I'll be taking over Grass Arceus from Ditto.
Grass Arceus
[Overview]
<p>Behold the God of Pokemon in His leafy green avatar, as He strides through the lush green fields with the regal air of a king, dare not incur the wrath of Arceus, for His Judgment is more binding than the strongest vine. Standing upright with all the majesty of a statuesque sequoia, Arceus endures the tumultuous downpours and remains unscathed by mere quakes of the earth. Although Grass Arceus really dislikes searing heat and freezing cold, not to mention the preying insects, give it a chance and it will not disappoint. Even the powerful juggernauts that infest the Uber tier will fail to uproot the God of the forests.</p>
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Recover
move 3: Grass Knot / Judgment
move 4: Ice Beam / Earth Power
nature: Timid
item: Meadow Plate
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Grass-type STAB is rather lacking in coverage, due to being resisted by a variety of Pokemon, the type ranks among the very best in Ubers, defensively, for its coveted resistances to Water-, Ground-, and Electric-type attacks. Grass Arceus's wonderful bulk and blazing Speed, combined with these key resistances, make it a near unstoppable Calm Mind user in Ubers.</p>
<p>Thanks to Grass Arceus's important resistances, it should have no difficulty getting off a Calm Mind. One of the biggest questions when using Grass Arceus is whether to use Grass Knot or Judgment. It must be noted that after a Pokemon reaches 100.1 kg, Grass Knot becomes the better choice because of greater PP and potential for higher damage. Since most of the Pokemon commonly seen in the Uber tier are over 100 kg, Grass Knot is usually a better choice than Judgment. However, it must be noted that Manaphy takes pittance from Grass Knot due to its low weight and can potentially threaten Grass Arceus with a boosted Ice Beam. Manaphy will also boost faster than Arceus due to Tail Glow. Ice Beam allows Arceus to deal with Salamence, Rayquaza, Latias, Latios, Zekrom, and Giratina-O, but leaves it vulnerable to Fire- and Steel-types. In particular, Ho-Oh, Reshiram, and Dialga, although neutral to Ice Beam, can take the attack with ease and smack Grass Arceus with their STAB attacks. Earth Power, on the other hand, allows Arceus to deal with Reshiram, Zekrom, Heatran, and Dialga, as well as other grounded Steel-types. However, it leaves it vulnerable to Lugia, along with most Dragon-types. Recover gives Arceus reliable recovery, making it very hard to kill without a super effective hit.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EVs and nature allow Arceus to abuse its fantastic bulk and Speed to the fullest. Grass Arceus can also use Substitute over Recover in order to protect itself from status and thereby beat a certain pink blob named Blissey. In most cases, though, Recover is the superior option, because it does more in the way of keeping Grass Arceus alive.</p>
<p>Water-types make excellent teammates for Grass Arceus, as they cover each other's weaknesses well. The best examples are Kyogre, who weakens Fire-type attacks, and Palkia, who is doubly resistant to Fire-type moves. Like most other Calm Mind variants of Arceus, Grass Arceus is also plagued by a massive weakness to Ho-Oh. Ho-Oh is even more deadly to Grass Arceus, as both of its STAB moves can destroy Grass Arceus easily while Ice Beam does pitiful damage even after a boost. For this reason, Stealth Rock is recommend to stop Ho-Oh. Heatran can set up Stealth Rock and also has good synergy with Grass Arceus. However, packing Kyogre on the team will also weaken Heatran's STAB Fire-type attacks, so keep that in mind.</p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Recover
move 2: Grass Knot / Judgment
move 3: Ice Beam / Earth Power
move 4: Thunder Wave / Stealth Rock / Magic Coat
nature: Timid
item: Meadow Plate
evs: 252 HP / 144 SpD / 112 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Grass Arceus's important resistances, incredible bulk, and high base Speed allow it to function as a fantastic supporter. Recover ensures that it will be around for sometime and effectively increases Arceus's bulk. Grass Knot is recommended over Judgment because most of the common Pokemon in Ubers take more damage from Grass Knot. Also, Grass Knot has more PP than Judgment, which can be useful, as most of the Pokemon in the tier have the ability Pressure. The choice between Ice Beam and Earth Power depends on what you want hit harder. Ice Beam destroys Dragon-types such as Zekrom, Garchomp, Rayquaza, and Giratina, while Earth Power helps against Heatran and Reshiram. In the last slot, Thunder Wave can be used to spread paralysis, as Grass Arceus scares off most Ground-types such as Groudon and Garchomp. Stealth Rock is also a viable option. Lastly, Magic Coat allows Grass Arceus to bounce back any status move or entry hazards such as Stealth Rock, making it a great lead.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>112 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Arceus to outrun Jolly Garchomp with maximum investment, while 252 HP EVs maximize Grass Arceus's overall bulk. The rest of the EVs are placed in Special Defense. However, a Calm nature can be used to prevent Grass Arceus from getting 2HKOed by unboosted Kyogre's Ice Beam.</p>
<p>Water-types make very good teammates. Kyogre and Palkia both deserve special mentions, with the former negating Grass Arceus's Fire-type weakness with Drizzle, and the latter packing a quadruple resistance to Fire-type moves. Because Ho-Oh laughs at this set, Stealth Rock support is an absolute necessity. Heatran can set up Stealth Rock easily, and has great defensive synergy with Grass Arceus.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Both Ice Beam and Earth Power can be used alongside Arceus's Grass-type STAB attacks without Recover for a more offensive Calm Mind Arceus. However, due to its Grass typing, it is better as a more defensive Pokemon. Will-O-Wisp can be used in the last slot on the Support set, but is generally not as effective, as Arceus's main counters are immune to it. Roar can be used on the last slot on the Support set as well if you already have a Pokemon to set up Stealth Rock and do not care about spreading paralysis.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>One of the best counters to Grass Arceus is Ho-Oh, being able to take of Arceus's attacks and hit it back with a powerful Sacred Fire. When using Ice Beam, Fire Arceus, Reshiram, and Steel-type Pokemon such as Heatran will all wall Grass Arceus, while Ho-Oh, Lugia, Salamence, Rayquaza, Giratina-O, and Bug Arceus will do the same if Earth Power is used. Blaziken can use Protect to boost its Speed and mow down Grass Arceus with Flare Blitz, doing a meaty 92.3% - 109.5%, a sure OHKO with Stealth Rock. Grass Arceus also needs to watch out for Victini, as Scarf variants can outspeed and OHKO Grass Arceus with V-Create. Scizor laughs at all of Grass Arceus's moves, and can dish out a large amount of damage with U-turn. In sunlight, Mewtwo can easily OHKO Grass Arceus with Fire Blast. Lastly, Chansey and Blissey can easily stall out Grass Arceus with a combination of Toxic and Softboiled, while even boosted Judgment does meager damage.</p>
Grass Arceus
[Overview]
<p>Behold the God of Pokemon in His leafy green avatar, as He strides through the lush green fields with the regal air of a king, dare not incur the wrath of Arceus, for His Judgment is more binding than the strongest vine. Standing upright with all the majesty of a statuesque sequoia, Arceus endures the tumultuous downpours and remains unscathed by mere quakes of the earth. Although Grass Arceus really dislikes searing heat and freezing cold, not to mention the preying insects, give it a chance and it will not disappoint. Even the powerful juggernauts that infest the Uber tier will fail to uproot the God of the forests.</p>
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Recover
move 3: Grass Knot / Judgment
move 4: Ice Beam / Earth Power
nature: Timid
item: Meadow Plate
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Grass-type STAB is rather lacking in coverage, due to being resisted by a variety of Pokemon, the type ranks among the very best in Ubers, defensively, for its coveted resistances to Water-, Ground-, and Electric-type attacks. Grass Arceus's wonderful bulk and blazing Speed, combined with these key resistances, make it a near unstoppable Calm Mind user in Ubers.</p>
<p>Thanks to Grass Arceus's important resistances, it should have no difficulty getting off a Calm Mind. One of the biggest questions when using Grass Arceus is whether to use Grass Knot or Judgment. It must be noted that after a Pokemon reaches 100.1 kg, Grass Knot becomes the better choice because of greater PP and potential for higher damage. Since most of the Pokemon commonly seen in the Uber tier are over 100 kg, Grass Knot is usually a better choice than Judgment. However, it must be noted that Manaphy takes pittance from Grass Knot due to its low weight and can potentially threaten Grass Arceus with a boosted Ice Beam. Manaphy will also boost faster than Arceus due to Tail Glow. Ice Beam allows Arceus to deal with Salamence, Rayquaza, Latias, Latios, Zekrom, and Giratina-O, but leaves it vulnerable to Fire- and Steel-types. In particular, Ho-Oh, Reshiram, and Dialga, although neutral to Ice Beam, can take the attack with ease and smack Grass Arceus with their STAB attacks. Earth Power, on the other hand, allows Arceus to deal with Reshiram, Zekrom, Heatran, and Dialga, as well as other grounded Steel-types. However, it leaves it vulnerable to Lugia, along with most Dragon-types. Recover gives Arceus reliable recovery, making it very hard to kill without a super effective hit.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EVs and nature allow Arceus to abuse its fantastic bulk and Speed to the fullest. Grass Arceus can also use Substitute over Recover in order to protect itself from status and thereby beat a certain pink blob named Blissey. In most cases, though, Recover is the superior option, because it does more in the way of keeping Grass Arceus alive.</p>
<p>Water-types make excellent teammates for Grass Arceus, as they cover each other's weaknesses well. The best examples are Kyogre, who weakens Fire-type attacks, and Palkia, who is doubly resistant to Fire-type moves. Like most other Calm Mind variants of Arceus, Grass Arceus is also plagued by a massive weakness to Ho-Oh. Ho-Oh is even more deadly to Grass Arceus, as both of its STAB moves can destroy Grass Arceus easily while Ice Beam does pitiful damage even after a boost. For this reason, Stealth Rock is recommend to stop Ho-Oh. Heatran can set up Stealth Rock and also has good synergy with Grass Arceus. However, packing Kyogre on the team will also weaken Heatran's STAB Fire-type attacks, so keep that in mind.</p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Recover
move 2: Grass Knot / Judgment
move 3: Ice Beam / Earth Power
move 4: Thunder Wave / Stealth Rock / Magic Coat
nature: Timid
item: Meadow Plate
evs: 252 HP / 144 SpD / 112 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Grass Arceus's important resistances, incredible bulk, and high base Speed allow it to function as a fantastic supporter. Recover ensures that it will be around for sometime and effectively increases Arceus's bulk. Grass Knot is recommended over Judgment because most of the common Pokemon in Ubers take more damage from Grass Knot. Also, Grass Knot has more PP than Judgment, which can be useful, as most of the Pokemon in the tier have the ability Pressure. The choice between Ice Beam and Earth Power depends on what you want hit harder. Ice Beam destroys Dragon-types such as Zekrom, Garchomp, Rayquaza, and Giratina, while Earth Power helps against Heatran and Reshiram. In the last slot, Thunder Wave can be used to spread paralysis, as Grass Arceus scares off most Ground-types such as Groudon and Garchomp. Stealth Rock is also a viable option. Lastly, Magic Coat allows Grass Arceus to bounce back any status move or entry hazards such as Stealth Rock, making it a great lead.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>112 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Arceus to outrun Jolly Garchomp with maximum investment, while 252 HP EVs maximize Grass Arceus's overall bulk. The rest of the EVs are placed in Special Defense. However, a Calm nature can be used to prevent Grass Arceus from getting 2HKOed by unboosted Kyogre's Ice Beam.</p>
<p>Water-types make very good teammates. Kyogre and Palkia both deserve special mentions, with the former negating Grass Arceus's Fire-type weakness with Drizzle, and the latter packing a quadruple resistance to Fire-type moves. Because Ho-Oh laughs at this set, Stealth Rock support is an absolute necessity. Heatran can set up Stealth Rock easily, and has great defensive synergy with Grass Arceus.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Both Ice Beam and Earth Power can be used alongside Arceus's Grass-type STAB attacks without Recover for a more offensive Calm Mind Arceus. However, due to its Grass typing, it is better as a more defensive Pokemon. Will-O-Wisp can be used in the last slot on the Support set, but is generally not as effective, as Arceus's main counters are immune to it. Roar can be used on the last slot on the Support set as well if you already have a Pokemon to set up Stealth Rock and do not care about spreading paralysis.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>One of the best counters to Grass Arceus is Ho-Oh, being able to take of Arceus's attacks and hit it back with a powerful Sacred Fire. When using Ice Beam, Fire Arceus, Reshiram, and Steel-type Pokemon such as Heatran will all wall Grass Arceus, while Ho-Oh, Lugia, Salamence, Rayquaza, Giratina-O, and Bug Arceus will do the same if Earth Power is used. Blaziken can use Protect to boost its Speed and mow down Grass Arceus with Flare Blitz, doing a meaty 92.3% - 109.5%, a sure OHKO with Stealth Rock. Grass Arceus also needs to watch out for Victini, as Scarf variants can outspeed and OHKO Grass Arceus with V-Create. Scizor laughs at all of Grass Arceus's moves, and can dish out a large amount of damage with U-turn. In sunlight, Mewtwo can easily OHKO Grass Arceus with Fire Blast. Lastly, Chansey and Blissey can easily stall out Grass Arceus with a combination of Toxic and Softboiled, while even boosted Judgment does meager damage.</p>
