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Pet Mod Legends Z-A OU
- Thread starter dhelmise
- Start date
Thank you for doing this! Here are some of my suggestions.
Dragonite-Mega:
New Ability: No Guard
Reasoning: The Nite has had access to all of the low accuracy big special moves, like Blizzard/Thunder/Fire Blast/Focus Blast/Hurricane, but the acc makes most of them generally unusable. I think drag would be a super cool bulky special breaker with this.
Pyroar-Mega:
New Ability: Grim Neigh (edit: or soul heart)
Reasoning: Pyroar was done dirty by getting Moxie back in the day. Drought is probably better but I think he deserves justice.
Victreebel-Mega:
New Ability: Corrosion + Merciless combination
Reasoning: Please show him some love.
needs to be competitive in 2025. (cope)
Dragonite-Mega:New Ability: No Guard
Reasoning: The Nite has had access to all of the low accuracy big special moves, like Blizzard/Thunder/Fire Blast/Focus Blast/Hurricane, but the acc makes most of them generally unusable. I think drag would be a super cool bulky special breaker with this.
Pyroar-Mega:New Ability: Grim Neigh (edit: or soul heart)
Reasoning: Pyroar was done dirty by getting Moxie back in the day. Drought is probably better but I think he deserves justice.
Victreebel-Mega:New Ability: Corrosion + Merciless combination
Reasoning: Please show him some love.
This may be what
needs to be competitive in 2025. (cope)Seconded for filter, he looks like a tank. Filter or battle armor fit his design visually I think.
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Mega Evolution: Mega Garchomp
New Ability: Dragon's Maw
Reasoning: It has a magnificent Jawline and needs better than sand force in a Meta without smooth rock. Cool hazards setter that threatens excadrill as a spinner, too.
New Ability: Dragon's Maw
Reasoning: It has a magnificent Jawline and needs better than sand force in a Meta without smooth rock. Cool hazards setter that threatens excadrill as a spinner, too.
the fact this is a real dedicated format now is dope. can’t wait for mega barbaracle to rip it to shreds
couple of suggestions:
mold breaker makes sense for this but i’m actually super partial to sand force. i think a lot of its mechanical identity lies in its relationship to sand, and pre-mega sand rush to force switches and post-mega sand force with the general stat boost and rapid spin speed boosts sounds unbelievably cool.
i think filter or natural cure would pair well with this. filter lets it have more leeway into random poison coverage, letting its generally unique defensive profile do more work and letting meganium stay on the field longer. conversely, natural cure would make it an incredible midground switchin, soaking knock and status while also having nice supportive tools like leech seed that pairs well with the gameplan natural cure encourages. natural cure flavorfully works because of the meganium line’s association with healing aromas, but filter i think works because of its layered flowers and how plants often filter through light and co2 to photosynthesize efficiently.
i would like to add some support for shed skin. similar to meganium with natural cure, being able to soak knock and status reliably really helps expand its applications, especially now that it has parting shot. can pair well with bulky rest sets and different blends of setup, and also has great chemistry with pre-mega intimidate. flavorfully scrafty’s color palette is very much more evocative of actual shed lizard skin, so i think it just makes a lot of sense for the mega to adopt it full time.
couple of suggestions:
mold breaker makes sense for this but i’m actually super partial to sand force. i think a lot of its mechanical identity lies in its relationship to sand, and pre-mega sand rush to force switches and post-mega sand force with the general stat boost and rapid spin speed boosts sounds unbelievably cool.
i think filter or natural cure would pair well with this. filter lets it have more leeway into random poison coverage, letting its generally unique defensive profile do more work and letting meganium stay on the field longer. conversely, natural cure would make it an incredible midground switchin, soaking knock and status while also having nice supportive tools like leech seed that pairs well with the gameplan natural cure encourages. natural cure flavorfully works because of the meganium line’s association with healing aromas, but filter i think works because of its layered flowers and how plants often filter through light and co2 to photosynthesize efficiently.
i would like to add some support for shed skin. similar to meganium with natural cure, being able to soak knock and status reliably really helps expand its applications, especially now that it has parting shot. can pair well with bulky rest sets and different blends of setup, and also has great chemistry with pre-mega intimidate. flavorfully scrafty’s color palette is very much more evocative of actual shed lizard skin, so i think it just makes a lot of sense for the mega to adopt it full time.
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A few thoughts on possible abilities:Thanks to emillight, Meteordash, Kennedy, Eli, and Sectonia for letting me bounce ideas off of them while writing/coding this!
Current Ability Assignments
Clefable-Mega: Serene Grace
I opted for Serene Grace over Aerilate or Magic Guard because its Pokedex entry describes it being very timid, and I also feel like Aerilate is way too anticipated/overdone. Open to other ideas though.
It's constantly described as being able to corrode steel with its venom, so I felt like this was somewhat anticipated. I also changed Corrosion to hit Steel-types neutrally to make it more than just an ability decided via flavor.
Starmie-Mega: Pure Power, -40 Atk
I feel like this was pretty expected. It gets the typical 40% Attack stat boost every other Huge/Pure Power Pokemon got in PLZA.
HEAR ME OUT!!!!! Its Mega Pokedex entry is Mega Evolution has excessively powered up this Pokémon's feelings of kindness. It finishes off its opponents with mercy in its heart. , so I felt like Soul-Heart fits this perfectly.
I feel like most people expected Flower Veil, and while I'm open to that, I couldn't really go off of its Pokedex entry because it only says something about having strong Solar Beams. This felt balanced by it not learning Draining Kiss (because priority Fairy STAB is insane with 145 Special Attack).
Feraligatr-Mega: Dragon's Maw
While I feel like most people anticipated Strong Jaw or Tough Claws as an ability, I'll be blunt: I hate Strong Jaw as an ability. It's so lame on everything that isn't Bruxish because all of the bite moves that are common have 65 Base Power and are still pretty meh when boosted. Dragon's Maw still plays off of the Mega Pokedex entry about Mega Feraligatr's jaw fin being 10x stronger than its normal jaw in concept and directly benefits Feraligatr's new STAB.
Skarmory-Mega: Tough Claws
This felt kinda hand-in-hand, or should I say hand-in-talon. Open to suggestions.
Gallade-Mega: Sharpness
What? This isn't a new mega?! Steadfast sucks.
Froslass-Mega: Snow Warning
While I think most people were expecting some typical Ghost ability (Shadow Tag, Cursed Body, etc) or Refrigerate, I wanted to give a creative spin on Froslass-Mega's design and dex entry while still still giving it something it could directly benefit from. Snow will help boost its Defense and let it hit its Blizzards.
Emboar-Mega: Supreme Overlord
Another somewhat expected one, Mega Emboar's entry is Brandishing a blazing flame shaped like a serpentine spear, it rushes in to rescue its imperiled allies., which fits pretty aptly. Open to suggestions though.
I couldn't really think of an ability for this but I also didn't want to give it something that would make it awfully broken (i.e. Sand Rush), so I just settled on Mold Breaker. Open to suggestions.
Audino-Mega: Regenerator
What? This isn't a new mega either?! Healer is worse than Steadfast.
Scolipede-Mega: Merciless
I was really lost on what to give this, so I just decided on Merciless because its pokedex entry says that its venom makes it stronger. Open to suggestions.
I had the opposite issue on Scrafty. It has like 4 or 5 abilities it could justifiably have. Shed Skin, Intimidate, and Moxie all fit lore and dex wise, but I opted away from Intimidate because double Intimidate seems like hell and a free Dragon Dance simultaneously. I also thought of Rough Skin because its mega dex entry says its shed skin becomes rough, but I wasn't sure. Open to input here too!
Eelektross-Mega: Levitate
As much as I wanted to give this Transistor or Electric Surge, one of my friends pointed out to me that all of the other Levitate Megas kept Levitate post-Mega Evolution, so I kept it here for now. I still think another ability is better so feel free to provide input.
Chandelure-Mega: Flash Fire
Every single ability I thought of for this would make it insanely broken (Shadow Tag, Wonder Guard to name a few), so I just opted to keep Flash Fire. Open to suggestions.
Chesnaught-Mega: Protective Thorns
New ability alert! It feels like the whole point of Mega Chesnaught's design is to discourge coming close to it, so Protective Thorns was designed to keep some aspects from pre-Mega (Bulletproof) and combine it with other flavor elements (Iron Barbs). So this ability is Bulletproof + Iron Barbs.
Delphox-Mega: Levitate
I almost opted for Magic Guard here, but I feel like Levitate is just more fitting design-wise. Open to suggestions.
Greninja-Mega: Battle Bond
This isn't the typical Battle Bond that exists in S/V. It's more akin to the Gen 7 version of Battle Bond. I did this because it's clear this is Game Freak's replacement for Ash-Greninja; when Mega Evolving in game, Mega Greninja's Water Shuriken becomes a 1-hit move and insanely strong. Thus, the new Battle Bond does the following:After KOing a Pokemon: +1 Atk/SpA/Spe. Water Shuriken while Mega: 75 power, hits 1x.
As much as I wanted to think of something more creative to give this, it just sucks so I frankly wanted to give it a bit of a boost in its ability. Open to ideas. I considered doing Unaware to riff off of the "the lion does not concern himself" memes but decided to restrain myself.
Dragalge-Mega: Regenerator
My friends and I were really debating whether it should keep Adaptability or get Regenerator, as its Mega Dex entry is It spits a liquid that causes the regenerative power of cells to run wild. The liquid is deadly poison to everything other than itself.. Open to feedback on this, but I think one of the two abilities fits best.
Floette-Mega: Ange
Another new ability! Eternal Floette was STORY SPOILERS: made from absorbing the life force from all of Pokemon around it, and Mega Floette's dex entry says that it absorbs the energy from Mega Evolution and that its flower now attacks Pokemon on its own. Therefore, I made this the ability:Gain 1/12 of max HP at the end of every turn. If the opposing Pokemon is a Mega Evolution, that Pokemon loses 1/10 max HP every turn and this Pokemon absorbs the HP lost.
This was the only non-custom ability this Pokemon could justifiably have with how generally bad its stats are. Open to suggestions.
Barbaracle-Mega: Skill Link
With Shell Smash in its arsenal, I was trying to figure out an ability that wont immediately send this over the edge but is still fun to work with, so I settled on Skill Link, since it will allow Barbaracle to have a more reliable Rock-type STAB. Open to ideas though.
Hawlucha-Mega: Luchador's Pride
New ability! Hawlucha's viability in its base form is very Unburden-centric, so I wanted to take something Speed related into its Mega while incorporating its dex entry (Mega Evolution has pumped up all its muscles. Hawlucha flexes to show off its strength.) without giving a flat [x]-move power boost. Thus, Luchador's Pride:This Pokemon's Speed is raised by 1 stage if it attacks and knocks out another Pokemon.
Zygarde-Mega: Power Break
I was initially going to do something based around Mega Zygarde's in-game boss battle where it ignores every move immunity, but I have since discovered that is story-specific and also frankly still obnoxiously broken, so I just kept Aura Break. Especially now that it will be in the same caliber as Xerneas/Yveltal, its ability won't be entirely useless.
Drampa-Mega: Drizzle
Mega Drampa's dex entry describes it summoning storm clouds, so this felt kinda like a shoo-in. Open to ideas though.
Falinks-Mega: Brass Bond
Another new ability! Dex entry: Mega Falinks has taken on the ultimate battle formation, which can be achieved only if the troopers and brass have the strongest of bonds., I wanted to do something similar to Parental Bond, but I feel like Parental Bond doesn't fit this design flavor-wise, so I made a different version:This Pokemon's damaging moves hit 3x. The second and third hits do 1/10 of the original damage.. This might seem a bit obnoxious on paper, but Falinks doesnt get any moves like Super Fang or Seismic Toss, so it has a lot less room to abuse thithoughts I have on so
Dragonite - It should be Multiscale. We already have precedence for Megas getting their broken base form hidden abilities (Blaziken), base Multiscale + Soul-Heart would be WAY too good, and it gives a chance for people to use some base Inner Focus to block Intimidates.
Excadrill - Why not Tough Claws? Fits well thematically and basically powers up every move he uses besides Earthquake and Rock Slide. Even in the case of Earthquake you've got great alternatives in Drill Run and Stomping Tantrum, with ST gaining a whopping 195 BP if used after failing.
Eelektross - I get keeping Levitate, but why not give him a little something extra? Like a new ability called something like "Magnetic Pulse" and make it Levitate + Electromorphosis. Have some fun with it.
Chandelure - Hmm, a bit trickier, but I think I've two potential options: either 1) Beserk, as it's dex entry says it literally uses hatred and spite as a fuel source for its fire, or 2) the VERY overlooked ability Perish Body, as its dex also states one of its eyes is a window to the afterlife. Both work, and I think both would be super fun to use.
Greninja - I wouldn't get too fancy with this. I'd either just give him modern Battle Bond (which honestly might be a little TOO good) or Skill Link. Giving him both is a bit much on a mon with stats comparable to Dragapult.
Pyroar - I'd actually suggest a new ability that functions like Storm Drain and Lightning Rod, but for Fire-Type moves. Call it something like "Flame Swallower." Actually gives the mega great utility in addition to boosting its lackluster stats.
Drampa - Honestly, I'm fine with keeping Beserk, as it was his signature ability in Gen VII, and it still fits his mega pretty well.
Falinks - Not too fond of that ability, as it's not only weaker than Parental Bond (only offering a 20% boost to power over 25%), but it means using Close Combat once will lower your defenses by 3 stages, guaranteeing an easy revenge kill. I think abilities like Scrappy or Sturdy fits Falinks better, as they're these toughened soldiers who will overcome impossible odds and fight to the bitter end a la 300. Actually, why not combine both those abilities together? Call it "Warrior's Resolve" or something like that. Both those abilities together might be a bit too good with its mega stats + No Retreat, in which case just default back to one of the two, but I think it could work.
Mega Evolution: Mega Excadrill
New Ability: Steelworker
Reasoning: It is a dig Pokémon. Mega evo makes it even better at digging, and since its most exaggerated feature is now the steel claws and helmet, this sounds reasonable.
also, Nerf Mega Gren water Shuriken to 60BP pls
And don't allow HDB, just deal better with Hazards cmon a fifth of the dex got Defog in their MOvepool since it's natdex, not hard to fit into team.
New Ability: Steelworker
Reasoning: It is a dig Pokémon. Mega evo makes it even better at digging, and since its most exaggerated feature is now the steel claws and helmet, this sounds reasonable.
also, Nerf Mega Gren water Shuriken to 60BP pls
And don't allow HDB, just deal better with Hazards cmon a fifth of the dex got Defog in their MOvepool since it's natdex, not hard to fit into team.
IMO a ban on the megas that were clearly and obviously broken in full power formats (M Mence, M Luc etc) would probably be for the best. would help the overall playability of the metagame. if Luc had no counters with 800 mons idk whats gonna stop it now.
awesome mod tho. few other bullet points
-allow the choice items if you allow boots, at that point matching the ingame flavor is out the window. would also help combat bulkier stuctures that could arise w boots
-Mega Chand needs something non flash fire related
-a Nat Dex ladder would be epic
-Speed Boost Malamar or we riot
awesome mod tho. few other bullet points
-allow the choice items if you allow boots, at that point matching the ingame flavor is out the window. would also help combat bulkier stuctures that could arise w boots
-Mega Chand needs something non flash fire related
-a Nat Dex ladder would be epic
-Speed Boost Malamar or we riot
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Hear me out for Barbaracle. What if....we went with what the Pokémon description says and we build into that.
we can work with the idea that it uses it's many hands. And while skill link would be good, it doesn't really have that many mutli moves unless you add new multi moves to it. However you could give it some more appeal to using the mutli hit move without just slapping on Skill-link for the Pokémon by introducing utility or we give just another ability
Dazing Hits: This Pokémon multi attacks will now always do 3 hits, but can go to the max by chance, and now every physical contact move now has a 10 % to cause confusion status (or maybe make accuracy go down by one level.) basically this could the multi hit attack it does have utility as every hit now can possible cause the effect, and now it has on every physical attack. If you want you can just tweak it so single hit moves have a better chance but I think 10% would be enough.)
Pummel: Attacks now just only have a 10% chance to cause confusion, and if the opponents confused, you now 1.25 multiplayer to your damage on physical contact moves. (Basically would be the idea is that they will take advantage of their status state, you could just go the route of it just applies to any status effect. But this is probably fine.
Or we could maybe give it something like Anger Shell to give the idea that it going try to focus in if starts taking too much damage, and maybe not focusing on defense as an afterthought. I was thinking about something like parental bond...but seeing that it has power up punch....I don't think it's that good of an idea.
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Haven't taken a look at the tier for too long but this looks very promising, excited to see how this metagame plays out for the time being. One small idea I would like to propose is to change mega pyroars ability to simple over drought. At the end of the day mega pyroar has a more simple (see what I did there) mega design compared to many of the other additions, and this would give it a fun and unique place in the metagame with you being able to run work up sets and actually have the lion do something than a second drought mega.
But yeah this is sweet that this is an actual metagame even if it is a pet mod so big shoutouts to yall who set this up.
But yeah this is sweet that this is an actual metagame even if it is a pet mod so big shoutouts to yall who set this up.
Mega Evolution: Mega MalamarNew Ability: Hypnotic Rhythm
Ability Description: This Pokemon every other turn has guaranteed secondary effects on attacks. (Protect and a attack doesn't cause this ability to work). It has record of what turn its affects on after a switch out and back in.
Reasoning: With its dex entry saying It uses its colorful lights to overwrite the personalities and memories of others—and to control them in this way the ability makes sure this happens after a certain amount of time has passed ie 1 turn.
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Most of the Abilities are what you can expect when Champions arrives, but some are a little weird.
For example: Mega Delphox ability is even a downside IMO. Yes, it gains a Ground inmunity but at the cost of killing one the bigger strong points of Delphox, Expanding Force.
My suggestion would be, either Fur Coat (it has a literal Magician Coat made of well, Fur, and not a high Defense stat to balance things out) or Psychic Surge (the boring but effective option); but if you ask me, its design screams something like Parental Bond only for Fire Attacks (and pairs well with Mystical Fire or Heat Wave).
Another case is Mega Chandelure. I don't see a problem on giving it the (almost) expected Shadow Tag giving its story with this Ability, specially in a world where Mega Gengar exists.
Mega Scolipede needs something more fitting for whatever Game Freak was trying to do with it when they thought making a bulky slow Mega Scolipede was a good idea, something like Stamina could work i guess, but imo it will have a completely new ability.
Also, i would definitely keep Adaptability for Mega Dragalge if you ask me.
For example: Mega Delphox ability is even a downside IMO. Yes, it gains a Ground inmunity but at the cost of killing one the bigger strong points of Delphox, Expanding Force.
My suggestion would be, either Fur Coat (it has a literal Magician Coat made of well, Fur, and not a high Defense stat to balance things out) or Psychic Surge (the boring but effective option); but if you ask me, its design screams something like Parental Bond only for Fire Attacks (and pairs well with Mystical Fire or Heat Wave).
Another case is Mega Chandelure. I don't see a problem on giving it the (almost) expected Shadow Tag giving its story with this Ability, specially in a world where Mega Gengar exists.
Mega Scolipede needs something more fitting for whatever Game Freak was trying to do with it when they thought making a bulky slow Mega Scolipede was a good idea, something like Stamina could work i guess, but imo it will have a completely new ability.
Also, i would definitely keep Adaptability for Mega Dragalge if you ask me.
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Mega Scolipede should get a ability called Toxic Body it will poison the target 30 % of the time when making contact with Mega Scolipede.
Scoli needs to keep speed boost how you going to nerf him with merciless when game freak already nerfed him with the massive speed drop. Scoli is basically unusable with merciless like why would anyone use scoli over any of the other megas??? Speed boost at least gives it some viability. Other than that looks pretty good
Since we are allowing combined abilities (Chesnaught) I believe the same should be done for Eelektross.
Some new ability that combines Levitate with either Electric Surge or Transistor. Not mentioning Surge Surfer because I don't think we have any setters (though levitate+surge surfer would be the ideal ability imo)
Note that if Levitate+Electric Surge is done, the ability should probably be coded to allow the user to benefit from terrain (since levitate would deny that otherwise)
Some new ability that combines Levitate with either Electric Surge or Transistor. Not mentioning Surge Surfer because I don't think we have any setters (though levitate+surge surfer would be the ideal ability imo)
Note that if Levitate+Electric Surge is done, the ability should probably be coded to allow the user to benefit from terrain (since levitate would deny that otherwise)
Mega Evolution: Mega Pyroar
New Ability: Lion's Share +1 SpA boost upon KO
Reasoning: It's ZA dex entry says The male with the largest mane of fire is the leader of the pride. It feels right to me that a leader who defeats its opponents only grows stronger with power. And would do it justice to use the stat that it wants instead of Moxie.
New Ability: Lion's Share +1 SpA boost upon KO
Reasoning: It's ZA dex entry says The male with the largest mane of fire is the leader of the pride. It feels right to me that a leader who defeats its opponents only grows stronger with power. And would do it justice to use the stat that it wants instead of Moxie.
Floette-Mega: Magic GuardReasoning:
While the custom ability is flashy and all, in game you can see it not taking damage from Light of Ruin despite its expected recoil, which indicates some flavour of Magic Guard.
Also, on the topic of Scolipede, I think Merciless fits for flavour if nothing else, and having that ability not locked on a defensive sponge for once would be nice.
Mega Evolution: Mega Scolipede
New Ability: Shining Poison
Abiilty Effect: Merciless + Can't miss moves on Poisoned targets.
Reasoning: it has shining poison! that's in its pokédex desc! it affects its mind, so making it never miss would be cool, esp with megahorn and Gunk shot as Stabs.
Mega Evolution: Eelektross
New Ability: Plasma Charge
Ability Effect: Every electric move has a 20% chance to burn the target.
Reasoning: it generates 10 times more electricity than before. many Many electricity makes heat which burns idk i didn't study physics much. it's either that or electric can hit ground and I'm not hyped about 135 special attack Free volt switches even in a meta with 700 hazards per game.
Mega Evolution: Mega Scizor
New Ability: Energy Outburst
Ability Effect: the first 3 hits of Mega Scizor do 1.5x damage. does not reset upon switch out
Reasoning: Half of its Pokedex descriptions are essentially "yeah it has GARBAGE stamina and will DIE if you make it fight for too long" and it's outclassed as a Bullet Punch spammer by Base scizor rn so yeah.
Mega Evolution: Mega Chandelure
New Ability: Levitate
Reasoning: Chandeliers really shouldn't be on the ground
New Ability: Shining Poison
Abiilty Effect: Merciless + Can't miss moves on Poisoned targets.
Reasoning: it has shining poison! that's in its pokédex desc! it affects its mind, so making it never miss would be cool, esp with megahorn and Gunk shot as Stabs.
Mega Evolution: Eelektross
New Ability: Plasma Charge
Ability Effect: Every electric move has a 20% chance to burn the target.
Reasoning: it generates 10 times more electricity than before. many Many electricity makes heat which burns idk i didn't study physics much. it's either that or electric can hit ground and I'm not hyped about 135 special attack Free volt switches even in a meta with 700 hazards per game.
Mega Evolution: Mega Scizor
New Ability: Energy Outburst
Ability Effect: the first 3 hits of Mega Scizor do 1.5x damage. does not reset upon switch out
Reasoning: Half of its Pokedex descriptions are essentially "yeah it has GARBAGE stamina and will DIE if you make it fight for too long" and it's outclassed as a Bullet Punch spammer by Base scizor rn so yeah.
Mega Evolution: Mega Chandelure
New Ability: Levitate
Reasoning: Chandeliers really shouldn't be on the ground
I will share the abilities I gave to some of them in my own Solomod, it's kinda opinionated, I'll share the stuff I enjoyed:
I agree with other people, Aerilate makes the most sense, come on it barely has any Flying move. Aerilate or Magic Guard may be boring but they are the most likely options.
I already shared it, but Drizzle, for a Hurricane/Hydro-Pump/Thunder set. I do like Soul-Heart tho.
I tried to be original and give it Prankster, because Prankster Topsy-Turvy is a huge middle finger to any setup sweeper without Magic Bounce or Dark type. It doesn't work well in higher tiers, I'll be funny and say Prankster + Contrary? Would be funny.
In my mod it got Disillusioned, an ability that gives it a Fairy immunity, but I find Regenerator to be a cool idea as well, with that bulk. Helps a lot.
It got the modified version of Shadow Tag, aka no Pokémon on the field can heal. Otherwise I remember Bobsican bringing up Nightmare Heart from M4A, I like the idea.
I agree with other people, Aerilate makes the most sense, come on it barely has any Flying move. Aerilate or Magic Guard may be boring but they are the most likely options. I already shared it, but Drizzle, for a Hurricane/Hydro-Pump/Thunder set. I do like Soul-Heart tho. I tried to be original and give it Prankster, because Prankster Topsy-Turvy is a huge middle finger to any setup sweeper without Magic Bounce or Dark type. It doesn't work well in higher tiers, I'll be funny and say Prankster + Contrary? Would be funny. In my mod it got Disillusioned, an ability that gives it a Fairy immunity, but I find Regenerator to be a cool idea as well, with that bulk. Helps a lot. It got the modified version of Shadow Tag, aka no Pokémon on the field can heal. Otherwise I remember Bobsican bringing up Nightmare Heart from M4A, I like the idea.
Mega Evolution:
New Ability: Dictator
Ability Description: TL;DR - Inverse Battles. As long as Mega Malamar is in the field, the type chart is reversed. 4x resists become 4x weaknesses, immunities become regular weaknesses, etc.
Reasoning: Goes in line with both Malamar's upside-down theme and the Mega's trailer where it's shown affecting an entire city into worshipping it. Having a useful ability that isn't Contrary allows it to make use of its special movepool through Nasty Plot or Calm Mind, which would set it apart from the base form and fit its brainy, skinnier look. While a 4x weakness to Psychic may seem like a problem, it can fight back against it with its own STAB and gains a niche by being one of the few Pokemon who doesn't carry a weakness to Bug under Dictator. Additionally, perhaps it would even want to rack up some Superpower boosts at base form before actually Mega Evolving.
New Ability: Dictator
Ability Description: TL;DR - Inverse Battles. As long as Mega Malamar is in the field, the type chart is reversed. 4x resists become 4x weaknesses, immunities become regular weaknesses, etc.
Reasoning: Goes in line with both Malamar's upside-down theme and the Mega's trailer where it's shown affecting an entire city into worshipping it. Having a useful ability that isn't Contrary allows it to make use of its special movepool through Nasty Plot or Calm Mind, which would set it apart from the base form and fit its brainy, skinnier look. While a 4x weakness to Psychic may seem like a problem, it can fight back against it with its own STAB and gains a niche by being one of the few Pokemon who doesn't carry a weakness to Bug under Dictator. Additionally, perhaps it would even want to rack up some Superpower boosts at base form before actually Mega Evolving.
Magic Bounce is an interesting option IMO. It still feeds into how it interacts with status moves, but in a more active way.
I opted for Serene Grace over Aerilate or Magic Guard because its Pokedex entry describes it being very timid, and I also feel like Aerilate is way too anticipated/overdone. Open to other ideas though.
I feel like the flavour text kind goes against the idea of Supreme Overlord. If we want to be cruel, give it Long Reach (thanks to the spear). If we want to be generous, give it No Guard or a variant of Guard Dog.
Another somewhat expected one, Mega Emboar's entry is Brandishing a blazing flame shaped like a serpentine spear, it rushes in to rescue its imperiled allies., which fits pretty aptly. Open to suggestions though.
Steelworker makes sense to me. Steel is pretty under-used as an attacking type so this gives Excadrill a lot more punch to its power.
I couldn't really think of an ability for this but I also didn't want to give it something that would make it awfully broken (i.e. Sand Rush), so I just settled on Mold Breaker. Open to suggestions.
I was thinking Wonder Skin. It's a pretty underrated ability and great for something that that much bulk. Also, the Pokédex says its shedded skin becomes "tough and supple", not rough.
I had the opposite issue on Scrafty. It has like 4 or 5 abilities it could justifiably have. Shed Skin, Intimidate, and Moxie all fit lore and dex wise, but I opted away from Intimidate because double Intimidate seems like hell and a free Dragon Dance simultaneously. I also thought of Rough Skin because its mega dex entry says its shed skin becomes rough, but I wasn't sure. Open to input here too!
Were people genuinely wanting Wonder Guard on this thing? Christ, this isn't /r/Stunfisk Sunday. I personally see Sheer Force being a good fit.
Every single ability I thought of for this would make it insanely broken (Shadow Tag, Wonder Guard to name a few), so I just opted to keep Flash Fire. Open to suggestions.
How about Dazzling? Fits the flavour text well and compliments Mega Delphox is stats and type. Ended up moving Levitate to Greninja since that flavour text explicitly says it hovers in the air.
I almost opted for Magic Guard here, but I feel like Levitate is just more fitting design-wise. Open to suggestions.
Speed Boost or Prankster maybe? Honestly there's pretty much no saving this thing outside of a bonkers ability like Wonder Guard or auto-Trick Room.
This was the only non-custom ability this Pokemon could justifiably have with how generally bad its stats are. Open to suggestions.
I made the very cruel decision to give it Hustle as a way to marginally balance out its insane power without a completely negative ability. Basically opening up more while it threatens to delete your team. If we want to be more generous, Sharpness or Technician are fun options.
With Shell Smash in its arsenal, I was trying to figure out an ability that wont immediately send this over the edge but is still fun to work with, so I settled on Skill Link, since it will allow Barbaracle to have a more reliable Rock-type STAB. Open to ideas though.
Gonna have to say I support Drizzle on Dragonite. Soul Heart is a signature ability, so it doesn't fit much. Aerilate is frankly boring, lame, and repetitive, we already have Salamence, every hackrom gives Aerilate to Mega Dragonite because they want to see it with Extreme Speed, and it doesn't even go with the Mega stats very well. Drizzle is creative and offers great synergy with its special movepool - and if it would be broken, it's because Dragonite is a 700 BST behemoth with a great base ability too, it's not the ability itself being totally bonkers for a Dragon / Flying Pokémon in a vacuum.