[OVERVIEW]
Necrozma is a versatile offensive threat that can use its many setup and coverage options to run special and physical sets with few overlapping answers, which makes it difficult to consistently check. Furthermore, it gets many setup opportunities thanks to its great natural bulk and Prism Armor. Necrozma can use Autotomize to outrun the whole metagame and use Meteor Beam to boost its Special Attack and pose an extremely deadly threat; however, Meteor Beam needs Power Herb, so Autotomize Necrozma is often preserved to clean up late-game. It's also often forced into mind games against Incineroar, which can bait its Power Herb Meteor Beam, switch out, and wall it afterward. Necrozma's great bulk and power to weaken walls also make it one of the most reliable Stealth Rock setters on offense teams. It threatens most of the common entry hazard removers and setters, including Togekiss, Noivern, and Metagross. Physical sets with Dragon Dance take advantage of common answers to special Necrozma sets like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Stakataka, and Incineroar. With dual screens, Dragon Dance Necrozma can easily set up multiple times and pose a major threat to most teams. Necrozma is often held down by its average Speed; faster threats like Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure can deal with it when unboosted, while Choice Scarf users such as Mienshao, Heracross, and Flygon can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[SET]
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Heat Wave
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
After Autotomize, Necrozma outspeeds even the fastest Choice Scarf users in Mienshao and Zarude, and thanks to Prism Armor, priority like First Impression from Golisopod cannot easily KO it. Meteor Beam becomes a one-turn move with Power Herb and lets Necrozma boost its Special Attack while breaking through Incineroar. Heat Wave blasts through Zarude and Steel-types such as Metagross, Steelix, and Registeel. Power Herb is single-use, so Meteor Beam usually should not be used until Necrozma can sweep. A Modest nature maximizes Necrozma's damage output and doesn't miss out on any notable Speed tiers.
Wallbreakers such as Heracross, Obstagoon, and Toxtricity can threaten or weaken special walls that check Necrozma like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Incineroar, and Stakataka. Entry hazard setters such as Cobalion, Golisopod, and Klefki help soften the opponent's defensive backbone. Klefki can also provide dual screens support to ease setup and make Necrozma harder to revenge kill. Other dual screens setters such as Xatu and Vanilluxe work as well. Knock Off users such as Salazzle and Tornadus can remove invaluable items from foes like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Snorlax, and Incineroar. Setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Flygon, Mimikyu, and Cloyster can weaken or set up on common Necrozma checks like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Stakataka, and Incineroar. Necrozma can form a potent Psychic spam core with Indeedee-M where they help each other wear down their shared answers. Psychic Terrain blocks priority moves aimed at Necrozma, and Psychic Terrain-boosted Photon Geyser at +1 cleanly 2HKOes Snorlax and Porygon2 after Stealth Rock.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Heat Wave
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma uses the combination of its coverage and the Special Attack boost from Meteor Beam as leeway to set Stealth Rock. Meteor Beam's Special Attack boost also lets Necrozma weaken defensive Pokemon for its offensive partners, and the move itself hits Incineroar and OHKOes Defoggers such as Togekiss, Noivern, and Volcanion. Heat Wave hits Zarude and Steel-types such as Metagross, Steelix, and Registeel. Power Herb turns Meteor Beam into a one-turn move. Prism Armor aids Necrozma by preventing Pokemon such as Zarude, Chandelure, and Golisopod from OHKOing it before it can set Stealth Rock. If outspeeding Volcanion, Cloyster, and Timid Toxtricity is not a concern, then a Modest nature can be used to hit as hard as possible. Modest Heat Wave followed by Meteor Beam always KOes Incineroar.
Stealth Rock provided by Necrozma is crucial for putting targets in KO range of setup sweepers such as Cloyster, Barbaracle, and Mimikyu. Klefki switches into and sets up Spikes or dual screens on Pokemon that Necrozma forces in such as Zarude, Registeel, and Assault Vest Reuniclus. Togekiss, Mimikyu, and Sharpedo can set up on or threaten Necrozma's common switch-ins such as Assault Vest Reuniclus, Incineroar, and Umbreon. Necrozma can weaken Steel-types for Pokemon such as Cloyster, Mimikyu, and Linoone to clean up. Polteageist struggles greatly with Dark-types, so it appreciates Necrozma weakening Zarude and Incineroar.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor
item: Lum Berry / Weakness Policy
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
After Dragon Dance, Necrozma is faster than the entire unboosted metagame but misses out on every common Choice Scarf user. Earthquake tears through Incineroar and Steel-types such as Metagross, Stakataka, and Registeel. X-Scissor OHKOes the omnipresent Zarude and hits Psychic-types such as Reuniclus and the rare Cresselia and Celebi. With Lum Berry, Necrozma can set up on defensive Pokemon such as Togekiss, Seismitoad, and Milotic without fearing status. Prism Armor lets Necrozma take most super effective attacks with ease, so Weakness Policy can be used instead to gain even further boosts.
Dragon Dance Necrozma fits best on hyper offense, as it takes care of roadblocks like Cobalion and Zarude, which answer common team members such as Cloyster and Polteageist. Dual screens support from Klefki, Xatu, and Vanilluxe let Necrozma use Dragon Dance multiple times, make it harder to revenge kill, and create more chances to activate Weakness Policy. Klefki also provides Spikes to wear down bulky Steel-types like Steelix and Metagross. Misty Terrain from Galarian Weezing means Necrozma can run Weakness Policy without missing Lum Berry. Other setup sweepers like Cloyster, Barbaracle, and Polteageist can set up early and soften up the opposing team so Necrozma can clean up or vice versa. Necrozma can weaken bulky Steel-types for teammates such as Mimikyu, Linoone, and, on teams with Vanilluxe, Arctozolt.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Necrozma can pull off defensive utility sets with options like Stealth Rock, Knock Off, and Thunder Wave; however, outside of resisting Fighting-type moves, it lacks the defensive utility provided by its competition in Steel- and Ground-types like Metagross, Stakataka, and Rhyperior. Calm Mind is another setup option and can be run quite effectively thanks to Necrozma's natural bulk and reliable recovery in Morning Sun, but Necrozma's susceptibility to the common Toxic and Morning Sun's low PP make such sets less desirable compared to Calm Mind Reuniclus. Earth Power is a coverage option on specially offensive sets to reliably hit Incineroar, OHKO Stakataka, and still demolish every other Steel-type, but it does miss out on Zarude.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Special walls like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Stakataka, and Incineroar can take special Necrozma sets with ease, though the latter needs to first watch out for Meteor Beam. They need to be mindful of the Dragon Dance set, as it can set up as they switch in and immediately threaten them out.
**Status**: Toxic and Thunder Wave are detrimental to Necrozma's sweeping attempts. Common Pokemon such as Togekiss, Cobalion, and Gastrodon can often be seen carrying said moves.
**First Impression**: Durant can always OHKO Necrozma with First Impression, while Golisopod needs it to be slightly weakened beforehand.
**Faster Threats**: Pokemon such as Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure outspeed and threaten unboosted Necrozma, while Choice Scarf users like Mienshao, Zarude, and Heracross can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[GoldCat, 359771]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mac3, 291087], [phantom, 180300]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Bandkrook, 301217]]
Necrozma is a versatile offensive threat that can use its many setup and coverage options to run special and physical sets with few overlapping answers, which makes it difficult to consistently check. Furthermore, it gets many setup opportunities thanks to its great natural bulk and Prism Armor. Necrozma can use Autotomize to outrun the whole metagame and use Meteor Beam to boost its Special Attack and pose an extremely deadly threat; however, Meteor Beam needs Power Herb, so Autotomize Necrozma is often preserved to clean up late-game. It's also often forced into mind games against Incineroar, which can bait its Power Herb Meteor Beam, switch out, and wall it afterward. Necrozma's great bulk and power to weaken walls also make it one of the most reliable Stealth Rock setters on offense teams. It threatens most of the common entry hazard removers and setters, including Togekiss, Noivern, and Metagross. Physical sets with Dragon Dance take advantage of common answers to special Necrozma sets like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Stakataka, and Incineroar. With dual screens, Dragon Dance Necrozma can easily set up multiple times and pose a major threat to most teams. Necrozma is often held down by its average Speed; faster threats like Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure can deal with it when unboosted, while Choice Scarf users such as Mienshao, Heracross, and Flygon can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[SET]
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Heat Wave
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
After Autotomize, Necrozma outspeeds even the fastest Choice Scarf users in Mienshao and Zarude, and thanks to Prism Armor, priority like First Impression from Golisopod cannot easily KO it. Meteor Beam becomes a one-turn move with Power Herb and lets Necrozma boost its Special Attack while breaking through Incineroar. Heat Wave blasts through Zarude and Steel-types such as Metagross, Steelix, and Registeel. Power Herb is single-use, so Meteor Beam usually should not be used until Necrozma can sweep. A Modest nature maximizes Necrozma's damage output and doesn't miss out on any notable Speed tiers.
Wallbreakers such as Heracross, Obstagoon, and Toxtricity can threaten or weaken special walls that check Necrozma like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Incineroar, and Stakataka. Entry hazard setters such as Cobalion, Golisopod, and Klefki help soften the opponent's defensive backbone. Klefki can also provide dual screens support to ease setup and make Necrozma harder to revenge kill. Other dual screens setters such as Xatu and Vanilluxe work as well. Knock Off users such as Salazzle and Tornadus can remove invaluable items from foes like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Snorlax, and Incineroar. Setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Flygon, Mimikyu, and Cloyster can weaken or set up on common Necrozma checks like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Stakataka, and Incineroar. Necrozma can form a potent Psychic spam core with Indeedee-M where they help each other wear down their shared answers. Psychic Terrain blocks priority moves aimed at Necrozma, and Psychic Terrain-boosted Photon Geyser at +1 cleanly 2HKOes Snorlax and Porygon2 after Stealth Rock.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Meteor Beam
move 4: Heat Wave
item: Power Herb
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Necrozma uses the combination of its coverage and the Special Attack boost from Meteor Beam as leeway to set Stealth Rock. Meteor Beam's Special Attack boost also lets Necrozma weaken defensive Pokemon for its offensive partners, and the move itself hits Incineroar and OHKOes Defoggers such as Togekiss, Noivern, and Volcanion. Heat Wave hits Zarude and Steel-types such as Metagross, Steelix, and Registeel. Power Herb turns Meteor Beam into a one-turn move. Prism Armor aids Necrozma by preventing Pokemon such as Zarude, Chandelure, and Golisopod from OHKOing it before it can set Stealth Rock. If outspeeding Volcanion, Cloyster, and Timid Toxtricity is not a concern, then a Modest nature can be used to hit as hard as possible. Modest Heat Wave followed by Meteor Beam always KOes Incineroar.
Stealth Rock provided by Necrozma is crucial for putting targets in KO range of setup sweepers such as Cloyster, Barbaracle, and Mimikyu. Klefki switches into and sets up Spikes or dual screens on Pokemon that Necrozma forces in such as Zarude, Registeel, and Assault Vest Reuniclus. Togekiss, Mimikyu, and Sharpedo can set up on or threaten Necrozma's common switch-ins such as Assault Vest Reuniclus, Incineroar, and Umbreon. Necrozma can weaken Steel-types for Pokemon such as Cloyster, Mimikyu, and Linoone to clean up. Polteageist struggles greatly with Dark-types, so it appreciates Necrozma weakening Zarude and Incineroar.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor
item: Lum Berry / Weakness Policy
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
After Dragon Dance, Necrozma is faster than the entire unboosted metagame but misses out on every common Choice Scarf user. Earthquake tears through Incineroar and Steel-types such as Metagross, Stakataka, and Registeel. X-Scissor OHKOes the omnipresent Zarude and hits Psychic-types such as Reuniclus and the rare Cresselia and Celebi. With Lum Berry, Necrozma can set up on defensive Pokemon such as Togekiss, Seismitoad, and Milotic without fearing status. Prism Armor lets Necrozma take most super effective attacks with ease, so Weakness Policy can be used instead to gain even further boosts.
Dragon Dance Necrozma fits best on hyper offense, as it takes care of roadblocks like Cobalion and Zarude, which answer common team members such as Cloyster and Polteageist. Dual screens support from Klefki, Xatu, and Vanilluxe let Necrozma use Dragon Dance multiple times, make it harder to revenge kill, and create more chances to activate Weakness Policy. Klefki also provides Spikes to wear down bulky Steel-types like Steelix and Metagross. Misty Terrain from Galarian Weezing means Necrozma can run Weakness Policy without missing Lum Berry. Other setup sweepers like Cloyster, Barbaracle, and Polteageist can set up early and soften up the opposing team so Necrozma can clean up or vice versa. Necrozma can weaken bulky Steel-types for teammates such as Mimikyu, Linoone, and, on teams with Vanilluxe, Arctozolt.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Necrozma can pull off defensive utility sets with options like Stealth Rock, Knock Off, and Thunder Wave; however, outside of resisting Fighting-type moves, it lacks the defensive utility provided by its competition in Steel- and Ground-types like Metagross, Stakataka, and Rhyperior. Calm Mind is another setup option and can be run quite effectively thanks to Necrozma's natural bulk and reliable recovery in Morning Sun, but Necrozma's susceptibility to the common Toxic and Morning Sun's low PP make such sets less desirable compared to Calm Mind Reuniclus. Earth Power is a coverage option on specially offensive sets to reliably hit Incineroar, OHKO Stakataka, and still demolish every other Steel-type, but it does miss out on Zarude.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Special walls like Assault Vest Reuniclus, Stakataka, and Incineroar can take special Necrozma sets with ease, though the latter needs to first watch out for Meteor Beam. They need to be mindful of the Dragon Dance set, as it can set up as they switch in and immediately threaten them out.
**Status**: Toxic and Thunder Wave are detrimental to Necrozma's sweeping attempts. Common Pokemon such as Togekiss, Cobalion, and Gastrodon can often be seen carrying said moves.
**First Impression**: Durant can always OHKO Necrozma with First Impression, while Golisopod needs it to be slightly weakened beforehand.
**Faster Threats**: Pokemon such as Togekiss, Heracross, and Chandelure outspeed and threaten unboosted Necrozma, while Choice Scarf users like Mienshao, Zarude, and Heracross can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance variants.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[GoldCat, 359771]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mac3, 291087], [phantom, 180300]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Bandkrook, 301217]]
Last edited:
