Spotlight Pokemon: Aegislash

Aegislash is a new and very unique entry in Pokémon X and Y. It is a Steel/Ghost type, so it takes double damage from Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark. It takes normal damage from Water and Electric, 1/4 damage from Bug, and is immune to Normal, Poison, and Fighting. All other types do half damage to Aegislash. Aegislash is the final form of Honedge. Honedge evolves into Doublade at level 35, then into Aeigslash by using a Dusk Stone.

Aegislash Stats: Master of Attack and Defense

Aegislash has several resistances and three immunities; that’s huge. It seems Steel is great in this category, as last week’s Spotlight Pokemon was Scizor. It is weak against common types, but his amazing defenses make up for it. The most important thing to know about Aegislash is its Ability. Aegislash gets the unique Stance Change ability, which changes forms depending on what move it uses. Here’s a quick look at its base stats in each form:

Shield Forme

• HP: 60
• Attack: 50
  
• Defense: 150
  
• Special Attack: 50
• Special Defense: 150
• Speed: 60 

Blade Forme

• HP: 60
  
• Attack: 150
• Defense: 50
  
• Special Attack: 150
• Special Defense: 50
• Speed: 60

Aeigislash will always start and switch back into battle in Shield Forme. Any attacking move will change him into Blade Forme right before the attack. Only King’s Shield will change him back into Shield Forme, making Aeiglash a very formidable opponent.

Use King’s Shield to lower their attack, then strike down your enemies

Aegislash’s ability to change between stances to alter his stats is great, but the most interesting thing about it is King’s Shield. Not only does King’s Shield change it back into Shield Forme, but it also works similarly to Protect in that it is used first and protects Aegislash from all moves that turn. King’s Shield also lowers the Attack of the opponent by two stages if it is a contact move. This makes him an absolute threat for physical attackers that make contact. The only way to get King’s Shield is to use a Heart Scale at the Move Reminder.

I recommend maxing out Attack EVs because it has a larger variety than Special Attacks. After that, max HP and put the rest in either Defense or Special Defense.

Adamant, +Attack and -Special Attack, or Brave, +Attack and -Speed, are its best Natures. Brave probably comes out on top because you want Aegislash to be pretty slow.

Aegislash only switches forms when it is its turn. If the opponent attacks before you do, you will stay in Shield Forme until it is your turn to attack. This way you will keep your maximum defenses when getting attacked, then switch to offense when it is safe. Since King’s Shield always goes first, you can switch back to Shield Forme before getting attacked. Eventually this pattern will be anticipated, so you may have to switch your order up a bit.

Best Moveset for Aegislash

Besides King’s Shield, a good moveset would be: Shadow Claw/Shadow Sneak, Iron Head, and Sacred Sword.

Shadow Claw is a strong physical Ghost attack that gets STAB, but Shadow Sneak is a priority attack. Shadow Sneak is good when you are close to fainting and can’t get another attack off.

Iron Head is a strong physical Steel attack that gets STAB. It also has a chance to make the target flinch, but you will be going last most of the time.

Sacred Sword is a strong physical Fighting attack, and the target’s stat changes don’t affect this move’s damage.

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Another edition of Spotlight Pokémon is over. As always, let me know what you think about Aegislash or any other Pokémon in the comments below, and be sure to check out our other Pokemon X and Y guides.