Delphox, the evolved form of Braixen, is known for its elegant design and potent special attack prowess. But beyond its conventional offensive capabilities lies a more disruptive and, dare we say, “evil” strategy. This guide delves into a unique Delphox build centered around the Red Card and Magician ability, designed to cripple opponents and control the battlefield. Prepare to master a set that’s as effective as it is unconventional.
The Core Strategy: Red Card & Magician
The beauty of this Delphox build lies in its disruptive synergy. It starts with Substitute. By setting up a Substitute, Delphox gains a layer of protection. When an opponent attacks this Substitute, the held item, Red Card, activates, forcibly switching out the attacking Pokémon. This disrupts momentum and prevents setup sweepers from gaining traction.
But the disruption doesn’t end there. As the opponent’s new Pokémon switches in, Delphox unleashes Will-O-Wisp. Coupled with Delphox’s Magician ability, this move becomes incredibly potent. Magician allows Delphox to steal the opponent’s held item upon using a damaging move – in this case, Will-O-Wisp triggers Magician as a status move that can indirectly “damage” through burn. Commonly, Delphox will steal Leftovers, further crippling defensive Pokémon and tanks while potentially providing a minor boost to Delphox if it somehow benefits from the stolen item later (though unlikely in this specific set’s strategy). This combination of Red Card switch-forcing and Magician item theft creates a devastatingly annoying and strategically advantageous situation.
Move Choices and EV Spread for Maximum Disruption
To maximize the effectiveness of this disruptive strategy, let’s break down the optimal move choices, ability, item, nature, and Effort Value (EV) spread:
-
Moves:
- Substitute: The cornerstone of the set. Protects Delphox and triggers Red Card.
- Will-O-Wisp: Essential for burning physical attackers and activating Magician to steal items.
- Flamethrower: A reliable and accurate Fire-type STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) move for consistent damage. Its higher PP (Power Points) and accuracy are favored over Fire Blast for prolonged battles.
- Fourth Move (Flexibility):
- Psychic / Psyshock: Provides coverage and a secondary STAB option, hitting Pokémon that resist Fire. Psychic is generally preferred for higher base power, while Psyshock targets the opponent’s Defense stat, useful against specially defensive walls.
- Hidden Power [Ground] / Hidden Power [Rock]: Hidden Power offers type coverage. Ground hits Fire-resistant types like Heatran effectively. Rock is useful against threats like Moltres, Noivern, and Chandelure. The choice depends on your team’s needs and anticipated threats.
-
Ability: Magician is crucial for the item-stealing strategy and crippling opponents.
-
Item: Red Card is the key to forcing switches after setting up Substitute, maximizing disruption.
-
Nature: Timid nature is vital, maximizing Speed to ensure Delphox can set up Substitute and use Will-O-Wisp before taking significant damage.
-
EV Spread: 96 HP / 8 Def / 144 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe. This spread is designed for a balance of offense and survivability:
- 252 Spe EVs and Timid nature maximize Speed, outspeeding a significant portion of the metagame and guaranteeing Substitute setup.
- 144 SpA EVs provide a respectable Special Attack stat (around 300), allowing Flamethrower and the chosen fourth move to hit with decent power.
- 96 HP EVs and minor Defense/Special Defense EVs offer a bit of bulk, enabling Delphox to take a few hits behind a Substitute, especially burned physical attacks and weaker special attacks.
Strengths and Synergies in Battle
This Delphox build excels at:
- Disrupting Physical Attackers: Will-O-Wisp halves their Attack stat, making them significantly less threatening.
- Crippling Setup Sweepers: Red Card prevents them from setting up freely, forcing them out before they become too dangerous.
- Item Removal: Stealing items like Leftovers can severely hinder defensive Pokémon and reduce opponent’s recovery.
- Team Support: By weakening and disrupting the opposing team, Delphox creates opportunities for teammates to sweep or capitalize on the chaos.
Weaknesses and Potential Pitfalls
Despite its strengths, this build has weaknesses:
- Infiltrator and Sound Moves: Abilities like Infiltrator bypass Substitute, and sound-based moves also ignore it, directly hitting Delphox. Bug Buzz is a particular threat.
- Entry Hazards: While Delphox can force switches, entry hazards like Stealth Rock chip away at its HP each time it switches in, limiting its longevity. Hazard removal support is recommended.
- Random Red Card Target: Red Card switches out a random Pokémon from the opponent’s team. This can sometimes bring in an unfavorable matchup or even accidentally steal a Choice item, potentially hindering Delphox itself.
- Stealth Rock Vulnerability: As a Fire-type, Delphox takes increased damage from Stealth Rock, further emphasizing the need for hazard control on the team.
Alternative Options and Team Considerations
- Alternative Moves: Wish can provide recovery for Delphox or teammates. Trick can swap Red Card for a more debilitating item like Choice Scarf, though it deviates from the core strategy. Mystical Fire is another STAB option with a Special Attack lowering side effect.
- Team Synergy: Partner Delphox with a Pokémon that can remove entry hazards (spinner or Defog user). Consider Pokémon that benefit from weakened or burned opponents.
Conclusion: Masterful Mischief with Delphox
This Red Card Magician Delphox build is a unique and potent strategy for disrupting opponents and gaining a strategic edge. While it requires skillful play and awareness of its weaknesses, mastering this set can turn Delphox into a truly nightmarish opponent. Experiment with the move options, practice its disruptive tactics, and unleash the magician within! Share your experiences and battle successes with this build!
