Community POTW #79

[Serebii]

Right, the Muskedeers were done to tie in with Black 2 & White 2, so what's next? By coincidence, it's the annual 3 week tie in to the Japanese movie and that begins with the fourth Muskedeer, Keldeo!

As Keldeo's new form, the Resolution Form, has no differences in stats, it's all going to be one article



Keldeo can be pretty brutal in the rain, even with its limited movepool. Its move, Secret Sword, which transforms it into Resolution Form in B2W2, is dangerous as it does physical damage using its Special Attack stat

http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/647.shtml

Go nuts

[TheBlueDevilState]

FIRST!

Secret Resolution

-Secret Sword
-Hydro Pump/Scald
-Focus Blast/Surf/Hidden Power [Ice/Ghost]
-Calm Mind/Rain Dance

Nature-Modest
EV-4/HP, 252/SP. Attack, 252/Speed

Secret Sword is a special fighting STAB that also deals physical damage, useful in general as a "physical" attack but also for bypassing special walls like Blissey. Hydro Pump is a powerful water type STAB but Scald is less powerful attack that has a chance to burn and much better accuracy. The third slot can be used for another STAB attack or coverage move. Focus Blast is almost the only special fighting type move and surf is more powerful than scald, but it could be replaced with scald if Hydro Pump is used. Hidden Power [Ice] is useful against grass, ground, flying, and dragon types providing coverage against two weaknesses and the infamous dragon types; while Hidden Power [Ghost] is strong against psychic and ghost types. Rain Dance can boost water type moves and weakens fire type moves but is almost useless in a drizzle team or if you don't play weather, where Calm Mind boost both special attack and special defence.

[grantholomew]

First to post a set!

My Little P...no don't use this pun, please deer Arceus
Keldeo @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spd
Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power Ice
- Calm Mind
Well look at that, Keldeo is pretty much a special version on Terrakion. Despite its STABs not having as high of base power, it can still dish out a ton of damage. You're using Secret Sword, so Keldeo will be in its Resolution Forme...yay?

Also, you guys, most of the time you guys are arguing about each others' sets and tearing apart noobish sets, but these past few weeks it's mostly been posting puns, complaining about people "stealing" your puns because they posted before you, arguing about each others' puns, and tearing apart noobish puns. Seriously, not that many even get used. While it's fun to come up with puns that make everyone else want to kill you, we really should be focusing on the Pokémon itself and whatever positive things it has to offer.

[Lucario At Service]

Here is my attempt at its set,

Item: ??
Nature: Modest, Timid
Ev's: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spd

- Secret Sword
- Surf/Scald
- Hidden Power [Electric, Bug, Ground]/Hidden Power [Ice]/Icy Wind
- Calm Mind

Secret Sword takes advatage of its high SAtk, to do high damage to special walls like Blissey or Chansey.

Surf for high amount of damage, or else Scald to take advantage of the burning effect.

Hidden Power is for coverage. Same with Icy Wind which is low on power but does have the ability to reduce opponents speed.

Calm Mind for boost in both power and SDef.

[TimmahX]

My Little Secret
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpAtk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Item: Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Justified
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump / Surf / Scald
- Toxic / Calm Mind / Icy Wind / HP [Elec/Grass]
- Toxic / Calm Mind / Icy Wind / HP [Elec/Grass]

Secret Sword is Keldeo's main STAB move, and for a special move it does quick a number on Blissey and Chansey. Hydro Pump has raw power, Surf is more reliable, Scald is more defensive and can burn. Toxic takes down bulky Pokemon, Calm Mind works fairly well on Keldeo, reinforcing its solid Special bulk and boosting its power to even scarier levels, Icy Wind is an option only because Keldeo doesn't learn Ice Beam but it does come with that nifty speed reduction chance to ensure that Keldeo will keep hitting first afterwords, and Hidden Power offers additional coverage.

[Kraleck]

Unlike its counterparts, Keldeo cannot use its Attack stat very well, so a Justified boost (or two) will be necessary for any kind of Physical Move. However, think of it like a Special-based Terrakion, without the ability to boost its Sp.Atk. Even then, Aqua Jet is useful for picking off a weakened opponent...

[philzone]

Kelidoscope
Timid
Choice specs 252 speed 252 spatt 4 hp
Hydro pump/scald
Secret sword
Hp ice/ghost
Focus blast/aqua jet/icy wind
Hydro pump is for power, scald is accuracy and burn, secret sword is for physical walls. Hp ice for dragons and flying types, ghost is for ghosts and psychic types. Filler move aqua jet for priority and focus blast for physical walls, icy wind cripples gliscor.

HMS Endeavour
Brave/quiet
Item focus sash/salac berry
Evs 252 att, 252 sp att
HMS Endeavour

Endeavour
Aqua jet
Secret sword
Quick guard/protect/hp ghost

This is a gimmik. Low defences so easy for a ohko, resist with focus sash endeavour foe to 1 hp, then ko with aqua jet. Suicide lead. Secret sword is for others. Quick guard qrotects from priority, protect is the same. Hp ghost for ghost types and water absorb users.

[Yellow de Viridian Grove]

Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpAtk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Ghost]
- Surf

With Rain, Keldo 2HKO's pretty much the whole Metagame with just Hydro Pump. Hydro Pump hits extremely hard and OHKO's many things that don't resist it and 2HKO most things that do. Secret Sword hits past Blissey/Chansey and Ferrothorn mainly. Hidden Power [Ghost] hits Jellicent, Lati@s, Slowbro, and Celebii for Super Effective damage and is really important because they all resist both STAB moves, Jellicent being immune to both with Water Absorb. Surf is a more reliable attack than Hydro Pump and can be using to net an important KO when you cannot afford to miss, or just need to clean up.

All in all Keldeo hits hard and takes names.

[paipr_christian]

a good pun for a set name might be: There's something puny about that pony.

[The Eleventh]

Here is my attempt at its set,

Item: ??
Nature: Modest, Timid
Ev's: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spd

- Secret Sword
- Surf/Scald
- Hidden Power [Electric, Bug, Ground]/Hidden Power [Ice]/Icy Wind
- Calm Mind

What use do HP Bug and HP Ground give?

[Meowmeow]

Keldeo is a complete mess. It has the stats and type to be the special attacking version of Terrakion, but not the right ability and definitely not the right movepool. Secret Sword is cool and all, but no Ice Beam?
On the positive end of things, Keldeo's rain-boosted Hydro Pumps will be quite scary.

Choice Specs
Nature: Modest/Timid Better modest so that the lacking movepool doesn't hurt as much.
EVs: 252 special attack and speed, 4 hp
@: Gee, I wonder

Hydro Pump/Surf
Secret Sword
Hidden Power Ice/Psychic
Aqua Jet/Hydro Pump

The basis of this set is to plow through things with STAB rain-powered Hydro Pump. If Hydro Pump's accuracy is unappealing, Surf is an acceptable alternative. Secret Sword slaughters any Blissey that dares show its face, as well as being an awesome fighting type STAB. Hidden Power Ice kills Grass types and shows that Keldeo can't learn Ice Beam, while Hidden Power Psychic kills Toxicroak, who can easily switch in on anything else Keldeo has. Aqua Jet is a priority move, but if you have Surf, Hydro Pump works well in this slot.

Life Orb
Nature: Timid
EVs: same as last
@: Life Orb

Calm Mind
Hydro Pump
Secret Sword
Aqua Jet/Hidden Power Ice/Psychic

Not much in the way of sweeping attempts, but its something.

Other options
Keldeo's physical movepool is awesome. Too bad its attack isn't. Besides, if you want a physical attacker, use Terrakion.
Scald can spread burn, but that's someone else's job.
Focus Blast hits incredibly hard, but why use that when you have Secret Sword?
Hidden Power Grass can smash Slowbro and Slowking, who wall Keldeo 100% otherwise. Hidden Power Flying can hit Ludicolo and Toxicroak hard. If you want to hit Rain counters, use Volcarona.
Starmie has Psyshock, Thunder, Ice Beam, Recover, Natural Cure, a higher speed stat, and a lot less power.

That's Keldeo, the musketeer that disappointed us all.

[Monster Guy]

Keldeo @ Life Orb
252 SpA 252 Spe 4 HP
Timid/Modest
Calm Mind
Hydro Pump
Secret Sword
HP Ghost

Keldeo is a literal example of a one trick pony. It's move pool is as shallow as a puddle. Fortunately, it's one trick is good. Hydro Pump is for STAB, Secret Sword is secondary STAB, and lets you hit Special Walls like Blissey and Chansey hard, and HP Ghost gets unresisted coverage with Secret Sword.

[Ghosts of the Forums]

Keldeo @Life Orb/Leftovers
Jolly
Justified
252Atk, 252Spe
-Aqua Jet/Aqua Tail/Waterfall
-Close Combat
-Swords Dance
-Stone Edge
Despite all you previous posters, keldeo CAN run a effective physical set.


Keldeo @Choice Specs/Life Orb/Leftovers
Timid
Justified
252Sp.Atk, 252Spe
-Hydro Pump
-Secret Sword
-Surf/Scald/Hp (Ghost/Electric/Grass)/Sub
-Surf/Scald/Hp (Ghost/Electric/Grass)/Calm Mind
Standard calm mind set, keldeo being the only pokemon who can utilize hp ghost.

[Lucario At Service]

What use do HP Bug and HP Ground give?

HP Bug can help take down Psychic types like Slowbro who would resist both of its STAB (you can say its a substitute for HP Electric). It would also help in taking out some high defensive Grass types.

Where as, HP Ground can help take down Electric type (like Lanturn) as well as some Steel type like Metagross or some Poison types.

But it is just my suggestions, which could be useless.

[Kraleck]

What use do HP Bug and HP Ground give?

Most likely Anti-Grass/Psychic and Anti-Electric, respectively. However, HP (Dark) would probably be preferred over HP (Bug), due to the broad scope of Fighting + Dark's Type-coverage. Water STAB + Fighting STAB + HP (Dark) hammers a lot of Types, but Electric will only be weak to HP (Ground). Then again, only 5 Electric Types are faster (Electrode, Jolteon, Zebstrika, Raikou, and Incarnate Thundurus) and 1 Speed-ties (Galvantula), so you're unlikely to need HP (Ground) for coverage (especially since Thundurus is Immune and Galvantula is Neutral to Ground).

Celestial Charger
Stats: Modest/Timid, Max Speed & Sp.Atk, rest HP
Item: Metronome/Leftovers/Life Orb
Moves: Secret Sword/Focus Blast, Scald/Surf, Hidden Power (Dark), Aqua Jet

I know what some of you are thinking - "ERMEHGERD!!! Y U HAV 2 WATR MOVEZ!!!11!1!!" Aqua Jet is only for the priority pick-offs. Certain Pokemon faster than Keldeo that would survive a blow from a Pokemon that Keld' is replacing off of a KO will be revenge-KO'd by Aqua Jet unless they also pack priority and a sizeable punch.

The usual Special-based STAB Moves with Hidden Power (Dark) have incredible coverage.

[Chidori__O]

My little pony, so Amazing and Hairy!

Keldeo
Adament/Jolly
4 Hp 252 Atk 252 Spe
Item: White Herb/Focus Sash
-Superpower/Close Combat/Sacred Sword
-Aqua Jet
-Aqua Tail/Return/Bounce/Frustration/Stone Edge/X-Scissor
-Swords Dance

The physical set in my opinion, is good for both VGC and Normal Battles.

The 3 fighting moves are all a matter of opinion and game. Superpower is for people with B2W2. If you do use it, white herb is an option. Close Combat is the preferred move due to the huge power, STAB and focus sash support. Sacred Sword is another option if you hate the defense drop.

Aqua Jet you can use as a priority STAB move which can easily beat low HP pokemon.

Aqua Tail is another STAB move you can use to easily take down opponents. If you don't really need it due to the accuracy, then use return. If you think they're both terrible, then use bounce as you can take down grass types although your opponent will probably switch out. Finally, if you have a Keldeo that hates you alot then use frustration although return is the better move to use. Stone Edge is yet another option as you can use it to take out flying types (like gyradoes). X-Scissor is another move to use to take down psychic and grass types.

And now Swords Dance is the main reason why this set is useful. It doubles the attack although Keldeos attack is still kinda low. But with focus sash, it can use it then attack right away.

Other Options

There are tons of different special attacking sets you can use, but I find them unoriginal. You can use one for better result though. Same set only you use secret sword, calm mind, surf and hidden power ice or icy wind. You use a modest or timed nature. But like I said, that's being unoriginal and I value originality.

Partners

Rain Dancing team like Drizzle Politoed as you can easily boost aqua jet. In double and triple battles, you should use a mixed offensive and special set with max speed.

[ClefairyRox]

Keldeo is pretty cool. It's the first Water/Fighting Pokemon since Poliwrath, it resembles a unicorn, and I'm pretty fond of its Resolution Forme. Not to mention that its stats are awesome. Its stats are the same as Terrakion, except Keldeo's Sp. Attack is the one at base 129 and Attack is at base 72. 91/90/90 defenses mean it can take a few hits before going down, and unlike Terrakion, it isn't as susceptible to priority; in fact, it resists Bullet Punch, Aqua Jet, and Sucker Punch. Like the other muskedeers, Keldeo's movepool is small, but it still has the tools to get the job done, most notably its signature Secret Sword move.

Recommended tier: OU

Keldeo's only ability is Justified, just like the other muskedeers. The difference is that since Keldeo usually runs as a special attacker, this ability is pretty useless on it.

Keldeo has several great Water moves to choose from. Surf combines reliability and power. Hydro Pump is about 26% stronger than Surf, but you sacrifice accuracy. Scald is weaker by comparison, but the 30% Burn chance can help with Keldeo's staying power. If you go for physical, Aqua Tail and Aqua Jet are your choices. Aqua Jet deserves a mention even on special sets because of its priority. Secret Sword is a Keldeo exclusive. Not only is its power a nice 85 prior to STAB, but it also works off of the opponent's Defense stat despite being a special attack. That means Chansey and Blissey can't stop Keldeo from sweeping. Aside from those moves, Keldeo's special movepool is starved. It doesn't even get Ice Beam (though Icy Wind can be useful). Still, its STABs are usually enough to get the job done, and there's always Hidden Power to help you out. On the physical side, Keldeo fairs little better, having only Return, Stone Edge, and X-Scissor. But Keldeo can use Close Combat or Sacred Sword as a physical Fighting STAB. Keldeo can also boost itself up with Calm Mind, Work Up, and Swords Dance, just like its fellow muskedeers.

Double and Triple Options: Keldeo gets Surf and also resists opposing Surfs, Blizzards, Rock Slides, and Heat Waves. Not too bad.

Countering Keldeo: Its defenses are equally good, so good old type trumping should help. Defensively, Jellicent happily absorbs both of Keldeo's STABs and also can sponge Hidden Power with its great Sp. Defense. Slowbro also does well, though Hidden Power can sting it. If its raining, get rid of it. Sponging Water attacks is so much easier without rain in play. Keldeo is vulnerable to all entry hazards, though it resists Stealth Rock. Also, it has no way to reliably heal itself, so hit it repeatedly and it should go down.

[Sala-imence]

Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Ability: Justified
Moveset:
- Surf
- Secret Sword
- Icy Wind
- Focus Blast

Ok, so your in Resolution Form. So everyone knows that you know secret sword. BUT, they do not expect a more powerful special attacking fighting move, FOCUS BLAST! Although it has low accuracy it does a tonne of damage. This set is good for doubles as ICY WIND his both opponents with 100% of reducing speed, which can give your team the edge. SURF is the STAB move here, just pick your ally carefully. And SECRET SWORD could actually be used to hit Blissey and such.

[overlordmewtwo]

And this week we have Keldeo. This thing is the special-attacking version of Terrakion and has a relatively shallow movepool. This thing is dangerous in rain (and outside of it), but the lack of a movepool does hurt it a little bit, as the lack of Ice Beam means that it needs HP Ice to deal with dragons.

Now for a few possible movesets:

The CM variant
Timid nature
Ability: Justified
EV Spread: 252 Sp.Attk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Item: Life Orb/ Leftovers
Moves: Calm Mind
Hydro Pump/Surf
Secret Sword
HP Ice/Ghost/ Icy Wind

One of the sets that Keldeo will most commonly use. Calm Mind boosts Special Attack and Special Defense, which is nice. The water attack depends on preference: Hydro Pump is for power and Surf is for reliability. Secret Sword is essential for dealing with Blissey and Chansey. The Hidden Power depends on what you wish to cover: Hidden Power Ice is for dragons and Hidden Power Ghost is for Jellicent. HP Ghost is preferred, as Jellicent otherwise walls Keldeo completely. Icy Wind is another option for hitting and slowing down dragons.

The Specs set
Timid nature
Ability: Justified
EV Spread: 252 Sp.Attk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Item: Choice Specs
Moves: Secret Sword
Hydro Pump/Surf
HP Ghost
Aqua Jet

Another set that is useful and likely to be commonly seen. Secret Sword once again is there for Chansey and Blissey, and once again the water move is a preference. Hidden Power Ghost is essential to this set, just because Jellicent again causes problems for Keldeo. Because Keldeo's special movepool is pretty barren, Aqua Jet is there for a filler. Don't expect it to be dealing much damage, but it is useful for picking off Sash users or really weakened Pokemon.

An extremely gimmicky set
Jolly nature
Ability: Justified
EV Spread: 252 Attk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Item: Life Orb
Moves: Swords Dance
Waterfall/Aqua Jet/Aqua Tail
Superpower/Close Combat
Aerial Ace/ Stone Edge/ X-Scissor

This set is extremely gimmicky; do not ever use it unless you are having fun or aren't playing competitively. This thing takes a long time to set up because of how pitiful Keldeo's physical attack stat is; you need at least two SD boosts under your belt before your opponent starts to get hurt. Life Orb is essential to this set, as Keldeo doesn't have much physical power on its own.

The water move depends on your preference. Waterfall flinches, Aqua Jet is priority, and Aqua Tail is an attack that is the most powerful of the three.

The fighting move also depends on preference; both have the same power and have different stat lowering effects. Personally, I'd go with Close Combat, as it doesn't lower your attack stat, which Keldeo really needs if it's going to sweep with this set. The last attack depends on what you'd like to hit. Aerial Ace hits other fighting types, Stone Edge hits flying types, and X-Scissor hits opposing psychics.

Now for a few partners and counters:

Partners include Ferrothorn, Politoed, Jolteon and other fast Electric types, and Zoroark.

Ferrothorn is a wall that can soak up hits that would otherwise deal with Keldeo easily. Politoed is there for rain support, as it boosts Keldeo's STAB Water attack, which leaves opponents either OHKO'd or on their last legs. Jolteon and other fast Electric types are perfect partners because they remove Jellicent who, as said above, walls Keldeo completely. Zoroark is a partner because you can temporarily fool an opponent.

Counters: first and most importantly: Jellicent. Even when Keldeo has HP Ghost, Jellicent still walls Keldeo very well. Only if Keldeo has several CM boosts under its belt with HP Ghost can it begin to threaten Jellicent. Other counters include Alakazam and Scarf Rotom-W. These guys outspeed and KO Keldeo very easily.

Overall, Keldeo isn't the most threatening of the musketeers, but it does pack a punch that does level entire teams if given a chance.

[Soperman]

Keldeo, Keldeo, Keldeo. Unreleased outside of Japan, and Nintendo already gave you an arbitrary new forme with no real point. Why? Who knows.
Anyway, Keldeo is the Special Sweeper of the muskadeers. With its really nice base 129 Sp. Ak and its above-average Speed, Keldeo makes a good Pokemon. Its sets basically comprise of Hydro Pump, Hidden Power Ice or Ghost, Secret Sword, and Calm Mind. It has some good physical moves, but not the stats to back them up. Overall, a good special sweeper, but Keldeo really is a one trick pony.