taken over from iwanka
[OVERVIEW]
Magic Bounce lets Xatu deflect status moves and entry hazards, making it a good choice for balance teams that struggle with defensive hazard setters such as Forretress, Tentacruel, and Qwilfish. Xatu also has a fairly large movepool, letting it serve as a defensive pivot with U-turn or an offensive anti-hazard Pokemon that can beat most hazard setters in the tier. However, Xatu's defensive stats and typing leave much to be desired, as it is weak to many common attacking types as well as the omnipresent Knock Off. While Xatu does have a good offensive movepool, it doesn't deal a lot of damage, even when boosted by a Life Orb, and its Speed is also somewhat mediocre, leaving it outclassed by Azelf in a purely offensive role. While Magic Bounce is a good way to keep hazards off the field, it's not the most reliable source of hazard control on its own.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Night Shade / Psychic
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Thunder Wave / Toxic
Move 4: Roost
ability: Magic Bounce
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Night Shade is used to deal consistent damage, hitting targets that can usually shrug off Psychic such as Mega Aggron, Forretress, and Empoleon. Psychic is Xatu's best option for a STAB attack, as it can hit Fighting- and Poison-types such as Machamp, Crobat, Tentacruel, and Qwilfish for super effective damage. U-turn lets Xatu gain momentum, and allows it to escape Pokemon that commonly switch in and force Xatu out, such as Hydreigon and Mega Ampharos. Thunder Wave lets Xatu cripple offensive threats and certain switch-ins, such as Hydreigon, Mega Aerodactyl, and Chandelure. Toxic can be used to put setup sweepers such as Cresselia on a timer and pressure defensive switch-ins such as Porygon2. Roost serves as reliable recovery that lets Xatu stay healthy throughout the match.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and nature maximize Xatu's physical bulk, letting it switch into physical attackers such as Crobat and Cobalion with little trouble. Magic Bounce bounces back status moves and entry hazards, which puts pressure on the opponent when they want to set up. If passive recovery isn't needed, Rocky Helmet can be used, to wear down physical attackers and punish common U-turn users such as Crobat and Gligar, as well as Rapid Spin users. Leftovers is used for passive recovery to keep Xatu healthy in combination with Roost.
Usage Tips
========
Xatu fits well on teams that appreciate the Magic Bounce support. Balance thrives off Thunder Wave support to cripple threats and Magic Bounce support to keep entry hazards off the field. Xatu should try to catch threats that commonly switch into it, such as Hydreigon and Aerodactyl, with Thunder Wave. U-turn should usually be used as the opponent switches in their check, as it keeps up momentum and inflicts chip damage. Xatu should typically be switched into Pokemon that can't seriously harm it, such as Forretress and Swampert. However, Xatu shouldn't be played too recklessly when trying to bounce back hazards, as some hazard setters, such as Krookodile, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, can OHKO Xatu as it comes in.
Team Options
========
Bulky Steel-types such as Empoleon pair well with Xatu, as they can switch into special attackers that threaten Xatu, such as Hydreigon and Kyurem. While Xatu can deflect status moves, such as Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, it is still susceptible to status as a secondary effect, such as Scald and Sludge Bomb. As such, cleric support is appreciated, as status significantly decreases Xatu's longevity. Blissey, Florges, and Granbull are all good choices for clerics, as the former can set up Stealth Rock and tank special hits for Xatu, and the latter two can deal with most Dark-types. In turn, all these Pokemon appreciate the Magic Bounce support provided by Xatu, as they get worn down by hazards. Wallbreakers, such as Life Orb Hydreigon, Heracross, and Choice Specs Chandelure, all appreciate Xatu's ability to bring them in safely with U-turn. While Xatu has access to Magic Bounce, it can't always be relied on to keep hazards off the field, so it pairs well with hazard removers such as Empoleon, Tentacruel, and Forretress. As Xatu can usually force out passive Pokemon, pairing it with hazard setters, such as Qwilfish, Roserade, Blissey, Swampert, Forretress, and Cobalion, can put pressure on more defensive teams.
[SET]
name: Offensive
Move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
Move 2: Grass Knot
Move 3: Heat Wave
Move 4: Dazzling Gleam / Roost / U-turn
ability: Magic Bounce
item: Life Orb / Colbur Berry
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic hits Pokemon such as Heracross, Tentacruel, and Crobat for super effective damage, as well as dealing more damage than Psyshock to targets such as Rhyperior, Swampert, and Cobalion. Psyshock is less powerful overall than Psychic, but does more damage to Florges and Blissey. Grass Knot is used to hit bulky Water-types such as Suicune, Swampert, and Seismitoad, as well as Ground-types such as Mamoswine, Krookodile, and Rhyperior. Heat Wave is used to hit Steel- and Grass-types such as Forretress, Mega Aggron, Tangrowth, and Cobalion. Dazzling Gleam is used to hit Dark-types that commonly switch in on Xatu, such as Krookodile, Hydreigon, and Pangoro, as well as Dragon-types such as Kyurem and Salamence. Roost can be used to increase Xatu's longevity, keeping it from getting worn down by Life Orb recoil. U-turn can be used to keep up momentum and rack up chip damage.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and nature are used to outspeed common offensive Pokemon such as Krookodile and Lucario and maximize Xatu's Special Attack. Life Orb is used to boost Xatu's power and helps it get certain KOs, such as on Lucario with Heat Wave and Tyrantrum with Dazzling Gleam. Colbur Berry can be used to take Dark-type attacks from Pokemon such as Mega Absol, Hydreigon, Krookodile, Mega Beedrill, Heracross, and Machamp, and let Xatu retaliate with Dazzling Gleam or Psychic. Magic Bounce deflects status and entry hazards, and puts pressure on more defensive teams that rely on passive Pokemon to get up hazards.
Usage Tips
========
Xatu should be brought in on more passive entry hazard setters, such as Forretress and Swampert, that can't deal a lot of damage to Xatu. This set fits well on offensive teams that need an anti-hazard Pokemon that can KO, or at least weaken, common hazard setters. Xatu shouldn't be directly switching in on more offensive hazard setters though, as Pokemon such as Nidoqueen and Krookodile can OHKO Xatu as it switches in.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard setters pair well with Xatu, as it appreciates its switch-ins being weakened by residual damage. Roserade, Qwilfish, Swampert, Krookodile, and Cobalion can set up hazards reliably. Late-game cleaners that appreciate Xatu breaking down certain walls, such as Forretress and Mega Aggron, are good partners, such as Mega Sharpedo, Yanmega, and Mienshao. Hazard removers, such as Mega Blastoise and Crobat, are also good partners, as, while Xatu can deflect hazards, it's not a foolproof way of keeping them off the field.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Wish can be used for Xatu to heal itself and its teammates, but Roost gives much more reliable recovery and the Wishes Xatu passes aren't too large due to its base 65 HP. Reflect and Light Screen are options to provide setup opportunities for certain sweepers. A set with Calm Mind and Stored Power does fairly well against stall, but Xatu generally doesn't have the bulk to pull it off and takes too long to set up to the point where it'll be effective. Tailwind is another option to support offensive teams, but this role is generally filled better by Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Aerodactyl. Trick Room can be used to support slow wallbreakers, but Xatu faces competition from Pokemon such as Porygon2, Slowking, and Cofagrigus as a Trick Room setter.
Checks And Counters
===================
** Powerful Attackers**: Even when invested, Xatu doesn't have a large amount of bulk, so Pokemon such as Entei and Feraligatr can overwhelm and KO it. Xatu also has trouble with most special attackers, such as Hydreigon and mixed variants of Salamence.
**Super Effective Hits**: Most Pokemon that can hit Xatu for super effective damage, such as Hydreigon, Chandelure, Mega Blastoise, Rotom-H, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Ampharos, can OHKO Xatu due to its mediocre bulk, and usually force it out with little trouble.
**Boosting Pokemon**: Pokemon with Rest and Sleep Talk, such as Suicune, Snorlax, and Mega Aggron, use Xatu as setup fodder, as they shrug off most attacks from Xatu and don't usually mind status. Reuniclus and Cresselia also can take anything Xatu uses and set up on it, although non-Substitute variants of Cresselia have to be wary of Toxic.
**Empoleon**: Empoleon can take anything Xatu throws at it, although it doesn't like getting worn down by Night Shade, and can pressure Xatu if it gets a burn with Scald.
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