[OVERVIEW]
Due to Imposter, which allows Ditto to transform into the foe and copy its stat boosts, it is one of the metagame's most potent revenge killers when equipped with a Choice Scarf. In addition to revenge killing, Ditto's ability allows it to scout the entire movesets of opposing Pokemon without them even revealing their moves, meaning that it is effectively the best scout in the game. While Ditto may not always get the opportunity to sweep the opponent's team with the team's own setup sweeper, its mere presence on the field is often enough to dissuade the foe from setting up, greatly limiting the effectiveness of their sweepers. However, due to its terrible HP stat, Ditto has a very hard time switching in, meaning that it must switch in either using pivoting moves such as Volt Switch and U-turn or when a teammate has fainted. Ditto also faces competition as a revenge killer from Fake Out + Extreme Speed users such as Stoutland and Ursaring, which, while not as effective as Ditto at revenge killing, aren't as one-dimensional and can accomplish other things outside that role. In addition, because of its Choice Scarf, Ditto cannot defeat defensive sweepers that cannot damage themselves sufficiently, such as Mega Gyarados, Mega Slowbro, and Clefable. Finally, Ditto's usefulness is largely dependent on the opponent's team, and it will rarely be able to do much to teams that are reliant on bulk as opposed to attacking power due to its Choice Scarf and low HP limiting its ability to function as a defensive Pokemon that it transforms into.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Extreme Speed
move 2: Fake Out
move 3: Boomburst
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Naughty
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
While Ditto will rarely be using any of its listed moves because it will almost always be transformed, the given moves help Ditto cope with the few situations where Imposter does not activate. Extreme Speed, Ditto's most important move, allows it to strike at and break Substitutes, which block Imposter, allowing your teammates to better handle the Substitute user. The priority is crucial, as Ditto's horrid bulk will very rarely allow it to survive any hit. Fake Out allows Ditto to break Zoroark's Illusion without sustaining damage, which is important because Illusion blocks Imposter. Afterwards, Ditto can switch out and will be able to switch in on Zoroark again if need be. Boomburst allows Ditto to hit through Substitutes and potentially KO a weakened Pokemon, though it is only advisable to do this against weak attackers due to Ditto's frailty. Rapid Spin can be used to remove entry hazards against slow Substitute users if you know that your team is able to handle them and desperately needs entry hazards removed from the field.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf is necessary for Ditto to function, preventing Speed ties from determining the outcome of the game. Ditto's EV spread and nature maximize its HP while minimizing residual damage, and they also make Extreme Speed as strong as possible in order to break Substitutes. Because Imposter does not copy IV spreads, a spread of 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe is recommended in order to possess Hidden Power Fire to give Ditto better coverage after transforming into sweepers that have Hidden Power in their movesets. Notable examples of sweepers that use Hidden Power Fire to obtain optimal coverage include Latios, Serperior, Yanmega, and Meloetta, all of which rely on the move to hit Steel-types. An alternate IV spread of 30 Atk / 30 Def is also a very viable option for Hidden Power Ice should Electric-types be giving your team trouble, as this Hidden Power type lets Ditto obtain better coverage after transforming into the metagame's various Electric-types such as Thundurus, Raikou, and Zapdos.
Usage Tips
========
Ditto should be used as a revenge killer due to its ability to transform into and outspeed almost any Pokemon that does not have its own Choice Scarf. It is advisable to use Ditto over Fake Out + Extreme Speed users on teams that require a more reliable revenge killer as opposed to extra utility. Due to the fact that Ditto can only Speed tie with the foe should it be holding Choice Scarf, it is highly recommended to make sure that the foe isn't holding a Choice Scarf or is at least locked into a harmless move before Ditto switches in. Try not to switch Ditto in directly, as even with maximum HP investment, its HP stat is not terribly high, and opposing sweepers usually do not have the best defenses. If you know that Ditto is needed to keep a certain threat in check, try to make sure that said threat can't get a free turn to use Substitute, as that prevents Ditto from being able to revenge kill it. Keep in mind that Ditto is able to switch into Pokemon with Volt Absorb and Water Absorb to regain HP on predicted Electric and Water-type moves, respectively. Should your team desperately need entry hazards removed from the field, it is possible to have Ditto copy the opponent's Defog user. This same concept applies to users of other utility moves, such as Heal Bell and Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
It is advisable to use Ditto on teams weak to offensive boosting Pokemon, as it functions as a check to almost all of them. Defensive Pokemon are commonly found on such teams, and Ditto can take advantage of the fact that most offensive teams generally rely on setting up to break through walls. Offensive teams vulnerable to foes boosting their Speed also appreciate Ditto's support. Defog or Rapid Spin from Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Stoutland is highly recommended when using Ditto, as Ditto takes damage in accordance to its Normal typing prior to transforming, meaning that it takes full damage from entry hazards. Pivots able to get Ditto in safely such as Chansey, Landorus-T, and Mega Sableye also function well alongside it to prevent it from taking direct damage when switching in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Opting to instead use status moves such as Whirlwind and Perish Song is not recommended, as Ditto's bulk is not sufficient to survive most attacks, especially boosted ones. Other Hidden Power types such as Grass are also usable, but they are not as useful as the listed types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Paralysis**: Losing the ability to outspeed its foes is utterly crushing for Ditto, so Ditto becomes nearly useless when paralyzed.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Bulky setup sweepers that cannot really harm themselves, such as Mega Gyarados and Shift Gear Heatran, are pretty much immune to being revenge killed by Ditto, as Ditto's Choice Scarf will be detrimental in these situations and the foe's ability to switch moves will allow it to beat Ditto.
**Substitute Users**: As Ditto cannot copy Pokemon behind a Substitute, maintaining a Substitute is an excellent way to make sure that Ditto cannot revenge kill its foe.
**Unaware Users**: Given that Ditto is mostly used to counter setup sweepers, having an Unaware user such as Quagsire or Clefable to fully shut down attackers it copies greatly hinders Ditto's overall usefulness.
**Friendship-based Sets**: While Ditto can make use of both Return and Frustration, it cannot do both simultaneously due to the mechanics of friendship. Frustration users will be able to beat maximum friendship Ditto, and Return users will be able to defeat minimum friendship Ditto.
**Trick Room**: As Choice Scarf makes Ditto slower under Trick Room, Ditto becomes very difficult to use when the field condition is active.
**Unburden Users**: Imposter does not copy Unburden's Speed boost, which means that Unburden users such as Slurpuff and Hawlucha can outspeed and defeat Ditto after using their item.
**Zoroark**: Zoroark beats Ditto when it has an active Illusion up, as Illusion blocks Imposter.
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