http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/yanmega
Changes:
-Rewrote Choice set, made it reflect Tinted Lens more
-Rewrote "special sweeper" set and made it reflect Substitute
-Fixed up "standard" as the first set
-Added Reversal set
-Added Speed Boost sweeper set
THIS ANALYSIS IS DONE!
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[SET]
name: Your Standard Dragonfly
move 1: Protect
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hypnosis / Hidden Power Ground / Psychic
item: Focus Sash
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 104 Def / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set has the potential to be an excellent lead in both the UU and the OU metagame, because it can easily scout out attacks while incapacitating other leads with Hypnosis. Many leads in today’s metagame are overcentralized (meaning that they are specifically tailored to beat each other), such as Mamoswine, Occa Berry Metagross, Shuca Berry Heatran, etc. In the midst of it all, Yanmega's potential as a lead has been almost completely forgotten. Stealth Rock is absent from the scene on turn 1, making Yanmega's job easier. Other common leads like Hippowdon, Swampert, and Bronzong, who all carry Stealth Rock, can be dispatched by Hypnosis, preventing them from setting up the entry hazard that plagues Yanmega. If you are not facing a slow, defensive enemy, Protect first turn, as it gives Yanmega a free Speed Boost. It also allows you to scout a Choice item user's attack and switch to the appropriate counter if necessary. Be careful, though — a smart opponent may try to outpredict you and set up Stealth Rock instead.</p>
<p>In UU, Yanmega will be up against an entirely different crowd when used as a lead. However, it still fares excellently. It manages to easily beat out the three common leads in UU (Uxie, Ambipom, and Roserade), making Yanmega a very solid choice to lead your team. Against Ambipom, Yanmega Protects against the inevitable Fake Out and gains a Speed Boost. From there, Bug Buzz deals Ambipom a clean 2HKO, whereas Ambipom's Silk Scarf Return will never OHKO (even if Ambipom lands an impromptu critical hit, Focus Sash allows Yanmega to still come out on top). When faced with Uxie, Yanmega should always Protect on the first turn, scouting for TrickScarf variants. If faced with a TrickScarf Uxie locked into to Trick, then Yanmega should U-turn out to an appropriate teammate. Otherwise, Yanmega’s STAB Bug Buzz 2HKOs Uxie cleanly. Against a Roserade lead, Yanmega can scout which move Roserade is trying to employ with Protect, then OHKO most variants with Air Slash.</p>
<p>Although Protect and Hypnosis work really well together on a leading Yanmega, using both means it is easier to wall (and also, Hypnosis has unreliable accuracy), so you can drop one of them in favor of Hidden Power or Psychic. Hidden Power Ground annihilates Heatran and Magnezone in OU, and takes care of Registeel and Steelix in UU. Focus Sash is by far the superior item choice in UU, as it allows Yanmega to come out on top against various leads, which is essential for its survival. In OU, however, one can choose Wise Glasses as an alternate option to give Yanmega's attacks some more kick. The KOs on Heatran and Magnezone are based on having at least a Wise Glasses boost. If you choose to carry Hidden Power, then Expert Belt is a good option as it helps to guarantee a KO on the intended targets. Leftovers isn't quite as useful, but it will at least negate Sandstorm or Hail damage, and if damaging weather is not present it can offer some minimal healing with Protect.</p>
<p>The EV spread is geared towards use in OU. 104 Defense EVs ensure that Meteor Mash followed by Bullet Punch from LeadGross will never KO, which is a huge asset to this Yanmega. Other notable achievements accomplished by the Def EVs include being able to stomach three of LO Scizor's Bullet Punches and two of CB Azumarill's Aqua Jets — quite a feat for a (albeit overgrown) dragonfly. Maximum Speed isn't really needed due to Speed Boost, so 152 EVs suffice, allowing Yanmega to comfortably outspeed Pokemon in the base 130 Speed group after a Speed Boost. Special Attack, obviously, is maximized. When used in UU, the Defense EVs become less useful, so one can shift 80 EVs into Speed, which allows it to outspeed lead Electrode after a Speed Boost. This boost is influential, as Electrode is one of the very few leads that can combat Yanmega and come out on top.</p>
<p>Because this Yanmega is used exclusively as a suicide lead, extensive team support is unnecessary. Yanmega only requires insurance against the few leads it cannot come out on top against. Although more or less every lead can be struck by Hypnosis, it only provides a temporary means of subduing the enemy leads that utilize Trick to hamper Yanmega with a Choice item, who can easily defeat it, especially if they choose to Trick Choice Band or Choice Scarf. Prediction is essential, and switching to a Pokemon who can benefit from the item, such as Absol for Choice Band, can remove this liability. Electrode is one of the small handful of UU leads that can trash Yanmega; it is immune to Bug Buzz (thanks to Soundproof), resists Air Slash, and can OHKO with a STAB Electric-type attack. Thankfully, Electrode's defenses are quite shabby, and it can be dealt with by means of Scarfed revenge-killers, or Pokemon like Steelix, who comfortably wall all its attacks (including Explosion).</p>
[SET]
name: Choice + Tinted Lens
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Psychic
move 4: U-turn / Shadow Ball
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Yanmega is the only competitively viable Pokemon to be blessed with Tinted Lens, and this set makes full use of it. Tinted Lens is an amazing ability that nullifies all 2x type resists and softens 4x type resists. This makes switching into Yanmega quite a daunting prospect, especially when its attacks are coming off base 116 Special Attack amplified by Choice Specs. Air Slash and Bug Buzz serve as obligatory STAB moves, and gain a great deal of combined coverage with Tinted Lens. Air Slash (which also comes with a handy 30% flinch rate) alone strikes all of UU for at least neutral coverage. Psychic serves as the third move, dishing out damage to Poison-types, who would otherwise wall this set. However, Hidden Power Electric is a viable alternative, for at the cost of base power, it gives Yanmega a much-needed trump card against Mantine, who could be very dangerous to this set. It still strikes Flying-types for super-effective damage. Unfortunately, Yanmega's special movepool is pitiably shallow, as is demonstrated by the last slot, where one is presented with a choice of U-turn or Shadow Ball. U-turn provides basic scouting for the Yanmega counter that is bound to come in; Shadow Ball serves as an auxiliary attack (gaining no remarkable coverage, but Yanmega's movepool truly is destitute, and it does not receive any other potentially useful moves).</p>
<p>Stealth Rock is Yanmega’s greatest nemesis, stripping off a gigantic 50% of its health every time it switches into play due to its unfortunate Bug / Flying typing. Thus, one should always ensure that Yanmega’s HP is odd, so it can switch in to Stealth Rock twice and live to tell the tale. Of course, a Rapid Spinner should be used alongside Yanmega to eliminate that liability completely. Claydol, the premier UU Rapid Spinner, serves as an excellent choice due to its ability to eliminate Registeel (with Earth Power), and serve as a psuedo-check to Chansey, who risks being Exploded on. Claydol can also set up entry hazards of its own, aiding Yanmega's sweep. Hitmontop is another top-tier choice, trumping both Chansey and Registeel with STAB Fighting-type moves. Torterra cannot spin away entry hazards, but has powerful physical STAB to threaten the aforementioned walls (and can easily take Rock-type attacks intended to strike Yanmega), and serves as a good partner to it overall. Nidoking also pairs up well with Yanmega, due to its typing, which allows it to absorb many attacks directed at Yanmega (like Electric and Rock-type attacks). Nidoking can strike Steel-types hard with a STAB Earthquake, as well.</p>
<p>Although Yanmega possesses a very solid 95 base Speed, slapping a Choice Scarf onto the overgrown dragonfly is a very viable choice. Once opponents see the lack of a Speed increase at the end of the turn, this set is nearly always assumed. Thus, the healthy Speed boost is heavily appreciated and tips the surprise factor in Yanmega’s favor (at the price of power, of course).</p>
<p>A Timid nature should be used if running Choice Specs; if one opts for Choice Scarf, Modest is the primary choice.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Air Slash / Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Hypnosis
item: Petaya Berry
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 104 Def / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set may look slightly odd at first, but is devastating when used in the right hands. This is mainly due to Substitute, a move that serves many purposes on Yanmega: namely, letting Yanmega scout for Choiced attacks, avoid crippling status, and get a free Speed Boost. Ideally, one should keep on using Substitute to forcibly activate the Petaya Berry, allowing Yanmega to sweep with +2 (or +3) Speed and +1 Special Attack, assuming it got in unscathed. Once again, Bug Buzz and Air Slash provide solid STAB moves, as well as having useful side effects. While Speed Boost is obviously the superior ability choice for this set, Yanmega loses a substantial chunk of its type coverage without Tinted Lens, necessating the use of either Hidden Power Ground or Hypnosis in the last slot. HP Ground trumps Fire and Steel-types who can block Yanmega’s rampage (especially Registeel), whereas Hypnosis (while under the protection of a Substitute, a miss is affordable) incapacitates a counter waiting in the wings. However, HP Ground is highly recommended due to the type coverage it provides.</p>
<p>Yanmega becomes a truly fearsome late-game sweeper when utilizing this set. Late-game, Stealth Rock has most likely been spun away already, and Chansey and Registeel are hopefully nowhere to be seen. With the combined effects of Substitute, Speed Boost, and the Petaya Berry, the overgrown dragonfly becomes very speedy, quite strong, and has a “second life” to protect itself (which <i>really</i> helps against priority users who could put an end to its sweep, such as Absol). Other common late-game cleaners like Swellow are outsped and OHKOed after a Speed Boost, making Yanmega all the more deadly. Yanmega picks up the scraps with ease, Speed Boost allowing it to outpace even Scarfed Pokemon. While sacrificing the power boost attained by the Petaya Berry, putting Leftovers on Yanmega is a viable choice, which allows it to buy more time to create Substitutes. Expert Belt is also a reliable alternative, giving super-effective attacks some more kick (significantly less than a Petaya boost, but potent nonetheless).</p>
<p>Chansey stops this set cold, so it is vitally important that it is removed from the scene when Yanmega starts its sweep. Hitmontop serves this purpose perfectly, attacking Chansey with STAB Fighting-type moves and spinning away Stealth Rock. Hitmontop is preferred over Claydol in this instance because it is guaranteed to check Chansey (and Registeel). A strong, reliable Pursuit user, like Absol, can also aid Yanmega greatly as well, to dispatch of Chansey. Registeel can normally be dealt with by Yanmega's Hidden Power Ground, but having a secondary check never hurts. Stealth Rock (on the opponent's side, of course) is also beneficial; it can help wear down anything with enough Special Defense to take Yanmega's Petaya-boosted hits, such as Altaria. It also makes defeating bulkier Flying-types who can OHKO Yanmega (such as Moltres) much easier. Additionally, when running Hypnosis, this set has lots of trouble with Steel-types, such as Steelix and Registeel. Pokemon who can clear the aforementioned two out of the way, like Nidoking and Magneton, could be beneficial to Yanmega's sweep. Magneton can also dispose of Mantine.</p>
<p>When running Speed Boost, one does not have to maximize Speed, so Yanmega can pour 104 EVs into its acceptable Defense (while still generating an odd number of HP). The EVs in Defense ensure that a 0 Atk Registeel won't break Yanmega's Substitute 75% of the time, allowing Yanmega to use some variants of Registeel as set-up fodder. However, if one does not wish to gamble on which spread Registeel is utilizing, a straightforward 252 / 252 / 4 spread can be used. Otherwise, 152 Speed EVs, meanwhile, let Yanmega outrun Pokemon in the base 130 Speed group after a Speed Boost. Maximizing Special Attack is self-explanatory, as it allows Yanmega to hit as hard as it can.</p>
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Psychic / Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
<p>While the previous set made extensive use of Substitute and set-up, this set focuses on Yanmega's ability to hit hard right off the bat. Speed Boost and Life Orb combine to create a deadly combination of pace and power that very few Pokemon can boast to outdo. However, as mentioned many times prior, Yanmega loses a substantial chunk of its type coverage when running Speed Boost, so it must make do with what it has, due to its less-than-spectacular movepool. Once again, Bug Buzz and Air Slash provide solid, reliable STAB moves that will be Yanmega's primary form of attack. Hidden Power Ground is a nasty slap in the face to Registeel, who would otherwise completely wall this set. Finally, Psychic rounds the set off by trumping Poison-types. Ho wever, Protect is also an excellent option, as it nullifies any attempts to revenge-kill Yanmega from strong Fake Out users, like Ambipom and Hitmontop. When being able to forego set-up, Yanmega can singlehandedly rip teams apart, with two blazing STAB moves backed up by HP Ground and Psychic. This set is arguably an even more dangerous late-game sweeper than the SubPetaya set (despite lacking a little power and a Substitute to take hits for it), mainly because it has the liberty of using four attacks to maximize its attacking potential. Unlike the Substitute set, it can just come in on one of the attacks it walls comfortably (such as Roserade’s Leaf Storm or Blaziken’s Superpower) and begin to sweep right off the bat. It is definitely a force to be reckoned with.</p>
<p>One of the disadvantages of this set is that it is severely hampered by Stealth Rock, which the Substitute set can get around. Thus, Rapid Spinners are absolutely necessary, and for the same reasons listed above, Claydol and Hitmontop serve as good choices to partner up with Yanmega. Even with Hidden Power Ground, having a reliable check to Steel-types (it greatly helps this variant to sweep without Steel hindrances), like Magneton, should still be used. For example, Registeel's great defenses, augmented by its tendency to run more Special Defense EVs, forces Yanmega into a bad position. It can only 3HKO at best, which leaves Registeel ample time to cripple it with status. Magneton greatly helps in this situation. It is Registeel's worst nightmare, resisting Iron Head, Toxic, Thunder Wave, and has the ability to ensnare it with Magnet Pull. Magneton, of course, has Hidden Power Fire and Thunderbolt to decimate the steel cyborg. Magneton's STAB Electric attacks also do a huge amount of damage to Mantine, who could also be dangerous to this set's survivability.</p>
[SET]
name: Reversal
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Reversal
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Psychic
item: Liechi Berry
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Rash
evs: 252 SpA / 104 Atk / 152 Spe
<p>Yanmega is perpetually walled by Chansey, Registeel, and the like, forcing it to play with a teammate that can take care of the aforementioned walls. This set completely turns the tables in Yanmega's favor, and has a large surprise factor working for it too. Once any opponent sees Substitute, it is almost a given that Yanmega is running a SubPetaya set. As Yanmega continues to Substitute to 1 HP, the opponent laughs and sends in Chansey. But instead of a Petaya Berry, the Liechi Berry activates, giving Yanmega +1 Attack and a fully-powered Reversal to annihilate Chansey (not to mention Registeel and Steelix)! The EV spread generates 321 Attack after a Liechi boost, enough to cleanly OHKO even the most physically defensive Chansey (252 HP / 252 Def, Bold). Keep in mind that this Yanmega still has a whopping 364 Special Attack, so it can still do major damage with Bug Buzz and Psychic. If one is paranoid about Mantine walling this set, Psychic can be dropped for Hidden Power Electric if necessary.</p>
<p>To demonstrate the efficacy of this set, here are some calculations:</p>
<pre>
Reversal vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Chansey - 100% (guaranteed OHKO no matter what EV spread Chansey is running)
Reversal vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Registeel - 75.27% - 89.01% (clean 2HKO)
Reversal vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Steelix - 54.24% - 64.41% (clean 2HKO)
Reversal vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Regirock - 53.57% - 62.91% (clean 2HKO)
</pre>
<p>Although this set aims to patch up some of Yanmega's weaknesses, it still needs quite a bit of precautionary team support to function well. Rapid Spin support is absolutely necessary to ensure it can set-up without being hindered. As mentioned before, Claydol and Hitmontop serve as good choices. Wish support from the likes of Umbreon, who can also trap key opponents like Chansey with Mean Look, is greatly appreciated - it helps both Yanmega and your spinner of choice recover health. This variant of Yanmega falls prey to priority users quite easily, so one should make sure that they are eliminated before Yanmega starts its sweep (because Yanmega will not always have a Substitute up when activating the Liechi Berry).</p>
[Team Options]
<p>First and foremost, a good teammate of Yanmega's should always have Rapid Spin in its arsenal to dispatch of the entry hazard that plagues Yanmega. Ideally, they should also comfortably be able to deal with Chansey and Registeel, the number-one counters to Yanmega. There are two main choices for this job: Claydol and Hitmontop. Both have their individual benefits; Claydol can reliably check Registeel with Earth Power and threaten Chansey with a potential Explosion (while having many other options such as setting up Stealth Rock, putting up screens, etc.), whereas Hitmontop's STAB Fighting-type attacks can dispatch of them both (it also has a fair few other handy options at its disposal, such as Foresight and Fake Out). However, Wish support is also beneficial, since both of the mentioned Rapid Spinners tend to lose health quickly. This should preferably come from the likes of Clefable and Chansey, who can take a few hits, spread status, etc. Umbreon is also an apt choice; it also has access to Mean Look, which could be essential in snaring a Chansey or Registeel. Absol is also a wonderful teammate to Yanmega, as a standard Choice Band Absol (Adamant) deals at least 73% to a fleeing Chansey with STAB Pursuit, making it very easy to eliminate the pink blob. Absol can switch in to Chansey with relative impunity, and because no sane Chansey will stay in on Absol, Pursuit provides the perfect means to obliterate it.</p>
<p>Steel-types are also a thorn in Yanmega's side, as Yanmega possesses no move that can comfortably deal with them apart from Hidden Power (or Reversal, but most Yanmega variants <i>are</i> of the special variety, and so must be covered anyway). Even with an appropriate Hidden Power, preferably Ground (if one uses Fire, then Yanmega is walled by Drapion), defensively-oriented Pokemon like Registeel can still sponge Yanmega's non-STAB HP Grounds with ease. Therefore, a Pokemon that can reliably trump Steel-types, such as Magneton, can be a good partner to Yanmega, allowing it to sweep unhindered. Magneton can trash nearly any Steel-type (Steelix is dealt with by Hidden Power Fire), thanks to its unique ability Magnet Pull, which prevents any Steel-type Pokemon from switching out. Nidoking also deserves special mention, because it not only sufficiently eliminates the threat of Steel-types, but can pound Chansey into the dust as well. Generally, Yanmega thrives in an environment with Chansey, Stealth Rock, and Steel-types absent from the scene, and its team members should work to achieve this goal. Stealth Rock support (from Yanmega's side, not the opponent's) is also beneficial to Yanmega, as it makes taking down dangerous bulky opponents such as Moltres and the lesser-used Mantine marginally easier.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>This is where Yanmega's awful movepool lets it down. The only other remotely viable special moves Yanmega receives are Ancientpower and SolarBeam, which are only useful to hit Charizard, Moltres, and Articuno (which Yanmega shouldn't really be facing), and Water and Rock-types, respectively. Neither is of too much use, as SolarBeam requires a costly turn of set-up that could be used to some success on the Substitute set, but is of no use on others; Ancientpower suffers from low PP and a poor base power. It receives Silver Wind and Signal Beam, two Bug moves that are generally inferior to Bug Buzz but could be used for their side effects (namely, a boost to all stats and a chance of confusion, respectively). Hidden Power Electric can be used over Hidden Power Ground on any of the sets simply if one is worried about Mantine rather than Regirock or Registeel, but Ground is still preferred due to the fact that the latter two are much more common.</p>
[EVs]
<p>On the first set, the 104 Def EVs allow you to survive Meteor Mash followed by Bullet Punch from LeadGross, take three of LO Scizor's Bullet Punches, and stomach two of Choice Band Azumarill's Aqua Jets. This makes them very valuable, and should not be substituted for any other stat. Meanwhile, Special Attack is maximized and the rest go into Speed. On the Choice and Speed Boost sweeper sets, maximize Special Attack and Speed, and place the leftover 4 EVs in Defense. If one desires to put HP EVs on Yanmega, make sure that Yanmega's HP is always odd, so it can switch into Stealth Rock twice and survive. On the Reversal set, the given Attack EVs allow for 321 Attack after a Liechi boost, which passes some key milestones (most notably, the ability to OHKO Chansey). The rest go into Special Attack and Speed, with an emphasis on Special Attack.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Although Yanmega has the misfortune of having a lackluster typing and a pitiably shallow movepool, it makes up for it with great base stats and two phenomenal abilities in Tinted Lens and Speed Boost. Yanmega is without a doubt one of the most threatening special sweepers in UU, and for good reason. Many a team has seen victory right around the corner, only to be swept by Yanmega. Although it is often looked down upon because of its 4x Stealth Rock weakness and pathetic movepool, the overgrown dragonfly is definitely a force to be reckoned with; and one would do well not to underestimate it.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Chansey is the number-one counter for Yanmega. It can sponge any attacks Yanmega throws at it (barring Reversal), and can threaten with crippling status. Chansey must only be wary of the inevitable teammate in cahoots with Yanmega (as well as the Reversal variant masquerading as the SubPetaya variant), waiting to lure it out (usually Hitmontop). Aside from Chansey, however, the field of counters grows surprisingly bleak - thanks to Yanmega's unpredictability. Practically nothing can safely switch into the Specs set - Registeel gets badly messed up by Specs Tinted Lens Air Slash, Bug Buzz deals plenty of damage to Magneton, and Clefable risks a 2HKO from one of Yanmega's Specs-boosted STAB moves. This only goes to show how dangerous Yanmega can be. Countering the special sweeper set is much easier, and suddenly, Registeel and Clefable can wall it comfortably. But those particular Yanmega variants usually unleash themselves late-game, when the aforementioned walls have bitten the dust. However, one of the best ways to deal with Yanmega (while Stealth Rock is active, of course) is to use a bulky PHazer whom Yanmega can't damage sufficiently (Drapion comes to mind, among others) to force it into play early-game, whereupon it will be crippled severely by Stealth Rock (while still having your Chansey or Registeel intact just in case). Outside the field of dedicated walls, Soundproof Electrode serves as an apt counter, it is immune to Bug Buzz, resists Air Slash, and can OHKO with a STAB Thunderbolt. Mantine, which admittedly doesn't see much play, can still serve as an excellent counter to Yanmega, as it sports a titanic base 140 SpD to take Yanmega head-on. Mantine is effectively a full stop to any Yanmega that is not carrying HP Electric, as even the Choice set struggles to deal Mantine a 3HKO at best. It can also strike Yanmega's much weaker SpD stat with Ice Beam. Noctowl is a less reliable counter, as it is beaten one-on-one by the Choice set (considering Yanmega usually plays with Stealth Rock support), but can effectively check Reversal or Substitute variants as soon as they activate their pinch berry (one must ensure that Stealth Rock is nonexistent if wishing to use Noctowl as a counter). Pinch berry variants are arguably the most dangerous late-game sweepers, and a reliable way to deal with them is priority users. Sucker Punch users like Cacturne, Toxicroak, and Absol have a field day with pinch berry variants provided Yanmega doesn't have a Substitute up, as it has no option but to attack. Yanmega does sport a 4x resistance to Fighting, though, so moves like Vacuum Wave and Mach Punch won't cut it.</p>
Changes:
-Rewrote Choice set, made it reflect Tinted Lens more
-Rewrote "special sweeper" set and made it reflect Substitute
-Fixed up "standard" as the first set
-Added Reversal set
-Added Speed Boost sweeper set
THIS ANALYSIS IS DONE!
----------------------
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[SET]
name: Your Standard Dragonfly
move 1: Protect
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hypnosis / Hidden Power Ground / Psychic
item: Focus Sash
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 104 Def / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set has the potential to be an excellent lead in both the UU and the OU metagame, because it can easily scout out attacks while incapacitating other leads with Hypnosis. Many leads in today’s metagame are overcentralized (meaning that they are specifically tailored to beat each other), such as Mamoswine, Occa Berry Metagross, Shuca Berry Heatran, etc. In the midst of it all, Yanmega's potential as a lead has been almost completely forgotten. Stealth Rock is absent from the scene on turn 1, making Yanmega's job easier. Other common leads like Hippowdon, Swampert, and Bronzong, who all carry Stealth Rock, can be dispatched by Hypnosis, preventing them from setting up the entry hazard that plagues Yanmega. If you are not facing a slow, defensive enemy, Protect first turn, as it gives Yanmega a free Speed Boost. It also allows you to scout a Choice item user's attack and switch to the appropriate counter if necessary. Be careful, though — a smart opponent may try to outpredict you and set up Stealth Rock instead.</p>
<p>In UU, Yanmega will be up against an entirely different crowd when used as a lead. However, it still fares excellently. It manages to easily beat out the three common leads in UU (Uxie, Ambipom, and Roserade), making Yanmega a very solid choice to lead your team. Against Ambipom, Yanmega Protects against the inevitable Fake Out and gains a Speed Boost. From there, Bug Buzz deals Ambipom a clean 2HKO, whereas Ambipom's Silk Scarf Return will never OHKO (even if Ambipom lands an impromptu critical hit, Focus Sash allows Yanmega to still come out on top). When faced with Uxie, Yanmega should always Protect on the first turn, scouting for TrickScarf variants. If faced with a TrickScarf Uxie locked into to Trick, then Yanmega should U-turn out to an appropriate teammate. Otherwise, Yanmega’s STAB Bug Buzz 2HKOs Uxie cleanly. Against a Roserade lead, Yanmega can scout which move Roserade is trying to employ with Protect, then OHKO most variants with Air Slash.</p>
<p>Although Protect and Hypnosis work really well together on a leading Yanmega, using both means it is easier to wall (and also, Hypnosis has unreliable accuracy), so you can drop one of them in favor of Hidden Power or Psychic. Hidden Power Ground annihilates Heatran and Magnezone in OU, and takes care of Registeel and Steelix in UU. Focus Sash is by far the superior item choice in UU, as it allows Yanmega to come out on top against various leads, which is essential for its survival. In OU, however, one can choose Wise Glasses as an alternate option to give Yanmega's attacks some more kick. The KOs on Heatran and Magnezone are based on having at least a Wise Glasses boost. If you choose to carry Hidden Power, then Expert Belt is a good option as it helps to guarantee a KO on the intended targets. Leftovers isn't quite as useful, but it will at least negate Sandstorm or Hail damage, and if damaging weather is not present it can offer some minimal healing with Protect.</p>
<p>The EV spread is geared towards use in OU. 104 Defense EVs ensure that Meteor Mash followed by Bullet Punch from LeadGross will never KO, which is a huge asset to this Yanmega. Other notable achievements accomplished by the Def EVs include being able to stomach three of LO Scizor's Bullet Punches and two of CB Azumarill's Aqua Jets — quite a feat for a (albeit overgrown) dragonfly. Maximum Speed isn't really needed due to Speed Boost, so 152 EVs suffice, allowing Yanmega to comfortably outspeed Pokemon in the base 130 Speed group after a Speed Boost. Special Attack, obviously, is maximized. When used in UU, the Defense EVs become less useful, so one can shift 80 EVs into Speed, which allows it to outspeed lead Electrode after a Speed Boost. This boost is influential, as Electrode is one of the very few leads that can combat Yanmega and come out on top.</p>
<p>Because this Yanmega is used exclusively as a suicide lead, extensive team support is unnecessary. Yanmega only requires insurance against the few leads it cannot come out on top against. Although more or less every lead can be struck by Hypnosis, it only provides a temporary means of subduing the enemy leads that utilize Trick to hamper Yanmega with a Choice item, who can easily defeat it, especially if they choose to Trick Choice Band or Choice Scarf. Prediction is essential, and switching to a Pokemon who can benefit from the item, such as Absol for Choice Band, can remove this liability. Electrode is one of the small handful of UU leads that can trash Yanmega; it is immune to Bug Buzz (thanks to Soundproof), resists Air Slash, and can OHKO with a STAB Electric-type attack. Thankfully, Electrode's defenses are quite shabby, and it can be dealt with by means of Scarfed revenge-killers, or Pokemon like Steelix, who comfortably wall all its attacks (including Explosion).</p>
[SET]
name: Choice + Tinted Lens
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Psychic
move 4: U-turn / Shadow Ball
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Yanmega is the only competitively viable Pokemon to be blessed with Tinted Lens, and this set makes full use of it. Tinted Lens is an amazing ability that nullifies all 2x type resists and softens 4x type resists. This makes switching into Yanmega quite a daunting prospect, especially when its attacks are coming off base 116 Special Attack amplified by Choice Specs. Air Slash and Bug Buzz serve as obligatory STAB moves, and gain a great deal of combined coverage with Tinted Lens. Air Slash (which also comes with a handy 30% flinch rate) alone strikes all of UU for at least neutral coverage. Psychic serves as the third move, dishing out damage to Poison-types, who would otherwise wall this set. However, Hidden Power Electric is a viable alternative, for at the cost of base power, it gives Yanmega a much-needed trump card against Mantine, who could be very dangerous to this set. It still strikes Flying-types for super-effective damage. Unfortunately, Yanmega's special movepool is pitiably shallow, as is demonstrated by the last slot, where one is presented with a choice of U-turn or Shadow Ball. U-turn provides basic scouting for the Yanmega counter that is bound to come in; Shadow Ball serves as an auxiliary attack (gaining no remarkable coverage, but Yanmega's movepool truly is destitute, and it does not receive any other potentially useful moves).</p>
<p>Stealth Rock is Yanmega’s greatest nemesis, stripping off a gigantic 50% of its health every time it switches into play due to its unfortunate Bug / Flying typing. Thus, one should always ensure that Yanmega’s HP is odd, so it can switch in to Stealth Rock twice and live to tell the tale. Of course, a Rapid Spinner should be used alongside Yanmega to eliminate that liability completely. Claydol, the premier UU Rapid Spinner, serves as an excellent choice due to its ability to eliminate Registeel (with Earth Power), and serve as a psuedo-check to Chansey, who risks being Exploded on. Claydol can also set up entry hazards of its own, aiding Yanmega's sweep. Hitmontop is another top-tier choice, trumping both Chansey and Registeel with STAB Fighting-type moves. Torterra cannot spin away entry hazards, but has powerful physical STAB to threaten the aforementioned walls (and can easily take Rock-type attacks intended to strike Yanmega), and serves as a good partner to it overall. Nidoking also pairs up well with Yanmega, due to its typing, which allows it to absorb many attacks directed at Yanmega (like Electric and Rock-type attacks). Nidoking can strike Steel-types hard with a STAB Earthquake, as well.</p>
<p>Although Yanmega possesses a very solid 95 base Speed, slapping a Choice Scarf onto the overgrown dragonfly is a very viable choice. Once opponents see the lack of a Speed increase at the end of the turn, this set is nearly always assumed. Thus, the healthy Speed boost is heavily appreciated and tips the surprise factor in Yanmega’s favor (at the price of power, of course).</p>
<p>A Timid nature should be used if running Choice Specs; if one opts for Choice Scarf, Modest is the primary choice.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Air Slash / Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Hypnosis
item: Petaya Berry
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 104 Def / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set may look slightly odd at first, but is devastating when used in the right hands. This is mainly due to Substitute, a move that serves many purposes on Yanmega: namely, letting Yanmega scout for Choiced attacks, avoid crippling status, and get a free Speed Boost. Ideally, one should keep on using Substitute to forcibly activate the Petaya Berry, allowing Yanmega to sweep with +2 (or +3) Speed and +1 Special Attack, assuming it got in unscathed. Once again, Bug Buzz and Air Slash provide solid STAB moves, as well as having useful side effects. While Speed Boost is obviously the superior ability choice for this set, Yanmega loses a substantial chunk of its type coverage without Tinted Lens, necessating the use of either Hidden Power Ground or Hypnosis in the last slot. HP Ground trumps Fire and Steel-types who can block Yanmega’s rampage (especially Registeel), whereas Hypnosis (while under the protection of a Substitute, a miss is affordable) incapacitates a counter waiting in the wings. However, HP Ground is highly recommended due to the type coverage it provides.</p>
<p>Yanmega becomes a truly fearsome late-game sweeper when utilizing this set. Late-game, Stealth Rock has most likely been spun away already, and Chansey and Registeel are hopefully nowhere to be seen. With the combined effects of Substitute, Speed Boost, and the Petaya Berry, the overgrown dragonfly becomes very speedy, quite strong, and has a “second life” to protect itself (which <i>really</i> helps against priority users who could put an end to its sweep, such as Absol). Other common late-game cleaners like Swellow are outsped and OHKOed after a Speed Boost, making Yanmega all the more deadly. Yanmega picks up the scraps with ease, Speed Boost allowing it to outpace even Scarfed Pokemon. While sacrificing the power boost attained by the Petaya Berry, putting Leftovers on Yanmega is a viable choice, which allows it to buy more time to create Substitutes. Expert Belt is also a reliable alternative, giving super-effective attacks some more kick (significantly less than a Petaya boost, but potent nonetheless).</p>
<p>Chansey stops this set cold, so it is vitally important that it is removed from the scene when Yanmega starts its sweep. Hitmontop serves this purpose perfectly, attacking Chansey with STAB Fighting-type moves and spinning away Stealth Rock. Hitmontop is preferred over Claydol in this instance because it is guaranteed to check Chansey (and Registeel). A strong, reliable Pursuit user, like Absol, can also aid Yanmega greatly as well, to dispatch of Chansey. Registeel can normally be dealt with by Yanmega's Hidden Power Ground, but having a secondary check never hurts. Stealth Rock (on the opponent's side, of course) is also beneficial; it can help wear down anything with enough Special Defense to take Yanmega's Petaya-boosted hits, such as Altaria. It also makes defeating bulkier Flying-types who can OHKO Yanmega (such as Moltres) much easier. Additionally, when running Hypnosis, this set has lots of trouble with Steel-types, such as Steelix and Registeel. Pokemon who can clear the aforementioned two out of the way, like Nidoking and Magneton, could be beneficial to Yanmega's sweep. Magneton can also dispose of Mantine.</p>
<p>When running Speed Boost, one does not have to maximize Speed, so Yanmega can pour 104 EVs into its acceptable Defense (while still generating an odd number of HP). The EVs in Defense ensure that a 0 Atk Registeel won't break Yanmega's Substitute 75% of the time, allowing Yanmega to use some variants of Registeel as set-up fodder. However, if one does not wish to gamble on which spread Registeel is utilizing, a straightforward 252 / 252 / 4 spread can be used. Otherwise, 152 Speed EVs, meanwhile, let Yanmega outrun Pokemon in the base 130 Speed group after a Speed Boost. Maximizing Special Attack is self-explanatory, as it allows Yanmega to hit as hard as it can.</p>
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Psychic / Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
<p>While the previous set made extensive use of Substitute and set-up, this set focuses on Yanmega's ability to hit hard right off the bat. Speed Boost and Life Orb combine to create a deadly combination of pace and power that very few Pokemon can boast to outdo. However, as mentioned many times prior, Yanmega loses a substantial chunk of its type coverage when running Speed Boost, so it must make do with what it has, due to its less-than-spectacular movepool. Once again, Bug Buzz and Air Slash provide solid, reliable STAB moves that will be Yanmega's primary form of attack. Hidden Power Ground is a nasty slap in the face to Registeel, who would otherwise completely wall this set. Finally, Psychic rounds the set off by trumping Poison-types. Ho wever, Protect is also an excellent option, as it nullifies any attempts to revenge-kill Yanmega from strong Fake Out users, like Ambipom and Hitmontop. When being able to forego set-up, Yanmega can singlehandedly rip teams apart, with two blazing STAB moves backed up by HP Ground and Psychic. This set is arguably an even more dangerous late-game sweeper than the SubPetaya set (despite lacking a little power and a Substitute to take hits for it), mainly because it has the liberty of using four attacks to maximize its attacking potential. Unlike the Substitute set, it can just come in on one of the attacks it walls comfortably (such as Roserade’s Leaf Storm or Blaziken’s Superpower) and begin to sweep right off the bat. It is definitely a force to be reckoned with.</p>
<p>One of the disadvantages of this set is that it is severely hampered by Stealth Rock, which the Substitute set can get around. Thus, Rapid Spinners are absolutely necessary, and for the same reasons listed above, Claydol and Hitmontop serve as good choices to partner up with Yanmega. Even with Hidden Power Ground, having a reliable check to Steel-types (it greatly helps this variant to sweep without Steel hindrances), like Magneton, should still be used. For example, Registeel's great defenses, augmented by its tendency to run more Special Defense EVs, forces Yanmega into a bad position. It can only 3HKO at best, which leaves Registeel ample time to cripple it with status. Magneton greatly helps in this situation. It is Registeel's worst nightmare, resisting Iron Head, Toxic, Thunder Wave, and has the ability to ensnare it with Magnet Pull. Magneton, of course, has Hidden Power Fire and Thunderbolt to decimate the steel cyborg. Magneton's STAB Electric attacks also do a huge amount of damage to Mantine, who could also be dangerous to this set's survivability.</p>
[SET]
name: Reversal
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Reversal
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Psychic
item: Liechi Berry
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Rash
evs: 252 SpA / 104 Atk / 152 Spe
<p>Yanmega is perpetually walled by Chansey, Registeel, and the like, forcing it to play with a teammate that can take care of the aforementioned walls. This set completely turns the tables in Yanmega's favor, and has a large surprise factor working for it too. Once any opponent sees Substitute, it is almost a given that Yanmega is running a SubPetaya set. As Yanmega continues to Substitute to 1 HP, the opponent laughs and sends in Chansey. But instead of a Petaya Berry, the Liechi Berry activates, giving Yanmega +1 Attack and a fully-powered Reversal to annihilate Chansey (not to mention Registeel and Steelix)! The EV spread generates 321 Attack after a Liechi boost, enough to cleanly OHKO even the most physically defensive Chansey (252 HP / 252 Def, Bold). Keep in mind that this Yanmega still has a whopping 364 Special Attack, so it can still do major damage with Bug Buzz and Psychic. If one is paranoid about Mantine walling this set, Psychic can be dropped for Hidden Power Electric if necessary.</p>
<p>To demonstrate the efficacy of this set, here are some calculations:</p>
<pre>
Reversal vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Chansey - 100% (guaranteed OHKO no matter what EV spread Chansey is running)
Reversal vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Registeel - 75.27% - 89.01% (clean 2HKO)
Reversal vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Steelix - 54.24% - 64.41% (clean 2HKO)
Reversal vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Regirock - 53.57% - 62.91% (clean 2HKO)
</pre>
<p>Although this set aims to patch up some of Yanmega's weaknesses, it still needs quite a bit of precautionary team support to function well. Rapid Spin support is absolutely necessary to ensure it can set-up without being hindered. As mentioned before, Claydol and Hitmontop serve as good choices. Wish support from the likes of Umbreon, who can also trap key opponents like Chansey with Mean Look, is greatly appreciated - it helps both Yanmega and your spinner of choice recover health. This variant of Yanmega falls prey to priority users quite easily, so one should make sure that they are eliminated before Yanmega starts its sweep (because Yanmega will not always have a Substitute up when activating the Liechi Berry).</p>
[Team Options]
<p>First and foremost, a good teammate of Yanmega's should always have Rapid Spin in its arsenal to dispatch of the entry hazard that plagues Yanmega. Ideally, they should also comfortably be able to deal with Chansey and Registeel, the number-one counters to Yanmega. There are two main choices for this job: Claydol and Hitmontop. Both have their individual benefits; Claydol can reliably check Registeel with Earth Power and threaten Chansey with a potential Explosion (while having many other options such as setting up Stealth Rock, putting up screens, etc.), whereas Hitmontop's STAB Fighting-type attacks can dispatch of them both (it also has a fair few other handy options at its disposal, such as Foresight and Fake Out). However, Wish support is also beneficial, since both of the mentioned Rapid Spinners tend to lose health quickly. This should preferably come from the likes of Clefable and Chansey, who can take a few hits, spread status, etc. Umbreon is also an apt choice; it also has access to Mean Look, which could be essential in snaring a Chansey or Registeel. Absol is also a wonderful teammate to Yanmega, as a standard Choice Band Absol (Adamant) deals at least 73% to a fleeing Chansey with STAB Pursuit, making it very easy to eliminate the pink blob. Absol can switch in to Chansey with relative impunity, and because no sane Chansey will stay in on Absol, Pursuit provides the perfect means to obliterate it.</p>
<p>Steel-types are also a thorn in Yanmega's side, as Yanmega possesses no move that can comfortably deal with them apart from Hidden Power (or Reversal, but most Yanmega variants <i>are</i> of the special variety, and so must be covered anyway). Even with an appropriate Hidden Power, preferably Ground (if one uses Fire, then Yanmega is walled by Drapion), defensively-oriented Pokemon like Registeel can still sponge Yanmega's non-STAB HP Grounds with ease. Therefore, a Pokemon that can reliably trump Steel-types, such as Magneton, can be a good partner to Yanmega, allowing it to sweep unhindered. Magneton can trash nearly any Steel-type (Steelix is dealt with by Hidden Power Fire), thanks to its unique ability Magnet Pull, which prevents any Steel-type Pokemon from switching out. Nidoking also deserves special mention, because it not only sufficiently eliminates the threat of Steel-types, but can pound Chansey into the dust as well. Generally, Yanmega thrives in an environment with Chansey, Stealth Rock, and Steel-types absent from the scene, and its team members should work to achieve this goal. Stealth Rock support (from Yanmega's side, not the opponent's) is also beneficial to Yanmega, as it makes taking down dangerous bulky opponents such as Moltres and the lesser-used Mantine marginally easier.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>This is where Yanmega's awful movepool lets it down. The only other remotely viable special moves Yanmega receives are Ancientpower and SolarBeam, which are only useful to hit Charizard, Moltres, and Articuno (which Yanmega shouldn't really be facing), and Water and Rock-types, respectively. Neither is of too much use, as SolarBeam requires a costly turn of set-up that could be used to some success on the Substitute set, but is of no use on others; Ancientpower suffers from low PP and a poor base power. It receives Silver Wind and Signal Beam, two Bug moves that are generally inferior to Bug Buzz but could be used for their side effects (namely, a boost to all stats and a chance of confusion, respectively). Hidden Power Electric can be used over Hidden Power Ground on any of the sets simply if one is worried about Mantine rather than Regirock or Registeel, but Ground is still preferred due to the fact that the latter two are much more common.</p>
[EVs]
<p>On the first set, the 104 Def EVs allow you to survive Meteor Mash followed by Bullet Punch from LeadGross, take three of LO Scizor's Bullet Punches, and stomach two of Choice Band Azumarill's Aqua Jets. This makes them very valuable, and should not be substituted for any other stat. Meanwhile, Special Attack is maximized and the rest go into Speed. On the Choice and Speed Boost sweeper sets, maximize Special Attack and Speed, and place the leftover 4 EVs in Defense. If one desires to put HP EVs on Yanmega, make sure that Yanmega's HP is always odd, so it can switch into Stealth Rock twice and survive. On the Reversal set, the given Attack EVs allow for 321 Attack after a Liechi boost, which passes some key milestones (most notably, the ability to OHKO Chansey). The rest go into Special Attack and Speed, with an emphasis on Special Attack.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Although Yanmega has the misfortune of having a lackluster typing and a pitiably shallow movepool, it makes up for it with great base stats and two phenomenal abilities in Tinted Lens and Speed Boost. Yanmega is without a doubt one of the most threatening special sweepers in UU, and for good reason. Many a team has seen victory right around the corner, only to be swept by Yanmega. Although it is often looked down upon because of its 4x Stealth Rock weakness and pathetic movepool, the overgrown dragonfly is definitely a force to be reckoned with; and one would do well not to underestimate it.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Chansey is the number-one counter for Yanmega. It can sponge any attacks Yanmega throws at it (barring Reversal), and can threaten with crippling status. Chansey must only be wary of the inevitable teammate in cahoots with Yanmega (as well as the Reversal variant masquerading as the SubPetaya variant), waiting to lure it out (usually Hitmontop). Aside from Chansey, however, the field of counters grows surprisingly bleak - thanks to Yanmega's unpredictability. Practically nothing can safely switch into the Specs set - Registeel gets badly messed up by Specs Tinted Lens Air Slash, Bug Buzz deals plenty of damage to Magneton, and Clefable risks a 2HKO from one of Yanmega's Specs-boosted STAB moves. This only goes to show how dangerous Yanmega can be. Countering the special sweeper set is much easier, and suddenly, Registeel and Clefable can wall it comfortably. But those particular Yanmega variants usually unleash themselves late-game, when the aforementioned walls have bitten the dust. However, one of the best ways to deal with Yanmega (while Stealth Rock is active, of course) is to use a bulky PHazer whom Yanmega can't damage sufficiently (Drapion comes to mind, among others) to force it into play early-game, whereupon it will be crippled severely by Stealth Rock (while still having your Chansey or Registeel intact just in case). Outside the field of dedicated walls, Soundproof Electrode serves as an apt counter, it is immune to Bug Buzz, resists Air Slash, and can OHKO with a STAB Thunderbolt. Mantine, which admittedly doesn't see much play, can still serve as an excellent counter to Yanmega, as it sports a titanic base 140 SpD to take Yanmega head-on. Mantine is effectively a full stop to any Yanmega that is not carrying HP Electric, as even the Choice set struggles to deal Mantine a 3HKO at best. It can also strike Yanmega's much weaker SpD stat with Ice Beam. Noctowl is a less reliable counter, as it is beaten one-on-one by the Choice set (considering Yanmega usually plays with Stealth Rock support), but can effectively check Reversal or Substitute variants as soon as they activate their pinch berry (one must ensure that Stealth Rock is nonexistent if wishing to use Noctowl as a counter). Pinch berry variants are arguably the most dangerous late-game sweepers, and a reliable way to deal with them is priority users. Sucker Punch users like Cacturne, Toxicroak, and Absol have a field day with pinch berry variants provided Yanmega doesn't have a Substitute up, as it has no option but to attack. Yanmega does sport a 4x resistance to Fighting, though, so moves like Vacuum Wave and Mach Punch won't cut it.</p>
