QC Checks 3/3 (Sweep, Fireburn, WreckDra)
GP Checks 2/2 (Winry, The Dutch Plumberjack)
wtf is that color
[OVERVIEW]
Psychic Arceus is a Pokemon that gives off the impression that it can be a check to the multitude of Psychic-types in the tier with its great bulk and mono-Psychic typing. This is actually very far from the truth. Psychic Arceus can't actually deal any significant damage to Pokemon such as Latios, Latias, and Mewtwo due to its lack of power, and as such, it is left to try to Toxic stall them out. This is all provided that they don't have Calm Mind, or Taunt in Mewtwo's case, which just stops Psychic Arceus cold. Psychic Arceus can't even viably run a STAB move, as this hinders the already useless abilities that it might be able to do. As such, Psychic Arceus's best option is to take advantage of the fact its Psychic typing is harder to exploit on with physical attacks, with only Swords Dance Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O able to significantly threaten it, and become a general physical wall.
[SET]
name: General Wall
move 1: Fire Blast / Payback
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Recover
item: Mind Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast prevents Psychic Arceus from giving Steel-types free switch-ins. Payback is typically better when used with Special Defense investment, as it can actually let Psychic Arceus beat Psychic-types, and should be used over Fire Blast in this case. Ice Beam allows Psychic Arceus to check Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, and other Dragon-types, but it should be noted that it will not OHKO these Pokemon unless they have taken some prior damage. Toxic is unfortunately Psychic Arceus's main way of dealing damage to the majority of the Pokemon in the metagame and lets it "check" Psychic-types. Recover is necessary for a wall to stay healthy, and it allows Psychic Arceus to stall long enough for Toxic to rack up damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP EVs and 200 Defense EVs with a Bold nature allow Psychic Arceus to try taking on the physical attackers of the tier, namely Rayquaza and Mega Salamence. 56 Speed EVs allow Psychic Arceus to outspeed everything up to Adamant Rayquaza. A specially defensive set provides a better check to Psychic-types such as Latias and Mewtwo, but it has harder matchups against anything other than those specific Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
Psychic Arceus is ultimately a very bad choice for any serious team, and reconsideration is advised before using it. Its best role is attempting to check Psychic-types by Toxic stalling or checking physical threats. If using Payback with Special Defense investment, switch into any Psychic-types you see and force them out, or 2HKO the majority of them with Payback. Switch into physical threats such as Rayquaza and Salamence and KO them with Ice Beam, but be wary when switching in; very powerful attacks such as Dragon Ascent from Rayquaza, Double-Edge from Mega Salamence, and Bolt Strike from Zekrom will 2HKO Psychic Arceus, even with all that Defense investment. Dark-type Pokemon should be avoided at all costs, as Psychic Arceus is helpless against them other than hitting them with Toxic on the switch. Be wary of Psychic Arceus getting hit with Toxic from lures such as support Primal Groudon and Klefki, as this severely hinders its ability to check physical threats. Psychic Arceus also has a tendency to just sit there and invite in multiple sweepers such as Primal Kyogre, and as such, avoid staying in for any longer than 2-3 turns unless absolutely necessary.
Team Options
========
Psychic Arceus is completely helpless against Dark-type Pokemon such as Yveltal, so answers to them such as Xerneas and Mega Diancie are absolutely necessary to support Psychic Arceus. Checks to Steel-types such as Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre make for effective partners to prevent them from walking all over Psychic Arceus, as Fire Blast can only do average damage to them. Primal Kyogre checks such as Latias, Latios, and Primal Groudon also make for good teammates, as it can switch into Psychic Arceus and threaten to sweep with Calm Mind. Ghost-types such as Ghost Arceus, Mega Gengar, and Giratina-O are also very threatening to Psychic Arceus, and checks such as Yveltal, Tyranitar, and Ho-Oh can be effective teammates. Defog users such as Latios, Latias, and Giratina-O can also clear entry hazards that will otherwise limit Psychic Arceus's ability to check things.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Calm Mind set with a combination of Psyshock and Fire Blast or Focus Blast can work, but it runs into trouble when facing the very same Psychic-type Pokemon that it is supposed to check, as Calm Mind Latios and Latias can beat such a set in a one-on-one scenario. Judgment can be used for a powerful STAB move, but a STAB move is actually useless to Psychic Arceus's role as a check to Psychic-types, and as such it does not typically run one. Magic Coat can bounce back entry hazards and status moves that could otherwise be used against Psychic Arceus without consequence. Focus Blast can be used to hit incoming Dark-type Pokemon, preventing them coming in for free. Defog is an option, but Psychic Arceus has trouble effectively using the move. Thunder Wave can stop fast Pokemon such as Mewtwo and other Arceus formes, but Psychic Arceus has trouble fitting it on its moveset, and using Thunder Wave over Toxic will leave Psychic Arceus helpless against Primal Groudon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Most Ubers Pokemon**: The important thing to note here is that Psychic Arceus is generally ineffective against the majority of the entire tier, and it has to resort to Toxic stalling if it cannot hit a Pokemon with a super effective Ice Beam, Payback, or Fire Blast.
**Dark-types**: Dark-type Pokemon such as Yveltal and Tyranitar can switch into Psychic Arceus and threaten to OHKO it. Psychic Arceus is completely helpless against Dark-types, and it can only attempt to hit them with Toxic on the switch before being immediately forced out.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Dialga and Klefki can usually switch into Psychic Arceus without any fear and force it out. Fire Blast does considerable damage to most of them, however.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O can switch into Psychic Arceus and immediately force it out with their STAB moves. Hitting them with Toxic or Payback is Psychic Arceus's only way to effectively damage them.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can switch into Psychic Arceus and threaten to sweep with Calm Mind or deal heavy damage to Psychic Arceus with Origin Pulse. Asides from Toxic, there isn't much Psychic Arceus can do against Primal Kyogre.
**Clefable**: Clefable can switch into Psychic Arceus without any fears at all. It can use Heal Bell to stop any attempts at Toxic stalling it or its teammates, or it can just set up Calm Mind boosts in Psychic Arceus's face and sweep.
**Xerneas**: Xerneas can switch into Psychic Arceus and use Geomancy with only the fear of Toxic to stop it. Defensive variants of Xerneas just laugh at Psychic Arceus, as they can use Aromatherapy to heal any Pokemon that Psychic Arceus might have attempted to Toxic stall.
GP Checks 2/2 (Winry, The Dutch Plumberjack)
wtf is that color
[OVERVIEW]
Psychic Arceus is a Pokemon that gives off the impression that it can be a check to the multitude of Psychic-types in the tier with its great bulk and mono-Psychic typing. This is actually very far from the truth. Psychic Arceus can't actually deal any significant damage to Pokemon such as Latios, Latias, and Mewtwo due to its lack of power, and as such, it is left to try to Toxic stall them out. This is all provided that they don't have Calm Mind, or Taunt in Mewtwo's case, which just stops Psychic Arceus cold. Psychic Arceus can't even viably run a STAB move, as this hinders the already useless abilities that it might be able to do. As such, Psychic Arceus's best option is to take advantage of the fact its Psychic typing is harder to exploit on with physical attacks, with only Swords Dance Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O able to significantly threaten it, and become a general physical wall.
[SET]
name: General Wall
move 1: Fire Blast / Payback
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Recover
item: Mind Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast prevents Psychic Arceus from giving Steel-types free switch-ins. Payback is typically better when used with Special Defense investment, as it can actually let Psychic Arceus beat Psychic-types, and should be used over Fire Blast in this case. Ice Beam allows Psychic Arceus to check Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, and other Dragon-types, but it should be noted that it will not OHKO these Pokemon unless they have taken some prior damage. Toxic is unfortunately Psychic Arceus's main way of dealing damage to the majority of the Pokemon in the metagame and lets it "check" Psychic-types. Recover is necessary for a wall to stay healthy, and it allows Psychic Arceus to stall long enough for Toxic to rack up damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP EVs and 200 Defense EVs with a Bold nature allow Psychic Arceus to try taking on the physical attackers of the tier, namely Rayquaza and Mega Salamence. 56 Speed EVs allow Psychic Arceus to outspeed everything up to Adamant Rayquaza. A specially defensive set provides a better check to Psychic-types such as Latias and Mewtwo, but it has harder matchups against anything other than those specific Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
Psychic Arceus is ultimately a very bad choice for any serious team, and reconsideration is advised before using it. Its best role is attempting to check Psychic-types by Toxic stalling or checking physical threats. If using Payback with Special Defense investment, switch into any Psychic-types you see and force them out, or 2HKO the majority of them with Payback. Switch into physical threats such as Rayquaza and Salamence and KO them with Ice Beam, but be wary when switching in; very powerful attacks such as Dragon Ascent from Rayquaza, Double-Edge from Mega Salamence, and Bolt Strike from Zekrom will 2HKO Psychic Arceus, even with all that Defense investment. Dark-type Pokemon should be avoided at all costs, as Psychic Arceus is helpless against them other than hitting them with Toxic on the switch. Be wary of Psychic Arceus getting hit with Toxic from lures such as support Primal Groudon and Klefki, as this severely hinders its ability to check physical threats. Psychic Arceus also has a tendency to just sit there and invite in multiple sweepers such as Primal Kyogre, and as such, avoid staying in for any longer than 2-3 turns unless absolutely necessary.
Team Options
========
Psychic Arceus is completely helpless against Dark-type Pokemon such as Yveltal, so answers to them such as Xerneas and Mega Diancie are absolutely necessary to support Psychic Arceus. Checks to Steel-types such as Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre make for effective partners to prevent them from walking all over Psychic Arceus, as Fire Blast can only do average damage to them. Primal Kyogre checks such as Latias, Latios, and Primal Groudon also make for good teammates, as it can switch into Psychic Arceus and threaten to sweep with Calm Mind. Ghost-types such as Ghost Arceus, Mega Gengar, and Giratina-O are also very threatening to Psychic Arceus, and checks such as Yveltal, Tyranitar, and Ho-Oh can be effective teammates. Defog users such as Latios, Latias, and Giratina-O can also clear entry hazards that will otherwise limit Psychic Arceus's ability to check things.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Calm Mind set with a combination of Psyshock and Fire Blast or Focus Blast can work, but it runs into trouble when facing the very same Psychic-type Pokemon that it is supposed to check, as Calm Mind Latios and Latias can beat such a set in a one-on-one scenario. Judgment can be used for a powerful STAB move, but a STAB move is actually useless to Psychic Arceus's role as a check to Psychic-types, and as such it does not typically run one. Magic Coat can bounce back entry hazards and status moves that could otherwise be used against Psychic Arceus without consequence. Focus Blast can be used to hit incoming Dark-type Pokemon, preventing them coming in for free. Defog is an option, but Psychic Arceus has trouble effectively using the move. Thunder Wave can stop fast Pokemon such as Mewtwo and other Arceus formes, but Psychic Arceus has trouble fitting it on its moveset, and using Thunder Wave over Toxic will leave Psychic Arceus helpless against Primal Groudon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Most Ubers Pokemon**: The important thing to note here is that Psychic Arceus is generally ineffective against the majority of the entire tier, and it has to resort to Toxic stalling if it cannot hit a Pokemon with a super effective Ice Beam, Payback, or Fire Blast.
**Dark-types**: Dark-type Pokemon such as Yveltal and Tyranitar can switch into Psychic Arceus and threaten to OHKO it. Psychic Arceus is completely helpless against Dark-types, and it can only attempt to hit them with Toxic on the switch before being immediately forced out.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Dialga and Klefki can usually switch into Psychic Arceus without any fear and force it out. Fire Blast does considerable damage to most of them, however.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O can switch into Psychic Arceus and immediately force it out with their STAB moves. Hitting them with Toxic or Payback is Psychic Arceus's only way to effectively damage them.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can switch into Psychic Arceus and threaten to sweep with Calm Mind or deal heavy damage to Psychic Arceus with Origin Pulse. Asides from Toxic, there isn't much Psychic Arceus can do against Primal Kyogre.
**Clefable**: Clefable can switch into Psychic Arceus without any fears at all. It can use Heal Bell to stop any attempts at Toxic stalling it or its teammates, or it can just set up Calm Mind boosts in Psychic Arceus's face and sweep.
**Xerneas**: Xerneas can switch into Psychic Arceus and use Geomancy with only the fear of Toxic to stop it. Defensive variants of Xerneas just laugh at Psychic Arceus, as they can use Aromatherapy to heal any Pokemon that Psychic Arceus might have attempted to Toxic stall.
Overview
########
########
name: General Wall
move 1: Fire Blast / Payback
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Recover
ability: Multitype
item: Mind Plate
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
nature: Bold
Moves
========
========
========
========
########
########
########
- Complete garbage, can't actually use a STAB as its useless to Psyceus's role
- Psyceus gives the appearance of being a Psychic counter, but is actually a poor check to them due to their sheer power overwhelming Psyceus
- Forced to be a physical wall due to lack of viable niches
- Completely surrenders to Dark types
########
name: General Wall
move 1: Fire Blast / Payback
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Recover
ability: Multitype
item: Mind Plate
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
nature: Bold
Moves
========
- Fire Blast can be used to hit Steel-types that otherwise dgaf
- Payback can actually let you 2HKO Latis, Mewtwo and hit Arceus-Ghost/Giratina-O
- Ice Beam to OHKO Ray, and Salamence after SR so it can check them well enough
- Toxic to stall out those that don't care for the other moves, namely Latis and Mewtwo
- Recover to stay alive, consistently switch in + stall poison
- Earth Power can chip Primal Groudon, Steel types and Mega Diancie
========
- Max HP + 200 Def to check physical threats and take Psyshocks better
- 56 Speed to outspeed Adamant Rayquaza
- Specially defensive EVs are also an option, use Payback over Fire Blast on such a set as it deals with Calm Mind Latis and Mewtwo much better
========
- Psyceus's main role is to check Psychic types and other physical threats, but can have trouble switching into very strong attacks such as Zekrom's Bolt Strike, or Mega Salamence's Double Edge
- Switch into Psychic-types with impunity and use Payback
- Switch into Rayquaza and Salamence, then Ice Beam them, beware of Adamant Double-Edge as it can 2HKO
- Has a tendency to just sit there and invite set up of all kinds - Entry hazard setters and set up sweepers like Primal Kyogre come in basically for free
- Be wary of Toxic and avoid it at all costs, especially Toxic lures such as support Primal Groudon
- Avoid steel and dark types like the plague
========
- Answers to Dark-types - Xerneas, Mega Diancie
- Answers to Steel-types - Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre
- Answers to Primal Kyogre - Primal Groudon, Latios, Latias
- Answers to Arceus-Ghost and other Ghosts - Yveltal, Tyranitar, Darkrai, Ho-Oh
- Defog can be nice as (T)Spikes can whittle Psyceus down easily and it can't fit Defog itself - Giratina-O, Latis, Mega Scizor
########
- Calm Mind w/ Psyshock + Fire Blast or Focus Blast
- Judgment for STAB
- Magic Coat to annoy status users and entry hazard setters, namely Klefki
- Focus Blast to hit the Dark types that otherwise counter Psyceus
- Defog
- Thunder Wave to catch other fast mons, using it over Toxic leaves you dead weight vs Primal Groudon though
########
- Dark Types - Yveltal, Tyranitar, Arceus-Dark, Darkrai
- Steel types - Ferrothorn, Dialga, Klefki
- Ghost types - Arceus-Ghost, Giratina-O, Aegislash, Mega Gengar
- Primal Kyogre
- Clefable
- Xerneas
- Anything with a semblance of bulk
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