QC Checks: --/--/--
[OVERVIEW]
* Excellent all-around stats with the exception of Speed
* Great ability in Prism Armor allows it to set up easier
* Access to Stored Power lets it check Clefable and other Unaware users
* Lacks Focus Blast and cannot use Hidden Power Fighting due to being guaranteed 3 perfect IVs
* This means it lacks any way to hit Dark-types super effectively
[SET]
name: Stored Power
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Stored Power
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Iron Defense
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind allows Necrozma to increase its special bulk while giving it more power, allowing it to sweep.
* Stored Power is the main STAB attack, increasing in power for each CM boost and allowing Necrozma to nail Unaware users like Clefable.
* Moonlight provides reliable recovery, allowing Necrozma to stay in the battle for longer.
* Iron Defense allows Necrozma to bolster its defenses while also powering up Stored Power.
* Hidden Power Fire allows Necrozma to hit Steel-types like Scizor and Bisharp super effectively, and is its only way of doing so besides Hidden Power Ground.
Set Details
========
* The given EVs and a Bold nature maximize Necrozma's physical bulk, since it can patch up its Special Defense with Calm Mind.
* Leftovers allows for a form of passive recovery, allowing Necrozma to avoid plenty of potential 2HKOs and stay healthy throughout the match.
* Rocky Helmet can also be run to damage any Pokemon that try to attack Necrozma directly.
* Prism Armor is Necrozma's only ability and allows it to endure super effective attacks from the likes of Bisharp.
Usage Tips
========
* The aim of this set is simple; set up mid-to-late game with Calm Mind, then spam Stored Power.
* Iron Defense should be used mostly to counter physical setup sweepers like Hone Claws Mega Aerodactyl and Swords Dance Gliscor without having to constantly use Moonlight.
* Prior damage can reduce the amount of time Necrozma has to set up, so bring it in with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch.
* Use Moonlight only when you need to. For instance, if you know an attack will not KO you but put you in range of a KO for next turn, use Moonlight. Mindlessly spamming Moonlight will exhaust its PP and can leave you at a disadvantage late-game.
Team Options
========
* Since this set lacks any way to hit Dark-types, Pokemon like Cobalion and Primarina are good teammates for their ability to threaten Dark-type Pokemon.
* If you forgo Hidden Power Fire, a check for Steel-types is also necessary. Infernape and Keldeo can easily remove these threats with their super effective STAB attacks.
* Late-game cleaners appreciate Necrozma wearing down their counters so they can sweep the opponent's weakened team.
* Hazard removal is appreciated to increase the amount of times Necrozma can switch in. Mega Blastoise is notable for its ability to break common spinblockers with Dark Pulse and deal with Steel- and Dark-types thanks to Aura Sphere.
[SET]
name: Offensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind is once again the main boosting move, allowing Necrozma to become bulkier while boosting its Special Attack.
* Psychic provides consistent power and a reliable STAB attack.
* Moonlight again allows Necrozma to remain healthy throughout the match, but Sand can limit its effectiveness somewhat.
* Hidden Power Fire is recommended on this set, since it allows Necrozma to nail Steel- and Bug-types super effectively.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Necrozma to outspeed base 75 Speed Pokemon and some bulky Taunt users such as Mew.
* The remaining EVs are dumped into HP and Defense to maximize Necrozma's physical bulk.
* Leftovers again lets Necrozma stay healthy with passive recovery.
* Prism Armor lets Necrozma avoid OHKOs from Bisharp's Knock Off and other attacks.
Usage Tips
========
* Since this set lacks Iron Defense, you'll often find yourself using Moonlight more often against powerful physical attackers like Mega Aerodactyl.
* With this in mind, be careful of Sand teams, since sand decreases Moonlight's effectiveness to restoring 1/4 of Necrozma's maximum HP.
* On the flip side, you have more immediate power and can freely run HP Fire, allowing you to check Steel-types like Scizor.
* Beware of Mega Absol and other physical setup sweepers, as they can set up on you early-game and proceed to destroy your team.
Team Options
========
* Fighting-types in general make for good teammates, as they can take out the Dark- and Steel- types that wall Necrozma. Bewear is notable for its synergy with Necrozma as it also checks Ghost-types, while the Prism Pokemon handles its Fighting weakness.
* Hazard removal is important so Necrozma is not OHKOed by Bisharp's Pursuit upon switching out. Starmie and Forretress can do this most effectively.
* Blissey and other special walls can usually Toxic stall Necrozma as it sets up, so wallbreakers are appreciated in order to check them. Keldeo in particular 2HKOs Blissey with Secret Sword.
* Unlike the Stored Power set, this one loses to Clefable and other Unaware users. A powerful attacker or damaging Z-move user can break these Pokemon with ease, but remember you can only use one Z-move per battle.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* An all-out offensive set with Dark Pulse and other coverage moves is usable, but outclassed by other Psychic-types such as Alakazam.
* Necrozma has numerous support options such as Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave, but it often struggles to fit them on a moveset.
* Brick Break is an option to hit Dark- and Steel-types, but it hits off of Necrozma's weaker offensive stat and is generally a waste of a moveslot.
* A Swords Dance set is also an option, since Necrozma has usable base Attack and a decent physical movepool. However, physical Psychic-types are generally mediocre as a whole.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Since Necrozma lacks Focus Blast or Dazzling Gleam and cannot use Hidden Power Fighting due to being guaranteed 3 perfect IVs, it lacks any way to hit Dark-type Pokemon. This means it is easily taken advantage of by Dark-type threats such as Krookodile and Mega Sharpedo.
**Steel-types**: If Necrozma forgoes Hidden Power Fire, Steel-type Pokemon such as Scizor and Klefki can easily wall it. Bisharp in particular completely shuts down Necrozma due to being immune to Stored Power, but again this is only if you don't run HP Fire (or Ground, I guess.)
**Stat Resetting Moves**: Any Pokemon with Roar or Whirlwind, such as Hippowdon, can force out Necrozma while it's setting up and get rid of its boosts. Amoonguss, while a very shaky check due to its Psychic weakness, can get rid of Necrozma's boosts with Clear Smog and stall it out. Use these tactics while it's setting up, as a +2 Stored Power will usually KO these Pokemon.
[OVERVIEW]
* Excellent all-around stats with the exception of Speed
* Great ability in Prism Armor allows it to set up easier
* Access to Stored Power lets it check Clefable and other Unaware users
* Lacks Focus Blast and cannot use Hidden Power Fighting due to being guaranteed 3 perfect IVs
* This means it lacks any way to hit Dark-types super effectively
[SET]
name: Stored Power
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Stored Power
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Iron Defense
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind allows Necrozma to increase its special bulk while giving it more power, allowing it to sweep.
* Stored Power is the main STAB attack, increasing in power for each CM boost and allowing Necrozma to nail Unaware users like Clefable.
* Moonlight provides reliable recovery, allowing Necrozma to stay in the battle for longer.
* Iron Defense allows Necrozma to bolster its defenses while also powering up Stored Power.
* Hidden Power Fire allows Necrozma to hit Steel-types like Scizor and Bisharp super effectively, and is its only way of doing so besides Hidden Power Ground.
Set Details
========
* The given EVs and a Bold nature maximize Necrozma's physical bulk, since it can patch up its Special Defense with Calm Mind.
* Leftovers allows for a form of passive recovery, allowing Necrozma to avoid plenty of potential 2HKOs and stay healthy throughout the match.
* Rocky Helmet can also be run to damage any Pokemon that try to attack Necrozma directly.
* Prism Armor is Necrozma's only ability and allows it to endure super effective attacks from the likes of Bisharp.
Usage Tips
========
* The aim of this set is simple; set up mid-to-late game with Calm Mind, then spam Stored Power.
* Iron Defense should be used mostly to counter physical setup sweepers like Hone Claws Mega Aerodactyl and Swords Dance Gliscor without having to constantly use Moonlight.
* Prior damage can reduce the amount of time Necrozma has to set up, so bring it in with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch.
* Use Moonlight only when you need to. For instance, if you know an attack will not KO you but put you in range of a KO for next turn, use Moonlight. Mindlessly spamming Moonlight will exhaust its PP and can leave you at a disadvantage late-game.
Team Options
========
* Since this set lacks any way to hit Dark-types, Pokemon like Cobalion and Primarina are good teammates for their ability to threaten Dark-type Pokemon.
* If you forgo Hidden Power Fire, a check for Steel-types is also necessary. Infernape and Keldeo can easily remove these threats with their super effective STAB attacks.
* Late-game cleaners appreciate Necrozma wearing down their counters so they can sweep the opponent's weakened team.
* Hazard removal is appreciated to increase the amount of times Necrozma can switch in. Mega Blastoise is notable for its ability to break common spinblockers with Dark Pulse and deal with Steel- and Dark-types thanks to Aura Sphere.
[SET]
name: Offensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind is once again the main boosting move, allowing Necrozma to become bulkier while boosting its Special Attack.
* Psychic provides consistent power and a reliable STAB attack.
* Moonlight again allows Necrozma to remain healthy throughout the match, but Sand can limit its effectiveness somewhat.
* Hidden Power Fire is recommended on this set, since it allows Necrozma to nail Steel- and Bug-types super effectively.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Necrozma to outspeed base 75 Speed Pokemon and some bulky Taunt users such as Mew.
* The remaining EVs are dumped into HP and Defense to maximize Necrozma's physical bulk.
* Leftovers again lets Necrozma stay healthy with passive recovery.
* Prism Armor lets Necrozma avoid OHKOs from Bisharp's Knock Off and other attacks.
Usage Tips
========
* Since this set lacks Iron Defense, you'll often find yourself using Moonlight more often against powerful physical attackers like Mega Aerodactyl.
* With this in mind, be careful of Sand teams, since sand decreases Moonlight's effectiveness to restoring 1/4 of Necrozma's maximum HP.
* On the flip side, you have more immediate power and can freely run HP Fire, allowing you to check Steel-types like Scizor.
* Beware of Mega Absol and other physical setup sweepers, as they can set up on you early-game and proceed to destroy your team.
Team Options
========
* Fighting-types in general make for good teammates, as they can take out the Dark- and Steel- types that wall Necrozma. Bewear is notable for its synergy with Necrozma as it also checks Ghost-types, while the Prism Pokemon handles its Fighting weakness.
* Hazard removal is important so Necrozma is not OHKOed by Bisharp's Pursuit upon switching out. Starmie and Forretress can do this most effectively.
* Blissey and other special walls can usually Toxic stall Necrozma as it sets up, so wallbreakers are appreciated in order to check them. Keldeo in particular 2HKOs Blissey with Secret Sword.
* Unlike the Stored Power set, this one loses to Clefable and other Unaware users. A powerful attacker or damaging Z-move user can break these Pokemon with ease, but remember you can only use one Z-move per battle.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* An all-out offensive set with Dark Pulse and other coverage moves is usable, but outclassed by other Psychic-types such as Alakazam.
* Necrozma has numerous support options such as Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave, but it often struggles to fit them on a moveset.
* Brick Break is an option to hit Dark- and Steel-types, but it hits off of Necrozma's weaker offensive stat and is generally a waste of a moveslot.
* A Swords Dance set is also an option, since Necrozma has usable base Attack and a decent physical movepool. However, physical Psychic-types are generally mediocre as a whole.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Since Necrozma lacks Focus Blast or Dazzling Gleam and cannot use Hidden Power Fighting due to being guaranteed 3 perfect IVs, it lacks any way to hit Dark-type Pokemon. This means it is easily taken advantage of by Dark-type threats such as Krookodile and Mega Sharpedo.
**Steel-types**: If Necrozma forgoes Hidden Power Fire, Steel-type Pokemon such as Scizor and Klefki can easily wall it. Bisharp in particular completely shuts down Necrozma due to being immune to Stored Power, but again this is only if you don't run HP Fire (or Ground, I guess.)
**Stat Resetting Moves**: Any Pokemon with Roar or Whirlwind, such as Hippowdon, can force out Necrozma while it's setting up and get rid of its boosts. Amoonguss, while a very shaky check due to its Psychic weakness, can get rid of Necrozma's boosts with Clear Smog and stall it out. Use these tactics while it's setting up, as a +2 Stored Power will usually KO these Pokemon.
Last edited:
