[Pros]
<ul>
<li>Good tank thanks to it's high Attack/Defense stats.</li>
<li>Access to powerful attacks like Earthquake, Head Smash and Stone Edge.</li>
<li>Good utility move pool with Rapid Spin, Knock Off and Ice Shard.</li>
<li>Only spinner able to use Knock Off to effectively take down common spinblockers.</li>
<li>Useful Sturdy ability to help reliably spin away hazards.</li>
<li>Can run Assault Vest effectively for a well rounded defensive spread.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>No longer has access to Stealth Rocks.</li>
<li>Poor defensive typing as pure Ground-type.</li>
<li>Poor speed at only base 50.</li>
<li>Low base 60 Special Defense without Assault Vest.</li>
<li>Often a niche Pokemon and outclassed by faster spinners</li>
<ul>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>name: Defensive Rapid Spin<br />
move 1: Rapid Spin<br />
move 2: Earthquake<br />
move 3: Ice Shard<br />
move 4: Knock Off / Head Smash<br />
ability: Sturdy<br />
item: Leftovers<br />
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe<br />
nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)</p>
<p>This set allows Donphan to function as an effective tank, being able to switch in on a variety of powerful physical moves and have a chance to use Rapid Spin. Earthquake is the STAB move of choice, taking advantage of Donphan's good 120 base Attack. Even uninvested, Earthquake hits many pokemon for good damage, including being able to 2HKO Shield Forme Aegislash which is a common spinblocker. Ice Shard is a great move to have on Donphan, as it has good coverage with Earthquake and makes up for Donphan's terrible Speed in the process. The final move is a choice between Knock Off and Head Smash. Knock Off is a good move to use on incoming spinblockers like Aegislash, Trevenant, Gengar and Banette. As Knock Off does 50% more damage if the foe is holding a item (excluding a mega stone), It can be used to deal heavy damage to these pokemon on switch in, and allows Donphan to 2HKO All 4 spinblockers with Knock Off + Ice Shard / Earthquake while removing Gengar and Banette's mega stones if they have not already mega evolved. It also allows Donphan to remove a particular threat's item, which can make a huge difference for the duration of the match. Head Smash can be used as an alternative to deal more damage to flying types such as Talonflame, Rotom-W, Gyarados and Mega Pinsir, although Ice Shard hits most of these types Super Effectively, but for less damage.</p>
<p>The EVs given are designed to maximize physical bulk, so that Donphan can come in on a variety of powerful attacks like Mega Charizard X's Flare Blitz and Mega Medicham's Hi Jump Kick, Take less than 50% and get off a Rapid Spin or Earthquake on them in return.</p>
<p>name: Offensive Assault Vest<br />
move 1: Rapid Spin<br />
move 2: Earthquake<br />
move 3: Ice Shard<br />
move 4: Knock Off / Head Smash<br />
ability: Sturdy<br />
item: Assault Vest<br />
evs: 76 HP / 252 Atk / 180 SpD<br />
nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)</p>
<p>This set opts for a more balanced defensive spread, allowing Donphan to take a variety or special attacks that he would have never dreamt of living previously. For example, with 180 EVs and an Assault Vest, Donphan can switch in on Mega Alakazam's Psychic and OHKO back with Earthquake, as well as being able to live a Hydro Pump from Rotom-W and get off a Rapid Spin in Return. 252 EVs are put into attack, allowing Donphan to hit surprisingly hard, whilst living many super effective hits. The rest of the EVs are put into HP to increase overall bulk and boost Donphan's already high Defense. An Alternative spread of 72 HP / 208 Atk / 176 SpD / 48 Spe can be used in order for Donphan to outspeed Azumarill and 2HKO with Earthquake, however Donphan often prefers the additional Attack EVs to increase it's overall power.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Gourgeist-H is the only spinblocker that can easily counter any variant of Donphan. It takes less than half from a boosted Knock Off, and can proceed to either cripple Donphan with Will-O-Wisp or stall him out with Leech Seed. Rotom-W and Greninja can both deal heavy damage with Hydro Pump and Grass Knot respectively, while Donphan can do little in return to harm them. Skarmory can also live any attack Donphan can throw at it, while stalling it out with Roost and Brave Bird. Trevenant can easily setup Substitute and Leech Seed on Donphan whilst blocking Rapid Spin if Donphan is not running Knock Off, and Bronzong can do the same with Toxic.</p>
<ul>
<li>Good tank thanks to it's high Attack/Defense stats.</li>
<li>Access to powerful attacks like Earthquake, Head Smash and Stone Edge.</li>
<li>Good utility move pool with Rapid Spin, Knock Off and Ice Shard.</li>
<li>Only spinner able to use Knock Off to effectively take down common spinblockers.</li>
<li>Useful Sturdy ability to help reliably spin away hazards.</li>
<li>Can run Assault Vest effectively for a well rounded defensive spread.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>No longer has access to Stealth Rocks.</li>
<li>Poor defensive typing as pure Ground-type.</li>
<li>Poor speed at only base 50.</li>
<li>Low base 60 Special Defense without Assault Vest.</li>
<li>Often a niche Pokemon and outclassed by faster spinners</li>
<ul>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>name: Defensive Rapid Spin<br />
move 1: Rapid Spin<br />
move 2: Earthquake<br />
move 3: Ice Shard<br />
move 4: Knock Off / Head Smash<br />
ability: Sturdy<br />
item: Leftovers<br />
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe<br />
nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)</p>
<p>This set allows Donphan to function as an effective tank, being able to switch in on a variety of powerful physical moves and have a chance to use Rapid Spin. Earthquake is the STAB move of choice, taking advantage of Donphan's good 120 base Attack. Even uninvested, Earthquake hits many pokemon for good damage, including being able to 2HKO Shield Forme Aegislash which is a common spinblocker. Ice Shard is a great move to have on Donphan, as it has good coverage with Earthquake and makes up for Donphan's terrible Speed in the process. The final move is a choice between Knock Off and Head Smash. Knock Off is a good move to use on incoming spinblockers like Aegislash, Trevenant, Gengar and Banette. As Knock Off does 50% more damage if the foe is holding a item (excluding a mega stone), It can be used to deal heavy damage to these pokemon on switch in, and allows Donphan to 2HKO All 4 spinblockers with Knock Off + Ice Shard / Earthquake while removing Gengar and Banette's mega stones if they have not already mega evolved. It also allows Donphan to remove a particular threat's item, which can make a huge difference for the duration of the match. Head Smash can be used as an alternative to deal more damage to flying types such as Talonflame, Rotom-W, Gyarados and Mega Pinsir, although Ice Shard hits most of these types Super Effectively, but for less damage.</p>
<p>The EVs given are designed to maximize physical bulk, so that Donphan can come in on a variety of powerful attacks like Mega Charizard X's Flare Blitz and Mega Medicham's Hi Jump Kick, Take less than 50% and get off a Rapid Spin or Earthquake on them in return.</p>
<p>name: Offensive Assault Vest<br />
move 1: Rapid Spin<br />
move 2: Earthquake<br />
move 3: Ice Shard<br />
move 4: Knock Off / Head Smash<br />
ability: Sturdy<br />
item: Assault Vest<br />
evs: 76 HP / 252 Atk / 180 SpD<br />
nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)</p>
<p>This set opts for a more balanced defensive spread, allowing Donphan to take a variety or special attacks that he would have never dreamt of living previously. For example, with 180 EVs and an Assault Vest, Donphan can switch in on Mega Alakazam's Psychic and OHKO back with Earthquake, as well as being able to live a Hydro Pump from Rotom-W and get off a Rapid Spin in Return. 252 EVs are put into attack, allowing Donphan to hit surprisingly hard, whilst living many super effective hits. The rest of the EVs are put into HP to increase overall bulk and boost Donphan's already high Defense. An Alternative spread of 72 HP / 208 Atk / 176 SpD / 48 Spe can be used in order for Donphan to outspeed Azumarill and 2HKO with Earthquake, however Donphan often prefers the additional Attack EVs to increase it's overall power.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Gourgeist-H is the only spinblocker that can easily counter any variant of Donphan. It takes less than half from a boosted Knock Off, and can proceed to either cripple Donphan with Will-O-Wisp or stall him out with Leech Seed. Rotom-W and Greninja can both deal heavy damage with Hydro Pump and Grass Knot respectively, while Donphan can do little in return to harm them. Skarmory can also live any attack Donphan can throw at it, while stalling it out with Roost and Brave Bird. Trevenant can easily setup Substitute and Leech Seed on Donphan whilst blocking Rapid Spin if Donphan is not running Knock Off, and Bronzong can do the same with Toxic.</p>
