Sobi
Banned deucer.
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qc: Eien, Scpinion, iVid
gp: Connni {amcheck}, Legitimate Username {gp 1/2}, GatoDelFuego {gp 2/2}
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With Imposter and a Choice Scarf, Ditto is an excellent revenge killer on Normal teams that is able to immediately change the outcome of a game. This is thanks to its ability to copy stat boosts of the foe, therefore discouraging the opponent from setting up. Ditto also works well as a scout, easing predictions, and it can also fit onto stall teams that need a Pokemon that can play mind games on and annoy the opposing team. However, the opponent can simply switch out its Pokemon and bring out a counter to the Pokemon that Ditto has transformed into. Furthermore, Ditto's unpredictability might not always be in your favor, as the foe might have a bad moveset to copy, forcing Ditto to switch out due to being dead weight and sapping a lot of momentum. In addition, the opponent knows what set their own Pokemon is running, so they can exploit this by playing around Ditto easily. Ditto's moves also have only 5 PP, so the foe can easily stall them out by using recovery moves. Finally, Ditto does not copy the foe's HP stat, leaving it forced to cope with its own appalling base 48 HP.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Transform
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Transform is simply a filler move, as Imposter does the exact same thing automatically upon switching in.
Set Details
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A Choice Scarf is used so that Ditto is able to Speed tie with opposing Choice Scarf users, as well as outspeed non-Choice Scarf users. The given IVs give Ditto Hidden Power Fire. 0 Speed IVs allow Ditto to transform after opposing Ditto, making your Ditto unable to transform into them but at least stay with Transform's 16 PP compared to their copied moves of 5 PP. This, along with a Relaxed nature, also helps with Struggle wars against opposing Ditto. 252 HP EVs minimize damage taken from opposing Ditto's Struggle, although be aware that Ditto does not copy the foe's HP stat when transforming. The remaining EVs are put into Special Defense and Defense for bulk and to further decrease damage taken from opposing Ditto's Struggle.
Usage Tips
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Ditto should transform into sweepers that have already boosted or powerful wallbreakers so that it can potentially sweep the opposing team. Choose what Pokemon to transform into wisely; Pokemon that have access to wide coverage, such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Gallade, and Heatran, are better than Pokemon that either have limited coverage or are a common mono-attacker. Never switch Ditto into attacks, as it is very frail; bring it in after a teammate has fainted or through momentum-gaining moves such as U-turn and Volt Switch. Keep it as healthy as possible in order to ensure a successful sweep. However, it is possible to switch Ditto into a move that the foe is immune to, such as into Gengar's Focus Blast or Heatran's Lava Plume, though your opponent can predict this and foil your plan. Use Ditto to scout the foe's moveset in order to gain information and ease prediction. This can be especially valuble against Pokemon that can run multiple sets, such as Lucario. Copying the movesets of clerics such as Lanturn in order to get access to Heal Bell, or entry hazard removers such as Starmie in order to get access to Rapid Spin, can be a good plan for supporting your team. Although Ditto's limited PP can be a problem, it can take advantage of this by switching in and out, replenishing its PP and thus becoming an effective stallbreaker. Be aware of the fact that Ditto does not copy the foe's HP stat, so don't misinterpret damage calculations due to this. Ditto's Imposter ability removes the Speed drop caused by Sticky Web, allowing it to safely copy wallbreakers that are often paired with Sticky Web users, such as Choice Band Terrakion + Shuckle on Rock teams.
Team Options
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Ditto is a great addition to the Chansey + Porygon2 + Staraptor defensive core, as wallbreakers will try their hardest to break through the core, allowing Ditto to transform into them and force them out. Chansey and Porygon2 are both defensive partners that can be switched in if Ditto is forced out, the former being able to relieve Ditto of status with Heal Bell as well. Ditto doesn't only fit on defensive teams, though; it can also be used on offensive teams as a revenge killer. Diggersby, Heliolisk, Staraptor, and Mega Pidgeot can bring Ditto in safely through either U-turn or Volt Switch. Staraptor can also provide Defog support in order to prevent Ditto from being worn down by entry hazards. Ditto is quite unpredictable, so it doesn't really require a lot of support, and can fit well onto many kinds of teams without requiring major synergy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Ditto is a very straightforward Pokemon that doesn't have many viable alternatives to run, although you can change its happiness from 255 to 0 in case your opponent runs Frustration instead of Return. This is a 50/50 chance, however.
Checks and Counters
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**Playing Around Ditto**: Because the opponent knows what set Ditto is running after it has transformed, they can easily switch to a counter to then force Ditto out, or they can send out a Pokemon that can set up on a Ditto that can't do anything to it. The opponent can also play around a Choice-locked Ditto.
**Untransformable Pokemon**: Ditto cannot transform into Pokemon behind a Substitute or Mega Pokemon, making it a sitting duck, complete setup fodder, and a huge momentum drain.
**Walls**: Pokemon like Porygon2 and Slowbro are not very useful for Ditto to transform into, as they are not very strong and can stall Ditto out with their recovery moves due to Ditto's low PP.
**Status**: Burns make it hard for Ditto to copy physical attackers and unable to deal much damage. Paralysis cripples Ditto by slowing it down. Accumulating Toxic damage can wear Ditto down quickly.
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