RMT New to competitive battling! Need help!

Started by Theblackvixen May 10th, 2014 11:27 AM
  • 1119 views
  • 6 replies

Theblackvixen

The Delphox Queen

Age 28
Female
Stenugsund, Sweden
Seen September 20th, 2014
Posted June 7th, 2014
21 posts
9 Years
Hey guys! I'm wanting to build my competitive team for the first time, but need a little help!

I have one pokemon I know for sure I want on my team, and that's my 5 IV Shiny female delphox. here are her stats! I plan on having her as a lead wall and light sweeper!

Delphox:
Female
Ability: Magician
Nature: Timid
Item: Red card
Moveset:
Substitute
Psychic
Will-O-Wisp
Flamethrower

Attack: 90
Defense: 110
Sp. Atk: 159
Sp. Def: 142
Speed: 162

Can anyone give me any suggestions on who else I should have on my team? I want good type coverage, as well as a good tank!

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
Don't even think about Delphox. Magician is a terrible ability because a lot of Pokemon rely on their items to function, making going itemless an invalid option. Defense Deoxys is better at using Red Card because of its better overall bulk. Delphox is also outclassed by other Fire Pokemon such as Charizard, Talonflame, Infernape, Heatran, Volcarona and even Victini and Chandelure. These Pokemon have better move pools than Delphox does. Delphox can't even damage Hydreigon or Houndoom (occasional OU sights) neutrally or super effectively outside of Hidden Power:

Charizard:
-Dragon Dance
-Flare Blitz/Fire Punch
-Dragon Claw/Outrage
-Earthquake/Roost
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Dragon Dance
-Dragon Claw
-Fire Punch/Earthquake
-Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 144 HP/244 Atk/120 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Fire Punch/Earthquake
-Dragon Claw
-Will-o-Wisp
-Roost
Nature: Careful
EVs: 248 HP/148 SDef/112 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Fire Blast
-Solar Beam
-Focus Blast
-Dragon Pulse/Roost
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Charizardite Y

Infernape:
-Fire Blast/Flare Blitz
-Close Combat
-Thunder Punch
-Grass Knot/Mach Punch/Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Hasty/Naive
EVs: 168 Atk/88 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt

Talonflame:
-Swords Dance
-Flare Blitz
-Brave Bird
-Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Sharp Beak/Sky Plate
Ability: Gale Wings

or
-Flare Blitz
-Brave Bird
-U-turn
-Tailwind/Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Band/Sharp Beak/Sky Plate
Ability: Gale Wings

or
-Bulk Up
-Brave Bird
-Taunt/Will-o-Wisp
-Roost
Nature: Careful
EVs: 248 HP/8 Def/252 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings

Heatran:
-Lave Plume
-Protect
-Taunt/Roar/Stealth Rock
-Toxic/Will-o-Wisp
Nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP/220 SDef/20 Spe
Item: Leftovers

or
-Fire Blast/Overheat
-Flash Cannon
-Earth Power/Stone Edge
-Flamethrower/Fire Blast/Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Choice Specs/Choice Scarf

Volcarona:
-Quiver Dance
-Fiery Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Roost
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/192 Def/68 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body

-Fire Blast
-Shadow Ball
-Energy Ball
-Memento/Trick/Hidden Power (Ground)
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf/Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire/Infiltrator

or
-Substitute
-Pain Split
-Fire Blast
-Shadow Ball
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire

Victini:
-V-Create
-Bolt Strike
-Brick Break
-U-turn
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Band

or
-Blue Flare
-Thunder
-Focus Blast
-Glaciate
Nature: Modest/Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt

or
-V-Create
-Bolt Strike/Trick
-Zen Headbutt/Final Gambit
-U-turn
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

Most Fire Pokemon are weak to Stealth Rock, so Defog/Rapid Spin support is necessary. Mandibuzz, Excadrill, Starmie, Mega Blastoise or [email protected] can do this for you:

Mandibuzz:
-Foul Play
-Defog
-Roost
-Knock Off/Toxic/Whirlwind
Nature: Impish/Bold
EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat

Skarmory:
-Whirlwind
-Roost
-Spikes/Stealth Rock/Defog
-Brave Bird/Defog
Nature: Impish/Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef or 252 HP/16 Def/240 SDef
Item: Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy

Excadrill:
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rapid Spin
-Rock Slide/Stealth Rock
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Air Balloon
Ability: Mold Breaker

or
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe (Choice Scarf) or 120 HP/136 Atk/252 SDef (Assault Vest; Adamant only)
Item: Choice Scarf/Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker

Starmie:
-Hydro Pump/Surf
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt/Psyshock
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Analytic/Natural Cure

Mega Blastoise:
-Water Pulse/Scald
-Dark Pulse
-Aura Sphere/Ice Beam
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Item: Blastoisinite

Latias:
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock/Thunderbolt
-Defog
-Healing Wish
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

Latios:
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Thunderbolt/Hidden Power (Fighting)/Earthquake
-Roost/Recover/Defog
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

Theblackvixen

The Delphox Queen

Age 28
Female
Stenugsund, Sweden
Seen September 20th, 2014
Posted June 7th, 2014
21 posts
9 Years
Don't even think about Delphox. Magician is a terrible ability because a lot of Pokemon rely on their items to function, making going itemless an invalid option. Defense Deoxys is better at using Red Card because of its better overall bulk. Delphox is also outclassed by other Fire Pokemon such as Charizard, Talonflame, Infernape, Heatran, Volcarona and even Victini and Chandelure. These Pokemon have better move pools than Delphox does. Delphox can't even damage Hydreigon or Houndoom (occasional OU sights) neutrally or super effectively outside of Hidden Power:

Charizard:
-Dragon Dance
-Flare Blitz/Fire Punch
-Dragon Claw/Outrage
-Earthquake/Roost
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Dragon Dance
-Dragon Claw
-Fire Punch/Earthquake
-Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 144 HP/244 Atk/120 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Fire Punch/Earthquake
-Dragon Claw
-Will-o-Wisp
-Roost
Nature: Careful
EVs: 248 HP/148 SDef/112 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Fire Blast
-Solar Beam
-Focus Blast
-Dragon Pulse/Roost
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Charizardite Y

Infernape:
-Fire Blast/Flare Blitz
-Close Combat
-Thunder Punch
-Grass Knot/Mach Punch/Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Hasty/Naive
EVs: 168 Atk/88 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt

Talonflame:
-Swords Dance
-Flare Blitz
-Brave Bird
-Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Sharp Beak/Sky Plate
Ability: Gale Wings

or
-Flare Blitz
-Brave Bird
-U-turn
-Tailwind/Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Band/Sharp Beak/Sky Plate
Ability: Gale Wings

or
-Bulk Up
-Brave Bird
-Taunt/Will-o-Wisp
-Roost
Nature: Careful
EVs: 248 HP/8 Def/252 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings

Heatran:
-Lave Plume
-Protect
-Taunt/Roar/Stealth Rock
-Toxic/Will-o-Wisp
Nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP/220 SDef/20 Spe
Item: Leftovers

or
-Fire Blast/Overheat
-Flash Cannon
-Earth Power/Stone Edge
-Flamethrower/Fire Blast/Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Choice Specs/Choice Scarf

Volcarona:
-Quiver Dance
-Fiery Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Roost
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/192 Def/68 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body

-Fire Blast
-Shadow Ball
-Energy Ball
-Memento/Trick/Hidden Power (Ground)
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf/Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire/Infiltrator

or
-Substitute
-Pain Split
-Fire Blast
-Shadow Ball
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire

Victini:
-V-Create
-Bolt Strike
-Brick Break
-U-turn
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Band

or
-Blue Flare
-Thunder
-Focus Blast
-Glaciate
Nature: Modest/Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt

or
-V-Create
-Bolt Strike/Trick
-Zen Headbutt/Final Gambit
-U-turn
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

Most Fire Pokemon are weak to Stealth Rock, so Defog/Rapid Spin support is necessary. Mandibuzz, Excadrill, Starmie, Mega Blastoise or [email protected] can do this for you:

Mandibuzz:
-Foul Play
-Defog
-Roost
-Knock Off/Toxic/Whirlwind
Nature: Impish/Bold
EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat

Skarmory:
-Whirlwind
-Roost
-Spikes/Stealth Rock/Defog
-Brave Bird/Defog
Nature: Impish/Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef or 252 HP/16 Def/240 SDef
Item: Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy

Excadrill:
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rapid Spin
-Rock Slide/Stealth Rock
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Air Balloon
Ability: Mold Breaker

or
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe (Choice Scarf) or 120 HP/136 Atk/252 SDef (Assault Vest; Adamant only)
Item: Choice Scarf/Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker

Starmie:
-Hydro Pump/Surf
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt/Psyshock
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Analytic/Natural Cure

Mega Blastoise:
-Water Pulse/Scald
-Dark Pulse
-Aura Sphere/Ice Beam
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Item: Blastoisinite

Latias:
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock/Thunderbolt
-Defog
-Healing Wish
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

Latios:
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Thunderbolt/Hidden Power (Fighting)/Earthquake
-Roost/Recover/Defog
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
thanks for the help! I think I'll look into a few of those :)

Theblackvixen

The Delphox Queen

Age 28
Female
Stenugsund, Sweden
Seen September 20th, 2014
Posted June 7th, 2014
21 posts
9 Years
Also, even though Delphox may be outclassed by victini, it's got some okay stats and a kinda alright movepool. Although it's hp and and defense are pretty crap, it's speed and special atk are pretty good. I want to find some way to make it work on my team. It can cover most of it's weaknesses too, considering it can learn grass knot and shadow ball. I mean, there's gotta be somethin' there. Could be wishful thinking on my part though.

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
Also, even though Delphox may be outclassed by victini, it's got some okay stats and a kinda alright movepool. Although it's hp and and defense are pretty crap, it's speed and special atk are pretty good. I want to find some way to make it work on my team. It can cover most of it's weaknesses too, considering it can learn grass knot and shadow ball. I mean, there's gotta be somethin' there. Could be wishful thinking on my part though.
That's still not enough to get past Hydreigon and Houndoom, who resist all of Delphox's non-Hidden Power offensive moves. Victini has stronger coverage options than Delphox in V-Create, Blue Flare and Bolt Strike. Victini also possesses better all-around bulk than Delphox.

Nah

Age 30
she/her, they/them
Seen 11 Hours Ago
Posted 19 Hours Ago
15,643 posts
9.5 Years
Platinum is right that Delphox is rather outclassed by several other Fire types, but since you really seem to want to use it, maybe something like these would be ok:

-Delphox w/Leftovers or Life Orb
Nature: Timid
Ability: Blaze (Magician is terribly useless on Delphox)
EVs: 252 Sp.Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Sp.Defense
Moves: Fire Blast/Mystical Fire, Calm Mind, Grass Knot, Psyshock

You can use this to try and screw with special attackers via Calm Mind and maybe Mystical Fire. Just beware of physical attackers.

-Delphox w/Choice Scarf or Choice Specs
Nature: Modest (Scarf) or Timid (Specs)
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Sp.Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Defense
Moves: Fire Blast/Flamethrower, Grass Knot, Psyshock, Shadow Ball

The problem with your orignal set is that Delphox is too frail physically and needs boosts specially in order for it to make use of Red Card and Substitutes ( even with Will-o-Wisp).

Depending on which Defogger/Spinner you choose, you'll also need something to resist Water or Ground. You also need a Dark and Ghost resist since Delphox is also weak to those types. Bisharp can resist both those types for you. I don't remember what set(s) it uses nowadays unfortunately....
Nah ンン
“No, I... I have to be strong. Everyone expects me to."

Rivvon

Age 30
Female
USA
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted January 30th, 2023
2,770 posts
16.1 Years
I love Delphox and while everyone has something bad to say about it, I've found it comes in pretty useful sometimes if you know how to use it!

A combo I would recommend is Light Screen + Luminous Moss. I've had my Delphox take 3 Hyrdo Pumps from Wash Rotoms using this method, combined with Mystical Fire. And you can usually snatch up their Leftovers, too, since Luminous Moss gets consumed once you're hit with a Water-type attack.

You'll have to be careful because there are some things Delphox can't take, but it is surprisingly very bulky if EV trained correctly.

The one I used to use ran like this:

Female
Magician
Timid
Luminous Moss

Light Screen
Mystical Fire
Will-O-Wisp
Psyshock

252 HP, 252 Speed, 4 Sp.Attack


Take into consideration that this build is primarily used as a support role--Delphox sadly isn't up to snuff with other heavy-hitters, but I think it finds a nice little spot on some teams with this more supportive set.
Personally, I run Psyshock over Psychic because it's nice to be able to hit Special walls and catch them off-guard. But Psychic can easily replace it depending on your play style and the other members of your team.

But if you want Delphox to be more offensive, this moveset and EV spread won't do you much help. But before you start building a team around Delphox you'll have to decide what role you want her to play on your team.


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