Ledian Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Dual screens are all Ledian can do to support its team and at least give other, better Pokemon an easier time setting up. Encore can give Ledian a free opportunity to set up dual screens without it having to take a hit with its poor defenses, and U-turn can be used to pivot into other Pokemon that can take advantage of the screen support, as well as get some small chip damage on foes. Set Details Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allow Ledian to outspeed and set up dual screens on as many foes as possible before being KOed. Near-maximum HP investment helps bolster its poor bulk and lets it survive some neutral hits with a screen set up, although the investment is slightly lowered to take less damage from Stealth Rock. Light Clay extends the duration of Reflect and Light Screen, giving Ledian's teammates a longer opportunity to use them. Early Bird is the preferred ability, as it can help Ledian set up screens on Sleep Powder Roselia and Tangela; besides, Ledian's offenses are too poor to use Iron Fist or Swarm well. Usage Tips Use Ledian only in a support role. Setting up screens should be the priority over attacking with U-turn, and once Ledian has set up screens, it can be used as death fodder to get a free switch to a teammate to take advantage of the screens. Encore can be used to lock foes into status moves so Ledian can more easily set up screens. U-turn should only be used when Ledian has already successfully set up both Light Screen and Reflect to switch a teammate in to use them. Team Options Frail setup sweepers such as Simipour can use Ledian's screens and Encore support to more safely set up. Entry hazard removers such as Vibrava and Armaldo are needed to remove Stealth Rock for Ledian to stay at high enough HP to set up screens, as it can otherwise only survive the weakest of attacks. Pokemon that can check opposing Rock-, Ice-, Fire-, Flying-, or Electric-types, such as Leafeon, Grumpig, and Raichu, respectively, can be used to threaten Ledian's checks and counters, although sacrificing Ledian for the free switch in is normally more useful.

Switch into a Grass-type or weak special attacker and either Encore a useless setup move or start setting up dual screens. Once you've set up screens, U-turn out to the teammate that's best for the situation at hand. Roost can be used instead of U-turn if you want Ledian to stick around a little longer, since it's not like Ledian will do much with its hilariously weak U-turn if it gets hit by Taunt anyway. The EV spread maximizes Ledian's special bulk with just 256 EVs (which is actually kind of impressive, considering), and Speed is maxed out to make sure it can set up a screen before getting nailed by an attack. Early Bird is cool for being able to switch into an opposing Sleep Powder and not be too crippled by it.

Ledian has all the right moves he needs to be a great Baton Passer or even an adequate lead. Encore is the selling point of this set, and allows Ledian to separate himself from his fellow Bug-type Baton Passers. The main idea when using Ledian is to switch into an attack that poses little to no threat, Encore it, use either Agility or Swords Dance as the opponent switches out, and Baton Pass out to the appropriate teammate. Unfortunately, Ledian's lack of an attacking move on this set means he is utterly dismantled by Taunt; however, Ledian's Attack stat is pitiful and he wouldn't be damaging much anyway. When considering Ledian for a slot on your team, it is important to realize that he is only improving your team of five with Agility and Swords Dance boosts--like an accessory--and that your team should be able to function without Ledian. The EVs maximize Ledian's surprisingly good special bulk while giving him max Speed to ensure he outspeeds the omnipresent base 80s that riddle the UU metagame. When using Ledian, the best attacks for him to switch in on are non-damaging moves or Grass-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks. Ledian should then proceed to Encore the move, use Agility or Swords Dance as the opposing Pokemon switches out, and Baton Pass to the appropriate teammate when the opponent's switch-in is revealed. All of this switching can quickly deplete Ledian's health, especially if Stealth Rock is in play, so Roost can be used in place of Swords Dance to increase Ledian's longevity. If considering Ledian for the lead position, it is important to remember that he will be forced out immediately by half of the most commonly used leads in the metagame. Examples of leads that immediately force out Ledian are: Ambipom, Alakazam, Moltres, Arcanine, Snover, and any Pokemon with Taunt. Losing against all of these leads may seem overwhelming, but Ledian is perfectly capable of setting up on the half not mentioned. Against any other lead, the best idea is to Agility on turn one. This way, Ledian is able to outspeed the other lead and Encore whatever they used on the first turn. After Ledian has successfully Encored their first move, he is free to use Swords Dance as they switch out. After they have revealed their switch-in, Ledian can then Baton Pass to the appropriate teammate. The item choice in the lead position can vary. Lum Berry is the most useful as it protects Ledian from one turn of status, allowing him to pass at least the Agility he used on the first turn to the appropriate teammate. Focus Sash can be used to protect Ledian from Stone Edge or Fire Blast from leads such as Pinsir, Moltres, or Nidoking, but these leads are rare, so most times Lum Berry will prove more useful. Because Ledian will be passing Agility and Swords Dance boosts, the best teammates are those that can capitalize on said boosts and cover Ledian's weaknesses. One of the best partners for Ledian is Rhyperior. Rhyperior can easily switch into the Fire-, Rock-, Electric-, and Flying-type attacks that Ledian will encounter, is a great immediate switch-in to Ambipom if using Ledian in the lead position, and really enjoys the boosts Ledian provides. In turn, Ledian can easily switch into the Ground-, Fighting-, Water-, and Grass-type attacks that plague Rhyperior. They both share an Ice-type weakness, but it is an uncommon attacking type in the UU metagame. Other good teammates include those that cannot be phazed out, such as Octillery or Cradily. If using Ledian in the lead position, Pokemon that can switch in immediately into Alakazam or Mismagius, such as Spiritomb or Absol, make good teammates as well. Thanks to Ledian's ability, Early Bird, and the Lum Berry, he can also Agility on the first turn against sleep-inducing leads such as Venomoth or Venusaur, Swords Dance and absorb the sleep the next turn, and have an increased chance of awakening immediately the next turn to Baton Pass to a teammate as the opponent switches out. This strategy is risky, but the payoff is usually greater than the risk involved.

Set Description Reflect and Light Screen ensure safer passing of stat boosts and Substitutes. Baton Pass is mandatory given Ledian only fits on Baton Pass chains, and Substitute lets it safely bring in teammates. Maximum HP and Speed investment with a Timid nature helps Ledian set dual screens as quickly and safely as possible. Early Bird is mostly irrelevant, but it can prevent sleep inducers like Haunter and Venomoth from crippling the chain as easily. Ideally, Ledian will be the final stop before passing stat boosts to the recipient of the chain. To ensure the stats recipient is as safe as possible, both Reflect and Light Screen as well as Substitute should be set before passing stats to it. Team Options Since Ledian only fits on Baton Pass chains, ideal teammates are stat passers like Mawile, Plusle, and Delcatty as well as a recipient. Octillery is the best option as a recipient due to Suction Cups preventing it from being phazed and its great power and coverage making it essentially impossible to wall once it has stat boosts.