[OVERVIEW]
Xatu's decent bulk, typing, and Magic Bounce allow it to neutralize common entry hazard setters in RU such as Steelix, Registeel, and Metagross without having to waste a turn using Defog. This, coupled with its ability to consistently pivot with Teleport, makes it a solid choice on offense teams. Still, even with maximum investment, Xatu's bulk is less than stellar. This can make it inconsistent against some hazard setters; for example, Metagross can 2HKO Xatu with a Meteor Mash Attack boost. Thus, Xatu may need to stay near full health to effectively perform its role. It can be risky to use Teleport, and Xatu depends on good predictions to keep hazards off the field. Xatu is also unable to beat certain setters like Stakataka, Golisopod, and Rhyperior, which considerably reduces its effectiveness.
[SET]
name: Magic Bounce
move 1: Future Sight / Grass Knot
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Roost
move 4: Teleport
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Future Sight pressures the opposing team and creates opportunities for Xatu to safely pivot into a wallbreaker with Teleport. Alternatively, Grass Knot hits Rhyperior for significant damage;(comma to semicolon) however, it makes Xatu significantly more passive and reliant on Teleport to be effective. The combination of Heat Wave and Rocky Helmet allows Xatu to consistently block Steel-types such as Registeel, Bronzong, and Steelix from setting entry hazards. 16 Speed EVs let it outspeed Golurk, and investment in Defense allows Xatu to outlast Metagross with Rocky Helmet. Not running an item is feasible to avoid Poltergeist from Ghost-type wallbreakers like Golurk and Dhelmise, as well as reducing Knock Off damage from Pokemon like Golisopod, at the cost of effectiveness against most hazard setters. 60 Special Attack EVs allow Xatu to OHKO Nidoqueen with Future Sight after Stealth Rock but weakens the Metagross matchup.
Xatu can weaken passive bulky Pokemon like Registeel by stalling them out, making sweepers like Sharpedo and Mimikyu significantly more reliable. Similarly, Pokemon with a vulnerability to Steel-types, such as Roserade and Gardevoir, can capitalize on this. These Pokemon can also take advantage of Teleport to safely set up. Entry hazard-weak Pokemon such as Tornadus and weather sweepers can forgo running Heavy-Duty Boots with Xatu, opening up teambuilding possibilities with other sets. Other pivots such as Flygon, Incineroar, Rotom-C, and Xurkitree can form a VoltTurn core with Xatu. Extra hazard removal from Flygon and Starmie can mitigate Xatu's inability to prevent entry hazards from certain setters. Volt Switch users like Raikou and Cobalion can capitalize on Xatu's weak Special Defense and Electric weakness, making Ground-types like Nidoqueen and Flygon great partners. They can also take advantage of any Rock-types Xatu forces in with Teleport. Wallbreakers like Bewear appreciate Teleport and can use it to capitalize on a setup opportunity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
U-turn provides fast pivoting, although it's generally outclassed by Teleport's slow pivoting and synergy with Future Sight. Heavy-Duty Boots preserves Xatu's pivoting abilities in matchups where it fails to prevent Stealth Rock from going up, but losing Rocky Helmet can be detrimental against Stealth Rock setters like Metagross and Registeel. Thunder Wave can support slower wallbreakers such as Pangoro. Air Slash hits Pangoro, Roserade, and Golisopod in one attack, although it's weak. Calm Mind over Teleport could transform Xatu into a threat against slower teams, though losing Teleport is certainly not ideal.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specific Entry Hazard Setters**: Golisopod can remove Rocky Helmet with Knock Off and click Liquidation until it gets a Defense drop, forcing Xatu out and letting it set Spikes. Rhyperior will always beat non-Grass Knot Xatu. A healthy Stakataka will beat Xatu one-on-one. Roserade can't stay in on Future Sight but takes advantage of Xatu's weak Special Defense with Sludge Bomb.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Incineroar and Pangoro can either set up on Xatu or force it out to threaten potential switch-ins, and they can easily put a stop to Future Sight.
**Electric-types**: Raikou and Xurkitree can easily switch into Xatu and maintain momentum with Volt Switch.
**Ghost-types**: As Xatu finds itself on mostly offense teams, Ghost-types like Golurk, Dhelmise, and Decidueye can pressure it with Poltergeist or force a sack. However, this risk can be mitigated by going itemless.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zizalith, 410251]]
- Quality checked by: [[GoldCat, 359771], [Yourwelcomethanku, 541847], [gorex, 244449]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [DC, 449990]]
Xatu's decent bulk, typing, and Magic Bounce allow it to neutralize common entry hazard setters in RU such as Steelix, Registeel, and Metagross without having to waste a turn using Defog. This, coupled with its ability to consistently pivot with Teleport, makes it a solid choice on offense teams. Still, even with maximum investment, Xatu's bulk is less than stellar. This can make it inconsistent against some hazard setters; for example, Metagross can 2HKO Xatu with a Meteor Mash Attack boost. Thus, Xatu may need to stay near full health to effectively perform its role. It can be risky to use Teleport, and Xatu depends on good predictions to keep hazards off the field. Xatu is also unable to beat certain setters like Stakataka, Golisopod, and Rhyperior, which considerably reduces its effectiveness.
[SET]
name: Magic Bounce
move 1: Future Sight / Grass Knot
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Roost
move 4: Teleport
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Future Sight pressures the opposing team and creates opportunities for Xatu to safely pivot into a wallbreaker with Teleport. Alternatively, Grass Knot hits Rhyperior for significant damage;(comma to semicolon) however, it makes Xatu significantly more passive and reliant on Teleport to be effective. The combination of Heat Wave and Rocky Helmet allows Xatu to consistently block Steel-types such as Registeel, Bronzong, and Steelix from setting entry hazards. 16 Speed EVs let it outspeed Golurk, and investment in Defense allows Xatu to outlast Metagross with Rocky Helmet. Not running an item is feasible to avoid Poltergeist from Ghost-type wallbreakers like Golurk and Dhelmise, as well as reducing Knock Off damage from Pokemon like Golisopod, at the cost of effectiveness against most hazard setters. 60 Special Attack EVs allow Xatu to OHKO Nidoqueen with Future Sight after Stealth Rock but weakens the Metagross matchup.
Xatu can weaken passive bulky Pokemon like Registeel by stalling them out, making sweepers like Sharpedo and Mimikyu significantly more reliable. Similarly, Pokemon with a vulnerability to Steel-types, such as Roserade and Gardevoir, can capitalize on this. These Pokemon can also take advantage of Teleport to safely set up. Entry hazard-weak Pokemon such as Tornadus and weather sweepers can forgo running Heavy-Duty Boots with Xatu, opening up teambuilding possibilities with other sets. Other pivots such as Flygon, Incineroar, Rotom-C, and Xurkitree can form a VoltTurn core with Xatu. Extra hazard removal from Flygon and Starmie can mitigate Xatu's inability to prevent entry hazards from certain setters. Volt Switch users like Raikou and Cobalion can capitalize on Xatu's weak Special Defense and Electric weakness, making Ground-types like Nidoqueen and Flygon great partners. They can also take advantage of any Rock-types Xatu forces in with Teleport. Wallbreakers like Bewear appreciate Teleport and can use it to capitalize on a setup opportunity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
U-turn provides fast pivoting, although it's generally outclassed by Teleport's slow pivoting and synergy with Future Sight. Heavy-Duty Boots preserves Xatu's pivoting abilities in matchups where it fails to prevent Stealth Rock from going up, but losing Rocky Helmet can be detrimental against Stealth Rock setters like Metagross and Registeel. Thunder Wave can support slower wallbreakers such as Pangoro. Air Slash hits Pangoro, Roserade, and Golisopod in one attack, although it's weak. Calm Mind over Teleport could transform Xatu into a threat against slower teams, though losing Teleport is certainly not ideal.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specific Entry Hazard Setters**: Golisopod can remove Rocky Helmet with Knock Off and click Liquidation until it gets a Defense drop, forcing Xatu out and letting it set Spikes. Rhyperior will always beat non-Grass Knot Xatu. A healthy Stakataka will beat Xatu one-on-one. Roserade can't stay in on Future Sight but takes advantage of Xatu's weak Special Defense with Sludge Bomb.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Incineroar and Pangoro can either set up on Xatu or force it out to threaten potential switch-ins, and they can easily put a stop to Future Sight.
**Electric-types**: Raikou and Xurkitree can easily switch into Xatu and maintain momentum with Volt Switch.
**Ghost-types**: As Xatu finds itself on mostly offense teams, Ghost-types like Golurk, Dhelmise, and Decidueye can pressure it with Poltergeist or force a sack. However, this risk can be mitigated by going itemless.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zizalith, 410251]]
- Quality checked by: [[GoldCat, 359771], [Yourwelcomethanku, 541847], [gorex, 244449]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [DC, 449990]]
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