Azelf Analysis WIP

[Lavityranitar]

Azelf

Type: Psychic

Ability:
Levitate: The Pokemon is immune to all Ground type moves.

Base Stats:
HP: 75
Atk: 125
Def: 70
SAtk: 125
SDef: 70
Spe: 120

Overview

UU

Last generation, the mention of Azelf to most would bring a frown. Infamous as one of those suicide leads that always gave the opponent the early momentum, Azelf was a terrific lead when used correctly. This generation, two major things happened: Team Preview and the Explosion nerf. This pushed Azelf and other suicide leads into UU and below, but we thank Jesus Christ and the prophets that it had terrific attacking stats of 125/125/120 that no-one really took notice of. Then it has a outstanding attack movepool that includes Psyshock, Fire Blast and Thunderbolt on the special side of things, and The Elemental Punches, Grass Knot and Zen Headbutt on the other side of the spectrum. Azelf didn't exactly lose it's support movepool either: it still has Stealth Rock, Taunt, U-turn, Dual Screens and others there too. It isn't all peachy for Azelf, however. It's frailness and weakness to Pursuit stop it from being really terrific. These are only minor flaws, however. Make sure you pack a counter to Azelf, or you will be frowning like you did last generation.

OU

125/125/115 attacking stats. Nasty Plot. The ability to break through special walls with Psyshock. Yeah, I don't know what's scarier either. At first glance, we think that Azelf should be a top-tier threat, with the perks listed above. However, there are a few things holding it back. Having the (arguably) worst type in the game in Psychic, terrible 70/75/75 defensive stats, and being defeated by top-tier threats Scizor and Tyranitar again and again aren't good for Azelf, but work around those flaws and you have a hugely powerful special sweeper.

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In Depth/Move Sets


Nasty Plot
Azelf w/ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid
EV's: 252 SAtk, 4 SDef, 252 Spe

• Nasty Plot
• Psyshock
• Fire Blast/Flamethrower
• Grass Knot/Thunderbolt

Set Comments

Azelf had Nasty Plot last generation, but that lead set was so popular it hardly got thought about as a Special Sweeper. Now, with some changes, Azelf is raring to go as a threatening set-up sweeper. With the set EV's, Azelf's Special Attack reaches 766 after one Nasty Plot boost (factoring in Life Orb) and that is enough to hit anything insanely hard. Psyshock is used ahead of Psychic because they are near the same power but Psyshock hit's Chansey and Blissey much harder than Psychic, due to the fact that Psyshock uses Defense instead of Special Defense when calculating damage. Azelf has problems with Steel types, and Fire Blast hits even Ferrothorn for a OHKO after a Nasty Plot. If you prefer the accuracy, however, use Flamethrower. Grass Knot is preferred because it hit's the Bulky Waters hard like Milotic and Slowbro hard, as well as Quagsire and Gastrodon. Thunderbolt, however, lands neutral damage on the Fire types that otherwise wall this set. The EV's, Nature and Item are simple: It just let's people know Azelf was there.

Additional Comments

Such a versatile Pokemon like Azelf naturally has all sorts of options. Psychic can be used in Psyshock's place if your team already has a reliable counter to Chansey because any special attack at 766 Special Attack hurts, badly. Shadow Ball can be used to hit Victini and Deoxys-D, however then Dark types like Houndoom and Weavile wall this set. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to hit the aforementioned Dark types, but the loss of the Speed IV makes Azelf lose to Rakiou in a speed tie.


Physical Choice
Azelf w/ Choice Band/Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EV's: 252 Atk, 4 SDef, 252 Spe

• Zen Headbutt
• Fire Punch
• Ice Punch
• U-turn/Trick

Set Comments

This set uses the other side of Azelf's spectrum: It's Physical moves. This set places pressure on the opposition with it's hard-hitting attacks or the ability to either switch with U-turn or ruin a wall via tricking it a useless Choice item. Zen Headbutt provides powerful STAB while Fire Punch and Ice Punch have cracking coverage. U-turn gives a nifty ability to scout the opponent: however, Team Preview dented the prediction metagame. If you don't think you need U-tun Trick can be used to wreck a wall like Chansey or Deoxys-D. With the ability, if you choose to run Jolly, use a Choice Band as this ensures you tie with base 115's like Ambipom. If you choose to run Adamant, use a Choice Scarf as this will allow you to troll some Pokemon like Choice Scarf Flygon and others around the base 100.

Additional Comments

Azelf can run ThunderPunch to form a physical BoltBeam combo: It must then, however, sacrifice, either coverage of Fire Punch or the utility of U-turn or Trick. Explosion can be used, but the nerf hurts all Explosion Pokemon.


Life Orb
Azelf w/ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid
EV's: 252 SAtk, 4 SDef, 252 Spe

• Psyshock
• Fire Blast/Flamethrower
• Grass Knot
• U-turn/Stealth Rock

Set Comments

This is a special Azelf that sacrifices Nasty Plot for the ability to hit hard right off the bat. Psyshock is a special move that targets Defense instead of Special Defense, so it hit's special walls like Chansey hard. Fire Blast hit's Grass and Steel threats like Sceptile and Steelix hard, but if you prefer the accuracy of Flamethrower, go for that. Grass Knot hit's the bulky water's that plauge the tier harder than Thunderbolt. U-turn can then be used for scouting: however, if your team lacks Stealth Rock, that may be a option.

Additional Comments

Explosion with a Naive nature can be used, but this isn't reccomended as it then loses a speed tie with such other base 115's like Ambipom. Also, the nerf hurt's it too. Thunderbolt can be used to hit Houndoom and Victini neutrally, but it is then walled by Ground and Rock types like Donphan and Rhyperior. Psychic hits Hitmontop, Heracross and other Fighting types harder than Psyshock but it then can't hit Chansey. Hidden Power Ice can hit Flygon and Altaria, but due to the loss of a Speed IV it then loses to fellow base 115's in a Speed tie. Also, those 2 are hit hard enough with Psyshock.


Physical Choice
Azelf w/ Choice Band/Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EV's: 252 Atk, 4 SDef, 252 Spe

• Zen Headbutt
• Fire Punch
• Ice Punch
• U-turn/Trick

Set Comments

This set uses the other side of Azelf's spectrum: It's Physical moves. This set places pressure on the opposition with it's hard-hitting attacks or the ability to either switch with U-turn or ruin a wall via tricking it a useless Choice item. Zen Headbutt provides powerful STAB while Fire Punch and Ice Punch have cracking coverage. U-turn gives a nifty ability to scout the opponent: however, Team Preview dented the prediction metagame. If you don't think you need U-tun Trick can be used to wreck a wall like Chansey or Deoxys-D. With the ability, if you choose to run Jolly, use a Choice Band as this ensures you tie with base 115's like Ambipom. If you choose to run Adamant, use a Choice Scarf as this will allow you to troll some Pokemon like Choice Scarf Flygon and others around the base 100.

Additional Comments

Azelf can run ThunderPunch to form a physical BoltBeam combo: It must then, however, sacrifice, either coverage of Fire Punch or the utility of U-turn or Trick. Explosion can be used, but the nerf hurts all Explosion Pokemon.


Dual Screens
Azelf w/ Leftovers/Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Jolly
EV's: 252 HP, 4 SDef, 252 Spe

• Reflect
• Light Screen
• Taunt
• U-turn/Stealth Rock/Explosion

Set Comments

Let us not forget that Azelf was mainly a support Pokemon last generation, and this set aims to support walls and "glass cannon" sweepers with Reflect and Light Screen. You may think that Azelf is a inferior version of its brother Uxie when using this set, but it isn't simply because of it's much higher Speed stat which allows it to get at least one screen up. Taunt and U-turn are great options to get such glass cannon sweepers like Alakazam in, but if your team lacks Stealth Rock, that may be something to think about. Explosion is the last slash because you must run max Attack for it to be anywhere near useful, due to the nerf.

Additional Comments

The max investment in HP and Speed make Azelf quick and bulky, and it will most likely get both Reflect and Light Screen up unless it is Taunted. Light Clay can be used to extend the duration of the screens, but this Azelf likes the instant recovery that Leftovers provides.


OU Nasty Plot
Azelf w/ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid
EV's: 28 HP, 252 SAtk, 228 Spe

• Nasty Plot
• Psyshock/Psychic
• Flamethrower
• Hidden Power Fighting/Grass Knot

Set Comments

A Pokemon with Nasty Plot, 125/125/115 Attacking stats and the ability to break special walls with Psyshock? Wow. Azelf can be a very effective Special sweeper, and when it hits a Nasty Plot, with 252 EV's, Life Orb, a +2 Nasty Plot boost and a Timid Nature reaches 765 Special Attack. With that, and base 115 Speed, we have a hugely powerful sweeper on our hands. For a STAB attack, we have either Psyshock or Psychic. Psyshock is preferred for the ability to hit special walls like Blissey and Evolite Chansey much harder then any of its other moves. If you already have a decent option to punch through them, however, Psychic may be a option. Flamethrower allows Azelf to hit the pesky Steel types that my ruin this sweep, such as Ferrothorn or Scizor. Hidden Power Fighting is then preferred for the ability to hit Heatran and Tyranitar for major damage, but Grass Knot is slashed in because it can then OHKO Unaware Quagsire, who ignores the Nasty Plot boost.

Additional Comments

The EV Spread looks funny. Because Hidden Power Fighting costs Azelf a speed point, it then loses to Starmie in a tie. The set EV's allow it to beat Tornadus and Thundurus. That's when Grass Knot comes into play. It can then force a speed tie and (if it wins) beat Starmie. If you run Grass Knot, use 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe as your spread.

Other Options

Explosion can be used when Azelf's had it's fun, but the nerf hurt it.
Rain Dance can be used, but it is outclassed by other Pokemon at this.
Sunny Day can be used, but it is outclassed by other Pokemon at this.
A lead set with Taunt and U-turn can be used, but other Pokemon are better at this.
A dual screens set, with Reflect and Light Screen can be used, but Uxie and others do a better job.
A Substitute + 3 attacks set can be used, but it is then walled by various Pokemon depending on what it runs.
Choice Specs can be used but, you guessed it, it's outclassed by other Pokemon.

Teammates

UU

Teammates that can switch in on Azelf's weakness' are reccomended. Heracross and Escavalier can do this well. Houndoom can also switch in when a super-effective attack is aimed at Azelf, and take care of the Pokemon. Azelf also likes entry hazards, and with them it can OHKO threats like Rhyperior and Victini. Deoxys-D is excellent at setting such hazards up.

OU

Scizor, despite being its biggest counter, is also it's best friend. The ability to beat Reuniclus with Bug Bite and others with Bullet Punch is fantastic. Conkeldurr is also is a good Pokemon to have with Azelf, because it can switch in on its threats and eat them, as well as the team. Tyranitar can also deal with Reuniclus and set up well. Deoxys-S does have the same typing as Azelf, but it can set up hazards and Dual Screens.

Counters

UU

You can't really tell what to counter Azelf with until you've seen it's set. For the Nasty Plot set, anything that's quicker and is remotely powerful, Pokemon like Aerodactyl or Crobat, can revenge kill Azelf. Random Choice Scarf Pokemon, like Flygon or Darmanitan, can come in and revenge kill Azelf with ease. Houndoom and Weavile can threaten with their Dark STAB, or use Pursuit if Azelf ducks off for a minute. Choice Specs Jolteon is a good counter, because it can OHKO with Shadow Ball. A Azelf without a Fire move is walled and killed by Escavallier, who can Megahorn or Pursuit on the switch. With the Physical Choice set, huge special walls, like Chansey and Snorlax, can wall Azelf and slap a status condition or hit with Body Slam, respecitivley. The counters for the Life Orb set are generally the counters for the Nasty Plot set.

OU

As mentioned in this analysis, Scizor can be Azelf's best friend and it's worst nightmare. It can threaten the pixie with a sure-OHKO Bullet Punch, or set up a Swords Dance on the switch. Tyranitar can also be a threat, with a STAB Crunch (when used) or unpredictability in hand. It must be wary, however, of Hidden Power Fighting. Azumarril is a good counter, because it can come in and use Aqua Jet for a OHKO. Jirachi can come in and abuse hax, which is very annoying. Paralysis, in general, is a great way to go against Azelf, and Toxic can be used to. Whimsicott has priority on both. Pokemon with Sand Rush or Chlorophyll are great counters, because Pokemon with those ability's can outspeed and OHKO Azelf, like Shiftry and Venusaur.

Opinion

Azelf is right up there with the most powerful special sweepers of UU, and that's where it belongs. It can just hammer anything that doesn't resist it's moves after a Nasty Plot, and is still a annoyance as a supporter. Azelf, despite dropping a tier, is still a huge threat to all; without a counter all you can do is watch.

OU

Sure, Azelf isn't the best Nasty Plot sweeper, but what it lacks in other things it makes up for in "pinch value". Most people leave Azelf of their threat list, and some of the best teams have gaping holes to Azelf. Put it on your threat list, or risk the shame that comes with being swept by a UU Pokemon in OU.
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To-do list:

Add Psychical Choice set
Add Life Orb Sweeper set
Add Dual Screens set
Add OU Nasty Plot set
Add OU section to Overview
Add OU section to Teammates
Add OU section to Counters
Expand Other Options
Expand Teammates
Expand Counters
Expand Opinion

Done! Ready for QC Checks.

[steel dragons]

What about Hidden Power Fighting for the Nasty Plot set? It hits at least Tyranitar and Heatran for major damage, something that most of its other moves don't do.

I'll have more comments when this is finished.

[Lavityranitar]

I mentioned Hidden Power Fighting in OO, but I also mentioned that it then loses the chance to force a speed tie with other base 120 speedsters.

Both your aforementioned Pokemon are OU, keep in mind that so far this analysis is in a UU context. It is a worthy option to hit Registeel, however...

[steel dragons]

I mentioned Hidden Power Fighting in OO, but I also mentioned that it then loses the chance to force a speed tie with other base 120 speedsters.

Both your aforementioned Pokemon are OU, keep in mind that so far this analysis is in a UU context. It is a worthy option to hit Registeel, however...

Ok, maybe you should make an OU portion as well for this analysis then...

Also, Fire Blast/Flamethrower would be better against Registeel than HP Fighting anyway.

[Lavityranitar]

I will, it's on the To-do list.

[Dark Abyss]

You have an LO set but how about adding an LO Mixed set?

[Lavityranitar]

That may be added in the future.

[Statigar]

This is excellent man! Get it Q/Cd, and then PM me. We may add you to our new analysis team

[Lavityranitar]

Wow, thanks Stat!

I have PM'ed some members of the QC team to check/clear this.

[steel dragons]

Ok, my thoughts:

For the OU Nasty Plot set, I would personally run a set of 252 SpA, 220 Spe, 32 HP, 4 Def EVs with the Naive nature, with HP Fighting. This spread outspeeds the base 110 Pokemon like Gengar, and frankly, Tornadus isn't that common, so it doesn't quite need the extra speed. The 32 HP EVs hit 299 HP, a great LO number (allowing 11 uses of Life Orb, without any prior damage, instead of 10 uses otherwise), and the 4 Def is just filler. True, this spread isn't that much different, but it has to be overall more effective then your spread, mainly because of the specific HP EVs. (I'm assuming, without looking, that HP Fighting can leave you with 31 HP IVs; if it doesn't, then plan accordingly)

For the last slot for the OU Nasty Plot set, in terms of the first two attacking moves (Psychic / Fire moves), the common Pokemon Tyranitar, Heatran, Latios, Starmie, and Hydreigon wall those moves. I feel that Signal Beam (yes, Signal Beam) should be mentioned for the third slot, as it hits 4/5 of the Pokemon that I mentioned for super-effective damage, and it also works well against some other Pokemon, like Deoxys-S, Celebi, Reuniclus, and Espeon. The order for the third slot, I believe, should be Hidden Power Fighting, Signal Beam, and Grass Knot.

For the OU Nasty Plot set comments, you should mention that Psychic is more powerful than Psyshock, but that Psyshock has more 'usefulness' to hit Chansey and Blissey. Also, you should say that Grass Knot hits targets like Tyranitar, Politoed, and Gastrodon hard, as they are all more popular than Quagsire right now. Also, Thundurus is an Uber, so it doesn't need to be mentioned (and also why I'm suggesting the altered EV spread).

For the other options section, there are a few things. First, you mention Sunny Day and Rain Dance twice, which you don't need to do. Also, for Sunny Day and Rain Dance, you should say more than 'these moves are just outclassed'. For Sunny Day, mention that it is viable in UU, since there are no Drought users there. For Rain Dance, mention that it can be used in conjunction with Swift Swimmers (in both tiers).

For the Opinion / Counters sections, you mention the Opinion section before the OU counters section, and the Opinion section should be last, so you need to flip-flop the two sections.

Nice job on this analysis so far! I'm sure that this will be ready soon to be put up on site. I'll give my QC vote when these things are addressed / done. Also, i might give more suggestions later to this, since I might have missed a few things, given that its sort of late for me right now.