[OVERVIEW]
- Mega Mawile's obscene power allows it to function as one of the best balance breaker's in the metagame.
- With coverage moves like Brick Break and Thunder Punch, it's able to break past the common Equilibra + Toxapex balance core, as well as other Fairy-type resists like Heatran, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn. Furthermore, it's STAB Play Rough can easily overwhelm Pokemon like Arghonaut and Rotom-W, making it extremely hard to switch into.
- Additionally, Mega Mawile can bypass its poor speed with Sucker Punch, which makes it harder to check offensively with otherwise solid checks like Pajantom and Mega Alakazam and allows it to pick off sweepers like Necturna and Volcarona.
- Mega Mawile can also opt for a Swords Dance to reach OHKOs and 2HKOs on everything in the metagame, but it's a little harder to use.
- Furthermore, its fantastic defensive typing allows Mega Mawile to act an offensive switch-in to Psychic- and Dark-types like Mega Alakazam and Weavile.
- Finally, Mega Mawile is a fantastic abuser on Trick Room teams, capitalizing off of Fidgit's extended Trick Room.
- Otherwise, Mega Mawile is stuck with its slow speed, and despite Sucker Punch's power, it doesn't have the strength to OHKO all Pokemon, even at +2, including not only Dark-type resists like Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko, but also Mega Garchomp and Heatran.
- Although Mega Mawile can break through the common Equilibra + Toxapex core, it relies on prediction to attain 2HKOs on them, as using the wrong coverage move opens Mega Mawile taking a returning Earth Power or Scald.
- Additionally, the multitude of Steel- and Fire-types in the metagame means that many Pokemon like Mega Tyranitar, Tangrowth, and Arghonaut have moves to hit it super effectively, making it even harder to switch in.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Brick Break
move 3: Thunder Punch
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Mawilite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Brick Break allows Mega Mawile to slice through Steel-types, OHKOing offensive Heatran, Kartana, and Magnezone and 2HKOing Equilibra, specially defensive Heatran, and Ferrothorn.
- Thunder Punch 2HKOes Toxapex and Celesteela and OHKOes Moltres after a little bit of chip damage.
- Sucker Punch allows Mega Mawile to bypass its low speed, OHKOing Pokemon like Mega Alakazam, Necturna, and Pajantom, as well as Volcarona and Aurumoth after Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
- 204 Speed EVs ensures Mega Mawile will outspeed uninvested Arghonaut.
- Intimidate softens blows from Weavile before Mawile Mega Evolves.
- Investing 180 HP EVs allows Mega Mawile to survive Hawlucha's +2 High Jump Kick from full HP, which can be useful against a hyper offense match up.
- On Trick Room teams, Mega Mawile prefers an EV spread of 248 HP, 200 Attack, and 60 Defense EVs with a Brave nature, guaranteeing Mega Mawile to survive Mega Tyranitar's Earthquake, even after Spikes damage.
Usage Tips
========
Switching in Mega Mawile using aggressive double switches is best, but switching into Pokemon whose attacks that Mega Mawile resists like Weavile and Tornadus-T isn't the worst either. Additionally, Mega Mawile can switch into Pokemon like Arghonaut and Tangrowth if Earthquake is not predicted. On a forced switch, take care in choosing what move Mega Mawile should use, as Mega Mawile can be forced out if the opponent switches in a resist. Since Steel-types are usually good switch-ins to Mega Mawile, predicting them to switch in and using Brick Break or Fire Fang can be very rewarding. Be wary of using Sucker Punch, especially Pokemon that can take it and retailate, like Heatran and Garchomp, or against Shadow Sneak Necturna.
Team Options
========
Spikes allow Mega Mawile to nab OHKOs much more easily, especially against Heatran with Brick Break, so users like Greninja, Ferrothorn, and Arghonaut make for good teammates. Voltturn pivots like Tornadus-T, Tapu Koko, Rotom-W, and Krilowatt allow Mega Mawile to get in more quickly. Furthermore, Tornadus-T and Rotom-W act as solid Ground-type checks. Necturna and Kartana appreciate Steel-types being weakened or removed by Mega Mawile's Brick Break. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Heatran, Magearna, and Kitsunoh are useful to check the myriad of Psychic-types in the metagame, as Mega Mawile is not enough to do so on its own. Alongside other Trick Room sweepers like Tapu Bulu and Hoopa-U and secondary setters like Slowking, Fidgit, and Magearna, Mega Mawile acts as one of the best sweepers on the archetype, helping stave off offensive threats when Trick Room ends with Sucker Punch.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Play Rough
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Knock Off
item: Mawilite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Sucker Punch allows Mega Mawile to deal with offense and faster checks, especially when combined with Swords Dance.
- It OHKOs Alakazam and Pajantom unboosted, and at +2, it can nearly OHKO Heatran and Mega Garchomp and always OHKOs Volcarona.
- Knock Off provides team support, and at +2 can OHKO Equilibra and 2HKO Toxapex, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn, provided their items are not removed yet.
- Thunder Punch is an alternative coverage move, allowing Mega Mawile to 2HKO Toxapex and Celesteela without relying on items, which would otherwise tank Play Rough comfortably and can force out Mega Mawile with Scald burns or Flamethrower. It also hits Moltres on the switch, further improving Mega Mawile's matchup against stall teams. However, replacing Knock Off cripples Mega Mawile's ability to deal with Equilibra or Ferrothorn on its own.
Set Details
========
- 204 Speed EVs are run to outspeed Arghonaut, which can 2HKO Mega Mawile with Earthquake.
- Intimidate is the ability of choice so that Mawile can better switch into Weavile, Tangrowth, and Pajantom before Mega Evolving.
- Running an EV spread of 180 HP, 124 Attack, and 204 Speed EVs allows Mega Mawile to tank a +1 Hawlucha High Jump Kick after Stealth Rock damage, which significantly improves Mega Mawile's matchup against hyper offense teams at the cost of some power. For Trick Room teams, a spread of 248 HP, 200 Attack, and 60 Defense EVs with a Brave nature minimizes Mega Mawile's speed and allows Mega Mawile to avoid the OHKO from Mega Tyranitar's Earthquake after one layer of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Aggressive double switches brings Mega Mawile into play the best, but it can use Pokemon like Weavile or Tangrowth to switch in also. Generally, it's better to use wear down the opposing team with attacking options earlier in the match. Later on, when the opposing team will be sufficiently weakened, Mega Mawile can clean up with Swords Dance-boosted Sucker Punch. Not Mega Evolving immediately allows Mawile to neuter Kartana and Hawlucha more than once, which is useful against hyper offensive teams where Mega Mawile has fewer Pokemon to take advantage of. Under Fidgit's Persistent-boosted Trick Room, Swords Dance should usually be used as soon as possible, as Mega Mawile can outspeed the opposing team for many turns.
Team Options
========
Because Mega Mawile forces so many switches, Spikes users like Ferrothorn, Arghonaut, and Greninja wear down at the opponent's Pokemon quickly, allowing Mega Mawile to pick up KOs against Pokemon such as Heatran and Tapu Koko more efficiently. Tapu Koko can wear down Ground-types for Mega Mawile, check Tornadus-T, and and pivot with Volt Switch, giving Mega Mawile a free switch-in. Electric Terrain makes Thunder Punch even more terrifying as well. Other useful Voltturn pivots include Krilowatt, Rotom-W, and Tornadus-T. Ground-type checks like Rotom-W, Tornadus-T, and Arghonaut make for good teammates, covering one of Mega Mawile's biggest weaknesses. Cleaners like Aurumoth, Necturna, and Choice Scarf Volkraken appreciate the holes that Mega Mawile punches into teams. Though Mega Mawile resists Psychic-, Flying-, and Fairy-type attacks, it should not be the team's main switch-in to these attacks, so pairing it with other Steel-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, Kitsunoh, or Magearna is quite useful. For Trick Room teams, common teammates include Fidgit, Slowking, and Magearna, which can set Trick Room reliably, as well as Tapu Bulu, whose Grassy Terrain can mitigate Earthquake and provide passive healing. In return, Mega Mawile can keep faster threats at bay after Trick Room ends and help wear down Steel-types alongside Tapu Bulu.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Ice Punch punishes Landorus-T switch-ins, OHKOing all variants. It's also Mega Mawile's best option against Fidgit and serves as a more accurate option against incoming Dragon-types like Mega Garchomp and Pajantom. However, its coverage generally overlaps with Play Rough, and giving up Sucker Punch or a coverage move to hit Toxapex or Steel-types is hard.
- Although Mega Mawile has access to Stealth Rock and can threaten Mega Sableye with Play Rough, Mega Mawile won't be playing to its full potential as a powerful wallbreaker. Furthermore, other Stealth Rock setters like Heatran and Mega Garchomp are more effective at keeping Stealth Rock up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Heatran can tank a +2 Sucker Punch or +2 Thunder Punch and retaliate with its Fire-type STAB, but it's quickly worn down and OHKOed by Brick Break. Volkraken can tank an unboosted Sucker Punch, but Thunder Punch and +2 Sucker Punch will OHKO. For Mega Mawile running bulkier EV spreads, Stealth Rock easily pushes Volkraken into OHKO range. Volcarona can stomach any unboosted hit from Mega Mawile, retaliate with its Fire-type STAB, and potentially burn Mega Mawile with Flame Body. Moltres must watch out for Thunder Punch, but it otherwise switches in and forces out Mega Mawile with Flamethrower.
**Ground-types**: Garchomp has to fear Play Rough, but it has the bulk to tank a +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO with Earthquake. Landorus-T's Intimidate mitigates Mega Mawile's attacks, but it's generally worn down quickly, and the combination of Play Rough + Sucker Punch often reaches a KO. Furthermore, Ice Punch can OHKO.
**Steel-types**: Magearna can tank any of Mega Mawile's moves at +2 and can at worst deal heavy chip damage with Twinkle Tackle, but Fire Fang 2HKOs. Ferrothorn fears Knock Off, Brick Break, and Fire Fang, but it can check Swords Dance + Thunder Punch variants of Mega Mawile very well, chipping down Mega Mawile with Iron Barbs and wearing it down with Leech Seed. Kartana has the bulk to stomach a +2 Sucker Punch and retaliate with Corkscrew Crash, but it doesn't appreciate Brick Break or Fire Fang variants.
**Faster Dark-type Resists**: After a little bit of chip damage, Mega Diancie can tank a +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO with Earth Power, as can Mega Tyranitar with Earthquake. Tapu Koko can heavily damage it as well with Electric Terrain-boosted Thunderbolt. However, they cannot switch in directly, as Mega Mawile OHKOs them with Play Rough.
**Residual Damage**: Spikes from Arghonaut, Ferrothorn, and Greninja chip away at Mega Mawile's good bulk rather quickly. Furthermore, Mega Mawile takes a sizable amount of damage switching into Tornadus-T's Hurricane and Mega Alakazam's Psychic, despite resisting them, which prevents Mega Mawile from switching in as freely later in the game.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[snake_rattler, 227784]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Mega Mawile's obscene power allows it to function as one of the best balance breaker's in the metagame.
- With coverage moves like Brick Break and Thunder Punch, it's able to break past the common Equilibra + Toxapex balance core, as well as other Fairy-type resists like Heatran, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn. Furthermore, it's STAB Play Rough can easily overwhelm Pokemon like Arghonaut and Rotom-W, making it extremely hard to switch into.
- Additionally, Mega Mawile can bypass its poor speed with Sucker Punch, which makes it harder to check offensively with otherwise solid checks like Pajantom and Mega Alakazam and allows it to pick off sweepers like Necturna and Volcarona.
- Mega Mawile can also opt for a Swords Dance to reach OHKOs and 2HKOs on everything in the metagame, but it's a little harder to use.
- Furthermore, its fantastic defensive typing allows Mega Mawile to act an offensive switch-in to Psychic- and Dark-types like Mega Alakazam and Weavile.
- Finally, Mega Mawile is a fantastic abuser on Trick Room teams, capitalizing off of Fidgit's extended Trick Room.
- Otherwise, Mega Mawile is stuck with its slow speed, and despite Sucker Punch's power, it doesn't have the strength to OHKO all Pokemon, even at +2, including not only Dark-type resists like Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko, but also Mega Garchomp and Heatran.
- Although Mega Mawile can break through the common Equilibra + Toxapex core, it relies on prediction to attain 2HKOs on them, as using the wrong coverage move opens Mega Mawile taking a returning Earth Power or Scald.
- Additionally, the multitude of Steel- and Fire-types in the metagame means that many Pokemon like Mega Tyranitar, Tangrowth, and Arghonaut have moves to hit it super effectively, making it even harder to switch in.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Play Rough
move 2: Brick Break
move 3: Thunder Punch
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Mawilite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Brick Break allows Mega Mawile to slice through Steel-types, OHKOing offensive Heatran, Kartana, and Magnezone and 2HKOing Equilibra, specially defensive Heatran, and Ferrothorn.
- Thunder Punch 2HKOes Toxapex and Celesteela and OHKOes Moltres after a little bit of chip damage.
- Sucker Punch allows Mega Mawile to bypass its low speed, OHKOing Pokemon like Mega Alakazam, Necturna, and Pajantom, as well as Volcarona and Aurumoth after Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
- 204 Speed EVs ensures Mega Mawile will outspeed uninvested Arghonaut.
- Intimidate softens blows from Weavile before Mawile Mega Evolves.
- Investing 180 HP EVs allows Mega Mawile to survive Hawlucha's +2 High Jump Kick from full HP, which can be useful against a hyper offense match up.
- On Trick Room teams, Mega Mawile prefers an EV spread of 248 HP, 200 Attack, and 60 Defense EVs with a Brave nature, guaranteeing Mega Mawile to survive Mega Tyranitar's Earthquake, even after Spikes damage.
Usage Tips
========
Switching in Mega Mawile using aggressive double switches is best, but switching into Pokemon whose attacks that Mega Mawile resists like Weavile and Tornadus-T isn't the worst either. Additionally, Mega Mawile can switch into Pokemon like Arghonaut and Tangrowth if Earthquake is not predicted. On a forced switch, take care in choosing what move Mega Mawile should use, as Mega Mawile can be forced out if the opponent switches in a resist. Since Steel-types are usually good switch-ins to Mega Mawile, predicting them to switch in and using Brick Break or Fire Fang can be very rewarding. Be wary of using Sucker Punch, especially Pokemon that can take it and retailate, like Heatran and Garchomp, or against Shadow Sneak Necturna.
Team Options
========
Spikes allow Mega Mawile to nab OHKOs much more easily, especially against Heatran with Brick Break, so users like Greninja, Ferrothorn, and Arghonaut make for good teammates. Voltturn pivots like Tornadus-T, Tapu Koko, Rotom-W, and Krilowatt allow Mega Mawile to get in more quickly. Furthermore, Tornadus-T and Rotom-W act as solid Ground-type checks. Necturna and Kartana appreciate Steel-types being weakened or removed by Mega Mawile's Brick Break. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Heatran, Magearna, and Kitsunoh are useful to check the myriad of Psychic-types in the metagame, as Mega Mawile is not enough to do so on its own. Alongside other Trick Room sweepers like Tapu Bulu and Hoopa-U and secondary setters like Slowking, Fidgit, and Magearna, Mega Mawile acts as one of the best sweepers on the archetype, helping stave off offensive threats when Trick Room ends with Sucker Punch.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Play Rough
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Knock Off
item: Mawilite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Sucker Punch allows Mega Mawile to deal with offense and faster checks, especially when combined with Swords Dance.
- It OHKOs Alakazam and Pajantom unboosted, and at +2, it can nearly OHKO Heatran and Mega Garchomp and always OHKOs Volcarona.
- Knock Off provides team support, and at +2 can OHKO Equilibra and 2HKO Toxapex, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn, provided their items are not removed yet.
- Thunder Punch is an alternative coverage move, allowing Mega Mawile to 2HKO Toxapex and Celesteela without relying on items, which would otherwise tank Play Rough comfortably and can force out Mega Mawile with Scald burns or Flamethrower. It also hits Moltres on the switch, further improving Mega Mawile's matchup against stall teams. However, replacing Knock Off cripples Mega Mawile's ability to deal with Equilibra or Ferrothorn on its own.
Set Details
========
- 204 Speed EVs are run to outspeed Arghonaut, which can 2HKO Mega Mawile with Earthquake.
- Intimidate is the ability of choice so that Mawile can better switch into Weavile, Tangrowth, and Pajantom before Mega Evolving.
- Running an EV spread of 180 HP, 124 Attack, and 204 Speed EVs allows Mega Mawile to tank a +1 Hawlucha High Jump Kick after Stealth Rock damage, which significantly improves Mega Mawile's matchup against hyper offense teams at the cost of some power. For Trick Room teams, a spread of 248 HP, 200 Attack, and 60 Defense EVs with a Brave nature minimizes Mega Mawile's speed and allows Mega Mawile to avoid the OHKO from Mega Tyranitar's Earthquake after one layer of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Aggressive double switches brings Mega Mawile into play the best, but it can use Pokemon like Weavile or Tangrowth to switch in also. Generally, it's better to use wear down the opposing team with attacking options earlier in the match. Later on, when the opposing team will be sufficiently weakened, Mega Mawile can clean up with Swords Dance-boosted Sucker Punch. Not Mega Evolving immediately allows Mawile to neuter Kartana and Hawlucha more than once, which is useful against hyper offensive teams where Mega Mawile has fewer Pokemon to take advantage of. Under Fidgit's Persistent-boosted Trick Room, Swords Dance should usually be used as soon as possible, as Mega Mawile can outspeed the opposing team for many turns.
Team Options
========
Because Mega Mawile forces so many switches, Spikes users like Ferrothorn, Arghonaut, and Greninja wear down at the opponent's Pokemon quickly, allowing Mega Mawile to pick up KOs against Pokemon such as Heatran and Tapu Koko more efficiently. Tapu Koko can wear down Ground-types for Mega Mawile, check Tornadus-T, and and pivot with Volt Switch, giving Mega Mawile a free switch-in. Electric Terrain makes Thunder Punch even more terrifying as well. Other useful Voltturn pivots include Krilowatt, Rotom-W, and Tornadus-T. Ground-type checks like Rotom-W, Tornadus-T, and Arghonaut make for good teammates, covering one of Mega Mawile's biggest weaknesses. Cleaners like Aurumoth, Necturna, and Choice Scarf Volkraken appreciate the holes that Mega Mawile punches into teams. Though Mega Mawile resists Psychic-, Flying-, and Fairy-type attacks, it should not be the team's main switch-in to these attacks, so pairing it with other Steel-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, Kitsunoh, or Magearna is quite useful. For Trick Room teams, common teammates include Fidgit, Slowking, and Magearna, which can set Trick Room reliably, as well as Tapu Bulu, whose Grassy Terrain can mitigate Earthquake and provide passive healing. In return, Mega Mawile can keep faster threats at bay after Trick Room ends and help wear down Steel-types alongside Tapu Bulu.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Ice Punch punishes Landorus-T switch-ins, OHKOing all variants. It's also Mega Mawile's best option against Fidgit and serves as a more accurate option against incoming Dragon-types like Mega Garchomp and Pajantom. However, its coverage generally overlaps with Play Rough, and giving up Sucker Punch or a coverage move to hit Toxapex or Steel-types is hard.
- Although Mega Mawile has access to Stealth Rock and can threaten Mega Sableye with Play Rough, Mega Mawile won't be playing to its full potential as a powerful wallbreaker. Furthermore, other Stealth Rock setters like Heatran and Mega Garchomp are more effective at keeping Stealth Rock up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Heatran can tank a +2 Sucker Punch or +2 Thunder Punch and retaliate with its Fire-type STAB, but it's quickly worn down and OHKOed by Brick Break. Volkraken can tank an unboosted Sucker Punch, but Thunder Punch and +2 Sucker Punch will OHKO. For Mega Mawile running bulkier EV spreads, Stealth Rock easily pushes Volkraken into OHKO range. Volcarona can stomach any unboosted hit from Mega Mawile, retaliate with its Fire-type STAB, and potentially burn Mega Mawile with Flame Body. Moltres must watch out for Thunder Punch, but it otherwise switches in and forces out Mega Mawile with Flamethrower.
**Ground-types**: Garchomp has to fear Play Rough, but it has the bulk to tank a +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO with Earthquake. Landorus-T's Intimidate mitigates Mega Mawile's attacks, but it's generally worn down quickly, and the combination of Play Rough + Sucker Punch often reaches a KO. Furthermore, Ice Punch can OHKO.
**Steel-types**: Magearna can tank any of Mega Mawile's moves at +2 and can at worst deal heavy chip damage with Twinkle Tackle, but Fire Fang 2HKOs. Ferrothorn fears Knock Off, Brick Break, and Fire Fang, but it can check Swords Dance + Thunder Punch variants of Mega Mawile very well, chipping down Mega Mawile with Iron Barbs and wearing it down with Leech Seed. Kartana has the bulk to stomach a +2 Sucker Punch and retaliate with Corkscrew Crash, but it doesn't appreciate Brick Break or Fire Fang variants.
**Faster Dark-type Resists**: After a little bit of chip damage, Mega Diancie can tank a +2 Sucker Punch and OHKO with Earth Power, as can Mega Tyranitar with Earthquake. Tapu Koko can heavily damage it as well with Electric Terrain-boosted Thunderbolt. However, they cannot switch in directly, as Mega Mawile OHKOs them with Play Rough.
**Residual Damage**: Spikes from Arghonaut, Ferrothorn, and Greninja chip away at Mega Mawile's good bulk rather quickly. Furthermore, Mega Mawile takes a sizable amount of damage switching into Tornadus-T's Hurricane and Mega Alakazam's Psychic, despite resisting them, which prevents Mega Mawile from switching in as freely later in the game.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[snake_rattler, 227784]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Last edited:
