[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 lets it beat Pokemon that are otherwise hard to reliably counter. As Deoxys-D at worst trades with Explosion and Self-Destruct users, it protects 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 stop 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, as it also absorbs Explosion and Self-Destruct reliably and is capable of making progress while furthermore being a reliable Deoxys-A check. Unlike Ho-Oh, Deoxys-D threatens with long-term progress rather than with 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 teams 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 teams 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 it uses its excellent movepool to make incremental progress. Knock Off debilitates Latios and Latias and scares nearly every other Pokemon long-term, but it can only affect each Pokemon once. Knock Off and Spikes, whether the latter is on Deoxys-D or a teammate, pair well if you can remove Leftovers from Metagross, Snorlax, Forretress, Kyogre, and Groudon, 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 use Self-Destruct as well as letting Deoxys-D check Metagross and wear down Forretress. Alternatively, Toxic lets Deoxys-D stall out Mewtwo leads by removing their Lum Berries, badly poisoning them, then repeatedly healing with Recover, and it trades the ability to hit Metagross for greater damage over time for the ability to threaten Pokemon that can set up as they switch in and 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 EVs lets Deoxys-D outpace neutral-natured Metagross, letting it check Metagross more reliably, and many Kyogre and Groudon, allowing it to usually prevent their setup; the remaining EVs are put into Special Defense to better check Mewtwo and Latios and almost always avoid being 2HKOed by +2 Modest Mewtwo's Ice Beam. If Deoxys-D is running Taunt, a faster spread of 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Timid nature lets it outspeed every Metagross, almost all Kyogre and Groudon, Adamant Rayquaza, Heracross, and Smeargle, completely neutralizing the latter; the reduced Special Defense investment leaves it less resilient to Mewtwo's and Latios's attacks, however. Deoxys-D is vulnerable to all forms of status, particularly paralysis from Latios's 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 you're facing a lead Mewtwo, Deoxys-D will lose one turn to check it, (AC) but the presence of sun will prevent freezing and discourage Thunder.
Team Options
========
Blissey's Heal Bell is valuable to remove the status that Deoxys-D struggles with, and it can 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's Spikes makes it easier for Deoxys-D to forgo using it. Groudon's sun discourages Thunder, making Deoxys-D a much more reliable switch-in to Latios. Deoxys-D can be run with Kyogre, as the former is in competition with Ho-Oh for a teamslot, which ought not be run alongside the latter. Kyogre, however, makes Deoxys-D much more vulnerable to Latios. Resilient checks to Heracross, Snorlax, and SubCM Pokemon such as Lugia, Bulk Up Groudon, and Latias, respectively, 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's attempts to set its own Spikes, and it's particularly useful against defensive teams, letting Deoxys-D waste foes' 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 narrower general application and leaving Deoxys-D weaker to Mewtwo. Recover allows Deoxys-D to act as a stronger defensive piece and potentially set Spikes later in the game if they are removed, (AC) making it overall the most valuable move in the last moveslot, while Thunder Wave discourages setup and provides a Speed advantage or a free turn to your incoming Pokemon, and Knock Off allows 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 EVs with a Timid nature is sufficient to outspeed opposing Kyogre and Groudon nearly always, Heracross, and Adamant Rayquaza, and 252 HP and 4 Special Defense EVs give Deoxys-D excellent mixed bulk. A Calm nature is possible, letting Deoxys-D check Latios more effectively in exchange for worse matchups against 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 make them trade significant progress to spin away. If it's not running Recover, Deoxys-D cannot reliably set Spikes later in the game, so allowing the foe to spin should particularly be avoided.
Team Options
========
Groudon's sun is crucial to allow Deoxys-D's teammates to KO Forretress with Fire-type moves before it can spin. Sun also allows Deoxys-D to more reliably check Latios if it's using Recover. Ho-Oh acts as a switch-in to Heracross, which comes in on Deoxys-D and threatens to KO it. Rayquaza provides priority to the team and potentially both wallbreaking 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 lets Deoxys-D check Metagross and Rayquaza more effectively at the 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 it loses an important utility moveslot. Night Shade can be used instead of Seismic Toss, especially if Deoxys-D is 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 it's not running Taunt, Night Shade is preferable, as Deoxys-D cannot beat Blissey or Rest Snorlax without Taunt.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Heracross**: Heracross's Megahorn threatens to KO Deoxys-D, giving Heracross a free hit on its team's check or else a chance to set up. Heracross will often either let a layer of Spikes get set 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 layer of Spikes being set up or losing an item, however.
**Forretress**: Forretress can spin Deoxys-D's Spikes away, but it will lose its item and potentially take a Seismic Toss or two or even a Fire Punch. Losing Forretress's health may not be a worthwhile trade when you're playing against stall, (AC) and it cannot reliably keep Spikes off against Deoxys-D.
**Setup**: Deoxys-D's counterplay to setup Pokemon is limited, mostly consisting of Seismic Toss and Taunt. Setup Pokemon that can bypass these, such as a SubCM user faster than Deoxys-D like Mewtwo or one that can paralyze Deoxys-D and heal like Rest + Curse + Body Slam Snorlax, can boost on it. Even a slower setup Pokemon can force Deoxys-D to use Taunt every second turn and attack twice, usually enough to outdamage Deoxys-D's Recover.
**Status**: Deoxys-D is vulnerable to status, particularly those from Taunt-bypassing moves such as Body Slam, those inflicted by Pokemon faster than Deoxys-D, and those inflicted as Deoxys-D switches in.
**Recovery**: On stall teams, Deoxys-D's ability to threaten foes is limited to Spikes, Knock Off, and Seismic Toss, so a team that has reliable Spikes counterplay or is willing to accept Spikes damage 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/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/inspirited.127823/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
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 lets it beat Pokemon that are otherwise hard to reliably counter. As Deoxys-D at worst trades with Explosion and Self-Destruct users, it protects 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 stop 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, as it also absorbs Explosion and Self-Destruct reliably and is capable of making progress while furthermore being a reliable Deoxys-A check. Unlike Ho-Oh, Deoxys-D threatens with long-term progress rather than with 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 teams 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 teams 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 it uses its excellent movepool to make incremental progress. Knock Off debilitates Latios and Latias and scares nearly every other Pokemon long-term, but it can only affect each Pokemon once. Knock Off and Spikes, whether the latter is on Deoxys-D or a teammate, pair well if you can remove Leftovers from Metagross, Snorlax, Forretress, Kyogre, and Groudon, 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 use Self-Destruct as well as letting Deoxys-D check Metagross and wear down Forretress. Alternatively, Toxic lets Deoxys-D stall out Mewtwo leads by removing their Lum Berries, badly poisoning them, then repeatedly healing with Recover, and it trades the ability to hit Metagross for greater damage over time for the ability to threaten Pokemon that can set up as they switch in and 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 EVs lets Deoxys-D outpace neutral-natured Metagross, letting it check Metagross more reliably, and many Kyogre and Groudon, allowing it to usually prevent their setup; the remaining EVs are put into Special Defense to better check Mewtwo and Latios and almost always avoid being 2HKOed by +2 Modest Mewtwo's Ice Beam. If Deoxys-D is running Taunt, a faster spread of 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Timid nature lets it outspeed every Metagross, almost all Kyogre and Groudon, Adamant Rayquaza, Heracross, and Smeargle, completely neutralizing the latter; the reduced Special Defense investment leaves it less resilient to Mewtwo's and Latios's attacks, however. Deoxys-D is vulnerable to all forms of status, particularly paralysis from Latios's 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 you're facing a lead Mewtwo, Deoxys-D will lose one turn to check it, (AC) but the presence of sun will prevent freezing and discourage Thunder.
Team Options
========
Blissey's Heal Bell is valuable to remove the status that Deoxys-D struggles with, and it can 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's Spikes makes it easier for Deoxys-D to forgo using it. Groudon's sun discourages Thunder, making Deoxys-D a much more reliable switch-in to Latios. Deoxys-D can be run with Kyogre, as the former is in competition with Ho-Oh for a teamslot, which ought not be run alongside the latter. Kyogre, however, makes Deoxys-D much more vulnerable to Latios. Resilient checks to Heracross, Snorlax, and SubCM Pokemon such as Lugia, Bulk Up Groudon, and Latias, respectively, 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's attempts to set its own Spikes, and it's particularly useful against defensive teams, letting Deoxys-D waste foes' 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 narrower general application and leaving Deoxys-D weaker to Mewtwo. Recover allows Deoxys-D to act as a stronger defensive piece and potentially set Spikes later in the game if they are removed, (AC) making it overall the most valuable move in the last moveslot, while Thunder Wave discourages setup and provides a Speed advantage or a free turn to your incoming Pokemon, and Knock Off allows 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 EVs with a Timid nature is sufficient to outspeed opposing Kyogre and Groudon nearly always, Heracross, and Adamant Rayquaza, and 252 HP and 4 Special Defense EVs give Deoxys-D excellent mixed bulk. A Calm nature is possible, letting Deoxys-D check Latios more effectively in exchange for worse matchups against 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 make them trade significant progress to spin away. If it's not running Recover, Deoxys-D cannot reliably set Spikes later in the game, so allowing the foe to spin should particularly be avoided.
Team Options
========
Groudon's sun is crucial to allow Deoxys-D's teammates to KO Forretress with Fire-type moves before it can spin. Sun also allows Deoxys-D to more reliably check Latios if it's using Recover. Ho-Oh acts as a switch-in to Heracross, which comes in on Deoxys-D and threatens to KO it. Rayquaza provides priority to the team and potentially both wallbreaking 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 lets Deoxys-D check Metagross and Rayquaza more effectively at the 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 it loses an important utility moveslot. Night Shade can be used instead of Seismic Toss, especially if Deoxys-D is 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 it's not running Taunt, Night Shade is preferable, as Deoxys-D cannot beat Blissey or Rest Snorlax without Taunt.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Heracross**: Heracross's Megahorn threatens to KO Deoxys-D, giving Heracross a free hit on its team's check or else a chance to set up. Heracross will often either let a layer of Spikes get set 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 layer of Spikes being set up or losing an item, however.
**Forretress**: Forretress can spin Deoxys-D's Spikes away, but it will lose its item and potentially take a Seismic Toss or two or even a Fire Punch. Losing Forretress's health may not be a worthwhile trade when you're playing against stall, (AC) and it cannot reliably keep Spikes off against Deoxys-D.
**Setup**: Deoxys-D's counterplay to setup Pokemon is limited, mostly consisting of Seismic Toss and Taunt. Setup Pokemon that can bypass these, such as a SubCM user faster than Deoxys-D like Mewtwo or one that can paralyze Deoxys-D and heal like Rest + Curse + Body Slam Snorlax, can boost on it. Even a slower setup Pokemon can force Deoxys-D to use Taunt every second turn and attack twice, usually enough to outdamage Deoxys-D's Recover.
**Status**: Deoxys-D is vulnerable to status, particularly those from Taunt-bypassing moves such as Body Slam, those inflicted by Pokemon faster than Deoxys-D, and those inflicted as Deoxys-D switches in.
**Recovery**: On stall teams, Deoxys-D's ability to threaten foes is limited to Spikes, Knock Off, and Seismic Toss, so a team that has reliable Spikes counterplay or is willing to accept Spikes damage 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/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/inspirited.127823/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
gp2
Last edited:
