guys did you know nasty plot is slashed with thunder on the nasty plot set in the current analysis. they dont even explain why either.
[OVERVIEW]
Blazing fast Speed, incredible offensive prowess, and access to the potent Dark Void make Darkrai one of the most nightmarish forces in the metagame. Its flagship tool, Dark Void, boasts far better accuracy than the paltry Hypnosis that so many other sleep move users are forced to run, almost guaranteeing that the opponent must choose a Pokemon to be put to sleep. This allows Darkrai to facilitate sweeps from other Pokemon or even itself through its Nasty Plot sets. Darkrai has therefore made a name for itself on fast-paced offensive teams, able to either muscle through many of the top Pokemon or simply put them to sleep and render them useless. Its Nasty Plot sets are particularly dangerous, with Dark Pulse and Focus Blast making for nearly perfect offensive coverage paired with a boosting move that makes Darkrai even more arduous to check defensively. Choice Scarf sets add an extra layer to Darkrai’s support capabilities by allowing it to use Trick to stifle defensive Pokemon looking to take on its attacks. Thanks to Darkrai’s already fantastic Speed tier, it can use a Choice Scarf to outrun almost everything in the metagame, including the Swift Swim sweepers famed for their Speed and Pokemon with Speed boosting moves, such as Rock Polish Groudon and Dragon Dance Rayquaza.
However, Darkrai’s drawbacks lie in its frailty and lack of versatility. Darkrai has trouble switching into offensive Pokemon due to the high power level of the metagame and fears most priority attacks such as Deoxys-A and Rayquaza’s Extreme Speed, Scizor’s Bullet Punch, and even Kabutops’s Aqua Jet. This frailty also means that paralysis is ruinous for Darkrai since it will have to take a hit before firing off its own attack. Additionally, most of Darkrai’s talents stem from its access to Dark Void, leaving little room for surprises in battle.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Focus Blast / Substitute
move 3: Dark Void
move 4: Nasty Plot
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry / Leftovers
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Void is instrumental in Darkrai's sweeping potential, as its ability to reliably put opposing Pokemon to sleep grants at least one free turn for the Darkrai user to either set up with Nasty Plot or fire off powerful attacks for immediate offensive pressure. Bad Dreams allows Dark Void to also deal indirect damage, potentially wearing down Pokemon that could otherwise deal with Darkrai's attacks. Nasty Plot turns Darkrai's Special Attack stat from great to deadly in just one turn, ensuring that even bulkier Pokemon like Kyogre and Bronzong have trouble switching into a boosted Darkrai. Dark Pulse and Focus Blast have nearly perfect offensive coverage, since Focus Blast hits the Steel-types that switch into Dark Pulse. Substitute can be used as an alternative to Focus Blast to further capitalize on Darkrai's offensive pressure and the free turns Dark Void generates for the Darkrai user. This comes with the benefits of preventing Darkrai from being inflicted with status or picked off by faster threats when behind a Substitute, while having the clear drawback of not being able to threaten the many bulky Steel-types of the tier, such as Dialga, Forretress, and Skarmory.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment allows Darkrai to make the fullest use of its incredible stats. Life Orb plays to Darkrai's strengths by allowing Dark Pulse to be far more threatening without a boost from Nasty Plot, allowing for the flexibility to simply fire off attacks without fear of doing too little damage. Given Darkrai's poor defenses, the recoil from Life Orb is generally inconsequential, although it can put Darkrai into range of common priority moves like Rayquaza's Extreme Speed. Lum Berry mitigates the debilitating paralysis or sleep that would otherwise stop any attempt to sweep in its tracks, while also working well with Substitute to absorb a status move from a more passive Pokemon then prevent it entirely on the next turn. Leftovers can help with some of Darkrai's issues regarding its longevity in games where it needs to enter the field several times, taking damage from entry hazards in the process. It also aids in allowing for Substitute to not be as committal of an option by giving back to Darkrai some of the HP it sacrifices to create its Substitutes.
Usage Tips
========
Using Dark Void should be the top priority when Darkrai first enters the field. Every offensive team appreciates opposing Pokemon being asleep, and achieving that as early as possible drastically helps Darkrai's teammates perform their jobs better. Against stall teams, it's very important to make sure no Pokemon other than Blissey is put to sleep, as otherwise Darkrai is pressured to switch since Blissey can either inflict it with status or simply heal while it sponges unboosted Focus Blasts. Once an opposing Pokemon has been put to sleep, Darkrai is best played very aggressively, firing off as many attacks as possible and using Nasty Plot on expected switches, such as a slept Pokemon being withdrawn. Darkrai's frailty and tendency to be ruined by status means it has difficulty switching into battle, so the goal should be to dish out high amounts of damage as quickly as possible while switching out only if especially necessary. Similarly, most of Darkrai's entry points should come from sacrificing other Pokemon to gain tempo, since that's when Darkrai's talents are on full display.
Team Options
========
Darkrai's unique talents allow it to function independently, not requiring much support in order to pose a threat. However, it provides excellent assistance for its teammates on fast-paced offensive teams. Setup sweepers in particular become even more potent with the aid of Dark Void, finding more opportunities to boost their stats by either taking advantage of a slept Pokemon switching out or benefitting from that Pokemon not being able to switch into them in the first place. Groudon and Rayquaza in particular make great partners for Darkrai, as they have some of the highest potential to spiral out of control once set up and can boost their Speed to help with Darkrai's weakness to common Choice Scarf users. They can also deal with Blissey, a Pokemon capable of stopping Darkrai in its tracks.
Deoxys-S is a great choice as a lead since it's guaranteed to get up hazards and can use its utility moves such as Thunder Wave or Taunt to more easily allow Darkrai to come in afterward to start dishing out damage. Bronzong is able to switch into the many Dragon-type moves aimed at Darkrai since it doesn't have the bulk to withstand those attacks on its own. Bronzong can also provide valuable Stealth Rock support to give Darkrai's checks an even harder time dealing with it or use Explosion to deal massive damage and give Darkrai a safe way to enter the field. Wobbuffet can either trap and remove the many Choice Scarf users that threaten Darkrai or use Encore to take advantage of setup sweepers and allow Darkrai at least one free turn to set up. Dialga can help deal with Kyogre, whose special bulk means it can even take on a boosted Dark Pulse without much trouble and respond with either a strong Water-type move or Thunder Wave. Dialga's excellent bulk and typing means it has little issue taking on Kyogre's powerful hits and threatening it with either Thunder or Roar.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Ice Beam / Focus Blast
move 3: Dark Void
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is Darkrai's most reliable method of dealing damage, with STAB turning it into a potent move capable of preying on frailer Pokemon. Ice Beam is useful for hitting the many fast Dragon-types in the tier, notably Garchomp and Rayquaza, with Dark Pulse not being able to 2HKO them from full health. This pairs with Darkrai's Choice Scarf to keep those threats in check even when they boost their Speed, as well as dealing substantial damage to offensive Groudon. Focus Blast can be used instead of Ice Beam for its fantastic synergy with Dark Pulse, hitting the otherwise irritating Steel-types like Dialga and Heatran super effectively. Dark Void is Darkrai's greatest tool and gives almost every Pokemon a hard time switching in. This is very useful for giving offensive teammates more opportunities to set up or simply fire off attacks. Trick adds another element of support to Darkrai's talents, letting it stifle most defensive Pokemon or lock others into undesirable moves. Trick also gives Darkrai the flexibility to use Dark Void and Dark Pulse consecutively later in the battle, allowing for Darkrai to adapt to various situations.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment allows Darkrai to make the fullest use of its incredible stats. Choice Scarf elevates Darkrai's Speed to even greater heights by letting it outrun the metagame's fastest threats in Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, Swift Swim sweepers, boosted sweepers such as Groudon and Rayquaza, and other Choice Scarf users.
Usage Tips
========
Darkrai's primary goal is to use Dark Void early- or mid-game to both limit the options the opponent has in battle and enable Darkrai's other teammates to either set up or spread damage far more easily. Being locked into a non-damaging move leaves Darkrai vulnerable to incoming Pokemon, so it's important that using Dark Void doesn't cost its team too much momentum. When facing a rain team, it's very important to preserve Darkrai's HP as, without a Rayquaza, it's otherwise extremely difficult to outrun Swift Swim sweepers in rain, and Darkrai needs 60% of its HP to survive Kabutops's rain-boosted Aqua Jet. Darkrai can also act as a lead for offensive teams since it has the valuable trait of using its Choice Scarf to limit Deoxys-S to one layer of hazards. Darkrai can also Trick its Choice Scarf to stifle utility-oriented leads such as Tyranitar and Forretress, allowing the Darkrai user to freely use Dark Void or fire off an attack.
Team Options
========
Darkrai is a fantastic Pokemon for fast-paced offense teams looking for a way to reliably enable their set-up sweepers. Groudon and Rayquaza make for excellent teammates as they become far more dangerous for the opponent to handle given either a free turn or simply greater flexibility from an opposing Pokemon being put to sleep. They also allow the user to play more aggressively with Darkrai against rain teams, since Groudon and Rayquaza's weather clearing effects mean Darkrai's increased Speed isn't as valuable versus Kabutops and Kingdra in rain. Strong physical attackers in general are important since they can help remove one of Darkrai's few reliable counters in Blissey. Kyogre is another great partner as it appreciates Darkrai's ability to outspeed and 2HKO Giratina-O, Latios, and Latias.
Having teammates that can consistently set hazards early is very important, since Darkrai's unboosted Special Attack isn't quite enough to break through top Pokemon like Kyogre, Palkia, and Latias without support from Stealth Rock and Spikes. Naturally, Deoxys-S pairs wonderfully as it can potentially set both hazards and can use support moves like Trick, Taunt, or Thunder Wave to let Darkrai hit the field more easily. Tyranitar can act as an anti-lead to limit non-Colbur Berry Deoxys-S to only one layer of hazards while being able to use Focus Sash to guarantee that it sets up Stealth Rock. Support Groudon sets can switch in mid-game and set up Stealth Rock and spread paralysis through Thunder Wave, whereas support Dialga sets can pair Stealth Rock with Roar to force out set-up sweepers like Kyogre while forcing the passive damage from hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Darkrai has a limited movepool, so venturing outside of its conventional moves is generally unwise. Thunder shores up some of the few blind spots in Darkrai's offensive prowess, Kyogre and Ho-Oh, by giving Darkrai a way to 2HKO and OHKO them respectively with Life Orb after Stealth Rock damage. However, this is rarely worth the numerous downsides of getting rid of Focus Blast since Darkrai can simply boost its Special Attack for these Pokemon anyway. Taunt can be used to either stifle attempts from bulkier hazard setters to get up Stealth Rock or Spikes, but Dark Void is a more versatile tool and will also be used early- or mid-game anyway. Darkrai can hold a Chople Berry as a lead to live Superpower from both Tyranitar and Deoxys-A, allowing it to either use Nasty Plot or Dark Void far more easily, but its limited scope of utility makes Choice Scarf or even Focus Sash better options for lead sets. A Swords Dance set might sound appealing to catch an incoming Blissey off its guard, however the lower power of Darkrai's physical moves and its relatively meager Attack stat leaves this set wanting for more damage output. Pursuit is an option to add another layer of depth to Darkrai's interactions with Giratina, Giratina-O, Latios, and Latias, however it faces similar problems as the Swords Dance sets with power, as well as being incredibly hard to fit on more standard Darkrai sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Choice Scarf Users**: One of the most reliable ways to beat Darkrai offensively, Choice Scarf users such as Dialga or Garchomp can switch into an attack and take advantage of Darkrai's poor defenses. They also commonly carry Sleep Talk, allowing them to sponge Dark Void without as much issue as other Pokemon.
**Entry Hazards**: Darkrai's lack of reliable recovery lends it prone to being worn down quickly by all forms of entry hazards, putting it in range of priority moves or attacks from faster Pokemon. Leftovers can be used to make this issue marginally better, and Lum Berry can help in the face of Toxic Spikes.
**Status**: Darkrai relies on its Speed to dish out damage, so paralysis and even sleep from opposing Darkrai are very tough to deal with. Poison and burn are also dangerous as they can quickly put Darkrai into range of weaker attacks.
**Priority Moves**: Darkrai's frailty means that many priority moves can pick it off, despite their comparatively weaker Base Powers. Kabutops's Aqua Jet in rain, Scizor's Bullet Punch, as well as Rayquaza's and Deoxys-A's Extreme Speeds can all 2HKO Darkrai.
**Blissey**: The best special wall in the game, Blissey easily takes on Darkrai's attacks and can even cure its sleep with Natural Cure as it switches. A Nasty Plot boosted Focus Blast can score a 2HKO, otherwise Blissey will threaten damage with Seismic Toss and status with either Thunder Wave or Toxic.
**Jirachi**: Sporting solid bulk and a neutrality to Dark Pulse and Focus Blast, Jirachi can either live an attack then use Thunder Wave to effectively eliminate Darkrai or run a Choice Scarf set to outrun and 2HKO non-Choice Scarf Darkrai after Stealth Rock damage.
**Swift Swim Sweepers**: Kabutops, Kingdra, and Qwilfish can use Swift Swim paired with Kyogre's rain to outspeed non-Choice Scarf Darkrai, giving teams an option to outspeed Darkrai without being restricted by a Choice Scarf. Due to Darkrai's great Speed tier, it can use its own Choice Scarf to outspeed Kabutops and Kingdra in rain.
**Heracross**: Heracross is one of two Pokemon in the game that resists both Dark Pulse and Focus Blast, and is the only one of those two with the ability Guts, allowing it to absorb Dark Voids and benefit from the subsequent Attack boost. However, Heracross is a very uncommon Pokemon and contributes little else to its team.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/donbonejones.666776/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Last edited: