Dhelmise, The Sea Creeper Pokémon. Swinging its massive anchor, it can KO Wailord in a single blow. What appears to be green seaweed is actually its body. The soul of seaweed adrift in the waves became reborn as this Pokémon. It maintains itself with new infusions of seabed detritus and seaweed.
Overview
Dhelmise is a very unique Pokémon, having good typing but not great, a decent ability but not good, and having strong stats but falling short in some areas. Dhelmise carves out a reputation as a strong Rapid Spinner in RU with its ability to both spin and block other spinners due to its Ghost typing. Dhelmise can also beat most spinners in tier such as Blastoise one on one further cementing its spot as a top tier spinner.
Positives
+ Quite tanky with 70 HP, 100 defense, 90 special defense and decent typing makes it a solid offensive pivot
+ Its ability basically gives three STAB moves which is quite big
+ Anchor Shot is an incredible move and can't be understated
Negatives
- Dhelmise is slow, a major hindrance for it, forcing you to lean on your typing and tanky nature
- Getting Anchor Shot on the right target can be hard as it's not instant like Shadow Tag or Arena Trap
- Lack of recovery is rough on a tank
Abilities
Steelworker - Multiples Steel type moves by 1.5% - Basically gives another STAB move so it's not bad but a tanky Pokémon could benefit more from
Movesets
Anchors Away!
Rapid Spin
Anchor Shot
Power Whip
Shadow Claw
Item Attached: Spooky Plate/Ghostium Z/Assault Vest
Ability: Steelworker
EVs and Nature:
172HP/252Atk/84Spd
Adamant Nature
Dhelmise sadly lacks a lot of diversity with its core, having one ability and low special attack. However Dhelmise has insane attack so even if it's a one trick pony, it hurts doing it. Shadow Claw is your main move, being resisted by only Normal and Dark. This is why the primary items you will run are Spooky Plate or Ghostium Z to further your damage output. Power Whip is your next STAB and coverage as it hits Dark and Normal neutral as well as destroy Water and Rock threats. Anchor Shot is an exclusive move and pseudo STAB due to its ability, Anchor Shot is basically a damaging form of Mean Look as well as being a high base power Steel move. Finally Rapid Spin is the main reason to use Dhelmise over other Grass Pokémon in RU, providing hazard control which is huge for any team.
Other Options and Partners
Earthquake - While not needed due to the Steel nerf, it's nice for a surprise to Fire switch ins
Leftovers - The only sustaining option bar giving up a slot for Rest, you do lose quite a bit of power in exchange for longevity
Cloyster - A solid sweeper in tier, Cloyster really likes Rapid Spin support that Dhelmise brings as well as its ability to counter most fighting threats
Heat Rotom - Similar to Cloyster, Rotom Heat likes the Rapid Spin support that Dhelmise brings, allowing it to act as a pivot more efficiently. Rotom Heat can also but threats to help Dhelmise tank better, as well as threaten Ice threats bar Cloyster
Umbreon - Defensively, Umbreon brings status that helps things stay in less against Dhelmise or it can trap with Anchor Shot. Also Umbreon can run Wish and heal Dhelmise but it's less effective that just Moonlight
VGC, Double, & Triple Battle Options
Dhelmise is a fun Pokemon to use with its unique ability, signature attack, and good stats. Unfortunately, it has faced stiff competition in VGC 2017 from many other grass types, especially Kartana (who offers similar coverage) and Tapu Bulu. Dhelmise stands out from these other grass types because of its effectiveness under Trick Room due to its low speed. Combined with its good attack stat, Dhelmise can put a lot of pressure on the opponent once the speed stats have been reversed under Trick Room.
Anchor Arms
-Power Whip
-Phantom Force / Shadow Claw
-Anchor Shot
-Protect
Item Attached: Grassium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Steelworker
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
As with most Pokemon who want to battle under Trick Room, Dhelmise wants to be as slow as possible, so a Brave nature with 0 speed IV is ideal. Maximum attack hits as hard as possible, while the rest of the EVs give Dhelmise good bulk with its natural defensive stats. Steelworker is the only ability, but an awesome one that gives Dhelmise a STAB boost to each of its attacks on this set. Life Orb provides consistent boosts to its attacks, but Grassium Z gives Dhelmise one powerful attack to eliminate a threat.
Power Whip is Dhelmise’s strongest attack, and the shaky accuracy can be remedied once if paired with the z move for Bloom Doom. Phantom Force has seen slightly more use on Battle Spot than Shadow Claw due to the power increase and the fact that it goes through Protect, but the fact that it takes two turns to pull off has made some trainers run Shadow Claw instead. Anchor Shot does the most consistent damage out of Dhelmise’s steel attacks, and trapping an opponent can be useful in certain situations. Protect is important to keep Dhelmise safe from a threat like Arcanine while its teammate takes it out.
Other Options & Team Ideas
-A few other items are often seen to increase Dhelmise’s damage output. Choice Band increases the power of its moves even more than Life Orb and opens up another slot for an attack over Protect. Ghostium Z turns Phantom Force into a stronger attack that does not need a turn to “charge,” while Groundium Z has seen some use to surprise a Pokemon like Arcanine with Tectonic Rage.
-Like Choice Band, Assault Vest opens up another moveslot, but also increases Dhelmise’s bulk. Despite its low speed, Dhelmise is still faster than Pokemon like Snorlax, Gigalith, and Torkoal. With an Iron Ball, Dhelmise can move before them in Trick Room, and power up its Gyro Ball.
-Gyro Ball and Heavy Slam are other steel attack options. While they have the potential to be stronger than Anchor Shot, they are not as consistent since the base power is determined by speed and weight, respectively.
-Earthquake and Rock Slide provide spread damage and coverage.
-Two support moves are Brick Break, which provides fighting coverage and breaks Aurora Veil, and Bulldoze, which can be useful for speed control outside of Trick Room.
-Swords Dance has seen some use to boost Dhelmise’s attack, while Substitute increases its longevity.
-Hidden Power Fire is really only useful to surprise Kartana with an OHKO, but has no use otherwise.
-Like previously mentioned, Dhelmise loves Trick Room. Porygon2 and Oranguru, among other setters, are commonly seen on Dhelmise teams to set up Trick Room for speed control. Partners like Torkoal or Alolan Marowak can threaten Kartana or Celesteela.
-Rain support from Pelliper or Politoed lesson one of Dhelmise’s weaknesses.
-Tapu Bulu is a rarely seen teammate, but can boost Dhelmise’s Power Whips or Bloom Dooms with its terrain.
Countering Dhelmise
Mega Glalie - While it can't switch directly in due to Anchor Shot, Mega Glalie can easily KO Dhelmise with its powerful Ice attacks. Mega Glalie also outpaces Dhelmise so it can revenge kill Dhelmise with ease Salazzle - Salazzle is a powerful special threat and, with its high speed, can rip a large hole in Dhelmise. Dhelmise general doesn't carry moves to really handle Salazzle, such as Earthquake, so it doesn't care to much about switching in, bar Shadow Claw which does hurt Umbreon - Umbreon flat out walls Dhelmise, poisoning it with Toxic and KOing with Knock Off or Foul Play while healing off all damage dealt with Moonlight.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Not in game
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Not in game
Sun/Moon:
Seafolk Village
Animé Appearences
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Dhelmise has made an appearance in the anime. In this, it was protecting some treasure and attacked Ash & Co. before being defeated by Lana's Popplio.
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