[OVERVIEW]
Mega Sharpedo is a great late-game cleaner, utilizing both its pre-Mega ability in Speed Boost and its post-Mega ability in Strong Jaw to sweep. Its great Attack and Speed stats allow Mega Sharpedo to hit very hard and very fast at the same time, with Crunch severely damaging Pokemon such as Scizor and Mamoswine. Strong Jaw also boosts the Base Power of coverage moves like Ice Fang and Psychic Fangs, allowing Mega Sharpedo to hit would-be checks and counters, such as Mega Altaria, Kommo-o, Heracross, and Hydreigon, very hard. Mega Sharpedo has terrible bulk and a defensive typing that gives it numerous weaknesses to common types like Fighting, Grass, and Bug, although it does resist a very important priority move in Bullet Punch. Said poor bulk means that if Mega Sharpedo doesn't OHKO what's in front of it, it will likely get OHKOed in return. It also faces great competition from other Mega Evolutions like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Altaria, both of which also have greater defensive utility and wider movepools. Finally, Mega Sharpedo struggles to break through bulky walls like Mega Aggron and Swampert without them being significantly weakened beforehand, which can stop a late-game sweep in its tracks. It also struggles to sweep without entry hazard support.
[SET]
name: Cleaner
move 1: Crunch
move 2: Ice Fang
move 3: Psychic Fangs
move 4: Protect
item: Sharpedonite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Crunch is a powerful Strong Jaw-boosted Dark-type STAB move, nailing Pokemon like Latias and Gengar while also providing great neutral coverage in general. Ice Fang is coverage to hit Hydreigon, Togekiss, and Mega Altaria, and it is also boosted by Strong Jaw. Psychic Fangs hits Poison- and Fighting-types such as Amoonguss and Heracross, and it has decent neutral coverage combined with Crunch and Ice Fang, hitting targets like Cobalion and Primarina. Protect guarantees that Sharpedo can increase its Speed before it Mega Evolves and also scouts for Choice item users. Waterfall is a Water-type STAB move that hits Mega Aerodactyl, Hippowdon, and Mega Houndoom, and can also flinch, but it hits fewer targets than Psychic Fangs. Earthquake is an option that hits Cobalion, Klefki, and Alolan Muk while still retaining super effective coverage on Infernape and Terrakion, but is still generally inferior coverage when compared to Psychic Fangs.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Attack and Speed allow Mega Sharpedo to hit as hard and as fast as possible. A Jolly nature can be used to increase its Speed, which allows Mega Sharpedo to outspeed Choice Scarf Krookodile and Choice Scarf Hydreigon at +1, but an Adamant nature can also be used to make Mega Sharpedo that much more powerful, breaking through Alomomola and Scizor more easily. Speed Boost is Sharpedo's pre-Mega ability, as it allows Sharpedo to increase its Speed before Mega Evolving. Mega Evolving gives it Strong Jaw, which boosts the power of Crunch, Ice Fang, and Psychic Fangs by 50%. Sharpedonite allows Sharpedo to Mega Evolve.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Sharpedo is best used to clean up late-game when there are no Pokemon left on the opposing team that can outspeed Mega Sharpedo or survive one of its attacks. Therefore, don't Mega Evolve Sharpedo unless it can successfully clean or there is nothing on the opposing team that can outspeed it. Unless Sharpedo is sent out against a slower foe that it can KO without Mega Evolving, it's generally safest to use Protect the first turn Sharpedo is on the field so that it gets a guaranteed Speed boost. Mega Sharpedo should always come in either after a teammate has been KOed or on a free switch from Volt Switch or U-turn, as its poor bulk means it will usually be KOed by any strong neutral move. Before attempting to sweep, make sure that bulky Pokemon such as Cobalion, Amoonguss, Alomomola, and Scizor have been sufficiently weakened to the point where Mega Sharpedo can finish them off without getting KOed. Priority users like Infernape and Lucario must be removed before Mega Sharpedo attempts to sweep, as they can KO Mega Sharpedo before it can attack. Scout for Choice Scarf users like Infernape, Latias, and Gengar before Mega Sharpedo attempts a sweep, as they can KO Mega Sharpedo before it can attack unless it has more than one Speed boost. If Mega Sharpedo is running an Adamant nature, it's advised to bring it out on something it can KO, like Nihilego or Choice-locked Infernape, so it can obtain two Speed boosts to outspeed Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Krookodile.
Team Options
========
Mega Sharpedo fits best on offensive teams that can utilize both its strong attacks and its late-game cleaning potential. Stealth Rock setters that fit well on hyper offense like Cobalion and Nihilego allow Mega Sharpedo to more easily sweep late-game. Klefki is a great Mega Sharpedo partner because it can almost always set a layer of Spikes, which can make or break a late-game sweep. Toxic Spikes users like Nihilego and Tentacruel are also good partners because Toxic Spikes slowly wear down defensive Pokemon like Alomomola and Suicune, which would otherwise be able to survive one hit and cripple Mega Sharpedo. Other offensive Pokemon like Starmie, Heracross, and Scizor can wear down walls like Alomomola, Mega Aggron, Hippowdon, Suicune, and Swampert so that Mega Sharpedo can KO them later in the game. Starmie can also provide Rapid Spin support for Mega Sharpedo, allowing it to take priority hits it would otherwise be KOed by after entry hazard damage. Swords Dance Scizor can sweep late-game as well if Mega Sharpedo fails to do so. Taunt users like Krookodile and Crobat can prevent Defoggers from clearing away the entry hazards Mega Sharpedo needs to sweep. Spinblockers like Gengar and Doublade have nice synergy with Mega Sharpedo and can also deter Starmie and Tentacruel from using Rapid Spin, although they aren't guaranteed switch-ins to either. Offensive Grass-types like Celebi and Tsareena can also check bulky Water-types, and Tsareena can also remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin. Other setup sweepers like Infernape and Haxorus work well with Mega Sharpedo, as they all wear down defensive and offensive Pokemon so that one can sweep later in the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Liquidation is very slightly stronger than Waterfall, but it misses out on the flinch chance that Waterfall has, which can come in handy during a match. Destiny Bond can be a surprise to take healthy threats like Cobalion and Klefki, but it's not worth it because Mega Sharpedo needs to run as much coverage as possible to maximize its potential as a late-game cleaner. Hydro Pump can allow Mega Sharpedo to be a mixed attacker, but it's relatively weak without investment and inferior to both Waterfall and Psychic Fangs overall.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Pokemon like Mega Aggron, Cobalion, and Scizor can prevent Mega Sharpedo from sweeping thanks to their high Defense stats and ability to heavily damage Mega Sharpedo, if not OHKO it.
**Water-types**: Alomomola and Rest Suicune must be wary of Defense drops from Crunch, but they can cripple Mega Sharpedo with Scald burns and Toxic poison.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Sylveon, Primarina, and Klefki avoid the OHKO from Mega Sharpedo's moves and KO or cripple it in return.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf Latias and Infernape outspeed +1 Jolly Mega Sharpedo, while Choice Scarf Krookodile and Hydreigon outspeed +1 Adamant Mega Sharpedo. All of them except Krookodile OHKO Mega Sharpedo with their STAB attacks.
**Priority**: Priority users like Infernape, Lucario, Zygarde-10%, and Entei can KO Mega Sharpedo before it can hit them with a little prior damage. However, only Choice Band Infernape can actually OHKO Mega Sharpedo without prior damage.
Mega Sharpedo is a great late-game cleaner, utilizing both its pre-Mega ability in Speed Boost and its post-Mega ability in Strong Jaw to sweep. Its great Attack and Speed stats allow Mega Sharpedo to hit very hard and very fast at the same time, with Crunch severely damaging Pokemon such as Scizor and Mamoswine. Strong Jaw also boosts the Base Power of coverage moves like Ice Fang and Psychic Fangs, allowing Mega Sharpedo to hit would-be checks and counters, such as Mega Altaria, Kommo-o, Heracross, and Hydreigon, very hard. Mega Sharpedo has terrible bulk and a defensive typing that gives it numerous weaknesses to common types like Fighting, Grass, and Bug, although it does resist a very important priority move in Bullet Punch. Said poor bulk means that if Mega Sharpedo doesn't OHKO what's in front of it, it will likely get OHKOed in return. It also faces great competition from other Mega Evolutions like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Altaria, both of which also have greater defensive utility and wider movepools. Finally, Mega Sharpedo struggles to break through bulky walls like Mega Aggron and Swampert without them being significantly weakened beforehand, which can stop a late-game sweep in its tracks. It also struggles to sweep without entry hazard support.
[SET]
name: Cleaner
move 1: Crunch
move 2: Ice Fang
move 3: Psychic Fangs
move 4: Protect
item: Sharpedonite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Crunch is a powerful Strong Jaw-boosted Dark-type STAB move, nailing Pokemon like Latias and Gengar while also providing great neutral coverage in general. Ice Fang is coverage to hit Hydreigon, Togekiss, and Mega Altaria, and it is also boosted by Strong Jaw. Psychic Fangs hits Poison- and Fighting-types such as Amoonguss and Heracross, and it has decent neutral coverage combined with Crunch and Ice Fang, hitting targets like Cobalion and Primarina. Protect guarantees that Sharpedo can increase its Speed before it Mega Evolves and also scouts for Choice item users. Waterfall is a Water-type STAB move that hits Mega Aerodactyl, Hippowdon, and Mega Houndoom, and can also flinch, but it hits fewer targets than Psychic Fangs. Earthquake is an option that hits Cobalion, Klefki, and Alolan Muk while still retaining super effective coverage on Infernape and Terrakion, but is still generally inferior coverage when compared to Psychic Fangs.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Attack and Speed allow Mega Sharpedo to hit as hard and as fast as possible. A Jolly nature can be used to increase its Speed, which allows Mega Sharpedo to outspeed Choice Scarf Krookodile and Choice Scarf Hydreigon at +1, but an Adamant nature can also be used to make Mega Sharpedo that much more powerful, breaking through Alomomola and Scizor more easily. Speed Boost is Sharpedo's pre-Mega ability, as it allows Sharpedo to increase its Speed before Mega Evolving. Mega Evolving gives it Strong Jaw, which boosts the power of Crunch, Ice Fang, and Psychic Fangs by 50%. Sharpedonite allows Sharpedo to Mega Evolve.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Sharpedo is best used to clean up late-game when there are no Pokemon left on the opposing team that can outspeed Mega Sharpedo or survive one of its attacks. Therefore, don't Mega Evolve Sharpedo unless it can successfully clean or there is nothing on the opposing team that can outspeed it. Unless Sharpedo is sent out against a slower foe that it can KO without Mega Evolving, it's generally safest to use Protect the first turn Sharpedo is on the field so that it gets a guaranteed Speed boost. Mega Sharpedo should always come in either after a teammate has been KOed or on a free switch from Volt Switch or U-turn, as its poor bulk means it will usually be KOed by any strong neutral move. Before attempting to sweep, make sure that bulky Pokemon such as Cobalion, Amoonguss, Alomomola, and Scizor have been sufficiently weakened to the point where Mega Sharpedo can finish them off without getting KOed. Priority users like Infernape and Lucario must be removed before Mega Sharpedo attempts to sweep, as they can KO Mega Sharpedo before it can attack. Scout for Choice Scarf users like Infernape, Latias, and Gengar before Mega Sharpedo attempts a sweep, as they can KO Mega Sharpedo before it can attack unless it has more than one Speed boost. If Mega Sharpedo is running an Adamant nature, it's advised to bring it out on something it can KO, like Nihilego or Choice-locked Infernape, so it can obtain two Speed boosts to outspeed Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Krookodile.
Team Options
========
Mega Sharpedo fits best on offensive teams that can utilize both its strong attacks and its late-game cleaning potential. Stealth Rock setters that fit well on hyper offense like Cobalion and Nihilego allow Mega Sharpedo to more easily sweep late-game. Klefki is a great Mega Sharpedo partner because it can almost always set a layer of Spikes, which can make or break a late-game sweep. Toxic Spikes users like Nihilego and Tentacruel are also good partners because Toxic Spikes slowly wear down defensive Pokemon like Alomomola and Suicune, which would otherwise be able to survive one hit and cripple Mega Sharpedo. Other offensive Pokemon like Starmie, Heracross, and Scizor can wear down walls like Alomomola, Mega Aggron, Hippowdon, Suicune, and Swampert so that Mega Sharpedo can KO them later in the game. Starmie can also provide Rapid Spin support for Mega Sharpedo, allowing it to take priority hits it would otherwise be KOed by after entry hazard damage. Swords Dance Scizor can sweep late-game as well if Mega Sharpedo fails to do so. Taunt users like Krookodile and Crobat can prevent Defoggers from clearing away the entry hazards Mega Sharpedo needs to sweep. Spinblockers like Gengar and Doublade have nice synergy with Mega Sharpedo and can also deter Starmie and Tentacruel from using Rapid Spin, although they aren't guaranteed switch-ins to either. Offensive Grass-types like Celebi and Tsareena can also check bulky Water-types, and Tsareena can also remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin. Other setup sweepers like Infernape and Haxorus work well with Mega Sharpedo, as they all wear down defensive and offensive Pokemon so that one can sweep later in the game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Liquidation is very slightly stronger than Waterfall, but it misses out on the flinch chance that Waterfall has, which can come in handy during a match. Destiny Bond can be a surprise to take healthy threats like Cobalion and Klefki, but it's not worth it because Mega Sharpedo needs to run as much coverage as possible to maximize its potential as a late-game cleaner. Hydro Pump can allow Mega Sharpedo to be a mixed attacker, but it's relatively weak without investment and inferior to both Waterfall and Psychic Fangs overall.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Pokemon like Mega Aggron, Cobalion, and Scizor can prevent Mega Sharpedo from sweeping thanks to their high Defense stats and ability to heavily damage Mega Sharpedo, if not OHKO it.
**Water-types**: Alomomola and Rest Suicune must be wary of Defense drops from Crunch, but they can cripple Mega Sharpedo with Scald burns and Toxic poison.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Sylveon, Primarina, and Klefki avoid the OHKO from Mega Sharpedo's moves and KO or cripple it in return.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf Latias and Infernape outspeed +1 Jolly Mega Sharpedo, while Choice Scarf Krookodile and Hydreigon outspeed +1 Adamant Mega Sharpedo. All of them except Krookodile OHKO Mega Sharpedo with their STAB attacks.
**Priority**: Priority users like Infernape, Lucario, Zygarde-10%, and Entei can KO Mega Sharpedo before it can hit them with a little prior damage. However, only Choice Band Infernape can actually OHKO Mega Sharpedo without prior damage.
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