Moves
Blizzard is granted 100% accuracy in hail and is an extremely powerful STAB attack that, alongside the chip damage that hail provides, is capable of 2HKOing common threats in Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Foongus. Hyper Voice is an option over Blizzard if Amaura is running Refrigerate and sacrifices a slightly better damage output for the ability to bypass Substitutes and nail common users of the move, like Abra and Diglett. Earth Power is excellent coverage alongside Blizzard or Hyper Voice, hitting Pokemon resistant to Ice, such as Magnemite, Chinchou, and Ponyta, super effectively. Thunderbolt allows Amaura to hit bulky Water-types such as Staryu, Shellos, and Slowpoke, which can otherwise tank its attacks, super effectively. Ancient Power is used as a secondary STAB attack to hit Larvesta super effectively, with the additional benefit of potentially boosting all of Amaura's stats by one stage. Hyper Beam is an extremely powerful Refrigerate-boosted STAB attack that is preferable on Refrigerate sets and can blow past weakened bulkier threats such as Spritzee and Ferroseed, especially after they've been hit with Knock Off, though the turn Amaura will take to recharge after using the move should be noted.
Set Details
Maximum investment in Special Attack with a Modest nature gives Amaura as much offensive prowess as possible, and maximum investment in Speed with a Choice Scarf allows it to hit 21 Speed and outpace the entire unboosted metagame. A Timid nature can be used instead of Modest to hit 22 Speed, thus allowing Amaura to outpace 21 Speed Choice Scarf users like Modest Magnemite and Snover and Speed tie with 22 Speed Choice Scarf users. However, neither are very common, and this is also at the cost of the slight increase in power a Modest nature would provide. The remaining EVs are invested into HP, thus allowing Amaura to switch into Stealth Rock five times. Snow Warning can be used for a 100% accurate Blizzard and chip damage on foes, which allows Amaura to 2HKO slow Mienfoo, while Refrigerate can be used if Amaura wishes to bypass Substitutes with its powerful Refrigate-boosted Hyper Voice and boost the power of Hyper Beam.
Usage Tips
Due to the good Speed Choice Scarf provides Amaura with, this set's best use is as a revenge killer, particularly of Pokemon weak to Ice-type attacks such as Vullaby, Doduo, and Snivy. Amaura can, however, try cleaning up late-game after its checks have been removed or weakened, though it can at times weaken its checks enough to KO them considering the power of its attacks. If Amaura is attempting to sweep late-game, it's best that Fighting-types and Steel-types are removed, as most Pokemon of these types can tank a hit and take advantage of Amaura's 4x weakness to their STAB attacks to KO it. Although Amaura can dent Water-types with Thunderbolt, it is best that they are also weakened or removed before Amaura attempts to clean up late-game, as most can survive a Thunderbolt and potentially KO Amaura with super effective STAB attacks. Priority users like Corphish and Croagunk are also important to remove, as they can capitalize on Amaura's poor typing to KO it before it can even attack. Faster Choice Scarf users like Rufflet and Doduo should be scouted out in order to make full use of Amaura, as these threats will otherwise outpace and OHKO it with their respective coverage options. If Amaura wishes to use Hyper Beam to muscle past and revenge kill a bulkier foe, it must be weakened first. Spritzee, bulky Mienfoo, and Ferroseed are the main examples of bulky Pokemon Amaura will need weakened to break with Hyper Beam. Amaura is often capable of forcing switches due to the metagame's general lack of Ice-resistant Pokemon and should thus capitalize on this by switching out on a predicted switch to bring out ateammate capable of taking on the foe switched into play. Lastly, due to its susceptibility to Diglett, Amaura should be wary of being locked into Thunderbolt or Ancient Power, as neither move will do sufficient damage to Diglett, which can then easily trap and revenge kill Amaura in return.
Team Options
Amaura's huge weakness to Fighting-type attacks means that it requires the support of Pokemon that are capable of checking Fighting-types, such as Doduo, Snubbull, and Spritzee. Amaura also has a big weakness to Steel-type attacks and thus appreciates the likes of Ponyta, Croagunk, and Diglett, which can all take care of common Steel-type threats in Pawniard and Magnemite. Entry hazard support from the likes of Onix, Dwebble, and Omanyte is useful to Amaura, as it allows it to secure OHKOs on Pokemon like Foongus and Vullaby. Entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Staryu, Vullaby, and Kabuto is also appreciated, as it allows Amaura to switch in without losing 25% of its HP to Stealth Rock. Knock Off support from Pokemon like Pawniard, Timburr, and Alolan Grimer is useful for helping Amaura to break past bulkier threats. Foongus and Pumpkaboo-XL make good teammates, as they can switch in on and remove bulky Water-types like Slowpoke and Staryu, allowing Amaura to spam Blizzard or Hyper Voice more reliably. Powerful attackers like Abra, Doduo, and Mudbray are all capable of punching holes in the opponent's team and make it easier for Amaura to clean up late-game. Alolan Sandshrew and Cubchoo can make use of their Slush Rush abilities to benefit from Amaura's hail after it's been KOed, as they will be able to outspeed and pick off foes Amaura has weakened for them while hail is still up. Finally, due to Amaura's reliance on Choice Scarf, it is best that Knock Off is avoided as much as possible, so Pokemon capable of absorbing Knock Off, such as Alolan Grimer, Snubbull, and Vullaby, all make for good teammates.
