QC: 3/3
GP: 2/2
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Double-Edge / Return
move 4: Baton Pass / Bullet Seed / X-Scissor
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Chlorophyll / Leaf Guard
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Leaf Blade is Leafeon's main STAB move, as it is its strongest move and has perfect accuracy. Knock Off is a decent coverage move that allows Leafeon to hit common Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Beheeyem and Gourgeist-XL, and it is generally useful for removing the opposing Pokemon's items such as Eviolite and Leftovers. Double-Edge provides neutral coverage on most targets that resist Grass- and Dark-type moves, such as Monferno and Vullaby, and it is even more effective when these Pokemon have already been hit with Knock Off. Return is an alternative to Double-Edge, as it does not inflict recoil at the cost of less power; however, it is important to note that Return does not 2HKO Monferno on the switch, while Double-Edge has a 93% chance to 2HKO.
The final moveslot is primarily up to team structure and preference; Baton Pass is useful for gaining momentum as the opponent switches into a counter, X-Scissor helps against Grass-types such as opposing Leafeon and Cacturne, and Bullet Seed is an option to bypass Sturdy and Focus Sash users such as Golem and Smeargle. Due to Baton Pass Clause, however, you can't have more than one Pokemon with it on a team, so if another member runs Baton Pass, Leafeon cannot. Rock Smash is also worth mentioning as a filler move if none of the other moves are needed due to the fact that it hits Pawniard super effectively.
Set Details
======
Maximum Attack investment enables Leafeon to hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature and a Choice Scarf allows Leafeon to outspeed the tier's most common Choice Scarf users, such as Rotom-F, Mr. Mime, and Chatot, as well as Pokemon in a higher Speed tier, such as Floatzel and Zebstrika. Chlorophyll is mostly an irrelevant ability, but it can be useful against opposing sun teams. Leaf Guard is used only if Bullet Seed is used as well because Chlorophyll is illegal in conjunction with Bullet Seed.
Usage Tips
=======
Use Leafeon to threaten and revenge kill fast(er) threats, such as Floatzel, Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, Choice Scarf Chatot, and other relatively frail offensive Pokemon. Leafeon is best used in the mid-game and late-game, primarily because it can clean late-game once its checks and counters have been weakened or removed. Leafeon can also be used somewhat in the early game, bypassing dedicated leads such as Golem, Onix, Relicanth, and Focus Sash Smeargle with the use of Bullet Seed provided it gets three or more hits. Furthermore, clicking Knock Off in the early-game can cripple or weaken Pokemon that depend on their item, paving the way for a teammate to benefit later on. For example, removing Monferno's Eviolite makes it more easily beaten by Double-Edge later on in the match, and removing Altaria's Leftovers early on gets rid of its passive recovery, forcing it to Roost more often and lose momentum. Even though Leafeon can be a good switch-in to some attacks that it resists early on, it should do so with caution to avoid getting worn down too quickly because it may need its health later on in the match to tank a hit. Additionally, although Leafeon has good physical bulk, it has mediocre special bulk, and thus it should not be switched in carelessly into special attacks, even if it resists them. Leafeon should also be careful of attempting to revenge kill Pokemon that it cannot OHKO, as it risks taking unnecessary damage back. Leafeon can click Knock Off or Leaf Blade fairly liberally, as they have few drawbacks. However, it is important to not lock Leafeon into an unfavorable move that would allow it to be set up on, such as locking it into Leaf Blade to give Sap Sipper Bouffalant and Swords Dance Monferno a free turn to set up. This can be avoided either by double switching or picking a move that would better prevent the opponent from taking advantage of Leafeon. Finally, remember that all forms of status, especially paralysis and burn, hinder Leafeon's ability to revenge kill and attack effectively.
Team Options
=======
Pokemon that appreciate Leafeon's ability to pressure and KO faster threats are good partners. This includes sweepers such as Ursaring, Ninetales, and Nasty Plot Mr. Mime. Choice Scarf Leafeon can fit nicely on bulkier and more balanced teams in need of speed control, but it also fits on offensive teams in the same manner. Leafeon is a good partner to Pokemon that are checked by Golem, such as Dodrio and Muk, as it can remove it for them. Answers to defensive stops like Mawile, Vullaby, Muk, Tangela, and Monferno are helpful, as Leafeon is unable to break through and clean opposing teams until these Pokemon are removed. Notable examples include Water-types such as Floatzel and Swanna, which threaten the Fire-, Flying- and Grass-type counters, and Ninetales and Rapidash, which threaten the Grass- and Steel-type counters. Misdreavus is a nice teammate due to its ability to cripple Fire-type checks with Thunder Wave, making them easier to deal with. Misdreavus counters and weakens opposing Bouffalant that try to prevent Leafeon from spamming Leaf Blade. It also weakens Leafeon's typical counters like Mawile, Vullaby, and Altaria with moves like Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, and Dazzling Gleam. Camerupt is another good partner, since it switches into Electric-type checks such as Zebstrika and Rotom-F, while Leafeon can handle Ground- and Water-type moves for Camerupt; Choice Specs Camerupt can even lure Altaria for Leafeon and remove it with Hidden Power Ice and generally puts a lot of offensive pressure on opposing walls. Stealth Rock support from the likes of Probopass, Golem, and specially defensive Clefairy is very helpful for Leafeon, as it limits Flying- and Fire-type checks and counters and allows Leafeon to net some important KOs, such as OHKOing Mr. Mime, which would otherwise survive one Leaf Blade from full HP.
GP: 2/2
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Double-Edge / Return
move 4: Baton Pass / Bullet Seed / X-Scissor
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Chlorophyll / Leaf Guard
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Leaf Blade is Leafeon's main STAB move, as it is its strongest move and has perfect accuracy. Knock Off is a decent coverage move that allows Leafeon to hit common Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Beheeyem and Gourgeist-XL, and it is generally useful for removing the opposing Pokemon's items such as Eviolite and Leftovers. Double-Edge provides neutral coverage on most targets that resist Grass- and Dark-type moves, such as Monferno and Vullaby, and it is even more effective when these Pokemon have already been hit with Knock Off. Return is an alternative to Double-Edge, as it does not inflict recoil at the cost of less power; however, it is important to note that Return does not 2HKO Monferno on the switch, while Double-Edge has a 93% chance to 2HKO.
The final moveslot is primarily up to team structure and preference; Baton Pass is useful for gaining momentum as the opponent switches into a counter, X-Scissor helps against Grass-types such as opposing Leafeon and Cacturne, and Bullet Seed is an option to bypass Sturdy and Focus Sash users such as Golem and Smeargle. Due to Baton Pass Clause, however, you can't have more than one Pokemon with it on a team, so if another member runs Baton Pass, Leafeon cannot. Rock Smash is also worth mentioning as a filler move if none of the other moves are needed due to the fact that it hits Pawniard super effectively.
Set Details
======
Maximum Attack investment enables Leafeon to hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature and a Choice Scarf allows Leafeon to outspeed the tier's most common Choice Scarf users, such as Rotom-F, Mr. Mime, and Chatot, as well as Pokemon in a higher Speed tier, such as Floatzel and Zebstrika. Chlorophyll is mostly an irrelevant ability, but it can be useful against opposing sun teams. Leaf Guard is used only if Bullet Seed is used as well because Chlorophyll is illegal in conjunction with Bullet Seed.
Usage Tips
=======
Use Leafeon to threaten and revenge kill fast(er) threats, such as Floatzel, Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, Choice Scarf Chatot, and other relatively frail offensive Pokemon. Leafeon is best used in the mid-game and late-game, primarily because it can clean late-game once its checks and counters have been weakened or removed. Leafeon can also be used somewhat in the early game, bypassing dedicated leads such as Golem, Onix, Relicanth, and Focus Sash Smeargle with the use of Bullet Seed provided it gets three or more hits. Furthermore, clicking Knock Off in the early-game can cripple or weaken Pokemon that depend on their item, paving the way for a teammate to benefit later on. For example, removing Monferno's Eviolite makes it more easily beaten by Double-Edge later on in the match, and removing Altaria's Leftovers early on gets rid of its passive recovery, forcing it to Roost more often and lose momentum. Even though Leafeon can be a good switch-in to some attacks that it resists early on, it should do so with caution to avoid getting worn down too quickly because it may need its health later on in the match to tank a hit. Additionally, although Leafeon has good physical bulk, it has mediocre special bulk, and thus it should not be switched in carelessly into special attacks, even if it resists them. Leafeon should also be careful of attempting to revenge kill Pokemon that it cannot OHKO, as it risks taking unnecessary damage back. Leafeon can click Knock Off or Leaf Blade fairly liberally, as they have few drawbacks. However, it is important to not lock Leafeon into an unfavorable move that would allow it to be set up on, such as locking it into Leaf Blade to give Sap Sipper Bouffalant and Swords Dance Monferno a free turn to set up. This can be avoided either by double switching or picking a move that would better prevent the opponent from taking advantage of Leafeon. Finally, remember that all forms of status, especially paralysis and burn, hinder Leafeon's ability to revenge kill and attack effectively.
Team Options
=======
Pokemon that appreciate Leafeon's ability to pressure and KO faster threats are good partners. This includes sweepers such as Ursaring, Ninetales, and Nasty Plot Mr. Mime. Choice Scarf Leafeon can fit nicely on bulkier and more balanced teams in need of speed control, but it also fits on offensive teams in the same manner. Leafeon is a good partner to Pokemon that are checked by Golem, such as Dodrio and Muk, as it can remove it for them. Answers to defensive stops like Mawile, Vullaby, Muk, Tangela, and Monferno are helpful, as Leafeon is unable to break through and clean opposing teams until these Pokemon are removed. Notable examples include Water-types such as Floatzel and Swanna, which threaten the Fire-, Flying- and Grass-type counters, and Ninetales and Rapidash, which threaten the Grass- and Steel-type counters. Misdreavus is a nice teammate due to its ability to cripple Fire-type checks with Thunder Wave, making them easier to deal with. Misdreavus counters and weakens opposing Bouffalant that try to prevent Leafeon from spamming Leaf Blade. It also weakens Leafeon's typical counters like Mawile, Vullaby, and Altaria with moves like Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, and Dazzling Gleam. Camerupt is another good partner, since it switches into Electric-type checks such as Zebstrika and Rotom-F, while Leafeon can handle Ground- and Water-type moves for Camerupt; Choice Specs Camerupt can even lure Altaria for Leafeon and remove it with Hidden Power Ice and generally puts a lot of offensive pressure on opposing walls. Stealth Rock support from the likes of Probopass, Golem, and specially defensive Clefairy is very helpful for Leafeon, as it limits Flying- and Fire-type checks and counters and allows Leafeon to net some important KOs, such as OHKOing Mr. Mime, which would otherwise survive one Leaf Blade from full HP.
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