DP Azelf [Other Options]

Pulse

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/azelf

[Other Options]

<p>Thunderbolt is generally a good move, but doesn't offer better type coverage than Azelf's other attacks. However, Thunderbolt does let you hurt Gyarados and Togekiss. Shadow Ball hits its fellow Psychics. Hidden Power Ice is relatively weak, but easily OHKOs Garchomp and Salamence provided it has at least a 10% boost. Focus Sash is a good alternative on the Life Orb set. It can ensure Azelf's survival against the likes of Weavile and helps it to survive to Explode on a foe. Given Focus Sash is unreliable if Stealth Rock is in play, this strategy would be best used if Azelf is leading your team. Taunt or Safeguard can work on the Nasty Plot set, completely ruining the opponent's attempt at statusing you, but you have to give up Grass Knot / Hidden Power Fighting and thus get walled by Tyranitar. Taunt is generally superior since it also stops things like Celebi from Baton Passing and setting up, and prevents Calm Mind Blissey from setting up on you and ruining your chances of sweeping. Safeguard, however, lasts longer than Taunt and gives team support. If you are using the Choice Scarf set as a lead, Fire Blast is an option over Flamethrower because the latter will OHKO the common Weavile lead roughly 25% of the time, while the former will OHKO every time it hits.</p>

(OOC - I wasn't too sure on how to post just an Other Options addition, because when I posted it in the small edits I was told it was too large. The only addition I'm suggesting to the Other Options is the last sentence. If I did something wrong, please inform me, preferably in a civilized approach. Thanks.)
 
It could be mentioned that Taunt allows you to beat Blissey if they switch in while you Nasty Plot. You can then Taunt the Thunder Wave (or Softboiled) the next turn, Nasty Plot again, and then 2HKO with Psychic (you do 46-56% without Life Orb, and 53% minimum with Wise Glasses) while Blissey attempts to 3, or even 4HKO (depending on how many HP EVs you give Azelf) you with Seismic Toss. Life Orb could be used, but then you only have 2 turns to attack afterwards, which could prevent you from sweeping.

Edit: Allowing you to beat Blissey is another reason to use Taunt - it isn't necessarily a given, as many new battlers - those who look at the analyae (sp?) most often - wouldn't know that.
 
Taunt is mentioned in the Other Options for blocking status. It's a given that you can beat Blissey with it. Not sure if that is needed since they mention the move already.
 
Pulse said:
If you are using the Choice Scarf set as a lead, Fire Blast is an option over Flamethrower because while the former will OHKO the common Weavile lead roughly 25% of the time, while the former will OHKO 85% of the time.
Click to expand...

The first 'former' should be 'latter', and the first or the second 'while' shouldn't be there (depending on how you want it phrased).
 
Thanks, and fixed. So does the sentence have a chance of being added to the analysis or is it too small of a change to add? Another thing we could do is just put "Flamethrower / Fire Blast" on the Choice Scarf set and have somewhere in the description:
"Flamethrower is often the preferred choice, but Fire Blast will allow you to OHKO Weavile every time, while Flamethrower will only bring it down roughly 25% of the time."

Or something along those lines.
 
Actually, the change you made was incorrect. It should read

If you are using the Choice Scarf set as a lead, Fire Blast is an option over Flamethrower because the latter will OHKO the common Weavile lead roughly 25% of the time, while the former will OHKO 85% of the time.

Right now, former and latter are switched. And instead of saying that it OHKOs 85% of the time, I'd probably say that it will OHKO every time it hits.
 
You should probably mention that if you're using the Choice Scarf set as a lead, Shadow Ball will never 1HKO a 4 HP/ 0 Sp.Def Gengar lead and only Psychic will. It's a little minor, but taking into account one of the most common leads never hurts.

Edit: this is assuming you're using a neutral attacking nature on Azelf.
 
RedSP said:
You should probably mention that if you're using the Choice Scarf set as a lead, Shadow Ball will never 1HKO a 4 HP/ 0 Sp.Def Gengar lead and only Psychic will. It's a little minor, but taking into account one of the most common leads never hurts.

Edit: this is assuming you're using a neutral attacking nature on Azelf.
Click to expand...

Why would you use a neutral nature on a Scarfed Azelf? And thanks umbarsc.
 
I find this sentence a bit awkward:

"Given Focus Sash is unreliable if Stealth Rock is in play, this strategy would be best used if Azelf is leading your team."

it could be changed to:

"Given that Stealth Rock is in play, Focus Sash is hampered by entry damage, thus making this strategy best used when Azelf is acting as your lead."

You should probably add a link to the analysis, too.
 
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