[OVERVIEW]
Aggron sees considerable improvements in multiple key areas upon Mega Evolution, making it a solid pick in the UU metagame. Most notably, its Defense stat boosts to a gargantuan base 230, pairing nicely with its solid defensive typing in Steel and making it a strong answer to Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl and Dragon Dance Mega Altaria. Filter makes for a fantastic ability, helping it against super effective attackers like Krookodile and Cobalion. E uninvested, Mega Aggron's base 140 Attack stat gives it respectable offensive presence for a more bulk-oriented Pokemon, especially when combined with its naturally powerful Heavy Slam and nice coverage options in Earthquake and Fire Punch. However, its HP and Special Defense stats are rather mediocre, limiting its overall effectiveness as a tank. Additionally, Mega Aggron has no passive or reliable recovery, making it easily worn down over the course of a match. Mega Steelix also poses stiff competition as a Steel-type Stealth Rock user due to its similar stats and immunity to Electric, though Mega Aggron does possess a better ability in Filter and a generally more useful defensive typing. Lastly, Mega Aggron faces poor one-on-one matchups against some Defog users such as Gligar, Moltres, Rotom-H, and Hydreigon, which can pose formidable obstacles to keeping up Stealth Rock.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Heavy Slam
move 3: Earthquake / Fire Punch
move 4: Toxic / Fire Punch
item: Aggronite
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heavy Slam is Mega Aggron's STAB move of choice, maintaining high Base Power against much of the metagame due to Mega Aggron's substantial weight. Earthquake provides great coverage alongside Heavy Slam, most notably letting Mega Aggron punish entry hazard removers like Tentacruel and Empoleon while also hitting threats like Cobalion, Infernape, and Terrakion for significant damage. Fire Punch is an alternative coverage option that punishes a different group of Steel-types, allowing Mega Aggron to more effectively check Scizor, though it tends to be less useful than Earthquake overall. Toxic lets Mega Aggron pressure foes such as Hippowdon, Hydreigon, Rotom-H, and Moltres, which otherwise fear little from it. Mega Aggron can also use Roar to phaze foes, helping to chip them down in combination with Stealth Rock, though Toxic is generally more useful.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Defense investment with a Careful nature gives Mega Aggron the best possible one-on-one matchup against threats such as Latias, Celebi, and Nihilego. Prior to Mega Evolution, Sturdy lets a full health Aggron act as an emergency revenge killer to a threatening sweeper if need be.
Usage Tips
========
Aggron's bulk, ability, and defensive typing all improve remarkably upon Mega Evolution, often making Mega Evolving a smart option upon initial entry. Prioritize getting up Stealth Rock early when facing foes such as Moltres and Rotom-H that are greatly hindered by its presence. Spread Toxic early- to mid-game on Pokemon like Hippowdon, Rotom-H, Moltres, and Alomomola, which tend to be solid initial answers to Mega Aggron. However, in these scenarios, be specifically careful in trying to cripple bulky Water-ypes like Mega Slowbro and Alomomola, as a Scald burn severely cripples Mega Aggron's longevity and overall effectiveness. As it is often worn down quickly, be sure to keep Mega Aggron healthy enough to handle a threat such as Mega Aerodactyl, Latias, or Scizor if necessary. When coming into Latias, scouting for Electrium Z is often a good option if your opponent uses Calm Mind when Mega Aggron has a high amount of health. Watch out for coverage moves that can deal significant damage to Mega Aggron such as Togekiss's Aura Sphere, Mega Altaria's Fire Blast, and Nihilego's Gigavolt Havoc. In the rare occasion that Aggron has not Mega Evolved and a weakened sweeper is getting out of hand, Sturdy lets Aggron act as a one-time check if it is at full health.
Team Options
========
Mega Aggron can fit on a variety of playstyles ranging from bulky offense to stall, all of which appreciate its defensive capabilities and effectiveness as a Stealth Rock setter. Wish support from users like Alomomola, Florges, and Sylveon is much appreciated, helping to counteract Mega Aggron's tendency to be worn down over time. Rotom-H and Nihilego make for effective Mega Aggron partners, taking on threats to it in Moltres and opposing Rotom-H, proceeding to gain momentum or use powerful attacks. Rotom-H may also relieve Mega Aggron of the need to run Fire Punch as a strong Scizor check in its own right. Grass-types like Tsareena and Celebi fit nicely, punishing bulky Water-types and taking full advantage of Mega Aggron's Stealth Rock support. Choice Scarf Krookodile takes some pressure off of Mega Aggron in dealing with key threats in Latias and Mega Aerodactyl, as well as acting as a solid answer to Mega Manectric; in return, Mega Aggron can spread Toxic onto some of Krookodile's most reliable answers like Hippowdon and Alomomola. Tentacruel, Gligar, Starmie, and the aforementioned Tsareena provide entry hazard removal, most notably clearing Spikes that hinder Mega Aggron's longevity. Starmie doubles as a formidable answer to Fire- and Fighting-types, and in return Mega Aggron can absorb the Bug- and Grass-type moves aimed at it. Dragon-types such as Latias and Hydreigon possess great overall synergy, as they can take on some of Mega Aggron's weaknesses, and in return, Mega Aggron handles the Fairy-types that trouble them. Fighting-types like Infernape and Kommo-o appreciate Mega Aggron's ability to handle Psychic- and bulky Fairy-types, and Mega Aggron can set Stealth Rock to aid them in their wallbreaking or sweeping efforts.
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Heavy Slam
move 2: Curse
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Aggronite
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heavy Slam is Mega Aggron's preferred STAB move, possessing a high Base Power against most foes due to Mega Aggron's weight. Curse boosts Mega Aggron's Attack and Defense stats, allowing it to better combat threatening physical attackers such as Terrakion and Scizor. Rest provides means of healing off damage and curing itself of crippling burns, at the cost of putting itself to sleep for two turns. Sleep Talk lets Mega Aggron attack foes with Heavy Slam or further accumulate Curse boosts while asleep.
Set Details
========
252 HP and Special Defense EVs combined with a Careful nature minimize damage taken from threatening special attackers like Latias, Celebi, and Nihilego. If Aggron has not Mega Evolved and is at maximum HP, Sturdy guarantees that it can stomach one hit.
Usage Tips
========
Curse Mega Aggron will rarely make progress early-game due to the prevalence of sturdy answers to it such as Rotom-H, Empoleon, and Moltres. To counteract this, weaken or remove these answers before starting to accumulate Curse boosts in the hopes of sweeping. While Curse Mega Aggron has less defensive utility overall, it can still be used to check Pokemon such as Latias and Mega Altaria solely by virtue of its defensive typing and use of Heavy Slam. Revealing RestTalk Curse Mega Aggron's set early on will often make the opponent realize the importance of keeping their answers healthy, so it is generally preferred to keep it under wraps until it is capable of doing meaningful damage. Additionally, while Rest may be necessary to keep Mega Aggron healthy, gauge when it is necessary to do so, as using it tends to give up large amounts of momentum. It is usually best to start using Curse while in advantageous positions like against Pokemon such as Gligar, Krookodile, and Dragon Dance Mega Altaria that can deal little damage to it, especially after Mega Aggron starts increasing its Defense.
Team Options
========
Curse Mega Aggron fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate its role as a long-term wincon as well as a strong check to Pokemon like Latias, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Altaria. Grass- and Electric-types such as Tsareena, Celebi, and Zeraora stand out as strong partners, as they threaten bulky Water-types, some of Mega Aggron's sturdiest answers. Rotom-H also absorbs the Ground- and Fire-type moves aimed at Mega Aggron, effectively deals with Moltres, and uses Toxic to wear down Mega Aggron checks like Hippowdon and opposing Rotom-H. Due to lacking the move itself, Curse Mega Aggron teams need an alternate Stealth Rock setter. Options like Seismitoad and Nihilego check Fire-types like Rotom-H and Moltres, and Mega Aggron checks Latias for them in return. Seismitoad also takes on opposing bulky Water-types, crippling them with Toxic or Knock Off. Primarina makes for a strong partner by checking Hydreigon, Kommo-o, and Infernape, and Mega Aggron can cover its weaknesses to Poison- and Grass-type moves in return. Latias offers some nice defensive synergy, taking little to no damage from Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves; Mega Aggron covers Fairy-, Ice-, and Bug-type moves for Latias.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock-type moves such as Head Smash and Rock Slide make for decent options, allowing Mega Aggron to threaten Rotom-H and Moltres at the cost of worse overall coverage and worse one-on-one matchups against Water-types. Curse is a solid option on the defensive set, letting it beat Defog Gligar one-on-one, although it is leaves Mega Aggron much more vulnerable to Pokemon like Rotom-H and Moltres. Avalanche can hit Hydreigon and Kommo-o for respectable damage, but it is generally less useful than other more consistent options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Rotom-H, Moltres, Volcanion, and Nasty Plot Infernape all outspeed Mega Aggron and nail it with their STAB moves, while fearing little outside of Toxic, and Earthquake in the case of Volcanion and Infernape. However, Stealth Rock can pressure them considerably.
**Bulky Water-types**: Mega Slowbro, Alomomola, and Suicune wall Mega Aggron's attacking moves and threaten to burn it with Scald. While Toxic annoys the former two, Suicune can use Rest to cure itself of status conditions.
**Ground-types**: Gligar completely walls Mega Aggron's Stealth Rock set, removing its entry hazards with Defog and healing off the damage with Roost. Other bulky examples such as Mega Steelix, Seismitoad, and Hippowdon fear little from Mega Aggron's attacking moves and can perform their roles in front of it. Frailer Ground-types like Krookodile, Nidoking, and Mamoswine provide softer answers, but they are all capable of greatly pressuring Mega Aggron.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Powerful special attackers like Hydreigon and Choice Specs Primarina can do significant damage to Mega Aggron, and they are capable of tanking at least one hit at full health.
**Passive Damage**: Lacking any recovery, Mega Aggron finds itself easily worn down by entry hazards, most notably Spikes, burns, and various attacks over the course of a match.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Pak, 245869]]
- Quality checked by: [[vivalospride, 151509], [Hilomilo, 313384], [martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [talkingtree, 232101]]
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