[OVERVIEW]
Decidueye's fantastic STAB combo and offensive versatility make it a great wallbreaker in NU. Only a handful of Pokemon wall Decidueye's STAB attacks, and even fewer are fast enough that its teammates can't exploit them after U-turn uses or double switches. Furthermore, since Decidueye can use both physical and special sets to great success, finding defensive counterplay isn't so simple until you know its set. Despite these advantages, Decidueye isn't perfect, and its Speed is its most notable flaw. Even though its Shadow Sneak is strong when boosted, faster attackers like Talonflame, Choice Specs Indeedee-F, and Drapion easily revenge kill it, with only the former being susceptible to Decidueye's priority attack. Decidueye also struggles in certain matchups, especially against Dark-types like Guzzlord, Scrafty, and Sneasel, since it's forced to use U-turn more often instead of wallbreak. Lastly, because there are so many great Grass-types in NU, Decidueye can sometimes be hard to justify using over other options.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Spirit Shackle / Poltergeist
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Choice Band / Spell Tag
ability: Long Reach
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Spirit Shackle is preferred to Poltergeist because it can't be blocked by itemless foes, and Choice Band's power boost helps offset the lower Base Power. If you opt for Poltergeist, though, Spell Tag is the superior item so Decidueye can freely pivot with U-turn if an itemless Pokemon switches in. Long Reach prevents adverse contact effects like Rocky Helmet and Flame Body from harming Decidueye. An Adamant nature is preferred because Jolly offers minimal benchmarks worth meeting.
Decidueye consistently draws in Dark-types like Guzzlord and Drapion, so provide it teammates like Sylveon, Diancie, and Silvally-Ground that can make use of Decidueye's U-turn support. You should also take advantage of Decidueye forcing damage onto such foes with late-game cleaners like Choice Scarf Indeedee-F and Cosmic Power Xatu. Many fast Pokemon like Talonflame, Aerodactyl, and Sneasel can revenge kill Decidueye; pair it with defensive checks to them like Stakataka, Mudsdale, and Weezing.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Spirit Shackle
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Spell Tag
ability: Long Reach
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Swords Dance lets Decidueye 2HKO normally good defensive checks like Vileplume and Weezing with Spirit Shackle. Spell Tag gives Decidueye extra power even if it doesn't set up and makes picking off faster foes like Talonflame, Salazzle, and Passimian with Shadow Sneak easier. An Adamant nature is preferred because Jolly offers minimal benchmarks worth meeting.
Certain Pokemon like Guzzlord, Sap Sipper Drampa, and Drapion completely wall Decidueye, and even Stakataka can be difficult to bypass, making teammates like Sylveon, Passimian, and Silvally-Ground useful to have. Passimian and Silvally-Ground can also lure in and remove Talonflame with Rock Slide. Since Decidueye can fulfill both the wallbreaker and sweeper roles, other Pokemon like Tauros, Sneasel, and Salazzle that can do the same are good teammates, overwhelming shared checks and ensuring one of them can sweep late-game.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Choice Specs
ability: Overgrow
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Leaf Storm's absurdly high-Base Power, especially when boosted by Overgrow, means it does great damage, even to special walls like Mantine, Snorlax, and Guzzlord. U-turn prevents safe switch-ins like Guzzlord and Drampa from costing Decidueye's team momentum. A Modest nature is preferred because Timid offers minimal benchmarks worth meeting.
Decidueye consistently draws in Dark- and Normal-types like Guzzlord, Snorlax, and Drampa, making Fighting-types such as Passimian and Toxicroak premier teammates. Similarly, this set is a great lure for other common switch-ins like Stakataka and Weezing; pair it with Pokemon like Calm Mind Sylveon and Flame Charge Silvally-Ground that need these Pokemon weakened or removed before sweeping. Pivots like Talonflame, Silvally-Ground, and Inteleon that can get Decidueye in against Pokemon like Diancie, Mudsdale, and Gastrodon are great to have.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Utility sets with Defog and bulk investment are useable, turning Decidueye into a good answer to foes like Silvally-Ground, Rotom-C, and Heliolisk. However, Dhelmise is usually the better option because its overall bulk and natural power are superior. Nasty Plot is an alternative setup set that can bypass even the sturdiest of special walls like Scrafty and Mantine, but this set exposes Decidueye's average Speed quite a bit, as it lacks a priority move. Decidueye's Flying-type coverage moves like Acrobatics, Brave Bird, and Hurricane have some use in immediately breaking past Grass- and Fighting-types like Tsareena, Vileplume, Scrafty, and Passimian, but its STAB moves still get the job done.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dark-types**: Drapion can tank physical Decidueye's attacks quite well and easily revenge kill it regardless of set. Guzzlord takes a lot from Choice Band Decidueye's U-turn but otherwise blanks it completely. Scrafty can switch into Choice item Decidueye's Ghost-type attacks and use it as setup fodder afterwards. Sneasel is simply faster, resists Shadow Sneak, and OHKOes Decidueye with Knock Off, although it's no switch-in.
**Normal-types**: Choice Specs Indeedee-F outspeeds and easily OHKOes Decidueye with Expanding Force. Sap Sipper Drampa completely walls Decidueye's STAB attacks, although because it's so slow, switching into U-turn can cost its team momentum. Tauros outspeeds Decidueye and beats it with Throat Chop.
**Faster Attackers**: Certain Pokemon like Talonflame, Tsareena, and Passimian can contend with even a boosted Decidueye's Shadow Sneak and OHKO it in return.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Togkey, 400664]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
Decidueye's fantastic STAB combo and offensive versatility make it a great wallbreaker in NU. Only a handful of Pokemon wall Decidueye's STAB attacks, and even fewer are fast enough that its teammates can't exploit them after U-turn uses or double switches. Furthermore, since Decidueye can use both physical and special sets to great success, finding defensive counterplay isn't so simple until you know its set. Despite these advantages, Decidueye isn't perfect, and its Speed is its most notable flaw. Even though its Shadow Sneak is strong when boosted, faster attackers like Talonflame, Choice Specs Indeedee-F, and Drapion easily revenge kill it, with only the former being susceptible to Decidueye's priority attack. Decidueye also struggles in certain matchups, especially against Dark-types like Guzzlord, Scrafty, and Sneasel, since it's forced to use U-turn more often instead of wallbreak. Lastly, because there are so many great Grass-types in NU, Decidueye can sometimes be hard to justify using over other options.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Leaf Blade
move 2: Spirit Shackle / Poltergeist
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Choice Band / Spell Tag
ability: Long Reach
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Spirit Shackle is preferred to Poltergeist because it can't be blocked by itemless foes, and Choice Band's power boost helps offset the lower Base Power. If you opt for Poltergeist, though, Spell Tag is the superior item so Decidueye can freely pivot with U-turn if an itemless Pokemon switches in. Long Reach prevents adverse contact effects like Rocky Helmet and Flame Body from harming Decidueye. An Adamant nature is preferred because Jolly offers minimal benchmarks worth meeting.
Decidueye consistently draws in Dark-types like Guzzlord and Drapion, so provide it teammates like Sylveon, Diancie, and Silvally-Ground that can make use of Decidueye's U-turn support. You should also take advantage of Decidueye forcing damage onto such foes with late-game cleaners like Choice Scarf Indeedee-F and Cosmic Power Xatu. Many fast Pokemon like Talonflame, Aerodactyl, and Sneasel can revenge kill Decidueye; pair it with defensive checks to them like Stakataka, Mudsdale, and Weezing.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Spirit Shackle
move 4: Shadow Sneak
item: Spell Tag
ability: Long Reach
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Swords Dance lets Decidueye 2HKO normally good defensive checks like Vileplume and Weezing with Spirit Shackle. Spell Tag gives Decidueye extra power even if it doesn't set up and makes picking off faster foes like Talonflame, Salazzle, and Passimian with Shadow Sneak easier. An Adamant nature is preferred because Jolly offers minimal benchmarks worth meeting.
Certain Pokemon like Guzzlord, Sap Sipper Drampa, and Drapion completely wall Decidueye, and even Stakataka can be difficult to bypass, making teammates like Sylveon, Passimian, and Silvally-Ground useful to have. Passimian and Silvally-Ground can also lure in and remove Talonflame with Rock Slide. Since Decidueye can fulfill both the wallbreaker and sweeper roles, other Pokemon like Tauros, Sneasel, and Salazzle that can do the same are good teammates, overwhelming shared checks and ensuring one of them can sweep late-game.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Choice Specs
ability: Overgrow
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Leaf Storm's absurdly high-Base Power, especially when boosted by Overgrow, means it does great damage, even to special walls like Mantine, Snorlax, and Guzzlord. U-turn prevents safe switch-ins like Guzzlord and Drampa from costing Decidueye's team momentum. A Modest nature is preferred because Timid offers minimal benchmarks worth meeting.
Decidueye consistently draws in Dark- and Normal-types like Guzzlord, Snorlax, and Drampa, making Fighting-types such as Passimian and Toxicroak premier teammates. Similarly, this set is a great lure for other common switch-ins like Stakataka and Weezing; pair it with Pokemon like Calm Mind Sylveon and Flame Charge Silvally-Ground that need these Pokemon weakened or removed before sweeping. Pivots like Talonflame, Silvally-Ground, and Inteleon that can get Decidueye in against Pokemon like Diancie, Mudsdale, and Gastrodon are great to have.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Utility sets with Defog and bulk investment are useable, turning Decidueye into a good answer to foes like Silvally-Ground, Rotom-C, and Heliolisk. However, Dhelmise is usually the better option because its overall bulk and natural power are superior. Nasty Plot is an alternative setup set that can bypass even the sturdiest of special walls like Scrafty and Mantine, but this set exposes Decidueye's average Speed quite a bit, as it lacks a priority move. Decidueye's Flying-type coverage moves like Acrobatics, Brave Bird, and Hurricane have some use in immediately breaking past Grass- and Fighting-types like Tsareena, Vileplume, Scrafty, and Passimian, but its STAB moves still get the job done.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dark-types**: Drapion can tank physical Decidueye's attacks quite well and easily revenge kill it regardless of set. Guzzlord takes a lot from Choice Band Decidueye's U-turn but otherwise blanks it completely. Scrafty can switch into Choice item Decidueye's Ghost-type attacks and use it as setup fodder afterwards. Sneasel is simply faster, resists Shadow Sneak, and OHKOes Decidueye with Knock Off, although it's no switch-in.
**Normal-types**: Choice Specs Indeedee-F outspeeds and easily OHKOes Decidueye with Expanding Force. Sap Sipper Drampa completely walls Decidueye's STAB attacks, although because it's so slow, switching into U-turn can cost its team momentum. Tauros outspeeds Decidueye and beats it with Throat Chop.
**Faster Attackers**: Certain Pokemon like Talonflame, Tsareena, and Passimian can contend with even a boosted Decidueye's Shadow Sneak and OHKO it in return.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Togkey, 400664]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
Last edited:
