Oh my Arceus, I've never encountered a difficulty as much as trying to make a set for Zen Mode Darmanitan work. Does anyone have any success with it?
To use Zen Mode, I see three possible moves of which it needs to work;
-Substitute (Needs 2 uses however)
-Belly Drum (Can go mixed in zen mode with this, as physical att is over 300 at +6)
-Flame Charge (Boosts his lackluster speed in zen mode, and also in normal mode)
In Zen Mode, to make use of his large unboosted sp att, I see a few moves available for him;
-Psychic (Additional STAB for neutral coverage)
-Flamethrower (Special STAB)
-Grass Knot (To kill water/ground/rock types that stop him)
While in physical sweeper mode (normal), I see some moves he can use;
U-Turn (Gets him out of an unwanted matchup if zen mode is not suggested at the time)
Earthquake (Reliable Coverage)
Brick Break/Focus Punch (Coverage)
Flare Blitz/Fire Punch (STAB move)
Rock Move (Coverage)
For an EV spread, I have no idea where to go. When he goes to zen mode, his speed drops and then he can be outsped and ko'd at low health. If only it was the other way around >:( He has very gratuitous bulk in zen mode, but again, low HP. I just don't know where to go. Possibly could max HP be a good start? (To at least give him better life chances in zen mode)