[OVERVIEW]
Given its unique traits, it is no surprise Darkrai stands out in the STABmons metagame. Possessing a fantastic base 125 Speed which allows it to outpace many relevant threats in STABmons, Darkrai can function against both offensive and defensive teams, meaning it's never dead weight against any specific archetype. It also has a great Special Attack stat and a STAB type that is resisted by few, allowing it to punch holes in teams that aren't prepared for it. Dark Void means it can usually put its best switch-in to sleep, and Bad Dreams allows it to get chip damage on walls after doing so. However, while not frail, Darkrai dislikes taking too many hits due to its subpar defensive typing, and it neither resists any notable priority moves except Sucker Punch nor has the Speed to outrun most Choice Scarf users, meaning it is easy to revenge kill. Darkrai also loathes status, given paralysis takes away its best asset and both Toxic and Will-O-Wisp cut its Nasty Plot sweeps short. In addition, given that Dark Pulse is rather weak for a main attacking move, Darkrai's base 135 Special Attack can be rather deceiving.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Dark Pulse / Night Daze
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Nasty Plot
move 4: Substitute / Focus Blast / Taunt
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is Darkrai's main STAB move, sporting a significant 20% flinch chance and hitting much of the metagame for at least neutral damage. Night Daze is an alternative STAB move with a secondary effect that stacks up well with Substitute, but it has imperfect accuracy and fewer PP. Dark Void allows Darkrai to put its best check to sleep, using it as setup fodder in the process. Nasty Plot increases Darkrai's damage output and takes advantage of free turns granted by Dark Void. Substitute allows Darkrai to stop both Topsy-Turvy from Sableye and Transform from Chansey, in addition to stopping otherwise detrimental status moves. It is, however, difficult to find time to use it against more offensive teams. Focus Blast, on the other hand, is a coverage option to hit Tyranitar, Terrakion, and most Steel-types, but it sacrifices Darkrai's ability to dismantle defensive teams. Taunt is an alternative to Substitute that allows Darkrai to beat Chansey 100% of the time and stops status, but it makes Darkrai vulnerable to revenge killing and means it can be stopped by Sableye.
Set Details
========
Leftovers ensures Darkrai has maximum longevity and can continue using Substitute, as a power boost isn't really required. Life Orb, however, should be used if Focus Blast is selected, as without Substitute or Taunt the longevity granted by Leftovers becomes far less useful. Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs optimize Darkrai's effectiveness against offensive teams, while 4 Special Defense EVs give Download Porygon2 an Attack boost, which it does not appreciate.
Usage Tips
========
Darkrai's Nasty Plot set functions as a wallbreaker, breaking down defensive cores which rarely have anything to deal with Darkrai behind a Substitute once their main counter has been put to sleep. It is generally wise to delay using Dark Void, as the opponent will likely try to lure you into putting something other than their counter to sleep in order to be able to stop Darkrai. Use Substitute if you think a foe has Toxic or Thunder Wave, as both of these moves cripple Darkrai. It is also wise to find time to use Substitute if you know your opponent has a Fake Out + Extreme Speed user that can kill Darkrai. Finally, try not to directly switch Darkrai in, as it requires a fair bit of HP in order to pull off a sweep.
Team Options
========
Sweepers that benefit from the removal or weakening of special walls, such as Thundurus, are excellent choices as partners. Entry hazards from Pokemon such as Ferrothorn help with the effectiveness of this set, as usually your opponent will be switching around to try to sleep fodder something. Lunar Dance on the other hand is an unmerciful move that is often too much for defensive teams to handle, given Darkrai is already difficult to stop once. Good users of Lunar Dance include Latios and Jirachi. Defog support from Pokemon such as Landorus-T is appreciated as Darkrai doesn't really enjoy passive damage and Toxic Spikes completely ruins this set. Pivots such as Landorus-T and Chansey can get Darkrai into play safely and thus are very helpful for Darkrai. A good Tyranitar switch-in such as Landorus-T is also helpful for Darkrai if it isn't running Focus Blast, as after Dark Void has been used Tyranitar can steal all of Darkrai's momentum.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Switcheroo
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Sludge Bomb / Dark Void / Parting Shot
item: Choice Specs
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Switcheroo cripples Chansey and Porygon2, both of which otherwise switch in for free. Dark Pulse is Darkrai's main STAB move, which while lacking in Base Power, does massive damage to offensive teams when backed up by Choice Specs and Darkrai's base 135 Special Attack. Focus Blast hits Tyranitar, Terrakion, and Dark-types, which can evade the 2HKO from Dark Pulse. Sludge Bomb is Darkrai's coverage option for Fairy-types, which comfortably switch into this set otherwise. Dark Void is another option in the last slot and puts Darkrai's main switch-in to sleep, accumulating Bad Dreams damage against it in the process, but then Darkrai misses out on covering Fairy-types, which can be problematic. Parting Shot is also a usable option that helps accumulate entry hazard damage on Darkrai's checks while keeping you in a good position.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs turns Darkrai into a very powerful revenge killer capable of outspeeding and OHKOing many common Pokemon found on offensive teams with Dark Pulse. Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs optimize Darkrai's effectiveness against offensive teams, while 4 Special Defense EVs give Download Porygon2 an Attack boost, which it does not appreciate.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Specs Darkrai should be used as a revenge killer, as it outspeeds almost all non-Choice Scarf Pokemon in the metagame. Dark Pulse should be spammed against offensive teams, as many teams have little that can switch into it. Dark Void should be used against Pokemon that resist Dark and would otherwise give Darkrai a hard time, as after switching out and getting Darkrai in again at some point in the future, the combination of Bad Dreams damage and Dark Pulse damage on your opponent's counter will likely be too much for it to handle. Switcheroo should be used to cripple Chansey and Porygon2, both of which would otherwise be very solid counters to this set. Against teams without them, it is usually not advised to Trick Darkrai's Choice Specs unless you need something crippled, as Darkrai needs the power Choice Specs provides. Try not to switch Darkrai into anything directly, as its bulk is not extraordinary.
Team Options
========
Pivots such as Landorus-T and Chansey, which can get Darkrai into play safely, are very helpful for Darkrai, and entry hazard support is greatly appreciated, as Darkrai tends to force many switches. Fast cleaners that take advantage of holes Darkrai leaves in teams such as Fake Out + Extreme Speed users and Mega Sceptile make for great partners for Darkrai. In addition, because Choice-locked Darkrai can invite sweepers that resist its attack to set up on it, Pokemon such as Ditto, Sableye, and the aforementioned Fake Out + Extreme Speed users are useful for their ability to stop setup Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Night Daze is an alternative to Dark Pulse on the Choice Specs set that is slightly stronger but possesses fewer PP, unreliable accuracy, and a worse secondary effect. Thunderbolt and Ice Beam are decent coverage options, but they only hit a few noteworthy foes. Will-O-Wisp is a useful option for burning most of Darkrai's switch-ins such as Tyranitar and could be used on a double status set alongside Dark Void. Finally, Choice Scarf is an option that allows Darkrai to outspeed the entire metagame and still cripple walls with Switcheroo.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Tyranitar**: Once something has been put to sleep, Tyranitar fully counters the mono-attacking set and is a very solid switch-in to Dark Pulse for the Choice Specs set, but it has to watch out for Focus Blast.
**Choice Scarf Terrakion**: Terrakion laughs at—and gains attacks boosts from—Dark Pulse from the mono-attacking set and is also a solid switch-in to the Choice Specs set, but like Tyranitar it has to watch out for Focus Blast.
**Fairy-types**: Even asleep, Unaware Clefable can take on the mono-attacking set comfortably. Togekiss can switch into Dark Pulse and Focus Blast and use Darkrai as setup fodder. Azumarill, on the other hand, can come in on Dark Pulse and Focus Blast and then threaten to OHKO Darkrai with Play Rough. All Fairy-types have to watch out for a potential Sludge Bomb, however.
**Fake Out + Extreme Speed Users**: Fake Out + Extreme Speed users can easily revenge Darkrai if it doesn't have a Substitute up.
**Fighting-types with Mach Punch**: Pokemon such as Breloom, Conkeldurr, Terrakion, and Mega Medicham can all revenge kill Darkrai courtesy of its weakness to Fighting.
**Whirlwind Chansey**: Once something has been put to sleep, Chansey with Whirlwind can fully counter the Nasty Plot set. It can't switch into the Choice Specs set because of Trick, however.
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