[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys-A's incredible offensive stats in combination with its access to an amazing STAB move in Psycho Boost allow it to hit the majority of the tier extremely hard and function as an effective offensive threat. It also has access to numerous coverage and utility moves such as Knock Off, Superpower, Ice Beam, and Pursuit, which allows it to blow back would-be checks. A high base Speed stat of 150 allows Deoxys-A to outpace almost the entire unboosted metagame and fulfill the role of a revenge killer. This is further complemented by its access to Extreme Speed, which allows it to pick off faster threats and priority users. Additionally, Deoxys-A finds its place as a staple pick on Tapu Lele teams, as it benefits from Psychic Terrain immensely; it gains an immunity to priority and a boost to its powerful Psychic-type STAB attacks. However, Deoxys-A has terrible all-around bulk that means it brings no defensive synergy to any team and leaves it OHKOed by almost every attack and difficult to get into play outside of double switching or sacrificing a Pokemon. This also leaves it vulnerable to Choice Scarf users such as Lunala and Yveltal, as well as priority users such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Mega Lucario, and Marshadow. While Deoxys-A's coverage and utility options are extensive, it cannot fit everything that it wants to run on the same set, often being forced to use Knock Off to hit Psychic-types such as Lunala, Lugia, and Solgaleo or Extreme Speed to beat weakened priority and Choice Scarf users.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Psycho Boost
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Extreme Speed / Knock Off
item: Life Orb
ability: Pressure
nature: Rash
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
A powerful STAB Psycho Boost is one of Deoxys-A's most defining traits, as it has few switch-ins outside of Dark-types, OHKOing offensive Primal Groudon and Geomancy Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage. Superpower is Deoxys-A's best option to break through Steel- and Dark-types like Dialga after some chip damage, Ferrothorn, Arceus-Dark, and Tyranitar. It also does noticeable damage to Yveltal and prevents offensive variants from coming in more than once. Ice Beam is a useful coverage move that OHKOes Zygarde-C and Yveltal from full health, which none of Deoxys-A's other attacks can achieve. It also lets Deoxys-A hit many other Dragon- and Flying-types without having to take the Special Attack drops from Psycho Boost and be forced out the next turn; for example, it has a chance to OHKO Giratina-O after Stealth Rock damage. Extreme Speed allows Deoxys-A to reliably revenge kill weakened priority users, Choice Scarf users, and boosted Pokemon such as Yveltal, Xerneas, Primal Groudon, and Extreme Killer Arceus. Knock Off is primarily for Psychic-types that would otherwise be able to take on Deoxys-A with ease such as Lunala, Lugia, Bronzong, and Solgaleo. It also provides utility with its ability to remove items from Pokemon and cripple them. Psychic can be used over Extreme Speed on teams with Tapu Lele, as Psychic Terrain blocks priority and the ability to fire off a Psychic-type STAB move without any drawbacks can be useful at times. Finally, Pursuit is an option to trap and eliminate the omnipresent Mega Gengar, as well as Lunala, Arceus-Ghost, and Giratina-O if they have been weakened.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment is used to maximize the power of Deoxys-A's STAB Psycho Boost, transforming it into an extremely powerful attack that is capable of dealing heavy damage, even to Pokemon that resist Psychic. A Rash nature further increases the wallbreaking power of Deoxys-A's Psycho Boost, notably giving it a chance to OHKO Giratina-O and Xerneas. Rash should be used over Mild because it allows Deoxys-A to take on the rare Extreme Speed Zygarde-C, even after Stealth Rock damage. 252 Speed EVs allow Deoxys-A to take advantage of its good Speed tier, notably allowing it to outpace Mega Gengar, Mega Lucario, and maximum Speed Arceus formes, as well as Speed tying with opposing neutral-natured Deoxys-A. A Naive nature could potentially be used to maximize Deoxys-A's Speed stat. However, the Speed boost doesn't allow it to outpace anything of note outside of Mega Mewtwo Y and the occasional Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and the power drop causes it to miss out on significant KOs. Life Orb is the item of choice to increase Deoxys-A's all-around power, and the recoil that comes with it is a largely non-issue because Deoxys-A is KOed by almost every attack anyway.
Usage Tips
========
Never switch Deoxys-A in directly unless you are willing to sacrifice it or you are completely sure that the opponent is going to switch. In the latter situation, feel free to take advantage of double switches to bring Deoxys-A in safely to begin firing off Psycho Boosts and generally put you in a good position. Be wary of priority and Choice Scarf users; be careful when Deoxys-A is facing a Pokemon such as Arceus, Arceus-Ghost, Arceus-Ground, Mega Lucario, Yveltal, or Lunala, as these Pokemon commonly utilize priority moves or a Choice Scarf and can surprise Deoxys-A and KO it immediately. Bear in mind that Deoxys-A has a very good Speed tier that allows it to come in and revenge kill or force out weakened threats. Try to take advantage of this as much as possible to punish foes for picking up a KO and threaten the opposing team with a powerful STAB Psycho Boost. Deoxys-A can potentially be used as a late-game cleaner, particularly versus more offensively oriented teams, as between its high offensive stats and wide coverage options, it can sweep if certain threats have been weakened or eliminated. If used on Psychic Terrain teams, bringing Tapu Lele in to set up Psychic Terrain and then sacrificing it to send in Deoxys-A is a good strategy; under Psychic Terrain Deoxys-A, is able to beat many of its common checks in priority users such as Extreme Killer Arceus and Mega Lucario, and its already powerful Psycho Boost has even fewer switch-ins. If the opponent has a setup sweeper like Geomancy Xerneas or Rock Polish Primal Groudon in the back, try to keep Deoxys-A around if possible, since it can revenge kill these Pokemon with Extreme Speed if they take enough prior damage.
Team Options
========
Deoxys-A is mostly a standalone Pokemon that can be thrown onto some offensive teams without much support and act as a powerful attacker and offensive check to certain threats. However, it does very much appreciate Psychic Terrain support from Tapu Lele, as this makes it immune to priority moves and boosts its Psychic-type STAB moves. Primal Groudon is able to absorb Thunder Wave from Prankster users such as Klefki, which can easily threaten to cripple Deoxys-A or force it out. Mega Lucario and Primal Groudon are also able to take advantage of common Pursuit trappers like Alolan Muk and Mega Scizor, which otherwise give Deoxys-A a lot of trouble. Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Cloyster, Excadrill, and Dialga can further punish the various switches that Deoxys-A forces, as many teams rely on predicting the right coverage move to check Deoxys-A, allowing it to quickly wear down the opposing team with entry hazard support. Late-game cleaners and sweepers such as Mega Salamence, Mega Lucario, and Rock Polish Primal Groudon can take advantage of the holes that Deoxys-A is capable of punching into the opposing team. Deoxys-A's terrible bulk means it has difficulty getting into play without sacrificing a teammate. Thus, U-turn users such as Yveltal and Mega Scizor are good partners for their ability to bring it in to start firing off powerful Psycho Boosts.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A lead set with Focus Sash and Stealth Rock could be used so that Deoxys-A can fulfill the role of an offensive suicide lead. However, such a set is almost entirely outclassed by Deoxys-S, which has better overall bulk and a better Speed tier, which allows it to set hazards more consistently. Low Kick can be used over Superpower to take advantage of the high weight of many Ubers Pokemon. It notably hits Arceus-Dark, Arceus-Rock, and Dialga for the same amount of damage but without the Attack drop. The downside is that it deals less damage to lighter Pokemon like Magearna and Excadrill. Fire Punch OHKOes Mega Scizor and deals significant damage to Celesteela and Magearna, but it's generally outclassed by Superpower as a coverage option. Thunder is an option to break through Celesteela and hit Primal Kyogre and Ho-Oh for slightly more damage than Psycho Boost while avoiding the Special Attack drop. Psychium Z transforms Psycho Boost into a one-time 200-Base Power attack that has no Special Attack drop and also nets the OHKO on specially defensive Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock and Giratina-O. Dark Pulse uses Deoxys-A's higher offensive stat in damage calculation, making it a more consistent option against foes that cannot have their item removed such as Arceus-Ghost and Giratina-O, but it lacks the utility of Knock Off or Pursuit.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Yveltal, Alolan Muk, Tyranitar, and Arceus-Dark are all immune to Deoxys-A's most powerful attack, Psycho Boost, and can threaten it in return with their Dark-type STAB moves. However, Yveltal is taken out by Ice Beam, and the last two both struggle to take a Superpower or Low Kick.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types such as Lunala, Lugia, Mega Metagross, and Solgaleo resist Deoxys-A's Psycho Boost as well as Superpower and Low Kick. However, they all have difficulty with taking a Knock Off, and many of them can even be trapped by Pursuit if they are weakened enough.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Psycho Boost, and although some of them are hit super effectively by Superpower or Low Kick, certain Steel-types such as Celesteela, Mega Metagross, Magearna, and Aegislash are neutral or immune to Fighting, allowing them to come in on Deoxys-A relatively easily.
**Priority Users**: Due to Deoxys-A's atrocious bulk, almost every priority user is able to OHKO it or force it out. Examples include Extreme Killer Arceus, Giratina-O, Marshadow, Mega Lucario, and even opposing Deoxys-A.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Although relatively rare, Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar, Aegislash, Mega Scizor, and Alolan Muk can trap and eliminate Deoxys-A. The last two are especially notable because they can't be easily taken out by a coverage move, outside of niche options like Fire Punch.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf users such as Lunala, Yveltal, and Xerneas are able to outspeed and OHKO Deoxys-A with any of their attacks. In some cases, it can also be difficult to identify if a certain Pokemon is using a Choice Scarf or not, which can lead to Deoxys-A being tricked into staying in and getting KOed.
Deoxys-A's incredible offensive stats in combination with its access to an amazing STAB move in Psycho Boost allow it to hit the majority of the tier extremely hard and function as an effective offensive threat. It also has access to numerous coverage and utility moves such as Knock Off, Superpower, Ice Beam, and Pursuit, which allows it to blow back would-be checks. A high base Speed stat of 150 allows Deoxys-A to outpace almost the entire unboosted metagame and fulfill the role of a revenge killer. This is further complemented by its access to Extreme Speed, which allows it to pick off faster threats and priority users. Additionally, Deoxys-A finds its place as a staple pick on Tapu Lele teams, as it benefits from Psychic Terrain immensely; it gains an immunity to priority and a boost to its powerful Psychic-type STAB attacks. However, Deoxys-A has terrible all-around bulk that means it brings no defensive synergy to any team and leaves it OHKOed by almost every attack and difficult to get into play outside of double switching or sacrificing a Pokemon. This also leaves it vulnerable to Choice Scarf users such as Lunala and Yveltal, as well as priority users such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Mega Lucario, and Marshadow. While Deoxys-A's coverage and utility options are extensive, it cannot fit everything that it wants to run on the same set, often being forced to use Knock Off to hit Psychic-types such as Lunala, Lugia, and Solgaleo or Extreme Speed to beat weakened priority and Choice Scarf users.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Psycho Boost
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Extreme Speed / Knock Off
item: Life Orb
ability: Pressure
nature: Rash
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
A powerful STAB Psycho Boost is one of Deoxys-A's most defining traits, as it has few switch-ins outside of Dark-types, OHKOing offensive Primal Groudon and Geomancy Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage. Superpower is Deoxys-A's best option to break through Steel- and Dark-types like Dialga after some chip damage, Ferrothorn, Arceus-Dark, and Tyranitar. It also does noticeable damage to Yveltal and prevents offensive variants from coming in more than once. Ice Beam is a useful coverage move that OHKOes Zygarde-C and Yveltal from full health, which none of Deoxys-A's other attacks can achieve. It also lets Deoxys-A hit many other Dragon- and Flying-types without having to take the Special Attack drops from Psycho Boost and be forced out the next turn; for example, it has a chance to OHKO Giratina-O after Stealth Rock damage. Extreme Speed allows Deoxys-A to reliably revenge kill weakened priority users, Choice Scarf users, and boosted Pokemon such as Yveltal, Xerneas, Primal Groudon, and Extreme Killer Arceus. Knock Off is primarily for Psychic-types that would otherwise be able to take on Deoxys-A with ease such as Lunala, Lugia, Bronzong, and Solgaleo. It also provides utility with its ability to remove items from Pokemon and cripple them. Psychic can be used over Extreme Speed on teams with Tapu Lele, as Psychic Terrain blocks priority and the ability to fire off a Psychic-type STAB move without any drawbacks can be useful at times. Finally, Pursuit is an option to trap and eliminate the omnipresent Mega Gengar, as well as Lunala, Arceus-Ghost, and Giratina-O if they have been weakened.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment is used to maximize the power of Deoxys-A's STAB Psycho Boost, transforming it into an extremely powerful attack that is capable of dealing heavy damage, even to Pokemon that resist Psychic. A Rash nature further increases the wallbreaking power of Deoxys-A's Psycho Boost, notably giving it a chance to OHKO Giratina-O and Xerneas. Rash should be used over Mild because it allows Deoxys-A to take on the rare Extreme Speed Zygarde-C, even after Stealth Rock damage. 252 Speed EVs allow Deoxys-A to take advantage of its good Speed tier, notably allowing it to outpace Mega Gengar, Mega Lucario, and maximum Speed Arceus formes, as well as Speed tying with opposing neutral-natured Deoxys-A. A Naive nature could potentially be used to maximize Deoxys-A's Speed stat. However, the Speed boost doesn't allow it to outpace anything of note outside of Mega Mewtwo Y and the occasional Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and the power drop causes it to miss out on significant KOs. Life Orb is the item of choice to increase Deoxys-A's all-around power, and the recoil that comes with it is a largely non-issue because Deoxys-A is KOed by almost every attack anyway.
Usage Tips
========
Never switch Deoxys-A in directly unless you are willing to sacrifice it or you are completely sure that the opponent is going to switch. In the latter situation, feel free to take advantage of double switches to bring Deoxys-A in safely to begin firing off Psycho Boosts and generally put you in a good position. Be wary of priority and Choice Scarf users; be careful when Deoxys-A is facing a Pokemon such as Arceus, Arceus-Ghost, Arceus-Ground, Mega Lucario, Yveltal, or Lunala, as these Pokemon commonly utilize priority moves or a Choice Scarf and can surprise Deoxys-A and KO it immediately. Bear in mind that Deoxys-A has a very good Speed tier that allows it to come in and revenge kill or force out weakened threats. Try to take advantage of this as much as possible to punish foes for picking up a KO and threaten the opposing team with a powerful STAB Psycho Boost. Deoxys-A can potentially be used as a late-game cleaner, particularly versus more offensively oriented teams, as between its high offensive stats and wide coverage options, it can sweep if certain threats have been weakened or eliminated. If used on Psychic Terrain teams, bringing Tapu Lele in to set up Psychic Terrain and then sacrificing it to send in Deoxys-A is a good strategy; under Psychic Terrain Deoxys-A, is able to beat many of its common checks in priority users such as Extreme Killer Arceus and Mega Lucario, and its already powerful Psycho Boost has even fewer switch-ins. If the opponent has a setup sweeper like Geomancy Xerneas or Rock Polish Primal Groudon in the back, try to keep Deoxys-A around if possible, since it can revenge kill these Pokemon with Extreme Speed if they take enough prior damage.
Team Options
========
Deoxys-A is mostly a standalone Pokemon that can be thrown onto some offensive teams without much support and act as a powerful attacker and offensive check to certain threats. However, it does very much appreciate Psychic Terrain support from Tapu Lele, as this makes it immune to priority moves and boosts its Psychic-type STAB moves. Primal Groudon is able to absorb Thunder Wave from Prankster users such as Klefki, which can easily threaten to cripple Deoxys-A or force it out. Mega Lucario and Primal Groudon are also able to take advantage of common Pursuit trappers like Alolan Muk and Mega Scizor, which otherwise give Deoxys-A a lot of trouble. Entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon, Cloyster, Excadrill, and Dialga can further punish the various switches that Deoxys-A forces, as many teams rely on predicting the right coverage move to check Deoxys-A, allowing it to quickly wear down the opposing team with entry hazard support. Late-game cleaners and sweepers such as Mega Salamence, Mega Lucario, and Rock Polish Primal Groudon can take advantage of the holes that Deoxys-A is capable of punching into the opposing team. Deoxys-A's terrible bulk means it has difficulty getting into play without sacrificing a teammate. Thus, U-turn users such as Yveltal and Mega Scizor are good partners for their ability to bring it in to start firing off powerful Psycho Boosts.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A lead set with Focus Sash and Stealth Rock could be used so that Deoxys-A can fulfill the role of an offensive suicide lead. However, such a set is almost entirely outclassed by Deoxys-S, which has better overall bulk and a better Speed tier, which allows it to set hazards more consistently. Low Kick can be used over Superpower to take advantage of the high weight of many Ubers Pokemon. It notably hits Arceus-Dark, Arceus-Rock, and Dialga for the same amount of damage but without the Attack drop. The downside is that it deals less damage to lighter Pokemon like Magearna and Excadrill. Fire Punch OHKOes Mega Scizor and deals significant damage to Celesteela and Magearna, but it's generally outclassed by Superpower as a coverage option. Thunder is an option to break through Celesteela and hit Primal Kyogre and Ho-Oh for slightly more damage than Psycho Boost while avoiding the Special Attack drop. Psychium Z transforms Psycho Boost into a one-time 200-Base Power attack that has no Special Attack drop and also nets the OHKO on specially defensive Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock and Giratina-O. Dark Pulse uses Deoxys-A's higher offensive stat in damage calculation, making it a more consistent option against foes that cannot have their item removed such as Arceus-Ghost and Giratina-O, but it lacks the utility of Knock Off or Pursuit.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Yveltal, Alolan Muk, Tyranitar, and Arceus-Dark are all immune to Deoxys-A's most powerful attack, Psycho Boost, and can threaten it in return with their Dark-type STAB moves. However, Yveltal is taken out by Ice Beam, and the last two both struggle to take a Superpower or Low Kick.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types such as Lunala, Lugia, Mega Metagross, and Solgaleo resist Deoxys-A's Psycho Boost as well as Superpower and Low Kick. However, they all have difficulty with taking a Knock Off, and many of them can even be trapped by Pursuit if they are weakened enough.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Psycho Boost, and although some of them are hit super effectively by Superpower or Low Kick, certain Steel-types such as Celesteela, Mega Metagross, Magearna, and Aegislash are neutral or immune to Fighting, allowing them to come in on Deoxys-A relatively easily.
**Priority Users**: Due to Deoxys-A's atrocious bulk, almost every priority user is able to OHKO it or force it out. Examples include Extreme Killer Arceus, Giratina-O, Marshadow, Mega Lucario, and even opposing Deoxys-A.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Although relatively rare, Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar, Aegislash, Mega Scizor, and Alolan Muk can trap and eliminate Deoxys-A. The last two are especially notable because they can't be easily taken out by a coverage move, outside of niche options like Fire Punch.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf users such as Lunala, Yveltal, and Xerneas are able to outspeed and OHKO Deoxys-A with any of their attacks. In some cases, it can also be difficult to identify if a certain Pokemon is using a Choice Scarf or not, which can lead to Deoxys-A being tricked into staying in and getting KOed.
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