
Life Orb Attacker
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name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Focus Blast / Calm Mind
ability: Magic Guard
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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Psyshock is an overall great STAB move, allowing Alakazam to get around special walls not named Umbreon. Shadow Ball allows Alakazam to hit the Ghost- types and opposing Psychic- types. Dazzling Gleam allows Alakazam to hit Dark- types with reliable accuracy. Focus Blast is the first choice for the last slot as it allows Alakazam to deal with the Steel- types that wall its STAB move otherwise, (ac) and its coverage. Calm Mind is another option for the last slot as it is a great boosting move for Alakazam, boosting its boosts Alakazam's power to even greater levels.
Set Details
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Max Special Attack EVs and Max Speed EVs are used to allow Alakazam to sSpeed tie other Alakazams and outspeed a decent portion of the the metagame while hitting hard. Timid is used as Alakazam misses out on outspeeding some valuable to outspeed some Pokemon such as Infernape and Froslass. Life Orb is used as a way to boost Alakazam's power and thanks to Magic Guard, Alakazam isn't worn down by Life Orb recoil. This set can be used as more of a wallbreaker, as it can hit a lot harder than the Focus Sash set with little drawbacks.
Usage Tips
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This set is more geared towards being a wallbreaker, hitting a lot harder at the cost of not being able to reliably revenge kill. The Life Orb boost allows Alakazam to hit a lot harder while being naturally fast.,(ac) and is complemented by its naturally high Speed.
Team Options
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Life Orb Alakazam appreciates Choice Scarf users teammates,(ac) as this set is more geared to wallbreaking. Pokemon such as Darmanitan and Mienshao are great partners, revenge killing with ease while also being able to wear down the opponent's team with U-turn. Alakazam forces a lot of switches so Spikes setters, such as Forretress and Roserade, are really good teammates,(ac) as many of the Pokemon that tend to switch into Alakazam are bulky Steel- types. Healing Wish users, such as Shaymin, are very much -appreciated teammates, giving Alakazam a second chance in the game.
Other Options
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Encore is an amazing option, allowing Alakazam to lock Pokemon into a status move or hazard move, forcing easy switches and allowing Alakazam to set up if it wants. Substitute is another option, allowing Alakazam to play mind games with Sucker Punch users such as Mega Absol. Thunder Wave is another great option as Alakazam can cripple those that it cannot OHKO with its coverage moves. Calm Mind + Recover Alakazam sets up on stall Pokemon that rely on status moves to do damage and relatively weak special attackers. The only status that hurts Alakazam is paralysis as Magic Guard doesn't block the speed drop / paralysis chance.
Checks & Counters
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**Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf users, such as Mienshao, Darmanitan, and Hydreigon, all outspeed Alakazam and proceed to break Alakazam's Sash or OHKO it while grabbing momentum.
**Special Walls**: While Alakazam has Psyshock, most special walls have ways to recover the damage and can easily cripple Alakazam in return via paralysis.
**Assault Vest Users**: Assault Vest users, such as Meloetta and Drapion, can take many of Alakazam's hits as they either resist or are immune to its STAB and its coverage is only doing neutral damage to them.
**Priority Users**: Priority Attackers, such as Mega Absol and Mixed Nidoking, are a thorn in Alakazam's side, as they can easily revenge kill Alakazam if the Focus Sash is broken or if it is holding a Life Orb.
**Other Physical Attackers**: Pokemon,(rc) such as Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Absol,(rc) can easily wear outspeed Alakazam outspeed in Mega Aerodactyl's case,(ac) or revenge kill it with Sucker Punch in Mega Absol's case.