[SET]
name: Level 2 Mega Sableye
move 1: Psycho Shift
move 2: Curse / Substitute
move 3: Pain Split
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Flame Orb
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Relaxed
level: 2
evs: 76 HP
in-battle-alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Not much likes switching into level 2 Mega Sableye because it can take huge chunks out of foes's health with Curse and Pain Split. Wonder Guard shields it from most attacks: otherwise, basically every attack would OHKO it. It is at level 2 with 76 HP EVs to hit an HP stat of 15, which minimizes burn damage as a percentage of maximum HP. With Wonder Guard and one weakness, its defenses rarely matter anyway, so reducing the effect of burn on its health matters more than reducing attack damage. Its low HP stat also synergizes well with Pain Split, letting it completely heal and effectively halve the foe's remaining HP. Curse + Pain Split means passive Wonder Guard users cannot outstall Mega Sableye, as they will lose more than 50% of their maximum HP every turn, so even if they always recover, they will eventually faint. Psycho Shift is used for its 100% accuracy and ability to bypass Magic Bounce, and with burns from Flame Orb, it cripples some of the most popular Pokemon in the tier like Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Gyarados, and Giratina. Mega Sableye uses Baton Pass over Parting Shot to capitalize on the switches it forces without worrying about Magic Bounce users stealing momentum. It can run Substitute to block a hit from a Mold Breaker user or a Fairy-type attack, and Substitute also synergizes well with Baton Pass.
Level 2 Mega Sableye fits best on bulky offense teams, which cover for its lack of defensive utility outside of Wonder Guard while capitalizing on the pressure it puts on opposing teams. Blissey and Giratina are notable teammates for checking a large swath of Mold Breaker users, and Shadow Tag Primal Groudon can trap and eliminate the most common Taunt user in Mega Beedrill. Mold Breaker Primal Groudon with Pursuit can be used to Imposter-proof Mega Sableye effectively. Substitute Mega Rayquaza works well with Mega Sableye, since Mega Rayquaza's checks are usually passive, which Sableye preys upon. A Substitute-passing teammate can be valuable to protect Mega Sableye from Mold Breaker or Fairy-type attacks once, allowing it more freedom to mess with the opponent's team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Sableye can run a Toxic Orb as its item, which forces it to switch more but lets Psycho Shift threaten Primal Groudon. Protection moves like Spiky Shield and King's Shield can be used for scouting and the unique benefit of the specific choice, like Spiky Shield chipping contact attackers. Other pivoting moves can be run over Baton Pass, and other recovery moves can be run instead of Pain Split. Mega Sableye can use other support moves as well, such as entry hazards, Aromatherapy, and Defog. Magic Coat may be used to protect from Taunts and Encores. Whirlwind can be run to phaze threats trying to set up on Mega Sableye.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mold Breaker Users**: Mold Breaker users always OHKO Mega Sableye
**Fairy-type Attacks**: Fairy-type attacks always OHKO Mega Sableye
**Taunt**: Once hit by Taunt, Mega Sableye cannot use any of its moves.
**Ability Suppression + Pursuit**: Ability suppression from Gastro Acid or Mold Breaker means that Pursuit will always KO Mega Sableye, whether it tries to switch or not. More generally, ability suppression at least forces Mega Sableye to switch out.
**Choice Scarf + Trick and Encore**: Being forced into one move with Choice Scarf neutralizes Mega Sableye for the rest of the match; it relies on being able to use all of its moves to threaten foes. Similarly, Encore forces it to switch.
**Substitute**: Even though Curse bypasses opposing Substitutes, Mega Sableye cannot gain recovery from Pain Split if the foe is behind one.
**Magic Guard Users**: Magic Guard users like Ho-Oh do not fear any of Mega Sableye's moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[NToTheN, 569731]]
- Quality checked by: [[Bahamut, 506113], [RL, 554093]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
name: Level 2 Mega Sableye
move 1: Psycho Shift
move 2: Curse / Substitute
move 3: Pain Split
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Flame Orb
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Relaxed
level: 2
evs: 76 HP
in-battle-alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Not much likes switching into level 2 Mega Sableye because it can take huge chunks out of foes's health with Curse and Pain Split. Wonder Guard shields it from most attacks: otherwise, basically every attack would OHKO it. It is at level 2 with 76 HP EVs to hit an HP stat of 15, which minimizes burn damage as a percentage of maximum HP. With Wonder Guard and one weakness, its defenses rarely matter anyway, so reducing the effect of burn on its health matters more than reducing attack damage. Its low HP stat also synergizes well with Pain Split, letting it completely heal and effectively halve the foe's remaining HP. Curse + Pain Split means passive Wonder Guard users cannot outstall Mega Sableye, as they will lose more than 50% of their maximum HP every turn, so even if they always recover, they will eventually faint. Psycho Shift is used for its 100% accuracy and ability to bypass Magic Bounce, and with burns from Flame Orb, it cripples some of the most popular Pokemon in the tier like Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Gyarados, and Giratina. Mega Sableye uses Baton Pass over Parting Shot to capitalize on the switches it forces without worrying about Magic Bounce users stealing momentum. It can run Substitute to block a hit from a Mold Breaker user or a Fairy-type attack, and Substitute also synergizes well with Baton Pass.
Level 2 Mega Sableye fits best on bulky offense teams, which cover for its lack of defensive utility outside of Wonder Guard while capitalizing on the pressure it puts on opposing teams. Blissey and Giratina are notable teammates for checking a large swath of Mold Breaker users, and Shadow Tag Primal Groudon can trap and eliminate the most common Taunt user in Mega Beedrill. Mold Breaker Primal Groudon with Pursuit can be used to Imposter-proof Mega Sableye effectively. Substitute Mega Rayquaza works well with Mega Sableye, since Mega Rayquaza's checks are usually passive, which Sableye preys upon. A Substitute-passing teammate can be valuable to protect Mega Sableye from Mold Breaker or Fairy-type attacks once, allowing it more freedom to mess with the opponent's team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Sableye can run a Toxic Orb as its item, which forces it to switch more but lets Psycho Shift threaten Primal Groudon. Protection moves like Spiky Shield and King's Shield can be used for scouting and the unique benefit of the specific choice, like Spiky Shield chipping contact attackers. Other pivoting moves can be run over Baton Pass, and other recovery moves can be run instead of Pain Split. Mega Sableye can use other support moves as well, such as entry hazards, Aromatherapy, and Defog. Magic Coat may be used to protect from Taunts and Encores. Whirlwind can be run to phaze threats trying to set up on Mega Sableye.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mold Breaker Users**: Mold Breaker users always OHKO Mega Sableye
**Fairy-type Attacks**: Fairy-type attacks always OHKO Mega Sableye
**Taunt**: Once hit by Taunt, Mega Sableye cannot use any of its moves.
**Ability Suppression + Pursuit**: Ability suppression from Gastro Acid or Mold Breaker means that Pursuit will always KO Mega Sableye, whether it tries to switch or not. More generally, ability suppression at least forces Mega Sableye to switch out.
**Choice Scarf + Trick and Encore**: Being forced into one move with Choice Scarf neutralizes Mega Sableye for the rest of the match; it relies on being able to use all of its moves to threaten foes. Similarly, Encore forces it to switch.
**Substitute**: Even though Curse bypasses opposing Substitutes, Mega Sableye cannot gain recovery from Pain Split if the foe is behind one.
**Magic Guard Users**: Magic Guard users like Ho-Oh do not fear any of Mega Sableye's moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[NToTheN, 569731]]
- Quality checked by: [[Bahamut, 506113], [RL, 554093]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
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