Blaziken
05-04-2008, 07:36 PM
Dusknoir
Meet arguably one of the best Rapid Spin blockers in the game. No one had really expected Dusclops to evolve but it has and here’s the result, Dusknoir. While I’ll give plenty of wraps to Dusknoir, it actually isn’t too different from Dusclops, stats and moves. However the most noticeable difference is its attack power, reaching 100 base power but most people will be using Dusknoir as a more defensive pokemon to block Rapid Spin and to cripple physical sweepers. One of the most helpful things Dusknoir has gotten in the 4th generation is an upgrade to its movepool with the addition of Shadow Sneak, the elemental punches turning physical and some good support moves. However Dusknoir might have some tough competition from another fellow ghost and new addition, Spiritomb.
Standard
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish/ Careful
Attacks:
Willo-Wisp
Pain Split
Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch/ Shadow Sneak
Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch/ Shadow Sneak
This is Dusknoir’s normal set when it comes to blocking Rapid Spin attempts. Willo-Wisp cripples physical sweepers which is also another good point about Dusknoir, being able to switch into threats such as Machamp and burn them, bearing in mind that if they have the Guts ability though, you could be in trouble. Pain Split is Dusknoir’s only instant recovery move that’s “reliable” to use besides Rest and you really don’t want Dusknoir asleep when trying to block Rapid Spin coming from a Starmie. It’s last two attacks are mainly for offensive reasons. Shadow Sneak allows Dusknoir to handle some psychic and ghost pokemon (not on switch ins against ghost pokemon) while also getting a first hit in, which is pretty helpful since it has a dismal speed. Fire Punch for Heracross which you shouldn’t try burning because of Guts and Thunder Punch is for Gyarados. Ice Punch could be an option for dragons but you’ll want an even bulkier pokemon to take them on. Basically Dusknoir is a very good blocker of Rapid Spin and this set also allows Dusknoir to play a more team like role. Just watch out for Heatran, Tyranitar and other fire and dark type pokemon.
Rating: 8.5/10
Choice Bander
Item: Choice Bander
Nature: Adamant
Attacks:
Earthquake/ Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch
Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch
Focus Punch/ Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch/ Ice Punch/ Pursuit
Shadow Punch/ Shadow Sneak
There are options everywhere but they’re not too particularly pretty. As mentioned before, Dusknoir with an 100 base attack stat plus with Choice Band has the potential to do something useful offensively, well you’d think that wouldn’t you? Dusknoir’s movepool physically offers a lot of options but when trying to do damage, it’s not that impressive. It’s more about type coverage with Dusknoir than hard out damage due to a not so powerful STAB attack in either Shadow Punch or Shadow Sneak. Basically with this Dusknoir, choose your moves and try and attempt to do some damage. Don’t feel too bad though if this version of Dusknoir fails because, well without a powerful STAB attack, there’s no way you’re going to cause serious damage in the way Gallade can. However if you do use this set, you have the element of surprise on your side. If you are going to use this set, I’ve got one word for you: prediction.
Rating: 7/10
Special Sweeper
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Modest
Attacks:
Calm Mind
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast/ Ice Beam
Pain Split
The only reason why I even considered mentioning this set was because I needed another set and Dusknoir has Calm Mind. However it can pull it off decently because of its great defenses. Shadow Ball is Dusknoir’s most powerful STAB move while Focus Blast or Ice Beam is for more coverage. Pain Split is for recovery which a slow pokemon like Dusknoir needs. You might also be able to squeeze Willo-Wisp in there over one of its offensive moves however that does greatly hamper its “sweeping” potential. There are much better Calm Mind users than Dusknoir though.
Rating: 6.5/10
Trick Room
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Sassy/ Relaxed
Attacks:
Trick Room
Pain Split
Willo-Wisp
Shadow Sneak
Dusknoir has been one of the most popular pokemon to set up the ever-tricky Trick Room. Trick Room is a special attack which allows slower pokemon to automatically move first for 4 turns, not including the turn which you use Trick Room. Dusknoir is such a good Trick Room starter because of its already low speed plus its ability to burn Tyranitar and other powerful physical sweepers before they damage you too much during the turns which Trick Room is active. Pain Split can then restore off any lost damage. Shadow Sneak might be something strange to have on a Trick Room set when you’ll be going first after using it and Shadow Punch would be stronger. The reason is that when you’ve got Trick Room up, you should try and sweep your opponent’s side when you can, like when you’ve crippled them and damaged them. The only problem here with Dusknoir is that while it can cripple, after that it can do much so it’ll most likely be switching out to something like Swampert or another powerful sweeper to try sweeping. Because of this, you’ll still want to get some damage away even when Trick Room isn’t up so Shadow Sneak is the better option. Plus there isn’t much of a power difference between Shadow Sneak and Shadow Punch.
Rating: 8/10
Contests
Contest Type: Smart
Moves:
Calm Mind
Shadow Punch
Protect
Torment
Well Dusknoir’s contest movepool is anything but glamorous so this will have to do. Calm Mind doubles your next round’s score. Need I say more?
Rating: 7/10
Type:
Dusknoir is a pure ghost type pokemon, and that’s basically it. As mentioned before, Dusknoir best plays as a pokemon who can both cripple opponents while blocking Rapid Spin attempts. It’s bulkiness also makes it quite durable. However Dusknoir on some occasions will be competing against Spiritomb for a spot in a side. While Dusknoir is more bulkier than Spiritomb, what Spiritomb has is no weaknesses unlike Dusknoir who has a weakness to ghost and dark moves, most noticeably Pursuit coming from Tyranitar. Spiritomb doesn’t any better against the fearsome dinosaur however with Spiritomb’s dark type advantage, it can effectively wall powerful psychics like Azelf and Starmie who also is a Rapid Spinner. Plus with a combination of Pursuit and Sucker Punch, two of Spiritomb’s STAB moves, it forces psychic pokemon to choose whether they’re going to switch or stay in to battle. Also, the fact that Dusknoir’s standard movepool is quite similar to Spiritomb’s does help either however do remember that Dusknoir is a more bulkier pokemon who can take a few more hits.
Due to Dusknoir’s now quite predictable moveset, it has become easier to counter. Two of the best counters against Dusknoir would be Heatran and Tyranitar. Heatran can easily switch into a Willo-Wisp, receiving the extra power boost from it. Tyranitar though makes Spiritomb think twice about what it should do. Pursuit is quite common on Tyranitar but so it Substitute. Does Dusknoir stay in try and burn Tyranitar or switch out at the risk of possibly getting knocked out by Pursuit. Both though have to watch out for Focus Punch and Earthquake, which aren’t that common but there are some who carry them. Dusknoir also has to worry about the majority of pokemon who have the Guts ability, most noticeably Heracross, Machamp and Ursaring. All three can switch into Willo-Wisp and strike back with something powerful. Heracross with Night Slash or Pursuit or even Megahorn, Machamp can strike back with Stone Edge and Ursaring with Shadow Claw. Pokemon with Flash Fire also don’t mind taking on the standard version of Dusknoir, Ninetails for example who can set up if Dusknoir switches.
Other popular counters for Dusknoir are Weavile, Metagross and maybe Gyarados but all three have to watch out for Willo-Wisp. Gyarados can use Taunt against Dusknoir however it still doesn’t like taking a lot from Thunder Punch. Dusknoir’s low HP also hampers it greatly meaning a powerful super effective attack badly cripples it like Choice Specs Dark Pulse from Porygon Z. The fact that it isn’t immune to Spikes or Toxic Spikes also hurts it. Most stalling pokemon with Toxic and a GOOD recovery move can easily outstall Dusknoir. Despite how bulky Dusknoir may seem at first, the fact that Pain Split is its only “recovery move” really hurts it so take advantage of that. Against the more offensive sets, simply walling them before either switching to the appropriate counter or crippling them will do since they aren’t too powerful. However do a bit of predicting first.
Ability- Pressure:
Pressure is quite a common ability, most commonly seen with ubers and legendary pokemon. However this is Dusknoir’s only ability and it works rather well with it. Because Dusknoir is the bulky pokemon it is, your opponent will probably be using a volley of attacks to take it out. This means that the move that is used over and over will lose PP very fast. For those of you who don’t know, Pressure is an ability, which deducts 2 PP instead of 1 every time a move is used AGAINST Dusknoir, for example Hypnosis and Flamethrower. Also if you’re interested to know, Spiritomb also has this ability.
Overall Rating for Dusknoir: 8/10
Meet arguably one of the best Rapid Spin blockers in the game. No one had really expected Dusclops to evolve but it has and here’s the result, Dusknoir. While I’ll give plenty of wraps to Dusknoir, it actually isn’t too different from Dusclops, stats and moves. However the most noticeable difference is its attack power, reaching 100 base power but most people will be using Dusknoir as a more defensive pokemon to block Rapid Spin and to cripple physical sweepers. One of the most helpful things Dusknoir has gotten in the 4th generation is an upgrade to its movepool with the addition of Shadow Sneak, the elemental punches turning physical and some good support moves. However Dusknoir might have some tough competition from another fellow ghost and new addition, Spiritomb.
Standard
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish/ Careful
Attacks:
Willo-Wisp
Pain Split
Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch/ Shadow Sneak
Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch/ Shadow Sneak
This is Dusknoir’s normal set when it comes to blocking Rapid Spin attempts. Willo-Wisp cripples physical sweepers which is also another good point about Dusknoir, being able to switch into threats such as Machamp and burn them, bearing in mind that if they have the Guts ability though, you could be in trouble. Pain Split is Dusknoir’s only instant recovery move that’s “reliable” to use besides Rest and you really don’t want Dusknoir asleep when trying to block Rapid Spin coming from a Starmie. It’s last two attacks are mainly for offensive reasons. Shadow Sneak allows Dusknoir to handle some psychic and ghost pokemon (not on switch ins against ghost pokemon) while also getting a first hit in, which is pretty helpful since it has a dismal speed. Fire Punch for Heracross which you shouldn’t try burning because of Guts and Thunder Punch is for Gyarados. Ice Punch could be an option for dragons but you’ll want an even bulkier pokemon to take them on. Basically Dusknoir is a very good blocker of Rapid Spin and this set also allows Dusknoir to play a more team like role. Just watch out for Heatran, Tyranitar and other fire and dark type pokemon.
Rating: 8.5/10
Choice Bander
Item: Choice Bander
Nature: Adamant
Attacks:
Earthquake/ Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch
Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch
Focus Punch/ Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch/ Ice Punch/ Pursuit
Shadow Punch/ Shadow Sneak
There are options everywhere but they’re not too particularly pretty. As mentioned before, Dusknoir with an 100 base attack stat plus with Choice Band has the potential to do something useful offensively, well you’d think that wouldn’t you? Dusknoir’s movepool physically offers a lot of options but when trying to do damage, it’s not that impressive. It’s more about type coverage with Dusknoir than hard out damage due to a not so powerful STAB attack in either Shadow Punch or Shadow Sneak. Basically with this Dusknoir, choose your moves and try and attempt to do some damage. Don’t feel too bad though if this version of Dusknoir fails because, well without a powerful STAB attack, there’s no way you’re going to cause serious damage in the way Gallade can. However if you do use this set, you have the element of surprise on your side. If you are going to use this set, I’ve got one word for you: prediction.
Rating: 7/10
Special Sweeper
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Modest
Attacks:
Calm Mind
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast/ Ice Beam
Pain Split
The only reason why I even considered mentioning this set was because I needed another set and Dusknoir has Calm Mind. However it can pull it off decently because of its great defenses. Shadow Ball is Dusknoir’s most powerful STAB move while Focus Blast or Ice Beam is for more coverage. Pain Split is for recovery which a slow pokemon like Dusknoir needs. You might also be able to squeeze Willo-Wisp in there over one of its offensive moves however that does greatly hamper its “sweeping” potential. There are much better Calm Mind users than Dusknoir though.
Rating: 6.5/10
Trick Room
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Sassy/ Relaxed
Attacks:
Trick Room
Pain Split
Willo-Wisp
Shadow Sneak
Dusknoir has been one of the most popular pokemon to set up the ever-tricky Trick Room. Trick Room is a special attack which allows slower pokemon to automatically move first for 4 turns, not including the turn which you use Trick Room. Dusknoir is such a good Trick Room starter because of its already low speed plus its ability to burn Tyranitar and other powerful physical sweepers before they damage you too much during the turns which Trick Room is active. Pain Split can then restore off any lost damage. Shadow Sneak might be something strange to have on a Trick Room set when you’ll be going first after using it and Shadow Punch would be stronger. The reason is that when you’ve got Trick Room up, you should try and sweep your opponent’s side when you can, like when you’ve crippled them and damaged them. The only problem here with Dusknoir is that while it can cripple, after that it can do much so it’ll most likely be switching out to something like Swampert or another powerful sweeper to try sweeping. Because of this, you’ll still want to get some damage away even when Trick Room isn’t up so Shadow Sneak is the better option. Plus there isn’t much of a power difference between Shadow Sneak and Shadow Punch.
Rating: 8/10
Contests
Contest Type: Smart
Moves:
Calm Mind
Shadow Punch
Protect
Torment
Well Dusknoir’s contest movepool is anything but glamorous so this will have to do. Calm Mind doubles your next round’s score. Need I say more?
Rating: 7/10
Type:
Dusknoir is a pure ghost type pokemon, and that’s basically it. As mentioned before, Dusknoir best plays as a pokemon who can both cripple opponents while blocking Rapid Spin attempts. It’s bulkiness also makes it quite durable. However Dusknoir on some occasions will be competing against Spiritomb for a spot in a side. While Dusknoir is more bulkier than Spiritomb, what Spiritomb has is no weaknesses unlike Dusknoir who has a weakness to ghost and dark moves, most noticeably Pursuit coming from Tyranitar. Spiritomb doesn’t any better against the fearsome dinosaur however with Spiritomb’s dark type advantage, it can effectively wall powerful psychics like Azelf and Starmie who also is a Rapid Spinner. Plus with a combination of Pursuit and Sucker Punch, two of Spiritomb’s STAB moves, it forces psychic pokemon to choose whether they’re going to switch or stay in to battle. Also, the fact that Dusknoir’s standard movepool is quite similar to Spiritomb’s does help either however do remember that Dusknoir is a more bulkier pokemon who can take a few more hits.
Due to Dusknoir’s now quite predictable moveset, it has become easier to counter. Two of the best counters against Dusknoir would be Heatran and Tyranitar. Heatran can easily switch into a Willo-Wisp, receiving the extra power boost from it. Tyranitar though makes Spiritomb think twice about what it should do. Pursuit is quite common on Tyranitar but so it Substitute. Does Dusknoir stay in try and burn Tyranitar or switch out at the risk of possibly getting knocked out by Pursuit. Both though have to watch out for Focus Punch and Earthquake, which aren’t that common but there are some who carry them. Dusknoir also has to worry about the majority of pokemon who have the Guts ability, most noticeably Heracross, Machamp and Ursaring. All three can switch into Willo-Wisp and strike back with something powerful. Heracross with Night Slash or Pursuit or even Megahorn, Machamp can strike back with Stone Edge and Ursaring with Shadow Claw. Pokemon with Flash Fire also don’t mind taking on the standard version of Dusknoir, Ninetails for example who can set up if Dusknoir switches.
Other popular counters for Dusknoir are Weavile, Metagross and maybe Gyarados but all three have to watch out for Willo-Wisp. Gyarados can use Taunt against Dusknoir however it still doesn’t like taking a lot from Thunder Punch. Dusknoir’s low HP also hampers it greatly meaning a powerful super effective attack badly cripples it like Choice Specs Dark Pulse from Porygon Z. The fact that it isn’t immune to Spikes or Toxic Spikes also hurts it. Most stalling pokemon with Toxic and a GOOD recovery move can easily outstall Dusknoir. Despite how bulky Dusknoir may seem at first, the fact that Pain Split is its only “recovery move” really hurts it so take advantage of that. Against the more offensive sets, simply walling them before either switching to the appropriate counter or crippling them will do since they aren’t too powerful. However do a bit of predicting first.
Ability- Pressure:
Pressure is quite a common ability, most commonly seen with ubers and legendary pokemon. However this is Dusknoir’s only ability and it works rather well with it. Because Dusknoir is the bulky pokemon it is, your opponent will probably be using a volley of attacks to take it out. This means that the move that is used over and over will lose PP very fast. For those of you who don’t know, Pressure is an ability, which deducts 2 PP instead of 1 every time a move is used AGAINST Dusknoir, for example Hypnosis and Flamethrower. Also if you’re interested to know, Spiritomb also has this ability.
Overall Rating for Dusknoir: 8/10