Archen Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Stealth Rock is an incredible entry hazard, whittling down all of your opponent's Pokemon over time. Rock Slide is Archen's most reliable STAB move and has a nice chance to induce flinch. Acrobatics is Archen's most powerful move after Berry Juice is consumed or removed and is needed in order to deal significant damage. Earthquake hits the Steel-types that resist Rock Slide, meaning the two moves have excellent neutral coverage. Knock Off provides incredible utility in removing a foe's item, crippling defensive Pokemon and Choice Scarf users. Defog can be used over either Stealth Rock or Earthquake in order to remove entry hazards for Archen's team. However, since Archen is weak to Stealth Rock, the damage it takes when it switches in to remove the hazard can put it into Defeatist range very quickly, meaning Archen is not a very good user of the move. Set Details The Speed EVs with a Jolly nature make Archen as fast as possible, allowing it to maintain hazard control and function as a pivot as well as possible. The HP, Defense, and Special Defense EVs make Archen as bulky as possible. The remaining EVs are put into Attack to raise it by one point. Berry Juice is the item of choice in order to get Archen out of Defeatist range once. Defeatist is Archen's only ability and thus must be used, even though it is terrible. Usage Tips This set should focus on maintaining hazard control by using its high Speed to repeatedly set up or remove Stealth Rock, depending on whether Stealth Rock or Defog is used. Even though this set does not have a lot of Attack investment, Archen still has a respectable 18 Attack stat, so don't be afraid to fire off attacks. Archen can be switched in on Flying-types such as Doduo and Rufflet and proceed to go for a powerful attack or set up or remove Stealth Rock. Always avoid falling into Defeatist range, as it makes Archen significantly less threatening. Team Options Chinchou is an excellent partner, as it can take the Electric-, Ice-, Water-, and Steel-type moves that Archen fears. In return, Archen switches into Ground-type moves that Chinchou fears. They also form a VoltTurn core together. Pokemon that can deal with Pawniard, such as Mudbray, Timburr, and Diglett, are all good partners for Archen, as Pawniard can come in on a predicted Defog and get an Attack boost. Slow Chinchou, Magnemite, and Foongus all work well with Archen, as they can easily get it in with a free switch, meaning it won't risk falling into Defeatist range before going for a move. Grass-types such as Cottonee and Ferroseed appreciate Archen taking on Bug-, Flying-, and Fire-types. They also check Water- and Electric-types for Archen.

Moves Acrobatics is Archen's strongest move after Berry Juice is consumed. Rock Slide is Archen's main STAB move while it is still holding Berry Juice and has a nice chance to make the target flinch. Head Smash is an extremely powerful wall-breaking tool and can activate Berry Juice, but should be used carefully as it may bring Archen into Defeatist range after Berry Juice is used up. Stone Edge can be used for its greater Base Power, but the extra damage rarely matters and its unreliability is often an issue. Heat Wave hits Steel-types that resist Archen's STAB moves, OHKOing Berry Juice Ferroseed from full health and 2HKOing Eviolite Pawniard after a layer of Spikes. Earthquake can be used instead, causing Ferroseed to be more troublesome but allowing Archen to OHKO non-Eviolite variants of Pawniard and Chinchou and any Magnemite variant, as well as heavily threatening Mareanie and Eviolite Chinchou. Hidden Power Grass damages Onix, Omanyte, and Tirtouga, which can handle most of Archen's other attacks thanks to their enormous Defense, but Defog can be used if your team needs entry hazard removal. U-turn allows Archen to grab momentum for its team, while Knock Off removes a foe's item and hits certain Pokemon that otherwise wall Archen hard, usually 2HKOing Slowpoke. Set Details Berry Juice can get Archen out of Defeatist range once, and after it is consumed Acrobatics will become much stronger. 196 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Archen to hit 17 Speed, outspeeding threats such as Pawniard and Magnemite and Speed tying with a large portion of Little Cup. 180 Attack EVs allow Archen to hit as hard as possible. The remaining EVs are put into HP to slightly raise Archen's mixed bulk. A Jolly nature is chosen over a Hasty or Naive nature because the reduction in Special Attack does not prevent Archen from obtaining the OHKOs and 2HKOs it needs. Even though Defeatist is terrible, it is Archen's only ability and thus must be used. Usage Tips Try to bring Archen in on free switches, such as via a slow Volt Switch or U-turn, so that it won't be forced take a hit and risk going into Defeatist range. This is especially important if it has consumed its Berry Juice already. If Archen is still holding a Berry Juice, it can be switched in to take a hit, consume its Berry Juice, and fire off a powerful move. Depending on which move is chosen, Rock Slide or Stone Edge should be used most often while Archen is still holding its Berry Juice, as Acrobatics will have a meager 55 Base Power. After Berry Juice is consumed, Acrobatics should be used the most often. Be careful of staying in on faster foes, since usually they will be able to knock Archen into Defeatist range before taking a hit, meaning they won't be taking much damage. Team Options Pokemon that can bring in Archen for free, such as slow Chinchou and Magnemite, are great partners, as they make sure Archen does not fall into Defeatist range. They also both deal with bulky Water-types, most of which can take Archen's hits with relative ease. Entry hazard removers such as Staryu and Vullaby work well with Archen, as Stealth Rock can put it close to or even into Defeatist range quickly. Grass-types such as Foongus and Ferroseed can check Water- and Electric-types, both of which Archen fears. Foongus can also immobilize a foe with Spore, allowing Archen to come in much more easily. Lastly, Fire-types such as Ponyta can take out Ferroseed, which can take any of Archen's moves very well.