PH Mega Lucario [Done]

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Daylight

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[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]]
 
Last edited:

berry

what kind
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[SET]
name: Wonder Guard Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Judgment
move 3: Flash Cannon / Gear Grind
move 4: Freeze-Dry / Knock Off / Gastro Acid
item: Fist Plate
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Modest / Rash / Naive read the end of the first paragraph
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk OR 31 Atk
in-battle alt: Mega
I thought about commenting this for a bit, but I've decided to leave the set as it is. I think this is the absolute most complex set that should be contained in one analysis, if there was any more I would recommend splitting it into two sets (one physical one special). Remember that people will probably be copy/pasting stuff like this from the smogdex directly into their builder, so you don't want it to be too cluttered with too much for them to erase.

[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Lucario’s excellent combination of STAB moves, decent typing for a Wonder Guard user, 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 a Fist Plate is a huge boon to Mega Lucario, allowing it to defeat Imposter users, Normal-type Wonder Guard users, and to OHKO Primal Groudon from full after just 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 even without a boost. The final moveslot is flexible as it is both metagame and team-dependent, but strong options include: Freeze-Dry, Grass Knot, Knock Off, Bug Buzz, Scald, and Gastro Acid. Freeze-Dry and Grass Knot both do well against Water-type Wonder Guard users like Primal Kyogre. Despite its low base power, Freeze-Dry is usually preferred as most Water-type Wonder Guard users can’t actually do anything to Lucario in return. a coverage move to hit Water types. Knock Off is a particularly valuable option as it OHKOes Mega Latios at +2, while Mega Latios can otherwise take any other hit from Lucario—even at +2— idk what happened here but just double check this. and OHKO back. Knock Off also gives Mega Lucario a way of damaging Psychic and Ghost-type Wonder Guard users, though Mega Lucario needs multiple boosts to break Cresselia in particular. remove this Bug Buzz does better against the aforementioned Cresselia, avoiding mind-games against King’s Shield variants. And Scald OHKOes Primal Groudon. since these aren't directly talked about in the set, move to other options. Finally, Gastro Acid is an option over a coverage move 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. A Modest nature is preferred if no physical attacks are being used, otherwise Rash is preferred. A Naive nature can also be used to outpace the somewhat rare Timid Mega Latios and Mega Diancie if desired. i think this belongs in other options as well

Mega Lucario fits best on balance and offensive 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 in a few notable ways. Most notable is its Fissure weakness— which means Lucario appreciates teammates that can scout potential opposing No Guard users such as Imposter users and slow pivoting Wonder Guard users like Cresselia, Slaking, and Primal Kyogre. Fissure specifically is way too niche here. I'd accept mentions of a ground type weakness, but you'll almost never see fissure in a game. Just replace this sentence with some mentions of wgs that don't share weaknesses with luc. Mega Lucario is also limited in its ability to beat certain Wonder Guard users, namely those weak to Fire and Ground, without compromising its ability to beat Imposter users. As a result, Mega Lucario appreciates teammates such as Choice Band Primal Groudon, Choice Band Mega Rayquaza, and Shadow Tag Primal Groudon benefits from strong Choice Band users like Primal Groudon and offensive Shadow Tag users. that can dispatch the Wonder Guards Mega Lucario’s coverage moves can’t pierce. 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 win condition and late-game cleaner easier.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==========

move the scald and bug buzz mentions here

Flame Plate is an option over Fist Plate to hit Bug and Steel type Wonder Guard users. However, you sacrifice the ability to hit Normal-type Wonder Guard users and to OHKO Primal Groudon at +2 without also sacrificing the 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. idk if this piece is necessary, but leave it in for now for another qc to look over.

move the naive mention here


Checks and Counters
==========

**Fissure**: Like all Ground-weak Wonder Guard users, Mega Lucario is vulnerable to the somewhat uncommon but still very dangerous Fissure. I don't think fissure is relevant enough to be listed as a dedicated counter, I'd keep this section to things that you'd commonly see in a game. Read above as well.

**Strong Attackers**: Mega Lucario is very frail both specially and physically. If a reasonably powerful attack pierces its Wonder Guard, it will almost certainly KO. As a result faster Mold Breaker attackers, such as Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Gengar, as well as those that can take a hit, such as Protean Mega Latios, are all highly threatening to Mega Lucario
Similarly to the comment on your last analysis, is this a problem for JUST lucario? I think all wonder guards struggle with strong attackers. I'd clarify this a LOT, similarly to the garde analysis. Mention pdon because both of its stabs hit luc specifically, and some other mons that might commonly beat a wg like this.


**Opposing Wonder Guard**: Because Wonder Guard sweepers are inherently matchup dependent, Wonder Guard users that Mega Lucario is not packing the correct coverage move for will force it out. If you didn't already, literally copypaste this from garde. Try and keep everything consistent when you're talking about the same things.

**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.

[CREDITS]
- Written by [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
add remove comment
when these are implemented qc 1/2
[berry, 226455]

@ whoever QC's this next, share your opinion on the dialga mention in other options, i wasn't sure whether to keep or remove it
 
Last edited:

Daylight

angels roll their eyes
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when these are implemented qc 1/2
[berry, 226455]

@ whoever QC's this next, share your opinion on the dialga mention in other options, i wasn't sure whether to keep or remove it
Implemented with exception of the comments re: Fissure. I spoke with both NToTheN and Mbouchon and they both agreed that Fissure was significant enough to mention in this analysis.
 

berry

what kind
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even if fissure remains included, make sure to read my comments below that line about “including WGs that don’t share weakness”, specifically mentioning that they can be run because they don’t share weakness (and provide utility that lucario can’t because it’s offensive). Otherwise, looks good.
 

aerobee

Pure Hackmons
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add remove comments

[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
IVs: 0 Atk OR 31 Atk
in-battle alt: Mega

[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Lucario’s excellent combination of STAB moves, decent typing for an offensive Wonder Guard user, strong attacking stats, and good base 112 Speed make it a powerful option for a Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweeper. your call but imo a 4x rocks resistance could be mentioned somewhere as luc lacks recovery The combination of Judgment and a Fist Plate is a huge boon to Mega Lucario, allowing it to defeat Imposter users, Normal-type Wonder Guard users, and to 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, 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 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. mention how knock can also remove items which helps when the opponent plays mindgames in a favorable matchup for the luc user A Rash nature is preferred if physical attacks are used, otherwise a Modest nature is preferred.

Mega Lucario fits best on balance and offensive 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 in a few notable ways. Most notable is its Fissure weakness—which means Lucario appreciates teammates that can scout potential opposing No Guard users such as Imposter users and slow pivoting Wonder Guard users that don’t share weaknesses with Mega Lucario, such as Cresselia, Slaking, or Primal Kyogre. mention that flying type nonwgs somewhat remedy the fissure issue as mono fissure no guards can’t sweep as easily + dual ohko move is extremely rare in high level play Mega Lucario is also limited in its ability to beat certain Wonder Guard users, namely those weak to Fire and Ground, without compromising its ability to beat Imposter users. As a result, Mega Lucario benefits from Choice Band Mold Breaker teammates such as Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza that can break opposing Wonder Guard cores. 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. 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 win condition and late-game cleaner easier. mention subpass users as opposing stag don can pivot in on luc and remove it, also mega gyarados for prank gira which pretty much hardwalls otherwise

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==========

Flame Plate is an option over Fist Plate to hit Bug and Steel type Wonder Guard users. However, you sacrifice the ability to hit Normal-type Wonder Guard users and to OHKO Primal Groudon at +2 without also sacrificing the 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 non-Judgment coverage options it can utilize. Bug Buzz does better against Cresselia than Knock Off, avoiding mind-games against King’s Shield variants. Scald OHKOes Primal Groudon. And 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. mention moonblast/play rough, the former hits harder while the latter ohkoes latios at +2

Finally, a Timid or Naive nature is an option to outpace the somewhat rare Timid Mega Latios and Timid Mega Diancie. possibly mention atk + spa investment with a rash nature which iirc impacts play rough rolls vs latios, tho not outspeeding max spe don is a drawback

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, it will almost certainly KO. In addition, all three of Mega Lucario’s weaknesses are to very common attacking types—meaning most teams have multiple attackers that can bypass 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 move 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**: can pivot in on unboosted luc and ohko; stag pdon and mmx usually run stab options that hit luc

**Prankster Giratina**: prank gira just walls + can chip with wisp or annoy w glare

[CREDITS]
- Written by [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[berry, 226455], [Mbouchon, 515077], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Great work, QC 2/2 after this is implemented
 
Last edited:

dhelmise

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GP Team done

[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
EVevs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk OR 31ivs: 0 Atk
in-battle alt: Mega

(you can't split IVs with "OR" in the set importable, so just leave it as just ivs: 0 Atk or delete entirely and move to set comments. my suggestion is to do the latter, but it's up to you and the QC team)

[SET COMMENTS]

Mega Lucario’s combination of's (leaving this in makes the parallelism that follows sound clunky in some places) 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 a Fist Plate is a huge boon to Mega Lucario, allowing it to defeat Imposter users, Normal-type Wonder Guard users, and to(allowing it to ... OHKO Pdon) 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, (AC) as it is both metagame- (Add hyphen) 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, (AC) but Grass Knot’s increased base p's increased Base Power versus certain targets such as Whirlwind Primal Kyogre is valuable as well. Knock Off is a useful option, (AC) 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- (Add hyphen) 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 and maximized Attack IVs are (go w/ this wording if you go with the former option) preferred if physical attacks are used,; (comma into semicolon) otherwise, (AC) a Modest nature is preferred.

Mega Lucario fits best on balance and offensive 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 in a few notable ways. Most notable i, (AC) most notably because of its its Fissure weakness—which means Lucario, (AC) meaning that it appreciates teammates that can scout potential opposing No Guard users, such as Imposter users and slow pivotings with Wonder Guard users that don't share weaknesses with Mega Lucario, such asnamely Cresselia, Slaking, orand Primal Kyogre. In addition, a Flying-type teammate, such as Mega Rayquaza, can also help alleviate Mega Lucario’s Fissure weakness, (AC) 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 such as Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza 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, (AC) as they can trap and KO the Wonder Guard users that Mega Lucario can't touch. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users (not very keen on using Wonder Guard as an adjective or title) are also useful teammates, (AC) as they can give Mega Lucario additional opportunities to use Shell Smash and provide it some breathing room versus opposing Shadow Tag Primal Groudon that, (AC) which would otherwise trap and removeKO Lucario. Finally, Mega Lucario also appreciates Aromatherapy, Defog, and Wish support from teammates such as the aforementioned slow pivotings with Wonder Guard users to make its job as a wincondition 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 252 Spemaximum 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- (Add hyphen) and Steel type-type (Add hyphen) Wonder Guard users. However, youMega Lucario sacrifices the ability to hit Normal-type Wonder Guard users and to OHKO Primal Groudon at +2 without also sacrificing the ability to beat Imposter users. (seems kinda moot to mention if it still hits them. at the very least i;d rephrase it to say "while still hitting 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, avoiding mind-llowing Mega 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 Moonblastthe latter offers similar coverage and hits harder overall—and both give Mega Lucario a way to hit Wonder Guard Mega Sableye. Scald OHKOes. Scald can be used to OHKO Primal Groudon. And 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, itMega Lucario will almost certainly get KOed. In addition, all three of Mega Lucario’s weaknesses are to very common attacking types—meaning, (AC) 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. (AP)

**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-third (hyphen) 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.
gp 1/1
 
Last edited:

Daylight

angels roll their eyes
is an Artistis a Contributor to Smogon
GP Team done

[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
EVevs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk OR 31ivs: 0 Atk
in-battle alt: Mega

(you can't split IVs with "OR" in the set importable, so just leave it as just ivs: 0 Atk or delete entirely and move to set comments. my suggestion is to do the latter, but it's up to you and the QC team)

[SET COMMENTS]

Mega Lucario’s combination of's (leaving this in makes the parallelism that follows sound clunky in some places) 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 a Fist Plate is a huge boon to Mega Lucario, allowing it to defeat Imposter users, Normal-type Wonder Guard users, and to(allowing it to ... OHKO Pdon) 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, (AC) as it is both metagame- (Add hyphen) 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, (AC) but Grass Knot’s increased base p's increased Base Power versus certain targets such as Whirlwind Primal Kyogre is valuable as well. Knock Off is a useful option, (AC) 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- (Add hyphen) 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 and maximized Attack IVs are (go w/ this wording if you go with the former option) preferred if physical attacks are used,; (comma into semicolon) otherwise, (AC) a Modest nature is preferred.

Mega Lucario fits best on balance and offensive 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 in a few notable ways. Most notable i, (AC) most notably because of its its Fissure weakness—which means Lucario, (AC) meaning that it appreciates teammates that can scout potential opposing No Guard users, such as Imposter users and slow pivotings with Wonder Guard users that don't share weaknesses with Mega Lucario, such asnamely Cresselia, Slaking, orand Primal Kyogre. In addition, a Flying-type teammate, such as Mega Rayquaza, can also help alleviate Mega Lucario’s Fissure weakness, (AC) 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 such as Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza 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, (AC) as they can trap and KO the Wonder Guard users that Mega Lucario can't touch. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users (not very keen on using Wonder Guard as an adjective or title) are also useful teammates, (AC) as they can give Mega Lucario additional opportunities to use Shell Smash and provide it some breathing room versus opposing Shadow Tag Primal Groudon that, (AC) which would otherwise trap and removeKO Lucario. Finally, Mega Lucario also appreciates Aromatherapy, Defog, and Wish support from teammates such as the aforementioned slow pivotings with Wonder Guard users to make its job as a wincondition 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 252 Spemaximum 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- (Add hyphen) and Steel type-type (Add hyphen) Wonder Guard users. However, youMega Lucario sacrifices the ability to hit Normal-type Wonder Guard users and to OHKO Primal Groudon at +2 without also sacrificing the ability to beat Imposter users. (seems kinda moot to mention if it still hits them. at the very least i;d rephrase it to say "while still hitting 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, avoiding mind-llowing Mega 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 Moonblastthe latter offers similar coverage and hits harder overall—and both give Mega Lucario a way to hit Wonder Guard Mega Sableye. Scald OHKOes. Scald can be used to OHKO Primal Groudon. And 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, itMega Lucario will almost certainly get KOed. In addition, all three of Mega Lucario’s weaknesses are to very common attacking types—meaning, (AC) 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. (AP)

**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-third (hyphen) 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.
gp 1/1
Implemented. ❤
 
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