[OVERVIEW]
* Good all-around stats and a Ghost typing make Arceus-Ghost one of the best spinblockers in Ubers.
* Ghost is a fantastic offensive typing thanks to its lack of resistances; this lets Arceus-Ghost force out the majority of the tier, giving it free turns to set up with Swords Dance.
* As a result of its natural bulk and typing, Arceus-Ghost can check Mega Lucario and Necrozma-DM, two Pokemon that, without Sticky Web set on their side of the field, are particularly threatening to Sticky Web teams
* Arceus-Ghost is very one-dimensional, as any set other than Swords Dance is outclassed by other Arceus formes.
* Arceus-Ghost's lack of notable resistances makes it hard for it to switch in without taking a big hit. This makes Arceus-Ghost's defensive capability quite limited.
* This limitation makes it difficult to justify using Arceus-Ghost on balance and stall archetypes, especially considering how much they rely on other Arceus forms to check threatening Pokemon and provide Defog support.
* It is hindered by the prominence of Pokemon that check it, such as Marshadow and Yveltal.
* Despite having a vast movepool, its coverage options are weak, and this makes Arceus-Ghost very reliant on its STAB move. This is a problem due to its main STAB move having low PP and taking two turns to use, which allows your opponent to play around attacks after Arceus-Ghost has used Never-Ending Nightmare.
* Overall, Arceus-Ghost is a great choice for a few specialized teams that require spinblocking. However, its opportunity cost of taking up an Arceus slot and the Z-Crystal while being weak to two top-tier threats means it is difficult to justify on any other team.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Force
move 3: Brick Break / Stone Edge
move 4: Substitute / Shadow Claw
item: Ghostium Z
ability: Multitype
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance allows Arceus-Ghost to boost its Attack and defeat bulkier Pokemon such as support Arceus formes with a boosted Z-Move.
* Shadow Force is Arceus-Ghost's strongest STAB move. It allows it to use a 190-Base Power Never-Ending Nightmare, which can OHKO the majority of bulky Pokemon when combined with Swords Dance boosts. However, the base move has limited PP and takes two turns to use, so your opponent can play around it by switching into a Normal-type or setting up a Substitute.
* Brick Break grants perfect coverage alongside Arceus-Ghost's STAB attack, providing it with a way to super effectively hit Normal- and Dark-types.
* Stone Edge can be used instead to beat Yveltal, Ho-Oh, and Mega Salamence while boosted without using being reliant on its Z-Move.
* Substitute is used to avoid status moves and Dragon Tail, helping Arceus-Ghost to set up on passive Pokemon that rely on status, such as Chansey, Celesteela, and defensive Zygarde-C. It also prevents Arceus-Ghost from being revenge killed by faster attackers or priority moves.
* Shadow Claw is an alternative STAB option that has more PP and deals damage the turn it's used, preventing your opponent from playing around it with Substitute or Normal-type switch-ins. However, its lower Base Power makes a less powerful Z-Move, so Arceus-Ghost can no longer OHKO support Arceus forms with a +2 Never-Ending Nightmare.
* Extreme Speed lets Arceus-Ghost KO Deoxys-A before it can move and revenge kill weakened sweepers.
* Recover provides Arceus-Ghost with recovery, allowing it to spinblock throughout the course of a match.
Set Details
========
* A Jolly nature with maximum Speed investment allow Arceus-Ghost to make the best use of its good Speed tier. This lets it speed tie with Mega Salamance and other Arceus formes, and it can outspeed Mega Lucario and everything slower.
* Maximum Attack investment allows Arceus-Ghost to hit as hard as possible. This allows it to KO defensive Primal Kyogre with +2 Shadow Force after Stealth Rock and defensive non-transformed Zygarde with a +2 Never-Ending Nightmare after a layer of Spikes.
* Ghostium Z allows Arceus-Ghost to use Never-Ending Nightmare, which is needed to break through defensive teams.
* Spooky Plate can be used if one of Arceus-Ghost's teammates is already using a Z-Crystal. However, this is generally an inferior option, as Arceus-Ghost struggles against the walls it's supposed to defeat without the help of a Z-Move.
Usage Tips
========
* Arceus-Ghost should be switched into potential Rapid Spin users such as Excadrill and Cloyster in order to spinblock.
* Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost is primarily a wallbreaker, capable of demolishing any non-resistant foe with a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare.
* Due to it's its high Speed and access to Extreme Speed, it can also function as a sweeper late-game.
* Be mindful of Arceus-Ghost's health. While it does have good natural bulk, Arceus-Ghost is weak to the two most common priority attacks in Ubers, Sucker Punch from Yveltal and Shadow Sneak from Marshadow and Giratina-O.
* Knowing when to use Never-Ending Nightmare is important. It should primarily be used to eliminate a problematic wall for Arceus-Ghost's teammates. If a Z-Move won't KO a foe and open a hole for a teammate, it's often better to save the Z-Move.
* Be mindful of your opponent switching into something Arceus-Ghost needs its Z-Move to kill. They may switch into a Pokemon that resists Ghost as an attempt to bait out its Z-Move.
* Due to Shadow Force taking two turns to use and having low PP, Arceus-Ghost can be stalled out by most defensive Pokemon after its Z-Move has been used.
* After its Z-Move has been used, teams with a Normal-type and a Ghost-type can stall out Arceus-Ghost by constantly switching, making it useless.
* Since Shadow Force takes two turns to use and Arceus-Ghost's coverage moves are weak, boosting or double switching on a predicted switch is often better than outright attacking.
Team Options
========
* Stealth Rock is mandatory to guarantee a few KOes such as the OHKO on offensive Yveltal and defensive Primal Kyogre with +2 Never Ending Nightmare. A good Stealth Rock user is Tyranitar, which can Pursuit trap Ghost-types and take on Yveltal and Mega Salamence, two of the biggest threats to the Sticky Web teams Arceus-Ghost typically finds itself on.
* Suicide leads appreciate Arceus-Ghost's ability to spinblock and keep entry hazards on the field after they've fainted. Notable leads include Smeargle and Shuckle, which can set Sticky Web that is needed for Arceus-Ghost to beat faster foes such as Marshadow and Ultra Necrozma, and Cloyster, which can set Spikes and allow Arceus-Ghost to KO non-transformed Zygarde and defensive Primal Groudon with a +2 Never-Ending Nightmare.
* Primal Groudon stands out as an appealing partner. Arceus-Ghost defeats support Arceus formes, both Giratina formes, and Lugia, which can pave the way for Primal Groudon to sweep. In return, it can set Stealth Rock, defeat Marshadow, and lure in and KO Zygarde-C if carrying Hidden Power Ice.
* Yveltal checks Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar and Marshadow. It can also use Taunt to prevent Defog, which is the only way to remove hazards aside from Rapid Spin.
* Xerneas defeats Marshadow, Zygarde-C, and Dark-types for Arceus-Ghost. In return, Arceus-Ghost destroys special walls for Xerneas.
* Mega Lucario takes on the Normal- and Dark-types that Arceus-Ghost has trouble breaking through. Together, they can overwhelm each other's checks, such as Primal Groudon.
* Mega Salamence checks Marshadow with Intimidate and draws in and dents physical walls such as Primal Groudon. In return, Arceus-Ghost breaks the majority of defensive answers to Mega Salamence, which can allow it to sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* A Calm Mind set can be used to take advantage of its great natural bulk and offensive typing. However, it lacks immediate power, and Arceus-Ghost's lack of resistances makes it difficult to set up enough Calm Mind boosts to be threating.
* Ice Beam is an option to consistently beat Mega Salamence and Zygarde-C. However, the former is always KOed by a boosted Never-Ending Nightmare, even accounting for an Attack drop from Intimidate, while the latter can be used as setup fodder with Substitute.
* Refresh allows Arceus-Ghost to relieve itself of status, which can be helpful if it was statused on the switch. However, Substitute lets Arceus-Ghost avoid status and has other uses as well, making Refresh an inferior choice in most situations.
* A support set utilizing Defog may seem usable due to Arceus-Ghost's inability to be trapped and its ability to defeat Mega Lucario. However, its lack of relevant resistances makes this set outclassed by other Arceus formes.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Yveltal**: Yveltal resists Ghost and only takes neutral damage from Brick Break. In return, it either OHKOes Arceus-Ghost with Dark Pulse or Foul Play or removes entry hazards on the field with Defog. However, it must be wary of Stone Edge, and offensive variants are KOed by a +2 Never-Ending Nightmare after Stealth Rock damage.
**Marshadow**: Marshadow outspeeds Arceus-Ghost and OHKOes it with Spectral Thief, stealing any boosts Arceus-Ghost has accumulated and threatening to countersweep. Even if Sticky Web is on the field, Marshadow can pick off a weakened Arceus-Ghost with Shadow Sneak. However, Marshadow can't switch into Arceus-Ghost, and loses if Arceus-Ghost is at full health with Sticky Web on the field.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types resist Arceus-Ghost's STAB move and threaten it out with their own super effective STAB moves. Arceus-Dark has enough bulk to take a boosted Brick Break and KO back with Judgment or use Defog and remove entry hazards. It also has Recover to ensure that it can check Arceus-Ghost throughout a match. Mega Gyarados lowers Arceus-Ghost's Attack with Intimidate before its Mega Evolution and can set up Dragon Dance on Arceus-Ghost. Tyranitar can survive a +2 Brick Break if it's holding a Chople Berry and OHKO back with Foul Play.
**Fast Ghost-types**: Ghost-types can't switch in safely; however, once they have safely switched in, they can threaten Arceus-Ghost with their STAB moves. Mega Gengar naturally outspeeds and OHKOes Arceus-Ghost with Hex if it is statused, or KOes with Shadow Ball if Arceus-Ghost has taken chip damage. If Mega Gengar is using Substitute, Arceus-Ghost will struggle combating it. Lunala can outspeed Arceus-Ghost if holding a Choice Scarf and OHKO with Moongiest Beam after Stealth Rock damage. Necrozma-DW-based Ultra Necrozma outspeeds Arceus-Ghost after Ultra Burst and dents it with Moongeist Beam, though it won't OHKO. However, these Pokemon lose to Arceus-Ghost if it's behind a Substitute or Sticky Web is on their side of the field.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C shrugs off attacks from Arceus-Ghost thanks to its titanic bulk and stalls out Shadow Force with Substitute. In return, it can inflict status on Arceus-Ghost or phaze it using Dragon Tail. However, defensive variants without Coil let Arceus-Ghost set up with Substitute, and Ice Beam will 2HKO Zygarde-C as well. In addition, if Zygarde hasn't transformed into Complete forme, it falls to a +2 Never-Ending Nightmare after one layer of Spikes.
**Normal-types**: Normal-types are immune to Arceus-Ghost's STAB move, forcing it to use a rather weak coverage move to beat them. If used with a Ghost-type, Arceus-Ghost can be stalled out indefinitely, as Shadow Force requires two turns to use. However, Arceus-Ghost beats every Normal-type one-on-one if it's using Substitute
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[pooyou123456789q, 410276]]
- Quality checked by: [[Cynara, 224455], [Minority, 222996], [Nayrz, 212134]]
- Grammar checked by: [[talkingtree, 232101], [martha, 384270]]
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