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Before looking it up, I was like many people and completely unable to discern the difference between the lake trio. They all have the same typing, ability, stat total, and mostly the same movepool. Where they get their identity is in their stat spread. Azelf is the fast offensive one– meaning it is likely the 2nd best of the trio. To be clear: 115 speed, and 125 in both attacks is pretty solid. With a deep supportive move pool and the speed to move before almost anyone, you can do all sorts of BS. While it isn’t as fast as Prankster, because it isn’t, that means Azelf can target dark-types with Encores, Taunts, and Tricks to ruin their plans. If you want to go on the offensive, it gets Nasty Plot to boost up, Draining Kiss, and a respectable range of coverage options. It has two different pivoting options in Baton Pass and U-turn. I think the spirit of… Bulbapedia says Lake Valor…will likely be a really solid secondary attacker for your team. It has enough depth to be tweaked to most matchups, with the stats to back that up. I think this will be a sleeper hit that will only become more annoying as the season goes on. I would personally start looking at this blue guy in round 3, though you might be able to get it at a bargain in round 4, with some luck.

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