First off, props to Cooltrainer for coming up with the idea of using Colbur Berry as a hold item for Lead Azelf to beat LeadTar and LeadChamp. With that as a jumping off point, I decided to refine the EV spread, landing on this awesome set:
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/azelf
[SET]
name: Colbur Berry Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Explosion
item: Colbur Berry
nature: Jolly
evs: 8 HP / 140 Atk / 144 SDef / 216 Spe
ivs: 29 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is designed to take advantage of Azelf's reasonable bulk in order to negate the need for a Focus Sash, allowing it to use a Colbur Berry to defeat the Machamp and Tyranitar leads that plague other leading Azelf sets.</p>
<p>The moveset is fairly self-explanatory. Stealth Rock is extremely useful to rack up damage from turn 1, and Azelf excels at laying it down. Taunt allows you to prevent other slower leads from laying down Stealth Rock or Spikes of their own, and can also be used mid-game to prevent certain Pokemon from setting up on Azelf. U-turn is used for scouting, and it also deals fairly significant damage to Starmie, Tyranitar, and opposing Azelf leads. Explosion lets Azelf go out with a bang, OHKOing nearly anything that doesn't resist it. It also deals significant damage to Pokemon such as Skarmory and Heatran, which this Azelf cannot otherwise threaten.</p>
<p>The magic of this set lies in its finely tuned EV spread. 8 HP guarantees that Adamant 252 Attack Metagross' Meteor Mash will always fail to OHKO Azelf, allowing it to set up Stealth Rock and then switch out to become death fodder later in the match. Since this is the strongest physical attack you're liable to see coming from a lead, this means Azelf will survive nearly all leading physical attacks in the OU metagame. 144 Special Defense EVs prevent the OHKO from Timid 252 Special Attack Roserade's Leaf Storm, meaning that you can Taunt it, throw down Stealth Rock, and then have whatever comes in facing a taunted Roserade with -2 Special Attack. Again, this is the strongest Special Attack in the OU lead metagame, so this Azelf will also survive attacks like Starmie's Life Orb Hydro Pump and Shuca Berry Heatran's Fire Blast. Since speed tying with Starmie and other Azelf is undesirable, 216 Speed EVs are used with a Jolly nature to outspeed Gengar, Infernape, and anything below them. The remaining EVs are dropped into Attack to pump up the power of U-turn and Explosion.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While most leads do not require a lot of support, this lead benefits from a couple specific supporters. Scarf Tyranitar and Scarf Scizor can be used to outspeed and eliminate Starmie and Azelf with their faster Pursuit. The main benefit of this is that in the case of Azelf, it is possible to actually prevent Stealth Rock from going up with this lead. If Azelf chooses to Taunt on turn 1, Scarf Pursuit will KO it before it has the chance to set up Stealth Rock. Aside from that, the rest of the team should be able to handle the few leads that give Azelf trouble: Specs Heatran and Scarf Jirachi. Magnezone can trap and eliminate Jirachi locked into Iron Head, and also has the option of trapping Metagross while taking minimal damage from its STABs. A bulky Water-type such as Suicune, Vaporeon, or even Kingdra can absorb Heatran's powerful Fire-type attacks while also shrugging off Jirachi's Iron Heads. A Heatran of your own can also perform double duty, gaining Flash Fire boosts from Heatran's Fire Blast while taking minimal damage from Iron Head.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/azelf
[SET]
name: Colbur Berry Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Explosion
item: Colbur Berry
nature: Jolly
evs: 8 HP / 140 Atk / 144 SDef / 216 Spe
ivs: 29 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is designed to take advantage of Azelf's reasonable bulk in order to negate the need for a Focus Sash, allowing it to use a Colbur Berry to defeat the Machamp and Tyranitar leads that plague other leading Azelf sets.</p>
<p>The moveset is fairly self-explanatory. Stealth Rock is extremely useful to rack up damage from turn 1, and Azelf excels at laying it down. Taunt allows you to prevent other slower leads from laying down Stealth Rock or Spikes of their own, and can also be used mid-game to prevent certain Pokemon from setting up on Azelf. U-turn is used for scouting, and it also deals fairly significant damage to Starmie, Tyranitar, and opposing Azelf leads. Explosion lets Azelf go out with a bang, OHKOing nearly anything that doesn't resist it. It also deals significant damage to Pokemon such as Skarmory and Heatran, which this Azelf cannot otherwise threaten.</p>
<p>The magic of this set lies in its finely tuned EV spread. 8 HP guarantees that Adamant 252 Attack Metagross' Meteor Mash will always fail to OHKO Azelf, allowing it to set up Stealth Rock and then switch out to become death fodder later in the match. Since this is the strongest physical attack you're liable to see coming from a lead, this means Azelf will survive nearly all leading physical attacks in the OU metagame. 144 Special Defense EVs prevent the OHKO from Timid 252 Special Attack Roserade's Leaf Storm, meaning that you can Taunt it, throw down Stealth Rock, and then have whatever comes in facing a taunted Roserade with -2 Special Attack. Again, this is the strongest Special Attack in the OU lead metagame, so this Azelf will also survive attacks like Starmie's Life Orb Hydro Pump and Shuca Berry Heatran's Fire Blast. Since speed tying with Starmie and other Azelf is undesirable, 216 Speed EVs are used with a Jolly nature to outspeed Gengar, Infernape, and anything below them. The remaining EVs are dropped into Attack to pump up the power of U-turn and Explosion.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While most leads do not require a lot of support, this lead benefits from a couple specific supporters. Scarf Tyranitar and Scarf Scizor can be used to outspeed and eliminate Starmie and Azelf with their faster Pursuit. The main benefit of this is that in the case of Azelf, it is possible to actually prevent Stealth Rock from going up with this lead. If Azelf chooses to Taunt on turn 1, Scarf Pursuit will KO it before it has the chance to set up Stealth Rock. Aside from that, the rest of the team should be able to handle the few leads that give Azelf trouble: Specs Heatran and Scarf Jirachi. Magnezone can trap and eliminate Jirachi locked into Iron Head, and also has the option of trapping Metagross while taking minimal damage from its STABs. A bulky Water-type such as Suicune, Vaporeon, or even Kingdra can absorb Heatran's powerful Fire-type attacks while also shrugging off Jirachi's Iron Heads. A Heatran of your own can also perform double duty, gaining Flash Fire boosts from Heatran's Fire Blast while taking minimal damage from Iron Head.</p>
MAGICAL EV SPREAD GO
8 HP guarantees you survive Metagross 252 Atk Meteor Mash 100% of the time, allowing you to either Taunt or throw up SR. Since Metagross Max Atk Meteor Mash is the strongest physical attack you're liable to see in the lead slot, this survives all physical attacks from opposing leads (other than dark attacks, but lol colbur berry).
144 SDef with 8 HP means that you survive Roserade's Leaf Storm 100% of the time, and can Taunt + SR, meaning that whatever comes in has SR up, AND is facing a taunted Roserade with -2 SAtk. Since that's the strongest special attack you're liable to face from OU leads (except SpecsTran but that lead is a gay so w/e), it means you also survive stuff like Starmie LO Hydro Pump and Shucatran Fire Blast, which is pretty awesome.
216 Speed hits 352, which outspeeds positive natured Base 110 and better (yeah, that's only Gengar right now, but Infernape as well. It's better not to speed tie with Azelf and Starmie, as you're better off being taunted by Azelf or eating a Hydro Pump from Starmie before you U-turn out, as Azelf can come back in later and set up Stealth Rock. The rest of the EVs are dropped into Attack to boost U-turn and Explosion.
This pairs REALLY well with Scarf Tyranitar, as well as Scarf Scizor (or CB Scizor if you kick ass at prediction and can actually use it to successfully pursuit/BP opposing Azelf and Starmie). Magnezone also pairs up well with it, as Azelf loses to Scarf Jirachi, which can just Iron Head it to death with a little luck. Basically, this Azelf only "loses" to lucky Jirachi.
Lead matchups vs. top 15:
Azelf - U-turn out as it taunts (taunt is the obvious move against the "current standard" leadelf). If you're packing ScarfTar or Scarf Scizor, not only do you "win", but you actually prevent rocks AND still have a 100% Colbur Azelf.
Aerodactyl - U-turn out as it Taunts. If you bring in something faster than it that threatens it, "you win" since it doesn't get Stealth Rock up while your Azelf is still at 100% with its Berry.
Swampert - "lol". Taunt + SR for easy mode rocks and rocks prevention, as it cannot 2HKO you.
Metagross - Neutral at worst. Your opponent either gets his SR alongside your SR, and then you U-turn out and do whatever, or they Meteor Mash on your SR, and then probably Bullet Punch as you do whatever.
Jirachi - Lucky Jirachi wins. You can always risk the noflinch, or you can just go to your Steel resist.
Infernape - You win 100% of the time. Fake Out + Fire Blast doesn't 2HKO, and you outspeed, meaning that you can Taunt + SR for guaranteed "you with rocks, them without", or if you expect a Fire Blast, you can just Stealth Rock straight up, and then U-turn out. Either way, it works out for you.
Machamp - "lol". Brochamp aint got shit on this Elf. Payback + Bullet Punch fails to KO, meaning that you get automatic rape. Stealth Rock, then you can either U-turn out on a predicted Ghost-type switchin, or just blow up on whatever comes in.
Ninjask - Taunt. SR. Next.
Roserade - EVs mean that Roserade never KOs with Leaf Storm. This means that you Taunt and Stealth Rock, and the opponent is left with a taunted Roserade at -2 Special Attack. If they try to TSpike or Sleep Powder, it's even better, as they just get shut straight down.
Tyranitar - The other reason for the Colbur Berry. LeadTar no longer OHKOs Azelf, meaning that Azelf gets its rocks up 100% of the time AND survives afterwards. This gives it a number of options. It can Taunt and then Stealth Rock, laying SR at the cost of its own life, or it can Taunt and then U-turn, saving SR for another time, or it can SR + U-turn, expecting the Tyranitar user to just go for the Payback to OHKO. It can even just U-turn straight off, avoid the Payback, and go to a Dark resist, nullifying Tyranitar entirely. In any case, Tyranitar isn't laying SR and Azelf gets to do whatever it wants for the most part. U-turn also stings significantly, hitting SE off of invested 125 base Attack.
Gliscor - "lol". Taunt it, SR, really you can do whatever. Gliscor can't touch you outside of maybe a random U-turn.
Heatran - You can Taunt + SR, you can Taunt + U-turn, you can U-turn, you can once again do most anything. Specs variants will OHKO, but that's a risk you'll have to take.
Hippowdon - "lol". Anti-lead variants no longer OHKO with Crunch, meaning you can pull some awesome hijinks. Again, the standard rules apply. Taunt + SR, Taunt + U-turn, SR + U-turn, SR + Explode, etc. Do whatever, Azelf really can't go wrong here.
Smeargle - again, "lol". Fast taunt leads rape Smeargle sideways unless they're Scarf variants, and even then they have to lock themselves into Spore or Trick and get taunted. Easy win, neutral at worst.
Bronzong - eh, "win" i guess. Min- Speed Bronzong 2HKOs Azelf, but you still get SR, and that's only if Bronzong is carrying Gyro Ball. If it's a screening variant, you win hands down just by Taunting it and then laying SR while it.. explodes? 5-5, but you get SR and they don't. Win.
Oh, and obviously:
8 HP guarantees you survive Metagross 252 Atk Meteor Mash 100% of the time, allowing you to either Taunt or throw up SR. Since Metagross Max Atk Meteor Mash is the strongest physical attack you're liable to see in the lead slot, this survives all physical attacks from opposing leads (other than dark attacks, but lol colbur berry).
144 SDef with 8 HP means that you survive Roserade's Leaf Storm 100% of the time, and can Taunt + SR, meaning that whatever comes in has SR up, AND is facing a taunted Roserade with -2 SAtk. Since that's the strongest special attack you're liable to face from OU leads (except SpecsTran but that lead is a gay so w/e), it means you also survive stuff like Starmie LO Hydro Pump and Shucatran Fire Blast, which is pretty awesome.
216 Speed hits 352, which outspeeds positive natured Base 110 and better (yeah, that's only Gengar right now, but Infernape as well. It's better not to speed tie with Azelf and Starmie, as you're better off being taunted by Azelf or eating a Hydro Pump from Starmie before you U-turn out, as Azelf can come back in later and set up Stealth Rock. The rest of the EVs are dropped into Attack to boost U-turn and Explosion.
This pairs REALLY well with Scarf Tyranitar, as well as Scarf Scizor (or CB Scizor if you kick ass at prediction and can actually use it to successfully pursuit/BP opposing Azelf and Starmie). Magnezone also pairs up well with it, as Azelf loses to Scarf Jirachi, which can just Iron Head it to death with a little luck. Basically, this Azelf only "loses" to lucky Jirachi.
Lead matchups vs. top 15:
Azelf - U-turn out as it taunts (taunt is the obvious move against the "current standard" leadelf). If you're packing ScarfTar or Scarf Scizor, not only do you "win", but you actually prevent rocks AND still have a 100% Colbur Azelf.
Aerodactyl - U-turn out as it Taunts. If you bring in something faster than it that threatens it, "you win" since it doesn't get Stealth Rock up while your Azelf is still at 100% with its Berry.
Swampert - "lol". Taunt + SR for easy mode rocks and rocks prevention, as it cannot 2HKO you.
Metagross - Neutral at worst. Your opponent either gets his SR alongside your SR, and then you U-turn out and do whatever, or they Meteor Mash on your SR, and then probably Bullet Punch as you do whatever.
Jirachi - Lucky Jirachi wins. You can always risk the noflinch, or you can just go to your Steel resist.
Infernape - You win 100% of the time. Fake Out + Fire Blast doesn't 2HKO, and you outspeed, meaning that you can Taunt + SR for guaranteed "you with rocks, them without", or if you expect a Fire Blast, you can just Stealth Rock straight up, and then U-turn out. Either way, it works out for you.
Machamp - "lol". Brochamp aint got shit on this Elf. Payback + Bullet Punch fails to KO, meaning that you get automatic rape. Stealth Rock, then you can either U-turn out on a predicted Ghost-type switchin, or just blow up on whatever comes in.
Ninjask - Taunt. SR. Next.
Roserade - EVs mean that Roserade never KOs with Leaf Storm. This means that you Taunt and Stealth Rock, and the opponent is left with a taunted Roserade at -2 Special Attack. If they try to TSpike or Sleep Powder, it's even better, as they just get shut straight down.
Tyranitar - The other reason for the Colbur Berry. LeadTar no longer OHKOs Azelf, meaning that Azelf gets its rocks up 100% of the time AND survives afterwards. This gives it a number of options. It can Taunt and then Stealth Rock, laying SR at the cost of its own life, or it can Taunt and then U-turn, saving SR for another time, or it can SR + U-turn, expecting the Tyranitar user to just go for the Payback to OHKO. It can even just U-turn straight off, avoid the Payback, and go to a Dark resist, nullifying Tyranitar entirely. In any case, Tyranitar isn't laying SR and Azelf gets to do whatever it wants for the most part. U-turn also stings significantly, hitting SE off of invested 125 base Attack.
Gliscor - "lol". Taunt it, SR, really you can do whatever. Gliscor can't touch you outside of maybe a random U-turn.
Heatran - You can Taunt + SR, you can Taunt + U-turn, you can U-turn, you can once again do most anything. Specs variants will OHKO, but that's a risk you'll have to take.
Hippowdon - "lol". Anti-lead variants no longer OHKO with Crunch, meaning you can pull some awesome hijinks. Again, the standard rules apply. Taunt + SR, Taunt + U-turn, SR + U-turn, SR + Explode, etc. Do whatever, Azelf really can't go wrong here.
Smeargle - again, "lol". Fast taunt leads rape Smeargle sideways unless they're Scarf variants, and even then they have to lock themselves into Spore or Trick and get taunted. Easy win, neutral at worst.
Bronzong - eh, "win" i guess. Min- Speed Bronzong 2HKOs Azelf, but you still get SR, and that's only if Bronzong is carrying Gyro Ball. If it's a screening variant, you win hands down just by Taunting it and then laying SR while it.. explodes? 5-5, but you get SR and they don't. Win.
Oh, and obviously:
