[OVERVIEW]
Necrozma is a versatile offensive threat that can use its many setup and coverage options to run special and physical sets with few overlapping answers, which makes it difficult to consistently check. Furthermore, it gets many setup opportunities thanks to its superb natural bulk and Prism Armor. Necrozma can use Autotomize to outrun the whole metagame and use Meteor Beam to boost its Special Attack and pose an extremely deadly threat; however, Meteor Beam needs Power Herb, so Autotomize Necrozma is often preserved to clean up late-game. It's can also be forced into mind games against Incineroar, which can bait its Power Herb Meteor Beam, switch out, and wall it afterward if it lacks Earth Power. Necrozma's excellent bulk and power to weaken walls also make it one of the most reliable Stealth Rock setters on offense teams. It threatens most of the common entry hazard removers and setters, including Crobat, Flygon, and Nidoqueen. Physical sets with Dragon Dance take advantage of common switch-ins to special Necrozma sets like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Umbreon, and Registeel for a potential sweep. Necrozma is often held down by its average Speed; faster threats like Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure can deal with it when unboosted, while Choice Scarf users such as Heracross, Gardevoir, and Flygon can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Earth Power / Heat Wave
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma uses the combination of its coverage and the Special Attack boost from Meteor Beam as leeway to set Stealth Rock. Meteor Beam's Special Attack boost also lets Necrozma weaken defensive Pokemon for its offensive partners, and the move itself hits Incineroar and OHKOes Defoggers such as Volcanion. Earth Power is the main coverage option to hit Incineroar and Steel-types with Stakataka as the primary target due to it otherwise setting Stealth Rock without much to fear. Heat Wave hits Celebi and Steel-types such as Metagross, Steelix, and Registeel harder. Also, with Heat Wave; Bronzong no long walls Necrozma. Power Herb turns Meteor Beam into a one-turn move. Prism Armor prevents Pokemon such as Golisopod, Chandelure, and Obstagoon from OHKOing it before it can set Stealth Rock. A Timid nature is used to outspeed and prevent Nidoqueen and Volcanion from setting Stealth Rock and Defog respectively.
Stealth Rock provided by Necrozma is crucial for putting targets in the KO range of setup sweepers such as Polteageist, Lucario, and Mimikyu. Spikes setters such as Heracross, Klefki, and Froslass can together with Necrozma form a potent hazard stacking core on offense teams. Slurpuff, Mimikyu, and Sharpedo can either set up on or threaten Necrozma's most common switch-ins in Assault Vest Reuniclus and Umbreon. Necrozma can weaken bulky Water- and Steel-types for Pokemon such as Sharpedo, Mimikyu, and Slurpuff to clean up.
[SET]
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Heat Wave / Earth Power
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
After Autotomize, Necrozma outspeeds even the fastest Choice Scarf user in Flygon, and thanks to Prism Armor, priority like First Impression from Golisopod cannot easily KO it. Meteor Beam becomes a one-turn move with Power Herb and lets Necrozma boost its Special Attack. Heat Wave is Necrozma's strongest option for Steel-types and hits Celebi and Bronzong, which otherwise completely wall it. On the other hand, Earth Power still covers Steel-types and lets Necrozma decimate two otherwise major hindrances in Incineroar and Stakataka. However, Earth Power is generally unnecessary because boosted Heat Wave can still finish off a weakened Stakataka without leaving it helpless against Celebi and Bronzong. Power Herb is single-use, so Meteor Beam usually should not be used until Necrozma can sweep. A Modest nature maximizes Necrozma's damage output and doesn't miss out on any notable Speed tiers.
Swords Dance Cobalion, Mimikyu, and Nasty Plot Togekiss can either threaten or weaken special walls that check Necrozma like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Umbreon, and Porygon2. Togekiss sets with Aura Sphere pair especially well if Necrozma forgoes Earth Power, as it can lure and KO Stakataka with a boosted Aura Sphere. Entry hazards are an effective way of softening up the opposing team enough till Necrozma's boosted attacks cut through everything. On more offense inclined teams Heracross, Klefki, and Froslass can set Spikes, while on bulky offense Golisopod and Roserade can do the same. To complement the entry hazards, Knock Off users such as Golisopod, Incineroar, and Tornadus can remove invaluable items like Heavy-Duty Boots, or Assault Vest from Reuniclus. Necrozma can never sweep with the likes of Assault Vest Reuniclus and Umbreon still at play therefore other setup sweepers such as Nasty Plot Celebi, Lucario, and Mimikyu need to ideally remove them beforehand. Nidoqueen can soften up special walls for Necrozma and can also run Toxic to cripple Assault Vest Reuniclus and Umbreon. Even if Necrozma's sweep ultimately goes nowhere, Pokemon such as Cobalion, Mimikyu, and Slurpuff can set up on Golisopod and Umbreon after they've KOed Necrozma.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor / Knock Off
item: Lum Berry / Weakness Policy
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
After Dragon Dance, Necrozma is faster than the entire unboosted metagame but misses out on every common Choice Scarf user. Having said that, Necrozma's bulk usually allows it to Dragon Dance for a second time against Choice Scarf users like Flygon and Gardevoir. Earthquake tears through Incineroar and Steel-types such as Metagross, Stakataka, and Registeel. X-Scissor hits bulky Psychic-types such as Reuniclus but it also is Necrozma's best move to attempt to get through Umbreon. It can also bypass Colbur Berry, which can be decisive against certain Calm Mind Reuniclus sets. Knock Off is Necrozma's strongest option to take care of Psychic-types such as Reuniclus, Celebi, and Bronzong. It can also weaken the opposing team beforehand by removing important items such as Heavy-Duty Boots from Incineroar and Doublade's Eviolite. With Lum Berry, Necrozma can set up on defensive Pokemon such as Registeel, Gastrodon, and Milotic without fearing status. Prism Armor lets Necrozma take most super effective attacks with ease, so Weakness Policy can be used instead to gain even further boosts.
Dragon Dance Necrozma fits best on hyper offense, as it will rarely outright sweep entire teams but will weaken them enough so that other sweepers can clean up the rest. Necrozma's bulk nearly guarantees that it will be able to set up at least once, which is the reliability that fast-paced hyper offense teams seek after. Other setup sweepers like Polteageist, Lucario, and Dragon Dance Flygon can set up early- or mid-game and soften up the opposing team so Necrozma can later clean up or vice versa. Necrozma can weaken bulky Steel-types for teammates such as Mimikyu, Slurpuff, and Regidrago. Out of those, Slurpuff is particularly notable for it setting up on Necrozma's common checks such as Umbreon and Golisopod right after Necrozma goes down. Not only that but Necrozma can do the exact same thing against Slurpuff's checks in Vileplume and Bronzong. Galarian Weezing can provide a setup opportunity with Memento and sets Misty Terrain, which means Necrozma can run Weakness Policy without missing Lum Berry. Ribombee can set Sticky Web so that Necrozma will outspeed Choice Scarf users like Heracross and Gardevoir. Necrozma also sets up on Defoggers and spinners like Crobat and Starmie trying to remove Sticky web.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Necrozma can pull off defensive utility sets with options like Stealth Rock, Knock Off, and Thunder Wave; however, outside of resisting Fighting-type moves, it lacks the defensive utility provided by its competition in bulky Stealth Rock setters like Metagross, Stakataka, and Diancie. Calm Mind is another setup option and can be run quite effectively thanks to Necrozma's natural bulk and reliable recovery in Morning Sun, but Necrozma's susceptibility to the common Toxic and Morning Sun's low PP make such sets less desirable compared to Calm Mind Reuniclus. Swords Dance is yet another setup option and can be used over Dragon Dance to focus on wallbreaking instead of sweeping. It can also be used alongside Morning Sun to act as a reliable answer to Calm Mind Reuniclus.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: In particular, Umbreon can take on and beat any of Necrozma's varied sets. Other Dark-types such as Obstagoon, Grimmsnarl, and Pangoro can survive a boosted attack from full but can't KO back if Necrozma's at full health. Incineroar can wall special sets as long as its Power Herb has been used up and it doesn't carry Earth Power. For physical sets, Incineroar can switch in and out to lower Necrozma's attack with Intimidate, so that one of its teammates can finish it off. Guzzlord, albeit not the most common sight, can stomach any attack from special attacking sets but can falter against boosted X-Scissor.
**Special Walls**: Special walls like Assault Vest Reuniclus and the rarer Snorlax and Porygon2 can take special Necrozma sets with ease. Although, they need to be mindful of the Dragon Dance set, as it can set up as they switch in and immediately threaten them out for another Dragon Dance or deal a huge blow to the opposing team.
**Status**: Toxic and Thunder Wave are detrimental to Necrozma's sweeping attempts. Common Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Bronzong, and Registeel can often be seen carrying said moves.
**Priority**: Golisopod and Grimmsnarl can revenge kill a slightly weakened Necrozma with First Impression and Sucker Punch respectively, while other strong priority users such as Toxicroak, Lucario, and Entei need it to be under half-health.
**Faster Threats**: Pokemon such as Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure outspeed and threaten unboosted Necrozma, while Choice Scarf users like Flygon and Heracross can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[GoldCat, 359771]]
- Quality checked by: [[Expulso, 202058], [Lunala, 409096]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
Necrozma is a versatile offensive threat that can use its many setup and coverage options to run special and physical sets with few overlapping answers, which makes it difficult to consistently check. Furthermore, it gets many setup opportunities thanks to its superb natural bulk and Prism Armor. Necrozma can use Autotomize to outrun the whole metagame and use Meteor Beam to boost its Special Attack and pose an extremely deadly threat; however, Meteor Beam needs Power Herb, so Autotomize Necrozma is often preserved to clean up late-game. It's can also be forced into mind games against Incineroar, which can bait its Power Herb Meteor Beam, switch out, and wall it afterward if it lacks Earth Power. Necrozma's excellent bulk and power to weaken walls also make it one of the most reliable Stealth Rock setters on offense teams. It threatens most of the common entry hazard removers and setters, including Crobat, Flygon, and Nidoqueen. Physical sets with Dragon Dance take advantage of common switch-ins to special Necrozma sets like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Umbreon, and Registeel for a potential sweep. Necrozma is often held down by its average Speed; faster threats like Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure can deal with it when unboosted, while Choice Scarf users such as Heracross, Gardevoir, and Flygon can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Earth Power / Heat Wave
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma uses the combination of its coverage and the Special Attack boost from Meteor Beam as leeway to set Stealth Rock. Meteor Beam's Special Attack boost also lets Necrozma weaken defensive Pokemon for its offensive partners, and the move itself hits Incineroar and OHKOes Defoggers such as Volcanion. Earth Power is the main coverage option to hit Incineroar and Steel-types with Stakataka as the primary target due to it otherwise setting Stealth Rock without much to fear. Heat Wave hits Celebi and Steel-types such as Metagross, Steelix, and Registeel harder. Also, with Heat Wave; Bronzong no long walls Necrozma. Power Herb turns Meteor Beam into a one-turn move. Prism Armor prevents Pokemon such as Golisopod, Chandelure, and Obstagoon from OHKOing it before it can set Stealth Rock. A Timid nature is used to outspeed and prevent Nidoqueen and Volcanion from setting Stealth Rock and Defog respectively.
Stealth Rock provided by Necrozma is crucial for putting targets in the KO range of setup sweepers such as Polteageist, Lucario, and Mimikyu. Spikes setters such as Heracross, Klefki, and Froslass can together with Necrozma form a potent hazard stacking core on offense teams. Slurpuff, Mimikyu, and Sharpedo can either set up on or threaten Necrozma's most common switch-ins in Assault Vest Reuniclus and Umbreon. Necrozma can weaken bulky Water- and Steel-types for Pokemon such as Sharpedo, Mimikyu, and Slurpuff to clean up.
[SET]
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Heat Wave / Earth Power
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
After Autotomize, Necrozma outspeeds even the fastest Choice Scarf user in Flygon, and thanks to Prism Armor, priority like First Impression from Golisopod cannot easily KO it. Meteor Beam becomes a one-turn move with Power Herb and lets Necrozma boost its Special Attack. Heat Wave is Necrozma's strongest option for Steel-types and hits Celebi and Bronzong, which otherwise completely wall it. On the other hand, Earth Power still covers Steel-types and lets Necrozma decimate two otherwise major hindrances in Incineroar and Stakataka. However, Earth Power is generally unnecessary because boosted Heat Wave can still finish off a weakened Stakataka without leaving it helpless against Celebi and Bronzong. Power Herb is single-use, so Meteor Beam usually should not be used until Necrozma can sweep. A Modest nature maximizes Necrozma's damage output and doesn't miss out on any notable Speed tiers.
Swords Dance Cobalion, Mimikyu, and Nasty Plot Togekiss can either threaten or weaken special walls that check Necrozma like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Umbreon, and Porygon2. Togekiss sets with Aura Sphere pair especially well if Necrozma forgoes Earth Power, as it can lure and KO Stakataka with a boosted Aura Sphere. Entry hazards are an effective way of softening up the opposing team enough till Necrozma's boosted attacks cut through everything. On more offense inclined teams Heracross, Klefki, and Froslass can set Spikes, while on bulky offense Golisopod and Roserade can do the same. To complement the entry hazards, Knock Off users such as Golisopod, Incineroar, and Tornadus can remove invaluable items like Heavy-Duty Boots, or Assault Vest from Reuniclus. Necrozma can never sweep with the likes of Assault Vest Reuniclus and Umbreon still at play therefore other setup sweepers such as Nasty Plot Celebi, Lucario, and Mimikyu need to ideally remove them beforehand. Nidoqueen can soften up special walls for Necrozma and can also run Toxic to cripple Assault Vest Reuniclus and Umbreon. Even if Necrozma's sweep ultimately goes nowhere, Pokemon such as Cobalion, Mimikyu, and Slurpuff can set up on Golisopod and Umbreon after they've KOed Necrozma.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor / Knock Off
item: Lum Berry / Weakness Policy
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
After Dragon Dance, Necrozma is faster than the entire unboosted metagame but misses out on every common Choice Scarf user. Having said that, Necrozma's bulk usually allows it to Dragon Dance for a second time against Choice Scarf users like Flygon and Gardevoir. Earthquake tears through Incineroar and Steel-types such as Metagross, Stakataka, and Registeel. X-Scissor hits bulky Psychic-types such as Reuniclus but it also is Necrozma's best move to attempt to get through Umbreon. It can also bypass Colbur Berry, which can be decisive against certain Calm Mind Reuniclus sets. Knock Off is Necrozma's strongest option to take care of Psychic-types such as Reuniclus, Celebi, and Bronzong. It can also weaken the opposing team beforehand by removing important items such as Heavy-Duty Boots from Incineroar and Doublade's Eviolite. With Lum Berry, Necrozma can set up on defensive Pokemon such as Registeel, Gastrodon, and Milotic without fearing status. Prism Armor lets Necrozma take most super effective attacks with ease, so Weakness Policy can be used instead to gain even further boosts.
Dragon Dance Necrozma fits best on hyper offense, as it will rarely outright sweep entire teams but will weaken them enough so that other sweepers can clean up the rest. Necrozma's bulk nearly guarantees that it will be able to set up at least once, which is the reliability that fast-paced hyper offense teams seek after. Other setup sweepers like Polteageist, Lucario, and Dragon Dance Flygon can set up early- or mid-game and soften up the opposing team so Necrozma can later clean up or vice versa. Necrozma can weaken bulky Steel-types for teammates such as Mimikyu, Slurpuff, and Regidrago. Out of those, Slurpuff is particularly notable for it setting up on Necrozma's common checks such as Umbreon and Golisopod right after Necrozma goes down. Not only that but Necrozma can do the exact same thing against Slurpuff's checks in Vileplume and Bronzong. Galarian Weezing can provide a setup opportunity with Memento and sets Misty Terrain, which means Necrozma can run Weakness Policy without missing Lum Berry. Ribombee can set Sticky Web so that Necrozma will outspeed Choice Scarf users like Heracross and Gardevoir. Necrozma also sets up on Defoggers and spinners like Crobat and Starmie trying to remove Sticky web.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Necrozma can pull off defensive utility sets with options like Stealth Rock, Knock Off, and Thunder Wave; however, outside of resisting Fighting-type moves, it lacks the defensive utility provided by its competition in bulky Stealth Rock setters like Metagross, Stakataka, and Diancie. Calm Mind is another setup option and can be run quite effectively thanks to Necrozma's natural bulk and reliable recovery in Morning Sun, but Necrozma's susceptibility to the common Toxic and Morning Sun's low PP make such sets less desirable compared to Calm Mind Reuniclus. Swords Dance is yet another setup option and can be used over Dragon Dance to focus on wallbreaking instead of sweeping. It can also be used alongside Morning Sun to act as a reliable answer to Calm Mind Reuniclus.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: In particular, Umbreon can take on and beat any of Necrozma's varied sets. Other Dark-types such as Obstagoon, Grimmsnarl, and Pangoro can survive a boosted attack from full but can't KO back if Necrozma's at full health. Incineroar can wall special sets as long as its Power Herb has been used up and it doesn't carry Earth Power. For physical sets, Incineroar can switch in and out to lower Necrozma's attack with Intimidate, so that one of its teammates can finish it off. Guzzlord, albeit not the most common sight, can stomach any attack from special attacking sets but can falter against boosted X-Scissor.
**Special Walls**: Special walls like Assault Vest Reuniclus and the rarer Snorlax and Porygon2 can take special Necrozma sets with ease. Although, they need to be mindful of the Dragon Dance set, as it can set up as they switch in and immediately threaten them out for another Dragon Dance or deal a huge blow to the opposing team.
**Status**: Toxic and Thunder Wave are detrimental to Necrozma's sweeping attempts. Common Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Bronzong, and Registeel can often be seen carrying said moves.
**Priority**: Golisopod and Grimmsnarl can revenge kill a slightly weakened Necrozma with First Impression and Sucker Punch respectively, while other strong priority users such as Toxicroak, Lucario, and Entei need it to be under half-health.
**Faster Threats**: Pokemon such as Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure outspeed and threaten unboosted Necrozma, while Choice Scarf users like Flygon and Heracross can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[GoldCat, 359771]]
- Quality checked by: [[Expulso, 202058], [Lunala, 409096]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
Last edited:
