An Adamant nature can also be used for more power, but Darmanitan then loses to other Choice Scarf users, such as Krookodile, Porygon-Z, and Nidoking.
If you frequently find yourself facing Adamant Darmanitan, opt for a faster Scarfer who can blow it out of the water with a supereffective move. However, those listed above are outsped by Jolly variants, so you'll want to try an even faster Scarfer. However, since you prefer a more defensive approach, I'd suggest Hippowdon.
Hippowdon@ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Protect
- Roar / Whirlwind / Stealth Rock / Ice Fang / Toxic
Darmanitan does diddly-squat to the sand hippo, who poses a very real threat in the form of Earthquake. It will most likely U-Turn out, leaving you with a free turn to Slack Off the damage or set up Rocks. Earthquake is Earthquake, and your only way of killing Darmanitan. Slack Off is recovery, and Protect is for Lefties stalling. The final movelsot is for phasing, hazard-setting, hitting other threats such as Crobat and various Dragons, and Toxic is to cripple walls and possibly Darminitan. Sand Stream also deals nice passive damage to Darm.
If you wish to try a more offensive approach, try Scarfed Crobat.
Crobat@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- U-Turn
- Cross Poison
- Pursuit
Brave Bird is your primary way of Darm-killing, but beware the recoil and rataliation from Rock Slide / Stone Edge variants. U-Turn is to get the heckaway from those variants. Cross Poison is STAB, and Pursuit is to trap Darm when he U-Turns out.
I hope you find the right 'Mon for the job!
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Alright, here are some other options I found: Mega Aerodactyl, Tentacruel, and Dugtrio.
Mega Aerodactyl
Mega Aerodactyl is a good check for Darm, as it has a whopping base 150 speed that outspeeds and wipes out non-Scarf variants, and those that are Scarfed can't do much but U-Turn out. Base Aero works as well, but it has slightly lower offenses and defenses.
Aerodactyl@ Aerodactylite
Ability: Pressure > Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Sky Drop
- Earthquake
- Roost/Ice Fang
Stone Edge is STAB, but shouldn't be used to check Darmanitan. That's what Sky Drop and Earthquake are for. Sky Drop is STAB and hits the rare Air Balloon variants, while E-Quake slaughters the rest. Roost adds longevity, but Ice Fang can hit Flygon and Haxorus supereffectively, among other things.
Tentacruel
Tentacruel@ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 32 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Sludge Wave
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes / Protect
Tentacruel can switch into any attack that Darm throws at it, laughing as it's puny Flare Blitzes and Superpowers bounce off of his gelatenous hide. Scald is STAB and crushes Darm, while Sludge Wave provides secondary STAB and whips the likes of Florges. Rapid Spin gets hazards of your side, while Toxic Spikes can cripple both formes of Darmanitan when it switches in. Protect can be used over Toxic Spikes for scouting. If you use Tentacruel, watch out for Zen Headbutt, as it is the one attack it can't stomache from Darm.
Dugtrio
Dugtrio is more of a gimmick. It's job is to trap Darmanitans not running U-Turn or those locked into another move. Dugtrio traps and destroys with E-Quake. However, it's kind of a one-trick pony.
Dugtrio@ Focus Sash
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Memento
- Sucker Punch
Earthqauke is used to kill Darmanitans. Stone Edge is coverage, while Sucker Punch helps crush Zen Mode variants with the proper prediction. Finally, Memento is moreof a filler move. Once the sash breaks and Dugtrio's going down for sure, use Memento to cripple Darmanitan.
In conclusion, anything that resists Darm's main attacks, Flare Blitz and Superpower, will work. Any Bulky Water-type, such as Mega Blastoise, or anything that outspeeds and KOs quickly, like Crobat, make good counters and checks for Darmanitans. Mega Absol/LO Absol with Swords Dance make good checks to Zen Mode variants.
