[OVERVIEW]
Bug
========
Mega Heracross's monstrous Attack stat and access to Swords Dance make it a formidable wallbreaker on Bug teams that can destroy many walls, such as Skarmory, Celesteela, Mantine, and Toxapex. It also has great bulk, giving it ample setup opportunities while simultaneously making it harder to revenge kill. However, its Speed is average at best, making it heavily reliant on Sticky Web support against more offensive teams. It also takes up the team's Mega slot, preventing the use of Mega Pinsir or Mega Scizor, both of which are arguably superior choices. The former boasts superior Speed, and the latter has a better defensive typing. Both also have STAB priority, which Bug otherwise lacks.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker (Bug)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Earthquake
item: Heracronite
ability: Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Mega Heracross's already massive Attack stat by two stages, letting it break through almost any wall. Close Combat is Mega Heracross's STAB move, letting it break through Normal-, Steel-, and Ice-types like Porygon2, Skarmory, and Mamoswine. Rock Blast has fantastic coverage with Close Combat, hitting the Bug- and Flying-types that resist the latter for super effective damage. Thanks to Skill Link, Rock Blast will always hit five times. It OHKOes Zapdos unboosted and defensive Staraptor after a Swords Dance. Earthquake is used in the last slot to hit the Poison-types that resist Mega Heracross's STAB moves, OHKOing Toxapex after a Swords Dance. If you have teammates that can reliably deal with Toxapex, Pin Missile can be used instead of Earthquake as an alternate STAB move that will always hit 5 times thanks to Skill Link. It OHKOes defensive Mew, and after a Swords Dance, it OHKOes Mega Sableye, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Venusaur after Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature are used to enable Mega Heracross to outrun Mega Lopunny with Sticky Web down, as well as to outrun and OHKO defensively inclined base 100 Speed Pokemon, such as defensive Staraptor and defensive Mew, before they have a chance to OHKO with Brave Bird or cripple Mega Heracross with a burn. Maximum Attack investment gives Mega Heracross as much raw power as possible. Moxie is the most useful ability before Mega Evolving, as Attack boosts Heracross might gain will transfer over. Skill Link is Mega Heracross's only ability post-Mega Evolution, which allows Rock Blast and Pin Missile to always hit 5 times.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Heracross is most effective early- or mid-game, weakening or outright removing defensive cores so that its teammates can clear up later in the match. Try to set up Swords Dance on Pokemon that don't stay in on Mega Heracross, such as Ferrothorn, Chansey, and Tyranitar, or Pokemon that can't do much back to it, such as Mandibuzz. As Mega Heracross's Attack is already so massive, setting up Swords Dance isn't always necessary against teams that are inherently weak to Fighting, such as Normal and Dark, as Mega Heracross can already 2HKO most walls those teams have without a boost. Do not Mega Evolve Heracross until you need the power, bulk, or Skill Link, as Moxie allows you to potentially pick up Attack boosts without having to use Swords Dance. If paired with Scizor, you could also bluff the Choice Scarf set, as your opponent might think you're running Mega Scizor instead. As Mega Heracross needs high health to reliably wallbreak, avoid switching it into attacks if possible. Don't be too hasty switching into walls either, as it hates being badly poisoned, paralyzed, or burned. Bringing it in via U-turn or Volt Switch or after a teammate has fainted is often the preferred method.
Team Options
========
Galvantula can set Sticky Web, which is essential for Mega Heracross to outrun everything slower than Zeraora. In addition to setting the entry hazard, it can use its STAB Thunder to check Flying-types for Mega Heracross and 2HKO Toxapex, which can give Mega Heracross problems if it chooses to forgo Earthquake. Armaldo is another very useful teammate, as the Stealth Rock it sets allows Mega Heracross to OHKO Skarmory with a +2 Close Combat, as well as guarantee the OHKO on Mega Venusaur with a +2 Pin Missile. It can also remove opposing entry hazards with Rapid Spin and help check the Fire- and Flying-types Mega Heracross fears, such as Mega Charizard Y and Tornadus-T. Scizor is a very useful teammate that can beat most of the Fairy-types that Mega Heracross is weak to and bring Mega Heracross in safely with U-turn while also Pursuit trapping Latios, Latias, and -1 Victini, which can all OHKO Mega Heracross. Scizor appreciates Mega Heracross's ability to weaken or remove physical walls, such as Skarmory, Toxapex, and Hippowdon. Volcarona is a potent setup sweeper that pairs well with Mega Heracross, as they can weaken and remove each other's checks. Mega Heracross can remove Chansey, Alolan Muk, Mantine, and Toxapex, all of which can stop Volcarona from sweeping. In return, Volcarona can set up on defensive Mew and Mega Sableye, both of which can cripple Mega Heracross with Will-O-Wisp if it hasn't boosted yet. Choice Scarf Buzzwole is a great partner for Mega Heracross, as the two can wear down each other's checks, such as Mega Sableye, Skarmory, Zapdos, and Toxapex. Araquanid can absorb Will-O-Wisps aimed at Mega Heracross courtesy of Water Bubble, set up Sticky Web to negate Mega Heracross's average Speed, and check Fire-types for Mega Heracross, such as Mega Charizard Y and Blacephalon. In return, Mega Heracross can check the bulky Grass-types, such as Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, that wall Araquanid. Lastly, Forretress can set up Stealth Rock and Spikes to give Mega Heracross an easier time wallbreaking, remove them with Rapid Spin, and bring Mega Heracross in safely with a slow Volt Switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Bullet Seed always hits 5 times thanks to Skill Link and can be used instead of Earthquake to hit bulky Water- and Ground-types. It OHKOes Swampert and Gastrodon unboosted and OHKOes Hippowdon after Swords Dance. Substitute allows Mega Heracross to set up on more defensive Pokemon, such as Toxapex and Gastrodon. However, Mega Heracross dislikes losing out on coverage.
Checks and Counters
========
Bug
--------
**Bulky Poison-types**: Poison-types resist both of Heracross's STAB moves and take little damage from its coverage. Bulkier ones, such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex, are generally able to recover off any damage that Heracross does while threatening it with status or powerful attacks. However, they do need to be wary of Mega Heracross's Earthquake, especially after a Swords Dance boost.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types resist both of Mega Heracros's STAB moves and hit it for super effective damage. Clefable can 2HKO Mega Heracross with Moonblast and is never OHKOed by a +2 Rock Blast. Other common Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Mega Altaria outspeed and easily KO Mega Heracross.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ChrystalFalchion]]
- Bug analysis by: [[Cam]]
- Quality checked by: [Moosical, 215618], [Maroon] [Vid, 239907]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [[Electroylte]]
Bug
========
Mega Heracross's monstrous Attack stat and access to Swords Dance make it a formidable wallbreaker on Bug teams that can destroy many walls, such as Skarmory, Celesteela, Mantine, and Toxapex. It also has great bulk, giving it ample setup opportunities while simultaneously making it harder to revenge kill. However, its Speed is average at best, making it heavily reliant on Sticky Web support against more offensive teams. It also takes up the team's Mega slot, preventing the use of Mega Pinsir or Mega Scizor, both of which are arguably superior choices. The former boasts superior Speed, and the latter has a better defensive typing. Both also have STAB priority, which Bug otherwise lacks.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker (Bug)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Earthquake
item: Heracronite
ability: Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Mega Heracross's already massive Attack stat by two stages, letting it break through almost any wall. Close Combat is Mega Heracross's STAB move, letting it break through Normal-, Steel-, and Ice-types like Porygon2, Skarmory, and Mamoswine. Rock Blast has fantastic coverage with Close Combat, hitting the Bug- and Flying-types that resist the latter for super effective damage. Thanks to Skill Link, Rock Blast will always hit five times. It OHKOes Zapdos unboosted and defensive Staraptor after a Swords Dance. Earthquake is used in the last slot to hit the Poison-types that resist Mega Heracross's STAB moves, OHKOing Toxapex after a Swords Dance. If you have teammates that can reliably deal with Toxapex, Pin Missile can be used instead of Earthquake as an alternate STAB move that will always hit 5 times thanks to Skill Link. It OHKOes defensive Mew, and after a Swords Dance, it OHKOes Mega Sableye, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Venusaur after Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature are used to enable Mega Heracross to outrun Mega Lopunny with Sticky Web down, as well as to outrun and OHKO defensively inclined base 100 Speed Pokemon, such as defensive Staraptor and defensive Mew, before they have a chance to OHKO with Brave Bird or cripple Mega Heracross with a burn. Maximum Attack investment gives Mega Heracross as much raw power as possible. Moxie is the most useful ability before Mega Evolving, as Attack boosts Heracross might gain will transfer over. Skill Link is Mega Heracross's only ability post-Mega Evolution, which allows Rock Blast and Pin Missile to always hit 5 times.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Heracross is most effective early- or mid-game, weakening or outright removing defensive cores so that its teammates can clear up later in the match. Try to set up Swords Dance on Pokemon that don't stay in on Mega Heracross, such as Ferrothorn, Chansey, and Tyranitar, or Pokemon that can't do much back to it, such as Mandibuzz. As Mega Heracross's Attack is already so massive, setting up Swords Dance isn't always necessary against teams that are inherently weak to Fighting, such as Normal and Dark, as Mega Heracross can already 2HKO most walls those teams have without a boost. Do not Mega Evolve Heracross until you need the power, bulk, or Skill Link, as Moxie allows you to potentially pick up Attack boosts without having to use Swords Dance. If paired with Scizor, you could also bluff the Choice Scarf set, as your opponent might think you're running Mega Scizor instead. As Mega Heracross needs high health to reliably wallbreak, avoid switching it into attacks if possible. Don't be too hasty switching into walls either, as it hates being badly poisoned, paralyzed, or burned. Bringing it in via U-turn or Volt Switch or after a teammate has fainted is often the preferred method.
Team Options
========
Galvantula can set Sticky Web, which is essential for Mega Heracross to outrun everything slower than Zeraora. In addition to setting the entry hazard, it can use its STAB Thunder to check Flying-types for Mega Heracross and 2HKO Toxapex, which can give Mega Heracross problems if it chooses to forgo Earthquake. Armaldo is another very useful teammate, as the Stealth Rock it sets allows Mega Heracross to OHKO Skarmory with a +2 Close Combat, as well as guarantee the OHKO on Mega Venusaur with a +2 Pin Missile. It can also remove opposing entry hazards with Rapid Spin and help check the Fire- and Flying-types Mega Heracross fears, such as Mega Charizard Y and Tornadus-T. Scizor is a very useful teammate that can beat most of the Fairy-types that Mega Heracross is weak to and bring Mega Heracross in safely with U-turn while also Pursuit trapping Latios, Latias, and -1 Victini, which can all OHKO Mega Heracross. Scizor appreciates Mega Heracross's ability to weaken or remove physical walls, such as Skarmory, Toxapex, and Hippowdon. Volcarona is a potent setup sweeper that pairs well with Mega Heracross, as they can weaken and remove each other's checks. Mega Heracross can remove Chansey, Alolan Muk, Mantine, and Toxapex, all of which can stop Volcarona from sweeping. In return, Volcarona can set up on defensive Mew and Mega Sableye, both of which can cripple Mega Heracross with Will-O-Wisp if it hasn't boosted yet. Choice Scarf Buzzwole is a great partner for Mega Heracross, as the two can wear down each other's checks, such as Mega Sableye, Skarmory, Zapdos, and Toxapex. Araquanid can absorb Will-O-Wisps aimed at Mega Heracross courtesy of Water Bubble, set up Sticky Web to negate Mega Heracross's average Speed, and check Fire-types for Mega Heracross, such as Mega Charizard Y and Blacephalon. In return, Mega Heracross can check the bulky Grass-types, such as Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, that wall Araquanid. Lastly, Forretress can set up Stealth Rock and Spikes to give Mega Heracross an easier time wallbreaking, remove them with Rapid Spin, and bring Mega Heracross in safely with a slow Volt Switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Bullet Seed always hits 5 times thanks to Skill Link and can be used instead of Earthquake to hit bulky Water- and Ground-types. It OHKOes Swampert and Gastrodon unboosted and OHKOes Hippowdon after Swords Dance. Substitute allows Mega Heracross to set up on more defensive Pokemon, such as Toxapex and Gastrodon. However, Mega Heracross dislikes losing out on coverage.
Checks and Counters
========
Bug
--------
**Bulky Poison-types**: Poison-types resist both of Heracross's STAB moves and take little damage from its coverage. Bulkier ones, such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex, are generally able to recover off any damage that Heracross does while threatening it with status or powerful attacks. However, they do need to be wary of Mega Heracross's Earthquake, especially after a Swords Dance boost.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types resist both of Mega Heracros's STAB moves and hit it for super effective damage. Clefable can 2HKO Mega Heracross with Moonblast and is never OHKOed by a +2 Rock Blast. Other common Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Mega Altaria outspeed and easily KO Mega Heracross.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ChrystalFalchion]]
- Bug analysis by: [[Cam]]
- Quality checked by: [Moosical, 215618], [Maroon] [Vid, 239907]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [[Electroylte]]
Last edited: