[SET]
name: Wonder Guard Support
move 1: Baton Pass / King's Shield
move 2: Defog / Stealth Rock
move 3: Aromatherapy / Whirlwind
move 4: Recover / Wish
item: Shed Shell
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 112 Def / 148 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Meloetta's unique typing, good bulk, and flexible Speed tier make it a strong option for a support Wonder Guard user. Baton Pass allows Meloetta to provide pivoting support to its teammates while also escaping slower Pursuit users, such as Huge Power Mega Gyarados. King's Shield is an alternative that can similarly ease Meloetta's matchup versus Pursuit users while also letting it scout for its team and improving its one-on-one matchup versus powerful physical threats like Choice Band Mold Breaker Primal Groudon. Defog and Aromatherapy are valuable support options for nearly every team composition. However, if a teammate is carrying either or both, Meloetta can make use of other utility options like Whirlwind and Stealth Rock. Notably, Whirlwind can make Meloetta a situational check to many special Shell Smash Mold Breaker and Wonder Guard sweepers, as well as force out Substitute + Baton Pass users like the ever popular Wonder Guard Xerneas. Finally, recovery is essential for Meloetta to function effectively. Recover's immediacy and reliability is generally preferred, but Wish is an alternative that allows Meloetta to support its teammates and synergizes well with King's Shield and Baton Pass. Shed Shell is the preferred item, as it makes Meloetta much less susceptible to Shadow Tag users. The given EV spread maximizes Meloetta's physical bulk while also giving it the ability to survive Mold Breaker Mega Gengar's +2 Sludge Wave after Stealth Rock. This is notable, as Meloetta's immunity to Ghost and good bulk allow it to soft check Mold Breaker Mega Gengar whether it's carrying Secret Sword or Sludge Wave. Finally, if Pursuit trappers aren't a concern, Meloetta can make use of a Relaxed nature and 0 Speed IVs to underspeed popular slow pivots like Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas.
Like is the case with all support Wonder Guard users, Meloetta fits on a wide variety of team structures. Its weakness to Pursuit users means that Meloetta appreciates teammates such as Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas, as well as Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario. Choice Specs Mold Breaker users, such as Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Rayquaza, appreciate specially defensive Meloetta's ability to Imposter-proof them thanks to its unique typing and good special bulk. Choice Specs Mold Breaker Mega Mewtwo Y is worth noting in particular, as even physically defensive variants of Meloetta can Imposter-proof it with Whirlwind or by using Baton Pass to pivot to a revenge killer like Sucker Punch Mega Gyarados. Additionally, Pursuit trappers like Huge Power Mega Gyarados and Yveltal are excellent teammates for Meloetta, checking Shell Smash Mold Breakers users and Pursuit trapping Prankster Giratina. Furthermore, Pursuit users can trap Imposter users copying variants of Meloetta lacking Baton Pass. -ate Speed users like Mega Rayquaza and Mega Abomasnow are also helpful teammates for Meloetta, as they force out the majority of Mold Breaker sweepers after being brought in safely by Meloetta's Baton Pass. On bulkier teams, Meloetta can be run alongside another defensive Wonder Guard user, allowing for more flexibility with both their movesets. In particular, Wonder Guard users that can switch into physical attackers for Meloetta, but are perhaps more vulnerable to Mold Breaker Mega Gengar—such as Mega Scizor and Mega Swampert—synergize very well with Meloetta. Finally, offensive Shadow Tag users such as Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo X are valuable teammates as they can trap the Pursuit trappers that Meloetta fears.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV Spread of 248 HP / 28 Def / 232 SpD with a Calm nature maximizes Meloetta's special bulk while allowing it to avoid the 2HKO from Mold Breaker Mega Gengar's Secret Sword after Stealth Rock. 76 Speed EVs can be used outpace Huge Power Yveltal and escape its Pursuit, though doing so cuts into Meloetta's chance of surviving attacks from Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and usually isn't worth it due to Huge Power Yveltal's relative rarity. Colbur Berry is an option on physically defensive sets, allowing it to avoid the Pursuit trapper mind game once. Safety Goggles and Chesto Berry are options that can improve Meloetta's matchup against Mold Breaker users using Spore and Dark Void, respectively. Mail is a final option that makes Meloetta immune to Trick. All these options, however, leave Meloetta vulnerable to Shadow Tag users like Perish Song Lugia and Choice Band Mega Mewtwo X.
Psystrike is a decent option that OHKOes Mega Gengar, even without investment, making it a much more reliable check—especially alongside Chesto Berry or Safety Goggles—though it has little utility outside of hitting Mega Gengar. Glare is another option that, like Whirlwind, makes Meloetta a situational check to some special Shell Smash Mold Breaker or Wonder Guard sweepers. Perish Song is an alternative to Whirlwind that fares better versus Magic Bounce Substitute + Baton Pass users like Giratina. Nuzzle and Chatter are niche options that can disrupt opposing sweepers and also make Meloetta less vulnerable to Taunt users. Steam Eruption is an option to OHKO standard Primal Groudon, but has little utility otherwise. Parting Shot and U-Turn are alternate pivoting options over Baton Pass. However, the former cedes momentum Magic Bounce users, the latter cedes momentum to Wonder Guard users, and, unlike Baton Pass, neither move evades a slower Pursuit. Finally, Magic Coat is an option to reflect sleep moves from Mold Breaker users, Stealth Rock from -ate Speed users, and Sing, Gastro Acid, Taunt, and Spider Web from No Guard users.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Huge Power Pursuit**: Despite King's Shield and Baton Pass mitigating Meloetta's weakness to Pursuit, it still has to be wary of being Pursuit trapped while paralyzed, when facing the uncommon but relevant Sticky Web, and when facing faster Pursuit users—particularly since Meloetta is often its team's cleric or entry hazard remover.
**Powerful Mold Breaker Users**: Shell Smash Mold Breakers like Primal Groudon, Mega Tyranitar, and Arceus set up safely on any Meloetta set not carrying Whirlwind or niche options like Glare or Chatter. In addition, if Meloetta forgoes King's Shield, it's also forced out by powerful physical attackers like Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza.
**Unfavorable Matchup**: Like any Wonder Guard user, Meloetta is vulnerable to powerful Huge Power, Protean, and Parental Bond attackers carrying the right coverage moves—such as Beat Up Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X and Bug Buzz Protean Mega Latios.
**Knock Off**: Meloetta is vulnerable to Knock Off, which either removes its Shed Shell, leaving it vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, or KOes it outright.
**Trick**: Unless it's holding Mail, Trick users can hinder Meloetta for the entirety of the match, forcing it to either use Baton Pass or relinquish momentum.
**Prankster Giratina**: As is the case with the majority of support Wonder Guard users, Prankster Giratina can force Meloetta out with Encore and chip it with Will-O-Wisp and Curse. Additionally, Giratina's Glare can also leave Meloetta vulnerable to slower Pursuit users it would ordinarily evade.
**Taunt**: Taunt forces out nearly all Meloetta sets. Even those making use of niche options like Psystrike or Nuzzle become limited in their ability to maintain momentum and support their team.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[berry, 226455], [Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Wonder Guard Support
move 1: Baton Pass / King's Shield
move 2: Defog / Stealth Rock
move 3: Aromatherapy / Whirlwind
move 4: Recover / Wish
item: Shed Shell
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 112 Def / 148 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Meloetta's unique typing, good bulk, and flexible Speed tier make it a strong option for a support Wonder Guard user. Baton Pass allows Meloetta to provide pivoting support to its teammates while also escaping slower Pursuit users, such as Huge Power Mega Gyarados. King's Shield is an alternative that can similarly ease Meloetta's matchup versus Pursuit users while also letting it scout for its team and improving its one-on-one matchup versus powerful physical threats like Choice Band Mold Breaker Primal Groudon. Defog and Aromatherapy are valuable support options for nearly every team composition. However, if a teammate is carrying either or both, Meloetta can make use of other utility options like Whirlwind and Stealth Rock. Notably, Whirlwind can make Meloetta a situational check to many special Shell Smash Mold Breaker and Wonder Guard sweepers, as well as force out Substitute + Baton Pass users like the ever popular Wonder Guard Xerneas. Finally, recovery is essential for Meloetta to function effectively. Recover's immediacy and reliability is generally preferred, but Wish is an alternative that allows Meloetta to support its teammates and synergizes well with King's Shield and Baton Pass. Shed Shell is the preferred item, as it makes Meloetta much less susceptible to Shadow Tag users. The given EV spread maximizes Meloetta's physical bulk while also giving it the ability to survive Mold Breaker Mega Gengar's +2 Sludge Wave after Stealth Rock. This is notable, as Meloetta's immunity to Ghost and good bulk allow it to soft check Mold Breaker Mega Gengar whether it's carrying Secret Sword or Sludge Wave. Finally, if Pursuit trappers aren't a concern, Meloetta can make use of a Relaxed nature and 0 Speed IVs to underspeed popular slow pivots like Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas.
Like is the case with all support Wonder Guard users, Meloetta fits on a wide variety of team structures. Its weakness to Pursuit users means that Meloetta appreciates teammates such as Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas, as well as Wonder Guard Shell Smash sweepers like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario. Choice Specs Mold Breaker users, such as Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Rayquaza, appreciate specially defensive Meloetta's ability to Imposter-proof them thanks to its unique typing and good special bulk. Choice Specs Mold Breaker Mega Mewtwo Y is worth noting in particular, as even physically defensive variants of Meloetta can Imposter-proof it with Whirlwind or by using Baton Pass to pivot to a revenge killer like Sucker Punch Mega Gyarados. Additionally, Pursuit trappers like Huge Power Mega Gyarados and Yveltal are excellent teammates for Meloetta, checking Shell Smash Mold Breakers users and Pursuit trapping Prankster Giratina. Furthermore, Pursuit users can trap Imposter users copying variants of Meloetta lacking Baton Pass. -ate Speed users like Mega Rayquaza and Mega Abomasnow are also helpful teammates for Meloetta, as they force out the majority of Mold Breaker sweepers after being brought in safely by Meloetta's Baton Pass. On bulkier teams, Meloetta can be run alongside another defensive Wonder Guard user, allowing for more flexibility with both their movesets. In particular, Wonder Guard users that can switch into physical attackers for Meloetta, but are perhaps more vulnerable to Mold Breaker Mega Gengar—such as Mega Scizor and Mega Swampert—synergize very well with Meloetta. Finally, offensive Shadow Tag users such as Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo X are valuable teammates as they can trap the Pursuit trappers that Meloetta fears.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV Spread of 248 HP / 28 Def / 232 SpD with a Calm nature maximizes Meloetta's special bulk while allowing it to avoid the 2HKO from Mold Breaker Mega Gengar's Secret Sword after Stealth Rock. 76 Speed EVs can be used outpace Huge Power Yveltal and escape its Pursuit, though doing so cuts into Meloetta's chance of surviving attacks from Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and usually isn't worth it due to Huge Power Yveltal's relative rarity. Colbur Berry is an option on physically defensive sets, allowing it to avoid the Pursuit trapper mind game once. Safety Goggles and Chesto Berry are options that can improve Meloetta's matchup against Mold Breaker users using Spore and Dark Void, respectively. Mail is a final option that makes Meloetta immune to Trick. All these options, however, leave Meloetta vulnerable to Shadow Tag users like Perish Song Lugia and Choice Band Mega Mewtwo X.
Psystrike is a decent option that OHKOes Mega Gengar, even without investment, making it a much more reliable check—especially alongside Chesto Berry or Safety Goggles—though it has little utility outside of hitting Mega Gengar. Glare is another option that, like Whirlwind, makes Meloetta a situational check to some special Shell Smash Mold Breaker or Wonder Guard sweepers. Perish Song is an alternative to Whirlwind that fares better versus Magic Bounce Substitute + Baton Pass users like Giratina. Nuzzle and Chatter are niche options that can disrupt opposing sweepers and also make Meloetta less vulnerable to Taunt users. Steam Eruption is an option to OHKO standard Primal Groudon, but has little utility otherwise. Parting Shot and U-Turn are alternate pivoting options over Baton Pass. However, the former cedes momentum Magic Bounce users, the latter cedes momentum to Wonder Guard users, and, unlike Baton Pass, neither move evades a slower Pursuit. Finally, Magic Coat is an option to reflect sleep moves from Mold Breaker users, Stealth Rock from -ate Speed users, and Sing, Gastro Acid, Taunt, and Spider Web from No Guard users.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Huge Power Pursuit**: Despite King's Shield and Baton Pass mitigating Meloetta's weakness to Pursuit, it still has to be wary of being Pursuit trapped while paralyzed, when facing the uncommon but relevant Sticky Web, and when facing faster Pursuit users—particularly since Meloetta is often its team's cleric or entry hazard remover.
**Powerful Mold Breaker Users**: Shell Smash Mold Breakers like Primal Groudon, Mega Tyranitar, and Arceus set up safely on any Meloetta set not carrying Whirlwind or niche options like Glare or Chatter. In addition, if Meloetta forgoes King's Shield, it's also forced out by powerful physical attackers like Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza.
**Unfavorable Matchup**: Like any Wonder Guard user, Meloetta is vulnerable to powerful Huge Power, Protean, and Parental Bond attackers carrying the right coverage moves—such as Beat Up Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X and Bug Buzz Protean Mega Latios.
**Knock Off**: Meloetta is vulnerable to Knock Off, which either removes its Shed Shell, leaving it vulnerable to Shadow Tag users, or KOes it outright.
**Trick**: Unless it's holding Mail, Trick users can hinder Meloetta for the entirety of the match, forcing it to either use Baton Pass or relinquish momentum.
**Prankster Giratina**: As is the case with the majority of support Wonder Guard users, Prankster Giratina can force Meloetta out with Encore and chip it with Will-O-Wisp and Curse. Additionally, Giratina's Glare can also leave Meloetta vulnerable to slower Pursuit users it would ordinarily evade.
**Taunt**: Taunt forces out nearly all Meloetta sets. Even those making use of niche options like Psystrike or Nuzzle become limited in their ability to maintain momentum and support their team.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[berry, 226455], [Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
