Aegislash is... uhhh... a very interesting character. It becomes a sword on one point, then it becomes a shield the next. I mean, what in the world is it? Simple, it's a weapon, and a deadly one at that. Just even making eye contact on this thing cringes even the boldest of Trainers with its amazing offenses and its signature move, King Shield, that not only just protect it from attacks, but it also reduces an opponent's Attack when it touches Aegislash. It may seem unfair, but just by looking at it, it makes me feel restless... in battling against it, of course. No other reasons whatsoever.
WELCOME TO POKEMON BOOTCAMP!
Subject No.5
Name: Aegislash
Species: The Royal Sword Pokemon
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 116.8 lbs.
Type: Ghost, Steel
Ability: Stance Change
Smogon Tier: Uber
Insights: The most infuriating aspect when dealing against Aegislash is its versatility. This Pokemon can be both played offensively AND defensively at the same time without any hassle whatsoever. Whether it becomes a shield or a sword, you will have a very difficult time to deal with this thing unless you've any Pokemon to counter against it. The only main problem about Aegislash is that its too predictable to become someone so genuinely strong, but nevertheless, Aegislash is a threat not to be messed with.
Recommended Ability: Stance Change
The one and only Ability that Aegislash can use is this. This can allow Aegislash to switch forms on the fly, depending on the moves it uses. Whenever Aegislash uses an offensive ability, then it will transform in its Sword Form, but if Aegislash tries to play defensively and uses King's Shield, then it transforms into its Shield Form. Each form redistributes its 4 important key stats; Attack, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense; some of which are absent from one form while being manifested on the other. It's THAT versatile.
Recommended Moves:
1. King's Shield - the main course of any Aegislash build, This can allow Aegislash to transform back into its Shield Form while blocking attacks in the process. In addition of preventing that attack from damaging Aegislash, any move that touches it will get the user's move's Attack reduced by two levels. A very punishing move against those hard hitters out there like Tyranitar and Garchomp. There is a catch, though. It cannot block status-inflicting moves like Thunder Wave and Will-o-Wisp, so better watch out for those things.
2. Swords Dance - using a sword requires a lot of grace, but in this case, using a sword requires a lot of dancing... in order to increase the sharpness of the blade and making it deadlier. Wait! You don't get it? In short, never use Aegislash without Swords Dance. This is a nifty move that turns a harmless weapon into a brutal destroyer; increasing its Attack by two levels. In addition, there are many people who will expect for Aegislash to use King's Shield, but without their knowledge, uses Swords Dance instead. Hmmm, it seems that being predictable also has its perks, after all.
3. Shadow Sneak - another "a must" move for Aegislash, benefitting from STAB as well as it is an increased priority move. After a Swords Dance boost, this can annihilate even the most annoying of Gengars and other threats like Ghost Arceus and Giratina. There are more targets to consider, but it's a very good move, nonetheless.
4. Iron Head - STAB, flinch rate, and 100 accuracy. Need I say more?
5. Sacred Sword - one of Aegislash's coverage moves that ignores Defense boosts when using this attack. In short, a perfect glass-breaking move with decent power to boot.
Other recommended moves:
1. Shadow Claw - another STAB move that can replace Shadow Sneak's place. It has decent power and an increased critical hit-ratio. However, this will leave Aegislash wide open from faster foes.
2. Gyro Ball - use this in conjunction with a Speed-hindering nature. The slower it becomes, the harder it hits. Wow, talk about convenient.
3. Protect - while it cannot stack very well with King's Shield, it can be a perfect substitute for the latter since it blocks ALL harmful attacks with ease. It doesn't have a secondary effect, though.
4. Shadow Ball - a Special Attacker build is also viable for Aegislash due to its surprise factor. Many battlers will expect that Aegislash may might as well be a physical attacker by all means due to its Swords Dance + Shadow Sneak combo, but this move can catch an oblivious predator off-guard.
5. Flash Cannon - another surprising viable move for Special Aegislash. It has decent power and it has a chance to lower the opponent's Special Defense by one level. Quite useful for a glass-breaker like this.
Recommended Items:
1. Weakness Policy - honestly, there are little Pokemon who can benefit the full use of this item and Aegislash is one of them. Threats like Tyranitar and Weavile has the Ability to take down Aegislash with their super-effective moves, but with Weakness Policy, this can allow Aegislash to have this fighting chance against terrible odds; increasing its offensive stats with ease. Who says that Aegislash can do nothing but defend itself?!
2. Spooky Plate - a pseudo-Spell Tag that increases the power of Ghost moves by 20%. Nothing special, but it has some uses too. Oh and by the way Aegislash, Arceus called. It wants it's Plate back! :P
3. Life Orb - self-explanatory.
4. Muscle Band - use this only on a physical set. It has a measly 10% boost to all of your physical moves. The power increase is not noteworthy but it doesn't have nasty drawbacks to worry about.
5. Wise Glasses - similar to Muscle Band, except if you run a special set.
Recommended Natures: Adamant/Brave (for a physical set) and Modest/Quiet (for a special set)
There are two kinds of glass-cannons; heavy-duty and quicksilver. Thankfully, whether it turns out to be a deadly claymore or a slender rapier, Aegislash can do both weapon roles extremely well. An Adamant nature can give it enough firepower to deal with the faster threats, while a Brave nature allows the use of Gyro Ball. On a Special set, Modest and Quiet are two important natures to consider.
Overall: Aegislash is a powerful Pokemon no matter how you build it. The versatility of this Pokemon is a work of art that not even the most dangerous of Pokemon can predict its movements. It can either be a special attacker spamming Shadow Balls, or perhaps a physical nuke that bashes enemies with its Sacred Sword, and that's what makes Aegislash special among others.
--END TRANSMISSION--
No comments:
Post a Comment