QC: SmashBrosBrawl / Eyan /
GP:
[OVERVIEW]
* Darmanitan's Sheer Force-boosted Flare Blitz and base 140 attack make it an offensive juggernaut.
* The raw power from Flare Blitz is enough to 2HKO even bulky walls such as Hippowdown without a boosting item.
* However, Darmanitan's almost nonexistent bulk, weakness to Stealth Rock and Flare Blitz recoil wear it down fast.
* Its narrow pool of coverage options means that it can't do much if the opponent has a sturdy Fire-resistant Pokemon.
* It's outsped by common Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Terrakion.
* It's also overshadowed by other Fire-types such as Infernape and Talonflame, which have which have access to Swords Dance; Infernape also having a useful secondary Fighting typing.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS
Moves
========
* Flare Blitz deals massive damage to if not OHKOes most targets that don't resist it.
* U-turn is useful for gaining momentum on switches that Darmanitan commonly forces.
* Rock Slide hits the likes of Flying-types like Mega Aerodactly and Talonflame hard.
* Earthquake hits other miscellaneous targets such as Empoleon, Nidoqueen, and Tentacruel.
* Superpower is an option over Earthquake to maintain coverage against Empoleon while hitting Snorlax, which walls Darmanitan otherwise.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Choice Scarf allows Darmanitan to take full advantage of its only useful stats, outspeeding the majority of the tier and hitting as hard as possible.
* A Jolly nature also allows it to outspeed Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile while speed tying with opposing Darmanitan.
* Sheer Force helps bolster the power of Darmanitan's Flare Blitz as well as Rock Slide.
Usage Tips
========
* Darmanitan should be spamming U-turn most of the time to wear down its checks and switch-ins while allowing a quick escape from the match-up.
* Darmanitan functions as a revenge killer to likes of Venomoth, Raikou, and Talonflame after Gale Wings has been broken, so spamming any attack other than U-Turn is unadvised early-game.
* Be careful of wearing down Darmanitan with Flare Blitz recoil and Stealth Rock damage, as it usually has just enough bulk at full HP to survive an attack.
Team Options
========
* Other VoltTurn users complement Darmanitan's ability to force switches and gain momentum. Raikou, in particular, can also force out bulky Water-types for Darmanitan.
* Tsareena also has access to U-turn, can remove entry hazards for Darmanitan, and can take care of bulky Water-types.
* Scizor can check Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Sharpedo as well as remove hazards with Defog.
* Mega Blastoise can also clear away hazards and check bulky Ground-types alongside checking Mega Aerodactyl.
* Ninetales provides sun support, which raises the power of Flare Blitz to ridiculous levels.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Substitute + Belly Drum Darmanitan with a Salac Berry can be used to attempt a sweep but requires extensive support to actually work.
* A Choice Band set packs incredible raw power but is better done by Infernape and Entei and risks being outsped by the vast majority of the tier.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Fire resistant Water-types such as Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Alomomola can repeatedly switch into Darmanitan and render it unable to do anything except U-turn early on. The former two have to worry about being worn down, though.
**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: Hydreigon, Terrakion, and Mienshao can all outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan, but few of them can actually switch in.
**Priority** Priority moves such as Mega Absol's Sucker Punch and Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet can easily pick off Darmanitan.
**Chip Damage** Flare Blitz recoil and Stealth Rock damage can neuter its ability to spam Flare Blitz.
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