[OVERVIEW]
Arceus-Steel serves as a powerful hybrid Pokemon, capable of checking threats like Flutter Mane and Mega Gardevoir while sporting good offensive presence. A particularly distinguishing trait of Arceus-Steel is its ease of self-Imposter proofing as a setup Pokemon while still possessing good coverage and not being dependent on Strength Sap. Its Steel-type STAB is also valuable for being super effective on Mega Audino, the most common Ice Scales user, as well as utility Flutter Mane, who annoys most special Arceus formes. Additionally, Arceus-Steel has numerous viable variations in its ability and Plate that allow it to circumvent specific checks and/or offer additional defensive utility. Arceus-Steel also can run Ice Scales to serve as a formidable special wall against wallbreakers like Mega Gardevoir and Eternatus. Arceus-Steel's typing does leave it susceptible to the most common wallbreakers Mega Garchomp and Mega Blaziken, as well as Fire-type coverage from the likes of Eternatus and Mega Sceptile should it not have Well-Baked Body. This, combined with it also taking up the Arceus forme slot, means its teammates will be tasked with handling many dominant wallbreakers. It is also weak to Fighting-type moves from popular Pokemon like Zamazenta, and Steel offensively is only mediocre, being resisted by Pokemon such as Ho-Oh, Miraidon, and opposing Steel-types.
[SET]
Nasty Plot (Arceus-Steel) @ Fist Plate / Earth Plate
Ability: Good as Gold / Well-Baked Body / Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Tachyon Cutter / Revelation Dance
- Judgment
- Shore Up
[SET COMMENTS]
With a natural immunity to Mortal Spin, as well as self-Imposter proofing potential by resisting Imposter users' Judgment, Arceus-Steel is free to use Nasty Plot, considerably improving its offensive capabilities and turning it into a potent bulky setup attacker. It also means it can run Shore Up over Strength Sap while still beating Imposter users, allowing it to avoid having its healing denied from low Attack Pokemon like Chansey and Magic Bounce users. Tachyon Cutter is the STAB move of choice, with the multihit also useful in setup wars for higher critical hit chances, but Revelation Dance should be used on non-Good as Gold sets that need to hit Normalize users. Judgment allows Arceus-Steel to Imposter-proof itself if it runs a Plate of a type that hits itself super effectively. Fist Plate is generally the go-to option, providing coverage on Steel-types while hitting Ting-Lu and Chansey, as well as neutral coverage on Pokemon such as Celesteela. Alternatively, Earth Plate is an option on non-Levitate sets, still hitting Steel-types like Registeel and opposing Arceus-Steel, but also hitting Mega Blaziken and Miraidon super effectively, notably preventing the former from coming in to force Arceus-Steel out. Good as Gold blocks a myriad of status moves that could otherwise neuter Arceus-Steel, including Topsy-Turvy, Encore, and Parting Shot. It also denies Flutter Mane's healing from Pain Split and Entrainment from Normalize users. Alternatively, Well-Baked Body lets Arceus-Steel answer Torch Song Dragon-types and flip the matchup completely on some Ho-Oh sets. Levitate is another option, particularly for hazard stack teams, as it provides an immunity to Spikes while letting Arceus-Steel switch in to Mega Garchomp's STAB moves.
Arceus-Steel can fit on most playstyles due to its flexibility. Offensive and Balance teams appreciate its role compression in defensive utility and offensive presence, while Levitate variants fit well on hazard stack structures. Knock Off support from the likes of Ting-Lu, Zamazenta, and Mega Gardevoir is highly appreciated, as they can remove key items such as Celesteela's Assault Vest and Ho-Oh's Heavy-Duty Boots, preventing them from checking Arceus-Steel effectively. Residual damage sources from Spikes and Stone Axe are also helpful to chip checks into KO range, particularly offensive checks like Mega Garchomp and Mega Blaziken. Flutter Mane is notable as a Spike setter since it can be Imposter-proofed by Arceus-Steel, and also act as a switch-in to Zamazenta depending on the ability. Other checks to Zamazenta include utility Eternatus and Fur Coat Celesteela, the former also providing a Fire-resist while the latter a Ground-immune. Arceus-Steel can Imposter-proof certain special wallbreakers, such as Mega Gardevoir, and with Well-Baked Body, Mega Sceptile and Eternatus; in return, they help apply pressure on shared special walls like Chansey and RegenVest Pokemon. Arceus-Steel is generally self-Imposter proof, but teammates like Chansey can easily serve as a secondary Imposter-proof should it end up too low.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Arceus-Steel can run a variety of utility abilities to deny counterplay options and/or provide additional defensive capabilities. Magic Bounce is a close alternative to Good as Gold, being able to block most debilitating status moves; it notably is useful against Spikes and Strength Sap, but in return it cannot block Pain Split and leaves Arceus-Steel susceptible to being forced out by Parting Shot. Motor Drive offers an immunity to Nuzzle, Thunder Cage, and Volt Switch; Purifying Salt grants a status immunity and allows Arceus-Steel to check offensive Flutter Mane sets without compromising its self-Imposter proofing with Ice Scales; Shield Dust blocks Nuzzle and notably Salt Cure; Magic Guard also stops Salt Cure, as well as Spikes. Steely Spirit is an option to greatly increase Arceus-Steel's damage output, allowing it to almost OHKO Zamazenta at +2. Flame Plate is technically another item option that still allows Arceus-Steel to self-Imposter proof, but is almost entirely outclassed due to the poor coverage it provides.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Salt Cure**: If not running an ability such as Magic Guard, Arceus-Steel is highly susceptible to Salt Cure from Pokemon such as RegenVest Celesteela and Primal Kyogre, effectively forcing it out.
**Fire-type Pokemon and coverage**: Mega Blaziken and Ho-Oh threaten Arceus-Steel with V-create, with the former also forcing out Well-Baked Body variants, while the latter resists every common move Arceus-Steel runs, and can wall even Well-Baked Body variants if they carry Topsy-Turvy. Pokemon Arceus-Steel normally checks, such as Mega Gardevoir and Eternatus, can also hit it hard with Fire-type coverage like Armor Cannon and Torch Song.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Zamazenta and Koraidon outspeed Arceus-Steel, have enough bulk to live +2 Tachyon Cutter relatively comfortably, and threaten with super effective STAB moves.
**Paralysis**: Arceus-Steel loses a lot of its offensive potential if it gets paralyzed. It also fails to reliably check Pokemon such as Mega Gardevoir once paralyzed.
**Ground-type Pokemon**: Mega Garchomp lives +2 Tachyon Cutter and OHKOes Arceus-Steel with its Ground-type move or V-create. Mega Swampert and the rare Ice Scales Arceus-Ground can live hits comfortably and retaliate hard against non-Levitate variants.
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Electric-type Pokemon resist Steel and are not weak to Fighting. Miraidon outspeeds Arceus-Steel and can threaten it with Encore or Torch Song, while Arceus-Electric is almost always Ice Scales, runs Take Heart, and has super effective coverage in Secret Sword.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chessking345.355040/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rightclicker.589755/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sammyce123.563422/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Arceus-Steel serves as a powerful hybrid Pokemon, capable of checking threats like Flutter Mane and Mega Gardevoir while sporting good offensive presence. A particularly distinguishing trait of Arceus-Steel is its ease of self-Imposter proofing as a setup Pokemon while still possessing good coverage and not being dependent on Strength Sap. Its Steel-type STAB is also valuable for being super effective on Mega Audino, the most common Ice Scales user, as well as utility Flutter Mane, who annoys most special Arceus formes. Additionally, Arceus-Steel has numerous viable variations in its ability and Plate that allow it to circumvent specific checks and/or offer additional defensive utility. Arceus-Steel also can run Ice Scales to serve as a formidable special wall against wallbreakers like Mega Gardevoir and Eternatus. Arceus-Steel's typing does leave it susceptible to the most common wallbreakers Mega Garchomp and Mega Blaziken, as well as Fire-type coverage from the likes of Eternatus and Mega Sceptile should it not have Well-Baked Body. This, combined with it also taking up the Arceus forme slot, means its teammates will be tasked with handling many dominant wallbreakers. It is also weak to Fighting-type moves from popular Pokemon like Zamazenta, and Steel offensively is only mediocre, being resisted by Pokemon such as Ho-Oh, Miraidon, and opposing Steel-types.
[SET]
Nasty Plot (Arceus-Steel) @ Fist Plate / Earth Plate
Ability: Good as Gold / Well-Baked Body / Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Tachyon Cutter / Revelation Dance
- Judgment
- Shore Up
[SET COMMENTS]
With a natural immunity to Mortal Spin, as well as self-Imposter proofing potential by resisting Imposter users' Judgment, Arceus-Steel is free to use Nasty Plot, considerably improving its offensive capabilities and turning it into a potent bulky setup attacker. It also means it can run Shore Up over Strength Sap while still beating Imposter users, allowing it to avoid having its healing denied from low Attack Pokemon like Chansey and Magic Bounce users. Tachyon Cutter is the STAB move of choice, with the multihit also useful in setup wars for higher critical hit chances, but Revelation Dance should be used on non-Good as Gold sets that need to hit Normalize users. Judgment allows Arceus-Steel to Imposter-proof itself if it runs a Plate of a type that hits itself super effectively. Fist Plate is generally the go-to option, providing coverage on Steel-types while hitting Ting-Lu and Chansey, as well as neutral coverage on Pokemon such as Celesteela. Alternatively, Earth Plate is an option on non-Levitate sets, still hitting Steel-types like Registeel and opposing Arceus-Steel, but also hitting Mega Blaziken and Miraidon super effectively, notably preventing the former from coming in to force Arceus-Steel out. Good as Gold blocks a myriad of status moves that could otherwise neuter Arceus-Steel, including Topsy-Turvy, Encore, and Parting Shot. It also denies Flutter Mane's healing from Pain Split and Entrainment from Normalize users. Alternatively, Well-Baked Body lets Arceus-Steel answer Torch Song Dragon-types and flip the matchup completely on some Ho-Oh sets. Levitate is another option, particularly for hazard stack teams, as it provides an immunity to Spikes while letting Arceus-Steel switch in to Mega Garchomp's STAB moves.
Arceus-Steel can fit on most playstyles due to its flexibility. Offensive and Balance teams appreciate its role compression in defensive utility and offensive presence, while Levitate variants fit well on hazard stack structures. Knock Off support from the likes of Ting-Lu, Zamazenta, and Mega Gardevoir is highly appreciated, as they can remove key items such as Celesteela's Assault Vest and Ho-Oh's Heavy-Duty Boots, preventing them from checking Arceus-Steel effectively. Residual damage sources from Spikes and Stone Axe are also helpful to chip checks into KO range, particularly offensive checks like Mega Garchomp and Mega Blaziken. Flutter Mane is notable as a Spike setter since it can be Imposter-proofed by Arceus-Steel, and also act as a switch-in to Zamazenta depending on the ability. Other checks to Zamazenta include utility Eternatus and Fur Coat Celesteela, the former also providing a Fire-resist while the latter a Ground-immune. Arceus-Steel can Imposter-proof certain special wallbreakers, such as Mega Gardevoir, and with Well-Baked Body, Mega Sceptile and Eternatus; in return, they help apply pressure on shared special walls like Chansey and RegenVest Pokemon. Arceus-Steel is generally self-Imposter proof, but teammates like Chansey can easily serve as a secondary Imposter-proof should it end up too low.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Arceus-Steel can run a variety of utility abilities to deny counterplay options and/or provide additional defensive capabilities. Magic Bounce is a close alternative to Good as Gold, being able to block most debilitating status moves; it notably is useful against Spikes and Strength Sap, but in return it cannot block Pain Split and leaves Arceus-Steel susceptible to being forced out by Parting Shot. Motor Drive offers an immunity to Nuzzle, Thunder Cage, and Volt Switch; Purifying Salt grants a status immunity and allows Arceus-Steel to check offensive Flutter Mane sets without compromising its self-Imposter proofing with Ice Scales; Shield Dust blocks Nuzzle and notably Salt Cure; Magic Guard also stops Salt Cure, as well as Spikes. Steely Spirit is an option to greatly increase Arceus-Steel's damage output, allowing it to almost OHKO Zamazenta at +2. Flame Plate is technically another item option that still allows Arceus-Steel to self-Imposter proof, but is almost entirely outclassed due to the poor coverage it provides.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Salt Cure**: If not running an ability such as Magic Guard, Arceus-Steel is highly susceptible to Salt Cure from Pokemon such as RegenVest Celesteela and Primal Kyogre, effectively forcing it out.
**Fire-type Pokemon and coverage**: Mega Blaziken and Ho-Oh threaten Arceus-Steel with V-create, with the former also forcing out Well-Baked Body variants, while the latter resists every common move Arceus-Steel runs, and can wall even Well-Baked Body variants if they carry Topsy-Turvy. Pokemon Arceus-Steel normally checks, such as Mega Gardevoir and Eternatus, can also hit it hard with Fire-type coverage like Armor Cannon and Torch Song.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Zamazenta and Koraidon outspeed Arceus-Steel, have enough bulk to live +2 Tachyon Cutter relatively comfortably, and threaten with super effective STAB moves.
**Paralysis**: Arceus-Steel loses a lot of its offensive potential if it gets paralyzed. It also fails to reliably check Pokemon such as Mega Gardevoir once paralyzed.
**Ground-type Pokemon**: Mega Garchomp lives +2 Tachyon Cutter and OHKOes Arceus-Steel with its Ground-type move or V-create. Mega Swampert and the rare Ice Scales Arceus-Ground can live hits comfortably and retaliate hard against non-Levitate variants.
**Electric-type Pokemon**: Electric-type Pokemon resist Steel and are not weak to Fighting. Miraidon outspeeds Arceus-Steel and can threaten it with Encore or Torch Song, while Arceus-Electric is almost always Ice Scales, runs Take Heart, and has super effective coverage in Secret Sword.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chessking345.355040/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rightclicker.589755/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sammyce123.563422/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/