Monotype Ditto

roman

Banned deucer.



qc: torkool / misaka mikoto / eien
gp: frenzyplant / the dutch plumberjack


[OVERVIEW]

Normal
========

Ditto's ability Imposter allows it to transform into the foe when it is switched in, also copying all stat boosts and ignoring the Speed drop from Sticky Web. Thus, when equipped with Choice Scarf, Ditto can outpace all opposing Pokemon and Speed tie with those equipped with another Choice Scarf. Because of this, it's one of the most effective revenge killers, revenge killing setup Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Gallade and possibly countersweeping their teams. For this reason, Ditto also discourages setup, allowing you to play passively without being too worried of opponents taking advantage of it. Ditto is also a fantastic anti-stall Pokemon, as it essentially has unlimited PP because it can just switch out to recover its PP. It can also get free recovery and act as a cleric by switching into walls such as Chansey. It can also provide hazard clearance support by switching into Defog or Rapid Spin users such as Mantine or Excadrill. Ditto is a great scouting tool, as it allows you to see all of your foe's moves. Because of this, Ditto can run the role of a revenge killer or utility Pokemon depending on what it copies. However, Ditto has trouble against bulkier Pokemon such as Calm Mind Mega Latias. Ditto is very hard to bring into setup sweepers by a direct switch, so you must almost always sacrifice a teammate in order to successfully revenge kill the threat. Ditto only has 5 PP, so it'll get PP stalled very easily and can potentially end up giving the opposition a free turn. Ditto is very predictable because it always runs one set, so your opponent can play around it especially since they know the moveset that Ditto copies as well, and Ditto's low HP stat prevents it from revenge killing some Pokemon effectively. Lastly, Ditto can turn into a huge momentum sink if the opposing Pokemon doesn't have the moves you were expecting, such as super effective attacks to beat the opposing Pokemon or utility such as Heal Bell or Defog.

[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Moves
========

Transform is required because Ditto must have a move. However, Transform is near useless, as Imposter lets Ditto transform on switching in.

Set Details
========

Imposter allows Ditto to transform into opposing Pokemon upon switching in. Choice Scarf lets Ditto outpace opposing setup Pokemon so it can effectively revenge kill them. 252 HP EVs are used to maximize Ditto's bulk, as Ditto's HP is the only stat that matters after transformation. 252 Defense EVs are used in conjunction with 0 Speed IVs so that in the rare case of Ditto vs Ditto, yours will be slower and bulkier, allowing it to take hits from opposing Ditto more easily and preserve PP because it is slower and will move last. The rest of the EVs are in Attack, which help it hit a bit harder in this situation. The IVs give Hidden Power Fire, allowing Ditto to effectively trap and KO opposing Magnezone.

Usage Tips
========

Capitalize on Imposter by revenge killing setup Pokemon such as Salamence. Try to force Pokemon such as Dragonite into a move that locks them into it like Outrage for a guaranteed revenge KO. You can also utilize Imposter by switching into Pokemon with ability-based immunities such as Heatran and Lanturn. Ditto can switch into Pokemon that have super effective moves against the rest of their team such as Heatran on Steel and dent the opposition with correct prediction. Switching into Lanturn is also very useful, as you can get a turn to utilize Heal Bell unless they manually switch out as Ditto switches in. However, be careful to hard switch into Pokemon such as Heatran, as a misprediction can cost you your Ditto. Preserve Ditto very carefully against types with threatening setup sweepers. If you waste its potential early on by letting it get damaged or KOed it can't countersweep the opposition with a copy of a dangerous setup sweeper such as Mega Pinsir or Mega Gallade. Don't switch Ditto directly into attacks; utilize U-turn from a teammate such as Staraptor to bring it in safely. You can also make double switches to get Ditto in safely. Try to scout opposing movesets with Ditto, allowing you to play around threatening Pokemon such as Toxic Garchomp and Superpower Mega Scizor correctly. Understand that Ditto is incapable of beating Substitute Pokemon such as Suicune, so use another Pokemon such as Encore Mega Lopunny to handle them. Make sure to clear entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, against stall. This is important because without a cleric Ditto has a hard time PP stalling when it is Toxic poisoned, as it gets worn down extremely easily. When against stall teams, try to let Ditto's Choice Scarf get removed by Knock Off, in order to prevent it from being locked into moves, allowing it to PP stall more effectively, and make sure to switch out to reuse Ditto's PP infinitely. Be careful against opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Terrakion, as they can potentially win the Speed tie and KO your Ditto. Take advantage of forced switches. For example, if your Ditto switches into an opposing Dragonite by a slow U-turn or after a teammate has fainted, the opponent is forced to switch out, giving you the momentum and a free turn. Make sure to run damage calculations prior to attacking with Ditto, as Ditto doesn't copy the enemy's HP stat and itself has a very low base HP stat of 48 that doesn't let it take strong attacks.

Team Options
========

Chansey provides Stealth Rock for Ditto and can wear down walls that threaten Ditto with Toxic. It also absorbs status from foes such as Mew, Gastrodon, and Zapdos that Ditto can't afford to take. Porygon2 can also spread Toxic poison and allow Ditto to more effectively revenge kill by paralyzing Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion. Staraptor can Defog entry hazards away so that Ditto can switch in more freely without being worried about the chip damage wearing it down quickly. It can also give Ditto a free switch by means of a slow U-turn. Smeargle provides hazards such as Stealth Rock and Sticky Web, softening the opposition and allowing Ditto to outpace opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon. Diggersby deals with walls that Ditto generally dislikes having to switch in on. It also chips setup Pokemon such as Quiver Dance Volcarona into range for Ditto to revenge KO. Encore Mega Lopunny can effectively beat Calm Mind users such as Clefable that threaten Ditto.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]

Other Options
=============

Normal
--------

More offensive Normal teams lacking Chansey can run Hidden Power Rock IVs on Ditto in order to revenge kill Pokemon such as Volcarona.

Checks and Counters
===================

Normal
--------

**Ditto**: Opposing Ditto prevent Ditto from transforming, forcing it to Struggle to death.

**Calm Mind Users**: Calm Mind users such as Suicune can easily PP stall Ditto and continue setting up.

**Status**: Burn halves Ditto's Attack, preventing it from revenge killing physical setup sweepers. Paralysis prevents it from revenge killing at all, and Toxic poison wears it down quickly.

**Substitute Users**: Substitute users such as Mega Latias and Gyarados prevent Ditto from transforming.
 
Last edited:

Deleted User 400951

Banned deucer.
AM Check:
Setup Pokemon such as Suicune and Mega Latias have sufficient bulk to PP stall Ditto fairly easily. In addition to being stopped by bulky setup Pokemon, Ditto is also stopped by setup Pokemon with Substitute, such as Gyarados and the aforementioned Suicune.
* Ditto's low PP lets it get PP stalled very easily and can potentially end up giving the opposition a free turn if all of Ditto's PP is gone.

These two lines sound rather redundant, get rid of the second one.
In IVs, mention other IV spreads that could give different HP types. I feel that HP Ice in particular could be pretty good to have.
In OO, mention that Return is far more common than Frustration and thus 0 happiness is inferior.
You should mention Bulk Up with Calm Mind as while it's not nearly as prevalent in this meta, Ditto can't beat users of it for the same reasons.
edit: talked on ps, yeah, ignore what i striked through ofc
 
Last edited:

Moosical

big yikes
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Overview
* When equipped with a Choice Scarf, it can outpace all opposing foes except those equipped with another Choice Scarf, in which case there is a speed tie. Because of this, it's one of the most effective revenge killers, revenge killing and possibly counter sweeping teams with setup Pokemon such as Salamence, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Gallade.
-Add in that ditto deters your opponent from setting up with their sweepers due to its ability to counter sweep
* Because of this, Ditto can run the role of a revenge killer or utility Pokemon. Unfortunately, it is almost dead weight against more defensive teams.
-The way this is worded makes it sound like its acting as one or the other, while it's able to do both at the same time. Also, in a statement before this you mention that it works as anti-stall, but here say it's dead weight against defensive teams, they contradict each other. I would just remove the dead weight against defensive teams part.
* Setup Pokemon such as Suicune and Mega Latias have sufficient bulk to PP stall Ditto fairly easily. In addition to being stopped by bulky setup Pokemon, Ditto is also stopped by setup Pokemon with Substitute, such as Gyarados and the aforementioned Suicune.
-Again here, you say previously it works to revenge kill set up pokemon, but here it's unable to break through set up pokemon. You need to explain why it's not good vs suicune or mega latias (recovery + boosting spd with calm mind). Also, explain why substitute stops ditto.
* Ditto's low PP lets it get PP stalled very easily and can potentially end up giving the opposition a free turn.
-Say specifically that ditto's moves only have 5 PP.
Usage Tips
* Capitalize on Ditto's ability Imposter by revenge killing setup Pokemon. Try to force Pokemon such as Dragonite into a locked Outrage for a guaranteed revenge KO. You can also utilize Imposter by switching into Pokemon with abilities such as Flash Fire such as Heatran and Chandelure and potentially get a free KO. However, be careful, as a misprediction can cost you your Ditto.
-Specifically say immunity abilities, remove chandelure as it isnt relevant, add in a water absorb or storm drain Pokemon as your second example. Then add in "or a free status such as toxic" after the free KO.
* Preserve Ditto very carefully against types such as Bug and Fighting. If you waste it's potential early on by letting it get chipped or KOed it can't counter sweep the opposition with Mega Pinsir or Mega Gallade.
-I dont think you need to specifically say Bug and Fighting, as it makes it sound like those are the only two match ups this tip is useful in. Reword this tip just to make it sound relevant to all match ups (the main point of this tip is to avoid being chipped therefore dying to priority, and to save it for opportune times to revenge kill or sweep the opponent.
* Try to let Ditto's Choice Scarf get removed by Knock Off against stall teams as it can PP Stall more effectively.
-I would probably just remove this tip - or reword it to say "When against stall teams, try to let ditto's choice scarf get removed by Knock off, in order to prevent it from being locked into moves, allowing it to PP stall more effectively" - Having the first part of the sentence be "try to let ditto's choice scarf get removed.." is misleading if the person is skimming through the analysis quickly.
* Take advantage of opposing clerics such as Lanturn by switching in and healing your team.
-I'd probably just remove this

Team Options
* Encore Mega Lopunny can effectively beat Calm Mind users such as Suicune which threaten Ditto.
- You use this exact example in the usage tips, try to give another example of where encore mlop helps something that ditto can't deal with itself.

QC 1/3
 
Last edited:
Overview:
- You should also talk about the drawback in Ditto's revenge killing. The opponent knows their own set that Ditto copies, which makes it predictable and easy to play around.
- Talk about its poor HP stat, that's another huge hindrance that Ditto has. Base 48 HP is pretty poor and that too is a factor in ruining Ditto's role if it fails to revenge kill. Ditto just takes too much damage from one more compared to dishing out the same move towards the threat.
- I would also mention how the opposing Pokemon that Ditto would be copying has to deal with the possibility of sets that are very useless to it and it would have to switch out, not only is it a huge momentum drain, you're throwing in one of your teammates in taking the fall for preserving Ditto.
- The line pertaining to Mega Latias and Suicune, the line can be cut down with, "Ditto has trouble against bulkier Pokemon such as Calm Mind Mega Latias and Suicune." Ditto just has a hard time getting rid of bulkier threats anyway. Besides, it sounds more of a checks / counters line if anything.

Usage Tips:
- I think you meant to say "Heatran" instead of Flash Fire because that reads oddly when saying "switching into Pokemon with immunity abilities" when you're listing an ability and then a Pokemon.
- You should expand more on the "scouting" sentence because the benefits for scouting definitely helps against threats that tend to have several sets from more versatile threats and alleviate prediction off of you because it gives you a better sense what possible item the opponent is possibly running as well.
- Double switches to switch-in safely.
- Should pay attention to Ditto's health because the mistake that players make is, Ditto copying the opposing Pokemon's health and assume the the opposing Pokemon will be doing the same amount of damage, which isn't the case. It's better to run damage calculations prior to attacking.
- Against bulkier sweepers they should be weakened just enough for Ditto to finish off later (give some examples).
- There should be something about utilizing Ditto's switching out which helps it reuse its PP over and over. It makes Ditto become a decent stallbreaker.

Team Options:
- Make sure to add Chansey as the status absorber. Ditto always hates being inflicted by status and Chansey just helps with that.

QC 2/3
 
Even if it only has one move, you need to still do the full format:
[SET]
name: revenge killer
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 0 Spe

Overview:
- Mega Altaria needs to be named here. Put it over Salamence.
- Suicune doesn't really lose to Ditto. Ditto's copying of Pressure beats it.

Usage Tips:
- Ditto actually beats Suicune by PP stalling it. (The problem is Toxic Spikes, not Calm Mind)
- Remove the damage calculation thing.

Other Options:
- Don't talk about Frustration.
- Mention other Hidden Power options

Checks and Counters:
- Walls aren't even that good. Ditto can copy their utility to use against them. I wouldn't have it here.

QC 3/3
 

frenzyplant

Inertia is a property of matter.
is a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
1/2 Romanticist :)

add remove (comments)

[OVERVIEW]

Normal
========

Ditto has access to the ability Imposter, which that allows it to transform into opposing foes the foe (either "the foe" or "the opposing Pokemon") when it is switched in. It Ditto also copies all stat boosts and ignores the Speed drop from Sticky Web, so when (optional, to emphasize the causal relationship between these two) equipped with a Choice Scarf, it Ditto can outpace all opposing foes except and Speed tie with those equipped with another Choice Scarf, in which case there is a speed tie. Because of this, it's one of the most effective revenge killers, revenge killing and possibly counter sweeping teams with setup Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Gallade. Ditto also discourages setup, (one word, comma) allowing you to play passively without being too worried of opposing setup. Ditto is also a fantastic anti-stall Pokemon, (use a comma before "as" when you're using it to mean "because") as it essentially has unlimited PP because it can just switch out to recover its PP. It can also get free recovery by switching into walls such as Chansey and acting as a cleric. It can also provide hazard clearance support by switching into Defog or Rapid Spin users Pokemon such as Mantine or Excadrill. Ditto is a great scouting tool as it allows you to know all of your opponent's foe's (only use opponent for the human player) moves. Because of this, Ditto can run the role of a revenge killer or utility Pokemon depending on what it copies. (optional but the original makes it sound a little like it can run different sets, which is untrue) However, (or another word to make it clearer you're transitioning from positives to negatives) Ditto has trouble against bulkier Pokemon such as Calm Mind Mega Latias. Ditto is very hard to bring in to into setup sweepers by a direct switch, so you must almost always sack a teammate is almost always sacked in order to successfully revenge kill the threat. Ditto only has 5 PP, so it'll (curly apostrophe to straight apostrophe) get PP stalled very easily and can potentially end up giving the opposition a free turn. Ditto is very predictable as because it always runs one set, so your opponent can play around it especially since they know the moveset that Ditto copies as well, and Ditto's low HP stat prevents it from revenge killing some Pokemon effectively. Ditto can turn into a huge momentum sink if the opposing Pokemon doesn't have the moves you were expecting, such as super effective attacks to beat the opposing Pokemon or utility such as Heal Bell or Defog.

[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Moves
========

Transform is required as because Ditto must have a move. However, Transform is near useless, (comma) as Imposter lets Ditto transform on switching in.

Set Details
========

Imposter allows Ditto to transform into opposing foes upon switching in. Choice Scarf lets Ditto outpace opposing setup Pokemon so it can effectively revenge kill them. 252 HP EVs are used to maximize Ditto's bulk, (comma) as Ditto's HP is the only stat that matters after transformation. 252 Def EVs are used in conjunction with 0 Spe IVs so that in the rare case of Ditto vs Ditto, yours will be slower and bulkier, allowing it to take hits from opposing Ditto easier and preserve PP, as because it is slower and will move last. The rest of the EVs are in Attack, (comma) which help it hit a bit harder in this situation. The IVs give it HP Hidden Power Fire, allowing it to effectively trap and KO opposing Magnezone. (maybe specify that the Magnezone will need to be running Hidden Power for this to work, unless all Magnezone run it)

Usage Tips
========

Capitalize on Ditto's ability Imposter by revenge killing setup Pokemon such as Salamence. Try to force Pokemon such as Dragonite into a move that locks them into it like locked Outrage for a guaranteed revenge KO. You can also utilize Imposter by switching into Pokemon with immunity abilities granting them immunities such as Heatran or Lanturn. Ditto can switch-in to switch into Pokemon that have super effective moves against the rest of their team (is this what you mean?) such as Heatran on Steel and dent the opposition with correct prediction. Switching into Lanturn is also very useful as you can get a turn to utilize Heal Bell unless they manually switch out. However, be careful to hard switch (be careful to or be careful not to?) into Pokemon such as Heatran, as a misprediction can cost you your Ditto. Take advantage of Ditto's ability Imposter by revenge killing setup Pokemon such as Salamence. (same thing as the first sentence) Preserve Ditto very carefully against types with threatening setup sweepers. If you waste it's its potential early on by letting it get chipped damaged or KOed it can't counter sweep the opposition with a copy of a dangerous setup sweeper set up sweepers such as Mega Pinsir or Mega Gallade. Don't switch Ditto directly into attacks; (comma to semicolon, or you can also use a colon or split this into two sentences) utilize U-turn from a teammate such as Staraptor to bring it in safely. You can also make double switches to get Ditto in safely. Try to scout opposing movesets with Ditto, allowing you to play around it threatening Pokemon such as Toxic Garchomp and Superpower Mega Scizor correctly. For example, using Ditto to scout opposing sets lets you properly play around threatening Pokemon such as Toxic Garchomp and Superpower Offensive Mega Scizor. (repetitive with the previous sentence) Understand that Ditto is incapable of beating Substitute Pokemon such as Suicune, so use another Pokemon such as Encore Mega Lopunny to handle them. Make sure to clear entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, against stall. This is important because without a cleric Ditto has a hard time PP stalling when it is Toxic poisoned as it gets worn down extremely easily. When against stall teams, try to let Ditto's Choice Scarf get removed by Knock Off, in order to prevent it from being locked into moves, allowing it to PP stall more effectively, and make sure to switch out to reuse Ditto's PP infinitely. (to make it more clear you are talking about the stall matchup when you talk about switching out) Be careful against opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Terrakion, (comma) as they can potentially win the Speed tie and KO your Ditto. Take advantage of forced switches. For example, if your Ditto switches into an opposing Dragonite by a slow U-turn or after a teammate has fainted, the opponent is forced to switch out, giving you the momentum and a free turn. (consider moving this sentence to after "You can also make double switches to get Ditto in safely", it seems a little out of place here) Make sure to run damage calculations prior to attacking with Ditto, as Ditto doesn't copy the opponents enemy's HP stat and it itself has a very low base HP stat of 48 which that doesn't let it take strong attacks.

Team Options
========

Chansey provides Stealth Rock for Ditto and can wear down walls that threaten Ditto with Toxic. It also absorbs status from foes such as Mew, Gastrodon, and Zapdos that Ditto can't afford to take. Porygon2 can also spread Toxic poison and allow Ditto to more effectively revenge kill by paralyzing Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion. Staraptor can Defog entry hazards away so that Smeargle can switch in more freely without being worried of about hazards wearing it down quickly. It can also give Ditto a free switch by means of a slow U-turn. Smeargle provides hazards such as Stealth Rock and Sticky Web, softening the opposition and allowing Ditto to outpace opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon. Diggersby deals with walls that Ditto generally dislikes having to bring switch in on. It also chips setup Pokemon such as Quiver Dance Volcarona into range for Ditto to revenge KO. Encore Mega Lopunny can effectively beat Calm Mind users such as Clefable which that threaten Ditto. (you also mention Encore Mega Lopunny beating Substitute users earlier, does that apply here?)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]

Other Options
=============

Normal
--------

More offensive Normal teams lacking Chansey can run Hidden Power Rock IVs on Ditto in order to revenge kill Pokemon such as Volcarona. (perhaps mention the exact spread? I'm assuming it uses as little Speed and as much Defense as possible to help with the mirror matchup, and so it might not be a typical HP Rock spread)

Checks and Counters
===================

Normal
--------

**Ditto**: Opposing Ditto prevent it Ditto from transforming, forcing it to Struggle to death.

**Calm Mind Users**: Calm Mind users such as Suicune can easily PP Stall stall Ditto and continue setting up.

**Status**: Burn halves Ditto's Attack, preventing it from revenge killing physical setup sweepers. Paralysis prevents it from revenge killing at all, (comma) and Toxic poison wears it down quickly.

**Substitute Users**: Substitute users such as Mega Latias and Gyarados prevent Ditto from transforming.
 

Lumari

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remove
add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Normal
========

Ditto's has access to the ability Imposter (RC) which allows it to transform into the foe when it is switched in, (comma) Ditto also copies also copying all stat boosts and ignores ignoring the Speed drop from Sticky Web. so Thus, when equipped with Choice Scarf, Ditto can outpace all opposing foes Pokemon and Speed tie with those equipped with another Choice Scarf. Because of this, it's one of the most effective revenge killers, revenge killing and possibly counter sweeping teams with setup Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Gallade and possibly countersweeping their teams. For this reason, Ditto also discourages setup, allowing you to play passively without being too worried of opposing setup opponents taking advantage of it. Ditto is also a fantastic anti-stall Pokemon, as it essentially has unlimited PP because it can just switch out to recover its PP. It can also get free recovery and act as a cleric by switching into walls such as Chansey and acting as a cleric. It can also provide hazard clearance support by switching into Defog or Rapid Spin users such as Mantine or Excadrill. Ditto is a great scouting tool, (AC) as it allows you to know see all of your foe's moves. Because of this, Ditto can run the role of a revenge killer or utility Pokemon depending on what it copies. However, Ditto has trouble against bulkier Pokemon such as Calm Mind Mega Latias. Ditto is very hard to bring into setup sweepers by a direct switch, so you must almost always sack sacrifice a teammate in order to successfully revenge kill the threat. Ditto only has 5 PP, so it'll get PP stalled very easily and can potentially end up giving the opposition a free turn. Ditto is very predictable because it always runs one set, so your opponent can play around it especially since they know the moveset that Ditto copies as well, and Ditto's low HP stat prevents it from revenge killing some Pokemon effectively. Lastly, Ditto can turn into a huge momentum sink if the opposing Pokemon doesn't have the moves you were expecting, such as super effective attacks to beat the opposing Pokemon or utility such as Heal Bell or Defog.

[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Transform
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Transform is required because Ditto must have a move. However, Transform is near useless, as Imposter lets Ditto transform on switching in.

Set Details
========

Imposter allows Ditto to transform into opposing foes Pokemon upon switching in. Choice Scarf lets Ditto outpace opposing setup Pokemon so it can effectively revenge kill them. 252 HP EVs are used to maximize Ditto's bulk, as Ditto's HP is the only stat that matters after transformation. 252 Defense EVs are used in conjunction with 0 Speed IVs so that in the rare case of Ditto vs Ditto, yours will be slower and bulkier, allowing it to take hits from opposing Ditto easier more easily and preserve PP because it is slower and will move last. The rest of the EVs are in Attack, which help it hit a bit harder in this situation. The IVs give it Hidden Power Fire, allowing it Ditto to effectively trap and KO opposing Magnezone.

Usage Tips
========

Capitalize on Ditto's ability Imposter by revenge killing setup Pokemon such as Salamence. Try to force Pokemon such as Dragonite into a move that locks them into it like Outrage for a guaranteed revenge KO. You can also utilize Imposter by switching into Pokemon with abilities granting them ability-based immunities such as Heatran or and Lanturn. Ditto can switch into Pokemon that have super effective moves against the rest of their team such as Heatran on Steel and dent the opposition with correct prediction. Switching into Lanturn is also very useful, (AC) as you can get a turn to utilize Heal Bell unless they manually switch out as Ditto switches in. However, be careful to hard switch into Pokemon such as Heatran, as a misprediction can cost you your Ditto. Preserve Ditto very carefully against types with threatening setup sweepers. If you waste its potential early on by letting it get damaged or KOed it can't counter sweep countersweep the opposition with a copy of a dangerous setup sweeper such as Mega Pinsir or Mega Gallade. Don't switch Ditto directly into attacks; utilize U-turn from a teammate such as Staraptor to bring it in safely. You can also make double switches to get Ditto in safely. Try to scout opposing movesets with Ditto, allowing you to play around threatening Pokemon such as Toxic Garchomp and Superpower Mega Scizor correctly. Understand that Ditto is incapable of beating Substitute Pokemon such as Suicune, so use another Pokemon such as Encore Mega Lopunny to handle them. Make sure to clear entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, against stall. This is important because without a cleric Ditto has a hard time PP stalling when it is Toxic poisoned, (AC) as it gets worn down extremely easily. When against stall teams, try to let Ditto's Choice Scarf get removed by Knock Off, in order to prevent it from being locked into moves, allowing it to PP stall more effectively, and make sure to switch out to reuse Ditto's PP infinitely. Be careful against opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Terrakion, as they can potentially win the Speed tie and KO your Ditto. Take advantage of forced switches. For example, if your Ditto switches into an opposing Dragonite by a slow U-turn or after a teammate has fainted, the opponent is forced to switch out, giving you the momentum and a free turn. Make sure to run damage calculations prior to attacking with Ditto, as Ditto doesn't copy the enemy's HP stat and itself has a very low base HP stat of 48 that doesn't let it take strong attacks.

Team Options
========

Chansey provides Stealth Rock for Ditto and can wear down walls that threaten Ditto with Toxic. It also absorbs status from foes such as Mew, Gastrodon, and Zapdos that Ditto can't afford to take. Porygon2 can also spread Toxic poison and allow Ditto to more effectively revenge kill by paralyzing Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion. Staraptor can Defog entry hazards away so that Smeargle (Ditto?) can switch in more freely without being worried about hazards the chip damage wearing it down quickly. It can also give Ditto a free switch by means of a slow U-turn. Smeargle provides hazards such as Stealth Rock and Sticky Web, softening the opposition and allowing Ditto to outpace opposing Choice Scarf Pokemon. Diggersby deals with walls that Ditto generally dislikes having to switch in on. It also chips setup Pokemon such as Quiver Dance Volcarona into range for Ditto to revenge KO. Encore Mega Lopunny can effectively beat Calm Mind users such as Clefable that threaten Ditto.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Normal
--------

More offensive Normal teams lacking Chansey can run Hidden Power Rock IVs (RC) on Ditto in order to revenge kill Pokemon such as Volcarona.

Checks and Counters
===================

Normal
--------

**Ditto**: Opposing Ditto prevent Ditto from transforming, forcing it to Struggle to death.

**Calm Mind Users**: Calm Mind users such as Suicune can easily PP stall Ditto and continue setting up.

**Status**: Burn halves Ditto's Attack, preventing it from revenge killing physical setup sweepers. Paralysis prevents it from revenge killing at all, and Toxic poison wears it down quickly.

**Substitute Users**: Substitute users such as Mega Latias and Gyarados prevent Ditto from transforming.
 

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