Artwork by me
Hello everyone and welcome to this very special Rate My Team (RMT). My name is Balanced Freakmons and today I bring you another Balanced Hackmons RMT post.
After the success of my The Nuclear Army and Knights of The Frozen Throne teams and with the bans of Primal Groudon direct use and Stakeout contributing for a more stable meta, I could finally focus in my goal to acheive 90% GXE in generation 7 BH for the first time. Today I’m very glad to introduce you to the team that helped me achieve that goal and belive that this was one of the teams that gave me most pleasure to play with.
I got my inspiration to name this team as "Masters of Illusion" (the same name as a TV series) because one of its strong points is taking advantage of the ability Illusion (which is very underrated, in my opinion) and I practice illusion magic tricks with cards in real life, like this one:
The team was built with the main goal of achieving 90% GXE. In my opinion, to have such a high record, we must build a team that can ally consistency with surprise factor. In order to win consistently we should not only have a defensively good team but we should also have the ability to suprise our opponents at an offensive level.
This way, I introduce you the “Masters of Illusion” teambuilding process.
I started building this team in the same way that I start building almost all my teams: thinking about a consistent lead Pokémon. Every team needs a good lead Pokémon and, following my Knights of The Frozen Throne Choice Scarf Mega Mewtwo Y lead idea, I decided to use Mega Gengar as a potential Choice Scarf user as well. Gengar can threat the majority of the offensive metagame used nowadays, now ruled by Psychic Surge abusers like Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X or Deoxys and some of the most used Pokémon in the defensive side, like Giratina, Solgaleo, Aegislash and Audino.
With the guaranteed surprise effect of a Scarfed lead Gengar, I started building the offensive “core” of the team. I knew that Gengar could threat many common Pokémon, however, it struggles a lot against Dark types like Tyranitar, Gyarados and Yveltal. To beat these threats, I decided to use Mega Diancie, which I figured that could help against Zygarde too. I decided not to run the Pixilate set, as -ates viability has decreased in gen 7 with 252 EV meta and due to priority blocking abilities, so I run a mixed Magic Guard set that I will explain more in-depth in the Team Analysis.
Having Gengar and Diancie I figured that Flash Fire (and even non Flash Fire, Regenvest Solgaleo was hard to beat too) steel types could be a problem to beat, as their usage has increased a lot last weeks. So, to complete my offensive “dynamic duo” I realised I would probably need a Ground type to stomp through all these Steel types out there. With Primal Groudon banned, the best option relies on Mega Garchomp. Diancie and Garchomp have proved to be a great offensive duo, as each one can beat each other checks. Firstly, I thought about using Morogrim’s set from gen 6 (Scarf Adaptability) but I realised I already had an Adaptability Scarf pokémon in my team. So, I thought about adding a bit more of surprise effect to the team and started considering about using Illusion while compensating the raw power loss with Choice Band. Illusion has proved to be great, as I can disguise my Mega Garchomp into Mega Diancie to lure steel types and crush them with a Banded ground move coming “outta nowhere”. “Diancie used Precipice Blades. Registeel lost 100% of its health.” You didn’t see that coming, huh?
With all the main attackers listed, I needed to start working on the defensive stuff that could bring the defensive consistency that any team needs to prevail. There is a Pokémon that every team must be able to stop in order to survive in BH nowadays: Psychic Surge Choice Specs Mega Mewtwo Y. So, I decided to use Solgaleo as my main check to that monster. Solgaleo is a great defensive pivot, resisting 4x to Psychic and with Flash Fire it is able to resist Specs Fire and Fairy moves from MMY, and, at the same time, it can imposterproof my own Diancie and help checking those Contrary abusers like MMY, MMX or Rayquaza and all -ates that don’t run ground coverage (which is rare, as most of them run V-Create).
Now, I tried to join my imposterproof response of Gengar and Garchomp in one single Pokémon, as only two slots were left. I first thought about my favourite Pokémon, Yveltal, though I found it fragile, as it suffers a lot from rocks and 25% HP can be sometimes crucial when imposterproofing. Then I came up with Gyarados, with Fur Coat, that can wall both my Gengar and my Garchomp and its efficiency against physical threats has clearly surprised me. Besides this, Gyarados is able to stop Shell Smash Power Trip/Stored Power users (and some other physical moves), some Unburden Belly Drum sets and check some opposing Gengar and MMY sets as well.
Finally, I thought about giving some Special bulk to the team and I decided to run a peculiar Assault Vest Regenerator Zygarde-C that, with both good defensive stats, it can act as a check to many Pokémon if my other checks are dead already and it is a good hazard remover, fact that any team appreciates.
I started building this team in the same way that I start building almost all my teams: thinking about a consistent lead Pokémon. Every team needs a good lead Pokémon and, following my Knights of The Frozen Throne Choice Scarf Mega Mewtwo Y lead idea, I decided to use Mega Gengar as a potential Choice Scarf user as well. Gengar can threat the majority of the offensive metagame used nowadays, now ruled by Psychic Surge abusers like Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X or Deoxys and some of the most used Pokémon in the defensive side, like Giratina, Solgaleo, Aegislash and Audino.
With the guaranteed surprise effect of a Scarfed lead Gengar, I started building the offensive “core” of the team. I knew that Gengar could threat many common Pokémon, however, it struggles a lot against Dark types like Tyranitar, Gyarados and Yveltal. To beat these threats, I decided to use Mega Diancie, which I figured that could help against Zygarde too. I decided not to run the Pixilate set, as -ates viability has decreased in gen 7 with 252 EV meta and due to priority blocking abilities, so I run a mixed Magic Guard set that I will explain more in-depth in the Team Analysis.
Having Gengar and Diancie I figured that Flash Fire (and even non Flash Fire, Regenvest Solgaleo was hard to beat too) steel types could be a problem to beat, as their usage has increased a lot last weeks. So, to complete my offensive “dynamic duo” I realised I would probably need a Ground type to stomp through all these Steel types out there. With Primal Groudon banned, the best option relies on Mega Garchomp. Diancie and Garchomp have proved to be a great offensive duo, as each one can beat each other checks. Firstly, I thought about using Morogrim’s set from gen 6 (Scarf Adaptability) but I realised I already had an Adaptability Scarf pokémon in my team. So, I thought about adding a bit more of surprise effect to the team and started considering about using Illusion while compensating the raw power loss with Choice Band. Illusion has proved to be great, as I can disguise my Mega Garchomp into Mega Diancie to lure steel types and crush them with a Banded ground move coming “outta nowhere”. “Diancie used Precipice Blades. Registeel lost 100% of its health.” You didn’t see that coming, huh?
With all the main attackers listed, I needed to start working on the defensive stuff that could bring the defensive consistency that any team needs to prevail. There is a Pokémon that every team must be able to stop in order to survive in BH nowadays: Psychic Surge Choice Specs Mega Mewtwo Y. So, I decided to use Solgaleo as my main check to that monster. Solgaleo is a great defensive pivot, resisting 4x to Psychic and with Flash Fire it is able to resist Specs Fire and Fairy moves from MMY, and, at the same time, it can imposterproof my own Diancie and help checking those Contrary abusers like MMY, MMX or Rayquaza and all -ates that don’t run ground coverage (which is rare, as most of them run V-Create).
Now, I tried to join my imposterproof response of Gengar and Garchomp in one single Pokémon, as only two slots were left. I first thought about my favourite Pokémon, Yveltal, though I found it fragile, as it suffers a lot from rocks and 25% HP can be sometimes crucial when imposterproofing. Then I came up with Gyarados, with Fur Coat, that can wall both my Gengar and my Garchomp and its efficiency against physical threats has clearly surprised me. Besides this, Gyarados is able to stop Shell Smash Power Trip/Stored Power users (and some other physical moves), some Unburden Belly Drum sets and check some opposing Gengar and MMY sets as well.
Finally, I thought about giving some Special bulk to the team and I decided to run a peculiar Assault Vest Regenerator Zygarde-C that, with both good defensive stats, it can act as a check to many Pokémon if my other checks are dead already and it is a good hazard remover, fact that any team appreciates.
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam/Moonblast/Fusion Flare
- Volt Switch
The first member of "Masters of Illusion" is one of the reasons why surprise factor is one of this team best qualities. Choice Scarf Mega Gengar is a completely unexpected set, due to Gengar's already high speed. Taking advantage of this when facing already damaged Pokémon or threats like MMY can turn this Gengar as one of the best revenege killers ever in BH. With Modest nature (to maximize damage) this Gengar reaches 538 Speed, outspeeding the entire non boosted metagame. This means that MMY, MMX, Imposter, Gengar (so good not to depend on speed ties against these last three!), Deoxys-A, Deoxys-S Pheromosa or Aerodactyl can be OHKO'ed or easilly revenge killed. If rocks are already up, the better. Moongiest Beam is one of Gengar's main STABS threatning not only these offensive listed Pokémon but also some of the most common defensive ones like Giratina, Solgaleo and Aegislash. 100 power, 100 accuracy with the bonus of ignoring Shedinja's Sturdy? Perfect! Sludge Wave is the second STAB and is the best answer against Mega Audino and Arceus, another common Gengar checks, as usually Gengar runs Normalize without Poison type damaging moves. With Adaptability boost these two moves hit very hard, turning Gengar an even stronger Special attacker. For the third move I provide three options: Ice Beam, Moonblast or a Fire move like Fusuon Flare. It all depends in what you prefer to have coverage against. I personally use Ice Beam which is a better answer against Zygarde and Rayquaza (OHKO on Ray is always great), however, Moonblast provides a better option against Dark types and Fusion Flare against Steel types. The last move is Volt Switch that is very helpful if I suspect of an opposing Focus Sash (MMY, Deo-A caugh...caugh), against Yveltal/Gyarados to hit and run and provides fast pivoting, wearing out the opposing teams from time to time.
Some nice calcs:
252+ SpA Adaptability Gengar-Mega Moongeist Beam vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Mewtwo-Mega-Y: 408-484 (98 - 116.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Adaptability Gengar-Mega Moongeist Beam vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Mewtwo-Mega-X: 464-548 (111.5 - 131.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Adaptability Gengar-Mega Moongeist Beam vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Gengar-Mega: 480-568 (148.1 - 175.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Gengar-Mega Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Rayquaza: 448-528 (108.2 - 127.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Adaptability Gengar-Mega Moongeist Beam vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Giratina: 408-484 (80.9 - 96%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Adaptability Gengar-Mega Moongeist Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Solgaleo: 456-540 (95.3 - 112.9%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Adaptability Gengar-Mega Moongeist Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Solgaleo: 304-360 (63.5 - 75.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Adaptability Gengar-Mega Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Audino-Mega: 340-404 (82.9 - 98.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Gengar-Mega Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Zygarde-Complete: 392-464 (61.6 - 72.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Shell Smash
- Light of Ruin
- Mind Blown
- Head Smash
This is the princess of the team. Knowing that Gengar would struggle a lot against Dark types (as it can't OHKO them) I needed a Pokémon that could fairly (pun not intentional lol) deal with them. This is probably the most devastating Diancie set to be used nowadays. Pixilate is good, but -ates are not that viable as they were before. Magic Guard+Life orb allows me to deal insane amounts of damage at +0 without losing a single HP from recoil, hazards and status conditions! And, the set comes with the bonus of using Shell Smash, which turns Diancie a great late game sweeper, when all its threats (like Flash Fire Steels) are already out. Light of Ruin is the first STAB and it's the move you will click 85% of the time. It provides a great matchup vs Dark types (Yveltal, Tyranitar, Gyarados, Guzzord...) and Dragons like Giratina or Zygarde. Head Smash is the secondary STAB dealing insane amounts of damage to Kyogre and Regigigas (2KO at +0 and KO at +2). 150 powered Mind Blown is Diancie's new toy since USUM replacing the 120 powered Flare Blitz and ensures some coverage against Steel types that you have sure not to be Flash Fire. Diancie benefits a lot if rocks are already up when it comes to the field, because they help turning some 2KOs into OHKOs. The chosen nature was Hasty, ensuring both maximum Speed and both Physical and Special max damage. The only thing that can frighten you from using this set is the imperfect accuracy of Light Of Ruin and Head Smash, but power comes with costs.
Calcs (at +0, since we already know what happens at +2 xD):
252 SpA Life Orb Diancie-Mega Light of Ruin vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Giratina: 439-523 (87.1 - 103.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Diancie-Mega Light of Ruin vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Yveltal: 507-601 (111.1 - 131.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Diancie-Mega Light of Ruin vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Tyranitar-Mega: 439-523 (108.6 - 129.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Diancie-Mega Light of Ruin vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Zygarde-Complete: 517-611 (81.2 - 96%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Diancie-Mega Mind Blown vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel: 268-317 (73.6 - 87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Diancie-Mega Head Smash vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Regigigas: 274-325 (64.6 - 76.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Diancie-Mega Head Smash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Kyogre-Primal: 286-339 (70.7 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Precipice Blades
- Dragon Hammer
- Sunsteel Strike
- U-turn/Trick
The third member of "Masters of Illusion" and the main reason for the team having that name. To complete my offensive "Dynamic Duo" I needed a Pokémon that could help dealing with what Diancie can't: Steel types, specially Flash Fire and Regenator ones. With this in mind I thought about using a Ground type. Primal Groudon direct use is banned, so i found in Garchomp an excellent answer. Firstly, I thought anout using morogrim's AdaptaScarf set from gen 6, however, I found that Gengar had already that role. So, I decided to add a bit more of surprise factor to the team by using Illusion compensating Adaptability loss with Choice Band, which turns Garchomp switchin against Steel types less obvious for my opponent . The key here is really disguise this Garchomp into Diancie, luring Steel types to wall her and removing them with an unexpected Banded Precipice Blades. This combination has proved to work even better than I thought in the beginning and Garchomp+Diancie partnership is undoubtedly amazing.
Some calcs:
252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp-Mega Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Registeel: 426-504 (117 - 138.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp-Mega Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Dialga: 500-590 (123.7 - 146%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp-Mega Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Aegislash-Shield: 426-504 (131.4 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp-Mega Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Solgaleo: 542-638 (113.3 - 133.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp-Mega Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Kyogre-Primal: 277-327 (68.5 - 80.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp-Mega Sunsteel Strike vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Audino-Mega: 246-290 (60 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Heal Order
- Sunsteel Strike
With three slots out of six of the team filled with offensive presence, I needed to start working in the defensive part of the team, that could bring the consistency behind the surprise. Imposterproofing our stuff is important and if you can join that with the ability to check some other threats in one pokemon, the better. Flash Fire Solgaleo is here for three main reasons: 1) Imposterpoofing my Diancie, 2) Checking Choice Specs Psychic Surge Mega Mewtwo Y and 3) Checking those Contrary abusers like MMY, MMX, Mega Sceptile and Mega Rayquaza that spam V-create and Overheat. Spectral Thief steals Contrary boosts as well as Diancie's Imposter ones from Shell Smash, U-turn paired with Sassy nature ensures one of the slowest pivots in the metagame, Heal Order ensures Solgaleo's durability and Sunsteel Strike is another answer to Shedinja and Audino in addition to being a great STAB move to inflict some neutral damage from time to time. This set completely walls the most evil Xerneas Poison Heal set (Quiver Dance/Moonblast/Magma Storm/Spore) that can wreck havock many teams. Safety Googles is chosen to help Solgaleo check some sets like the last i mentioned as well as Triage Mega Rayquaza or Spore Contrary memes and other sweepers that rely on Spore to better do their job. Solgaleo has proved to be the defensive axis of the team, being to check a lot of stuff (-ates and some Shell Smash sets in addition to those already mentioned threats), so I try to keep it alive the maximum amount of time possible.
The Leviathan (Gyarados-Mega) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
Keeping in mind the phylosophy of saving team slots while joining Imposterproofing ability with cheking other threats, I came up with the fifth member of "Masters of Illusion": Fur Coat Mega Gyarados. It acts as my answer to imposter when they copy my Gengar or Garchomp and with Fur Coat it has proved to be an excellent, yet unorthodox, physical wall. This Gyarados is the best answer to Shell Smash Power Trip/Stored Power sweepers, acts like a MMY check as well (non fairy coverage, good when they use Moongiest instead because Solgaleo fears it) and it even survives +2 Close Combat from MMX (Spectral thief all the way!). In spite of having a defensive role, this Gyarados acts as my Stealth Rock setter and it's Relaxed nature with minuim Speed EV and IV ensures a slower U-turn than opposing Solgaleo, Zygarde and Regenvest users like Kyogre, allowing me to safely slow pivot to any of my offensive Pokémon to beat them. This set contributes a lot to the team's offensive maneuver. Roost provides durability, and it is good to choose different healing moves because imprison can always be a surprise. The reason I chose Safety Googles as it's item is pretty much the same I mentioned on Solgaleo's analysis, mostly to fight against Spore Spam.
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- U-turn
- Spectral Thief
- Core Enforcer
- Rapid Spin
The last, but not the least, member of "Masters of Illusion" is Zygarde-C, my eternal Wonder Wall (I really love this song xD
Assault Vest Zygarde is my blanket switchin to most Special attackers, however it's good Defense and HP stats allow him to check many Physical or Mixed sets too, like Poison Heal Regigigas, Smash Close Combat+StoredPower/Power Trip MMX, Aerilate Rayquaza, Galvanize Zekrom, etc. U-turn with the Sassy nature is to take the best of Regenerator and safe pivoting, Spectral Thief steals boosted Pokémon, Core Enforcer provides a good help against Poison Heal Regigigas, Kyogre, Tyranitar, Gyarados and Giratina, forcing them out while doing some nice chip damage in the process. Zygarde can act as an emergency check to some powerful -ate users and Contrary Sweepers if their checks are already dead, however, it's preferred to never switchin Zygarde against threats like these. Rapid Spin adds Zygarde the role of hazard remover, which any team always appreciates.
This is a section where I can explain what the team can beat and check afterall. Be aware that this is on theory! And usually, the difference between theory and practice is bigger in practice than in theory. This means that every match may require you to adapt to the circumstances.
Checked Threats:
- Contrary Sweepers: completely walled by solgaleo (watch out for random Moongiest though). As long as Solgaleo is alive, Overheat/Vcreate+Superpower Contrary abusers are not a problem at all;
- Mega Mewtwo Y: Psychic Surge Specs has only one coverage: Fire, Fairy or Ghost. Solgaleo walls the first two verisons, whereas Gyarados checks Moongiest and even Secret Sword versions. Life Orb Sheer Force is usually walled by Solgaleo (as they prefer to run Fire Coverage instead of Earth Power), though AV Zygarde can check even the Ice Beam ones and chipping damage it with U-turn providing a Gengar show off next. Scarf Gengar is faster than any MMY, so if rocks are up and you find MMY it's a free kill. MMY/X spam teams are now very easy to deal with;
- Triage Mega Rayquaza: Solgaleo walls it with Googles and Spectral Thief;
- Shell Smash Mega Mewtwo X: You can play around it to check what moves it has, but usually Zygarde does an awesome job steaing their boosts as well as Solgaleo;
- Poison Heal Xerneas: Flash Fire Solgaleo 1-0 PH Xerneas. That set can't even tickle Solgaleo;
- -ates: Checked by Flash Fire Solgaleo (V-create is 90 % their coverage);
- Kyogre: Solgaleo and Gyarados can check it at a certain extent, stealing its boosts, and Zygarde can surpass its Poison Heal with Core Enforcer. When you are attacking, Garchomp and Diancie 2KO it;
- Power Trip/Stored Power: Gyarados is the best answer, and Zygarde/Solgaleo can steal their boosts;
Possible threats:
There's not much that can threat this team as it's offensive presence is enough to scary any set upper, but there are some sets that may be needed to play around with:
There's not much that can threat this team as it's offensive presence is enough to scary any set upper, but there are some sets that may be needed to play around with:
- Unburden Belly Drum: they can be tricky to deal with, depending in which one you are facing (Lucario, Kartana, MMX, etc), however if rocks are up and you don't let them set up (the team offensive presence is enough, to be honest) you can keep calm;
- Normalize Mega Gengar after a Shell Smash: Our Gengar is fast than any other and it KO's for sure, but if opposing Gengar has a chance to set up, the lack of Revelation Dance in the team may show that the team is open to this threat, however, I provide an alternative version in the Importable section (all same Pokémon, just a few changes in some movesets) that includes Revelation Dance in Assault Vest Zygarde to remove this team threat.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696932852 (ThermpFanAccount)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696930134 (vs El Mustacho)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696925726 (vs Aethernum)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-695964912 (vs Aethernum, again)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696454918 (vs Arsenal)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696450286 (vs FluffieMareep)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-695977698 (vs C.mastersceus† and Gyarados survives +3 Secret Sword)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-697996493 (vs disciple)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696448091 (vs testing new idears)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696049009 (vs Whitephoenixace2)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-696051302 (vs HateFringe)
I laddered with more 1 alt, though I didn't take pic and I had a problem with my pc. Then meanwhile the GXE dropped.
The Nights (Gengar-Mega) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Dazzling Darling (Diancie-Mega) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Shell Smash
- Light of Ruin
- Mind Blown
- Head Smash
LandShark (Garchomp-Mega) @ Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Precipice Blades
- Dragon Hammer
- Sunsteel Strike
- U-turn
Solgayleo (Solgaleo) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Heal Order
- Sunsteel Strike
The Leviathan (Gyarados-Mega) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
Wonder Wall (Zygarde-Complete) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- U-turn
- Spectral Thief
- Core Enforcer
- Rapid Spin
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Dazzling Darling (Diancie-Mega) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Shell Smash
- Light of Ruin
- Mind Blown
- Head Smash
LandShark (Garchomp-Mega) @ Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Precipice Blades
- Dragon Hammer
- Sunsteel Strike
- U-turn
Solgayleo (Solgaleo) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Heal Order
- Sunsteel Strike
The Leviathan (Gyarados-Mega) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
Wonder Wall (Zygarde-Complete) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- U-turn
- Spectral Thief
- Core Enforcer
- Rapid Spin
The Nights (Gengar-Mega) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Dazzling Darling (Diancie-Mega) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Shell Smash
- Light of Ruin
- Mind Blown
- Head Smash
LandShark (Garchomp-Mega) @ Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Precipice Blades
- Dragon Hammer
- Sunsteel Strike
- U-turn
Solgayleo (Solgaleo) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Heal Order
- Defog/Rapid Spin
The Leviathan (Gyarados-Mega) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
Wonder Wall (Zygarde-Complete) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- U-turn
- Spectral Thief
- Core Enforcer
- Revelation Dance
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Dazzling Darling (Diancie-Mega) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Shell Smash
- Light of Ruin
- Mind Blown
- Head Smash
LandShark (Garchomp-Mega) @ Choice Band
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Precipice Blades
- Dragon Hammer
- Sunsteel Strike
- U-turn
Solgayleo (Solgaleo) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Heal Order
- Defog/Rapid Spin
The Leviathan (Gyarados-Mega) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spectral Thief
- U-turn
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
Wonder Wall (Zygarde-Complete) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- U-turn
- Spectral Thief
- Core Enforcer
- Revelation Dance
Overall, building this team was like a breath of fresh air in my mood to play Balanced Hackmons. It was undoubtedly the team that has given me more pleasure to play with in Generation 7. I will never forget that it was the one that helped me achieving my 90.2% GXE. The team is solid and it can be a serious ladder case, as long as you keep in mind that the best way to play with it is not letting your opponent do nothing! Illusion has really proved to be a great ability to use, as well as Scarf Gengar has proved to be one of the best Pokémon in BH nowadays.
I hope everyone who has read this RMT has learned a bit more this fantastic and creative tier that is called Balanced Hackmons.
Shoutouts for Lance for some meta and team discussion
Shoutouts for dr13 who watched lots of my battles and has observed the growth and rise of this team in ladder, being a good witness of this team's power.
And a final, yet big shoutout for you, the person who read this RMT, for
If i forgot someone, I'm really sorry. You're all lovely and amazing people ^-^
I have a little poll at this post about the next possible suspec test. Feel free to answer :)