Pokémon Team Roles: Lead

The Lead

Leads are more important for offensive teams; defensive teams may not need one at all. Usually, Leads have one or two dedicated tasks. Common tasks are:

• Setting up Stealth Rocks, Spikes or Toxic Spikes
• Preventing the foe from setting up
• Countering enemy Leads using damage or status effects
• Creating momentum

Choose whether to use a Lead after creating your team's core. If your core needs help with the four tasks listed above, you should use a Lead.

Your Lead's job should be clear and specific. For example, "My Lead must lay one layer of Spikes every game; two layers every other game; and three as a bonus." This specific job will guide your choice of leads.

Common Lead Moves

Some of the common moves used by Leads are:

• Stealth Rock, Spikes or Toxic Spikes, for entry hazards
• Roar or Whirlwind, to force switches
• Explosion or Destiny Bond, as a suicide attack
• Taunt, to prevent the foe from setting up
• Recovery moves, such as Recovery or Roost
• Solid damage moves, such as Ice Beam or Flamethrower
• Status-inducing moves, such as Toxic or Hypnosis

Good Leads

Aerodactyl

Azelf

Bronzong

Empoleon

Froslass

Gliscor

Hippowdon

Infernape

Machamp

Metagross

Roserade

Swampert