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Pet Mod Legends Z-A OU

Should Heavy-Duty Boots be allowed


  • Total voters
    177
  • Poll closed .
Considering we're moving away from giving abilities based on Dex entries, I think Mega Scrafty could be really good with Tera Shell.

Tera Shell makes all moves 0.5x effective at full health. While this seems like a reskinned Multiscale, it's actually vastly different. Multiscale only halves damage, so Fairy is still x2 effective vs Dark/Fighting, but Tera Shell makes it 0.5x effective, so in practice, Tera Shell reduces damage further then Multiscale. I'm also pretty sure there's an interaction where multi hit moves are all x0.5 but not sure.

Tera Shell would make Mega Scrafty a pretty excellent late game cleaner, whose talents you have to work for. With Tera Shell up, it would get a free Dragon Dance against most threats if Mega Scrafty isn't forcing it out. While it's no Skarmory, Intimidate and 65/135 phys def also makes it very helpful against physical attackers, who might need to switch as to avoid Scrafty setting up on them. Ideally, Mega Scrafty would want minimum 2 Dragon Dances to outspeed the Z Megas and Mega Zeraora, and enough bulk investment to not drop to most 2 priority moves if need be. And with Parting Shot, it might not even be a bad Mon on more bulky teams with wish passing, since Tera Shell would allow Scrafty to take pretty much any hit it needs for these teams, because while you can switch in something bulky like Clefable to take a hit, it's possible to predict this and get ahead of the game quickly. This doesn't work against Mega Scrafty with Tera Shell up, as it can either Dragon Dance to threaten a sweep or KO, or Parting Shot to weaken an attacker and bring something else in safely.

While Hazards would make it very difficult to switch in safely, given no HDB or recovery, with good enough positioning and team building, I believe that Multiscale Mega Scrafty would be quite a force to be reckoned with in OU in the right hands. We have enough tools in the tier to keep hazards off the field, and the Gholdengo problem can be solved by a good Pursuit user if Scrafty doesn't or can't take matters into its own hands. I'm also assuming Mega Clefable is getting Prankster taken away in the future.

Overall, I think Tera Shell would make Mega Scrafty a good Pokémon in the metagame, with a focus on positioning and being rewarded with either a great setup sweeper or a unique pivot
 
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Considering we're moving away from giving abilities based on Dex entries, I think Mega Scrafty could be really good with Tera Shell.

Tera Shell makes all moves 0.5x effective at full health. While this seems like a reskinned Multiscale, it's actually vastly different. Multiscale only halves damage, so Fairy is still x2 effective vs Dark/Fighting, but Tera Shell makes it 0.5x effective, so in practice, Tera Shell reduces damage further then Multiscale. I'm also pretty sure there's an interaction where multi hit moves are all x0.5 but not sure.

Tera Shell would make Mega Scrafty a pretty excellent late game cleaner, whose talents you have to work for. With Tera Shell up, it would get a free Dragon Dance against most threats if Mega Scrafty isn't forcing it out, While it's no Skarmory, Intimidate and 65/135 phys def also makes it very helpful against physical attackers, who might need to switch as to avoid Scrafty setting up on them.

While Hazards would make it very difficult to switch in safely, given no HDB or recovery, with good enough positioning and team building, I trust that Multiscale Mega Scrafty would be quite a force to be reckoned with in OU in the right hands. I'm also assuming Mega Clefable is getting Prankster taken away in the future.
This ability only works on Terapagos
 
This ability only works on Terapagos
... I hate it here. Unless this is a code exclusive thing like Dark Void not working unless it's Darkrai, why can't we just copy Multiscale's code, change whatever to make all moves 0.5x effective, then just name it Tera Shell, completely detaching it from Terapagos?

And if this counts as a "custom ability", that's bullshit, because by name and mechanics, it's the same ability, just no longer exclusive to one Pokémon.
 
New Prankster Clef is actually amazing. Very good at stopping setup, and with Fairy + Fire coverage, it hits pretty hard into like everything besides Heatran the Slowkings and Ceruledge. Was able to hit #2 on the ladder with this team using SpDef Dnite (insanely underrated mon and defogger) for Heatran, and Krookodile for the rest. Team is quite weak to Mega Starmie but is very consistent overall.
https://pokepast.es/cfd77beb7496a2a0
Screenshot 2026-01-04 at 11.24.12 PM.png
 
I take back whatever compliments I have Mega Chestnaught. It has so SO many weaknesses most times by opponent team has like 5 mons that are super effective against it. Maybe I am just using it suboptimally but I don't need a mega that forces me switch out with almost every switch in from the opponent. I prefer the base Iron defense Chestnaught way more.
Is anyone here having success with Chestnaught in 1300+? If so please share a replay
 
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Damn bad luck but why did you use shadow sneaks with Ceruledge on the Garchomp despite the speed boost knowing rough skin would kill you instead of poltergeist?
my ceruledge set doesn't have poltergeist, i run bitter blade/shadow sneak/endure/destiny bond. in all honesty i have no idea why i hit shadow sneak, it never crosses my mind that garchomp is actually bulky

(for clarification i knew it would die to rough skin, i was just expecting the chomp to go down too. it's like 2 in the morning for me i'm not exactly focused lmao)
 
Would it be a hot take to say the Z megas are kind of just... eh? Besides chomp, I guess.
Mega chomp Z is admittably pretty great, it does thud into clef and is a bit easy to revenge with scarfers so I'll definitely say its good. It faces alot of competition from... itself, though. Especially in this meta where it's the single best defensive ground imo. In champions this problem will probably not exist due to the other stuff that could potentially be in the game such as gliscor, ting-lu or whatever.

But for the other two... they're surprisingly not that much of a threat. Literally any somewhat fast scarfer will revenge them with like, any non resisted stab attack. And while their attack is definetly really, really high, (like zamn, 164 base special attack?) They just DON'T have the movepool options.

Absol Z thuds totally into like literally any fairy. If a mon takes the hit it clicks, it'll def just OHKO back. so basically, any team with a halfway decent defensive core can just beat this thing. I will say, once stuff is weakened it can be a threat, of course, and it is a really reliable pursuit user. But thats about it, honestly. Its not horrible, just kinda mid.

And for lucario, I mean, the stab typing is decent but 80/80 stabs is not gonna cut it. especially since theres nothing besides like a choice locked edrill that this guy sets up on...
I guess you can run focus blast x steel beam or whatever but that is sort of a stretch, since you either have a 30% chance to do nada or just die after you use a move more than once.

Anyway I honestly think we should just give big luc mega launcher, would solve these problems and definetly make it a threat. Its not like it would be without checks or anything- scarfers besides drill, chomp, mage, etc would all be decent checks to this.

For absol I'm honestly... Not quite sure. Tech is good I think its just the guys flaws as a whole.
 
Would it be a hot take to say the Z megas are kind of just... eh? Besides chomp, I guess.
Mega chomp Z is admittably pretty great, it does thud into clef and is a bit easy to revenge with scarfers so I'll definitely say its good. It faces alot of competition from... itself, though. Especially in this meta where it's the single best defensive ground imo. In champions this problem will probably not exist due to the other stuff that could potentially be in the game such as gliscor, ting-lu or whatever.

But for the other two... they're surprisingly not that much of a threat. Literally any somewhat fast scarfer will revenge them with like, any non resisted stab attack. And while their attack is definetly really, really high, (like zamn, 164 base special attack?) They just DON'T have the movepool options.

Absol Z thuds totally into like literally any fairy. If a mon takes the hit it clicks, it'll def just OHKO back. so basically, any team with a halfway decent defensive core can just beat this thing. I will say, once stuff is weakened it can be a threat, of course, and it is a really reliable pursuit user. But thats about it, honestly. Its not horrible, just kinda mid.

And for lucario, I mean, the stab typing is decent but 80/80 stabs is not gonna cut it. especially since theres nothing besides like a choice locked edrill that this guy sets up on...
I guess you can run focus blast x steel beam or whatever but that is sort of a stretch, since you either have a 30% chance to do nada or just die after you use a move more than once.

Anyway I honestly think we should just give big luc mega launcher, would solve these problems and definetly make it a threat. Its not like it would be without checks or anything- scarfers besides drill, chomp, mage, etc would all be decent checks to this.

For absol I'm honestly... Not quite sure. Tech is good I think its just the guys flaws as a whole.
i think the thing with both absol and lucario, their abilities really only affect one move which they don't care too much for because they're already the fastest non scarfers in the game lol. technician on shadow sneak/minds eye vacuum wave don't do too much for them and this seems like a purposeful decision to keep their otherwise insane stats in check by giving no damage boosts/defensive utility to them.

chomp z doesnt have an ability lol
 
i think the thing with both absol and lucario, their abilities really only affect one move which they don't care too much for because they're already the fastest non scarfers in the game lol. technician on shadow sneak/minds eye vacuum wave don't do too much for them and this seems like a purposeful decision to keep their otherwise insane stats in check by giving no damage boosts/defensive utility to them.
I mean pursuit getting boosted is nice. But lucario def needs an ability to actually be good. Because otherwise its really kinda mid.
chomp z doesnt have an ability lol
yea basically lmaoo. It doesn't even really need one to function. I'm predicting it gets like, sand force or something along those lines.
 
Would it be a hot take to say the Z megas are kind of just... eh? Besides chomp, I guess.
Mega chomp Z is admittably pretty great, it does thud into clef and is a bit easy to revenge with scarfers so I'll definitely say its good. It faces alot of competition from... itself, though. Especially in this meta where it's the single best defensive ground imo. In champions this problem will probably not exist due to the other stuff that could potentially be in the game such as gliscor, ting-lu or whatever.

But for the other two... they're surprisingly not that much of a threat. Literally any somewhat fast scarfer will revenge them with like, any non resisted stab attack. And while their attack is definetly really, really high, (like zamn, 164 base special attack?) They just DON'T have the movepool options.

Absol Z thuds totally into like literally any fairy. If a mon takes the hit it clicks, it'll def just OHKO back. so basically, any team with a halfway decent defensive core can just beat this thing. I will say, once stuff is weakened it can be a threat, of course, and it is a really reliable pursuit user. But thats about it, honestly. Its not horrible, just kinda mid.

And for lucario, I mean, the stab typing is decent but 80/80 stabs is not gonna cut it. especially since theres nothing besides like a choice locked edrill that this guy sets up on...
I guess you can run focus blast x steel beam or whatever but that is sort of a stretch, since you either have a 30% chance to do nada or just die after you use a move more than once.

Anyway I honestly think we should just give big luc mega launcher, would solve these problems and definetly make it a threat. Its not like it would be without checks or anything- scarfers besides drill, chomp, mage, etc would all be decent checks to this.

For absol I'm honestly... Not quite sure. Tech is good I think its just the guys flaws as a whole.
That's why I am waiting for the official ability release.

Lucario Z will most likely get mega launcher, no one is surviving the movepool of Aura Sphere, dark pulse, water pulse, terrain pulse. And Aura Sphere will become Focus blast that never misses

Garchomp Z can have literally any ability and be great. Rough Skin contributes as much to it as Justified does on Keldeo(fucking useless).

Abzol Z though idk, technician is already an S tier ability. Tough Claws might be a bit better but barely, ghost + dark is just not a good offensive typing.
 
Considering we're moving away from giving abilities based on Dex entries, I think Mega Scrafty could be really good with Tera Shell.

Tera Shell makes all moves 0.5x effective at full health. While this seems like a reskinned Multiscale, it's actually vastly different. Multiscale only halves damage, so Fairy is still x2 effective vs Dark/Fighting, but Tera Shell makes it 0.5x effective, so in practice, Tera Shell reduces damage further then Multiscale. I'm also pretty sure there's an interaction where multi hit moves are all x0.5 but not sure.

Tera Shell would make Mega Scrafty a pretty excellent late game cleaner, whose talents you have to work for. With Tera Shell up, it would get a free Dragon Dance against most threats if Mega Scrafty isn't forcing it out. While it's no Skarmory, Intimidate and 65/135 phys def also makes it very helpful against physical attackers, who might need to switch as to avoid Scrafty setting up on them. Ideally, Mega Scrafty would want minimum 2 Dragon Dances to outspeed the Z Megas and Mega Zeraora, and enough bulk investment to not drop to most 2 priority moves if need be. And with Parting Shot, it might not even be a bad Mon on more bulky teams with wish passing, since Tera Shell would allow Scrafty to take pretty much any hit it needs for these teams, because while you can switch in something bulky like Clefable to take a hit, it's possible to predict this and get ahead of the game quickly. This doesn't work against Mega Scrafty with Tera Shell up, as it can either Dragon Dance to threaten a sweep or KO, or Parting Shot to weaken an attacker and bring something else in safely.

While Hazards would make it very difficult to switch in safely, given no HDB or recovery, with good enough positioning and team building, I believe that Multiscale Mega Scrafty would be quite a force to be reckoned with in OU in the right hands. We have enough tools in the tier to keep hazards off the field, and the Gholdengo problem can be solved by a good Pursuit user if Scrafty doesn't or can't take matters into its own hands. I'm also assuming Mega Clefable is getting Prankster taken away in the future.

Overall, I think Tera Shell would make Mega Scrafty a good Pokémon in the metagame, with a focus on positioning and being rewarded with either a great setup sweeper or a unique pivot
I 100% agree that Scrafty needs a new ability. I love the guy, but it's being held back by so many things. I have a few ability ideas for Scrafty:

1. Anger Shell - the natural bulk is really good, and I think that it could use this to have a passive boost so it can start sweeping without needing to set up 2 Dragon Dances. For example, if you set up on the same turn you're attacked and survive, then you can get the value of 2 boosts for the price of one.

2. Multiscale/Disguise - Ok, probably not disguise, but having multiscale would be a game changer, now being able to set up on threats and not instantly vaporizing to Moonblast. (To be honest, it still might vaporize, but at least it would help against flying and fighting.)

3. Prankster - This is more of a niche gimmick thing, and I don't think it's the best idea, but having a priority pivot option with Parting Shot would also be great to escape Magearna, Clefable, Staraptor, and Hawlucha.

If not any of these, then any of its other two abilities work, but Shed Skin is the worst to choose from. It has no use for it other than maybe removing burn or paralysis, but those scenarios are much less common than just keeping Moxie to get an Intimidate in base form to weaken blows and sweep, or a double Intimidate to have something for physical sweepers and cripple threats like Ceruledge, but overall, Scrafty desperately needs a new ability.
 
Hi guys i'm new on competitive pokemon and I would like advise on one of my 1st team.
I grind as fast as some teams I took from aimmd but I probably understand it better and just can't figure out if the team is good.

If someone that know the game well could give me some insights I would realy apreciate.

I'm not shure what I have built, probably a Starmie balanced team, maybe a builky offense.

Lets state this from the start : I struggle with magearna (this beast should be banned ?) BUT I realy enjoy playing against it because it's a fun puzzle. If it sets-up its over (do I need Skarmory's whirlwind and adjust my chomp and Scizor ? Don't know).
Sash Ceruledge can be a problem, realy need the rocks in front of him.
Can't sleap on Blaziken.
Mega Excadrill was a problem before I started running Aqua Jet.
I feel like Talonflame's priority is important against belly drum Chesnaught.
Scarfed mons can cause me some trouble, greeninja is one of them.

Here is the paste :
https://pokepast.es/1d7921a87cc95222
 
Hi guys i'm new on competitive pokemon and I would like advise on one of my 1st team.
I grind as fast as some teams I took from aimmd but I probably understand it better and just can't figure out if the team is good.

If someone that know the game well could give me some insights I would realy apreciate.

I'm not shure what I have built, probably a Starmie balanced team, maybe a builky offense.

Lets state this from the start : I struggle with magearna (this beast should be banned ?) BUT I realy enjoy playing against it because it's a fun puzzle. If it sets-up its over (do I need Skarmory's whirlwind and adjust my chomp and Scizor ? Don't know).
You can try running specs/scarf on Rai and use trick to stop its setup. Just a random thing you can do without changing the team alot. If you want specific mons, any trick/encore/haze users are great alongside stuff like excadrill or roar heatran.
Mega Excadrill was a problem before I started running Aqua Jet.
I feel like Talonflame's priority is important against belly drum Chesnaught.
Tbh, its a 4x resist, you can get away with flame body. It can also use that to help vs U-turn spam. I'd def go more defensive on talonflame, thats the best set for it imo. Try Wisp/brave bird/roost/defog.

Also, for starmie, I feel like you're overlapping moves alot. The mon IS a huge example of 4 moveslot syndrome, but I'd go with a different set.

Heres the edited paste (just some suggestions, didn't change any mons)
Best thing to get better is just to play alot tbh

https://pokepast.es/3ba4639ef1debf91
 
You can try running specs/scarf on Rai and use trick to stop its setup. Just a random thing you can do without changing the team alot. If you want specific mons, any trick/encore/haze users are great alongside stuff like excadrill or roar heatran.

Tbh, its a 4x resist, you can get away with flame body. It can also use that to help vs U-turn spam. I'd def go more defensive on talonflame, thats the best set for it imo. Try Wisp/brave bird/roost/defog.

Also, for starmie, I feel like you're overlapping moves alot. The mon IS a huge example of 4 moveslot syndrome, but I'd go with a different set.

Heres the edited paste (just some suggestions, didn't change any mons)
Best thing to get better is just to play alot tbh

https://pokepast.es/3ba4639ef1debf91
Very interesting thanks a lot !

I think I prefer the immediate power of a choice specs on Rai. I hope it would not help Mag too much :/

The only thing I'm not conviced with is zen headbut, I used to run it and I almost never clicked it.
With Flip turn I can almost always pivot and get free ship.
I might be wrong but at my level beeing able to pivot looks free te me.

I will try everything on the ladder ! Thanks a lot mate.
 
Very interesting thanks a lot !

I think I prefer the immediate power of a choice specs on Rai. I hope it would not help Mag too much :/
Specs and scarf both work pretty well for this. Just be aware that some players may read your trick and swap out, so just be careful around that
The only thing I'm not conviced with is zen headbut, I used to run it and I almost never clicked it.
With Flip turn I can almost always pivot and get free ship.
I might be wrong but at my level beeing able to pivot looks free te me.
Honestly if flip turn worked better > zen than go for it, I haven't used starmie much myself recently so just go with what works lol. But yea have fun w/ the team!
 
You can try running specs/scarf on Rai and use trick to stop its setup. Just a random thing you can do without changing the team alot. If you want specific mons, any trick/encore/haze users are great alongside stuff like excadrill or roar heatran.

Tbh, its a 4x resist, you can get away with flame body. It can also use that to help vs U-turn spam. I'd def go more defensive on talonflame, thats the best set for it imo. Try Wisp/brave bird/roost/defog.

Also, for starmie, I feel like you're overlapping moves alot. The mon IS a huge example of 4 moveslot syndrome, but I'd go with a different set.

Heres the edited paste (just some suggestions, didn't change any mons)
Best thing to get better is just to play alot tbh

https://pokepast.es/3ba4639ef1debf91
Zen Headbutt is kinda buttcheeks tbh, I'd use Triple Axel instead for BoltBeam coverage, and maybe Flip Turn as an option over one of the Water moves
 
After Pyroar's success I thought I'd try using Scolipede. (AKA - Worse Golisopod)

pede.png

Scolipede (M) @ Scolipite
Ability: Speed Boost
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Bug
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- Earthquake
- Gunk Shot
- U-turn

https://pokepast.es/826f17ac891aadbf
(The team struggles with specially offensive stuff like Keldeo or Special Hoopa. Plus, it is a little passive for my taste.)

With earthquake it has some potential bypassing slow heatran as a counter, although it still gets chipped too easily, hard walled by Corv/Skarm, and doesn't quite have enough power. Still liked it though.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9legendszaou-2512229173-l0qvjoeogpv4v7dym3earc53ut1q52bpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9legendszaou-2512346397-2w5ej9yjkkh5st8kae7ppvkrsiusxt6pw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9legendszaou-2512350205-bd9v377uyc9d02ddp4dq4in70dlukw5pw


 
Hi guys i'm new on competitive pokemon and I would like advise on one of my 1st team.
I grind as fast as some teams I took from aimmd but I probably understand it better and just can't figure out if the team is good.

If someone that know the game well could give me some insights I would realy apreciate.

I'm not shure what I have built, probably a Starmie balanced team, maybe a builky offense.

Lets state this from the start : I struggle with magearna (this beast should be banned ?) BUT I realy enjoy playing against it because it's a fun puzzle. If it sets-up its over (do I need Skarmory's whirlwind and adjust my chomp and Scizor ? Don't know).
Sash Ceruledge can be a problem, realy need the rocks in front of him.
Can't sleap on Blaziken.
Mega Excadrill was a problem before I started running Aqua Jet.
I feel like Talonflame's priority is important against belly drum Chesnaught.
Scarfed mons can cause me some trouble, greeninja is one of them.

Here is the paste :
https://pokepast.es/1d7921a87cc95222
here are the main problems I see with the team:

- in 99% of cases you should not run Defog when running both Rocks and Spikes. Removing your own progress over several turns is just not good. You should either use Rapid Spin Excadrill, or run multiple Boots/Levitate mons.
- Clefable is wayyy to passive for your team. It is a complete momentum sink that just lets your opponent clear the rocks and hazards you set and they get to apply their own pressure.
- The Talonflame set is just bad. you absolutely need Roost, and Flame Body > Gale Wings. You also already have two priorities in Starmie Aqua Jet and Scizor Bullet Punch so you don't need an emergency Gale Wings Brave Bird priority, which is just bad in the first place anyway.

Here's a quick fix I made: https://pokepast.es/225da59017c303d6
I first changed the Clefable to a much better Fairy pick for the team. Scarf Floette is great at tanking one or two special hits, and the combination of TankChomp and M-Starmie is insanely good at pressuring the Steels that would want to switch into Floette.
I also changed the Talonflame to Rotom-W. It's naturally resilient to hazards courtesy of Levitate and replaces Talonflame in the pivot role. Now, since we already have TankChomp and M-Starmie in the team, if you still struggle against Magearna (which I believe is a perfectly fine matchup), you can try and replace this Rotom-W with Rotom-Heat instead.
Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 240 HP / 16 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Nasty Plot
- Pain Split

I just dropped EVs randomly, feel free to tinker with those and the nature. Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp are also viable options to run here.
We can afford this since, again, we already have answers to Excadrill so we can run Rotom-H with Boots over Ability Shield to not take rocks damage.
Since this removes our entry hazard control, I put Boots on both Darkrai and Scizor, as well as changed the Scizor set to accomodate for the change. The loss of immediate power on Bullet Punch is fine since we already have a lot of speed control in Aqua Jet and Scarf Floette.
Now, I will say that this is a quick fix made with the goal of making minimal changes to the team, and there is most likely a lot of room left to improve the team. imo Darkrai is not the best pick here and you'd benefit more from a breaker able to pressure Steels and Poisons better (esp magearna if not going the Rotom-Heat route).

Here is a replay with the new team: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9legendszaou-2512854856
 
56 is to outspeed modest max speed heatran
At that point, you should invest for Timid Heatran too. Doing so means you outspeed all Heatran baring Scarf Heatran or ones with Sticky Web support.
Hawlucha typically aims for outspeeding Jolly Excadrill despite Adamant being more popular because you could run into Jolly Excadrill and it'd ruin you, and it's otherwise not that many more EVs in speed.
 
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