Ubers Sableye

[OVERVIEW]

Mega Sableye's ability, Magic Bounce, makes it a decent option on balance and defensive teams alike, as it has solid synergy with staples such as Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Ferrothorn and offers entry hazard control, Taunt immunity, and a pseudo-immunity to status. Solid defense stats and a good typing, with three immunities and one weakness, allow Mega Sableye be a good defensive Pokemon in general and stop many threats such as Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, Ferrothorn, support Arceus formes, and Choice Scarf Lunala. Mega Sableye also has access to an overall good movepool, packing some options such as Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, Foul Play, and Fake Out. However, Mega Sableye fails to stop dedicated leads such as Excadrill, as well as Deoxys-S and Smeargle with Skill Swap, and it is easily overwhelmed by common Stealth Rock setters such as Primal Groudon and Dialga and by strong attackers such as Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, and Rayquaza. Furthermore, its reliance on status to beat Pokemon that aren't weak to Foul Play makes it easily checked and threatened by RestTalk users such as Zygarde-C and Primal Kyogre, as well as Arceus-Dark with Refresh.

[SET]
name: Entry Hazard Control
move 1: Fake Out / Protect
move 2: Recover
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Sablenite
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD

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

Fake Out ensures a safe Mega Evolution for Mega Sableye, does chip damage, and makes the foe take another turn of damage from status. Alternatively, Protect allows Mega Sableye to Mega Evolve safely against Ghost-types, scout Choice item users and the foe's move, and rack up an additional turn of status damage like Fake Out does. However, it leaves Mega Sableye unable to break lead Pokemon's Focus Sashes. Recover is used so Mega Sableye can keep itself healthy. Foul Play makes up for Sableye's lack of power, allowing Sableye to deal sufficient damage to physical attackers such as Swords Dance Arceus and Mega Salamence, as well as hitting Ghost-types such as Lunala, Giratina-O, and Mega Gengar hard. Toxic allows Sableye to cripple offensive and defensive Pokemon such Primal Groudon, support Arceus, and Ho-Oh. Will-O-Wisp is an alternative to Toxic that cripples physical attackers and Steel-types that don't mind Foul Play such as Mega Lucario and Ferrothorn, though Foul Play already covers most physical attackers

Set Details
========

An EV spread of 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD with a Calm nature allows Mega Sableye to check special attackers such as Mega Gengar, Choice Scarf Lunala, Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, support Arceus formes, and Giratina-O more effectively while keeping a bit of physical bulk, enough to ensure not being 2HKOed by defensive Ho-Oh and bulky Swords Dance Arceus. Sablenite is required in order to Mega Evolve. Sableye can run a spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature to handle physical attacks such as defensive Primal Groudon without Lava Plume.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Sableye should be used as a lead and Mega Evolve as soon as possible to activate Magic Bounce. Deoxys-S, Excadrill, and Primal Groudon can lead against Mega Sableye, so use Fake Out to break the former two's Focus Sashes and activate Magic Bounce. After that, switch into their checks to force them out. Otherwise, Mega Sableye checks almost any other entry hazard setter in the tier. Keep Sableye healthy throughout the battle to preserve its ability to check threats and switch into Pokemon to bounce back hazards and status. Do not stay in against attackers that don't mind Foul Play and status, such as Arceus-Dark, Primal Kyogre, and Zygarde-C, and powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Ho-Oh, Ghostium Z Lunala, and Choice Specs Yveltal. One should also be careful of using Will-O-Wisp too recklessly, as it gives a free switch to Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh. The same thing goes for Toxic, as it can give a free switch to Steel-types such as Mega Lucario and Celesteela.

Team Options
========

Ho-Oh is Mega Sableye's ideal teammate, as it effectively check most Fairy-types and special attackers, as well as Mega Lucario if it runs defensive investment, and appreciates Mega Sableye's ability to bounce back entry hazards and check threats such as bulky Swords Dance Arceus, Arceus-Water, and Zygarde-C. Lugia also appreciates the support provided by Mega Sableye and is able to check plenty of setup sweepers and attackers thanks to its ability Multiscale. Primal Groudon is also a decent teammate, as it can effectively force out most Fairy-types and Primal Kyogre, as well as threatening a bunch of Pokemon and setting up Stealth Rock. Ferrothorn provides Spikes support and checks Primal Kyogre, Z-Geomancy Xerneas, and almost any Fairy-type, as well as support Arceus formes if Sableye doesn't run a specially defensive spread. In return, Mega Sableye is able to check Mega Mewtwo X decently. Support Arceus-Ground decently checks all variants of Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, and Mega Lucario, as well as being able to use Defog to provide solid hazard control with Mega Sableye. Arceus-Water and Arceus-Dark fulfill the same role, but they are less consistent in checking threats, although Arceus-Dark brings a useful resistance to Dark- and Ghost-types, allowing it to check threats such as Yveltal, Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost, and Choice Specs Lunala in tandem with Mega Sableye. Magearna is a decent check to other Fairy-types and special attackers such as Yveltal, Xerneas, and Choice Scarf Lunala that fits well with Mega Sableye. Blissey brings a useful immunity to Ghost and huge special bulk, allowing it to check Lunala, Xerneas, and Arceus-Fairy, and gives cleric support as well, which is greatly appreciated by defensive teams.

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

Mega Sableye is one-dimensional in its viable sets, though a usable option would be Metal Burst, which allows Mega Sableye to retaliate against threats such as Primal Groudon and Dialga.

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

**Dedicated Anti-leads**: Deoxys-S, Smeargle, and Excadrill can easily lead against Mega Sableye and proceed to set up entry hazards thanks to Skill Swap or Mold Breaker. Excadrill can also cripple Mega Sableye with Toxic.

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, Clefable, and Magearna can easily force out Mega Sableye and don't mind Foul Play and Will-O-Wisp damage. The only way to play around them is to double switch into a solid check such as Primal Groudon or cripple them with Toxic.

**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon can run a multitude of sets, each of them able to threaten Mega Sableye. Defensive sets can burn Mega Sableye with Lava Plume and easily overwhelm it with Precipice Blades. Mixed and special variants can fire off a strong Fire Blast to beat down Mega Sableye. Offensive Stealth Rock and Double Dance Primal Groudon can set up Swords Dance on Mega Sableye's switch in and OHKO it. However, Primal Groudon doesn't appreciate switching into Toxic or Foul Play.

**Ho-Oh**: Offensive sets can easily overwhelm Mega Sableye, while defensive variants of Ho-Oh can burn Sableye with Sacred Fire or set up a Substitute, although Ho-Oh would rather avoid being poisoned by Toxic.

**Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as offensive Primal Kyogre, Rayquaza, Yveltal, and Groundium Z Swords Dance Arceus-Ground can beat Mega Sableye due to their sheer power.

**RestTalk Users**: Pokemon such as Primal Kyogre, Zygarde-C, Giratina, and Z-Geomancy Xerneas don't mind Will-O-Wisp and Toxic chip damage and are bulky enough to deal with Foul Play.

**Pokemon That Don't Mind Status**: Pokemon such as Facade Mega Salamence, Substitute + Coil Zygarde-C, and Refresh Arceus-Dark can turn Mega Sableye into setup fodder.
 
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discord qc:

- removed magic coat mentions, pending discussion
- reworded some overview things (fairyceus and magearna are not omnipresent mons)
- changed 248 hp to 252
- added info to fake out, noted why its first slash
- other options was removed until QC comes up with viable alternatives

QC 1/3
 

Fireburn

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Dunno if I'd call Arc-Fairy a common SR user, might mention Dialga instead since Sab can't really switch into Meteors

The one thing I think that is worth putting into OO is Metal Burst, so you can do something vs Dialga + surprise PDons

QC 2/3
 

Minority

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Overview

It has a solid synergy with staples such as... Zygarde-C
It does? How? Aren't both of these mons owned by Fairies, owned by SpA attackers, and don't they both give up a lot of momentum? I see more redundancies than anything. You don't even mention it as a team option in "team options" and yet it gets mentioned in the overview. If this mention is going to stay I need to see some examples of strong teams that use Mega Sab + Zygarde-C and an explanation as to why they have good synergy.

...allowing it be a good defensive Pokemon in general and stop many threats such as... Lunala
How are you going to stop a Pokemon when you take 87% from its STAB?

...making it easily checked and threatened by RestTalk users such as Zygarde-C
In the same paragraph you say Mega Sableye checks Zygarde-C, and now you contradict yourself with this. Sab vs. Zygarde-C is a PP war. One does not outright check the other. This information belongs late in C&C, not with contradicting statements in the intro.

...making it easily checked and threatened by RestTalk users such as... Xerneas
Having RestTalk is irrelevant to Xerneas checking Mega Sableye, thus it is not a good example to reference here. It just clicks Moonblast.


Set Details

252 EVs in HP maximize overall bulk, while maximun investement in Defense and a Bold nature allows Mega Sableye to tank physical attacks more effectively.
Such as? Cite the most important benchmarks. If you can't cite any, why in the world is physical the main spread rather than the SpD one that is able to check Choice Scarf Lunala, Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, Support Arceus and Giratina-O?


Team Options

I need to see some options for Dark- and Ghost-type resists here. Arceus-Dark is the only one I see, and I have my doubts as to if it's even possible to build a good team that features Arceus-Dark + Mega Sab.


Fix all these things and I'll stamp.
 

Minority

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Sableye can run a spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature to handle physical attacks such as Swords Dance Arceus, Mixed Rayquaza, and Mega Metagross more easily.
SD Z Arc OHKO you anyway, Mixed Ray doesn't care, and Mega Meta is very niche. I ask again, what substantial physical threats are you checking by utilizing a physically defensive spread?

A can of worms has been opened because the entire EV spread was changed 2/3 checks in. The writer and fellow QC have not given enough information in regards to "the EV spread should be this because of X, Y, and Z" for me to stamp this.

I need other QC to discuss this because otherwise it is me making the entire decision as to if this mon runs a phys spread or a special one.
 

Minority

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Nobody has been able to provide a solid argument or cite benchmarks as to why Phys Def should be the main EV spread. SpD will be the main spread.


QC: 3/3
 

Fireflame

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Remove Add Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen
[OVERVIEW]

Mega Sableye's ability, Magic Bounce, makes it a decent option in balanced on balance and defensive alike teams alike, as it has a solid synergy with staples such as Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Ferrothorn,(RC) and offers hazard control, Taunt immunity, and a pseudo-(AH)immunity to status. Mega Sableye has solid defense stats and a good typing, with 3 three immunities and 1 one weakness, allowing it be a good defensive Pokemon in general and stop many threats such as Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, Ferrothorn, support Arceus formes, and Choice Scarf Lunala. It Mega Sableye has access to a an overall good movepool, packing some options such as Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, Foul Play, and Fake Out. However, Mega Sableye fails to stop dedicated leads such as Excadrill, and as well as Deoxys-S and Smargle with Skill Swap, and it is easily overwhelmed by common Stealth Rock setters such as Primal-(RH)Groudon and Dialga. Mega Sableye is easily overpowered by strong attackers such as Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Primal-(RH)Kyogre, and Rayquaza. Mega Sableye relies on status to beat Pokemon that aren't weak to Foul Play, making it easily checked and threatened by RestTalk users such as Zygarde-C and Primal Kyogre, and as well as Arceus-Dark with Refresh.

[SET]
name: Hazard Control
move 1: Fake Out / Protect
move 2: Recover
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Sablenite
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD

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

Fake Out ensures a safe Mega Evolution for Mega Sableye, does chip damage, and let it deal more makes the foe take another turn of damage with from status. Protect allows Mega Sableye to Mega Evolve safely against Ghost-types, and scout Choice-(AH)item users and the foe's move,(AC) and while also letting it deal more damage with status affect the foe for an additional turn like Fake Out does. But,(AC) it leaves Mega Sableye unable to break Leads' lead Pokemon's Focus Sashes. Recover is used so Mega Sableye can keep itself healthy. Foul Play makes up for Sableye's lack of power, as it uses the foe's Attack stat to calculate damage. This allows Sableye to deal sufficient damage to physical attackers such as Swords Dance Arceus and Mega Salamence, as well as hiting hitting Ghost-types such as Lunala, Giratina-O, and Mega Gengar hard. Toxic allows Sableye to cripple offensive and defensive Pokemon such Primal Groudon, Support Arceus, and Ho-Oh. Will-O-Wisp is an alternative to Toxic, as it cripples Physical Attackers and Steel-types such as Mega Lucario, Swords Dance Arceus, and Ferrothorn, but it is redundant with Foul Play.

Set Details
========

An EV spread of 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD with a Calm nature allows Mega Sableye to check more effectively special attackers such as Mega Gengar, Choice Scarf Lunala, Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, support Arceus formes,(AC) and Giratina-O more effectively while keeping a bit of physical bulk, enough to ensure not being 2HKOed by defensive Ho-Oh and bulky Swords Dance Arceus. Prankster is its the only useful ability before the Mega Evolving, but it Sableye loses it while mega evolving upon Mega Evolution. Sablenite is required in order to Mega Evolve. Sableye can run a spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature to handle physical attacks such as defensive Primal Groudon without Lava Plume.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Sableye should be used as a lead and Mega Evolve as soon as possible to enable Magic Bounce. Deoxys-S, Excadrill, and Primal Groudon anti-lead can lead against Mega Sableye, so use Fake Out to break the first two former two's Focus Sash and enable Magic Bounce. After that switch-in on switch into their checks to force them out. Otherwise, Mega Sableye checks almost any other entry hazard setter in the tier. Keep Sableye healthy throughout the battle to ensure its ability to check threats and switch into Pokemon to bounce back hazards and status. Do not stay in against attackers that doesn't don't mind Foul Play and status,(AC) such as Arceus-Dark,(AC) Primal Kyogre,(AC) and Zygarde-C,(AC) and powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Ho-Oh, Z-Moongeist Beam Ghostium Z Lunala, and Choice Specs Yveltal. Avoid staying against Pokemon that don't mind Status ailments and Foul Play such as Arceus-Dark, Primal-Kyogre, and Zygarde-C. (merged above) One should also be careful of using Will-O-Wisp too recklessly, as it gives a free switch to Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh,(RC).(period) The same thing goes for Toxic, as it can give a free switch to Steel-types such as Mega Lucario and Celesteela.

Team Options
========

Ho-Oh is Mega Sableye's ideal teammate, as it effectively check effectively most of Fairy-types and can check special attackers,(AC) as well as and Mega Lucario if it runs defensive investement,(RC) it.(period) Ho-Oh also appreciates Mega Sableye's ability to bounce back entry hazards and check threats such as bulky Swords Dance Arceus Arceus-Normal Swords Dance, Arceus-Water, and Zygarde-C. Lugia appreciates the support provided by Mega Sableye,(RC) (dependent clause) and is able to check a plenty of setup sweepers and attackers thanks to its ability, Multiscale. Primal Groudon is also a decent teammate, as it can effectively forces force out most of Fairy-types and Primal Kyogre, as well as threatening a bunch of Pokemon and set setting up Stealth Rock. Ferrothorn provides Spikes support,(RC) and checks Primal-(RH)Kyogre, Z-Geomancy Xerneas, and almost any Fairy-types Fairy-(AH)type, as well as being able to check support varients of Arceus formes if Sableye doesnt doesn't run Special Defensive a specially defensive spread.(period) In return, while (makes it easier to read) Mega Sableye is able to check Mega Mewtwo X decently. Support Arceus-Ground decently checks decently all variants of Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, Ryaquaza, and Mega Lucario, as well as being able to use Defog to provides a provide solid hazard control with Mega Sableye. Arceus-Water and Arceus-Dark fulfill the same role,(AC) but they are less consistent in checking threats, although Arceus-Dark gives a useful resistance to Dark- and Ghost-types, allowing it to check threats such as Yveltal, Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost, and Choice Specs Lunala in tandem with Mega Sableye. Magearna is a decent check to the other Fairy-types and special attackers such as Yveltal and Choice Scarf Lunala (you never mentioned a Fairy-type here, so I would do that) that fits well with Mega Sableye. Blissey brings a useful immunity to Ghost-type with a Ghost and huge special bulk, allowing it to check Lunala, Xerneas, and Arceus-Fairy, and gives as well Cleric support as well, which is greatly appreciated by defensive teams.

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

Mega Sableye is one-dimensional in its viable sets, as it lacks options, though a viable option would be Metal Burst, which allows Mega Sableye to retaliate against threats such as Primal Groudon and Dialga.

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

**Dedicated Anti-leads**: Deoxys-S, Smeargle, and Excadrill can easily anti lead against Mega Sableye and proceed to set up entry hazards thanks to Skill Swap or Mold Breaker. Excadrill can also cripple Mega Sableye with Toxic.

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, Clefable, and Magearna can easily force out Mega Sableye and don't mind Foul Play and Will-O-Wisp damage.(period) and Will-O-Wisp chip damage,(RC) The only way to play around them is to doubles double switch into a solid check such as Primal Groudon or cripple them with Toxic.

**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon can run a multitude of sets, each of them able to threaten Mega Sableye,(RC).(period) Defensive sets can burn Mega Sableye with Lava Plume and easily overwhelm it with Precipices Blade Precipice Blades. Mixed and Special variants can fire off a strong Fire Blast to beat down Mega Sableye. Offensive Stealth Rock and Double Dance Primal Groudon can set a up Swords Dance on the switch-in Mega Sableye's switch in and OKHO it. However, Primal Groudon doesn't appreciate switch-in switching into a Toxic or a Foul Play.

**Ho-Oh**: Offensive sets can easily overwhelm Mega Sableye, while defensive variants of Ho-Oh can burn Sableye with Sacred Fire or set up a Substitute, although Ho-Oh would rather avoid being poisonned poisoned by Toxic.

**Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as offensive Primal Kyogre, Rayquaza, Yveltal, and Z-Earthquake Groundium Z Swords Dance Arceus-Ground can beat Mega Sableye due to their sheer power.

**RestTalk Users**: Pokemon such as Primal Kyogre, Zygarde-C, Giratina-A Giratina, and Z-Geomancy Xerneas doesn't don't mind Will-O-Wisp and Toxic chip damage and are enough bulky enough to not being threatened by deal with (original sounded awkward) Foul Play.

**Pokemon That Don't Mind Status Ailments**: (you can get rid of the word "ailments" if you want) Pokemon such as Facade Mega Salamence, Substitute + Coil Zygarde-C, and Refresh Arceus-Dark can turn Mega Sableye into a setup fodder.
GP 1/2
 

Lumari

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remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Mega Sableye's ability, Magic Bounce, makes it a decent option on balance and defensive teams alike, as it has solid synergy with staples such as Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Ferrothorn and offers entry hazard control, Taunt immunity, and a pseudo-immunity to status. Mega Sableye has Solid defense stats and a good typing, with three immunities and one weakness, allowing it allow Mega Sableye be a good defensive Pokemon in general and stop many threats such as Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, Ferrothorn, support Arceus formes, and Choice Scarf Lunala. Mega Sableye also has access to an overall good movepool, packing some options such as Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, Foul Play, and Fake Out. However, Mega Sableye fails to stop dedicated leads such as Excadrill, as well as Deoxys-S and Smargle Smeargle with Skill Swap, and it is easily overwhelmed by common Stealth Rock setters such as Primal Groudon and Dialga (RP) Mega Sableye is easily overpowered and by strong attackers such as Mega Salamence, Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, and Rayquaza. Mega Sableye relies Furthermore, its reliance on status to beat Pokemon that aren't weak to Foul Play (RC) making makes it easily checked and threatened by RestTalk users such as Zygarde-C and Primal Kyogre, as well as Arceus-Dark with Refresh.

[SET]
name: Entry Hazard Control
move 1: Fake Out / Protect
move 2: Recover
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Sablenite
ability: Prankster
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD

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

Fake Out ensures a safe Mega Evolution for Mega Sableye, does chip damage, and makes the foe take another turn of damage from status. Alternatively, Protect allows Mega Sableye to Mega Evolve safely against Ghost-types, scout Choice item (RH) users and the foe's move, and letting status affect the foe for an rack up an additional turn of status damage like Fake Out does. But, However, it leaves Mega Sableye unable to break lead Pokemon's Focus Sashes. Recover is used so Mega Sableye can keep itself healthy. Foul Play makes up for Sableye's lack of power, as it uses the foe's Attack stat to calculate damage. This allows allowing Sableye to deal sufficient damage to physical attackers such as Swords Dance Arceus and Mega Salamence, as well as hitting Ghost-types such as Lunala, Giratina-O, and Mega Gengar hard. Toxic allows Sableye to cripple offensive and defensive Pokemon such Primal Groudon, support Arceus, and Ho-Oh. Will-O-Wisp is an alternative to Toxic (RC) as it that cripples physical attackers and Steel-types such as Mega Lucario, Swords Dance Arceus, and Ferrothorn, but it is redundant with Foul Play. (how is it? is foul play really enough to keep ferrothorn / lucario under control?)

Set Details
========

An EV spread of 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD with a Calm nature allows Mega Sableye to check special attackers such as Mega Gengar, Choice Scarf Lunala, Mewtwo, Deoxys-A, support Arceus formes, and Giratina-O more effectively while keeping a bit of physical bulk, enough to ensure not being 2HKOed by defensive Ho-Oh and bulky Swords Dance Arceus. Prankster is the only useful ability before Mega Evolving, but Sableye loses it upon Mega Evolution. (explain its use) Sablenite is required in order to Mega Evolve. Sableye can run a spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature to handle physical attacks such as defensive Primal Groudon without Lava Plume.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Sableye should be used as a lead and Mega Evolve as soon as possible to enable activate Magic Bounce. Deoxys-S, Excadrill, and Primal Groudon can lead against Mega Sableye, so use Fake Out to break the former two's Focus Sashes and enable activate Magic Bounce. After that, (AC) switch into their checks to force them out. Otherwise, Mega Sableye checks almost any other entry hazard setter in the tier. Keep Sableye healthy throughout the battle to ensure preserve its ability to check threats and switch into Pokemon to bounce back hazards and status. Do not stay in against attackers that don't mind Foul Play and status, such as Arceus-Dark, Primal Kyogre, and Zygarde-C, and powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Ho-Oh, Ghostium Z Lunala, and Choice Specs Yveltal. One should also be careful of using Will-O-Wisp too recklessly, as it gives a free switch to Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh. The same thing goes for Toxic, as it can give a free switch to Steel-types such as Mega Lucario and Celesteela.

Team Options
========

Ho-Oh is Mega Sableye's ideal teammate, as it effectively check most Fairy-types and special attackers, as well as Mega Lucario if it runs defensive investement investment, (comma) Ho-Oh also and appreciates Mega Sableye's ability to bounce back entry hazards and check threats such as bulky Swords Dance Arceus, Arceus-Water, and Zygarde-C. Lugia also appreciates the support provided by Mega Sableye and is able to check plenty of setup sweepers and attackers thanks to its ability (RC) Multiscale. Primal Groudon is also a decent teammate, as it can effectively force out most Fairy-types and Primal Kyogre, as well as threatening a bunch of Pokemon and setting up Stealth Rock. Ferrothorn provides Spikes support and checks Primal Kyogre, Z-Geomancy Xerneas, and almost any Fairy-type, as well as support Arceus formes if Sableye doesn't run a specially defensive spread. In return, Mega Sableye is able to check Mega Mewtwo X decently. Support Arceus-Ground decently checks all variants of Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, Ryaquaza Rayquaza, and Mega Lucario, as well as being able to use Defog to provide solid hazard control with Mega Sableye. Arceus-Water and Arceus-Dark fulfill the same role, but they are less consistent in checking threats, although Arceus-Dark gives brings a useful resistance to Dark- and Ghost-types, allowing it to check threats such as Yveltal, Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost, and Choice Specs Lunala in tandem with Mega Sableye. Magearna is a decent check to other Fairy-types and special attackers such as Yveltal, Xerneas, and Choice Scarf Lunala that fits well with Mega Sableye. Blissey brings a useful immunity to Ghost and huge special bulk, allowing it to check Lunala, Xerneas, and Arceus-Fairy, and gives cleric support as well, which is greatly appreciated by defensive teams.

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

Mega Sableye is one-dimensional in its viable sets, as it lacks options, though a viable usable (or w/e, repetition) option would be Metal Burst, which allows Mega Sableye to retaliate against threats such as Primal Groudon and Dialga.

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

**Dedicated Anti-leads**: Deoxys-S, Smeargle, and Excadrill can easily lead against Mega Sableye and proceed to set up entry hazards thanks to Skill Swap or Mold Breaker. Excadrill can also cripple Mega Sableye with Toxic.

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Xerneas, Arceus-Fairy, Clefable, and Magearna can easily force out Mega Sableye and don't mind Foul Play and Will-O-Wisp damage. The only way to play around them is to double switch into a solid check such as Primal Groudon or cripple them with Toxic.

**Primal Groudon**: Primal Groudon can run a multitude of sets, each of them able to threaten Mega Sableye. Defensive sets can burn Mega Sableye with Lava Plume and easily overwhelm it with Precipice Blades. Mixed and special variants can fire off a strong Fire Blast to beat down Mega Sableye. Offensive Stealth Rock and Double Dance Primal Groudon can set up Swords Dance on Mega Sableye's switch in and OKHO OHKO it. However, Primal Groudon doesn't appreciate switching into Toxic or Foul Play.

**Ho-Oh**: Offensive sets can easily overwhelm Mega Sableye, while defensive variants of Ho-Oh can burn Sableye with Sacred Fire or set up a Substitute, although Ho-Oh would rather avoid being poisoned by Toxic.

**Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as offensive Primal Kyogre, Rayquaza, Yveltal, and Groundium Z Swords Dance Arceus-Ground can beat Mega Sableye due to their sheer power.

**RestTalk Users**: Pokemon such as Primal Kyogre, Zygarde-C, Giratina, and Z-Geomancy Xerneas don't mind Will-O-Wisp and Toxic chip damage and are bulky enough to deal with Foul Play.

**Pokemon That Don't Mind Status**: Pokemon such as Facade Mega Salamence, Substitute + Coil Zygarde-C, and Refresh Arceus-Dark can turn Mega Sableye into setup fodder.
 
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