[OVERVIEW]
Arceus-Ghost is one of the most defining centerpieces of Balanced Hackmons thanks to its built-in self Imposter-proofing due to Spooky Plate + Judgment that allows it to run Shore Up without worrying about Imposter, good bulk, great offensive typing, and versatility. It is able to soft check a lot of would-be annoyances such as RegenVest Celesteela without Nuzzle and Mega Lucario depending on its ability. Its ability to block Rapid Spin also differentiates it from other Arceus formes. However, Arceus-Ghost can be hard walled rather easily by certain walls such as Mega Audino and Meloetta. Its low immediate damage output can also lead to fast offensive threats like Eternatus forcing it out. Its ability choice of Magic Guard or Fur Coat also mean it either has limited defensive presence or is a physical wall that's weak to Choice Band Ash-Greninja, respectively.
[SET]
Utility (Arceus-Ghost) @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Magic Guard / Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Judgment
- Shore Up / Strength Sap
- Knock Off
- Spikes / Rapid Spin / Mortal Spin
[SET COMMENTS]
Arceus-Ghost can provide very consistent utility to its team with its immunity to item removal and built in self-Imposter-proofing through Judgment. Shore Up is the preferred healing move because it isn't blocked by the likes of Blissey and Mega Audino, but Strength Sap heals more HP at once and fares better against Choice Band users. Knock Off removes crucial items from walls like Heavy-Duty Boots and Covert Cloak from Mega Audino, making them susceptible to entry hazard damage or getting poisoned by Mortal Spin. Potentially removing Eviolite from Imposter users is also nice but should not be relied on, as these foes rarely want to switch in on Arceus-Ghost. Spikes takes advantage of Arceus-Ghost's conventional switch-ins, like Blissey, being passive and lacking hazard removal; alternatively, Rapid Spin and Mortal Spin provide hard-to-block hazard removal. Magic Guard is the preferred ability, as it provides an immunity to entry hazards and other chip damage such as Salt Cure and Mortal Spin, but Fur Coat makes Arceus-Ghost function as more of a wall capable of soft checking foes like Koraidon.
Arceus-Ghost fits well on entry hazard-stacking teams, as it can easily provide item removal support and reliably block Rapid Spin. Teams that stack hazard-immune teammates also enjoy Arceus-Ghost as a Knock Off absorber. Most attackers such as Ash-Greninja or and Eternatus appreciate Arceus-Ghost stacking Spikes to wear away at their checks or, in Eternatus's case, directly damage checks like Ice Scales Arceus formes. Other teammates such as RegenVest Celesteela and Mega Audino also synergize well with Arceus-Ghost defensively alongside the occasional Imposter-proofing Arceus-Ghost can provide for them. Arceus-Ghost is particularly vulnerable to Dark-types and opposing Ghost-types that are faster such as Ash-Greninja, Yveltal, and Flutter Mane; therefore, checks to them like the aforementioned Mega Audino are valuable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Cage can constantly chip down most bulkier walls and hits Celesteela hard, but Mortal Spin is generally better at chipping down walls on utility sets, which leaves Thunder Cage mostly just for Celesteela. Other offensive abilities such as Speed Boost and Good as Gold can be chosen over Fur Coat on the setup set, but this provides little defensive utility and would leave Arceus-Ghost with fewer opportunities to set up. Taunt is an option on the setup set to deny recovery and other utility such as Spikes and Topsy-Turvy, but giving up a moveslot for utility such as Knock Off or coverage is often not desirable. Plus, it either locks Arceus-Ghost into using Judgment as its only attack or means it has no recovery, both of which are very easily exploitable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Arceus-Ghost struggles against most Dark-type foes in general, especially faster attackers such as Ash-Greninja. However, they dislike switching in on Secret Sword or Knock Off especially with entry hazards up. Magic Guard Yveltal in particular, however, is a great annoyance, as it completely halts anything Arceus-Ghost can do.
**Normal-type Walls**: Blissey and Mega Audino handily beat setup sets via Topsy-Turvy and their immunity to Judgment, although Blissey needs to watch out for Secret Sword. Utility sets are hard stopped by Magic Guard Blissey, and even if it is not running Magic Guard, Arceus-Ghost can only make progress through Knock Off and Spikes.
**Faster Threats**: Most faster threats, like Flutter Mane, Eternatus, and Mega Alakazam, threaten Arceus-Ghost out with direct damage. They can't really switch in, however.
**Status Effects**: Fur Coat Arceus-Ghost sets hate status, as chip damage from poison cuts heavily into its longevity, and paralysis completely cripples it. Magic Guard sets don't mind poison but still dislike paralysis.
**Ice Scales + Take Heart Arceus Formes**: Ice Scales Acreus amplified with Take Heart's Special Defense boosts means that all of Arceus-Ghost's attacks, including Secret Sword, will do basically no damage to these Arceus formes. Many of them also carry a Plate, which means they can easily sponge Knock Off.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rightclicker.589755/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chessking345.355040/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tea-guzzler.577920/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Arceus-Ghost is one of the most defining centerpieces of Balanced Hackmons thanks to its built-in self Imposter-proofing due to Spooky Plate + Judgment that allows it to run Shore Up without worrying about Imposter, good bulk, great offensive typing, and versatility. It is able to soft check a lot of would-be annoyances such as RegenVest Celesteela without Nuzzle and Mega Lucario depending on its ability. Its ability to block Rapid Spin also differentiates it from other Arceus formes. However, Arceus-Ghost can be hard walled rather easily by certain walls such as Mega Audino and Meloetta. Its low immediate damage output can also lead to fast offensive threats like Eternatus forcing it out. Its ability choice of Magic Guard or Fur Coat also mean it either has limited defensive presence or is a physical wall that's weak to Choice Band Ash-Greninja, respectively.
[SET]
Utility (Arceus-Ghost) @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Magic Guard / Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Judgment
- Shore Up / Strength Sap
- Knock Off
- Spikes / Rapid Spin / Mortal Spin
[SET COMMENTS]
Arceus-Ghost can provide very consistent utility to its team with its immunity to item removal and built in self-Imposter-proofing through Judgment. Shore Up is the preferred healing move because it isn't blocked by the likes of Blissey and Mega Audino, but Strength Sap heals more HP at once and fares better against Choice Band users. Knock Off removes crucial items from walls like Heavy-Duty Boots and Covert Cloak from Mega Audino, making them susceptible to entry hazard damage or getting poisoned by Mortal Spin. Potentially removing Eviolite from Imposter users is also nice but should not be relied on, as these foes rarely want to switch in on Arceus-Ghost. Spikes takes advantage of Arceus-Ghost's conventional switch-ins, like Blissey, being passive and lacking hazard removal; alternatively, Rapid Spin and Mortal Spin provide hard-to-block hazard removal. Magic Guard is the preferred ability, as it provides an immunity to entry hazards and other chip damage such as Salt Cure and Mortal Spin, but Fur Coat makes Arceus-Ghost function as more of a wall capable of soft checking foes like Koraidon.
Arceus-Ghost fits well on entry hazard-stacking teams, as it can easily provide item removal support and reliably block Rapid Spin. Teams that stack hazard-immune teammates also enjoy Arceus-Ghost as a Knock Off absorber. Most attackers such as Ash-Greninja or and Eternatus appreciate Arceus-Ghost stacking Spikes to wear away at their checks or, in Eternatus's case, directly damage checks like Ice Scales Arceus formes. Other teammates such as RegenVest Celesteela and Mega Audino also synergize well with Arceus-Ghost defensively alongside the occasional Imposter-proofing Arceus-Ghost can provide for them. Arceus-Ghost is particularly vulnerable to Dark-types and opposing Ghost-types that are faster such as Ash-Greninja, Yveltal, and Flutter Mane; therefore, checks to them like the aforementioned Mega Audino are valuable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Cage can constantly chip down most bulkier walls and hits Celesteela hard, but Mortal Spin is generally better at chipping down walls on utility sets, which leaves Thunder Cage mostly just for Celesteela. Other offensive abilities such as Speed Boost and Good as Gold can be chosen over Fur Coat on the setup set, but this provides little defensive utility and would leave Arceus-Ghost with fewer opportunities to set up. Taunt is an option on the setup set to deny recovery and other utility such as Spikes and Topsy-Turvy, but giving up a moveslot for utility such as Knock Off or coverage is often not desirable. Plus, it either locks Arceus-Ghost into using Judgment as its only attack or means it has no recovery, both of which are very easily exploitable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Arceus-Ghost struggles against most Dark-type foes in general, especially faster attackers such as Ash-Greninja. However, they dislike switching in on Secret Sword or Knock Off especially with entry hazards up. Magic Guard Yveltal in particular, however, is a great annoyance, as it completely halts anything Arceus-Ghost can do.
**Normal-type Walls**: Blissey and Mega Audino handily beat setup sets via Topsy-Turvy and their immunity to Judgment, although Blissey needs to watch out for Secret Sword. Utility sets are hard stopped by Magic Guard Blissey, and even if it is not running Magic Guard, Arceus-Ghost can only make progress through Knock Off and Spikes.
**Faster Threats**: Most faster threats, like Flutter Mane, Eternatus, and Mega Alakazam, threaten Arceus-Ghost out with direct damage. They can't really switch in, however.
**Status Effects**: Fur Coat Arceus-Ghost sets hate status, as chip damage from poison cuts heavily into its longevity, and paralysis completely cripples it. Magic Guard sets don't mind poison but still dislike paralysis.
**Ice Scales + Take Heart Arceus Formes**: Ice Scales Acreus amplified with Take Heart's Special Defense boosts means that all of Arceus-Ghost's attacks, including Secret Sword, will do basically no damage to these Arceus formes. Many of them also carry a Plate, which means they can easily sponge Knock Off.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rightclicker.589755/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chessking345.355040/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tea-guzzler.577920/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Last edited:
