I'm thinking of using Archeops soon.
With how common Cobalion, Qwilfish, and other fast mons have become popular, I thought of something that could outspee and nail them with an OHKO. A small set I have been working on was...
Archeops @ Expert Belt (Pending Item)
Naive Nature
Ability: Defeatist
EVs: 8 Atk / 252 SpA / 248 Spe
-U-turn / Head Smash
-Earth Power
-Focus Blast
-Random Air Stab
I am having a hard time finding a decent anti-lead set that doesn't become walled. The 110 Base Speed is really nice because this outspeeds Durant, Heliolisk, Virizion, and Cobalion. I am dying to figure out a good way to use this burd effectively and I'd appreciate some feedback.
If you really want to use Archeops on HO as an anti-lead, its best bet is to run the set that
HypnoEmpire posted, but I actually prefer to use a Rock-type STAB over Knock Off. You can use Head Smash when you are at 1 HP to prevent Defog, Rock Tomb is also kind of cool, as lowering the opponents speed in conjunction with endeavor can really work to fuck over your opponent, Rock Slide has a nice chance to flinch, punishes Golbat that try to come in and defog, and is just an accurate STAB. I've been running a bit of HO recently, and I've found that what you should actually do is have a couple different lead options that can cover a wide variety of leads effectively. Taunt / SR / Endeavor / Rock STAB Archeops does well against most leads, but it struggles with Rhyperior, as a wrong prediction (ie using SR as they use SR, or Taunting as they Rock Blast) loses the hazards war. One Pokemon that I've found really effective paired with lead Archeops and is generally very effective on HO is the following Meloetta set:
Meloetta @ Colbur Berry / Expert Belt / Mind Plate / Assault Vest / Life Orb / Doesn't matter
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Grass Knot
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
This set is pretty cool right now (shout out to
Spirit for giving me the idea to use GK on Meloetta), as it does so much for HO in RU right now. Firstly it is capable of cock blocking Rhyperior (252 SpA Meloetta Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 248 HP / 244 SpD Solid Rock Rhyperior: 441-522 (101.8 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO), destroys Qwilfish as well (but so does Taunt Archeops so w/e). On top of this, it prevents every RU defogger from doing its job barring Skuntank (am I missing any relevant RU defoggers besides Skunk / Golbat / Shiftry ?_?), although Ebelt is necessary to guarantee the KO on Shiftry after SR (56.3% chance to OHKO after SR with no boosting item, keep in mind you need Colbur Berry to survive Sucker Punch). I think running Choice items barring a Choice Scarf users with U-turn are pretty awful on HO, as they just kill momentum, but I don't really like sacrificing Meloetta's natural bulk with life orb, as even on HO it can come in handy to have Meloetta switch into stuff. Another great thing about Meloetta is that I find it impossible to get good Ghost-resists on to offensive teams, and Meloetta is not only immune to Ghost, but it also donks Doublade with Shadow Ball.
As a side note, if you are going to run an all out attacking Archeops set, Heat Wave is 100% better than Earth Power, not only does it hit Cobalion for about the same amount, it destroys Durant (too valuable to pass up given Archeops's speed tier), and it also heavily damages Escavalier.