Xurkitree [QC 1/3]

cityscapes

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*deep breath*

[OVERVIEW]

* Xurkitree's impressive base Special Attack of 173, in combination with its access to Tail Glow, means that it can break through most defensive Pokémon after just one turn of setup.
* Furthermore, its ability Beast Boost helps it potentially snowball after it KOs an opponent, and its damage output can still become amazing even in the event that it can't get a Tail Glow off.
* However, Xurkitree's bulk and Speed are mediocre, meaning that it can be OHKO'd by the multitude of faster Pokémon in OU, such as Mega Medicham and Landorus-T.
* Additionally, Xurkitree's pure Electric typing provides almost no defensive utility at all.
* Xurkitree is outclassed in many roles by other Electric-types, such as Tapu Koko and Thundurus-I.

[SET]
name: Z-Move Sweeper
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Hypnosis / Energy Ball
item: Psychium Z / Air Balloon
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Tail Glow raises Xurkitree's Special Attack by three stages, drastically improving its power.
* Thunderbolt is Xurkitree's main STAB move.
* Hidden Power Ice can help Xurkitree beat common Ground and Grass-types that would otherwise threaten it, such as defensive Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Tangrowth.
* Z-Hypnosis boosts Xurkitree's Speed by one stage, allowing it to outspeed nearly every opponent with Sticky Web support. Additionally, it has a 60% chance to put the opponent to sleep, granting Xurkitree free turns to attack or set up Tail Glow.
* Energy Ball can be used as a second coverage move on Baton Pass teams. It hits many Ground-types, such as Excadrill, Quagsire, and Gastrodon, harder than Hidden Power Ice.

Set Details
========

* 252 Special Attack EVs help Xurkitree hit as hard as possible.
* Maximum Speed with a Timid nature allows Xurkitree to outspeed as many opponents as it can.
* Psychium Z allows Xurkitree to boost its Speed stat with Z-Hypnosis, while Air Balloon is an alternative option on Baton Pass teams that helps Xurkitree set up on some Ground-types.

Usage Tips
========

* Bring Xurkitree in on a KO or a slow pivot move if you can, because it can't switch into any attacks.
* Set up Tail Glow or Z-Hypnosis against opponents that Xurkitree threatens out, like defensive Celesteela, Skarmory, and Tapu Fini, then proceed to break holes in opposing teams.
* Keep in mind that Xurkitree probably won't sweep unless it has the necessary speed control. If it is used on a Sticky Web team, pressure your opponent's hazard removers as much as you can.
* Xurkitree usually has no use against opposing offense teams unless it has speed control support, so it usually won't contribute much in these matchups.

Team Options
========

* Xurkitree does best on specific hyper offense archetypes including Baton Pass and Sticky Web because of the support it derives from speed control.
* Sticky Web allows Xurkitree to outspeed nearly all opponents after it uses Z-Hypnosis, helping it to easily break through opposing teams. For this reason, Xurkitree does well on teams with Sticky Web setters such as Smeargle.
* Xurkitree also works well on Baton Pass teams because of the benefits it derives from speed passing. Scolipede is a good Pokémon for this.
* Xurkitree appreciates Pokémon that can wear down opponents that check it, such as Marowak-A and Ferrothorn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A Z-Electric Terrain set can be used over Z-Hypnosis to strengthen Xurkitree's Electric-type attacks even further. However, it doesn't pressure the opposing Pokémon, meaning that your opponent can switch in a check and force Xurkitree out.
* Alternative Hidden Power types, such as Ground, can be used to lure in Xurkitree's original checks and counters.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Ground-types**: Although they have to be wary of Hidden Power Ice, Ground-type Pokémon such as offensive Landorus-T, Dugtrio, Zygarde, Garchomp, and Excadrill can threaten to OHKO Xurkitree with their STAB moves.

**Faster Offensive Pokémon**: Faster, strong Pokémon like Tapu Lele and Mega Charizard Y can deal lots of damage to Xurkitree even without super effective moves. Even Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion can win against a weakened Xurkitree.

**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn can survive a +3 hit from Xurkitree and 2HKO with Power Whip, leaving Xurkitree in range of a teammate.

**Lightning Rod Alolan Marowak**: Alolan Marowak with the Lightning Rod ability can comfortably take any of Xurkitree's attacks besides rare Hidden Power variants and threaten to OHKO in return. However, it should be wary of switching in on Hypnosis.
 
Last edited:

Colonel M

I COULD BE BORED!
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Yeah definitely no on that.

[SET]
name: Tail Glow
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Hypnosis
item: Psychium Z
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

- Energy Ball in Moves.
- Air Balloon on Set Details.
- Focus on Archtypes (Baton Pass and Sticky Webs) for this. With Z Hypnosis in mind stick with Sticky Web as the primary team options, then mention Scolipede as a partner and a Pokemon that can handle some of Xurkitree's headaches for Baton Pass. I wouldn't bother with Alolan Ninetales.

OO:

- HP Ground
- Electrium as a nuke but realistically Z Hypnosis or have someone else use a Z Move.
- Get rid of Choice Scarf... why do people keep trying to bring this set back?

Remove all mentions of Pheromosa.

Ill QC check through this more carefully after we start with that cleanup.
 
Wouldn't Z Electric Terrain be better than Z Hypnosis? Gives you the same +1 Speed, but also gives Thunderbolt a 50% power boost. If you're up against a slower team, you can save the Z crystal for Gigavolt Havoc, a la Z Rain Dance Manaphy. It also won't miss, unlike Hypnosis.
 
even if hypnosis can miss, it is the superior choice since you get a free turn 60% of the time. in addition to this, you have two chances to land if they switch out. there is no way you are sweeping if xurkitree takes damage, which is why xurkitree is used as a high risk, high reward pokemon on sticky web.

also, just heads up team options should follow this order:
- the first bullet point should be sticky web from smeargle. reason? +1 xurkitree can't outpace common scarf users such as garchomp and keldeo so sticky web slows them down making a sweep very possible.
- the second bullet should be baton pass. when you use xurkitree on baton pass, you DON'T use z-hypnosis since you may as well maximize coverage with energy ball or use substitute. mention air balloon, shuca berry, and electrium z in set details if you are using xurkitree on baton pass teams.
- last bullet points should include other baton pass and sticky web staples
 
can i suggest specs for OO and note of its ability to 2hko av tangrowth after rocks, or with modest

252 SpA Choice Specs Xurkitree Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth: 176-208 (43.5 - 51.4%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock (2hkos w/o rocks if modest)

and its ability to brute past other common switch ins, a bit like hoopa-u but with less spam-able moves.

and no mentions of a scarf set? or is it too bad ?
 
With Landorus-T everywhere Electric moves aren't spammable at all, and being locked into Hidden Power Ice / Grass Knot isn't preferable either due to their low power.
 

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
[OVERVIEW]

* Xurkitree's impressive base Special Attack of 173, in combination with its access to Tail Glow, means that it can break through most defensive Pokémon after just one turn of setup.
* Furthermore, its ability Beast Boost helps it become almost unstoppable after it KOs an opponent, and its damage output can still become amazing even in the event that it can't get a Tail Glow off. (unstoppable is pushing it. Just mention how it's useful for snow balling with or without set up)
* However, Xurkitree suffers from many flaws.
* Its bulk and Speed are mediocre, meaning that it can be OHKO'd by the multitude of faster Pokémon in OU. (such as....)
* Additionally, Xurkitree's pure Electric typing provides almost no defensive utility at all, and the many Ground-types in the tier are immune to its STAB moves.
* Xurkitree can only reach its full potential if it has lots of support.
*Faces stiff competition from other Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Thundurus-I


[SET]
name: Z-Move Sweeper
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Hypnosis / Energy Ball
item: Psychium Z / Air Balloon
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Tail Glow raises Xurkitree's Special Attack by three stages, drastically improving its power.
* Thunderbolt is Xurkitree's main STAB move.
* Hidden Power Ice can help Xurkitree beat common Ground and Grass-types that would otherwise threaten it, such as defensive Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Tangrowth.
* Z-Hypnosis boosts Xurkitree's Speed by one stage, allowing it to outspeed nearly every opponent with Sticky Web support. Additionally, it has a 60% chance to put the opponent to sleep, granting Xurkitree free turns to attack or set up Tail Glow.
* Energy Ball can be used as a second coverage move on Baton Pass teams. It hits many Ground-types, such as Excadrill, Quagsire and Gastrodon harder than Hidden Power Ice.

Set Details
========

* 252 Special Attack EVs help Xurkitree hit as hard as possible
* Maximum Speed with a Timid nature allows Xurkitree to outspeed as many opponents as it can.
* Psychium Z allows Xurkitree to boost its Speed stat with Z-Hypnosis, while Air Balloon is an alternative option that helps Xurkitree set up on some Ground-types. (mention how this item is only used on BP)

Usage Tips
========

* Bring Xurkitree in on a KO or a slow pivot move if you can, because it can't switch into any attacks.
* Set up Tail Glow or Z-Hypnosis against opponents that Xurkitree threatens out, like defensive Celesteela, Skarmory, and Tapu Fini, then proceed to break holes in opposing teams.
* Keep in mind that Xurkitree probably won't sweep unless it has the necessary speed control. If it is used on a Sticky Web team, pressure your opponent's hazard removers as much as you can.
* Xurkitree usually has no use against opposing offense teams unless it has speed control support, so it usually won't contribute much in these matchups.

Team Options
========

* Xurkitree does best on specific hyper offense archetypes including Baton Pass and Sticky Web because of the support it derives from speed control.
* Sticky Web allows Xurkitree to outspeed nearly all opponents after it uses Z-Hypnosis, helping it to easily break through opposing teams. (mention Smeargle as a setter)
* Xurkitree also works well on Baton Pass teams because of the benefits it derives from speed passing. Items such as Air Balloon and Shuca Berry help Xurkitree bring some defensive utility to the team; alternatively, Electrium Z gives Xurkitree amazing breaking power to help it snowball easily with Beast Boost. (mention Scolipede as a partner for obvious reasons)
* Pokémon that share checks with Xurkitree, such as Tapu Koko, are good choices because more often than not Xurkitree will be able to deal significant damage to these checks.
* Aurora Veil Ninetales-A is another viable team option because it almost ensures that Xurkitree can set up safely.

Mention Pokemon that wear down some of its checks such as Alolan Marowak, Ferrothorn

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Ground-types**: Although they have to be wary of getting hit on the switch by Hidden Power Ice, Ground-type Pokémon such as offensive Landorus-T, Dugtrio, Garchomp, Zygarde and Excadrill can threaten to OHKO Xurkitree with Earthquake. (mention Gastrodon and Quagsire if it's lacking Energy Ball)

**Faster Offensive Pokémon**: Faster, strong Pokémon like Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross can deal lots of damage to Xurkitree even without super effective moves. Even Choice Scarf users such as Nihilego Terrakion can win against a weakened Xurkitree.

**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn can survive a +3 hit from Xurkitree and 2HKO with Power Whip, leaving Xurkitree in range of a teammate.

**Lightning Rod Alolan Marowak**: Alolan Marowak with the Lightning Rod ability can comfortably take any of Xurkitree's attacks besides rare Hidden Power variants and threaten to OHKO in return. However, it should be wary of switching in on Hypnosis.


QC 1/3
 

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