Ubers Necrozma-DM

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Manaphy

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[Overview]

Necrozma-DM is the premier Ubers Steel-type and one of the best Pokemon in the tier. It checks a myriad of powerful offensive threats, such as Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Galarian Darmanitan, and Eternatus. With a good ability in Prism Armor, useful utility options including Stealth Rock and status moves, and reliable enough recovery, Necrozma-DM functions as a critical glue Pokemon for the vast majority of teams. Offensive sets are also not to be underestimated, as Necrozma-DM packs an impressive base 157 Attack on top of its good bulk and has great boosting options in Swords Dance and Dragon Dance. Since it's one of the most common defensive Pokemon in the tier, powerful threats like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre often look to take advantage of Necrozma-DM. As such, it is critical to pick Necrozma-DM's coverage options and teammates well in accordance with your team structure, lest you leave big openings in your defensive core.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Knock Off
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Thunder Wave / Knock Off / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This is the most common Necrozma-DM set thanks to the Special Defense investment making Necrozma-DM an excellent check to Xerneas and Eternatus. Stealth Rock provides invaluable team support, and Necrozma-DM is probably the best user of it in the tier. With Thunder Wave and Iron Head, the most common Defog user in the tier, Yveltal, will have a very difficult time dealing with Necrozma-DM. Iron Head is used instead of Sunsteel Strike for its higher PP, which lets it more effectively check Calyrex-I, and its flinch chance, which works excellently in combination with Thunder Wave. If a teammate is already providing Stealth Rock support, such as Groudon, Clefable, Blissey, or Landorus, Necrozma-DM can run Knock Off instead to punish common switch-ins like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre. Toxic could also be run to punish the aforementioned switch-ins as well as Ho-Oh. The Speed EVs ensure that Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. If you have a teammate that can deal with SubSeed Calyrex-I well enough, such as Leech Life Buzzwole, Necrozma-DM can instead run a spread of 212 HP / 252 SpD / 40 Spe. This lets it outspeed Adamant Calyrex-I, have a higher chance of beating Geomancy Xerneas, and have a 50% chance to survive a Choice Specs Astral Barrage from Calyrex-S.

It's important to have solid switch-ins to Pokemon such as Zygarde, Groudon, Zekrom, and Kyogre. These Pokemon are immune to or don't mind Thunder Wave and take little damage from Iron Head, so they can use Necrozma-DM as an easy setup opportunity. If you have solid checks to these Pokemon, Necrozma-DM can still gain momentum by setting Stealth Rock. Eternatus and Yveltal are fantastic partners for being able to switch into Kyogre and Calyrex-S, respectively, and together the three of them form the classic defensive core of SS Ubers. Buzzwole and Tangrowth make excellent defensive partners for dealing with Ground-types and Marshadow well. Defensive Xerneas can deal with Marshadow, Zekrom, Zygarde, and Urshifu-S, as well as providing cleric support. Groudon and Clefable can check Zekrom and Zygarde, respectively, and also free up the Stealth Rock moveslot on Necrozma-DM. Calyrex-S appreciates this set's ability to cripple Yveltal and provide Stealth Rock support. In return, Necrozma-DM likes Aromatherapy and Calyrex-S's revenge killing capabilities.

[SET]
name: Bulky Booster
move 1: Iron Head / Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off / Stone Edge
move 3: Swords Dance / Dragon Dance
move 4: Moonlight
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma-DM makes a threatening wallbreaker with Swords Dance or Dragon Dance while maintaining a lot of its defensive utility. The key to this set's success is its combination of bulk and power; compared to many other wallbreakers in the tier, bulky teams have a very difficult time OHKOing or even 2HKOing Necrozma-DM. Swords Dance boosts Necrozma-DM's Attack to sky-high levels, letting it power through Pokemon better early-game than Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance makes it sweep balanced teams better in late-game scenarios. Iron Head has more PP and better neutral coverage than Photon Geyser and Sunsteel Strike, which is especially helpful against Eternatus. Sunsteel Strike can still be useful, especially against Geomancy Xerneas, as it has a much better chance to OHKO when unboosted than Iron Head does. Knock Off gives more coverage and makes Necrozma-DM very difficult for bulky teams to deal with; defensive Pokemon such as Lunala, Tangrowth, Ho-Oh, Ferrothorn, and opposing Necrozma-DM that may try to stop this set can get crippled for the rest of the game. Stone Edge is an alternative that lets it get past Yveltal and especially Ho-Oh. Moonlight and Leftovers allow Necrozma-DM to use its good bulk to boost several times. The EVs ensure that it outspeeds all Calyrex-I, which it checks decently with this set, as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. With Dragon Dance, it will outspeed all base 100 Pokemon at +1 and non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S at +2. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe can be used to better check Xerneas and offensive Eternatus, especially if your team lacks an alternative check such as Ho-Oh or Blissey. Do note that the lack of Attack investment is quite noticeable.

This set works best on teams with other bulky teammates that already cover some of the roles that defensive Necrozma-DM would normally cover. In return, Necrozma-DM can still provide some of its defensive roles and also function as a strong wallbreaker. Since it lacks Stealth Rock, a teammate such as Groudon, Blissey, Clefable, Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, or Landorus can provide an entry hazard. An additional Xerneas check, such as Ho-Oh or Blissey, is a great teammate, since this set lacks the bulk to take on Geomancy Xerneas consistently. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Clefable, and Blissey make great partners, as this set can often get statused early in the game. Pairing Necrozma-DM with a strong physical partner such as Groudon, Zekrom, or Marshadow lets both break down checks for each other. Finally, paralysis spreaders such as Ho-Oh, Blissey, Zygarde, and Groudon are terrific teammates, as this set benefits from the Speed drop and paralysis chance, especially in tandem with Iron Head.

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Weakness Policy / Lum Berry
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Necrozma-DM finds its place on offensive teams for its nice bulk and ability to raise its Speed. Particularly, hyper offense teams like its ability to limit some typical anti-offense Pokemon, such as Xerneas and Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan. Sunsteel Strike is therefore your mandatory STAB attack to OHKO the former more often. Stone Edge is used mainly to KO Ho-Oh and Yveltal when boosted. From there, Earthquake gives good neutral coverage and hits Pokemon such as Eternatus and Zekrom extremely hard. The EV spread and nature give Necrozma-DM enough Speed to beat Adamant Marshadow after a Dragon Dance. At +2, it will also outspeed non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S. A viable alternative is to run 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe with an Adamant nature, which outspeeds fully invested base 100 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. Weakness Policy limits the offensive options against this set from the opposing team and also gives easy setup opportunities against Pokemon like Eternatus. On the other hand, Lum Berry lets Necrozma-DM 2HKO Lunala without fear of being burned and avoid paralysis from opposing Necrozma-DM. It also allows it to 2HKO Tangrowth without fear of Sleep Powder.

This set loves strong wallbreakers for teammates, as it's much better at cleaning up weakened teams than breaking through cores and overcoming common defensive Pokemon such as Kyogre, Zygarde, Zarude, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, Lunala, and Groudon by itself. Offensive teammates such as Zekrom and Groudon make fantastic partners, as both can both lure in and KO Tangrowth with their coverage options. Zekrom will make quick work of Kyogre, while Double Dance Groudon, Rayquaza, and Xerneas are all good options to overpower Zygarde. Marshadow will be able to OHKO Lunala and most Ferrothorn.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Sunsteel Strike / Iron Head
move 4: Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
When paired with the right teammates, physically defensive Necrozma-DM can be better than the more common specially defensive set. Particularly, Blissey can cover the roles of the specially defensive set, mainly checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. In exchange, this set can check Pokemon such as Zekrom and offensive Necrozma-DM sets. Notably, this set is also perhaps the best check to the powerful physical Ice-types of the tier, Galarian Darmanitan and Calyrex-I. Stealth Rock provides Necrozma-DM with its usual supporting role, but be mindful that this set has little to stop Yveltal or Ho-Oh from using Defog on it. Earthquake is used to hit Zekrom and opposing Necrozma-DM hard, with Sunsteel Strike preferred over Iron Head because paralysis isn't on this set. Iron Head could be run for its higher PP against SubSeed Calyrex-I and works well with paralysis support from teammates. Finally, Moonlight is critical to keeping this set healthy, especially since Rocky Helmet has been chosen over Leftovers to better help Necrozma-DM damage Zekrom and other physical attackers. Leftovers could be used to better check SubSeed Calyrex-I and is preferred if using Necrozma-DM on a team with Kyogre, which weakens Moonlight with rain.

As mentioned above, Blissey is a great teammate, since it covers the roles that specially defensive Necrozma-DM normally would like checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. Since this set can handle Zekrom relatively well, it will work best on teams that don't have another Zekrom answer. Be mindful that, depending on the circumstances, Zekrom and offensive Necrozma-DM can still win against this set, so a revenge killer like Calyrex-S or Marshadow is a good partner. Pokemon that can set up on Defog users are also good partners; Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre are some notable options.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Moonlight / Stone Edge
move 4: Photon Geyser
item: Choice Band
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This set functions as a surprise wallbreaker. Base 157 Attack in combination with Choice Band gives this Necrozma-DM a ton of immediate power. Sunsteel Strike will heavily damage even Necrozma-DM's typical switch-ins such as Groudon and Zygarde. Knock Off pairs nicely with Sunsteel St rike to give Necrozma-DM good neutral coverage; it particularly smacks Lunala hard. Removing items such as Leftovers and Rocky Helmet offers useful utility as well. Moonlight allows Necrozma-DM to come back later in the game to check Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Galarian Darmanitan, or Eternatus. Stone Edge is an alternative option that will secure a OHKO on Ho-Oh and Yveltal. Photon Geyser covers Pokemon like Eternatus and gives a secondary STAB attack for Pokemon resisting Steel. Notably, it will OHKO non-defensive Kyogre and 2HKO defensive variants. The Speed EVs ensure Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S.

This set appreciates offensive partners that can help break down some of its common switch-ins. Double Dance Groudon, Urshifu-S, or Ice Punch Marshadow can help to offensively pressure Zygarde. Paralysis support from spreaders such as Zygarde, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, and Blissey can help make up for this set's low Speed. U-turn Yveltal is an excellent partner for checking Calyrex-S, as well as easily bringing Necrozma-DM in on Eternatus switch-ins. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Xerneas, Blissey, and Clefable are much appreciated, as this set can get statused quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Morning Sun is functionally identical to Moonlight. Sunsteel Strike can be run on the Specially Defensive set, trading higher PP and a flinch chance for more power and the ability to hit Shedinja. If Necrozma-DM does not need to run Stealth Rock due to a teammate such as Groudon, Clefable, or Blissey already having it, then a boosting move such as Dragon Dance or Swords Dance is possible on defensive sets as a surprise option to win late-game scenarios. Expert Belt and Knock Off can be run on Dragon Dance sets to secure the OHKO on Lunala. Colbur Berry is a decent option for offensive Dragon Dance sets to better take on Choice Scarf or Sucker Punch Yveltal. Life Orb is another viable option for these sets, but generally the lost bulk is not worth it compared to Weakness Policy. Stone Edge and 12 Attack EVs with Expert Belt can be run on any defensive set to lure in and OHKO Ho-Oh, although the loss of a less situational item is noticeable. Heat Wave can be run on Dragon Dance sets to heavily damage Tangrowth and Ferrothorn, although the other coverage options are generally better. Heavy-Duty Boots is an option to avoid damage from Spikes; however, the utility you lose from Rocky Helmet or Leftovers is noticeable, especially since Necrozma-DM already resists Stealth Rock. Double Dance and Trick Room are surprise sweeper sets, but they lose a coverage move and often rely on Weakness Policy or setting up twice to sweep.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Groudon and Zygarde have an easy time switching into anything Necrozma-DM can throw at them and proceed to use it as setup fodder. However, Knock Off or Toxic can limit their presence in the game.

**Zekrom**: Zekrom is immune to Thunder Wave, resists Steel-type attacks, and can heal off anything Necrozma-DM can throw at it with Leftovers or Roost. Zekrom can then use it as setup fodder. However, Zekrom needs to be careful of a boosted Earthquake or Knock Off.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre resists Steel-type attacks and can use Necrozma-DM to set up or to put out strong Choice Specs-boosted attacks. Defensive Kyogre will be able to beat most offensive sets, but they need to be wary of a boosted Knock Off or a Choice Band Photon Geyser.

**Defensive Steel-types**: Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Corviknight can switch in for free and use Necrozma-DM to lay Spikes or remove Stealth Rock with Defog. These Pokemon are also some of the best counters to offensive sets.

**Ghost- and Dark-types**: While they don't like switching into a strong attack, Yveltal, Marshadow, Urshifu-S, and Calyrex-S can threaten to massively damage or KO Necrozma-DM. Lunala can stop offensive sets if they lack Knock Off or Lum Berry. Physically defensive Zarude can wall most Necrozma-DM sets easily.

**Ho-Oh**: While Ho-Oh loses to Stone Edge sets, against most defensive sets it can come in relatively for free and use Defog and Sacred Fire with abandon. Status threatens Ho-Oh, but Regenerator mitigates Toxic.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [Aberforth, 249382]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [lotiasite, 302985]
 
Last edited:

Fc

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:Necrozma-Dusk Mane:
[Overview]

Necrozma-Dusk Mane is the premiere Defensive Steel-type in the tier. It checks a myriad of powerful offensive threats, such as Zacian-Hero, Xerneas, and Calyrex-Ice Rider. With a good ability in Prism Armor, access to useful utility options including Stealth Rock and status moves, and having reliable (enough) recovery, Necrozma-Dusk Mane functions as a critical glue Pokémon for the vast majority of teams. Offensive sets are also not to be underestimated, as they form a important part of hyper offense builds. Without Necrozma-Dusk Mane, many of those teams are at a high risk of a sweep from Zacian-Hero or Xerneas. As one of the most common defensive Pokémon in the tier, Necrozma-Dusk Mane is often looked to be taken advantage of by powerful threats like Groudon, Zygarde-Complete, and Kyogre. As such, it is critical to pick Necrozma-Dusk Mane’s coverage options well in accordance to your team structure, lest you leave big openings in your defensive core.


[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Earthquake / Thunder Wave / Toxic / Knock Off
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

This is the most common Necrozma-Dusk Mane set, as it is one of the best switch-ins in the tier to Zacian-Hero, Calyrex-Ice, and Galarian Darmanitan. It also is notably a secondary check to Xerneas maybe elaborate on this a bit, idk if just saying secondary makes it super clear, maybe just add a quick thing on how sunsteel doesn't ohko and it gets 2hko'd because phys.def. It's essentialy the same point as the one in the second paragraph about moonblast 2hko'ing but this time in a positive light saying it's a backup check. Sunsteel Strike is your best STAB attack and will hit the Fairy- and Ice-types that Necrozma-Dusk Mane is meant to check super-effectively. Moonlight gives Necrozma-Dusk Mane reliable recovery outside of Rain or Sand. Stealth Rock gives a great way for your team to gain advantage, especially when paired with Knock Off users to wear down Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Yveltal. Necrozma-Dusk Mane is one of the best Pokémon in the tier to use Stealth Rock, as most other Pokémon don’t have the room to fit it effectively. The last moveslot depends heavily on your teams needs, and thus is extremely flexible. Earthquake allows Necrozma-Dusk Mane to function as a check to Zekrom lacking Magnet Rise, and it gives you a stronger hit against Eternatus and Excadrill (exca walls mono sunsteel and sets up so quick mention for it) . Thunder Wave is a great option for the aforementioned Eternatus, who is immune to Toxic. Meanwhile, Toxic hits Ground-types who are immune to Thunder Wave. Both status options are great to cripple a common switch-in, Ho-Oh. Knock Off gives you another attack and is notably Necrozma-Dusk Mane’s best option against Defensive Zygarde-Complete. Rocky Helmet is useful particularly for Zacian-Hero, putting it on a timer and forcing it to guess correctly multiple times in order to break through your defensive core. mention of it also chipping u-turn spammers like darm and mosa is somewhat important so can be quickly added Leftovers is a decent option and is preferred if using Necrozma-Dusk Mane on a team with Kyogre, as the passive recovery can somewhat make up for the lessened recovery in Rain.

While Necrozma-Dusk Mane is one of the most common Pokémon in the tier, for good reason, it is also important to recognize NDM’s shortcomings.
Zacian-Hero can 2HKO Necrozma-Dusk Mane with a Choice Banded Close Combat, or lure it in and KO it with a Swords Dance Babiri Berry set. Xerneas will live a Sunsteel Strike and proceed to 2HKO with Moonblast after a Geomancy. Calyrex-Ice Rider while also has a chance to 2HKO Necrozma-Dusk Mane on the switch-in with a Choice Banded High Horsepower. As such, alternative checks are critical teammates, especially to Xerneas and Zacian-Hero, which most teams will want to have at least two checks to. Tangrowth, Lunala, and Ho-Oh are good options for being able to limit Zacian-Hero’s breaking potential. Lunala and Tangrowth also make good partners for being able to stop the Ground-types that threaten to set-up on this set. Meanwhile, Ho-Oh, Blissey, and Ferrothorn can keep Xerneas in check. Eternatus and Blissey are good teammates to keep Kyogre at bay, while Yveltal is an important switch-in for Calyrex-Shadow Rider.

[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake / Knock Off
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Life Orb / Weakness Policy
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 128 136 HP / 252 Atk / 128 120 Spe Is there a reason for this to be 128 and not 120 speed? 120 evs still hits 330 speed which is usually all that's needed for base 100's and caly at +2

[SET COMMENTS]

Offensive Necrozma-Dusk Mane find it’s place on Hyper-Offense teams for it’s nice bulk and ability to limit opposing Zacian-Hero and Xerneas. These two threats can easily position themselves to sweep many Hyper-Offense teams, and especially so if they are on your team itself and Ditto is present. Sunsteel Strike is therefore your mandatory STAB attack, hitting the Fairy-types hard. Stone Edge is used particularly to KO Ho-Oh and Yveltal when boosted. From there, Earthquake is usually your best attack, giving Necrozma-Dusk Mane good neutral coverage. Knock Off could also be used, as it still gives good neutral coverage and it will particularly hit Lunala hard change wording to mention how it OHKO's lunala with orb at +1 and is a roll with wp since that's really important. The given EV spread and nature maximises attacks and bulk, giving Necrozma-Dusk Mane enough speed to beat fully invested base 100 Speed Pokemon, as well as most Eternatus sets after a Dragon Dance mention +2 outrunning calyrex-s also, an important benchmark. Another option is to simply run a set with Adamant nature and max speed to beat an Adamant Zacian-Hero after boosting once with Dragon Dance.
  • Stone Edge destroys the birds
  • Earthquake gives you great neutral coverage against the majority of the tier
  • Knock Off is another option for it’s coverage and utility
  • Given spread lets you outspeed Zacian-H after a Dragon Dance. (After 1 dd this spread doesn't outrun zacian, and with webs up no speed +1 would still outrun it so this isn't relevant, the above benchmarks of base 100's and caly are more important)
All of the above is mentioned in the first paragraph, so I'm assuming it was just bullet points left over from the wip.
  • Ideal for webs teams. Weakness Policy + max speed Ada ideal for screens.
  • NDM needs strong breakers for teammates, as this set is much better at cleaning up weakened teams, since it lacks the coverage to break many defensive cores effectively. When written up fully mention what kind of defensive cores, stuff like zyg / don / ogre / tang
  • As such, Zekrom, Groudon, Rayquaza, Marshadow make good teammates expand on why they work well together, stuff like draco zek / ray for baiting zyg / tang and marsh beating nala etc. when written up


[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Thunder Wave / Toxic / Knock Off
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

Specially Defensive Necrozma-Dusk Mane trades the ability to deal with Zacian-Hero better for dealing with Xerneas better. With the extra special bulk, Necrozma-Dusk Mane can consistently switch into Xerneas and force it out. Sunsteel Strike is Necrozma-Dusk Mane’s best STAB attack, while Moonlight will keep Necrozma-Dusk Mane healthy. Stealth Rock will offer invaluable team support. The last option is a bit of a toss-up; Thunder Wave and Toxic are both solid utility options, while Knock Off can bring useful team support and a secondary attack. Thunder Wave will make this Necrozma-Dusk Mane a decent check to offensive Eternatus sets, while Toxic will punish Ho-Oh and Groudon switch-ins much harder Groudon added as another first mention, if there's any other notable walls hurt by it a quick addition is fine. Leftovers is the preferred item, as this set will not be taking physical attacks as often.
I'd still give a quick menion to eq tbh, it doesn't have to be a slash but the coverage for etern / last ditch zekrom check / other ndm etc is quite valuable, but mention why the others are preferred breifly

This set will naturally work the best on teams that already have multiple Zacian-Hero checks, such as Tangrowth, Ho-Oh, and Lunala; this will give this Necrozma-Dusk Mane set much more synergy with the overall team. For example, since Necrozma-Dusk Mane can check Xerneas better, you could consider dropping phazing moves on Ho-Oh or Lunala, freeing their moveslots up. Calyrex-Ice Rider is an important Pokémon to watch out for, as Physically Defensive Necrozma-Dusk Mane is usually it’s best and most common check. Lunala and Physically Defensive Kyogre sets make good partners, since they are able to take the powerful Glacial Lances that Calyrex-Ice Rider can dish out. Offensive partners may be nice to add also, things that appreciate a reliable sp.def rocker for xerneas like Zekrom or dd zygarde
  • trades the ability to deal with Zacian better for dealing with Xerneas better
  • Leftovers is more ideal since you will be taking less physical hits.
  • Moveset choice is very similar to the Defensive set
  • Strong Zacian switch-ins, like Tangrowth, Ho-Oh, or Lunala are critical teammates, to the point you maybe even want multiple.
  • As a bonus for teammates like Lunala or Ho-Oh, NDM’s ability to deal with Xerneas much better can free up moveslots those mons may normally dedicate to phazing moves Assuming this was just original bullet points for the paragraphs left in so remove these

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

  • Iron Head can be run on any defensive set, especially sets with Thunder Wave. You trade less power for higher PP and flinch chance.
  • Stone Edge and 12 attack EVs with Hard Rock can be run on any defensive set to lure and OHKO Ho-Oh, although the loss of item is noticeable
  • Photon Geyser can be run on offensive sets; it’s most notable perk is hitting Kyogre harder. However, you are generally better off running more useful coverage options.
  • Swords Dance, Rock Polish, and Trick Room sets are all options for a surprise sweeping set. The main problem with these sets is that they lose a coverage move and often have to set-up twice to become effective sweepers.
  • If something like hard rock stone edge is being mentioned I think boots can get a mention as well, decent on really passive / stall teams that are weak to spikes and need ndm to stick around but no recovery / chip on zacian hurts sometimes
Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-Types**: Groudon and Zygarde have an easy time switching into anything Necrozma-Dusk Mane can throw at them and proceed to use it as set-up fodder.

**Defensive Steel-Types**: Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Corviknight can switch-in for free and use it to lay Spikes or Defog away Stealth Rock. These Pokémon are also some of the best counters to Offensive sets.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre resists Sunsteel Strike and can use Necrozma-Dusk Mane to set-up or to put out strong choiced attacks. give a quick mention how even dd booste hits can't break defensive and scald burns just ruin it

**Ghost- and Dark-types**: While they don’t like switching into a strong attack, Yveltal, Urshifu, Marshadow and Calyrex-SR can threaten to do massive damage or KO Necrozma-Dusk Mane. Lunala is a full-stop to the Offensive set with Will-O-Wisp Not really since +1 knock with orb ohko's, reword to mention that since full stop is too big a claim when knock can just win, add a wisp gira mention here also since while niche it's a good wall. (added shifu for more dark-type variety)

**Ho-Oh**: While Ho-Oh loses to Stone Edge sets, against most defensive sets Ho-Oh can come in for relatively free and Defog and Sacred Fire away. Status threatens Ho-Oh, but due to Regenerator these effects are not as strong. Using Knock Off on Ho-Oh with Necrozma-Dusk Mane is useful, but only if you have another source of Stealth Rock, which is likely not the case.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]
Quick reminder that Necrozma-DM and Calyrex-S / I work instead of the full names as per the grammar standards which may be something to fix up in advance, good job overall though

QC 1/2
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Last edited:

Manaphy

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Quick reminder that Necrozma-DM and Calyrex-S / I work instead of the full names as per the grammar standards which may be something to fix up in advance, good job overall though

QC 1/2
View attachment 337385
Apologies for taking so long, I made all your changes as well as a few different smaller ones, this should be ready for QC 2 !
 
Last edited:

Aberforth

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:Necrozma-Dusk Mane:
[Overview]

Even with Zacian being banned, Necrozma-Dusk Mane remains the premiere Defensive Steel-type and one of the best Pokemon in the tier. It checks a myriad of powerful offensive threats, such as Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Darmanitan-G, and Eternatus. With a good ability in Prism Armor, access to useful utility options including Stealth Rock and status moves, and having somewhat/relatively reliable (enough) recovery, Necrozma-Dusk Mane functions as a critical glue Pokémon for the vast majority of teams. Offensive sets are also not to be underestimated, as Necrozma-DM packs an impressive base 157 attack on top of it’s good bulk, and it has great boosting options in Swords Dance and Dragon Dance. As one of the most common defensive Pokémon in the tier, Necrozma-Dusk Mane is often looked to be taken advantage of by powerful threats like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre. As such, it is critical to pick Necrozma-Dusk Mane’s coverage options and teammates well in accordance to your team structure, lest you leave big openings in your defensive core.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Knock Off
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This is the most common Necrozma-DM set. The Special Defense investment allows Necrozma-DM to function as an excellent check to Xerneas and Eternatus. Stealth Rock provides invaluable team support, and Necrozma-DM is probably the best user of it in the tier. In combination with Thunder Wave and Iron Head, the most common Defog user in the tier, Yveltal, will have a very difficult time dealing with Necrozma-DM. Iron Head is used instead of Sunsteel Strike for it’s higher PP that lets it more effectively check Calyrex-I and its flinch chance, which works excellently in combination with Thunder Wave. Moonlight and Leftovers give Necrozma-DM a constant source of recovery. If a teammate is already providing Stealth Rock support, such as Groudon, Clefable, Blissey, or Landorus, Necrozma-DM can run Knock Off instead to punish common switch-ins like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre. Toxic could also be run instead of Thunder Wave to punish the aforementioned switch-ins as well as Ho-Oh. The Speed EVs insure that Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets, as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. If you have a teammate that can deal with Subseed Calyrex-I well enough, such as Leech Life Buzzwole, Necrozma-DM can instead run a spread of 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe. The Speed EVs would then allow Necrozma-DM to outspeed Adamant Calyrex-I, and the extra Special Defense investment gives Necrozma-DM a higher chance of beating Geomany Xerneas.

It’s important to have solid switch-ins to Pokemon such as Zygarde, Groudon, Zekrom, and Kyogre. These Pokemon are immune or don’t mind Thunder Wave, and take little damage from Iron Head, so they can use Necrozma-DM as an easy set-up opportunity. If you have solid checks to these Pokemon, Necrozma-DM can still gain momentum by setting Stealth Rock. Eternatus and Yveltal are fantastic partners for being able to switch into Kyogre and Calyrex-S, respectively, and together the three of them form the classic defensive core of SS Ubers. Buzzwole or Tangrowth make excellent defensive partners for being able to deal with Ground-Types and Marshadow well. Defensive Xerneas can deal with Marshadow, Zekrom, Zygarde, and Urshifu, as well as provide valuable cleric support. Groudon and Clefable can check Zekrom and Zygarde, respectively, and also free up the Stealth Rock moveslot on Necrozma-DM. Calyrex-S appreciates this set’s ability to cripple Yveltal and provide Stealth Rock support, which works in tandem with Calyrex-S’s ability to Trick. In return, Necrozma-DM likes Aromatherapy and Calyrex-S’s revenge killing capabilities.

[SET]
name: Bulky Swords Dance
move 1: Iron Head
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Moonlight
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma-DM makes a threatening wallbreaker with Swords Dance, and at the same time, it’s able to maintain a lot of it’s defensive utility. The key to this sets success is it’s combination of bulk and power; compared to many other breakers in the tier, bulky teams have a very difficult time trying to OHKO or even 2HKO Necrozma-DM. Swords Dance boosts Necrozma-DM’s Attack to sky-high levels. Iron Head gives you a STAB attack with high PP and better neutral coverage than a Psychic-type move would. Sunsteel Strike, while more powerful, has PP issues, especially against Cosmic Power Eternatus. Knock Off rounds out the sets coverage and makes Necrozma-DM very difficult for bulky teams to deal with; defensive Pokemon such as Lunala, Tangrowth, Ho-Oh, Ferrothorn, and opposing Necrozma-DM that may try to stop this set can get crippled for the rest of the game. Moonlight and Leftovers give this Necrozma-DM reliable recovery that allows it to use it’s good bulk to boost several times. The EVs ensure that Necrozma-DM outspeeds all Calyrex-I, which it checks decently with this set, as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S.

This set works best on teams that have other bulky teammates that already cover some of the roles that defensive Necrozma-DM would normally cover. In return, Necrozma-DM can still provide some of it’s defensive roles and also function as a strong wallbreaker. Since it lacks Stealth Rock, a teammate such as Groudon, Blissey, Clefable, Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, or Landorus can provide an alternative source of entry hazards. An additional Xerneas check, such as Ho-Oh or Blissey, are great teammates, since this set lacks the bulk to take on Geomancy Xerneas consistently. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Clefable, and Blissey make great partners, as this set can often get statused early in the game. Strong physical partners such as Groudon, Zekrom, and Marshadow can help to break down checks for each other. Finally, paralysis spreaders such as Ho-Oh, Blissey, Zygarde, or Groudon are terrific teammates, as this set benefits from the Speed and paralysis chance, especially in tandem with Iron Head.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Moonlight / Stone Edge
move 4: Photon Geyser
item: Choice Band
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This set works the best as a surprise breaker. Base 157 Attack in combination with Choice Band gives this set a ton of immediate power. Sunsteel Strike is your default STAB attack, and it will heavily damage even Necrozma-DM’s typical switch-ins such as Groudon or Zygarde. Knock Off pairs nicely with Sunsteel Strike to give Necrozma-DM good neutral coverage; it particularly smacks Lunala hard. Removing items such as Leftovers and Rocky Helmet give it useful utility, as well. Moonlight will keep Necrozma-DM healthy, which will allow it to come back later in the game to check Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Darmanitan, or Eternatus. Stone Edge is an alternative option that will secure the OHKO on Ho-Oh, who can pivot around on this set otherwise. Photon Geyser rounds out the set’s coverage, giving Necrozma-DM a secondary STAB attack. Notably, it will OHKO even defensive Kyogre sets. The EVs are to maximize Attack, while the Speed ensures Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. The rest of the EVs are dumped into HP.

This set appreciates offensive partners who can help break down some of this set’s common switch-ins. Partners such as Double Dance Groudon or Ice Punch Marshadow can help to offensively pressure Zygarde. Paralysis support from spreaders such as Zygarde, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, or Blissey can help make up for this set’s low Speed. U-Turn Yveltal is an excellent partner for checking Calyrex-S, as well as being able to U-Turn into Necrozma-DM easily on Eternatus switch-ins. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Xerneas, Blissey, or Clefable are much appreciated, as this set can get statused quite easily.

I think I would swap the Dragon Dance and Choice Band sets around on this analysis, and possibly have the CB analysis as either an OO or as the last of its sets after Phys.Def too. Band feels like it's a lot more of a niche set compared to both DD and Phys.Def to me. If it does stay as a full set, I think I'd also want you to compare its strengths to other Choice Band users like Dracovish/Ray/Urshifu like being able to come in and take advantage of Fairies better, and the difference in Bulk between them.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Weakness Policy / Lum Berry
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Necrozma-DM finds its place on offensive teams for it’s nice bulk and ability to raise it’s speed. Particularly, hyper-offense teams like Necrozma-DM’s ability to limit some typical anti-offense Pokemon, such as Xerneas and Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G. Sunsteel Strike is therefore your mandatory STAB attack. Stone Edge is used mainly to KO Ho-Oh and Yveltal when boosted. From there, Earthquake is your best attack, giving Necrozma-DM good neutral coverage and hitting Pokemon such as Eternatus and Zekrom extremely hard. The EV spread and nature maximizes Attack and bulk, giving Necrozma-DM enough speed to beat fully invested base 100 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. At +2, it will also outspeed Calyrex-S that are not boosted by a Choice Scarf. A viable alternative is to run a spread of 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe with an Adamant Nature, as this will allow Necrozma-DM to outspeed Adamant Marshadow after a Dragon Dance. Weakness Policy can limit the offensive options against this set from the opposing team, and also give Necrozma-DM an easy set-up opportunity against Pokemon like Eternatus. On the other hand, Lum Berry is useful if you want Necrozma-DM to 2HKO Lunala without fear of being burned, and to avoid paralysis from opposing Necrozma-DM.

This set loves strong breakers for teammates, as this set is much better at cleaning up weakened teams than breaking cores by itself. Common defensive Pokemon such as Kyogre, Zygarde, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, Lunala, and Groudon can all prove difficult to overcome for Necrozma-DM by itself. Offensive teammates such as Zekrom, Groudon, Rayquaza, Xerneas, and Marshadow can all make fantastic offensive partners. Zekrom or Groudon can both lure and KO Tangrowth with their coverage options. Zekrom will make quick work of Kyogre, while Double Dance Groudon, Rayquaza, and Xerneas are all good options to deal with Zygarde. Marshadow will be able to OHKO Lunala and most Ferrothorn.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Sunsteel Strike / Iron Head
move 4: Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
While this set may look like a relic of the Zacian meta, it still has some niche, especially when paired with Blissey. I'd rephrase this such that it doesnt talk about Zacian at all, to make the analysis less dated. Something like: With suitable Specially Defensive support from teammates like Blissey, Physically Defensive Necrozma-DM can check dangerous Physical Attackers that could threaten the Specially Defensive Necrozma-DM sets. The blob Blissey can cover the roles that Specially Defensive Necrozma-DM covers, mainly such as being a Xerneas and Offensive Eternatus check. As such, Necrozma-DM is much more free to focus on it’s Defense to check Pokemon such as Zekrom and offensive Necrozma-DM sets. Notably, this set is perhaps the best check to the powerful physical Ice-types of the tier, Darmanitan-G and Calyrex-I. As such, Earthquake is used to hit Zekrom and opposing Necrozma-DM hard, with Sunsteel Strike chosen since paralysis isn’t on this set. Iron Head could be run for it’s higher PP against Subseed Calyrex-I, and it works well with paralysis support from teammates. Stealth Rock provides Necrozma-DM with its usual supporting role, but be mindful that this set has little to stop Yveltal or Ho-Oh from using Defog on it. Finally, Moonlight is critical to keeping this set healthy, especially since Rocky Helmet has been chosen over Leftovers to better help Necrozma-DM damage Zekrom and other physical attackers. I feel leftovers could possibly do with being slashed too, negating rocks chip damage and allowing for situational important passive recovery against Calyrex-I.

As mentioned above, Blissey is a great teammate since it covers the roles that Specially Defensive Necrozma-DM normally would. Since this set can handle Zekrom relatively well, it will work best on teams that don’t have another Zekrom answer. Be mindful that, depending on the circumstances, Zekrom or Necrozma-DM can still win against this set, so a revenge killer like Calyrex-S or Marshadow are good partners. Pokemon that can set-up on Defog users are also good partners; Zygarde, Zekrom, or Kyogre are some notable options.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Morning Sun can be used instead of Moonlight on all sets, as the moves are functionally identical. However, the pink move outline looks way better and thus Moonlight is the far superior choice. True but I doubt that's what people would be looking for from an analysis. Keep it if u really want it and let the GPers decide. Sunsteel Strike can be run on any Defensive set. You trade higher PP and flinch chance for more power and the ability to hit Shedinja. If Necrozma-DM does not need to run Stealth Rock, due to a teammate such as Groudon, Clefable, or Blissey already having it, then a boosting move such as Dragon Dance or Swords Dance is possible for defensive sets as a surprise option to win end-game scenarios. Expert Belt and Knock Off can be run on Dragon Dance sets to secure the OHKO on Lunala. Stone Edge and 12 attack EVs with Expert Belt can be run on any defensive set to lure and OHKO Ho-Oh, although the loss of item is noticeable. Heat Wave can be run on Dragon Dance sets to heavily damage Tangrowth or Ferrothorn, although the other coverage options are generally better. Heavy-Duty Boots is able to be run to avoid damage from Spikes; however, the utility you lose from Rocky Helmet or Leftovers is noticeable, especially since Necrozma-DM already resists Stealth Rock. Double Dance or Trick Room sets are all options for a surprise sweeping set. The main problem with these sets is that they lose a coverage move and often rely on Weakness Policy or setting-up twice to sweep.

Checks and Counters
====
I think I would slightly reorder this section, with Defensive Steels coming first, then the Grounds, then Kyogre, then Zekrom. You talk about how NDM can deter Zekrom itself in the analysis with EQ/PhysDef so I think its reasonable to have Kyogre listed before it, and as you say the Defensive Steels take advantage of NDM more over the long term and dont dislike taking the chip damage/loss of an item as much as the Grounds do. All the content of this section seems fine to me though and I'm fine with the current order if you dont want to change it.
**Ground-Types**: Groudon and Zygarde have an easy time switching into anything Necrozma-DM can throw at them and proceed to use it as set-up fodder. However, Knock Off or Toxic can limit their presence in the game.

**Zekrom**: Zekrom is immune to Thunder Wave , is resistant to Steel-type attacks, and can heal off anything Necrozma-DM can throw at it with Leftovers or Roost. Zekrom can then use Necrozma-DM as set-up fodder. However, Zekrom needs to be careful of boosted a Earthquake or Knock Off.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre resists Steel-type attacks and can use Necrozma-Dusk Mane to set-up or to put out strong choiced attacks. Defensive sets will be able to beat most offensive sets, but they need to be wary of a boosted Knock Off or a Banded Photon Geyser.

**Defensive Steel-Types**: Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Corviknight can switch-in for free and use it to lay Spikes or Defog away Stealth Rock. These Pokémon are also some of the best counters to Offensive sets.

**Ghost- and Dark-types**: While they don’t like switching into a strong attack, Yveltal, Marshadow, Urshifu, and Calyrex-S can threaten to do massive damage or KO Necrozma-Dusk Mane. Lunala can stop offensive sets if they lack Knock Off or Lum Berry. Physically Defensive Zarude can wall most Necrozma-DM sets easily.

**Ho-Oh**: While Ho-Oh loses to Stone Edge sets, against most defensive sets Ho-Oh can come in for relatively free and Defog and Sacred Fire away. Status threatens Ho-Oh, but due to Regenerator these effects are not as strong. I'd probably put something here about Ho-oh losing its Boots annoying it, while Sacred Fire doesnt do too much to NDM back, so NDM can actually win that 1v1 situation, esp since Ho-oh dont often run recovery.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]
Nothing at all to say about the Bulky SD set, and most of the other sets are fine with minor tweaking and clarification imho, but I dont think Choice Band should be above DD/Phys Def and tbh I'm not even sure if it should stay as a set instead of the first mention in OO. If it stays as a set, I'd like to see what it offers in context of other breakers, such as being a Steel type, better bulk, and immediate ability to punish Fairies better than any other Physical Attacker.


QC 2/2.

Damn I need to get a good stamp.
 

Adeleine

after committing a dangerous crime
is a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Contributoris a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
given this is a long analysis, please briefly proofread it to address some grammar things and standards things, including stuff like:

no accented E on Pokemon
"type" in "Ground-type" etc having an uncapitalized t
"breaker" being specified as wallbreaker or stallbreaker
capitalization on things like the names of stats
removing fluff and other unnecessary length in phrasing
setup either being the verb "set up" or the adjective "setup", no hyphens
sometimes using "it" instead of "Necrozma-DM" when appropriate and not ambiguous
"it's" only being used instead of "its" when "it is" would work

i'll check afterward
 
Last edited:

Adeleine

after committing a dangerous crime
is a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Contributoris a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Add/Fix Remove Comment
(AC)/(RC): Add/Remove Comma

[Overview]

Necrozma-DM is premiere Ubers Steel-Type the premier Ubers Steel-type and one of the best Pokemon in the tier. It checks a myriad of powerful offensive threats, such as Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Darmanitan-G, Galarian Darmanitan, and Eternatus. With a good ability in Prism Armor, access to useful utility options including Stealth Rock and status moves, and having reliable (enough) reliable enough recovery, Necrozma-DM functions as a critical glue Pokemon for the vast majority of teams. Offensive sets are also not to be underestimated, as Necrozma-DM packs an impressive base 157 Attack on top of it’s its good bulk, and it has great boosting options in Swords Dance and Dragon Dance. As Since it's one of the most common defensive Pokemon in the tier, Necrozma-DM is often looked to be taken advantage of by powerful threats like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre often look to take advantage of Necrozma-DM. As such, it is critical to pick Necrozma-DM’s coverage options and teammates well in accordance to with your team structure, lest you leave big openings in your defensive core. Overall, Necrozma-DM is almost always a fantastic pick and will likely feature on the vast majority of your teams.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Knock Off
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This is the most common Necrozma-DM set. The Special Defense investment allows Necrozma-DM to function as makes Necrozma-DM an excellent check to Xerneas and Eternatus. Stealth Rock provides invaluable team support, and Necrozma-DM is probably the best user of it in the tier. In combination With Thunder Wave and Iron Head, the most common Defog user in the tier, Yveltal, will have a very difficult time dealing with Necrozma-DM. Iron Head is used instead of Sunsteel Strike for it’s its higher PP, which lets it more effectively check Calyrex-I, and and it's and its flinch chance, which works excellently in combination with Thunder Wave. Moonlight and Leftovers give Necrozma-DM a constant source of recovery. If a teammate is already providing Stealth Rock support, such as Groudon, Clefable, Blissey, or Landorus, Necrozma-DM can run Knock Off instead to punish common switch-ins like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre. Toxic could also be run instead of Thunder Wave to punish the aforementioned switch-ins, (AC) as well as Ho-Oh. The Speed EVs insure ensure that Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets, as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. If you have a teammate that can deal with SubSeed Calyrex-I well enough, such as Leech Life Buzzwole, Necrozma-DM can instead run a spread of 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe. The Speed EVs would then allow Necrozma-DM to This lets it outspeed Adamant Calyrex-I, and the extra Special Defense investment gives Necrozma-DM and have a higher chance of beating Geomany Geomancy Xerneas.

It’s important to have solid switch-ins to Pokemon such as Zygarde, Groudon, Zekrom, and Kyogre. These Pokemon are immune to or don’t mind Thunder Wave (RC) and take little damage from Iron Head, so they can use Necrozma-DM as an easy set up setup opportunity. If you have solid checks to these Pokemon, Necrozma-DM can still gain momentum by setting Stealth Rock. Eternatus and Yveltal are fantastic partners for being able to switch into Kyogre and Calyrex-S, respectively, and together the three of them form the classic defensive core of SS Ubers. Buzzwole or and Tangrowth make excellent defensive partners for being able to deal with Ground-Types dealing with Ground-types and Marshadow well. Defensive Xerneas can deal with Marshadow, Zekrom, Zygarde, and Urshifu-S, (I assume?) as well as provide providing cleric support. Groudon and Clefable can check Zekrom and Zygarde, respectively, and also free up the Stealth Rock moveslot on Necrozma-DM. Calyrex-S appreciates this set’s ability to cripple Yveltal and provide Stealth Rock support, which works in tandem with Calyrex-S’s ability to Trick. (could you elaborate here? is yveltal an obstacle to using trick effectively? does trick scare something the set dislikes? etc.) In return, Necrozma-DM likes Aromatherapy and Calyrex-S’s revenge killing capabilities.

[SET]
name: Bulky Booster
move 1: Iron Head / Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off / Stone Edge
move 3: Swords Dance / Dragon Dance
move 4: Moonlight
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma-DM makes a threatening wallbreaker with Swords Dance or Dragon Dance, and at the same time, it’s able to maintain Dance while maintaining a lot of it’s its defensive utility. The key to this sets set's success is it’s its combination of bulk and power; compared to many other wallbreakers in the tier, bulky teams have a very difficult time trying to OHKO or even 2HKO OHKOing or even 2HKOing Necrozma-DM. Swords Dance boosts Necrozma-DM’s Attack to sky-high levels, letting it power through Pokemon better in the early game early-game than Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance can be run to boost Necrozma-DM's Speed, which makes it sweep balanced teams better in late-game scenarios. Iron Head gives you a STAB attack with high PP and better neutral coverage than a Psychic-Type move Photon Geyser (like, I assume?) would. Sunsteel Strike, while more powerful, has PP issues, especially against Eternatus. It’s Its power can still be useful, (AC) especially against Geomancy Xerneas, as it has a much better chance to OHKO when unboosted than Iron Head does. Knock Off rounds out the sets gives more coverage and makes Necrozma-DM very difficult for bulky teams to deal with; defensive Pokemon such as Lunala, Tangrowth, Ho-Oh, Ferrothorn, and opposing Necrozma-DM that may try to stop this set can get crippled for the rest of the game. Stone Edge is an alternative that lets Necrozma-DM it get past Yveltal and especially Ho-Oh. Moonlight and Leftovers give this Necrozma-DM reliable recovery that allows it to use it’s allow Necrozma-DM to use its good bulk to boost several times. The EVs ensure that Necrozma-DM it outspeeds all Calyrex-I, which it checks decently with this set, as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. With Dragon Dance, these EVs it will outspeed all base 100 Pokemon at +1 and non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S at +2.

This set works best on teams that have with other bulky teammates that already cover some of the roles that defensive Necrozma-DM would normally cover. In return, Necrozma-DM can still provide some of it’s its defensive roles and also function as a strong wallbreaker. Since it lacks Stealth Rock, a teammate such as Groudon, Blissey, Clefable, Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, or Landorus can provide an alternative source of entry hazards. provide an entry hazard. An additional Xerneas check, such as Ho-Oh or Blissey, are great teammates, is a great teammate, since this set lacks the bulk to take on Geomancy Xerneas consistently. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Clefable, and Blissey make great partners, as this set can often get statused early in the game. Pairing Necrozma-DM with strong physical partners such as Groudon, Zekrom, and Marshadow can help to let both break down checks for each other. Finally, paralysis spreaders such as Ho-Oh, Blissey, Zygarde, or and Groudon are terrific teammates, as this set benefits from the Speed drop and paralysis chance, especially in tandem with Iron Head.

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Weakness Policy / Lum Berry
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Necrozma-DM finds its place on offensive teams for it’s its nice bulk and ability to raise it’s speed. its Speed. Particularly, hyper offense teams like Necrozma-DM’s its ability to limit some typical anti-offense Pokemon, such as Xerneas and Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G. Galarian Darmanitan. Sunsteel Strike is therefore your mandatory STAB attack to OHKO the former more often. (I imagine?) Stone Edge is used mainly to KO Ho-Oh and Yveltal when boosted. From there, Earthquake is your best attack, giving Necrozma-DM gives good neutral coverage and hitting hits Pokemon such as Eternatus and Zekrom extremely hard. The EV spread and nature maximizes Attack and bulk, giving give Necrozma-DM enough Speed to beat Adamant Marshadow after a Dragon Dance. At +2, it will also outspeed non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S. A viable alternative is to run 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe with an Adamant nature, which is enough speed to beat outspeeds fully invested base 100 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. Weakness Policy can limit limits the offensive options against this set from the opposing team, and it also give Necrozma-DM an easy set up opportunity gives easy setup opportunities against Pokemon like Eternatus. On the other hand, Lum Berry is useful if you want Necrozma-DM to lets Necrozma-DM 2HKO Lunala without fear of being burned, and to avoid burned and avoids paralysis from opposing Necrozma-DM. It also allows Necrozma-DM it to 2HKO Tangrowth without fear of Sleep Powder.

This set loves strong wallbreakers for teammates, as it’s much better at cleaning up weakened teams than breaking cores by itself. through cores and overcoming common defensive Pokemon such as Kyogre, Zygarde, Zarude, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, Lunala, and Groudon can all prove difficult to overcome for Necrozma-DM by itself. Offensive teammates such as Zekrom, Groudon, Rayquaza, Xerneas, and Marshadow make fantastic offensive partners. Zekrom or Groudon Zekrom and Groudon make fantastic partners, as both can both lure in and KO Tangrowth with their coverage options. Zekrom will make quick work of Kyogre, while Double Dance Groudon, Rayquaza, and Xerneas are all good options to overpower Zygarde. Marshadow will be able to OHKO Lunala and most Ferrothorn.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Sunsteel Strike / Iron Head
move 4: Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
When paired with the right teammates, it can be better to run Physically Defensive Necrozma-DM instead of the Specially Defensive set. physically defensive Necrozma-DM can be better than the more common specially defensive set. Particularly, Blissey can cover the roles that Specially Defensive Necrozma-DM covers, mainly being a Xerneas and Offensive Eternatus check. As such, Necrozma-DM is much more free to focus on it’s Defense to of the specially defensive set, mainly checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. In exchange, this set can check Pokemon such as Zekrom and offensive Necrozma-DM sets. Notably, this set is also perhaps the best check to the powerful physical Ice-types of the tier, Darmanitan-G Galarian Darmanitan and Calyrex-I. Stealth Rock provides Necrozma-DM with its usual supporting role, but be mindful that this set has little to stop Yveltal or Ho-Oh from using Defog on it. Earthquake is used to hit Zekrom and opposing Necrozma-DM hard, with Sunsteel Strike chosen since preferred over Iron Head because paralysis isn’t on this set. Iron Head could be run for it’s its higher PP against SubSeed Calyrex-I, and it works well with paralysis support from teammates. Stealth Rock provides Necrozma-DM with its usual supporting role, but be mindful that this set has little to stop Yveltal or Ho-Oh from using Defog on it. Finally, Moonlight is critical to keeping this set healthy, especially since Rocky Helmet has been chosen over Leftovers to better help Necrozma-DM damage Zekrom and other physical attackers. Leftovers could be used to better check SubSeed Calyrex-I and is preferred if using Necrozma-DM on a team with Kyogre, (AC) which weakens Moonlight with rain. (I assume?)

As mentioned above, Blissey is a great teammate, (AC) since it covers the roles that specially defensive Necrozma-DM normally would like checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. Since this set can handle Zekrom relatively well, it will work best on teams that don’t have another Zekrom answer. Be mindful that, depending on the circumstances, Zekrom or offensive Necrozma-DM can still win against this set, so a revenge killer like Calyrex-S or Marshadow are good partners. is a good partner. Pokemon that can set up on Defog users are also good partners; Zygarde, Zekrom, or Kyogre are some notable options.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Moonlight / Stone Edge
move 4: Photon Geyser
item: Choice Band
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This set functions as a surprise wallbreaker. Base 157 Attack in combination with Choice Band gives this Necrozma-DM a ton of immediate power. Sunsteel Strike is your default STAB attack, and it will heavily damage even Necrozma-DM’s typical switch-ins such as Groudon or and Zygarde. Knock Off pairs nicely with Sunsteel Strike to give Necrozma-DM good neutral coverage; it particularly smacks Lunala hard. Removing items such as Leftovers and Rocky Helmet offers useful utility (RC) as well. Moonlight will keep Necrozma-DM healthy, which will allow it allows Necrozma-DM to come back later in the game to check Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Darmanitan, or Eternatus. Stone Edge is an alternative option that will secure the OHKO on Ho-Oh, who which can pivot around on this set otherwise. Photon Geyser rounds out the set’s coverage, giving Necrozma-DM a secondary STAB attack. covers Pokemon like (fill in the blank) and gives a secondary STAB attack for Pokemon resisting Steel. (I imagine this makes sense?) Notably, it will OHKO non-defensive Kyogre. The EVs are to maximize Attack, while the Speed ensures Speed EVs ensure Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. The rest of the EVs are dumped into HP.

This set appreciates offensive partners who that can help break down some of this set’s its common switch-ins. Partners such as Double Dance Groudon, Urshifu, or Ice Punch Marshadow can help to offensively pressure Zygarde. Paralysis support from spreaders such as Zygarde, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, or and Blissey can help make up for this set’s low Speed. U-turn Yveltal is an excellent partner for checking Calyrex-S, as well as being able to U-Turn into Necrozma-DM easily bringing Necrozma-DM in on Eternatus switch-ins. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Xerneas, Blissey, or and Clefable are much appreciated, as this set can get statused quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Morning Sun can be used instead of Moonlight on all sets, as the moves are functionally identical. However, the pink move outline looks way better and thus Moonlight is the far superior choice. is functionally identical to Moonlight. Sunsteel Strike can be run on the Specially Defensive set. It trades set, trading higher PP and flinch chance for more power and the ability to hit Shedinja. If Necrozma-DM does not need to run Stealth Rock (RC) due to a teammate such as Groudon, Clefable, or Blissey already having it, then a boosting move such as Dragon Dance or Swords Dance is possible for on defensive sets as a surprise option to win end-game late-game scenarios. Expert Belt and Knock Off can be run on Dragon Dance sets to secure the OHKO on Lunala. Colbur Berry is a decent option for Offensive Dragon Dance sets, as they will be able sets to better take on Choice Scarf or Sucker Punch Yveltal. Life Orb is another viable option for Offensive Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM, these sets, but generally the lost bulk is not worth it compared to Weakness Policy. Stone Edge and 12 Attack EVs with Expert Belt can be run on any defensive set to lure in and OHKO Ho-Oh, although the loss of a less situational item is noticeable. Heat Wave can be run on Dragon Dance sets to heavily damage Tangrowth or Ferrothorn, although the other coverage options are generally better. Heavy-Duty Boots is able to be run an option to avoid damage from Spikes; however, the utility you lose from Rocky Helmet or Leftovers is noticeable, especially since Necrozma-DM already resists Stealth Rock. Double Dance or Trick Room sets are all options for a surprise sweeping set. The main problem with these sets is that and Trick Room are surprise sweeper sets, but they lose a coverage move and often rely on Weakness Policy or setting up (removed hyphen) twice to sweep.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Groudon and Zygarde have an easy time switching into anything Necrozma-DM can throw at them and proceed to use it as set up setup fodder. However, Knock Off or Toxic can limit their presence in the game.

**Zekrom**: Zekrom is immune to Thunder Wave , is resistant to Steel-Type Wave, resists Steel-type attacks, and can heal off anything Necrozma-DM can throw at it with Leftovers or Roost. Zekrom can then use Necrozma-DM as set up it as setup fodder. However, Zekrom needs to be careful of a boosted a Earthquake or Knock Off.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre resists Steel-type attacks and can use Necrozma-DM to set up or to put out strong choiced Choice Specs-boosted (I imagine?) attacks. Defensive sets will be able to beat most offensive sets, but they need to be wary of a boosted Knock Off or a Banded Choice Band Photon Geyser.

**Defensive Steel-types**: Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Corviknight can switch-in for free and use it to lay Spikes or Defog away Stealth Rock. These Pokémon switch in for free and use Necrozma-DM to lay Spikes or remove Stealth Rock with Defog. These Pokemon are also some of the best counters to offensive sets.

**Ghost- and Dark-types**: While they don’t like switching into a strong attack, Yveltal, Marshadow, Urshifu-S, and Calyrex-S can threaten to do massive massively damage or KO Necrozma-DM. Lunala can stop offensive sets if they lack Knock Off or Lum Berry. Physically defensive Zarude can wall most Necrozma-DM sets easily.

**Ho-Oh**: While Ho-Oh loses to Stone Edge sets, against most defensive sets Ho-Oh it can come in for relatively for free and Defog and Sacred Fire away. use Defog and Sacred Fire with abandon. (feel free to rephrase "with abandon", just couldnt think of anything better than that or repeating "free") Status threatens Ho-Oh, but due to Regenerator these effects are not as strong. Regenerator mitigates Toxic. (I imagine this is the point?)

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [Aberforth, 249382]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]
 
Last edited:

lotiasite

undedgy
is a Forum Moderatoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
[Overview]

Necrozma-DM is the premier Ubers Steel-type and one of the best Pokemon in the tier. It checks a myriad of powerful offensive threats, such as Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Galarian Darmanitan, and Eternatus. With a good ability in Prism Armor, useful utility options including Stealth Rock and status moves, and reliable-(AH)enough recovery, Necrozma-DM functions as a critical glue Pokemon for the vast majority of teams. Offensive sets are also not to be underestimated, as Necrozma-DM packs an impressive base 157 Attack on top of its good bulk, (RC) and it has great boosting options in Swords Dance and Dragon Dance. Since it's one of the most common defensive Pokemon in the tier, powerful threats like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre often look to take advantage of Necrozma-DM. As such, it is critical to pick Necrozma-DM’s Necrozma-DM's coverage options and teammates well in accordance with your team structure, lest you leave big openings in your defensive core.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Knock Off
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Thunder Wave / Knock Off / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This is the most common Necrozma-DM set. The thanks to the Special Defense investment makes making Necrozma-DM an excellent check to Xerneas and Eternatus. Stealth Rock provides invaluable team support, and Necrozma-DM is probably the best user of it in the tier. With Thunder Wave and Iron Head, the most common Defog user in the tier, Yveltal, will have a very difficult time dealing with Necrozma-DM. Iron Head is used instead of Sunsteel Strike for its higher PP, which lets it more effectively check Calyrex-I, and its flinch chance, which works excellently in combination with Thunder Wave. If a teammate is already providing Stealth Rock support, such as Groudon, Clefable, Blissey, or Landorus, Necrozma-DM can run Knock Off instead to punish common switch-ins like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre. Toxic could also be run to punish the aforementioned switch-ins, (RC) as well as Ho-Oh. The Speed EVs ensure that Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets, (RC) as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. If you have a teammate that can deal with SubSeed Calyrex-I well enough, such as Leech Life Buzzwole, Necrozma-DM can instead run a spread of 212 HP / 252 SpD / 40 Spe. This lets it outspeed Adamant Calyrex-I, have a higher chance of beating Geomancy Xerneas, and have a 50% chance to live survive a Choice Specs Astral Barrage from Calyrex-S.

It’s It's important to have solid switch-ins to Pokemon such as Zygarde, Groudon, Zekrom, and Kyogre. These Pokemon are immune to or don’t don't mind Thunder Wave and take little damage from Iron Head, so they can use Necrozma-DM as an easy setup opportunity. If you have solid checks to these Pokemon, Necrozma-DM can still gain momentum by setting Stealth Rock. Eternatus and Yveltal are fantastic partners for being able to switch into Kyogre and Calyrex-S, respectively, and together the three of them form the classic defensive core of SS Ubers. Buzzwole and Tangrowth make excellent defensive partners for dealing with Ground-types and Marshadow well. Defensive Xerneas can deal with Marshadow, Zekrom, Zygarde, and Urshifu-S, as well as providing cleric support. Groudon and Clefable can check Zekrom and Zygarde, respectively, and also free up the Stealth Rock moveslot on Necrozma-DM. Calyrex-S appreciates this set’s set's ability to cripple Yveltal and provide Stealth Rock support.(add space)In return, Necrozma-DM likes Aromatherapy and Calyrex-S’s Calyrex-S's revenge killing capabilities.

[SET]
name: Bulky Booster
move 1: Iron Head / Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off / Stone Edge
move 3: Swords Dance / Dragon Dance
move 4: Moonlight
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma-DM makes a threatening wallbreaker with Swords Dance or Dragon Dance while maintaining a lot of its defensive utility. The key to this set's success is its combination of bulk and power; compared to many other wallbreakers in the tier, bulky teams have a very difficult time OHKOing or even 2HKOing Necrozma-DM. Swords Dance boosts Necrozma-DM’s Necrozma-DM's Attack to sky-high levels, letting it power through Pokemon better early-game than Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance makes it sweep balanced teams better in late-game scenarios. Iron Head gives you a STAB attack with high has more PP and better neutral coverage than Photon Geyser and Sunsteel Strike, which is especially helpful against Eternatus. would. Sunsteel Strike, while more powerful, has PP issues, especially against Eternatus. Its power Sunsteel Strike can still be useful, especially against Geomancy Xerneas, as it has a much better chance to OHKO when unboosted than Iron Head does. Knock Off gives more coverage and makes Necrozma-DM very difficult for bulky teams to deal with; defensive Pokemon such as Lunala, Tangrowth, Ho-Oh, Ferrothorn, and opposing Necrozma-DM that may try to stop this set can get crippled for the rest of the game. Stone Edge is an alternative that lets it get past Yveltal and especially Ho-Oh. Moonlight and Leftovers allow Necrozma-DM to use its good bulk to boost several times. The EVs ensure that it outspeeds all Calyrex-I, which it checks decently with this set, as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. With Dragon Dance, it will outspeed all base 100 Pokemon at +1 and non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S at +2. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe can be used to better check Xerneas and offensive Eternatus, especially if your team lacks an alternative checks such as Ho-Oh or Blissey. Do note that the lack of Attack investment is quite noticeable.

This set works best on teams with other bulky teammates that already cover some of the roles that defensive Necrozma-DM would normally cover. In return, Necrozma-DM can still provide some of its defensive roles and also function as a strong wallbreaker. Since it lacks Stealth Rock, a teammate such as Groudon, Blissey, Clefable, Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, or Landorus can provide an entry hazard. An additional Xerneas check, such as Ho-Oh or Blissey, is a great teammate, since this set lacks the bulk to take on Geomancy Xerneas consistently. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Clefable, and Blissey make great partners, as this set can often get statused early in the game. Pairing Necrozma-DM with a strong physical partners such as Groudon, Zekrom, and or Marshadow lets ('pairing' is singular) both break down checks for each other. Finally, paralysis spreaders such as Ho-Oh, Blissey, Zygarde, and Groudon are terrific teammates, as this set benefits from the Speed drop and paralysis chance, especially in tandem with Iron Head.

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Weakness Policy / Lum Berry
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Necrozma-DM finds its place on offensive teams for its nice bulk and ability to raise its Speed. Particularly, hyper offense teams like its ability to limit some typical anti-offense Pokemon, such as Xerneas and Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan. Sunsteel Strike is therefore your mandatory STAB attack to OHKO the former more often. Stone Edge is used mainly to KO Ho-Oh and Yveltal when boosted. From there, Earthquake gives good neutral coverage and hits Pokemon such as Eternatus and Zekrom extremely hard. The EV spread and nature give Necrozma-DM enough Speed to beat Adamant Marshadow after a Dragon Dance. At +2, it will also outspeed non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S. A viable alternative is to run 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe with an Adamant nature, which outspeeds fully invested base 100 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. Weakness Policy limits the offensive options against this set from the opposing team, (RC) and also gives easy setup opportunities against Pokemon like Eternatus. On the other hand, Lum Berry lets Necrozma-DM 2HKO Lunala without fear of being burned and avoids (makes more sense i think) paralysis from opposing Necrozma-DM. It also allows it to 2HKO Tangrowth without fear of Sleep Powder.

This set loves strong wallbreakers for teammates, as it’s it's much better at cleaning up weakened teams than breaking through cores and overcoming common defensive Pokemon such as Kyogre, Zygarde, Zarude, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, Lunala, and Groudon by itself. Offensive teammates such as Zekrom and Groudon make fantastic partners, as both can both lure in and KO Tangrowth with their coverage options. Zekrom will make quick work of Kyogre, while Double Dance Groudon, Rayquaza, and Xerneas are all good options to overpower Zygarde. Marshadow will be able to OHKO Lunala and most Ferrothorn.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Sunsteel Strike / Iron Head
move 4: Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
When paired with the right teammates, physically defensive Necrozma-DM can be better than the more common specially defensive set. Particularly, Blissey can cover the roles of the specially defensive set, mainly checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. In exchange, this set can check Pokemon such as Zekrom and offensive Necrozma-DM sets. Notably, this set is also perhaps the best check to the powerful physical Ice-types of the tier, Galarian Darmanitan and Calyrex-I. Stealth Rock provides Necrozma-DM with its usual supporting role, but be mindful that this set has little to stop Yveltal or Ho-Oh from using Defog on it. Earthquake is used to hit Zekrom and opposing Necrozma-DM hard, with Sunsteel Strike preferred over Iron Head because paralysis isn’t isn't on this set. Iron Head could be run for its higher PP against SubSeed Calyrex-I, (RC) and it works well with paralysis support from teammates.(add space)Finally, Moonlight is critical to keeping this set healthy, especially since Rocky Helmet has been chosen over Leftovers to better help Necrozma-DM damage Zekrom and other physical attackers. Leftovers could be used to better check SubSeed Calyrex-I and is preferred if using Necrozma-DM on a team with Kyogre, which weakens Moonlight with rain.
(line break)
As mentioned above, Blissey is a great teammate, since it covers the roles that specially defensive Necrozma-DM normally would like checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. Since this set can handle Zekrom relatively well, it will work best on teams that don’t don't have another Zekrom answer. Be mindful that, depending on the circumstances, Zekrom or and offensive Necrozma-DM can still win against this set, so a revenge killer like Calyrex-S or Marshadow is a good partner. Pokemon that can set up on Defog users are also good partners; Zygarde, Zekrom, or and Kyogre are some notable options.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Moonlight / Stone Edge
move 4: Photon Geyser
item: Choice Band
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This set functions as a surprise wallbreaker. Base 157 Attack in combination with Choice Band gives this Necrozma-DM a ton of immediate power. Sunsteel Strike is your default STAB attack, and it will heavily damage even Necrozma-DM’s Necrozma-DM's typical switch-ins such as Groudon and Zygarde. Knock Off pairs nicely with Sunsteel Strike to give Necrozma-DM good neutral coverage; it particularly smacks Lunala hard. Removing items such as Leftovers and Rocky Helmet offers useful utility as well. Moonlight allows Necrozma-DM to come back later in the game to check Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Galarian Darmanitan, or Eternatus. Stone Edge is an alternative option that will secure a OHKO on Ho-Oh and Yveltal. Photon Geyser covers Pokemon like Eternatus and gives a secondary STAB attack for Pokemon resisting Steel. Notably, it will OHKO non-defensive Kyogre and 2HKO Defensive defensive variants. The Speed EVs ensure Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S.

This set appreciates offensive partners that can help break down some of its common switch-ins. Double Dance Groudon, Urshifu-S, or Ice Punch Marshadow can help to offensively pressure Zygarde. Paralysis support from spreaders such as Zygarde, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, and Blissey can help make up for this set’s set's low Speed. U-turn Yveltal is an excellent partner for checking Calyrex-S, as well as easily bringing Necrozma-DM in on Eternatus switch-ins. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Xerneas, Blissey, and Clefable are much appreciated, as this set can get statused quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Morning Sun is functionally identical to Moonlight. Sunsteel Strike can be run on the Specially Defensive set, trading higher PP and a flinch chance for more power and the ability to hit Shedinja. If Necrozma-DM does not need to run Stealth Rock due to a teammate such as Groudon, Clefable, or Blissey already having it, then a boosting move such as Dragon Dance or Swords Dance is possible on defensive sets as a surprise option to win late-game scenarios. Expert Belt and Knock Off can be run on Dragon Dance sets to secure the OHKO on Lunala. Colbur Berry is a decent option for Offensive offensive Dragon Dance sets to better take on Choice Scarf or Sucker Punch Yveltal. Life Orb is another viable option for these sets, but generally the lost bulk is not worth it compared to Weakness Policy. Stone Edge and 12 Attack EVs with Expert Belt can be run on any defensive set to lure in and OHKO Ho-Oh, although the loss of a less situational item is noticeable. Heat Wave can be run on Dragon Dance sets to heavily damage Tangrowth or and Ferrothorn, although the other coverage options are generally better. Heavy-Duty Boots is an option to avoid damage from Spikes; however, the utility you lose from Rocky Helmet or Leftovers is noticeable, especially since Necrozma-DM already resists Stealth Rock. Double Dance and Trick Room are surprise sweeper sets, but they lose a coverage move and often rely on Weakness Policy or setting up twice to sweep.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Groudon and Zygarde have an easy time switching into anything Necrozma-DM can throw at them and proceed to use it as setup fodder. However, Knock Off or Toxic can limit their presence in the game.

**Zekrom**: Zekrom is immune to Thunder Wave, resists Steel-type attacks, and can heal off anything Necrozma-DM can throw at it with Leftovers or Roost. Zekrom can then use it as setup fodder. However, Zekrom needs to be careful of a boosted Earthquake or Knock Off.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre resists Steel-type attacks and can use Necrozma-DM to set up or to put out strong Choice Specs-boosted attacks. Defensive sets Kyogre (this confused me a little because 'sets' here refers to both kyogre and ndm) will be able to beat most offensive sets, but they need to be wary of a boosted Knock Off or a Choice Band Photon Geyser.

**Defensive Steel-types**: Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Corviknight can switch in for free and use Necrozma-DM to lay Spikes or remove Stealth Rock with Defog. These Pokemon are also some of the best counters to offensive sets.

**Ghost- and Dark-types**: While they don’t don't like switching into a strong attack, Yveltal, Marshadow, Urshifu-S, and Calyrex-S can threaten to massively damage or KO Necrozma-DM. Lunala can stop offensive sets if they lack Knock Off or Lum Berry. Physically defensive Zarude can wall most Necrozma-DM sets easily.

**Ho-Oh**: While Ho-Oh loses to Stone Edge sets, against most defensive sets it can come in relatively for free and use Defog and Sacred Fire with abandon. Status threatens Ho-Oh, but Regenerator mitigates Toxic.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [Aberforth, 249382]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [lotiasite, 302985]

good stuff all around, had to watch out for the apostrophes though since smog uses the straight ones (') and not the curly ones
2/2
 

Manaphy

Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am family guy
is a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributor
[Overview]

Necrozma-DM is the premier Ubers Steel-type and one of the best Pokemon in the tier. It checks a myriad of powerful offensive threats, such as Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Galarian Darmanitan, and Eternatus. With a good ability in Prism Armor, useful utility options including Stealth Rock and status moves, and reliable-(AH)enough recovery, Necrozma-DM functions as a critical glue Pokemon for the vast majority of teams. Offensive sets are also not to be underestimated, as Necrozma-DM packs an impressive base 157 Attack on top of its good bulk, (RC) and it has great boosting options in Swords Dance and Dragon Dance. Since it's one of the most common defensive Pokemon in the tier, powerful threats like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre often look to take advantage of Necrozma-DM. As such, it is critical to pick Necrozma-DM’s Necrozma-DM's coverage options and teammates well in accordance with your team structure, lest you leave big openings in your defensive core.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Knock Off
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Iron Head
move 4: Thunder Wave / Knock Off / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This is the most common Necrozma-DM set. The thanks to the Special Defense investment makes making Necrozma-DM an excellent check to Xerneas and Eternatus. Stealth Rock provides invaluable team support, and Necrozma-DM is probably the best user of it in the tier. With Thunder Wave and Iron Head, the most common Defog user in the tier, Yveltal, will have a very difficult time dealing with Necrozma-DM. Iron Head is used instead of Sunsteel Strike for its higher PP, which lets it more effectively check Calyrex-I, and its flinch chance, which works excellently in combination with Thunder Wave. If a teammate is already providing Stealth Rock support, such as Groudon, Clefable, Blissey, or Landorus, Necrozma-DM can run Knock Off instead to punish common switch-ins like Groudon, Zygarde, Zekrom, and Kyogre. Toxic could also be run to punish the aforementioned switch-ins, (RC) as well as Ho-Oh. The Speed EVs ensure that Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets, (RC) as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. If you have a teammate that can deal with SubSeed Calyrex-I well enough, such as Leech Life Buzzwole, Necrozma-DM can instead run a spread of 212 HP / 252 SpD / 40 Spe. This lets it outspeed Adamant Calyrex-I, have a higher chance of beating Geomancy Xerneas, and have a 50% chance to live survive a Choice Specs Astral Barrage from Calyrex-S.

It’s It's important to have solid switch-ins to Pokemon such as Zygarde, Groudon, Zekrom, and Kyogre. These Pokemon are immune to or don’t don't mind Thunder Wave and take little damage from Iron Head, so they can use Necrozma-DM as an easy setup opportunity. If you have solid checks to these Pokemon, Necrozma-DM can still gain momentum by setting Stealth Rock. Eternatus and Yveltal are fantastic partners for being able to switch into Kyogre and Calyrex-S, respectively, and together the three of them form the classic defensive core of SS Ubers. Buzzwole and Tangrowth make excellent defensive partners for dealing with Ground-types and Marshadow well. Defensive Xerneas can deal with Marshadow, Zekrom, Zygarde, and Urshifu-S, as well as providing cleric support. Groudon and Clefable can check Zekrom and Zygarde, respectively, and also free up the Stealth Rock moveslot on Necrozma-DM. Calyrex-S appreciates this set’s set's ability to cripple Yveltal and provide Stealth Rock support.(add space)In return, Necrozma-DM likes Aromatherapy and Calyrex-S’s Calyrex-S's revenge killing capabilities.

[SET]
name: Bulky Booster
move 1: Iron Head / Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off / Stone Edge
move 3: Swords Dance / Dragon Dance
move 4: Moonlight
item: Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma-DM makes a threatening wallbreaker with Swords Dance or Dragon Dance while maintaining a lot of its defensive utility. The key to this set's success is its combination of bulk and power; compared to many other wallbreakers in the tier, bulky teams have a very difficult time OHKOing or even 2HKOing Necrozma-DM. Swords Dance boosts Necrozma-DM’s Necrozma-DM's Attack to sky-high levels, letting it power through Pokemon better early-game than Dragon Dance. Dragon Dance makes it sweep balanced teams better in late-game scenarios. Iron Head gives you a STAB attack with high has more PP and better neutral coverage than Photon Geyser and Sunsteel Strike, which is especially helpful against Eternatus. would. Sunsteel Strike, while more powerful, has PP issues, especially against Eternatus. Its power Sunsteel Strike can still be useful, especially against Geomancy Xerneas, as it has a much better chance to OHKO when unboosted than Iron Head does. Knock Off gives more coverage and makes Necrozma-DM very difficult for bulky teams to deal with; defensive Pokemon such as Lunala, Tangrowth, Ho-Oh, Ferrothorn, and opposing Necrozma-DM that may try to stop this set can get crippled for the rest of the game. Stone Edge is an alternative that lets it get past Yveltal and especially Ho-Oh. Moonlight and Leftovers allow Necrozma-DM to use its good bulk to boost several times. The EVs ensure that it outspeeds all Calyrex-I, which it checks decently with this set, as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S. With Dragon Dance, it will outspeed all base 100 Pokemon at +1 and non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S at +2. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe can be used to better check Xerneas and offensive Eternatus, especially if your team lacks an alternative checks such as Ho-Oh or Blissey. Do note that the lack of Attack investment is quite noticeable.

This set works best on teams with other bulky teammates that already cover some of the roles that defensive Necrozma-DM would normally cover. In return, Necrozma-DM can still provide some of its defensive roles and also function as a strong wallbreaker. Since it lacks Stealth Rock, a teammate such as Groudon, Blissey, Clefable, Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, or Landorus can provide an entry hazard. An additional Xerneas check, such as Ho-Oh or Blissey, is a great teammate, since this set lacks the bulk to take on Geomancy Xerneas consistently. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Clefable, and Blissey make great partners, as this set can often get statused early in the game. Pairing Necrozma-DM with a strong physical partners such as Groudon, Zekrom, and or Marshadow lets ('pairing' is singular) both break down checks for each other. Finally, paralysis spreaders such as Ho-Oh, Blissey, Zygarde, and Groudon are terrific teammates, as this set benefits from the Speed drop and paralysis chance, especially in tandem with Iron Head.

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Weakness Policy / Lum Berry
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Necrozma-DM finds its place on offensive teams for its nice bulk and ability to raise its Speed. Particularly, hyper offense teams like its ability to limit some typical anti-offense Pokemon, such as Xerneas and Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan. Sunsteel Strike is therefore your mandatory STAB attack to OHKO the former more often. Stone Edge is used mainly to KO Ho-Oh and Yveltal when boosted. From there, Earthquake gives good neutral coverage and hits Pokemon such as Eternatus and Zekrom extremely hard. The EV spread and nature give Necrozma-DM enough Speed to beat Adamant Marshadow after a Dragon Dance. At +2, it will also outspeed non-Choice Scarf Calyrex-S. A viable alternative is to run 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe with an Adamant nature, which outspeeds fully invested base 100 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. Weakness Policy limits the offensive options against this set from the opposing team, (RC) and also gives easy setup opportunities against Pokemon like Eternatus. On the other hand, Lum Berry lets Necrozma-DM 2HKO Lunala without fear of being burned and avoids (makes more sense i think) paralysis from opposing Necrozma-DM. It also allows it to 2HKO Tangrowth without fear of Sleep Powder.

This set loves strong wallbreakers for teammates, as it’s it's much better at cleaning up weakened teams than breaking through cores and overcoming common defensive Pokemon such as Kyogre, Zygarde, Zarude, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, Lunala, and Groudon by itself. Offensive teammates such as Zekrom and Groudon make fantastic partners, as both can both lure in and KO Tangrowth with their coverage options. Zekrom will make quick work of Kyogre, while Double Dance Groudon, Rayquaza, and Xerneas are all good options to overpower Zygarde. Marshadow will be able to OHKO Lunala and most Ferrothorn.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonlight
move 3: Sunsteel Strike / Iron Head
move 4: Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
When paired with the right teammates, physically defensive Necrozma-DM can be better than the more common specially defensive set. Particularly, Blissey can cover the roles of the specially defensive set, mainly checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. In exchange, this set can check Pokemon such as Zekrom and offensive Necrozma-DM sets. Notably, this set is also perhaps the best check to the powerful physical Ice-types of the tier, Galarian Darmanitan and Calyrex-I. Stealth Rock provides Necrozma-DM with its usual supporting role, but be mindful that this set has little to stop Yveltal or Ho-Oh from using Defog on it. Earthquake is used to hit Zekrom and opposing Necrozma-DM hard, with Sunsteel Strike preferred over Iron Head because paralysis isn’t isn't on this set. Iron Head could be run for its higher PP against SubSeed Calyrex-I, (RC) and it works well with paralysis support from teammates.(add space)Finally, Moonlight is critical to keeping this set healthy, especially since Rocky Helmet has been chosen over Leftovers to better help Necrozma-DM damage Zekrom and other physical attackers. Leftovers could be used to better check SubSeed Calyrex-I and is preferred if using Necrozma-DM on a team with Kyogre, which weakens Moonlight with rain.
(line break)
As mentioned above, Blissey is a great teammate, since it covers the roles that specially defensive Necrozma-DM normally would like checking Xerneas and offensive Eternatus. Since this set can handle Zekrom relatively well, it will work best on teams that don’t don't have another Zekrom answer. Be mindful that, depending on the circumstances, Zekrom or and offensive Necrozma-DM can still win against this set, so a revenge killer like Calyrex-S or Marshadow is a good partner. Pokemon that can set up on Defog users are also good partners; Zygarde, Zekrom, or and Kyogre are some notable options.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Sunsteel Strike
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Moonlight / Stone Edge
move 4: Photon Geyser
item: Choice Band
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
This set functions as a surprise wallbreaker. Base 157 Attack in combination with Choice Band gives this Necrozma-DM a ton of immediate power. Sunsteel Strike is your default STAB attack, and it will heavily damage even Necrozma-DM’s Necrozma-DM's typical switch-ins such as Groudon and Zygarde. Knock Off pairs nicely with Sunsteel Strike to give Necrozma-DM good neutral coverage; it particularly smacks Lunala hard. Removing items such as Leftovers and Rocky Helmet offers useful utility as well. Moonlight allows Necrozma-DM to come back later in the game to check Xerneas, Calyrex-I, Galarian Darmanitan, or Eternatus. Stone Edge is an alternative option that will secure a OHKO on Ho-Oh and Yveltal. Photon Geyser covers Pokemon like Eternatus and gives a secondary STAB attack for Pokemon resisting Steel. Notably, it will OHKO non-defensive Kyogre and 2HKO Defensive defensive variants. The Speed EVs ensure Necrozma-DM will outspeed all Calyrex-I sets as well as paralyzed Calyrex-S.

This set appreciates offensive partners that can help break down some of its common switch-ins. Double Dance Groudon, Urshifu-S, or Ice Punch Marshadow can help to offensively pressure Zygarde. Paralysis support from spreaders such as Zygarde, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, and Blissey can help make up for this set’s set's low Speed. U-turn Yveltal is an excellent partner for checking Calyrex-S, as well as easily bringing Necrozma-DM in on Eternatus switch-ins. Clerics such as Calyrex-S, Xerneas, Blissey, and Clefable are much appreciated, as this set can get statused quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Morning Sun is functionally identical to Moonlight. Sunsteel Strike can be run on the Specially Defensive set, trading higher PP and a flinch chance for more power and the ability to hit Shedinja. If Necrozma-DM does not need to run Stealth Rock due to a teammate such as Groudon, Clefable, or Blissey already having it, then a boosting move such as Dragon Dance or Swords Dance is possible on defensive sets as a surprise option to win late-game scenarios. Expert Belt and Knock Off can be run on Dragon Dance sets to secure the OHKO on Lunala. Colbur Berry is a decent option for Offensive offensive Dragon Dance sets to better take on Choice Scarf or Sucker Punch Yveltal. Life Orb is another viable option for these sets, but generally the lost bulk is not worth it compared to Weakness Policy. Stone Edge and 12 Attack EVs with Expert Belt can be run on any defensive set to lure in and OHKO Ho-Oh, although the loss of a less situational item is noticeable. Heat Wave can be run on Dragon Dance sets to heavily damage Tangrowth or and Ferrothorn, although the other coverage options are generally better. Heavy-Duty Boots is an option to avoid damage from Spikes; however, the utility you lose from Rocky Helmet or Leftovers is noticeable, especially since Necrozma-DM already resists Stealth Rock. Double Dance and Trick Room are surprise sweeper sets, but they lose a coverage move and often rely on Weakness Policy or setting up twice to sweep.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Groudon and Zygarde have an easy time switching into anything Necrozma-DM can throw at them and proceed to use it as setup fodder. However, Knock Off or Toxic can limit their presence in the game.

**Zekrom**: Zekrom is immune to Thunder Wave, resists Steel-type attacks, and can heal off anything Necrozma-DM can throw at it with Leftovers or Roost. Zekrom can then use it as setup fodder. However, Zekrom needs to be careful of a boosted Earthquake or Knock Off.

**Kyogre**: Kyogre resists Steel-type attacks and can use Necrozma-DM to set up or to put out strong Choice Specs-boosted attacks. Defensive sets Kyogre (this confused me a little because 'sets' here refers to both kyogre and ndm) will be able to beat most offensive sets, but they need to be wary of a boosted Knock Off or a Choice Band Photon Geyser.

**Defensive Steel-types**: Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Corviknight can switch in for free and use Necrozma-DM to lay Spikes or remove Stealth Rock with Defog. These Pokemon are also some of the best counters to offensive sets.

**Ghost- and Dark-types**: While they don’t don't like switching into a strong attack, Yveltal, Marshadow, Urshifu-S, and Calyrex-S can threaten to massively damage or KO Necrozma-DM. Lunala can stop offensive sets if they lack Knock Off or Lum Berry. Physically defensive Zarude can wall most Necrozma-DM sets easily.

**Ho-Oh**: While Ho-Oh loses to Stone Edge sets, against most defensive sets it can come in relatively for free and use Defog and Sacred Fire with abandon. Status threatens Ho-Oh, but Regenerator mitigates Toxic.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Manaphy, 50695]]
- Quality checked by: [[Fc, 511624], [Aberforth, 249382]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [lotiasite, 302985]

good stuff all around, had to watch out for the apostrophes though since smog uses the straight ones (') and not the curly ones
2/2
thanks! yeah I am using a japanese keyboard which is prolly why the quotes are fuckey lol

Fc pls upload fren
 
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