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Overview
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Upon Mega Evolution, Diancie transforms and gains an incredibly useful new ability, (semicolon to comma) Magic Bounce. Diancie is also graced with powerful base 160 offensive stats coupled with a fast 110 base Speed. These new stats when combined with its Rock / Fairy Rock-Fairy typing allow Mega Diancie to check popular threats such as Darkrai, Yveltal, Ho-Oh, Latias, and Lugia. Regular Diancie is no slouch either; although its offenses are low, its the added bulk can be quite useful and doesn't forfeit a Mega mega slot. Despite having some key resistances, Diancie is hampered by a quadruple weakness to Steel-types, and a weakness to common Ground-type moves. While Diancie does have access to useful support moves such as Heal Bell, Stealth Rock, and Trick Room, its the lack of instant recovery is also quite disappointing. Diancie's movepool on the offensive side is somewhat similar, as it she (you use "it" everywhere else) can make use of two excellent STAB moves and Earth Power, (remove comma) but does not have many other tricks. Both Diancie and Mega Diancie are stuck with a low 50 base HP, and Mega Evolving Diancie proves quite difficult as it keeps its low Speed slow speed for that turn, and becomes while becoming less bulky. These flaws aside, Diancie has proven to be one of the more effective threats introduced to Ubers by ORAS.
Offensive
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name: Offensive
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Diamond Storm
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Protect / Heal Bell / Calm Mind
ability: Magic Bounce
item: Diancite
ability: Magic Bounce
evs: 80 Atk / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
nature: Timid / Naive
Moves
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Moonblast is Diancie's primary option for a STAB attack, which allows it to check for the checking of Dark- and Dragon-type Pokemon. Meanwhile, Diamond Storm has use to hit threats such as Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Blissey; it also prevents Diancie from being bait to (you could elaborate on this, as it's not immediately obvious) the rare Gothitelle. Earth Power is typically Diancie's best option for a coverage move, (comma) as it hits common switch-ins such as Primal Groudon and Steel-types. In the final slot, Diancie has several options. Protect ensures Diancie's Mega Evolution turn, (remove comma) and has other utility such as scouting. Heal Bell, on the other hand, allows Diancie to give emergency cleric support for a more offensive team. Lastly, Calm Mind can be used to turn Diancie into a stallbreaker that doesn't mind Ho-Oh or Lugia, (semicolon to comma) two common threats to Calm Mind users Arceus formes. Magic Bounce further supports Diancie's efforts to use Calm Mind, as it provides an immunity to Toxic and phazing moves, thus allowing Calm Mind Diancie to pressure stall teams hard if opposing Primals Groudon and Kyogre have been eliminated.
Hidden Power Fire is an alternate coverage move for Diancie that which hits common switch-ins such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Genesect much harder than Earth Power. In the final slot, Stealth Rock is an option if it is too detrimental to fit anywhere else on your a team, and Mega Diancie has the benefit of being immune to Taunt; (comma to semicolon) however, (comma) Mega Diancie's the lack of bulk compared to other longer-term entry hazard setters is disappointing.
Set Details
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176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allows Mega Diancie to outspeed base 100 Speed Pokemon. A Timid nature is used because the Attack drop does not significantly impact any targets of Diamond Storm, although Naive is an option to have sightly more physical attack power at the cost of some special bulk. Significant Special Attack investment keeps this set offensive, (remove comma) and OHKOes threats such as Rayquaza and Mega Salamence. The remaining EVs go into Attack to make Diamond Storm hit slightly harder. If using Hidden Power Fire, run at least 180 Speed EVs with a Timid nature due to the IV drop. Max Speed is an option when not using Hidden Power Fire to Speed tie with opposing base 110 Speed Pokemon.
Usage Tips
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The Mega Evolution turn is very important, especially when not using Protect. Diancie has more bulk when not Mega Evolved, so when needing to survive a certain attack, sometimes the right choice is to not Mega Evolve. When using Protect, the danger of giving your opponent a free setup turn is present, although you don't have to worry about hazard stacking. Mega Evolving early is important for a Magic Bouncer, as Mega Diancie will want to be sent in to Magic Bounce certain attacks. Because the intended targets of Earth Power and Hidden Power Fire can punish Mega Diancie so hard, you'll often have to rely on predictions to hit them intended targets as they come in. Although Mega Diancie isn't a glass cannon, it's far from indestructible; since it lacks recovery, instant or passive, there are only so many times this set can switch into even resisted attacks. Even though Mega Diancie has Magic Bounce, it doesn't necessarily lead well against all common leads; Primal Groudon and Dialga can be very dangerous due to their powerful type advantages, as can Deoxys-Attack with Psycho Boost.
Team Options
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Ho-Oh is an excellent partner for offensive Mega Diancie, as it threatens Steel-types and appreciates the anti-hazard support provided by Magic Bounce. Latias and Latios are good choices as well since they can fit on offensively oriented teams and provide a Ground immunity, while in return Diancie checks Dark-types and can offer cleric support. Giratina-O also provides a ground immunity and appreciates Diancie's checking to common Dark-types. Palkia can greatly benefit Diancie as it is an excellent Kyogre check, (remove comma) and can power through several common Steel-types. Primal Groudon also checks Kyogre and destroys Steel-types, which is highly useful for Diancie. Arceus-Ghost checks Steel-types quite well with Judgment and Will-O-Wisp, while Arceus-Ghost benefits from Diancie's checking to Darkrai and Yveltal. Diancie struggles with Calm Mind Arceus formes that aren't Ground- (dash) or Dark-type, and although Dialga stacks a weakness to the Ground-type, it is an effective check to Calm Mind Arceus and several Steel-types.
Mega Utility
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name: Mega Utility
move 1: Protect
move 2: Diamond Storm
move 3: Moonblast / Toxic
move 4: Heal Bell
item: Diancite
ability: Magic Bounce
evs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
nature: Bold / Impish
Moves
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Protect is invaluable for ensuring a safe Mega Evolution turn, (remove comma) and has general utility for scouting moves and stalling. Diamond Storm prevents this set from being bait for specially defensive to Pokemon such as Ho-Oh, Blissey, and Gothitelle. Moonblast allows Diancie to hit the Dark- and Dragon-types that it is intended to check, (comma) such as Rayquaza and Darkrai. Although Steel-types are immune to Toxic and tend to switch into Diancie, it is still a great move as it can nail Arceus formes and Primal Groudon. Heal Bell provides cleric support to teammates and is especially useful because Mega Diancie on a Pokemon that is immune to Taunt. Although it Stealth Rock is not slashed, Diancie can function as a Stealth Rock setter if there is no room for the move on another teammate.
Set Details
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248 HP EVs are used to make this set more bulky, but Mega Diancie is still hampered to an extent because of its low base HP along with its lack of instant recovery. 136 Speed EVs are just enough to outspeed Adamant Rayquaza. 124 Defense EVs with a Defense-boosting nature allow Mega Diancie to avoids the 2HKO from Choice Band Ho-Oh Brave Bird, survives Earthquake from max Attack Rayquaza, survives +1 Mega Salamence Earthquake, and tanks other physical attacks. A Bold nature is used because the Attack drop does not significantly impact any targets of Diamond Storm. Impish is the better option if not using Moonblast, as Diancie will only have a physical move. Alternatively, a spread of 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe with a Bold nature beats base 90 Speed Pokemon and gains a bit of physical bulk. Max Defense investment is also an option to guarantee Mega Diancie is 3HKOed by Choice Band Ho-Oh Brave Bird after Stealth Rock and survives +1 Mega Salamence Earthquake after Stealth Rock; (comma to semicolon) while the loss of Speed isn't that great of an issue as Diancie loses to common base 90s anyways.
Usage Tips
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Although Protect ensures Diancie's safe Mega Evolution, it can potentially give the opposing Pokemon a free setup turn. It is also important to note that Diancie has better bulk before Mega Evolution, so don't Mega Evolve on an attack that would knock out Mega Diancie but that where Diancie would survive. Even though Diamond Storm gives frequent Defense boosts, don't allow this to trick you into thinking that Mega Diancie can comfortably tank a Bullet Punch or Earthquake; it is usually better to switch into an appropriate counter. Mega Diancie is good at forcing switches, and it is during these times that it is best to use Heal Bell.
Team Options
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Latias and Latios are and great partners for this set despite creating a stacked weakness (latias and latios are not weak to steel) to Steel-type moves. Both Eon twins greatly appreciate the cleric support and the check to Dark-types that Mega Diancie provides, and in return they check both Primal Groudon and Kyogre. Ho-Oh appreciates the anti-hazard support provided by Mega Diancie and in return annihilates common Steel-types. Other Ground-immune Pokemon, (comma) such as Giratina-O, (comma) are also good teammates for Mega Diancie and in return are provided cleric support. Arceus-Ghost is greatly threatened by Yveltal, Darkrai, and status, all of which can be checked by Diancie while Arceus-Ghost can check Steel-types. Due to its the lack of instant recovery, Wish support for Mega Diancie is highly appreciated when using this set on more defensive teams. Lugia's common checks, (comma) such as Stealth Rock, Toxic, Taunt, and Dark-types, (comma) can all be effectively greatly combated with Diancie, while Diancie appreciates Lugia's ability to check Primal Groudon. Primal Groudon serves as a good check to Kyogre and the Steel-types that can threaten Diancie. Due to Mewtwo's dislike for status and Yveltal, Diancie naturally pairs well with it. Lastly, Palkia and Dialga can serve as Kyogre and Calm Mind Arceus checks.
Support
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name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Diamond Storm
move 3: Heal Bell / Protect
move 4: Toxic / Heal Bell
item: Leftovers
ability: Clear Body
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Impish
Moves
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Stealth Rock is a fantastic choice on a Pokemon that deters common Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Yveltal. Diamond Storm is not only a strong choice for a STAB attack, but it also smashes Ho-Oh, (remove comma) and the Defense boosts can be quite handy. Heal Bell not only allows Diancie to remove status from itself, (remove comma) but also provides further support for teammates. Protect is still quite useful on normal Diancie as it can be used to scout threats and stall for Toxic damage, and Leftovers recovery, and can scout threats. In the final slot, Toxic gives Diancie a way to punish Defog Arceus and Latias, (remove comma) and to stall out other defensive threats. Although it is not slashed, Moonblast is an option that deals about 15% more to Mega Salamence than Diamond Storm does, (remove comma) and can hit Palkia switch-ins.
Set Details
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248 HP investment is used to offset Diancie's pathetic base 50 HP. Max Defense investment helps Diancie to tank physical attacks from Pokemon such as Ho-Oh, Rayquaza, and Mega Salamence. All remaining EVs go into Special Defense to help combat Pokemon such as Yveltal. Leftovers is used as a held item to give Diancie some passive recovery, (comma) as it she lacks access to an instant recovery move.
Usage Tips
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Because Leftovers is Diancie's only recovery, it she can be worn down by switching in many times upon numerous occurrences of switching in. Although it can be difficult, try and to keep Diancie with enough health remaining such that it she is able to still check what she needs to; this often means playing less aggressively. Heal Bell is a great move to remove take status off from both Dianice and teammates; (comma to semicolon) however, it does have limited PP and should not be wasted. When battling more defensive teams, (comma) be very aware of how much PP you have remaining for Heal Bell. Although you can Toxic support Arceus formes and Primal Groudon that may come in, you can't Toxic Steel-types, so the better option in these cases is to double switch. Even though it is often times just for a turn, Diancie can capitalize on bluffing the possibility of being Mega Diancie.
Team Options
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Arceus-Ghost is an excellent teammate that easily fits on defensively oriented teams. Arceus-Ghost appreciates Diancie's cleric support and checking of to Yveltal and Ho-Oh, while in return Arceus-Ghost can check many Steel- and Ground-types. Latias also appreciates cleric support and the check to Yveltal, while providing a check to Primal Groudon and Kyogre. Steel-types, although weak to Ground-type moves, appreciate the check to Ho-Oh and are generally great assets for defensive teams due to their numerous resistances. Primal Groudon can also check Kyogre, and even defensive variants have no trouble blasting through Steel-types that pose a danger to Diancie. Palkia and Dialga both check Kyogre as well, (remove comma) and can check Calm Mind Arceus in addition to several Steel-types.
Trick Room
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name: Trick Room
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Trick Room
move 3: Diamond Storm
move 4: Explosion
item: Life Orb
ability: Clear Body
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
ivs: 0 Spe
nature: Brave
Moves
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Trick Room Diancie is a Trick Room is quite an interesting choice as it can provide support to a Trick Room team with a setter that is not at all afraid of Ho-Oh or Yveltal, allowing it to provide effective support to its team. Stealth Rock is great on this set as well, as Diancie repels since you are repellent to Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock such as Ho-Oh and Yveltal. Diamond Storm is this set's best option for a STAB attack as it deals significant damage to Ho-Oh, Rayquaza, offensive Yveltal, and Mega Salamence. Explosion can be a great last ditch move, and when using in conjunction with Trick Room, Diancie can explode on support Arceus formes and prevent thus preventing Defog from having its intended effect.
Set Details
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Because this set needs to be able to take a few hits as setup occurs, 248 HP EVs are used to offset Diancie's low base HP. Diancie already has very high defenses, so 252 Attack EVs with a Brave nature are used to allow allows Diamond Storm and Explosion to hit their intended targets as hard as possible. A Life Orb further boosts the power of Dianice's attacks offensive moves at the cost of some HP; (comma to semicolon) however this drawback is completely irrelevant when using Explosion. A Speed-reducing nature in addition to zero 0 Speed IVs is used to minimize Diancie's Speed, allowing it to move first once Trick Room has been set.
Usage Tips
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This set is underutilized, so its unexpectedness should be and thus can be capitalized upon due to its unexpected nature. Diancie can often set Trick Room on the switch, but unfortunately Steel-types are highly threatening regardless of if Diancie moves first or not. Deciding when to, if at all, use Explosion can be tricky, particularly once the set is revealed, so be wary of Protect use from the opponent in addition to the use of and Ghost-types. This set can switch into Ho-Oh if necessary, but because its moves are physical however since it utilizes the Attack stat, Diancie does not want to risk a burn being burned from Sacred Fire.
Team Options
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The best teammates for this set are Pokemon that can effectively abuse Trick Room. Typically, the Pokemon are quite powerful and bulky, but are hampered by their Speed stat. Some examples of potential Trick Room abusers include Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, Mega Mawile, and Ho-Oh. Victini is an interesting partner that can also function as a setter of Trick Room, (remove comma) and appreciates Diancie's check to Yveltal. Dialga and Palkia are notorious setters and abusers of Trick Room despite their recent fall from grace, although they and can dually function as checks to Kyogre. Arceus-Ghost isn't necessarily an abuser of Trick Room, although it has excellent synergy with Diancie due to its ability to check Steel-types while Diancie checks Dark-types. Ground immunities in general are handy for this set due to the prevalence of Primal Ground and Ground-type coverage.
Other Options
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A defensive RestTalk set similar to RestTalk + Aromatherapy Xerneas to the one used by Xerneas is possible as Dianice has access to Rest, Sleep Talk, and Heal Bell, however but it is usually outclassed by Xerneas. Diancie does have access to dual screens, but however with the prevalence of Defog, they are typically not a good choice. Magnet Rise is an interesting option as several Pokemon can only hit Diancie with Ground-type moves, but it is often situational and prediction-reliant. Lastly, Rock Polish can be using to greatly increase Mega Diancie's Speed on an offensive set, however but most common checks still beat it you regardless of its your Speed.
Checks and & Counters
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**Steel-types**: Although Steel tends to be a poor offensive type, it is highly threatening to Diancie as it exploits a quadruple weakness. As a result, Steel-types such as Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, and Genesect can blast through any Diancie set. Even though the offensive set's coverage options of Earth Power and Hidden Power Fire can deal significant damage to (remove comma) or even knock out predicted switch-ins, Steel-types are still excellent checks to Mega Diancie.
**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground has become a very popular Arceus forme type that can squash all Diancie sets with super effective Earthquake or Judgment. Defensive Diancie sets can, however, Toxic it as it comes in.
**Other Ground-types**: (why not combine this and the Arceus-Ground section under the heading of "Ground-types"?) In a similar vein to Arceus-Ground, Ground-types in general are solid checks to every Diancie set. Although Ground-types can deal significant damage to Diancie, most don't like switching into Toxic, (comma) and Primal Groudon takes solid damage from Earth Power.
**Kyogre**: Although it is Water-type moves and Kyogre have become far less uncommon, Kyogre is still a great check to all Diancie sets. Origin Pulse can knock out Diancie, (comma) while the most damage Diancie it can do in return is not very significant, especially if the set is defensive.
**Choice Scarf Users Pokemon*: Choice Scarf users Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf have dropped in popularity, but they are still a significant threats. Choice Scarf Zekrom, (comma) for example, (comma) can potentially revenge kill the offensive set after (how much) prior damage if it has received chip damage.
**Calm Mind Arceus Formes**: Although Diancie can beat the common Calm Mind Arceus-Dark, other formes can be potentially problematic. Calm Mind Arceus with dual coverage can be slapped with Toxic, although the offensive set does not run this move. Other Calm Mind Arceus formes, (comma) such as Arceus-Rock and or Arceus-Fairy, (comma) can afford to run a move such as Refresh that which makes Toxic useless.
**Shaymin-Sky**: It Shaymin-S is both faster than Mega Diancie and able to KO it it can knock it out with Seed Flare, although it does not want to switch into Diamond Storm or even Moonblast due to its low bulk.
