Arceus-Rock : Counter
Arceus-Rock @ Stone Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Judgment
- Recover
- Refresh / Will-O-Wisp
- Stealth Rock / Defog
Arceus-Rock is one of the most reliable counters to Victini available in Mix and Mega. Its typing allows it to resist Victini's Fire STABs, and its bulk entails that it takes minimal damage from our victim's coverage. Even without investment in Special Attack, Judgment is a threatening move to Victini:
0 SpA Stone Plate Arceus-Rock Judgment vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Victini: 302-356 (88.5 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Stone Plate Arceus-Rock Judgment vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Victini: 302-356 (88.5 - 104.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Stone Plate Arceus-Rock Judgment vs. -1 0 HP / 0 SpD Victini: 456-536 (133.7 - 157.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Victini can do very little to retaliate, as its moves fail to 2HKO Arceus-Rock even after Stealth Rock damage:
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Arceus-Rock: 141-167 (31.8 - 37.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
4 SpA Victini Blue Flare vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Rock: 128-151 (28.8 - 34%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Victini Bolt Strike vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Arceus-Rock: 91-108 (20.5 - 24.3%) -- 83.6% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock
4 SpA Victini Glaciate vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Rock: 57-68 (12.8 - 15.3%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock
Besides, Arceus-Rock is far from mono-dimensional: not only does it work as a reliable check to powerful physical threats in the tier (covering Ho-oh, Entei, Victini, Pinsirite Magearna and Zeraora, Weavile...), it can also pressure some defensive or utility-oriented birds (such as Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Noivern), and exploit this to set Rocks or to Defog. By using Will-O-Wisp on the switch, it can even cripple threatening physical attackers that it struggles to check.
The fact that Judgment guarantees sufficient offensive pressure gives Arceus-Rock two move slots that are customizable to the team's needs.
To the purpose of solely countering Victini, Refresh and Stealth Rock are the most useful, albeit barely needed, options.
As far as EVs are concerned, the speed investment allows Arceus to outspeed 252 base 90s with neutral Natures. It is evident that for the sheer role of Victini counter, placing the 16 Speed EVs in Defense and Special Defense would be more beneficial.
Thanks for reading!