[SET]
name: Choice Item Attacker (Speed, Defense, HP)
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 3: Trick
move 4: Knock Off / Toxic / Overheat
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Blacephalon is a fearsome late-game cleaner thanks to its high Special Attack and fantastic offensive typing. Blacephalon is also a serious threat to snowball the other team, as (in most cases) Beast Boost will raise its Special Attack after a KO, allowing it to blow through weakened teams. Shadow Ball is its primary attack, hitting most of the metagame at least neutrally. Fire Blast has high Base Power and can dent many Pokemon that can take Shadow Ball such as Tangrowth, Yveltal, and Zamazenta-C. Flamethrower is an alternative, trading raw power for more accuracy and PP. Trick allows Blacephalon to cripple specially defensive foes that it can't do much against otherwise, namely Gastrodon and Tyranitar. On the last moveslot, Knock Off disrupts the foe's item, and is particularly useful against Ho-Oh when Stealth Rock is up. Knock Off also comes in handy to remove Assault Vest from RegenVest Pokemon that might stomach its attacks and switch out with little HP lost otherwise, in particular Tangrowth and Galarian Slowbro. Toxic instead puts foes on a timer and forces them to use their recovery move more often. Overheat is an alternative that helps it revenge kill weakened offensive threats better. Choice Scarf is usually the go-to item to outspeed fast offensive threats like Tapu Koko and Mewtwo. If Blacephalon gets a Speed donation from Zamazenta or Pheromosa, Choice Specs is preferred, as Beast Boost will increase its Speed after a KO.
Choice Item Blacephalon acts as a cleaner and revenge killer on offensive builds. A Speed donation from fast gods such as Mewtwo, Zamazenta-C, and Pheromosa helps it outpace fast offensive Pokemon such as Weavile and Kartana; however, a better Defense or HP stat can also help Blacephalon avoid a KO from priority moves such as Rillaboom's Grassy Glide. Groudon can provide sun, which further boosts Blacephalon's Fire attacks. Specially offensive Pokemon like Nidoking enjoy Blacephalon's ability to cripple special walls like Gastrodon and Ho-Oh without taking up the Special Attack slot. They can also weaken Blacephalon's checks and counters, allowing it to pick up a KO more easily and snowball. Physical threats such as Kartana and Zamazenta-C struggle against sturdy walls like Buzzwole and Skarmory, which Blacephalon can handle. Entry hazards greatly limit Blacephalon's ability to switch in multiple times, so teammates with entry hazard removal such as Landorus-T and Rotom-W are required. Blacephalon complements entry hazards well by removing Heavy-Duty Boots with Trick or Knock Off, which makes Ferrothorn and the aforementioned Nidoking great additions. Priority attacks like Yveltal's Sucker Punch and Rillaboom's Grassy Glide force Blacephalon out, so partners that can take them like Tapu Koko and Tornadus-T are appreciated. A counter to Tyranitar like Urshifu-R or Buzzwole is also necessary.
[SET]
name: Heavy-Duty Boots (Speed, Defense, HP)
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Toxic / Taunt
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Heavy-Duty Boots Blacephalon is a very effective progress maker against bulkier teams that still possesses decent power. Shadow Ball is a reliable Ghost STAB attack that hits most Pokemon at least neutrally. Flamethrower is its secondary STAB move, dealing decent damage to Yveltal and Tangrowth. Fire Blast can be used instead, however its lower PP and accuracy are concerns when Blacephalon is often required to use it multiple times. Knock Off removes key items from common switch-ins, in particular Heavy-Duty Boots, Assault Vest, and Leftovers, to make them more vulnerable to chip damage. Toxic cripples Ho-Oh, Gastrodon, and Tyranitar, which otherwise can take Blacephalon's attacks with ease. Taunt prevents Clefable, which doesn't mind Toxic and loss of item, from using Soft-Boiled. Heavy-Duty Boots negates entry hazard damage that would quickly wear Blacephalon down.
Heavy-Duty Boots Blacephalon's low defensive utility and capability to wallbreak short term means it should be built around as a secondary wincon. Zamazenta-C gives Blacephalon a much better Speed tier to threaten more offensive Pokemon out and thus opportunities to cripple switch-ins. It can also check two common priority users in Rillaboom and Yveltal. Pokemon who share checks with Blacephalon like Victini and Volcarona benefit from having opposing Ho-Oh and Gastrodon crippled. Bulky offensive threats such as Kyogre and Kyurem-W force it out, which makes it necessary to have a teammate that can handle their attacks like Tangrowth. Entry hazard support from Skarmory and Ferrothorn helps Blacephalon chip down opposing walls, especially with Knock Off to remove their Heavy-Duty Boots. Faster offensive Pokemon such as Zeraora and Pheromosa can OHKO Blacephalon, which can be taken care of by Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psyshock is an option on Choice Specs set to hit Gastrodon and Nihilego, but doesn't have much use otherwise. Rock Blast can lure and dent Ho-Oh, however Knock Off combined with Stealth Rock already prevents it from switching in multiple times. Even though Life Orb increases Blacephalon's damage output without locking it into a move, it reduces Blacephalon's already short longevity and thus should only be combined with Explosion to eliminate special walls.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar resists both Blacephalon's STAB moves and can easily OHKO Blacephalon with its own STAB attack. However, its lack of a recovery option outside of Rest makes it prone to getting worn down by Toxic and Knock Off, especially in combination with entry hazards.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon like Nihilego, Gastrodon, and Ho-Oh can take even Choice Specs-boosted hits from Blacephalon, and the latter two can heal off any damage dealt. They still hate receiving a Choice item, especially Ho-Oh if Stealth Rock is up.
**Entry Hazards**: Blacephalon's vulnerability to all entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, means their presence makes it harder for it to repeatedly come in and wreak havoc.
**Revenge Killers**: Even when resisting most priority moves, Blacephalon's poor bulk makes it susceptible to being revenge killed by priority moves, such as Yveltal's Sucker Punch and Rillaboom's Grassy Glide, especially if it doesn't receive HP or Defense. If Blacephalon lacks a Speed donation, then faster Pokemon can also revenge kill it. Excadrill in sand and Choice Scarf Kartana both outspeed Choice Scarf Blacephalon. Bulky Pokemon that can take a hit like Kyogre and Kyurem-W also threatens to OHKO Blacephalon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [DuckeryDoodle, 525446]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Choice Item Attacker (Speed, Defense, HP)
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 3: Trick
move 4: Knock Off / Toxic / Overheat
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Blacephalon is a fearsome late-game cleaner thanks to its high Special Attack and fantastic offensive typing. Blacephalon is also a serious threat to snowball the other team, as (in most cases) Beast Boost will raise its Special Attack after a KO, allowing it to blow through weakened teams. Shadow Ball is its primary attack, hitting most of the metagame at least neutrally. Fire Blast has high Base Power and can dent many Pokemon that can take Shadow Ball such as Tangrowth, Yveltal, and Zamazenta-C. Flamethrower is an alternative, trading raw power for more accuracy and PP. Trick allows Blacephalon to cripple specially defensive foes that it can't do much against otherwise, namely Gastrodon and Tyranitar. On the last moveslot, Knock Off disrupts the foe's item, and is particularly useful against Ho-Oh when Stealth Rock is up. Knock Off also comes in handy to remove Assault Vest from RegenVest Pokemon that might stomach its attacks and switch out with little HP lost otherwise, in particular Tangrowth and Galarian Slowbro. Toxic instead puts foes on a timer and forces them to use their recovery move more often. Overheat is an alternative that helps it revenge kill weakened offensive threats better. Choice Scarf is usually the go-to item to outspeed fast offensive threats like Tapu Koko and Mewtwo. If Blacephalon gets a Speed donation from Zamazenta or Pheromosa, Choice Specs is preferred, as Beast Boost will increase its Speed after a KO.
Choice Item Blacephalon acts as a cleaner and revenge killer on offensive builds. A Speed donation from fast gods such as Mewtwo, Zamazenta-C, and Pheromosa helps it outpace fast offensive Pokemon such as Weavile and Kartana; however, a better Defense or HP stat can also help Blacephalon avoid a KO from priority moves such as Rillaboom's Grassy Glide. Groudon can provide sun, which further boosts Blacephalon's Fire attacks. Specially offensive Pokemon like Nidoking enjoy Blacephalon's ability to cripple special walls like Gastrodon and Ho-Oh without taking up the Special Attack slot. They can also weaken Blacephalon's checks and counters, allowing it to pick up a KO more easily and snowball. Physical threats such as Kartana and Zamazenta-C struggle against sturdy walls like Buzzwole and Skarmory, which Blacephalon can handle. Entry hazards greatly limit Blacephalon's ability to switch in multiple times, so teammates with entry hazard removal such as Landorus-T and Rotom-W are required. Blacephalon complements entry hazards well by removing Heavy-Duty Boots with Trick or Knock Off, which makes Ferrothorn and the aforementioned Nidoking great additions. Priority attacks like Yveltal's Sucker Punch and Rillaboom's Grassy Glide force Blacephalon out, so partners that can take them like Tapu Koko and Tornadus-T are appreciated. A counter to Tyranitar like Urshifu-R or Buzzwole is also necessary.
[SET]
name: Heavy-Duty Boots (Speed, Defense, HP)
move 1: Shadow Ball
move 2: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Toxic / Taunt
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Heavy-Duty Boots Blacephalon is a very effective progress maker against bulkier teams that still possesses decent power. Shadow Ball is a reliable Ghost STAB attack that hits most Pokemon at least neutrally. Flamethrower is its secondary STAB move, dealing decent damage to Yveltal and Tangrowth. Fire Blast can be used instead, however its lower PP and accuracy are concerns when Blacephalon is often required to use it multiple times. Knock Off removes key items from common switch-ins, in particular Heavy-Duty Boots, Assault Vest, and Leftovers, to make them more vulnerable to chip damage. Toxic cripples Ho-Oh, Gastrodon, and Tyranitar, which otherwise can take Blacephalon's attacks with ease. Taunt prevents Clefable, which doesn't mind Toxic and loss of item, from using Soft-Boiled. Heavy-Duty Boots negates entry hazard damage that would quickly wear Blacephalon down.
Heavy-Duty Boots Blacephalon's low defensive utility and capability to wallbreak short term means it should be built around as a secondary wincon. Zamazenta-C gives Blacephalon a much better Speed tier to threaten more offensive Pokemon out and thus opportunities to cripple switch-ins. It can also check two common priority users in Rillaboom and Yveltal. Pokemon who share checks with Blacephalon like Victini and Volcarona benefit from having opposing Ho-Oh and Gastrodon crippled. Bulky offensive threats such as Kyogre and Kyurem-W force it out, which makes it necessary to have a teammate that can handle their attacks like Tangrowth. Entry hazard support from Skarmory and Ferrothorn helps Blacephalon chip down opposing walls, especially with Knock Off to remove their Heavy-Duty Boots. Faster offensive Pokemon such as Zeraora and Pheromosa can OHKO Blacephalon, which can be taken care of by Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psyshock is an option on Choice Specs set to hit Gastrodon and Nihilego, but doesn't have much use otherwise. Rock Blast can lure and dent Ho-Oh, however Knock Off combined with Stealth Rock already prevents it from switching in multiple times. Even though Life Orb increases Blacephalon's damage output without locking it into a move, it reduces Blacephalon's already short longevity and thus should only be combined with Explosion to eliminate special walls.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar resists both Blacephalon's STAB moves and can easily OHKO Blacephalon with its own STAB attack. However, its lack of a recovery option outside of Rest makes it prone to getting worn down by Toxic and Knock Off, especially in combination with entry hazards.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon like Nihilego, Gastrodon, and Ho-Oh can take even Choice Specs-boosted hits from Blacephalon, and the latter two can heal off any damage dealt. They still hate receiving a Choice item, especially Ho-Oh if Stealth Rock is up.
**Entry Hazards**: Blacephalon's vulnerability to all entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, means their presence makes it harder for it to repeatedly come in and wreak havoc.
**Revenge Killers**: Even when resisting most priority moves, Blacephalon's poor bulk makes it susceptible to being revenge killed by priority moves, such as Yveltal's Sucker Punch and Rillaboom's Grassy Glide, especially if it doesn't receive HP or Defense. If Blacephalon lacks a Speed donation, then faster Pokemon can also revenge kill it. Excadrill in sand and Choice Scarf Kartana both outspeed Choice Scarf Blacephalon. Bulky Pokemon that can take a hit like Kyogre and Kyurem-W also threatens to OHKO Blacephalon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [DuckeryDoodle, 525446]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
