[OVERVIEW]
Gengar makes a name for itself as a strong disruption pick in DOU. Mega Gengar is notable for being the better half of the two viable Shadow Tag Pokemon in the metagame and has a unique assortment of support and disruption moves such as Taunt and Will-O-Wisp that it can use in conjunction with its trapping ability and high Speed, which is enough to outrun the whole unboosted metagame except for Deoxys-A and Mega Aerodactyl; these qualities make it adept at picking off or neutering key threats for its teammates' benefit. Its regular forme is also viable, adept at using a nifty array of resistances and immunities to support teammates with Icy Wind and the aforementioned Taunt and Will-O-Wisp, making it a good check to notable threats such as Mega Kangaskhan and Landorus-T. Both formes are also no slouches offensively, with Mega Gengar even boasting a very high base 170 Special Attack, and their Ghost STAB makes them useful against most Trick Room setters. Both Gengar formes are also frail, however, making them unable to switch in on most hits effectively and being easily KOed by any strong or super effective attack; in particular, Gengar needs a Focus Sash to be actually able to take one hit minimum. Gengar's frailness also makes it easily picked off when at the wrong end of speed control.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Sludge Bomb
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Taunt
move 4: Protect
item: Gengarite
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==========
Both Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball are simply STAB attacks, the former more powerful and able deal a significant amount of damage to non-resisted targets and the latter boasting better neutral and super effective coverage, capable of hitting Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Aegislash, Jirachi, and Cresselia super effectively. Will-O-Wisp can neuter physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan and Landorus-T, while Taunt can stop foes from setting up or supporting with moves such as Trick Room, Tailwind, or Follow Me; in conjunction with Shadow Tag, Mega Gengar can also render certain foes into unswitchable liabilities with either move. Substitute can also be useful to shield Mega Gengar from status moves such as Thunder Wave and strong attacks. These three options can also be used to play around Sucker Punch, with Will-O-Wisp even neutering would-be threats. Protect lets Mega Gengar shield itself from attacks while a partner takes out a threat, stalls field conditions such as Trick Room, and punishes double-targeting.
Set Details
==========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature lets Mega Gengar go as fast as possbile while still having high damage output. Pre-Mega Evolution, the EV investment lets Gengar Speed tie with threats such as Latios and Mega Diancie.
Usage Tips
===========
Mega Gengar should generally aim to make most use of its trapping ability by using it to deny switching, pressuring foes. Mega Gengar's trapping is particularly effective from early- to mid-game, when it can trap and weaken or KO specific foes so that a teammate has an easier time doing its job due to having one less check; for example, Belly Drum Azumarill can smash through a team with ease once Amoonguss is sufficiently weakened or removed through Mega Gengar's ability to guarantee damage. Mega Gengar can also work late-game, when it can clean up opposing teams with its high Speed and excellent Special Attack, but one needs to make sure any faster threats or those with powerful priority have already been removed.
Generally speaking, Mega Gengar works well as a lead thanks to its nifty immunity to Fake Out and high Speed; leading Mega Gengar also lets it Mega Evolve quickly, which it should do as soon as possible in order to fully take advantage of its ability. When against certain foes, using Mega Gengar's disruption move can work wonders, as it turns them into liabilities without any chance of escape; for example, burning a Mega Kangaskhan can leave it a liability on the field due to being neutered and unable to switch out.
Team Options
============
Partners that rely on setting up such as Belly Drum Azumarill and Calm Mind Cresselia appreciate Mega Gengar's trapping abilities, as it can help remove key threats, making smashing through the opposing team easier. Pokemon that can take out Dark-types with ease also serve as good teammates; Fairy-types such as Azumarill and Sylveon and Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Terrakion all can take out most Dark-types in the metagame such as Hydreigon and Scrafty. Wide Guard support from the likes of Conkeldurr can be nifty as well, as it can block Landorus-T's Earthquake. Quick Guard from partners such as Scrafty and Keldeo is also appreciated for blocking any strong priority attack, such as Sucker Punch and Brave Bird from Talonflame. Talonflame checks are appreciated as well, as it can simply blast through Mega Gengar's paper-thin defenses while bypassing its Speed with strong priority; the likes of Landorus-T, Thundurus, and Rotom-W all work well for the job. Intimidate from the likes of Scrafty and Landorus-T also work as well because, aside from backing up Mega Gengar's paltry Defense, it can work well in conjunction with Shadow Tag by leaving weakened physical attackers unable to switch out.
<SASH NORMIE GENGAR HERE>
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Disable prevents foes from using the move they last used, possibly allowing Gengar and its teammate a free turn and generally preventing a foe from attacking with their first attacking option; in tandem with an Encore user such as Whimsicott, Disable Mega Gengar can be frustrating to face due to the possibility of being locked into a Disabled move. Similarly, in conjunction with Substitute, Disable can turn Mega Gengar into a pain to deal with. Focus Blast, despite its terrible accuracy, can serve as a serviceable attack to nab the quick KO on the likes of Mega Kangaskhan, Hydreigon, and Heatran. Perish Song allows Mega Gengar to pressure foes by limiting the turns they can stay on the field and works well with Mega Gengar's ability to deny switching. Skill Swap can also be nifty for giving partners such as Heatran Levitate and passing Mega Gengar's Shadow Tag to a partner.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-type Pokemon**: Dark-types such as Hoopa-U, Hydreigon, and Darkrai can generally take out either Gengar forme with their super effective STAB moves, though the regular forme usually holds a Focus Sash.
**Ghost-type Pokemon**: Ghost-types can't be trapped with Shadow Tag. Aegislash can also generally take one attack and OHKO back with Shadow Ball.
**Ground-type Pokemon**: Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Landorus can take out Mega Gengar with ease using their STAB moves. The regular Gengar forme is immune to Ground-type attacks due to Levitate, however.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Deoxys-A can simply outrun and take out Mega Gengar through its paltry defenses. Kingdra and Ludicolo can be outrun as well but only under rain. Regular Gengar has lower Speed and gets outrun by a few more threats, albeit niche, such as Weavile, Darkrai, and Mega Lucario.
**Priority Attacks**: Priority attacks bypass Gengar's high Speed entirely and simply punch through its low defenses. Talonflame in particular can generally get a KO against a healthy Gengar with its priority Brave Bird. Sucker Punches from the likes of Bisharp and Mega Kangaskhan also hurt Gengar, but they can be played around and neutered with Will-O-Wisp.
**Paralysis, Tailwind, and Trick Room**: Gengar relies on its Speed to actually be effective at disrupting foes; without it, it loses effectiveness and becomes prone to getting easily picked off. Tailwind from the likes of Talonflame and Latios can take away Gengar's Speed advantage, while Trick Room from setters such as Cresselia and Hoopa-U can turn the tables against it entirely. Thunder Wave from threats such as Thundurus can take away Mega Gengar's Speed advantage for the duration of a match.
Gengar makes a name for itself as a strong disruption pick in DOU. Mega Gengar is notable for being the better half of the two viable Shadow Tag Pokemon in the metagame and has a unique assortment of support and disruption moves such as Taunt and Will-O-Wisp that it can use in conjunction with its trapping ability and high Speed, which is enough to outrun the whole unboosted metagame except for Deoxys-A and Mega Aerodactyl; these qualities make it adept at picking off or neutering key threats for its teammates' benefit. Its regular forme is also viable, adept at using a nifty array of resistances and immunities to support teammates with Icy Wind and the aforementioned Taunt and Will-O-Wisp, making it a good check to notable threats such as Mega Kangaskhan and Landorus-T. Both formes are also no slouches offensively, with Mega Gengar even boasting a very high base 170 Special Attack, and their Ghost STAB makes them useful against most Trick Room setters. Both Gengar formes are also frail, however, making them unable to switch in on most hits effectively and being easily KOed by any strong or super effective attack; in particular, Gengar needs a Focus Sash to be actually able to take one hit minimum. Gengar's frailness also makes it easily picked off when at the wrong end of speed control.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Sludge Bomb
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Taunt
move 4: Protect
item: Gengarite
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==========
Both Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball are simply STAB attacks, the former more powerful and able deal a significant amount of damage to non-resisted targets and the latter boasting better neutral and super effective coverage, capable of hitting Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Aegislash, Jirachi, and Cresselia super effectively. Will-O-Wisp can neuter physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan and Landorus-T, while Taunt can stop foes from setting up or supporting with moves such as Trick Room, Tailwind, or Follow Me; in conjunction with Shadow Tag, Mega Gengar can also render certain foes into unswitchable liabilities with either move. Substitute can also be useful to shield Mega Gengar from status moves such as Thunder Wave and strong attacks. These three options can also be used to play around Sucker Punch, with Will-O-Wisp even neutering would-be threats. Protect lets Mega Gengar shield itself from attacks while a partner takes out a threat, stalls field conditions such as Trick Room, and punishes double-targeting.
Set Details
==========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature lets Mega Gengar go as fast as possbile while still having high damage output. Pre-Mega Evolution, the EV investment lets Gengar Speed tie with threats such as Latios and Mega Diancie.
Usage Tips
===========
Mega Gengar should generally aim to make most use of its trapping ability by using it to deny switching, pressuring foes. Mega Gengar's trapping is particularly effective from early- to mid-game, when it can trap and weaken or KO specific foes so that a teammate has an easier time doing its job due to having one less check; for example, Belly Drum Azumarill can smash through a team with ease once Amoonguss is sufficiently weakened or removed through Mega Gengar's ability to guarantee damage. Mega Gengar can also work late-game, when it can clean up opposing teams with its high Speed and excellent Special Attack, but one needs to make sure any faster threats or those with powerful priority have already been removed.
Generally speaking, Mega Gengar works well as a lead thanks to its nifty immunity to Fake Out and high Speed; leading Mega Gengar also lets it Mega Evolve quickly, which it should do as soon as possible in order to fully take advantage of its ability. When against certain foes, using Mega Gengar's disruption move can work wonders, as it turns them into liabilities without any chance of escape; for example, burning a Mega Kangaskhan can leave it a liability on the field due to being neutered and unable to switch out.
Team Options
============
Partners that rely on setting up such as Belly Drum Azumarill and Calm Mind Cresselia appreciate Mega Gengar's trapping abilities, as it can help remove key threats, making smashing through the opposing team easier. Pokemon that can take out Dark-types with ease also serve as good teammates; Fairy-types such as Azumarill and Sylveon and Fighting-types such as Keldeo and Terrakion all can take out most Dark-types in the metagame such as Hydreigon and Scrafty. Wide Guard support from the likes of Conkeldurr can be nifty as well, as it can block Landorus-T's Earthquake. Quick Guard from partners such as Scrafty and Keldeo is also appreciated for blocking any strong priority attack, such as Sucker Punch and Brave Bird from Talonflame. Talonflame checks are appreciated as well, as it can simply blast through Mega Gengar's paper-thin defenses while bypassing its Speed with strong priority; the likes of Landorus-T, Thundurus, and Rotom-W all work well for the job. Intimidate from the likes of Scrafty and Landorus-T also work as well because, aside from backing up Mega Gengar's paltry Defense, it can work well in conjunction with Shadow Tag by leaving weakened physical attackers unable to switch out.
<SASH NORMIE GENGAR HERE>
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Disable prevents foes from using the move they last used, possibly allowing Gengar and its teammate a free turn and generally preventing a foe from attacking with their first attacking option; in tandem with an Encore user such as Whimsicott, Disable Mega Gengar can be frustrating to face due to the possibility of being locked into a Disabled move. Similarly, in conjunction with Substitute, Disable can turn Mega Gengar into a pain to deal with. Focus Blast, despite its terrible accuracy, can serve as a serviceable attack to nab the quick KO on the likes of Mega Kangaskhan, Hydreigon, and Heatran. Perish Song allows Mega Gengar to pressure foes by limiting the turns they can stay on the field and works well with Mega Gengar's ability to deny switching. Skill Swap can also be nifty for giving partners such as Heatran Levitate and passing Mega Gengar's Shadow Tag to a partner.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-type Pokemon**: Dark-types such as Hoopa-U, Hydreigon, and Darkrai can generally take out either Gengar forme with their super effective STAB moves, though the regular forme usually holds a Focus Sash.
**Ghost-type Pokemon**: Ghost-types can't be trapped with Shadow Tag. Aegislash can also generally take one attack and OHKO back with Shadow Ball.
**Ground-type Pokemon**: Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Landorus can take out Mega Gengar with ease using their STAB moves. The regular Gengar forme is immune to Ground-type attacks due to Levitate, however.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Deoxys-A can simply outrun and take out Mega Gengar through its paltry defenses. Kingdra and Ludicolo can be outrun as well but only under rain. Regular Gengar has lower Speed and gets outrun by a few more threats, albeit niche, such as Weavile, Darkrai, and Mega Lucario.
**Priority Attacks**: Priority attacks bypass Gengar's high Speed entirely and simply punch through its low defenses. Talonflame in particular can generally get a KO against a healthy Gengar with its priority Brave Bird. Sucker Punches from the likes of Bisharp and Mega Kangaskhan also hurt Gengar, but they can be played around and neutered with Will-O-Wisp.
**Paralysis, Tailwind, and Trick Room**: Gengar relies on its Speed to actually be effective at disrupting foes; without it, it loses effectiveness and becomes prone to getting easily picked off. Tailwind from the likes of Talonflame and Latios can take away Gengar's Speed advantage, while Trick Room from setters such as Cresselia and Hoopa-U can turn the tables against it entirely. Thunder Wave from threats such as Thundurus can take away Mega Gengar's Speed advantage for the duration of a match.
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