Daylight
angels roll their eyes
[SET]
name: Wonder Guard Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Flash Cannon / Gear Grind
move 4: Freeze-Dry / Grass Knot / Knock Off
item: Fist Plate
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Modest / Rash
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
in-battle alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Lucario's decent typing for an offensive Wonder Guard user, quadruple resistance to Stealth Rock, strong attacking stats, and good base 112 Speed make it a powerful option for a Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweeper. The combination of Judgment and Fist Plate is a huge boon to Mega Lucario, allowing it to defeat Imposter users, Normal-type Wonder Guard users, and allowing it OHKO Primal Groudon after one Shell Smash. Flash Cannon and Gear Grind are both powerful STAB moves that hit Fairy-type Wonder Guard users. Flash Cannon's superior accuracy makes it the more consistent option and is slightly stronger against standard Wonder Guard Mega Audino. Gear Grind, on the other hand, is noticeably better against Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir, breaking the former's Substitutes and outright OHKOing the latter without a boost. The final moveslot is flexible, as it is both metagame- and team-dependent, but notable options include: Freeze-Dry, Grass Knot, and Knock Off. Freeze-Dry and Grass Knot both do well against Water-type Wonder Guard users like Primal Kyogre. The former's greater coverage usually make it the preferred option, but Grass Knot's increased Base Power versus certain targets such as Whirlwind Primal Kyogre is valuable as well. Knock Off is a useful option, as it OHKOes Mega Latios at +2. Without Knock Off, Mega Latios can take any other hit from Lucario—even at +2—and OHKO back. Knock Off also gives Mega Lucario a way of damaging Psychic- and Ghost-type Wonder Guard users and has the additional utility of removing items, making switch-ins without Wonder Guard less safe. A Rash nature is preferred if physical attacks are used; otherwise, a Modest nature is preferred.
Mega Lucario fits best on balance and offense teams in need of a wincon and late-game cleaner. However, Mega Lucario differs from similar Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers like Mega Gardevoir and Xerneas, most notably because of its Fissure weakness, meaning that it appreciates teammates that can scout potential opposing No Guard users, such as Imposter users and slow pivots with Wonder Guard that don't share weaknesses with Mega Lucario, such as Cresselia, Slaking, and Primal Kyogre. In addition, a Flying-type teammate, such as Mega Rayquaza, can also help alleviate Mega Lucario’s Fissure weakness, as Sheer Cold + Fissure No Guard users are uncommon. Mega Lucario is also limited in its ability to beat certain Wonder Guard users, namely those weak to Fire- and Ground-type moves, without compromising its ability to beat Imposter users. As a result, Mega Lucario benefits from Choice Band Mold Breaker teammates that can break opposing Wonder Guard cores such as Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza. Offensive Shadow Tag teammates—Primal Groudon in particular—are also worth a mention, as they can trap and KO the Wonder Guard users Mega Lucario can't touch. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users are also useful teammates, as they can give Mega Lucario additional opportunities to use Shell Smash and provide it some breathing room versus opposing Shadow Tag Primal Groudon, which would otherwise trap and KO Lucario. Finally, Mega Lucario also appreciates Aromatherapy, Defog, and Wish support from teammates such as the aforementioned slow pivoting Wonder Guard users to make its job as a wincon and late-game cleaner easier.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==========
An alternate EV spread of 68 Atk / 252 SpA / 188 Spe alongside Bolt Strike is an option to OHKO physically defensive Primal Kyogre at +2 while still outpacing Jolly Primal Groudon. Similarly, a spread of 176 Atk / 252 SpA / 80 Spe with a Rash nature is an option alongside either Bolt Strike or Power Whip to OHKO Primal Kyogre while outpacing maximum speed Adamant Primal Groudon. A Timid or Naive nature is another option to outpace the somewhat rare Timid Mega Latios and Timid Mega Diancie.
Flame Plate is an option over Fist Plate to hit Bug- and Steel-type Wonder Guard users. However, using Flame Plate means that Mega Lucario sacrifices the ability to hit Normal-type Wonder Guard users and OHKO Primal Groudon at +2 unless it also sacrifices its ability to beat Imposter users. Earth Plate is also an option over Fist Plate that trades hitting Normal-type Wonder Guard users for Electric-type Wonder Guard users while retaining the ability to KO Primal Groudon at +2. However, this version of the set faces fierce competition from Dialga, which has superior bulk, higher Special Attack, and lacks a Fire weakness.
Mega Lucario also has a handful of other coverage options it can utilize. Bug Buzz does better against Cresselia than Knock Off, allowing Lucario to avoid mind games against King's Shield variants. Play Rough and Moonblast are both alternatives to hit Wonder Guard Mega Sableye; however, the former is an alternative to Knock Off that also OHKOes Mega Latios, while the latter offers similar coverage and hits harder overall. Scald can be used to OHKO Primal Groudon. Gastro Acid is an option to allow Mega Lucario to break through Wonder Guard users of any type at the somewhat steep cost of an additional turn to do so.
Checks and Counters
==========
**Fissure**: Like all Ground-weak Wonder Guard users, Mega Lucario is vulnerable to the somewhat uncommon but still very dangerous Fissure.
**Strong Attackers**: Mega Lucario is very frail both specially and physically. If a powerful unresisted attack pierces its Wonder Guard, Mega Lucario will almost certainly be KOed. In addition, all three of Mega Lucario’s weaknesses are to very common attacking types, which means that most teams have multiple attackers that can bypass Mega Lucario's Wonder Guard. In particular, Mega Lucario is weak to both of Primal Groudon's STAB attacks. Faster Mold Breaker attackers, such as Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Gengar, as well as those that can tank a hit, such as Protean Mega Latios, are all highly threatening to Mega Lucario.
**Opposing Wonder Guard**: Because Wonder Guard sweepers are inherently matchup dependent, Wonder Guard users that Mega Lucario is not packing the correct coverage moves for will force it out.
**Item Removal**: Trick, Switcheroo, and Mold Breaker Knock Off can severely impede Mega Lucario's ability to do its job, removing one-third of its coverage as well as its ability to beat Imposter users.
**Offensive Shadow Tag Users**: Offensive Shadow Tag users such as Primal Groudon or Mega Mewtwo X can pivot in on unboosted Mega Lucario and OHKO it. Very few offensive Shadow Tag users do not carry an attacking move that can KO Mega Lucario.
**Prankster Giratina**: Unless Mega Lucario is already boosted and just used a move that Giratina does not resist while it switches in, Prankster Giratina can come in freely on Mega Lucario and annoy it with Will-O-Wisp or Glare.
[CREDITS]
- Written by [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[berry, 226455], [Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Kris, 241023]]
name: Wonder Guard Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Flash Cannon / Gear Grind
move 4: Freeze-Dry / Grass Knot / Knock Off
item: Fist Plate
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Modest / Rash
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
in-battle alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Lucario's decent typing for an offensive Wonder Guard user, quadruple resistance to Stealth Rock, strong attacking stats, and good base 112 Speed make it a powerful option for a Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweeper. The combination of Judgment and Fist Plate is a huge boon to Mega Lucario, allowing it to defeat Imposter users, Normal-type Wonder Guard users, and allowing it OHKO Primal Groudon after one Shell Smash. Flash Cannon and Gear Grind are both powerful STAB moves that hit Fairy-type Wonder Guard users. Flash Cannon's superior accuracy makes it the more consistent option and is slightly stronger against standard Wonder Guard Mega Audino. Gear Grind, on the other hand, is noticeably better against Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Gardevoir, breaking the former's Substitutes and outright OHKOing the latter without a boost. The final moveslot is flexible, as it is both metagame- and team-dependent, but notable options include: Freeze-Dry, Grass Knot, and Knock Off. Freeze-Dry and Grass Knot both do well against Water-type Wonder Guard users like Primal Kyogre. The former's greater coverage usually make it the preferred option, but Grass Knot's increased Base Power versus certain targets such as Whirlwind Primal Kyogre is valuable as well. Knock Off is a useful option, as it OHKOes Mega Latios at +2. Without Knock Off, Mega Latios can take any other hit from Lucario—even at +2—and OHKO back. Knock Off also gives Mega Lucario a way of damaging Psychic- and Ghost-type Wonder Guard users and has the additional utility of removing items, making switch-ins without Wonder Guard less safe. A Rash nature is preferred if physical attacks are used; otherwise, a Modest nature is preferred.
Mega Lucario fits best on balance and offense teams in need of a wincon and late-game cleaner. However, Mega Lucario differs from similar Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers like Mega Gardevoir and Xerneas, most notably because of its Fissure weakness, meaning that it appreciates teammates that can scout potential opposing No Guard users, such as Imposter users and slow pivots with Wonder Guard that don't share weaknesses with Mega Lucario, such as Cresselia, Slaking, and Primal Kyogre. In addition, a Flying-type teammate, such as Mega Rayquaza, can also help alleviate Mega Lucario’s Fissure weakness, as Sheer Cold + Fissure No Guard users are uncommon. Mega Lucario is also limited in its ability to beat certain Wonder Guard users, namely those weak to Fire- and Ground-type moves, without compromising its ability to beat Imposter users. As a result, Mega Lucario benefits from Choice Band Mold Breaker teammates that can break opposing Wonder Guard cores such as Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza. Offensive Shadow Tag teammates—Primal Groudon in particular—are also worth a mention, as they can trap and KO the Wonder Guard users Mega Lucario can't touch. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users are also useful teammates, as they can give Mega Lucario additional opportunities to use Shell Smash and provide it some breathing room versus opposing Shadow Tag Primal Groudon, which would otherwise trap and KO Lucario. Finally, Mega Lucario also appreciates Aromatherapy, Defog, and Wish support from teammates such as the aforementioned slow pivoting Wonder Guard users to make its job as a wincon and late-game cleaner easier.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==========
An alternate EV spread of 68 Atk / 252 SpA / 188 Spe alongside Bolt Strike is an option to OHKO physically defensive Primal Kyogre at +2 while still outpacing Jolly Primal Groudon. Similarly, a spread of 176 Atk / 252 SpA / 80 Spe with a Rash nature is an option alongside either Bolt Strike or Power Whip to OHKO Primal Kyogre while outpacing maximum speed Adamant Primal Groudon. A Timid or Naive nature is another option to outpace the somewhat rare Timid Mega Latios and Timid Mega Diancie.
Flame Plate is an option over Fist Plate to hit Bug- and Steel-type Wonder Guard users. However, using Flame Plate means that Mega Lucario sacrifices the ability to hit Normal-type Wonder Guard users and OHKO Primal Groudon at +2 unless it also sacrifices its ability to beat Imposter users. Earth Plate is also an option over Fist Plate that trades hitting Normal-type Wonder Guard users for Electric-type Wonder Guard users while retaining the ability to KO Primal Groudon at +2. However, this version of the set faces fierce competition from Dialga, which has superior bulk, higher Special Attack, and lacks a Fire weakness.
Mega Lucario also has a handful of other coverage options it can utilize. Bug Buzz does better against Cresselia than Knock Off, allowing Lucario to avoid mind games against King's Shield variants. Play Rough and Moonblast are both alternatives to hit Wonder Guard Mega Sableye; however, the former is an alternative to Knock Off that also OHKOes Mega Latios, while the latter offers similar coverage and hits harder overall. Scald can be used to OHKO Primal Groudon. Gastro Acid is an option to allow Mega Lucario to break through Wonder Guard users of any type at the somewhat steep cost of an additional turn to do so.
Checks and Counters
==========
**Fissure**: Like all Ground-weak Wonder Guard users, Mega Lucario is vulnerable to the somewhat uncommon but still very dangerous Fissure.
**Strong Attackers**: Mega Lucario is very frail both specially and physically. If a powerful unresisted attack pierces its Wonder Guard, Mega Lucario will almost certainly be KOed. In addition, all three of Mega Lucario’s weaknesses are to very common attacking types, which means that most teams have multiple attackers that can bypass Mega Lucario's Wonder Guard. In particular, Mega Lucario is weak to both of Primal Groudon's STAB attacks. Faster Mold Breaker attackers, such as Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Gengar, as well as those that can tank a hit, such as Protean Mega Latios, are all highly threatening to Mega Lucario.
**Opposing Wonder Guard**: Because Wonder Guard sweepers are inherently matchup dependent, Wonder Guard users that Mega Lucario is not packing the correct coverage moves for will force it out.
**Item Removal**: Trick, Switcheroo, and Mold Breaker Knock Off can severely impede Mega Lucario's ability to do its job, removing one-third of its coverage as well as its ability to beat Imposter users.
**Offensive Shadow Tag Users**: Offensive Shadow Tag users such as Primal Groudon or Mega Mewtwo X can pivot in on unboosted Mega Lucario and OHKO it. Very few offensive Shadow Tag users do not carry an attacking move that can KO Mega Lucario.
**Prankster Giratina**: Unless Mega Lucario is already boosted and just used a move that Giratina does not resist while it switches in, Prankster Giratina can come in freely on Mega Lucario and annoy it with Will-O-Wisp or Glare.
[CREDITS]
- Written by [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[berry, 226455], [Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Kris, 241023]]
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