InfernapeTropius11
get on my level
QC: Megazard / Zangooser / HunterStorm
GP: Haund / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Diancie's high Speed and access to Magic Bounce allow it to be a good lead and prevent Klefki, Darkrai, and Smeargle from spamming their status moves, giving it a firm niche in Anything Goes. Unfortunately, it can't take on the most prevalent entry hazard setters in the tier due to most of them carrying attacks that are super effective on it. Its low pre-Mega Evolution Speed means it can't outspeed most Pokemon in AG, particularly Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, Landorus, and Ho-Oh, forcing it to run Protect to ensure a safe Mega Evolution. While its post-Mega Evolution Speed tier is good, it still fails to outspeed notable Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Rayquaza and Jolly Arceus. However, Mega Diancie's high offensive stats and high-powered STAB attacks make it a great mixed wallbreaker that can be difficult to switch into due to its excellent offensive typing and good coverage options.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Diamond Storm
move 4: Protect
item: Diancite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Naive
evs: 80 Atk / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Moonblast hits threats such as Darkrai and Yveltal for super effective damage and is Mega Diancie's main attack to use against neutral targets. Earth Power is necessary for hitting Fire-types and Ground-types such as Klefki and Primal Groudon. Diamond Storm hits the various Flying-types in the tier, such as Ho-Oh and Lugia. It is also a physical attack, allowing Mega Diancie to break walls effectively with its mixed STAB attacks. Protect is mandatory for a safe Mega Evolution as well as scouting for Steel-type coverage, such as Klefki that use Flash Cannon or Iron Head. Mega Evolving safely with Protect against Primal Groudon in particular is fantastic, allowing Mega Diancie to switch in already Mega Evolved later in the match, as well as preventing Stealth Rock from going up on the first turn.
Set Details
========
Diancite allows Diancie to Mega Evolve and gain great offensive stats as well as Magic Bounce. Maximum Special Attack EVs increase Mega Diancie's power. 176 Speed EVs and a Naive nature are used to outspeed Adamant Mega Rayquaza and OHKO it with Moonblast, as well as outspeed positive-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon. Naive is the preferred nature over Hasty due to most priority, such as Extreme Speed from Mega Rayquaza and Arceus, being physical attacks. The remaining 80 EVs go into Attack to give Diamond Storm a boost in power.
Usage Tips
========
Against teams with Klefki, Smeargle, or Darkrai, Mega Diancie should often be your lead in order to gain Magic Bounce as soon as possible. After Mega Evolving, Mega Diancie should be switched in on these Pokemon every time, as well as on other predicted status moves, such as Stealth Rock. Against teams without these Pokemon, it should generally be used as a wallbreaker early on in the game, hopefully nabbing a KO or weakening a foe to the point where a teammate can finish up. Great targets in this scenario include Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Primal Groudon, as these all take a lot of damage from Mega Diancie and can be difficult for other Pokemon to defeat. Mega Diancie can also be used to clean up late game, after Arceus formes have been removed. Use Protect to scout for super effective coverage moves, to safely Mega Evolve, and to stall for passive damage from poison or burn if Mega Diancie's teammates run moves that induce those statuses. If Diancie is up against Deoxys-S, delaying its Mega Evolution by a turn can be handy so that Skill Swap does not remove Magic Bounce, allowing it to still bounce back entry hazards. Only switch Mega Diancie in on Pokemon such as Lugia, defensive Normal Arceus, and Mega Sableye that use status moves and can't do more than 30% to it, as it has relatively poor bulk.
Team Options
========
Ho-Oh is a great teammate, as it can easily and consistently switch in on the Ground- and Steel-type attacks aimed at Mega Diancie, and it appreciates the entry hazard support that Magic Bounce can provide. Defensive Yveltal can handle common offensive Arceus formes and Mega Rayquaza, all of which outspeed Mega Diancie if they run full Speed and can KO it with Earthquake. Primal Kyogre is also bulky enough to take on the various Steel-types in the tier that threaten Mega Diancie as well as Calm Mind Arceus formes that come in to try and set up on Mega Diancie. It also appreciates Klefki removed if it isn't running Rest. Sweepers such as Ground Arceus, non-Lum Berry Mega Rayquaza, and Xerneas appreciate Klefki and Darkrai out of the picture. Darkrai is a good teammate to put support Arceus formes to sleep with Dark Void, as these are generally the most consistent Mega Diancie switch-ins. Primal Groudon can check the Water-types that threaten Mega Diancie, such as Kyogre, Primal Kyogre, and Water Arceus. Giratina can switch in on Pokemon such as Mega Rayquaza and offensive Normal Arceus and phaze them with Dragon Tail or cripple them with Will-O-Wisp. Giratina-O can come in on Ground-type attacks aimed at Mega Diancie and provide Defog support if the opponent does get entry hazards up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Calm Mind and Rock Polish are options in the fourth slot to gain power and bulk or Speed; however, these are underwhelming most of the time, as Mega Diancie is not fast enough to run Calm Mind or strong enough to run Rock Polish. Stealth Rock can be usable, as Mega Diancie has an immunity to Taunt; however, it does not have the bulk to set it multiple times per match. A Rash nature is an option for increased power, but Naive is preferred in order to outspeed maximum Speed Yveltal, base 100s, and Adamant Mega Rayquaza. A Timid nature can be used if you want Speed without lowering Mega Diancie's defenses. Hidden Power Fire can be used to hit Skarmory and Ferrothorn for super effective damage, which is helpful for teammates such as Normal Arceus and Ground Arceus. Heal Bell is an option, as Mega Diancie is one of the few viable Pokemon in Anything Goes with the ability to remove status. Magnet Rise can be used to avoid Ground-type moves from the likes of Primal Groudon, Arceus formes, and Mega Rayquaza and do a lot of damage in return. The 80 Attack EVs can be moved to HP for a bit more bulk if that is desired over increased power for Diamond Storm. Diancie can alternatively run a bulkier spread of 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe with a Bold nature that enables more switch ins on Darkrai, allows it to take more Foul Play attacks, and in general increase its defensive capabilities to survive a lot of attacks that the offensive spread cannot, such as avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Band Ho-Oh's Brave Bird. It also outspeeds fully invested neutral-natured base 90 Speed Pokemon, such as Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, Dialga, and Ho-Oh.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Genesect, Aegislash, and Skarmory can tank both of Mega Diancie's STAB attacks and threaten to OHKO it with their Steel-type STAB attacks. Calm Mind Steel Arceus can easily set up on Mega Diancie.
**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Primal Groudon can survive an Earth Power and OHKO Mega Diancie. Calm Mind Ground Arceus uses Mega Diancie as setup bait.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Primal Kyogre and Water Arceus can take any attack from Mega Diancie and can OHKO it in return with their powerful Water-type STAB moves. Choice Scarf Kyogre can outspeed and OHKO Mega Diancie, and the Choice Specs set can also survive all of Mega Diancie's attacks and then OHKO it.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Arceus, Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf users such as Genesect and Xerneas can outspeed and KO Mega Diancie before getting KOed in return.
**Coverage**: Coverage moves such as Earthquake on Mega Rayquaza and Flash Cannon or Iron Head on Klefki threaten to KO Mega Diancie; however, this can be played around via good scouting with Protect.
GP: Haund / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Diancie's high Speed and access to Magic Bounce allow it to be a good lead and prevent Klefki, Darkrai, and Smeargle from spamming their status moves, giving it a firm niche in Anything Goes. Unfortunately, it can't take on the most prevalent entry hazard setters in the tier due to most of them carrying attacks that are super effective on it. Its low pre-Mega Evolution Speed means it can't outspeed most Pokemon in AG, particularly Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, Landorus, and Ho-Oh, forcing it to run Protect to ensure a safe Mega Evolution. While its post-Mega Evolution Speed tier is good, it still fails to outspeed notable Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Rayquaza and Jolly Arceus. However, Mega Diancie's high offensive stats and high-powered STAB attacks make it a great mixed wallbreaker that can be difficult to switch into due to its excellent offensive typing and good coverage options.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Diamond Storm
move 4: Protect
item: Diancite
ability: Clear Body
nature: Naive
evs: 80 Atk / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Moonblast hits threats such as Darkrai and Yveltal for super effective damage and is Mega Diancie's main attack to use against neutral targets. Earth Power is necessary for hitting Fire-types and Ground-types such as Klefki and Primal Groudon. Diamond Storm hits the various Flying-types in the tier, such as Ho-Oh and Lugia. It is also a physical attack, allowing Mega Diancie to break walls effectively with its mixed STAB attacks. Protect is mandatory for a safe Mega Evolution as well as scouting for Steel-type coverage, such as Klefki that use Flash Cannon or Iron Head. Mega Evolving safely with Protect against Primal Groudon in particular is fantastic, allowing Mega Diancie to switch in already Mega Evolved later in the match, as well as preventing Stealth Rock from going up on the first turn.
Set Details
========
Diancite allows Diancie to Mega Evolve and gain great offensive stats as well as Magic Bounce. Maximum Special Attack EVs increase Mega Diancie's power. 176 Speed EVs and a Naive nature are used to outspeed Adamant Mega Rayquaza and OHKO it with Moonblast, as well as outspeed positive-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon. Naive is the preferred nature over Hasty due to most priority, such as Extreme Speed from Mega Rayquaza and Arceus, being physical attacks. The remaining 80 EVs go into Attack to give Diamond Storm a boost in power.
Usage Tips
========
Against teams with Klefki, Smeargle, or Darkrai, Mega Diancie should often be your lead in order to gain Magic Bounce as soon as possible. After Mega Evolving, Mega Diancie should be switched in on these Pokemon every time, as well as on other predicted status moves, such as Stealth Rock. Against teams without these Pokemon, it should generally be used as a wallbreaker early on in the game, hopefully nabbing a KO or weakening a foe to the point where a teammate can finish up. Great targets in this scenario include Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Primal Groudon, as these all take a lot of damage from Mega Diancie and can be difficult for other Pokemon to defeat. Mega Diancie can also be used to clean up late game, after Arceus formes have been removed. Use Protect to scout for super effective coverage moves, to safely Mega Evolve, and to stall for passive damage from poison or burn if Mega Diancie's teammates run moves that induce those statuses. If Diancie is up against Deoxys-S, delaying its Mega Evolution by a turn can be handy so that Skill Swap does not remove Magic Bounce, allowing it to still bounce back entry hazards. Only switch Mega Diancie in on Pokemon such as Lugia, defensive Normal Arceus, and Mega Sableye that use status moves and can't do more than 30% to it, as it has relatively poor bulk.
Team Options
========
Ho-Oh is a great teammate, as it can easily and consistently switch in on the Ground- and Steel-type attacks aimed at Mega Diancie, and it appreciates the entry hazard support that Magic Bounce can provide. Defensive Yveltal can handle common offensive Arceus formes and Mega Rayquaza, all of which outspeed Mega Diancie if they run full Speed and can KO it with Earthquake. Primal Kyogre is also bulky enough to take on the various Steel-types in the tier that threaten Mega Diancie as well as Calm Mind Arceus formes that come in to try and set up on Mega Diancie. It also appreciates Klefki removed if it isn't running Rest. Sweepers such as Ground Arceus, non-Lum Berry Mega Rayquaza, and Xerneas appreciate Klefki and Darkrai out of the picture. Darkrai is a good teammate to put support Arceus formes to sleep with Dark Void, as these are generally the most consistent Mega Diancie switch-ins. Primal Groudon can check the Water-types that threaten Mega Diancie, such as Kyogre, Primal Kyogre, and Water Arceus. Giratina can switch in on Pokemon such as Mega Rayquaza and offensive Normal Arceus and phaze them with Dragon Tail or cripple them with Will-O-Wisp. Giratina-O can come in on Ground-type attacks aimed at Mega Diancie and provide Defog support if the opponent does get entry hazards up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Calm Mind and Rock Polish are options in the fourth slot to gain power and bulk or Speed; however, these are underwhelming most of the time, as Mega Diancie is not fast enough to run Calm Mind or strong enough to run Rock Polish. Stealth Rock can be usable, as Mega Diancie has an immunity to Taunt; however, it does not have the bulk to set it multiple times per match. A Rash nature is an option for increased power, but Naive is preferred in order to outspeed maximum Speed Yveltal, base 100s, and Adamant Mega Rayquaza. A Timid nature can be used if you want Speed without lowering Mega Diancie's defenses. Hidden Power Fire can be used to hit Skarmory and Ferrothorn for super effective damage, which is helpful for teammates such as Normal Arceus and Ground Arceus. Heal Bell is an option, as Mega Diancie is one of the few viable Pokemon in Anything Goes with the ability to remove status. Magnet Rise can be used to avoid Ground-type moves from the likes of Primal Groudon, Arceus formes, and Mega Rayquaza and do a lot of damage in return. The 80 Attack EVs can be moved to HP for a bit more bulk if that is desired over increased power for Diamond Storm. Diancie can alternatively run a bulkier spread of 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe with a Bold nature that enables more switch ins on Darkrai, allows it to take more Foul Play attacks, and in general increase its defensive capabilities to survive a lot of attacks that the offensive spread cannot, such as avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Band Ho-Oh's Brave Bird. It also outspeeds fully invested neutral-natured base 90 Speed Pokemon, such as Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, Dialga, and Ho-Oh.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Genesect, Aegislash, and Skarmory can tank both of Mega Diancie's STAB attacks and threaten to OHKO it with their Steel-type STAB attacks. Calm Mind Steel Arceus can easily set up on Mega Diancie.
**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Primal Groudon can survive an Earth Power and OHKO Mega Diancie. Calm Mind Ground Arceus uses Mega Diancie as setup bait.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Primal Kyogre and Water Arceus can take any attack from Mega Diancie and can OHKO it in return with their powerful Water-type STAB moves. Choice Scarf Kyogre can outspeed and OHKO Mega Diancie, and the Choice Specs set can also survive all of Mega Diancie's attacks and then OHKO it.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Arceus, Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf users such as Genesect and Xerneas can outspeed and KO Mega Diancie before getting KOed in return.
**Coverage**: Coverage moves such as Earthquake on Mega Rayquaza and Flash Cannon or Iron Head on Klefki threaten to KO Mega Diancie; however, this can be played around via good scouting with Protect.
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