QC: Eien / terrors / Clearly
GP: Omicron
[OVERVIEW]
Bug
========
* Mega Pinsir sets itself apart from other setup sweepers in the Monotype metagame thanks to its great Speed tier, outstanding Attack stat, and access to Swords Dance.
* Mega Pinsir sits at a fantastic Speed tier which allows it to outspeed common threats to Bug teams such as Mega Charizard Y and Landorus.
* Aerilate turns Mega Pinsir's Normal-type attacks into Flying-type STAB and gives them an additional boost, which means that Mega Pinsir has access to STAB priority in the form of Quick Attack in addition to a powerful STAB Return with no drawbacks.
* Mega Pinsir has a decent offensive movepool which includes a boosting move in Swords Dance and coverage in Close Combat which allows Mega Pinsir to hit the Steel- and Rock-types that resist Return.
* Mega Pinsir also has great bulk for an offensive Pokemon which allows it to set up more easily.
* Unfortunately, its Bug / Flying typing is horrible defensively, giving it a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and Rock-type moves as well as a weakness to common coverage types in Ice, Electric, and Fire.
* Mega Pinsir also hates all forms of status; paralysis halves its Speed, burn halves its Attack, and poison puts its sweep on a timer.
* Although Mega Pinsir has a solid Speed stat it is easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Choice Scarf Victini, and Tapu Koko.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Bug)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Quick Attack
move 4: Close Combat
item: Pinsirite
ability: Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance boosts Mega Pinsir's Attack to high levels, allowing it to break through teams and clean up late-game.
* Return is Mega Pinsir's strongest and most spammable STAB move which hits anything that doesn't resist it hard.
* Quick Attack is a priority STAB move which hits hard at +2 and prevents Mega Pinsir from being revenge killed by Pokemon like Keldeo.
* Close Combat rounds off Mega Pinsir's coverage by allowing it to hit most Pokemon that resist Return such as Heatran and Tyranitar.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Speed and Attack lets Mega Pinsir hit as hard as possible while outspeeding as much as possible.
* A Jolly nature is used to allow Mega Pinsir to outpace Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Landorus.
* Moxie is preferred over Hyper Cutter as it can sometimes give Pinsir a boost before Mega Evolving since Intimidate users aren't too common in Monotype.
Usage Tips
========
* Mega Pinsir absolutely hates Stealth Rock as it takes away half of Mega Pinsir's health so make sure to keep Stealth Rock off the field.
* Pinsir can revenge kill low-HP foes in order to get a Moxie boost before Mega Evolving.
* Mega Pinsir can function as a great revenge killer with its Aerilate-boosted Quick Attack.
* Pinsir doesn't need to Mega Evolve right away if it needs to take Ice- and Electric-type attacks from weaker Pokemon.
* Mega Pinsir should mainly be kept for the late-game when all of its checks are weakened or gone.
* Mega Pinsir can set up in the early-game in order to wallbreak and help sweepers that share similar checks such as Heracross, clean up more easily late-game.
* Mega Pinsir can capitalize on its ability to force switches to set up a Swords Dance.
* Mega Pinsir can also easily set up on non-super effective hits thanks to its good bulk.
* Avoid status conditions like paralysis, burn, and poison as they can ruin Mega Pinsir's sweep.
Team Options
========
* Mega Pinsir appreciates Rapid Spin support from Forretress and Armaldo, both of which can also set up entry hazards of their own. Additionally, Forretress can take most Rock-type hits and bring Mega Pinsir in safely with a slow Volt Switch while Armaldo is great partner to check Fire-types like Choice Scarf Rotom-H.
* Araquanid can check Fire-types such as Torkoal as well as weaken the opposing team with a strong Water Bubble-boosted Liquidation.
* Galvantula and Shuckle can provide Sticky Web support which allows Mega Pinsir to outspeed Choice Scarf users like Nihilego and Victini. Galvantula can also beat Skarmory for Mega Pinsir.
* Choice Band Scizor can help take out the Ice- and Rock-types that threaten Mega Pinsir such as Alolan Ninetales and Terrakion with Bullet Punch. Scizor also brings Mega Pinsir in safely via a slow U-turn. Swords Dance Scizor can help Mega Pinsir clean up more easily by wearing down shared checks.
* Volcarona and Mega Pinsir are great offensive complements to each other; Volcarona can take out Pokemon like Skarmory and Doublade while Mega Pinsir can take out checks to Volcarona like Mega Charizard Y and Chansey.
* Choice Scarf Heracross and Mega Pinsir can weaken their shared checks and set each other up for a sweep.
* Scolipede can also threaten Choice Scarf users such as Excadrill that would outspeed Mega Pinsir.
* Buzzwole can break through many of Mega Pinsir's checks such as Skarmory, Rotom-W, and Landorus-T with a strong Choice Band-boosted Superpower or Ice Punch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
(line break)
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
* Earthquake is an option over Close Combat to be able to hit Doublade as well as Fire-types such as Torkoal and Entei; however, Mega Pinsir loses out on hitting Skarmory and Air Balloon Heatran.
* Hyper Cutter can be run exclusively to deal with defensive Landorus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Pinsir hates Stealth Rock as it takes away either 25% of its health prior to Mega Evolving or 50% of its health after Mega Evolving.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Skarmory and Hippowdon can always take a boosted attack from Mega Pinsir and phaze it out with Whirlwind. Skarmory can also KO Mega Pinsir with Brave Bird. Landorus-T and Rotom-W can switch into Mega Pinsir and KO it with Stone Edge or cripple it with Will-O-Wisp, respectively.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types resist Aerilate Quick Attack so fast Electric-types like Tapu Koko, Thundurus, and Choice Scarf Xurkitree can easily take out Mega Pinsir. Defensive Electric-types like Rotom-W and Zapdos can also switch into Mega Pinsir rather easily.
**Rock-types**: Rhyperior can live any boosted hit from Mega Pinsir and proceed to KO it with Stone Edge. Faster Rock-types like Terrakion and Choice Scarf Nihilego can revenge kill Mega Pinsir.
**Status**: All forms of status can cripple Mega Pinsir; paralysis halves its Speed, burn halves its Attack, and poison puts its sweep on a timer.
**Doublade**: Doublade can always switch into Mega Pinsir as it takes very little from Mega Pinsir's Flying-type STAB moves and is immune to Close Combat. It can then proceed to use Mega Pinsir as setup bait. Doublade needs to be careful if Mega Pinsir is carrying Earthquake, however.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl and Tapu Koko as well as Choice Scarf users like Victini, Rotom-H, and Excadrill can easily revenge kill Mega Pinsir while being able to take a boosted Quick Attack.
GP: Omicron
[OVERVIEW]
Bug
========
* Mega Pinsir sets itself apart from other setup sweepers in the Monotype metagame thanks to its great Speed tier, outstanding Attack stat, and access to Swords Dance.
* Mega Pinsir sits at a fantastic Speed tier which allows it to outspeed common threats to Bug teams such as Mega Charizard Y and Landorus.
* Aerilate turns Mega Pinsir's Normal-type attacks into Flying-type STAB and gives them an additional boost, which means that Mega Pinsir has access to STAB priority in the form of Quick Attack in addition to a powerful STAB Return with no drawbacks.
* Mega Pinsir has a decent offensive movepool which includes a boosting move in Swords Dance and coverage in Close Combat which allows Mega Pinsir to hit the Steel- and Rock-types that resist Return.
* Mega Pinsir also has great bulk for an offensive Pokemon which allows it to set up more easily.
* Unfortunately, its Bug / Flying typing is horrible defensively, giving it a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and Rock-type moves as well as a weakness to common coverage types in Ice, Electric, and Fire.
* Mega Pinsir also hates all forms of status; paralysis halves its Speed, burn halves its Attack, and poison puts its sweep on a timer.
* Although Mega Pinsir has a solid Speed stat it is easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Choice Scarf Victini, and Tapu Koko.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance (Bug)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Quick Attack
move 4: Close Combat
item: Pinsirite
ability: Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance boosts Mega Pinsir's Attack to high levels, allowing it to break through teams and clean up late-game.
* Return is Mega Pinsir's strongest and most spammable STAB move which hits anything that doesn't resist it hard.
* Quick Attack is a priority STAB move which hits hard at +2 and prevents Mega Pinsir from being revenge killed by Pokemon like Keldeo.
* Close Combat rounds off Mega Pinsir's coverage by allowing it to hit most Pokemon that resist Return such as Heatran and Tyranitar.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Speed and Attack lets Mega Pinsir hit as hard as possible while outspeeding as much as possible.
* A Jolly nature is used to allow Mega Pinsir to outpace Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Landorus.
* Moxie is preferred over Hyper Cutter as it can sometimes give Pinsir a boost before Mega Evolving since Intimidate users aren't too common in Monotype.
Usage Tips
========
* Mega Pinsir absolutely hates Stealth Rock as it takes away half of Mega Pinsir's health so make sure to keep Stealth Rock off the field.
* Pinsir can revenge kill low-HP foes in order to get a Moxie boost before Mega Evolving.
* Mega Pinsir can function as a great revenge killer with its Aerilate-boosted Quick Attack.
* Pinsir doesn't need to Mega Evolve right away if it needs to take Ice- and Electric-type attacks from weaker Pokemon.
* Mega Pinsir should mainly be kept for the late-game when all of its checks are weakened or gone.
* Mega Pinsir can set up in the early-game in order to wallbreak and help sweepers that share similar checks such as Heracross, clean up more easily late-game.
* Mega Pinsir can capitalize on its ability to force switches to set up a Swords Dance.
* Mega Pinsir can also easily set up on non-super effective hits thanks to its good bulk.
* Avoid status conditions like paralysis, burn, and poison as they can ruin Mega Pinsir's sweep.
Team Options
========
* Mega Pinsir appreciates Rapid Spin support from Forretress and Armaldo, both of which can also set up entry hazards of their own. Additionally, Forretress can take most Rock-type hits and bring Mega Pinsir in safely with a slow Volt Switch while Armaldo is great partner to check Fire-types like Choice Scarf Rotom-H.
* Araquanid can check Fire-types such as Torkoal as well as weaken the opposing team with a strong Water Bubble-boosted Liquidation.
* Galvantula and Shuckle can provide Sticky Web support which allows Mega Pinsir to outspeed Choice Scarf users like Nihilego and Victini. Galvantula can also beat Skarmory for Mega Pinsir.
* Choice Band Scizor can help take out the Ice- and Rock-types that threaten Mega Pinsir such as Alolan Ninetales and Terrakion with Bullet Punch. Scizor also brings Mega Pinsir in safely via a slow U-turn. Swords Dance Scizor can help Mega Pinsir clean up more easily by wearing down shared checks.
* Volcarona and Mega Pinsir are great offensive complements to each other; Volcarona can take out Pokemon like Skarmory and Doublade while Mega Pinsir can take out checks to Volcarona like Mega Charizard Y and Chansey.
* Choice Scarf Heracross and Mega Pinsir can weaken their shared checks and set each other up for a sweep.
* Scolipede can also threaten Choice Scarf users such as Excadrill that would outspeed Mega Pinsir.
* Buzzwole can break through many of Mega Pinsir's checks such as Skarmory, Rotom-W, and Landorus-T with a strong Choice Band-boosted Superpower or Ice Punch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
(line break)
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
* Earthquake is an option over Close Combat to be able to hit Doublade as well as Fire-types such as Torkoal and Entei; however, Mega Pinsir loses out on hitting Skarmory and Air Balloon Heatran.
* Hyper Cutter can be run exclusively to deal with defensive Landorus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Pinsir hates Stealth Rock as it takes away either 25% of its health prior to Mega Evolving or 50% of its health after Mega Evolving.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Skarmory and Hippowdon can always take a boosted attack from Mega Pinsir and phaze it out with Whirlwind. Skarmory can also KO Mega Pinsir with Brave Bird. Landorus-T and Rotom-W can switch into Mega Pinsir and KO it with Stone Edge or cripple it with Will-O-Wisp, respectively.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types resist Aerilate Quick Attack so fast Electric-types like Tapu Koko, Thundurus, and Choice Scarf Xurkitree can easily take out Mega Pinsir. Defensive Electric-types like Rotom-W and Zapdos can also switch into Mega Pinsir rather easily.
**Rock-types**: Rhyperior can live any boosted hit from Mega Pinsir and proceed to KO it with Stone Edge. Faster Rock-types like Terrakion and Choice Scarf Nihilego can revenge kill Mega Pinsir.
**Status**: All forms of status can cripple Mega Pinsir; paralysis halves its Speed, burn halves its Attack, and poison puts its sweep on a timer.
**Doublade**: Doublade can always switch into Mega Pinsir as it takes very little from Mega Pinsir's Flying-type STAB moves and is immune to Close Combat. It can then proceed to use Mega Pinsir as setup bait. Doublade needs to be careful if Mega Pinsir is carrying Earthquake, however.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl and Tapu Koko as well as Choice Scarf users like Victini, Rotom-H, and Excadrill can easily revenge kill Mega Pinsir while being able to take a boosted Quick Attack.
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