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New to competitive battling! Need help!

Theblackvixen

The Delphox Queen
    • 21
    Posts
    10
    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!
     
    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 Lati@s 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
     
    PlatinumDude said:
    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 Lati@s 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
    Click to expand...

    thanks for the help! I think I'll look into a few of those :)
     
    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.
     
    Theblackvixen said:
    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.
    Click to expand...

    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.
     
    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....
     
    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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