[OVERVIEW]
Ditto has a very unique ability in Imposter, which allows it to copy any Pokemon, stat boosts and all, making it one of the best revenge killers in the metagame. Ditto is capable of turning games around by preventing opponents from winning with most setup sweepers. Ditto also works extremely well with the move Swagger, copying the +2 Attack boost from opposing physical attackers; it copies all the boosts from the foe but none of the status the opposing Pokemon may have. This makes running Swagger much less risky and a legitimate strategy. However, Ditto isn't always good against certain teams, especially defensive ones, which don't have many Pokemon that Ditto will benefit from copying. It also needs to paralyze the foe if it's not running Choice Scarf to avoid Speed tying with it, so it's not always reliable against Ground-types, such as Garchomp and Mamoswine. Ditto also has a very poor HP stat; as this is the only stat Ditto doesn't copy from the foe, it's usually very frail.
[SET]
name: Mirror
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Focus Sash / Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Transform is the only move Ditto has. Normally, Ditto copies the foe's moveset, so its lack of a movepool doesn't hinder it much. The only use Transform will have is preventing Ditto from instantly having to Struggle if Imposter fails.
Set Details
========
Imposter allows Ditto to transform into the foe instantly. Maximum HP investment is used because it's the only stat Ditto doesn't copy. Other EVs aren't necessary, as Ditto will always copy the other stats from the foe. A Sassy nature is used so that Download will always give Ditto an Attack boost. Minimum Speed IVs help Ditto deal with Pokemon with Intimidate; when Ditto is outsped by the foe, Intimidate will activate before Imposter, so Ditto will lose the Attack drop when it transforms. For IVs, Ditto should usually run an IV spread of 31 / 31 / 30 / 31 / 30 / 0, which will give it Hidden Power Rock. Rock is usually the most useful Hidden Power, as it hits the most common users of Hidden Power, Thundurus and Volcarona, super effectively. Alternatively, an IV spread of 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 0 can be used to get Hidden Power Ice, which is super effective against many targets, such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence. Focus Sash is used because it allows for more flexibility; ideally, the foes Ditto copies will be paralyzed, so it won't have to rely on a Speed tie. However, if it does need to rely on a Speed tie, Focus Sash ensures it will survive at least one hit. Choice Scarf can be used if Ditto need to outspeed what it copies all the time, but that locks it into one move, which can sometimes make it easier to play around.
Usage Tips
========
Ditto should come in on physical attackers that have been hit with Swagger and attempt to sweep or heavily weaken the opponent's team. Ideally, you want to paralyze the Pokemon you use Swagger on before Ditto comes in so it can avoid Speed ties. Ditto can also be used to revenge kill setup sweepers, such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence, as Focus Sash will let it survive any hit if necessary, allowing it to take out the opposing threat. If it runs Choice Scarf, it becomes a much more effective revenge killer, always outspeeding opposing setup sweepers. Ditto will likely dissuade opponents from using setup sweepers, which can be used to your advantage when deciding what three Pokemon to bring. Ditto shouldn't be brought against very defensive teams because it often won't be useful. Ditto is best used against offensive teams with threatening physical attackers that it can benefit from copying.
Team Options
========
Ditto should always be used with Prankster users carrying Swagger, as it is most useful when copying boosted physical attackers. Thundurus is arguably the best user of Swagger and is a good Pokemon overall. Outside of Swagger, Thundurus can use its Electric- and Ice-type coverage to take care of many threats such as Talonflame and Mega Salamence. Klefki is another reliable user of Swagger; it is much more dedicated to using Swagger, utilizing Substitute and Foul Play as well as its great typing. Liepard also makes for a great teammate not only because it has Prankster and Swagger but also because it works well with the common Spore + Assist strategy. Because Assist can't use Transform, Liepard can reliably get Spore from Assist. This strategy also runs Breloom as a third partner to complete the core and provide Spore that Liepard can use via Assist. Serperior can paralyze Ground-types, such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, so that Ditto doesn't have to rely on Speed ties when copying them. Clefable can be used as another backup Pokemon to deal with Pokemon hit by Swagger thanks to Unaware ignoring all boosts. If Ditto is running Focus Sash, Clefable is a more reliable answer to Pokemon that haven't been paralyzed. Mega Gengar can be a useful teammate, being able to trap Pokemon that Ditto won't want to copy, such as Cresselia. Mega Kangaskhan can be used as a cleaner after Ditto has weakened opposing teams after copying a boosted Pokemon. It is also a very reliable Pokemon you can use in matchups where you don't want to bring Ditto. Porygon2 and Cresselia can also spread paralysis reliably thanks to their bulk; they can also deal with Ground-types, such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, which are riskier for Ditto to copy. However, they don't synergize as well with Ditto as other paralysis spreaders because they often can't fit Swagger onto a moveset, unlike Thundurus and Klefki.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lum Berry helps Ditto avoid status like Thunder Wave, which would heavily cripple Ditto after it copies a setup sweeper. If you want a higher damage output, Life Orb could be used; it is especially useful when Ditto may need to copy a special attacker. However, both of these items rely on paralyzing whatever Ditto copies to avoid Speed ties and, unlike Focus Sash, cause Ditto to have nothing to fall back on if it loses the tie. If flexibility is required and you really want Focus Sash on a different teammate, you can gamble with Quick Claw, which is very inconsistent and usually not recommended. Other Hidden Power types may be useful, such as Fire and Ground; these can be decided based on your team if you feel you may need one of these coverage options in some scenarios. Though Metal Powder and Quick Powder may look tempting when you read their descriptions, they should never be used because they only work when Ditto isn't transformed, which you never want to happen anyway.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Substitute**: Substitute is Ditto's worst nightmare, as it blocks Imposter. Setup sweepers utilizing Substitute, such as Mega Salamence, can be a big problem if not dealt with by Ditto's teammates.
**Illusion**: Although it is very uncommon, Illusion also blocks Imposter, and Ditto users should be wary of this when seeing Zoroark in Team Preview.
**Ditto**: Opposing Ditto are an annoyance, as Imposter won't work on them even when they've transformed into another Pokemon.
**Defensive Pokemon**: Defensive Pokemon, such as Porygon2, Cresselia, and Slowbro, often won't be useful to copy and can easily stall out Ditto's low-PP moves with recovery.
**Calm Mind**: Pokemon that utilize Calm Mind, such as Sylveon, Suicune, and Mega Sableye, are setup sweepers that Ditto often won't benefit from copying because of the boost to their Special Defense. They can keep setting up even when Ditto has come in and will usually come out on top.
**Thunder Wave**: Depending on what Ditto copies, Thunder Wave can slow it down, stop a potential sweep, and make Ditto easier to revenge kill. Pokemon with Prankster, such as Thundurus and Klefki, are especially threatening, as they will usually outspeed Ditto even if it has a Choice Scarf or a copied Speed boost.
Ditto has a very unique ability in Imposter, which allows it to copy any Pokemon, stat boosts and all, making it one of the best revenge killers in the metagame. Ditto is capable of turning games around by preventing opponents from winning with most setup sweepers. Ditto also works extremely well with the move Swagger, copying the +2 Attack boost from opposing physical attackers; it copies all the boosts from the foe but none of the status the opposing Pokemon may have. This makes running Swagger much less risky and a legitimate strategy. However, Ditto isn't always good against certain teams, especially defensive ones, which don't have many Pokemon that Ditto will benefit from copying. It also needs to paralyze the foe if it's not running Choice Scarf to avoid Speed tying with it, so it's not always reliable against Ground-types, such as Garchomp and Mamoswine. Ditto also has a very poor HP stat; as this is the only stat Ditto doesn't copy from the foe, it's usually very frail.
[SET]
name: Mirror
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Focus Sash / Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Transform is the only move Ditto has. Normally, Ditto copies the foe's moveset, so its lack of a movepool doesn't hinder it much. The only use Transform will have is preventing Ditto from instantly having to Struggle if Imposter fails.
Set Details
========
Imposter allows Ditto to transform into the foe instantly. Maximum HP investment is used because it's the only stat Ditto doesn't copy. Other EVs aren't necessary, as Ditto will always copy the other stats from the foe. A Sassy nature is used so that Download will always give Ditto an Attack boost. Minimum Speed IVs help Ditto deal with Pokemon with Intimidate; when Ditto is outsped by the foe, Intimidate will activate before Imposter, so Ditto will lose the Attack drop when it transforms. For IVs, Ditto should usually run an IV spread of 31 / 31 / 30 / 31 / 30 / 0, which will give it Hidden Power Rock. Rock is usually the most useful Hidden Power, as it hits the most common users of Hidden Power, Thundurus and Volcarona, super effectively. Alternatively, an IV spread of 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 0 can be used to get Hidden Power Ice, which is super effective against many targets, such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence. Focus Sash is used because it allows for more flexibility; ideally, the foes Ditto copies will be paralyzed, so it won't have to rely on a Speed tie. However, if it does need to rely on a Speed tie, Focus Sash ensures it will survive at least one hit. Choice Scarf can be used if Ditto need to outspeed what it copies all the time, but that locks it into one move, which can sometimes make it easier to play around.
Usage Tips
========
Ditto should come in on physical attackers that have been hit with Swagger and attempt to sweep or heavily weaken the opponent's team. Ideally, you want to paralyze the Pokemon you use Swagger on before Ditto comes in so it can avoid Speed ties. Ditto can also be used to revenge kill setup sweepers, such as Garchomp and Mega Salamence, as Focus Sash will let it survive any hit if necessary, allowing it to take out the opposing threat. If it runs Choice Scarf, it becomes a much more effective revenge killer, always outspeeding opposing setup sweepers. Ditto will likely dissuade opponents from using setup sweepers, which can be used to your advantage when deciding what three Pokemon to bring. Ditto shouldn't be brought against very defensive teams because it often won't be useful. Ditto is best used against offensive teams with threatening physical attackers that it can benefit from copying.
Team Options
========
Ditto should always be used with Prankster users carrying Swagger, as it is most useful when copying boosted physical attackers. Thundurus is arguably the best user of Swagger and is a good Pokemon overall. Outside of Swagger, Thundurus can use its Electric- and Ice-type coverage to take care of many threats such as Talonflame and Mega Salamence. Klefki is another reliable user of Swagger; it is much more dedicated to using Swagger, utilizing Substitute and Foul Play as well as its great typing. Liepard also makes for a great teammate not only because it has Prankster and Swagger but also because it works well with the common Spore + Assist strategy. Because Assist can't use Transform, Liepard can reliably get Spore from Assist. This strategy also runs Breloom as a third partner to complete the core and provide Spore that Liepard can use via Assist. Serperior can paralyze Ground-types, such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, so that Ditto doesn't have to rely on Speed ties when copying them. Clefable can be used as another backup Pokemon to deal with Pokemon hit by Swagger thanks to Unaware ignoring all boosts. If Ditto is running Focus Sash, Clefable is a more reliable answer to Pokemon that haven't been paralyzed. Mega Gengar can be a useful teammate, being able to trap Pokemon that Ditto won't want to copy, such as Cresselia. Mega Kangaskhan can be used as a cleaner after Ditto has weakened opposing teams after copying a boosted Pokemon. It is also a very reliable Pokemon you can use in matchups where you don't want to bring Ditto. Porygon2 and Cresselia can also spread paralysis reliably thanks to their bulk; they can also deal with Ground-types, such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, which are riskier for Ditto to copy. However, they don't synergize as well with Ditto as other paralysis spreaders because they often can't fit Swagger onto a moveset, unlike Thundurus and Klefki.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lum Berry helps Ditto avoid status like Thunder Wave, which would heavily cripple Ditto after it copies a setup sweeper. If you want a higher damage output, Life Orb could be used; it is especially useful when Ditto may need to copy a special attacker. However, both of these items rely on paralyzing whatever Ditto copies to avoid Speed ties and, unlike Focus Sash, cause Ditto to have nothing to fall back on if it loses the tie. If flexibility is required and you really want Focus Sash on a different teammate, you can gamble with Quick Claw, which is very inconsistent and usually not recommended. Other Hidden Power types may be useful, such as Fire and Ground; these can be decided based on your team if you feel you may need one of these coverage options in some scenarios. Though Metal Powder and Quick Powder may look tempting when you read their descriptions, they should never be used because they only work when Ditto isn't transformed, which you never want to happen anyway.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Substitute**: Substitute is Ditto's worst nightmare, as it blocks Imposter. Setup sweepers utilizing Substitute, such as Mega Salamence, can be a big problem if not dealt with by Ditto's teammates.
**Illusion**: Although it is very uncommon, Illusion also blocks Imposter, and Ditto users should be wary of this when seeing Zoroark in Team Preview.
**Ditto**: Opposing Ditto are an annoyance, as Imposter won't work on them even when they've transformed into another Pokemon.
**Defensive Pokemon**: Defensive Pokemon, such as Porygon2, Cresselia, and Slowbro, often won't be useful to copy and can easily stall out Ditto's low-PP moves with recovery.
**Calm Mind**: Pokemon that utilize Calm Mind, such as Sylveon, Suicune, and Mega Sableye, are setup sweepers that Ditto often won't benefit from copying because of the boost to their Special Defense. They can keep setting up even when Ditto has come in and will usually come out on top.
**Thunder Wave**: Depending on what Ditto copies, Thunder Wave can slow it down, stop a potential sweep, and make Ditto easier to revenge kill. Pokemon with Prankster, such as Thundurus and Klefki, are especially threatening, as they will usually outspeed Ditto even if it has a Choice Scarf or a copied Speed boost.
Last edited:
