Donphan experience as defender
So, im all for a more diverse scene when it comes to the gym scene.
The number of pokemons from gen2 with the possibilty to high placement in gyms via generally high cp isnt that many, if they also serve as a decent defender.
So, im keen on maxing out a donphan for this purpose, decent placement with a cp around 3000, and probably an ok defender aswell.
For this purpose i evolved 2 with the following moves:
91iv counter/ heavy slam
93iv counter/ play rough
Both good movesets for defence, but i havent had any experience fighting donphan in gym and i think the animation and how they play out the moves ar a big part.
So, whats the general input here facing donphan in gyms?
Answers
Rhydon is double weak to water and grass. It is only your opinion that Rhydon has better moves. Donphan has 2 bar charge moves, which are far better. I KO Rhydons before they get their charge attack off due to their double weakness. Phanpy comes from a 5k egg, not a 10k. Rhydons are fairly rare around here. Stop making stuff up.
Contrary to what others are saying, his moves aren't that bad for a defender. Heavy slam is a steel type move that hits one of his counters SE. Play Rough is another good skill that is rarely resisted, and hits Dragonite for SE damage. Both are 2 bar moves, which are better for defense. And of course he has EQ...and EQ is EQ...The only "bad" move is tackle, but again, this isn't a move that is often resisted. Counter, however, is a very good quick move.
I don't have much experience battling Donphan, and I don't know which move is easiest to predict and dodge. I do know that if your biome is anything like mine, the teams fighting your gym will probably have vaporeon and dragonite and gyarados on them. I'd lean towards play rough. Correct me if I'm wrong, but heavy slam would only be better against attacking jynx and venusaur, right?
Counter/Play Rough is the way to go. DPS is a bit misleading for charge attacks (especially on defense), the fact that PR does 90 damage instead of HS doing 70 is the main thing that matters (and both are 2 bar moves). Heavy Slam is also going to be resisted by pure water types, which will be a common counter. It being SE against Ice is cancelled out by the fact that all ice types are dual with water. Both are going to be SE against Tyranitar, but only PR is super effective against Dragonite.
I agree. Donphan doesn't have the double weaknesses of Rhydon, but it still has single weaknesses to water, grass, and ice.
The steel type Heavy Slam will be stong against ice, but people are more likely to attack it with water which resists steel or grass which resists ground (thinking that it might have ground moves).
The fairy type Rough Play is not resisted by any of the types that are strong against it, and Counter/Play Rough has the highest straight defensive damage.
http://www.pogomoves.com/check.php?lang=en&pkmn=Donphan&basic=Counter&charge=Play+Rough
I think Donphan looks awesome. I have 18 Rhydons and I do use them in gyms due to their high CP. But lets be honest here, they are squishy as anything and can easily be beat by a Vap. Easily.
I say go Donphan and be unique in a gym. Can't wait to get enough candies to evolve one of my Phanpys and power up a Donphan.
Wow, im honestly really glad for all the response.
Im that odd player combo with no previous experience from the Pokémon world, but ive played pogo like a maniac and filled in the gaps as i went (im level 38 with over 3000km walked)
As a small treat and humble thank you im blowing up som candy and stardust and give you:
I fought a Counter/Heavy Slam Donphan early on and found it to be a really pesky defender. It has good bulk, and its spinning attack animation can throw off your dodge timing. I just evolved a Counter/Play Rough, and I'm maxing that baby out. Like you, I long for a more diverse gym environment, and I've taken a shine to Mr. Donphan.
