Axew Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Dragon Dance gives Axew the power and speed needed to get through walls and revenge killers, and after two to three boosts it will turn Axew into a fast physical sweeper. Outrage is a powerful Dragon-type STAB move, and at +1 it has a chance to OHKO Vullaby after Stealth Rock, as well as a guaranteed 2HKO on Timburr after Stealth Rock. Dual Chop is an option over Outrage if you don't wish to be locked into a move, and is a great way to get past Focus Sash users. It should be noted, however, that Dual Chop is rather weak even at +1 and requires multiple boosts to break bulkier threats like Vullaby. Superpower is a reliable way to take on Steel-types, especially Pawniard and Magnemite, which are both guaranteed to be OHKOed. Iron Tail is used against Fairy-types. It will always 2HKO Spritzee after Stealth Rock has been set up, OHKOes Cottonee at +1, and has a chance to OHKO Snubbull at +1 after Stealth Rock. The only downside about Iron Tail is its low accuracy. Poison Jab is a more reliable alternative, that has a guaranteed 2HKO on Snubbull at +1 after Stealth Rock and also OHKOes Cottonee. Set Details Axew lacks in both Defense and Special Defense; Eviolite is needed to raise Axew's bulk, allowing Axew to survive a High Jump Kick from Choice Scarf Mienfoo and a Dazzling Gleam from non-Life Orb Abra. The EV spread is pretty standard for a sweeper. Maximized EVs in Attack and Speed allow Axew to hit as hard as possible and outpace the likes of Corphish and Magnemite. After a boost from Dragon Dance, Axew's power increases. A +1 Jolly Axew can outspeed some Choice Scarf Pokemon, such as Scraggy and Magnemite. Alternatively Adamant will increase Axew's Attack and can let it OHKO Pokemon such as Omanyte, which Jolly Axew can only 2HKO, but Axew will still be vulnerable to a few Choice Scarf users such as Rufflet (which can outspeed it) and Timid Magnemite (which Speed ties). Mold Breaker is used to bypass defensive abilities like Sturdy and Solid Rock, giving Axew an easier time cleaning up. Usage Tips Axew is best used as a late-game sweeper when its checks have been weakened or removed. Using Superpower too much may prevent Axew from sweeping effectively, as Axew sorely needs its Attack boosts to have a reasonable shot at OHKOing enemies. Dragon Dance should only be used when Axew has an opening to set up or when there's a chance Axew will be able to take a hit. Examples of Pokemon that can be set up on by Axew would be Stunky and Lileep. Also, if Axew is locked into Outrage against something that resists it such as a Steel-type, Axew won't be able to do much damage and is prone to being counterattacked. When a Fairy-type is switched in to nullify Outrage, Axew will be able to use Iron Tail after Outrage has been blocked. However, if a Fairy-type comes in for a revenge kill, they're still able to get a free hit on Axew. Superpower can be used to hit a predicted Steel-type switch-in, and Poison Jab can be used to hit Fairy switch-ins. Axew should also be wary of priority on the opponent's team when attempting a sweep and has to look out for super effective coverage from Pokemon like Staryu and Timburr. Team Options Diglett is an exceptional partner for Axew because its ability Arena Trap allows it to trap Steel-types and OHKO them with Earthquake. Axew benefits from having entry hazards up because they punish switching and aid Axew in sweeping. Good examples of hazard setters are Drilbur and Pawniard. Drilbur is also great for handling Steel-types, while Pawniard is good for threatening Fairy-types. Axew also benefits from Knock Off users, which are able to remove Eviolite and thus allowing Axew to sweep better. A good example of Knock Off user is Alolan Grimer. In addition to Knock Off support, Cottonee and Stunky can provide Axew with Memento support. Ice-types are really troublesome for Axew, so having a Pokemon that can go up against them is really important. Good examples of Pokemon that check Ice-types are Ponyta and Slowpoke. Bulky Pokemon are great teammates as well because Axew lacks bulk. Example of bulky pokemon that can support Axew include Chinchou to handle Ice-type moves and Mareanie or Foongus to handle Fairy-types. Mudbray and Onix are also great Ground-types to handle opposing Steel-types. Fighting-types such as Timburr and Mienfoo are major threats to Steel-types as well.

Moves This set is identical to the last except that Dragon Claw is in the first slot. Dragon Claw is more of a necessity on this set as opposed to an option because Axew, by virtue of holding a choice item, will be locked into Outrage even after the first round. Dragon Claw is spammable on a Choice set without the confusion drawback that Outrage comes with. Outrage does still get its own slot, however, as it is more powerful and can secure a late-game sweep. Superpower is once again used as a coverage move to hit Steel- and Ice-types super effectively, while Iron Tail and Poison Jab are the coverage move for Fairy-types. The warning does still exist for Superpower, though, as using it too early could cost you and ruin the sweep. Set Details A Choice Scarf will make Axew a fast sweeper and revenge killer, while a Choice Band will give Axew some more power. Generally, Choice Scarf is the better option for Axew as it can outspeed other Choice Scarf threats and OHKO them. Some of these include Snover and Amaura, but be careful of priority Ice Shard. The same spread from the last set applies to this set. A Jolly nature will give Axew the chance to outspeed certain Pokemon. For example, Jolly Choice Scarf Axew can outspeed +1 Tirtuoga and OHKOes the standard Shell Smash set when at -1 Defense. Usage Tips A lot from the last set applies to this one. Firstly, Axew functions better when its checks and counters are out of the picture. Secondly, using Superpower too early can prevent a sweep from happening, and the same goes for Outrage, thus the option of Dragon Claw early on. Remember, Choice Scarf Axew will outspeed Pokemon that it normally would not, so pay attention to what it can and cannot outspeed if using Choice Scarf. Lastly, when the end-game comes around, go for that win with Outrage! Team Options Once again, many of the same concepts from the Dragon Dance set can be used here since they are both sweeper-oriented sets. As with all sweepers, Pokemon that clear threats or obstacles that could stop a sweep need to be taken care of. In Axew's case, Drilbur can deal with Steel-types, and Pawniard can take care of Fairy-types as well as Ice-types. Since this set will be switching more often than the Dragon Dance set, Rapid Spin users are more useful here as Axew can be worn down from just switching in and out. In addition, having hazards on the opponent's side of the field makes sweeping and cleaning up easier. Once again, teammates with Knock Off make life easier for Axew since Berry Juice and Eviolite will be out of the way.

Moves As this set's main selling point is Dragon Dance, it will obviously take the first move slot. After a boost or two, Axew becomes a strong sweeper that can be hard to take down. Outrage is the ideal powerful Dragon-type STAB; even when unboosted, the damage output is quite strong. The downside to Outrage would be the confusion afterwards. Due to this, Dragon Claw becomes a feasible alternative as it has no drawbacks. Although Axew does not have Earthquake to deal with all Steel-types, it does have a way to get rid of troublesome Fairy-types thanks to Poison Jab and Iron Tail. If Cottonee has been problematic, run Poison Jab as it will be a clean OHKO. Otherwise, stick with Iron Tail for dealing with other Fairy-types. The last slot must be saved for Superpower as it functions as a reliable way to deal with many Steel-types that would otherwise wall Axew. Set Details Due to Axew's mediocre defenses, Eviolite is pretty much a necessity in order to increase its bulk as well as the possibility of a sweep. The EV spread speaks for itself here as it is quite standard for a sweeper of this sort. Maximum Speed and Attack will allow Axew to make the most out of its power, and after a Dragon Dance, this power will just be further increased. While the Adamant nature gives Axew some added power and lets it reach 22 Speed at +1, it will make Axew vulnerable to some crucial threats that a +1 Jolly Axew would be able to outspeed, namely Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Chinchou, Mienfoo, and Magnemite. Usage Tips As a setup sweeper, Axew is usually saved until later in the match or at least until its checks and counters are out of the way. Also, be wary when using Superpower, as using it too early can stop the chances of sweeping due to the Attack and Defense drops. Do not get greedy when setting up; Dragon Dance should only be used when there is an extremely high chance Axew will be able to survive a hit, or as a last resort attempt. If a risky choice is made and it goes in favor of the opponent, it could cost the win. In addition, you do not want Axew to be locked into Outrage when there is a Steel-type on the other team as it wastes turns and will end up confusing Axew anyway without much damage being done. On the other hand, Fairy-types will just block Outrage, allowing Axew to use Poison Jab after Outrage is nullified. Team Options Due to Axew's lack of bulk, bulky teammates that are able to sponge super effective hits for Axew are recommended. A few examples of these Pokemon are Chinchou to take Ice-type moves and Trubbish to take Fairy-type moves. Axew also benefits from having teammates that can take care of these checks and counters. Drilbur is a good example of a Pokemon that can take care of these by being able to defeat Steel-types with Earthquake and Fairy-types with Poison Jab. As with all sweepers, Axew benefits from having teammates with Knock Off. This will make Axew's job easier when it comes to sweeping as Eviolite will be out of the way. Another thing that Axew benefits from is having entry hazards out. This will mean that Axew needs to deal less damage in order to secure a KO and will increase the possibility of a sweep.

Choice Scarf turns Axew from a deadly sweeper into a just-as-deadly revenge killer, able to come in after a teammate has perished and avenge its fallen ally. A Speed stat of 24 when equipped with a Choice Scarf is nothing to scoff at, and along with Axew's Attack stat of 18, picking off weakened foes becomes child's play. Dragon Claw is the preference of STAB this time, as a Choice set likes being locked into Outrage even less than the Dragon Dance variant. Superpower allows Axew to deal with many Pokemon that would otherwise give it trouble, such as Lileep and Ferroseed, scoring a nice super effective hit on them. Aqua Tail hits Hippopotas slightly harder than its Dragon-type STAB attacks, as well as scoring a super effective hit on the many Fire-types that plague the tier such as Houndour and Larvesta. Outrage, Axew's most powerful option, can be used when there is nothing left on the opponent's team to take a hit or outspeed Axew, allowing it to also function as a competent late-game cleaner or to smash a bulky check as it comes in so that Axew can pave the way for a sweep for a teammate. The EV spread maximizes Speed and power with the rest put into HP to provide a buffer for some weaker hits. Jolly is favorable over Adamant, as it means Axew can outspeed Choice Scarf Magnemite and other boosted threats. It should be noted that this Axew is much more frail than its Dragon Dancing counterpart, as it does not have Eviolite to increase its bulk. This Axew relies on hitting fast and hard to avoid taking hits. X-Scissor could be used to get a super effective hit on Lileep without the negative side effect of Superpower, as well as getting a super effective hit on other Grass-types like Shroomish, but it is generally an inferior option, as the coverage or power provided by the other moves on the set make better choices. Dual Chop has some advantages over Dragon Claw, as it enables Axew to break Substitutes and then continue to follow up with damage. It can also break the Focus Sash of Pokemon like Abra, but the 10% accuracy drop can lead to Axew's demise, so use this move with caution. Teammates that can take hits for Axew are appreciated. Magnemite and Bronzor are notable for their bulk and resistances to both of Axew's weaknesses. The former is great at trapping and removing Axew's counters, while the latter is particularly helpful for its ability to set up Stealth Rock. This Axew also appreciates Rapid Spin support, as it will be switching in and out more often than the Dragon Dance set. Staryu is a notable spinner, as Axew synergizes with Staryu quite well, resisting both of its weaknesses. Tentacool is in a similar boat, but is also able to set up Toxic Spikes, which can help break down some bulkier walls for Axew to smash through.

Dragon Dance is a move that Axew utilizes superbly. The goal of this set is simple: switch in after a teammate has been felled or on a resisted attack, then Dragon Dance to turn Axew into a killing machine. After a Dragon Dance, Axew reaches a bone-crushing Attack of 27, and its Speed reaches a relatively nimble 24, meaning it can outspeed the entirety of the unboosted metagame and even some slower Choice Scarf Pokemon, such as Snover. Once boosted, there is little that can face up to the wrath of Axew; it is both faster and more powerful, stat-wise, than Dratini. Outrage serves as the obligatory Dragon-type STAB. It boasts a monstrous 120 Base Power, meaning it will demolish enemies that do not resist it even before a boost. Aqua Tail provides fantastic coverage for Axew, hitting threats like Hippopotas for super effective damage and allowing Axew to attack without locking itself into Outrage. The move used in the last slot can vary depending on user preference. Dragon Claw is to negate the side effect of Outrage in exchange for less power. Superpower can be used to scout a potential switch-in, paving the way for Axew to ravage the opponent's team later in the game. However, the subsequent Attack drop can often be detrimental to Axew's sweep, and, to a lesser extent, so can the fall in Defense. Eviolite is the preferred item for Axew, as it provides a much needed buff to bulk to ease setup and take priority hits with more conviction once it has done so. However, Life Orb could also be used if one wants to obliterate foes with even more power, though Life Orb Axew often finds its sweeps cut short by priority. The EV spread provides maximum Speed and power while the rest is invested into HP to improve bulk. Jolly is used so Axew can get the jump on Magnemite and Dratini, two threats that have the potential to prevent Axew's sweep before it has even begun. Other options for the last slot include Taunt and Protect. Taunt provides a setup opportunity and a means to avoid getting blighted by status, something Axew must avoid. Protect is to fend off the omnipresent Fake Out. However mighty Axew seems, it is always helpful to have team support backing its sweep. Entry hazards from Dwebble or Omanyte can turn many 2HKOs into OHKOs, which Axew greatly appreciates. If it lacks Superpower, Axew finds itself walled by Steel-types, so Magnemite makes a great partner, as not only can it trap Steel-types and eliminate them with a swift Hidden Power Fire, but it can also take Ice- and Dragon-type attacks aimed at Axew, as well as bait Fire-type attacks that Axew can set up on. Bronzor is in a similar boat to Magnemite, but can also set up Stealth Rock and screens to aid Axew's sweep. Another Dragon Dance user that can capitalize on the holes that Axew punches in the opponent's team and vice versa is also good idea as a teammate. Mienfoo in particular has the ability to clean up the mess that Axew leaves behind, as it can defeat the Steel-types that have the bulk to survive Axew's Outrage. This set hates Toxic Spikes, so a Rapid Spin user or grounded Poison-type is appreciated. Tentacool fits both of these roles quite well, while also providing decent synergy with Axew and the ability to set up Toxic Spikes of its own.