Community POTW #51

[jesusfreak94]

Delibird is probably the most threatening thing in the metagame right now. Pretty much, Delibird is the Pokemon equivalent of Santa Claus, and NO ONE messes with Santa Claus.

Santa's Got a Little Surprise For You
Deli "Awesome" Bird@Power Herb
Adamant
Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Moves:
-Sky Attack
-Focus Punch
-Ice Shard
-Fake Out/Rapid Spin

Power Herb because Delibird is all power and no slack. That, and it fakes a Choice Band set. Just imagine your opponent switching in a Steel type, only for you to slam it with a Focus Punch. After seeing no Life Orb recoil, they predict you have a Choice set and switch in a Bug type to tank the next Focus Punch and BAM! Slammed by a Power Herb Sky Attack. Ice Shard allows Delibird to outspeed everything without priority and destroy it. Absolutely destroy it. Fake Out is free damage, which doesn't really matter for a Pokemon as loaded as Delibird. It could be expensive damage for all he cares. You could also throw up a Rapid Spin, in which case Delibird throws the opponent's hazards away while laughing as they cry themselves to sleep.

TL;DR-Delibird is the stuff.

[Vandslaux]

Even in NU:

Arbok sets up on you.
Jumpluff puts you to sleep, but has to be wary of Ice Shard, though I doubt it KOes a physically defensive set.
Sawk revenges you.
Jynx can't set up, but can wreck Delibird with Ice Beam.
Tangela walls it.
Klinklang sets up on you all day long.
Magneton can set up screens on Delibird.
Regirock can murder you with Rock Slide.
Pikachu OHKOes with Volt Tackle.
Emboar can Flare Blitz you.

[PhilosophicalPsychologica]

Well, it looks like everyone did your basic Deli jokes, so I guess I'll just do a serious review of Delibird...

It's the only Flying-Type Rapid Spinner, so if you have a Flying mono and you desperately want a Rapid Spinner...I guess there is Delibird for you...? And for Ice monos, I suppose...

Delibird has a niche in its Hustle Ability. Other than that...you can use Specs...I guess. It does have a impressive movepool. Insomnia is a good Ability, but Vital Spirit just blows it out of the water... ...Yeah...

[KYOGRE-D]

Come on guys, what's with all the sarcasm? Even Serebii? Come on, we know that it's Ice/Flying typing makes it one of the best counters for Caterpie and Sunkern in the game. Seed Bomb lets it knock down it's would-be-counters, such as Magikarp and Feebas! It also has extremely rare stall moves in Protect and Toxic!

You guys may think it's outclassed by Articuno, but it has roll out to 33,534,332,342,352HKO Charizard swap ins! Thanks to it's new DW ability, it can now take on Paras and Shroomish one-on-one, while Articuno will be too busy taking a nap! Not good enough? Well, it also has Rapid spin, and thanks to it's immunity to spikes and toxic spikes, it can come in on hazards multiple times!

.....Okay, it sucks, but I'll try and keep this post from being spam. IMO, the best set to run with it is Hustle/Choice Band, where it can hit with 135 power aerial aces, and revenge kill with 90 base powered Ice Shards, and smack bulky waters with 120 powered seed bombs. Though it's attack sucks too much to make it an offensive threat....I'd only suggest using if it was a metagame full of Unown, which NU is not.

Yeah, well I'm guessing there's just a little sarcasm in YOUR post? Seriously, Delibird sucks - Rapid spin won't help that much as SR is the main hazard, stripping half of its health immediately. Yeah, not too good for a spinner.I do agree that your set is probably the best set, or mabye Toxic/Endure/Protect/Ice Shard/Punch, with Focus Sash, but really, Delibird is wayyy outclassed by Articuno, and even Swift Swim activated Sashed Flail Magikarp is better than it - then, its only taken out by priority, which isn't that common in NU from experience.

[Vandslaux]

Basically the only priority in NU is Arbok's Sucker Punch and Snover's Ice Shard.

[spuds4ever]

Hide your children folks, because there's something nasty coming down the chimney this year....



That's right. It's the renown sweeping monster from gen II....

The Grim-reaping sweeper of christmas:

Delibird @life orb
Adamant (+atk -sp. atk) Hustle
EVs: 252 atk. 252 spd.
Ice punch
Brick Break
Ice shard/Splash
aerial ace

Ice punch will be your most feared tool-of-destruction while brick break destroys the very essense of opposing pokemon. Ice shard can destroy all attempting to revenge kill foes but if you're feeling really cheating, you can use the move that should be banned in all servers. Splash. Need I say more?
Aerial ace strikes down your foe from the skies.

Strengths: Delibird's boundless power makes it capable of trashing everything in sight and when it was released in gen II, "6-0ed by delibird" was a very frequent saying.

Weaknesses: Delibird is so powerful that the opponent gains virtually no humiliation in being destroyed by it.

Dream world: I won't go into much detail here after Delibird's DW ability being banned on Smogon. Reasons for this were for too much change in the already over-powered delibird and making it far too unpredictable.

Partners: It needs none, but ninjask happens to be bestest buddies with it (or rather delibird wants to be).

[~Kari~]

.....Delibird?
sigh....
Use Articuno instead, but if you must use Delibird,
Offensive Delibird? @Life Orb/Choice Scarf/Choice Specs
Ice Beam
Hidden Power Ground
Signal Beam
Seed Bomb

Ice Beam=basic stab
HP Ground=Regirock/Pikachu/KlinKlang
Signal Beam=Psychic/Dark/Grass types
Seed Bomb for Water types

EVs
252 Speed
252 Special Attack

Using Dream World is pointless, since Insomnia is the same as Vital Spirit. Unless you want Focus Punch for a SubPunch set or something...

[darkrai's_shadow]

He's making a list, checking it twice, and spinning away all you hold dear
-Rapid Spin
-Ice Shard
-Fake Out
-Any other move you feel like having, maybe a lolzy one
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Vital Spirit/Insomnia
Jolly, 252 hp/252 spd/4 atk

I guess santa really hates sleep. really, with such underwhelming stats, whose max speed is 273, you will really only be getting 1-3 hits from this thing, depending on entry hazards. Rapid spin is the only worthwhile thing on this, while fake out can break subs and possibly revenge kill, maybe, and ice shard can kill those dragons that are just hanging on for dear life

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[sixonesix]

delibird is notable in doubles for being the only pokemon that learns fake out while being immune to earthquake.

[redcharzard]

delibird is notable in doubles for being the only pokemon that learns fake out while being immune to earthquake.

This is why there needs to be double and triple battle sets listed in the pokemon of the week. I didn't believe this at first but it's true...

[Phoopes]

Delibird: The bird that even Articuno laughs at competitively...

Delibird Packs a Punch Light Tap!
Delibird@Power Herb
Adamant
Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Moves:
-Sky Attack
-Focus Punch
-Ice Shard
-Fake Out

Watch Delibird switch in and get free damage with a Fake Out! Then, your opponent will cower in fear as you hit them hard with Sky Attack and/or Focus Punch! Finally, if they bring in something that outspeeds you (that never happens, cuz Delibird is fast) you have a STAB priority in Ice Shard that can take them out. Delibird for Ubers!

[M4zz]

You know, for GameFreak to deliberately screw a Pokemon is one thing, but to give it basically the same ability in the Dream World is a whole new level of idiocracy. Let's all give GameFreak a round of applause before I begin, shall we?

Delibird - The Delivery Pokemon

General Overview

Typing-
Well, Ice/Flying isn't all that great offensively, but there is worse. Sure you have STAB that can hit Dragon, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Flying, and Bug super-effectively, but most of these types are paired up with something to make them neutral against Delibird's STAB moves. Defensively, we have an immunity to both Toxic and regular Spikes, but a massive x4 weakness to Stealth Rock. We also carry weaknesses to Electric, Fire, Steel, and Rock type moves, which is a fair portion of moves in the NU tier with such high prevalences of Fire and Rock types.

Abilities-
Vital Spirit is a fairly decent ability, preventing you from falling asleep. Has an ingame effect, but nothing much else going on here.
Hustle is probably Delibird's best option for a Choice Band set, as his high-accuracy moves will get a much needed bost damage wise.
Insomnia proves that those working at GameFreak are lacking something mentally. Delibird, a fairly useless Pokemon that could use something to boost it's usefulness, already has a very similar ability in Vital Spirit. If you prefer it over Vital Spirit, go ahead and use it.

Stats-
And you thought Luvdisc had mediocre stats. Delibird's whopping 330 stat total is tied with Aron, Zorua, Finneon, Luvdisc, and a few other NFE or NU fodder Pokemon. It's base 45/45/45 HP and defences mean that Stealth Rock alone is enough to basically cripple this Pokemon, Arceus forbid the opponent have a priority move to pick off Delibird. Offensively, this Pokemon gets very little blessing either, having base 55/65/75 Attack stats and Speed. Choice Band or Choice Specs. are almost a must here if you're to do any real damage to an opponent.

Learnset-
By level, don't even get me started. Present is a horrible move as it is. Platinum however, was a blessing to this Pokemon in serious need of one, giving it access to moves such as Seed Bomb, Signal Beam, SKy Attack, and Gunk Shot, as we all know Bayleaf needs a strong Poison move used against it in order fend it off. Avalance is the only "okay" move that came as a TM in Generation IV. It gets Ice Beam, Water Pulse, Focus Punch, Aerial Ace, and Brick Break as regular TMs. Not much to work with here. Dream World gave it Ice Shard, which gives it some usability but already had through breeding, and breeding gave it Fake Out, Ice Punch, Rapid Spin, and Aurora Beam. Still not much to work with.

Sets

My Christmas Choice (Special)

Delibird@Choice Specs
Vital Spirit / Insomnia
Timid/Modest Nature
4 HP / 252 Sp.A / 252 Spe
-Ice Beam
-Signal Beam
-Water Pulse
-Hidden Power Electric

It's not the ideal set for the Christmas Penguin, but it's somewhat okay for the surprise factor. Ice Beam is Delibird's best STAB, and hits things like Bellossom and Butterfree, while nabbing a KO on some Ground types in NU. Water Pulse hist pesky Fire and Rock types, albeit leaving Delibird in on them usually isn't a smart idea. Signal Beam hits Absol and basically anything the previous two moves don't. The last move, Hidden Power Electric, completes the pseudo Bolt-Beam combo, basically completing the coverage. Regardless, the Special Attacking moves of Delibird are limited, and this set really has nothing going for it but the surprise factor. If Hustle works with Special Attack too, use it in place of the two other abilities, but if not, just run one of them.


Unwrapping the Gift of Choice (Physical)

Delibird@Choice Band / Choice Scarf
Hustle
Jolly / Adamant Nature
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Ice Punch
-Brick Break / Focus Punch
-Seed Bomb
-Aerial Ace

With some better attacking options, Delibird is a better Physical "sweeper" than it would be a Special "sweeper". Ice Punch and Aerial Ace are STAB moves that allow it to hit Dragon, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Flying, and Bug Types super-effectively. Seed Bomb adds to the coverage, hitting stray Water and Rock Types, while Brick Break hits Ice and Steel Types. Brick Break is a better option over Focus Punch in this case, as having been choice'd, a set-up attack such as Focus Punch isn't as reliable except against a well-predicted set-up Pokemon. Probably Delibird's best set.


Revenge Killer of the Century

Delibird@Life Orb
Hustle
Adamant Nature
-Ice Shard
-Quick Attack
-Fake Out
-Focus Punch

If you have a weakened team, fear this Pokemon. It will end your team. Seriously. It'll come in and Use Fake Out, then abuse either Quick Attack or Ice Shard and end whatever chances that said Pokemon had of completing a sweep. Focus Punch is there for the aware player that expects a Fake Out only to take Delibird's strongest move to the face, and then get picked off by Ice Shard or Quick Attack. Purely surprise factor, but might actually be viable specificly as a Revenge-Killer. Gettin' swept by Delibird.


Additional Comments

Rapid Spin support is a must with Delibird, as Stealth Rock is it's biggest threat. Baton Passing it a few Swords Dances and Speed Boosts from a Ninjask is a fairly decent idea. If you're looking to beat a Delibird, get help. If you need to look, quit Pokemon altogether, as so much beats Delibird without trying, it's not even funny. You could throw it on a team with a Snover, but Delibird isn't really worth the team slot. Too bad GameFreak had to drop the ball on this one.

[Zachmac]

I saw someone bring up the protect/endure combo earlier, but that doesn't work in gen 5. Just saying.

If you have a weakened team, fear this Pokemon. It will end your team. Seriously.

This is easily the most intelligent quote in the whole thread.

Revenge Killer of the Century

Delibird@Life Orb
Hustle
Adamant Nature
-Ice Shard
-Quick Attack
-Fake Out
-Focus Punch

If you have a weakened team, fear this Pokemon. It will end your team. Seriously. It'll come in and Use Fake Out, then abuse either Quick Attack or Ice Shard and end whatever chances that said Pokemon had of completing a sweep. Focus Punch is there for the aware player that expects a Fake Out only to take Delibird's strongest move to the face, and then get picked off by Ice Shard or Quick Attack. Purely surprise factor, but might actually be viable specificly as a Revenge-Killer. Gettin' swept by Delibird.

I'd personally use aerial ace as the last option, that's Delibird's most reliable move(what an amazing movepool!).

Counters

Magikarp comes in and KOs it with splash. Feebass and Hophip do this as well, but not with as much ease. Deoxys-Attack will wall it to heck, and luvdisc will use it to get +6 with agility.

[chanseychansey77]

Legends tell of a legendary warrior...

Whose abilities were the stuff of LEGEND...

...That was a panda, though. This is Delibird, whose time in battles has been about as successful as his attempt at a deli. Foot-longs, my foot!

Delibird is extraordinarily... Unique in his ability to have two abilities that do the exact same thing and have a natural move set that consists only of something with a chance of healing the opponent. He can also use a move that gives the opponent his item, assuming they don't have any item yet, becoming the terror of all Acrobatics users. Yessir, they can Frustration themselves all the way home after they're reduced to coal by Santa's birdy.

The best strategy with Delibird is... oh, heck with it. DOUBLE TEAM. ATTRACT. TOXIC. The only dang way you're ever going to win with this santa m'n is pure hax. Heck, here's a set:

Who said Delibird sucks?
Delibird@ Focus Sash
Ability: Insomnia/Vital Spirit
Nature: Timid/Jolly
EVs: Max HP, Max Speed, 4 Def.
Attract
Double Team
Toxic
Substitute/Mud Slap

Yep. The most uniquest set in all of Pokemons. It justifies intentionally poor grammar. It sucks so you don't have to! First off, you'll probably survive the first hit due to yer Focus Sash, so Attract the NU off of whatever you face. Prayer of your opponent being the opposite gender is essential, as well as them not having priority, or good luck, or a Minccino. That should be simple enough. When that for sure works, turn on the hax with Double Team. Aww, yeah. Use until you feel safe against whatever monstrosity you're obviously facing, y'know, Luvdisc, Unown, Farfetch'd, banes of Ubers. Then Toxic away, and laugh like an evil genius as their life drains before their eyes... Then either Substitute, on the off chance they won't eventually lucky and strike through their shield of impenetrability. Course, they won't! This force you have raised is far better than Superman's fortress of solitude! Considering the unlikelyness of this happening, you can probably consider yourself safe with Mud-Slap to smack those foolish Poisons/Steels/Taunters right upside their ugly mugs and lower their accuracy at the same time!

Really though, Delibird sucks like the S is for Sucks Dragon. Don't use it unless the Delibird who feeds you on Mount Everest blackmails you into it.

[ParaChomp]

Double Team is banned.

copy + paste 4th generation Deliberd Pokémon of the week

The little guy needs an evolution.

[Blue Harvest]

Delibird is one of the few Pokemon that could use Wonderguard and not be completely broken.

[TheSuperZekrom]

Delibird @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Vital Spirit
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Rest
- Bestow
- Substitute
- Rapid Spin

This POTW is fail. Meh, I made another idiot sets. Rest is combined with Vital Spirit. So, Delibird can't be dead (o yea?). Bestow to throw away the Choice Scarf into bulky mons. Subs can combined well with Rest and Vital Spirit too. Rapid Spin to Spin away the entry hazard.

[Zachmac]

Delibird @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Vital Spirit
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Rest
- Bestow
- Substitute
- Rapid Spin

This POTW is fail. Meh, I made another idiot sets. Rest is combined with Vital Spirit. So, Delibird can't be dead (o yea?). Bestow to throw away the Choice Scarf into bulky mons. Subs can combined well with Rest and Vital Spirit too. Rapid Spin to Spin away the entry hazard.

Oh, I forgot about that.

Since it's rock weak, it should have an uneven amount of HP. That way, it can come in on rocks more....assuming Delibird doesn't die first writhing in agony from a Luvdisc tackle.

[Kraleck]

Looks like we're getting nothing but coal for Christmas...too bad Torkoal has probably eaten it already...

"You'd Better Not Pout, You'd Better Not Cry...You'll Probably Shoot Your Eye Out, & I'm Telling You Why..."
Stats: Naughty/Lonely, max Speed & split attacks or Max attacks & rest Speed/HP
Ability: Hustle
Item: Sticky Barb
Moves: Swift (4th Gen), Focus Punch (4th Gen), Aerial Ace, Blizzard

Basically, you're praying for Physical Contact to stick it to 'em as an insult for your injury. If you survive, your Moves won't miss (in-Hail only when using Blizzard), though only Aerial Ace and Focus Punch benefit from Hustle.

Actually, Hail as a Move may not be so bad for Delibird...

"I'm...Dreaming...of a White...OW! OW! OW! TAKE SHELTER!!!"
Stats: Jolly, Max Speed and Attack, rest HP
Item: Icy Rock
Ability: Vital Spirit/Insomnia
Moves: Fake Out, Hail, Toxic, Swagger

Basically, Fake Out and throw something out, preferrably Hail against a non-Ice Type and Toxic or Swagger against any Ice Types to discourage them.

[Zachmac]

^Why use hail when Snover is allowed in every tier? And hustle doesn't work well with swift, it only raises physical attacks, not special.

Though with hustle, Jolly-natured Delibird actually reaches a decent attack stat of 313, and 469 with a choice band. Not really bad. It's only problem is that it's terribly outclassed, poor speed, awful defenses, a x4 stealth rock weakness, horrendous typing, and a 20% chance to miss most of it's moves. Better then the top-threats spinda and luvdisc, even.

Delibird is really outclassed by Frosty the Snow Golem, though.

There most of been some magic in that old battle helm the found,
For when they put it on his head, he destroyed everything around!

Delibird is one of the few Pokemon that could use Wonderguard and not be completely broken.

So true it's not even funny....Oh, wait, it is funny. That's what all these exaggerations and sarcasm are for.