Light That Fucks the Nuzlockers
[OVERVIEW]
* Necrozma-DM stands as one of the best Pokemon in the tier. Its typing, ability, movepool, and general offensive presence all contribute to nearly unmatched levels of utility and versatility.
* While Necrozma-DM's offensive typing isn't great, it has an expansive pool of coverage moves and setup options and access to an immensely powerful Z-Move, Searing Sunraze Smash, all of which narrow its defensive counterplay.
* The combination of Necrozma-DM's typing and ability makes it the strongest check to Xerneas and enables it to blanket check the majority of setup sweepers. This allows Necrozma-DM to provide valuable defensive utility to its team regardless of its set.
* Necrozma-DM's potential can be expanded even further through Ultra Burst with Ultranecrozium Z. A sudden change in typing and a boost in Speed allow Necrozma-DM to have an upper hand against threats it otherwise cannot beat and overcome its slow Speed after transforming.
* Although Rock Polish, Trick Room, and Ultra Burst alleviate the problem to a degree, Necrozma-DM's below-average Speed is a notable downside, as this forces it to often move last. When combined with its vulnerability against priority moves from the likes of Yveltal and Marshadow, Necrozma-DM's effectiveness as an offensive threat is somewhat limited.
* Due to its disappointing STAB combination, Necrozma-DM tends to be reliant on prior damage, boosts, Z-Moves, or sometimes all of these to surmount defensive Pokemon, although an immunity to Toxic improves its matchup against many defensive Pokemon to an extent.
* Gaining a boost in Speed and Neuroforce through Ultra Burst can remedy these shortcomings, but due to the fact that Necrozma-DM forfeits its Steel typing, a considerable portion of its bulk, and Prism Armor during the process, it becomes more vulnerable to revenge killing.
* While Necrozma-DM's typing lets it blanket check a large number of threats, it also leaves it vulnerable to very common threats in the tier, such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Mega Gengar, Yveltal, and Marshadow, due to its common weaknesses to Dark, Fire, Ghost, and Ground.
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Sunsteel Strike
move 4: Earthquake
item: Solganium Z / Weakness Policy
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 Atk / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Rock Polish compensates for Necrozma-DM's low Speed by letting it outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame and pose a threat to offensive teams.
* Swords Dance boosts Necrozma-DM's Attack to the point where it can OHKO many threats and makes Searing Sunraze Smash nigh unwallable.
* STAB Sunsteel Strike allows Necrozma-DM to offensively check Fairy-types and ignores the foe's ability. With Solganium Z, Necrozma-DM can use Sunraze Searing Smash.
* Earthquake hits foes that resist Sunsteel Strike, such as Primal Groudon, Toxapex, and other Steel-types.
* Stone Edge OHKOes Ho-Oh and inflicts higher damage on foes like Yveltal and Mega Salamence.
Set Details
========
* 8 Special Defense EVs ensure that Necrozma-DM will survive any attack from +2 Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage.
* Maximum investment in Speed allows Necrozma-DM to outspeed as many foes as possible before it sets up and at worst Speed tie with opposing Adamant Necrozma-DM. The rest of the EVs are put into Attack with an Adamant nature so that Necrozma-DM's damage output will be maximized.
* If more bulk is desired, an EV spread of 124 HP / 252 Atk / 132 Spe with an Adamant nature is a viable option, as this allows Necrozma-DM to outspeed neutral-natured Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal after a Rock Polish. The extra bulk proves to be useful by giving Necrozma-DM a better chance to utilize Weakness Policy against its usual checks like defensive Primal Groudon.
* Prism Armor is Necrozma-DM's only possible ability and makes it difficult to take out with super effective attacks like Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball and super effective Judgment from Arceus forms.
* Solganium Z lets Necrozma-DM use Searing Sunraze Smash, which is capable of at worst significantly impairing almost any foe. Necrozma-DM can also utilize Weakness Policy to survive super effective attacks from its offensive checks thanks to Prism Armor and greatly boost its Attack.
Usage Tips
========
* This set is capable of threatening a variety of builds, such as by threatening offensive teams with Rock Polish and wallbreaking with Swords Dance-boosted attacks. As setting up boh Rock Polish and Swords Dance is not going to be easy against many teams, determine what Necrozma-DM has to accomplish for its team. Against offensive teams, a boost in Speed is more preferable for sweeping, while Swords Dance is more handy against defensive teams.
* While Necrozma-DM has to stay in pristine condition if it is obligated to break through the opponent's cores, it can still provide valuable utility to the team by checking Fairy-types, switching into Toxic, and forcing switches with the threat of its Z-Move.
* A healthy Necrozma-DM is capable of setting up on many foes, even while taking super effective attacks. Weakness Policy lets Necrozma-DM immediately gain both Speed and Attack if it was hit super effectively while setting up. Unboosted Necrozma-DM is still powerful in its own right with its Z-Move available.
* As Necrozma-DM is reliant on boosted Searing Sunraze Smash to bypass bulky foes like Arceus formes and Zygarde-C, use the Z-Move with caution. This is especially true when the opponent has a single Pokemon that can handle +2 Necrozma-DM but cannot survive a boosted Z-Move, as they will likely switch around their Pokemon and make Necrozma-DM waste its Z-Move.
* It is a promising idea to set Stealth Rock before attempting to sweep with Necrozma-DM, as it lessens Necrozma-DM's reliance on a Z-Move against threats like Yveltal, Ho-Oh, and Mega Salamence.
Team Options
========
* Necrozma-DM's wallbreaking potency and defensive presence are appreciated on just about every offensive and balanced team. One of the basic ways to aid its wallbreaking is employing a Stealth Rock user. Depending on your team, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, Deoxys-S, and Excadrill can all make solid users of said entry hazard.
* Aside from setting Stealth Rock, Primal Groudon is capable of destroying problematic Steel-types and running various sets to weaken or eliminate Necrozma-DM's checks. Variants with Hidden Power Ice can eliminate Zygarde-C early, while mixed Rock Polish variants can cause serious damage to offensive teams and ease Necrozma-DM's sweeping potential. In return, Primal Groudon appreciates Necrozma-DM's ability to function as a secondary check to Xerneas and switch into Toxic.
* Ground-immune Pokemon like Mega Salamence and Giratina-O can handle Primal Groudon well, while others like Yveltal and Rayquaza have good offensive synergy with Necrozma-DM.
* Xerneas checks Yveltal and Marshadow and provides cleric support, which can be handy in an event where Necrozma-DM was burned or paralyzed. In return, Necrozma-DM can put a significant dent on Primal Groudon and Steel-types if given a chance to boost.
* Priority move users can come in handy, as certain Xerneas variants can narrowly survive Sunsteel Strike and 2HKO Necrozma-DM after Geomancy. Yveltal, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus can all fulfill this role and perform well against offensive teams. In return, Necrozma-DM provides a valuable shelter against Fairy-types and can break through bulkier foes with boosted attacks.
* Necrozma-DM lacking Solganium Z may struggle against certain defensive cores, so certain offensive powerhouses can fit alongside it. Primal Kyogre threatens most of Necrozma-DM's checks, and its ability to draw in and damage Primal Groudon is especially appreciated. Mixed Rayquaza variants are able to switch into Ground-type moves, threaten Steel-types with V-create, and destroy Zygarde-C with Draco Meteor.
[SET]
name: Ultra Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Outrage / Sunsteel Strike
item: Ultranecrozium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Thanks to the its high Speed, Ultra Necrozma can threaten most teams once it manages to boost its Attack with Swords Dance.
* Photon Geyser hits foes like Ho-Oh and Water-types that Necrozma-DM cannot effectively hit with its conventional sets. It is notably capable of OHKOing Mega Gengar after Stealth Rock even when Necrozma-DM is burned.
* Earthquake provides Ultra Necrozma with vital coverage against Primal Groudon and Steel-types.
* Stone Edge breaks through problematic Flying-types like Yveltal and Lugia, as well as letting Ultra Necrozma better deal with Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence.
* Rock Blast is an alternative Rock-type coverage move that can defeat Lugia and Charti Berry Yveltal more reliably and occasionally OHKO Smeargle through Focus Sash thanks to the move hitting multiple times. The move reduces Ultra Necrozma's reliance on Stealth Rock to defeat certain Flying-types, but its inconsistent damage output can prove to be detrimental.
* Outrage provides Ultra Necrozma with a stronger STAB move. On top of giving Ultra Necrozma an immediate way to dispose of regular Zygarde, boosted Outrage also OHKOes foes like Ho-Oh, Yveltal, Mega Sableye, and support Arceus formes with or without prior damage. However, getting locked into Outrage is dangerous, as this leaves Ultra Necrozma vulnerable to revenge killing.
* Sunsteel Strike offers Ultra Necrozma a coverage move against Fairy-types and also enables Necrozma to check Xerneas before Ultra Burst.
* Brick Break lets Ultra Necrozma defeat Ferrothorn without relying on a second Swords Dance or a Z-Move and has a considerable chance to OHKO Arceus-Dark after a Swords Dance and Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Ultra Necrozma to take advantage of its high Speed tier, letting it outspeed all Arceus formes and Marshadow. The rest of the EVs are allotted to Attack to maximize Ultra Necrozma's damage output.
* 52 HP EVs can be used to prevent Life Orb Marshadow from OHKOing Ultra Necrozma after it switches into Stealth Rock and allow Necrozma to check Geomancy Xerneas in its Dusk Mane forme.
* Ultranecrozium Z allows Necrozma-DM with Photon Geyser to undergo Ultra Burst and transform into Ultra Necrozma. The Z-Crystal also gives Ultra Necrozma access to Light That Burns the Sky, which puts a significant dent in most neutral targets.
* Neuroforce boosts Ultra Necrozma's super effective attacks, allowing it to OHKO foes like Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and various Arceus formes with appropriate moves after a Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
* As there is no feasible way to identify Necrozma-DM's potency to transform and Ultra Burst changes Necrozma-DM's typing, this set can take advantage of foes it previously could not. Take advantage of foes' tendencies to hit Necrozma-DM with Fire- and Ground-type moves, which Ultra Necrozma can survive. A sudden increase in Speed allows Ultra Necrozma to revenge kill a threat it would not outspeed in Dusk Mane forme.
* Staying in Dusk Mane forme is beneficial in specific occasions. An immunity to Toxic prior to Ultra Burst is handy, especially against defensive teams. The defensive typing prior to Ultra Burst also lets Necrozma-DM check Fairy-types and potentially revenge kill a dangerous foe after surviving a hit with Prism Armor, so refrain from recklessly activating Ultra Burst until foes that Necrozma has to check in Dusk Mane forme are no longer posing a threat.
* Revenge killers like Mega Gengar, Yveltal, and Marshadow can cut Ultra Necrozma's sweep short, so ensure they can be dealt with beforehand. The former is especially problematic due to it simply trapping and disposing of Ultra Necrozma, while the latter two can easily take it out with or without prior damage.
* Bear in mind that Ultra Necrozma cannot use Light That Burns the Sky on the turn it transforms. The Z-Move is also resisted by many common foes, and Dark-types are immune to it, so be prepared to predict against teams with Dark- and Steel-types, or ensure that they have been weakened or eliminated beforehand.
* Ultra Necrozma is much more vulnerable to revenge killing than Necrozma-DM, so scout possible Choice Scarf users like Xerneas and Yveltal.
Team Options
========
* Stealth Rock support is very helpful to this set, as it punishes Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lugia should they switch in and attempt to check Ultra Necrozma. Offensive users like Primal Groudon, Dialga, and Arceus-Ground are helpful, as Necrozma-DM isn't too threatening before transforming with Ultra Burst.
* A secondary check to Fairy-types is necessary, as Necrozma-DM no longer checks then after Ultra Burst. Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn are solid backups that can aid Ultra Necrozma with pivoting or entry hazard support.
* Ultra Necrozma is vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-types before and after Ultra Burst. Yveltal is a solid switch-in for them and threatens Ghost-types, while Marshadow can be a good partner as well thanks to its ability to threaten every relevant Ghost-type. Both Pokemon are excellent anti-offense Pokemon that appreciate Ultra Necrozma's ability to break through defensive cores.
* Ultra Necrozma can take advantage of its typing before or after Ultra Burst to set up on Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy. This is valued for partners like Rock Polish Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal. The former two provide valuable defensive utility for Ultra Necrozma. Xerneas resists Dark-type attacks, is immune to Dragon-type attacks, and provides cleric support, which is always useful. Yveltal can safely bring in Necrozma with U-turn and more effectively threatens Ghost-types.
* Tapu Lele summons Psychic Terrain, which boosts the power of Psychic-type moves, letting Ultra Necrozma OHKO maximum HP Arceus formes with Light That Burns the Sky and making boosted Photon Geyser ridiculously hard to defensively handle. The terrain also protects Ultra Necrozma from priority attacks from Pokemon like Yveltal and Marshadow, which are the most common offensive checks to Ultra Necrozma.
* Sticky Web is a viable strategy, as this gives Ultra Necrozma room to breathe against some foes prior to Ultra Burst, and prevents Ultra Necrozma from getting easily disposed of by Mega Gengar and Choice Scarf Xerneas. Smeargle is a reliable Sticky Web setter, and Taunt users like Yveltal and Tapu Lele synergize well with such a build.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic / Swords Dance
move 3: Sunsteel Strike
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Leftovers / Solganium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Necrozma-DM's immunity to Toxic, increased durability with defensive investment, and ability to punish many Defog users with Toxic make it a good Stealth Rock user.
* Toxic punishes Defog users like Arceus-Ground and Giratina-O and offensive checks like Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh.
* Swords Dance is an alternative option to pressure Defog users and Mega Sableye. Necrozma-DM can use various passive Pokemon as setup fodder thanks to its bulk, immunity to Toxic, and access to recovery. Swords Dance also allows Necrozma-DM to defeat Gothitelle and Z-Geomancy Xerneas more reliably.
* Sunsteel Strike lets Necrozma-DM check Fairy-types, and it still has good damage output without investment. Boosted Sunsteel Strike and Searing Sunraze Smash from uninvested Necrozma-DM is still capable of KOing many offensive foes.
* Morning Sun increases Necrozma-DM's longevity, letting it consistently set Stealth Rock and switch into foes it is tasked to check.
* Both Toxic and Swords Dance can be run at the cost of forgoing Stealth Rock, if there's already a solid Stealth Rock user on the team. Toxic helps Necrozma-DM facilitate its own sweep by putting its checks on a timer on the switch and bluffing its passivity until it can start setting up Swords Dance to begin its sweep.
Set Details
========
* A fully specially defensive EV spread makes Necrozma-DM a strong check to Xerneas and the majority of support Arceus formes. The EV spread also allows Necrozma-DM to avoid 2HKO from support Arceus-Ground's Judgment, letting it stall out Arceus-Ground with Toxic.
* Leftovers provide Necrozma-DM with passive recovery, increasing its resilience to residual damage and lessening its reliance on Morning Sun. Solganium Z can be used to give Necrozma-DM a significantly greater offensive presence and prevent Gothitelle from trapping and neutralizing it.
* A physically defensive EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with an Impish nature can be used to better handle Mega Salamence and Rayquaza and even avoid 2HKO from Life Orb Marshadow with Leftovers recovery.
Usage Tips
========
* Necrozma-DM will have ample opportunities to switch into Fairy-types, support Arceus formes, and predicted Toxic. The best it can usually do is set Stealth Rock to start pressuring the opposing team. It is the best to use Toxic against Defog users to put them on a timer and prevent them from freely removing Stealth Rock, but Toxic is also handy for punishing predictable switch-ins like Primal Groudon and other defensive checks like Arceus-Water.
* Necrozma-DM is quite bulky with investment and Prism Armor. It is capable of Toxic stalling support Arceus-Ground thanks to it avoiding the 2HKO from Judgment and defensive Primal Groudon due to Morning Sun's increased recovery in sun. However, it is also important to keep track of the damage Necrozma-DM takes from strong attacks and switch it out of strong attackers like Yveltal, which is capable of easily 2HKOing it.
* When running Swords Dance, revealing Toxic or Stealth Rock early will usually relieve opponents of pressure, as they will most likely assume that Necroma-DM will lack offensive presence. This is especially useful for luring in defensive walls and using them as setup fodder and luring Mega Sableye and taking it out with boosted attacks. Necrozma-DM with Solganium Z is also capable of outright taking out Geomancy Xerneas and OHKOing offensive Yveltal and Mega Salamence after Stealth Rock damage.
* Use Sunsteel Strike and Morning Sun with caution, as their low PP can severely limit Necrozma-DM's usefulness in the long run if the moves were mindlessly used.
Team Options
========
* As this set lacks a feasible way to deal with Ground- and Fire-types other than punishing them with Toxic, checks to them are recommended. Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Dragon can check Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh. The latter two are especially helpful with dealing with Mega Salamence as well, since Mega Salamence can set up on Necrozma-DM lacking Swords Dance.
* More reliable Ground-immune teammates include Giratina-O, Ho-Oh, and Yveltal. The former two are strong checks to defensive Primal Groudon and can spread status to various foes, which helps Necrozma-DM lacking Toxic. As both of them dislike Toxic, Necrozma-DM's ability to pivot into said status move is appreciated. Yveltal pressures Defog users, checks Ghost-types, overwhelms physically defensive foes, and appreciates Necrozma-DM functioning as a strong check to Fairy-types.
* Necrozma-DM lacking Swords Dance has little use against defensive teams. As Necrozma-DM compresses the role of a Stealth Rock setter, status spreader, and consistent blockade against Toxic users and Fairy-types, Pokemon that are otherwise obligated to compress these roles by themselves can run more offensive sets to cover Necrozma-DM's mentioned downside. The most obvious example is Primal Groudon, which is no longer obligated to run Stealth Rock and has freedom to run offensive sets like Swords Dance to heavily pressure defensive cores. Necrozma-DM carrying Stealth Rock also frees a team slot for more offensive Pokemon; stallbreakers like Swords Dance Arceus-Ground, Primal Kyogre, and Rayquaza can break through defensive teams while appreciating the utility Necrozma-DM provides.
* Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy are solid answers to all relevant Dark-types. Xerneas's cleric support is useful to Necrozma-DM as well, since burns leave it very passive. Arceus-Fairy has more freedom with movesets, as Necrozma-DM employs Stealth Rock, Toxic, or both. It can lure and cripple problematic Steel-types with Will-O-Wisp or alleviate Necrozma-DM's inability to set or keep Stealth Rock up against defensive teams by pressuring Mega Sableye and Giratina, by running Stealth Rock itself. It is important to note, however, that Necrozma-DM and Fairy-types are all vulnerable to Mega Gengar, and they struggle against Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh.
* Arceus formes with Will-O-Wisp, clerics, and certain Defog users can prove problematic to this set. Mega Gengar and Gothitelle can trap and remove most of them.
[SET]
name: Utility Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Sunsteel Strike
move 3: Morning Sun / Trick Room
move 4: Earthquake / Photon Geyser
item: Solganium Z / Life Orb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 108 HP / 252 Atk / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance sharply boosts Necrozma-DM's Attack, letting it break through most of the tier with brute force.
* Sunsteel Strike is mandatory on any Necrozma-DM set, and it serves as the main wallbreaking tool in tandem with Swords Dance boosts and Solganium Z.
* Morning Sun punishes defensive Pokemon that rely on residual damage to keep Necrozma-DM in check. Morning Sun also differentiates this set from other offensive sets by letting Necrozma-DM consistently check threats while retaining maximum offensive potential.
* Trick Room, although it may not seem as sensible of an option to be employed over Rock Polish, can prove incredibly useful against offensive teams and aid slow teammates like Primal Groudon. Trick Room also justifies Necrozma-DM's investment in HP, making it harder to prevent it from setting up.
* Earthquake hits Primal Groudon and Steel-types.
* Alternatively, STAB Photon Geyser functions as a strong neutral attack against foes like Ho-Oh, Primal Kyogre, and Arceus-Water.
* Stone Edge can be used to hit Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Mega Salamence harder.
Set Details
========
* 148 Speed EVs allow Necrozma-DM to outspeed uninvested Primal Groudon and Zygarde. Maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature lets Necrozma-DM hit as hard as possible. The given HP EVs allow Necozma-DM to better deal with Geomancy Xerneas.
* 180 Speed EVs can be used to let Necozma-DM outspeed Z-Geomancy Xerneas and Jolly Tyranitar.
* Necrozma-DM can justify an EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def with a Brave nature and 0 Speed IVs if running Trick Room. This provides Necrozma-DM with valuable extra bulk that lets it better survive powerful hits it otherwise could not with offensive investment. Notably, 252 HP EVs allow Necrozma-DM to survive any super effective attack from Primal Groudon and Dark Pulse from Timid Life Orb Yveltal.
* Solganium Z gives Necrozma-DM access to Searing Sunraze Smash and, in tandem with Swords Dance, maximizes Necrozma-DM's wallbreaking potency.
* Life Orb increases Necrozma-DM's damage output to the point where it can OHKO Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and support Arceus formes after a Swords Dance, at the cost of recoil.
* Weakness Policy punishes super effective attacks that fail to KO Necrozma-DM, and a bulkier spread makes the utilization of this item easier.
Usage Tips
========
* This set has similar tendencies to the Double Dance set in terms of seeking setup opportunities, offensively checking foes, and breaking through defensive cores. However, depending on whether Necrozma-DM opted for Trick Room or Morning Sun, more diverse playstyles are possible.
* Variants that opt for Morning Sun can prove extremely annoying for defensive teams, as many defensive Pokemon are reliant on Toxic to deal with other foes and thus struggle to do much back to Necrozma-DM. Do not recklessly set up on defensive foes, however, until they are confirmed to lack status moves like Will-O-Wisp.
* Sets with Trick Room can ruin offensive teams' momentum and aid slower teammates, letting them function better against faster foes. Necrozma-DM with Trick Room is also bulkier and can therefore switch into resisted attacks a few more times than sets with offensive investments, so utilize the valuable defensive presence to your own advantage.
* Necrozma-DM can seriously threaten many teams if it simultaneously activates Trick Room and Weakness Policy. This isn't terribly difficult to achieve with greater bulk investment, so feel free to set up with Necrozma-DM in a pinch to at worst cause serious damage to an opposing team.
Team Options
========
* Necrozma-DM's wallbreaking potency and defensive presence are appreciated on just about every offensive and balance team. One of the basic ways to aid its wallbreaking is employing a Stealth Rock user. Depending on your team, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, Deoxys-S, and Excadrill can all make solid users of said entry hazard.
* Aside from setting Stealth Rock, Primal Groudon is capable of destroying problematic Steel-types and running various sets to weaken or eliminate Necrozma-DM's checks. Variants with Hidden Power Ice can eliminate Zygarde-C early, while mixed Rock Polish variants can cause serious damage to offensive teams and ease Necrozma-DM's sweeping potential. In return, Primal Groudon appreciates Necrozma-DM's ability to function as a secondary check to Xerneas and switch into Toxic. Swords Dance Primal Groudon, on the other hand, appreciates Necrozma-DM's ability to annoy offensive teams with Trick Room, and Trick Room gives it a good position to run rampant after a single turn of setup.
* Ground-immune Pokemon like Mega Salamence and Giratina-O can handle Primal Groudon well, while others like Yveltal and Rayquaza can have good offensive synergy with Necrozma-DM.
* Xerneas checks Yveltal and Marshadow and provides cleric support, which can be handy in an event where Necrozma-DM was burned or paralyzed. In return, Necrozma-DM can put a significant dent on Primal Groudon and Steel-types if given a chance to boost.
* Priority move users can come in handy, as certain Xerneas variants can narrowly survive Sunsteel Strike and 2HKO Necrozma-DM after Geomancy. Yveltal, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus can all fulfill this role and perform well against offensive teams. In return, Necrozma-DM provides a valuable shelter against Fairy-types and can break through bulkier foes with boosted attacks.
* Necrozma-DM lacking Solganium Z may struggle against certain defensive cores, so certain offensive powerhouses can fit alongside it. Primal Kyogre threatens most of Necrozma-DM's checks, and its ability to draw in and damage Primal Groudon is especially appreciated. Mixed Rayquaza variants are able to switch into Ground-type moves, threaten Steel-types with V-create, and destroy Zygarde-C with Draco Meteor.
[SET]
name: Ultra Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Dragon Pulse / Power Gem
item: Ultranecrozium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 52 HP / 228 SpA / 228 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind's boost in damage output isn't as drastic as Swords Dance's, but the boost in Special Defense especially makes it harder for support Arceus formes to take down and makes Ultra Necrozma less vulnerable to Mega Gengar.
* STAB Photon Geyser functions as a strong special attack.
* Heat Wave hits various Steel-types that resist Photon Geyser for super effective damage. Ultra Necrozma's tendency to draw in Steel-types makes Heat Wave an excellent way to punish them, especially with Neuroforce.
* Dragon Pulse quickly disposes of Giratina-O and Zygarde-C, which Ultra Necrozma would otherwise need a Z-Move to take out. It also provides Ultra Necrozma with a strong neutral coverage move against Arceus-Dark.
* As this variant of Ultra Necrozma struggles against Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lugia, Power Gem can be a viable option.
* Earth Power provides coverage against Primal Groudon and some Steel-types like Magearna and Dialga.
* Morning Sun can be used as the last move to make Ultra Necrozma harder for passive foes to wear down and potentially let it set up multiple Calm Minds. However, this leaves Ultra Necrozma easier to wall due to a decreased range of coverage.
Set Details
========
* 52 HP EVs guarantee Ultra Necrozma's survival of Life Orb Marshadow's Shadow Sneak after switching into a layer of Spikes and Necrozma-DM's survival of +2 Focus Blast from Xerneas. The rest of the EVs are appropriately distributed to outspeed Marshadow and retain as much power as possible.
* Ultranecrozium Z allows Necrozma-DM to undergo Ultra Burst and transform into Ultra Necrozma. It also gives Ultra Necrozma access to Light That Burns the Sky afterwards.
* Neuroforce makes super effective attacks more powerful.
Usage Tips
========
* Unlike other sets, special variants of Ultra Necrozma can effectively lure foes that attempt to check conventional Necrozma-DM sets. Functioning as a special attacker also allows Ultra Necrozma to better deal with physically defensive foes and punish them with Calm Mind-boosted attacks.
* While special Ultra Necrozma doesn't seem as strong as physically oriented sets, do not underestimate its power. Photon Geyser hits many foes harder than usual. Light That Burns the Sky is also capable of annihilating many foes, outright OHKOing offensive Primal Groudon and untransformed Zygarde.
* Though special Ultra Necrozma hits its common switch-ins harder, it will struggle against specially defensive foes like Blissey. Ultra Necrozma is also still vulnerable to Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal even with Calm Mind boosts, so make sure these foes are dealt with before attempting to sweep.
* Revenge killers like Mega Gengar, Yveltal, and Marshadow can cut Ultra Necrozma's sweep short, so ensure they can be dealt with beforehand. The former is especially problematic due to it simply trapping and disposing of Ultra Necrozma, while the latter two can easily take it out with or without prior damage.
* Try postponing Ultra Burst, as Necrozma-DM's better durability and Prism Armor makes setting up Calm Mind easier. Staying in Dusk Mane forme also helps bluffing other sets and absorbing Toxic from passive foes.
Team Options
========
* Stealth Rock support is very helpful to this set, as it punishes Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lugia should they switch in and attempt to check Ultra Necrozma lacking Power Gem. Offensive Stealth Rock users like Primal Groudon, Dialga, and Arceus-Ground are helpful, as Necrozma-DM isn't too threatening before transforming with Ultra Burst.
* A secondary check to Fairy-types is necessary, as Necrozma-DM no longer checks then after Ultra Burst. Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn are solid backups that can aid Ultra Necrozma with pivoting or entry hazard support.
* Ultra Necrozma is vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-types before and after Ultra Burst. Yveltal is a solid switch-in for them and threatens Ghost-types, while Marshadow can be a good partner as well thanks to its ability to threaten every relevant Ghost-type. Both Pokemon are excellent anti-offense Pokemon that appreciate Ultra Necrozma's ability to break through defensive cores.
* Ultra Necrozma can take advantage of its typing and Special Defense boosts from Calm Mind before or after Ultra Burst to set up on Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy. This is valued for partners like Rock Polish Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and Choice Scarf Xerenas and Yveltal. The former two provide valuable defensive utilities for Ultra Necrozma. Xerneas resists Dark-type attacks, is immune to Dragon-type attacks, and provides cleric support, which is always useful. Yveltal can safely bring in Necrozma with U-turn and more effectively threatens Ghost-types.
* Tapu Lele summons Psychic Terrain, which boosts the power of Psychic-type moves, letting Ultra Necrozma OHKO maximum HP Arceus formes with Light That Burns the Sky and making boosted Photon Geyser ridiculously hard to defensively handle. The terrain also protects Ultra Necrozma from priority attacks from Pokemon like Yveltal and Marshadow, which are the most common offensive checks to Ultra Necrozma.
* Sticky Web is a viable strategy, as this gives Ultra Necrozma room to breathe against some foes prior to Ultra Burst and prevents Ultra Necrozma from getting easily disposed of by Mega Gengar and Choice Scarf Xerneas. Smeargle is a reliable Sticky Web setter, and Taunt users like Yveltal and Tapu Lele synergize well with such a build.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Knock Off rids defensive foes of items like Leftovers and Shed Shell, but it lacks usefulness against offensive foes, as the majority of them hold irremovable items.
* Iron Head may seem an appealing option for defensive Necrozma-DM due to Sunsteel Strike's limited PP, but the loss of power and inability to properly handle Fairy-types make this generally not worth it.
* Substitute eases setup against Ferrothorn and Celesteela, but forgoing a coverage move makes Necrozma-DM much easier to wall.
* The utility Swords Dance set can run Smack Down to better deal with Skarmory and Celesteela, but lower damage output against other Flying-types makes this generally not worth it.
* Necrozma-DM can employ a Swords Dance + 3 attacks set to maximize its coverage, but this leaves it vulnerable to offensive teams packed with faster threats, particularly offensive Primal Groudon variants and Mega Gengar.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Though it isn't a reliable defensive check, Yveltal is a troublesome threat for both Necrozma-DM and Ultra Necrozma. On top of naturally outspeeding Necrozma-DM and being able to hit it super effectively, Yveltal can revenge kill both formes with Sucker Punch if prior damage was taken while setting up. While offensive variants of Yveltal cannot switch into Searing Sunraze Smash and any set falls to Ultra Necrozma's boosted Stone Edge, Choice Scarf Yveltal can easily revenge kill Ultra Necrozma if given a safe switch. Arceus-Dark can survive unboosted Searing Sunraze Smash from Necrozma-DM and easily checks any Ultra Necrozma that lacks Brick Break. Mega Sableye completely shuts down defensive Necrozma-DM, survives +2 Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike from full HP, and easily handles any Ultra Necrozma lacking Outrage.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh proves to be a solid check to Necrozma-DM, as it outspeeds Necrozma-DM, can switch into any move apart from Stone Edge, and can threaten back with Sacred Fire. Ultra Necrozma outspeeds Ho-Oh and can defeat it with Stone Edge, Power Gem, boosted Photon Geyser, or Light That Burns the Sky, but physical variants must be vary of burn from Sacred Fire.
**Zygarde-C**: While Zygarde-C is not capable of handling boosted Z-Moves from both Necrozma formes, it can otherwise defensively keep both formes in check and respond with Glare, which heavily limits their usefulness. Offensive Zygarde-C can potentially set up on Necrozma-DM, but it must be wary of directly taking Searing Sunraze Smash while it isn't behind Substitute.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar has various ways to hinder both formes of Necrozma. Depending on the variant, Mega Gengar can neuter Necrozma-DM's damage output with Will-O-Wisp or at worst cause inflict a serious damage with Shadow Ball, leaving it unable to check foes like Xerneas. Mega Gengar also easily traps and eliminates Ultra Necrozma once given a safe switch.
**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon struggles with any Necrozma-DM and Ultra Necrozma variant with Earthquake, but defensive variants are capable of checking +2 Necrozma-DM and KOing back. Ultra Necrozma is capable of defeating Primal Groudon in one-on-one situation, but it still takes major damage while combating or setting up on it.
**Water-types**: Primal Kyogre is capable of offensively checking Necrozma-DM once its Z-Move has been used. Arceus-Water and Mega Slowbro can survive boosted Searing Sunraze Smash and status Necrozma-DM in return. Although Ultranecrozium Z variants can set up on Water-types, they still must be wary of burns from Scald, which is occasionally seen from Primal Kyogre and Mega Slowbro.
**Steel-types**: Ferrothorn and Dialga can take advantage of defensive Necrozma-DM to set up entry hazards or wear it down with appropriate moves, but they are overpowered by setup variants of Necrozma-DM. Ground-immune Celesteela and Skarmory are more problematic, as they force both Necrozma formes to rely on brute force to surmount them.
**Revenge Killers**: Yveltal and Marshadow can revenge kill both Necrozma formes with Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak after some prior damage. Common Choice Scarf users such as Xerneas can revenge kill Ultra Necrozma after Ultra Burst if they were given a safe switch. Arceus-Ground can pick off Necrozma-DM with Judgment, but it has an unfavorable matchup against Ultra Necrozma.
[OVERVIEW]
* Necrozma-DM stands as one of the best Pokemon in the tier. Its typing, ability, movepool, and general offensive presence all contribute to nearly unmatched levels of utility and versatility.
* While Necrozma-DM's offensive typing isn't great, it has an expansive pool of coverage moves and setup options and access to an immensely powerful Z-Move, Searing Sunraze Smash, all of which narrow its defensive counterplay.
* The combination of Necrozma-DM's typing and ability makes it the strongest check to Xerneas and enables it to blanket check the majority of setup sweepers. This allows Necrozma-DM to provide valuable defensive utility to its team regardless of its set.
* Necrozma-DM's potential can be expanded even further through Ultra Burst with Ultranecrozium Z. A sudden change in typing and a boost in Speed allow Necrozma-DM to have an upper hand against threats it otherwise cannot beat and overcome its slow Speed after transforming.
* Although Rock Polish, Trick Room, and Ultra Burst alleviate the problem to a degree, Necrozma-DM's below-average Speed is a notable downside, as this forces it to often move last. When combined with its vulnerability against priority moves from the likes of Yveltal and Marshadow, Necrozma-DM's effectiveness as an offensive threat is somewhat limited.
* Due to its disappointing STAB combination, Necrozma-DM tends to be reliant on prior damage, boosts, Z-Moves, or sometimes all of these to surmount defensive Pokemon, although an immunity to Toxic improves its matchup against many defensive Pokemon to an extent.
* Gaining a boost in Speed and Neuroforce through Ultra Burst can remedy these shortcomings, but due to the fact that Necrozma-DM forfeits its Steel typing, a considerable portion of its bulk, and Prism Armor during the process, it becomes more vulnerable to revenge killing.
* While Necrozma-DM's typing lets it blanket check a large number of threats, it also leaves it vulnerable to very common threats in the tier, such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Mega Gengar, Yveltal, and Marshadow, due to its common weaknesses to Dark, Fire, Ghost, and Ground.
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Sunsteel Strike
move 4: Earthquake
item: Solganium Z / Weakness Policy
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 Atk / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Rock Polish compensates for Necrozma-DM's low Speed by letting it outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame and pose a threat to offensive teams.
* Swords Dance boosts Necrozma-DM's Attack to the point where it can OHKO many threats and makes Searing Sunraze Smash nigh unwallable.
* STAB Sunsteel Strike allows Necrozma-DM to offensively check Fairy-types and ignores the foe's ability. With Solganium Z, Necrozma-DM can use Sunraze Searing Smash.
* Earthquake hits foes that resist Sunsteel Strike, such as Primal Groudon, Toxapex, and other Steel-types.
* Stone Edge OHKOes Ho-Oh and inflicts higher damage on foes like Yveltal and Mega Salamence.
Set Details
========
* 8 Special Defense EVs ensure that Necrozma-DM will survive any attack from +2 Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage.
* Maximum investment in Speed allows Necrozma-DM to outspeed as many foes as possible before it sets up and at worst Speed tie with opposing Adamant Necrozma-DM. The rest of the EVs are put into Attack with an Adamant nature so that Necrozma-DM's damage output will be maximized.
* If more bulk is desired, an EV spread of 124 HP / 252 Atk / 132 Spe with an Adamant nature is a viable option, as this allows Necrozma-DM to outspeed neutral-natured Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal after a Rock Polish. The extra bulk proves to be useful by giving Necrozma-DM a better chance to utilize Weakness Policy against its usual checks like defensive Primal Groudon.
* Prism Armor is Necrozma-DM's only possible ability and makes it difficult to take out with super effective attacks like Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball and super effective Judgment from Arceus forms.
* Solganium Z lets Necrozma-DM use Searing Sunraze Smash, which is capable of at worst significantly impairing almost any foe. Necrozma-DM can also utilize Weakness Policy to survive super effective attacks from its offensive checks thanks to Prism Armor and greatly boost its Attack.
Usage Tips
========
* This set is capable of threatening a variety of builds, such as by threatening offensive teams with Rock Polish and wallbreaking with Swords Dance-boosted attacks. As setting up boh Rock Polish and Swords Dance is not going to be easy against many teams, determine what Necrozma-DM has to accomplish for its team. Against offensive teams, a boost in Speed is more preferable for sweeping, while Swords Dance is more handy against defensive teams.
* While Necrozma-DM has to stay in pristine condition if it is obligated to break through the opponent's cores, it can still provide valuable utility to the team by checking Fairy-types, switching into Toxic, and forcing switches with the threat of its Z-Move.
* A healthy Necrozma-DM is capable of setting up on many foes, even while taking super effective attacks. Weakness Policy lets Necrozma-DM immediately gain both Speed and Attack if it was hit super effectively while setting up. Unboosted Necrozma-DM is still powerful in its own right with its Z-Move available.
* As Necrozma-DM is reliant on boosted Searing Sunraze Smash to bypass bulky foes like Arceus formes and Zygarde-C, use the Z-Move with caution. This is especially true when the opponent has a single Pokemon that can handle +2 Necrozma-DM but cannot survive a boosted Z-Move, as they will likely switch around their Pokemon and make Necrozma-DM waste its Z-Move.
* It is a promising idea to set Stealth Rock before attempting to sweep with Necrozma-DM, as it lessens Necrozma-DM's reliance on a Z-Move against threats like Yveltal, Ho-Oh, and Mega Salamence.
Team Options
========
* Necrozma-DM's wallbreaking potency and defensive presence are appreciated on just about every offensive and balanced team. One of the basic ways to aid its wallbreaking is employing a Stealth Rock user. Depending on your team, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, Deoxys-S, and Excadrill can all make solid users of said entry hazard.
* Aside from setting Stealth Rock, Primal Groudon is capable of destroying problematic Steel-types and running various sets to weaken or eliminate Necrozma-DM's checks. Variants with Hidden Power Ice can eliminate Zygarde-C early, while mixed Rock Polish variants can cause serious damage to offensive teams and ease Necrozma-DM's sweeping potential. In return, Primal Groudon appreciates Necrozma-DM's ability to function as a secondary check to Xerneas and switch into Toxic.
* Ground-immune Pokemon like Mega Salamence and Giratina-O can handle Primal Groudon well, while others like Yveltal and Rayquaza have good offensive synergy with Necrozma-DM.
* Xerneas checks Yveltal and Marshadow and provides cleric support, which can be handy in an event where Necrozma-DM was burned or paralyzed. In return, Necrozma-DM can put a significant dent on Primal Groudon and Steel-types if given a chance to boost.
* Priority move users can come in handy, as certain Xerneas variants can narrowly survive Sunsteel Strike and 2HKO Necrozma-DM after Geomancy. Yveltal, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus can all fulfill this role and perform well against offensive teams. In return, Necrozma-DM provides a valuable shelter against Fairy-types and can break through bulkier foes with boosted attacks.
* Necrozma-DM lacking Solganium Z may struggle against certain defensive cores, so certain offensive powerhouses can fit alongside it. Primal Kyogre threatens most of Necrozma-DM's checks, and its ability to draw in and damage Primal Groudon is especially appreciated. Mixed Rayquaza variants are able to switch into Ground-type moves, threaten Steel-types with V-create, and destroy Zygarde-C with Draco Meteor.
[SET]
name: Ultra Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Outrage / Sunsteel Strike
item: Ultranecrozium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Thanks to the its high Speed, Ultra Necrozma can threaten most teams once it manages to boost its Attack with Swords Dance.
* Photon Geyser hits foes like Ho-Oh and Water-types that Necrozma-DM cannot effectively hit with its conventional sets. It is notably capable of OHKOing Mega Gengar after Stealth Rock even when Necrozma-DM is burned.
* Earthquake provides Ultra Necrozma with vital coverage against Primal Groudon and Steel-types.
* Stone Edge breaks through problematic Flying-types like Yveltal and Lugia, as well as letting Ultra Necrozma better deal with Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence.
* Rock Blast is an alternative Rock-type coverage move that can defeat Lugia and Charti Berry Yveltal more reliably and occasionally OHKO Smeargle through Focus Sash thanks to the move hitting multiple times. The move reduces Ultra Necrozma's reliance on Stealth Rock to defeat certain Flying-types, but its inconsistent damage output can prove to be detrimental.
* Outrage provides Ultra Necrozma with a stronger STAB move. On top of giving Ultra Necrozma an immediate way to dispose of regular Zygarde, boosted Outrage also OHKOes foes like Ho-Oh, Yveltal, Mega Sableye, and support Arceus formes with or without prior damage. However, getting locked into Outrage is dangerous, as this leaves Ultra Necrozma vulnerable to revenge killing.
* Sunsteel Strike offers Ultra Necrozma a coverage move against Fairy-types and also enables Necrozma to check Xerneas before Ultra Burst.
* Brick Break lets Ultra Necrozma defeat Ferrothorn without relying on a second Swords Dance or a Z-Move and has a considerable chance to OHKO Arceus-Dark after a Swords Dance and Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Ultra Necrozma to take advantage of its high Speed tier, letting it outspeed all Arceus formes and Marshadow. The rest of the EVs are allotted to Attack to maximize Ultra Necrozma's damage output.
* 52 HP EVs can be used to prevent Life Orb Marshadow from OHKOing Ultra Necrozma after it switches into Stealth Rock and allow Necrozma to check Geomancy Xerneas in its Dusk Mane forme.
* Ultranecrozium Z allows Necrozma-DM with Photon Geyser to undergo Ultra Burst and transform into Ultra Necrozma. The Z-Crystal also gives Ultra Necrozma access to Light That Burns the Sky, which puts a significant dent in most neutral targets.
* Neuroforce boosts Ultra Necrozma's super effective attacks, allowing it to OHKO foes like Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and various Arceus formes with appropriate moves after a Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
* As there is no feasible way to identify Necrozma-DM's potency to transform and Ultra Burst changes Necrozma-DM's typing, this set can take advantage of foes it previously could not. Take advantage of foes' tendencies to hit Necrozma-DM with Fire- and Ground-type moves, which Ultra Necrozma can survive. A sudden increase in Speed allows Ultra Necrozma to revenge kill a threat it would not outspeed in Dusk Mane forme.
* Staying in Dusk Mane forme is beneficial in specific occasions. An immunity to Toxic prior to Ultra Burst is handy, especially against defensive teams. The defensive typing prior to Ultra Burst also lets Necrozma-DM check Fairy-types and potentially revenge kill a dangerous foe after surviving a hit with Prism Armor, so refrain from recklessly activating Ultra Burst until foes that Necrozma has to check in Dusk Mane forme are no longer posing a threat.
* Revenge killers like Mega Gengar, Yveltal, and Marshadow can cut Ultra Necrozma's sweep short, so ensure they can be dealt with beforehand. The former is especially problematic due to it simply trapping and disposing of Ultra Necrozma, while the latter two can easily take it out with or without prior damage.
* Bear in mind that Ultra Necrozma cannot use Light That Burns the Sky on the turn it transforms. The Z-Move is also resisted by many common foes, and Dark-types are immune to it, so be prepared to predict against teams with Dark- and Steel-types, or ensure that they have been weakened or eliminated beforehand.
* Ultra Necrozma is much more vulnerable to revenge killing than Necrozma-DM, so scout possible Choice Scarf users like Xerneas and Yveltal.
Team Options
========
* Stealth Rock support is very helpful to this set, as it punishes Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lugia should they switch in and attempt to check Ultra Necrozma. Offensive users like Primal Groudon, Dialga, and Arceus-Ground are helpful, as Necrozma-DM isn't too threatening before transforming with Ultra Burst.
* A secondary check to Fairy-types is necessary, as Necrozma-DM no longer checks then after Ultra Burst. Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn are solid backups that can aid Ultra Necrozma with pivoting or entry hazard support.
* Ultra Necrozma is vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-types before and after Ultra Burst. Yveltal is a solid switch-in for them and threatens Ghost-types, while Marshadow can be a good partner as well thanks to its ability to threaten every relevant Ghost-type. Both Pokemon are excellent anti-offense Pokemon that appreciate Ultra Necrozma's ability to break through defensive cores.
* Ultra Necrozma can take advantage of its typing before or after Ultra Burst to set up on Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy. This is valued for partners like Rock Polish Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal. The former two provide valuable defensive utility for Ultra Necrozma. Xerneas resists Dark-type attacks, is immune to Dragon-type attacks, and provides cleric support, which is always useful. Yveltal can safely bring in Necrozma with U-turn and more effectively threatens Ghost-types.
* Tapu Lele summons Psychic Terrain, which boosts the power of Psychic-type moves, letting Ultra Necrozma OHKO maximum HP Arceus formes with Light That Burns the Sky and making boosted Photon Geyser ridiculously hard to defensively handle. The terrain also protects Ultra Necrozma from priority attacks from Pokemon like Yveltal and Marshadow, which are the most common offensive checks to Ultra Necrozma.
* Sticky Web is a viable strategy, as this gives Ultra Necrozma room to breathe against some foes prior to Ultra Burst, and prevents Ultra Necrozma from getting easily disposed of by Mega Gengar and Choice Scarf Xerneas. Smeargle is a reliable Sticky Web setter, and Taunt users like Yveltal and Tapu Lele synergize well with such a build.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic / Swords Dance
move 3: Sunsteel Strike
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Leftovers / Solganium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Necrozma-DM's immunity to Toxic, increased durability with defensive investment, and ability to punish many Defog users with Toxic make it a good Stealth Rock user.
* Toxic punishes Defog users like Arceus-Ground and Giratina-O and offensive checks like Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh.
* Swords Dance is an alternative option to pressure Defog users and Mega Sableye. Necrozma-DM can use various passive Pokemon as setup fodder thanks to its bulk, immunity to Toxic, and access to recovery. Swords Dance also allows Necrozma-DM to defeat Gothitelle and Z-Geomancy Xerneas more reliably.
* Sunsteel Strike lets Necrozma-DM check Fairy-types, and it still has good damage output without investment. Boosted Sunsteel Strike and Searing Sunraze Smash from uninvested Necrozma-DM is still capable of KOing many offensive foes.
* Morning Sun increases Necrozma-DM's longevity, letting it consistently set Stealth Rock and switch into foes it is tasked to check.
* Both Toxic and Swords Dance can be run at the cost of forgoing Stealth Rock, if there's already a solid Stealth Rock user on the team. Toxic helps Necrozma-DM facilitate its own sweep by putting its checks on a timer on the switch and bluffing its passivity until it can start setting up Swords Dance to begin its sweep.
Set Details
========
* A fully specially defensive EV spread makes Necrozma-DM a strong check to Xerneas and the majority of support Arceus formes. The EV spread also allows Necrozma-DM to avoid 2HKO from support Arceus-Ground's Judgment, letting it stall out Arceus-Ground with Toxic.
* Leftovers provide Necrozma-DM with passive recovery, increasing its resilience to residual damage and lessening its reliance on Morning Sun. Solganium Z can be used to give Necrozma-DM a significantly greater offensive presence and prevent Gothitelle from trapping and neutralizing it.
* A physically defensive EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with an Impish nature can be used to better handle Mega Salamence and Rayquaza and even avoid 2HKO from Life Orb Marshadow with Leftovers recovery.
Usage Tips
========
* Necrozma-DM will have ample opportunities to switch into Fairy-types, support Arceus formes, and predicted Toxic. The best it can usually do is set Stealth Rock to start pressuring the opposing team. It is the best to use Toxic against Defog users to put them on a timer and prevent them from freely removing Stealth Rock, but Toxic is also handy for punishing predictable switch-ins like Primal Groudon and other defensive checks like Arceus-Water.
* Necrozma-DM is quite bulky with investment and Prism Armor. It is capable of Toxic stalling support Arceus-Ground thanks to it avoiding the 2HKO from Judgment and defensive Primal Groudon due to Morning Sun's increased recovery in sun. However, it is also important to keep track of the damage Necrozma-DM takes from strong attacks and switch it out of strong attackers like Yveltal, which is capable of easily 2HKOing it.
* When running Swords Dance, revealing Toxic or Stealth Rock early will usually relieve opponents of pressure, as they will most likely assume that Necroma-DM will lack offensive presence. This is especially useful for luring in defensive walls and using them as setup fodder and luring Mega Sableye and taking it out with boosted attacks. Necrozma-DM with Solganium Z is also capable of outright taking out Geomancy Xerneas and OHKOing offensive Yveltal and Mega Salamence after Stealth Rock damage.
* Use Sunsteel Strike and Morning Sun with caution, as their low PP can severely limit Necrozma-DM's usefulness in the long run if the moves were mindlessly used.
Team Options
========
* As this set lacks a feasible way to deal with Ground- and Fire-types other than punishing them with Toxic, checks to them are recommended. Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Dragon can check Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh. The latter two are especially helpful with dealing with Mega Salamence as well, since Mega Salamence can set up on Necrozma-DM lacking Swords Dance.
* More reliable Ground-immune teammates include Giratina-O, Ho-Oh, and Yveltal. The former two are strong checks to defensive Primal Groudon and can spread status to various foes, which helps Necrozma-DM lacking Toxic. As both of them dislike Toxic, Necrozma-DM's ability to pivot into said status move is appreciated. Yveltal pressures Defog users, checks Ghost-types, overwhelms physically defensive foes, and appreciates Necrozma-DM functioning as a strong check to Fairy-types.
* Necrozma-DM lacking Swords Dance has little use against defensive teams. As Necrozma-DM compresses the role of a Stealth Rock setter, status spreader, and consistent blockade against Toxic users and Fairy-types, Pokemon that are otherwise obligated to compress these roles by themselves can run more offensive sets to cover Necrozma-DM's mentioned downside. The most obvious example is Primal Groudon, which is no longer obligated to run Stealth Rock and has freedom to run offensive sets like Swords Dance to heavily pressure defensive cores. Necrozma-DM carrying Stealth Rock also frees a team slot for more offensive Pokemon; stallbreakers like Swords Dance Arceus-Ground, Primal Kyogre, and Rayquaza can break through defensive teams while appreciating the utility Necrozma-DM provides.
* Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy are solid answers to all relevant Dark-types. Xerneas's cleric support is useful to Necrozma-DM as well, since burns leave it very passive. Arceus-Fairy has more freedom with movesets, as Necrozma-DM employs Stealth Rock, Toxic, or both. It can lure and cripple problematic Steel-types with Will-O-Wisp or alleviate Necrozma-DM's inability to set or keep Stealth Rock up against defensive teams by pressuring Mega Sableye and Giratina, by running Stealth Rock itself. It is important to note, however, that Necrozma-DM and Fairy-types are all vulnerable to Mega Gengar, and they struggle against Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh.
* Arceus formes with Will-O-Wisp, clerics, and certain Defog users can prove problematic to this set. Mega Gengar and Gothitelle can trap and remove most of them.
[SET]
name: Utility Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Sunsteel Strike
move 3: Morning Sun / Trick Room
move 4: Earthquake / Photon Geyser
item: Solganium Z / Life Orb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 108 HP / 252 Atk / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance sharply boosts Necrozma-DM's Attack, letting it break through most of the tier with brute force.
* Sunsteel Strike is mandatory on any Necrozma-DM set, and it serves as the main wallbreaking tool in tandem with Swords Dance boosts and Solganium Z.
* Morning Sun punishes defensive Pokemon that rely on residual damage to keep Necrozma-DM in check. Morning Sun also differentiates this set from other offensive sets by letting Necrozma-DM consistently check threats while retaining maximum offensive potential.
* Trick Room, although it may not seem as sensible of an option to be employed over Rock Polish, can prove incredibly useful against offensive teams and aid slow teammates like Primal Groudon. Trick Room also justifies Necrozma-DM's investment in HP, making it harder to prevent it from setting up.
* Earthquake hits Primal Groudon and Steel-types.
* Alternatively, STAB Photon Geyser functions as a strong neutral attack against foes like Ho-Oh, Primal Kyogre, and Arceus-Water.
* Stone Edge can be used to hit Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Mega Salamence harder.
Set Details
========
* 148 Speed EVs allow Necrozma-DM to outspeed uninvested Primal Groudon and Zygarde. Maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature lets Necrozma-DM hit as hard as possible. The given HP EVs allow Necozma-DM to better deal with Geomancy Xerneas.
* 180 Speed EVs can be used to let Necozma-DM outspeed Z-Geomancy Xerneas and Jolly Tyranitar.
* Necrozma-DM can justify an EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def with a Brave nature and 0 Speed IVs if running Trick Room. This provides Necrozma-DM with valuable extra bulk that lets it better survive powerful hits it otherwise could not with offensive investment. Notably, 252 HP EVs allow Necrozma-DM to survive any super effective attack from Primal Groudon and Dark Pulse from Timid Life Orb Yveltal.
* Solganium Z gives Necrozma-DM access to Searing Sunraze Smash and, in tandem with Swords Dance, maximizes Necrozma-DM's wallbreaking potency.
* Life Orb increases Necrozma-DM's damage output to the point where it can OHKO Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and support Arceus formes after a Swords Dance, at the cost of recoil.
* Weakness Policy punishes super effective attacks that fail to KO Necrozma-DM, and a bulkier spread makes the utilization of this item easier.
Usage Tips
========
* This set has similar tendencies to the Double Dance set in terms of seeking setup opportunities, offensively checking foes, and breaking through defensive cores. However, depending on whether Necrozma-DM opted for Trick Room or Morning Sun, more diverse playstyles are possible.
* Variants that opt for Morning Sun can prove extremely annoying for defensive teams, as many defensive Pokemon are reliant on Toxic to deal with other foes and thus struggle to do much back to Necrozma-DM. Do not recklessly set up on defensive foes, however, until they are confirmed to lack status moves like Will-O-Wisp.
* Sets with Trick Room can ruin offensive teams' momentum and aid slower teammates, letting them function better against faster foes. Necrozma-DM with Trick Room is also bulkier and can therefore switch into resisted attacks a few more times than sets with offensive investments, so utilize the valuable defensive presence to your own advantage.
* Necrozma-DM can seriously threaten many teams if it simultaneously activates Trick Room and Weakness Policy. This isn't terribly difficult to achieve with greater bulk investment, so feel free to set up with Necrozma-DM in a pinch to at worst cause serious damage to an opposing team.
Team Options
========
* Necrozma-DM's wallbreaking potency and defensive presence are appreciated on just about every offensive and balance team. One of the basic ways to aid its wallbreaking is employing a Stealth Rock user. Depending on your team, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, Deoxys-S, and Excadrill can all make solid users of said entry hazard.
* Aside from setting Stealth Rock, Primal Groudon is capable of destroying problematic Steel-types and running various sets to weaken or eliminate Necrozma-DM's checks. Variants with Hidden Power Ice can eliminate Zygarde-C early, while mixed Rock Polish variants can cause serious damage to offensive teams and ease Necrozma-DM's sweeping potential. In return, Primal Groudon appreciates Necrozma-DM's ability to function as a secondary check to Xerneas and switch into Toxic. Swords Dance Primal Groudon, on the other hand, appreciates Necrozma-DM's ability to annoy offensive teams with Trick Room, and Trick Room gives it a good position to run rampant after a single turn of setup.
* Ground-immune Pokemon like Mega Salamence and Giratina-O can handle Primal Groudon well, while others like Yveltal and Rayquaza can have good offensive synergy with Necrozma-DM.
* Xerneas checks Yveltal and Marshadow and provides cleric support, which can be handy in an event where Necrozma-DM was burned or paralyzed. In return, Necrozma-DM can put a significant dent on Primal Groudon and Steel-types if given a chance to boost.
* Priority move users can come in handy, as certain Xerneas variants can narrowly survive Sunsteel Strike and 2HKO Necrozma-DM after Geomancy. Yveltal, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus can all fulfill this role and perform well against offensive teams. In return, Necrozma-DM provides a valuable shelter against Fairy-types and can break through bulkier foes with boosted attacks.
* Necrozma-DM lacking Solganium Z may struggle against certain defensive cores, so certain offensive powerhouses can fit alongside it. Primal Kyogre threatens most of Necrozma-DM's checks, and its ability to draw in and damage Primal Groudon is especially appreciated. Mixed Rayquaza variants are able to switch into Ground-type moves, threaten Steel-types with V-create, and destroy Zygarde-C with Draco Meteor.
[SET]
name: Ultra Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Dragon Pulse / Power Gem
item: Ultranecrozium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 52 HP / 228 SpA / 228 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind's boost in damage output isn't as drastic as Swords Dance's, but the boost in Special Defense especially makes it harder for support Arceus formes to take down and makes Ultra Necrozma less vulnerable to Mega Gengar.
* STAB Photon Geyser functions as a strong special attack.
* Heat Wave hits various Steel-types that resist Photon Geyser for super effective damage. Ultra Necrozma's tendency to draw in Steel-types makes Heat Wave an excellent way to punish them, especially with Neuroforce.
* Dragon Pulse quickly disposes of Giratina-O and Zygarde-C, which Ultra Necrozma would otherwise need a Z-Move to take out. It also provides Ultra Necrozma with a strong neutral coverage move against Arceus-Dark.
* As this variant of Ultra Necrozma struggles against Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lugia, Power Gem can be a viable option.
* Earth Power provides coverage against Primal Groudon and some Steel-types like Magearna and Dialga.
* Morning Sun can be used as the last move to make Ultra Necrozma harder for passive foes to wear down and potentially let it set up multiple Calm Minds. However, this leaves Ultra Necrozma easier to wall due to a decreased range of coverage.
Set Details
========
* 52 HP EVs guarantee Ultra Necrozma's survival of Life Orb Marshadow's Shadow Sneak after switching into a layer of Spikes and Necrozma-DM's survival of +2 Focus Blast from Xerneas. The rest of the EVs are appropriately distributed to outspeed Marshadow and retain as much power as possible.
* Ultranecrozium Z allows Necrozma-DM to undergo Ultra Burst and transform into Ultra Necrozma. It also gives Ultra Necrozma access to Light That Burns the Sky afterwards.
* Neuroforce makes super effective attacks more powerful.
Usage Tips
========
* Unlike other sets, special variants of Ultra Necrozma can effectively lure foes that attempt to check conventional Necrozma-DM sets. Functioning as a special attacker also allows Ultra Necrozma to better deal with physically defensive foes and punish them with Calm Mind-boosted attacks.
* While special Ultra Necrozma doesn't seem as strong as physically oriented sets, do not underestimate its power. Photon Geyser hits many foes harder than usual. Light That Burns the Sky is also capable of annihilating many foes, outright OHKOing offensive Primal Groudon and untransformed Zygarde.
* Though special Ultra Necrozma hits its common switch-ins harder, it will struggle against specially defensive foes like Blissey. Ultra Necrozma is also still vulnerable to Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal even with Calm Mind boosts, so make sure these foes are dealt with before attempting to sweep.
* Revenge killers like Mega Gengar, Yveltal, and Marshadow can cut Ultra Necrozma's sweep short, so ensure they can be dealt with beforehand. The former is especially problematic due to it simply trapping and disposing of Ultra Necrozma, while the latter two can easily take it out with or without prior damage.
* Try postponing Ultra Burst, as Necrozma-DM's better durability and Prism Armor makes setting up Calm Mind easier. Staying in Dusk Mane forme also helps bluffing other sets and absorbing Toxic from passive foes.
Team Options
========
* Stealth Rock support is very helpful to this set, as it punishes Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Lugia should they switch in and attempt to check Ultra Necrozma lacking Power Gem. Offensive Stealth Rock users like Primal Groudon, Dialga, and Arceus-Ground are helpful, as Necrozma-DM isn't too threatening before transforming with Ultra Burst.
* A secondary check to Fairy-types is necessary, as Necrozma-DM no longer checks then after Ultra Burst. Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn are solid backups that can aid Ultra Necrozma with pivoting or entry hazard support.
* Ultra Necrozma is vulnerable to Dark- and Ghost-types before and after Ultra Burst. Yveltal is a solid switch-in for them and threatens Ghost-types, while Marshadow can be a good partner as well thanks to its ability to threaten every relevant Ghost-type. Both Pokemon are excellent anti-offense Pokemon that appreciate Ultra Necrozma's ability to break through defensive cores.
* Ultra Necrozma can take advantage of its typing and Special Defense boosts from Calm Mind before or after Ultra Burst to set up on Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy. This is valued for partners like Rock Polish Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and Choice Scarf Xerenas and Yveltal. The former two provide valuable defensive utilities for Ultra Necrozma. Xerneas resists Dark-type attacks, is immune to Dragon-type attacks, and provides cleric support, which is always useful. Yveltal can safely bring in Necrozma with U-turn and more effectively threatens Ghost-types.
* Tapu Lele summons Psychic Terrain, which boosts the power of Psychic-type moves, letting Ultra Necrozma OHKO maximum HP Arceus formes with Light That Burns the Sky and making boosted Photon Geyser ridiculously hard to defensively handle. The terrain also protects Ultra Necrozma from priority attacks from Pokemon like Yveltal and Marshadow, which are the most common offensive checks to Ultra Necrozma.
* Sticky Web is a viable strategy, as this gives Ultra Necrozma room to breathe against some foes prior to Ultra Burst and prevents Ultra Necrozma from getting easily disposed of by Mega Gengar and Choice Scarf Xerneas. Smeargle is a reliable Sticky Web setter, and Taunt users like Yveltal and Tapu Lele synergize well with such a build.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Knock Off rids defensive foes of items like Leftovers and Shed Shell, but it lacks usefulness against offensive foes, as the majority of them hold irremovable items.
* Iron Head may seem an appealing option for defensive Necrozma-DM due to Sunsteel Strike's limited PP, but the loss of power and inability to properly handle Fairy-types make this generally not worth it.
* Substitute eases setup against Ferrothorn and Celesteela, but forgoing a coverage move makes Necrozma-DM much easier to wall.
* The utility Swords Dance set can run Smack Down to better deal with Skarmory and Celesteela, but lower damage output against other Flying-types makes this generally not worth it.
* Necrozma-DM can employ a Swords Dance + 3 attacks set to maximize its coverage, but this leaves it vulnerable to offensive teams packed with faster threats, particularly offensive Primal Groudon variants and Mega Gengar.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Though it isn't a reliable defensive check, Yveltal is a troublesome threat for both Necrozma-DM and Ultra Necrozma. On top of naturally outspeeding Necrozma-DM and being able to hit it super effectively, Yveltal can revenge kill both formes with Sucker Punch if prior damage was taken while setting up. While offensive variants of Yveltal cannot switch into Searing Sunraze Smash and any set falls to Ultra Necrozma's boosted Stone Edge, Choice Scarf Yveltal can easily revenge kill Ultra Necrozma if given a safe switch. Arceus-Dark can survive unboosted Searing Sunraze Smash from Necrozma-DM and easily checks any Ultra Necrozma that lacks Brick Break. Mega Sableye completely shuts down defensive Necrozma-DM, survives +2 Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike from full HP, and easily handles any Ultra Necrozma lacking Outrage.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh proves to be a solid check to Necrozma-DM, as it outspeeds Necrozma-DM, can switch into any move apart from Stone Edge, and can threaten back with Sacred Fire. Ultra Necrozma outspeeds Ho-Oh and can defeat it with Stone Edge, Power Gem, boosted Photon Geyser, or Light That Burns the Sky, but physical variants must be vary of burn from Sacred Fire.
**Zygarde-C**: While Zygarde-C is not capable of handling boosted Z-Moves from both Necrozma formes, it can otherwise defensively keep both formes in check and respond with Glare, which heavily limits their usefulness. Offensive Zygarde-C can potentially set up on Necrozma-DM, but it must be wary of directly taking Searing Sunraze Smash while it isn't behind Substitute.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar has various ways to hinder both formes of Necrozma. Depending on the variant, Mega Gengar can neuter Necrozma-DM's damage output with Will-O-Wisp or at worst cause inflict a serious damage with Shadow Ball, leaving it unable to check foes like Xerneas. Mega Gengar also easily traps and eliminates Ultra Necrozma once given a safe switch.
**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon struggles with any Necrozma-DM and Ultra Necrozma variant with Earthquake, but defensive variants are capable of checking +2 Necrozma-DM and KOing back. Ultra Necrozma is capable of defeating Primal Groudon in one-on-one situation, but it still takes major damage while combating or setting up on it.
**Water-types**: Primal Kyogre is capable of offensively checking Necrozma-DM once its Z-Move has been used. Arceus-Water and Mega Slowbro can survive boosted Searing Sunraze Smash and status Necrozma-DM in return. Although Ultranecrozium Z variants can set up on Water-types, they still must be wary of burns from Scald, which is occasionally seen from Primal Kyogre and Mega Slowbro.
**Steel-types**: Ferrothorn and Dialga can take advantage of defensive Necrozma-DM to set up entry hazards or wear it down with appropriate moves, but they are overpowered by setup variants of Necrozma-DM. Ground-immune Celesteela and Skarmory are more problematic, as they force both Necrozma formes to rely on brute force to surmount them.
**Revenge Killers**: Yveltal and Marshadow can revenge kill both Necrozma formes with Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak after some prior damage. Common Choice Scarf users such as Xerneas can revenge kill Ultra Necrozma after Ultra Burst if they were given a safe switch. Arceus-Ground can pick off Necrozma-DM with Judgment, but it has an unfavorable matchup against Ultra Necrozma.
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