please put your analysis in bullet point form before someone qcs it.Ready for QC
and after speaking with a qc member, youre missing 2 sets--custap and specs.
please put your analysis in bullet point form before someone qcs it.Ready for QC
Ready for QC!Reserving Whimsicott [1v1]
Overview
+ Bulky enough to tank in Super Effective moves using certain berries.
+ Wins against most Pokemon that do less than 90% damage on the first hit.
+ Has a filler move to support itself during the times that it may be defeated without it.
+ Has thee ability Prankster which gives Whimsicott a good chance of moving before the opponent when it uses a status move.
+ Can easily defeat Pokemon that try to stall around in the metagame.
- Has to rely on the 90% accuracy move Leech Seed.
- With every berry a Whimsicott holds, you'll have to know that Whimsicott is still weak to a certain part of the metagame depending on what berry it holds.
- Hates sound moves.
- No good offense strategy.
- The only move it has that makes opponents fall asleep is Grass Whistle, which has 55% accuracy.
The Whimsy Vampire
Whimsicott @ Babiri Berry/Occa Berry/Yache Berry
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD / 248 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Bold/Calm Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Protect
- Encore/Cotton Guard/Taunt
Set comments
Moves
This Whimsy Vamprire has several options for viable moves that it can use it 1v1. It has moves like Leech Seed to steal some health from the opponents, Protect to shield itself from any attack and status move attempts that come by, Substitute to stall its way to victory due to Leech Seed while both of the moves are supported by the ability Prankster, and Encore to make Pokemon that use stall to use the same move over and over again so that you can just mess around with them until you win. Cotton Guard is a good alternative from Encore since it lets Whimsicott tank in more of the physical moves that may seem to threaten Whimsicott. Taunt is another alternative but it's kinda like Encore except it sends the opponent a message saying to only use attacking moves. This brings Whimsicott to the best of its advantage against stall due to it preventing opponents to heal especially.
Set Details
Whimsicott's EVs are usually just the typical standard EVs depending on what berry you use. Whimsicott uses 248 EVs on every Leech Seed set just for it to be able to do its best since it gains a large amount of HP. This amount is safer than 252 EVs because 248 EVs allows Whimsicott to use Substitute one extra time if it really needs it. If you hold a Babiri Berry or an Occa Berry, It is recommended that you also run 252 Defense EVs and 4 Special Defense EVs. The Babiri Berry is used specifically to go against Steel-type Pokemon like Mega Mawile and Mega Aggron. For Mega Mawile, you would need a significant amount of EVs in order to tank it well. Special Defense EVs may sound necessary for this set but regardless of how much EVs you manage to give it, Ice Beam from Pokemon like Black Kyurem and Genesect would still do so much to it. If you want to max Special Defense for this set and give 4 Defense EVs, I suggest using the Yache Berry instead of the Babiri Berry so that you can take Ice Beam hits well. If you use the Occa Berry, the EVs could be any one of the two other spreads said depending on if you're trying to beat Mega Charizard-X or Mega Chariard-Y
Usage Tips
When using Whimsicott, try using Leech Seed before any other move, unless you think that your opponent won't attack on the first turn. If you think or you're sure that your opponent won't use an attack move on the first turn, use Substitute instead. After you're done using Leech Seed, keep using Protect and Substitute until your opponent's HP drops down to 0, then you win. If anything is stopping you from doing your main role, you can use one of the filler moves on the 4th slot, depending on who you're up against.
Team Options
Whimsicott well suits with Black Kyurem as it can take down the majority of the Pokemon that Whimsicott can't using its standard Outrage, Earth Power/Iron Head, Ice Beam, Fusion Bolt set to take down threats like Mega Charizard-X and Garchomp. Other good option for a Pokemon to team with Whimsicott is Mega Sableye. Sableye is pretty much Whimsicott's shadow as regular Sableye and Whimsicott both have Prankster, but Mega Sableye has Magic Bounce. Magic Bounce is an ability that bounces all status moves away. Anyone who sees a Whimsicott and Sableye in the same team would have a hard time thinking of who to choose because of their typing, abilities, and defense. Mega Sableye has the defense to easily block attacks from Whimsicott's threats and it doesn't hesitate to retaliate back with Metal Burst. Magic Bounce is able to make moves like Toxic fly back to Pokemon that may unexpectedly have it just to deal with Whimsicott.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Grass Whistle is a possible filler move in this Whimsicott set. You can use it to make opponents fall asleep so that you can succeed easier in your plans by using Leech Seed or Substitute. The only things you need to be cautious about when you use this move is that it has a low 55% accuracy which would make it miss often and if it does hit, you're going to have to rely on your opponents to start waking up pretty late rather than as early as possible. 55% accuracy isn't healthy to rely on. Toxic is another option you can use, but Toxic takes away 1 turn of Whimsicott's ideal strategy and that 1 turn can be very risky to waste. Offense moves like Moonblast and Giga Drain look good on paper but not the best in 1v1, because even though those moves can defeat Dark and Water types easier, Whimsicott's Special Attack just isn't enough for the metagame unless it's against Mega Diancie.
Checks and Counters
**Steel-type, Fire-type, and/or Ice-type moves**: Whimsicott is weak to all three of these types. These types of moves are some of the most common out there so the best option is to make yourself take less damage from one of these types using a Babiri Berry, an Occa Berry, or a Yache Berry. Even though this is an option, you will still be weak to two of the three types of moves on this list.
**Poison-type moves**: Whimsicott is times four weak to Poison and really doesn't have anything to stop it from getting OHKOed by most Poison moves. Kebia Berry is an option but it usually isn't enough to stop Whimsicott from fainting in this case.
**Moves that go through Substitute**: Any move that goes through Substitute is a huge threat to Whimsicott and Whimsicott flat out loses at this point.
**Magic Bouncers**: This ability scares Whimsicott more than it scares any other Pokemon because with this ability, Whimsicott cannot use any status moves on the Magic Bouncers as they would just fly back to it. Whimsicott's entire strategy is just using status moves so in this case, Whimsicott loses.
**Mega Banette**: Mega Banette plays with Whimsicott like some kind of rag doll. With Prankster Taunt and Torment, Whimsicott wouldn't be able to do much other than making its 1st move.
Ready for QC!
ty DEG/Rhythms for the clarification :)
edited my previous post for some cool stuff (OM room pls read), using this one for P2 Analysis.
[Quality Control]
Overview
Porygon2 is a fantastic defensive Pokemon in the Inverse metagame. Its typing leaves it with just one weakness to Ghost-types (which it threatens with a super-effective STAB), and combined with its stats and Eviolite, this make it capable of blanket checking a huge proportion of the metagame. It has three excellent abilities in Trace, Download and Analytic, which allow it to switch into an even larger range of Pokemon (such as Natural Cure Chansey) or threaten switchins more effectively. It is, however, rather susceptible to Knock Off, which greatly reduces its walling prowess, and lacks the passive healing of Leftovers which makes it more easily worn down by hazards. Despite this, Porygon2 is an incredibly versatile Pokemon which can fit on almost all team styles.
The Duck
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace / Download / Analytic
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Tri Attack
- Psyshock / Foul Play
- Thunder Wave / Toxic
Set Comments
Moves
Recover allows Porygon2 to switch in on threats throughout the match. Tri Attack is a great STAB move with perfect neutral coverage in Inverse, and its 20% chance to inflict status can help turn around games. Psyshock makes this set one of the best Meloetta checks in the metagame, always breaking its Substitutes (even if it has maximum defensive investment) and stopping it from setting up Calm Minds. Alternatively, Foul Play can be used to discourage physical attackers from setting up: notably, it OHKOs Mega Lopunny after Stealth Rock damage. Thunder Wave is useful against more offensive teams, while Toxic allows it to wear down defensive switchins such as Avalugg and Tangrowth, as well as opposing Porygon2.
Set Details
The EVs along with a Calm nature give Porygon2 excellent mixed bulk, allowing it to avoid the 2HKO from powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Porygon-Z's Tri Attack, Mega Lopunny's Return and even Focus Sash Gengar's Shadow Ball. Trace is the preferred nature, allowing Porygon2 to pivot into Chansey without fear of status and having the chance to trace great abilities such as Intimidate and Sap Sipper from the likes of Staraptor and Gogoat. Both Download and Analytic have their respective niches, however, with Download allowing Porygon2 to 2HKO the more common physically defensive Avalugg if it gets the relevant boost, and Analytic handling Bold Meloetta far better and dealing more damage in general. However, Trace is generally the most effective.
Alternative EV spreads of either 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD with a Bold nature, or 252 HP/4 Def/252 SpD with a Calm nature, can be run to better handle physical or special attackers, respectively.
Usage Tips
Porygon2 should be switched into threats such as Meloetta, Alakazam and Mega Lopunny and proceed to fire off a status move or Tri Attack. However, it must be careful to avoid Trick from the rare Choice Meloetta, and the occasional Toxic from Mega Lopunny, which cripple it greatly. It can easily switch into any predicted fighting-type moves and most non-STAB moves, whether physical or special. Do not switch into potential Knock Off users, such as Mamoswine, Landorus or Mega Beedrill, without first scouting their moveset to ensure safety. Recover should be used liberally, as Porygon's bulk should not be overestimated - after some residual damage, Mega Lopunny threatens a 2HKO with Return. Porygon2 can also switch easily into passive Pokemon such as Avalugg and Chansey, though it should watch out for Toxic from Avalugg (and from Chansey if it doesn't have Trace).
Team Options
Porygon2 doesn't require a great deal of support, as its role is to support its teammates. However it appreciates being paired with a Poison-type and/or hazard removal, as it is greatly crippled by Toxic Spikes and even other hazards reduce its ability to consistently check threats. It also requires a switchin to Knock Off. Mega Beedrill and both Mega and non-Mega Latias make great partners in this regard - Beedrill removes Toxic Spikes while soft checking Mamoswine and Landorus, while Latias can Defog away hazards and competely counters Mamoswine. Latias also handles Ghost-types fairly well. SubCM [GP - can I write this?] Mega Latias greatly appreciates opposing Pokemon being paralysed, as do Substitute users in general, as it gives them more chances to set up. On more defensive teams, cleric support from the likes of Chansey is helpful to harmful status. Frail Pokemon such as Breloom appreciate Porygon2's ability to switch into Lopunny. Almost every other Pokemon in the tier appreciates the support that Porygon2 brings.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
A tank set with a Modest/Quiet nature and Tri Attack, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam and Recover with Download or Analytic, respectively can be used, since Porygon has respectable bulk even with just HP investment and a fairly good base 105 Special Attack. However such a set is fairly weak and sacrifices the ability to wall many of the harder hitting Pokemon in the tier, such as Mega Lopunny. Porygon2 also learns Trick Room, but the playstyle is not particularly effective in the tier due to the prevalence of slow, bulky Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
Status: Porygon2 can't rid itself of any form of status and is crippled by them, as they all prevent it from doing its job of walling.
Chansey: Chansey is barely tickled by Porygon2's attacks, shrugs off status thanks to Natural Cure, and can heal itself, support its team or use moves such as Toxic, Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock to threaten Porygon2 and its teammates. However, it is very passive, and it is easy to take advantage of this.
Knock Off and Trick: If it loses its Eviolite, it is 2HKO'd by the likes of Mega Lopunny, Mega Beedrill, and +1 Meloetta after Stealth Rock. Trick prevents it from switching moves which is awful for a wall, and even with Choice Specs, uninvested Tri Attack is not a powerful attack.
Bulky Setup Sweepers: If Porygon2 lacks Psyshock, SubCM Meloetta sets up on it, as after Meloetta gets a boost, Tri Attack fails to break its Substitute. Pokemon such as Resttalk Suicune avoid the 3HKO from Tri Attack or Psyshock and can Rest off any status they suffer.
Taunt: Porygon2 is almost completely shut down by Taunt, as it does not have a strong offensive presence.
Very strong attacks: Porygon2 struggles to take very strong hits from Pokemon such as Choice Band Staraptor or Swords Dance Ursaring.
Ready for QC tagging -Grim Kl4ng motherlove Lcass4919Reserving baecanion [AAA]
Overview
- Good Offensive Typing
- Great spammable move in Steam Eruption
- Combined with great SpA stat
- Large enough attack stat and solid movepool for mixed set
- Good natural bulk makes it difficult to ohko and revenge kill
- Slow for an offensive threat
- Weak to Stealth Rocks
- Attacks can be predictable
Choice Specs Wallbreaker
Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Scald
- Will-o-Wisp / Focus Blast / Sludge Wave
Set Comments
Moves
- Steam Eruption is Volcanion's best move. It provides an extremely powerful STAB attack with solid accuracy as well as a 30% chance to burn the foe.
- Fire Blast provides another strong STAB option for Volcanion
- Scald is a safer option when Steam Eruption is unnecessary, whether to ensure the move hits or to save valuable Steam Eruption pp.
- Due to Tinted Lens, Volcanion almost never uses its fourth move. Will-o-Wisp is a decent option to burn checks like Chansey or RegenVest Meloetta and Manaphy. Focus Blast can hit opponents with immunities and resists to Volcanion's STABs, such as Flash Fire Ferrothorn. Sludge Wave can hit the rare bulky Fairy type foe in AAA, such as Sylveon.
Set Details
- SpA EVs, Modest Nature, and Choice Specs all maximize the power of Volcanion
- Speed EVs to outspeed most defensive foes
- Tinted Lens allows Volcanion to plow through most would-be checks, and it pairs perfectly with Choice Specs
Usage Tips
- Use Steam Eruption whenever you can, unless the opponent has an immunity
- Use a slow teammate's Volt Switch or U-Turn to get Volcanion safely into play to threaten the opponent
- Weaken checks with other special attackers as well as hazards before sending Volcanion into play
Team Options
- Special Attackers with Knock Off, such as Thundurus and Manaphy, are great teammates as they can lure in special defensive walls such as Chansey and RegenVest users, and then significantly weaken their spdef
- Zapdos provides a ground immunity, hazard removal and a slow Volt Switch/U-Turn
- Diancie can provide a check for Gale Wings users that threaten Volcanion, and it appreciates Volcanion's pressure on the opponent's Steel type team members.
Adaptability Mixed Attacker
Volcanion @ Choice Scarf / Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Flare Blitz
- Focus Blast / Earth Power
Set Comments
Moves
- Steam Eruption is Volcanion's best move. It provides a strong, accurate STAB with a 30% chance to burn.
- Fire Blast is Volcanion's alternate STAB move that provides great coverage in tandem with Steam Eruption.
- Flare Blitz provides a powerful physical STAB option to surprise and defeat many checks designed for Volcanion's special attacks, such as RegenVest Meloetta.
- Focus Blast provides coverage for foes with an immunity to Volcanion's STAB such as Flash Fire Ferrothorn and Desolate Land Heatran.
- Earth Power more reliably hits Heatran, at the cost of easily defeating Ferrothorn. Focus Blast is thus the preferred option unless Volcanion's teammates can easily defeat Ferrothorn.
Set Details
The EVs are set to maximize Volcanion's special attack and speed; combined with a Choice Scarf Volcanion outspeeds and OHKO foes like Raikou, Thundurus, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar. The Naughty Nature gives Volcanion max speed, while still provided it with strong special attacking stat, as well as a decent attacking stat. Adaptability further increases the power of Volcanion's STABs, making it a devestating attacker. Life Orb is another option to further increase Volcanion's damage output. However, Volcanion's slow speed leaves it vulnerable to fast attackers like Thundurus, and the Life Orb set is often outclassed by Choice Specs Tinted Lens. That said, a Life Orb mixed Adaptability set is devastating against stall.
Usage Tips
- Volcanion should be played aggresively. If often surprises foes with its Choice Scarf to OHKO them.
- It is better to avoid bringing it in directly on a offensive foe that would outspeed Volcanion if it did not have a Choice Scarf, as you can make your item obvious.
- To expand, leading with Volcanion against a predicted offensive opponent's lead can provide you with a great starting matchup.
- Pivot Volcanion in against defensive opponents with U-Turn and Volt Switch.
- If you can predict remove a special defensive check like Meloetta and defeat it with Flare Blitz, Choice Scarf Steam Eruption will often plow through the opponent's remaining team.
Team Options
- Special Attackers with Knock Off, such as Thundurus and Manaphy, are great teammates as they can lure in special defensive walls such as Chansey and RegenVest users, and then significantly weaken their spdef
- Zapdos provides a ground immunity, hazard removal and a slow Volt Switch/U-Turn
- Diancie can provide a check for Gale Wings users that threaten Volcanion, and it appreciates Volcanion's pressure on the opponent's Steel type team members.
- Magnet Pull Infernape is able to trap and defeat steel typed Volcanion checks such as Ferrothorn and Heatran.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
- Motor Drive can surprise threats like Thundurus to give Volcanion an advantage.
- Swift Swim makes Volcanion a devastating fast attacker on rain teams.
- Magnet Pull seems appealing at first, but is generally outclassed by Heatran and Infernape
- Regenerator can make use of Volcanion's natural bulk to improve its longevity at the cost of power.
Checks and Counters
Special Defensive Walls: Volcanion has a tough time breaking walls like Chansey as well as RegenVest users like Meloetta and Manaphy. These checks can also hinder Volcanion's effectiveness with status or Knock Off, or pivot out.
Bulky Water Types: With a resistance to both of Volcanion's STABs, bulky waters such as Poison Heal Suicune and Manaphy have the stats to check even the Tinted Lens set.
Fast Electric Types: Thundurus and Raikou can outspeed Volcanion without a Choice Scarf and OHKO it easily.
Updated with DEG's suggestions. Ready for second QCReserving 1v1 Mega-Gyarados [Quality Control, 1/2]
Overview
Mega Gyarados is a force to be reckoned with in the 1v1 meta due to immense power, great physical move pool, two useful abilities, two useful typings. Majority of the time it will utilize Dragon Dance one its first turn to set-up allowing it to OHKO the opposing pokemon before it can be killed itself. Intimidate allows Gyarados pre-mega to weaken an opposing physical attacker, while Mold Breaker allows Mega Gyarados to break through defensive abilities like Multiscale and Sturdy, which could otherwise prevent a KO. A normal Gyarados can capitalize on its few weaknesses to minimize damage taken before Mega-evolving, while Mega-evolving can provide STAB Crunch to break Psychic type pokemon like Deoxys-D and Mega Slowbro. Unfortunately it is held back by its lower speed tier and requires Dragon Dance to boost it. Burns from pokemon like Mega Sableye also really hurt Mega Gyarados's ability to KO and can be especially problematic. Bulky Pokemon that resist Mega Gyarados's STAB moves like Whimisicott can also be dangerous as Mega Gyarados has trouble fitting in all of the necessary coverage moves it wants into a set.
Standard set
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Def / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall/Outrage
- Crunch/Outrage/Taunt
- Earthquake/Taunt/Waterfall
Moves
Dragon Dance is a necessity on any Mega Gyarados set as it allows it to overcome its poor speed as well as boosting its attack stat to insane levels. Waterfall and Crunch are used as primary STAB attacks with rare but useful secondary effects. Waterfall hits hard against rock, ground, and fire type pokemon like Rhyperior and Crustle. Crunch hits hard on Outrage is a strong attack that has great coverage against Mega Charizard X and Dragonite. Taunt can be used to stop stall Pokemon like Chansey, Mega Sableye, Deoxys-D, and Whimiscott, assuming they don't Taunt you first. Earthquake can be used as coverage against Mega Mawile.
Set Details
Most Gyarados-Mega utilize an Adamant nature and 252 attack to maximize its damage output. A speed benchmark of 88 from neutral nature is also popular as a way to ensure that after one dragon dance Mega Gyarados outspeeds all fully invested, beneficial nature, non-boosted, base 100 Pokemon. Most Mega Gyarados also invest in HP and Defense in an attempt to boost its mediocre Defense and HP stat. This will allow it to almost always avoid a 2OHKO from a Naive Scarf Kyurem-B's Fusion Bolt and a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage . It will also avoid an OHKO from a Mega Charizard Y's Solar beam.
Usage Tips
Mega Gyarados usage is pretty simple. Dragon Dance and then attack, almost always. This is because a non-boosted attack from Mega Gyarados usually does at least 67%, but Mega Gyarados moves second most of the time and risks being 2OHKO'd by faster opponents. Occasionally, Mega Gyarados wants to hold off mega-evolving to avoid super effective fighting or fairy moves. Occasionally it will also jump straight into attacking rather than boosting especially to defeat strong but slow opponents like Mega Mawile. Outrage should be picked if Mega Gyarados needs to hit dragons like Mega Charizard X. Taunt should be used when facing Stall pokemon like Deoxys-D and Chansey. Earthquake should be chosen as a check to Mega Mawile.
Team Options
Mega Mawile is a great teammate that can break through Fairy pokemon and Mega-Sableye who can threaten Mega Gyarados.
Weakness Policy Aegislash is a great teammate that is able to stop pokemon like Choice Band Kyurem-B and Choice Specs Porygon-Z
Mega Charizard X also is a good partner as it is able to avoid Will-o-wisp that treatens Mega Gyarados.
Mega Charizard Y works as well to threaten bulky grass types like Mega Venusaur.
Scarf Genesect also is a good teammate that can outspeed fast opponents, as well as hit fairy and grass types.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Substitute is an option to beat slow status abusers and stall pokemon like Porygon2 and Chansey. Stone Edge can be used to more reliably check the Mega Charizard forms.
Checks and Counters
Attack lowering moves and burns: Moves that lower the Gyarados-mega’s attack like Charm and the burn status condition can really pose a problem as it can really hamper Mega Gyarados ability to set up, while the opponent whittles down its health.
Stall pokemon: Pokemon like Whimsicott and Mega-Sableye can be really problematic for Mega Gyarados as it can't outright OHKO them and relies on Taunt to stop them.
Fairy type pokemon: Fairy type pokemon like Mega Mawile and Mega Gardevoir are usually very strong and have high win rates against Gyarados-mega due to their ability to OHKO Gyarados-Mega when it mega evolves.
Hyper offensive choice pokemon: Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z can capitalize on Choice Band and Choice Specs to deal insane amounts of damage to Mega Gyarados.
spoke to Rhythms and since there's only 2 of us doing Inverse QCs, this is ready for GP!Grammar Ready
ty DEG/Rhythms for the clarification :)
edited my previous post for some cool stuff (OM room pls read), using this one for P2 Analysis.
[QC 1/1]
(there's only 2 of us atm and QC'ing my own work seems redundant)
[GP 0/1]
Overview
Porygon2 is a fantastic defensive Pokemon in the Inverse metagame. Its typing leaves it with just one weakness to Ghost-types (which it threatens with a super-effective STAB), and combined with its stats and Eviolite, this make it capable of blanket checking a huge proportion of the metagame. It has three excellent abilities in Trace, Download and Analytic, which allow it to switch into an even larger range of Pokemon (such as Natural Cure Chansey) or threaten switchins more effectively. It is, however, rather susceptible to Knock Off, which greatly reduces its walling prowess, and lacks the passive healing of Leftovers which makes it more easily worn down by hazards. Despite this, Porygon2 is an incredibly versatile Pokemon which can fit on almost all team styles.
The Duck
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace / Download / Analytic
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Tri Attack
- Psyshock / Foul Play
- Thunder Wave / Toxic
Set Comments
Moves
Recover allows Porygon2 to switch in on threats throughout the match. Tri Attack is a great STAB move with perfect neutral coverage in Inverse, and its 20% chance to inflict status can help turn around games. Psyshock makes this set one of the best Meloetta checks in the metagame, always breaking its Substitutes (even if it has maximum defensive investment) and stopping it from setting up Calm Minds. Alternatively, Foul Play can be used to discourage physical attackers from setting up: notably, it OHKOs Mega Lopunny after Stealth Rock damage. Thunder Wave is useful against more offensive teams, while Toxic allows it to wear down defensive switchins such as Avalugg and Tangrowth, as well as opposing Porygon2.
Set Details
The EVs along with a Calm nature give Porygon2 excellent mixed bulk, allowing it to avoid the 2HKO from powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Porygon-Z's Tri Attack, Mega Lopunny's Return and even Focus Sash Gengar's Shadow Ball. Trace is the preferred nature, allowing Porygon2 to pivot into Chansey without fear of status and having the chance to trace great abilities such as Intimidate and Sap Sipper from the likes of Staraptor and Gogoat. Both Download and Analytic have their respective niches, however, with Download allowing Porygon2 to 2HKO the more common physically defensive Avalugg if it gets the relevant boost, and Analytic handling Bold Meloetta far better and dealing more damage in general. However, Trace is generally the most effective.
Alternative EV spreads of either 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD with a Bold nature, or 252 HP/4 Def/252 SpD with a Calm nature, can be run to better handle physical or special attackers, respectively.
Usage Tips
Porygon2 should be switched into threats such as Meloetta, Alakazam and Mega Lopunny and proceed to fire off a status move or Tri Attack. However, it must be careful to avoid Trick from the rare Choice Meloetta, and the occasional Toxic from Mega Lopunny, which cripple it greatly. It can easily switch into any predicted fighting-type moves and most non-STAB moves, whether physical or special. Do not switch into potential Knock Off users, such as Mamoswine, Landorus or Mega Beedrill, without first scouting their moveset to ensure safety. Recover should be used liberally, as Porygon's bulk should not be overestimated - after some residual damage, Mega Lopunny threatens a 2HKO with Return. Porygon2 can also switch easily into passive Pokemon such as Avalugg and Chansey, though it should watch out for Toxic from Avalugg (and from Chansey if it doesn't have Trace).
Team Options
Porygon2 doesn't require a great deal of support, as its role is to support its teammates. However it appreciates being paired with a Poison-type and/or hazard removal, as it is greatly crippled by Toxic Spikes and even other hazards reduce its ability to consistently check threats. It also requires a switchin to Knock Off. Mega Beedrill and both Mega and non-Mega Latias make great partners in this regard - Beedrill removes Toxic Spikes while soft checking Mamoswine and Landorus, while Latias can Defog away hazards and competely counters Mamoswine. Latias also handles Ghost-types fairly well. SubCM [GP - can I write this?] Mega Latias greatly appreciates opposing Pokemon being paralysed, as do Substitute users in general, as it gives them more chances to set up. On more defensive teams, cleric support from the likes of Chansey is helpful to harmful status. Frail Pokemon such as Breloom appreciate Porygon2's ability to switch into Lopunny. Almost every other Pokemon in the tier appreciates the support that Porygon2 brings.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
A tank set with a Modest/Quiet nature and Tri Attack, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam and Recover with Download or Analytic, respectively can be used, since Porygon has respectable bulk even with just HP investment and a fairly good base 105 Special Attack. However such a set is fairly weak and sacrifices the ability to wall many of the harder hitting Pokemon in the tier, such as Mega Lopunny. Porygon2 also learns Trick Room, but the playstyle is not particularly effective in the tier due to the prevalence of slow, bulky Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
Status: Porygon2 can't rid itself of any form of status and is crippled by them, as they all prevent it from doing its job of walling.
Chansey: Chansey is barely tickled by Porygon2's attacks, shrugs off status thanks to Natural Cure, and can heal itself, support its team or use moves such as Toxic, Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock to threaten Porygon2 and its teammates. However, it is very passive, and it is easy to take advantage of this.
Knock Off and Trick: If it loses its Eviolite, it is 2HKO'd by the likes of Mega Lopunny, Mega Beedrill, and +1 Meloetta after Stealth Rock. Trick prevents it from switching moves which is awful for a wall, and even with Choice Specs, uninvested Tri Attack is not a powerful attack.
Bulky Setup Sweepers: If Porygon2 lacks Psyshock, SubCM Meloetta sets up on it, as after Meloetta gets a boost, Tri Attack fails to break its Substitute. Pokemon such as Resttalk Suicune avoid the 3HKO from Tri Attack or Psyshock and can Rest off any status they suffer.
Taunt: Porygon2 is almost completely shut down by Taunt, as it does not have a strong offensive presence.
Very strong attacks: Porygon2 struggles to take very strong hits from Pokemon such as Choice Band Staraptor or Swords Dance Ursaring.
Eien, Sobi - I made (most of) the changes you suggested, just a few things to discuss/etc:Grammar Ready
ty DEG/Rhythms for the clarification :)
edited my previous post for some cool stuff (OM room pls read), using this one for P2 Analysis.
[QC 1/1]
(there's only 2 of us atm and QC'ing my own work seems redundant)
[GP 0/1]
Overview
Porygon2 is a fantastic defensive Pokemon in the Inverse Battle metagame. Its typing leaves it with just one weakness to Ghost-types, which it threatens with a super effective STAB, and, when combined with its stats and Eviolite, this makes it capable of blanket checking a huge proportion of the metagame. It has three excellent abilities in Trace, Download, and Analytic, which allow it to switch into an even larger range of Pokemon, such as Chansey, or threaten switch-ins more effectively. It is, however, rather susceptible to Knock Off, which greatly reduces its walling prowess, and lacks the passive healing of Leftovers, which makes it more easily worn down by hazards. Despite this, Porygon2 is an incredibly versatile Pokemon that can fit on almost all team styles.
The Duck
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace / Download / Analytic
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Tri Attack
- Psyshock / Foul Play
- Thunder Wave / Toxic
Set Comments
Moves
Recover improves Porygon2's longetivity, which allows it to switch in on threats throughout the match. Tri Attack is a great STAB move with perfect neutral coverage in Inverse Battle, and its 20% chance to inflict status can help turn around games. Psyshock makes this set one of the best Meloetta checks in the metagame, always breaking its Substitutes and stopping it from setting up with Calm Mind. Alternatively, Foul Play can be used to discourage physical attackers from setting up, and notably, it OHKOes Mega Lopunny after Stealth Rock damage. Thunder Wave is useful against more offensive teams, while Toxic allows Porygon2 to wear down defensive switch-ins such as Avalugg and Tangrowth, as well as opposing Porygon2.
Set Details
The EVs along with a Calm nature give Porygon2 excellent mixed bulk, allowing it to avoid the 2HKO from powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Porygon-Z's Tri Attack, Mega Lopunny's Return, and even Focus Sash Gengar's Shadow Ball. Trace is the preferred ability, allowing Porygon2 to pivot into Chansey without fear of status and having the chance to Trace great abilities such as Intimidate and Sap Sipper from the likes of Staraptor and Gogoat. Both Download and Analytic have their respective niches, however, with Download allowing Porygon2 to 2HKO the more common physically defensive Avalugg if it gets the Special Attack boost and Analytic handling Bold Meloetta far better and dealing more damage in general.
Alternative EV spreads of either 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature or 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Calm nature can be run to better handle physical or special attackers, respectively.
Usage Tips
Porygon2 should be switched into threats such as Meloetta, Alakazam, and Mega Lopunny and proceed to fire off a status move or Tri Attack. However, it must be careful to avoid Trick from the rare Choice item-using Meloetta and the occasional Toxic from Mega Lopunny, which cripple it greatly. Porygon2 can easily switch into predicted Fighting-type moves and most non-STAB moves, whether physical or special. Do not switch into potential Knock Off users, such as Mamoswine, Landorus, and Mega Beedrill, without first scouting their moveset to ensure safety. Recover should be used liberally, as Porygon2's bulk should not be overestimated; after some prior damage, Mega Lopunny threatens to 2HKO it with Return. Porygon2 can also easily switch into passive Pokemon such as Avalugg and Chansey, though it should watch out for Toxic.
Team Options
Porygon2 doesn't require a great deal of support, as its role is to support its teammates. However, it appreciates being paired with a Poison-type or entry hazard removal, as it is greatly crippled by Toxic Spikes, and even other entry hazards reduce its ability to consistently check threats. Porygon2 also requires a switch-in to Knock Off. Mega Beedrill, Latias, and Mega Latias make great partners in this regard; Mega Beedrill removes Toxic Spikes on switch-in while soft checking Mamoswine and Landorus, while Latias can Defog away entry hazards, completely counters Mamoswine, and also handles Ghost-types fairly well. Substitute + Calm Mind Mega Latias greatly appreciates opposing Pokemon being paralyzed, as do Substitute users in general, as it gives them more chances to set up. On more defensive teams, cleric support from the likes of Chansey is helpful to remove harmful status. Frail Pokemon such as Breloom appreciate Porygon2's ability to switch into Mega Lopunny. Almost every Pokemon in the tier appreciates the support that Porygon2 brings.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
A tank set with a Modest or Quiet nature using Tri Attack, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Recover with Download or Analytic, respectively, can be used, since Porygon has respectable bulk even with just HP investment and a fairly good base 105 Special Attack stat. However, such a set is fairly weak and sacrifices the ability to wall many of the harder hitting Pokemon in the tier, such as Mega Lopunny. Porygon2 also learns Trick Room, but the playstyle is not particularly effective due to the prevalence of slow, bulky Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
Status: Porygon2 can't rid itself of any status condition and is crippled by them, as they prevent it from doing its job of walling.
Chansey: Chansey is barely tickled by Porygon2's attacks; shrugs off status thanks to Natural Cure; and can heal itself, support its team, or use moves such as Toxic, Thunder Wave, and Stealth Rock to threaten Porygon2 and its teammates.
Knock Off and Trick: If it loses its Eviolite, Porygon2 is 2HKOed by the likes of Mega Lopunny, Mega Beedrill, and +1 Meloetta after Stealth Rock damage. Trick prevents it from switching moves, which is awful for a wall, and even with Choice Specs, uninvested Tri Attack is not very powerful.
Bulky Setup Sweepers: If Porygon2 lacks Psyshock, Substitute + Calm Mind Meloetta sets up on it, as after Meloetta gets a boost, Tri Attack fails to break its Substitute. Pokemon such as RestTalk Suicune avoid the 3HKO from Tri Attack and Psyshock and can Rest off any status they suffer.
Taunt: Porygon2 is almost completely shut down by Taunt, as it does not have a strong offensive presence.
Wallbreakers: Porygon2 struggles to take very strong hits from Pokemon such as Choice Band Staraptor and Swords Dance Ursaring.
Reserving baecanion [AAA]
Overview
- Good Offensive Typing
- Great spammable move in Steam Eruption
- Combined with great SpA stat
- Large enough attack stat and solid movepool for mixed set
- Good natural bulk makes it difficult to ohko and revenge kill
- Slow for an offensive threat
- Weak to Stealth Rocks
- Attacks can be predictable
No Mention of based defensive typing, one of the only offensive mons that can comfortably switch on v-create and sacred fire?
Choice Specs Wallbreaker
Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Scald
- Will-o-Wisp / Focus Blast / Sludge Wave
0 Atk Tinted Lens Volcanion Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Goodra: 186-222 (48.5 - 57.9%) -- 95.3% chance to 2HKO
Just leaving that there since you seem to be struggling to find a 4th move, WoW is pretty useless and heatran / ferro are both hit by fire blast / steam eruption anyway, focus blast really only hits chansey. Sleep talk is always an option when you don't know what 4th move to run especially since volc doesn't care what moves it goes for, you can even run resttalk as the last two moves to be even more of a pain vs stall and have more pp (I'll let you decide how viable this is), explosion can give you momentum (and is the one I usually choose), flamethrower can be used when you don't want to click fire blast. Idk I'll leave this to you cause you know better than me and it kinda doesn't matter anyway, but I'm just sayin' (sludge wave is still good thought).
Set Comments
Moves
- Steam Eruption is Volcanion's best move. It provides an extremely powerful STAB attack with solid accuracy as well as a 30% chance to burn the foe.
- Fire Blast provides another strong STAB option for Volcanion
- Scald is a safer option when Steam Eruption is unnecessary, whether to ensure the move hits or to save valuable Steam Eruption pp.
- Due to Tinted Lens, Volcanion almost never uses its fourth move. Will-o-Wisp is a decent option to burn checks like Chansey or RegenVest Meloetta and Manaphy. Focus Blast can hit opponents with immunities and resists to Volcanion's STABs, such as Flash Fire Ferrothorn. Sludge Wave can hit the rare bulky Fairy type foe in AAA, such as Sylveon.
Set Details
- SpA EVs, Modest Nature, and Choice Specs all maximize the power of Volcanion
- Speed EVs to outspeed most defensive foes
- Tinted Lens allows Volcanion to plow through most would-be checks, and it pairs perfectly with Choice Specs worth mentioning that volcanion has enough power with specs and steam eruption to not need adapt as it passes a lot of bulky neutrals anyway.
Usage Tips
- Use Steam Eruption whenever you can, unless the opponent has an immunity
- Use a slow teammate's Volt Switch or U-Turn to get Volcanion safely into play to threaten the opponent
- Weaken checks with other special attackers as well as hazards before sending Volcanion into play <- I don't necessary agree with this, if anything it's the opposite, volcanion's ability to weaken checks and spread burns makes it great at weakening checks before sending someone else in (for example a burned meloetta can't really take a +2 dank pulse from thundy or psyschock + draco from latios) Hazards are really important on anything that is mainly checked by regenVest pivot.
Also worth mentioning that volcanion can switch on a some scary stuff on offensive teams like entei or victini.
Team Options
- Special Attackers with Knock Off, such as Thundurus and Manaphy, are great teammates as they can lure in special defensive walls such as Chansey and RegenVest users, and then significantly weaken their spdef <- I appreciate you saying this, good advice rlly.
- Zapdos provides a ground immunity, hazard removal and a slowVolt Switch/U-Turn zappy legit never runs volt switch anymore, even baton pass is better on defensive sets imo
- Diancie can provide a check for Gale Wings users that threaten Volcanion, and it appreciates Volcanion's pressure on the opponent's Steel type team members.
I know it's obvious as hell but Pursuit trappers such as krook or tyranitar can severly dent / OHKO would be volcanion switchins such as goodra, chansey or meloetta
Adaptability Mixed Attacker
Volcanion @ Choice Scarf / Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Flare Blitz
- Focus Blast / Earth Power
Set Comments
Moves
- Steam Eruption is Volcanion's best move. It provides a strong, accurate STAB with a 30% chance to burn.
- Fire Blast is Volcanion's alternate STAB move that provides great coverage in tandem with Steam Eruption.
- Flare Blitz provides a powerful physical STAB option to surprise and defeat many checks designed for Volcanion's special attacks, such as RegenVest Meloetta.
- Focus Blast provides coverage for foes with an immunity to Volcanion's STAB such as Flash Fire Ferrothorn and Desolate Land Heatran. <- Desoland heatran is hit hardrer by fire blast tho
- Earth Power more reliably hits Heatran, at the cost of easily defeating Ferrothorn. Focus Blast is thus the preferred option unless Volcanion's teammates can easily defeat Ferrothorn. There's really no point in earth power as far as I know, heatran is hit harder by a fire move.
Set Details
The EVs are set to maximize Volcanion's special attack and speed; combined with a Choice Scarf Volcanion outspeeds and OHKO foes like Raikou, Thundurus, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar.The Naughty Nature gives Volcanion max speed, while still provided it with strong special attacking stat, as well as a decent attacking stat.The Naughty Nature gives Volcanion max speed without hindering his attack stat or his physical defence, both being really important to Volcanion. Adaptability is chosen as it increases the power of Volcanion's phisical and special stabs while still keeping the ability to burn switchinsfurther increases the power of Volcanion's STABs, making it a devastating attacker.(that's what I would say more or less at least, I feel like this stuff is worth mentionning, word it however you want)
(Life Orb is another option to further increase Volcanion's damage output. However, Volcanion's slow speed leaves it vulnerable to fast attackers like Thundurus, and the Life Orb set is often outclassed by Choice Specs Tinted Lens. That said, a Life Orb mixed Adaptability set is devastating against stall.) shouldn't that be in other options really?
Usage Tips
- Volcanion should be played aggresively. If often surprises foes with its Choice Scarf to OHKO them.
- avoid bringing it in directly on a offensive foe that would outspeed Volcanion if it did not have a Choice Scarf, as you can make your item obvious.
- To expand, leading with Volcanion against a predicted offensive opponent's lead can provide you with a great starting matchup. <- I don't really get how that expands on the previous point, is it because he doesn't know your item or smt? Can you make a more general point about volcanion being really good at bluffing his item and playing mind games n stuff?
- Pivot Volcanion in against defensive opponents with U-Turn and Volt Switch. <- worded weirdly
- If you can predict remove a special defensive check like Meloetta and defeat it with Flare Blitz, Choice Scarf Steam Eruption will often plow through the opponent's remaining team. <- also worded weirdly
Team Options
- Special Attackers with Knock Off, such as Thundurus and Manaphy, are great teammates as they can lure in special defensive walls such as Chansey and RegenVest users, and then significantly weaken their spdef
- Zapdos provides a ground immunity, hazard removal and a slow Volt Switch/U-Turn
- Diancie can provide a check for Gale Wings users that threaten Volcanion, and it appreciates Volcanion's pressure on the opponent's Steel type team members.
Are the team option really the same? Shouldn't you add some support stuff specific to each set, for example scarf volc appreciate the support from adapt chomp as it provides an electric immunity and rock support and the two of them put a lot of pressure on the opposing team since volc can tank wisps and easily beat defensive skarmory or smt, while tinted loves hazard stacking. Idk it doesn't feel right having the same support for two different sets.
- Magnet Pull Infernape is able to trap and defeat steel typed Volcanion checks such as Ferrothorn and Heatran. <-Worded weirdly, ferro checks volc not the opposite.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
- Motor Drive can surprise threats like Thundurus to give Volcanion an advantage.
- Swift Swim makes Volcanion a devastating fast attacker on rain teams.
- Magnet Pull seems appealing at first, but is generally outclassed by Heatran and Infernape
- Regenerator can make use of Volcanion's natural bulk and defensive typing to improve its longevity at the cost of power.
Checks and Counters
Special Defensive Walls: Volcanion has a tough time breaking walls like Chansey as well as RegenVest users like Meloetta and Manaphy. These checks can also hinder Volcanion's effectiveness with status or Knock Off, or pivot out.
Bulky Water Types: With a resistance to both of Volcanion's STABs, bulky waters such as Poison Heal Suicune and Manaphy have the stats to check even the Tinted Lens set.
Fast Electric Types: Thundurus and Raikou can outspeed Volcanion without a Choice Scarf and OHKO it easily. A lot of special attackers can, not lectric especially. If anything dragons like latios or kyurem are worse because they tank a scarf steam eruption and OHKO back.
Hazards are also a pain in the backside.
Hey there! I'm assuming this is ready for QC because you reserved another analysis and by the tone of the limited text in this post (please say so at the top of your post though in the future). That said, I'm not sure you understand exactly how 2v2 doubles works. First of all, you can't switch out (it's bring four, pick two, and you win if you KO your opponent's two pokemon before they KO your two). Secondly, there are multiple other errors (e.g. Safety Goggles ruining the set when you lack spore, the EV spread being subpar, not mentioning Spore or Sludge Bomb, not having Effect Spore as the ability, and not using the proper format for an analysis). Finally, analyses should be posted in a hide tag in a post on this forum, not on a google doc, you should write more for each section (you need to describe the Pokemon's niche in the OM--this is a note for future analyses), and as a sidenote, please post again in this thread when your analysis is ready for QC so we can check it over. Unfortunately I'm going to have to reject this analysis as there is a lot wrong with it--I'd advise you to be familiar with the OM and test out the Pokemon in question in matches on Pokemon Showdown first, before reserving the analysis. Tagging Rhythms because I don't know how rejecting works exactly :xhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/13AiRmYc5axafemR37bkKna-fEXVk8k3PMVqnh4n27h4/edit?usp=sharing you can view my analysis by clicking this link
reserving 2 vs 2 amoongus
Rhythms - this is finishedReady for Upload
ty DEG/Rhythms for the clarification :)
edited my previous post for some cool stuff (OM room pls read), using this one for P2 Analysis.
[QC 1/1]
(there's only 2 of us atm and QC'ing my own work seems redundant)
[GP 2/2]
Overview
Porygon2 is a fantastic defensive Pokemon in the Inverse Battle metagame. Its typing leaves it with just one weakness to Ghost-types, which it threatens with a super effective STAB, and, when combined with its stats and Eviolite, this makes it capable of blanket checking a huge proportion of the metagame. It has three excellent abilities in Trace, Download, and Analytic, which allow it to switch into an even larger range of Pokemon, such as Chansey, or threaten switch-ins more effectively. It is, however, rather susceptible to Knock Off, which greatly reduces its walling prowess, and lacks the passive healing of Leftovers, which makes it more easily worn down by hazards. Despite this, Porygon2 is an incredibly versatile Pokemon that can fit on almost all team styles.
The Duck
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace / Download / Analytic
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Tri Attack
- Psyshock / Foul Play
- Thunder Wave / Toxic
Set Comments
Moves
Recover improves Porygon2's longetivity, which allows it to switch in on threats throughout the match. Tri Attack is a great STAB move with perfect neutral coverage in Inverse Battle, and its 20% chance to inflict status can help turn around games. Psyshock makes this set one of the best Meloetta checks in the metagame, always breaking its Substitutes and stopping it from setting up with Calm Mind. Alternatively, Foul Play can be used to discourage physical attackers from setting up, and notably, it OHKOes Mega Lopunny after Stealth Rock damage. Thunder Wave is useful against more offensive teams, while Toxic allows Porygon2 to wear down defensive switch-ins such as Avalugg and Tangrowth, as well as opposing Porygon2.
Set Details
The EVs along with a Calm nature give Porygon2 excellent mixed bulk, allowing it to avoid the 2HKO from powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Porygon-Z's Tri Attack, Mega Lopunny's Return, and even Gengar's Shadow Ball if it doesn't carry a boosting item. Trace is the preferred ability, allowing Porygon2 to pivot into Chansey without fear of status and having the chance to Trace great abilities such as Intimidate and Sap Sipper from the likes of Staraptor and Gogoat. Both Download and Analytic have their respective niches, however, with Download allowing Porygon2 to 2HKO the more common physically defensive Avalugg if it gets the Special Attack boost and Analytic handling Bold Meloetta far better and dealing more damage in general.
Alternative EV spreads of either 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature or 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Calm nature can be run to better handle physical or special attackers, respectively.
Usage Tips
Porygon2 should be switched into threats such as Meloetta, Alakazam, and Mega Lopunny and proceed to fire off a status move or Tri Attack. However, it must be careful to avoid Trick from the rare Choice item-using Meloetta and the occasional Toxic from Mega Lopunny, which cripple it greatly. Porygon2 can easily switch into predicted Fighting-type moves and most non-STAB moves, whether physical or special. Do not switch into potential Knock Off users, such as Mamoswine, Landorus, and Mega Beedrill, without first scouting their moveset to ensure safety. Recover should be used liberally, as Porygon2's bulk should not be overestimated; after some prior damage, Mega Lopunny threatens to 2HKO it with Return. Porygon2 can also easily switch into passive Pokemon such as Avalugg and Chansey, though it should watch out for Toxic.
Team Options
Porygon2 doesn't require a great deal of support, as its role is to support its teammates. However, it appreciates being paired with a Poison-type or entry hazard removal, as it is greatly crippled by Toxic Spikes, and even other entry hazards reduce its ability to consistently check threats. Porygon2 also requires a switch-in to Knock Off. Mega Beedrill, Latias, and Mega Latias make great partners in this regard; Mega Beedrill removes Toxic Spikes on switch-in while soft checking Mamoswine and Landorus, while Latias can Defog away entry hazards, completely counters Mamoswine, and also handles Ghost-types fairly well. Substitute + Calm Mind Mega Latias greatly appreciates opposing Pokemon being paralyzed, as do Substitute users in general, as it gives them more chances to set up. On more defensive teams, cleric support from the likes of Chansey is helpful to remove harmful status. Frail Pokemon such as Breloom appreciate Porygon2's ability to switch into Mega Lopunny. Almost every Pokemon in the tier appreciates the support that Porygon2 brings.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
A tank set with a Modest or Quiet nature using Tri Attack, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Recover with Download or Analytic, respectively, can be used, since Porygon has respectable bulk even with just HP investment and a fairly good base 105 Special Attack stat. However, such a set is fairly weak and sacrifices the ability to wall many of the harder hitting Pokemon in the tier, such as Mega Lopunny. Porygon2 also learns Trick Room, but the playstyle is not particularly effective due to the prevalence of slow, bulky Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
Status: Porygon2 can't rid itself of any status condition and is crippled by them, as they prevent it from doing its job of walling.
Chansey: Chansey is barely tickled by Porygon2's attacks; shrugs off status thanks to Natural Cure; and can heal itself, support its team, or use moves such as Toxic, Thunder Wave, and Stealth Rock to threaten Porygon2 and its teammates.
Knock Off and Trick: If it loses its Eviolite, Porygon2 is 2HKOed by the likes of Mega Lopunny, Mega Beedrill, and +1 Meloetta after Stealth Rock damage. Trick prevents it from switching moves, which is awful for a wall, and even with Choice Specs, uninvested Tri Attack is not very powerful.
Bulky Setup Sweepers: If Porygon2 lacks Psyshock, Substitute + Calm Mind Meloetta sets up on it, as after Meloetta gets a boost, Tri Attack fails to break its Substitute. Pokemon such as RestTalk Suicune avoid the 3HKO from Tri Attack and Psyshock and can Rest off any status they suffer.
Taunt: Porygon2 is almost completely shut down by Taunt, as it does not have a strong offensive presence.
Wallbreakers: Porygon2 struggles to take very strong hits from Pokemon such as Choice Band Staraptor and Swords Dance Ursaring.
http://www.smogon.com/tiers/om/analyses/inverse/porygon2 uploaded!Ready for Upload
ty DEG/Rhythms for the clarification :)
edited my previous post for some cool stuff (OM room pls read), using this one for P2 Analysis.
[QC 1/1]
(there's only 2 of us atm and QC'ing my own work seems redundant)
[GP 2/2]
Overview
Porygon2 is a fantastic defensive Pokemon in the Inverse Battle metagame. Its typing leaves it with just one weakness to Ghost-types, which it threatens with a super effective STAB, and, when combined with its stats and Eviolite, this makes it capable of blanket checking a huge proportion of the metagame. It has three excellent abilities in Trace, Download, and Analytic, which allow it to switch into an even larger range of Pokemon, such as Chansey, or threaten switch-ins more effectively. It is, however, rather susceptible to Knock Off, which greatly reduces its walling prowess, and lacks the passive healing of Leftovers, which makes it more easily worn down by hazards. Despite this, Porygon2 is an incredibly versatile Pokemon that can fit on almost all team styles.
The Duck
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace / Download / Analytic
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Tri Attack
- Psyshock / Foul Play
- Thunder Wave / Toxic
Set Comments
Moves
Recover improves Porygon2's longetivity, which allows it to switch in on threats throughout the match. Tri Attack is a great STAB move with perfect neutral coverage in Inverse Battle, and its 20% chance to inflict status can help turn around games. Psyshock makes this set one of the best Meloetta checks in the metagame, always breaking its Substitutes and stopping it from setting up with Calm Mind. Alternatively, Foul Play can be used to discourage physical attackers from setting up, and notably, it OHKOes Mega Lopunny after Stealth Rock damage. Thunder Wave is useful against more offensive teams, while Toxic allows Porygon2 to wear down defensive switch-ins such as Avalugg and Tangrowth, as well as opposing Porygon2.
Set Details
The EVs along with a Calm nature give Porygon2 excellent mixed bulk, allowing it to avoid the 2HKO from powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Porygon-Z's Tri Attack, Mega Lopunny's Return, and even Gengar's Shadow Ball if it doesn't carry a boosting item. Trace is the preferred ability, allowing Porygon2 to pivot into Chansey without fear of status and having the chance to Trace great abilities such as Intimidate and Sap Sipper from the likes of Staraptor and Gogoat. Both Download and Analytic have their respective niches, however, with Download allowing Porygon2 to 2HKO the more common physically defensive Avalugg if it gets the Special Attack boost and Analytic handling Bold Meloetta far better and dealing more damage in general.
Alternative EV spreads of either 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature or 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Calm nature can be run to better handle physical or special attackers, respectively.
Usage Tips
Porygon2 should be switched into threats such as Meloetta, Alakazam, and Mega Lopunny and proceed to fire off a status move or Tri Attack. However, it must be careful to avoid Trick from the rare Choice item-using Meloetta and the occasional Toxic from Mega Lopunny, which cripple it greatly. Porygon2 can easily switch into predicted Fighting-type moves and most non-STAB moves, whether physical or special. Do not switch into potential Knock Off users, such as Mamoswine, Landorus, and Mega Beedrill, without first scouting their moveset to ensure safety. Recover should be used liberally, as Porygon2's bulk should not be overestimated; after some prior damage, Mega Lopunny threatens to 2HKO it with Return. Porygon2 can also easily switch into passive Pokemon such as Avalugg and Chansey, though it should watch out for Toxic.
Team Options
Porygon2 doesn't require a great deal of support, as its role is to support its teammates. However, it appreciates being paired with a Poison-type or entry hazard removal, as it is greatly crippled by Toxic Spikes, and even other entry hazards reduce its ability to consistently check threats. Porygon2 also requires a switch-in to Knock Off. Mega Beedrill, Latias, and Mega Latias make great partners in this regard; Mega Beedrill removes Toxic Spikes on switch-in while soft checking Mamoswine and Landorus, while Latias can Defog away entry hazards, completely counters Mamoswine, and also handles Ghost-types fairly well. Substitute + Calm Mind Mega Latias greatly appreciates opposing Pokemon being paralyzed, as do Substitute users in general, as it gives them more chances to set up. On more defensive teams, cleric support from the likes of Chansey is helpful to remove harmful status. Frail Pokemon such as Breloom appreciate Porygon2's ability to switch into Mega Lopunny. Almost every Pokemon in the tier appreciates the support that Porygon2 brings.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
A tank set with a Modest or Quiet nature using Tri Attack, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Recover with Download or Analytic, respectively, can be used, since Porygon has respectable bulk even with just HP investment and a fairly good base 105 Special Attack stat. However, such a set is fairly weak and sacrifices the ability to wall many of the harder hitting Pokemon in the tier, such as Mega Lopunny. Porygon2 also learns Trick Room, but the playstyle is not particularly effective due to the prevalence of slow, bulky Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
Status: Porygon2 can't rid itself of any status condition and is crippled by them, as they prevent it from doing its job of walling.
Chansey: Chansey is barely tickled by Porygon2's attacks; shrugs off status thanks to Natural Cure; and can heal itself, support its team, or use moves such as Toxic, Thunder Wave, and Stealth Rock to threaten Porygon2 and its teammates.
Knock Off and Trick: If it loses its Eviolite, Porygon2 is 2HKOed by the likes of Mega Lopunny, Mega Beedrill, and +1 Meloetta after Stealth Rock damage. Trick prevents it from switching moves, which is awful for a wall, and even with Choice Specs, uninvested Tri Attack is not very powerful.
Bulky Setup Sweepers: If Porygon2 lacks Psyshock, Substitute + Calm Mind Meloetta sets up on it, as after Meloetta gets a boost, Tri Attack fails to break its Substitute. Pokemon such as RestTalk Suicune avoid the 3HKO from Tri Attack and Psyshock and can Rest off any status they suffer.
Taunt: Porygon2 is almost completely shut down by Taunt, as it does not have a strong offensive presence.
Wallbreakers: Porygon2 struggles to take very strong hits from Pokemon such as Choice Band Staraptor and Swords Dance Ursaring.
Sorry for how late I am but ready for QC #2!Reserving Whimsicott [1v1]
[Quality Control: 1/2]
Overview
+ Bulky enough to sponge most hits because of its natural bulk.
+ Able to even survive super effective hits if you choose to opt some resistance berries such as Babiri Berry, Occa Berry, and Yache Berry.
+ Wins against most Pokemon that do less than 90% damage on the first hit.
+ Has fairly good filler moves like Grass Whistle, Taunt and Cotton Guard which helps it against different threats.
+ Has thee ability Prankster which gives Whimsicott a good chance of moving before the opponent when it uses a status move.
+ Can easily defeat Pokemon that try to stall around in the metagame.
- Has to rely on the 90% accuracy move Leech Seed.
- With every berry a Whimsicott holds, you'll have to know that Whimsicott is still weak to a certain part of the metagame depending on what berry it holds.
- Hates sound moves.
- The only move it has that makes opponents fall asleep is Grass Whistle, which has 55% accuracy.
- Lacks good recovery outside Leech Seed.
The Whimsy Vampire
Whimsicott @ Babiri Berry/Occa Berry/Yache Berry
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD / 248 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Bold/Calm Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Protect
- Encore/Cotton Guard/Taunt
Set comments
Moves
This Whimsy Vamprire has several options for viable moves that it can use it 1v1. It has moves like Leech Seed to steal some health from the opponents, Protect to shield itself from any attack and status move attempts that come by, Substitute to stall its way to victory due to Leech Seed while both of the moves are supported by the ability Prankster, and Encore is a filler move that is able to make Pokemon that use stall to use the same move over and over again so that you can just mess around with them until you win. Cotton Guard is a good alternative from Encore since it lets Whimsicott tank in more of the physical moves that may seem to threaten Whimsicott. This move helps it defeat. Taunt is another alternative but it's kinda like Encore except it sends the opponent a message saying to only use attacking moves. This brings Whimsicott to the best of its advantage against stall due to it preventing opponents from healing, taunting, and setting up.
Each of the 3 filler moves do great in competitive play. While Encore is able to beat Mega Slowbro, Mega Gyarados, and Defense Deoxys, Cotton Guard is able to beat Mega Metagross, Mega Mawile, and Mega Aggron even without the Babiri Berry, and Taunt to beat Meta Banette, other Whimsicott, and even Jumpluff.
Set Details
Whimsicott's EVs are usually just the typical standard EVs depending on what berry you use. Whimsicott uses 248 EVs on every Leech Seed set just for it to be able to do its best since it gains a large amount of HP. This amount is safer than 252 EVs because 248 EVs allows Whimsicott to use Substitute one extra time if it really needs it. If you hold a Babiri Berry or an Occa Berry, It is recommended that you also run 252 Defense EVs and 4 Special Defense EVs. The Babiri Berry is used specifically to go against Steel-type Pokemon like Mega Mawile and Mega Aggron. For Mega Mawile, you would need a significant amount of EVs in order to tank it well. Special Defense EVs may sound necessary for this set but regardless of how much EVs you manage to give it, Ice Beam from Pokemon like Black Kyurem and Genesect would still do so much to it. If you want to max Special Defense for this set and give 4 Defense EVs, I suggest using the Yache Berry instead of the Babiri Berry so that you can take Ice Beam hits well. If you use the Occa Berry, the EVs could be any one of the two other spreads said depending on if you're trying to beat Mega Charizard-X or Mega Chariard-Y
Usage Tips
When using Whimsicott, try using Leech Seed before any other move, unless you think that your opponent won't attack on the first turn. If you think or you're sure that your opponent won't use an attack move on the first turn, use Substitute instead. After you're done using Leech Seed, keep using Protect and Substitute until your opponent's HP drops down to 0, then you win. If anything is stopping you from doing your main role, you can use one of the filler moves on the 4th slot, depending on who you're up against.
Team Options
Whimsicott well suits with Black Kyurem as it can take down the majority of the Pokemon that Whimsicott can't thanks to Black Kyurem's coverage and STAB moves like Iron Head and Outrage to take down threats like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Charizard-X. Other good option for a Pokemon to team with Whimsicott is Mega Sableye. Sableye is pretty much Whimsicott's shadow as regular Sableye and Whimsicott both have Prankster, but Mega Sableye has Magic Bounce. Magic Bounce is an ability that bounces all status moves away. Anyone who sees a Whimsicott and Sableye in the same team would have a hard time thinking of who to choose because of their typing, abilities, and defense. Mega Sableye has the defense to easily block attacks from Whimsicott's threats including Mega Charizard-X, Mega Charizard-Y, Mega Banette, and Meloetta. When Mega Sableye gets hit, it won't hesitate to retaliate back with Metal Burst. Magic Bounce is able to make moves like Toxic fly back to Pokemon that may unexpectedly have it just to deal with Whimsicott.
Mega Charizard-X is another Pokemon that suits well being Whimsicott's teammate because like Black Kyurem, Mega Charizard-X has coverage and STAB moves too. The biggest differences are the typing that they have and while Black Kyurem has more strength, Mega Charizard-X is more versatile. Mega Charizard-X has access to moves like Dragon Dance in order to increase its attack and STAB Outrage to take care of other Charizards and even Black Kyurem if its invested in bulk. Mega Gyarados is the 4th option for a teammate. Like Mega Charizard-X and Black Kyurem, Mega Gyarados has fantastic coverage and STAB moves, also having access to Dragon Dance. It uses moves like Waterfall and Outrage to tear down just as many Pokemon as Mega Charizard-X and Black Kyurem. Mega Gyarados is kinda in the middle. It's less powerful yet more versatile than Black Kyurem. Mega Gyarados helps defeat Whimsicott's biggest threats like Mega Sableye and Mega Banette. It also has the unique ability Mold Breaker which it could take advantage of by cutting through the opponent's Magic Bounce using Taunt.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Grass Whistle is a possible filler move in this Whimsicott set. You can use it to make opponents fall asleep so that you can succeed easier in your plans by using Leech Seed or Substitute. The only things you need to be cautious about when you use this move is that it has a low 55% accuracy which would make it miss often and if it does hit, you're going to have to rely on your opponents to start waking up pretty late rather than as early as possible. 55% accuracy isn't healthy to rely on. Toxic is another option you can use, but Toxic takes away 1 turn of Whimsicott's ideal strategy and that 1 turn can be very risky to waste. Offense moves like Moonblast and Giga Drain look good on paper but not the best in 1v1, because even though those moves can defeat Dark and Water types easier, Whimsicott's Special Attack just isn't enough for the metagame unless it's against Mega Diancie.
Checks and Counters
**Steel-type, Fire-type, and/or Ice-type moves**: Whimsicott is weak to all three of these types. These types of moves are some of the most common out there so the best option is to make yourself take less damage from one of these types using a Babiri Berry, an Occa Berry, or a Yache Berry. Even though this is an option, you will still be weak to two of the three types of moves on this list. The most common Pokemon in this list of weaknesses are Mega Mawile for Steel, Mega Charizard-X and Mega Charizard-Y for Fire, and Black Kyurem for Ice.
**Poison-type moves**: Whimsicott is times four weak to Poison and really doesn't have anything to stop it from getting OHKOed by most Poison moves. Kebia Berry is an option but it usually isn't enough to stop Whimsicott from fainting in this case. The time you should worry the most about getting hit by a Poison-type move is when you are facing a Garchomp because they commonly carry Poison Jab.
**Moves that go through Substitute**: Any move that goes through Substitute is a huge threat to Whimsicott and Whimsicott flat out loses when it faces a Pokemon with one of these moves. Some examples of moves that go through Substitute are Hyper Voice, Uproar, Bug Buzz, and Heat Wave. Meloetta would use Hyper Voice sometimes, Porygon-Z would use Uproar, Genesect would use Bug Buzz, and any Zapdos out there will use Heat Wave.
**Magic Bouncers**: This ability scares Whimsicott more than it scares any other Pokemon because with this ability, Whimsicott cannot use any status moves on the Magic Bouncers as they would just fly back to it. Whimsicott's entire strategy is just using status moves so in this case, Whimsicott loses. The biggest Magic Bounce user in the metagame is Mega Sableye so keep an eye out for Sableye when you see it. Mega Diancie is also a good Magic Bounce user but not as common as Mega Sableye.
**Mega Banette**: Mega Banette plays with Whimsicott like some kind of rag doll. With Prankster Taunt and Torment, Whimsicott wouldn't be able to do much other than making its 1st move.
I'll reserve qc #2!Reserving 1v1 Mega-Gyarados [Quality Control, 1/2]
Overview
Mega Gyarados is a force to be reckoned with in the 1v1 meta due to immense power, great physical move pool, two useful abilities, two useful typings. Majority of the time it will utilize Dragon Dance one its first turn to set-up allowing it to OHKO the opposing pokemon before it can be killed itself. Intimidate allows Gyarados pre-mega to weaken an opposing physical attacker, while Mold Breaker allows Mega Gyarados to break through defensive abilities like Multiscale and Sturdy, which could otherwise prevent a KO. A normal Gyarados can capitalize on its few weaknesses to minimize damage taken before Mega-evolving, while Mega-evolving can provide STAB Crunch to break Psychic type pokemon like Deoxys-D and Mega Slowbro. Unfortunately it is held back by its lower speed tier and requires Dragon Dance to boost it. Burns from pokemon like Mega Sableye also really hurt Mega Gyarados's ability to KO and can be especially problematic. Bulky Pokemon that resist Mega Gyarados's STAB moves like Whimisicott can also be dangerous as Mega Gyarados has trouble fitting in all of the necessary coverage moves it wants into a set.
Standard set
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Def / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall/Outrage
- Crunch/Outrage/Taunt
- Earthquake/Taunt/Waterfall
Moves
Dragon Dance is a necessity on any Mega Gyarados set as it allows it to overcome its poor speed as well as boosting its attack stat to insane levels. Waterfall and Crunch are used as primary STAB attacks with rare but useful secondary effects. Waterfall hits hard against rock, ground, and fire type pokemon like Rhyperior and Crustle. Crunch hits hard on Outrage is a strong attack that has great coverage against Mega Charizard X and Dragonite. Taunt can be used to stop stall Pokemon like Chansey, Mega Sableye, Deoxys-D, and Whimiscott, assuming they don't Taunt you first. Earthquake can be used as coverage against Mega Mawile.
Set Details
Most Gyarados-Mega utilize an Adamant nature and 252 attack to maximize its damage output. A speed benchmark of 88 from neutral nature is also popular as a way to ensure that after one dragon dance Mega Gyarados outspeeds all fully invested, beneficial nature, non-boosted, base 100 Pokemon. Most Mega Gyarados also invest in HP and Defense in an attempt to boost its mediocre Defense and HP stat. This will allow it to almost always avoid a 2OHKO from a Naive Scarf Kyurem-B's Fusion Bolt and a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage . It will also avoid an OHKO from a Mega Charizard Y's Solar beam.
Usage Tips
Mega Gyarados usage is pretty simple. Dragon Dance and then attack, almost always. This is because a non-boosted attack from Mega Gyarados usually does at least 67%, but Mega Gyarados moves second most of the time and risks being 2OHKO'd by faster opponents. Occasionally, Mega Gyarados wants to hold off mega-evolving to avoid super effective fighting or fairy moves. Occasionally it will also jump straight into attacking rather than boosting especially to defeat strong but slow opponents like Mega Mawile. Outrage should be picked if Mega Gyarados needs to hit dragons like Mega Charizard X. Taunt should be used when facing Stall pokemon like Deoxys-D and Chansey. Earthquake should be chosen as a check to Mega Mawile.
Team Options
Mega Mawile is a great teammate that can break through Fairy pokemon and Mega-Sableye who can threaten Mega Gyarados.
Weakness Policy Aegislash is a great teammate that is able to stop pokemon like Choice Band Kyurem-B and Choice Specs Porygon-Z
Mega Charizard X also is a good partner as it is able to avoid Will-o-wisp that treatens Mega Gyarados.
Mega Charizard Y works as well to threaten bulky grass types like Mega Venusaur.
Scarf Genesect also is a good teammate that can outspeed fast opponents, as well as hit fairy and grass types.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Substitute is an option to beat slow status abusers and stall pokemon like Porygon2 and Chansey. Stone Edge can be used to more reliably check the Mega Charizard forms.
Checks and Counters
Attack lowering moves and burns: Moves that lower the Gyarados-mega’s attack like Charm and the burn status condition can really pose a problem as it can really hamper Mega Gyarados ability to set up, while the opponent whittles down its health.
Stall pokemon: Pokemon like Whimsicott and Mega-Sableye can be really problematic for Mega Gyarados as it can't outright OHKO them and relies on Taunt to stop them.
Fairy type pokemon: Fairy type pokemon like Mega Mawile and Mega Gardevoir are usually very strong and have high win rates against Gyarados-mega due to their ability to OHKO Gyarados-Mega when it mega evolves.
Hyper offensive choice pokemon: Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z can capitalize on Choice Band and Choice Specs to deal insane amounts of damage to Mega Gyarados.
After Ransei's approval, this is now ready for GP!Reserving 1v1 Mega-Gyarados [Grammar Ready]
Overview
Mega Gyarados is a force to be reckoned with in the 1v1 meta due to immense power, great physical move pool, two useful abilities, two useful typings. Majority of the time it will utilize Dragon Dance one its first turn to set-up allowing it to OHKO the opposing pokemon before it can be killed itself. Intimidate allows Gyarados pre-mega to weaken an opposing physical attacker, while Mold Breaker allows Mega Gyarados to break through defensive abilities like Multiscale and Sturdy, which could otherwise prevent a KO. A normal Gyarados can capitalize on its few weaknesses to minimize damage taken before Mega-evolving, while Mega-evolving can provide STAB Crunch to break Psychic type pokemon like Deoxys-D and Mega Slowbro. Unfortunately it is held back by its lower speed tier and requires Dragon Dance to boost it. Burns from pokemon like Mega Sableye also really hurt Mega Gyarados's ability to KO and can be especially problematic. Bulky Pokemon that resist Mega Gyarados's STAB moves like Whimisicott can also be dangerous as Mega Gyarados has trouble fitting in all of the necessary coverage moves it wants into a set.
Standard set
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Def / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall/Outrage
- Crunch/Outrage/Taunt
- Earthquake/Taunt/Waterfall
Moves
Dragon Dance is a necessity on any Mega Gyarados set as it allows it to overcome its poor speed as well as boosting its attack stat to insane levels. Waterfall and Crunch are used as primary STAB attacks with rare but useful secondary effects. Waterfall hits hard against rock, ground, and fire type pokemon like Rhyperior and Crustle. Crunch hits hard on Outrage is a strong attack that has great coverage against Mega Charizard X and Dragonite. Taunt can be used to stop stall Pokemon like Chansey, Mega Sableye, Deoxys-D, and Whimiscott, assuming they don't Taunt you first. Earthquake can be used as coverage against Mega Mawile.
Set Details
Most Gyarados-Mega utilize an Adamant nature and 252 attack to maximize its damage output. A speed benchmark of 88 from neutral nature is also popular as a way to ensure that after one dragon dance Mega Gyarados outspeeds all fully invested, beneficial nature, non-boosted, base 100 Pokemon. Most Mega Gyarados also invest in HP and Defense in an attempt to boost its mediocre Defense and HP stat. This will allow it to almost always avoid a 2OHKO from a Naive Scarf Kyurem-B's Fusion Bolt and a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage . It will also avoid an OHKO from a Mega Charizard Y's Solar beam.
Usage Tips
Mega Gyarados usage is pretty simple. Dragon Dance and then attack, almost always. This is because a non-boosted attack from Mega Gyarados usually does at least 67%, but Mega Gyarados moves second most of the time and risks being 2OHKO'd by faster opponents. Occasionally, Mega Gyarados wants to hold off mega-evolving to avoid super effective fighting or fairy moves. Occasionally it will also jump straight into attacking rather than boosting especially to defeat strong but slow opponents like Mega Mawile. Outrage should be picked if Mega Gyarados needs to hit dragons like Mega Charizard X. Taunt should be used when facing Stall pokemon like Deoxys-D and Chansey. Earthquake should be chosen as a check to Mega Mawile.
Team Options
Mega Mawile is a great teammate that can break through Fairy pokemon and Mega-Sableye who can threaten Mega Gyarados.
Weakness Policy Aegislash is a great teammate that is able to stop pokemon like Choice Band Kyurem-B and Choice Specs Porygon-Z
Mega Charizard X also is a good partner as it is able to avoid Will-o-wisp that treatens Mega Gyarados.
Mega Charizard Y works as well to threaten bulky grass types like Mega Venusaur.
Scarf Genesect also is a good teammate that can outspeed fast opponents, as well as hit fairy and grass types.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Substitute is an option to beat slow status abusers and stall pokemon like Porygon2 and Chansey. Stone Edge can be used to more reliably check the Mega Charizard forms.
Checks and Counters
Attack lowering moves and burns: Moves that lower the Gyarados-mega’s attack like Charm and the burn status condition can really pose a problem as it can really hamper Mega Gyarados ability to set up, while the opponent whittles down its health.
Stall pokemon: Pokemon like Whimsicott and Mega-Sableye can be really problematic for Mega Gyarados as it can't outright OHKO them and relies on Taunt to stop them.
Fairy type pokemon: Fairy type pokemon like Mega Mawile and Mega Gardevoir are usually very strong and have high win rates against Gyarados-mega due to their ability to OHKO Gyarados-Mega when it mega evolves.
Hyper offensive choice pokemon: Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z can capitalize on Choice Band and Choice Specs to deal insane amounts of damage to Mega Gyarados.
SobiReserving 1v1 Mega-Gyarados [Grammar Ready]
Overview
Mega Gyarados is a force to be reckoned with in the 1v1 metagame thanks to its immense power, great physical movepool, two useful abilities, and two useful typings. Most of the time, it will utilize Dragon Dance on its first turn to set up allowing it to OHKO the foe before it can be fainted itself. Intimidate allows Gyarados to weaken an opposing physical attacker, while Mold Breaker allows Mega Gyarados to bypass defensive abilities like Multiscale and Sturdy, which could otherwise prevent a KO. Gyarados can capitalize on its few weaknesses to minimize damage taken before Mega Evolving, while Mega Evolving can provide STAB Crunch to break Psychic-types like Deoxys-D and Mega Slowbro. Unfortunately, it is held back by its lower Speed tier and requires Dragon Dance to boost it. Burn from Pokemon like Mega Sableye also really affect Mega Gyarados's ability to KO and can be especially problematic. Bulky Pokemon that resist Mega Gyarados's STAB moves like Whimisicott can also be dangerous, as Mega Gyarados has trouble fitting in all of the necessary coverage moves it wants into a set.
Standard set
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Def / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall / Outrage
- Crunch / Outrage / Taunt
- Earthquake / Taunt / Waterfall
Moves
Dragon Dance is a necessity on any Mega Gyarados set, as it allows it to overcome its poor Speed and boosts its Attack stat to insane levels. Waterfall and Crunch are used as primary STAB attacks with useful secondary effects. Waterfall hits Rock-, Ground-, and Fire-type Pokemon such as Rhyperior and Crustle hard. Crunch hits Psychic-type Pokemon such as Deoxys-D. Outrage is a strong attack that has great coverage against Mega Charizard X and Dragonite. Taunt can be used to stop stall Pokemon like Chansey, Mega Sableye, Deoxys-D, and Whimiscott, assuming they don't Taunt Mega Gyarados first. Earthquake can be used as coverage against Mega Mawile.
Set Details
Mega Gyarados utilizes an Adamant nature and 252 Attack EVs to maximize its damage output. 88 Speed EVs with a neutral nature ensures that after one Dragon Dance Mega Gyarados outspeeds all fully invested, positive-natured, and unboosted base 100 Speed Pokemon. Mega Gyarados also invests in HP and Defense in an attempt to boost those stats. This will allow it to almost always avoid a 2HKO from a Naive Choice Scarf Kyurem-B's Fusion Bolt and a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage. It will also avoid an OHKO from a Mega Charizard Y's Solar Beam.
Usage Tips
Almost always, Mega Gyarados will use Dragon Dance and then attack. A non-boosted attack from Mega Gyarados usually does a decent amount of damage, but Mega Gyarados moves last most of the time and risks being 2HKOed by faster foes. Occasionally, Mega Gyarados wants to hold off Mega Evolving to avoid super effective Fighting- and Fairy-type moves. Sometimes, it will also jump straight into attacking rather than boosting especially to defeat strong but slow foes like Mega Mawile. Outrage should be picked if Mega Gyarados needs to hit Dragon-types like Mega Charizard X. Taunt should be used when facing stall Pokemon like Deoxys-D and Chansey. Earthquake should be chosen to check Mega Mawile.
Team Options
Mega Mawile is a great teammate that can break through Mega Sableye and Fairy-Type Pokemon like Mega Gardevoir, which can threaten Mega Gyarados. Mega Mawile also appreciates Mega Gyarados's ability to check both Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y. Weakness Policy Aegislash is a great teammate that is able to stop Pokemon like Choice Band Kyurem-B and Choice Specs Porygon-Z. Mega Charizard X is also a good partner, as it is able to avoid Will-O-Wisp, which threatens Mega Gyarados. Mega Charizard Y works as well to threaten bulky Grass-types like Mega Venusaur. Both Mega Charizard forms appreciate Mega Gyarados's type advantage over Rock-type Pokemon. Choice Scarf Genesect is a great teammate that can outspeed fast foes, as well as hit Fairy- and Grass-type Pokemon. Genesect also appreciates Mega Gyarados's ability to threaten Fire-type Pokemon like Charizard.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Substitute is an option to beat slow Pokemon that utilize status and stall Pokemon like Porygon2 and Chansey. Stone Edge can be used to more reliably check Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y.
Checks and Counters
Attack-lowering Moves and Burn: Moves that lower Mega Gyarados's attack like Charm as well as burn condition can really pose a problem, as they can hamper Mega Gyarados ability to set up while the foe whittles down its health.
Stall Pokemon: Stall Pokemon like Whimsicott and Mega Sableye can be really problematic for Mega Gyarados, as it can't outright OHKO them and relies on Taunt to stop them.
Fairy-type Pokemon: Fairy-type Pokemon as such Mega Mawile and Mega Gardevoir are usually very strong and have high win rates against Mega Gyarados due to their ability to OHKO it after it Mega Evolves.
Hyper Offensive Choice Pokemon: Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z can take advantage of Choice Band and Choice Specs to deal insane amounts of damage to Mega Gyarados.
Reserving 1v1 Mega-Gyarados
[QC 2/2]
[GP 1/1]
[Ready]
Overview
Mega Gyarados is a force to be reckoned with in the 1v1 metagame thanks to its immense power, great physical movepool, two useful abilities, and two useful typings. Most of the time, it will set up Dragon Dance on its first turn, allowing it to OHKO the foe. Intimidate allows Gyarados to weaken an opposing physical attacker, while Mold Breaker allows Mega Gyarados to bypass defensive abilities like Multiscale and Sturdy, which could otherwise prevent a KO. Regular Gyarados can capitalize on its few weaknesses to minimize damage taken before Mega Evolving, while Mega Evolving can provide STAB Crunch to break Psychic-types like Deoxys-D and Mega Slowbro. Unfortunately, Mega Gyarados is held back by its lower Speed tier and requires Dragon Dance to boost it. Burns from Pokemon like Mega Sableye also really affect Mega Gyarados's ability to KO and can be especially problematic. Bulky Pokemon that resist Mega Gyarados's STAB moves like Whimisicott can also be dangerous, as Mega Gyarados has trouble fitting in all of the necessary coverage moves it wants into a set.
Standard set
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Def / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall / Outrage
- Crunch / Outrage / Taunt
- Earthquake / Taunt / Waterfall
Moves
Dragon Dance is a necessity on any Mega Gyarados set, as it allows it to overcome its poor Speed and boost its Attack stat to insane levels. Waterfall and Crunch are used as primary STAB attacks with useful secondary effects. Waterfall hits Rock-, Ground-, and Fire-type Pokemon such as Crustle, Rhyperior, and Charizard hard. Crunch hits Psychic-type Pokemon such as Deoxys-D. Outrage is a strong attack that has great coverage against Mega Charizard X and Dragonite. Taunt can be used to stop stall Pokemon like Chansey, Mega Sableye, Deoxys-D, and Whimiscott, assuming they don't Taunt Mega Gyarados first. Earthquake can be used as coverage against Mega Mawile.
Set Details
Mega Gyarados utilizes an Adamant nature and 252 Attack EVs to maximize its damage output. 88 Speed EVs with a neutral nature ensure that after one Dragon Dance, Mega Gyarados outspeeds all fully invested, positive-natured, and unboosted base 100 Speed Pokemon. Mega Gyarados also invests in HP and Defense to allow it to almost always avoid a 2HKO from a Naive Choice Scarf Kyurem-B's Fusion Bolt and a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage. It will also avoid an OHKO from a Mega Charizard Y's Solar Beam.
Usage Tips
Almost always, Mega Gyarados will use Dragon Dance and then attack. A non-boosted attack from Mega Gyarados usually does a decent amount of damage, but Mega Gyarados moves last most of the time and risks being 2HKOed by faster foes. Occasionally, Mega Gyarados wants to hold off Mega Evolving to avoid super effective Fighting- and Fairy-type moves. Sometimes, it will also jump straight into attacking rather than boosting, especially to defeat strong but slow foes like Mega Mawile. Outrage should be picked if Mega Gyarados needs to hit Dragon-types like Mega Charizard X. Taunt should be used when facing stall Pokemon like Deoxys-D and Chansey. Earthquake should be chosen to check Mega Mawile.
Team Options
Mega Mawile is a great teammate that can break through Mega Sableye and Fairy-Type Pokemon like Mega Gardevoir, which can threaten Mega Gyarados. Mega Mawile also appreciates Mega Gyarados's ability to check both Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y. Weakness Policy Aegislash is a great teammate that is able to stop Pokemon like Choice Band Kyurem-B and Choice Specs Porygon-Z. Mega Charizard X is also a good partner, as it is able to avoid Will-O-Wisp, which threatens Mega Gyarados. Mega Charizard Y works as well to threaten bulky Grass-types like Mega Venusaur. Furthermore, they appreciate Mega Gyarados's type advantage over Rock-type Pokemon. Choice Scarf Genesect is a great teammate that can outspeed fast foes, as well as hit Fairy- and Grass-type Pokemon. Genesect also appreciates Mega Gyarados's ability to threaten Fire-type Pokemon like Charizard.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Substitute is an option to beat slow Pokemon that utilize status and stall Pokemon like Porygon2 and Chansey. Stone Edge can be used to more reliably check Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y.
Checks and Counters
Attack-lowering Moves and Burns: Moves that lower Mega Gyarados's Attack, such as Charm, as well as burns can really pose a problem, as they can hamper Mega Gyarados ability to set up while the foe and burns whittle down its health.
Stall Pokemon: Stall Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Mega Sableye can be really problematic for Mega Gyarados, as it can't outright OHKO them and relies on Taunt to stop them.
Fairy-type Pokemon: Fairy-type Pokemon such as Mega Mawile and Mega Gardevoir are usually very strong and have a high chance to beat Gyarados due to their ability to OHKO it after it Mega Evolves.
Hyper Offensive Choice Pokemon: Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z can take advantage of Choice Band and Choice Specs, respectively, to deal insane amounts of damage to Mega Gyarados.