[Overview]
<p>Yanmega is a frail, offensive Pokemon that can demolish unprepared teams if given the chance. Its great coverage is complemented by Speed Boost, one of the scariest abilities to play against. Sadly, Yanmega has low defenses and weaknesses to common spread attacks such as Rock Slide, Blizzard, and Heat Wave. Placing Yanmega on a team thus requires good prediction and support, but it will pay off more often than not.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Detect
item: Life Orb
nature: Modest
ability: Speed Boost
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Yanmega's Life Orb-boosted attacks OHKO a huge number of Pokemon in VGC 2012. Speed Boost and Detect work very well together on this set, as Detect prevents Fake Out from creating an opening and allows Yanmega to grab a Speed boost, initiating its sweep. Bug Buzz and Air Slash are Yanmega's main STAB attacks, providing decent coverage. Air Slash's flinch rate is also quite useful. Hidden Power Ground hits the Fire- and Steel-type threats which take Yanmega's STAB moves all day very hard, rounding out the moveset. Detect is preferred over Protect to prevent being locked out by an opponent's Imprison.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Yanmega's Special Attack and Speed, allowing it to hit as hard and as fast as possible. Timid can be used, but Yanmega would then miss out on some important OHKOs, making Modest the nature of choice. Still, after one turn, Yanmega outspeeds and OHKOes Latios, Weavile, Heatran, Infernape, and Abomasnow. Outside of rain, Bug Buzz OHKOes Ludicolo as well. If a Hitmontop is running even a small amount of Speed EVs, Air Slash will OHKO it. Maximum Speed EVs are used to outspeed Timid Choice Scarf Chandelure and Togekiss, Adamant Choice Scarf Heracross, +Spe base 130s, and tie with other Yanmega after one Speed boost.</p>
<p>Yanmega has low defenses and weaknesses to many common spread moves, making teambuilding extremely difficult. In order to function properly, Yanmega needs to have at least one turn to get a Speed boost. Fake Out users help Yanmega immensely, targeting threats such as Zapdos to ease prediction. Zapdos is the perfect Yanmega counter, resisting both of its STAB moves and being immune to Hidden Power Ground while OHKOing back with Thunderbolt. Weavile and Rhyperior make excellent partners for Yanmega. Weavile provides Fake Out support and can handle Zapdos, while Rhyperior can fend off Zapdos with STAB Rock Slide and draw in Electric-type attacks thanks to Lightningrod.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>An EV spread of 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe may be used, since it still outspeeds Weavile after a Speed boost and handles weaker spread attacks much better, such as Garchomp's Rock Slide. Attack-boosting Gems are also viable item choices. For example, Bug Gem-boosted Bug Buzz puts a serious dent in common bulky Psychic-types such as Cresselia. The absence of Life Orb recoil also helps Yanmega survive Sucker Punches. Hidden Power Ice is a solid option too, dealing more damage to Zapdos and Garchomp than Bug Buzz. Frisk is Yanmega's hidden ability, and although it is handy in double battles to scout an item before moves are even chosen, Speed Boost is Yanmega's selling point.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Flying-type Pokemon in general give Yanmega problems. Zapdos and Thundurus resist everything Yanmega can throw at them and retaliate with a super effective Electric-type attacks. Terrakion handles Yanmega with relative ease, but must be wary of Hidden Power Ground. Ludicolo in the rain is a huge threat to Yanmega, who is hard-pressed to get two Speed boosts in against a rain team. Trick Room teams also give Yanmega much grief, as Trick Room reverses the benefits of Speed Boost.</p>
