Overview
########
Mega Heracross is one of the deadliest wallbreakers available in OU, thanks to its massive base 185 Attack stat allowing it to plow through many defensive
threats such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, Slowbro, and Jirachi. Mega Heracross is also a threat to offensive teams,
since his as its (causal since is unexpectedly tricky to use properly so it's best to just stick with 'because' or 'as) respectable bulk and five resistances usually allow it to live a hit and retaliate hard. It is also common for Mega Heracross to come in and force switches. Not even Pokemon with Substitute are safe, as Skill Link turns normally underwhelming moves such as Pin Missile, Rock Blast, and Bullet Seed into potent weapons that can't be
completely blocked with Substitute. However, Mega Heracross has weaknesses to
Psychic-, Fire-, Fairy-, and Flying-type moves, the latter three being several common offensive types;
(SC) and combined with its mediocre base 75 Speed after Mega Evolving,
it this can
be leave it fairly easy to force
it out. Much like most physical attackers, Mega Heracross is vulnerable to all forms of status, especially burns, and
having no form of its lack of recovery means that Mega Heracross can't take advantage of its great bulk.
Even with its flaws, Mega Heracross is a name feared by defensive Pokemon, and can easily dismantle a wall if given the chance. (no contentless closures please)
Wall Breaker Wallbreaker
########
name:
Wall Breaker Wallbreaker
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Pin Missile
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Swords Dance / Substitute
ability: Moxie / Guts
item: Heracronite
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Close Combat is Mega Heracross'
s most spammable STAB attack, as it has high power and decent coverage. Pin Missile is the strongest attack that Mega Heracross has to offer, not only breaking through Substitutes, but also threatening Slowbro and Mew. Rock Blast is the advised coverage move
of choice, as it can nail Flying- and Fire-types
quite nicely. The choice between Swords Dance and Substitute depends on whether you want to break through walls more easily or block status and punish predicted switches, respectively.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs maximize
s damage output, whilst 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly Nature allow Mega Heracross to outrun Mega Tyranitar and
speed-tie Speed tie with Smeargle. Moxie can give Heracross a boost in power before Mega Evolving,
(RC) and is usually used when lacking Swords Dance.
(SC) while Alternatively, (uncomfortably long sentence) Guts can be
used useful in case
if Heracross gets
burnt burned (I'd rather follow the game's spelling for the status ailment) before Mega Evolving, so it can actually hit slightly harder when
burnt burned;
though however, you Heracross can't use Pin Missile and Rock Blast as effectively without Skill Link.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Heracross should come in
on a free switch when the opponent attempts to heal their wall,
giving Mega Heracross a safe switch, as well as which also gives it a free turn to wallbreak or set up a Substitute
. (please make sure I haven't butchered the content here; the way it was worded it seemed to imply that the free switch and the free turn to wallbreak or w/e are given on the same turn, which can't be right. if you end up rewording it, don't be afraid to make the latter part into a separate sentence) Since Because Mega Evolutions don't trigger Knock Off's
effect power isn't boosted when used on a Mega Evolution, Mega Heracross makes for a great switch-in to Knock Off.
Team Options
========
Mega Heracross enjoys having a cleric on the team
since because, between being vulnerable to every status and lacking any form of recovery, it can be worn down fairly easily
due to its vulnerability to status and lack of recovery. Sylveon or Clefable help keep Mega Heracross healthy with Wish and Heal Bell
to restore health and remove status conditions; (SC) Sylveon
having has better overall bulk,
and while Clefable
taking takes on stall teams more effectively. Paralysis support is very convenient, as Mega Heracross can easily KO
crippled frail sweepers
that are on the frail side after they have been crippled. Thundurus
being is a great candidate with
his Prankster Thunder Wave, and
he it also threatens both physical walls and sweepers. Mega Heracross in return breaks special walls for Thundurus, thus creating solid synergy. Healing Wish Latias can
patch up fully heal Mega Heracross if it gets worn down
with damage and/or a status condition,
and can while also threaten
ing faster foes and physical walls. Having an answer to Talonflame is important;
(SC) and Rotom-W is able to take a hit relatively easily and either 2HKO bulky variants or OHKO offensive variants with Hydro Pump. You can also predict a switch and provide a free switch for Mega Heracross with Volt Switch.
Swords Dance + Substitute
########
name: Swords Dance + Substitute
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Substitute
ability: Moxie / Guts
item: Heracronite
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
Close Combat is
the go-to move for Mega Heracross
's,
(RC) being his best STAB attack
of choice. Rock Blast is the obligatory secondary offensive move, as
Rock Blast it has better coverage
than Pin Missile,
and which you can afford to give up
Pin Missile. Swords Dance raises the Attack of Mega Heracross to frightening levels,
(RC) and makes wallbreaking significantly easier. Substitute gives Mega Heracross protection from status moves,
(RC) and also
works as a good move to use is a good option when you predict the opponent will switch out.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs maximize
s damage output, whilst 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly Nature allow Mega Heracross to outrun Mega Tyranitar and
speed-tie Speed tie with Smeargle. Moxie can give Heracross a boost in power before Mega Evolving,
(RC) and is usually used when lacking Swords Dance.
(period) while Alternatively, Guts can be
used useful in case
if Heracross gets
burnt burned before Mega Evolving, so it can actually hit slightly harder when
burnt burned.
Usage Tips
========
Don't set up a Substitute or Swords Dance without thinking about it first; Swords Dance is usually the better move to use when
they Mega Heracross's foes attempt to heal off any damage taken, while Substitute is the better move to use when you predict either a status move or a switch. Knock Off
stays at 65 BP doesn't get the power boost when used on Mega Heracross,
even before Mega Evolving, so Mega Heracross makes making for it a good Knock Off switch-in
(add hyphen).
Team Options
========
Sylveon and Clefable can patch up Mega Heracross with Wish and
/or Heal Bell
if you made a mistake with your opponent. Thundurus is a great partner, thanks to Prankster Thunder Wave crippling faster foes. Latios and Latias also have nice synergy
with Mega Heracross, thanks to their ability to
tempt lure in Ferrothorn
into switching into them, as well as threatening sweepers and physical walls. Landorus-T can keep Flying-types in check,
(RC) and
use U-turn
can potentially to provide Mega Heracross with a safe switch-in,
(RC) against Pokemon such as
against Ferrothorn and Rotom-W. Bisharp can trap Latios and Latias with Pursuit or OHKO them with Sucker Punch, and
it can also 2HKO Clefable with Iron Head. Rotom-W is a great teammate that can threaten physical walls decently enough and can take on Talonflame reliably.
Other Options
########
Knock Off can be used in the
4th fourth (spell out numbers under 20 in written text) moveslot to remove Eviolite and Leftovers from walls, but
the low power it is relatively weak after removing an item
compared to his other options can turn people away; (SC) and lacking additionally, it's incompatible with Rock Blast
, which will leave
you Mega Heracross more open to Flying- and Fairy-types. Bullet Seed is an option worth considering, as it allows Mega Heracross to handle Azumarill, Rotom-W, Hippowdon, and Quagsire much more effectively
; (SC) but however, it has little use elsewhere. An Adamant nature can be used to better handle Clefable, Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Mandibuzz, but
an Adamant nature this should only be used if your team doesn't already have a way to deal with them. Assault Vest Heracross with a set of Close Combat / Megahorn / Stone Edge / Knock Off with Guts can
work, since it function
s as a great check to Keldeo, Slowbro, and Will-O-Wisp users. However, the lack of power without Mega Evolving
and or when Guts isn't activated a Guts boost leaves a lot
of power to be desired. Megahorn can be used over Pin Missile if you want to potentially abuse Guts more efficiently, but it has less accuracy, less PP, and
causes you Heracross to (subject consistency) lose out on
a STAB attack that's capable of breaking through Substitutes. Running a Toxic Orb
(isn't Flame Orb better?) with Guts can allow Heracross to pull off a surprise wallbreaking set, but
it gets worn down very easily and requires more support than the other set
s.
Checks & Counters
########
**Azumarill**: Azumarill works as a good check, thanks to its bulk and typing letting it avoid an OHKO from any attack and being able to OHKO with Play Rough, but
it must be wary of the rare Bullet Seed.
**Unaware Clefable**: If Mega Heracross isn't using an Adamant nature,
then (this kind of coordinating is very useful in spoken text but is redundant and should be avoided in written text) Unaware Clefable can avoid a 2HKO from any attack and 2HKO with Moonblast.
**Offensive Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Talonflame, Staraptor, and Mega Pinsir are a real pain for Mega Heracross to face,
as all of
which them are capable of outrunning and OHKOing Mega Heracross.
**Doublade**: Doublade avoids a 2HKO from all of Mega Heracross' moves, even the rare Earthquake, and can wear Mega Heracross down with Gyro Ball, finish it off with Shadow Sneak, or set up a Swords Dance as Mega Heracross switches out.
**Will-O-Wisp**: After Mega Evolving, Mega Heracross is very vulnerable to burns, and Pokemon such as Mew, Mega Gardevoir, Gengar, and Victini are capable of outrunning and burning
it with Will-O-Wisp.
Although However, Heracross does carry Guts often, so Will-O-Wisp should only be used after it Mega Evolves or
after confirming that its ability isn't Guts.
**Acrobatics Gliscor**: Acrobatics Gliscor can switch into any attack
thrown its way,
can outrun Mega Heracross with 200 Speed EVs and a neutral nature or 100 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature, and
can proceed to OHKO.