MZ
And now for something completely different
QC: Magnemite, Tone114, Raiza.
GP: Queez, P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Delibird is outclassed by all other leads in the PU metagame. While it can both set and remove entry hazards with Spikes and Rapid Spin, respectively, it has mediocre Speed and poor offenses and defenses, leaving most teams capable of outspeeding and 2HKOing it, limiting it to a single layer of Spikes. It also has a poor matchup versus other dedicated leads such as Dwebble, Golem, and Monferno thanks to its terrible defensive typing; however, it is faster than most other leads and is sometimes capable of setting two layers of Spikes or nabbing a surprise KO with Destiny Dond, which is made easier thanks to its frailty.
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Icy Wind / Freeze-Dry
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Focus Sash
ability: Vital Spirit
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes is essential on Delibird, as its purpose is to set as many as possible. Rapid Spin allows it to remove entry hazards set by opposing entry hazard leads and is Delibird's main niche over other entry hazard setters. Icy Wind is used to slow down faster threats so that Delibird is able to get up a layer of Spikes and can cause them to play more carefully around the now faster Destiny Bond, althoughFreeze-Dry is a solid option to super effectively hit the Defoggers, such as Pelipper, attempting to remove Delibird's Spikes. Destiny Bond is its only hope of KOing foes and can force opponents to play around Delibird more carefully.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature allow Delibird to outspeed every dedicated lead other than Leavanny and helps it set more Spikes versus slower foes. Maximum Special Attack investment gives it slightly more offensive presence and is more effective than investing into its mediocre defenses. The last 4 EVs are put into Defense to keep Delibird's HP at an odd number, allowing it to potentially switch into Stealth Rock twice without being KOed. Vital Spirit gives Delibird an immunity to sleep, allowing it to set Spikes on or KO Jumpluff without being put to sleep and 2HKOed. Focus Sash allows it to set at least one layer of Spikes without being outsped and KOed by common Pokemon such as Rapidash.
Usage Tips
========
Delibird should always be used to set entry hazards as early as possible, as it won't be useful late-game. When leading, setting up Spikes is more important than getting damage with Icy Wind, as Delibird does little damage unless it's super effective. Use Icy Wind in conjunction with Destiny Bond to force opponents to play around KOing Delibird and to more easily get up Spikes when they're not attacking. If facing a faster foe with Taunt, avoid using status moves, as Delibird's reliance on its support movepool can make it rather predictable. Delibird should also be careful of freely going for Spikes versus setup sweepers, as they can use its weak offenses as a setup opportunity. Icy Wind can be used to stop leading sweepers such as Carracosta by slowing them down for a teammate to revenge kill. Use Rapid Spin if the opponent spends time getting up entry hazards to keep your team free of chip damage. Be aware that lead Dwebble and Golem will be able to KO Delibird regardless of its Focus Sash due to Rock Blast being a multi-hit move. However, they are slower, and Delibird can get up a layer of Spikes or use Destiny Bond versus them.
Team Options
========
Delibird fits best on offensive teams, especially hyper offense, as its Spikes are useful for teams that force plenty of switches with strong offensive presence. Spinblockers such as Dusknoir and Misdreavus can prevent Delibird's Spikes from being removed with Rapid Spin by Pokemon such as Armaldo. Defiant Pokemon such as Pawniard and Purugly can also help keep entry hazards up by pressuring Defoggers. Strong wallbreakers such as Stoutland can use Delibird's Spikes support to more quickly wear down opposing teams by weakening their few switch-ins such as Carracosta. Setup sweepers such as Barbaracle can also use Delibird's Spikes to more easily net KOs on bulkier foes. Stealth Rock users such as Golem and Piloswine can set up their entry hazards in conjunction with Delibird to wear down opposing teams quickly with chip damage. Teammates that need entry hazards off their side of the field to be effective such as Ninjask appreciate having Delibird as a lead, as it can reliably keep Stealth Rock away with Rapid Spin. Pokemon with Volt Switch or U-turn such as Zebstrika and Purugly can use the entry hazards to rack up damage on opposing Pokemon, as they can force counters to switch into entry hazards and take an attack before needing to switch out again.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Shard can be used over Icy Wind to get some chip damage with priority, but the Speed-dropping effects of Icy Wind are preferred to give Delibird more counterplay with Destiny Bond. The ability Hustle and Aerial Ace can be used to give Delibird slightly more offensive presence, but it's still weak and becomes unable to set entry hazards versus Sleep Powder Jumpluff. Delibird can make an attempt at using offensive Hustle sets with Choice Band or Life Orb but remains weak, slow, and frail, making the set totally outclassed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Any faster Pokemon in the tier is capable of 2HKOing Delibird, forcing it to either only get up one layer of Spikes or make an attempt at getting a KO with Destiny Bond.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon with a faster Taunt such as Misdreavus can prevent Delibird from setting any Spikes up at all. Even slower Taunt users such as Grumpig can limit it to a single layer of Spikes, and most take very little damage from Icy Wind.
**Priority Users**: Pokemon with priority moves, such as Machoke, can knock Delibird down to its Focus Sash and KO it with priority before it has the chance to set multiple layers of Spikes and begin threatening opposing teams with Destiny Bond.
**Rapid Spin and Defog Users**: Pokemon that use Rapid Spin or Defog can remove Delibird's entry hazards, canceling out its purpose as a suicide lead.
GP: Queez, P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Delibird is outclassed by all other leads in the PU metagame. While it can both set and remove entry hazards with Spikes and Rapid Spin, respectively, it has mediocre Speed and poor offenses and defenses, leaving most teams capable of outspeeding and 2HKOing it, limiting it to a single layer of Spikes. It also has a poor matchup versus other dedicated leads such as Dwebble, Golem, and Monferno thanks to its terrible defensive typing; however, it is faster than most other leads and is sometimes capable of setting two layers of Spikes or nabbing a surprise KO with Destiny Dond, which is made easier thanks to its frailty.
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Icy Wind / Freeze-Dry
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Focus Sash
ability: Vital Spirit
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes is essential on Delibird, as its purpose is to set as many as possible. Rapid Spin allows it to remove entry hazards set by opposing entry hazard leads and is Delibird's main niche over other entry hazard setters. Icy Wind is used to slow down faster threats so that Delibird is able to get up a layer of Spikes and can cause them to play more carefully around the now faster Destiny Bond, althoughFreeze-Dry is a solid option to super effectively hit the Defoggers, such as Pelipper, attempting to remove Delibird's Spikes. Destiny Bond is its only hope of KOing foes and can force opponents to play around Delibird more carefully.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature allow Delibird to outspeed every dedicated lead other than Leavanny and helps it set more Spikes versus slower foes. Maximum Special Attack investment gives it slightly more offensive presence and is more effective than investing into its mediocre defenses. The last 4 EVs are put into Defense to keep Delibird's HP at an odd number, allowing it to potentially switch into Stealth Rock twice without being KOed. Vital Spirit gives Delibird an immunity to sleep, allowing it to set Spikes on or KO Jumpluff without being put to sleep and 2HKOed. Focus Sash allows it to set at least one layer of Spikes without being outsped and KOed by common Pokemon such as Rapidash.
Usage Tips
========
Delibird should always be used to set entry hazards as early as possible, as it won't be useful late-game. When leading, setting up Spikes is more important than getting damage with Icy Wind, as Delibird does little damage unless it's super effective. Use Icy Wind in conjunction with Destiny Bond to force opponents to play around KOing Delibird and to more easily get up Spikes when they're not attacking. If facing a faster foe with Taunt, avoid using status moves, as Delibird's reliance on its support movepool can make it rather predictable. Delibird should also be careful of freely going for Spikes versus setup sweepers, as they can use its weak offenses as a setup opportunity. Icy Wind can be used to stop leading sweepers such as Carracosta by slowing them down for a teammate to revenge kill. Use Rapid Spin if the opponent spends time getting up entry hazards to keep your team free of chip damage. Be aware that lead Dwebble and Golem will be able to KO Delibird regardless of its Focus Sash due to Rock Blast being a multi-hit move. However, they are slower, and Delibird can get up a layer of Spikes or use Destiny Bond versus them.
Team Options
========
Delibird fits best on offensive teams, especially hyper offense, as its Spikes are useful for teams that force plenty of switches with strong offensive presence. Spinblockers such as Dusknoir and Misdreavus can prevent Delibird's Spikes from being removed with Rapid Spin by Pokemon such as Armaldo. Defiant Pokemon such as Pawniard and Purugly can also help keep entry hazards up by pressuring Defoggers. Strong wallbreakers such as Stoutland can use Delibird's Spikes support to more quickly wear down opposing teams by weakening their few switch-ins such as Carracosta. Setup sweepers such as Barbaracle can also use Delibird's Spikes to more easily net KOs on bulkier foes. Stealth Rock users such as Golem and Piloswine can set up their entry hazards in conjunction with Delibird to wear down opposing teams quickly with chip damage. Teammates that need entry hazards off their side of the field to be effective such as Ninjask appreciate having Delibird as a lead, as it can reliably keep Stealth Rock away with Rapid Spin. Pokemon with Volt Switch or U-turn such as Zebstrika and Purugly can use the entry hazards to rack up damage on opposing Pokemon, as they can force counters to switch into entry hazards and take an attack before needing to switch out again.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Shard can be used over Icy Wind to get some chip damage with priority, but the Speed-dropping effects of Icy Wind are preferred to give Delibird more counterplay with Destiny Bond. The ability Hustle and Aerial Ace can be used to give Delibird slightly more offensive presence, but it's still weak and becomes unable to set entry hazards versus Sleep Powder Jumpluff. Delibird can make an attempt at using offensive Hustle sets with Choice Band or Life Orb but remains weak, slow, and frail, making the set totally outclassed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Any faster Pokemon in the tier is capable of 2HKOing Delibird, forcing it to either only get up one layer of Spikes or make an attempt at getting a KO with Destiny Bond.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon with a faster Taunt such as Misdreavus can prevent Delibird from setting any Spikes up at all. Even slower Taunt users such as Grumpig can limit it to a single layer of Spikes, and most take very little damage from Icy Wind.
**Priority Users**: Pokemon with priority moves, such as Machoke, can knock Delibird down to its Focus Sash and KO it with priority before it has the chance to set multiple layers of Spikes and begin threatening opposing teams with Destiny Bond.
**Rapid Spin and Defog Users**: Pokemon that use Rapid Spin or Defog can remove Delibird's entry hazards, canceling out its purpose as a suicide lead.
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