Status said:QC 2/2 [x] [x]
GP 2/2 [x] [x]
Done [x]
In Progress [_]
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[Overview]
<p>Darumaka instantly stands out as an aggressive, destructive attacker in Little Cup. With a huge base Attack stat of 90, an amazing ability that boosts its Attack significantly, and extremely powerful moves at its fingertips, it is safe to say that nothing lacking Flash Fire can switch into Darumaka's attacks without paying for it. While Darumaka is undoubtedly the strongest physical attacker in Little Cup, there are a few reasons why the blazing critter has not centralized the metagame. While Flare Blitz is certainly powerful, it comes with a heavy price in 1/3 recoil, a price that decidedly limits Darumaka's sweeping abilities despite a good HP stat. Not only does Darumaka suffer from recoil, but it is exposed to all forms of residual damage, most notably being weak to Stealth Rock. Despite its limitations, Darumaka is an interesting Pokemon that will burn holes in the opponent's team easily.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Band
nature: Jolly
ability: Hustle
evs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Darumaka's signature set, and for good reason too. Darumaka's herculean power makes it immediately a threat to any team, and with a Choice item, it's almost impossible for the opponent to avoid losing a teammate or two. Choice Band and Choice Scarf play differently, but Darumaka excels at using both items.</p>
<p>Choice Scarf is usually the item of choice for a few reasons. With Hustle, Darumaka already hits an Attack stat of 27, which is higher than even Cranidos's Attack stat, effectively making Darumaka the strongest physical attacker in the tier. Holding a Choice Scarf allows Darumaka to outpace all unboosted Pokemon in the tier, as well as a fair share of opponents who commonly hold a Choice Scarf, including Magnemite and Snover. Darumaka's powerful Flare Blitz will OHKO just about any Pokemon who doesn't resist it, and Darumaka will probably outspeed them as well. This means that this fiery blob will probably take out a few members of the opponent's team before succumbing to priority and recoil.</p>
<p>By contrast, with a Choice Band around Darumaka's wrist, its Attack skyrockets to a jaw dropping stat of 40. With 40 Attack, it is safe to say that anything lacking Flash Fire will fall to a Flare Blitz with Stealth Rock or Spikes. Even attacks that aren't boosted by STAB, such as Superpower and Rock Slide, will do tremendous damage and OHKO anything that they hit super effectively. Overall, 40 Attack is truly scary and makes Choice Band Darumaka the true threat that it is.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If you're among the select few who prefer reliability over power on Choice sets, Brick Break is a viable alternative to Superpower. If the opponent's Frillish and Slowpoke are eliminated, Brick Break is a better option over Superpower, having the potential to run through the opposing team. Return has attractive power, accuracy, and decent coverage that could make it usable over Rock Slide or U-turn. Beware, however, of the many Pokemon who take little damage from Return.</p>
<p>Darumaka has trouble with Slowpoke and Fire-types carrying Flash Fire, both very common in Little Cup. Prime examples of Pokemon who can get rid of them include Chinchou and Staryu. Chinchou has perfect offensive synergy with Darumaka, and they do not have bad defensive synergy, either. Chinchou can make a great partner with Darumaka using the combination of U-turn and Volt Change to perplex your opponent. Defensive variants can cripple faster opponents with Thunder Wave so that Choice Band Darumaka can plow through the opponent's teams. Staryu can do the same and also has Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock, but it doesn't get STAB Electric-type moves like Chinchou does. Ferroseed and Dwebble are also good partners for setting up Stealth Rock and Spikes.</p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Encore
move 2: Will-O-Wisp / Yawn
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Eviolite
nature: Jolly
ability: Hustle
evs: 196 HP / 36 Atk / 76 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Darumaka is normally seen as an offensive threat, it plays a support role exceptionally well with high HP and a great support movepool. Encore allows Darumaka to force the opponent into using the move last used; this is extremely annoying for the opponent since the defensive Pokemon that commonly switch into Darumaka are particularly vulnerable to Encore. The move in the second slot depends on your team; if it has trouble with physical attackers, you can use Will-O-Wisp to cripple them. Otherwise, you can use Yawn to force switches or put a foe to sleep. Yawn's ability to force switches is especially great when lots of entry hazards are present. Using it in tandem with U-turn, Darumaka can play mind games with the opponent to cause even more switches and rack up the damage with hazards and U-turn. U-turn also allows Darumaka to make advantageous switches against opposing switch-ins trying to take advantage of Encore or Yawn. Additionally, it can net a few KOs here and there against frail Pokemon that take super effective damage, such as Zorua.
<p>Fire Punch is the best STAB move Darumaka has for this set in terms of power and consistency. If you want to use Flare Blitz for added power, you can, but its recoil is not appreciated on this support set.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Setup sweepers such as Scraggy and Clamperl are amazing partners, as they can sweep the opposing team with Encore or Yawn support from Darumaka. A Rapid Spin user, Taunt lead, or Magic Mirror user can help keep hazards, especially Stealth Rock, off the field. Some good examples are Staryu and Natu, respectively representing the three categories. Darumaka wants hazards on the other side of the field too; Ferroseed can set up Stealth Rock and Spikes, and resists the Water- and Rock-type attacks Darumaka fears. Darumaka also gets Taunt, which can be used in the second moveslot if the other moves don't appeal to you.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Darumaka has access to Belly Drum. With an Oran Berry, it can use Belly Drum without losing any HP if the opponent isn't attacking. A set of Belly Drum, Encore, Fire Punch, and Brick Break will best set up and abuse Belly Drum. Ideally, you would want to pass some Speed boosts to Darumaka. Darumaka has other means of boosting its stats, notably Flame Charge and Work Up, which can be used with Fire Punch, Brick Break, and Rock Slide.</p>
<p>Darumaka gets some nice movepool combinations, such as SubPunch with Encore. The point of this set is to switch in on something that tries to set up or use a weak move such as Porygon using Recover or Ice Beam, and use Encore. The opponent will be forced to switch out while you can set up Substitute and attack with a cushion. This also allows Darumaka to use Focus Punch without losing its focus. Lastly, Darumaka gets some cool alternative moves such as Flame Wheel, Fire Fang, Hammer Arm, and Roar that can be used in place of more destructive moves. It also has the choice of Life Orb, but the added residual damage really inhibits Darumaka.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Ponyta, Houndour, and Growlithe all have Flash Fire and can switch into Darumaka's STAB moves while boosting their own. Buizel gets Aqua Jet and can OHKO Darumaka with Stealth Rock, but they can't switch in on Choice Band Flare Blitz. The best way to defeat Darumaka is with residual damage; Stealth Rock and Spikes, especially the former, will do a lot of damage to Darumaka. Munchlax with Thick Fat can switch into Flare Blitz and cause Darumaka to take a lot of recoil damage due to Munchlax's high HP stat. Sandstorm and hail also can be used to wear Darumaka down very well. In the rain, Water-types can easily switch into Flare Blitz and OHKO Darumaka with just about any Water-type attack. Slowpoke is among the very select few who can switch into Darumaka's attacks without fainting.</p>
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Post-critique changes
* Added Roar to the support set
* Added Life Orb to Optional Changes
* Changed the order of the items in the Choice set from Band / Scarf to Scarf / Band
* Chou's GP Check
* CP's GP check