Post by BlackMalachite on Feb 18, 2016 3:21:28 GMT -8
Darmanitan's Zen Mode is considered one of the biggest examples of wasted potential in the entirety of Pokemon's competitive history. Zen Mode Darmanitan has whopping 105 / 105 / 105 defenses, an even more whopping 140 Special Attack, a nice offensive typing in Fire / Psychic with a great Specially Offensive movepool with access to moves like Flamethrower, Grass Knot, Focus Blast and Psychic. Why isn't this viable you ask? Zen Mode is unfortunately only active when Darmanitan reaches below 50% HP. But what if that was changed, what if the ability permanently changed Darmanitan into Zen Mode instantly at 100%?
More than likely it would become the king of UU and have a very viable spot in OU (if not being outright banned in UU). Specs Darmanitan with max HP / Special Attack investment would be able to take some mighty hits and deal out some ridiculous damage in return. Thanks to its niche access to Grass Knot it has an answer for UU and OU's troublesomes such as Mega-Blastoise, Donphan, Feraligatr, Milotic, Suicune, Swampert, Mega-Swampert, Hippowdon, Manaphy, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Mega-Slowbro. Access to Focus Blast and STAB Psychic will allow it to take on a number of would be switch ins like Keldeo and others. The key here is that Zen Mode Darmanitan has the bulk to easily last a hit or two from most Pokemon and fire back powerful attacks usually nailing an OHKO.
Not to mention that with this, Darmanitan now has usable access to numerous support moves that would otherwise be unviable on normal Darmanitan; such as Yawn, Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, Torment, Encore and Roar. This will add even more unpredictability to Darmanitan as a whole. Hopefully this is rectified in a patch soon, but until then we're left with the reality that Zen Mode currently is unviable.
