[OVERVIEW]
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Encore
move 4: Freeze Dry
item: Focus Sash
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Checks and Counters
===================
- Aurorus is the best lead for an Aurora Veil Team, as not only does it get the hail up, but it can set up Stealth Rock, and has decent special attack to back itself up so its not a passive lead.
- Aurorus has access to some utility moves, most notably Encore, which can force out opposing lead Pokemon who try to set up in front of it.
- Aurorus also has some great natural bulk thanks to its humongous HP stat, but is underwhelming thanks to its poor defensive typing leaving it weak to common types like Grass/Ground/Rock/Water and even has two quad weaknesses to Fighting and Steel which are fairly common in the tier.
- Aurorus does have a really useful tool in the move Freeze Dry, which not a lot of Pokemon get. This helps it actually deal damage to the plethora of water types who could threaten it out like
- But other than setting up the hail for Aurora Veil team, Aurorus struggles to find itself on other play styles, since their are better options for lead Pokemon, like Frosslass or Archeops, who can deal massive damage, have a great 110 Speed Tier, and potentially trade 1 for 1 with a lot of mons.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Encore
move 4: Freeze Dry
item: Focus Sash
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Stealth Rock is a necessity on basically all competitive teams, and Aurorus provides that for an Aurora Veil team as well.
- Blizzard is a hard hitting STAB ice move that will never miss in hail and we deal at least decent damage to every Pokemon not named Registeel
- Encore makes it so Aurorus is not set up bait, and helps either sacrifice itself to the next move, or gives its team a free switch in, most notably Alolan Sandslash to set up the veil.
- Freeze Dry is very interesting Ice move that is super effective on Water Types, meaning it can damage and threaten Feraligatr, Araquinid, Bruxish, and Cloyster, and Freeze Dry also OHKOs Quagsire, which is helpful for teamates.
Set Details
========
- Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature makes Aurorus as fast and as strong as possible, to help ensure that Stealth Rock goes up
- Focus Sash helps ensure that Stealth Rock will go up by giving Aurorus a free hit as it is weak to many moves.
- Snow Warning is the go to ability since it can set up the hail for its team to set up the Aurora Veil
Usage Tips
========
- Aurorus is almost always the lead on an Aurora Veil team, as it sets the hail, and gets up rocks. The only time you will not want to lead Aurorus is when the opponent has either a Torkoal or Gigalith to set their own weather up. If this is the case, try to keep Aurorus alive until the aforementioned Pokemon are gone, since it takes 2 turns of Hail to set up the Veil (since Alola Slash has to come out to set it up, the opponent can easily switch in their weather mon to rid the Hail).
- If you ever need Aurorus to take a hit, keep its Focus Sash in tact, in order to get of a strong hit, like a Freeze Dry on a Feraligatr who tried to set up, or a Blizzard on a set up Durant
Team Options
========
- Alolan Sandslash is the best partner since it has Slush Rush, Aurora Veil, and Rapid Spin. These 3 qualities make it an essential partner to Aurorus, as it can abuse the Hail, to be the fastest Pokemon to set up the veil, while also functioning as hazard control for the team.
- Sweeping Pokemon Like Feraligatr, Flygon, Linoone, etc, all appreciate Aurorus setting up the hail for the Veil, for an easier time to set up.
- Bulkier Wall breakers like Pangoro, Bewear, Kommo-o, all appreciate the extra bulk as well, and have an easier time breaking teams.
- Espeon is a great teammate since it can block the Defog and keep the Aurora Veil.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Aurorus CAN also run a Choice Specs set, since it has usable special attack, and great moves to abuse it with, but it is not consistent enough, and the typing + poor speed makes it way too vulnerable to a lot of the tier.
- Earth Power is another option to hit Steel types, who would otherwise give it trouble, but Aurorus doesn't really want to give up any of its current moves, and the main Steels in the tier aren't really effected by Earth Power too much anyway
Checks and Counters
===================
- **Steel Types**: Aurorus hates facing Steel type Pokemon, as its moves are usually all Ice. Aurorus doesn't typically carry Earth Power, but even then the Steel Pokemon would still handle it pretty well since a lot of them aren't even weak to it as Bronzong has Levitate, its neutral against Durant and Escavelier, and Registeel takes 30% Max.
- **Gigalith and Torkoal**: These Pokemon are always slower than Aurorus, and will always set up their weather over Hail. Be sure to have the team take out these mons so the Hail can be set to stay in order to get the Veil set up.
- **Fast Taunt users**: Faster Leads like Frosslass can Taunt Aurorus and prevent it from getting the Stealth Rock up, and forcing it out while it can set up its own hazards.
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