[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Roost / Fire Blast
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Adamant / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Dragon Dance Mega Altaria is one of the best sweepers in the metagame due to its amazing bulk, excellent defensive utility, and solid coverage options. Its typing lets it find setup opportunities against common Pokemon that can't threaten it like Krookodile, Zeraora, and Zarude, check huge threats to hyper offense like Urshifu-R, and utilize coverage options in Earthquake and Fire Blast to break past would be checks like Amoonguss, Scizor, and Skarmory. Pixilate-boosted Return is Mega Altaria's most reliable move against Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Rhyperior, and Hippowdon. Earthquake lets Mega Altaria hit Aegislash, Galarian Slowbro, and Nihilego. Roost lets Mega Altaria use Dragon Dance more often, check Pokemon like Urshifu-R and Zarude better, and safely set up against Pokemon like Zeraora and Krookodile, but Fire Blast is an option to 2HKO Skarmory and Scizor, who otherwise easily wall this set. Natural Cure is the preferred ability to scout annoying status from Pokemon like Krookodile and Rotom-H. An Adamant nature is used over Jolly because even with the latter Mega Altaria only outspeeds Electric-types like Zeraora and Mega Manectric that generally don't pose a threat to it, making Adamant the superior choice. Alternatively, a Naughty nature can be used to not reduce Fire Blast's damage output, notably 2HKOing Amoonguss after Stealth Rock damage.
Dragon Dance Mega Altaria fits on various archetypes, from hyper offense to balance, all of which appreciate a solid wincon that can maintain an amazing defensive profile against problematic Pokemon like Urshifu-R. Furthermore, other offensive Pokémon like Dragon Dance Salamence, Rotom-H, and Belly Drum Azumarill are appreciated since they can pressure Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela, common checks to Mega Altaria. Moltres performs a similar role on other archetypes, dealing with the aforementioned Steel-types while also providing Defog support to reduce Mega Altaria's tendence to be worn down by entry hazards. Skarmory and Amoonguss are really good checks to certain revenge killers that can finish off boosted Mega Altaria like Choice Scarf Mienshao and Scizor. They also appreciate Mega Altaria checking Electric- and Fire-types like Zeraora and Rotom-H lacking Nasty Plot. Amoonguss and Galarian Weezing can take any attack from Mega Altaria and cripple it with Spore or Will-O-Wisp, so good checks such as Roserade and Slowking make for good partners, respectively. Finally, late-game cleaners like Swords Dance Scizor, Dragon Dance Salamence, and Swords Dance Bisharp can benefit from Mega Altaria's ability to weaken Steel-types like Aegislash, Celesteela and Skarmory with Earthquake and Fire Blast.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Return / Hyper Voice
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Defog / Heal Bell
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 248 HP / 160 Def / 100 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Defensive Mega Altaria utilizes its incredible bulk, typing, and reliable recovery in Roost to check dangerous Pokemon like Urshifu-R, Zarude, Dragon Dance Salamence, and Krookodile. Adittionally, Mega Altaria also has access to a phletora of great support moves, either providing entry hazard control or cleric support to its team, while having good matchups against entry hazard setters like Krookodile and Skarmory. Return is usually preferred to more immediately threaten specially bulky Pokemon such as Slowking, Galarian Moltres, and Nihilego. Flamethrower hits Steel-types like Scizor and Skarmory, common switch-ins to Mega Altaria. On more defensive teams that already have entry hazard control, Heal Bell is an option to heal annoying status from Pokemon like Aegislash, in addition to potential burns from Moltres's Flame Body on Scizor, Buzzwole, and Gligar. The given EV spread allows Mega Altaria to outspeed offensive Aegislash.
Defensive Mega Altaria fits best on balance and defensive teams where its ability to take on Pokemon like Urshifu-R and Zarude is much appreciated by partners like Moltres, Slowking, and Gligar. Slowking can take on most special attackers that often force Mega Altaria out like Nihilego, Primarina, and Assault Vest Galarian Slowbro. If Mega Altaria isn't running Defog, both Moltres and Gligar can provide this support while also dealing with Steel-types like Aegislash and Scizor. In return, Mega Altaria can check Water-types like Rotom-W and Urshifu-R. Mega Altaria and Skarmory can perform a good defensive core, with Skarmory checking Steel-types like Bisharp and Scizor while Mega Altaria handles Electric-types like Zeraora and Rotom-W. Ground-types are good partners to prevent Pokemon like Rotom-H and Zeraora from using Volt Switch repeatedly to weaken Mega Altaria; Hippowdon, Gligar, and Swampert can block it and set Stealth Rock to chip down the opposing team. Furthermore, Swampert and Hippowdon can also pressure Poison-types like Nihilego and Tentacruel, major roadblocks to Mega Altaria. Mega Altaria's cleric support is also useful to heal annoying status like paralysis and burn from Slowking and Moltres, helping partners like Galarian Moltres and Scizor, respectively.
[SET]
name: 3 Attacks + Roost
move 1: Return
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Naughty
evs: 68 HP / 12 Def / 252 Atk / 76 SpA / 100 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Altaria's great offensive stats allow it to become a menacing mixed wallbreaker, using its amazing coverage in Fire Blast and Earthquake to pressure switch-ins like Aegislash, Skarmory, Assault Vest Galarian Slowbro, and Mega Aggron, while gaining multiple opportunities to wallbreak against Pokemon like Krookodile, Zarude, and Urshifu-R due to its great defensive profile. This wallbreaking power can enable dangerous teammates like Scizor, Urshifu-R, and Nihilego by luring in and pressuring shared checks like Skarmory, Amoonguss, and Aegislash, respectively. Return is used to pressure specially defensive Pokemon that could withstand its other moves, such as Slowking, Hippowdon, and Swampert, making difficult to reliably wall Mega Altaria. Fire Blast deals with Steel- and Grass-types like Scizor, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth. Earthquake hits Poison-types that often pose a threat to Mega Altaria, like Galarian Slowbro, Tentacruel, and Nidoqueen. A Naughty nature is preferred to always 2HKO Amoonguss with Fire Blast after Stealth Rock damage. The given EV spread allows Mega Altaria to outspeed offensive Aegislash, always OHKO specially defensive Scizor with Fire Blast, and survive Life Orb Scizor's Bullet Punch at full.
Mixed Mega Altaria fits best on bulky offense teams with partners that appreciate a powerful wallbreaker weakening or KOing several common Pokemon like Scizor, Amoonguss, Skarmory, while also fulfilling important defensive roles for its team like checking Pokemon such as Zeraora and Zarude. Scizor and Bulk Up Zarude particularly enjoy Skarmory and Celesteela being weakened; in return, Zarude can lure and OHKO Rotom-H and Moltres with +1 Black Hole Eclipse, common switch-ins to Mega Altaria. Water-types like Primarina, Keldeo, and Urshifu-R appreciate Mega Altaria pressuring Slowking and Amoonguss with Return and Fire Blast, respectively. In return, Primarina and Keldeo deals with Fire- and Steel-types like Moltres, Rotom-H, and Skarmory. Nihilego, Terrakion, and Mamoswine really like Scizor being lured and KOed; the former two can also take on Moltres and Rotom-H, while Mamoswine pressures Poison- and Ground-types like Galarian Slowbro, Amoonguss, and Hippowdon. Mamoswine can also use Knock Off to remove Moltres's and Rotom-H's Heavy-Duty Boots and deal heavy damage to Celesteela as well. Moltres, Rotom-H, and Celesteela are the few Pokemon that actually walls this set, so partners that can cripple these Pokemon like Knock Off Tentacruel, Toxic Aegislash, and Toxic Skarmory make for great partners, enjoying Mega Altaria's ability to deal with Ground- and Fighting-types like Krookodile, Buzzwole, and Mienshao in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Refresh on defensive Dragon Dance sets is a good option to bypass status, allowing it to freely setup on Pokemon like Slowking, Rotom-W, and Hippowdon while using Body Slam to fish for paralysis against faster threats like Moltres and Roserade. However, this set is completely walled by Steel-types like Skarmory and Scizor. On Dragon Dance sets, Facade is a fine alternative to punish Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave from Rotom-H and Rotom-W. Special Mega Altaria with Toxic can be used to pressure certain switch-ins like Slowking, Volcanion, and Assault Vest Tangrowth, but this set struggles to force progress against Poison-types like Galarian Slowbro and Nihilego.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Scizor, Mega Aggron, and Skarmory generally have enough bulk to take on most of Mega Altaria's attacks and take it out with super effective moves in return. However, they all struggle against Fire Blast variants. Specially defensive Celesteela is by far the best check to Mega Altaria, taking minimal damage from Fire Blast while pressuring it with Leech Seed and Heavy Slam.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Galarian Slowbro, Nihilego, and Galarian Weezing can resist Mega Altaria's STABs and can pressure it with their STAB moves. However, the former two fear boosted Earthquakes, while Galarian Weezing must be aware of taking repeated hits from mixed variants.
**Status**: Status is one of the best ways to cripple Mega Altaria and common Pokemon like Rotom-H, Rotom-W, and Slowking often carry Toxic or Thunder Wave. Will-O-Wisp from the former two can be problematic as well, especially to Dragon Dance variants. However, they must be aware of Facade.
**Revenge Killers**: Priority from Pokemon like Scizor and Mamoswine and faster threats like Choice Scarf Mienshao can revenge kill boosted Mega Altaria; however, the former two can't withstand Fire Blast or Return respectively, while Mienshao can't outsped it after 2 Dragon Dances and is vulnerable to Mega Altaria's moves.
**Moltres** Moltres can take most of Mega Altaria's attacks, heal any damage taken with Roost and pressure it with Hurricane or status.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Pubo, 535121]]
- Quality checked by: [[Arishem, 546157], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
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