Necrozma's excellent bulk that is furthered by its ability Prism Armor makes it difficult to take down even with super effective hits. Because of Necrozma's access to Stored Power, it can become a powerful defensive sweeper by using Iron Defense to patch up its Defense while using Calm Mind to boost both its Special Attack and Special Defense. When used in conjunction with a Speed-boosting Baton Pass user like Scolipede, Necrozma can tear through offensive teams. Unfortunately, Necrozma is walled by Dark-types, as it typically relies on mono-Psychic coverage. In addition, as a defensive setup sweeper, Necrozma is prone to being worn down by Toxic and is susceptible to Taunt. Its recovery option in Morning Sun is poor, as it can be halved by sand, rain, and hail and only has 8 PP. Necrozma also faces competition as a bulky Calm Mind user from Reuniclus, Clefable, and Suicune, but it finds a niche on Baton Pass teams thanks to its high natural bulk and access to STAB Stored Power.
[SET]
name: Stored Power
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Iron Defense
move 3: Morning Sun
move 4: Stored Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 152 SpD / 104 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind enables Necrozma to boost its Special Attack, its Special Defense, and Stored Power's Base Power simultaneously. Iron Defense raises Necrozma's Defense by two stages. In conjunction with Prism Armor, this allows Necrozma to become an extremely difficult Pokemon to break through with attacks alone. Morning Sun allows Necrozma to recover half of its health but is limited by its low PP and is hindered by sand, rain, and hail. Stored Power is Necrozma's attacking move. It starts at only 20 BP, but it increases by 20 BP for each positive boost Necrozma has. Thus, each use of either Calm Mind or Iron Defense increases Stored Power's Base Power by 40. This has no cap, letting Necrozma power up Stored Power to the point where it can OHKO resistant and specially defensive Pokemon such as Heatran, Scizor, and even Chansey if it is able to accumulate enough boosts. Hidden Power Bug could be run over Iron Defense, allowing Necrozma to hit Dark-types. However, this leaves Necrozma very vulnerable to physical attacks.
Set Details
========
A Calm nature is used over Bold because Necrozma can boost its Defense more quickly than its Special Defense. 252 HP EVs are used to maximize bulk both physically and specially. 104 Speed EVs allow Necrozma to outspeed defensive Landorus-T, Tapu Fini, and Alolan Marowak. When used in conjunction with a Speed-boosting Baton Pass user like Scolipede, 104 Speed EVs also allow Necrozma to outspeed positive-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Charizard and Volcarona when at +1. Necrozma's remaining EVs are placed into Special Defense, easing its ability to set up. 152 Special Defense EVs in particular turns Choice Scarf Gengar's Shadow Ball into a 3HKO if entry hazards are not present. Leftovers further boosts Necrozma's longevity, reducing how often Necrozma needs to use the PP-limited Morning Sun. Prism Armor is Necrozma's only ability, further easing Necrozma's setup.
Usage Tips
========
Wait until Dark-types are removed or have been otherwise put on a timer before setting up with Necrozma, as it has no way to damage them. Avoid using Necrozma to pivot into powerful attackers like Mega Medicham if it cannot proceed to then win the game, as Necrozma's recovery is extremely limited. Don't set up beyond what Necrozma needs to finish off the opposing team, as its recovery is limited and it is prone to critical hits. If the opposing team has a Toxic user that Necrozma will not be able to OHKO, it may be a good idea to attempt to become burned. This will allow Necrozma to avoid becoming badly poisoned, which prevents Necrozma from effectively setting up. Avoid becoming paralyzed, though, as this will inhibit Necrozma's ability to reliably boost and recover.
Team Options
========
Scolipede is an excellent partner, as it can Baton Pass Speed boosts to Necrozma, increasing the strength of Stored Power and allowing Necrozma to more easily sweep offensive teams. Additional Speed also lets Necrozma avoid being hit as often, reducing the chance of losing to a critical hit. Espeon is another good partner on Scolipede Baton Pass teams, as it can use Stored Power to break stall, while Necrozma can be used to break offensive teams. Dugtrio can trap and remove most Dark-types, such as Tyranitar and Bisharp. It can also remove certain Toxic users, such as Chansey. Toxic Spikes from Pokemon like Toxapex and Nihilego can put Dark-type Pokemon on a timer, potentially allowing Necrozma to set up before they have been fully KOed. Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Terrakion take advantage of Dark-types and can be difficult to switch into due to powerful secondary STAB attacks. Fairy-types such as Mega Mawile, Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini, and Magearna can handle most Dark-types and place heavy pressure on the opposing team. Wallbreakers can soften the opposing team for Necrozma. Wallbreakers that take advantage of Dark-types, such as Mega Mawile and Terrakion, are especially effective, as Necrozma can be used to lure in Dark-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Polish could be used over Iron Defense. This leaves Necrozma prone to physical attacks but allows it to sweep offensive teams without requiring support from Scolipede. This type of set works well in conjunction with a Defense-boosting Baton Pass Pokemon, such as Barrier Mew. Weakness Policy could be used to raise Necrozma's Special Attack by two stages and quickly boost Stored Power's Base Power by 80 if hit by a super effective move. Prism Armor helps Necrozma run Weakness Policy, weakening the power of opposing super effective moves. However, the passive recovery that Leftovers provides is typically preferred. Rest can be used to remove Necrozma's weakness to Toxic and allow it more recovery PP. However, Rest leaves Necrozma immobile for two turns, causing Rest Necrozma to only be effective versus defensive teams or be forced to run Sleep Talk over Iron Defense, weakening it versus physical attacks. Necrozma can also set up Stealth Rock and spread paralysis through Thunder Wave. However, it is outclassed in this role by Pokemon such as Mew and Clefable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are Necrozma's number one counter. Necrozma typically has no way to damage them, as they are immune to Stored Power. However, if they are weakened and inflicted with damaging status like burn or poison or are otherwise being worn down through Life Orb recoil, Necrozma may still be able to set up on them with Iron Defense and Calm Mind. Examples of Dark-types that typically run Life Orb include Weavile and Protean Greninja.
**Stallbreakers**: Most stallbreakers carry ways to prevent Necrozma from boosting or recovering. Taunt in particular shuts Necrozma down, leaving it with an incredibly weak Stored Power and allowing it to be worn down and beaten.
**Status/Haze Walls**: Most walls in the OU metagame have a way to either nullify Necrozma or put it on a timer. Pokemon like Chansey can use Toxic, wearing Necrozma down quickly and forcing it to attack rather than continually boost. Haze users, such as Mantine, can reset Necrozma's boosts and reduce Stored Power's Base Power back down to 20, leaving it pitifully weak.
[SET]
name: Stored Power
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Iron Defense
move 3: Morning Sun
move 4: Stored Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 152 SpD / 104 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind enables Necrozma to boost its Special Attack, its Special Defense, and Stored Power's Base Power simultaneously. Iron Defense raises Necrozma's Defense by two stages. In conjunction with Prism Armor, this allows Necrozma to become an extremely difficult Pokemon to break through with attacks alone. Morning Sun allows Necrozma to recover half of its health but is limited by its low PP and is hindered by sand, rain, and hail. Stored Power is Necrozma's attacking move. It starts at only 20 BP, but it increases by 20 BP for each positive boost Necrozma has. Thus, each use of either Calm Mind or Iron Defense increases Stored Power's Base Power by 40. This has no cap, letting Necrozma power up Stored Power to the point where it can OHKO resistant and specially defensive Pokemon such as Heatran, Scizor, and even Chansey if it is able to accumulate enough boosts. Hidden Power Bug could be run over Iron Defense, allowing Necrozma to hit Dark-types. However, this leaves Necrozma very vulnerable to physical attacks.
Set Details
========
A Calm nature is used over Bold because Necrozma can boost its Defense more quickly than its Special Defense. 252 HP EVs are used to maximize bulk both physically and specially. 104 Speed EVs allow Necrozma to outspeed defensive Landorus-T, Tapu Fini, and Alolan Marowak. When used in conjunction with a Speed-boosting Baton Pass user like Scolipede, 104 Speed EVs also allow Necrozma to outspeed positive-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Charizard and Volcarona when at +1. Necrozma's remaining EVs are placed into Special Defense, easing its ability to set up. 152 Special Defense EVs in particular turns Choice Scarf Gengar's Shadow Ball into a 3HKO if entry hazards are not present. Leftovers further boosts Necrozma's longevity, reducing how often Necrozma needs to use the PP-limited Morning Sun. Prism Armor is Necrozma's only ability, further easing Necrozma's setup.
Usage Tips
========
Wait until Dark-types are removed or have been otherwise put on a timer before setting up with Necrozma, as it has no way to damage them. Avoid using Necrozma to pivot into powerful attackers like Mega Medicham if it cannot proceed to then win the game, as Necrozma's recovery is extremely limited. Don't set up beyond what Necrozma needs to finish off the opposing team, as its recovery is limited and it is prone to critical hits. If the opposing team has a Toxic user that Necrozma will not be able to OHKO, it may be a good idea to attempt to become burned. This will allow Necrozma to avoid becoming badly poisoned, which prevents Necrozma from effectively setting up. Avoid becoming paralyzed, though, as this will inhibit Necrozma's ability to reliably boost and recover.
Team Options
========
Scolipede is an excellent partner, as it can Baton Pass Speed boosts to Necrozma, increasing the strength of Stored Power and allowing Necrozma to more easily sweep offensive teams. Additional Speed also lets Necrozma avoid being hit as often, reducing the chance of losing to a critical hit. Espeon is another good partner on Scolipede Baton Pass teams, as it can use Stored Power to break stall, while Necrozma can be used to break offensive teams. Dugtrio can trap and remove most Dark-types, such as Tyranitar and Bisharp. It can also remove certain Toxic users, such as Chansey. Toxic Spikes from Pokemon like Toxapex and Nihilego can put Dark-type Pokemon on a timer, potentially allowing Necrozma to set up before they have been fully KOed. Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Terrakion take advantage of Dark-types and can be difficult to switch into due to powerful secondary STAB attacks. Fairy-types such as Mega Mawile, Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini, and Magearna can handle most Dark-types and place heavy pressure on the opposing team. Wallbreakers can soften the opposing team for Necrozma. Wallbreakers that take advantage of Dark-types, such as Mega Mawile and Terrakion, are especially effective, as Necrozma can be used to lure in Dark-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Polish could be used over Iron Defense. This leaves Necrozma prone to physical attacks but allows it to sweep offensive teams without requiring support from Scolipede. This type of set works well in conjunction with a Defense-boosting Baton Pass Pokemon, such as Barrier Mew. Weakness Policy could be used to raise Necrozma's Special Attack by two stages and quickly boost Stored Power's Base Power by 80 if hit by a super effective move. Prism Armor helps Necrozma run Weakness Policy, weakening the power of opposing super effective moves. However, the passive recovery that Leftovers provides is typically preferred. Rest can be used to remove Necrozma's weakness to Toxic and allow it more recovery PP. However, Rest leaves Necrozma immobile for two turns, causing Rest Necrozma to only be effective versus defensive teams or be forced to run Sleep Talk over Iron Defense, weakening it versus physical attacks. Necrozma can also set up Stealth Rock and spread paralysis through Thunder Wave. However, it is outclassed in this role by Pokemon such as Mew and Clefable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types are Necrozma's number one counter. Necrozma typically has no way to damage them, as they are immune to Stored Power. However, if they are weakened and inflicted with damaging status like burn or poison or are otherwise being worn down through Life Orb recoil, Necrozma may still be able to set up on them with Iron Defense and Calm Mind. Examples of Dark-types that typically run Life Orb include Weavile and Protean Greninja.
**Stallbreakers**: Most stallbreakers carry ways to prevent Necrozma from boosting or recovering. Taunt in particular shuts Necrozma down, leaving it with an incredibly weak Stored Power and allowing it to be worn down and beaten.
**Status/Haze Walls**: Most walls in the OU metagame have a way to either nullify Necrozma or put it on a timer. Pokemon like Chansey can use Toxic, wearing Necrozma down quickly and forcing it to attack rather than continually boost. Haze users, such as Mantine, can reset Necrozma's boosts and reduce Stored Power's Base Power back down to 20, leaving it pitifully weak.
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