[OVERVIEW]
*Darmanitan is a powerful wallbreaker, bearing a stellar 140 attack stat backed by a decent 95 speed, an amazing ability in Sheer Force, allowing it's moves with secondary effects to become boosted in base power, which turns Darmanitan into a very difficult pokemon to switch into depending on what move it decides to go for. It's ability to chunk common pokemon in the tier like Amoongus, Scizor, and Celebi is highly appreciated by offensive teams.
*However, despite these stellar traits, Darmanitan has terrible bulk, a crippling weakness to Stealth Rocks, which limits the amounts of Darmanitan can switch in. Flare Blitz being its main attack having 1/3 recoil, in addition to Stealth Rocks, lead Darmanitan to getting worn down quite fast.
*Due to it's terrible mono-fire typing, Darmanitan struggles to break Fat waters, dragons, and rock types, such as , Slowbro, Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, etc. This is why Darmanitan is usually outclassed by Infernape.
*Despite it's sheer power, Darmanitan faces stiff competition from the likes of Infernape, who boasts a better speed tier, has more versatility overall, a secondary tying that makes Stealth Rocks neutral, a secondary STAB that Darmanitan would really appreciate, and a better movepool. Depending on the set, Infernape can also chunk it's usual checks, unlike Darmanitan. Darmanitan also faces competition from Crawdaunt as a more consistent Choice Band wallbreaker, as it has better STABS, access to priority, and no weakness to stealth rocks, although, Crawdaunt is slower and cannot pivot.
[SET]
name: Choice band
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-Turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Rock Slide / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
*U-Turn allows Darmanitan to provide momentum and let another teammate in, although it should be noted that U-turn also does a good chunk to Slowbro and Hydreigon.
*Earthquake allows Darmanitan to hit pokemon that resists Flare Blitz for decent damage, mainly Tentacruel and Terrakion, Where as Rock Slide allows Darmanitan to hit Moltres.
*Superpower allows Darmanitan to hit Hydreigon and bulky waters such as Suicune and Swampert for good damage, opening up the opponents team for a Flare Blitz sweep.
*Fire Punch is another option that is still STAB and is Sheer Force boosted, as well as not causing recoil. However, it should be noted that it's weaker base power misses out on important damage output, such as the possible one hit kill on Mega Aggron after stealth rock damage.
Set Details
========
*Maximum speed and a Jolly Nature allows Darmanitan to outspeed threats such as Mega Altaria, Krookidile, Lucario, and Mamoswine.
*Sheer Force is what gives Darmanitan it's power, therefore being the ability of choice over Zen Mode.
Usage Tips
========
*Do not switch Darmanitan directly into any hit.
*Volt Switching and/or U-turning into Darmanitan is usually the best option. However, doubling into it or switching it in after a pokemon has fainted works as well.
*Use Darmanitan to punch holes early game or clean up teams late game, as Nothing par bulky waters like switching into a Sheer force boosted flare blitz.
*Be sure to when to click Flare Blitz and when to click U-turn, as if Darmanitan clicks Flare Blitz too much, it will get worn down very quickly, which will eventually take it out of the game unintentionally. Clicking U-turn can also provide momentum for the team as well as getting Darmanitan out of unfavorable matchups, such as Swampert and Kommo-o.
*Be aware of pokemon that can take advantage of Darmanitan being locked into an unfavorable coverage move, such as superpower or earthquake, like Latias and Hydreigon.
*Darmanitan should be played very aggressively against bulkier teams, as it's fairly obvious when something Darmanitan can beat is coming in. Be careful of clicking flare blitz against things like Blissey, as it will cause you to sustain huge amounts of recoil. Be sure to also click U-turn against thing Darmanitan cannot power through, such as Quagsire and Alomomola.
Team Options
========
*Darmanitan works best on offensive teams, where it can maximize it's breaking potential against bulkier teams.
*Good team options for Darmanitan include teammates that can provide u-turn or volt switch support, such as Gilgar, Scizor, and Mega Manecetric.
*Stealth rock support from the likes of Mamoswine, Cobalion, and Krookidile is greatly appreciated, allowing Darmanitan to claim several OHKOs and 2HKOs on pokemon such as Latias and Suicune that it would usually not be able to achieve.
*Hazard control such as Rapid Spin or Defog from the likes of Scizor, Crobat, Starmie, Hydreigon, etc. is greatly appreciated because Darmanitan is worn down very quickly due to Flare Blitz Recoil, Stealth Rock Damage, and the occasional Rocky Helmet damage.
*Pokemon that can damage fat waters such as Slowbro and Suicune are also great teammates, as they allow for Darmanitan to break better throughout the match.
*Healing Wish support is also appreciated because it gives Darmanitan a chance to potentially break down the opponent's team more, making way for powerful sweepers to finish the game.
*Late game sweepers and cleaners such as Mega Sharpedo, Latias, and Scizor enjoy having the opponent's team weakened as a whole, as it puts them in range of their attacks.
*Since Darmanitan's speed is only decent at best, faster pokemon and scarfers, such as Latias and Krookidile, help Darmanitan against faster threats such as Hydreigon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
*Darmanitan can run a choice scarf set to act as a better revenge killer in trade for less sheer power.
*However, this set outclassed by Infernape, as Infernape has a better movepool, higher speed tier, and STAB Close Combat.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Waters**: Slowbro is arguably Darmanitans best check, having access to regenerator and slack off to heal off any damage Darmanitan can dish out at it. Bulky waters in general can usually eat any attack Darmanitan wants to throw at it, but Slowbro gets special mention for regenerator and reliable recovery in slack off. Other bulky waters include Suicune, Alomomola, Primarina and Swampert who can eat hits but can't quite reliably recover back health. Everything listed can hit back and severely damage Darm, except Knock off from Alomomola.
**Faster Hard Hitting Pokemon**: Threats that can outspeed and kill Darmanitan back such as Hydreigon, Infernape, Latias, Mega Aerodactyl, and Terrakion. These pokemon force Darmanitan out with their supper effective moves and high powered stabs, which gives them an opportunity to pivot or double.
**Residual damage**: Entry hazards are arguably better at checking Darmanitan then any pokemon in the tier. Stealth rocks take a quarter of Darmanitan's HP every time it comes in. Hazards in addition to Flare Blitz recoil is the best way to check Darmanitan, as it will most likely only be around for the early game if hazards are not removed.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sickist, 463422]]
- Quality checked by: [[,], [<username2>, <userid2>], [<username3>, <userid3>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]
*Darmanitan is a powerful wallbreaker, bearing a stellar 140 attack stat backed by a decent 95 speed, an amazing ability in Sheer Force, allowing it's moves with secondary effects to become boosted in base power, which turns Darmanitan into a very difficult pokemon to switch into depending on what move it decides to go for. It's ability to chunk common pokemon in the tier like Amoongus, Scizor, and Celebi is highly appreciated by offensive teams.
*However, despite these stellar traits, Darmanitan has terrible bulk, a crippling weakness to Stealth Rocks, which limits the amounts of Darmanitan can switch in. Flare Blitz being its main attack having 1/3 recoil, in addition to Stealth Rocks, lead Darmanitan to getting worn down quite fast.
*Due to it's terrible mono-fire typing, Darmanitan struggles to break Fat waters, dragons, and rock types, such as , Slowbro, Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, etc. This is why Darmanitan is usually outclassed by Infernape.
*Despite it's sheer power, Darmanitan faces stiff competition from the likes of Infernape, who boasts a better speed tier, has more versatility overall, a secondary tying that makes Stealth Rocks neutral, a secondary STAB that Darmanitan would really appreciate, and a better movepool. Depending on the set, Infernape can also chunk it's usual checks, unlike Darmanitan. Darmanitan also faces competition from Crawdaunt as a more consistent Choice Band wallbreaker, as it has better STABS, access to priority, and no weakness to stealth rocks, although, Crawdaunt is slower and cannot pivot.
[SET]
name: Choice band
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-Turn
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Rock Slide / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
*U-Turn allows Darmanitan to provide momentum and let another teammate in, although it should be noted that U-turn also does a good chunk to Slowbro and Hydreigon.
*Earthquake allows Darmanitan to hit pokemon that resists Flare Blitz for decent damage, mainly Tentacruel and Terrakion, Where as Rock Slide allows Darmanitan to hit Moltres.
*Superpower allows Darmanitan to hit Hydreigon and bulky waters such as Suicune and Swampert for good damage, opening up the opponents team for a Flare Blitz sweep.
*Fire Punch is another option that is still STAB and is Sheer Force boosted, as well as not causing recoil. However, it should be noted that it's weaker base power misses out on important damage output, such as the possible one hit kill on Mega Aggron after stealth rock damage.
Set Details
========
*Maximum speed and a Jolly Nature allows Darmanitan to outspeed threats such as Mega Altaria, Krookidile, Lucario, and Mamoswine.
*Sheer Force is what gives Darmanitan it's power, therefore being the ability of choice over Zen Mode.
Usage Tips
========
*Do not switch Darmanitan directly into any hit.
*Volt Switching and/or U-turning into Darmanitan is usually the best option. However, doubling into it or switching it in after a pokemon has fainted works as well.
*Use Darmanitan to punch holes early game or clean up teams late game, as Nothing par bulky waters like switching into a Sheer force boosted flare blitz.
*Be sure to when to click Flare Blitz and when to click U-turn, as if Darmanitan clicks Flare Blitz too much, it will get worn down very quickly, which will eventually take it out of the game unintentionally. Clicking U-turn can also provide momentum for the team as well as getting Darmanitan out of unfavorable matchups, such as Swampert and Kommo-o.
*Be aware of pokemon that can take advantage of Darmanitan being locked into an unfavorable coverage move, such as superpower or earthquake, like Latias and Hydreigon.
*Darmanitan should be played very aggressively against bulkier teams, as it's fairly obvious when something Darmanitan can beat is coming in. Be careful of clicking flare blitz against things like Blissey, as it will cause you to sustain huge amounts of recoil. Be sure to also click U-turn against thing Darmanitan cannot power through, such as Quagsire and Alomomola.
Team Options
========
*Darmanitan works best on offensive teams, where it can maximize it's breaking potential against bulkier teams.
*Good team options for Darmanitan include teammates that can provide u-turn or volt switch support, such as Gilgar, Scizor, and Mega Manecetric.
*Stealth rock support from the likes of Mamoswine, Cobalion, and Krookidile is greatly appreciated, allowing Darmanitan to claim several OHKOs and 2HKOs on pokemon such as Latias and Suicune that it would usually not be able to achieve.
*Hazard control such as Rapid Spin or Defog from the likes of Scizor, Crobat, Starmie, Hydreigon, etc. is greatly appreciated because Darmanitan is worn down very quickly due to Flare Blitz Recoil, Stealth Rock Damage, and the occasional Rocky Helmet damage.
*Pokemon that can damage fat waters such as Slowbro and Suicune are also great teammates, as they allow for Darmanitan to break better throughout the match.
*Healing Wish support is also appreciated because it gives Darmanitan a chance to potentially break down the opponent's team more, making way for powerful sweepers to finish the game.
*Late game sweepers and cleaners such as Mega Sharpedo, Latias, and Scizor enjoy having the opponent's team weakened as a whole, as it puts them in range of their attacks.
*Since Darmanitan's speed is only decent at best, faster pokemon and scarfers, such as Latias and Krookidile, help Darmanitan against faster threats such as Hydreigon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
*Darmanitan can run a choice scarf set to act as a better revenge killer in trade for less sheer power.
*However, this set outclassed by Infernape, as Infernape has a better movepool, higher speed tier, and STAB Close Combat.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Waters**: Slowbro is arguably Darmanitans best check, having access to regenerator and slack off to heal off any damage Darmanitan can dish out at it. Bulky waters in general can usually eat any attack Darmanitan wants to throw at it, but Slowbro gets special mention for regenerator and reliable recovery in slack off. Other bulky waters include Suicune, Alomomola, Primarina and Swampert who can eat hits but can't quite reliably recover back health. Everything listed can hit back and severely damage Darm, except Knock off from Alomomola.
**Faster Hard Hitting Pokemon**: Threats that can outspeed and kill Darmanitan back such as Hydreigon, Infernape, Latias, Mega Aerodactyl, and Terrakion. These pokemon force Darmanitan out with their supper effective moves and high powered stabs, which gives them an opportunity to pivot or double.
**Residual damage**: Entry hazards are arguably better at checking Darmanitan then any pokemon in the tier. Stealth rocks take a quarter of Darmanitan's HP every time it comes in. Hazards in addition to Flare Blitz recoil is the best way to check Darmanitan, as it will most likely only be around for the early game if hazards are not removed.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sickist, 463422]]
- Quality checked by: [[,], [<username2>, <userid2>], [<username3>, <userid3>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]
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