entrocefalo
NatDex Slam Winner
[SET]
Name: Utility
Move 1: Foul Play
Move 2: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp / Refresh
Move 3: Taunt / Defog / Stealth Rock
Move 4: Recover
Item: Dread Plate
Ability: Multitype
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 124 Spe or 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Tera Type: Poison
[SET COMMENTS]
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/entrocefalo.399174/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bobsican.434487/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/stupidflandrs48.633500/
Name: Utility
Move 1: Foul Play
Move 2: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp / Refresh
Move 3: Taunt / Defog / Stealth Rock
Move 4: Recover
Item: Dread Plate
Ability: Multitype
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 124 Spe or 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Tera Type: Poison
[SET COMMENTS]
- With access to STAB Foul Play, high defensive stats, and its mono-Dark typing, Arceus-Dark effectively checks Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus, Necrozma-DM, Ultra Necrozma, and Mega Salamence, making it one of the most reliable defensive Arceus formes in NatDex Ubers.
- Foul Play is absolutely essential for Arceus-Dark, as it serves two crucial roles: first, it allows Arceus-Dark to effectively revenge kill boosted threats such as Primal Groudon, Arceus, Ultra Necrozma, and Mega Salamence. Second, it acts as a deterrent, dissuading these threats from setting up until Arceus-Dark has been sufficiently weakened.
- Toxic is the preferred status move for Arceus-Dark, primarily to cripple common switch-ins such as Ho-Oh, Xerneas, Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, Yveltal and Arceus-Fairy. Will-O-Wisp presents a viable alternative for hitting Zacian-C and Marshadow, which is particularly relevant given Zacian-C's resistance to Foul Play.
- Refresh is a solid choice when Arceus-Dark is utilized as a primary Knock Off and status absorber for the team, since it can reliably switch into Toxic Yveltal or Eternatus. However, in other scenarios, it's not recommended since it would render Arceus-Dark too passive against the aforementioned threats.
- Taunt allows Arceus-Dark to greatly limit most of the entry hazard setters in the tier, namely Primal Groudon, Defensive Necrozma-DM, and Ferrothorn. Additionally, it can neutralize status spreaders like Toxic Yveltal, Ferrothorn, and Giratina-Origin, while also restricting the former's ability to use Defog. Taunt Arceus-Dark is also one of the best checks to Zygarde-C, as it can completely shut down its ability to spread paralysis and set up.
- Defog serves as a good filler move when Arceus-Dark acts as hazard control over common Defoggers like Ho-Oh and Giratina-O.
- Stealth Rock can be a viable option to free up teammates to fulfill other roles; for example, it alows Primal Groudon to run more offensive sets such as Swords Dance, or fit Spikes on defensive set. In addition, Arceus-Dark's typing and movepool allow it to set up Stealth Rock on common Defoggers such as Ho-Oh, Giratina-O, and most opposing Arceus formes, all of which are threatened by Arceus-Dark's status moves.
- Arceus-Dark's EV spread enables it to be faster than common base 90 Speed foes and also facilitates its role as a revenge killer against offensive Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. Alternatively, investing in Speed with EVs of 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe and a Timid nature allows Arceus-Dark to outspeed Pokémon like Yveltal, Zekrom, and Rayquaza, and still survive a Life Orb Low Kick from Marshadow.
- Tera Poison lets Arceus Dark acts as an emergency check to boosted Marshadow and Tera Fighting Zacian-C, making it possible to safely revenge kill them. Moreover, by becoming a Poison-type, Arceus-Dark becomes immune to Toxic, making it possible for non-Taunt versions to beat Toxic Yveltal one-on-one. However, Tera Poison makes Arceus-Dark extremely vulnerable to Photon Geyser Ultra Necrozma, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Deoxys-A, thus trainers should think twice before Terastallizing Arceus-Dark.
- Utility Arceus-Dark is an excellent fit for balance and defensive teams, offering a check to Zygarde-C and and other common physical sweepers such as Ultra Necrozma.
- Depending on the set used, some precautions should be taken with Arceus-Dark. Non-Refresh sets need to scout for Toxic before switching into Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM. Similarly, it is important to scout for Glare Zygarde since Arceus-Dark doesn't enjoy being paralyzed.
- Stealth Rock from Arceus-Dark itself or a teammate like Primal Groudon can wear down Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Magearna, and Arceus-Fairy that can switch into Arceus-Dark.
- Since Necrozma-DM, the premier Toxic absorber of the tier, is heavily threatened by Foul Play, Arceus-Dark can often freely use Toxic on a predicted switch-in.
- Primal Groudon, Ultra Necrozma, and Swords Dance Arceus can overwhelm Arceus-Dark. To boost its matchup against these threats, teammates like Zygarde-C, Ferrothorn, and Ditto can provide valuable support.
- Defensive Primal Groudon serves as the perfect partner for Arceus-Dark, covering its weakness to Xerneas and threatening Eternatus, both of which completely wall Arceus-Dark. A similar role is accomplished by Ho-Oh, especially sets carrying Thunder Wave, which can make Arceus-Dark faster than it. Additionally, Ho-Oh checks Xerneas and appreciates Arceus-Dark's ability to deal with Knock Off Necrozma-DM and Ultra Necrozma.
- Necrozma-DM is another partner that benefits from Arceus-Dark's ability to cripple Primal Groudon and Yveltal, and it provides a Fairy resistance and Toxic immunity in return.
- Cleric support from Pokemon such as Magearna, Chansey, and Choice Scarf Xerneas can mitigate non-Refresh Arceus-Dark's weakness to status conditions, with Magearna and Chansey being also good checks to Xerneas.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/entrocefalo.399174/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bobsican.434487/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/stupidflandrs48.633500/
Last edited: