[Overview]
<p>When first looking at this cell-like Pokemon, you will probably think, "Why would I ever use this, even in NU?" Well, believe it or not, Duosion is an incredible choice for a Bulky Special Attacker. Duosion, as the pre-evolved form of Reuniclus, gets access to Eviolite to boost its defenses, making it very bulky. Duosion also has a base 125 Special Attack stat to work with, allowing it to hit relatively hard compared to other Pokemon in the tier. As if this wasn't enough, it also has the Magic Guard ability, which is one of the best abilities in the game, making it immune to passive damage of all kinds. Duosion has very low Speed, but it can abuse even that with access to Trick Room. Duosion may seem like the perfect Pokemon, but it still has its flaws. For one thing, despite access to Trick Room, Duosion may not be able to fit it on its moveset. Duosion is also complete Taunt bait, and a Taunt user can easily stop Duosion from setting up. Duosion also
receives competition from Musharna, who is bulkier and has access to Stored Power. If you play Duosion to its advantages, whether it be setting up or attacking in Trick Room, it will never disappoint.</p
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Recover
item: Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Eviolite, reliable recovery, Magic Guard, and good Special Attack, Duosion makes the perfect choice for a Calm Mind
user. Eviolite skyrockets Duosion's defenses to levels that make it extremely hard to OHKO, while Magic Guard prevents status such as Toxic from ruining Duosion's day. Calm Mind is the crux of this set. It raises Duosion's Special Attack to remarkable levels, while also boosting its Special Defense to make Duosion very difficult to KO. Psychic, Duosion's main attack, cuts through most threats like a hot knife through butter after a few boosts. However, Psyshock is also an option if you are worried about threats such as specially defensive Flareon and Cryogonal. Hidden Power Fighting allows Duosion to hit Dark-types, such as Absol, and also gives Duosion coverage against Steel-types, especially Bastiodon and Probopass. Recover gives Duosion more longevity, and allows Duosion to sweep once it has racked up enough boosts from Calm Mind. </p>
[
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Maximum Defense EVs are invested to make best use of the Eviolite that Duosion holds; physical defense is emphasized because Duosion can boost its Special Defense with Calm Mind anyway. An offensive spread can be used to maximize attacking power, but it is usually the inferior choice due to the amount of bulk lost, and Duosion really needs to make use of Eviolite as much as it can to differentiate itself from other bulky boosting sweepers, such as Musharna and Miltank.</p>
<p>Using this set, Duosion can become an excellent stallbreaker with its immunity to hazards as well as having the ability to boost on their weak attacks. Duosion works well on teams that have trouble with stall and Fighting-types, such as Sawk and Throh. Dark-types, such as Absol and
Cacturne, as well as opposing Psychic-types should be removed before trying to sweep with Duosion. Pursuit users such as Absol and Skuntank are excellent partners to remove Psychic-types and the occasional Ghost-type from the opposing team,and therefore help Duosion immensely. </p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Trick Room
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Shadow Ball
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Quiet
evs: 208 HP / 24 Def / 252 SpA / 24 SpD
ivs: 2 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thanks to its low Speed and high Special Attack, Duosion makes an excellent user of Trick Room. With an Eviolite, Duosion is nearly
guaranteed to set up Trick Room, while Life Orb gives Duosion plenty of power and Duosion takes no recoil with the Magic Guard ability. This variant of Duosion is notable for destroying offensive teams with its powerful attacks. The choice between Psychic and Psyshock is tough; Psychic usually hits harder, but Psyshock may be the preferred STAB move as it destroys Cryogonal, along with other specially defensive threats. Hidden Power Fighting gives Duosion coverage against Dark-types, such as Absol and Shiftry, while also hitting Probopass and Bastiodon for 4x super effective damage, utterly destroying them. Shadow Ball allows Duosion to hit Psychic-types, such as opposing Duosion and Mesprit, who would wall the cell otherwise. Shadow Ball also grants Duosion perfect neutral coverage to abuse, which is a godsend for Duosion. </p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> The given EVs give Duosion more bulk on both sides than a normal 252 HP EV spread would, which allows Duosion to take less from attacks and set up Trick Room more easily. The 2 speed ivs are for a maximum power Hidden Power Fighting, while having the minimum speed possible. Due to Magic Guard, Focus Sash can be used to guarantee that Trick Room will be set up, but Duosion has enough bulk that this is usually not required. As a Trick Room user, slow Pokemon naturally make excellent teammates Pokemon such as Zweilous, Octillery, Eelektross, and Sudowoodo are all excellent examples of Pokemon who can outspeed and destroy all opposition in the remaining Trick Room turns. Mesprit and Audino also make good teammates, as they have Healing Wish to heal up Duosion and allow it to sweep again. They also have the ability to set up Trick Room for Duosion. A defensive spread can be used along with Recover over Hidden Power Fighting or Shadow Ball if Duosion is used a on Trick Room team to set up and keep Trick Room up throughout the match. Duosion pairs up especially well with Pokemon that can sponge Bug- and Dark-type moves for it, while also being able to sweep under Trick Room. Gurdurr and Zweilous are excellent partners for this reason; they are able to sweep in Trick Room and punch holes through the opponent's team to allow Duosion to sweep later in the game. If Duosion is being used as a standalone sweeper, entry hazard support would be useful to gain some crucial KOs, especially if running Eviolite or Focus Sash over Life Orb.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Duosion can utilize Pain Split to recover HP, while also draining some from the opponent, but Duosion has access to Recover, which outclasses it. Although Duosion also has access to both Reflect and Light Screen, Gardevoir and Musharna are usually better at setting up dual screens. Duosion can use Thunder Wave to cripple opponents, but Duosion has trouble finding a moveslot for it. Duosion can utilize a Flame Orb with Trick in conjunction with Magic Guard to burn a foe, but this is a risky one-time trick and leaves Duosion vulnerable later in the match. Lastly, Hidden Power Ground hits Skuntank harder, but loses coverage on every other Dark-type.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Perhaps the best counter to Duosion is Absol, who has Sucker Punch to bypass Trick Room, and can decimate Duosion with its Dark-type STAB moves, such as Night Slash, or even trap it with Pursuit. Cacturne also has Sucker Punch, and can force Duosion out and set up Spikes or Swords Dance. Skuntank can take anything Duosion throws at it and hit it with a STAB Pursuit as it switches out, destroying the poor little cell. Zweilous makes an excellent counter,as it is able to shake off Hidden Power Fighting and can retaliate with STAB Crunch, KOing Duosion. Pinsir is also an excellent check if it comes in as Duosion sets up Calm Mind, as it can use X-Scissor to cut Duosion in half. Pokemon with Taunt or Trick also give Duosion trouble, for they prevent it from setting up or remove its Eviolite, respectively. While Knock Off is rarely seen, it is also trouble for Duosion. This move removes all of Duosion's bulk in one fell swoop, making it much easier to KO.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Duosion's Hidden Ability is Regenerator, which is an excellent ability, but Magic Guard is too good to pass up.</p>
