[OVERVIEW]
Mega Diancie is a superb Pokemon in OU thanks to its solid Speed and attacking stats, STAB combination, coverage moves, support movepool, and Magic Bounce ability. Mega Diancie's typing and ability allow it to set up Stealth Rock in the face of entry hazard control options such as Tornadus-T and Zapdos and force out Mega Sableye with Moonblast. Additionally, the combination of Substitute and Endeavor allows it to shine as one of the most consistent leads for hyper offense teams, as Magic Bounce allows it one turn to set up Stealth Rock and deny hazards before going down. Mega Diancie's typing also lets it check troublesome Fire-types such as Volcarona and Victini in a pinch. Diancie also has the option to delay Mega Evolving so that it can make use of its better bulk to more easily handle attacks from Pokemon like Heatran. However, Mega Diancie is burdened with a poor HP stat, and its typing leaves it riddled with a crippling 4x weakness to Steel, as well as weaknesses to common offensive types such as Ground, Water, and Grass. Additionally, it is outpaced and immediately threatened by common Pokemon such as Greninja, Serperior, Tapu Koko, and Choice Scarf users like Kartana and Landorus-T. Offensive Mega Diancie also cannot fit all of the coverage and utility options it wants into one set, while the lead variant must choose between Diamond Storm to threaten Volcarona, both Mega Charizard formes, and Calm Mind Tapu Koko or Moonblast to threaten Dragon-types and Mega Sableye.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Protect
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Diamond Storm / Earth Power
move 4: Earth Power / Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Diancite
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Hasty / Timid
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Mega Diancie's high Speed, solid attacking stats, and Magic Bounce allow it to scare out Pokemon like Zapdos and Mega Latias to set up Stealth Rock. If one of Mega Diancie's teammates runs Stealth Rock, it will allow room to run Protect to safely Mega Evolve and scout potential Z-Moves like Magearna's Twinkle Tackle and Choice-locked Pokemon like Kartana and Landorus-T. Moonblast blows through Dragon-types like Garchomp, Kyurem-B, Kommo-o, and Dragonite and threatens Mega Sableye, which blocks entry hazards via its own Magic Bounce. Diamond Storm smashes Fire- and Flying-types like Volcarona, both Mega Charizard formes, and Tornadus-T and chips the likes of Chansey and Celesteela. Earth Power threatens Heatran, Toxapex, and Magearna. Hidden Power Ice snipes Gliscor and Landorus-T. Finally, Hidden Power Fire punishes Steel-types that attempt to switch in to force Mega Diancie out, such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
Set Details
========
A Hasty nature is chosen instead of Naive so that Diancie can make use of its special bulk to more easily handle special attacks from Pokemon like Heatran and Volcarona. If Mega Diancie forgoes Diamond Storm, a Timid nature should be used instead.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to Mega Diancie's solid matchup against common Defoggers like Tornadus-T and Zapdos, as well as Gliscor and Landorus-T if it carries Hidden Power Ice, it can set up Stealth Rock and discourage them from attempting to remove Stealth Rock. After Diancie Mega Evolves, it can also discourage Gliscor and Landorus-T from attempting to set up their own Stealth Rock. If Mega Diancie is facing a stall team, it can be used in the lead position to discourage Mega Sableye from attempting to block Stealth Rock with its own Magic Bounce, allowing Mega Diancie a free opportunity to set them up. If Mega Diancie is facing a Pokemon that it easily scares out, it can use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock or use its coverage options to punish predicted switch-ins, such as Earth Power for Magearna and Hidden Power Fire for Mega Scizor. Due to Mega Diancie's crippling weakness to Steel, Hidden Power Fire must be used as Mega Scizor switches in or on a risky prediction because Mega Scizor can immediately force Mega Diancie out with Bullet Punch. Diancie can also potentially hold off on Mega Evolving, as it can make use of its better bulk in scenarios where its Speed stat after Mega Evolving isn't needed. Most notably, it can use that bulk to trade damage against setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X and Volcarona and set up Stealth Rock against the likes of Victini and Tornadus-T if you value its HP over Magic Bounce. If Mega Diancie runs Protect, it can use the opportunity to scout for Choice-locked Pokemon such as Kartana, Landorus-T, and Greninja and act accordingly. Mega Diancie can often be used in the lead position and use Protect immediately against Pokemon that attempt to anti-lead against it, such as Ferrothorn and Landorus-T, as this can discourage them from attempting to set up entry hazards freely. After Mega Diancie uses Protect, it can then switch out against a predicted attack. This is in contrast to the Stealth Rock variant, which requires an opportune time to activate Magic Bounce, as Mega Diancie's frailty makes it difficult to freely set up Stealth Rock or attack unless it is facing a Pokemon that doesn't threaten it, such as Tornadus-T. Do not hesitate to make an aggressive switch to deny hazards if you are willing to take the risk, since this can be a deciding factor between a win and a loss.
Team Options
========
This Mega Diancie set functions best on offense and bulky offense teams, which value its role compression of a Stealth Rock setter, wallbreaker, and entry hazard blocker. Grass-types like Serperior, Kartana, and Tapu Bulu can threaten bulky Water-types like Gastrodon and Seismitoad. Serperior can provide paralysis support with Glare to cripple faster targets like Mega Alakazam and can lure in and threaten Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor with Hidden Power Fire should Mega Diancie run a different coverage move, such as Earth Power. Choice Scarf variants of Kartana benefit from Mega Diancie breaking through physical walls like Zapdos and defensive Landorus-T, and they can revenge kill faster targets such as Ash-Greninja and Tapu Koko, while Choice Band and Swords Dance sets heavily pressure shared checks like defensive Magearna. Additionally, Kartana can use Knock Off to remove items such as Leftovers from Celesteela and Ferrothorn, making it easier to overwhelm them with repeated attacks. Serperior and Kartana also appreciate Mega Diancie keeping Stealth Rock up against Defoggers like Tornadus-T and Zapdos. Tapu Bulu can extend Mega Diancie's longevity thanks to Grassy Terrain. Pivot support from teammates like Zapdos, Rotom-W, Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T is also beneficial, as they can grant a free entry with Volt Switch and U-turn. Heatran provides a solid answer to Steel-types like Magearna and Celesteela and can set up Stealth Rock, allowing Mega Diancie more room to run Protect. Magnezone can trap and remove Skarmory, Celesteela, and Mega Scizor, taking some pressure off of Mega Diancie and allowing it to run Earth Power or Hidden Power Ice over Hidden Power Fire more easily. Wallbreakers like Victini, Kyurem-B, and Weavile benefit from Mega Diancie's ability to block hazards, letting them blow through shared checks like Tapu Fini and Celesteela. Volcarona also appreciates Mega Diancie keeping Stealth Rock off the field, allowing it to set up Quiver Dance more freely. Tapu Lele helps soften the opposing team to allow Mega Diancie to clean up later in the game, and it protects it from priority moves such as Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Medicham. Tapu Fini protects Mega Diancie's teammates from status attempts thanks to Misty Terrain, provides a solid answer to Ash-Greninja, and utilizes Taunt + Nature's Madness to break past bulkier teams. If Mega Diancie runs Stealth Rock, it can form a powerful hazard-stacking core with Greninja thanks to its Spikes support. Additionally, Greninja has the benefit of luring in and wiping out Tapu Fini with Gunk Shot and Magearna with Tectonic Rage and threatening Gliscor and Landorus-T with Ice Beam, allowing Mega Diancie to more easily run Hidden Power Fire over Earth Power and Hidden Power Ice. Dragonite and Thundurus-T also benefit from Mega Diancie keeping hazards off the field, as this allows them to set up more safely without being bothered by Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nature Power is an option on offensive Mega Diancie if it is paired with Tapu Bulu or Tapu Koko, granting it a coverage option to let it bait in and wipe out bulky Water-types like Gastrodon and Seismitoad with Energy Ball or 2HKO Celesteela and Toxapex with Thunderbolt, respectively. However, it is less consistent than its other coverage options and takes up a moveslot. Explosion can be used on lead variants to deny any attempts at removing Stealth Rock with Defog or Rapid Spin, provide offensive momentum for its teammates, and act as a surprise factor against Toxapex and Chansey. However, it is less consistent for longer games and forces Mega Diancie to ditch Substitute and Endeavor, leaving it without an option to weaken Heatran and Magearna. Mega Diancie can also make use of Heal Bell to provide cleric support for teammates such as Volcarona, Serperior, and Kartana. However, this forces it to give up a consistent utility option such as Protect, leaving it without an option to scout for potential Z-Moves and Choice Scarf users such as Landorus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Magearna, Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor can switch into Mega Diancie depending on its coverage and moveset and threaten it with an OHKO. However, the latter two must beware of Hidden Power Fire, while Magearna must be wary of the Substitute + Endeavor variant. Jirachi also deserves a mention because it can threaten Mega Diancie with an immediate OHKO, survives Earth Power from the offensive set, and can potentially outplay the lead variant thanks to Wish + Protect.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Toxapex don't take much damage from Mega Diancie's STAB combination and can force it out in return. However, Toxapex must be wary of Earth Power from the offensive variant, while all three of them must watch out for Substitute + Endeavor from the lead variant. Offensive Water-types such as Ash-Greninja and Mega Swampert in the rain outspeed Mega Diancie and threaten it with an OHKO with their super effective STAB moves, but they cannot afford to switch into it directly.
**Ground-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Excadrill is perhaps the Ground-type that Mega Diancie should most definitely be wary of because it resists both STAB options, uses Rapid Spin to get rid of Stealth Rock, and threatens it with an OHKO in return. Sand Rush variants under the sand can outspeed it, while Mold Breaker variants can bypass Magic Bounce to set up Stealth Rock, with specially defensive variants even being able to survive Earth Power from full HP. Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Mega Swampert can also threaten Mega Diancie with Earthquake should they get an opportunity to switch in safely. The former two, however, must watch out for Hidden Power Ice. On top of this, setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Gyarados, Dragonite, and Dragon Dance Kommo-o commonly carry Earthquake, allowing them to break through Mega Diancie with ease.
**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types such as Serperior and Choice Scarf Kartana outspeed and threaten Mega Diancie with an OHKO. However, they cannot repeatedly come into Mega Diancie's attacks. Additionally, bulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu and Ferrothorn can switch into Mega Diancie's attacks, with the latter resisting both STAB options, and force it out with their super effective STAB moves. Ferrothorn must watch out for Hidden Power Fire, however.
**Faster Revenge Killers and Priority**: Mega Alakazam, Tapu Koko, and Choice Scarf users such as Kartana and Landorus-T outpace Mega Diancie and deal heavy damage to it, especially after it Mega Evolves. Mega Diancie's crippling Steel weakness also leaves it vulnerable to revenge killing attempts from Mega Medicham's Bullet Punch.
**Mixed Walls**: Chansey and Cresselia don't take much from Mega Diancie's attacks and can stall out its Diamond Storm PP with their recovery moves. Calm Mind variants of Cresselia can also use offensive sets as setup fodder. However, neither of them enjoys being worn down by the Substitute + Endeavor variant.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Mega Diancie is a superb Pokemon in OU thanks to its solid Speed and attacking stats, STAB combination, coverage moves, support movepool, and Magic Bounce ability. Mega Diancie's typing and ability allow it to set up Stealth Rock in the face of entry hazard control options such as Tornadus-T and Zapdos and force out Mega Sableye with Moonblast. Additionally, the combination of Substitute and Endeavor allows it to shine as one of the most consistent leads for hyper offense teams, as Magic Bounce allows it one turn to set up Stealth Rock and deny hazards before going down. Mega Diancie's typing also lets it check troublesome Fire-types such as Volcarona and Victini in a pinch. Diancie also has the option to delay Mega Evolving so that it can make use of its better bulk to more easily handle attacks from Pokemon like Heatran. However, Mega Diancie is burdened with a poor HP stat, and its typing leaves it riddled with a crippling 4x weakness to Steel, as well as weaknesses to common offensive types such as Ground, Water, and Grass. Additionally, it is outpaced and immediately threatened by common Pokemon such as Greninja, Serperior, Tapu Koko, and Choice Scarf users like Kartana and Landorus-T. Offensive Mega Diancie also cannot fit all of the coverage and utility options it wants into one set, while the lead variant must choose between Diamond Storm to threaten Volcarona, both Mega Charizard formes, and Calm Mind Tapu Koko or Moonblast to threaten Dragon-types and Mega Sableye.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Protect
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Diamond Storm / Earth Power
move 4: Earth Power / Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Diancite
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Hasty / Timid
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Mega Diancie's high Speed, solid attacking stats, and Magic Bounce allow it to scare out Pokemon like Zapdos and Mega Latias to set up Stealth Rock. If one of Mega Diancie's teammates runs Stealth Rock, it will allow room to run Protect to safely Mega Evolve and scout potential Z-Moves like Magearna's Twinkle Tackle and Choice-locked Pokemon like Kartana and Landorus-T. Moonblast blows through Dragon-types like Garchomp, Kyurem-B, Kommo-o, and Dragonite and threatens Mega Sableye, which blocks entry hazards via its own Magic Bounce. Diamond Storm smashes Fire- and Flying-types like Volcarona, both Mega Charizard formes, and Tornadus-T and chips the likes of Chansey and Celesteela. Earth Power threatens Heatran, Toxapex, and Magearna. Hidden Power Ice snipes Gliscor and Landorus-T. Finally, Hidden Power Fire punishes Steel-types that attempt to switch in to force Mega Diancie out, such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
Set Details
========
A Hasty nature is chosen instead of Naive so that Diancie can make use of its special bulk to more easily handle special attacks from Pokemon like Heatran and Volcarona. If Mega Diancie forgoes Diamond Storm, a Timid nature should be used instead.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to Mega Diancie's solid matchup against common Defoggers like Tornadus-T and Zapdos, as well as Gliscor and Landorus-T if it carries Hidden Power Ice, it can set up Stealth Rock and discourage them from attempting to remove Stealth Rock. After Diancie Mega Evolves, it can also discourage Gliscor and Landorus-T from attempting to set up their own Stealth Rock. If Mega Diancie is facing a stall team, it can be used in the lead position to discourage Mega Sableye from attempting to block Stealth Rock with its own Magic Bounce, allowing Mega Diancie a free opportunity to set them up. If Mega Diancie is facing a Pokemon that it easily scares out, it can use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock or use its coverage options to punish predicted switch-ins, such as Earth Power for Magearna and Hidden Power Fire for Mega Scizor. Due to Mega Diancie's crippling weakness to Steel, Hidden Power Fire must be used as Mega Scizor switches in or on a risky prediction because Mega Scizor can immediately force Mega Diancie out with Bullet Punch. Diancie can also potentially hold off on Mega Evolving, as it can make use of its better bulk in scenarios where its Speed stat after Mega Evolving isn't needed. Most notably, it can use that bulk to trade damage against setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X and Volcarona and set up Stealth Rock against the likes of Victini and Tornadus-T if you value its HP over Magic Bounce. If Mega Diancie runs Protect, it can use the opportunity to scout for Choice-locked Pokemon such as Kartana, Landorus-T, and Greninja and act accordingly. Mega Diancie can often be used in the lead position and use Protect immediately against Pokemon that attempt to anti-lead against it, such as Ferrothorn and Landorus-T, as this can discourage them from attempting to set up entry hazards freely. After Mega Diancie uses Protect, it can then switch out against a predicted attack. This is in contrast to the Stealth Rock variant, which requires an opportune time to activate Magic Bounce, as Mega Diancie's frailty makes it difficult to freely set up Stealth Rock or attack unless it is facing a Pokemon that doesn't threaten it, such as Tornadus-T. Do not hesitate to make an aggressive switch to deny hazards if you are willing to take the risk, since this can be a deciding factor between a win and a loss.
Team Options
========
This Mega Diancie set functions best on offense and bulky offense teams, which value its role compression of a Stealth Rock setter, wallbreaker, and entry hazard blocker. Grass-types like Serperior, Kartana, and Tapu Bulu can threaten bulky Water-types like Gastrodon and Seismitoad. Serperior can provide paralysis support with Glare to cripple faster targets like Mega Alakazam and can lure in and threaten Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor with Hidden Power Fire should Mega Diancie run a different coverage move, such as Earth Power. Choice Scarf variants of Kartana benefit from Mega Diancie breaking through physical walls like Zapdos and defensive Landorus-T, and they can revenge kill faster targets such as Ash-Greninja and Tapu Koko, while Choice Band and Swords Dance sets heavily pressure shared checks like defensive Magearna. Additionally, Kartana can use Knock Off to remove items such as Leftovers from Celesteela and Ferrothorn, making it easier to overwhelm them with repeated attacks. Serperior and Kartana also appreciate Mega Diancie keeping Stealth Rock up against Defoggers like Tornadus-T and Zapdos. Tapu Bulu can extend Mega Diancie's longevity thanks to Grassy Terrain. Pivot support from teammates like Zapdos, Rotom-W, Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T is also beneficial, as they can grant a free entry with Volt Switch and U-turn. Heatran provides a solid answer to Steel-types like Magearna and Celesteela and can set up Stealth Rock, allowing Mega Diancie more room to run Protect. Magnezone can trap and remove Skarmory, Celesteela, and Mega Scizor, taking some pressure off of Mega Diancie and allowing it to run Earth Power or Hidden Power Ice over Hidden Power Fire more easily. Wallbreakers like Victini, Kyurem-B, and Weavile benefit from Mega Diancie's ability to block hazards, letting them blow through shared checks like Tapu Fini and Celesteela. Volcarona also appreciates Mega Diancie keeping Stealth Rock off the field, allowing it to set up Quiver Dance more freely. Tapu Lele helps soften the opposing team to allow Mega Diancie to clean up later in the game, and it protects it from priority moves such as Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and Mega Medicham. Tapu Fini protects Mega Diancie's teammates from status attempts thanks to Misty Terrain, provides a solid answer to Ash-Greninja, and utilizes Taunt + Nature's Madness to break past bulkier teams. If Mega Diancie runs Stealth Rock, it can form a powerful hazard-stacking core with Greninja thanks to its Spikes support. Additionally, Greninja has the benefit of luring in and wiping out Tapu Fini with Gunk Shot and Magearna with Tectonic Rage and threatening Gliscor and Landorus-T with Ice Beam, allowing Mega Diancie to more easily run Hidden Power Fire over Earth Power and Hidden Power Ice. Dragonite and Thundurus-T also benefit from Mega Diancie keeping hazards off the field, as this allows them to set up more safely without being bothered by Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nature Power is an option on offensive Mega Diancie if it is paired with Tapu Bulu or Tapu Koko, granting it a coverage option to let it bait in and wipe out bulky Water-types like Gastrodon and Seismitoad with Energy Ball or 2HKO Celesteela and Toxapex with Thunderbolt, respectively. However, it is less consistent than its other coverage options and takes up a moveslot. Explosion can be used on lead variants to deny any attempts at removing Stealth Rock with Defog or Rapid Spin, provide offensive momentum for its teammates, and act as a surprise factor against Toxapex and Chansey. However, it is less consistent for longer games and forces Mega Diancie to ditch Substitute and Endeavor, leaving it without an option to weaken Heatran and Magearna. Mega Diancie can also make use of Heal Bell to provide cleric support for teammates such as Volcarona, Serperior, and Kartana. However, this forces it to give up a consistent utility option such as Protect, leaving it without an option to scout for potential Z-Moves and Choice Scarf users such as Landorus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Magearna, Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor can switch into Mega Diancie depending on its coverage and moveset and threaten it with an OHKO. However, the latter two must beware of Hidden Power Fire, while Magearna must be wary of the Substitute + Endeavor variant. Jirachi also deserves a mention because it can threaten Mega Diancie with an immediate OHKO, survives Earth Power from the offensive set, and can potentially outplay the lead variant thanks to Wish + Protect.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Toxapex don't take much damage from Mega Diancie's STAB combination and can force it out in return. However, Toxapex must be wary of Earth Power from the offensive variant, while all three of them must watch out for Substitute + Endeavor from the lead variant. Offensive Water-types such as Ash-Greninja and Mega Swampert in the rain outspeed Mega Diancie and threaten it with an OHKO with their super effective STAB moves, but they cannot afford to switch into it directly.
**Ground-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Excadrill is perhaps the Ground-type that Mega Diancie should most definitely be wary of because it resists both STAB options, uses Rapid Spin to get rid of Stealth Rock, and threatens it with an OHKO in return. Sand Rush variants under the sand can outspeed it, while Mold Breaker variants can bypass Magic Bounce to set up Stealth Rock, with specially defensive variants even being able to survive Earth Power from full HP. Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Mega Swampert can also threaten Mega Diancie with Earthquake should they get an opportunity to switch in safely. The former two, however, must watch out for Hidden Power Ice. On top of this, setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Mega Gyarados, Dragonite, and Dragon Dance Kommo-o commonly carry Earthquake, allowing them to break through Mega Diancie with ease.
**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types such as Serperior and Choice Scarf Kartana outspeed and threaten Mega Diancie with an OHKO. However, they cannot repeatedly come into Mega Diancie's attacks. Additionally, bulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu and Ferrothorn can switch into Mega Diancie's attacks, with the latter resisting both STAB options, and force it out with their super effective STAB moves. Ferrothorn must watch out for Hidden Power Fire, however.
**Faster Revenge Killers and Priority**: Mega Alakazam, Tapu Koko, and Choice Scarf users such as Kartana and Landorus-T outpace Mega Diancie and deal heavy damage to it, especially after it Mega Evolves. Mega Diancie's crippling Steel weakness also leaves it vulnerable to revenge killing attempts from Mega Medicham's Bullet Punch.
**Mixed Walls**: Chansey and Cresselia don't take much from Mega Diancie's attacks and can stall out its Diamond Storm PP with their recovery moves. Calm Mind variants of Cresselia can also use offensive sets as setup fodder. However, neither of them enjoys being worn down by the Substitute + Endeavor variant.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
