|
-
Pressure
- Enemy attacks lose one extra PP. Increases wild encounter rate.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
50
|
- |
241 |
304 |
- |
| Atk |
95
|
203 |
226 |
289 |
317 |
| Def |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| SpA |
95
|
203 |
226 |
289 |
317 |
| SpD |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| Spe |
180
|
356 |
396 |
459 |
504 |
Overview
Deoxys-S is yet another Pokemon banned from standard OU but allowed in DW. Its grasp of the stars is its base 180 Speed, which places it above the most common Choice Scarf user in the tier, Genesect. With base 95 offensive stats, base 90 defensive stats, and an expansive movepool including Stealth Rock, Spikes, and every good special move, there isn't much else you could ask for in a (more) twisted DNA entity. Except maybe the gene for five moveslots.
With decent bulk and blazing Speed, Deoxys-S is a great Pokemon to set entry hazards. It can layer Spikes immediately, using the HP investment to survive weak attacks. Stealth Rock is another great move, providing residual damage on all opponents. Taunt is the best move in the third slot, as with Deoxys-S's Speed, it can stop other leading Pokemon from setting up their hazards or throwing status around. It also prevents opposing sweepers from setting up on Deoxys-S while it sets up hazards. The last slot is reserved for an attacking move. Superpower has a chance at OHKOing 252 HP Tyranitar. However, Fire Punch is a viable option to maim Genesect, though 160 Attack EVs are required to always OHKO. Lastly, you can consider Psycho Boost, which hits Pokemon such as Chandelure and Rotom-W hard on the initial hit.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The EVs are to attain the greatest overall bulk. Speed is maximized so Deoxys-S can set up before all but Prankster Taunt users. The rest is dumped into HP, allowing Deoxys-S to survive a U-turn from Genesect amongst other weaker, super effective jabs. A Jolly or Timid nature depends on the attacking move used. Life Orb is an option over Focus Sash, as with the former Deoxys-S can OHKO Tyranitar and Genesect with only 12 Attack EVs. However, this decreases Deoxys-S's survivability and doesn't ensure at least one layer of hazards. Magic Coat is an option on this set, with or over Taunt. It is useful for reflecting opposing hazards or status, sometimes forcing a switch. However, it is prediction heavy, which causes a lot of pressure during the early turns of the match.
Virtually every Dream World team benefits from hazards due to the offensive nature of the metagame. For example, +2 Breloom can 2HKO Dragonite after Stealth Rock, and has a small chance at OHKOing Thundurus! Genesect is a good partner to this set as well, capitalizing on the switches forced by U-turn. Offensive rain and sun teams also appreciate Deoxys-S for not only hazards but also the possible KO on Tyranitar.
While 95 base offenses may not seem like much, Deoxys-S has all it needs to be one of the most annoying attackers around. Psycho Boost is its powerful STAB move, OHKOing Pokemon such as Keldeo, Rotom-W, and Chandelure. Superpower provides good coverage alongside Deoxys-S's Psychic STAB, isn't affected by the Special Attack drop, and OHKOes 252 HP Tyranitar, all while denting other threats such as Heatran. Ice Beam is the best option for the third slot, OHKOing Breloom without forcing the Special Attack drop of Psycho Boost. It also OHKOes Garchomp (provided you can hit it), Gliscor, and Dragonite with its Multiscale broken. Hidden Power Fire is the best option in the final slot, OHKOing Choice Scarf Genesect before it can U-turn. Luckily, the loss of a Speed IV for Hidden Power Fire is not a big deal, since all the Choice Scarf users Deoxys-S is able to outspeed sit at 500 or below.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Shadow Ball is an option if you're worried about Psychic-types, particularly opposing Deoxys-S. Thunderbolt helps against Water-types such as Gyarados and Politoed, but note that a neutral Psycho Boost is stronger than a 2x effective Thunderbolt.
The EVs serve a special purpose. With a Life Orb and 12 Attack EVs, Superpower will always OHKO 252 HP Tyranitar. Deoxys-S also does not lose any KOes with the slightly lower Special Attack stat, so the little investment is worth it. A Naive nature ensures Deoxys-S's special and physical attacks hit as hard as possible and give it a maximum of 504 Speed, outpacing positive-natured Choice Scarf Garchomp and all slower Pokemon! Naive is chosen over Hasty because, in general, more physical attacks are directed at Deoxys-S; an example is Chople Berry Tyranitar's Crunch.
Deoxys-S can fit well on any offensive team, surprising a few of the most common Pokemon early in the match or cleaning a weakened team later in the match. Entry hazards obviously ease this process, and although this variant is an attacker, it can force switches. Thus, Spikes or Stealth Rock can find itself on the moveset, replacing an unnecessary coverage move. Deoxys-S's main problem is that its two main moves lower its stats; therefore, walls such as Chansey and Blissey have the potential to stall it out. Strong physical attackers such as Breloom are good choice to take these blobs out. Wallbreakers in general are good partners as well, since Deoxys-S only has base 95 offenses to work with.
While Deoxys-S doesn't have self-eliminating moves such as Memento, its great Speed makes it an excellent dual screen user. As such, Reflect and Light Screen are the main moves. When leading, a discerning player can choose Reflect or Light Screen depending on the predicted attack and survive more hits. From there, Deoxys-S can set up the other screen and even Stealth Rock or a few layers of Spikes. In the case that the opponent tries to set up, Deoxys-S can use Taunt to stop it cold. However, Magic Coat is an option to bounce back an opponent's entry hazard or the rare Prankster Taunt. The last slot is a toss up between Stealth Rock and Spikes. The former is a great universal form of entry hazards, its ubiquity limiting the potential of many threats such as Dragonite and Chandelure. However, Deoxys-S can take advantage of the stackability of Spikes and put pressure on the opponent when considering switching.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Because this variant generally doesn't attack, maximum HP is the best choice, allowing Deoxys-S to survive even more hits after putting up screens. To prolong the protection for the team, Light Clay is the optimal item. However, Leftovers extends the survivability of Deoxys-S itself, possibly giving it the chance to come back later in the match.
Offensive teams benefit the most from Deoxys-S's support. Baton Pass chains, and SmashPass in particular relish the increased bulk. Gorebyss, with its already decent defenses, can pass to deadly receivers such as Garchomp (which itself is bulky) with relative safety. Other offensive Pokemon such as Keldeo and Breloom, which are rather prone to revenge killing, can survive an attack and eliminate the offender. Another variation of this bulk "idea" is Pokemon that can survive one or two hits, such as Garchomp; with screens, it can set up a Swords Dance while surviving a hit and proceed to sweep. Prankster Taunt, albeit rare, is still an issue, so leading with an attacker is the best bet for ensuring Deoxys-S's success.
Other Options
Deoxys-S has a veritable plethora of moves, and many combinations are viable (though this can stretch Deoxys-S's full potential thin). Moves on each set are interchangeable: an attacking hazards set or dual screen attacker are both viable, for example. One notable variant is a set of Psycho Boost / Superpower / Fire Punch / Stealth Rock with 216 Atk / 40 SpA / 252 Spe, a Naive nature, and Life Orb, allowing Deoxys-S to take down Genesect, Tyranitar, and Chandelure (after Stealth Rock), setting up your own Stealth Rock in a free moment. Deoxys-S can also pull off Choice sets, particularly Choice Scarf for its ability to outspeed Excadrill in sand, but locking Deoxys-S into one move squanders its full capability (though Trick mitigates this slightly). In terms of movepool, Deoxys-S has access to Shadow Ball for hitting other Deoxys-S, Thunderbolt for an accurate hit on Pokemon such as Keldeo, and ExtremeSpeed as a form of priority.
Checks and Counters
Deoxys-S is hard to catch, and hence hard to check. Luckily, its offenses are not too deadly, and figuring out its moveset eases its elimination. An attacking variant can be walled by a Pokemon that can hide in the gap of Deoxys-S's movepool, and can be played around until Deoxys-S's stats are depleted from Superpower and Psycho Boost. The hazard set can't really KO many Pokemon, so you can counter it by throwing strong hits. Ditto is an interesting check because the opponent can immediately determine Deoxys-S's movepool and react appropriately. Furthermore, as Ditto generally carries Choice Scarf, it will normally be faster. Choice Band Dragonite's ExtremeSpeed deals heavy damage, and Choice Scarf users faster than Garchomp, such as Terrakion, can hurt Deoxys-S as well.
