Project Victim of the Week

[Sanger Zonvolt]

Reserving Mega Metagross

Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Ice Punch

Check or Counter: STRONG CHECK

If Altaria isn't carrying Earthquake, then Mega Metagross can easily come in on anything it does and spam Meteor Mash until it is dead:
252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross Meteor Mash vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Altaria: 314-372 (88.9 - 105.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
+1 0 Atk Pixilate Altaria Return vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 81-96 (26.9 - 31.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

If it carries Earthquake, it gets a bit harder since you can really only come in on Return or Roost. If you come in on DD or Earthquake, Mega Metagross has a good chance of losing:
0 Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 112-132 (37.2 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 0 Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 166-196 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

If you come in on Earthquake Mega Altaria can bank on a 2HKO and just set up a DD. If you come in on DD, Mega Altaria can still bank on the 2HKO and just double EQ you. Granted, a 31.3% chance to die is still pretty risky, but depending on the situation Mega Altaria may still stand its ground and fight

 

[Celticpride]

Counter

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Fire
- Synthesis

This set counters or hard checks any Mega Altaria set. Against this set, it can come in under any scenario and win easily. Earthquake doesn't hit super effectively, and Return is resisted. Mega Venu can nail it back hard with Sludge Bomb. There's no real way Altaria wins this matchup.

252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Sludge Bomb vs. 248 HP / 96 SpD Mega Altaria: 270-320 (76.4 - 90.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 65-77 (18.1 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO
0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 66-78 (18.3 - 21.7%) -- possible 5HKO
+1 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 98-116 (27.2 - 32.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+2 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 130-154 (36.2 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 130-154 (36.2 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

+2 is the worst I can see it realistically getting to, so I think it's safe to call this a hard counter.

 

[Zebstrika]

Check

Aggron @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
Impish Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake

Only Heavy Slam really matters, fill the other 3 moves with whatever you feel like.

It's simple, it switches into whatever and 2HKO's with Heavy Slam (or Iron Head, but Heavy Slam can OHKO after rocks or against offensive EV spreads)

Best case scenario for Altaria is to get off a Dragon Dance and go for 2 Earthquakes before Mega Aggron can take it down, but that isn't even close to enough damage.

+1 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 16+ Def Filter Mega Aggron: 76-90 (22 - 26.1%) -- 5.3% chance to 4HKO
0 Atk Mega Aggron Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 254-302 (71.9 - 85.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

(It checks basically every variant of Dragon Dance Mega Altaria. Full EVs on Earthquake still only maxes out at 35.7% at +1. Zero EV Fire Blast is a 3HKO at 34.3 - 40.9%, but only offensive EV spreads on DD Mega Altaria run that so Mega Aggron OHKOs back.)

 

[Harumonia Naturia]

Ferrothorn
Strong Check

Intro
Being one of my favorite Gen 5 Pokemon both design-wise and competitively, it does me well knowing that Nattorei is still kicking it in OU. With a nifty Grass/Steel typing, minmaxed stats that give it fantastic mixed bulk and a solid Attack stat, and a wide array of support moves, Ferrothorn is a huge defensive threat to any team.
Gen 6 has been a bit rough for Ferro, namely due to Steel's nerf where it no longer resists Ghost nor Dark moves. This, and the rise of new and powerful threats such as Bisharp and Talonflame means that Ferrothorn must be played with carefully, else you'll lose it to a stray Knock Off or Flare Blitz. However, Gen 6 wasn't all bad to Ferrothorn (if it was I wouldn't be talking about him right now!). Of course I'm referring to the introduction of the Fairy-type. I shouldn't have to go into too much detail about how monstrous Fairy types are. As far as we're concerned, having a resist against Fairies is a huge boon for Ferro.

Now that the dust has settled, Mega Altaria has premiered as one of the top Dragon Dance users and Fairy-type Pokemon in the metagame. M-Altaria is the first Dragon/Fairy type in the game, meaning that its dragon brethren will not be able to come in and revenge kill it with a powerful STAB move. Additionally, with good stats across the board and a solid offensive and supportive movepool, M-Altaria is not stopped too easily.

The Check

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers/Shed Shell
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed/Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Stealth Rock

Early game, Ferrothorn will be able to set up SR on the opponents side of the field to ensure that Altaria will automatically start at 75% HP before it can Mega Evolve. And so long as you keep your Ferrothorn healthy, it'll be able to switch into Mega Altaria and beat it in every situation.

0 Atk Pixilate Altaria Return vs. 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn: 52-62 (14.7 - 17.6%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (74 BP) vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Altaria: 114-134 (32.2 - 37.9%) -- 93.2% chance to 3HKO

Looking at this you may be thinking, "can't Altaria just spam Substitute and Roost and stall out Gyro Ball?". Well certainly, your opponent can use Sub and Roost to their heart's content, but it really won't be getting them anywhere. From here, it depends on what they decided to use in their third moveslot. If they're running Substitute, you can easily PP stall with Protect and Stealth Rock (SR alone has as much PP as Protect and Roost combined). Their only offensive attack would hurt themselves more than you due to Iron Barbs, and if they tried to Dragon Dance they'd only be powering up Gyro Ball.
Should they be running EQ or Heal Bell over Substitute, you can simply Leech Seed and spam Gyro Ball.

136 Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 88 Def Ferrothorn: 66-78 (18.7 - 22.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

Additional Notes/Thoughts

• Try to keep Ferrothorn at a healthy amount of HP so that M-Altaria doesn't try to clean up late game - utilize Leech Seed and Protect as much as you're comfortable with.
• Leftovers help with stalling and keeping Ferrothorn healthy, but Shed Shell is another viable option, as many players run Magnezone as a teammate for M-Altaria for trapping and eliminating defensive threats.
• You can mess with the EVs to make it more Physically or Specially defensive if you want.
• CB Ferrothorn, while not too viable, will easily dispose of M-Altaria. Just be extra careful about keeping it healthy.

 

[boltsandbombers]

reserving gengar

 

[Snou]

Hard Counter

Bronzong @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Heavy Slam
- Protect
- Earthquake
- Toxic

Bronzong is a Mega Altaria's hard counter. His typing is immune to any sort of ground move like Earthquake and a +1 Return of Mega Altaria is Less than 25 %. Bronzong can toxic easily Altaria and has Heavy Slam > Gyro Ball because its power is 120 (Altaria is so thin, 20.6 KG against bronzong's 180 KG so the power is 120) to 2hko it.

*** 0 Atk Bronzong Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Altaria: 174-206 (49.2 - 58.3%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO

*** +1 0 Atk Pixilate Altaria Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Bronzong: 75-89 (22.1 - 26.3%) -- 11.3% chance to 4HKO

*** +6 0 Atk Pixilate Altaria Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Bronzong: 201-237 (59.4 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

♥

 

[heritage]

Arbok get wrekd
Reserving Amoonguss

 

[silver97]

Reserving mega scizor

 

[Prinz]

Reserving Skarmory

 

[G-Von]

reserving non-mega scizor

 

[heritage]

Return? What's that?

Counter

Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb / Clear Smog
- Synthesis / Foul Play

Amoonguss easily eats up any of M-Altaria's attacks and can Clear Smog or Sludge Bomb back. Even at +6, Mega Altaria has zero chance to OHKO Amoonguss at full health (But if you let M-Altaria get to +6, you're just dumb). Amoonguss can stall out Altaria as needed, with the combination of Synthesis and Spore. It might end up being a long stall war, but Amoonguss wins every time.
Idk what else to write rip

Calcs

Hide

0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Amoonguss: 77-91 (17.8 - 21%) -- possible 7HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+6 0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Amoonguss: 308-363 (71.2 - 84%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+6 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Amoonguss: 309-364 (71.5 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 96 SpD Mega Altaria: 150-176 (42.3 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Invok3r]

Counter: Doublade

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Atk
IVs: 0 Spd
Relaxed Nature
- Gyro Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Rest
- Toxic


Doublade is a hilariously anti-meta mon right now, and it counters ddd altaria pretty well. You can eat up an earthquake (4hko,) and proceed to attack it, use toxic to wear it down, or rest to heal up. Although gyro ball doesn't do too much damage, doublade always wins 1v1. Here are some calcs:

Hide

On the defensive:

+1 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Doublade: 86-102 (26.7 - 31.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

Delicious earthquakes

On the offensive:

4 Atk Doublade Gyro Ball (65 BP) vs. 248 HP / 136 Def Mega Altaria: 126-150 (35.6 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

If altaria dragon dances, gyro ball is a 2hko.

One quick note: Doublade needs heal bell/aromatherapy support to be truly effective, so it is reccomended to use this guy on stall.

 

[ArchPhantom]

Counter:

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold nature
-Wish
-Protect
-Moonblast
-Calm Mind

Ignoring any boosts and avoiding the 2HKO from Return as well as Earthquake, Clefable is a great counter to DDD Mega Altaria. Clef can 2HKO M-Alt with Moonblast or use it as set-up fodder to get a few CM boosts. Besides that, Clef can WishPass to its teammates.

Offensive Calcs:

0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 96 SpD Altaria: 170-204 (48.1 - 57.7%) -- 91.4% chance to 2HKO

Defensive Calcs:

0 Atk Pixilate Altaria Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 136-162 (34.5 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 68-81 (17.2 - 20.5%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[ArchPhantom]

Counter: Doublade

View attachment 32805
Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Atk
Impish Nature
- Gyro Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Rest
- Toxic


Doublade is a hilariously anti-meta mon right now, and it counters ddd altaria pretty well. You can eat up an earthquake (4hko,) and proceed to attack it, use toxic to wear it down, or rest to heal up. Although gyro ball doesn't do too much damage, doublade always wins 1v1. Here are some calcs:

[show]

On the defensive:

+1 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Doublade: 86-102 (26.7 - 31.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

Delicious earthquakes

On the offensive:

4 Atk Doublade Gyro Ball (65 BP) vs. 248 HP / 136 Def Mega Altaria: 126-150 (35.6 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

If altaria dragon dances, gyro ball is a 2hko.


[/hide]

One quick note: Doublade needs heal bell/aromatherapy support to be truly effective, so it is reccomended to use this guy on stall.

Maybe Relaxed nature over Impish with 0 speed ivs just to power up Gyro Ball. :]

 

[Tylta]

Reserving klefki

 

[Random Passerby]

Reserving Sand Rush Excadrill

Name : Excadrill
Status: Check
Excadrill @ Life Orb / Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance / Rapid Spin

Excadrill can avoid the 2HKO from any of Mega Altaria's moves (except Earthquake) and OHKO it with STAB Iron Head. If Sand is up, Excadrill is faster than +2 Mega Altaria, forcing it to switch out. Earthquake is Excadrill's STAB move and has great coverage while Rock Slide allows Excadrill to hit Mega Pinsir, Talonflame and Charizard. Lastly, Swords Dance can be used to allow Excadrill to sweep better although Rapid Spin can be used to get rid of entry hazards. Air Balloon can be used to switch into Ground-type attacks but will significantly lower Excadrill's damange output


Calculations:
0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 234-276 (64.8 - 76.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 117-138 (32.4 - 38.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 283-338 (80.1 - 95.7%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Excadrill Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 218-260 (61.7 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Reseving quagsire

 

[InvisibleWater]

Reserving Mega Beedrill

 

[firehusky]

Name: Bulk Up Talonflame
Status: Counter

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Taunt / Will-O-Wisp

Bulk Up Talonflame is a great counter to Mega Altaria. It can switch in on any move, because Return is resisted due to Pixilate, while Talonflame is immune to Earthquake. It can then proceed to Taunt Mega Altaria to prevent it from setting up substitutes, dragon dancing, or recovering. Next, spam Bulk Up until you can 2HKO Mega Altaria. Will-O-Wisp can also be used to neuter Altaria that is not running Heal Bell, or you can just resort to PP stalling since Will-O-Wisp has more PP than Heal Bell.

Here are some scenarios

• Talonflame switches in on Return/Earthquake, Altaria is taunted, Talonflame uses Bulk Up or Roost, then slowly boost until you can take Altaria down
• Talonflame switches in on Dragon Dance, Talonflame uses Bulk Up, followed by Taunt or Roost
• Talonflame switches in on Substitute, use Taunt, followed by Bulk Up and Roost

Talonflame wins in every scenario, but be careful when roosting, as the Altaria player may predict it and go for Earthquake.

Relevant Calcs

0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 102-121 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 97.5% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 154-182 (42.8 - 50.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+3 0 Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 201-237 (56.9 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Talonflame only needs to bulk up 3 times before it can get a guaranteed 2HKO on Mega Altaria

 

[Invok3r]

Maybe Relaxed nature over Impish with 0 speed ivs just to power up Gyro Ball. :]

Thanks fam :-]. Should be fixed now.

 

[FullLifeGames]

Check:

Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 12 HP / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
Modest Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Taunt
- Flash Cannon

Heatran is a great Check to every Mega Altaria not carrying Earthquake, like the special set or bulky variants. With a Air Balloon however, it still can check full offensive Mega Altaria's because they don't have the bulk to take a Flash Cannon.
(252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Altaria: 276-326 (94.8 - 112%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock)

In the case of DDD Mega Altaria, it's a gamble if the opposing player has Earthquake and if he predicts your switch to Heatran:
If it has Earthquake, took Stealth Rock damage as normal Altaria and then Dragon Dance's, you have a chance to win, because you kill Mega Altaria most of the time with a Flash Cannon after Rocks (75% role needed).
This doesn't matter though, if it Roost's (or Earthquake's for some reason predicting your switch). You attack him with Flash Cannon (you're faster), he breaks your Air Balloon and then you just kill him with another Flash Cannon.

If he doesn't have Earthquake however, you always win! :)

Calcs

0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 37-43 (11.3 - 13.1%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 296-352 (90.7 - 107.9%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 248 HP / 96 SpD Mega Altaria: 254-300 (71.9 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Clone]

I want Azu.

 

[Frogifier]

Check

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- U-turn
- Fire Punch

Everyone's favorite set, paraflinch rachi. It's bulky enough to take one +1 eq, and 2hko with iron head. Return does negligible damage to it, and iron head is powerful enough to break the sub. If Altaria is unboosted, Jirachi can go for burn with Fire Punch, or para with Body Slam. However, +1 eq still 2HKO's Jirachi, and iron head only does ~60%. So, Jirachi is but a check.

Hide

252+ Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Altaria: 180-212 (50.9 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 0 Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 234-276 (57.9 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Frogifier]

Cofagrigus:Counter

Cofagrigus @ Leftovers
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball
- Pain Split
- Haze

Cofagrigus counters DDD MAltaria thanks to its unique ability Mummy - which removes MAltaria's Pixilate and and turns Return back into normal type - meaning thanks to Cofag's ghost type, it cannot be hurt by Return after the mummy hit. This leaves Maltaria with only EQ to hit it - assuming MAltaria even has EQ which in my experience, it is not as common as the monoattacking set with return. Anyways, EQ does practically nothing to Cofag. Even if MAltaria does have EQ, it cant do something like boost to +6/+6 and go for strong EQs because Cofag has Haze and even goes through substitute. And if MAlaria has eq that means it doesnt have heal bell, and cofag can just burn it with WoW and its over for MAltaria. If Cofag gets low on HP, it can just Pain Split itself back up to full meaning Cofag can switchin multiple times and just heal itself back with no problem. So in conclusion, thanks to Cofag's unique ability in mummy - removing MAltaria's pixilate and then being immune to return, acces to haze, pain split, and will o wisp means Cofag can counter DDD MAltaria.

calcs

0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Cofagrigus: 44-52 (13.7 - 16.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
+4 0 Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Cofagrigus: 130-153 (40.7 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Cofagrigus Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 96 SpD Mega Altaria: 73-87 (20.6 - 24.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

That means that cofag does extremely well against all -ate abusers, like pinsir and wallbreaker glalie.

Someone go make cofagrigus stall a thing.

 

[Prinz]

Skarmory: Counter

Skarmory (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roost
- Defog
- Counter
- Whirlwind

Skarmory completely walls Mega Altaria, it can switch-in on Return super easily then roost if needed or just Whirlwind it. Last mon Altaria doesn't beat Skarmory either, because of Counter + Sturdy that punishes it. I don't think that I have to add something else, as for other options Rocky Helmet is an option if you like to troll your opponent and Shed Shell is a good too if you fear Magnezone. Another option is to give Taunt to Skarmory instead of Whirlwind, it lets you to force out Altaria anyway and to annoy bulky buildings as well. Eventually give Skarmory some EVs in Speed. In general though, when you are facing an Altaria and your mainly answer to it is Skarmory, be careful of Fire Blast as it is an option quite common for Special Attacker Altaria, and even for some DD Altarias to catch things like Skarmory, Ferrothorn and Scizor that otherwise beat it.

EDIT: @SirDizzyIII: Actually Cofagrigus can't beat Pinsir as Return at +2 has an high probability to OHKO it after rocks (+2 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Pinsir Return vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Cofagrigus: 274-324 (85.8 - 101.5%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock), and Glalie isn't really common anyways so that doesn't matter much. It's still a cool answer to Mega Altaria I guess, though.