[QC Checks: Stan Soojung / Earth / quziel]
[GP Checks: TDP / martha]
[OVERVIEW]
Delphox is a threatening Pokemon in NU due to its high Speed and Special Attack, great offensive typing, and fairly vast movepool that allows it to fulfill a number of roles, including a setup sweeper that breaks through defensive cores, a Wish passer, and a revenge killer that can also clean late-game. While it isn't perfect defensively, Delphox's typing in tandem with its decent bulk gives it the ability to soft check some of the most common special attackers such as Vanilluxe and Whimsicott as well as Fighting-types like Hariyama and Passimian. Delphox's access to useful coverage moves in Dazzling Gleam and Grass Knot also allows it to bypass a lot of typical Fire-type checks such as Guzzlord, Slowbro, and Rhydon, and its access to moves such as Calm Mind, Trick, and Wish gives it the ability to support both itself and its teammates. However, Delphox suffers from an unfortunate weakness to Stealth Rock, which limits its ability to check the previously mentioned Pokemon consistently. Delphox's typing also leaves it vulnerable to Dark- and Rock-types such as Sneasel, Houndoom, and Aerodactyl as well as their STAB moves in Pursuit, Sucker Punch, and Stone Edge.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Psychic / Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Grass Knot
item: Grassium Z / Firium Z / Colbur Berry
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind increases Delphox's Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage, allowing it break through bulkier teams more easily. Fire Blast is Delphox's main Fire-type STAB move, dealing a lot of damage to non-Fire-resistant Pokemon like Gallade after a boost in power from Calm Mind. Psychic provides Delphox with a secondary STAB move that is more reliable and threatens to hit Diancie fairly hard after a boost without requiring a Z-Move. Alternatively, Dazzling Gleam can be used to nail bulkier Dark- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Scrafty, Guzzlord, and Altaria, which would otherwise be a massive annoyance to Delphox. Grass Knot rounds out Delphox's coverage by giving it the ability to threaten bulky Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types such as Rhydon, Diancie, Slowbro, and Quagsire.
Set Details
========
The investment in Speed and Special Attack makes Delphox as strong and as fast as possible, with a Timid nature being used to outspeed foes such as Rotom and Sigilyph. Firium Z turns Fire Blast into Inferno Overdrive, which gives Delphox access to a strong and reliable one-time attack that can be used to break through typical checks like Mega Audino. Alternatively, Grassium Z can be used to turn Grass Knot into Bloom Doom, which is capable of heavily damaging bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Slowking, and Pyukumuku even unboosted. Colbur Berry can be used over either Z-Crystal if Delphox's team already has a Z-Move user, allowing Delphox to take Dark-type moves such as Knock Off from Sneasel and Sucker Punch from Skuntank before KOing them with Fire Blast. Fairium Z and Psychium Z are other options that can be used to break through Pokemon like Incineroar and Diancie, but Firium Z and Grassium Z are more consistently threatening for teams to deal with. Blaze increases Fire Blast's power when Delphox is low on HP, which can potentially give it an easier time powering through foes such as Type: Null with Inferno Overdrive after it uses Calm Mind.
Usage Tips
========
Since Delphox excels against slower, more defensive teams, avoid playing recklessly against them and letting Delphox acquire too much damage beforehand in order to use it to its fullest potential. If Delphox is not holding a Colbur Berry, it is rather vulnerable to Dark-types and Pursuit trappers, meaning that preserving it until these Pokemon have been removed may prove useful; however, if a teammate needs a certain defensive core broken through in order to reliably sweep late-game, Delphox can be used to wallbreak for them instead. Exercise caution in regard to using Firium Z. It should mainly be used after Delphox has used Calm Mind in order to break through bulkier foes such as Mega Audino and Piloswine or if Delphox really can't afford to miss against foes like Steelix. While Delphox doesn't appreciate taking a lot of damage before it attempts to set up, it is capable of taking resisted special attacks from Pokemon such as Vanilluxe.
Team Options
========
Calm Mind Delphox fits well on bulky offensive teams that are in need of a setup sweeper that can break through common defensive cores. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Steelix, Garbodor, and Diancie is appreciated, as the chip damage gives Delphox an easier time breaking through bulkier Pokemon like Slowking and Incineroar. Due to Delphox's weakness to Stealth Rock, it also appreciates having teammates such as Rotom, Blastoise, and Silvally-Steel that can remove entry hazards. Silvally-Steel can put bulkier foes on a timer with Toxic and make use of Parting Shot in order to pivot Delphox in, while Rotom can cripple physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and get Delphox in safely against bulkier Grass-types like Vileplume with Volt Switch. Delphox's weakness to Dark means that checks to Dark-types are indispensable teammates. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Hariyama and Passimian can offensively check Dark-types and wallbreak for Delphox, which they have a much easier time doing due to Delphox removing their checks. Fairy-types such as Diancie and Mega Audino can more defensively check Dark-types and also come to Delphox's aid against revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Braviary. Additionally, both can provide cleric support, which helps in maintaining Delphox's longevity. Sneasel makes for a good teammate due to its ability to pressure bulky Pokemon that Delphox can struggle with breaking through unboosted like Altaria, Druddigon, and Jellicent, potentially remove Slowking with Pursuit, and threaten Pokemon like Type: Null with Knock Off. In return, Delphox can eliminate physically bulky Pokemon that Sneasel can struggle with like Slowbro and Steelix as well as soft check Fighting-types like Hariyama.
[SET]
name: Wish + Protect
move 1: Wish
move 2: Protect
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wish heals Delphox and its teammates, which allows it to reliably use Toxic to stall foes out. Protect guarantees that Delphox will regain HP after using Wish, generates a free turn of Leftovers recovery, forces badly poisoned Pokemon to take an additional turn of damage, and allows Delphox to scout for moves. Flamethrower is Delphox's only attack, chosen over other Fire-type moves due to its reliability, decently high Base Power, and high PP. Toxic gives Delphox the ability to cripple defensive Pokemon that would otherwise completely wall it such as Rhydon and Slowking as well as more offensive checks like Guzzlord.
Set Details
========
136 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Delphox to outspeed Vivillon, with the remainder of the EVs being poured into Delphox's HP and Defense to improve its bulk and skew the matchup against Pokemon such as Klinklang more in its favor. Leftovers gives Delphox a minor form of recovery, which lessens its reliance on Wish. Blaze increases the power of Flamethrower when Delphox is low on HP, though Wish in combination with this set's more defensive nature prevent Delphox from taking complete advantage of it.
Usage Tips
========
Delphox should mainly switch in on special attackers that it checks such as Vanilluxe and Whimsicott. Using Wish against these Pokemon as well as others like Steelix is ideal, since Delphox forces them out and can safely use Protect on the following turn to regain HP. Against Choice-locked Pokemon such as Guzzlord and Sneasel, use Protect in order to scout which move they lock themselves into and act accordingly. Toxic should be used whenever Delphox anticipates a Pokemon that it cannot otherwise deal with such as Incineroar, Slowbro, or Miltank to switch in. Be wary of Toxic from Pokemon such as Mega Audino, as it greatly hinders this set and limits Delphox's ability to check Pokemon like Klinklang while still maintaining longevity. Refrain from switching in if Stealth Rock is up, as this heavily pressures Delphox and forces it to use Wish more often than it would like to.
Team Options
========
Wish Delphox fits best on bulky offensive and balance teams with teammates that lack recovery and are easier to wear down, as these Pokemon appreciate the support that Delphox provides. Entry hazard removers such as Blastoise, Silvally-Steel, and Whimsicott are important teammates due to Delphox's weakness to Stealth Rock preventing it from switching in and out as freely as it would like if it is up. All three of them can deal with bulky Ground- and Rock-types for Delphox. In return, Delphox can keep these Pokemon consistently healthy with Wish on top of switching into Grass-types. Fighting-types such as Hariyama and Passimian offensively check Dark-types and appreciate Delphox placing pressure on their checks like Slowbro and Vileplume. Diancie's ability to reliably switch into and threaten out most Dark-types is very much appreciated, and it also provides cleric support in Heal Bell to prevent status from hindering Delphox. Bulkier setup sweepers like Aromatisse and Scrafty appreciate being passed Wishes, as it allows them to break early-game and take chip damage without it being detrimental in their attempt to sweep late-game. Delphox also pressures Steel- and Poison-types, which the two struggle against.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Dazzling Gleam / Grass Knot
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Delphox's strongest Fire-type STAB move, hitting Pokemon such as Sneasel, Steelix, and Whimsicott super effectively. Psychic threatens Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon such as Passimian, Garbodor, and Golbat, and it also hits certain Fire-resistant Pokemon like Miltank fairly hard. Psyshock can be used over Psychic to hit Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hariyama and Magmortar harder. Dazzling Gleam gives Delphox super effective coverage for certain Dark- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Scrafty, Guzzlord, and Druddigon and is also useful for hitting foes such as Houndoom and Incineroar neutrally. Alternatively, Grass Knot can be used to hit Ground- and Water-type Pokemon such as Rhydon, Slowbro, and Jellicent harder than any of Delphox's other attacks. Finally, Trick cripples specially defensive Pokemon that Delphox is incapable of breaking through, such as Slowking and Type: Null, while also allowing Delphox to switch between moves afterwards.
Set Details
========
The investment in Special Attack and Speed maximizes Delphox's offensive presence while making it as fast as possible, with a Timid nature and a Choice Scarf allowing Delphox to outpace the entire unboosted metagame as well as some boosted threats like Shell Smash Omastar. Blaze increases the power of Fire Blast when Delphox is low on HP, which can prove useful when attempting to clean late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Delphox should mainly be used as a revenge killer due to its high Speed and Special Attack, although it is capable of serving as a late-game cleaner as well. Exercise caution when it comes to using Psychic if the opposing team has a Dark-type like Incineroar or Sneasel, since they can switch into Delphox after it KOes a foe and either set up on it as it switches out or remove it with Pursuit. Delphox should mainly switch in on resisted special attacks such as Moonblast from Whimsicott and Blizzard from Vanilluxe; however, note that Stealth Rock will limit its ability to handle these attacks. Trick should mainly be used against defensive teams, as losing Delphox's Choice Scarf isn't as detrimental against them compared to offensive teams and it can effectively hamper bulkier Pokemon like Type: Null. However, be sure to scout for Z-Moves on Pokemon like Slowbro before using Trick, since it will fail and force Delphox out.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Delphox fits well on both offensive and bulky offensive teams that are in need of a way to keep faster foes in check and a powerful revenge killer. Delphox appreciates having teammates that can remove entry hazards due to its vulnerability to all forms of them, most notably Stealth Rock, so Pokemon such as Golbat, Rotom, Silvally-Steel, and Whimsicott are good partners. While Delphox doesn't appreciate entry hazards on its side of the field, it certainly appreciates being paired with entry hazard setters such as Rhydon and Steelix in order to pressure bulkier teams and guarantee certain 2HKOs such as on non-Assault Vest Slowbro with Grass Knot. Since Choice Scarf Delphox can struggle with breaking through certain bulky Pokemon such as Miltank and Vaporeon, it appreciates being paired with wallbreakers that can pressure these Pokemon and make cleaning up late-game easier, such as Heliolisk, Guzzlord, and Passimian. The former two can check Water-types, while the latter checks Dark-types, and Delphox can check Fairy-, Fighting-, and Ice-types for them in return. Setup sweepers that can take advantage of opposing Pokemon being locked into Knock Off and Pursuit such as Scrafty, Aromatisse, Klinklang, and Omastar are good teammates, as Delphox appreciates having them to fall back on against the likes of Sneasel and Choice Scarf Houndoom. Scrafty can also set up on other checks to Delphox like Slowbro and Slowking. In return, Delphox can break through Steel- and Grass-type Pokemon such as Steelix and Vileplume for them. Mega Audino makes for a good teammate due to its ability to reliably switch into Knock Off, check Dark-types, circumvent Delphox's lack of recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards courtesy of Wish, and provide Heal Bell support in case Delphox is inflicted by status, while Delphox can remove Poison- and Steel-types for it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Signal Beam can be used to threaten Malamar while still retaining coverage against other Dark-types and Slowbro, though Delphox has a hard time finding room for it. Shadow Ball hits opposing Delphox and other foes such as Mismagius and Slowbro super effectively but offers little of over any of its other moves outside of this. A Substitute + Calm Mind set with Salac Berry can be used to improve Delphox's chances of sweeping more offensive teams while allowing it to avoid status conditions and Pursuit from faster Dark-types, though Delphox doesn't appreciate dropping a move for Substitute. Choice Specs gives Delphox more immediate power at the cost of being unable to alternate between moves while not improving its matchup against faster, more offensive teams like Choice Scarf does. An all-out attacking set with Life Orb is an option that makes Delphox more immediately threatening, though the recoil damage per attack doesn't couple well with its lack of recovery, its weakness to Stealth Rock, and it being relied on to soft check other Pokemon like Vanilluxe.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Houndoom and Incineroar resist both of Delphox's STAB types and are only hit neutrally by Dazzling Gleam; furthermore, both can set up on Delphox with Nasty Plot and Swords Dance, respectively. Skuntank and Black Glasses Houndoom can force Delphox into mind games due to them possessing both Sucker Punch and Pursuit, and Sneasel outspeeds non-Choice Scarf Delphox, threatening to OHKO it with Knock Off and trap it with Pursuit.
**Bulky Water-types*: Bulky Water-types such as Slowking, Vaporeon, and Pyukumuku can take an unboosted Grass Knot rather well and retaliate with either a strong Scald or Toxic. However, they have a harder time checking Delphox if it has already used Calm Mind or is a Bloom Doom variant.
**Bulky Rock-types**: Bulky Rock-type Pokemon like Diancie completely counter most variants of Delphox and safely OHKO it with their STAB moves, though they do have to be cautious of Bloom Doom.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Certain specially defensive Pokemon like Type: Null and Altaria can handle even boosted attacks from Calm Mind Delphox and either retaliate with strong STAB attacks or put it on a timer with Toxic. They must be wary of switching in on a potential Trick, however.
**Revenge Killers**: Naturally faster Pokemon such as Mismagius and Sneasel as well as faster Choice Scarf users such as Braviary and Hitmonlee outspeed non-Choice Scarf Delphox and threaten to KO it with either strong or super effective attacks. Certain priority users like Decidueye and Skuntank are also capable of revenge killing Delphox, though they can't switch in.
[GP Checks: TDP / martha]
[OVERVIEW]
Delphox is a threatening Pokemon in NU due to its high Speed and Special Attack, great offensive typing, and fairly vast movepool that allows it to fulfill a number of roles, including a setup sweeper that breaks through defensive cores, a Wish passer, and a revenge killer that can also clean late-game. While it isn't perfect defensively, Delphox's typing in tandem with its decent bulk gives it the ability to soft check some of the most common special attackers such as Vanilluxe and Whimsicott as well as Fighting-types like Hariyama and Passimian. Delphox's access to useful coverage moves in Dazzling Gleam and Grass Knot also allows it to bypass a lot of typical Fire-type checks such as Guzzlord, Slowbro, and Rhydon, and its access to moves such as Calm Mind, Trick, and Wish gives it the ability to support both itself and its teammates. However, Delphox suffers from an unfortunate weakness to Stealth Rock, which limits its ability to check the previously mentioned Pokemon consistently. Delphox's typing also leaves it vulnerable to Dark- and Rock-types such as Sneasel, Houndoom, and Aerodactyl as well as their STAB moves in Pursuit, Sucker Punch, and Stone Edge.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Psychic / Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Grass Knot
item: Grassium Z / Firium Z / Colbur Berry
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind increases Delphox's Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage, allowing it break through bulkier teams more easily. Fire Blast is Delphox's main Fire-type STAB move, dealing a lot of damage to non-Fire-resistant Pokemon like Gallade after a boost in power from Calm Mind. Psychic provides Delphox with a secondary STAB move that is more reliable and threatens to hit Diancie fairly hard after a boost without requiring a Z-Move. Alternatively, Dazzling Gleam can be used to nail bulkier Dark- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Scrafty, Guzzlord, and Altaria, which would otherwise be a massive annoyance to Delphox. Grass Knot rounds out Delphox's coverage by giving it the ability to threaten bulky Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types such as Rhydon, Diancie, Slowbro, and Quagsire.
Set Details
========
The investment in Speed and Special Attack makes Delphox as strong and as fast as possible, with a Timid nature being used to outspeed foes such as Rotom and Sigilyph. Firium Z turns Fire Blast into Inferno Overdrive, which gives Delphox access to a strong and reliable one-time attack that can be used to break through typical checks like Mega Audino. Alternatively, Grassium Z can be used to turn Grass Knot into Bloom Doom, which is capable of heavily damaging bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Slowking, and Pyukumuku even unboosted. Colbur Berry can be used over either Z-Crystal if Delphox's team already has a Z-Move user, allowing Delphox to take Dark-type moves such as Knock Off from Sneasel and Sucker Punch from Skuntank before KOing them with Fire Blast. Fairium Z and Psychium Z are other options that can be used to break through Pokemon like Incineroar and Diancie, but Firium Z and Grassium Z are more consistently threatening for teams to deal with. Blaze increases Fire Blast's power when Delphox is low on HP, which can potentially give it an easier time powering through foes such as Type: Null with Inferno Overdrive after it uses Calm Mind.
Usage Tips
========
Since Delphox excels against slower, more defensive teams, avoid playing recklessly against them and letting Delphox acquire too much damage beforehand in order to use it to its fullest potential. If Delphox is not holding a Colbur Berry, it is rather vulnerable to Dark-types and Pursuit trappers, meaning that preserving it until these Pokemon have been removed may prove useful; however, if a teammate needs a certain defensive core broken through in order to reliably sweep late-game, Delphox can be used to wallbreak for them instead. Exercise caution in regard to using Firium Z. It should mainly be used after Delphox has used Calm Mind in order to break through bulkier foes such as Mega Audino and Piloswine or if Delphox really can't afford to miss against foes like Steelix. While Delphox doesn't appreciate taking a lot of damage before it attempts to set up, it is capable of taking resisted special attacks from Pokemon such as Vanilluxe.
Team Options
========
Calm Mind Delphox fits well on bulky offensive teams that are in need of a setup sweeper that can break through common defensive cores. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Steelix, Garbodor, and Diancie is appreciated, as the chip damage gives Delphox an easier time breaking through bulkier Pokemon like Slowking and Incineroar. Due to Delphox's weakness to Stealth Rock, it also appreciates having teammates such as Rotom, Blastoise, and Silvally-Steel that can remove entry hazards. Silvally-Steel can put bulkier foes on a timer with Toxic and make use of Parting Shot in order to pivot Delphox in, while Rotom can cripple physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and get Delphox in safely against bulkier Grass-types like Vileplume with Volt Switch. Delphox's weakness to Dark means that checks to Dark-types are indispensable teammates. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Hariyama and Passimian can offensively check Dark-types and wallbreak for Delphox, which they have a much easier time doing due to Delphox removing their checks. Fairy-types such as Diancie and Mega Audino can more defensively check Dark-types and also come to Delphox's aid against revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Braviary. Additionally, both can provide cleric support, which helps in maintaining Delphox's longevity. Sneasel makes for a good teammate due to its ability to pressure bulky Pokemon that Delphox can struggle with breaking through unboosted like Altaria, Druddigon, and Jellicent, potentially remove Slowking with Pursuit, and threaten Pokemon like Type: Null with Knock Off. In return, Delphox can eliminate physically bulky Pokemon that Sneasel can struggle with like Slowbro and Steelix as well as soft check Fighting-types like Hariyama.
[SET]
name: Wish + Protect
move 1: Wish
move 2: Protect
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wish heals Delphox and its teammates, which allows it to reliably use Toxic to stall foes out. Protect guarantees that Delphox will regain HP after using Wish, generates a free turn of Leftovers recovery, forces badly poisoned Pokemon to take an additional turn of damage, and allows Delphox to scout for moves. Flamethrower is Delphox's only attack, chosen over other Fire-type moves due to its reliability, decently high Base Power, and high PP. Toxic gives Delphox the ability to cripple defensive Pokemon that would otherwise completely wall it such as Rhydon and Slowking as well as more offensive checks like Guzzlord.
Set Details
========
136 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Delphox to outspeed Vivillon, with the remainder of the EVs being poured into Delphox's HP and Defense to improve its bulk and skew the matchup against Pokemon such as Klinklang more in its favor. Leftovers gives Delphox a minor form of recovery, which lessens its reliance on Wish. Blaze increases the power of Flamethrower when Delphox is low on HP, though Wish in combination with this set's more defensive nature prevent Delphox from taking complete advantage of it.
Usage Tips
========
Delphox should mainly switch in on special attackers that it checks such as Vanilluxe and Whimsicott. Using Wish against these Pokemon as well as others like Steelix is ideal, since Delphox forces them out and can safely use Protect on the following turn to regain HP. Against Choice-locked Pokemon such as Guzzlord and Sneasel, use Protect in order to scout which move they lock themselves into and act accordingly. Toxic should be used whenever Delphox anticipates a Pokemon that it cannot otherwise deal with such as Incineroar, Slowbro, or Miltank to switch in. Be wary of Toxic from Pokemon such as Mega Audino, as it greatly hinders this set and limits Delphox's ability to check Pokemon like Klinklang while still maintaining longevity. Refrain from switching in if Stealth Rock is up, as this heavily pressures Delphox and forces it to use Wish more often than it would like to.
Team Options
========
Wish Delphox fits best on bulky offensive and balance teams with teammates that lack recovery and are easier to wear down, as these Pokemon appreciate the support that Delphox provides. Entry hazard removers such as Blastoise, Silvally-Steel, and Whimsicott are important teammates due to Delphox's weakness to Stealth Rock preventing it from switching in and out as freely as it would like if it is up. All three of them can deal with bulky Ground- and Rock-types for Delphox. In return, Delphox can keep these Pokemon consistently healthy with Wish on top of switching into Grass-types. Fighting-types such as Hariyama and Passimian offensively check Dark-types and appreciate Delphox placing pressure on their checks like Slowbro and Vileplume. Diancie's ability to reliably switch into and threaten out most Dark-types is very much appreciated, and it also provides cleric support in Heal Bell to prevent status from hindering Delphox. Bulkier setup sweepers like Aromatisse and Scrafty appreciate being passed Wishes, as it allows them to break early-game and take chip damage without it being detrimental in their attempt to sweep late-game. Delphox also pressures Steel- and Poison-types, which the two struggle against.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Dazzling Gleam / Grass Knot
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Delphox's strongest Fire-type STAB move, hitting Pokemon such as Sneasel, Steelix, and Whimsicott super effectively. Psychic threatens Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon such as Passimian, Garbodor, and Golbat, and it also hits certain Fire-resistant Pokemon like Miltank fairly hard. Psyshock can be used over Psychic to hit Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hariyama and Magmortar harder. Dazzling Gleam gives Delphox super effective coverage for certain Dark- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Scrafty, Guzzlord, and Druddigon and is also useful for hitting foes such as Houndoom and Incineroar neutrally. Alternatively, Grass Knot can be used to hit Ground- and Water-type Pokemon such as Rhydon, Slowbro, and Jellicent harder than any of Delphox's other attacks. Finally, Trick cripples specially defensive Pokemon that Delphox is incapable of breaking through, such as Slowking and Type: Null, while also allowing Delphox to switch between moves afterwards.
Set Details
========
The investment in Special Attack and Speed maximizes Delphox's offensive presence while making it as fast as possible, with a Timid nature and a Choice Scarf allowing Delphox to outpace the entire unboosted metagame as well as some boosted threats like Shell Smash Omastar. Blaze increases the power of Fire Blast when Delphox is low on HP, which can prove useful when attempting to clean late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Delphox should mainly be used as a revenge killer due to its high Speed and Special Attack, although it is capable of serving as a late-game cleaner as well. Exercise caution when it comes to using Psychic if the opposing team has a Dark-type like Incineroar or Sneasel, since they can switch into Delphox after it KOes a foe and either set up on it as it switches out or remove it with Pursuit. Delphox should mainly switch in on resisted special attacks such as Moonblast from Whimsicott and Blizzard from Vanilluxe; however, note that Stealth Rock will limit its ability to handle these attacks. Trick should mainly be used against defensive teams, as losing Delphox's Choice Scarf isn't as detrimental against them compared to offensive teams and it can effectively hamper bulkier Pokemon like Type: Null. However, be sure to scout for Z-Moves on Pokemon like Slowbro before using Trick, since it will fail and force Delphox out.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Delphox fits well on both offensive and bulky offensive teams that are in need of a way to keep faster foes in check and a powerful revenge killer. Delphox appreciates having teammates that can remove entry hazards due to its vulnerability to all forms of them, most notably Stealth Rock, so Pokemon such as Golbat, Rotom, Silvally-Steel, and Whimsicott are good partners. While Delphox doesn't appreciate entry hazards on its side of the field, it certainly appreciates being paired with entry hazard setters such as Rhydon and Steelix in order to pressure bulkier teams and guarantee certain 2HKOs such as on non-Assault Vest Slowbro with Grass Knot. Since Choice Scarf Delphox can struggle with breaking through certain bulky Pokemon such as Miltank and Vaporeon, it appreciates being paired with wallbreakers that can pressure these Pokemon and make cleaning up late-game easier, such as Heliolisk, Guzzlord, and Passimian. The former two can check Water-types, while the latter checks Dark-types, and Delphox can check Fairy-, Fighting-, and Ice-types for them in return. Setup sweepers that can take advantage of opposing Pokemon being locked into Knock Off and Pursuit such as Scrafty, Aromatisse, Klinklang, and Omastar are good teammates, as Delphox appreciates having them to fall back on against the likes of Sneasel and Choice Scarf Houndoom. Scrafty can also set up on other checks to Delphox like Slowbro and Slowking. In return, Delphox can break through Steel- and Grass-type Pokemon such as Steelix and Vileplume for them. Mega Audino makes for a good teammate due to its ability to reliably switch into Knock Off, check Dark-types, circumvent Delphox's lack of recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards courtesy of Wish, and provide Heal Bell support in case Delphox is inflicted by status, while Delphox can remove Poison- and Steel-types for it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Signal Beam can be used to threaten Malamar while still retaining coverage against other Dark-types and Slowbro, though Delphox has a hard time finding room for it. Shadow Ball hits opposing Delphox and other foes such as Mismagius and Slowbro super effectively but offers little of over any of its other moves outside of this. A Substitute + Calm Mind set with Salac Berry can be used to improve Delphox's chances of sweeping more offensive teams while allowing it to avoid status conditions and Pursuit from faster Dark-types, though Delphox doesn't appreciate dropping a move for Substitute. Choice Specs gives Delphox more immediate power at the cost of being unable to alternate between moves while not improving its matchup against faster, more offensive teams like Choice Scarf does. An all-out attacking set with Life Orb is an option that makes Delphox more immediately threatening, though the recoil damage per attack doesn't couple well with its lack of recovery, its weakness to Stealth Rock, and it being relied on to soft check other Pokemon like Vanilluxe.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Houndoom and Incineroar resist both of Delphox's STAB types and are only hit neutrally by Dazzling Gleam; furthermore, both can set up on Delphox with Nasty Plot and Swords Dance, respectively. Skuntank and Black Glasses Houndoom can force Delphox into mind games due to them possessing both Sucker Punch and Pursuit, and Sneasel outspeeds non-Choice Scarf Delphox, threatening to OHKO it with Knock Off and trap it with Pursuit.
**Bulky Water-types*: Bulky Water-types such as Slowking, Vaporeon, and Pyukumuku can take an unboosted Grass Knot rather well and retaliate with either a strong Scald or Toxic. However, they have a harder time checking Delphox if it has already used Calm Mind or is a Bloom Doom variant.
**Bulky Rock-types**: Bulky Rock-type Pokemon like Diancie completely counter most variants of Delphox and safely OHKO it with their STAB moves, though they do have to be cautious of Bloom Doom.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Certain specially defensive Pokemon like Type: Null and Altaria can handle even boosted attacks from Calm Mind Delphox and either retaliate with strong STAB attacks or put it on a timer with Toxic. They must be wary of switching in on a potential Trick, however.
**Revenge Killers**: Naturally faster Pokemon such as Mismagius and Sneasel as well as faster Choice Scarf users such as Braviary and Hitmonlee outspeed non-Choice Scarf Delphox and threaten to KO it with either strong or super effective attacks. Certain priority users like Decidueye and Skuntank are also capable of revenge killing Delphox, though they can't switch in.
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