[OVERVIEW]
Xatu's access to both U-turn and Magic Bounce allows it to be an effective user of dual screens for hyper offensive teams that appreciate its ability to bring sweepers in safely and keep its screens up. Xatu's great ability in Magic Bounce prevents its screens from being removed by Defog and lets it bounce back Taunt and entry hazards. U-turn stops Xatu from being an overly passive dual screens setter and allows it to slowly pivot out to bring in a partner like Scizor or Linoone safely. However, Xatu is extremely weak to common attacking types from threats like Terrakion and Mega Manectric, which makes it unable to lead and set up screens against a majority of the tier. This gives Xatu a lot of competition as a screen setter with Azelf, which is capable of setting up screens against a lot more threats due to its greater Speed tier and fewer weaknesses. Common Dark-types like Hydreigon and Krookodile can also take advantage of Xatu very easily, the latter being able to remove Xatu's Light Clay with Knock Off, which leaves its frail teammates with fewer turns to boost their stats.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Thunder Wave
item: Light Clay
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 76 SpD / 72 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn provides Xatu with the ability to generate momentum by slowly pivoting out and giving a teammate free switches in to take full advantage of dual screens. Thunder Wave gives Xatu a way to punish Pokemon like Latias and Hydreigon, which can be problematic for hyper offensive teams to handle, and allows Xatu to potentially set up another screen against them. However, Xatu should not risk doing this without the benefit of Light Screen unless absolutely necessary, as Latias has a chance to KO it with Devastating Drake and can always do so with Gigavolt Havoc, while Hydreigon can commonly use boosting items such as Choice Specs and Life Orb to KO Xatu. Xatu can also use Thunder Wave to punish key threats like Lucario and Infernape by crippling their Speed and preventing them from using Xatu as a free setup opportunity.
Set Details
========
The Speed EVs allow Xatu to outspeed a paralyzed Choice Scarf Hydreigon and give it the opportunity to set up another screen for a teammate to take advantage of. Xatu can also outspeed Adamant Tsareena and everything slower with this investment, which lets it set up screens against other threats like Volcanion, Bewear, and Bisharp that would KO it otherwise. However, Bisharp and Tsareena are both common users of Knock Off, which could detriment the effectiveness of Xatu's screens, so they should only be used as an opportunity to set up screens as a last resort. The Defense investment allows Xatu to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch from full health, as long as Reflect is up after tanking the initial hit. The Special Defense investment in conjunction with a Calm nature allows Xatu to always take a Dark Pulse from unboosted Hydreigon to paralyze it with Thunder Wave. Magic Bounce gives Xatu the unique niche of being able to prevent the opponent from removing its dual screens with Defog when it is on the field, as well as bouncing back entry hazards from Pokemon like Hippowdon and Swampert. Xatu also prevents faster Pokemon from being able to use Taunt on it, which would otherwise prevent Xatu from setting up screens or crippling a foe with Thunder Wave.
Usage Tips
========
Xatu's primary role is to set up dual screens to help setup sweepers boost their stats to start breaking or sweeping. Xatu should not look to be the lead in a majority of games due to teams potentially having Pokemon like Latias, Hydreigon, and Mega Manectric that can threaten to KO it. Instead, it is best to lead with other suicide leads such as Krookodile that can punish and force out these threats to provide an opportunity for Xatu to set up dual screens against another foe. Xatu should attempt to set up on Pokemon like Celebi and Cobalion that are unable to effectively threaten it with their coverage options. However, Xatu should avoid unnecessary damage whenever possible by setting up screens against more passive Pokemon, such as Sylveon, Klefki, and Chesnaught, to improve its chances of setting up screens again later on in a match. Against bulkier hazard setters like Klefki and Swampert, Xatu can switch into them to reflect back entry hazards, which can be amazing for teammates like Venomoth that do not appreciate switching into hazards and benefit from entry hazards wearing down its foes. However, this should not always be prioritized, as it can waste multiple turns of your screens, creating fewer opportunities for teammates to easily set up. Xatu can also utilize Magic Bounce to bounce back status-inducing moves like Toxic from Pokemon such as Hippowdon and the aforementioned Swampert to cripple them while also using these passive entry hazard users as a free opportunity to set up screens. Once Xatu has set up dual screens, it should prioritize using its slow U-turn to get in partners like Scizor, Feraligatr, and Latias safely so they can take advantage of Xatu's dual screens as much as possible. Thunder Wave should also be utilized to prevent Pokemon like Latias from freely using Xatu as a setup opportunity while also making it easier for a teammate to revenge kill them.
Team Options
========
Krookodile is a great partner for Xatu that can act as a suicide lead capable of punishing Electric- and Ghost-types as well as Latias, which Xatu struggles to set screens against. Krookodile can also set up Stealth Rock, which can rack up a lot of damage in conjunction with Xatu using U-turn to chip down Pokemon to help many of the setup users. Krookodile also has Taunt to prevent entry hazards and Defog from Pokemon like Hippowdon and Gligar, which helps take pressure off Xatu having to switch in to utilize Magic Bounce. Wallbreakers like Latias and Mega Altaria work well with Xatu, as they provide a lot of defensive utility alongside having strong breaking prowess. They also handle Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Zeraora that can prevent Xatu from setting screens immediately. Scizor is another great partner alongside Xatu, as it appreciates the defense boosts from screens to freely set up with Swords Dance and proceed to sweep or wallbreak. Scizor also helps revenge kill and force out Pokemon like Kyurem and Mamoswine, which Xatu invites and struggles to set up screens against. Sweepers like Linoone and Feraligatr appreciate the additional bulk to set up a lot more easily. Feraligatr in particular has the natural bulk and typing to take advantage of situations like Choice Band Scizor locking itself into Bullet Punch to remove Xatu as a free opportunity to set up a Dragon Dance. Pokemon that can take advantage of Dark-types like Hydreigon make fantastic partners for Xatu. Swords Dance Lucario is a great partner for this reason, as it can gain a Justified boost from a Hydreigon Choice-locked into Dark Pulse and proceed to KO it or force it out. Venomoth appreciates Xatu being able to prevent Stealth Rock from going up, which Venomoth is weak to. Venomoth also appreciates screens providing it with the boost in defense to set up safely; for instance, Venomoth is capable of taking a Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch and then KOing in return with Savage Spin-Out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive Xatu set with an EV spread of 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe can be used on stall and semi-stall teams as a consistent pivot into the tier's entry hazard setters such as Mega Aggron, Hippowdon, and Swampert that can also outspeed Scizor to potentially KO it with Heat Wave. However, it is hard to justify using this over common entry hazard removers like Gligar and Mega Altaria due to its weakness to common offensive Stealth Rock setters like Terrakion and Krookodile as well as Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Hydreigon is capable of outspeeding Xatu and KOing it with Devastating Drake or a Life Orb-boosted Dark Pulse. Choice Scarf variants can potentially cause it to flinch to prevent screens going up, so Xatu cannot safely lead against it to set up screens. Krookodile and Bisharp also limit the effectiveness of screens due to their ability to threaten Xatu with their Dark-type STAB moves, especially Knock Off, which makes Xatu lose its Light Clay. Krookodile is also faster than Xatu, which prevents Xatu from being able to set up a screen that has been extended in duration by Light Clay.
**Electric-types and Electric-type Coverage**: Mega Manectric and Zeraora are both faster than Xatu and threaten to KO it, preventing it from being able to set up screens safely against them, and they can also generate momentum against it with Volt Switch. They are also immune to Thunder Wave, so Xatu is unable to punish them. Xatu must also be careful around Latias, as it can run Electric-type coverage and use Gigavolt Havoc to OHKO Xatu.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types like Gengar and Chandelure can threaten Xatu due to their ability to potentially KO it. They can also both freely use Substitute to avoid Thunder Wave, and the latter can set up on it with Calm Mind.
**Rock-types**: Nihilego, Mega Aerodactyl, and Terrakion can all prevent Xatu from being able to set up screens safely. Mega Aerodactyl can also Pursuit trap Xatu, allowing another member to potentially remove it more easily and stop it from setting up dual screens.
**Ice-types**: Mamoswine and Kyurem can easily threaten to KO Xatu and prevent it from leading. Both of them can also pressure Krookodile, which is a common partner alongside Xatu. Mamoswine is also immune to Thunder Wave, while Kyurem can set up a Substitute to avoid being paralyzed.
**Knock Off**: Passive Knock Off users like Tentacruel, Empoleon, and Alomomola are able to punish Xatu by removing its Light Clay, which reduces the number of turns Xatu's partners can take advantage of the screens.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Twilight, 344575]]
- Quality checked by: [[Amane Misa, 312356], [Martha, 384270], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
- Grammar checked by: [[A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157], [FireFlame479, 231476]]
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