Ubers Blaziken

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[OVERVIEW]

* Mega Blaziken's Fire / Fighting typing makes it a good offensive threat.
* Mega Blaziken's great ability in Speed Boost makes it faster every turn, eventually letting it outspeed the entire metagame and making it a pretty good sweeper. This also makes it difficult to revenge kill, since it is usually faster than everything after one Speed boost.
* However, Mega Blaziken's mediocre bulk leaves it prone to getting revenge killed by priority attackers like Arceus, Marshadow, and Rayquaza, making it hard to find opportunities to set up Swords Dance.
* Its lack of good coverage means Mega Blaziken is walled by defensive threats such as Zygarde and both Giratina formes.
* Mega Blaziken falls short of many OHKOs without entry hazards and proper support, which makes it a hard Pokemon to build around and not as easy to put on teams as other Mega Evolutions in the tier.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: Low Kick
move 4: Stone Edge / Knock Off
item: Blazikenite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Swords Dance boosts Mega Blaziken's Attack by 2 stages, letting it OHKO multiple bulky threats such as Necrozma-DM, support Arceus formes, and Primal Kyogre, as well as many offensive threats such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Xerneas, and Yveltal.
* Flare Blitz allows Mega Blaziken to hit Steel-types like Necrozma-DM and Celesteela while also hitting Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Marshadow.
* Low Kick is used to OHKO Ferrothorn, Arceus-Dark, and Extreme Killer Arceus, and a boost from Swords Dance lets it OHKO Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon. It can also hit certain threats neutrally without taking recoil damage.
* Stone Edge allows Mega Blaziken to OHKO Ho-Oh, as well as OHKO Mega Salamence and Lugia with Stealth Rock up after boosting its Attack with Swords Dance.
* Knock Off can be used over Stone Edge, as it allows Mega Blaziken to hit Ghost-types without the need to take recoil from Flare Blitz, and it also allows Mega Blaziken to deal damage to both Giratina and Lugia. It can also OHKO Ho-Oh at +2 after Stealth Rock.
* Earthquake is an option that allows Mega Blaziken to take on Toxapex, which would normally check it.

Set Details
========

* A basic EV spread and an Adamant nature are used to let Mega Blaziken deal as much damage as possible while also outspeeding multiple threats such as Modest Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal after Mega Blaziken is at +1 Speed. A Jolly nature is an option that can be used to outspeed versions of the previously mentioned threats using a Timid nature, as well as standard +2 Rock Polish Primal Groudon.
* Blazikenite is required for Blaziken to Mega Evolve.

Usage Tips
========

* Mega Blaziken is too frail to switch into attacks, so switch it in on predicted switches to Steel-types or Pokemon that lack offensive presence such as Blissey and Chansey that Mega Blaziken can heavily threaten. This also lets it gain a Speed boost a turn earlier, which can be handy for outspeeding support Arceus formes on defensive teams.
* It's best to keep Mega Blaziken in the back until mid- to late-game once most of its checks are KOed or weakened so that it can sweep.
* While Mega Blaziken is great as a late-game cleaner, it is also able to punch holes through bulkier teams thanks to Swords Dance, which can help teammates that are more likely to do work in certain matchups.
* Flare Blitz should not be used carelessly due to the recoil Mega Blaziken takes which, in conjunction with its low HP stat, can cause it to often KO itself.
* Priority users such as Marshadow, Arceus, and Rayquaza are often a massive pain to Mega Blaziken. Make sure to keep Blaziken out of range from getting KOed by priority moves used by these three offensive threats

Team Options
========

* Entry hazard setters such as Excadrill, Deoxys-S, and Cloyster make for good teammates, as support from Spikes and Stealth Rock puts many bulkier threats in range of OHKOs from +2 Mega Blaziken.
* Physical threats such as Marshadow, Rayquaza, and Arceus-Ground make for great teammates, as they are able to target common checks to physical attackers such as support Arceus formes, Giratina, Zygarde, and Mega Salamence. On the other hand, Mega Blaziken is able to weaken Arceus-Fairy, which can be annoying for Marshadow to face. The three also provide defensive type synergy, since Marshadow can come in on Extreme Speed users like Rayquaza and Arceus and threaten them immediately. Rayquaza and Arceus-Ground are able to switch into Primal Groudon, which is vital for most offensive teams.
* Primal Groudon is a really good teammate for Blaziken as well, since it is able to check Xerneas and Primal Kyogre as well as act as a Stealth Rock setter on bulkier teams. Offensive sets are able to weaken defensive threats such as Zygarde, Lugia, both Giratina formes, and support Arceus formes for Mega Blaziken to clean late-game.
* Swords Dance Necrozma-DM appreciates Mega Blaziken being able to check Steel-types, making it a great partner as well. It can also function as a check to Xerneas thanks to its great bulk and defensive typing.
* Xerneas can perform the role of a late-game cleaner as well as a wallbreaker side by side with Mega Blaziken thanks to Geomancy. It can also act as a check to Marshadow and appreciates Mega Blaziken's ability to check Steel-types.
* Gothitelle can trap support Arceus formes, Lugia, and other checks to Mega Blaziken and remove them by PP-stalling, thus easing Mega Blaziken's attempts to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set with Life Orb and Protect + 3 attacks can work as a pretty good late-game cleaner, but it often loses health too quickly and KOes itself from recoil.
* Running High Jump Kick over Low Kick is an option for more power at the cost of occasionally missing, which can often make things go horribly wrong for Mega Blaziken.
* Hidden Power Ice is an option to hit Mega Salamence and Zygarde, but using this means Mega Blaziken loses Swords Dance and is therefore suboptimal.
* Swords Dance + Knock Off with Darkinium Z is an option that can OHKO Giratina-O at +2 and Lugia after Stealth Rock. However, Blaziken without Protect is very slow, and the lack of Life Orb makes it somewhat weak at the same time.
* Substitute + Reversal can deal with Zygarde but is not as viable as the main set due to the lack of coverage if Blaziken runs Swords Dance and the lack of power if it decides to drop Swords Dance for a coverage move.
* Z-Mirror Move with Substitute or Protect is another option Blaziken can opt for that allows it beat Primal Groudon and opposing Mega Blaziken.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Giratina Formes**: Both Giratina formes are able to switch into Mega Blaziken and take any hit with ease thanks to their typing and great defensive stats. Giratina-O is able to threaten it back with Ghost- or Dragon-type STAB attacks, whereas Giratina can phaze it with Dragon Tail and cripple it with Toxic.

**Water-types**: Water-types such as Toxapex and Mega Slowbro can switch into Mega Blaziken with ease, as they take minimal damage from its STAB moves and Stone Edge. Toxapex can neutralize its boost from Swords Dance with Haze and set up Toxic Spikes on it, having only Earthquake to worry for, while Mega Slowbro can put Mega Blaziken on a timer with Toxic and stall with Slack Off. Primal Kyogre may not be able to switch into Mega Blaziken, but it can take one unboosted hit and OHKO back with a Water-type STAB move.

**Zygarde-C**: With its sky-high HP and great Defense, Zygarde-C is able to switch in, take any hit from Mega Blaziken, and KO it with Thousand Arrows or cripple it with Glare before phazing it with Dragon Tail.

**Support Arceus Formes**: Support Arceus formes like Arceus-Fairy, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Ground are able to take any one hit from Mega Blaziken and OHKO back with STAB Judgment.

**Lugia**: Lugia is able to switch into any attack from Mega Blaziken and phaze it with Whirlwind. It can also stall Mega Blaziken out of Stone Edge PP, forcing it to KO itself with Flare Blitz recoil. However, with Stealth Rock up, +2 Stone Edge is able to OHKO Lugia due to losing its Multiscale protection.

**Primal Groudon**: Support sets of Primal Groudon are able to take +2 Low Kick from full HP and OHKO Mega Blaziken with Precipice Blades.

**Faster Attackers**: Faster threats such Choice Scarf users like Yveltal and Xerneas can outspeed Mega Blaziken and OHKO it without Speed boosts. Even if it is at +1 Speed, the aforementioned Pokemon are both able to take any unboosted hit from Mega Blaziken. Support Arceus formes like Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, Mega Salamence, and Mega Gengar can also outspeed Mega Blaziken and deal massive damage to if not OHKO it.

**Ultra Necrozma**: Ultra Necrozma can outspeed Mega Blaziken and OHKO it with Photon Geyser or Earthquake. It can take any hit apart from +2 Knock Off from Mega Blaziken with boosts from Speed Boost as well.

**Mega Salamence**: Mega Salamence can outspeed and OHKO with Double-Edge if Mega Blaziken has no Speed boost. Even then, Mega Salamence is able to take an unboosted Stone Edge and OHKO back with Facade or Earthquake. However, with Stealth Rock up, Mega Blaziken can OHKO Mega Salamence with Stone Edge.

**Priority**: Priority users such as Marshadow, Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, and Deoxys-A can revenge kill Mega Blaziken once it is in range. Due to its mediocre bulk and recoil from using Flare Blitz, this is somewhat easy to achieve.
 
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overview:
* Mega Blaziken forces short of many OHKOs without the lack of entry hazards and proper support which makes it a hard Pokemon to built around and as a result, isn't as splashable as other Mega Pokemon in the tier.
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small nitpick probably more suited for GP, but fix "forces" to "falls". just bothered me and had to say something lmao

set:
for the fourth slot, slash edge/knock. protect really isnt viable on sd sets as it lacks coverage as it is. ideally you never want to click protect since you're attempting to sd on pokemon that cant threaten you in the first place. knock covers annoying mons like gira and still ohko's ho-oh at +2 after rocks. also prevents from taking blitz recoil vs ghosts. stone edge covers ho oh/mence/flyceus/lugia which is ideal.

moves:
i would honestly remove tect from moves as well. its just never wanted on the SD set. maybe on some tect + 3 atks set, but dual stab coverage is nowhere near enough coverage.

earthquake deserves mention here for pokemon such as Toxapex.

usage tips:
focus on getting a free turn of set up versus a passive pokemon that does not threaten blaziken. this should be the first tip. you kinda cover this with "switch blaziken into steel types", but there are other pokemon that blaziken can find free set up versus such as blobs, so lets go with an all around tip at the start that encompasses how you ideally want to play with this set.

team options:
* Wobbuffet can open up opportunites for Mega Blaziken to setup thanks to Shadow Tag and access to Encore.
Click to expand...
afaik wob doesn't currently have an ubers analysis. this means we shouldn't mention it for now. instead though, you can mention goth since it can remove a wall thru pp stalling, as well as give a free turn of set up.

* Physical threats such as Marshadow, Rayquaza, and Arceus-Ground make for great teammates as they are able to target common checks to physical attacks such as support Arceus formes, Zygarde, and Mega Salamence. On the other hand, Mega Blaziken is able to take care of Steel-types, as well as weaken Arceus-Fairy which can be annoying for Marshadow to face. The three also provide defensive type synergy as well since Marshadow can come in on Extreme Speed users like Rayquaza and Arceus and threaten them immediately. Rayquaza and Arceus-Ground are able to switch into Primal Groudon which is vital for most offensive teams.
Click to expand...
i like how you mention stacking physical attackers here, but i don't exactly like how you mention blaziken is "able to take care of steel types". sure blaziken comes in on and takes advantage of steel types, but it doesn't ever actually ko them, since they won't stay in. lets focus here instead on how blaziken can chip down pokemon like giratina-o or mega salamence and even support arceus forms for other physical attackers.

strategy comments

other options:
* Swords Dance + Z Knock Off is an option too that can OHKO Giratina-O at +2 and Lugia after Stealth Rock however, it cannot
Click to expand...
finish this thought up but yea you can mention this set here.

mention sub + reversal and how it can be effective in taking advantage of pokemon like zygarde but mention why it suffers a lot and isn't viable.

i think z mirror move deserves mention here too, since it is a set that has been used in smaller tournaments and ladder. can use protect or sub then z mirror move versus pokemon like primal groudon and cheese through one of blaziken's most common checks.

checks and counters:
lets not forget the infamous primal-groudon. list this above mence since any healthy support pdon will be able to take a +2 hit from blaziken. salamence relies on lack of stone edge which makes me think this is a more consistent check.

lets bring up scarfers below mence. timid scarfs such as yveltal/xerneas/lunala/ will be able to directly switch into a blaziken and outspeed/ko it. this obviously isnt consistent for counterplay since the blaziken can always opt to attack.

this last one might be important to cover as well, since its important to mention how the new pokemon interact with older ones such as blaziken. ultra necrozma will be able to tank a +2 hit from a blaziken lacking knock off. i'd put this below scarfs.

let me know when you implement these changes and i'll stamp!
 
Not QC, just one small thing
- In the Overview, Lugia is mentioned as one of the Pokemon which can wall Blaziken due to its lack of coverage options. This is a bit misleading since Blaziken gets Stone Edge (and well Knock Off) and later in the analysis this info about Lugia has been mentioned in Stone Edge's moves bullet.
 
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Hey, this is an unofficial check, implement what you want!
add/change remove comments

[OVERVIEW]

* Mega Blaziken's combination of Fire / Fighting offensive STAB options typing makes it a good offensive threat.
* Mega Blaziken's great ability in Speed Boost makes Mega Blaziken it faster every turn, eventually letting it outspeed the entire metagame and making it a pretty good sweeper. This also makes it difficult to revenge KO kill ("revenge kill" is the only situation in which kill is preferred over KO) apart, since it is usually faster than everything after one boost from Speed Boost.
* However, Mega Blaziken's mediocre bulk leaves it prone to getting revenge KOed killed by priority attackers like Arceus, Marshadow, and Rayquaza, making it hard to find opportunities to setup set up Swords Dance.
* Its lack of good coverage means Mega Blaziken is walled by defensive threats such as Zygarde and both Giratina formes.
* Mega Blaziken falls short of many OHKOs without the lack of entry hazards and proper support, (AC) which makes it a hard Pokemon to built build around and not as splashable easy to put on teams as other Mega Evolutions in the tier.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: Low Kick
move 4: Stone Edge / Knock Off
item: Blazikenite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Swords Dance boosts Mega Blaziken's Attack by 2 stages, letting it OHKO multiple bulky threats such as Necrozma-DM, support Arceus formes, and Primal Kyogre, as well as many offensive threats such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Xerneas, and Yveltal thanks to its two STAB moves. (fluff)
* Flare Blitz allows it to hit Steel-types like Necrozma-DM and Celesteela while also having something to hit Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Marshadow.
* Low Kick is for OHKOing used to OHKO Ferrothorn, Arceus-Dark, Extreme Killer Arceus, Primal Kyogre, and Primal Groudon. (Which can be OHKOed unboosted, and which can be OHKOed at +2? Specify.) It can also hit certain threats for neutral neutrally without taking recoil damage.
* Stone Edge allows Mega Blaziken to OHKO Ho-Oh, as well as being able to OHKO Mega Salamence and Lugia with Stealth Rock up, (RC) after boosting its Attack with Swords Dance.
* Knock Off can be used over Stone Edge, (AC) as it allows Mega Blaziken to hit Ghost-types without the need to take recoil from Flare Blitz while also having something to, (AC) and it also allows Mega Blaziken to deal damage to both Giratina as well as hitting and Lugia at the same time. It can also OHKO Ho-Oh at +2 after taking Stealth Rock.
* Earthquake is an option as it that allows Mega Blaziken to take on Toxapex, (AC) which would normally check it.

Set Details
========

* A basic EV spread that lets it and an Adamant nature are used to let Mega Blaziken deal as much damage as possible while also outspeeding multiple threats such as Modest Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal after Mega Blaziken is at +1 Speed. A Jolly nature is an option that can be used to outspeed Timid Nature versions of the previously mentioned threats using a Timid nature, as well as the standard +2 Dual Dance Rock Polish Primal Groudon.
* Blazikenite is required for Blaziken to Mega Evolve.

Usage Tips
========

* Mega Blaziken is too frail to switch into attacks, so switch it in on predicted switches to Steel-types or Pokemon that lack offensive presence such as Blissey and Chansey that Mega Blaziken can heavily threaten. This also lets it gain a Speed boost a turn earlier, (AC) which can be handly handy for outspeeding support Arceus formes on defensive teams.
* It's best to keep Mega Blaziken in the back until mid- to late-game, once most of its checks are KOed or weakened, (AC) so that it can sweep.
* While Mega Blaziken is great as a late-game cleaner, it is also able to punch holes through bulkier teams thanks to Swords Dance, (AC) which can help teammates that are more likely to do work in certain matchups.
* Flare Blitz should not be used carelessly due to the recoil Mega Blaziken takes that, (AC) in conjunction with its low HP stat, (AC) can cause it to often kill KO itself, partly because of its low HP stat as well.
* Priority attackers users such as Marshadow, Arceus, and Rayquaza are often a massive pain to Mega Blaziken. Make sure you stay out of range from getting KOed from by priority moves coming out of used by those these three offensive threats

Team Options
========

* Entry hazard setters such as Excadrill, Deoxys-S, and Cloyster make for good teammates, (AC) as support from Spikes and Stealth Rock put many bulkier threats in range of OHKOs from +2 Mega Blaziken.
* Physical threats such as Marshadow, Rayquaza, and Arceus-Ground make for great teammates, (AC) as they are able to target common checks to physical attackers such as support Arceus formes, Giratina, Zygarde, and Mega Salamence. On the other hand, Mega Blaziken is able to weaken Arceus-Fairy, (AC) which can be annoying for Marshadow to face. The three also provide defensive type synergy as well, (AC) since Marshadow can come in on Extreme Speed users like Rayquaza and Arceus and threaten them immediately. Rayquaza and Arceus-Ground are able to switch into Primal Groudon, (AC) which is vital for most offensive teams.
* Primal Groudon is a really good teammate for Blaziken as well, since it is able to check Xerneas and Primal Kyogre, (RC) as well as act as a Stealth Rock setter on bulkier teams. Offensive sets are able to weaken defensive threats such as Zygarde, Lugia, Giratina / -O both Giratina formes, and support Arceus formes for Mega Blaziken to clean late-game.
* Swords Dance Necrozma-DM appreciates Mega Blaziken being able to check Steel-types, (AC) making it a great partner as well. It can also function as a check to Xerneas thanks to its great bulk and defensive typing.
* Xerneas can perform the role of a late-game cleaner as well as wall breaker wallbreaker side by side with Mega Blaziken thanks to Geomancy. It can also act as a check to Marshadow and appreciates Mega Blaziken's ability to check Steel-types.
* Gothitelle can trap support Arceus formes, Lugia, and other checks to Mega Blaziken and remove them by PP-stalling, thus making Mega Blaziken easier to sweep with easing Mega Blaziken's attempts to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set with Life Orb and Protect + 3 Attacks can work as a pretty good late-game cleaner, (AC) but it often loses health too fast and KO quickly and KOes itself from recoil.
* Running High Jump Kick over Low Kick on the main set is an option of more power for the cost of occasionally missing, (AC) which can often make things go horribly wrong for Mega Blaziken. Hidden Power Ice is also an option to hit Mega Salamence and Zygarde, (AC) but that using this means it Mega Blaziken loses Swords Dance and thus, less viable as a set is therefore suboptimal. (Why are these in the same bullet?)
* Swords Dance + Z Knock Off with Darkinium Z is an option too that can OHKO Giratina-O at +2 and Lugia after Stealth Rock. (AP) However, regular Blaziken without Protect makes it is very slow, (AC) while the lack of Life Orb makes it somewhat weak at the same time.
* Substitute + Reversal can deal with Zygarde but is not as viable as the main set due to the lack of coverage if Blaziken goes runs Swords Dance and it becomes weak the lack of power if it decides to drop Swords Dance for a coverage move.
* Z-Mirror (AH) Move + with Substitute or Protect is another option Blaziken can opt for that allows it beat Primal Groudon and opposing Mega Blaziken.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Giratina formes**: Both, (RC) Giratina-O and Giratina formes are able to switch into Mega Blaziken and take any hit with ease thanks to their typing and great defensive stats. Giratina-O is able to threaten it back with Ghost- (AH) or Dragon-type STAB attacks while, (AC) whereas Giratina can phaze it with Dragon Tail or and cripple it with Toxic.

**Water-types**: Water-types such as Toxapex and Mega Slowbro can switch into Mega Blaziken with ease, (AC) as they take really less minimal damage from its STAB moves or and Stone Edge. Toxapex can neutralise neutralize its boost from Swords Dance with Haze and set up Toxic Spikes on it, having only Earthquake to worry for, (AC) while Mega Slowbro can send put Mega Blaziken on a timer with Toxic and stall with Recover Slack Off. Primal Kyogre may not be able to switch into Mega Blaziken, but it can take one unboosted hit and OHKO back with a Water-type STAB move.

**Zygarde-C**: With its sky-high HP and great Defense, Zygarde-C is able to switch in and take any hit from Mega Blaziken and KO it with Thousand Arrows or cripple it with Glare before phazing it out with Dragon Tail.

**Support Arceus formes**: Support Arceus formes like Arceus-Fairy, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Ground are able to take any one hit from Mega Blaziken and OHKO back with STAB Judgment.

**Lugia**: Lugia is able to switch into any attack from Mega Blaziken and phaze it out with Whirlwind. It can also stall Mega Blaziken out of Stone Edge PP, (AC) forcing it to KO itself with Flare Blitz recoil. However, with Stealth Rock up, +2 Stone Edge is able to OHKO Lugia with Stone Edge due to losing its Multiscale protection.

**Primal Groudon**: Support sets of Primal Groudon are able to take a +2 Low Kick from full and OHKO back Mega Blaziken with Precipice Blades.

**Faster Attackers**: Faster threats such Choice Scarf users like Yveltal and Xerneas can outspeed Mega Blaziken and OHKO Mega Blaziken without Speed boosts. Even if it is at +1 Speed, all two are the aforementioned Pokemon are both able to take any unboosted hit from Mega Blaziken and OHKO back while, (AC) and Timid Choice Scarf Yveltal and Xerneas can outspeed Adamant Mega Blaziken even after a Speed boost and OHKO it. (it was already established that Yveltal and Xerneas can OHKO Mega Blaziken, there's no need to restate it 2 more times)

**Ultra Necrozma**: Ultra Necrozma can outspeed and OHKO Mega Blaziken with Photon Geyser or Earthquake. It can take any hit apart from +2 Knock Off from Mega Blaziken if it happens to outspeed with boosts from Speed Boost as well.

**Mega Salamence**: Mega Salamence can outspeed and OHKO with Double-Edge (AH) if Mega Blaziken has no Speed boost. Even then, (AC) Mega Salamence is able to take an unboosted Stone Edge and OHKO back with Facade or Earthquake. However, with Stealth Rock up, Mega Salamence is OHKOed by Stone Edge from Mega Blaziken Mega Blaziken can OHKO Mega Salamence with Stone Edge.

**Priority**: Priority attackers users such as Marshadow, Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, and Deoxys-A can revenge KO kill Mega Blaziken once it is in range. Due to it's its mediocre bulk and recoil from using Flare Blitz, this is somewhat easy to acheive achieve.
 
Remove Add Comments (AC)= add comma (RC)= remove comma (AH)= add hyphen (RH)= remove hyphen
[OVERVIEW]

* Mega Blaziken's Fire / Fighting typing makes it a good offensive threat.
* Mega Blaziken's great ability in Speed Boost makes it faster every turn, eventually letting it outspeed the entire metagame and making it a pretty good sweeper. This also makes it difficult to revenge kill, since it is usually faster than everything after one Speed boost from Speed Boost.
* However, Mega Blaziken's mediocre bulk leaves it prone to getting revenge killed by priority attackers like Arceus, Marshadow, and Rayquaza, making it hard to find opportunities to set up Swords Dance.
* Its lack of good coverage means Mega Blaziken is walled by defensive threats such as Zygarde and both Giratina formes.
* Mega Blaziken falls short of many OHKOs without entry hazards and proper support, which makes it a hard Pokemon to build around and not as easy to put on teams as other Mega Evolutions in the tier.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: Low Kick
move 4: Stone Edge / Knock Off
item: Blazikenite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Swords Dance boosts Mega Blaziken's Attack by 2 stages, letting it OHKO multiple bulky threats such as Necrozma-DM, support Arceus formes, and Primal Kyogre, as well as many offensive threats such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Xerneas, and Yveltal.
* Flare Blitz allows it Mega Blaziken to hit Steel-types like Necrozma-DM and Celesteela while also having something to hit hitting Ghost-types like Mega Gengar and Marshadow.
* Low Kick is used to OHKO Ferrothorn, Arceus-Dark, and Extreme Killer Arceus, while and a boost from Swords Dance lets it OHKO Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon. It can also hit certain threats neutrally without taking recoil damage.
* Stone Edge allows Mega Blaziken to OHKO Ho-Oh, as well as OHKO Mega Salamence and Lugia with Stealth Rock up after boosting its Attack with Swords Dance.
* Knock Off can be used over Stone Edge, as it allows Mega Blaziken to hit Ghost-types without the need to take recoil from Flare Blitz, and it also allows Mega Blaziken to deal damage to both Giratina and Lugia. It can also OHKO Ho-Oh at +2 after Stealth Rock.
* Earthquake is an option that allows Mega Blaziken to take on Toxapex, which would normally check it.

Set Details
========

* A basic EV spread and an Adamant nature are used to let Mega Blaziken deal as much damage as possible while also outspeeding multiple threats such as Modest Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal after Mega Blaziken is at +1 Speed. A Jolly nature is an option that can be used to outspeed versions of the previously mentioned threats using a Timid nature, as well as the standard +2 Rock Polish Primal Groudon.
* Blazikenite is required for Blaziken to Mega Evolve.

Usage Tips
========

* Mega Blaziken is too frail to switch into attacks, so switch it in on predicted switches to Steel-types or Pokemon that lack offensive presence such as Blissey and Chansey that Mega Blaziken can heavily threaten. This also lets it gain a Speed boost a turn earlier, which can be handy for outspeeding support Arceus formes on defensive teams.
* It's best to keep Mega Blaziken in the back until mid- to late-game,(RC) once most of its checks are KOed or weakened,(RC) so that it can sweep.
* While Mega Blaziken is great as a late-game cleaner, it is also able to punch holes through bulkier teams thanks to Swords Dance, which can help teammates that are more likely to do work in certain matchups.
* Flare Blitz should not be used carelessly due to the recoil Mega Blaziken takes that, which,(AC) in conjunction with its low HP stat, can cause it to often KO itself.
* Priority users such as Marshadow, Arceus, and Rayquaza are often a massive pain to Mega Blaziken. Make sure you stay to keep Blaziken out of range from getting KOed by priority moves used by these three offensive threats

Team Options
========

* Entry hazard setters such as Excadrill, Deoxys-S, and Cloyster make for good teammates, as support from Spikes and Stealth Rock puts ("support" is still singular) many bulkier threats in range of OHKOs from +2 Mega Blaziken.
* Physical threats such as Marshadow, Rayquaza, and Arceus-Ground make for great teammates, as they are able to target common checks to physical attackers such as support Arceus formes, Giratina, Zygarde, and Mega Salamence. On the other hand, Mega Blaziken is able to weaken Arceus-Fairy, which can be annoying for Marshadow to face. The three also provide defensive type synergy, since Marshadow can come in on Extreme Speed users like Rayquaza and Arceus and threaten them immediately. Rayquaza and Arceus-Ground are able to switch into Primal Groudon, which is vital for most offensive teams.
* Primal Groudon is a really good teammate for Blaziken as well, since it is able to check Xerneas and Primal Kyogre as well as act as a Stealth Rock setter on bulkier teams. Offensive sets are able to weaken defensive threats such as Zygarde, Lugia, both Giratina formes, and support Arceus formes for Mega Blaziken to clean late-game.
* Swords Dance Necrozma-DM appreciates Mega Blaziken being able to check Steel-types, making it a great partner as well. It can also function as a check to Xerneas thanks to its great bulk and defensive typing.
* Xerneas can perform the role of a late-game cleaner as well as a wallbreaker side by side with Mega Blaziken thanks to Geomancy. It can also act as a check to Marshadow and appreciates Mega Blaziken's ability to check Steel-types.
* Gothitelle can trap support Arceus formes, Lugia, and other checks to Mega Blaziken and remove them by PP-stalling, thus easing Mega Blaziken's attempts to sweep.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set with Life Orb and Protect + 3 attacks can work as a pretty good late-game cleaner, but it often loses health too quickly and KOes itself from recoil.
* Running High Jump Kick over Low Kick on the main set is an option of for more power for at the cost of occasionally missing, which can often make things go horribly wrong for Mega Blaziken.
* Hidden Power Ice is also an option to hit Mega Salamence and Zygarde, but using this means Mega Blaziken loses Swords Dance and is therefore suboptimal.
* Swords Dance + Knock Off with Darkinium Z is an option that can OHKO Giratina-O at +2 and Lugia after Stealth Rock. However, Blaziken without Protect is very slow, while and the lack of Life Orb makes it somewhat weak at the same time.
* Substitute + Reversal can deal with Zygarde but is not as viable as the main set due to the lack of coverage if Blaziken runs Swords Dance and the lack of power if it decides to drop Swords Dance for a coverage move.
* Z-Mirror Move with Substitute or Protect is another option Blaziken can opt for that allows it beat Primal Groudon and opposing Mega Blaziken.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Giratina Formes**: Both Giratina formes are able to switch into Mega Blaziken and take any hit with ease thanks to their typing and great defensive stats. Giratina-O is able to threaten it back with Ghost- (AH) (keep hyphen remove comment) or Dragon-type STAB attacks, whereas Giratina can phaze it with Dragon Tail and cripple it with Toxic.

**Water-types**: Water-types such as Toxapex and Mega Slowbro can switch into Mega Blaziken with ease, as they take minimal damage from its STAB moves and Stone Edge. Toxapex can neutralize its boost from Swords Dance with Haze and set up Toxic Spikes on it, having only Earthquake to worry for, while Mega Slowbro can put Mega Blaziken on a timer with Toxic and stall with Slack Off. Primal Kyogre may not be able to switch into Mega Blaziken, but it can take one unboosted hit and OHKO back with a Water-type STAB move.

**Zygarde-C**: With its sky-high HP and great Defense, Zygarde-C is able to switch in,(AC) and take any hit from Mega Blaziken,(AC) and KO it with Thousand Arrows or cripple it with Glare before phazing it with Dragon Tail.

**Support Arceus Formes**: Support Arceus formes like Arceus-Fairy, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Ground are able to take any one hit from Mega Blaziken and OHKO back with STAB Judgment.

**Lugia**: Lugia is able to switch into any attack from Mega Blaziken and phaze it with Whirlwind. It can also stall Mega Blaziken out of Stone Edge PP, forcing it to KO itself with Flare Blitz recoil. However, with Stealth Rock up, +2 Stone Edge is able to OHKO Lugia due to losing its Multiscale protection.

**Primal Groudon**: Support sets of Primal Groudon are able to take a +2 Low Kick from full HP and OHKO Mega Blaziken with Precipice Blades.

**Faster Attackers**: Faster threats such Choice Scarf users like Yveltal and Xerneas can outspeed Mega Blaziken and OHKO Mega Blaziken it without Speed boosts. Even if it is at +1 Speed, the aforementioned Pokemon are both able to take any unboosted hit from Mega Blaziken. Support Arceus formes like Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, Mega Salamence, and Mega Gengar can also outspeed Mega Blaziken and deal massive damage to if not OHKO it.

**Ultra Necrozma**: Ultra Necrozma can outspeed Mega Blaziken and OHKO Mega Blaziken it with Photon Geyser or Earthquake. It can take any hit apart from +2 Knock Off from Mega Blaziken with boosts from Speed Boost as well.

**Mega Salamence**: Mega Salamence can outspeed and OHKO with Double-Edge if Mega Blaziken has no Speed boost. Even then, Mega Salamence is able to take an unboosted Stone Edge and OHKO back with Facade or Earthquake. However, with Stealth Rock up, Mega Blaziken can OHKO Mega Salamence with Stone Edge.

**Priority**: Priority users such as Marshadow, Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, and Deoxys-A can revenge kill Mega Blaziken once it is in range. Due to its mediocre bulk and recoil from using Flare Blitz, this is somewhat easy to achieve.
GP 2/2
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