[OVERVIEW]
Donphan is a solid utility Pokémon in the DPP OU metagame, primarily valued for its access to Rapid Spin, excellent physical bulk, and strong offensive presence. Its natural physical bulk allows it to handle common threats such as Metagross, Tyranitar, and Dragon Dance Dragonite while its high Attack stat and access to STAB Earthquake allows it to pressure opposing teams, making Donphan a great fit in offensive teams that don't appreciate entry hazards.
However, due to its low Special Defense stat, Donphan is really vanurable against common special attackers like Latias, Starmie, Gengar, and Rotom-W, the latter two of which also block its Rapid Spin. It is also unreliable of facing these Ghost-type on its own, so for that reason other Rapid Spin users like Starmie are preffered over Donphan. Additionally, Donphan faces competition from other Ground-types like Gliscor, Swampert, and Hippowdon, which often provide more team utility or bulk. While its flaws, poor Speed and Special Defense, limit its overall effectiveness, Donphan can shine in the right matchups with proper support and carves out a niche as a physically offensive spinner with strong defensive utility.
[SET]
name: Utility Spinner
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Stealth Rock / Stone Edge
move 4: Assurance / Ice Shard / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
Earthquake is Donphan's primary attack as it provides reliable and strong STAB damage, hitting key threats like Tyranitar, Jirachi, Lucario, and Metagross. Rapid Spin is the cornerstone of this set, allowing Donphan to clear entry hazards for its team. Donphan is another Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock and due to its physical bulk and the threat of Rapid Spin, it is given a turn to set up Stealth Rock comfortably.
While Donphan rarely gets to use its moves other than Earthquake and it is only needed for Rapid Spin mostly, it has access to a wide movepool to choose from. If Donphan is paired with another Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock, Stone Edge is a valid choice that complements Earthquake by hitting Flying-types like Zapdos and Gyarados. Ice Shard provides priority and lets Donphan finish off weakened sweeper Dragonite or hurt foes weak to it like Gliscor and Flygon.
Assurance is a valid option to hit Ghost-types like Gengar and offensive Rotom-W on the switch to prevent Rapid Spin, but it needs to predict the switch-in right in order to OHKO them. Knock Off is another valid option as it removes the items not only from the Ghost-type foes, but from Earthquake switch-ins such as Skarmory. It also helps break opposing walls like Hippowdon by getting rid of its Leftovers.
Set Details
Maximum HP and Defense investment maximize Donphan's physical bulk, ensuring it can take on physical attackers like Scizor and Gyarados. This spread is also useful to help it use Rapid Spin or Stealth Rock while withstanding attacks from physical attackers as mentioned.
Full investment in Attack and Speed with Adamant nature is another option that makes Donphan a more offensive threat, though its low base Speed means it will still struggle against faster foes. Donphan can also invest in Special Defense with Careful nature to increase its chances against the likes of Gengar and Heatran.
Usage Tips
Donphan’s primary role as a Rapid Spinner means it should avoid recklessly switching into powerful attackers unless necessary. Its health should be preserved so it can reliably clear hazards later in the game. Rapid Spin can be used when opponent's Ghost-type is removed or unlikely to switch-in. Therefore predicting predicting Ghost-types switching in can be very helpful in weakening them. Looking for these kind of opportunities to use Rapid Spin and keeping Donphan as healthy as possible before using Rapid Spin effectively can be very crucial in a game. However, Donphan shouldn't be afraid of switching into physical sweepers besides Gyarados, so use it as a defensive check if necessary. If Donphan has Stealth Rock, it could hit the field early in the game in order to set up Stealth Rock on foes that don't threaten it like Metagross or Tyranitar.
Team Options
A really good partner for Donphan is Zapdos, as it can rapid spin for it. They have a good synergy as Donphan helps against the likes of Tyranitar, and Zapdos deals with Water- and Grass-types that Donphan can't handle like Starmie and Breloom. For that reason, Latias is also a good choice as partner which also provides Wish support for Donphan while Donphan deals with threats to Latias like Tyranitar. Jirachi is another Pokemon that provides Wish support, and in return Donphan removes Spikes for it while dealing with attackers that hurt Jirachi like Metagross carrying Earthquake. Jirachi can also deal with special attackers that Dophan struggle against like Latias and Celebi.
Thanks to its primary role as rapid spinner, Donphan supports well offensive threats that benefit from entry hazards removal like Gyarados, and Machamp. Removing Stealth Rock for Gyarados and Toxic Spikes for Machamp helps them perform their roles as powerful attackers easier. In return, Machamp pressures opposing Stealth Rock setters like Tyranitar, so Donphan won't have to use Rapid Spin more than once, and Gyarados pressures opposing Ground-types like Hippowdon. Magnezone and Magneton are also great partners that trap Steel-types that can set up Steath Rock like Skarmory. Other offensive threats that work well with Donphan are Heatran and Pursuit-trappers such as Choice Band Tyranitar and Scizor. Heatran removes Grass-types like Breloom for Donphan and can switch on a Will-O-Wisp while Tyranitar and Scizor remove the troublesome Ghost-types like Rotom-W.
As mentioned, Donphan really struggles against special attackers, so partners that can switch into them are appreciated. Clefable is one solid partner which not only provides Wish support, but it could also carry Heal Bell to remove status from Donphan like burn. Other Rapid Spin users such as Starmie are good options. Starmie, in particular, can take a few hits from Water-types for Donphan while it also deals more effectively against Ghost-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
Donphan does have a wide movepool, but other than the moves listed above, there aren't many more options considered viable. Head Smash is a solid option replacing Stone Edge for more damage. Rest is an option for removing status, making Donphan able to use Rapid Spin later in the game as well. Donphan can run a different set such as Life Orb or Choice band attacker, but neither of these sets help Donphan perform the role of a spinner.
Checks and Counters
**Special Attackers**: Pokémon like Starmie, Rotom-A, Latias, and Gengar can all exploit Donphan's poor Special Defense. Most of them can at least 2HKO Donphan.
**Spin blockers**: Ghost-types like Rotom-W and Gengar block Donphan's Rapid Spin and are immune to Donphan's STAB move Earthquake. Like other special attackers, both of them hit Donphan really hard. Donphan needs to hit them with Assurance on the switch, otherwise it is not easy to deal with them.
**Bulky Water-types**: Swampert, Suicune, and Starmie easily take Donphan’s hits and threaten it with STAB Water-type moves. However, Donphan surives a physical hit from the likes of Swampert and could use Rapid Spin on it.
**Grass-Types**: Breloom, Celebi, and Shaymin resist Earthquake and can threaten Donphan with strong Grass-type STAB moves.
[CREDITS]
Donphan is a solid utility Pokémon in the DPP OU metagame, primarily valued for its access to Rapid Spin, excellent physical bulk, and strong offensive presence. Its natural physical bulk allows it to handle common threats such as Metagross, Tyranitar, and Dragon Dance Dragonite while its high Attack stat and access to STAB Earthquake allows it to pressure opposing teams, making Donphan a great fit in offensive teams that don't appreciate entry hazards.
However, due to its low Special Defense stat, Donphan is really vanurable against common special attackers like Latias, Starmie, Gengar, and Rotom-W, the latter two of which also block its Rapid Spin. It is also unreliable of facing these Ghost-type on its own, so for that reason other Rapid Spin users like Starmie are preffered over Donphan. Additionally, Donphan faces competition from other Ground-types like Gliscor, Swampert, and Hippowdon, which often provide more team utility or bulk. While its flaws, poor Speed and Special Defense, limit its overall effectiveness, Donphan can shine in the right matchups with proper support and carves out a niche as a physically offensive spinner with strong defensive utility.
[SET]
name: Utility Spinner
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Stealth Rock / Stone Edge
move 4: Assurance / Ice Shard / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
Earthquake is Donphan's primary attack as it provides reliable and strong STAB damage, hitting key threats like Tyranitar, Jirachi, Lucario, and Metagross. Rapid Spin is the cornerstone of this set, allowing Donphan to clear entry hazards for its team. Donphan is another Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock and due to its physical bulk and the threat of Rapid Spin, it is given a turn to set up Stealth Rock comfortably.
While Donphan rarely gets to use its moves other than Earthquake and it is only needed for Rapid Spin mostly, it has access to a wide movepool to choose from. If Donphan is paired with another Pokemon that can set up Stealth Rock, Stone Edge is a valid choice that complements Earthquake by hitting Flying-types like Zapdos and Gyarados. Ice Shard provides priority and lets Donphan finish off weakened sweeper Dragonite or hurt foes weak to it like Gliscor and Flygon.
Assurance is a valid option to hit Ghost-types like Gengar and offensive Rotom-W on the switch to prevent Rapid Spin, but it needs to predict the switch-in right in order to OHKO them. Knock Off is another valid option as it removes the items not only from the Ghost-type foes, but from Earthquake switch-ins such as Skarmory. It also helps break opposing walls like Hippowdon by getting rid of its Leftovers.
Set Details
Maximum HP and Defense investment maximize Donphan's physical bulk, ensuring it can take on physical attackers like Scizor and Gyarados. This spread is also useful to help it use Rapid Spin or Stealth Rock while withstanding attacks from physical attackers as mentioned.
Full investment in Attack and Speed with Adamant nature is another option that makes Donphan a more offensive threat, though its low base Speed means it will still struggle against faster foes. Donphan can also invest in Special Defense with Careful nature to increase its chances against the likes of Gengar and Heatran.
Usage Tips
Donphan’s primary role as a Rapid Spinner means it should avoid recklessly switching into powerful attackers unless necessary. Its health should be preserved so it can reliably clear hazards later in the game. Rapid Spin can be used when opponent's Ghost-type is removed or unlikely to switch-in. Therefore predicting predicting Ghost-types switching in can be very helpful in weakening them. Looking for these kind of opportunities to use Rapid Spin and keeping Donphan as healthy as possible before using Rapid Spin effectively can be very crucial in a game. However, Donphan shouldn't be afraid of switching into physical sweepers besides Gyarados, so use it as a defensive check if necessary. If Donphan has Stealth Rock, it could hit the field early in the game in order to set up Stealth Rock on foes that don't threaten it like Metagross or Tyranitar.
Team Options
A really good partner for Donphan is Zapdos, as it can rapid spin for it. They have a good synergy as Donphan helps against the likes of Tyranitar, and Zapdos deals with Water- and Grass-types that Donphan can't handle like Starmie and Breloom. For that reason, Latias is also a good choice as partner which also provides Wish support for Donphan while Donphan deals with threats to Latias like Tyranitar. Jirachi is another Pokemon that provides Wish support, and in return Donphan removes Spikes for it while dealing with attackers that hurt Jirachi like Metagross carrying Earthquake. Jirachi can also deal with special attackers that Dophan struggle against like Latias and Celebi.
Thanks to its primary role as rapid spinner, Donphan supports well offensive threats that benefit from entry hazards removal like Gyarados, and Machamp. Removing Stealth Rock for Gyarados and Toxic Spikes for Machamp helps them perform their roles as powerful attackers easier. In return, Machamp pressures opposing Stealth Rock setters like Tyranitar, so Donphan won't have to use Rapid Spin more than once, and Gyarados pressures opposing Ground-types like Hippowdon. Magnezone and Magneton are also great partners that trap Steel-types that can set up Steath Rock like Skarmory. Other offensive threats that work well with Donphan are Heatran and Pursuit-trappers such as Choice Band Tyranitar and Scizor. Heatran removes Grass-types like Breloom for Donphan and can switch on a Will-O-Wisp while Tyranitar and Scizor remove the troublesome Ghost-types like Rotom-W.
As mentioned, Donphan really struggles against special attackers, so partners that can switch into them are appreciated. Clefable is one solid partner which not only provides Wish support, but it could also carry Heal Bell to remove status from Donphan like burn. Other Rapid Spin users such as Starmie are good options. Starmie, in particular, can take a few hits from Water-types for Donphan while it also deals more effectively against Ghost-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
Donphan does have a wide movepool, but other than the moves listed above, there aren't many more options considered viable. Head Smash is a solid option replacing Stone Edge for more damage. Rest is an option for removing status, making Donphan able to use Rapid Spin later in the game as well. Donphan can run a different set such as Life Orb or Choice band attacker, but neither of these sets help Donphan perform the role of a spinner.
Checks and Counters
**Special Attackers**: Pokémon like Starmie, Rotom-A, Latias, and Gengar can all exploit Donphan's poor Special Defense. Most of them can at least 2HKO Donphan.
**Spin blockers**: Ghost-types like Rotom-W and Gengar block Donphan's Rapid Spin and are immune to Donphan's STAB move Earthquake. Like other special attackers, both of them hit Donphan really hard. Donphan needs to hit them with Assurance on the switch, otherwise it is not easy to deal with them.
**Bulky Water-types**: Swampert, Suicune, and Starmie easily take Donphan’s hits and threaten it with STAB Water-type moves. However, Donphan surives a physical hit from the likes of Swampert and could use Rapid Spin on it.
**Grass-Types**: Breloom, Celebi, and Shaymin resist Earthquake and can threaten Donphan with strong Grass-type STAB moves.
[CREDITS]
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