[OVERVIEW]
* Arceus-Dragon has the ability to check some of the biggest threats in Ubers such as Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence.
* It also has an excellent support movepool consisting of Defog, Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, and Recover.
* Despite primarily utilizing a similar set to Arceus-Water, its Dragon-type Judgement lets it fight back against Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence with only one moveslot.
* It can justifiably be run over Arceus-Water in many situations as well, as it is able to run 4 important moves without having to give up coverage, a STAB move, or Defog.
* However, Arceus-Water is usually chosen over Arceus-Dragon in a support role due to the latter stacking Fairy- and Ice-type weaknesses with very common Dragon- and Dark-type Pokemon, such as Mega Salamence, Yveltal, and Zygarde-C, that are on teams that appreciate support from an Arceus forme.
* Arceus-Ground and other bulky Dragon-types such as Giratina-O and Zygarde-C also give Arceus-Dragon competition for a team slot.
* The Swords Dance set faces almost equal competition from other Swords Dance Arceus formes, including Arceus, Arceus-Ghost, and Arceus-Ground.
* It is incredibly weak to Fairy-types, primarily Klefki and Xerneas, as it can only damage them with Toxic, and Klefki is immune to Toxic, while Xerneas can set up on it.
* Steel-types can freely switch into Arceus-Dragon and punish it by using it as setup, status, or entry hazard fodder.
* Finally, it suffers from having poor defensive synergy with most of the Pokemon it relies on to check offensive Primal Groudon, such as Zygarde-C and Mega Salamence.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Judgement
move 2: Defog
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic
item: Draco Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Judgement is Arceus-Dragon's best STAB move, as it hits all Pokemon in the tier bar Fairy- and Steel-types for neutral or supereffective damage.
* Defog helps Arceus-Dragon clear hazards for its teammates.
* Recover lets Arceus-Dragon heal itself reliably and potentially stall.
* Toxic lets Arceus-Dragon poison bulkier Pokemon and stall them out.
* Will-O-Wisp can be utilized instead of Toxic to cripple physical attackers, but it doesn't do enough damage to warrant using it.
* Fire Blast could help Arceus-Dragon break through Steel-types, but it eliminates some of Arceus-Dragon's utility.
Set Details
========
* Draco Plate converts Arceus to its Dragon-type forme and converts Judgement into a Dragon-type move to hit Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence.
* 96 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Arceus-Dragon to outspeed Timid Yveltal and Palkia.
* The rest of the EVs are put into HP and Defense to make Arceus-Dragon even bulkier.
Usage Tips
========
* Always remember to beware of Fairy-type Pokemon, especially Klefki and Xerneas, as the former is immune to Toxic and can set up Spikes, and the latter can set up on Arceus-Dragon and sweep an entire team.
* Be sure to conserve Arceus-Dragon's HP if if your opponent has anything that is checked by it, such as Primal Groudon or Mega Salamence.
* Using Recover or Toxic on a predicted switch is usually a safe option to either recover lost HP or cripple opposing walls and tanks.
* Baiting in Fairy-types and aggressively double switching into a Fairy-type check can give you a fair amount of momentum, and if your Fairy-type check is a setup sweeper such as Primal Groudon or Mega Lucario, you can even sweep.
* Remember to use Recover often to keep Arceus-Dragon's health topped off and more easily check foes.
*Arceus-Dragon can switch into defensive variants of Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh to easily clear hazards with Defog.
Team Options
========
* Arceus-Dragon is best used over Arceus-Water when the ability to hit Mega Salamence, Ho-Oh, and Groudon with one Pokemon is appreciated without stacking multiple weaknesses with teammates. The semblance of an offensive presence gained from this also lets it fit slightly better on bulky offense teams.
* A check to Fairy-types such as Primal Groudon, Magearna, Mega Lucario, Excadrill, or Ho-Oh is necessary, as Arceus-Dragon can do next to nothing to beat them.
* Although it does exceptionally well against more defensive Primal Groudon sets, offensive ones can give Arceus-Dragon trouble, making Lugia and Landorus-T good partners.
* Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, and Rayquaza, although stacking weaknesses, can do relatively well against Primal Groudon, and the former can set up and break through Fairy-types in certain situations.
* Checks to to common Steel-types, such as Primal Groudon and Mega Lucario, can be useful to Arceus-Dragon.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Iron Tail / Extreme Speed
item: Dragonium Z
ability: Multitype
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance lets Arceus-Dragon boost its Attack to a level at which it can sweep.
* Outrage is an excellent STAB move, and its great power can be very useful.
* Earthquake is mostly used to deal with Steel-types, but it does well against a few threats in particular such as Primal Groudon and Alolan Muk.
* Iron Tail 2HKOes most Fairy-types when Arceus-Dragon is at +2 and can hit them hard on a predicted switch in.
* Extreme Speed can be used as an alternative to Iron Tail to give Arceus-Dragon extra utility and give its team a good priority user.
Set Details
========
* 252 Speed and a Jolly nature help maximize Arceus-Dragon's Speed, and by consequence, its sweeping potential.
* 252 EVs put into Attack help Arceus-Dragon eliminate as many threats as possible and even potentially break through bulky threats.
* Dragonium Z lets Arceus-Dragon use Devestating Drake to hit extra hard when necessary.
Usage Tips
========
* Swords Dance Arceus-Dragon should be conserved for late-game because of its relatively good sweeping potential and unexpected nature.
* Be very careful when using Outrage, as if your opponent has any Fairy-types, Steel-types, or Pokemon that can take it well, they can set up for a sweep, put up hazards, or simply knock Arceus-Dragon out.
* However, Outrage's power should not be underestimated.
* When predicting a Fairy-type to switch in, using Iron Tail can severely cripple them and open up a safer path to sweep.
* Similarly, using Eathquake on a predicted Steel-type switch-in can make it easier to sweep.
* Beware of status conditions, as paralysis cripples Arceus-Dragon's Speed, a burn halves its Attack, poison keeps it from staying in long, and falling asleep or getting frozen can keep Arceus-Dragon from doing anything at all.
* Always try to maintain entry hazards on your opponent's side, as they break Multiscale and Shadow Shield as well as help generally weaken threats.
* Try saving Devestating Drake for taking down bigger walls such as Lugia and Arceus-Water.
Team Options
========
* Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Dialga, Deoxys-S, Primal Groudon, and Klefki are nearly essential for helping Arceus-Dragon break through its checks.
* Switch-ins for Fairy-types are also essential, namely Primal-Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Mega Gengar, the latter being the best because it can trap and eliminate said Fairy-types, although Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon have the benefit of checking Steel-types as well.
* Although a general Fairy-type switch-in is essential, a specific offensive Xerneas check is also necessary.
* Pokemon that take out Steel-types, such as Mega Lucario and Primal Groudon, can assist Arceus-Dragon by wearing down its checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Stone Edge can be used on a Swords Dance set to hit Ho-Oh, but it doesn't hit many other threats.
* Iron Head and Poison Jab are decent alternatives to Iron Tail to help with accuracy, but their power is much more limited.
* Dragon Claw can be used as a weaker alternative to Outrage on the Swords Dance set to keep Arceus-Dragon from being locked in.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Arceus-Dragon can do next to nothing to most Fairy-types; those immune to Toxic like Klefki and setup sweepers like Xerneas are especially troublesome.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Judgement and are immune to Toxic, making them extremely difficult to deal with. Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Skarmory in particular can be quite troublesome.
**Bulky Sweepers**: Although Arceus-Dragon can hit them with Toxic, sweepers such as Arceus, Xerneas, and even Rock Polish Primal Groudon can use Arceus-Dragon as setup bait and sweep.
**Cloyster**: Cloyster can set up hazards on Arceus-Dragon, while Arceus-Dragon cannot safely Defog in fear of Icicle Spear. However, Cloyster cannot safely switch in due to fear of Judgement or Toxic breaking its Focus Sash.
**Revenge Killers**: Choice Scarf Zekrom, Kyurem-White, Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Deoxys-A can all revenge kill Arceus-Dragon easily, though they can't safely switch in because of the risk of a Toxic or Judgement.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can use Arceus-Dragon as setup fodder and deal heavy damage with Ice Beam, although one not carrying Rest can be taken care of with Toxic to an extent.
* Arceus-Dragon has the ability to check some of the biggest threats in Ubers such as Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence.
* It also has an excellent support movepool consisting of Defog, Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, and Recover.
* Despite primarily utilizing a similar set to Arceus-Water, its Dragon-type Judgement lets it fight back against Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence with only one moveslot.
* It can justifiably be run over Arceus-Water in many situations as well, as it is able to run 4 important moves without having to give up coverage, a STAB move, or Defog.
* However, Arceus-Water is usually chosen over Arceus-Dragon in a support role due to the latter stacking Fairy- and Ice-type weaknesses with very common Dragon- and Dark-type Pokemon, such as Mega Salamence, Yveltal, and Zygarde-C, that are on teams that appreciate support from an Arceus forme.
* Arceus-Ground and other bulky Dragon-types such as Giratina-O and Zygarde-C also give Arceus-Dragon competition for a team slot.
* The Swords Dance set faces almost equal competition from other Swords Dance Arceus formes, including Arceus, Arceus-Ghost, and Arceus-Ground.
* It is incredibly weak to Fairy-types, primarily Klefki and Xerneas, as it can only damage them with Toxic, and Klefki is immune to Toxic, while Xerneas can set up on it.
* Steel-types can freely switch into Arceus-Dragon and punish it by using it as setup, status, or entry hazard fodder.
* Finally, it suffers from having poor defensive synergy with most of the Pokemon it relies on to check offensive Primal Groudon, such as Zygarde-C and Mega Salamence.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Judgement
move 2: Defog
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic
item: Draco Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Judgement is Arceus-Dragon's best STAB move, as it hits all Pokemon in the tier bar Fairy- and Steel-types for neutral or supereffective damage.
* Defog helps Arceus-Dragon clear hazards for its teammates.
* Recover lets Arceus-Dragon heal itself reliably and potentially stall.
* Toxic lets Arceus-Dragon poison bulkier Pokemon and stall them out.
* Will-O-Wisp can be utilized instead of Toxic to cripple physical attackers, but it doesn't do enough damage to warrant using it.
* Fire Blast could help Arceus-Dragon break through Steel-types, but it eliminates some of Arceus-Dragon's utility.
Set Details
========
* Draco Plate converts Arceus to its Dragon-type forme and converts Judgement into a Dragon-type move to hit Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence.
* 96 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Arceus-Dragon to outspeed Timid Yveltal and Palkia.
* The rest of the EVs are put into HP and Defense to make Arceus-Dragon even bulkier.
Usage Tips
========
* Always remember to beware of Fairy-type Pokemon, especially Klefki and Xerneas, as the former is immune to Toxic and can set up Spikes, and the latter can set up on Arceus-Dragon and sweep an entire team.
* Be sure to conserve Arceus-Dragon's HP if if your opponent has anything that is checked by it, such as Primal Groudon or Mega Salamence.
* Using Recover or Toxic on a predicted switch is usually a safe option to either recover lost HP or cripple opposing walls and tanks.
* Baiting in Fairy-types and aggressively double switching into a Fairy-type check can give you a fair amount of momentum, and if your Fairy-type check is a setup sweeper such as Primal Groudon or Mega Lucario, you can even sweep.
* Remember to use Recover often to keep Arceus-Dragon's health topped off and more easily check foes.
*Arceus-Dragon can switch into defensive variants of Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh to easily clear hazards with Defog.
Team Options
========
* Arceus-Dragon is best used over Arceus-Water when the ability to hit Mega Salamence, Ho-Oh, and Groudon with one Pokemon is appreciated without stacking multiple weaknesses with teammates. The semblance of an offensive presence gained from this also lets it fit slightly better on bulky offense teams.
* A check to Fairy-types such as Primal Groudon, Magearna, Mega Lucario, Excadrill, or Ho-Oh is necessary, as Arceus-Dragon can do next to nothing to beat them.
* Although it does exceptionally well against more defensive Primal Groudon sets, offensive ones can give Arceus-Dragon trouble, making Lugia and Landorus-T good partners.
* Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, and Rayquaza, although stacking weaknesses, can do relatively well against Primal Groudon, and the former can set up and break through Fairy-types in certain situations.
* Checks to to common Steel-types, such as Primal Groudon and Mega Lucario, can be useful to Arceus-Dragon.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Iron Tail / Extreme Speed
item: Dragonium Z
ability: Multitype
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance lets Arceus-Dragon boost its Attack to a level at which it can sweep.
* Outrage is an excellent STAB move, and its great power can be very useful.
* Earthquake is mostly used to deal with Steel-types, but it does well against a few threats in particular such as Primal Groudon and Alolan Muk.
* Iron Tail 2HKOes most Fairy-types when Arceus-Dragon is at +2 and can hit them hard on a predicted switch in.
* Extreme Speed can be used as an alternative to Iron Tail to give Arceus-Dragon extra utility and give its team a good priority user.
Set Details
========
* 252 Speed and a Jolly nature help maximize Arceus-Dragon's Speed, and by consequence, its sweeping potential.
* 252 EVs put into Attack help Arceus-Dragon eliminate as many threats as possible and even potentially break through bulky threats.
* Dragonium Z lets Arceus-Dragon use Devestating Drake to hit extra hard when necessary.
Usage Tips
========
* Swords Dance Arceus-Dragon should be conserved for late-game because of its relatively good sweeping potential and unexpected nature.
* Be very careful when using Outrage, as if your opponent has any Fairy-types, Steel-types, or Pokemon that can take it well, they can set up for a sweep, put up hazards, or simply knock Arceus-Dragon out.
* However, Outrage's power should not be underestimated.
* When predicting a Fairy-type to switch in, using Iron Tail can severely cripple them and open up a safer path to sweep.
* Similarly, using Eathquake on a predicted Steel-type switch-in can make it easier to sweep.
* Beware of status conditions, as paralysis cripples Arceus-Dragon's Speed, a burn halves its Attack, poison keeps it from staying in long, and falling asleep or getting frozen can keep Arceus-Dragon from doing anything at all.
* Always try to maintain entry hazards on your opponent's side, as they break Multiscale and Shadow Shield as well as help generally weaken threats.
* Try saving Devestating Drake for taking down bigger walls such as Lugia and Arceus-Water.
Team Options
========
* Entry hazard setters such as Ferrothorn, Dialga, Deoxys-S, Primal Groudon, and Klefki are nearly essential for helping Arceus-Dragon break through its checks.
* Switch-ins for Fairy-types are also essential, namely Primal-Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Mega Gengar, the latter being the best because it can trap and eliminate said Fairy-types, although Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon have the benefit of checking Steel-types as well.
* Although a general Fairy-type switch-in is essential, a specific offensive Xerneas check is also necessary.
* Pokemon that take out Steel-types, such as Mega Lucario and Primal Groudon, can assist Arceus-Dragon by wearing down its checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Stone Edge can be used on a Swords Dance set to hit Ho-Oh, but it doesn't hit many other threats.
* Iron Head and Poison Jab are decent alternatives to Iron Tail to help with accuracy, but their power is much more limited.
* Dragon Claw can be used as a weaker alternative to Outrage on the Swords Dance set to keep Arceus-Dragon from being locked in.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Arceus-Dragon can do next to nothing to most Fairy-types; those immune to Toxic like Klefki and setup sweepers like Xerneas are especially troublesome.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Judgement and are immune to Toxic, making them extremely difficult to deal with. Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Skarmory in particular can be quite troublesome.
**Bulky Sweepers**: Although Arceus-Dragon can hit them with Toxic, sweepers such as Arceus, Xerneas, and even Rock Polish Primal Groudon can use Arceus-Dragon as setup bait and sweep.
**Cloyster**: Cloyster can set up hazards on Arceus-Dragon, while Arceus-Dragon cannot safely Defog in fear of Icicle Spear. However, Cloyster cannot safely switch in due to fear of Judgement or Toxic breaking its Focus Sash.
**Revenge Killers**: Choice Scarf Zekrom, Kyurem-White, Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Deoxys-A can all revenge kill Arceus-Dragon easily, though they can't safely switch in because of the risk of a Toxic or Judgement.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can use Arceus-Dragon as setup fodder and deal heavy damage with Ice Beam, although one not carrying Rest can be taken care of with Toxic to an extent.
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