Arceus
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[Overview]
<p>Give Arceus a Dread Plate and watch as one of the best Pokémon in the game becomes the fierce Dark type! Offensively, the Dark-type has excellent neutral coverage (resisted only by Fighting-, Dark-, and Steel-types), and nailing Psychic- and Ghost-types for super effective damage is certainly welcomed in Ubers. Despite these desirable qualities, it is the Dark-type's defensive attributes that truly differentiate Dark Arceus from Ghost Arceus. The Dark-type grants an immunity to Psychic-type attacks and two exploitable resistances to Ghost- and Dark-type attacks, at the cost of just two weaknesses, Fighting- and Bug-type attacks. Dark Arceus' typing gives it a niche, that of being able to set up on Pokémon that rely mainly on Psychic- or Ghost-type attacks, letting it go toe-to-toe with common threats and set up Calm Mind. All in all, Dark Arceus can be a great asset to your team if you give it the chance to shine.</p>
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Recover
move 4: Refresh
item: Dread Plate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set serves to smash through certain stall teams. Calm Mind is the nuts and bolts of this set. It gives Dark Arceus respectable special bulk while boosting Arceus’s Special Attack to fearsome levels. Dark-type Judgment boasts power and good type coverage on its own. Recover allows Arceus to replenish its health and increase long-term survivability. Dark Arceus functions best as a stallbreaker, so self-recovery is invaluable. Refresh lets Dark Arceus shrug off status effects so that it is not forced out by Toxic damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Tempting as it is to compare Dark Arceus with Darkrai, the other notable mono Dark-type in Ubers, they are worlds apart in how they are played. While Darkrai excels in crippling the opponent and being a frail clean-up sweeper, Dark Arceus is at its best as a stallbreaker. Ghost Arceus offers Dark Arceus competition for a teamslot, so you need to make sure your team can play to the strengths that the Dark-type brings. Notably, you can more easily take on threats such as Giratina, Giratina-O, and Mewtwo and force them out. A Timid nature and maximum Speed are recommended for matching the Speed of opposing Arceus, and maximum HP is essential for switching in and setting up Calm Mind. Focus Blast is a more offensive option that deals with the Dark- and Steel-types which easily shrug off Judgment. In fact, the only fully-evolved Pokémon that resist both Dark- and Fighting-type attacks are Heracross and Toxicroak, neither of which is common in Ubers. Be aware that 70% accuracy is depressingly unreliable, so you shouldn't rely on it too much if you choose to use it.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>As can only be expected from a deity, Dark Arceus has a vast movepool brimming with options. Flamethrower is a more reliable secondary attacking option than Focus Blast with sun support. There is also the added benefit of being able to hit Bug-types and certain Steel-types for more damage, even in the rain. Just be sure to have a solid way to deal with Tyranitar and Heatran. Will-O-Wisp is an interesting support option that cuts the opponent’s Attack in half, allowing Dark Arceus to wall otherwise dangerous physical threats such as Zekrom and Tyranitar, but 75% accuracy is somewhat unreliable. Also, Blissey will wall Dark Arceus all day long and kill you it in the long run with Toxic. Roar is available to phaze opponents and can be effective in scouting counters and indirectly damaging the opponent with the help of entry hazards. Reflect can reliably patch up Dark Arceus’s physical Defense to sneak in more Calm Minds and provide team support. Generally though, Ghost Arceus or Steel Arceus can pull off support sets better.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Ho-Oh is one of the most all-around useful counters to Dark Arceus. Ho-Oh is quite bulky, can Roost off damage, and can deliver some serious pain with Sacred Fire and Brave Bird. Blissey and Chansey can sponge Judgment and cripple Dark Arceus with Toxic if it lacks Refresh. They can also use Snatch to steal Calm Mind boosts and prevent Dark Arceus from healing itself. Fighting-, Dark-, and Steel-types are usually big trouble for Dark Arceus thanks to their resistance to Dark-type attacks (though Dark- and Steel-types do have to be wary of Focus Blast). Fighting Arceus can easily switch in and force Dark Arceus out with its own Calm Mind and Judgment. Terrakion and Lucario can come in on Judgment, nab an Attack boost thanks to Justified, and smack Dark Arceus with Close Combat. Blaziken can switch in to activate Speed Boost and hit back with a devastating Hi Jump Kick. Ferrothorn and Skarmory can set up hazards and cause problems with Leech Seed and Whirlwind, respectively. Dialga can set up with Bulk Up and force Dark Arceus out with Dragon Tail. Scizor also takes Dark-type attacks with relative ease and can threaten Dark Arceus with U-Turn and Superpower. If Dark Arceus lacks Focus Blast, non-Scarfed Darkrai can use Dark Void and use Dark Arceus as set-up fodder. Choice Band Tyranitar can easily switch into Judgment and OHKO Dark Arceus with Superpower after sandstorm damage.</p>
