Zephyr
Life Stream
Deino
Quality control 2/3 (Crux, Zeph, Diana)
Grammar Prose 2/2 (Nixhex, Zystral)
[OVERVIEW]
<p>Deino is certainly one of the most unique Pokemon available in Little Cup. With an exclusive Dark / Dragon typing, Deino has access to two of the most useful and effective STABs. It has a good immunity and a few pretty good resistances. A good ability in Hustle and a great movepool, including moves such as Draco Meteor, Crunch, and Outrage, to pair with acceptable stats, makes Deino a good contender for a slot on your team.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Crunch
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Fire Fang
move 4: Ice Fang / Draco Meteor
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly / Hasty
evs: 20 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 212 Spe
[Set Comments]
<p>The Choice Scarf set capitalizes on taking advantage of dealing huge STAB damage to either of the opponent's defenses. With great coverage and high base power STABs, the opponent will probably have to let one of their Pokemon be KOed to even switch into Deino, provided you have predicted correctly. Deino also acts as a great revenge killer, coming into many Pokemon with a one stage boost to Speed and threatening them with heavy damage. Outrage and Crunch make up the core of Deino's attacking movepool, while Fire Fang fills in most of the coverage gap. The final slot choice is down to Ice Fang or Draco Meteor. The EVs are used to make the best of enhancing its Speed and Attack.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Ice Fang does consistent damage without worry of having to switch out. If you choose to use Draco Meteor on Deino, you'll have to shift Deino's nature to Hasty and possibly shift some EVs over to Special Attack. Although this weakens Deino's durability, Draco Meteor is a great offensive choice for Deino and should be considered. Frillish makes a good partner to Deino, as it can come in to take the super effective priority moves that plague Deino's longevity on the battlefield, such as Vacuum Wave. Ferroseed can switch in and take the Ice- and Dragon-type moves aimed at Deino, as well as Bronzor and most other Steel-type Pokemon. Magnemite can trap Steel-type Pokemon to make it easier for Deino to sweep without prediction.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Deino does have some other interesting options that could support a mixed or special set, but its lackluster Special Attack stat makes these generally ineffective. Draco Meteor, Earth Power, and Dragon Pulse are a few examples, but only Draco Meteor will see any use, as the huge base power and STAB make up for the general lack of Special Attack strength. Deino has access to Head Smash as a potential move over either Fire Fang or Ice Fang.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>A healthy Steel-type Pokemon can come into any move bar Fire Fang, and threaten Deino out, or damage Deino if it is locked into Outrage. Wynaut can beat Deino with Counter if it switches into Fire Fang or Ice Fang, but cannot deal with Deino's STAB moves. Croagunk, Meditite, and Timburr can also easily inflict tons of damage to Deino with priority moves. An Ice Shard user such as Snover or Swinub can hit Deino very hard.</p>