Add Remove
GP Approved 2/2
[Overview]
<p>Once the undisputed king of Speed, Deoxys-S now must contend with Pokemon with the Prankster and Magic Bounce abilities. It is still the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the game, (comma) and carries to carry many crucial support moves, such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, Reflect, and Light Screen. This allows it to hold some of its existing niches as a fast supporter. Perhaps the biggest blow to Deoxys-S, however, is a game feature that is now enforced even in local battles and simulators; (semicolon) , (comma) it is often called "Team Preview", that and it allows players to see both teams and choose their leads accordingly. This means that Deoxys-S can effectively be countered before it even enters the ring, a weakness that is exacerbated by its lack of offensive prowess. All that said, something as blindingly fast as Deoxys-S should never be underestimated or left to its own devices, because every turn wasted is another screen or another layer of Spikes.</p>
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes / Taunt
move 3: Magic Coat / Shadow Ball / Signal Beam
move 4: Fire Punch / ExtremeSpeed / Ice Beam
item: Focus Sash / Lum Berry
nature: Timid / Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>One look at its ridiculous Speed and reasonable bulk should be enough to see why it's such a hot commodity for its ability to lay down entry hazards very quickly and reliably. The lack of a legal method to obtain Custap Berry in this generation also prevents Pokemon with Sturdy from stealing this virtually uncontested niche (for now). On top of this, Deoxys-S has many moves at its disposal to check opposing leads such as Taunt, ExtremeSpeed, and even Magic Coat to stymie Prankster Pokemon. In particular, ExtremeSpeed's use is to get rid of Deoxys-A leads, while Fire Punch hurts Forretress leads.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Mirror Coat is an option to beat attacking leads such as Choice Scarf Kyogre, Shaymin-S, and Rayquaza. Another option is to put EVs into HP to make it Deoxys-S bulkier, allowing it to lay down even more entry hazards. Naturally, one should use 4 HP with Timid nature rather than 4 Atk with Hasty nature if neither Fire Punch nor ExtremeSpeed is run.</p>
<p>Deoxys-S should be used on an offensive team that will immediately take advantage of its support. General guidelines to building an offensive team apply, especially the use of defensive pivots. An alternative Spikes user such as Skarmory, Forretress, or Ferrothorn can lessen the pressure on Deoxys-S to do its job. Additionally, if Deoxys-S is Taunted, it is vulnerable to just about any set-(hyphen)up Pokemon, including sweepers and supporters, so one should have a strong core that can take on a wide variety of possible sweepers. Giratina and Giratina-O are great spinblockers who can also handle anti-leads such as Scizor and Metagross. Other than that, Deoxys-S can easily fit into any aggressively minded team due to its valuable niche.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Trick
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Superpower / Shadow Ball / Ice Beam
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Careful / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deoxys-S's unparalleled Speed ironically makes it a viable Choice Scarf user. By equipping a Choice Scarf, it is nearly guaranteed to move first to cripple most leads with Trick, or just lay down Spikes and save Trick for later in the game. Superpower is one attacking option to threaten Tyranitar and Terrakion; alternatively, Shadow Ball or Ice Beam can hit other opponents. Make no mistake, however; due to its weak offensive prowess, it is best to stick to its hazard-setting role. 28 Speed EVs are all that Deoxys-S needs to outrun Jolly Excadrill in the sand.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Magic Coat is less effective than on other sets due to Choice lock, though it's still an option to Taunt Prankster Pokemon. Thunder Wave is another option to shut down an out-of-control sweeper on the opponent's side; Mewtwo, for instance, is far easier to handle when paralyzed. Alternative EV investments can vary: 144 Attack EVs accomplishes a OHKO on 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar after Stealth Rock damage, and whereas 96 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature outruns Jolly Terrakion after a Rock Polish boost. One can also optimize physical bulk rather than special bulk to help against U-turn-to-priority combinations.</p>
<p>This set serves as more of a hit-and-run kind of lead that doubles as a revenge killer. An offensive team that requires multiple roles to be put into one Pokemon may find this set better than a suicidal hazard-centric set. Stealth Rock from the likes of Groudon or Ferrothorn is a great complement to pile on the residual damage. This set is vulnerable to Taunt from Prankster users, so a strong defensive core to double-switch to is not a bad idea. In return, Deoxys-S can shut down a sweeper or some other dangerous opposing Pokemon to let its team breathe more easily.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Light Clay
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>An observant reader may have caught on to the theme already, but Deoxys-S is the fastest dual screens user in the game. Because it is so fast, it can be difficult to stop due to the screens coming up before the opponent can attack. Taunt allows it to shut down opposing support Pokemon, and, (comma) since only three move slots have been used, (comma) it still has room left for an entry hazard. These traits make Deoxys-S a prime choice for Ddual Sscreens because it supports itself with its superior Speed and Taunt, and can easily support as well as supporting the rest of its team.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Offensive dual screens are typically used to open up a sweeping strategy. For example, Deoxys-S can set up screens for Mew, which can then pass Swords Dance or Nasty Plot boosts to a sweeper, such as Rayquaza, Palkia, or any of the other incredibly powerful offensive Pokemon in Ubers. Gorebyss can especially benefit from dual screens due to its frailty, allowing it to pull off a Shell Smash more easily and either Baton Pass its boosts or take advantage of them itself with its powerful Surf or Hydro Pump. Dual screens are not for a conventional offensive team but for an extremely aggressive one that intends to barrel right through the opponent within the lifetimes of the screens.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Beyond using fast support moves for the team, Deoxys-S's options are pretty barren. A mixed sweeper set doesn't really have the power to work in Ubers, and especially since there are excellent mixed attackers such as Zekrom, Rayquaza, Giratina-O, and Groudon carrying Overheat. In addition to this, Mewtwo's new signature move, Psystrike, effectively makes it effectively a fast mixed sweeper as well.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Pokemon with Prankster and Magic Bounce shut Deoxys-S down due to their abilities. Thundurus is a prominent example of this since it can carry Thunder Wave to make Deoxys-S far less effective. Powerful attackers, (comma) such as Tyranitar, Scizor, Giratina-O, and Metagross, (comma) can quickly defeat Deoxys-S, but they cannot prevent Stealth Rock from going up down. Users of Rapid Spin, (comma) such as Forretress and Excadrill, (comma) can also be a pain to Deoxys-S's team overall, especially since Deoxys-S is designed largely as to be a suicide lead.</p>
<p>Once the undisputed king of Speed, Deoxys-S now must contend with Pokemon with the Prankster and Magic Bounce abilities. It is still the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the game, (comma) and carries to carry many crucial support moves, such as Stealth Rock, Spikes, Reflect, and Light Screen. This allows it to hold some of its existing niches as a fast supporter. Perhaps the biggest blow to Deoxys-S, however, is a game feature that is now enforced even in local battles and simulators; (semicolon) , (comma) it is often called "Team Preview", that and it allows players to see both teams and choose their leads accordingly. This means that Deoxys-S can effectively be countered before it even enters the ring, a weakness that is exacerbated by its lack of offensive prowess. All that said, something as blindingly fast as Deoxys-S should never be underestimated or left to its own devices, because every turn wasted is another screen or another layer of Spikes.</p>
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes / Taunt
move 3: Magic Coat / Shadow Ball / Signal Beam
move 4: Fire Punch / ExtremeSpeed / Ice Beam
item: Focus Sash / Lum Berry
nature: Timid / Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>One look at its ridiculous Speed and reasonable bulk should be enough to see why it's such a hot commodity for its ability to lay down entry hazards very quickly and reliably. The lack of a legal method to obtain Custap Berry in this generation also prevents Pokemon with Sturdy from stealing this virtually uncontested niche (for now). On top of this, Deoxys-S has many moves at its disposal to check opposing leads such as Taunt, ExtremeSpeed, and even Magic Coat to stymie Prankster Pokemon. In particular, ExtremeSpeed's use is to get rid of Deoxys-A leads, while Fire Punch hurts Forretress leads.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Mirror Coat is an option to beat attacking leads such as Choice Scarf Kyogre, Shaymin-S, and Rayquaza. Another option is to put EVs into HP to make it Deoxys-S bulkier, allowing it to lay down even more entry hazards. Naturally, one should use 4 HP with Timid nature rather than 4 Atk with Hasty nature if neither Fire Punch nor ExtremeSpeed is run.</p>
<p>Deoxys-S should be used on an offensive team that will immediately take advantage of its support. General guidelines to building an offensive team apply, especially the use of defensive pivots. An alternative Spikes user such as Skarmory, Forretress, or Ferrothorn can lessen the pressure on Deoxys-S to do its job. Additionally, if Deoxys-S is Taunted, it is vulnerable to just about any set-(hyphen)up Pokemon, including sweepers and supporters, so one should have a strong core that can take on a wide variety of possible sweepers. Giratina and Giratina-O are great spinblockers who can also handle anti-leads such as Scizor and Metagross. Other than that, Deoxys-S can easily fit into any aggressively minded team due to its valuable niche.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Trick
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Superpower / Shadow Ball / Ice Beam
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Careful / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Deoxys-S's unparalleled Speed ironically makes it a viable Choice Scarf user. By equipping a Choice Scarf, it is nearly guaranteed to move first to cripple most leads with Trick, or just lay down Spikes and save Trick for later in the game. Superpower is one attacking option to threaten Tyranitar and Terrakion; alternatively, Shadow Ball or Ice Beam can hit other opponents. Make no mistake, however; due to its weak offensive prowess, it is best to stick to its hazard-setting role. 28 Speed EVs are all that Deoxys-S needs to outrun Jolly Excadrill in the sand.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Magic Coat is less effective than on other sets due to Choice lock, though it's still an option to Taunt Prankster Pokemon. Thunder Wave is another option to shut down an out-of-control sweeper on the opponent's side; Mewtwo, for instance, is far easier to handle when paralyzed. Alternative EV investments can vary: 144 Attack EVs accomplishes a OHKO on 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar after Stealth Rock damage, and whereas 96 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature outruns Jolly Terrakion after a Rock Polish boost. One can also optimize physical bulk rather than special bulk to help against U-turn-to-priority combinations.</p>
<p>This set serves as more of a hit-and-run kind of lead that doubles as a revenge killer. An offensive team that requires multiple roles to be put into one Pokemon may find this set better than a suicidal hazard-centric set. Stealth Rock from the likes of Groudon or Ferrothorn is a great complement to pile on the residual damage. This set is vulnerable to Taunt from Prankster users, so a strong defensive core to double-switch to is not a bad idea. In return, Deoxys-S can shut down a sweeper or some other dangerous opposing Pokemon to let its team breathe more easily.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Light Clay
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>An observant reader may have caught on to the theme already, but Deoxys-S is the fastest dual screens user in the game. Because it is so fast, it can be difficult to stop due to the screens coming up before the opponent can attack. Taunt allows it to shut down opposing support Pokemon, and, (comma) since only three move slots have been used, (comma) it still has room left for an entry hazard. These traits make Deoxys-S a prime choice for Ddual Sscreens because it supports itself with its superior Speed and Taunt, and can easily support as well as supporting the rest of its team.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Offensive dual screens are typically used to open up a sweeping strategy. For example, Deoxys-S can set up screens for Mew, which can then pass Swords Dance or Nasty Plot boosts to a sweeper, such as Rayquaza, Palkia, or any of the other incredibly powerful offensive Pokemon in Ubers. Gorebyss can especially benefit from dual screens due to its frailty, allowing it to pull off a Shell Smash more easily and either Baton Pass its boosts or take advantage of them itself with its powerful Surf or Hydro Pump. Dual screens are not for a conventional offensive team but for an extremely aggressive one that intends to barrel right through the opponent within the lifetimes of the screens.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Beyond using fast support moves for the team, Deoxys-S's options are pretty barren. A mixed sweeper set doesn't really have the power to work in Ubers, and especially since there are excellent mixed attackers such as Zekrom, Rayquaza, Giratina-O, and Groudon carrying Overheat. In addition to this, Mewtwo's new signature move, Psystrike, effectively makes it effectively a fast mixed sweeper as well.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Pokemon with Prankster and Magic Bounce shut Deoxys-S down due to their abilities. Thundurus is a prominent example of this since it can carry Thunder Wave to make Deoxys-S far less effective. Powerful attackers, (comma) such as Tyranitar, Scizor, Giratina-O, and Metagross, (comma) can quickly defeat Deoxys-S, but they cannot prevent Stealth Rock from going up down. Users of Rapid Spin, (comma) such as Forretress and Excadrill, (comma) can also be a pain to Deoxys-S's team overall, especially since Deoxys-S is designed largely as to be a suicide lead.</p>
GP Approved 2/2
