[Anything Goes] Xerneas

Whis

Whis

[OVERVIEW]

Xerneas's extremely well-rounded stats and great Special Attack allow it to become a powerful attacker, and it is able to further boost its offensive prowess with Fairy Aura and Geomancy. These qualities let Xerneas serve numerous roles both offensively and defensively, making it difficult to switch into. It has many coverage options like Focus Blast and Psyshock to deal with some of its checks. Despite having more options for offensive sets, Xerneas can also utilize its high HP stat paired with its nice defensive typing for more defensive sets or act as a cleric with moves like Aromatherapy and Roar. However, Xerneas lacks reliable recovery and relies on Rest to regain health, which leaves it vulnerable. Xerneas also struggles against Steel- and Fire-types and has very few options to deal with them outside of Focus Blast. Multiple priority users can also overwhelm Xerneas and revenge kill it.

[SET]
name: Geomancy
move 1: Geomancy
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Thunder / Aromatherapy
item: Power Herb
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Modest
evs: 176 HP / 28 Def / 252 SpA / 52 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Geomancy raises Xerneas's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by two stages, allowing it to easily sweep a weakened team. Moonblast is the most powerful STAB option that Xerneas has access to, and when coupled with Fairy Aura and a Geomancy boost, it becomes a devastating attack. Focus Blast is Xerneas's main coverage move, as it is able to hit Steel-types such as Arceus-Steel, Jirachi, and Klefki as well as hitting Primal Groudon for more damage. Hidden Power Ground can be used over Focus Blast, as it is more accurate, but it is significantly weaker. Thunder is able to hit Ho-Oh and Lugia hard and can capitalize on Primal Kyogre switching in. Aromatherapy allows Xerneas to relieve its team from status effects and gives Xerneas an easier time with Klefki and support Arceus formes, which can cripple Xerneas with Thunder Wave and Swagger or wear it down with Toxic, respectively.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment and a Modest nature ensure that Xerneas deals as much damage as possible. The 52 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect and Choice Scarf Jirachi after a Geomancy. 28 EVs are invested in Defense to avoid giving Genesect +1 Attack from Download, and the rest are put in HP to help Xerneas avoid 2HKOs from Extreme Killer Arceus's Extreme Speed and Choice Band Ho-Oh's Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Xerneas has only a single chance to set up due to its reliance on Power Herb, so picking the right time is essential. Normally, setting up when checks like Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Klefki, and Clefable are severely weakened or knocked out is optimal. Multiple priority users also pose a problem for Xerneas, as they can overwhelm it with priority and KO after it has set up. Be wary of how much health Xerneas has and the number of priority users on the other team before using Geomancy. Try to set up on Pokemon like Yveltal, Mega Sableye, and Mega Diancie, as Xerneas can force them out as well as set up on them.

Team Options
========

Primal Groudon is a great teammate because it is able to switch into Steel-types and deal with most of Xerneas's counters like Arceus-Poison and Ho-Oh. Additionally, Primal Groudon, as well as support Arceus formes, can set up Stealth Rock for Xerneas so it can sweep more effectively. Primal Groudon also baits in Yveltal and Giratina-O, which Xerneas can set up on. Arceus-Ghost and Skarmory are able to switch into Mega Rayquaza and Extreme Killer Arceus with ease and are able to cripple them with Will-O-Wisp or phaze them, respectively, allowing Xerneas to KO crippled target or capitalize on a forced switch. Skarmory can also lay down Spikes to restrict switching and force the opponent to use Defog, giving an opportunity for Xerneas to set up.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3:
move 4:
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Modest
evs: 72 Def / 252 SpA / 184 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Moonblast is Xerneas's main STAB move because it deals the most damage due to Fairy Aura. Sleep Talk allows Xerneas to switch into Darkrai and lead off against Smeargle, and it is able to ensure the OHKO against both of them extremely reliably because Moonblast is the only move it is able to select. Alternatively, Focus Blast is able to threaten many Pokemon that resist Moonblast like Primal Groudon, Steel Arceus, and Ferrothorn; however, it is not commonly run because it makes Xerneas significantly less reliable against Darkrai, as it can miss when using Sleep Talk or select a move that would be significantly less powerful than Moonblast in the given circumstance.

Set Details
========

Full Special Attack investment along with a Modest nature allows Xerneas to hit as hard as possible. 184 Speed EVs allow Xerneas to outspeed Darkrai, Zekrom, and Modest Choice Scarf Kyogre. 72 Defense EVs are invested so that Xerneas will not give Genesect +1 Attack from Download while also giving it more physical bulk.

Usage Tips
========

Be wary of having Xerneas locked into Sleep Talk, as it can be used as setup fodder when it wakes up. Xerneas can directly switch into Darkrai and Smeargle, since it's running Sleep Talk, and KO them the following turn. This set works best as a late-game cleaner, able to blow through the enemy team once all of its counters are knocked out or weakened. However, it is able to revenge kill opposing Pokemon quite well too due to its high damage output from Moonblast combined with its above average Speed enhanced by Choice Scarf. Despite this set being relatively frail, it can switch into some Pokemon like Yveltal and hit something on the switch with Moonblast. Primal Groudon specifically should be severely weakened or knocked out, as it is able to wall Xerneas quite easily.

Team Options
========

Skarmory is able to switch directly into a +2 Extreme Killer Arceus without fearing Earthquake and can phaze it with Whirlwind. Entry hazard setters are crucial, as they break Lugia's Multiscale and damage Ho-Oh significantly. Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground are able to capitalize on Steel-types switching in if Xerneas is locked into Moonblast. Xerneas benefits from Primal Groudon checks, as they can KO Primal Groudon or get it to low enough health that it cannot freely switch into Moonblast.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Aromatherapy / Sleep Talk
item: Life Orb
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Rash
evs: 84 Atk / 240 SpA / 184 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Moonblast is Xerneas's most powerful move boosted by both Fairy Aura and Life Orb. Close Combat is able to deal significant damage to Steel-types, Arceus, Blissey, and Chansey, but it can also be used to weaken Primal Groudon. Rock Slide is able to OHKO Ho-Oh, but it has very little use against anything else. Aromatherapy is able to get rid of status effects from Klefki and bulkier Arceus sets and may be used on predicted switches to stop passive damage infliction as well as relieving Xerneas's team from status. Sleep Talk serves as a check to Darkrai, as both Close Combat and Moonblast are able to OHKO it and Rock Slide is able to break a potential Substitute.

Set Details
========

184 Speed EVs allow Xerneas to outspeed Primal Kyogre, defensive Ho-Oh sets, and most Primal Groudon sets. The 84 Attack EVs are used for ensuring the OHKO with Rock Slide on maximum HP Ho-Oh as well as letting Close Combat hit harder. The remaining EVs are dumped into Special Attack to amplify the power of Moonblast. Life Orb allows Xerneas to hit harder without wasting a turn to set up or getting locked into a move.

Usage Tips
========

Xerneas can bluff Geomancy to lure in Ho-Oh and Blissey when they switch in; unfortunately, it can only bluff for the first turn, as its attacks will reveal Life Orb to the opponent. Thanks to Fairy Aura, Xerneas is able to do massive damage early-game without setting up. Due to the lack of HP investment and Life Orb damage constantly wearing it down, Xerneas will not be able to switch into many hits, so try to use it to revenge kill or force a switch.

Team Options
========

Fire- and Ground-types like Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon are able to check common Steel-types such as Steel Arceus that can pivot into Xerneas. Ghost-types such as Arceus-Ghost and the Giratina formes can switch into Extreme Speed from Extreme Killer Arceus and can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Calm Mind Arceus sets and Kyogre help take out Xerneas checks and Primal Groudon, while Xerneas is able to get rid of Pokemon like Chansey and bulkier Arceus sets that can wall Calm Mind Arceus sets and Kyogre.

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Aromatherapy / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Moonblast is Xerneas's only attacking move on this set and keeps it from becoming Taunt bait as well as providing a means of attacking boosted by Fairy Aura. Rest allows Xerneas to recover lost health as well as shrug off status. Sleep Talk is used to not be completely ineffective while sleeping as well as checking Darkrai. Aromatherapy keeps Xerneas from getting worn down by status and can be used to cure its team of status. Alternatively, Roar is able to neuter setup sweepers and Substitute Darkrai and is also effective against Baton Pass teams.

Set Details
========

Maximum Defense investment along with a Bold nature makes Xerneas as physically bulky as possible. The remaining EVs are put into HP to improve its overall bulk. Leftovers gives Xerneas some passive recovery and allows it to avoid many 2HKOs like Ho-Oh's Brave Bird and Mega Rayquaza's Dragon Ascent.

Usage Tips
========

Although Xerneas has Sleep Talk, its unreliability can easily be taken advantage of, so using Rest sparingly is essential. Use Aromatherapy over Rest when trying to relieve Xerneas of status, and rely on Rest only for restoring Xerneas's health. Xerneas can easily wall Pokemon like Darkrai and Arceus-Dragon and force them to switch. Try to avoid Mega Gengar, as it is able to trap and OHKO Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage.

Team Options
========

Defensive Arceus variants and Skarmory are great partners, as they can easily switch into Extreme Killer Arceus and phaze foes when Xerneas opts for Aromatherapy over Roar. Yveltal is able to take on boosted threats such as +2 Extreme Killer Arceus and Mega Rayquaza and OHKO them with Foul Play. Ho-Oh can KO Aegislash, Arceus-Steel, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory the turn after it switches in. Primal Groudon appreciates the cleric support that Xerneas can provide and can switch into to Steel-types. Arceus-Rock can easily revenge kill Ho-Oh as well as threaten it out.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Psyshock is able to 2HKO Arceus-Poison and hit it on the switch in and provides and decent coverage against specially defensive Pokemon. Ingrain on Geomancy sets prevents phazers from forcing Xerneas out after it has already used Geomancy, allowing Xerneas to utilize the boosts for significantly longer. Block enables Xerneas to trap support Arceus sets and use them to set up Geomancy or potentially recover HP and rid itself of status with Rest. Substitute can also be run on Geomancy sets, which helps Xerneas avoid status and capitalize on set up fodder. Sleep Talk on Geomancy Xerneas can be helpful when switching into Darkrai and Smeargle leads, allowing it to potentially set up or knock out the foe. Choice Specs on Xerneas allows it to hit extremely hard without using a setup turn, making it very hard to switch into. Grass Knot can be run on all-out attacker sets, exchanging Aromatherapy or Roar for a move that 2HKOes Primal Groudon.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Steel-types**: Mega Scizor is able to switch in on Xerneas and revenge kill it with Bullet Punch, and it gives Geomancy Xerneas sets trouble. Bronzong easily switches into any attack Xerneas has and is able to 2HKO it with Gyro Ball. Arceus-Steel, Genesect, and Jirachi are able to switch into Moonblast as well as revenge kill Choice Scarf and all-out attacker sets effectively.

**Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh are the most effective offensive Xerneas counters in the tier and can knock out Xerneas with little prior damage. Ho-Oh's typing allows it to resist Xerneas's STAB and main coverage options and can heal off damage with Recover and Regenerator or KO Xerneas. Primal Groudon is able to both switch into and knock out Xerneas or phaze it with Roar after it has used Geomancy.

**Priority Users**: Priority users need slightly more prior damage in order to ensure KOs. Extreme Killer Arceus and Mega Rayquaza are able to inflict the most damage with Extreme Speed and revenge kill Xerneas once it has been worn down. Xerneas can still survive if it is untouched beforehand; however, it can easily be overwhelmed by multiple priority users on a single team.

**Lugia**: Lugia is a very solid Xerneas check, as it is able to come in after something has been knocked out, take Moonblast easily with Multiscale even after Geomancy while phazing Xerneas with Whirlwind, and wear Xerneas down with Toxic and stall it out.

**Arceus-Poison**: Arceus-Poison resists both Moonblast and Focus Blast and can easily knock out Xerneas with Poison Jab as well as being able to pivot into all of Xerneas's sets. If Arceus-Poison uses the chance to set up against Xerneas, it has to be extremely wary of coverage moves like Hidden Power Ground and Psyshock, as they can deal massive damage to it.
 
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this is still wip but the sets need change. QC discussed this and optimal scarf set is Moonblast/Close Combat/Rock Slide/Sleep Talk. Thunder and Grass Knot can both go in moves, they're decent but less accurate alternatives for hitting steel and flying types. Megahorn is just OO since you don't have the slot for what's basically just Mewtwo
The geoxern set needs 44 in speed, there's absolutely no reason not to outspeed scarf genesect (remove this from OO). As for moves, Geomancy/Moonblast/Focus Blast get full slashes with the last one being Thunder then Aromatherapy because hooh/ogre/other things and keys. HP Ground and Rock can go in moves, they're still decent for hitting don/hooh but not worth more of the time.
 
I can't tell if this is ready for QC, it looks like you want it out but you haven't updated the tag or the title or changed the Xern set and moves to what I said in the earlier post (the last slash on geomancy still isn't updated).
 
Whis i put this into QC since it looks like it's there and from what you've said, it seems to be QC-ready! for future reference, you can edit the tag by going to the top where it says "thread options" and then going to edit title then clicking the lil thing that says WIP/QC/GP and change it accordingly. then save of course. ^~^
 
ok yeah I had been waiting for you to implement the set changes I specified but I'll just check this now. Also a lot of the grammar is just poor to the point of confusing. Sorry if english isn't your first or somth but it's true :s hopefully I understood what this means but if I'm changing somth you think you covered just lmk

Overview
I see no mention of scarf

Geomancy
Sleep Talk can go in other options, Geo STalk is lame

Moves
Moonblast OHKOs Normalceus at +2, focus blast is just there for MB resists (list them. steelceus is one but hitting Pdon needs a mention here)
I'd just say aroma is specifically for healing status done by klefki and groudon so xern can then sweep, it's not really for poison or somth
Remove Sleep Talk
HP ground is only as an accurate way to hit don and OHKO Klefki. You already KO Gar and Diancie. Also mention how it's reliable for klefki unlike hitting a paralyzed/confused focus blast
Also give HP rock a moves mention here for killing hooh reliably (no slash just talk about it in moves, better than other options but not full slash worthy)

Set Details
Specify you're beating scarf gene at +2. And also everything else

UT
When what threats have been weakened? Give examples so people know what you're talking about
Just say arceus normal, although this gets changed in write-up anyway
3rd UT is really vague and doesn't mean much, I'd just nix
4th UT is at the point where it's so obvious you don't need to say it unless you're actually adding something of value
So now this could use more usage tips. I'd mention how you preferably don't want to set up on status users as well as phazers, and how you can geo early game specifically to weaken a counter like primal groudon or Mega Scizor so that something else (which you mention specifically in TO and here) can sweep later. Add anything else you can think of to this, that's just what I got off the top of my head

TO
This is really bare, definitely get more stuff here. Again, off the top of my head, hazard setters, things for klefki and other steel types, multiple xerneas because they break stupidly well together

MixedScarf
This is a dumb sounding name, just call it Choice Scarf
Also you're missing a space in the EV slashes

Moves
I don't really get what you're trying to say about rock slide. Just say it OHKOs ho-oh

Set Details
Max attack doesnt do anything for mewtwo now that there's no megahorn. Just say it's for beating conventional hooh checks (steelceus, hooh) with your coverage. You also don't need to say what % chance to OHKO it has

Usage Tips
Could use more but I can't really think of anything
Give examples of things that set up on xern if you're locked into the wrong move
Specify what this set lures (mostly steelceus and hooh)

Team Options
Mention hazard setters since they help guarantee the ohko on hooh and weaken things for xerneas
You forgot to mention any offensive partners at all :s talk about Calm Mind Arceus formes which benefit from Hooh getting lured and the large number of things which benefit from steelceus being lured

Other Options
Sleep Talk!
If you're gonna mention specs, you need to mention how it's awful as well and go over the drawbacks (locked, lacks utility)
Don't say there's a whole ton of niche coverage moves then only mention psychic. Just say psychic is good for poisonceus but useless vs other stuff
Mention block geo stuff
Also mention 4 attacks with like Ebelt or LO, similar lures to scarf but without being a choiced revenge killer as well

C&C
You have to give examples of everything. Examples of phazers, examples of general physical attackers, even in other categories you're making broad statements like "xerneas doesnt like steel types" and not giving any examples
You can get rid of phazers. Lugia and Primal Groudon are the only really common and relevant ones in this scenario and they're both mentioned in other categories. Sure Arc normal is a third but it has to roar as xern sets up since +2 xern OHKOs it and if you geo on defensive arc normal then u screwed up
Change physical attackers to priority users and specify xern needs to be weakened since they aren't doing 80% with just an espeed
Expand Aegislash to all steel types. Talk about Mega Scizor, Lucario, metagross, and steelceus. and Bronzong (thanks bacon)
Don't mention ingrain in lugia, it's shitty and niche and it's not a decent assumption to assume they're running it
Expand Ho-Oh to Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon and talk about both

C&C should also be ordered by most to least threatening. The new order should be this
Steel-types
Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon
Priority Users
Lugia

This is a lot, tag me when this is done and I'll check and stamp Whis
 
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A lot of the writing is really weird so I'm gonna assume that this gets fixed in write up, but make sure you know what you're saying and don't just copy these bullets. Especially do this with the overview which feels more like unconnected sentences than the beginnings of a fluid paragraph

Overview
The first two bullets are redundant, and definitely shouldnt be the first two
Give a bullet to how it faces issues with priority spam and klefki, both of which use priority moves to give this thing a hard time

Geomancy
HP Ground does not OHKO Pdon at +2, it's simply a more reliable way of hitting keys and don than missing focus blast
Mention outspeeding scarf xerneas along with scarf genesect at +2, it's still pretty relevant
In team options, mention things that can clean if xern sets up early game to cripple don/lugia/whatever. Definitely mention a second xerneas here. Also give Stealth Rockers who wear down xern checks, specifically hooh and make lugia lose multiscale
"darkrai can put lugia, which can phaze out this set"?

Scarf
Rock slide isn't really doing much to lugia, I'd emphasize it's really just for hooh. Also the writing on Close Combat and Thunder is a bit odd
You need Pdon mention in grass knot targets, it's pretty much the main one.
The whole "these mons set up on you if locked in" sounds weird, at least specify which mons set up on which moves or something
I don't like the last usage tip's writing either, it needs to make more sense like "try to catch these on the obvious switch!" maybe fix in writeup but odd

Other Options
Separate psychic and sleep talk, don't bother mentioning thunderbolt
Mention Defensive Xern (rest talk aroma moon blast phys def) and croxern (CM restalk moon blast phys def)

C&C
Xerneas only has 1 stab move for steel types to switch into. Also the writing is still really awkward, as are all of these, maybe look at other analyses for examples?
Give a ballpark of how weakened xerneas needs to be for Espeed to kill, off the top of my head around 45% but just calc and be a bit more clear on "weakened a bit more but not too much"

1/3
 
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Think I got all of it now. Megazard can you take another look at this? Sorry for the really weird writing :s Ill work on it for the write up.

EDIT:just a heads up,I'm probably not going to be on too much this weekend since I'm going out of town.
 
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oh sorry, the 1/3 at the bottom of the last was me approving 1/3. I have a stamp now though
zDganmZ.gif

wait for Zangooser or HunterStorm
 
I could talk for hours on this mon, ngl.
I'm going to say sorry in advance for the amount of work I'm going to make you do J: (I wrote a lot of what everything does so it doesn't confuse, feel free to just use that or build off it. Your choice)
We've come to a conclusion, that Xerneas deserves way more than two sets.

~

Firstly, the Scarf set should be redone to look like:

Set:
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Thunder
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Modest
EVs: 72 Def / 252 SpA / 184 Spe

//Investing that much in attack was taking away from Xerneas' power in Moonblast and it also didn't achieve anything relevant either. We were considering giving it two sets for Scarf, one mixed and this one but we've decided that this is probably the better option.
- Moonblast is Xerneas's best option for an offensive moves due to its power, which doubles due to STAB and Fairy Aura.
- Focus Blast is great coverage, enabling an option for hitting Steel Arceus, Ferrothorn and many other Steel types.
- Thunder enables Xerneas to hit Ho-Oh and Kyogre well, allowing Xerneas to now benefit from their presence and deal heavy damage on a potential switch-in.
- By ridding of Thunder and only using three moves, Xerneas is able to reliably check Darkrai without worrying about the usage of Thunder when using Sleep Talk.
- Sleep Talk allows Xerneas to switch in on Darkrai's Dark Void, then hit Darkrai for super effective damage the following turn.

- 252 SpA EVs with a Modest nature aim to maximize damage output of Moonblast, Focus Blast and Thunder.
- 184 Spe EVs allows Xerneas to outspeed Modest Scarf Kyogre, disabling Water Spouts power before it can hit. It also outspeeds all Mewtwo formes, Mega Gengar and Darkrai; all of which can be extremely beneficial.
- Investing the remainder 72 EVs in Defense rather than HP gives Download users a boost to SpA which is preferred due to Genesect's Iron Head usage. Investing in Defense also allows Xerneas to handle ExtremeKiller Arceus and Mega Rayquaza better.

The Usage Tips can stay the same, just changing the lure point to Steel Arceus and Ferrothorn.

Team Options can stay the same unless I missed something.

~

Next set:

Set:
name: All-Out-Attacker
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Aromatherapy / Sleep Talk
item: Life Orb
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Rash
EVs: 84 Atk / 240 SpA / 184 Spe

- Moonblast is Xerneas's hardest hitting option, allowing it to hit the majority of the metagame for a huge amount of damage.
- Close Combat enables major damage to ExtremeKiller Arceus, Steel Arceus and other common metagame threats.
- Rock Slide is for a guaranteed OHKO on standard 248 HP Ho-Oh. It acts as an excellent bait option for those assuming Geomancy or Choiced sets.
- Aromatherapy is nice, as Xerneas can force out potential threats and utilise Aromatherapy as foes switch out.
- Sleep Talk enables a back up check to the omnipresent Darkrai, as both Moonblast and Close Combat are guaranteed to OHKO even the bulkiest of sets.

- 84 Atk allows the guaranteed OHKO of Tank Ho-Oh, as well as being able to use Close Combat to deal great damage to the aforementioned threats, ExtremeKiller Arceus and Steel Arceus.
- 184 Spe ensures the outspeeding of common sets in fast offensive Groudon, selected Banded Ho-Oh sets and max bulk Arceus formes.
- The rest is dumped into SpA for Xerneas to hit extremely hard with Moonblast, its strongest option.
- Life Orb gives more damage output, making Xerneas more powerful without having to set up, as well as being able to freely switch between moves.

- Bluffing Geomancy is an option, which can allow for the OHKO on a Ho-Oh switch in, or major damage onto Steel Arceus. However, it can only bluff first turn as Life Orb recoil can give its item away.
- Consider making safer plays than when using a Choice Scarf set as Xerneas won't be locked into a move.

- Ho-Oh is a nice team member as it can handle Steel Arceus's attack with ease, as well as many other Pokemon like Bronzong and Aegislash, that this Xerneas cannot hit for much damage at all.
- Primal Groudon is also an adept team member to check these Pokemon, however it can be whittled down by Steel Arceus's Earth Power, and lacks recovery.
- Ground Arceus can also handle many of Xerneas's checks well, as it can hit Primal Groudon, Steel types and Poison types super effectively; all of which are hard to check with Xerneas.

~

Next set:

Set:
name: Defensive
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Aromatherapy / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Fairy Aura
nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe

- Moonblast for some offensive presence. Its main functionality is to pick up a guaranteed OHKO on Darkrai, however it also has no immunities, and Fairy is overall a great offensive typing within the Anything Goes metagame.
- Rest gives Xerneas a way to recover its health, as it is its only option for recovery.
- Sleep Talk is used to check Darkrai while asleep, with a 1/3 chance to choose Moonblast, a 1/3 chance to awake itself with Aromatherapy (if it runs it) and 1/3 chance to be useless.
- Aromatherapy can be used to heal status from team members or awake itself from sleep. This can make Xerneas a cleric regardless of it being asleep or awake.
- Roar is a nice option for stopping set up sweepers, ridding of Substitute Darkrai, Ridding of an opponent's Geomancy Xerneas's Power Herb and other quite situational scenarios. Aromatherapy can be seen as useless if its team already features a cleric, and hence Roar can be seen as a better option in this case too.

- Max physical bulk allows it to tank common AG threats in such a physically oriented metagame.
- Leftovers lets Xerneas take minimal damage from many Pokemon, usually disallowing the a lot of potential 3HKOs.
- Xerneas can also run max Special bulk, however this only allows the harder checking of Darkrai. Darkrai is already checked sufficiently however.

- Use Rest only when needed as being asleep although not as detrimental due to the presence of Sleep Talk, is still not preferable in most situations.
- Don't necessarily worry about getting the opportunity to Moonblast Darkrai. It can be PP stalled using Rest on the wake up turn, ensuring the Darkrai is not running Taunt.
- Aromatherapy is preferred to Rest when restoring own status, however, due to Aromatherapy's low PP this may not always be possible. Hence, ensure that Aromatherapy PP is preserved when you are able to.

- Ho-Oh is a nice team member as it can handle Steel Arceus's attack with ease, as well as many other Pokemon like Bronzong and Aegislash, that this Xerneas cannot hit for much damage at all. It also efficiently deals with CM Arceus formes which can trouble Xerneas.
- Skarmory is a great team member for Xerneas, as it can deal with priority based ExtremeKiller Arceus and other common set up sweepers Xerneas can fail to check when using Aromatherapy rather than Roar.
- Primal Groudon is also a great team member to check Bronzong, Ho-Oh and Steel Arceus ensuring it runs the right set. However it can be whittled down by Ho-Oh and Steel Arceus, while lacking recovery to heal from these attacks.

~

When you are done with this tag me so I can check everything, including the remainder of the analysis.
 
Maintenant, je vais finir;

- On the GeoXern set, slash Hidden Power Ground with Focus Blast as they usually aim at providing the same amount of support. Both hit Primal Groudon for the same amount which occurs as Xerneas's main objective for this moveslot.
- "Sleep Talk mitigates Dark Void from Darkrai and Spore from Smeargle." however Sleep Talk isn't listed? Remove please. (It's listed in OO, keep it there)

Other Options:
- Limit the Ingrain point to Geomancy sets, as defensive sets and the AoA set don't necessarily benefit from Ingrain.
- Mention Thunderbolt's downsides compared to Thunder, Thunder is used to effectively deal with Kyogre/Ho-Oh; you miss out on these KOs with Thunderbolt.
- Remove the Defensive Xerneas part as it is now a set n_n.
- Substitute can be ran on Geomancy sets, as a way to prevent status, however depletes Xerneas irrecoverable health and isn't particularly that useful.
- Reflect can be utilized on Geomancy sets to prevent damage when facing prevalent threats in Arceus and Mega Rayquaza.
- A mixed movepool on Choice Scarfed variants allows Xerneas to more reliably check Darkrai without being fearful of a miss chance. Xerneas can also limit itself to three moves; Moonblast, Close Combat and Sleep Talk to ensure it doesn't randomly select another move such as Rock Slide instead.

C&C:
- Poison Arceus - Resists Xerneas's two main options for attacks, and has options such as Poison Jab and Judgment to damage Xerneas. This weakness to Poison Arceus can be circumvented however with the use of Psychic and Psyshock.

Otherwise all good,
QC 2/3.
 
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Done.
EDIT:k attempting Write up.
Hopefully going to have it up by sometime next week since irl competition/lack of wifi.
 
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Whis you know you have to write it up at 2/3 right? Also just giving it a brief look over the steel type section could definitely mention more than 2 steels
 
Your choice specs description really undersells it. I honestly think a set consisting of choice specs and sleep talk deserves it's own post, but if not you really need to push how good it is in other options. It is not easier to wall and revenge kill as you say, specs Moonblast 2hkos non bulky pdons and they can switch in once if they're bulky lol... if rocks are up, which is very easy in AG, hooh can't pivot in either. It's not like you're clicking anything besides Moonblast anyways because even Ferro gets 2hkod so hp fire or w/e isn't needed, and running sleep talk makes you one of the best darkrai pivots around. It is in my opinion the best xern set besides geo, it's being criminally undersold rn.

I'll do a full check after you write it up.
 
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