Meganium

Overgrow
Boosts power of Grass-type moves by 50% when at 1/3 HP or less.
Leaf Guard
Prevents status effects in sun.
Type Tier
Grass NU
Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
Min- Min Max Max+
HP
80
- 301 364 -
Atk
82
180 200 263 289
Def
100
212 236 299 328
SpA
83
181 202 265 291
SpD
100
212 236 299 328
Spe
80
176 196 259 284

Overview

Meganium is a fairly balanced Pokemon, combining outstanding HP and defensive stats with acceptable offensive capabilities. Meganium's Attack and Special Attack are usable, meaning that it will never be dead weight on your team after it has carried out its supportive duties. Meganium's movepool, containing options such as Reflect, Light Screen, Leech Seed, GrassWhistle, and Aromatherapy, sets it apart from other Grass-types. Meganium also has access to Synthesis to restore its health; just be careful that you don't use it in the rain. Finally, while Meganium is weak to the common Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, Poison-, and Ice-type moves, that shouldn't deter you from using this great defensive and supportive Pokemon.

Name Item Nature

Support

Leftovers Bold
Moveset EVs
~ Leech Seed
~ Aromatherapy
~ Giga Drain
~ Toxic / Synthesis
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

Thanks to its solid bulk, Meganium makes for a great defensive Pokemon. The idea is to switch into a bulky Water-type, such as Alomomola, and force them to switch out with Meganium's STAB moves. From there, Meganium can proceed to support its teammates with a combination of Leech Seed, Aromatherapy, and Toxic. Leech Seed helps restore Meganium's health and its teammates if Meganium switches out and the opponent doesn't. Aromatherapy cures any status it or its teammates may be afflicted with, and works great in conjunction with RestTalkers, such as Weezing. Giga Drain provides reliable STAB and heals Maganium for half of the damage dealt to boot. In the last slot, Toxic can cripple bulkier opponents, such as Alomomola, Mantine, and Hypno, while Synthesis can be used to restore half of Meganium's health under normal circumstances.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Name Item Nature

Dual Screens

Light Clay Bold
Moveset EVs
~ Reflect
~ Light Screen
~ Aromatherapy / Leech Seed
~ Giga Drain
252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD

The idea behind this set is to switch into a resisted attack, take advantage of Meganium's bulk to set up screens, and help a threatening sweeper set up. Leech Seed and Aromatherapy are used to keep Meganium and its teammates healthy, while restoring health lost to Life Orb recoil on your sweeper of choice. Giga Drain provides a STAB attack, and gives Meganium something to do if it's the last Pokemon on your team. In addition, Giga Drain restores 50% of the damage inflicted, increasing Meganium's survivability. Light Clay is the item of choice as it prolongs the time screens are active.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>

Other Options

In addition to the sets listed above, Meganium has some more unorthodox options. Body Slam can be used with an Impish or Relaxed nature for its paralysis rate, taking advantage of Meganium's usable Attack stat. Counter requires good prediction, but when used correctly, it can surprise physical attackers that expect to KO Meganium. A physical set of Swords Dance, Seed Bomb, Earthquake, and Return is an option, but it's highly outclassed by Pokemon such as Cacturne; not only does Cacturne possess a higher Attack stat, it has access to Sucker Punch and Focus Punch, making prediction much more difficult for the opponent. Substitute can be used alongside Leech Seed to form the infamous SubSeed combination, but Meganium isn't very fast without Speed investment. Sunny Day, SolarBeam, and Hidden Power Fire can form a SunnyBeamer set, but more offensive Pokemon, such as Exeggutor, pull this off better. Rest can be used with Sleep Talk or a Chesto Berry to restore Meganium's health, but it's less reliable than Leech Seed or Synthesis. Finally, Meganium can run Choice Specs to raise its Special Attack, although it's much better as a defensive Pokemon.

Checks and Counters

The majority of Grass-types can wall Meganium; they are immune to Leech Seed, and Meganium's STAB won't be doing much to them. Victreebel and Vileplume are great counters as they can strike Meganium with STAB Sludge Bomb. Charizard, Braviary, and various other Pokemon can switch into any of Meganium's attacks and proceed to KO it with their own STAB moves. Pokemon with Sap Sipper completely wall Meganium unless it carries a coverage move, which makes Miltank an excellent check. Most specially defensive Pokemon can set up on Meganium, and they aren't afraid of Meganium's weak STAB either. Regice and Mantine can take on any set Meganium can run, while Cradily boasts an immunity to Leech Seed, and it has access to Recover. Surprisingly, Kecleon can wall Meganium if it switches into Giga Drain, turning it into a Grass-type which, in turn, grants it an immunity to Leech Seed. Furthermore, Kecleon has access to Recover and Trick, keeping it alive and crippling Meganium, respectively.

Unreleased

Meganium receives Leaf Guard from the Dream World. While it's better than Overgrow on a defensive Pokemon, Meganium needs support from Sunny Day, as there are no permanent sun inducers in NU. Furthermore, Meganium commonly carries Aromatherapy, which makes it largely pointless.