[OVERVIEW]
Arceus-Fairy is a staple within the Anything Goes metagame thanks to its great offensive and defensive typing, expansive movepool, and impressive natural bulk. Due to this, it can reliably take on many potent threats within the metagame, such as Marshadow, Mega Sableye, Yveltal, and Zygarde-C. The ability to check these Pokemon makes Arceus-Fairy incredibly useful on balance teams that are often threatened by them otherwise. Arceus-Fairy's extensive movepool also allows it to be relatively unpredictable, with access to a plethora of coverage and status moves. This allows Arceus-Fairy to take on or impair most threats without much difficulty. However, Arceus-Fairy's crippling weakness to both Shadow Tag users limits its potential significantly. Additionally, while Fairy is often a great offensive typing, Arceus-Fairy is limited in its offensive capabilties by Necrozma-DM, which counters it. Arceus-Fairy is also heavily impaired by the myriad of other Steel-types in the metagame, in addition to Ho-Oh, Primal Groudon, and Arceus-Poison.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Judgment
move 2: Recover
move 3: Stealth Rock / Defog
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Pixie Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Bold
evs: 240 HP / 180 Def / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Judgment is Arceus-Fairy's strongest STAB move, allowing it to OHKO Marshadow, Yveltal, and Mega Rayquaza after Stealth Rock damage while doing substantial damage to Zygarde-C and Giratina. Recover ensures Arceus-Fairy can preserve its health throughout the match to let it switch into attacks such as Yveltal's Oblivion Wing repeatedly. Stealth Rock is a great option, as Arceus-Fairy is able to force out Mega Sableye and Yveltal, the latter of which may be equipped with Defog. Defog can be slotted onto Arceus-Fairy if entry hazard removal is hard to fit; however, its weakness to common trappers and hazard setters makes Defog a subpar option. Toxic allows Arceus-Fairy to deal with a few common switch-ins in Ho-Oh and Primal Groudon, ensuring these Pokemon cannot come in freely. Will-O-Wisp provides Arceus-Fairy with a way to impair Necrozma-DM and other Steel-types but is usually less useful than Toxic, as Necrozma-DM still threatens Arceus-Fairy, and other Steel-types can shrug off the burn damage with Leftovers and Leech Seed.
Set Details
========
240 HP and 180 Defense EVs coupled with a Bold nature allow Arceus-Fairy to repeatedly switch in on Zygarde's Thousand Arrows, Marshadow's Spectral Thief, and other common physical attacks without much concern. 88 Speed EVs enable Arceus-Fairy to outspeed maximum Speed neutral-natured base 99s, which include Xerneas and primarily Yveltal. If outspeeding Yveltal isn't a major concern, investing the Speed EVs into HP and Defense can make Arceus-Fairy's matchup against Life Orb Mega Rayquaza much better, as maximum HP and Defense allow Arceus-Fairy to take a +1 Dragon Ascent after Stealth Rock much more often. Alternatively, Arceus-Fairy can run the same set with 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe and a Timid nature to outspeed Mega Rayquaza and Speed tie with other maximum Speed Arceus formes. Pixie Plate gives Arceus-Fairy's already potent Judgment a slight boost.
Usage Tips
========
Use Arceus-Fairy's defensive typing strategically by switching into Pokemon whose attacks it resists and capitalizing on opportunities to spread status and set or remove entry hazards. Utilize Recover to carefully preserve Arceus-Fairy throughout the match. Play Arceus-Fairy extremely carefully against teams with Shadow Tag users such as Mega Gengar and Gothitelle, as letting it get trapped by either almost always results in Arceus-Fairy fainting. Prevent Arceus-Fairy from gaining a status ailment, as it won't be able to reliably check Pokemon it would normally have no issue with. If opposing Mega Rayquaza are revealed to be holding a Choice Scarf or Lum Berry, keep Arceus-Fairy healthy so it can be used as a check. Avoid revealing Will-O-Wisp against opposing teams unless you are sure that Necrozma-DM or another Pokemon that does not appreciate being burned will switch in.
Team Options
========
Pursuit trappers such as Tyranitar and Marshadow can remove common Mega Gengar sets that would otherwise make Arceus-Fairy a lot worse from matchup. Pokemon that can reliably check Necrozma-DM, such as Arceus-Dark, Arceus-Water, and Yveltal, are good teammates, as Arceus-Fairy can use a turn to perform whatever function is required without worrying about a potential Necrozma-DM switch-in. Reliable checks for Primal Groudon, such as Zygarde-C and Arceus-Ground, make for good teammates, as they can deal with one of Arceus-Fairy's biggest threats. Primal Groudon is an excellent option because it can capitalize off Steel- and Poison-types that appreciate Arceus-Fairy's inability to hit them both while benefiting from Arceus-Fairy taking on Primal Groudon's weaknesses in Yveltal and Zygarde-C. Gothitelle can remove bulky Steel-types and Arceus-Poison for Arceus-Fairy so that it can freely use Toxic without concern. Reliable defensive answers to Mega Rayquaza, such as Arceus-Rock and Tyranitar, are incredibly useful, as Arceus-Fairy is unable to switch into both Choice Band and Life Orb variants. Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Lunala appreciate Arceus-Fairy's ability to efficiently and repeatedly switch into Yveltal. Mega Gengar specifically appreciates Arceus-Fairy's matchup versus Zygarde-C. Primal Kyogre can handle many of Arceus-Fairy's common checks well but can miss out on Blissey, Chansey, and Ferrothorn depending on which set it runs.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Judgment
move 2: Calm Mind
move 3: Recover
move 4: Earth Power / Fire Blast
item: Pixie Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Judgment is Arceus-Fairy's most powerful attack, with boosts from both STAB and Pixie Plate solidifying its necessity. Calm Mind allows Arceus-Fairy to boost both its Special Attack and Special Defense so that it can break through offensive teams more easily. Recover provides longevity for Arceus-Fairy so that it can't be whittled down by repeated attacks. Earth Power gives Arceus-Fairy the ability to hit Primal Groudon and Mega Gengar for maximum damage. Fire Blast is Arceus-Fairy's best option to hit Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory, even OHKOing the latter two after a single Calm Mind. It also is Arceus-Fairy's best option to hit Necrozma-DM; however, this still requires boosts to do substantial damage. Flamethrower is another option over Fire Blast for improved accuracy, but it gives Arceus-Fairy an even harder time against Celesteela and Necrozma-DM.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Arceus-Fairy to outspeed Mega Rayquaza and Speed tie with opposing Arceus formes. Maximum HP investment gives Arceus-Fairy the ability to survive a Choice Band-boosted Dragon Ascent from Mega Rayquaza while also allowing it to take on Marshadow and Zygarde better. Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy can instead run a spread of 108 Def / 148 SpA / 252 Spe with a Timid Nature to have a 98.8% chance to 2HKO opposing support Arceus formes after a single Calm Mind while still being able to take a Choice Band-boosted Dragon Ascent from Mega Rayquaza, but sacrificing overall bulk usually isn't worth it. Pixie Plate boosts Judgment slightly, whereas any other item would make Arceus and Judgment Normal-type.
Usage Tips
========
Try to remove Arceus-Fairy's defensive switch-ins like Necrozma-DM before setting up, as Arceus-Fairy is unable to reliably break it. Use Arceus-Fairy to switch into Pokemon it checks, such as Marshadow and Zygarde, if required before potentially setting up late-game. Play carefully around Shadow Tag users, using Calm Mind when necessary. Even though Mega Gengar can't break through Arceus-Fairy after multiple uses of Calm Mind, it can still use Taunt, Disable, or Destiny Bond to ensure that Arceus-Fairy is removed. Avoid getting hit by Toxic or Thunder Wave, as these status conditions can make Arceus-Fairy a lot less effective for the remainder of the match.
Team Options
========
Offensive checks to Necrozma-DM and Primal Groudon such as Life Orb Yveltal and Swords Dance Arceus-Ground make for great teammates, as they allow Arceus-Fairy to sweep more easily late-game. Necrozma-DM appreciates having Arceus-Fairy as a team member due to its ability to cover Yveltal and Arceus-Dark efficiently, whereas Necrozma-DM can switch in on Arceus-Poison and multiple common Steel-types to aid Arceus-Fairy. Primal Groudon is also an effective teammate, dealing with Steel- and Poison-types that force Arceus-Fairy out and with Pokemon that can overwhelm Arceus-Fairy with special moves, such as Primal Kyogre and Geomancy Xerneas. Arceus-Rock or Tyranitar can be used to reliably check Ho-Oh, which walls Arceus-Fairy. Calm Mind Arceus-Fairy appreciates having entry hazard support to sweep more easily. Stealth Rock from Primal Groudon or a support Arceus forme is extremely beneficial to have. A setter of Spikes is also very useful; however, it may be difficult to fit due to its limited distribution. Mega Rayquaza can remove many of the Steel-types that can switch in on Arceus-Fairy while also dealing with Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh relatively well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A lead set can be run with extra utility over Recover to take advantage of Arceus-Fairy's ability to force out Magic Bounce users like Mega Sableye and reliably set up Stealth Rock. This set often includes Judgment, Stealth Rock, Roar, and Toxic. Stone Edge can be used to lure in and KO Ho-Oh; however, without significant Attack investment, Arceus-Fairy struggles to OHKO even offensive variants. Perish Song can be slotted on the support set to deal with Baton Pass teams efficiently, especially if they lack Mr. Mime. Roar can be run on the support set without sacrificing recovery to deal with opposing setup sweepers and Gothitelle. However, if the Gothitelle user knows that Arceus-Fairy is running Roar, they can prevent being phazed by repeatedly using Taunt and Rest. Thunder on the Calm Mind set gives Arceus-Fairy an option to hit Celesteela, Ho-Oh, and Skarmory somewhat efficiently. It should only really be considered if Ho-Oh is unable to be dealt with effectively by another teammate. Will-O-Wisp is an option on the Calm Mind set to weaken incoming Necrozma-DM and Arceus-Poison, but it's often not as useful as the respective attacks to hit either. Iron Defense on the Calm Mind set allows Arceus-Fairy to set up against many offensive builds, although it is virtually useless if the opposing team has a Marshadow still remaining. Refresh is a mediocre option on both sets but does still serve a relevant purpose. It is, however, often not worth sacrificing another moveslot for. Arceus-Fairy can also run maximum Special Attack investment on Calm Mind sets, but this is rarely ever worth it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Shadow Tag**: Gothitelle and Mega Gengar both easily remove Arceus-Fairy without much to fear in return. Offensive Mega Gengar sets may be unable to eliminate Earth Power variants of Arceus-Fairy if it has already used Calm Mind once.
**Steel-types**: Arceus-Fairy is unable to deal with any Necrozma-DM sets effectively; however, its power can be sufficiently weakened by Will-O-Wisp. Even while burned, Necrozma-DM checks Arceus-Fairy quite reliably. Prism Armor makes all of Arceus-Fairy's coverage attacks relatively weak and unable to deal sufficient damage. Other more defensive Steel-types like Celesteela, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Magearna can all deal with defensive variants of Arceus-Fairy without much hassle, although offensive variants of Arceus-Fairy can overwhelm the former three.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh can easily switch into all of Arceus-Fairy's attacks while shrugging off Toxic due to its ability Regenerator. Arceus-Fairy can stall out Ho-Oh with Toxic and require it to switch out if Arceus-Fairy is unable to be badly poisoned due to an alternate status ailment.
**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon can switch into any of Arceus-Fairy's attacks reliably except Earth Power. Due to this, it can find many ways to take advantage of Arceus-Fairy, such as using Swords Dance, setting up Stealth Rock, or firing off a powerful attack. Primal Groudon should still be wary of residual damage from moves like Toxic, though.
**Arceus-Poison**: Arceus-Poison handles support variants of Arceus-Fairy extremely well without any concerns; however, some defensive Arceus-Poison sets may struggle against Calm Mind + Earth Power Arceus-Fairy.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Blissey and Chansey are both able to reliably stall Arceus-Fairy with Toxic in conjunction with Confide and Soft-Boiled. Clefable is unable to be 3HKOed due to Unaware and Leftovers, and it can easily deal with Arceus-Fairy as a result.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Chloe, 262044]]
- Quality checked by: [[Catalystic, 314467], [PurpleGatorade, 327652], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [lotiasite, 302985]]
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