[Overview]
<p>Donphan's main role in the standard OU metagame is to spin away hazards and set up Stealth Rock. However, with entry hazards being extremely rare in the VGC metagame, one might wonder why they would use Donphan at all. Despite this, Donphan still boasts respectable stats, fine typing, and an amazing ability in Sturdy, and its low speed also makes it a perfect candidate for a Trick Room attacker. Although it seems outclassed by Gigalith and Rhyperior in that respect, Donphan has a few quirks that sets it apart from them: it has an amazing priority move, and has less weaknesses than both the former Pokemon. If you need a sturdy physical attacker for your Trick Room team, Donphan is the way to go.</p>
[SET]
name: Trick Room Attacker
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Ice Shard / Seed Bomb
move 4: Protect
item: Expert Belt / Ground Gem
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is meant to emphasize Donphan's fine 120 Base Attack stat and it ability to shine as a Trick Room sweeper. Earthquake is the best STAB Donphan has, turning ridiculously powerful if a Ground Gem is being used. Rock Slide hits Flying-types such as Zapdos and Thundurus well, which Donphan usually has trouble with. Ice Shard has priority, and can effectively check Gliscor, Dragonite, and non-Yache Berry Garchomp and Salamence extremely well. However, Seed Bomb is a tempting option for the third moveslot, as it allows Donphan destroy many of the Water and Ground types that wall it, such as Gastrodon and Swampert. Protect is a standard move in the VGC metagame, and will allow Donphan's partner to take care of a threat.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 EVs are put in HP and Attack and 4 in Defense, maximizing Donphan's survivability and its power. A Brave Nature is run so that Donphan can easily outpace many Pokemon under Trick Room.</p>
<p>Trick Room partners immune to Donphan's Earthquake such as Cresselia, Bronzong, and Musharna form perfect synergy with Donphan. Pokemon with Discharge such as Zapdos and Eelektross, who are also immune to Earthquake, deal damage to opponents while Donphan takes no damage, also forming an effective combo. Gastrodon absorbs all water moves except for Surf and Muddy Water away from Donphan, letting it have one less weakness to worry about.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Superpower hits a variety of things well, but it causes Donphan to be much less useful after its Attack and Defense are lowered, and Earthquake hits better anyways. Fire Fang can deal with Scizor and Escavalier specifically, but again, Earthquake is a more reliable move to hit Steel-types. Thunder Fang hits Gyarados and other Water-types well enough, but Rock Slide is a better way at checking Flying-types, and Seed Bomb hits Water-type Pokemon better. Head Smash is a very powerful alternative to Rock Slide and can OHKO Zapdos, but is repetitive with Sturdy. Stone Edge is another option to run over Rock Slide or Head Smash, as it is powerful and lacks the nasty recoil Head Smash has, but its accuracy is risky. Counter can catch many physical attackers off-guard, but Donphan runs the offensive game better than defensive. Because Donphan has Sturdy, it has a good chance of setting up Sandstorm in case one doesn't want to use Tyranitar or Hippowdon. Knock Off can majorly screw an opponent's strategy by knocking off a Choice Scarf or a berry, but isn't really worth giving up one of Donphan's essential moves. Because of Sturdy and its natural bulk, Donphan can effectively utilize a Chesto-Rest set, and Yache Berry allows Donphan to live an Abomasnow's Blizzard and the Hail damage on the same turn, however the loss in power can be dissapointing.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Rain and most Water-types are Donphan's worst enemy, as nearly nearly all Water-type moves in and out of rain will knock Donphan down to Sturdy instantaneously. Hail is another weather that checks Donphan well, instantly getting rid of Sturdy. Priority moves such as Scizor's Bullet Punch or Azumarill's Aqua Jet finish off Donphan when it is knocked down to Sturdy. Wide Guard Pokemon such as Hitmontop sponge Earthquake and Rock Slide, and Pokemon that counter Trick Room make Donphan much less effective, making it too slow to do much work. Sableye or Duscolps can also shut down Donphan, with Will-o-Wisp, reducing its power tremendously. Amoonguss is an effective counter, outpacing Donphan in Trick Room, taking minimum damage from all of Donphan's attacks, and hitting back hard with Spore and Giga Drain. Cloyster is another huge counter, as it can completely bypass Sturdy with Icicle Spear.</p>
[Unreleased]
<p>Sand Veil could be utilized if Donphan was on a Sandstorm team, but with such insanely powerful attackers running around the VGC metagame, Sturdy is the safer, more reliable choice.</p>
