Aegislash, The Royal Sword Pokémon. Generations of kings were attended by these Pokémon, which used their spectral power to manipulate and control people and Pokémon. Apparently, it can detect innate qualities of leadership. According to legend, whoever it recognizes is destined to become king.
Overview
Aegislash in my opinion is one of the best Pokémon they have ever designed. With its unique ability Stance Change it's both incredibly powerful and nearly impervious to most attacks depending on the form it takes. It even has a cool design on top of it all. I just love everything about this mon. It's easily one of the most versatile mons around today. How can you not love this thing?
Positives
+ High offensive stats in Blade Forme
+ Amazing defensive stats in Shield Forme
+ 9 different type resistances and 3 immunities
+ Nice check for Xerneas
Negatives
- Ridiculously low defensive stats in Blade Forme
- Ridiculously slow no matter what form it takes
- Lack of reliable recovery outside of Leftovers
Abilities
Stance Change: The Pokémon changes form depending on how it battles. Probably the most unique ability in the game allowing it to take advantage of both its raw power and incredible defenses depending on what moves you use. However each stance comes with a drawback. Its base form has extremely low offensive power , whereas its Blade Forme is exceptionally frail.
Movesets
King's Guard
- King's Shield
- Gyro Ball
- Toxic
- Pursuit
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
This is Aegislash's most popular set for a reason. King's Shield allows Aegislash to regain its impervious defenses and scout out your enemy's moves, and as an added bonus if they use a contact move it can lower their Atk by 2 stages . Gyro Ball is the most powerful move Aegislash has in its arsenal to combat Xerneas. Toxic is used to spread consistent damage and punish would be switchins. Pursuit is used to trap the likes of Deo-A and Latias.
Other Options
There aren't tons of other viables et combos it can really pull off in singles anymore, but if you're looking to try something different go for a Sword's Dance set.
VGC, Double, & Triple Battle Options
Aegislash has been a common presence in VGC since X and Y were released, though its usage has diminished with every new year. Despite being a top tier threat in past years, VGC 2016 brought new challenges for the ghostly sword and shield. While Aegislash's Wide Guard can still be incredibly useful to protect both its teammate and itself from the massive spread moves of the Primals, it can struggle to take hits and fire back as well as it used to due to the presence of the restricted legendaries. In spite of this, Aegislash can still be a valuable Pokemon who can run a variety of different sets in any doubles or triples format. .
Just Taking a Stab At It
-King's Shield
-Flash Cannon
-Shadow Ball
-Wide Guard
Item Attached: Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
A Quiet nature, ideally with a 0 speed IV, allows Aegislash to underspeed as many threats as possible so that it doesn't take a hit in its frailer Blade Forme. Max HP and special attack help it take hits well in Shield Forme and then hit back hard in Blade Forme. Weakness Policy is a perfect item for this strategy, as it can tank most super-effective hits, and turns Aegislash into a big threat once activated. King's Shield is essential on any Aegislash set and allows Aegislash to change back into Shield Forme after attacking. While Aegislash will be safe from damage after using this move (which can allow for some fun mind games to bluff using King's Shield and instead attack), it is still extremely vulnerable to burns, paralysis, sleep, and confusion, since King's Shield will not block moves like Will-o-Wisp, Thunder Wave, Spore, or Swagger. Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are Aegislash's strongest STABs and give great coverage against most of the format. Wide Guard is very effective against not only the huge spread moves in VGC16, but also many of the lessor spread moves found in Battle Spot doubles and triples like Mega Charizard Y's Heat Wave.
Other Options
-Life Orb is another very common item to increase Aegislash's damage output without relying on taking a hit to activate Weakness Policy. Many Life Orb Aegislash are given more speed and a Modest nature to outspeed and OHKO certain threats when supported with speed control like Tailwind. Life Orb (or Helping Hand support) also can allow it to OHKO other Aegislash who normally feel safe taking an attack and then hitting back your Aegislash in its Blade Forme.
-Substitute pairs great with another common item on Aegislash in Leftovers, and can help it avoid Spore from Amoongus.
-Lum Berry and Safety Goggles also help against Spore and other status moves, which Aegislash is usually very susceptible to since King's Shield does not protect from these moves.
-Iron Head and Gyro Ball are generally more useful than Flash Cannon in VGC16, as Xerneas can get to +2 SpD with Geomancy before Aegislash can attack.
-A physical set with Shadow Claw and Iron Head over Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon can be considered, but is generally inferior due to how common Intimidate is and how susceptible to burns Aegislash is.
-Shadow Sneak is another great option on Weakness Policy sets if you can avoid Sucker Punch, as Aegislash appreciates the priority to pick off weakened Pokemon.
-Sacred Sword is a potential option to consider on physical or mixed sets, especially since it can surprise Bisharp, who usually handles Aegislash well.
-Toxic was a unique strategy late in VGC15 to chip away at bulky Pokemon and allowed Aegislash to stay in Shield Forme longer.
Countering Aegislash
Theres a still a fair amount of things that can counter Aegislash despites its many resistances and high defenses. Primal Groudon is on the biggest as it can easily set up SD or Rock Polish and proceed to sweep. Any poison types like Tentacruel and Poison Arceus will be immune to its toxic damage and can wear it down with burns and switch in and out without any fear of reprisals. Steel and Dark Types really only have to fear the rare Sacred Sword carrier from Aegislash otherwise its toast. Although the latter isn't fond of toxic. If all of that wasn't enough there's always Giratina-O with its Shadow Force which can't be blocked by King's Shield and will crush it with super effective damage
Locations in Games
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Evolve Doublade
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Trade from X/Y
Animé Appearences
