[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Shadow Claw / Close Combat
move 4: Toxic / Shadow Sneak
item: Eviolite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Doublade is the best answer to the most dangerous physical wallbreakers in Terrakion, Galarian Zapdos, and Pixilate Tapu Koko thanks to its unique typing and gigantic physical bulk, further boosted by Eviolite. Swords Dance takes advantage of the forced switches, giving it some offensive presence to slowly chip opposing teams and taking advantage of passive walls like Corviknight and Blissey. Iron Head is the most reliable STAB option to damage foes that Doublade checks. Shadow Claw gives Doublade great neutral coverage, while Close Combat is stronger versus Pokemon typically able to switch into its Ghost coverage, such as Heatran, Chansey, and Ferrothorn. Toxic is its preferred last move to cripple bulky foes that force it out, namely Mew, Tapu Fini, and Mandibuzz. Shadow Sneak can still be used to finish off weakened Pokemon, especially those that Doublade falls short of OHKOing like Terrakion and Tapu Lele. Doublade's EV spread is highly customizable: the given spread alongside an Impish nature avoids a 2HKO from Choice Band Terrakion's Earthquake, with the rest going into Special Defense to better take Sheer Force Moonblast from Tapu Lele in a pinch.
Doublade finds its place on bulky offense, balance, and stall teams as a sturdy check to Terrakion, Galarian Zapdos, and Pixilate Tapu Koko. However, Doublade struggles to handle common Fire-types like Heatran, Cinderace, and Talonflame, which makes Zapdos a common partner. Zarude and Mandibuzz also pair well with Doublade: the former provides passive recovery and weakens Earthquake with Grassy Surge, and both of them check Dhelmise and Zygarde-10% for it. Mandibuzz, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini provide Defog support, helping Doublade check what it's supposed to more easily. While Doublade can tank some resisted special hits, it is unable to check strong special wallbreakers like Zapdos, Inteleon, and Tapu Lele, so special walls like Blissey and Jirachi are necessary. Finally, teammates like Pixilate Tapu Koko can absorb burns and Knock Off aimed towards Doublade.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gyro Ball can deal more damage to fast foes such as Tapu Koko, Terrakion, and Zygarde-10%, but is inconsistent otherwise. An immunity ability like Flash Fire or Levitate can be useful to negate a weakness, allowing it to completely wall foes like Cinderace and Terrakion, but Doublade's lack of a reliable recovery option makes them niche.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Heatran, Chandelure, and Talonflame have no trouble breaking through Doublade. Azelf, Salamence, and Togekiss can also carry Fire Blast to dent it. However, none of them wants to switch in directly.
**Special Attackers**: Even with Eviolite and Special Defense investment, Doublade is still weak to powerful special threats in Latios, Zapdos, and Primarina.
**Ground-types**: Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Swampert are bulky enough to stomach a boosted hit from Doublade and retaliate with their attacks, although they are still annoyed by Toxic.
**Item removal**: Doublade heavily depends on Eviolite to check what it's supposed to. Knock Off from Ferrothorn, Azelf, and Toxapex and Trick from Mew and Tapu Fini all cripple it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [avyrie, 476520]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [UT, 523866]]
name: Defensive
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Shadow Claw / Close Combat
move 4: Toxic / Shadow Sneak
item: Eviolite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Doublade is the best answer to the most dangerous physical wallbreakers in Terrakion, Galarian Zapdos, and Pixilate Tapu Koko thanks to its unique typing and gigantic physical bulk, further boosted by Eviolite. Swords Dance takes advantage of the forced switches, giving it some offensive presence to slowly chip opposing teams and taking advantage of passive walls like Corviknight and Blissey. Iron Head is the most reliable STAB option to damage foes that Doublade checks. Shadow Claw gives Doublade great neutral coverage, while Close Combat is stronger versus Pokemon typically able to switch into its Ghost coverage, such as Heatran, Chansey, and Ferrothorn. Toxic is its preferred last move to cripple bulky foes that force it out, namely Mew, Tapu Fini, and Mandibuzz. Shadow Sneak can still be used to finish off weakened Pokemon, especially those that Doublade falls short of OHKOing like Terrakion and Tapu Lele. Doublade's EV spread is highly customizable: the given spread alongside an Impish nature avoids a 2HKO from Choice Band Terrakion's Earthquake, with the rest going into Special Defense to better take Sheer Force Moonblast from Tapu Lele in a pinch.
Doublade finds its place on bulky offense, balance, and stall teams as a sturdy check to Terrakion, Galarian Zapdos, and Pixilate Tapu Koko. However, Doublade struggles to handle common Fire-types like Heatran, Cinderace, and Talonflame, which makes Zapdos a common partner. Zarude and Mandibuzz also pair well with Doublade: the former provides passive recovery and weakens Earthquake with Grassy Surge, and both of them check Dhelmise and Zygarde-10% for it. Mandibuzz, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini provide Defog support, helping Doublade check what it's supposed to more easily. While Doublade can tank some resisted special hits, it is unable to check strong special wallbreakers like Zapdos, Inteleon, and Tapu Lele, so special walls like Blissey and Jirachi are necessary. Finally, teammates like Pixilate Tapu Koko can absorb burns and Knock Off aimed towards Doublade.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gyro Ball can deal more damage to fast foes such as Tapu Koko, Terrakion, and Zygarde-10%, but is inconsistent otherwise. An immunity ability like Flash Fire or Levitate can be useful to negate a weakness, allowing it to completely wall foes like Cinderace and Terrakion, but Doublade's lack of a reliable recovery option makes them niche.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Heatran, Chandelure, and Talonflame have no trouble breaking through Doublade. Azelf, Salamence, and Togekiss can also carry Fire Blast to dent it. However, none of them wants to switch in directly.
**Special Attackers**: Even with Eviolite and Special Defense investment, Doublade is still weak to powerful special threats in Latios, Zapdos, and Primarina.
**Ground-types**: Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Swampert are bulky enough to stomach a boosted hit from Doublade and retaliate with their attacks, although they are still annoyed by Toxic.
**Item removal**: Doublade heavily depends on Eviolite to check what it's supposed to. Knock Off from Ferrothorn, Azelf, and Toxapex and Trick from Mew and Tapu Fini all cripple it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [avyrie, 476520]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Isaiah, 375662], [UT, 523866]]
Last edited: