[OVERVIEW]
Deoxys-S is maybe the most influential Pokemon in DPP Ubers, on the same level of Kyogre and Groudon's weather abilities and Dialga's incredible typing. Its incredible movepool and sheer Speed stat makes it the best, most defining lead in DPP Ubers, so when deciding on a lead in the teambuilder, it is imperative to choose a lead that does not give Deoxys-S free reign. Deoxys-S is capable of stacking both Stealth Rock and Spikes in the lead position, and its ability to stack entry hazards is valuable because they wear down the bulky Uber Pokemon such as Groudon, Dialga, Kyogre, and Ho-oh very quickly. It is also not simple to prevent Deoxys-S from setting up hazards; Deoxys-S can use Taunt to prevent other leads from setting up hazards or using Taunt themselves to deny Deoxys-S from setting up hazards. Finally, spinners are unreliable in DPP Ubers, since Deoxys-S is very frequently paired with Giratina-O, which shuts down every spinner commonly used in Ubers, such as Tentacruel, Kabutops, and Forretress. A worst-case scenario for any DPP Ubers team is that the opposing Deoxys-S lead gets up both Stealth Rock and Spikes, assuring that their team will have to deal with hazards for most of the game.
Aside from risking a Deoxys-S speed tie in the lead slot, the best counterplay to Deoxys-S is to use leads that prevent Deoxys-S from accomplishing its goals. However, just as the opposing leads can adapt to Deoxys-S, Deoxys-S can tweak its EV spread or item to handle these adaptations; Deoxys-S is so fast that it even outruns Choice Scarf users, so it has no qualms with investing in bulk. Attackers that can weaken Deoxys-S into range of a priority attack, such as Rayquaza, Giratina-O, or even opposing Deoxys-S can limit it to only a single layer of hazards, but Deoxys-S can simply invest to survive these attacks, or switch out on the predicted priority move to get the second layer of hazards later in the game when it gets the opportunity. Tyranitar functions similarly to these leads, with the sandstorm produced by its ability finishing off Deoxys-S in a similar fashion to priority moves. However, Colbur Berry variants of Deoxys-S thwart this. Choice Scarf Darkrai is often cited as the only way of denying Deoxys-S any hazards at all by outspeeding even max Speed Deoxys-S and putting it to sleep with Dark Void, but Deoxys-S can ruin this attempt with a Lum Berry, or bypass the conundrum entirely with a Choice Scarf of its own. Another option is to lead off with a spinner such as Tentacruel or Forretress to deny Deoxys-S's hazards from staying up. However, these spinners cannot risk Deoxys-S using Trick to give them a Choice Scarf, nor do they want Deoxys-S to attack them while they use Rapid Spin and accomplish nothing. Therefore, these leads are more likely to trade hazards on the first turn and don't actively try and keep hazards off the field from the first turn. Thus, Deoxys-S has all of the versatility and sheer Speed required to put immense pressure on the opponent's team from the very first turn, even if it doesn't use a single attacking move itself.
[SET]
name: Colbur Berry
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Shadow Ball / Taunt
move 4: Extreme Speed / Thunder Wave
item: Colbur Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 HP / 164 SpD / 92 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
One of the best Pokemon at dealing with the straightforward Focus Sash lead Deoxys-S is Tyranitar, since its powerful Payback in conjunction with Sand Stream will make the game 5-6 in exchange for a layer of Spikes. If Deoxys-S's team is sufficiently offensive, this can work, but not every team is an extreme hyper offense team. Thus, the Colbur Berry preserves Deoxys-S the best and lets it take Tyranitar's Payback with ease, setting up Spikes and letting it either use Superpower to weaken Tyranitar itself or switch out to a teammate that threatens out Tyranitar. Shadow Ball lets it weaken opposing Deoxys-S leads that may attempt to use Taunt on it, as well as Giratina-O anti-leads, while Taunt lets it prevent other leads from attempting to set up hazards in Deoxys-S's face. Extreme Speed lets it attack opposing anti-leads after it has been weakened by their attacks, while Thunder Wave (does things idk).
Set Details
========
Because Deoxys-S has such a high base Speed, it only needs 92 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature to outspeed Choice Scarf Kyogre leads, letting it weaken Kyogre to reduce the power of Water Spout before setting up a layer of Spikes. The rest of its EVs allow it to survive the powerful special attacks that populate the lead metagame, including non-Life Orb Rayquaza's Draco Meteor, Choice Scarf Kyogre's Water Spout after Superpower, and (some other third attack that it lives). However, if the team needs it (I don't know what team would need it), Deoxys-S can viably run max Speed and Psycho Boost; if it does so, it should use at least 156 Special Attack EVs and a Timid nature to (Idk what it does).
Usage Tips
========
Deoxys-S's main job is to stack Spikes in the lead position, so it should primarily focus on doing so. Its Colbur Berry will allow it to survive Tyranitar's Payback, giving it the opportunity to set a second layer of Spikes, use Superpower on the quad-weak Tyranitar, or switch out Deoxys-S to set Spikes later in the game. Thanks to Deoxys-S's special bulk, it will usually survive special attacks in the lead position, bar Life Orb Rayquaza's Draco Meteor and Kyogre's rain-boosted Water Spout. If Deoxys-S has first used Superpower or Psycho Boost on Kyogre, it can survive Water Spout to set up Spikes on the second turn. However, Kyogre can very viably be Choice Specs in the lead position, which will KO Deoxys-S even without a maximum power Water Spout. Therefore, you should only attack Kyogre if you think it isn't Choice Specs.
Team Options
========
Opposing lead Darkrai are unlikely to use Dark Pulse on a lead Deoxys-S, instead using Dark Void on Deoxys-S to stop it from setting hazards. This means that a teammate that can absorb sleep for it is appreciated. RestTalk Dialga is the best partner for this purpose, but some Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp or Dialga can often spare a slot for Sleep Talk. However, be mindful that many Choice Scarf users will have other moves that take priority over Sleep Talk, so not all of them can do so; for instance, Choice Scarf Jirachi does not have the spare move slot for Sleep Talk. Many balanced cores appreciate the reliable Spikes that Deoxys-S can provide. Bulky Stealth Rock setters such as Bronzong and Jirachi can complement Deoxys-S's Spikes with Stealth Rock to wear down the opposing team quite quickly. Giratina-O is Deoxys-S's best friend, as it protects Deoxys-S's hazards from spinners such as Forretress and Tentacruel, while also checking other threats in the metagame, including Groudon, Latios, and Latias. Giratina-O also appreciates the hazards making it more difficult for the opponent to handle its already-powerful attacks. Apart from them, nearly any attacker appreciates the extra damage from Spikes weakening its checks into KO range of its attacks. This includes both sweepers that just want a little more damage to push through their checks and mixed attackers that use coverage to bypass their traditional checks altogether.
[SET]
name: Classic Focus Sash
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Extreme Speed / Psycho Boost / Thunder Wave
item: Focus Sash
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly / Timid
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Though the DPP Ubers lead metagame has adapted the most around the Focus Sash lead variant of Deoxys-S, it still is the best at stacking hazards against leads like Kyogre and Ho-Oh that don't have a priority move. Its extra Speed investment also lets it safely use Taunt against slower Deoxys-S leads that would like to set up hazards or use Taunt on the opposing Deoxys-S. Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes put immense pressure on the bulky staples of DPP Ubers, including Groudon, Kyogre, and Dialga, from being able to hold off dangerous offensive threats. Taunt thwarts opposing hazard leads from being able to stack hazards on Deoxys-S's own team. Extreme Speed allows Deoxys-S to do some damage if it is put in Sash range and an opposing priority move is imminent. Psycho Boost does (idk, should mention the 156 EVs for reasons), while Thunder Wave does (idk). One other option is Mirror Coat, which lets Deoxys-S KO Scarf Kyogre in the lead slot to support its teammate Groudon. It also has utility in dispatching mixed attackers like Rayquaza and Giratina-O.
Usage Tips
========
Dedicated anti-leads are the best way of denying Deoxys-S from setting up multiple hazards. This includes both attackers that pair their powerful attacks with a priority move, such as Rayquaza and Giratina-O, as well as Tyranitar, whose Sand Stream lets it KO Deoxys-S once it has been brought down to its Focus Sash. One course of action is to switch out Deoxys-S on the predicted priority move and bring it in later in the game either to get up another layer mid-game or to sacrifice it to bring a threat in. This does not work against lead Tyranitar, though. Lead spinners fare well against this set, as they prevent this Deoxys-S set from keeping up the hazards it tries to lay down. Often, it's best to switch into an opposing attacker that threatens out these spinners, and then bring Deoxys-S back in to get at least one hazard down. Choice Scarf Darkrai also fares well against this lead, as it can use Dark Void to put Deoxys-S to sleep before it can move. (Scarf Rai counterplay here) Nicher leads like Froslass also work well against this set, since Deoxys-S's lack of bulk even with max HP investment makes it the easiest set to target.
Team Options
========
This set fits best on offense and hyper offense teams as the ultimate tempo-setting machine for its offensive teammates. Giratina-O is an incredible partner for this set, which is solely predicated on getting up as many layers of hazards as possible, and it should be used on any Focus Sash lead Deoxys-S team that isn't a hyper offense team that packs as many sweepers as possible. Because this Deoxys-S is capable of setting up Stealth Rock, it frees a potential partner Groudon or Dialga from needing to run the move, letting them run more threatening offensive sets. Other offensive teammates that appreciate Spikes, such as Rayquaza, Lucario, and Darkrai, also fit well on Deoxys-S offense teams.
[SET]
name: Attacking Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Signal Beam / Superpower
move 3: Psycho Boost / Shadow Ball
move 4: Extreme Speed
item: Focus Sash / Lum Berry / Colbur Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Rash
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Offensive Deoxys-S is capable of doubling as both a suicide hazard lead and as an anti-lead that beats opposing Deoxys-S. After its obligatory hazard, Spikes, Signal Beam gives Deoxys-S the greatest coverage in the lead position, as it hits all of Darkrai, Tyranitar, and opposing Deoxys-S super effectively. Psycho Boost pairs well with it, as it is a powerful STAB move that additionally threatens lead Tentacruel. Alternatively, Superpower threatens Tyranitar more significantly more while hitting Steel-types in the lead position. If using Superpower, then Shadow Ball should be used to pair Superpower with Deoxys-S's best move to hit opposing Deoxys-S. Extreme Speed's priority is valuable to KO opposing leads when brought down to their Focus Sash.
Set Details
========
With maximum Special Attack and a Rash nature, Deoxys-S's special attacks will hit as hard as possible, which is important to deal as much damage as possible to opposing Deoxys-S leads with Signal Beam or Shadow Ball. It also lets Deoxys-S's Psycho Boost OHKO opposing lead Tentacruel, Focus Sash aside. A Rash nature is chosen here to not diminish the power of Deoxys-S's Extreme Speed or Superpower. With 176 Speed EVs, Deoxys-S outspeeds Deoxys-A, letting Deoxys-S successfully outspeed Deoxys-A's Extreme Speed with Extreme Speed of its own. The rest of the EVs are put into HP to give Deoxys-S a little more bulk (could they be put in Attack if you're running lead Sash?). Focus Sash guarantees that Deoxys-S will get a turn in the lead position to use an attacking move or set up a layer of Spikes. Lum Berry allows Deoxys-S to absorb Dark Void from Darkrai or Thunder Wave from opposing Deoxys-S, while Colbur Berry weakens Payback from Tyranitar and allows Deoxys-S to survive the attack plus the sandstorm damage after.
Usage Tips
========
When encountering an opposing Deoxys-S in the lead position, Deoxys-S first objective is to eliminate it by using its super effective coverage to weaken it into range of Extreme Speed. However, Deoxys-S will still concede two layers of hazards against opposing Deoxys-S leads with significant special bulk. After eliminating the opposing Deoxys-S lead, or if the opponent didn't have a lead Deoxys-S, its second objective is to get down Spikes for its team. This is the best course of action against opposing antileads like Rayquaza or Giratina-O. After being brought down to its Focus Sash (if it has it), Extreme Speed lets it damage the opposing antilead before it gets KOed by their priority attack. It also can switch out so that Deoxys-S can be used as a sacrifice later in the game.
Team Options
========
The offensive teams that this more offensive Deoxys-S fits on appreciate its ability to both function as an antilead against opposing offensive teams and stack Spikes against opposing bulky teams. Giratina-O, as always, is a fantastic partner for it, as it protects Deoxys-S's hazards from spinners while enjoying the fact that Spikes dig into Giratina-O's checks. Common Stealth Rock setters that fit well on these offensive teams include Dialga, Bronzong, and Groudon, which finds a natural point of entry if Deoxys-S gets KOed by a lead Tyranitar. Lead Choice Scarf Darkrai is very annoying for this set if not using a Lum Berry, so a teammate that effectively absorbs sleep is appreciated for this set; Sleep Talk Dialga is a teammate that does as such. Apart from them, nearly every attacker in Ubers, from Kyogre to Garchomp to Mewtwo to Palkia, appreciates both having Spikes on the opposing side while not having to deal with multiple layers of hazards on its side.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Trick
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Taunt / Stealth Rock
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
The existence of Choice Scarf Darkrai and opposing Deoxys-S in the lead position can make operating with Deoxys-S pretty awkward, since they are foes that are as fast as Deoxys-S or faster that can completely shut down Deoxys-S's gameplan: Darkrai with Dark Void and Deoxys-S with Taunt. The only solution is to go even faster, and Choice Scarf lets Deoxys-S do just that. It will get one layer of Spikes before Darkrai or opposing Deoxys-S get the chance to move, still giving your team the early hazard pressure it so desires. Trick lets Deoxys-S mess with other leads, including spinning leads that try and deny its hazards from the first turn. Thunder Wave does (things idk), and Deoxys-S's fast Taunt is still useful in the lead position after it has given away its Choice Scarf for denying opposing hazards, whereas Stealth Rock can potentially double up on Deoxys-S's hazard stacking potential.
Set Details
========
The HP and Special Defense investment in conjunction with its Calm nature allow Deoxys-S to survive two Shadow Balls from opposing offensive Deoxys-S with a Speed-boosting nature. This lets Deoxys-S safely set up layers of Spikes even when facing a Deoxys-S mirror lead. The rest of the EVs are put in Defense to better take the various priority attacks of the lead metagame. (Alternative EV spreads?)
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Deoxys-S is a lot more free to immediately throw down Spikes in front of other leads, since it is more secure to do so. No amount of Speed investment on opposing Choice Scarf Darkrai or non-Choice Scarf Deoxys-S will let them outrun Choice Scarf Deoxys-S, so setting up Spikes on the first turn is a very safe play. If it faces a spinner in the lead slot, using Trick to force them into a single move is also a solid move, as if they attempt to use Rapid Spin to clear any of Deoxys-S's hazards, they risk locking into a move that does little damage and gives free entry to every attacker in Ubers. If they just get locked into a hazard move, then Deoxys-S will get up all of the Spikes that it wants.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Deoxys-S fits well alongside more balanced cores, as the guaranteed Spikes that it provides allows these cores the ability to outplay nearly every threat in Ubers. An example of such a core is using Deoxys-S with a core of Bronzong, Giratina-O, Kyogre, and Dialga. Bronzong is capable of setting up Stealth Rock while checking Dragon-types, especially those immune to Spikes such as Latias and Latios, Giratina-O spinblocks in the face of Tentacruel and Forretress, Kyogre's rain supports Bronzong against threatening Fire-type attacks, and Dialga is both a potent offensive threat and a phazer that can spread a lot of passive damage on the opponent. All of them are difficult to take down, and all of them appreciate Deoxys-S setting Spikes to make them more difficult to handle, while potentially also absorbing sleep from lead Darkrai that makes them less exploitable as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lead Deoxys-S simply has the versatility to make a lot of different options work. One of these options is not Magic Coat, which, unlike in later generations, does not let Deoxys-S bounce back Taunt or hazards, so its only real use is Darkrai's Dark Void. Additionally, Mental Herb does not let Deoxys-S shrug off Taunt, so it cannot be used reliably, either.
Deoxys-S's hazard sets can be used outside the lead slot in place of a different lead. This can give Deoxys-S's team the element of surprise, as it would not be attempting to set up hazards against a Pokemon whose set is designed to beat Deoxys-S and potentially give it greater value. However, Deoxys-S is so good in the lead slot that this is unnecessary, and often using Deoxys-S outside the lead slot will take away from Deoxys-S's team's ability to stack offensive threats, as the team would effectively be running two lead Pokemon. An offensive set can be used mid-game, as Deoxys-S is so fast that it outruns Pokemon that boost their Speed with Dragon Dance or Choice Scarf. However, it lacks power compared to Deoxys-A, isn't bulky enough to take priority moves from Rayquaza and Giratina-O or attacks from Rock Polish Groudon, and means that the team is unable to run a lead Deoxys-S.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority Attackers**: Rayquaza, Deoxys-A, Giratina-O, and the rare Hariyama ensure Deoxys-S will only get a single layer of hazards by weakening it with Draco Meteor before finishing it off with their priority moves, Extreme Speed in the cases of Rayquaza and Deoxys-A, Shadow Sneak in Giratina-O's case, and Fake Out in the case of Hariyama. However, Deoxys-S is capable of switching out before these attackers can use their priority move and can either get up an additional layer of hazards in the mid-game or simply be a sacrifice to bring in an offensive teammate afterward.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar's powerful Payback in conjunction with sandstorm ensure that Deoxys-S will get KOed on the first turn of the battle. However, Deoxys-S variants that use Colbur Berry will be able to survive this to get a second layer of hazards or be switched out for a sacrificed later in the battle.
**Choice Scarf Darkrai**: One of the only Pokemon that can outspeed Deoxys-S and completely prevent it from moving thanks to Dark Void. However, Choice Scarf Darkrai is predicable in the lead position, and so it can be played around. In addition, Choice Scarf variants of Deoxys-S will still get a layer of Spikes before getting put to sleep, and Lum Berry variants are able to absorb sleep once while still getting up Spikes or using Taunt to deny further attempts at Dark Void.
**Rapid Spin leads**: While it is unreliable to spin away hazards in the mid-game thanks to Giratina-O's suffocating presence, leads that use Rapid Spin to deny Deoxys-S from keeping any hazards in the lead position, such as Forretress and Tentacruel, force out Deoxys-S and keep the field hazard-free for some time. However, these leads dislike getting attacked or the opposing Deoxys-S using Trick to force its Choice Scarf onto them.
**Froslass**: With Icy Wind, Froslass can slow down Deoxys-S to where it is outsped and KOed by Shadow Ball, making it a Spikes lead that beats opposing Deoxys-S. This puts Deoxys-S into an uncomfortable position: either use Taunt to deny Froslass any hazards whatsoever or get up Spikes immediately and be willing to concede Froslass's Spikes right after. Choice Scarf variants don't care and are capable of using Trick to give Froslass a Choice Scarf and lock it into Icy Wind or simply get two layers of hazards before fainting. Bulkier variants of Deoxys-S are not KOed by the combination of Icy Wind and Shadow Ball, so it can stay in to get up multiple layers of hazards as well. If Froslass uses a Modest nature to compensate for this, then faster variants of Deoxys-S will still outspeed it after an Icy Wind.
**Faster Deoxys-S**: Deoxys-S likes to forgo maximum Speed investment for more bulk investment to be able to beat more leads. However, if it faces another Deoxys-S and the opposing Deoxys-S uses Taunt before it can get up hazards, then the slower Deoxys-S is forced to switch out while the opposing Deoxys-S is able to get multiple layers of hazards for free.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.2/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.3/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.4/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.5/
Last edited:
