Extreme Killer Arceus Normal. Truly one of the most dangerous Pokemon in the Uber tier. There are several counters to this beast, all of which can be worked with and/or around by good players. I'll start listing them out.
- Giratina-A
- Wallceus (Arceus Normal)
- Lugia
- Groudon
- Terrakion
- Kabutops
- Ferrothorn
- Excadrill
- Hippowdon
Giratina-A is easily the bulkiest wall in the entire metagame. It's typing means that ESpeed cannot touch it, which is HUGE when countering EKiller. Giratina can run two sets successfully to counter EKiller. The first is a Specially Defensive spread.
Giratina-A @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 Spd
Careful Nature
- Dragon Tail
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
This set takes care of physical attacks by firing off a Will-O-Wisp, reducing the attack, then abusing Dragon Tail to switch out +2 Burned Arceus. The issue with this spread, is that you can't switch in on a Shadow Claw, but it can survive a +2 Shadow Claw, get off that Will-O-Wisp, then switch out to a steel type who can survive Brick Break/Earthquake now.
The second set is Defensive Phazer.
Giratina @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spd
Impish Nature
- Dragon Tail
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Roar
This set is similar to the first one, but Defense EVs instead of SDef, so that you can counter physical attackers and throw them out with Roar/DTail. Same idea as the first set, but less risky as you aren't relying on Will-O-Wisp to hit.
Wallceus is Arceus Normal, but with a different role. Arceus Normal works as one of the best Arceus walls, as he can carry leftovers. The set run by top notch players, such as Sweep, is:
Arceus @ Leftovers
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 Spd
Careful Nature
- Recover
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roar
- Return
This set is essentially the same as the first Giratina set, just different typing.
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus-Normal Brick Break vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus-Normal: 377-445 (84.9 - 100.22%) -- 6.25% chance to OHKO
Most EKiller Arceus will be running Earthquake, but as you can see SDef Wallceus can survive a +2 Brick Break, fire off the Will-O-Wisp and run away. The other spread to run is 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spd, Impish Nature
This spread guarantees survival, and you can easily wall EKiller.
Lugia is a great wall against Arceus, the classic smogon spread can tank +2 Shadow Claw, quite well.
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus-Normal Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 176+ Def Lugia: 260-307 (62.5 - 73.79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
This means that you can't switch in on Shadow Claw, but you can bring Lugia in safely and DTail Arceus out of a sweep. It's even better if there's no Stealth Rocks on the field as then Lugia will have Multiscale intact and can take even less damage, and still switch Arceus out.
Lugia @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 80 SDef / 4 Spd
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Dragon Tail
- Substitute
- Toxic
Roost - HP recovery
DTail - Phazing
Substitute - Ragequit
Toxic - Steady wearing down of the opponent's HP
This Great Wall Lugia set is truly monstrous and has led to many ragequits, especially if the sub goes up. Great for phazing EKiller Arceus and living on for a good deal longer.
Groudon is very similar to the rest of these walls. He has Incredible bulk, and one of the best Defense stats in the metagame. With some HP investment, he can tank a +2 ESpeed and phaze out the offending EKiller.
Groudon @ Leftovers
Ability: Drought
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spd
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail
DTail is your phazing move to get rid of Arceus. Groudon has a great attack so with no investment you can safely run STAB EQ and Stone Edge for great coverage, and to finish off threats. Stealth Rocks is some wonderful hazards, breaking Sturdy, Sashes, and Multiscale.
Terrakion. We now come to the Pokemon who can tank hits from Arceus and KO him in return. Terrakion can revenge kill Arceus like nobodies business, with a STAB Close Combat.
252 Atk Terrakion Close Combat vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Arceus-Normal: 336-396 (83.37 - 98.26%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
You'll want to use him as a revenge killer. Terrakion is often seen in sand, which means that with some careful planning you can bring him in and KO Arceus. The other possibility is bringing Terrakion in, using CC, dying, then bringing in someone to stall Arceus to death, or someone with priority.
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
This Terrakion set is a deadly revenge killer on sand teams. Set is fairly self-explanatory, but CC is the move to use on Arceus, for ultimate damage.
Kabutops is like Terrakion in rain. He can tank a +2 ESpeed, and outspeeds Arceus, so EQ is not likely to be used by the opponent. Just like Terrakion he can't tank Arceus down at Full HP, but he can deal with Arceus with some residual damage.
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Arceus-Normal: 294-346 (72.95 - 85.85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus-Normal ExtremeSpeed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kabutops: 168-199 (64.36 - 76.24%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
As you can see an Arceus at full health will win, but Arceus at around 75% health, will be eliminated by Kabutops.
Kabutops @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Low Kick
- Stone Edge
- Rapid Spin
Smogon's Cleaner set is deadly, and can take out Arceus, which is tough to do. EQ will OHKO as will Brick Break, but as Kabutops can outspeed, all you'll be worrying about is ESpeed, which Kabutops can take. Just remember, in the case of both Terrakion and now Kabutops, they cannot OHKO Arceus, they can only revenge kill him.
Ferrothorn is not the best Arceus counter, but he can do some good stuff. Leech Seeding followed by death fodder is a classic example, followed by the entering of a wall like Lugia or Giratina, who will appreciate the recovery. Past that Ferrothorn is not your best answer to countering Arceus as he cannot Burn him, nor can he phaze him.
Excadrill is similar to Terrakion as he functions under sand. However he cannot do as much damage as Terrakion or Kabutops, he can function as a cleaner, if Arceus is below 50% HP.
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Arceus-Normal: 207-243 (51.36 - 60.29%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after weather
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
If you manage to get one SDance up, then you can easily deal with Arceus. However msot of the time you won't be able to set-up at the same time. But he can do clean up, not as well as Kabutops or Terrakion, but still possible.
Hippowdon is the last Pokemon I can think of to counter Arceus. Bulkier than Groudon, he can easily phaze out Arceus while tanking a +2 ESpeed.
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus-Normal ExtremeSpeed vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 226-266 (53.8 - 63.33%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rocks
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off
Slack Off + Whirlwind allow Hippo to phaze Arceus out, then heal off the damage taken. Simple, it's basically a Groudon on all fours. Earthquake is in case of taunt, and also gets STAB, Stealth Rocks is hazards.
I might edit if I think of any other counters/checks to EKiller Arceus.
