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[OVERVIEW]
Bug
========
Mega Pinsir has high Attack and Speed stats along with Swords Dance, which make it an excellent late-game sweeper. It also has good bulk, meaning that it has many opportunities to set up Swords Dance. Once Pinsir Mega Evolves, it gains a Flying typing along with the ability Aerilate, changing its Normal-type attacks into Flying-type attacks, allowing Mega Pinsir to easily revenge kill many threats with Quick Attack. Mega Pinsir is also fast, being able to outspeed threats such as Kyurem-B and Landorus. However, Mega Pinsir has a devastating weakness to Stealth Rock, meaning Rapid Spin support from Armaldo or Forretress is necessary. Its Flying typing adds a weakness to Electric- and Ice-type attacks while also stacking a weakness to Rock-type attacks. Mega Pinsir also faces competition from Mega Scizor and Mega Heracross, as Mega Scizor is a bulky setup sweeper with reliable recovery, while Mega Heracross is a fearsome wallbreaker.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Quick Attack
move 4: Close Combat
item: Pinsirite
ability: Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mega Pinsir to boost its Attack stat, allowing it to be a good setup sweeper. Return is Mega Pinsir's main STAB Flying-type attack and hits Fighting-, Grass-, and Bug-types such as Breloom, Mega Venusaur, and Volcarona. Quick Attack is a strong priority move that allows Mega Pinsir to revenge kill fast threats such as Infernape and Mega Gallade. Close Combat is coverage that hits Steel- and Rock-types that would otherwise wall Mega Pinsir such as Heatran and Tyranitar.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment allows Mega Pinsir to hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment along with a Jolly Nature ensures that Pinsir is as fast as possible, outspeeding threats such as Kyurem-B and Garchomp. Moxie is the preferred ability over Hyper Cutter and Mold Breaker because it lets Pinsir boost its Attack stat if it KOes a Pokemon before Mega Evolving. Pinsirite allows Pinsir to become Mega Pinsir while also granting it the ability Aerilate. Aerilate turns its Normal-type attacks into Flying-type attacks and gives them a slight boost.
Usage Tips
========
Remove entry hazards before sending in Mega Pinsir, as it gains a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock when it Mega Evolves. If Pinsir can KO a weakened target, it is usually best not to Mega Evolve so Pinsir can get an Attack boost from Moxie. However, trying to get a free Moxie boost is extremely predictable and can give the opponent a free switch because of Pinsir's mediocre Attack stat. Avoid unnecessarily switching into attacks because Mega Pinsir needs to be at high HP to take most powerful attacks. Use Mega Pinsir early-game to wallbreak to possibly help Heracross and Volcarona clean late-game, while late-game it should be used to sweep the opponent's team. Use pivots such as U-turn Scizor and Volt Switch Galvantula so Mega Pinsir can be brought in safely. Avoid status, especially burn and paralysis, because burns halve its Attack stat, while paralysis leaves it susceptible to revenge killers. Mega Pinsir only has decent Defense, so it is best to set up on a predicted switch or Ground-type attack so Mega Pinsir doesn't take unnecessary damage.
Team Options
========
Armaldo and Forretress can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin while also being able to set up Stealth Rock, making it easier for Mega Pinsir to sweep. Scizor can pivot using U-turn, allowing Mega Pinsir to be brought in safely. Scizor can also run Defog to remove Stealth Rock for Mega Pinsir and check Ice- and Rock-types with its STAB Technician-boosted Bullet Punch. Galvantula can set up Sticky Web, allowing Mega Pinsir to outspeed faster threats such as Choice Scarf Victini and Greninja, and eliminate some of Mega Pinsir's checks and counters such as Skarmory and Staraptor. Volcarona can eliminate physical walls such as Skarmory and Landorus-T with its powerful special attacks, while Mega Pinsir can KO special walls such as Chansey and Empoleon. Volcarona can also set up on Mega Pinsir's checks such as Zapdos and Doublade, while Mega Pinsir can set up on Alolan Muk and Chansey. Heracross, Buzzwole, and Scolipede can use their powerful Bug-type attacks to eliminate bulky Psychic-types such as Slowbro and Mew that can cripple Mega Pinsir. Araquanid can switch into powerful special Fire-type attacks from the likes of Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona while also being a good switch-in for Will-O-Wisp and Scald, preventing Mega Pinsir from being burned.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
Earthquake can be used as an alternative way to hit Steel-types, but it is outclassed by Close Combat because the latter can hit Skarmory and Celesteela. Hyper Cutter can be run to better deal with Intimidate users such as Landorus-T and Gyarados, but they are too uncommon to justify using it.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Electric-types**: Fast Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu can take an Aerilate-boosted Quick Attack and KO Mega Pinsir with their Electric-type attacks. Defensive Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Zapdos can take multiple hits from Mega Pinsir and either status it or KO it with their Electric-type attacks. However, fast Electric-types cannot switch into the rare Earthquake.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock takes away half of Mega Pinsir's HP, making it extremely easy to revenge kill.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Torkoal, Rotom-H, and Choice Scarf Victini can take a hit from Mega Pinsir and KO it with their Fire-type attacks.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Skarmory and Landorus-T can take multiple hits from Mega Pinsir and KO it.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Terrakion, Choice Scarf Victini, and Greninja can outspeed and KO Mega Pinsir.
**Status**: Status, especially burns and paralysis, cripples Mega Pinsir's sweeping capabilities, as a burn halves its Attack stat, while paralysis halves its Speed stat, leaving it susceptible to revenge killers.
Bug
========
Mega Pinsir has high Attack and Speed stats along with Swords Dance, which make it an excellent late-game sweeper. It also has good bulk, meaning that it has many opportunities to set up Swords Dance. Once Pinsir Mega Evolves, it gains a Flying typing along with the ability Aerilate, changing its Normal-type attacks into Flying-type attacks, allowing Mega Pinsir to easily revenge kill many threats with Quick Attack. Mega Pinsir is also fast, being able to outspeed threats such as Kyurem-B and Landorus. However, Mega Pinsir has a devastating weakness to Stealth Rock, meaning Rapid Spin support from Armaldo or Forretress is necessary. Its Flying typing adds a weakness to Electric- and Ice-type attacks while also stacking a weakness to Rock-type attacks. Mega Pinsir also faces competition from Mega Scizor and Mega Heracross, as Mega Scizor is a bulky setup sweeper with reliable recovery, while Mega Heracross is a fearsome wallbreaker.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Quick Attack
move 4: Close Combat
item: Pinsirite
ability: Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mega Pinsir to boost its Attack stat, allowing it to be a good setup sweeper. Return is Mega Pinsir's main STAB Flying-type attack and hits Fighting-, Grass-, and Bug-types such as Breloom, Mega Venusaur, and Volcarona. Quick Attack is a strong priority move that allows Mega Pinsir to revenge kill fast threats such as Infernape and Mega Gallade. Close Combat is coverage that hits Steel- and Rock-types that would otherwise wall Mega Pinsir such as Heatran and Tyranitar.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment allows Mega Pinsir to hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment along with a Jolly Nature ensures that Pinsir is as fast as possible, outspeeding threats such as Kyurem-B and Garchomp. Moxie is the preferred ability over Hyper Cutter and Mold Breaker because it lets Pinsir boost its Attack stat if it KOes a Pokemon before Mega Evolving. Pinsirite allows Pinsir to become Mega Pinsir while also granting it the ability Aerilate. Aerilate turns its Normal-type attacks into Flying-type attacks and gives them a slight boost.
Usage Tips
========
Remove entry hazards before sending in Mega Pinsir, as it gains a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock when it Mega Evolves. If Pinsir can KO a weakened target, it is usually best not to Mega Evolve so Pinsir can get an Attack boost from Moxie. However, trying to get a free Moxie boost is extremely predictable and can give the opponent a free switch because of Pinsir's mediocre Attack stat. Avoid unnecessarily switching into attacks because Mega Pinsir needs to be at high HP to take most powerful attacks. Use Mega Pinsir early-game to wallbreak to possibly help Heracross and Volcarona clean late-game, while late-game it should be used to sweep the opponent's team. Use pivots such as U-turn Scizor and Volt Switch Galvantula so Mega Pinsir can be brought in safely. Avoid status, especially burn and paralysis, because burns halve its Attack stat, while paralysis leaves it susceptible to revenge killers. Mega Pinsir only has decent Defense, so it is best to set up on a predicted switch or Ground-type attack so Mega Pinsir doesn't take unnecessary damage.
Team Options
========
Armaldo and Forretress can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin while also being able to set up Stealth Rock, making it easier for Mega Pinsir to sweep. Scizor can pivot using U-turn, allowing Mega Pinsir to be brought in safely. Scizor can also run Defog to remove Stealth Rock for Mega Pinsir and check Ice- and Rock-types with its STAB Technician-boosted Bullet Punch. Galvantula can set up Sticky Web, allowing Mega Pinsir to outspeed faster threats such as Choice Scarf Victini and Greninja, and eliminate some of Mega Pinsir's checks and counters such as Skarmory and Staraptor. Volcarona can eliminate physical walls such as Skarmory and Landorus-T with its powerful special attacks, while Mega Pinsir can KO special walls such as Chansey and Empoleon. Volcarona can also set up on Mega Pinsir's checks such as Zapdos and Doublade, while Mega Pinsir can set up on Alolan Muk and Chansey. Heracross, Buzzwole, and Scolipede can use their powerful Bug-type attacks to eliminate bulky Psychic-types such as Slowbro and Mew that can cripple Mega Pinsir. Araquanid can switch into powerful special Fire-type attacks from the likes of Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona while also being a good switch-in for Will-O-Wisp and Scald, preventing Mega Pinsir from being burned.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
Earthquake can be used as an alternative way to hit Steel-types, but it is outclassed by Close Combat because the latter can hit Skarmory and Celesteela. Hyper Cutter can be run to better deal with Intimidate users such as Landorus-T and Gyarados, but they are too uncommon to justify using it.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Electric-types**: Fast Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu can take an Aerilate-boosted Quick Attack and KO Mega Pinsir with their Electric-type attacks. Defensive Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Zapdos can take multiple hits from Mega Pinsir and either status it or KO it with their Electric-type attacks. However, fast Electric-types cannot switch into the rare Earthquake.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock takes away half of Mega Pinsir's HP, making it extremely easy to revenge kill.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Torkoal, Rotom-H, and Choice Scarf Victini can take a hit from Mega Pinsir and KO it with their Fire-type attacks.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Skarmory and Landorus-T can take multiple hits from Mega Pinsir and KO it.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Terrakion, Choice Scarf Victini, and Greninja can outspeed and KO Mega Pinsir.
**Status**: Status, especially burns and paralysis, cripples Mega Pinsir's sweeping capabilities, as a burn halves its Attack stat, while paralysis halves its Speed stat, leaving it susceptible to revenge killers.
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