Alakazam (QC 0/3)

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S. Court

[Takes hits in Spanish]
is a Contributor to Smogonis a Smogon Media Contributor
Just to clarify, in case of some similarities with actual updated analysis, is because I took some of iLlama's (the autor of actual analysis) ideas with his permission, please let me know if it looks too similar to make the necessary changes and avoid misunderstating about plagiarism

Alakazam (Monotype)

QC (0/3) x / x / x
GP (0/2) x / x


[OVERVIEW]

* Alakazam has a valuable role on Psychic-type teams, due to its ability to act as blanket check for a wide amount of physical attackers in the game with the Focus Sash + Counter set, including dangerous threats for Psychic-type teams like Bisharp or Mega Sharpedo.
* Magic Guard protects Alakazam from indirect damage, helping it to preserve Focus Sash
* Alakazam has a wide movepool, helping it to hit the entier tier neutrally.
* Alakazam is a great addition to Hyper Offense team, acting as a guaranteed check to major offensive threats for this archetype.
* Mega Alakazam has an amazing Special Attack and speed tier, being able to work as a special sweeper and outspeeding threats like Greninja and Tapu Koko.
* Trace allows it to have a niche by being able to copy some useful abilities like Swift Swim, Electric Surge and Speed Boost, which endows Psychic-type teams with a great tool of speed control in Hyper-Offense teams. It also lets it copy some powerful abilities like Beast Boost, Regenerator, Poison Heal and Arena Trap, which can add some situational but powerful utility in certaint match-ups.
* Focus Sash + Counter set depends completely of preserving Focus Sash, and has a limited damage output due to not having a boost in its attacks via items or abilities.
* Outside of attacking, Mega Alakazam provides little utility support.
* Despite having a great special attack, Mega Alakazam has some restrictions for damage output due to its pure Psychic type.
* Mega Alakazam is also highly suceptible to Pursuit trappers
* Mega Alakazam is outclassed by Mega Gardevor, Mega Gallade and even Mega Latias, which offer more overall utility in important match-ups.


[SET]
name: Focus Sash + Counter
move 1: Counter
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Counter is the main appeal of this set, which lets it act as a blanket check to a wide amount of physical attackers in the metagame in tandem with Magic Guard and Focus Sash. Some of the most relevant targets include Bisharp, Mega Sharpedo, Mega Gyarados and Alolan Muk.
* Psychic is Alakazam's main STAB option.
* Focus Blast lets Alakazam hit Dark and Steel type Pokemon like Hydreigon, Greninja, Ferrothorn and Heatran, which are resistant or inmune to Psychic.
* Shadow Ball allows to hit Ghost type Pokemon for super effective damage. Some of them include Alolan Marowak, Gengar and Mimikyu once its Disguise is broken.
* Shadow Ball can also cover the match up against another Psychic teams, specially the one which depend in Meloetta as its only Ghost-type check.

Set Details
========

* Max Special Attack is required to make Alakazam hit as hard as possible with its other attacks, maximizing its damage output as much as possible.
* Hasty Nature and 0 IVs in Defense are used to make sure Alakazam takes the most damage possible from physical attacks, making Counter makes the maximum damage.
* Max invesment in Speed is necessary to outspeed as much Pokemon as possible. Alakazam has a great speed tier, being able to bypass Pokemon like Gengar, Thundurus, Latios, Latias and Mega Diancie.
* Magic Guard protects against indirect damage like hazards, Toxic, Will-o-Wisp and Leech Seed. This is important to keep Focus Sash intact, and by extention, allowing Counter makes as much damage as possible.
* Focus Sash allows Alakazam to survive a hit. This is really important to being able to revenge kill theaths like Scarf Gengar, Speed Boost Scolipede and Scarf Heracross. It also works in tandem with counter to function as a blanket check for a considerable amount of physical attackers which include huge threats for Psychic-type teams like Mega Sharpedo, Bisharp, Alolan Muk, Scolipede and Mega Gyarados.

Usage Tips
========

* Use Team Preview to check which are opponent's most powerful physical threats to make sure reserve Alakazam against those. Dark-type teams are plagued with threats in this category like Mega Sharpedo or Bisharp, but some of them includes threats like Azumarill and Mega Gyarados in Water-type teams, Choice Band Diggersby in Normal-type teams, Mega Scizor Mega Altaria, Garchomp and Dragonite in Dragon-type teams and much more.
* Due to Alakazam frailness, it's important to use it spraingly. Only bring it to the field after another teammate has fainted or using U-turn support.
* Be careful about preserving Focus Sash, because it's important to make Counter works. That includes avoiding using Alakazam against specially defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Araquanid or Zapdos to avoid prior damage and avoiding in general all unnecessary chip damage from more defensive oriented Pokemon.
* Alakazam needs to be careful against Substitute users like Mega Gyarados or Buzzwole. Alakazam is faster than the mentioned threats so it's better to use Focus Blast and Psychic against those threats respectively to avoid a possible Substitute.
* Against Ghost-type teams, where Counter is useless, it's better to preserve Alakazam as a revenge killer from threats like Alolan Marowak, Gengar and Mimikyu (once Disguise is broken) using Shadow Ball or Psychic in Gengar's case.

Team Options
========

* Victini can help mitigate Alakazam's work against Steel and Bug-type match ups. It has a powerful offensive presence and by extension, it'll force a good amount of switches, which Victini can take advantage of to bring Alakazam safely with U-Turn
* Specially defensive Jirachi is another alternative to bring Alakazam safely via slow U-turn, it also can set Stealth Rock and status to make things easier por Alakazam. Healing Wish sets also can give Alakazam a second oportunity to use its ability as blanket check in case it has taken unnecessary damage.
* Stallbreker Mew can cripple some of Alakazam's checks and counters like Chansey or Alolan Muk using moves like Knock Off or Will-O-Wisp.
* Mega Gallade can remove Chansey easily and can help against Ghost-type match up with Knock Off after a Swords Dance boost.
* In a similar vein, Mega Gardevoir can help a lot against Dark-type match up. Something notable is its ability to remove Mega Sableye, one of Alakazam's main counters.
* Slowbro and Mega Slowbro are Psychic-type's main defensive answers against physical attackers, and can sponge some damage Alakazam is not willing to take. Both also work as physical attacker checks in case Focus Sash has been already used.

[SET]
name: Special Sweeper
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Substitute / Encore / Calm Mind
item: Alakazite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Psychic is Alakazam's best STAB move, being able to deal a lot of damage.
* Focus Blast works as a coverage move against Steel and Dark type Pokemon like Heatran, Ferrothorn, Mega Sharpedo, Greninja, Hydreigon and Tyranitar. It also has a high chance to 2HKO Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock damage, easing team's match up against this Pokemon.
* Shadow Ball covers Ghost type Pokemon, which otherwise would give a hard time against the whole team. It also allows Mega Alakazam to be a threat for another Psychic type teams.
* Substitute can help to avoid Pursuit trapping from Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Bisharp, Weavile and Tyranitar. It also helps to avoid Bisharp's Sucker Punch. Lastly, it also allows Mega Alakazam to avoid status.
* Calm Mind works properly in tandem with Dual Screener Deoxys-S in Hyper Offense teams to maximize its damage output and letting open holes in foe's team more easily. But without screens, Mega Alakazam will have a harder time to use this move at all.
* Encore has some situational forcing switches against utility and wall Pokemon like Chansey, Skarmory or Klefki. It also can force switches from setup sweepers like Mega Gyarados.

Set Details
========

* Max investment in Speed and Special Attack with a Timid nature is required to have the maximum damage output possible and taking advantage of its speed tier. Mega Alakazam is able to outspeed base 80 speed Pokemon after a speed boost (via Choice Scarf or using moves like Dragon Dance)
* Magic Guard is the best ability possible before mega evolutioning, because it allows Alakazam to prevent indirect damage from hazards, burn or poison.
* Trace allows Mega Alakazam to take advantage of the opponent ability. This is mainly used to have an useful speed control tool against Pokemon who use its ability to gain speed, such rain abusers in Water-type teams, Electric Surge Raichu-Alola in Electric-type teams, or Sand Rush Excadrill in Ground-type teams.
* It also offers some situational utility copying abilities like Sheer Force, Adaptability, Beast Boost or Arena Trap in certain match-ups.

Usage Tips
========

* Bringing Alakazam into attacks it's not desired due to its poor bulk. The best way to bring it into the field is by using a pivot move, double switch or after a teammate faints.
* Use Substitute against more passive Pokemon to avoid status or unnecesary chip damage. It can be used if you predict a switch from a Pursuit trapper like Alolan Muk, Bisharp and Weavile, to have a way to avoid said trapping.
* Unless is absolutely necessary, avoid using Mega Alakazam against Pokemon who have physical priority moves like Bisharp, Mega Pinsir or Mega Scizor. Avoid also figthing against trappers such as Alolan Muk and Dugtrio, and potential users of Choice Scarf which are faster than Mega Alakazam such as Heracross or Victini.
* Calm Mind should only be used in teams who use screens to make Alakazam has the enough bulk to setup. Otherwhise Substitute and Encore offers more overall utility.
* If using Encore, you shouldn't have too much trouble in switching it against setup sweepers like Dragon Dance (Mega) Gyarados, Mega Gallade or Z-Hypnosis Xurkitree.

Team Options
========

* Deoxys-S can set hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes to make easier to Mega Alakazam to create a scenary for a sweep. It can also set dual screens to reduce to pressure and damage Mega Alakazam (and its partners) take. This is particularly useful in Calm Mind sets.
* Defensive Jirachi can provide Toxic, Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock to cripple opposing Pokemon, it also can support Mega Alakazam by the use of Wish and slow pivot with U-turn to bring it safely and avoid it takes unnecessary damage. Offensive Jirachi can use U-turn as well, and can restore Mega Alakazam health as well throught the use of Healing Wish.
* Victini eases Mega Alakazam's time against Bug-type teams. That's particularly useful in dealing with Volcarona, as well as being an useful tool against Poison and Steel match ups. Choice Band Victini in particular is a potent wallbreaker, being able to open holes in foe's team to make easier for Mega Alakazam to sweep.
* Slowbro is a great physical wall whom can act as a way to avoid Alakazam takes unnecessary damage thanks to its bulk, Slack Off and Regenerator. It also has access to Thunder Wave, which is a great Speed control tool. Colbur Berry sets in particular are able to ease Mega Alakazam's time against Dark-type Pokemon.
* Mew is another great defensive backbone for Psychic-type teams. It has a great utility abliity by being able to put and remove hazards, remove foe's items with Knock Off, which is very important against Pokemon like Chansey or Alolan Muk. On the other hand, Double Dance Mew can put Psychic Terrain using Genesis Supernova, which will protect Mega Alakazam against priority moves.
* Choice Scarf Gardevoir can help the team to remove Dark and Dragon-type Pokemon, which can give troubles to Mega Alakazam. It can also cripple some item dependant Pokemon with Trick, which is specially useful in Pokemon like Porygon2 or Chansey in Normal-type teams or Assault Vest users like Alolan Muk, as well as Healing Wish.
* Gothitelle has a great utility role by trapping and crippling defensive Pokemon like Chansey or Mantine by passing them Choice items via Trick. This can help Mega Alakazam to creat a scenary where it can use Substitute or Calm Mind safely, by forcing a switch to those walls because they are unable to damage Mega Alakazam directly.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* Psyshock might be useful because it allows Alakazam to deal with specials walls like Chansey, but Psychic is the prefered option due to its damage output.
* Dazzling Gleam can help Alakazam for getting super effective damage to Dark-type Pokemon and Dragon-type Pokemon. The main achievement of this move is the ability to beat Mega Sableye, Mandibuzz and being able to revenge kill Kingdra in rain, but putting this move implies sacrificing Alakazam's coverage moves which are essential to fulfill its role properly, and another Pokemon like Latios, Latias, Gardevoir, Dazzling Gleam Meloetta or even Celebi can use Fairy-tipe coverage, covering this need.
* In a similar vein, Energy Ball can be used for Mega Alakazam to beat Ground and Rock-type Pokemon. It's specially useful to beat Swift Swim abusers like Mega Swampert, that at the cost of the same troubles Dazzling Gleam has. Some Pokemon like Celebi and Grass Knot Slowbro can help to cover the need of Grass-type moves if needed.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Priority attacks**: Due to Alakazam's poor physical bulk, moves like Bullet Punch, Sucker Punch, Shadow Sneak or Extreme Speed can eliminate Alakazam. Pokemon like Scizor, Bisharp, Dragonite, Mimikyu, Azumarill or even Quick Attack Diggersby can take out Mega Alakazam without any trouble. They need to be careful from Focus Sash + Counter sets if Alakazam is at full health thought.

**Dark-types**: They are inmune to Alakazam's STAB, making it relies in Focus Blast, which is a powerful coverage option, but it suffers from a shaky accuracy. Some Pokemon like Hydreigon can use Choice Scarf to outspeed it and OHKO it before Alakazam can use this move, and some Pokemon like Mega Gyarados can take one of Mega Alakazam's Focus Blast if it's healthy and proceed to OHKO it.

**Ghost-types**: Focus Sash + Counter role is disabled against Ghost-type Pokemon, and even when Alakazam can be used as a revenge killer with Shadow Ball, the match up against those teams includes Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Jellicent as their main defensive answers, and they can take this move if needed.

**Pursuit**: Alakazam pure Psychic-type and bad physical bulk puts it in a terrible position against Pursuit trappers, so Pokemon like Weavile, Bisharp or Alolan Muk can potentially OHKO it with this move. They need to be wary about Focus Sash + Counters sets if Alakazam is at full health.

**Faster Pokemon**: There are Pokemon are able to outspeed Mega Alakazam using Choice Scarf or setup moves and OHKO Mega Alakazam. Some of those threats include Mega Charizard X, Scarf Heracross, Scolipede, Mega Sharpedo, Volcarona, Salamence or Scarf Garchomp.
 
Last edited:

S. Court

[Takes hits in Spanish]
is a Contributor to Smogonis a Smogon Media Contributor
S. Court could you get this into QC by the end of the weekend please?
Sure thing, hopefully it'll be ready in a couple of hours

Now I'm on this, should I add Knock Off (Eviolite core lure, helps against Assault Vest Muk and another Pokemon) as OO?
 
Sure thing, hopefully it'll be ready in a couple of hours

Now I'm on this, should I add Knock Off (Eviolite core lure, helps against Assault Vest Muk and another Pokemon) as OO?
I've tried that in the past back before a lot of the new tech started getting used. There are much better answers to those threats nowadays imo, and Alolan Muk loses to Counter anyway.
 
[OVERVIEW]​
* Alakazam has a valuable role on Psychic-type teams, due to its ability to act as blanket check for a wide amount of physical attackers in the game with the Focus Sash + Counter set. I’d mention examples. Mega Sharpedo and Muk are good ones.
* Alakazam also has a good selection of coverage moves, being able to hit the entire metagame without being walled. I get what you’re trying to say but it obviously gets walled by a few mons. Try saying it has neutral coverage instead.
* Mega Alakazam has an amazing Special Attack and speed tier, being able to work as a special sweeper. Maybe mention what mons Mega Alakazam can now outspeed that regular Alakazam couldn’t.
* Trace allows it to have a niche by being able to copy some useful abilities like Swift Swim, Electric Surge and Speed Boost, which endows Psychic-type teams with a great tool of speed control in Hyper-Offense teams.
* Trace also lets it copy some powerful abilities like Beast Boost, Shadow Tag, Regenerator, Poison Heal and Arena Trap, which can add some situational but powerful utility in certaint match-ups. This can be merged with the point above, since you just mentioned some more useful abilties :>
* Focus Sash + Counter set depends completely of preserving Focus Sash, and its damage output is a bit limited by not having a boost in its attacks via boosting items or abilities. Good stuff but you haven’t mentioned Magic Guard at all, and how good sash is thanks to it.
* Despite having a great special attack, Mega Alakazam has some restrictions for damage output due to the power Psychic type maybe just me but this was kinda unclear.
* Mega Alakazam has a hard competition for the mega slot with Mega Gardevor, Mega Gallade and even Mega Latias, which offer more overall utility in important match-ups

* I’d mention Magic Guard and go into detail on how it makes sashcounter so good.

* Mention its very bad physical bulk and how it can be taken advantage of when sash is broken.

* Go into detail on its speed tier and how it’s able to outspeed the likes of Greninja.
I am not qc so these changes are not mandatory but you should add them if you agree with them. I just noticed the overview was missing some info, the rest looks decent length-wise :>
 

S. Court

[Takes hits in Spanish]
is a Contributor to Smogonis a Smogon Media Contributor
I am not qc so these changes are not mandatory but you should add them if you agree with them. I just noticed the overview was missing some info, the rest looks decent length-wise :>
Heh, about the second last line, it was supposed to say "Pure Psychic-Type" That's the kind of things when you write a skeleton at 11 PM I guess lol

I agree with some points, I'll let QC decides if I should mention how Magic Guard works in overview or let those points for set details, I'll modify it in a while
 

iLlama

Nothing personal, I protect my people
Just to clarify, in case of some similarities with actual updated analysis, is because I took some of iLlama's (the autor of actual analysis) ideas with his permission, please let me know if it looks too similar to make the necessary changes and avoid misunderstating about plagiarism

Alakazam (Monotype)

QC (0/3) x / x / x
GP (0/2) x / x


[OVERVIEW]

* Alakazam has a valuable role on Psychic-type teams, due to its ability to act as blanket check for a wide amount of physical attackers in the game with the Focus Sash + Counter set, including dangerous threats for Psychic-type teams like Alolan Muk, Bisharp or Mega Sharpedo. Alolan Muk is a bad example because the chances that you'll be able to get a counter off on it is fairly low and you can't do much to it otherwise.
* Alakazam also has a good selection of moves, giving it perfect coverage and avoiding being walled considering only the typing. This is super confusing to read, rewrite. Alakazam can be walled quite easily, the coverage just helps in being able to hit the entire meta for neutral damage.
* Mega Alakazam has an amazing Special Attack and speed tier, being able to work as a special sweeper and outspeeding threats like Greninja. And Tapu Koko.
* Trace allows it to have a niche by being able to copy some useful abilities like Swift Swim, Electric Surge and Speed Boost, which endows Psychic-type teams with a great tool of speed control in Hyper-Offense teams. It also lets it copy some powerful abilities like Beast Boost, Shadow Tag, Regenerator, Poison Heal and Arena Trap, which can add some situational but powerful utility in certaint match-ups. Remove mentions of Shadow Tag.
* Focus Sash + Counter set depends completely of preserving Focus Sash, and its damage output is a bit limited by not having a boost in its attacks via boosting items or abilities.
* Despite having a great special attack, Mega Alakazam has some restrictions for damage output due to its pure Psychic type
* Mega Alakazam has a hard competition for the mega slot with Mega Gardevor, Mega Gallade and even Mega Latias, which offer more overall utility in important match-ups. Don't make this sound like Mega Alakazam is on the same playing field as these other mega's, emphasize that Mega Alakazam is simply outclassed by these other options.

*Need more info on the Counter Focus Sash set and clarification that this set is namely for HO Psychic teams, such as:
-Alakazam is a guaranteed check to major offensive threats to hyper offensive Psychic.
-You need to mention Magic Guard being important for preserving its Focus Sash.

*Outside of attacking, Mega Alakazam provides little utility support.
*Something about how Alakazam completely relies upon Focus Sash remaining in tact making it only able to come in on safe switches. If Focus Sash is broken it completely loses its main role of being a physical attacker check.
*Something about Mega Alakazam having terrible physical bulk and being incredibly threatened by common priority threats such as Mega Scizor and something else.
*Mega Alakazam is extremely susceptible to common Pursuit trappers such as Alolan Muk and something else.


[SET]
name: Focus Sash + Counter
move 1: Counter
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Counter is the main appeal of this set, which lets it act as a blanket check to a wide amount of physical attackers in the metagame in tandem with Magic Guard and Focus Sash. Some of the most relevant targets include Bisharp, Mega Sharpedo, Mega Gyarados and Alolan Muk. This set is not for Alolan Muk, it can just switch out and you can't do much to it without Counter.
* Psychic is Alakazam's main STAB option. Why is it used over Psyshock, i.e. it maximizes damage.
* Focus Blast lets Alakazam hit Dark and Steel type Pokemon like Hydreigon, Greninja, Ferrothorn and Heatran, which are resistant or inmune to Psychic. Greninja is a bad example because 1) it outpaces Alakazam and 2) it doesn't need to use a Dark-type move, in fact it usually won't.
* Shadow Ball allows to hit Ghost type Pokemon for super effective damage. Some of them include Alolan Marowak, Gengar and Mimikyu once its Disguise is broken.
* Shadow Ball can also cover the match up against another Psychic teams, specially the one which depend in Meloetta as its only Ghost-type check. Move this into the other Shadow Ball point, you only need 1 per move. Also, rework this sentence because the second half doesn't make sense.

I'll just say this now, but cut down on the examples for some of these. You don't need 3-4 examples every time, especially for Ghost-types hit by Shadow Ball. We know it can hit Ghost-types so 1 example is fine.

Set Details
========

* Max Special Attack is required to make Alakazam hit as hard as possible with its other attacks, maximizing its damage output as much as possible. Remove the striked bit.
* Hasty Nature and 0 IVs in Defense are used to make sure Alakazam takes the most damage possible from physical attacks, making Counter makes the maximum damage.
* Max invesment in Speed is necessary to outspeed as much Pokemon as possible. Alakazam has a great speed tier, being able to bypass Pokemon like Gengar, Thundurus, Latios, Latias and Mega Diancie. Again, 2-3 examples of different Speed tiers is fine. Just have Mega Diancie, Gengar, and Thundurus.
* Magic Guard protects against indirect damage like hazards, Toxic, Will-o-Wisp and Leech Seed. This is important to keep Focus Sash intact because it preserves Alakazam's main role as a check to physical attackers., and by extention, allowing Counter makes as much damage as possible. Remove the striked bit.
* Focus Sash allows Alakazam to survive a hit. This is really important to being able to revenge kill theaths like Scarf Gengar, Speed Boost Scolipede and Scarf Heracross. It also works in tandem with counter to function as a blanket check for a considerable amount of physical attackers which include huge threats for Psychic-type teams like Mega Sharpedo, Bisharp, Alolan Muk, Scolipede and Mega Gyarados. Again cut down on the examples. Again, it doesn't check Alolan Muk.

Usage Tips
========

* Use Team Preview to check which are opponent's most powerful physical threats to make sure reserve Alakazam against those. Dark-type teams are plagued with threats in this category like Mega Sharpedo or Bisharp, but some of them includes threats like Azumarill and Mega Gyarados in Water-type teams, Choice Band Diggersby in Normal-type teams, Mega Scizor Mega Altaria, Garchomp and Dragonite in Dragon-type teams and much more. This is a really confusing point and there are way too many examples clogging this up that the main idea is lost.
* Due to Alakazam frailness, it's important to use it spraingly. Only bring it to the field after another teammate has fainted or using U-turn support. Alakazam's frailness is not why you don't use it a lot, the reasons are that it does minimal damage to opposing Pokemon outside of Counter and you want to preserve your Focus Sash for as long as possible or at least until you need to check a physical threat or sweeper.
* Be careful about preserving Focus Sash, because it's important to make Counter works. That includes avoiding using Alakazam against specially defensive Pokemon like Chansey, Araquanid or Zapdos to avoid prior damage and avoiding in general all unnecessary chip damage from more defensive oriented Pokemon. This feels like two points pushed together into one. Separate them, elaborate on the first sentence and cut down the second sentence and make it more concise.
* Alakazam needs to be careful against Substitute users like Mega Gyarados or Buzzwole. Alakazam is faster than the mentioned threats so it's better to use Focus Blast and Psychic against those threats respectively to avoid a possible Substitute. Clarify that you want to avoid being caught using Counter on their use of Substitute.
* Against Ghost-type teams, where Counter is useless, it's better to preserve Alakazam as a revenge killer from threats like Alolan Marowak, Gengar and Mimikyu (once Disguise is broken) using Shadow Ball or Psychic in Gengar's case. Don't use parentheses and cut down on examples again.

*Need a point about avoiding confrontations with Pursuit trappers.

Team Options
========

* Victini can help mitigate Alakazam's work against Steel and Bug-type match ups. It has a powerful offensive presence and by extension, it'll force a good amount of switches, which Victini can take advantage of to bring Alakazam safely with U-Turn
* Specially defensive Jirachi is another alternative to bring Alakazam safely via slow U-turn, it also can set Stealth Rock and status to make things easier por Alakazam. Healing Wish sets also can give Alakazam a second oportunity to use its ability as blanket check in case it has taken unnecessary damage. This Jirachi set isn't an alternative, it's quite standard. Healing Wish is only used on the Choice Scarf Jirachi set so you need to clarify that and then mention that both Jirachi sets can utilize U-turn in order to pivot into Alakazam. Also, mention how Specially Defensive Jirachi utilizes a Slow U-turn, making it much easier to bring in Alakazam safely.
* Stallbreker Mew can cripple some of Alakazam's checks and counters like Chansey or Alolan Muk using moves like Knock Off or Will-O-Wisp. You need to discuss Double Dance Mew as well since its going to be a much stronger teammate paired with Alakazam.
* Mega Gallade can remove Chansey easily and can help against Ghost-type match up with Knock Off after a Swords Dance boost.
* In a similar vein, Mega Gardevoir can help a lot against Dark-type match up. Something notable is its ability to remove Mega Sableye, one of Alakazam's main counters.
* Gothitelle can cripple some walls like Chansey with Trick, and in general being able to remove more passive threats without too much trouble trapping them with Shadow Tag. Remove mentions of Gothitelle.
* Scarf Gardevoir can help Alakazam in Dark-type match up removing Pokemon like Mandibuzz or Meg Sableye. It also helps to remove Dragon-type Pokemon like Garchomp or Kyurem-B. Lastly, it also has access to Healing Wish, opening a posiblity to use Counter in case it has taken chip damage. Scarf Gardevoir is a pretty awful set nowadays, no need for it to appear.
* Slowbro and Mega Slowbro are Psychic-type's main defensive answers against physical attackers, and can sponge some damage Alakazam is not willing to take. Both also work as physical attacker checks in case Focus Sash has been already used.
*Latios
*Mega Latias
*Meloetta


[SET]
name: Special Sweeper
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Encore
item: Alakazite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Psychic is Alakazam's best STAB move, being able to deal a lot of damage. Clarify most damage possible.
* Focus Blast works as a coverage move against Steel and Dark type Pokemon like Heatran, Ferrothorn, Mega Sharpedo, Greninja, Hydreigon and Tyranitar. It also has a high chance to 2HKO Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock damage, easing team's match up against this Pokemon. Again, too many examples. The point about Mega Scizor is no longer true because the standard Mega Scizor spread has changed since the analysis was made.
* Shadow Ball covers Ghost type Pokemon, which otherwise would give a hard time against the whole team. It also allows Mega Alakazam to be a threat for another Psychic type teams.
* Substitute can help to avoid Pursuit trapping from Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Bisharp, Weavile and Tyranitar. It also helps to avoid Bisharp's Sucker Punch. Lastly, it also allows Mega Alakazam to avoid status. Move this point below Encore. Substitute scouts Pursuit, it doesn't avoid the trap. Weavile isn't common enough to warrant an example either.
* Calm Mind works properly in tandem with Dual Screener Deoxys-S in Hyper Offense teams to maximize its damage output and letting open holes in foe's team more easily. But without screens, Mega Alakazam will have a harder time to use this move at all. This should be moved to OO, it has a ton of flaws such as not checking walls or setup threats like Encore can, not providing a safe check to physical attackers that Sub can, and it is in general difficult to setup.
* Encore has some situational forcing switches against utility and wall Pokemon like Chansey, Skarmory or Klefki. It also can force switches from setup sweepers like Mega Gyarados. Encore is a pretty amazing option for checking walls and utility mons, which Mega Alakazam generally struggles with already. Emphasize this fact.

Set Details
========

* Max investment in Speed and Special Attack with a Timid nature is required to have the maximum damage output possible and taking advantage of its speed tier. Mega Alakazam is able to outspeed base 80 speed Pokemon after a speed boost (via Choice Scarf or using moves like Dragon Dance) Don't use parentheses. This time you do need examples, so say like Gyarados, Xurkitree and Tapu Koko.
* Magic Guard is the best ability possible before mega evolutioning, because it allows Alakazam to prevent indirect damage from hazards, burn or poison.
* Trace allows Mega Alakazam to take advantage of the opponent ability. This is mainly used to have an useful speed control tool against Pokemon who use its ability to gain speed, such rain abusers in Water-type teams, Electric Surge Raichu-Alola in Electric-type teams, or Sand Rush Excadrill in Ground-type teams.
* It also offers some situational utility copying abilities like Sheer Force, Adaptability, Beast Boost or Arena Trap in certain match-ups. Add this into the Trace point as additional examples of abilities. You don't need to mention specific Pokemon you're copying abilities from.
*Need a point about Modest, follow my point in the original analysis and rework it into your own words. Make sure to keep it concise as well.


Usage Tips
========

* Bringing Alakazam into attacks it's not desired due to its poor bulk. The best way to bring it into the field is by using a pivot move, double switch or after a teammate faints. The first sentence is confusing. Double switches are not safe switches, you would switch into things safely via pivoting, when a friendly Pokemon faints, or when an opposing Pokemon can't do much damage to Mega Alakazam nor cripple it with Thunder Wave.
*A point about how making direct switches into Mega Alakazam is extremely risky because it has very poor bulk, especially on the physical side.

* Use Substitute against more passive Pokemon to avoid status or unnecesary chip damage. It can be used if you predict a switch from a Pursuit trapper like Alolan Muk, Bisharp and Weavile, to have a way to avoid said trapping. The second sentence doesn't make sense. You want to avoid confrontations with Pursuit trappers and Arena Trappers at all costs. Also, Weavile isn't a notable threat.
* Unless is absolutely necessary, avoid using Mega Alakazam against Pokemon who have physical priority moves like Bisharp, Mega Pinsir or Mega Scizor. Avoid also figthing against trappers such as Alolan Muk and Dugtrio, and potential users of Choice Scarf which are faster than Mega Alakazam such as Heracross or Victini.
*Mention how these threats need to be warn down or eliminated in order for Mega Alakazam to have an opportunity to sweep.
* Calm Mind should only be used in teams who use screens to make Alakazam has the enough bulk to setup. Otherwhise Substitute and Encore offers more overall utility. Remove.
* If using Encore, you shouldn't have too much trouble in switching it against setup sweepers like Dragon Dance (Mega) Gyarados, Mega Gallade or Z-Hypnosis Xurkitree. Remove the parentheses. Mega Gallade is a bad example because more often than not they're running Shadow Sneak.

*A point about knowing when to Mega Evolve and when not to in order to mitigate damage with Magic Guard.

Team Options
========

* Deoxys-S can set hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes to make easier to Mega Alakazam to create a scenary for a sweep. It can also set dual screens to reduce to pressure and damage Mega Alakazam (and its partners) take. This is particularly useful in Calm Mind sets. Remove parentheses and mentions of Calm Mind sets.
* Defensive Jirachi can provide Toxic, Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock to cripple opposing Pokemon, it also can support Mega Alakazam by the use of Wish and slow pivot with U-turn to bring it safely and avoid it takes unnecessary damage. Offensive Jirachi can use U-turn as well, and can restore Mega Alakazam health as well throught the use of Healing Wish.
* Victini eases Mega Alakazam's time against Bug-type teams. That's particularly useful in dealing with Volcarona, as well as being an useful tool against Poison and Steel match ups. Choice Band Victini in particular is a potent wallbreaker, being able to open holes in foe's team to make easier for Mega Alakazam to sweep.
* Slowbro is a great physical wall whom can act as a way to avoid Alakazam takes unnecessary damage thanks to its bulk, Slack Off and Regenerator. It also has access to Thunder Wave, which is a great Speed control tool. Colbur Berry sets in particular are able to ease Mega Alakazam's time against Dark-type Pokemon.
* Mew is another great defensive backbone for Psychic-type teams. It has a great utility abliity by being able to put and remove hazards, remove foe's items with Knock Off, which is very important against Pokemon like Chansey or Alolan Muk. On the other hand, Double Dance Mew can put Psychic Terrain using Genesis Supernova, which will protect Mega Alakazam against priority moves.
* Choice Scarf Gardevoir can help the team to remove Dark and Dragon-type Pokemon, which can give troubles to Mega Alakazam. It can also cripple some item dependant Pokemon with Trick, which is specially useful in Pokemon like Porygon2 or Chansey in Normal-type teams or Assault Vest users like Alolan Muk, as well as Healing Wish. Already explained why before, remove.
* Gothitelle has a great utility role by trapping and crippling defensive Pokemon like Chansey or Mantine by passing them Choice items via Trick. This can help Mega Alakazam to creat a scenary where it can use Substitute or Calm Mind safely, by forcing a switch to those walls because they are unable to damage Mega Alakazam directly. Same here.
*Meloetta
*Latios


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* Psyshock might be useful because it allows Alakazam to deal with specials walls like Chansey, but Psychic is the prefered option due to its damage output.
* Dazzling Gleam can help Alakazam for getting super effective damage to Dark-type Pokemon and Dragon-type Pokemon. The main achievement of this move is the ability to beat Mega Sableye, Mandibuzz and being able to revenge kill Kingdra in rain, but putting this move implies sacrificing Alakazam's coverage moves which are essential to fulfill its role properly, and another Pokemon like Latios, Latias, Gardevoir, Dazzling Gleam Meloetta or even Celebi can use Fairy-tipe coverage, covering this need. Meloetta and Celebi don't use Dazzling Gleam, remove.
* In a similar vein, Energy Ball can be used for Mega Alakazam to beat Ground and Rock-type Pokemon. It's specially useful to beat Swift Swim abusers like Mega Swampert, that at the cost of the same troubles Dazzling Gleam has. Some Pokemon like Celebi and Grass Knot Slowbro can help to cover the need of Grass-type moves if needed. This can be much shorter. Just say what types it beats, i.e. Ground-, Rock-, and Water-types but has the same issues as Gleam and can be covered for quite easily.
*Calm Mind


Checks and Counters
===================

(1)**Priority attacks**: Due to Alakazam's poor physical bulk, moves like Bullet Punch, Sucker Punch, Shadow Sneak or Extreme Speed can eliminate Alakazam. Pokemon like Scizor, Bisharp, Dragonite, Mimikyu, Azumarill or even Quick Attack Diggersby can take out Mega Alakazam without any trouble. They need to be careful from Focus Sash + Counter sets if Alakazam is at full health thought.

(5)**Dark-types**: They are inmune to Alakazam's STAB, making it relies in Focus Blast, which is a powerful coverage option, but it suffers from a shaky accuracy. Some Pokemon like Hydreigon can use Choice Scarf to outspeed it and OHKO it before Alakazam can use this move, and some Pokemon like Mega Gyarados can take one of Mega Alakazam's Focus Blast if it's healthy and proceed to OHKO it.

(8)**Ghost-types**: Focus Sash + Counter role is disabled against Ghost-type Pokemon, and even when Alakazam can be used as a revenge killer with Shadow Ball, the match up against those teams includes Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Jellicent as their main defensive answers, and they can take this move if needed.

(2)**Pursuit**: Alakazam pure Psychic-type and bad physical bulk puts it in a terrible position against Pursuit trappers, so Pokemon like Weavile, Bisharp or Alolan Muk can potentially OHKO it with this move. They need to be wary about Focus Sash + Counters sets if Alakazam is at full health. Avoid confrontations with these Pokemon at all cost.

(3)**Faster Pokemon**: There are Pokemon are able to outspeed Mega Alakazam using Choice Scarf or setup moves and OHKO Mega Alakazam. Some of those threats include Mega Charizard X, Scarf Heracross, Scolipede, Mega Sharpedo, Volcarona, Salamence or Scarf Garchomp. Too many examples.

(4)**Physical Attackers**:
(6)**Bulky Attackers**:
(7)**Special Walls**:


Reorder in the way I list from 1-8.
The analysis is littered with grammar errors throughout making it exceedingly difficult to read and understand in some areas. Before moving forward, go back and review everything you wrote and make sure that it reads clearly, that way further QC checks will be much smoother and easier to perform. There were way too many examples in some areas in this analysis and no examples in areas that absolutely needed some, so be sure to check over everything I marked and implement my changes in areas I missed as well. Remove any mentions of Gothitelle, Wobbuffet, and Shadow Tag in this analysis. Be sure to not just skip over putting in information, Alakazam's purpose, strengths, and weaknesses have barely changed if at all so much of the previous analysis's information should still hold true. Let me know when you've finished implementing everything so that I can look over it again and give you the ok.

Haakunite I skimmed over your suggestions, and the only issue I noticed was the first one referring to Alakazam being able to beat Alolan Muk, which it technically can't because Muk can just switch on Alakazam's Counter.
 
Hey S. Court are you still interested in finishing this up? Could you get it updated for USUM please if so. I wasn't sure if you looked at iLlama's QC yet or not, so if you have, just give him a @ so he knows to look it ove again.
 
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