OU Darmanitan

[Rabia]

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf enables Darmanitan to threaten a wider range of Pokemon, including Zeraora, Dragapult, and Hydreigon, with its powerful Attack, makes it harder to trap with Dugtrio, and improves its potential as a late-game cleaner. U-turn lets Darmanitan keep momentum up by pivoting out of bad matchups. Earthquake hits Tyranitar hard and provides coverage for Toxapex. Trick enables Darmanitan to cripple switch-ins like Rotom-H, Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Hippowdon.

Darmanitan should always be paired with Torkoal; it provides sun, which greatly strengthens Flare Blitz's power, Stealth Rock to weaken checks like Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Rotom-W, and Rapid Spin, helping keep Darmanitan healthy. Torkoal can also cripple Darmanitan's checks such as Kommo-o and Dragapult with status. Similarly, Mandibuzz is a very useful teammate because it provides Defog support and checks Dragapult. Dugtrio is fantastic support; it traps Toxapex, making it much easier to reliably spam Flare Blitz. Other Pokemon that can take advantage of sun, such as Venusaur, also make excellent teammates; Venusaur can also pressure Water-types and weaken checks to Darmanitan like Rotom-H, making it easier for Darmanitan to clean late-game.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band Darmanitan sacrifices a greater Speed tier for raw power, 2HKOing even bulky, resistant foes like Toxapex, Kommo-o, and Rotom-H with sun-boosted Flare Blitz. U-turn lets Darmanitan pivot out of unfavorable matchups and bring in the appropriate check, keeping up momentum. Earthquake gives Darmanitan stronger coverage for Tyranitar and helps remove Toxapex. Trick is nice for crippling Pokemon like Kommo-o that can take multiple Flare Blitzes outside of sun, although Fire Punch is a good alternative STAB attack that doesn't inflict recoil damage.

Sun support from Torkoal is mandatory, as it lets Darmanitan pick up 2HKOs it wouldn't be able to otherwise. Torkoal also provides Stealth Rock to get chip damage on Darmanitan checks like Kommo-o and Toxapex and Rapid Spin to help Darmanitan's longevity. Mandibuzz is also a helpful source of entry hazard removal that provides a check to Pokemon such as Dragapult that outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan. Venusaur makes for a useful partner, threatening Water-types and helping weaken shared checks such as Kommo-o.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [Ruft, 295110]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]

 

[Rabia]

 

[readytolose]

Feel like Zen Headbutt should be slashed with EQ, and arguably the primary slash. It’s your best option against the very common defensive Kommo-o, also does more against Keldeo and Pelipper, still covers Toxapex and Terrakion, and at least does neutral to Rotoms and Seismitoad. Kommo-o is the big target though and there’s not much opportunity cost for running it at all, save for the miss chance and missing out on Cinderace, Torkoal, and Tyranitar I guess.

Edit: the more I think about it, the more I realize there’s hardly any reason to use EQ, just completely replace it with Zen Headbutt imo.

 

[Jordy]

Feel like Zen Headbutt should be slashed with EQ, and arguably the primary slash. It’s your best option against the very common defensive Kommo-o, also does more against Keldeo and Pelipper, still covers Toxapex and Terrakion, and at least does neutral to Rotoms and Seismitoad. Kommo-o is the big target though and there’s not much opportunity cost for running it at all, save for the miss chance and missing out on Cinderace, Torkoal, and Tyranitar I guess.

Edit: the more I think about it, the more I realize there’s hardly any reason to use EQ, just completely replace it with Zen Headbutt imo.

I disagree. Against all the mentioned Pokemon, using U-turn is almost always much more favorable. You really never click anything other than Flare Blitz, U-turn, or Trick anyways, but Earthquake is definitely the best filler move because it's a stronger move against Tyranitar that also covers Toxapex.

comments in purple things to remove in red

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf enables Darmanitan to threaten a wider range of Pokemon, including Zeraora, Dragapult, and Hydreigon, with its powerful attack, makes it harder to trap with Dugtrio, and improves its potential as a late-game cleaner. U-turn lets Darmanitan keep momentum up by pivoting out of bad matchups. Earthquake provides crucial coverage for Kommo-o as well as Water-types like Toxapex and Seismitoad. It does not do this. It's just a strong option against Tyranitar that still covers Toxapex. Trick enables Darmanitan to cripple switch-ins like Rotom-H, Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Hippowdon.

Darmanitan should always be paired with Torkoal; it provides sun, which greatly strengthens Flare Blitz's power, Stealth Rock to weaken checks like Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Rotom-W, and Rapid Spin, helping keep Darmanitan healthy. You could note that it cripples some checks too. Similarly, Mandibuzz is a very useful teammate because it provides Defog support. Darmanitan can give Dragapult turns as well, so you may want to note that Mandibuzz can keep it in check. Dugtrio is fantastic support; it traps Toxapex, making it much easier to reliably spam Flare Blitz. Other Pokemon that can take advantage of sun, such as Venusaur, also make excellent teammates; Venusaur can also pressure Water-types and weaken checks it shares with Darmanitan like Kommo-o and Rotom-H, making it easier for Darmanitan to clean late-game. It doesn't really do a great job at wearing Kommo-o down because of Bulletproof.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band Darmanitan sacrifices a greater Speed tier for raw power, 2HKOing even bulky, resistant foes like Toxapex, Kommo-o, and Rotom-H with sun-boosted Flare Blitz. U-turn lets Darmanitan pivot out of unfavorable matchups and bring in the appropriate check, keeping up momentum. Earthquake gives Darmanitan coverage for Kommo-o as well as Water-types such as Toxapex and Seismitoad, allowing Darmanitan to hit such Pokemon hard without taking recoil damage. No sir. Trick is nice for crippling Pokemon like Rotom-H and Kommo-o that can take multiple Flare Blitzes outside of sun, although Fire Punch is a good alternative STAB attack that doesn't inflict recoil damage.

Sun support from Torkoal is mandatory, as it lets Darmanitan pick up 2HKOs it wouldn't be able to otherwise. Torkoal also provides Stealth Rock to get chip damage on Darmanitan checks like Kommo-o and Toxapex and Rapid Spin to help Darmanitan's longevity. Mandibuzz is also a helpful source of entry hazard removal that provides a check to Pokemon such as Dragapult that outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan. Venusaur makes for a useful partner, threatening Water-types and helping weaken shared checks such as Kommo-o and Rotom-H.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

Good job, 1/2.

 

[Rabia]

I disagree. Against all the mentioned Pokemon, using U-turn is almost always much more favorable. You really never click anything other than Flare Blitz, U-turn, or Trick anyways, but Earthquake is definitely the best filler move because it's a stronger move against Tyranitar that also covers Toxapex.

comments in purple things to remove in red

Good job, 1/2.

ok jordy that's very neat

 

[readytolose]

I disagree. Against all the mentioned Pokemon, using U-turn is almost always much more favorable. You really never click anything other than Flare Blitz, U-turn, or Trick anyways, but Earthquake is definitely the best filler move because it's a stronger move against Tyranitar that also covers Toxapex.

First off, defensive Kommo-o is way more common than Tyranitar. While it may take a lot from sun-boosted Flare Blitz, Zen Headbutt does even more to it, letting you potentially 2HKO with some prior damage with the Scarf set, whereas with Flare Blitz you can only manage a 3HKO under Sun at best. From a choice band set Zen Headbutt cleanly 2HKOs where Sun boosted Flare Blitz is a lot more dicey, especially if they have Protect. And of course this all hinges on Sun being up, if it isn’t you NEED Zen Headbutt to even reach these levels of damage against Kommo-o. Now that all this is established, this important because a) Kommo-o is very common, and b) Kommo-o is effective at limiting the sun matchup. It can act as a soft check to both Venusaur and Darmanitan and isn’t weak to Dugtrio either unless it’s significantly worn down. While Tyranitar also can annoy Sun teams, it’s all of less common than Kommo-o, vulnerable to trapping from Dugtrio who is a mandatory partner, and it takes a billion from U-turn anyways. I can apply that same U-turn argument to it. If I have Darmanitan out and I predict a Tyranitar switch-in, I’m sure as hell not clicking Earthquake, I’m clicking the risk-free U-turn, doing a ton of damage to Tyranitar, then trapping and removing it with Dugtrio. If they have Shed Shell good for them, but I’ve still done enough with U-turn that they can’t switch in again.

The fact that Zen Headbutt does the same or better against most other relevant targets is second to my original point but still worth noting, you don’t really lose out on much else for running it. Like I understand if you don’t want to have it listed as the primary move on the set, but not even MENTIONING it in the set details is baffling to me.

 

[Ruft]

comments in blue things to remove in red

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf enables Darmanitan to threaten a wider range of Pokemon, including Zeraora, Dragapult, and Hydreigon, with its powerful attack, makes it harder to trap with Dugtrio, and improves its potential as a late-game cleaner. U-turn lets Darmanitan keep momentum up by pivoting out of bad matchups. Earthquake hits Tyranitar hard and provides coverage for Toxapex. Trick enables Darmanitan to cripple switch-ins like Rotom-H, Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Hippowdon.

Darmanitan should always be paired with Torkoal; it provides sun, which greatly strengthens Flare Blitz's power, Stealth Rock to weaken checks like Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Rotom-W, and Rapid Spin, helping keep Darmanitan healthy. Torkoal can also cripple Darmanitan's checks such as Kommo-o and Dragapult with status. Similarly, Mandibuzz is a very useful teammate because it provides Defog support and checks Dragapult. Dugtrio is fantastic support; it traps Toxapex, making it much easier to reliably spam Flare Blitz. Other Pokemon that can take advantage of sun, such as Venusaur, also make excellent teammates; Venusaur can also pressure Water-types and weaken checks it shares with Darmanitan like Rotom-H, making it easier for Darmanitan to clean late-game. I don't think Rotom-H is much of a Venusaur check since it drops to a +2 Sludge Bomb; I'd say it's a check to Choice Scarf Darmanitan though.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band Darmanitan sacrifices a greater Speed tier for raw power, 2HKOing even bulky, resistant foes like Toxapex, Kommo-o, and Rotom-H with sun-boosted Flare Blitz. U-turn lets Darmanitan pivot out of unfavorable matchups and bring in the appropriate check, keeping up momentum. Earthquake gives Darmanitan stronger coverage for Tyranitar and helps remove Toxapex. Trick is nice for crippling Pokemon like Rotom-H and Kommo-o that can take multiple Flare Blitzes outside of sun, although Fire Punch is a good alternative STAB attack that doesn't inflict recoil damage. Rotom-H can't actually take multiple Flare Blitzes even outside of sun: 252 Atk Choice Band Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Heat: 190-224 (62.7 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO.

Sun support from Torkoal is mandatory, as it lets Darmanitan pick up 2HKOs it wouldn't be able to otherwise. Torkoal also provides Stealth Rock to get chip damage on Darmanitan checks like Kommo-o and Toxapex and Rapid Spin to help Darmanitan's longevity. Mandibuzz is also a helpful source of entry hazard removal that provides a check to Pokemon such as Dragapult that outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan. Venusaur makes for a useful partner, threatening Water-types and helping weaken shared checks such as Kommo-o and Rotom-H. I think you can leave out Rotom-H altogether here since it's not a great check to either Venusaur or Choice Band Darmanitan: 252 Atk Choice Band Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Heat in Sun: 285-336 (94 - 110.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

Good stuff once again, 2/2.

 

[Rabia]

comments in blue things to remove in red

Good stuff once again, 2/2.

yay again

 

[Astra]

add remove (comments)

the monkey

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf enables Darmanitan to threaten a wider range of Pokemon, including Zeraora, Dragapult, and Hydreigon, with its powerful attack Attack, makes it harder to trap with Dugtrio, and improves its potential as a late-game cleaner. U-turn lets Darmanitan keep momentum up by pivoting out of bad matchups. Earthquake hits Tyranitar hard and provides coverage for Toxapex. Trick enables Darmanitan to cripple switch-ins like Rotom-H, Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Hippowdon.

Darmanitan should always be paired with Torkoal; it provides sun, which greatly strengthens Flare Blitz's power, Stealth Rock to weaken checks like Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Rotom-W, and Rapid Spin, helping keep Darmanitan healthy. Torkoal can also cripple Darmanitan's checks such as Kommo-o and Dragapult with status. Similarly, Mandibuzz is a very useful teammate because it provides Defog support and checks Dragapult. Dugtrio is fantastic support; it traps Toxapex, making it much easier to reliably spam Flare Blitz. Other Pokemon that can take advantage of sun, such as Venusaur, also make excellent teammates; Venusaur can also pressure Water-types and weaken checks to Darmanitan like Rotom-H, making it easier for Darmanitan to clean late-game.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band Darmanitan sacrifices a greater Speed tier for raw power, 2HKOing even bulky, resistant foes like Toxapex, Kommo-o, and Rotom-H with sun-boosted Flare Blitz. U-turn lets Darmanitan pivot out of unfavorable matchups and bring in the appropriate check, keeping up momentum. Earthquake gives Darmanitan stronger coverage for Tyranitar and helps remove Toxapex. Trick is nice for crippling Pokemon like Kommo-o that can take multiple Flare Blitzes outside of sun, although Fire Punch is a good alternative STAB attack that doesn't inflict recoil damage.

Sun support from Torkoal is mandatory, as it lets Darmanitan pick up 2HKOs it wouldn't be able to otherwise. Torkoal also provides Stealth Rock to get chip damage on Darmanitan checks like Kommo-o and Toxapex and Rapid Spin to help Darmanitan's longevity. Mandibuzz is also a helpful source of entry hazard removal that provides a check to Pokemon such as Dragapult that outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan. Venusaur makes for a useful partner, threatening Water-types and helping weaken shared checks such as Kommo-o.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [Ruft, 295110]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

1/1 the monkey

 

[Rabia]

add remove (comments)

the monkey

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf enables Darmanitan to threaten a wider range of Pokemon, including Zeraora, Dragapult, and Hydreigon, with its powerful attack Attack, makes it harder to trap with Dugtrio, and improves its potential as a late-game cleaner. U-turn lets Darmanitan keep momentum up by pivoting out of bad matchups. Earthquake hits Tyranitar hard and provides coverage for Toxapex. Trick enables Darmanitan to cripple switch-ins like Rotom-H, Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Hippowdon.

Darmanitan should always be paired with Torkoal; it provides sun, which greatly strengthens Flare Blitz's power, Stealth Rock to weaken checks like Kommo-o, Toxapex, and Rotom-W, and Rapid Spin, helping keep Darmanitan healthy. Torkoal can also cripple Darmanitan's checks such as Kommo-o and Dragapult with status. Similarly, Mandibuzz is a very useful teammate because it provides Defog support and checks Dragapult. Dugtrio is fantastic support; it traps Toxapex, making it much easier to reliably spam Flare Blitz. Other Pokemon that can take advantage of sun, such as Venusaur, also make excellent teammates; Venusaur can also pressure Water-types and weaken checks to Darmanitan like Rotom-H, making it easier for Darmanitan to clean late-game.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Trick / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band Darmanitan sacrifices a greater Speed tier for raw power, 2HKOing even bulky, resistant foes like Toxapex, Kommo-o, and Rotom-H with sun-boosted Flare Blitz. U-turn lets Darmanitan pivot out of unfavorable matchups and bring in the appropriate check, keeping up momentum. Earthquake gives Darmanitan stronger coverage for Tyranitar and helps remove Toxapex. Trick is nice for crippling Pokemon like Kommo-o that can take multiple Flare Blitzes outside of sun, although Fire Punch is a good alternative STAB attack that doesn't inflict recoil damage.

Sun support from Torkoal is mandatory, as it lets Darmanitan pick up 2HKOs it wouldn't be able to otherwise. Torkoal also provides Stealth Rock to get chip damage on Darmanitan checks like Kommo-o and Toxapex and Rapid Spin to help Darmanitan's longevity. Mandibuzz is also a helpful source of entry hazard removal that provides a check to Pokemon such as Dragapult that outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan. Venusaur makes for a useful partner, threatening Water-types and helping weaken shared checks such as Kommo-o.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [Ruft, 295110]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

1/1 the monkey
View attachment 227403

QUIT MONKEYIN AROUND