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Sheer Force
- Increases power of moves with secondary effects by 30%, but removes the effects.
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Zen Mode
- The wielder changes forme when below 50% of its max HP.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
105
|
- |
351 |
414 |
- |
| Atk |
140
|
284 |
316 |
379 |
416 |
| Def |
55
|
131 |
146 |
209 |
229 |
| SpA |
30
|
86 |
96 |
159 |
174 |
| SpD |
55
|
131 |
146 |
209 |
229 |
| Spe |
95
|
203 |
226 |
289 |
317 |
Overview
Darmanitan is one of the most overlooked threats in the 5th generation. It has a great HP stat, decent Speed, and an absolutely massive base 140 Attack. Its ability, Sheer Force, boosts its strongest STAB move, Flare Blitz, to such unbelievable heights that when aided by sun, it can 2HKO nearly everything in the metagame. Why, then, has Darmanitan seen such little use in the Dream World metagame? First of all, its Fire typing, while indispensable offensively, hampers it very much defensively. If Stealth Rock is down, it loses at least 25% of health by just switching in. Although its HP stat is great, its only purpose is to help Darmanitan take more recoil damage from Flare Blitz, as Darmanitan's 55 / 55 defenses make switching in safely almost impossible. Its base 95 Speed stat, while decent, is just below the benchmark set by the numerous offensive powerhouses present in the metagame (namely Genesect, Haxorus, Salamence, Keldeo, Garchomp, and Terrakion), requiring Darmanitan to use a Choice Scarf to bypass these threats. Don't let these flaws discourage you from using Darmanitan, however, as with Drought support, Darmanitan can rip through entire teams, leaving the bloody entrails of even those who resist its Flare Blitz in its wake.
This is Darmanitan's most effective set, packing enough Speed to outpace the most important threats of the unboosted metagame. Flare Blitz is the most important move in Darmanitan's repertoire, annihilating threats that don't resist it (and even some that do!), making it nearly impossible to switch into. The other moves on this set serve only to make way for Darmanitan to sweep with Flare Blitz unhindered. Earthquake dismantles Flash Fire Pokemon, most importantly Heatran. U-turn is important to scout for said Pokemon, in case they are holding an Air Balloon. It is also great for breaking Sturdy users and holders of Focus Sash, allowing you to switch in a counter and take them out. Rock Slide punches through +1 Dragonite's Multiscale, forcing it to use ExtremeSpeed if it hopes to stop Darmanitan. Superpower is mainly filler, but it can take care of Air Balloon Heatran, who could otherwise switch in on Darmanitan with impunity.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The given EVs and nature listed are self-explanatory: maximize Darmanitan's Attack with an Adamant nature and bolster its Speed with full EV investment. To give you an idea of the strength offered by Adamant, Flare Blitz has a chance to OHKO Latios and Salamence, and 2HKOes Jellicent in the sun; Superpower OHKOes Heatran, and Earthquake 2HKOes Politoed with damage from Stealth Rock. Jolly can be used to outspeed Timid Choice Scarf Rotom-W, whom Darmanitan has a fair chance of defeating after prior damage in the sun, but that is about the only relevant threat it outspeeds.
Darmanitan's artificially high Speed and raw power almost make it self-sufficient, but it does need some support in order to sweep. First, Drought support from Ninetales is absolutely necessary to gain crucial OHKOs and 2HKOs with Flare Blitz. Secondly, Flash Fire users, namely Heatran, should be dispatched before Darmanitan attempts to go on a Flare Blitz rampage. Darmanitan itself can take care of Heatran with Earthquake as long as it doesn't carry Air Balloon, but as always, a Choice-locked Earthquake is extremely risky. If you fear a Heatran switch-in, U-turn is a better choice to pop the Air Balloon it may be carrying, and a quick switch to Dugtrio will end Heatran's fun. Entry hazards, most importantly Stealth Rock, are also required to break through Multiscale, Sturdy, and Focus Sash, which may otherwise ruin Darmanitan's sweep. Finally, if you plan on running Superpower, make sure you have a way of taking out Chandelure, or else Darmanitan becomes pure setup bait.
Other Options
With its massive Attack stat and excellent coverage, Darmanitan is capable of running an all-out attacking set with a Life Orb or even a Choice Band. However, base 95 Speed is surprisingly low in the Dream World metagame, with common threats such as the very Pokemon that Choice Scarf lets Darmanitan outspeed being able to handle Darmanitan with ease. Choice Scarf really is Darmanitan's saving grace and should be the primary consideration when using it. Finally, don't even let the words "Zen Mode" enter your mind, as the lack of Sheer Force and appreciable Speed make life extremely difficult, especially when it must be at 50% health to function.
Checks and Counters
On the flip-side of Darmanitan's amazing firepower comes its overall frailty. Any Pokemon who can outspeed Darmanitan is almost guaranteed to defeat it. Powerful Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion can easily outspeed it and OHKO with whatever attack it pleases. Due to Darmanitan's Fire typing, Stealth Rock really impedes its ability to switch in over and over. Tyranitar is great for this role, simultaneously bringing in sand and covering up the sun that Darmanitan desperately needs to sweep. Furthermore, Excadrill outspeeds Darmanitan in the sand and has no trouble OHKOing it with Earthquake. Rain is not a pretty environment for Darmanitan either, neutering its most powerful attack. Bulky Politoed has little problem switching into Darmanitan's attacks and forcing it to switch out. Making Darmanitan's Speed a non-issue is also a sure-fire way to stop it. Priority Thunder Wave from Thundurus goes a long way, but it has trouble switching into Darmanitan and may not be worth the sacrifice.
