The Pressure is ON
[QC: Ginjaninja / jc104 / Shrang] [GP: none / none]
WIP :
[Overview]
<p> Deoxys-D is often the first pokemon to come to a player's mind when they search for a good wall- and rightfully so. It has stellar defenses, allowing it to take hits from many of the tier's most fearsome attackers. It also has pretty good speed for a pokemon bulky- enough to outspeed non-scarfed Rotom-W and Dragonite. Even better is its wide movepool- with many useful support moves such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, Taunt, and Toxic. It's decent attacking stats and pretty large offensive movepool means that it can even run a pseudo offensive set to great effect.</p>
<p> However, despite these traits, Deoxys-D still has its drawbacks. One thing that stands out is it's aweful HP stat- which means that hazard and status damage will cripple it a lot. It also doesn't have a very good typing defensive-wise; it is easily trapped and KO'd by some of the tier's most popular pokemon such as Scizor or Tyranitar. Its subpar attacking stats will also mean that it's good set up bait for many bulkier pokemon such as Volcorona or Terrakion that can take its hits. The come of BW2 didn't help it much either- the new threats such as Tornadus-T and Keldeo all hit through Deoxys-D's defenses and love to set up on it. Still, this defensive beast has a lot going for it, so underestimate it at your own peril.</p>
[SET]
name: Speedy Spiker
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Night Shade / Magic Coat
item: Leftovers / Rocky helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Just like it was in previous generations, Deoxys-D cements itself as one of the best support pokemon in the game. With base 90 speed, Deoxys-D is one of the fastest Spikers in the tier, able to set up quick hazards in the beginning of a match. It also gets Stealth Rock, a move many other Spikers would just dream they had. Because of its access to Taunt and its gigantic defenses, there are not many pokemon that can prevent this behemoth from setting up. The last moveslot if optional- it depends on what the team needs. With Magic Coat, Deoxys-D can reflect opposing hazards, status, and Taunt. Night Shade, on the other hand, provides reliable damage and also prevents Deoxys-D from being shut down by Prankster Taunts from the likes of Sableye. </p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Recover or Thunder Wave can be used instead of Stealth Rock if you already have a stealth rocker. Recover allows Deoxys to gain HP back, and stay in a lot longer to set up. Thunder Wave, on the other hand, cripples the opponent, and allows Deoxys-D to Taunt even faster threats. Maximum speed investment and a Timid nature allows Deoxys-D to outspeed max EV neutral nature base 100's and Taunt them before they can set up. The Max HP lets you take as many hits as possible, and the rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense to make Deoxys-D take hits a little bit better on the special side. The speed EVs are very tweakable; 228 EVs allows you to outspeed Jirachi and Celebi, while 208 outspeeds Adamant Haxorus, and 216 outspeeds Modest Hydreigon. The leftover EVs can be put into defense or special defense for more bulk. A more specially defensive set can be used also, with 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Calm nature. Leftovers allows Deoxys to gain steady recovery and keep it alive longer, while a Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers. If you want to be able to escape Scizor and Tyranitar, Colbur and Tanga berries can be used, however smart prediction and conservative playing is usually a better idea.</p>
<p> Like all other hazard support pokemon, Deoxys-D loves to be partners with Spinblockers such as Gengar or Jellicent. Rotom-W is also a great parnter for Deoxys-D because it can switch into Trick without fearing much, and it can also utilize VoltTurn to force the opponent to take hazard damage set up from Deoxys. Rotom also handles many spinners well, including Starmie, Donphan, and Forretress. Deoxys-D works particularly well in VoltTurn teams, since those teams will wear down opponents quickly with hazard support. Pokemon such as Infernape or Terrakion that can take care of Scizor or Tyranitar are great partners too, as many of them enjoy hazard support and eliminate pokemon that threaten Deoxys. </p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Spiker
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Psycho Boost
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Thunder
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Though 70 Special Attack and Attack are nothing to brag about, it's certainly enough to allow Deoxys-D to do something that makes out stand out among hazard support pokemon- KO most of the spinners in the tier. Once spinners are eliminated, Deoxys-D can safely set up hazards without fearing their removal, something not many other Spikers can do. Spikes is the base of this set, providing really useful hazards for all sorts of teams, and it even has the ability to negate Sturdies and Focus Sashes, so Deoxys-D can OHKO Foretress. Psycho Boost is the main STAB, hitting fighting and poison types hard. Hidden Power Fire and Thunder each dispose of Forretress and Starmie, respectively, while Stealth Rock is used in the last slot for even more hazards. </p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Max special attack and a Life Orb is needed to secure some very important KO's- such as the OHKO to Tentacruel with Psycho Boost, or the OHKO to Forretress and Scizor. Full investment in Speed allows Deoxys-D to outpace as many pokemon as possible, and the remaining evs are put into HP for bulk. Fire and Electric gems can be used to hit harder and avoid recoil, but they don't necessary turn many important 2HKO's into OHKO's, so Life Orb is generally better. Superpower can be used to hit Tyranitar hard, and Thunderbolt can be used instead of Thunder for its greater accuracy, however take note that Thunderbolt misses on the ability to OHKO Starmie. A spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Adamant with Superpower and Fire Punch can be used for a physical take, however this does not hit as hard as a specially oriented Deoxys. </p>
<p> Once again, this Deoxys-D is very well suited for offensive teams- even more so than the fast Spiker, because of its ability to KO spinners and deal a lot of damage to everything else. Hard hitting pokemon love to have hazards on the opponents side, to break Sturdies and Sashes, and to just weaken the opponents pokemon for a sweep. This set, being offensive, does not mind Taunt and TrickScarf as much as the other sets do, however they are still useful strategies in taking down this Deoxys-D. Because this set lacks the bulk of the other ones, extremely powerful hitters such as Choice Banded Haxorus or Choice Specs Latios can break down this Deoxys with repeated heavy hits.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Spiker
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Recover
move 4: Night Shade / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> In this set, Deoxys utilizes it's massive Special Defense to become one of the sturdiest walls in the tier. It sets Spikes and Taunts, preventing itself from being set up on and laying down hazard support. Recover is an excellent recovery move for Deoxys-D, making it a harder nut to crack as many special sweepers will fail to do more than 50%. The last slot has two options; Night Shade allows you to damage your opponent, while Stealth Rock provides more useful hazards. </p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Full investment in Special Defense and HP allow Deoxys-D to take hits from many of the tier's most fearsome special attackers, including Specs Latios and Specs Tornadus-T. The rest of the evs are put into defense to allow it to take some physical hits as well. The evs can be further tweaked with a spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD witha Bold nature to take hits from the physical side. Leftovers help Deoxys regenerate health when it doesn't have time to Recover, while Rocky Helmet dissuades weaker spinners such as Starmie from spinning your hazards away. </p>
<p> In the fourth moveslot, Toxic can also be used to passively damage sweepers, allowing you to Recover stall or force them to switch and take hazard damage. Great partners for this set are same as always- Ghost types such as Gengar or Jellicent that can prevent the opponent from spinning. This Deoxys is more suited for bulkier offensive teams, taking hits well and giving it's teammates support. Bulky fighting types such as Conkeldurr are also great partners for this set, being able to handle Tyranitar and Scizor and take hits from Deoxys's slightly weaker physical defense. Without fighting types (and sometimes even with them) Scizor and Tyranitar can come in and Pursuit trap Deoxys to death. </p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screener
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Light Clay
ability: Pressure
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Instead of setting hazards, this set capitalizes on another support strategy in Deoxys's movepool- Dual Screens. With it's great speed and massive natural bulk, it is almost guaranteed that Deoxys will be able to set up screens to aid it's teammates. Reflect and Light Screen also raise it's own defenses to insane levels, allowing it to take even more hits with impunity. A fast Taunt prevents opponents from taunting you, and also prevents yourself from being set up on. The last slot is for hazards- Stealth Rock is preffered, as it's quick and reliable, but Spikes is also a good option for more damage or if your team already has a Stealth Rocker. </p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Some people may look it this set and immediately think that it's outclassed by Espeon and Latias, but it has it's place because of its massive bulk, allowing it to set up more than the frailer Espeon or Latias. Another great niche is it's 'surprise' factor- it doesn't mind spinner switch ins as much as the sets stressing on hazard support. It has Leftovers for steady Recovery, and with the extra bulk the screens provide it is even harder to take down. This set is great for hyper offensive teams, providing extra bulk for frailer sweepers and set up pokemon. Spinblockers are still great partners; a lot of them appreciate the extra protection and can prevent Deoxys's hazards from being spun away. With Reflect, it boosts its defense to such insane levels that even Specially Defensive Tyranitar's Crunch is only a 5HKO.
[SET]
name: Toxic Stall
move 1: Toxic
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Recover
move 4: Agility
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
ability: Pressure
EV's: 252 HP / 168 Def / 56 SpD / 32 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Though uncommon, this set is extremely useful if played correctly. With it's massive bulk and access to Toxic, Deoxys-D has a pretty easy time tanking hits with impunity as the opponent slowly dies to status. It has a fast Taunt, which means that things like Blissey won't be able to Heal Bell or Wish and Protect. Taunt also stops set up sweepers such as Dragonite and Gyarados in their tracks. Deoxys-D also gets Recover, an extremely useful move on this set- as it allows Deoxys to Toxic stall even better, as many pokemon will struggle to do more than 50% to this behemoth. Finally, in the last slot, it gets Agility, a weird move yet still very effective. After just one Agility, you outspeed every common non choiced pokemon, including SubPass Jolteon and CM Lati@s, which you can Taunt and then slowly Toxic them to death. </p>
<p> This set plays a lot differently than Deoxys's other sets- mainly because it relies on Toxic to deal damage. In this set, Deoxys relies on hazard support from others (rather than setting them up itself) to weaken the opponent so it has an easier time stalling. This set also uses Deoxys's ability, Pressure, to erase the PP of moves like Gyro Ball, which hits harder as Deoxys gets faster. </p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> The ev spread may seem weird, but it enables Deoxys to counter certain threats. 32 evs allow you to outspeed Choice Scarfed Rotom-W after an Agility and Taunt it before it can Trick. Maximum investment in HP and the rest into Defense and Special defense allow Deoxys-D to take as many hits as possible- so that it can live to Recover its health back up. However, a spread of 252 HP / 72 Def / 184 SpD / 32 Spe and a Calm nature can also be used- if you want some extra bulk to take Hurricanes from Tornadus-T better. Leftovers are a must on this set, because you'll want all the recovery you can get. Instead of Taunt, Magic Coat can also be used- it allows you to beat pranksters and reflect status and hazards. Night Shade can also be used, if you want to wear down the opponent faster. It also allows you to hit things after you've been Taunted. </p>
<p> Pranksters, Steel types, Poison types, Magic Bouncers, and Magic Guarders all wall this set, because they are all immune to Toxic, Deoxy-D's only form of causing damage. Great teammates to Deoxys-D are pokemon that can take care of those pokemon- strong Ground types or Pursuiters such as Donphan or Tyranitar are exceptionally great partners. Donphan can spin away hazards that Deoxys-D hates, and at the same time knock out Steel types and Poison types with Earthquake. Tyranitar can hit Steel types hard with Superpower, and pursuit trap Pranksters, Magic Bouncers, and Magic Guarders, while at the same time providing Sandstorm to wear down the opponent even more. </p>
[SET]
name: TrickScarf
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Trick
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Thunder Wave / Taunt / Recover
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Timid
ability: Pressure
evs: 252 HP / 32 Def / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> A choice Scarf may seem like the worst item to give a pokemon so support oriented as Deoxys- but this set has got a lot of perks over the other standard sets. With Trick, Deoxys-D can cripple opposing Taunters who think they can outspeed. Trick also cripples opposing Support pokemon such as Ferrothorn or Forretress. Having a Scarf also lessens the threat of opposing Trickers, as they'll still be stuck with a choice item. Trick cripples common switch ins such as spinners and Magic Bouncers, as well as Pranksters. Set up pokemon will also be less of a threat if you can lock them into their set up move. Trick isn't the only good thing about this set- the ability to set hazards even though you're scarfed is another great thing about this. Since switching moves is rarely necessary when setting Spikes, having a scarf won't hinder you at all- and it will even help you squeeze in that last layer of Spikes before opposing max speed Gliscor Taunt you. Stealth Rock adds further support for your team, and can be used both before and after you Trick. The last slot can be used for a number of moves- Thunder Wave cripples opponents so you can outspeed even after you lose your scarf. Taunt shuts down opposing set up pokemon just like in all other sets, and even opposing non-choiced Deoxys. Recover is also a great option to heal up, since this set lacks passive recovery. </p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> A timid nature and 224 Speed evs allow you to outspeed Scarfed Rotom-W with your Scarf, while still being able to take a lot of hits by maxing out HP and putting the rest into defense. A scarf is needed on all variants of this set, because it's what makes this set unique. There are a few moves Deoxys can use instead of those listed above, however. Psycho Boost can be used to attack and have a bit of offense with your Scarf, but it's really weak without investment, and is very susceptible to punishment by Tyranitar. Night Shade can also be used, and this is generally safer than Psycho Boost, even if it doesn't hit certain pokemon has hard. </p>
<p> This Deoxys is best for both offensive and defensive teams for it's ability to cripple both Stall and Offense. Just like with the other sets, sweepers love Deoxys because it's hazard support allows them to score useful KO's. Deoxys in turn loves spinblockers such as Gengar for their ability to keep hazards on your opponent's side. </p>
[Other Options]
<p> Deoxys-D has a few other options up it's sleeve, but a lot of them are simply done better by the sets listed above. A phazing set with Recycle and a Red Card allows you to use your hazards to damage your opponent. The move Skill Swap can be used on any set to cripple Pranksters, Magic Guarders, and Magic Bouncers. Cosmic Power is also viable if you want to have even more bulk, but this is generally outclassed by the dual screens set. A Calm Mind set is viable if you want to use Deoxys's offensive movepool a bit more. Thunder Wave can also be used on any of the sets for further team support. </p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p> Because of Deoxys's extreme bulk and decent speed, many pokemon must resort to super effective moves in order to dent Deoxys. Tyranitar and Scizor are the best counters; as they have Crunch / U-Turn respectively and can both trap and KO Deoxys. Pranksters are also really problematic to deal with; they will always outspeed and Taunt (unless Magic Coat is being used) to shut Deoxys down. Espeon is also extremely problematic, as it's ability prevents Deoxys from setting up. Espeon can even set up on Deoxys, meaning that even the offensive set won't hurt it as much. Finally, Choice Scarf Trickers such as Rotom-W are annoying, as they hinder your ability to set up and Taunt. </p>
Own comments:
- FINISHED AND READY FOR CHECKS
