**art is my own**
[OVERVIEW]
Necrozma is a reliable Pokemon that can function as either an offensive Stealth Rock setter or a wallbreaker that utilizes Z-Crystals. It has great matchups against common spinners such as Mega Blastoise, Forretress, and Donphan, letting it set Stealth Rock very reliably. It also has the ability to defensively and offensively check common Fighting-type Pokemon such as Virizion, Machamp, and Bewear. Necrozma's good stats and wide movepool make it very versatile and able to pick its checks and counters. Its Speed tier is also nice because it can reliably threaten Mega Blastoise and Nidoqueen. Prism Armor is a fantastic defensive ability that, combined with good bulk, allows Necrozma to survive super effective hits other Psychic-type Pokemon such as Gardevoir, Bronzong, and Slowbro cannot. However, Necrozma will always be walled or threatened by something common in RarelyUsed because it cannot cover everything with one moveset. Necrozma's Speed is decent for a wallbreaker, but it is still outpaced and threatened by offensive Pokemon such as Roserade, Gardevoir, Arcanine, and Yanmega. It lacks a reliable method to deal with status conditions, mainly Toxic, and has issues breaking bulky threats in spite of its good offenses. Specially offensive Necrozma has trouble with walls such as Snorlax, Florges, and Goodra, while physical variants can have problems beating Bronzong, Slowbro, and Seismitoad. Necrozma does have slight competition with other offensive Stealth Rock setters such as Metagross, Nidoqueen, and Alolan Marowak; Metagross has a better defensive typing, Nidoqueen has arguably better coverage and Sheer Force to boost its offenses, and Alolan Marowak provides immediate offensive pressure with Thick Club. However, Necrozma is arguably a better wallbreaker than Metagross thanks to Swords Dance and its amazing coverage moves, is faster than all three of them, has a better defensive ability, isn't weak to Stealth Rock, and has far more versatility.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Calm Mind
item: Twisted Spoon / Psychium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a great move for supporting Necrozma's team. Photon Geyser is a powerful STAB move that threatens Fighting-type Pokemon such as Virizion, Machamp, and Bewear. Heat Wave is Necrozma's best coverage move, dealing super effective damage to Steel-type Pokemon such as Bronzong, Registeel, and Forretress. Calm Mind can turn Necrozma into a fearsome wallbreaker and puts it in a better position against bulky offense teams. Moonlight can be considered on this set to give Necrozma a form of recovery. Knock Off is also a viable move because it cripples Pokemon that are reliant on items such as Snorlax, Porygon2, and Cresselia.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Necrozma to outpace Pokemon such as Machamp, Nidoqueen, and Bewear. Prism Armor is a great defensive ability that allows Necrozma to survive super effective hits such as Knock Off from Drapion and Sucker Punch from Honchkrow. Twisted Spoon powers up Necrozma's Photon Geyser without dealing recoil damage, while Psychium Z turns Photon Geyser into a powerful Shattered Psyche that can OHKO Mantine, Florges, and potentially Snorlax after Stealth Rock at +2. It also has a 90% chance to OHKO Mega Blastoise after Stealth Rock. Leftovers is also a viable item that can help keep Necrozma healthy throughout the match.
Usage Tips
========
Necrozma provides unique role compression in that it is a bulky offensive Stealth Rock setter that can outspeed and OHKO every spinner in RarelyUsed after one Calm Mind. It also takes advantage of more passive Defoggers such as Florges and Mantine by setting up Calm Mind and threatening them out with a +1 Shattered Psyche. This huge amount of offensive pressure it can exert against hazard control is why Necrozma is so successful as a Stealth Rock setter. Knowing this, try to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible so that Necrozma can provide further offensive pressure. Necrozma can be used as a lead because it has a great matchup against Mega Blastoise and Machamp leads, but in case you cannot set up Stealth Rock immediately, then try to bring it in against a Fighting-type that does not threaten it such as Machamp, Virizion, or Bewear to force it out. It also can come in against more passive Pokemon such as Porygon2, Florges, and Cresselia, and can force switches against Pokemon such as Machamp, Bronzong, and Donphan, so use these opportunities to start setting up Calm Mind. If running Psychium Z, try to save the Z-Move for a wall or tank that it will easily defeat, such as Mega Blastoise, Goodra, or Florges. Speaking of which, Photon Geyser should be used most often out of all its moves, but be cautious with its 8 PP. If it is anticipated that the opponent decides to bring in a Pokemon that resists Photon Geyser such as Registeel, Forretress, or Metagross in an attempt to stop Necrozma, then it might be wise to go for a coverage move. Do not let Necrozma get poisoned by Toxic or Toxic Spikes, as the poison damage adds up and detriments its solid bulk.
Team Options
========
Necrozma should primarily be used on offensive teams that need a Stealth Rock setter and Fighting check. Pokemon like Snorlax, Tyrantrum, and Bewear synergize well with Necrozma, since it can threaten out Fighting-type Pokemon. Setup sweepers such as Virizion, Raikou, and Feraligatr appreciate Necrozma setting up Stealth Rock and pressuring entry hazard removers. Teammates that threaten Dark- and Steel-types such as Zygarde-10%, Machamp, Gardevoir, and Escavalier are also needed, as Necrozma can only deal with them so much on its own. Necrozma also appreciates support from clerics and Healing Wish users such as Umbreon, Shaymin, and Gardevoir. Steel-type partners such as Metagross and Bronzong help Necrozma because they are immune to Toxic. Poison-type Pokemon such as Roserade, Salazzle, and Drapion can achieve the same thing and absorb Toxic Spikes that Necrozma loathes.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind + 3 Attacks
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Power Gem
item: Psychium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind is a great boosting move for Necrozma, as it gives it an edge against bulky offensive teams. Photon Geyser is Necrozma's signature STAB move and has the benefit of ignoring abilities such as Unaware. Heat Wave puts a dent in Steel-type Pokemon such as Registeel, Metagross, and Bronzong. Power Gem is used to threaten Defog users such as Mandibuzz and Mantine, which might be drawn in suspecting Stealth Rock.
Set Details
========
Psychium Z powers up Photon Geyser into Shattered Psyche, which can severely dent specially defensive Pokemon such as Florges, Goodra, and Snorlax at +2. A Timid nature with maximum Speed investment allows Necrozma to outpace Pokemon such as Nidoqueen, Machamp, and Mega Blastoise.
Usage Tips
========
Calm Mind Necrozma can attempt to wallbreak early- or mid-game or it can potentially sweep late-game once its checks have been crippled or knocked out. Necrozma can attempt to set up early-game by bluffing its Stealth Rock set, allowing it to set up Calm Mind against entry hazard clearers such as Mantine, Florges, and Forretress as well as force switches by coming in against Pokemon such as Machamp, Bronzong, and Choice Scarf Toxicroak not locked into Gunk Shot. Necrozma also appreciates coming in safely with the aid of a slow pivot. If a Pokemon that resists Photon Geyser such as Metagross, Drapion, or Cresselia is expected to switch in, then it would be wise to either use the switch to set up Calm Mind or go for an appropriate coverage move. This Necrozma also needs to save its Z-Move for specific targets, ideally denting specially defensive Pokemon such as Snorlax, Goodra, and Assualt Vest Raikou. Be cautious about spamming Photon Geyser because it only has 8 PP, but it should be the move used most. Do not let Necrozma get poisoned from Toxic or Toxic Spikes, as the residual damage detriments its solid bulk.
Team Options
========
Necrozma absolutely hates status conditions, so a cleric or Healing Wish user like Umbreon, Vaporeon, or Gardevoir would make a good partner. Poison-type teammates like Roserade, Salazzle, and Drapion absorb Toxic Spikes for Necrozma. Drapion can also use Knock Off to threaten Choice Scarf users. Pokemon that can check threatening Dark- and Bug-types such as Machamp, Gardevoir, and Registeel are also appreciated. Since Necrozma is not very fast, Thunder Wave from the likes of Slowbro and Porygon2 or even Sticky Web from Araquanid could work well. Pokemon like Snorlax, Bewear, and Tyrantrum appreciate Necrozma's ability to threaten Fighting-type Pokemon for them. Specially offensive Pokemon like Mega Blastoise, Raikou, and Gardevoir appreciate Necrozma's ability to threaten special walls. Slow pivots such as Forretress, Tsareena, and Mega Ampharos can bring Necrozma into battle safely.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor
item: Groundium Z / Buginium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance turns Necrozma into a threatening wallbreaker. Photon Geyser is Necrozma's main STAB attack, becoming a powerful physical attack that ignores abilities such as Unaware and Fluffy. Earthquake hurts Steel-type Pokemon such as Metagross and Registeel. X-Scissor is primarily used to do more damage to Pokemon such as Slowbro, Cresselia, and Umbreon, which otherwise wall this set. Knock Off can be run to cripple Pokemon such as Tangela and Porygon2 and OHKO Bronzong at +2, which Necrozma otherwise cannot do.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature with maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Necrozma to be a powerful wallbreaker and outspeed Pokemon such as Machamp, Feraligatr, and Nidoqueen. Groundium Z allows Necrozma to use Tectonic Rage, which does massive damage to Steel-type Pokemon that limit its ability to sweep such as Metagross, Registeel, and Steelix. +2 Tectonic Rage is also a guaranteed OHKO against Escavalier after Stealth Rock. Buginium Z can also be used instead to guarantee an OHKO on Slowbro, Cresselia, Umbreon, and Tangela at +2.
Usage Tips
========
This Necrozma set should ideally be used mid-game as a wallbreaker, but can also work as a late-game cleaner if its checks and counters have been weakened. Bring Necrozma in with the help of a pivot or an aggressive double switch, ideally against a Pokemon it can deal with such as Gardevoir, Machamp, and Bewear. Necrozma forces a lot of switches thanks to its powerful offensive presence, so it should use this opportunity to set up with Swords Dance. Necrozma's Z-Move should be used against a Pokemon that tries to wall Necrozma's STAB attack, such as Registeel, Slowbro, Cresselia, or Escavalier. Necrozma can also try to bluff its Calm Mind set by attempting to set up against Pokemon that are threatened by that set. For example, Escavalier does not want to stay in on a potential Heat Wave and might switch out. Although Photon Geyser is very powerful, be cautious about spamming the move, as it only has 8 PP. While this set doesn't mind Toxic as much, it should still avoid affliction to maximize the amount of time it can wallbreak. Do not let Necrozma get burned, as it loses offensive presence once it is afflicted.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers such as Pangoro, Escavalier, and Yanmega can be used alongside Necrozma if it is running Groundium Z, as they help deal with walls such as Umbreon, Slowbro, and Cresselia. Similarly, Pokemon such as Arcanine, Machamp, and Rhyperior help Necrozma deal with Pokemon that wall its Buginium Z set. Bulky Pokemon such Registeel, Florges, and Mandibuzz handle the Bug- and Dark-type moves aimed at Necrozma. Necrozma also loves Thunder Wave support from Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Slowbro, as paralyzed foes are more likely to be outsped. Clerics such as Umbreon and Vaporeon can help restore a worn-down Necrozma. Healing Wish users such as Shaymin and Gardevoir can similarly help Necrozma. Entry hazard setters such as Roserade, Metagross, and Rhyperior aid in Necrozma's wallbreaking prowess. Araquanid can potentially make a decent partner by providing Necrozma with a form of speed control in Sticky Web. Pivots such as Raikou, Flygon, and Mega Ampharos help Necrozma enter the battle safely by threatening out the foe with their powerful offenses.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Iapapa Berry can be utilized on any set to give Necrozma a one-time healing opportunity. Weakness Policy is an alternative item that can potentially boost Necrozma's power to insane levels, especially after it has boosted with Calm Mind, Swords Dance, or even Rock Polish. However, this can be unreliable since it requires Necrozma to be hit with a super effective move and prevents it from using a Z-Crystal, which gives it a nuke to help it get past certain walls. Power Gem can be run on the Stealth Rock set to hit Defoggers such as Mandibuzz, but it is relatively weak unboosted. Choice Specs can turn Necrozma into a special wallbreaker, but this set is still countered by dedicated special walls such as Snorlax, Florges, and Umbreon, and it is vulnerable to being Pursuit trapped. A set using Calm Mind and Rock Polish can allow Necrozma to act as a threatening late-game sweeper.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Depending on the set it is running, Necrozma has issues with Dark- and Bug-type Pokemon. Drapion and Honchkrow fear very little from the Stealth Rock set and can easily weaken it with Knock Off and Pursuit. Pangoro also threatens Necrozma, (comma) as its Mold Breaker lets it ignore Prism Armor. However, Drapion is threatened by Earthquake from the Swords Dance set.
**Bug-types**: Yanmega and Galvantula outspeed Necrozma and threaten it out with Bug Buzz. Escavalier threatens Necrozma with its powerful Megahorn, but it does need to worry about a potential Heat Wave or +2 Tectonic Rage.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types such as Gardevoir, Slowbro, and Cresselia are not threatened by Stealth Rock Necrozma and easily weaken or KO Necrozma with their moves. However, these Pokemon fear the Buginium Z Swords Dance set.
**Faster Threats**: Because of its only average Speed, Necrozma is threatened out by faster wallbreakers such as Gardevoir, Arcanine, Raikou, and Yanmega.
**Defensive Pokemon**: Stealth Rock Necrozma can have issues breaking past specially defensive Pokemon with recovery such as Milotic, Snorlax, and Florges. The Swords Dance set, meanwhile, can have trouble with Pokemon such as Bronzong, Slowbro, and Umbreon if it is running Groundium Z, while Buginium Z variants have issues with Metagross, Registeel, and Escavalier.
**Status Conditions**: Toxic poison is one of Necrozma's biggest fears, as it chips away at Necrozma's solid bulk and limits its staying power. Burns from Will-O-Wisp threaten Swords Dance Necrozma, as they hinder its offensive presence.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[JustoonSmitts, 239732]]
- Earlier versions by: [[Arifeen, 231398]]
- Quality checked by: [[zizalith, 410251], [MrAldo, 227521], [roman, 396169]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Electrolyte, 148071], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
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I've played quite a bit with Necrozma and naturally have quite a few thoughts about it, so here are some helpful comments. Since I'm not QC, feel free to take them as you please :)
