Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
90
|
- |
321 |
384 |
- |
| Atk |
120
|
248 |
276 |
339 |
372 |
| Def |
120
|
248 |
276 |
339 |
372 |
| SpA |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| SpD |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| Spe |
50
|
122 |
136 |
199 |
218 |
Pretty basic physical / rapid spinning set. Switch into physical-only Pokémon and Rapid Spin or attack. Donphan does damn good damage. Hidden Power Rock is generally superior to Rock Slide because Donphan is too slow to go for the flinch on anything he'd be using Rock Slide on, Hidden Power Rock does more average damage, and has more PP, which can be quite useful vs. a stall team, which is when Rapid Spin Donphan really shines.
Basically the same thing. Donphan has great defense, which makes it a good pseudo hazer for things like Snorlax and Salamence.
This set is useful for four big reasons. The first is that as long as your opponent has Dusclops, Gengar, or some other Ghost alive, you won't be able to Rapid Spin. The Choice Band allows Donphan to 2HKO Dusclops with Earthquake and 2HKO Gengar with Rock Slide. The second is that Donphan has a horrible typing, as far as special resistances go, and matches it with an equally bad Special Defense. For this reason, Donphan has to either kill whatever special attacker is coming in with one hit, or switch out. Choice Band perfectly suits this sort of hit-and-run style of play. The third reason is that Donphan has a massive Attack stat. The fourth is sheer surprise. Donphan OHKOs Celebi with Hidden Power Bug, for instance, and nearly 2HKOs Suicune (it does 2HKO all other Waters).
Other Options
Counter is a nice surprise although Donphan shouldn't be taking much physical damage anyways, and does enough to Tyranitar with STAB Earthquake. Body Slam can Paralyze, that's about it.
EVs
You'll generally want max HP, and fairly equal Attack and Defense. Phazing Donphan needs a bit more Defense than others, and the Choice Bander needs a bit more Attack.
Opinion
This has the advantage over Claydol, Starmie, and other Rapid Spinners of actually being able to hurt the number one Rapid Spinner threat, Dusclops. However, it has serious problems with a lack of a real recovery move, and the fact that it's hurt by the Spikes it's coming in to spin. With how popular Substitute Skarmory has become, Donphan is a rather sad elephant when it's unable to spin vs. the flying tin can. Makes an excellent Dragon Dance Tyranitar counter, but has some troubles with Boah.
Counters
Donphan dies to anything special. Anything. Probably even another Donphan with Hidden Power Grass. It would not be surprising. The trick is just to get them in without dying to Donphan's massive Attack.
