Azelf

[Babael]

482 Azelf

The willpower pokemon.

Ability: Levitate; Damage dealing ground type moves don't affect Azelf. This pokemon cannot be trapped by the Arena Trap ability and is unaffected by Spikes and Toxic Spikes.

Type: Psychic

It can be caught at Lake Valor.


Base Stats
HP: 75
Attack: 125
Defense: 70
Special Attack: 125
Special Defense:70
Speed:115

Total:580

Nasty Plot
Nature: Timid/Modest
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt/Focus Sash
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Moves:
Nasty Plot
Psychic
Flamethrower
Grass Knot/Hidden Power Fighting

With access to Nasty Plot and base special attack stat of 125, it's easy to see why this set sees lots of use. Psychic is a powerful STAB, Flamethrower takes care of bulky grass types like Celebi, Steels like Metagross, Jirachi, and Bronzong, Grass Knot takes care of Swampert, Suicune, SlowBro, and it hits Tyranitar(OHKOs after a boost). Hidden power fighting hits dark types, that will probably switch in, like Houndoom.

Choice Spec/Scarf
Nature:Naive/Rash
Item: Choice Scarf/Specs
EVs:36 Atk / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Moves:
U-Turn
Flamethrower
Psychic
Grass Knot

U-turn helps scout switch, as well as picking up super effective damage if your opponent decided to switch in Weavile or Tyranitar and can wear them down over time. Flamethrower and Grass Knot are for coverage, and Psychic is for STAB.

Mixed Attacker
Nature: Naive/Rash
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt
EVs:36 Atk / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Moves:
Explosion
Flamethrower
Grass Knot/U-turn
Psychic

Similar to the set above, except this time you're not locked into one attack. Explosion is for general Blissey killing, since you will surely lure her out.

If Gyarados is a problem you can always opt for Thunderbolt in any of these sets, and if Grass Knot isn't up your alley, Energy Ball is also an option, as is Water Pulse, Taunt, and Shadow Ball.

[NikolaTesla]

Another fantastic write up!

Personally I would swap grass knot for energy ball since energy ball is guaranteed 80 while grass knot is based on weight.

Otherwise awesome. I can see why you are the Pokefarm Battling Empress.

[Deneves]

Another fantastic write up!

Personally I would swap grass knot for energy ball since energy ball is guaranteed 80 while grass knot is based on weight.

Otherwise awesome. I can see why you are the Pokefarm Battling Empress.

Most Ubers & OUs are on the heavy side giving you a 120 base power. If you are worried about Mew, Azelf, Uxie & Mesprit, (all who are light) you'd be better off with U-turn.

[Gouswer]

EDIT: wrong thread

[Babael]

Another fantastic write up!

Personally I would swap grass knot for energy ball since energy ball is guaranteed 80 while grass knot is based on weight.

Otherwise awesome. I can see why you are the Pokefarm Battling Empress.

Yeah, I believe Grass knott does more to T-tar and friends, who are major threats to Azelf. A

[Jhamin]

For whatever it is worth, I run Grass Knot on a couple of my standard Pokemon and while there are times I wished for energy ball, in actual league play Grass Knot ends up with a better base power most of the time. (I have downed more than one Milotic with it )

[NikolaTesla]

I guess I come from the perspective that grass knot is teh suck against Lanturn.

[Babael]

I guess I come from the perspective that grass knot is teh suck against Lanturn.

That is true, energy ball seems to be the better choice in UU/NU battles.

[bor3domkiller]

for Specs/Scarf I think T-bolt is better than psychic because it takes out gyra which is verry comon in OU.

[S Tailor]

It should now be noted that Azelf got a usable (not brilliant though) physical movepool, which should be of note:

Personally I'd run this, but there are other items and moves you could use - perhaps you should add a bit to the strat:

Life Orb
Jolly
252 speed 252 attack

U-Turn
Zen Headbutt
Explosion / Fire Punch
Ice Punch

I reckon if you can bring this thing in, you should have a fairly easy time sweeping, and you have a chance at knocking out the special wall due to them not predicting the physical move set.