[YOOM-TAH]

Originally Posted by Fat RaikouLover

I believe I have a lot to add since I've been using Yanmega consistently as a lead for the last 5 or so months. I've used it both pre and post platinum, so here are my comments.

Yanmega needs to have a special mention of Focus Sash. Focus Sash is more tactically useful on Yanmega than any other pokemon really. Also a mention about Protect and Focus Sash together (which is by no means a bad idea), as Protect is really not for use in the early game. It's best used late-game.

For classification, I believe Yanmega probably has one of the most unique niches. I would classify it as a "Scouter." And by scout I don't mean U-turner. What I mean is that I find Yanmega to be useful as a lead because its offensive pressure really lets you determine what kind of team you are facing. With Focus Sash, its pretty much going to beat most leads one on one and it can force quite a bit of switches early on. If you see things like Blissey and defensive Zapdos switching in, you are facing a slower, bulkier team. If you see things like Gyarados, Salamence, and Scarf Heatran switching in, you know that you are facing a hyper-offensive team, which is something Yanmega is excellent at dismantling. No other lead I found can give you such a great insight into your opponent on the opening turns.

Erhm, Yanmega doesn't lose to Fake Out + Ice Shard Weavile. It Protects, then Bug Buzz OHKOs easily. Even if it doesn't Protect, Fake Out + Ice Shard doesn't KO anyway.

Also, I think in general we need to tone down the emphasis on leads a bit. Some pokemon like Yanmega are labeled entirely as a lead and nothing else for the team which is a bad statement. You don't want to pick a "lead." You want a pokemon that can contribute to the team AND lead.

Sounds good. I think you may have convinced me to switch my Yanmega's Expert Belt to a Focus Sash.