So I finally did it! For about a year (with gaps of several months in between) I have had a goal in Pokemon: Win 200 Super Single battles with Mega-Lucario as the lead. I tried several combinations and though defensive pokemon would have made this easier, after losing on battle 1xx with a sub/seed Celesteela I added to the challenge that I would not be using defensive strategies as they bored the heck out of me. This team is the one that did it. If you're looking for a hyper-offensive team that can blaze through fights, here is one I recommend.
Lost at battle 206 in a way that always beat me. J3YW-WWWW-WWX9-32BT. I'll say more under threats
Here's the team
Lucario-Mega @ Lucarionite
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet Punch
- Substitute
The necessary part of the team, Lucario the non-setup-sweeper. A lot of battles, even higher up, just end with 3 Close Combats or maybe a Meteor Mash or 2. He makes a lot of fights trivial but has more than his fair share of hindrances. Mostly self explanatory. Get to know what you can and can't one shot because anything that hits decently strong will probably kill you if you don't kill it first. Bullet Punch to finish things off, or even straight up kill Carbink, A-Ninetales, or Some Aerodactyls and Rimbombees. Substitute is a move that changed around a lot, but although it kind of spits on my non-offensive approach, I think it is a necessary move to soak up status, scout, and even fish for misses on inaccurate moves, maybe even soften up an overheater or 2 before the switch. Needed for Mega-Gallade as he is unable to be 1-shot by Meteor Mash until after a def drop from close combat. My least favorite, but certainly necessary, move.
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Fly
- Outrage
This guy is famously effective as a tree set-up sweeper and mine is no different. I had fire punch over fly, but found fly more powerful and effective overall and scizor/ferrothorn/skarmory aren't concerning enough for me to run fire coverage. Fly also helps me stall out things like weather or trick room in a pinch. Dragon/flying is great complimentary typing for Lucario as it is immune to ground and resists fire and fighting. Convesely Lucario, if needed, can switch into a Dragon, Rock, or Ice move. If he's stuck in outrage and comes up against a fairy/steel well that's just food for Lucario anyway.
Golem @ Rockium Z
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Polish
- Sucker Punch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
This 3rd slot changed quite a bit, but once I picked Golem I knew I'd found my winning team. Mimikyu held the 3rd spot for a while but was ultimately innefective against the speedy electrics and powerful birds (Talonflame and Staraptor). I needed something to deal with what hit both dragonite and Lucario hard neutrally and so the major concerns were flying, electric, and psychic, though the only really dangerous psychic type was alakazam. not a lot can switch into focus blast and take a psychic well. While you may have noticed that golem doesn't really either, his access to sucker punch meant he killed alakazam, or knocked m-alakazam to 1hp (due to sturdy) for bullet punch to finish off, essentially making it a 2v2. He had 252 in hp and fire punch instead of rock polish initially, but transferring his hp to speed made all the difference in the world, paving the way to 200 wins. If he comes in on an electric or flying type he can rock polish and sometimes sweep outright. I decided Rockium-Z was best to ensure that he almost always had a guaranteed 1v1 win against most pokemon as there's not much that can handle z-stone edge + sucker punch. His speed investment also allowed me to use him as a Primirina switch in. Prim would activate sturdy on the switch but be outsped and ohko'ed by z-stone edge. Otherwise he is just an excellent revenge killer
Some usage notes for lead Lucario.
Arcanine- Close Comat if not intimidate, switch to d-nite if it is
Gyarados- Substitute. If he mega evolves then CC him because intimidate won't save him. If he DD's, CC as well because the AI seems to DD twice if you're behind the sub and you can kill him with 2 CC's and a BP
Gallade- Sub. If he mega evolves than the def drop he's going to get will be essential to ohko.
kangaskhan/weavile/ludicolo/shiftry etc.- Don't mega evolve on these guys right away as they are likely to fake you out and give you a speed boost that could help you out.
Alakazam- switch to golem and s-punch away
Infernape- sub so flare blitz breaks sash
Charizard- sub. If x, kill it. If y keep subbing to hope for a miss on heat wave. If not then it's been 4 turns and you can switch to golem as sun fades. You are then free to rock polish while he charges solar beam.
Rotom (all but fridge, just kill him) - Substitute to draw WoW or T-Wave. Then proceed to kill.
Heatran- Just hit him. If he's scarf or sash that's ok, because he's set-up fodder for d-nite
Threats
These things can really end the run. I'll start with the one that beat me the most
Noivern- Specifically king's rock Noivern. As a matter of fact, almost every time this team lost it was because of a flinch, or likely multiple flinches. If they lead with this guy he can't kill m-Luc without a crit so just meteor mash and hope for the odds to favor you. Other notable flinch monsters are Cynthia's togekiss with king's rock (grass knot gg golem) and the swift swim BEARTIC OF ALL THINGS that ended my run (With a little help from ludicolo fake out to finish off dragonite. Fear the flinches.
Staraptor- I never check sets, so I don't know which number is dangerous, but most of the time you want to switch dragonite in because he usually uses close combat (Or the useless endeavor), but if this guy leads with brave bird and follows up with fly z than bye-bye dragonite. It might be best to use the charts to find out if you're facing scarf, cause lucario can just ohko if he isn't scafed.
Salamence- Whichever one uses hydro pum/fire blast/ draco meteor. I see one of these and switch to d-nite for a hopeful earthquake, but if it's F-Blast than draco kills and I go to golem who polishes and gets hydro pumped. At that point I am at a big disadvantage, hoping for the right combination back-up pokemon. It may be a good idea to sub, but even then, there's no real safe switch.
Entei- Most of the time won't be ohko'ed and can't be safely switched into either. Sacrifice Lucario so that d-nite can set up 1 dd while eating a stone edge. Not a great position
Suicune/Wishiwashi- Both survive CC and might kill Lucario in return. There's nothing safe to switch into. Sub on wishi and he might rain dance or endeavor so it's not too bad.
Pelliper- Switch D-nite in. If he stockpiles you can dance. If he hits you just outrage right away and say goodbye to dragonite due to blizzard. Finish him with lucario. 2v2.
Bruxish/starmie/slowbro/slowking- Bruxish/starmie/Slowking are 2hko's with CC. After 1 they might kill you. You can sucker punch 2 of them to death but bruxish may have dazzling meaning you have to go to sturdy. Ouch. Slowbro however is the biggest problem for this team tank-wise, especially when mega'd. Access to blizzard and ability to suvive CC+ stone-z make this guy a 3hko that uses up the z move. Can definitely imagine a slowbro team taking this one down.
Jellicent- In line with the above mons, but not as bad. Subbing is usually fine as Jell will usually Trick Room or Will-O-Wisp. However luc may lose the 1v1 anyway. it's kind of 50/50. At least you can stall Trick Room with him.
Cynthia- Specifically if she leads with her own lucario. The best move is to just go straight for the kill. If you win the speed tie it's easy. Otherwise d-dance and kill lucario hoping she doesn't send togekiss out next. If she does, hope that garchomp isn't 3rd. If so, gg golem.
Thing that I hated with other teams that are now non-threats
Double Teamers- Rockium z for that zapdos. CC for regigigas. Steel type existing for Cresselia.
So that is my lengthy write-up on this team I am very proud of. Very fun, exciting, fast-paced, capable team...if you can get a SP Golem that is.
Lost at battle 206 in a way that always beat me. J3YW-WWWW-WWX9-32BT. I'll say more under threats
Here's the team
Lucario-Mega @ Lucarionite
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet Punch
- Substitute
The necessary part of the team, Lucario the non-setup-sweeper. A lot of battles, even higher up, just end with 3 Close Combats or maybe a Meteor Mash or 2. He makes a lot of fights trivial but has more than his fair share of hindrances. Mostly self explanatory. Get to know what you can and can't one shot because anything that hits decently strong will probably kill you if you don't kill it first. Bullet Punch to finish things off, or even straight up kill Carbink, A-Ninetales, or Some Aerodactyls and Rimbombees. Substitute is a move that changed around a lot, but although it kind of spits on my non-offensive approach, I think it is a necessary move to soak up status, scout, and even fish for misses on inaccurate moves, maybe even soften up an overheater or 2 before the switch. Needed for Mega-Gallade as he is unable to be 1-shot by Meteor Mash until after a def drop from close combat. My least favorite, but certainly necessary, move.
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Fly
- Outrage
This guy is famously effective as a tree set-up sweeper and mine is no different. I had fire punch over fly, but found fly more powerful and effective overall and scizor/ferrothorn/skarmory aren't concerning enough for me to run fire coverage. Fly also helps me stall out things like weather or trick room in a pinch. Dragon/flying is great complimentary typing for Lucario as it is immune to ground and resists fire and fighting. Convesely Lucario, if needed, can switch into a Dragon, Rock, or Ice move. If he's stuck in outrage and comes up against a fairy/steel well that's just food for Lucario anyway.
Golem @ Rockium Z
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Polish
- Sucker Punch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
This 3rd slot changed quite a bit, but once I picked Golem I knew I'd found my winning team. Mimikyu held the 3rd spot for a while but was ultimately innefective against the speedy electrics and powerful birds (Talonflame and Staraptor). I needed something to deal with what hit both dragonite and Lucario hard neutrally and so the major concerns were flying, electric, and psychic, though the only really dangerous psychic type was alakazam. not a lot can switch into focus blast and take a psychic well. While you may have noticed that golem doesn't really either, his access to sucker punch meant he killed alakazam, or knocked m-alakazam to 1hp (due to sturdy) for bullet punch to finish off, essentially making it a 2v2. He had 252 in hp and fire punch instead of rock polish initially, but transferring his hp to speed made all the difference in the world, paving the way to 200 wins. If he comes in on an electric or flying type he can rock polish and sometimes sweep outright. I decided Rockium-Z was best to ensure that he almost always had a guaranteed 1v1 win against most pokemon as there's not much that can handle z-stone edge + sucker punch. His speed investment also allowed me to use him as a Primirina switch in. Prim would activate sturdy on the switch but be outsped and ohko'ed by z-stone edge. Otherwise he is just an excellent revenge killer
Some usage notes for lead Lucario.
Arcanine- Close Comat if not intimidate, switch to d-nite if it is
Gyarados- Substitute. If he mega evolves then CC him because intimidate won't save him. If he DD's, CC as well because the AI seems to DD twice if you're behind the sub and you can kill him with 2 CC's and a BP
Gallade- Sub. If he mega evolves than the def drop he's going to get will be essential to ohko.
kangaskhan/weavile/ludicolo/shiftry etc.- Don't mega evolve on these guys right away as they are likely to fake you out and give you a speed boost that could help you out.
Alakazam- switch to golem and s-punch away
Infernape- sub so flare blitz breaks sash
Charizard- sub. If x, kill it. If y keep subbing to hope for a miss on heat wave. If not then it's been 4 turns and you can switch to golem as sun fades. You are then free to rock polish while he charges solar beam.
Rotom (all but fridge, just kill him) - Substitute to draw WoW or T-Wave. Then proceed to kill.
Heatran- Just hit him. If he's scarf or sash that's ok, because he's set-up fodder for d-nite
Threats
These things can really end the run. I'll start with the one that beat me the most
Noivern- Specifically king's rock Noivern. As a matter of fact, almost every time this team lost it was because of a flinch, or likely multiple flinches. If they lead with this guy he can't kill m-Luc without a crit so just meteor mash and hope for the odds to favor you. Other notable flinch monsters are Cynthia's togekiss with king's rock (grass knot gg golem) and the swift swim BEARTIC OF ALL THINGS that ended my run (With a little help from ludicolo fake out to finish off dragonite. Fear the flinches.
Staraptor- I never check sets, so I don't know which number is dangerous, but most of the time you want to switch dragonite in because he usually uses close combat (Or the useless endeavor), but if this guy leads with brave bird and follows up with fly z than bye-bye dragonite. It might be best to use the charts to find out if you're facing scarf, cause lucario can just ohko if he isn't scafed.
Salamence- Whichever one uses hydro pum/fire blast/ draco meteor. I see one of these and switch to d-nite for a hopeful earthquake, but if it's F-Blast than draco kills and I go to golem who polishes and gets hydro pumped. At that point I am at a big disadvantage, hoping for the right combination back-up pokemon. It may be a good idea to sub, but even then, there's no real safe switch.
Entei- Most of the time won't be ohko'ed and can't be safely switched into either. Sacrifice Lucario so that d-nite can set up 1 dd while eating a stone edge. Not a great position
Suicune/Wishiwashi- Both survive CC and might kill Lucario in return. There's nothing safe to switch into. Sub on wishi and he might rain dance or endeavor so it's not too bad.
Pelliper- Switch D-nite in. If he stockpiles you can dance. If he hits you just outrage right away and say goodbye to dragonite due to blizzard. Finish him with lucario. 2v2.
Bruxish/starmie/slowbro/slowking- Bruxish/starmie/Slowking are 2hko's with CC. After 1 they might kill you. You can sucker punch 2 of them to death but bruxish may have dazzling meaning you have to go to sturdy. Ouch. Slowbro however is the biggest problem for this team tank-wise, especially when mega'd. Access to blizzard and ability to suvive CC+ stone-z make this guy a 3hko that uses up the z move. Can definitely imagine a slowbro team taking this one down.
Jellicent- In line with the above mons, but not as bad. Subbing is usually fine as Jell will usually Trick Room or Will-O-Wisp. However luc may lose the 1v1 anyway. it's kind of 50/50. At least you can stall Trick Room with him.
Cynthia- Specifically if she leads with her own lucario. The best move is to just go straight for the kill. If you win the speed tie it's easy. Otherwise d-dance and kill lucario hoping she doesn't send togekiss out next. If she does, hope that garchomp isn't 3rd. If so, gg golem.
Thing that I hated with other teams that are now non-threats
Double Teamers- Rockium z for that zapdos. CC for regigigas. Steel type existing for Cresselia.
So that is my lengthy write-up on this team I am very proud of. Very fun, exciting, fast-paced, capable team...if you can get a SP Golem that is.