[OVERVIEW]
* Kartana's massive Attack stat is its selling point; it can beat even those that resist its moves after activating Beast Boost.
* Kartana is a ridiculous wallbreaker, primarily due to its STAB moves hitting the three relevant Unaware users in the tier, Quagsire, Pyukumuku, and Clefable, for supereffective damage.
* It has excellent coverage in Sacred Sword and can use Z-Moves to choose its counters.
* However, its special bulk is pathetic, making it KOed by resisted hits such as Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt, Latios's Draco Meteor, and Greninja's Hydro Pump.
* Base 109 Speed, while great, still leaves it outpaced by the likes of Gengar, Mega Metagross, and others.
* It forfeits a good matchup against bulkier or more offensive teams depending on its item.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Smart Strike
move 4: Sacred Sword
item: Fightinium Z / Steelium Z
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Leaf Blade is Kartana's primary STAB move and strongest attack with which to beat down Pokemon such as Toxapex and Sableye after a Swords Dance boost.
* Smart Strike has great neutral coverage and gives Kartana access to Corkscrew Crash if it's holding Steelium Z.
* Sacred Sword rounds off its coverage by hitting Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Scizor, and Magnezone for supereffective or neutral damage.
* Swords Dance is essential for Kartana to break bulkier teams and make sure its Z-move nets its KO.
Set Details
========
* A Jolly nature is mandatory in order for Kartana to use its awkward Speed tier to outpace Pokemon such as Terrakion, Keldeo, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. Maximum Speed EVs are needed to cover as many Pokemon as possible and Speed tie with opposing Kartana.
* Maximum Attack is preferred, as any investment in bulk is negligible due to its paper-thin Special Defense and already decent Defense.
* Fightinium Z is the preferred item, as it provides Kartana the ability to OHKO Pokemon that otherwise check it such as Skarmory, Celesteela, and Mega Metagross; this is something Life Orb can only dream of accomplishing.
* Steelium Z is an option, however, if your team struggles with physically defensive Tangrowth, Venusaur, and Alolan Marowak, as Kartana can OHKO all three at +2. In addition, it allows Kartana to OHKO Pokemon such as Mega Pinsir and Garchomp, making Kartana a solid revenge killer for wallbreakers that can otherwise get out of hand.
Usage Tips
========
* Kartana should setup on Pokemon it naturally forces out, such as Tapu Fini and Hippowdon.Its defensive typing allows it to also set up on Ferrothorn and non-Hidden Power Fire Amoonguss.
* Kartana's Z-Move should be used on Pokemon it cannot otherwise break such as Mega Venusaur and Skarmory, depending on its Z-Crystal. While one may be hesitant to use it, expecting a switch out, it is better not to predict because Kartana will have Beast Boost backing it up.
* Kartana should be your primary win condition against stall due to it easily beating both Unaware users.
* Kartana's matchup against offense is obviously its downfall, so it should spend its time trying to spam its STAB moves as soon it has an opportunity.
Team Options
========
* Pokemon that can get entry hazards up against stall are great teammates, as Stealth Rock and Spikes help to wear down Toxapex and break Dugtrio's Focus Sash, meaning it can no longer revenge kill Kartana. Greninja, Clefable, Heatran, and Excadrill fill this role.
* Offensive Water-types such as Keldeo, Sharpedo, Manaphy, Gyarados, Volcanion, and the aforementioned Greninja appreciate Kartana luring in and knocking out bulky Grass-types.
* Magnezone traps Celesteela, Scizor, Skarmory, and opposing Magnezone for Kartana to excel at its wallbreaking capabilities without having to use Fightinium Z.
* Kartana appreciates priority users that can mitigate its only decent Speed stat. Ash-Greninja, Weavile, and Zygarde-10% can pick off targets that Kartana weakens.
* Due to Kartana's low special bulk, Assault Vest Magearna and Tapu Fini are great partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Choice Scarf turns Kartana into a fast cleaner that can snowball very quickly with Beast Boost. However, as a revenge killer, it cannot do its job as it finds itself losing to Salamence, Mega Charizard X, and Volcarona. These are Pokemon that other Choice Scarf users such as Nihilego and Garchomp can take out with ease.
* Life Orb seems like a viable option, but it does not remedy the fact that it is still walled by Skarmory, Venusaur, and Tangrowth. Using a Z-Move to beat such targets makes Kartana much more threatening while not cutting into its longevity for a negligible boost.
* An Adrenaline Orb allows Kartana to take advantage of Landorus-T and proceed to sweep the opponent after a Swords Dance boost.
* Psycho Cut can be used to deal with weakened Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur, but it is far more situational than Night Slash and even Defog.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Special Attackers**: The most common set, Swords Dance, has counters based on its Z-Crystal, meaning revenge killing Kartana is the best way of dealing with it. Latios, Greninja, and Gengar all easily outpace Kartana and OHKO it with their strongest STAB moves.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Skarmory, Celesteela, Scizor, and Choice Scarf Heatran can switch in with little fear and then force Kartana out or regain momentum. The former three must watch out for All Out Pummeling, however.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, and Tangrowth can deal with Kartana if Corkscrew Crash isn't available.
**Physically Defensive Volcarona**: If Stealth Rock is kept off the field, Volcarona is the best counter to Kartana in the tier due to it being able to Quiver Dance safely against Kartana and Roost off the damage from a +2 Corkscrew Crash. It may also burn Kartana with Flame Body if it decides to go for an attack.
* Kartana's massive Attack stat is its selling point; it can beat even those that resist its moves after activating Beast Boost.
* Kartana is a ridiculous wallbreaker, primarily due to its STAB moves hitting the three relevant Unaware users in the tier, Quagsire, Pyukumuku, and Clefable, for supereffective damage.
* It has excellent coverage in Sacred Sword and can use Z-Moves to choose its counters.
* However, its special bulk is pathetic, making it KOed by resisted hits such as Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt, Latios's Draco Meteor, and Greninja's Hydro Pump.
* Base 109 Speed, while great, still leaves it outpaced by the likes of Gengar, Mega Metagross, and others.
* It forfeits a good matchup against bulkier or more offensive teams depending on its item.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Smart Strike
move 4: Sacred Sword
item: Fightinium Z / Steelium Z
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Leaf Blade is Kartana's primary STAB move and strongest attack with which to beat down Pokemon such as Toxapex and Sableye after a Swords Dance boost.
* Smart Strike has great neutral coverage and gives Kartana access to Corkscrew Crash if it's holding Steelium Z.
* Sacred Sword rounds off its coverage by hitting Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Scizor, and Magnezone for supereffective or neutral damage.
* Swords Dance is essential for Kartana to break bulkier teams and make sure its Z-move nets its KO.
Set Details
========
* A Jolly nature is mandatory in order for Kartana to use its awkward Speed tier to outpace Pokemon such as Terrakion, Keldeo, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. Maximum Speed EVs are needed to cover as many Pokemon as possible and Speed tie with opposing Kartana.
* Maximum Attack is preferred, as any investment in bulk is negligible due to its paper-thin Special Defense and already decent Defense.
* Fightinium Z is the preferred item, as it provides Kartana the ability to OHKO Pokemon that otherwise check it such as Skarmory, Celesteela, and Mega Metagross; this is something Life Orb can only dream of accomplishing.
* Steelium Z is an option, however, if your team struggles with physically defensive Tangrowth, Venusaur, and Alolan Marowak, as Kartana can OHKO all three at +2. In addition, it allows Kartana to OHKO Pokemon such as Mega Pinsir and Garchomp, making Kartana a solid revenge killer for wallbreakers that can otherwise get out of hand.
Usage Tips
========
* Kartana should setup on Pokemon it naturally forces out, such as Tapu Fini and Hippowdon.Its defensive typing allows it to also set up on Ferrothorn and non-Hidden Power Fire Amoonguss.
* Kartana's Z-Move should be used on Pokemon it cannot otherwise break such as Mega Venusaur and Skarmory, depending on its Z-Crystal. While one may be hesitant to use it, expecting a switch out, it is better not to predict because Kartana will have Beast Boost backing it up.
* Kartana should be your primary win condition against stall due to it easily beating both Unaware users.
* Kartana's matchup against offense is obviously its downfall, so it should spend its time trying to spam its STAB moves as soon it has an opportunity.
Team Options
========
* Pokemon that can get entry hazards up against stall are great teammates, as Stealth Rock and Spikes help to wear down Toxapex and break Dugtrio's Focus Sash, meaning it can no longer revenge kill Kartana. Greninja, Clefable, Heatran, and Excadrill fill this role.
* Offensive Water-types such as Keldeo, Sharpedo, Manaphy, Gyarados, Volcanion, and the aforementioned Greninja appreciate Kartana luring in and knocking out bulky Grass-types.
* Magnezone traps Celesteela, Scizor, Skarmory, and opposing Magnezone for Kartana to excel at its wallbreaking capabilities without having to use Fightinium Z.
* Kartana appreciates priority users that can mitigate its only decent Speed stat. Ash-Greninja, Weavile, and Zygarde-10% can pick off targets that Kartana weakens.
* Due to Kartana's low special bulk, Assault Vest Magearna and Tapu Fini are great partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Choice Scarf turns Kartana into a fast cleaner that can snowball very quickly with Beast Boost. However, as a revenge killer, it cannot do its job as it finds itself losing to Salamence, Mega Charizard X, and Volcarona. These are Pokemon that other Choice Scarf users such as Nihilego and Garchomp can take out with ease.
* Life Orb seems like a viable option, but it does not remedy the fact that it is still walled by Skarmory, Venusaur, and Tangrowth. Using a Z-Move to beat such targets makes Kartana much more threatening while not cutting into its longevity for a negligible boost.
* An Adrenaline Orb allows Kartana to take advantage of Landorus-T and proceed to sweep the opponent after a Swords Dance boost.
* Psycho Cut can be used to deal with weakened Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur, but it is far more situational than Night Slash and even Defog.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Special Attackers**: The most common set, Swords Dance, has counters based on its Z-Crystal, meaning revenge killing Kartana is the best way of dealing with it. Latios, Greninja, and Gengar all easily outpace Kartana and OHKO it with their strongest STAB moves.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Skarmory, Celesteela, Scizor, and Choice Scarf Heatran can switch in with little fear and then force Kartana out or regain momentum. The former three must watch out for All Out Pummeling, however.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, and Tangrowth can deal with Kartana if Corkscrew Crash isn't available.
**Physically Defensive Volcarona**: If Stealth Rock is kept off the field, Volcarona is the best counter to Kartana in the tier due to it being able to Quiver Dance safely against Kartana and Roost off the damage from a +2 Corkscrew Crash. It may also burn Kartana with Flame Body if it decides to go for an attack.
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