Arceus-Steel

[haxiom]

Arceus-Steel

[QC 3/3] -- Nayrz / Sweep / WreckDra
[GP 2/2] -- Muk / GatoDelFuego

[OVERVIEW]

Steel Arceus has a unique mono-Steel typing that offers it ten resistances and an immunity, allowing it to fill a number of roles. Great 120 / 120 / 120 bulk along with a useful typing gives Steel Arceus solid defensive utility in checking Latias, Latios, and some variants of Xerneas. Additionally, Steel Arceus's immunity to Toxic gives it good stallbreaking ability, and Steel Arceus can run both Calm Mind and Swords Dance sets effectively; unfortunately, Steel is a subpar offensive typing. Furthermore, Steel Arceus has relatively exploitable weaknesses to common Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type coverage moves. The dominating presence of Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh in Ubers also limits Steel Arceus's effectiveness.

[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Recover
move 4: Earth Power / Thunder
item: Iron Plate
ability: Multitype
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Calm Mind allows Steel Arceus to set up and break stall in conjunction with its Toxic immunity. Judgment is Steel Arceus's primary STAB move that hits Fairy-types super effectively, though its overall coverage is mediocre. Recover lets Steel Arceus take repeated attacks and residual damage and also set up multiple Calm Minds. Earth Power provides coverage to hit Primal Groudon and Steel-types super effectively. Thunder similarly provides coverage for Steel Arceus, but it instead targets Ho-Oh and Primal Kyogre.

Set Details
========

252 HP EVs maximize Steel Arceus's mixed bulk, which works well with Steel Arceus's natural bulk and useful typing to allow for more setup opportunities. 176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Steel Arceus to outspeed Pokemon with base 110 Speed that run maximum Speed, such as Latias, Latios, and Gengar before it Mega Evolves. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense to help against physical attackers such as Mega Salamence and Extreme Killer Arceus. Alternately, 252 Speed EVs can be used to at worst Speed tie with other Arceus formes and Mega Salamence.

Usage Tips
========

Steel Arceus should function as a support Pokemon that checks Dragon- and Fairy-types early on as needed and also has the ability to set up and break stall or clean later on. However, setting up while the opponent has strong checks in the back tends to be inefficient, because Steel Arceus will simply be phazed or threatened out by strong checks such as Ho-Oh. It should be noted that Steel Arceus should not be relied on as a Geomancy Xerneas check, as Xerneas commonly carries Focus Blast.

Team Options
========

Steel Arceus appreciates partners that check the Pokemon that threaten it. Giratina-O is a good teammate for Steel Arceus, because it checks Primal Groudon and Fighting-types that threaten Steel Arceus while also providing Defog support for a team; Giratina-O also appreciates Steel Arceus's ability to check Fairy-types and Dragon-types. Other Primal Groudon checks, such as Latias, Latios, Mega Salamence, and Lugia, make for good partners. Other checks to Fighting-types, such as Xerneas, Mega Salamence, and Lugia, also make for good partners. Ho-Oh checks are important partners, so Mega Diancie, Mega Salamence, and Tyranitar all complement Steel Arceus well in that regard; strong Stealth Rock support is also useful because it weakens Ho-Oh. Finally, Primal Kyogre checks such as Primal Groudon, Latias, and Latios are good teammates for Steel Arceus.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Extreme Speed / Recover
item: Iron Plate
ability: Multitype
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Swords Dance makes Steel Arceus a strong setup sweeper that hits hard physically. Iron Head is very reliable, and as such it is Steel Arceus's best physical STAB move. Earthquake provides coverage to hit Primal Groudon and most Steel-types super effectively. For the last moveslot, Steel Arceus has a number of options. Stone Edge targets most Flying-types, though it most notably hits Ho-Oh and prevents Steel Arceus from being walled by it. Extreme Speed picks off weakened threats; however, it is relatively weak if Steel Arceus does not have any Attack boosts. Recover keeps Steel Arceus healthy and lets it set up more consistently while also being worn down less easily.

Set Details
========

Swords Dance Steel Arceus's main niche is being an offensive Swords Dance sweeper that has the bulk and typing to check threats such as Latias, Latios, and Xerneas decently well. 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature guarantee that Steel Arceus can outspeed the many Pokemon that have a base Speed between 90 and 110, and that it can at least Speed tie with other Arceus formes and Mega Salamence. 252 Attack EVs maximize Steel Arceus's otherwise mediocre offensive capabilities. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to give Steel Arceus an odd HP value to reduce passive damage while still giving Genesect a Special Attack boost.

Usage Tips
========

Early-game, Steel Arceus should be used as a switch into Dragon- and Fairy-types, hopefully wearing down its checks as they switch in. Later on, it should set up and attempt to sweep the opposing team. Steel Arceus can use its immunity to Poison to switch in and absorb Toxic for its teammates; however, Steel Arceus will be severely crippled and worn down by burns.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock support is important, because it limits Ho-Oh's opportunities to switch in, and it also deals residual damage that weakens Steel Arceus's checks. Ho-Oh checks such as Mega Diancie, Mega Salamence, and Tyranitar; Primal Groudon checks such as Latias, Latios, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, and Lugia; checks to Fighting-types such as Xerneas, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, and Lugia; and Primal Kyogre checks such as Primal Groudon, Latias, and Latios are all good teammates for Steel Arceus. Xerneas is a good partner for Steel Arceus, because it can weaken some of Steel Arceus's checks such as Primal Groudon. Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh are also good partners, because they take advantage of Steel-types like Skarmory that switch in on Steel Arceus.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel Arceus can run a viable support set with status moves and Defog. Will-O-Wisp can burn physical threats such as Mega Salamence and Swords Dance Arceus. Thunder Wave cripples fast threats such as Mewtwo and Xerneas, allowing Steel Arceus to better check these Pokemon. Toxic wears down Primal Groudon and also puts a timer on Latias, Latios, and Defog Arceus formes. Finally, Roar can be used to phaze setup sweepers such as Geomancy Xerneas, Mega Salamence, and Swords Dance Arceus formes.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Fire-types all resist Steel and can threaten Steel Arceus with a super effective STAB move. Primal Groudon switches in relatively easy and threatens Steel Arceus with both of its STAB moves; however, it is worn down easily to a point where Steel Arceus can beat it with Earth Power or Earthquake. Ho-Oh also easily switches in and threatens Steel Arceus with Sacred Fire, though it must be wary of Stone Edge and Thunder. Reshiram also threatens Steel Arceus with its Fire STAB moves, though Earth Power, Earthquake, and Stone Edge all hit it super effectively.

**Ground-types**: While Ground-types do not resist Steel, they can still switch in and threaten Steel Arceus with a STAB move. Primal Groudon threatens Steel Arceus with both its Ground and Fire STAB moves, while resisting Judgment and Iron Head as well. Ground Arceus has great bulk that enables it to switch in and threaten Steel Arceus with Judgment or Earthquake, and it can also set up with Calm Mind and Swords Dance. Excadrill fears Earthquake and Earth Power, but it resists Steel and threatens Steel Arceus with a super effective Earthquake.

**Water-types**: Water-types check Steel Arceus thanks to their resistance to Steel. Primal Kyogre switches in easily and can hit Steel Arceus with a powerful Origin Pulse, paralyze it with Thunder Wave, phaze it with Roar, or set up its own Calm Mind boosts. Water Arceus walls Steel Arceus relatively well, though it struggles to do much in return; Calm Mind Steel Arceus can set up multiple boosts to overwhelm Water Arceus, while Water Arceus must carry Judgment to beat Swords Dance variants assuming that they both lack Recover. Both Primal Kyogre and Water Arceus do not like taking Thunder from Calm Mind Steel Arceus.

**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types pose a direct threat to Steel Arceus and can force it out. Fighting Arceus has great bulk that allows it to switch in and hit Steel Arceus with Thunder Wave and Judgment. Mega Mewtwo X threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Low Kick, though it cannot switch in repeatedly. Mega Lucario also threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Close Combat, while Mega Blaziken threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Low Kick; however, both of the last two fear Earthquake and Earth Powern

**Skarmory**: Skarmory's typing allows it to check Steel Arceus very effectively. Skarmory fears nothing from Swords Dance Steel Arceus, and it can simply set Spikes and use Whirlwind to phaze Steel Arceus if it gains too many boosts. Against Calm Mind Steel Arceus, Skarmory can use Whirlwind to phaze it but must be wary of Thunder.

**Giratina-O**: Giratina-O checks Swords Dance Steel Arceus by virtue of its good physical bulk and can proceed to burn it with Will-O-Wisp or phaze it with Dragon Tail.

**Revenge Killers**: Fast Pokemon that outspeed and KO Steel Arceus can revenge KO it. Deoxys-A outspeeds Steel Arceus and can hit it with a Life Orb-boosted, super effective Low Kick or Superpower. Mewtwo can outspeed and, depending on its set, hit Steel Arceus with Focus Blast, Fire Blast, or Low Kick. Darkrai outspeeds Steel Arceus and can put it to sleep with Dark Void, and then can set up Nasty Plot or KO Steel Arceus by repeatedly using Dark Pulse.

 

[haxiom]

This is QC ready. Does Swords Dance deserve a set? It at least has a move to hit both Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh and I feel like it has a bit more defensive utility than Ekiller or something, but really I'd almost rather have Extreme Speed insurance vs Xerneas; its only niche over other Swords Dance Arceus formes is being able to check Latis which is meh in my opinion. Thoughts?

 

[Sweep]

Only run ESpeed on SD Steelceus on heavy offense that is difficult to Defog on; without Stone Edge you're bopped by birds otherwise and Iron head won't do enough without SR. I like SD more than CM although neither set is "good", so I'm fine with it getting a set.

Edit: Up to you, doesn't matter to me @ below

 

[haxiom]

ok i'll add a SD set but should I retag this as WIP?

 

[haxiom]

Added a Swords Dance set. This is ready for QC again I guess.

EDIT: I implemented the new analysis format

 

[Nayrz]

If only Steel still had the Dark/Ghost resistances. It would be hella fun in ORAS. I'd emphasis Giratina-O as a partner for Steelceus, it does all the right things for it. Losing 1v1 to EKiller is annoying for SD Steelceus but what can ya do. Waterceus is also very annoying for Steelceus, i'd add that besides Primal Kyogre as a general Water-types thing. Steelceus can also get phased/burned by the Giratinas and has trouble pushing past them (the SD set more than CM). Reshiram is also a Fire-type (a shit one but probably worth mentioning) Revenge Killers like Superpower Deo-A and Fire Blast/Focus Blast Mewtwo are worth mentioning. Darkrai also puts you out for a nap unless you have Extreme Speed.

• Max Speed can be used to at worst tie with other Arceus formes and Mega Salamence

this is probably coincidence but i found it hilarious that we somehow said the same lines - i said the exact same thing on one of my analyses lmao

good work tho!

QC 1/3

 

[haxiom]

Did the above, funny coincidence n_n

 

[Sweep]

qc 2/3

 

[haxiom]

Written and ready for third check.

 

[Inspirited]

I would remove all mentions of "water-types" beating the CM set and replace them with just (primal) Kyogre as Waterceus is just set up on and KOed eventually. Waterceus needs Judgment to beat the Recover-less SD set also, so mention this in its C&C mention because it doesn't check any set otherwise.

Good Job

QC 3/3

 

[haxiom]

GP ready.

 

[Muk]

doing shortly

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[OVERVIEW]

Steel Arceus has a unique mono-Steel typing that offers it ten resistances and an immunity, allowing it to fill a number of roles. Great 120 / 120 / 120 bulk along with a useful typing gives Steel Arceus solid defensive utility in checking Latias, Latios, and some Xerneas. Additionally, Steel Arceus's immunity to Toxic gives it good stallbreaking ability, and Steel Arceus can run both Calm Mind and Swords Dance sets effectively; unfortunately, Steel is a sub-(remove hyphen)par offensive typing. Furthermore, Steel Arceus has relatively exploitable weaknesses to common Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type coverage moves. The dominating presence of Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh in Ubers also limits Steel Arceus's effectiveness.

[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Recover
move 4: Earth Power / Thunder
item: Iron Plate
ability: Multitype
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Calm Mind allows Steel Arceus to set up and break stall in conjunction with its Toxic immunity. Judgment is Steel Arceus's primary STAB move that hits Fairy-types super effectively, though its overall coverage is mediocre. Recover lets Steel Arceus take repeated attacks and residual damage and also set up multiple Calm Minds. Earth Power provides coverage to hit Primal Groudon and Steel-types super effectively. Thunder similarly provides coverage for Steel Arceus, but it instead targets Ho-Oh and Primal Kyogre.

Set Details
========

252 HP EVs maximize Steel Arceus's mixed bulk, which works well with Steel Arceus's natural bulk and useful typing to allow for more setup opportunities. 176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Steel Arceus to outspeed Pokemon with base 110 Speed that run maximum Speed, (AC) such as Latias, Latios, and Gengar before it Mega Evolves. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense to help against physical attackers such as Mega Salamence and Extreme Killer Arceus. Alternately, 252 Speed EVs can be used to at worst tie with other Arceus formes and Mega Salamence.

Usage Tips
========

Steel Arceus should function as a support Pokemon that checks Dragon- and Fairy-types early on as needed and also has the ability to set up and break stall or clean later on. However, setting up while the opponent has strong checks in the back tends to be inefficient, because Steel Arceus will simply be phazed or threatened out by strong checks such as Ho-Oh. It should be noted that Steel Arceus should not be relied on as a Geomancy Xerneas check, as Xerneas commonly carries Focus Blast.

Team Options
========

Steel Arceus appreciates partners that check the Pokemon that threaten it. Giratina-O is a good teammate for Steel Arceus, because it checks Primal Groudon and Fighting-types that threaten Steel Arceus while also providing Defog support for a team; Giratina-O also appreciates Steel Arceus's ability to check Fairy-types and Dragon-types. Other Primal Groudon checks, such as Latias, Latios, Mega Salamence, and Lugia make for good partners. Other checks to Fighting-types, such as Xerneas, Mega Salamence, and Lugia also make for good partners. Ho-Oh checks are important partners, so Mega Diancie, Mega Salamence, and Tyranitar all complement Steel Arceus well in that regard; strong Stealth Rock support is also useful because it weakens Ho-Oh. Finally, Primal Kyogre checks such as Primal Groudon, Latias, and Latios are good teammates for Steel Arceus.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Extreme Speed / Recover
item: Iron Plate
ability: Multitype
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Swords Dance makes Steel Arceus a strong setup sweeper that hits hard physically. Iron Head is very reliable, and as such it is Steel Arceus's best physical STAB move. Earthquake provides coverage to hit Primal Groudon and most Steel-types super effectively. For the last moveslot, Steel Arceus has a number of options. Stone Edge targets most Flying-types, though it most notably hits Ho-Oh and prevents Steel Arceus from being walled by it. Extreme Speed picks off weakened threats; however, it is relatively weak if Steel Arceus does not have any Attack boosts. Recover keeps Steel Arceus healthy and lets it set up more consistently while also being worn down less easily.

Set Details
========

Swords Dance Steel Arceus's main niche is being an offensive Swords Dance sweeper that has the bulk and typing to check threats like Latias, Latios, and Xerneas decently well. 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature guarantee that Steel Arceus can outspeed the many Pokemon that have a base Speed between 90-110, and that it can at least Speed tie with other Arceus formes and Mega Salamence. 252 Attack EVs maximize Steel Arceus's otherwise mediocre offensive capabilities. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to give Steel Arceus an odd HP value to reduce passive damage while still giving Genesect a Special Attack boost.

Usage Tips
========

Early-game, Steel Arceus should be used as a switch-in to Dragon- and Fairy-types, hopefully wearing down its checks as they switch in. Later on, it should set up and attempt to sweep the opposing team. Steel Arceus can use its immunity to Poison to switch in and absorb Toxic for its teammates; however, this does not apply in the case of burns, because Steel Arceus will be severely crippled and worn down by burns.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock support is important, because it limits Ho-Oh's opportunities to switch in, and it also deals residual damage that weakens Steel Arceus's checks. Ho-Oh checks such as Mega Diancie, Mega Salamence, and Tyranitar, Primal Groudon checks such as Latias, Latios, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, and Lugia, checks to Fighting-types such as Xerneas, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, and Lugia, and Primal Kyogre checks such as Primal Groudon, Latias, and Latios are all good teammates for Steel Arceus. Xerneas is a good partner for Steel Arceus, because it can weaken some of Steel Arceus's checks like Primal Groudon. Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh are also good partners, because they take advantage of Steel-types like Skarmory that switch in on Steel Arceus.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel Arceus can run a viable support set, with status moves and Defog to provide support for a team. Will-O-Wisp can burn physical threats such as Mega Salamence and Swords Dance Arceus. Thunder Wave cripples fast threats such as Mewtwo and Xerneas, allowing Steel Arceus to better check these Pokemon. Toxic wears down Primal Groudon and also puts a timer on Latias, Latios, and Defog Arceus formes. Finally, Roar can be used to phaze setup sweepers such as Geomancy Xerneas, Mega Salamence, and Swords Dance Arceus formes.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Fire-types all resist Steel and can threaten Steel Arceus with a super effective STAB move. Primal Groudon switches in relatively easy and threatens Steel Arceus with both of its STAB moves; however, it is worn down easily to a point where Steel Arceus can beat it with Earth Power or Earthquake. Ho-Oh also easily switches in and threatens Steel Arceus with Sacred Fire, though it must be wary of Stone Edge and Thunder. Reshiram also threatens Steel Arceus with its Fire STAB moves, though Earth Power, Earthquake, and Stone Edge all hit it super effectively.

**Ground-types**: While Ground-types do not resist Steel, they can still switch in and threaten Steel Arceus with a STAB move. Primal Groudon threatens Steel Arceus with both its Ground and Fire STAB moves, while resisting Judgment and Iron Head as well. Ground Arceus has great bulk that enables it to switch in and threaten Steel Arceus with Judgment or Earthquake, and it can also set up with Calm Mind and Swords Dance. Excadrill (go on...)

**Water-types**: Water-types check Steel Arceus thanks to their resistance to Steel. Primal Kyogre switches in easily and can hit Steel Arceus with a powerful Origin Pulse, paralyze it with Thunder Wave, phaze it with Roar, or set up its own Calm Mind boosts. Water Arceus walls Steel Arceus relatively well, though it struggles to do much in return; Calm Mind Steel Arceus can set up multiple boosts to overwhelm Water Arceus, while Water Arceus must carry Judgment to beat Swords Dance variants assuming that they lack Recover. Both Primal Kyogre and Water Arceus do not like taking Thunder from Calm Mind Steel Arceus.

**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types pose a direct threat to Steel Arceus and can force it out. Fighting Arceus has great bulk that allows it to switch in and hit Steel Arceus with Thunder Wave and Judgment. Mega Mewtwo X threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Low Kick, though it cannot switch in repeatedly. Mega Lucario also threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Close Combat, while Mega Blaziken threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Low Kick; however, both of the last two fear Earthquake and Earth Power. (AP)

**Skarmory**: Skarmory's typing allows it to check Steel Arceus very effectively. Skarmory fears nothing from Swords Dance Steel Arceus, and it can simply set Spikes and use Whirlwind to phaze Steel Arceus if it gains too many boosts. Against Calm Mind Steel Arceus, Skarmory can use Whirlwind to phaze it but must be wary of Thunder.

**Giratina-O**: Giratina-O checks Swords Dance Steel Arceus by virtue of its good physical bulk and can proceed to burn it with Will-O-Wisp or phaze it with Dragon Tail.

**Revenge Killers**: Fast Pokemon that outspeed and KO Steel Arceus can revenge KO it. Deoxys-A outspeeds Steel Arceus and can hit it with a Life Orb-(add hyphen)boosted, (AC) super effective Low Kick or Superpower. Mewtwo can outspeed and, (AC) depending on its set, (AC) can hit Steel Arceus with Focus Blast, Fire Blast, or Low Kick. Darkrai outspeeds Steel Arceus and can put it to sleep with Dark Void, and then set up Nasty Plot or KO Steel Arceus by repeatedly using Dark Pulse.

GP 1/2 haxiom

 

[haxiom]

Thanks, implemented the above check.

 

[GatoDelFuego]

haxiom

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[OVERVIEW]

Steel Arceus has a unique mono-Steel typing that offers it ten resistances and an immunity, allowing it to fill a number of roles. Great 120 / 120 / 120 bulk along with a useful typing gives Steel Arceus solid defensive utility in checking Latias, Latios, and some variants of Xerneas. Additionally, Steel Arceus's immunity to Toxic gives it good stallbreaking ability, and Steel Arceus can run both Calm Mind and Swords Dance sets effectively; unfortunately, Steel is a subpar offensive typing. Furthermore, Steel Arceus has relatively exploitable weaknesses to common Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type coverage moves. The dominating presence of Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh in Ubers also limits Steel Arceus's effectiveness.

[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Recover
move 4: Earth Power / Thunder
item: Iron Plate
ability: Multitype
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
nature: Timid

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Calm Mind allows Steel Arceus to set up and break stall in conjunction with its Toxic immunity. Judgment is Steel Arceus's primary STAB move that hits Fairy-types super effectively, though its overall coverage is mediocre. Recover lets Steel Arceus take repeated attacks and residual damage and also set up multiple Calm Minds. Earth Power provides coverage to hit Primal Groudon and Steel-types super effectively. Thunder similarly provides coverage for Steel Arceus, but it instead targets Ho-Oh and Primal Kyogre.

Set Details
========

252 HP EVs maximize Steel Arceus's mixed bulk, which works well with Steel Arceus's natural bulk and useful typing to allow for more setup opportunities. 176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Steel Arceus to outspeed Pokemon with base 110 Speed that run maximum Speed, such as Latias, Latios, and Gengar before it Mega Evolves. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense to help against physical attackers such as Mega Salamence and Extreme Killer Arceus. Alternately, 252 Speed EVs can be used to at worst Speed tie with other Arceus formes and Mega Salamence.

Usage Tips
========

Steel Arceus should function as a support Pokemon that checks Dragon- and Fairy-types early on as needed and also has the ability to set up and break stall or clean later on. However, setting up while the opponent has strong checks in the back tends to be inefficient, because Steel Arceus will simply be phazed or threatened out by strong checks such as Ho-Oh. It should be noted that Steel Arceus should not be relied on as a Geomancy Xerneas check, as Xerneas commonly carries Focus Blast.

Team Options
========

Steel Arceus appreciates partners that check the Pokemon that threaten it. Giratina-O is a good teammate for Steel Arceus, because it checks Primal Groudon and Fighting-types that threaten Steel Arceus while also providing Defog support for a team; Giratina-O also appreciates Steel Arceus's ability to check Fairy-types and Dragon-types. Other Primal Groudon checks, such as Latias, Latios, Mega Salamence, and Lugia, (AC) make for good partners. Other checks to Fighting-types, such as Xerneas, Mega Salamence, and Lugia, (AC) also make for good partners. Ho-Oh checks are important partners, so Mega Diancie, Mega Salamence, and Tyranitar all complement Steel Arceus well in that regard; strong Stealth Rock support is also useful because it weakens Ho-Oh. Finally, Primal Kyogre checks such as Primal Groudon, Latias, and Latios are good teammates for Steel Arceus.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Extreme Speed / Recover
item: Iron Plate
ability: Multitype
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Swords Dance makes Steel Arceus a strong setup sweeper that hits hard physically. Iron Head is very reliable, and as such it is Steel Arceus's best physical STAB move. Earthquake provides coverage to hit Primal Groudon and most Steel-types super effectively. For the last moveslot, Steel Arceus has a number of options. Stone Edge targets most Flying-types, though it most notably hits Ho-Oh and prevents Steel Arceus from being walled by it. Extreme Speed picks off weakened threats; however, it is relatively weak if Steel Arceus does not have any Attack boosts. Recover keeps Steel Arceus healthy and lets it set up more consistently while also being worn down less easily.

Set Details
========

Swords Dance Steel Arceus's main niche is being an offensive Swords Dance sweeper that has the bulk and typing to check threats like such as Latias, Latios, and Xerneas decently well. 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature guarantee that Steel Arceus can outspeed the many Pokemon that have a base Speed between 90 and 110, and that it can at least Speed tie with other Arceus formes and Mega Salamence. 252 Attack EVs maximize Steel Arceus's otherwise mediocre offensive capabilities. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to give Steel Arceus an odd HP value to reduce passive damage while still giving Genesect a Special Attack boost.

Usage Tips
========

Early-game, Steel Arceus should be used as a switch-in to switch into Dragon- and Fairy-types, hopefully wearing down its checks as they switch in. Later on, it should set up and attempt to sweep the opposing team. Steel Arceus can use its immunity to Poison to switch in and absorb Toxic for its teammates; however, Steel Arceus will be severely crippled and worn down by burns.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock support is important, because it limits Ho-Oh's opportunities to switch in, and it also deals residual damage that weakens Steel Arceus's checks. Ho-Oh checks such as Mega Diancie, Mega Salamence, and Tyranitar; (SC) Primal Groudon checks such as Latias, Latios, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, and Lugia; (SC) checks to Fighting-types such as Xerneas, Giratina-O, Mega Salamence, and Lugia; (SC) it's helpful to use semicolons in lists where each list also has commas so as to not get lost :) and Primal Kyogre checks such as Primal Groudon, Latias, and Latios are all good teammates for Steel Arceus. Xerneas is a good partner for Steel Arceus, because it can weaken some of Steel Arceus's checks like Primal Groudon. can it weaken the checks similar to the way Primal Groudon weakens checks, or is Groudon a check? idrk the meta but if groudon is a check say 'such as' instead Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh are also good partners, because they take advantage of Steel-types like Skarmory that switch in on Steel Arceus.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel Arceus can run a viable support set, (RC) with status moves and Defog to provide support for a team. Will-O-Wisp can burn physical threats such as Mega Salamence and Swords Dance Arceus. Thunder Wave cripples fast threats such as Mewtwo and Xerneas, allowing Steel Arceus to better check these Pokemon. Toxic wears down Primal Groudon and also puts a timer on Latias, Latios, and Defog Arceus formes. Finally, Roar can be used to phaze setup sweepers such as Geomancy Xerneas, Mega Salamence, and Swords Dance Arceus formes.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Fire-types all resist Steel and can threaten Steel Arceus with a super effective STAB move. Primal Groudon switches in relatively easy and threatens Steel Arceus with both of its STAB moves; however, it is worn down easily to a point where Steel Arceus can beat it with Earth Power or Earthquake. Ho-Oh also easily switches in and threatens Steel Arceus with Sacred Fire, though it must be wary of Stone Edge and Thunder. Reshiram also threatens Steel Arceus with its Fire STAB moves, though Earth Power, Earthquake, and Stone Edge all hit it super effectively.

**Ground-types**: While Ground-types do not resist Steel, they can still switch in and threaten Steel Arceus with a STAB move. Primal Groudon threatens Steel Arceus with both its Ground and Fire STAB moves, while resisting Judgment and Iron Head as well. Ground Arceus has great bulk that enables it to switch in and threaten Steel Arceus with Judgment or Earthquake, and it can also set up with Calm Mind and Swords Dance. Excadrill fears Earthquake and Earth Power, but it resists Steel and threatens Steel Arceus with a super effective Earthquake.

**Water-types**: Water-types check Steel Arceus thanks to their resistance to Steel. Primal Kyogre switches in easily and can hit Steel Arceus with a powerful Origin Pulse, paralyze it with Thunder Wave, phaze it with Roar, or set up its own Calm Mind boosts. Water Arceus walls Steel Arceus relatively well, though it struggles to do much in return; Calm Mind Steel Arceus can set up multiple boosts to overwhelm Water Arceus, while Water Arceus must carry Judgment to beat Swords Dance variants assuming that they both lack Recover. Both Primal Kyogre and Water Arceus do not like taking Thunder from Calm Mind Steel Arceus.

**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types pose a direct threat to Steel Arceus and can force it out. Fighting Arceus has great bulk that allows it to switch in and hit Steel Arceus with Thunder Wave and Judgment. Mega Mewtwo X threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Low Kick, though it cannot switch in repeatedly. Mega Lucario also threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Close Combat, while Mega Blaziken threatens to OHKO Steel Arceus with Low Kick; however, both of the last two fear Earthquake and Earth Powern

**Skarmory**: Skarmory's typing allows it to check Steel Arceus very effectively. Skarmory fears nothing from Swords Dance Steel Arceus, and it can simply set Spikes and use Whirlwind to phaze Steel Arceus if it gains too many boosts. Against Calm Mind Steel Arceus, Skarmory can use Whirlwind to phaze it but must be wary of Thunder.

**Giratina-O**: Giratina-O checks Swords Dance Steel Arceus by virtue of its good physical bulk and can proceed to burn it with Will-O-Wisp or phaze it with Dragon Tail.

**Revenge Killers**: Fast Pokemon that outspeed and KO Steel Arceus can revenge KO it. Deoxys-A outspeeds Steel Arceus and can hit it with a Life Orb-boosted, super effective Low Kick or Superpower. Mewtwo can outspeed and, depending on its set, hit Steel Arceus with Focus Blast, Fire Blast, or Low Kick. Darkrai outspeeds Steel Arceus and can put it to sleep with Dark Void, and then can set up Nasty Plot or KO Steel Arceus by repeatedly using Dark Pulse.

2/2

fabulous work as always

 

[haxiom]

Implemented; this is done.

 

[Sweep]

uploaded