Remember this thread?
http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/the-next-best-thing-v2-latios.3482679/
I've always thought it was a good idea, and with Mega evo's being an important limit on teambuilding, it's actually a great thing to discuss. None of the really viable mega evos can truly be replaced, because if they could then they wouldn't be viable anyway lol.
The replacements don't have to be top OU-viable mons, but rather the BEST possible replacements. Raikou is B in the viability thread but its still the best possible replacement to M-Mane, to do the job that M-Mane would've done. And on that note here's a post about that exact replacement.
Name: Raikou
Replaces: Mega Manectric
Moveset: Raikou @ Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Aura Sphere
- Hidden Power Ice
- Extrasensory/Thunderbolt
Explanation:
Just like Mega-Mane, Raikou comes in and gains momentum with volt switch, revenge kills birdspam, and dosen't care about Thundurus. Expert belt powers up your HP Ice and turns the Landos, Garchomp, Gliscor and other grounds not named Hippowdon into OHKO's. It also lets you OHKO non-av Mamoswine after SR with Aura Sphere. The EV's speed creep adamant Tflame by 1 with the rest in HP for bulk.
Onto the moveset. Volt switch is your go-to momentum gainer. Aura sphere 2HKO's Tyranitar and also hurts Mamoswine and Excadrill who are the only grounds that don't care about HP Ice. HP Ice is important since it lets you safely spam volt switch, considering that you can cleanly OHKO heaps of common grounds that try to nab a free switch. Extrasensory or thunderbolt is preference, the former 2HKO's Venusaur after rocks and the latter is a stronger STAB that dosen't switch you out.
TLDR
The same:
- Checks birdspam
- Gains momentum, racks up chip damage
- Dosen't care about many grounds, Thundy
- Roughly the same SpA with expert belt
- Beats many defoggers/rapid spinners
Worse:
- Has lower speed
- Dosen't outspeed Greninja or Jolly Tflame
- Dosen't beat Scizor
- No OHKO on Excadrill
- No Intimidate
Better:
- Can 2HKO Venusaur + Ttar
- OHKO's Mamo after SR