Nixon73
Scuttlebug Jamboree
A very solid pick for an Arceus form, if you are a Goth team expecting a Goth matchup. Hopefully this is never a thing.
[OVERVIEW]
* While otherwise inferior to other Stealth Rock Arceus formes, most notably Arceus-Fairy, Arceus-Bug's ability to hit Psychic-types super effectively gives it a niche as a Stealth Rock setter that can avoid being trapped by Gothitelle.
* Solid 120 / 120 / 120 bulk allows Arceus-Bug to leverage its limited resistances to check a few prominent attackers, such as Marshadow, Arceus-Ground, Zygarde-C, Ultra Necrozma, and Deoxys-A.
* Access to Toxic to threaten passive Pokemon, as well as to various alternative punish options such as Stone Edge for Ho-Oh and Will-O-Wisp for Steel-types, allows Arceus-Bug to somewhat handle some of its many checks depending on the set, although this is harshly limited by four-moveslot syndrome.
* However, Arceus-Bug's atrocious defensive typing allows prominent Flying- and Fire-types such as Mega Salamence, Ho-Oh, Primal Groudon, and Rayquaza to hit it super effectively. It also renders Arceus-Bug vulnerable to being trapped by Mega Gengar due to its resistance to Judgment.
* A weakness to Stealth Rock badly compromises Arceus-Bug as a support Arceus forme, forcing it to lose 25% of its health every time it tries to take a hit for its team and almost requiring it to be run with Defog support.
* As a Stealth Rock user, Arceus-Bug is hard to justify given its terrible matchup against most of the tier's Defoggers, such as support Arceus formes, Xerneas, and especially Ho-Oh, all of which it cannot punish beyond Toxic.
* Arceus-Bug's competition as a bulky Stealth Rock setter, especially from Arceus-Ground and Arceus-Fairy, makes it drastically outclassed in most situations and hard to justify using on most serious teams.
* However, Arceus-Bug has its notable niche as a bulky Stealth Rock setter that can last throughout the match and will not be trapped by Gothitelle. In a metagame or specific game in which Gothitelle is the expected matchup, Arceus-Bug does become a valid option for archetypes that require a bulky Stealth Rock setter, giving it a tangible but very limited niche in the Ubers metagame.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic / Ice Beam
item: Insect Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 16 Def / 144 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Stealth Rock damages enemy Pokemon when they switch in and provides Arceus-Bug with its niche as an entry hazard setter.
* Judgment is a reliable STAB move that will chip anything that doesn't resist it. It notably allows Arceus-Bug to break free of Gothitelle's trapping, 3HKO offensive Necrozma-DM, 2HKO offensive Yveltal and Necrozma-DM sets, and break Substitute from Arceus-Ground and Zygarde-C so it can manage offensive sets with Toxic.
* Recover allows Arceus-Bug to stay healthy and set Stealth Rock throughout the match.
* Toxic is Arceus-Bug's only real punish option against the long list of Pokemon it cannot otherwise threaten, notably including Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, support Arceus formes, and Xerneas. It is especially notable as Arceus-Bug's main way of punishing Defog users.
* Ice Beam can be used to better check Zygarde-C and Rayquaza by threatening a 2HKO and OHKO, respectively, while also allowing Arceus-Bug to OHKO Mega Salamence on a predicted switch. It also slightly improves the matchup against Arceus-Ground.
Set Details
========
* 144 EVs in Special Attack allow Arceus-Bug to 2HKO Mega Sableye, stopping teams with Magic Bounce from keeping Stealth Rock off their field. The investment also enables Arceus-Bug to 2HKO offensive Necrozma-DM after Stealth Rock.
* 96 EVs in Speed allow Arceus-Bug to outspeed up to base 100 Pokemon, notably including Yveltal, Xerneas, Zygarde, Necrozma, and Rayquaza, as well as uncommon attackers such as Palkia and Zekrom.
* The remaining bulk investment allows Arceus-Bug to stay healthy and set Stealth Rock up repeatedly throughout the match.
* Alternatively, full investment in Speed allows Arceus-Bug to better check targets such as Arceus-Ground and gives it a chance to set Stealth Rock even against base 120s that can KO it such as Mega Salamence.
* An EV spread of 248 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe can be used to allow Arceus-Bug to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Marshadow's Rock Tomb, allowing it to serve as a more solid check, while still outspeeding vital Pokemon such as Yveltal, Zygarde, and Necrozma-DM.
* Insect Plate is used to form Arceus-Bug and provide it with a reliable STAB option in Judgment.
Usage Tips
========
* Arceus-Bug should set Stealth Rock at the earliest free turn it can get, then focus on spreading status or using coverage moves to annoy the opponent.
* Play Arceus-Bug conservatively so long as the opponent has a Defogger still in play. Once the enemy Defogger is down, Arceus-Bug can be played more recklessly if needed.
* If you see Gengar on the opposing lineup, make setting Stealth Rock a priority before it can transform. Once Mega Gengar is in play, avoid sending out Arceus-Bug unless you plan to double-switch, the opposing Defogger is down, or Mega Gengar is chipped enough for Arceus-Bug to handle it.
* If you have a coverage or status move to punish threats to Arceus-Bug, try to hit them on the switch rather than staying in on them, as Arceus-Bug still lacks a way to debilitate or OHKO its checks.
* Avoid switching into Stealth Rock unless your Defogger has fainted, as its weakness to the hazard makes it easy for Arceus-Bug to be overwhelmed.
* Be careful to avoid status, especially poison, as Arceus-Bug is easily worn down with hazard and status damage.
Team Options
========
* Gothitelle is a very effective partner for Arceus-Bug, as its terrible matchup against all of the tier's Defoggers would otherwise make it unviable as a Stealth Rock user, while Gothitelle excels at trapping the tier's Defog users.
* Defensive Zygarde-C is an excellent partner for Arceus-Bug, as it can switch into both of Arceus-Bug's best counters in Mega Salamence and Ho-Oh.
* Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM can benefit from Arceus-Bug as a partner, as it frees up these typical Stealth Rock setters to run offensive sets.
* Giratina-O and Defog Mega Salamence are good partners because they can switch into the Fire-type attacks that Primal Groudon may aim at Arceus-Bug and provide Defog support for Arceus-Bug to manage its Stealth Rock weakness.
* A solid revenge killer such as Choice Scarf Xerneas or Life Orb Marshadow helps mitigate the extent to which Arceus-Bug is setup bait for dangerous sweepers.
* Arceus-Bug doesn't enjoy being poisoned, so a good Toxic absorber such as Magearna, Facade Mega Salamence, Ferrothorn, or Necrozma-DM makes a good partner.
* Tyranitar can cover many of Arceus-Bug's weaknesses, as it can switch into Fire- and Flying-type attacks and use Pursuit to trap Mega Gengar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Stone Edge can be run as a way to punish Ho-Oh, which is otherwise capable of easily switching into Arceus-Bug and OHKOing it.
* Earthquake can be used to prevent Mega Gengar from trapping Arceus-Bug without serious chip damage and is its best option to attack Mega Gengar even with a Timid nature. Earthquake also nets a nice 2HKO on Mega Lucario despite running a Timid nature. However, this attack is fairly useless against other targets.
* Fire Blast allows Arceus-Bug to hit Steel-types other than Necrozma-DM, notably including Mega Lucario, Magearna, Celesteela, Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor.
* A physical sweeping set using Swords Dance and X-Scissor powered with Buginium Z can be run as an offensive check to Psychic- and Dark-types that is capable of surprising some of Arceus-Bug's usual counters with physical coverage. However, Arceus-Bug's terrible defensive typing limits its setup opportunities, and it becomes rather weak once its Z-Move is used, making this set generally ineffective in practice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Arceus-Bug's most prominent checks are Flying-types, which hit it super effectively and are hard for Arceus-Bug's team to switch into. Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence easily force Arceus-Bug out by threatening to OHKO, and they often run Defog, which allows them to constantly switch into Arceus-Bug and remove entry hazards when it sets them up. Rayquaza threatens to OHKO Arceus-Bug with Dragon Ascent and can set up Dragon Dance with relative safety on Arceus-Bug. Less common Flying-types also have a good matchup: Shaymin-S can usually inflict enough flinches on Arceus-Bug to kill it with super effective Air Slash, while Arceus-Flying shrugs off Toxic with Refresh and sets up on Arceus-Bug.
**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon has nothing to fear from Arceus-Bug bar Toxic and can switch in to set up Stealth Rock or use devastating Fire-type attacks that Arceus-Bug's team is then forced to switch into.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can switch into any of Arceus-Bug's moves bar the rare Earthquake and easily walls repeated uses of Judgment. While sets vary on whether they Taunt Arceus-Bug and 3HKO it while it cannot Recover, burn it and 2HKO with a powered-up Hex, or simply remove it with Perish Song or Destiny Bond, all common variants of Mega Gengar can dispose of Arceus-Bug.
**Steel-types**: With the very notable exception of offensive Necrozma-DM, Steel-types can easily switch into any of Arceus-Bug's moves and threaten it in various ways. Defensive Necrozma-DM can set up Stealth Rock on Arceus-Bug and then Toxic stall it to death, healing the damage from Judgment with Morning Sun. Magearna fears nothing from Arceus-Bug, and while it cannot threaten it with any devastating moves, it can easily heal up on it using Pain Split or Volt Switch to a check that Arceus-Bug is then unable to Toxic on the switch. Mega Lucario can easily tank Arceus-Bug's Judgment and set up Swords Dance as it switches. Skarmory, Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor can set up Spikes, Defog, or Leech Seed while fearing nothing from Arceus-Bug other than the rare Fire Blast.
**Xerneas**: Xerneas fears nothing from Arceus-Bug except Toxic, allowing it to set up Geomancy, Defog hazards, or threaten it with powerful Moonblasts.
**Fire-type Coverage**: Due to the popularity of Necrozma-DM, various Pokemon such as Mega Mewtwo Y and some support Arceus formes commonly carry Fire-type coverage that can hit Arceus-Bug super effectively.
**Status Spreaders**: Pokemon that run Toxic, notably including support Arceus formes, are able to force Arceus-Bug out by threatening it with debilitating status.
[OVERVIEW]
* While otherwise inferior to other Stealth Rock Arceus formes, most notably Arceus-Fairy, Arceus-Bug's ability to hit Psychic-types super effectively gives it a niche as a Stealth Rock setter that can avoid being trapped by Gothitelle.
* Solid 120 / 120 / 120 bulk allows Arceus-Bug to leverage its limited resistances to check a few prominent attackers, such as Marshadow, Arceus-Ground, Zygarde-C, Ultra Necrozma, and Deoxys-A.
* Access to Toxic to threaten passive Pokemon, as well as to various alternative punish options such as Stone Edge for Ho-Oh and Will-O-Wisp for Steel-types, allows Arceus-Bug to somewhat handle some of its many checks depending on the set, although this is harshly limited by four-moveslot syndrome.
* However, Arceus-Bug's atrocious defensive typing allows prominent Flying- and Fire-types such as Mega Salamence, Ho-Oh, Primal Groudon, and Rayquaza to hit it super effectively. It also renders Arceus-Bug vulnerable to being trapped by Mega Gengar due to its resistance to Judgment.
* A weakness to Stealth Rock badly compromises Arceus-Bug as a support Arceus forme, forcing it to lose 25% of its health every time it tries to take a hit for its team and almost requiring it to be run with Defog support.
* As a Stealth Rock user, Arceus-Bug is hard to justify given its terrible matchup against most of the tier's Defoggers, such as support Arceus formes, Xerneas, and especially Ho-Oh, all of which it cannot punish beyond Toxic.
* Arceus-Bug's competition as a bulky Stealth Rock setter, especially from Arceus-Ground and Arceus-Fairy, makes it drastically outclassed in most situations and hard to justify using on most serious teams.
* However, Arceus-Bug has its notable niche as a bulky Stealth Rock setter that can last throughout the match and will not be trapped by Gothitelle. In a metagame or specific game in which Gothitelle is the expected matchup, Arceus-Bug does become a valid option for archetypes that require a bulky Stealth Rock setter, giving it a tangible but very limited niche in the Ubers metagame.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic / Ice Beam
item: Insect Plate
ability: Multitype
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 16 Def / 144 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Stealth Rock damages enemy Pokemon when they switch in and provides Arceus-Bug with its niche as an entry hazard setter.
* Judgment is a reliable STAB move that will chip anything that doesn't resist it. It notably allows Arceus-Bug to break free of Gothitelle's trapping, 3HKO offensive Necrozma-DM, 2HKO offensive Yveltal and Necrozma-DM sets, and break Substitute from Arceus-Ground and Zygarde-C so it can manage offensive sets with Toxic.
* Recover allows Arceus-Bug to stay healthy and set Stealth Rock throughout the match.
* Toxic is Arceus-Bug's only real punish option against the long list of Pokemon it cannot otherwise threaten, notably including Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, support Arceus formes, and Xerneas. It is especially notable as Arceus-Bug's main way of punishing Defog users.
* Ice Beam can be used to better check Zygarde-C and Rayquaza by threatening a 2HKO and OHKO, respectively, while also allowing Arceus-Bug to OHKO Mega Salamence on a predicted switch. It also slightly improves the matchup against Arceus-Ground.
Set Details
========
* 144 EVs in Special Attack allow Arceus-Bug to 2HKO Mega Sableye, stopping teams with Magic Bounce from keeping Stealth Rock off their field. The investment also enables Arceus-Bug to 2HKO offensive Necrozma-DM after Stealth Rock.
* 96 EVs in Speed allow Arceus-Bug to outspeed up to base 100 Pokemon, notably including Yveltal, Xerneas, Zygarde, Necrozma, and Rayquaza, as well as uncommon attackers such as Palkia and Zekrom.
* The remaining bulk investment allows Arceus-Bug to stay healthy and set Stealth Rock up repeatedly throughout the match.
* Alternatively, full investment in Speed allows Arceus-Bug to better check targets such as Arceus-Ground and gives it a chance to set Stealth Rock even against base 120s that can KO it such as Mega Salamence.
* An EV spread of 248 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe can be used to allow Arceus-Bug to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Marshadow's Rock Tomb, allowing it to serve as a more solid check, while still outspeeding vital Pokemon such as Yveltal, Zygarde, and Necrozma-DM.
* Insect Plate is used to form Arceus-Bug and provide it with a reliable STAB option in Judgment.
Usage Tips
========
* Arceus-Bug should set Stealth Rock at the earliest free turn it can get, then focus on spreading status or using coverage moves to annoy the opponent.
* Play Arceus-Bug conservatively so long as the opponent has a Defogger still in play. Once the enemy Defogger is down, Arceus-Bug can be played more recklessly if needed.
* If you see Gengar on the opposing lineup, make setting Stealth Rock a priority before it can transform. Once Mega Gengar is in play, avoid sending out Arceus-Bug unless you plan to double-switch, the opposing Defogger is down, or Mega Gengar is chipped enough for Arceus-Bug to handle it.
* If you have a coverage or status move to punish threats to Arceus-Bug, try to hit them on the switch rather than staying in on them, as Arceus-Bug still lacks a way to debilitate or OHKO its checks.
* Avoid switching into Stealth Rock unless your Defogger has fainted, as its weakness to the hazard makes it easy for Arceus-Bug to be overwhelmed.
* Be careful to avoid status, especially poison, as Arceus-Bug is easily worn down with hazard and status damage.
Team Options
========
* Gothitelle is a very effective partner for Arceus-Bug, as its terrible matchup against all of the tier's Defoggers would otherwise make it unviable as a Stealth Rock user, while Gothitelle excels at trapping the tier's Defog users.
* Defensive Zygarde-C is an excellent partner for Arceus-Bug, as it can switch into both of Arceus-Bug's best counters in Mega Salamence and Ho-Oh.
* Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM can benefit from Arceus-Bug as a partner, as it frees up these typical Stealth Rock setters to run offensive sets.
* Giratina-O and Defog Mega Salamence are good partners because they can switch into the Fire-type attacks that Primal Groudon may aim at Arceus-Bug and provide Defog support for Arceus-Bug to manage its Stealth Rock weakness.
* A solid revenge killer such as Choice Scarf Xerneas or Life Orb Marshadow helps mitigate the extent to which Arceus-Bug is setup bait for dangerous sweepers.
* Arceus-Bug doesn't enjoy being poisoned, so a good Toxic absorber such as Magearna, Facade Mega Salamence, Ferrothorn, or Necrozma-DM makes a good partner.
* Tyranitar can cover many of Arceus-Bug's weaknesses, as it can switch into Fire- and Flying-type attacks and use Pursuit to trap Mega Gengar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Stone Edge can be run as a way to punish Ho-Oh, which is otherwise capable of easily switching into Arceus-Bug and OHKOing it.
* Earthquake can be used to prevent Mega Gengar from trapping Arceus-Bug without serious chip damage and is its best option to attack Mega Gengar even with a Timid nature. Earthquake also nets a nice 2HKO on Mega Lucario despite running a Timid nature. However, this attack is fairly useless against other targets.
* Fire Blast allows Arceus-Bug to hit Steel-types other than Necrozma-DM, notably including Mega Lucario, Magearna, Celesteela, Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor.
* A physical sweeping set using Swords Dance and X-Scissor powered with Buginium Z can be run as an offensive check to Psychic- and Dark-types that is capable of surprising some of Arceus-Bug's usual counters with physical coverage. However, Arceus-Bug's terrible defensive typing limits its setup opportunities, and it becomes rather weak once its Z-Move is used, making this set generally ineffective in practice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Arceus-Bug's most prominent checks are Flying-types, which hit it super effectively and are hard for Arceus-Bug's team to switch into. Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence easily force Arceus-Bug out by threatening to OHKO, and they often run Defog, which allows them to constantly switch into Arceus-Bug and remove entry hazards when it sets them up. Rayquaza threatens to OHKO Arceus-Bug with Dragon Ascent and can set up Dragon Dance with relative safety on Arceus-Bug. Less common Flying-types also have a good matchup: Shaymin-S can usually inflict enough flinches on Arceus-Bug to kill it with super effective Air Slash, while Arceus-Flying shrugs off Toxic with Refresh and sets up on Arceus-Bug.
**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon has nothing to fear from Arceus-Bug bar Toxic and can switch in to set up Stealth Rock or use devastating Fire-type attacks that Arceus-Bug's team is then forced to switch into.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can switch into any of Arceus-Bug's moves bar the rare Earthquake and easily walls repeated uses of Judgment. While sets vary on whether they Taunt Arceus-Bug and 3HKO it while it cannot Recover, burn it and 2HKO with a powered-up Hex, or simply remove it with Perish Song or Destiny Bond, all common variants of Mega Gengar can dispose of Arceus-Bug.
**Steel-types**: With the very notable exception of offensive Necrozma-DM, Steel-types can easily switch into any of Arceus-Bug's moves and threaten it in various ways. Defensive Necrozma-DM can set up Stealth Rock on Arceus-Bug and then Toxic stall it to death, healing the damage from Judgment with Morning Sun. Magearna fears nothing from Arceus-Bug, and while it cannot threaten it with any devastating moves, it can easily heal up on it using Pain Split or Volt Switch to a check that Arceus-Bug is then unable to Toxic on the switch. Mega Lucario can easily tank Arceus-Bug's Judgment and set up Swords Dance as it switches. Skarmory, Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor can set up Spikes, Defog, or Leech Seed while fearing nothing from Arceus-Bug other than the rare Fire Blast.
**Xerneas**: Xerneas fears nothing from Arceus-Bug except Toxic, allowing it to set up Geomancy, Defog hazards, or threaten it with powerful Moonblasts.
**Fire-type Coverage**: Due to the popularity of Necrozma-DM, various Pokemon such as Mega Mewtwo Y and some support Arceus formes commonly carry Fire-type coverage that can hit Arceus-Bug super effectively.
**Status Spreaders**: Pokemon that run Toxic, notably including support Arceus formes, are able to force Arceus-Bug out by threatening it with debilitating status.
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