[OVERVIEW]
Mega Pidgeot is a very threatening Pokemon by virtue of its high Speed and Special Attack as well as its strong STAB moves. This is complemented by recovery in Oblivion Wing, which is excellent for maintaining momentum, and a very fast Sing. However, Mega Pidgeot is walled by common threats such as Heatran and Mega Tyranitar. It is very frail and thus vulnerable to priority moves, and it has a poor defensive typing that leaves it weak to common offensive moves and resistant to only two uncommon types. Mega Pidgeot has limited coverage options, although the few it does have are good, as they provide coverage against every type besides Rock. Furthermore, the cost of using a Mega Evolution in STABmons is extremely high due to the overwhelming competition for a Mega slot, so Mega Pidgeot is a very team-specific Pokemon.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Boomburst
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: U-turn
item: Pidgeotite
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Boomburst is a very spammable STAB move that will 2HKO nearly anything neutral to it and even some frailer Pokemon that resist it. Hurricane is another very powerful STAB move that also has a chance to confuse the foe. Heat Wave is an essential coverage move that allows Mega Pidgeot to hit the Steel-types that would otherwise wall it, besides Heatran. Sing gives Mega Pidgeot free turns and allows it to do something even against Pokemon that would counter it. Hidden Power Ground is an option over Sing in order to KO Heatran after luring it.
Set Details
========
The EVs and a Timid nature maximize Mega Pidgeot's Speed and Special Attack for the most offensive pressure possible. Putting 4 EVs in Defense instead of HP allows Mega Pidgeot to switch into Stealth Rock four times.
Usage Tips
========
Boomburst is very spammable because of its sheer power and thus should be used freely if you are unsure of what to do. Don't let Mega Pidgeot get paralyzed, as its Speed is one of its biggest selling points and prevents it from being outclassed. Mega Pidgeot should not be brought in against anything with a priority move, as it will often get KOed due to its frailty; in this regard, switching it in directly is generally a bad idea. It is better to bring Mega Pidgeot in to revenge kill or off of a teammate's slow U-turn or Volt Switch. Avoid facing Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, as the combination of these two moves completely demolishes Mega Pidgeot.
Team Options
========
Terrakion beats most of Mega Pidgeot's checks and counters with its powerful STAB moves, such as Chansey, Zapdos, Tyranitar, and Heatran. Porygon-Z and Mega Pidgeot can wear down each other's checks and counters and allow one or the other to win, with Porygon-Z and Mega Pidgeot overwhelming Rock-types. Users of Volt Switch, U-turn, and Parting Shot such as Raikou, Jolteon, Meloetta, and Sableye give Mega Pidgeot opportunities to get in unharmed and consequently spread more damage. Sylveon is also a good partner to pivot into so that it can wear down foes with its own Boomburst. Mega Pidgeot is worn down pretty quickly by Stealth Rock, so Pokemon that can remove the hazard such as Excadrill, Latias, and Starmie are great team options. Starmie can also remove bulky Rock-types if Mega Pidgeot is not running Hidden Power Ground. Weavile can weaken foes with Knock Off and soft check Thundurus with Icicle Crash.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Fighting is an option to let Mega Pidgeot take on Tyranitar and to provide general coverage for Pokemon like Heatran. Tailwind is an option to provide general team support, but Mega Pidgeot is generally outclassed as a Tailwind setter by other setters such as Thundurus. Encore is a decent option due to Mega Pidgeot's very high Speed; however, it is often hard to find room for the move. Super Fang is a great way to weaken Mega Pidgeot's checks, dropping their HP to 50% or lower every time; however, it is unable to finish foes off and is hard to fit into Mega Pidgeot's moveset.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Mega Diancie and Tyranitar resist every move that Mega Pidgeot commonly runs and thus are very annoying for it to deal with. Unless Mega Pidgeot is running Hidden Power Ground or Fighting, it often finds itself forced to switch out against them. Mega Diancie in particular is a very consistent counter, as it bounces back Sing with Magic Bounce, resists Mega Pidgeot's STAB and coverage moves, and can easily OHKO it with Diamond Storm.
**Priority**: Mega Pidgeot is relatively frail, so it is very prone to being revenge killed by priority moves. It is especially weak to Fake Out + Extreme Speed users such as Braviary and Ursaring, which can 2HKO it before it can do anything, as well as Kyurem-B's Ice Shard.
**Heatran**: Heatran can easily take any move that Mega Pidgeot has and hit it back hard. It does need to be wary of the occasional Hidden Power Ground, though.
**Faster Pokemon**: Mega Pidgeot's main niche lies in its excellent Speed tier, so faster Pokemon such as Weavile and Choice Scarf Terrakion really hamper its effectiveness.
**Speed Control**: Paralysis, Trick Room, and opposing weather remove most of Mega Pidgeot's effectiveness, as it is only viable because of its high Speed. Thundurus is particularly threatening because it has priority Thunder Wave as well as super effective STAB moves. Cresselia and Politoed can also remove Mega Pidgeot's speed advantage, with Cresselia being able to set up Trick Room and Politoed bringing rain for teammates like Kingdra to take advantage of.
**Mega Metagross**: Mega Metagross avoids the 2HKO from Heat Wave and OHKOes Mega Pidgeot with Heavy Slam in return. Mega Pidgeot can threaten Mega Metagross with Sing, but it loses if Mega Metagross's Speed has been boosted.
Mega Pidgeot is a very threatening Pokemon by virtue of its high Speed and Special Attack as well as its strong STAB moves. This is complemented by recovery in Oblivion Wing, which is excellent for maintaining momentum, and a very fast Sing. However, Mega Pidgeot is walled by common threats such as Heatran and Mega Tyranitar. It is very frail and thus vulnerable to priority moves, and it has a poor defensive typing that leaves it weak to common offensive moves and resistant to only two uncommon types. Mega Pidgeot has limited coverage options, although the few it does have are good, as they provide coverage against every type besides Rock. Furthermore, the cost of using a Mega Evolution in STABmons is extremely high due to the overwhelming competition for a Mega slot, so Mega Pidgeot is a very team-specific Pokemon.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Boomburst
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Heat Wave
move 4: U-turn
item: Pidgeotite
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Boomburst is a very spammable STAB move that will 2HKO nearly anything neutral to it and even some frailer Pokemon that resist it. Hurricane is another very powerful STAB move that also has a chance to confuse the foe. Heat Wave is an essential coverage move that allows Mega Pidgeot to hit the Steel-types that would otherwise wall it, besides Heatran. Sing gives Mega Pidgeot free turns and allows it to do something even against Pokemon that would counter it. Hidden Power Ground is an option over Sing in order to KO Heatran after luring it.
Set Details
========
The EVs and a Timid nature maximize Mega Pidgeot's Speed and Special Attack for the most offensive pressure possible. Putting 4 EVs in Defense instead of HP allows Mega Pidgeot to switch into Stealth Rock four times.
Usage Tips
========
Boomburst is very spammable because of its sheer power and thus should be used freely if you are unsure of what to do. Don't let Mega Pidgeot get paralyzed, as its Speed is one of its biggest selling points and prevents it from being outclassed. Mega Pidgeot should not be brought in against anything with a priority move, as it will often get KOed due to its frailty; in this regard, switching it in directly is generally a bad idea. It is better to bring Mega Pidgeot in to revenge kill or off of a teammate's slow U-turn or Volt Switch. Avoid facing Fake Out + Extreme Speed users, as the combination of these two moves completely demolishes Mega Pidgeot.
Team Options
========
Terrakion beats most of Mega Pidgeot's checks and counters with its powerful STAB moves, such as Chansey, Zapdos, Tyranitar, and Heatran. Porygon-Z and Mega Pidgeot can wear down each other's checks and counters and allow one or the other to win, with Porygon-Z and Mega Pidgeot overwhelming Rock-types. Users of Volt Switch, U-turn, and Parting Shot such as Raikou, Jolteon, Meloetta, and Sableye give Mega Pidgeot opportunities to get in unharmed and consequently spread more damage. Sylveon is also a good partner to pivot into so that it can wear down foes with its own Boomburst. Mega Pidgeot is worn down pretty quickly by Stealth Rock, so Pokemon that can remove the hazard such as Excadrill, Latias, and Starmie are great team options. Starmie can also remove bulky Rock-types if Mega Pidgeot is not running Hidden Power Ground. Weavile can weaken foes with Knock Off and soft check Thundurus with Icicle Crash.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Fighting is an option to let Mega Pidgeot take on Tyranitar and to provide general coverage for Pokemon like Heatran. Tailwind is an option to provide general team support, but Mega Pidgeot is generally outclassed as a Tailwind setter by other setters such as Thundurus. Encore is a decent option due to Mega Pidgeot's very high Speed; however, it is often hard to find room for the move. Super Fang is a great way to weaken Mega Pidgeot's checks, dropping their HP to 50% or lower every time; however, it is unable to finish foes off and is hard to fit into Mega Pidgeot's moveset.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Mega Diancie and Tyranitar resist every move that Mega Pidgeot commonly runs and thus are very annoying for it to deal with. Unless Mega Pidgeot is running Hidden Power Ground or Fighting, it often finds itself forced to switch out against them. Mega Diancie in particular is a very consistent counter, as it bounces back Sing with Magic Bounce, resists Mega Pidgeot's STAB and coverage moves, and can easily OHKO it with Diamond Storm.
**Priority**: Mega Pidgeot is relatively frail, so it is very prone to being revenge killed by priority moves. It is especially weak to Fake Out + Extreme Speed users such as Braviary and Ursaring, which can 2HKO it before it can do anything, as well as Kyurem-B's Ice Shard.
**Heatran**: Heatran can easily take any move that Mega Pidgeot has and hit it back hard. It does need to be wary of the occasional Hidden Power Ground, though.
**Faster Pokemon**: Mega Pidgeot's main niche lies in its excellent Speed tier, so faster Pokemon such as Weavile and Choice Scarf Terrakion really hamper its effectiveness.
**Speed Control**: Paralysis, Trick Room, and opposing weather remove most of Mega Pidgeot's effectiveness, as it is only viable because of its high Speed. Thundurus is particularly threatening because it has priority Thunder Wave as well as super effective STAB moves. Cresselia and Politoed can also remove Mega Pidgeot's speed advantage, with Cresselia being able to set up Trick Room and Politoed bringing rain for teammates like Kingdra to take advantage of.
**Mega Metagross**: Mega Metagross avoids the 2HKO from Heat Wave and OHKOes Mega Pidgeot with Heavy Slam in return. Mega Pidgeot can threaten Mega Metagross with Sing, but it loses if Mega Metagross's Speed has been boosted.
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