[OVERVIEW]
Gengar is a terrifc pokemon in balanced hackmons, mainly because it can be in its mega forme while being able to wield any item it wants. There are a multitude of great traits that Gengar possesses, such as being almost entirely imposter-proof, only being beaten by Spooky Plate Imposters. Gengar is a huge threat to just about every team archetype there is in the balanced hackmons metagame due to its absurdly high damage output, and having a very high speed stat. Mold Breaker Mega Gengar is also the closest thing to a Sturdy Shedinja counter in the balanced hackmons metagame, due to Mold Breaker breaking Shedinja's sturdy. The main flaw that Gengar possesses is that it is absolutely annihilated by -ate pokemon, as the combination of Fake Out and Extremespeed from just about every viable -ate pokemon 2hkos Gengar, though running King's Shield can slightly remedy this problem. Gengar has had a pretty rough time in ORAS balanced hackmons compared to its reign of terror in xy, but the recent bans of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre definitely make the future look bright for Mega Gengar.
[SET]
name: Mold Breaker Sweeper
move 1: Judgment
move 2: Secret Sword / Sludge Bomb
move 3: Shell Smash
move 4: King's Shield / Pursuit / Spore
item: Spooky Plate
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
When Wielding the Spooky Plate, Judgment is turned into a 120 base power Ghost-type move. It also allows Mega Gengar to evade non-Spooky Plate Imposters, and hit obscenely hard. Secret Sword in tandem with Ghost-type Judgment means that no pokemon will resist all of Mega Gengar's Ghost and Fighting-type moves. Secret Sword also allows Mega Gengar to beat Fur Coat Chansey, which is invaluable. Aura Sphere might seem appealing, but is a lackluster option, because hitting Slaking harder is not nearly as good as breaking Fur Coat Chansey. Sludge Bomb is a good alternative to Secret sword, as it nails Mega Audino, a common switchin to Mega Gengar, for massive damage. Shell Smash allows Mega Gengar to heavily threaten a plethora of team archetypes as long as -ate pokemon have been eliminated. The fourth team slot is team dependent, King's Shield gives Mega Gengar a way to combat the -ate pokemon, Pursuit lets Mega Gengar ko Sturdy Shedinjas switching out, and Spore gives Mega Gengar many more opportunities to set up a Shell Smash. A very reasonable alternative to Shell Smash is Tail Glow, which allows Mega Gengar to destroy slower builds to an even greater extent, at the cost of not doing as well versus offensive builds.
Set Details
========
Max speed and a timid nature are essential, as it allows Mega Gengar to speed tie with positive natured Mega Mewtwo-x. Max special attack investment gives Mega Gengar's attacks a lot of punch. Even if Mega Gengar is running Pursuit a timid nature should be used because Pursuit is exclusively for Shedinja. A Spooky Plate is imperative to hold on just about every Mega Gengar, as otherwise Mega Gengar doesn't have a Ghost-type STAB that is virtually imposter-proof. Mold Breaker allows Mega Gengar to beat Sturdy Shedinja and Fur Coat Chansey, two very annoying pokemon in the balanced hackmons metagame. Another boon of using Mold Breaker is breaking many pokemon with the Unaware ability, though it is not very common in the current balanced hackmons metagame.
Usage Tips
========
Try to pivot into Mega Gengar, whether by double switches or a switching move. If Pursuit is being run, try to Mega Gengar in on the same turn that Shedinja switches in, as Shedinja can pivot out on a Mega Gengar switchin. Should such a situation occur, always click Pursuit due to it preventing the opponent from switching out. To clarify, double switching is defined as having both sides switch out into different pokemon. It is highly recommended to not set up a Shell Smash until all the opposing -ate users are eliminated, even if Mega Gengar is running King's Shield.
Team Options
========
The number one partner to Mega Gengar is Mega Diancie, as it can beat Mega Gengar's two best counters, Yveltal and Mega Audino. A bulky Steel-type is imperative as a teammate, as they can remove the -ate Pokemon that hinder Mega Gengar so much. Examples include Aegislash, Dialga, and Registeel. Entry hazard setters are great teammates for Mega Gengar, as it is another method to chip away at the enemy's team. Pokemon that greatly appreciate Shedinja's absence, such as -ate pokemon, will love being paired with Mega Gengar. Even without Pursuit, the -ate pokemon can wear down the opposing pokemon for Mega Gengar to clean in the late game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
As for all pokemon in balanced hackmons, Mega Gengar has a absurd amount of other options it can run. Moonblast can be used to lure in and kill Yveltal. A set utilizing normal Gengar with Illusion, holding Gengarite, can be used to abuse a loophole to acquire Shadow Tag. Running Taunt in tandem with Sludge Bomb completely shuts down Mega Audino. Quiver Dance is an option, albeit a little slower in terms of time it takes to set up, but no defense drops are very nice. Adaptability lets Mega Gengar turn 2HKOs into 1HKOs on various pokemon. Substitute is an alternative to King's Shield to combat the -ate pokemon, and has the additional perk of giving Mega Gengar more setup oppurtunities. Baton Pass is neat in order to escape opposing Pursuit trappers. Dark Void over Spore is an option to put Grass-types to sleep, but Grass-types do not normally switch in on Gengar. Entry hazards on Mold Breaker Gengar are interesting, as they are unable to be bounced back by Magic Bounce.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Yveltal**: Specifically Poison Heal and Regenerator variants, can pursuit trap Mega Gengar ending its reign of terror. Additionally, they can Sucker Punch if you try to stay in.
**-Ate Abusers**: -Ate ability abusers can smack gengar with priority in the form of Fake Out in conjunction with Extremespeed. Gengar is ridiculously frail so it is 2HKOd by the combo from just about every viable user.
**Mega Audino**: Mega Audino is a huge thorn in Gengar's side, should it not run Sludge Bomb. It walls Mega Gengar very well due to its typing and bulk, although it cannot do much back.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off is a move that is the bane of Mega Gengar's existence. It can remove Gengar's Spooky Plate, in addition to doing massive damage.
**Spooky Plate Imposters**: Although not common, Spooky Plate Chansey and Blissey can transform into Mega Gengar and hit it with a Judgment. And unlike the judgment it fires at Gengar, Mega Gengar can't ohko the imposter Blissey or chansey, unless a Shell Smash is set up, but then you have to rely on a speed tie.
Gengar is a terrifc pokemon in balanced hackmons, mainly because it can be in its mega forme while being able to wield any item it wants. There are a multitude of great traits that Gengar possesses, such as being almost entirely imposter-proof, only being beaten by Spooky Plate Imposters. Gengar is a huge threat to just about every team archetype there is in the balanced hackmons metagame due to its absurdly high damage output, and having a very high speed stat. Mold Breaker Mega Gengar is also the closest thing to a Sturdy Shedinja counter in the balanced hackmons metagame, due to Mold Breaker breaking Shedinja's sturdy. The main flaw that Gengar possesses is that it is absolutely annihilated by -ate pokemon, as the combination of Fake Out and Extremespeed from just about every viable -ate pokemon 2hkos Gengar, though running King's Shield can slightly remedy this problem. Gengar has had a pretty rough time in ORAS balanced hackmons compared to its reign of terror in xy, but the recent bans of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre definitely make the future look bright for Mega Gengar.
[SET]
name: Mold Breaker Sweeper
move 1: Judgment
move 2: Secret Sword / Sludge Bomb
move 3: Shell Smash
move 4: King's Shield / Pursuit / Spore
item: Spooky Plate
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
When Wielding the Spooky Plate, Judgment is turned into a 120 base power Ghost-type move. It also allows Mega Gengar to evade non-Spooky Plate Imposters, and hit obscenely hard. Secret Sword in tandem with Ghost-type Judgment means that no pokemon will resist all of Mega Gengar's Ghost and Fighting-type moves. Secret Sword also allows Mega Gengar to beat Fur Coat Chansey, which is invaluable. Aura Sphere might seem appealing, but is a lackluster option, because hitting Slaking harder is not nearly as good as breaking Fur Coat Chansey. Sludge Bomb is a good alternative to Secret sword, as it nails Mega Audino, a common switchin to Mega Gengar, for massive damage. Shell Smash allows Mega Gengar to heavily threaten a plethora of team archetypes as long as -ate pokemon have been eliminated. The fourth team slot is team dependent, King's Shield gives Mega Gengar a way to combat the -ate pokemon, Pursuit lets Mega Gengar ko Sturdy Shedinjas switching out, and Spore gives Mega Gengar many more opportunities to set up a Shell Smash. A very reasonable alternative to Shell Smash is Tail Glow, which allows Mega Gengar to destroy slower builds to an even greater extent, at the cost of not doing as well versus offensive builds.
Set Details
========
Max speed and a timid nature are essential, as it allows Mega Gengar to speed tie with positive natured Mega Mewtwo-x. Max special attack investment gives Mega Gengar's attacks a lot of punch. Even if Mega Gengar is running Pursuit a timid nature should be used because Pursuit is exclusively for Shedinja. A Spooky Plate is imperative to hold on just about every Mega Gengar, as otherwise Mega Gengar doesn't have a Ghost-type STAB that is virtually imposter-proof. Mold Breaker allows Mega Gengar to beat Sturdy Shedinja and Fur Coat Chansey, two very annoying pokemon in the balanced hackmons metagame. Another boon of using Mold Breaker is breaking many pokemon with the Unaware ability, though it is not very common in the current balanced hackmons metagame.
Usage Tips
========
Try to pivot into Mega Gengar, whether by double switches or a switching move. If Pursuit is being run, try to Mega Gengar in on the same turn that Shedinja switches in, as Shedinja can pivot out on a Mega Gengar switchin. Should such a situation occur, always click Pursuit due to it preventing the opponent from switching out. To clarify, double switching is defined as having both sides switch out into different pokemon. It is highly recommended to not set up a Shell Smash until all the opposing -ate users are eliminated, even if Mega Gengar is running King's Shield.
Team Options
========
The number one partner to Mega Gengar is Mega Diancie, as it can beat Mega Gengar's two best counters, Yveltal and Mega Audino. A bulky Steel-type is imperative as a teammate, as they can remove the -ate Pokemon that hinder Mega Gengar so much. Examples include Aegislash, Dialga, and Registeel. Entry hazard setters are great teammates for Mega Gengar, as it is another method to chip away at the enemy's team. Pokemon that greatly appreciate Shedinja's absence, such as -ate pokemon, will love being paired with Mega Gengar. Even without Pursuit, the -ate pokemon can wear down the opposing pokemon for Mega Gengar to clean in the late game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
As for all pokemon in balanced hackmons, Mega Gengar has a absurd amount of other options it can run. Moonblast can be used to lure in and kill Yveltal. A set utilizing normal Gengar with Illusion, holding Gengarite, can be used to abuse a loophole to acquire Shadow Tag. Running Taunt in tandem with Sludge Bomb completely shuts down Mega Audino. Quiver Dance is an option, albeit a little slower in terms of time it takes to set up, but no defense drops are very nice. Adaptability lets Mega Gengar turn 2HKOs into 1HKOs on various pokemon. Substitute is an alternative to King's Shield to combat the -ate pokemon, and has the additional perk of giving Mega Gengar more setup oppurtunities. Baton Pass is neat in order to escape opposing Pursuit trappers. Dark Void over Spore is an option to put Grass-types to sleep, but Grass-types do not normally switch in on Gengar. Entry hazards on Mold Breaker Gengar are interesting, as they are unable to be bounced back by Magic Bounce.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Yveltal**: Specifically Poison Heal and Regenerator variants, can pursuit trap Mega Gengar ending its reign of terror. Additionally, they can Sucker Punch if you try to stay in.
**-Ate Abusers**: -Ate ability abusers can smack gengar with priority in the form of Fake Out in conjunction with Extremespeed. Gengar is ridiculously frail so it is 2HKOd by the combo from just about every viable user.
**Mega Audino**: Mega Audino is a huge thorn in Gengar's side, should it not run Sludge Bomb. It walls Mega Gengar very well due to its typing and bulk, although it cannot do much back.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off is a move that is the bane of Mega Gengar's existence. It can remove Gengar's Spooky Plate, in addition to doing massive damage.
**Spooky Plate Imposters**: Although not common, Spooky Plate Chansey and Blissey can transform into Mega Gengar and hit it with a Judgment. And unlike the judgment it fires at Gengar, Mega Gengar can't ohko the imposter Blissey or chansey, unless a Shell Smash is set up, but then you have to rely on a speed tie.
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