Moves

Defog is the main reason to use Lurantis, and it removes entry hazards from the entire field. Leaf Storm combined with Contrary gives Lurantis a strong STAB option that also increases Special Attack to keep Lurantis from being passive. Superpower is the preferred option in the third slot, as it can increase Lurantis's Defense and provides excellent coverage to hit common Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Alolan Sandslash and Ferroseed. Alternatively, Toxic can also be used to get reliable chip damage on most switch-ins like Eelektross. The last move is typically Aromatherapy, as Lurantis is taking negligable damage from the hazard setters it intends to switch into, such as Qwilfish and Metang, and Aromatherapy allows it to cure itself of status, easing switches into these same hazard setters. Alternatively, Synthesis can be used to allow Lurantis to switch into less passive physical attackers like Choice Scarf Kabutops, but Aromatherapy is generally preferred as Lurantis will often find itself being worn down by Toxic otherwise.

Set Details

Leftovers is chosen as the item, giving Lurantis a steady stream of healing that allows it to switch into weaker or resisted attacks, such as Regirock's Rock Slide or Mudsdale's Earthquake, without being forced to recover. Contrary should always be the ability, as the snowball effect Lurantis generates with Leaf Storm and Superpower is one of the stronger benefits of using Lurantis.

Usage Tips

Send Lurantis directly into hazard setters like Ferroseed and Torterra and use the free turns Lurantis generates as they switch out to Defog away entry hazards or cure itself of status with Aromatherapy. If the opponent is using a hazard setter that Lurantis can not switch into, such as Aggron or Roselia, try to conserve Lurantis and find an opportunity to bring it in against more passive Pokemon, such as Tangela, or against Pokemon it can immediately threaten, like defensive Jellicent or Poliwrath. It is important to remember that, even with Leaf Storm, Lurantis is not a wallbreaker or sweeper. The boosted Special Attack very rarely results in a sweep and instead finds a primary purpose in warding away less bulky attackers that may want to try and set up or other threats that may try to take advantage of Lurantis's perceived passivity such as Gurdurr. Lurantis is forced out by many threats in the tier, so making use of the turn that Lurantis is out by predicting threats to switch in and using the appropriate move is key to Lurantis's success.

Team Options

Teammates that patch Lurantis's weaknesses are always a good option, so teammates such as Lanturn for helping with the Fire and Flying weaknesses or Metang to cover the Poison weakness work well. Lurantis generally lets in common Grass-type switch-ins, such as Victreebel and Oricorio-E, so teammates that can take advantage of these switch-ins, such as Drampa and Rotom-F, are beneficial. Lurantis is a fairly reliable hazard removal option, and as such, Pokemon that appreciate having hazards removed like Jynx and Oricorio-G appreciate Lurantis's presence. Lurantis also acts as a reliable Ground- and Water-resistant Pokemon, so Fire-types such as Combusken and Simisear are excellent choices, as are Rock-types like Lycanroc and Aggron, with Lycanroc in particular having strong synergy with Lurantis, pressuring the Fire-, Ice-, Flying- and Bug-types that Lurantis struggles with. Volt Switch and U-turn users like Eelektross, Lanturn and Primeape work well with Lurantis, with Lanturn and Primeape notably luring in and pivoting on defensive Pokemon like Ferroseed and Mudsdale that Lurantis can abuse. Lurantis will also occasionally get rid of your own hazards, so having a reliable Stealth Rock setter like Regirock or Mudsdale is ideal.