QC: Nayrz
[OVERVIEW]
* Darkrai has a fantastic stats boasting a base 125 Speed allowing it to outspeed majority of the Ubers metagame while having a huge 135 SpA to make use of its great speed tier.
* Darkrai also has a good movepool with coverage moves such as Focus Blast, Thunder, Sludge Bomb combined with its access to Nasty Plot as a great set up move to increase its sweeping potential.
* It gained a new tool in Z-Moves as +2 Black Hole Eclipse OHKOs almost anything that doesn't resist.
* While it has a nice offensive stat, its defensive bulk is not that great being revenge killed by common choice scarf users and priority attacks.
* Dark Void's accuracy nerf makes it harder for Darkrai to setup reliably and gives it lessened support capabilities.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Sludge Bomb / Hypnosis
item: Darkinium Z
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dark Pulse is a staple on Darkrai as it is its strongest STAB move on the special side.
* Nasty Plot is an easy set up move and just at +2 with maximum Sp.Attack investment it reaches 738 Sp.Attack which can sweep most unprepared teams with ease.
* Black Hole Eclipse from Dark Pulse has a Base Power of 160 which at +2 Sp.Attack, can now OHKOs max HP non resisting Arceus forms, Kyogre, Ho-Oh for which Darkrai is otherwise forced to run Thunder.
* Sludge Bomb is an option to hit fairies for super effective damage such as Xerneas and the occasional Fairyceus
* Focus blast is also an option to damage Magearna, Tyranitar, Chansey, Blissey, Darkceus who otherwise tanks rest of Darkrai's moves.
* Although it has poor accuracy, Hypnosis can be used to take advantage of Darkrai's ability dealing 12.5% damage each turn to sleeping opponents.
Set Details
========
* 252 Speed EVs with a timid nature allows Darkrai to outspeed all Arceus forms and speed tie with other Darkrais.
* 252 Sp.attack EVs is used to maximize its Special Attacking side and increase its offensive potential
* Darkinium-Z is the item of choice as Z-Dark Pulse pretty much KOs most special tanks which otherwise troubles Darkrai. It also allows Darkrai to not run Thunder mainly for Ho-oh and Kyogre freeing up a moveslot allowing Darkrai to run more coverage moves.
Usage Tips
========
* Due to Darkrai's average bulk and lack of recovery, Darkrai should be brought in on free switches preventing it from taking too much damage.
* Take advantage of free turns when the opposing pokemon is switching out or using a non damaging move to set up Nasty Plot as otherwise it doesn't get much opportunity to set up due to being worn down and not being able to punish the opponent into falling asleep anymore.
* Try not to rely on Hypnosis at critical moments which might end up losing you the game due to a miss. Use it during turns where your opponent is switching out his pokemon which gives you a higher chance to hit one out of two Hypnosis.
* Preserve Sucker Punch for the right moment as normally when your opponent brings in a Gengar, Deoxys or Scarf Lunala to revenge kill Darkrai, then you can reveal Sucker Punch and get a surprise kill.
* Emphasize on getting your hazards up early in game as without life orb Darkrai needs a bit of chip damage to get certain KOs at +2 such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, Ho-Oh with stealth rocks.
Team Options
========
* Primal Groudon makes an excellent teammate for Darkrai as it can switch in into common Darkrai checks such as Xerneas, Genesect, Ho-Oh.
* Extreme Killer Arceus, Pheromosa, Solgaleo, Arceus-Ground is also a great partner as they benefit from Darkrai being able to remove ghost types such as Giratina, Ghostceus, Lunala.
* Mega Gengar can proceed to trap and kill Xerneas with sludge wave which is a huge threat to darkrai.
* Deo-S, Dialga and lead Excadrill, Cloyster makes great partners with Darkrai as a hazard setter on most HO teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Substitute with Leftovers can potentially be used as it allows Darkrai to set up more freely.
* Will-o-wisp enables to cripple the likes of Ekiller Arceus.
* Ice Beam can be preferred as well to surprise Mega Salamence but however, it has very little use otherwise.
* If not using Darkinium-Z, an alternative set with LO and Thunder can be preferred for Ho-Oh, Kyogre and Yveltal.
* Taunt can also be considered as an option to prevent set up moves, deffoggers and as well as stallbreaking.
* Sucker Punch is an unique option to hit Mega Gengar and psychic types such as Deoxys and Scarf Lunala once its Shadow Shield is broken for a good surprise KO.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magearna and Klefki**: Thanks to their typing and amazing natural bulk, both can switch into any of Darkrai's moves quiet easily and proceed to KO with their respective super effective STAB Fairy moves. Neither can however survive 2 Focus Blast at +2 Sp. Attack.
**Fairy Types**: Fairy types such as Arceus-Fairy, Clefable can also tank +2 non-LO Sludge Bomb and retaliate back with their respective STAB fairy moves KOing Darkrai. Xerneas also has a decent chance of surviving a +2 Sludge Bomb prior to stealth rocks damage at full heath.
**Fast Attackers**: Common choice scarf users such as Xerneas, Genesect can come in on a free switch and proceed to kill with their super-effective STAB moves. Deoxys-A and Pheromossa can also come in on a free switch and KO Darkrai with superpower and U-Turn respectively. Mega Gengar can also pick off a weakened Darkrai as now it does not need to run Protect anymore and outspeed it the turn it Mega Evolves. Beware of Sucker Punch though.
**Priority**: Life Orb Arceus and Rayquaza can 2HKO Darkrai with Extreme Speed. Lucario and Scizor can also pick off a weakened Darkrai with Bullet Punch.
**Chansey and Blissey**: Thanks to their huge special bulk, Chansey and Blissey can shrug off any move bar Focus Blast which 2HKOs both at +2 Sp.Attack
**Ho-Oh**: Due to it's amazing Special bulk, Ho-oh can survive any of Darkrai's unboosted move and retaliate back with Brave Bird or Sacred Fire both of which OHKOs after stealth rocks damage.
[OVERVIEW]
* Darkrai has a fantastic stats boasting a base 125 Speed allowing it to outspeed majority of the Ubers metagame while having a huge 135 SpA to make use of its great speed tier.
* Darkrai also has a good movepool with coverage moves such as Focus Blast, Thunder, Sludge Bomb combined with its access to Nasty Plot as a great set up move to increase its sweeping potential.
* It gained a new tool in Z-Moves as +2 Black Hole Eclipse OHKOs almost anything that doesn't resist.
* While it has a nice offensive stat, its defensive bulk is not that great being revenge killed by common choice scarf users and priority attacks.
* Dark Void's accuracy nerf makes it harder for Darkrai to setup reliably and gives it lessened support capabilities.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Sludge Bomb / Hypnosis
item: Darkinium Z
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dark Pulse is a staple on Darkrai as it is its strongest STAB move on the special side.
* Nasty Plot is an easy set up move and just at +2 with maximum Sp.Attack investment it reaches 738 Sp.Attack which can sweep most unprepared teams with ease.
* Black Hole Eclipse from Dark Pulse has a Base Power of 160 which at +2 Sp.Attack, can now OHKOs max HP non resisting Arceus forms, Kyogre, Ho-Oh for which Darkrai is otherwise forced to run Thunder.
* Sludge Bomb is an option to hit fairies for super effective damage such as Xerneas and the occasional Fairyceus
* Focus blast is also an option to damage Magearna, Tyranitar, Chansey, Blissey, Darkceus who otherwise tanks rest of Darkrai's moves.
* Although it has poor accuracy, Hypnosis can be used to take advantage of Darkrai's ability dealing 12.5% damage each turn to sleeping opponents.
Set Details
========
* 252 Speed EVs with a timid nature allows Darkrai to outspeed all Arceus forms and speed tie with other Darkrais.
* 252 Sp.attack EVs is used to maximize its Special Attacking side and increase its offensive potential
* Darkinium-Z is the item of choice as Z-Dark Pulse pretty much KOs most special tanks which otherwise troubles Darkrai. It also allows Darkrai to not run Thunder mainly for Ho-oh and Kyogre freeing up a moveslot allowing Darkrai to run more coverage moves.
Usage Tips
========
* Due to Darkrai's average bulk and lack of recovery, Darkrai should be brought in on free switches preventing it from taking too much damage.
* Take advantage of free turns when the opposing pokemon is switching out or using a non damaging move to set up Nasty Plot as otherwise it doesn't get much opportunity to set up due to being worn down and not being able to punish the opponent into falling asleep anymore.
* Try not to rely on Hypnosis at critical moments which might end up losing you the game due to a miss. Use it during turns where your opponent is switching out his pokemon which gives you a higher chance to hit one out of two Hypnosis.
* Preserve Sucker Punch for the right moment as normally when your opponent brings in a Gengar, Deoxys or Scarf Lunala to revenge kill Darkrai, then you can reveal Sucker Punch and get a surprise kill.
* Emphasize on getting your hazards up early in game as without life orb Darkrai needs a bit of chip damage to get certain KOs at +2 such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, Ho-Oh with stealth rocks.
Team Options
========
* Primal Groudon makes an excellent teammate for Darkrai as it can switch in into common Darkrai checks such as Xerneas, Genesect, Ho-Oh.
* Extreme Killer Arceus, Pheromosa, Solgaleo, Arceus-Ground is also a great partner as they benefit from Darkrai being able to remove ghost types such as Giratina, Ghostceus, Lunala.
* Mega Gengar can proceed to trap and kill Xerneas with sludge wave which is a huge threat to darkrai.
* Deo-S, Dialga and lead Excadrill, Cloyster makes great partners with Darkrai as a hazard setter on most HO teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Substitute with Leftovers can potentially be used as it allows Darkrai to set up more freely.
* Will-o-wisp enables to cripple the likes of Ekiller Arceus.
* Ice Beam can be preferred as well to surprise Mega Salamence but however, it has very little use otherwise.
* If not using Darkinium-Z, an alternative set with LO and Thunder can be preferred for Ho-Oh, Kyogre and Yveltal.
* Taunt can also be considered as an option to prevent set up moves, deffoggers and as well as stallbreaking.
* Sucker Punch is an unique option to hit Mega Gengar and psychic types such as Deoxys and Scarf Lunala once its Shadow Shield is broken for a good surprise KO.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magearna and Klefki**: Thanks to their typing and amazing natural bulk, both can switch into any of Darkrai's moves quiet easily and proceed to KO with their respective super effective STAB Fairy moves. Neither can however survive 2 Focus Blast at +2 Sp. Attack.
**Fairy Types**: Fairy types such as Arceus-Fairy, Clefable can also tank +2 non-LO Sludge Bomb and retaliate back with their respective STAB fairy moves KOing Darkrai. Xerneas also has a decent chance of surviving a +2 Sludge Bomb prior to stealth rocks damage at full heath.
**Fast Attackers**: Common choice scarf users such as Xerneas, Genesect can come in on a free switch and proceed to kill with their super-effective STAB moves. Deoxys-A and Pheromossa can also come in on a free switch and KO Darkrai with superpower and U-Turn respectively. Mega Gengar can also pick off a weakened Darkrai as now it does not need to run Protect anymore and outspeed it the turn it Mega Evolves. Beware of Sucker Punch though.
**Priority**: Life Orb Arceus and Rayquaza can 2HKO Darkrai with Extreme Speed. Lucario and Scizor can also pick off a weakened Darkrai with Bullet Punch.
**Chansey and Blissey**: Thanks to their huge special bulk, Chansey and Blissey can shrug off any move bar Focus Blast which 2HKOs both at +2 Sp.Attack
**Ho-Oh**: Due to it's amazing Special bulk, Ho-oh can survive any of Darkrai's unboosted move and retaliate back with Brave Bird or Sacred Fire both of which OHKOs after stealth rocks damage.
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