[OVERVIEW]
Mega Heracross has the highest base Attack stat in Battle Spot Singles. Couple that with its exceptional ability in Skill Link, making all its multi-hit moves hit the maximum number of times, and the moves it has to abuse this ability, and Mega Heracross is one of the best wallbreakers in the metagame. Mega Heracross’s coverage moves, including Pin Missile, Close Combat, Rock Blast, Bullet Seed, and Earthquake, are perfect for taking down the most common physical walls in Battle Spot, namely Cresselia, Suicune, and Zapdos. Aside from its offensive capabilities, its good all-around bulk before and after Mega-evolving allows it to take a few hits, and its defensive typing lets it resist common types, such as Ground and Fighting, giving it a good matchup against Pokemon like Mamoswine and Lucario. Despite all this, though, it still has trouble beating a number of common offensive Pokemon. A low base Speed in base forme and an even lower Speed in Mega forme means that it is outsped by a great number of the top offensive threats. On top of that, while its defensive typing gives it some good resistances, it also leaves it weak to some very common attacking types, such as Fire and Flying, which means immense pressure is put on it from Blaziken and Talonflame.
[SET]
Name: All-Out Attacker
Move 1: Pin Missile
Move 2: Close Combat
Move 3: Rock Blast
Move 4: Bullet Seed
Item: Heracronite
Ability: Guts
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpDef / 92 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pin Missile is the main STAB on this set, reaching an effective base power of 125 with Skill Link. Its primary targets are common Psychic-types like Cresselia and Slowbro, as well as Grass-types such as Serperior. It additionally comes with the added perk of being able to break Focus Sashes and Substitutes. Close Combat hits Steel- and Normal- types, including Mega Kangaskhan, Porygon2 and Heatran, for super effective damage. Alternatively, Earthquake is an option to nail Mawile and Aegislash. Rock Blast is Mega Heracross's best option for hitting the Flying-types that it otherwise has trouble with, such as Thundurus, Dragonite, Zapdos, Gyarados, and predicted Talonflame and Mega Salamence switch-ins. Finally, Bullet Seed dents bulky Water- and Ground- types like Suicune, Rotom-W, Mamoswine and Hippowdon.
Set Details
========
Heracronite gives Heracross great offensive stats and an amazing ability. Before Mega Evolution, however, Guts can be used to absorb status moves so that it isn't crippled by burns and paralysis. A spread of 156 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpDef / 92 Spe ensures that Mega Heracross takes less residual damage from certain sources, while also outspeeding Cresselia.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Heracross functions as a good lead, because it has very few solid switch-ins. Heracross’s resistances can be exploited with relative ease. It can come in on a resisted hit, particularly Earthquake or Mach Punch, or a free switch, giving it the opportunity to Mega Evolve and wreak havoc. Since most physical and special walls have low damage output, Heracross can very easily switch in on them, provided it can take out that wall with its coverage moves. Slower and Suicune are prime examples, because prior to Mega Evolving, Heracross can switch into Scald without any fear of being KOed or burned. Speed control is a godsend for Mega Heracross, coming in the form of Thunder Wave and Trick Room, because it allows Mega Heracross to beat common offensive threats that would otherwise counter it. You might want to consider benching Heracross if the team preview seems unfavorable to it.
Team Options
========
Cresselia can sponge most powerful hits for Heracross and provide it with Trick Room, Thunder Wave, and Lunar Dance support. It can also serve as a check to a lot of Pokemon that are faster than Heracross, such as Blaziken, Mega Salamence, and Kangaskhan. Heatran can cover Heracross's weaknesses effectively and Heracross can break through special walls that Heatran can't get past, such as Chansey. Heatran also beats Talonflame extremely reliably, which is a huge benefit for Heracross. Answers to Fire- and Flying- types in general really help out Heracross, which can switch in on almost all of Heracross's attacks, save Rock Blast. Examples of these kinds of Pokemon include Rotom-Wash and Tyranitar. Thundurus deserves a special mention here, as not only can it beat Flying-types easily, but it can also spread paralysis throughout the opposing team. Landorus-Therian serves as a blanket check to a lot of the common Pokemon that threaten Heracross, such as Blaziken, Talonflame, and sometimes Mega Kangaskhan, and can provide it with U-turn, an effective way to switch in Heracross safely. In addition, Landorus-T has Intimidate, which can force a lot of switches and provide Heracross with great support. Greninja is a good choice to provide Mega Heracross with additional coverage that can hit common threats super-effectively, such as Garchomp and Gengar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Swords Dance can give Mega Heracross absolutely terrifying Attack, but it comes at the cost of coverage. A Jolly nature allows it to outspeed several bulkier Pokemon after Mega Evolution, such as Dragonite and Breloom, but it comes at the cost of much-appreciated bulk. Substitute serves as a means to dodge common status moves that physical walls tend to throw at it, such as Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp. Heracross can run a number of sets without its Mega Stone, but you'll usually want to opt for the higher attack and Skill Link. An Assault Vest set with Guts and Pursuit can lure in Mega Gengar, a common counter of Heracross. Heracross can also run a Choice Scarf, turning it into a revenge killer.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Talonflame**: While Talonflame has to be wary of the Rock Blast on the switch, Heracross has no chance of living a Brave Bird from any variant of Talonflame.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can trap Mega Heracross and burn it with a Will-O-Wisp, crippling it for the rest of the match.
**Fairy-Types**: Sporting a resistance to both of Heracross's STAB moves, Heracross can't do much to them, and they retaliate back with super-effective moves. Sylveon is a great example, with an ability to avoid the OHKO from anything Heracross can throw at it and fire off an incredibly powerful Hyper Voice.
**Mega Salamence**: Salamence can come in on Heracross taking little damage from its moves, except for Rock Blast, thanks to Intimidate. It can use Dragon Dance to turn itself into an offensive powerhouse, and decimates Heracross with Double-Edge, Return, or Hyper Voice.
**Faster Pokemon**: Although it has great bulk, a weakened Heracross can often be taken out by faster Pokemon with strong attacks, such as Garchomp's Outrage. Other notable examples of faster Pokemon include Charizard, Latios, and Mega Gardevoir.
**Blaziken**: Blaziken is faster than Heracross, and can hit it with a super-effective Flare Blitz. However, under Trick Room, Heracross can beat it out with Close Combat and Earthquake.
Mega Heracross has the highest base Attack stat in Battle Spot Singles. Couple that with its exceptional ability in Skill Link, making all its multi-hit moves hit the maximum number of times, and the moves it has to abuse this ability, and Mega Heracross is one of the best wallbreakers in the metagame. Mega Heracross’s coverage moves, including Pin Missile, Close Combat, Rock Blast, Bullet Seed, and Earthquake, are perfect for taking down the most common physical walls in Battle Spot, namely Cresselia, Suicune, and Zapdos. Aside from its offensive capabilities, its good all-around bulk before and after Mega-evolving allows it to take a few hits, and its defensive typing lets it resist common types, such as Ground and Fighting, giving it a good matchup against Pokemon like Mamoswine and Lucario. Despite all this, though, it still has trouble beating a number of common offensive Pokemon. A low base Speed in base forme and an even lower Speed in Mega forme means that it is outsped by a great number of the top offensive threats. On top of that, while its defensive typing gives it some good resistances, it also leaves it weak to some very common attacking types, such as Fire and Flying, which means immense pressure is put on it from Blaziken and Talonflame.
[SET]
Name: All-Out Attacker
Move 1: Pin Missile
Move 2: Close Combat
Move 3: Rock Blast
Move 4: Bullet Seed
Item: Heracronite
Ability: Guts
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpDef / 92 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pin Missile is the main STAB on this set, reaching an effective base power of 125 with Skill Link. Its primary targets are common Psychic-types like Cresselia and Slowbro, as well as Grass-types such as Serperior. It additionally comes with the added perk of being able to break Focus Sashes and Substitutes. Close Combat hits Steel- and Normal- types, including Mega Kangaskhan, Porygon2 and Heatran, for super effective damage. Alternatively, Earthquake is an option to nail Mawile and Aegislash. Rock Blast is Mega Heracross's best option for hitting the Flying-types that it otherwise has trouble with, such as Thundurus, Dragonite, Zapdos, Gyarados, and predicted Talonflame and Mega Salamence switch-ins. Finally, Bullet Seed dents bulky Water- and Ground- types like Suicune, Rotom-W, Mamoswine and Hippowdon.
Set Details
========
Heracronite gives Heracross great offensive stats and an amazing ability. Before Mega Evolution, however, Guts can be used to absorb status moves so that it isn't crippled by burns and paralysis. A spread of 156 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpDef / 92 Spe ensures that Mega Heracross takes less residual damage from certain sources, while also outspeeding Cresselia.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Heracross functions as a good lead, because it has very few solid switch-ins. Heracross’s resistances can be exploited with relative ease. It can come in on a resisted hit, particularly Earthquake or Mach Punch, or a free switch, giving it the opportunity to Mega Evolve and wreak havoc. Since most physical and special walls have low damage output, Heracross can very easily switch in on them, provided it can take out that wall with its coverage moves. Slower and Suicune are prime examples, because prior to Mega Evolving, Heracross can switch into Scald without any fear of being KOed or burned. Speed control is a godsend for Mega Heracross, coming in the form of Thunder Wave and Trick Room, because it allows Mega Heracross to beat common offensive threats that would otherwise counter it. You might want to consider benching Heracross if the team preview seems unfavorable to it.
Team Options
========
Cresselia can sponge most powerful hits for Heracross and provide it with Trick Room, Thunder Wave, and Lunar Dance support. It can also serve as a check to a lot of Pokemon that are faster than Heracross, such as Blaziken, Mega Salamence, and Kangaskhan. Heatran can cover Heracross's weaknesses effectively and Heracross can break through special walls that Heatran can't get past, such as Chansey. Heatran also beats Talonflame extremely reliably, which is a huge benefit for Heracross. Answers to Fire- and Flying- types in general really help out Heracross, which can switch in on almost all of Heracross's attacks, save Rock Blast. Examples of these kinds of Pokemon include Rotom-Wash and Tyranitar. Thundurus deserves a special mention here, as not only can it beat Flying-types easily, but it can also spread paralysis throughout the opposing team. Landorus-Therian serves as a blanket check to a lot of the common Pokemon that threaten Heracross, such as Blaziken, Talonflame, and sometimes Mega Kangaskhan, and can provide it with U-turn, an effective way to switch in Heracross safely. In addition, Landorus-T has Intimidate, which can force a lot of switches and provide Heracross with great support. Greninja is a good choice to provide Mega Heracross with additional coverage that can hit common threats super-effectively, such as Garchomp and Gengar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Swords Dance can give Mega Heracross absolutely terrifying Attack, but it comes at the cost of coverage. A Jolly nature allows it to outspeed several bulkier Pokemon after Mega Evolution, such as Dragonite and Breloom, but it comes at the cost of much-appreciated bulk. Substitute serves as a means to dodge common status moves that physical walls tend to throw at it, such as Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp. Heracross can run a number of sets without its Mega Stone, but you'll usually want to opt for the higher attack and Skill Link. An Assault Vest set with Guts and Pursuit can lure in Mega Gengar, a common counter of Heracross. Heracross can also run a Choice Scarf, turning it into a revenge killer.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Talonflame**: While Talonflame has to be wary of the Rock Blast on the switch, Heracross has no chance of living a Brave Bird from any variant of Talonflame.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can trap Mega Heracross and burn it with a Will-O-Wisp, crippling it for the rest of the match.
**Fairy-Types**: Sporting a resistance to both of Heracross's STAB moves, Heracross can't do much to them, and they retaliate back with super-effective moves. Sylveon is a great example, with an ability to avoid the OHKO from anything Heracross can throw at it and fire off an incredibly powerful Hyper Voice.
**Mega Salamence**: Salamence can come in on Heracross taking little damage from its moves, except for Rock Blast, thanks to Intimidate. It can use Dragon Dance to turn itself into an offensive powerhouse, and decimates Heracross with Double-Edge, Return, or Hyper Voice.
**Faster Pokemon**: Although it has great bulk, a weakened Heracross can often be taken out by faster Pokemon with strong attacks, such as Garchomp's Outrage. Other notable examples of faster Pokemon include Charizard, Latios, and Mega Gardevoir.
**Blaziken**: Blaziken is faster than Heracross, and can hit it with a super-effective Flare Blitz. However, under Trick Room, Heracross can beat it out with Close Combat and Earthquake.
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