QC: [Swamp Link] [] []
GP: [] [] []
Overview
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Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Superpower
move 4: U-Turn
ability: Sheer Force
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
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All-Out Attacker
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name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Superpower
move 4: U-Turn
ability: Sheer Force
item: Life Orb / Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
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Other Options
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Checks & Counters
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GP: [] [] []
Overview
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- Astounding 140 base Attack coupled with Sheer Force makes it incredibly difficult to switch into
- Pitiful defenses
- Unimpressive Speed for an offensive Pokemon
- Susceptible to every and all entry hazards, making hazard control almost compulsory
- Along with hazards, Flare Blitz recoil can quickly end it’s short lifespan
Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Superpower
move 4: U-Turn
ability: Sheer Force
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
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- Flare Blitz is Darmanitan's most powerful STAB; along with the boost from Sheer Force, it hits everything not resistant to it hard.
- Rock Slide covers Dragonite, Gyarados, and many opposing Fire-types.
- Superpower hits Tyranitar and Heatran.
- U-Turn gains momentum, scouting for switches in order to switch in a more favorable matchup; this is especially useful for a Choice wielder.
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- Choice Scarf defines it's role as a revenge killer.
- EV spread is standard for Darmanitan, maxing out Atk and Spe.
- An Adamant nature is preferred for this set, as Darmanitan wants as much power it can get; With Adamant, Darmanitan obtains the following KOs:
252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Conkeldurr: 309-364 (88 - 103.7%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus: 322-381 (100.6 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO 252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Clefable: 382-451 (96.9 - 114.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock - However, a Jolly nature allows Darmanitan to outspeed and revenge kill neutral-natured base 100 Speed threats at +1, such as Mega Charizard X.
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- With a Choice Scarf, Darmanitan is great at coming in for revenge kills, KO'ing normally faster, frailer Pokemon.
- Late-game, it can potentially clean up the opponent's team once they've been significantly weakened.
- Bear in mind that if the opponent has set up Stealth Rock and or additional hazards, it may be wise to keep Darmanitan out of the fray unless it can come in on a Pokemon it can threaten, or if hazards have been removed.
- Highly suggested to spam U-Turn often, as Darmanitan forces a lot of switches.
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- A good spinner or Defogger is necessary, as Darmanitan's role as a revenge killer means that it will be switching out frequently, and Stealth Rock and recoil damage will make short work of it otherwise. Starmie, Mega Blastoise, Latias, and Scizor are adept at this and share decent synergy with Darmanitan.
- Teammates that can soften bulky Water-types for Darmanitan are appreciated, with Ferrothorn, Kyurem-B, and Mega Venusaur being suitable. Thundurus-I deserves a special mention for also being able to easily paralyze opponents, letting Darmanitan outpace and smash normally faster checks.
- Generally, sweepers that can take advantage of it's wallbreaking, such as Manaphy, Landorus, and Thundurus, make for good teammates.
- If desired, Sun support from Ninetales, or alternate Sun setters as Heat Rock Deoxys-S and Latias, greatly increase Flare Blitz's power, making it a proficient wallbreaker in Sun
All-Out Attacker
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name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Superpower
move 4: U-Turn
ability: Sheer Force
item: Life Orb / Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
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- Flare Blitz is it's most powerful STAB, packing a ridiculous punch.
- Rock Slide provides additional coverage against various Fire and Flying-types that resist Flare Blitz, and Sheer Force increases it's power output near that of Stone Edge.
- Superpower hits Tyranitar and Heatran.
- U-Turn maintains momentum.
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- A Life Orb is standard for the power boost, but with a Choice Band, Darmanitan refrains from additional recoil and gains even more power, albeit being restricted to a single move. Note that if it uses Flare Blitz or Rock Slide, it can temporarily bluff a Choice item.
- Adamant is once again preferred for maximum wallbreaking potential, and outspeeds up to positive-natured Gyarados, though Jolly lets it outspeed up to positive-natured base 100s.
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- Wallbreaks; STAB Flare Blitz threatens many Pokemon, while it's coverage moves save for those that Flare Blitz doesn't.
- Early game wallbreaker that can be played pretty recklessly.
- It's massive damage output makes it difficult to counter: Latios, Latias, Gliscor, and some bulky waters can be 2HKO'd by Flare Blitz, and Mega Charizard X, Heatran, and Terrakion are all wrecked by coverage moves.
- Decent Speed lets it outpace most, if not every, relevant defensive threat.
- U-Turn may be suggestive if holding a Choice Band.
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- Per usual, a Rapid Spinner or Defogger is crucial in order to make the most out of Darmanitan's longevity without being neutered by entry hazards.
- Darmanitan is sufficient at punching holes mid-game, so sweepers that can clean up weakened teams with ease, such as Dragonite, Gyarados, and Suicune, make good teammates.
- As with the Choice Scarf set, teammates capable of handling Water-types that may be a burden to Darmanitan are still appreciated. Because a slower Darmanitan is easier to check, however, Thundurus-I's ability to paralyze faster threats is even more valuable.
- Teammates able to provide Sun support essentially turn Flare Blitz into a nuke, letting it 2HKO would-be counters as Gyarados, Quagsire, and Suicune
Other Options
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- SubSalac + Belly Drum
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt to revenge kill Keldeo w/ Scarf
Checks & Counters
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- Bulky Water-types such as Quagsire, Rotom-W (has to watch out for All-Out Attacker), Gyarados, and Suicune
- Garchomp
- Latios/Latias
- Priority users: Azumarill switches into anything, Talonflame revenge kills
- Terrakion
- Zygarde
- Gliscor
- Politoed
- Heatran
- Mega Charizard X
- Revenge killers and faster Choice Scarf users
- Stealth Rock
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