Dialga (Tank)

[dragonexpert]

[SET]
name: Dialga Tank
move 1: Dragon Pulse
move 2: Metal Burst
move 3: Roar
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP, 160 Def, 98 SpD
ivs: 13 Atk / 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Dialga can be used as a great tank due to its great typing. Being able to force the opponent to switch and lose all their stats gains can be very beneficial to a team. Not only is it making all their stat boosts go away, it is also spreading damage around since you should have Stealth Rock and possibly Spikes down as well. With this ev spread it is able to survive nearly any attack in the game making Metal Burst a great attack. Unlike Counter or Mirror Coat it doesn't matter if the opponent used a physical or special attack. The only thing that matters is Dialga has to move after it gets hit. This ev spread is able to survive a +1 Rayquaza Earthquake. Dragon Pulse is still able to do enough damage to Dragon Dance Rayquaza. It has a rare chance to knock out Palkia that have no HP investment, but Metal Burst is the preferred method to take Palkia out. Generally Toxic will prove to be more useful than Thunderbolt because of the great defenses Dialga has. Lugia is one such Pokemon that Toxic really helps considerably to take down.</p>

<ul class=”damage_calculation”>
<li>VS Rock Polish Groudon EQ: 88-104%</li>
<li>VS Rayquaza EQ unboosted: 53-62.9%</li>
<li>VS Rayquaza +1 EQ 79.3-93.6%</li>
<li>VS Draco Meteor Mixray (hasty): 74-87%</li>
<li>VS Draco Meteor Mixray Special attack boosted: 81.7-96.5%</li>
<li>VS Specs Dialga Draco Meteor: autoko unless you get the leftovers recovery after SR.</li>
<li>VS Scarf Dialga Draco Meteor:56.9% - 67.3%</li>
<li>VS CB Chomp EQ:83.2% - 98%</li>
<li>VS LO Chomp EQ:71.3% - 84.7%</li>
<li>VS LO Ho-Oh EQ:53% - 62.4%</li>
<li>VS LO Ho-Oh Sacred Fire in Sun:58.7% - 69.3%</li>
<li>VS Scarf Kyogre Waterspout at full hp:43.3% - 51.2%</li>
<li>VS Scarf Kyogre Surf:29% - 34.2%</li>
<li>VS Specs Waterspout:68.3% - 80.7%</li>
<li>VS Specs Surf:43.3% - 51.2%</li>
<li>VS LO Mewtwo Aura Sphere:65.3% - 77.2%</li>
<li>VS Scarf Palkia Spatial Rend:40.6% - 48%</li>
<li>VS Scarf Palkia Draco Meteor:56.9% - 67.3%</li>
<li>VS Specs Palkia Spatial Rend:60.9% - 72.3%</li>
<li>VS Specs Palkia Draco Meteor if timid:85.6% - 101%</li>
<li>VS Specs Palkia Draco Meteor if modest: 94.1% - 110.9%</li>
</ul>


[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The two main attacks it will use are Roar and Metal Burst. By running a speed lowering nature and a 0 IV in speed, you are able to move after a Scizor that has invested just 4 evs in speed. You can then retaliate with Metal Burst for a OHKO, although a better option would be to switch out, but at least it gives you something if you have nothing good left to fight Scizor with. It is a rare check for Choice Scarf Palkia. It can't switch into a Spacial Rend, but it can revenge ko Palkia for any Palkia user that chooses to keep their Palkia in. It also can get rid of Choice Scarf Kyogre. Trick Room doesn't really bother this Dialga set either so if you are finding Trick Room teams difficult to handle you could fit this Dialga on your team.</p>

<p>You need to have something that can set up entry hazards for this set to be fully effective. It works tremendously well with Rock Polish Groudon who can OHKO many Pokemon after they take Stealth Rock damage. It needs to be used with a team mate that either is immune to Earthquake and Superpower or at least has resistance to them to make sure you have an out. Lugia fits this really well and can continue the spread with Whirlwind and heal itself. Giratina-O could be a helpful partner as well since it has immunity to Groudon's Earthquake and can then burn Groudon.</p>

<p>You can also change the ev spread to be 212 defense to always survive Rock Polish Groudon's Earthquake if you didn't take Stealth Rock damage. Even if you went 252 evs in defense, it can still ohko it if it took damage from Stealth Rock. It should be noted that some Pokemon will be able to 2hko you that couldn't before. Choice Specs Kyogre can 2hko you with Surf. Choice Scarf Shaymin-S will always 2hko you as well if you go this route. Latios has a chance to ohko it with Draco Meteor as well after calculating Stealth Rock damage. Another thing that could be attempted is 110 evs in special defense and place the remainder in defense. By doing this you are able to always survive a Choice Specs Draco Meteor from Palkia that are timid nature.</p>

 

[CHENN]

[SET]
name: Tank ( A better name might be used, as this set doesn't really revolve around Dialga's tanking ability, but its ability to pull off the move Metal Burst )
move 1: Dragon Pulse
move 2: Metal Burst
move 3: Roar
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
(only has one ability, so that is omitted)
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP, 160 Def, 98 SpD
ivs: 13 Atk / 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Dialga can function as a great tank due to its excellent typing. Dialga often causes switches, which is useful to get rid of stat-boosters and force switches, racking up damage from entry hazards. With this EV spread, Dialga is able to survive nearly any attack in the game, making Metal Burst a great attack. Unlike Counter or Mirror Coat it doesn't matter if the opponent used a physical or special attack, the only thing that matters is Dialga can move after getting hit. This EV spread is able to always survive a +1 Rayquaza Earthquake, and OHKO back with Metal Burst. Dragon Pulse is still able to do enough damage to Dragon Dance Rayquaza and has a chance to KO Palkia that have no HP investment, but Metal Burst is the preferred method to take Palkia out. Generally, Toxic will prove to be more useful than other moves that Dialga can use because of the great defenses Dialga has. Lugia is one Pokemon that Toxic is helpful in taking down.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The two main attacks Dialga will be using are Roar and Metal Burst. By running a speed lowering nature and 0 IVs in speed, slower than a Scizor that has invested just 4 EVs in speed. You can then retaliate with Metal Burst for a OHKO. (removed the phrase here. It sounded strange and you didn't elaborate on why you shouldn't stay in on Scizor) This set is also a rare check for Choice Scarf Palkia. It can't switch into a Spacial Rend, but it can revenge kill Palkia if your opponent decides to keep Palkia in. An added bonus to this set is the ability to get rid of Choice Scarf Kyogre. Trick Room doesn't really bother this Dialga set either, so if you are finding Trick Room teams difficult to handle you could fit this Dialga on your team.</p>

<p>It is recommended to have a Pokemon that can effectively set up entry hazards for this set to work to its fullest extent. This set also works tremendously well with Rock Polish Groudon, who can run through unprepared teams after a Rock Polish. (Why?) It's also recommended to have team members who are immune or resist Ground- and Fighting-type attacks. Lugia is a good partner for this Dialga, as it has immunity to Ground attacks, and a 4x resist to Fighting attacks. Lugia can also causes switches due to Whirlwind, and is a steady tank with the ability to heal itself. Giratina-O is also a good team mate to Dialga, being immune to both Ground- and Fighting-type attacks, with the ability to burn Physical sweepers, essentially crippling them.</p>

<p>You can also change the EV spread to be 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpD in order to always survive Rock Polish Groudon's Earthquake, as long as you haven't taken Stealth Rock damage. Even if you went 252 EVs in defense, Groudon can still OHKO you if you have taken damage from Stealth Rock. It should be noted that with this alternate EV spread, some Pokemon who previously couldn't 2HKO Dialga will have the ability to 2KHO you. Choice Specs Kyogre can 2HKO you with Surf, and Choice Scarf Shaymin-S will always 2HKO you (with what?) if you go this route. Latios has a chance to OHKO you with Draco Meteor as well, factoring in Stealth Rock damage. Another thing that could be attempted is placing 110 EVs in Special Defense and dumping the remainder of the EVs into Defense. This ensures that you are always able to always survive a Choice Specs Draco Meteor from Palkia, as long as it is Timid.</p>

I personally don't really see the merit of this set. Dialga is basically able to KO one or, if you're lucky, two Pokemon per game, and maybe not even. Metal Burst is a pretty gimmicky move, IMO. I've made some changes, but it feels like certain parts of the analysis don't flow well.

 

[Theorymon]

This is pretty much other options material. The concept of a more physically defensive Dialga may have merit as an alternate EV spread for Support Dialga though.