[OVERVIEW]
Xerneas's niche in Balanced Hackmons is as a bulky Fairy-type stallbreaker with overall good offensive stats. Its Fairy typing allows it to excel in a metagame rampant with Dragon- and Dark-types, such as Giratina, Mega Tyranitar, and Yveltal. The same typing also gives it weaknesses to not commonly offensive types in Poison and Steel, which are fairly offset by its decent bulk. It is also the only relevant Fairy-type in BH with a Fighting resistance. However, it faces stiff competition offensively from Mega Diancie, which has higher offenses and defenses but is frail, and defensively from Mega Audino, which has better bulk; therefore, Xerneas is best suited as a bulky sweeper.
[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Moonblast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Leech Seed / Earth Power
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 36 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Taunt shuts down non-Magic Bounce walls, essentially turning them into complete setup fodder for Xerneas. It also allows Xerneas to reliably beat Recycle Shedinja. Quiver Dance boosts Xerneas's Special Attack and Speed, preparing it for a sweep, and can be used after a wall has been Taunted to ensure a safe setup. Moonblast is Xerneas's only STAB attack, OHKOing Mega Rayquaza after a single Quiver Dance boost. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers and forces them out and also wears down walls; it also helps against Imposter users. Another option is Leech Seed, which provides Xerneas with more recovery in conjunction with Poison Heal and also helps with Imposter users and Shedinja. However, forgoing Will-O-Wisp leaves Xerneas vulnerable to strong physical attackers. Another alternative is Earth Power, which lets Xerneas beat Magic Bounce Steel-types and Primal Groudon at the cost of losing to Shedinja and, again, having trouble against physical attackers.
Set Details
========
The 252 HP and 36 Special Defense EVs guarantee that Xerneas survives a Sky Plate-boosted Boomburst from 4 SpA Mega Rayquaza prior to any Quiver Dance boosts. The remaining EVs contribute to Xerneas's physical bulk, as it already boosts its Special Defense with Quiver Dance. They also helps it avoid being revenge killed by -ate users. Toxic Orb activates Poison Heal, which provides passive healing and an immunity to other status ailments. It also makes Xerneas a good Knock Off absorber once Toxic Orb has activated along with its typing.
Usage Tips
========
Xerneas can switch into nearly any defensive Pokemon in the metagame once Toxic Orb is activated. Taunt forces most non-Quiver Dance walls out, giving Xerneas an opportunity to set up or burn the switch-in. Taunt should be used against stall Pokemon to prevent them from recovering. Thanks to Quiver Dance boosting its Special Defense and the burn from Will-O-Wisp crippling physical attackers, Xerneas can survive most unboosted attacks. After three Quiver Dance boosts, Xerneas can OHKO most offensive Pokemon with Moonblast, allowing it to begin a sweep.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support in the form of Stealth Rock or Spikes is valuable, as Taunt forces many switches and Pokemon can be worn down by the hazards. This set struggles with Magic Bounce Registeel and Aegislash, so a reliable switch-in such as Magic Guard Ho-Oh or Red Orb Primal Groudon makes for a good partner. Alternatively, a Mold Breaker Pokemon such as Giratina can be used, as it can ignore Magic Bounce and set up entry hazards or inflict status. Giratina also makes for a good switch-in to Primal Groudon, which this set struggles with. If an Imposter user switches in and wins a Speed tie to Taunt Xerneas, Magic Bounce Registeel or Aegislash with Whirlwind makes for a good backup plan. They can also provide a slow U-turn to ensure that Xerneas's Toxic Orb activates safely. As Xerneas is primarily a stallbreaker, bulky Pokemon capable of handling strong Pokemon such as Mega Rayquaza and Mega Diancie are valuable teammates. Strong Pokemon such as Mega Rayquaza, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Mewtwo X make for good offensive teammates, as they can weaken Xerneas's counters and clean up after Xerneas in return breaks down the Pokemon that wall them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Spore can provide Xerneas with more opportunities to set up, though Dark Void can be used instead to bypass Safety Goggles at the cost of lower accuracy. Xerneas can run a physical Poison Heal set using Play Rough, forgoing Quiver Dance for Shift Gear, though this makes it more challenging to accumulate boosts. A RegenVest set can function as a defensive pivot while still packing a punch, but Xerneas lacks the bulk to switch into the majority of the tier's heavy hitters, such as -ate users. Xerneas has a niche as a bulky Pixilate user, though Mega Diancie performs it better because it's noticeably stronger. As an Unaware user, Xerneas has some utility over Mega Audino in taking on Contrary Pokemon, such as Mega Mewtwo X, whose Fighting-type STAB moves Xerneas resists, and Mega Rayquaza, thanks to its more powerful Moonblast; however, Mega Audino is bulkier overall and can thus perform the role better. Xerneas can use Magnet Pull to trap Doom Desire Dialga and use Substitute to prevent itself from being hit by Dialga's only move, but if Dialga is not on the opposing team, Xerneas is often deadweight.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh**: Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh resist Xerneas's Moonblast and can survive it even after six Quiver Dance boosts. In return, Groudon can OHKO Xerneas with V-create and Ho-Oh can phaze Xerneas with Whirlwind. However, Groudon must be wary of Earth Power, and Ho-Oh struggles once Taunted.
**Bulky Steel-types**: With a resistance to Fairy, Registeel and Aegislash can switch into Xerneas's Moonblast comfortably. While Earth Power and Taunt help with these matchups, Xerneas will struggle with either Flash Fire or Magic Bounce variants depending on its moveset.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar easily takes on unboosted Xerneas and can set up on it with Shell Smash. Mega Gengar resists Xerneas's Moonblast and threatens Xerneas with a super effective Sludge Wave.
**Unaware Pokemon**: Unaware Pokemon, such as Mega Audino, don't fear Xerneas's boosted attacks. In return, these Pokemon can phaze Xerneas or steal its boosts with Heart Swap. However, Unaware users struggle against Xerneas running Taunt.
**Prankster Pokemon**: Prankster Pokemon bypass Xerneas's Speed boosts and can steal its Quiver Dance boosts with Heart Swap, lock it into a non-attacking move with Encore, or shut down its sweep with Topsy-Turvy. However, Prankster users must be wary of Xerneas's Taunt.
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