QC: Nayrz / Fireburn/ zf
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
* Dialga's overall great natural bulk and defensive typing make it difficult to take down in one hit, making it a rather annoying Pokemon to face in Ubers.
* It also has access to a plethora of support moves as well as coverage moves, which, in combination with its aforementioned great natural bulk, especially makes it a good Stealth Rock user, as it can drive off common anti-entry hazard Pokemon such as Arceus-Water, Mega Sableye, and Giratina-O.
* Ground-type attacks, which are common as coverage move for physical threats in the tier, deal super effective damage to Dialga, which somewhat hurts its viability.
* It faces competition from other entry hazard setters such as Excadrill and Cloyster, while both Pokemon can also provide entry hazard control too.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Toxic / Roar / Flash Cannon
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dialga can set up Stealth Rock and it works well against offensive teams while also sparing Primal Groudon from the role of entry hazard setter, making room for it to run different sets.
* Draco Meteor is Dialga's main STAB move, which inflicts heavy damage to Pokemon that don't resist or aren't immune to it such as Magearna, Klefki, Xerneas, and Solgaleo.
* Fire Blast as a coverage move on Dialga is highly recommended, since it lets Dialga deal heavy damage to common Pokemon such as Magearna, Ferrothorn, and Klefki, which would otherwise wall it.
* Toxic lets Dialga cripple common Defog users such as Arceus-Water and bulky Pokemon such as Lugia, setting them on a timer.
* Roar prevent setup sweepers such as Primal Groudon, Arceus, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Ghost, Mega Lucario, and Mega Salamence from setting up after Dialga KOes something with Draco Meteor, phazing them. It can also prevent Geomancy Xerneas from setting up in front of a -2 Dialga.
* Thunder can also be run to let Dialga 2HKO offensive Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Water, Ho-Oh, and Lugia.
* Flash Cannon may be run to check Pokemon such as Xerneas and Clefable, which would otherwise wall Dialga.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Special Attack with a Modest Nature is used so that Dialga can hit as hard as it can with its STAB and coverage moves.
* Maximum investment in HP allows Dialga to avoid being easily whittled down by Defog users and other Pokemon in general and helps it check Pokemon such as Mega Salamence better.
* Shuca Berry negates Dialga's Ground weakness once. This gives it a niche of acting as an offensive check to Mega Salamence while also doing surprise damage to Ground-type Pokemon such as Primal Groudon.
Usage Tips
========
* Dialga's great type combination makes a Stealth Rock user, as it can easily switch in against support Pokemon such as Arceus-Water, Lugia, and Celesteela predicting Toxic or moves such as Ice Beam and Judgment, which Dialga can easily take, and set up entry hazards.
* It can also switch in against offensive Pokemon such as Mega Salamence, Solgaleo, Shaymin, physical variants of Rayquaza, and Ho-Oh Choice-locked into Brave Bird and retaliate with STAB Draco Meteor or set up entry hazards.
* While Dialga can act as a lead entry hazard setter facing teams with lead Pokemon such as Deoxys-S, Shuckle, and Cloyster, it's recommended to avoid taking unnecessary damage since most of the time, Dialga will be its team's primary offensive check to sweepers such as Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, Primal Groudon and such.
* When facing Defog users that carry recovery, it's best to inflict them with Toxic rather than damaging them with Draco Meteor, since it will lose you momentum with a -2 Dialga on the field.
Team Options
========
* Dialga fits well on offensive teams that appreciate Stealth Rock support as well as an offensive check to Mega Salamence with the help of its Shuca Berry.
* Primal Groudon is a good partner, since Dialga relieves it from the role of the Stealth Rock setter, enabling it to run different sets. It can function as a setup sweeper with Swords Dance and Rock Polish while also checking Xerneas, which can set up on Dialga if it does not carry Roar or Flash Cannon.
* Ho-Oh pairs well with Dialga, as it can check Fighting-types such as Mega Lucario and Blaziken without Stone Edge and Xerneas without Hidden Power Rock or Thunder.
* Strong physically based wallbreakers such as Mega Salamence, Arceus-Ghost, and Extreme Killer Arceus team up well with Dialga, as it can provide Stealth Rock support as well as check certain physically defensive Pokemon such as Zygarde-C, Arceus-Water, Giratina, and Buzzwole.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Dragonium Z over Shuca Berry drastically increases the power of Draco Meteor, making it possible to score surprise KOs on Pokemon such as Yveltal and, after Stealth Rock damage, an OHKO on Ho-Oh, as well as an OHKO on offensive Primal Groudon from full; however, Dialga loses the ability to check Pokemon like +1 Mega Salamence.
* Psychium Z with Heal Block is another set Dialga could run, as Z-Heal Block gives it a +2 Special Attack boost, raising its already high Special Attack to another level. However, it can only be used once, since Dialga's strong Dragon STAB attack drops Special Attack, while a Steel STAB is not such a spammable option, which makes it rather difficult to sweep with. Overall, Palkia can do the same thing but better.
* A Life Orb set with three attacking moves and Stealth Rock is also an option. This set provides more power for Dialga to use in exchange for not being able to check +2 Speed Primal Groudon. Unfortunately, Dialga's two STAB types are resisted by Steel-type Pokemon such as Magearna and Klefki while Arceus formes with their overall great bulk can eat up a Draco Meteor and Recover up the damage. Palkia often ends up doing the job way better than Dialga.
* A Trick Room with three attacks is an option similar to the aforementioned Life Orb set. Since Dialga has great bulk, it can set up Trick Room with ease and deal heavy damage to the opposing team with its STAB moves. However, just like with the previously mentioned set, bulky Arceus formes such as Arceus-Ground and Arceus-Dark can easily stall the Trick Room out and proceed to KO Dialga with STAB Judgment.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground is one of the best counters to Dialga, as it can easily switch in and remove any entry hazards with Defog while also hitting back with a super effective Ground-type move. However, Dialga can cripple Arceus-Ground by using Toxic while taking a Ground move of reduced damage due to its Shuca Berry.
**Ho-OH**: Because of Regenerator, Ho-Oh can switch in against Dialga with ease and recover any inflicted damage by switching out or Roost. Unless Dialga carries Thunder, which can 2HKO Ho-Oh, it does not have much to hit it with, since Toxic damage can be easily healed back by switching as well.
**Primal Groudon**: Specially defensive Primal Groudon sets can switch in against Dialga can set up Stealth Rock of their own. However, the situation is not so simple, because Dialga usually holds Shuca Berry, which lets it survive a Precipice Blades and retaliate with a Draco Meteor, weakening Primal Groudon for other Pokemon in the team to sweep.
**Primal Kyogre**: With its sky-high Special Defense, Primal Kyorgre is able to check all variants of Dialga, as it can easily take a Draco Meteor while Thunder is not even a 2HKO on defensive variants and offensive Calm Mind sets can tank a Draco Meteor can set up on Dialga.
**Special Walls**: Pokemon such as Blissey can easily take hits from Dialga and slowly whittle it down. Additionally, Blissey usually carries Heal Bell, and also has the ability Natural Cure to remove status whenever it switches.
**Faster Pokemon**: Since Dialga's Speed is somewhat average, faster Pokemon such as Lunala, Yveltal, Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, and Mega Gengar can effectively take out Dialga with their respective STAB or super effective coverage moves.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Lucario, Pheromosa, and Life Orb Blaziken can easily check Dialga with their STAB Fighting-type moves.
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
* Dialga's overall great natural bulk and defensive typing make it difficult to take down in one hit, making it a rather annoying Pokemon to face in Ubers.
* It also has access to a plethora of support moves as well as coverage moves, which, in combination with its aforementioned great natural bulk, especially makes it a good Stealth Rock user, as it can drive off common anti-entry hazard Pokemon such as Arceus-Water, Mega Sableye, and Giratina-O.
* Ground-type attacks, which are common as coverage move for physical threats in the tier, deal super effective damage to Dialga, which somewhat hurts its viability.
* It faces competition from other entry hazard setters such as Excadrill and Cloyster, while both Pokemon can also provide entry hazard control too.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Toxic / Roar / Flash Cannon
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dialga can set up Stealth Rock and it works well against offensive teams while also sparing Primal Groudon from the role of entry hazard setter, making room for it to run different sets.
* Draco Meteor is Dialga's main STAB move, which inflicts heavy damage to Pokemon that don't resist or aren't immune to it such as Magearna, Klefki, Xerneas, and Solgaleo.
* Fire Blast as a coverage move on Dialga is highly recommended, since it lets Dialga deal heavy damage to common Pokemon such as Magearna, Ferrothorn, and Klefki, which would otherwise wall it.
* Toxic lets Dialga cripple common Defog users such as Arceus-Water and bulky Pokemon such as Lugia, setting them on a timer.
* Roar prevent setup sweepers such as Primal Groudon, Arceus, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Ghost, Mega Lucario, and Mega Salamence from setting up after Dialga KOes something with Draco Meteor, phazing them. It can also prevent Geomancy Xerneas from setting up in front of a -2 Dialga.
* Thunder can also be run to let Dialga 2HKO offensive Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Water, Ho-Oh, and Lugia.
* Flash Cannon may be run to check Pokemon such as Xerneas and Clefable, which would otherwise wall Dialga.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Special Attack with a Modest Nature is used so that Dialga can hit as hard as it can with its STAB and coverage moves.
* Maximum investment in HP allows Dialga to avoid being easily whittled down by Defog users and other Pokemon in general and helps it check Pokemon such as Mega Salamence better.
* Shuca Berry negates Dialga's Ground weakness once. This gives it a niche of acting as an offensive check to Mega Salamence while also doing surprise damage to Ground-type Pokemon such as Primal Groudon.
Usage Tips
========
* Dialga's great type combination makes a Stealth Rock user, as it can easily switch in against support Pokemon such as Arceus-Water, Lugia, and Celesteela predicting Toxic or moves such as Ice Beam and Judgment, which Dialga can easily take, and set up entry hazards.
* It can also switch in against offensive Pokemon such as Mega Salamence, Solgaleo, Shaymin, physical variants of Rayquaza, and Ho-Oh Choice-locked into Brave Bird and retaliate with STAB Draco Meteor or set up entry hazards.
* While Dialga can act as a lead entry hazard setter facing teams with lead Pokemon such as Deoxys-S, Shuckle, and Cloyster, it's recommended to avoid taking unnecessary damage since most of the time, Dialga will be its team's primary offensive check to sweepers such as Mega Salamence, Zygarde-C, Primal Groudon and such.
* When facing Defog users that carry recovery, it's best to inflict them with Toxic rather than damaging them with Draco Meteor, since it will lose you momentum with a -2 Dialga on the field.
Team Options
========
* Dialga fits well on offensive teams that appreciate Stealth Rock support as well as an offensive check to Mega Salamence with the help of its Shuca Berry.
* Primal Groudon is a good partner, since Dialga relieves it from the role of the Stealth Rock setter, enabling it to run different sets. It can function as a setup sweeper with Swords Dance and Rock Polish while also checking Xerneas, which can set up on Dialga if it does not carry Roar or Flash Cannon.
* Ho-Oh pairs well with Dialga, as it can check Fighting-types such as Mega Lucario and Blaziken without Stone Edge and Xerneas without Hidden Power Rock or Thunder.
* Strong physically based wallbreakers such as Mega Salamence, Arceus-Ghost, and Extreme Killer Arceus team up well with Dialga, as it can provide Stealth Rock support as well as check certain physically defensive Pokemon such as Zygarde-C, Arceus-Water, Giratina, and Buzzwole.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Dragonium Z over Shuca Berry drastically increases the power of Draco Meteor, making it possible to score surprise KOs on Pokemon such as Yveltal and, after Stealth Rock damage, an OHKO on Ho-Oh, as well as an OHKO on offensive Primal Groudon from full; however, Dialga loses the ability to check Pokemon like +1 Mega Salamence.
* Psychium Z with Heal Block is another set Dialga could run, as Z-Heal Block gives it a +2 Special Attack boost, raising its already high Special Attack to another level. However, it can only be used once, since Dialga's strong Dragon STAB attack drops Special Attack, while a Steel STAB is not such a spammable option, which makes it rather difficult to sweep with. Overall, Palkia can do the same thing but better.
* A Life Orb set with three attacking moves and Stealth Rock is also an option. This set provides more power for Dialga to use in exchange for not being able to check +2 Speed Primal Groudon. Unfortunately, Dialga's two STAB types are resisted by Steel-type Pokemon such as Magearna and Klefki while Arceus formes with their overall great bulk can eat up a Draco Meteor and Recover up the damage. Palkia often ends up doing the job way better than Dialga.
* A Trick Room with three attacks is an option similar to the aforementioned Life Orb set. Since Dialga has great bulk, it can set up Trick Room with ease and deal heavy damage to the opposing team with its STAB moves. However, just like with the previously mentioned set, bulky Arceus formes such as Arceus-Ground and Arceus-Dark can easily stall the Trick Room out and proceed to KO Dialga with STAB Judgment.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus-Ground is one of the best counters to Dialga, as it can easily switch in and remove any entry hazards with Defog while also hitting back with a super effective Ground-type move. However, Dialga can cripple Arceus-Ground by using Toxic while taking a Ground move of reduced damage due to its Shuca Berry.
**Ho-OH**: Because of Regenerator, Ho-Oh can switch in against Dialga with ease and recover any inflicted damage by switching out or Roost. Unless Dialga carries Thunder, which can 2HKO Ho-Oh, it does not have much to hit it with, since Toxic damage can be easily healed back by switching as well.
**Primal Groudon**: Specially defensive Primal Groudon sets can switch in against Dialga can set up Stealth Rock of their own. However, the situation is not so simple, because Dialga usually holds Shuca Berry, which lets it survive a Precipice Blades and retaliate with a Draco Meteor, weakening Primal Groudon for other Pokemon in the team to sweep.
**Primal Kyogre**: With its sky-high Special Defense, Primal Kyorgre is able to check all variants of Dialga, as it can easily take a Draco Meteor while Thunder is not even a 2HKO on defensive variants and offensive Calm Mind sets can tank a Draco Meteor can set up on Dialga.
**Special Walls**: Pokemon such as Blissey can easily take hits from Dialga and slowly whittle it down. Additionally, Blissey usually carries Heal Bell, and also has the ability Natural Cure to remove status whenever it switches.
**Faster Pokemon**: Since Dialga's Speed is somewhat average, faster Pokemon such as Lunala, Yveltal, Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, and Mega Gengar can effectively take out Dialga with their respective STAB or super effective coverage moves.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Lucario, Pheromosa, and Life Orb Blaziken can easily check Dialga with their STAB Fighting-type moves.
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