Deoxys-A [GP 2/2]

Thanks very much to Giggity, who wrote the lead set. That can be found here, and will be simply c/p'd with minor edits. On to LO!
going to look over it a bit before writing up

[Overview]

<p>The epitome of offense, Deoxys-A is a true powerhouse in every sense of the word. Between its unrivaled base 180 attacking stats (the highest in the game), blistering base 150 Speed, and fantastic movepool, including the coveted ExtremeSpeed, Deoxys-A has everything it needs to tear gaping holes in the opposing team. Unfortunately, its poor typing and practically nonexistent defenses offer little defensive synergy to its team, and as even relatively weak neutral attacks will easily knock it out, it usually needs extensive team support to pull off a clean sweep. The fact that it is easily revenge killed by users of Choice Scarf and priority moves—even Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave—also makes it difficult for Deoxys-A to find a place on a team. These faults aside, however, Deoxys-A is certainly a threat to prepare for.</p>

[Set]

Name : Focus Sash Attacker
Move 1: Psycho Boost
Move 2: Superpower
Move 3: ExtremeSpeed
Move 4: Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
Nature : Mild / Naive
evs : 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[Set comments]

<p>Presenting Deoxys-A's bread and butter set, one of the tier's premiere offensive anti-leads, this set can take on most leads in the current metagame and come out on top. If you thought Draco Meteor spam was impressive, think again: Deoxys-A's Psycho Boost is even more powerful, and does an immense amount of damage to anything that isn't outright immune to Psychic. For reference, Psycho Boost does 90.6% - 106.8% to Rayquaza, and hits Dragon-type Pokemon 2x weak to Ice-type moves harder than Ice Beam does. Superpower is a very similar, albeit physically based move, hitting Steel- and Dark-types that resist or are immune to Psycho Boost for super effective damage. This notably allows Deoxys-A to revenge kill non-Focus Sash Darkrai. ExtremeSpeed is great for taking out weakened opponents such as Focus Sash Deoxys-S, and lands a decent hit on Choice Scarf users attempting to revenge kill Deoxys-A. It also provides midgame revenge killing utility should Deoxys-A survive that long, which happens surprisingly often. However, it can be replaced with a coverage move if your team doesn't have much trouble with revenge killers. Speaking of the fourth slot, it can be customized to suit your team needs; Shadow Ball hits Psychic-types that resist both Psycho Boost and Superpower, such as other Deoxys, Wobbufett, and Mewtwo. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire is useful for hitting Forretress, Ferrothorn, and Scizor for massive damage in neutral weather. Thunder is even another option for the last slot, taking advantage of opposing Kyogres' weather, and gives Deoxys-A a more reliable way to KO it. Ice Beam is another viable option to hit Pokemon 4x weak to Ice-type moves such as Garchomp and Rayquaza, but note that Psycho Boost outdamages a 2x super effective Ice Beam.</p>

[Additional comments]

<p>Max Speed and Special Attack with a Mild nature are used to make the most of Deoxys-A's amazing offensive stats, as its Defense is so poor that it will not survive any hits; in any case, it utilizes a Focus Sash. The remaining 4 EVs should go into Attack to boost Superpower and ExtremeSpeed. In particular, this Speed investment also allows Deoxys-A to outspeed Modest Choice Scarf Kyogre and other neutral-natured base 90 Speed Choice Scarf users. An alternative spread of 16 Atk / 252 SpA / 240 Spe allows Deoxys-A to outpace Mewtwo and other base 130 Speed Pokemon, taking into account Hidden Power Fire's imperfect Speed IV. Using max Speed in tandem with Hidden Power Fire is not advised, as the point lost in Speed will prevent a speed tie with opposing Deoxys-A, the only common Pokemon with base 150 Speed, so dropping to 395 Speed (just above the base 130 Speed tier) and shifting the remaining EVs to Attack is the preferred choice. Deoxys-A also has the option of running Fire Punch, which gives it solid coverage while preserving perfect IVs, but it will be slightly weaker than Hidden Power Fire due to unequal offensive investment. Lastly, Deoxys-A has access to entry hazards and can set them up since its mere presence can force switches, giving it a free turn, but its frailty makes this an unreliable option.</p>

<p>As a dedicated lead, Deoxys-A does not require much support from the team. Should you forgo Magic Coat, a sleep absorber will be necessary, as Choice Scarf Darkrai will outspeed and incapacitate Deoxys-A with Dark Void before it can use Superpower. RestTalk + Calm Mind Kyogre is a great teammate in this regard, as it does not mind being put to sleep and can retaliate with Sleep Talk, either drowning Darkrai with Surf or setting up for an early sweep with Calm Mind. Beware of switching Kyogre into a Trick, however, as a Choice item will cripple it. If Deoxys-S lacks Hidden Power Fire, lead Scizor can also cause problems; fortunately, though, a defensive Kyogre is generally an apt switch in to most Scizor, as well. Though not commonly seen as a lead, Giratina-O can take Deoxys-A out with consecutive Shadow Sneaks, but both Ice Beam and Psycho Boost will deal severe damage to it. Dialga can easily switch into a resisted Shadow Sneak and scare Giratina-O out, or OHKO it with STAB Dragon-type moves. While entry hazards may seem odd on an attacking lead, the immense offensive threat Deoxys-A presents can often force switches, which gives it an opportunity to get Stealth Rock or a layer of Spikes onto the field.</p>

[Set]

Name: Life Orb
Move 1: Psycho Boost
Move 2: Thunder
Move 3: Superpower
Move 4: Hidden Power Fire
Nature : Naive / Mild
evs : 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[Set Comments]

<p>For a Pokemon that can't take a hit but has unparalleled power, what better item is there than Life Orb? Such an attacking set is one of Deoxys's best options, and its execution is simple: simply select the correct coverage move and decimate the opponent. Psycho Boost is the preferred move, it provides a STAB boost and hits much like Latios's Draco Meteor in OU: spam it and things die. In fact, it outdamages a super effective Ice Beam, and those Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice-type moves, such as Shaymin-S, Garchomp, and Rayquaza, are OHKOed by Psycho Boost anyway. However, if the imperfect accuracy, the generally poor coverage of Psychic-type moves, and the Special Attack drop turn you off, Ice Beam is a fine alternative. Thunder hits Pokemon such as Kyogre and Manaphy harder and more reliably than Psycho Boost. However, Shadow Ball is a viable alternative to provide better neutral coverage with Psycho Boost and Superpower, and hits Psychic-types that resists the combo super effectively. Speaking of Superpower, it is the preferred move in the third slot to destroy Darkrai, among others, as Deoxys-A has both the power and speed to revenge kill non-Choice Scarf and non-Focus Sash variants. The final slot is a toss up; Hidden Power Fire provides coverage against Ferrothorn in situations where the Attack drop from Superpower is not welcome, but only nabs the OHKO in neutral or sunny weather. If Ferrothorn is not an issue, ExtremeSpeed is a great option to take down weakened revenge killers. If neither of these moves are needed, Substitute eases prediction and provides Deoxys-A with a buffer against faster attacks. However, since Deoxys-A will usually switch out after using Psycho Boost, Substitute will cause unnecessary HP loss, and the two moves are hence incompatible.</p>

[Additional Comments ]

<p>Since Deoxys-A is so versatile, its moveset can be molded to suit your team. For example, Grass Knot can be used to swiftly eliminate Kyogre and Groudon. However, there are some things that should generally be left unchanged. In fact, it is easier to pick out aspects that ought to be left unchanged. Maximum Special Attack is standard as most of its attacks are specially based; Attack EVs are generally unnecessary since even an uninvested Superpower does tons of damage. Maximum Speed along with a Naive nature enables Deoxys-A to outspeed +1 neutral-natured base 95 Speed Pokemon, such as Choice Scarf Zekrom. Dragon Dance Rayquaza generally runs a Jolly nature, however, so you should be wary of trying to revenge kill it with Deoxys-A. An alternate spread of 24 Atk / 252 SpA / 232 Spe and a Mild nature provides more power at the cost of speed. </p>

<p>Again, choosing coverage moves based on team needs cannot be overemphasized. In Deoxys-A's case, it makes more sense to think in terms of "what additional threats need covering" rather than "which teammates best deal with / remove Deoxys-A's checks and counters" For example, if your Palkia eliminates Kyogre without fail, it would be wiser to choose Shadow Ball instead of Thunder. However, there are a few partners that Deoxys-A always enjoys having on its side, regardless of which coverage moves it's running. Since it is susceptible to revenge killing, Wobbufett is a good partner to get rid of Choice Scarf users; it can also Encore harmless moves to give Deoxys-A a safe switch-in. Steel-types can cause trouble for Deoxys-A, especially in rain, as several of them are hit neutrally by Superpower. For this reason, Magnezone is another good partner, trapping these Pokemon and potentially setting up on them with Substitute and Charge Beam.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A few Choice items might come to mind when looking at Deoxys-A's stats. After all, base 180 in each offensive stat is nothing to scoff at. However, there are some huge issues with Choice Deoxys-A. The inability to change moves means Deoxys-A will have to switch often, particularly since Psycho Boost and Superpower both lower Deoxys-A's stats and cannot hit Dark- and Ghost-types respectively. As well, thanks to its abysmal defenses, Deoxys-A can pretty much only switch in after a teammate has fainted. Furthermore, Life Orb-boosted attacks already hit so hard that Pokemon which are not 2HKOed are few and far between. A Choice Scarf is also unnecessary, as base 150 Speed is already amazing, and to outspeed revenge killers by such large a margin is rather pointless when Deoxys-A could just switch out. As for move choices, thanks to its stellar offensive stats, Deoxys-A can make use of just about any decently powerful move in its arsenal; your other teammates should determine which moves it runs. However, there are two other moves that stand out. Psyshock is the first, which can 2HKO Chansey without the need for Superpower's stat drops. The other is Low Kick, which hits many heavy Uber Pokemon for a good amount of damage, again if Superpower's negative effects are unwanted. The combination of the two work well together, "persuading" Chansey not to switch in.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>There are no true counters to Deoxys-A since its expansive movepool means it might be carrying a move that hits said switch-in super effectively. However, it has many checks, some of which are listed above. To reiterate, anything faster than it or packing priority can reliably eliminate Deoxys-A. Most Choice Scarf users, such as Palkia, Dialga, Jirachi, Terrakion, are bulky enough to take an ExtremeSpeed and KO back with just about any move; however, it must be noted that neutral-natured +1 base 90 Speed Pokemon will not outspeed max Speed Deoxys-S. Giratina, Arceus, and others with priority moves such as Shadow Sneak, ExtremeSpeed, or even Mach Punch or Vacuum Wave also force Deoxys-A to switch out for fear of being KOed. Defensive Ho-Oh can cause problems if it doesn't switch into Stealth Rock, as it can tank hits comfortably with its massive Special Defense. Furthermore, since Ho-Oh is usually used in sun, Thunder is an unreliable option. Lugia is another specially defensive bulwark / wall that can survive most of Deoxys-A's moves and easily KO back. Bulky Steel-types such as Scizor and Metagross, will cause problems to Deoxys-A lacking a Fire-type move, and both can OHKO with priority Bullet Punch. While rare, ExtremeSpeed Deoxys-S KOes its attacking brethren unless a Substitute is in the way.</p>

Anything with priority is pretty much a counter (unless you have a very lucky pred)

A counter is something that can switch in to the Specific Pokemon in safe, and be able to take it down. Due to Deo-A's massive attack, and great movepool - nothing counters him. Deo-A has only Checks (and Revenge Killers).

So yeah, anything with Priority is a check.

Mention the Forretress can really only Gyro Ball or Payabck in order to take down Deo-A, or Toxic, but Toxic isn't really helping in this case.

I got a few nitpicks, but Im sure I'll find some more when you write the other set!

-I know you will mention Deoxys-A's priority problems and scarf issues on its sets, but I think you need to mention this in the overview because those two huge weaknesses are why it isn't really super common.

-ADeoxys-A does not outspeed +1 Rayquaza sadly, because most DD Quaza should be running Jolly. However, you should mention the fact that +speed Deoxys-A outspeeds Modest Scarf Kyogre.

-Mention that because Deoxys-A is so fast and powerful, its one of the few Pokemon that can revenge kill Darkrai even when its at full health (assuming no sash).

- I think the lead needs to be renamed to something like Focus Sash. Because of team preview, you don't ALWAYS have to lead with it. Still mention that it can be a good choice for a lead vs a lot of teams though.

- The sash set needs a slash reordering. Make it Psycho Boost / Superpower / ExtremeSpeed / Shadow Ball or Hidden Power Fire or Thunder or Ice Beam.I know psychic is a terrible attacking type, but imo Psycho Boost needs to be the first slash in on both sets. The reason for this is because you really need to start hurting shit REALLY badly from the start with Deo-A because its not going to last long, and Psycho Boost is the perfect tool for that. Fyi, even Naive Psycho Boost without LO does 90.6% - 106.8% to Rayquaza, and it hits 2x weaks to Ice Beam like Groudon and Zekrom harder anyways. Plus, its nice to maim Reshiram and Palkia! Ice Beam should be slashed in on the last slot instead, because all its good for is hitting Lugia harder without issues in the sun and letting you pick off stuff like Groudon Zekrom and Rayquaza without lowering your SpA. Shadow Ball should be the first slash because its your best move vs Mewtwo and Wobbuffet, Hidden Power Fire the second because it lets you hit Ferrothorn without getting hit by iron barbs (watch it though, you can't OHKO it without the sun, and in the rain you pretty much have to HP Fire first turn then suicide with Superpower assuming they attack). Thunder is for Lugia and Kyogre, and I already said what Ice Beam is for.

-Move Magic Coat to set comments only, its a pretty risky move for Darkrai., and Forretress + Ferrothorn are unlikely to try and set up hazards against a Deoxys-A.

-At least mention Spikes and Stealth Rock somewhere in the sash set comments, because Deoxys-A can scare out quite a few mons and get a layer of hazards up.

-On the sash set, mention the fact that if you want to, you can forgo ExtremeSpeed for another coverage move from the bottom slash in.

-For the LO set, make Psycho Boost the first move, but put the Ice Beam slash right after it because Substitute + Psycho Boost can be a bit counterproductive at times.

-Get rid of Low Kick, it usually doesn't 2HKO Chansey so there is no point in using it at all.

-Move Sub to the last slash on the bottom, and mention how its better for when your 3 moves are Ice Beam / Thunder / Superpower, because again Psycho Boost + Sub is somewhat counterproductive (though still probably usable..)

-Make sure you mention that like the last set, toying around with coverage is fine!

This slipped my mind last night. I'll get to this when I get on a computer soon. Thanks!

Edit: got those

For LO, my personal preference is:

Deoxys-A
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Rash/Mild
EVs: 20 Atk / 252 Sp. Atk / 236 Spe

Low Kick
Fire Punch
Ice Beam
Psychoshock

236 Spe EVs puts you in 395, outspeeding Timid Mewtwo; the rest goes into attack. Low Kick over Superpower because Deoxys-A is meant to be a sweeper not a hit-and-run (he can't really switch in) so the -Attack drop is undesirable. Low Kick is still as powerful as Superpower for Tyranitar, Dialga and Heatran. I'd rather use Psychoshock than Psychoboost for the same reason, plus Psychoshock does ~75% to standard Ho-Oh, 2HKOs Blissey/Chansey with SR and is your most damaging move against Kyogre. Fire Punch over HP Fire because most walls weak to fire are EVd in Sp.Def and because the 30 Spe IV means I have to put some more EVs into Spe lowering Atk.

Shadow Ball, Thunder and Grass Knot are IMO bad choices because Ice gives better coverage. Thunderbolt could be an option

Psyshock's is a nice option for hitting Chansey and Ho-Oh and more special walls MUCH harder, but Psycho Boost's sheer power is really outclassing it. Should be AC or SC, imo.

Yeah but the problem with Psycho Boost and Superpower is that leaves Deoxys-A as switch bait. Any steel can come in the predicted Psycho Boost and then Deo has to switch afterwards with -2 drop. Same with Superpower, more often than not the pink blobs lure the Superpower to force a -2 drop and then any special wall can just wall it. Or worse, switch Gira-O into the predicted Superpower and force him out because of SS. Like I said, it's not like Scarf Palkia where you can switch a number of times. If you are not leading with Deo-A, you can't really switch him into anything. So you want to maximize your sweeping potentials until an opponent scarf poke comes in/gets disposed

I personally think the higher powered moves are better, simply because there are many instances when I get forced out. It feels like I use Deo less as a sweeper since it can't take stray hits like say Mewtwo can, and instead just use it to blow holes.

Anyway, I forgot to post I wrote this, it's now open to GP/nitpicks
Also, should I actually mention every viable move Deo can use in OO or just leave it as is?

About the viable moves it can use, I guess I can tell you some I found surfing through its moveset.
Pursuit: Hey I guess its not that useful but most of the ghosts or psychics that would switch out on it because of shadow ball would die to a pursuit (probably barring Giratina-A, I dunno seems like an interesting move for Deoxys-A, with base 180 attack)

Calm Mind: It can work with a sash, sub or on a forced switch, has great surprise value, and a +1 Psycho Boost clean 2hkos the normal variant of Blissey even after the -1 CM. It also does a huge chunk to Ferrothorn, who it can carry HP Fire or even Superpower on a CM set for to finish the KO. (These situations are all based on the opponent SWITHCING INTO YOU)EDIT: Why do I forget Special Attack drops? Fixed.

Energy Ball: Grass Knot should not even exist when compared to Energy Ball, its more reliable and is better against things like gastro, who is easily ohko'd.

CounterCoat has niche use with a sash, even though Wobbufett is better at that.

Charge Beam: another option instead of Calm Mind to use to boost your Special Attack.

Thats all, just things that have a niche use on Deoxys-A but are all viable in their own way. Also evs should probably be capitalized as EVs. Happy to help anymore if I can

Pursuit is eh. No STAB, and there are plenty of better users. The loss of a coverage move is off-putting.

Idk about CM: you miss coverage. Though 2HKOing Blissey is nice I guess.

Energy Ball is weak and Ubers has tons of heavy mons (Kyogre and Groudon) Besides, Psycho Boost Gastrodon.

Sure CounterCoat, but entry hazards pretty much destroy than and preserving Sash is unnecessary hassle when you could just be attacking. So much trouble that IMO it's not worth mentioning.

Charge Beam is hideously weak and unreliable. Since Deo will probably have to switch, why not just use Thunder and outdamage?

Though, I appreciate your thoughts. GL

i was trying to be constructive, i knew none of them were anything great, but ive used all these moves at one time or another on deo a and they worked fine. i love deo a :-D

remove add comments

i didn't correct it because it's probably not a big issue, but just pointing out that there are small punctuation / capitalization errors on the template. see here for the formatting guide, but yea don't think it's anything terribly major.

could also just be because you wrote this a long time ago, lol, but watch your use of em-dashes (the long kind), and note that it's ExtremeSpeed :p

other than that, nice work! i actually found this really enlightening, haha.

Laziness
in my laziness I shall stamp that
itf don't make oglemi feel fat

1/2

Amateur check. I'm adding on some of my own literary flair to make this sound more unique, use any fixes at your discretion :)

Bold for insert, replace, etc
Red for delete
Blue for comments (see bottom of post)

[Overview]

<p>The epitome of offense, Deoxys-A is a true powerhouse in every sense of the word #1. Between its unheard of 180 base attacking stats (the highest in the game), beyond blistering 150 base speed, and fantastic move pool, including the coveted Extremespeed, Deoxys-A has everything it needs to tear gaping holes in the opposing team. Unfortunately, its poor typing and practically negative defenses offer little synergy wise to the team, and as any Deoxys-A user is well aware, even relatively weak neutral attacks will easily knock it out, meaning that extensive team support is usually necessary to facilitate a clean sweep. Furthermore, because it cannot take any hits, Choice Scarf users and priority users (even resisted Mach Punches and Vacuum Waves OHKO! (this is because Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave aren't "priority users" but priority moves)) easily revenge kill it, making it hard for Deoxys-A to find a place on a team. All this means that extensive team support is usually necessary to facilitate a clean sweep. Nonetheless, if faster Scarfers and priority users have been eliminated, nothing stops Deoxys-A. These faults aside, however, Deoxys-A is certainly a threat to prepare for.</p>

[Set]

Name : Focus Sash Attacker
Move 1: Psycho Boost
Move 2: Superpower
Move 3: ExtremeSpeed
Move 4: Shadow Ball / Hidden Power Fire / Thunder / Ice Beam
item: Focus Sash
Nature : Mild / Naive
evs : 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[Set comments]

<p>Deoxys-A's bread and butter set , (delete comma) and one of the tier's premiere offensive antileads, this set can take on most leads in the current metagame and come out on top. Psycho Boost coming off Deoxys-A is much like Draco Meteor spam (whose? Or just Draco Meteor spam in OU?): as long as the opponent isn't immune, it will deal a huge chunk. For instance, Psycho Boost does 90.6% - 106.8% to Rayquaza, and hits Dragon-type Pokemon 2x weak to Ice Beam harder than Ice Beam. Superpower is the next most useful move, hitting Steel-types and Dark-types that resist or are immune to Psycho Boost for super effective damage. With this, Deoxys-A is notable in that it can reliably revenge kill non-Focus Sash Darkrai with its power. Extremespeed is great for taking out weakened opponents, such as Focus Sash Deoxys-S, and lands a decent hit on Choice Scarf users attempting to revenge kill Deoxys-A. (full stop not semicolon) It also provides midgame revenge killing utility should Deoxys-A survive that long, which happens more often than you would think , (remove comma) thanks to the advent of team preview. However, a coverage move can replace it if your team doesn't have much trouble with revenge killers. That slot is variable; Shadow Ball hits Psychic-types such as other Deoxys, Wobbufett, and Mewtwo that resists Psycho Boost and Superpower while Hidden Power Fire is useful for hitting Forretress, Ferrothorn, and Scizor for massive damage in neutral weather. Thunder takes advantage of opposing Kyogre's weather, and gives Deoxys-A a more reliable way to KO it #2. Ice Beam is another viable option to hit Pokemon 4x weak to Ice-type moves such as Garchomp and Rayquaza, as Psycho Boost outdamages a 2x super effective Ice Beam.</p>

[Additional comments]

<p>Max Speed and Special Attack with a Mild nature are used to make the most of Deoxys-A's superb offensive stats, while only sacrificing its irrelevant Defense -- it will not be surviving any hits -- and is utilizing a Focus Sash , (remove comma)anyway . (full stop) The remaining 4 should go into Attack to support Superpower and Extremespeed. This spread also allows Deoxys-A to outspeed Modest Choice Scarf Kyogre and other neutral base 90 Choice Scarf users. Alternatively, 16 Atk / 252 SpA / 240 Spe allows you to outpace Mewtwo and other base 130 Speed Pokemon with the imperfect Speed IV from Hidden Power Fire. Using max Speed in tandem with Hidden Power Fire is not advised, as the point lost in Speed will prevent a speed tie with an opposing Deoxys-A, the only common Pokemon at the 150 base Speed tier , so dropping to 395 Speed (just above the 130 base Speed tier) and shifting the remaining EVs to Attack is an acceptable choice. Deoxys-A can also run Fire Punch with perfect IVs, but it will not hit as hard due to unequal Attack investment. Finally, this DNA monster can also use entry hazards since its presence alone can force switches and give it a free turn, but its frailty makes it unreliable at this role.</p>

<p>As a dedicated lead, Deoxys-A does not require much support from the team. Should you forgo Magic Coat (you didn't mention Magic Coat earlier in the analysis), a sleep absorber will be necessary, as Choice Scarf Darkrai will outspeed and incapacitate Deoxys-A with Dark Void before it can use Superpower. RestTalk + Calm Mind Kyogre is a great teammate in this regard, as it does not mind being put to sleep, and can retaliate with Sleep Talk , either drowning Darkrai with Surf, or setting up for an early sweep with Calm Mind; beware of switching Kyogre into a Trick, however, as a Choice item will cripple it. If Deoxys-A lacks Hidden Power Fire, lead Scizor can also cause problems; fortunately, though, a defensive Kyogre is generally an apt switch in to most Scizor , (remove comma) as well. Though not commonly seen as a lead, Giratina-O can take Deoxys-A out with consecutive Shadow Sneaks while surviving both Ice Beam and Psycho Boost. Dialga can easily switch into a resisted Shadow Sneak and scare Giratina-O off, or OHKO it with STAB Dragon-type moves. While entry hazards may seem odd on an attacking lead, the mere presence of Deoxys-A can force switches, giving a free opportunity to get Stealth Rock or a layer of Spikes on the field. #3</p>

[Set]

Name: Life Orb
Move 1: Psycho Boost / Ice Beam
Move 2: Thunder / Shadow Ball
Move 3: Superpower
Move 4: Hidden Power Fire / ExtremeSpeed / Substitute
Nature : Naive / Mild
evs : 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[Set Comments]

<p>For a Pokemon that can't take a hit but has unparalleled power, what better item is there than Life Orb? Such an attacking set where it can simply select the correct coverage move and decimate the opponent is one of Deoxys's best options. Psycho Boost is the preferred STAB move, and with STAB it hits much like Latios's Draco Meteor does in OU: spam it and things die. In fact, it outdamages a super effective Ice Beam, while those Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice-type moves, such as Shaymin-S, Garchomp, and Rayquaza, are OHKOed by Psycho Boost anyway. Nonetheless, if the accuracy, the generally poor coverage of Psychic-type moves, and the Special Attack drop turns you off, Ice Beam is a fine alternative. Superpower is the next move, allowing Deoxys-A to destroy Dark- and Steel- type Pokemon that resist Deoxys-A's STAB. It also allows Deoxys-A to revenge kill non-Scarf and non-Focus Sash Darkrai. Thunder hits Pokemon such as Kyogre and Manaphy stronger and more reliably than Psycho Boost , but Shadow Ball is a viable alternative to hit those Psychic-types that resist Psycho Boost and Superpower super effectively, providing better neutral coverage. Speaking of Superpower, it is the preferred move in the 3rd slot to destroy Darkrai, among others, as Deoxys-A has both the power and speed the revenge kill non-Choice Scarf and non-Focus Sash variants. The final slot is a toss up. (full stop) Hidden Power Fire provides coverage against Ferrothorn in situations where the Attack drop from Superpower is not welcome, but must be used in neutral or sunny weather to OHKO. If Ferrothorn is not an issue, ExtremeSpeed is a great option to have a buffer against weakened revenge killers , KOing them first. If neither of these moves are needed, you can use Substitute to ease prediction and provide an extra life against faster attacks. However, this move is counterproductive with Psycho Boost, causing unnecessary HP loss #4, and shouldn't be used with it.</p>

[Additional Comments ]

<p>Deoxys-A's movepool is very wide, so the most important thing to remember is to mold its moveset to your team. For example, if your team has trouble with Kyogre and Groudon, Grass Knot can be used to swiftly eliminate them both. However, there are some general things that should be left unchanged. Maximum Speed and Special Attack is the optimal spread, as most of its attacks are specially based. Attack EVs are generally unneeded #5, as even an uninvested Superpower does tons of damage. Maximum Speed with a Naïve nature outspeeds +1 neutral natured base 95 Speed Pokemon and slower, such as Choice Scarf Zekrom. Dragon Dance Rayquaza generally runs Jolly, however, so you should be wary of trying to revenge kill it. An alternate spread of 24 Atk / 252 SpA / 232 Spe and a Mild nature provides more power at the cost of speed, possibly a deciding factor if behind a Substitute. </p>

<p>Again, we stress the importance of the team in regards to coverage moves. In Deoxys-A's case, it makes more sense to think "what opponents need covering" rather than "what are the best teammates to eliminate troublesome Pokemon." For example, if your Palkia eliminates Kyogre without fail, it would be wiser to choose Shadow Ball instead of Thunder. Nonetheless, there are a few partners that will help Deoxys-A. Since it is susceptible to revenge killing, Wobbufett is a good partner to get rid of Choice Scarf users. It can also Encore harmless moves to allow Deoxys-A a switch in. Steel-types, especially if weather is not favourable, can cause trouble for Deoxys-A, as some (Bronzong, Jirachi, Scizor, Forretress) are neutral to Superpower. For this reason, Magnezone is another good partner, trapping these Pokemon and potentially setting up with Substitute and Charge Beam.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Choice Band and Choice Specs come to mind when looking at Deoxys-A's stats. After all, base 180 in each offensive stat is nothing to scoff at. However, there are some huge issues with Choice Deoxys-A. The inability to switch moves means Deoxys-A will have to switch often, whether it be to get rid of the –2 Special Attack or being locked into ineffective moves. However, it has virtually no opportunities to switch in outside of after one of your own Pokemon fainting—unlike Draco Meteor spam Latios for example, which has real defenses and Levitate. Furthermore, Life Orb already hits so hard that any Pokemon that do not outspeed Deoxys-A are basically guaranteed to be 2HKOed. A Choice Scarf is also unnecessary, as base 150 Speed is already amazing, and to outspeed revenge killers by that large of a margin is rather pointless when Deoxys-A can just switch out. As for move choices, Deoxys-A can make use of almost any powerful move in its arsenal #6. The main thing to keep in mind is, like with the Palkia and Kyogre example above, to let your team determine what moves it should bring.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>There are no true counters to Deoxys-A - everything in the game is OHKOed or 2HKOed if it has the appropriate move and predicts right. However, it does have many checks , some of which were listed. To reiterate, Anything faster than it or has priority can reliably eliminate Deoxys-A. Most Choice Scarf users, such as Palkia, Dialga, Jirachi, or Terrakion, are bulky enough to take an Extremespeed and KO back with just about any move, although it must be noted that neutral +1 base 90 Speed Pokemon will not outspeed max Speed Deoxys-A. Giratina #7, Arceus, and others with priority moves such as Shadow Sneak, Extremespeed, or even Mach Punch / Vacuum Wave practically force Deoxys-A to switch out or be KOed. Defensive Ho-Oh can cause problems if it doesn't switch into Stealth Rock, tanking just about every hit with its massive Special Defense. Furthermore, since Ho-Oh is usually used with sun, Thunder only has a 50% chance to hit it. Lugia is another Pokemon with massive Special Defense that can survive most of Deoxys-A's moves and KO back with anything. Bulky Steel-types, such as Scizor and Metagross, will cause problems if Deoxys-A lacks a Fire-type move, and both can OHKO with a priority Bullet Punch. While rare, ExtremeSpeed Deoxys-S KOes its attacking brethren unless a Substitute is in the way.</p>

Click to expand...

So:

#1 - It's not a powerhouse defensive Pokemon. I think you should use "offensive powerhouse" (you did use the word "offense" earlier in the sentence though) or "attacking powerhouse". Or you could say "Deoxys-A is the embodiment (incarnation) of every sense of the word", or something like that.
#2 - This implies that something else can KO Kyogre, but is unreliable. What? If my calcs are right, Psycho Boost doesn't OHKO min/min Kyogre. Thunder doesn't OHKO either, but then Deoxys-A does get two attacks.
#3 - You've already said this one paragraph before.
#4 - How is it unnecessary? I suspect it's more of an "alarmingly fast" thing. If you Sub as your opponent switches, then regardless of whether you use Psycho Boost next or not, you're at an advantage.
#5 - There is another (significant) Attack-based move in Deoxys-A's arsenal, and that is Extremespeed. You might want to elaborate on how more Attack EVs aren't worth it for this attack.
#6 - Maybe provide some examples?
#7 - I suspect this should be Giratina-O, but I don't have the experience in the tier to be sure.

Ugh, these kind of checks take too long @_@

implemented sirndpt's check

@banedon: remember not to do a check until I've implemented the first! I will look at the suggestions though.

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V0x said:

Thanks very much to Giggity, who wrote the lead set. That can be found here, and will be simply c/p'd with minor edits. On to LO!
going to look over it a bit before writing up

[Overview]

<p>The epitome of offense, Deoxys-A is a true powerhouse in every sense of the word. Between its(space)unrivaled base 180 attacking stats(remove comma) (the highest in the game), parentheses so you don't disrupt flow blistering(space)base 150 Speed, and fantastic movepool, including the coveted ExtremeSpeed, Deoxys-A has everything it needs to tear gaping holes in the opposing team. Unfortunately, its poor typing and practically(space)nonexistent defenses offer little defensive synergy-wise to(space)its team, and as even relatively weak neutral attacks will easily knock it out, it usually needs extensive team support(space)for to pull off a clean sweep.(space)The fact that it is easily revenge killed by users of Choice Scarf users and priority moves—even Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave—also makes it hard difficult for Deoxys-A to find a place on a team. These faults aside, however, Deoxys-A is certainly a threat to prepare for.</p>

[Set]

Name : Focus Sash Attacker
Move 1: Psycho Boost
Move 2: Superpower
Move 3: ExtremeSpeed
Move 4: Shadow Ball / Hidden Power Fire / Thunder / Ice Beam
item: Focus Sash
Nature : Mild / Naive
evs : 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[Set comments]

<p>Presenting Deoxys-A's bread and butter set, one of the tier's premiere offensive anti-leads, this set can take on most leads in the current metagame and come out on top.(space)If you thought Draco Meteor spam was impressive, think again: Deoxys-A's Psycho Boost is even more powerful(comma) stronger, and does an immense amount of damage to anything that isn't outright immune to Psychic. For reference, Psycho Boost does 90.6% - 106.8% to Rayquaza, and hits Dragon-type Pokemon 2x weak to Ice-type moves harder than Ice Beam does. Superpower is a very similar, albeit physically based move, hitting Steel- and Dark-types that resist or are immune to Psycho Boost for super effective damage.(space)This notably allows Deoxys-A to revenge kill non-Focus Sash Darkrai. ExtremeSpeed is great for taking out weakened opponents such as Focus Sash Deoxys-S, and lands a decent hit on Choice Scarf users attempting to revenge kill Deoxys-A. It also provides midgame revenge killing utility should Deoxys-A survive that long, which happens surprisingly often. However, it can be replaced with a coverage move if your team doesn't have much trouble with revenge killers. Speaking of the fourth slot, it(space)can be customized to suit your team needs; Shadow Ball hits Psychic-types that resist(space)both lol, finding lots of spacing issues :P Psycho Boost and Superpower, such as other Deoxys, Wobbufett, and Mewtwo. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire is useful for hitting Forretress, Ferrothorn, and Scizor for massive damage in neutral weather. Thunder takes advantage of opposing Kyogre's weather, and gives Deoxys-A a more reliable way to KO it. Ice Beam is another viable option to hit Pokemon 4x weak to Ice-type moves such as Garchomp and Rayquaza,(space)but note that Psycho Boost outdamages a 2x super effective Ice Beam.</p>

[Additional comments]

<p>Max Speed and Special Attack with a Mild nature are used to make the most of Deoxys-A's amazing offensive stats, as its Defense is so poor that it will not be surviving survive any hits; in any case, it is utilizing utilizes a Focus Sash. The remaining 4 EVs should go into Attack to boost Superpower and ExtremeSpeed. In particular, this Speed investment also allows Deoxys-A to outspeed Modest Choice Scarf Kyogre and other neutral-natured base 90 speed Choice Scarf users. An alternative spread of 16 Atk / 252 SpA / 240 Spe allows(space)Deoxys-A to outpace Mewtwo and other base 130 Speed Pokemon(comma) accounting for taking into account Hidden Power Fire's imperfect Speed IV. Using max Speed in tandem with Hidden Power Fire is not advised, as the point lost in Speed will prevent a speed tie with opposing Deoxys-A, the only common Pokemon(space)with base 150 Speed, so dropping to 395 Speed (just above the base 130 Speed tier) and shifting the remaining EVs to Attack is an acceptable the preferred choice. Deoxys-A also has the option of running Fire Punch, gaining which gives it solid coverage while preserving perfect IVs, but it will be slightly weaker than Hidden Power Fire due to unequal offensive investment.(space)Lastly, Deoxys-A receives has access to entry hazards and can set them up since its mere presence(space)can force switches, giving it a free turn, but its frailty makes(space)this an unreliable option.</p>

<p>As a dedicated lead, Deoxys-A does not require much support from the team. Should you forgo Magic Coat, a sleep absorber will be necessary, as Choice Scarf Darkrai will outspeed and incapacitate Deoxys-A with Dark Void before it can use Superpower. RestTalk + Calm Mind Kyogre is a great teammate in this regard, as it does not mind being put to sleep and can retaliate with Sleep Talk, either drowning Darkrai with Surf or setting up for an early sweep with Calm Mind. Beware of switching Kyogre into a Trick, however, as a Choice item will cripple it. If Deoxys-S lacks Hidden Power Fire, lead Scizor can also cause problems; fortunately, though, a defensive Kyogre is generally an apt switch in to most Scizor, as well. Though not commonly seen as a lead, Giratina-O can take Deoxys-A out with consecutive Shadow Sneaks,(space)but both Ice Beam and Psycho Boost will deal severe damage to it. Dialga can easily switch into a resisted Shadow Sneak and scare Giratina-O out, or OHKO it with STAB Dragon-type moves. While entry hazards may seem odd on an attacking lead, the(space)immense offensive threat Deoxys-A presents can often force switches, giving which gives it an opportunity to get Stealth Rock or a layer of Spikes onto the field.</p>

[Set]

Name: Life Orb
Move 1: Psycho Boost / Ice Beam
Move 2: Thunder / Shadow Ball
Move 3: Superpower
Move 4: Hidden Power Fire / ExtremeSpeed / Substitute
Nature : Naive / Mild
evs : 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[Set Comments]

<p>For a Pokemon that can't take a hit but has unparalleled power, what better item is there than Life Orb? Such an attacking set is one of Deoxys's best options,(space)and its execution is simple: simply select the correct coverage move and decimate the opponent. Psycho Boost is the preferred move, gaining it provides a STAB boost and(space)hitting hits much like Latios's Draco Meteor in OU: spam it and things die. In fact, it outdamages a super effective Ice Beam, and those Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice-type moves, such as Shaymin-S, Garchomp, and Rayquaza, are OHKOed by Psycho Boost anyway. However, if the imperfect accuracy, the generally poor coverage of Psychic-type moves, and the Special Attack drop turn you off, Ice Beam is a fine alternative. Thunder hits Pokemon such as Kyogre and Manaphy(space)harder and more reliably than Psycho Boost. However, Shadow Ball is a viable alternative to provide better neutral coverage with Psycho Boost and Superpower, hitting and hits Psychic-types that resists the combo super effectively. Speaking of Superpower, it is the preferred move in the third slot to destroy Darkrai, among others, as Deoxys-A has both the power and speed to revenge kill non-Choice Scarf and non-Focus Sash variants. The final slot is a toss up; Hidden Power Fire provides coverage against Ferrothorn in situations where the Attack drop from Superpower is not welcome, but only nabs the OHKO in neutral or sunny weather. If Ferrothorn is not an issue, ExtremeSpeed is a great option to(space)take down weakened revenge killers. If neither of these moves are needed, Substitute eases(space)prediction and provides(space)Deoxys-A with a buffer against faster attacks. However, since Deoxys-A will usually switch out after using Psycho Boost, Substitute will cause unnecessary HP loss, and the two moves are hence incompatible(period) hence shouldn't be used together.</p>

[Additional Comments ]

<p>Since Deoxys-A is so versatile, its moveset can be molded to suit your team. For example, Grass Knot can be used to swiftly eliminate Kyogre and Groudon. However, there are some things that should generally be left unchanged(period) In fact, it is easier to pick out aspects that ought to be left unchanged. Maximum Special Attack is(space)standard as most of its attacks are specially based; Attack EVs are generally unneeded unnecessary since even an uninvested Superpower does tons of damage.(space)Maximum Speed along with a Naive nature enables Deoxys-A to outspeed +1 neutral-natured base 95 Speed Pokemon, such as Choice Scarf Zekrom. Dragon Dance Rayquaza generally runs a Jolly nature, however, so you should be wary of trying to revenge kill it with Deoxys-A. An alternate spread of 24 Atk / 252 SpA / 232 Spe and a Mild nature provides more power at the cost of speed. </p>

<p>Again, we stress the importance ofyour team in regard to choosing coverage moves based on team needs cannot be overemphasized. In Deoxys-A's case, it makes more sense to think in terms of "what(space)additional threats need covering" rather than "which teammates best deal with / remove Deoxys-A's checks and counters" For example, if your Palkia eliminates Kyogre without fail, it would be wiser to choose Shadow Ball instead of Thunder.(space)However, there are a few partners that Deoxys-A always enjoys having on its side, regardless of which coverage moves it's running. Since it is susceptible to revenge killing, Wobbufett is a good partner to get rid of Choice Scarf users; it can also Encore harmless moves to allow give Deoxys-A a safe switch-in. Steel-types can cause trouble for Deoxys-A(comma) especially in rain, as(space)several of them are hit neutrally by Superpower. For this reason, Magnezone is another good partner, trapping these Pokemon and potentially setting up on them with Substitute and Charge Beam.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A few items of the Choice items variety might come to mind when looking at Deoxys-A's stats. After all, base 180 in each offensive stat is nothing to scoff at. However, there are some huge issues with Choice Deoxys-A. The inability to change moves means Deoxys-A will have to be switching switch often, particularly since Psycho Boost and Superpower both lower Deoxys-A's stats and cannot hit Dark- and Ghost-types respectively. However, As well(comma) thanks to its abysmal defenses, Deoxys-A can pretty much only switch in after a teammate has fainted. Furthermore, Life Orb-boosted attacks already hit so hard that Pokemon which are not 2HKOed are few and far between. A Choice Scarf is also unnecessary, as base 150 Speed is already amazing, and to outspeed revenge killers by such large a margin is rather pointless when Deoxys-A could just switch out. As for move choices, thanks to its stellar offensive stats, Deoxys-A can make use of just about any decently powerful move in its arsenal; your other teammates should determine which moves it runs.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>There are no true counters to Deoxys-A since its expansive movepool means it might be carrying a move that hits said switch-in super effectively. However, it has many checks, some of which are listed above. To reiterate, anything faster than it or packing priority can reliably eliminate Deoxys-A. Most Choice Scarf users, such as Palkia, Dialga, Jirachi, Terrakion, are bulky enough to take an ExtremeSpeed and KO back with just about any move; however, it must be noted that neutral-natured +1 base 90 Speed Pokemon will not outspeed max Speed Deoxys-S. Giratina, Arceus, and others with priority moves such as Shadow Sneak, ExtremeSpeed, or even Mach Punch or Vacuum Wave also force Deoxys-A to switch out for fear of being KOed(period) or be KOed. Defensive Ho-Oh can cause problems if it doesn't switch into Stealth Rock, as it can tank hits comfortably(space)with its massive Special Defense. Furthermore, since Ho-Oh is usually used in sun, Thunder is an unreliable option. Lugia is another specially defensive bulwark / wall(space)that can survive most of Deoxys-A's moves and easily KO back. Bulky Steel-types such as Scizor and Metagross, will cause problems to Deoxys-A lacking a Fire-type move, and both can OHKO with priority Bullet Punch. While rare, ExtremeSpeed Deoxys-S KOes its attacking brethren unless a Substitute is in the way.</p>

Click to expand...

GP Approved (2/2)

I know that this has already gone through quality and grammar check, but the 2 sets are REALLY messy with the slashes, it's somewhat of an eyesore. Stick with 1 simple standard set and simply mention the moves that were cut out in the AC.

Also, it's worth mentioning Psyshock for allowing Deoxys-A to 2HKO Chansey with its STAB move, as well as Low Kick, which hits many heavy uber mons, including Ferrothorn, for good damage without the Atk falls, allowing Deoxys-A to remain fierce. It synergizes well with Psyshock, preventing Chansey from switching in.

Thanks for the check NWO, I'll implement those changes soon. (I could have sworn those spaces were not there but w/e sorry for the menialness!)

@Pocket
I'll go ahead and do that. Though I think not putting the slashes sort of makes it seem like one set of moves is the best, I think I've emphasized enough that Deo-A's move set is dependent on teammates.

EDIT: This is done!

I'll upload this for you :)