aerobee
Pure Hackmons
[SET]
name: Pursuit Trapper
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Trick-or-Treat / Gastro Acid / Sucker Punch / Spore
move 3: Knock Off / Sucker Punch
move 4: Water Shuriken
item: Lum Berry / Dread Plate
ability: Huge Power
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
in-battle alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its ludicrously powerful Huge Power-boosted attacks, solid overall bulk, potential mind games with Pursuit and Sucker Punch, and ability to threaten Shell Smash Primal Groudon with STAB Water Shuriken, Mega Gyarados is arguably the best revenge killer in the format. Pursuit is its most important move, notably threatening Giratina, and it potentially traps many Mold Breaker users that Mega Gyarados can survive a hit from; it heavily damages or OHKOes Primal Groudon, Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Dialga. Trick-or-Treat is an incredible tool for Mega Gyarados, making most Wonder Guard users weak to Pursuit and Sucker Punch to often outright remove them. Alternatively, Gastro Acid threatens Wonder Guard Mega Sableye and Xerneas reliant on Leftovers for recovery due to the threat of Knock Off; Gastro Acid also is passed by Baton Pass, and it threatens frail Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario, removing their immunity to Water Shuriken. However, Gastro Acid sacrifices some key KOs compared to Trick-or-Treat, like against Primal Kyogre and Slaking. Spore incapacitates Primal Groudon using King's Shield and Wonder Guard or Shadow Tag switch-ins, and it is rarely blocked due to the move's targets usually forgoing Safety Goggles. Mega Gyarados can also forgo running a utility move for an all-out attacker set with both Sucker Punch and Knock Off. Knock Off is a ridiculously powerful STAB attack that OHKOes Giratina and most neutral Pokemon and it severely chips extremely bulky sweepers like Primal Groudon and Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Xerneas. Alternatively, Sucker Punch creates mind games against offensive Shadow Tag users can that survive Water Shuriken but not Sucker Punch after minimal damage, like Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Rayquaza. Finally, Water Shuriken sets Mega Gyarados apart from other Huge Power Dark-types, allowing it to threaten Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie; it also breaks through Focus Sash, threatening extremely frail offensive Pokemon like Deoxys-A. Lum Berry prevents status from foes Mega Gyarados wants to Pursuit trap, like Giratina and Mold Breaker Mega Gengar, while Dread Plate enables key KOs, including Giratina with Pursuit after Stealth Rock, as well as Mega Mewtwo X and Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza with Sucker Punch or Pursuit. Investment in HP optimizes Mega Gyarados's overall bulk, avoiding the 2HKO from Modest Mega Gengar's Sludge Wave.
Mega Gyarados works best on teams that only have room for one revenge killer and have teammates that lure in threats it can Pursuit trap. Substitute + Baton Pass Xerneas fairly easily lures in the most significant of said threats, Primal Groudon, making it an amazing partner. Mega Gyarados also appreciates Xerneas passing Substitutes to it, giving it more chances to threaten opposing Wonder Guard users with Trick-or-Treat or Gastro Acid, particularly if it lacks Lum Berry. Mega Gyarados threatens the largest threats to the ubiquitous core of Giratina, Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, and Substitute + Baton Pass Xerneas, those being Mega Gengar and Mega Latios, though it struggles to consistently check the latter without Sucker Punch and careful play. Mega Gyarados also assists Giratina as a secondary check to Primal Groudon, as it can revenge kill Primal Groudon if Giratina is overwhelmed by disruption moves like Dark Void, Spore, and Taunt. In return, Giratina checks most Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers, which Mega Gyarados can't reliably threaten. Mega Gyarados also works well on teams with two Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, as it can threaten Wonder Guard users weak to Dark for them, such as Mega Mewtwo Y, Cresselia, and Dusclops, and opposing sweepers that can force Mega Mewtwo X out, like Mega Gengar and Mold Breaker Mega Mewtwo Y. It's alsovaluable alongside Protean Mega Latios or Mega Mewtwo Y because trapping Dark-weak Wonder Guard users, like minimum Speed Cresselia, Dusclops, and Mega Mewtwo Y lacking Baton Pass, allows these teammates to forgo coverage for them in favor of other threats. As Wonder Guard Xerneas is the most common switch-in to Mega Gyarados, Pokemon that take advantage of it coming in, such as Primal Groudon, Mega Gengar with Poison-type coverage, and Dialga with Steel-type coverage, are great teammates. Because Mega Gyarados is prone to entry hazards and opposing Pursuit users wearing it down over a game, Magic Bounce users, like Giratina, Yveltal, and rarer options in Registeel, Mega Steelix, and Mega Venusaur, are good partners. Finally, because Mega Gyarados dislikes burns, defensive Wonder Guard users are great teammates, especially ones that utilize Aromatherapy well like Primal Kyogre, Slaking, and Mega Scizor, and especially if Mega Gyarados forgoes Lum Berry.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Iron Head allows Mega Gyarados running Trick-or-Treat to threaten its most common switch-ins in Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Audino, OHKOing the former; however, its normal options are generally superior. Poison Jab is a very niche option on Gastro Acid sets that functions similarly to Iron Head, but also has a chance to poison foes, which can help create mind games. Stealth Rock is a niche option that capitalizes on Mega Gyarados's ability to force in Wonder Guard users. Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web are options, but extremely niche and generally outclassed by Stealth Rock on Mega Gyarados. Parting Shot retains momentum when the opponent switches, though an incorrect prediction can prove disastrous. Dark Void is an option over Spore to affect occasional Safety Goggles + Wonder Guard users, though Spore is generally preferred due to its perfect accuracy. Coverage moves like Fusion Bolt, Sacred Fire, Close Combat, and Thousand Arrows could be run to immediately threaten certain Wonder Guard users not weak to Dark or Water. Shed Shell is niche to escape Shadow Tag Slaking and Regigigas, which can be paired with Primal Groudon. Leftovers is another option that increases Mega Gyarados's longevity, but since the item reveals itself, it leaves Mega Gyarados prone to sleep from setup sweepers or burn from Prankster Giratina with Will-O-Wisp. Also, Mega Gyarados's listed items are generally very valuable. An alternative EV spread of 220 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Spe outspeeds Baton Pass Cresselia, and 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe outspeeds Magic Bounce Giratina and Meloetta not running minimum Speed, allowing Mega Gyarados to better check them. However, both spreads leave Mega Gyarados vulnerable to being OHKOed by Modest Mega Gengar's Sludge Wave.
Mega Gyarados can also run a Poison Heal set with 252 HP / 152 Def / 104 SpD and a Calm or Careful nature, allowing it to check a wide variety of Mold Breaker users when healthy; it enjoys spreading status with Will-O-Wisp or Psycho Shift, threatening Mold Breaker Shell Smash sweepers with Foul Play, and using a plethora of possible utility moves like Spiky Shield, King's Shield, Recover, Knock Off, and Stealth Rock. However, this set struggles to compete with the likes of Poison Heal Primal Kyogre and Magic Guard Ho-Oh as status-immune checks to Mold Breaker users, is prone to Choice item + Mold Breaker users powering through it, and is forced out by Mold Breaker Mega Diancie, Xerneas, and Wonder Guard Mega Gardevoir. Mega Gyarados can also run an offensive Mold Breaker set with Shell Smash, Beat Up or Knock Off, Crabhammer, and a utility move. Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados differentiates itself from Mega Tyranitar with its STAB Crabhammer and generally better defensive typing, granting it a better matchup against Huge Power Mega Gyarados, and from Wonder Guard Mega Gyarados with item freedom. However, lacking Mega Tyranitar's superior physical bulk leaves Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados more vulnerable to Shadow Tag Slaking and Regigigas, Pixilate Mega Diancie, and, in a one-on-one situation, Choice Band Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Wonder Guard Xerneas**: Wonder Guard Xerneas, especially Substitute + Baton Pass variants, can come in on Mega Gyarados lacking rare Steel- or Poison-type coverage with relative ease, threatening it with Moonblast. However, Xerneas variants not running Recover must be wary of losing its Leftovers to Knock Off.
**Priority Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers with priority moves like Huge Power Regigigas and Slaking, Shadow Tag Regigigas, and Pixilate Mega Diancie can avoid Mega Gyarados's Sucker Punch or Water Shuriken by moving first. However, most revenge killers are unable to switch in safely and need team support to get in.
**Status Users**: While Lum Berry is standard to circumvent this issue for much of the battle, status ailments are nevertheless an issue for Mega Gyarados, with burn from Will-O-Wisp especially hampering its revenge killing.
**Shadow Tag Users**: Offensive Shadow Tag users all threaten a weakened Mega Gyarados, and Mega Mewtwo X outright OHKOes it with a Choice Band-boosted Drain Punch. However, Mega Mewtwo X has a chance to get OHKOed by Sucker Punch without defensive EVs and is always OHKOed by Dread Plate-boosted Sucker Punch.
**Prankster + Destiny Bond**: Prankster + Destiny Bond users, most notably Giratina, can remove Mega Gyarados, making it easier for an offensive teammate such as Dark Void Primal Groudon, Mega Gengar, or Mold Breaker Mega Latios to set up and sweep.
**Imposter Chansey**: Imposter Chansey can transform into Mega Gyarados several times throughout a game and repeatedly chip it with Pursuit. However, Choice Scarf variants must be wary of Knock Off, as then Chansey can't reliably outspeed and revenge kill boosted threats.
**Wonder Guard Shell Smash Sweepers**: Offensive Wonder Guard users not weak to Mega Gyarados's STAB moves, such as Xerneas, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Lucario, cannot be revenge killed by Mega Gyarados and can switch into it without much difficulty. However, Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers must often be careful to avoid Knock Off—after Gastro Acid or Trick-or-Treat—ifthe coverage or Imposter-proofing from said item is useful in a particular matchup.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[Daylight, 562267], [berry, 226455], [NToTheN, 569731]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Adeleine, 517429]]
name: Pursuit Trapper
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Trick-or-Treat / Gastro Acid / Sucker Punch / Spore
move 3: Knock Off / Sucker Punch
move 4: Water Shuriken
item: Lum Berry / Dread Plate
ability: Huge Power
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
in-battle alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its ludicrously powerful Huge Power-boosted attacks, solid overall bulk, potential mind games with Pursuit and Sucker Punch, and ability to threaten Shell Smash Primal Groudon with STAB Water Shuriken, Mega Gyarados is arguably the best revenge killer in the format. Pursuit is its most important move, notably threatening Giratina, and it potentially traps many Mold Breaker users that Mega Gyarados can survive a hit from; it heavily damages or OHKOes Primal Groudon, Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Dialga. Trick-or-Treat is an incredible tool for Mega Gyarados, making most Wonder Guard users weak to Pursuit and Sucker Punch to often outright remove them. Alternatively, Gastro Acid threatens Wonder Guard Mega Sableye and Xerneas reliant on Leftovers for recovery due to the threat of Knock Off; Gastro Acid also is passed by Baton Pass, and it threatens frail Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario, removing their immunity to Water Shuriken. However, Gastro Acid sacrifices some key KOs compared to Trick-or-Treat, like against Primal Kyogre and Slaking. Spore incapacitates Primal Groudon using King's Shield and Wonder Guard or Shadow Tag switch-ins, and it is rarely blocked due to the move's targets usually forgoing Safety Goggles. Mega Gyarados can also forgo running a utility move for an all-out attacker set with both Sucker Punch and Knock Off. Knock Off is a ridiculously powerful STAB attack that OHKOes Giratina and most neutral Pokemon and it severely chips extremely bulky sweepers like Primal Groudon and Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Xerneas. Alternatively, Sucker Punch creates mind games against offensive Shadow Tag users can that survive Water Shuriken but not Sucker Punch after minimal damage, like Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Rayquaza. Finally, Water Shuriken sets Mega Gyarados apart from other Huge Power Dark-types, allowing it to threaten Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie; it also breaks through Focus Sash, threatening extremely frail offensive Pokemon like Deoxys-A. Lum Berry prevents status from foes Mega Gyarados wants to Pursuit trap, like Giratina and Mold Breaker Mega Gengar, while Dread Plate enables key KOs, including Giratina with Pursuit after Stealth Rock, as well as Mega Mewtwo X and Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza with Sucker Punch or Pursuit. Investment in HP optimizes Mega Gyarados's overall bulk, avoiding the 2HKO from Modest Mega Gengar's Sludge Wave.
Mega Gyarados works best on teams that only have room for one revenge killer and have teammates that lure in threats it can Pursuit trap. Substitute + Baton Pass Xerneas fairly easily lures in the most significant of said threats, Primal Groudon, making it an amazing partner. Mega Gyarados also appreciates Xerneas passing Substitutes to it, giving it more chances to threaten opposing Wonder Guard users with Trick-or-Treat or Gastro Acid, particularly if it lacks Lum Berry. Mega Gyarados threatens the largest threats to the ubiquitous core of Giratina, Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, and Substitute + Baton Pass Xerneas, those being Mega Gengar and Mega Latios, though it struggles to consistently check the latter without Sucker Punch and careful play. Mega Gyarados also assists Giratina as a secondary check to Primal Groudon, as it can revenge kill Primal Groudon if Giratina is overwhelmed by disruption moves like Dark Void, Spore, and Taunt. In return, Giratina checks most Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers, which Mega Gyarados can't reliably threaten. Mega Gyarados also works well on teams with two Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, as it can threaten Wonder Guard users weak to Dark for them, such as Mega Mewtwo Y, Cresselia, and Dusclops, and opposing sweepers that can force Mega Mewtwo X out, like Mega Gengar and Mold Breaker Mega Mewtwo Y. It's alsovaluable alongside Protean Mega Latios or Mega Mewtwo Y because trapping Dark-weak Wonder Guard users, like minimum Speed Cresselia, Dusclops, and Mega Mewtwo Y lacking Baton Pass, allows these teammates to forgo coverage for them in favor of other threats. As Wonder Guard Xerneas is the most common switch-in to Mega Gyarados, Pokemon that take advantage of it coming in, such as Primal Groudon, Mega Gengar with Poison-type coverage, and Dialga with Steel-type coverage, are great teammates. Because Mega Gyarados is prone to entry hazards and opposing Pursuit users wearing it down over a game, Magic Bounce users, like Giratina, Yveltal, and rarer options in Registeel, Mega Steelix, and Mega Venusaur, are good partners. Finally, because Mega Gyarados dislikes burns, defensive Wonder Guard users are great teammates, especially ones that utilize Aromatherapy well like Primal Kyogre, Slaking, and Mega Scizor, and especially if Mega Gyarados forgoes Lum Berry.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Iron Head allows Mega Gyarados running Trick-or-Treat to threaten its most common switch-ins in Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Audino, OHKOing the former; however, its normal options are generally superior. Poison Jab is a very niche option on Gastro Acid sets that functions similarly to Iron Head, but also has a chance to poison foes, which can help create mind games. Stealth Rock is a niche option that capitalizes on Mega Gyarados's ability to force in Wonder Guard users. Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sticky Web are options, but extremely niche and generally outclassed by Stealth Rock on Mega Gyarados. Parting Shot retains momentum when the opponent switches, though an incorrect prediction can prove disastrous. Dark Void is an option over Spore to affect occasional Safety Goggles + Wonder Guard users, though Spore is generally preferred due to its perfect accuracy. Coverage moves like Fusion Bolt, Sacred Fire, Close Combat, and Thousand Arrows could be run to immediately threaten certain Wonder Guard users not weak to Dark or Water. Shed Shell is niche to escape Shadow Tag Slaking and Regigigas, which can be paired with Primal Groudon. Leftovers is another option that increases Mega Gyarados's longevity, but since the item reveals itself, it leaves Mega Gyarados prone to sleep from setup sweepers or burn from Prankster Giratina with Will-O-Wisp. Also, Mega Gyarados's listed items are generally very valuable. An alternative EV spread of 220 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Spe outspeeds Baton Pass Cresselia, and 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe outspeeds Magic Bounce Giratina and Meloetta not running minimum Speed, allowing Mega Gyarados to better check them. However, both spreads leave Mega Gyarados vulnerable to being OHKOed by Modest Mega Gengar's Sludge Wave.
Mega Gyarados can also run a Poison Heal set with 252 HP / 152 Def / 104 SpD and a Calm or Careful nature, allowing it to check a wide variety of Mold Breaker users when healthy; it enjoys spreading status with Will-O-Wisp or Psycho Shift, threatening Mold Breaker Shell Smash sweepers with Foul Play, and using a plethora of possible utility moves like Spiky Shield, King's Shield, Recover, Knock Off, and Stealth Rock. However, this set struggles to compete with the likes of Poison Heal Primal Kyogre and Magic Guard Ho-Oh as status-immune checks to Mold Breaker users, is prone to Choice item + Mold Breaker users powering through it, and is forced out by Mold Breaker Mega Diancie, Xerneas, and Wonder Guard Mega Gardevoir. Mega Gyarados can also run an offensive Mold Breaker set with Shell Smash, Beat Up or Knock Off, Crabhammer, and a utility move. Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados differentiates itself from Mega Tyranitar with its STAB Crabhammer and generally better defensive typing, granting it a better matchup against Huge Power Mega Gyarados, and from Wonder Guard Mega Gyarados with item freedom. However, lacking Mega Tyranitar's superior physical bulk leaves Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados more vulnerable to Shadow Tag Slaking and Regigigas, Pixilate Mega Diancie, and, in a one-on-one situation, Choice Band Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Wonder Guard Xerneas**: Wonder Guard Xerneas, especially Substitute + Baton Pass variants, can come in on Mega Gyarados lacking rare Steel- or Poison-type coverage with relative ease, threatening it with Moonblast. However, Xerneas variants not running Recover must be wary of losing its Leftovers to Knock Off.
**Priority Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers with priority moves like Huge Power Regigigas and Slaking, Shadow Tag Regigigas, and Pixilate Mega Diancie can avoid Mega Gyarados's Sucker Punch or Water Shuriken by moving first. However, most revenge killers are unable to switch in safely and need team support to get in.
**Status Users**: While Lum Berry is standard to circumvent this issue for much of the battle, status ailments are nevertheless an issue for Mega Gyarados, with burn from Will-O-Wisp especially hampering its revenge killing.
**Shadow Tag Users**: Offensive Shadow Tag users all threaten a weakened Mega Gyarados, and Mega Mewtwo X outright OHKOes it with a Choice Band-boosted Drain Punch. However, Mega Mewtwo X has a chance to get OHKOed by Sucker Punch without defensive EVs and is always OHKOed by Dread Plate-boosted Sucker Punch.
**Prankster + Destiny Bond**: Prankster + Destiny Bond users, most notably Giratina, can remove Mega Gyarados, making it easier for an offensive teammate such as Dark Void Primal Groudon, Mega Gengar, or Mold Breaker Mega Latios to set up and sweep.
**Imposter Chansey**: Imposter Chansey can transform into Mega Gyarados several times throughout a game and repeatedly chip it with Pursuit. However, Choice Scarf variants must be wary of Knock Off, as then Chansey can't reliably outspeed and revenge kill boosted threats.
**Wonder Guard Shell Smash Sweepers**: Offensive Wonder Guard users not weak to Mega Gyarados's STAB moves, such as Xerneas, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Lucario, cannot be revenge killed by Mega Gyarados and can switch into it without much difficulty. However, Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers must often be careful to avoid Knock Off—after Gastro Acid or Trick-or-Treat—ifthe coverage or Imposter-proofing from said item is useful in a particular matchup.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[Daylight, 562267], [berry, 226455], [NToTheN, 569731]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Adeleine, 517429]]
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