QC: Nayrz / Sweep / Minority Suspect
GP: GatoDelFuego / Haund
[SET]
name: Perish Trap
move 1: Perish Song
move 2: Whirlpool
move 3: Judgment
move 4: Recover
item: Dread Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Perish Song limits your foe to only three turns of play, which coupled with Whirlpool prevents the opponent from switching out. Judgment is Dark Arceus's main attack and is very useful to get off chip damage or even knock out the foe at low HP. Judgment also hits a lot of common Pokemon super effectively, such as Lugia, Giratina-O, and Ghost Arceus, and it also hits the Ghost-types that cannot be trapped by Whirlpool. Recover is used to help Dark Arceus survive longer when a foe is trapped.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs help Dark Arceus outspeed maximum Speed base 110s like Mega Diancie, Latios, and Latias. 248 HP EVs are used to maximize Dark Arceus's bulk and to also minimize entry hazard damage. The remaining EVs are poured into Defense, since most of the Pokemon that are pressuring Dark Arceus will be physical attackers. Maximum Speed investment is another option that Dark Arceus can use so that it will outspeed or, at worst, Speed tie with Ghost Arceus, preventing it from being KOed by a Brick Break or Focus Blast if it wins the tie and has not been weakened much.
Usage Tips
========
Dark Arceus should be used against bulkier Pokemon that cannot do much damage to it, such as Ferrothorn, Klefki, Water Arceus and other Arceus formes, and Blissey, so that it is able to stall them out successfully. However, some bulky Pokemon such as Ho-Oh can deal a lot of damage to Dark Arceus, preventing it from successfully trapping and KOing them. Since Dark Arceus will usually only be in play for about four turns at a time, and most of those turns will be it using Recover, Dark Arceus does not really care about being burned, but really fears Toxic due to the great increase in damage taken every turn. Dark Arceus's great typing means it should be switched in on very prominent threats in the metagame, such as Giratina-O, Lugia, and Ghost Arceus. Some setup Pokemon can be very scary and sometimes it might be worth it to get off a sacrificial Perish Song to threaten these Pokemon out. Be wary of Primal Groudon when it switches in, as it is unaffected by Whirlpool and as such cannot be trapped and will get a free turn. Dark Arceus also lures in Klefki and deals with it well, which means that balanced teams can get broken down quite easily by Dark Arceus; however, Klefki will usually be able to significantly damage Dark Arceus in the process. When using this set, keep in mind that once Dark Arceus traps a Pokemon with Whirlpool, it does not have to stay in, as switching out can also be a good option after trapping a Pokemon, since you can switch to a check while the opponent's only option is to stay in.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon is known for being able to pair well with almost any Pokemon, and Dark Arceus is no exception. Dark Arceus really appreciates Primal Groudon's ability to take on Xerneas, as well as having a switch-in to Klefki to avoid Thunder Wave and Toxic while limiting the layers of Spikes it can set up. Since Dark Arceus is a stallbreaker and is overwhelmed by offense, combinations of partners that can deal with offense are helpful. Giratina-O can switch in, avoid the 2HKO from Primal Groudon, and will be able to help out a lot by threatening Primal Groudon out, since Whirlpool cannot hit it through harsh sunlight. Klefki is also a nice partner, as it is able to paralyze and cripple opposing threats, as well as set up Spikes. Not only that, but Klefki is also helpful to have for the ever-common Fairies that give Dark Arceus so much trouble. Dialga is able to take on the very threatening Mega Salamence as well as set up Stealth Rock. Although Dark Arceus is able to deal with Pokemon such as Deoxys-A and Mewtwo, it is a good idea to have a secondary answer to these Pokemon, since their Speed allows them to come in and revenge kill Dark Arceus when it is not at full HP. Xerneas really appreciates this set, since it is heavily walled by Blissey and Klefki, two Pokemon that Dark Arceus deals with quite easily, and it can really get to work after they are taken care of.
GP: GatoDelFuego / Haund
[SET]
name: Perish Trap
move 1: Perish Song
move 2: Whirlpool
move 3: Judgment
move 4: Recover
item: Dread Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Perish Song limits your foe to only three turns of play, which coupled with Whirlpool prevents the opponent from switching out. Judgment is Dark Arceus's main attack and is very useful to get off chip damage or even knock out the foe at low HP. Judgment also hits a lot of common Pokemon super effectively, such as Lugia, Giratina-O, and Ghost Arceus, and it also hits the Ghost-types that cannot be trapped by Whirlpool. Recover is used to help Dark Arceus survive longer when a foe is trapped.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs help Dark Arceus outspeed maximum Speed base 110s like Mega Diancie, Latios, and Latias. 248 HP EVs are used to maximize Dark Arceus's bulk and to also minimize entry hazard damage. The remaining EVs are poured into Defense, since most of the Pokemon that are pressuring Dark Arceus will be physical attackers. Maximum Speed investment is another option that Dark Arceus can use so that it will outspeed or, at worst, Speed tie with Ghost Arceus, preventing it from being KOed by a Brick Break or Focus Blast if it wins the tie and has not been weakened much.
Usage Tips
========
Dark Arceus should be used against bulkier Pokemon that cannot do much damage to it, such as Ferrothorn, Klefki, Water Arceus and other Arceus formes, and Blissey, so that it is able to stall them out successfully. However, some bulky Pokemon such as Ho-Oh can deal a lot of damage to Dark Arceus, preventing it from successfully trapping and KOing them. Since Dark Arceus will usually only be in play for about four turns at a time, and most of those turns will be it using Recover, Dark Arceus does not really care about being burned, but really fears Toxic due to the great increase in damage taken every turn. Dark Arceus's great typing means it should be switched in on very prominent threats in the metagame, such as Giratina-O, Lugia, and Ghost Arceus. Some setup Pokemon can be very scary and sometimes it might be worth it to get off a sacrificial Perish Song to threaten these Pokemon out. Be wary of Primal Groudon when it switches in, as it is unaffected by Whirlpool and as such cannot be trapped and will get a free turn. Dark Arceus also lures in Klefki and deals with it well, which means that balanced teams can get broken down quite easily by Dark Arceus; however, Klefki will usually be able to significantly damage Dark Arceus in the process. When using this set, keep in mind that once Dark Arceus traps a Pokemon with Whirlpool, it does not have to stay in, as switching out can also be a good option after trapping a Pokemon, since you can switch to a check while the opponent's only option is to stay in.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon is known for being able to pair well with almost any Pokemon, and Dark Arceus is no exception. Dark Arceus really appreciates Primal Groudon's ability to take on Xerneas, as well as having a switch-in to Klefki to avoid Thunder Wave and Toxic while limiting the layers of Spikes it can set up. Since Dark Arceus is a stallbreaker and is overwhelmed by offense, combinations of partners that can deal with offense are helpful. Giratina-O can switch in, avoid the 2HKO from Primal Groudon, and will be able to help out a lot by threatening Primal Groudon out, since Whirlpool cannot hit it through harsh sunlight. Klefki is also a nice partner, as it is able to paralyze and cripple opposing threats, as well as set up Spikes. Not only that, but Klefki is also helpful to have for the ever-common Fairies that give Dark Arceus so much trouble. Dialga is able to take on the very threatening Mega Salamence as well as set up Stealth Rock. Although Dark Arceus is able to deal with Pokemon such as Deoxys-A and Mewtwo, it is a good idea to have a secondary answer to these Pokemon, since their Speed allows them to come in and revenge kill Dark Arceus when it is not at full HP. Xerneas really appreciates this set, since it is heavily walled by Blissey and Klefki, two Pokemon that Dark Arceus deals with quite easily, and it can really get to work after they are taken care of.
Last edited: