Mega Granbull
New Ability:
Grass Pelt
Type:
Fairy |
Ground
New stats:
HP: 90
Attack: 120 →
140 (+20)
Defense: 75 →
105 (+30)
Special Attack: 60
Special Defense: 60 →
95 (+35)
Speed: 45 →
60 (+15)
BST: 450 → 550
(+100)
New moves:
Moonlight, High Horsepower, Parting Shot
Description:
1) Description
Looks are deceiving.
In fact, while Granbull is quite good at scaring people and Pokémon with its intimidating appearance, it is an ineffective guardian since it's too timid, according to the Pokédex. I wanted to further underline this threatening look but make it more efficient as a protector once it reaches its potential in a Mega form. Thus came the idea of Grass Pelt Mega Granbull.
Although the choice of Grass Pelt may seem unusual, if you were to look through some folklores about fairy dogs, you will soon realize why I went with that direction; after all, fairy dogs are called Cù-Sìth in Scottish folklore. As a green spectral hound with long shaggy fur and the size of a bull, they haunt the Scottish Highlands and were considered the harbringer of death, much like a Grim Reaper! If you were to hear their howls, you had to immediately seek a safe place; otherwise, you could die from terror by the time you heard the third and final warning soundl! In this sense, Grass Pelt alludes to the Cù-Sìth's physiognomy
and their associations with death, making Mega Granbull look even more scary than before!
As for the secondary Ground type, this can be explained by the fact that Cù-Sìth were roaming the moors and made their homes in rocky crevices. Moreover, these fairy dogs were known for kidnapping women, forcing them to provide milk for the Daoine Sìth, a supernatural race believed to be gods or spirits of nature; these beings lived underground in fairy mound. It is said that "beneath these mounds were the entrances to a parallel universe where they live that exists alongside the human world". Against this background, Mega Granbull's secondary Ground type can be seen as a reference to a Cù-Sìth's natural habitat
and its role as a guardian and helper of the supernatural folk.
If you are looking for an in-game explanation, well, Grass Pelt could prevent Mega Granbull from being severely affected by the water of the moor . What's more, Mega Granbull can assume the role of a guardian--someone who makes sure that fairy babies like Flabébé are protected; even Grass Pokémon, especially Grassy Terrain setters like Rillaboom or Tapu Bulu, appreciate its presence since, thanks to the secondary Ground type, Mega Granbull can take care of Poison, Steel, and Fire Pokémon that would threaten the aforementioned Pokémon, otherwise.
2) Competitive
Mega Granbull makes of use an extremely underutilized ability by working with Grassy Terrain setters; they both form a very synergistic core as a result.
On the offensive side, Mega Granbull threatens Poison, Steel, and Fire Pokémon that generally make life difficult for Grassy Terrain setters, like Rillaboom or Tapu Bulu. On the defensive side, the combination of Grass Pelt, improved bulk, and dualtype ensures that Mega Granbull can well switch into most physical attackers that threaten the aforementioned Grass Pokémon, like Blaziken, Galarian Zapdos, and Cinderace, among others. In turn, Rillaboom and Tapu Bulu take care of Pokémon that force out Mega Granbull, notably Water Pokémon. So, as we have just seen, Mega Granbull and the Grassy Terrain setters form a very dyadic bond.
However, you don't necessarily need to rely on Grassy Terrain setters for Mega Granbull to work as the dual Fairy and Ground type is pretty good offensively and defensively. Between Play Rough and High Horsepower, Mega Granbull can hit almost any available target for neutral damage, at least. Furthermore, Mega Granbull can check most Electric Pokémon, especially staples like Mega Raichu or Tapu Koko.
The addition of High Horsepower makes sure Mega Granbull isn't hindered by Grassy Terrain. Moonlight synergizes well with Grass Pelt as it improves Mega Granbull's bulk even more, allowing it to switch into specific threats several times and pull off Bulk Up sets effectively. Parting Shot is more for VGC where it can generate momentum and bring in something like Rillaboom. This Pokémon can then click U-Turn to bring in Mega Granbull who profits from Grassy Terrain.