[OVERVIEW]
Lurantis differentiates itself from other entry hazard removal options, since if it's let ignored, it can quickly spiral out of control and become difficult to switch into or take a hit from thanks to Contrary boosting Lurantis's stats as it goes for Leaf Storm and Superpower, which together allow Lurantis to tear through all hazard setters, including Regirock, Orthworm, and Sandslash. It also finds ample opportunities to come in with its mono-Grass typing, helping it switch in against common threats such as Jolteon, Rotom-C, Lanturn, and Whimsicott. However, these moves along with Synthesis come with low PP, often leading to Lurantis being stalled out by walls like Articuno and Dipplin, and Lurantis is not as offensive as it wishes to be without prior boosts. Even with its good resistances, Lurantis can find itself overwhelmed if it's being attacked on the defensive side that it didn't invest in. For example, Snorlax can 2HKO specially defensive Lurantis with Heat Crash, and physically defensive Lurantis is vulnerable to Whimsicott due to how its Choice Specs Moonblast always nets a 2HKO. On top of that, its typing also lets it down quite often when facing down many top threats, such as Charizard, Glastrier, Hisuian Sneasel, and Vikavolt, and Lurantis can be forced to heal constantly with how easily it's chipped down by switching into foes that often use pivoting moves like Rotom-C, Lanturn, and Jolteon.
[SET]
Defog (Lurantis) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Contrary
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Sassy / Relaxed Nature
- Defog
- Synthesis
- Leaf Storm
- Superpower / Knock Off
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to Lurantis's decent defenses, good resistances, lack of passivity thanks to Contrary, and its positive matchups into common entry hazard setters like Regirock and Sandslash, it makes for a fine hazard remover with Defog. Superpower complements Leaf Storm quite well, both helping to overpower walls and nailing switch-ins to Lurantis like Abomasnow, Magneton, and Snorlax, and the Defense boost it offers also helps with Lurantis's longevity and survivability. However, Knock Off allows Lurantis to better punish more offensive foes like Charizard, Vikavolt, and Oricorio-F. With Contrary, Lurantis circumvents the issues of other walls like Orthworm, Lanturn, and Weezing, able to become a threat in its own right with the offensive boosts from Leaf Storm and Superpower. Lurantis's EV spread can go in either a specially defensive direction or a physically defensive one. Becoming specially bulky allows Lurantis to better stomach attacks from Clawitzer, Magneton, and Whimsicott. Alternatively, a physically defensive spread lets Lurantis handle physical attackers like Basculin and Sandslash more easily. Tera Poison offers Lurantis many useful resistances, namely to Fighting, Fairy, and Poison. This newfound defensive profile allows Lurantis to more comfortably handles Poison-types such as Hisuian Sneasel, Muk, and Weezing while improving its matchup into Whimsicott, being able to stomach Moonblast better. By becoming a Poison-type, Lurantis can act as a Fighting-type check, switching into Passimian and Hitmontop while doubling as a Toxic Spikes absorber, aiding its team against users like Weezing. Tera Poison also sheds Lurantis's weakness to Ice-type attacks, meaning Lurantis can take out foes such as Glastrier, Abomasnow, and Beartic when they have low health in a pinch, though Tera Poison ruins Lurantis's matchup into Mesprit.
Lurantis mainly offers Defog support, and it's often lacking in the bulk department, meaning it needs teammates that can better handle attacks than it can, as well as offensive partners that can don't need entry hazards to break through the walls that it's bound to bring in. Offensive pivots such as Basculin, Jolteon, and Passimian appreciate Lurantis keeping hazards off the field, allowing them to continually switch in and pressure walls that Lurantis calls in like Muk and Dipplin. Charizard, Oricorio-F, and Vikavolt are notable for having great synergy with Lurantis, handling the pesky Ice-, Steel-, and Grass-types that give Lurantis trouble, like Articuno, Orthworm, and Dipplin. In return, Lurantis takes out counters to them, namely Regirock, Lanturn, and, with Superpower, Magneton. On top of that, Lurantis's Defog aids these three if they happen to lose their Heavy-Duty Boots due to Knock Off. Lurantis is also quite weak to opposing Oricorio-F and Charizard, so partners like Lanturn, Snorlax, and Regirock pair well with it. In a similar vein, Pokemon such as Poliwrath and Orthworm are good teammates to fend off Ice-type foes like Glastrier and Beartic. Lurantis capitalizing on the top bulky Water-type in Lanturn opens many doors for teammates like Glastrier, Lycanroc, Oricorio-F, and Clawitzer. Stealth Rock users such as Regirock, Mesprit, and Sandslash pair best with Lurantis, as its Defog isn't as detrimental as it would be on Spikes-stacking teams, and unlike spinners like Hitmontop and Sandslash, Lurantis can still clear hazards infront of Ghost-types like Mismagius and Spiritomb. Poison-types like Muk, Weezing, and Hisuian Sneasel are quite common and very problematic for Luranatis. This often leads it to pairing up with Pokemon like Sandslash, its own Hisuian Sneasel, Mesprit, and Spiritomb. Lurantis is easily taken advantage of by other Grass-types like Whimsicott, Dipplin, and Virizion; for this reason, it synergizes with Pokemon such as Charizard, Glastrier, and Weezing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lurantis can forgo Defog for Knock Off, which allows it to simultaneously threaten common switch-ins to it like Charizard while still threatening entry hazard setters such as Orthworm. However, with the limited options for entry hazard removal in ZU, having to burden another teammate with that role is often impractical.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Vikavolt**: Vikavolt resists both Leaf Storm and Superpower from Lurantis, granting it plenty of opportunities to switch in. From there, Vikavolt threatens Lurantis with its STAB Bug Buzz; it can keep up the momentum with Volt Switch as Lurantis switches out, simultaneously accruing chip damage; and it can set Sticky Web up on Lurantis every time it comes in, effectively ignoring its Defog. Vikavolt is weak to entry hazards, though, so if Lurantis can catch Vikavolt switching in with a Knock Off, then Vikavolt gets a limit on the number of times it can switch in with Stealth Rock up.
**Fire-types**: Charizard, Oricorio-F, and Typhlosion all are very threatening to Lurantis, especially the former two due to how they resist both Leaf Storm and Superpower. However, these Fire-types are quite vulnerable to Knock Off with how weak they are to Stealth Rock.
**Ice-types**: Abomasnow and Glastrier are fairly common and both outspeed Lurantis, threatening it with their Blizzard and Icicle Crash, respectively. Not only that, but they can capitalize on Lurantis switching out with status moves such as Aurora Veil and Swords Dance. Similarly, Sneasel and Beartic can also take advantage of switches with Swords Dance, but they can also force progress through powerful attacks. Froslass is quite problematic, too, as it's a hazard setter that beats Lurantis and can cripple it along with any other switch-ins with status via Will-O-Wisp and deny Defog with Taunt. On top of that, Articuno and its Pressure can easily PP stall Lurantis out of all of its attacks if it isn't careful. However, when these Ice-type foes switch in they must be cautious of not getting hit by a Superpower or Knock Off.
**Poison-types**: Hisuian Sneasel and Muk can take all of Lurantis's attacks without issue, and the latter doesn't mind Knock Off thanks to Sticky Hold. Additionally, they all easily spread poison, which forces Lurantis to become even more passive than it would be otherwise because it now needs to constantly heal with Synthesis on top of clearing hazards. This can often force Lurantis to Terastallize into the Poison-type, depriving its teammates of that resource. Against Weezing, though, Lurantis has a fighting chance with Weezing's low Special Defense and lack of reliable recovery, making it vulnerable to being worn down by Leaf Storm.
**Grass-types**: With how Lurantis relies on Leaf Storm for damage most of the time, other Grass-types that don't mind Knock Off or Superpower can use Lurantis as a switch-in. This often leads to Lurantis having to switch out so that its team can deal with an opposing Whimsicott, Dipplin, or Shaymin, the latter two of which can heal off any chip damage Lurantis may deal to them. Dipplin is especially troiublesome, since it can simply phaze Lurantis and put its Contrary boosts to waste.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Grammar checked:
Lurantis differentiates itself from other entry hazard removal options, since if it's let ignored, it can quickly spiral out of control and become difficult to switch into or take a hit from thanks to Contrary boosting Lurantis's stats as it goes for Leaf Storm and Superpower, which together allow Lurantis to tear through all hazard setters, including Regirock, Orthworm, and Sandslash. It also finds ample opportunities to come in with its mono-Grass typing, helping it switch in against common threats such as Jolteon, Rotom-C, Lanturn, and Whimsicott. However, these moves along with Synthesis come with low PP, often leading to Lurantis being stalled out by walls like Articuno and Dipplin, and Lurantis is not as offensive as it wishes to be without prior boosts. Even with its good resistances, Lurantis can find itself overwhelmed if it's being attacked on the defensive side that it didn't invest in. For example, Snorlax can 2HKO specially defensive Lurantis with Heat Crash, and physically defensive Lurantis is vulnerable to Whimsicott due to how its Choice Specs Moonblast always nets a 2HKO. On top of that, its typing also lets it down quite often when facing down many top threats, such as Charizard, Glastrier, Hisuian Sneasel, and Vikavolt, and Lurantis can be forced to heal constantly with how easily it's chipped down by switching into foes that often use pivoting moves like Rotom-C, Lanturn, and Jolteon.
[SET]
Defog (Lurantis) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Contrary
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Sassy / Relaxed Nature
- Defog
- Synthesis
- Leaf Storm
- Superpower / Knock Off
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to Lurantis's decent defenses, good resistances, lack of passivity thanks to Contrary, and its positive matchups into common entry hazard setters like Regirock and Sandslash, it makes for a fine hazard remover with Defog. Superpower complements Leaf Storm quite well, both helping to overpower walls and nailing switch-ins to Lurantis like Abomasnow, Magneton, and Snorlax, and the Defense boost it offers also helps with Lurantis's longevity and survivability. However, Knock Off allows Lurantis to better punish more offensive foes like Charizard, Vikavolt, and Oricorio-F. With Contrary, Lurantis circumvents the issues of other walls like Orthworm, Lanturn, and Weezing, able to become a threat in its own right with the offensive boosts from Leaf Storm and Superpower. Lurantis's EV spread can go in either a specially defensive direction or a physically defensive one. Becoming specially bulky allows Lurantis to better stomach attacks from Clawitzer, Magneton, and Whimsicott. Alternatively, a physically defensive spread lets Lurantis handle physical attackers like Basculin and Sandslash more easily. Tera Poison offers Lurantis many useful resistances, namely to Fighting, Fairy, and Poison. This newfound defensive profile allows Lurantis to more comfortably handles Poison-types such as Hisuian Sneasel, Muk, and Weezing while improving its matchup into Whimsicott, being able to stomach Moonblast better. By becoming a Poison-type, Lurantis can act as a Fighting-type check, switching into Passimian and Hitmontop while doubling as a Toxic Spikes absorber, aiding its team against users like Weezing. Tera Poison also sheds Lurantis's weakness to Ice-type attacks, meaning Lurantis can take out foes such as Glastrier, Abomasnow, and Beartic when they have low health in a pinch, though Tera Poison ruins Lurantis's matchup into Mesprit.
Lurantis mainly offers Defog support, and it's often lacking in the bulk department, meaning it needs teammates that can better handle attacks than it can, as well as offensive partners that can don't need entry hazards to break through the walls that it's bound to bring in. Offensive pivots such as Basculin, Jolteon, and Passimian appreciate Lurantis keeping hazards off the field, allowing them to continually switch in and pressure walls that Lurantis calls in like Muk and Dipplin. Charizard, Oricorio-F, and Vikavolt are notable for having great synergy with Lurantis, handling the pesky Ice-, Steel-, and Grass-types that give Lurantis trouble, like Articuno, Orthworm, and Dipplin. In return, Lurantis takes out counters to them, namely Regirock, Lanturn, and, with Superpower, Magneton. On top of that, Lurantis's Defog aids these three if they happen to lose their Heavy-Duty Boots due to Knock Off. Lurantis is also quite weak to opposing Oricorio-F and Charizard, so partners like Lanturn, Snorlax, and Regirock pair well with it. In a similar vein, Pokemon such as Poliwrath and Orthworm are good teammates to fend off Ice-type foes like Glastrier and Beartic. Lurantis capitalizing on the top bulky Water-type in Lanturn opens many doors for teammates like Glastrier, Lycanroc, Oricorio-F, and Clawitzer. Stealth Rock users such as Regirock, Mesprit, and Sandslash pair best with Lurantis, as its Defog isn't as detrimental as it would be on Spikes-stacking teams, and unlike spinners like Hitmontop and Sandslash, Lurantis can still clear hazards infront of Ghost-types like Mismagius and Spiritomb. Poison-types like Muk, Weezing, and Hisuian Sneasel are quite common and very problematic for Luranatis. This often leads it to pairing up with Pokemon like Sandslash, its own Hisuian Sneasel, Mesprit, and Spiritomb. Lurantis is easily taken advantage of by other Grass-types like Whimsicott, Dipplin, and Virizion; for this reason, it synergizes with Pokemon such as Charizard, Glastrier, and Weezing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lurantis can forgo Defog for Knock Off, which allows it to simultaneously threaten common switch-ins to it like Charizard while still threatening entry hazard setters such as Orthworm. However, with the limited options for entry hazard removal in ZU, having to burden another teammate with that role is often impractical.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Vikavolt**: Vikavolt resists both Leaf Storm and Superpower from Lurantis, granting it plenty of opportunities to switch in. From there, Vikavolt threatens Lurantis with its STAB Bug Buzz; it can keep up the momentum with Volt Switch as Lurantis switches out, simultaneously accruing chip damage; and it can set Sticky Web up on Lurantis every time it comes in, effectively ignoring its Defog. Vikavolt is weak to entry hazards, though, so if Lurantis can catch Vikavolt switching in with a Knock Off, then Vikavolt gets a limit on the number of times it can switch in with Stealth Rock up.
**Fire-types**: Charizard, Oricorio-F, and Typhlosion all are very threatening to Lurantis, especially the former two due to how they resist both Leaf Storm and Superpower. However, these Fire-types are quite vulnerable to Knock Off with how weak they are to Stealth Rock.
**Ice-types**: Abomasnow and Glastrier are fairly common and both outspeed Lurantis, threatening it with their Blizzard and Icicle Crash, respectively. Not only that, but they can capitalize on Lurantis switching out with status moves such as Aurora Veil and Swords Dance. Similarly, Sneasel and Beartic can also take advantage of switches with Swords Dance, but they can also force progress through powerful attacks. Froslass is quite problematic, too, as it's a hazard setter that beats Lurantis and can cripple it along with any other switch-ins with status via Will-O-Wisp and deny Defog with Taunt. On top of that, Articuno and its Pressure can easily PP stall Lurantis out of all of its attacks if it isn't careful. However, when these Ice-type foes switch in they must be cautious of not getting hit by a Superpower or Knock Off.
**Poison-types**: Hisuian Sneasel and Muk can take all of Lurantis's attacks without issue, and the latter doesn't mind Knock Off thanks to Sticky Hold. Additionally, they all easily spread poison, which forces Lurantis to become even more passive than it would be otherwise because it now needs to constantly heal with Synthesis on top of clearing hazards. This can often force Lurantis to Terastallize into the Poison-type, depriving its teammates of that resource. Against Weezing, though, Lurantis has a fighting chance with Weezing's low Special Defense and lack of reliable recovery, making it vulnerable to being worn down by Leaf Storm.
**Grass-types**: With how Lurantis relies on Leaf Storm for damage most of the time, other Grass-types that don't mind Knock Off or Superpower can use Lurantis as a switch-in. This often leads to Lurantis having to switch out so that its team can deal with an opposing Whimsicott, Dipplin, or Shaymin, the latter two of which can heal off any chip damage Lurantis may deal to them. Dipplin is especially troiublesome, since it can simply phaze Lurantis and put its Contrary boosts to waste.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Grammar checked:
Last edited: