In-battle formes
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| HP: | 59 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Attack: | 110 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Defense: | 150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Atk: | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Def: | 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speed: | 35 |
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- UU
Overview
Doublade presents a unique pick for teams in the UU metagame as both a solid defensive pivot and a late-game sweeper. Doublade's defensive prowess stem from its monstrous Defense stat, access to Eviolite, and fantastic defensive typing. Its Ghost / Steel typing possesses nine resistances and three immunities, letting it check common threats such as Mega Aerodactyl, Latias, and Cobalion. Its respectable base 110 Attack and access to Swords Dance and STAB Shadow Sneak also make Doublade a formidable late-game sweeper, provided that its strong checks and counters have been weakened or removed. To counteract its fantastic physical bulk, however, Doublade's HP and Special Defense stats are much lower than it would prefer, leaving it to only rely on its typing to stomach strong special hits like Calm Mind Latias's +1 Devastating Drake. While it does possess a plethora of resistances, Doublade finds itself weak to common attacking types in Ground, Fire, and Dark, letting Pokemon such as Earthquake Terrakion, Fire Blast Mega Altaria, and Knock Off Scizor muscle past it after prior damage. Doublade's weakness to Dark-type moves also notably leaves it weak to Pursuit and Knock Off. The former often means that it is too weak to act as a defensive pivot, while the latter removes its Eviolite, hindering its overall bulk. Doublade also lacks any form of reliable recovery, meaning it is easily worn down by entry hazards and other damage accumulated throughout a match. Finally, Doublade has no use for its ability, No Guard, and it also makes opposing inaccurate moves like Fire Blast and Hydro Pump always hit.
Swords Dance
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Moves
Swords Dance boosts Doublade's solid Attack stat, letting it act as a late-game sweeper when its checks are weakened. Due to Doublade's poor Speed stat, Gyro Ball possesses high Base Power against much of the UU metagame, specifically against common threats like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl, making it the preferred Steel-type STAB move in most cases. Iron Head is another strong option that provides more consistent damage as well as significantly more PP than Gyro Ball, letting Doublade threaten slow targets such as Alolan Muk and Amoonguss much more effectively. Shadow Claw is a decent Ghost-type STAB move, notably hitting Pokemon such as Scizor and Moltres harder than any of Doublade's other viable options. Sacred Sword lets Doublade hit Snorlax and Dark-types like Bisharp, Mega Sharpedo, and Crawdaunt for super effective damage, though it does further worsen its matchup against Pokemon such as Scizor and Tentacruel. Shadow Sneak helps alleviate Doublade's awful Speed stat, letting it take out weakened faster threats like Latias, Chandelure, and Starmie without being forced to stomach hard hits.
Set Details
240 HP EVs make Doublade as bulky as possible while minimizing Stealth Rock and burn damage, making the most of its fantastic defensive typing. Maximum investment in Attack along with a Brave nature lets Doublade hit as hard as possible in its pursuit of a potential late-game sweep. A Brave nature and 0 Speed IVs also minimize Doublade's Speed stat, maximizing Gyro Ball's damage output. However, an Adamant nature is preferred if running Iron Head as its Steel-type STAB move, as it allows Doublade to outspeed notable Pokemon like Amoonguss and Slowbro, while a Brave nature does not. Eviolite pairs nicely with Doublade's HP investment and great defensive typing, making its Defense stat even more formidable while helping to shore up its low Special Defense.
Usage Tips
Bring Doublade in on Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Cobalion, and Scizor that it fares well against in order to either throw out a free attack or set up a Swords Dance. Weaken or remove Doublade's main counters in Water- and Dark-types like Alomomola and Hydreigon before attempting to sweep with Doublade late-game. Doublade can also be used as a revenge killer, picking off weakened foes like Latias and Starmie with Shadow Sneak. Scout for super effective coverage moves such as Mega Altaria's Fire Blast and Scizor's Knock Off to avoid unnecessary damage. Keep Doublade as healthy as possible if it is needed to check multiple foes or if it has a good chance to clean up late-game. Remove opposing entry hazards, specifically Spikes, with a teammate whenever possible, as they severely hinder Doublade's longevity. Doublade can also be used early- to mid-game to soften a Pokemon like Hydreigon with Gyro Ball to aid teammates and ease its attempts to sweep late-game. If possible, do not let Doublade get hit by Knock Off, as it relies on Eviolite for much of its bulk.
Team Options
Doublade fits best on offense and balance teams that appreciate its ability to pivot into attackers and act as a solid late-game sweeper with Swords Dance. Pokemon like Rotom-C, Mega Manectric, and Calm Mind Latias pair nicely with Doublade, as they can threaten the bulky Water-types that fare well against it. Fairy- and Fighting-types like Sylveon and Infernape make for good partners, checking opposing Dark-types. Sylveon also provides Wish support, helping to keep Doublade healthy throughout a match. Defog users such as Mandibuzz, Rotom-C, and Moltres can remove the Spikes that Doublade hates; Mandibuzz also appreciates Doublade's ability to counter its best offensive answer in Cobalion. Doublade and Hydreigon share incredible defensive synergy, with the combination resisting every type. Swampert and Nihilego can set up Stealth Rock, letting Doublade get certain KOs such as the OHKO on Latias with +2 Shadow Sneak after Stealth Rock. Bulky Water-types like Slowbro and Suicune can absorb Fire- and Ground-type moves aimed at Doublade, also easing the pressure placed upon it by Mega Aerodactyl.
Other Options
Toxic is an option to cripple bulky Water-types like Alomomola and Swampert, though it is generally less effective than its other options. Pursuit can be used to punish Pokemon like Latias and Mega Beedrill switching out, but it is similar to Toxic in that coverage moves are usually superior options. A specially defensive RestTalk set with Toxic is a niche option on stall teams but lacks the utility that other options may offer.
Checks and Counters
Bulky Water-types: Bulky Water-types like Alomomola, Swampert, and Suicune fear little from an unboosted Doublade, threatening to burn it with Scald and neuter its effectiveness.
Dark-types: Dark-types like Crawdaunt, Hydreigon, and Bisharp all deal huge damage to Doublade and resist its priority Shadow Sneak, though Crawdaunt and Bisharp must watch out for Sacred Sword and Hydreigon must be wary of Gyro Ball.
Ground-types: Ground-types such as Nidoking, Krookodile, and Hippowdon threaten Doublade with their super effective STAB moves and threaten it out.
Powerful Special Attackers: Due to its poor special bulk, Doublade matches up badly against strong special attackers such as Mega Manectric, Volcanion, and Mega Pidgeot.
Knock Off: Doublade is quite dependent on its Eviolite to help cover its awful HP stat, making Knock Off users such as Mega Beedrill, Heracross, Alomomola, and Scizor rather annoying to deal with.
