mags
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys is well known for being horrible in every way. Offensively, it's outclassed by Deoxys-A, and as an entry hazard setter, it's outclassed by Deoxys-S. It has base 150 Attack, Special Attack, and Speed, which isn't bad, but Deoxys doesn't hit as hard as Deoxys-A. The small increase in bulk it gets over Deoxys-A is so minuscule that it won't matter in most situations; however, it does allow Deoxys to survive Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out without investment. Investing heavily in Defense adds some surprise factor to Deoxys, letting it survive stronger attacks such as Extreme Killer Arceus's Extreme Speed. Doing so is really gimmicky, but it might be worthwhile, as Deoxys has nothing better to be doing. Its only true niche is giving you an excuse for losing. No serious team should ever have this Pokemon on it, due to it being useless and 100% outclassed.
[SET]
name: Based Ekiller Check
move 1: Psycho Boost
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Counter / Superpower
item: Chilan Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid / Naive
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This moveset aims to salvage as much utility as possible from Deoxys. Psycho Boost is Deoxys's strongest STAB move and allows it to chip away at threats even without Special Attack investment. Spikes is a great entry hazard that helps teammates sweep more easily. Deoxys's main job isn't to set up entry hazards, but it's always a nice option if it has nothing better to do. Taunt stops opposing threats from setting up, laying entry hazards, and spreading status. The one strange move on this set is Counter, which is used for retaliating against Extreme Killer Arceus. Deoxys survives even a +2 Extreme Speed, and Counter will OHKO Arceus. Superpower is another option over Counter, as if Arceus tries to attack Deoxys with another move or just sets up on the predicted Counter, Deoxys will fail to check Arceus. Superpower is still able to deplete more than half of Arceus's HP, which is better than nothing.
Set Details
========
The 252 HP EVs and 200 Defense EVs might seem wasted on a Pokemon that only has 50 / 50 physical bulk, but they allow Deoxys to check Extreme Killer Arceus. The 56 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature make Deoxys faster than Darkrai so that Deoxys can cripple it with Taunt or set up Spikes before it faints. They also allow Deoxys to hit Darkrai with Superpower if it is running the move; however, when running Superpower, a Naive nature is advised as to not lower its power. Chilan Berry halves damage taken from a single Normal-type attack, allowing Deoxys to survive a boosted Extreme Speed from Extreme Killer Arceus after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
If you suspect that your opponent has Extreme Killer Arceus, keeping Deoxys healthy by waiting in the back is a good option so that it can check it. If the opponent reveals another Arceus forme, Deoxys is free to set Spikes, chip away at threats, and Taunt Pokemon that might set up. If they reveal Extreme Killer Arceus, switching in Deoxys is not a good idea because Extreme Speed will activate Chilan Berry and 2HKO Deoxys on the switch. Sacrificing a teammate and then bringing Deoxys is the safest play, but you can switch it in on a predicted Swords Dance if you want to keep the teammate alive.
Team Options
========
Deoxys shouldn't be used on a serious team, but if you must use it, it really doesn't need any teammates to function. Anything that can get some notable OHKOs after Spikes will benefit from Deoxys. Having an actual, reliable answer to Extreme Killer Arceus is nice, too, as Deoxys will usually not be enough. Pokemon that can switch into Yveltal and Giratina-O, such as Mega Diancie and Xerneas, work well because the threat of super effective priority moves will force Deoxys out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Using another Pokemon is the most optimal course of action when thinking about using Deoxys. However, if you must use this Pokemon, for whatever reason, Magic Coat is usable to allow Deoxys to act as an anti-lead against entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-S. Stealth Rock can replace Spikes if need be, but there are more reliable Stealth Rock setters out there. Deoxys can opt for Extreme Speed to weaken or revenge kill threats that outspeed it.
Checks and Counters
=============
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye's Magic Bounce will bounce back Spikes and Taunt. Mega Sableye is also immune to Psycho Boost and Superpower, making it the best switch-in to Deoxys in the metagame.
**Giratina-O**: The threat of Shadow Sneak will force out Deoxys, allowing Giratina-O to Defog away Deoxys's Spikes on the switch. Psycho Boost does not do enough damage to Giratina-O because of its great bulk.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are nuisances to Deoxys because they are immune to Psycho Boost. If Deoxys doesn't want Pokemon like Dark Arceus and Darkrai to set up on it, it will be forced to sacrifice itself so that it can Taunt them. Tyranitar can Pursuit trap Deoxys, making it difficult to play around.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Unexpected Choice Scarf users such as Xerneas can easily take out Deoxys as it tries to use Taunt or Spikes. Choice Scarf Landorus-T can U-turn out of Deoxys or any teammate that switches in to check it, creating momentum for the opposing team.
Deoxys is well known for being horrible in every way. Offensively, it's outclassed by Deoxys-A, and as an entry hazard setter, it's outclassed by Deoxys-S. It has base 150 Attack, Special Attack, and Speed, which isn't bad, but Deoxys doesn't hit as hard as Deoxys-A. The small increase in bulk it gets over Deoxys-A is so minuscule that it won't matter in most situations; however, it does allow Deoxys to survive Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out without investment. Investing heavily in Defense adds some surprise factor to Deoxys, letting it survive stronger attacks such as Extreme Killer Arceus's Extreme Speed. Doing so is really gimmicky, but it might be worthwhile, as Deoxys has nothing better to be doing. Its only true niche is giving you an excuse for losing. No serious team should ever have this Pokemon on it, due to it being useless and 100% outclassed.
[SET]
name: Based Ekiller Check
move 1: Psycho Boost
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Counter / Superpower
item: Chilan Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid / Naive
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This moveset aims to salvage as much utility as possible from Deoxys. Psycho Boost is Deoxys's strongest STAB move and allows it to chip away at threats even without Special Attack investment. Spikes is a great entry hazard that helps teammates sweep more easily. Deoxys's main job isn't to set up entry hazards, but it's always a nice option if it has nothing better to do. Taunt stops opposing threats from setting up, laying entry hazards, and spreading status. The one strange move on this set is Counter, which is used for retaliating against Extreme Killer Arceus. Deoxys survives even a +2 Extreme Speed, and Counter will OHKO Arceus. Superpower is another option over Counter, as if Arceus tries to attack Deoxys with another move or just sets up on the predicted Counter, Deoxys will fail to check Arceus. Superpower is still able to deplete more than half of Arceus's HP, which is better than nothing.
Set Details
========
The 252 HP EVs and 200 Defense EVs might seem wasted on a Pokemon that only has 50 / 50 physical bulk, but they allow Deoxys to check Extreme Killer Arceus. The 56 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature make Deoxys faster than Darkrai so that Deoxys can cripple it with Taunt or set up Spikes before it faints. They also allow Deoxys to hit Darkrai with Superpower if it is running the move; however, when running Superpower, a Naive nature is advised as to not lower its power. Chilan Berry halves damage taken from a single Normal-type attack, allowing Deoxys to survive a boosted Extreme Speed from Extreme Killer Arceus after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
If you suspect that your opponent has Extreme Killer Arceus, keeping Deoxys healthy by waiting in the back is a good option so that it can check it. If the opponent reveals another Arceus forme, Deoxys is free to set Spikes, chip away at threats, and Taunt Pokemon that might set up. If they reveal Extreme Killer Arceus, switching in Deoxys is not a good idea because Extreme Speed will activate Chilan Berry and 2HKO Deoxys on the switch. Sacrificing a teammate and then bringing Deoxys is the safest play, but you can switch it in on a predicted Swords Dance if you want to keep the teammate alive.
Team Options
========
Deoxys shouldn't be used on a serious team, but if you must use it, it really doesn't need any teammates to function. Anything that can get some notable OHKOs after Spikes will benefit from Deoxys. Having an actual, reliable answer to Extreme Killer Arceus is nice, too, as Deoxys will usually not be enough. Pokemon that can switch into Yveltal and Giratina-O, such as Mega Diancie and Xerneas, work well because the threat of super effective priority moves will force Deoxys out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Using another Pokemon is the most optimal course of action when thinking about using Deoxys. However, if you must use this Pokemon, for whatever reason, Magic Coat is usable to allow Deoxys to act as an anti-lead against entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-S. Stealth Rock can replace Spikes if need be, but there are more reliable Stealth Rock setters out there. Deoxys can opt for Extreme Speed to weaken or revenge kill threats that outspeed it.
Checks and Counters
=============
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye's Magic Bounce will bounce back Spikes and Taunt. Mega Sableye is also immune to Psycho Boost and Superpower, making it the best switch-in to Deoxys in the metagame.
**Giratina-O**: The threat of Shadow Sneak will force out Deoxys, allowing Giratina-O to Defog away Deoxys's Spikes on the switch. Psycho Boost does not do enough damage to Giratina-O because of its great bulk.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are nuisances to Deoxys because they are immune to Psycho Boost. If Deoxys doesn't want Pokemon like Dark Arceus and Darkrai to set up on it, it will be forced to sacrifice itself so that it can Taunt them. Tyranitar can Pursuit trap Deoxys, making it difficult to play around.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Unexpected Choice Scarf users such as Xerneas can easily take out Deoxys as it tries to use Taunt or Spikes. Choice Scarf Landorus-T can U-turn out of Deoxys or any teammate that switches in to check it, creating momentum for the opposing team.
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