Dedenne Movesets & Competitive Sets

Using Substitute, Recycle, Petaya Berry, and Cheek Pouch, Dedenne can very slowly start gathering up Special Attack boosts and attempt to perform a sweep. However, despite Dedenne's high Speed and a defensive typing that grants it a neat set of resistances to priority moves like Sucker Punch and Mach Punch, Dedenne's pitiful stats means it is revenge killed by a plethora of faster threats regardless and poses little of a threat even with boosts. Dedenne lacks any other notable niche over Alolan Raichu, giving the latter a more clear-cut role as a setup sweeper.

Moves Using Substitute in conjunction with Petaya Berry allows Dedenne to reliably obtain a Special Attack boost in order to try damaging the opposing team. Recycle allows Dedenne to repeat its shenanigans multiple times due to Cheek Pouch recovery. Thunderbolt is its strongest STAB move, and Grass Knot is its best coverage move, hitting certain Electric-resistant Pokemon such as Golem. Set Details Dedenne does not get much use from investment in bulk, whereas with Speed investment and a Timid nature it can outspeed Pokemon such as Dodrio, and Special Attack investment allows it to deal some damage. Cheek Pouch along with Petaya Berry lets it recover health while boosting its Special Attack. Usage Tips Dedenne's main aim is to continuously boost its Special Attack while remaining at a high enough HP to possibly take a hit, so it should try to set up Substitutes on Pokemon it forces out, such as Prinplup, Dodrio, and Relicanth. Dedenne should keep using Substitute until its Petaya Berry activates, and from there it should either use Recycle to get more boosts or attack if it is threatened by its foe. Often one Petaya Berry boost is enough to threaten weakened teams, so Dedenne would rather be behind a Substitute than keep boosting. It should be wary against Roselia, which can use Dedenne as Spikes fodder without consequence, so in that position it would rather switch out even if it is behind a Substitute. Team Options Dedenne works best on offensive teams that can pressure Pokemon that wall it and weaken the opponent's team for Dedenne to get KOs. Water- and Grass-type Pokemon such as Floatzel and Roselia can pressure Ground-types with double switches, and the latter can also set up Spikes to help pressure most of Dedenne's switch-ins. Fire- and Flying-types such as Rapidash and Dodrio pressure Grass-type Pokemon, while Dedenne can check Water-types for the former. Ground-types such as Stunfisk and Camerupt can check Electric-types, which can switch in on Dedenne for free, while also setting up Stealth Rock. Toxic Spikes from Pokemon such as Roselia can help wear down foes while Dedenne stalls with Substitute and Recycle.