Since the whole Mega Pinsir debate has mostly become a series of one or two line responses, I figured now would be a good time to get some discussion going on a topic that isn't ban related. This thread is about more than just banning things after all :P
Now that the metagame is kinda/sorta settling down, I'm beginning to see a trend: Mega Gyarados. The oversized shrimp is more popular than I ever thought it would be. Maybe I'm just unlucky, but now that I'm running Psychic a lot, it seems like about a third of the teams I face include Mega Gyara in some form. If it runs Crunch, Mega Gyarados is a huge threat to Psychic, and I honestly think it's one of the primary reasons why Psychic won't become as OP as I was initially thinking it would be.
I'm curious how you all are dealing with this water beast, especially the Psychic users. Have you found any innovative ways of preventing a sweep?
One method I've found after a discussing my team with Anttya (thanks for all the help btw) is Deoxys-Speed.
Deoxys-Speed @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
- Grass Knot / Thunderbolt
With 252 Speed EVs and a Jolly or Timid nature, it outspeeds Mega Gyara even after 2 Dragon Dances (assuming the Gyarados doesn't run max speed, and I think most don't). From there, Deoxys can use Thunder Wave to allow Mega Gallade or Gardevoir to revenge kill it. If the Gyarados has a substitute up, Taunt can be used to prevent it from setting up Dragon Dance, or Grass Knot is an option to break the sub. Anttya initially recommended Thunderbolt, but I prefer Grass Knot because it does more damage assuming the Gyarados has already mega evolved. Deoxys doesn't need any Special Attack investment to break the substitute even if the Gyarados has max HP, max Special Defense, and a Special Defense boosting nature.
4 SpA Deoxys-S Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Gyarados: 102-120 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
I suppose you could run 252 in SpA instead of HP. I'm still not sure if the HP EVs are worth it considering I have a sash, but the sash won't always be in tact, so for now I like the EVs the way they are.
Anyway, thoughts on that Mega Gyara check? It's not perfect by any means and it's really more of a suicide check than anything, but it does help. Anttya mentioned Grass Knot on Slowbro is a decent check as well, which I also use.
So what have you all come up with to prevent your teams from getting obliterated by an oversized shrimp? Considering it's probably one of the most threatening mons in the metagame right now, I feel like this would be a beneficial discussion for everyone.
EDIT: It's been mentioned to me that my Deo-S set is very niche, which is completely true. It is dedicated to checking Mega Gyarados and it's not great at doing much else. It can function as a good suicide lead, but with all the Defog users nowadays, suicide leads don't work too well. So I'm sure it's not the best option, but it's what I've been using and it does serve its purpose.
In my psychic team, I used it but as Physical sweeper with Life Orb.
Low Kick (similar job to Grass Knot but better because he can 2HKO Heatran (who is in my opinion, a good Pokemon against Psychic type)), Tyranitar too, ...
Rock Slide for M-Pinsir (0HKO) , M-Zard Y (0HKO) & X (2HKO) and 0HKO Volcarona mainly (Outspeed Volca with +1 in speed).
Knock Off for some Eviolite Mons or Psychic/Ghost type.
Extrem Speed to avoid priority moves like Sucker Punch, E-Speed.
It's really good for Psychic type and suprised most of the time People.