[OVERVIEW]
Mega Venusaur is by far the most viable Grass-type in the tier and a good option for a variety of bulkier teams, with key resistances to Water and Electric that allow it to check Mega Gyarados, counter Poliwrath, and switch freely into Zapdos, as well as above average HP and great defenses complemented by key status moves like Leech Seed and Sleep Powder and an immunity to Toxic. It also is quite strong, being able to take advantage of Pokemon that it puts to sleep and pressure Pokemon like Mew and Zapdos. Unfortunately, Mega Venusaur's lack of reliable recovery makes it difficult to stay healthy throughout a game. It is also weak to common coverage types in Ice and Fire and lacks resistances to Ground and Bug, meaning it can be muscled through by strong attackers such as Nidoking and Mega Beedrill. However, the main detriment to Mega Venusaur's viability is the fact that it takes the team's Mega slot, lowering the offensive potential and revenge killing options for the team significantly.
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Mega Drain
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Sleep Powder / Toxic
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: No Item
nature: Bold / Modest
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Information
========
Mega Drain lets Mega Venusaur threaten out Pokémon like Rhydon and Poliwrath and gives it much-needed recovery. Leech Seed gives additional recovery alongside Mega Drain and lets Mega Venusaur take advantage of high-HP targets like Snorlax, Mew, and Melmetal. Sleep Powder, when landed, gives Mega Venusaur an opportunity to safely use Leech Seed or your team a chance to take advantage of that sleeping Pokémon. Sleep Powder is also very hard to switch into given the scarcity of Grass-types, and the few that exist do not appreciate taking a Sludge Bomb. Toxic is another status option and is often essential for beating Pokémon like Mew and Zapdos, which otherwise switch into Mega Venusaur fairly safety. Sludge Bomb is Mega Venusaur's secondary STAB attack and its main tool for damage dealing. Its higher Base Power and chance to poison let Mega Venusaur pressure neutral targets like Mew, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard X and Y. Bold is the preferred nature to allow Mega Venusaur to more reliably check physical threats like Mega Gyarados and Alolan Dugtrio, although Modest can be chosen to increase Mega Venusaur's offensive presence, letting it 2HKO Zapdos more easily, 2HKO Nidoking, and pressure Mew more effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Evolving Venusaur early on can be important to raise its Defense enough to check threatening Pokemon. If you predict a Stealth Rock user like Sandslash or Rhydon as your opponent's lead, you can lead with Venusaur or switch it in to force them out and achieve Mega Evolution. Since Melmetal is a common response to Mega Venusaur, if you can predict it to switch in, landing Leech Seed allows you to sap large amounts of health from it, providing recovery for Mega Venusaur and the Pokemon you use to switch into Melmetal. If Mega Venusaur is running Sleep Powder, be aware of what Pokemon your opponent would use as sleep fodder, and consider if it is better to put their fodder to sleep or predict the switch and take advantage of it. Don't recklessly use Mega Venusaur as a defensive pivot; if it loses health to U-turn and Stealth Rock damage and is forced out, it can be difficult to reliably get that health back.
Team Options
========
Mega Venusaur invites in Melmetal, and Reflect Zapdos can always come in on Melmetal's Ice Punch when it is afflicted with Leech Seed and comfortably heal back up, making it a great partner. Mega Venusaur also threatens out Ground-types like Sandslash and Rhydon, which will attempt to wall Zapdos. Alolan Muk appreciates Mega Venusaur, as it can handle physical attackers like Mega Gyarados and Alolan Dugtrio, while Alolan Muk deals with Psychic-type Pokemon that would threaten Mega Venusaur like Mew, Mega Alakazam, and Starmie. Chansey is another example of good synergy, handling dedicated special attackers admirably. Powerful attackers like Dragonite and Melmetal are important as well, as they can capitalize on key defensive Pokemon being put to sleep. Melmetal also provides extra bulk to take pressure off Mega Venusaur and resists Psychic, traits shared by Mew, which can pivot into and out of Venusaur's bad matchups.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
More offensive Mega Venusaur sets are an option, usually foregoing recovery for power or a small amount of coverage. Earthquake can be used to 2HKO Alolan Muk, but it hits little else and does too little to Melmetal to be usually worth considering. Petal Dance is a very powerful and threatening option, beating Zapdos on the switch and 3HKOing Melmetal with Stealth Rock, as well as cleanly 2HKOing Mew, forcing it to use Roost. However, it locks Mega Venusaur in, has unreliable duration and confusion, cuts down on Mega Venusaur's recovery, and leaves it vulnerable to be taken advantage of by Pokemon like Dragonite. Growth is usable alongside Petal Dance, letting Mega Venusaur take advantage of the sleep it inflicts to set up and outdamage the opponent. Solar Beam is immensely powerful but leaves Mega Venusaur vulnerable, can be played around, and is for the most part a worse option than Petal Dance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Melmetal**: Melmetal is resistant or immune to Mega Venusaur's STAB attacks and can 2HKO it in return with Double Iron Bash. However, it is annoyed by sleep and cannot easily 2HKO Mega Venusaur when afflicted with Leech Seed, leaving it vulnerable to losing a lot of health if it gets unlucky with sleep turns.
**Psychic-types**: Mega Alakazam can OHKO Mega Venusaur but cannot switch into Sleep Powder; Mew reliably handles Mega Venusaur with STAB Psychic but should be wary of an incoming Toxic; and Starmie cannot switch in but easily 2HKOes Mega Venusaur.
**Fire-types**: Moltres, Rapidash, and Mega Charizard X and Y all outspeed Mega Venusaur and scare it out with powerful STAB moves, though they can't reliably switch in directly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Collesque, 520031]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lilburr, 481709], [Eve, 375272]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Finland, 517429]]
Mega Venusaur is by far the most viable Grass-type in the tier and a good option for a variety of bulkier teams, with key resistances to Water and Electric that allow it to check Mega Gyarados, counter Poliwrath, and switch freely into Zapdos, as well as above average HP and great defenses complemented by key status moves like Leech Seed and Sleep Powder and an immunity to Toxic. It also is quite strong, being able to take advantage of Pokemon that it puts to sleep and pressure Pokemon like Mew and Zapdos. Unfortunately, Mega Venusaur's lack of reliable recovery makes it difficult to stay healthy throughout a game. It is also weak to common coverage types in Ice and Fire and lacks resistances to Ground and Bug, meaning it can be muscled through by strong attackers such as Nidoking and Mega Beedrill. However, the main detriment to Mega Venusaur's viability is the fact that it takes the team's Mega slot, lowering the offensive potential and revenge killing options for the team significantly.
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Mega Drain
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Sleep Powder / Toxic
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: No Item
nature: Bold / Modest
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Information
========
Mega Drain lets Mega Venusaur threaten out Pokémon like Rhydon and Poliwrath and gives it much-needed recovery. Leech Seed gives additional recovery alongside Mega Drain and lets Mega Venusaur take advantage of high-HP targets like Snorlax, Mew, and Melmetal. Sleep Powder, when landed, gives Mega Venusaur an opportunity to safely use Leech Seed or your team a chance to take advantage of that sleeping Pokémon. Sleep Powder is also very hard to switch into given the scarcity of Grass-types, and the few that exist do not appreciate taking a Sludge Bomb. Toxic is another status option and is often essential for beating Pokémon like Mew and Zapdos, which otherwise switch into Mega Venusaur fairly safety. Sludge Bomb is Mega Venusaur's secondary STAB attack and its main tool for damage dealing. Its higher Base Power and chance to poison let Mega Venusaur pressure neutral targets like Mew, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard X and Y. Bold is the preferred nature to allow Mega Venusaur to more reliably check physical threats like Mega Gyarados and Alolan Dugtrio, although Modest can be chosen to increase Mega Venusaur's offensive presence, letting it 2HKO Zapdos more easily, 2HKO Nidoking, and pressure Mew more effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Evolving Venusaur early on can be important to raise its Defense enough to check threatening Pokemon. If you predict a Stealth Rock user like Sandslash or Rhydon as your opponent's lead, you can lead with Venusaur or switch it in to force them out and achieve Mega Evolution. Since Melmetal is a common response to Mega Venusaur, if you can predict it to switch in, landing Leech Seed allows you to sap large amounts of health from it, providing recovery for Mega Venusaur and the Pokemon you use to switch into Melmetal. If Mega Venusaur is running Sleep Powder, be aware of what Pokemon your opponent would use as sleep fodder, and consider if it is better to put their fodder to sleep or predict the switch and take advantage of it. Don't recklessly use Mega Venusaur as a defensive pivot; if it loses health to U-turn and Stealth Rock damage and is forced out, it can be difficult to reliably get that health back.
Team Options
========
Mega Venusaur invites in Melmetal, and Reflect Zapdos can always come in on Melmetal's Ice Punch when it is afflicted with Leech Seed and comfortably heal back up, making it a great partner. Mega Venusaur also threatens out Ground-types like Sandslash and Rhydon, which will attempt to wall Zapdos. Alolan Muk appreciates Mega Venusaur, as it can handle physical attackers like Mega Gyarados and Alolan Dugtrio, while Alolan Muk deals with Psychic-type Pokemon that would threaten Mega Venusaur like Mew, Mega Alakazam, and Starmie. Chansey is another example of good synergy, handling dedicated special attackers admirably. Powerful attackers like Dragonite and Melmetal are important as well, as they can capitalize on key defensive Pokemon being put to sleep. Melmetal also provides extra bulk to take pressure off Mega Venusaur and resists Psychic, traits shared by Mew, which can pivot into and out of Venusaur's bad matchups.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
More offensive Mega Venusaur sets are an option, usually foregoing recovery for power or a small amount of coverage. Earthquake can be used to 2HKO Alolan Muk, but it hits little else and does too little to Melmetal to be usually worth considering. Petal Dance is a very powerful and threatening option, beating Zapdos on the switch and 3HKOing Melmetal with Stealth Rock, as well as cleanly 2HKOing Mew, forcing it to use Roost. However, it locks Mega Venusaur in, has unreliable duration and confusion, cuts down on Mega Venusaur's recovery, and leaves it vulnerable to be taken advantage of by Pokemon like Dragonite. Growth is usable alongside Petal Dance, letting Mega Venusaur take advantage of the sleep it inflicts to set up and outdamage the opponent. Solar Beam is immensely powerful but leaves Mega Venusaur vulnerable, can be played around, and is for the most part a worse option than Petal Dance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Melmetal**: Melmetal is resistant or immune to Mega Venusaur's STAB attacks and can 2HKO it in return with Double Iron Bash. However, it is annoyed by sleep and cannot easily 2HKO Mega Venusaur when afflicted with Leech Seed, leaving it vulnerable to losing a lot of health if it gets unlucky with sleep turns.
**Psychic-types**: Mega Alakazam can OHKO Mega Venusaur but cannot switch into Sleep Powder; Mew reliably handles Mega Venusaur with STAB Psychic but should be wary of an incoming Toxic; and Starmie cannot switch in but easily 2HKOes Mega Venusaur.
**Fire-types**: Moltres, Rapidash, and Mega Charizard X and Y all outspeed Mega Venusaur and scare it out with powerful STAB moves, though they can't reliably switch in directly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Collesque, 520031]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lilburr, 481709], [Eve, 375272]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Finland, 517429]]
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