approved by the uu c&c mod team
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Altaria's fantastic typing, high all-around base stats, and deep movepool filled with useful offensive, defensive, and supportive options combine to make it one of the best Pokemon in the tier. Its powerful Pixilate-boosted Return makes it one of the tier's most dangerous sweepers with Dragon Dance, and its Dragon / Fairy typing allows it to act as a solid check to Pokemon like Latias, Hydreigon, and Crawdaunt. Access to other options like Fire Blast can make it easy for Mega Altaria to lure and weaken or KO Pokemon like Scizor and Mega Aggron, while Earthquake can break through Pokemon like Nidoqueen and Tentacruel, allowing Mega Altaria to choose its counters and making it harder to switch into. In addition, options like Facade and Refresh let it act as one of the best stallbreakers in the tier. It can also take advantage of its great bulk and access to Roost to act as one of the most sturdy defensive Pokemon in the tier, capable of taking hits from Pokemon like Krookodile and Infernape while KOing them in return thanks to its natural power. It can also run a defensive Dragon Dance set on stall teams, acting as a potent late-game sweeper while still retaining good utility through Heal Bell and its great bulk and typing. Mega Altaria is, however, held back by its low Speed, which makes it slower than Pokemon like Nidoking, Gengar, and Lucario before a boost, and particularly fast Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Mega Aerodactyl can still outspeed a +1 Mega Altaria. It also can't fit all the moves it wants onto one set, making it a little more scary on paper than it is in practice. It's often forced to Mega Evolve early in order to check Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Hydreigon, which can be difficult to do and also forces it to give up Natural Cure and its Ground immunity. Finally, the prevalence of Pokemon like Amoonguss and Quagsire can make it difficult for Mega Altaria to sweep, and even if it breaks past its defensive answers, it's easily revenge killed by priority users like Mimikyu, Mamoswine, and Scizor.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Return / Facade
move 3: Earthquake / Fire Blast
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Return and Earthquake combine to create a solid offensive combination that's nearly unresisted in UU, with only Crobat, Bronzong, Talonflame, Rotom-H and Moltres being able to handle both, giving Mega Altaria a lot of immediate power and allowing it to sweep through balanced and offensive teams alike. Facade can be used over Return, allowing Mega Altaria to take advantage of the status ailments it usually ends up falling victim to, most notably Scald burns from bulky Water-types like Slowbro and Empoleon. Fire Blast complements Facade by frying Steel-types like Scizor, and it doesn't get weakened if Mega Altaria is burned, unlike Earthquake. Facade and Fire Blast notably give Mega Altaria a phenomenal matchup against stall teams if it's afflicted with status. Roost keeps Mega Altaria healthy over the course of a game so that it can continuously check Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Hydreigon.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with an Adamant nature makes Mega Altaria as fast and strong as possible, outspeeding threats like Starmie after a boost. An alternative EV spread of 64 HP / 252 Atk / 192 Spe can be used; the added bulk makes it easier for Mega Altaria to pivot into Pokemon like Crawdaunt, and it can still outspeed Timid Primarina before a boost in addition to outspeeding Starmie after one. Natural Cure is chosen as Mega Altaria's ability to prevent it from being crippled by status moves like Toxic, which is especially useful if it's not running Facade. It also allows it to act as a status sponge before Mega Evolving.
Usage Tips
========
While Mega Altaria's typing and bulk make it pretty resilient, it shouldn't always be sent directly into foes like Hydreigon and Infernape, as they can hit it hard with coverage moves like Flash Cannon and Gunk Shot that can cripple it heavily. Mega Evolving as soon as possible is recommended unless Altaria needs to maintain Natural Cure, as it removes Altaria's Stealth Rock weakness and gives it the typing change necessary to pivot into foes like Zeraora. However, if a foe has a Pokemon like Choice Scarf Krookodile, it can be beneficial to wait to Mega Evolve, as Altaria can set up freely on a Choice-locked Earthquake. Altaria is also better at pivoting into Volcanion before Mega Evolving. It's best not to set up with Dragon Dance immediately, since most teams will carry checks to Mega Altaria like Scizor, Mega Aggron, and Doublade. Instead, attacking early-game can weaken these Pokemon to let Mega Altaria sweep late-game or open holes for its teammates. Setting up on foes that can't hurt Mega Altaria significantly is recommended, as it doesn't usually want to waste turns using Roost. Pokemon like Rotom-H, Hydreigon, and Latias are good examples, though Mega Altaria must be wary of Flash Cannon from Hydreigon. Keep Mega Altaria as healthy as possible with Roost, as residual damage from entry hazards can lead to Mega Altaria being worn down very quickly. In stall matchups, try to switch Altaria into Scald from Pokemon like Alomomola and Quagsire to power up its Facade and make it far more powerful. Natural Cure allows Mega Altaria to be played liberally, as it can absorb Toxic from them if required and continuously pivot until it is ideally inflicted with a burn. If they're not carrying Scald, it can often be worthwhile to allow Mega Altaria to be afflicted with poison so that it can break down their defensive cores with Facade, though it'll be worn down quicker itself.
Team Options
========
This set fits best on balance and offensive teams that appreciate Mega Altaria's sweeping potential and ability to contribute to the team's defensive backbone. Partners that can break through Pokemon that Mega Altaria struggles with like Amoonguss, Nidoqueen, and Mega Aggron are helpful, so Mega Altaria pairs well with Pokemon like Rotom-H and Infernape. Rotom-H can also bring Mega Altaria in on Pokemon like Latias and Hydreigon with Volt Switch. Scizor is also an excellent partner, weakening these shared checks and being able to check Pokemon that can revenge kill a boosted Mega Altaria like Mega Aerodactyl and Mamoswine, while Mega Altaria can handle Rotom-H for Scizor. Entry hazard support from Pokemon like Rhyperior and Krookodile is helpful too, putting Pokemon like Amoonguss in range of two Fire Blasts. Rhyperior can also check Moltres and Toxic Rotom-H for Mega Altaria. Empoleon also makes for a good teammate, being able to set Stealth Rock for Mega Altaria and also checking nuisances like Tentacruel, Sylveon, Latias, and Klefki. Nidoqueen is a notable partner that can set Stealth Rock, weaken Steel-types like Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix, and absorb Toxic Spikes for Mega Altaria. It also appreciates Mega Altaria's ability to check Pokemon like Krookodile and Latias in return. Doublade and Amoonguss make for good partners that can check Scizor for Mega Altaria. They also appreciate Mega Altaria's ability to check Hydreigon, Latias, and Rotom-H.
[SET]
name: Refresh
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Refresh
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Return is Mega Altaria's most consistent STAB move. Refresh and Roost keep Mega Altaria healthy and allow it to set up multiple boosts on Pokemon that rely on status to threaten it like Empoleon, Alomomola, and Gligar. Refresh also allows it to act as a reliable status absorber even after Mega Evolving.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment with an Adamant nature is chosen to hit as hard and as fast as possible, but some Speed can be dropped. Using 192 Speed EVs allows Mega Altaria to outspeed Starmie after a boost while still outspeeding Primarina without one. Alternatively, 204 Speed EVs can be used with a Jolly nature in order to outspeed Mega Manectric after a boost. Finally, maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature can be used in order to guarantee a Speed tie at worst against opposing Altaria and to outspeed foes like Zeraora after a boost, but these spreads are not recommended, as Mega Manectric and Zeraora struggle to harm Mega Altaria significantly regardless.
Usage Tips
========
This set can be played more liberally against bulky teams, being able to freely set up in front of foes like Gligar and Blissey without fear and being able to pivot into Pokemon like Hydreigon and Rotom-H. It's still not recommended to bring Mega Altaria in on strong attacks, though, because it's quite easy to wear down in combination with Stealth Rock. Try to set up on Pokemon that can't threaten Mega Altaria significantly like Rotom-H, Choice Scarf Hydreigon, and Crawdaunt. Avoid setting up when Steel-types like Mega Steelix and Doublade are still active, as well as Poison-types like Amoonguss and healthy Nidoqueen, as this set has no way of removing them. Be sure to keep Mega Altaria healthy with Roost and Refresh as much as possible, as this set can often set up multiple times throughout a game. Mega Evolving as soon as possible is recommended so that Mega Altaria can check Pokemon like Hydreigon with ease.
Team Options
========
Removing Steel-types is of utmost importance when using this set, as it cannot threaten them without accruing a lot of boosts, so teammates like Krookodile and Moltres are recommended. Krookodile can also Pursuit trap certain targets like Doublade and Gengar, while Moltres can remove Pokemon like Amoonguss and Hippowdon and also checks Scizor. Reliable Scizor checks are incredibly important with this set; Rotom-H, Volcanion, Amoonguss, and Cobalion are solid options for this role. Scizor also makes for a good partner that can also lure in and weaken Pokemon like Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix with Superpower and Pursuit trap Pokemon like Doublade. Nidoqueen can perform a similar role of weakening Steel-types while setting Stealth Rock for Mega Altaria, which helps with weakening Pokemon like Moltres that Mega Altaria can struggle to break through quickly. Against stall teams, this set can find it easy to sweep if Pokemon like Quagsire and Scizor are removed. As a result, lures to Quagsire like Calm Mind Cobalion and Grass Knot Infernape make for good partners. These Pokemon can also crush Steel-types for Mega Altaria, and Infernape can fry Amoonguss.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Return
move 2: Flamethrower / Dragon Dance / Defog
move 3: Heal Bell / Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Return is Altaria's most reliable STAB move and is chosen over other options like Body Slam to ensure that the paralysis caused doesn't interfere with other status conditions inflicted by Mega Altaria's teammates. Body Slam can be used on less stall-oriented teams, though, where the paralysis chance can be helpful. Flamethrower does good damage to Steel-types like Scizor and Doublade that would otherwise come in on this set for free, but Dragon Dance can be used instead on stall or semistall teams, allowing Mega Altaria to act as a strong and bulky wincon. Defog is another option that can be used if required, as Mega Altaria has a solid matchup against certain hazard setters like Chesnaught and Krookodile. Defog can also be used over Heal Bell on more offensive teams, but on stall teams it's not recommended because cleric support can otherwise be hard to fit without Articuno. Defog should also never be used with Dragon Dance. Roost keeps Mega Altaria healthy throughout a game and allows it to continuously check foes like Crawdaunt and Infernape.
Set Details
========
56 Speed EVs are used so that Mega Altaria can outspeed Crawdaunt, making it easier to avoid a 2HKO and ensuring Crawdaunt can't beat Mega Altaria with a boosted Hydro Vortex. The rest of the EVs are placed into HP and Defense to better check foes like Swords Dance Infernape, Crawdaunt, and Haxorus. The Speed EVs can be dropped on Dragon Dance variants, though. Natural Cure is chosen as the ability pre-Mega Evolution so that Mega Altaria doesn't have to use Heal Bell as often.
Usage Tips
========
Defensive Mega Altaria should be used liberally to check Pokemon that can't hurt it significantly like Crawdaunt, Krookodile, and Hydreigon. Be sure to keep it healthy with Roost, since it's vulnerable to all forms of chip damage and doesn't have any form of passive recovery to offset it. If running Defog, switch Mega Altaria into entry hazard setters that it has a good matchup against like Chesnaught and Krookodile so that it can remove their hazards. Dragon Dance variants are potent late-game wincons and shouldn't set up early-game. Conserve Mega Altaria's HP and set it up safely when the foe's Steel- and Poison-types have been removed. Be conscious of Heal Bell's low PP, as using it too often can lead to Mega Altaria and its teammates being permanently debilitated by status conditions. Altaria should generally Mega Evolve as early as possible in order to gain the typing it needs to check foes like Crawdaunt and Hydreigon, but sometimes it's better not to if the foe has a Pokemon like Groundium Z Krookodile that can attempt to cripple or muscle through Mega Altaria.
Team Options
========
Defensive variants of Mega Altaria are most at home on balance and stall teams, where its ability to handle Pokemon like Taunt Hydreigon, Crawdaunt, and Infernape that would otherwise shred bulky teams is very appreciated. Blissey is a very notable teammate, handling powerful special attackers that Mega Altaria can't deal with like Nihilego, Nidoqueen, and Primarina, and Mega Altaria can handle physical attackers like Infernape and Zeraora in return. Gligar can provide Defog support and can check certain Pokemon that Mega Altaria struggles with like Terrakion, Cobalion, and Mimikyu. Alomomola can also blanket check these physical attackers and provide Wish support, appreciating Mega Altaria's Heal Bell support in return. Nihilego can provide Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes support and can also check Togekiss, while Mega Altaria checks Ground-types like Hippowdon and Krookodile in return. Quagsire acts as a solid answer to setup sweepers that Mega Altaria can't check on its own, like Doublade, Scizor, and opposing Mega Altaria, and it appreciates Mega Altaria's Heal Bell support a lot. Doublade can check Terrakion and resists or is immune to the Steel- and Poison-type attacks that Mega Altaria attracts from the likes of Cobalion and Nihilego, making it an effective partner. Pyukumuku is also a helpful partner for its ability to more reliably handle Pokemon like Substitute Chandelure and Nasty Plot Infernape.
[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 4 Def / 160 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyper Voice and Fire Blast create a potent attacking combination that can lay the hurt on typical Mega Altaria answers like Amoonguss, Mega Steelix and Doublade. Toxic is used to cripple Pokemon that resist Mega Altaria's attacking combination, most notably Rotom-H, Moltres, and Volcanion. It's also helpful for crippling other soft checks like Hippowdon. Roost keeps Mega Altaria healthy throughout the course of a game.
Set Details
========
The given HP and Defense EVs ensure that Mega Altaria can survive a Bullet Punch from Choice Band Scizor and melt it with Fire Blast if required. 96 Speed EVs are used to get the jump on Pokemon like Modest Primarina and Adamant Bewear, and the rest of the EVs maximize Mega Altaria's overall power. Natural Cure is chosen as the ability pre-Mega Evolution to help Mega Altaria shrug off status conditions from Pokemon it switches into like Quagsire and Rotom-H.
Usage Tips
========
This set is a good lure to common Pokemon like Amoonguss and Doublade, so try to catch them on the switch with Fire Blast. This set is still very bulky, so don't be afraid to use it to check Pokemon like Hydreigon and Crawdaunt if needs be; be sure to keep it healthy with Roost, though. It's often not a bad idea to tank a Bullet Punch from Choice Band Scizor and hit it with a Fire Blast in return to free up teammates such as Terrakion. Bring Mega Altaria in on Pokemon that can't really hurt it like Chesnaught and Zeraora so that it can fire off strong attacks. Mega Evolving as early as possible is recommended in order to better check foes like Hydreigon and Crawdaunt.
Team Options
========
This set has no way of hurting Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Tentacruel, and Nihilego, so strong Ground-types like Krookodile and Mamoswine are helpful for their ability to threaten them. Stealth Rock support is recommended to weaken the Fire-types that wall this set, since Mega Altaria's best way to threaten them is Toxic. Reliable setters include Rhyperior, Cobalion, and the aforementioned Krookodile. Other Steel-types like Doublade and Scizor make for excellent partners that can check Pokemon like Nihilego, Cobalion, and Togekiss. Scizor can also bring Mega Altaria in safely on Pokemon like Amoonguss with U-turn and it can Pursuit trap Nihilego too. Other wallbreakers like Nidoking, Infernape, and Terrakion pair well with Mega Altaria, being able to blow up Pokemon it struggles with like Tentacruel, Nihilego, and Toxic Rotom-H. Pokemon that can take advantage of Mega Altaria's ability to lure in and remove Steel-types, such as Mimikyu, Terrakion, and Haxorus, also make for good partners. Gligar is a notably great partner that can check Pokemon like Hippowdon and Rotom-H with much more ease if Mega Altaria lands a Toxic on them, making it a much more reliable Defogger and wall.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A mixed attacking set with Return or Body Slam, Earthquake, Fire Blast, and Roost is useable, but it struggles a lot with Pokemon like Rotom-H and Moltres, and it can't break through Pokemon like Amoonguss without a lot of Special Attack investment. A specially defensive set can be considered for its ability to better handle Pokemon like Hydreigon and Nasty Plot Infernape, but it's generally outclassed by the physically defensive set which can check these Pokemon anyway, and it still struggles to deal with Latias. Mega Altaria's EV spreads are fairly customizable, especially on the Refresh set. For example, 84 Defense EVs can be used to ensure that Mega Altaria survives two Earthquakes from Choice Scarf Krookodile.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Scizor can threaten Mega Altaria with a powerful Bullet Punch, bringing its sweep to an end. Other Steel-types like Doublade, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix can take hits from Mega Altaria and retaliate with their STAB moves, even after a boost, though they do fear Fire Blast. Bronzong is a great counter to Mega Altaria, shrugging off most attacks, though it struggles to take repeated Fire Blasts from the special set.
**Poison-types**: Pokemon like defensive Nidoqueen and Amoonguss have the bulk necessary to tank a boosted Earthquake and retaliate with their STAB moves. While less reliable overall, Tentacruel and Nihilego can check certain Mega Altaria sets and KO it in return. Crobat can also take on Dragon Dance Altaria with ease.
**Faster Pokemon**: Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill are capable of outspeeding a boosted Mega Altaria. Mega Aerodactyl can remove it with Ice Fang after some chip damage, while Mega Beedrill can OHKO it with Poison Jab. Certain Choice Scarf users, such as Infernape and Nihilego, can also threaten a boosted Mega Altaria.
**Unaware Users**: Quagsire and Pyukumuku both wall Dragon Dance Altaria endlessly. Curse Quagsire can also use it as setup fodder, while both Quagsire and Pyukumuku can knock Mega Altaria out with Counter.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Lilburr, 481709]]
- Quality checked by: [[Estarossa, 461329], [Twilight, 344575], [martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
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