Don't underestimate Magby, most people bring him early (from watching battles). Its more of a mid-game sweeper where some Pokemon are sufficiently weak or semi-weak. Magby can plow through unprepared teams, its a staple on all my offensive teams.
IMO Sweeping wise, Elekid is better because of its Speed and coverage.In terms of Magby, I think that his problem is he's largely outclassed by Elekid. He's slightly stronger, but slower than Elekid, SR weak, and his STAB isn't hard to resist. That said, he's no pushover, but Elekid just has that 20 Speed that makes it a goddamn nightmare to fight.
@ bolded: Magby actually doesn't need HP Ice (I discovered), because Overheat from 13 SpA (0 EVs) OHKOes Gligar anyway.Magby is used very differently than Elekid.
With an Elekid sweep, you're trying to weaken the main walls, and taking out the scarfers on the opposing team, and then clean up with STAB Tbolt and Ice Punch
Magby, on the other hand is simply
1. Send Magby in
2. Flare Blitz
3. ???
4. PROFIT
Seriously, all you do is use Flare Blitz, which will do tons to even stuff that resists it. Houndour giving you troubles? Mach Punch is an OHKO with SR, and im sure without SR it comes pretty close.
Basically, what HYU said: Just smash away with your main STAB, use coverage moves other wise. Against Gligar, unless they are scarfed, just hope for the speed tie and KO with HP Ice. noone switches in Gligar on Magby anyways, it takes shitloads from Overheat
Yeah, DONT UNDERESTIMATE MAGBY. although you're more than welcome, just means you'll be losing to franky and me :)
He is really really weak, not fast enough to use other sets, etc. He is pretty awful.I've actually been wanting to try out Agility Treecko as a sweeper. Gets Leaf Storm, Quick Attack, and a few other good moves. Does anyone know how Treecko fares?