Introduction
This is going to be a thread where we determine whether we want to test Deoxys-D or not. Keep in mind that this is not the thread to decide whether or not it is uber, we are only deciding whether or not it is even a suspect.
Suspect?
Let's take a look at Deoxys-D's defensive and support capabilities, as these are arguably the two characteristics for which Deoxys-D is a suspect.
Defensive
Deoxys-D is the odd one out the the bunch in the Deoxys family, giving up the speed of light for incredible defenses of 50/160/160. At first glance, Deoxys-D looks like a better Uxie*, sporting similar defensive capabilities, but with a reliable recovery move.
However, when one looks at the entire picture of Deoxys-D, this isn't entirely true. Deoxys-D trades Uxie's Ground immunity for Pressure. Not only does this leave it vulnerable to Ground attacks, but it also means that Deoxys-D is vulnerable to all entry hazards, including Toxic Spikes which are a huge thorn in its ability to wall.
Note that being a pure Psychic-type in the OU metagame can also be quite hindering to a pokemon's walling potential. OU is a very offensive metagame; U-turn is a commonly used move to keep momentum going on the switch, and Pursuit is very common to rid the field of Ghosts and other Psychics. Shadow Ball is very common as well, with Rotom-A and Gengar being top 10 pokemon. Also, with only 2 resistances, along with the fact that Deoxys-D is vulnerable to every entry hazard, the amount of times it can come in to wall is not as many as it would be if it had a better typing.
Trick is a very common move in this metagame as well, and Tricking a Choice item onto Deoxys-D will ruin its ability to wall, as it will very rarely have room on its moveset to use its own Trick.
*Please note that while people seem to compare Deoxys-D to Cresselia, this is not a valid comparison. Cresselia takes hits much, much better than Deoxys-D (stat-wise). However, when comparing Uxie and Deoxys-D, their defensive capabilities are almost identical, which is why I compared Uxie and Deoxys-D, not Cresselia and Deoxys-D.
Support
As a Stealth Rocker, it can be compared to Uxie again. The big advantages over Uxie are Taunt and Recover, as well as the fact that it can also lay down Spikes. However, Uxie has slightly higher Speed, U-turn, and Yawn to make up for it somewhat. The question here would be whether keeping the momentum or longevity are the more important things for a team supporter.
As a Spiker, it can be compared to Skarmory, who is the only other Spiker in the game to get a reliable recovery move (besides Smeargle obviously). Deoxys-D has about the same physical bulk as Skarmory if it invests heavily in Defense, but at the same time has a lot more special bulk. This theoretically allows Deoxys-D to set up Spikes against a wider base of opponents. However, one must look at Skarmory's much larger amount of resistances as well, and its ability to spread Spikes damage by phazing. With Specially Defensive Skarmory becoming more common, the question of whether Skarmory's resistances or Deoxys-D's natural bulk makes a better Spiker is important.
Also, one must ask the question of whether Deoxys-D will have enough time to set up both Spikes and Stealth Rock. While Deoxys-D does have a reliable recovery move, the previously mentioned Trick can make it very difficult for it to set up both hazards.
In addition, does Deoxys-D further support the team aside from laying down hazards or possibly Dual Screens? This question needs to be asked because unlike Deoxys-S, who was almost guaranteed to set up Stealth Rock and a couple of layers of Spikes, or if he went the dual screening route, was actually guaranteed to get up both screens (for 8 turns), Deoxys-D does not get this guarantee due to the lower Speed. Therefore, because it's not a foolproof supporter like Deoxys-S, it needs to have something else it can do in case its job gets foiled.
What I mean here is that, for example, Forretress can Explode to take out a problematic member of the opponent's team, providing extra support besides walling. Also, Skarmory can phaze the opponent to scout the team, also providing extra support. Uxie can scout with U-turn, and put stuff to sleep (as well as possibly phaze) with Yawn, or use the TrickScarf strategy. Another example is Froslass, who can take out a pokemon with Destiny Bond after setting up her Spikes. What does Deoxys-D do after it sets up entry hazards/dual screens, besides taking hits?
Discuss.
This is going to be a thread where we determine whether we want to test Deoxys-D or not. Keep in mind that this is not the thread to decide whether or not it is uber, we are only deciding whether or not it is even a suspect.
Suspect?
Let's take a look at Deoxys-D's defensive and support capabilities, as these are arguably the two characteristics for which Deoxys-D is a suspect.
Defensive
Deoxys-D is the odd one out the the bunch in the Deoxys family, giving up the speed of light for incredible defenses of 50/160/160. At first glance, Deoxys-D looks like a better Uxie*, sporting similar defensive capabilities, but with a reliable recovery move.
However, when one looks at the entire picture of Deoxys-D, this isn't entirely true. Deoxys-D trades Uxie's Ground immunity for Pressure. Not only does this leave it vulnerable to Ground attacks, but it also means that Deoxys-D is vulnerable to all entry hazards, including Toxic Spikes which are a huge thorn in its ability to wall.
Note that being a pure Psychic-type in the OU metagame can also be quite hindering to a pokemon's walling potential. OU is a very offensive metagame; U-turn is a commonly used move to keep momentum going on the switch, and Pursuit is very common to rid the field of Ghosts and other Psychics. Shadow Ball is very common as well, with Rotom-A and Gengar being top 10 pokemon. Also, with only 2 resistances, along with the fact that Deoxys-D is vulnerable to every entry hazard, the amount of times it can come in to wall is not as many as it would be if it had a better typing.
Trick is a very common move in this metagame as well, and Tricking a Choice item onto Deoxys-D will ruin its ability to wall, as it will very rarely have room on its moveset to use its own Trick.
*Please note that while people seem to compare Deoxys-D to Cresselia, this is not a valid comparison. Cresselia takes hits much, much better than Deoxys-D (stat-wise). However, when comparing Uxie and Deoxys-D, their defensive capabilities are almost identical, which is why I compared Uxie and Deoxys-D, not Cresselia and Deoxys-D.
Support
As a Stealth Rocker, it can be compared to Uxie again. The big advantages over Uxie are Taunt and Recover, as well as the fact that it can also lay down Spikes. However, Uxie has slightly higher Speed, U-turn, and Yawn to make up for it somewhat. The question here would be whether keeping the momentum or longevity are the more important things for a team supporter.
As a Spiker, it can be compared to Skarmory, who is the only other Spiker in the game to get a reliable recovery move (besides Smeargle obviously). Deoxys-D has about the same physical bulk as Skarmory if it invests heavily in Defense, but at the same time has a lot more special bulk. This theoretically allows Deoxys-D to set up Spikes against a wider base of opponents. However, one must look at Skarmory's much larger amount of resistances as well, and its ability to spread Spikes damage by phazing. With Specially Defensive Skarmory becoming more common, the question of whether Skarmory's resistances or Deoxys-D's natural bulk makes a better Spiker is important.
Also, one must ask the question of whether Deoxys-D will have enough time to set up both Spikes and Stealth Rock. While Deoxys-D does have a reliable recovery move, the previously mentioned Trick can make it very difficult for it to set up both hazards.
In addition, does Deoxys-D further support the team aside from laying down hazards or possibly Dual Screens? This question needs to be asked because unlike Deoxys-S, who was almost guaranteed to set up Stealth Rock and a couple of layers of Spikes, or if he went the dual screening route, was actually guaranteed to get up both screens (for 8 turns), Deoxys-D does not get this guarantee due to the lower Speed. Therefore, because it's not a foolproof supporter like Deoxys-S, it needs to have something else it can do in case its job gets foiled.
What I mean here is that, for example, Forretress can Explode to take out a problematic member of the opponent's team, providing extra support besides walling. Also, Skarmory can phaze the opponent to scout the team, also providing extra support. Uxie can scout with U-turn, and put stuff to sleep (as well as possibly phaze) with Yawn, or use the TrickScarf strategy. Another example is Froslass, who can take out a pokemon with Destiny Bond after setting up her Spikes. What does Deoxys-D do after it sets up entry hazards/dual screens, besides taking hits?
Discuss.
