[OVERVIEW]
Ditto's unique ability, Imposter, transforms it into the opposing Pokemon upon switching in, taking the Pokemon's stats with the exception of HP, as well as any stat changes it might have. The transformation takes effect after entry hazards affect Ditto, meaning that Ditto will only take neutral damage from Stealth Rock and override the Sticky Web Speed drop, allowing it to beat Sticky Web teams with ease. With a Choice Scarf, Ditto will almost always outspeed what it transforms into. The only exceptions are if the opposing Pokemon is holding a Choice Scarf, in which case Ditto will Speed tie, and if Unburden has activated for the opposing Pokemon. Ditto is also able to scout movesets with Transform, providing useful support. However, because Ditto is forced to run Choice Scarf to minimize Speed ties, it has trouble with defensive setup Pokemon like Calm Mind Mega Audino and Slowbro. Ditto can also be difficult to bring in safely against offensive teams due to its measly HP stat, meaning it needs a slow U-turn or Volt Switch to get in without sacrificing a Pokemon. Additionally, Imposter and Transform fail against Substitute, leaving Ditto and its team vulnerable against Substitute setup sweepers like Vivililon and Braviary.
[SET]
name: Imposter
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 31 / 30 / 31 / 30 / 31 / 0
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Transform is the only move Ditto can learn. It will almost never be used, since Imposter will transform Ditto into the opposing Pokemon without wasting the turn needed to use Transform.
Set Details
========
Ditto copies all of its foe's stats except for HP, so 252 HP EVs are used to maximize Ditto's bulk. Ditto's IVs give it Hidden Power Fire, allowing it to hit Sceptile, Whimsicott, and Rotom-C super effectively while also hitting the Steel-types that would normally switch into the transformed Pokemon, such as Ferroseed, Klinklang, and Steelix, super effectively. 0 Speed IVs with a Relaxed nature aim to create the slowest untransformed Ditto in the case of a mirror matchup between two Ditto; the faster Ditto will transform first, giving it only 5 PP and therefore making it run out of PP first. 252 Defense EVs are used with the Relaxed nature to minimize opposing Struggle damage.
Usage Tips
========
Ditto's main use is to take advantage of opposing setup sweepers' stats and counter sweep the opposing team. Ditto can transform into opposing wallbreakers like Sceptile to place a lot of pressure on opposing teams. When facing stall teams, try to get Ditto's Choice Scarf removed by switching into Knock Off. This allows Ditto to have more usable PP and move options including recovery. It also allows Ditto to PP stall enemy stall teams, as Ditto gets unlimited PP just by switching in and out of battle.
Team Options
========
Ditto is very easy to fit on teams, especially on ones that are weak to setup sweepers. Teammates that typically require setup to break, such as Mega Audino, can make great partners. Ditto can form a useful core with Pokemon with the ability Regenerator, like Slowbro and Slowking, to stall out opposing Pokemon. Ditto has a tendency to get worn down, so entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Cryogonal, Hitmonlee, Golbat, and Skuntank can help keep Ditto healthy. Fast Taunt users like Mismagius and Froslass can prevent setup users from getting up a Substitute, which prevents Imposter from activating.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Since Ditto is such a straightforward Pokemon, it has very little other options to run. An IV spread of 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 0 can be run to give Ditto Hidden Power Ice, which hits foes like Golbat and other Flying-types harder than Hidden Power Fire would.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Substitute**: Substitute setup sweepers such as Vivililon can use Substitute to prevent Imposter from activating, giving the opposing team another turn to set up or attack. Switching in on the turn the foe uses Substitute is also dangerous, as while Imposter will still activate, Ditto will have to break the Substitute, often leading to Ditto being OHKOed after breaking the Substitute.
**Calm Mind Users**: Bulky Pokemon that use Calm Mind to set up such as Mega Audino and Slowbro can take advantage of the fact that Ditto is Choice locked to recover on it, damage it, or just set up on it further.
**Trick Room Setup Sweepers**: Trick Room sweepers, particularly Aromatisse, cannot be revenge killed by Ditto in Trick Room, as Ditto's Choice Scarf makes it outspeed the sweeper and thus move last in Trick Room.
**Opposing Ditto**: If you are facing an opposing Ditto that has copied your own setup sweeper, Imposter will not activate, leaving your team vulnerable to a counter sweep.
**Choice Scarf Users**: If Ditto transforms into a Pokemon that is holding a Choice Scarf, it will be forced into a Speed tie.
Ditto's unique ability, Imposter, transforms it into the opposing Pokemon upon switching in, taking the Pokemon's stats with the exception of HP, as well as any stat changes it might have. The transformation takes effect after entry hazards affect Ditto, meaning that Ditto will only take neutral damage from Stealth Rock and override the Sticky Web Speed drop, allowing it to beat Sticky Web teams with ease. With a Choice Scarf, Ditto will almost always outspeed what it transforms into. The only exceptions are if the opposing Pokemon is holding a Choice Scarf, in which case Ditto will Speed tie, and if Unburden has activated for the opposing Pokemon. Ditto is also able to scout movesets with Transform, providing useful support. However, because Ditto is forced to run Choice Scarf to minimize Speed ties, it has trouble with defensive setup Pokemon like Calm Mind Mega Audino and Slowbro. Ditto can also be difficult to bring in safely against offensive teams due to its measly HP stat, meaning it needs a slow U-turn or Volt Switch to get in without sacrificing a Pokemon. Additionally, Imposter and Transform fail against Substitute, leaving Ditto and its team vulnerable against Substitute setup sweepers like Vivililon and Braviary.
[SET]
name: Imposter
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 31 / 30 / 31 / 30 / 31 / 0
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Transform is the only move Ditto can learn. It will almost never be used, since Imposter will transform Ditto into the opposing Pokemon without wasting the turn needed to use Transform.
Set Details
========
Ditto copies all of its foe's stats except for HP, so 252 HP EVs are used to maximize Ditto's bulk. Ditto's IVs give it Hidden Power Fire, allowing it to hit Sceptile, Whimsicott, and Rotom-C super effectively while also hitting the Steel-types that would normally switch into the transformed Pokemon, such as Ferroseed, Klinklang, and Steelix, super effectively. 0 Speed IVs with a Relaxed nature aim to create the slowest untransformed Ditto in the case of a mirror matchup between two Ditto; the faster Ditto will transform first, giving it only 5 PP and therefore making it run out of PP first. 252 Defense EVs are used with the Relaxed nature to minimize opposing Struggle damage.
Usage Tips
========
Ditto's main use is to take advantage of opposing setup sweepers' stats and counter sweep the opposing team. Ditto can transform into opposing wallbreakers like Sceptile to place a lot of pressure on opposing teams. When facing stall teams, try to get Ditto's Choice Scarf removed by switching into Knock Off. This allows Ditto to have more usable PP and move options including recovery. It also allows Ditto to PP stall enemy stall teams, as Ditto gets unlimited PP just by switching in and out of battle.
Team Options
========
Ditto is very easy to fit on teams, especially on ones that are weak to setup sweepers. Teammates that typically require setup to break, such as Mega Audino, can make great partners. Ditto can form a useful core with Pokemon with the ability Regenerator, like Slowbro and Slowking, to stall out opposing Pokemon. Ditto has a tendency to get worn down, so entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Cryogonal, Hitmonlee, Golbat, and Skuntank can help keep Ditto healthy. Fast Taunt users like Mismagius and Froslass can prevent setup users from getting up a Substitute, which prevents Imposter from activating.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Since Ditto is such a straightforward Pokemon, it has very little other options to run. An IV spread of 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 31 / 0 can be run to give Ditto Hidden Power Ice, which hits foes like Golbat and other Flying-types harder than Hidden Power Fire would.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Substitute**: Substitute setup sweepers such as Vivil
**Calm Mind Users**: Bulky Pokemon that use Calm Mind to set up such as Mega Audino and Slowbro can take advantage of the fact that Ditto is Choice locked to recover on it, damage it, or just set up on it further.
**Trick Room Setup Sweepers**: Trick Room sweepers, particularly Aromatisse, cannot be revenge killed by Ditto in Trick Room, as Ditto's Choice Scarf makes it outspeed the sweeper and thus move last in Trick Room.
**Opposing Ditto**: If you are facing an opposing Ditto that has copied your own setup sweeper, Imposter will not activate, leaving your team vulnerable to a counter sweep.
**Choice Scarf Users**: If Ditto transforms into a Pokemon that is holding a Choice Scarf, it will be forced into a Speed tie.
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