Minority
Numquam Vincar
QC Checks: Nayrz / Fireburn / Sweep
GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Landorus-T's Ground immunity and powerful Earthquake allow it to checks a variety of threats in Ubers, including Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Swords Dance Arceus, Klefki, and Mega Blaziken. Its ability Intimidate has good utility, allowing Landorus-T to pivot and simulate more physical bulk than it actually has. The interesting Ground / Flying typing makes it immune to Ground and Electric attacks but leaves it with an exploitable weakness to Ice. A high base 145 Attack gives Landorus-T the brute strength to threaten its foes, and its base 91 Speed sits just above the common base 90 Speed benchmark. Landorus-T has a solid physical movepool to play around with, including moves such as Explosion and U-turn, which are tools not available to other Ground-types in Ubers. Its immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes prevents it from becoming worn down as it pivots around. Although these traits are worthwhile, Landorus-T faces competition from Primal Groudon to some extent, which is slightly stronger, has better bulk, checks a larger portion of the metagame, and is immune to burns. Furthermore, what Landorus-T does check, it does not always check well in a defensive manner, as it is highly susceptible to burns and lacks an instant recovery move. It is also quite specially frail, taking significant damage from unboosted special attacks such as Moonblast, Draco Meteor, and Judgment.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is the strongest move Landorus-T has to consistently dish out damage and trumps a variety of relevant targets. Stone Edge hits much of what Earthquake does not, such as Ho-Oh, offensive Yveltal, Rayquaza, and Shaymin-S, while also being able to finish off Lugia and Giratina-O. U-turn prevents Landorus-T from giving free turns to opposing teams, eases prediction, and allows it to function better as a pivot. Explosion is a great last-ditch method of dealing damage while maintaining momentum and preventing the foe from being able to use Defog. Superpower can be used to hit threats such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Ferrothorn, and Darkrai harder than Earthquake, but it is typically a poor move to be locked into.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature are used to make Landorus-T hit as hard as possible and always 2HKO standard defensive Primal Groudon. 252 Speed EVs give Landorus-T the raw Speed for the Choice Scarf to boost, granting it the ability to outspeed Mega Mewtwo Y and everything up to Choice Scarf base 90 Speed Pokemon that don't run a Speed-boosting nature. A Choice Scarf gives Landorus-T the ability to revenge kill a variety of foes it would otherwise get outsped by, such as Darkrai, Mega Gengar, Xerneas, Mewtwo, and Arceus formes.
Usage Tips
========
The combination of Intimidate and U-turn allows Landorus-T to function as a pivot; however, because Landorus-T has no instant or passive recovery, it can only be used a few times as such. This set is somewhat unexpected for opponents, so spamming fast U-turns early in the game is a good way to give away the set. You should play minimally until a situation arises where the opponent intends to stay in thinking they will move first; this is how you can surprise them. Even though Earthquake has many targets in the Ubers tier, virtually all teams pack one or several Ground-immune Pokemon. In the situation of an eventual switch into a Ground-immune target by your opponent, you will want to use U-turn or, alternatively, Stone Edge, if their Ground-immune Pokemon can be taken down by it. Make sure your team can accommodate giving the opponent a free turn with a Ground-immune Pokemon before deciding to revenge kill with Earthquake. If you cannot, do not attempt to KO a foe with Earthquake.
Team Options
========
Darkrai is an effective teammate that can be easier to get into play due to Landorus-T's U-turn. Furthermore, it is great at threatening stall, a playstyle that this set is unable to break on its own. Xerneas benefits from the offensive check to Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh that Landorus-T provides. Mega Gengar, like Darkrai, is easier to get into play thanks to U-turn and is able to threaten several of the bulky Pokemon that wall this set. Ghost Arceus alongside Landorus-T can provide a sufficient offensive check to Extreme Killer Arceus while Ghost Arceus benefits from the additional check to Ho-Oh. Dark Arceus can function as a stallbreaker and threaten Pokemon such as Giratina-O and Lugia, which annoy Landorus-T. Primal Kyogre can further lay on the pressure against Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh while also being able to blast through threats that specialize in physical bulk. Yveltal can threaten Ghost Arceus, Giratina-O, and Lugia effectively, three big threats for Landorus-T. Rock Arceus secures issues against Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence and appreciates Landorus-T's Ground immunity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Double Dance set with a Life Orb and a Jolly nature has the strength and Speed to break down an array of relevant threats; however, such a set is in steep competition with Ground Arceus. A defensive Stealth Rock set is better at switching into strong physical attacks, but it lacks the ability to pivot as fluidly and isn't exceptionally good at breaking anything. Sleep Talk can be used on the Choice Scarf set to allow Landorus-T to switch into Darkrai's Dark Void, but it has little other use and Landorus-T isn't the best Pokemon to be switching into Darkrai in the first place.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Giratina Formes**: Giratina-O is immune to Earthquake, Explosion, and Superpower and takes very little from Stone Edge and U-turn. In return, it can heavily damage Landorus-T with Draco Meteor or burn it with Will-O-Wisp. Giratina is so bulky that, despite taking neutral damage from Earthquake, it is able to effectively wall Landorus-T.
**Support Arceus**: Support Arceus formes such as Water, Ghost, Fairy, and Grass are bulky enough to wall Landorus-T.
**Bronzong and Skarmory**: Both Bronzong and Skarmory are immune to Landorus-T's Earthquake and take very little from any of its coverage options. In return, they can Toxic Landorus-T, set entry hazards, or whittle it down with offensive moves.
**Lugia**: Lugia is immune to Earthquake and, despite its weakness to Rock, doesn't take significant damage from Stone Edge. In return, Lugia can smack Landorus-T with Ice Beam or poison it with Toxic.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye can burn Landorus-T with Will-O-Wisp, smack it around with Foul Play, and recover away Earthquake damage.
**Ferrothorn**: Although Ferrothorn fears Superpower to some extent, it can Leech Seed Landorus-T and set up Spikes.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre has enough bulk to stomach one of Landorus-T's Earthquakes and can cleanly KO it with strong Water-type moves or Ice Beam.
**Cloyster**: Cloyster can OHKO Landorus-T with Icicle Spear and has plenty of physical bulk to survive Earthquake.
**Ice Arceus**: Although it is hit hard by Superpower or Stone Edge, Ice Arceus is rather bulky and can OHKO Landorus-T.
GP Checks: The Dutch Plumberjack / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Landorus-T's Ground immunity and powerful Earthquake allow it to checks a variety of threats in Ubers, including Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Swords Dance Arceus, Klefki, and Mega Blaziken. Its ability Intimidate has good utility, allowing Landorus-T to pivot and simulate more physical bulk than it actually has. The interesting Ground / Flying typing makes it immune to Ground and Electric attacks but leaves it with an exploitable weakness to Ice. A high base 145 Attack gives Landorus-T the brute strength to threaten its foes, and its base 91 Speed sits just above the common base 90 Speed benchmark. Landorus-T has a solid physical movepool to play around with, including moves such as Explosion and U-turn, which are tools not available to other Ground-types in Ubers. Its immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes prevents it from becoming worn down as it pivots around. Although these traits are worthwhile, Landorus-T faces competition from Primal Groudon to some extent, which is slightly stronger, has better bulk, checks a larger portion of the metagame, and is immune to burns. Furthermore, what Landorus-T does check, it does not always check well in a defensive manner, as it is highly susceptible to burns and lacks an instant recovery move. It is also quite specially frail, taking significant damage from unboosted special attacks such as Moonblast, Draco Meteor, and Judgment.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is the strongest move Landorus-T has to consistently dish out damage and trumps a variety of relevant targets. Stone Edge hits much of what Earthquake does not, such as Ho-Oh, offensive Yveltal, Rayquaza, and Shaymin-S, while also being able to finish off Lugia and Giratina-O. U-turn prevents Landorus-T from giving free turns to opposing teams, eases prediction, and allows it to function better as a pivot. Explosion is a great last-ditch method of dealing damage while maintaining momentum and preventing the foe from being able to use Defog. Superpower can be used to hit threats such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Ferrothorn, and Darkrai harder than Earthquake, but it is typically a poor move to be locked into.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature are used to make Landorus-T hit as hard as possible and always 2HKO standard defensive Primal Groudon. 252 Speed EVs give Landorus-T the raw Speed for the Choice Scarf to boost, granting it the ability to outspeed Mega Mewtwo Y and everything up to Choice Scarf base 90 Speed Pokemon that don't run a Speed-boosting nature. A Choice Scarf gives Landorus-T the ability to revenge kill a variety of foes it would otherwise get outsped by, such as Darkrai, Mega Gengar, Xerneas, Mewtwo, and Arceus formes.
Usage Tips
========
The combination of Intimidate and U-turn allows Landorus-T to function as a pivot; however, because Landorus-T has no instant or passive recovery, it can only be used a few times as such. This set is somewhat unexpected for opponents, so spamming fast U-turns early in the game is a good way to give away the set. You should play minimally until a situation arises where the opponent intends to stay in thinking they will move first; this is how you can surprise them. Even though Earthquake has many targets in the Ubers tier, virtually all teams pack one or several Ground-immune Pokemon. In the situation of an eventual switch into a Ground-immune target by your opponent, you will want to use U-turn or, alternatively, Stone Edge, if their Ground-immune Pokemon can be taken down by it. Make sure your team can accommodate giving the opponent a free turn with a Ground-immune Pokemon before deciding to revenge kill with Earthquake. If you cannot, do not attempt to KO a foe with Earthquake.
Team Options
========
Darkrai is an effective teammate that can be easier to get into play due to Landorus-T's U-turn. Furthermore, it is great at threatening stall, a playstyle that this set is unable to break on its own. Xerneas benefits from the offensive check to Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh that Landorus-T provides. Mega Gengar, like Darkrai, is easier to get into play thanks to U-turn and is able to threaten several of the bulky Pokemon that wall this set. Ghost Arceus alongside Landorus-T can provide a sufficient offensive check to Extreme Killer Arceus while Ghost Arceus benefits from the additional check to Ho-Oh. Dark Arceus can function as a stallbreaker and threaten Pokemon such as Giratina-O and Lugia, which annoy Landorus-T. Primal Kyogre can further lay on the pressure against Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh while also being able to blast through threats that specialize in physical bulk. Yveltal can threaten Ghost Arceus, Giratina-O, and Lugia effectively, three big threats for Landorus-T. Rock Arceus secures issues against Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence and appreciates Landorus-T's Ground immunity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Double Dance set with a Life Orb and a Jolly nature has the strength and Speed to break down an array of relevant threats; however, such a set is in steep competition with Ground Arceus. A defensive Stealth Rock set is better at switching into strong physical attacks, but it lacks the ability to pivot as fluidly and isn't exceptionally good at breaking anything. Sleep Talk can be used on the Choice Scarf set to allow Landorus-T to switch into Darkrai's Dark Void, but it has little other use and Landorus-T isn't the best Pokemon to be switching into Darkrai in the first place.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Giratina Formes**: Giratina-O is immune to Earthquake, Explosion, and Superpower and takes very little from Stone Edge and U-turn. In return, it can heavily damage Landorus-T with Draco Meteor or burn it with Will-O-Wisp. Giratina is so bulky that, despite taking neutral damage from Earthquake, it is able to effectively wall Landorus-T.
**Support Arceus**: Support Arceus formes such as Water, Ghost, Fairy, and Grass are bulky enough to wall Landorus-T.
**Bronzong and Skarmory**: Both Bronzong and Skarmory are immune to Landorus-T's Earthquake and take very little from any of its coverage options. In return, they can Toxic Landorus-T, set entry hazards, or whittle it down with offensive moves.
**Lugia**: Lugia is immune to Earthquake and, despite its weakness to Rock, doesn't take significant damage from Stone Edge. In return, Lugia can smack Landorus-T with Ice Beam or poison it with Toxic.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye can burn Landorus-T with Will-O-Wisp, smack it around with Foul Play, and recover away Earthquake damage.
**Ferrothorn**: Although Ferrothorn fears Superpower to some extent, it can Leech Seed Landorus-T and set up Spikes.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre has enough bulk to stomach one of Landorus-T's Earthquakes and can cleanly KO it with strong Water-type moves or Ice Beam.
**Cloyster**: Cloyster can OHKO Landorus-T with Icicle Spear and has plenty of physical bulk to survive Earthquake.
**Ice Arceus**: Although it is hit hard by Superpower or Stone Edge, Ice Arceus is rather bulky and can OHKO Landorus-T.
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