[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys-D has very good mixed defenses and an amazing movepool. It can check a number of threats resiliently with Recover, most notably Latios as well as Metagross, Rayquaza, and Mewtwo lacking Substitute. Unlike other Spikes users, Deoxys-D has acceptable lead matchups, often getting Spikes up early in the game. Knock Off and Spikes are both widely although not immediately threatening, and a fast Taunt beats Pokemon that are otherwise hard to reliably counter. As Deoxys-D at worst trades with Explosion and Self-Destruct users it protects other more valuable members of its team from those moves. Pressure is a very useful ability, letting it reduce opposing Pokemon's PP quickly to make them either have to staop attacking Deoxys-D or risk being unable to damage its teammates.
Nevertheless, its excellent movepool leaves it with more useful moves than it has moveslots for. On stall, it is often in competition with Ho-Oh for a teamslot, which also absorbs Explosion and Self-Destruct reliably and is also capable of making progress, while furthermore being a reliable Deoxys-A check. Unlike Ho-Oh, Deoxys-D threatens long-term progress rather than immediate damage, leaving it vulnerable to setup from SubCM Pokemon and Curse+Rest Snorlax. Finally, Deoxys-D cannot be used alongside the overall much better Deoxys-A, not only precluding the latter as a team option on offense but often immediately telegraphing your lack of Deoxys-A to your opponent; thus Deoxys-D fits best on stall wanting to make use of its slow progress and ability to absorb Explosion and Self-Destruct. However, Deoxys-D can also be used on offense wanting Spikes up as quickly as possible.
[SET]
name: Stall Lead
move 1: Recover
move 2: Seismic Toss / Toxic
move 3: Knock Off / Taunt
move 4: Taunt / Knock Off / Spikes
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
On stall, Deoxys-D pressures Metagross and lead Mewtwo enough to usually force them to either switch out or use Explosion or Self-Destruct, and uses its excellent movepool to make incremental progress. Knock Off debilitates Latios and Latias and scares nearly every other Pokemon long-term, but can only hit each Pokemon once. Knock Off and Spikes, whether the latter is on Deoxys-D or a teammate, pair well if you can Knock Off a Metagross', Snorlax', Forretress', Kyogre's, or Groudon's Leftovers, as these Pokemon will quickly accrue damage through Spikes without being cushioned by Leftovers. Taunt prevents setup from Groudon and Forretress, and Toxic from Blissey, as well as Encore from Wobbuffet. Seismic Toss lets it threaten Mewtwo enough to usually force it to switch or Self-Destruct, as well as letting Deoxys-D check Metagross and wear down Forretress. Alternatively, Toxic lets Deoxys-D stall out Mewtwo leads by Knocking Off their Lum Berry, Toxicing, then Recovering repeatedly, and trades ability to hit Metagross for greater damage over time, the ability to threaten Pokemon that can set up as they switch in, and the ability to push through Pokemon that can otherwise wall Deoxys-D via recovery. While Deoxys-D is generally very effective against slower-paced teams, Spikes combined with Knock Off is particularly valuable against Forretress, as the opponent is forced to either allow their Forretress to lose its Leftovers and thereby usually lose the Spikes game long-term, or accept Spikes immediately and lose it short-term. Taunt similarly lets Deoxys-D pressure defensive teams very effectively, forcing them to switch or waste attacking PP.
96 Speed outpaces maximum Speed neutral nature Metagross, letting you check it more reliably, and many Kyogre and Groudon, allowing you to usually prevent their setup; the remaining EVs are put in Special Defense to better check Mewtwo and Latios, and almost always avoid being 2HKOed by +2 modest Mewtwo's Ice Beam. If running Taunt, a faster spread of 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Timid nature outspeeds every Metagross, almost all Kyogre and Groudon, adamant Rayquaza, all Heracross, and also Smeargle, completely neutralizing the last of these; reduced Special Defense investment leaves it less resilient to Mewtwo's and Latios' attacks, however. Deoxys-D is vulnerable to all forms of status, particularly paralysis from Latios' Thunder, and care must be taken to avoid risking status landing on it.
Deoxys-D can drop Seismic Toss entirely for a third utility move if its team has a strong Mewtwo and Metagross check otherwise. This set can function in a teamslot that is not the lead, which allows its team to lead Groudon and both get up Sun early and obscure the teamstyle briefly. If facing a lead Mewtwo, this will lose Deoxys-D one turn to check it but the presence of Sun will prevent freezes and block Thunders.
Team Options
========
Blissey's Heal Bell is valuable to remove the status that Deoxys-D struggles with, and to check Latios and Latias more sturdily if Deoxys-D is weakened or eliminated or if rain is up. Forretress's Rapid Spin prevents Deoxys-D's team from being worn down by Spikes. Forretress' Spikes make it easier to forego Spikes on your own Deoxys-D. Groudon's sun blocks Thunders, making Deoxys-D a much more reliable switchin to Latios.
Kyogre will make Deoxys-D much more vulnerable to Latios but precludes Ho-Oh, with which Deoxys-D is otherwise in competition. A resilient check to Heracross such as Lugia, to Snorlax such as Bulk Up Groudon, and to SubCMers such as Latias are all necessary to alleviate the weaknesses Deoxys-D has to these Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Offense Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Seismic Toss / Fire Punch
move 4: Recover / Thunder Wave / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
On offense, Deoxys-D's job is to quickly set Spikes versus most common leads. Taunt both prevents opposing Pokemon like Kyogre and Groudon from setting up while Spikes are being set and blocks Forretress' attempts to set its own Spikes, and is particularly useful against defensive teams, letting it waste their PP, spread damage around, and get Spikes up more reliably. Fire Punch or Seismic Toss hits Forretress if it attempts to prevent Spikes, with the former hitting it harder but having more narrow application and leaving you weaker to Mewtwo. The last moveslot is flexible, with Recover allowing Deoxys-D to act as a stronger defensive piece and potentially set Spikes later in the game if they are removed being overall the most valuable, Thunder Wave discouraging setup and providing speed advantage or a free turn to your incoming Pokemon, and Knock Off allowing Deoxys-D to hit Latios very hard. It is possible to use Psycho Boost in this slot to reduce Deoxys-D's weakness to Heracross. 252 Speed with a Timid nature is sufficient to nearly always outspeed opposing Kyogre and Groudon, always outspeed Heracross, and outspeed Adamant Rayquaza, and 252 HP and 4 SpD give Deoxys-D excellent mixed bulk. A Calm nature is possible, letting Deoxys-D check Latios more effectively, in exchange for worse matchups into SubSalac Groudon, Heracross, and Rayquaza.
Because Deoxys-D is valuable on offense to set Spikes early and reliably, care should be taken when building and playing to prevent opposing Forretress from spinning, or at least to trade significant progress for the spin. If not running Recover, Deoxys-D cannot reliably set Spikes later in the game, so allowing the opponent to spin is particularly to be avoided.
Team Options
========
Groudon's sun is crucial to allow Deoxys-D's teammates to KO Forretress with fire moves before it can spin. Sun also allows Deoxys-D to more reliably check Latios if using Recover. Ho-Oh provides a switchin to Heracross, which comes in on Deoxys-D and threatens to KO it. Rayquaza is a good partner, providing priority to the team and potentially both breaking and cleaning ability. Gengar can spinblock, significantly improving the team's ability to keep Spikes up against Forretress.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A physically defensive spread is viable, which checks Metagross and Rayquaza more effectively, at peril of being weaker to lead Mewtwo; it fits best on teams that otherwise can handle Mewtwo well.
- Fire Punch on the Stall set can hit Forretress and Metagross much harder but cannot hit Mewtwo.
- A set with Cosmic Power, Recover, Seismic Toss, and Taunt or Knock Off can very reliably wall lead Mewtwo and Metagross, but loses an important utility moveslot.
- Night Shade can be used instead of Seismic Toss, especially if not running Knock Off, to hit Gengar on teams that have difficulty with it, but this leaves Deoxys-D unable to directly harm Snorlax and Blissey. If not running Taunt, Night Shade is preferable, as Deoxys-D cannot beat Blissey or Rest Snorlax without Taunt.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Heracross**: Heracross' Megahorn threatens to KO Deoxys-D, giving Heracross a free hit on Deoxys-D's team's check or else a chance to set up. Heracross will often either let a Spike up on the switch or lose its item, however.
**Powerful attacks**: Deoxys-D's mixed bulk isn't quite sufficient to take the strongest attacks in the tier, so attacks like Modest Kyogre's Hydro Pump and Deoxys-A's Shadow Ball can threaten Deoxys-D out if you can get your check in safely. Switching into Deoxys-D risks allowing a Spike or losing an item, however.
**Forretress**: Forretress can spin Deoxys-D's Spikes away, but will lose its item and potentially take a Seismic Toss or two or even a Fire Punch. Losing Forretress health may not be a worthwhile trade when playing against stall and it cannot reliably keep Spikes off against Deoxys-D.
**Setup**: Deoxys-D's counterplay to setup is limited, mostly consisting of Seismic Toss and Taunt. Setup that can bypass these, such as a SubCMer faster than Deoxys-D like Mewtwo or one that can paralyze Deoxys-D and heal like Rest+Curse+Body Slam Snorlax can boost on Deoxys-D. Even a slower setup Pokemon can force Deoxys-D to Taunt every second turn and attack twice, usually enough to outdamage Deoxys-D's Recover.
**Status**: Deoxys-D is vulnerable to status, particularly status that bypasses Taunt such as status inflicted by moves not blocked by Taunt such as Body Slam; status inflicted by Pokemon faster than Deoxys-D; and status inflicted as Deoxys-D switches in.
**Recovery**: Deoxys-D's threat on stall is limited to Spikes, Knock Off, and Seismic Toss, so a team with reliable Spikes counterplay or that is willing to accept Spikes can allow a Pokemon with a recovery move such as Ho-Oh or Lugia to lose its item and thereafter wall Deoxys-D.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ajencis.479200/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
user 2
Grammar checked by:
gp1
gp2
Deoxys-D has very good mixed defenses and an amazing movepool. It can check a number of threats resiliently with Recover, most notably Latios as well as Metagross, Rayquaza, and Mewtwo lacking Substitute. Unlike other Spikes users, Deoxys-D has acceptable lead matchups, often getting Spikes up early in the game. Knock Off and Spikes are both widely although not immediately threatening, and a fast Taunt beats Pokemon that are otherwise hard to reliably counter. As Deoxys-D at worst trades with Explosion and Self-Destruct users it protects other more valuable members of its team from those moves. Pressure is a very useful ability, letting it reduce opposing Pokemon's PP quickly to make them either have to staop attacking Deoxys-D or risk being unable to damage its teammates.
Nevertheless, its excellent movepool leaves it with more useful moves than it has moveslots for. On stall, it is often in competition with Ho-Oh for a teamslot, which also absorbs Explosion and Self-Destruct reliably and is also capable of making progress, while furthermore being a reliable Deoxys-A check. Unlike Ho-Oh, Deoxys-D threatens long-term progress rather than immediate damage, leaving it vulnerable to setup from SubCM Pokemon and Curse+Rest Snorlax. Finally, Deoxys-D cannot be used alongside the overall much better Deoxys-A, not only precluding the latter as a team option on offense but often immediately telegraphing your lack of Deoxys-A to your opponent; thus Deoxys-D fits best on stall wanting to make use of its slow progress and ability to absorb Explosion and Self-Destruct. However, Deoxys-D can also be used on offense wanting Spikes up as quickly as possible.
[SET]
name: Stall Lead
move 1: Recover
move 2: Seismic Toss / Toxic
move 3: Knock Off / Taunt
move 4: Taunt / Knock Off / Spikes
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
On stall, Deoxys-D pressures Metagross and lead Mewtwo enough to usually force them to either switch out or use Explosion or Self-Destruct, and uses its excellent movepool to make incremental progress. Knock Off debilitates Latios and Latias and scares nearly every other Pokemon long-term, but can only hit each Pokemon once. Knock Off and Spikes, whether the latter is on Deoxys-D or a teammate, pair well if you can Knock Off a Metagross', Snorlax', Forretress', Kyogre's, or Groudon's Leftovers, as these Pokemon will quickly accrue damage through Spikes without being cushioned by Leftovers. Taunt prevents setup from Groudon and Forretress, and Toxic from Blissey, as well as Encore from Wobbuffet. Seismic Toss lets it threaten Mewtwo enough to usually force it to switch or Self-Destruct, as well as letting Deoxys-D check Metagross and wear down Forretress. Alternatively, Toxic lets Deoxys-D stall out Mewtwo leads by Knocking Off their Lum Berry, Toxicing, then Recovering repeatedly, and trades ability to hit Metagross for greater damage over time, the ability to threaten Pokemon that can set up as they switch in, and the ability to push through Pokemon that can otherwise wall Deoxys-D via recovery. While Deoxys-D is generally very effective against slower-paced teams, Spikes combined with Knock Off is particularly valuable against Forretress, as the opponent is forced to either allow their Forretress to lose its Leftovers and thereby usually lose the Spikes game long-term, or accept Spikes immediately and lose it short-term. Taunt similarly lets Deoxys-D pressure defensive teams very effectively, forcing them to switch or waste attacking PP.
96 Speed outpaces maximum Speed neutral nature Metagross, letting you check it more reliably, and many Kyogre and Groudon, allowing you to usually prevent their setup; the remaining EVs are put in Special Defense to better check Mewtwo and Latios, and almost always avoid being 2HKOed by +2 modest Mewtwo's Ice Beam. If running Taunt, a faster spread of 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Timid nature outspeeds every Metagross, almost all Kyogre and Groudon, adamant Rayquaza, all Heracross, and also Smeargle, completely neutralizing the last of these; reduced Special Defense investment leaves it less resilient to Mewtwo's and Latios' attacks, however. Deoxys-D is vulnerable to all forms of status, particularly paralysis from Latios' Thunder, and care must be taken to avoid risking status landing on it.
Deoxys-D can drop Seismic Toss entirely for a third utility move if its team has a strong Mewtwo and Metagross check otherwise. This set can function in a teamslot that is not the lead, which allows its team to lead Groudon and both get up Sun early and obscure the teamstyle briefly. If facing a lead Mewtwo, this will lose Deoxys-D one turn to check it but the presence of Sun will prevent freezes and block Thunders.
Team Options
========
Blissey's Heal Bell is valuable to remove the status that Deoxys-D struggles with, and to check Latios and Latias more sturdily if Deoxys-D is weakened or eliminated or if rain is up. Forretress's Rapid Spin prevents Deoxys-D's team from being worn down by Spikes. Forretress' Spikes make it easier to forego Spikes on your own Deoxys-D. Groudon's sun blocks Thunders, making Deoxys-D a much more reliable switchin to Latios.
Kyogre will make Deoxys-D much more vulnerable to Latios but precludes Ho-Oh, with which Deoxys-D is otherwise in competition. A resilient check to Heracross such as Lugia, to Snorlax such as Bulk Up Groudon, and to SubCMers such as Latias are all necessary to alleviate the weaknesses Deoxys-D has to these Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Offense Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Seismic Toss / Fire Punch
move 4: Recover / Thunder Wave / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
On offense, Deoxys-D's job is to quickly set Spikes versus most common leads. Taunt both prevents opposing Pokemon like Kyogre and Groudon from setting up while Spikes are being set and blocks Forretress' attempts to set its own Spikes, and is particularly useful against defensive teams, letting it waste their PP, spread damage around, and get Spikes up more reliably. Fire Punch or Seismic Toss hits Forretress if it attempts to prevent Spikes, with the former hitting it harder but having more narrow application and leaving you weaker to Mewtwo. The last moveslot is flexible, with Recover allowing Deoxys-D to act as a stronger defensive piece and potentially set Spikes later in the game if they are removed being overall the most valuable, Thunder Wave discouraging setup and providing speed advantage or a free turn to your incoming Pokemon, and Knock Off allowing Deoxys-D to hit Latios very hard. It is possible to use Psycho Boost in this slot to reduce Deoxys-D's weakness to Heracross. 252 Speed with a Timid nature is sufficient to nearly always outspeed opposing Kyogre and Groudon, always outspeed Heracross, and outspeed Adamant Rayquaza, and 252 HP and 4 SpD give Deoxys-D excellent mixed bulk. A Calm nature is possible, letting Deoxys-D check Latios more effectively, in exchange for worse matchups into SubSalac Groudon, Heracross, and Rayquaza.
Because Deoxys-D is valuable on offense to set Spikes early and reliably, care should be taken when building and playing to prevent opposing Forretress from spinning, or at least to trade significant progress for the spin. If not running Recover, Deoxys-D cannot reliably set Spikes later in the game, so allowing the opponent to spin is particularly to be avoided.
Team Options
========
Groudon's sun is crucial to allow Deoxys-D's teammates to KO Forretress with fire moves before it can spin. Sun also allows Deoxys-D to more reliably check Latios if using Recover. Ho-Oh provides a switchin to Heracross, which comes in on Deoxys-D and threatens to KO it. Rayquaza is a good partner, providing priority to the team and potentially both breaking and cleaning ability. Gengar can spinblock, significantly improving the team's ability to keep Spikes up against Forretress.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A physically defensive spread is viable, which checks Metagross and Rayquaza more effectively, at peril of being weaker to lead Mewtwo; it fits best on teams that otherwise can handle Mewtwo well.
- Fire Punch on the Stall set can hit Forretress and Metagross much harder but cannot hit Mewtwo.
- A set with Cosmic Power, Recover, Seismic Toss, and Taunt or Knock Off can very reliably wall lead Mewtwo and Metagross, but loses an important utility moveslot.
- Night Shade can be used instead of Seismic Toss, especially if not running Knock Off, to hit Gengar on teams that have difficulty with it, but this leaves Deoxys-D unable to directly harm Snorlax and Blissey. If not running Taunt, Night Shade is preferable, as Deoxys-D cannot beat Blissey or Rest Snorlax without Taunt.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Heracross**: Heracross' Megahorn threatens to KO Deoxys-D, giving Heracross a free hit on Deoxys-D's team's check or else a chance to set up. Heracross will often either let a Spike up on the switch or lose its item, however.
**Powerful attacks**: Deoxys-D's mixed bulk isn't quite sufficient to take the strongest attacks in the tier, so attacks like Modest Kyogre's Hydro Pump and Deoxys-A's Shadow Ball can threaten Deoxys-D out if you can get your check in safely. Switching into Deoxys-D risks allowing a Spike or losing an item, however.
**Forretress**: Forretress can spin Deoxys-D's Spikes away, but will lose its item and potentially take a Seismic Toss or two or even a Fire Punch. Losing Forretress health may not be a worthwhile trade when playing against stall and it cannot reliably keep Spikes off against Deoxys-D.
**Setup**: Deoxys-D's counterplay to setup is limited, mostly consisting of Seismic Toss and Taunt. Setup that can bypass these, such as a SubCMer faster than Deoxys-D like Mewtwo or one that can paralyze Deoxys-D and heal like Rest+Curse+Body Slam Snorlax can boost on Deoxys-D. Even a slower setup Pokemon can force Deoxys-D to Taunt every second turn and attack twice, usually enough to outdamage Deoxys-D's Recover.
**Status**: Deoxys-D is vulnerable to status, particularly status that bypasses Taunt such as status inflicted by moves not blocked by Taunt such as Body Slam; status inflicted by Pokemon faster than Deoxys-D; and status inflicted as Deoxys-D switches in.
**Recovery**: Deoxys-D's threat on stall is limited to Spikes, Knock Off, and Seismic Toss, so a team with reliable Spikes counterplay or that is willing to accept Spikes can allow a Pokemon with a recovery move such as Ho-Oh or Lugia to lose its item and thereafter wall Deoxys-D.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ajencis.479200/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
user 2
Grammar checked by:
gp1
gp2
Last edited:
