[OVERVIEW]
Mega Lopunny has an excellent base 135 Speed, outpacing the majority of the unboosted metagame. It also has an impressive base 136 Attack, being able to deal a lot of damage to Pokemon that don't resist its STAB moves. Together, the high Attack and Speed stats of Mega Lopunny make it an excellent cleaner. Mega Lopunny's Fighting-type STAB moves allow it to hit Dark-, Ice-, Normal-, Rock-, and Steel-types super effectively. Thanks to its STAB combination, Mega Lopunny can hit every type within the metagame for at least neutral damage. With Scrappy, Mega Lopunny is also able to hit Ghost-types such as Sableye, Gengar, Chandelure, and Doublade. In conjunction with Fake Out, this guarantees that Lopunny can safely Mega Evolve. Mega Lopunny can also switch into a predicted Knock Off from users such as Bisharp and Weavile, which helps item-reliant Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2.
However, Mega Lopunny's bulk is pretty average for an offensive Pokemon, and its Normal / Fighting typing makes it weak to common types such as Fairy, Fighting, and Psychic. Mega Lopunny is also easily worn down by entry hazards, such as Spikes and Stealth Rock, and status effects, such as burn and poison. Due to its lack of power, Mega Lopunny has trouble breaking through physical walls such as Slowbro, Skarmory, and Hippowdon.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: High Jump Kick
move 3: Return
move 4: Ice Punch / Power-Up Punch
item: Lopunnite
ability: Limber
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fake Out allows Lopunny to safely get a Speed boost after Mega Evolving while dealing chip damage to the opposing Pokemon such as Mega Gardevoir, Mega Medicham, and other frail Pokemon such as Weavile, Gengar, and Galvantula. Mega Lopunny can use that to its advantage when facing faster Pokemon such as Latios, Gengar, and Galvantula. The chip damage from Fake Out in conjunction with High Jump Kick or Return can also help Mega Lopunny secure KOs against Pokemon that otherwise wouldn't be KOed by its powerful STAB attack alone; for example, Mega Lopunny can KO Keldeo with High Jump Kick after a Fake Out. High Jump Kick is Mega Lopunny's best Fighting-type STAB attack, hitting Dark-, Ice-, and Normal-types such as Bisharp, Mamoswine, and Chansey, while also hitting Rock- and Steel-types, which resist Return, such as Tyranitar and Heatran. With Scrappy, Mega Lopunny can also hit Ghost-types such as Sableye and Doublade. Return is Mega Lopunny's Normal-type STAB move of choice, hitting Pokemon such as Gengar for neutral damage. Ice Punch grants Mega Lopunny coverage against Dragon- and Flying-types such as Garchomp, Dragonite, Gliscor, and Landorus. Power-Up Punch can be used instead of Ice Punch, as it increases Mega Lopunny's Attack by one stage while dealing some damage. The Attack boost from Power-Up Punch assists Mega Lopunny in pressuring defensive Pokemon, such as Mega Venusaur and Hippowdon, on the switch in. The Attack boost also allows Mega Lopunny to OHKO Doublade with High Jump Kick.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs increase Mega Lopunny's damage output. Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Mega Lopunny to outspeed Adamant Gyarados and Dragonite after one Dragon Dance, along with slower Choice Scarf users such as Magnezone and Gothitelle. Limber gives Lopunny immunity to paralysis, allowing it to switch into predicted Thunder Waves before Mega Evolving. Lopunnite is needed to increase Lopunny's Attack, bulk, and Speed. An Adamant nature can be used instead of a Jolly one to increase Mega Lopunny's damage output, allowing it to 2HKO physically defensive Gastrodon with High Jump Kick and sometimes OHKO Mega Garchomp with Ice Punch; however, Mega Lopunny will lose out on the extra Speed that would allow it to outspeed Tornadus-T, Mega Pidgeot, Weavile, and Mega Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance boost.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Lopunny should be used on offensive and balanced teams, as it can apply pressure on opposing teams. Fake Out is an excellent way to get some damage on opposing Pokemon and makes Mega Lopunny a dedicated lead, as it allows Mega Lopunny to break the Focus Sash and Sturdy of Pokemon such as Breloom, Smeargle, Galvantula, Golurk, and Magnezone. Fake Out also allows Lopunny to avoid the risk of having to switch into an attack prior to Mega Evolving. Always use it immediately as Mega Lopunny switches in to get chip damage on the opposing Pokemon. Be wary, however, of Pokemon using Rocky Helmet that can switch into Fake Out such as Skarmory, Slowbro, and Hippowdon. Using the chip damage from Fake Out, Mega Lopunny can KO Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Gardevoir with Return and weaken opposing Pokemon to help its teammates later in the match. Furthermore, Fake Out is great for stalling out turns of weather effects, Reflect, and Light Screen, as well as racking up damage with additional turns of poison and burn. Despite High Jump Kick being a very powerful move, Return is much safer to use because High Jump Kick has a chance to miss, and upon doing so, Mega Lopunny loses half of its health. Only use High Jump Attack if you need to get major damage off, if the target is weak to Fighting, or if Mega Lopunny is about to faint. Scout for Protect on Pokemon that can potentially carry it, such as Ferrothorn, as High Jump Kick will damage Mega Lopunny if Protect is used.
Power-Up Punch should be used more on defensive threats, while Return and High Jump Kick should be used more on offensive attackers. Power-Up Punch can be used to KO weakened foes in order to get a free Attack boost. Lopunny should Mega Evolve immediately because it's dangerous to keep Lopunny in its base forme due to its low Attack stat and mediocre bulk. The only reason to use Lopunny's base forme is to switch into Thunder Wave from the likes of Thundurus, Froslass, Cobalion, Chansey, and Porygon2. Due to its frailty, Mega Lopunny should come in after an ally faints or from a slow U-turn user such as Staraptor. It's recommended to keep Mega Lopunny away from status moves such as Thunder Wave, Toxic, and Will-O-Wisp, as they all hinder it, giving it less time on the field. Mega Lopunny should also avoid taking any unnecessary damage, so use Chansey or Porygon2 to switch into attacks.
Team Options
========
Porygon2 is a good partner for Mega Lopunny because it can switch into physical attackers thanks to its physical bulk. In return, Mega Lopunny can take on Steel-types that Porygon2 would struggle against. With access to Foul Play, Porygon2 can check Mega Scizor and Mega Pinsir for Mega Lopunny. Chansey can take special attacks for Mega Lopunny and act as a status absorber with Natural Cure. Chansey also has Stealth Rock, which deals chip damage to the foe upon switching in, making it easier for Mega Lopunny to KO other Pokemon. Both Porygon2 and Chansey can inflict status effects such as paralysis and poison, making Mega Lopunny's job easier as a cleaner. Meloetta can act as a great special wallbreaker, breaking through walls such as Skarmory in case Mega Lopunny can't deal with them. In return, Mega Lopunny can handle Dark-types for Meloetta. Diggersby is a great partner for Mega Lopunny, as both can apply pressure on the opposing team, allowing for Mega Lopunny to clean up afterwards, and Diggersby can also check Skarmory with Wild Charge for Mega Lopunny. Staraptor is great for crippling physical attackers with Intimidate for Mega Lopunny, and it can also check Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-types such as Heracross, Breloom, and Mega Venusaur. It can also let Mega Lopunny switch in safely with a slow U-turn. Ditto can be very helpful in getting rid of a Pokemon that threatens Mega Lopunny due to having Imposter and being able to copy the threat's stat changes, allowing it to punish setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Mega Pinsir and Dragon Dance Gyarados and Dragonite.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Drain Punch can be used as a way to replenish health; however, Mega Lopunny prefers more power and obtains crucial KOs with High Jump Kick. Substitute can allow Mega Lopunny to avoid any status moves and be used on predicted switches. Substitute can also be used in conjunction with Encore to attack while the opposing Pokemon is locked into an unfavorable move. Encore annoys the opposing Pokemon by having them use the same move for three turns, granting Mega Lopunny the upper hand. Mega Lopunny can either switch out into a more threatening Pokemon against the foe or force the opposing Pokemon to switch out, giving it a free turn to attack. Healing Wish is a good support move for Mega Lopunny to bring a weakened teammate back to full health, allowing them to stay in the match longer. Quick Attack grants Mega Lopunny double priority if used with Fake Out, letting it pick off weakened foes and revenge kill.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Skarmory can easily wall Mega Lopunny, as High Jump Kick is only a 3HKO. Many defensive variants of Skarmory carry Rocky Helmet, which will damage Mega Lopunny upon contact. Mega Venusaur doesn't take much damage from Ice Punch due to Thick Fat and resists High Jump Kick, and Mega Lopunny rarely 3HKOes Mega Venusaur with Return. Slowbro can easily switch into Mega Lopunny, as it is not bothered by any of its attacks and has Regenerator. Garchomp and Landorus-T are also common users of Rocky Helmet, and Garchomp can damage Mega Lopunny with Rough Skin as well.
**Fighting-types**: Choice Scarf Heracross and Terrakion can OHKO Mega Lopunny with Close Combat. Mega Gallade and Mega Medicham resist Mega Lopunny's High Jump Kick and can KO it with their STAB moves. Hawlucha isn't KOed by Mega Lopunny's Ice Punch or Return and, once Unburden is activated, can threaten Mega Lopunny the next turn with Acrobatics. However, many of the Pokemon mentioned above cannot switch into Mega Lopunny.
**Fairy-types**: Many Fairy-types can eliminate Mega Lopunny. Klefki can paralyze Mega Lopunny with Thunder Wave, removing its speed control. Azumarill is able to OHKO it with STAB Play Rough. Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Togekiss can revenge kill it with Moonblast and Air Slash, respectively. Sylveon can easily remove Mega Lopunny from the field with Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. Whimsicott can lock Mega Lopunny into Fake Out with Encore, forcing it to switch out. Clefable can cripple Mega Lopunny with Thunder Wave and KO it with Moonblast. However, most of these Pokemon cannot safely switch into Mega Lopunny.
**Residual Damage**: Mega Lopunny doesn't enjoy taking any type of passive damage from opposing teams. Examples include Rocky Helmet Skarmory, Slowbro, and Ferrothorn. Mega Lopunny's High Jump Kick does not OHKO defensive Ferrothorn; after the passive damage from Iron Barbs and Rocky Helmet, Mega Lopunny is in KO range for Gyro Ball. Slowbro can tank Mega Lopunny's STAB Return and paralyze it with Thunder Wave or continue using Slack Off while it takes damage from Rocky Helmet. Both Will-O-Wisp and Toxic can leave Mega Lopunny greatly hindered, limiting its effectiveness and shortening its longevity.
**Revenge Killers**: Despite Fake Out outprioritizing other moves, Mega Lopunny is outsped and revenge killed by Choice Scarf users such as Victini with V-create, Kyurem-B with Outrage, Latios, and Gardevoir. Mega Lopunny is also vulnerable to Mach Punch from Breloom, which OHKOes it most of the time.
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