[OVERVIEW]
Diancie's unique Rock / Fairy typing combined with its high defensive stats allows it to check many NU threats such as Incineroar, Sneasel, Vivillon, and Guzzlord. This is supplemented by its high offensive stats and good movepool, which allow Diancie to pose a potent offensive threat if invested in Special Attack while still retaining respectable power even if uninvested. Diancie's access to Calm Mind and other boosting moves such as Rock Polish also lets it function as a potent sweeper. Alternatively, access to Heal Bell and Stealth Rock allows it to be a very useful defensive pivot for many teams. However, Diancie's low Speed hampers it, as well as its weakness to many common attacking types such as Water, Ground, Grass, and Steel, which means it is often easily revenge killed. Diancie's lack of recovery beyond Leftovers leaves it easily worn down by passive damage and enemy attacks. Additionally, many of the threats that Diancie checks can often lure it in and remove it with coverage, with Incineroar heavily damaging it with Earthquake and Guzzlord luring Diancie in and then hitting it with Hidden Power Steel or Heavy Slam.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Diamond Storm / Earth Power
move 4: Heal Bell / Calm Mind
item: Leftovers / Shuca Berry
ability: Clear Body
nature: Relaxed / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is generally mandatory for any team, and Diancie's high bulk and great typing grant it multiple opportunities to set the entry hazard. Moonblast is Diancie's main STAB attack, and it allows Diancie to hit Fighting-types such as Scrafty and Dragon-types such as Guzzlord for super effective damage, as well as boasting good neutral coverage. Diamond Storm hits enemy Flying-types such as Golbat and Xatu and Fire-types such as Incineroar for heavy damage, as well as potentially boosting Diancie's Defense to very high levels, making it significantly more difficult to KO. Earth Power hits enemy Steel-types for very heavy damage, 2HKOing standard Steelix, as well as hitting Poison-types such as Garbodor hard. Heal Bell supports Diancie's teammates by removing status inflicted upon them and makes Diancie significantly more difficult to wear down through status such as Toxic. Calm Mind can be used in the last slot to allow Diancie to pose a significantly greater threat to the opposing team and uses Diancie's significant bulk to find setup opportunities. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire is Diancie's only method of hitting enemy Ferroseed, and it also deals respectable damage to Steelix.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense EVs allow Diancie to take little from opposing physical attackers such as Sneasel and Incineroar while also retaining acceptable special bulk, letting it take on an opposing Guzzlord or Houndoom. A Relaxed nature boosts Diancie's physical bulk further, (RC) without lowering its Attack, allowing it to hit foes hard with Diamond Storm. A Bold nature should be used if not using Diamond Storm, as it allows Diancie to maximize its physical bulk without reducing its Speed stat. Leftovers is Diancie's main form of recovery and makes it significantly more resilient, reducing the amount of passive damage it takes, as well as helping it heal when damaged. Shuca Berry can be used to minimize the damage Diancie takes from Earthquake, letting it beat all variants of Incineroar. Normalium Z can be utilized with Heal Bell to give Diancie a one-time recovery to full HP and is usable even if Diancie is Taunted. However, the Z-Crystal can often be utilized elsewhere on a team, and giving up passive recovery can hurt if Diancie is too heavily pressured.
Usage Tips
========
Diancie should be sent out against Pokemon that its typing and defenses let it naturally check, such as Incineroar, Sneasel, and Vivillon. However, it must be wary of coverage moves such as Earthquake from Incineroar and Energy Ball from Vivillon. Try to set up Stealth Rock as early on in the game as possible, as Stealth Rock is more valuable the longer it is up. If using Heal Bell, it is useful to keep in mind that Heal Bell has fewer PP than Toxic, so it is generally impossible to win by repeatedly using Heal Bell against a Toxic user. Given Diancie's lack of recovery, it is necessary to be careful with what attacks one lets it take, as preserving its HP to take on specific threats on the opposing team can often be needed.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that resist, are immune to, or take little damage from Ground-type attacks such as Rotom, Golbat, and Slowbro can be excellent partners, as they take on many of Diancie's answers such as Steelix and Rhydon; in addition, Diancie can support Slowbro with Heal Bell, while Rotom can also threaten Water-types for Diancie. Pokemon that are weak to opposing Incineroar and Sneasel can be good partners, as Diancie is generally able to take on both of them with ease. Some of these Pokemon include Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Rotom. Wish support from teammates such as Vaporeon and Delphox can help to reduce Diancie's weakness to being worn down. Given Diancie's weakness to enemy Steel-types, Pokemon that can take on opposing Klinklang and Steelix such as Silvally-Steel and Slowbro, respectively, are appreciated as partners. Teammates such as Golbat and Incineroar that check Grass-types for Diancie also are generally helpful.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast / Power Gem
move 3: Substitute / Power Gem
move 4: Earth Power / Psychic
item: Leftovers / Fairium Z
ability: Clear Body
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind allows Diancie to boost its Special Attack and Special Defense, which helps it break past many of NU's walls in combination with its good coverage. Moonblast offers great neutral coverage, allowing Diancie to hit the majority of NU for respectable damage. Alternatively, Power Gem hits Golbat for super effective damage, which would otherwise wall this set, though it hits fewer Pokemon super effectively than Moonblast. Substitute prevents Diancie from being crippled by Toxic while mitigating the damage dealt by critical hits. Earth Power hits Steel- and Poison-types for super effective damage, which resist Moonblast or Power Gem, allowing Diancie to OHKO standard Steelix after a Calm Mind boost and hit Silvally-Steel for a 3HKO or a 2HKO if boosted. Rock Polish can be used to boost Diancie's Speed, allowing it to easily bypass many potential revenge killers such as Passimian after a boost.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature maximizes Diancie's damage output, while maximum Speed investment allows Diancie to Speed tie with other base 50 Pokemon and outrun some defensive Pokemon such as Blastoise. Leftovers allows Diancie to recover from damage taken while setting up as well as use Substitute more times than it would otherwise be able to. Fairium Z grants Diancie a one-time nuke that lets it KO opposing Rhydon after Stealth Rock and a Calm Mind boost, as well as OHKOing defensive Slowbro and KOing Assault Vest Slowbro some of the time after Stealth Rock. A Timid nature can be used if running Rock Polish, as it allows Diancie to outrun Choice Scarf Passimian after a Rock Polish.
Usage Tips
========
Given that this set runs little defensive investment, it cannot reliably be used as a defensive pivot, so aim to limit the amount of damage it takes before setting up. Thus, Diancie should set up against Pokemon that cannot significantly damage it such as Druddigon and Sneasel. Given that Calm Mind Diancie generally needs several turns to set up, it should try to avoid being badly poisoned, either by ensuring that Substitute is up or by simply avoiding the move until it can break through the opposing team. Early-game, aim to use Diancie's coverage to weaken its answers, as a Silvally-Steel cannot repeatedly switch into Earth Power. If using Fairium Z, try to save Twinkle Tackle until it is needed to break through a key enemy wall; against offense, it can be used as a very powerful early-game nuke to potentially take an important opposing Pokemon out of the game.
Team Options
========
This set is generally able to pressure opposing Steel-types, but it also appreciates any teammates that threaten them, so teammates such as Sceptile and Vanilluxe can make effective partners. As opposing Steel-types are common switch-ins to Diancie, Pokemon such as Rotom and Passimian can make good partners, with Rotom taking on an opposing Steelix with its typing and Passimian threatening out opposing Steel-types with the threat of Close Combat. Thanks to this set's weakness to Grass-types, even once set up, teammates such as Braviary and Silvally-Steel can be effective partners to pressure them, with Braviary also appreciating Diancie's ability to weaken Steel-types. Pokemon such as Slowbro, Rotom, and Decidueye can take on the Ground-types that generally force Diancie out such as Steelix or and Rhydon. Wallbreakers such as Incineroar and Guzzlord are often able to weaken enemy walls, helping Diancie's attempts at sweeping.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Power Gem
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Psychic
item: Choice Specs
ability: Clear Body
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Moonblast is Diancie's main STAB attack, hitting the majority of NU for neutral damage and providing good super effective coverage. Power Gem hits Golbat and opposing Fire-types such as Delphox and Incineroar for super effective damage. Earth Power hits the Poison- and Ground-types that resist Moonblast and Power Gem for very heavy damage, OHKOing Steelix after Sturdy is broken and 2HKOing Silvally-Steel. Hidden Power Fire is Diancie's only move to hit Ferroseed for heavy damage, KOing it after a small amount of chip damage and preventing it from switching into Diancie's Moonblast later on. Psychic can be used to hit opposing Vileplume for heavy damage, OHKOing it most of the time after Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
Running maximum Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature allows Diancie to maximize its damage output. Maximum Speed investment allows Diancie to Speed tie with any other opposing base 50 Speed Pokemon while outrunning some opposing defensive Pokemon such as Blastoise. Choice Specs gives Diancie great power at the cost of locking it into a move, letting it achieve important KOs such as on Steelix and Slowbro after Stealth Rock.
Usage Tips
========
Diancie's attacks can often do significant damage even if resisted, letting it deal nearly 50% damage to an opposing Steelix with Moonblast, so do not be wary of locking into one of its STAB attacks even if the opponent has a Pokemon that resists said move. However, if the opponent has a setup sweeper that resists one of Diancie's STAB attacks and can threaten Diancie's team, be wary of locking into said move. As this set has no recovery, it is important to only bring it into resisted attacks if its defensive utility is required in a match.
Team Options
========
This set is able to efficiently weaken Steel-types such as Steelix and Silvally-Steel thanks to its high power, so Pokemon that want Steel-types removed such as Klinklang and Sceptile can be good partners. Similarly, partners such as Rotom and Passimian can help out Diancie, easily switching into the Steel-types that Diancie brings in, with Rotom taking on an opposing Steelix with its typing and Passimian threatening out opposing Steel-types with the threat of Close Combat. As Klinklang can easily set up on any move Diancie locks itself into except Earth Power, Pokemon such as Slowbro and Steelix are good partners, and softer checks such as Incineroar and Rotom can also help. As this Diancie set is rather weak to opposing Grass-types, having Poison-types such as Garbodor and Golbat as teammates can help to take them on for it, with Garbodor providing Spikes support, which takes advantage of the switches this Diancie set forces, and Golbat helping to weaken the opposing team with the threat of Super Fang. Diancie also supports Garbodor by switching into entry hazard removers such as Xatu and Golbat, increasing the synergy between them. Incineroar and Braviary also make good partners, taking on Grass-types such as Decidueye for Diancie. Pokemon such as Slowbro, Rotom, and Palossand are good partners that can beat the Ground-types that threaten Diancie. Pokemon that can bring in Diancie with U-turn or Volt Switch such as Passimian and Rotom are good partners, with Passimian also luring in Pokemon such as Golbat that Diancie forces out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A lead set using Light Screen / Reflect / Explosion / Stealth Rock and holding Light Clay turns Diancie into one of NU's most potent dual screen setters, but it finds little utility outside of that archetype. Trick Room can be used very effectively by Diancie on an offensive set, such as Trick Room / Calm Mind / Moonblast / Earth Power; however, the limited duration often means it is inferior to Rock Polish. Similarly, a set that aims to set up Trick Room for its teammates can find its place on dedicated Trick Room teams. A defensive Calm Mind set with Calm Mind / Rest / Moonblast / Sleep talk turns Diancie into a very potent sweeper, especially when paired with a friendly Probopass, but its limited coverage can leave it walled if the opponent has the right Pokemon. Iron Defense can similarly be used on a defensive Calm Mind set, but giving up coverage can still lead to Diancie being walled easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Steelix and Silvally-Steel take little from either of Diancie's STAB attacks and threaten it with an OHKO with Heavy Slam in Steelix's case and Toxic or Multi-Attack in Silvally's case. Klinklang deserves a special mention, as Gear Grind will OHKO any Diancie set and it threatens to set up Shift Gear against any set lacking Earth Power, and even against any set that does carry it when running Magnet Rise. However, none of these Pokemon can switch into Earth Power comfortably with the exception of Ferroseed.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types deal very heavy damage to Diancie, with Sceptile threatening to OHKO it with Leaf Storm even after a boost. Vileplume additionally resists Moonblast and can easily threaten Diancie with a super effective Giga Drain. Decidueye threatens to set up on Diancie with Swords Dance while threatening it out with Leaf Blade or Leaf Storm.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Rhydon and Torterra take little damage from defensive Diancie and threaten it back with super effective STAB Earthquake.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Slowking, Assault Vest Slowbro, and Vaporeon generally have the bulk to take hits from Diancie while threatening it back with super effective STAB attacks. However, Diancie does have the power to threaten less bulky Water-types such as Blastoise and non-Assault Vest Slowbro.
Diancie's unique Rock / Fairy typing combined with its high defensive stats allows it to check many NU threats such as Incineroar, Sneasel, Vivillon, and Guzzlord. This is supplemented by its high offensive stats and good movepool, which allow Diancie to pose a potent offensive threat if invested in Special Attack while still retaining respectable power even if uninvested. Diancie's access to Calm Mind and other boosting moves such as Rock Polish also lets it function as a potent sweeper. Alternatively, access to Heal Bell and Stealth Rock allows it to be a very useful defensive pivot for many teams. However, Diancie's low Speed hampers it, as well as its weakness to many common attacking types such as Water, Ground, Grass, and Steel, which means it is often easily revenge killed. Diancie's lack of recovery beyond Leftovers leaves it easily worn down by passive damage and enemy attacks. Additionally, many of the threats that Diancie checks can often lure it in and remove it with coverage, with Incineroar heavily damaging it with Earthquake and Guzzlord luring Diancie in and then hitting it with Hidden Power Steel or Heavy Slam.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Diamond Storm / Earth Power
move 4: Heal Bell / Calm Mind
item: Leftovers / Shuca Berry
ability: Clear Body
nature: Relaxed / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is generally mandatory for any team, and Diancie's high bulk and great typing grant it multiple opportunities to set the entry hazard. Moonblast is Diancie's main STAB attack, and it allows Diancie to hit Fighting-types such as Scrafty and Dragon-types such as Guzzlord for super effective damage, as well as boasting good neutral coverage. Diamond Storm hits enemy Flying-types such as Golbat and Xatu and Fire-types such as Incineroar for heavy damage, as well as potentially boosting Diancie's Defense to very high levels, making it significantly more difficult to KO. Earth Power hits enemy Steel-types for very heavy damage, 2HKOing standard Steelix, as well as hitting Poison-types such as Garbodor hard. Heal Bell supports Diancie's teammates by removing status inflicted upon them and makes Diancie significantly more difficult to wear down through status such as Toxic. Calm Mind can be used in the last slot to allow Diancie to pose a significantly greater threat to the opposing team and uses Diancie's significant bulk to find setup opportunities. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire is Diancie's only method of hitting enemy Ferroseed, and it also deals respectable damage to Steelix.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense EVs allow Diancie to take little from opposing physical attackers such as Sneasel and Incineroar while also retaining acceptable special bulk, letting it take on an opposing Guzzlord or Houndoom. A Relaxed nature boosts Diancie's physical bulk further, (RC) without lowering its Attack, allowing it to hit foes hard with Diamond Storm. A Bold nature should be used if not using Diamond Storm, as it allows Diancie to maximize its physical bulk without reducing its Speed stat. Leftovers is Diancie's main form of recovery and makes it significantly more resilient, reducing the amount of passive damage it takes, as well as helping it heal when damaged. Shuca Berry can be used to minimize the damage Diancie takes from Earthquake, letting it beat all variants of Incineroar. Normalium Z can be utilized with Heal Bell to give Diancie a one-time recovery to full HP and is usable even if Diancie is Taunted. However, the Z-Crystal can often be utilized elsewhere on a team, and giving up passive recovery can hurt if Diancie is too heavily pressured.
Usage Tips
========
Diancie should be sent out against Pokemon that its typing and defenses let it naturally check, such as Incineroar, Sneasel, and Vivillon. However, it must be wary of coverage moves such as Earthquake from Incineroar and Energy Ball from Vivillon. Try to set up Stealth Rock as early on in the game as possible, as Stealth Rock is more valuable the longer it is up. If using Heal Bell, it is useful to keep in mind that Heal Bell has fewer PP than Toxic, so it is generally impossible to win by repeatedly using Heal Bell against a Toxic user. Given Diancie's lack of recovery, it is necessary to be careful with what attacks one lets it take, as preserving its HP to take on specific threats on the opposing team can often be needed.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that resist, are immune to, or take little damage from Ground-type attacks such as Rotom, Golbat, and Slowbro can be excellent partners, as they take on many of Diancie's answers such as Steelix and Rhydon; in addition, Diancie can support Slowbro with Heal Bell, while Rotom can also threaten Water-types for Diancie. Pokemon that are weak to opposing Incineroar and Sneasel can be good partners, as Diancie is generally able to take on both of them with ease. Some of these Pokemon include Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Rotom. Wish support from teammates such as Vaporeon and Delphox can help to reduce Diancie's weakness to being worn down. Given Diancie's weakness to enemy Steel-types, Pokemon that can take on opposing Klinklang and Steelix such as Silvally-Steel and Slowbro, respectively, are appreciated as partners. Teammates such as Golbat and Incineroar that check Grass-types for Diancie also are generally helpful.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Moonblast / Power Gem
move 3: Substitute / Power Gem
move 4: Earth Power / Psychic
item: Leftovers / Fairium Z
ability: Clear Body
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind allows Diancie to boost its Special Attack and Special Defense, which helps it break past many of NU's walls in combination with its good coverage. Moonblast offers great neutral coverage, allowing Diancie to hit the majority of NU for respectable damage. Alternatively, Power Gem hits Golbat for super effective damage, which would otherwise wall this set, though it hits fewer Pokemon super effectively than Moonblast. Substitute prevents Diancie from being crippled by Toxic while mitigating the damage dealt by critical hits. Earth Power hits Steel- and Poison-types for super effective damage, which resist Moonblast or Power Gem, allowing Diancie to OHKO standard Steelix after a Calm Mind boost and hit Silvally-Steel for a 3HKO or a 2HKO if boosted. Rock Polish can be used to boost Diancie's Speed, allowing it to easily bypass many potential revenge killers such as Passimian after a boost.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature maximizes Diancie's damage output, while maximum Speed investment allows Diancie to Speed tie with other base 50 Pokemon and outrun some defensive Pokemon such as Blastoise. Leftovers allows Diancie to recover from damage taken while setting up as well as use Substitute more times than it would otherwise be able to. Fairium Z grants Diancie a one-time nuke that lets it KO opposing Rhydon after Stealth Rock and a Calm Mind boost, as well as OHKOing defensive Slowbro and KOing Assault Vest Slowbro some of the time after Stealth Rock. A Timid nature can be used if running Rock Polish, as it allows Diancie to outrun Choice Scarf Passimian after a Rock Polish.
Usage Tips
========
Given that this set runs little defensive investment, it cannot reliably be used as a defensive pivot, so aim to limit the amount of damage it takes before setting up. Thus, Diancie should set up against Pokemon that cannot significantly damage it such as Druddigon and Sneasel. Given that Calm Mind Diancie generally needs several turns to set up, it should try to avoid being badly poisoned, either by ensuring that Substitute is up or by simply avoiding the move until it can break through the opposing team. Early-game, aim to use Diancie's coverage to weaken its answers, as a Silvally-Steel cannot repeatedly switch into Earth Power. If using Fairium Z, try to save Twinkle Tackle until it is needed to break through a key enemy wall; against offense, it can be used as a very powerful early-game nuke to potentially take an important opposing Pokemon out of the game.
Team Options
========
This set is generally able to pressure opposing Steel-types, but it also appreciates any teammates that threaten them, so teammates such as Sceptile and Vanilluxe can make effective partners. As opposing Steel-types are common switch-ins to Diancie, Pokemon such as Rotom and Passimian can make good partners, with Rotom taking on an opposing Steelix with its typing and Passimian threatening out opposing Steel-types with the threat of Close Combat. Thanks to this set's weakness to Grass-types, even once set up, teammates such as Braviary and Silvally-Steel can be effective partners to pressure them, with Braviary also appreciating Diancie's ability to weaken Steel-types. Pokemon such as Slowbro, Rotom, and Decidueye can take on the Ground-types that generally force Diancie out such as Steelix or and Rhydon. Wallbreakers such as Incineroar and Guzzlord are often able to weaken enemy walls, helping Diancie's attempts at sweeping.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Power Gem
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Psychic
item: Choice Specs
ability: Clear Body
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Moonblast is Diancie's main STAB attack, hitting the majority of NU for neutral damage and providing good super effective coverage. Power Gem hits Golbat and opposing Fire-types such as Delphox and Incineroar for super effective damage. Earth Power hits the Poison- and Ground-types that resist Moonblast and Power Gem for very heavy damage, OHKOing Steelix after Sturdy is broken and 2HKOing Silvally-Steel. Hidden Power Fire is Diancie's only move to hit Ferroseed for heavy damage, KOing it after a small amount of chip damage and preventing it from switching into Diancie's Moonblast later on. Psychic can be used to hit opposing Vileplume for heavy damage, OHKOing it most of the time after Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
Running maximum Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature allows Diancie to maximize its damage output. Maximum Speed investment allows Diancie to Speed tie with any other opposing base 50 Speed Pokemon while outrunning some opposing defensive Pokemon such as Blastoise. Choice Specs gives Diancie great power at the cost of locking it into a move, letting it achieve important KOs such as on Steelix and Slowbro after Stealth Rock.
Usage Tips
========
Diancie's attacks can often do significant damage even if resisted, letting it deal nearly 50% damage to an opposing Steelix with Moonblast, so do not be wary of locking into one of its STAB attacks even if the opponent has a Pokemon that resists said move. However, if the opponent has a setup sweeper that resists one of Diancie's STAB attacks and can threaten Diancie's team, be wary of locking into said move. As this set has no recovery, it is important to only bring it into resisted attacks if its defensive utility is required in a match.
Team Options
========
This set is able to efficiently weaken Steel-types such as Steelix and Silvally-Steel thanks to its high power, so Pokemon that want Steel-types removed such as Klinklang and Sceptile can be good partners. Similarly, partners such as Rotom and Passimian can help out Diancie, easily switching into the Steel-types that Diancie brings in, with Rotom taking on an opposing Steelix with its typing and Passimian threatening out opposing Steel-types with the threat of Close Combat. As Klinklang can easily set up on any move Diancie locks itself into except Earth Power, Pokemon such as Slowbro and Steelix are good partners, and softer checks such as Incineroar and Rotom can also help. As this Diancie set is rather weak to opposing Grass-types, having Poison-types such as Garbodor and Golbat as teammates can help to take them on for it, with Garbodor providing Spikes support, which takes advantage of the switches this Diancie set forces, and Golbat helping to weaken the opposing team with the threat of Super Fang. Diancie also supports Garbodor by switching into entry hazard removers such as Xatu and Golbat, increasing the synergy between them. Incineroar and Braviary also make good partners, taking on Grass-types such as Decidueye for Diancie. Pokemon such as Slowbro, Rotom, and Palossand are good partners that can beat the Ground-types that threaten Diancie. Pokemon that can bring in Diancie with U-turn or Volt Switch such as Passimian and Rotom are good partners, with Passimian also luring in Pokemon such as Golbat that Diancie forces out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A lead set using Light Screen / Reflect / Explosion / Stealth Rock and holding Light Clay turns Diancie into one of NU's most potent dual screen setters, but it finds little utility outside of that archetype. Trick Room can be used very effectively by Diancie on an offensive set, such as Trick Room / Calm Mind / Moonblast / Earth Power; however, the limited duration often means it is inferior to Rock Polish. Similarly, a set that aims to set up Trick Room for its teammates can find its place on dedicated Trick Room teams. A defensive Calm Mind set with Calm Mind / Rest / Moonblast / Sleep talk turns Diancie into a very potent sweeper, especially when paired with a friendly Probopass, but its limited coverage can leave it walled if the opponent has the right Pokemon. Iron Defense can similarly be used on a defensive Calm Mind set, but giving up coverage can still lead to Diancie being walled easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Steelix and Silvally-Steel take little from either of Diancie's STAB attacks and threaten it with an OHKO with Heavy Slam in Steelix's case and Toxic or Multi-Attack in Silvally's case. Klinklang deserves a special mention, as Gear Grind will OHKO any Diancie set and it threatens to set up Shift Gear against any set lacking Earth Power, and even against any set that does carry it when running Magnet Rise. However, none of these Pokemon can switch into Earth Power comfortably with the exception of Ferroseed.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types deal very heavy damage to Diancie, with Sceptile threatening to OHKO it with Leaf Storm even after a boost. Vileplume additionally resists Moonblast and can easily threaten Diancie with a super effective Giga Drain. Decidueye threatens to set up on Diancie with Swords Dance while threatening it out with Leaf Blade or Leaf Storm.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Rhydon and Torterra take little damage from defensive Diancie and threaten it back with super effective STAB Earthquake.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Slowking, Assault Vest Slowbro, and Vaporeon generally have the bulk to take hits from Diancie while threatening it back with super effective STAB attacks. However, Diancie does have the power to threaten less bulky Water-types such as Blastoise and non-Assault Vest Slowbro.
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