Havens
WGI World Champion
[OVERVIEW]
[OVERVIEW]
Flying
========
Landorus is a fantastic special wallbreaker for Flying teams, as the combination of Sheer Force, a Life Orb, and a wide movepool is extremely powerful and difficult to defensively counteract. Being a Ground-type is already desirable for Flying teams, as the Electric-type immunity is greatly appreciated against Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Zeraora. Its Speed tier also narrowly edges out potent threats such as Mega Charizard X, Kyurem-B, and Volcarona. Landorus has a decent amount of bulk for its offensive prowess, so it can take at least one hit, such as Celesteela's Heavy Slam or Mew's Psychic. However, Landorus is susceptible to Water- and Ice-type moves from foes such as Keldeo and Alolan Ninetales. Landorus faces competition from Landorus-T, as that forme better checks potent threats to Flying teams such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko when running a Choice Scarf.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Stealth Rock / Rock Slide
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earth Power is Landorus's Ground-type STAB move, which reliably threatens Electric-, Steel-, and Poison-types such as Zeraora, Mega Scizor, and Toxapex. Sludge Wave is solid coverage against Fairy-types such as Clefable and Azumarill. Focus Blast is useful against Dark- and Normal-types such as Hydreigon and Porygon2. It can also hit Steel-types that are immune to Landorus's Earth Power, like Skarmory and Air Balloon Heatran. Landorus can run Stealth Rock to allow teammates such as Gliscor to run other options. Alternatively, Rock Slide helps against opposing Flying-types, which are immune to its Ground-type STAB move, such as Mantine and Zapdos. However, using Rock Slide over Stealth Rock isn't as ideal, since it's harder to fit on teammates such as Mega Aerodactyl and Skarmory, as they need that extra moveslot to fulfill their roles.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment allows Landorus to be as fast as possible, outspeeding threats such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y. A Timid nature is utilized to boost its Speed to its peak without lowering one of its defensive stats. Alternatively, Landorus can use a Naive nature if it's using Rock Slide to boost its power. Landorus could use a Hasty nature to minimize damage taken from special attacks and, most notably, survive a Hidden Power Ice from Tapu Koko, though it no longer takes Choice Scarf Victini's V-create from full HP. Sheer Force and a Life Orb are powerful when used together, as Sheer Force negates Life Orb recoil to amplify Landorus's damage output.
Usage Tips
========
Landorus can be used as an early-game wallbreaker or sometimes as a lead, since its power and coverage options are very difficult to counteract defensively. Use teammates with pivoting options such as Volt Switch Zapdos and U-turn Tornadus-T to bring in Landorus safely, as this will keep up offensive pressure against the opponent. Take advantage of switches Landorus forces by setting up Stealth Rock against slower, weaker foes. Landorus can also act as a potent revenge killer against weakened foes and slower threats like Nidoking and non-Choice Scarf Victini. While Landorus has decent bulk, it should avoid taking unnecessary damage in order to wallbreak as much as possible. Setting Stealth Rock isn't always necessary, especially against foes such as Swampert and Mew that look to set up Stealth Rock of their own. Watch out for Ice-type coverage from foes such as Tapu Koko and Greninja, as they can OHKO Landorus. It's also ideal to avoid Knock Off users like Deoxys-S and Mega Sableye, as removing Landorus's Life Orb lessens its damage output. Landorus also provides an Electric immunity by virtue of its Ground typing, but it must be careful of coverage such as Hidden Power Ice.
Team Options
========
Zapdos is a solid switch-in to Water-types that threaten Landorus, such as Suicune and Gyarados. Its ability to utilize Defog, provide momentum through Volt Switch, and stall out bulkier foes such as Swampert through Substitute and Toxic can create better opportunities for Landorus to sweep teams. Mantine is a defensive pivot into Ice- and Water-type attacks for Landorus, as the former is a neutrality for Mantine while it completely walls the latter due to Water Absorb. It also has incredible special bulk that it can use to check special attackers such as Blacephalon and Greninja and can also use Defog to remove entry hazards for Flying teams. Mega Charizard Y can threaten Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Cloyster, as well as bulkier Water-types like Gastrodon and Slowbro through the combination of Drought and Solar Beam, for Landorus. In return, Landorus can switch into incoming Electric-type attacks for Mega Charizard Y. Mega Aerodactyl can check Ice-types such as Weavile and Alolan Ninetales for Landorus, and it's also able to Pursuit trap weakened foes such as Choice Scarf Victini and Latios that can threaten Landorus. Additionally, having Landorus take care of Stealth Rock allows Mega Aerodactyl to be an incredible asset against Dragon teams, as it would be able to use both Stone Edge and Pursuit to threaten the biggest threats to Flying teams such as Kyurem-B and Latios. Tornadus-T acts as utility for Landorus, as it removes Stealth Rock that can chip away at Landorus's health while also having access to Knock Off, which allows it to remove Chansey's Eviolite for Landorus. It's also a fast pivot that can consistently grasp momentum for Flying teams through U-turn and Regenerator. Celesteela is a general wall for Landorus, providing security against powerful priority users such as Mamoswine and Dragonite while also being able to use Leech Seed to help Landorus regain some of its HP if need be. Gliscor is another defensive pivot for Landorus, and it can also relieve some pressure off of Landorus from switching into Electric-type attacks thanks to its Ground typing and better recovery. Dragonite can break special walls, such as Chansey and Mantine, while Landorus can break down physical walls for Dragonite such as Toxapex and Avalugg. Skarmory assists Landorus by stacking entry hazards against foes without Ground-type immunities through Spikes and its own Stealth Rock, and it can also Defog away Stealth Rock that would chip away at Landorus and its teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flying
--------
Knock Off can be used in Landorus's last moveslot as a better countermeasure to one of its best checks in Chansey, as it can remove its Eviolite and let Landorus damage it more effectively through its special attacks. However, teammates such as Tornadus-T and Gliscor can run Knock Off with better consistency. Calm Mind also can be used in place of Rock Slide, as it boosts Landorus's powerful Special Attack to greater heights. However, Landorus is already strong enough to break down nearly everything and in Monotype, so Calm Mind is a bit redundant. Rock Polish can also be used in the last slot with a Modest nature as a means of checking faster attackers in Greninja and Mega Lopunny, but then Landorus can no longer outspeed foes such as Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z.
Checks and Counters
===================
Flying
--------
**Ice-types**: Ice-types like Alolan Ninetales and Mamoswine can easily OHKO Landorus with their STAB and priority moves.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Keldeo, Greninja, and Suicune can pressure Landorus with their STAB moves.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster foes like Latios, Mega Lopunny, and Tapu Koko can threaten to revenge kill Landorus. However, they must be wary of Landorus's powerful coverage options if they aren't able to KO it.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive tanks such as Chansey, Mantine, and Celesteela can stomach most of Landorus's attacks and can recover their health from any damage taken.
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Foes with Levitate or Flying-types such as Mega Latias, Rotom-W, and Gliscor are immune to Landorus's Earth Power while also being able to stomach any other offensive option it can use.
[OVERVIEW]
Flying
========
Landorus is a fantastic special wallbreaker for Flying teams, as the combination of Sheer Force, a Life Orb, and a wide movepool is extremely powerful and difficult to defensively counteract. Being a Ground-type is already desirable for Flying teams, as the Electric-type immunity is greatly appreciated against Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Zeraora. Its Speed tier also narrowly edges out potent threats such as Mega Charizard X, Kyurem-B, and Volcarona. Landorus has a decent amount of bulk for its offensive prowess, so it can take at least one hit, such as Celesteela's Heavy Slam or Mew's Psychic. However, Landorus is susceptible to Water- and Ice-type moves from foes such as Keldeo and Alolan Ninetales. Landorus faces competition from Landorus-T, as that forme better checks potent threats to Flying teams such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko when running a Choice Scarf.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Stealth Rock / Rock Slide
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earth Power is Landorus's Ground-type STAB move, which reliably threatens Electric-, Steel-, and Poison-types such as Zeraora, Mega Scizor, and Toxapex. Sludge Wave is solid coverage against Fairy-types such as Clefable and Azumarill. Focus Blast is useful against Dark- and Normal-types such as Hydreigon and Porygon2. It can also hit Steel-types that are immune to Landorus's Earth Power, like Skarmory and Air Balloon Heatran. Landorus can run Stealth Rock to allow teammates such as Gliscor to run other options. Alternatively, Rock Slide helps against opposing Flying-types, which are immune to its Ground-type STAB move, such as Mantine and Zapdos. However, using Rock Slide over Stealth Rock isn't as ideal, since it's harder to fit on teammates such as Mega Aerodactyl and Skarmory, as they need that extra moveslot to fulfill their roles.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment allows Landorus to be as fast as possible, outspeeding threats such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y. A Timid nature is utilized to boost its Speed to its peak without lowering one of its defensive stats. Alternatively, Landorus can use a Naive nature if it's using Rock Slide to boost its power. Landorus could use a Hasty nature to minimize damage taken from special attacks and, most notably, survive a Hidden Power Ice from Tapu Koko, though it no longer takes Choice Scarf Victini's V-create from full HP. Sheer Force and a Life Orb are powerful when used together, as Sheer Force negates Life Orb recoil to amplify Landorus's damage output.
Usage Tips
========
Landorus can be used as an early-game wallbreaker or sometimes as a lead, since its power and coverage options are very difficult to counteract defensively. Use teammates with pivoting options such as Volt Switch Zapdos and U-turn Tornadus-T to bring in Landorus safely, as this will keep up offensive pressure against the opponent. Take advantage of switches Landorus forces by setting up Stealth Rock against slower, weaker foes. Landorus can also act as a potent revenge killer against weakened foes and slower threats like Nidoking and non-Choice Scarf Victini. While Landorus has decent bulk, it should avoid taking unnecessary damage in order to wallbreak as much as possible. Setting Stealth Rock isn't always necessary, especially against foes such as Swampert and Mew that look to set up Stealth Rock of their own. Watch out for Ice-type coverage from foes such as Tapu Koko and Greninja, as they can OHKO Landorus. It's also ideal to avoid Knock Off users like Deoxys-S and Mega Sableye, as removing Landorus's Life Orb lessens its damage output. Landorus also provides an Electric immunity by virtue of its Ground typing, but it must be careful of coverage such as Hidden Power Ice.
Team Options
========
Zapdos is a solid switch-in to Water-types that threaten Landorus, such as Suicune and Gyarados. Its ability to utilize Defog, provide momentum through Volt Switch, and stall out bulkier foes such as Swampert through Substitute and Toxic can create better opportunities for Landorus to sweep teams. Mantine is a defensive pivot into Ice- and Water-type attacks for Landorus, as the former is a neutrality for Mantine while it completely walls the latter due to Water Absorb. It also has incredible special bulk that it can use to check special attackers such as Blacephalon and Greninja and can also use Defog to remove entry hazards for Flying teams. Mega Charizard Y can threaten Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Cloyster, as well as bulkier Water-types like Gastrodon and Slowbro through the combination of Drought and Solar Beam, for Landorus. In return, Landorus can switch into incoming Electric-type attacks for Mega Charizard Y. Mega Aerodactyl can check Ice-types such as Weavile and Alolan Ninetales for Landorus, and it's also able to Pursuit trap weakened foes such as Choice Scarf Victini and Latios that can threaten Landorus. Additionally, having Landorus take care of Stealth Rock allows Mega Aerodactyl to be an incredible asset against Dragon teams, as it would be able to use both Stone Edge and Pursuit to threaten the biggest threats to Flying teams such as Kyurem-B and Latios. Tornadus-T acts as utility for Landorus, as it removes Stealth Rock that can chip away at Landorus's health while also having access to Knock Off, which allows it to remove Chansey's Eviolite for Landorus. It's also a fast pivot that can consistently grasp momentum for Flying teams through U-turn and Regenerator. Celesteela is a general wall for Landorus, providing security against powerful priority users such as Mamoswine and Dragonite while also being able to use Leech Seed to help Landorus regain some of its HP if need be. Gliscor is another defensive pivot for Landorus, and it can also relieve some pressure off of Landorus from switching into Electric-type attacks thanks to its Ground typing and better recovery. Dragonite can break special walls, such as Chansey and Mantine, while Landorus can break down physical walls for Dragonite such as Toxapex and Avalugg. Skarmory assists Landorus by stacking entry hazards against foes without Ground-type immunities through Spikes and its own Stealth Rock, and it can also Defog away Stealth Rock that would chip away at Landorus and its teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flying
--------
Knock Off can be used in Landorus's last moveslot as a better countermeasure to one of its best checks in Chansey, as it can remove its Eviolite and let Landorus damage it more effectively through its special attacks. However, teammates such as Tornadus-T and Gliscor can run Knock Off with better consistency. Calm Mind also can be used in place of Rock Slide, as it boosts Landorus's powerful Special Attack to greater heights. However, Landorus is already strong enough to break down nearly everything and in Monotype, so Calm Mind is a bit redundant. Rock Polish can also be used in the last slot with a Modest nature as a means of checking faster attackers in Greninja and Mega Lopunny, but then Landorus can no longer outspeed foes such as Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z.
Checks and Counters
===================
Flying
--------
**Ice-types**: Ice-types like Alolan Ninetales and Mamoswine can easily OHKO Landorus with their STAB and priority moves.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Keldeo, Greninja, and Suicune can pressure Landorus with their STAB moves.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster foes like Latios, Mega Lopunny, and Tapu Koko can threaten to revenge kill Landorus. However, they must be wary of Landorus's powerful coverage options if they aren't able to KO it.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive tanks such as Chansey, Mantine, and Celesteela can stomach most of Landorus's attacks and can recover their health from any damage taken.
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Foes with Levitate or Flying-types such as Mega Latias, Rotom-W, and Gliscor are immune to Landorus's Earth Power while also being able to stomach any other offensive option it can use.
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