[OVERVIEW]
Landorus-T's great offensive presence, good bulk boosted further by Intimidate, and decent Speed allow it to take on common Pokemon in the 1v1 metagame such as Victini, Mega Charizard X, and Magearna. It's great typing also helps it beat metagame threats such as Zeraora and Magearna, while Intimidate's effective bulk boost helps in matchups versus attackers such as Mega Gyarados, Haxorus, and Mega Lopunny. It also has access to utility moves such as Bulk Up, Swords Dance, and Rock Tomb, making it harder to accurately check with metagame threats such as Mega Gyarados and Donphan. Landorus-T can effectively play both a bulky offensive role with Z-Moves and bulk investment and a hyper offensive role with a Choice Scarf and Speed investment, which plays into its great versatility. However, Landorus-T's 4x weakness to Ice-type moves shouldn't be overlooked, as faster threats such as Genesect and offensive Mega Metagross often carry an Ice-type move and simply OHKO Landorus-T with it. In addition to this, it is also weak to specially offensive Water-types such as Primarina and Tapu Fini, as they are too bulky for Landorus-T to handle, can KO it with super effective moves, and can take advantage of its vulnerable Special Defense. Moreover, Landorus-T lacks tools to deal with bulky special attackers such as Tapu Lele and Meloetta because of their overwhelming power. It also struggles to break physically defensive stall Pokemon like Mega Slowbro, Clefable, and Type: Null, and its Speed leaves Landorus-T susceptible to faster threats such as Jumpluff.
[SET]
name: Bulky Flyinium Z
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Fly
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Rock Tomb / Substitute
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 56 HP / 40 Atk / 236 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance helps overtake the debuffs from Intimidate users such as Mega Gyarados and Bulk Up users such as Krookodile and opposing Landorus-T. Supersonic Skystrike is Landorus-T's primary STAB move, swiftly getting rid of Grass- and Fighting-types such as Mega Venusaur and Kommo-o. Earthquake is its secondary STAB move, beating Steel-type and Fire-type Pokemon such as Magearna, in tandem with Substitute, and Heatran. Rock Tomb helps in matchups where being faster helps, especially against stall Pokemon like most variants of Kee Berry Mew and stall Deoxys-S, as both carry Taunt and prevent Landorus-T from using Swords Dance. It also helps slow down Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X and physical Dragonite. You can run Substitute over Rock Tomb to avoid status moves such as Toxic and Charm from Pokemon like Umbreon and Metal Burst from Mega Aggron, allowing Landorus-T to set up or take damage behind a Substitute.
Set Details
========
56 HP EVs and 236 Defense EVs allow Landorus-T to survive an unboosted Waterfall from Mega Gyarados. If you choose to run Bulk Up, the same EV spread will also allow Landorus-T to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Garchomp after a boost. 176 Speed EVs let Landorus-T outspeed Adamant variants of Mega Gyarados. 40 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature maximize Landorus-T's damage output with the remaining EVs so you can always OHKO bulky Mega Gyarados with Supersonic Skystrike after a Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Supersonic Skystrike is usually the STAB move of choice, landing an OHKO on threats such as Tapu Bulu, Mega Venusaur, and Buzzwole. Against Pokemon such as Crustle and Choice Band Garchomp, which barely survive a Supersonic Skystrike, it is best to use Rock Tomb first before going for the Z-Move. Against Pokemon that are too bulky to be taken out by a Z-Move or Earthquake, such as Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Mega Mawile, its best to use Swords Dance before going for a super effective move. Against Golem, use Supersonic Skystrike, as Landorus-T can take Golem's Counter followed by Sucker Punch, and then use Earthquake. Against physical Dragonite, it's best to use Rock Tomb first and then use Supersonic Skystrike to almost always KO it. Against Aggron, it is best to use Swords Dance followed by Rock Tomb. If it Mega Evolves, use Swords Dance again and Earthquake afterwards. Against Donphan, you need Bulk Up to guarantee the win, as otherwise, it's a coinflip on using Rock Tomb into a predicted Counter and using Earthquake into a predicted Ice Shard, and for both plays you want to use Supersonic Skystrike the next turn. Against Mega Charizard X, it is best to Rock Tomb turn 1. If it Mega Evolves, use Earthquake; otherwise, use Rock Tomb a second time. Against Magearna, it is best to use set up Substitute first to negate a Fleur Cannon. If it goes for Iron Defense, use Swords Dance. When it reaches -2 Special Attack, use Earthquake. Be careful against bulkier threats such as Clefable and Zygarde, as Swords Dance Landorus-T struggles to beat them reliably. Avoid sending Landorus-T against Water-type special attackers like Primarina and Tapu Fini and Pokemon that carry Ice-type moves such as Pheromosa. It's best not to send Landorus-T out versus physically bulky Pokemon such as Mega Slowbro, Iron Defense Kartana, Genesect, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross due to them being too bulky for Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
Flyinium Z Landorus-T is great at dealing with Grass- and Electric-types such as Mega Venusaur and Zeraora. Water-types such as Primarina and Tapu Fini that struggle with these Pokemon appreciate Landorus-T's ability to get rid of them. At the same time, Primarina and Tapu Fini all deal with Ground-types Landorus-T still struggles with, like Rhyperior and Zygarde. This Landorus-T set is also great at dealing with slower Bug- and Fighting-types such as Mega Heracross and Kommo-o, which Dark-types like Greninja and Hoopa-U have trouble dealing with. At the same time, Greninja and Hoopa-U deal with fast sleep users such as Jumpluff and Smeargle. Landorus-T easily loses to fast special attackers that carry Ice-type moves such as Pheromosa and Genesect. Pairing Landorus-T with Mega Venusaur and Magnezone, which are good at taking special hits, helps in dealing with these Pokemon. Landorus-T when running Substitute also helps in dealing with Steel-types such as Aegislash, which Mega Venusaur and Magnezone struggle with.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Fly
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 40 HP / 208 Atk / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Landorus-T's primary STAB move, beating Steel and Fire-types such as non-Choice Specs Magenzone and Mega Blaziken. Superpower serves as a coverage move that allows Landorus to KO the likes of Mega Lopunny, Porygon-Z, and Greninja. Rock Slide allows Landorus-T to consistently beat Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y. Fly can be used as a secondary STAB option to avoid Clangorous Soulblaze from Kommo-o and to hit Pokemon such as Pheromosa super effectively.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Speed along with a Jolly nature and a Choice Scarf allows Landorus-T to outspeed threats such as Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Greninja, and Pheromosa, which threaten Z-Move variants of Landorus-T. 40 HP EVs allow Landorus-T to always survive an Outrage or Flare Blitz from offensive Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X, with 8 Special Defense EVs added in order to live an Overheat from Heatran as well. The remaining 208 EVs in Attack maximize Landorus-T's offensive capabilities.
Usage Tips
========
Against both Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y, it's best to use Rock Slide to catch both of the two formes, OHKOing Mega Charizard Y and 2HKOing Mega Charizard X. Choice Scarf Landorus-T can lure in Pokemon that can normally beat Z-Move variants of Landorus-T, such as Greninja, Porygon-Z, and the aforementioned Mega Charizard Y, so keep that in mind at Team Preview. Avoid sending Landorus-T against physical walls such as Type: Null, Mega Slowbro, Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mew due to its lack of wallbreaking capability.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Normalium Z Porygon-Z, Mega Charizard X, (AC) and Mega Charizard Y make great partners, as they can handle physical walls such as Mega Slowbro and Mew. Normalium Z Porygon-Z can also beat the likes of Mega Gyarados for Landorus-T. Landorus-T, in return, helps them with Pokemon such as Mega Tyranitar and Magnezone. Electric-types such as Zeraora and Magnezone beat bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Primarina, while Landorus-T helps them with their matchups versus Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Incineroar. Steel-types, such as Mega Metagross and Genesect, can help versus Ice-types and Pokemon that use Ice-type coverage such as Kyurem, Weavile, and Pheromosa. Landorus-T, in return, helps with Fire-types such as Victini and Mega Charizard Y. Mega Venusaur is also an excellent partner for Landorus-T due to its ability to beat Water-types and Pokemon with Ice- and Water-type coverage such as Primarina and Genesect, and Landorus-T can help with Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Victini in return.
[SET]
name: Fast Groundium Z
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Rock Tomb
move 4: Substitute
item: Groundium Z
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 56 HP / 148 Atk / 52 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tectonic Rage is Landorus-T's strongest STAB move that allows it to plow through Steel-types such as Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Aegislash. Swords Dance helps Landorus-T against bulkier threats such as Ferrothorn. Rock Tomb helps in matchups where being faster helps, especially against stall Pokemon like stall Deoxys-S, as it carries Taunt and prevents you from using Swords Dance. Rock Tomb also slows down Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X and Haxorus. Substitute allows Landorus-T to avoid status moves such as Toxic, Charm, and Leech Seed from Pokemon like Chansey and Mega Venusaur, allowing it to either set up or safely do damage. Substitute also blocks damage from Metal Burst and Counter from Pokemon such as Mega Aggron and Chansey. Bulk Up is an option over Swords Dance that gives Landorus-T a boost in both Attack and Defense, helping it against Pokemon such as Choice Band Donphan.
Set Details
=======
252 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Landorus-T to outspeed non-Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and OHKO it with Tectonic Rage. The combination of 56 HP EVs and 52 Defense EVs allows Landorus-T to tank the combination of Fake Out and Ice Punch from Mega Lopunny as well as maximum Special Attack Heatran's Overheat. The rest is put into Attack to maximize its damage output.
A bulkier spread of 248 HP / 44 Def / 80 SpD / 136 Spe with an Adamant nature and Bulk Up can be run to more reliably beat non-Choice Band Donphan, survive stray Hidden Power Ice from non-Choice Specs Magnezone and Heatran, and outspeed Pokemon with base 65 Speed, notably Magearna. This set, however, does not outspeed Normalium Z Porygon-Z and is more susceptible to faster niche threats that use sleep such as Smeargle and Vivillon.
Usage Tips
========
Against Pokemon such as Magearna and Aegislash, which do not get OHKOed by Earthquake, it is best to use Tectonic Rage, as that does OHKO them. Against bulky Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Krookodile, and Chansey, it's best to use Swords Dance before using Tectonic Rage. Against Air Balloon users such as Heatran and Magnezone, using Rock Tomb to break Air Balloon and Tectonic Rage afterwards is the best play. Against Mega Charizard X, it is best to Rock Tomb turn one and then use your Z-Move when it Mega Evolves. Against Choice Band Donphan, you can either Earthquake if you predict Ice Shard or Bulk Up on a predicted Counter if you are running it. However, against Golem and Adamant Crustle, you'd want to immediately use Rock Tomb turn one, as it breaks Sturdy while avoiding potentially fatal Counter damage, and it helps in outspeeding Adamant variants of Crustle even at +1 after a Shell Smash. Finish it off with Tectonic Rage. Against Pokemon that usually carry Metal Burst and Counter, such as Mega Aggron and Chansey, or against Pokemon that aim to lower Landorus-T's Attack stat or inflict it with status like Charm, Leech Seed, or Toxic, such as Mega Venusaur, almost always go for Substitute turn one to easily avoid it, allowing Landorus-T to set up or attack safely. Avoid sending Landorus-T against Water-types like Primarina and Tapu Fini or Pokemon that carry Ice-type moves such as Pheromosa, Genesect, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, as Landorus-T cannot take care of these Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Landorus-T struggles with bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Primarina, Tapu Fini, and Mega Gyarados because of their high innate bulk and Landorus-T's weakness to Water-type moves. Pairing it with an Electric-type such as Zeraora or Magnezone that can handle these Water-types is appreciated. At the same time, Landorus-T beats Ground-types Zeraora and Magneton struggle with, such as Golem and Groundium Z Garchomp. These Electric-types also deal with Mega Charizard Y, which Landorus-T struggles with, while Landorus-T handles Mega Charizard X. Landorus-T has trouble dealing with Psychic-types such as offensive Mega Metagross, Tapu Lele, Mega Gardevoir, and Meloetta because of their ability to either outspeed and OHKO Landorus-T or successfully tank its attacks with their bulk. Pairing Landorus-T with Heatran or Aegislash, which all handle these Pokemon well, helps. At the same time, Landorus-T deals with the Ground-types Heatran and Aegislash struggle with, as well as opposing Heatran and Aegislash. Physical walls such as Mega Slowbro, Type: Null, and Clefable are too bulky for Landorus-T to defeat, so stallbreakers such as Kartana and Belly Drum Mega Charizard X make good partners, as Landorus-T helps with their weakness to faster attackers such as Zeraora. Landorus-T easily loses to special attackers that carry Ice-type moves such as Greninja, Porygon-Z, and Pheromosa. Pairing Landorus-T with Mega Venusaur or Mega Gardevoir, which are good at taking special hits, helps in dealing with these Pokemon. Landorus-T also helps in dealing with Steel-types such as Aegislash and Heatran, which Mega Venusaur and Mega Gardevoir struggle with.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Landorus-T can run an Assault Vest set capable of beating all Porygon-Z, Naganadel, and Pokemon with Ice-type coverage like Choice Specs Hidden Power Ice Magnezone and Ice Beam Magearna. This set, however, is more of a niche lure set and struggles to beat Pokemon outside of what it is intended to lure, such as Groundium Z Garchomp, and Krookodile.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Walls**: Landorus-T struggles to break walls such as Clefable, Type: Null, and Mega Slowbro because of their high defenses and ability to match Landorus-T's Swords Dance or Bulk Up with moves like Iron Defense.
**Bulky Offense**: Bulky Pokemon such as Dragonite, Necrozma, and Meloetta are able to take Landorus-T's moves without needing a type resistance and KO back with a powerful move.
**Ice-type Moves **: Ice Beam, Ice Punch, and Blizzard are carried by Pokemon like Genesect, Pheromosa, Mega Metagross, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, which outspeed and OHKO Landorus-T. Choice Scarf Landorus-T can deal with the latter three Pokemon, however.
**Water-types**: Mega Gyarados, Greninja, Primarina and Tapu Fini are able to tank a hit and OHKO Landorus-T with super effective Water-type moves, although the Flyinium Z set can beat Mega Gyarados.
**Fast Special Attackers**: Due to Landorus-T's middling special bulk, it easily faints to fast special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y, Naganadel, Mega Gardevoir, and Psychium Z Tapu Lele, although Choice Scarf sets can beat Mega Charizard Y and Naganadel.
**Type Resistances**: Though rare, there is a handful of Pokemon that can tank Landorus-T's moves or otherwise get around it with Magnet Rise, such as Celesteela, Mega Metagross, and faster Grass-types with Substitute, such as Jumpluff and Whimsicott.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Pokesartoolcay, 442711]]
- Quality checked by: [[Alakazam, 276708], [Rosa, 239997], [pqs, 425798]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
Landorus-T's great offensive presence, good bulk boosted further by Intimidate, and decent Speed allow it to take on common Pokemon in the 1v1 metagame such as Victini, Mega Charizard X, and Magearna. It's great typing also helps it beat metagame threats such as Zeraora and Magearna, while Intimidate's effective bulk boost helps in matchups versus attackers such as Mega Gyarados, Haxorus, and Mega Lopunny. It also has access to utility moves such as Bulk Up, Swords Dance, and Rock Tomb, making it harder to accurately check with metagame threats such as Mega Gyarados and Donphan. Landorus-T can effectively play both a bulky offensive role with Z-Moves and bulk investment and a hyper offensive role with a Choice Scarf and Speed investment, which plays into its great versatility. However, Landorus-T's 4x weakness to Ice-type moves shouldn't be overlooked, as faster threats such as Genesect and offensive Mega Metagross often carry an Ice-type move and simply OHKO Landorus-T with it. In addition to this, it is also weak to specially offensive Water-types such as Primarina and Tapu Fini, as they are too bulky for Landorus-T to handle, can KO it with super effective moves, and can take advantage of its vulnerable Special Defense. Moreover, Landorus-T lacks tools to deal with bulky special attackers such as Tapu Lele and Meloetta because of their overwhelming power. It also struggles to break physically defensive stall Pokemon like Mega Slowbro, Clefable, and Type: Null, and its Speed leaves Landorus-T susceptible to faster threats such as Jumpluff.
[SET]
name: Bulky Flyinium Z
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Fly
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Rock Tomb / Substitute
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 56 HP / 40 Atk / 236 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance helps overtake the debuffs from Intimidate users such as Mega Gyarados and Bulk Up users such as Krookodile and opposing Landorus-T. Supersonic Skystrike is Landorus-T's primary STAB move, swiftly getting rid of Grass- and Fighting-types such as Mega Venusaur and Kommo-o. Earthquake is its secondary STAB move, beating Steel-type and Fire-type Pokemon such as Magearna, in tandem with Substitute, and Heatran. Rock Tomb helps in matchups where being faster helps, especially against stall Pokemon like most variants of Kee Berry Mew and stall Deoxys-S, as both carry Taunt and prevent Landorus-T from using Swords Dance. It also helps slow down Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X and physical Dragonite. You can run Substitute over Rock Tomb to avoid status moves such as Toxic and Charm from Pokemon like Umbreon and Metal Burst from Mega Aggron, allowing Landorus-T to set up or take damage behind a Substitute.
Set Details
========
56 HP EVs and 236 Defense EVs allow Landorus-T to survive an unboosted Waterfall from Mega Gyarados. If you choose to run Bulk Up, the same EV spread will also allow Landorus-T to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Garchomp after a boost. 176 Speed EVs let Landorus-T outspeed Adamant variants of Mega Gyarados. 40 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature maximize Landorus-T's damage output with the remaining EVs so you can always OHKO bulky Mega Gyarados with Supersonic Skystrike after a Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Supersonic Skystrike is usually the STAB move of choice, landing an OHKO on threats such as Tapu Bulu, Mega Venusaur, and Buzzwole. Against Pokemon such as Crustle and Choice Band Garchomp, which barely survive a Supersonic Skystrike, it is best to use Rock Tomb first before going for the Z-Move. Against Pokemon that are too bulky to be taken out by a Z-Move or Earthquake, such as Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Mega Mawile, its best to use Swords Dance before going for a super effective move. Against Golem, use Supersonic Skystrike, as Landorus-T can take Golem's Counter followed by Sucker Punch, and then use Earthquake. Against physical Dragonite, it's best to use Rock Tomb first and then use Supersonic Skystrike to almost always KO it. Against Aggron, it is best to use Swords Dance followed by Rock Tomb. If it Mega Evolves, use Swords Dance again and Earthquake afterwards. Against Donphan, you need Bulk Up to guarantee the win, as otherwise, it's a coinflip on using Rock Tomb into a predicted Counter and using Earthquake into a predicted Ice Shard, and for both plays you want to use Supersonic Skystrike the next turn. Against Mega Charizard X, it is best to Rock Tomb turn 1. If it Mega Evolves, use Earthquake; otherwise, use Rock Tomb a second time. Against Magearna, it is best to use set up Substitute first to negate a Fleur Cannon. If it goes for Iron Defense, use Swords Dance. When it reaches -2 Special Attack, use Earthquake. Be careful against bulkier threats such as Clefable and Zygarde, as Swords Dance Landorus-T struggles to beat them reliably. Avoid sending Landorus-T against Water-type special attackers like Primarina and Tapu Fini and Pokemon that carry Ice-type moves such as Pheromosa. It's best not to send Landorus-T out versus physically bulky Pokemon such as Mega Slowbro, Iron Defense Kartana, Genesect, and Ice Punch Mega Metagross due to them being too bulky for Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
Flyinium Z Landorus-T is great at dealing with Grass- and Electric-types such as Mega Venusaur and Zeraora. Water-types such as Primarina and Tapu Fini that struggle with these Pokemon appreciate Landorus-T's ability to get rid of them. At the same time, Primarina and Tapu Fini all deal with Ground-types Landorus-T still struggles with, like Rhyperior and Zygarde. This Landorus-T set is also great at dealing with slower Bug- and Fighting-types such as Mega Heracross and Kommo-o, which Dark-types like Greninja and Hoopa-U have trouble dealing with. At the same time, Greninja and Hoopa-U deal with fast sleep users such as Jumpluff and Smeargle. Landorus-T easily loses to fast special attackers that carry Ice-type moves such as Pheromosa and Genesect. Pairing Landorus-T with Mega Venusaur and Magnezone, which are good at taking special hits, helps in dealing with these Pokemon. Landorus-T when running Substitute also helps in dealing with Steel-types such as Aegislash, which Mega Venusaur and Magnezone struggle with.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Fly
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 40 HP / 208 Atk / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Landorus-T's primary STAB move, beating Steel and Fire-types such as non-Choice Specs Magenzone and Mega Blaziken. Superpower serves as a coverage move that allows Landorus to KO the likes of Mega Lopunny, Porygon-Z, and Greninja. Rock Slide allows Landorus-T to consistently beat Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y. Fly can be used as a secondary STAB option to avoid Clangorous Soulblaze from Kommo-o and to hit Pokemon such as Pheromosa super effectively.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Speed along with a Jolly nature and a Choice Scarf allows Landorus-T to outspeed threats such as Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Greninja, and Pheromosa, which threaten Z-Move variants of Landorus-T. 40 HP EVs allow Landorus-T to always survive an Outrage or Flare Blitz from offensive Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X, with 8 Special Defense EVs added in order to live an Overheat from Heatran as well. The remaining 208 EVs in Attack maximize Landorus-T's offensive capabilities.
Usage Tips
========
Against both Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y, it's best to use Rock Slide to catch both of the two formes, OHKOing Mega Charizard Y and 2HKOing Mega Charizard X. Choice Scarf Landorus-T can lure in Pokemon that can normally beat Z-Move variants of Landorus-T, such as Greninja, Porygon-Z, and the aforementioned Mega Charizard Y, so keep that in mind at Team Preview. Avoid sending Landorus-T against physical walls such as Type: Null, Mega Slowbro, Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mew due to its lack of wallbreaking capability.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Normalium Z Porygon-Z, Mega Charizard X, (AC) and Mega Charizard Y make great partners, as they can handle physical walls such as Mega Slowbro and Mew. Normalium Z Porygon-Z can also beat the likes of Mega Gyarados for Landorus-T. Landorus-T, in return, helps them with Pokemon such as Mega Tyranitar and Magnezone. Electric-types such as Zeraora and Magnezone beat bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Primarina, while Landorus-T helps them with their matchups versus Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Incineroar. Steel-types, such as Mega Metagross and Genesect, can help versus Ice-types and Pokemon that use Ice-type coverage such as Kyurem, Weavile, and Pheromosa. Landorus-T, in return, helps with Fire-types such as Victini and Mega Charizard Y. Mega Venusaur is also an excellent partner for Landorus-T due to its ability to beat Water-types and Pokemon with Ice- and Water-type coverage such as Primarina and Genesect, and Landorus-T can help with Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Victini in return.
[SET]
name: Fast Groundium Z
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Rock Tomb
move 4: Substitute
item: Groundium Z
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 56 HP / 148 Atk / 52 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tectonic Rage is Landorus-T's strongest STAB move that allows it to plow through Steel-types such as Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Aegislash. Swords Dance helps Landorus-T against bulkier threats such as Ferrothorn. Rock Tomb helps in matchups where being faster helps, especially against stall Pokemon like stall Deoxys-S, as it carries Taunt and prevents you from using Swords Dance. Rock Tomb also slows down Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X and Haxorus. Substitute allows Landorus-T to avoid status moves such as Toxic, Charm, and Leech Seed from Pokemon like Chansey and Mega Venusaur, allowing it to either set up or safely do damage. Substitute also blocks damage from Metal Burst and Counter from Pokemon such as Mega Aggron and Chansey. Bulk Up is an option over Swords Dance that gives Landorus-T a boost in both Attack and Defense, helping it against Pokemon such as Choice Band Donphan.
Set Details
=======
252 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Landorus-T to outspeed non-Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and OHKO it with Tectonic Rage. The combination of 56 HP EVs and 52 Defense EVs allows Landorus-T to tank the combination of Fake Out and Ice Punch from Mega Lopunny as well as maximum Special Attack Heatran's Overheat. The rest is put into Attack to maximize its damage output.
A bulkier spread of 248 HP / 44 Def / 80 SpD / 136 Spe with an Adamant nature and Bulk Up can be run to more reliably beat non-Choice Band Donphan, survive stray Hidden Power Ice from non-Choice Specs Magnezone and Heatran, and outspeed Pokemon with base 65 Speed, notably Magearna. This set, however, does not outspeed Normalium Z Porygon-Z and is more susceptible to faster niche threats that use sleep such as Smeargle and Vivillon.
Usage Tips
========
Against Pokemon such as Magearna and Aegislash, which do not get OHKOed by Earthquake, it is best to use Tectonic Rage, as that does OHKO them. Against bulky Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Krookodile, and Chansey, it's best to use Swords Dance before using Tectonic Rage. Against Air Balloon users such as Heatran and Magnezone, using Rock Tomb to break Air Balloon and Tectonic Rage afterwards is the best play. Against Mega Charizard X, it is best to Rock Tomb turn one and then use your Z-Move when it Mega Evolves. Against Choice Band Donphan, you can either Earthquake if you predict Ice Shard or Bulk Up on a predicted Counter if you are running it. However, against Golem and Adamant Crustle, you'd want to immediately use Rock Tomb turn one, as it breaks Sturdy while avoiding potentially fatal Counter damage, and it helps in outspeeding Adamant variants of Crustle even at +1 after a Shell Smash. Finish it off with Tectonic Rage. Against Pokemon that usually carry Metal Burst and Counter, such as Mega Aggron and Chansey, or against Pokemon that aim to lower Landorus-T's Attack stat or inflict it with status like Charm, Leech Seed, or Toxic, such as Mega Venusaur, almost always go for Substitute turn one to easily avoid it, allowing Landorus-T to set up or attack safely. Avoid sending Landorus-T against Water-types like Primarina and Tapu Fini or Pokemon that carry Ice-type moves such as Pheromosa, Genesect, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, as Landorus-T cannot take care of these Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Landorus-T struggles with bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Primarina, Tapu Fini, and Mega Gyarados because of their high innate bulk and Landorus-T's weakness to Water-type moves. Pairing it with an Electric-type such as Zeraora or Magnezone that can handle these Water-types is appreciated. At the same time, Landorus-T beats Ground-types Zeraora and Magneton struggle with, such as Golem and Groundium Z Garchomp. These Electric-types also deal with Mega Charizard Y, which Landorus-T struggles with, while Landorus-T handles Mega Charizard X. Landorus-T has trouble dealing with Psychic-types such as offensive Mega Metagross, Tapu Lele, Mega Gardevoir, and Meloetta because of their ability to either outspeed and OHKO Landorus-T or successfully tank its attacks with their bulk. Pairing Landorus-T with Heatran or Aegislash, which all handle these Pokemon well, helps. At the same time, Landorus-T deals with the Ground-types Heatran and Aegislash struggle with, as well as opposing Heatran and Aegislash. Physical walls such as Mega Slowbro, Type: Null, and Clefable are too bulky for Landorus-T to defeat, so stallbreakers such as Kartana and Belly Drum Mega Charizard X make good partners, as Landorus-T helps with their weakness to faster attackers such as Zeraora. Landorus-T easily loses to special attackers that carry Ice-type moves such as Greninja, Porygon-Z, and Pheromosa. Pairing Landorus-T with Mega Venusaur or Mega Gardevoir, which are good at taking special hits, helps in dealing with these Pokemon. Landorus-T also helps in dealing with Steel-types such as Aegislash and Heatran, which Mega Venusaur and Mega Gardevoir struggle with.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Landorus-T can run an Assault Vest set capable of beating all Porygon-Z, Naganadel, and Pokemon with Ice-type coverage like Choice Specs Hidden Power Ice Magnezone and Ice Beam Magearna. This set, however, is more of a niche lure set and struggles to beat Pokemon outside of what it is intended to lure, such as Groundium Z Garchomp, and Krookodile.
Checks and Counters
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**Physical Walls**: Landorus-T struggles to break walls such as Clefable, Type: Null, and Mega Slowbro because of their high defenses and ability to match Landorus-T's Swords Dance or Bulk Up with moves like Iron Defense.
**Bulky Offense**: Bulky Pokemon such as Dragonite, Necrozma, and Meloetta are able to take Landorus-T's moves without needing a type resistance and KO back with a powerful move.
**Ice-type Moves **: Ice Beam, Ice Punch, and Blizzard are carried by Pokemon like Genesect, Pheromosa, Mega Metagross, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, which outspeed and OHKO Landorus-T. Choice Scarf Landorus-T can deal with the latter three Pokemon, however.
**Water-types**: Mega Gyarados, Greninja, Primarina and Tapu Fini are able to tank a hit and OHKO Landorus-T with super effective Water-type moves, although the Flyinium Z set can beat Mega Gyarados.
**Fast Special Attackers**: Due to Landorus-T's middling special bulk, it easily faints to fast special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y, Naganadel, Mega Gardevoir, and Psychium Z Tapu Lele, although Choice Scarf sets can beat Mega Charizard Y and Naganadel.
**Type Resistances**: Though rare, there is a handful of Pokemon that can tank Landorus-T's moves or otherwise get around it with Magnet Rise, such as Celesteela, Mega Metagross, and faster Grass-types with Substitute, such as Jumpluff and Whimsicott.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Pokesartoolcay, 442711]]
- Quality checked by: [[Alakazam, 276708], [Rosa, 239997], [pqs, 425798]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
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