New rule, effective for all posts after this one.

Introduction
Donphan, the Magenta Elephant Pokemon. Or you could call it the Armor Pokemon, but nobody really likes that name.

Introduced in G/S/C, Donphan remains as a great Physical Tank and Rapid Spinner in D/P. With its new gifts of Ice Shard and Stealth Rock, Donphan can now be a reliable dragon counter and Stealth Rock setter as well.

Base stats: 90 HP / 120 Atk / 120 Def / 60 Sp.Atk / 60 Sp.Def / 50 Spd

Movesets

Tank & Support Elephant
Donphan @ Leftovers
Sturdy
Impish: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Rapid Spin
Stealth Rock/Knock Off
Ice Shard
Earthquake/Stone Edge

The standard support Donphan; this set is able to switch into most physical attackers with ease. Its rock resistance allows it to immediately heal off any stealth rock damage with leftovers and then proceed to either spin them away or set up stealth rocks of its own. Knock Off is another great option for other leftover users, as well as the focus sash Gengar switching in in an attempt to block your Rapid Spin. Even after an intimidate, Donphan 3HKO's dragons such as DDmence with Ice Shard while suffering minimal damage itself. Earthquake supplies a reliable 150 power attack, doing a decent amount of damage to just about any Poke (especially Electivire and Mixape, which usually only 3HKO with Ice Punch and 2HKO with Grass Knot, respectively). Since Gyarados has also become a popular counter to Donphan, there's also Stone Edge for it to use. Although you can only hope for a 3HKO against the standard Bulkygyara with intimidate, it won't be able to do anything to you either and will be forced to switch out eventually if you weren't already weakened when it switched in.

Magenta Rock Polish
Donphan @ Leftovers
Sturdy
Adamant: 8 HP/252 Atk/248 Spd
Rock Polish
Earthquake
Stone Edge/Ice Shard
Ice Shard/Roar

After a rock polish, this set is able to outspeed all max speed base 130 Pokes. Earthquake and Stone Edge are obvious attack choices, and Roar is there for the lol factor when a physical wall that Donphan can't fight is switched in. Ice Shard is always a good priority move, but Donphan really just can't pull off a set like this too well.

CB-a-phant
Donphan @ Choice Band
Sturdy
Adamant: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Spd
Earthquake
Ice Shard
Stone Edge/Thunder Fang
Thunder Fang/Fire Fang/Body Slam

The slow and heavy hitter, this set makes use of Donphan's physical attacking capabilities better than a rock polish set does. Earthquake, Ice Shard and Stone Edge are pretty obvious choices, providing high power attacks. Donphan can also switch in on a standard Bulkygyara and guarantee an OHKO with Thunder Fang if it doesn't switch out, which can be quite lulz. Fire fang is its main response to floaty steels, though it still isn't going to fare too well against them. Body Slam gives a chance for paralysis, though you'll be giving up a bit of power and type coverage for that.

Other Options

You could always go 252 Atk/252 Def/4 Spd instead for the first set, allowing Donphan to dish out a bit more damage against most Pokes. I personally prefer this spread since Donphan usually either takes very little damage or gets OHKO'd.

Roar can also be used for support if you're really desperate for a PHazer.

Assurance is also another option if you expect a ghost/a Starmie to switch in on your stealth rocks, hitting with a final power of 200.

Counter can be used against physical attackers that choose to stay in and attack you rather than switching, though Donphan tends to have better options than that.

Poison Jab can deal a bit more damage to Grass types for the CB set, and there's also Toxic for Dusknoir and the like.

Uh...rest? You'll definitely want a cleric on your team though, if that's the case.

Counters

Just about any special attacker poses an immediate thread to Donphan, especially water types such as Starmie and Milotic.

Hippowdon, while on similar footing as Donphan, has Slack Off to heal away the damage from your Earthquakes and will eventually force you to switch.

Donphan also simply can't stand up against against other Earthquake immunes such as Bronzong and Cresselia, which threaten to KO it with one of their special attacks.

Opinion

Donphan makes one of the greatest Rapid Spin/Ice Shard users in all Pokemon, with its high physical stats. It has a fair amount of versatility as well, allowing it to support a team in a number of ways or counter a variety of Pokemon. It's also magenta, and that's cool.

This message was edited by Scipex on Oct 09 2007.

so that means i cant contribute anymore

Don't feel bad. You're not the only one I'm referring to.

I mean, it's good that people want to pitch in, but if the job is beyond them, it doesn't look good when it makes it to print.

yeah i guess, delete my posts if you want and just tell someone else to post them or you post them cuz it would look bad for those people on the list that a random guy just posted

I'm not going to do that. What you have gotten in here is fine.

Looks fine.

Agility needs to go in Other Options. Will o Wisp too.

Donphan is pretty much done.

Correct me if Im wrong but doesnt Donphan run 252 HP, 252 Def, 6 Atk and Impish on standard spinner?

quote ShinyCharizard

Correct me if Im wrong but doesnt Donphan run 252 HP, 252 Def, 6 Atk and Impish on standard spinner?

^This. Scip, do nao.

[Res] Roserade

This message was edited by DrunkenSniper on Oct 13 2007.

Ohnoez. Stoled a bug. D=

Rabusutaa would be ashamed of me. =(