Pokémon Mega Banette

[Miyami~~~]

Mega Banette

Type: Ghost > Ghost
Ability: Insomnia/Frisk/Cursed Body(HA) > Prankster
Pre-Mega Stats: 64/115/65/83/63/65
Post-Mega Stats: 64/165/75/95/83/75

Notable Moves:
- Poltergeist
- Knock Off
- Shadow Sneak
- Gunk Shot
- Swords Dance
- Will-o-wisp
- Encore
- Taunt
- Destiny Bond
- Pain Split
- Thunder Wave

Pros:
- The strongest poltergeist currently in the game, alongside options to boost it further and STAB on priority shadow sneak to get around its low speed
- being a ghost-type with prankster encore gives Mega Banette the ability to punish all hazard removal barring mortal spin effectively, while still having offensive prowess
- It's the coolest looking mega in the game

Cons:
- Very shallow offensive movepool, having zero good options for Mega Lopunny or (most critically) Kingambit
- Stats and ability don't synergize at all, it doesn't have the bulk to pull off Prankster shenanigans long term and doesn't have the movepool to go pure offensive without heavy team support
- Unfortunately, Ceruledge exists and completely outclasses it offensively despite the lower attacking stat, due to a better typing and not taking up a mega slot
- Sableye also gets nearly all the good prankster moves Banette does, plus recovery and a better defensive typing while also not taking up a mega slot there
- The abundance of consumable items being used makes a mon based entirely around clicking a really strong poltergeist a hard sell

Unfortunately, Banette's pros completely outweigh its cons, and I doubt it'll see any real usage in tiers where Ceruledge is available. Maybe if Champions RU is a thing it can settle into its old role as a noob trap there?

Potential Sets:
Ceruledge at Home (Banette) @ Banettite
Ability: Frisk
Level: 50
EVs: 32 Atk / 2 Def / 32 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Poltergeist
- Shadow Sneak / Encore
- Knock Off / Encore

Once again, Ceruledge does the same role on HO teams without actually giving up a mega slot. I did actually build a webs team with Banette on it, and while there were times it worked out or even swept, it's a very all-or-nothing mon that can't do anything into Gambit, and it's hard not to look at the Ceruledge in the room and think things could be so much better.

Sableye at Home (Banette) @ Banettite
Ability: Frisk
Level: 50
EVs: 32 HP / 2 Atk / 32 Def OR 32 HP / 32 Atk / 2 Def
Adamant OR Impish nature
- Will-o-Wisp
- Taunt / Encore
- Destiny Bond
- Knock Off / Poltergeist

This set functions as a diet Sableye for offensive teams that don't want a momentum sink like Sableye on their team, but also don't want a mega. The idea is to taunt or encore something into killing you, and punish switches with destiny bond, knock off, or will-o-wisp until your opponent goes on the offensive. At best, you can burn half a team and trade with it, but that requires your opponent not having a single dark type on their team, as Banette still can't touch those.

Don't use this.

 

[Eeveeto]

I am not involved in Champions meta at the moment but follow some threads in case mobile version appears in the future. This being said, what is the point of reserving an analysis, taking time to write it only to say "Don't use this Mon"?. You could just let it be and don't write anything at all, letting potential players to decide whether to use this Mon or not.
Also, while it's true it's outclassed by Ceruledge, it doesn't get 3 of Ceruledge's weaknesses and can also be used as a second Ceruledge in some teams.
Finally, I would also mention potential Prankster Destiny Bond sets, a kill is always useful, even if you spend a Mega on it. It can either be used with offensive moves or slap some status move there. If I get to play this meta, this is something I will try to make work.

 

[Miyami~~~]

I am not involved in Champions meta at the moment but follow some threads in case mobile version appears in the future. This being said, what is the point of reserving an analysis, taking time to write it only to say "Don't use this Mon"?. You could just let it be and don't write anything at all, letting potential players to decide whether to use this Mon or not.

Firstly, Mega Banette is my favourite Mega Evolution and I made an effort to test it only to be sorely disappointed. I'd planned on reserving it regardless of if it turned out to be good or not. Secondly, Mega Banette is a notorious noob trap in nearly every single generation it's in, including the natdex ones, and is infamous for getting stuck in tiers it doesn't have any consistent niche in because it looks appealing. I'd rather be honest that it sucks and have it drop into a tier it may actually be good in later.

 

[Sulfurian]

I think the vision game freak had was how strong prankster destiny bond could be, and keep your opponent on their toes that way. You need to taunt it first before you kill it or predict when it will do it while taking 165 base attack. I think you didn’t post that here in the sense of “well it’s a noob trap but everyone here knows that” so you didn’t mention that niche over Sableye but I think it should still be good to include here for readability.