Playing memory berry restricts the usage of Expert Belt, which if anything, makes Donphan a potential threat in this format. Also, if a player sees the threat of memory berry I am sure they would play around it so donphan wouldn't be able to deal anymore than the 60 it is already capable of.mrdraz07 said:U guys must have not read Phanpy, or realized how much better it makes Donphan.
This is a skewed statement. If this were a true element, then why is Machamp so good? Flychamp does pretty much everything you mention above. Setting up Nidoqueen, Machamps, Flygon, Claydol, and so forth, and I've seen it do exceptional in this area, beating some solid SP lists.
Generally playing a stage 1 pokemon with stage 2 support will slow the deck down completely. This was made relevant back when stage 1 decks became popular during the ex era when decks like Banette ex and Medicham were popular. Playing rare candies, starting with your supporting pokemon's basic stage, etc... It doesn't usually work out to well.
It may sometimes protect you from Entei/Raikou. But again getting out an Dialga G isn't that hard, I am sure you would agree considering that you mentioned setting up a stage 2 in a deck with a stage 1 main attacker. If manetric does become popular dealing with it would be easy. Let us not forget about luxray can bring it active and easily do away with it.Funny that JokerBoi mentioned Manectric being a less than exemplary tech when he's likely to become a star in a format where heavy snipe becomes relevant. (Garchomp C? Relicanth? Even the potential of Entei/Raikou coming out soon..)