SHARK_/\__\o/ ATTACK
QC: 2346 / CaMilla / Subject 1+17
GP: Applecider / TheFlyingPlumberjack
QC: 2346 / CaMilla / Subject 1+17
GP: Applecider / TheFlyingPlumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Sharpedo fills the role of a late-game cleaner for offense teams, with its access to Speed Boost before Mega Evolving allowing it to raise its already nice Speed stat on its own to outspeed the opposition. It also has a high Attack stat and a great ability in Strong Jaw once Mega Evolved, which works exceptionally well with its movepool, bolstering the power of its Crunch, Ice Fang, and Psychic Fangs.However, Sharpedo is very frail even after Mega Evolving, making it hard to switch in and vulnerable to priority moves. It almost always needs to use Protect in order to safely obtain Speed boosts, making it lose out on coverage options. Lastly, it faces competition for a Mega Evolution slot with other wallbreakers and cleaners such as Mega Mawile and Mega Pinsir.
[SET]
name: Cleaner
move 1: Protect
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Psychic Fangs
move 4: Ice Fang / Waterfall
item: Sharpedonite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect blocks most attacks so Sharpedo can safely acquire a Speed boost before Mega Evolving. Crunch is Sharpedo's most powerful STAB move, with the boost from Strong Jaw making it very spammable, and is able to OHKO Tapu Lele, Mega Medicham, and Hoopa-U. Psychic Fangs hits Fighting- and Poison-types such as Keldeo, Toxapex, and Mega Heracross, which resist either Crunch or Ice Fang. Ice Fang is valuable coverage, hitting Dragon- and Grass-types such as Zygarde, Garchomp, and Tangrowth as well as denting Landorus-T. Waterfall is an option as a secondary STAB move that hits Tyranitar as well as other Water-weak Pokemon while having a flinch chance. Poison Jab is also another option to hit Fairy-types that resist Crunch such as Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, and Clefable super effectively.
Set Details
========
Speed Boost makes Sharpedo faster each passing turn before Mega Evolving, allowing it to outspeed many threats even after a single boost. Maximum Speed EVs make Mega Sharpedo at +1 outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, including Mega Alakazam and Dugtrio. Maximum Attack EVs and an Adamant nature make Mega Sharpedo deal as much damage as possible, as it already outspeeds the unboosted metagame after one boost. However, a Jolly nature instead lets Mega Sharpedo at +1 outspeed faster Choice Scarf users such as Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, and Garchomp; however, Jolly makes it even harder for Mega Sharpedo to net KOs and having +2 Speed is generally preferred to outspeed all Choice Scarf users.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Sharpedo works really well against offensive teams that are generally frail and easier to wear down, which thus are the teams that it should be preserved as a late-game cleaner for. Therefore, it is important to remove or weaken Mega Sharpedo's checks and counters such as bulkier Fairy-, Grass-, and Water-types like Tapu Fini and Tangrowth before sending Sharpedo in to clean, as they can end a sweep prematurely. Mega Sharpedo can also work as a wallbreaker against more defensive teams, as it has enough power within its Strong Jaw-powered moves to break. Never switch Sharpedo directly in, as it cannot afford to take hits due to its poor bulk. Rather, it should be brought in safely by a slow U-turn or Volt Switch or after a KO. It can switch into a predicted Psychic-type attack, though, as it is immune to them, but this is very risky and could often leave it KOed if predicted wrong. Sharpedo shouldn't Mega Evolve right away if it wants to clean, as it needs to raise its Speed from Speed Boost in order to outspeed most Pokemon beforehand to clean reliably. Protect is the safest way to acquire a Speed boost, as it blocks most attacks against Sharpedo and in turn allows it to scout for coverage or status moves. However, be careful of any Substitute users or setup sweepers when using Protect, such as Zygarde, Mega Heracross, and Mega Charizard X, as they put Sharpedo in a disadvantage if they set up rather than attacking it. Sharpedo can also be switched in to revenge kill a weakened Pokemon or force a Pokemon like Alolan Marowak out, which effectively generates a turn to raise its Speed.
Team Options
========
Mega Sharpedo appreciates entry hazard support from the likes of Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Garchomp, as entry hazards make it significantly easier for Mega Sharpedo to net KOs. Landorus-T can set up Stealth Rock, can pivot Sharpedo in safely with U-turn, and is able to check Magearna and Mega Mawile, which trouble Mega Sharpedo. Greninja is an exceptional partner, as it can set up Spikes and is able to lure in threats such as Ferrothorn, Tapu Fini, and Tangrowth and KO them with its incredible coverage, which immensely helps Mega Sharpedo to clean. Wallbreakers such as Alolan Marowak, Kyurem-B, and Tapu Lele are able to wear down and remove walls that can stop Mega Sharpedo's sweep. Tapu Lele also brings Psychic Terrain up, preventing Mega Sharpedo from being hit by priority moves. U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Magearna, Jirachi, and Tapu Koko can help bring Sharpedo safely while bringing momentum to the team. Magnezone is an excellent partner, as it traps and removes Ferrothorn and Skarmory, which can end Mega Sharpedo's sweep, and pivots Sharpedo in with Volt Switch and check Water and Fairy-types that also trouble Mega Sharpedo. Tornadus-T checks Grass- and Fighting-types that can beat Mega Sharpedo and pivots it in safely with U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Earthquake can be used to OHKO Magnezone and Tapu Koko as well as 2HKO Magearna and Mega Mawile on the switch. Destiny Bond can be unexpected in cases where Mega Sharpedo is about to get KOed and cannot KO the foe, but it is very situational and forces Mega Sharpedo to lose out on coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Magearna can tank the uncommon Earthquake from Mega Sharpedo and can outright OHKO it with Fleur Cannon, and Mega Mawile lowers Sharpedo's Attack stat with Intimidate before Mega Evolving and can use Sharpedo as setup bait afterwards if Sharpedo doesn't carry Earthquake. Clefable resists Crunch and OHKOes Mega Sharpedo with Moonblast or sets up Calm Mind against it to try sweep. Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu are able to check non-Poison Jab variants of Mega Sharpedo and retaliate with each of their STAB moves.
**Water-types**: Gyarados lowers Sharpedo's Attack stat upon switching in, rendering Sharpedo almost useless, and once Gyarados is Mega Evolved, it resists all of Sharpedo's coverage options and can set up Dragon Dance on it. Azumarill doesn't mind Sharpedo's coverage moves other than Poison Jab and OHKOes with Play Rough, and Tapu Fini isn't 2HKOed by Poison Jab and, in return, OHKOes with Moonblast.
**Physically bulky Pokemon**: Ferrothorn and Defensive Tangrowth aren't 2HKOed by Mega Sharpedo's Crunch and Ice Fang, and in turn they OHKO it with a Grass-type move. Skarmory is able to tank two Crunches, can Roost up any damage taken by Mega Sharpedo, and can also use Whirlwind to force Mega Sharpedo to switch out, causing it to lose any Speed boosts it might have had.
**Fighting-types**: Choice Scarf Keldeo and Choice Scarf Terrakion are both able to outspeed Mega Sharpedo and OHKO it with Fighting-type moves, though Mega Sharpedo must be at +1 Speed or slower, otherwise they'll be outsped and OHKOed by Psychic Fangs. Breloom outright OHKOes Mega Sharpedo with Mach Punch, though it cannot switch in reliably due to Psychic Fangs.
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