[OVERVIEW]
* Arceus-Fighting is one of the unviable Arceus formes that suffers from being unreliable when compared to other Arceus formes. A little niche Arceus-Fighting may have as an offensive Fighting-type that checks Extreme Killer Arceus and Steel-types is completely overshadowed by Marshadow, and taking up an Arceus slot also increases opportunity cost.
* The ability to threaten Dark- and Steel-types isn't a good enough reason to use Arceus-Fighting when much more viable Pokemon like Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, and Xerneas can perform in similar roles while providing their unique utility options. When dealing with Dark-types, Arceus-Fighting risks immediately handing momentum to Fairy- and Ghost-types by using Judgment, and Arceus-Fighting's unfavorable matchup against Yveltal makes its effectiveness as a check to Dark-types more questionable.
* When attempting to perform as a bulky blanket check to setup sweepers, Arceus-Fighting's mediocre matchup against Zygarde and vulnerability to Mega Salamence and Rayquaza leave it completely outclassed by other support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water and Arceus-Ground that can additionally check other prominent threats like Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM.
* Arceus-Fighting can make an attempt to differentiate itself from other support Arceus formes by running a Calm Mind set. With a coverage move to punish Ghost- or Flying-types, Arceus-Fighting can hit many Pokemon found on offensive teams decently hard and take advantage of its Speed to effectively apply offensive pressure against them.
* Calm Mind Arceus-Fighting can also differentiate itself from other Calm Mind Arceus formes due to its ability to defeat Blissey and pressure Magearna harder. However, this set inevitably has to forgo either Shadow Ball to hit Ghost-types or Ice Beam to threaten Flying-types, and it is very easily checked by Fairy-types and Ho-Oh. Other Calm Mind Arceus formes like Arceus-Dark, Arceus-Flying, and Arceus-Ground prove to be much better alternatives due to their superior matchups against certain archetypes and ability to appropriately customize their sets thanks to their better offensive typing.
[SET]
name: Offensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Shadow Ball / Ice Beam
move 4: Recover
item: Fist Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind makes Arceus-Fighting harder for opposing support Arceus formes to take down. A boost in Special Defense can also reverse the matchup against Choice Scarf Yveltal, as Yveltal struggles to 2HKO Arceus-Fighting with a Calm Mind boost.
* Judgment hits Dark- and Steel-types hard, and with offensive investment and Calm Mind boosts, it becomes powerful enough to pose a greater threat to offensive foes. Threats like Primal Groudon, Necrozma-DM, and Yveltal that lack defensive investment risk getting OHKOed by +1 Judgment with some prior damage.
* Shadow Ball has perfect coverage alongside Judgment, and it prevents Arceus-Fighting from being fodder against Mega Gengar and Lunala. Shadow Ball also punishes Psychic-types like Mewtwo and Tapu Lele, which can switch into Judgment with ease.
* Ice Beam prevents Mega Salamence and Rayquaza from easily shutting down this set and provides Arceus-Fighting with a way to OHKO Zygarde and entirely avoid a Glare or Dragon Tail. Ice Beam also maintains Arceus-Fighting's ability to hit both formes of Giratina.
* Recover allows Arceus-Fighting to stay healthy while switching into Dark-types and setting up Calm Mind.
Set Details
========
* 252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Arceus-Fighting to fully take advantage of its Speed, making it tie at worst with other Arceus formes and making it an acceptable check to Mega Lucario. Maximum Special Attack EVs allow Arceus-Fighting to hit foes as hard as possible, increasing the chance it can be an effective threat against offensive teams that may struggle switching into it.
* Fist Plate and Multitype enable the use of Arceus-Fighting with a Fighting-type Judgment.
Usage Tips
========
* Arceus-Fighting's weakness to common Fairy- and Fighting-types restrict its opportunity to switch into many Pokemon in the tier. Lack of bulk investment further diminishes the chance that Arceus-Fighting can switch into a foe without getting 2HKOed. Safe pivoting is generally needed to bring in Arceus-Fighting unharmed, but switching into Dark-types or double switching into predicted Steel-types to threaten them are other options.
* Note that Arceus-Fighting's performance is very matchup-dependent, so it will be easily taken down even if it has set up. Choice Scarf Xerneas can switch into Arceus-Fighting multiple times, Mega Gengar can be troublesome if it traps unboosted Arceus-Fighting, and faster threats like Ultra Necrozma and Mega Mewtwo Y can easily OHKO Arceus-Fighting regardless of its Calm Mind boosts. Consider relying on a hit-and-run playstyle until these threats are dealt with.
* Matchups are relevant against defensive teams as well. Though Calm Mind-boosted Arceus-Fighting can effectively pressure Blissey, it struggles to break through Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Toxapex even with entry hazards. If either of these Pokemon exist on the opposing team, Arceus-Fighting will simply have to hope that it will generate momentum with double switching.
* Overall, Arceus-Fighting needs team support like a Stealth Rock setter, solid switch-ins to Fairy- and Flying-types, and effective countermeasures against faster foes and various Pokemon on defensive teams that resist Fighting.
Team Options
========
* Mega Gengar is a useful offensive partner, as Fairy-types like Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy risk getting trapped if they attempt to switch into Arceus-Fighting. Passive foes like Toxapex are vulnerable to Mega Gengar as well. Mega Gengar can also choose to run various options to hinder Arceus-Fighting's checks by forcing a trade with Destiny Bond or potentially removing Mega Salamence and Rayquaza with Icy Wind.
* Ho-Oh is going to be very difficult to handle, as defensive variants can check Arceus-Fighting even when Stealth Rock is up and immediately proceed to remove the entry hazard with Defog. Pokemon like Mega Salamence and Primal Kyogre can be considered appropriate offensive checks, and the former can switch into Ho-Oh more reliably. Offensive Stealth Rock users like Primal Groudon and Dialga are necessary to prevent Ho-Oh from pivoting into attacks liberally.
* Magearna is a helpful partner thanks to its ability to pivot into Fairy- and Flying-type attacks, as well as providing Arceus-Fighting with cleric support. Steel-types like Ferrothorn tend to switch into Magearna, and Magearna can take advantage of this to allow Arceus-Fighting to switch into an ideal setup target unharmed.
* Offensive partners like Xerneas and Yveltal can benefit from the pressure that Arceus-Fighting applies on Steel-types. Choice Scarf Xerneas can threaten Ultra Necrozma and Mega Salamence, while Yveltal can pressure Toxapex and other special walls, work with Arceus-Fighting to weaken Magearna, and threaten Ghost- and Psychic-types. These offensive partners can also pressure Mega Sableye.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Thunder can be used to defeat Ho-Oh with Stealth Rock support and deal more damage to Yveltal, Toxapex, and Arceus-Flying.
* Focus Blast in tandem with Fightinium Z can be considered, as the burst damage is strong enough to OHKO maximum HP support Arceus formes and Extreme Killer Arceus through Chople Berry after a Calm Mind boost and Stealth Rock damage. However, this leads to Arceus-Fighting's STAB move being inconsistent after the use of Z-Move, and the more accurate Fist Plate-boosted Judgment is just as powerful as Focus Blast.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh's enormous special bulk, resistance to Fighting, and Regenerator make it one of the hardest foes for Arceus-Fighting to deal with, and defensive variants are not even 2HKOed by +1 Arceus-Fighting after directly switching in when Stealth Rock is up. It can easily Toxic stall Arceus-Fighting or threaten back with its attacks.
**Fairy-types**: Arceus-Fairy can switch into Arceus-Fighting without any concern thanks to its resistance to Fighting, high bulk, and ability to immediately threaten back with Judgment. Xerneas, as long as it is not overly weakened, can switch into Arceus-Fighting and threaten back with Moonblast. Geomancy variants can set up on it, and Choice Scarf variants can more effectively revenge kill boosted Arceus-Fighting.
**Flying-types**: Unless Arceus-Fighting has Ice Beam, Flying-types like Mega Salamence and Arceus-Flying can easily switch into Arceus-Fighting and threaten back with their STAB attacks or proceed to set up.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types are dangerous foes that resist Judgment and can threaten Arceus-Fighting. Ultra Necrozma and Mega Mewtwo Y can switch into Arceus-Fighting at least once and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB moves. It is also worth noting that Ultra Necrozma can use its typing before Ultra Burst and Mega Mewtwo Y can use its high Special Defense to set up on Arceus-Fighting as well.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types still pose problems to Arceus-Fighting when it uses Shadow Ball to hit them super effectively. Mega Gengar can 2HKO Arceus-Fighting before Arceus-Fighting 2HKOes Mega Gengar in a one-on-one situation. Giratina-O can survive a boosted attack from full health and retaliate with a status move, and Marshadow can steal Calm Mind boosts with Spectral Thief. All of these Pokemon can immediately create favorable matchups if they successfully pivot into Judgment.
**Poison-types**: Toxapex is one of the most troublesome answers to Arceus-Fighting due to its resistance to Judgment and access to Haze. The rarer Arceus-Poison and Mega Venusaur can also wall Arceus-Fighting with relative ease.
**Status**: Toxic significantly hinders Arceus-Fighting's ability to set up Calm Mind while remaining healthy, and paralysis removes Arceus-Fighting's Speed advantage over slower foes like Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DMDW, 434601]]
- Quality checked by: [[Cynara, 224455], [Nayrz, 212134], [Minority, 222996]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [NixHex, 40064]]
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