[Overview]
Thanks to Steelworker, Dhelmise is the only Pokemon in the game that technically has three STABs, and coupled with a massive base attack and you have a Pokemon that is capable of dishing out boatloads of damage. Dhelmise also does a great job at spinblocking, since it has a fair amount of natural bulk and can deep six most other spinners thanks to a typing that covers most of the relevant ones in the tier. It does get Rapid Spin itself as well and is capable of scaring out Ghost types who would otherwise try to prevent it from spinning. However much like its apperance suggests, Dhelmise has an incredibly slow base speed, meaning it does need to be careful how it comes in since it is likely to take two attacks before it can act. To make things even worse it also has a very shallow movepool and as a result is mostly limited to its STABs.
[Set]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Shadow Claw
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: Heavy Slam
move 4: Earthquake
item: Choice Band
ability: Steelworker
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[Set Comments]
Moves
========
Shadow Claw has great neutral coverage and wrecks opposing Doublade as well as lets it have a shot at beating Escavalier. Power Whip is one of Dhelmise's highest damage move and lets it demolish Water and Ground types as well as tear holes into anything that doesn't resist. Heavy Slam takes advantage of Dhemise's understandably massive weight to bury any Fairy type in the game unlucky enough to face it while having a great chance to OHKO most Dark types that switch in on it. Earthquake is the best of Dhelmise's slim pickings in terms of coverage, and it allows Dhelmise to deal great damage to opposing Steel types, such as Registeel, and Dragalge.
Set Details
========
Max Attack Adamant with a Choice Band gives Dhelmise an absurd amount of power, making it hard to switch in as a resisted hit can still leave the switch-in reeling. Max speed guarantees that it will outspeed most Umbreon, which is a 2HKO with Power Whip and Heavy Slam.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to Choice Band, Dhelmise is surprisingly hard to switch in on due to the fact that clicking a move in anticipation of a switch can net a free KO on a Pokemon that would otherwise threaten Dhelmise. This means that while getting Dhelmise on the field in the early game can be tricky, it is capable of pulling you ahead with a surprise KO.
Team Options
========
Fire types are able to melt Steel types that could otherwise prove a problem for Dhelmise, while Dhelmise can easily handle most Pokemon, namely Water and Rock types, that would douse them. Additionally, Sharpedo and other offensive Water types go well with Dhelmise, since it is able to break apart bulky Water types that would otherwise wall them.
name: Offensive Spinner
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Power Whip
move 4: Heavy Slam / Swords Dance
item: Ghostium-Z / Spooky Plate
ability: Steelworker
nature: Adamant
evs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin is the main draw of this set, giving Dhelmise the utility of clearing away hazards on your side of the field. Shadow Claw and Power Whip are Dhelmise's STAB moves, allowing it to use its massive attack stat to still hit opponents hard if needed. For the last move you can run Heavy Slam for another attacking option or Swords Dance, which can allow Dhelmise to shatter Pokemon that would attempt to switch in and wall.
Set Details
========
84 Speed allows you to outspeed neutral base 50 speed Pokemon, while 204 speed will let you outrun Umbreon, which would otherwise be able to OHKO you with a Foul Play. Ghostium-Z lets you burst past opposing Doublade, while also reducing Knock Off's power to survivable levels. Spooky Plate is a general buff to Shadow Claw's damage and will 2HKO Doublade after Spikes damage.
Usage Tips
========
Dhelmise is capable of coming in on many common rockers and several Water Pokemon, giving it a chance to use Rapid Spin as the opponent makes a switch. Once hazards have been removed, Dhelmise is capable of using its high damage capabilities to deal heavy blows to its opponents.
Team Options
========
Rock weak sweepers, such as Moltres and Salazzle, appreciate Dhelmise's spinning set as it can remove Stealth Rocks for them, allowing them to come in without worry. Additionally, Dhelmise is capable of handling types that would pose problems for them, notably Rock types, while they can melt Steel types that would otherwise easily wall Dhelmise. Gigalith on the other hand is able to help out Dhelmise by dealing with Fire types that would otherwise roast it. Meanwhile Gigalith appreciates having a partner that can force out Water types that would like to put a damper on Gigalith's ability to set up Rocks, espcially one that is capable of blocking opposing Rapid Spins.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Another option is to use Substitute and Swords Dance for a Stallbreaker set that is capable of allowing Dhelmise to set up in front of Pokemon like Registeel, umbreon, and Quagsire. Anchor Shot is an option to use instead of Heavy Slam, however there are some things to note. For one, it is unable to KO all Fairy-types in the format and misses out on a few other important KOs, but will guarentee a OHKO against any Ice type that switches in on it. Additionally, it does outdamage Heavy Slam when used on Pokemon that weigh more than 115.75lbs (52.5kg), however a lot of them, such as Venusaur and Kommo-o, do not mind taking Steel type attacks too much. Anchor Shot is capable of running alongside Rest and Swords Dance as another method of Stallbreaking, since it would allow you to freely take the time to bust down most walls it traps.
Checks and Counters
===================
Offensive Pressure: Because of Dhelmise's low speed and lack of recovery, it is highly susceptible to offensive pressure, since it will usually be forced to take a hit or two before it can get an attack in. Super Effective coverage moves in general work against Dhelmise as a result, with the Rapid Spin set requiring care due to the chip damage it takes from switching into hazards. That said, Dhemise's ability to fire off crushing blows shouldn't be underestimated as it is capable of knocking out many pokemon in one or two hits, depending on if the switches are predicted correctly.
Moltres: Moltres is one of a few Pokemon that is capable on switching in pretty freely on Dhelmise as it takes little damage from Power Whip and Heavy Slam while surviving a Shadow Claw comfortably before scoring a KO with Hurricane or Fire Blast.
Torkoal: Torkoal is notably the only Stealth Rock user that can handle Dhelmise well, due to its high defense and typing. Outside of Earthquake or Choice Band Shadow Claw, Torkoal can shrug off anything that Dhelmise is capable of throwing at it and can respond with Lava Plume, a move that has a decent chance to cripple with a Burn as well as scoring a 2HKO against Dhelmise.
Dark Type Pokemon: Most Dark type Pokemon can easily score a OHKO on Dhelmise, especially with some prior damage, and will generally be able to attack first. However, as mentioned previously, some caution must be exercised as a Dhelmise could devestate the switch in with a Power Whip or Heavy Slam, leading to a quick loss of a would-be counter. Additionally, a Dhelmise running Ghostium-Z will survive a Knock Off and be able to retaliate back.
Thanks to Steelworker, Dhelmise is the only Pokemon in the game that technically has three STABs, and coupled with a massive base attack and you have a Pokemon that is capable of dishing out boatloads of damage. Dhelmise also does a great job at spinblocking, since it has a fair amount of natural bulk and can deep six most other spinners thanks to a typing that covers most of the relevant ones in the tier. It does get Rapid Spin itself as well and is capable of scaring out Ghost types who would otherwise try to prevent it from spinning. However much like its apperance suggests, Dhelmise has an incredibly slow base speed, meaning it does need to be careful how it comes in since it is likely to take two attacks before it can act. To make things even worse it also has a very shallow movepool and as a result is mostly limited to its STABs.
[Set]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Shadow Claw
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: Heavy Slam
move 4: Earthquake
item: Choice Band
ability: Steelworker
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[Set Comments]
Moves
========
Shadow Claw has great neutral coverage and wrecks opposing Doublade as well as lets it have a shot at beating Escavalier. Power Whip is one of Dhelmise's highest damage move and lets it demolish Water and Ground types as well as tear holes into anything that doesn't resist. Heavy Slam takes advantage of Dhemise's understandably massive weight to bury any Fairy type in the game unlucky enough to face it while having a great chance to OHKO most Dark types that switch in on it. Earthquake is the best of Dhelmise's slim pickings in terms of coverage, and it allows Dhelmise to deal great damage to opposing Steel types, such as Registeel, and Dragalge.
Set Details
========
Max Attack Adamant with a Choice Band gives Dhelmise an absurd amount of power, making it hard to switch in as a resisted hit can still leave the switch-in reeling. Max speed guarantees that it will outspeed most Umbreon, which is a 2HKO with Power Whip and Heavy Slam.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to Choice Band, Dhelmise is surprisingly hard to switch in on due to the fact that clicking a move in anticipation of a switch can net a free KO on a Pokemon that would otherwise threaten Dhelmise. This means that while getting Dhelmise on the field in the early game can be tricky, it is capable of pulling you ahead with a surprise KO.
Team Options
========
Fire types are able to melt Steel types that could otherwise prove a problem for Dhelmise, while Dhelmise can easily handle most Pokemon, namely Water and Rock types, that would douse them. Additionally, Sharpedo and other offensive Water types go well with Dhelmise, since it is able to break apart bulky Water types that would otherwise wall them.
name: Offensive Spinner
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Shadow Claw
move 3: Power Whip
move 4: Heavy Slam / Swords Dance
item: Ghostium-Z / Spooky Plate
ability: Steelworker
nature: Adamant
evs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin is the main draw of this set, giving Dhelmise the utility of clearing away hazards on your side of the field. Shadow Claw and Power Whip are Dhelmise's STAB moves, allowing it to use its massive attack stat to still hit opponents hard if needed. For the last move you can run Heavy Slam for another attacking option or Swords Dance, which can allow Dhelmise to shatter Pokemon that would attempt to switch in and wall.
Set Details
========
84 Speed allows you to outspeed neutral base 50 speed Pokemon, while 204 speed will let you outrun Umbreon, which would otherwise be able to OHKO you with a Foul Play. Ghostium-Z lets you burst past opposing Doublade, while also reducing Knock Off's power to survivable levels. Spooky Plate is a general buff to Shadow Claw's damage and will 2HKO Doublade after Spikes damage.
Usage Tips
========
Dhelmise is capable of coming in on many common rockers and several Water Pokemon, giving it a chance to use Rapid Spin as the opponent makes a switch. Once hazards have been removed, Dhelmise is capable of using its high damage capabilities to deal heavy blows to its opponents.
Team Options
========
Rock weak sweepers, such as Moltres and Salazzle, appreciate Dhelmise's spinning set as it can remove Stealth Rocks for them, allowing them to come in without worry. Additionally, Dhelmise is capable of handling types that would pose problems for them, notably Rock types, while they can melt Steel types that would otherwise easily wall Dhelmise. Gigalith on the other hand is able to help out Dhelmise by dealing with Fire types that would otherwise roast it. Meanwhile Gigalith appreciates having a partner that can force out Water types that would like to put a damper on Gigalith's ability to set up Rocks, espcially one that is capable of blocking opposing Rapid Spins.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Another option is to use Substitute and Swords Dance for a Stallbreaker set that is capable of allowing Dhelmise to set up in front of Pokemon like Registeel, umbreon, and Quagsire. Anchor Shot is an option to use instead of Heavy Slam, however there are some things to note. For one, it is unable to KO all Fairy-types in the format and misses out on a few other important KOs, but will guarentee a OHKO against any Ice type that switches in on it. Additionally, it does outdamage Heavy Slam when used on Pokemon that weigh more than 115.75lbs (52.5kg), however a lot of them, such as Venusaur and Kommo-o, do not mind taking Steel type attacks too much. Anchor Shot is capable of running alongside Rest and Swords Dance as another method of Stallbreaking, since it would allow you to freely take the time to bust down most walls it traps.
Checks and Counters
===================
Offensive Pressure: Because of Dhelmise's low speed and lack of recovery, it is highly susceptible to offensive pressure, since it will usually be forced to take a hit or two before it can get an attack in. Super Effective coverage moves in general work against Dhelmise as a result, with the Rapid Spin set requiring care due to the chip damage it takes from switching into hazards. That said, Dhemise's ability to fire off crushing blows shouldn't be underestimated as it is capable of knocking out many pokemon in one or two hits, depending on if the switches are predicted correctly.
Moltres: Moltres is one of a few Pokemon that is capable on switching in pretty freely on Dhelmise as it takes little damage from Power Whip and Heavy Slam while surviving a Shadow Claw comfortably before scoring a KO with Hurricane or Fire Blast.
Torkoal: Torkoal is notably the only Stealth Rock user that can handle Dhelmise well, due to its high defense and typing. Outside of Earthquake or Choice Band Shadow Claw, Torkoal can shrug off anything that Dhelmise is capable of throwing at it and can respond with Lava Plume, a move that has a decent chance to cripple with a Burn as well as scoring a 2HKO against Dhelmise.
Dark Type Pokemon: Most Dark type Pokemon can easily score a OHKO on Dhelmise, especially with some prior damage, and will generally be able to attack first. However, as mentioned previously, some caution must be exercised as a Dhelmise could devestate the switch in with a Power Whip or Heavy Slam, leading to a quick loss of a would-be counter. Additionally, a Dhelmise running Ghostium-Z will survive a Knock Off and be able to retaliate back.
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