Strategy Tips

The following special parameters will be applied in the battle against Azelf.

• Stat changes to Defense and Sp. Def have a greater effect on damage output for both allies and opponents.

Due to the special parameter, more damage will be received when Defense & Sp. Def are lowered, and less damage will be received when these stats are raised.
Azelf takes advantage of the special parameter with its Passive Skills Defense Crush and Mind Games, which respectively lower the Defense and Sp. Def of the allies it attacks.
Try to use X Defense All and X Sp. Def All to raise your allies’ Defense and Sp. Def, or make good use of the Stat Reduction Defense field effect during battle.

Up until HP Bar 2, Azelf will always have either the Sterner Stuff 8 or Brain Brawn 8 Passive Skill, which means damage from either physical or special attacks is always reduced. Damage from physical and special Sync Moves will not be reduced.
At HP Bar 3, it will instead have either Brawn Barrier 8 or Brain Barrier 8, which will almost completely reduce damage from moves as well as Sync Moves. Make sure you use the right kinds of moves.

HP Bar 1

• Azelf has Sterner Stuff 8 when more than half its HP remains, and switches to Brain Brawn 8 when its HP drops to half or below. Try using special attack moves in the first half of the battle, and physical attack moves in the second half!
• Azelf uses special attack moves when more than half its HP remains and physical attack moves instead when its HP drops to half or below. Try using Viola & Masquerain’s Struggle Bug to lower Azelf’s Sp. Atk in the first half and Dawn & Torterra’s Power Siphon 9 Passive Skill to lower Azelf’s Attack in the second half!
• For Very Hard difficulty battles, when Azelf’s HP drops to 1/3 or below, it will use the Passive Skill Emergency Barrier to apply the Physical Damage Reduction effect on the field, so try to attack while making use of Noland & Mega Pinsir’s Passive Skill, Unhindered!

Recommended Sync Pairs and Tactics: Option 1

• #1: Cheryl & Blissey
• #2: Winona & Pelipper
• #3: Viola & Masquerain*

Recommended Sync Pairs and Tactics: Option 2

• #1: Dawn & Torterra*
• #2: Bugsy & Beedrill
• #3: Noland & Pinsir

HP Bar 2

• Azelf has Sterner Stuff 8 when more than half its HP remains, and switches to Brain Brawn 8 when its HP drops to half or below. Try using special attack moves in the first half of the battle, and physical attack moves in the second half!
• Azelf uses special attack moves when more than half its HP remains, and physical attack moves instead when its HP drops to half or below. Try using Misty & Starmie’s X Sp. Def All to raise Sp. Def in the first half, and Jasmine & Steelix’s X Defense All to raise Defense in the second half!
• Azelf will raise its critical-hit rate when its HP drops to half or below. You can gain the upper hand by using Jasmine & Steelix’s Clang! to apply the Critical-Hit Defense and Stat Reduction Defense effects on the allied field of play!

Recommended Sync Pairs and Tactics: Option 1

• #1: Misty & Starmie
• #2: Skyla & Swanna
• #3: Burgh & Leavanny

Recommended Sync Pairs and Tactics: Option 2

• #1: Jasmine & Steelix
• #2: Phoebe & Dusknoir*
• #3: Guzma & Golisopod

HP Bar 3

• Azelf has Brawn Barrier 8 when more than half its HP remains, and switches to Brain Barrier 8 when its HP drops to half or below. Since Lusamine & Pheromosa have both special and physical attacks, you’ll be sure you have the right attack for the situation!
• Azelf uses special attack moves when more than half its HP remains, and physical attack moves instead when its HP drops to half or below. Try using Drake & Salamence’s X Sp. Def All to raise Sp. Def in the first half, and Drake & Salamence’s Hard to Starboard! to raise Defense in the second half!
• For Very Hard difficulty battles, Azelf will raise its evasiveness at the start of HP Bar 3. Try boosting your accuracy with Lillie & Clefairy’s X Accuracy All before you attack!

Recommended Sync Pairs and Tactics

• #1: Lillie & Clefairy
• #2: Drake & Salamence
• #3: Lusamine & Pheromosa

Note: Sync Pairs listed with an * show the Pokémon in its evolved form.