UbersSuck20
05-03-2014, 02:36 PM
I like to talk about this move, huh?
Baton Pass. A move that can completely make or break a game in just one move. A very controversial move, suspect tested by Smogon multiple times. A move which can give you nightmares if you're not prepared for it, whether it'd be QuickPass or full Baton Pass chains. Especially since Baton Passing shenanigans are rarely seen.
What is Baton Pass?
The user switches with another Pokemon on its team and passes along all stat changes and some special conditions which are listed below. In a rotation battle, the user cannot switch to an inactive teammate on the field using Baton Pass.
Aqua Ring
Confusion status
Curse status (when used by a Ghost on the Baton Passer)
Embargo
Focus Energy / other altered critical hit rates
Gastro Acid
Ingrain
Leech Seed
Lock-On
Magnet Rise
Mind Reader
Perish Song's count
Power Trick
Substitute (keeps HP of original user)
Stat boosts / drops
Quick Pass
This strategy relies on passing a Swords Dance, some Speed Boosts, and maybe even a Substitute to the receiver. Scolipede is by far the most reliable user of this strategy, with its decent bulk, excellent base Speed and ability to Baton Pass both Speed and Attack boosts to the receiver.
SmashPass
Somewhat similar to Quick Pass, except it involves Baton Passing a Shell Smash boost to the receiver. Such teams usually need a Dual Screens user, with Latios being a very viable option since it also has access to Memento to completely silence dangerous sweepers. Cresselia can also fully heal the Baton Passer with Lunar Dance after setting up both screens, and she's notable for her extreme bulk. If you don't use Latios, Smeargle is by far the best at Baton Passing Shell Smash boosts, because it has access to Spore and Dark Void to shut down any attempts at preventing this.
Common Users of Baton Pass
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/scolipede.gif
Scolipede @ Leftovers / Mental Herb
Trait: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SpD
Careful Nature (+SpD, -SpA)
- Swords Dance / Iron Defense
- Protect
- Baton Pass
- Substitute / Megahorn
Scolipede is probably the most reliable Speed passer in the game. XY gave it the ability Speed Boost, which made it a monster when it comes to supporting its teammates. Megahorn can be used in the last slot to deal a lot of damage to Deoxys-D, Thundurus and Sableye (assuming Scolipede has already grabbed a Swords Dance boost), but Substitute is usually better. Mental Herb can be used over Leftovers to prevent Scolipede from being total Taunt bait.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/smeargle.gif
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Shell Smash
- Spore
- Dark Void
- Baton Pass
If you don't like to rely on dual screens, Smeargle is the best Shell Smash passer available. Since Smeargle is extremely frail, it absolutely needs that Focus Sash to survive one hit. Spore and Dark Void make Smeargle very threatening. They are both necessary, since Dark Void silences Grass-type Pokemon, while Spore puts any other Pokemon without Insomnia or Vital Spirit to sleep. After that, you can Shell Smash and then pass it to the receiver. If you're facing an opponent without priority, it's advisable that you Shell Smash first, then Spore/Dark Void the target and then Baton Pass.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/gorebyss.gif
Gorebyss @ White Herb / Leftovers
Trait: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Calm Nature
- Substitute
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Scald
If you use dual screens, Gorebyss is the most reliable Baton Passer. You basically have a +2 Defense and Special Defense boost, so unless the opponent you're facing has a super effective move against Gorebyss, it's unlikely it will break your Sub in one hit. After that, you can Shell Smash, restore your defenses, and then Baton Pass. If Gorebyss manages to Baton Pass a Substitute and a Shell Smash, it's usually gg for the opponent.
You could also try Baton Passers such as Magic Bounce Espeon, Sylveon or Zapdos, since they have their own niches.
Who can support?
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/latios.gif
Latios @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Memento
- Draco Meteor
Latios is a great support Pokemon on Offensive Baton Pass. Reflect, Light Screen and Memento allow Gorebyss to set up a Substitute and then safely Shell Smash, since your opponent will be heavily crippled (at -6). Draco Meteor can get a nice smack on Prankster Taunt users, such as Thundurus. Light Clay is very important here, since Reflect and Light Screen last surprisingly long (8 turns) and allow Gorebyss to pass a Substitute and a Shell Smash to the recipient (and if it happens to be Kyurem-B, that usually means defeat for the opponent.)
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/cresselia.gif
Cresselia @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Lunar Dance
- Ice Beam / Moonlight
If you plan on beating your opponent at late-game, then Cresselia is what you should use. She's played like Latios, except Lunar Dance can allow Gorebyss or Smeargle to Baton Pass a boost to the recipient if they're already weakened. Cresselia is also much, much bulkier than Latios, so she can set up dual screens multiple times during a match, especially if she runs Moonlight. However, if Cresselia forgoes Ice Beam, it becomes complete Taunt bait for Thundurus.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/xatu.gif
Xatu @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Roost
- Night Shade
- Toxic
- Confuse Ray / Heat Wave
If your opponent tries to phaze Latios, Cresselia or Gorebyss out, Xatu can ruin his/her plans. Thanks to Magic Bounce, it doesn't care about Stealth Rock, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Thunder Wave, Toxic etc. and reflects them at your opponent. Roost is in my opinion what makes Xatu better than Espeon, since that reliable recovery move allows it to laugh at most non-attacking moves during the entire battle. Heat Wave 2HKOes Ferrothorn, but Confuse Ray is usually better because Xatu can usually stall Ferrothorn out, since Gyro Ball doesn't 2HKO.
Common Abusers of Baton Pass
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/kyurem-black.gif
Kyurem-B @ Lum Berry / Expert Belt / White Herb
Trait: Teravolt
EVs: 120 Atk / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Mild Nature (+SpA, -SpD)
- Dragon Claw
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power Fire / Earth Power
You definitely DO NOT want to face a Kyurem-B at +2/+2/+2. Although Kyurem-B hates priority abusers, it still has plenty of bulk, so not much can even OHKO it anyway. Kyurem-B is by far the best SmashPass recipient in the entire tier, largely thanks to its ridiculous attacking stats and decent Speed. Since Kyurem-B has an extreme base Attack, it can afford to invest fully into its good base 120 Special Attack. The Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Choice Scarf Keldeo at +2. The other EVs go into Attack to strenghten the power of Dragon Claw and Fusion Bolt. Teravolt is also very important for Kyurem-B, since without it, it wouldn't be able to get past Whirlwind/Roar users with Sturdy, such as Skarmory. Expert Belt allows Kyurem-B to hit Pokemon weak to its attacks even harder, while Lum Berry allows it to laugh at Will-o-Wisp users. White Herb is recommended if you use Leftovers on Gorebyss or Smeargle.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/electivire.gif
Electivire @ Expert Belt / Lum Berry / Life Orb
Trait: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 Atk / 120 SpA / 136 Spe
Lonely Nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Wild Charge
- Flamethrower
- Earthquake / Hidden Power Grass
- Ice Punch / Cross Chop
Usually, the only reason to run Electivire is as a Baton Pass recipient. However, if it does manage to get a Swords Dance or a Shell Smash boost, you will be in for a world of pain. Expert Belt is chosen in this situation since Electivire has an incredible coverage, but once again, if you're paranoid about walls surviving one attack and crippling you, Lum Berry can be used. Life Orb can also be used if you do manage to pass both a Substitute and a Shell Smash, since it usually OHKOes 252 HP Heatran. At +2, Wild Charge hits very hard, while its coverage moves do everything it can't KO. Flamethrower is absolutely necessary, because it 2HKOes Aegislash and Skarmory, while OHKOing many other Steel-type Pokemon. Hidden Power Grass is what you should use if you're using a Life Orb, taking care of many Ground-types immune to its STAB, such as Rhyperior and Swampert. However, Earthquake is usually better, because it can OHKO Heatran without the need of a Life Orb, as well as taking care of an absurd amount of Fire- and Rock- type Pokemon. Ice Punch should be used alongside HP Grass, while Cross Chop is better when packing Earthquake. Ice Punch removes Dragon-type Pokemon from play, and Cross Chop takes care of Tyranitar. Unfortunately, Electivire suffers from 4-moveslot syndrome, so there will always be something it can't beat.
ecome an OHKOing machine. The Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Timid Kingdra in the rain, though you can use 16 EVs to outspeed the Modest variant.
Basically, any Pokemon with good coverage could make use of those boosts really well. Now get out there and make your opponent ragequit! I would write more, but damn that character limit.
Baton Pass. A move that can completely make or break a game in just one move. A very controversial move, suspect tested by Smogon multiple times. A move which can give you nightmares if you're not prepared for it, whether it'd be QuickPass or full Baton Pass chains. Especially since Baton Passing shenanigans are rarely seen.
What is Baton Pass?
The user switches with another Pokemon on its team and passes along all stat changes and some special conditions which are listed below. In a rotation battle, the user cannot switch to an inactive teammate on the field using Baton Pass.
Aqua Ring
Confusion status
Curse status (when used by a Ghost on the Baton Passer)
Embargo
Focus Energy / other altered critical hit rates
Gastro Acid
Ingrain
Leech Seed
Lock-On
Magnet Rise
Mind Reader
Perish Song's count
Power Trick
Substitute (keeps HP of original user)
Stat boosts / drops
Quick Pass
This strategy relies on passing a Swords Dance, some Speed Boosts, and maybe even a Substitute to the receiver. Scolipede is by far the most reliable user of this strategy, with its decent bulk, excellent base Speed and ability to Baton Pass both Speed and Attack boosts to the receiver.
SmashPass
Somewhat similar to Quick Pass, except it involves Baton Passing a Shell Smash boost to the receiver. Such teams usually need a Dual Screens user, with Latios being a very viable option since it also has access to Memento to completely silence dangerous sweepers. Cresselia can also fully heal the Baton Passer with Lunar Dance after setting up both screens, and she's notable for her extreme bulk. If you don't use Latios, Smeargle is by far the best at Baton Passing Shell Smash boosts, because it has access to Spore and Dark Void to shut down any attempts at preventing this.
Common Users of Baton Pass
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/scolipede.gif
Scolipede @ Leftovers / Mental Herb
Trait: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SpD
Careful Nature (+SpD, -SpA)
- Swords Dance / Iron Defense
- Protect
- Baton Pass
- Substitute / Megahorn
Scolipede is probably the most reliable Speed passer in the game. XY gave it the ability Speed Boost, which made it a monster when it comes to supporting its teammates. Megahorn can be used in the last slot to deal a lot of damage to Deoxys-D, Thundurus and Sableye (assuming Scolipede has already grabbed a Swords Dance boost), but Substitute is usually better. Mental Herb can be used over Leftovers to prevent Scolipede from being total Taunt bait.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/smeargle.gif
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Shell Smash
- Spore
- Dark Void
- Baton Pass
If you don't like to rely on dual screens, Smeargle is the best Shell Smash passer available. Since Smeargle is extremely frail, it absolutely needs that Focus Sash to survive one hit. Spore and Dark Void make Smeargle very threatening. They are both necessary, since Dark Void silences Grass-type Pokemon, while Spore puts any other Pokemon without Insomnia or Vital Spirit to sleep. After that, you can Shell Smash and then pass it to the receiver. If you're facing an opponent without priority, it's advisable that you Shell Smash first, then Spore/Dark Void the target and then Baton Pass.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/gorebyss.gif
Gorebyss @ White Herb / Leftovers
Trait: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
Calm Nature
- Substitute
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Scald
If you use dual screens, Gorebyss is the most reliable Baton Passer. You basically have a +2 Defense and Special Defense boost, so unless the opponent you're facing has a super effective move against Gorebyss, it's unlikely it will break your Sub in one hit. After that, you can Shell Smash, restore your defenses, and then Baton Pass. If Gorebyss manages to Baton Pass a Substitute and a Shell Smash, it's usually gg for the opponent.
You could also try Baton Passers such as Magic Bounce Espeon, Sylveon or Zapdos, since they have their own niches.
Who can support?
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/latios.gif
Latios @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Memento
- Draco Meteor
Latios is a great support Pokemon on Offensive Baton Pass. Reflect, Light Screen and Memento allow Gorebyss to set up a Substitute and then safely Shell Smash, since your opponent will be heavily crippled (at -6). Draco Meteor can get a nice smack on Prankster Taunt users, such as Thundurus. Light Clay is very important here, since Reflect and Light Screen last surprisingly long (8 turns) and allow Gorebyss to pass a Substitute and a Shell Smash to the recipient (and if it happens to be Kyurem-B, that usually means defeat for the opponent.)
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/cresselia.gif
Cresselia @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Lunar Dance
- Ice Beam / Moonlight
If you plan on beating your opponent at late-game, then Cresselia is what you should use. She's played like Latios, except Lunar Dance can allow Gorebyss or Smeargle to Baton Pass a boost to the recipient if they're already weakened. Cresselia is also much, much bulkier than Latios, so she can set up dual screens multiple times during a match, especially if she runs Moonlight. However, if Cresselia forgoes Ice Beam, it becomes complete Taunt bait for Thundurus.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/xatu.gif
Xatu @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Roost
- Night Shade
- Toxic
- Confuse Ray / Heat Wave
If your opponent tries to phaze Latios, Cresselia or Gorebyss out, Xatu can ruin his/her plans. Thanks to Magic Bounce, it doesn't care about Stealth Rock, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Thunder Wave, Toxic etc. and reflects them at your opponent. Roost is in my opinion what makes Xatu better than Espeon, since that reliable recovery move allows it to laugh at most non-attacking moves during the entire battle. Heat Wave 2HKOes Ferrothorn, but Confuse Ray is usually better because Xatu can usually stall Ferrothorn out, since Gyro Ball doesn't 2HKO.
Common Abusers of Baton Pass
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/kyurem-black.gif
Kyurem-B @ Lum Berry / Expert Belt / White Herb
Trait: Teravolt
EVs: 120 Atk / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Mild Nature (+SpA, -SpD)
- Dragon Claw
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power Fire / Earth Power
You definitely DO NOT want to face a Kyurem-B at +2/+2/+2. Although Kyurem-B hates priority abusers, it still has plenty of bulk, so not much can even OHKO it anyway. Kyurem-B is by far the best SmashPass recipient in the entire tier, largely thanks to its ridiculous attacking stats and decent Speed. Since Kyurem-B has an extreme base Attack, it can afford to invest fully into its good base 120 Special Attack. The Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Choice Scarf Keldeo at +2. The other EVs go into Attack to strenghten the power of Dragon Claw and Fusion Bolt. Teravolt is also very important for Kyurem-B, since without it, it wouldn't be able to get past Whirlwind/Roar users with Sturdy, such as Skarmory. Expert Belt allows Kyurem-B to hit Pokemon weak to its attacks even harder, while Lum Berry allows it to laugh at Will-o-Wisp users. White Herb is recommended if you use Leftovers on Gorebyss or Smeargle.
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/electivire.gif
Electivire @ Expert Belt / Lum Berry / Life Orb
Trait: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 Atk / 120 SpA / 136 Spe
Lonely Nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Wild Charge
- Flamethrower
- Earthquake / Hidden Power Grass
- Ice Punch / Cross Chop
Usually, the only reason to run Electivire is as a Baton Pass recipient. However, if it does manage to get a Swords Dance or a Shell Smash boost, you will be in for a world of pain. Expert Belt is chosen in this situation since Electivire has an incredible coverage, but once again, if you're paranoid about walls surviving one attack and crippling you, Lum Berry can be used. Life Orb can also be used if you do manage to pass both a Substitute and a Shell Smash, since it usually OHKOes 252 HP Heatran. At +2, Wild Charge hits very hard, while its coverage moves do everything it can't KO. Flamethrower is absolutely necessary, because it 2HKOes Aegislash and Skarmory, while OHKOing many other Steel-type Pokemon. Hidden Power Grass is what you should use if you're using a Life Orb, taking care of many Ground-types immune to its STAB, such as Rhyperior and Swampert. However, Earthquake is usually better, because it can OHKO Heatran without the need of a Life Orb, as well as taking care of an absurd amount of Fire- and Rock- type Pokemon. Ice Punch should be used alongside HP Grass, while Cross Chop is better when packing Earthquake. Ice Punch removes Dragon-type Pokemon from play, and Cross Chop takes care of Tyranitar. Unfortunately, Electivire suffers from 4-moveslot syndrome, so there will always be something it can't beat.
ecome an OHKOing machine. The Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Timid Kingdra in the rain, though you can use 16 EVs to outspeed the Modest variant.
Basically, any Pokemon with good coverage could make use of those boosts really well. Now get out there and make your opponent ragequit! I would write more, but damn that character limit.