Defensive Value of Mega Evolutions in OU

By p2. Art by Litra.
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Mega Slowbro art by Litra

Introduction

To many people, Mega Evolutions are known for being some of the most fearsome wallbreakers and sweepers in the OverUsed tier. Mega Gardevoir, which is capable of putting incredible pressure on, if not outright destroying bulkier teams, and Mega Alakazam and Mega Lopunny, which smash fast offensive teams with ease because of the difficulty of switching into them in the late-game, are common examples. On the other hand, defensive Mega Evolutions also have a strong influence on the tier in providing effective support towards balance and stall teams, holding back the offensive powerhouses running around in the tier from tearing up these teams. In this article, I will go in depth on what Mega options defensive teams have, what sets each Mega apart from the others, and what important threats each Mega answers.

Mega Sableye

Mega Sableye

Mega Sableye can be seen as a fairly controversial Pokémon to keep in OU, as many players believe it is overcentralizing and has an unhealthy presence in the tier. What makes Sableye so good you may ask? Magic Bounce. Magic Bounce is an incredible ability on a defensive Pokémon with good defensive stats, reliable recovery, and a very solid defensive typing that leaves it only weak to Fairy-type moves. This means that Mega Sableye has a large grip on the hazard game, and is capable of shutting out passive Spikes and Stealth Rock users, such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Hippowdon, as well as others such as Bulky Garchomp and Defensive Landorus-T without Swords Dance. Mega Sableye is also capable of functioning as a wincon on balance and stall teams using Calm Mind; however, this set is regarded as much less effective than the utility set since Calm Mind Mega Sableye is setup bait for many Pokémon such as Mega Charizard X and Talonflame.

The sample set for Mega Sableye is pretty simple: the given EV spread with a Careful nature allows Mega Sableye to avoid the 2HKO from offensive variants of Heatran. The remaining EVs are used to increase physical bulk. Knock Off allows Mega Sableye to remove items from common switch-ins, such as Clefable and Talonflame, hurting their longevity and forcing them to use recovery moves more often. Will-O-Wisp allows Mega Sableye to burn and slowly weaken the likes of Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Hippowdon, Rotom-W, and Scizor. Recover allows Mega Sableye to stay on the field for a long time, consistently switching into Stealth Rock and Spikes setters and blocking their entry hazards. Foul Play allows Mega Sableye to hit the likes of Mega Charizard X and Swords Dance Talonflame and deters physical setup sweepers and wallbreakers. Fake Out can be used to ensure a safe Mega Evolution against the likes of Mega Lopunny, Mega Diancie, and other Fairy-types.

Good Teammates

Chansey — Mega Sableye is a great teammate for Chansey on stall builds for its ability to handle the physical attackers that try to take advantage of Chansey's bad physical bulk. Chansey can also provide cleric support through Heal Bell if Mega Sableye gets burned by Scald or frozen by Ice Beam. Chansey also covers Mega Charizard Y and can take on the likes of Mega Gardevoir if it really needs to.

Jirachi — Jirachi provides key support in that it resists Fairy-type moves and counters Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie, two of the biggest threats to Mega Sableye. Jirachi also has a unique niche of Wish + U-turn, which in tandem with Mega Sableye, effectively handles opposing Ground- and Steel-types and prevents their entry hazards.

Amoonguss — Another large threat to Mega Sableye is Keldeo and Water-types in general. Amoonguss is a solid answer to Keldeo, non-Belly Drum Azumarill, and Manaphy that lack Psychic and Ice Beam. Clear Smog and Sludge Bomb along with Spore allow Amoonguss to beat Clefable that try to use Mega Sableye as setup bait.

Hippowdon / Quagsire — Hippowdon and Quagsire both fulfill similar roles, checking dangerous Fire-types, such as Mega Charizard X and Talonflame, while also checking Bisharp, which is a big threat to Mega Sableye. Mega Sableye can prevent opposing entry hazards, which means that Hippowdon and Quagsire are both capable of consistently switching into said Pokémon without being worn down too quickly.

Talonflame — Talonflame + Mega Sableye is a notorious core. Talonflame is capable of stopping many threats in OU, such as Serperior, Clefable, Volcarona, and Mega Altaria, and is also capable of crippling the many Ground- and Rock-types in the tier, and since Mega Sableye is one of the most consistent hazard controllers in the tier, Talonflame is mostly free to switch in on and beat threats to Mega Sableye such as Mega Charizard Y and Serperior with ease.

Mega Venusaur

Mega Venusaur

Even though Mega Venusaur's time in the spotlight is over, it's still one of the most difficult Mega Evolutions to take down. 80 / 123 / 120 bulk bolstered further by Thick Fat, along with fairly reliable recovery in Synthesis, leads to a Pokémon with incredible longevity and ability to check many of the threats running around in OU, such as Azumarill, Keldeo, Mega Altaria, Landorus-T, Rotom-W, Mega Scizor, Mega Gyarados, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon. Even though it covers many threats, it is still weak to the large amount of Psychic- and Flying-types in the tier, such as Mega Medicham, Alakazam, Latios, Latias, Mega Charizard Y, Tornadus-T, Talonflame, and Togekiss. Even then, it still has common answers in Heatran and Kyurem-B. The former can break Mega Venusaur with Magma Storm and Taunt, and Kyurem-B OHKOs through Thick Fat with Teravolt. It doesn't end there either: with the abundance of sand teams in OU, Mega Venusaur finds itself struggling to stay healthy as Synthesis' recovery is hindered, and even though Mega Venusaur is used to check common Water-type Pokémon, it can be worn down quickly through Scald and Will-O-Wisp burns.

Mega Venusaur's sample set is maximizes its bulk and allows it to effectively check the Pokémon it's supposed to check. The HP and Special Defense EV investment allows Mega Venusaur to take a Life Orb-boosted Psychic from Alakazam, while also cushioning attacks from other special attackers such as Choice Specs Keldeo. 20 Speed EVs are used with Hidden Power Fire in order to outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Azumarill and pick it off before it hits Mega Venusaur with an attack boosted by Belly Drum or Choice Band. The remaining EVs are placed into Defense in order to check the likes of Mega Lopunny more effectively. Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb serve as Mega Venusaur's main STAB moves, still hitting fairly hard despite the lack of investment. Sludge Bomb also deters the likes of Talonflame, Tornadus-T, and Latios from switching in often because of the chance to poison them, which can cripple them and make them less effective at beating Mega Venusaur. Synthesis allows Mega Venusaur to stay healthy and beat threats such as Keldeo; however, Synthesis recovery is reduced in sand and rain, which can make it very difficult to recover if the opponent has Tyranitar, Hippowdon, or Politoed. The last move depends on what fits the team better: Hidden Power Fire allows Mega Venusaur to 2HKO Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, effectively countering them and beating them, while Leech Seed can be used as an extra source of recovery, annoying opposing Pokémon and forcing them out so they don't get worn down.

Good Teammates

Heatran — One of Venusaur's worst enemies is actually the single best teammates to pair with it. Heatran's incredible defensive typing has amazing synergy with Mega Venusaur, being able to take on threats such as Talonflame, Latios, and Mega Charizard X that lack Earthquake, while Mega Venusaur beats common Water-types that threaten Heatran such as Azumarill and Keldeo.

Starmie / Manaphy — Water-types are decent teammates for Mega Venusaur for their ability to handle Fire-types such as Heatran and Talonflame. They also appreciate Mega Venusaur being able to switch into opposing Grass-types such as Serperior and Celebi. Starmie can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin and can easily absorb Scalds from the likes of Keldeo, preventing Mega Venusaur from getting worn down quickly.

Chansey — Chansey is capable of curing status from Mega Venusaur and helps blanket check special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y, Alakazam, Latios, and Latias. Chansey appreciates Mega Venusaur being able to switch into Fighting-types, such as Terrakion and Keldeo, as well as switching into the likes of non-Choice Band Tyranitar.

Tyranitar / Metagross / Weavile / Bisharp — Mega Venusaur benefits heavily from Pursuit support because of its large weakness to Psychic-types. Tyranitar, Assault Vest Metagross, Weavile, and Bisharp are all capable of trapping Psychic-types with Pursuit and removing them, allowing Mega Venusaur to freely wall the opposing team. Each trapper has their own advantages and disadvantages, though. Tyranitar is one of the bulkiest and most consistent trappers in the tier, but unfortunately it brings sand, which reduces Mega Venusaur's recovery from Synthesis. However, it can also check big threats such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, and Kyurem-B. Its Speed is fairly low, even with a Choice Scarf, which leaves it outrun by the likes of Alakazam and Tornadus-T. Assault Vest Metagross is a solid trapper too, consistently trapping all Psychic-types in the tier apart from bulky ones such as Reuniclus. Metagross is capable of living two Shadow Balls from Mega Alakazam, providing plenty of opportunities to switch in and remove it. Metagross is the best Mega Alakazam trapper since Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile are too slow, and Bisharp needs to win Sucker Punch mindgames. Weavile is the fastest Pursuit trapper, but has awful bulk, meaning that it can be extremely risky to switch it into the likes of Latios; Draco Meteor easily OHKOs Weavile. Bisharp has a better matchup against Reuniclus but it needs to win Sucker Punch mindgames in order to beat faster Psychic-types such as Hidden Power Fire Latios and Alakazam.

Zapdos — Mega Venusaur hates common Flying-types such as Mega Pinsir, Talonflame, and Tornadus-T. Zapdos checks the aforementioned three Flying-types because of its solid defensive typing and is the only common Defogger capable of taking on Bisharp, which can setup on Mega Venusaur if it lacks Hidden Power Fire. Mega Venusaur is also a great cushion for Zapdos to fall back on as it can take many powerful attacks such as Weavile's Icicle Crash, Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump, and attacks from Raikou, Thundurus, and Mega Manectric, which can overwhelm Zapdos.

Mega Altaria

Mega Altaria

Mega Altaria received a lot of praise earlier in ORAS for being one of the most metagame-defining offensive threats. Its offensive Dragon Dance set, which turned many common Pokémon such as Keldeo into setup bait, proceeded to crush teams late-game when Steel- and Poison-types were weakened. Mega Altaria has since fallen from grace, and in the current metagame, defensive sets are generally preferred for their ability to set up on common threats such as Mega Manectric, Mega Lopunny, Keldeo, Raikou, and defensive Landorus-T and Garchomp variants. It also checks both Charizard Mega Evolutions nicely, which a lot of teams can struggle to handle. Mega Altaria can also function as a bulky mixed attacker with Earthquake and Fire Blast in order to easily lure Steel-type checks such as Heatran, Scizor, and Ferrothorn. Overall, Mega Altaria is still an incredible Pokémon in OU, and even though its use offensively has slightly dwindled, the defensive utility it brings to teams is nearly unmatched.

Mega Altaria's sample set is its standard defensive Dragon Dance set (or DDD to some), which allows it to slowly power through teams as it snowballs into a huge threat that only Steel- and Poison-types have a real chance at stopping. The EV spread allows Mega Altaria to avoid the 2HKO from powerful attacks such as Choice Band Dragonite's Earthquake, Mega Heracross's Rock Blast, Life Orb Thundurus's Hidden Power Ice, and Flare Blitz from +1 Jolly Mega Charizard X. 28 Speed EVs allow Mega Altaria to outrun Mega Lopunny and Mega Manectric after two Dragon Dances. Natural Cure allows Altaria to check the likes of Keldeo more consistently prior to Mega Evolving. Dragon Dance, Roost, and Heal Bell allow Mega Altaria to consistently set up even in the face of status moves. Other options for defensive Dragon Dance include Facade and Cotton Guard, though both of these moves come with their own flaws which can make them much less effective.

Good Teammates

Magnezone / Magneton — Magnezone and Magneton are among the best teammates for Mega Altaria for their ability to remove Steel-types, such as Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Skarmory, all of which are capable of completely walling Mega Altaria without Fire Blast. Magneton with a Choice Scarf is capable of outspeeding Weavile, which outspeeds Mega Altaria even after a Dragon Dance boost.

Heatran — Heatran effectively switches into the Steel- and Poison-types that can beat Mega Altaria, such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Mega Venusaur, and Amoonguss, and can OHKO them with its Fire-type STAB moves or shut down their recovery with Taunt. Either way, Heatran is a very solid stop to the Pokémon that wall Mega Altaria while Mega Altaria covers Pokémon such as Keldeo and defensive Ground-types for Heatran.

Latios — Latios provides entry hazard removal support for Mega Altaria, which is necessary when using it. It also reliably checks Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss and can lure Steel-types by using Hidden Power Fire or Earthquake. Latios also appreciates Mega Altaria being able to switch into powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump, because Latios finds itself being worn down quickly and in range of these moves easily if it lacks recovery.

Manaphy — Manaphy is another solid Mega Altaria teammate for its ability to lure in Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Ferrothorn and OHKO them all with Psychic and Hidden Power Fire after a Tail Glow boost. Being paired with Mega Altaria means that Heal Bell can allow Manaphy another chance to sweep slower teams after being crippled by Thunder Wave or Toxic. Mega Altaria also covers Electric-types for Manaphy, making for a solid teammate defensively.

Skarmory — Skarmory can help Mega Altaria against offensive Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir, Mega Diancie, and Azumarill, although it isn't the most consistent answer as it can be trapped by opposing Magnezone and Magneton. Skarmory can also set up Spikes or Stealth Rock and wear down the opposing team, which is useful as Mega Altaria is capable of forcing many switches. Skarmory also helps cover offensive Ground-types, such as Earth Plate Landorus-T, which are capable of breaking through Mega Altaria. Mega Altaria covers Water-types, Electric-types, and most Fire-types outside of Heatran and Talonflame.

Mega Slowbro

Mega Slowbro

Slowbro's Mega Evolution is capable of turning it into one of the scariest wincons in OU. Mega Slowbro checks many offensive threats such as Landorus-T, Mega Lopunny, Excadrill, and Talonflame. With a titanic Defense stat, Mega Slowbro can easily afford a lot of Special Defense investment, which allows it to survive some of the most powerful Electric-type moves in OU, such as from Thundurus and Choice Specs Raikou. Shell Armor is another factor that makes Mega Slowbro such a threat because it cannot be beaten with an untimely critical hit, meaning that Mega Slowbro is capable of setting up against the likes of Clefable without fear. Because of its sky-high Defense stat, Mega Slowbro can easily handle attacks from Bisharp and Weavile, turning their incredibly powerful Knock Offs into 3HKOs. Mega Slowbro even handles attacks such as Choice Band Scizor's U-turn and heals as Scizor is forced out.

Even though Mega Slowbro is an incredible Calm Mind user, it has its fair share of flaws that hold it back, including its proneness to status, which makes it very difficult for Mega Slowbro to effectively set up. This can be remedied with a RestTalk set, but this loses out on Psyshock, which makes it a lot easier to wall. Other issues for Mega Slowbro include Grass-types such as Serperior and Celebi, both of which can set up very quickly with Leaf Storm and Nasty Plot, respectively, and even though Mega Slowbro can stomach powerful hits from Electric-types after a boost, the likes of Choice Specs Raikou and Thundurus can still put tremendous pressure on Mega Slowbro to stay healthy. Unaware Clefable is another huge roadblock Mega Slowbro cannot muscle past at all and can only hope to force Clefable to use up Heal Bell PP.

Mega Slowbro's sample set is fairly basic, with Scald and Psyshock used as the main offensive moves. Psyshock allows Mega Slowbro to beat Calm Mind users such as non-Unaware Clefable and non-Roar Suicune. Slack Off provides well needed recovery as Mega Slowbro loses out on Leftovers recovery and Regenerator, which can make it much easier to wear down. 252 HP EVs along with 80 Defense EVs and a Bold nature allow Mega Slowbro to avoid the 2HKO from Adamant Life Orb Diggersby and the OHKO from +2 Adamant Life Orb Diggersby. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Defense in order to switch into the likes of Keldeo more consistently. Mega Slowbro can opt for a RestTalk set in order to bypass status, but Sleep Talk can be very inconsistent and Slowbro is forced to drop Psyshock. A set utilizing Iron Defense can also be used in order to take minimal damage from physical attackers, but Mega Slowbro's naturally high Defense is usually more than enough, and again, it forces Mega Slowbro to drop Psyshock.

Good Teammates

Clefable — Clefable is a great status sponge to pair with Mega Slowbro thanks to Magic Guard, and it is capable of switching into troublesome Pokémon such as Mega Manectric and Thunderbolt Latios. Specially defensive Unaware variants are also good teammates for their ability to cure Mega Slowbro with Heal Bell and wall most variants of Serperior and Celebi. In return, Mega Slowbro can weaken opposing Heatran as well as switch into Talonflame and Mega Metagross.

Gliscor — Gliscor is another great status sponge to use with Mega Slowbro. Because of Poison Heal, Gliscor has no problem switching into Toxic. Gliscor is also a solid check to Gengar, which is a huge threat to Mega Slowbro as it can OHKO with Shadow Ball. Gliscor appreciates Mega Slowbro being able to switch into common Ice-types, such as Mamoswine and Weavile, and Water-types, such as Azumarill and Keldeo.

Celebi — Celebi is a solid switch-in for Grass- and Electric-types outside of Mega Manectric. Celebi easily counters the likes of Breloom and Thundurus, which are both capable of beating Mega Slowbro. Celebi is also capable of taking on Tail Glow Manaphy, which can boost faster than Mega Slowbro and power through it. On top of all this, Celebi can also function as a status sponge, preventing Mega Slowbro's chances at sweeping from being ruined.

Heatran — Heatran is capable of checking Grass-types, outside of Breloom and Hidden Power Ground variants of Serperior, for Mega Slowbro, while Mega Slowbro checks Water-types in return for Heatran. Heatran is also capable of setting up Stealth Rock and spreading status through Toxic and Lava Plume, weakening opposing Mega Slowbro checks. This makes it harder for them to keep switching in and allows Mega Slowbro to outlast them, giving free opportunities to set up with Calm Mind.

Tyranitar — Choice Scarf Tyranitar is another decent teammate. Mega Slowbro is troubled by the likes of Latios with Thunderbolt, Thundurus, and Gengar, which Tyranitar covers effectively. Tyranitar can easily switch into Latios and remove it with Pursuit, and though it needs to be more careful around Gengar, Gengar can also be removed with Pursuit. Tyranitar is also capable of switching into and trapping problematic Electric-types such as Raikou, Mega Manectric, and Thundurus lacking Focus Blast.

Mega Scizor

Mega Scizor

Mega Scizor has fantastic utility in OU, being able to pivot into many dangerous threats such as Mega Diancie, Mega Gardevoir, Azumarill, Clefable, Latios, and Kyurem-B, assuming they lack Fire-type coverage. Being able to consistently switch into these balance breakers and set up on them is what makes Mega Scizor so threatening. Its bulk and typing are incredible, providing many setup opportunities that allow Mega Scizor to sweep late-game fairly easily.

Unlike offensive variants, Mega Scizor suffers from a lack of Speed and raw damage output, meaning that threats such as Heatran can handle it better and Landorus-T and Garchomp can set up on it very easily in comparison. Nonetheless, Mega Scizor's bulk and fantastic typing are great for checking some of the biggest threats in OU.

Mega Scizor's main bulky set is still decent in the meta, though. The given EV spread almost always avoids the 2HKO from non-Earth Plate Adamant Landorus-T, meaning that Mega Scizor can safely pivot into Choice Scarf sets and variants that lack Swords Dance. The Special Defense investment allows Mega Scizor to avoid the 2HKO from Mega Gardevoir's Focus Blast. It also ensures Fire Blast from Calm Mind Clefable cannot OHKO and that Mega Scizor will always live the combination of Draco Meteor and -2 Hidden Power Fire from Latios. The remaining EVs are used in Attack to slightly boost its power, though they can be put into Defense to handle Mega Lopunny more consistently. Knock Off is the best middle ground when it comes to a secondary attack on Mega Scizor because it has solid coverage and great utility in removing items; however, it's fairly weak and cannot break the likes of Skarmory and Ferrothorn reliably. Superpower allows Mega Scizor to deal more damage to Steel-types, including Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory, while allowing Mega Scizor to check Bisharp. U-turn can be used to gain momentum off of switches but it forces Mega Scizor to lose its boosts from Swords Dance.

Good Teammates

Heatran — Heatran covers Mega Scizor's weakness to Fire-type moves very well and is capable of switching into the likes of Latios with Hidden Power Fire. Heatran can also cripple or even lure Mega Scizor answers such as Rotom-W and Keldeo with Toxic or Power Herb + Solarbeam. Heatran also sets up Stealth Rock, allowing for Mega Scizor to wear down teams more and makes Mega Scizor harder to deal with late-game.

Slowbro / Slowking — Slowbro and Slowking are both great teammates for Mega Scizor. The former helps out more against the likes of Talonflame and Mega Charizard X, while the latter is a more effective answer to Keldeo and Manaphy, being able to live some of their most powerful hits and weaken them with Psyshock or cripple them with Thunder Wave. Mega Scizor covers Grass-types that lack Fire-type coverage for Slowbro and Slowking, as well as common Dark-types.

Kyurem-B — Kyurem-B is capable of beating all of defensive Mega Scizor's counters, including Rotom-W, Mandibuzz, Skarmory, Heatran, and Slowbro, while Mega Scizor can beat faster Fairy-types and Clefable.

Latios / Latias — Latios and Latias can both check Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, and Electric-types, and Latias has access to Healing Wish, which can reduce pressure on Mega Scizor and heal it if it gets burned. Latios is capable of luring common answers to Mega Scizor, such as Skarmory and Heatran, with Hidden Power Fire and Earthquake, but can be less effective in checking Keldeo and Electric-types because it is usually forced to give up recovery. Mega Scizor also checks common answers to Latios and Latias such as Tyranitar, Bisharp, and Weavile.

Rotom-W — Rotom-W can form an effective VoltTurn core with Mega Scizor if it runs U-turn. Rotom-W also pressures Mega Scizor answers such as Heatran and Skarmory, weakening them with Hydro Pump and repeated Volt Switches. Rotom-W also helps Mega Scizor in checking dangerous threats such as Earth Plate Landorus-T and Swords Dance Life Orb Excadrill, both of which are capable of completely overwhelming Mega Scizor. Mega Scizor checks Grass-types in return and helps beat Clefable, which turns Rotom-W into setup bait.

Mega Charizard X

Mega Charizard X

Mega Charizard X is known for being one of the most powerful and dominant offensive Mega Evolutions throughout XY and ORAS, with the ability to boost incredibly quickly, bolstering its Attack to incredible levels and heavily limiting offensive answers at +1; common answers such as Landorus-T and Azumarill get worn down very quickly. However, Mega Charizard X also has great defensive utility: with 78 / 111 / 85 bulk, it can easily cripple opposing answers to offensive variants by spreading burns. After a burn, Hippowdon only deals 30% maximum to defensive Mega Charizard X, Choice Band Azumarill deals 33% maximum and 252 Attack Jolly Tyranitar deals 42% maximum with Stone Edge. Mega Charizard X also functions as a solid answer to the likes of Bisharp, Mega Scizor, and Electric-types.

The given EV spread allows Mega Charizard to outspeed everything up to Adamant Excadrill, and the remaining EVs are placed into HP and Defense in order to maximize bulk. The EV spread also allows Mega Charizard X to avoid the 2HKO from Mega Metagross's Zen Headbutt and Life Orb Weavile's Icicle Crash. Flare Blitz and Earthquake are the main offensive moves, giving Mega Charizard X solid coverage. Earthquake hits Heatran, which can usually comfortably answer offensive Mega Charizard X due to the rarity of Earthquake. Will-O-Wisp and Roost allow Mega Charizard to stall out many threats such as Azumarill and Landorus-T. Mega Charizard X can even run a specially defensive set in order to handle Electric-types and Mega Charizard Y more effectively.

Good Teammates

Latios / Starmie — Latios and Starmie provide entry hazard removal, which is necessary when running Mega Charizard X because of its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock prior to Mega Evolution, its 2x weakness to Stealth Rock after, and its newly-gained vulnerability to Spikes after Mega Evolving. Mega Charizard X can also handle the Steel-types that trouble Latios and help beat Grass- and Electric-types that are threatening to Starmie, as well as Dark-types.

Skarmory — Skarmory can provide hazard removal for Mega Charizard X, but it has access to Stealth Rock and Spikes, which Mega Charizard X can capitalize on with its ability to force many switches, especially if your opponent predicts an offensive variant. Mega Charizard X also handles Fire- and Electric-types for Skarmory while Skarmory can handle Ground- and Rock-types, and even Fairy-types to an extent.

Slowbro — Slowbro provides additional support against Ground-types, should Mega Charizard X find itself being pressured too much, especially against Lum Berry and Swords Dance variants of Garchomp and Landorus-T. Mega Charizard X also weakens opposing Dark-types and can check opposing Electric- and Grass-types that trouble Slowbro.

Garchomp — Garchomp appreciates common answers in Hippowdon, Landorus-T, and Slowbro being worn down by Will-O-Wisp, making it much easier to break past them. Garchomp also appreciates Mega Charizard X being able to check faster Electric-types that can pick off Garchomp with Hidden Power Ice. Garchomp can also set up Stealth Rock and assist Mega Charizard X in wearing down the opposing team.

Clefable — Mega Charizard X comfortably switches into Steel-types that can beat Clefable, such as Heatran, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor, and proceed to cripple them or force them out. Mega Charizard X can also lure Gliscor with Will-O-Wisp before the Toxic Orb activates and cripple offensive Ground-types such as Swords Dance Landorus-T and Garchomp so that they cannot break past Clefable easily, allowing it to set up with Calm Mind very easily.

Mega Latias

Mega Latias

Mega Latias has always been overlooked by many players, only really starting to shine during OLT II. There, it worked extremely well on many teams during the qualifying and playoff stages for its ability to cover many threatening Pokémon in OU, such as Keldeo, Breloom, Electric-types, Mega Medicham lacking Ice Punch, Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Mega Charizard Y. Even though it beats some of the best special attackers in the tier, Mega Latias still struggles with common Dark-types, such as Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Weavile, as well as common Fairy-types, such as Clefable, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Diancie, and Azumarill, all of which are capable of setting up on Mega Latias or outright beating it. Steel-types are still a pain for it too, taking little damage from Ice Beam and Thunderbolt and setting up entry hazards or crippling Mega Latias with Toxic.

Mega Latias's given set is the most common variant in the metagame right now, as opposed to sets with Calm Mind, Stored Power, and Reflect Type or Hidden Power Fighting. Ice Beam has great neutral coverage against the metagame and Thunderbolt rounds off the coverage nicely, hitting Water-types and Skarmory. Thunder Wave can be used to slow down fast offensive Pokémon or to cripple defensive Pokémon such as Clefable. Calm Mind can be used to set up on the Pokémon Mega Latias beats, but loses out on spreading paralysis easily, which Mega Latias is more suited for. Maximum HP investment makes Mega Latias incredibly bulky, and 252 Speed along with a Timid nature allows it to Speed tie with other Pokémon that share the same Speed tier such as Latios, Latias, Mega Metagross, Mega Gallade, Mega Diancie, and opposing Mega Latias. It also outspeeds Pokémon such as Garchomp and Keldeo, both of which Mega Latias can check effectively.

Good Teammates

Keldeo — Keldeo helps beat Dark-types, which are very threatening to Mega Latias because they can switch in very easily and set up against it. Keldeo also helps beat Steel-types such as Heatran and Ferrothorn, which are both capable of completely walling Mega Latias and wearing it down with Toxic or Leech Seed. Mega Latias, in return, checks common Electric-types and many faster attackers such as Mega Lopunny.

Landorus-T / Hippowdon — Bulky Ground-types are also very solid teammates to pair with Mega Latias for their ability to handle the likes of Talonflame, and in Hippowdon's case, Bisharp. They appreciate Mega Latias being able to switch into common Water-types such as Manaphy and Keldeo easily. They can also set up Stealth Rock in order to wear down the opposing team more quickly.

Jirachi — Jirachi is a great teammate to pair with Mega Latias because it is capable of checking many threatening Pokémon to Mega Latias such as Latios, Mega Gardevoir, Clefable, and Mega Diancie. Mega Latias can handle opposing Ground-types, such as Garchomp, and Landorus-T, as well as Keldeo and Mega Charizard Y, all of which are threatening to Jirachi.

Ferrothorn — Ferrothorn is capable of setting up entry hazards, allowing Mega Latias to wear down the opposing team more quickly, and is capable of checking threats such as Mega Gardevoir, Tyranitar, and Azumarill to an extent, all of which heavily pressure Mega Latias. Mega Latias handles Fighting-types and Mega Charizard Y for Ferrothorn.

Heatran — Heatran checks many big threats to Mega Latias such as Mega Scizor, Talonflame, Ferrothorn, and Clefable. In return, Mega Latias checks Gliscor, Keldeo, Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Electric-types, which can wear down Heatran easily.

Get out there!

OU has many different viable defensive Mega Evolutions, all capable of filling different roles and niches in the OU metagame. Get out there and see which one you like best and what new teammates and strategies you can find for them!

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