All Gens What If ??? - Topic #3 Mega Evolutions in ADV

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Following the last topic mega evolution is a mechanic that directly impacts the viability of certain Pokemon and how they face off against the meta. How will this change BW? lets find out!!

Mega Evolution Mechanics remain the same from DPP, and keeps the original speed of the mega evolved Pokemon for the first turn.

Aditionally, mega evolutions that are generally considered overpowered are banned ( Mega Gengar, Mega Blaziken, Mega Lucario, Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Salamence, Mega Sableye)

Tournamentes: /tour rules !Obtainable Misc,+Metagross-Mega,+Metagrossite,+Glalitite,+Refrigerate,+Glalie-Mega,+Alakazite,+Alakazam-Mega,+Absolite,+Absol-Mega,+Magic Bounce,+Aerodactylite,+Tough Claws,+Aerodactyl-Mega,+Aggronite,+Aggron-Mega,+Banettite,+Banette-Mega,+Prankster,+Cameruptite,+Camerupt-Mega,+Charizardite X,+Charizard-Mega-X,+Houndoominite,+Houndoom-Mega,+Manectite,+Manectric-Mega,+Pinsirite,+Pinsir-Mega,+Aerilate,+Tyranitarite,+Tyranitar-Mega,+Ampharosite,+Ampharos-Mega,+Mold Breaker,+Medichamite,+Medicham-Mega,+Sceptilite,+Sceptile-Mega,+Beedrillite,+Beedrill-Mega,+Adaptability,+Sand Force,+Steelixite,+Steelix-Mega,+Abomasite,+Abomasnow-Mega,+Scizorite,+Scizor-Mega,+Galladite,+Gallade-Mega,+Gyaradosite,+Gyarados-Mega,+Latiasite,+Latias-Mega,+Lopunnite,+Lopunny-Mega,+Venusaurite,+Venusaur-Mega,+Blastoisinite,+Blastoise-Mega,+Mega Launcher,+Heracronite,+Heracross-Mega,+Sharpedonite,+Sharpedo-Mega,+Strong Jaw,+Pidgeotite,+Pidgeot-Mega,+Slowbronite,+Slowbro-Mega,+Audinite,+Audino-Mega,+Garchompite,+Garchomp-Mega,+Latiosite,+Latios-Mega

Custom Games: /challenge gen5ou @@@ !Obtainable Misc,+Metagross-Mega,+Metagrossite,+Glalitite,+Refrigerate,+Glalie-Mega,+Alakazite,+Alakazam-Mega,+Absolite,+Absol-Mega,+Magic Bounce,+Aerodactylite,+Tough Claws,+Aerodactyl-Mega,+Aggronite,+Aggron-Mega,+Banettite,+Banette-Mega,+Prankster,+Cameruptite,+Camerupt-Mega,+Charizardite X,+Charizard-Mega-X,+Houndoominite,+Houndoom-Mega,+Manectite,+Manectric-Mega,+Pinsirite,+Pinsir-Mega,+Aerilate,+Tyranitarite,+Tyranitar-Mega,+Ampharosite,+Ampharos-Mega,+Mold Breaker,+Medichamite,+Medicham-Mega,+Sceptilite,+Sceptile-Mega,+Beedrillite,+Beedrill-Mega,+Adaptability,+Sand Force,+Steelixite,+Steelix-Mega,+Abomasite,+Abomasnow-Mega,+Scizorite,+Scizor-Mega,+Galladite,+Gallade-Mega,+Gyaradosite,+Gyarados-Mega,+Latiasite,+Latias-Mega,+Lopunnite,+Lopunny-Mega,+Venusaurite,+Venusaur-Mega,+Blastoisinite,+Blastoise-Mega,+Mega Launcher,+Heracronite,+Heracross-Mega,+Sharpedonite,+Sharpedo-Mega,+Strong Jaw,+Pidgeotite,+Pidgeot-Mega,+Slowbronite,+Slowbro-Mega,+Audinite,+Audino-Mega,+Garchompite,+Garchomp-Mega,+Latiosite,+Latios-Mega

Day 1:
 
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Manectric-Mega @ Manectite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch

Thundy-T is mostly better due to not taking up a Mega Slot but this is faster and lacks a Rocks weakness. And Intimidate is cool too I guess.

Also Mega Swampert in an *interesting* predicament. Would it get banned due to potentially Sand teams and other things bringing it to counter team Rain builds and it being overwhelming at doing that, akin to what Excadrill did on Rain teams when Sand Rush wasn't outright banned but comboing it with Sand Stream on the same team was. On the note of Sand Stream, could Mega Garchomp have a chance due to perma Sand?
 
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Also Mega Swampert in an *interesting* predicament. Would it get banned due to potentially Sand teams and other things bringing it to counter team Rain builds and it being overwhelming at doing that, akin to what Excadrill did on Rain teams when Sand Rush wasn't outright banned but comboing it with Sand Stream on the same team was.
Swampertite and Mega Swampert aren't in the ruleset that Mashing put, so I'm assuming that Mega Pert is already banned to avoid this situation.
 
Manectric-Mega @ Manectite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch

Thundy-T is mostly better due to not taking up a Mega Slot but this is faster and lacks a Rocks weakness. And Intimidate is cool too I guess.

Also Mega Swampert in an *interesting* predicament. Would it get banned due to potentially Sand teams and other things bringing it to counter team Rain builds and it being overwhelming at doing that, akin to what Excadrill did on Rain teams when Sand Rush wasn't outright banned but comboing it with Sand Stream on the same team was. On the note of Sand Stream, could Mega Garchomp have a chance due to perma Sand?
Swampert Mega is banned due to the same reason as Sand Rush Excadrill, since non rain teams could techincally use it.
 
The issue I see in general with the Megas in this format is that hazards and Sand are so prevalent that they will naturally wear down every single one of them. Sand teams will probably stick with the mons that naturally fit on them (Latis and Scizor, maybe Garchomp or Metagross) but Rain will enjoy having a whole new set of weapons at their disposal since they want to control the weather and spin hazards with Tentacruel.

Sun teams will definitely see a rise with Zard Y, but I think Zard Y is really inconsistent because so much of the tier (as it currently stands) revolves around Latios, Tyranitar, and Rain. This, in conjuction with how difficult it is to keep hazards off in BW, leaves me to believe that you'll see Zard Y mainly on HO, and the kind that both uses lead Aero and a spinner.

Miscellaneous projections:
  • Mega Pidgeot is kinda like a Tornadus Therian that's stronger but frailer, and isn't restricted to Rain. It also seems really good with Spikes since it outspeeds Zam and has U-turn, while also hitting everything with Hurricane and Heat Wave except Heatran (who hates Spikes) and Rotom-Wash (who you can U-turn on). However, it still hates Stealth Rock, and is very frail so it'll get revenge killed easily.
  • At first I thought Mega Absol would be an interesting anti-hazard Pokemon, but then I looked at it and yeah this thing is as frail as Espeon. It could be neat as an anti-offense Pokemon but it doesn't seem worth running if you want Magic Bounce.
  • Mega Blastoise still doesn't get Dark Pulse, next!
  • Mega Venusaur could be cool since it can heal off some of the passive damage with Giga Drain but it's bulk and typing aren't super special.
 
Usage stats from the semifinals and finals of the What If Tours held in RoA now that the second major topic is over


What If Megas in BW OU

Code:
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon            | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Tyranitar          |   33 |  41.25% |  48.48% |
| 2    | Latios             |   32 |  40.00% |  56.25% |
| 3    | Garchomp           |   22 |  27.50% |  40.91% |
| 4    | Keldeo             |   20 |  25.00% |  70.00% |
| 4    | Alakazam           |   20 |  25.00% |  35.00% |
| 6    | Ferrothorn         |   17 |  21.25% |  58.82% |
| 6    | Scizor             |   17 |  21.25% |  47.06% |
| 8    | Dragonite          |   16 |  20.00% |  75.00% |
| 8    | Skarmory           |   16 |  20.00% |  68.75% |
| 8    | Landorus-Therian   |   16 |  20.00% |  43.75% |
| 8    | Excadrill          |   16 |  20.00% |  37.50% |
| 12   | Volcarona          |   15 |  18.75% |  60.00% |
| 13   | Starmie            |   14 |  17.50% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Jirachi            |   14 |  17.50% |  42.86% |
| 15   | Gliscor            |   13 |  16.25% |  76.92% |
| 15   | Tentacruel         |   13 |  16.25% |  61.54% |
| 15   | Politoed           |   13 |  16.25% |  53.85% |
| 18   | Breloom            |   10 |  12.50% |  60.00% |
| 19   | Thundurus-Therian  |    9 |  11.25% |  66.67% |
| 20   | Charizard          |    8 |  10.00% |  75.00% |
| 20   | Jellicent          |    8 |  10.00% |  50.00% |
| 22   | Heatran            |    7 |   8.75% |  42.86% |
| 22   | Magnezone          |    7 |   8.75% |  28.57% |
| 24   | Metagross          |    6 |   7.50% |  50.00% |
| 24   | Celebi             |    6 |   7.50% |  33.33% |
| 24   | Salamence          |    6 |   7.50% |  33.33% |
| 24   | Kyurem-Black       |    6 |   7.50% |  16.67% |
| 28   | Amoonguss          |    5 |   6.25% |  60.00% |
| 28   | Medicham           |    5 |   6.25% |  60.00% |
| 28   | Pidgeot            |    5 |   6.25% |  40.00% |
| 31   | Aerodactyl         |    4 |   5.00% |  50.00% |
| 31   | Slowbro            |    4 |   5.00% |  25.00% |
| 31   | Ninetales          |    4 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 31   | Houndoom           |    4 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 31   | Xatu               |    4 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 36   | Gyarados           |    3 |   3.75% |  66.67% |
| 36   | Serperior          |    3 |   3.75% |  66.67% |
| 36   | Manectric          |    3 |   3.75% |  66.67% |
| 36   | Gastrodon          |    3 |   3.75% |  33.33% |
| 36   | Terrakion          |    3 |   3.75% |  33.33% |
| 36   | Blissey            |    3 |   3.75% |  33.33% |
| 36   | Conkeldurr         |    3 |   3.75% |  33.33% |
| 36   | Pinsir             |    3 |   3.75% |   0.00% |
| 36   | Darmanitan         |    3 |   3.75% |   0.00% |
| 36   | Latias             |    3 |   3.75% |   0.00% |
| 36   | Rotom-Wash         |    3 |   3.75% |   0.00% |
| 47   | Seismitoad         |    2 |   2.50% | 100.00% |
| 47   | Espeon             |    2 |   2.50% | 100.00% |
| 47   | Victreebel         |    2 |   2.50% | 100.00% |
| 47   | Haxorus            |    2 |   2.50% |  50.00% |
| 47   | Chansey            |    2 |   2.50% |  50.00% |
| 47   | Gallade            |    2 |   2.50% |  50.00% |
| 47   | Ditto              |    2 |   2.50% |  50.00% |
| 47   | Scrafty            |    2 |   2.50% |  50.00% |
| 47   | Reuniclus          |    2 |   2.50% |  50.00% |
| 47   | Zapdos             |    2 |   2.50% |  50.00% |
| 57   | Lopunny            |    1 |   1.25% | 100.00% |
| 57   | Abomasnow          |    1 |   1.25% | 100.00% |
| 57   | Kyurem             |    1 |   1.25% | 100.00% |
| 57   | Venusaur           |    1 |   1.25% | 100.00% |
| 57   | Victini            |    1 |   1.25% | 100.00% |
| 57   | Cloyster           |    1 |   1.25% | 100.00% |
| 57   | Tornadus           |    1 |   1.25% |   0.00% |
| 57   | Hippowdon          |    1 |   1.25% |   0.00% |
| 57   | Forretress         |    1 |   1.25% |   0.00% |
| 57   | Tangrowth          |    1 |   1.25% |   0.00% |
| 57   | Mamoswine          |    1 |   1.25% |   0.00% |
| 57   | Toxicroak          |    1 |   1.25% |   0.00% |
You are free to comment and discuss your thoughts here!
 
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Finishing the topic of mega evolution in old generations, we present ADV + Megas. Which will inpact the viability of certain Pokemon and how they face off against the meta. How will this change ADV? lets find out!!

Mega Evolution Mechanics are different than DPP and BW, the new abilities gained trough Mega Evolving are only applied after you switch out. For example if you Mega your Pinsir you will only get the benefits of Aerilate after you switch out after using your mega stone.

Aditionally, mega evolutions that are generally considered overpowered are banned (Mega Gengar, Mega Blaziken, Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Salamence, Mega Metagross, Mega Charizard Y)

DISCLAIMER: Magic Bounce works differently only bouncing status, thus making Mega Sabyele and Mega Absol have no hazard denial. They will remain legal and still being able to be usable despite this.

Tournamentes: /tour rules !Obtainable Misc,+Glalitite,+Refrigerate,+Glalie-Mega,+Alakazite,+Alakazam-Mega,+Absolite,+Absol-Mega,+Magic Bounce,+Aerodactylite,+Tough Claws,+Aerodactyl-Mega,+Aggronite,+Aggron-Mega,+Sablenite,+Sableye-Mega,+Banettite,+Banette-Mega,+Prankster,+Cameruptite,+Camerupt-Mega,+Charizardite X,+Charizard-Mega-X,+Houndoominite,+Houndoom-Mega,+Manectite,+Manectric-Mega,+Swampertite,+Swampert-Mega,+Pinsirite,+Pinsir-Mega,+Aerilate,+Tyranitarite,+Tyranitar-Mega,+Ampharosite,+Ampharos-Mega,+Mold Breaker,+Medichamite,+Medicham-Mega,+Sceptilite,+Sceptile-Mega,+Beedrillite,+Beedrill-Mega,+Adaptability,+Sand Force,+Steelixite,+Steelix-Mega, +Scizorite, +Scizor-Mega,+Gyaradosite, +Gyarados-Mega, +Venusaurite, +Venusaur-Mega, +Blastoisinite, +Blastoise-Mega, +Mega Launcher, +Heracronite, +Heracross-Mega, +Sharpedonite, +Sharpedo-Mega, +Strong Jaw, +Pidgeotite, +Pidgeot-Mega, +Slowbronite, +Slowbro-Mega

Custom Games: /challenge gen3ou @@@ !Obtainable Misc,+Glalitite,+Refrigerate,+Glalie-Mega,+Alakazite,+Alakazam-Mega,+Absolite,+Absol-Mega,+Magic Bounce,+Aerodactylite,+Tough Claws,+Aerodactyl-Mega,+Aggronite,+Aggron-Mega,+Sablenite,+Sableye-Mega,+Banettite,+Banette-Mega,+Prankster,+Cameruptite,+Camerupt-Mega,+Charizardite X,+Charizard-Mega-X,+Houndoominite,+Houndoom-Mega,+Manectite,+Manectric-Mega,+Swampertite,+Swampert-Mega,+Pinsirite,+Pinsir-Mega,+Aerilate,+Tyranitarite,+Tyranitar-Mega,+Ampharosite,+Ampharos-Mega,+Mold Breaker,+Medichamite,+Medicham-Mega,+Sceptilite,+Sceptile-Mega,+Beedrillite,+Beedrill-Mega,+Adaptability,+Sand Force,+Steelixite,+Steelix-Mega, +Scizorite, +Scizor-Mega,+Gyaradosite, +Gyarados-Mega, +Venusaurite, +Venusaur-Mega, +Blastoisinite, +Blastoise-Mega, +Mega Launcher, +Heracronite, +Heracross-Mega, +Sharpedonite, +Sharpedo-Mega, +Strong Jaw, +Pidgeotite, +Pidgeot-Mega, +Slowbronite, +Slowbro-Mega

Day 1:

 
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R8

Leads Natdex Other Tiers, not rly doing ndou stuff
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Mega sableye doesn't bounce back spikes right?
 

LpZ

capy
is a Tiering Contributor
RUPL Champion
first glance tierlist

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:charizard-mega-y: - This mon just hits so fucking hard and it nothing really checks it that well like look at this shit 252 SpA Charizard Fire Blast vs. 44 HP / 0 SpD Blissey in Sun: 263-310 (39.7 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery , 3hkos at minimum the entire tier while resetting the weather so sand isnt a problem for it like it is for many megas and it dictates the weather wars this tier wouldnt normally have and even enabling some other mons like chlorophyl users or bulky setup mon that like sand gone like curse lax, on top of being spikes immune, it does it all
:sableye-mega: - Even tho Magic Bounce doesnt bounce hazards back it still bounces status which is huge for this mon, 0 weaknesses, really fat and it got many tools like the broken ass 32 PP Recover, on top of being immune to boom so Calm Mind sets can actually go crazy, only thing that annoys it is sand (and spikes), it can also run some more utility sets with Toxic, Stoss, Taunt, Knock Off. Amazing mon.

:charizard-mega-x: - This mon is actually really similar to Mixmence but with a slightly lower Atk and considerably higher SpAtk, AoA set with FBlast DClaw HP Grass and Focus Punch can go a long way at making progress, what makes it not a top pick and not that bigger of a threat compared to Mence is how sand and spikes really annoys it, stuff that Mence doesnt really mind as its spikes immune and it can carry Lefties, it still deserves being in good but competing with Zard Y is tough.
:alakazam-mega: - Very strong and fast and not having to tie with Dugtrio anymore and having a LOT of tools to mess around and a very tweakable movepool this mon just hits really hard and has coverage for everything, thing is that its very frail and somewhat predict reliant cuz u really wanna get the 2hkos you have at your disposal, sand and spikes are annoying but it can be remediated with Recover.
:pinsir-mega: - Great mon at first glance, very strong and a very key speed tier allowing it to outspeed the base 100s like Zard Y, Zapdos and Mence, doesnt have access to Aerilate Quick Attack but it has a very good moveset of SD Return EQ Rock Slide, nailing the coverage and making so all it needs is a Magneton to enable it. Becomes immune but the bad typing means it wont have easy time setting up, at least it hits quite hard even unboosted.
:tyranitar-mega: - Its actually tough ranking it cuz regular Tyranitar is just better overall, but Mega Ttar is such a great DD sweeper, the extra speed means its not RKd by Duggy, Aero and Jolteon anymore, you got the extra attack meaning you will get better opportunities at +1 vs Skarm, Metagross, and many other stuff, as for other sets like AoA, Mixed and Pursuit just stick with regular Ttar.
:medicham-mega: - this mon smells threat, Medicham already had a niche with the absurd damage output it got, with the mega forme you got a much more buffed version of it, way stronger and it also has a 100 base speed, Focus Punch 2hkos the entire tier, ghosts and psychics are annihilated by shadow ball and you can run Recover to keep it going with the annoying sand chipping it every turn and you also got like Rock Slide for flyings and Brick Break barely misses the 2hko on Skarm, the speed is a problem for this mon tho and positioning it is not THAT easy, its also trappable.

Im gonna make it shorter from here onwards

:slowbro-mega: - really similar to Suicune but it cant hold Lefties and it got much higher phys bulk, it shares the same problems with Cune basically but its a better Metagross (it will just boom on you) and Aero (it will flinch you down) check
:aerodactyl-mega: - Its a fair trade you got from regular Aero, you cant hold CB so ur weaker but you got enough Attack to be somewhat dangerous without locking yourself, on top of higher Speed which is key for other fast megas.
:heracross-mega: - speed decrease isnt that noteworthy and it hits crazy hard with Focus Punch and Megahorn, stick to AoA sets, outclassed by Medicham due to speed and damage output but it has a better defensive profile and an usable secondary STAB, ability is useless
:houndoom-mega: - Actually solid pursuiter, walls non-HP Water Zam and traps it and it can annoy everything with dual STAB + Wisp, ability only useful if u face Zard Y and it gets thanos-snapped by Duggy
:sceptile-mega: - solid mega, blazing fast and it has some good coverage and Leech Seed to annoy everything and sit on Blissey with SubSeed, can also run AoA and its versatile enough, SpDef Celebi shits on it hard and it suffers with 4mss massively while not hitting that hard with the options it has (fun fact it can trap Duggy w Pursuit)
:steelix-mega: - This mon is surprisingly decent, got the defensive stuff from regular Steelix but now it actually has offensive potential with Sand Force on perma sand and 125 Atk with solid coverage and it has boom, painfully slow and most of the time it wanna boom on a bulky water but is it worth it with such a fat and strong mega slot?
:banette-mega: - Biggest surprise out of the megas, hits like a truck with SBall and it can use HP Fighting to complement the coverage and it also has prankster Wisp/Twave and Dbond, ofc it got glaring issues like stats aside of Atk as its kinda frail and slow (remediated by Prankster and Twave) so a lot threatens it back and it will most of the time just be a trade machine

:beedrill-mega: - Fast and strong and can be used to pass SD boosts since it can force switch-ins and get a free turn, thing is with this turn you gotta do something big either clean or pass which is hard for a mon that frail
:venusaur-mega: very fat but depending on Leech Seed at all is sad as Synthesis only recovers 25% on sand
:blastoise-mega: - generic aah water breaker, it has a decent Focus Punch for Blissey and it can spin but it hates lacking Lefties
:scizor-mega: - finally technician boosted metal claw and silver wind, bad coverage tho so ur not seeing it break and altho its sand immune its recovery move is 25%
:swampert-mega: good dmg output but lacking Lefties makes so its defensive asset is much worse
:glalie-mega: - it spikes and kill something with boom, good at doing it but thats not that valuable of a role

:pidgeot-mega: - no usable special move other than hidden powers and both stabs are physical
:gyarados-mega: - you lose stab on HP Flying when clicking mega and getting another special STAB instead, bad
:ampharos-mega: - hard to say if Dragon typing does anything for it, it hits hard but very limited movepool and awful speed and trappable
:aggron-mega: - use skarm, Aggron doesnt really do anything special
:manectric-mega: - if only it had Flame already but its just a buff Jolteon, and Jolteon still has more interesting stuff than it cuz of BPass and Wish
:sharpedo-mega: - outclassed by Blastoise of all things, hits ok but its also crazy frail
:camerupt-mega: - it becomes somehow even slower making it waste waaay too many EVs for base 50s and only move boosted is Fire Blast
:absol-mega: - Absol has an usable SPAtk but no STABs at all and very frail and no defensive utility and very one-dimensional to the worse
 

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