approved by AM
taken over from Recreant
original thread here
Altaria, in the recent transition to ORAS, has gained a lot of popularity and viability alike, rising from the depths of PU to top-tier OU S Rank, and for good reason. Boasting a gigantic amount of resistances and defensive utility to go along with its already great bulk, allowing it to counter and force out a large number of Pokemon in OU, such as Keldeo and Mega Lopunny, as well as decent offenses combined with an excellent ability in Pixilate allows it to hit hard on both sides of the spectrum, making it extremely unpredictable. Its versatility also lets it utilize many sets effectively, including, but not limited to, offensive and defensive Dragon Dance sets, Specially Attacking sets, defensive cleric sets etc. In addition, it has access to a stellar boosting move in Dragon Dance, and due to its unique typing it can set up on many common threats.
However, it is hampered by a poor Speed stat, sitting at a below-average 80, which means it is outsped by many Pokemon such as Landorus and Mega Metagross. In addition, it may have four-moveslot-syndrome sometimes, as if it lacks a certain move it cannot get past a certain Pokemon, such as without Fire Blast it does not beat Ferrothorn.
Movesets:
"Offensive Dragon Dance"
Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Natural Cure / Cloud Nine
EVs: 16 HP / 252 Atk / 240 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Return
- Earthquake
- Roost
This set makes use of Altaria's access to the coveted Dragon Dance, turning it into a terrifying sweeper that is both powerful and fast simultaneously. It's natural bulk coupled with a great typing allows it to set up on many common Pokemon. Return is the obligatory STAB, reaching a staggering 200 BP after factoring in the Pixilate and STAB boost, and provides good neutral coverage against most of the metagame, including the omnipresent Dark- and Fighting-types inhabiting the tier. Earthquake deals with bulky Steel-, Fire- and Poison-types which resist Return, such as Jirachi, Heatran and Tentacruel. Lastly, Roost provides reliable recovery for Altaria, allowing it to set up easier.
240 Speed EVs allows Altaria to outspeed Weavile after a Dragon Dance. 252 EVs are invested into the Attack stat for maximum power, and the rest are dumped into HP for some bulk. More Speed or HP investment could be run to reach certain benchmarks, such as 220 Speed for Tornadus-T and Mega Pidgeot, 184 EVs for Raikou and Starmie, and 160 EVs for Thundurus.
Another option for an EV spread would be 56 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe with a Jolly Nature, which allows it to outspeed Jolly base 70s such as Breloom and Bisharp, and beneficial natured base 135s and below such as Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny.
"Special Attacker"
Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Natural Cure / Cloud Nine
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake / Draco Meteor / Toxic
- Roost
Mega Altaria can also make use of it's decent Special Attack stat, as it has access to Pixilate and a good coverage move in Fire Blast. Its Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice packs great power, consistency, and coverage, as well as the occasionally handy ability to bypass Substitutes. Fire Blast provides good coverage, dealing with a vast realm of Steel-types resisting Hyper Voice such as Ferrothorn, Scizor and Skarmory. Earthquake deals with the rest of the Steel-types that are neutral to/immune to Fire Blast, such as Empoleon and Heatran, as well as Fire- and Poison-types such as Victini and Tentacruel. However, other candidates for this slot include Draco Meteor, which allows Altaria to get past Fire-types such as Talonflame, and Toxic, which wears down Altaria's common switch-ins such as Slowking and Unaware Clefable. Finally, Roost provides reliable recovery and let's Altaria become a good tank.
A Timid nature is used so that Altaria can be as fast as possible, resulting in it outspeeding key Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Heracross, Jolly Bisharp, Adamant Lucario and Timid Heatran, as well as Speed tying with opposing Altaria and Mamoswine. Using a Modest nature is an option for even more power, although Mega Altaria doesn't gain too many notable KOs with it. Investment in bulk at the cost of either power or Speed is also an option to tank attacks more effectively.
"Support"
Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Bold Nature / Impish Nature / Relaxed Nature
- Hyper Voice / Return
- Roost
- Earthquake / Flamethrower / Roar / Perish Song
- Heal Bell
taken over from Recreant
original thread here
#334 - Altaria
<->
"The Humming Pokemon"
"The Humming Pokemon"
Base Stats:
(Base Forme): 75 HP / 70 Atk / 90 Def / 70 SpA / 105 SpD / 80 Spe
(BST): 490
(Mega Forme): 75 HP / 110 Atk / 110 Def / 110 SpA / 105 SpD / 80 Spe
(BST): 590
Abilities:
Natural Cure: The Pokemon’s status (Burn, Paralyze, Sleep, Poison, Freeze) is healed when withdrawn from battle.
Cloud Nine (HA): All weather effects are negated while the Pokémon is on the field.
Pixilate (Mega): Increases the power of Normal-type moves by 30%. It then changes those moves to Fairy-type.
Notable Moves:
(STAB in Bold Blue)
(Base Forme): 75 HP / 70 Atk / 90 Def / 70 SpA / 105 SpD / 80 Spe
(BST): 490
(Mega Forme): 75 HP / 110 Atk / 110 Def / 110 SpA / 105 SpD / 80 Spe
(BST): 590
Abilities:
Natural Cure: The Pokemon’s status (Burn, Paralyze, Sleep, Poison, Freeze) is healed when withdrawn from battle.
Cloud Nine (HA): All weather effects are negated while the Pokémon is on the field.
Pixilate (Mega): Increases the power of Normal-type moves by 30%. It then changes those moves to Fairy-type.
Notable Moves:
(STAB in Bold Blue)
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
- Return / Frustration
- Double-Edge
- Body Slam
- Draco Meteor
- Hyper Voice
- Sky Attack
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake
- Cotton Guard
- Heal Bell
- Roost
- Refresh
- Perish Song
- Toxic
- Agility
- Roar
Altaria, in the recent transition to ORAS, has gained a lot of popularity and viability alike, rising from the depths of PU to top-tier OU S Rank, and for good reason. Boasting a gigantic amount of resistances and defensive utility to go along with its already great bulk, allowing it to counter and force out a large number of Pokemon in OU, such as Keldeo and Mega Lopunny, as well as decent offenses combined with an excellent ability in Pixilate allows it to hit hard on both sides of the spectrum, making it extremely unpredictable. Its versatility also lets it utilize many sets effectively, including, but not limited to, offensive and defensive Dragon Dance sets, Specially Attacking sets, defensive cleric sets etc. In addition, it has access to a stellar boosting move in Dragon Dance, and due to its unique typing it can set up on many common threats.
However, it is hampered by a poor Speed stat, sitting at a below-average 80, which means it is outsped by many Pokemon such as Landorus and Mega Metagross. In addition, it may have four-moveslot-syndrome sometimes, as if it lacks a certain move it cannot get past a certain Pokemon, such as without Fire Blast it does not beat Ferrothorn.
Movesets:
"Offensive Dragon Dance"
Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Natural Cure / Cloud Nine
EVs: 16 HP / 252 Atk / 240 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Return
- Earthquake
- Roost
This set makes use of Altaria's access to the coveted Dragon Dance, turning it into a terrifying sweeper that is both powerful and fast simultaneously. It's natural bulk coupled with a great typing allows it to set up on many common Pokemon. Return is the obligatory STAB, reaching a staggering 200 BP after factoring in the Pixilate and STAB boost, and provides good neutral coverage against most of the metagame, including the omnipresent Dark- and Fighting-types inhabiting the tier. Earthquake deals with bulky Steel-, Fire- and Poison-types which resist Return, such as Jirachi, Heatran and Tentacruel. Lastly, Roost provides reliable recovery for Altaria, allowing it to set up easier.
240 Speed EVs allows Altaria to outspeed Weavile after a Dragon Dance. 252 EVs are invested into the Attack stat for maximum power, and the rest are dumped into HP for some bulk. More Speed or HP investment could be run to reach certain benchmarks, such as 220 Speed for Tornadus-T and Mega Pidgeot, 184 EVs for Raikou and Starmie, and 160 EVs for Thundurus.
Another option for an EV spread would be 56 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe with a Jolly Nature, which allows it to outspeed Jolly base 70s such as Breloom and Bisharp, and beneficial natured base 135s and below such as Mega Manectric and Mega Lopunny.
"Special Attacker"
Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Natural Cure / Cloud Nine
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake / Draco Meteor / Toxic
- Roost
Mega Altaria can also make use of it's decent Special Attack stat, as it has access to Pixilate and a good coverage move in Fire Blast. Its Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice packs great power, consistency, and coverage, as well as the occasionally handy ability to bypass Substitutes. Fire Blast provides good coverage, dealing with a vast realm of Steel-types resisting Hyper Voice such as Ferrothorn, Scizor and Skarmory. Earthquake deals with the rest of the Steel-types that are neutral to/immune to Fire Blast, such as Empoleon and Heatran, as well as Fire- and Poison-types such as Victini and Tentacruel. However, other candidates for this slot include Draco Meteor, which allows Altaria to get past Fire-types such as Talonflame, and Toxic, which wears down Altaria's common switch-ins such as Slowking and Unaware Clefable. Finally, Roost provides reliable recovery and let's Altaria become a good tank.
A Timid nature is used so that Altaria can be as fast as possible, resulting in it outspeeding key Pokemon such as Jolly Mega Heracross, Jolly Bisharp, Adamant Lucario and Timid Heatran, as well as Speed tying with opposing Altaria and Mamoswine. Using a Modest nature is an option for even more power, although Mega Altaria doesn't gain too many notable KOs with it. Investment in bulk at the cost of either power or Speed is also an option to tank attacks more effectively.
"Support"
Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Bold Nature / Impish Nature / Relaxed Nature
- Hyper Voice / Return
- Roost
- Earthquake / Flamethrower / Roar / Perish Song
- Heal Bell
Because of Altaria's good bulk and great typing, it can act as a great defensive pivot as well. Hyper Voice is the main STAB move of the set, providing much needed coverage, stops Altaria from being taunt bait, and hits physically defensive foes such as Landorus-T and Slowbro for more damage. On the other hand, Return is generally stronger and can exploit the weaker physical defense of some important threats in the tier; Assault Vest Conkeldurr, Mega Gallade, Mega Gyarados, and Thundurus are all OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage, while Assault Vest Azumarill, Mega Beedrill, Sylveon, and Eviolite-less Chansey are threatened by a clean 2HKO. Earthquake or Flamethrower provide additional coverage, ensuring that Altaria is not completely fodder or setup bait for Fire-, Poison- and Steel-types. Roar is a great utility move, forcing out Pokemon that may switch into Altaria into unwanted switch-ins, letting Altaria gain momentum. Perish Song is also a good support option, countering setup sweepers such as Mega Latias and Suicune. Lastly, Heal Bell gives Altaria additional utility and provides invaluable support to the team in the form of clearing their status.
The EV spread above, in tandem with a Bold, Impish or Relaxed Nature, allows Altaria to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Icy Wind, Fire Blast from Modest Mega Charizard Y, Earthquake from Adamant Max Attack Landorus-T, and Psyshock from Life Orb Latios. Cloud Nine is used so that Altaria can switch-in and check weather sweepers such as Kingdra, Swampert and Mega Charizard Y.
Other Moves and Sets:
Cotton Guard + Dragon Dance Mega Altaria is an underrated yet effective set, as shown by Style in the Smogon Tournament, and makes Altaria both fast, powerful and bulky; however it loses out on Earthquake coverage as most sets run it in tandem with Roost.
Agility Mega Altaria is a good late-game cleaner, however it does not have much power and Mega Altaria is not really supposed to be a sweeper.
Dragon Claw / Outrage on the Dragon Dance set allows Altaria to power through its usual checks and counters such as Talonflame, but is otherwise quite redundant with Return.
Physically Defensive Mega Altaria with Draco Meteor to counter Mega Charizard X, but is incredibly situtational and loses coverage.
Conclusion:
Mega Altaria is a metagame-defining threat, and is not to be a Pokemon unprepared for, especially with its versatility. What are other effective EV spreads for Altaria? How does Altaria cope with the plethora of Steel-, Fire- and Poison-types in OU? What other sets are viable?
The EV spread above, in tandem with a Bold, Impish or Relaxed Nature, allows Altaria to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Icy Wind, Fire Blast from Modest Mega Charizard Y, Earthquake from Adamant Max Attack Landorus-T, and Psyshock from Life Orb Latios. Cloud Nine is used so that Altaria can switch-in and check weather sweepers such as Kingdra, Swampert and Mega Charizard Y.
Other Moves and Sets:
Cotton Guard + Dragon Dance Mega Altaria is an underrated yet effective set, as shown by Style in the Smogon Tournament, and makes Altaria both fast, powerful and bulky; however it loses out on Earthquake coverage as most sets run it in tandem with Roost.
Agility Mega Altaria is a good late-game cleaner, however it does not have much power and Mega Altaria is not really supposed to be a sweeper.
Dragon Claw / Outrage on the Dragon Dance set allows Altaria to power through its usual checks and counters such as Talonflame, but is otherwise quite redundant with Return.
Physically Defensive Mega Altaria with Draco Meteor to counter Mega Charizard X, but is incredibly situtational and loses coverage.
Conclusion:
Mega Altaria is a metagame-defining threat, and is not to be a Pokemon unprepared for, especially with its versatility. What are other effective EV spreads for Altaria? How does Altaria cope with the plethora of Steel-, Fire- and Poison-types in OU? What other sets are viable?
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