Darkrai (Analysis)

[OVERVIEW]

<p>Boasting access to an blazing base 125 Speed and a stellar base 135 Special Attack, Darkrai is one of the most potent sweepers present in Ubers, with access to Nasty Plot and a fantastic Dark-type STAB. This malevolent specter of darkness has quite a few tricks up its sleeve which will cause its enemies to shudder in fear. Its signature move, Dark Void, a sleep-inducing move with 80% accuracy, allows it to set up with extreme ease, and makes it almost uncounterable very difficult to counter. Bad Dreams complements it well by causing enemy Pokemon to lose health slowly as they are asleep. It also breaks Focus Sashes of the opposing Pokemon. Darkrai is one of the few Pokemon whom Wobbuffet cannot touch since it is immune to Mirror Coat. Indeed, Darkrai is sometime known as the bane of stall teams and for good reason. Darkrai's only true flaw is its average defenses which allow it to be easily taken down easily by Uber sweepers even powerful neutral attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Focus Blast / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is the very set which propelled Darkrai not to fame, or rather notoriety, last generation. Darkrai's stellar base 125 Speed and Dark Void's decent accuracy makes pulling off this set a sweep very easy. The basic game plan is to switch into on a pokemon slower than Darkrai, put it to sleep with a speedy Dark Void, grab a Nasty Plot boost and start sweeping. After a single Nasty Plot, Darkrai's Special Attack reaches a jaw dropping 738. Dark Pulse is the primary move, and, after a Nasty Plot boost, will dent anything not resistant to Dark-type attacks. Focus Blast hits the Dark- and Steel-types which resist the Dark-type attacks, most notably Tyranitar, Heatran, Ferrothorn and opposing Darkrai. To put Darkrai's insane power into perspective, even the mighty Chansey is 2HKOed by Focus Blast after a Nasty Plot boost. Dark Pulse and Focus Blast have near-perfect coverage, resisted only by Heracross and Toxicroak. Substitute allows Darkrai to avoid status moves and it gives it a fighting chance against Sleep Talkers. The Dark-type has good type coverage in Ubers, so a mono-attacking set is extremely viable. Substitute also allows Darkrai to scout for its counters and also protects it from crippling status. However, without Focus Blast, Darkrai will easily be walled by Steel-type Pokemon and Blissey.</p>

<p>This Darkrai set fuctions exceptionally well as a lead or a late game sweeper. (spacing error) The choice of item depends on the position that Darkrai intends to fill in the team. Focus Sash can be used if Darkrai is being used as a lead. It can stop most support leads with a fast Dark Void and even 2HKO Mischevious Heart Taunt users such as Thundurus with its STAB Dark Pulse. Focus Sash Darkrai can also pull off a mini-sweep early game when played right. Thanks to Bad Dreams, Darkrai does not have to worry about its opponent's Focus Sash. Leftovers is the preferred item with Substitute, as Life Orb combined with said move recoil will drain Darkrai's health too quickly. (spacing error; two full stops) But it must be kept in mind that, with Life Orb, the Darkrai's damage output increases significantly.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Since the only way Darkrai can set up a Nasty Plot and sweep, is by putting something to sleep, this set absolutely despises Sleep Talkers like Heracross and Kyogre. Both can easily survive a boosted Dark Pulse and OHKO back with an the appropriate STAB move. Because of these threats Giratina-O and Calm Mind Giratina thus make good partners for Darkrai since both can check and set up on Sleep Talk variants of Kyogre and Heracross the aforementioned threats. Giratina has the further advantage of checking Extremekiller Arceus and Scarf Terakion, both of which threaten Darkrai with priority, or by virtue of greater speed, as in Terrakion's case. Giratina is immune to Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, and can simply Will-O-Wisp cripple Arceus or Terrakion to crippple them with Will-O-Wisp.</p>

<p>It is nearly impossible to beat Darkrai without sacrificing a pokemon to sleep. But once Sleep Clause has been activated, Darkrai becomes infinitely less threatening. One of the best ways to take out Darkrai is to letting it put something to sleep, and then switching to something faster to revenge kill it. Mewtwo, Shaymin-S, and Choice Scarf users such as Palkia, Kyogre, Dialga, Terrakion, Reshiram, and Zekrom are all great choices to revenge kill Darkrai. Darkrai hates powerful users of priority attacks like Normal Extremekiller Arceus and Scizor. If one prefers a more defensive approach, then Ho-oh can survive a boosted Dark Pulse and OHKO with Brave Bird. Fighting Arceus can do the same with Judgment. If Darkrai lacks Focus Blast, then almost all Steel types can wall Darkrai pretty easily.</p>

<p>Wobbufet makes a good partner to Darkrai as it can give Darkrai an the opportunity to set up, and can revenge kill Choice Scarf users easily thanks to Shadow Tag. Grass Arceus and Palkia are both good checks to Kyogre. They can come in on a Surf or Water Spout and threaten Kyogre with their super effective attacks. Quagsire also fears nothing from Kyogre, and can use a combination of Encore and Toxic to wear it down. Zekrom can check Kyogre as well as Ho-oh. Neither of them will dare to take a STAB Bolt Strike. Defensive Kyogre is also a good Ho-Oh check. Stealth Rock also helps to mitigate the threat of Ho-oh. In general, entry hazard support is very much preferred since it aids Darkrai in its sweep. Magnezone and Groudon can be used to check Steel-types if Darkrai lacks Focus Blast. Mewtwo also makes a good teammate as it can decimate Fighting Arceus with a Psystrike. Finally, Forretress and Deoxys-S makes good partners as they can both set up entry hazards quite reliably.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Trick
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Nasty Plot / Focus Blast
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set aims to mend Darkrai's chronic weakness with Sleep Talkers and faster revenge Killers. Once it has Tricked its Choice Scarf onto a Sleep Talker like such as Kyogre, Darkrai can put it to sleep without a second thought thanks to Choice Scarf causing Sleep Talk to fail. Darkrai can then proceed to set up a with Nasty Plot and start a sweep. Coming off a monstrous base 135 Special Attack, STAB Dark Pulse has great coverage, with no Pokemon resisting it and packs a real punch once even when resisted and coming off Darkrai's monstrous Base 135 Special Attack. This set works best as a lead since every non-Scarfed Pokemon is outsped and crippled by a combination of Trick and Dark Void. Darkrai can also come in later in the game to pose a threat to the opponent's team.</p>

<p>It must be noted that though Trick can completely ruin one of your opponent's Pokemon, it must be used very carefully. Using Trick carelessly on a Pokemon which immune to it (such as Arceus) or on a opposing Choice user will not only lock Darkrai into Trick, but also warn the opponent. In order to avoid such situations, one must try to refrain from using Trick on a Pokemon which is often used with a Choice item, until and unless it can be confirmed that the particular pokemon is holding some other item.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Similar to Nasty Plot Darkrai, Scarf Darkrai works well as a lead or a late game sweeper. With a Choice Scarf, Darkrai outspeeds the omnipresent Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A leads in Ubers. Darkrai can then put it to sleep with Dark Void, or cripple it with Trick so that it gets locked into one attack. Darkrai can also directly attack them with a STAB Dark Pulse. Darkrai also works well as a late game sweeper when the suprise element can be very high, and can blow your opponent off his feet if used correctly. It is especially useful in taking down fast sweepers like Rock Polish Groudon (space) (Adamant variants only), or other Choice Scarf users like Palkia and Zekrom.</p>

<p>Focus Blast can be used to take out Steel-types such as Dialga and Heatran, and Tyranitar, and Zekrom, Dialga and Heatran. (correct me if I am wrong, but STAB Dark Pulse hits Zekrom harder than Focus Blast) Ice Beam helps Darkrai maul the ubiquitous Dragon-types in Ubers, and also has good coverage. Spacial Rend can be used as it has slightly more power than Ice Beam and a nifty critical hit rate. It also has the added advantage of hitting Palkia super effectively. This is especially important, as Palkia is a very common Choice Scarf user which Darkrai can then conveniently check.</p>

<p>Even though Scarf Darkrai makes a fantastic lead, it still has problems with certain leads. Leads that hold a Lum Berry and are capable of OHKOing Darkrai, and hold a Lum Berry, are this set's biggest fears. Scizor, Kyogre, Dialga, Machamp, and Tyranitar are prime examples. Choice Scarf Shaymin-S can outspeed Darkrai, and 2HKO it with Air Slash while Darkrai has a 60% chance to just watch itself die get flinched. Normal Extremekiller Arceus and Scizor can threaten Darkrai with their powerful priority moves. Scizor is even resistant even sports a resistance to Dark Pulse. Jolly Rock Polish Jolly Groudon can still outspeed Darkrai and OHKO it with an STAB Earthquake. Scarf Mewtwo can outspeed and smack Darkrai with a speedy Aura Sphere, and KOing it.</p>

<p>Shaymin-S and Scizor can easily be beaten by Dialga, Reshiram, or Ho-Oh. All of them have access to Fire-type moves and are resistant to Shaymin-S's or Scizors's STAB attacks. Dialga and Reshiram have to be wary of a Life Orb Earth Power from Shaymin-S, however, as it will do quite a bit of damage severely damage both. Quagsire is a flawless can easily switch into lead Kyogre, and it can use the turn to do whatever it pleases. Palkia and Grass Arceus will dislike Thunder Wave, but are otherwise are great switch-ins as well, and can dent Kyogre with their Thunder or Grass Knot. Groudon can easily take on Terrakion and Tyranitar. It also makes a great Dialga check to Dialga, and it can set up Stealth Rock to facilitate a Darkrai sweep. Mewtwo can annihilate Fighting Arceus with a Psystrike. Wobbuffet can help create an opening for Darkrai, thanks to Shadow Tag, and Encore, and Tickle, and help it sweep. Last, but not the least, entry hazards help Darkrai greatly as they soften up potential checks to Darkrai and discourage the opponent from switching frequently.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Darkrai can go also run a physical and run a Swords Dance set comprising of Sucker Punch, Brick Break, and Dark Void. This set is backed by its immense surprise factor and STAB priority in the form of Sucker Punch. However, once Darkrai's set is revealed, it is easily walled due to its meager base 90 Attack. Thunder allows Darkrai to destroy Ho-oh and Kyogre, but has little use outside of that. Ice Beam is usable on the Scarf set to revenge kill Dragon Dance Rayquaza, Salamence and Choice Scarf Garchomp. Ice Beam also does nice sizeable damage to Zekrom, Groudon and Ground Arceus. Psychic is Darkrai's best most powerful attack against Fighting Arceus and Heracross, but has little use otherwise. Taunt can be used to prevent sleep absorbers from using Sleep Talk, thus rendering them incapable of countering Darkrai.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Darkrai is extremely difficult to counter directly, but there are certain ways by which it can be taken down. The best way to handle Darkrai is to let something absorb Dark Void, and then send in something that can OHKO it, and is faster or capable of living a boosted hit that can OHKO it. Sleep Talkers such as Kyogre and Heracross can absorb Dark Void, can and do all of the above. Kyogre can take a +2 Nasty Plot Dark Pulse, and does 92.2% - 108.9% with Surf, meaning that it Darkrai will be KOed factoring in Life Orb recoil. Heracross resists both of Darkrai's moves Dark Pulse and Focus Blast, and can hit super effectively with either of its STAB moves. Heracross has the added benefit of Guts which powers up its moves when it is inflicted with a status. Fighting Arceus and Ho-Oh can come switch in on anything except Dark Void, and OHKO Darkrai with Judgment or Brave Bird respectively. Once Sleep Clause has been activated, strong Choice Scarf Pokemon users such as Dialga, Palkia, Garchomp, Kyogre, Reshiram, and Zekrom can revenge kill Darkrai easily. Scizor can OHKO Darkrai with U-turn, and can survie most of its hits attacks. However, a +2 Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast will OHKO Scizor. Finally, Fighting Arceus is only 3HKOed by a +2 Dark Pulse, and is 2HKO'd. Fighting Arceus and can also KO back Darkrai with Judgment. Scarf Terrakion can outspeed non-Scarfed Darkrai and OHKO it with Close Combat. It Terrakion can also switch on Dark Pulse, and grab an Attack boost thanks to Justified and take out Darkrai.</p>

Darkrai

[OVERVIEW]

<p>Boasting access to an blazing base 125 Speed and a stellar base 135 Special Attack, Darkrai is one of the most potent sweepers present in Ubers, with access to Nasty Plot and a fantastic Dark-type STAB. This malevolent specter of darkness has quite a few tricks up its sleeve which will cause its enemies to shudder in fear. Its signature move, Dark Void, a sleep-inducing move with 80% accuracy, allows it to set up with extreme ease, and makes it very difficult to counter. Bad Dreams complements it well by causing enemy Pokemon to lose health slowly as they are asleep. It also breaks Focus Sashes of the opposing Pokemon. Darkrai is one of the few Pokemon whom Wobbuffet cannot touch since it is immune to Mirror Coat. Indeed, Darkrai is sometime known as the bane of stall teams and for good reason. Darkrai's only true flaw is its average defenses which allow it to be taken down easily by even powerful neutral attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Focus Blast / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is the very set which propelled Darkrai to fame, or rather notoriety, last generation. Darkrai's stellar base 125 Speed and Dark Void's decent accuracy makes pulling off a sweep very easy. The basic game plan is to switch into a pokemon slower than Darkrai, put it to sleep with a Dark Void, grab a Nasty Plot boost and start sweeping. After a single Nasty Plot, Darkrai's Special Attack reaches a jaw dropping 738. Dark Pulse is the primary move, and, after a Nasty Plot boost, will dent anything not resistant to Dark-type attacks. Focus Blast hits the Dark- and Steel-types which resist Dark-type attacks, most notably Tyranitar, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and opposing Darkrai. To put Darkrai's insane power into perspective, even Chansey is 2HKOed by Focus Blast after a Nasty Plot boost. Dark Pulse and Focus Blast have near-perfect coverage, resisted only by Heracross and Toxicroak. Substitute allows Darkrai to avoid crippling status, have a fighting chance against Sleep Talkers, and scout for its counters status moves and gives it a fighting chance against Sleep Talkers. The Dark-type has good type coverage in Ubers, so a mono-attacking set is extremely viable. Substitute also allows Darkrai to scout for its counters and protects it from crippling status. However, without Focus Blast, Darkrai will easily be walled by Steel-type Pokemon and Blissey.</p>
It makes more sense to group the substitute stuff together than to separate them with a comment about good coverage

<p>This Darkrai set fuctions exceptionally well as a lead or a late game sweeper. The choice of item depends on the position that Darkrai intends to fill in the team. Focus Sash can be used if Darkrai is being used as a lead. It can stop most support leads with Dark Void and even 2HKO Mischevious Heart Taunt users such as Thundurus with STAB Dark Pulse. Focus Sash Darkrai can also pull off a mini-sweep early game when played right. Thanks to Bad Dreams, Darkrai does not have to worry about its opponent's Focus Sash. Leftovers is the preferred item with Substitute, as Life Orb recoil will drain Darkrai's health too quickly. But it must be kept in mind that, with Life Orb, Darkrai's damage output increases significantly.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Since the only way Darkrai can set up a Nasty Plot and sweep, is by putting something to sleep, this set absolutely despises Sleep Talkers like Heracross and Kyogre. Both can easily survive a boosted Dark Pulse and KO back with the appropriate STAB move. Giratina-O and Calm Mind Giratina thus make good partners for Darkrai since both can check and set up on the aforementioned threats. Giratina has the further advantage of checking Extremekiller Arceus and Scarf Terakion, both of which threaten Darkrai with priority, or by virtue of greater speed, as in Terrakion's case. Giratina is immune to Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, and can simply cripple Arceus or Terrakion with Will-O-Wisp.</p>

<p>It is nearly impossible to beat Darkrai without sacrificing a pokemon to sleep. But once Sleep Clause has been activated, Darkrai becomes infinitely less threatening. One of the best ways to take out Darkrai is letting it put something to sleep, and then switching to something faster to revenge kill it. Mewtwo, Shaymin-S, and Choice Scarf users such as Palkia, Kyogre, Dialga, Terrakion, Reshiram, and Zekrom are all great choices to revenge kill Darkrai. Darkrai It also hates powerful users of priority attacks like Normal Extremekiller Arceus and Scizor. If one prefers a more defensive approach, then Ho-oh can survive a boosted Dark Pulse and OHKO with Brave Bird. Fighting Arceus can do the same with Judgment. If Darkrai lacks Focus Blast, then almost all Steel types can wall Darkrai pretty easily.</p>

<p>Wobbufet makes a good partner to Darkrai as it can give Darkrai the opportunity to set up, and revenge kill Choice Scarf users easily thanks to Shadow Tag. Grass Arceus and Palkia are both good checks to Kyogre. They can come in on a Surf or Water Spout and threaten Kyogre with their super effective attacks. Quagsire also fears nothing from Kyogre, and can use a combination of Encore and Toxic to wear it down. Zekrom can check Kyogre as well as Ho-oh. Neither of them will dare to take a STAB Bolt Strike. Defensive Kyogre is also a good Ho-Oh check. Stealth Rock also helps to mitigate the threat of Ho-oh. In general, entry hazard support is very much preferred since it aids Darkrai in its sweep. Magnezone and Groudon can be used to check Steel-types if Darkrai lacks Focus Blast. Mewtwo also makes a good teammate as it can decimate Fighting Arceus with Psystrike. Finally, Forretress and Deoxys-S makes good partners as they can both set up entry hazards quite reliably.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Trick
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Nasty Plot / Focus Blast
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set aims to mend Darkrai's chronic weakness with Sleep Talkers and faster revenge Killers. Once it has Tricked its Choice Scarf onto a Sleep Talker such as Kyogre, Darkrai can put it to sleep without a second thought thanks to Choice Scarf causing Sleep Talk to fail. Darkrai can then proceed to set up with Nasty Plot and start a sweep. Coming off a monstrous base 135 Special Attack, STAB Dark Pulse has great coverage, and packs a real punch once even when resisted. This set works best as a lead since every non-Scarfed Pokemon is outsped and crippled by a combination of Trick and Dark Void. Darkrai can also come in later in the game to pose a threat to the opponent's team.</p>

<p>It must be noted that though Trick can completely ruin one of your opponent's Pokemon, it must be used very carefully. Using Trick Carelessly Tricking on a Pokemon which immune to it (such as Arceus) or on an opposing Choice user will not only lock Darkrai into Trick, but also warn the opponent. In order to avoid such situations, one must try to refrain from using Trick on a Pokemon which is often used with a Choice item, until and unless it can be confirmed that the particular pokemon is holding some other item.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Similar to Nasty Plot Darkrai, Scarf Darkrai works well as a lead or a late game sweeper. With a Choice Scarf, Darkrai outspeeds the omnipresent Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A leads in Ubers. Darkrai can then put it them to sleep with Dark Void, or cripple it them with Trick so that it they gets locked into one attack. Darkrai can also directly attack them with a STAB Dark Pulse. Darkrai also Another option that works well is using Darkrai as a late game sweeper, when the suprise element can be very high, and can blow your opponent off his feet if used correctly. It is especially useful in taking down fast sweepers like Rock Polish Groudon (Adamant variants only), or other Choice Scarf users like Palkia and Zekrom.</p>

<p>Focus Blast can be used to take out Steel-types such as Dialga and Heatran, and Tyranitar. Ice Beam helps Darkrai maul the ubiquitous Dragon-types in Ubers, and also has good coverage. Spacial Rend can be used as it has slightly more power than Ice Beam and a nifty critical hit rate. It also has the added advantage of hitting Palkia super effectively. This is especially important, as Palkia is a very common Choice Scarf user which Darkrai can then conveniently check.</p>

<p>Even though Scarf Darkrai makes a fantastic lead, it still has problems with certain leads. Leads that are capable of OHKOing Darkrai, and hold a Lum Berry, are this set's biggest fears. Scizor, Kyogre, Dialga, Machamp, and Tyranitar are prime examples. Choice Scarf Shaymin-S can outspeed Darkrai, and 2HKO it with Air Slash while Darkrai has a 60% chance get flinched. Normal Extremekiller Arceus and Scizor can threaten Darkrai with their powerful priority moves. Scizor even sports a resistance to Dark Pulse. Jolly Rock Polish Groudon can still outspeed Darkrai and OHKO it with STAB Earthquake. Scarf Mewtwo can outspeed and smack Darkrai with Aura Sphere, KOing it.</p>

<p>Shaymin-S and Scizor can easily be beaten by Dialga, Reshiram, or Ho-Oh. All of them have access to Fire-type moves and are resistant to Shaymin-S's or Scizors's STAB attacks. Dialga and Reshiram have to be wary of a Life Orb Earth Power from Shaymin-S, however, as it will severely damage both. Quagsire can easily switch into lead Kyogre, and it can use the turn to do whatever it pleases. Palkia and Grass Arceus will dislike Thunder Wave, but are otherwise great switch-ins as well, and can denting Kyogre with Thunder or Grass Knot. Groudon can easily take on Terrakion and Tyranitar. It also makes a great check to Dialga, and it can set up Stealth Rock to facilitate a Darkrai sweep. Mewtwo can annihilate Fighting Arceus with Psystrike. Wobbuffet can help create an opening for Darkrai, thanks to Shadow Tag, Encore, and Tickle, and help it sweep. Last, but not the least, entry hazards help Darkrai greatly as they soften up potential checks to Darkrai and discourage the opponent from switching frequently.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Darkrai can also run a physical Swords Dance set comprising of Sucker Punch, Brick Break, and Dark Void. This set is backed by its immense surprise factor and STAB priority in the form of Sucker Punch. However, once Darkrai's set is revealed, it is easily walled due to its meager base 90 Attack. Thunder allows Darkrai to destroy Ho-oh and Kyogre, but has little use outside of that function. Ice Beam is usable on the Scarf set to revenge kill Dragon Dance Rayquaza, Salamence, and Choice Scarf Garchomp. Ice Beam also does sizeable damage to Zekrom, Groudon, and Ground Arceus. Psychic is Darkrai's most powerful attack against Fighting Arceus and Heracross, but has little use otherwise. Taunt can be used to prevent sleep absorbers from using Sleep Talk, thus rendering them incapable of countering Darkrai.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Darkrai is extremely difficult to counter directly, but there are certain ways by which it can be taken down. The best way method to handle Darkrai is to let something absorb Dark Void, and then send in something that can OHKO it, and is faster or capable of living a boosted hit. Sleep Talkers such as Kyogre and Heracross absorb Dark Void, can and do all of the above. Kyogre can take a +2 Dark Pulse, and does 92.2% - 108.9% with Surf, meaning that Darkrai will be KOed factoring in Life Orb recoil. Heracross resists both Dark Pulse and Focus Blast, and can hit super effectively with either of its STAB moves. Heracross has the added benefit of Guts which powers up its moves when it is inflicted with a status. Fighting Arceus and Ho-Oh can switch in on anything except Dark Void, and OHKO Darkrai with Judgment or Brave Bird respectively. Once Sleep Clause has been activated, strong Choice Scarf users such as Palkia, Garchomp, Dialga Kyogre, Reshiram, and Zekrom can revenge kill Darkrai easily. Scizor can OHKO Darkrai with U-turn, and can survive most of its attacks. However, a +2 Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast will OHKO Scizor. Finally, Fighting Arceus is only 3HKOed by a +2 Dark Pulse and can KO Darkrai with Judgment. seems repetitive, as you mention Fighting Arceus OHKOing Darkrai with Judgement above Scarf Terrakion can outspeed non-Scarfed Darkrai and OHKO it with Close Combat. Terrakion can also switch on Dark Pulse, and grab an Attack boost thanks to Justified.</p>

[OVERVIEW]

<p>Boasting access to an blazing base 125 Speed and a stellar base 135 Special Attack, Darkrai is one of the most potent sweepers present in Ubers, with access to Nasty Plot and a fantastic Dark-type STAB. This malevolent specter of darkness has quite a few tricks up its sleeve which will cause its enemies to shudder in fear. Its signature move, Dark Void, a sleep-inducing move with 80% accuracy, allows it to set up with extreme ease, and makes it very difficult to counter. Bad Dreams complements it well by causing enemy Pokemon to lose health slowly as they are asleep. It also breaks the Focus Sashes of the opposing Pokemon. Darkrai is one of the few Pokemon whom Wobbuffet cannot touch since it is immune to Mirror Coat. Indeed, Darkrai is sometime known as the bane of stall teams, and for good reason. Darkrai's only true flaw is in its average defenses, which allow it to be taken down easily by even powerful neutral attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Focus Blast / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is the very set which propelled Darkrai to fame, or rather notoriety, last generation. Darkrai's stellar base 125 Speed and Dark Void's decent accuracy make pulling off a sweep very easy. The basic game plan is to switch into a Pokemon slower than Darkrai, put it to sleep with a Dark Void, grab a Nasty Plot boost and start sweeping. After a single Nasty Plot, Darkrai's Special Attack reaches a jaw dropping 738. Dark Pulse is the primary move, and, after a Nasty Plot boost, will dent anything not resistant to Dark-type attacks. Focus Blast hits the Dark- and Steel-types which resist Dark-type attacks, most notably Tyranitar, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and opposing Darkrai. To put Darkrai's insane power into perspective, even Chansey is 2HKOed by Focus Blast after a Nasty Plot boost. Dark Pulse and Focus Blast have near-perfect coverage, resisted only by Heracross and Toxicroak. Substitute allows Darkrai to avoid crippling status, have a fighting chance against Sleep Talkers, and scout for its counters. The Dark-type has good type coverage in Ubers, so a mono-attacking set is extremely viable. However, without Focus Blast, Darkrai will easily be walled by Steel-type Pokemon and Blissey.</p>

<p>This Darkrai set fuctions functions exceptionally well as a lead or a late game sweeper. The choice of item depends on the position that Darkrai intends to fill in the team. Focus Sash can be used if Darkrai is being used as a lead. It can stop most support leads with Dark Void and even 2HKO Mischevious Heart Prankster Taunt users such as Thundurus with STAB Dark Pulse. Focus Sash Darkrai can also pull off a mini-sweep early game when played right. Thanks to Bad Dreams, Darkrai does not have to worry about its opponent's Focus Sash. Leftovers is the preferred item with Substitute, as Life Orb recoil will drain Darkrai's health too quickly. But it must be kept in mind that, with Life Orb, Darkrai's damage output increases significantly.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Since the only way Darkrai can set up a Nasty Plot and sweep, is by putting something to sleep, this set absolutely despises Sleep Talkers like Heracross and Kyogre. Both can easily survive a boosted Dark Pulse and KO back with the appropriate STAB move. Giratina-O and Calm Mind Giratina thus make good partners for Darkrai since both can check and set up on the aforementioned threats. Giratina has the further advantage of checking Extremekiller Arceus and Scarf Terakion Terrakion, both of which threaten Darkrai with priority, or by virtue of greater speed, as in Terrakion's case. Giratina is immune to Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, and can simply cripple Arceus or Terrakion with Will-O-Wisp.</p>

<p>It is nearly impossible to beat Darkrai without sacrificing a Pokemon to sleep. But once Sleep Clause has been activated, Darkrai becomes infinitely less threatening. One of the best ways to take out Darkrai is letting it put something to sleep, and then switching to something faster to revenge kill it. Mewtwo, Shaymin-S, and Choice Scarf users such as Palkia, Kyogre, Dialga, Terrakion, Reshiram, and Zekrom are all great choices to revenge kill Darkrai. It also hates powerful users of priority attacks like Normal Extremekiller Arceus and Scizor. If one prefers a more defensive approach, then Ho-Oh can survive a boosted Dark Pulse and OHKO with Brave Bird. Fighting Arceus can do the same with Judgment. If Darkrai lacks Focus Blast, then almost all Steel types can wall Darkrai pretty easily.</p>

<p>Wobbufet makes a good partner to Darkrai as it can give Darkrai the opportunity to set up, and while revenge killing Choice Scarf users easily thanks to Shadow Tag. Grass Arceus and Palkia are both good checks to Kyogre. They can come in on a Surf or Water Spout and threaten Kyogre with their super effective attacks. Quagsire also fears nothing from Kyogre, and can use a combination of Encore and Toxic to wear it down. Zekrom can check Kyogre as well as Ho-Oh. Neither of them will dare to take a STAB Bolt Strike. Defensive Kyogre is also a good Ho-Oh check. Stealth Rock also helps to mitigate the threat of Ho-Oh. In general, entry hazard support is very much preferred recommended since it aids Darkrai in its sweep. Magnezone and Groudon can be used to check Steel-types if Darkrai lacks Focus Blast. Mewtwo also makes a good teammate as it can decimate Fighting Arceus with Psystrike. Finally, Forretress and Deoxys-S makes good partners as they can both set up entry hazards quite reliably.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Trick
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Nasty Plot / Focus Blast
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set aims to mend take care of Darkrai's chronic weakness problems with Sleep Talkers and faster revenge Killers. Once it has Tricked its Choice Scarf onto a Sleep Talker such as Kyogre, Darkrai can put it to sleep without a second thought thanks to Choice Scarf causing Sleep Talk to fail. Darkrai can then proceed to set up with Nasty Plot and start a sweep. Coming off a monstrous base 135 Special Attack, STAB Dark Pulse has great coverage, and packs a real punch once even when resisted. This set works best as a lead since every non-Scarfed Pokemon is outsped and crippled by a combination of Trick and Dark Void. Darkrai can also come in later in the game to pose a threat to the opponent's team.</p>

<p>It must be noted that although Trick can completely ruin one of your opponent's Pokemon, it must be used very carefully. Using Trick carelessly on a Pokemon which is immune to it (such as Arceus) or on an opposing Choice user will not only lock Darkrai into Trick, but also warn the opponent. In order to avoid such situations, one must try to refrain from using Trick on a Pokemon which is often used with a Choice item, until and unless it can be confirmed that the particular Pokemon is holding some other item.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Similar to Nasty Plot Darkrai, Scarf Darkrai works well as a lead or a late game sweeper. With a Choice Scarf, Darkrai outspeeds the omnipresent Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A leads in Ubers. Darkrai can then put them to sleep with Dark Void, or cripple them with Trick so that they gets get locked into one attack. Darkrai can also directly attack them with a STAB Dark Pulse. Another option that works well is using Darkrai as a late game sweeper, when the suprise surprise element can be very high, and can blow your opponent off his feet. It is especially useful in taking down fast sweepers like Rock Polish Groudon (Adamant variants only), or other Choice Scarf users like Palkia and Zekrom.</p>

<p>Focus Blast can be used to take out Steel-types such as Dialga, and Heatran, and Tyranitar. Ice Beam helps Darkrai maul the ubiquitous Dragon-types in Ubers, and also has good coverage. Spacial Rend can be used as it has slightly more power than Ice Beam and a nifty critical hit rate. It also has the added advantage of hitting Palkia super effectively. This is especially important, as Palkia is a very common Choice Scarf user which Darkrai can then conveniently check.</p>

<p>Even though Scarf Darkrai makes a fantastic lead, it still has problems with certain leads. Leads that are capable of OHKOing Darkrai, and hold a Lum Berry, are this set's biggest fears. Scizor, Kyogre, Dialga, Machamp, and Tyranitar are prime examples. Choice Scarf Shaymin-S can outspeed Darkrai, and 2HKO it with Air Slash while Darkrai has a 60% chance get flinched. Normal Extremekiller Arceus and Scizor can threaten Darkrai with their powerful priority moves. Scizor even sports a resistance to Dark Pulse. Jolly Rock Polish Groudon can still outspeed Darkrai and OHKO it with STAB Earthquake. Scarf Mewtwo can outspeed and smack Darkrai with Aura Sphere, KOing it.</p>

<p>Shaymin-S and Scizor can easily be beaten by Dialga, Reshiram, or Ho-Oh. All of them have access to Fire-type moves and are resistant to Shaymin-S's or Scizors's STAB attacks. Dialga and Reshiram have to be wary of a Life Orb Earth Power from Shaymin-S, however, as it will severely damage both. Quagsire can easily switch into lead Kyogre and use the turn to do whatever it pleases. Palkia and Grass Arceus will dislike Thunder Wave, but are otherwise great switch-ins as well, and can dent Kyogre with Thunder or Grass Knot. Groudon can easily take on Terrakion and Tyranitar. It also makes a great check to Dialga, and it can set up Stealth Rock to facilitate a Darkrai sweep. Mewtwo can annihilate Fighting Arceus with Psystrike. Wobbuffet can help create an opening for Darkrai, thanks to Shadow Tag, Encore, and Tickle, and help it sweep. Last, but not the least, entry hazards help Darkrai greatly as they soften up potential checks to Darkrai and discourage the opponent from switching frequently.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Darkrai can also run a physical Swords Dance set comprising of Sucker Punch, Brick Break, and Dark Void. This set is backed by its immense surprise factor and STAB priority in the form of Sucker Punch. However, once Darkrai's set is revealed, it is easily walled due to its meager base 90 Attack. Thunder allows Darkrai to destroy Ho-Oh and Kyogre, but has little use outside of that function. Ice Beam is usable on the Scarf set to revenge kill Dragon Dance Rayquaza, Salamence, and Choice Scarf Garchomp. Ice Beam also does sizeable sizable damage to Zekrom, Groudon, and Ground Arceus. Psychic is Darkrai's most powerful attack against Fighting Arceus and Heracross, but has little use otherwise. Taunt can be used to prevent sleep absorbers from using Sleep Talk, thus rendering them incapable of countering Darkrai.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Darkrai is extremely difficult to counter directly, but there are certain ways by which it can be taken down. The best method to handle Darkrai is to let something absorb Dark Void, and then send in something that can OHKO it, and is faster or capable of living surviving a boosted hit. Sleep Talkers such as Kyogre and Heracross absorb Dark Void, can and do all of the above. Kyogre can take a +2 Dark Pulse, and does 92.2% - 108.9% with Surf, meaning that Darkrai will be KOed factoring in Life Orb recoil. Heracross resists both Dark Pulse and Focus Blast, and can hit super effectively with either of its STAB moves. Heracross has the added benefit of Guts which powers up its moves when it is inflicted with a status. Fighting Arceus and Ho-Oh can switch in on anything except Dark Void, and OHKO Darkrai with Judgment or Brave Bird respectively. Once Sleep Clause has been activated, strong Choice Scarf users such as Palkia, Garchomp, Dialga Kyogre, Reshiram, and Zekrom can revenge kill Darkrai easily. Scizor can OHKO Darkrai with U-turn, and can survive most of its attacks. However, a +2 Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast will OHKO Scizor. Scarf Terrakion can outspeed non-Scarfed Darkrai and OHKO it with Close Combat. Terrakion can also switch on Dark Pulse, and grab an Attack boost thanks to Justified.</p>

Changes in bold
Removals in red
Comments in bold red

[OVERVIEW]

<p>Boasting access to a blazing-fast base 125 Speed and a stellar base 135 Special Attack, Darkrai is one of the most potent sweepers present in Ubers. With access to Nasty Plot and a fantastic Dark-type STAB, this malevolent specter of darkness has quite a few tricks up its sleeve, (comma) more than enough to have its enemies to shudder in fear. Its signature move, Dark Void, a sleep-inducing move with 80% accuracy, allows it to set up with extreme ease, and makes it very difficult to counter. Bad Dreams complements it well by causing enemy Pokemon to lose health slowly as they are asleep, breaking their Focus Sashes. Darkrai is one of the few Pokemon whom Wobbuffet cannot touch since it is immune to Mirror Coat. Indeed, Darkrai is sometimes known as the bane of stall teams and for good reason. Darkrai's only true flaw is in its average defenses, which allow it to be taken down easily by even powerful neutral attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Focus Blast / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This is the very set which propelled Darkrai to fame, or rather notoriety, last generation. Darkrai's stellar base 125 Speed and Dark Void's decent accuracy make pulling off a sweep very easy. The basic game plan is to switch into a Pokemon slower than Darkrai, put it to sleep with a Dark Void, grab a Nasty Plot boost, (comma) and start sweeping. After a single Nasty Plot, Darkrai's Special Attack reaches a jaw dropping 738 and Dark Pulse will dent anything not resistant to it. Focus Blast hits the Dark- and Steel-types which resist Dark-type attacks, most notably Tyranitar, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and opposing Darkrai. To put Darkrai's insane power into perspective, even Eviolite Chansey is 2HKOed by Focus Blast after a Nasty Plot boost. Dark Pulse and Focus Blast have near-perfect coverage, resisted only by Heracross and Toxicroak. Substitute allows Darkrai to avoid crippling status, have a fighting chance against Sleep Talkers, and scout for its counters. The Dark-type has good type coverage in Ubers, so a mono-attacking set without Focus Blast is extremely viable though without Focus Blast, although Darkrai will easily be walled by Steel-type Pokemon and Blissey then.</p>

<p>This Darkrai set functions exceptionally well as a lead or a late-game sweeper and the choice of item depends heavily on the position that Darkrai intends to fill in the team. Focus Sash can be used if Darkrai is being used as a lead, (comma) allowing it to stop most support leads with Dark Void and even 2HKO Prankster Taunt users such as Thundurus with STAB Dark Pulse. Focus Sash Darkrai can also pull off a mini-sweep early game when played right. Thanks to Bad Dreams, Darkrai does not have to worry about its opponent's Focus Sash. Leftovers is the preferred item with Substitute, as Life Orb recoil will drain Darkrai's health too quickly. But it must be kept in mind that, without Life Orb, Darkrai's damage output drops significantly.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Since the only way Darkrai can set up a Nasty Plot and sweep, (remove comma) is by putting something to sleep, this set absolutely despises Sleep Talkers like Heracross and Kyogre; both can easily survive a boosted Dark Pulse and KO back with the appropriate STAB move. Giratina-O and Calm Mind Giratina thus make good partners for Darkrai since both can check and set up on the aforementioned threats. Giratina has the further advantage of checking Extreme Killer Arceus and Choice Scarf Terrakion, both of which threaten Darkrai with priority, or by virtue of greater Speed, as in Terrakion's case. Giratina is immune to both Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, and can simply cripple Arceus or Terrakion with Will-O-Wisp.</p>

<p>It is nearly impossible to beat Darkrai without sacrificing a Pokemon to sleep. But once Sleep Clause has been activated, Darkrai becomes infinitely less threatening. One of the best ways to take out Darkrai is letting it put something to sleep, and then switching to something faster to revenge kill it. Mewtwo, Shaymin-S, and Choice Scarf users such as Palkia, Kyogre, Dialga, Terrakion, Reshiram, and Zekrom are all great choices to revenge kill Darkrai. It also hates powerful users of priority attacks like Normal Extreme Killer Arceus and Scizor. If one prefers a more defensive approach, then Ho-Oh can survive a boosted Dark Pulse and OHKO with Brave Bird. Fighting Arceus can do the same with Judgment. If Darkrai lacks Focus Blast, then almost all Steel-types can wall Darkrai pretty easily.</p>

<p>Wobbufet makes a good partner to Darkrai as it can give Darkrai the opportunity to set up, while revenge killing Choice Scarf users easily thanks to Shadow Tag. Grass Arceus and Palkia are both good checks to Kyogre since they can switch in on a Surf or Water Spout and threaten Kyogre with their super effective attacks. Quagsire also fears nothing from Kyogre, and can use a combination of Encore and Toxic to wear it down. Zekrom can check Kyogre as well as Ho-Oh as neither of them would dare to take a STAB Bolt Strike. Stealth Rock is possibly the best way to beat Ho-Oh and defensive Kyogre also does a good job in checking Ho-Oh. In general, entry hazard support is very much recommended since it aids Darkrai in its sweep. Forretress and Deoxys-S make good partners as they can both set up entry hazards quite reliably. Magnezone and Groudon can be used to check Steel-types if Darkrai lacks Focus Blast. Mewtwo also makes a good teammate as it can decimate Fighting Arceus with Psystrike.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Trick
move 2: Dark Void
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Nasty Plot / Focus Blast
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set aims to take care of Darkrai's chronic problems with Sleep Talkers and faster revenge killers. Once it has Tricked its Choice Scarf onto a Sleep Talker such as Kyogre, Darkrai can put it to sleep without a second thought thanks to Choice Scarf causing Sleep Talk to fail. Darkrai can then proceed to set up with Nasty Plot and start a sweep. Coming off a monstrous base 135 Special Attack, STAB Dark Pulse has great coverage, and packs a real punch even when resisted. This set works best as a lead since every non-Scarfed Pokemon is outsped and crippled by a combination of Trick and Dark Void. Darkrai can also come in later in the game to pose a threat to the opponent's team.</p>

<p>It must be noted that although Trick can completely ruin one of your opponent's Pokemon, it must be used very carefully. Using Trick carelessly on a Pokemon which is immune to it (such as Arceus) or on an opposing Choice user will not only lock Darkrai into Trick, but also warn the opponent. In order to avoid such situations, one must try to refrain from using Trick on a Pokemon which is often used with a Choice item, until and unless it can be confirmed that the particular Pokemon is holding some other item.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Similar to Nasty Plot Darkrai, Choice Scarf Darkrai works well as a lead or a late-game sweeper. With a Choice Scarf, Darkrai outspeeds the omnipresent Deoxys-S and Deoxys-A leads in Ubers. Darkrai can then put them to sleep with Dark Void, or cripple them with Trick so that they get locked into one attack. Darkrai can also directly attack them directly with a STAB Dark Pulse. Another option that works well is using Darkrai as a late game sweeper, when the surprise element can be very high, and can blow your opponent off his feet. Finally, Choice Scarf Darkrai is especially useful in taking down fast sweepers like Rock Polish Groudon (Adamant variants only), or other Choice Scarf users like Palkia and Zekrom.</p>

<p>Focus Blast can be used to take out Steel-types such as Dialga, Heatran, and Tyranitar while Ice Beam helps Darkrai maul the ubiquitous Dragon-types in Ubers, and also has good coverage with Dark Pulse. Spacial Rend can be used as it has slightly more power than Ice Beam and a nifty critical hit rate. It also has the added advantage of hitting Palkia super effectively, (comma) which is especially important, since Palkia is a very common Choice Scarf user.</p>

<p>Even though Scarf Darkrai itself makes a fantastic anti-lead, it still has problems with certain leads. Leads that are capable of OHKOing Darkrai, and hold a Lum Berry, are this set's biggest fears. Dialga, Kyogre, and Scizor are prime examples. Choice Scarf Shaymin-S can outspeed Darkrai, and 2HKO it with Air Slash while Darkrai has a 60% chance get flinched. Normal Extreme Killer Arceus and Scizor can threaten Darkrai with their powerful priority moves. Scizor even sports a resistance to Dark Pulse. Jolly Rock Polish Groudon can still outspeed Darkrai and OHKO it with STAB Earthquake. Scarf Mewtwo can outspeed and smack Darkrai with Aura Sphere, KOing it.</p>

<p>Shaymin-S and Scizor can easily be beaten by Dialga, Reshiram, or Ho-Oh. All of them have access to Fire-type moves and are resistant to Shaymin-S's or Scizors's STAB attacks. Dialga and Reshiram have to be wary of a Life Orb Earth Power from Shaymin-S, however, as it will severely damage both. Quagsire can easily switch into lead Kyogre and use the turn to do whatever it pleases. Palkia and Grass Arceus will dislike Thunder Wave, but are otherwise great switch-ins as well, and can dent Kyogre with Thunder or Grass Knot. Groudon can easily take on Terrakion and Tyranitar and also makes a great check to Dialga. It can even set up Stealth Rock to facilitate a Darkrai sweep. Mewtwo can annihilate Fighting Arceus with Psystrike. Wobbuffet can help create an opening for Darkrai, thanks to Shadow Tag, Encore, and Tickle, and thus help it sweep. Last, (remove comma) but not the least, entry hazards help Darkrai greatly as they soften up potential checks to Darkrai and discourage the opponent from switching frequently.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Darkrai can also run a physical Swords Dance set comprising of Sucker Punch, Brick Break, and Dark Void. This set is backed by its immense surprise factor and STAB priority in the form of Sucker Punch. However, once Darkrai's set is revealed, it is easily walled due to its meager base 90 Attack. Thunder allows Darkrai to destroy Ho-Oh and Kyogre, but has little use outside of that. Ice Beam is usable on the Scarf set to revenge kill Dragon Dance Rayquaza, Salamence, and Choice Scarf Garchomp. Ice Beam also does sizable damage to Zekrom, Groudon, and Ground Arceus. Psychic is Darkrai's most powerful attack against Fighting Arceus and Heracross, but has little use otherwise. Taunt can be used to prevent sleep absorbers from using Sleep Talk, thus rendering them incapable of countering Darkrai.</p>

[Checks and Counters]
e (<-???)
<p>Darkrai is extremely difficult to counter directly, but there are certain ways by which it can be taken down. The best method to handle Darkrai is to let something absorb Dark Void, and then send in something that can OHKO it, something that is also faster or capable of surviving a boosted hit. Sleep Talkers such as Kyogre and Heracross can absorb Dark Void, and do all of the above. Kyogre can take a +2 Dark Pulse, and does 92.2% - 108.9% with Surf, meaning that Darkrai will always be KOed factoring in Life Orb recoil. Heracross resists both Dark Pulse and Focus Blast, and can hit Darkrai super effectively with either of its STAB moves. Heracross has the added benefit of Guts which powers up its moves when it is inflicted with a status. Fighting Arceus and Ho-Oh can switch in on anything except Dark Void, and OHKO Darkrai with Judgment or Brave Bird, (comma) respectively. Once Sleep Clause has been activated, strong Choice Scarf users such as Palkia, Garchomp, Dialga Kyogre, Reshiram, and Zekrom can revenge kill Darkrai with ease. Scizor can OHKO Darkrai with U-turn, and can survive most of its attacks. However, a +2 Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast will OHKO Scizor. Scarf Terrakion can switch in on a Dark Pulse, grab a free potential Attack boost thanks to Justified, (comma) and can threaten a OHKO with its STAB Close Combat and superior Speed.</p>