QC: Nayrz / Dominatio / Omfuga
GP: CryoGryo / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Mewtwo's access to two Mega Evolutions makes it extremely versatile, and its high offensive stats allow it to effectively clean up offensive teams late-game. An excellent Speed tier enables Mewtwo to outspeed many offensive threats in the metagame, including Shaymin-S and anything slower, and it also sports an exceptional movepool that consists of powerful coverage options, utility moves, and setup moves. Mewtwo has amazing potential with Psychic Terrain support, as it greatly increases the power of Psystrike. Mewtwo also checks many Pokemon, such as Zygarde-C, Solgaleo, and support Arceus formes, just with its coverage options. Although Mewtwo has decent bulk for an offensive Pokemon, its typing is lacking in useful resistances. Mewtwo also suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, as it can't run all of the coverage moves it wants to, and it faces competition from Deoxys-A as a fast Psychic-type wallbreaker, as Deoxys-A is faster, deals more damage, and doesn't take up a Mega slot.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Psystrike
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Focus Blast / Fire Blast
move 4: Calm Mind / Taunt
item: Mewtwonite Y
ability: Unnerve
nature: Timid
evs: 8 HP / 80 Def / 228 SpA / 192 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psystrike serves as the obligatory STAB move, capable of severely denting many Pokemon that don't resist it while bypassing dedicated special walls such as Blissey. Ice Beam gives Mewtwo much-needed coverage, OHKOing Mega Salamence and hitting Rayqyaza, Yveltal, Lugia, Giratina-O, and Arceus-Ground hard. Focus Blast allows Mewtwo to hit Steel-types such as Dialga and Dark-types such as Arceus-Dark, Tyranitar, and Darkrai super effectively. Alternatively, Fire Blast lets Mewtwo hit certain Steel-types such as Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Magearna, Aegislash, Celesteela, and Solgaleo harder than Psystrike or Focus Blast can. Calm Mind grants Mewtwo the ability to set up; after a boost, it can OHKO or 2HKO most Pokemon and sweep unprepared teams. Alternatively, Taunt can be used to improve Mewtwo's matchup against more defensive teams, though Mewtwo appreciates having as much power as it can get. Shadow Ball OHKOes Lunala when Shadow Shield is down and gives Mewtwo a reliable way of hitting Arceus-Ghost. Earthquake can potentially be used to 2HKO Alolan Muk.
Set Details
========
8 HP EVs and 80 Defense EVs enable Mega Mewtwo Y to avoid the OHKO from Life Orb Marshadow's Shadow Sneak. The Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Mega Mewtwo Y to outspeed Modest Deoxys-A, Mega Gengar, Tapu Koko, Marshadow, and anything slower. The rest of the EVs are invested into Special Attack to augment Mewtwo's power. Unnerve is used as the pre-Mega ability in order to hit Pokemon like Chople Berry Tyranitar prior to Mega Evolving. Mewtwonite Y enables Mewtwo to Mega Evolve into Mega Mewtwo Y, giving it Insomnia and the ability to outspeed Mega Gengar and Modest Deoxys-A. Alternatively, Life Orb increases Mewtwo's overall damage output, allowing Mewtwo to do more damage than Mega Mewtwo Y. However, Life Orb recoil wears Mewtwo down, and Mega Mewtwo Y is faster than regular Mewtwo, allowing it to outspeed the aforementioned key threats.
Usage Tips
========
Try to get Mewtwo in safely, such as by double switching or using a pivot, as it isn't bulky and can't switch into a powerful attack. Mewtwo works best as a mid- or late-game cleaner when its checks have been weakened enough, though it can also be used early- and mid-game to deal damage across the board. If you're running Taunt, it should be used liberally to prevent support Pokemon from using recovery moves, status moves, and utility moves like Defog. Due to Mewtwo's inability to OHKO certain targets, it is best to use the appropriate coverage move, especially on a predicted switch, to wallbreak more effectively. When using Calm Mind on Mewtwo, it is extremely important to only set up when all of Mewtwo's checks are gone and all faster threats and priority users have been eliminated. When trying to sweep, it is best to set up on a predicted switch or on defensive Pokemon that either can't do too much back to Mewtwo or are weak to Mewtwo's moves, such as Toxapex and some support Arceus formes. Due to the lack of coverage when using Calm Mind, appropriate foes should be eliminated before setting up. If running Focus Blast, Pokemon such as Aegislash must be eliminated before trying to sweep. If you're using Shadow Ball or Fire Blast, Dark-types such as Arceus-Dark must be weakened a bit . Note that if Mewtwo has to stay in against Life Orb Marshadow after taking Stealth Rock damage, it should not Mega Evolve, as not Mega Evolving allows it to survive Shadow Sneak and then OHKO Marshadow with Psystrike.
Team Options
========
Mewtwo really appreciates Pokemon with access to entry hazards, as they help Mewtwo achieve more OHKOs and 2HKOs. These Pokemon include Primal Groudon, Cloyster, Deoxys-S, and Dialga. Dark-types such as Darkrai, Arceus-Dark, and Yveltal can deal with the Ghost-types that trouble Mewtwo, particularly Arceus-Ghost, Marshadow, and Aegislash. Darkrai and Mewtwo form a fast and formidable wallbreaking core that offers perfect coverage. Fairy-types like Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy are great partners due to their ability to check Dark-types, and Arceus-Fairy is also able to deal with Marshadow defensively. Mewtwo can check Poison- and Steel-types that trouble them in return. Tapu Lele provides Mewtwo with Psychic Terrain support, increasing the power of Psystrike and negating any priority that might stop Mewtwo. Setup sweepers such as Extreme Killer Arceus and offensive Primal Groudon appreciate Mewtwo's ability to weaken Pokemon such as Zygarde-C and Toxapex for a sweep. Mewtwo values bulky walls such as Primal Groudon, Arceus-Water, Zygarde-C, defensive Primal Kyogre, and defensive Yveltal for their ability to sponge attacks aimed at it. U-turn grants Mewtwo free and safe switches, so Pokemon like Genesect and defensive Yveltal are good teammates.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Low Kick
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Ice Beam / Zen Headbutt
move 4: Stone Edge / Zen Headbutt
item: Mewtwonite X
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Low Kick is a reliable STAB move that hits most targets for good damage due to how common heavy Pokemon are in the tier, 2HKOing targets like Arceus-Ground and offensive Yveltal. Taunt shuts down support Arceus formes that may try to status Mewtwo and can force a defensive Pokemon to switch out. Ice Beam is used to always OHKO Mega Salamence and 2HKO Zygarde-C while hitting Giratina, Giratina-O, and Yveltal hard. Stone Edge OHKOes Ho-Oh and does more damage to Yveltal than any of Mewtwo's other moves. The coverage granted from Ice Beam and Stone Edge enables Mewtwo to break past all Ho-Oh, Zygarde-C, and Mega Salamence sets. Rock Slide can be used as an alternative to Stone Edge to still OHKO most Ho-Oh variants while having greater accuracy. STAB Zen Headbutt OHKOes Mega Gengar and Marshadow and dents Xerneas; however, using it requires Mewtwo to forgo either Ice Beam or Stone Edge. Earthquake provides coverage that allows Mewtwo to OHKO Mega Gengar and dent Primal Groudon and Aegislash, but it is inferior to Zen Headbutt. Poison Jab or Iron Tail can be run to hit Fairy-types like Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy, but they are ineffective options outside of this. Recover along with a bulkier EV spread improves Mewtwo's longevity.
Set Details
========
Full Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes Mega Mewtwo X as fast and powerful as possible. 252 Attack EVs notably give it the ability to 2HKO defensive Primal Kyogre with Low Kick. Alternatively, an EV spread of 176 Def / 80 SpD / 252 Spe gives Mega Mewtwo X a significant increase in bulk that allows it to check threats like Mega Lucario and Extreme Killer Arceus. Such a Mega Mewtwo X can survive Mega Lucario's Iron Tail + Bullet Punch and Life Orb Extreme Killer Arceus's +2 Extreme Speed, both after Stealth Rock damage. 80 Special Defense EVs let Mega Mewtwo X avoid the OHKO from Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball after it has been trapped as well as take two neutral Judgments from various support Arceus formes even after Stealth Rock damage. However, note that Mega Mewtwo X will have a very noticeable power drop. Pressure is used as the pre-Mega ability but is rarely useful. Mewtwonite X is used to become Mega Mewtwo X, granting Mewtwo increased bulk, higher Attack, and a secondary Fighting typing. Mewtwo gains Steadfast upon Mega Evolution, which is situationally useful against Choice Scarf variants of Shaymin-S and Genesect.
Usage Tips
========
Strive to get Mewtwo in safely, such as by double switching or using a pivot, as it isn't bulky and can't switch in on a powerful attack. Mega Mewtwo X works best as an early- and mid-game wallbreaker, weakening checks for another Pokemon on your team to sweep. Mega Mewtwo X is also very fast, meaning it can revenge kill slower threats or sweep on its own should the opposition be sufficiently weakened. Low Kick dents almost all Pokemon hit by it; Mewtwo should use this move as much as possible when wallbreaking, especially if the opponent has no Ghost-types. If running Taunt, it should be used liberally to prevent support Pokemon from using recovery moves, status moves, and utility moves. Earthquake should be used to hit Primal Groudon and Aegislash if it is run. If Mega Mewtwo X has Ice Beam, it can stay in on Mega Salamence and Rayquaza and OHKO them. Ice Beam should not be used against Yveltal, as Low Kick and Stone Edge do more damage. Similarly, Mega Mewtwo X can stay in on Ho-Oh and OHKO it if it has Stone Edge or Rock Slide. It is best for Mega Mewtwo X to switch out against Fairy- and Ghost-types. One can opt to bluff a special attacking Mewtwo set in order to get a surprise KO. For example, sending Mewtwo in against a physical wall might entice the opponent to switch in a special wall like Alolan Muk, in which case Mega Evolving Mewtwo to hit them with a powerful Low Kick can lead to a quicker KO. Furthermore, Mega Mewtwo X can OHKO some boosted threats that special attacking Mewtwo sets cannot, such as Calm Mind-boosted Arceus-Rock and Arceus-Dark; therefore, if they stay in thinking Mewtwo cannot KO them because it is a special attacking set, Mega Evolving Mewtwo will surprise them and stop a potential sweep.
Team Options
========
Mega Mewtwo X really appreciates Pokemon with access to entry hazards, as they help it pressure the opposing team more. These Pokemon include Primal Groudon, Cloyster, and Dialga. Dark-types such as Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Darkrai can deal with the Ghost-types that trouble Mewtwo, particularly Arceus-Ghost, Marshadow, and Lunala. Fairy-types like Xerneas are great partners for Mewtwo due to their ability to check Dark-types, while Mewtwo can check the Steel-types that trouble them such as Mega Lucario in return. Celesteela and Ferrothorn are able to check Xerneas and Extreme Killer Arceus; Celesteela also checks Mega Salamence, and Ferrothorn is able to deal with Primal Kyogre as well as set up entry hazards. Support Arceus formes that utilize Defog such as Arceus-Water, Arceus-Dragon, and Arceus-Dark can remove entry hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes. Zygarde-C and Arceus-Ground are able to check Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence, and Zygarde-C can also deal with Ho-Oh and Extreme Killer Arceus. Ho-Oh can check Xerneas, while Mega Mewtwo X threatens the likes of Arceus-Rock, Tyranitar, and Zygarde-C. U-turn grants Mewtwo free and safe switches, so Pokemon like Genesect and defensive Yveltal are good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mewtwo has an expansive movepool consisting of many options it can use depending on what set it opts for. Specially offensive Mewtwo can use Thunder to hit Arceus-Water, Lugia, and physically defensive Primal Kyogre for more damage; however, it is inaccurate and offers inferior coverage compared to Mewtwo's other moves. Future Sight is a powerful wallbreaking tool that pressures the opponent to switch, allowing you to make the appropriate play against the predicted switch-in, but Future Sight isn't as reliable as Psystrike and is hard to fit. Aura Sphere can be used as a perfectly accurate alternative to Focus Blast, but it is very weak; Mega Mewtwo Y only has less than a 50% chance to OHKO Darkrai and less than a 40% chance to 2HKO Arceus-Dark. Will-O-Wisp can be run to cripple physically offensive switch-ins like Yveltal and Arceus-Ghost. When running Calm Mind, Psychium Z can be used, as Mewtwo's boosted attacks make up for the loss of Life Orb. +1 Shattered Psyche also OHKOes many offensive Arceus formes. However, Deoxys-A fulfills Psychium Z Mewtwo's role in a more effective manner. Mega Mewtwo X can take advantage of its expansive physical movepool including Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, and Power-Up Punch, though Mewtwo's other moves offer superior coverage that hits the majority of the tier. Mega Mewtwo X can opt for Brutal Swing, which OHKOes Lunala when its Shadow Shield is down. Bulk Up coupled with Drain Punch allows Mega Mewtwo X to set up while increasing its longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Lunala**: Lunala hard checks any Mega Mewtwo Y set without Shadow Ball and can OHKO it with Moongeist Beam. Lunala has high Special Defense and resists Psystrike, so it can come in on Mega Mewtwo Y rather easily. Lunala is also immune to Mega Mewtwo X's Low Kick and isn't 2HKOed by any of its coverage moves even when Shadow Shield is down, while it can threaten Mewtwo with Moongeist Beam. However, Lunala gets outsped by Mewtwo, and if Mewtwo is carrying Shadow Ball or Brutal Swing, it will be OHKOed without its Shadow Shield.
**Arceus-Ghost**: Arceus-Ghost is immune to Low Kick, can use Mega Mewtwo X as setup fodder, and can hit Mewtwo with a super effective STAB attack. However, Mega Mewtwo Y can 2HKO Arceus-Ghost with Psystrike.
**Ghost-types**: The Ghost-types within the tier all pose as threats to Mewtwo, as they are immune to Low Kick and can hit Mewtwo with super effective STAB moves. Giratina and Giratina-O are not 2HKOed by Mega Mewtwo X's Ice Beam and can wall variants without it, but Mega Mewtwo Y can 2HKO them with Ice Beam. Aegislash threatens Mega Mewtwo Y with STAB moves and resists its main attacks, and if Mega Mewtwo Y isn't carrying Fire Blast or Shadow Ball, Aegislash completely walls it. Mega Mewtwo X can 2HKO Aegislash with Earthquake if it is carrying the move, though. Mega Sableye is immune to Psystrike, Focus Blast, and Low Kick, is not 2HKOed by any of Mega Mewtwo X's coverage moves, can 2HKO Mewtwo with Foul Play, and can status it. However, Life Orb Mewtwo's Fire Blast does 2HKO. Marshadow can revenge kill Mewtwo with Shadow Sneak if it has taken any chip damage, but it cannot switch into Mega Mewtwo Y.
**Yveltal**: Yveltal is immune to Psystrike and struggles to switch in on Ice Beam, but once in safely, it can threaten Mewtwo with a powerful STAB move. Offensive Yveltal is 2HKOed by Low Kick, Ice Beam, and Stone Edge, though. Defensive Yveltal is not 2HKOed by any of Mega Mewtwo X's moves other than Stone Edge and can 2HKO it with Foul Play, but Mega Mewtwo Y can 2HKO defensive Yveltal with Ice Beam.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: Bulky Psychic-types such as Lugia, Mega Slowbro, and specially defensive Solgaleo resist Low Kick and Psystrike, can take most of Mewtwo's coverage moves well, and can status Mewtwo in return. However, all of them are hit decently hard by Shadow Ball, Lugia is dented by Mega Mewtwo X's Stone Edge and Mega Mewtwo Y's Ice Beam, and Solgaleo is hit hard by Earthquake and Fire Blast. Also, all of these bulky Psychic-types are stopped by Taunt .
**Bulky Fairy-types**: Bulky Fairy-types like Arceus-Fairy, Xerneas, and Klefki take very little damage from Low Kick and threaten Mega Mewtwo X with super effective STAB attacks. Mega Mewtwo X cannot 2HKO Arceus-Fairy, which can OHKO back. Xerneas can beat Mega Mewtwo X if it doesn't run Iron Tail or Poison Jab. Klefki can come in on most of Mega Mewtwo X's attacks and cripple it with Thunder Wave, but it will be OHKOed by Earthquake. Against Mega Mewtwo Y, most of these Fairy-types are bulky enough to take it on and retaliate. Bulkier Xerneas sets can use Mega Mewtwo Y as setup fodder if it is not running Taunt, and Klefki can cripple it with Thunder Wave. However, they are still dented by Psystrike, and Klefki is nailed by Fire Blast.
**Alolan Muk**: Alolan Muk cannot be 2HKOed by any of Mega Mewtwo Y's attacks even at +1, and it can Pursuit trap Mewtwo or potentially poison it. However, Alolan Muk isn't a threat for Mega Mewtwo X due to Low Kick.
**Primal Groudon**: None of Mega Mewtwo Y's attacks can 2HKO specially defensive Primal Groudon, which can hit back hard with Precipice Blades. However, Primal Groudon can be worn down by repeated attacks from Mewtwo. Furthermore, Primal Groudon isn't a reliable check to Mega Mewtwo X, as it risks being 2HKOed by Earthquake.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh can come in on all of Mega Mewtwo X's attacks bar Stone Edge and OHKO it in return with Brave Bird or burn it with Sacred Fire. However, Stone Edge will OHKO Ho-Oh, and Mega Mewtwo Y can seriously dent it with Psystrike.
**Faster Threats and Priority**: Faster Pokemon and revenge killers such as Pheromosa and Deoxys-A as well as Choice Scarf Genesect, Xerneas, and Lunala can outspeed Mewtwo and Mega Mewtwo X and do heavy damage to it or revenge kill it. Mega Mewtwo Y has the ability to outspeed Mega Gengar and Modest Deoxys-A, however. Furthermore, priority users such as Marshadow, Mega Scizor, and Extreme Killer Arceus can deter a potential Mewtwo sweep.
**Status**: In general, Mewtwo dislikes being inflicted with status. Paralysis severely hinders Mewtwo by lowering its Speed, thus leaving it very vulnerable to attacks. Burns cripple Mega Mewtwo X by significantly lowering its power.
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