[OVERVIEW]
Yanmega is blessed with two brilliant abilities in Speed Boost and Tinted Lens; the former makes it an incredible late-game cleaner and wrecks frail offensive teams, and the latter gives its STAB moves perfect neutral coverage and is threatening to bulkier teams. Yanmega's Bug / Flying typing gives it the ability to either OHKO or 2HKO walls such as Slowbro, Chesnaught, defensive Venusaur, and, most importantly, Cresselia. However, while Yanmega's typing lets it beat some common walls, it also leaves it weak to common Fire-, Rock-, and Electric-type moves, making it easily threatened by Pokemon such as Salazzle, Gigalith, Diancie, and Rotom-H. It also possesses a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, meaning that entry hazard support is mandatory when using Yanmega. Finally, even with a Choice Specs equipped, certain special walls like Registeel can still shut Yanmega down with relative ease.
[SET]
name: Speed Boost Sweeper
move 1: Protect
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect lets Yanmega shield itself from an attack to scout out moves, potential lures, and Choice items, as well as providing it a free turn to get a boost in Speed. Bug Buzz is Yanmega's strongest STAB move, hitting Psychic- and Grass-types like Cresselia and Shaymin super effectively while also bypassing Substitute. Air Slash serves as the backup STAB move, scoring strong hits on Pokemon like Kommo-o and Heracross. Giga Drain is used to hit Rhyperior and heal Life Orb recoil. Hidden Power Fire can be used instead to 2HKO Doublade and Assault Vest Escavalier, which would otherwise wall this set.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Speed and Special Attack. With Speed Boost making Yanmega faster at the end of every turn and thus able to clean late-game, there is no reason to run a Timid nature. Life Orb is the only item that this set should run, as the power it provides is too good to pass up.
Usage Tips
========
This set should be used as a wincon against frail offensive teams and as a late-game sweeper in general. Therefore, it's best to keep Yanmega hidden until your opponent's team has been sufficiently weakened. Using Protect first to get a free Speed boost is a good idea, although if Yanmega is against a Pokemon that it can hit for super effective damage or one that it forces out, such as Slowbro, Chesnaught, Umbreon, and Choice Scarf Heracross that is locked into Close Combat, using Protect isn't necessary. As special walls like Porygon2, Registeel, Mantine, and Florges stop this set, Yanmega should avoid trying to sweep if they're still healthy. Don't switch Yanmega in if Stealth Rock is up if at all possible, as the entry hazard will take 50% of Yanmega's health.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers make good teammates for Yanmega, as they can weaken the opposing team so that Yanmega can sweep easier later on. Nidoqueen can smash Registeel, Florges, and Mantine with its Sheer Force-boosted Earth Power, Sludge Wave, and Thunderbolt, respectively. Pangoro, Kommo-o, and Choice Band Snorlax can also help weaken the opposing team and have decent synergy with Yanmega; Kommo-o and Pangoro resist the Rock-type moves that Yanmega is 4x weak to, while Thick Fat Snorlax and Kommo-o resist the Fire-type moves Yanmega is 2x weak to. As Yanmega loses 50% of its health upon switching into Stealth Rock, Defog or Rapid Spin support is a must. Therefore, Defoggers like Gligar and Mantine are useful, as they both provide Defog support; the former can also cover Yanmega's Electric-type weakness, while the latter can cover its Fire-type weakness. Though they share a Fire weakness, Dhelmise can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin and take out Florges with its Steelworker-boosted Anchor Shot or Heavy Slam. It can also lure in and weaken Registeel with Earthquake. While Yanmega hates Stealth Rock on its own side, entry hazards on the opposing side are very helpful to give it an easier time with sweeping later on. Gigalith and Rhyperior can set up Stealth Rock and check opposing Fire-types. Froslass, Chesnaught, Roserade, and Dragalge can set up Spikes, and the last two also provide Toxic Spikes.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Choice Specs
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is Yanmega's strongest STAB move and is the move that this set will be using most of the time, as Tinted Lens negates its poor coverage. Air Slash is the alternate STAB move, having less power than Bug Buzz but better coverage. With Tinted Lens, Air Slash can 2HKO Doublade. U-turn is used in the third slot to let Yanmega grab momentum. Finally, Giga Drain OHKOes Rhyperior and 2HKOes Milotic after Stealth Rock; it also restores Yanmega's health, letting it break walls for longer periods of time.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Speed and power. A Timid nature is used so that Yanmega can outrun Heracross, Kommo-o, and Roserade. Choice Specs gives Yanmega the power needed to wallbreak—thanks to Tinted Lens powering up resisted moves, locking Yanmega into Bug Buzz or Air Slash isn't too detrimental for it.
Usage Tips
========
While the Speed Boost set works well against frailer offensive teams, this set is best used against more defensive builds. Choice Specs Yanmega has the role of a wallbreaker, smashing holes in the opponent's team for a teammate to clear up later. Generally, if your opponent does not have something on their team that has a 4x resistance to Bug-type moves, spamming Bug Buzz will get the job done. However, if your opponent does have a Pokemon that 4x resists Bug-type moves like Doublade or a Pokemon with Soundproof like Kommo-o, Air Slash or U-turn are safer moves to use. Don't switch Yanmega in if Stealth Rock is up if at all possible, as the entry hazard will take 50% of Yanmega's health. Yanmega can switch into weaker defensive Pokemon like Gligar, Chesnaught, and Umbreon, as they can't sufficiently harm Yanmega.
Team Options
========
As this set is more geared towards wallbreaking than sweeping, late-game cleaners like Choice Scarf Heracross, Swords Dance Toxicroak, Dragon Dance Flygon, Reuniclus, and Curse Snorlax are good teammates to clean up what's left of the opponent's team once Yanmega has made a few holes. As this set will be switching in and out often, Stealth Rock or Rapid Spin support is critical. Gligar and Mantine can provide Defog support, and the former can also cover Yanmega's Electric-type weakness, while the latter can cover its Fire-type weakness. Donphan can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin and take out Registeel, which can wall this set. It's also immune to the Electric-type moves that Yanmega is weak to, and Yanmega 4x resists the Grass-type moves Donphan is weak to. While Yanmega hates Stealth Rock on its own side, entry hazards on the opposing side are very helpful to give it an easier time sweeping later on. Gigalith and Rhyperior can set up Stealth Rock and check opposing Fire-types. Froslass, Chesnaught, Roserade, and Dragalge can set up Spikes to give Yanmega an easier time wallbreaking.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Yanmega doesn't have many viable options that aren't already listed above. Ancient Power OHKOes Moltres and 2HKOes Rotom-H, although both are already 2HKOed by Choice Specs-boosted Air Slash and Bug Buzz, respectively. Shadow Ball 2HKOes Doublade, although Hidden Power Fire can also manage this while retaining coverage on Escavalier. It also lacks Giga Drain's coverage and utility. While Roost may seem like a good option to keep Yanmega healthy, in reality it just doesn't have space for it. Flyinium Z or Buginium Z can be used for a 140-Base Power Supersonic Skystrike or a 175-Base Power Savage Spin Out, but Yanmega prefers the constant power of Life Orb or Choice Specs over having a one-time nuke, and there are other Pokemon in RU that can use a Z-Move much more effectively like Salazzle and Flygon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Even with a Choice Specs, Yanmega can't break Porygon2, Registeel, Mantine, Florges, Gigalith, and Diancie. They can cripple Yanmega with status and stall it out or, in the case of the final two, OHKO with their STAB moves. Defensive Rotom-H is not OHKOed by any of Yanmega's attacks and can OHKO in turn with Overheat. However, the Choice Specs set can 2HKO with Bug Buzz.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Yanmega's STAB moves. Registeel walls Yanmega and can stall it out with Toxic. Assault Vest Escavalier 2HKOes with Iron Head and only fears Hidden Power Fire. Doublade walls the Speed Boost set and can use it to set up, although the Choice Specs set can 2HKO with Air Slash.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock strips 50% of Yanmega's HP, making it far easier to deal with.
Yanmega is blessed with two brilliant abilities in Speed Boost and Tinted Lens; the former makes it an incredible late-game cleaner and wrecks frail offensive teams, and the latter gives its STAB moves perfect neutral coverage and is threatening to bulkier teams. Yanmega's Bug / Flying typing gives it the ability to either OHKO or 2HKO walls such as Slowbro, Chesnaught, defensive Venusaur, and, most importantly, Cresselia. However, while Yanmega's typing lets it beat some common walls, it also leaves it weak to common Fire-, Rock-, and Electric-type moves, making it easily threatened by Pokemon such as Salazzle, Gigalith, Diancie, and Rotom-H. It also possesses a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, meaning that entry hazard support is mandatory when using Yanmega. Finally, even with a Choice Specs equipped, certain special walls like Registeel can still shut Yanmega down with relative ease.
[SET]
name: Speed Boost Sweeper
move 1: Protect
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect lets Yanmega shield itself from an attack to scout out moves, potential lures, and Choice items, as well as providing it a free turn to get a boost in Speed. Bug Buzz is Yanmega's strongest STAB move, hitting Psychic- and Grass-types like Cresselia and Shaymin super effectively while also bypassing Substitute. Air Slash serves as the backup STAB move, scoring strong hits on Pokemon like Kommo-o and Heracross. Giga Drain is used to hit Rhyperior and heal Life Orb recoil. Hidden Power Fire can be used instead to 2HKO Doublade and Assault Vest Escavalier, which would otherwise wall this set.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Speed and Special Attack. With Speed Boost making Yanmega faster at the end of every turn and thus able to clean late-game, there is no reason to run a Timid nature. Life Orb is the only item that this set should run, as the power it provides is too good to pass up.
Usage Tips
========
This set should be used as a wincon against frail offensive teams and as a late-game sweeper in general. Therefore, it's best to keep Yanmega hidden until your opponent's team has been sufficiently weakened. Using Protect first to get a free Speed boost is a good idea, although if Yanmega is against a Pokemon that it can hit for super effective damage or one that it forces out, such as Slowbro, Chesnaught, Umbreon, and Choice Scarf Heracross that is locked into Close Combat, using Protect isn't necessary. As special walls like Porygon2, Registeel, Mantine, and Florges stop this set, Yanmega should avoid trying to sweep if they're still healthy. Don't switch Yanmega in if Stealth Rock is up if at all possible, as the entry hazard will take 50% of Yanmega's health.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers make good teammates for Yanmega, as they can weaken the opposing team so that Yanmega can sweep easier later on. Nidoqueen can smash Registeel, Florges, and Mantine with its Sheer Force-boosted Earth Power, Sludge Wave, and Thunderbolt, respectively. Pangoro, Kommo-o, and Choice Band Snorlax can also help weaken the opposing team and have decent synergy with Yanmega; Kommo-o and Pangoro resist the Rock-type moves that Yanmega is 4x weak to, while Thick Fat Snorlax and Kommo-o resist the Fire-type moves Yanmega is 2x weak to. As Yanmega loses 50% of its health upon switching into Stealth Rock, Defog or Rapid Spin support is a must. Therefore, Defoggers like Gligar and Mantine are useful, as they both provide Defog support; the former can also cover Yanmega's Electric-type weakness, while the latter can cover its Fire-type weakness. Though they share a Fire weakness, Dhelmise can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin and take out Florges with its Steelworker-boosted Anchor Shot or Heavy Slam. It can also lure in and weaken Registeel with Earthquake. While Yanmega hates Stealth Rock on its own side, entry hazards on the opposing side are very helpful to give it an easier time with sweeping later on. Gigalith and Rhyperior can set up Stealth Rock and check opposing Fire-types. Froslass, Chesnaught, Roserade, and Dragalge can set up Spikes, and the last two also provide Toxic Spikes.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Giga Drain
item: Choice Specs
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is Yanmega's strongest STAB move and is the move that this set will be using most of the time, as Tinted Lens negates its poor coverage. Air Slash is the alternate STAB move, having less power than Bug Buzz but better coverage. With Tinted Lens, Air Slash can 2HKO Doublade. U-turn is used in the third slot to let Yanmega grab momentum. Finally, Giga Drain OHKOes Rhyperior and 2HKOes Milotic after Stealth Rock; it also restores Yanmega's health, letting it break walls for longer periods of time.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Speed and power. A Timid nature is used so that Yanmega can outrun Heracross, Kommo-o, and Roserade. Choice Specs gives Yanmega the power needed to wallbreak—thanks to Tinted Lens powering up resisted moves, locking Yanmega into Bug Buzz or Air Slash isn't too detrimental for it.
Usage Tips
========
While the Speed Boost set works well against frailer offensive teams, this set is best used against more defensive builds. Choice Specs Yanmega has the role of a wallbreaker, smashing holes in the opponent's team for a teammate to clear up later. Generally, if your opponent does not have something on their team that has a 4x resistance to Bug-type moves, spamming Bug Buzz will get the job done. However, if your opponent does have a Pokemon that 4x resists Bug-type moves like Doublade or a Pokemon with Soundproof like Kommo-o, Air Slash or U-turn are safer moves to use. Don't switch Yanmega in if Stealth Rock is up if at all possible, as the entry hazard will take 50% of Yanmega's health. Yanmega can switch into weaker defensive Pokemon like Gligar, Chesnaught, and Umbreon, as they can't sufficiently harm Yanmega.
Team Options
========
As this set is more geared towards wallbreaking than sweeping, late-game cleaners like Choice Scarf Heracross, Swords Dance Toxicroak, Dragon Dance Flygon, Reuniclus, and Curse Snorlax are good teammates to clean up what's left of the opponent's team once Yanmega has made a few holes. As this set will be switching in and out often, Stealth Rock or Rapid Spin support is critical. Gligar and Mantine can provide Defog support, and the former can also cover Yanmega's Electric-type weakness, while the latter can cover its Fire-type weakness. Donphan can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin and take out Registeel, which can wall this set. It's also immune to the Electric-type moves that Yanmega is weak to, and Yanmega 4x resists the Grass-type moves Donphan is weak to. While Yanmega hates Stealth Rock on its own side, entry hazards on the opposing side are very helpful to give it an easier time sweeping later on. Gigalith and Rhyperior can set up Stealth Rock and check opposing Fire-types. Froslass, Chesnaught, Roserade, and Dragalge can set up Spikes to give Yanmega an easier time wallbreaking.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Yanmega doesn't have many viable options that aren't already listed above. Ancient Power OHKOes Moltres and 2HKOes Rotom-H, although both are already 2HKOed by Choice Specs-boosted Air Slash and Bug Buzz, respectively. Shadow Ball 2HKOes Doublade, although Hidden Power Fire can also manage this while retaining coverage on Escavalier. It also lacks Giga Drain's coverage and utility. While Roost may seem like a good option to keep Yanmega healthy, in reality it just doesn't have space for it. Flyinium Z or Buginium Z can be used for a 140-Base Power Supersonic Skystrike or a 175-Base Power Savage Spin Out, but Yanmega prefers the constant power of Life Orb or Choice Specs over having a one-time nuke, and there are other Pokemon in RU that can use a Z-Move much more effectively like Salazzle and Flygon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Even with a Choice Specs, Yanmega can't break Porygon2, Registeel, Mantine, Florges, Gigalith, and Diancie. They can cripple Yanmega with status and stall it out or, in the case of the final two, OHKO with their STAB moves. Defensive Rotom-H is not OHKOed by any of Yanmega's attacks and can OHKO in turn with Overheat. However, the Choice Specs set can 2HKO with Bug Buzz.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Yanmega's STAB moves. Registeel walls Yanmega and can stall it out with Toxic. Assault Vest Escavalier 2HKOes with Iron Head and only fears Hidden Power Fire. Doublade walls the Speed Boost set and can use it to set up, although the Choice Specs set can 2HKO with Air Slash.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock strips 50% of Yanmega's HP, making it far easier to deal with.
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