Don't use that, use this!

Don’t use that: Scarf Xurkitree
Video Premise:
•	Highlighting the inefficiencies of choice scarfed Xurkitree.
•	Discussing what makes this set appealing to newer, less experienced players.
•	Bringing up two alternatives, both aiming to address the needs of the builder.
•	The first is a replacement if the user still wants to use a fast electric type – Zap plate Tapu Koko.
•	The second is an option if the user still wants to use Xurkitree – tail glow paired with scolipass.

Script:

-- What’s up guys, Panther here bringing you the return of ‘don’t use that, use this!’ in which I will break down commonly seen sets which you may see on the ladder that are outclassed by better options. In today’s episode, I will focus on choice scarfed Xurkitree.
-- At first glance, a choice scarf appears to be a very viable option on this Pokemon. Its absolutely absurd base 173 special attack, and good coverage with grass knot, dazzling gleam and HP ice, is only let down by its rather average speed. However, with a scarf, it can outrun almost the entire unboosted metagame bar positive speed nature Pheromosa. With its amazing ability, beast boost, which allows it to continually boost its already ridiculous special attack to obscene levels, it can quickly snowball late game and clean.

Flaws:

-- However, such a set has many notable flaws that cannot be overlooked.
-- Firstly, the fact that it doesn’t have U-Turn means that it is incredibly susceptible to becoming trapped by Dugtrio. And Dugtrio’s presence alone means that it cannot afford to click its electric type STAB, which in turn loses a ton of momentum on the team using Xurkitree.
-- Being a choice locked electric type in OU is pretty terrible given the fact that being locked into thunderbolt can be taken advantage of by so many Pokemon that teams would rather not let in. Dual dance Landorus-t can easily come in and setup a swords dance or rock polish, Dugtrio can easily come in to trap it, and even Pokemon like DD Salamence can take the initial hit, get to +1, and OHKO Xurkitree back.

-- So if using this set is suboptimal, what should you use as an offensive electric type in OU?

 Introduction to zap plate/life orb Tapu Koko:


-- Zap plate Tapu Koko is nearly as fast as Xurkitree, even if the latter has a scarf. The only notable threats that Xurkitree outruns is Ash-Greninja and neutral-nature Pheromosa. However, bear in mind that specs Greninja requires very little chip damage to actually kill Xurkitree with 3 hits from water shuriken, only requiring it to switch into stealth rocks twice. In addition, while it has much less special attack compared to Xurkitree, electric surge plus a magnet actually lets it hit harder than Xurkitree could ever dream of.
-- On top of this, it has a far superior movepool, which actually allows it to threaten some of the tier’s most notable electric resists. Having access to brave bird means that when running a life orb, it can easily 2HKO otherwise sturdy checks like AV Tangrowth and Amoonguss. On top of this, its access to U-Turn means that it really doesn’t fear Dugtrio as heavily, as it can easily pivot out of being trapped. And if Garchomp, Landorus or another electric immune Pokemon comes in, you can easily just click HP Ice or STAB Dazzling Gleam the next turn.
-- While losing beast boost means that on paper, you lose a solid win condition that can clean teams late game, Tapu Koko can also do this by running a calm mind set. This set can essentially be seen as a choice scarfed Xurkitree that has a better defensive typing (allowing it to setup easier), more colourful coverage options, and most importantly the ability to switch its moves. All in all, Tapu Koko completely outclasses scarfed Xurkitree in every meaningful way, and is an excellent Pokemon in its own right that every team should consider using.

But I want to use Xurkitree! Are there any viable ways to use it?

-- If you still want to build around Xurkitree and use it on one of your teams, there is fortunately a set that extremely viable and threatening when supported properly. This of course is its tail glow set.
-- This set is most commonly seen on baton pass teams; specifically, scolipass squads, and for good reason. It essentially serves the role Manaphy had on scolipass back in ORAS, but takes it a step further.
-- Against an opposing hyper offence team, often all it takes to win is to get Xurkitree in for free, as nothing can really take two consecutive hits from Xurkitree on those teams. An air balloon gives it those free switches it won’t otherwise gain, and notably allows it to come in on choice locked ground types like Landorus-T and Garchomp and gain a free turn to get off a tail glow. An air balloon is also notable in preventing Dugtrio from effectively coming in to trap it.
-- However, you can still use an Electrium-Z to literally nuke all Pokemon that aren’t electric immune. For example, it can OHKO Chansey at +3!
-- As for the coverage options, HP water retains coverage on Alolan Marowak while being able to hit Landorus-T, Gliscor and other ground types; dazzling gleam allows it to take on Latios after a tail glow; energy ball gives it the ability to break past Quagsire and Hippowdon, while HP Ice gives it the ability to OHKO Landorus-T while still dealing with Latios.
-- As mentioned, pair this set on scolipass teams, so good partners include Scolipede to give it speed and Landorus-T, which also appreciates netting speed boosts while being able to setup rocks for Xurkitree and check ground types early game.

Conclusion:
-- I hope you enjoyed this addition of ‘don’t use that, use this!’ If you have any feedback on the video, please leave a comment down below! And similarly, if you enjoyed the video, please leave us a like and share the video, it really helps the channel out! If you have any Pokemon you want us to cover, leave a comment below. Adios!