ORAS OU Bringing Back Mega Pinsir (Balanced Team)

[WilliXL]

So I've tried out the new Megas for ORAS OU and have played with a lot of other megas in XY. But I always come back to Mega Pinsir. Mega Pinsir's just an overall awesome Pokemon, but it has a lot of checks that run rampant around OU. So this team is dedicated to countering those checks and allowing Pinsir to sweep freely.

Here's a quick team preview:

Teambuilding

So first I obviously started with my main sweeper being Mega Pinsir

Next I needed a Spinner or a Defogger in order to clear SR because of Pinsir's 4x weakness to it. I chose to use a Sand Rush Excadrill and paired it with a Hippowdon.

Next, I desperately needed a Talonflame counter because Brave Birds completely shit on Mega Pinsir's life. So I brought in a Rotom-Wash.

Mega Pinsir has no way of recovering. So I needed either: a Wish Passer + Heal Bell or a Healing Wish Passer. So I went with Latias for the speedy Healing Wish passes.

Finally, I have Magnezone on the team to counter everything that walls Mega Pinsir which includes Skarmory, Ferrothorn and Scizor. I chose the ultimate Steel Trapper Magnezone.

Here's the formatting I will use with each analysis:

Nickname (Pokemon) @ Item - Reasons
Ability - Reasons
EVs - Reasons
Nature - Reasons
Moves - Reasons

Playstyle


If I have less than three lines of info on a particular Mon, it's because much of the information is already noted in the reasons areas.

Edits in RED

Now let's go into an in-depth analysis of each Mon.

D!ckPinch (Pinsir) @ Pinsirite - For Mega
Ability: Hyper Cutter - This can help against Intimidate users before Mega Evolving
Happiness: 0 - For Frustration power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe - Pinsir needs Speed and Power
Jolly Nature - For outspeeding things
- Close Combat - Since Aegislash is gone, Close Combat is ideal. I also have two EQ users already
- Frustration - Strong, no drawback STAB. Frustration allows Dittos to be manageable
- Quick Attack - STAB Priority
- Swords Dance - Gettin' dat powah

Pinsir is my main sweeper and I don't usually bring it out until its threats are mostly gone. It usually just comes in on a Pokemon that it can take a lot of hits from, usually from Bug, Fighting or Grass Type attacks. It'll then set up a Swords Dance and proceed to sweep everything. Sometimes, if the opponent leads with Ninjask or Scolipede though, I will send out Pinsir first to OHKO them with Quick Attack, or pressure them so they can't Baton Pass.

Tengen Toppa (Excadrill) @ Air Balloon - Earthquakes are BAD
Tengen Toppa (Excadrill) @ Life Orb - More power as a sweeper. No need for Air Balloon because 3 Pokemon are immune to Ground anyways.
Ability: Sand Rush - Make use of Sandstorm
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe - Maxed out attack, 204 Spe for outspeeding Scarfed base 100 Spe Pokes. The rest goes into HP so Excadrill may take SOME hits
Adamant Nature - More power
- Earthquake - STAB and taking care of Fire, Electric and some Steel Types for Mega Pinsir
- Rock Slide - Talonflame... 'nuff said
- Iron Head - Gets rid of Fairies
- Rapid Spin - The reason why it made the team

Excadrill's main job is to get rid of Stealth Rocks throughout the game. It can also help alleviate some pressure from Mega Pinsir for coming in on Earthquakes aimed at Magnezone. Excadrill also synergizes well with Pinsir being 4x resistant to Rock Type. So it can come in on Rock Type attacks once its Balloon has been popped.

Hungry (Hippowdon) @ Smooth Rock - For prolonging Sand because this IS a Sand Offense team
Ability: Sand Stream - Sand
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD - All EVs go to Physical Bulk and the leftovers just go into Special Bulk just a little bit
248 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD - This spread allows Hippo to survive HP Ice from things like Mega Manectric and still have good Physical Bulk
Sassy Nature - More Physical Bulk
- Earthquake - STAB attack
- Slack Off - Recovery
- Stealth Rock - Stealth Rocks will break sashes so Mega Pinsir can get clean sweeps
- Whirlwind - Cleaning off Talonflame if it chooses not to Roost or doesn't have Roost. Also gets rid of any stat boosters.

I usually lead with Hippo to set up Stealth Rocks right away. If successful, Hippo will usually switch out right away so it can set up Sandstorm again later. If it comes back in a second time, usually I'll just Slack Off and Whirlwind. Earthquake is really only here to hit opposing Excadrills trying to take advantage of Sandstorm. I will also do a small shuffle stall if I'm planning to sack Hippo.

(Sc)Rotom (Rotom-Wash) @ Leftovers - For longevity
Ability: Levitate - Only ability
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD - Hippo already has enough Physical Bulk, so Rotom-W will have a lot of Special Bulk. Besides, it can handle Talonflame like this anyways.
Calm Nature - More Special Bulk
IVs: 0 Atk - Less Foul Play damage
- Volt Switch - STAB mometum gaining move
- Will-O-Wisp - Cripple Physical Attackers
- Hydro Pump - Strong STAB move
- Pain Split - The only form of recovery for Rotom-W

Rotom-W is my only real counter to Talonflame, which is one of Mega Pinsir's biggest threats. It usually comes in to absorb Brave Birds and Volt Switches out. Sometimes, I'll leave it in to predict Physical Attacker switch-ins and Will-O-Wisp. Otherwise, Rotom-W is pretty straightforward on this team. I might switch Pain Split for Rest and go with a Chesto Resto set. Still undecided on that.

Mei (Latias) @ Choice Scarf - Fast Tricks onto anything that Walls Mega Pinsir and anything that may OHKO Pinsir
Ability: Levitate - Only Ability
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe - All in Speed and Special Attack. I'm thinking about giving Latias some bulk, but I'm not sure how much.
EVs : 72 HP / 168 SpA / 252 Spe - EV Spread that gives Latias the most amount of Bulk without sacrificing a lot of power
Timid Nature - More Speed
IVs: 0 Atk - Minimal Foul Play damage
- Draco Meteor - Strong STAB move
- Trick - Cripples Walls and stuff that might OHKO Mega Pinsir. This allows Pinsir to switch in to a crippled Mon and start setting up.
- Healing Wish - The reason why it made the team
- Recover - For longevity, but might switch this for another coverage move like Psyshock maybe.
- Psyshock - Another STAB coverage move. Latias doesn't need Recovery because it'll die from Healing Wish anyways.

Latias's role on the team is also pretty straightforward. It comes in onto Walls and Tricks them or Tricks whatever comes in. Otherwise, Latias just Dracos whatever is in and then Healing Wishes for Mega Pinsir.

ThreeSome (Magnezone) @ Choice Specs - To hit hella hard
Ability: Magnet Pull - Steep Trapping
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 168 SpA / 88 Spe - Max in HP to survive +6 Aqua Jet from Azumarill, 88 in Spe to outspeed Standard Belly Drum Azumarill set, and rest in SpA for damage output
EVs: 164HP / 252 SpA / 92 Spe - Standard Specs EV Spread with slightly more Speed to outspeed Standard Azumarill
Modest Nature - More damage
- Thunderbolt - Strong STAB
- Volt Switch - For momentum, and STAB
- Flash Cannon - STAB
- Hidden Power [Fire] - Steel Type hitting

Magnezone also works well to sponge Talonflame hits. Sometimes, when I am able to sack Magnezone when there aren't any Steel Types on the opposing side, I will bluff the Scarf and Volt Switch to hit something hard. Otherwise, Magnezone is the ultimate counter to Scizor, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn all of which give Mega Pinsir a hard time.

Potential Threats

Mega Metagross is a threat to every team in OU right now... soo....

And who isn't afraid of Azumarill? Besides maybe Amoonguss

Talonflame is just annoying to deal with. Not especially a threat

RAIN TEAMS!

This is all I've got for now. Please help me with improving this team any way I can.

Importable

D!ckPinch (Pinsir) @ Pinsirite
Ability: Hyper Cutter
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Frustration
- Quick Attack
- Swords Dance

Tengen Toppa (Excadrill) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 108 HP / 252 Atk / 148 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin

(Sc)Rotom (Rotom-Wash) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split

Hungry (Hippowdon) @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind

Mei (Latias) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Trick
- Healing Wish
- Recover

ThreeSome (Magnezone) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 164 SpA / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]

 

[Renokiru]

meta gross is going to be banned, mega swapert is not exactly a problem if you can get a WOW and a couple of dracos off. Also excadrill will prabibly dide the first EQ so not exactlyy a problem, azumarill will die from a Thunderbolt and dont worry most sets are ethier choice band or belly drum and nethier carry superpower and dittio is dumb, man you can handle it!

I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend taking of CC for EQ becuase it hits everything Pinser doesnt hit super effective and neutral, also becuase of CC you WILL die becuase a prority after one. Besides EQ is pretty strong.

 

[WilliXL]

meta gross is going to be banned, mega swapert is not exactly a problem if you can get a WOW and a couple of dracos off. Also excadrill will prabibly dide the first EQ so not exactlyy a problem, azumarill will die from a Thunderbolt and dont worry most sets are ethier choice band or belly drum and nethier carry superpower and dittio is dumb, man you can handle it!

I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend taking of CC for EQ becuase it hits everything Pinser doesnt hit super effective and neutral, also becuase of CC you WILL die becuase a prority after one. Besides EQ is pretty strong.

Haha, lol. These threats are just some that have worked against me. But I do sort of have soft ways of handling them.

I used to run EQ but I've been running CC ever since Aegislash was banned. There are just a lot of mons that take precaution against EQ like Air Balloon Excadrills. Also, while EQ DOES hit things that are supereffective against Mega Pinsir, Excadrill and Hippo already cover that.
BUUUTTTT... idk. I do miss EQ on Mega Pinsir sometime. I've been debating between CC and EQ ever since I started using Mega Pinsir... which is like ever since XY came out. :P

 

[DarkNostalgia]

Haha, lol. These threats are just some that have worked against me. But I do sort of have soft ways of handling them.

I used to run EQ but I've been running CC ever since Aegislash was banned. There are just a lot of mons that take precaution against EQ like Air Balloon Excadrills. Also, while EQ DOES hit things that are supereffective against Mega Pinsir, Excadrill and Hippo already cover that.
BUUUTTTT... idk. I do miss EQ on Mega Pinsir sometime. I've been debating between CC and EQ ever since I started using Mega Pinsir... which is like ever since XY came out. :P

CC is better since it hits Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, Skarmory etc. Eq doesn't touch those things.

 

[WilliXL]

CC is better since it hits Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, Skarmory etc. Eq doesn't touch those things.

True. Ferrothorn and Skarmory I'm fine with, because I've got good ole' Magnezone. However, Rotom-W is just a pain to deal with no matter what Pokemon you have with you. I used to run Mold Breaker Pinsir to get an EQ on it before Mega Evolving, but I've switched over to Hyper Cutter. Mold Breaker is still an option.

Ugh, this is so hardddd.

 

[DarkNostalgia]

Actually, Hyper Cutter is better, because iirc you can KO scarf lando with frustration+quick attack after rocks on the switch.

 

[WilliXL]

Actually, Hyper Cutter is better, because iirc you can KO scarf lando with frustration+quick attack after rocks on the switch.

Oh, that's a good point. I actually haven't calced that before. Probably shoulda known that.

 

[DarkNostalgia]

Sorry for the double post, but not using max special attack makes magnezone kinda weak, i would probs change it to the normal spread of 172 hp, 252satk, 84 speed with specs

EDIT: ninja'd

 

[WilliXL]

Sorry for the double post, but not using max special attack makes magnezone kinda weak, i would probs change it to the normal spread of 172 hp, 252satk, 84 speed with specs

EDIT: ninja'd

Nah it's all good. I've calced my Magnezone set very thoroughly. It OHKOs (Sturdy obviously gets in the way) Skarmory and Scizor. It also OHKOs non-SpDef Ferrothorn and 2HKOs SpDef Ferrothorn. It can also 2HKO SpDef Rotom-W. So it still has plenty of power.
I'm just REALLY REALLY afraid of BD Azumarill. I've been swept by that thing one too many times.

 

[DarkNostalgia]

Eh, you do have latias and rotom-w though, you should be fine.

 

[WilliXL]

Eh, you do have latias and rotom-w though, you should be fine.

Oh shit. Rotom-W is new to my team. I didn't know it could wall Azumarill like that. Alright, I'm switching the set. LOL

Thanks!

 

[Analytic]

Latias Spread:
252 Spe / 184 SpAtk / 72 HP
Maximises bulk while not missing out on any important OHKOs

I'm a fan of M-Pinsir too and have laddered till 1650s using a team consisting of it,this team looks solid and kudos to you for using M-Pinsir :]

Also,Hippowdon spread:
248 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD

Allows it to survive HP Ice from Electric types like M-Manectric while maximising physical bulk

Good luck,hope I helped :]

 

[WilliXL]

Latias Spread:
252 Spe / 184 SpAtk / 72 HP
Maximises bulk while not missing out on any important OHKOs

I'm a fan of M-Pinsir too and have laddered till 1650s using a team consisting of it,this team looks solid and kudos to you for using M-Pinsir :]

Also,Hippowdon spread:
248 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD

Allows it to survive HP Ice from Electric types like M-Manectric while maximising physical bulk

Good luck,hope I helped :]

Thanks for the spreads, especially the one on hippo. I'll edit in the changes once I get back to my computer.
Yeah! I love Mega Pinsir as well.
For Latias, is recovery necessary? Or is a coverage move better?

 

[DarkNostalgia]

Psyshock to deal with Azumarill and Conkeldurr>recover, yeah.

 

[The-Adament-Keldeo]

If you want pinsir to (kinda) be able to handle t-flame, run feint over quick attack. It out prioritizes brave bird, though it sacrifices a little power.

 

[Analytic]

Thanks for the spreads, especially the one on hippo. I'll edit in the changes once I get back to my computer.
Yeah! I love Mega Pinsir as well.
For Latias, is recovery necessary? Or is a coverage move better?

I'd say:Psyshock but since you have trick I guess this one works...

 

[WilliXL]

Psyshock to deal with Azumarill and Conkeldurr>recover, yeah.

I'd say:Psyshock but since you have trick I guess this one works...

After trying Psyshock, I think Psyshock will work better. I don't need Latias around much anyways. It's main point is to Healing Wish (which Faints it anyways) so I can play more recklessly with Pinsir.

If you want pinsir to (kinda) be able to handle t-flame, run feint over quick attack. It out prioritizes brave bird, though it sacrifices a little power.

I've tried that, but unless I have Stealth Rocks up, which is sometimes hard to keep up against a team that uses Talonflame (b/c most likely they'll carry a defogger or spinner), Feint doesn't get enough damage off on Talonflame. So I'll have to switch out anyways.

 

[Renokiru]

its actually quite easy becuase most likey they will carry a rapid spinner than anything else becuase they like there rocks up so it would be like forestress, the liquid uoze pokmeon and excadrill

 

[WilliXL]

its actually quite easy becuase most likey they will carry a rapid spinner than anything else becuase they like there rocks up so it would be like forestress, the liquid uoze pokmeon and excadrill

I guess I'm just bad at playing, lol. It's OK, I think Rotom-W is plenty of handling Talonflame. Driller in Sand is really good too. Unless it misses Rock Slide... which it does really often

 

[benallaire]

nice team. the one thing that stands out is your lack of lati counters i would recomend a sp def ttar the 194 spdef set also if your exca is meant to be a sweeper than it should be the standard lo sand rush sweeper as 104 ho dose nothing at all and air ballon dosent really help you tbh

 

[WilliXL]

nice team. the one thing that stands out is your lack of lati counters i would recomend a sp def ttar the 194 spdef set also if your exca is meant to be a sweeper than it should be the standard lo sand rush sweeper as 104 ho dose nothing at all and air ballon dosent really help you tbh

I don't really need Excadrill as a sweeper really, so I guess the EVs may be moved. And really the only reason I have air balloon was because I didn't used to have so many ground immunities and Magnezone definitely needed Ground immunity help. So I guess I really don't need Air Balloon unless it's 1v1-ing other Excadrills which probably shouldn't happen anyways. Do you think something like Leftovers would work better so it can continually switch into chip damage? Or what do you think would be a better item?

As for countering Lati, I don't want to put a 4x fighting weakness on my team, otherwise that'd make my team extremely fighting weak.

 

[DarkNostalgia]

LO Exca is better imo, with LO at +2 you can OHKO Ferrothorn with Earthquake which is quite nice. As for Lati, you have Exca, Hippo and Magnezone, I think you're fine.

 

[WilliXL]

LO Exca is better imo, with LO at +2 you can OHKO Ferrothorn with Earthquake which is quite nice. As for Lati, you have Exca, Hippo and Magnezone, I think you're fine.

Alright. I'll try out Life Orb for now. I'll edit if I like it.

 

[ez]

aye quick question. how do deal with rain. cause i dont see any switch ins for kingdra and u only have rotom for swampert. u know this team better then me so i just wanted to know

 

[WilliXL]

aye quick question. how do deal with rain. cause i dont see any switch ins for kingdra and u only have rotom for swampert. u know this team better then me so i just wanted to know

That's a very good point. The only real chance of beating a rain team is to first kill Politoed which requires a lot of mind games. Then for Swampert: in rain, Mega Pinsir can take a Waterfall or Ice Punch. Hit it with a Frustration and then Quick Attack it to death (unless it's running Max HP then two Frustrations will kill it). This means that I definitely have to sack, usually that's Excadrill because Sand will have a hard time getting up anyways.

But yeah, the only method I have is using Hippo to lure out Politoed, catch it on the switch in with Mega Pinsir and try to either kill it or kill something incoming and then repeat.

Wow, this is actually a very good point. I don't have much for rain. Thankfully so far I've been able to play around rain. Magnezone's Volt Switches (while bluffing Choice Scarf) has worked pretty well to get some Revenge Kills. But yeah, I actually don't have a good answer to that question. Just gotta play around the Rain Setter.