shnowshner
You've Gotta Try
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Choice Scarf Blacephalon serves as a late-game Beast Boost cleaner and revenge killer with enough firepower to threaten KOs on targets like Slowbro and Ferrothorn. Timid is the best option so that Blacephalon is able to outrun other Choice Scarf users, namely Tapu Lele and Urshifu-R, and to revenge kill Pokemon with boosted Speed such as Scale Shot Garchomp. Trick cripples bulky answers like Toxapex and Heatran, potentially letting a teammate take advantage of them later.
Blacephalon enjoys pairing with strong wallbreakers or setup attackers, as they can weaken Blacephalon's checks while benefitting from its ability to force out offensive answers or sweep weakened teams. Weavile can use Knock Off on common Blacephalon switch-ins like Arghonaut, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex; in return, Choice Scarf Blacephalon can help handle Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. Urshifu-R uses U-turn on baited foes like Buzzwole and Slowbro, providing Blacephalon a way onto the field with significant advantage. Due to CAP's limited number of Ghost answers, Choice Scarf Blacephalon can overwhelm teams alongside other Ghost-type attackers, namely Choice Specs Dragapult and Choice Band Pajantom. Certain hyper offensive teams also appreciate Choice Scarf Blacephalon's ability to run through the opponent after the setup sweepers and wallbreakers have done their job; a good teammate is Galarian Moltres, which can come in and set up on expected Ghost-type attacks or Pokemon crippled by Trick and wears down the opponent's walls into KO range of Blacephalon.
Strong entry hazard removal ensures Blacephalon can come onto the field and scare out fast offensive Pokemon throughout the match, so sturdy Defog users like Landorus-T, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight are prime teammates. Rapid Spin Saharaja and Equilibra allow Blacephalon to better take advantage of its team's own hazards. Depending on the move its locked into, Blacephalon can fail to deal with slower offensive Pokemon like Dragapult and Weavile, so it wants teammates that can tank hits and spread chip damage like Toxapex and Ferrothorn.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Fire Blast / Overheat
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Choice Specs Blacephalon is a dangerous wallbreaker. Fire Blast is best used to nab KOs where Flamethrower would fail. Overheat is an option over Fire Blast for greater initial power and accuracy, but starts underperforming after the initial use. Trick gives Blacephalon utility against bulkier checks like Toxapex and avoids situations where locking into a move is disadvantageous.
Blacephalon's typing and poor bulk can make it hard to bring in, so bring multiple teammates that can safely switch Blacephalon onto the field. Defog pivots like Landorus-T, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight allow for safe and controllable entry onto the field, while offensive pivots like Dragapult and Tapu Koko are better at keeping up offensive pressure. Weavile is a massive pain for Blacephalon to deal with, so having answers to it is invaluable. Tapu Fini checks it, Dragapult, and Astrolotl while providing Defog. Arghonaut is the premier Weavile counter, handles incoming Water-, Dark-, and Rock-type moves, and uses Spikes and Knock Off to help Blacephalon's wallbreaking. Melmetal is another option that can handle strong physical attackers like Weavile, forces out Blissey and bulky Tyranitar with ease, and appreciates Blacephalon's ability to KO Pokemon that resist its Double Iron Bash like Zapdos, Corviknight, and opposing Melmetal. Knock Off absorbers or punishers such as Clefable, Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Zapdos help alleviate Blacephalon's horrible weakness to the move. Frailer offensive partners like Kartana and Tapu Lele can form powerful cores that blast through each other's checks or overload the opponent's defensive backbone.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
Blacephalon can run a Calm Mind set with Heavy-Duty Boots for additional flexibility during a match, but this comes with a heavy cost to immediate power and Speed. Mind Blown can be run situationally on the Choice Specs set to always OHKO Assault Vest Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. Expanding Force is an option when teamed with Tapu Lele, capable of outdamaging Shadow Ball against neutral targets and OHKOing Toxapex and Arghonaut.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon and Priority Users**: Choice Scarf Kartana and Astrolotl can outspeed and KO both Blacephalon sets. Without Choice Scarf, Blacephalon is threatened by practically any Pokemon that outspeeds it, including Choice Scarf users like Tapu Lele and naturally fast attackers such as Weavile, Zeraora and Dragapult. Priority attacks such as Urshifu's Aqua Jet and Colossoil's Sucker Punch threaten to OHKO Blacephalon.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Assault Vest Tornadus-T, specially defensive Landorus-T, Venomicon, and Pyroak are bulky enough to take a hit and force Blacephalon out, though they cannot always switch into Choice Specs. Blissey is a strong check to Blacephalon with its raw bulk and Ghost immunity; Trick can be a useful way to cripple it, but costs Blacephalon its long-term power. Tyranitar is capable of checking Blacephalon thanks to its typing, stats, and Sand Stream, but it lacks longevity.
**Bulky Water-types**: Leftovers Tapu Fini checks Blacephalon through its typing and stats, though it must be careful of Choice Specs Shadow Ball. Arghonaut is a good answer to the Choice Scarf set and ignores Beast Boost, letting it stop a potential sweep, though it also has to be wary of Shadow Ball. Toxapex can scout Blacephalon's move and switch if necessary. Gastrodon's high Special Defense, Recover, and Sticky Hold make it difficult for Blacephalon to deal with, as it fails to 2HKO with Shadow Ball and has to switch out of Earthquake.
**Entry Hazards**: Being weak to Stealth Rock and vulnerable to all other hazards quickly brings Blacephalon into KO range of weaker hits or causes it to faint entirely.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/shnowshner.514220/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/spoo.251944/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cryogyro.331519/
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Choice Scarf Blacephalon serves as a late-game Beast Boost cleaner and revenge killer with enough firepower to threaten KOs on targets like Slowbro and Ferrothorn. Timid is the best option so that Blacephalon is able to outrun other Choice Scarf users, namely Tapu Lele and Urshifu-R, and to revenge kill Pokemon with boosted Speed such as Scale Shot Garchomp. Trick cripples bulky answers like Toxapex and Heatran, potentially letting a teammate take advantage of them later.
Blacephalon enjoys pairing with strong wallbreakers or setup attackers, as they can weaken Blacephalon's checks while benefitting from its ability to force out offensive answers or sweep weakened teams. Weavile can use Knock Off on common Blacephalon switch-ins like Arghonaut, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex; in return, Choice Scarf Blacephalon can help handle Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. Urshifu-R uses U-turn on baited foes like Buzzwole and Slowbro, providing Blacephalon a way onto the field with significant advantage. Due to CAP's limited number of Ghost answers, Choice Scarf Blacephalon can overwhelm teams alongside other Ghost-type attackers, namely Choice Specs Dragapult and Choice Band Pajantom. Certain hyper offensive teams also appreciate Choice Scarf Blacephalon's ability to run through the opponent after the setup sweepers and wallbreakers have done their job; a good teammate is Galarian Moltres, which can come in and set up on expected Ghost-type attacks or Pokemon crippled by Trick and wears down the opponent's walls into KO range of Blacephalon.
Strong entry hazard removal ensures Blacephalon can come onto the field and scare out fast offensive Pokemon throughout the match, so sturdy Defog users like Landorus-T, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight are prime teammates. Rapid Spin Saharaja and Equilibra allow Blacephalon to better take advantage of its team's own hazards. Depending on the move its locked into, Blacephalon can fail to deal with slower offensive Pokemon like Dragapult and Weavile, so it wants teammates that can tank hits and spread chip damage like Toxapex and Ferrothorn.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Fire Blast / Overheat
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
===================
Choice Specs Blacephalon is a dangerous wallbreaker. Fire Blast is best used to nab KOs where Flamethrower would fail. Overheat is an option over Fire Blast for greater initial power and accuracy, but starts underperforming after the initial use. Trick gives Blacephalon utility against bulkier checks like Toxapex and avoids situations where locking into a move is disadvantageous.
Blacephalon's typing and poor bulk can make it hard to bring in, so bring multiple teammates that can safely switch Blacephalon onto the field. Defog pivots like Landorus-T, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight allow for safe and controllable entry onto the field, while offensive pivots like Dragapult and Tapu Koko are better at keeping up offensive pressure. Weavile is a massive pain for Blacephalon to deal with, so having answers to it is invaluable. Tapu Fini checks it, Dragapult, and Astrolotl while providing Defog. Arghonaut is the premier Weavile counter, handles incoming Water-, Dark-, and Rock-type moves, and uses Spikes and Knock Off to help Blacephalon's wallbreaking. Melmetal is another option that can handle strong physical attackers like Weavile, forces out Blissey and bulky Tyranitar with ease, and appreciates Blacephalon's ability to KO Pokemon that resist its Double Iron Bash like Zapdos, Corviknight, and opposing Melmetal. Knock Off absorbers or punishers such as Clefable, Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Zapdos help alleviate Blacephalon's horrible weakness to the move. Frailer offensive partners like Kartana and Tapu Lele can form powerful cores that blast through each other's checks or overload the opponent's defensive backbone.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
Blacephalon can run a Calm Mind set with Heavy-Duty Boots for additional flexibility during a match, but this comes with a heavy cost to immediate power and Speed. Mind Blown can be run situationally on the Choice Specs set to always OHKO Assault Vest Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. Expanding Force is an option when teamed with Tapu Lele, capable of outdamaging Shadow Ball against neutral targets and OHKOing Toxapex and Arghonaut.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon and Priority Users**: Choice Scarf Kartana and Astrolotl can outspeed and KO both Blacephalon sets. Without Choice Scarf, Blacephalon is threatened by practically any Pokemon that outspeeds it, including Choice Scarf users like Tapu Lele and naturally fast attackers such as Weavile, Zeraora and Dragapult. Priority attacks such as Urshifu's Aqua Jet and Colossoil's Sucker Punch threaten to OHKO Blacephalon.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Assault Vest Tornadus-T, specially defensive Landorus-T, Venomicon, and Pyroak are bulky enough to take a hit and force Blacephalon out, though they cannot always switch into Choice Specs. Blissey is a strong check to Blacephalon with its raw bulk and Ghost immunity; Trick can be a useful way to cripple it, but costs Blacephalon its long-term power. Tyranitar is capable of checking Blacephalon thanks to its typing, stats, and Sand Stream, but it lacks longevity.
**Bulky Water-types**: Leftovers Tapu Fini checks Blacephalon through its typing and stats, though it must be careful of Choice Specs Shadow Ball. Arghonaut is a good answer to the Choice Scarf set and ignores Beast Boost, letting it stop a potential sweep, though it also has to be wary of Shadow Ball. Toxapex can scout Blacephalon's move and switch if necessary. Gastrodon's high Special Defense, Recover, and Sticky Hold make it difficult for Blacephalon to deal with, as it fails to 2HKO with Shadow Ball and has to switch out of Earthquake.
**Entry Hazards**: Being weak to Stealth Rock and vulnerable to all other hazards quickly brings Blacephalon into KO range of weaker hits or causes it to faint entirely.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/shnowshner.514220/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/spoo.251944/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cryogyro.331519/
Last edited: