Empress
used Ice Beam!
Don't use this:
Azelf @ Focus Sash
EVs: 196 Atk / 60 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Fire Blast / Skill Swap
- Taunt
Why it's bad:
The rises of Garchomp and Landorus-T have made Azelf much less effective of a Stealth Rock setter as it used to be. Even the most offensive of teams typically need a lead that has defensive merit and is able to set up rocks more than once per match, so slapping Azelf on your team will often leave you with one Pokemon down.
Instead, use this:
Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 76 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake / Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Blast / Toxic
Why it's better:
This is a much better Stealth Rock lead for your offensive team; it doesn't even have to be used in the lead spot, either. As a Stealth Rock setter that has plenty of offensive and defensive merit, Tank Chomp will set up and maintain Stealth Rock much more reliably than Azelf can. Guaranteed or your money back.
Alternatively, use this:
Azelf @ Light Clay
EVs: 176 HP / 80 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Taunt
- Explosion
Why it's better:
If you really want to use Azelf on your team, then this is its most effective set in the current metagame. While Klefki may initially appear to outclass it as a dual screens setter, Azelf can more reliably bring in your team's win condition after setting up screens. It has Taunt to block Defoggers that may try to remove your screens, and it has Explosion to give your wincon a free switch into the battlefield, two things that Klefki cannot boast. Though I don't have the replays conveniently available to me, I saw dual screens Azelf work quite well in the WCoP matches where it was used.
Azelf @ Focus Sash
EVs: 196 Atk / 60 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Fire Blast / Skill Swap
- Taunt
Why it's bad:
The rises of Garchomp and Landorus-T have made Azelf much less effective of a Stealth Rock setter as it used to be. Even the most offensive of teams typically need a lead that has defensive merit and is able to set up rocks more than once per match, so slapping Azelf on your team will often leave you with one Pokemon down.
Instead, use this:
Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 76 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake / Toxic
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Blast / Toxic
Why it's better:
This is a much better Stealth Rock lead for your offensive team; it doesn't even have to be used in the lead spot, either. As a Stealth Rock setter that has plenty of offensive and defensive merit, Tank Chomp will set up and maintain Stealth Rock much more reliably than Azelf can. Guaranteed or your money back.
Alternatively, use this:
Azelf @ Light Clay
EVs: 176 HP / 80 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Taunt
- Explosion
Why it's better:
If you really want to use Azelf on your team, then this is its most effective set in the current metagame. While Klefki may initially appear to outclass it as a dual screens setter, Azelf can more reliably bring in your team's win condition after setting up screens. It has Taunt to block Defoggers that may try to remove your screens, and it has Explosion to give your wincon a free switch into the battlefield, two things that Klefki cannot boast. Though I don't have the replays conveniently available to me, I saw dual screens Azelf work quite well in the WCoP matches where it was used.