Xerneas!
HP:126, Att:131. Def:95, Spa:131, Spdf:98, Speed:99
Ability Fairy Aura: Strengthens Fairy moves to 1.33× their power for all friendly and opposing Pokémon.
This new addition to the series debuting in XY is the only legendary Fairy type Pokemon and is understandably one of if not the strongest Fairy available in the game. Up until VGC16 this monster has been locked away in the darkest depths of hell unable to be abused. Sadly the cage has been opened and this stag has been unleashed upon the masses of players. In this article I'll talk about just why this Pokemon is so strong and some of the sets I feel are viable.
Now the obvious start on why this Pokemon is as scary as it is. Xerneas learns the move Geomancy which boosts its Special attack Special Defense and Speed by 2 after one turn of charge. This sounds pretty terrible until you remember the item Power herb, the seldom used item finally has a strong and effective use outside of random Sky Attack hype. Now imagine a +2 +2 +2 Fairy Pokemon with access to spread moves ploughing through your team like a knife through butter. Add the boost received from Fairy Aura and you'll find very few Pokemon being able to resist and actually beat Xerneas when its used Geomancy.
Xerneas does lack one thing though... Good Coverage. Often forced to run a Hidden power (usually Ground) to attempt to get past bulky fires and steels that stand in its way. A typical Xerneas will look like this:
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid/Modest Nature
- Geomancy
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power [Ground]/ Thunderbolt/Psychic/Moonblast
This may change to incorporate more bulk during the year but at the time of writing the typical 252/252 is effective and more than usable.
A more interesting set might use a Choice Scarf:
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Rock Slide/Swagger
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power [Ground]
This set aims to surprise opponents with swift KO's to their faster dragons or frailer Pranksters hoping to Encore it into Geomancy. Rock Slide can hit Ho-Oh and provide sweaty flinch potential or Swagger can be used because its a good move and the movepool is dire as is.
Checks:
The problem with Xerneas is the variety of partners it can utilise to set up quickly and easily so finding a Counter is pretty difficult so checks will be used instead.
The obvious check to Xerneas is Primal Groudon which can resist fairy and smack it back with a strong Ground attack. However if Xerneas has the usual partner in Kangaskhan a swift double attack can be used to rid Groudon of the field. Groudon has access to a much larger movepool than ground attacks though so other options can be explored. Thunder wave can be used to neuter Xerneas for another Pokemon to weaken or even KO. Roar is also a niche option although its best used on the turn of set up to render Xerneas unable to boost for the rest of the game if it tries to set up.
Ho-Oh utterly walls Xerneas without thunderbolt with its massive Special Defense stat and the resistance along with recovery moves. It can also hit Xerneas on the frailer physical side with strong STAB attacks like Sacred fire and Brave bird. Ho-Oh can also utilize Whirlwind to similar effect as Groudon with Roar if the need arises. Ho-Oh also pressures the common Kangaskhan partner with a Sacred Fire burn.
Other Pokemon include: Fast Prankster Encore users, Thunder wave, Greninja w/Gunk shot. Bulky Fires, Aegislash W/Gyro ball, Ferrothorn. Swagger :]
The common Xerneas core going around at the time of writing is Kangaskhan,Groudon-P, Xerneas, Cresselia,Amoonguss so keep those Pokemon in mind when choosing a Xerneas check as most checks fall to Groudon.
If I've missed anything I'll come back and add it. I'll be doing Primal Groudon next (oh dear ) so look forward to that.
-Mattsby
