Draft Azelf on the Shelf [GP 1/1]

[drizzle]

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards

**Price Range**: 11-12 points

**Overview**: Azelf is a fast attacker that takes advantage of its diverse movepool and balanced attacking stats to also be a strong revenge killer and offensive pivot. Although it is frail and often suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, its revenge killing capabilities more than make up for it, and it can fit on a variety of teams. However, its offensive stats can often be underwhelming against bulkier teams, and it is heavily reliant on coverage, making it difficult for it to hit multiple Pokemon effectively, especially Dark- and Steel-types.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Fast Pivot**: Having a Speed tier that allows it to outspeed and revenge kill many other fast Pokemon, Azelf is a viable revenge killer with or without a Choice Scarf. It can also use U-turn to pivot on incoming checks while dealing respectable damage.

**Offensive Utility**: Azelf has plenty of utility moves it can use to take advantage of its foes and incoming checks. It can use Encore on a slower foe, Thunder Wave to inhibit incoming checks, Trick to give foes a disruptive item, Stealth Rock to set up entry hazards, or pivot into its teammates, which can take advantage of the utility that Azelf provides.

**Sacrificial Lead**: Thanks to its high Speed and access to Stealth Rock, Azelf can serve as a sacrificial lead that can safely get entry hazards up and prevent them from being removed thanks to Explosion.

**Setup Sweeper**: Thanks to its access to Nasty Plot as well as Mystical Power, Azelf can sweep slower teams, though it can be difficult for it to set up due to its poor defensive stats.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Zen Headbutt, Psycho Cut, Mystical Power

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Light Screen, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Trick, Knock Off

**Coverage**: Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Play Rough, Draining Kiss

Niche Moves
========
**Explosion**: Used most commonly on Focus Sash lead sets, Explosion can be used to deal massive damage while preventing foes from removing the Stealth Rock Azelf sets up. Even outside of lead sets, Explosion is a viable move thanks to Azelf's naturally high Attack.

**Future Sight**: Azelf benefits from pivoting around a lot, so forcing its foes into potentially unfavorable matchups to avoid the huge damage output Future Sight has can be an option.

**Endeavor**: An alternative to Explosion, Focus Sash sets can run Endeavor to do more reliable damage while keeping the option to set Stealth Rock up again.

Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Azelf functions best when it is able to switch the moves it uses, so an item like Expert Belt that allows it to do so while still putting out a lot of damage works well. Choice Specs and Choice Band are also both options, but they are far less viable.

**Choice Scarf**: Being able to revenge kill most fast Pokemon, Choice Scarf Azelf is a tried-and-true set. Choice Scarf can also be given to walls that want to switch in or slower checks with Trick to benefit it and its teammates.

**Focus Sash**: Due to Azelf's frailty, it almost always requires a Focus Sash on entry hazard lead sets to ensure Stealth Rock is set.

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Azelf is usually KOed by even non-STAB super effective moves, so a resistance Berry can offset some KOs.

**Light Clay**: As one of the fastest dual screens setters, Azelf also has a niche of not being a common setter, meaning opponents are often caught off guard.

Tera
========
Azelf is a good Tera Captain, but it is not as reliant on it as other Pokemon, and it is outclassed by higher-tiered Tera Captains. It typically uses offensive Tera types such as Tera Electric to boost damage from its Electric-type coverage moves while also benefitting from its Ground immunity in Levitate and Tera Fairy to boost its Fairy-type coverage moves while shedding its Dark and Bug weaknesses. Despite that, Azelf functions just as well without being a Tera Captain, meaning that it is typically better to leave that slot open for Pokemon that take better advantage of it.

Draft Strategy
========
Azelf is an enabler for other Pokemon and works best on offensively-oriented drafts that can take advantage of Azelf's fairly unique role in a team. Fitting a speed tier that every team strives to have, Azelf can fit on many teams.

**Wallbreakers**: Thanks to its access to U-turn, Azelf pairs well with other wallbreakers such as Chi-Yu and Palafin that can handle its checks. It additionally benefits from wallbreakers that can also pivot, such as Meowscarada, Scizor, and Tornadus-T.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Azelf appreciates entry hazards, since it often struggles OHKOing foes without prior chip damage. Hazard setters like Great Tusk, Glimmora, and Iron Treads pair well with Azelf.

**Defensive Backbone**: Since Azelf is extremely frail, it appreciates being paired with bulky Pokemon that can take threatening hits, like Tornadus-T, Ting-Lu, and Gholdengo.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon / Priority**: Faster Pokemon like Meowscarada and Greninja can use U-turn and KO Azelf before it has the chance to do anything, while priority users like Scizor and Palafin can revenge kill Azelf with little to no prior chip damage.

**Walls**: Although Azelf has a plethora of coverage options available to it, the special alternatives are generally stronger or more reliable; however, it has a tough time breaking through Pokemon like Tinkaton and Scream Tail that can shrug off its special coverage while running a special set, forcing it to run physical coverage or Psyshock rather than other necessary moves.

**Steel-types**: While Azelf has Fighting- and Fire-type coverage, it often does not want to predict, especially on Choice sets, making it easy for Steel-types like Heatran and Gholdengo to effectively check it.

**Bulky Dark-types**: Even slower Dark-types such as Chi-Yu and Ting-Lu can usually shrug off Azelf's coverage for them and KO it back with their super effective Dark-type STAB moves.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/

 

[Techno]

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[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards

**Price Range**: 11-12 points

**Overview**: Azelf is a fast attacker that takes advantage of its diverse movepool and balanced attacking stats to be a strong offensive revenge killer and pivot. Although it is frail and often suffers from four move slot syndrome, its revenge killing capabilities more than make up for it and it can fit on a variety of teams. However, its offensive stats can often be underwhelming against bulkier teams, and it is heavily reliant on coverage, making it difficult for it to hit multiple Pokemon effectively, especially Dark- and Steel-types. Just not enough info here, so i expanded on some points

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Revenge Killer Fast Pivot**: Having a speed tier that allows it to outspeed and revenge kill many other fast Pokemon, Azelf is a viable revenge killer with or without a Choice Scarf. It can also use U-turn to pivot on incoming checks.

**Setup Sweeper**: Thanks to its access to Nasty Plot as well as Mystical Power, Azelf can sweep slower teams, though it can be difficult for it to set up due to its frail defensive stats.

**Offensive Pivot**: With access to U-turn and the ability to threaten opposing Pokemon out with its unpredictable coverage, Azelf can deal respectable damage while keeping itself safe. This can be covered in revenge killer, it's basically the same set, especially since scarf sets will always run uturn

**Offensive Utility**: Despite being frail, Azelf has plenty of utility moves it can use to take advantage of its foes and incoming checks. It can use Encore on a slower foe to safely set up Stealth Rock or pivot into its teammates that can take advantage of the utility.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Zen Headbutt, Psycho Cut, Mystical Power

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Light Screen, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Trick

**Coverage**: Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Knock Off, utility Play Rough, Draining Kiss

Niche Moves
========
**Explosion**: On Focus Sash lead sets, Explosion can be used to deal massive damage while preventing your opponent foes with Rapid Spin from removing the Stealth Rock Azelf set up.

**Imprison**: Against slower Pokemon with common splashable moves such as U-turn or Stealth Rock, Imprison can be used to gain an edge on your opponent. cant see this ever being used on azelf

**Future Sight**: Azelf benefits from pivoting around a lot, so forcing your opponent its foes into potentially unfavorable matchups to avoid the huge damage output Future Sight has can be an option.

Add Endeavor - alternative to explosion on sash sets

Common Items
========
**Damage-Boosting Items**: Azelf functions best when it is able to switch the moves it uses, so an item like Expert Belt that allows it to do so while it still puts out a lot of damage works well for it. Choice Specs and Choice Band are both options for it, but far less viable.

**Choice Scarf**: Being able to revenge kill most fast Pokemon or nullify a wall that wants to switch into Azelf with Trick, Choice Scarf Azelf is a tried and true set. It can also be given to its slower checks with Trick to benefit it and its teammates.

**Focus Sash**: Due to Azelf's frailty, it will almost always require a Focus Sash on entry-hazard lead sets to ensure Stealth Rock being set.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Although Azelf is frail, Heavy-Duty Boots prevents key damage that may allow it to survive a weaker attack, further enabling it as an offensive utility Pokemon. its only weak to rocks, idt this would ever be used over other items

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Azelf will usually faint to even non-STAB boosted super effective moves, so a Resistance Berry can offset some KO's, however it will likely need to be at close to or full HP.

**Light Clay**: As one of the fastest dual screen setters, Azelf also has a niche of not being a common screen setter meaning your opponent will likely not have a sufficient answer to it opponents will often be caught off guard.

Tera
========
Azelf can be a Tera Captain, but due to its already vast coverage and frailty it does not benefit from being a Tera Captain like other Pokemon do is a good Tera Captain, but it is not as reliant on it as other Pokemon and it is outclassed by higher tiered Tera captains. It typically uses offensive Tera types such as Tera Electric and Fairy to boost damage from its vast coverage while also benefitting from its Ground immunity in Levitate. Despite that, It can take advantage of Tera Electric + Levitate and STAB Thunderbolt / Thunder Punch to be a hard hitter with no weaknesses, or Fairy with Dazzling Gleam, Play Rough, or even a Draining Kiss set to shed its Ghost, Dark, and Bug-type weaknesses, but Azelf functions just as well without being a Tera Captain, leaving that slot open for Pokemon that take better advantage of it. Reworded this quite a bit - its a good tera captain & idt it was being sold as that, but i made it more clear why it typically doesnt use tera

Draft Strategy
========
Azelf is an enabler for other Pokemon, and works best on offensively oriented drafts that can take advantage of Azelf's fairly unique role in a team. Fitting a speed tier that every team strives to have, Azelf can fit on many teams.

**Wallbreaker**: Azelf often has a hard time breaking through walls, but thanks to its access to U-turn, Azelf pairs well with other wallbreakers that can handle its checks it can get breakers such as Chi-Yu and Palafin in safely without having to hard switch into them. It additionally benefits from wallbreakers that can also pivot, such as Meowscarada, Scizor, and Tornadus-T.

**Offensive Pivots**: Azelf benefits from being part of an offensive VoltTurn core that will chip your foe's walls down, such as with the likes of Meowscarada and Scizor. combining this with wallbreaker

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Azelf appreciates entry hazards, since it often struggles OHKOing foes without prior chip. Hazard setters like Great Tusk, Glimmora, and Iron Treads pair well with Azelf.

**Defensive Backbone**: Since Azelf is extremely frail, it appreciates generally beefy Pokemon like Tornadus-Therian or Rotom-Wash that can keep momentum going while still being able to tank hits. being paired with bulky Pokemon that can take threatening hits, like Tornadus-T, Ting-Lu, and Gholdengo. This felt like it was just focusing on offensive pivots again rather than actual defensive mons that can take hits

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon / Priority**: Faster Pokemon like Meowscarada and Greninja can U-turn and KO Azelf before it has the chance to do anything, while priority users like Scizor and Palafin can revenge kill Azelf with little to no prior chip damage.

**Special Walls**: Although Azelf has a plethora of physical coverage options available to it, the special alternatives are generally stronger and/or more reliable, meaning Azelf will have a tough time breaking through Pokemon like Slowking-Galar Galarian Slowking, Tinkaton, and Scream Tail (or other examples, since i felt like gking isn't the best example) while running a special set, forcing it to run physical coverage or Psyshock rather than other necessary moves.

**Steel-types**: While Azelf has Fighting- and Fire-type coverage, it often does not want to predict, especially on Choice sets, making it easy for Steel-types like Heatran and Gholdengo to effectively check it.

**Bulky Dark-types**: Even slower Dark-types such as Chi-Yu or Ting-Lu can usually shrug off Azelf's coverage for them and KO back with their super effective Dark-type STAB move. azelf can just uturn & do a lot of damage - changed to bulky instead

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user1.100000
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000

qc 1/2 - good start but not enough info on most parts - i expanded most points, feel free to put it in your own words though, lmk if you have questions

 

[drizzle]

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[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards

**Price Range**: 11-12 points

**Overview**: Azelf is a fast attacker that takes advantage of its diverse movepool and balanced attacking stats to be a strong offensive revenge killer and pivot. Although it is frail and often suffers from four move slot syndrome, its revenge killing capabilities more than make up for it and it can fit on a variety of teams. However, its offensive stats can often be underwhelming against bulkier teams, and it is heavily reliant on coverage, making it difficult for it to hit multiple Pokemon effectively, especially Dark- and Steel-types. Just not enough info here, so i expanded on some points

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Revenge Killer Fast Pivot**: Having a speed tier that allows it to outspeed and revenge kill many other fast Pokemon, Azelf is a viable revenge killer with or without a Choice Scarf. It can also use U-turn to pivot on incoming checks.

**Setup Sweeper**: Thanks to its access to Nasty Plot as well as Mystical Power, Azelf can sweep slower teams, though it can be difficult for it to set up due to its frail defensive stats.

**Offensive Pivot**: With access to U-turn and the ability to threaten opposing Pokemon out with its unpredictable coverage, Azelf can deal respectable damage while keeping itself safe. This can be covered in revenge killer, it's basically the same set, especially since scarf sets will always run uturn

**Offensive Utility**: Despite being frail, Azelf has plenty of utility moves it can use to take advantage of its foes and incoming checks. It can use Encore on a slower foe to safely set up Stealth Rock or pivot into its teammates that can take advantage of the utility.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Zen Headbutt, Psycho Cut, Mystical Power

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Light Screen, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Trick

**Coverage**: Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Knock Off, utility Play Rough, Draining Kiss

Niche Moves
========
**Explosion**: On Focus Sash lead sets, Explosion can be used to deal massive damage while preventing your opponent foes with Rapid Spin from removing the Stealth Rock Azelf set up.

**Imprison**: Against slower Pokemon with common splashable moves such as U-turn or Stealth Rock, Imprison can be used to gain an edge on your opponent. cant see this ever being used on azelf

**Future Sight**: Azelf benefits from pivoting around a lot, so forcing your opponent its foes into potentially unfavorable matchups to avoid the huge damage output Future Sight has can be an option.

Add Endeavor - alternative to explosion on sash sets

Common Items
========
**Damage-Boosting Items**: Azelf functions best when it is able to switch the moves it uses, so an item like Expert Belt that allows it to do so while it still puts out a lot of damage works well for it. Choice Specs and Choice Band are both options for it, but far less viable.

**Choice Scarf**: Being able to revenge kill most fast Pokemon or nullify a wall that wants to switch into Azelf with Trick, Choice Scarf Azelf is a tried and true set. It can also be given to its slower checks with Trick to benefit it and its teammates.

**Focus Sash**: Due to Azelf's frailty, it will almost always require a Focus Sash on entry-hazard lead sets to ensure Stealth Rock being set.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Although Azelf is frail, Heavy-Duty Boots prevents key damage that may allow it to survive a weaker attack, further enabling it as an offensive utility Pokemon. its only weak to rocks, idt this would ever be used over other items

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Azelf will usually faint to even non-STAB boosted super effective moves, so a Resistance Berry can offset some KO's, however it will likely need to be at close to or full HP.

**Light Clay**: As one of the fastest dual screen setters, Azelf also has a niche of not being a common screen setter meaning your opponent will likely not have a sufficient answer to it opponents will often be caught off guard.

Tera
========
Azelf can be a Tera Captain, but due to its already vast coverage and frailty it does not benefit from being a Tera Captain like other Pokemon do is a good Tera Captain, but it is not as reliant on it as other Pokemon and it is outclassed by higher tiered Tera captains. It typically uses offensive Tera types such as Tera Electric and Fairy to boost damage from its vast coverage while also benefitting from its Ground immunity in Levitate. Despite that, It can take advantage of Tera Electric + Levitate and STAB Thunderbolt / Thunder Punch to be a hard hitter with no weaknesses, or Fairy with Dazzling Gleam, Play Rough, or even a Draining Kiss set to shed its Ghost, Dark, and Bug-type weaknesses, but Azelf functions just as well without being a Tera Captain, leaving that slot open for Pokemon that take better advantage of it. Reworded this quite a bit - its a good tera captain & idt it was being sold as that, but i made it more clear why it typically doesnt use tera

Draft Strategy
========
Azelf is an enabler for other Pokemon, and works best on offensively oriented drafts that can take advantage of Azelf's fairly unique role in a team. Fitting a speed tier that every team strives to have, Azelf can fit on many teams.

**Wallbreaker**: Azelf often has a hard time breaking through walls, but thanks to its access to U-turn, Azelf pairs well with other wallbreakers that can handle its checks it can get breakers such as Chi-Yu and Palafin in safely without having to hard switch into them. It additionally benefits from wallbreakers that can also pivot, such as Meowscarada, Scizor, and Tornadus-T.

**Offensive Pivots**: Azelf benefits from being part of an offensive VoltTurn core that will chip your foe's walls down, such as with the likes of Meowscarada and Scizor. combining this with wallbreaker

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Azelf appreciates entry hazards, since it often struggles OHKOing foes without prior chip. Hazard setters like Great Tusk, Glimmora, and Iron Treads pair well with Azelf.

**Defensive Backbone**: Since Azelf is extremely frail, it appreciates generally beefy Pokemon like Tornadus-Therian or Rotom-Wash that can keep momentum going while still being able to tank hits. being paired with bulky Pokemon that can take threatening hits, like Tornadus-T, Ting-Lu, and Gholdengo. This felt like it was just focusing on offensive pivots again rather than actual defensive mons that can take hits

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon / Priority**: Faster Pokemon like Meowscarada and Greninja can U-turn and KO Azelf before it has the chance to do anything, while priority users like Scizor and Palafin can revenge kill Azelf with little to no prior chip damage.

**Special Walls**: Although Azelf has a plethora of physical coverage options available to it, the special alternatives are generally stronger and/or more reliable, meaning Azelf will have a tough time breaking through Pokemon like Slowking-Galar Galarian Slowking, Tinkaton, and Scream Tail (or other examples, since i felt like gking isn't the best example) while running a special set, forcing it to run physical coverage or Psyshock rather than other necessary moves.

**Steel-types**: While Azelf has Fighting- and Fire-type coverage, it often does not want to predict, especially on Choice sets, making it easy for Steel-types like Heatran and Gholdengo to effectively check it.

**Bulky Dark-types**: Even slower Dark-types such as Chi-Yu or Ting-Lu can usually shrug off Azelf's coverage for them and KO back with their super effective Dark-type STAB move. azelf can just uturn & do a lot of damage - changed to bulky instead

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user1.100000
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000

qc 1/2 - good start but not enough info on most parts - i expanded most points, feel free to put it in your own words though, lmk if you have questions

implemented, made a couple of changes here and there to keep consistency with my wording but your points were all reasonable

 

[olivia]

add remove comment
qc2/2
looks good to me, I wanna look at the sacrifical lead section when implemented tho so tag me

gods strongest gnome

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards

**Price Range**: 11-12 points

**Overview**: Azelf is a fast attacker that takes advantage of its diverse movepool and balanced attacking stats to be a strong offensive revenge killer and pivot. Although it is frail and often suffers from four move slot syndrome, its revenge killing capabilities more than make up for it and it can fit on a variety of teams. However, its offensive stats can often be underwhelming against bulkier teams, and it is heavily reliant on coverage, making it difficult for it to hit multiple Pokemon effectively, especially Dark- and Steel-types.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Fast Pivot**: Having a speed tier that allows it to outspeed and revenge kill many other fast Pokemon, Azelf is a viable revenge killer with or without a Choice Scarf. It can also use U-turn to pivot on incoming checks while dealing respectable damage.

**Sacrificial Lead**: azelf go boom boom after rocks

**Setup Sweeper**: Thanks to its access to Nasty Plot as well as Mystical Power, Azelf can sweep slower teams, though it can be difficult for it to set up due to its frail defensive stats.

**Offensive Utility**: Azelf has plenty of utility moves it can use to take advantage of its foes and incoming checks. It can use Encore on a slower foe to safely set up Stealth Rock or pivot into its teammates that can take advantage of the utility. It can also use Thunder Wave to inhibit incoming checks or Trick them a disruptive item.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Zen Headbutt, Psycho Cut, Mystical Power

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Light Screen, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Trick, Knock Off

**Coverage**: Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Play Rough, Draining Kiss

Niche Moves
========
**Explosion**: On Focus Sash lead sets, Explosion can be used to deal massive damage while preventing your foes from removing the Stealth Rock Azelf set up. move to common sets could keep this here also but idk if necessary

**Future Sight**: Azelf benefits from pivoting around a lot, so forcing its foes into potentially unfavorable matchups to avoid the huge damage output Future Sight has can be an option.

**Endeavor**: Alternatively to Explosion, Focus Sash sets can run Endeavor to do more reliable damage while keeping the option to get Stealth Rock up again.

Common Items
========
**Damage-Boosting Items**: Azelf functions best when it is able to switch the moves it uses, so an item like Expert Belt that allows it to do so while it still puts out a lot of damage works well for it. Choice Specs and Choice Band are both options for it, but far less viable.

**Choice Scarf**: Being able to revenge kill most fast Pokemon or nullify a wall that wants to switch into Azelf with Trick, Choice Scarf Azelf is a tried and true set. It can also be given to its slower checks with Trick to benefit it and its teammates.

**Focus Sash**: Due to Azelf's frailty, it will almost always require a Focus Sash on entry-hazard lead sets to ensure Stealth Rock being set.

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Azelf will usually faint to even non-STAB boosted super effective moves, so a Resistance Berry resistance berry can offset some KO's, however it will likely need to be at close to or full HP.

**Light Clay**: As one of the fastest dual screen setters, it's very easy for Azelf to get both screens up. Azelf also has a niche of not being a common screen setter, meaning opponents will often be caught off guard.

Tera
========
Azelf is a good Tera Captain, but it is not as reliant on it as other Pokemon and it is outclassed by higher tiered Tera captains. It typically uses offensive Tera types such as Tera Electric to boost damage from its Electric-type coverage moves while also benefitting from its Ground immunity in Levitate. Despite that, Azelf functions just as well without being a Tera Captain, meaning that it is typically better to leave that slot open for Pokemon that take better advantage of it. I'd mention Fairy here, to boost the power of Dazzling Gleam and DKiss, and tera Steel for setup sets as it has levitate making it fairly easy to set up.

Draft Strategy
========
Azelf is an enabler for other Pokemon, and works best on offensively oriented drafts that can take advantage of Azelf's fairly unique role in a team. Fitting a speed tier that every team strives to have, Azelf can fit on many teams.

**Wallbreakers**: Thanks to its access to U-turn, Azelf pairs well with other wallbreakers that can handle its checks such as Chi-Yu and Palafin. It additionally benefits from wallbreakers that can also pivot, such as Meowscarada, Scizor, and Tornadus-T.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Azelf appreciates entry hazards, since it often struggles OHKOing foes without prior chip. Hazard setters like Great Tusk, Glimmora, and Iron Treads pair well with Azelf.

**Defensive Backbone**: Since Azelf is extremely frail, it appreciates being paired with bulky Pokemon that can take threatening hits, like Tornadus-T, Ting-Lu, and Gholdengo.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon / Priority**: Faster Pokemon like Meowscarada and Greninja can U-turn and KO Azelf before it has the chance to do anything, while priority users like Scizor and Palafin can revenge kill Azelf with little to no prior chip damage.

**Special Walls**: Although Azelf has a plethora of physical coverage options available to it, the special alternatives are generally stronger and/or more reliable, meaning Azelf will have a tough time breaking through Pokemon that can shrug off its special coverage like Tinkaton and Scream Tail while running a special set, forcing it to run physical coverage or Psyshock rather than other necessary moves.

**Steel-types**: While Azelf has Fighting- and Fire-type coverage, it often does not want to predict, especially on Choice sets, making it easy for Steel-types like Heatran and Gholdengo to effectively check it.

**Bulky Dark-types**: Even slower Dark-types such as Chi-Yu or Ting-Lu can usually shrug off Azelf's coverage for them and KO back with their super effective Dark-type STAB move.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
add ur credits :o

 

[drizzle]

add remove comment
qc2/2
looks good to me, I wanna look at the sacrifical lead section when implemented tho so tag me

gods strongest gnome

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards

**Price Range**: 11-12 points

**Overview**: Azelf is a fast attacker that takes advantage of its diverse movepool and balanced attacking stats to be a strong offensive revenge killer and pivot. Although it is frail and often suffers from four move slot syndrome, its revenge killing capabilities more than make up for it and it can fit on a variety of teams. However, its offensive stats can often be underwhelming against bulkier teams, and it is heavily reliant on coverage, making it difficult for it to hit multiple Pokemon effectively, especially Dark- and Steel-types.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Fast Pivot**: Having a speed tier that allows it to outspeed and revenge kill many other fast Pokemon, Azelf is a viable revenge killer with or without a Choice Scarf. It can also use U-turn to pivot on incoming checks while dealing respectable damage.

**Sacrificial Lead**: azelf go boom boom after rocks

**Setup Sweeper**: Thanks to its access to Nasty Plot as well as Mystical Power, Azelf can sweep slower teams, though it can be difficult for it to set up due to its frail defensive stats.

**Offensive Utility**: Azelf has plenty of utility moves it can use to take advantage of its foes and incoming checks. It can use Encore on a slower foe to safely set up Stealth Rock or pivot into its teammates that can take advantage of the utility. It can also use Thunder Wave to inhibit incoming checks or Trick them a disruptive item.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Zen Headbutt, Psycho Cut, Mystical Power

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Light Screen, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Trick, Knock Off

**Coverage**: Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Play Rough, Draining Kiss

Niche Moves
========
**Explosion**: On Focus Sash lead sets, Explosion can be used to deal massive damage while preventing your foes from removing the Stealth Rock Azelf set up. move to common sets could keep this here also but idk if necessary

**Future Sight**: Azelf benefits from pivoting around a lot, so forcing its foes into potentially unfavorable matchups to avoid the huge damage output Future Sight has can be an option.

**Endeavor**: Alternatively to Explosion, Focus Sash sets can run Endeavor to do more reliable damage while keeping the option to get Stealth Rock up again.

Common Items
========
**Damage-Boosting Items**: Azelf functions best when it is able to switch the moves it uses, so an item like Expert Belt that allows it to do so while it still puts out a lot of damage works well for it. Choice Specs and Choice Band are both options for it, but far less viable.

**Choice Scarf**: Being able to revenge kill most fast Pokemon or nullify a wall that wants to switch into Azelf with Trick, Choice Scarf Azelf is a tried and true set. It can also be given to its slower checks with Trick to benefit it and its teammates.

**Focus Sash**: Due to Azelf's frailty, it will almost always require a Focus Sash on entry-hazard lead sets to ensure Stealth Rock being set.

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Azelf will usually faint to even non-STAB boosted super effective moves, so a Resistance Berry resistance berry can offset some KO's, however it will likely need to be at close to or full HP.

**Light Clay**: As one of the fastest dual screen setters, it's very easy for Azelf to get both screens up. Azelf also has a niche of not being a common screen setter, meaning opponents will often be caught off guard.

Tera
========
Azelf is a good Tera Captain, but it is not as reliant on it as other Pokemon and it is outclassed by higher tiered Tera captains. It typically uses offensive Tera types such as Tera Electric to boost damage from its Electric-type coverage moves while also benefitting from its Ground immunity in Levitate. Despite that, Azelf functions just as well without being a Tera Captain, meaning that it is typically better to leave that slot open for Pokemon that take better advantage of it. I'd mention Fairy here, to boost the power of Dazzling Gleam and DKiss, and tera Steel for setup sets as it has levitate making it fairly easy to set up.

Draft Strategy
========
Azelf is an enabler for other Pokemon, and works best on offensively oriented drafts that can take advantage of Azelf's fairly unique role in a team. Fitting a speed tier that every team strives to have, Azelf can fit on many teams.

**Wallbreakers**: Thanks to its access to U-turn, Azelf pairs well with other wallbreakers that can handle its checks such as Chi-Yu and Palafin. It additionally benefits from wallbreakers that can also pivot, such as Meowscarada, Scizor, and Tornadus-T.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Azelf appreciates entry hazards, since it often struggles OHKOing foes without prior chip. Hazard setters like Great Tusk, Glimmora, and Iron Treads pair well with Azelf.

**Defensive Backbone**: Since Azelf is extremely frail, it appreciates being paired with bulky Pokemon that can take threatening hits, like Tornadus-T, Ting-Lu, and Gholdengo.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon / Priority**: Faster Pokemon like Meowscarada and Greninja can U-turn and KO Azelf before it has the chance to do anything, while priority users like Scizor and Palafin can revenge kill Azelf with little to no prior chip damage.

**Special Walls**: Although Azelf has a plethora of physical coverage options available to it, the special alternatives are generally stronger and/or more reliable, meaning Azelf will have a tough time breaking through Pokemon that can shrug off its special coverage like Tinkaton and Scream Tail while running a special set, forcing it to run physical coverage or Psyshock rather than other necessary moves.

**Steel-types**: While Azelf has Fighting- and Fire-type coverage, it often does not want to predict, especially on Choice sets, making it easy for Steel-types like Heatran and Gholdengo to effectively check it.

**Bulky Dark-types**: Even slower Dark-types such as Chi-Yu or Ting-Lu can usually shrug off Azelf's coverage for them and KO back with their super effective Dark-type STAB move.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
add ur credits :o

implemented and credits added (although usually i wait until grammar check but i always do it) lmk if sac lead section is ok and ill move to qc

 

[olivia]

implemented and credits added (although usually i wait until grammar check but i always do it) lmk if sac lead section is ok and ill move to qc

I deff think the sac lead set is more used that setup sweeper so I would put it above that one personally. It's historically been Azelf's main role and it's very solid at doing it here in draft also. Maybe move setup sweeper to the bottom and keep the rest in the same order.

 

[drizzle]

I deff think the sac lead set is more used that setup sweeper so I would put it above that one personally. It's historically been Azelf's main role and it's very solid at doing it here in draft also. Maybe move setup sweeper to the bottom and keep the rest in the same order.

done

and gm GP Team

 

[SolarBeam]

1/1, GP Team done

best lake trio member

blue = add
red = remove
(orange) = comment

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards

**Price Range**: 11-12 points

**Overview**: Azelf is a fast attacker that takes advantage of its diverse movepool and balanced attacking stats to also be a strong offensive revenge killer and offensive pivot (removed bold formatting). Although it is frail and often suffers from four move slot four-moveslot syndrome, its revenge killing capabilities more than make up for it, (AC) and it can fit on a variety of teams. However, its offensive stats can often be underwhelming against bulkier teams, and it is heavily reliant on coverage, making it difficult for it to hit multiple Pokemon effectively, especially Dark- and Steel-types.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Fast Pivot**: Having a speed Speed tier that allows it to outspeed and revenge kill many other fast Pokemon, Azelf is a viable revenge killer with or without a Choice Scarf. It can also use U-turn to pivot on incoming checks while dealing respectable damage.

**Offensive Utility**: Azelf has plenty of utility moves it can use to take advantage of its foes and incoming checks. It can use Encore on a slower foe, Thunder Wave to inhibit incoming checks, Trick them to give foes a disruptive item, Stealth Rock to set up entry hazards, or U-turn to (list parallelism) pivot into its teammates, (AC) that which can take advantage of the utility that Azelf provides.

**Sacrificial Lead**: Thanks to its high Speed and access to Stealth Rock, Azelf can serve as a sacrificial lead that safely can safely get entry hazards up and prevent them from being removed thanks to Explosion.

**Setup Sweeper**: Thanks to its access to Nasty Plot as well as Mystical Power, Azelf can sweep slower teams, though it can be difficult for it to set up due to its frail poor (stats don't have characteristics beyond high/low/good/bad, it's the pokemon that's frail) defensive stats.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Zen Headbutt, Psycho Cut, Mystical Power

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Light Screen, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Trick, Knock Off

**Coverage**: Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Play Rough, Draining Kiss

Niche Moves
========
**Explosion**: Used most commonly on Focus Sash lead sets, Explosion can be used to deal massive damage while preventing your foes from removing the Stealth Rock Azelf set sets up. Even outside of lead sets, Explosion is a viable move thanks to Azelf's naturally high Attack.

**Future Sight**: Azelf benefits from pivoting around a lot, so forcing its foes into potentially unfavorable matchups to avoid the huge damage output Future Sight has can be an option.

**Endeavor**: Alternatively An alternative to Explosion, Focus Sash sets can run Endeavor to do more reliable damage while keeping the option to get set Stealth Rock up again.

Common Items
========
**Damage-Boosting Damage-boosting Items**: Azelf functions best when it is able to switch the moves it uses, so an item like Expert Belt that allows it to do so while it still puts putting out a lot of damage works well for it. Choice Specs and Choice Band are also both options for it, but they are far less viable.

**Choice Scarf**: Being able to revenge kill most fast Pokemon or nullify a wall that wants to switch into Azelf with Trick (mostly redundant with second sentence, added wall info there), Choice Scarf Azelf is a tried-and-true (AHs) set. It Choice Scarf can also be given to its walls that want to switch in or slower checks with Trick to benefit it and its teammates.

**Focus Sash**: Due to Azelf's frailty, it will almost always require requires a Focus Sash on entry hazard (RH) lead sets to ensure Stealth Rock being is set.

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Azelf will is usually faint to KOed by even non-STAB boosted super effective moves, so a resistance berry Berry can offset some KOs (RA).

**Light Clay**: As one of the fastest dual screen screens setters, Azelf also has a niche of not being a common screen setter, meaning opponents will are often be caught off guard.

Tera
========
Azelf is a good Tera Captain, but it is not as reliant on it as other Pokemon, (AC) and it is outclassed by higher-tiered (AH) Tera captains Captains. It typically uses offensive Tera types such as Tera Electric to boost damage from its Electric-type coverage moves while also benefitting from its Ground immunity in Levitate (RC) or and Tera Fairy to boost its Fairy-type coverage moves while shedding the its Dark (RH) and Bug-type weakness weaknesses. Despite that, Azelf functions just as well without being a Tera Captain, meaning that it is typically better to leave that slot open for Pokemon that take better advantage of it.

Draft Strategy
========
Azelf is an enabler for other Pokemon (RC) and works best on offensively-oriented (AH) drafts that can take advantage of Azelf's its fairly unique role in on a team. Fitting a speed Speed tier that every team strives to have, Azelf can fit on many teams.

**Wallbreakers**: Thanks to its access to U-turn, Azelf pairs well with other wallbreakers such as Chi-Yu and Palafin (clarity- referring to wallbreakers, not checks) that can handle its checks such as Chi-Yu and Palafin. It additionally benefits from wallbreakers that can also pivot, such as Meowscarada, Scizor, and Tornadus-T.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Azelf appreciates entry hazards, since it often struggles OHKOing foes without prior chip damage. Hazard setters like Great Tusk, Glimmora, and Iron Treads pair well with Azelf.

**Defensive Backbone**: Since Azelf is extremely frail, it appreciates being paired with bulky Pokemon that can take threatening hits, like Tornadus-T, Ting-Lu, and Gholdengo.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon / Priority**: Faster Pokemon like Meowscarada and Greninja can use U-turn and KO Azelf before it has the chance to do anything, while priority users like Scizor and Palafin can revenge kill Azelf with little to no prior chip damage.

**Walls**: Although Azelf has a plethora of coverage options available to it, the special alternatives are generally stronger and/or or more reliable; (comma > semicolon) meaning Azelf will have however, it has (having stronger special alternatives doesn't directly link) a tough time breaking through Pokemon like Tinkaton and Scream Tail that can shrug off its special coverage like Tinkaton and Scream Tail while running a special set, forcing it to run physical coverage or Psyshock rather than other necessary moves.

**Steel-types**: While Azelf has Fighting- and Fire-type coverage, it often does not want to predict, especially on Choice sets, making it easy for Steel-types like Heatran and Gholdengo to effectively check it.

**Bulky Dark-types**: Even slower Dark-types such as Chi-Yu or and Ting-Lu can usually shrug off Azelf's coverage for them and KO it back with their super effective Dark-type STAB move moves.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/

 

[drizzle]

1/1, GP Team done

best lake trio member

blue = add
red = remove
(orange) = comment

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards

**Price Range**: 11-12 points

**Overview**: Azelf is a fast attacker that takes advantage of its diverse movepool and balanced attacking stats to also be a strong offensive revenge killer and offensive pivot (removed bold formatting). Although it is frail and often suffers from four move slot four-moveslot syndrome, its revenge killing capabilities more than make up for it, (AC) and it can fit on a variety of teams. However, its offensive stats can often be underwhelming against bulkier teams, and it is heavily reliant on coverage, making it difficult for it to hit multiple Pokemon effectively, especially Dark- and Steel-types.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Fast Pivot**: Having a speed Speed tier that allows it to outspeed and revenge kill many other fast Pokemon, Azelf is a viable revenge killer with or without a Choice Scarf. It can also use U-turn to pivot on incoming checks while dealing respectable damage.

**Offensive Utility**: Azelf has plenty of utility moves it can use to take advantage of its foes and incoming checks. It can use Encore on a slower foe, Thunder Wave to inhibit incoming checks, Trick them to give foes a disruptive item, Stealth Rock to set up entry hazards, or U-turn to (list parallelism) pivot into its teammates, (AC) that which can take advantage of the utility that Azelf provides.

**Sacrificial Lead**: Thanks to its high Speed and access to Stealth Rock, Azelf can serve as a sacrificial lead that safely can safely get entry hazards up and prevent them from being removed thanks to Explosion.

**Setup Sweeper**: Thanks to its access to Nasty Plot as well as Mystical Power, Azelf can sweep slower teams, though it can be difficult for it to set up due to its frail poor (stats don't have characteristics beyond high/low/good/bad, it's the pokemon that's frail) defensive stats.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Zen Headbutt, Psycho Cut, Mystical Power

**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Calm Mind

**Utility Moves**: Encore, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Light Screen, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Trick, Knock Off

**Coverage**: Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Play Rough, Draining Kiss

Niche Moves
========
**Explosion**: Used most commonly on Focus Sash lead sets, Explosion can be used to deal massive damage while preventing your foes from removing the Stealth Rock Azelf set sets up. Even outside of lead sets, Explosion is a viable move thanks to Azelf's naturally high Attack.

**Future Sight**: Azelf benefits from pivoting around a lot, so forcing its foes into potentially unfavorable matchups to avoid the huge damage output Future Sight has can be an option.

**Endeavor**: Alternatively An alternative to Explosion, Focus Sash sets can run Endeavor to do more reliable damage while keeping the option to get set Stealth Rock up again.

Common Items
========
**Damage-Boosting Damage-boosting Items**: Azelf functions best when it is able to switch the moves it uses, so an item like Expert Belt that allows it to do so while it still puts putting out a lot of damage works well for it. Choice Specs and Choice Band are also both options for it, but they are far less viable.

**Choice Scarf**: Being able to revenge kill most fast Pokemon or nullify a wall that wants to switch into Azelf with Trick (mostly redundant with second sentence, added wall info there), Choice Scarf Azelf is a tried-and-true (AHs) set. It Choice Scarf can also be given to its walls that want to switch in or slower checks with Trick to benefit it and its teammates.

**Focus Sash**: Due to Azelf's frailty, it will almost always require requires a Focus Sash on entry hazard (RH) lead sets to ensure Stealth Rock being is set.

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Azelf will is usually faint to KOed by even non-STAB boosted super effective moves, so a resistance berry Berry can offset some KOs (RA).

**Light Clay**: As one of the fastest dual screen screens setters, Azelf also has a niche of not being a common screen setter, meaning opponents will are often be caught off guard.

Tera
========
Azelf is a good Tera Captain, but it is not as reliant on it as other Pokemon, (AC) and it is outclassed by higher-tiered (AH) Tera captains Captains. It typically uses offensive Tera types such as Tera Electric to boost damage from its Electric-type coverage moves while also benefitting from its Ground immunity in Levitate (RC) or and Tera Fairy to boost its Fairy-type coverage moves while shedding the its Dark (RH) and Bug-type weakness weaknesses. Despite that, Azelf functions just as well without being a Tera Captain, meaning that it is typically better to leave that slot open for Pokemon that take better advantage of it.

Draft Strategy
========
Azelf is an enabler for other Pokemon (RC) and works best on offensively-oriented (AH) drafts that can take advantage of Azelf's its fairly unique role in on a team. Fitting a speed Speed tier that every team strives to have, Azelf can fit on many teams.

**Wallbreakers**: Thanks to its access to U-turn, Azelf pairs well with other wallbreakers such as Chi-Yu and Palafin (clarity- referring to wallbreakers, not checks) that can handle its checks such as Chi-Yu and Palafin. It additionally benefits from wallbreakers that can also pivot, such as Meowscarada, Scizor, and Tornadus-T.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Azelf appreciates entry hazards, since it often struggles OHKOing foes without prior chip damage. Hazard setters like Great Tusk, Glimmora, and Iron Treads pair well with Azelf.

**Defensive Backbone**: Since Azelf is extremely frail, it appreciates being paired with bulky Pokemon that can take threatening hits, like Tornadus-T, Ting-Lu, and Gholdengo.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon / Priority**: Faster Pokemon like Meowscarada and Greninja can use U-turn and KO Azelf before it has the chance to do anything, while priority users like Scizor and Palafin can revenge kill Azelf with little to no prior chip damage.

**Walls**: Although Azelf has a plethora of coverage options available to it, the special alternatives are generally stronger and/or or more reliable; (comma > semicolon) meaning Azelf will have however, it has (having stronger special alternatives doesn't directly link) a tough time breaking through Pokemon like Tinkaton and Scream Tail that can shrug off its special coverage like Tinkaton and Scream Tail while running a special set, forcing it to run physical coverage or Psyshock rather than other necessary moves.

**Steel-types**: While Azelf has Fighting- and Fire-type coverage, it often does not want to predict, especially on Choice sets, making it easy for Steel-types like Heatran and Gholdengo to effectively check it.

**Bulky Dark-types**: Even slower Dark-types such as Chi-Yu or and Ting-Lu can usually shrug off Azelf's coverage for them and KO it back with their super effective Dark-type STAB move moves.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/

implemented and ready for publishing

 

[Theia]

Uploaded, thank you!

https://www.smogon.com/dex/sv/pokemon/azelf/draft/