Deoxys, the DNA Pokémon. An alien virus that fell to earth on a meteorite underwent a DNA mutation to become this Pokémon.
Overview
Deoxys made a massive splash when it first appeared, a legend that had different forms depending on the version, an amazing battle theme, and a literal invader from outer space. Even the least of its forms, Deoxys Normal Forme lives up to the hype. Base 150 in both offenses is ludicrous even by modern standards and Deoxys Normal Forme has the movepool to make the most of such offenses with wide coverage on both sides of the spectrum. With such high offenses, Deoxys Normal Forme can easily run mixed sets even uninvested in one stat, the sheer power its base stats boast making up the difference. Add to all this an impressive base 150 Speed that literally has only two Pokémon naturally faster, and Deoxys Normal Forme all the tools needed to be a fearsome attacker.
Yet Deoxys Normal Forme would benefit if its stats were just more normal. Deoxys Normal Forme is forever cursed to live in the shadow of its Attack form due to their extremely similar stats spreads, except Deoxys Attack Forme is more optimized in its stat distribution, making it the preferred choice in just about every case. Even though Deoxys Normal Forme defenses are better, that is only in the technical sense. Base 50 defenses across the board with the defensively lacking defensive typing makes Deoxys Normal Forme incredibly frail and a defensive liability in just about every case. Deoxys Normal Forme does have the makings of greatness, but its pitiful defenses and the existence of its Attack form outclassing it in the areas that it excels leaves Deoxys Normal Forme perhaps fittingly outshone for not standing out.
Positives
Base 150 Attack and Special Attack is a standard of power that hits hard no matter what and must be respective.
Impressive coverage on both sides of the physical/special spectrum allowing Deoxys Normal Forme to threaten whatever stands in its way.
Base 150 Speed is incredible, tied for third fastest around and all but ensuring Deoxys Normal Forme moves first.
Negatives
Base 50 defenses across the board is abysmal, leaving Deoxys Normal Forme with no hit taking ability.
Pure Psychic typing is underwhelming with few resistances and poor offensive coverage to show for it.
Deoxys Normal Forme is completely outclassed by its Attack Form.
Movesets
Destiny Deoxys
-Psycho Boost
-Superpower
-Shadow Ball
-Extreme Speed
Ability: Pressure
Item: Life Orb
EVs and Nature:
4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Naďve Nature
Deoxys Normal Forme may be the poor trainer’s Deoxys Attack Forme, but that is still a lot of power under the hood, enabling it as a vicious attacker and clean up artist. Psycho Boost is the preferred STAB move, outright removing Pokémon as frail as Zekrom and Clefable, and ripping out up to 75% from non-resistant Arceus forms, leaving very few safe switch ins that are not directly resistant. Superpower further reduces counterplay, smashing the Psycho Boost immune Dark types and dedicated Sponges like Blissey, meaning even if they successfully pivot into a Psycho Boost, they must immediately run or be annihilated. Shadow Ball handles the remaining Psychic resist, opposing Psychic types like Lunala, Necrozma Dawn Wings and Lugia. Extreme Speed fulfills the remaining slot to accentuate Deoxys Normal Forme’s revenge KOing capabilities, picking off weakened targets regardless of their priority thanks to Extreme Speed’s own excellent priority bracket and Deoxys Normal Forme’s own insane speed makes it near impossible to out prioritize.
Tera Types:
With how poor Psychic is as a base typing, Deoxys tends to be rather Tera reliant in all its forms. Deoxys Normal Forme is so frail that defensive Tera’s generally are a waste on it, though it always appreciates the power boost, especially given it struggles to find the time to set up. Ironically, offensive Deoxys are one of the very few users of Tera Psychic, pushing the already insanely powerful Psycho Boost to superlative defying levels of power. Tera Ghost is another strong option, giving pseudo-STAB to Shadow Ball for better breaking through opposing Psychic types as well as warding Deoxys Normal Forme from opposing Extreme Speed users that are too healthy for Deoxys Normal Forme to KO with its own Extreme Speed. Speaking of Extreme Speed, Deoxys Normal Forme is another potential user of the Tera Normal+Extreme Speed combination, though the type also has added merit in blocking the Extreme Speed immune Giratina-Origin’s Shadow Sneak. Really any move Deoxys Normal Forme runs is a Tera Type candidate for the extra power boost in reaching knockouts.
EVs and Items:
Max Speed is a given for Deoxys Normal Forme to outrun fellow base 150 speedsters as well as even dropping to a neutral Speed nature leaves Deoxys Normal Forme exposed to other threats such as Zacian-Crowned, Iron Bundle, Flutter Mane, Chien-Pao, and the Raidons. Due to Deoxys Normal Forme’s paltry bulk, this is not tenable. Every other EV goes into Special Attack, to get the most out of Psycho Boost’s extreme killing power. Alternatively, one could go with a physical set while keeping Psycho Boost to blow up physical walls with Max Attack investment instead. Naďve is the preferred Speed boosting nature, not cutting into Deoxys Normal Forme’s offenses while special priority is far rarer than physical priority with Naďve Deoxys having a chance of surviving Rayquaza’s Extreme Speed as opposed to Hasty Deoxys Normal Forme. Life Orb is recommended for the item as Deoxys Normal Forme is so frail, the HP drain doesn’t matter and the boost to both offenses is fantastic in realizing Deoxys Normal Forme as a mixed attacker.
Partners:
Deoxys Normal Forme excels on extremely aggressive teams that can take advantage of the holes in punches into the competition or clean up from the damage it has wrought. Chi-Yu is a great example, able to blast away opposing Fighting neutral Steel types like Magearna and Corviknight as well as being another threat to opposing Psychic types looking to absorb a Psycho Boost. Landorus-Incarnate also excels, being an excellent wall breaker with its wide coverage, especially Earth Power into Steel types, while offering Hazard support with Stealth Rock.
Given Deoxys Normal Forme’s non-existent defensive utility, slow pivots to get Deoxys Normal Forme in safely such as Volt-Switch Magearna, and U-Turn Corviknight, allow Deoxys to apply a lot more offensive pressure. These Steel types being able to absorb opposing Extreme Speeds and Shadow Sneaks looking to quickly down Deoxys Normal Forme is just a bonus.
Other Options:
Knock Off remains an incredible powerful option, as both coverage against opposing Psychic types and for the sheer utility it provides in item disruption.
Ice Beam is great for the many Dragons and legendary Flying types Deoxys Normal Forme must contend with.
Focus Blast is a great way to nuke opposing Dark types if one wants to go all in on Special offense, though missing a Focus Blast often means the end of Deoxys Normal Forme.
Drain Punch is an option on more physical Deoxys Normal Forme, preventing it from being worn down from Life Orb chip, though one would need Tera Fighting to make up the difference from Superpower.
Countering Deoxys
Deoxys Normal Forme suffers from many of the same issues as its Attack form with pitiful defenses making Deoxys easy to remove, if one can survive its incredible and varied offense. Pokémon that can tank Deoxys Normal Forme’s Psycho Boost should be looked for first, as that is Deoxys Normal Forme’s biggest output in raw damage. Specially Defensive Magearna can easily tank a Psycho Boost and follow up Superpower and outlast Deoxys Normal Forme with Draining Kiss if not outright OHKO it with Shadow Ball, or even ruin it with Encore, while Deoxys lacks the direct coverage to deal with it. Terapagos also solidly handles Deoxys Normal Forme if Tera Shell is intact, allowing it to absorb any attack and OHKO back, while a healthy Terastalized Terapagos can even stomach a Psycho Boost or Superpower. Arceus Dark cannot risk coming into Fighting coverage, but if healthy (or Deoxys Normal Forme lacking it) can safely stomach one and OHKO back with Judgement. Specially Defensive Corviknight is a bit more tenuous, requiring Deoxys Normal Forme to lack Thunderbolt, and cannot even OHKO without Defense drop from Superpower, but otherwise handles Deoxys Normal Forme quite nicely. Bypassing Deoxys Normal Forme’s vaunted offense with priority and speed is much more feasible in reducing the havoc it wreaks. Extreme Speed users like Rayquaza, physical Arceus-Forms, and opposing Deoxys Normal Forme alongside Banded Palafin’s Jet Punch, and Urshifu-Single’s and Hisuian Samuurott’s Sucker Punch can quickly dispatch Deoxys Normal Forme. Though these Pokémon must remain healthy lest Deoxys Normal Forme eliminates them with its own Extreme Speed. Base 150 Speed isn’t impossible to surmount either with base 90+ Speed Choice Scarf users like Kyogre, Chi-Yu, Landorus (both forms), alongside Speed Booster Energy Gouging Fire and Roaring Moon can get the jump on Deoxys, though Extreme Speed remains an ever looming specter.
Deoxys, the DNA Pokémon. DNA from a space virus mutated and became a Pokémon. It appears where auroras are seen.
Overview
Deoxys Attack Forme is power in its purest form. Base 180 in both offenses is the highest currently available and remains the 4th to 2nd highest to ever exist in Pokémon. Such sheer offenses means Deoxys Attack Forme is an engine of destruction, every set able to run mixed regardless of investment because its offenses are just that high. Complimenting this is a wide a varied movepool, with Fighting, Ghost, Dark, Rock, Ice and Electric coverage all backing up Deoxys Attack Forme's deadly Psycho Boost, leaving safe switch ins completely reliant on prediction or gaps in Deoxys Attack Forme's moveset. The same Base 150 Speed as Calyrex-Shadow Rider and tied for third highest in the game further limits safe switch-ins as even fewer Pokémon can naturally outspeed it. Indeed, if there is nothing that can circumvent Deoxys Attack Forme's near peerless speed, Deoxys Attack Forme is more than capable of striking everything down.
Deoxys Attack Forme's insane offenses are only matched by its equally insane frailty. Base 20 defenses and base 50 HP makes Deoxys Attack Forme one of the frailest Pokémon period, with even its already defensively lacking Normal form looking like a tank in comparison. Pure Psychic typing does little to help matters, giving Deoxys Attack Forme an underwhelming STAB and no immunities to speak of, leaving Deoxys Attack Forme mandated to get knockouts lest it receive the same treatment it doles out. Any Pokémon with priority or decently fast with Choice Scarf or speed boosting factor is a serious threat to Deoxys Attack Forme, able to remove it with contemptuous ease. This does not change the sheer pressure Deoxys Attack Forme places on a battle, with a single misstep spelling doom for both Deoxys Attack Forme and its opponent.
Positives
Best offensive stats in the game hands down allows Deoxys Attack Forme to threaten anything in its path.
Impressive coverage on both sides of the physical/special spectrum allowing Deoxys to threaten whatever stands in its way.
Base 150 Speed is incredible, tied for third fastest around and all but ensuring Deoxys Attack Forme moves first.
Negatives
50/20/20 defenses has Deoxys Attack rank for one of the frailest Pokémon available, mandating it gets Knock Outs or be knocked out itself.
Pure Psychic typing is underwhelming with few resistances and poor offensive coverage to show for it.
Movesets
Space Laser Lens
-Psycho Boost
-Shadow Ball
-Ice Beam
-Focus Blast
Ability: Pressure
Item: Choice Specs
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Specs Deoxys Attack Forme blurs the definition of revenge killer and general attacker between its incredible speed and insane power, able to pick up knock outs from incredibly high thresholds. Psycho Boost is the crown jewel of the set, its insane power ensuring anything that doesn't quadruple resist, is outright immune or is named Blissey runs the risk of losing at least half of its health from the move alone, while the drawback is negligible given the constant switching Choice sets demand. Shadow Ball covers the Psychic types that resist Psycho Shot, especially Necrozma Dusk Mane, though being able to threaten Lunala, Mewtwo, and Necrozma Dawn Wings is a nice bonus. Ice Beam boasts incredible coverage against the many Dragons Deoxys Attack Forme must face, such as Koraidon, Eternatus, and Giratina as well as many popular Ground types like Gliscor, Landorus-Therian, and Ting-Lu, giving Deoxys Attack Forme a powerful coverage option that doesn't sap its offense unlike Psycho Boost. Focus Blast is Deoxys Attack Forme's lone special answer into opposing Dark types as well as threatening Blissey, though a miss often is fatal for Deoxys Attack Forme.
Tera Types:
With how poor Psychic is as a base typing, Deoxys tends to be rather Tera reliant in all its forms. Deoxys Attack Forme is so frail that defensive Tera's generally are a waste on it, though it always appreciates the power boost, especially given it struggles to find the time to set up. Ironically, offensive Deoxys are one of the very few users of Tera Psychic, pushing the already insanely powerful Psycho Boost to superlative defying levels of power, allowing Deoxys Attack Forme to OHKO Pokémon as specially bulky as Ho-oh, and potentially 2HKO Blissey through Leftovers after hazard damage. Tera Ghost is another strong option, giving pseudo-STAB to Shadow Ball for better breaking through opposing Psychic types as well as warding Deoxys Attack Forme from opposing Extreme Speed users. Tera Fairy is also tempting for giving Deoxys Attack Forme reliable anti-Dark coverage while providing a valuable Dragon immunity. After this, any attack type Deoxys Attack Forme runs is a candidate for Terastalization, as the pseudo-STAB boost is invaluable in helping Deoxys Attack Forme pick up Knock Outs.
EVs and Items:
Max Special Attack and Speed EVs are mandatory for specially oriented Deoxys Attack Forme, as its frailty is so extreme defense investment is often a waste. A speed boosting nature is highly recommended, as dropping to a neutral Speed nature leaves Deoxys Attack Forme exposed to positive Speed natured Pokémon such as Zacian-Crowned, Iron Bundle, Flutter Mane, Chien-Pao, and the Raidons, greatly cutting down on Deoxys Attack Forme's utility. Timid is recommended here for a pure Special set, with Naďve recommended only if running mixed, giving Deoxys Attack a small chance to survive Giratina-Origin's Shadow Sneak if in a neutral Tera. Choice Specs is the namesake of the set, though Life Orb is also tantalizing for move flexibility. If running Meteor Beam, Power Herb becomes mandatory for a pseudo-Specs set that retains move flexibility, but only has the power boost once. Focus Sash is always worth considering as well, giving a bit more leeway with Deoxys Attack Forme until broken.
Partners:
Answers into priority attackers, especially Extreme Speed Arceus are mandatory as such Pokémon will force out Deoxys Attack Forme every time reaching for a KO. Zacian-Crowned and Necrozma-Dusk Mane are incredible examples, their Steel resistance allowing them to comfortably absorb multiple Extreme Speeds. In return, Deoxys Attack Forme is fantastic at smashing physical walls for them with Specs Psycho Boost, as even physically defensive Arceus forms are OHKO'd by Psycho Boost if they lack a resistance. Zacian-Crowned and Necrozma-Dusk Mane are also great at chipping down the Steel types that trouble both them and Deoxys Attack Forme, preventing such Pokémon from safely checking Deoxys Attack Forme as the battle goes on and visa versa.
Other Options:
Meteor Beam is fantastic, being setup and a one time nuke into Ho-oh for good measure, while not strictly being one and done thanks to the sheer power of Psycho-Boost being perfectly serviceable even without external boosts, allowing Deoxys Attack Forme to bide its time before popping it.
Low Kick is a far more reliable Fighting coverage option to Focus Blast, though getting locked into it on a non-Fighting weak target saps a lot of momentum from Deoxys Attack Forme's side.
Extreme Speed is one of the best clean up tools at Deoxys Attack Forme's disposal, allowing it to remove weakened troublesome targets with priority.
VGC & Doubles Options
As a mythical Pokémon, Deoxys is banned from most official formats, though unlike most mythical Pokémon that would struggle to have a niche, Deoxys Attack Forme would warp such games around itself. With Access to STAB Expanding Force, Deoxys Attack Forme defies the downside of other extreme all or nothing attackers limited to single target strikes with incredible spread damage that allows it to obliterate teams that are not packing a good Psychic resist/immune Pokémon, with its incredible speed constraining counterplay. The synergy doesn't stop there, with Psychic Terrain warding Deoxys Speed Forme's greatest weakness in priority while stacking another buff on its STAB moves. Deoxys Attack Forme's incredible coverage also means the Dark types that normally hinder PsySpam teams are less of an issue, with it more than capable of dispatching them. This does not change the fact that Doexys-Attack is beholden to get Knockouts to contribute, as missing a single KO can lead to Deoxys Attack Forme's own demise, requiring careful play to get the most out of this terror from the stars.
Nucleic Force
-Expanding Force
-Shadow Ball
-Superpower
-Protect
Tera Type: Ghost/Psychic
Ability: Pressure
Item: Focus Sash
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
Deoxys Attack Forme synergizes wonderfully with Psychic Terrain, blocking its weakness to priority while pushing its own STAB attacks to even greater heights. Nothing is more emblematic of this than Expanding Force, dealing horrific spread damage to anything that doesn't resist it, dealing 60-70% to Max HP Raging Bolt, 77% to bulky Landorus, 61% to Miraidon, 54% to Kyogre, etc. and excellent at cleaning up weakened teams. Shadow Ball compliments Expanding Force nicely, obliterating opposing Psychic types like Calyrex, Lunala, and Cresselia on top of being a fantastic spammable attack. Superpower covers the Dark and Steel types resistant to Deoxys Attack Forme's Psychic STAB and even uninvested, Deoxys Attack Forme's Attack is so high that striking for weakness is enough to get the KO. Protect is the best move in doubles and is invaluable for Deoxys Attack Forme in stalling out enemy speed control, waiting for allied setup, scouting for Terastalizations and more, making Deoxys Attack Forme slightly less volatile that it normally is.
Maximizing Special Attack and Speed are mandatory for Deoxys Attack Forme to perform its duty of taking OHKOs and it is so obscenely frail that investing in defenses is a lost cause. A speed boosting nature is preferred so Deoxys outspeeds or at least Speed ties opposing Deoxys Attack Forme and Calyrex-Shadow Rider, with the Naive nature preferred given how rare Special priority attacks are to physical. Tera Ghost is the recommended Tera, giving Deoxys Attack Forme an immunity to common priority moves in Fake Out, Extreme Speed and Quick Attack outside of Psychic Terrain as well as bump Shadow Ball to proper Single target STAB status. Tera Psychic is a good alternative if going all in on Expanding Force, destorying all in Deoxys Attack Forme's path.
Other Options and Preferred Partners:
Female Indeedee is the best partner Deoxys Attack could ever ask for, setting Psychic Terrain, boasting ridirection so Deoxys Attack isn't as beholden to take OHKOs, and Helping Hand causing truly disgusting damage numbers on Deoxys Attack enabling OHKOs on targets as bulky as Miraidon with Expanding Force. Psycho Boost gives Deoxys Attack Forme a powerful delete button outside of Trick Room, though the Special Attack drop can and will force it out. Extreme Speed is tempting, especially with Deoxys Attack Forme Power and a potential Tera Normal, though it is obscenely frail in comparison to other users like Arceus, Dragonite and Rayquaza.
Countering Deoxys Attack Forme
Deoxys Attack Forme's peerless power and great coverage make true defensive counters non-existent, mandating one bypass its offense and expose its paper-thin defenses for what they are.
Priority is by far the ideal way to handle Deoxys Attack Forme, with its horrid defenses meaning even neutral priority moves like Chien-Pao's Ice Shard liable to one hit KO it. Other priority users like Extreme Speed Arceus, Rayquaza, and other Deoxys, Shadow Sneak Giratina-Origin, Thunderclap Raging Bolt and Sucker Punch Kingambit all can effortlessly dispatch Deoxys Attack Forme before it can exercise its offense, though Sucker Punch and Thunderclap users can be stymied by Extreme Speed. Additionally, everything except Giratina Origin and Deoxys Speed Forme must be wary of Extreme Speed pre-emptively picking them off.
Outspeeding Deoxys Attack Forme is difficult, albeit not impossible. Base 90 Speed and higher Choice Scarf users can easily outstrip Deoxys Attack Forme and render its speed moot. Thus common Scarf users like Kyogre, Landorus-Therian, Chi-Yu, Mewtwo, and Ditto, can all revenge KO Deoxys Attack Forme with ease. Additionally, Deoxys Speed Forme and Regieleki both naturally outspeed Deoxys Attack Forme and can KO it in turn.
While Deoxys Attack is too varied and far reaching in its offense to be safely switched into, Pokémon that can survive one hit immediately garner attention for being able to threaten Deoxys Attack Forme back. Tera Shell Terapagos, Shadow Shield Lunala and Multiscale Lugia all fit the bill nicely, though these require strict hazard support or Heavy-Duty Boot to avoid their protection being preemptively broken. Necrozma Dusk Mane is notable for quadruple resisting Psycho Boost with defensive sets being able to survive one hit from anything if healthy and even offensive sets can handle anything except Tera Ghost Life Orb Shadow Ball. Specially Defensive Ting-Lu can also tank an Ice Beam or Low Kick and threaten back with its own Earthquake.
Deoxys, the DNA Pokémon. DNA from a space virus mutated and became a Pokémon. It appears where auroras are seen.
Overview
Deoxys Defense Forme is perhaps the most radical departure from its other forms, being the only one with anything approaching good bulk, albeit unsurprising given the name. With Base 160 defenses, Deoxys Defense Forme can endure titanic blows that would down other Pokémon and keep going. Access to Recover further accentuates this, allowing Deoxys Defense Forme to play a long game as the team's bulwark. Deoxys Defense Forme makes the most of its longevity with a robust support movepool, reliably setting up Spikes and Stealth Rock repeatedly, slow pivoting with the rare Teleport, disrupt opponents with Thunder Wave and Taunt, boost up with Cosmic Power or just pile on reliable damage with Night Shade.
The fact Deoxys Defense Forme relies on Night Shade for damage hints at some of its underlying problems. Base 70 offenses are rather poor, leaving Deoxys Defense Forme rather passive barring a ludicrous amount of Cosmic Power boosts for a Stored Power sweep. Additionally, Deoxys Defense Forme is the slowest of the its forms sitting at a mediocre base 90 speed, which while by no means bad for a defensive Pokémon, falls short of the absurd speed boasted by the other Deoxys forms and leaves Deoxy-Defense more reliant on its defense to carry it through. For really defense is all Deoxys Defense Forme has, due to it having the same pitiful base 50 HP of the other forms, greatly reducing Deoxys Defense Forme's potential durability. Pure Psychic typing also does Deoxys Defense Forme no favors, with few resistances for Deoxys Defense Forme to rely on, further causing it to lean on its base bulk. The defensive Psychic type is far from a unique niche either with many other Psychic types like Slowbro, Slowking, Reuiniclus, Cresselia, Hatterene and Bronzong all boast superior typing, ability, or both. While Deoxys Defense Forme is a departure from the standards of its other forms, its innate traits have it struggle to make the most of its strong points.
Positives
Base 160 defenses are phenomenal, allowing Deoxys Defense Forme to endure a whole host of attacks.
Reliable recovery in Recover gives Deoxys Defense Forme great longevity
Robust support and disruptive movepool with entry hazards, status, and even slow pivoting in the rare Teleport.
Negatives
Base 50 HP cuts a lot into Deoxys Defense Forme's bulk, preventing it from taking as many hits as it would like.
Pure Psychic typing is poor defensively, giving Deoxys Defense Forme few reistances to work with.
Base 70 offenses leave Deoxys Defense rather passive, unable to apply immediate pressure with its presence.
Movesets
Cosmic Cyclone
-Cosmic Power
-Recover
-Stored Power
-Night Shade
Ability: Pressure
Item: Leftovers
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
Cosmic Power Deoxys Defense Forme is an uncommon spin on a setup sweeper, as instead of becoming a lethal attacker overwhelming everything in its path, becomes an unkillable bulwark, grinding down and outlasting the opposition. Recover is just as vital for this strategy, keeping Deoxys Defense Forme health up as it sets up so it just isn't ground down. Stored Power is the big pay off for all the setup, as with 3 or 4 Cosmic Powers under Deoxys Defense Forme's belt, starts reaching 2-3HKOs on most Pokémon. Night Shade are for the targets that Stored Power can't touch, being a set damage move that will consistently grind targets that lack recovery of their own down.
Tera Types:
Given how poor Psychic is as a defensive typing, Deoxys Defense Forme loves Terastalizing to gain some badly needed resistances instead of relying just on its sheer bulk. Given this requiring multiple turns of setup, Tera Steel and Tera Poison are highly recommended to avoid Deoxys Defense Forme's boosted defenses being subverted by Toxic. Tera Steel is preferred given the huge array of resistances and Fighting types not wanting to eat a boosted Stored Power, though Tera Poison's fewer resistances and maintaining Deoxys Defense Forme's role as a bulwark against Fighting attacks is attractive. Otherwise, Tera Fairy is solid defensive type with resistance to Dark and rare weaknesses, making Deoxys Defense Forme even harder to take down.
EVs and Items:
Max HP and Defense here are to maximize Deoxys Defense Forme's physical bulk, giving Deoxys Defense Forme a better shot against wall breakers like Crawdaunt, and setup Sweepers like Salamence, that would try to take advantage of Deoxys Defense Forme's passivity, though Special Defense investment is equally viable. Speed investment is also worth considering, as Deoxys Defense moving before attackers like Mamoswine, Gyarados and Kleavor can mean the difference between outlasting them and being overwhelmed. 176 Speed EVs with a Speed boosting nature outruns base 80s like Mamoswine, 184 Speed handles Gyarados, and 216 Speed EVs outrun Kleavor and other Base 85 Pokémon. Leftovers is recommended for the item giving Deoxys extra recovery while setting up. Covert Cloak is another strong option for denying Fezandipiti's Poison Chain, Jirachi's Iron Head flinches, and Psychic Noise blocking recovery.
Partners:
As with all Stored Power sweepers, having answers to opposing Dark types that block Deoxys Defense Forme's main form of offense. Slither Wing is great for its ability to handle both opposing Dark and Psychic types, while revenge killing opposing setup sweepers thanks to its First Impression, while Deoxys Defense Forme makes a good pivot when First Impression is expended into other Psychic types. Terrakion also performs well at this role, naturally outrunning Jirachi and threatening it with Earthquake.
Other Options:
Calm Mind is an alternative to Cosmic Power, allowing Deoxys Defense Forme's Stored Power to escalate more quickly, but it does not change setup requiring multiple boosts and opponents are sure to take advantage of the Deoxys Defense Forme's unboosted Defense.
Substitute is a great way to hard stop Toxic and Taunt from ruining Deoxys Defense Forme's day though running a mono-attacking Stored Power set mandates Dark types be removed before starter, something easier said than done.
Countering Deoxys Defense Forme
While not possessing the famed offense or speed of its other forms, Deoxys Defense Forme can still be quite the chore to take down with its mammoth defenses and good supporting movepool.
Best way to stop Deoxys Defense Forme in its tracks is Taunt. Regardless of the set, Deoxys Defense Forme relies on its supporting movepool to perform, and depriving Deoxys Defense Forme of that leaves it reduced to throwing out weak Night Shades or Knock Offs. Psychic Noise also deserves mention despite Deoxys Defense Forme's natural resistance to the move for blocking Recover and leaving Deoxys Defense Forme more vulnerable to being overwhelmed. Reuniclus and Jirachi are excellent examples of the latter despite its poor speed, able to outlast Deoxys Defense Forme between Psychic Noise, and Shadow Ball. Krookodile is a Stellar Taunt user against Deoxys Defense Forme, as it also threatens with its own Dark STAB and can even switch into Thunder Wave without fear.
Toxic is another method to bypass Deoxy-Defense's absurd Defense, especially the Cosmic Power variant. Umbreon excels against Stored Power Deoxys Defense due to its immunity to Stored Power and access to Toxic. Fenzandipiti is not fond of Stored Power hits, but can hinder Deoxys Defense Forme with Taunt and fish for Toxic Chain poisoning from its own attacks if Deoxys Defense isn't running Covert Cloak.
Teleport Deoxys Defense Forme due to the constant switching is more exposed to Knock Off than the other sets thanks to its reliance on Heavy Duty Boots to block hazards, so Knock Off plus hazard support can force Deoxys Defense Forme to fall sooner rather than later.
As for breaking through Deoxys Defense Forme the old-fashioned way, there are a few Pokémon that does possess the required power to do so. Crawdaunt is one of the few that can easily OHKO with Knock Off, even against fully physically bulky Deoxys Defense Forme as can Choice Band Golurk. If only invested in HP, other Pokémon such Banded Slither Wing's First Impression, Banded Krookodile's Knock Off, Specs Basculegion-F's Shadow Ball and Kleavor's X-Scissor can all OHKO. Doe note that all these Pokémon require super effective hits to get the Knock Out, so Deoxys Defense Forme Terastalizing can change the matchup.
Deoxys Speed Forme, the DNA Pokémon. Deoxys emerged from a virus that came from space. It is highly intelligent and wields psychokinetic powers. This Pokémon shoots lasers from the crystalline organ on its chest.
Overview
The fastest Pokémon for 5 generations, and still second fastest around, Deoxys Speed Forme’s well… Speed has captivated trainers for the sheer reliability it has in going first in enabling all sorts of strategies or setup. Deoxys Speed Forme’s speed is so great it can even outrun Scarf and Speed Booster Energy users that could be tasked to handle such Pokémon like Great Tusk or Dragonite. Such Speed allows Deoxys Speed Forme to lay hazards against even the most aggressive of teams, cripple normally blazing fast Pokémon with Thunder Wave, throw up Screens to shield its allies, deny all of this from the opponent with Taunt and more. Or simply setting up and going on the offense, thanks to Deoxys’ incredible movepool, offering plentiful coverage and setup options. All of this is enabled thanks to Deoxys Speed Forme’s other stats being rather balanced, allowing it to be rather flexible in what roles it can fulfill.
The pitiful base HP and pure Psychic typing common to all Deoxys forms do hold Deoxys Speed Forme back quite a bit. That poor HP means Deoxys Speed Forme is on the rather frail side despite decent base 90 defenses and access to Recover. The Psychic typing compounds this, preventing it from getting the most out of its defenses or offenses without Terastalization. Additionally, its offenses are merely decent, leaving Deoxys Speed Forme reliant on boosting or coverage to make up the difference. However, Deoxys Speed Forme’s sheer Speed earns it a spot on many team for the reliable utility it provides racing across the void.
Positives
Base 180 Speed is second fastest in the game, allowing Deoxys Speed Forme to outrun even common Choice Scarf users.
Fantastic movepool with absurd coverage and support options that enable Deoxys Speed Forme to fulfill a multitude of roles.
Base 95 offenses are decent enough to be viable.
Negatives
Base 50 HP leaves Deoxys Speed Forme on the frail side, unable to endure many hits which base 90 defenses are not enough to full compensate.
Pure Psychic typing is underwhelming with few resistances and poor offensive coverage to show for it.
Movesets
Speed and Stealth
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-Skill Swap
-Psycho Boost
Ability: Pressure
Item: Rocky Helmet
EVs and Nature:
124 HP / 132 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Deoxys Speed Forme makes for a fearsome lead in terms of sheer reliability in setting up hazards in the face of opposing tactics. Stealth Rocks is an incredible hazard requiring little setup, unilaterally breaking Focus Sashes, Sturdy, Multiscale and the like. Taunt is here for the opposite, denying opposing Hazard setup, as well as preventing opposing setup sweepers from taking advantage of Deoxys Speed Forme and hazard removal such as Defog users and Cinderace’s Court Change. Skill Swap is explicitly here for Hatterene, allowing Deoxys Speed Forme to setup even through Magic Bounce. Psycho Boost prevents Deoxys Speed Forme from being completely passive, being an incredible STAB attack that can rip chunks out of opposing leads, allowing Deoxys Speed Forme’s follow up to capitalize on the compromised target and seize momentum./p>
Tera Types:
With how poor Psychic is as a base typing, Deoxys tends to be rather Tera reliant in all its forms. However, this Deoxys Speed Forme set is an exception as it is a lead set meant to fall quickly, with Terastalization better saved for its partners in the back. If one must Terastalize, they are explicitly in service of establishing or maintaining hazards. Tera Ghost, is a popular option with it blocking both Rapid Spin and Extreme Speed, thus allowing Deoxys Speed Forme to maintain hazards or stick around longer. Tera Steel is more niche option, explicitly for Glimmora and blocking its hazard clearing Mortal Spin. Tera Dark is a purely defensive option, allowing Deoxys Speed Forme to stomach Ghost and Dark attacks looking to take it down quickly.
EVs and Items:
Max Speed is a given, considering a large part of Deoxys Speed Forme’s niche is outrunning Pokémon that normally can’t be outrun. If one wants to drop Speed EVs for investment elsewhere, a speed boosting nature is still strongly recommended in allowing Deoxys Speed to outrun Zacian-Crowned, as dropping the Speed boosting nature requires a whopping 156 Speed EVs to outrun Zacian-Crowned as opposed to the 0 EVs necessary with a nature. 92 Speed EVs with a positive nature ensures Deoxys Speed Forme outruns Scarfed base 90 Speed Pokémon like Kyogre, as well as covering for Scarf Gholdengo, and Hisuian Samurott. The balanced split between HP and Defense EVs is for Deoxys Speed Forme to better handle the oft physical priority attacks, giving it a degree of survivability. Rocky Helmet further plays into this, as even surviving two priority attacks allows Deoxys Speed Forme to passively deal a third of the target’s HP while in the process of being taken down. Other options include Mental Herb to stop a use of Taunt, Focus Sash to ensure Deoxys Speed Forme survives at least one attack though preferred if stacking Spikes or even Red Card to punish setup sweepers if Deoxys Speed Forme isn’t running Taunt for some reason.
Partners:
Lead Deoxys Speed Forme is preferred on extremely aggressive teams that can’t afford to take the time to re-establish entry hazards. Setup Sweepers in particular love the hazard and Thunder Wave support in both helping them reach OHKOs and opening opportunities to setup in the first place. Zacian Crowned works well with Deoxys Speed Forme, as it likes coming in on a lot of Pokémon that Deoxys Speed Forme tends to attract, such as priority users in Arceus and Giratina as well as hazard deniers such as Hatterene. Additionally as a hazard setter, Deoxys Speed Forme loves Gholdengo whose ability to negate most forms of hazard removal go long ways in keeping the pressure on the opposing team.
Other Options:
Spikes is another hazard Deoxys Speed Forme can set and an incredible one at that. One may even forgo Skill Swap or Taunt for setup just to be able to stack both hazards, though with the issues leaving both moves off causes.
Knock Off is invaluable item disruption and will never not be useful, especially on something as fast as Deoxys Speed Forme.
Thunder Wave is excellent Speed control in hampering a key attacker on the opposing team.
Light Screen and Reflect for a dual Screens strategy is also acceptable for the lead slot, in enabling aggressive teammates.
Countering Deoxys Speed Forme
Deoxys Speed Forme’s difficulty comes in large part from its near peerless speed and balanced stats allowing it to take full advantage of Deoxys’ extensive movepool, causing checks and counters to vary wildly.
For Hazard setting lead sets, Hatterene is a hard counter to any Deoxys Speed Forme lacking Skill Swap, its Magic Bounce causing Deoxys Speed Forme to setup hazards on its own side and it cannot afford the coverage to handle Hatterene forcing it to run and likely have its Sash broken by its own hazards later. Giratina-Origin is also difficult for lead Deoxys Speed especially with Shadow Sneak allowing it to limit Deoxys Speed Forme to one layer of hazards, or just simply remove them later with Defog.
Offensive sets are tricky in their sheer variety, though consistently struggle to get knock outs on their own. It should be noted bulky Pokémon rarely like losing their defensive items to Knock Off. Nasty Plot Deoxys Speed unsurprisingly dislikes sponges like Assault Vest Hoopa-Unbound, and Blissey while bulky Dark types requiring multiple Focus Blasts like Ting-Lu, can take the gamble and if Nasty Plot Deoxys Speed Forme isn’t running Focus Blast, such Dark types like Samurott-Hisui (barring Thunderbolt), Kingambit and Tyranitar run right over Deoxys Speed Forme as well as Steel types like Heatran. If not running Shadow Ball, bulky Psychic types like Cresselia, Scream Tail and Hatterene as well that can stomach a Knock Off do well. Mixed sets lacking Nasty Plot are more vulnerable to bulky attackers with Tinkaton, and Assault Vest Alomomola able to outlast the Superpowers and Psycho Boosts (though the later does dislike Thunderbolt). Gholdengo performs admirably against mixed sets opting for Knock Off over Shadow Ball.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Birth Island (Emerald)
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Birth Island
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Event
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Event
Black/White:
Event
Black 2/White 2:
Event
X/Y:
Trade from Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Sky Pillar
Sun/Moon:
Event
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Event
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Not in game
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Transfer from Pokémon HOME
Legends: Arceus: Not in game
Scarlet/Violet:
Event
Anime Appearences
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Deoxys has made a few appearances in the anime. Most of these were featuring Rayquaza fighting with Deoxys |
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