Update Log:
9/2/22 - Deoxys Defense is back in Raids. Great League section updated, highlighting the Lanturn matchup more now that Lanturn is more meta than before. Ultra League section updated and simplified. Current Great League impression: All stat weights have their pros and cons, build both high Bulk and high Atk if possible. Current Ultra League impression: Don't waste your time on XL Deoxys Defense Forme. If you do, strongly consider the 132.28 Atk weight.
Deoxys Defense Forme has been a top contender for the Great League ever since the dawning of PvP. Additionally, Deoxys Defense Form reaches 2500 CP with XL Candy and can be a spicy contender for the Ultra League. In this guide, we have listed all the best IV spreads and important PvP Breakpoints to ensure Trainers build the best Deoxys possible rather than build twice.
Because Deoxys Defense Forme cannot be traded (as it’s a Mythical Pokemon), there is a narrow range of IVs to choose from (216 opposed to 4096). Fortunately, it should take roughly ~20 raids (70% probability) to have one of the featured IV spreads. If you do want one specific IV spread, then be emotionally and financially prepared to do over 260 raids.
This guide discusses the hidden true stats of Pokemon in Pokemon GO. In order to see these true stats you need to use an IV checking app (CalcyIV, Pokegenie) or an IV checking website (GOStadium, PvPIVs.com, or PvPoke itself). To make things simple, the guide also features a PvP IV tables.
If you’re not familiar with PvP IVs, check out this PvP IVs Simplified video.
Great League
| Rank | IVs | Atk | Def | HP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/15/13 | 100.78 | 225.78 | 98 |
| 3 | 10/10/15 | 100.78 | 222.51 | 99 |
| 5 | 11/10/13 | 101.44 | 222.51 | 98 |
| 6 | 12/15/15 | 101.02 | 223.42 | 98 |
| 9 | 11/13/12 | 101.44 | 224.47 | 97 |
| 14 | 13/15/13 | 101.67 | 223.42 | 97 |
| 17 | 13/11/15 | 101.67 | 220.83 | 98 |
| 18 | 12/13/10 | 102.09 | 224.47 | 96 |
| 20 | 11/15/11 | 101.44 | 225.78 | 96 |
| 21 | 11/15/10 | 101.44 | 225.78 | 96 |
| 22 | 14/12/13 | 102.32 | 221.47 | 97 |
| 67 | 15/14/10 | 102.97 | 222.7 | 95 |
| 77 | 15/10/12 | 102.97 | 220.18 | 96 |
The table above highlights the “best” Great League Deoxys Defense Forme IVs in regards to them a) being significant and b) aren’t objectively inferior to any other spread. For example, the Rank 2 Deoxys has a slightly higher stat product than the Rank 3; however, the Rank 2 has the same Atk and HP as the Rank 1 but worse Def, where the Rank 3 has higher HP. In that regard, any of the Top 22 stat product IV spreads are “good” but the highlighted ones are more efficient.
The Great League Deoxys Defense Forme has 2 things to consider:
- Atk Breakpoints
- The Mirror Match
When it comes to Atk Breakpoints, Deoxys mostly has Lanturn and Charge Move Priority (CMP) in the mirror to consider. 101.95 Atk is enough Atk to flip the 0-0 & 1-1 against Spark and the 1-0 & 2-1 (you spend 1 more shield than they do) against Water Gun, as long as the Lanturn has the same or lower Def as the Rank 1. If the Lanturn has a high enough Def weight, it may be impossible to reach this BP. It’s worth noting that a higher Atk weight on Deoxys may also catch a Breakpoint on Egg/Raid hatch IV Alolan Ninetales, but most lower IV floor Alolan Ninetales will have enough Def.
The Deoxys Defense Forme mirror match mostly depends on the movesets of the two Deo-D’s. If it’s Thunderbolt vs Thunderbolt, the matchup is determined by CMP which favors an Atk weighted Deoxys. If it’s Thunderbolt vs Rock Slide or Rock Slide vs Rock Slide, then the matchup comes down to having at least a 98 HP stat and then CMP. Rock Slide + Thunderbolt (opposed to X + Psycho Boost) vs any moveset is too variable to really track. As a result, if you want your Deo-D to take the lead in the mirror, you’ll want to side with the highest Atk possible while maintaining at least 98 HP.
In regards to Atk weight and CMP, the Rank 18 (12/13/10), Rank 22 (14/12/13) & Rank 67 (15/14/10) are arguably the best. All trade bulk for even more Atk. The Rank 77 is also good, but the drop in Def is pretty harsh compared to the Rank 67. That said, if you want the big Atk stat and don’t have the Rank 67, the Rank 77 doesn’t miss out on any additional matchups.
In regards to the mirror, the Rank 17 (13/11/15) is the clear winner as it has the highest Atk stat of 98 HP Deoxys Defense Forme. The Rank 5 (11/10/13) and Rank 6 (12/15/15) are also serviceable, having higher Atk than the Rank 1-3 and 98 HP.
In the end, any of the 13 highlighted IV spreads are extraordinary. These highlights are merely to help you choose between what you have rather than lament on what you don’t. Remember: It’s roughly 20 raids to get any 1, but 260+ to maybe get 1 specific spread.
Alolan Ninetales
Incidentally, when investigating the best IV spreads for Deoxys Defense Forme, the “best” anti-Deoxys IVs for Alolan Ninetales were uncovered. If your Alolan Ninetales hits roughly 115.78 Atk and 133.85 Def, you hit a Powder Snow Breakpoint and avoid the Counter Breakpoint from Deo-D, allowing you to dominate the matchup. Do keep in mind that if you have any less Def than 133.85, those Atk weighted Deoxys are waiting to flip the match right back on you.
Ultra League
ADVISORY: It’s important to inform you that XL Deoxys Defense Forme is a) Not bad, but isn’t outstanding in the Ultra League and b) will cost you roughly $60 in raid passes to get the XL Candy alone. It’s not a bad Pokemon, but it’s not really worth it. With this in mind, the next section of this guide will cover the optimal IV spreads for Ultra League XL Deoxys Defense Forme should you want to build one.
First and foremost, Deoxys Defense Forme isn’t all that great in the Ultra League. What value it does have doesn’t justify the staggering cost of Mythical XL Candy. It’s unadvised to pursue an XL Deoxys Defense Forme unless you’re truly a Deoxys enthusiast or are so adept at the Ultra League that you feel you could get some value out of it. If some youtuber/streamer/guru has sold you on the idea of Ultra League Deoxys Defense Forme, remember: It’s your time and money spent, not theirs.
If you are interested in Ultra League Deoxys, there aren’t many matchup differences that hinge on bulk. To that end, going for an Atk weighted XL Deoxys could be the way to go. With a 132.28 Atk weight, Deoxys Defense Forme can better overcome Best Buddy Galarian Stunfisk (flips the 1-2 and 2-2) and Talonflame (0-1, and other uneven scenarios). This Atk weight also gives an advantage against Shadow Abomasnow and Charizard. To add, going for this higher Atk weight could save you ~60 XL Candy, as you won’t have to take Deoxys to level 50.
Here is a table of the IV spreads that meet 132.28 Atk.
- No notable matchups are lost with lower bulk, but it is advised to try to retain as much bulk as possible after meeting your desired Atk weight
- 132.81 Atk can get a Rock Slide Breakpoint on the Best Buddy Umbreon, enabling the 1-1 shield scenario, as well as secure the Breakpoint on Best Buddy Talonflame
- Given the drop in bulk and the unlikelihood of BB Talonflame, the 132.28 Atk is preferred
Closing
That covers about all there is to know about Deoxys Defense Forme IVs and Breakpoints for the Great League and Ultra League. Other Pokemon also have significant IV spreads that deviate from “max bulk” or “best rank” such as XL Dragalge, but figuring out the most optimal IV spreads can be pretty difficult. Fortunately, Deoxys Defense Forme can only have Raid Caught IV spreads, so we only have 216 unique sets to comb through as opposed to 4096.
Don’t let that 216 lead you to believe that getting the “best spread” yourself is easy. Any of the “best” spreads will take you roughly 20-40 raids to acquire, but 1 specific spread can take over 260 raids. Keep this in mind should you try to chase down any of the IVs highlighted in this guide.
