[SET]
name: Wonder Guard Support
move 1: Stealth Rock / Gastro Acid
move 2: Defog
move 3: Aromatherapy / King's Shield
move 4: Recover / Wish
item: Shed Shell
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
A unique combination of excellent bulk, high Speed, and only one weakness makes Arceus a strong choice for a support Wonder Guard user. Like all support Wonder Guard users, Arceus has some flexibility with the utility moves it can run. Stealth Rock gives Arceus a way to make progress in nearly every game, especially since Wonder Guard users inherently force switches against many non-Mold Breaker foes. Gastro Acid is another option that takes advantage of Arceus's good Speed tier to wall slower Mold Breaker foes such as Adamant Primal Groudon and Mega Tyranitar, as well as halving the power of any Huge Power users Arceus finds itself facing. It can also pressure opposing Wonder Guard users, especially those using Baton Pass, as Gastro Acid's ability suppression is passed as well. Defog and Aromatherapy are extremely valuable utility moves on nearly every team composition. However, if either one is already being provided by a teammate, then King's Shield can be used as a scouting tool versus foes like Mega Mewtwo X and to improve Arceus's matchup versus Choice Band Mold Breaker users like Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza. In addition, King's Shield makes Wish a more reliable recovery option for Arceus. On sets lacking King's Shield, however, Recover is usually preferred for its immediacy and reliability. Shed Shell is the preferred item so that Arceus can escape being trapped by Shadow Tag users. A physically defensive EV spread effectively scouts physical Mold Breaker users such as Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza; 16 Speed EVs allow Arceus to outpace Adamant Primal Groudon and neutralize it with Gastro Acid.
Many team structures appreciate the utility Arceus can provide. However, since Arceus doesn't provide pivoting support effectively, Wonder Guard users that can do so, such as Substitute + Baton Pass Xerneas, form effective Wonder Guard cores with Arceus. In addition, Arceus itself appreciates Xerneas's Substitutes giving it additional turns to utilize its utility moves or to force out opposing Mold Breaker users with Gastro Acid. In return, Arceus can scout Mold Breaker Mega Gengar and neutralize Mold Breaker Primal Groudon with Gastro Acid, two of Wonder Guard Xerneas's most common switch-ins. Thanks to its singular weakness to Fighting, Wonder Guard Arceus also makes an excellent teammate for Huge Power, Protean, and Parental Bond teammates such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Latios lacking Fighting attacks, as it can serve as a swtich-in to Imposter users. Finally, because of Arceus's own vulnerability to Fighting-type attackers like Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, teammates that match up well against it, such as Aerilate Mega Rayquaza, Pixilate Mega Diancie, Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir, and Prankster Will-O-Wisp Giratina, are appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV Spread of 248 HP / 148 Def / 96 SpD / 16 Spe and a Bold nature can be used alongside Knock Off to soft check Mold Breaker Mega Gengar. This EV spread allows Arceus to survive +2 Mega Gengar's Sludge Wave after Stealth Rock while also avoiding the KO from +2 Secret Sword. This is noteworthy, as every other Normal-type Wonder Guard user bar Meloetta struggles versus unscouted Mega Gengar. Alternatively, a fully specially defensive EV spread with a Calm nature can be used alongside Knock Off to check other Plate + Judgment Mold Breaker sweepers such as Mega Diancie and Mega Sceptile while still checking Mega Gengar lacking Secret Sword. However, such a set sacrifices Arceus's ability to scout Primal Groudon, Mega Rayquaza, and other physical attackers effectively. 0 Speed EVs and IVs and a Relaxed nature can be used alongside Parting Shot or Baton Pass to provide slow pivoting support to Arceus’s team. However, Arceus is usually outclassed by Slaking in this role, comma since Arceus's naturally high Speed means it is still undersped by most opposing slow pivots such as Xerneas and Primal Kyogre.
Like all support Wonder Guard users, Arceus has a panoply of useful utility options available to it. Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web are alternative entry hazard options over Stealth Rock. Glare and Will-O-Wisp can be used to punish incoming Mold Breaker users and Huge Power users, while Dark Void, Spore, and Taunt are all decent options with Arceus's good Speed tier. Whirlwind helps versus some setup sweepers, synergizes well with Stealth Rock and, perhaps more importantly, forces out Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users like Xerneas. Keep in mind, however, that all of the aforementioned options can be reflected with a timely Magic Bounce switch in and leave Arceus very vulnerable to Taunt. Nuzzle is an alternative to Glare that trades the ability to paralyze Wonder Guard users and Primal Groudon for a better matchup against Magic Bounce users and Taunt users. Similarly, Perish Song is an alternative to Whirlwind that has a slightly worse matchup versus Wonder Guard Subsitute + Baton Pass users, but isn't reflected by the aforementioned Magic Bounce. Magic Coat is another option to reflect entry hazards, sleep moves from Mold Breaker users, and Sing, Gastro Acid, Taunt, and Spider Web from No Guard users. Finally, Steam Eruption can also be used over a utility move to OHKO standard Primal Groudon sets and to 2HKO Mega Diancie, although it hits very few targets otherwise and has very limited PP.
Safety Goggles improve Arceus's matchup versus Mold Breaker users that run Spore and can give Arceus a leg up versus Imposter users if Arceus itself opts to use Spore. Any of the seventeen Plates are options to give Arceus an immunity to Trick. Chesto Berry is an extremely niche option that can be used alongside the aforementioned Knock Off to make Arceus a more consistent check to Mold Breaker Mega Gengar. Lastly, Chople Berry is another very fringe option that can allow Arceus to survive a singular Drain Punch from Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X. However, note that all of these options leave Wonder Guard Arceus very vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, so consider running them alongside a pivoting move such as Baton Pass or Parting Shot to give Arceus counterplay versus trapping.
It's also worth noting that on teams with three or more Arceus—often refered to as spam teams—fringe Arceus sets such as Prankster, No Guard, Choice Band Huge Power, Huge Power Fake Out + Extreme Speed, Fist Plate Wonder Guard Shell Smash, Spooky Plate Multitype, and Magic Bounce have significantly increased viability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Powerful Fighting Coverage**: Powerful Fighting-type attacks from Huge Power and Protean users will force Arceus out. In particular, Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can OHKO Arceus with any of its STAB attacks, even OHKOing Chople Berry Arceus with Low Kick or Close Combat.
**Trick**: Unless it's holding a Plate, Trick users can hinder Arceus for the entirety of the match. Since most Arceus sets forgo a pivoting move, it’s even more of a momentum sink with a Choice item than other support Wonder Guard users. In addition, loss of its Shed Shell leaves Arceus especially vulnerable to being removed by Shadow Tag users.
**Taunt**: Taunt shuts Arceus down completely unless it chooses to run non-status utility options such as Knock Off, Nuzzle, and Steam Eruption.
**Prankster Giratina**: Like most defensive Wonder Guard users, Prankster Giratina can come in on virtually every variation of Wonder Guard support Arceus and force it out with Encore or chip it with Will-O-Wisp or Curse.
**Choice Item Mold Breaker Users**: Powerful Mold Breaker users like Choice Band Primal Groudon, Choice Band Mega Rayquaza, and Choice Specs Mega Mewtwo Y can all force Arceus out; Primal Groudon's V-create OHKOes after Stealth Rock, Mega Rayquaza can wear Arceus down and waste its Recover PP with repeated usage of Dragon Ascent, and Mega Mewtwo Y's Psycho Boost OHKOes after Stealth Rock.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mbouchon, 515077],
[berry, 226455]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Wonder Guard Support
move 1: Stealth Rock / Gastro Acid
move 2: Defog
move 3: Aromatherapy / King's Shield
move 4: Recover / Wish
item: Shed Shell
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
A unique combination of excellent bulk, high Speed, and only one weakness makes Arceus a strong choice for a support Wonder Guard user. Like all support Wonder Guard users, Arceus has some flexibility with the utility moves it can run. Stealth Rock gives Arceus a way to make progress in nearly every game, especially since Wonder Guard users inherently force switches against many non-Mold Breaker foes. Gastro Acid is another option that takes advantage of Arceus's good Speed tier to wall slower Mold Breaker foes such as Adamant Primal Groudon and Mega Tyranitar, as well as halving the power of any Huge Power users Arceus finds itself facing. It can also pressure opposing Wonder Guard users, especially those using Baton Pass, as Gastro Acid's ability suppression is passed as well. Defog and Aromatherapy are extremely valuable utility moves on nearly every team composition. However, if either one is already being provided by a teammate, then King's Shield can be used as a scouting tool versus foes like Mega Mewtwo X and to improve Arceus's matchup versus Choice Band Mold Breaker users like Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza. In addition, King's Shield makes Wish a more reliable recovery option for Arceus. On sets lacking King's Shield, however, Recover is usually preferred for its immediacy and reliability. Shed Shell is the preferred item so that Arceus can escape being trapped by Shadow Tag users. A physically defensive EV spread effectively scouts physical Mold Breaker users such as Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza; 16 Speed EVs allow Arceus to outpace Adamant Primal Groudon and neutralize it with Gastro Acid.
Many team structures appreciate the utility Arceus can provide. However, since Arceus doesn't provide pivoting support effectively, Wonder Guard users that can do so, such as Substitute + Baton Pass Xerneas, form effective Wonder Guard cores with Arceus. In addition, Arceus itself appreciates Xerneas's Substitutes giving it additional turns to utilize its utility moves or to force out opposing Mold Breaker users with Gastro Acid. In return, Arceus can scout Mold Breaker Mega Gengar and neutralize Mold Breaker Primal Groudon with Gastro Acid, two of Wonder Guard Xerneas's most common switch-ins. Thanks to its singular weakness to Fighting, Wonder Guard Arceus also makes an excellent teammate for Huge Power, Protean, and Parental Bond teammates such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Latios lacking Fighting attacks, as it can serve as a swtich-in to Imposter users. Finally, because of Arceus's own vulnerability to Fighting-type attackers like Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, teammates that match up well against it, such as Aerilate Mega Rayquaza, Pixilate Mega Diancie, Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir, and Prankster Will-O-Wisp Giratina, are appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV Spread of 248 HP / 148 Def / 96 SpD / 16 Spe and a Bold nature can be used alongside Knock Off to soft check Mold Breaker Mega Gengar. This EV spread allows Arceus to survive +2 Mega Gengar's Sludge Wave after Stealth Rock while also avoiding the KO from +2 Secret Sword. This is noteworthy, as every other Normal-type Wonder Guard user bar Meloetta struggles versus unscouted Mega Gengar. Alternatively, a fully specially defensive EV spread with a Calm nature can be used alongside Knock Off to check other Plate + Judgment Mold Breaker sweepers such as Mega Diancie and Mega Sceptile while still checking Mega Gengar lacking Secret Sword. However, such a set sacrifices Arceus's ability to scout Primal Groudon, Mega Rayquaza, and other physical attackers effectively. 0 Speed EVs and IVs and a Relaxed nature can be used alongside Parting Shot or Baton Pass to provide slow pivoting support to Arceus’s team. However, Arceus is usually outclassed by Slaking in this role, comma since Arceus's naturally high Speed means it is still undersped by most opposing slow pivots such as Xerneas and Primal Kyogre.
Like all support Wonder Guard users, Arceus has a panoply of useful utility options available to it. Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web are alternative entry hazard options over Stealth Rock. Glare and Will-O-Wisp can be used to punish incoming Mold Breaker users and Huge Power users, while Dark Void, Spore, and Taunt are all decent options with Arceus's good Speed tier. Whirlwind helps versus some setup sweepers, synergizes well with Stealth Rock and, perhaps more importantly, forces out Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users like Xerneas. Keep in mind, however, that all of the aforementioned options can be reflected with a timely Magic Bounce switch in and leave Arceus very vulnerable to Taunt. Nuzzle is an alternative to Glare that trades the ability to paralyze Wonder Guard users and Primal Groudon for a better matchup against Magic Bounce users and Taunt users. Similarly, Perish Song is an alternative to Whirlwind that has a slightly worse matchup versus Wonder Guard Subsitute + Baton Pass users, but isn't reflected by the aforementioned Magic Bounce. Magic Coat is another option to reflect entry hazards, sleep moves from Mold Breaker users, and Sing, Gastro Acid, Taunt, and Spider Web from No Guard users. Finally, Steam Eruption can also be used over a utility move to OHKO standard Primal Groudon sets and to 2HKO Mega Diancie, although it hits very few targets otherwise and has very limited PP.
Safety Goggles improve Arceus's matchup versus Mold Breaker users that run Spore and can give Arceus a leg up versus Imposter users if Arceus itself opts to use Spore. Any of the seventeen Plates are options to give Arceus an immunity to Trick. Chesto Berry is an extremely niche option that can be used alongside the aforementioned Knock Off to make Arceus a more consistent check to Mold Breaker Mega Gengar. Lastly, Chople Berry is another very fringe option that can allow Arceus to survive a singular Drain Punch from Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X. However, note that all of these options leave Wonder Guard Arceus very vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, so consider running them alongside a pivoting move such as Baton Pass or Parting Shot to give Arceus counterplay versus trapping.
It's also worth noting that on teams with three or more Arceus—often refered to as spam teams—fringe Arceus sets such as Prankster, No Guard, Choice Band Huge Power, Huge Power Fake Out + Extreme Speed, Fist Plate Wonder Guard Shell Smash, Spooky Plate Multitype, and Magic Bounce have significantly increased viability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Powerful Fighting Coverage**: Powerful Fighting-type attacks from Huge Power and Protean users will force Arceus out. In particular, Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can OHKO Arceus with any of its STAB attacks, even OHKOing Chople Berry Arceus with Low Kick or Close Combat.
**Trick**: Unless it's holding a Plate, Trick users can hinder Arceus for the entirety of the match. Since most Arceus sets forgo a pivoting move, it’s even more of a momentum sink with a Choice item than other support Wonder Guard users. In addition, loss of its Shed Shell leaves Arceus especially vulnerable to being removed by Shadow Tag users.
**Taunt**: Taunt shuts Arceus down completely unless it chooses to run non-status utility options such as Knock Off, Nuzzle, and Steam Eruption.
**Prankster Giratina**: Like most defensive Wonder Guard users, Prankster Giratina can come in on virtually every variation of Wonder Guard support Arceus and force it out with Encore or chip it with Will-O-Wisp or Curse.
**Choice Item Mold Breaker Users**: Powerful Mold Breaker users like Choice Band Primal Groudon, Choice Band Mega Rayquaza, and Choice Specs Mega Mewtwo Y can all force Arceus out; Primal Groudon's V-create OHKOes after Stealth Rock, Mega Rayquaza can wear Arceus down and waste its Recover PP with repeated usage of Dragon Ascent, and Mega Mewtwo Y's Psycho Boost OHKOes after Stealth Rock.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mbouchon, 515077],
[berry, 226455]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
