Why is special Landorus more popular than physical Landorus?

Most of you who do competitive battling know that Landorus has better physical attack than special attack in both forms.

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

I assume you’re referring to Incarnate Landorus rather than Landorus-Therian.

It’s because the boost it gets from Sheer Force is better suited for its special moveset, rather than a physical one. Also sometimes, you actually want the secondary effect of a move, which Sheer Force negates.

Bulldoze (outclassed by Earth Power, and its secondary effect is generally useful because of its low power)Iron Tail (low accuracy, poor type coverage)Rock SlideRock Smash (low power, outclassed by Focus Blast, secondary effect is the only reason you’d use this move)Rock Tomb (low power, secondary effect is very useful, only goes well with Technician)Secret Power (low power, outclassed by Return, no STAB)

Rock Slide is the only good move that will benefit from Sheer Force. All other strong physical moves - Earthquake, Hammer Arm, Stone Edge, Super Power, Brick Break - do not benefit from Sheer Force.

Earth PowerExtrasensoryFocus BlastMud ShotPsychicSludge BombSludge WaveSnore

You’ve already got 4 good moves that will benefit from Sheer Force, and losing the secondary effect of all of these moves is a good compromise for the 30% boost. You will also take no Life Orb damage, and if you pick 3 of these moves + use the last slot for Calm Mind, you can easily sweep an opposing team with the amount of coverage Landorus has between just 3 moves.

In regards to Landorus' other ability, Sand Force has little value when Sand only lasts 5 (8 max) turns in Gen VI.