That 5 minute period in ORAS Ubers was fucking terrible but somehow I'm still here!
[OVERVIEW]
* Mega Sableye sets itself apart from other entry hazard control options with its access to Magic Bounce. After Mega Evolving, Mega Sableye's presence discourages most passive Pokemon from attempting to set entry hazards and using status moves, reducing their overall effectiveness.
* Mega Sableye also avoids trapping thanks to its Ghost typing and checks some dangerous threats to balanced and defensive teams, such as Ultra Necrozma, Deoxys-A, Mewtwo, and Extreme Killer Arceus.
* It is also important to note that Mega Sableye has access to many utility moves. Fake Out can wear down foes and stall out residual damage, while Toxic and Will-O-Wisp can cripple various Pokemon effectively thanks to Magic Bounce invalidating foes' attempts to trade status.
* However, Mega Sableye's bulk is solid at best, and it fails to prevent foes like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy from setting up entry hazards. Its mediocre bulk causes further problems with Mega Sableye's matchup against special attackers. Mega Sableye's low Speed means it can be difficult to keep it healthy, as Mega Sableye will usually move last and is therefore likely to take a hit before attempting to recover.
* While Foul Play allows Mega Sableye to offensively handle some of the Pokemon that it checks defensively, Mega Sableye still fails to do much against Pokemon that are immune or resilient to Toxic.
* Deoxys-S with Skill Swap and Mold Breaker users like Excadrill and Mega Gyarados can also undermine Mega Sableye's effectiveness due to its heavy reliance on Magic Bounce to fulfill its roles.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Recover
item: Sablenite
ability: Prankster
nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fake Out allows Sableye to safely Mega Evolve by immobilizing a non-Ghost-type Pokemon for a turn. Fake Out is also handy for breaking Focus Sashes and making a foe take another round of damage from status.
* Protect guarantees Sableye's successful Mega Evolution against foes like Lunala and Tapu Lele and can be handy for scouting Choice-locked Pokemon, but Fake Out provides better utility.
* Foul Play reduces Mega Sableye's passivity and allows it to check physical attackers like Ultra Necrozma, Necrozma-DM, and Extreme Killer Arceus. Foul Play also notably 2HKOes Mega Gengar most of the time, preventing it from recklessly pressuring Mega Sableye.
* Toxic punishes just about every Pokemon that can offensively threaten Mega Sableye. Mega Sableye tends to be reliant on Toxic to effectively damage foes like support Arceus formes that it cannot threaten with Foul Play.
* Will-O-Wisp targets Steel-types like Magearna and Lucario that could otherwise switch into Mega Sableye and attempt to take advantage of it. Will-O-Wisp also has the benefits of crippling lead Cloyster and neutering Steel-types like Celesteela and Ferrothorn, making them easier for teammates to capitalize on. However, once Will-O-Wisp is revealed, foes that would be crippled by Toxic, such as Arceus-Fairy, can consistently switch into Mega Sableye without any concerns.
* Recover allows Mega Sableye to stay healthy and provide its team with utility options throughout the match.
Set Details
========
* A fully physically defensive EV spread with an Impish nature maximizes Mega Sableye's physical bulk, enabling it to avoid the OHKO from +2 Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike and retaliate with Foul Play or, at worst, force it to use Searing Sunraze Smash. The physically defensive investment also improves Mega Sableye's ability to take hits from walls like Celesteela and Ferrothorn and handle Ultra Necrozma, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus.
* An EV spread of 252 HP / 36 Def / 220 SpD with a Careful nature improves Mega Sableye's matchup against certain other threats. This spread allows Mega Sableye to always avoid 2HKOs from Life Orb Deoxys-A's Ice Beam, defensive Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike, and +2 Extreme Killer Arceus's Shadow Claw while also avoiding the 2HKO from Mega Gengar, defensive Ho-Oh, and Mega Mewtwo Y. The specially defensive investment also improves Mega Sableye's matchup against support Arceus formes with Stealth Rock as well, which typically run some Special Attack EVs to 2HKO physically defensive Mega Sableye.
* Sableye has Prankster prior to its Mega Evolution, which can be handy if it has to status a foe in an emergency. After Mega Evolving, Mega Sableye will have Magic Bounce, which will bounce back all entry hazard moves and some status moves. Note that Magic Bounce will not bounce back entry hazards or status moves from Mold Breaker users like Excadrill.
* Sablenite allows Sableye to Mega Evolve.
Usage Tips
========
* Sableye will lead most of the time in order to Mega Evolve and gain Magic Bounce as soon as possible. It is especially important to start deterring entry hazards and setup moves from the get-go, but there are specific instances where Sableye's Mega Evolution can be postponed.
* Think twice before Mega Evolving Sableye if an opponent leads with Deoxys-S. This implies its potency to carry Skill Swap, as Deoxys-S will otherwise be hopelessly shut down by Mega Sableye and will have no other reason to lead against it. Consider postponing Mega Evolution against Deoxys-S if it seems to potentially have a dedicated way to bypass Magic Bounce and leads against Sableye.
* Mega Sableye also fails to stop Excadrill from setting Stealth Rock. The best Mega Sableye can do against Excadrill is break its Focus Sash with Fake Out and switch to an offensive check to limit Excadrill to a single turn of utilizing its support options.
* Refrain from leading with Mega Sableye when Tapu Lele is on the opposing team, as Sableye cannot safely Mega Evolve due to Psychic Terrain blocking Fake Out, unless it is using the rare Protect.
* Liberally switch Mega Sableye into passive Pokemon. Entry hazard setters like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, certain Arceus formes, and Blissey struggle to do anything against Mega Sableye due to Magic Bounce.
* Although Mega Sableye is relatively bulky when taking its defensive typing into account, it is forced out against a decent portion of the tier. Some common threats like Primal Groudon, Arceus-Fairy, and other Arceus formes with offensive investment like Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Water are also Stealth Rock users that match up well versus Mega Sableye. Do not recklessly attempt to predict odd moves from them and be quick to withdraw Mega Sableye from any dangerous matchups, especially when passive foes from the opposing team have to be kept in check by Mega Sableye.
* Keeping Mega Sableye healthy is crucial for maintaining the upper hand over entry hazards and status ailments. Mega Sableye also narrowly avoids OHKOs from some threats like Necrozma-DM and Marshadow, so use Recover frequently to prepare Mega Sableye to be directly switched into foes it must handle.
Team Options
========
* Many teams that employ Mega Sableye aim to outlast other teams by preventing major sources of residual damage, namely entry hazards and status. Teammates that can handle the hazard setters that overpower Mega Sableye can assist in accomplishing this objective.
* Ho-Oh is one of the most common Pokemon paired with Mega Sableye for this reason. Stealth Rock variants of Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy struggle to combat Ho-Oh, and Ho-Oh is capable of threatening all relevant clerics. Ho-Oh is also notable for being able to completely shut down Toxapex alongside Mega Sableye, as Toxapex with Scald may outlast Mega Sableye but will be completely stopped by Ho-Oh, while those that forgo Scald for Toxic will have no method to deal with Mega Sableye. Regenerator also allows Ho-Oh to pivot into a good number of threats so Mega Sableye will not have to risk taking heavy damage. Ho-Oh's access to both Sacred Fire and Toxic further aids Mega Sableye's attempt to spread status, as Mega Sableye cannot justify using both Toxic and Will-O-Wisp in its moveset. Mega Sableye discourages Stealth Rock, which would otherwise heavily undermine Ho-Oh's effectiveness and leave Ho-Oh more vulnerable to certain threats, such as Ultra Necrozma, Marshadow with Rock Tomb, and boosted Extreme Killer Arceus.
* Other entry hazard removers that check powerful hazard setters are appropriate team options as well. Arceus-Ground handles most Primal Groudon variants and offensively checks Mega Lucario, which can take advantage of Mega Sableye lacking Will-O-Wisp. Arceus-Dark does not necessarily prevent entry hazards well, but it can viably use Defog and check Yveltal, Lunala, and other wallbreakers that can overwhelm Mega Sableye. Many Arceus formes can run Ice Beam to check threatening attackers like Zygarde-C and Rayquaza. Giratina checks Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh, spreads various status, and provides Defog support.
* Lugia appreciates Mega Sableye deterring Stealth Rock and status moves and can check a broader range of threats in the tier with its superior bulk. With Multiscale intact, it also checks Ultra Necrozma with Outrage, which can easily defeat Mega Sableye after a Swords Dance.
* Primal Groudon checks Fairy-types and is one of the very few safe switch-ins to Primal Kyogre. Defensive variants can set Stealth Rock to prevent Yveltal and Ho-Oh from attempting to switch in on Mega Sableye and force it out. Primal Groudon can also carry Toxic to allow Mega Sableye to free up a slot for Will-O-Wisp. Both of them can work together to spread status well, as Primal Groudon forces out most Toxic-immune Pokemon in the tier, while Mega Sableye can lure in and burn Steel-types that would avoid Primal Groudon and rather contend with Mega Sableye instead.
* In a similar vein, Ferrothorn can fit with Mega Sableye to check Primal Kyogre and Fairy-types while also providing Spikes support to wear down the opposing team more quickly. Ferrothorn also takes advantage of many support Arceus formes, which is a good news for any Mega Sableye not running a specially defensive EV spread.
* Primal Kyogre can check Necrozma-DM well and appreciates Mega Sableye completely shutting down Ferrothorn and preventing it from recovering. Primal Kyogre can also take advantage of most Pokemon that threaten Mega Sableye. Defensive Primal Kyogre can also provide Mega Sableye with valuable defensive presence against support Arceus formes.
* Clerics like Magearna and Blissey can check special attackers with their typing and colossal special bulk, respectively, and cure Mega Sableye of status ailments to further improve its longevity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Taunt may seem like a bizarre move to be used on a Pokemon with Magic Bounce, but it can force predictable moves from offensive foes that switch into Mega Sableye with the intent of forcing it out. It also prevents utility moves from foes like Chansey, but Taunt is hard to fit into Mega Sableye's moveset.
* Knock Off is handy against foes that do not like losing items, such as Ferrothorn and Chansey, but this leaves Mega Sableye unable to properly check certain physical attackers due to the lack of Foul Play.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Both Xerneas and Magearna force out Mega Sableye by threatening to OHKO it with their STAB moves and do not mind status moves due to their access to cleric moves. Arceus-Fairy and Mega Diancie force Mega Sableye out and can set Stealth Rock, but the former is hindered by Toxic.
**Mold Breaker and Skill Swap Users**: Excadrill can set Stealth Rock and use Toxic on Mega Sableye due to Mold Breaker. Mega Gyarados can use Taunt on Mega Sableye to prevent status moves and set up on it thanks to Mold Breaker as well. Deoxys-S can use Skill Swap to remove Magic Bounce from Mega Sableye and set entry hazards.
**Primal Groudon**: Many wallbreakers can exploit Mega Sableye's mediocre bulk to force it out, but Primal Groudon is an especially notable threat due to it being the most common Stealth Rock user in the tier. It typically carries Toxic to spread status itself, which Mega Sableye's team will generally attempt to avoid.
**Lucario**: Variants of Mega Sableye lacking Will-O-Wisp are taken advantage of by Lucario due to Foul Play granting Lucario a Justified boost and Toxic being unable to put it on a timer.
**Wallbreakers**: Arceus-Ground, Rayquaza, and offensive variants of Priomal Kyogre and Necrozma-DM can overwhelm Mega Sableye with brute force or boosted attacks to KO it or force it out.
**Pokemon Resilient to Status**: The likes of Zygarde-C and defensive Primal Kyogre can outlast Mega Sableye due to them carrying Rest to remove status ailments. With the correct predictions, Substitute users can set up on Mega Sableye, and Facade Mega Salamence can take advantage of status ailments. Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Flying do not mind Mega Sableye at all if they are using Refresh.
[OVERVIEW]
* Mega Sableye sets itself apart from other entry hazard control options with its access to Magic Bounce. After Mega Evolving, Mega Sableye's presence discourages most passive Pokemon from attempting to set entry hazards and using status moves, reducing their overall effectiveness.
* Mega Sableye also avoids trapping thanks to its Ghost typing and checks some dangerous threats to balanced and defensive teams, such as Ultra Necrozma, Deoxys-A, Mewtwo, and Extreme Killer Arceus.
* It is also important to note that Mega Sableye has access to many utility moves. Fake Out can wear down foes and stall out residual damage, while Toxic and Will-O-Wisp can cripple various Pokemon effectively thanks to Magic Bounce invalidating foes' attempts to trade status.
* However, Mega Sableye's bulk is solid at best, and it fails to prevent foes like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy from setting up entry hazards. Its mediocre bulk causes further problems with Mega Sableye's matchup against special attackers. Mega Sableye's low Speed means it can be difficult to keep it healthy, as Mega Sableye will usually move last and is therefore likely to take a hit before attempting to recover.
* While Foul Play allows Mega Sableye to offensively handle some of the Pokemon that it checks defensively, Mega Sableye still fails to do much against Pokemon that are immune or resilient to Toxic.
* Deoxys-S with Skill Swap and Mold Breaker users like Excadrill and Mega Gyarados can also undermine Mega Sableye's effectiveness due to its heavy reliance on Magic Bounce to fulfill its roles.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Recover
item: Sablenite
ability: Prankster
nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fake Out allows Sableye to safely Mega Evolve by immobilizing a non-Ghost-type Pokemon for a turn. Fake Out is also handy for breaking Focus Sashes and making a foe take another round of damage from status.
* Protect guarantees Sableye's successful Mega Evolution against foes like Lunala and Tapu Lele and can be handy for scouting Choice-locked Pokemon, but Fake Out provides better utility.
* Foul Play reduces Mega Sableye's passivity and allows it to check physical attackers like Ultra Necrozma, Necrozma-DM, and Extreme Killer Arceus. Foul Play also notably 2HKOes Mega Gengar most of the time, preventing it from recklessly pressuring Mega Sableye.
* Toxic punishes just about every Pokemon that can offensively threaten Mega Sableye. Mega Sableye tends to be reliant on Toxic to effectively damage foes like support Arceus formes that it cannot threaten with Foul Play.
* Will-O-Wisp targets Steel-types like Magearna and Lucario that could otherwise switch into Mega Sableye and attempt to take advantage of it. Will-O-Wisp also has the benefits of crippling lead Cloyster and neutering Steel-types like Celesteela and Ferrothorn, making them easier for teammates to capitalize on. However, once Will-O-Wisp is revealed, foes that would be crippled by Toxic, such as Arceus-Fairy, can consistently switch into Mega Sableye without any concerns.
* Recover allows Mega Sableye to stay healthy and provide its team with utility options throughout the match.
Set Details
========
* A fully physically defensive EV spread with an Impish nature maximizes Mega Sableye's physical bulk, enabling it to avoid the OHKO from +2 Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike and retaliate with Foul Play or, at worst, force it to use Searing Sunraze Smash. The physically defensive investment also improves Mega Sableye's ability to take hits from walls like Celesteela and Ferrothorn and handle Ultra Necrozma, Marshadow, and Extreme Killer Arceus.
* An EV spread of 252 HP / 36 Def / 220 SpD with a Careful nature improves Mega Sableye's matchup against certain other threats. This spread allows Mega Sableye to always avoid 2HKOs from Life Orb Deoxys-A's Ice Beam, defensive Necrozma-DM's Sunsteel Strike, and +2 Extreme Killer Arceus's Shadow Claw while also avoiding the 2HKO from Mega Gengar, defensive Ho-Oh, and Mega Mewtwo Y. The specially defensive investment also improves Mega Sableye's matchup against support Arceus formes with Stealth Rock as well, which typically run some Special Attack EVs to 2HKO physically defensive Mega Sableye.
* Sableye has Prankster prior to its Mega Evolution, which can be handy if it has to status a foe in an emergency. After Mega Evolving, Mega Sableye will have Magic Bounce, which will bounce back all entry hazard moves and some status moves. Note that Magic Bounce will not bounce back entry hazards or status moves from Mold Breaker users like Excadrill.
* Sablenite allows Sableye to Mega Evolve.
Usage Tips
========
* Sableye will lead most of the time in order to Mega Evolve and gain Magic Bounce as soon as possible. It is especially important to start deterring entry hazards and setup moves from the get-go, but there are specific instances where Sableye's Mega Evolution can be postponed.
* Think twice before Mega Evolving Sableye if an opponent leads with Deoxys-S. This implies its potency to carry Skill Swap, as Deoxys-S will otherwise be hopelessly shut down by Mega Sableye and will have no other reason to lead against it. Consider postponing Mega Evolution against Deoxys-S if it seems to potentially have a dedicated way to bypass Magic Bounce and leads against Sableye.
* Mega Sableye also fails to stop Excadrill from setting Stealth Rock. The best Mega Sableye can do against Excadrill is break its Focus Sash with Fake Out and switch to an offensive check to limit Excadrill to a single turn of utilizing its support options.
* Refrain from leading with Mega Sableye when Tapu Lele is on the opposing team, as Sableye cannot safely Mega Evolve due to Psychic Terrain blocking Fake Out, unless it is using the rare Protect.
* Liberally switch Mega Sableye into passive Pokemon. Entry hazard setters like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, certain Arceus formes, and Blissey struggle to do anything against Mega Sableye due to Magic Bounce.
* Although Mega Sableye is relatively bulky when taking its defensive typing into account, it is forced out against a decent portion of the tier. Some common threats like Primal Groudon, Arceus-Fairy, and other Arceus formes with offensive investment like Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Water are also Stealth Rock users that match up well versus Mega Sableye. Do not recklessly attempt to predict odd moves from them and be quick to withdraw Mega Sableye from any dangerous matchups, especially when passive foes from the opposing team have to be kept in check by Mega Sableye.
* Keeping Mega Sableye healthy is crucial for maintaining the upper hand over entry hazards and status ailments. Mega Sableye also narrowly avoids OHKOs from some threats like Necrozma-DM and Marshadow, so use Recover frequently to prepare Mega Sableye to be directly switched into foes it must handle.
Team Options
========
* Many teams that employ Mega Sableye aim to outlast other teams by preventing major sources of residual damage, namely entry hazards and status. Teammates that can handle the hazard setters that overpower Mega Sableye can assist in accomplishing this objective.
* Ho-Oh is one of the most common Pokemon paired with Mega Sableye for this reason. Stealth Rock variants of Primal Groudon and Arceus-Fairy struggle to combat Ho-Oh, and Ho-Oh is capable of threatening all relevant clerics. Ho-Oh is also notable for being able to completely shut down Toxapex alongside Mega Sableye, as Toxapex with Scald may outlast Mega Sableye but will be completely stopped by Ho-Oh, while those that forgo Scald for Toxic will have no method to deal with Mega Sableye. Regenerator also allows Ho-Oh to pivot into a good number of threats so Mega Sableye will not have to risk taking heavy damage. Ho-Oh's access to both Sacred Fire and Toxic further aids Mega Sableye's attempt to spread status, as Mega Sableye cannot justify using both Toxic and Will-O-Wisp in its moveset. Mega Sableye discourages Stealth Rock, which would otherwise heavily undermine Ho-Oh's effectiveness and leave Ho-Oh more vulnerable to certain threats, such as Ultra Necrozma, Marshadow with Rock Tomb, and boosted Extreme Killer Arceus.
* Other entry hazard removers that check powerful hazard setters are appropriate team options as well. Arceus-Ground handles most Primal Groudon variants and offensively checks Mega Lucario, which can take advantage of Mega Sableye lacking Will-O-Wisp. Arceus-Dark does not necessarily prevent entry hazards well, but it can viably use Defog and check Yveltal, Lunala, and other wallbreakers that can overwhelm Mega Sableye. Many Arceus formes can run Ice Beam to check threatening attackers like Zygarde-C and Rayquaza. Giratina checks Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh, spreads various status, and provides Defog support.
* Lugia appreciates Mega Sableye deterring Stealth Rock and status moves and can check a broader range of threats in the tier with its superior bulk. With Multiscale intact, it also checks Ultra Necrozma with Outrage, which can easily defeat Mega Sableye after a Swords Dance.
* Primal Groudon checks Fairy-types and is one of the very few safe switch-ins to Primal Kyogre. Defensive variants can set Stealth Rock to prevent Yveltal and Ho-Oh from attempting to switch in on Mega Sableye and force it out. Primal Groudon can also carry Toxic to allow Mega Sableye to free up a slot for Will-O-Wisp. Both of them can work together to spread status well, as Primal Groudon forces out most Toxic-immune Pokemon in the tier, while Mega Sableye can lure in and burn Steel-types that would avoid Primal Groudon and rather contend with Mega Sableye instead.
* In a similar vein, Ferrothorn can fit with Mega Sableye to check Primal Kyogre and Fairy-types while also providing Spikes support to wear down the opposing team more quickly. Ferrothorn also takes advantage of many support Arceus formes, which is a good news for any Mega Sableye not running a specially defensive EV spread.
* Primal Kyogre can check Necrozma-DM well and appreciates Mega Sableye completely shutting down Ferrothorn and preventing it from recovering. Primal Kyogre can also take advantage of most Pokemon that threaten Mega Sableye. Defensive Primal Kyogre can also provide Mega Sableye with valuable defensive presence against support Arceus formes.
* Clerics like Magearna and Blissey can check special attackers with their typing and colossal special bulk, respectively, and cure Mega Sableye of status ailments to further improve its longevity.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Taunt may seem like a bizarre move to be used on a Pokemon with Magic Bounce, but it can force predictable moves from offensive foes that switch into Mega Sableye with the intent of forcing it out. It also prevents utility moves from foes like Chansey, but Taunt is hard to fit into Mega Sableye's moveset.
* Knock Off is handy against foes that do not like losing items, such as Ferrothorn and Chansey, but this leaves Mega Sableye unable to properly check certain physical attackers due to the lack of Foul Play.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Both Xerneas and Magearna force out Mega Sableye by threatening to OHKO it with their STAB moves and do not mind status moves due to their access to cleric moves. Arceus-Fairy and Mega Diancie force Mega Sableye out and can set Stealth Rock, but the former is hindered by Toxic.
**Mold Breaker and Skill Swap Users**: Excadrill can set Stealth Rock and use Toxic on Mega Sableye due to Mold Breaker. Mega Gyarados can use Taunt on Mega Sableye to prevent status moves and set up on it thanks to Mold Breaker as well. Deoxys-S can use Skill Swap to remove Magic Bounce from Mega Sableye and set entry hazards.
**Primal Groudon**: Many wallbreakers can exploit Mega Sableye's mediocre bulk to force it out, but Primal Groudon is an especially notable threat due to it being the most common Stealth Rock user in the tier. It typically carries Toxic to spread status itself, which Mega Sableye's team will generally attempt to avoid.
**Lucario**: Variants of Mega Sableye lacking Will-O-Wisp are taken advantage of by Lucario due to Foul Play granting Lucario a Justified boost and Toxic being unable to put it on a timer.
**Wallbreakers**: Arceus-Ground, Rayquaza, and offensive variants of Priomal Kyogre and Necrozma-DM can overwhelm Mega Sableye with brute force or boosted attacks to KO it or force it out.
**Pokemon Resilient to Status**: The likes of Zygarde-C and defensive Primal Kyogre can outlast Mega Sableye due to them carrying Rest to remove status ailments. With the correct predictions, Substitute users can set up on Mega Sableye, and Facade Mega Salamence can take advantage of status ailments. Arceus-Dark and Arceus-Flying do not mind Mega Sableye at all if they are using Refresh.
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