Delphox Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Calm Mind increases Delphox's Special Attack and Special Defense by one stage, allowing it break through bulkier teams more easily. Fire Blast is Delphox's main Fire-type STAB move, dealing a lot of damage to non-Fire-resistant Pokemon like Gallade after a boost in power from Calm Mind. Psychic provides Delphox with a secondary STAB move that is more reliable. Alternatively, Dazzling Gleam can be used to nail bulkier Dark- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Scrafty, Incineroar, and Druddigon, which would otherwise be a massive annoyance to Delphox. Grass Knot rounds out Delphox's coverage by giving it the ability to threaten bulky Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types such as Palossand, Rhydon, and Slowking. Set Details The investment in Speed and Special Attack makes Delphox as strong and as fast as possible, with a Timid nature being used to outspeed foes such as Rotom and Sigilyph. Firium Z turns Fire Blast into Inferno Overdrive, which gives Delphox access to a strong and reliable one-time attack that can be used to break through typical checks like Mega Audino. Alternatively, Grassium Z can be used to turn Grass Knot into Bloom Doom, which is capable of heavily damaging bulky Rock- and Water-types like Rhydon, Slowking, and Pyukumuku even unboosted. Colbur Berry can be used over either Z-Crystal if Delphox's team already has a Z-Move user, allowing Delphox to take Dark-type moves such as Knock Off from Sneasel and Passimian before KOing them with Fire Blast. Fairium Z is another option that can be used to break through Pokemon like Incineroar, but Firium Z and Grassium Z are more consistently threatening for teams to deal with. Blaze increases Fire Blast's power when Delphox is low on HP, which can potentially give it an easier time powering through foes such as Mega Audino with Inferno Overdrive after it uses Calm Mind. Usage Tips Since Delphox excels against slower, more defensive teams, avoid playing recklessly against them and letting Delphox acquire too much damage beforehand in order to use it to its fullest potential. If Delphox is not holding a Colbur Berry, it is rather vulnerable to Dark-types and Pursuit trappers, meaning that preserving it until these Pokemon have been removed may prove useful; however, if a teammate needs a certain defensive core broken through in order to reliably sweep late-game, Delphox can be used to wallbreak for them instead. Exercise caution in regard to using Firium Z. It should mainly be used after Delphox has used Calm Mind in order to break through bulkier foes such as Mega Audino and Piloswine or if Delphox really can't afford to miss against foes like Steelix. While Delphox doesn't appreciate taking a lot of damage before it attempts to set up, it is capable of taking resisted special attacks from Pokemon such as Sceptile. Team Options Calm Mind Delphox fits well on bulky offensive teams that are in need of a setup sweeper that can break through common defensive cores. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Steelix, Garbodor, and Piloswine is appreciated, as the chip damage gives Delphox an easier time breaking through bulkier Pokemon like Slowking and Incineroar. Due to Delphox's weakness to Stealth Rock, it also appreciates having teammates such as Rotom, Blastoise, and Silvally-Steel that can remove entry hazards. Silvally-Steel can put bulkier foes on a timer with Toxic and make use of Parting Shot in order to pivot Delphox in, while Rotom can cripple physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and get Delphox in safely against bulkier Grass-types like Dhelmise with Volt Switch. Delphox's weakness to Dark means that checks to Dark-types are indispensable teammates. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Hariyama and Passimian can offensively check Dark-types and wallbreak for Delphox, which they have a much easier time doing due to Delphox removing their checks. Mega Audino can also check Dark-types and come to Delphox's aid against revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Braviary. Additionally, Mega Audino can provide cleric support, which helps in maintaining Delphox's longevity. Sneasel makes for a good teammate due to its ability to pressure bulky Pokemon that Delphox can struggle with breaking through unboosted like Druddigon and Aerodactyl as well as potentially remove Slowking with Pursuit. In return, Delphox can eliminate physically bulky Pokemon that Sneasel can struggle with like Vaporeon and Steelix as well as soft check Fighting-types like Hariyama.

Moves Fire Blast is Delphox's strongest Fire-type STAB move, hitting Pokemon such as Sneasel, Steelix, and Whimsicott super effectively. Psychic threatens Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon such as Passimian, Garbodor, and Golbat, and it also hits certain Fire-resistant Pokemon like Magmortar fairly hard. Psyshock can be used over Psychic to hit Pokemon such as Assault Vest Hariyama and Magmortar harder. Dazzling Gleam gives Delphox super effective coverage for certain Dark- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Scrafty, Guzzlord, and Druddigon and is also useful for hitting foes such as Houndoom and Incineroar neutrally. Alternatively, Grass Knot can be used to hit Ground- and Water-type Pokemon such as Rhydon, Slowking, and Seismitoad harder than any of Delphox's other attacks. Finally, Trick cripples specially defensive Pokemon that Delphox is incapable of breaking through, such as Slowking and Vaporeon, while also allowing Delphox to switch between moves afterwards. Set Details The investment in Special Attack and Speed maximizes Delphox's offensive presence while making it as fast as possible, with a Timid nature and a Choice Scarf allowing Delphox to outpace the entire unboosted metagame as well as some boosted threats like Shell Smash Omastar. Blaze increases the power of Fire Blast when Delphox is low on HP, which can prove useful when attempting to clean late-game. Usage Tips Delphox should mainly be used as a revenge killer due to its high Speed and Special Attack, although it is capable of serving as a late-game cleaner as well. Exercise caution when it comes to using Psychic if the opposing team has a Dark-type like Incineroar or Sneasel, since they can switch into Delphox after it KOes a foe and either set up on it as it switches out or remove it with Pursuit. Delphox should mainly switch in on resisted special attacks such as Moonblast from Whimsicott and Fire Blast from Magmortar; however, note that Stealth Rock will limit its ability to handle these attacks. Trick should mainly be used against defensive teams, as losing Delphox's Choice Scarf isn't as detrimental against them compared to offensive teams and it can effectively hamper bulkier Pokemon like Slowking. However, be sure to scout for Z-Moves on Pokemon like Blastoise before using Trick, since it will fail and force Delphox out. Team Options Choice Scarf Delphox fits well on both offensive and bulky offensive teams that are in need of a way to keep faster foes in check and a powerful revenge killer. Delphox appreciates having teammates that can remove entry hazards due to its vulnerability to all forms of them, most notably Stealth Rock, so Pokemon such as Golbat, Rotom, Silvally-Steel, and Whimsicott are good partners. While Delphox doesn't appreciate entry hazards on its side of the field, it certainly appreciates being paired with entry hazard setters such as Rhydon and Steelix in order to pressure bulkier teams. Since Choice Scarf Delphox can struggle with breaking through certain bulky Pokemon such as Vaporeon and Slowking, it appreciates being paired with wallbreakers that can pressure these Pokemon and make cleaning up late-game easier, such as Heliolisk, Guzzlord, and Passimian. The former two can check Water-types, while the latter checks Dark-types, and Delphox can check Fairy-, Fighting-, and Ice-types for them in return. Setup sweepers that can take advantage of opposing Pokemon being locked into Knock Off and Pursuit such as Comfey, Scrafty, and Klinklang are good teammates, as Delphox appreciates having them to fall back on against the likes of Sneasel and Choice Scarf Houndoom. Scrafty can also set up on other checks to Delphox like Vaporeon and Slowking. In return, Delphox can break through Steel- and Grass-type Pokemon such as Steelix and Dhelmise for them. Mega Audino makes for a good teammate due to its ability to reliably switch into Knock Off, check Dark-types, circumvent Delphox's lack of recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards courtesy of Wish, and provide Heal Bell support in case Delphox is inflicted by status, while Delphox can remove Poison- and Steel-types for it.

Moves Wish heals Delphox and its teammates, which allows it to reliably use Toxic to stall foes out. Protect guarantees that Delphox will regain HP after using Wish, generates a free turn of Leftovers recovery, forces badly poisoned Pokemon to take an additional turn of damage, and allows Delphox to scout for moves. Mystical Fire is the preferred Fire-type attack, since it lets Delphox prevent Pokemon like Comfey and opposing Delphox from boosting their Special Attack so that they can break through it. Toxic gives Delphox the ability to cripple defensive Pokemon that would otherwise completely wall it such as Rhydon and Slowking as well as more offensive checks like Guzzlord. Set Details 28 Special Attack EVs let Delphox 2HKO Xatu with Mystical Fire after Stealth Rock, while 252 HP EVs enable it to switch into Pokemon like Sceptile and Comfey. The remaining EVs go into Speed alongside a Timid nature so that Delphox can outspeed Mega Glalie. Leftovers gives Delphox a minor form of recovery, which lessens its reliance on Wish. Blaze increases the power of Delphox's Fire-type attack when it is low on HP, though Wish in combination with this set's more defensive nature prevent Delphox from taking complete advantage of it. Usage Tips Delphox should mainly switch in on special attackers that it checks such as Mega Abomasnow and Whimsicott; however, Delphox must be wary of Earthquake from Mega Abomasnow. Using Wish against these Pokemon as well as others like Steelix is ideal, since Delphox forces them out and can safely use Protect on the following turn to regain HP. Against Choice-locked Pokemon such as Guzzlord and Sneasel, use Protect in order to scout which move they lock themselves into and act accordingly. Toxic should be used whenever Delphox anticipates a Pokemon that it cannot otherwise deal with such as Incineroar, Slowking, or Vaporeon to switch in. Be wary of Toxic from Pokemon such as Mega Audino, as it greatly hinders this set and limits Delphox's ability to check Pokemon like Klinklang while still maintaining longevity. Refrain from switching in if Stealth Rock is up, as this heavily pressures Delphox and forces it to use Wish more often than it would like to. Team Options Wish Delphox fits best on bulky offensive and balance teams with teammates that lack recovery and are easier to wear down, as these Pokemon appreciate the support that Delphox provides. Entry hazard removers such as Blastoise, Silvally-Steel, and Whimsicott are important teammates due to Delphox's weakness to Stealth Rock preventing it from switching in and out as freely as it would like if it is up. All three of them can deal with bulky Ground- and Rock-types for Delphox. In return, Delphox can keep these Pokemon consistently healthy with Wish on top of switching into Grass-types. Fighting-types such as Hariyama and Passimian offensively check Dark-types and appreciate Delphox placing pressure on their checks like Vaporeon and Dhelmise. Mega Audino ability to reliably switch into and threaten out most Dark-types is very much appreciated, and it also provides cleric support in Heal Bell to prevent status from hindering Delphox. Bulkier setup sweepers like Comfey and Scrafty appreciate being passed Wishes, as it allows them to break early-game and take chip damage without it being detrimental in their attempt to sweep late-game. Delphox also pressures Steel- and Poison-types, which the two struggle against.

Moves This set is probably Delphox's most well-known set and can be customized depending on your likings and what your team is trying to achieve. Fire Blast is Delphox's main method of roasting foes, as it's got a high 110 Base Power. Psychic is the best option in the second slot, as it's a powerful STAB option that hits Pokemon such as Alomomola, Qwilfish, and Gastrodon for good damage, making it better than Psyshock most of the time. Calm Mind gives Delphox the power to sweep through its checks while also giving it good matchups against stall and other defensive team archetypes. Grass Knot is the preferred move in the last slot, as it helps tie up a few loose ends left behind by Delphox's STAB moves. In particular, Grass Knot OHKOes Rhyperior and has a decent chance to OHKO Gastrodon after Stealth Rock. Substitute protects Delphox from status moves and shields it from heavier blows. It also gives Delphox a means of playing mind games with Sucker Punch users. Dazzling Gleam is another option in the third or fourth slot and allows Delphox to actually touch Houndoom, as well as hitting Dragons such as Flygon and Druddigon harder; it 2HKOes all three of them. Set Details The EVs are thrown into Special Attack and Speed to maximize Delphox's offensive capabilities, with a Timid nature to make use of its great Speed. The 4 remaining EVs go into HP to attain the Salac Berry boost after setting up only three Substitutes. Blaze gives a hefty boost to Fire Blast when Delphox is at 33% of its health or below, and thus is the preferred ability. Life Orb offers an appreciated boost to Delphox's Special Attack. Salac Berry is a decent option if you choose to run Substitute, as the Speed boost can help Delphox clean up faster teams. Colbur Berry could reduce the damage taken from a stray Knock Off or priority Sucker Punch, possibly preserving Delphox's sweep. However, Colbur Berry should really only be utilized if you're running Dazzling Gleam. Usage Tips Since Delphox offers a good amount of defensive synergy to its team, it's fine to use it to switch into special resisted hits, such as Venusaur's Leaf Storm, any of Sigilyph's moves, and Abomasnow's Giga Drain or Blizzard; however, it has a hard time switching in if Stealth Rock is on the field, and a misprediction on your part can lead to an untimely death. Remember not to let Delphox take physical hits most of the time because its Defense is mediocre. Delphox can switch in throughout the battle to take on threats, but because Delphox is good at sweeping slower, weakened teams, it should usually be preserved for late-game. Delphox can usually find an opening to set up and sweep if you play well with the rest of your team early- to mid-game. Notably, Aromatisse and Togetic are practically an invitation to lunch, though you should be wary of the odd Toxic or Thunder Wave. Find ways to wear down Delphox's checks, especially Houndoom, before attempting to set up and sweep. Substitute should be used against more passive walls whose only means of touching Delphox is a move like Toxic; this would include Pokemon such as Aromatisse and Togetic. Against Pokemon that can hit Delphox harder, such as Alomomola or Venusaur, a good strategy is to use Calm Mind to boost Delphox's Special Defense and then use Substitute the following turn. After setting up on and taking out a Pokemon such as Togetic, you should aim to have a Substitute intact so that Delphox can take a hit from a hard-hitting attacker, such as Sneasel or Aerodactyl, without fainting. Team Options Defog or Rapid Spin support is very much appreciated, considering how easily Delphox is worn down by entry hazards. Flygon delivers the goods while taking on Ground- and Rock-types, and Blastoise can spin away hazards and synergizes well with Delphox, resisting Water-type moves and threatening Rock- and Ground-types. Hitmontop is another good option for hazard removal, as it offers a key resistance to Knock Off. Generally, you want to pick Pokemon that will synergize well and can cover Delphox's weaknesses. Virizion synergizes greatly with Delphox, taking on all the Knock Offs and Water-type attacks for Delphox while Delphox can take Ice, Fire, and Psychic moves in return. Virizion can also weaken Delphox's checks, and vice versa. Pokemon that can beat Houndoom are definitely recommended; in particular, Diancie can pivot into Houndoom and KO it with Diamond Storm or lay down Stealth Rock to limit Houndoom's opportunities to switch in. Similarly, Omastar, Rhyperior, and Accelgor can wear down Houndoom, Spiritomb, Drapion, and other checks to Delphox by laying down entry hazards. Since this set can get revenge killed by faster Pokemon, it's a good idea to run bulky pivots, such as Granbull, that can take hits throughout the match while keeping up momentum. Alomomola and Aromatisse are more passive but can stomach stronger hits and heal their team with Wish. In a similar boat, having some fast Pokemon of your own to KO opposing revenge killers isn't a bad idea. Hitmonlee and Accelgor are decent examples of such revenge killers. Defensive Slowking can be a problem for Delphox because it can stomach a +1 Grass Knot and retaliate with Dragon Tail or Thunder Wave, both of which Delphox doesn't like. Therefore, Steelix or similar leads can lure in Slowking and cripple it with Toxic, while Pokemon that resist Water, such as Jellicent and Virizion, can switch into Slowking without too much to fear.

Moves Equipped with a Choice Scarf, Delphox can fulfill the noble role of revenge killer for its team. Fire Blast is Delphox's main STAB move and attains great coverage, even on its own. Psychic is a powerful secondary STAB attack; though it doesn't roast opponents like Fire Blast does, it's useful when you encounter a Pokemon that resists Fire or when you can't afford to miss a move. Dazzling Gleam hits the majority of Dark- and Dragon-types hard, such as Scrafty, Spiritomb, Flygon, and Druddigon. Trick can cripple a member of the opponent's team and free up Delphox's moveslots when used correctly. Set Details 252 EVs in Speed and Special Attack maximize Delphox's damage output and swiftness, with a Timid nature to make certain that Delphox can outrun Choice Scarf Flygon. Choice Scarf turns Delphox into a potent revenge killer and helps patch up some of its Speed problems versus offensive teams. Blaze is Delphox's only semi-useful ability; it provides a 1.5x boost to Fire Blast when Delphox is at 33% HP or below, which can happen often due to Delphox's mediocre but passable defenses. Usage Tips Delphox mostly serves as a revenge killer for its team, but it can also step forward to mop up weakened parts of the opponent's team. Since Delphox is a revenge killer, don't make bold predictions and lose it too early. Most of the time, it's not good to subject it to strong hits in the early- or mid-game, though weaker resisted attacks are fine for Delphox to switch into. It's important to play with Trick the right way; only hand off the Choice Scarf to a passive or very slow Pokemon, and make sure Delphox has done its job first. One exception, though, would be if the benefit of crippling a certain wall, such as Quagsire, is greater than that of being able to KO a faster Pokemon later in the game. Another good idea is to avoid locking Delphox into Psychic if there are Pursuit users on the opposing team and the switch is really obvious. However, if you're fairly sure that your opponent is switching in a Fire-type check, such as Mega Camerupt, Psychic is a relatively safe play. Team Options Choice Scarf Delphox fits in well on balanced or offensive teams looking for a powerful revenge killer. Defog and Rapid Spin support are also a good idea to complement this set: Flygon, Blastoise, and Hitmontop can provide this. Since Choice Scarf Delphox doesn't have the offensive presence of a setup sweeper, strong wallbreakers such as Diancie, Virizion, and Sawk are highly recommended to pressure and break down the opposing team's defensive core. These Pokemon can also switch into Knock Off users, which is another necessity when running Delphox. Venusaur can tear down defensive cores well and offer some synergy with Delphox. Entry hazards from Registeel, Mega Glalie, and Steelix can help guarantee some key KOs for Delphox. For example, Stealth Rock guarantees the OHKO on Venusaur. Packing something that can take down Pursuit users is a good idea for this set, as Delphox can fold so easily to Dark-types if you predict wrongly. Virizion can take on most Dark-types and uses Spiritomb as setup fodder. Granbull and Mawile are also good defensive answers to Dark-types.