[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys-D's access to the highly coveted Teleport is complemented by its excellent supportive movepool and high defenses. This gives it a niche in being a slow pivot that can take a strong hit and safely bring in another teammate to threaten the opposing team, often creating setup opportunities. Additionally, it's a great physically defensive blanket check for offensive teams that lack a defensive backbone to fall back on. Deoxys-D has a wide utility movepool that can benefit more defensive teams as well, since it has access to moves such as Knock Off, Taunt, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Thunder Wave, all of which help it make progress against slower teams. Deoxys-D also removes items quite easily, inviting in Pokemon such as Bisharp, Registeel, and Golurk, none of which appreciate Knock Off. However, Deoxys-D has many flaws that prevent it from being common. It has a bad defensive typing that leaves it vulnerable to common Pokemon like Krookodile, Slither Wing, and Gengar as well as the ubiquitous U-turn from the likes of Galarian Zapdos and Jirachi, which can lead to it being overwhelmed by the very Pokemon it's supposed to check. Furthermore, it's very weak and passive, making it easy setup fodder for the likes of Reuniclus, Lum Berry Salamence, and Armarouge. Deoxys-D suffers from 4-moveslot syndrome, forcing it to choose between being able to disrupt its foes or making long-term progress with Spikes. Finally, Deoxys-D faces strong competition from Pokemon such as Jirachi, Slowbro, Gligar, and Klefki, all of which can either pivot, set hazards, or wall Pokemon more effectively.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Teleport
move 2: Recover
move 3: Knock Off / Thunder Wave / Psychic Noise
move 4: Spikes / Taunt / Thunder Wave
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Colbur Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe or 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
tera type: Ghost / Fairy / Water
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Deoxys-D has many viable options for moves, and it's possible to mix and match any combination if it might fit its team better. Teleport supports its teammates with slow pivoting. Knock Off is an excellent support move and synergizes well with the entry hazards that Deoxys-D sets, helping wear down Pokemon like Cyclizar, Bisharp, and Talonflame as well as hitting Gengar and Basculegion-F. Thunder Wave helps prevent it from being setup fodder against Pokemon like Armarouge, Gengar, and Gyarados. With a Bold nature, Psychic Noise can hit Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos, Galarian Weezing, and Terrakion. Taunt can be very useful in preventing Deoxys-D from getting statused, preventing hazards from being laid, and preventing slow setup sweepers like Slowbro, Suicune, and Oricorio-E from setting up on its face. For both Taunt and Psychic Noise, preventing walls like Empoleon and Hippowdon from healing can put pressure on the opposing team in tandem with Teleport safely letting in wallbreakers. Spikes is preferred because Deoxys-D can set up multiple layers to pressure the opposing team, although Stealth Rock should be used instead if it cannot be fit somewhere else on the team. Heavy-Duty Boots helps with pivoting by minimizing chip damage. Colbur Berry improves its matchup against Knock Off users such as Galarian Zapdos, Krookodile, and Mamoswine, and is particularly useful on offense teams where switching into these can be very hard otherwise. 16 Speed EVs let Deoxys-D outspeed offensive Hisuian Goodra and Magnezone and use Knock Off before they can attack. The rest is dumped into Defense to switch Galarian Zapdos and Mamoswine better. A specially defensive spread is a viable alternative if running Deoxys-D with other physical walls like Hippowdon, Klefki, and Wo-Chien, letting it switch into Pokemon like Armarouge and Volcanion and cripple them or pivot out; 96 Spe lets it outspeed Volcanion. Pressure lessens the chance of Jirachi flinching Deoxys-D to death, as well as draining low PP moves such as Entei's Sacred Fire and Volcanion's Steam Eruption. Tera Ghost lets Deoxys-D spinblock Cyclizar, ensuring its hazards stay up; counter Maushold; and gain a useful Bug resistance, aiding it against U-turn. If the team already has a spinblocker or keeping Spikes on the field isn't central to the team's game plan, other Teras can be useful as well; Tera Fairy gives Deoxys-D a better defensive typing that allows it switch into Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos, Krookodile, and Slither Wing more consistently, Tera Water completely walls Volcanion and helps against Pokemon like Barraskewda and Basculegion-F. Both Teras also get rid of Deoxys-D's Bug and Ghost weaknesses.
Deoxys-D is an excellent support Pokemon on offensive structures because it provides a defensive blanket check and can easily pivot into more threatening teammates with Teleport; most of the tier's offensive Pokemon appreciate getting in safely. Deoxys-D is also a decent option on balance teams, where it can make consistent progress with its various utility moves. Slow or frail wallbreakers such as Mamoswine, Volcanion, and Gallade can use slow pivot support to safely break holes into the opposing team in the early game. The holes opened up by them can then be exploited later on by sweepers and cleaners such as Maushold, Salamence, and Galarian Zapdos. In return, Deoxys-D can help pave the way for a sweep with its utility moves and pivoting support. If Deoxys-D is running a set without Thunder Wave, setup sweepers like Armarouge, Salamence, and Gyarados can easily take advantage of it. Therefore, priority users like Mimikyu, Entei, Slither Wing, and Mamowsine can help alleviate this concern. Cyclizar complements Spikes Deoxys-D quite well, since Rapid Spin doesn't remove hazards on the opposing side unlike Defog Talonflame and Noivern. On top of that, it checks problematic Ghost-types like Basculegion-F and Gengar for Deoxys-D; Krookodile can do the same and also set Stealth Rock. Since Deoxys-D can struggle against VoltTurn, Pokemon like Talonflame and Hippowdon can discourage the use of U-turn and Volt Switch on more defensive builds. Checks to Dark-types, like Galarian Zapdos, Slither Wing, and Chensaught are necessary to deal with Bisharp and Krookodile. Galarian Zapdos and Slither Wing can form a pivoting core with Deoxys-D while offering Knock Off and priority, respectively. Stealth Rock setters like Terrakion, Krookodile, and Hippowdon let Deoxys-D run Spikes and can form a hazard stacking core with it. On Spikes stacking teams, additional Knock Off support from the likes of Krookodile and Wo-Chien is useful to remove Heavy-Duty Boots, and pivots that threaten each other's checks, such as Galarian Zapdos and Basculegion-F or Fezandipiti and Choice Specs Magnezone can maximize chip damage quickly by repeatedly threatening out foes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Leftovers is an alternative if running Spikes in conjunction with Cyclizar, simultaneously lessening pressure to constantly use Recover and making it easier to set multiple rounds of Spikes. Rocky Helmet punishes Maushold and prevents Jirachi from trying to flinch Deoxys-D until it gets KOed. Tera Steel gives it a Flying- and Bug-type resistance and much more valuable defensive typing, although it makes it weaker to wallbreakers like Mamoswine. Future Sight could be used to force switches with Teleport to maneuver into an advantageous situation, but it is often too weak. Night Shade gives Deoxys-D consistent, if middling, damage. Mental Herb can negate Taunt from the likes of Krookodile and Fezandipiti once, but other items are more consistent. Deoxys-D can sweep with a moveset of Cosmic Power / Stored Power / Recover / Night Shade, but it often gets overwhelmed and hates the prevalence of Dark-types.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Bisharp, Krookodile, and Crawdaunt can switch into anything Deoxys-D can throw at them and set up or threaten it out with super effective STAB attacks. However, they usually don't appreciate Knock Off, and some cannot break through Deoxys-D if it's running Colbur Berry.
**Setup Sweepers**: Slow setup sweepers like Reuniclus and Registeel can use Deoxys-D as setup fodder unless it's running Taunt. Similarly, non-Thunder Wave variants will let faster sweepers like Armarouge and Gyarados set up with impunity.
**Bug-type Attacks**: Bug-types like Slither Wing and Kleavor easily scare Deoxys-D out. Pokemon that carry U-turn are a particular threat because even if Deoxys-D walls them on paper, it can falter when forced to switch in too many times, and a weakaned Deoxys-D is much easier to take advantage of since it must click Recover.
*Ghost-types**: Gengar can potentially set up against or irreparably damage Deoxys-D. Basculegion-F and Golurk can switch into Deoxys-D and threaten it out easily; Golurk can even block its Thunder Wave. None of these Pokemon likes to take a Knock Off, and Gengar and Basculegion-F must be wary of Paralysis.
**Chip Damage**: Entry hazards can wear down Deoxys-D easily throughout the match, forcing it to waste turns clicking Recover. Deoxys-D has a tendency to get knocked because its often a switch in to Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos and Mamoswine, which can make entry hazards problematic. Similarly, although Deoxys-D checks Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos, Jirachi, and Barraskewda, if they click U-turn or Flip Turn it will cause a lot of chip damage, which can compromise Deoxys-D's ability to pivot effectively.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zizalith.410251/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sir-tetris.655207/
Grammar checked by:
Deoxys-D's access to the highly coveted Teleport is complemented by its excellent supportive movepool and high defenses. This gives it a niche in being a slow pivot that can take a strong hit and safely bring in another teammate to threaten the opposing team, often creating setup opportunities. Additionally, it's a great physically defensive blanket check for offensive teams that lack a defensive backbone to fall back on. Deoxys-D has a wide utility movepool that can benefit more defensive teams as well, since it has access to moves such as Knock Off, Taunt, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Thunder Wave, all of which help it make progress against slower teams. Deoxys-D also removes items quite easily, inviting in Pokemon such as Bisharp, Registeel, and Golurk, none of which appreciate Knock Off. However, Deoxys-D has many flaws that prevent it from being common. It has a bad defensive typing that leaves it vulnerable to common Pokemon like Krookodile, Slither Wing, and Gengar as well as the ubiquitous U-turn from the likes of Galarian Zapdos and Jirachi, which can lead to it being overwhelmed by the very Pokemon it's supposed to check. Furthermore, it's very weak and passive, making it easy setup fodder for the likes of Reuniclus, Lum Berry Salamence, and Armarouge. Deoxys-D suffers from 4-moveslot syndrome, forcing it to choose between being able to disrupt its foes or making long-term progress with Spikes. Finally, Deoxys-D faces strong competition from Pokemon such as Jirachi, Slowbro, Gligar, and Klefki, all of which can either pivot, set hazards, or wall Pokemon more effectively.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Teleport
move 2: Recover
move 3: Knock Off / Thunder Wave / Psychic Noise
move 4: Spikes / Taunt / Thunder Wave
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Colbur Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe or 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
tera type: Ghost / Fairy / Water
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Deoxys-D has many viable options for moves, and it's possible to mix and match any combination if it might fit its team better. Teleport supports its teammates with slow pivoting. Knock Off is an excellent support move and synergizes well with the entry hazards that Deoxys-D sets, helping wear down Pokemon like Cyclizar, Bisharp, and Talonflame as well as hitting Gengar and Basculegion-F. Thunder Wave helps prevent it from being setup fodder against Pokemon like Armarouge, Gengar, and Gyarados. With a Bold nature, Psychic Noise can hit Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos, Galarian Weezing, and Terrakion. Taunt can be very useful in preventing Deoxys-D from getting statused, preventing hazards from being laid, and preventing slow setup sweepers like Slowbro, Suicune, and Oricorio-E from setting up on its face. For both Taunt and Psychic Noise, preventing walls like Empoleon and Hippowdon from healing can put pressure on the opposing team in tandem with Teleport safely letting in wallbreakers. Spikes is preferred because Deoxys-D can set up multiple layers to pressure the opposing team, although Stealth Rock should be used instead if it cannot be fit somewhere else on the team. Heavy-Duty Boots helps with pivoting by minimizing chip damage. Colbur Berry improves its matchup against Knock Off users such as Galarian Zapdos, Krookodile, and Mamoswine, and is particularly useful on offense teams where switching into these can be very hard otherwise. 16 Speed EVs let Deoxys-D outspeed offensive Hisuian Goodra and Magnezone and use Knock Off before they can attack. The rest is dumped into Defense to switch Galarian Zapdos and Mamoswine better. A specially defensive spread is a viable alternative if running Deoxys-D with other physical walls like Hippowdon, Klefki, and Wo-Chien, letting it switch into Pokemon like Armarouge and Volcanion and cripple them or pivot out; 96 Spe lets it outspeed Volcanion. Pressure lessens the chance of Jirachi flinching Deoxys-D to death, as well as draining low PP moves such as Entei's Sacred Fire and Volcanion's Steam Eruption. Tera Ghost lets Deoxys-D spinblock Cyclizar, ensuring its hazards stay up; counter Maushold; and gain a useful Bug resistance, aiding it against U-turn. If the team already has a spinblocker or keeping Spikes on the field isn't central to the team's game plan, other Teras can be useful as well; Tera Fairy gives Deoxys-D a better defensive typing that allows it switch into Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos, Krookodile, and Slither Wing more consistently, Tera Water completely walls Volcanion and helps against Pokemon like Barraskewda and Basculegion-F. Both Teras also get rid of Deoxys-D's Bug and Ghost weaknesses.
Deoxys-D is an excellent support Pokemon on offensive structures because it provides a defensive blanket check and can easily pivot into more threatening teammates with Teleport; most of the tier's offensive Pokemon appreciate getting in safely. Deoxys-D is also a decent option on balance teams, where it can make consistent progress with its various utility moves. Slow or frail wallbreakers such as Mamoswine, Volcanion, and Gallade can use slow pivot support to safely break holes into the opposing team in the early game. The holes opened up by them can then be exploited later on by sweepers and cleaners such as Maushold, Salamence, and Galarian Zapdos. In return, Deoxys-D can help pave the way for a sweep with its utility moves and pivoting support. If Deoxys-D is running a set without Thunder Wave, setup sweepers like Armarouge, Salamence, and Gyarados can easily take advantage of it. Therefore, priority users like Mimikyu, Entei, Slither Wing, and Mamowsine can help alleviate this concern. Cyclizar complements Spikes Deoxys-D quite well, since Rapid Spin doesn't remove hazards on the opposing side unlike Defog Talonflame and Noivern. On top of that, it checks problematic Ghost-types like Basculegion-F and Gengar for Deoxys-D; Krookodile can do the same and also set Stealth Rock. Since Deoxys-D can struggle against VoltTurn, Pokemon like Talonflame and Hippowdon can discourage the use of U-turn and Volt Switch on more defensive builds. Checks to Dark-types, like Galarian Zapdos, Slither Wing, and Chensaught are necessary to deal with Bisharp and Krookodile. Galarian Zapdos and Slither Wing can form a pivoting core with Deoxys-D while offering Knock Off and priority, respectively. Stealth Rock setters like Terrakion, Krookodile, and Hippowdon let Deoxys-D run Spikes and can form a hazard stacking core with it. On Spikes stacking teams, additional Knock Off support from the likes of Krookodile and Wo-Chien is useful to remove Heavy-Duty Boots, and pivots that threaten each other's checks, such as Galarian Zapdos and Basculegion-F or Fezandipiti and Choice Specs Magnezone can maximize chip damage quickly by repeatedly threatening out foes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Leftovers is an alternative if running Spikes in conjunction with Cyclizar, simultaneously lessening pressure to constantly use Recover and making it easier to set multiple rounds of Spikes. Rocky Helmet punishes Maushold and prevents Jirachi from trying to flinch Deoxys-D until it gets KOed. Tera Steel gives it a Flying- and Bug-type resistance and much more valuable defensive typing, although it makes it weaker to wallbreakers like Mamoswine. Future Sight could be used to force switches with Teleport to maneuver into an advantageous situation, but it is often too weak. Night Shade gives Deoxys-D consistent, if middling, damage. Mental Herb can negate Taunt from the likes of Krookodile and Fezandipiti once, but other items are more consistent. Deoxys-D can sweep with a moveset of Cosmic Power / Stored Power / Recover / Night Shade, but it often gets overwhelmed and hates the prevalence of Dark-types.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Bisharp, Krookodile, and Crawdaunt can switch into anything Deoxys-D can throw at them and set up or threaten it out with super effective STAB attacks. However, they usually don't appreciate Knock Off, and some cannot break through Deoxys-D if it's running Colbur Berry.
**Setup Sweepers**: Slow setup sweepers like Reuniclus and Registeel can use Deoxys-D as setup fodder unless it's running Taunt. Similarly, non-Thunder Wave variants will let faster sweepers like Armarouge and Gyarados set up with impunity.
**Bug-type Attacks**: Bug-types like Slither Wing and Kleavor easily scare Deoxys-D out. Pokemon that carry U-turn are a particular threat because even if Deoxys-D walls them on paper, it can falter when forced to switch in too many times, and a weakaned Deoxys-D is much easier to take advantage of since it must click Recover.
*Ghost-types**: Gengar can potentially set up against or irreparably damage Deoxys-D. Basculegion-F and Golurk can switch into Deoxys-D and threaten it out easily; Golurk can even block its Thunder Wave. None of these Pokemon likes to take a Knock Off, and Gengar and Basculegion-F must be wary of Paralysis.
**Chip Damage**: Entry hazards can wear down Deoxys-D easily throughout the match, forcing it to waste turns clicking Recover. Deoxys-D has a tendency to get knocked because its often a switch in to Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos and Mamoswine, which can make entry hazards problematic. Similarly, although Deoxys-D checks Pokemon like Galarian Zapdos, Jirachi, and Barraskewda, if they click U-turn or Flip Turn it will cause a lot of chip damage, which can compromise Deoxys-D's ability to pivot effectively.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zizalith.410251/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sir-tetris.655207/
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
