QC Checks: Fireburn / WreckDra / Sweep
GP Checks: Gato Del Fuego / Snobalt
I bet those arms give nice hugs
[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys-D, as its forme name implies, has solid bulk, sporting 50 / 160 / 160 defenses. A nice support movepool complements these defensive stats, with access to Spikes, Recover, Knock Off, status, and other tricks. Deoxys-D's Speed is disappointing, however, as it sits around a crowded Speed tier and doesn't have room to invest in this stat. It also suffers from abysmal typing on both offense and defense; Psychic doesn't trump any relevant types, doesn't resist any relevant types, and is weak to common Dark- and Ghost-type moves. Deoxys-D also doesn't check any offensive threats in particular, which is why it's almost entirely outclassed by other defensive setters of Spikes. To make matters worse, Deoxys-D is hard countered by a few viable Pokemon. Deoxys-D is also impacted by the fact that it is afflicted by all status ailments and entry hazards, further decreasing any potential for defensive synergy. Reconsider using this Pokemon, as it has little to no justifiable niche.
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Recover
move 3: Skill Swap
move 4: Toxic / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Bold / Impish
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes can be stacked up on switches or if the opponent is playing passively. Spikes deals residual damage to grounded foes that switch in, which can break down foes or bring them within range to be KOed by an offensive teammate. Recover is needed to keep longevity and to stall out threats in combination with Toxic. Skill Swap ensures that Spikes can be set against Pokemon with Magic Bounce such as Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye, and can also mess with Pokemon that heavily rely on their ability in order to deal damage, such as Mega Salamence. Toxic is used to punish support Arceus formes, Giratina-O, Latias, and Latios that might come in to Defog away Deoxys-D's Spikes. Ice Beam hits some common Pokemon for mild damage, but is mainly used to hit Mega Salamence. Knock Off can punish most Pokemon that Toxic doesn't by removing their held item, while still impacting Latias and Latios.
Set Details
========
248 HP EVs are used to maximize the low base HP of Deoxys-D and to make Recover more usable. 252 Defense EVs with a Bold nature are used to maximize physical bulk in order to better take attacks in the physically oriented Ubers metagame. The remaining 8 EVs are slotted to slightly boost Deoxys-D's Special Defense. Use an Impish nature if using Knock Off as to lower Deoxys-A's Special Attack rather than reduce Knock Off's power. Leftovers is the preferred item, which provides passive recovery to help offset residual damage. Pressure is the only ability available for Deoxys-D and, while it is generally useless, it can burn up low-PP moves used by the foe.
Usage Tips
========
Toxic, Ice Beam, and Knock Off are Deoxys-D's only means of punishing switch-ins. This means using Toxic when it is obvious a Defogger is coming in, Ice Beam if you want to chip away at a Pokemon that lacks recovery, and Knock Off to remove an opposing Pokemon's item that is removable. If neither Toxic, Ice Beam, nor Knock Off are capable of punishing an impending switch-in, it is best to double switch to an appropriate check. Don't let opposing Pokemon set up on top of Deoxys-D. Giving them a setup turn in exchange for poisoning them with Toxic is usually not worth it; immediately switch to a defensive check if setup is obvious. Become aware of what Deoxys-D can wall and what it can't. Most strong physical attackers will be able to break through after setup while the most powerful of special attackers can also 2HKO it. Stallbreakers that are immune to Toxic or that can Taunt Deoxys-D before it can move will also avoid being walled. Deoxys-D doesn't have much defensive utility, but it can be used as fodder to get a teammate in for free if its function as a Spikes setter is no longer needed.
Team Options
========
Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Fairy Arceus, and Mega Diancie can switch in from Deoxys-D when it is fleeing from a Dark-type threat. Dark-types themselves are also good partners, as they are able to break down Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O. Primal Kyogre benefits from the Spikes that Deoxys-D can set, as entry hazard damage wears down several of its common checks. Deoxys-D can also lure in Latios and Latias that come in to Defog, and can hit them with Toxic or Knock Off, making it easier for Primal Kyogre to pressure the opposing team. Primal Groudon is another partner that benefits from Spikes, while Deoxys-D can wear down some of its common checks with Toxic. Giratina-O can be a good partner when not using Ice Beam, as Deoxys-D using Skill Swap on Mega Salamence means that it has no moves to hit Giratina-O with unless it switches out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave can cripple opposing setup sweepers; however, Toxic is usually much more useful because of the residual damage it causes. Taunt is an option that can break down slower defensive Pokemon while also preventing incoming Defoggers from being able to remove Spikes, although there isn't room for it. Deoxys-D can function as a setter of Stealth Rock if needed, but it's hard to fit on the same set as Spikes and isn't stackable in the same way. Counter and Mirror Coat can be used to surprise unsuspecting attackers; however, it is prediction-reliant and risks giving the foe a free setup turn. Magic Coat can be used to bounce back status ailments and entry hazards aimed at Deoxys-D, but it is prediction-reliant and hard to find room for.
Checks & Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce Users**: Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie force Deoxys-D to run Skill Swap in order to have any use as a setter of Spikes. Although they can be poisoned with Toxic after a Skill Swap, the fact that Deoxys-D has to run a dedicated move for them justifies them as notable threats.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost Arceus, Mega Gengar, Giratina-O, and Aegislash can all threaten Deoxys-D with their super effective STAB attacks. Additionally, Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O can Defog away Spikes, Aegishlash is immune to Toxic, and Mega Gengar can trap and remove Deoxys-D entirely.
**Dark-types**: Darkrai, Yveltal, and Dark Arceus are threats to Deoxys-D because of their powerful super effective STAB moves, while Deoxys-D can do little to them in return.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre has powerful enough rain-boosted STAB attacks to easily break through Deoxys-D.
**Mewtwo**: Mewtwo variants with Taunt can break down Deoxys-D by preventing it from using Recover.
**Genesect and Mega Scizor**: Both Genesect and Mega Scizor are immune to Toxic, resist Ice Beam, and have a strong U-turn that can threaten Deoxys-D.
**Poison Arceus and Steel Arceus**: Deoxys-D has no method of breaking down Poison Arceus and Steel Arceus, as they are both immune to Toxic.
**Other Spikes Setters**: Klefki, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Forretress can threaten Deoxys-D with Toxic or can set Spikes alongside it while Deoxys-D can do very little to them in return.
GP Checks: Gato Del Fuego / Snobalt
I bet those arms give nice hugs
[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys-D, as its forme name implies, has solid bulk, sporting 50 / 160 / 160 defenses. A nice support movepool complements these defensive stats, with access to Spikes, Recover, Knock Off, status, and other tricks. Deoxys-D's Speed is disappointing, however, as it sits around a crowded Speed tier and doesn't have room to invest in this stat. It also suffers from abysmal typing on both offense and defense; Psychic doesn't trump any relevant types, doesn't resist any relevant types, and is weak to common Dark- and Ghost-type moves. Deoxys-D also doesn't check any offensive threats in particular, which is why it's almost entirely outclassed by other defensive setters of Spikes. To make matters worse, Deoxys-D is hard countered by a few viable Pokemon. Deoxys-D is also impacted by the fact that it is afflicted by all status ailments and entry hazards, further decreasing any potential for defensive synergy. Reconsider using this Pokemon, as it has little to no justifiable niche.
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Recover
move 3: Skill Swap
move 4: Toxic / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Bold / Impish
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes can be stacked up on switches or if the opponent is playing passively. Spikes deals residual damage to grounded foes that switch in, which can break down foes or bring them within range to be KOed by an offensive teammate. Recover is needed to keep longevity and to stall out threats in combination with Toxic. Skill Swap ensures that Spikes can be set against Pokemon with Magic Bounce such as Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye, and can also mess with Pokemon that heavily rely on their ability in order to deal damage, such as Mega Salamence. Toxic is used to punish support Arceus formes, Giratina-O, Latias, and Latios that might come in to Defog away Deoxys-D's Spikes. Ice Beam hits some common Pokemon for mild damage, but is mainly used to hit Mega Salamence. Knock Off can punish most Pokemon that Toxic doesn't by removing their held item, while still impacting Latias and Latios.
Set Details
========
248 HP EVs are used to maximize the low base HP of Deoxys-D and to make Recover more usable. 252 Defense EVs with a Bold nature are used to maximize physical bulk in order to better take attacks in the physically oriented Ubers metagame. The remaining 8 EVs are slotted to slightly boost Deoxys-D's Special Defense. Use an Impish nature if using Knock Off as to lower Deoxys-A's Special Attack rather than reduce Knock Off's power. Leftovers is the preferred item, which provides passive recovery to help offset residual damage. Pressure is the only ability available for Deoxys-D and, while it is generally useless, it can burn up low-PP moves used by the foe.
Usage Tips
========
Toxic, Ice Beam, and Knock Off are Deoxys-D's only means of punishing switch-ins. This means using Toxic when it is obvious a Defogger is coming in, Ice Beam if you want to chip away at a Pokemon that lacks recovery, and Knock Off to remove an opposing Pokemon's item that is removable. If neither Toxic, Ice Beam, nor Knock Off are capable of punishing an impending switch-in, it is best to double switch to an appropriate check. Don't let opposing Pokemon set up on top of Deoxys-D. Giving them a setup turn in exchange for poisoning them with Toxic is usually not worth it; immediately switch to a defensive check if setup is obvious. Become aware of what Deoxys-D can wall and what it can't. Most strong physical attackers will be able to break through after setup while the most powerful of special attackers can also 2HKO it. Stallbreakers that are immune to Toxic or that can Taunt Deoxys-D before it can move will also avoid being walled. Deoxys-D doesn't have much defensive utility, but it can be used as fodder to get a teammate in for free if its function as a Spikes setter is no longer needed.
Team Options
========
Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Fairy Arceus, and Mega Diancie can switch in from Deoxys-D when it is fleeing from a Dark-type threat. Dark-types themselves are also good partners, as they are able to break down Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O. Primal Kyogre benefits from the Spikes that Deoxys-D can set, as entry hazard damage wears down several of its common checks. Deoxys-D can also lure in Latios and Latias that come in to Defog, and can hit them with Toxic or Knock Off, making it easier for Primal Kyogre to pressure the opposing team. Primal Groudon is another partner that benefits from Spikes, while Deoxys-D can wear down some of its common checks with Toxic. Giratina-O can be a good partner when not using Ice Beam, as Deoxys-D using Skill Swap on Mega Salamence means that it has no moves to hit Giratina-O with unless it switches out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave can cripple opposing setup sweepers; however, Toxic is usually much more useful because of the residual damage it causes. Taunt is an option that can break down slower defensive Pokemon while also preventing incoming Defoggers from being able to remove Spikes, although there isn't room for it. Deoxys-D can function as a setter of Stealth Rock if needed, but it's hard to fit on the same set as Spikes and isn't stackable in the same way. Counter and Mirror Coat can be used to surprise unsuspecting attackers; however, it is prediction-reliant and risks giving the foe a free setup turn. Magic Coat can be used to bounce back status ailments and entry hazards aimed at Deoxys-D, but it is prediction-reliant and hard to find room for.
Checks & Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce Users**: Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie force Deoxys-D to run Skill Swap in order to have any use as a setter of Spikes. Although they can be poisoned with Toxic after a Skill Swap, the fact that Deoxys-D has to run a dedicated move for them justifies them as notable threats.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost Arceus, Mega Gengar, Giratina-O, and Aegislash can all threaten Deoxys-D with their super effective STAB attacks. Additionally, Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O can Defog away Spikes, Aegishlash is immune to Toxic, and Mega Gengar can trap and remove Deoxys-D entirely.
**Dark-types**: Darkrai, Yveltal, and Dark Arceus are threats to Deoxys-D because of their powerful super effective STAB moves, while Deoxys-D can do little to them in return.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre has powerful enough rain-boosted STAB attacks to easily break through Deoxys-D.
**Mewtwo**: Mewtwo variants with Taunt can break down Deoxys-D by preventing it from using Recover.
**Genesect and Mega Scizor**: Both Genesect and Mega Scizor are immune to Toxic, resist Ice Beam, and have a strong U-turn that can threaten Deoxys-D.
**Poison Arceus and Steel Arceus**: Deoxys-D has no method of breaking down Poison Arceus and Steel Arceus, as they are both immune to Toxic.
**Other Spikes Setters**: Klefki, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Forretress can threaten Deoxys-D with Toxic or can set Spikes alongside it while Deoxys-D can do very little to them in return.
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