[OVERVIEW]
Necrozma finds its niche as a bulky special attacker or potent stall Pokemon in the 1v1 metagame. Necrozma's respectable bulk gives it the ability to tank Mega Charizard X's Outrage, Mega Lopunny's Fake Out followed by Giga Impact, Garchomp's Tectonic Rage, and even Mega Charizard Y's sun-boosted Blast Burn. With strong STAB options in Photon Geyser, Prismatic Laser, and Stored Power and a wide range of coverage moves such as Heat Wave, Necrozma has the capability to KO a large portion of the metagame including Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard X, and Mega Metagross. Furthermore, its access to status moves including Moonlight, Iron Defense, and Calm Mind in combination with Stored Power allows it to also function as a strong setup attacker, setting up defensive boosts and channeling them into huge attacks. However, Necrozma's utility as a bulky attacker is limited by its lacking offensive stats, which causes it to be reliant on having the correct coverage moves in order to win most matchups, as well as restricting it to using Choice Specs as its most viable offensive option. As a stall user, it's completely helpless against Taunt users and is not as reliable as one may think, being susceptible to critical hits that bypass its stat boosts.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Prismatic Laser
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Signal Beam / Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Specs
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 176 HP / 232 SpA / 100 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Prismatic Laser is Necrozma's hardest-hitting offensive move, OHKOing major threats in the metagame such as Mega Charizard X, Tapu Fini, and Primarina. Photon Geyser's secondary effects allows Necrozma to ignore enemy abilities, helping in matchups against Sturdy users like Crustle, Donphan, and FEAR Aron. As it doesn't come with a recharge turn, it's also helpful when playing mind games with Substitute users like bulky Landorus-T, which can attempt to avoid Prismatic Laser. Heat Wave allows Necrozma to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Celesteela, offensive Mega Metagross, and Ferrothorn that resist its STAB moves. Signal Beam is one of Necrozma's primary coverage moves, allowing it to hit Psychic- and Dark- types that resist or are immune to Photon Geyser and Prismatic Laser, beating Greninja and offensive Mew. Hidden Power Ice is another coverage move that Necrozma can run, allowing for a guaranteed KO on Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice-type moves that otherwise force Substitute predictions such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Zygarde. Another option is Hyper Voice, allowing Necrozma to gain specific matchups against Substitute users such as Substitute + Torrent Greninja and Flail Mega Lopunny. However, the opportunity cost is usually too great, and thus it isn't seen too often. Psyshock allows Necrozma to beat Tapu Lele consistently, even if they have Z-Reflect, but is otherwise inferior to Photon Geyser.
Set Details
========
176 HP and 100 Special Defense EVs let Necrozma tank a Choice Specs-boosted Bug Buzz from Genesect while retaining the physical bulk to beat threats like Fake Out + Giga Impact Mega Lopunny. Alternatively, a spread of 228 HP / 244 SpA / 36 SpD allows Necrozma to tank Mega Pinsir's Giga Impact and have a better matchup against Groundium Z Landorus-T, though it loses out on the Genesect matchup. 232 EVs in Special Attack with a Modest nature maximize Necrozma's attacking abilities after the bulk, letting it devastate key metagame threats like Mega Charizard X with its STAB Prismatic laser. Prism Armor improves Necrozma's bulk, allowing it to survive a Dark Pulse from Choice Specs Greninja.
Usage Tips
========
For Necrozma, given that it uses a Choice Item, most matchups are pretty straightforward: click the move that does the most damage. Prismatic Laser is the default move against less specially bulky Pokemon, since a 160-Base Power STAB move OHKOes most Pokemon that don't resist it. Against Sturdy users, use Photon Geyser, as it bypasses their ability. Against Dark-types like Greninja, use Signal Beam, and use Heat Wave against Steel-types like Magearna and offensive Mega Metagross. Against Substitute users like Garchomp and bulky Landorus-T, which if given a turn to set up will KO Necrozma but are eliminated by a Prismatic Laser, you must predict if they are going to use Substitute or a setup move, or use Hidden Power Ice if you are running it. Against non-Crunch Mega Gyarados, a similar prediction occurs but between whether or not they Mega Evolve. If you think they'll Mega Evolve, use Signal Beam. Otherwise, KO them with Prismatic Laser.
Team Options
========
Flyinium Z Landorus-T is a useful teammate, handling Mega Gyarados, Chansey, and Aegislash. In return, Necrozma takes care of threats to Landorus-T in the form of Greninja, Naganadel, and Primarina. Metal Sound Magnezone is also appreciated, since it breaks many of the specially bulky Pokemon that wall Necrozma like Chansey, Tapu Fini, Magearna, and Meloetta. Necrozma, meanwhile, can defeat Pokemon like Mega Charizard X, Donphan, and Mega Venusaur, which usually trouble Magnezone. Pokemon like Mega Gyarados also prove to be good teammates due to their wallbreaking capabilities, defeating Mega Sableye, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Aggron while appreciating Necrozma's assistance against Pokemon like Primarina and Mega Venusaur. Bulk Up Zeraora covers Steel- and Dark-types like Magnezone and Mega Gyarados, along with beating sleep users such as Smeargle and Jumpluff. In return, Necrozma defeats Pokemon like Donphan, Mega Altaria, Mega Charizard X, and Kommo-o that beat Electrium Z Zeraora.
[SET]
name: Stored Power
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Iron Defense
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Stored Power
item: Iapapa Berry
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind allows Necrozma to break through Pokemon that boost up like Magearna as well as defend against hard hitters like Mega Charizard Y, special Dragonite, and Normalium Z Porygon-Z as effectively as possible. Iron Defense gives Necrozma the capacity to beat physical threats like Mega Charizard X and physical Dragonite. Moonlight allows Necrozma to recover while setting up. Stored Power lets Necrozma take advantage of its boosts and even break through Pokemon that 4x resist it like Mega Metagross.
Set Details
========
252 HP EVs maximize bulk for both defensive stats. 252 Special Defense EVs with a Calm nature allow Necrozma to tank a Blast Burn from Mega Charizard Y as well as maximize its chances against Breakneck Blitz from maximum Special Attack Porygon-Z. A pinch Berry such as Iapapa restores 50% health when Necrozma is at 25% or less, winning crucial matchups against foes like Greninja, Mega Charizard Y, Dragonite, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z by allowing Necrozma to set up initially without worrying about recovery. Sitrus Berry can be used for a more consistent Charizard matchup, but overall it is outclassed by Iapapa Berry in almost every other matchup including against Greninja and Porygon-Z. Prism Armor is Necrozma's only ability and maximizes its bulk against super effective attackers.
Usage Tips
========
Don't send Necrozma out against Dark-types or Pokemon that use Taunt, as with the exception of some Choice item attackers like Greninja that you can PP stall, they totally shut down this set. Against physical attackers, use Iron Defense, and against special attackers, use Calm Mind. Against Pokemon that could be either physical or special like Charizard and Dragonite, there are general strategies that can cover both variants most of the time. Against Charizard, use Calm Mind turn one if you know it's Mega Charizard Y, as this helps against both Air Slash and Blast Burn; use Iron Defense for Mega Charizard X. If you don't know what forme it is, Moonlight is a safe play, as it is helpful against all but Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X. For Dragonite, just use Iron Defense, as Necrozma beats special Dragonite most of the time anyway; on the other hand, if you don't use Iron Defense, Necrozma will lose to Dragon Dance. After Iron Defense, you can usually safely boost up, since Iapapa Berry will let Necrozma recover after two attacks. Against Pokemon that do more than 60 damage but still less than 75% of Necrozma's health, you can use Moonlight turn 1 and then use a boosting move; Iapapa Berry will be able to activate and you can successfully stall out the opponent from there.
Team Options
========
Fighting-types like Kommo-o and Terrakion complement stall Necrozma well, dealing with Dark-type threats like Mega Gyarados and Incineroar that beat it. In return, Necrozma covers common weaknesses for the other two like Dragonite and Magearna. Powerful Bug-types like Durant and Genesect can beat Dark-types as well, in addition to key Taunt users like Kee Berry Mew and Tapu Bulu. In exchange, Necrozma deals with many physical attackers that the former struggle with like Dragonite, Donphan, and Mega Swampert. Garchomp makes a great partner, beating Mega Charizard X and Incineroar while Necrozma handles both Dragonite and Landorus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical Choice Scarf set can be run to lure threats like Hoopa-U and Volcarona that usually beat Necrozma, using X-Scissor and Stone Edge as well as Heat Wave and Photon Geyser for coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-type Pokemon are immune to all damage from Stored Power Necrozma, but they must be careful of Signal Beam from Choice Specs Necrozma. Facing common threats like Mega Gyarados is often a prediction on your part, while Mega Tyranitar and Incineroar counter even Choice Specs Necrozma.
**Super Effective Attackers**: Pokemon like Volcarona and Aegislash can break both sets with their super effective STAB moves.
**Bulky Taunt Users**: Taunt users like Mew and Mega Gyarados can totally shut down the stall set while also handling Necrozma's attacks and KOing the Choice Specs set.
**Sleep Users**: Faster sleep users like Jumpluff, Smeargle, and Vivillon can take advantage of Necrozma's inability to bypass Substitute and low Speed to easily set up and KO it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Synonimous, 457703, PartChandelure, 470225]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osra, 239997], [MaceMaster, 302951], [Alakazam, 276708]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Deetah, 297659], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Necrozma finds its niche as a bulky special attacker or potent stall Pokemon in the 1v1 metagame. Necrozma's respectable bulk gives it the ability to tank Mega Charizard X's Outrage, Mega Lopunny's Fake Out followed by Giga Impact, Garchomp's Tectonic Rage, and even Mega Charizard Y's sun-boosted Blast Burn. With strong STAB options in Photon Geyser, Prismatic Laser, and Stored Power and a wide range of coverage moves such as Heat Wave, Necrozma has the capability to KO a large portion of the metagame including Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard X, and Mega Metagross. Furthermore, its access to status moves including Moonlight, Iron Defense, and Calm Mind in combination with Stored Power allows it to also function as a strong setup attacker, setting up defensive boosts and channeling them into huge attacks. However, Necrozma's utility as a bulky attacker is limited by its lacking offensive stats, which causes it to be reliant on having the correct coverage moves in order to win most matchups, as well as restricting it to using Choice Specs as its most viable offensive option. As a stall user, it's completely helpless against Taunt users and is not as reliable as one may think, being susceptible to critical hits that bypass its stat boosts.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Prismatic Laser
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Signal Beam / Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Specs
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 176 HP / 232 SpA / 100 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Prismatic Laser is Necrozma's hardest-hitting offensive move, OHKOing major threats in the metagame such as Mega Charizard X, Tapu Fini, and Primarina. Photon Geyser's secondary effects allows Necrozma to ignore enemy abilities, helping in matchups against Sturdy users like Crustle, Donphan, and FEAR Aron. As it doesn't come with a recharge turn, it's also helpful when playing mind games with Substitute users like bulky Landorus-T, which can attempt to avoid Prismatic Laser. Heat Wave allows Necrozma to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Celesteela, offensive Mega Metagross, and Ferrothorn that resist its STAB moves. Signal Beam is one of Necrozma's primary coverage moves, allowing it to hit Psychic- and Dark- types that resist or are immune to Photon Geyser and Prismatic Laser, beating Greninja and offensive Mew. Hidden Power Ice is another coverage move that Necrozma can run, allowing for a guaranteed KO on Pokemon that are 4x weak to Ice-type moves that otherwise force Substitute predictions such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Zygarde. Another option is Hyper Voice, allowing Necrozma to gain specific matchups against Substitute users such as Substitute + Torrent Greninja and Flail Mega Lopunny. However, the opportunity cost is usually too great, and thus it isn't seen too often. Psyshock allows Necrozma to beat Tapu Lele consistently, even if they have Z-Reflect, but is otherwise inferior to Photon Geyser.
Set Details
========
176 HP and 100 Special Defense EVs let Necrozma tank a Choice Specs-boosted Bug Buzz from Genesect while retaining the physical bulk to beat threats like Fake Out + Giga Impact Mega Lopunny. Alternatively, a spread of 228 HP / 244 SpA / 36 SpD allows Necrozma to tank Mega Pinsir's Giga Impact and have a better matchup against Groundium Z Landorus-T, though it loses out on the Genesect matchup. 232 EVs in Special Attack with a Modest nature maximize Necrozma's attacking abilities after the bulk, letting it devastate key metagame threats like Mega Charizard X with its STAB Prismatic laser. Prism Armor improves Necrozma's bulk, allowing it to survive a Dark Pulse from Choice Specs Greninja.
Usage Tips
========
For Necrozma, given that it uses a Choice Item, most matchups are pretty straightforward: click the move that does the most damage. Prismatic Laser is the default move against less specially bulky Pokemon, since a 160-Base Power STAB move OHKOes most Pokemon that don't resist it. Against Sturdy users, use Photon Geyser, as it bypasses their ability. Against Dark-types like Greninja, use Signal Beam, and use Heat Wave against Steel-types like Magearna and offensive Mega Metagross. Against Substitute users like Garchomp and bulky Landorus-T, which if given a turn to set up will KO Necrozma but are eliminated by a Prismatic Laser, you must predict if they are going to use Substitute or a setup move, or use Hidden Power Ice if you are running it. Against non-Crunch Mega Gyarados, a similar prediction occurs but between whether or not they Mega Evolve. If you think they'll Mega Evolve, use Signal Beam. Otherwise, KO them with Prismatic Laser.
Team Options
========
Flyinium Z Landorus-T is a useful teammate, handling Mega Gyarados, Chansey, and Aegislash. In return, Necrozma takes care of threats to Landorus-T in the form of Greninja, Naganadel, and Primarina. Metal Sound Magnezone is also appreciated, since it breaks many of the specially bulky Pokemon that wall Necrozma like Chansey, Tapu Fini, Magearna, and Meloetta. Necrozma, meanwhile, can defeat Pokemon like Mega Charizard X, Donphan, and Mega Venusaur, which usually trouble Magnezone. Pokemon like Mega Gyarados also prove to be good teammates due to their wallbreaking capabilities, defeating Mega Sableye, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Aggron while appreciating Necrozma's assistance against Pokemon like Primarina and Mega Venusaur. Bulk Up Zeraora covers Steel- and Dark-types like Magnezone and Mega Gyarados, along with beating sleep users such as Smeargle and Jumpluff. In return, Necrozma defeats Pokemon like Donphan, Mega Altaria, Mega Charizard X, and Kommo-o that beat Electrium Z Zeraora.
[SET]
name: Stored Power
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Iron Defense
move 3: Moonlight
move 4: Stored Power
item: Iapapa Berry
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind allows Necrozma to break through Pokemon that boost up like Magearna as well as defend against hard hitters like Mega Charizard Y, special Dragonite, and Normalium Z Porygon-Z as effectively as possible. Iron Defense gives Necrozma the capacity to beat physical threats like Mega Charizard X and physical Dragonite. Moonlight allows Necrozma to recover while setting up. Stored Power lets Necrozma take advantage of its boosts and even break through Pokemon that 4x resist it like Mega Metagross.
Set Details
========
252 HP EVs maximize bulk for both defensive stats. 252 Special Defense EVs with a Calm nature allow Necrozma to tank a Blast Burn from Mega Charizard Y as well as maximize its chances against Breakneck Blitz from maximum Special Attack Porygon-Z. A pinch Berry such as Iapapa restores 50% health when Necrozma is at 25% or less, winning crucial matchups against foes like Greninja, Mega Charizard Y, Dragonite, and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z by allowing Necrozma to set up initially without worrying about recovery. Sitrus Berry can be used for a more consistent Charizard matchup, but overall it is outclassed by Iapapa Berry in almost every other matchup including against Greninja and Porygon-Z. Prism Armor is Necrozma's only ability and maximizes its bulk against super effective attackers.
Usage Tips
========
Don't send Necrozma out against Dark-types or Pokemon that use Taunt, as with the exception of some Choice item attackers like Greninja that you can PP stall, they totally shut down this set. Against physical attackers, use Iron Defense, and against special attackers, use Calm Mind. Against Pokemon that could be either physical or special like Charizard and Dragonite, there are general strategies that can cover both variants most of the time. Against Charizard, use Calm Mind turn one if you know it's Mega Charizard Y, as this helps against both Air Slash and Blast Burn; use Iron Defense for Mega Charizard X. If you don't know what forme it is, Moonlight is a safe play, as it is helpful against all but Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X. For Dragonite, just use Iron Defense, as Necrozma beats special Dragonite most of the time anyway; on the other hand, if you don't use Iron Defense, Necrozma will lose to Dragon Dance. After Iron Defense, you can usually safely boost up, since Iapapa Berry will let Necrozma recover after two attacks. Against Pokemon that do more than 60 damage but still less than 75% of Necrozma's health, you can use Moonlight turn 1 and then use a boosting move; Iapapa Berry will be able to activate and you can successfully stall out the opponent from there.
Team Options
========
Fighting-types like Kommo-o and Terrakion complement stall Necrozma well, dealing with Dark-type threats like Mega Gyarados and Incineroar that beat it. In return, Necrozma covers common weaknesses for the other two like Dragonite and Magearna. Powerful Bug-types like Durant and Genesect can beat Dark-types as well, in addition to key Taunt users like Kee Berry Mew and Tapu Bulu. In exchange, Necrozma deals with many physical attackers that the former struggle with like Dragonite, Donphan, and Mega Swampert. Garchomp makes a great partner, beating Mega Charizard X and Incineroar while Necrozma handles both Dragonite and Landorus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical Choice Scarf set can be run to lure threats like Hoopa-U and Volcarona that usually beat Necrozma, using X-Scissor and Stone Edge as well as Heat Wave and Photon Geyser for coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-type Pokemon are immune to all damage from Stored Power Necrozma, but they must be careful of Signal Beam from Choice Specs Necrozma. Facing common threats like Mega Gyarados is often a prediction on your part, while Mega Tyranitar and Incineroar counter even Choice Specs Necrozma.
**Super Effective Attackers**: Pokemon like Volcarona and Aegislash can break both sets with their super effective STAB moves.
**Bulky Taunt Users**: Taunt users like Mew and Mega Gyarados can totally shut down the stall set while also handling Necrozma's attacks and KOing the Choice Specs set.
**Sleep Users**: Faster sleep users like Jumpluff, Smeargle, and Vivillon can take advantage of Necrozma's inability to bypass Substitute and low Speed to easily set up and KO it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Synonimous, 457703, PartChandelure, 470225]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osra, 239997], [MaceMaster, 302951], [Alakazam, 276708]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Deetah, 297659], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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