Modifying Regular Darmanitan's Zen Mode (Just For Fun)

[NikolaP]

We all know that, despite being incredibly cool, Zen Mode as is on a regular Darmanitan doesn't work very well. In generation 8 on the other hand, we got Galarian Darmanitan, on which Zen Mode is a deadly weapon.

Inspired by this development I thought of a small, simple hypothetical modification to Zen Mode on regular Darmanitan to make it similarily useful: instead of being in slow, bulky Zen Mode when under half HP, let it be in Zen Mode when above half HP. This way Darmanitan would enter battle slow, though and specially offensive, and losing concentration after getting hurt would revert it to normal form. It could survive anything and set up for when Zen Mode is over, or maintain it with Leftovers and other recovery and go specially offensive.

Thoughts?

 

[Mab]

As someone who didn't use it in Galar - why is it deadly? Is it just the Fire typing?

 

[NikolaP]

As someone who didn't use it in Galar - why is it deadly? Is it just the Fire typing?

Not only that; instead of raising defenses, it gives a huge speed boost. Zen Mode Galarian Darmanitan has 140 Speed, in addition to slightly boosted Attack (from 140 to 160). You can, for instance, use Belly Drum and get both maximised Attack and horrifying Speed. Without priority or something rediculously fast, the opponent is pretty much dead meat.