ckw
Tired
QC: Fireburn / Hack / Nayrz || GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / CryoGyro
[OVERVIEW]
Arceus-Ground's STAB gives it a massive advantage over other Arceus formes, as Ground is resisted only by Bug and Grass, which are fairly uncommon types in the tier, and Flying, which is hit by Arceus-Ground's coverage. Ground-type STAB alongside Ice- or Rock-type coverage allows Arceus-Ground to check most threats, including Ho-Oh, Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, and Yveltal. Defensively, Arceus-Ground is great as well, since its Ground typing leaves it weak to only three types, two of which are Grass and Ice. Grass-type attacks are very rare apart from the uncommon Shaymin-S and Grass Knot Xerneas, while most Ice-type attacks are from support Arceus formes. The lack of decent attacks that are super effective against Arceus-Ground combined with its natural bulk makes it fairly difficult to take down. These factors also allow Arceus-Ground to check a good number of threats in the metagame, such as Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, Mega Gengar, and Rayquaza. Arceus-Ground's ability to check common Stealth Rock setters such as Primal Groudon, Dialga, and Mega Diancie makes it a really good Defogger as well. Like any other Arceus forme, Arceus-Ground has a great base Speed stat that allows it to outspeed and check offensive threats like Mega Lucario and Mega Diancie, but unlike most other formes, Arceus-Ground is able to take full advantage of its massive movepool and perform many different roles, each catered to the different playstyles it may be used in, thus making it one of the most versatile Arceus formes in the metagame. However, every Arceus-Ground set can be checked by Celesteela, and a few other Pokemon like Primal Kyogre and Ho-Oh can check Arceus-Ground depending on its set. This also means that Arceus-Ground cannot check everything it wants to with one set; for example, Ice Beam allows it to check Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, and Zygarde but causes it to be completely walled by Ho-Oh and support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water and Arceus-Fairy because it cannot fit Toxic. Finally, support variants of Arceus-Ground face the same problem as some of the other support Arceus formes in that they are completely defenseless against Gothitelle.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Judgment
move 2: Recover
move 3: Ice Beam / Toxic
move 4: Defog / Stealth Rock
item: Earth Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Judgment is Arceus-Ground's strongest Ground-type STAB move, allowing it to deal with major threats such as Primal Groudon, Mega Gengar, Mega Lucario, and Mega Diancie while also dealing decent damage to most of the Pokemon that are hit neutrally. Recover is Arceus-Ground's method of reliable recovery and is required to consistently take hits from physical threats such as Primal Groudon, Mega Lucario, Excadrill, and Mega Salamence. Ice Beam lets Arceus-Ground check threats like Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, and Zygarde-C while doing decent damange to Yveltal and Giratina-O. Toxic may be used over Ice Beam if your team already carries checks to Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, and Zygarde, allowing Arceus-Ground to cripple switch-ins like Lugia and support Arceus formes, which can then be stalled out with the help of Recover. Defog allows Arceus-Ground to remove entry hazards from both sides of the field; Arceus-Ground is able to check all the common Stealth Rock setters like Primal Groudon, Excadrill, and Dialga, so it suits this role very well. Alternatively, Stealth Rock can be run to provide entry hazard support to the team. Arceus-Ground tends to have a great lead matchup against most bulky and offensive teams, making it a great Pokemon for the role as well.
Set Details
========
Arceus-Ground's Speed EVs along with a Timid nature allow Arceus-Ground to outspeed Mega Lucario and everything slower so that it can check major offensive threats like Mega Lucario, Adamant Mega Salamence, and Mega Diancie. The rest of the EVs are invested into HP and Defense to maximize Arceus-Ground's bulk and allow it to take a Double-Edge from +1 Mega Salamence. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe can be run if Arceus-Ground is running Defog; this increases Arceus-Ground's physical bulk, allowing it to take a +2 Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon and better deal with other physical threats like Mega Salamence and Marshadow. Earth Plate is mandatory for a Ground-type Judgment.
Usage Tips
========
In matchups where the opponent seems likely to lead with Primal Groudon, lead with Arceus-Ground so that you can exert pressure right off the bat. This forces a switch that can be taken advantage of. Stealth Rock variants of Arceus-Ground should attempt to set Stealth Rock as early as possible, since bulkier teams like stall need it to inflict damage on the opposing team. Be aware of certain sets like Fire Blast Primal Groudon, which can deal a ton of damage to Arceus-Ground; the best thing to do when suspecting the presence of such a set is to scout with a teammate like Primal Kyogre or Giratina. Similarly to most support Arceus formes, Arceus-Ground is prone to getting trapped and therefore must be played carefully when facing teams with a Shadow Tag user. Defog Arceus-Ground can switch in on Stealth Rock setters like Primal Groudon and Excadrill to remove entry hazards while forcing them to switch in fear of Judgment. Use Recover to keep Arceus-Ground's HP as high as possible, since it is required to be near full HP to safely switch into Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and Rayquaza. Avoid getting Arceus-Ground hit by Toxic as much as possible, as that will make it difficult for Arceus-Ground to stay on the field for substantial periods of time, thus reducing its effectiveness.
Team Options
========
Both Stealth Rock and Defog variations of Arceus-Ground appreciate support from clerics such as Clefable, Chansey, and Blissey. Clefable can also provide Wish support and a check to threats such as Geomancy Xerneas and Yveltal, Chansey is able to stall Xerneas, Calm Mind Arceus formes, and most Primal Kyogre sets, and Blissey can do pretty much whatever Chansey is able to but sacrifices physical bulk in exchange for the ability to avoid getting trapped by Shadow Tag users such as Gothitelle and Mega Gengar. In exchange, Arceus-Ground can provide entry hazard support and a check to multiple physical threats in the metagame, including Mega Lucario, Primal Groudon, and Mega Salamence. Ho-Oh is very threatening to support Arceus-Ground, making bulkier Pokemon like Lugia, Zygarde-C, and Giratina decent partners. Lugia appreciates Defog Arceus-Ground removing hazards and can exploit Stealth Rock set up by Arceus-Ground using the combination of Substitute and Whirlwind. Giratina can not only deal with Ho-Oh one-on-one but also provide Defog support, which allows Arceus-Ground to run Stealth Rock over Defog, and phaze setup sweepers with Dragon Tail. Spikes setters like Ferrothorn and Skarmory can pair up with Stealth Rock variants of Arceus-Ground to form a hazard stacking core, which usually works alongside phazers like Lugia. Ferrothorn can also check Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Water, and Celesteela, which are massive problems to support Arceus-Ground and most stall teams. Skarmory also has the ability to check Swords Dance Arceus-Ground variants, which can be a threat to stall if the team cannot keep entry hazards off the field. Skarmory is also a reliable Defog user. Steel-types that this set cannot harm much like Celesteela and Ferrothorn can be very annoying to play against and make Pokemon like Ho-Oh and Mega Sableye really good teammates. Ho-Oh appreciates Defog Arceus-Ground's ability to remove entry hazards and is able to cripple opposing support Arceus formes, making it easier for non-Toxic variants of Arceus-Ground to set up Stealth Rock. Ho-Oh can check Calm Mind Arceus formes like Arceus-Fairy, which can set up on Arceus-Ground, especially when Arceus-Ground does not carry Toxic. Mega Sableye can shut Ferrothorn and Celesteela down entirely thanks to Magic Bounce. It also relieves pressure off of Arceus-Ground thanks to its form of entry hazard control. Arceus-Ground can in return check Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence while also removing Stealth Rock. Primal Groudon makes a great partner as well, since it is able to check walls like Celesteela, Skarmory, and Bronzong as well as Fairy-types like Xerneas and Magearna. Lastly, Gothitelle is a major issue for Arceus-Ground, so Pursuit trappers like Alolan Muk and Tyranitar can be valuable teammates.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Recover / Substitute
item: Groundium Z
ability: Multitype
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is Arceus-Ground's strongest physical STAB move, and it can be boosted by Swords Dance to hit defensive threats like support Arceus formes and Zygarde really hard. When boosted by Groundium Z, it enables Arceus-Ground to use Tectonic Rage, which is able to OHKO support Arceus formes, Primal Kyogre, and Ferrothorn at +2. Rock-type coverage in Stone Edge allows Arceus-Ground to OHKO Ho-Oh and 2HKO Yveltal and Mega Salamence. Swords Dance boosts Arceus-Ground's Attack, allowing it to OHKO support Arceus formes with +2 Tectonic Rage as well as Zygarde after some chip damage. Recover increases Arceus-Ground's longevity and makes it easier to set up Swords Dance. Substitute can be run over Recover to avoid status conditions while setting up. It also prevents Arceus-Ground from getting phazed by Dragon Tail from Pokemon such as Giratina and Zygarde, allowing it to use them as setup fodder. Gravity can be run over Stone Edge in order to allow Arceus-Ground to hit all otherwise Ground-immune Pokemon with STAB Earthquake.
Set Details
========
A basic yet effective EV spread of 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe maximizes Arceus-Ground's offensive presence, while the extra boost in Speed from running a Jolly nature allows Arceus-Ground to outspeed Mega Lucario and Speed tie with other maximum Speed Arceus formes and Mega Salamence. Groundium Z allows Arceus-Ground to use Tectonic Rage. Earth Plate may be used over Groundium Z if the Z-Move slot has already been taken or if you prefer the consistent damage output from Earthquake over a one-time nuke; it is usually the preferred item when Arceus-Ground is running Substitute as its fourth move, since such a set does not require a nuke like Tectonic Rage to deal with bulkier threats like Giratina and Zygarde.
Usage Tips
========
Go for Swords Dance when forcing switches from Pokemon like Primal Groudon, Magearna, Mega Diancie, and Ho-Oh to attempt a late-game sweep. Substitute should be used against phazers that use Dragon Tail and cannot break Arceus-Ground's substitute like Giratina and Zygarde; this allows Arceus-Ground to set up on them and potentially sweep. When running Recover, Arceus-Ground should attempt to set up on non-Toxic support Arceus formes and Ferrothorn in order to immensely threaten the opposing team. +4 Tectonic Rage is required to secure OHKOs on bulky threats like Zygarde and Giratina, while +2 is enough to OHKO defensive Primal Kyogre. Thus, Arceus-Ground should use its Z-Move cautiously, as wasting it will make breaking through bulkier teams very difficult.
Team Options
========
Swords Dance Arceus-Ground finds a place in most offensive teams that often take the advantage of entry hazard setters like Excadrill, Cloysters, Deoxys-S, and Dialga to weaken threats as they switch in, making them good partners. Geomancy Xerneas appreciates Arceus-Ground's ability to beat Primal Groudon and Magearna. In return, Xerneas can beat threats like Mega Salamence and Giratina-O, which are annoying for Arceus-Ground to face. It can also weaken threats like Celesteela and Zygarde mid-game as well as clean late-game. Dragon Dance Rayquaza and Mega Salamence are great partners for Arceus-Ground, as they can weaken checks to Arceus-Ground like Celesteela and Lugia. Mega Gengar can trap and KO checks like Celesteela and Lugia with Taunt + Hex, making it easier for Arceus-Ground to break through the opposing team; furthermore, it is able to force trades that can create holes in the opponent's team that can later be capitalized upon. Yveltal is great at beating defensive cores as well and appreciates Arceus-Ground's ability to take out Magearna. Yveltal can also check Marshadow, which is a massive threat to Swords Dance Arceus formes. Double Dance or mixed Rock Polish Primal Groudon can help Arceus-Ground in weakening defensive cores and can also sweep late-game. Using Primal Groudon has many advantages, but one of the more significant is having a check to Xerneas and Primal Kyogre.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Judgment
move 2: Ice Beam / Thunder
move 3: Calm Mind
move 4: Recover
item: Earth Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Judgment is Arceus-Ground's strongest special Ground-type STAB option, which allows it to check common threats in the tier like Primal Groudon, Mega Lucario, Mega Diancie, and Mega Gengar while also hitting the majority of the tier for decent neutral damage. Ice Beam hits most of the threats that Judgment cannot, like Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Giratina-O, and Lugia, thus requiring fewer Pokemon to be removed before attempting to sweep with Arceus-Ground. Thunder may be run over Ice Beam to hit Ho-Oh, Primal Kyogre, and Celesteela, which would otherwise check Arceus-Ground, while also hitting Lugia and Yveltal for a ton of damage; however, this comes at the cost of not being able to OHKO Mega Salamence. Calm Mind boosts Arceus-Ground's Special Attack and Special Defense, letting it OHKO Primal Groudon with +1 Judgment and allowing it to sweep once all of its checks have been removed. Recover is required for increasing longevity, which makes it easier to set up Calm Minds and embrace Arceus-Ground's defensive utility.
Set Details
========
A simple EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe maximizes Arceus-Ground's overall bulk, and running a Timid nature lets it at least Speed tie with opposing base 120 Speed Pokemon. Earth Plate is required for a Ground-type STAB Judgment.
Usage Tips
========
Calm Mind Arceus-Ground can be switched into common physical threats like Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and Mega Lucario and proceed to force them out. This lets this set work really well on bulkier teams, as the defensive prowess of Arceus-Ground still remains. This set is able to sweep late-game with Judgment and a coverage move but cannot afford to carry support moves like Toxic, Defog, and Stealth Rock. Arceus-Ground requires checks such as Celesteela, Ho-Oh, and Primal Kyogre to be weakened or KOed before attempting to use Calm Mind and sweep. Arceus-Ground can switch into Primal Groudon and force it to switch into checks like Celesteela and Ho-Oh, which Thunder variants can deal heavy damage to, making it easier to sweep late-game.
Team Options
========
Yveltal makes a great teammate thanks to its ability to weaken defensive cores to the point where Calm Mind Arceus-Ground can come in safely and sweep. Ferrothorn can check Primal Kyogre, check Arceus-Water, wall Celesteela, and provide entry hazard support in the form of either Stealth Rock or Spikes, making it a decent partner. Zygarde is able to check Ho-Oh, one of the best checks to Calm Mind Arceus-Ground. It can also check Celesteela and Bronzong thanks to Thousand Arrows while also relieving pressure off Arceus-Ground as the main Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence switch-in. Defog Mega Salamence is an excellent teammate for Calm Mind Arceus-Ground, as it is able to check Ferrothorn and Ho-Oh while performing the task of removing entry hazards, which is usually a job done by the Arceus forme of the team. Ho-Oh can be a decent teammate as well thanks to its ability to threaten Steel-types that can wall Calm Mind Arceus-Ground like Bronzong, Celesteela, and Skarmory. Primal Groudon is also a great teammate, since it is able to check Primal Kyogre as well as set up Stealth Rock. However, Swords Dance + 3 Attacks Primal Groudon can be an excellent partner in particular, as it is able to beat the main checks to Arceus-Ground like Celesteela and Ho-Oh with its STAB attacks and coverage. Mega Diancie can check Ho-Oh as well as provide Stealth Rock support. It can even carry Heal Bell for cleric support and switch into Toxic. Tapu Koko can be run to provide Electric Terrain support, but that is only useful when Arceus-Ground is running Thunder as its coverage move. It can also act as an offensive check to Primal Kyogre and use Taunt to prevent hazard removal, while Arceus-Ground can check Primal Groudon for Tapu Koko in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam may be run with the Swords Dance set to avoid becoming setup fodder for Mega Salamence and KO Zygarde after hitting it with an Earthquake. Will-O-Wisp can be run on support sets to cripple physical attackers such as Marshadow, Extreme Killer Arceus, and opposing Arceus-Ground.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-immune Steel-types**: Pokemon like Celesteela, Bronzong, and Skarmory are immune to Ground-type moves, and Arceus-Ground does not have much to hit them with. Celesteela can take any hit and proceed to use Leech Seed and cripple Arceus-Ground with Toxic. Bronzong can use Arceus-Ground as an opportunity to set up Stealth Rock and cripple it with Toxic, while Skarmory can take a Stone Edge with ease and phaze Arceus-Ground with Whirlwind or set up Spikes on it.
**Giratina and Giratina-O**: Giratina-O can take any hit from Swords Dance Arceus-Ground and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or phaze it with Dragon Tail. Giratina is able to take any hit from either offensive variant of Arceus-Ground, cripple it with Toxic, and phaze it with Dragon Tail or stall it with Rest.
**Zygarde-C**: Zygarde-C may not be able to handle most variants of Arceus-Ground, but it can take a +2 Tectonic Rage even before Power Construct activates and phaze Arceus-Ground with Dragon Tail or cripple it with Glare. However, it must be careful, since support variants of Arceus-Ground often carry Ice Beam, which can do massive damage.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh is able to switch into variants of Arceus-Ground that lack Toxic or Rock-type coverage like Stone Edge. It can take any hit and retaliate with Toxic + Brave Bird. However, the Ho-Oh user must scout to determine what type of Arceus-Ground the opponent is using, since Toxic variants are difficult to beat and Stone Edge variants can downright OHKO Ho-Oh.
**Chansey and Blissey**: All Arceus-Ground sets apart from Swords Dance are countered by Chansey and Blissey, as they are able to take any special attack with ease and stall Arceus-Ground with Soft-Boiled. Even Toxic isn't helpful in this case, as these two usually carry Heal Bell and always have the ability Nature Cure.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Arceus-Grass and Shaymin-S resist Arceus-Ground's STAB attacks. Arceus-Grass is able to switch into Arceus-Ground and hit back with Grass Knot, which can easily 2HKO it. Shaymin can outspeed Arceus-Ground and OHKO with STAB Seed Flare.
**Water-types**: Water-types like Arceus-Water, Primal Kyogre, and Palkia are able to reliably check most Arceus-Ground sets thanks to Water-type STAB. Arceus-Water can take a hit and 2HKO with Judgment, while Primal Kyogre and Palkia can OHKO with their respective Water-type attacks. However, they must be cautious against Swords Dance Arceus-Ground, since Tectonic Rage can deal a ton of damage.
**Status**: All Arceus-Ground sets are vulnerable to Toxic, which will reduce their effectiveness immensely. Swords Dance variants of Arceus-Ground will not be able to function once they get burned as well. However, support variants of Arceus-Ground are often used in stall teams, which are often forced to carry a cleric anyway, making status less of an issue.
**Gothitelle**: Gothitelle can deal with support variants of Arceus-Ground, as they fall prone to getting PP stalled or KOed after a few Calm Mind boosts from Gothitelle. However, it is unable to check the Swords Dance variant, which can easily 3HKO it with Earthquake.
**Buzzwole**: Buzzwole takes absolutely nothing from Arceus-Ground's STAB Earthquake or Judgment, and Ice Beam does very little as well. This means Buzzwole can switch into any of Arceus-Ground's attacks and proceed to Toxic stall it.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster Pokemon such as Deoxys-A, Choice Scarf Yveltal, Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Choice Scarf Xerneas are able to revenge kill a weakened Arceus-Ground, while Mega Gengar can force a trade with Destiny Bond and Shaymin-S can OHKO with Life Orb Seed Flare.
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