Close Enough
[OVERVIEW]
Blastoise presents its well-rounded stats, good movepool, and great typing in pure Water to the metagame and cements itself as one of LGPE’s top mega evolutions. It's good bulk and excellent typing let it tank hits from the likes of Mega Aerodactyl, Alolan Dugtrio, and Rhydon and threaten them with Surf. Its excellent coverage in Ice Beam and Dark Pulse means that barring Pokemon with high special defense such as Vaporeon and Snorlax, there aren’t many Pokemon that don’t risk a big chunk of their HP when switching in. Aqua Jet also means that Blastoise can finish off weakened foes faster than it, especially when paired with Stealth Rock and chip damage from other teammates and itself. A pure Water-type is excellent in a meta dominated by Melmetal using Double Iron Bash constantly that’s also packaged with a Stealth Rock neutrality and a neutrality to a majority of Pokemon allowing it to further capitalize on its bulk. However, Blastoise's weaknesses are still very relevant. An Electric and Grass weakness means Zapdos and Jolteon threaten to remove a big chunk of its HP that while it still lives from full HP, it means that it likely will be unable to take another hit compromising its excellent bulk. Both Venusaurs and Alolan Exeggutor also threaten super effective Grass Type attacks but have to be cautious of Ice Beam if Mega Blastoise lives. Lastly, special walls such as Vaporeon and Snorlax along with Mega Gyarados can usually wall Mega Blastoise effectively.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Aqua Jet
nature: Modest
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Information
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Surf is a simple STAB move that OHKOs usually OHKOs every Water weak Pokemon in the tier while providing excellent neutral damage while 2HKOing Melmetal after Stealth Rock. Ice Beam hits Zapdos and the Grass Types for super effective damage. Dark Pulse has a fair chance to 2HKO Mew and always 2HKOs Starmie.. Aqua Jet can finish off faster and weakened targets such as Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill. Despite utilizing a physical attack, a Modest Nature is prefered to maximize damage without compromising any of Blastoise’s other stats, while the Attack decrease can cause Aqua Jet to fall short of killing, it will rarely come into play while the Special Attack increase will often be noticable.
Usage Tips
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Blastoise should be used in the midgame and lategame where its biggest threats such as Zapdos and Veneusaur have sustained chipped damage and its bulk can be utilized to the fullest. It should come in on things it threatens such as Alolan Dugtrio and Rhydon after a teammate has fainted or after being brought in by U-turn safely. Blastoise can usually tank a hit or two from most Pokemon so if its HP is preserved well, it can take extra KOs on a weakened Mew, Zapdos, and Starmie. It can also be used to outspeed and 2HKO Melmetal and doesn’t fear an OHKO in return from Melmetal. Aqua Jet can be used to pick off weakened foes if they are within range to be KO’d or a final bit of chip damage before Blastoise goes down.
Team Options
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Jolteon and Zapdos are excellent Mega Blastoise partners that can handle the bulky Waters and in the case of Jolteon Electric-types that Mega Blastoise struggles to deal with. In return Blastoise threatens the Ground-types that stonewall Zapdos and Jolteon as well as utilizing its wallbreaking power to allow the Electric to clean up lategame. Alolan Dugtrio is another excellent teammate that checks Zapdos and outspeeds Mew and Zapdos.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Scald and Hydro Pump are alternative Water-type STABs that can be used for their burn chance and power respectively, but Surf is preferred for its accuracy and power. Dragon Tail can replace Aqua Jet or Dark Pulse giving Blastoise a phayzing option to catch incoming switches and accumulate chip damage from both Dragon Tail and Stealth Rock but is generally not recommended as it compromises coverage or discards the valuable priority that heavily compliments Mega Blastoise's playstyle.
Checks and Counters
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Bulky Waters: Mega Gyarados and Vaporeon don’t take much damage and threaten to KO Blastoise faster than it can KO them or in the case of Mega Gyarados set up a substitute
Mega Venusaur and Venusaur: Both can outlast Mega Blastoise with Leech Seed and Mega Drain and offset the damage from Ice Beam
Electric Types: While Zapdos and Jolteon do not like getting hit with Ice Beam or Surf, they outspeed and cleanly 2HKO Mega Blastoise
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/grimtheimpy.688041/
Quality checked by:
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Grammar checked by:
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Last edited:
