OU Mega Altaria (Revamp)

[MANNAT]

[OVERVIEW]

Mega Altaria's excellent defensive Dragon / Fairy typing and solid bulk allow it to switch into some of the most threatening offensive threats in the tier, most notably Ash-Greninja, Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona. This in conjunction with its access to Defog allows it to remove entry hazards versus many of the most prominent users in the tier, including Landorus-T, Heatran, and Ash-Greninja. Mega Altaria can also spread paralysis with Body Slam, supporting slower wallbreakers such as Tapu Lele and Kyurem-Black and crippling opposing setup sweepers like Hawlucha and Volcarona. However, after it Mega Evolves, Mega Altaria is grounded and liable to Toxic Spikes, so it's highly pressured to remove entry hazards and check the threats that it's supposed to at the same time, leaving it easily overwhelmed. Mega Altaria is difficult to fit onto teams due to it facing stuff competition from other Defoggers like Mantine and Gliscor, which have more utility overall, and it is still fairly weak despite its attacks being boosted by Pixilate, leaving it walled by common bulky Pokemon like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Clefable.

[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 68 SpD / 16 Spe

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

Body Slam is a reliable STAB move that also discourages Pokemon that normally switch into Mega Altaria like Kartana and Toxapex from switching in due to Body Slam's ability to paralyze foes to provide Speed control for its team. Earthquake provides Mega Altaria with solid coverage to pressure Pokemon that normally beat it like Toxapex to prevent them from constantly and mindlessly switching in, and Earthquake allows Mega Altaria to remove Stealth Rock versus Heatran. Defog allows Mega Altaria to remove annoying entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes in order to ensure that its teammates don't take unnecessary chip damage. Roost allows Mega Altaria to maintain its health throughout the match and lets it more consistently check threats like Ash-Greninja and Heatran.

Set Details
========

248 HP EVs and 68 Special Defense EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can reliably check Battle Bond Greninja prior to transformation, being able to beat it even if Mega Altaria switches into it prior to Mega Evolving with Stealth Rock up, and the rest of the EVs are used to maximize Mega Altaria's physical bulk in conjunction with an Impish nature, hitting a jump point in Defense, enabling Mega Altaria to beat defensive Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu. 16 Speed EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Mega Mawile and hit it with Earthquake if need be. Natural Cure is the preferred ability on this set prior to Mega Evolving because it allows Mega Altaria to absorb Toxic from Toxapex while removing its Toxic Spikes without being crippled for the remainder of the game. Also, Cloud Nine is incompatible with Body Slam, so Natural Cure must be used unless Body Slam is forgone for a different move.

Usage Tips
========

If the opponent has Toxapex or another Toxic Spikes setter that pressures Mega Altaria and there's no significant threat on the opposing team that Altaria needs to Mega Evolve in order to check, it's best to keep it in its regular form before removing entry hazards in order to prevent itself from being overly pressured by poison. Otherwise, it's best to Mega Evolve Altaria as soon as possible because it gets a significant improvement to both its bulk and defensive typing, shedding its weakness to Stealth Rock. Try to switch Mega Altaria into entry hazard setters that it beats like Landorus-T and Ash-Greninja in order to remove entry hazards without taking too much damage; however, make sure to scout for lesser used options like Toxic Landorus-T and Ice Beam Ash-Greninja. Be careful not to let Mega Altaria get worn down too much trying to remove entry hazards because its defensive utility should be prioritized over removing entry hazards, especially if no other Pokemon on the team can check an opposing offensive threat.

Team Options
========

Defog Mega Altaria fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate a Defog user that beats Ash-Greninja in particular, especially those that rely on slower wallbreakers to break down teams. Magnezone is arguably the best teammate for Mega Altaria, as otherwise it becomes a very poor choice versus Ferrothorn entry hazard-stacking balance teams and can give up momentum to Mega Scizor, and it allows Mega Altaria to become more effective with its Steel-type counters being removed. A secondary method of hazard control that's immune to Toxic Spikes such as Choice Scarf Kartana or Landorus-T with Defog is appreciated as a teammate for Mega Altaria so that it isn't as heavily pressured by Toxapex. Similarly, Toxapex itself makes a useful teammate due to its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, taking pressure off of Mega Altaria. Slower wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B appreciate Mega Altaria's ability to spread paralysis and slow down opposing teams so that they aren't forced out by some opposing offensive threats. Ash-Greninja is a good teammate in particular because it can use Spikes to pressure many of Mega Altaria's defensive answers and in turn, Ash-Greninja benefits from Mega Altaria's Body Slam spreading paralysis, as it can break past many of its normal checks, most notably Toxapex, with paralysis in conjunction with Dark Pulse's ability to cause foes to flinch.

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

Hyper Voice and Fire Blast can be used over Body Slam and Earthquake, respectively, to allow Mega Altaria to use Cloud Nine, allowing it to check Ash-Greninja on rain teams, but the utility of Body Slam is too good to pass up. A set with Dragon Dance can be used in order to set up and sweep teams, but it's usually a poor option due to Mega Altaria having a myriad of defensive answers and oftentimes being too weak to sweep teams. On the other hand, Mega Altaria can also use a utility set with Heal Bell on more defensive teams, but it often ends up being overloaded by opposing threats and faces tremendous competition from Mega Sableye on stall. Finally, Mega Altaria can try an offensive lure set with Hyper Voice, Fire Blast, and Earthquake, but this set is over-reliant on having super effective coverage to break through bulkier Pokemon.

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

**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex can tank Mega Altaria's attacks while threatening Mega Altaria with super effective STAB moves and Toxic, respectively. On the other hand, Gengar can threaten Mega Altaria with Sludge Wave, but it has to be wary of switching into Earthquake and being paralyzed by Body Slam upon switch-in.

**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn can wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw at them, but they have to be careful of being trapped by Magnezone, a common teammate of Mega Altaria. Ferrothorn in particular is problematic for Mega Altaria because it walls Mega Altaria and can set hazards versus it.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon with high natural bulk, such as Clefable and Gliscor, can oftentimes annoy Mega Altaria due to their access to reliable recovery and their ability to wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw at them. Variants of these Pokemon with Toxic are especially annoying because they can cripple Mega Altaria and prevent it from reliably beating opposing threats.

 

[OldAmberPlays]

Since I was so excited about this revamp, i've been calculating some variatons of this set, and I think that it's the most optimized one:

move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Fire Blast / Earthquake
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe

Body Slam is obvious: hit a little and can paralyze, so you can abuse with other breakers in your team. On the second slot, Fire Blast is more useful imo, since it can 2HKO 252HP/ 208 Sp.Def Careful Ferrothorn, a Pokémon that you should be able to 1v1, no matter what nature you use. I've removed Hyper Voice because it can't 100% OHKO Keldeo from full even with 1 layer of Spikes (81,3%), while Body Slam has much more utility and have 50% of chance to OHKO on the same conditions. (that's why I have removed "Bold" mention)

0- SpA Altaria-Mega Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 208+ SpD Ferrothorn: 208-248 (59 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (as you can see, the drop in power doesn't do any difference)

Considering this damage, breakers like Ash-Gren can take advantage of how low Ferrothorn is and activate Battle Bond 50% of the time considering rocks (min Fire Blast + min non-Ash's Dark Pulse do about 90,1%) or kill it instead.

Fire Blast can do the same to Mega Mawile

0- SpA Altaria-Mega Fire Blast vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 162-192 (61.3 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Using the same example, a Mega Altaria's Fire Blast followed by a non-Ash Greninja's Dark Pulse do minimum 94,2% on the 92HP Mega Mawile, ensuring the transformation after rocks.

Earthquake can be used too, but I don't see it getting much use besides 2HKO Heatran and 3HKO AV Mag.

About the spread, the 16 EV in Speed is just to outspeed max speed Adamant Mega Mawile and do what I have said above.

I hope that at least something have helped you out, and thank you for giving my little love some real niche in the OU metagame :)

 

[13_luckynumber]

Since "this shits unviable w/o zone" and uninvested Fire blast/ EQ OHKOs none of the Steel types that check it while they Heavy Slam/ Gyro Ball/ Toxic/ Flash Cannon/ Taunt/ Leech Seed/ Thunder Wave/ etc it to death so mono Fairy for attacking isn't the worst thing tbh. Only real use for Fire Blast is if you use this to check Kartana while hoping Kartana doesn't carry Smart Strike.

Hyper Voice should be the Fairy stab to handle SubCoil Zygarde, +1 Hawlucha

Toxic/ Haze/ Perish Song can take Fire Blast/ EQ's slot to better handle Volcarona, Zapdos, Tangrowth, TOXAPEX some defensive shits that doesn't beat this in 3 turns

Heal Bell is usable too.

There should be a spread to let this check Ash-Gren

 

[OldAmberPlays]

For a spread that can check Ash Gren in a great way, I've found this

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 52 SpD Altaria-Mega: 138-163 (38.9 - 46%) -- 22.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

With 52 in Sp.Def and 16 in Speed, you have 188 EVs in Def, resulting in a still good Defense stat.
If you want a little more Def, you can use 44 Sp.Def, so Ash Gren has 30,5% chance to 2HKO Altaria after rocks, while still taking less than 50% from Choice Band Zygarde

252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 196+ Def Altaria-Mega: 144-169 (40.6 - 47.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Martin]

248 HP / 176 Def / 68 SpD / 16 Spe Bold hits a Defense jump point while also allowing Altaria to survive the following scenario:

1. Switch in on Stealth Rock as regular Altaria
2. Take Specs Dark Pulse from regular Gren
3. Mega evolve
4. Take a second Specs Dark Pulse from regular Gren

Two max rolls will deal exactly 100%, but changing from 248 to 252 and moving it out of SpD doesn’t change this because the second Dark Pulse deals 1 more damage on a max roll if you do that. 248 HP is better than 252 HP because it means that you can take less than half from Tapu Bulu's Nature's Madness at full health.

If you think the drop in Defense is worthwhile, this’d be the spread to use. If not, the max/near-max spread is probably better. I’ll leave it to you ‘cuz ur the writer+u’ve used MAlt way more than me.

 

[power]

Dont forget toxic spikes toxapex in c&c bc youre literally a fogger that loses to tspikes lmao why is this mon not unranked

 

[MANNAT]

Dont forget toxic spikes toxapex in c&c bc youre literally a fogger that loses to tspikes lmao why is this mon not unranked

You can defog in regular vs pex and this isn’t the only tspikes liable defogger in the tier noob idiot.

 

[OldAmberPlays]

Natural Cure is the preferred ability on this set prior to transformation because it allows Mega Altaria to absorb Toxic from Toxapex while removing its Toxic Spikes with Defog without being crippled for the remainder of the game, but Cloud Nine can also used in order to better switch into Ash Greninja under rain.

Cloud Nine is imcompatible with Body Slam, and since the fact that Body Slam is irreplaceable in this set, Natural Cure is the only option

248 HP EVs and 68 Special Defense EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can reliably check Ash Greninja, being able to beat it even if it switches into it prior to transformation with Stealth Rock up and the rest of the EVs are used to maximize Mega Altaria's physical bulk in conjunction with a bold nature so that it can beat defensive Landorus-T and Kartana without Smart Strike.

It is Impish

 

[Martin]

Make sure to specify that the EVs outpace adamant Mawile; Jolly is basically irrelevant but it can’t hurt to add a little extra detail ‘cuz it means that they will know what happened in that one match where they face a random jolly maw (or azu ig if u jive with that ‘mon, as bdrum vars r prolly more likely to run jolly than maw is)

 

[Leo]

Mega Altaria's excellent defensive typing along with its solid bulk allows it to switch into some of the most threatening offensive threats in the tier, most notably Kartana without Smart Strike, Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona.

I feel like Ash Gren should be mentioned here since pump/pulse/shuriken/spikes gets completely shut down by this set, maybe over bulu since its sd sets arent as relevant anymore

Heatarn

Heatarn.

Defog is a fantastic method of entry hazard control

This is some awkward wording because rn it sounds like Defog is a fantastic hazard control move when it's the only hazard control move other than rapid spin which is even better.

Try to switch Mega Altaria into entry hazard setters that it threatens out like Landorus-T and Ash-Greninja in order to remove entry hazards as soon as possible without taking too much damage.

Mention that you have to be wary of some less used moves that could catch it off guard like Toxic Lando and Ice Beam Gren if it isnt confirmed spikes yet

**Bulky Pokoemon*

oko

1/3

 

[lydian]

Great job! I have a couple of suggestions.

[OVERVIEW]

• Mega Altaria's excellent defensive typing along with its solid bulk allows it to switch into some of the most threatening offensive threats in the tier, most notably Kartana without Smart Strike, Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona.

Isn't Ash Greninja mention worthy here?

• Additionally, its access to Defog in conjunction with its defensive capabilities allows it to remove entry hazards versus many of the most prominent entry hazard setters in the tier, most notably Landorus-T, Heatran, and Ash Greninja.

So since you would have mentioned Ash Greninja in the above, here you could say like aforementioned Ash Greninja.

• Mega Altaria can also spread paralysis with Body Slam, supporting slower wallbreakers and wallbreakers with flinching moves such as Ash Greninja, Tapu Lele, and Kyurem-Black and functioning as an emergency check vs many of the tier's top setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Hawlucha.
• However, Mega Altaria is grounded and liable to Toxic Spikes, so it's highly pressured to remove entry hazards and check the threats that it's supposed to at the same time, leaving it liable to being overwhelmed.
• Finally, Mega Altaria is fairly weak, even with the boost provided by Pixilate, so it's liable to being walled by common bulky Pokemon like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Clefable.

I'd also mention how it faces competition as a Defog user here too. Also pointing out it's defensive stats are also somewhat subpar.
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 68 SpD / 16 Spe

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

• Body Slam is a reliable STAB move that also discourages switch ins due to its ability to paralyze opponents and spread paralysis to provide speed control for its team.

I'd mention some Pokémon that would switch in but that don't appreciate paralysis here.

• Earthquake provides a solid coverage move to pressure Pokemon that normally beat Mega Altaria like Toxapex so that they don't just mindlessly switch in nonstop, and it allows Mega Altaria to remove Stealth Rock vs Heatarn.
• Defog is a fantastic method of entry hazard control and it allows Mega Altaria to remove annoying entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes in order to ensure that its teammates don't take unnecessary chip damage.

Shouldn't Defog be the first move since it is the basis of the set? This section looks good though :)

• Rounding out the set is Roost, which allows Mega Altaria to maintain its health throughout the match and more consistently check threats like Ash Greninja and Heatran.

Set Details
========

• 248 HP EVs and 68 Special Defense EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can reliably check Ash Greninja, being able to beat it even if it switches into it prior to transformation with Stealth Rock up and the rest of the EVs are used to maximize Mega Altaria's physical bulk in conjunction with a impish nature so that it can beat defensive Landorus-T and Kartana without Smart Strike.

I feel like you can clarify the Ash-Greninja part, it isn't clear if the transformation is Altaria or Greninja's.

• 16 Speed EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can outspeed maximum Speed Mega Mawile with an Adamant nature and hit it with Earthquake if need be.
• Natural Cure is the preferred ability on this set prior to transformation because it allows Mega Altaria to absorb Toxic from Toxapex while removing its Toxic Spikes with Defog without being crippled for the remainder of the game. Also, Cloud Nine is incompatible with Body Slam, so Natural Must be used unless Body Slam is foregone for a different move.

Usage Tips
========

• If your opponent has a Toxapex or similar Toxic Spiker/Spiker that pressures Mega Altaria, and there's no significant threat on the opposing team that Altaria needs to transform in order to check that no other team members can cover, it's best to keep it in its regular form before removing the entry hazards in order to prevent itself from being overly pressured by passive damage or status.
• Otherwise, it's best to transform Mega Altaria as soon as possible because it gets a significant improvement to both its bulk and defensive typing, shedding its weakness to Stealth Rock.
• Try to switch Mega Altaria into entry hazard setters that it threatens out like Landorus-T and Ash-Greninja in order to remove entry hazards as soon as possible without taking too much damage.
• Be careful not to let Mega Altaria get worn down too much trying to remove entry hazards because it's still needed for its defensive utility and that should be prioritized over removing entry hazards if no other Pokemon on the team can check an opposing offensive threat.

Team Options
========

• Defog Mega Altaria fits best on bulky offense and balanced teams that appreciate a defogger that beats Ash Greninja in particular, especially those that rely on slower wallbreakers to beat bulkier teams.
• Magnezone is arguably mandatory as a teammate for Mega Altaria, as otherwise it becomes a very poor choice vs Ferrothorn hazard stacking balances and can give up momentum to Mega Scizor, and it allows Mega Altaria to become more threatening as a result of its Steel-type checks being removed.

I don't think it's really mandatory as Mega Altaria is playing more of a Defensive role to be honest, I guess it should still be mentioned but I don't think it should have this much emphasis.

• A secondary method of hazard control that's immune to Toxic Spikes such as Choice Scarf Kartana or Landorus-T with Defog is greatly appreciated as a teammate for Mega Altaria so that it isn't as heavily pressured by Toxapex, but not mandatory by any means.

I think grounded Poison-types like Toxapex and Mega Venusaur should be mentioned here too. Specially since they pair reasonably well with Mega Altaria.

• Slower wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-Black appreciate Mega Altaria's ability to spread paralysis and slow down opposing teams so that they aren't forced out by some opposing offensive threats.
• Ash Greninja is a good teammate in particular because it can use Spikes to pressure many of Mega Altaria's defensive answers and in turn benefits from Body Slam spreading paralysis as it can break past many of its normal checks, most notably Toxapex, with paralysis in conjunction with Dark Pulse's ability to flinch foes.

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

• A sweeping set with Dragon Dance can be used in order to set up and sweep teams, but it's a poor option due to having a myriad of defensive answers and oftentimes being too week to sweep teams.
• On the other hand, Mega Altaria can also try using a utility set with Heal Bell on more defensive teams, but it oftentimes ends up being overloaded by opposing threats and oftentimes isn't as useful for stall teams as Mega Sableye.
• Finally, Mega Altaria can try somewhat of a lure set with Hyper Voice Fire Blast and Earthquake, but this set ends up falling short vs many opponents that it lacks super effective coverage versus, and even some that it does like Toxapex due to it being laughably weak.

Isn't Hyper Voice / Return and Fire Blast worthy of a mention over Body Slam and EQ respetively for it's Defog set here? Hyper Voice enables Cloud Nine which could help against Ash Greninja Rain, whereas Fire Blast threatens Ferrothorn and Kartana the former which could set Spikes and Gyro Ball Mega Altaria and the latter that if dodges a Paralysis from Body Slam can use Mega Altaria as set up bait and do stuff like this:

+2 252 Atk Kartana Bloom Doom (175 BP) vs. 248 HP / 176+ Def Altaria-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 393-463 (111.3 - 131.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

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

**Bulky Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex can resist Mega Altaria's STAB attacks and survive Earthquake due to their naturally high bulk as well as Mega Altaria's lack of offensive firepower while threatening Mega Altaria with super-effective STAB moves and Toxic poisoning respectively.

**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn can wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw at them, but they have to be careful of being trapped by Magnezone.

**Bulky Pokoemon**: Pokemon with high natural bulk, such as Clefable or Gliscor, can oftentimes annoy Mega Altaria due to their access to reliable recovery and ability to wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw. Variants of these Pokemon with Toxic are especially annoying because they can cripple Mega Altaria and prevent it from reliably beating opposing threats.

I feel like you're focusing too much on Pokémon that wall it instead of Pokémon that break it, considering Mega Altaria is meant to be a Defogger and not a breaker, mentioning hazard setters that beat it, such as Ferrothorn, Mega Diancie and what not might be a great idea here.

 

[GMars]

• Mega Altaria's excellent defensive typing along with its solid bulk allows it to switch into some of the most threatening offensive threats in the tier, most notably Kartana without Smart Strike, Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona.

Mention non-Ice Beam Ash-Gren here, like Leo and Exploudit suggested. It's fine to double mention it going into the second bullet point, you can add in aforementioned like Exploudit suggested to clean up flow

• Body Slam is a reliable STAB move that also discourages switch ins from Pokemon that normally switch into it like Kartana and Toxapex due to its ability to paralyze opponents and spread paralysis to provide speed control for its team.

Specify what Kartana set here, like Smart Strike Kartana, since you highlight Mega Altaria's ability to switch into Kartana without Smart Strike in the overview

• Natural Cure is the preferred ability on this set prior to transformation because it allows Mega Altaria to absorb Toxic from Toxapex while removing its Toxic Spikes with Defog without being crippled for the remainder of the game. Also, Cloud Nine is incompatible with Body Slam, so Natural Must be used unless Body Slam is foregone for a different move.

How often do Toxapex run both Toxic and Toxic Spikes? You can just shift this to say "because it allows Altaria to absorb status pre-Mega Evolution without being crippled for the remainder of the game"

• On the Defog set, Hyper Voice and Fire Blast can be used to enable Cloud Nine and beat its normal walls while also dodging Iron Barbs and Rocky Helmet damage, but the utility of Body Slam is too much to pass up.

Add in what the utility of Cloud Nine would be here

**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn can wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw at them, but they have to be careful of being trapped by Magnezone. Ferrothorn in particular is problematic for Mega Altaria because it walls Mega Altaria and can set hazards versus it.

Add in ", a common partner." or ", a common teammate." etc after Magnezone for flow

Nice work, QC 2/3

 

[Martin]

IK its not GP yet, but I noticed a few kinda minor things from a quick skim and thought I might as well comment on them while I’m here. Highlighing text bringing up a reply button is mad useful on tablet ngl.

Mega Altaria's excellent defensive typing along with its solid bulk allows it to switch into some of the most threatening offensive threats in the tier, most notably Ash Greninja, Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona. Mega Altaria's This in conjunction with its access to Defog in conjunction with its defensive capabilities allows it to remove entry hazards versus many of the most prominent entry hazard setters in the tier, most notably including Landorus-T, Heatran, and the aforementioned Ash Greninja. Mega Altaria can also spread paralysis with Body Slam, supporting slower wallbreakers such as Tapu Lele and Kyurem-Black. (remove period) Body Slam is also useful because it allows Mega Altaria to cripple and crippling opposing setup sweepers like Hawlucha and Volcarona. However, Mega Altaria is grounded and liable vulnerable (wrong word; also kinda repetitive given what follows) to Toxic Spikes, so it's highly pressured to remove entry hazards and check the threats that it's supposed to at the same time, leaving it liable to being overwhelmed. Mega Altaria is difficult to fit onto team due to it facing stuff competition from other Defoggers like Mantine and Mew Gliscor (metagame relevance) that have more utility overall. Finally, Mega Altaria is , (AC) and it is still fairly weak, (RC) even with the power boost provided by despite having Pixilate, so it's liable to being leaving it walled by common bulky Pokemon like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Clefable. (“liable” is repetitive)

Putting the name of the subject of each sentence at the start of every sentence halts flow and makes this read rlly awkwardly. I’ve put a few amendments in relating to this+a handful of other things (add remove (comment); just using formatting encoded into ipad keyboard lol) that improve it a little imo so consider reading over them and adding any you think work better. This isn’t a GP check or even rlly an amcheck so take it with some salt lol.

248 HP EVs and 68 Special Defense EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can reliably check Ash Greninja, being able to beat it even if it switches into it prior to mega evolving with Stealth Rock up and the rest of the EVs are used to maximize Mega Altaria's physical bulk in conjunction with a impish nature so that it can beat defensive Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu.

Sentence flow here is a little dodgy; currently reads like the HP/SpD EVs are used to invest EVs in Defense. Adding a comma after “up” should fix this issue by making it part of the sentence’s main clause. Also maybe consider mentioning that the Defense EVs hit a jump point (“and the remaining EVs are invested in Defense in conjunction with an Impish nature to maximise Alraria’s physical bulk, hitting a jump point in Defense and helping Altaria check Tapu Bulu and defensive Landorus-T.”)

and oftentimes being too week to sweep teams.

Typo spotted in DD part of OO.

 

[Jordy]

Hey, not qc, few things tho. I definitely think u should mention how good it is at answering Charizard X, and to a lesser extent, Charizard Y. Imo move Hyper Voice and Flamethrower to moves, Hyper Voice means malt can't get cucked by Hawlucha on some occasions and Flamethrower is v nice to hit Smart Strike-less Kartana. No need for Fire Blast because both 2HKO Ferrothorn.

+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 248 HP / 176+ Def Altaria-Mega: 223-264 (63.1 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Pixilate Altaria-Mega Body Slam vs. +1 104 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 204-240 (63.1 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

If Hawlucha SD's on the switch in and u don't para with Body Slam then, yeah.

0 SpA Pixilate Altaria-Mega Hyper Voice vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Hawlucha: 368-434 (113.9 - 134.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

No cucking kthx.

Body Slam and Earthquake are completely fine, which is why Hyper Voice and Flamethrower should only be mentioned in moves. Flamethrower can maybe stay in Other Options because of Magnezone. This isn't that big but mention Ice Beam in Other Optionsbecause Mega Altaria does p well vs defensive and Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Also, u can probably mention Heatran in Team Options because, from my experience with Mega Altaria, it can act as a solid substitute for Magnezone, but mention that Magnezone can trap Steel-types guaranteed and Heatran can't, it just puts heavy pressure on them, which makes Magnezone preferred.

 

[MANNAT]

Can someone get back to me on this lmao, I spent a lot of time working on it, so I'd like a definite answer on whether or not this analysis will be done. I usually don't like getting pushy or impatient about these kinds of things, but this analysis has just been sitting here 2/3 for almost 2 months now.

 

[Meliodafu7]

I'm not QC but I think you should add some partners that are revenge killed by Pokémon that M-Altaria checks, for example SD Kartana is revenged by Ash Ninja, Scarf Keldeo, Scarf Latios, and Koko with Thunderbolt [you risk the DG tho, so, I'm not sure about it] mons that M-Alt does pretty well checking. Comes to mind the aforementioned SD Kartana, Heatran, and some less relevant mons like Blacephalon and CM Keldeo, they enjoy having M-Alt in the back, and they have good sinergy with it, because they combat most Steel-types that M-Alt dislikes .

 

[Martin]

Make sure to mention the evs check pre-transformation ash gren before alt mega evolves when you mention it in set details; the current wording is a little misleading imo

 

[Colonel M]

Definitely what Martin said.

Else, sorry. 3/3. Seems to be about right, and I'll just double sweep this when I upload in case I missed something.

 

[dhelmise]

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[OVERVIEW]

Mega Altaria's excellent defensive Dragon / Fairy (subjective) typing along with its and (subjective but flows better imo) solid bulk allow (only change this to "allow" if you change "along with its" to "and") it to switch into some of the most threatening offensive threats in the tier, most notably Ash-Greninja (AH), Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona. This in conjunction with its access to Defog allows it to remove entry hazards versus many of the most prominent entry hazard setters in the tier, most notably (redundant with "including" and repetitive with last sentence) including Landorus-T, Heatran, and the aforementioned (aforementioned is used to refer to things that have huge gaps of between them, this only has one sentence between the last mention) Ash-Greninja (AH). Mega Altaria can also spread paralysis with Body Slam, supporting slower wallbreakers such as Tapu Lele and Kyurem-Black and crippling opposing setup sweepers like Hawlucha and Volcarona. However, Mega Altaria is grounded and liable to Toxic Spikes, so it's highly pressured to remove entry hazards and check the threats that it's supposed to at the same time, leaving it liable to being easily (less wordy and less confusing; i had to reread this to make sense of what you meant) overwhelmed. Mega Altaria is difficult to fit onto teams due to it facing stuff competition from other Defoggers like Mantine and Gliscor, (AC) which that (either this or move "that have more utility overall" between "Defoggers" and "like", also i fixed a typo in Gliscor thats why it's blue) have more utility overall, and it is still fairly weak, (RC) despite its attacks being boosted by Pixilate, leaving it walled by common bulky Pokemon like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Clefable.

[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 68 SpD / 16 Spe

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

Body Slam is a reliable STAB move that also discourages switch ins from Pokemon that normally switch into it Mega Altaria like Kartana and Toxapex from switching in due to its Body Slam's ability to paralyze opponents and spread paralysis foes (these essentially mean the same thing) to provide Speed control for its team. Earthquake provides Mega Altaria with a solid coverage move to pressure Pokemon that normally beat Mega Altaria it like Toxapex so that they don't just to prevent them from constantly and mindlessly switching in nonstop, and it Earthquake allows Mega Altaria to remove Stealth Rock versus Heatran. Defog allows Mega Altaria to remove annoying entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes in order to ensure that its teammates don't take unnecessary chip damage. Rounding out the set is Roost, (RC) which allows Mega Altaria to maintain its health throughout the match and lets it more consistently check threats like Ash-Greninja (AH) and Heatran.

Set Details
========

248 HP EVs and 68 Special Defense EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can reliably check Ash Battle Bond Greninja prior to transformation, being able to beat it even if it Mega Altaria switches into it prior to Mega Evolving with Stealth Rock up, and the rest of the EVs are used to maximize Mega Altaria's physical bulk in conjunction with an Impish nature, hitting a jump point in Defense, enabling Mega Altaria to beat defensive Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu. 16 Speed EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Mega Mawile with an Adamant nature and hit it with Earthquake if need be. Natural Cure is the preferred ability on this set prior to transformation Mega Evolving because it allows Mega Altaria to absorb Toxic from Toxapex while removing its Toxic Spikes with Defog (implied by set name) without being crippled for the remainder of the game. Also, Cloud Nine is incompatible with Body Slam, so Natural Cure must be used unless Body Slam is foregone forgone (different uses) for a different move.

Usage Tips
========

If the opponent has a Toxapex or another Toxic Spikes setter that pressures Mega Altaria, (RC) and there's no significant threat on the opposing team that Altaria needs to transform Mega Evolve in order to check, it's best to keep it in its regular form before removing the entry hazards in order to prevent itself from being overly pressured by poison. Otherwise, it's best to transform Mega Evolve Altaria as soon as possible because it gets a significant improvement to both its bulk and defensive typing, shedding its weakness to Stealth Rock. Try to switch Mega Altaria into entry hazard setters that it beats like Landorus-T and Ash-Greninja in order to remove entry hazards without taking too much damage; however, make sure to scout for lesser used options like Toxic Landorus-T and Ice Beam Ash-Greninja (AH). Be careful not to let Mega Altaria get worn down too much trying to remove entry hazards because its defensive utility should be prioritized over removing entry hazards, especially if no other Pokemon on the team can check an opposing offensive threat.

Team Options
========

Defog Mega Altaria fits best on bulky offense and balanced balance teams that appreciate a Defog user that beats Ash-Greninja (AH) in particular, especially those that rely on slower wallbreakers to break down teams. Magnezone is arguably the best teammate for Mega Altaria, as otherwise it becomes a very poor choice versus Ferrothorn entry hazard-stacking (AH) balances balance teams and can give up momentum to Mega Scizor, and it allows Mega Altaria to become more effective as a result of with its Steel-type counters being removed. A secondary method of hazard control that's immune to Toxic Spikes such as Choice Scarf Kartana or Landorus-T with Defog is appreciated as a teammate for Mega Altaria so that it isn't as heavily pressured by Toxapex. Similarly, Toxapex itself makes a useful teammate due to its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, taking pressure off of Mega Altaria. Slower wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-Black appreciate Mega Altaria's ability to spread paralysis and slow down opposing teams so that they aren't forced out by some opposing offensive threats. Ash-Greninja (AH) is a good teammate in particular because it can use Spikes to pressure many of Mega Altaria's defensive answers and in turn, (AC) Ash-Greninja benefits from Mega Altaria's Body Slam spreading paralysis, (AC) as it can break past many of its normal checks, most notably Toxapex, with paralysis in conjunction with Dark Pulse's ability to flinch foes.

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

Hyper Voice and Fire Blast can be used over Body Slam and Earthquake respectively to allow Mega Altaria to use Cloud Nine, allowing it to check Ash-Greninja (AH) on rain teams, but the utility of Body Slam is too good to pass up. A sweeping set with Dragon Dance can be used in order to set up and sweep teams, but it's usually a poor option due to Mega Altaria having a myriad of defensive answers and oftentimes being too weak to sweep teams. On the other hand, Mega Altaria can also use a utility set with Heal Bell on more defensive teams, but it oftentimes often ends up being overloaded by opposing threats and faces tremendous competition from Mega Sableye on stall. Finally, Mega Altaria can try an offensive lure set with Hyper Voice, Fire Blast, and Earthquake, but this set is over-reliant (AH) on having super effective coverage to break through bulkier Pokemon.

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

**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex can tank Mega Altaria's attacks while threatening Mega Altaria with super effective (RH) STAB moves and Toxic poisoning respectively. On the other hand, Gengar can threaten Mega Altaria with Sludge Wave, but it has to be wary of switching into Earthquake and being paralyzed by Body Slam upon switch in.

**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn can wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw at them, but they have to be careful of being trapped by Magnezone, a common teammate of Mega Altaria. Ferrothorn in particular is problematic for Mega Altaria because it walls Mega Altaria and can set hazards versus it.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon with high natural bulk, such as Clefable or Gliscor, can oftentimes annoy Mega Altaria due to their access to reliable recovery and their ability to wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw. Variants of these Pokemon with Toxic are especially annoying because they can cripple Mega Altaria and prevent it from reliably beating opposing threats.

GP 1/2 sd buzzwole

 

[autumn]

GP 2/2

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Mega Altaria's excellent defensive Dragon / Fairy typing and solid bulk allow it to switch into some of the most threatening offensive threats in the tier, most notably Ash-Greninja, Tapu Bulu, and Volcarona. This in conjunction with its access to Defog allows it to remove entry hazards versus many of the most prominent entry hazard setters users in the tier, including Landorus-T, Heatran, and Ash-Greninja. Mega Altaria can also spread paralysis with Body Slam, supporting slower wallbreakers such as Tapu Lele and Kyurem-Black and crippling opposing setup sweepers like Hawlucha and Volcarona. However, after it Mega Evolves, (AC) (it isn't before) Mega Altaria is grounded and liable to Toxic Spikes, so it's highly pressured to remove entry hazards and check the threats that it's supposed to at the same time, leaving it easily overwhelmed. Mega Altaria is difficult to fit onto teams due to it facing stuff competition from other Defoggers like Mantine and Gliscor, which have more utility overall, and it is still fairly weak despite its attacks being boosted by Pixilate, leaving it walled by common bulky Pokemon like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Clefable.

[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 68 SpD / 16 Spe

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

Body Slam is a reliable STAB move that also discourages Pokemon that normally switch into Mega Altaria like Kartana and Toxapex from switching in due to Body Slam's ability to paralyze foes to provide Speed control for its team. Earthquake provides Mega Altaria with solid coverage to pressure Pokemon that normally beat it like Toxapex to prevent them from constantly and mindlessly switching in, and Earthquake allows Mega Altaria to remove Stealth Rock versus Heatran. Defog allows Mega Altaria to remove annoying entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes in order to ensure that its teammates don't take unnecessary chip damage. Roost allows Mega Altaria to maintain its health throughout the match and lets it more consistently check threats like Ash-Greninja and Heatran.

Set Details
========

248 HP EVs and 68 Special Defense EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can reliably check Battle Bond Greninja prior to transformation, being able to beat it even if Mega Altaria switches into it prior to Mega Evolving with Stealth Rock up, and the rest of the EVs are used to maximize Mega Altaria's physical bulk in conjunction with an Impish nature, hitting a jump point in Defense, enabling Mega Altaria to beat defensive Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu. 16 Speed EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Mega Mawile and hit it with Earthquake if need be. Natural Cure is the preferred ability on this set prior to Mega Evolving because it allows Mega Altaria to absorb Toxic from Toxapex while removing its Toxic Spikes without being crippled for the remainder of the game. Also, Cloud Nine is incompatible with Body Slam, so Natural Cure must be used unless Body Slam is forgone for a different move.

Usage Tips
========

If the opponent has Toxapex or another Toxic Spikes setter that pressures Mega Altaria and there's no significant threat on the opposing team that Altaria needs to Mega Evolve in order to check, it's best to keep it in its regular form before removing entry hazards in order to prevent itself from being overly pressured by poison. Otherwise, it's best to Mega Evolve Altaria as soon as possible because it gets a significant improvement to both its bulk and defensive typing, shedding its weakness to Stealth Rock. Try to switch Mega Altaria into entry hazard setters that it beats like Landorus-T and Ash-Greninja in order to remove entry hazards without taking too much damage; however, make sure to scout for lesser used options like Toxic Landorus-T and Ice Beam Ash-Greninja. Be careful not to let Mega Altaria get worn down too much trying to remove entry hazards because its defensive utility should be prioritized over removing entry hazards, especially if no other Pokemon on the team can check an opposing offensive threat.

Team Options
========

Defog Mega Altaria fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate a Defog user that beats Ash-Greninja (remove double space) in particular, especially those that rely on slower wallbreakers to break down teams. Magnezone is arguably the best teammate for Mega Altaria, as otherwise it becomes a very poor choice versus Ferrothorn entry hazard-stacking balance teams and can give up momentum to Mega Scizor, and it allows Mega Altaria to become more effective with its Steel-type counters being removed. A secondary method of hazard control that's immune to Toxic Spikes such as Choice Scarf Kartana or Landorus-T with Defog is appreciated as a teammate for Mega Altaria so that it isn't as heavily pressured by Toxapex. Similarly, Toxapex itself makes a useful teammate due to its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, taking pressure off of Mega Altaria. Slower wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Kyurem-Black appreciate Mega Altaria's ability to spread paralysis and slow down opposing teams so that they aren't forced out by some opposing offensive threats. Ash-Greninja is a good teammate in particular because it can use Spikes to pressure many of Mega Altaria's defensive answers and in turn, Ash-Greninja benefits from Mega Altaria's Body Slam spreading paralysis, as it can break past many of its normal checks, most notably Toxapex, with paralysis in conjunction with Dark Pulse's ability to cause foes to flinch.

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

Hyper Voice and Fire Blast can be used over Body Slam and Earthquake, (AC) respectively, (AC) to allow Mega Altaria to use Cloud Nine, allowing it to check Ash-Greninja on rain teams, but the utility of Body Slam is too good to pass up. A sweeping (sweeping mentioned later) set with Dragon Dance can be used in order to set up and sweep teams, but it's usually a poor option due to Mega Altaria having a myriad of defensive answers and oftentimes being too weak to sweep teams. On the other hand, Mega Altaria can also use a utility set with Heal Bell on more defensive teams, but it often ends up being overloaded by opposing threats and faces tremendous competition from Mega Sableye on stall. Finally, Mega Altaria can try an offensive lure set with Hyper Voice, Fire Blast, and Earthquake, but this set is over-reliant (remove double space) on having super effective coverage to break through bulkier Pokemon.

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

**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex can tank Mega Altaria's attacks while threatening Mega Altaria with super effective (remove double space) STAB moves and Toxic, (AC) respectively. On the other hand, Gengar can threaten Mega Altaria with Sludge Wave, but it has to be wary of switching into Earthquake and being paralyzed by Body Slam upon switch-(AH)in.

**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn can wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw at them, but they have to be careful of being trapped by Magnezone, a common teammate of Mega Altaria. Ferrothorn in particular is problematic for Mega Altaria because it walls Mega Altaria and can set hazards versus it.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon with high natural bulk, such as Clefable or and Gliscor, can oftentimes annoy Mega Altaria due to their access to reliable recovery and their ability to wall any move that Mega Altaria wants to throw at them. Variants of these Pokemon with Toxic are especially annoying because they can cripple Mega Altaria and prevent it from reliably beating opposing threats.