Moves

Calm Mind allows Duosion to simultaneously boost its Special Attack and Special Defense, making it even harder to take down. Psyshock is Duosion's best STAB option, as it allows it to break through other Calm Mind users such as Audino, Xatu, and non-Barrier Musharna. Acid Armor makes Duosion incredibly difficult to break through with physical attacks, ensuring it can set up against the likes of Steelix, Tauros, Kangaskhan, Kabutops, and Archeops, as well as ensure it wins Calm Mind wars against other Psyshock users. Recover keeps Duosion healthy so that it can keep setting up throughout the match.

Set Details

The given EV spread plus a Bold nature maximizes Duosion's physical bulk, allowing it to set up Calm Mind more comfortably on physical attackers. The 4 remaining EVs are put into Speed to allow Duosion to outspeed uninvested Steelix. Eviolite increases its defenses even further, making more difficult to take down. Magic Guard is key, as it gives Duosion an immunity to entry hazards and other forms of residual damage, most notably Toxic, which ensures it cannot be shut down as it sets up.

Usage Tips

Duosion should steer clear of setting up if Dark-types are present on the opponent's team, as it has no ways of dealing damage to them. It should also be used as more of a late-game cleaner, as it has little impact early on the match, especially with Pokemon that resist Psychic being healthy. Once its checks and counters are eliminated, initiate Duosion's sweep by using the appropriate boosting move, depending on what it's up against. However, do not get greedy with setting up Calm Mind or Acid Armor unless it's necessary, as the longer Duosion spends setting up, the more likely it is to be struck by an untimely critical hit, ending its sweep prematurely. Thanks to Magic Guard, Duosion can serve as a status absorber, making it a good switch-in to Scald and Toxic in particular, though avoid the likes of Hex Rotom or Mismagius, as it can deal significant damage against an unboosted Duosion inflicted with burn. Recover should be used if Duosion's HP is getting too low, but be wary of doing this if the opponent has a Pursuit trapper such as Skuntank or Liepard, as they can put Duosion in an awkward spot. Try to avoid Knock Off at all costs, even weaker ones from the likes of Mega Audino and Clefairy, as Duosion loses a fair sum of its bulk once its Eviolite is removed, making it difficult to set up. When matched up against a potential Pursuit trapper such as Skuntank or Liepard, make double switches to teammates that threaten those two, as Duosion has no other way of dealing with them once they switch in.

Team Options

Fighting-types such as Primeape, Throh, and Hitmonchan are able to switch in on and take down problematic Dark-types that would otherwise end Duosion's sweep. In return, Duosion can switch in on the likes of Garbodor, Weezing, and Vileplume and threaten them with Psyshock. Toxic Spikes is devastating for the opponent, as it lets Duosion stall out Pokemon as it's setting up. Weezing and Garbodor are two notable examples, as both of them are able to soft check the likes of Shiftry, Skuntank, and Liepard, with the former crippling them with Will-O-Wisp and the latter wearing them with Rocky Helmet in conjunction with Aftermath. Mega Audino serves as a great Knock Off absorber, since it is able to switch in on the likes of Shiftry and Liepard with impunity once Mega Evolved. In exchange, Duosion absorbs Toxic for non-Heal Bell or Rest variants of Mega Audino and breaks past Poison-types, as well as slowly wearing down Steel-types, both of which are troublesome for Mega Audino. However, Duosion and Mega Audino are vulnerable to Skuntank, so make sure to pair them with solid response to it such as Rhydon or Steelix.

Scyther threatens Skuntank, Shiftry, and Malamar with U-turn, while Duosion can break past the likes of Garbodor, Weezing, and Steelix, all of which prevent Scyther from sweeping with Swords Dance. Rotom is able to check opposing Scyther and burn Pokemon that switch in on it such as Shiftry, Skuntank, and Liepard. Rotom also switches in on Steelix and wears it down with the combination of Will-O-Wisp and Hex, speeding up the process for Duosion to break past it. In general, any Pokemon that uses Will-O-Wisp and doesn't come with clashing synergy works well, as Duosion appreciates the ease of setting up against burned physical attackers. Steelix, Rhydon, and Regirock are all able to freely switch in on Scyther and Pursuit Skuntank, as well as set up Stealth Rock, which is very helpful when combined with Duosion's tendency to force switches as it's setting up. Skuntank is also a good teammate as it can pursuit trap the Ghost-types which greatly threaten an unboosted Duosion.