Landorus
Therian VGC Guide
Landorus-Therian is one of the most historically dominant non-restricted Legendaries in VGC. Intimidate drops both opponents' Attack on entry, while its 145 base Attack and Ground/Flying coverage make it a dual threat. The Choice Scarf set doubles as a speed control anchor that can revenge kill most threats.
Intimidate: The Doubles Attack Reduction Engine
Intimidate lowers all opposing Pokémon’s Attack by 1 stage (×0.67) on entry. In doubles, this means both opponents simultaneously lose 33% of their physical damage output. Cycling Intimidate through Parting Shot or U-turn re-entry creates a near-permanent physical damage reduction system.
Earthquake in Doubles: Critical Awareness
Earthquake in doubles hits all other Pokémon on the field including allies, but with 0.75× damage modifier (effective 75 BP spread). Always ensure your partner is airborne (Flying-type, Levitate, or using Fly/Bounce) or use Landorus-Therian itself to fly up and avoid its own Earthquake on the next turn.
EV Spreads
Team Partners
Fake Out enables safe Landorus entry. Parting Shot drops opposing SpAtk; Landorus Intimidate drops Attack — creating a dual-stat reduction loop that blanket-nerfs opposing physical and special damage.
Miraidon’s Levitate is immune to Earthquake, making it a safe doubles partner. Electric Terrain also activates Quark Drive on Iron Hands or other Paradox teammates, adding offensive pressure.
Koraidon’s Orichalcum Pulse sets Sun while Landorus provides Intimidate protection. Earthquake clears opposing Rock/Steel resists. One of the most played restricted + non-restricted pairings in VGC history.
Kyogre sets Rain; Landorus provides speed control and Intimidate support. Flying-type Landorus is immune to Kyogre’s Water moves, and Rock Slide handles Flutter Mane threats common in rain teams.
How to Counter Landorus-Therian
Ice is 4× super effective against Landorus. Flutter Mane’s Dazzling Gleam or Icy Wind can 2HKO most Landorus sets; Blizzard in Hail OHKOs. Maintaining speed advantage to land Ice moves before Landorus acts is critical.
Defiant raises Attack by +2 when stats are lowered — turning Intimidate into a free buff. Pokémon like Bisharp or Annihilape with Defiant punish Landorus entry and can snowball with the free Attack boost.
Kyogre’s Water Spout or Palkia’s Spatial Rend threaten heavy damage before Landorus can use Earthquake. Choice Scarf Kyogre outspeeds Landorus unless it also runs Scarf.
Prankster Encore locks Landorus into Earthquake, allowing Flying-type partners to freely ignore its main attack. Prankster Taunt prevents Landorus from using Fly to stall turns.