Why is Deoxys Banned? An Evidence-Based Investigation

Deoxys, the enigmatic DNA Pokémon first discovered in Gen 3, has become a fan favorite Mythical beast – able to adapt itself into a jack of all offensive trades. However, that extreme versatility and power has also earned it exile from nearly all formal competitive play. But why exactly is Deoxys considered ban-worthy in battles?

Deoxys‘ Extreme Statistical Spread Across Formes

As a Mythical shapeshifter, Deoxys concentrates its total base stat pool of 600 into specialized formes – Attack, Defense, Speed, and Normal. Each creates an extreme specialist at the expense of other areas, summed up below:

These specialized spreads allow Deoxys to function as a wallbreaker, tank, sweeper, or generalist depending on its current form. That alone makes it highly versatile. But being able to actively change between formes mid-battle via its Psychic Surge Ability takes adaptability to the next level.

Now let‘s examine the game-breaking Attack and Speed formes causing the most issues…

Attack Forme‘s Unrivaled Firepower

Sporting a towering 180 base Attack, Deoxys-A‘s physical striking power hits devastating levels matching Mega Mewtwo X – the single highest in the game. Here‘s how it compares to other premier physical attackers and legends:

And Deoxys-A utilizes that unmatched attack quite well with access to heavy hitting STAB Psycho Boost plus coverage options like Superpower, Ice Beam, Thunder, and more. Compared to fellow legends, its movepool versatility adds insult to injury.

This overwhelming offense lets it easily smash apart unprepared teams and sweep once its checks have been weakened. A sample set of Psycho Boost/Superpower/ExtremeSpeed with Life Orb reaches terrifying damage levels capable of one-shot KOs on Pokémon that don‘t resist it.

Speed Forme Outpaces the Metagame

On the other side of the spectrum, Deoxys-S clocks in with a blistering 180 base Speed – tying it for the second fastest Pokémon with Mega Ninjask behind only Ninjask itself. Here‘s a look at Speed forme versus common fast threats and support ‘mons:

Thanks to that tremendous speed tier, Deoxys-S can simply get the jump on opponents before they can react. It outruns crucial support Pokémon intended to enable speed control against threats for the rest of the team.

Common priority moves also fail to save slower teams from Deoxys-S‘s onslaught. And with Psyshock, it can hit physical walls attempting to soak its attacks. Its Opening Gambit ability gives it turn 1 boosts to further overwhelm.

Mid-Battle Forme Shifts Make Counters Moot

But the combination of extreme Attack and Speed combined with the capacity to dynamically shift between them as needed is what pushes Deoxys over the edge. It produces limitless unpredictability.

Dedicated physical walls get brought in to counter its Attack forme? Deoxys simply shifts to Speed form to outrun and blast back Special attacks before the counter can respond.

Thunder Waving Speed forme to enable the rest of your slow heavies to handle it? Psychic Surge into Attack form says hi with a Psycho Boost to the face KO.

This mid-battle adaptability creates perpetual offensive pressure that teams struggle to consistently answer, especially with Dynamaxing further compounding the boosting. In a sense, Deoxys warps the entire battle flow around itself by virtue of transforming to become whatever threats opponents are not prepared for that turn.

A History of Banning the Unbalanced Shapeshifter

As early as 2005 in Gen 3 OU, Deoxys-S earned quick bans from standard play, needing to be relegated to the Ubers tier typically occupied by restricted legendaries. Later generations saw similar quick restrictions of its other forms as players realized all its Formes introduced unhealthy play.

In modern competitive circles like VGC 2022 rules, Mythical Pokémon are outright banned as a collective class – largely due to Deoxys‘ presence. In special past VGC formats allowing Restricted Legendaries, if Deoxys was permitted, it would instantly soar to top tier usage and define the proceedings:

These stats showcase how overwhelmingly centralizing Deoxys becomes when allowed in play. Competitive players are therefore wise to ban the beast rather than endlessly reworking everything to futilely "balance" around it.

Rebalancing a Runaway Powerhouse

Game Freak would struggle to properly rein in Deoxys‘ power level at this point short of severe nerfs given how thoroughly out of bounds its stats and flexibility range in battle. Restricting its forme changes is the obvious suggestion, but runs counter to its core concept.

Significant stat deductions could work but would anger fans wanting it kept at mythical levels of strength. Adding counters also fails to address how Deoxys barrels through traditional checks when simply shifting forms.

Alas, the DNA Pokémon seemingly hit the drawing board a bit too strong. But it remains a beloved Legendary monster among casual audiences able to look past its competitive exile. Deoxys will likely persist as a mainstay Mythical Titan…just one best appreciated outside rigidly balanced leagues requiring it be banned.