Overview
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This season, Manectric has proven itself to be a top tier threat. Normally, not much has changed for regular Manectric, but its Mega Evolution is an entirely different story. After Mega Evolving, Manectric becomes the fastest Pokemon in the tier with access to both Intimidate as well as a switching move in Volt Switch. Having decent bulk with 70 / 80 / 80 defensive stats (which a slight boost from regular Manectric) as well as's stats) and only one weakness, Mega Manectric is also able to take hits as well as dish them out. This season, being a special attacker is a gift due to the increased usage of Intimidate and Will-oO-Wisp, and Mega Manectric's base 135 Special Attack makes it a force to be reckoned with. Manectric does have downsides, however. AHowever, Garchomp, which also having received a Mega Evolution, Garchomp floodsis prominent in the VGC '14 season, in both its regular and theits Mega- Evolved form. Its STAB Earthquake, especially with a Sand Force boost, makes it a big obstacle that Manectric will haves to deal with quite often. Not only thatFurthermore, Manectric also has quite a poor movepool, and usually forcing ithas to choose from less than ten moves. Despite thiese drawbacks, Mega Manectric can wreak havoc to both unprepared and prepared teams.
Standard Mega
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name: Standard Mega
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Overheat / Flamethrower
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Volt Switch / Snarl
move 4: Protect
ability: Lightingrod
item: Manectite
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
nature: Timid / Modest
Moves
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Although itManectric's movepool is small, the moves that is doest haves access to are quite varied in typing. Thunderbolt ishould be the main choice for Manectric as it is a strong Electric-type STAB move for it to use. Manectric has two options for the next moveslot,: Overheat and Flamethrower. Flamethrower is a strong Fire-type move that will deals a lot damage without any drawbacks. Overheat, on the other hand, is stronger, but does come at the price of lowerings Manectric's Special Attack, which is a price that it may be unwilling to pay. The third slot is really dependent on personal preference. Hidden Power Ice is the main choice as it can remove Ground-types that would usually wall Manectric. This especially, and comes in handy when havdealing to deal with Garchomp. Volt Switch is another option that will allows Manectric to deal a good chunk of damage due to its high base Special Attack, and then switch out so it can reactivate Intimidate when brought back in. If you do not wish to use either of these two attacks, Manectric can also try Snarl instead. Snarl will bot, which deals damage and cripples opposing special attackers. For the last slot, Protect is a must as it can stall a turn, and Manectric does not really have a better option.
Set Details
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Most of thise set is quite standard. Since this set is meant for Mega Manectric, Manectite is obviously the item of choice. Lastly, tThe ability Manectric has prior to Mega Evolution should be Lightningrod, as it can helpallows Manectric to take advantage of Electric-type attack before Mega Evolvings. The other abilities are not really useful, as Static is based on chance and would forcerelies on Manectric to being attacked before having a chanceto activate, at being useful. The third ability, Minus, is just completely useless for Manectric.
The EV spread is standard for special attackers and sweepers. 252 EVs in Special Attack isare used to maximize itManectric's Special Attack, while the 252 EVs in Speed will help to boost up its Speed. Lastly, both Timid and Modest natures are good on Mega Manectric. A Modest willnature maximizes its Special Attack since itand is viable as Manectric already has a high base Speed, while a Timid willnature help Manectrics it outspeed certain Pokemon prior to Mega Evolution.
Usage Tips
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Manectric works nicely as a lead and can also keep momentum going with Volt Switch. The best time to bring it in is dependent on the team you are facing. If they do not have any physical attackers, you should wait and use it as a late game cleaner. On the contraryother hand, if they do have physical attackers, you can lead off with Manectric and activate Intimidate. This will also come in handy, becauseis useful as after Manectric has Mega-Evolved, Intimidate will reactivate every time it is brought back into play. Using this strategy correctly couldan completely cripple any opposing physical sweepers and render them useless. Also, if theyopposing Pokemon seem like they mayight have Electric-type moves, you should hold off on Mega Evolving since Manectric can bringtake advantage of them to witself thanks to Lightningrod.
Team Options
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Manectric has some really good teammates that can compliment its versatility. For example, Gyarados is a great team playerworks very well with Manectric. Gyarados, as it can take care of any Ground-type Pokemon that would normally scare Manectric. In addition, they both have Intimidate, and a duo Intimidate core destroyseverely hampers Pokemon that depend on physical Pokemonves. Another good teammate for Manectric wouldis Amoonguss. Amoonguss, as it does not fear thingsPokemon that would normally target Manectric and can offer good support thanks to its access to Rage Powder and Spore. Ground-types formare nice teammates and will allow youManectric to spam Discharge, as withey do nout takinge any damage due to their immunity to Electric-type immunitymoves. Lastly, Politoed works nicely because it brings raindue to Drizzle, which would get overrid of anyes other weather conditions and bringraises Thunder to 100%'s accuracy to 100%.
Other Options
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Despite its scarce movepool, Manectric has a few other options this season despite its scarce movepool. First off, Manectric can decideopt to run Discharge if it is partnered with a Ground-type, but this is usually not run becauadvised as Manectric will cannot bparticipate able to form thes part of a DisQuake combo. Also, Manectric can run Thunder, but this woulde move is only be viable in rain. Without the guaranteed hit, it, as its shaky accuracy is not worth the risk otherwise. Also, due to all the popularity of weather around, it would beis hard to keep themaintain rain upconsistently. Lastly, Manectric has the option to run Hidden Power Grass instead of Hidden Power Ice. This would make it easi, to better to deal with Pokemon likesuch as Rotom-W, but. However, Hidden Power Ice is the better choice sincesuperior as it will deals with more threats than Hidden Power Grass does.
Checks & Counters
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**Rotom-H**: Rotom-H resists anevery move that Manectric can throw at it and will beis able to killKO Manectric before Manectric killKOes it.
**Ground-types**: Manectric is not that bulky and will most likely faill to Ground-type moves like Earthquake. There is a chance thatHowever, Manectric may be able to lsurvive afterif its opponent is weakened by Intimidate, however. As a general rule, if Manectric can not OHKO its opponent, its opponent will most likely OHbe KOed in return.
**Dragon-types**: Like Ground-types, Dragon-types can also be a pain to deal with. Unless Manectric carryingies Hidden Power Ice, they willDragon-types resist anything Manectric move it can throw at them, and can KO it with their naturally powerful attacks, will KO Manectric back. Even if Manectric carries Hidden Power Ice, Goodra can take the hits due to its insanely high special bulk.