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Tired
[OVERVIEW]
With access to Nasty Plot and many coverage options, Darkrai is able to carry Z-Moves like Black Hole Eclipse to OHKO threats like Primal Kyogre and support Arceus formes as well as Ho-Oh after Stealth Rock. Darkrai's high Speed tier allows it to outrun support Arceus formes and Mega Salamence, letting it deal damage or use Taunt to prevent their hazard removal or setup. Darkrai is also able to Speed tie with Marshadow, which can be useful in some scenarios. Unfortunately, Darkrai's mediocre bulk leaves it easily KOed by priority attackers such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, and Mega Lucario as well as by faster threats like Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, Tapu Koko, Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, and common Choice Scarf users like Yveltal and Lunala. Darkrai also faces harsh competition from Yveltal, whose better bulk, Ground immunity, and easier matchup versus Marshadow let it be overall more consistent than Darkrai. In the end, Darkrai is simply outclassed by Yveltal apart from the fact that it can punish Fairy-types with Sludge Bomb and induce sleep with Hypnosis.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Darkinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot boosts Darkrai's Special Attack, allowing Black Hole Eclipse to OHKO Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Mega Salamence as well as Ho-Oh and Primal Kyogre after Stealth Rock damage. Dark Pulse is Darkrai's primary STAB move and is a staple on any Darkrai set, as it can also be upgraded to a 160-Base Power Z-Move. Focus Blast allows Darkrai to OHKO Tyranitar and Arceus-Dark at +2 Special Attack and do a respectable amount of damage to Blissey. Sludge Bomb can 2HKO threats such as Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy with help from Stealth Rock, but it requires the extra power from Life Orb to do so. Darkrai can run Hypnosis over Sludge Bomb, which improves its matchup versus Arceus-Dark and other Arceus formes in general, since putting something to sleep is almost always useful. Darkrai can carry Taunt to prevent support Arceus formes from goding for Defog or Recover as well as shut down bulkier threats such as Chansey, Blissey, and Lugia; however, it is better off running coverage moves to hit checks.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs along with a Timid nature allow Darkrai to outspeed support Arceus formes and Speed tie with opposing Darkrai and Marshadow. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize Darkrai's power. Darkinium Z gives Darkrai a 160-Base Power Black Hole Eclipse, which allows it to pick off Pokemon like Primal Kyogre and Ho-Oh without relying on Thunder. Life Orb can be run over Darkinium Z, as it allows Darkrai to OHKO threats such as Arceus-Fairy and Xerneas with +2 Sludge Bomb.
Usage Tips
========
Darkrai is able to force switches against Ghost-types like Lunala and Giratina-O, creating an opportunity to go for Nasty Plot and OHKO switch-ins like Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Fairy after they take damage from Stealth Rock. When facing offensive teams, Darkrai should take advantage of Nasty Plot and Black Hole Eclipse to remove or weaken threats such as Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence while using coverage moves to weaken threats such as Yveltal and Mega Lucario. In the face of setup sweepers, Darkrai can sacrifice itself by going for Taunt to prevent your team from getting swept. Against bulkier teams, Darkrai should utilize Nasty Plot and its Z-Move to weaken defensive threats in order to create opportunities for setup sweepers to clean late-game. Against Magearna teams, Darkrai can force switches to it that can be favorable, since Magearna can drain its team's momentum. Due to Darkrai's unfortunate natural bulk, it should be switched in on predicted switches to Ghost-types that Darkrai can capitalize on or after losing a teammate. Against stall teams, make use of Taunt to prevent bulkier threats like Lugia, Giratina, Blissey, and Arceus formes from functioning and create holes in the opposing team for a teammate to sweep late-game. Coverage moves can be used prior to boosting with Nasty Plot to KO weakened threats such as Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, Xerneas, and Arceus-Fairy. Darkrai should use Black Hole Eclipse to secure OHKOs against Pokemon like Primal Kyogre and Ho-Oh when it is at +2 Special Attack, but it must be cautious to not waste its Z-Move.
Team Options
========
Early-game entry hazards are really important for Darkrai, as it depends on them to secure KOs such as a 2HKO with Dark Pulse on Ho-Oh and OHKOs on typical switch-ins such as Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy with Sludge Bomb. This makes Pokemon like Excadrill, Cloyster, and Deoxys-S good partners. Primal Groudon is able to switch into Darkrai's checks such as Xerneas, Magearna, and Ho-Oh, making it an excellent teammate that can also provide entry hazard support. Extreme Killer Arceus and Swords Dance Arceus-Ground appreciate Darkrai's ability to check Ghost-types. In return, either of the two can clean late-game after Darkrai has weakened or taken down checks such as Giratina-O and Choice Scarf Lunala. Marshadow is a great teammate for Darkrai and offensive teams in general that appreciate its perfect STAB coverage and can weaken Pokemon like Xerneas, Yveltal, Toxapex, and Arceus-Fairy for Darkrai. Marshadow in return can check Extreme Killer Arceus, Dark-types, and fast Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Choice Scarf Lunala. Late-game setup sweepers such as Mega Salamence, Geomancy Xerneas, and Dual Dance Primal Groudon can clean up after Darkrai has weakened their checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set with Dark Pulse, Trick, Haze, and Ice Beam or Hypnosis is a decent option. Trick cripples Pokemon that usually check Darkrai like Magearna, while Haze takes advantage of Darkrai's tremendous Speed to outspeed standard Geomancy Xerneas at +2 and eliminate its boosts. Ice Beam lets Darkrai check +1 Mega Salamence and prevent its sweep. Firium Z with Incinerate is a niche set that allows +2 Darkrai to OHKO Magearna, which can provide room for other teammates like Xerneas to sweep. A physical set with Swords Dance, Poison Jab, Sucker Punch, and Knock Off is plausible but very unviable in practice, since the special set is more useful thanks to its higher power and superior coverage options. Sucker Punch independently is a possible option that Darkrai can run, as it can catch Pokemon like Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, and Lunala off guard and deal heavy damage. Substitute with Leftovers is a possible set, as it can create more opportunities to set up Nasty Plot; however, setting up Substitute is only helpful to prevent Darkrai from being poisoned, which it doesn't care much about because it only requires a few turns to deal heavy damage to the opposing team. This move also forces Darkrai to give up a coverage move, which it heavily depends on to function properly.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magearna and Klefki**: Due to their great defensive typing, both Magearna and Klefki are able to easily switch into any of Darkrai's attacks. Magearna can OHKO it with Fleur Cannon, and Klefki can deal heavy damage with Play Rough and set up Spikes and dual screens on Darkrai. However, Firium Z Darkrai can lure the two and OHKO them with +2 Inferno Overdrive.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Arceus-Fairy and Unaware Clefable can take a +2 Sludge Bomb from Darkrai and proceed to OHKO it with their respective STAB moves, while Choice Scarf Xerneas can outspeed and OHKO Darkrai with Moonblast. However, Life Orb Darkrai can OHKO Arceus-Fairy and Xerneas with +2 Sludge Bomb
**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon that can outspeed and revenge KO Darkrai such as Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, Tapu Koko, and Pheromosa can easily check it. Mega Gengar can trap and revenge KO Darkrai with Focus Blast or, if Darkrai's weakened enough, Sludge Wave, while Tapu Koko and Pheromosa can OHKO Darkrai with their respective STAB moves, and Deoxys-A can KO with Superpower.
**Priority Moves**: Priority moves such as Extreme Speed and Bullet Punch can allow Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, Mega Lucario, and Mega Scizor to outpace Darkrai and deal heavy damage to it.
**Chansey and Blissey**: Chansey and Blissey have extremely high special bulk, allowing them to recover from any damage done by Darkrai other than Focus Blast, which can 2HKO both at +2.
**Ho-Oh**: Thanks to its great Special Defense, Ho-Oh can switch into Darkrai after it consumes its Z-Move; otherwise, it gets OHKOed by +2 Black Hole Eclipse.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can easily take a hit from a Darkrai that has used its Z-Move and proceed to OHKO it with STAB Origin Pulse.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar can easily switch into a Dark Pulse from Darkrai and proceed to set up Stealth Rock, but it must be wary of Focus Blast when not holding a Chople Berry.
With access to Nasty Plot and many coverage options, Darkrai is able to carry Z-Moves like Black Hole Eclipse to OHKO threats like Primal Kyogre and support Arceus formes as well as Ho-Oh after Stealth Rock. Darkrai's high Speed tier allows it to outrun support Arceus formes and Mega Salamence, letting it deal damage or use Taunt to prevent their hazard removal or setup. Darkrai is also able to Speed tie with Marshadow, which can be useful in some scenarios. Unfortunately, Darkrai's mediocre bulk leaves it easily KOed by priority attackers such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, and Mega Lucario as well as by faster threats like Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, Tapu Koko, Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, and common Choice Scarf users like Yveltal and Lunala. Darkrai also faces harsh competition from Yveltal, whose better bulk, Ground immunity, and easier matchup versus Marshadow let it be overall more consistent than Darkrai. In the end, Darkrai is simply outclassed by Yveltal apart from the fact that it can punish Fairy-types with Sludge Bomb and induce sleep with Hypnosis.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Darkinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Bad Dreams
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot boosts Darkrai's Special Attack, allowing Black Hole Eclipse to OHKO Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Mega Salamence as well as Ho-Oh and Primal Kyogre after Stealth Rock damage. Dark Pulse is Darkrai's primary STAB move and is a staple on any Darkrai set, as it can also be upgraded to a 160-Base Power Z-Move. Focus Blast allows Darkrai to OHKO Tyranitar and Arceus-Dark at +2 Special Attack and do a respectable amount of damage to Blissey. Sludge Bomb can 2HKO threats such as Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy with help from Stealth Rock, but it requires the extra power from Life Orb to do so. Darkrai can run Hypnosis over Sludge Bomb, which improves its matchup versus Arceus-Dark and other Arceus formes in general, since putting something to sleep is almost always useful. Darkrai can carry Taunt to prevent support Arceus formes from goding for Defog or Recover as well as shut down bulkier threats such as Chansey, Blissey, and Lugia; however, it is better off running coverage moves to hit checks.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs along with a Timid nature allow Darkrai to outspeed support Arceus formes and Speed tie with opposing Darkrai and Marshadow. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize Darkrai's power. Darkinium Z gives Darkrai a 160-Base Power Black Hole Eclipse, which allows it to pick off Pokemon like Primal Kyogre and Ho-Oh without relying on Thunder. Life Orb can be run over Darkinium Z, as it allows Darkrai to OHKO threats such as Arceus-Fairy and Xerneas with +2 Sludge Bomb.
Usage Tips
========
Darkrai is able to force switches against Ghost-types like Lunala and Giratina-O, creating an opportunity to go for Nasty Plot and OHKO switch-ins like Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Fairy after they take damage from Stealth Rock. When facing offensive teams, Darkrai should take advantage of Nasty Plot and Black Hole Eclipse to remove or weaken threats such as Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence while using coverage moves to weaken threats such as Yveltal and Mega Lucario. In the face of setup sweepers, Darkrai can sacrifice itself by going for Taunt to prevent your team from getting swept. Against bulkier teams, Darkrai should utilize Nasty Plot and its Z-Move to weaken defensive threats in order to create opportunities for setup sweepers to clean late-game. Against Magearna teams, Darkrai can force switches to it that can be favorable, since Magearna can drain its team's momentum. Due to Darkrai's unfortunate natural bulk, it should be switched in on predicted switches to Ghost-types that Darkrai can capitalize on or after losing a teammate. Against stall teams, make use of Taunt to prevent bulkier threats like Lugia, Giratina, Blissey, and Arceus formes from functioning and create holes in the opposing team for a teammate to sweep late-game. Coverage moves can be used prior to boosting with Nasty Plot to KO weakened threats such as Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, Xerneas, and Arceus-Fairy. Darkrai should use Black Hole Eclipse to secure OHKOs against Pokemon like Primal Kyogre and Ho-Oh when it is at +2 Special Attack, but it must be cautious to not waste its Z-Move.
Team Options
========
Early-game entry hazards are really important for Darkrai, as it depends on them to secure KOs such as a 2HKO with Dark Pulse on Ho-Oh and OHKOs on typical switch-ins such as Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy with Sludge Bomb. This makes Pokemon like Excadrill, Cloyster, and Deoxys-S good partners. Primal Groudon is able to switch into Darkrai's checks such as Xerneas, Magearna, and Ho-Oh, making it an excellent teammate that can also provide entry hazard support. Extreme Killer Arceus and Swords Dance Arceus-Ground appreciate Darkrai's ability to check Ghost-types. In return, either of the two can clean late-game after Darkrai has weakened or taken down checks such as Giratina-O and Choice Scarf Lunala. Marshadow is a great teammate for Darkrai and offensive teams in general that appreciate its perfect STAB coverage and can weaken Pokemon like Xerneas, Yveltal, Toxapex, and Arceus-Fairy for Darkrai. Marshadow in return can check Extreme Killer Arceus, Dark-types, and fast Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Choice Scarf Lunala. Late-game setup sweepers such as Mega Salamence, Geomancy Xerneas, and Dual Dance Primal Groudon can clean up after Darkrai has weakened their checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set with Dark Pulse, Trick, Haze, and Ice Beam or Hypnosis is a decent option. Trick cripples Pokemon that usually check Darkrai like Magearna, while Haze takes advantage of Darkrai's tremendous Speed to outspeed standard Geomancy Xerneas at +2 and eliminate its boosts. Ice Beam lets Darkrai check +1 Mega Salamence and prevent its sweep. Firium Z with Incinerate is a niche set that allows +2 Darkrai to OHKO Magearna, which can provide room for other teammates like Xerneas to sweep. A physical set with Swords Dance, Poison Jab, Sucker Punch, and Knock Off is plausible but very unviable in practice, since the special set is more useful thanks to its higher power and superior coverage options. Sucker Punch independently is a possible option that Darkrai can run, as it can catch Pokemon like Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, and Lunala off guard and deal heavy damage. Substitute with Leftovers is a possible set, as it can create more opportunities to set up Nasty Plot; however, setting up Substitute is only helpful to prevent Darkrai from being poisoned, which it doesn't care much about because it only requires a few turns to deal heavy damage to the opposing team. This move also forces Darkrai to give up a coverage move, which it heavily depends on to function properly.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magearna and Klefki**: Due to their great defensive typing, both Magearna and Klefki are able to easily switch into any of Darkrai's attacks. Magearna can OHKO it with Fleur Cannon, and Klefki can deal heavy damage with Play Rough and set up Spikes and dual screens on Darkrai. However, Firium Z Darkrai can lure the two and OHKO them with +2 Inferno Overdrive.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Arceus-Fairy and Unaware Clefable can take a +2 Sludge Bomb from Darkrai and proceed to OHKO it with their respective STAB moves, while Choice Scarf Xerneas can outspeed and OHKO Darkrai with Moonblast. However, Life Orb Darkrai can OHKO Arceus-Fairy and Xerneas with +2 Sludge Bomb
**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon that can outspeed and revenge KO Darkrai such as Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, Tapu Koko, and Pheromosa can easily check it. Mega Gengar can trap and revenge KO Darkrai with Focus Blast or, if Darkrai's weakened enough, Sludge Wave, while Tapu Koko and Pheromosa can OHKO Darkrai with their respective STAB moves, and Deoxys-A can KO with Superpower.
**Priority Moves**: Priority moves such as Extreme Speed and Bullet Punch can allow Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, Mega Lucario, and Mega Scizor to outpace Darkrai and deal heavy damage to it.
**Chansey and Blissey**: Chansey and Blissey have extremely high special bulk, allowing them to recover from any damage done by Darkrai other than Focus Blast, which can 2HKO both at +2.
**Ho-Oh**: Thanks to its great Special Defense, Ho-Oh can switch into Darkrai after it consumes its Z-Move; otherwise, it gets OHKOed by +2 Black Hole Eclipse.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre can easily take a hit from a Darkrai that has used its Z-Move and proceed to OHKO it with STAB Origin Pulse.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar can easily switch into a Dark Pulse from Darkrai and proceed to set up Stealth Rock, but it must be wary of Focus Blast when not holding a Chople Berry.
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