[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys-S is the fastest Pokemon in the game and has access to numerous utility options such as Taunt, Skill Swap, and Magic Coat, as well as two different types of entry hazards in Stealth Rock and Spikes, which make it a very consistent hazard setter in the Ubers metagame. Its bulk is also reasonably good, allowing it to set up multiple layers of entry hazards against many common leads. Unfortunately, Deoxys-S only fits on very offensively oriented teams, as other playstyles cannot afford to dedicate an entire teamslot to a suicide lead. It's also unable to set up hazards against Magic Bounce and Magic Coat users unless it carries Skill Swap or Magic Coat of its own, respectively. Additionally, Deoxys-S struggles to maintain entry hazards on the opposing side of the field against Rapid Spin users like Excadrill and Cloyster, as Taunt doesn't shut them down.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Spikes / Magic Coat
move 4: Skill Swap / Magic Coat
item: Focus Sash / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is mandatory, as it deals chip damage to foes upon switching in, making it easier for teammates to pick up KOs, and allows Deoxys-S to free up a moveslot in a teammate's set, usually to give Primal Groudon the ability to run a more offensive set. Taunt shuts down Defoggers such as support Arceus formes and Giratina-O, which would otherwise be able to remove the hazards set by Deoxys-S with relative ease. Spikes gives Deoxys-S another entry hazard to set up once it gets up Stealth Rock, which allows it to more effectively wear down the opposing team. Alternatively, Magic Coat could be used to improve Deoxys-S's matchup against other Deoxys-S leads. Skill Swap allows Deoxys-S to set up hazards against Mega Sableye, which is important in the matchup versus stall.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash is crucial, as it allows Deoxys-S to almost always set up at least one layer of entry hazards, ensuring that its teamslot doesn't go to waste. Rocky Helmet could be used instead to give Deoxys-S the ability to keep its entry hazards up against Rapid Spin users such as Cloyster and Excadrill, as the recoil damage causes them to be punished more than Deoxys-S upon using Rapid Spin. Maximum Speed investment is used to outpace or at worst Speed tie with opposing Deoxys-S leads. The rest of the EVs are invested into HP and Defense to improve Deoxys-S's survivability. An EV spread of 248 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe can also be run, as it improves Deoxys-S's overall physical bulk while still giving it the ability to outspeed Deoxys-A and Pheromosa. Alternatively, 176 Speed EVs can be used to still outspeed everything up to Timid Choice Scarf Lunala while increasing Deoxys's physical bulk, which is particularly useful for Rocky Helmet variants that want to deal more recoil damage.
Usage Tips
========
Deoxys-S should always be the lead of choice unless a Rapid Spin user is spotted at Team Preview, in which case you should try to anti-lead and eliminate that Pokemon so Deoxys-S can get up entry hazards. Taunt is important to prevent Deoxys-S from becoming setup fodder for Pokemon like Xerneas, Mega Salamence, Mega Lucario, and Primal Groudon, so use it liberally. It should also be used against Defog users to prevent Deoxys-S's attempts to get up hazards from going to waste. Skill Swap should be selected against Mega Sableye to ensure Deoxys-S can set up Stealth Rock. Magic Coat should be used against opposing Deoxys-S to reflect a potential Taunt or Stealth Rock. If running Rocky Helmet, Deoxys-S should continually reset hazards against spinners, as they are punished more than it is.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon with Swords Dance or Rock Polish makes for a good partner, as the use of Deoxys-S frees up its Stealth Rock slot. Arceus, Mega Salamence, and Geomancy Xerneas also make for decent teammates, as they appreciate the support from Stealth Rock and Spikes to grab KOs they otherwise wouldn't get. Other Pokemon that enjoy exploiting the additional chip damage from Spikes like Pheromosa are solid partners for Deoxys-S. Spinblockers such as Lunala and Giratina-O make for good partners, as they can block Rapid Spin from Pokemon such as Excadrill and Cloyster, which can otherwise easily remove Deoxys-S's hazards. Mega Gengar has good synergy with Deoxys-S, since it can trap and eliminate Scolipede, allowing Deoxys-S to set hazards. Fast Taunt users such as Tapu Koko, Mega Gengar, and Mewtwo are useful teammates for their ability to outspeed and Taunt support Arceus formes, which can otherwise Defog away hazards set by Deoxys-S when it is eliminated. Mixed Primal Groudon is a good teammate, as it can lure in and 2HKO Giratina-O with Fire Blast + Dragon Pulse on teams that use it as their Defogger, ensuring that Deoxys-S's hazards stay up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A dual screens set is an option, but it means that Deoxys-S misses out on Spikes, which is more consistent in most matchups. Deoxys-S can run a more offensive set with Psycho Boost to surprise some Pokemon such as Mega Gengar and Mega Lucario, but its lackluster offenses mean that it's mostly outclassed by Deoxys-A in that regard. Superpower is also an option to improve Deoxys-S's matchup versus Excadrill and Extreme Killer Arceus leads.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye completely shuts down Deoxys-S with Magic Bounce, although this can be nullified with Skill Swap.
**Giratina-O**: Giratina-O can 2HKO Deoxys-S with Shadow Sneak and then proceed to Defog away any entry hazards it set.
**Rapid Spin Users**: Other suicide leads with access to Rapid Spin, such as Cloyster and Excadrill, can beat Deoxys-S one-on-one, since they can get rid of all the hazards it sets without worrying about Taunt. However, they lose to Rocky Helmet sets.
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers, particularly those with access to priority such as Extreme Killer Arceus and Rayquaza, can force Deoxys-S to either use Taunt to stop them from setting up or set up Stealth Rock, resulting in prediction games.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers like Primal Kyogre, Calm Mind Arceus-Ghost, and Yveltal can easily take care of Deoxys-S because its Special Defense is quite low when uninvested.
Deoxys-S is the fastest Pokemon in the game and has access to numerous utility options such as Taunt, Skill Swap, and Magic Coat, as well as two different types of entry hazards in Stealth Rock and Spikes, which make it a very consistent hazard setter in the Ubers metagame. Its bulk is also reasonably good, allowing it to set up multiple layers of entry hazards against many common leads. Unfortunately, Deoxys-S only fits on very offensively oriented teams, as other playstyles cannot afford to dedicate an entire teamslot to a suicide lead. It's also unable to set up hazards against Magic Bounce and Magic Coat users unless it carries Skill Swap or Magic Coat of its own, respectively. Additionally, Deoxys-S struggles to maintain entry hazards on the opposing side of the field against Rapid Spin users like Excadrill and Cloyster, as Taunt doesn't shut them down.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Spikes / Magic Coat
move 4: Skill Swap / Magic Coat
item: Focus Sash / Rocky Helmet
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is mandatory, as it deals chip damage to foes upon switching in, making it easier for teammates to pick up KOs, and allows Deoxys-S to free up a moveslot in a teammate's set, usually to give Primal Groudon the ability to run a more offensive set. Taunt shuts down Defoggers such as support Arceus formes and Giratina-O, which would otherwise be able to remove the hazards set by Deoxys-S with relative ease. Spikes gives Deoxys-S another entry hazard to set up once it gets up Stealth Rock, which allows it to more effectively wear down the opposing team. Alternatively, Magic Coat could be used to improve Deoxys-S's matchup against other Deoxys-S leads. Skill Swap allows Deoxys-S to set up hazards against Mega Sableye, which is important in the matchup versus stall.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash is crucial, as it allows Deoxys-S to almost always set up at least one layer of entry hazards, ensuring that its teamslot doesn't go to waste. Rocky Helmet could be used instead to give Deoxys-S the ability to keep its entry hazards up against Rapid Spin users such as Cloyster and Excadrill, as the recoil damage causes them to be punished more than Deoxys-S upon using Rapid Spin. Maximum Speed investment is used to outpace or at worst Speed tie with opposing Deoxys-S leads. The rest of the EVs are invested into HP and Defense to improve Deoxys-S's survivability. An EV spread of 248 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe can also be run, as it improves Deoxys-S's overall physical bulk while still giving it the ability to outspeed Deoxys-A and Pheromosa. Alternatively, 176 Speed EVs can be used to still outspeed everything up to Timid Choice Scarf Lunala while increasing Deoxys's physical bulk, which is particularly useful for Rocky Helmet variants that want to deal more recoil damage.
Usage Tips
========
Deoxys-S should always be the lead of choice unless a Rapid Spin user is spotted at Team Preview, in which case you should try to anti-lead and eliminate that Pokemon so Deoxys-S can get up entry hazards. Taunt is important to prevent Deoxys-S from becoming setup fodder for Pokemon like Xerneas, Mega Salamence, Mega Lucario, and Primal Groudon, so use it liberally. It should also be used against Defog users to prevent Deoxys-S's attempts to get up hazards from going to waste. Skill Swap should be selected against Mega Sableye to ensure Deoxys-S can set up Stealth Rock. Magic Coat should be used against opposing Deoxys-S to reflect a potential Taunt or Stealth Rock. If running Rocky Helmet, Deoxys-S should continually reset hazards against spinners, as they are punished more than it is.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon with Swords Dance or Rock Polish makes for a good partner, as the use of Deoxys-S frees up its Stealth Rock slot. Arceus, Mega Salamence, and Geomancy Xerneas also make for decent teammates, as they appreciate the support from Stealth Rock and Spikes to grab KOs they otherwise wouldn't get. Other Pokemon that enjoy exploiting the additional chip damage from Spikes like Pheromosa are solid partners for Deoxys-S. Spinblockers such as Lunala and Giratina-O make for good partners, as they can block Rapid Spin from Pokemon such as Excadrill and Cloyster, which can otherwise easily remove Deoxys-S's hazards. Mega Gengar has good synergy with Deoxys-S, since it can trap and eliminate Scolipede, allowing Deoxys-S to set hazards. Fast Taunt users such as Tapu Koko, Mega Gengar, and Mewtwo are useful teammates for their ability to outspeed and Taunt support Arceus formes, which can otherwise Defog away hazards set by Deoxys-S when it is eliminated. Mixed Primal Groudon is a good teammate, as it can lure in and 2HKO Giratina-O with Fire Blast + Dragon Pulse on teams that use it as their Defogger, ensuring that Deoxys-S's hazards stay up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A dual screens set is an option, but it means that Deoxys-S misses out on Spikes, which is more consistent in most matchups. Deoxys-S can run a more offensive set with Psycho Boost to surprise some Pokemon such as Mega Gengar and Mega Lucario, but its lackluster offenses mean that it's mostly outclassed by Deoxys-A in that regard. Superpower is also an option to improve Deoxys-S's matchup versus Excadrill and Extreme Killer Arceus leads.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye completely shuts down Deoxys-S with Magic Bounce, although this can be nullified with Skill Swap.
**Giratina-O**: Giratina-O can 2HKO Deoxys-S with Shadow Sneak and then proceed to Defog away any entry hazards it set.
**Rapid Spin Users**: Other suicide leads with access to Rapid Spin, such as Cloyster and Excadrill, can beat Deoxys-S one-on-one, since they can get rid of all the hazards it sets without worrying about Taunt. However, they lose to Rocky Helmet sets.
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers, particularly those with access to priority such as Extreme Killer Arceus and Rayquaza, can force Deoxys-S to either use Taunt to stop them from setting up or set up Stealth Rock, resulting in prediction games.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers like Primal Kyogre, Calm Mind Arceus-Ghost, and Yveltal can easily take care of Deoxys-S because its Special Defense is quite low when uninvested.
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