Pokémon Alakazam

[edudittA]

Approved by Ruft , sorry for the delay

Alakazam

Base Stats: 55 HP | 50 Atk | 45 Def | 135 SpA | 95 SpD | 120 Spe

Abilities: Synchronize | Inner Focus | Magic Guard (H)

[Notable Moves]

- Counter
- Teleport
- Trick
- Nasty Plot
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Psyshock
- Expanding Force
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Focus Blast
- Recover
- Taunt
- Toxic


[Pros]

- Great damage output and Speed, further augmented by Nasty Plot.
- Good coverage allowing it to cover many Pokemon, both offensive and defensive
- Magic Guard allows it to absorb status, while also letting it run Life Orb for additional damage, or Focus Sash to come in free from full and defeat a Pokemon with Counter.

[Cons]

- Poor bulk, which doesn't let it come in freely against any offensive Pokemon.
- Weak to common offensive types like Dark and Bug.
- Not fast enough to take on common Pokemon like Dragapult or Weavile.

[Potential Movesets]

All-Out offense
Alakazam @ Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Psyshock /Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Ball / Counter / Focus Blast

Alakazam functions best as a mid to late game sweeper. Magic Guard is the obvious ability of choice, because it allows Alakazam to not take any damage from hazards and from status like burn or badly poison. Nasty Plot boosts Alakazam's already impressivr offensive output to higher levels, allowing it take out defensive Pokemon like Chansey. But, if Alakazam does need to see any hope, there are things to be kept in mind. All faster Pokemon like Dragapult and Zeraora, and all priority users need to be taken out. Also, it won't hurt if Steel-types already have also been taken out, since Focus Blast is not reliable in the long run. Psyshock gets SpD Clefable and Chansey. Dazzling Gleam is a surprise move which lets it KO Dark-types like Mandibuzz. Sash+Counter lets it take physical Pokemon by surprise, so that Pokemon like Bisharp and Tyranitar aren't encouraged to freely press their moves against the saint. Shadow Ball is a surprise pick which helps it cope up with opposing Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon like Aegislash and Mew. Focus Blast is also a niche option which lets it beat some Dark-type like Bisharp, which proves especially effective if used with Focus Sash.

 

[aminita]

I think Recover Deserves a mention on the set. It allows Zam to turn passive mons like Chansey and Clefable into set-up fodder, at the cost of sacrificing some coverage. This also gives alakazam some staying power, and greatly improves the stall MU

also

You might want to change the name to Alkazam instead of Chansey lol.
Also here's the psychic thing

if you want it.

 

[Yak Attack]

I might be stating the obvious, but Alakazam pairs well with Psychic Terrain (so Indeedee). Example:

Expanding Force wallbreaker

Alakazam @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Expanding Force
- 2 of Focus Blast/Shadow Ball/Dazzling Gleam/Energy Ball/Psyshock
- Nasty Plot

Indeedee (M) @ Terrain Extender
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Expanding Force
- Psyshock
- Hyper Voice
- Mystical Fire/Dazzling Gleam/Energy Ball

usually just getting Indeedee in is enough to make Zam a huge threat. one Nasty Plot and you threaten an OHKO on a large portion of the metagame. Also prevents the priority that Zam is prone to getting screwed over with.
Weaknesses: Corviknight, though if you can get to a x3 with 2 Nasty Plots, you might be able to threaten an OHKO with Focus Blast, with rocks support
(if this isn't the right thread for common teammates, can you move this to the OU thread, please?)

 

[Cuddly]

Substitute should also be considered for notable moves.
One of the biggest threats to Alakazam is a Sucker Punch, aiming at its poor bulk and ignoring its amazing speed.
With Substitute, you can avoid Sucker Punch and help eliminate threats like Bisharp.

 

[usw]

add knock off to the notable moves, super good vs chansey and fats

take teleport off notable moves I can’t think of a single situation where you would use teleport on zam or where it would be worth a move slot