[OVERVIEW]
Tyranitar's Rock / Dark typing and stellar bulk allow it to act as one of the sturdiest Mega Rayquaza checks when holding a Shuca Berry. These attributes also allow it to check Mega Gengar, which it can also trap with Pursuit, as well as Ho-Oh, Ultra Necrozma, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Yveltal. Furthermore, Sand Stream's boost to its Special Defense allows to effectively check special attackers such as Mega Gengar, Calm Mind Ultra Necrozma, and Yveltal. Tyranitar also has solid utility moves: Pursuit guarantees damage on Mega Rayquaza and can remove Mega Gengar, Stealth Rock is a great boon for any team, and Foul Play does solid damage to almost everything Tyranitar is relied on to check. However, Tyranitar's lack of offensive presence allows a lot of Pokemon to easily wall it, including support Arceus formes, Ferrothorn, and Zygarde-C. Tyranitar's typing also leaves it vulnerable to the Ground-, Water-, Steel-, and Fighting-type moves that are carried by Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Primal Kyogre, Necrozma-DM, and Marshadow, which are all very common. It is outsped by every Pokemon it attempts to check, so it is always forced to take damage. This is exacerbated by Tyranitar's lack of reliable recovery, forcing it to run Rest, which leaves it very vulnerable when asleep. Tyranitar can also be lured and eliminated by sets like Draco Meteor Mega Rayquaza and Focus Blast Mega Gengar.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Rest
move 4: Rock Tomb / Stealth Rock
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit allows Tyranitar to trap threats it checks, most notably Mega Rayquaza and Mega Gengar. Foul Play is a strong STAB move due to the high Attack stats of most of Tyranitar's targets, including Mega Rayquaza, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Ultra Necrozma. Rest allows Tyranitar to restore HP and status ailments, enabling it to check Pokemon more than once and shrug off status from Pokemon like Mega Gengar. However, it leaves Tyranitar vulnerable to threats it's supposed to check; most notably, Mega Rayquaza can completely bypass Tyranitar when it's asleep with two Earthquakes and proceed to sweep. It also lets any Pokemon, especially wallbreakers, in for free. Rock Tomb enables Tyranitar to effectively check Ho-Oh and Yveltal, and the Speed reduction it offers allows Tyranitar's teammates to easily revenge kill the foe should Tyranitar be sacrificed. Stealth Rock is a decent option if Tyranitar's team is lacking a setter, and it can set the entry hazard up effectively thanks to its good bulk. However, Tyranitar's inability to threaten most Defoggers makes it less preferable. Toxic is an alternative option in the fourth slot that punishes many of the Pokemon Tyranitar can't do much against, such as support Arceus formes, Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Arceus-Ground and still punishes Ho-Oh.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Shuca Berry and an Impish nature allows Tyranitar to be an effective check to Dragon Dance Mega Rayquaza as well as Swords Dance Ultra Necrozma, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Ho-Oh. Shuca Berry is important to survive +1 Life Orb Mega Rayquaza's Earthquake to OHKO it with Foul Play, as well as to take Swords Dance Ultra Necrozma's and Arceus's Earthquake. Sand Stream gives Tyranitar a boost to its Special Defense, allowing it to take almost nothing from Mega Gengar and Yveltal's attacks, and does minor chip damage to most foes.
Usage Tips
========
If there is Mega Rayquaza on the opposing team, Tyranitar should be preserved to check it. Against a team with Gengar, Tyranitar should freely switch into it as it attempts to Mega Evolve to Pursuit trap it. Attempt to scout Mega Rayquaza's set if possible and avoid mindlessly switching Tyranitar into it, as switching into Earthquake consumes the Shuca Berry and allows Mega Rayquaza to KO Tyranitar with the next Earthquake, and Draco Meteor on some sets can deal massive damage. Pursuit can be used to deal over half to a -1 Defense Mega Rayquaza as it switches out, though it won't do much damage if it stays in, and Foul Play can OHKO -1 Mega Rayquaza after one round of Life Orb damage. Picking which to use depends on whether they have a solid switch-in to Tyranitar's Foul Play and if they can't risk losing Mega Rayquaza to Foul Play, in which case Pursuit is the better play. If the opposing Mega Rayquaza uses Dragon Dance as Tyranitar switches in, Foul Play is generally better because Tyranitar can still check Mega Rayquaza later, and the latter may take Stealth Rock damage upon switching in again. Tyranitar can also switch into and Pursuit trap both Swords Dance and Calm Mind Ultra Necrozma thanks to its Psychic immunity, provided it has already transformed, though Tyranitar should be wary of super effective coverage moves or Outrage from the Swords Dance set. Tyranitar should also freely switch into Yveltal and Ho-Oh to set up Stealth Rock or hit them with a Rock-type move. Use Rest when Tyranitar is low on health or statused, though be careful of leaving Tyranitar as setup bait due to the two turns Tyranitar is vulnerable.
Team Options
========
Tyranitar can fit on bulky offense, balance, and stall teams as a Pursuit trapper for Mega Gengar and solid check to Mega Rayquaza. Teammates such as Choice Band Mega Rayquaza, Arceus-Fairy, and Chansey appreciate Tyranitar Pursuit trapping Mega Gengar, depending on the team archetype Tyranitar is on. Teammates on stall such as Arceus-Water, Lugia, Mega Sableye, and Chansey can cover Tyranitar's weaknesses to threats such as Calm Mind Arceus-Steel, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre. Ho-Oh forms a good defensive core with Tyranitar on balance teams, covering both special and physical attackers such as Calm Mind Arceus formes, Xerneas, Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, and Primal Groudon. Ferrothorn can set Spikes for balance teams and can switch into Primal Kyogre, which Tyranitar often lets in freely. Arceus-Grass can also check Primal Kyogre as well as Arceus-Ground and appreciates Tyranitar switching into Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Mega Rayquaza. A secondary Mega Rayquaza check such as Arceus-Fairy or Lugia can cover sets Tyranitar falls victim to, most notably mixed Life Orb Mega Rayquaza. Lastly, offensive teammates such as Yveltal, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre appreciate a switch-in to Mega Rayquaza and can defeat Pokemon Tyranitar struggles with.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Roar is an option in the fourth slot to phaze Vivillon as well as allowing Tyranitar to avoid becoming setup bait for Calm Mind users such as Arceus-Steel and Arceus-Fairy. It can also be an unexpected option to surprise Baton Pass teams. Low Kick provides powerful coverage against Arceus-Steel, Ferrothorn, and opposing Tyranitar and allows Tyranitar to more effectively check Arceus-Dark. Thunder Wave is an interesting option on status-heavy teams and slows down threats for teammates such as Mega Gengar and Primal Kyogre. Dragon Dance on a Mega Tyranitar set makes for a unique offensive sweeper with good coverage in Ice Punch, Crunch, and Low Kick. However, the opportunity cost of having to forgo a different Mega Evolution in Gengar or Rayquaza, which are better offensive threats, makes it generally not worth it; it also forfeits almost all defensive utility. Leftovers helps compensate for Tyranitar's lack of reliable recovery but makes it much less reliable against Mega Rayquaza. Crunch with 36 Speed EVs can better prevent Tyranitar from being trapped and PP stalled by Gothitelle. Choice Band allows Tyranitar to OHKO Ferrothorn and Arceus-Steel with Superpower and gives Tyranitar an unexpectedly good damage output while still solidly Pursuit trapping threats. It also reliably Pursuit traps Gothitelle. Lastly, Lum Berry can allow Tyranitar to more reliably Pursuit trap Will-O-Wisp or Hypnosis Mega Gengar while allowing it to get a one-time instant wake from Rest or Vivillon's Sleep Powder. While Shuca Berry is usually needed more often, Lum Berry can work on teams less concerned about Mega Rayquaza.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Zygarde-C, Primal Groudon, and Arceus-Ground can all freely switch into Tyranitar, threaten it out, and potentially use it as setup bait while forcing Tyranitar to switch out due to its inability to hit them hard. Zygarde-C can notably set up Substitutes for free as well, since Tyranitar's Foul Play never breaks its Substitute.
**Steel-types**: Tyranitar struggles to heavily damage every relevant Steel-type besides Necrozma-DM. Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Arceus-Steel, Skarmory, and even Magearna can easily switch into Tyranitar and have a free turn to set up Spikes, Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, or Calm Mind. Tyranitar cannot do meaningful damage to these foes and is thus forced out. While Necrozma-DM is hit hard by Foul Play, it outspeeds Tyranitar and can hit it with a +2 Sunsteel Strike to OHKO it.
**Fairy-types**: Arceus-Fairy and Xerneas easily switch into and threaten out Tyranitar. Arceus-Fairy can set up Stealth Rock, Defog away entry hazards, or set up Calm Mind, while Xerneas can set up Geomancy for free or throw off a Moonblast.
**Water-types**: Tyranitar lets in Primal Kyogre mostly for free and allows it to fire off a hard-hitting Water-type attack. Arceus-Water also walls Tyranitar and can set up Stealth Rock or Defog away hazards.
**Walls**: Tyranitar is unable to touch most walls, including physically defensive Arceus-Ground, Ferrothorn, Giratina, Mega Sableye, and Chansey. Even with Toxic, most of these shrug it off or are immune to it.
**Fighting-types**: While uncommon in Anything Goes, Fighting-types, most notably Marshadow, can OHKO Tyranitar due to its 4x weakness. Mega Mewtwo X is an uncommon Pokemon but also manages to get the job done. Fighting-type coverage on certain Pokemon such as Ultra Necrozma and Deoxys-A can also instantly KO Tyranitar.
**Lures**: Effective lures such as Focus Blast Mega Gengar, mixed Life Orb Draco Meteor Mega Rayquaza, and Choice Band Outrage Mega Rayquaza can deal with Tyranitar provided the former two hit.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[lotiasite, 302985]]
- Quality checked by: [[Chloe, 262044], [Pigeons, 253393], [Catalystic, 314467]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
Tyranitar's Rock / Dark typing and stellar bulk allow it to act as one of the sturdiest Mega Rayquaza checks when holding a Shuca Berry. These attributes also allow it to check Mega Gengar, which it can also trap with Pursuit, as well as Ho-Oh, Ultra Necrozma, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Yveltal. Furthermore, Sand Stream's boost to its Special Defense allows to effectively check special attackers such as Mega Gengar, Calm Mind Ultra Necrozma, and Yveltal. Tyranitar also has solid utility moves: Pursuit guarantees damage on Mega Rayquaza and can remove Mega Gengar, Stealth Rock is a great boon for any team, and Foul Play does solid damage to almost everything Tyranitar is relied on to check. However, Tyranitar's lack of offensive presence allows a lot of Pokemon to easily wall it, including support Arceus formes, Ferrothorn, and Zygarde-C. Tyranitar's typing also leaves it vulnerable to the Ground-, Water-, Steel-, and Fighting-type moves that are carried by Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, Primal Kyogre, Necrozma-DM, and Marshadow, which are all very common. It is outsped by every Pokemon it attempts to check, so it is always forced to take damage. This is exacerbated by Tyranitar's lack of reliable recovery, forcing it to run Rest, which leaves it very vulnerable when asleep. Tyranitar can also be lured and eliminated by sets like Draco Meteor Mega Rayquaza and Focus Blast Mega Gengar.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Pursuit
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Rest
move 4: Rock Tomb / Stealth Rock
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Pursuit allows Tyranitar to trap threats it checks, most notably Mega Rayquaza and Mega Gengar. Foul Play is a strong STAB move due to the high Attack stats of most of Tyranitar's targets, including Mega Rayquaza, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Ultra Necrozma. Rest allows Tyranitar to restore HP and status ailments, enabling it to check Pokemon more than once and shrug off status from Pokemon like Mega Gengar. However, it leaves Tyranitar vulnerable to threats it's supposed to check; most notably, Mega Rayquaza can completely bypass Tyranitar when it's asleep with two Earthquakes and proceed to sweep. It also lets any Pokemon, especially wallbreakers, in for free. Rock Tomb enables Tyranitar to effectively check Ho-Oh and Yveltal, and the Speed reduction it offers allows Tyranitar's teammates to easily revenge kill the foe should Tyranitar be sacrificed. Stealth Rock is a decent option if Tyranitar's team is lacking a setter, and it can set the entry hazard up effectively thanks to its good bulk. However, Tyranitar's inability to threaten most Defoggers makes it less preferable. Toxic is an alternative option in the fourth slot that punishes many of the Pokemon Tyranitar can't do much against, such as support Arceus formes, Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Arceus-Ground and still punishes Ho-Oh.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Shuca Berry and an Impish nature allows Tyranitar to be an effective check to Dragon Dance Mega Rayquaza as well as Swords Dance Ultra Necrozma, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Ho-Oh. Shuca Berry is important to survive +1 Life Orb Mega Rayquaza's Earthquake to OHKO it with Foul Play, as well as to take Swords Dance Ultra Necrozma's and Arceus's Earthquake. Sand Stream gives Tyranitar a boost to its Special Defense, allowing it to take almost nothing from Mega Gengar and Yveltal's attacks, and does minor chip damage to most foes.
Usage Tips
========
If there is Mega Rayquaza on the opposing team, Tyranitar should be preserved to check it. Against a team with Gengar, Tyranitar should freely switch into it as it attempts to Mega Evolve to Pursuit trap it. Attempt to scout Mega Rayquaza's set if possible and avoid mindlessly switching Tyranitar into it, as switching into Earthquake consumes the Shuca Berry and allows Mega Rayquaza to KO Tyranitar with the next Earthquake, and Draco Meteor on some sets can deal massive damage. Pursuit can be used to deal over half to a -1 Defense Mega Rayquaza as it switches out, though it won't do much damage if it stays in, and Foul Play can OHKO -1 Mega Rayquaza after one round of Life Orb damage. Picking which to use depends on whether they have a solid switch-in to Tyranitar's Foul Play and if they can't risk losing Mega Rayquaza to Foul Play, in which case Pursuit is the better play. If the opposing Mega Rayquaza uses Dragon Dance as Tyranitar switches in, Foul Play is generally better because Tyranitar can still check Mega Rayquaza later, and the latter may take Stealth Rock damage upon switching in again. Tyranitar can also switch into and Pursuit trap both Swords Dance and Calm Mind Ultra Necrozma thanks to its Psychic immunity, provided it has already transformed, though Tyranitar should be wary of super effective coverage moves or Outrage from the Swords Dance set. Tyranitar should also freely switch into Yveltal and Ho-Oh to set up Stealth Rock or hit them with a Rock-type move. Use Rest when Tyranitar is low on health or statused, though be careful of leaving Tyranitar as setup bait due to the two turns Tyranitar is vulnerable.
Team Options
========
Tyranitar can fit on bulky offense, balance, and stall teams as a Pursuit trapper for Mega Gengar and solid check to Mega Rayquaza. Teammates such as Choice Band Mega Rayquaza, Arceus-Fairy, and Chansey appreciate Tyranitar Pursuit trapping Mega Gengar, depending on the team archetype Tyranitar is on. Teammates on stall such as Arceus-Water, Lugia, Mega Sableye, and Chansey can cover Tyranitar's weaknesses to threats such as Calm Mind Arceus-Steel, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre. Ho-Oh forms a good defensive core with Tyranitar on balance teams, covering both special and physical attackers such as Calm Mind Arceus formes, Xerneas, Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, and Primal Groudon. Ferrothorn can set Spikes for balance teams and can switch into Primal Kyogre, which Tyranitar often lets in freely. Arceus-Grass can also check Primal Kyogre as well as Arceus-Ground and appreciates Tyranitar switching into Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Mega Rayquaza. A secondary Mega Rayquaza check such as Arceus-Fairy or Lugia can cover sets Tyranitar falls victim to, most notably mixed Life Orb Mega Rayquaza. Lastly, offensive teammates such as Yveltal, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre appreciate a switch-in to Mega Rayquaza and can defeat Pokemon Tyranitar struggles with.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Roar is an option in the fourth slot to phaze Vivillon as well as allowing Tyranitar to avoid becoming setup bait for Calm Mind users such as Arceus-Steel and Arceus-Fairy. It can also be an unexpected option to surprise Baton Pass teams. Low Kick provides powerful coverage against Arceus-Steel, Ferrothorn, and opposing Tyranitar and allows Tyranitar to more effectively check Arceus-Dark. Thunder Wave is an interesting option on status-heavy teams and slows down threats for teammates such as Mega Gengar and Primal Kyogre. Dragon Dance on a Mega Tyranitar set makes for a unique offensive sweeper with good coverage in Ice Punch, Crunch, and Low Kick. However, the opportunity cost of having to forgo a different Mega Evolution in Gengar or Rayquaza, which are better offensive threats, makes it generally not worth it; it also forfeits almost all defensive utility. Leftovers helps compensate for Tyranitar's lack of reliable recovery but makes it much less reliable against Mega Rayquaza. Crunch with 36 Speed EVs can better prevent Tyranitar from being trapped and PP stalled by Gothitelle. Choice Band allows Tyranitar to OHKO Ferrothorn and Arceus-Steel with Superpower and gives Tyranitar an unexpectedly good damage output while still solidly Pursuit trapping threats. It also reliably Pursuit traps Gothitelle. Lastly, Lum Berry can allow Tyranitar to more reliably Pursuit trap Will-O-Wisp or Hypnosis Mega Gengar while allowing it to get a one-time instant wake from Rest or Vivillon's Sleep Powder. While Shuca Berry is usually needed more often, Lum Berry can work on teams less concerned about Mega Rayquaza.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Zygarde-C, Primal Groudon, and Arceus-Ground can all freely switch into Tyranitar, threaten it out, and potentially use it as setup bait while forcing Tyranitar to switch out due to its inability to hit them hard. Zygarde-C can notably set up Substitutes for free as well, since Tyranitar's Foul Play never breaks its Substitute.
**Steel-types**: Tyranitar struggles to heavily damage every relevant Steel-type besides Necrozma-DM. Ferrothorn, Celesteela, Arceus-Steel, Skarmory, and even Magearna can easily switch into Tyranitar and have a free turn to set up Spikes, Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, or Calm Mind. Tyranitar cannot do meaningful damage to these foes and is thus forced out. While Necrozma-DM is hit hard by Foul Play, it outspeeds Tyranitar and can hit it with a +2 Sunsteel Strike to OHKO it.
**Fairy-types**: Arceus-Fairy and Xerneas easily switch into and threaten out Tyranitar. Arceus-Fairy can set up Stealth Rock, Defog away entry hazards, or set up Calm Mind, while Xerneas can set up Geomancy for free or throw off a Moonblast.
**Water-types**: Tyranitar lets in Primal Kyogre mostly for free and allows it to fire off a hard-hitting Water-type attack. Arceus-Water also walls Tyranitar and can set up Stealth Rock or Defog away hazards.
**Walls**: Tyranitar is unable to touch most walls, including physically defensive Arceus-Ground, Ferrothorn, Giratina, Mega Sableye, and Chansey. Even with Toxic, most of these shrug it off or are immune to it.
**Fighting-types**: While uncommon in Anything Goes, Fighting-types, most notably Marshadow, can OHKO Tyranitar due to its 4x weakness. Mega Mewtwo X is an uncommon Pokemon but also manages to get the job done. Fighting-type coverage on certain Pokemon such as Ultra Necrozma and Deoxys-A can also instantly KO Tyranitar.
**Lures**: Effective lures such as Focus Blast Mega Gengar, mixed Life Orb Draco Meteor Mega Rayquaza, and Choice Band Outrage Mega Rayquaza can deal with Tyranitar provided the former two hit.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[lotiasite, 302985]]
- Quality checked by: [[Chloe, 262044], [Pigeons, 253393], [Catalystic, 314467]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
Last edited:
