Long time lurker, first time poster! I took a bit of a break from Battle Spot after Sun and Moon were released, but now that my favorite Mega Evolutions is available again I decided to give it another go. This is the team I’ve been using. I’ve had some moderate success, but it has quite a few shortcomings. I was hoping for some feedback. No need to sugarcoat!
Skip (Swampert) @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Superpower
Mega Swampert is an excellent rain sweeper. With max speed investment, it outpaces neutral-natured base 100’s in the rain, allowing it to tear through many sweepers and slower Choice Scarf users. Its typing and natural bulk allow it to take a strong hit or two before going down. With the mechanics changes Sun and Moon brought, it no longer has to run Protect to guarantee itself a Swift Swim boost without compromising its bulk. Even if the weather is changed, it’ll still go first if the rain was up, putting opposing weather setters at risk.
I’m well aware of Swampert’s shortcomings. There’s the obvious Grass weakness. In the rain, the neutral damage it takes from boosted Water-type attacks can sneak up on it, putting it at risk against faster rain sweepers and bulky Water-types. It struggles with common walls and tanks, such as Ferrothorn, Cresselia, Rotom-W and Mega Venusaur. Weather other than rain neuters it, especially sun, which nullifies Swift Swim and weakens Waterfall.
Many matches boil down to weakening its checks and counters to a point where it can sweep comfortably. Moving forward, I’d like to continue building this team with Mega Swampert in mind.
Pell-Piper (Pelipper) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Roost
I’m change this up and use Pelipper's more offensively oriented Focus Sash set with a Modest nature. Its bulk isn’t good enough to run defensively, and I’ve found myself wanting for a stronger Hurricane to handle Grass-types repeatedly.
Additionally, Mega Charizard Y threatens Pelipper, as Pelipper’s special defense is subpar. This can make weather wars difficult to win.
Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Dazzling Gleam
- Taunt
- U-turn
Gigavolt Havoc off of Thunder allows Tapu Koko to fire off a powerful, boosted Electric-type attack once without having to rely on rain for perfect accuracy. Electric Terrain preventing sleep makes things like Breloom, Hippowdon and Mega Venusaur easier to deal with.
Macadamia (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
In the right circumstances, Ferrothorn is nearly impossible to knock out. It gives opposing Grass and Water-types headaches, which is duly appreciated. Stealth Rock secures many KO’s and victories I wouldn’t have attained otherwise.
I’ve feel as though I rely on Ferrothorn too much defensively. In many cases, against Pokémon like Charizard, Blaziken or Salamence carrying a Fire-type move, Ferrothorn can’t afford to take a hit, and it can’t switch into one of its teammates without putting them at risk. I’d like to know how I can modify this team to better accommodate Ferrothorn’s weaknesses, and on the off chance I replace it, I’d at least like to have a Stealth Rock setter that synergizes well with the rest of the team.
Sockhead (Mimikyu) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Play Rough
- Shadow Sneak
- Swords Dance
I love Mimikyu for its ability to handle sweepers that have already set up. Originally, Mimikyu held a Life Orb for extra power. It now holds a Lum Berry in order to stomach status and deal with Hypnosis Mega Gengar, which, provided Hypnosis connects, threatens the rest of my team. I was considering giving it a Focus Sash for survivability’s sake, but now that Pelipper will be holding one that isn’t an option anymore.
Mimikyu is solid, but if there’s anything that would work better for the team than recommend it by all means!
Mothra (Volcarona) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance
The last slot was originally occupied by Assault Vest Tornadus. It was to provide a means to take special attacks and deal with Grass-types. Its redundancy became apparent quickly; Pelipper’s Drizzle would be required to ensure Hurricane would hit. I never brought Tornadus to a single match.
Volcarona is an amazing special sweeper. I love having a quick and easy way to fry Ferrothorn and Kartana, and Bug Buzz’s ability to hit through Substitute is also very useful. Volcarona’s survivability will take a hit when Pelipper gets the Focus Sash, and having two Pokémon that’re weak to Stealth Rock makes it difficult to use as is. Volcarona’s place on the team is the most suspect. I need to replace it with something that can handle Ferrothorn and offer my team some defensive utility.
-
Once again, I know this team is flawed! That’s why I’m asking for feedback. Recommendations for a secondary Mega are particularly appreciated, as well as a means, perhaps, to handle the rare but pesky Evasion abusers. Thanks to everyone who replies in advance!
Skip (Swampert) @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Superpower
Mega Swampert is an excellent rain sweeper. With max speed investment, it outpaces neutral-natured base 100’s in the rain, allowing it to tear through many sweepers and slower Choice Scarf users. Its typing and natural bulk allow it to take a strong hit or two before going down. With the mechanics changes Sun and Moon brought, it no longer has to run Protect to guarantee itself a Swift Swim boost without compromising its bulk. Even if the weather is changed, it’ll still go first if the rain was up, putting opposing weather setters at risk.
I’m well aware of Swampert’s shortcomings. There’s the obvious Grass weakness. In the rain, the neutral damage it takes from boosted Water-type attacks can sneak up on it, putting it at risk against faster rain sweepers and bulky Water-types. It struggles with common walls and tanks, such as Ferrothorn, Cresselia, Rotom-W and Mega Venusaur. Weather other than rain neuters it, especially sun, which nullifies Swift Swim and weakens Waterfall.
Many matches boil down to weakening its checks and counters to a point where it can sweep comfortably. Moving forward, I’d like to continue building this team with Mega Swampert in mind.
Pell-Piper (Pelipper) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Roost
I’m change this up and use Pelipper's more offensively oriented Focus Sash set with a Modest nature. Its bulk isn’t good enough to run defensively, and I’ve found myself wanting for a stronger Hurricane to handle Grass-types repeatedly.
Additionally, Mega Charizard Y threatens Pelipper, as Pelipper’s special defense is subpar. This can make weather wars difficult to win.
Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Dazzling Gleam
- Taunt
- U-turn
Gigavolt Havoc off of Thunder allows Tapu Koko to fire off a powerful, boosted Electric-type attack once without having to rely on rain for perfect accuracy. Electric Terrain preventing sleep makes things like Breloom, Hippowdon and Mega Venusaur easier to deal with.
Macadamia (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
In the right circumstances, Ferrothorn is nearly impossible to knock out. It gives opposing Grass and Water-types headaches, which is duly appreciated. Stealth Rock secures many KO’s and victories I wouldn’t have attained otherwise.
I’ve feel as though I rely on Ferrothorn too much defensively. In many cases, against Pokémon like Charizard, Blaziken or Salamence carrying a Fire-type move, Ferrothorn can’t afford to take a hit, and it can’t switch into one of its teammates without putting them at risk. I’d like to know how I can modify this team to better accommodate Ferrothorn’s weaknesses, and on the off chance I replace it, I’d at least like to have a Stealth Rock setter that synergizes well with the rest of the team.
Sockhead (Mimikyu) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Play Rough
- Shadow Sneak
- Swords Dance
I love Mimikyu for its ability to handle sweepers that have already set up. Originally, Mimikyu held a Life Orb for extra power. It now holds a Lum Berry in order to stomach status and deal with Hypnosis Mega Gengar, which, provided Hypnosis connects, threatens the rest of my team. I was considering giving it a Focus Sash for survivability’s sake, but now that Pelipper will be holding one that isn’t an option anymore.
Mimikyu is solid, but if there’s anything that would work better for the team than recommend it by all means!
Mothra (Volcarona) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance
The last slot was originally occupied by Assault Vest Tornadus. It was to provide a means to take special attacks and deal with Grass-types. Its redundancy became apparent quickly; Pelipper’s Drizzle would be required to ensure Hurricane would hit. I never brought Tornadus to a single match.
Volcarona is an amazing special sweeper. I love having a quick and easy way to fry Ferrothorn and Kartana, and Bug Buzz’s ability to hit through Substitute is also very useful. Volcarona’s survivability will take a hit when Pelipper gets the Focus Sash, and having two Pokémon that’re weak to Stealth Rock makes it difficult to use as is. Volcarona’s place on the team is the most suspect. I need to replace it with something that can handle Ferrothorn and offer my team some defensive utility.
-
Once again, I know this team is flawed! That’s why I’m asking for feedback. Recommendations for a secondary Mega are particularly appreciated, as well as a means, perhaps, to handle the rare but pesky Evasion abusers. Thanks to everyone who replies in advance!