Magearna (Revamp) [QC: 3/3] [GP 0/2]

Funbot28

Banned deucer.


[OVERVIEW]

With a great defensive and offensive typing, solid base stats, and a handful of moves to take advantage of, Magearna is widely considered as one as the most versatile threats in the Mix and Mega Metagame and is therefore a common sight. It's Fairy / Steel typing enables it to resist types such as Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Fairy, allowing it to check a wide arrange of offensive threats in the tier, with the most notable being Tapu Lele, Xerneas if carrying Heart Swap, non-Red Orb Darkrai, and opposing Magearna. Adding on to this, the additional bulk and useful abilities that stones such as Manectite and Pinsirite provide enable Magearna to check a wider arrange of threats such as Kartana, Arceus-Ground, Zeraora, and Altarianite Zygarde. It's supportive movepool is also noteworthy, where moves such as Pain Split, and Volt Switch enables Magearna to both sustain it's health while simultaneously providing useful cleric and momentum support respectively as well. Access to Shift Gear as well as powerful physical moves in Return and Explosion also enables Magearna to employ a setup Shift Gear set in combination with Pinsirite, further enhancing it's versatility as an offensive threat. The utility behind Pain Split also enables Magearna to distinguish itself from other Pinsirite Steel-types such as Metagross and as it enables it to setup against defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Arceus Ground. However, supportive Magearna sets can be stopped cold by the omnipresent Primal Groudon as not only can it resist both it's STAB moves, but also can prevent it from pivoting by blocking it's use of Volt Switch. Magearna can also struggle to check powerful attackers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Entei, Necrozma-DM, and Lucarionite Zygarde, necessitating additional support from it's team to properly account for the aforementioned threats. It's lack of reliable recover can also hamper Magearna's ability to stay healthy throughout the course of a match. Pain Split can be taken advantage of by the foe to recover their own health, making it an unreliable move.

[SET]
name: Manectite Pivot
move 1: Fleur Cannon
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Pain Split
item: Manectite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten a majority of the metagame that does not resist it, such as Zygarde, Terrakion, and Darkrai. However, the drop in Special Attack often forces Magearna out after each use. Hidden Power Fire is mainly employed to OHKO Kartana, as well as deal damage to Pinsirite Magearna without forcing it out. However, it can also be useful in damaging opposing Magearna. Volt Switch provides crucial momentum and enables Magearna to safely bring it's teammates in thanks to it's rather low Speed tier. Pain Split enables Magearna to recover off it's health against large HP targets such as Blissey, Primal Groudon, and Arceus Ground. Heart Swap can be run over Hidden Power Fire if Kartana is adequately checked on a team as it allows for Magearna to better check other Pokemon that may attack if from the special side, such as Calm Mind Arceus and Xerneas.


Set Details
========

Max HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is important in allowing Magearna to check the likes of Kartana, Altarianite Zygarde, and Zeraora. Manectite provides Magearna with a great post-mega ability in Intimidate, enabling it to check a variety of physical threats in a pinch. It also provides it a boost in it's Special Attack and both of it's defenses, enabling it to dish out a higher damage output while also turning it into a respectable defensive pivot as well.


Usage Tips
========

When facing a team with an opposing Primal Groudon, it is best advised to not try and pivot against an opposing threat as Primal Groudon acts as one of the most reliable Magearna switchins in the metagame. Therefore, Magearna can either opt to chip offensive Primal Groudon variants greatly via a powerful Fleur Cannon or elect to either double switch immediately into a partner that can check Primal Groudon or recover off it's own health via Pain Split if Magearna has been severely weakened previously. While Intimidate and Magearna's great physical bulk can enable it to check the majority of physical attackers in the tier, Magearna must be cautios when switching into the likes of Terrakion and Zygarde as both threats often carry Lucarionite, boosting their STAB attacks to the degree that can potentially heavily damage Magearna as a result. Scouting for such variants is strongly advised beforehand in order to preserve Magearna's health as much as possible. Pain Split is best utilized when Magearna is at a low amount of health, where checks such as Blissey and Arceus Ground can provide it a great amount of recovery as they attempt to switch into it. Magearna often is forced to pivot out after each use of Fleur Cannon due to the drop in Special Attack, usually in the form of Volt Switch. Therefore, it should choose each use of it's STAB wisely in order to prevent threats to take advantage of it. Fleur Cannon can damage other Ground types enough such that double switching may not be optimal. Examples include Toxic Spikes teams, which can force Arceus-Ground to take an effective minimum of 15% damage. As such, double switching should only be advised against Primal Groudon as this is the most risky situation to double.

Team Options
========

Partners that can handle Primal Groudon are extremely important, as Magearna often enables it to come in frequently. Therefore, teammates such as Mandibuzz, Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Ground and Giratina-Origin can be important to pair with Magearna. Mandibuzz also deserves a special mention as Magearna can aid it in checking Fairy-types and can form a VoltTurn core with it to provide as much momentum to their teammates. Checks to physically offensive threats such as Terrakion, Altarianite Zygarde, and Entei can be important as they can otherwise overwhelm Magearna. Notable partners include Lunala and Primal Groudon, where the ladder deserves a special mention as it can also provide Stealth Rock support and help Magearna wear down its checks. Offensive partners that can take advantage of Magearna's pivoting capabilities such as Terrakion, Tapu Lele, and Kartana can also be beneficial, as Magearna can often enabling them to come in safely multiple times throughout the match and thus aid them in wallbreaking. Specially defensive walls such as Blissey and Gyaradosite Toxapex can help Magearna handle threats such as Tapu Lele, Lunala, and Darkrai, relieving pressure when trying to take them on. Arceus Ground can also cause a nuisance to Magearna as it can usually switch into Fleur Cannon if it's at relatively high health and proceed to use Magearna as setup fodder. Teammates such as Arceus Water, Slowbro, Golisopod, and Pinsirite Entei are great partners as a result.

[SET]
name: Pinsirite
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Return
move 3: Substitute / Explosion
move 4: Pain Split
item: Pinsirite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Adamant
evs: 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shift Gear enables Magearna to turn into a potent setup sweeper, providing it enough Speed after one boost to outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame. Return is a powerful and reliable STAB move after mega evolving, and due to the metagame's lack of Flying resistances, enables Magearna to deal greats amount of damage to the majority of unboosted targets. Substitute can be a great way for Magearna to punish switchins such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and certain Primal Groudon variants and turn them into setup fodder after mega evolving. This combined with Pain Split can enable Magearna to cause a nuisance to the majority of defensive walls in the metagame that can damage it directly with significant damage. Explosion provides Magearna a nuke option that can deal immense amounts of damage to even the most sturdiest of walls, especially after a setup boost. It also enables Magearna to provide momentum for its teammates as well. Heal Bell is a great alternative that can enable Magearna to setup without the fear of status abusers such as Toxapex and Aggronite Mew. Pain Split provides a semi-reliable recovery option that can let Magearna setup against the likes of Blissey and Arceus Ground, granting it many more setup opportunities.

Set Details
========

140 EVs are placed into Speed to enable Magearna to outspeed Diancite Terrakion and below after one setup boost. The rest of it's EVs are allocated towards Attack and HP with an Adamant nature to enhance it's wallbreaking and bulk respectively. Pinsirite not only provides Magearna with an amazing ability in Aerilate and a boost in Attack, Speed, and both it's defenses, but also grants it an additional Flying typing.

Usage Tips
========

The type change that is involved with Magearna's mega evolution can be extremely crucial in securing a sweep in many cases. Therefore, it is best advised to hold up mega evolving until situations where Magearna can utilize the type change to lure it's common checks, such as Zapdos and Zeraora, and provide it a free opportunity to setup without repercussion, especially when facing teams carrying threats such as Arceus Ground, Kartana, and Pinsirite Metagross. Substitute should be used to prevent free switch-ins from Pokemon like Primal Groudon or Victini, who will need to use Overheat or V-Create respectively in order to break Substitute, weakening them for teammates to take advantage of. Explosion can be used in scenarios where Magearna is worn down immensely and can prevent being revenge killed or can also be utilized to cripple checks to it's partners and provide momentum simultaneously. Pain Split can be used strategically to cripple common switchins such as Primal Groudon, Zapdos, and Aggronite Mew if Magearna has already been worn down previously.


Team Options
========

This variant of Magearna can be often be placed on offensive teams due to the role compression it provides by acting as a setup sweeper that can also check threats such as Tapu Lele, Landorus, and Calm Mind Arceus Ground. Primal Groudon pairs excellently with Magearna, providing Stealth Rock support while also checking threats such as Entei, Zeraora, and Manectite Magearna, enabling Magearna to secure a sweep more securely. Other offensive partners such as Terrakion, Lunala, Tapu Lele, and Zygarde can aid Magearna in wearing down it's checks and help it force a win condition. They also appreciate it's ability to utilize Explosion to wear down their own appropriate checks. Entry hazard removal or dissuasion can be much appreciated due to Magearna's tendency to be worn down rather quickly. Therefore, partners such as Mandibuzz, Lunala, Arceus Ground, and Sablenite users such as Blissey and Slowbro can be quite effective. Blissey is noteworthy, as it can also provide support to Magearna via Wish, Heal Bell, or Healing Wish, enabling more chances to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Sablenite Magearna can also be used as a great specially defensive wall that can also annoy status spreaders as well. However, this set does not see as much success due to it struggling to bypass common hazard setters such as Primal Groudon and Terrakion, making the set quite uncommon as a result. Latiasite variants can also also utilize both a pivot and bulky Calm Mind + Pain Split set to great success, being able to counteract checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and Mamoswine and utilize them as setup fodder after mega evolving. However, such sets are generally outclassed by both Manectite and Pinsirite variants of Magearna due to their ability to better handle a wide array of threats. Manectite variants can also employ a Calm Mind + Pain Split set, utilizing Fleur Cannon and Thunderbolt as it's coverage options in order to turn Magearna into a potent bulky setup sweeper. Such sets should utilize an EV spread of 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpA with a Bold nature to enable Magearna to still check threats such as Kartana and Diancite Terrakion. Cameruptite can also be used in conjunction with either Trick Room or Calm Mind + Pain Split to enhance Magearna's wallbreaking capabilities, abusing it's wide array of Sheer Force boosted coverage moves in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, Flash Cannon, and Shadow Ball to deal a great amount of damage to the majority of the metagame. However, such sets struggle to perform with the abundance of offensive threats in the metagame, making it harder for Magearna to properly setup and output damage. Blue Orb can also be considered, enabling Magearna to effectively check Fire-types such as Ho-Oh, Victini, and Entei. Although, Magearna still struggles to handle most Primal Groudon variants, leaving other Blue Orb carriers such as Buzzwole and Golisopod to be preferred in the majority of cases.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Primal Groudon*: Primal Groudon is one of the most common and effective Magearna checks in the metagame, resisting both of it's STAB attacks and preventing it from gaining momentum via Volt Switch and can threaten to OHKO it in return. However, certain offensive variants of Magearna such as Pinsirite can effectively wear down Primal Groudon immensely, dissuading it from coming in as frequently.

**Steel-types**: Threats such as Aggronite Mew and opposing Magearna can check it quite well and threaten to heavily wear down Magearna or utilize it as setup fodder.

**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus Ground can check Manectite variants of Magearna relatively well, switching into Magearna's moves at high health and proceed to either revenge kill it or utilize it as setup fodder via Calm Mind. However, it is important to note that Arceus Ground can easily be used as setup fodder for Pinsirite sets if lacking Will-O-Wisp.

**Setup Sweepers**: Teams with offensive cores such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Pinsirite Entei, or Metagrossite Kartana can potentially overwhelm Magearna through their stat boosts, and since Magearna's recovery in Pain Split is unreliable. However, none of the aforementioned threats can switch into Magearna comfortably.

**Fire-types**: Ho-Oh, Entei, and Victini can all threaten to OHKO Magearna through their STAB attacks and can easily come in against it's STAB moves.

**Electric-Types**: Zapdos and Zeraora can cause a huge nuisance to Pinsirite variants of Magearna, switching into it's Flying-type STAB with ease and proceed to offensively check it through their own STAB moves. However, Zeraora can easily be overwhelmed if it repeatably switches into Return due to it's lack of recovery.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Funbot28, 255984]]
- Quality checked by: [[Quantum Tesseract, 297239 ], [In The Hills, 324242 ], [Chazm, 376369]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Has some problems but overall nothing too serious, 1/3 after implementing. Comments in bold.


[OVERVIEW]
* With a great defensive and offensive typing, solid base stats, and a deep movepool, Magearna is widely considered as one as the most versatile threats in the Mix and Mega Metagame and is therefore a common site on the majority of teams as a result. It doesn't really have a deep movepool; doesn't even get toxic. It instead has a handful of really good moves that it makes use of.
* It's Fairy / Steel typing enables it to resist types such as Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Fairy, allowing it to check a wide arrange of offensive threats in the tier, with the most notable being Tapu Lele, Pinsirite Cobalion, Weavile, and opposing Magearna. Pinsirite Cobalion is not a thing and weavile barely is. Try Arceus Fairy or Xerneas or Darkrai, or even to an extent smth like altarianite zygarde.
* Adding on to this, the additional bulk and useful abilities that stones such as Manectite and Latiasite provide enable Magearna to check a wider arrange of threats such as Kartana, Arceus Ground, Zeraora, and Altarianite Zygarde. Don't mention latiasite and not pinsirite. Imo cut latiasite and replace, but at minimum pinsirite needs to be there.
* Coverage in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast on top of a powerful STAB move in Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the majority of the tier as well, especially when combined with mega stones that further enhance it's offensive power such as Cameruptite. It's supportive movepool is also noteworthy, where moves such as Pain Split, Heal Bell, and Volt Switch enables Magearna to both sustain it's health while simultaneously providing useful cleric and momentum support respectively as well. Cameruptite is an OO. Should not be in overveiw.
* Access to Shift Gear as well as powerful physical moves in Return and Explosion also enables Magearna to employ a setup Shift Gear set in combination with Pinsirite, further enhancing it's versatility as an offensive threat.
* However, supportive Magearna sets can be stopped cold by the omnipresent Primal Groudon as not only can it resist both it's STAB moves, but also can prevent it from pivoting by blocking it's use of Volt Switch.
* Magearna can also struggle to check powerful attackers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Entei, Primal Kyogre, and Lucarionite Zygarde, necessitating additional support from it's team to properly account for the aforementioned threats.
* It's lack of reliable recover can also hamper Magearna's ability to stay healthy throughout the course of a match. Pain Split can be taken advantage of by the foe to recover their own health, making it an unreliable move.

[SET]
name: Manectite Pivot
move 1: Fleur Cannon
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Pain Split
item: Manectite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the likes of Zygarde, Terrakion, and Darkrai mainly. However, it can also be a powerful STAB move to spam due to it's amazing power that can threaten the majority of the metagame that does not resist it. Mention its big cost.
* Hidden Power Fire is mainly employed to OHKO Kartana. However, it can also be useful in luring in checks such as Pinsirite Cobalion and opposing Magearna. No. Not cobalion! When did you last see a cobalion? It's 100% for enemy Kartana (altho hp fire is used over aura sphere for more damage to enemy mage so IG mention mage as a target)
* Volt Switch provides crucial momentum and enables Magearna to safely bring it's teammates in thanks to it's rather low Speed tier.
* Pain Split enables Magearna to recover off it's health against large HP targets such as Blissey, Primal Groudon, and Arceus Ground.


Set Details
========
* Max HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is important in allowing Magearna to check the likes of Kartana, Altarianite Zygarde, and Zeraora.
* Manectite provides Magearna with a great post-mega ability in Intimidate, enabling it to check a variety of physical threats in a pinch. It also provides it a boost in it's Special Attack and both of it's defenses, enabling it to dish out a higher damage output while also turning it into a respectable defensive pivot as well.
* Soul-Heart is a great pre-mega ability as well, potentially allowing Magearna to boost it's Special Attack by picking off weakened foes.


Usage Tips
========
* When facing a team with an opposing Primal Groudon, it is best advised to not try and pivot against an opposing threat as Primal Groudon acts as one of the most reliable Magearna switchins in the metagame. Therefore, Magearna can either opt to chip offensive Primal Groudon variants greatly via a powerful Fleur Cannon or elect to either double switch immediately into a partner that can check the aforementioned threat That's a really awkward way to refer to pdon or recover off it's own health via Pain Split if Magearna has been severely weakened previously.
* While Intimidate and Magearna's great physical bulk can enable it to check the majority of physical attackers in the tier, Magearna must be cautios when switching into the likes of Terrakion and Zygarde as both threats often carry Lucarionite, boosting their STAB attacks to the degree that can potentially 2HKO Magearna as a result. Scouting for such variants is strongly advised beforehand in order to preserve Magearna's health as much as possible.
* Pain Split is best utilized when Magearna is at a low amount of health, where checks such as Blissey and Arceus Ground can provide it a great amount of recovery as they attempt to switch into it.
Where's the mention of combining fleur drop + magearna often switching out?
Anything else on pivoting (ie, groundceus, or even zyg?)


Team Options
========
* Partners that can handle Primal Groudon are extremely important, as Magearna often enables it to come in frequently. Therefore, teammates such as Arceus Ground, Mandibuzz, and Giratina-O can be important to pair Magearna with as not only can they help check Primal Groudon, but can also provide support via Defog. Defog is not really a big deal. If you want to mention good pairings tho mandibuzz is weak to fairies and forms voltturn)
* Additional checks to physically offensive threats such as Terrakion, Altarianite Zygarde, and Entei can be important as they can otherwise overwhelm Magearna. Notable partners include Buzzwole, Lunala, and Primal Groudon, where the ladder deserves a special mention as it can also provide Stealth Rock support and help Magearna wear down its checks.
* Offensive partners that can take advantage of Magearna's pivoting capabilities such as Terrakion, Tapu Lele, Kartana, and Primal Kyogre can also be beneficial, as Magearna can often enabling them to come in safely multiple times throughout the match and thus aid them in wallbreaking.
* Specially defensive walls such as Blissey and Gyaradosite Toxapex can help Magearna handle threats such as Tapu Lele, Lunala, and Darkrai, relieving pressure when trying to take them on.
Groundceus checks

[SET]
name: Pinsirite
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Return
move 3: Explosion / Heal Bell
move 4: Pain Split
item: Pinsirite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Shift Gear enables Magearna to turn into a potent setup sweeper, providing it enough Speed after one boost to outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame.
* Return is a powerful and reliable STAB move after mega evolving, enabling Magearna to deal greats amount of damage to the majority of unboosted targets.
* Explosion provides Magearna a nuke option that can deal immense amounts of damage to even the most sturdiest of walls, especially after a setup boost. It also enables Magearna to provide momentum for its teammates as well.
* Heal Bell is a great alternative that can enable Magearna to setup without the fear of status abusers such as Toxapex and Aggronite Mew.
* Pain Split provides a semi-reliable recovery option that can let Magearna setup against the likes of Blissey, Arceus Ground, and opposing Magearna, granting it many more setup opportunities.

Set Details
========
* 220 EVs are placed into Speed to enable Magearna to outspeed Diancite Shaymin-S and below after one setup boost. The rest of it's EVs are allocated towards Attack and HP with an Adamant nature to enhance it's wallbreaking and bulk respectively.
* Pinsirite not only provides Magearna with an amazing ability in Aerilate and a boost in Attack, Speed, and both it's defenses, but also grants it an additional Flying typing. This can help it take advantage of common checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and certain Primal Groudon variants and turn them into setup fodder after mega evolving.

Usage Tips
========
* The type change that is involved with Magearna's mega evolution can be extremely crucial in securing a sweep in many cases. Therefore, it is best advised to hold up mega evolving until situations where Magearna can utilize the type change to lure it's common checks and provide it a free opportunity to setup without repercussion, especially when facing teams carrying threats such as Arceus Ground, Kartana, and Pinsirite Metagross.
* Magearna should only try setting up when checks such as Zapdos, Zeraora, and opposing Magearna have been properly worn dowm, as otherwise Magearna can be put in a situation where it either is forced to switch out or be revenge killed.
* Explosion can be used in scenarios where Magearna is worn down immensely and can prevent being revenge killed or can also be utilized to cripple checks to it's partners and provide momentum simultaneously.
* Pain Split can be used strategically to cripple common switchins such as Primal Groudon, Zapdos, and Aggronite Mew if Magearna has already been worn down immensely. Already is the word you want, not immensely.


Team Options
========
* This variant of Magearna can be often be placed on offensive teams due to the role compression it provides by acting as a setup sweeper that can also soft-check threats such as Tapu Lele, Kartana, and Calm Mind Arceus Ground.
* Primal Groudon pairs excellently with Magearna, providing Stealth Rock support while also checking threats such as Entei, Zeraora, and Zapdos, enabling Magearna to secure a sweep more securely. Also enemy magearna, since manectite is one of the best checks
* Other offensive partners such as Terrakion, Calm Mind Lunala As opposed to?, Tapu Lele, and Zygarde can aid Magearna in wearing down it's checks and help it force a win condition. They also appreciate it's ability to utilize Explosion to wear down their own appropriate checks.
* Entry hazard removal or dissuasion can be much appreciated due to Magearna's tendency to be worn down rather quickly. Therefore, partners such as Mandibuzz, Lunala, Arceus Ground, and Sablenite users such as Blissey and Slowbro can be quite effective. Blissey is noteworthy, as it can also provide support to Magearna via Wish, Heal Bell, or Healing Wish, enabling more chances to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Manectite variants can also employ a Calm Mind + Pain Split set, utilizing Fleur Cannon and Thunderbolt as it's coverage options in order to turn Magearna into a potent bulky setup sweeper. Such sets should utilize an EV spread of 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpA with a Bold nature to enable Magearna to still check threats such as Kartana and Diancite Terrakion.
* Latiasite variants can also also utilize both a pivot and bulky Calm Mind + Pain Split set to great success, being able to counteract checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and Mamoswine and utilize them as setup fodder after mega evolving. However, such sets are generally outclassed by both Manectite and Pinsirite variants of Magearna due to their ability to better handle a wide array of threats.
* Cameruptite can also be used in conjunction with either Trick Room or Calm Mind + Pain Split to enhance Magearna's wallbreaking capabilities, abusing it's wide array of Sheer Force boosted coverage moves in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, and Shadow Ball to deal a great amount of damage to the majority of the metagame. However, such sets struggle to perform with the abundance of offensive threats in the metagame, making it harder for Magearna to properly setup and output damage.
* Sablenite Magearna can also be used as a great specially defensive wall that can also annoy status spreaders as well. However, this set does not see as much success due to it struggling to bypass common hazard setters such as Primal Groudon and Terrakion, making the set quite uncommon as a result.
* Blue Orb can also be considered, enabling Magearna to effectively check Fire-types such as Ho-Oh, Victini, and Entei. Although, Magearna still struggles to handle most Primal Groudon variants, leaving other Blue Orb carriers such as Buzzwole and Golisopod to be preferred in the majority of cases.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Primal Groudon*: Primal Groudon is one of the most common and effective Magearna checks in the metagame, resisting both of it's STAB attacks and preventing it from gaining momentum via Volt Switch and can threaten to OHKO it in return. However, certain offensive variants of Magearna such as Pinsirite and Cameruptite can effectively wear down Primal Groudon immensely, dissuading it from coming in as frequently.

**Steel-types**: Threats such as Aggronite Mew, Necrozma-DM, and opposing Magearna can check it quite well and threaten to heavily wear down Magearna or utilize it as setup fodder.

Arceus-Ground (Manectite only)

**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Lucarionite Zygarde, and Lunala can potentially overwhelm Magearna through their stat boosts. However, none of the aforementioned threats can switch into Magearna comfortably.

**Fire-types**: Ho-Oh, Entei, and Victini can all threaten to OHKO non-Blue Orb variants of Magearna through their STAB attacks and can easily come in against it's STAB moves. Don't even bother mentioning blue orb

Electric Types (Pinsirite Only): Zapdos + Zeroara

Wisp (Pinsirite Only)


**Entry Hazards**: Due to Magearna's lack of reliable recovery, entry hazard stacking can be an effective way to chip it down throughout the course of the match, especially given how often it is used to pivot in incoming attacks. SR doesn't do shit, tspikes does nothing, spikes isn't a thing. Remove this

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Funbot28, 255984]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
 

in the hills

spreading confusion
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[OVERVIEW]
* With a great defensive and offensive typing, solid base stats, and a handleful of moves to take advantage of, Magearna is widely considered as one as the most versatile threats in the Mix and Mega Metagame and is therefore a common site on the majority of teams as a result.
* It's Fairy / Steel typing enables it to resist types such as Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Fairy, allowing it to check a wide arrange of offensive threats in the tier, with the most notable being Tapu Lele, Xerneas, Darkrai, and opposing Magearna.
* Adding on to this, the additional bulk and useful abilities that stones such as Manectite and Pinsirite provide enable Magearna to check a wider arrange of threats such as Kartana, Arceus Ground, Zeraora, and Altarianite Zygarde.
* Coverage in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast on top of a powerful STAB move in Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the majority of the tier as well. It's supportive movepool is also noteworthy, where moves such as Pain Split, Heal Bell, and Volt Switch enables Magearna to both sustain it's health while simultaneously providing useful cleric and momentum support respectively as well. (Prob wouldn't include Heal Bell in the overview as it's just an OO)
* Access to Shift Gear as well as powerful physical moves in Return and Explosion also enables Magearna to employ a setup Shift Gear set in combination with Pinsirite, further enhancing it's versatility as an offensive threat. (Include Pain Split in this point, as that's the main redeeming quality of Magearna over other Pinsirite Steels such as Metagross or even Klinklang)
* However, supportive Magearna sets can be stopped cold by the omnipresent Primal Groudon as not only can it resist both it's STAB moves, but also can prevent it from pivoting by blocking it's use of Volt Switch.
* Magearna can also struggle to check powerful attackers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Entei, Primal Kyogre, and Lucarionite Zygarde, necessitating additional support from it's team to properly account for the aforementioned threats.
* It's lack of reliable recover can also hamper Magearna's ability to stay healthy throughout the course of a match. Pain Split can be taken advantage of by the foe to recover their own health, making it an unreliable move.

[SET]
name: Manectite Pivot
move 1: Fleur Cannon
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Pain Split
item: Manectite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the likes of Zygarde, Terrakion, and Darkrai mainly. However, it can also be a powerful STAB move to spam due to it's amazing power that can threaten the majority of the metagame that does not resist it. However, the drop in Special Attack often forces Magearna out after each use.
* Hidden Power Fire is mainly employed to OHKO Kartana. However, it can also be useful in damaging opposing Magearna.
* Volt Switch provides crucial momentum and enables Magearna to safely bring it's teammates in thanks to it's rather low Speed tier.
* Pain Split enables Magearna to recover off it's health against large HP targets such as Blissey, Primal Groudon, and Arceus Ground.


Set Details
========
* Max HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is important in allowing Magearna to check the likes of Kartana, Altarianite Zygarde, and Zeraora.
* Manectite provides Magearna with a great post-mega ability in Intimidate, enabling it to check a variety of physical threats in a pinch. It also provides it a boost in it's Special Attack and both of it's defenses, enabling it to dish out a higher damage output while also turning it into a respectable defensive pivot as well.
* Soul-Heart is a great pre-mega ability as well, potentially allowing Magearna to boost it's Special Attack by picking off weakened foes.


Usage Tips
========
* When facing a team with an opposing Primal Groudon, it is best advised to not try and pivot against an opposing threat as Primal Groudon acts as one of the most reliable Magearna switchins in the metagame. Therefore, Magearna can either opt to chip offensive Primal Groudon variants greatly via a powerful Fleur Cannon or elect to either double switch immediately into a partner that can check Primal Groudon or recover off it's own health via Pain Split if Magearna has been severely weakened previously.
* While Intimidate and Magearna's great physical bulk can enable it to check the majority of physical attackers in the tier, Magearna must be cautios when switching into the likes of Terrakion and Zygarde as both threats often carry Lucarionite, boosting their STAB attacks to the degree that can potentially 2HKO Magearna as a result. Scouting for such variants is strongly advised beforehand in order to preserve Magearna's health as much as possible.
* Pain Split is best utilized when Magearna is at a low amount of health, where checks such as Blissey and Arceus Ground can provide it a great amount of recovery as they attempt to switch into it.
* Magearna often is forced to pivot out after each use of Fleur Cannon due to the drop in Special Attack, usually in the form of Volt Switch. Therefore, it should choose each use of it's STAB wisely in order to prevent threats to take advantage of it.
* Other checks such as Arceus Ground and Lucarionite Zygarde can prevent Magearna from pivoting via Volt Switch, therefore it should try to double switch as much as possible versus the aforementioned checks in order to not be used as setup fodder as Magearna's teammate is forced in. Luc Zyg can't switch into Fleur Cannon, so its probably better to only include Arceus-Ground in this point

Team Options
========
* Partners that can handle Primal Groudon are extremely important, as Magearna often enables it to come in frequently. Therefore, teammates such as Arceus Ground, Mandibuzz, and Giratina-O can be important to pair Magearna. Mandibuzz also deserves a special mention as Magearna can aid it in checking Fairy-types and can form a VoltTurn core with it to provide as much momentum to their teammates.
* Additional checks to physically offensive threats such as Terrakion, Altarianite Zygarde, and Entei can be important as they can otherwise overwhelm Magearna. Notable partners include Buzzwole, (Buzzwole is a poor check to mentioned threats and/or the sets that do beat any of those aren't good partners for Mage as they leave the team overly weak to other threats) Lunala, and Primal Groudon, where the ladder deserves a special mention as it can also provide Stealth Rock support and help Magearna wear down its checks.
* Offensive partners that can take advantage of Magearna's pivoting capabilities such as Terrakion, Tapu Lele, Kartana, and Primal Kyogre can also be beneficial, as Magearna can often enabling them to come in safely multiple times throughout the match and thus aid them in wallbreaking.
* Specially defensive walls such as Blissey and Gyaradosite Toxapex can help Magearna handle threats such as Tapu Lele, Lunala, and Darkrai, relieving pressure when trying to take them on.
* Arceus Ground can also cause a nuisance to Magearna as it can usually switch into Fleur Cannon if it's at relatively high health and proceed to use Magearna as setup fodder. Teammates such as Arceus Water, Golisopod, and Pinsirite Entei are great partners as a result.

[SET]
name: Pinsirite
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Return
move 3: Substitute / Explosion / Heal Bell
move 4: Pain Split
item: Pinsirite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Shift Gear enables Magearna to turn into a potent setup sweeper, providing it enough Speed after one boost to outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame.
* Return is a powerful and reliable STAB move after mega evolving, enabling Magearna to deal greats amount of damage to the majority of unboosted targets.
* Explosion provides Magearna a nuke option that can deal immense amounts of damage to even the most sturdiest of walls, especially after a setup boost. It also enables Magearna to provide momentum for its teammates as well.
* Heal Bell is a great alternative that can enable Magearna to setup without the fear of status abusers such as Toxapex and Aggronite Mew.
* Pain Split provides a semi-reliable recovery option that can let Magearna setup against the likes of Blissey, Arceus Ground, and opposing Magearna (opposing Magearna are typically the more reliable checks), granting it many more setup opportunities.
(Add point for Substitute, post webs meta it's the best option for Magearna as it allows it to potentially beat Overheat Groudon-Primal and other threats)
Set Details
========
* 220 EVs are placed into Speed to enable Magearna to outspeed Diancite Shaymin-S and below after one setup boost. The rest of it's EVs are allocated towards Attack and HP with an Adamant nature to enhance it's wallbreaking and bulk respectively.
* Pinsirite not only provides Magearna with an amazing ability in Aerilate and a boost in Attack, Speed, and both it's defenses, but also grants it an additional Flying typing. This can help it take advantage of common checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and certain Primal Groudon variants and turn them into setup fodder after mega evolving.

Usage Tips
========
* The type change that is involved with Magearna's mega evolution can be extremely crucial in securing a sweep in many cases. Therefore, it is best advised to hold up mega evolving until situations where Magearna can utilize the type change to lure it's common checks and provide it a free opportunity to setup without repercussion, especially when facing teams carrying threats such as Arceus Ground, Kartana, and Pinsirite Metagross.
* Magearna should only try setting up when checks such as Zapdos, Zeraora, and opposing Magearna have been properly worn dowm, as otherwise Magearna can be put in a situation where it either is forced to switch out or be revenge killed.
* Explosion can be used in scenarios where Magearna is worn down immensely and can prevent being revenge killed or can also be utilized to cripple checks to it's partners and provide momentum simultaneously.
* Pain Split can be used strategically to cripple common switchins such as Primal Groudon, Zapdos, and Aggronite Mew if Magearna has already been worn down previously.
(point for how to use Substitute to exploit checks such as Aggronite Mew etc)

Team Options
========
* This variant of Magearna can be often be placed on offensive teams due to the role compression it provides by acting as a setup sweeper that can also soft-check threats such as Tapu Lele, Kartana, and Calm Mind Arceus Ground.
* Primal Groudon pairs excellently with Magearna, providing Stealth Rock support while also checking threats such as Entei, Zeraora, Zapdos (Zapdos is more of a check to Pdon than the other way around), and Manectite Magearna, enabling Magearna to secure a sweep more securely.
* Other offensive partners such as Terrakion, Lunala, Tapu Lele, and Zygarde can aid Magearna in wearing down it's checks and help it force a win condition. They also appreciate it's ability to utilize Explosion to wear down their own appropriate checks.
* Entry hazard removal or dissuasion can be much appreciated due to Magearna's tendency to be worn down rather quickly. Therefore, partners such as Mandibuzz, Lunala, Arceus Ground, and Sablenite users such as Blissey and Slowbro can be quite effective. Blissey is noteworthy, as it can also provide support to Magearna via Wish, Heal Bell, or Healing Wish, enabling more chances to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Manectite variants can also employ a Calm Mind + Pain Split set, utilizing Fleur Cannon and Thunderbolt as it's coverage options in order to turn Magearna into a potent bulky setup sweeper. Such sets should utilize an EV spread of 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpA with a Bold nature to enable Magearna to still check threats such as Kartana and Diancite Terrakion.
* Latiasite variants can also also utilize both a pivot and bulky Calm Mind + Pain Split set to great success, being able to counteract checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and Mamoswine and utilize them as setup fodder after mega evolving. However, such sets are generally outclassed by both Manectite and Pinsirite variants of Magearna due to their ability to better handle a wide array of threats.
* Cameruptite can also be used in conjunction with either Trick Room or Calm Mind + Pain Split to enhance Magearna's wallbreaking capabilities, abusing it's wide array of Sheer Force boosted coverage moves in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, and Shadow Ball (+Flash Cannon) to deal a great amount of damage to the majority of the metagame. However, such sets struggle to perform with the abundance of offensive threats in the metagame, making it harder for Magearna to properly setup and output damage.)
* Sablenite Magearna can also be used as a great specially defensive wall that can also annoy status spreaders as well. However, this set does not see as much success due to it struggling to bypass common hazard setters such as Primal Groudon and Terrakion, making the set quite uncommon as a result.
* Blue Orb can also be considered, enabling Magearna to effectively check Fire-types such as Ho-Oh, Victini, and Entei. Although, Magearna still struggles to handle most Primal Groudon variants, leaving other Blue Orb carriers such as Buzzwole and Golisopod to be preferred in the majority of cases.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Primal Groudon*: Primal Groudon is one of the most common and effective Magearna checks in the metagame, resisting both of it's STAB attacks and preventing it from gaining momentum via Volt Switch and can threaten to OHKO it in return. However, certain offensive variants of Magearna such as Pinsirite and Cameruptite can effectively wear down Primal Groudon immensely, dissuading it from coming in as frequently.

**Steel-types**: Threats such as Aggronite Mew, Necrozma-DM, and opposing Magearna can check it quite well and threaten to heavily wear down Magearna or utilize it as setup fodder. (I think NDM loses most of the time, especially if it's double dance)

**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus Ground can check Manectite variants of Magearna relatively well, switching into Magearna's moves at high health and proceed to either revenge kill it or utilize it as setup fodder via Calm Mind. Note that it is a poor check to Pinsirite

**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Lucarionite Zygarde, and Lunala can potentially overwhelm Magearna through their stat boosts. However, none of the aforementioned threats can switch into Magearna comfortably.

**Fire-types**: Ho-Oh, Entei, and Victini can all threaten to OHKO Magearna through their STAB attacks and can easily come in against it's STAB moves.

**Electric-Types**: Zapdos and Zeraora can cause a huge nuisance to Pinsirite variants of Magearna, switching into it's Flying-type STAB with ease and proceed to offensively check it through their own STAB moves. However, Zeraora can easily be overwhelmed if it repeatably switches into Return due to it's lack of recovery.

**Burn**: If not running Heal Bell, Pinsirite Magearna is crippled via the burn status immensely and can be prevented from sweeping as a result. Therefore, be wary of status spreaders such as Aggronite Mew, Entei, and Slowbro.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Funbot28, 255984]]
- Quality checked by: [[Quantum Tesseract, 297239 ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
QC 2/3
 


[OVERVIEW]

With a great defensive and offensive typing, solid base stats, and a handleful handful of moves to take advantage of, Magearna is widely considered as one as the most versatile threats in the Mix and Mega Metagame and is therefore a common site sight on the majority of teams as a result (Reword this. Magearna's dropped off a tad in usage for more favourable offensive builds and whilst I would still state its ubiquity I don't think it's worth calling it a majority). It's Fairy / Steel typing enables it to resist types such as Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Fairy, allowing it to check a wide arrange of offensive threats in the tier, with the most notable being Tapu Lele, Xerneas if carrying Heart Swap, non-Red Orb Darkrai, and opposing Magearna. Adding on to this, the additional bulk and useful abilities that stones such as Manectite and Pinsirite provide enable Magearna to check a wider arrange of threats such as Kartana, Arceus-Ground, Zeraora, and Altarianite Zygarde. Coverage in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast on top of a powerful STAB move in Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the majority of the tier as well. (Reword this to focus on Magearna's capability to react stronger to bulky setup using Fleur Cannon - without it it would be unable to OHKO Altarianite Zygarde) It's supportive movepool is also noteworthy, where moves such as Pain Split, and Volt Switch enables Magearna to both sustain it's health while simultaneously providing useful cleric and momentum support respectively as well. Access to Shift Gear as well as powerful physical moves in Return and Explosion also enables Magearna to employ a setup Shift Gear set in combination with Pinsirite, further enhancing it's versatility as an offensive threat. The utility behind Pain Split also enables Magearna to distinguish itself from other Pinsirite Steel-types such as Metagross and Klingklang as it enables it to setup against defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Arceus Ground. However, supportive Magearna sets can be stopped cold by the omnipresent Primal Groudon as not only can it resist both it's STAB moves, but also can prevent it from pivoting by blocking it's use of Volt Switch. Magearna can also struggle to check powerful attackers such as Lucarionite Terrakion (This is a debatable example - maybe look for other Steel type attackers that can bypass Magearna?), Entei, Primal Kyogre Necrozma-DM, and Lucarionite Zygarde, necessitating additional support from it's team to properly account for the aforementioned threats. It's lack of reliable recover can also hamper Magearna's ability to stay healthy throughout the course of a match. Pain Split can be taken advantage of by the foe to recover their own health, making it an unreliable move.

[SET]
name: Manectite Pivot
move 1: Fleur Cannon
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Pain Split
item: Manectite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the likes of Zygarde, Terrakion, and Darkrai mainly. However, it can also be a powerful STAB move to spam due to it's amazing power that can threaten the majority of the metagame that does not resist it. (These two sentences can be merged as Fleur Cannon is used for its burst damage to hurt these targets harder.) However, the drop in Special Attack often forces Magearna out after each use. Hidden Power Fire is mainly employed to OHKO Kartana, as well as deal damage to Pinsirite Magearna without forcing it out. However, it can also be useful in damaging opposing Magearna. Volt Switch provides crucial momentum and enables Magearna to safely bring it's teammates in thanks to it's rather low Speed tier. Pain Split enables Magearna to recover off it's health against large HP targets such as Blissey, Primal Groudon, and Arceus Ground. Note as an option that Heart Swap can be run over Hidden Power Fire if Kartana is adequately checked on a team as it allows for Magearna to better check other Pokemon that may attack if from the special side.


Set Details
========

Max HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is important in allowing Magearna to check the likes of Kartana, Altarianite Zygarde, and Zeraora. Manectite provides Magearna with a great post-mega ability in Intimidate, enabling it to check a variety of physical threats in a pinch. It also provides it a boost in it's Special Attack and both of it's defenses, enabling it to dish out a higher damage output while also turning it into a respectable defensive pivot as well. Soul-Heart is a great pre-mega ability as well, potentially allowing Magearna to boost it's Special Attack by picking off weakened foes. (This is almost entirely irrelevant - you want to mega as soon as possible, Magearna is not doing much with a +1 SpA boost.


Usage Tips
========

When facing a team with an opposing Primal Groudon, it is best advised to not try and pivot against an opposing threat as Primal Groudon acts as one of the most reliable Magearna switchins in the metagame. Therefore, Magearna can either opt to chip offensive Primal Groudon variants greatly via a powerful Fleur Cannon or elect to either double switch immediately into a partner that can check Primal Groudon or recover off it's own health via Pain Split if Magearna has been severely weakened previously. While Intimidate and Magearna's great physical bulk can enable it to check the majority of physical attackers in the tier, Magearna must be cautios when switching into the likes of Terrakion and Zygarde as both threats often carry Lucarionite, boosting their STAB attacks to the degree that can potentially 2HKO Magearna as a result. (Reword this to include other sets that Magearna will not be able to answer. Terrakion can never 2HKO Magearna without boosting.) Scouting for such variants is strongly advised beforehand in order to preserve Magearna's health as much as possible. Pain Split is best utilized when Magearna is at a low amount of health, where checks such as Blissey and Arceus Ground can provide it a great amount of recovery as they attempt to switch into it. Magearna often is forced to pivot out after each use of Fleur Cannon due to the drop in Special Attack, usually in the form of Volt Switch. Therefore, it should choose each use of it's STAB wisely in order to prevent threats to take advantage of it. Other checks such as Arceus Ground can prevent Magearna from pivoting via Volt Switch, therefore it should try to double switch as much as possible versus the aforementioned checks in order to not be used as setup fodder as Magearna's teammate is forced in. (Fleur Cannon can damage other Ground types enough such that double switching may not be optimal. Examples include Toxic Spikes teams, which can force Arceus-Ground to take an effective minimum of 15% damage. As such, double switching should only be advised against Primal Groudon as this is the most risky situation to double.

Team Options
========

Partners that can handle Primal Groudon are extremely important, as Magearna often enables it to come in frequently. Therefore, teammates such as Arceus Ground, Mandibuzz, and Giratina-O Mandibuzz, Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Ground and Giratina-Origin can be important to pair with Magearna. Mandibuzz also deserves a special mention as Magearna can aid it in checking Fairy-types and can form a VoltTurn core with it to provide as much momentum to their teammates. Additional checks to physically offensive threats such as Terrakion, Altarianite Zygarde, and Entei can be important as they can otherwise overwhelm Magearna. (Small note: Magearna is only a soft-check and shouldn't be an answer to Entei, so rewording this to include some more punishing examples and removing the 'additional' part may help.) Notable partners include Lunala and Primal Groudon, where the ladder deserves a special mention as it can also provide Stealth Rock support and help Magearna wear down its checks. Offensive partners that can take advantage of Magearna's pivoting capabilities such as Terrakion, Tapu Lele, Kartana, and Primal Kyogre (In the majority of cases, Primal Kyogre doesn't abuse Magearna's pivoting, rather it abuses the blockers to that pivoting.) can also be beneficial, as Magearna can often enabling them to come in safely multiple times throughout the match and thus aid them in wallbreaking. Specially defensive walls such as Blissey and Gyaradosite Toxapex can help Magearna handle threats such as Tapu Lele, Lunala, and Darkrai, relieving pressure when trying to take them on. Arceus Ground can also cause a nuisance to Magearna as it can usually switch into Fleur Cannon if it's at relatively high health and proceed to use Magearna as setup fodder. Teammates such as Arceus Water, Slowbro, Golisopod, and Pinsirite Entei are great partners as a result.

[SET]
name: Pinsirite
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Return
move 3: Substitute / Explosion / Heal Bell
move 4: Pain Split
item: Pinsirite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shift Gear enables Magearna to turn into a potent setup sweeper, providing it enough Speed after one boost to outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame. Return is a powerful and reliable STAB move after mega evolving, enabling and due to the metagame's lack of Flying resistances, enables Magearna to deal greats amount of damage to the majority of unboosted targets. Substitute can be a great way for Magearna to punish switchins and relieve stress against status spreaders such as Will-O-Wisp Mew, Slowbro, and Toxapex. (Reword this to include places where Substitute would be more punishing, such as being able to tank Arceus-Ground Ice Beams, making Manectite Magearna a worse check etc.)This combined with Pain Split can enable Magearna to cause a nuisance to the majority of defensive walls in the metagame that can damage it directly with significant damage. It also gives Magearna a more favorable matchup against threats such as Overheat Primal Groudon as well, potentially using it as setup fodder as well. Explosion provides Magearna a nuke option that can deal immense amounts of damage to even the most sturdiest of walls, especially after a setup boost. It also enables Magearna to provide momentum for its teammates as well. Heal Bell is a great alternative that can enable Magearna to setup without the fear of status abusers such as Toxapex and Aggronite Mew. Pain Split provides a semi-reliable recovery option that can let Magearna setup against the likes of Blissey and Arceus Ground, granting it many more setup opportunities.

Set Details
========

220 140 EVs are placed into Speed to enable Magearna to outspeed Diancite Shaymin-S Terrakion and below after one setup boost. The rest of it's EVs are allocated towards Attack and HP with an Adamant nature to enhance it's wallbreaking and bulk respectively. Pinsirite not only provides Magearna with an amazing ability in Aerilate and a boost in Attack, Speed, and both it's defenses, but also grants it an additional Flying typing. This can help it take advantage of common checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and certain Primal Groudon variants and turn them into setup fodder after mega evolving. (This has already been mentioned previously in the analysis).

Usage Tips
========

The type change that is involved with Magearna's mega evolution can be extremely crucial in securing a sweep in many cases. Therefore, it is best advised to hold up mega evolving until situations where Magearna can utilize the type change to lure it's common checks and provide it a free opportunity to setup without repercussion, especially when facing teams carrying threats such as Arceus Ground, Kartana, and Pinsirite Metagross. Magearna should only try setting up when checks such as Zapdos, Zeraora, and opposing Magearna have been properly worn dowm, as otherwise Magearna can be put in a situation where it either is forced to switch out or be revenge killed. Substitute is best used to punish switchins that Magearna can force and lure status spreaders such as Will-O-Wisp Aggronite Mew and Scald Toxapex, enabling it to bypass otherwise crippling status conditions that can halt a sweep. Explosion can be used in scenarios where Magearna is worn down immensely and can prevent being revenge killed or can also be utilized to cripple checks to it's partners and provide momentum simultaneously. Pain Split can be used strategically to cripple common switchins such as Primal Groudon, Zapdos, and Aggronite Mew if Magearna has already been worn down previously.

I would merge the two sentences about Zapdos and Zeraora to include the pre-mega capabilities. Both of them can tend to lose to Magearna if pre-mega turns are utilized properly as they are unable to hit it super effectively, which is what makes Pinsirite Magearna deadly. Substitute is mainly used to prevent other targets from switching in and easily predicting a move from Magearna, but it's also key that the more common checks tend to lose to it due to having burst damage moves like Overheat or taking large residual damage from the prediction. I would change that sentence entirely and centre it around that.


Team Options
========

This variant of Magearna can be often be placed on offensive teams due to the role compression it provides by acting as a setup sweeper that can also soft-check threats such as Tapu Lele, Kartana Landorus, and Calm Mind Arceus Ground. Primal Groudon pairs excellently with Magearna, providing Stealth Rock support while also checking threats such as Entei, Zeraora, and Manectite Magearna, enabling Magearna to secure a sweep more securely. Other offensive partners such as Terrakion, Lunala, Tapu Lele, and Zygarde can aid Magearna in wearing down it's checks and help it force a win condition. They also appreciate it's ability to utilize Explosion to wear down their own appropriate checks. Entry hazard removal or dissuasion can be much appreciated due to Magearna's tendency to be worn down rather quickly. Therefore, partners such as Mandibuzz, Lunala, Arceus Ground, and Sablenite users such as Blissey and Slowbro can be quite effective. Blissey is noteworthy, as it can also provide support to Magearna via Wish, Heal Bell, or Healing Wish, enabling more chances to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Manectite variants can also employ a Calm Mind + Pain Split set, utilizing Fleur Cannon and Thunderbolt as it's coverage options in order to turn Magearna into a potent bulky setup sweeper. Such sets should utilize an EV spread of 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpA with a Bold nature to enable Magearna to still check threats such as Kartana and Diancite Terrakion. Latiasite variants can also also utilize both a pivot and bulky Calm Mind + Pain Split set to great success, being able to counteract checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and Mamoswine and utilize them as setup fodder after mega evolving. However, such sets are generally outclassed by both Manectite and Pinsirite variants of Magearna due to their ability to better handle a wide array of threats. Cameruptite can also be used in conjunction with either Trick Room or Calm Mind + Pain Split to enhance Magearna's wallbreaking capabilities, abusing it's wide array of Sheer Force boosted coverage moves in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, Flash Cannon, and Shadow Ball to deal a great amount of damage to the majority of the metagame. However, such sets struggle to perform with the abundance of offensive threats in the metagame, making it harder for Magearna to properly setup and output damage. Sablenite Magearna can also be used as a great specially defensive wall that can also annoy status spreaders as well. However, this set does not see as much success due to it struggling to bypass common hazard setters such as Primal Groudon and Terrakion, making the set quite uncommon as a result. Blue Orb can also be considered, enabling Magearna to effectively check Fire-types such as Ho-Oh, Victini, and Entei. Although, Magearna still struggles to handle most Primal Groudon variants, leaving other Blue Orb carriers such as Buzzwole and Golisopod to be preferred in the majority of cases.

For me, this should be re-ordered as such:
1) Sablenite / Latiasite (Specially Defensive)
2) Calm Mind + Pain Split
3) Cameruptite
4) Blue Orb.



Checks and Counters
===================

**Primal Groudon*: Primal Groudon is one of the most common and effective Magearna checks in the metagame, resisting both of it's STAB attacks and preventing it from gaining momentum via Volt Switch and can threaten to OHKO it in return. However, certain offensive variants of Magearna such as Pinsirite and Cameruptite can effectively wear down Primal Groudon immensely, dissuading it from coming in as frequently.

**Steel-types**: Threats such as Aggronite Mew and opposing Magearna can check it quite well and threaten to heavily wear down Magearna or utilize it as setup fodder.

**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus Ground can check Manectite variants of Magearna relatively well, switching into Magearna's moves at high health and proceed to either revenge kill it or utilize it as setup fodder via Calm Mind. However, it is important to note that Arceus Ground can easily be used as setup fodder for Pinsirite sets if lacking Will-O-Wisp.

**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Lucarionite Zygarde, and Lunala can potentially overwhelm Magearna through their stat boosts. However, none of the aforementioned threats can switch into Magearna comfortably.

Change this section to instead talk about offensive pressure in general and how certain team structures make Magearna crumble quickly (Terrakion IS a good example for this)

**Fire-types**: Ho-Oh, Entei, and Victini can all threaten to OHKO Magearna through their STAB attacks and can easily come in against it's STAB moves.

**Electric-Types**: Zapdos and Zeraora can cause a huge nuisance to Pinsirite variants of Magearna, switching into it's Flying-type STAB with ease and proceed to offensively check it through their own STAB moves. However, Zeraora can easily be overwhelmed if it repeatably switches into Return due to it's lack of recovery.



**Burn**: If not running Heal Bell, Pinsirite Magearna is crippled via the burn status immensely and can be prevented from sweeping as a result. Therefore, be wary of status spreaders such as Aggronite Mew, Entei, and Slowbro.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Funbot28, 255984]]
- Quality checked by: [[Quantum Tesseract, 297239 ], [In The Hills, 324242 ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

Good job.

QC 3/3
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Ginger Princess

Girl moding so hard rn
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[OVERVIEW]

With a great defensive and offensive typing, solid base stats, and a handleful handful of moves to take advantage of, Magearna is widely considered as one as the most versatile threats in the Mix and Mega Metagame and is therefore a common site sight on the majority of teams as a result (Reword this. Magearna's dropped off a tad in usage for more favourable offensive builds and whilst I would still state its ubiquity I don't think it's worth calling it a majority). It's Fairy / Steel typing enables it to resist types such as Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Fairy, allowing it to check a wide arrange of offensive threats in the tier, with the most notable being Tapu Lele, Xerneas if carrying Heart Swap, non-Red Orb Darkrai, and opposing Magearna. Adding on to this, the additional bulk and useful abilities that stones such as Manectite and Pinsirite provide enable Magearna to check a wider arrange of threats such as Kartana, Arceus-Ground, Zeraora, and Altarianite Zygarde. Coverage in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast on top of a powerful STAB move in Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the majority of the tier as well. (Reword this to focus on Magearna's capability to react stronger to bulky setup using Fleur Cannon - without it it would be unable to OHKO Altarianite Zygarde) It's supportive movepool is also noteworthy, where moves such as Pain Split, and Volt Switch enables Magearna to both sustain it's health while simultaneously providing useful cleric and momentum support respectively as well. Access to Shift Gear as well as powerful physical moves in Return and Explosion also enables Magearna to employ a setup Shift Gear set in combination with Pinsirite, further enhancing it's versatility as an offensive threat. The utility behind Pain Split also enables Magearna to distinguish itself from other Pinsirite Steel-types such as Metagross and Klingklang as it enables it to setup against defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Arceus Ground. However, supportive Magearna sets can be stopped cold by the omnipresent Primal Groudon as not only can it resist both it's STAB moves, but also can prevent it from pivoting by blocking it's use of Volt Switch. Magearna can also struggle to check powerful attackers such as Lucarionite Terrakion (This is a debatable example - maybe look for other Steel type attackers that can bypass Magearna?), Entei, Primal Kyogre Necrozma-DM, and Lucarionite Zygarde, necessitating additional support from it's team to properly account for the aforementioned threats. It's lack of reliable recover can also hamper Magearna's ability to stay healthy throughout the course of a match. Pain Split can be taken advantage of by the foe to recover their own health, making it an unreliable move.

[SET]
name: Manectite Pivot
move 1: Fleur Cannon
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Pain Split
item: Manectite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten the likes of Zygarde, Terrakion, and Darkrai mainly. However, it can also be a powerful STAB move to spam due to it's amazing power that can threaten the majority of the metagame that does not resist it. (These two sentences can be merged as Fleur Cannon is used for its burst damage to hurt these targets harder.) However, the drop in Special Attack often forces Magearna out after each use. Hidden Power Fire is mainly employed to OHKO Kartana, as well as deal damage to Pinsirite Magearna without forcing it out. However, it can also be useful in damaging opposing Magearna. Volt Switch provides crucial momentum and enables Magearna to safely bring it's teammates in thanks to it's rather low Speed tier. Pain Split enables Magearna to recover off it's health against large HP targets such as Blissey, Primal Groudon, and Arceus Ground. Note as an option that Heart Swap can be run over Hidden Power Fire if Kartana is adequately checked on a team as it allows for Magearna to better check other Pokemon that may attack if from the special side.


Set Details
========

Max HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is important in allowing Magearna to check the likes of Kartana, Altarianite Zygarde, and Zeraora. Manectite provides Magearna with a great post-mega ability in Intimidate, enabling it to check a variety of physical threats in a pinch. It also provides it a boost in it's Special Attack and both of it's defenses, enabling it to dish out a higher damage output while also turning it into a respectable defensive pivot as well. Soul-Heart is a great pre-mega ability as well, potentially allowing Magearna to boost it's Special Attack by picking off weakened foes. (This is almost entirely irrelevant - you want to mega as soon as possible, Magearna is not doing much with a +1 SpA boost.


Usage Tips
========

When facing a team with an opposing Primal Groudon, it is best advised to not try and pivot against an opposing threat as Primal Groudon acts as one of the most reliable Magearna switchins in the metagame. Therefore, Magearna can either opt to chip offensive Primal Groudon variants greatly via a powerful Fleur Cannon or elect to either double switch immediately into a partner that can check Primal Groudon or recover off it's own health via Pain Split if Magearna has been severely weakened previously. While Intimidate and Magearna's great physical bulk can enable it to check the majority of physical attackers in the tier, Magearna must be cautios when switching into the likes of Terrakion and Zygarde as both threats often carry Lucarionite, boosting their STAB attacks to the degree that can potentially 2HKO Magearna as a result. (Reword this to include other sets that Magearna will not be able to answer. Terrakion can never 2HKO Magearna without boosting.) Scouting for such variants is strongly advised beforehand in order to preserve Magearna's health as much as possible. Pain Split is best utilized when Magearna is at a low amount of health, where checks such as Blissey and Arceus Ground can provide it a great amount of recovery as they attempt to switch into it. Magearna often is forced to pivot out after each use of Fleur Cannon due to the drop in Special Attack, usually in the form of Volt Switch. Therefore, it should choose each use of it's STAB wisely in order to prevent threats to take advantage of it. Other checks such as Arceus Ground can prevent Magearna from pivoting via Volt Switch, therefore it should try to double switch as much as possible versus the aforementioned checks in order to not be used as setup fodder as Magearna's teammate is forced in. (Fleur Cannon can damage other Ground types enough such that double switching may not be optimal. Examples include Toxic Spikes teams, which can force Arceus-Ground to take an effective minimum of 15% damage. As such, double switching should only be advised against Primal Groudon as this is the most risky situation to double.

Team Options
========

Partners that can handle Primal Groudon are extremely important, as Magearna often enables it to come in frequently. Therefore, teammates such as Arceus Ground, Mandibuzz, and Giratina-O Mandibuzz, Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Ground and Giratina-Origin can be important to pair with Magearna. Mandibuzz also deserves a special mention as Magearna can aid it in checking Fairy-types and can form a VoltTurn core with it to provide as much momentum to their teammates. Additional checks to physically offensive threats such as Terrakion, Altarianite Zygarde, and Entei can be important as they can otherwise overwhelm Magearna. (Small note: Magearna is only a soft-check and shouldn't be an answer to Entei, so rewording this to include some more punishing examples and removing the 'additional' part may help.) Notable partners include Lunala and Primal Groudon, where the ladder deserves a special mention as it can also provide Stealth Rock support and help Magearna wear down its checks. Offensive partners that can take advantage of Magearna's pivoting capabilities such as Terrakion, Tapu Lele, Kartana, and Primal Kyogre (In the majority of cases, Primal Kyogre doesn't abuse Magearna's pivoting, rather it abuses the blockers to that pivoting.) can also be beneficial, as Magearna can often enabling them to come in safely multiple times throughout the match and thus aid them in wallbreaking. Specially defensive walls such as Blissey and Gyaradosite Toxapex can help Magearna handle threats such as Tapu Lele, Lunala, and Darkrai, relieving pressure when trying to take them on. Arceus Ground can also cause a nuisance to Magearna as it can usually switch into Fleur Cannon if it's at relatively high health and proceed to use Magearna as setup fodder. Teammates such as Arceus Water, Slowbro, Golisopod, and Pinsirite Entei are great partners as a result.

[SET]
name: Pinsirite
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Return
move 3: Substitute / Explosion / Heal Bell
move 4: Pain Split
item: Pinsirite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shift Gear enables Magearna to turn into a potent setup sweeper, providing it enough Speed after one boost to outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame. Return is a powerful and reliable STAB move after mega evolving, enabling and due to the metagame's lack of Flying resistances, enables Magearna to deal greats amount of damage to the majority of unboosted targets. Substitute can be a great way for Magearna to punish switchins and relieve stress against status spreaders such as Will-O-Wisp Mew, Slowbro, and Toxapex. (Reword this to include places where Substitute would be more punishing, such as being able to tank Arceus-Ground Ice Beams, making Manectite Magearna a worse check etc.)This combined with Pain Split can enable Magearna to cause a nuisance to the majority of defensive walls in the metagame that can damage it directly with significant damage. It also gives Magearna a more favorable matchup against threats such as Overheat Primal Groudon as well, potentially using it as setup fodder as well. Explosion provides Magearna a nuke option that can deal immense amounts of damage to even the most sturdiest of walls, especially after a setup boost. It also enables Magearna to provide momentum for its teammates as well. Heal Bell is a great alternative that can enable Magearna to setup without the fear of status abusers such as Toxapex and Aggronite Mew. Pain Split provides a semi-reliable recovery option that can let Magearna setup against the likes of Blissey and Arceus Ground, granting it many more setup opportunities.

Set Details
========

220 140 EVs are placed into Speed to enable Magearna to outspeed Diancite Shaymin-S Terrakion and below after one setup boost. The rest of it's EVs are allocated towards Attack and HP with an Adamant nature to enhance it's wallbreaking and bulk respectively. Pinsirite not only provides Magearna with an amazing ability in Aerilate and a boost in Attack, Speed, and both it's defenses, but also grants it an additional Flying typing. This can help it take advantage of common checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and certain Primal Groudon variants and turn them into setup fodder after mega evolving. (This has already been mentioned previously in the analysis).

Usage Tips
========

The type change that is involved with Magearna's mega evolution can be extremely crucial in securing a sweep in many cases. Therefore, it is best advised to hold up mega evolving until situations where Magearna can utilize the type change to lure it's common checks and provide it a free opportunity to setup without repercussion, especially when facing teams carrying threats such as Arceus Ground, Kartana, and Pinsirite Metagross. Magearna should only try setting up when checks such as Zapdos, Zeraora, and opposing Magearna have been properly worn dowm, as otherwise Magearna can be put in a situation where it either is forced to switch out or be revenge killed. Substitute is best used to punish switchins that Magearna can force and lure status spreaders such as Will-O-Wisp Aggronite Mew and Scald Toxapex, enabling it to bypass otherwise crippling status conditions that can halt a sweep. Explosion can be used in scenarios where Magearna is worn down immensely and can prevent being revenge killed or can also be utilized to cripple checks to it's partners and provide momentum simultaneously. Pain Split can be used strategically to cripple common switchins such as Primal Groudon, Zapdos, and Aggronite Mew if Magearna has already been worn down previously.

I would merge the two sentences about Zapdos and Zeraora to include the pre-mega capabilities. Both of them can tend to lose to Magearna if pre-mega turns are utilized properly as they are unable to hit it super effectively, which is what makes Pinsirite Magearna deadly. Substitute is mainly used to prevent other targets from switching in and easily predicting a move from Magearna, but it's also key that the more common checks tend to lose to it due to having burst damage moves like Overheat or taking large residual damage from the prediction. I would change that sentence entirely and centre it around that.


Team Options
========

This variant of Magearna can be often be placed on offensive teams due to the role compression it provides by acting as a setup sweeper that can also soft-check threats such as Tapu Lele, Kartana Landorus, and Calm Mind Arceus Ground. Primal Groudon pairs excellently with Magearna, providing Stealth Rock support while also checking threats such as Entei, Zeraora, and Manectite Magearna, enabling Magearna to secure a sweep more securely. Other offensive partners such as Terrakion, Lunala, Tapu Lele, and Zygarde can aid Magearna in wearing down it's checks and help it force a win condition. They also appreciate it's ability to utilize Explosion to wear down their own appropriate checks. Entry hazard removal or dissuasion can be much appreciated due to Magearna's tendency to be worn down rather quickly. Therefore, partners such as Mandibuzz, Lunala, Arceus Ground, and Sablenite users such as Blissey and Slowbro can be quite effective. Blissey is noteworthy, as it can also provide support to Magearna via Wish, Heal Bell, or Healing Wish, enabling more chances to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Manectite variants can also employ a Calm Mind + Pain Split set, utilizing Fleur Cannon and Thunderbolt as it's coverage options in order to turn Magearna into a potent bulky setup sweeper. Such sets should utilize an EV spread of 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpA with a Bold nature to enable Magearna to still check threats such as Kartana and Diancite Terrakion. Latiasite variants can also also utilize both a pivot and bulky Calm Mind + Pain Split set to great success, being able to counteract checks such as Arceus Ground, Landorus, and Mamoswine and utilize them as setup fodder after mega evolving. However, such sets are generally outclassed by both Manectite and Pinsirite variants of Magearna due to their ability to better handle a wide array of threats. Cameruptite can also be used in conjunction with either Trick Room or Calm Mind + Pain Split to enhance Magearna's wallbreaking capabilities, abusing it's wide array of Sheer Force boosted coverage moves in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, Flash Cannon, and Shadow Ball to deal a great amount of damage to the majority of the metagame. However, such sets struggle to perform with the abundance of offensive threats in the metagame, making it harder for Magearna to properly setup and output damage. Sablenite Magearna can also be used as a great specially defensive wall that can also annoy status spreaders as well. However, this set does not see as much success due to it struggling to bypass common hazard setters such as Primal Groudon and Terrakion, making the set quite uncommon as a result. Blue Orb can also be considered, enabling Magearna to effectively check Fire-types such as Ho-Oh, Victini, and Entei. Although, Magearna still struggles to handle most Primal Groudon variants, leaving other Blue Orb carriers such as Buzzwole and Golisopod to be preferred in the majority of cases.

For me, this should be re-ordered as such:
1) Sablenite / Latiasite (Specially Defensive)
2) Calm Mind + Pain Split
3) Cameruptite
4) Blue Orb.



Checks and Counters
===================

**Primal Groudon*: Primal Groudon is one of the most common and effective Magearna checks in the metagame, resisting both of it's STAB attacks and preventing it from gaining momentum via Volt Switch and can threaten to OHKO it in return. However, certain offensive variants of Magearna such as Pinsirite and Cameruptite can effectively wear down Primal Groudon immensely, dissuading it from coming in as frequently.

**Steel-types**: Threats such as Aggronite Mew and opposing Magearna can check it quite well and threaten to heavily wear down Magearna or utilize it as setup fodder.

**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus Ground can check Manectite variants of Magearna relatively well, switching into Magearna's moves at high health and proceed to either revenge kill it or utilize it as setup fodder via Calm Mind. However, it is important to note that Arceus Ground can easily be used as setup fodder for Pinsirite sets if lacking Will-O-Wisp.

**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Lucarionite Zygarde, and Lunala can potentially overwhelm Magearna through their stat boosts. However, none of the aforementioned threats can switch into Magearna comfortably.

Change this section to instead talk about offensive pressure in general and how certain team structures make Magearna crumble quickly (Terrakion IS a good example for this)

**Fire-types**: Ho-Oh, Entei, and Victini can all threaten to OHKO Magearna through their STAB attacks and can easily come in against it's STAB moves.

**Electric-Types**: Zapdos and Zeraora can cause a huge nuisance to Pinsirite variants of Magearna, switching into it's Flying-type STAB with ease and proceed to offensively check it through their own STAB moves. However, Zeraora can easily be overwhelmed if it repeatably switches into Return due to it's lack of recovery.



**Burn**: If not running Heal Bell, Pinsirite Magearna is crippled via the burn status immensely and can be prevented from sweeping as a result. Therefore, be wary of status spreaders such as Aggronite Mew, Entei, and Slowbro.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Funbot28, 255984]]
- Quality checked by: [[Quantum Tesseract, 297239 ], [In The Hills, 324242 ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

Good job.

QC 3/3
Implemented this. Thank you to Quantum Tesseract, Kris, and xavgb for the help in implementing this
 
Rawrasr
AMGP
add / fix remove (comments)



[OVERVIEW]

With a great defensive and offensive typing, solid base stats, and a handful of moves to take advantage of, Magearna is widely considered as one as the most versatile threats in the Mix and Mega metagame and is therefore a common sight. It's Fairy / Steel typing enables it to resist types such as gives it resistances to Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Fairy, allowing it to check a wide arrange of offensive threats in the tier, with the most notable being Tapu Lele, Xerneas if carrying Heart Swap, (made this change so it doesn't sound like u only check lele if u have heart swap unless that's what u meant) Tapu Lele, non-Red Orb Darkrai, and opposing Magearna. Adding on to this, The additional bulk and useful abilities that provided by Mega Stones such as Manectite and Pinsirite provide enable Magearna to check a wider arrange of threats such as Kartana, Arceus-Ground, Zeraora, and Altarianite Zygarde. Its(-apostrophe) supportive movepool is also noteworthy, where moves such as Pain Split,(-comma) and Volt Switch enables Magearna to both sustain its(-apostrophe) health while simultaneously providing useful cleric and momentum support respectively as well. Access to Shift Gear as well as powerful physical moves in Return and Explosion also enables Magearna to employ a setup Shift Gear set in combination with Pinsirite, further enhancing its(-apostrophe) versatility as an offensive threat. The utility behind Pain Split also enables distinguishes Magearna to distinguish itself from other Pinsirite Steel-types such as Metagross and as it enables it Magearna to setup against defensive Pokemon such as Blissey and Arceus Ground. However, supportive Magearna sets can be stopped cold by the omnipresent Primal Groudon as not only can it resist both its(-apostrophe) STAB moves, but also can prevent it from pivoting by blocking it's use of Volt Switch. Magearna can also struggle to check powerful attackers such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Entei, Necrozma-DM, and Lucarionite Zygarde, necessitating additional support from its(-apostrophe) team to properly account for the aforementioned threats. Its(-apostrophe) lack of reliable recovery can also hamper Magearna's ability to stay healthy throughout the course of a match(-period) as Pain Split can be taken advantage of by the foe to recover their own health, making it an unreliable move.

[SET]
name: Manectite Pivot
move 1: Fleur Cannon
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Pain Split
item: Manectite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Fleur Cannon enables Magearna to threaten a majority of the metagame that does not resist it, such as Zygarde, Terrakion, and Darkrai. However, the drop in Special Attack often forces Magearna out after each use. Hidden Power Fire is mainly employed to OHKO Kartana, as well as deal damage to Pinsirite Magearna without forcing it out(I don't understand what this is supposed to mean). However, it can also be useful in damaging opposing Magearna.(just mention just Magearna in the sentence before this) Volt Switch provides crucial momentum and enables Magearna to safely bring its(-apostrophe) teammates in thanks to its(-apostrophe) rather low Speed tier. Pain Split enables Magearna to recover off its health against large HP targets with high HP stats such as Blissey, Primal Groudon, and Arceus Ground. Heart Swap can be run over Hidden Power Fire if Kartana is adequately checked on a team as it allows for Magearna to better check other Pokemon that may attack if from the special side, special setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Arceus and Xerneas.


Set Details
========

Max HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is important in allowing Magearna to check the likes of Kartana, Altarianite Zygarde, and Zeraora. Manectite provides Magearna with a great post-mega ability in Intimidate, enabling it to check a variety of physical threats in a pinch. It also provides it a boost in its Special Attack and both of its defenses, enabling it to dish out a higher damage output while also turning it into a respectable defensive pivot as well.


Usage Tips
========

When facing a team with an opposing Primal Groudon, it is best advised to not try and pivot against an opposing threat as Primal Groudon acts as one of the most reliable Magearna switchins in the metagame. Therefore, Magearna can either opt to chip offensive Primal Groudon variants greatly via a powerful Fleur Cannon or elect to either double switch immediately into a partner that can check Primal Groudon or recover off its own health via Pain Split if Magearna has been severely weakened previously. While Intimidate and Magearna's great physical bulk can enable it to check the majority of physical attackers in the tier, Magearna must be cautious when switching into the likes of Terrakion and Zygarde as both threats often carry Lucarionite, boosting their STAB attacks to the degree that can potentially heavily damage Magearna as a result. Scouting for such variants is strongly advised beforehand in order to preserve Magearna's health as much as possible. Pain Split is best utilized when Magearna is at a low amount of health, where checks such as Blissey and Arceus-Ground can provide it a great amount of recovery as they attempt to switch into it. Magearna is often is forced to pivot out after each use of Fleur Cannon due to the drop in Special Attack, usually in the form of Volt Switch. Therefore, it should choose each use of its STAB wisely in order to prevent threats to take advantage of it. Fleur Cannon can damage other Ground-types enough such that double switching may not be optimal. Examples include Toxic Spikes teams, which can force Arceus-Ground to take an effective minimum of 15% damage. As such, double switching should only be advised against Primal Groudon as this is the most risky situation to double.

Team Options
========

Partners that can handle Primal Groudon are extremely important, as Magearna often enables it to come in frequently. Therefore, teammates such as Mandibuzz, Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Ground,(+comma) and Giratina-Origin can be important good Pokemon to pair with Magearna. Mandibuzz also deserves a special mention as Magearna can aid it in checking Fairy-types and can form a VoltTurn core with it to provide as much momentum to their teammates. Checks to physically offensive threats such as Terrakion, Altarianite Zygarde, and Entei can be important as they can otherwise overwhelm Magearna. Notable partners include Lunala and Primal Groudon, where the ladder latter deserves a special mention as it can also provide Stealth Rock support and help Magearna wear down its checks. Offensive partners that can take advantage of Magearna's pivoting capabilities such as Terrakion, Tapu Lele, and Kartana can is also be beneficial, as Magearna can often enabling enable them to come in safely multiple times throughout the match and thus aid them in wallbreaking. Specially defensive walls such as Blissey and Gyaradosite Toxapex can help Magearna handle threats such as Tapu Lele, Lunala, and Darkrai, relieving pressure when trying to take them on. Arceus-Ground can also cause a nuisance to Magearna as it can usually switch into Fleur Cannon if it's at relatively high health and proceed to use Magearna as setup fodder. Teammates such as Arceus-Water, Slowbro, Golisopod, and Pinsirite Entei are great partners as a result.

[SET]
name: Pinsirite
move 1: Shift Gear
move 2: Return
move 3: Substitute / Explosion
move 4: Pain Split
item: Pinsirite
ability: Soul-Heart
nature: Adamant
evs: 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shift Gear enables Magearna to turn into a potent setup sweeper, providing it enough Speed after one boost to outspeed almost the entire unboosted metagame. Return is a powerful and reliable STAB move after Mega Evolving, and due to the metagame's lack of Flying resistances, enables Magearna to deal greats amounts of damage to the majority of unboosted targets. Substitute can be a great way for Magearna to punish switch-ins such as Arceus-Ground, Landorus, and certain Primal Groudon variants and turn them into setup fodder after Mega Evolving. This,(+comma) combined with Pain Split,(+comma) can enable Magearna to cause a nuisance to the majority of defensive walls in the metagame that can damage it directly with significant damage. Explosion provides Magearna a nuke option that can deal immense amounts of damage to even the most sturdiest of walls, especially after a setup boost. It also enables Magearna to provide momentum for its teammates as well. Heal Bell is a great alternative that can enable Magearna to setup without the fear of status abusers such as Toxapex and Aggronite Mew. Pain Split provides a semi-reliable recovery option that can let Magearna setup against the likes of Blissey and Arceus-Ground, granting it many more setup opportunities.

Set Details
========

140 EVs are placed into Speed to enable Magearna to outspeed Diancite Terrakion and below after one setup boost. The rest of its EVs are allocated towards Attack and HP with an Adamant nature to enhance its wallbreaking abilities and bulk respectively. Pinsirite not only provides Magearna with an amazing ability in Aerilate and a boost in Attack, Speed, and both its defenses, but also grants it an additional Flying typing.

Usage Tips
========

The type change that is involved with Magearna's Mega Evolution can be extremely crucial in securing a sweep in many cases. Therefore, it is best advised to hold up Mega Evolving until situations where Magearna can utilize the type change to lure its common checks, such as Zapdos and Zeraora, and provide it a free opportunity to setup without repercussion, especially when facing teams carrying threats such as Arceus-Ground, Kartana, and Pinsirite Metagross. Substitute should be used to prevent free switch-ins from Pokemon like Primal Groudon or Victini, who will need to use Overheat or V-Create respectively in order to break Substitute, weakening them for teammates to take advantage of. Explosion can be used in scenarios where Magearna is worn down immensely and can prevent it from being revenge killed or can also be utilized to cripple checks to its partners and provide momentum simultaneously. Pain Split can be used strategically to cripple common switchins such as Primal Groudon, Zapdos, and Aggronite Mew if Magearna has already been worn down previously.


Team Options
========

This variant of Magearna can be often be placed on offensive teams due to the role compression it provides by acting as a setup sweeper that can also check threats such as Tapu Lele, Landorus, and Calm Mind Arceus-Ground. Primal Groudon pairs excellently with Magearna, providing Stealth Rock support while also checking threats such as Entei, Zeraora, and Manectite Magearna, enabling Magearna to secure a sweep more securely. Other offensive partners such as Terrakion, Lunala, Tapu Lele, and Zygarde can aid Magearna in wearing down its checks and help it force a win condition. They also appreciate its ability to utilize Explosion to wear down their own appropriate respective checks. Entry hazard removal or dissuasion can be much appreciated due to Magearna's tendency to be worn down rather quickly. Therefore, partners such as Mandibuzz, Lunala, Arceus-Ground, and Sablenite users such as Blissey and Slowbro can be quite effective. Blissey is noteworthy, as it can also provide support to Magearna via Wish, Heal Bell, or Healing Wish, enabling more chances to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Sablenite Magearna can also be used as a great specially defensive wall that can also annoy status spreaders as well. However, this set does not see as much success due to it struggling to bypass common hazard setters such as Primal Groudon and Terrakion, making the set quite uncommon as a result. Latiasite variants can also also utilize both a pivot and bulky Calm Mind + Pain Split set to great success, being able to counteract checks such as Arceus-Ground, Landorus, and Mamoswine and utilize them as setup fodder after Mega Evolving. However, such sets are generally outclassed by both Manectite and Pinsirite variants of Magearna due to their ability to better handle a wide array of threats. Manectite variants can also employ a Calm Mind + Pain Split set, utilizing Fleur Cannon and Thunderbolt as its coverage options in order to turn Magearna into a potent bulky setup sweeper. Such sets should utilize an EV spread of 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpA with a Bold nature to enable Magearna to still check threats such as Kartana and Diancite Terrakion. Cameruptite can also be used in conjunction with either Trick Room or Calm Mind + Pain Split to enhance Magearna's wallbreaking capabilities, abusing its wide array of Sheer Force boosted coverage moves in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, Flash Cannon, and Shadow Ball to deal a great amount of damage to the majority of the metagame. However, such sets struggle to perform with the abundance of offensive threats in the metagame, making it harder for Magearna to properly setup and output dish out damage. Blue Orb can also be considered, enabling Magearna to effectively check Fire-types such as Ho-Oh, Victini, and Entei. Although, Magearna still struggles to handle most Primal Groudon variants, leaving other Blue Orb carriers such as Buzzwole and Golisopod to be preferred in the majority of cases.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Primal Groudon*: Primal Groudon is one of the most common and effective Magearna checks in the metagame, resisting both of its STAB attacks and preventing it from gaining momentum via Volt Switch and can threaten to OHKO it in return. However, certain offensive variants of Magearna such as Pinsirite can effectively wear down Primal Groudon immensely, dissuading it from coming in as frequently.

**Steel-types**: Threats such as Aggronite Mew and opposing Magearna can check it quite well and threaten to heavily wear down Magearna or utilize it as setup fodder.

**Arceus-Ground**: Arceus Ground can check Manectite variants of Magearna relatively well, switching into Magearna's moves at high health and proceed to either revenge kill it or utilize it as setup fodder via Calm Mind. However, it is important to note that Arceus Ground can easily be used as setup fodder for Pinsirite sets if lacking Will-O-Wisp.

**Setup Sweepers**: Teams with offensive cores such as Lucarionite Terrakion, Pinsirite Entei, or Metagrossite Kartana can potentially overwhelm Magearna through their stat boosts, and since Magearna's recovery in Pain Split is unreliable. However, none of the aforementioned threats can switch into Magearna comfortably.

**Fire-types**: Ho-Oh, Entei, and Victini can all threaten to OHKO Magearna through their STAB attacks and can easily come in against its STAB moves.

**Electric-Types**: Zapdos and Zeraora can cause a huge nuisance to Pinsirite variants of Magearna, switching into its Flying-type STAB with ease and proceed to offensively check it through their own STAB moves. However, Zeraora can easily be overwhelmed if it repeatably switches into Return due to its lack of recovery.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Funbot28, 255984]]
- Quality checked by: [[Quantum Tesseract, 297239 ], [In The Hills, 324242 ], [Chazm, 376369]]
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