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Thanks to its great defensive typing and amazing bulk in Shield forme combined with Toxic, Substitute, and its signature move King's Shield, Aegislash is able to annoy teams with Toxic stall while also applying offensive pressure with Shadow Ball due to its naturally high Special Attack. It can use Substitute on Pokemon that can't break through it, such as Jirachi and Celebi, and use Shadow Ball to deal damage or Toxic on a predicted switch. Toxic works well with King's Shield and Substitute to stall out the opposing Pokemon. King's Shield is also incredibly useful for scouting Choice item users such as Keldeo and Zeraora, switching to Shield forme so Aegislash can take attacks such as Shadow Ball from opposing Choice Specs Dragapult and Aegislash and OHKO them, as well as regain health with Leftovers and stall out weather. Shadow Ball threatens some common Toxic switch-ins such as Jirachi, Hatterene, and Celebi and does decent damage to Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Toxapex. Full investment in HP and Special Defense is used to maximize Aegislash's special bulk and allow it to take attacks such as Choice Specs-boosted Hydro Pump from Pelipper and unboosted Weather Ball from Venusaur in sun. Corviknight and Ferrothorn form a great defensive core with Aegislash, as they're able to cover a lot of each other's weaknesses. Aegislash can check Pokemon that threaten the other two, such as Dragapult and Choice Specs Aegislash, and provides a valuable Fighting immunity. Corviknight is able to switch in on Ground-type attacks that threaten Aegislash and check Fighting-types that annoy Ferrothorn with Brave Bird. Ferrothorn switches in on strong Water-type attacks that the other two can't take very well such as Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump, which Ferrothorn and Aegislash are able to beat thanks to their shared ability to scout its move with Protect or King's Shield. Ferrothorn also provides Leech Seed support for additional recovery and sets up entry hazards. Choice Scarf Duraludon is a good partner because it's able to revenge kill Hydreigon and is great against Dragon-type teams. Choice Scarf Excadrill is another great revenge killer and deals with threats such as Chandelure and Zeraora. Jirachi is capable of handling Keldeo thanks to its STAB Psychic, breaking Corviknight and Toxapex with the combination of Calm Mind, Psychic, and Thunderbolt, and supporting Aegislash with Healing Wish. Bisharp is a strong wallbreaker and is especially good against Psychic- and Ghost-type teams together with Aegislash.

With its amazing Special Attack in Blade forme paired with Choice Specs, Aegislash becomes a very powerful wallbreaker. STAB Shadow Ball is great, since only two types resist or are immune to it, making it very difficult to switch into, and it's able to 2HKO bulky Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Toxapex. Flash Cannon is Aegislash's secondary STAB attack and is primarily used against Pokemon weak to Steel or against Pokemon that resist or are immune to Shadow Ball such as Indeedee and Grimmsnarl. Steel Beam is Aegislash's most powerful attack at the cost of cutting half of its HP, which is why it should only be used when Aegislash needs to OHKO a threat such as omni-boosted Kommo-o or Mandibuzz. Aegislash has high Attack despite having a Modest nature, which allows it to effectively run Shadow Sneak so it can revenge kill weakened threats such as Keldeo, Chandelure, and Alolan Raichu. Stance Change is part of the reason why Aegislash is such a great wallbreaker, because it can take a hit before changing to Blade forme and use a powerful attack. Maximum investment in HP allows Aegislash to take attacks such as Choice Specs Shadow Ball from Dragapult in Shield forme due to its amazing bulk. Alternatively, maximum Speed can be used to outspeed Pokemon such as Adamant Crawdaunt and Corviknight. Aegislash should be used to wallbreak early- to mid-game and clear the way for its teammates to win. Corviknight is a great partner, as it covers Aegislash's Ground weakness and makes a great pivot to attacks that threaten Aegislash such as Indeedee's Mystical Fire and Gengar's Shadow Ball. Ferrothorn gets up entry hazards to weaken the opposing team and put them in range of Aegislash's attacks. It also works well with Aegislash in dealing with Choice Specs Keldeo, as Ferrothorn resists Water-type attacks and can scout with Protect, while Aegislash is immune to Fighting-type attacks. Ferrothorn can also support Aegislash with its Leech Seed and let it recover back some HP. Melmetal forms a very powerful offensive core with Choice Specs Aegislash, being able to break through the majority of the metagame. Choice Scarf Excadrill is a good revenge killer capable of dealing with threats such as Chandelure and Rotom-H. Bisharp works well with Aegislash in overwhelming Psychic- and Ghost-type teams and is also valuable in other matchups thanks to its ability to revenge kill threats such as Alolan Raichu, Dragapult, Venusaur in sun, and Seismitoad in rain with Sucker Punch. Choice Scarf Duraludon can revenge kill Dragon-types that Aegislash has trouble with such as Hydreigon and Dragapult. Jirachi can check Keldeo with Psychic, provide Healing Wish support for Aegislash, and run Trick Room to allow Aegislash to take advantage of its mediocre Speed. Bronzong is another option for Trick Room-oriented teams.

Sporting an excellent Steel / Ghost typing with multiple resistances and immunities with phenomenal base stats and an amazing ability, Aegislash is a dominant force on Ghost teams fulfilling its role as an excellent Swords Dance wallbreaker. Shadow Sneak should be spammed the most after setting up and can pick off weakened foes and clean late-game; it mainly assists versus Psychic teams and opposing Ghost teams. Close Combat is able to hit threats such as Ferrothorn, Steelix, and Avalugg hard. Iron Head is used to hit Fairy-types such as Grimmsnarl, which poses a huge threat to Ghost teams with priority Sucker Punch. Maximum Attack and HP investment allows Aegislash to hit as hard and be as bulky as possible to effectively activate Weakness Policy when in Shield forme, where it exhibits its sky-high defenses. Entry hazard setters such as Froslass, Runerigus, and Galarian Corsola all serve as great teammates for Aegislash, in order to help it sweep. Dragapult can break down with Choice Band or Choice Specs for Aegislash to sweep, as can Polteageist mid-game. Gengar is also a fine partner, as it can benefit from Aegislash's wallbreaking capabilities and can clean late-game. Lastly, Mimikyu can take on faster Dark-types such as Hydreigon and serves as a secondary check to Grimmsnarl.

Aegislash acts as a powerful Swords Dance wallbreaker with incredible base stats, a wonderful Ghost / Steel typing, and an amazing ability that allows it to survive powerful hits and hit back hard, making it a staple on Steel-type teams. Shadow Claw is Aegislash's main STAB move and serves to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types. Shadow Sneak serves as a STAB priority move that helps to cover its horrendous Speed stat and revenge kill weakened foes. Close Combat is used in order to hit Steel-, Rock-, and Normal-types such as Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Indeedee. Weakness Policy takes advantage of Aegislash's ability to take powerful hits and boost its Attack to help it sweep more easily. Aegislash can be used early-game to weaken the opposing team to give its teammates the capability to sweep late-game, or as a late-game sweeper with its priority move in Shadow Sneak being able to KO weakened threats. Entry hazard setters like Spikes Ferrothorn or Stealth Rock Duraludon helps Aegislash to sweep more easily late-game. Bisharp is also a good teammate, because the combination of both is very difficult for Ghost and Psychic teams to handle, as they can wear them down with their priority moves. Other late-game sweepers such as Choice Scarf Excadrill are also good partners for Aegislash, being able to clean remaining Pokemon after an Aegislash sweep. Aegislash fails to defeat Dark-type Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, so having a teammate that can take advantage of them like Bulk Up Corviknight is nice, too.

Moves King's Shield is necessary on Aegislash, allowing it to go back into Shield forme, regain its defensive stats, scout for moves, and gain an extra turn of Leftovers recovery if it's not running Iron Ball. Toxic punishes Aegislash's switch-ins like Primal Groudon, Yveltal, and Ho-Oh as well as support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water and Arceus-Fairy. Gyro Ball allows Aegislash to threaten Xerneas, dealing decent damage to it and other offensive Pokemon. Shadow Ball is used to effectively check Mega Lucario, 2HKOing it. It also chips at Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM, hits other Psychic-types for decent damage, OHKOes Lunala without Shadow Shield, and OHKOes Marshadow after Stealth Rock damage. Set Details Maximum HP and Special Defense investment is used to consistently check Xerneas. 4 Special Attack EVs allow Aegislash to 2HKO standard Double Dance Necrozma-DM after Stealth Rock damage, provided Necrozma-DM has no Weakness Policy and Aegislash outplays Necrozma-DM in a one-on-one scenario with proper use of King's Shield and Shadow Ball. A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs are used so Gyro Ball does maximum damage. Iron Ball is used to allow Aegislash to 2HKO offensive Arceus-Ground, Geomancy Xerneas, boosted Z-Geomancy Xerneas, and offensive Yveltal with Gyro Ball. Alternatively, Leftovers gives Aegislash passive recovery so it's less prone to being worn down. Usage Tips Switch Aegislash in on Pokemon it checks, such as Xerneas, Mega Lucario, Tapu Lele, and support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water. With Leftovers, Aegislash is able to gradually make up the damage it takes from unboosted Xerneas, so Aegislash can be switched into Xerneas often and without risk. Avoid taking hits in Blade forme because its defenses are very low. Repeated and predictable use of King's Shield should be avoided; if the opponent reads it, then Aegislash is vulnerable and they receive a free turn. Note that using Toxic does not make Aegislash go into Blade forme; it will stay in Shield Forme. Also note that King's Shield fails against Shadow Force; it won't block the move nor drop the user's Attack. Aegislash should avoid status effects, particularly burns, as they hinder its ability to check Xerneas. Use Toxic liberally when punishing switch-ins like Primal Groudon and support Arceus formes, as its other moves don't do much damage. Shadow Ball can be used to chip away at Aegislash's switch-ins that are immune to Toxic or have already been poisoned by it. It should also be used against Mega Lucario to discourage it from setting up. Team Options Aegislash is a specialized utility Pokemon that fits the demands of your team, so it shouldn't be built around. It should be used on teams that require a reliable defensive check to Xerneas. Pokemon that appreciate a Xerneas check include Yveltal, Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, Zygarde-C, Arceus-Dark, and Darkrai. A good Primal Groudon check is nigh mandatory because Aegislash's best way of dealing with it is Toxic. Zygarde-C, Arceus-Ground, Lugia, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Salamence can all deal with Primal Groudon. Arceus-Water is an excellent partner, as it can remove entry hazards and check Primal Groudon and other Ground- and Fire-types. In return, Aegislash is able to deal with Xerneas and powerful Psychic-type special attackers like Deoxys-A and non-Fire Blast Mewtwo. A secondary Xerneas check such as Primal Groudon or Ho-Oh is useful in order to relieve pressure off of Aegislash. Extreme Killer Arceus, Dialga, and many Dark-types appreciate Aegislash's ability to check Fighting-types . Pokemon weak to special attacking Psychic-types like some support Arceus formes, Naganadel, and Toxapex also value Aegislash. Cleric and Wish support from Xerneas, Blissey, and Clefable can keep Aegislash healthy to continue to check Xerneas. Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Giratina-O, and Rayquaza can switch into and threaten Ground-types. Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Primal Kyogre, and Tyranitar threaten Fire-types like Ho-Oh. Dark-types like Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Alolan Muk are able to deal with Ghost-types like Marshadow. Aegislash checks Mega Lucario for them in return. Xerneas, Marshadow, and Mega Lucario check Dark-types. Fairy-types like Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy also deal with Dark-types and appreciate Aegislash's ability to check Mega Lucario. Entry hazard removal from Lugia, Giratina-O, Yveltal, or a support Arceus forme is nice for allowing Aegislash to switch in more freely and often.

Substitute makes a great fit for Aegislash, as it's both difficult to break through in Shield forme and helps Aegislash maintain offensive pressure in its vulnerable Blade forme. A two-attack approach is common, although Ghost having such great neutral coverage allows Flash Cannon to be dropped for utility in the form of Wide Guard or Toxic. Not minimizing Speed is preferred on Substitute Aegislash, as this lets it use Substitute and Toxic before base 60 Speed Pokemon. Fake Out users such as Mega Kangaskhan make good teammates for this set, as they’re able to create opportunities for it to use Substitute.

Aegislash is one of the best Steel-types in the format thanks to Stance Change shifting it between extreme bulk and offensive at will. Wide Guard is often appreciated given how common spread moves are, but Shadow Sneak can be used if Aegislash's team isn't weak to them or already has a user of the move. Ghostium Z is the preferred item, as it's not reliant on a foe activating it and reduces the damage received from Knock Off. Speed is minimized to reduce the chance Aegislash has of receiving damage in its vulnerable Blade forme after attacking. Hydreigon is a good partner, as it has perfect defensive synergy with Aegislash.

Moves Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon provide great neutral coverage, with Incineroar being the only notable target that resists both and many common threats, including Mega Metagross, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Lele, taking super effective damage. Alternatively, Toxic can be used in place of Flash Cannon to wear down foes while stalling them out and provide its team an answer to slow setup Pokemon like Mega Latias or extremely bulky foes like Porygon2. Substitute takes advantage of Aegislash's sizable bulk and ability to force switches. It also solves the major shortcomings that come with a reliance on King's Shield; specifically, when behind a Substitute, Aegislash doesn't have to worry about many status moves that pass through King's Shield, and remaining in Blade forme to attack again becomes much safer. King's Shield is required to shift Aegislash into its Shield forme, both protecting it for that turn and improving its ability to take a hit until it next attacks. Set Details Aegislash's EV spread is left simple, helping it take hits and counter with a strong attack. 44 Speed EVs are used to ensure that Aegislash moves before an uninvested Gothitelle, knocking it out before Gothitelle can use one of its many supporting moves. Minimizing Speed is also an option, giving Aegislash the best chance to take hits in its bulkier Shield forme. Leftovers provides passive recovery to make up for HP lost by placing a Substitute and keeps Aegislash healthy enough to tank hits. With Tailwind support, Aegislash can instead use a Modest nature and 168 Speed EVs to outrun Tapu Koko and other base 130 Speed Pokemon in Tailwind. Usage Tips Aegislash operates best early- and mid-game as a pivot that takes hits, forces a switch, and deals respectable damage to a foe on its way in. However, if Aegislash is your primary check to a threatening Pokemon like Deoxys-A, make sure you keep it healthy enough to keep that threat in check. Watch out for slow attackers like Gastrodon, as Aegislash is unlikely to survive a super effective or strong neutral hit in Blade forme. King's Shield helps with protection there, so use it to restore Aegislash's bulk while keeping in mind that it won't protect from status moves. Use Substitute when the opponent can't break it or on a predicted switch. Team Options Aegislash easily fits onto a variety of teams, so it doesn't need much support to function well. That said, its best teammates tend to be those that match up against Fire-, Dark-, and Ground-types that are offensive checks to Aegislash, making Kyurem-B, Tapu Bulu, and Diancie solid partners. Tapu Bulu also provides more recovery and notably supports SubToxic sets that are attempting to stall out the enemy. Aegislash's ability to act as a pivot into Steel-types helps out allies like Nihilego, Mega Salamence, and Kyurem-B.

King's Shield is needed for letting Aegislash return to its shield forme and protecting it from attacks. Shadow Ball is by far Aegislash's best STAB, having the least resists. Flash Cannon works well for hitting Fairy-types like Sylveon and Tapu Bulu harder than Shadow Ball. Substitute takes advantage of physical attacker's attempts to avoid King's Shield, making Aegislash much harder to take down. Wide Guard is an excellent support move for blocking spread attacks, and Shadow Sneak lets Aegislash pick off weakened threats. Leftovers is the best choice for sets that use Substitute due to keeping Aegislash's health up. Weakness Policy can be used to get an extremely powerful attack in against the weaker super effective moves. Ghostium Z lets Aegislash deal serious damage with Z-Shadow Ball, notably OHKOing Mega Salamence. Steelium Z can be used with Z-Flash Cannon if Mega Kangaskhan is especially worrisome. A Quiet Nature and 0 Speed IVs ensures that Aegislash will underspeed Celesteela, which is important in case it uses Flamethrower. It also makes Aegislash a usable mixed attacker. If using Substitute, consider running Speed EVs and a Modest nature to outspeed Celesteela and block its Leech Seed with Substitute. Strong Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Heatran are a major problem for Aegislash, so consider pairing it with a partner that deals with either of those two well. Dark-types are also problematic for Aegislash, even though it can hit all of them hard with Flash Cannon, so partners that deal with those can also be beneficial. LandorusT is especially good, since Intimidate helps it soak attacks for Weakness Policy, and Wide Guard will let Aegislash avoid Earthquake without using King's Shield. If using Wide Guard, consider pairing Aegislash with Pokemon that have a difficult time with common spread attacks, such as Mega Charizard Y.

Moves While usually a special attacker, Aegislash can pull off surprise sweeps with Swords Dance and set up on defensive Pokemon such as Celesteela. Shadow Sneak is needed due to Aegislash's poor Speed stat, allowing Aegislash to clean up weakened teams. Iron Head gives Aegislash a strong move against Fairy-types like Tapu Bulu, but Shadow Claw is resisted by fewer Pokemon and can be used for a deadly boosted Never-Ending Nightmare if you're using Ghostium Z. Sacred Sword is Aegislash's best hope at dealing damage to Dark-types, especially if you go with Shadow Claw. It also hits Porygon2 harder than any other move. King's Shield can be used to make Aegislash more flexible at staying in. However, this does reduce coverage, which makes it not as good of a sweeper late-game. Set Details Maximum HP and Attack allow Aegislash to effectively set up Swords Dance and deal good damage. A Brave Nature with 0 Speed IVs can help against Celesteela and opposing Aegislash. However, with Adamant, Aegislash may be able to outspeed Porygon2, which is important if you have weakened it into Sacred Sword's KO range. Weakness Policy can potentially allow Aegislash to get to +4 Attack in one turn. With Ghostium Z, Aegislash can effectively break Pokemon such as Celesteela if you use Shadow Claw. Life Orb is the most reliable boosting item and lets Aegislash pick off Pokemon with Shadow Sneak more reliably before setup. Usage Tips This Aegislash is best used late-game, especially if it lacks King's Shield, since it isn't as flexible as the average Aegislash. Try to scout for Choice items. Pokemon locked into resisted moves such as Garchomp into Dragon-type attacks are what Aegislash is best at setting up on. You can also set up on weaker super effective attacks from the likes of Celesteela to at least tear open a hole for another sweeper. If Aegislash lacks King's Shield, try to get it in a situation where after you use Swords Dance, you can use Iron Head, Shadow Claw, or Sacred Swords once, since this is often Aegislash's only chance to land a powerful hit before it either has to pick the rest off with Shadow Sneak or switch out. Aegislash that lack King's Shield may also opt to play in a more hit and run style if they can't set up due to the lack of being able to go back into Shield forme. Against Celesteela you'll need only one Swords Dance to OHKO it with Ghostium Z, and +4 Attack with Shadow Claw and Weakness Policy. Life Orb will have a hard time OHKOing it without +4 Shadow Claw, since Sacred Sword is only a 12% shot at +4. Team Options Since this Aegislash relies on priority more often than usual, considering pairing it with a Tapu to get rid of Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain. Tapu Fini is a fantastic choice, since it also removes the threat of Will-O-Wisp, while Tapu Bulu makes Earthquake less of a problem. Tapu Koko also works since it can use Volt Switch or U-turn to wear down threats into Shadow Sneak's KO range. Consider pairing Aegislash with Pokemon that have trouble against Celesteela. Good examples include Mimikyu, Garchomp, and Mega Salamence. Alolan Ninetales is a cool teammate despite sharing the Fire-type weakness, since it can set up Aurora Veil to make Aegislash very difficult to KO.

Moves Substitute is awesome on Aegislash, making it very difficult to revenge kill and protecting it from status. With Toxic, Aegislash can defeat Porygon2, one of its most common checks. It also allows Aegislash to become more of a team player against defensive Pokemon. It also can cripple Mandibuzz on the switch. Despite not affecting Normal-types, Shadow Ball is still Aegislash's best STAB option due to the lack of common Pokemon that resist it. King's Shield is important for letting Aegislash return to its Shield forme, since this Aegislash tends to stay in battle longer than other sets, and lets you Toxic stall foes even more effectively. Set Details Leftovers is very important on this Aegislash, since it has no recovery otherewise. The HP EVs are designed for it to get maximum recovery from them as well. 140 Speed EVs let Aegislash outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Alolan Marowak to avoid the easy OHKO from it. This also gets the jump on Tapu Bulu that lack Speed investment, as well as many Celesteela so you can use Substitute before they target Aegislash with Leech Seed. The rest are dumped in Special Attack for decent power. If you are seriously paranoid of the rare Jolly Alolan Marowak, you can run 212 Speed EVs to outpace it. Just be warned, this results in a pretty serious loss in power. Usage Tips While switching Aegislash into resisted attacks is fine, consider getting it on after a KO. This will keep Leftovers hidden, potentially luring in Porygon2. If you see Porygon2 in Team Preview, try to cripple it with Toxic on the switch so your foe will have no time to react with a better switch-in. Try to look out for Choiced attackers, since this Aegislash is particularly effective at taking advantage of them. Be warned: unlike other Aegislash sets, this one will lose to Celesteela that have either Flamethrower or Earthquake, since Shadow Ball won't 2HKO them. Team Options Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge is awesome at making Earthquake less of an issue for Aegislash, and the extra recovery makes Aegislash an even better Toxic staller. Mandibuzz is an effective defensive teammate that can Taunt Celesteela, giving Aegislash ample time to set up. Despite sharing a Fire-type weakness, Celesteela is a very effective teammate for this Aegislash. Aegislash spreading Toxic can let Celesteela outstall foes even more easily, while its Leech Seed support keeps Aegislash alive longer. Celesteela is also a great Ground-type switch-in. Consider Pokemon that are weak to Porygon2. Mega Salamence is a fantastic idea, since it synergizes so well with Aegislash defensively, but Pokemon such as Garchomp can also work.

Moves Shadow Ball is Aegislash's main STAB attack, with very few Pokemon out there that resist it. Shadow Sneak gives Aegislash priority, allowing it to snipe weakened threats later in the game. King's Shield allows Aegislash to go back into its Shield forme and reduces the Attack of Pokemon that use contact moves against by two stages. Sacred Sword gives Aegislash coverage against Dark-types such as Mega Gyarados, Hydreigon, and the rare Incineroar. Flash Cannon is an all right secondary STAB attack that has the bonus of hitting Clefable and Tapu Bulu harder than any other move. It's also Aegislash's best move against the rare Kommo-o and Bewear. Set Details A Quiet nature with maximum HP and Special Attack investment allows Aegislash to become an effective bulky attacker. 4 Special Defense EVs are used so that Download Porygon2 gets an Attack boost instead of a Special Attack boost. Running 0 Speed IVs is recommended, as this ensures that Aegislash is always slower than Celesteela, which can seriously wound Aegislash if it's in Blade forme. This also gives you the best chance to win in Aegislash mirror matchups, being able to take Shadow Ball and KO the foe back. Weakness Policy is extremely effective on Aegislash, letting it take advantage of its great bulk and specific weaknesses (especially when used in Grassy Terrain against Earthquake). Ghostium Z gives Aegislash an attack that is slightly more powerful than a +2 Shadow Ball. While Never-Ending Nightmare can only be used once, it can surprise foes that avoid landing super effective hits on Aegislash early for fear of Weakness Policy. Usage Tips This Aegislash often works well when used in a hit-and-run manner: switch it into a Pokemon it checks such as Tapu Lele or Pheromosa, and switch out after your opponent switches in their Aegislash check. Don't feel pressured to stay in and use King's Shield if switching out gives you a bigger advantage. If you opt to save Aegislash for later in the game, it becomes far less risky to take advantage of Weakness Policy, since you may know if foes like Garchomp have an Attack-boosting item or not. Although a bit risky, consider attacking setup sweepers such Garchomp if you see that they have an opening to sweep you, since opponents will often attempt to use your King's Shield turn as a setup opportunity. Team Options Since Aegislash is a bulky attacker, focusing on Pokemon that resist its major weaknesses to Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark is a good idea. Mega Salamence provides a valuable switch-in to Fire- and Ground-type attacks, while Aegislash easily switches into Ice-, Dragon-, and Rock-type attacks. Gyarados and Mega Gyarados are also good options due to resisting Fire and either of Ground-type attacks and Ghost- and Dark-type attacks. Mega Gyarados in particular can set up on Pokemon that take advantage of Aegislash such as Garchomp after one Intimidate. While they share a Fire-type weakness, Tapu Bulu should be seriously considered as a teammate, since its Grassy Terrain will remove Garchomp's ability to effectively check Aegislash! Tapu Fini can take care of Hydreigon and offer status immunity, while Aegislash is perfect against Poison-type attacks. It can also surprise Celesteela by using Nature's Madness + Waterium Z on an offensive set. A Hydreigon of your own resists all of Aegislash's weaknesses, while Aegislash resists all of Hydreigon's weaknesses. Although they offer little defensive synergy beyond a Dark-type resistance, Fighting-types such as Buzzwole, Pheromosa, and Mega Lucario can help keep Porygon2 at bay. Surprise users of Toxic such as Garchomp and Celesteela are also a big help against Porygon2. Aegislash can be used as a lure to defeat Ground-types (most Ground-type Pokemon will not OHKO Aegislash without an offensive boost of some kind) so that Tapu Koko can sweep more easily.

Moves King's Shield allows Aegislash to regain its solid defensive stats and scout for moves. An added benefit is that King's Shield can drop an opposing Pokemon's Attack if they use a contact move. Gyro Ball is the most powerful move Aegislash can use against offensive Xerneas. Toxic is used to spread consistent damage and punish switch-ins. Pursuit is used to trap Pokemon such as Latias and Deoxys-A, but can also help prevent team members from being sniped by Mega Gengar. If your team doesn't require Pursuit support, then Shadow Sneak can be used as priority or as a method of KOing weakened sweepers. Set Details A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs are used so that Gyro Ball does maximum damage. Maximum HP and Special Defense investment is so that Aegislash can fulfill its primary purpose of checking Geomancy Xerneas. The remaining EVs are thrown into Defense to help soften physical attacks. Leftovers is used so that Aegislash has a reliable method of recovering HP. Usage Tips Try not to switch in too aggressively against offensive Xerneas, as smart players will wear Aegislash down until it cannot check the Geomancy set. Use Toxic liberally, as it is the only move Aegislash has to punish switch-ins. Try not to take any hits in Blade forme, as its defenses are very low. However, don't use King's Shield too often; if the opponent predicts it, then they receive a free turn. Also remember that King's Shield fails against Shadow Force and its users will neither suffer the Attack drop nor have their attack blocked. Status effects, especially burns, compromise Aegislash's ability to check Xerneas, so it is best to avoid them. Try Pursuit trapping Latios, Latias, Mega Gengar, and Deoxys-A, but be careful if the opponent has both a Xerneas and one of the aforementioned threats, as this can lead to Aegislash becoming too weak to prevent Xerneas sweeping. Team Options Clerics such as Xerneas and Clefable can help cure status effects for Aegislash, while Aegislash can Pursuit trap threats such as Mega Gengar for them. Clefable can also provide Wish support, while both Xerneas and Clefable can help check Yveltal for Aegislash. A solid Primal Groudon check is a must, as all Aegislash can do to punish it is to Toxic Primal Groudon on the switch. Lugia and Arceus-Ground can both take on Primal Groudon and Defog away entry hazards. Other options for entry hazard removal include Giratina-O and Tentacruel, while Mega Diancie's Magic Bounce ability can help prevent entry hazards going up altogether. Last but not least, remember that Aegislash is a utility Pokemon that should fit the needs of your team and so should not be built around.

Moves King's Shield is a must on all sets to allow Aegislash to capitalize on both its offensive and defensive stats. The move also allows Aegislash to halve an opponent's Attack when it is hit by a contact move. Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are this set's main attacking moves. Shadow Sneak allows Aegislash to finish off faster weakened opponents, though the move is risky as it changes Aegislash into Blade forme at the start of the turn. Aegislash can run Sacred Sword instead, allowing it to attain perfect coverage in tandem with its Ghost-type moves. Set Details A Quiet nature and 0 Speed IVs ensure that Aegislash will usually move last, allowing it to tank an attack in Shield forme. Maximum investment in HP and Special Attack allows Aegislash to take many of the common super effective hits in the format and hit back hard with a boosted move. For example, Aegislash can survive a Sucker Punch from both Mega Mawile and Mega Kangaskhan as well as a Crunch or Dark Pulse from Tyranitar. After Weakness Policy is activated, Aegislash can utilize a +2 Flash Cannon or Shadow Ball to take down many of the most common Pokemon in the format and finish off weakened threats with Shadow Sneak. On the other hand, Lum Berry can be run to shield Aegislash from a status move, giving it slightly more room for error with King's Shield. Usage Tips Aegislash is effective in all stages of the game due to its huge bulk and high offensive stats. This being said, Aegislash should not be brought in prematurely, as although it is bulky, it cannot shrug off multiple super effective or boosted hits. Once certain threats have been taken care of, Aegislash can run rampant through the opposing team. As a result, you will often find that Aegislash is most useful late in the game. However, if you think that the opposing team cannot deal with Aegislash, it can function as a devastating lead, severely denting opposing Pokemon and allowing the rest of your team to clean up later. Team Options Aegislash needs Fire- and Ground-types to be taken down before it can function successfully. Because of this, Rotom-W, Tyranitar, and Garchomp are very good partners, as they all have good bulk and can take down the Pokemon that threaten it. Fighting-types such as Scrafty, Mienshao, and Conkeldurr are also good partners that can take on Dark-types.

Moves This is Aegislash's most common set, and for good reason, as it isn't completely dependent on using King's Shield every other turn. When behind a Substitute, Aegislash can attack on multiple turns in succession, and by correctly using King's Shield, it can maintain Substitute due to its great natural bulk. The attacking moves on this set are Aegislash's two main special STAB options. Running a fully special set might be advisable due to the omnipresence of Will-O-Wisp and Intimidate to check many of this generation's biggest threats, thereby limiting their impact on Aegislash. Set Details Maximum investment in HP allows Aegislash in Shield forme to take just about any move other than a STAB super effective hit, while the Special Attack EVs grant it more power. A Quiet nature boosts the strength of Aegislash's special moves and lowers its Speed, allowing it to attack after the opponent and tank hits in Shield forme. Leftovers improves Aegislash's longevity and can potentially allow it to get more than four Substitutes or stop it being 2HKOed. However, Aegislash can also run Weakness Policy to pick up extra KOs at +2. Usage Tips This set plays best towards the end of the match, as once Aegislash's checks and counters are removed, it can win matches by itself thanks to its great natural bulk. An ideal point to set up a Substitute is when facing Pokemon whose only means to hit Aegislash is with Sucker Punch, as this means it can get up a free Substitute unhindered. When Aegislash is behind a Substitute, King's Shield should still be used to weaken physical attackers and maintain the Substitute when appropriate, though it cannot be used twice in a row. Team Options Aegislash's main weaknesses to Fire- and Ground-type attacks are well covered by Garchomp and Rotom-W. Garchomp is better at clearing the field for Aegislash to come in later, as using Earthquake is counterproductive due to Aegislash's Steel typing. However, Rock Slide is very useful when it comes to removing Charizard from the field. Rotom-W supports Aegislash by weakening physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and taking on many of its checks and counters with Hydro Pump and Thunderbolt. Dual screens support makes this set very hard to take down, as few attacks can break Aegislash's Substitute when it is in Shield forme. Dual screens also help to turn attacks from OHKOs and 2HKOs into 2HKOs or 3HKOs, respectively. Mega Kangaskhan has good offensive synergy with Aegislash, and can use Fake Out to help it set up a Substitute with greater ease.

Moves Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are Aegislash's STAB attacks and complement each other well, only really missing out on Bisharp. Unfortunately, they have very little super effective coverage; Aegislash will pick up many 2HKOs, but very few OHKOs. Wide Guard is a spectacular support move to protect Aegislash's partners from Rock Slide, Diamond Storm, and, less frequently, Earthquake, Hyper Voice, and Heat Wave. It also has the nifty property of making Landorus-T unable to come in on Aegislash, especially if it lacks Stone Edge. Beware of the rarer Knock Off Landorus-T, but it does activate Weakness Policy. Substitute is an option over Wide Guard to take advantage of Aegislash's ability to force switches and to prevent Amoonguss from putting it to sleep, but Wide Guard is typically more useful. Besides, Aegislash doesn't want to dent its own HP because it wants to stay out of the KO range of super effective moves. All Aegislash should have King's Shield because Protect is already great and Blade forme cannot take hits. Set Details Aegislash doesn't need much more complicated investment than maximum HP and Special Attack. With less Special Attack, Aegislash loses the chance to OHKO Kangaskhan at +2, which is pretty important. Because Aegislash mirrors are fairly common, everyone does their own thing with Speed. Some minimize it fully to get the second hit on other Aegislash (to hit while the opposing Aegislash is in Blade forme), others use 4 Speed Modest to get the first hit (even Shield forme Aegislash can take up to 80%), and others use 84 Speed on a Tailwind team to get the jump on offensive Thundurus. In general, less Speed is good so that Aegislash can take more hits in Shield forme, but you should make your own decision based on your team's needs. Weakness Policy takes advantage of Aegislash's ability to take super effective attacks fairly well by providing it with a boost to attacking stats. A useful alternative is Life Orb, which provides Aegislash constant high damage output, useful for securing KOs at the cost of compromising its bulk. Safety Goggles is another item option, allowing Aegislash to counter Breloom, Venusaur, and Amoonguss, but it is useless in all other matchups. Usage Tips This set is mostly used as a pivot, switching in on threats, forcing them out, and taking a chunk out of something with one of its STAB attacks. Weakness Policy is used to discourage the opponent from attacking Aegislash with a super effective move that won't KO, which greatly extends Aegislash's lifespan by forcing the opponent to use non-super effective attacks to whittle Aegislash down first before taking it out. As such, it's recommended to keep Aegislash at high enough HP to keep the threat effective. Some important benchmarks are 55% for Mega Diancie's or Kyurem-B's Earth Power, 65% for Heatran's Heat Wave, and 75% for Mega Kangaskhan's Sucker Punch. If your opponent does activate Weakness Policy, something is probably going to faint every time Aegislash attacks, so you should focus on making its rampage last as long as possible. If Aegislash is running Life Orb, it works fairly well at greatly denting foes for teammates to clean up later. Typically this set is used early- and mid-game to keep momentum in your favor and won't survive to the end of the match, though you of course should keep it around if you're relying on it to check a specific threat such as Mega Metagross. Team Options More than anything, this Aegislash is spectacular with Pokemon that need help with Diancie, such as Mega Charizard Y and Kyurem-B. Honestly, though, it fits on most teams because of its all-around utility. It is awkward on Tailwind teams though, as it will be exposed in Blade forme much more often. This set is great on balanced teams which emphasize defensive synergy, especially if they include fast sleep, redirection, or Fake Out, which are all useful for extending its +2 rampages. More offensive teams would probably prefer Life Orb Aegislash.

Moves Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon provide Aegislash with two-move coverage that hits every relevant Pokemon except Bisharp neutrally. Substitute and King's Shield is a classic cleaning wall combination; alternating between the moves with attacks thrown in allows Aegislash to live forever if the Pokemon which can beat it one-on-one are eliminated. Substitute also helps to patch up King's Shield's inability to block status moves, though Aegislash is still vulnerable to Encore and Taunt. In addition, Aegislash can use Substitute along with its ability to force switches earlier in the game to play around its usual switch-ins. Wide Guard is an option that can be used in conjunction with Substitute in order utilize the both the longevity of the Substitute set with the support utility of the Wide Guard set. Set Details Leftovers is vital for healing so that Aegislash can fulfill its role as a win condition via Substitute + King's Shield stalling. No more complex investment than maximum Special Attack and HP is necessary; even this comparatively bulky Aegislash is useful for hitting hard. Because Aegislash mirrors are fairly common, everyone does their own thing with Speed. In general, less Speed is good so that Aegislash can take more hits in Shield forme, but this set wants to win the mirror matchup because it has the ability to use Substitute on the opposing Aegislash and bait it into Blade forme or fish for King's Shields. How much creep you run is up to you. Usage Tips This set's main role is to serve as a win condition, cleaning the opponent's team after its counters are removed, simply by being unkillable. Early game, it can be used to blast the opponent's team with powerful Ghost-type moves and check some threats, but be sure to keep it healthy if it's likely to be your win condition. Team Options More defensive teams, which enjoy Aegislash's defensive traits but typically suffer from a lack of clear win conditions, will get the most mileage out of this set. Of course, this set needs support, and it only works on teams which are adept at clearing out its checks, which is to say Fire-, Ground-, Dark-, and strong Water-type move users. As basically all of these types are fairly popular in the metagame, this set is quite difficult to use; most teams will be better off with the tank set instead. However, it is still viable if the team is able to support it.

Moves Shadow Ball gives Aegislash a good, powerful STAB move that hits most threats neutrally and for good damage. King's Shield allows Aegislash to regain its very good defenses and provides it with an extra turn of Leftovers recovery. Flash Cannon can be used over King's Shield to check Fairy-types, but Shadow Ball usually does enough damage. Shadow Sneak picks off weakened foes and is useful for its priority. Finally, Sacred Sword hits the Dark- and Normal-types that will switch in on Aegislash's Ghost-type moves. Set Details Maximum Special Attack gives Aegislash as much power as possible, while maximum HP adds a significant amount of bulk. A Quiet nature is used to boost the power of Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon if it is used, and 0 Speed IVs allow Aegislash to underspeed the majority of the metagame and take hits in Shield forme. Leftovers is the item of choice for more durability, which is one of Aegislash's advantages over Doublade, and allows Aegislash to tank more hits while in Shield forme. Weakness Policy is an alternative that takes advantage of Aegislash going last and taking hits in Shield forme by giving a huge boost to its attacking stats if it's hit with a super effective move. However, this means Aegislash will go down much quicker, effectively eliminating one of its main advantages over Doublade. An alternate spread of 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpA allows Aegislash to hit harder with Sacred Sword and Shadow Sneak but decreases Aegislash's bulk significantly. Usage Tips Aegislash is best used as a pivot, as it is able to switch in on moves that it resists and fire off strong hits in return. It can also be used as a late-game cleaner due to its high attacking stats. To get Aegislash in safely, bring it in on resisted hits, on passive walls, or with the use of a slow Volt Switch or U-turn. Try to use King's Shield cautiously, as the opponent will very easily catch on and play around Aegislash. If it is needed to check something, make sure Aegislash isn't worn down too much, as the Pokemon it can check are all very powerful. It can wallbreak reasonably well, as it has a lot of raw power. Team Options Due to its unique properties, Aegislash fits best on balanced teams that can make use of both its offensive and defensive capabilities. Goodra and Latios can counter special Fire-types such as Moltres. They can also weaken the opposition for Aegislash, enabling it to come in and clean up, while Aegislash can switch in on the Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type moves that they detest. Strong and fast attackers such as Shaymin-S, Latios, Victini, and Tornadus-T are very helpful, as they soften up Aegislash's potential switch-ins, such as RegenVest users like Goodra and Meloetta, while also luring in priority move users such as Lucario, Genesect, Braviary, and Staraptor, giving Aegislash a free opportunity to switch in. Entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-S, whose blistering Speed makes it all but guaranteed to set up entry hazards, and Ferrothorn, which, due to having Flash Fire, is able to counter problematic Fire-types such as Victini and Moltres or at least cripple them with Knock Off, allowing Aegislash to secure OHKOs on important threats such as Chansey. In turn, Aegislash can block Rapid Spin, keeping entry hazards up. Even though Aegislash is immune to Toxic Spikes and has a Stealth Rock resistance, it appreciates entry hazard removal, as the residual damage can offset Leftovers recovery; therefore, Pokemon that can remove entry hazards, either with Defog or with Rapid Spin, such as Latias, which can switch in on Ground-type moves, and Tentacruel and Mega Blastoise, which can reliably switch in on Fire-type moves, work well with Aegislash. Wish passers such as Chansey and Vaporeon can keep Aegislash healthy with Wish and Heal Bell. Because Aegislash can counter Poison Heal Snorlax, Pokemon that are countered by Snorlax, such as Genesect and Shaymin-S, make for good teammates.

Moves Prankster Parting Shot lets Aegislash switch out of and weaken threats without getting hit. It also lets Aegislash force out Magic Bounce users they can attack or use support moves. U-turn can be used instead so that Aegislash can switch after faster Pokemon to gain more momentum. When used directly after a Prankster Destiny Bond, Aegislash is almost guaranteed to take down the attacker or get a free switch, since Destiny Bond stays active until Aegislash uses U-turn. Recover increases Aegislash's longevity, and Topsy-Turvy inverts the foe's boosts to prevent sweeps, but it is blocked by Substitute. Destiny Bond lets Aegislash sacrifice itself to eliminate a threat, such as a boosted Pokemon. Encore locks opposing Pokemon into a move, catching Substitute and setup sweepers with Prankster. It also stops a Pokemon trying to stall out Destiny Bond's PP by using non-attacking moves, and it can lock Pokemon into moves that are ineffective against Aegislash, like Fighting- and Normal-type moves and -ate Fake Out. Spore puts opposing Pokemon to sleep, but it is ineffective against foes behind a Substitute, those carrying Safety Goggles, or those with Magic Bounce or Poison Heal (after Toxic Orb has activated). Set Details Safety Goggles is the preferred item, especially if Spore is used, as it prevents Aegislash from being affected by Spore from Imposter and Magic Bounce Pokemon and also other Pokemon, like Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza. Leftovers alternatively provides a little passive recovery. A Careful nature and maximized special bulk let Aegislash better take strong special attacks like Mega Rayquaza's Aerilate-boosted Boomburst. Usage Tips Parting Shot should be used against Pokemon that Aegislash can't wall if its other moves are ineffective against them. However, it is better to scout for potential Contrary users before using this move, as they can gain boosts from it. If a switch to a Soundproof, Magic Bounce, or Contrary user is predicted, it is better to switch normally. In addition, it is good to use to force out Magic Bounce Pokemon before they can attack or use support moves like Recover and Defog. U-turn should be used if a switch is predicted or to safely bring in another Pokemon. Recover should be used whenever Aegislash is low on health. Topsy-Turvy should be used against boosted Pokemon, provided they aren't behind a Substitute or have the ability Magic Bounce. Destiny Bond is a last-resort move and should only be used when the opposing Pokemon is a large threat to your team and cannot be walled. It has low PP, though, and it is important to try to predict whether or not your foe will attack or not before using it if not carrying Encore. Encore should be used if the opposing Pokemon has just used a status move or one that is ineffective against Aegislash to stop it from doing something else. It also suffers from having low PP and should be conserved if not necessary. Spore should be used against Pokemon that do not have a status condition, a Substitute, Magic Bounce, or Safety Goggles. Team Options Yveltal and Mega Audino are great teammates, as they can take the Dark- and Ghost-type attacks that Aegislash can't, like Knock Off and Spooky Plate Judgment. Physical walls like Giratina and Mega Slowbro, especially with Fur Coat, are useful for switching into strong Fire- and Ground-type attackers, like Primal Groudon and Mega Garchomp. Bulky attackers and walls all appreciate the Attack and Special Attack drops Parting Shot gives, while frail attackers can make use of U-turn to be brought in safely.

Moves Will-O-Wisp spreads burns, crippling physical attackers and chipping away at the health of opposing Pokemon. It can be used without reserve because Flash Fire prevents Magic Bounce and Imposter Pokemon from using it against you. Recover keeps Aegislash healthy so it can continue to function as a wall. Whirlwind is useful for phazing sweepers, especially those behind a Substitute. Topsy-Turvy can be used instead to invert the foe's boosts, which is better against setup sweepers and Contrary users without Substitute. Baton Pass lets Aegislash pivot out, gaining momentum, but also pass along harmful effects like Leech Seed and Parting Shot stat drops. U-turn can be used instead so Aegislash isn't shut down by Taunt, but it can be blocked by Protect and make Aegislash susceptible to Rocky Helmet damage. Parting Shot is another option that weakens attackers, but creates a problem if the opponent is carrying a Contrary user and is also blocked by Soundproof and Magic Bounce Pokemon. This does give it the use of phazing Magic Bounce sweepers, which cannot be phazed by Whirlwind or hit with Topsy-Turvy. Entrainment is an alternative option that replaces the opposing Pokemon's ability, stopping Poison Heal, -ate, and Contrary users. Set Details The given EVs and nature maximize Aegislash's special bulk so that it can take strong special attacks like -ate Boomburst and Psycho Boost more comfortably. If preferred, Aegislash can invest in Defense instead, since many moves it is weak to, like Knock Off and Thousand Arrows, are physical. A Speed-decreasing nature lets Aegislash move after other Aegislash so it can gain momentum more consistently when using Baton Pass. Flash Fire covers Aegislash's Fire-type weakness, letting it counter common Contrary sets and -ate users with Fire-type coverage. It also renders Aegislash immune to Will-O-Wisp, so Imposter and Magic Bounce users can't use the move against it. Safety Goggles ensures that Aegislash isn't hit by Spore, while Leftovers provides a little passive recovery. Usage Tips Aegislash can switch into attackers whose STAB attacks it resists, although it is advised to scout for coverage moves that could KO it first. Recover should be used often to keep Aegislash healthy, especially since powerful attacks like Mega Rayquaza's Aerilate Boomburst and Draco Meteor deal lots of damage. Use Whirlwind against Pokemon behind a Substitute or setup sweepers. Topsy-Turvy should be used against Pokemon that have already boosted. Use Baton Pass when a switch is predicted or to safely bring in another Pokemon. If using Parting Shot, scout for potential Contrary users first, as they can gain boosts from it. If a switch to a Soundproof, Magic Bounce, or Contrary user is predicted, it is better to switch normally. Entrainment can be used against Poison Heal or Contrary Pokemon to nullify their abilities and force them out. Will-O-Wisp can be safely spammed to cripple physical attackers and damage other Pokemon due to its high PP and Aegislash's immunity to it, but using it gives away Aegislash's ability. Team Options Yveltal and Mega Audino are good partners, as they can easily take the Ghost- and Dark-type attacks that Aegislash is weak to, like Knock Off and Spooky Plate Judgment. Physical walls like Mega Audino and Giratina, especially with Fur Coat, can handle physical Ground-type attackers like Mega Garchomp and Primal Groudon. Giratina can also take Mold Breaker Fire-type attacks. Frail wallbreakers and sweepers like Mega Gengar also synergize well with Aegislash, and they can capitalize on the slow pivots it can provide.

Moves Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are Aegislash's main STAB moves, though Sacred Sword can be used over Flash Cannon to hit Hydreigon and Bisharp more effectively. Substitute protects Aegislash from status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave, while Wide Guard provides support to it and its teammates by protecting them from spread attacks such as Hyper Voice, Earthquake, Rock Slide, and Heat Wave. King's Shield is necessary, as it lets Aegislash alter back to its Shield Forme after it attacks. Set Details If Aegislash is running Substitute, then it will need Leftovers so that it can slowly recover the HP lost; however, if this is not the case, then choosing to run a Weakness Policy will apply more offensive pressure. At +2, Aegislash will force the opponent to concentrate on it rather than its teammate. The EVs used are simple, investing completely into HP and Special Attack. With Weakness Policy, 156 Special Defense EVs can also be used to allow Aegislash to survive a Choice Specs-boosted Dark Pulse from Modest Hydreigon, and after the boost, Aegislash has a high chance of OHKOing Hydreigon with Flash Cannon. A Quiet nature and minimum Speed investment help Aegislash be the slowest Pokemon on the field so that it can tank hits in its Shield Forme, although you may tinker with the IVs so that it can outspeed certain threats. Usage Tips When not threatened, Aegislash should always use Substitute so that the opponent will be pressured to remove its Substitute. Try to stay in Shield Forme as long as possible so that Aegislash can utilize its base 150 defenses, but using a Substitute can give Aegislash some free turns to attack. Wide Guard is an excellent move to use when playing against Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Landorus-T, which have multi-target moves. Please note that Aegislash can successfully spam Wide Guard, but using King's Shield right after could result in failing. Team Options Dragon- and Flying-type Pokemon synergize well with Aegislash as it resists Rock-, Dragon-, and Fairy-type attacks, while the Dragon-types resist Fire, and Flying-types are immune to Ground. Terrakion is a great partner because it beats Dark- and Fire-types, while Wide Guard can allow it to avoid being hit by Hyper Voice and Earthquake. Pokemon that are weak to spread moves appreciate Wide Guard support, and are therefore great teammates. Fake Out users can give Aegislash an opportunity to set up a Substitute. Fairy-types are good partners for Aegislash because they can take on the Dark-types that threaten it, and Aegislash resists Steel while also being immune to Poison.

Moves Shadow Ball is Aegislash's main STAB move, and Flash Cannon hits Fairy-types hard. Shadow Sneak helps pick off foes if Aegislash has a +2 boost or if they are really weakened, while Sacred Sword hits most Dark-types for super effective damage. King's Shield is necessary, as it lets Aegislash alter back to its Shield Forme after it attacks. Set Details For a more offensive Aegislash, a simple EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA should be used, but again, 156 Special Defense EVs let Aegislash survive a Choice Specs-boosted Dark Pulse from Modest Hydreigon. A Weakness Policy is chosen as the main item because it gives a +2 boost to Aegislash's offensive stats if it is hit by a super effective attack. However, a Life Orb can be used for an instant 30% boost in power to its attacks without having to risk being KOed by a super effective attack. A Spooky Plate gives a 20% boost in power to Aegislash's Ghost-type attacks, and is another nice option because it will be using Shadow Ball most of the time, but it is generally inferior to Weakness Policy or Life Orb because it doesn't power up anything else other than the former and Shadow Sneak. 0 IVs in Speed help Aegislash be the slowest Pokemon on the field so that it can tank hits and retaliate with a strong attack, but again, tinkering with the IVs may allow it to outspeed certain threats. Usage Tips With Sacred Sword, Aegislash fears Dark-types less, but should still stay in Shield Forme to tank hits. Use Flash Cannon to threaten Fairy-types. If you opt to use a Weakness Policy, try to bait super effective attacks onto Aegislash so that it can get a +2 boost to both of its offensive stats, allowing it to KO foes more reliably. Without Wide Guard, be more aware of attacks such as Earthquake and Heat Wave, and it is important to stay in Shield Forme often, as this specific Aegislash doesn't have Substitute. Team Options Dragon- and Flying-type Pokemon synergize well with Aegislash, as it resists Rock-, Dragon-, and Fairy-type attacks, while the Dragon-types resist Fire, and Flying-types are immune to Ground. Terrakion is a great partner because it beats Dark- and Fire-type Pokemon that threaten Aegislash. Pokemon that can't quite pick up KOs are helped by Aegislash because Shadow Sneak finishes off the foe. Redirection support helps prevent Sucker Punch from hitting Aegislash. Fairy-types make for good partners for Aegislash because they can take on the Dark-types that threaten it, and Aegislash resists Steel and is immune to Poison.

Moves This Aegislash can work as an excellent lure if used correctly. Substitute and Toxic allow Aegislash to beat one of its usual checks, Porygon2, while generally working wonderfully against many Aegislash switch-ins, preventing them from statusing Aegislash or setting up on it as it switches out. King's Shield further complements these two moves, doing a good job of giving Aegislash an extra turn to stall for Toxic damage and Leftovers recovery, in addition to the usual Shield forme switching. Shadow Ball has good coverage alone, being able to do serious damage to any Pokemon that isn't a Dark- or Normal-type, and can give Aegislash the edge against opposing Aegislash, but its inability to hit Normal-types can give Aegislash problems against Mega Lopunny and Mega Kangaskhan. If your team can't afford to Toxic stall them and carry another switch-in, consider Flash Cannon instead; it does plenty of damage to Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Lopunny and still has the same Base Power as Shadow Ball, though Flash Cannon unfortunately is resisted by many Pokemon and puts Aegislash at a disadvantage against other Aegislash. Set Details A Modest nature with maximum HP and Special Attack investment gives Aegislash good bulk and attacking power. 4 Speed EVs let Aegislash outspeed opposing base 60 Speed Pokemon such as Porygon2, Clefable, and Sylveon. This lets Aegislash use Substitute and Toxic before one of the aforementioned Pokemon, giving it an easier time against them without having to risk the Speed tie. A Modest nature is preferred, as with Substitute, Aegislash can play mind games against slower Aegislash and possibly come out on top with Shadow Ball. However, since Aegislash will often find itself stalling for time, you can opt to use Timid with maximum HP and Speed instead. While this makes Aegislash less of an offensive force, it allows Aegislash to outspeed Adamant Breloom and use Substitute before it can put Aegislash to sleep. If using Flash Cannon, you can use a Quiet nature with a 0 Speed IV to at least have a shot of doing good damage to opposing Blade forme Aegislash with Flash Cannon. Leftovers is the preferred item, as in tandem with King's Shield and Substitute, it makes Aegislash extra tough to take down. However, Air Balloon is notable for allowing Aegislash a shot at completely walling some Mega Kangaskhan and forcing Ground-type checks into a very uncomfortable situation if you manage to get Substitute up while still carrying an Air Balloon. Usage Tips Try being coy with this Aegislash set. While it may be tempting to immediately switch Aegislash into Porygon2, this tends to make your opponent suspicious of Aegislash's set. Switch Aegislash into Pokemon it usually switches into, such as Cresselia and Mega Heracross. This can lead to your opponent switching Porygon2 in on a well-timed Toxic or Substitute or shock more offensive switch-ins with a Substitute. This Aegislash in particular can be good at taking advantage of Choice-locked Pokemon. Pay attention to items such as Choice Scarf, as an opponent locked into a wrong move gives Aegislash the perfect time to set up Substitute. Outrage is an especially good candidate here, giving Aegislash time to set up Substitute and attack. Team Options Since this Aegislash set is based around luring your opponent, it's essential to pair Aegislash with Pokemon that appreciate Porygon2 and other defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Mandibuzz being weakened. Garchomp and Mega Salamence excellent teammates in this case: they appreciate Aegislash's ability to deal with Cresselia and Porygon2, while Aegislash benefits from the opportunities to switch into Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type attacks. Other offensive Pokemon burdened by Porygon2 such as Mega Kangaskhan and Greninja also work well with this Aegislash. While this Aegislash makes a great Porygon2 lure, having good Porygon2 checks is still a good idea, because lacking any can make your opponent suspicious about your strategy, potentially leading him/her choosing a better trio of Pokemon. Fighting types such as Blaziken, Mega Lopunny, and Terrakion make good choices here, since these 3 Pokemon benefit from Aegislash eliminating Cresselia.

Moves While Aegislash is generally more dangerous as a special attacker, a physically based variant does have some advantages, such as a stronger Shadow Sneak that can more easily pick off weakened Pokemon and clean up battle-weary teams. Sacred Sword complements Shadow Sneak perfectly, hitting Normal-types and Ferrothorn hard. As a final offensive move, Iron Head is a fine choice. While many Pokemon resist it, Iron Head is Aegislash's strongest attack against most Pokemon that don't. If you're more worried about opposing Aegislash, Shadow Claw can take them out earlier than Shadow Sneak can. King's Shield gives Aegislash more chances at staying in by reverting it back to its Shield forme. Swords Dance is the high-risk, high-reward option; while Aegislash isn't a particularly potent sweeper on its own, Swords Dance can dramatically boost its cleaning power late-game, giving your team a new potential win condition at the cost of being forced to switch out more often. Finally, King's Shield and Swords Dance together can be a particularly dangerous foe to face late-game, due to having potent cleaning power and being hard to take down. However, this causes Aegislash's utility early in the game to suffer, as losing Iron Head or Shadow Claw makes KOing bulkier threats much more difficult for Aegislash. Set Details An Adamant nature with maximum HP and Attack investment gives Aegislash the picking-off power it needs, in addition to a good amount of bulk. 4 Special Defense EVs deny Porygon2 a Special Attack boost from Download. If you want to take advantage of the Shield forme more often, consider a Brave nature and a Speed IV of 0. Life Orb and Weakness Policy are both great options on this Aegislash. Life Orb shows more immediate benefits of Aegislash's increased physical power, allowing Shadow Sneak to have an 81% chance of OHKOing minimum HP Mega Gengar, allowing Sacred Sword to OHKO Mega Kangaskhan switch-ins, and allowing a boosted Sacred Sword to OHKO Ferrothorn. Life Orb is also the safer option for getting Swords Dance Aegislash to reliably snap weakened teams in half. The power of Weakness Policy is undeniable, though. Weakness Policy can gives your Aegislash new opportunities to slice through a weakened team without using Swords Dance. Additionally, Weakness Policy gives Aegislash a better shot of beating many healthier Pokemon one-on-one such as Garchomp. Usage Tips The key to using physical Aegislash is to try saving it until later in the game, where it has a better shot of slicing and dicing a team apart. This is especially true if you plan on using Swords Dance, as using Swords Dance on Aegislash early in the game usually ends poorly. This isn't to say that physically based Aegislash is useless in tough early-game situations, though, so don't be afraid to bring Aegislash out earlier if you think it will win you the game. However, if you find yourself using Aegislash a lot earlier in the game often, consider using the special attacker Aegislash set instead. Also, note that Intimidate users such as Landorus-T, Gyarados, and Salamence can torpedo Aegislash's chances of sweeping a team, so setting up when these threats are around is generally not a good idea unless your opponent's team is sufficiently weakened. An important warning to consider: this Aegislash is extremely vulnerable to Will-O-Wisp, so King's Shield is not as safe of an option versus defensive threats as it usually is. Team Options Even with maximum Attack investment, Aegislash can still have a habit of barely missing out on important KOs with Shadow Sneak. Providing support in the form of residual damage can aid Aegislash in becoming a particularly potent cleaner versus offensive teams. Will-O-Wisp can work wonders, giving Aegislash new opportunities to set up, in addition to neutering some of Aegislash's checks. Rotom-W, Talonflame, and Gengar / Mega Gengar are all teammates to consider. Toxic, while not quite as potent as Will-O-Wisp, can still wear opponents down, and it offers a much wider amount of Pokemon to choose from. If your teammate needs some particularly low-effort residual damage, Tyranitar and Hippowdon's Sand Stream can work well. If you can fit it on your team, Stealth Rock can also aid in Aegislash's attempt to sweep through weakened teams. Consider using Pokemon immune to Will-O-Wisp, as this Aegislash is a huge target for them. Mega Charizard X is a particularly good teammate, as it's one of the few Pokemon immune to Will-O-Wisp that can handle Rotom-W. Pokemon that can use Facade effectively such as Mega Salamence and Mega Mawile can also work if you are desperate for options. Otherwise, at least pair Aegislash with a special attacker to avoid getting neutered offensively. If using Swords Dance, Aegislash can take advantage of a more unusual kind of support: Thunder Wave. Normally, Aegislash has to be especially careful against paralyzed Pokemon, as missing out on a KO against them can spell doom due to the Blade forme's low defenses. In the case of Swords Dance Aegislash, many paralyzed Pokemon can be obliterated by a boosted attack, giving Aegislash a quicker opportunity to pull off a sweep. Thunder Wave has a very high distribution, but Porygon2 and Ferrothorn deserve special mention for luring in some of Aegislash's faster checks.

Moves Shadow Ball is able to slice through most Pokemon in the Battle Spot Singles metagame thanks to Aegislash's base 150 Special Attack and the lack of Pokemon that resist it. Shadow Sneak is Aegislash's way to pick off weakened opponents or to use one last move before getting KOed. King's Shield protects Aegislash from getting KOed in its very vulnerable Blade forme by returning it back to its extremely bulky Shield forme. King's Shield also reduces any contact move using Pokemon's attack by two stages. This is especially useful against Blaziken and Mega Charizard-X, who can OHKO Aegislash with Flare Blitz. Just remember, King's Shield does not shield Aegislash from getting hit by status moves. Sacred Sword can OHKO Dragon Dance Tyranitar and 2HKO Mega Kangaskhan, and is Aegislash's only shot of breaking through Chansey, though it needs a Weakness Policy boost to achieve this. Flash Cannon doesn't have as good coverage, but it still hits Tyranitar and Mega Kangaskhan hard, while rendering Aegislash less vulnerable to risky switch-ins from dangerous Pokemon such as Mega Salamence and Mega Gengar. Set Details A Quiet nature boosts Aegislash's important Special Attack, while still allowing Shadow Sneak and Sacred Sword to deal good damage. 4 EVs in Special Defense ensure that any Porygon2 with Download will receive an Attack boost, leading to a weaker Shadow Ball of theirs. A Speed IV of 0 allows Aegislash to underspeed other Aegislash early-game and hit them in Blade forme. However, you can also use a perfect Speed IV to allow your Aegislash to revenge kill other weakened Aegislash later in the game. Weakness Policy allows Aegislash to become an absolute wrecking ball of a Pokemon, boosting Shadow Ball to tremendous levels of power when hit with a super effective attack. Maximum HP and Special Attack investment ensures that Aegislash can tank most super effective hits and proceed to slam targets with a boosted attack. If you feel the need for more immediate power, however, Life Orb gives Aegislash plenty of power at the cost of survivability, notably letting a faster Aegislash revenge kill opposing Aegislash when they are under 70% of their health. If you are more worried about Ground-types, Air Balloon can put offensive Ground-types into uncomfortable situations and can be paired with Hidden Power Ice to slam Garchomp and Landorus-T. Finally, if you have especially big problems with Garchomp and Landorus-T, you can use a Shuca Berry with Hidden Power Ice to make Aegislash an effective lure or revenge killer against the weaker variants, though note that these options mean that Aegislash will have a harder time cleaning up weakened teams. Usage Tips The general way to use Aegislash is in a rather hit-and-run manner: switch into Pokemon it threatens (good examples include Cresselia and unboosted Mega Salamence) and choose the appropriate attacking move, then switch out when the opponent switches in their Aegislash check. If your opponent's remaining Pokemon have trouble breaking through Aegislash, use King's Shield to restore Aegislash's bulk via the Shield forme. When using Weakness Policy, you can turn Aegislash into an incredibly destructive, game-changing Pokemon. Keep Aegislash hidden in your team and scout your opponent. Try to figure out if your opponent's "Aegislash checks" can actually OHKO Aegislash; many Aegislash checks will fail to beat it one-on-one if they are lacking an offensive item or a setup move. Switching Aegislash in after losing a Pokemon or via U-turn can put these ill-equipped "checks" in an extremely difficult situation, as an Aegislash with a Weakness Policy boost will often OHKO them, while their other coverage moves will do very little to Aegislash. This can lead to Aegislash either taking out an important Pokemon or setting up for a clean sweep versus weakened teams. One of the riskier aspects of Aegislash is taking advantage of its usual predictability. Many higher ranked opponents may predict a King's Shield and use the free turn King's Shield offers them to switch to an Aegislash check or set up. Taking advantage of Aegislash's predictability is a very high-risk, high-reward strategy. If you manage to respond with a good switch-in or attack from Aegislash, you may put your opponent at a massive disadvantage. Team Options The most obvious Aegislash teammates are Dragon-, Dark-, Fighting-, Flying-, and Normal-type Pokemon, as they complement its typing defensively by resisting its weaknesses and tend to attract moves Aegislash can switch into. Mega Salamence is a great example of a dangerous Pokemon that can cover Aegislash's weaknesses to Ground- and Fire-type moves. While Hydreigon is a bit more niche than Mega Salamence, it takes this to the next level, as Aegislash and Hydreigon together carry a resistance or immunity to all 18 types. While Tyranitar unfortunately shares the Ground weakness with Aegislash, it resists Aegislash's other weaknesses and can use Ice Beam to lure and smash Garchomp and Landorus-T switch-ins to aid Aegislash. Finally, any Fighting-type Pokemon and Aegislash form a good offensive core, with Fighting-types smashing through Porygon2 and Aegislash dealing with Cresselia. Weakness Policy Aegislash can find itself in situations where it barely misses out on the Shadow Sneak KOs it needs to clean up a weakened team. As such, Will-O-Wisp support from the likes of Rotom-W, Talonflame, and (Mega) Gengar works fantastically well for Aegislash, weakening key physical checks, while effectively wearing down other opponents. Toxic support can also aid Aegislash, especially because it can use King's Shield to rack up the Toxic damage. Tyranitar and Hippowdon can provide Sand Stream support to whittle down opponents to Shadow Sneak KO range. Finally, while Stealth Rock can be tricky to use in Battle Spot Singles, it undeniably aids Aegislash in the same way. While Aegislash is bulky on its own, getting it in with Volt Switch or U-turn can give it the perfect opportunity to preserve its health for Weakness Policy use. Rotom-W, Landorus-T, Talonflame, and Mega Manectric are good options to consider.