[OVERVIEW]
Xurkitree boasts a jaw-dropping base 173 Special Attack stat that can be further boosted with Tail Glow and Beast Boost, allowing it to be either a terrifying wallbreaker with Tail Glow or a dangerous cleaner with Choice Scarf. Xurkitree also has a small yet effective movepool, with access to both Hidden Power Ice and Energy Ball to rip through common Ground-types that check other Electric-types. Though Xurkitree's lack of relevant resistances, mediocre Speed, and rather poor bulk may make it seem helpless against offensive teams, it can overcome these shortcomings to an extent with the use of Z-Hypnosis. Choice Scarf also is a way to alleviate Xurkitree's issues with its middling Speed tier. However, Xurkitree tends to struggle with successfully functioning in practice, even with a dedicated team support. Xurkitree's reliance on hitting Hypnosis to feasibly gain a chance to sweep due to its bulk means that missing Hypnosis will likely result in Xurkitree being KOed. The Choice Scarf set also has notable flaws in being prediction reliant and unable to threaten defensive teams in a significant way. In addition, similarly to many frail setup sweepers in the metagame, Xurkitree's sweep can be cut short by priority moves or by a very common revenge killer, Mimikyu. Lastly, Xurkitree's rather inconsistent performance leaves it competing with other Electric-types like Tapu Koko, Thundurus-T, and Magnezone, due to their better Speed tier, better utility options, or both.
[SET]
name: Z-Hypnosis
move 1: Hypnosis
move 2: Tail Glow
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Energy Ball
item: Psychium Z
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hypnosis puts a foe to sleep, allowing Xurkitree to safely set up Tail Glow and potentially avoid getting revenge killed by Focus Sash users and Mimikyu. With Psychium Z, Xurkitree can use Z-Hypnosis, which allows it to gain a Speed boost and outspeed most of the unboosted metagame. Tail Glow boosts Xurkitree's already astronomical Special Attack stat to the point where it can rip through foes that resist its moves with brute force. Thunderbolt is Xurkitree's most consistent Electric-type STAB move and deals heavy damage to neutral foes even when unboosted. The fourth move rounds out Xurkitree's coverage by hitting Ground-types. Hidden Power Ice OHKOes the most common Ground-type in Battle Spot Singles in Landorus-T, hits Thundurus-T, and disposes of Assault Vest Tapu Bulu at +3 after Stealth Rock damage. Energy Ball handles Ground-types that are not weak to Hidden Power Ice, such as Mamoswine, Excadrill, and Mega Swampert. Unlike Hidden Power Ice, boosted Energy Ball also guarantees the immediate removal of specially defensive Hippowdon.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread is ideal for a special sweeper. A Timid nature is chosen, as Xurkitree's stellar Special Attack stat and access to Tail Glow means it is more beneficial to run a Timid nature over Modest to outspeed Mega Lopunny and neutral-natured Pheromosa and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele after Xurkitree has used Z-Hypnosis. Beast Boost increases Xurkitree's Special Attack upon KOing a foe, making boosted Xurkitree even harder to defensively keep in check.
Usage Tips
========
Even if Xurkitree successfully gains +1 Speed from Z-Hypnosis and sets up Tail Glow, its sweep is not necessarily guaranteed, as Choice Scarf users and priority move users can easily revenge kill it, and Xurkitree will have to rely on hitting Hypnosis to bypass Mimikyu and Focus Sash users. This means using Xurkitree is rather a risky move unless there is no other way its team can have the upper hand against the opponent. Xurkitree is best when deployed against defensive or balanced teams, which are sometimes not offensively oriented enough to reliably stop its rampage. Z-Hypnosis is best used against foes that Xurkitree naturally forces out or when Xurkitree needs a boost in Speed to avoid getting revenge killed by faster foes. Especially if Hypnosis was used on the forced switch, Xurkitree will be given a second chance to use Hypnosis in case the move misses or buy more turns to set Tail Glow. Against slower and defensive teams, Xurkitree can aggressively set Tail Glow on passive foes and start obliterating them with boosted attacks while possibly utilizing Hypnosis to shut down problematic foes. Lastly, much like all other setup sweepers, Xurkitree appreciates Stealth Rock, as it breaks Focus Sashes and makes Xurkitree less reliant on hitting Hypnosis to defeat their users reliably.
Team Options
========
Offensively inclined teams appreciate the presence of a Pokemon that can both pressure defensive teams and turn the tables of the match with Z-Hypnosis. Essentially most setup sweepers, such as Mega Salamence, Mega Blaziken, Mega Gyarados, and Mimikyu, appreciate the serious damage Xurkitree can cause on defensive cores or even buy a chance to safely set up if Xurkitree has put a foe to sleep. All aforementioned teammates have a good general performance against most other teams by virtue of better Speed, initial power, or unique ability in Mimikyu's case. Since Xurkitree struggles to find a proper setup opportunity against many teams, it also appreciates offensive threats like Mega Salamence and Tapu Lele naturally drawing in walls like Celesteela or Porygon2, which Xurkitree can attempt setting up on. Bringing in Xurkitree with pivoting is also an option to grant it a favorable matchup, and Landorus-T and Pheromosa are capable of fulfilling this job. The former blanket checks Ground-types like Garchomp and opposing Landorus-T, while the latter can generate momentum with ease thanks to the number of switches it naturally causes to draw in foes like Celesteela, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex, all of which Xurkitree can threaten out and buy a turn to set up. Lastly, just like every setup sweeper, Xurkitree appreciates Stealth Rock support so that it can rely less on Tail Glow in some matchups and bypass Focus Sash users. Dedicated leads that can set entry hazards and generate a setup opportunity with Yawn, such as Hippowdon and Swampert, are decent partners in this regard. Dual screens, Aurora Veil, and Memento users also greatly aid Xurkitree, as they give it more room to breathe and possibly let Xurkitree survive a hit which would KO it otherwise, reducing the risk involved from using Hypnosis. Landorus-T can make a lead and not only set Stealth Rock but also set Gravity for Xurkitree, letting it utilize Hypnosis much more reliably.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt dishes out good damage against neutral foes and is the main tool that Xurkitree can utilize to clean up late-game. Volt Switch is a second Electric-type STAB move that generates momentum on forced switches, though one must be wary of Ground-types possibly switching in. Hidden Power Ice harshly punishes Ground-types that attempt to block Volt Switch by OHKOing the likes of Landorus-T and Garchomp. Energy Ball 2HKOes Hippowdon and Excadrill and OHKOes Swampert while hitting Gastrodon for massive damage, all of which would easily check this set and consistently take momentum away from Xurkitree.
Set Details
========
Maximized Special Attack and Speed are ideal for a special Choice Scarf user. A Timid nature allows Xurkitree to outspeed neutral-natured Choice Scarf users like Tapu Lele and and Landorus-T. A Modest nature, on the other hand, slightly improves Xurkitree's damage output, letting it OHKO Tapu Fini most of the time while also granting it a chance to OHKO uninvested Mega Gengar and Mimikyu after Stealth Rock damage and still letting it outspeed base 130 Speed Pokemon. Beast Boost allows Xurkitree to effectively clean up late-game by making its attacks progressively harder to handle after it KOes a foe.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Xurkitree can function as a fast pivot that can offensively handle Water-types while generating momentum for its team using Volt Switch. This set also sets itself apart from other Electric-type pivots like Tapu Koko or Rotom formes thanks to its ability to easily clean up weakened teams late-game with Beast Boost. However, both of these strengths can be hindered by Ground-types, which can simply render Xurkitree less effective by forcing it to think twice before using Thunderbolt, though most of them are harshly punished if they switch into a wrong move. Lastly, bear in mind that Xurkitree provides little to no defensive utility to its team, so it shouldn't be directly switched in carelessly.
Team Options
========
Despite the fact that Xurkitree can punish Ground-type foes with its coverage moves, switch-ins for them are necessary, as Xurkitree locked into an Electric-type move is immediately forced out. Landorus-T and Celesteela can aid Xurkitree, as the former sets Stealth Rock, which Xurkitree benefits from due to the switches it may force, while the latter checks other Choice Scarf users that outspeed Xurkitree if running maximum Speed, such as Tapu Lele, Garchomp, and opposing Landorus-T. Grass-types like Ferrothorn, Assault Vest Tapu Bulu, and Mega Venusaur prove to be a nuisance for this set. Therefore, Mega Salamence and Mega Blaziken are good offensive partners, as they can break through Grass-types, pressure specially defensive foes, and appreciate Xurkitree threatening Celesteela in the former's case and Tapu Fini and Gyarados in the latter's.
[SET]
name: Bulkitree
move 1: Tail Glow
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Substitute / Energy Ball
item: Electrium Z / Shuca Berry / Wiki Berry
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 204 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 44 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tail Glow drastically increases Xurkitree's damage output, letting it OHKO a good portion of the metagame after a boost. Thunderbolt is a STAB move that is mandatory on Xurkitree. Hidden Power Ice hits Ground-types and is capable of OHKOing offensive Mega Salamence and Landorus-T without investment, and the HP investment combined with Shuca Berry allows Xurkitree to survive a hit from them and hit back, offensively checking them. Substitute capitalizes on the switches Xurkitree forces or on passive foes like Celesteela and Ferrothorn by protecting Xurkitree from weak attacks and status moves, as well as making it much harder to revenge kill. The move is also useful for easing predictions. Alternatively, Energy Ball hits Ground-types that do not fall to boosted Hidden Power Ice, narrowing defensive counterplay against Xurkitree.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread allows Xurkitree to meet various defensive benchmarks. From full HP, it always survives +1 Mega Salamence's Double-Edge, +1 Mega Gyarados's STAB moves, and Tapu Bulu's Horn Leech while also enduring Modest Tapu Lele's Psychic most of the time. The EV spread also prevents Ferrothorn from breaking Substitute with a Gyro Ball. Maximum Speed with Timid nature lets Xurkitree outspeed as many defensive foes as possible to reliably set up Tail Glow or use Substitute against as well as hitting the same Speed as Adamant Mimikyu. However, if Xurkitree is employed on teams using Trick Room, it can opt to shift the EV investment on Speed to Special Attack and use a Quiet nature with 0 Speed IVs to maximize its damage output and move faster than as many foes as possible when Trick Room is up. Electrium Z gives Xurkitree access to a powerful attack, which is especially helpful when Xurkitree is unboosted, as Xurkitree's initial power is rather lower without investment. Electrium Z also aids Xurkitree with breaking through its defensive checks like Chansey and Assault Vest Magnezone along with Tail Glow. Shuca Berry allows Xurkitree to net surprise KOs on Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp; Wiki Berry, on the other hand, provides a sizable amount of recovery in a pinch.
Usage Tips
========
This variant of Xurkitree aims to utilize its increased bulk to ease setup or avoid getting revenge killed. Along with Electrium Z, Xurkitree is capable of surviving a hit from the likes of Tapu Lele or other offensive checks and OHKOing in return with Gigavolt Havoc. Increased bulk also allows Xurkitree to offensively check Earthquake users like Mega Salamence, Landorus-T, and Garchomp in an emergency with Shuca Berry intact. Against defensive teams, Xurkitree can take advantage of passive foes like Toxapex and Cresselia with Substitute, as the former's Scald and the latter's Ice Beam fail to break it in a hit. If Xurkitree has Wiki Berry, its item can further improve its setup opportunities against slower foes by allowing it to set up Substitute multiple times or letting it recover a significant portion of its health. While this Xurkitree must be kept in pristine condition to survive hits against offensive teams, it can set up against defensive teams immediately if no foe in particular is capable of reliably revenge killing it.
Team Options
========
Despite the fact that this set is considerably bulkier, team support is always appreciated, as Xurkitree still folds to strong attacks from foes like Mega Charizard X and Mega Kangaskhan. Dedicated leads that can improve Xurkitree's setup condition are appreciated. In this regard, teammates that can use screens, Yawn, and Memento, such as Alolan Ninetales and Hippowdon, are appropriate choices. Landorus-T and Pheromosa draw in passive foes and let Xurkitree safely switch in with U-turn. Essentially, most threats that can pick off weakened teams, such as Mimikyu and Mega Blaziken, appreciate the massive havoc that Xurkitree can wreak on defensive teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Xurkitree has few justifiable options apart from the ones that have already been addressed due to its rather barren movepool. Dazzling Gleam OHKOes Hydreigon and Kommo-o but has little use outsides this. Hidden Power Ground quickly disposes of Heatran and allows Xurkitree to deal with Assault Vest Magnezone and the rare Alolan Marowak, but Magnezone is set up on by Tail Glow variants of Xurkitree regardless and the opportunity cost of forgoing Hidden Power Ice makes this option rather unprofitable. The Z-Hypnosis set can opt to forgo Tail Glow for three attacks to maximize its coverage options, but this leaves Xurkitree unable to deal with bulkier teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Although Xurkitree always has ways to defeat them with right moves and predictions, Ground-types are capable of offensively checking Xurkitree and forcing Choice Scarf variants into predictions. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Excadrill naturally outspeed Xurkitree and can viably run Choice Scarf to outspeed and revenge kill Choice Scarf Xurkitree, but the former two are OHKOed if switched into Hidden Power Ice. The former two may also be surprised by Xurkitree with the occasional Shuca Berry. Swampert and Gastrodon are capable of walling Xurkitree lacking Energy Ball, and the rare Mega Camerupt is one of the better checks to unboosted Xurkitree.
**Faster Foes**: Xurkitree's frailty forces it to rely on outspeeding a foe with a boost from Z-Hypnosis or Choice Scarf to function effectively against offensive teams, and this leaves it vulnerable to faster foes and other Choice Scarf users. Pheromosa and Mega Alakazam can outspeed even Choice Scarf Xurkitree and KO it, while other Choice Scarf users like Tapu Lele can do the same if given a safe switch. Mega Blaziken can use Protect to outspeed +1 Xurkitree and OHKO the next turn with a STAB move of its choice.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Assault Vest Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur resist Thunderbolt and can take Hidden Power Ice due to their item, typing, or ability. However, they are all prone to getting overwhelmed by boosted Xurkitree, and they might even find themselves being set up on by Z-Hypnosis Xurkitree.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types, such as Mega Charizard X and Hydreigon, resist Thunderbolt, do not fall to Hidden Power Ice, naturally outspeed Xurkitree, and can revenge kill Xurkitree with their STAB moves with or without prior damage.
**Chansey**: Chansey's ridiculous special bulk allows it to easily take any attacks from unboosted Xurkitree. That said, Chansey cannot stop Xurkitree from setting up Tail Glow and boosted Xurkitree will KO Chansey faster than Chansey stalls Xurkitree with Toxic damage.
**Priority Moves**: Xurkitree's frailty leaves it susceptible to priority moves, which can pick it off after it has taken sufficient prior damage. However, it is important to note that Sucker Punch users like Mega Mawile or Mega Kangaskhan has to play with caution, as the move fails if Xurkitree decides to use Hypnosis.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DMDW, 434601]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jhon, 159382], [Psynergy, 248085]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [frostration, 447027]]
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