The best moveset for Defense Forme Deoxys in Pokémon Go

For trainers keen on using Deoxys Defense Forme in Pokémon Go, you want to make sure you give it the best moveset possible to use in the Great and Ultra Leagues. Deoxys Defense Forme has the potential to be useful in both PvP categories, but you’re going to see it being used far more often in the Great League than you will in the Ultra League. This guide covers the best moveset for you to teach Defense Forme Deoxys in Pokémon Go

Defense Forme Deoxys best moveset

Defense Forme Deoxys is a Psychic-type Pokémon, making it weak to Bug, Dark, and Ghost-types moves, but it is resistant to Fighting and Psychic-type attacks. For PvP, it has a maximum CP of 2,570, an attack of 133, a defense of 289, and a stamina of 127. The true power of this Pokémon is how much defense it has. If you cap it out for the Great League, it has a maximum CP of 1,491, an attack of 101, a defense of 221, and a stamina of 98. Other Pokémon struggle to defeat it in most battles.

Related: Is Defense Forme Deoxys good, and how to best use it in Pokémon Go

These are all of the attacks Defense Forme Deoxys can learn.

Fast moves

• Counter (Fighting-type) – 8 damage and 3.5 energy per turn (4 damage per turn) – 2 turns
• Zen Headbutt (Psychic-type) – 8 damage and 2 energy per turn (2.6 damage per turn) – 3 turns

Charged moves

• Psycho Boost (Psychic-type) – 70 (84) damage and 35 energy (100% chance to lower user’s attack by two ranks)
• Rock Slide (Rock-type) – 75 damage and 45 energy
• Thunderbolt (Electric-type) – 90 damage and 55 energy

For Defense Forme Deoxys’ fast move, you always want to go with Counter. It’s a far better attack move than Zen Headbutt. Counter produces far more energy each turn you use it and does even more damage because it’s a faster attack. Zen Headbutt cannot keep up with a Counter.

When considering the charged move, you always wanted to grab Psycho Boost. It’s a great Psychic-type attack that can do some good early damage to most Pokémon, but the downside to using it that it slowly lowers the user’s attack. It’s not the worst thing to happen, but you might want to open with it, and then use the other charged move slot to make the use out of Deoxys Defense Forme. For the second slot, we’re going to recommend you go with Thunderbolt. It’s even more powerful than Rock Slide and gives Defense Forme Deoxys a powerful second charged move it can use to eliminate most opponents.

The best moveset to teach Defense Forme Deoxys is the fast move Counter and the charged moves Psycho Boost and Thunderbolt.