[OVERVIEW]
Necrozma has access to some of the best coverage and utility moves a Psychic-type could want, such as Stealth Rock, Heat Wave for Steel-types such as Doublade and Mega Steelix, and Power Gem for Flying-types that don't fear Necrozma's STAB move such as Sigilyph and Moltres. Said STAB move, Photon Geyser, is very strong and spammable, mainly due to the lack of good Dark-types in the tier. Necrozma also has a good Speed tier, which lets it outpace crucial Pokemon like Feraligatr, Nidoqueen, and Fighting-types such as Bewear and Machamp. Prism Armor is a useful ability, as it allows Necrozma to survive a Sucker Punch from Adamant Life Orb Honchkrow and take less damage from Doublade's Shadow Sneak and Shadow Claw. However, Necrozma is threatened by some of the tier's faster wallbreakers such as Durant and Yanmega, and despite its offensive presence, specially offensive Necrozma has difficulty taking down special walls such as Cresselia, Snorlax, and Umbreon, while physically offensive Necrozma is annoyed by Gligar, Mega Steelix, Bronzong, and Doublade.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: Power Gem / Knock Off
item: Odd Incense
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is one of the best utility moves in the game, and this set focuses on Necrozma being an offensive Stealth Rock user. Photon Geyser paired with Odd Incense hits very hard, 2HKOing walls such as physically defensive Gligar and Quagsire and often 2HKOing Pyukumuku; it also heavily dents Feraligatr, KOes Nidoqueen, and beats Fighting-types such as Bewear, Machamp, and Toxicroak. Heat Wave deals a good amount of damage to Steel-types, which resist Photon Geyser. Power Gem can hit Sigilyph, Yanmega, and Moltres, preventing the former from reliably using Defog, while Moltres and Yanmega get KOed. Alternatively, Knock Off can be used to cripple Pokemon such as Assault Vest Slowking, Porygon2, and Umbreon. Moonlight can also be used instead to ensure longevity.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are invested to hit foes hard and outspeed most walls to set up Stealth Rock effectively. A Timid nature is mandatory, as Necrozma then outspeeds important Pokemon such as Feraligatr and Nidoqueen. Prism Armor is Necrozma's only ability, but it is useful, as it weakens super effective attacks. Odd Incense powers up Photon Geyser, allowing Necrozma to 2HKO Gligar.
Usage Tips
========
Knowing when to set up Stealth Rock is crucial; it is not recommended to set Stealth Rock up when it can be easily removed by Defoggers or when the game has gone on too long for it to matter. Attack Defog users to heavily damage them as they remove Necrozma's Stealth Rock. Keep Necrozma from getting poisoned by Toxic because that can heavily affect its longevity and effectiveness. Finally, use Photon Geyser efficiently, as it has only 8 PP.
Team Options
========
Durant and Yanmega are great with Necrozma, as they can deal with Cresselia and Umbreon, which wall Necrozma. These two teammates also appreciate Stealth Rock being set up by Necrozma. Setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Feraligatr, Flygon, and Kommo-o appreciate Necrozma's ability to weaken foes so they can have an easier time sweeping Defensively, Pokemon that can check Durant and Yanmega such as Moltres, Doublade, specially defensive Gligar, and Snorlax are appreciated. The former two act as Durant checks, while the latter two are more suited to checking Yanmega, although Moltres is a good Yanmega check as well.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Photon Geyser
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor
item: Groundium Z / Buginium Z
ability: Prism Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance lets Necrozma's impressive Attack stat rise to dangerous levels, making it a threatening wallbreaker. Photon Geyser becomes a physical move, as this Necrozma's Attack stat is higher than its Special Attack. Because it ignores abilities, Unaware Pokemon such as Quagsire cannot handle Photon Geyser. Earthquake deals with Steel-types such as Durant, Registeel, and Mega Steelix, which resist Photon Geyser. X-Scissor deals with Umbreon and Cresselia, as they can otherwise wall this set.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature with maximum Attack and Speed EVs is mandatory so that Necrozma outspeeds crucial Pokemon such as Feraligatr and Nidoqueen and deals heavy damage. Prism Armor is a useful ability, as it weakens super effective attacks, giving Necrozma more opportunities to set up. Groundium Z allows Necrozma to deal a large amount of damage to Doublade, Registeel, and Mega Steelix, which otherwise limit Necrozma's ability to sweep. Alternatively, Buginium Z allows Necrozma to KO Umbreon and Cresselia, as they can survive a +2 boosted X-Scissor and either cripple Necrozma with Toxic or KO it. Life Orb can also be used to hit everything harder at the cost of losing HP.
Usage Tips
========
Necrozma works best as a mid-game wallbreaker; it should set up with the main intention of crippling the opposing team, so it is sometimes okay to let Necrozma be hit by Toxic if it can still get its job done. After Necrozma weakens the opposing team, make sure to clean through the team before it recovers. To make wallbreaking easier, stack entry hazards before setting up with Necrozma. Keep in mind that Photon Geyser is prone to being PP stalled by Pressure users such as Substitute Moltres. Similarly, try saving Necrozma's Z-Move to take down its intended target; don't hesitate to use it early-game if it can take Necrozma's checks down.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers such as Durant and Yanmega are great partners, as they can beat most of Necrozma's checks in Cresselia, Umbreon, Doublade, and Mega Steelix. Mega Glalie is also a good partner, as it can set up Spikes and wear down the opposing team with Super Fang. Defensively, generally bulky Pokemon that can check Bug-types such as Snorlax, Milotic, Doublade, and Moltres are good partners, as the former two can check Yanmega, while Doublade checks Durant; Moltres has the typing and bulk to check both. Healing Wish users such as Shaymin and Gardevoir can restore a worn-down Necrozma to full health. Wish and Heal Bell support from Umbreon also improves Necrozma's longevity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An offensive Calm Mind set can be used to threaten the opposing team, but it is less effective than Swords Dance, as it falls to Umbreon and Cresselia more easily. Defensive Calm Mind with Stored Power can also be used, but Necrozma lacks the coverage to take down Dark-types instantly, and it is very weak to status ailments. Choice Band can be used to maximize Necrozma's immediate offensive presence, but Swords Dance functions better both as a wallbreaker and as a sweeper. Similarly, Choice Specs can be used, but it provides no utility and is prone to being checked by common specially defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia and Snorlax.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bug-types**: Durant, Yanmega, Escavalier, and Araquanid can KO or severely damage Necrozma with their STAB moves. Escavalier has to watch out for Heat Wave, however.
**Psychic-types**: Gardevoir, Meloetta, Slowking, and Hoopa can weaken or KO Necrozma while resisting Photon Geyser. Hoopa and Slowking do have to watch out for Knock Off and X-Scissor, however.
**Status**: Necrozma's longevity and effectiveness are crippled by Toxic, while Swords Dance Necrozma is neutered by burns.
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