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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.

UbersSuck20
05-18-2014, 12:54 PM
http://www.pkparaiso.com/imagenes/xy/sprites/animados/jirachi.gif

Jirachi @ Life Orb / Lum Berry / White Herb
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 140 Atk / 252 SpA / 116 Spe or 252 Atk / 140 SpA / 116 Spe
Rash Nature

- Iron Head
- Zen Headbutt / Psychic
- Fire Punch / Hidden Power Fire
- Flash Cannon / Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Ice / Grass Knot / Hidden Power Ground / Signal Beam / Shadow Ball / Thunder

Unlike Kyurem-B and Electivire, Jirachi is extremely versatile and thus much less predictable, but unfortunately is not as reliable as the other two due to its weaker power and reliance on Iron Head. This move should always be used on this Jirachi, as not only will it hit much harder, but the speed boost can allow Jirachi to outspeed almost anything and only allow them to attack 40% of the time if they don't get KOed. Meteor Mash might seem like an appealing option, since it has a 40% chance to boost Jirachi's Attack even further, but the pixie relies on flinch to get rid of many of its Zen Headbutt also has a chance to flinch the opponent and will put the hurt on Rotom-W and Mega Charizard X, who don't take much damage from Iron Head. However, if you want Jirachi to take more of a mixed approach, then you can use Psychic instead. Fire Punch / HP Fire are crucial, since Jirachi would otherwise have no way of getting past Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Scizor and Bisharp, who can easily cut its sweep short. Do note that Jirachi will need to have a Substitute Baton Passed to it if it wants to eliminate Bisharp. As for the final choice... just look at that. Eight moves Jirachi can use. Not even going to explain those, just pick the one which suits the best on this.

Dragonite
05-18-2014, 09:36 PM
you forgot about Magikarp as the primary abuser of Baton Pass

SuperSceptile
05-18-2014, 09:45 PM
you forgot about Magikarp as the primary abuser of Baton Pass

Yeah. Most people send in that F****** thing after batin passing, take a hit down to the focus sash. Then the F**** even the best Uber teams.

Aaron
05-20-2014, 04:10 PM
OU
Rated battle
Sleep Clause Mod: Limit one foe put to sleep
Species Clause: Limit one of each Pokemon
OHKO Clause: OHKO moves are banned
Moody Clause: Moody is banned
Evasion Moves Clause: Evasion moves are banned
Endless Battle Clause: Forcing endless battles is banned.
HP Percentage Mod: HP is reported as percentages
RainbowSasuke's team:
Sableye / Noivern / Aegislash / Smeargle / Infernape / Blissey
Platysaurus's team:
Thundurus-Therian / Landorus-Therian / Tornadus-Therian / Absol / Heatran / Forretress
Battle between Platysaurus and RainbowSasuke started!
Platysaurus sent out Forretress!
Go! please (Sableye)!
Turn 1
Platysaurus withdrew Forretress!
Platysaurus sent out Heatran!
please used Will-O-Wisp!
The power of the opposing Heatran's Fire-type moves rose!
Turn 2
please used Pain Split!
The battlers shared their pain!
The opposing Heatran used Stealth Rock!
Pointed stones float in the air around your team!
The opposing Heatran restored HP using its Leftovers!
Turn 3
The opposing Heatran used Toxic!
please was badly poisoned!
please used Foul Play!
The opposing Heatran lost 20% of its health!
The opposing Heatran restored HP using its Leftovers!
please was hurt by poison!
Turn 4
please used Recover!
please regained health!
The opposing Heatran used Flamethrower!
please lost 95.1% of its health!
The opposing Heatran restored HP using its Leftovers!
please was hurt by poison!
please fainted!
Go! Cloud (Aegislash)!
Pointed stones dug into Cloud!
Turn 5
The opposing Heatran used Flamethrower!
It's super effective! Cloud lost 81.5% of its health!
Cloud's Weakness Policy activated!
The Weakness Policy sharply raised Cloud's Attack!
The Weakness Policy sharply raised Cloud's Special Attack!
Cloud used Swords Dance!
Cloud's Attack sharply rose!
The opposing Heatran restored HP using its Leftovers!
Turn 6
Eterna1464 joined.
The opposing Heatran used Earth Power!
A critical hit! It's super effective! Cloud lost 12.3% of its health!
Cloud fainted!
The opposing Heatran restored HP using its Leftovers!
Go! Van Gogh (Smeargle)!
Pointed stones dug into Van Gogh!
Turn 7
Van Gogh used Spore!
The opposing Heatran fell asleep!
The opposing Heatran is fast asleep.
Turn 8
Eterna1464 left.
Platysaurus withdrew Heatran!
Platysaurus sent out Forretress!
Van Gogh used Shell Smash!
Van Gogh's Attack sharply rose!
Van Gogh's Special Attack sharply rose!
Van Gogh's Speed sharply rose!
Van Gogh's Defense fell!
Van Gogh's Special Defense fell!
Van Gogh restored its status using its White Herb!
Turn 9
Van Gogh used Baton Pass!
Go! Infernape!
Pointed stones dug into Infernape!
The opposing Forretress used Toxic Spikes!
Poison spikes were scattered all around the feet of your team!
Turn 10
Infernape used Fire Punch!
It's super effective! The opposing Forretress held on thanks to Sturdy!
The opposing Forretress lost 99% of its health!
Infernape lost some of its HP!
The opposing Forretress used Toxic Spikes!
Poison spikes were scattered all around the feet of your team!
The opposing Forretress restored HP using its Leftovers!
Turn 11
The opposing Forretress used Protect!
The opposing Forretress protected itself!
Infernape used Mach Punch!
The opposing Forretress protected itself!
The opposing Forretress restored HP using its Leftovers!
Turn 12
Infernape used Mach Punch!
The opposing Forretress lost 13% of its health!
Infernape lost some of its HP!
The opposing Forretress fainted!
Platysaurus sent out Tornadus-Therian!
Turn 13
Infernape used Fire Punch!
The opposing Tornadus-Therian lost 100% of its health!
Infernape lost some of its HP!
The opposing Tornadus-Therian fainted!
Platysaurus sent out Landorus-Therian!
The opposing Landorus-Therian intimidates Infernape!
Infernape's Attack fell!
Turn 14
Infernape used Fire Punch!
A critical hit! The opposing Landorus-Therian lost 100% of its health!
Infernape lost some of its HP!
The opposing Landorus-Therian fainted!
Platysaurus forfeited.
RainbowSasuke won the battle!
Ladder updating...
Platysaurus left.
Platysaurus's rating: 1140 → 1113
(-27 for losing)
RainbowSasuke's rating: 1108 → 1135
(+27 for winning)

This right here is proof that Offensive Baton Pass can pick teams apart. SmashPass is an absolutely incredible tactic and devastating if you can actually pull it off. Here are a couple of Pokemon I used the SmashPass strategy on:

http://pldh.net/media/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/612.gif
Haxorus (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Superpower
- Earthquake
- Aqua Tail

Haxorus has a giant base 147 Attack stat and a respectable 97 Speed Stat. Adamant, max Attack Haxorus peaks at 432. With a Choice Band, this bumps up to 648. Now double that with Shell Smash. Yeah, kinda scary. On top of that, this set provides great neutral coverage. Honestly, I would suggest replacing Outrage with Dragon Claw. However, this set, with a Shell Smash in him, can completely decimate teams.

http://media.pldh.net/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/681.gif
Aegislash (M) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- King's Shield
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword

All I can say is Baton Pass him into a resisted attack and watch the pieces of the other team fly.

UbersSuck20
05-20-2014, 04:50 PM
I fail to see how is Choice Band a good item for Haxorus when you use it as a SmashPass recipient. In fact, you shouldn't use Choice items on these Pokemon at all; they mostly rely on coverage and move freedom. You should use Life Orb or White Herb on that Haxorus. I'd slash Low Kick over Superpower. Most OU threats are heavy, and Superpower makes it more vulnerable to priority moves, especially considering Haxorus loathes them even at +0. Also, Haxorus doesn't really need Iron Tail, as Azumarill and Mawile aren't weak to it anyway. Dragon Claw and Aqua Tail are much better in my opinion, especially Dragon Claw. If you loathe Togekiss, Gliscor, Landorus-T and Forretress, Aqua Tail can be used over Dragon Claw.

THE NEW SET

http://pldh.net/media/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/612.gif

Haxorus @ Life Orb / White Herb
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature

- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Superpower / Low Kick
- Dragon Claw / Aqua Tail


Aegislash... hmmm, never tested it before as a SmashPass recipient, guess I should, but that low base 60 speed... I'd use HP Ice and Iron Head over Swords Dance and Shadow Sneak and invest the 252 HP EVs into Speed (plus a Naive nature).

XpL
05-20-2014, 08:14 PM
physical aegislash is bad.

Aegislash (M) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Def
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- King's Shield
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power Ice/Sacred Sword

If running Sacred Sword invest 4 into Atk instead.

You want to absorb hits in blade form before retaliating in blade. Next turn you switch back into King's Shield, rinse repeat.

Also speed is irrelevent with Aegislash since it will survive nearly all attacks in shield form including certain SEs.

UbersSuck20
06-01-2014, 03:55 PM
Can someone help me test this set?

http://pldh.net/media/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/149.gif

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 232 HP / 148 Atk / 132 Spe
Adamant Nature

- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Thunder Punch
- Extreme Speed

The EVs allow Dragonite to OHKO Azumarill at +2 with ThunderPunch and outspeed most Scolipede after one Speed Boost.

UbersSuck20
08-12-2014, 06:24 PM
GeoPass

This is just theorymon for now, as I haven't had the chance to use it yet.

http://pldh.net/media/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/235.gif

Smeargle @ Power Herb
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk

- Spore / Dark Void
- Geomancy
- Baton Pass
- Taunt

Anyway, this strategy needs a lot of support and some prediction shenanigans. Since Smeargle is so frail, it needs dual screen support, Dark Void not to miss if Smeargle uses this move and Taunt Thundurus and other Prankster Pokemon gone. It also has to predict between Geomancy and Spore if a healthy Grass-type is still alive, and 75 Speed is actually pretty bad, so Smeargle will really appreciate Sticky Web support. If Smeargle manages to Baton Pass a Geomancy boost, the recipient can become extremely hard to stop.