UU Darmanitan

Eyan

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taken over from Virizain with approval from dodmen. the dude basically had 5 QC checks on this so no point starting from ground zero.


[OVERVIEW]

Darmanitan's Sheer Force-boosted Flare Blitz and high Attack stat make it an offensive juggernaut in the UU tier, as it is able to 2HKO even bulky walls such as Hippowdon without a boosting item. This also allows it to function decently as a revenge killer. However, Flare Blitz recoil along with Darmanitan's almost nonexistent defenses and weakness to Stealth Rock wears it down fast. Additionally, its narrow pool of coverage options makes it unable to do much if the opponent has a sturdy Fire-resistant Pokemon. Darmanitan is also outsped by common Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and is overshadowed by other Fire-types such as Infernape and Talonflame, which have access to either useful moves like Swords Dance or a useful secondary typing like Fighting in Infernape's case.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Flare Blitz deals massive damage to or OHKOes most targets that don't resist it. U-turn is useful for gaining momentum on switches that Darmanitan commonly forces. Rock Slide hits Flying-types like Mega Aerodactyl and Talonflame hard. Earthquake hits other miscellaneous targets such as Empoleon, Nidoqueen, and Tentacruel for super effective damage; however, Superpower is an option in that slot to maintain coverage against Empoleon while also hitting Snorlax, which walls Darmanitan otherwise.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs with a Choice Scarf allow Darmanitan to take full advantage of its only useful stats, outspeeding the majority of the tier and hitting as hard as possible. A Jolly nature is required so Darmanitan is able to outspeed threats like Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile while at worst Speed tying with opposing Darmanitan. Sheer Force is run to help bolster the power of Darmanitan's Flare Blitz and Rock Slide.

Usage Tips
========

Darmanitan mainly functions as a revenge killer to threats like Talonflame after Gale Wings has been broken, Venomoth, and Raikou, so it's advised to use U-turn often early-game; doing so will wear down its checks and switch-ins while allowing it to quickly escape from a bad matchup. Be careful of letting Darmanitan get worn down by Flare Blitz recoil and Stealth Rock damage, as it usually needs as much HP as possible to survive an attack.

Team Options
========

Other VoltTurn users complement Darmanitan's ability to force switches and gain momentum, so they make good partners; specifically, Raikou can also force out bulky Water-types for Darmanitan, while Scizor can check Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Sharpedo as well as remove entry hazards with Defog. Strong offensive Water-types like Mega Blastoise and Primarina can check the bulky Ground-types that are annoying for Darmanitan; Mega Blastoise has the added benefit of being able to clear away hazards. Ninetales is a decent teammate option because of its ability to provide sun support with Drought, which raises the power of Flare Blitz to ridiculous levels.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Substitute + Belly Drum set with a Salac Berry can be used to attempt a sweep with Darmanitan but requires extensive support to actually work. A Choice Band or Life Orb set packs incredible raw power but is better done by the likes of Infernape and Entei; the set also risks being outsped by the vast majority of the tier.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Water-types**: Fire-resistant Water-types such as Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Alomomola can repeatedly switch into Darmanitan and render it unable to do anything except use U-turn early on. The former two have to worry about being worn down, though.

**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: Hydreigon, Terrakion, and Mienshao can all outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan, but few of them can actually switch in.

**Priority**: Priority moves such as Mega Absol's Sucker Punch and Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet can easily pick off Darmanitan.

**Chip Damage**: Flare Blitz recoil and damage from entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, can neuter Darmanitan's ability to spam Flare Blitz.
 
Last edited:

Amaroq

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In the overview, I wouldn't say that Darmanitan's bulk is nonexistent. While its defenses are pretty bad, its high base HP at least lets it soak up a neutral hit and it definitely isn't Zygarde-10%-level frail.

Mention Life Orb in Other Options.

In Checks and Counters, include something about Darmanitan also being vulnerable to Spikes and Toxic Spikes in the Chip Damage bullet point.

QC 3/3.
 

Fireflame

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The shortest analysis I have ever seen lol

Remove
Add
Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen
[OVERVIEW]

Darmanitan's Sheer Force-boosted Flare Blitz and high Attack stat make it an offensive juggernaut in the UU tier, as it is able to 2HKO even bulky walls such as Hippowdon without a boosting item. This also allows it to function decently as a revenge killer. However, the Flare Blitz recoil along with Darmanitan's almost nonexistent defenses and weakness to Stealth Rock wears it down fast. Additionally, its narrow pool of coverage options makes it such that it's unable to do much if the opponent has a sturdy Fire-resistant Pokemon. Darmanitan is also outsped by common Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and is overshadowed by other Fire-types such as Infernape and Talonflame, which have access to either useful moves like Swords Dance or a useful secondary typing like Fighting in Infernape's case.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Flare Blitz from Darmanitan deals massive damage to or OHKOes most targets that don't resist it. U-turn is useful for gaining momentum on switches that Darmanitan commonly forces. Rock Slide hits the likes of Flying-types like Mega Aerodactyl and Talonflame hard. Earthquake hits other miscellaneous targets such as Empoleon, Nidoqueen, and Tentacruel for super effective damage; however, Superpower is an option in that slot to maintain coverage against Empoleon while also hitting Snorlax, which walls Darmanitan otherwise. (No changes beyond this point)

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs with a Choice Scarf allow Darmanitan to take full advantage of its only useful stats, outspeeding the majority of the tier and hitting as hard as possible. A Jolly nature is required so Darmanitan is able to outspeed threats like Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile while at worst Speed tying with opposing Darmanitan. Sheer Force is run to help bolster the power of Darmanitan's Flare Blitz and Rock Slide.

Usage Tips
========

Darmanitan mainly functions as a revenge killer to threats like Talonflame after Gale Wings has been broken, Venomoth, and Raikou, so it's advised to use U-turn often early-game; doing so will wear down its checks and switch-ins while allowing it to quickly escape from a bad matchup. Be careful of letting Darmanitan get worn down by Flare Blitz recoil and Stealth Rock damage, as it usually needs as much HP as possible to survive an attack.

Team Options
========

Other VoltTurn users complement Darmanitan's ability to force switches and gain momentum, so they make good partners; specifically, Raikou can also force out bulky Water-types for Darmanitan, while Scizor can check Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Sharpedo as well as remove entry hazards with Defog. Strong offensive Water-types like Mega Blastoise and Primarina can check the bulky Ground-types that are annoying for Darmanitan; Mega Blastoise has the added benefit of being able to clear away hazards. Ninetales is a decent teammate option because of its ability to provide sun support with Drought, which raises the power of Flare Blitz to ridiculous levels.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Substitute + Belly Drum set with a Salac Berry can be used to attempt a sweep with Darmanitan but requires extensive support to actually work. A Choice Band or Life Orb set packs incredible raw power but is better done by the likes of Infernape and Entei; the set also risks being outsped by the vast majority of the tier.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Water-types**: Fire-resistant Water-types such as Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Alomomola can repeatedly switch into Darmanitan and render it unable to do anything except use U-turn early on. The former two have to worry about being worn down, though.

**Faster Choice Scarf Users**: Hydreigon, Terrakion, and Mienshao can all outspeed and OHKO Darmanitan, but few of them can actually switch in.

**Priority** Priority moves such as Mega Absol's Sucker Punch and Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet can easily pick off Darmanitan.

**Chip Damage** Flare Blitz recoil and damage from entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, can neuter Daramanitan's ability to spam Flare Blitz.
GP 1/2
 

Eyan

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is a Top Tutor Alumnusis a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Yeah, a mon doesn't get much more straightforward than darmanitan. Implemented, thanks.
 

Lumari

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**Priority**: (add colon) Priority moves such as Mega Absol's Sucker Punch and Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet can easily pick off Darmanitan.

**Chip Damage**: (same) Flare Blitz recoil and damage from entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, can neuter Daramanitan's Darmanitan's ability to spam Flare Blitz.
GP 2/2

 
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