[OVERVIEW]
[OVERVIEW]
Rock
========
Terrakion is a necessary asset to Rock teams thanks to the plethora of benefits it offers as a sweeper and wallbreaker. With its Rock / Fighting typing, it sports an incredible STAB combination capable of hitting a large portion of the metagame for neutral damage. Fighting STAB in particular makes it a formidable asset in the Normal and Steel matchups. It also has access to helpful coverage in Earthquake, Poison Jab, and Iron Head in order to hit threats like Nidoking, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Diancie, respectively. A base 108 Speed tier allows Terrakion to outspeed important threats like Hydreigon and Volcarona, and with a Choice Scarf, it's also capable of removing faster threats such as Mega Lopunny, +1 Mega Sharpedo, and Sand Rush Excadrill after Sticky Web. With the ability Justified, Terrakion can discourage opposing teams from using Dark-type attacks such as Knock Off, since they'll increase Terrakion's Attack stat. With a Choice Band, Terrakion is capable of being a potent wallbreaker against balance types such as Normal and Steel and is also able to revenge kill priority users such as Azumarill and Breloom with Quick Attack. Unfortunately, Terrakion's typing is awful defensively, leaving it vulnerable to common attacking types like Water, Ground, Fighting, and Psychic. This also means that it's highly susceptible to common priority attacks like Aqua Jet and Bullet Punch. Furthermore, Terrakion's mediocre bulk prevents it from surviving many hits from most powerful attackers, and despite its great Speed stat, it's still vulnerable to common revenge killers like Excadrill in sand if Sticky Web isn't up and Choice Scarf Latios.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Rock)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Poison Jab / Iron Head
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stone Edge is Terrakion's most powerful Rock-type STAB move, allowing it to OHKO Flying-types like Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y. Close Combat is Terrakion’s most consistent Fighting-type STAB move, letting it beat Steel-types like Excadrill and Ferrothorn as well as Dark-types like Hydreigon and Mega Sharpedo. Earthquake provides solid coverage used to hit Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu. Poison Jab is used to hit Fairy-types like Tapu Bulu and Azumarill. Iron Head is another option that can be used in order to OHKO Mega Diancie.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed is used to make Terrakion as fast and strong as possible. A Choice Scarf allows it to outspeed and revenge kill threats such as Mega Lopunny and Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu. A Jolly nature allows Terrakion to outspeed Pokemon such as Mega Sharpedo and Mega Charizard X after a Speed boost as well as opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon like Nihilego and Tapu Bulu. Justified is Terrakion’s only ability, increasing its Attack stat whenever it's hit by a Dark-type move, allowing it to always KO Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Seismitoad with Close Combat after it switches into their Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
Since Terrakion’s bulk isn’t very great, it's a good idea to bring it in as a revenge killer after a teammate has gone down. Terrakion can also serve as a powerful sweeper with its strong STAB combination in Stone Edge and Close Combat. It's also important to make careful predictions to bring Terrakion in safely, especially in matchups such as Dragon and Dark, where Terrakion can serve as an effective revenge killer and late-game sweeper. In some cases, Terrakion can be sent in on a weak Dark-type attack such as Hydreigon's Dark Pulse in order to get an Attack boost from Justified, giving it much more wallbreaking power. However, if you still need to preserve its Choice Scarf to remove an important threat, don't let it take a Knock Off. Sometimes Terrakion can bluff a coverage option in order to force out threats like Mega Diancie and Tapu Bulu. Keep it away from status as much as possible, especially paralysis and burn, since they can diminish its effectiveness as a sweeper. In some situations, you shouldn't keep Terrakion in after sustaining multiple defensive drops from Close Combat, as they will leave it susceptible to priority attacks like Bisharp's Sucker Punch. Close Combat may do more damage than Stone Edge in some instances, but the defense drops can make it a subpar form of attacking.
Team Options
========
Mega Diancie can bounce back status moves like Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp for Terrakion while also checking Fighting-types like Keldeo and Buzzwole. It can also bounce back Sticky Web, which is especially important considering that Rock doesn't have a reliable entry hazard remover. In return, Terrakion is able to beat Choice Scarf Pokemon like Magnezone and Tapu Bulu. Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Terrakion, allowing it to outspeed faster Choice Scarf Pokemon like Gengar and Greninja as well as Sand Rush Excadrill. It can also use Encore to lock the foe into a harmless move in order to let Terrakion in safely. Tyranitar can trap Psychic- and Ghost-types like Latios and Gengar with Pursuit and break past walls such as Toxapex and Celesteela. In return, Terrakion can check Steel-types like Excadrill and Bisharp. Nihilego is another great special wallbreaker that can beat Water-types like Swampert and Toxapex with Grass Knot and Thunderbolt as well as Ground-types like Landorus and Hippowdon with Hidden Power Ice and Grass Knot. It can also remove Toxic Spikes upon switching in, which is nice for keeping Terrakion healthy. Cradily can come in on Water-type attacks for Terrakion as well as beat Ground-types like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Seismitoad. In return, Terrakion can beat Ice-types like Mamoswine and Kyurem-B. Rhyperior and Alolan Golem can check Mega Scizor for Terrakion. Rhyperior also functions as an effective physical blanket check against Pokemon like Landorus-T and Sand Rush Excadrill, and Alolan Golem can trap and remove Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela. Omastar can check problematic Ground-types like Hippowdon with its STAB Hydro Pump. It also appreciates Terrakion being able to check Choice Scarf users like Kyurem-B and Hydreigon that outspeed it after a Shell Smash. Mega Aerodactyl offers a Ground immunity as well as a check to Fighting-types that Terrakion is unable to KO such as Keldeo and Mega Gallade. Stakataka can switch into and threaten Psychic- and Fairy-types like Latios and Clefable that would KO Terrakion and can also break past defensive checks like Mega Sableye and Celesteela with a Continental Crush.
[SET]
name: Choice Band (Rock)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Quick Attack
item: Choice Band
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stone Edge lets Terrakion KO Flying-types like Mantine, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y. Close Combat is an important STAB move in order to beat Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Air Balloon Heatran. Earthquake is great coverage to hit Poison-types like Nidoking and Toxapex that Terrakion otherwise wouldn't be able to severely damage. Quick Attack is nice for revenge killing priority users like Breloom after prior damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed is used to make Terrakion as fast and as strong as possible. A Jolly nature allows it to outspeed Pokemon like Hydreigon and Mega Charizard Y. With the Choice Band, Terrakion is capable of 2HKOing Pokemon that it wouldn't be able to otherwise, such as Skarmory and Landorus-T. Justified is its only ability, increasing its Attack whenever it's hit by a Dark-type move.
Usage Tips
========
This set is rather reliant on support from Shuckle's Sticky Web as a means of outspeeding Choice Scarf users like Excadrill and opposing Terrakion. Due to Terrakion's average bulk, it's a good idea to bring it in after a teammate has fainted. Try bluffing Choice Scarf against threats like Mega Diancie and +1 Mega Charizard X in order to force them out. In matchups like Steel, it isvitally important to make smart predictions with Terrakion in order to consistently gain momentum. For example, you may need to predict a Mega Scizor to switch out against a check like Rhyperior to safely bring in Terrakion to threaten whatever switches in. Avoid status as much as possible, especially burn and paralysis, since they can halve Terrakion's Attack and Speed. Likewise, make sure to keep it away from attacking moves that cause these status conditions, like Scald and Discharge. Try weakening priority users like Azumarill and Breloom before revenge killing them with Terrakion's Quick Attack. Don't be afraid of spamming Terrakion's powerful STAB attacks against certain defensive cores on types like Normal and Steel.
Team Options
========
Shuckle can set up Sticky Web to let Terrakion outspeed threats such as Mega Lopunny and Choice Scarf Excadrill. It can also use Encore on more passive Pokemon to allow Terrakion to safely switch in. Mega Diancie can bounce back status moves for Terrakion while also being able to check physically defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro. It can also bounce back troublesome entry hazards like Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes. In return, Terrakion is able to break through Chansey and Porygon2. Tyranitar can switch into and beat Psychic-types like Latios and Mega Latias for Terrakion. Nihilego can check Fairy- and Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Celebi with Sludge Wave, as well as Water-types like Slowbro and Mega Swampert with Thunderbolt and Grass Knot. In return, Terrakion can beat Steel-types like Heatran and Ferrothorn that Nihilego can't beat. Cradily can switch into Water-type attacks for Terrakion thanks to Storm Drain while also being able to switch into Ground-type attacks from Hippowdon and Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Rhyperior and Alolan Golem are both capable of checking Mega Scizor for Terrakion. Rhyperior can also serve as a blanket check for faster threats like Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Excadrill in sand, and Alolan Golem can trap and weaken Steel-types that can survive a Close Combat like Skarmory and Celesteela. Mega Aerodactyl provides a Ground immunity for Terrakion and a check to Fighting-types that Terrakion can't outspeed such as Mega Lopunny and Mega Gallade. After setting up a Shell Smash, Omastar is able to beat threats that Terrakion is unable to beat without a Choice Scarf, such as Excadrill in sand under Sticky Web.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock
--------
Swords Dance can be used alongside Rockium Z in order to break past defensive checks like Slowbro and Gliscor. However, it doesn't provide the immediate wallbreaking power offered by Choice Band. Poison Jab can be used on Choice Band sets in order to KO Azumarill before it gets the chance to set up with Belly Drum. However, Quick Attack is more valuable for revenge killing it after it has set up. Substitute can be used alongside Swords Dance to generate some momentum from a forced switch, as well as being able to set up safely in front of passive Pokemon like Mega Sableye. It can also prevent Ditto from Transforming into Terrakion. However, this would come at the cost of helpful coverage in Earthquake. Rock Polish is an option with Swords Dance in order for it to act as a late-game sweeper. However, similarly to Substitute, it would mean foregoing important coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
Rock
--------
**Water-types**: Water-types like Mega Swampert and Mega Slowbro can survive a hit from Terrakion and proceed to threaten it back with their STAB moves.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Landorus, Garchomp, and Dugtrio can either outspeed and OHKO Terrakion or survive a hit from it and proceed to OHKO.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur is able to easily survive any of Terrakion's attacks and wear it down with Giga Drain while simultaneously sustaining itself with Synthesis.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Keldeo, Kommo-o, and Buzzwole are capable of KOing Terrakion with their STAB moves. Buzzwole in particular can consistently come in on Terrakion's attacks.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Latios, Mega Gallade, and Alakazam can survive a single hit and can proceed to OHKO with their STAB moves. Mega Gallade in particular resists both of Terrakion's STAB moves and can directly switch into them with passable health remaining.
**Revenge Killers and Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users such as Latios and Landorus-T can outspeed and take out Terrakion with their respective STAB moves. While Landorus-T is outsped by Choice Scarf sets, it can easily survive a Stone Edge thanks to Intimidate.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Tapu Bulu are capable of KOing Terrakion depending on which coverage move it's running. This is important because Mega Diancie can take a Poison Jab while Tapu Bulu can take an Iron Head.
**Priority**: Terrakion is weak to various priority attacks such as Mach Punch, Bullet Punch, and Aqua Jet from Pokemon such as Breloom, Azumarill, and Mega Scizor respectively.
**Status**: Terrakion is severely hindered by all forms of status, with burn halving its Attack, paralysis halving its Speed, and poison quickly wearing it down each turn.
[OVERVIEW]
Rock
========
Terrakion is a necessary asset to Rock teams thanks to the plethora of benefits it offers as a sweeper and wallbreaker. With its Rock / Fighting typing, it sports an incredible STAB combination capable of hitting a large portion of the metagame for neutral damage. Fighting STAB in particular makes it a formidable asset in the Normal and Steel matchups. It also has access to helpful coverage in Earthquake, Poison Jab, and Iron Head in order to hit threats like Nidoking, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Diancie, respectively. A base 108 Speed tier allows Terrakion to outspeed important threats like Hydreigon and Volcarona, and with a Choice Scarf, it's also capable of removing faster threats such as Mega Lopunny, +1 Mega Sharpedo, and Sand Rush Excadrill after Sticky Web. With the ability Justified, Terrakion can discourage opposing teams from using Dark-type attacks such as Knock Off, since they'll increase Terrakion's Attack stat. With a Choice Band, Terrakion is capable of being a potent wallbreaker against balance types such as Normal and Steel and is also able to revenge kill priority users such as Azumarill and Breloom with Quick Attack. Unfortunately, Terrakion's typing is awful defensively, leaving it vulnerable to common attacking types like Water, Ground, Fighting, and Psychic. This also means that it's highly susceptible to common priority attacks like Aqua Jet and Bullet Punch. Furthermore, Terrakion's mediocre bulk prevents it from surviving many hits from most powerful attackers, and despite its great Speed stat, it's still vulnerable to common revenge killers like Excadrill in sand if Sticky Web isn't up and Choice Scarf Latios.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Rock)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Poison Jab / Iron Head
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stone Edge is Terrakion's most powerful Rock-type STAB move, allowing it to OHKO Flying-types like Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y. Close Combat is Terrakion’s most consistent Fighting-type STAB move, letting it beat Steel-types like Excadrill and Ferrothorn as well as Dark-types like Hydreigon and Mega Sharpedo. Earthquake provides solid coverage used to hit Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu. Poison Jab is used to hit Fairy-types like Tapu Bulu and Azumarill. Iron Head is another option that can be used in order to OHKO Mega Diancie.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed is used to make Terrakion as fast and strong as possible. A Choice Scarf allows it to outspeed and revenge kill threats such as Mega Lopunny and Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu. A Jolly nature allows Terrakion to outspeed Pokemon such as Mega Sharpedo and Mega Charizard X after a Speed boost as well as opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon like Nihilego and Tapu Bulu. Justified is Terrakion’s only ability, increasing its Attack stat whenever it's hit by a Dark-type move, allowing it to always KO Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Seismitoad with Close Combat after it switches into their Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
Since Terrakion’s bulk isn’t very great, it's a good idea to bring it in as a revenge killer after a teammate has gone down. Terrakion can also serve as a powerful sweeper with its strong STAB combination in Stone Edge and Close Combat. It's also important to make careful predictions to bring Terrakion in safely, especially in matchups such as Dragon and Dark, where Terrakion can serve as an effective revenge killer and late-game sweeper. In some cases, Terrakion can be sent in on a weak Dark-type attack such as Hydreigon's Dark Pulse in order to get an Attack boost from Justified, giving it much more wallbreaking power. However, if you still need to preserve its Choice Scarf to remove an important threat, don't let it take a Knock Off. Sometimes Terrakion can bluff a coverage option in order to force out threats like Mega Diancie and Tapu Bulu. Keep it away from status as much as possible, especially paralysis and burn, since they can diminish its effectiveness as a sweeper. In some situations, you shouldn't keep Terrakion in after sustaining multiple defensive drops from Close Combat, as they will leave it susceptible to priority attacks like Bisharp's Sucker Punch. Close Combat may do more damage than Stone Edge in some instances, but the defense drops can make it a subpar form of attacking.
Team Options
========
Mega Diancie can bounce back status moves like Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp for Terrakion while also checking Fighting-types like Keldeo and Buzzwole. It can also bounce back Sticky Web, which is especially important considering that Rock doesn't have a reliable entry hazard remover. In return, Terrakion is able to beat Choice Scarf Pokemon like Magnezone and Tapu Bulu. Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Terrakion, allowing it to outspeed faster Choice Scarf Pokemon like Gengar and Greninja as well as Sand Rush Excadrill. It can also use Encore to lock the foe into a harmless move in order to let Terrakion in safely. Tyranitar can trap Psychic- and Ghost-types like Latios and Gengar with Pursuit and break past walls such as Toxapex and Celesteela. In return, Terrakion can check Steel-types like Excadrill and Bisharp. Nihilego is another great special wallbreaker that can beat Water-types like Swampert and Toxapex with Grass Knot and Thunderbolt as well as Ground-types like Landorus and Hippowdon with Hidden Power Ice and Grass Knot. It can also remove Toxic Spikes upon switching in, which is nice for keeping Terrakion healthy. Cradily can come in on Water-type attacks for Terrakion as well as beat Ground-types like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Seismitoad. In return, Terrakion can beat Ice-types like Mamoswine and Kyurem-B. Rhyperior and Alolan Golem can check Mega Scizor for Terrakion. Rhyperior also functions as an effective physical blanket check against Pokemon like Landorus-T and Sand Rush Excadrill, and Alolan Golem can trap and remove Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela. Omastar can check problematic Ground-types like Hippowdon with its STAB Hydro Pump. It also appreciates Terrakion being able to check Choice Scarf users like Kyurem-B and Hydreigon that outspeed it after a Shell Smash. Mega Aerodactyl offers a Ground immunity as well as a check to Fighting-types that Terrakion is unable to KO such as Keldeo and Mega Gallade. Stakataka can switch into and threaten Psychic- and Fairy-types like Latios and Clefable that would KO Terrakion and can also break past defensive checks like Mega Sableye and Celesteela with a Continental Crush.
[SET]
name: Choice Band (Rock)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Quick Attack
item: Choice Band
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stone Edge lets Terrakion KO Flying-types like Mantine, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y. Close Combat is an important STAB move in order to beat Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Air Balloon Heatran. Earthquake is great coverage to hit Poison-types like Nidoking and Toxapex that Terrakion otherwise wouldn't be able to severely damage. Quick Attack is nice for revenge killing priority users like Breloom after prior damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed is used to make Terrakion as fast and as strong as possible. A Jolly nature allows it to outspeed Pokemon like Hydreigon and Mega Charizard Y. With the Choice Band, Terrakion is capable of 2HKOing Pokemon that it wouldn't be able to otherwise, such as Skarmory and Landorus-T. Justified is its only ability, increasing its Attack whenever it's hit by a Dark-type move.
Usage Tips
========
This set is rather reliant on support from Shuckle's Sticky Web as a means of outspeeding Choice Scarf users like Excadrill and opposing Terrakion. Due to Terrakion's average bulk, it's a good idea to bring it in after a teammate has fainted. Try bluffing Choice Scarf against threats like Mega Diancie and +1 Mega Charizard X in order to force them out. In matchups like Steel, it is
Team Options
========
Shuckle can set up Sticky Web to let Terrakion outspeed threats such as Mega Lopunny and Choice Scarf Excadrill. It can also use Encore on more passive Pokemon to allow Terrakion to safely switch in. Mega Diancie can bounce back status moves for Terrakion while also being able to check physically defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Mega Slowbro. It can also bounce back troublesome entry hazards like Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes. In return, Terrakion is able to break through Chansey and Porygon2. Tyranitar can switch into and beat Psychic-types like Latios and Mega Latias for Terrakion. Nihilego can check Fairy- and Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Celebi with Sludge Wave, as well as Water-types like Slowbro and Mega Swampert with Thunderbolt and Grass Knot. In return, Terrakion can beat Steel-types like Heatran and Ferrothorn that Nihilego can't beat. Cradily can switch into Water-type attacks for Terrakion thanks to Storm Drain while also being able to switch into Ground-type attacks from Hippowdon and Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Rhyperior and Alolan Golem are both capable of checking Mega Scizor for Terrakion. Rhyperior can also serve as a blanket check for faster threats like Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Excadrill in sand, and Alolan Golem can trap and weaken Steel-types that can survive a Close Combat like Skarmory and Celesteela. Mega Aerodactyl provides a Ground immunity for Terrakion and a check to Fighting-types that Terrakion can't outspeed such as Mega Lopunny and Mega Gallade. After setting up a Shell Smash, Omastar is able to beat threats that Terrakion is unable to beat without a Choice Scarf, such as Excadrill in sand under Sticky Web.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock
--------
Swords Dance can be used alongside Rockium Z in order to break past defensive checks like Slowbro and Gliscor. However, it doesn't provide the immediate wallbreaking power offered by Choice Band. Poison Jab can be used on Choice Band sets in order to KO Azumarill before it gets the chance to set up with Belly Drum. However, Quick Attack is more valuable for revenge killing it after it has set up. Substitute can be used alongside Swords Dance to generate some momentum from a forced switch, as well as being able to set up safely in front of passive Pokemon like Mega Sableye. It can also prevent Ditto from Transforming into Terrakion. However, this would come at the cost of helpful coverage in Earthquake. Rock Polish is an option with Swords Dance in order for it to act as a late-game sweeper. However, similarly to Substitute, it would mean foregoing important coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
Rock
--------
**Water-types**: Water-types like Mega Swampert and Mega Slowbro can survive a hit from Terrakion and proceed to threaten it back with their STAB moves.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Landorus, Garchomp, and Dugtrio can either outspeed and OHKO Terrakion or survive a hit from it and proceed to OHKO.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur is able to easily survive any of Terrakion's attacks and wear it down with Giga Drain while simultaneously sustaining itself with Synthesis.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Keldeo, Kommo-o, and Buzzwole are capable of KOing Terrakion with their STAB moves. Buzzwole in particular can consistently come in on Terrakion's attacks.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Latios, Mega Gallade, and Alakazam can survive a single hit and can proceed to OHKO with their STAB moves. Mega Gallade in particular resists both of Terrakion's STAB moves and can directly switch into them with passable health remaining.
**Revenge Killers and Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users such as Latios and Landorus-T can outspeed and take out Terrakion with their respective STAB moves. While Landorus-T is outsped by Choice Scarf sets, it can easily survive a Stone Edge thanks to Intimidate.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Tapu Bulu are capable of KOing Terrakion depending on which coverage move it's running. This is important because Mega Diancie can take a Poison Jab while Tapu Bulu can take an Iron Head.
**Priority**: Terrakion is weak to various priority attacks such as Mach Punch, Bullet Punch, and Aqua Jet from Pokemon such as Breloom, Azumarill, and Mega Scizor respectively.
**Status**: Terrakion is severely hindered by all forms of status, with burn halving its Attack, paralysis halving its Speed, and poison quickly wearing it down each turn.
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