[OVERVIEW]
Dhelmise has a unique niche as reliable spinblocker against Excadrill while providing entry hazard removal for its team with Rapid Spin of its own. Its Grass typing allows it to absorb Thousand Arrows from Zygarde-10%, which otherwise heavily threatens the Spikes stacking teams Dhelmise finds itself on. Dhelmise possesses semi-reliable recovery via Synthesis, letting it keep itself healthy to spinblock and better check common threats like Keldeo, Primarina, and Thundurus-T throughout a game. Dhelmise has respectable offensive presence while spinblocking thanks to its naturally high Attack stat and good STAB combination. However, Dhelmise is very slow and can be worn down quickly, forcing it to recover with Synthesis often, thus providing the opposing team with many free turns. Dhelmise is additionally threatened by common Pokemon like Hydreigon and Salamence, limiting its switch-in opportunities. Synthesis recovery is also hindered by the presence of sand from the extremely splashable Hippowdon, reducing Dhelmise's longevity. Dhelmise faces stiff competition from Amoonguss and Tangrowth as a defensive Grass-type; these two have greater physical bulk, are able to keep themselves healthy with Regenerator, and possess additional utility in the form of Spore from Amoonguss and coverage options like Sludge Bomb and Focus Blast from Tangrowth. Amoonguss's Poison typing also lets it check threats like Primarina and Zarude better than Dhelmise.
[SET]
name: Spinblocker
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Poltergeist
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Synthesis
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Steelworker
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 12 Atk / 136 SpD / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Power Whip threatens Excadrill and Rotom-W, two common entry hazard removers, as well as common entry hazard setters like Hippowdon and Swampert. Poltergeist provides strong neutral coverage on many Pokemon that resist Power Whip, such as Salamence, Scizor, Moltres, and Crobat. Synthesis provides reliable recovery to keep Dhelmise healthy and check Thundurus-T, Keldeo, and Primarina long-term. The given bulk avoids the 2HKO from maximum Special Attack Primarina's Moonblast and the 3HKO from Thundurus-T's Psychic, while the Speed investment outspeeds defensive Celesteela. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Dhelmise to avoid chip damage from the entry hazards it is tasked with removing. Alternatively, Colbur Berry can be used to allow Dhelmise to absorb Knock Off from Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Scizor, and Krookodile and take one Dark-type attack to remove entry hazards in an emergency, such as Dark Pulse from Hydreigon or Darkest Lariat from Zarude. Dhelmise can make use of a more physically defensive EV spread to better facilitate this scenario.
Dhelmise is most commonly found on Spikes stacking teams, pairing well with Spikes setters and their beneficiaries. Skarmory excels as a teammate, as it is an excellent Spikes setter that can also absorb Knock Off aimed at Dhelmise. It also takes on dangerous offensive threats that Dhelmise cannot handle, such as Mamoswine, Zarude, and Scizor. Stealth Rock setters like Nihilego and Chansey help to further accentuate entry hazard damage and appreciate Dhelmise taking on Excadrill. Nihilego also provides Knock Off to force more Pokemon to take damage from entry hazards and can take on Flying-types like Moltres, Togekiss, and Salamence for Dhelmise. Chansey takes on dangerous special attackers like Hydreigon, Chandelure, and Nidoqueen. Togekiss and the aforementioned Chansey can provide cleric support through Heal Bell and Aromatherapy, respectively, to rid Dhelmise of status and improve its longevity. Togekiss is notable for also being able to switch into and pressure Dark-types like Zarude and Hydreigon. Fast Electric-types like Raikou and Thundurus-T take advantage of Spikes well thanks to Volt Switch maintaining momentum and forcing Spikes damage on switch-ins, naturally pressuring Flying-types like Togekiss and Celesteela for Dhelmise. Other offensive partners like Zygarde-10%, Lycanroc-D, Mamoswine, and Azelf also pair well with Dhelmise, since it is able to maintain the Spikes that make wallbreakers even harder to pivot into. They can wipe out threats like Amoonguss, Salamence, and Skarmory for Dhelmise in return. Slowking can pivot into Fire-type attacks from Pokemon like Moltres, Nidoqueen, and Celesteela. Primarina can comfortably sponge any attack from Hydreigon, which Spikes teams often have difficulty switching into if they lack Chansey. Rotom-W can take on offensive variants of Celesteela and helps exert damage through Volt Switch. Dhelmise's teammates should be mindful of their Knock Off use, as Dhelmise will be unable to use Poltergeist against Pokemon that have had their items removed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off punishes switch-ins that resist Dhelmise's STAB moves, like Mandibuzz, Zarude, and Hydreigon. Since Poltergeist cannot be used against Pokemon that have had their item removed, it may be prudent to run Knock Off instead of Poltergeist rather than alongside it. However, this reduces Dhelmise's overall damage output. Body Press can hit Dark-types like Zarude and Hydreigon for super effective damage, but is generally not worth running over its STAB moves. Rest is an option to alleviate status from foes like Hippowdon, letting Dhelmise fear nothing from them, but Rest is more exploitable compared to Synthesis. A trapping set of Anchor Shot, Swords Dance, Rapid Spin, and Rest with Leftovers or Chesto Berry can be used to lure walls like Skarmory and Tangrowth and use them as setup fodder, but this set falls flat into Scizor and generally has poor coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types and Dark-type Coverage**: While a Colbur Berry can help to absorb one Dark-type attack in a pinch, Dark-types like Zarude, Hydreigon, and Mandibuzz resist both of Dhelmise's STAB attacks and threaten super effective damage with their own STAB attacks. Umbreon does not resist Power Whip, but has access to Wish and enough bulk to take repeated hits, along with Toxic and Foul Play to threaten Dhelmise. Knock Off from Pokemon like Scizor, Azumarill, and Conkeldurr also threatens Dhelmise, especially if it is not holding a Colbur Berry, since it reduces Dhelmise's effectiveness as an entry hazard remover and spinblocker.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types like Crobat, Moltres, Salamence, and Togekiss threaten heavy damage or OHKOs on Dhelmise with their Flying-type STAB attacks. Celesteela threatens Dhelmise with Flamethrower on defensive sets and Air Slash and Fire Blast on offensive sets and has the bulk repeatedly take Poltergeist from Dhelmise.
**Fire-types and Fire-type Coverage**: Moltres, Chandelure, and Rotom-H all threaten massive damage on Dhelmise with their STAB attacks. Several Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Azelf, and Diggersby commonly run Fire-type coverage, which prevents Dhelmise from reliably checking them.
**Status**: Scald burns from Pokemon like Slowking, Primarina, and Tentacruel as well as Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W reduce Dhelmise's damage output and force it to use Synthesis more often, reducing its effectiveness as a spinblocker and providing free turns for switching or set up when Dhelmise is forced to recover. Toxic from Pokemon like Hippowdon, Chansey, and Swampert forces it to recover even more frequently than burns do.
**Residual Damage**: Rocky Helmet users like Amoonguss, Cobalion, and Skarmory punish Dhelmise for using Rapid Spin and have high enough Defense to take Poltergeist and Power Whip from Dhelmise many times if needed. Skarmory and Synthesis Amoonguss may also be able to PP stall Poltergeist due to its low PP, despite it not making contact, leaving Dhelmise unable to meaningfully damage them. Hippowdon's Sand Stream hampers Dhelmise's longevity by reducing the healing of Synthesis. Hippowdon fears Power Whip from Dhelmise, but is bulky enough to take one if needed, and can recover HP back throughout a game with Slack Off, plaguing Dhelmise.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Celebiii, 476515]]
- Quality checked by: [[Monky25, 515132], [pokemonisfun, 56643], [avarice, 346653]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Sulo, 528036]], [Band, 301217]]
Dhelmise has a unique niche as reliable spinblocker against Excadrill while providing entry hazard removal for its team with Rapid Spin of its own. Its Grass typing allows it to absorb Thousand Arrows from Zygarde-10%, which otherwise heavily threatens the Spikes stacking teams Dhelmise finds itself on. Dhelmise possesses semi-reliable recovery via Synthesis, letting it keep itself healthy to spinblock and better check common threats like Keldeo, Primarina, and Thundurus-T throughout a game. Dhelmise has respectable offensive presence while spinblocking thanks to its naturally high Attack stat and good STAB combination. However, Dhelmise is very slow and can be worn down quickly, forcing it to recover with Synthesis often, thus providing the opposing team with many free turns. Dhelmise is additionally threatened by common Pokemon like Hydreigon and Salamence, limiting its switch-in opportunities. Synthesis recovery is also hindered by the presence of sand from the extremely splashable Hippowdon, reducing Dhelmise's longevity. Dhelmise faces stiff competition from Amoonguss and Tangrowth as a defensive Grass-type; these two have greater physical bulk, are able to keep themselves healthy with Regenerator, and possess additional utility in the form of Spore from Amoonguss and coverage options like Sludge Bomb and Focus Blast from Tangrowth. Amoonguss's Poison typing also lets it check threats like Primarina and Zarude better than Dhelmise.
[SET]
name: Spinblocker
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Poltergeist
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Synthesis
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Steelworker
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 12 Atk / 136 SpD / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Power Whip threatens Excadrill and Rotom-W, two common entry hazard removers, as well as common entry hazard setters like Hippowdon and Swampert. Poltergeist provides strong neutral coverage on many Pokemon that resist Power Whip, such as Salamence, Scizor, Moltres, and Crobat. Synthesis provides reliable recovery to keep Dhelmise healthy and check Thundurus-T, Keldeo, and Primarina long-term. The given bulk avoids the 2HKO from maximum Special Attack Primarina's Moonblast and the 3HKO from Thundurus-T's Psychic, while the Speed investment outspeeds defensive Celesteela. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Dhelmise to avoid chip damage from the entry hazards it is tasked with removing. Alternatively, Colbur Berry can be used to allow Dhelmise to absorb Knock Off from Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Scizor, and Krookodile and take one Dark-type attack to remove entry hazards in an emergency, such as Dark Pulse from Hydreigon or Darkest Lariat from Zarude. Dhelmise can make use of a more physically defensive EV spread to better facilitate this scenario.
Dhelmise is most commonly found on Spikes stacking teams, pairing well with Spikes setters and their beneficiaries. Skarmory excels as a teammate, as it is an excellent Spikes setter that can also absorb Knock Off aimed at Dhelmise. It also takes on dangerous offensive threats that Dhelmise cannot handle, such as Mamoswine, Zarude, and Scizor. Stealth Rock setters like Nihilego and Chansey help to further accentuate entry hazard damage and appreciate Dhelmise taking on Excadrill. Nihilego also provides Knock Off to force more Pokemon to take damage from entry hazards and can take on Flying-types like Moltres, Togekiss, and Salamence for Dhelmise. Chansey takes on dangerous special attackers like Hydreigon, Chandelure, and Nidoqueen. Togekiss and the aforementioned Chansey can provide cleric support through Heal Bell and Aromatherapy, respectively, to rid Dhelmise of status and improve its longevity. Togekiss is notable for also being able to switch into and pressure Dark-types like Zarude and Hydreigon. Fast Electric-types like Raikou and Thundurus-T take advantage of Spikes well thanks to Volt Switch maintaining momentum and forcing Spikes damage on switch-ins, naturally pressuring Flying-types like Togekiss and Celesteela for Dhelmise. Other offensive partners like Zygarde-10%, Lycanroc-D, Mamoswine, and Azelf also pair well with Dhelmise, since it is able to maintain the Spikes that make wallbreakers even harder to pivot into. They can wipe out threats like Amoonguss, Salamence, and Skarmory for Dhelmise in return. Slowking can pivot into Fire-type attacks from Pokemon like Moltres, Nidoqueen, and Celesteela. Primarina can comfortably sponge any attack from Hydreigon, which Spikes teams often have difficulty switching into if they lack Chansey. Rotom-W can take on offensive variants of Celesteela and helps exert damage through Volt Switch. Dhelmise's teammates should be mindful of their Knock Off use, as Dhelmise will be unable to use Poltergeist against Pokemon that have had their items removed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off punishes switch-ins that resist Dhelmise's STAB moves, like Mandibuzz, Zarude, and Hydreigon. Since Poltergeist cannot be used against Pokemon that have had their item removed, it may be prudent to run Knock Off instead of Poltergeist rather than alongside it. However, this reduces Dhelmise's overall damage output. Body Press can hit Dark-types like Zarude and Hydreigon for super effective damage, but is generally not worth running over its STAB moves. Rest is an option to alleviate status from foes like Hippowdon, letting Dhelmise fear nothing from them, but Rest is more exploitable compared to Synthesis. A trapping set of Anchor Shot, Swords Dance, Rapid Spin, and Rest with Leftovers or Chesto Berry can be used to lure walls like Skarmory and Tangrowth and use them as setup fodder, but this set falls flat into Scizor and generally has poor coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types and Dark-type Coverage**: While a Colbur Berry can help to absorb one Dark-type attack in a pinch, Dark-types like Zarude, Hydreigon, and Mandibuzz resist both of Dhelmise's STAB attacks and threaten super effective damage with their own STAB attacks. Umbreon does not resist Power Whip, but has access to Wish and enough bulk to take repeated hits, along with Toxic and Foul Play to threaten Dhelmise. Knock Off from Pokemon like Scizor, Azumarill, and Conkeldurr also threatens Dhelmise, especially if it is not holding a Colbur Berry, since it reduces Dhelmise's effectiveness as an entry hazard remover and spinblocker.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types like Crobat, Moltres, Salamence, and Togekiss threaten heavy damage or OHKOs on Dhelmise with their Flying-type STAB attacks. Celesteela threatens Dhelmise with Flamethrower on defensive sets and Air Slash and Fire Blast on offensive sets and has the bulk repeatedly take Poltergeist from Dhelmise.
**Fire-types and Fire-type Coverage**: Moltres, Chandelure, and Rotom-H all threaten massive damage on Dhelmise with their STAB attacks. Several Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Azelf, and Diggersby commonly run Fire-type coverage, which prevents Dhelmise from reliably checking them.
**Status**: Scald burns from Pokemon like Slowking, Primarina, and Tentacruel as well as Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W reduce Dhelmise's damage output and force it to use Synthesis more often, reducing its effectiveness as a spinblocker and providing free turns for switching or set up when Dhelmise is forced to recover. Toxic from Pokemon like Hippowdon, Chansey, and Swampert forces it to recover even more frequently than burns do.
**Residual Damage**: Rocky Helmet users like Amoonguss, Cobalion, and Skarmory punish Dhelmise for using Rapid Spin and have high enough Defense to take Poltergeist and Power Whip from Dhelmise many times if needed. Skarmory and Synthesis Amoonguss may also be able to PP stall Poltergeist due to its low PP, despite it not making contact, leaving Dhelmise unable to meaningfully damage them. Hippowdon's Sand Stream hampers Dhelmise's longevity by reducing the healing of Synthesis. Hippowdon fears Power Whip from Dhelmise, but is bulky enough to take one if needed, and can recover HP back throughout a game with Slack Off, plaguing Dhelmise.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Celebiii, 476515]]
- Quality checked by: [[Monky25, 515132], [pokemonisfun, 56643], [avarice, 346653]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Sulo, 528036]], [Band, 301217]]
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