Thugly Duckling
I play TCG now
QC checks: Nayrz / Fireburn / Wreckdra
GP checks: Snobalt / The Dutch Plumperjack
You've been looking in Alderaan places
________________
[OVERVIEW]
With its good offensive Fighting / Steel typing, above average base 112 Speed, access to Close Combat, and unparalleled power with Adaptability, Mega Lucario is a serious threat in the Uber tier. It also has access to Swords Dance, which pressures entry hazard removers and allows Mega Lucario to decimate stall teams by easily finding setup opportunities on stall staples such as Blissey, Clefable, Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, Lugia, and Water Arceus without Judgment. As if Mega Lucario doesn't pose a big enough threat to stall already, it also sports a nifty immunity to Toxic and a 4x resistance to Stealth Rock, meaning that it must be dealt with directly, as merely phazing it can allow Mega Lucario to find more setup opportunities during the match. Mega Lucario is no one-trick pony, though. With access to Bullet Punch, Mega Lucario functions as a revenge killer to Geomancy Xerneas, meaning that it does have utility against balance and offensive teams, overall making it a solid offensive Pokemon across the board.
However, although Mega Lucario has a theoretically decent defensive typing with good resistances to Dark, Ice, Normal, and Dragon, its paltry 70 / 88 / 70 bulk means that it cannot switch into any attack and that it is checked by just about anything that outspeeds it and has a decently powerful coverage move. Mega Lucario also faces heavy competition from other offensive Mega Evolutions, especially Mega Salamence, which is faster, stronger, and bulkier. Although Mega Lucario has utility against offense and balance by being able to revenge kill a +2 Xerneas, it has a difficult time finding setup opportunities against offensive and balanced teams because of the offensive pressure they apply. Balance teams are especially a trouble for Mega Lucario, as they can exert a mix of offensive and defensive pressure and are able to KO it, wall it, or cripple it with status ailments. However, none of this is enough to subdue Mega Lucario's vital spirit; Mega Lucario is the rising star of the Uber tier that has a specific niche of being a soft check to Geomancy Xerneas and a stallbreaker that is very difficult to stop when boosted.
[SET]
name: The Force Awakens
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Bullet Punch
move 4: Iron Tail
item: Lucarionite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mega Lucario to break down stall teams by overpowering many of its checks such as Mega Sableye, Lugia, and Primal Groudon. It can also allow Mega Lucario to clean weakened offensive teams with Bullet Punch. Close Combat inflicts massive damage to anything without an immunity or resistance to it and is Mega Lucario's primary STAB move. Bullet Punch allows Mega Lucario to revenge kill a weakened Geomancy-boosted Xerneas and pick off weakened foes in general. Although it is inaccurate, Iron Tail is very potent alongside Close Combat, giving Mega Lucario an immediate way to eliminate healthy Fairy-types while rounding out coverage against Flying-types and other Pokemon that resist Fighting. If Ho-Oh is of concern to Mega Lucario's team, Stone Edge can be used over Bullet Punch or Iron Tail in order to OHKO it; however, Mega Lucario will notably have issues with Mega Sableye by forgoing Iron Tail, and it loses the little utility it has against offensive teams if the move is run over Bullet Punch.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Mega Lucario to hit as hard and as fast as possible. A Jolly nature is chosen to make full use of Mega Lucario's good base 112 Speed, letting Mega Lucario outspeed most of the tier. Justified is Mega Lucario's most useful ability before Mega Evolving, possibly allowing it to gain an Attack boost by switching into a Dark-type attack.
Usage Tips
========
In order to do anything significant with Mega Lucario, you must get an opportunity to safely Mega Evolve it. To do so, aggressively double switch Lucario into passive Steel and Dark-types that do not threaten it and are forced to switch out. Lucario can also safely Mega Evolve by revenge killing a weakened foe with Bullet Punch. If possible, utilize Lucario's pre-Mega ability Justified to gain a free Attack boost by switching it into a weak Dark-type attack, such as Dark Arceus's Judgment or non-Life Orb Darkrai's Dark Pulse. Against stall teams, set up Swords Dance on Pokemon such as Blissey, Clefable, Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, Lugia, and Water Arceus. Exercise caution when setting up on a healthy Water Arceus, though, as it can survive a +2 Close Combat and retaliate with Judgment, which can OHKO Mega Lucario after the Special Defense drop. Lastly, when using Mega Lucario as a revenge killer to Geomancy Xerneas, be sure to achieve prior damage on Xerneas before attempting to pick it off with Bullet Punch, as it can only 2HKO a healthy Xerneas at best.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon provides Stealth Rock support and can absorb Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave aimed at Mega Lucario while also functioning as a secondary answer to Geomancy Xerneas. Wobbuffet is an outstanding partner to Mega Lucario, as it can easily trap support Arceus formes other than Ghost Arceus and set up Safeguard to allow Lucario to Mega Evolve and set up Swords Dance without fear of a status ailment. Thunder Darkrai can eliminate Flying-types such as Ho-Oh and Ghost-types, allowing Mega Lucario to have an easier time punishing the opposing team with Close Combat. Primal Kyogre is an especially good teammate because it can lure in Pokemon that Mega Lucario can set up Swords Dance on, such as Ferrothorn and Blissey. Calm Mind Arceus formes such as Ghost, Fairy, and Ground Arceus pressure Ho-Oh well alongside Mega Lucario; alternatively, support Arceus formes of the same types that run Stone Edge can lure Ho-Oh and eliminate it so that Mega Lucario can have an easier time sweeping. Paralysis spreaders such as Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and Primal Groudon can cripple walls or Pokemon faster than Mega Lucario, making its merely above average Speed less of a problem. Any offensive Pokemon that appreciates Mega Lucario chunking at its checks can make for a good partner. Extreme Killer Arceus with Refresh applies incredible pressure to Ghost-types alongside Mega Lucario. Mega Lucario's tendency to draw in and weaken Primal Groudon and other bulky Fire-types benefits Geomancy Xerneas greatly. Healing Wish from the likes of Latias and Shaymin-S can breathe new life into Mega Lucario if it has been severely weakened or inflicted with a status ailment.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Earthquake can be used to hit Aegislash, but Aegislash cannot do much back to Mega Lucario anyway. Crunch can be used to hit Ghost-types with perfect accuracy, but the power of Iron Tail after a Swords Dance boost wards off Ghost-types well enough. A Nasty Plot set with a Timid Nature and maximum Special Attack and Speed can be used with Focus Blast, Flash Cannon, and Vacuum Wave in order to surprise Mega Lucario's usual checks, but it loses the ability to revenge kill a +2 Xerneas, which is Mega Lucario's niche over other Mega Evolutions.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types are immune to Close Combat, and most are either bulky enough to take any of Mega Lucario's coverage moves and subsequently cripple or KO it or offensive enough to outspeed and KO it. Ghost Arceus outspeeds Mega Lucario and either cripples it with Will-O-Wisp or 2HKOes it with Judgment; Giratina can take Mega Lucario's attacks and either cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or phaze it after it sets up Swords Dance; Mega Gengar can trap and OHKO Mega Lucario with Focus Blast, but it must be wary of a boosted Bullet Punch if it is weakened; Aegislash resists Steel and can lower Mega Lucario's Attack on contact with King's Shield, but it needs Shadow Ball to do anything back. Other Ghost-types such as Mega Sableye can switch into Close Combat, but they risk being OHKOed by +2 Iron Tail.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh resists both of Mega Lucario's STAB moves and threatens it back with any of its coverage moves. However, Ho-Oh is KOed by a boosted Close Combat if it has taken Stealth Rock damage.
**Mewtwo**: All variants of Mewtwo outspeed Mega Lucario and can KO it with their various coverage moves; however, Mega Mewtwo Y stands a chance of being OHKOed by a +2 Bullet Punch after Stealth Rock and Spikes damage. Mega Mewtwo X is especially great against Mega Lucario, as it has a 100% accurate and super effective STAB Low Kick to OHKO it.
**Mega Salamence**: Before Mega Evolving, Mega Salamence can use Intimidate to lower Lucario's Attack and set up Dragon Dance against it. However, sending out Salamence on a turn that Mega Lucario uses Swords Dance can be risky, as +1 Iron Tail OHKOes non-Impish Mega Salamence after Stealth Rock damage.
**Revenge Killers**: Shaymin-S, Blaziken, and Choice Scarf users such as Zekrom can all outspeed and KO Mega Lucario.
**Burns and Paralysis**: Burns and paralysis cripple Lucario, cutting either its Attack or its Speed and leaving it vulnerable to revenge killing.
GP checks: Snobalt / The Dutch Plumperjack
You've been looking in Alderaan places
________________
[OVERVIEW]
With its good offensive Fighting / Steel typing, above average base 112 Speed, access to Close Combat, and unparalleled power with Adaptability, Mega Lucario is a serious threat in the Uber tier. It also has access to Swords Dance, which pressures entry hazard removers and allows Mega Lucario to decimate stall teams by easily finding setup opportunities on stall staples such as Blissey, Clefable, Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, Lugia, and Water Arceus without Judgment. As if Mega Lucario doesn't pose a big enough threat to stall already, it also sports a nifty immunity to Toxic and a 4x resistance to Stealth Rock, meaning that it must be dealt with directly, as merely phazing it can allow Mega Lucario to find more setup opportunities during the match. Mega Lucario is no one-trick pony, though. With access to Bullet Punch, Mega Lucario functions as a revenge killer to Geomancy Xerneas, meaning that it does have utility against balance and offensive teams, overall making it a solid offensive Pokemon across the board.
However, although Mega Lucario has a theoretically decent defensive typing with good resistances to Dark, Ice, Normal, and Dragon, its paltry 70 / 88 / 70 bulk means that it cannot switch into any attack and that it is checked by just about anything that outspeeds it and has a decently powerful coverage move. Mega Lucario also faces heavy competition from other offensive Mega Evolutions, especially Mega Salamence, which is faster, stronger, and bulkier. Although Mega Lucario has utility against offense and balance by being able to revenge kill a +2 Xerneas, it has a difficult time finding setup opportunities against offensive and balanced teams because of the offensive pressure they apply. Balance teams are especially a trouble for Mega Lucario, as they can exert a mix of offensive and defensive pressure and are able to KO it, wall it, or cripple it with status ailments. However, none of this is enough to subdue Mega Lucario's vital spirit; Mega Lucario is the rising star of the Uber tier that has a specific niche of being a soft check to Geomancy Xerneas and a stallbreaker that is very difficult to stop when boosted.
[SET]
name: The Force Awakens
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Bullet Punch
move 4: Iron Tail
item: Lucarionite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Mega Lucario to break down stall teams by overpowering many of its checks such as Mega Sableye, Lugia, and Primal Groudon. It can also allow Mega Lucario to clean weakened offensive teams with Bullet Punch. Close Combat inflicts massive damage to anything without an immunity or resistance to it and is Mega Lucario's primary STAB move. Bullet Punch allows Mega Lucario to revenge kill a weakened Geomancy-boosted Xerneas and pick off weakened foes in general. Although it is inaccurate, Iron Tail is very potent alongside Close Combat, giving Mega Lucario an immediate way to eliminate healthy Fairy-types while rounding out coverage against Flying-types and other Pokemon that resist Fighting. If Ho-Oh is of concern to Mega Lucario's team, Stone Edge can be used over Bullet Punch or Iron Tail in order to OHKO it; however, Mega Lucario will notably have issues with Mega Sableye by forgoing Iron Tail, and it loses the little utility it has against offensive teams if the move is run over Bullet Punch.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Mega Lucario to hit as hard and as fast as possible. A Jolly nature is chosen to make full use of Mega Lucario's good base 112 Speed, letting Mega Lucario outspeed most of the tier. Justified is Mega Lucario's most useful ability before Mega Evolving, possibly allowing it to gain an Attack boost by switching into a Dark-type attack.
Usage Tips
========
In order to do anything significant with Mega Lucario, you must get an opportunity to safely Mega Evolve it. To do so, aggressively double switch Lucario into passive Steel and Dark-types that do not threaten it and are forced to switch out. Lucario can also safely Mega Evolve by revenge killing a weakened foe with Bullet Punch. If possible, utilize Lucario's pre-Mega ability Justified to gain a free Attack boost by switching it into a weak Dark-type attack, such as Dark Arceus's Judgment or non-Life Orb Darkrai's Dark Pulse. Against stall teams, set up Swords Dance on Pokemon such as Blissey, Clefable, Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, Lugia, and Water Arceus. Exercise caution when setting up on a healthy Water Arceus, though, as it can survive a +2 Close Combat and retaliate with Judgment, which can OHKO Mega Lucario after the Special Defense drop. Lastly, when using Mega Lucario as a revenge killer to Geomancy Xerneas, be sure to achieve prior damage on Xerneas before attempting to pick it off with Bullet Punch, as it can only 2HKO a healthy Xerneas at best.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon provides Stealth Rock support and can absorb Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave aimed at Mega Lucario while also functioning as a secondary answer to Geomancy Xerneas. Wobbuffet is an outstanding partner to Mega Lucario, as it can easily trap support Arceus formes other than Ghost Arceus and set up Safeguard to allow Lucario to Mega Evolve and set up Swords Dance without fear of a status ailment. Thunder Darkrai can eliminate Flying-types such as Ho-Oh and Ghost-types, allowing Mega Lucario to have an easier time punishing the opposing team with Close Combat. Primal Kyogre is an especially good teammate because it can lure in Pokemon that Mega Lucario can set up Swords Dance on, such as Ferrothorn and Blissey. Calm Mind Arceus formes such as Ghost, Fairy, and Ground Arceus pressure Ho-Oh well alongside Mega Lucario; alternatively, support Arceus formes of the same types that run Stone Edge can lure Ho-Oh and eliminate it so that Mega Lucario can have an easier time sweeping. Paralysis spreaders such as Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and Primal Groudon can cripple walls or Pokemon faster than Mega Lucario, making its merely above average Speed less of a problem. Any offensive Pokemon that appreciates Mega Lucario chunking at its checks can make for a good partner. Extreme Killer Arceus with Refresh applies incredible pressure to Ghost-types alongside Mega Lucario. Mega Lucario's tendency to draw in and weaken Primal Groudon and other bulky Fire-types benefits Geomancy Xerneas greatly. Healing Wish from the likes of Latias and Shaymin-S can breathe new life into Mega Lucario if it has been severely weakened or inflicted with a status ailment.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Earthquake can be used to hit Aegislash, but Aegislash cannot do much back to Mega Lucario anyway. Crunch can be used to hit Ghost-types with perfect accuracy, but the power of Iron Tail after a Swords Dance boost wards off Ghost-types well enough. A Nasty Plot set with a Timid Nature and maximum Special Attack and Speed can be used with Focus Blast, Flash Cannon, and Vacuum Wave in order to surprise Mega Lucario's usual checks, but it loses the ability to revenge kill a +2 Xerneas, which is Mega Lucario's niche over other Mega Evolutions.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types are immune to Close Combat, and most are either bulky enough to take any of Mega Lucario's coverage moves and subsequently cripple or KO it or offensive enough to outspeed and KO it. Ghost Arceus outspeeds Mega Lucario and either cripples it with Will-O-Wisp or 2HKOes it with Judgment; Giratina can take Mega Lucario's attacks and either cripple it with Will-O-Wisp or phaze it after it sets up Swords Dance; Mega Gengar can trap and OHKO Mega Lucario with Focus Blast, but it must be wary of a boosted Bullet Punch if it is weakened; Aegislash resists Steel and can lower Mega Lucario's Attack on contact with King's Shield, but it needs Shadow Ball to do anything back. Other Ghost-types such as Mega Sableye can switch into Close Combat, but they risk being OHKOed by +2 Iron Tail.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh resists both of Mega Lucario's STAB moves and threatens it back with any of its coverage moves. However, Ho-Oh is KOed by a boosted Close Combat if it has taken Stealth Rock damage.
**Mewtwo**: All variants of Mewtwo outspeed Mega Lucario and can KO it with their various coverage moves; however, Mega Mewtwo Y stands a chance of being OHKOed by a +2 Bullet Punch after Stealth Rock and Spikes damage. Mega Mewtwo X is especially great against Mega Lucario, as it has a 100% accurate and super effective STAB Low Kick to OHKO it.
**Mega Salamence**: Before Mega Evolving, Mega Salamence can use Intimidate to lower Lucario's Attack and set up Dragon Dance against it. However, sending out Salamence on a turn that Mega Lucario uses Swords Dance can be risky, as +1 Iron Tail OHKOes non-Impish Mega Salamence after Stealth Rock damage.
**Revenge Killers**: Shaymin-S, Blaziken, and Choice Scarf users such as Zekrom can all outspeed and KO Mega Lucario.
**Burns and Paralysis**: Burns and paralysis cripple Lucario, cutting either its Attack or its Speed and leaving it vulnerable to revenge killing.
[OVERVIEW]
+ Good offensive typing in Fighting / Steel, with access to potent moves such as Close Combat, Iron Tail, and Bullet Punch
+ Adaptability makes it very hard to switch into without a Fighting-type immunity or resistance
+ Has access to Swords Dance to make short work of stall teams, as it is immune to Toxic and sand damage and has a quadruple resistance to Stealth Rock, meaning it must be dealt with directly by these kind of teams
+ Pressures hazard removers very well
+ Sits at a decent speed tier of 112, outpacing a large portion of the tier
- Difficult to justify over other offensive Mega evolutions, such as Mega Salamence
- Paltry bulk means that it cannot switch into anything despite its good resistances to Dark, Ice, Normal, and Dragon, and that it is checked by just about anything that can outspeed it and has a decently powerful coverage move
- Dislikes status from relevant users such as Klefki, and Ghost Arceus
- Matchup reliant, as it struggles to find set up opportunities versus offensive teams
[SET]
name: The Force Awakens
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Bullet Punch
move 4: Iron Tail
item: Lucarionite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage tips
========
Team Options
========
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Checks and Counters
===================
- Ghost-types (Arceus-Ghost, Aegislash (needs Shadow Ball), Giratina-A, Mega Gengar(needs Protect), the other Ghosts can be mentioned but take risks as Iron Tail hurts a LOT)
- Ho-Oh
- Mewtwo (MMX especially)
- Salamence (risky)
- Revenge Killers (insert anything faster than it)
- Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave
+ Good offensive typing in Fighting / Steel, with access to potent moves such as Close Combat, Iron Tail, and Bullet Punch
+ Adaptability makes it very hard to switch into without a Fighting-type immunity or resistance
+ Has access to Swords Dance to make short work of stall teams, as it is immune to Toxic and sand damage and has a quadruple resistance to Stealth Rock, meaning it must be dealt with directly by these kind of teams
+ Pressures hazard removers very well
+ Sits at a decent speed tier of 112, outpacing a large portion of the tier
- Difficult to justify over other offensive Mega evolutions, such as Mega Salamence
- Paltry bulk means that it cannot switch into anything despite its good resistances to Dark, Ice, Normal, and Dragon, and that it is checked by just about anything that can outspeed it and has a decently powerful coverage move
- Dislikes status from relevant users such as Klefki, and Ghost Arceus
- Matchup reliant, as it struggles to find set up opportunities versus offensive teams
[SET]
name: The Force Awakens
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Bullet Punch
move 4: Iron Tail
item: Lucarionite
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Swords Dance is the raison d'être of Lucario, allowing it to break down balance and stall very quickly, circumventing many of its checks such as Mega Sableye, Lugia, and Primal Groudon, and can allow Lucario to clean weakened offensive teams with Bullet Punch.
- Close Combat chunks at anything without an immunity or resistance to it.
- Bullet Punch allows Lucario to revenge kill a weakened Geomancy-boosted Xerneas, and has the general utility of picking off weakened foes.
- Although it is inaccurate, Iron Tail gives Lucario to its disposal an immediate way to eliminate healthy Fairy types.
- Stone Edge can be used to OHKO a Ho-Oh that has been lured in.
- Ice Punch is an option to do significant damage against Mega Salamence.
Set Details
========
- Maximum Attack and Speed investment allow Lucario to hit as hard and as fast as possible.
- A Jolly nature is run to make full use of Lucario's high base 112 Spe, letting Lucario outspeed most of the tier.
Usage tips
========
- In order to do anything significant with Lucario, you must get an opportunity to safely Mega Evolve it.
- To do so, aggressively double switch Lucario into passive Steel-types and Dark-types that do not threaten Lucario, and are forced to switch out of it.
- Lucario can also safely Mega Evolve by picking off a weakened opponent with Bullet Punch.
- If possible, utilize Lucario's ability before Mega Evolving to gain a free Attack boost by switching into weak Dark-type attacks, such as Dark Arceus's Judgement and non-Life Orb Darkrai's Dark Pulse.
- Against stall and balance, set up Swords Dance on Pokemon such as Blissey, Clefable, Ferrothorn, and non-Judgment Water Arceus.
Team Options
========
- Primal Groudon provides Stealth Rock support and can absorb Will-O-Wisp aimed at Lucario, while also functioning as a secondary check to Geomancy Xerneas.
- Wobbuffet is an outstanding partner to Lucario running Swords Dance, as it can easily trap support Arceus formes that are not Ghost Arceus and set up Safeguard to allow Lucario to boost with Swords Dance.
- Darkrai with Thunder can eliminate both Ho-Oh and Ghost-types, allowing Lucario to punish the opposing team with Close Combat.
- Primal Kyogre is especially a good teammate for Lucario because it can lure in Pokemon that Lucario can set up Swords Dance on, such as Ferrothorn and Blissey.
- Calm Mind Arceus forms such as Ghost, Fairy, and Ground pressure Ho-Oh alongside Lucario
- Alternatively, support Arceus formes that run Stone Edge can lure Ho-Oh and eliminate it so Lucario can have an easier time sweeping.
- Healing Wish from the likes of Latias and Shaymin-Sky can breath new life into Lucario that has been severely weakened or has been inflicted with status.
- Paralysis spreaders such as Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and Primal Groudon can cripple walls or Pokemon faster than Lucario, giving it more room to do damage.
- Flying-types or Pokemon with the ability Levitate check Ground types, which threaten Lucario greatly
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Earthquake can be used to hit Aegislash, but it cannot do much back to Lucario anyways.
- Crunch can be used to hit Ghost-types with perfect accuracy.
- A Nasty Plot set with a Timid Nature and maximum Special Attack and Speed can be used with the moves Focus Blast / Flash Cannon / Vacuum Wave, but it loses the ability to revenge kill a Geomancy Boosted Xerneas, which is Lucario's niche over other Mega Evolutions
Checks and Counters
===================
- Ghost-types (Arceus-Ghost, Aegislash (needs Shadow Ball), Giratina-A, Mega Gengar(needs Protect), the other Ghosts can be mentioned but take risks as Iron Tail hurts a LOT)
- Ho-Oh
- Mewtwo (MMX especially)
- Salamence (risky)
- Revenge Killers (insert anything faster than it)
- Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave
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