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Deoxys (Defense Forme)

ListEntry

Table of Contents

#386

144

ATK

330

DEF

137

STA

Lvl 50Max CP

2570

Lvl 40

2274

Lvl 25Weather Boost

1624

Lvl 20Raids/Eggs

1299

Lvl 15Research

974

Stage 2

Deoxys (Normal Forme)

Deoxys (Attack Forme)

Deoxys (Defense Forme)

Deoxys (Speed Forme)

Moves

Fast

Zen Headbutt

Counter

Charge

Psycho Boost

Rock Slide

Thunderbolt

PvE Analysis

Deoxys Defense Forme is a very strong Pokemon that's gained a lot of popularity in Pokemon Go.......but only for PvP. It boasts some of the highest DEF stats in the entire game, with a monstrous 330 DEF! While its bulk makes it highly valued in PvP, Mythical Pokemon can't be slotted into Gyms, which basically makes this Pokemon useless in the PvE scene. 
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Zen Head + Psycho BoostBest
Zen Headbutt should be paired with Psycho Boost to fulfill a Psychic-type role, but otherwise don't bother. 
Counter is a strong move, but mostly for actual Fighting-type Pokemon.
Likewise, Rock Slide is more valuable for Rock-type Pokemon.
Thunderbolt doesn't have much use. 

PvP Analysis

Counter + Psycho Boost and Thunderbolt
Counter is a great move in PvP, while Zen Headbutt is one of the worst, even with STAB.
Psycho Boost is the most commonly seen charge move on Deoxys due to having STAB, low cost, and high DPE. It is Deoxys's best option against Ground-type Pokemon such as Swampert, Galarian Stunfisk, and Nidoqueen. However, it comes with a harsh self-debuff and requires some finesse. Thunderbolt can be chosen for its Electric-type coverage, hitting Water- and Steel-type Pokemon as well as Scrafty. Rock Slide is Deoxys's cheapest non-debuffing move, and can be used to cover targets such as Talonflame, Altaria, or Alolan Marowak.
Great League0 / 5
Deoxys Defense Forme is a tanky Pokemon with wide coverage, making it a great all-rounder. The nerf to Counter in Pokemon GO: Max Out slows down Deoxys-D significantly, but it's still a decent Pokemon overall. Its ability to punish Steel-type Pokemon is what sets it apart from other bulky Psychic-type Pokemon such as Cresselia. 
Deoxys-D's biggest weakness, aside from the technical gameplay surrounding Psycho Boost's usage, is its struggles to get past Ghost-type Pokemon. They double resist Counter and strike back with STAB super effective damage.
Ultra League0 / 5
The Lv50 update greatly improves the performance of Deoxys Defense Forme in Ultra League, transitioning all of the perks it enjoyed in Great League to Ultra League. The steep XL costs might be worth it for competitive players due to the additional options that only Deoxys Defense Forme provides in this league. Medicham cannot reach the CP cap of this league, and no other meta Psychic-type has access to the powerful Fast Move Counter, in addition to the relatively unique coverage that Deoxys provides. Gallade, Mew, Hypno, and Armored Mewtwo have Fighting-type coverage, but only in their Charged Moves, while actual Fighting-types don't provide resistances to both other Fighting-types and Psychic-types that Deoxys boasts. 
The nerf to Counter has significantly reduced Deoxys-D's viability in this league.
Master League0 / 5
Deoxys Defense Forme doesn't do as well in Master League.

Great League	0 / 5
Deoxys Defense Forme is a tanky Pokemon with wide coverage, making it a great all-rounder. The nerf to Counter in Pokemon GO: Max Out slows down Deoxys-D significantly, but it's still a decent Pokemon overall. Its ability to punish Steel-type Pokemon is what sets it apart from other bulky Psychic-type Pokemon such as Cresselia. Deoxys-D's biggest weakness, aside from the technical gameplay surrounding Psycho Boost's usage, is its struggles to get past Ghost-type Pokemon. They double resist Counter and strike back with STAB super effective damage.
Ultra League	0 / 5
The Lv50 update greatly improves the performance of Deoxys Defense Forme in Ultra League, transitioning all of the perks it enjoyed in Great League to Ultra League. The steep XL costs might be worth it for competitive players due to the additional options that only Deoxys Defense Forme provides in this league. Medicham cannot reach the CP cap of this league, and no other meta Psychic-type has access to the powerful Fast Move Counter, in addition to the relatively unique coverage that Deoxys provides. Gallade, Mew, Hypno, and Armored Mewtwo have Fighting-type coverage, but only in their Charged Moves, while actual Fighting-types don't provide resistances to both other Fighting-types and Psychic-types that Deoxys boasts. The nerf to Counter has significantly reduced Deoxys-D's viability in this league.
Master League	0 / 5
Deoxys Defense Forme doesn't do as well in Master League.