Taken over from Aurorusite
Also, Rhythms , your check has now been implemented. Just changed a few things where the sentences didn't make sense after the changes, if you don't mind.
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Sceptile has a lot of notable qualities, such as a unique Grass / Dragon typing, an incredible base 145 Speed that allows it to outrun almost every Pokemon in the VGC metagame, including Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian, and a great base 145 Special Attack that allows it to KO foes such as Politoed and Suicune easier, but the most notable quality lies in its ability, Lightningrod. Not only does this make Mega Sceptile immune to Electric-type moves, but it also boosts Mega Sceptile's Special Attack and redirects all Electric-type moves aimed at Mega Sceptile's teammates towards it. However, Mega Sceptile is not without its flaws, as it has really bad bulk, making it easy to OHKO; its typing makes it weak to six relatively common types and changes its 2x weakness to Ice-types into a 4x weakness; and its special movepool is bad, as it only has access to a few coverage moves. However, despite its flaws, Mega Sceptile is definitely still a viable Pokemon in the VGC 2015 metagame.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Detect
move 4: Quick Guard / Hidden Power Ice
item: Sceptilite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Modest / Timid
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is one of Mega Sceptile's few special moves that can OHKO Suicune and Milotic, and it has impressive power in general. Energy Ball is a weaker STAB move, but it doesn't lower Mega Sceptile's Special Attack, so it doesn't force Mega Sceptile to switch out to regain its Special Attack and is generally a better option if you want to use Mega Sceptile as a sweeper instead of a hit-and-run Pokemon. Dragon Pulse gets boosted by STAB after Sceptile Mega Evolves, giving it the ability to KO all Dragon-types, barring Goodra. Detect is used to avoid attacks, and it is generally better than Protect due to users of both Imprison and Protect. Quick Guard is great option in last slot, [ac] as Mega Sceptile baits Talonflame, so Quick Guard protects Mega Sceptile from Talonflame's Brave Birds. Mega Sceptile is also faster than every Fake Out user, which means it has the ability to block any Fake Out. Hidden Power Ice allows Mega Sceptile to score a KO on Landorus-T. This is exceptionally useful because, with a Timid nature, Mega Sceptile is faster than Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs allow Mega Sceptile to hit as hard and be fast as possible. A Modest nature makes sure that Mega Sceptile OHKOes most Suicune and Milotic variants with Leaf Storm, and it allows Mega Sceptile to always OHKO bulky Mega Salamence. A Timid nature is better when you put Hidden Power Ice on Mega Sceptile, as Mega Sceptile can outspeed Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T and OHKO it with Hidden Power Ice. A Timid nature also allows Mega Sceptile to outspeed positive Speed-natured Mega Lopunny, Mega Manectric, and Mega Gengar.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Sceptile works well as leading Pokemon because it can use Quick Guard to block incoming Fake Outs and then switch out, so it can switch into predicted Electric-type moves later on. Mega Sceptile also works as late-game cleaner. However, avoid switching Mega Sceptile in if there is chance that it will get hit by a super effective or a powerful neutral attack.
Team Options
========
Electric-types with Discharge, such as all Rotom formes, Zapdos, Raikou, Thundurus, and Thundurus-T, make for good partners for Mega Sceptile, as they can boost Mega Sceptile's Special Attack while also hitting both foes. Prankster Thundurus's Thunder Wave is another way to boost Mega Sceptile's Special Attack, as it always goes before Mega Sceptile. Again, Thundurus works well at this, but Meowstic-M and Klefki do too. Water- and Flying-types benefit from Lightningrod and overall have good type synergy with Mega Sceptile. Suicune and Milotic become real tanks that are hard to take down due to having only one weakness when Mega Sceptile is on field; they can also take down Fire-types and have Scald to give Mega Sceptile chance to survive more attacks. Heatran is a great partner for Mega Sceptile because it resists all of Mega Sceptile's weaknesses, so it is really easy to switch in, and it takes out Steel-types, which Mega Sceptile hates. Other Fire-types such as Arcanine and Talonflame are good partners too. Talonflame also enjoys Mega Sceptile's Lightningrod. Mega Sceptile hates Fairy-types, so Pokemon that beat them are good partners for it, such as Bisharp, Gengar, and Heatran.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Due to Mega Sceptile's poor movepool, it doesn't have many good options. Focus Blast is a powerful option as third attack; it can OHKO Tyranitar, deal lots of damage to Mega Kangaskhan, and hit most Steel-types hard. However, it is very risky and unreliable due to its poor accuracy. Mega Sceptile can use Substitute to survive more hits. Mega Sceptile can still receive Lightningrod boosts behind Substitute. Giga Drain allows Mega Sceptile to heal itself, but Mega Sceptile is frail and faints easily, so it wants to have as many powerful moves as possible, and Giga Drain is normally inferior to Mega Sceptile's other Grass-type moves. Mega Sceptile can use Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ground to have an option more reliable than Focus Blast to hit Steel-types with. Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran, and Hidden Power Fire hits Scizor and Ferrothorn. Mega Sceptile has a very good physical movepool, but due to its Attack being lower than its Special Attack, physical moves aren't very good options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon give Mega Sceptile the most problems. Mega Mawile laughs at anything Mega Sceptile uses, and it can take Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ground easily and OHKO Mega Sceptile back. Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Altaria can tank any move from Mega Sceptile with no problems and OHKO it back.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types can often hard-wall Mega Sceptile, unless it carries specific Hidden Power or the unreliable Focus Blast, but, even then, they are pain for Mega Sceptile. Aegislash, Mega Mawile, and Mega Metagross can take anything from Mega Sceptile and KO it back or do notable damage. If Mega Sceptile lacks Hidden Power Ground or Focus Blast, Heatran walls it hard and can set up a Substitute.
**Speed Control**: While Mega Sceptile is immune to one form of speed control, namely Thunder Wave, other forms give it a headache. Opposing Trick Room or Tailwind and opposing Mega Sceptile become useless until they wear off. Even Bulldoze can cripple it by reducing its Speed, and if Icy Wind doesn't OHKO Mega Sceptile, it will at least leave it severely incapacitated due to a combination of reduced Speed until switching out and incredibly low HP.
**Faster Pokemon**: It is pretty hard to outspeed Mega Sceptile without a type of boost. However, Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Latios can outspeed and OHKO. Talonflame causes problems with its Brave Bird, especially if Mega Sceptile lacks Quick Guard.
Also, Rhythms , your check has now been implemented. Just changed a few things where the sentences didn't make sense after the changes, if you don't mind.
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Sceptile has a lot of notable qualities, such as a unique Grass / Dragon typing, an incredible base 145 Speed that allows it to outrun almost every Pokemon in the VGC metagame, including Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian, and a great base 145 Special Attack that allows it to KO foes such as Politoed and Suicune easier, but the most notable quality lies in its ability, Lightningrod. Not only does this make Mega Sceptile immune to Electric-type moves, but it also boosts Mega Sceptile's Special Attack and redirects all Electric-type moves aimed at Mega Sceptile's teammates towards it. However, Mega Sceptile is not without its flaws, as it has really bad bulk, making it easy to OHKO; its typing makes it weak to six relatively common types and changes its 2x weakness to Ice-types into a 4x weakness; and its special movepool is bad, as it only has access to a few coverage moves. However, despite its flaws, Mega Sceptile is definitely still a viable Pokemon in the VGC 2015 metagame.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Detect
move 4: Quick Guard / Hidden Power Ice
item: Sceptilite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Modest / Timid
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is one of Mega Sceptile's few special moves that can OHKO Suicune and Milotic, and it has impressive power in general. Energy Ball is a weaker STAB move, but it doesn't lower Mega Sceptile's Special Attack, so it doesn't force Mega Sceptile to switch out to regain its Special Attack and is generally a better option if you want to use Mega Sceptile as a sweeper instead of a hit-and-run Pokemon. Dragon Pulse gets boosted by STAB after Sceptile Mega Evolves, giving it the ability to KO all Dragon-types, barring Goodra. Detect is used to avoid attacks, and it is generally better than Protect due to users of both Imprison and Protect. Quick Guard is great option in last slot, [ac] as Mega Sceptile baits Talonflame, so Quick Guard protects Mega Sceptile from Talonflame's Brave Birds. Mega Sceptile is also faster than every Fake Out user, which means it has the ability to block any Fake Out. Hidden Power Ice allows Mega Sceptile to score a KO on Landorus-T. This is exceptionally useful because, with a Timid nature, Mega Sceptile is faster than Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs allow Mega Sceptile to hit as hard and be fast as possible. A Modest nature makes sure that Mega Sceptile OHKOes most Suicune and Milotic variants with Leaf Storm, and it allows Mega Sceptile to always OHKO bulky Mega Salamence. A Timid nature is better when you put Hidden Power Ice on Mega Sceptile, as Mega Sceptile can outspeed Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T and OHKO it with Hidden Power Ice. A Timid nature also allows Mega Sceptile to outspeed positive Speed-natured Mega Lopunny, Mega Manectric, and Mega Gengar.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Sceptile works well as leading Pokemon because it can use Quick Guard to block incoming Fake Outs and then switch out, so it can switch into predicted Electric-type moves later on. Mega Sceptile also works as late-game cleaner. However, avoid switching Mega Sceptile in if there is chance that it will get hit by a super effective or a powerful neutral attack.
Team Options
========
Electric-types with Discharge, such as all Rotom formes, Zapdos, Raikou, Thundurus, and Thundurus-T, make for good partners for Mega Sceptile, as they can boost Mega Sceptile's Special Attack while also hitting both foes. Prankster Thundurus's Thunder Wave is another way to boost Mega Sceptile's Special Attack, as it always goes before Mega Sceptile. Again, Thundurus works well at this, but Meowstic-M and Klefki do too. Water- and Flying-types benefit from Lightningrod and overall have good type synergy with Mega Sceptile. Suicune and Milotic become real tanks that are hard to take down due to having only one weakness when Mega Sceptile is on field; they can also take down Fire-types and have Scald to give Mega Sceptile chance to survive more attacks. Heatran is a great partner for Mega Sceptile because it resists all of Mega Sceptile's weaknesses, so it is really easy to switch in, and it takes out Steel-types, which Mega Sceptile hates. Other Fire-types such as Arcanine and Talonflame are good partners too. Talonflame also enjoys Mega Sceptile's Lightningrod. Mega Sceptile hates Fairy-types, so Pokemon that beat them are good partners for it, such as Bisharp, Gengar, and Heatran.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Due to Mega Sceptile's poor movepool, it doesn't have many good options. Focus Blast is a powerful option as third attack; it can OHKO Tyranitar, deal lots of damage to Mega Kangaskhan, and hit most Steel-types hard. However, it is very risky and unreliable due to its poor accuracy. Mega Sceptile can use Substitute to survive more hits. Mega Sceptile can still receive Lightningrod boosts behind Substitute. Giga Drain allows Mega Sceptile to heal itself, but Mega Sceptile is frail and faints easily, so it wants to have as many powerful moves as possible, and Giga Drain is normally inferior to Mega Sceptile's other Grass-type moves. Mega Sceptile can use Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ground to have an option more reliable than Focus Blast to hit Steel-types with. Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran, and Hidden Power Fire hits Scizor and Ferrothorn. Mega Sceptile has a very good physical movepool, but due to its Attack being lower than its Special Attack, physical moves aren't very good options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon give Mega Sceptile the most problems. Mega Mawile laughs at anything Mega Sceptile uses, and it can take Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ground easily and OHKO Mega Sceptile back. Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Altaria can tank any move from Mega Sceptile with no problems and OHKO it back.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types can often hard-wall Mega Sceptile, unless it carries specific Hidden Power or the unreliable Focus Blast, but, even then, they are pain for Mega Sceptile. Aegislash, Mega Mawile, and Mega Metagross can take anything from Mega Sceptile and KO it back or do notable damage. If Mega Sceptile lacks Hidden Power Ground or Focus Blast, Heatran walls it hard and can set up a Substitute.
**Speed Control**: While Mega Sceptile is immune to one form of speed control, namely Thunder Wave, other forms give it a headache. Opposing Trick Room or Tailwind and opposing Mega Sceptile become useless until they wear off. Even Bulldoze can cripple it by reducing its Speed, and if Icy Wind doesn't OHKO Mega Sceptile, it will at least leave it severely incapacitated due to a combination of reduced Speed until switching out and incredibly low HP.
**Faster Pokemon**: It is pretty hard to outspeed Mega Sceptile without a type of boost. However, Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Latios can outspeed and OHKO. Talonflame causes problems with its Brave Bird, especially if Mega Sceptile lacks Quick Guard.
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