[OVERVIEW]
Mega Alakazam possesses the highest Special Attack in the tier and incredible Speed, allowing it to function as a revenge killer, late-game sweeper, and wallbreaker. Before Mega Evolving, it has the ability Magic Guard, which allows it to bypass entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock while also avoiding damage from certain status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp. After Mega Evolving, Trace allows it to copy abilities like Flash Fire from Heatran, Sand Rush from Excadrill, Regenerator from Tornadus-T, and Water Absorb from Volcanion. However, Mega Alakazam is very reliant on its Speed, making it scared of being hit by paralysis from Pokemon like Thundurus, Latias, and Slowbro. Its poor defensive stats make it unable to reliably switch into attacks, and priority moves like Sucker Punch from Bisharp and Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross can also prove to be problematic, as they can do a significant amount of damage to Mega Alakazam.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Encore / Taunt
item: Alakazite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic 2HKOes common defensive Pokemon such as Clefable and Garchomp while also smashing Fighting-types like Mega Lopunny. Focus Blast hits Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, and Ferrothorn while also hitting Dark-types like Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar. Shadow Ball targets Psychic-types, such as Latios, Slowbro, and Mega Metagross. Encore allows Mega Alakazam to lock foes into their moves like Manaphy into Tail Glow, Chansey into Soft-Boiled, Bisharp into Sucker Punch, and Clefable into Calm Mind. Alternatively, Taunt can be used to prevent defensive Pokemon like Chansey and Clefable from using status moves like Thunder Wave.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs allow Mega Alakazam to be as strong and fast as possible. A Timid nature is necessary to outspeed Pokemon like Mega Lopunny. Magic Guard is the chosen ability before Mega Evolution to help Alakazam avoid taking damage from entry hazards, burn, and poison. After Mega Evolving, its ability allows it to copy important abilities like Sand Rush from Excadrill, Water Absorb from Volcanion, and Flash Fire from Heatran and dominate the matchup versus these Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Alakazam rarely switches into attacks due to how frail it is and therefore it prefers coming in freely after a teammate has fainted, via a pivot move like Volt Switch or U-turn, or on a double switch. Take advantage of Mega Alakazam's great Speed and use it as a revenge killer or late-game cleaner. Use Trace to copy abilities like Flash Fire to switch into Heatran's Fire-type attacks and Sand Rush from Excadrill to outspeed it even in sand. For it to function as a late-game sweeper, put its checks and counters in range of its attacks or eliminate them ahead of time. Make sure Pokemon that are faster than Mega Alakazam have been eliminated or have their Speed reduced by paralysis or getting rid of their Choice Scarf. Also, be aware of priority moves, like Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross, Ice Shard from Weavile, and Fake Out from Mega Medicham.
Team Options
========
Mega Alakazam appreciates Spikes, as they can wear down its checks, making Pokemon like Skarmory and Ferrothorn good teammates. Ferrothorn is exceptionally good, as it can also offer Knock Off and Thunder Wave support. Heatran provides Stealth Rock while also checking things like Mega Scizor, which is one of the best answers to Mega Alakazam and is the reason why Magnezone is a good partner too, as it traps and eliminates it. Flying-types like Mega Pinsir and Talonflame have priority moves that can threaten Mega Alakazam, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T makes Mega Alakazam lose momentum. Pokemon like Rotom-W and Zapdos can soak up hits from the aforementioned Flying-types, while Serperior can lure them in and paralyze them with Glare. Gliscor and Clefable are also good partners, as they are reliable status absorbers. Clefable and the aforementioned Serperior also have access to Knock Off, which can remove important items like Chansey's Eviolite and Tornadus-T's Assault Vest. Tank Garchomp can deal with physical attackers like Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Mega Scizor, which all threaten Mega Alakazam, while providing Stealth Rock support as well.
[SET]
name: Colorful Attacker
move 1: Calm Mind / Hidden Power Fire / Substitute
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast / Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
item: Alakazite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Calm Mind increases Mega Alakazam's sweeping ability. Hidden Power Fire can be run to provide more coverage as well as super effective hits on checks like Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Substitute helps Mega Alakazam avoid status, circumvent priority moves like Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and gain two chances to hit targets like Tyranitar and Weavile with Focus Blast. Psychic allows Mega Alakazam to blow past even neutral targets like Clefable and Garchomp with minimal chip damage, which otherwise survive a hit and threaten it back with status from Thunder Wave in the case of Clefable or heavy damage or phazing with Earthquake and Dragon Tail from Garchomp. Alternatively, Psyshock can be used to hit Chansey for more damage than a super effective Focus Blast. This especially pairs well with Calm Mind, as it makes Mega Alakazam a potent stallbreaker, blowing past Chansey with minimal chip damage and a Special Attack boost from Calm Mind. Focus Blast hits Dark- and Steel-types like Tyranitar and Heatran. However, Dazzling Gleam provides an accurate move that hits Dark-types like Weavile and Dragon-types like Latias and Kyurem-B super effectively. Dazzling Gleam pairs especially well with Hidden Power Fire, as it allows Mega Alakazam to retain perfect super effective coverage against Dark- and Steel-type Pokemon that check it, barring Heatran, but it lacks power to break through checks like Tyranitar and Excadrill. Lastly, Shadow Ball lets Mega Alakazam hit Psychic-types like Slowbro and Latias, preventing them from walling it. Alternatively, Energy Ball hits checks like Tyranitar and Gastrodon while still retaining super effective coverage against targets like Slowbro.
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack and Speed EVs coupled with a Timid nature allow Mega Alakazam to be as threatening as possible, allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame besides Mega Aerodactyl and threaten major neutral damage with Psychic. Magic Guard allows Mega Alakazam to be unfazed by chip damage from entry hazards before it mega evolves.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Alakazam's powerful Psychic allows it to easily threaten out Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon like Keldeo and Mega Venusaur, or it can take advantage of the forced switch by boosting with Calm Mind. With its incredible Speed, Mega Alakazam can function as both a revenge killer and a late-game sweeper, since it outspeeds threats like Dragon Dance-boosted Mega Gyarados and Mega Tyranitar. Be mindful when using Calm Mind to avoid missing out on dealing damage to foes that might threaten Mega Alakazam. Be wary of Dark-types, especially Bisharp, that can easily defeat Mega Alakazam with Sucker Punch or potentially Pursuit trap it. Other Dark-types, such as Tyranitar, can also stay in when holding a Chople Berry to trap Mega Alakazam.
Team Options
========
Spikers like Skarmory and Ferrothorn make great teammates, as they can set up entry hazards, which deal chip damage to Dark-types that threaten Mega Alakazam like Tyranitar, Weavile, and Bisharp. Tank Garchomp is another hazard setter, and it can wear down these physical threats with chip damage from Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin. It is also good against Bisharp, further aiding Mega Alakazam. Pokemon that resist Dark-type moves, such as Clefable and Keldeo, are valuable teammates as they can take on Dark-types, like Weavile and Tyranitar, while Mega Alakazam threatens the Poison-types like Mega Venusaur that otherwise counter them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Hidden Power Ice allows Mega Alakazam to OHKO key Ground-type targets like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Gliscor. Taunt when paired with Recover allows it to effectively stallbreak, since Mega Alakazam can stop crippling status moves like Thunder Wave as well as recovery moves. This combination makes Mega Alakazam valuable against stall teams, as it can put a lot of pressure on them. Lastly, Knock Off is a niche option that can be considered, as it lets Mega Alakazam lure in and remove important items like Eviolite from Chansey and Assault Vest from Tornadus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority attacks**: Because of Mega Alakazam's poor bulk, priority attacks like Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross, Fake Out from Mega Medicham, Aqua Jet from Crawdaunt, and Sucker Punch from Bisharp can do a lot of damage to Mega Alakazam or even OHKO it.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar can all trap and threaten to OHKO Mega Alakazam with Pursuit, preventing it from switching out of its poor matchup. It does have Focus Blast to OHKO all these threats, but be wary of its accuracy.
**Steel-types**: Mega Scizor is the best counter to Mega Alakazam, as it can always survive two hits from Mega Alakazam, barring Hidden Power Fire. Mega Scizor is also hard to chip down thanks to Roost and can revenge kill Mega Alakazam with Bullet Punch or OHKO it with a Bug-type move like U-turn. Ferrothorn can take a Focus Blast and retaliate with Power Whip, Knock Off, or Gyro Ball, but it can easily be weakened to where it's in range of Focus Blast. Mega Metagross can take one Shadow Ball and revenge kill Mega Alakazam back, but it is easy to put it in KO range.
**Chansey**: Chansey's special bulk makes it nearly impossible for Mega Alakazam to break through it. It is also able to slowly wear down Mega Alakazam with Seismic Toss or cripple it with a status move like Thunder Wave or Toxic. However, Chansey can be defeated with the combination of Taunt and Recover to prevent status moves while Mega Alakazam heals off the damage from Seismic Toss.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ez.233669/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mixnite.663475/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jonfilch.472436/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/vulpix03.306299/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rufflespro.193716/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/paprikaflow.591583/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/astra.240732/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
[lost credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/darknostalgia.243012/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/josh-morales.199024/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/craymond727.217211/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gary.101351/
Mega Alakazam possesses the highest Special Attack in the tier and incredible Speed, allowing it to function as a revenge killer, late-game sweeper, and wallbreaker. Before Mega Evolving, it has the ability Magic Guard, which allows it to bypass entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock while also avoiding damage from certain status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp. After Mega Evolving, Trace allows it to copy abilities like Flash Fire from Heatran, Sand Rush from Excadrill, Regenerator from Tornadus-T, and Water Absorb from Volcanion. However, Mega Alakazam is very reliant on its Speed, making it scared of being hit by paralysis from Pokemon like Thundurus, Latias, and Slowbro. Its poor defensive stats make it unable to reliably switch into attacks, and priority moves like Sucker Punch from Bisharp and Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross can also prove to be problematic, as they can do a significant amount of damage to Mega Alakazam.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Encore / Taunt
item: Alakazite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic 2HKOes common defensive Pokemon such as Clefable and Garchomp while also smashing Fighting-types like Mega Lopunny. Focus Blast hits Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, and Ferrothorn while also hitting Dark-types like Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar. Shadow Ball targets Psychic-types, such as Latios, Slowbro, and Mega Metagross. Encore allows Mega Alakazam to lock foes into their moves like Manaphy into Tail Glow, Chansey into Soft-Boiled, Bisharp into Sucker Punch, and Clefable into Calm Mind. Alternatively, Taunt can be used to prevent defensive Pokemon like Chansey and Clefable from using status moves like Thunder Wave.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs allow Mega Alakazam to be as strong and fast as possible. A Timid nature is necessary to outspeed Pokemon like Mega Lopunny. Magic Guard is the chosen ability before Mega Evolution to help Alakazam avoid taking damage from entry hazards, burn, and poison. After Mega Evolving, its ability allows it to copy important abilities like Sand Rush from Excadrill, Water Absorb from Volcanion, and Flash Fire from Heatran and dominate the matchup versus these Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Alakazam rarely switches into attacks due to how frail it is and therefore it prefers coming in freely after a teammate has fainted, via a pivot move like Volt Switch or U-turn, or on a double switch. Take advantage of Mega Alakazam's great Speed and use it as a revenge killer or late-game cleaner. Use Trace to copy abilities like Flash Fire to switch into Heatran's Fire-type attacks and Sand Rush from Excadrill to outspeed it even in sand. For it to function as a late-game sweeper, put its checks and counters in range of its attacks or eliminate them ahead of time. Make sure Pokemon that are faster than Mega Alakazam have been eliminated or have their Speed reduced by paralysis or getting rid of their Choice Scarf. Also, be aware of priority moves, like Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross, Ice Shard from Weavile, and Fake Out from Mega Medicham.
Team Options
========
Mega Alakazam appreciates Spikes, as they can wear down its checks, making Pokemon like Skarmory and Ferrothorn good teammates. Ferrothorn is exceptionally good, as it can also offer Knock Off and Thunder Wave support. Heatran provides Stealth Rock while also checking things like Mega Scizor, which is one of the best answers to Mega Alakazam and is the reason why Magnezone is a good partner too, as it traps and eliminates it. Flying-types like Mega Pinsir and Talonflame have priority moves that can threaten Mega Alakazam, and Assault Vest Tornadus-T makes Mega Alakazam lose momentum. Pokemon like Rotom-W and Zapdos can soak up hits from the aforementioned Flying-types, while Serperior can lure them in and paralyze them with Glare. Gliscor and Clefable are also good partners, as they are reliable status absorbers. Clefable and the aforementioned Serperior also have access to Knock Off, which can remove important items like Chansey's Eviolite and Tornadus-T's Assault Vest. Tank Garchomp can deal with physical attackers like Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Mega Scizor, which all threaten Mega Alakazam, while providing Stealth Rock support as well.
[SET]
name: Colorful Attacker
move 1: Calm Mind / Hidden Power Fire / Substitute
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast / Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
item: Alakazite
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Calm Mind increases Mega Alakazam's sweeping ability. Hidden Power Fire can be run to provide more coverage as well as super effective hits on checks like Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Substitute helps Mega Alakazam avoid status, circumvent priority moves like Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and gain two chances to hit targets like Tyranitar and Weavile with Focus Blast. Psychic allows Mega Alakazam to blow past even neutral targets like Clefable and Garchomp with minimal chip damage, which otherwise survive a hit and threaten it back with status from Thunder Wave in the case of Clefable or heavy damage or phazing with Earthquake and Dragon Tail from Garchomp. Alternatively, Psyshock can be used to hit Chansey for more damage than a super effective Focus Blast. This especially pairs well with Calm Mind, as it makes Mega Alakazam a potent stallbreaker, blowing past Chansey with minimal chip damage and a Special Attack boost from Calm Mind. Focus Blast hits Dark- and Steel-types like Tyranitar and Heatran. However, Dazzling Gleam provides an accurate move that hits Dark-types like Weavile and Dragon-types like Latias and Kyurem-B super effectively. Dazzling Gleam pairs especially well with Hidden Power Fire, as it allows Mega Alakazam to retain perfect super effective coverage against Dark- and Steel-type Pokemon that check it, barring Heatran, but it lacks power to break through checks like Tyranitar and Excadrill. Lastly, Shadow Ball lets Mega Alakazam hit Psychic-types like Slowbro and Latias, preventing them from walling it. Alternatively, Energy Ball hits checks like Tyranitar and Gastrodon while still retaining super effective coverage against targets like Slowbro.
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack and Speed EVs coupled with a Timid nature allow Mega Alakazam to be as threatening as possible, allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame besides Mega Aerodactyl and threaten major neutral damage with Psychic. Magic Guard allows Mega Alakazam to be unfazed by chip damage from entry hazards before it mega evolves.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Alakazam's powerful Psychic allows it to easily threaten out Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon like Keldeo and Mega Venusaur, or it can take advantage of the forced switch by boosting with Calm Mind. With its incredible Speed, Mega Alakazam can function as both a revenge killer and a late-game sweeper, since it outspeeds threats like Dragon Dance-boosted Mega Gyarados and Mega Tyranitar. Be mindful when using Calm Mind to avoid missing out on dealing damage to foes that might threaten Mega Alakazam. Be wary of Dark-types, especially Bisharp, that can easily defeat Mega Alakazam with Sucker Punch or potentially Pursuit trap it. Other Dark-types, such as Tyranitar, can also stay in when holding a Chople Berry to trap Mega Alakazam.
Team Options
========
Spikers like Skarmory and Ferrothorn make great teammates, as they can set up entry hazards, which deal chip damage to Dark-types that threaten Mega Alakazam like Tyranitar, Weavile, and Bisharp. Tank Garchomp is another hazard setter, and it can wear down these physical threats with chip damage from Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin. It is also good against Bisharp, further aiding Mega Alakazam. Pokemon that resist Dark-type moves, such as Clefable and Keldeo, are valuable teammates as they can take on Dark-types, like Weavile and Tyranitar, while Mega Alakazam threatens the Poison-types like Mega Venusaur that otherwise counter them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Hidden Power Ice allows Mega Alakazam to OHKO key Ground-type targets like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Gliscor. Taunt when paired with Recover allows it to effectively stallbreak, since Mega Alakazam can stop crippling status moves like Thunder Wave as well as recovery moves. This combination makes Mega Alakazam valuable against stall teams, as it can put a lot of pressure on them. Lastly, Knock Off is a niche option that can be considered, as it lets Mega Alakazam lure in and remove important items like Eviolite from Chansey and Assault Vest from Tornadus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority attacks**: Because of Mega Alakazam's poor bulk, priority attacks like Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Metagross, Fake Out from Mega Medicham, Aqua Jet from Crawdaunt, and Sucker Punch from Bisharp can do a lot of damage to Mega Alakazam or even OHKO it.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar can all trap and threaten to OHKO Mega Alakazam with Pursuit, preventing it from switching out of its poor matchup. It does have Focus Blast to OHKO all these threats, but be wary of its accuracy.
**Steel-types**: Mega Scizor is the best counter to Mega Alakazam, as it can always survive two hits from Mega Alakazam, barring Hidden Power Fire. Mega Scizor is also hard to chip down thanks to Roost and can revenge kill Mega Alakazam with Bullet Punch or OHKO it with a Bug-type move like U-turn. Ferrothorn can take a Focus Blast and retaliate with Power Whip, Knock Off, or Gyro Ball, but it can easily be weakened to where it's in range of Focus Blast. Mega Metagross can take one Shadow Ball and revenge kill Mega Alakazam back, but it is easy to put it in KO range.
**Chansey**: Chansey's special bulk makes it nearly impossible for Mega Alakazam to break through it. It is also able to slowly wear down Mega Alakazam with Seismic Toss or cripple it with a status move like Thunder Wave or Toxic. However, Chansey can be defeated with the combination of Taunt and Recover to prevent status moves while Mega Alakazam heals off the damage from Seismic Toss.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ez.233669/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mixnite.663475/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jonfilch.472436/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/vulpix03.306299/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rufflespro.193716/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/paprikaflow.591583/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/astra.240732/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
[lost credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/darknostalgia.243012/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/josh-morales.199024/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/craymond727.217211/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gary.101351/
Last edited:
