[OVERVIEW]
Mega Alakazam possesses the highest Special Attack in the tier and an incredible Speed, allowing it to function as a revenge killer, late game sweeper, and wallbreaker. Before Mega Evolving, it has the ability Magic Guard, allowing Mega Alakazam 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, it gains the ability Trace, allowing 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. It's 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
========
STAB Psychic has good neutral coverage and 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 other Psychic-types that would otherwise resist its attacks, such as Latios, Slowbro, and Mega Metagross. Encore allows Mega Alakazam to lock foes into moves such as Manaphy's Tail Glow and Chansey's Soft-Boiled, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Clefable's Calm Mind. Taunt can be used instead to prevent status moves from defensive Pokemon such as Chansey and Clefable's 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 damage from entry hazards or avoid the damage of burn or poison. After Mega Evolving, it's ability becomes Trace, allowing it to copy important abilities like Sand Rush from Excadrill, Water Absorb from Volcanion, and Flash Fire from Heatran allowing Mega Alakazam to dominate the match up vs 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 like Lava Plume and Magma Storm 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 also has access to Knock Off, which can remove important items like Chansey's Eviolite or Tornadus-T's Assault Vest, for the same reason Serperior can make a good partner. 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: Colourful 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 lets Alakazam boost its enormous Special Attack, increasing it'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 can be run used as well, helping Mega Alakazam avoid status while circumventing priority moves like Bisharp's Sucker Punch. Substitute gives Mega Alakazam a form of bypassing Focus Blast's poor accuracy by giving it two attempts at hitting it against targets like Tyranitar or Weavile. Psychic is the STAB of choice allowing Mega Alakazam to blow past even neutral targets with minimal chip like Clefable and Garchomp who might otherwise tank a hit and threaten it back with status from Thunder Wave in the case of Clefable or big damage or phasing with Earthquake and Dragon Tail respectively from Garchomp. Psyshock can be run as an alternative to allow Mega Alakazam to hit Pokemon like 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 + a Special Attack boost from Calm Mind. Focus Blast lets Alakazam hit Dark- and Steel-types like Tyranitar and Heatran that otherwise resist Mega Alakazam's Psychic. However Dazzling Gleam can be run to provide an accurate move which 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 in the Dark- and Steel-type Pokemon that check it barring Heatran and lacking power to break through checks like Tyranitar and Excadrill. Lastly, Shadow Ball lets Mega Alakazam hit opposing Psychic-types like Slowbro and Latias preventing them from walling it. Alternatively, Energy Ball can be run to provide a super effective hit on checks like Tyranitar and Gastrodon while still retaining super-effective coverage on 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 big neutral damage with its Psychic. Magic Guard is the ability of choice allowing Mega Alakazam to be unphased by chip damage from 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 capitalise on their switch out with a Calm Mind. With it's incredible Speed it can function as a revenge killer, since it outspeeds threats like Dragon Dance boosted Mega Gyarados and Mega Tyranitar, and as late game sweeper letting it contribute at various points in the game. Be sure to use Calm Mind carefully so as to not potentially miss out on dealing damage to opponents switch that might threaten Mega Alakazam. Be very wary of Dark-types, especially Bisharp who can easily take out Mega Alakazam with Sucker Punch or potentially trap it with Pursuit. Other Dark-types such as Tyranitar can also stay in, despite the threat of Focus Blast, when holding a Chople Berry to trap Mega Alakazam.
Team Options
========
Spikes setters like Skarmory and Ferrothorn make great teammates as they are able to keep up hazards which deal chip damage to the Dark-types that threaten Mega Alakazam like Tyranitar, Weavile, and Bisharp. Another hazard setters Tank Garchomp makes for a great teammate too, as it is able to wear down these physical threats with damage from Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin. It is also good against Bisharp which further aids Mega Alakazam. Pokemon that resist Dark-type moves such as Clefable and Keldeo are also valued teammates as they can take on Dark-types such as Weavile and Tyranitar while Alakazam threatens the Poison-types like Mega Venusaur that otherwise counter tbem.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Hidden Power Ice can be run allowing Mega Alakazam to secure OHKOs on key Ground-type targets in Garchomp, Landorus-T and Gliscor. Taunt when paired with Recover allows it to effectively stallbreak since Mega Alakazam can stop crippling status moves as Thunder Wave as well as recovery moves. This combination makes Mega Alakazam valuable against stall teams as it is able to put a lot of pressure on them. Lastly, Knock Off is a niche option that can be considered, as it can 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, 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 you can easily weaken it to where its in range of Focus Blast. Mega Metagross is able to take one Shadow Ball and revenge kill back, but it is easy to put in KO range.
**Chansey**: Chansey's special bulk makes it near 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 also recovering off 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/
[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 an incredible Speed, allowing it to function as a revenge killer, late game sweeper, and wallbreaker. Before Mega Evolving, it has the ability Magic Guard, allowing Mega Alakazam 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, it gains the ability Trace, allowing 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. It's 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
========
STAB Psychic has good neutral coverage and 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 other Psychic-types that would otherwise resist its attacks, such as Latios, Slowbro, and Mega Metagross. Encore allows Mega Alakazam to lock foes into moves such as Manaphy's Tail Glow and Chansey's Soft-Boiled, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Clefable's Calm Mind. Taunt can be used instead to prevent status moves from defensive Pokemon such as Chansey and Clefable's 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 damage from entry hazards or avoid the damage of burn or poison. After Mega Evolving, it's ability becomes Trace, allowing it to copy important abilities like Sand Rush from Excadrill, Water Absorb from Volcanion, and Flash Fire from Heatran allowing Mega Alakazam to dominate the match up vs 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 like Lava Plume and Magma Storm 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 also has access to Knock Off, which can remove important items like Chansey's Eviolite or Tornadus-T's Assault Vest, for the same reason Serperior can make a good partner. 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: Colourful 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 lets Alakazam boost its enormous Special Attack, increasing it'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 can be run used as well, helping Mega Alakazam avoid status while circumventing priority moves like Bisharp's Sucker Punch. Substitute gives Mega Alakazam a form of bypassing Focus Blast's poor accuracy by giving it two attempts at hitting it against targets like Tyranitar or Weavile. Psychic is the STAB of choice allowing Mega Alakazam to blow past even neutral targets with minimal chip like Clefable and Garchomp who might otherwise tank a hit and threaten it back with status from Thunder Wave in the case of Clefable or big damage or phasing with Earthquake and Dragon Tail respectively from Garchomp. Psyshock can be run as an alternative to allow Mega Alakazam to hit Pokemon like 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 + a Special Attack boost from Calm Mind. Focus Blast lets Alakazam hit Dark- and Steel-types like Tyranitar and Heatran that otherwise resist Mega Alakazam's Psychic. However Dazzling Gleam can be run to provide an accurate move which 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 in the Dark- and Steel-type Pokemon that check it barring Heatran and lacking power to break through checks like Tyranitar and Excadrill. Lastly, Shadow Ball lets Mega Alakazam hit opposing Psychic-types like Slowbro and Latias preventing them from walling it. Alternatively, Energy Ball can be run to provide a super effective hit on checks like Tyranitar and Gastrodon while still retaining super-effective coverage on 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 big neutral damage with its Psychic. Magic Guard is the ability of choice allowing Mega Alakazam to be unphased by chip damage from 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 capitalise on their switch out with a Calm Mind. With it's incredible Speed it can function as a revenge killer, since it outspeeds threats like Dragon Dance boosted Mega Gyarados and Mega Tyranitar, and as late game sweeper letting it contribute at various points in the game. Be sure to use Calm Mind carefully so as to not potentially miss out on dealing damage to opponents switch that might threaten Mega Alakazam. Be very wary of Dark-types, especially Bisharp who can easily take out Mega Alakazam with Sucker Punch or potentially trap it with Pursuit. Other Dark-types such as Tyranitar can also stay in, despite the threat of Focus Blast, when holding a Chople Berry to trap Mega Alakazam.
Team Options
========
Spikes setters like Skarmory and Ferrothorn make great teammates as they are able to keep up hazards which deal chip damage to the Dark-types that threaten Mega Alakazam like Tyranitar, Weavile, and Bisharp. Another hazard setters Tank Garchomp makes for a great teammate too, as it is able to wear down these physical threats with damage from Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin. It is also good against Bisharp which further aids Mega Alakazam. Pokemon that resist Dark-type moves such as Clefable and Keldeo are also valued teammates as they can take on Dark-types such as Weavile and Tyranitar while Alakazam threatens the Poison-types like Mega Venusaur that otherwise counter tbem.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Hidden Power Ice can be run allowing Mega Alakazam to secure OHKOs on key Ground-type targets in Garchomp, Landorus-T and Gliscor. Taunt when paired with Recover allows it to effectively stallbreak since Mega Alakazam can stop crippling status moves as Thunder Wave as well as recovery moves. This combination makes Mega Alakazam valuable against stall teams as it is able to put a lot of pressure on them. Lastly, Knock Off is a niche option that can be considered, as it can 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, 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 you can easily weaken it to where its in range of Focus Blast. Mega Metagross is able to take one Shadow Ball and revenge kill back, but it is easy to put in KO range.
**Chansey**: Chansey's special bulk makes it near 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 also recovering off 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/
[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:
