(QC: 3/3) by Minority Nayrz Level 56
(GP: 1/1) by The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
* Arceus-Rock has an awesome niche in being one of few Pokemon to be able to safely switch in against Ho-Oh.
* Its decent offensive typing in Rock enables it to hit the majority of Pokemon in the meta for neutral damage without the need of coverage.
* Its great Flying and Normal resistances allow it to check Pokemon like Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Rayquaza, Ho-Oh, and Mega Kangaskhan.
* Its 120 base stats across the board, with access to an effective offensive movepool as well as recovery, and status-inflicting moves enable it to run different sets.
* It is hampered by a weakness to common Ground-type attacks and is also weak to Water-type and Steel-type attacks.
* When weakened enough, it can get trapped by Mega Gengar and revenge KOed by Focus Blast.
* Takes up your Arceus slot.
* With a rise in the viability of bulky and strong Water-types such as Kyogre and Palkia, Arceus-Rock is somewhat less viable in the current metagame.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind Attacker
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Will-O-wisp
move 3: Recover
move 4: Judgment
item: Stone Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=====
* Calm Mind allows Arceus-Rock to work as a wincon as well as providing offensive pressure mid-game.
* Will-O-Wisp provides utility and can cripple Pokemon like Extreme Killer Arceus sets lacking ground coverage, Mega Kangaskhan, and Steel-types and Ground-types such as physically offensive Solgaleo, Mega Lucario, Aegislash, and Arceus-Ground.
* Recover is required to maintain Arceus-Rock's longevity, which is important to check the Pokemon it needs to.
* Despite being walled by the usual stall teams, Rock-type Judgment, with 100 Base Power and nothing being immune to it, can deal with Flying-type Pokemon like Yveltal, Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, and Ho-Oh, which are some of the major offensive threats in the metagame.
Set Details
========
* A Timid Nature along with 252 EVs in Speed allows Arceus-Rock to reach the highest Speed tier it can, being able to Speed tie with opposing max Speed Arceus formes as well as Mega Salamence.
* 252 HP EVs maximize Arceus-Rock's bulk, which allowing it to avoid OHKO from +1 Earthquake from Mega Salamence as well as having greater special bulk after it sets up Calm Mind.
* The remaining 4 EVs are invested into its Special Attack, which allows it to achieve a guaranteed OHKO against the standard Dragon Dance Mega Salamence set.
* Stone Plate is required for Arceus-Rock to acquire its Rock typing as well as make Judgment a 100 Base Power Rock-type move.
Usage Tips
========
* Since Calm Mind Arceus formes are somewhat afraid of status conditions like burn and poison, Pokemon that are immune to them such as Klefki and Magearna should be used to switch in Arceus-Rock via pivot switches.
* Despite being able to check Ho-Oh, Arceus-Rock is almost bound to get burned by Sacred Fire after repeatedly switching in.However, though it gets subjected to residual damage, Arceus-Rock can now be used as a status sponge and can switch into status moves.
* Nevertheless, Earthquake from Choice Band Ho-Oh does 76% maximum, so it is best to have status removed as fast as possible, even though keeping Arceus-Rock's HP above 82% is enough to be able to switch into opposing Ho-Oh and OHKO them with Judgment.
* Arceus-Rock can also be a switch in against Yveltal but must be wary of the Yveltal+Mega Gengar combo which can easily break through your team by switching in Mega Gengar safely and trapping Arceus-Rock. However, even Mega Gengar will need to hit two Focus Blast to KO Arceus-Rock from full while you can Calm Mind once and then Recover, so keeping Arceus-Rock's health can stop Mega Gengar from pulling off its shenanigans.
* Attempt to predict switches to Steel-types from the opposing side and go for Will-O-Wisp, crippling opposing Ground-, and Steel-type Pokemon.
* When left with no choice against opposing Arceus, Arceus-Rock can Speed tie with the standard Extreme Killer Arceus and burn it, even though it is pretty tough to wall that set because it normally carries Earthquake as coverage and can OHKO Arceus-Rock at +2.
* Arceus-Rock can sweep with Calm Mind boost only after its checks are weakened or removed from the opposing team. Clicking Calm Mind before that is almost pointless.
Team Options
========
* Primal Groudon is an excellent choice. as it can check counters to Calm Mind Arceus-Rock, such as Primal Kyogre, Dialga, Solgaleo, Magearna, Unaware Clefable, and Blissey.
* Giratina-O can act as a Defog user, keeping entry hazards at bay as well as providing a Ground immunity. It also appreciates Pokemon like Yveltal removed from the opposing team, pairing well with Calm Mind Arceus-Rock.
* Dialga can provide hazard support with Stealth Rock and can also check Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Fairy-types such as Clefable.
* Kyogre and Palkia with its very strong Water-type moves can deal with the Ground-types Arceus-Rock struggles to face.
* Geomancy Xerneas with Aromatherapy can act as a cleric for the team. It also appreciates having a check to Ho-Oh.
* Shaymin-S pairs well with Arceus-Rock offensively as it can deal with Ground-types and Kyogre that typically checks Arceus-Rock while also appreciating a check to Ho-Oh being Arceus-Rock.
* Offensive Steel-types like Aegislash, Solgaleo, and Magearna, despite the common Ground-type weakness, can pair well with Arceus-Rock as they appreciate a check to Ho-Oh.
* Zekrom can check Water-types such as Kyogre which can easily check Arceus-Rock, making it a decent offensive partner.
* Finally, since Calm Mind Arceus-Rock dislikes status and Taunt, Mega Sableye makes it a great supportive partner.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Substitute is an option over Will-O-Wisp lets Calm Mind Arceus-Rock avoid status and Taunt, while Refresh can remove status conditions; however, this leaves Arceus-Rock with no method of crippling Ground-types.
* Coverage moves such as Grass Knot and Earth Power are options for hitting Water-types such as Kyogre and for Steel-types like Solgaleo and Magearna, but Will-O-Wisp is often more effective and provides more utility.
* Defog is also an option that allows Arceus-Rock to provide support for teams that desperately need entry hazard removal. However, this leaves Arceus-Rock weak to offensive Steel-types and Ground-types such as Aegislash and Zygarde-C.
* Magic Coat is a niche option to bounce back status or Taunt.
* A physically offensive set with Rockium Z and Swords Dance will allow Arceus-Rock to punch through bulky Water-types and Primal Groudon: however, it will have to rely on hitting Stone Edge which is the only strong physical Rock-type move it gets.
* Running Stealth Rock is also another option, since having a setter that also forces out Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon is nice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Kyogre and Palkia**: Kyogre and Palkia can easily take Judgment from Arceus-Rock and retaliate with strong Water-type attacks. Since Kyogre carries Rest, it doesn't care about being burned either.
**Trappers**: Pokemon like Mega-Gengar, can easily revenge kill Arceus-Rock if it falls 61%, while Wobbuffet can create mind games with Arceus-Rock.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Dialga, Klefki, Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Bronzong can easily wall Arceus-Rock and hurt it with Toxic or super effective Steel-type moves, while burning them with Will-O-Wisp will not cripple them much. Other Steel-types like Mega Lucario, Excadrill, Solgaleo, Genesect, and Mega Scizor can work against Arceus-Rock, but they do not like being burned by Will-O-Wisp.
**Zygarde-C**: This Pokemon can easily wall Arceus-Rock, cripple it with Toxic, phaze it, and hit it for super effective damage.
**Primal-Groudon**: Being immune Arceus-Rock's Will-O-Wisp, Primal Groudon can easily OHKO it with Precipice Blade.
**Arceus-Ground**: Generally, any Arceus forme having type advantage over Arceus-Rock, one of such being Arceus-Ground, can easily take hits from it and easily KO it back with a super effective Earthquake or Ground-type Judgment.
**Fighting-types**: Strong Fighting-types such as Blaziken, Pheromosa, Arceus-Fighting, and Mega Lucario can easily check Arceus-Rock, being able to OHKO it with their strong Fighting STAB moves.
**Clefable and Blissey**: Unaware Clefable and Blissey can easily wall Arceus-Rock with their ability to ignore stat boosts and sky-high Special Defense respectively. However, if Arceus-Rock turns out to be physical, both of these Pokemon will be exposed to a strong physical STAB Stone Edge.
**Faster Pokemon with Super Effective Coverage**: Though Pokemon such as Shaymin-S and Mewtwo cannot switch in safely against Arceus-Rock, they can KO it once they are on the field.
(GP: 1/1) by The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
* Arceus-Rock has an awesome niche in being one of few Pokemon to be able to safely switch in against Ho-Oh.
* Its decent offensive typing in Rock enables it to hit the majority of Pokemon in the meta for neutral damage without the need of coverage.
* Its great Flying and Normal resistances allow it to check Pokemon like Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Rayquaza, Ho-Oh, and Mega Kangaskhan.
* Its 120 base stats across the board, with access to an effective offensive movepool as well as recovery, and status-inflicting moves enable it to run different sets.
* It is hampered by a weakness to common Ground-type attacks and is also weak to Water-type and Steel-type attacks.
* When weakened enough, it can get trapped by Mega Gengar and revenge KOed by Focus Blast.
* Takes up your Arceus slot.
* With a rise in the viability of bulky and strong Water-types such as Kyogre and Palkia, Arceus-Rock is somewhat less viable in the current metagame.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind Attacker
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Will-O-wisp
move 3: Recover
move 4: Judgment
item: Stone Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=====
* Calm Mind allows Arceus-Rock to work as a wincon as well as providing offensive pressure mid-game.
* Will-O-Wisp provides utility and can cripple Pokemon like Extreme Killer Arceus sets lacking ground coverage, Mega Kangaskhan, and Steel-types and Ground-types such as physically offensive Solgaleo, Mega Lucario, Aegislash, and Arceus-Ground.
* Recover is required to maintain Arceus-Rock's longevity, which is important to check the Pokemon it needs to.
* Despite being walled by the usual stall teams, Rock-type Judgment, with 100 Base Power and nothing being immune to it, can deal with Flying-type Pokemon like Yveltal, Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, and Ho-Oh, which are some of the major offensive threats in the metagame.
Set Details
========
* A Timid Nature along with 252 EVs in Speed allows Arceus-Rock to reach the highest Speed tier it can, being able to Speed tie with opposing max Speed Arceus formes as well as Mega Salamence.
* 252 HP EVs maximize Arceus-Rock's bulk, which allowing it to avoid OHKO from +1 Earthquake from Mega Salamence as well as having greater special bulk after it sets up Calm Mind.
* The remaining 4 EVs are invested into its Special Attack, which allows it to achieve a guaranteed OHKO against the standard Dragon Dance Mega Salamence set.
* Stone Plate is required for Arceus-Rock to acquire its Rock typing as well as make Judgment a 100 Base Power Rock-type move.
Usage Tips
========
* Since Calm Mind Arceus formes are somewhat afraid of status conditions like burn and poison, Pokemon that are immune to them such as Klefki and Magearna should be used to switch in Arceus-Rock via pivot switches.
* Despite being able to check Ho-Oh, Arceus-Rock is almost bound to get burned by Sacred Fire after repeatedly switching in.However, though it gets subjected to residual damage, Arceus-Rock can now be used as a status sponge and can switch into status moves.
* Nevertheless, Earthquake from Choice Band Ho-Oh does 76% maximum, so it is best to have status removed as fast as possible, even though keeping Arceus-Rock's HP above 82% is enough to be able to switch into opposing Ho-Oh and OHKO them with Judgment.
* Arceus-Rock can also be a switch in against Yveltal but must be wary of the Yveltal+Mega Gengar combo which can easily break through your team by switching in Mega Gengar safely and trapping Arceus-Rock. However, even Mega Gengar will need to hit two Focus Blast to KO Arceus-Rock from full while you can Calm Mind once and then Recover, so keeping Arceus-Rock's health can stop Mega Gengar from pulling off its shenanigans.
* Attempt to predict switches to Steel-types from the opposing side and go for Will-O-Wisp, crippling opposing Ground-, and Steel-type Pokemon.
* When left with no choice against opposing Arceus, Arceus-Rock can Speed tie with the standard Extreme Killer Arceus and burn it, even though it is pretty tough to wall that set because it normally carries Earthquake as coverage and can OHKO Arceus-Rock at +2.
* Arceus-Rock can sweep with Calm Mind boost only after its checks are weakened or removed from the opposing team. Clicking Calm Mind before that is almost pointless.
Team Options
========
* Primal Groudon is an excellent choice. as it can check counters to Calm Mind Arceus-Rock, such as Primal Kyogre, Dialga, Solgaleo, Magearna, Unaware Clefable, and Blissey.
* Giratina-O can act as a Defog user, keeping entry hazards at bay as well as providing a Ground immunity. It also appreciates Pokemon like Yveltal removed from the opposing team, pairing well with Calm Mind Arceus-Rock.
* Dialga can provide hazard support with Stealth Rock and can also check Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Fairy-types such as Clefable.
* Kyogre and Palkia with its very strong Water-type moves can deal with the Ground-types Arceus-Rock struggles to face.
* Geomancy Xerneas with Aromatherapy can act as a cleric for the team. It also appreciates having a check to Ho-Oh.
* Shaymin-S pairs well with Arceus-Rock offensively as it can deal with Ground-types and Kyogre that typically checks Arceus-Rock while also appreciating a check to Ho-Oh being Arceus-Rock.
* Offensive Steel-types like Aegislash, Solgaleo, and Magearna, despite the common Ground-type weakness, can pair well with Arceus-Rock as they appreciate a check to Ho-Oh.
* Zekrom can check Water-types such as Kyogre which can easily check Arceus-Rock, making it a decent offensive partner.
* Finally, since Calm Mind Arceus-Rock dislikes status and Taunt, Mega Sableye makes it a great supportive partner.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Substitute is an option over Will-O-Wisp lets Calm Mind Arceus-Rock avoid status and Taunt, while Refresh can remove status conditions; however, this leaves Arceus-Rock with no method of crippling Ground-types.
* Coverage moves such as Grass Knot and Earth Power are options for hitting Water-types such as Kyogre and for Steel-types like Solgaleo and Magearna, but Will-O-Wisp is often more effective and provides more utility.
* Defog is also an option that allows Arceus-Rock to provide support for teams that desperately need entry hazard removal. However, this leaves Arceus-Rock weak to offensive Steel-types and Ground-types such as Aegislash and Zygarde-C.
* Magic Coat is a niche option to bounce back status or Taunt.
* A physically offensive set with Rockium Z and Swords Dance will allow Arceus-Rock to punch through bulky Water-types and Primal Groudon: however, it will have to rely on hitting Stone Edge which is the only strong physical Rock-type move it gets.
* Running Stealth Rock is also another option, since having a setter that also forces out Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon is nice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Kyogre and Palkia**: Kyogre and Palkia can easily take Judgment from Arceus-Rock and retaliate with strong Water-type attacks. Since Kyogre carries Rest, it doesn't care about being burned either.
**Trappers**: Pokemon like Mega-Gengar, can easily revenge kill Arceus-Rock if it falls 61%, while Wobbuffet can create mind games with Arceus-Rock.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Dialga, Klefki, Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Bronzong can easily wall Arceus-Rock and hurt it with Toxic or super effective Steel-type moves, while burning them with Will-O-Wisp will not cripple them much. Other Steel-types like Mega Lucario, Excadrill, Solgaleo, Genesect, and Mega Scizor can work against Arceus-Rock, but they do not like being burned by Will-O-Wisp.
**Zygarde-C**: This Pokemon can easily wall Arceus-Rock, cripple it with Toxic, phaze it, and hit it for super effective damage.
**Primal-Groudon**: Being immune Arceus-Rock's Will-O-Wisp, Primal Groudon can easily OHKO it with Precipice Blade.
**Arceus-Ground**: Generally, any Arceus forme having type advantage over Arceus-Rock, one of such being Arceus-Ground, can easily take hits from it and easily KO it back with a super effective Earthquake or Ground-type Judgment.
**Fighting-types**: Strong Fighting-types such as Blaziken, Pheromosa, Arceus-Fighting, and Mega Lucario can easily check Arceus-Rock, being able to OHKO it with their strong Fighting STAB moves.
**Clefable and Blissey**: Unaware Clefable and Blissey can easily wall Arceus-Rock with their ability to ignore stat boosts and sky-high Special Defense respectively. However, if Arceus-Rock turns out to be physical, both of these Pokemon will be exposed to a strong physical STAB Stone Edge.
**Faster Pokemon with Super Effective Coverage**: Though Pokemon such as Shaymin-S and Mewtwo cannot switch in safely against Arceus-Rock, they can KO it once they are on the field.
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