[OVERVIEW]
Mew's niche in the UU tier stems from its diverse movepool and well-rounded stats, which allow it to fulfill the role of a stallbreaker or provide utility to its team in the form of Stealth Rock and Defog support. Mew's ability to outspeed most defensive Pokemon grants it multiple opportunities to get off a fast Taunt to limit bulkier Pokemon like Hippowdon, Pyukumuku, and Blissey from using their recovery moves or prevent Pokemon like Empoleon and Gligar from setting or removing entry hazards. Access to the combination of Seismic Toss and Taunt also allows Mew to beat almost every entry hazard user in the tier, including the likes of Empoleon, Rhyperior, and Mega Aggron, something very few Pokemon can claim. However, Mew is let down by its pure Psychic typing, which leaves it unable to effectively check a majority of offensive threats the UU tier has to offer, including staples such as Scizor, Bisharp, and Mega Sharpedo. This is worsened by its inability to carry coverage options outside of Seismic Toss and Knock Off effectively, making Mew extremely passive and easily exploited by threats like Infernape, Gengar, Facade Mega Altaria, and Hydreigon, the first of which it would be able to check with STAB coverage if its role permitted it. Mew is also susceptible to status moves like Toxic and Thunder Wave, which hinders it in its role as a stallbreaker and is especially troublesome for a Defog user, as its typing leaves it vulnerable to being worn down by every entry hazard. Mew struggles to deal with common threats like Hydreigon, Calm Mind Latias, and Celebi, as it is unable to punish them outside of Seismic Toss or status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Toxic, thus allowing the latter two to use Mew as a setup opportunity in most cases. Celebi in particular is able to shrug off all of Mew's responses through means like Recover, Giga Drain, and Natural Cure. Mew is also unable to run an offensive set, facing competition against other offensive Psychic-types such as Latias and Celebi, the latter of which, while sharing the same stat distribution, has a secondary typing to break through bulkier teams, unlike Mew.
[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Seismic Toss / Knock Off
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Toxic
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers
ability: Synchronize
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seismic Toss is a consistent source of damage that lets Mew break through Pokemon like Mega Steelix, Empoleon, and Quagsire reliably as well as beat strong offensive threats such as Substitute Kyurem and non-Choice Scarf Krookodile. Alternatively, Knock Off provides good utility by removing key items from users like Empoleon, Nidoking, Blissey, and Gligar. It also makes Mew less passive against Ghost-types like Gengar and Chandelure, preventing them from freely setting up a Substitute against it; however, forgoing Seismic Toss leaves Mew unable to break past sturdier walls such as Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix. Taunt is essential for shutting down bulky Pokemon like Pyukumuku, Blissey, Gligar, and Mega Aggron by preventing them from using recovery, setting or removing entry hazards, or retaliating with status moves such as Toxic. Taunt is also useful to prevent slower offensive Pokemon like Nasty Plot Lucario and Substitute Kyurem from taking advantage of Mew's passivity by setting up. Will-O-Wisp allows Mew to burn physical threats such as Cobalion, Krookodile, and Terrakion, allowing it to pivot into them safely at a later point and eventually beat them if utilizing Seismic Toss. Toxic can be used as an alternative status move that lets Mew cripple foes like Latias, Hydreigon, and Mega Slowbro that otherwise use Mew as an opportunity to wallbreak or set up. However, it can be difficult to forgo Will-O-Wisp, as it leaves Mew unable to cripple physical attackers, some of which it cannot threaten out with just Seismic Toss or Knock Off. Soft-Boiled provides Mew with a form of reliable recovery to let it keep pivoting into offensive and defensive threats alike such as Cobalion and Hippowdon.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment allows Mew to outpace foes like Kyurem, Mimikyu, and non-Choice Scarf Krookodile in order to cripple them with a status ailment or potentially remove their item with Knock Off. Leftovers provides Mew with a form of passive recovery to switch into Pokemon like Tentacruel and Mega Aggron consistently. Colbur Berry can be used over Leftovers to give Mew a safer opportunity to cripple the likes of Krookodile, Mega Sharpedo, and Hydreigon with Will-O-Wisp or, if running Toxic, put the latter on a timer. Synchronize allows Mew to punish status users like Rotom-H, Hippowdon, and Alomomola that attempt to beat it with Toxic.
Usage Tips
========
Mew should primarily focus on switching into bulkier foes like Blissey, Pyukumuku, Amoonguss, and Mega Aggron that can't threaten it offensively in order to beat them with the combination of Taunt and Seismic Toss; however, it must be wary of status moves such as Toxic. This combination also allows Mew to avoid being setup bait against foes like Calm Mind Mega Slowbro and Suicune and beat them one-on-one; however, Mew must switch into them immediately, as it will struggle to beat them if they have already accumulated multiple boosts. Taunt should also be used to prevent the removal or setup of entry hazards by common users like Hippowdon, Rotom-H, and Swampert. Knock Off provides Mew with the ability to remove items from offensive Pokemon like Nidoqueen and Nidoking; if running this move, Mew shouldn't be afraid to stay in and potentially remove their Life Orb. Against bulkier foes like Empoleon, Suicune, and Gligar, removing their items can be key, as the former two are reliant on Leftovers as their only form of recovery, while Gligar needs its Eviolite to check the foes it wants to. Mew should be careful when using Knock Off as its primary move, however, as unlike Seismic Toss, it could give foes such as Lucario, Cobalion, and Terrakion a Justified boost if it's spammed, which is very problematic if Mew lacks Will-O-Wisp. Mew can attempt to soft check threats like Cobalion and Mega Aerodactyl by weakening them with Will-O-Wisp and safely recovering any lost health the following turn. Mew can also use Will-O-Wisp to beat Stealth Rock Krookodile at the expense of its Leftovers; however, without Colbur Berry, it struggles to deal with Choice Scarf variants of Krookodile, which can revenge kill Mew with Knock Off or Crunch. Mew should be wary of spamming its status moves too much, as that can boost Mega Altaria's Facade, which allows it to break past Mew without a Dragon Dance boost. If Mew is carrying Toxic, it should prioritize crippling the likes of Hydreigon and Kyurem; however, it should attempt to hit the former on the switch, as it threatens to 2HKO Mew with Dark Pulse otherwise. While Synchronize can give Mew ways to punish status users, it should be careful to avoid Toxic and Thunder Wave nonetheless. Toxic severely hinders its ability to beat the aforementioned bulkier Pokemon with Taunt because Mew will eventually be forced to switch out, which creates opportunities for them to recover any lost health once Taunt wears off. Likewise, being crippled by Thunder Wave is detrimental, as Mew is reliant on its ability to outspeed Pokemon like Suicune, Mamoswine, and Stealth Rock Krookodile in order to beat them. When running Seismic Toss, Mew must be exceptionally careful not to give Ghost-types like Gengar and Chandelure too many free opportunities to set up a Substitute, as it gives them an easier time to wallbreak, so against foes like these, it is best to double switch in order to not give up momentum. Other Ghost-types like Mimikyu can be punished with Will-O-Wisp, though Mew still is left unable to break its Disguise if lacking Knock Off, which gives Mimikyu the potential to set up multiple Swords Dance boosts to cancel out the effect of the burn regardless.
Team Options
========
Mew fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate the stallbreaking and defensive capabilities it can provide. Fairy-types like Mega Altaria and Togekiss make for great partners for Mew, as they can check Hydreigon and Choice Scarf Krookodile and provide strong wallbreaking capabilities that can support Mew in pressuring bulkier teams. Mega Altaria's access to Refresh also allows it to absorb status moves such as Toxic for Mew, while Togekiss has access to Heal Bell to cure Mew of status ailments. Entry hazard setters like Rhyperior, Nidoqueen, and Cobalion appreciate Mew's ability to keep their hazards up with Taunt. Cobalion in particular appreciates Mew pressuring bulkier foes like Quagsire, Gligar, and Pyukumuku that it struggles to break, and in return, it can check Hydreigon and Scizor for Mew. Nidoqueen also has the added benefit of being able to set up Toxic Spikes, which helps Mew break through bulkier Pokemon like Blissey in tandem with Taunt. Pokemon that struggle to break through bulky Pokemon like Hippowdon, Blissey, and Mega Aggron appreciate Mew's ability to cripple and beat them, so Mega Manectric, Mega Aerodactyl, and Primarina pair well with Mew. Empoleon, Tentacruel, Moltres, and Rotom-H can help Mew by removing entry hazards like Toxic Spikes, which Mew is susceptible to. Tentacruel also appreciates Mew keeping its Toxic Spikes up, while the latter two enjoy Mew preventing Stealth Rock from being set up easily. Strong wallbreakers like Terrakion and Infernape take pressure off Mew having to break through stall teams and make up for its lack of an offensive presence. In return, both appreciate Mew's ability to weaken their checks in defensive Mega Altaria, Gligar, and Alomomola. Mew's passivity can be exploited by common setup sweepers in Celebi and Latias, while Ghost-types like Gengar and Chandelure can also freely set up a Substitute if Mew lacks Knock Off, so Pursuit users like Choice Band Scizor and Choice Scarf Krookodile are great partners to trap and remove them. Steel-types like Mega Steelix, Mega Aggron, and Klefki can handle the likes of Latias, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Altaria that Mew has issues checking. All of these Steel-types also appreciate Mew's ability to keep their entry hazards up and deal with bulky setup users such as Mega Slowbro and Suicune that they invite in. Partners that can make up for Mew's rather mediocre Speed stat like Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf users in Hydreigon and Krookodile can help deal with threats such as Celebi and Latias that Mew is otherwise unable to threaten.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility
move 1: Seismic Toss / Knock Off
move 2: Defog / Stealth Rock
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Soft-Boiled
item: Leftovers
ability: Synchronize
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seismic Toss gives Mew a consistent way to whittle down bulkier foes that it otherwise struggles to chip down effectively such as Empoleon and Mega Aggron. Knock Off is an alternative option that lets Mew cripple Pokemon like Rhyperior, Gligar, and Tentacruel that are reliant on their items. Mew is a great user of Defog, as it is capable of beating a vast majority of the tier's entry hazard setters like Hippowdon, Mega Aggron, and Empoleon. Stealth Rock is an alternative option if no other teammate has the move, as in conjunction with Taunt, Mew has an easy time keeping its entry hazard up against most of the tier's Defog users such as Empoleon and Gligar. Taunt also allows Mew to prevent bulkier Pokemon like Hippowdon and Blissey from using their recovery moves to keep them chipped down for its teammates, as well as stop them from setting up their own entry hazards. Taunt is also important for preventing some sweepers like Mega Altaria, Lucario, and Togekiss from using Mew as a free setup opportunity due to its inability to threaten them. Soft-Boiled provides Mew with reliable recovery to let it keep switching in to remove or set entry hazards.
Set Details
========
176 Speed EVs allow Mew to outspeed base 90 Speed Pokemon and below such as Lucario, Mega Altaria, and Nidoking, which prevents the latter two from using it as setup fodder when using Knock Off and, in the case of the last, lets Mew remove the Life Orb it is so reliant on. Maximum HP investment makes Mew as bulky as possible, and the rest of the EVs are placed in Defense for additional bulk. Leftovers provides Mew with a passive form of recovery, allowing it to mitigate chip damage taken from entry hazards. Synchronize allows Mew to punish common status users in Swampert, Rotom-H, and Quagsire. Alternatively, a spread with 196 Speed EVs can be used to outpace Kyurem to prevent it from freely setting a Substitute against Mew and remove it with Seismic Toss once it's weakened.
Usage Tips
========
Mew should focus on setting or removing entry hazards due to its great matchup against common users of Stealth Rock and Defog, being able to switch into foes like Empoleon and Hippowdon and use Taunt to keep its own entry hazards up reliably or keep opposing ones off the field. When using Seismic Toss, Mew is also capable of beating these Pokemon one-on-one. Taunt is also a great utility tool to stop bulkier foes like Blissey and Pyukumuku from using their recovery moves and completely shut down the latter. Aggressively pivoting Mew into other entry hazard users like Tentacruel and Empoleon is an option to potentially reflect a Scald burn against them with Synchronize so that Mew can whittle them down more easily. However, Mew must be careful of losing its item to Knock Off or potentially being crippled by Toxic from Empoleon on the switch, so unless a teammate has Heal Bell, Mew might need to find another opportunity later to remove their entry hazards. Mew shouldn't attempt to check the tier's many Fighting-types, as its lack of a status move to cripple Cobalion and Terrakion leaves it as setup bait for them, especially if it's carrying Knock Off, which can give them a Justified boost. Infernape is another problematic Fighting-type, as it also has access to Slack Off to recover any health lost to Mew's Seismic Toss and can use Mew as setup fodder. Mew struggles to deal with offensive Stealth Rock users in Krookodile and Cobalion, as the former is capable of 2HKOing it, while the latter can set up a Swords Dance boost to break past Mew and force it out with relative ease, allowing them both to keep their entry hazards up against it. In this scenario, it is best for Mew to whittle them down with Seismic Toss as they switch in or double switch to a partner capable of removing them and find an opportunity to use Defog later. If Mew has already set up or removed entry hazards, prioritize using Knock Off on the switches it can force to cripple pivots like Empoleon and Suicune that are dependent on their items for passive recovery. Mew also struggles to deal with most Dark- and Ghost-types. Hydreigon in particular is capable of shrugging off everything Mew can throw at it and can reliably remove Mew's entry hazards with Defog, while others like Krookodile and Bisharp can proceed to Pursuit trap it. Similarly, foes like Gengar, Doublade, and Mimikyu are able to simply wall Mew if it lacks Knock Off and set up a Substitute or Swords Dance. Therefore, when facing foes like these, Mew should consider prioritizing double switching instead of using Stealth Rock or Defog, especially against these Ghost-types, in order to not give up momentum.
Team Options
========
Mew fits best on bulky offensive and balanced teams that appreciate its ability to beat common entry hazard users and compress the ability to both set and remove entry hazards depending on the role it needs to fulfill. Pokemon capable of checking Dark-types like Hydreigon and Krookodile make for essential partners for Mew, so Fairy-types like Mega Altaria, Diancie, Togekiss, and defensive Primarina are great options. Coincidentally, all of them are also able to support Mew by absorbing status moves like Toxic that severely cripple it in its role as a Defog or Stealth Rock user through means like Heal Bell, Rest, and Refresh. Klefki is another option; however, it should only be partnered with Mew if Mew is carrying Stealth Rock so that Mew does not remove the Spikes it is capable of setting. Cobalion makes a great core with Mew, as it can also check Hydreigon and some variants of Krookodile but, unlike the prominent Fairy-types, is able to pivot into Bisharp, which can take advantage of Defog to gain a Defiant boost. Cobalion is also able to check non-Superpower Scizor for Mew and punish U-turn users with Rocky Helmet, a move that Mew provides a free opportunity for Scizor to use. Cobalion can also set up Stealth Rock, which frees up the option for Mew to run its preferred utility move in Defog. Other Pokemon capable of taking on Scizor such as Rotom-H, Moltres, and Suicune make for great partners for Mew. The former two also greatly appreciate Mew's ability to alleviate their Stealth Rock weakness while Rotom-H in particular enjoys having a free moveslot opened up to run Pain Split. Checks to powerful Fighting-types such as Terrakion, Cobalion, and Infernape are essential, such as Gligar, Moltres, and Mega Altaria; as even with a resistance to their Fighting-type STAB attacks, Mew is too easily overwhelmed due to the passivity of its set, especially when carrying Knock Off. Poison-types like Nidoqueen, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel can absorb Toxic Spikes for Mew, which would otherwise hinder its ability to remove or set entry hazards consistently. They are also able to check powerful threats like Mega Altaria and some of the aforementioned Fighting-types that use Mew as a setup opportunity. Strong wallbreakers like Terrakion, Primarina, Kyurem, and Infernape can make up for Mew's passivity while also appreciating Mew's ability to greatly weaken bulky walls like Hippowdon, Blissey, and Quagsire for them. Kyurem, in particular, enjoys having more opportunities to switch in with Mew removing Stealth Rock, and in return, it can remove Stealth Rock Krookodile. Checks to Ghost-types like Mimikyu, Doublade, and Gengar are very important, so Pokemon like Hydreigon, Krookodile, and Mega Steelix are essential. Pursuit users are also able to capitalize on Mew inviting in Ghost-types, so Choice Band Scizor, Assault Vest Bisharp, and Mega Aerodactyl make for exceptional partners. Krookodile can fulfill the role of a Pursuit user, but it can also support Mew as an offensive Stealth Rock setter that can pressure bulkier teams with Taunt and Knock Off to alleviate pressure off Mew. These Pursuit users also help remove threats like Celebi and Latias, which use Mew as setup bait. Steel-types like Mega Aggron and Doublade are able to check the likes of Latias and Celebi that set up on Mew, while Doublade can also switch into Terrakion and Cobalion for it. Mega Aggron also appreciates Mew's ability to keep its entry hazard up against common Defog users like Gligar and Rotom-H that it otherwise loses to.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An offensive set with Nasty Plot can be run to act as a late-game sweeper, with moves like Focus Blast and Fire Blast to break through Steel-types and Taunt to break apart stall teams offensively; however, Mew has severe four-moveslot syndrome, making it difficult for it to find an ideal combination of moves that doesn't leave it walled against common threats. Mew also faces a lot of competition with Celebi as a Nasty Plot user, whose secondary STAB typing and less situational ability in Natural Cure provide it with a better matchup against defensive builds. Alternative move options like Flamethrower and Ice Beam can be used on the above sets over Knock Off or Seismic Toss. Flamethrower allows Mew to remove the likes of Cobalion and Scizor more effectively, while Ice Beam can pressure Mega Altaria, Krookodile, Gligar, and Hydreigon. However, Mew struggles to weaken and break through bulkier Pokemon like Blissey and Quagsire as a result. U-turn is an option to generate momentum off of Mew's common switch-ins such as Latias, Celebi, and Gengar, but Mew struggles to fit this move on its sets. A more defensive EV spread can be run on utility sets to pivot into offensive threats like Nidoqueen, Terrakion, and Mamoswine more effectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Bisharp and Krookodile give Mew a lot of trouble; however, they do have to be careful about being crippled by Will-O-Wisp. Hydreigon is another Dark-type that Mew has a very hard time dealing with, as it can shrug off a burn and isn't fazed by any of the coverage moves Mew can afford to carry thanks to its access to Roost. Mega Sharpedo is also able to OHKO Mew with Crunch, and due to its ability to accumulate a free Speed Boost with Protect, it can avoid being burned by Will-O-Wisp in the process.
**Ghost-types**: Gengar, Mimikyu, and Doublade can easily use Mew as a free chance to set up, but the latter two can be punished by a burn. Sets lacking Will-O-Wisp and Knock Off leave Mew walled by them, which makes them extremely problematic to deal with. Gengar in particular is faster and can OHKO Mew with Never-Ending Nightmare. Chandelure can also take advantage of Mew, as Will-O-Wisp can give it a Flash Fire boost, and it can also set up a Substitute or Calm Mind for free against Seismic Toss sets.
**Strong Offensive Threats**: Powerful threats such as Mega Altaria, Terrakion, and Infernape can give Mew a lot of issues. Mew is extremely reliant on Will-O-Wisp to be able to combat the former two, but Terrakion is faster and can OHKO it with a +2 Continental Crush or 2HKO it with a Choice Band-boosted Stone Edge on the switch, while Mega Altaria can carry Facade to 2HKO Mew after being burned. Infernape simply uses Mew as a free wallbreaking opportunity, as it cannot be burned and does not care about Mew's low damage output.
**Toxic Users**: Toxic prevents Mew from consistently breaking through Pokemon such as Quagsire and Blissey because it forces Mew to switch out, which gives multiple opportunities for them to recover any lost health once Taunt wears off. The combination of switching into entry hazards and Toxic also greatly hinders Mew's longevity as a Defog user.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Twilight, 344575]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nuked, 382658], [Hilomilo, 313384], [Martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Empress, 175616]]
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