Fireflame
Silksong when
QC: CKW / Nayrz / Minority
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / marthaa
[OVERVIEW]
Landorus-T's amazing Ground / Flying typing combined with its ability Intimidate allows it to soft check Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, non-Hidden Power Ice Marshadow, Mega Lucario, Tyranitar, Excadrill, and Swords Dance Arceus formes, and a good base 145 Attack allows it to hit most of the tier for neutral damage with its strong Earthquake. Landorus-T can act as a defensive pivot that gains momentum and switches into physical attackers better, or it can use an offensive set to pressure the opposing team. Flyinium Z gives Landorus-T a one-time powerful Supersonic Skystrike to get rid of most of its checks, such as Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, and both Giratina formes. However, Landorus-T faces competition from Primal Groudon as a Stealth Rock setter, which is stronger, is bulkier, checks more threats, and doesn't require a Z-Move to be offensively effective. Furthermore, the increased prevalence of Primal Groudon running special Fire-type moves as well as Hidden Power Ice makes Landorus-T's matchup against Primal Groudon shaky if its set isn't revealed, hurting its viability as a check to it. Landorus-T also fails to 2HKO defensive support Arceus formes like Arceus-Ground as well as maximum HP ones like bulky Extreme Killer Arceus, making it rely on its Z-Move to break past them. Lastly, poor special bulk means Landorus-T doesn't have many opportunities to switch into special attackers.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
STAB Earthquake deals consistent damage to most of the metagame and doesn't make Landorus-T setup bait for Pokemon like Extreme Killer Arceus and Primal Groudon. U-turn allows Landorus-T to gain momentum on predicted switches and bring in a teammate safely. Landorus-T is able to set up Stealth Rock on physical attackers like Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh after the Intimidate drop. Running Stealth Rock also frees up a moveslot for Primal Groudon. Stone Edge should be run in the last moveslot, hitting Lugia and Yveltal hard as well as OHKOing Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence. If Stealth Rock is already present on your team, Toxic can be used to cripple bulky switch-ins like Arceus-Water, Giratina, and Lugia.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment and an Impish nature make Landorus-T as physically bulky as possible. Intimidate allows it to check physical attackers like Primal Groudon, Mega Lucario, non-Hidden Power Ice Marshadow, and Swords Dance Arceus formes. Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers even further.
Usage Tips
========
Landorus-T is able to switch into physical attackers such as Primal Groudon, Mega Lucario, non-Hidden Power Ice Marshadow, and Swords Dance Arceus formes due to Intimidate and its invested physical bulk. It should not switch into special attackers due to its poor special bulk, though. Landorus-T should try to avoid Toxic, as it lacks recovery and thus will be worn down quickly from the combination of Toxic and entry hazard damage. Be extremely careful against Pokemon like mixed Primal Groudon, Marshadow, and Mega Mewtwo X, as they can potentially use Ice-type coverage moves to OHKO Landorus-T. Once in, Landorus-T should use Stealth Rock on forced switches from the likes of Primal Groudon and non-Hidden Power Ice Marshadow after they have been affected by Intimidate. After Stealth Rock is up, U-turn should be used, especially on predicted switches, in order to gain momentum. Landorus-T can use U-turn safely on Pokemon that wall it like Zygarde-C and Ferrothorn. Toxic should be used against predicted switch-ins like Giratina, Giratina-O, and support Arceus formes.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers like Extreme Killer Arceus, Xerneas, Mega Lucario, and Bulk Up Marshadow appreciate Landorus-T's ability to set Stealth Rock and sponge attacks, allowing them to sweep late-game. Offensive Pokemon like Deoxys-A and Rayquaza value Landorus-T's U-turn to bring them in safely. Defog support from Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, or Giratina-O is helpful to reduce the chip damage Landorus-T takes in a match. Mega Scizor can check some special attackers like Xerneas, while Landorus-T can handle Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh if it is given a free switch in. Both Landorus-T and Mega Scizor can also use U-turn to gain momentum. Primal Kyogre is able to switch into Water- and Ice-type attacks for Landorus-T, while it can deal with Primal Groudon in return, lessening pressure off of Primal Kyogre. Primal Kyogre can also check bulky Steel-types immune to Ground, such as Celesteela and Skarmory. Ho-Oh is a great partner for Landorus-T, as it can check every Steel-type that lacks Rock-type coverage. Another check to Primal Groudon like Mega Salamence or Arceus-Water is able to relieve Landorus-T of pressure. Mega Gengar can trap a lot of Landorus-T's checks like Giratina, Giratina-O, and support Arceus formes and values Landorus-T's Ground immunity and ability to deal with Primal Groudon. Landorus-T is able to free up a moveslot for Primal Groudon, allowing it to run a more offensive set. Lastly, Fairy-types like Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy appreciate Landorus-T's ability to fend off Mega Lucario.
[SET]
name: Z-Move Stealth Rock
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Fly / Stone Edge
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Swords Dance / Outrage
item: Flyinium Z / Dragonium Z
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
STAB Earthquake deals consistent damage to most of the metagame and can 2HKO all Primal Groudon sets unboosted and OHKO them at +2. Fly is required in order to use Supersonic Skystrike, which OHKOes all support Arceus formes and every relevant Defogger in the metagame, including Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Giratina-O. If running Dragonium Z, Stone Edge should be run instead, hitting Lugia and Yveltal hard as well as OHKOing Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence. Landorus-T is able to set up Stealth Rock on Defoggers due to it defeating all of them with Supersonic Skystrike. Running Stealth Rock also frees up a moveslot for Primal Groudon. Swords Dance makes Landorus-T an offensive threat combined with Supersonic Skystrike. When using Dragonium Z, Outrage should be used. An unboosted 190-Base Power Devastating Drake OHKOes Mega Salamence and Giratina-O and weakens Giratina and Zygarde-C. If Stealth Rock is already present on your team, such as on a dedicated lead like Excadrill or Deoxys-S, Landorus-T has a few options. If running Flyinium Z, Stone Edge could be used in Stealth Rock's place to also threaten Flying-types; if running Dragonium Z, Swords Dance can be run in order to OHKO Giratina and severely weaken Zygarde-C with +2 Devastating Drake.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment makes Landorus-T hit as hard as possible, and 252 Speed EVs let it outspeed neutral-natured base 90 Speed Pokemon like Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Ho-Oh. An Adamant nature gives Landorus-T a better shot at OHKOing Giratina with +2 Supersonic Skystrike. Alternatively, a Jolly nature can be used to outspeed positive-natured base 90 Speed Pokemon. Intimidate enables Landorus-T to soft check Primal Groudon and some Swords Dance Arceus formes. Flyinium Z allows Landorus-T to use Supersonic Skystrike, whereas Dragonium Z turns Outrage into Devastating Drake.
Usage Tips
========
The main function of this set is to defeat common checks to Landorus-T such as defensive Arceus formes, Mega Salamence, Giratina, Giratina-O, and Zygarde-C, as well as Primal Groudon, by weakening or KOing them with its chosen Z-Move. Exert caution when against defensive Arceus formes like Arceus-Water and Arceus-Ground, as they commonly run enough Speed investment to simply outspeed and KO Landorus-T. Therefore, one should scout their Speed before sending in Landorus-T on them. Also, be extremely careful when using Landorus-T's Z-Move; it should be used when you are certain your opponent is going to stay in with one of its targets. This is especially true with Supersonic Skystrike; preemptively using it with result in Landorus-T being even more vulnerable to Ground-immune Pokemon, as Fly is a two-turn move, reducing its effectiveness. Landorus-T's mediocre bulk and lack of recovery make it unable to switch into most powerful physical attackers, even with Intimidate. Landorus-T must be kept healthy if it has to check Pokemon like Primal Groudon and Swords Dance Arceus formes, so it should be brought in through double switches, after a teammate has been KOed, or on predicted Ground and Electric moves. Note that Ice-type coverage moves from Pokemon like mixed Primal Groudon, Marshadow, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Mega Mewtwo X, as well as Z-Moves from Pokemon like Rayquaza and Zekrom, are able to OHKO Landorus-T. Landorus-T should use Swords Dance on a predicted switch to one of its checks, as it can then weaken or OHKO them with +2 Supersonic Skystrike or, in Primal Groudon's case, +2 Earthquake.
Team Options
========
Sticky Web from Shuckle or Smeargle is almost mandatory, as it allows Landorus-T to outspeed every relevant Defogger except for defensive Mega Salamence. Extreme Killer Arceus, Mega Lucario, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Ho-Oh, and Mega Salamence appreciate Landorus-T's ability to weaken or KO Pokemon like Zygarde-C, Giratina, Giratina-O, and support Arceus formes. Primal Groudon with a Fire-type move and Ho-Oh weaken Landorus-T's Steel-type checks like Celesteela. Primal Groudon also checks Primal Kyogre for Landorus-T, and Landorus-T is able to use Stealth Rock to free up a moveslot for Primal Groudon. Primal Kyogre is able to switch into Water- and Ice-type attacks for Landorus-T, while Landorus-T can take out Primal Groudon in return. Another check to Primal Groudon like Mega Salamence or Arceus-Water is able to take pressure off of Landorus-T. Mega Scizor can check some special attackers like Xerneas, while Landorus-T can handle Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh if given a free switch. Both can also use U-turn to gain momentum. Mega Gengar can trap a lot of Landorus-T's checks and values Landorus-T's Ground immunity and ability to weaken Primal Groudon. Setup sweepers like Extreme Killer Arceus, Xerneas, Dragon Dance Salamence, and Bulk Up Marshadow appreciate Landorus-T's ability to weaken bulky Pokemon like support Arceus formes, Primal Groudon, and Zygarde-C for a late-game sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rockium Z can be used with Stone Edge for a 180-Base Power Continental Crush, OHKOing Lugia, Mega Salamence, and defensive Yveltal; however, Supersonic Skystrike and Devastating Drake hit more relevant targets. A Choice Scarf set can gain a lot of momentum when combined with Intimidate, but Landorus-T locked into Earthquake is easily exploitable by any Ground-immune Pokemon. Knock Off can be used to remove items from switch-ins and OHKO Lunala when its Shadow Shield is down, but it is better for Landorus-T to set up Swords Dance on predicted switches in order to be more of an offensive threat.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-immune Steel-types**: Celesteela, Skarmory, and Bronzong are immune to Ground and resist Flying, allowing them to switch in extremely easily and making them effective answers to Landorus-T. They can then cripple Landorus-T with Toxic or Leech Seed or set up entry hazards on it.
**Giratina and Giratina-O**: Giratina-O is immune to Earthquake due to Levitate, and Giratina possesses the raw bulk to tank Landorus-T's attacks. However, both of them are OHKOed by +2 Supersonic Skystrike, while the former is also OHKOed by Devastating Drake, though they can easily bait these Z-Moves out and then switch back in after Landorus-T uses it and proceed to wall Landorus-T.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types like Yveltal, Lugia, and Mega Salamence are immune to Earthquake and can switch in easily. Offensive variants of Yveltal and Mega Salamence can outspeed and threaten Landorus-T with strong STAB moves. However, all of them are hit hard by Stone Edge and have a weakness to Stealth Rock. Landorus-T can also OHKO all of them with +2 Supersonic Skystrike, provided Lugia's Multiscale is broken.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C's immense physical bulk allows it to easily tank even boosted attacks from Landorus-T and phaze it with Dragon Tail or cripple it with Glare. Zygarde-C is also not OHKOed by +2 Supersonic Skystrike, though it will severely weaken it. Landorus-T can surprise Zygarde-C with a potential Devastating Drake, however.
**Support Arceus formes**: Arceus-Water, Arceus-Fairy, and Arceus-Ground can outspeed and KO Landorus-T and are bulky enough to avoid the 2HKO from +2 Earthquake, forcing Landorus-T to waste its Z-Move if it wants to get past them. However, all of them are OHKOed by +2 Supersonic Skystrike.
**Faster Threats**: Faster offensive Pokemon like Deoxys-A, Mewtwo, and Choice Scarf Yveltal threaten to KO Landorus-T due to its mediocre Speed and bulk. Almost all fast, powerful attackers can revenge kill Landorus-T or threaten it out.
**Water-types**: Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Water, and Palkia can easily KO Landorus-T with their Water-type STAB moves.
**Ice-types and Ice-type Coverage**: Ice-types like Kyurem-W and Cloyster can easily OHKO Landorus-T with their STAB moves. Landorus-T also falls victim to Ice-type coverage from various foes, like Mega Mewtwo X, Marshadow, mixed Primal Groudon, and many Arceus formes.
**Marshadow**: Marshadow can revenge kill a boosted Landorus-T by using Spectral Thief to steal its boosts and then OHKO it. It can also OHKO Landorus-T with Hidden Power Ice. However, Landorus-T can switch into Marshadow's STAB moves due to Intimidate and threaten it out with Earthquake. Defensive Landorus-T sets are able to check Marshadow provided it doesn't have Hidden Power Ice.
**Magic Bounce Users**: Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie are able to bounce back Landorus-T's Stealth Rock. Mega Sableye is also able to burn Landorus-T with Will-O-Wisp, 2HKO it with Foul Play, and use Recover to heal itself, though it can potentially fall to +2 Earthquake after some prior damage.
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