What is a good moveset for Aegislash?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Aegislash, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Aegislash Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Comments

Plenty? I dont think so...

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http://pokemondb.net/pokebase/166196/metagame-speculation-thread-new-pokemon-of-gen-vi

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Aegislash is a bit of a hit or miss with Stance Change so I prefer an eviolite Doublade with Hairy Shed's staple moveset and protect instead of King's Shield.

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If you think about the amount of Knock Off nowadays, no item on Aegislash is a pretty decent option. People will usually suspect the Weakness Policy if they don't see the Leftovers and might avoid throwing supereffective moves. On top of that, no item also makes Knock Off no concern at all, unless it's from a Crawdaunt. (Life Orb Bisharp still has to 2HKO with Knock Off on a 252 HP Aegislash)

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muguet with another legendary prediction

Answer 1

Sweeper Set

This guy is literally DESIGNED to use swords dance, if you don't have the move in your moveset, then what's the point in using him? By the way if this guy doesn't get into OU I will figuratively sh*t myself.

Aegislash @ Life Orb / Shell Bell /Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 Atk / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- King's Shield
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword

The strategy for this beastly sword is to use his shield form (helped with defensive EVs) to set up with Swords Dance, all the while annoying physical attackers with King's Shield, switch to blade form (helped with attack EVs) and then start sweeping with priority Shadow Sneak.
If you're up against a Normal or Dark type, or ANY Pokemon for that matter that resists your Shadow Sneak, use King's Shield to switch back to shield form, and then slaughter the enemy with Sacred Sword the following turn.
This guy may also shine in trick room, but I haven't tried it yet.

Comments

I would recommend 252 atk/ 252 special defense/4 def because king’s shield harshly lowers your opponent’s attack anyways

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A Brave Natured Aegislash is better. You can make better use of his ability, maintain a decent sp. Def. During attack form if you get stuck, and gyro ball becomes an even brighter option.

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Alphais, and, if you give it a Heavy Ball, Gyro Ball will get even stronger

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Maybe for an item you can use Leftovers or maybe a Quick Claw

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dude I think you can change shadow sneak with shadow ball

Answer 2

An attacker when need it, a defender when you want it

Aegislash @ Kasib Berry
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 119 Def / 99 SpD
Brave Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Shadow Claw
- King's Shield

Sword Dance- It raises its Attack by two
Iron Head- It does 80 damage, and has a 30% chance of flinch
Shadow Claw- Does 70 damage, and a higher critical hit ratio (1⁄8)
King's Shield-Protects Aegislash from attacks & if hit, it lowers the attacking Pokémon's Attack.

Comments

i would recomend you to do some calculations about overall damage (check smogon for that), aegislash gets better bulk when growing its HP when in shield mode and growing all 3 defensive stats simultaneously on blade mode.... also... since its nature doesnt affect nor defense nor sp def, it wont be getting anything extra for having a odd number on those stats.... and i believe that at least for lvl 50, it doesnt grow attack anymore with brave nature after 248 or 246 EVs (dont remember the actual number)

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How has this moveset not been voted at all?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! You CAN NOT have an Aegislash without swords dance or king's shield- especially king's shield because you need it to transform into shield forme and not get KO'd by weak moves. The only strategy for an Aegislash is to swords dance in shield forme, KO your opponent in one hit and then transform back into shield forme with king's shield. You want shadow claw and iron head for stab(1.5x power if moves are same type as pokemon). I don't know why loads of people say shadow sneak because it is so weak and the last thing an Aegislash wants is to attack first and be left vulnerable to DEATH in blade forme. You also don't want special moves like shadow ball. Why? Think about swords dance and what stat it raises... Yeah. I may sound like a droning weirdo and I probably am (at least I admit it), but I know what I'm talking about. My brother has an Aegislash with this exact moveset and it is the only pokemon left at the end of every battle except maybe his Yvetal. The only way I can think of to beat it is my Mega Mewtwo or and Yvetal that knows taunt. That is this moveset's one weakness- taunt. But there is a simple solution- switch out. So all in all this moveset is unbeatable. I could beat an Arceus more easily than this! I would vote for your answer but I can't get it working. The only person my brother can't beat with his Aegislash is a hacker with a Terrakion that is faster than a full speed EV'd Crobat, which is technically impossible. Trust me, this moveset with this pokemon is UNBEATABLE. You do not want to feel the suffering I felt against this dark beast. YOU DON'T. This comment (essay) is so long that nobody will pay attention or read it, but I don't care because I am giving hope to this person who gave a great answer that people don't like. I don't care that nobody will read this, but if someone does, I hope they learn something about this DEMON of a pokemon. You are a great guy.

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This moveset is probably the best up here but I'd  go for the weakness policy over the berry as it makes up for the fact that if they have an advantage on you then it would be hard to get in a swords dance so this raises the attack in hope of being able to KO the opponent. Also I find that defensive EVs work better and wouldn't adamant be better than brave anyway?

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Why Iron Head? Gyro Ball is much better if you use 0 Speed IV's

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In almost every situation, it's better to max HP than to split between each defensive stat. 252 HP EVs are indeed slightly less effective than 252 Def EVs at blocking physical attacks (or 252 SpD EVs for special attacks), but HP EVs affect *both* stats, which makes them almost universal on defensive Pokemon.

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Sorry to necropost, but I have just one question. What's the use for Iron Head if you have Brave nature on your Aegislash? There's a low chance for you to get a flinch so I wouldn't see it being of much help aside from the STAB bonus. Could anyone explain please and thank you?

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Iron Head has more reliable damage compared to something like Gyro Ball, as well as much more PP. Gyro Ball is most often better in terms of power, but Iron Head lets you hit slower Pokemon for more damage.

Answer 3

This Pokemon has a wonderful ability, allowing it to set up in Defensive mode, then attack with new stats. And like some other Pokemon it can go for a Double Dancing set.

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Autotomize
- Iron Head
- Shadow Claw / Sacred Sword

While this set is walled by a few Pokemon, steel types in general, it does have strong power and Duo STABs. Iron Head just got popular with the new fairy typing, and with STAB and chance to flinch you'll be doin just fine. Shadow Claw is next STAB with good critical hit chance. However, if you go Sacred Sword, you get walled by less pokes, though you lose out on STAB. Jellicent is still an issue, however. Sacred Sword is probably the preferred option.

Comments

no its not its best move :P its to predictable; which makes this set pretty darn good that giving you the chance to set up Automize when people expect King's Shield

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wait.. how is this walled by steel types?

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Would you recommend Brave nature for this set?

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Fairy types should not exist.
They are pretty much saying Tinkerbell can beat a dragon and Jackie chan and is immune to anything the dragon throws at it?!

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Drop Automize for Protect or King's Shield or else he will be OKHOed by almost any neutral attack. Or you could just give it both shadow claw and sacred sword.

Answer 4

Doublade

Doublade is the Evolution of Honedge that deserves just as much recognition as it's bigger brother Aegislash, who quickly rose to fame among the Competitive Community by obviously superior Stats, Movepool, and Typing. But many forget that Doublade is his little brother; a Knight in training if you can, that deserves at least 50% of the credit and honor it's Evolution does- the [Twin] Sword Pokemon is the bridge between Aegislash and Sacred Sword after all. However, despite this, it is nonetheless overshadowed by it's Evolution, naturally. Why would anyone use this guy over a bigger, better version? This is why!

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Swords Dance + Automize- "Rebellion"

Doublade (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Sacred Sword
- Swords Dance
- Autotomize

The arguably better DoubleDance'er of the Honedge Evolutions, Doublade's own "Pre-Evolution" Status gives it a 50% Boost to both its Defense and Special Defense, bringing it to a superior Base Defense at 225 and a decent Base 75 Special Defense, as opposed to Aegislash's Blade Form's 50/50 Defensive Stats. Without having to rely on King's Shield to Switch between Offense and Defense, "Rebellion" attempts to rebel against its bigger brother, showing that it is the better of the two with immediate Offense.

Comments

It's Autotomize :l

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Corrected.

Answer 5

Mixed Sweeper

Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 88 Atk / 252 SpA / 168 Spe
Rash Nature
- Automize
- Shadow Sneak / Shadow Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Flash Cannon / Hidden Power [Ice]

Weird how no sets listed here are Mixed since Aegislash has good Attack & Special Attack stats. The plan is to switch Aegislash into something it counters and while the opponents switch out you pull off an Automize and when the other Pokemon comes in, you may be able to pull off yet another Automize since Aegislash in its Shield form is pretty hard to OHKO (even with Rash). You may even get lucky to get the Weakness Policy to activate which puts you into +2 Attack and +2 Special Attack (which puts your Attack stat at 716 and your Special Attack stat at 876). +2 Speed will put your Speed stat at 396 and +4 Speed will put you at a Speed stat of 594. Shadow Sneak is priority and STAB (priority never hurts) or you can go for a STAB Shadow Ball instead. Sacred Sword helps with coverage and Hidden Power [Ice] is for Gliscor and Landorus-T or you can go with Flash Cannon for STAB.

Tips: Having Stealth Rocks up will be very helpful to Aegislash since it'll be able to get past Pokemon with Sturdy or are holding a Focus Sash. This set is good for late game sweeping.

Answer 6

I present to you... my Aegislash set.

Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- King's Shield
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword / Shadow Ball

This is the way to run a competitive Aegislash. Swords Dance, Swords Dance, use that Weakness Policy, use King's Shield when you feel like you need to, and then you can sweep. And just when a physical wall comes in/you're burned, surprise, here's a Shadow Ball.

Hope you like it.

Comments

This is the exact move set i'm going for, same item as well! (i'm going to have sacred sword over shadow ball, due to the fact that sacred sword can help aegislash against dark types.

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Definitely gonna want to run sacred sword or shadow claw instead of shadow ball if you're using swords dance. pretty solid otherwise

Answer 7

doubles/ singles TR sweeper

Aegislash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Atk / 52 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- King's Shield
- Iron Head
- Sacred Sword
- Swords Dance

okay, while similar to others, this is meant for TR.

Comments

Whats TR?

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Trick Room

Answer 8

Being a noob and using gimmicks

Special Offensive Set that is an obvious gimmick and really really sucks

I made this set for no particular reason, and I've been using it occasionally. It's an okay set in all seriousness, since it has a better chance against Pokemon which try beat Aegislash with Will-o-wisp and such (Hello Rotom-W).

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Substitute

With base 150 special attack you'd wonder why people wouldn't use a special set. Then you look at Aegislash's access to King's Shield and Swords Dance, and it's barren special movepool. Yup that's why,
Anyway. Trying to make do with Aegislash's dodgy special movepool sucks, but Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are decent STABs with good enough coverage. HP Fighting rounds off the set, giving Aegislash something else to use. Hidden Power Fighting has the potential to KO Pyroar after Stealth Rock damage which is always nice. Also Flash Cannon can 2HKO even fully special defense invested Florges (From what I've seen, that's kinda uncommon) though Wish sucks. This guy is kinda hit and run once sub gets broken =/ so he's not that great.
Itemwise, Leftovers to give more substitutes of course :>. EVs = much special attack, and rest is slapped onto HP. Idgaf where the other 4 goes.
Anyway. The reason for running this set, is obviously the surprise factor on teams who bring defensive walls, will-o-wisp users, switch in Pyroar etc. who then find to their horror a specially offensive Aegislash.

Comments

Such nub

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KoD you little call me a scrub but yet you use special set

Answer 9

Aegislash (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield

Comments

There can be no SWORD pokemon without SWORD dance

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That's actually BS. This set is a complete monster and 10 times better than the Sword's Dance set now that the meta has adapted. Shadow Ball basically 2HKO's anything really.

Answer 10

For those who remember Brave Fencer Musashi, I present you with Lumina

Say whatever you wanna but I trully believe that special aegislash does quiet good, it might lack sword dance, and the secondary effect of the attacks might not activate that often, but it has 3 advantages over his physical brother:
1) people are expecting physical Aegislash
2) since you cant set up, also means you wont take a turn to setup (wich most people will expect you to), you can choose to attack right away or use toxic on difficult opponents
3) since aegislash will be attacking every other turn (using king's shield to avoid been attacked while in blade form), he can stall for pasive damage generated by toxic wich will be using the sword's dance slot

Aegislash @ Leftovers / Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 6 SpD
Quiet / Relaxed / Sassy Nature
- King's Shield
- Toxic / Hidden Power
- Flash Cannon
- Shadow Ball

would be awesome if this little assassin could learn nasty plot (i would probably just drool for a whole day just staring at it) but if you are lucky, the sp.def drop of the 2 attacks might trigger making you hit a bit harder and passive damage is quite useful with this poke. You could run Hidden Power instead of Toxic or any of the other attacks for coverage... but I like toxic =P. you could also run weakness policy and enjoy the +2 you missed from a sword dance if you don't mind not having recovery (or if you have other staller using it when item clause is active)

On the other hand, the secondary abilities of all the attacks do actually serve a purpose while Iron Head's flinch won't even matter since you will be attacking last (ideally), Shadow Sneak might get you a kill but will leave you wide open for any incoming attack since it has priority, Gyro Ball will hit hard sweepers, but the damage is not that good against other slow pokes.

Comments

This is a good set.

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What type of hp

Answer 11

Similar to fizz's set, but different:

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- King's Shield
- Toxic
- Iron Defense
- Shadow Ball / Flash Cannon

With 150 in both defences in shield forme, this guy makes an amazing staller. I invested in Sp.Def because King's Shield and Iron Defence walls physical attackers.
King's Shield is to prevent damage and harm physical attackers, as said above, while Toxic slowly drains your opponents health. Iron Defence + King's Shield combo makes physical attackers virtually useless on him. Shadow Ball/Flash Cannon to KO an opponent that may be a threat, usually ghosts so I advise Shadow Ball. If you see a fire, ground or dark type, flee.

Answer 12

Now that this little fella is Uber ( ;_; ), we need a new set for him.

Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
EVs: 252 Atk / 34 Def / 34 SpD / 188 Spe
Adamant Nature
Ability: Stance Change
- Shadow Claw
- Iron Head
- King's Shield
- Sacred Sword

The spread is a little shifty, but it works.
Iron Head for dem GeoXers, and Kyurem-W
Shadow Claw for dem Lugias, Mewtows and Deo N/A/S.
King's Shield because Weakness Policy.
Sacred Sword for dem Dialgas, MLucs,EKiller Arceus (dat immunity tho), Mega Moms and Darkrais (lol dont send him against Darkrai).

Comments

Umm... no, it's not.

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Oh, you mean on Showdown!  Ah, so official.  But I guess you have a point.

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252 Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 176+ Def Multiscale Lugia: 81-96 (19.4 - 23%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
Great.

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I use something similer with the same moves

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>176+ Defense Lugia
u wot? also, Multiscale is OP

Answer 13

this is what i've seen within the meta game, and it's super grosss, I hate playing against it. ew.

Aegislash (M) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Swords Dance
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield

oh well :p

Answer 14

Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- King's Shield
- Autotomize
- Iron Head
- Shadow Claw / Shadow Sneak

A sweeper. Use King Shield on the first turn to scout the opponent. Then use Autotomize to boost your speed. If everything goes right, your Weakness Policy should activate, and you will have +2 Speed and +2 Attack. You can now proceed to sweep with Iron Head and Shadow Claw/Shadow Sneak.

Comments

Awsum set. What about Shadow Sneak though?

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It has automize which raises speed sharply so it doesnt need priority

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Aegislash isn't exactly the fastest Pokémon out there, so even after Autotomize, priority can still be useful.

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Shadow Sneak can be an option on this set.

Answer 15

Doublade

Literally one person wanted this so I'm writing one.

The best set is bulky swords dance. This is the standard smogon set except with Toxic instead of Shadow Claw, as with te exception of the two steel types it helps break through some of its normal checks and cripple otherwise 'easy' switchins.

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Atk / 76 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Sneak / Shadow Claw
- Sacred Sword / Pursuit
- Toxic

Pursuit also doesn't do much honestly (it needs SR to 2HKo Espeon e.e) but it's nice resistances and typing means that it comes in on most Psychic's barring stray Shadow Balls. Doublade really lacks options. It's too slow to make use of Destiny Bond. RestTalk could be aight if it had any sort of immediate power, so I guess if you really wanted to you could run something like

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Atk / 76 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Claw
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

But honestly it's really not great, as it has to predict a switch or eat a hit and hope to not die in order to pull of a rest, and then if you keep getting SD's while asleep then you just get KO'd anyway.

My opinion would to just use standard bulky Dou, and if you really want to be spicy Toxic is a nice tech.

Answer 16

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Iron Head
- Close Combat / Sacred Sword
- King's Shield

Shadow Claw and Iron Head are STAB, and Shadow Claw is coverage for ghosts. Close Combat is coverage for Dark types and is amazing overall. King's Shield helps its pitiful defense stat in Blade form and is free Leftovers recovery. In addition, if you don't like the Def and SpD drop from CC, you can go Sacred Sword.

Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Atk / 8 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Iron Head
- Close Combat
- Autotomize

Standard WP sweeper. Autotomize to fix its 60 Speed, which is really terrible considering in Blade form 'slash has 60/50/50 defenses.

Aegislash @ Choice Specs
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Shock Wave / Hyper Beam
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Yeah sorry. NatDex or gen 7 only set. Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are STAB. Shock Wave is coverage and HP Ice is for a makeshift BoltBeam and also covers Ground types and Dragon types like Mega Salamence and Garchomp. Hyper Beam is just there because Aegislash's special movepool is rubbish.

VGC/doubles set
I
I
I
V

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 28 Def / 200 SpA / 28 SpD
Careful Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- King's Shield
- Wide Guard / Substitute

Answer 17

Dual Dance Aegislash

Gen 8 UU / National Dex UU

Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Autotomize
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Claw / Iron Head

Swords Dance boosts your attack. Automize boosts your speed. Sacred Sword is coverage that deals with dark types. Shadow Claw or Iron Head, depending on which move you choose, is STAB.

Comments

You can replace Sacred Sword with Close Combat.

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It gives extra power, yes, but not worth the def and spdef drop.

Answer 18

Was supposed to be the Sword and Shield Mascot but was nerfed. GAMEFREAK got ashamed and made Zacian and Zamazenta instead to compensate.

Trickster (Aegislash) @ Iron Ball
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA
Brave Nature
- Power Trick
- Shadow Ball
- Gyro Ball
- Close Combat

Used in Trick Rooms.
Power Trick so you don't lower your Higher Stat. King's Shield will retain the Defense Lowering, while Power Trick will switch Defense Lowered to Attack Lowered as it literally swaps your attack and defense (when you focus on defense, e.g. the target used a 2-turn move without herb, offense first, defense next, right?)

Close Combat is obvious.
Gyro Ball cuz' you're slowest as possible.
Shadow Ball to surprise random people who think you carry Swords Dance and wall you.

Answer 19

Aegislash is the mascot of versatile Pokémon, being able to freely switch between its powerful Blade form and its resistant Shield form. This makes it a very tough opponent to face!

Gen VIII OU (Ended up banned from UU apparently)
Physical Setup Sweeper
Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance/ Autotomize
- Iron Head/ Shadow Claw
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak/ King's Shield

Aegislash can use its massive bulk in its Shield form to setup with Swords Dance or Autotomize and potencially grab a Weakness Policy boost upon being hit by a Super Effective move

Iron Head and Shadow Claw are STAB moves
Close Combat is powerful coverage
Shadow Sneak's priorty is always useful, particularly on the Swords Dance variant, while King's Shield can change it back to its Sheild form in case it is needed (be aware that it doesn't protect it from status moves, only from direct damaging moves).

Answer 20

Aegislash (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Iron Head
- Shadow Claw
- Sacred Sword

Comments

not having king's shield is risky since aegislash is not fast.... specially since you are not putting nor nature nor EVs on speed, while on blade mode you will be an easy kill