Mega Altaria [QC: 0/3]

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Funbot28

Banned deucer.


QC: / /
GP: /


[OVERVIEW]
* Mega Altaria secures itself as one of the most threatening setup sweepers in the metagame thanks to its access to Dragon Dance alongside its good mixed offensive capabilities.
* It also sports impressive bulk in tandem with a great defensive typing which enables Mega Altaria to resist common offensive types such as Electric, Water, Fighting and Dark alongside an immunity to Dragon-type moves, letting Mega Altaria able to achieve many opportunities to setup throughout the match.
* Access to a wise array of coverage option such as Earthquake and Flamethrower on top of it's STAB attacks allows Mega Altaria to dent a majority of the metagame. Mega Altaria also has access to a great utility options as well in Heal Bell and Roost, enabling it to opt for a more supportive role.
* However, Mega Altaria's damage output can be quite unimpressive at times if it is unable to accumulate any setup boosts.
* It is also weak to common priority moves in Bullet Punch and Ice Shard coming off popular offensive threats such as Scizor and Mamoswine respectively, meaning that it can have a difficult time sweeping until the aforementioned threats have been accounted for.

[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Return / Facade
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dragon Dance is Mega Altaria's main setup move, turning into a powerful and fast offensive threat that can sweep weakened teams.
* Return is Mega Altaria's main STAB attack, which under the effects of Pixilate turns into a powerful Fairy-type attack which can dent most foes that do not resist it. Facade is an alternative option which aids Mega Altaria when inflicted by certain status conditions such as burns, but comes with the cost of being weaker when it is not statused.
* Earthquake is a great coverage option that targets Steel-, Poison-, and Fire-types such as Klefki, Tentacreul, and Volcanion that resist it's Fairy-type attacks.
* Fire Blast can be used as an alternative coverage option to hit threats such as Magnet Rise Kleki, Amoonguss, and Doublade harder, although it does not benefit from the Attack raises from Dragon Dance.
* Roost provides Mega Altaria useful recovery, letting it gain access to multiple chances to setup throughout the match.

Set Details
========
* Natural Cure is its preferred ability before it Mega Evolves as it allows Altaria to stay inflicted by status conditions as long as it switches out, meaning that it can pivot into moves such as Will-o-Wisp and Toxic.
* Pixilate converts Mega Altaria's Normal-type moves into STAB Fairy-type attacks alongside giving them an extra boost in power, aiding it in wallbreaking when using attacks such as Return and Facade.
*EVs have been invested into both Attack and Speed with a Jolly nature in order to maximize Mega Altaria's sweeping capabilities.

Usage Tips
========
* Mega Altaria is best used late game once offensive checks such as Scizor and Mega Beedrill have been dealt with. It also appreciates once defensive walls that can otherwise wall it even when boosted like Amoonguss, defensive Gliscor, and Magnet Rise Klefki have been weakened.
* Mega Altaria can be used to pivot into attackers that do not threaten it such as Rotom-W, Hydreigon, and Tentacreul. However, it risks being statused or hit by a coverage move, severely hampering its sweeping potential later on.
* Mega Altaria can lure its checks depending on what coverage option it chooses to run. For example, it can lure in Rotom-W into statusing it with either Will-o-Wisp or Toxic in order to make Mega Altaria's Facade hit harder, or roast Klefki with Fire Blast as it proceeds to use Magnet Rise. Masking these options can be extremely beneficial as it can aid Mega Altaria in securing a sweep late game.

Team Options
========
* Partners that can take on Steel-, Fairy-, Ice-, and Poison-type attacks are great allies for Mega Altaria. Great examples includes most Steel-types such as Klefki, Doublade, Scizor, and Empoleon, while Mega Altaria can help check Fire- and Fighting-types in return. The latter two examples are notable since they can also remove entry hazards which can otherwise annoy Mega Altaria greatly.
* Magneton is another notable Steel-type which aids Mega Altaria by trapping opposing Steel-types such as Scizor, Klefki, and Empoleon, making it much more easier to clean up.
* Entry hazard support can also be beneficial in an attempt to help break down Mega Altaria's defensive checks with great setters including Gliscor, Mamoswine, and Seismitoad.
* Mega Altaria can also benefit from the added pressure from offensive partners such as Cobalion, Infernape, Primarina, and Scizor as they can help break down their shared checks.

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Hyper Voice
move 3: Roost
move 4: Flamethrower / Earthquake
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Bold / Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Heal Bell allows Mega Altaria to cure it's team alongside itself from troubling status conditions.
* Hyper Voice is it's main STAB move, hitting threats that do not resist it incredibly hard. It also has the added advantage of hitting through Substitutes.
* Roost provides Mega Altaria immediate recovery, prolonging its sustainability.
* Flamethrower is a great coverage option that enables Mega Altaria in targeting Steel-types such as Scizor, Klefki, and Doublade. Earthquake can be used as an alternative option in an attempt to hit specific Steel-types that are not weak to Fire-type attacks such as Empoleon alongside Poison-types such as Alolan-Muk and Nihilego.

Set Details
========
* Natural Cure is a great pre-mega ability, enabling Mega Altaria to avoid status conditions as long as it switches out before Mega Evolving, enhancing its durability.
* Pixilate converts Mega Altaria's Normal-type moves into powerful Fairy-type STAB moves thanks to it's boost in power.
* 84 Defense EVs with a Bold Nature ensure that Mega Altaria can avoid the 2HKO against certain threats such as Terrakion, Mega Sharpedo, and defensive Scizor. The rest is invested in its HP and Special Defense in order to turn Mega Altaria into a great mixed defensive wall. A Relaxed nature can be used instead if Mega Altaria chooses to run Earthquake as a coverage option.

Usage Tips
========
* Mega Altaria can be used as a defensive pivot that can switch into numerous threats such as Rotom-W, Mega Manectric, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Sceptile thanks to its typing.
* It would likely be spamming Hyper Voice majority of the time due to the moves immense power coupled with it's ability to target most of the metagame for at least neutral damage.
* When Mega Altaria is not attacking however, it should be ridding its team and itself of harmful status conditions through the use of Heal Bell.
* Be careful against switching into certain attackers, since certain threats such as Hydreigon and Mega Sceptile can carry coverage options like Flash Cannon and Iron Tail respectively, which can harm Mega Altaria.


Team Options
========
* Mega Altaria works great alongside many Steel-types in the tier, since a majority if them can cover it's weakness to Fairy-, Steel-, Ice-, and Poison-type attacks. Great examples include Empoleon, Klefki, Scizor, and Cobalion. Where the former two can provide entry hazard support while the ladder examples can apply more offensive pressure to Mega Altaria's checks.
* Other defensive pivots such as Rotom-W and Gliscor can also be useful in bringing Mega Altiaria safely into the battlefield, where it can cover the aforementioned partners checks such as Latias and Mega Sharpedo respectively.
* Offensive partners such as Mamoswine and Infernape can also be valuable in applying more pressure on the opposing team, aiding Mega Altaria in weakening certain checks such as Empoleon and Tentacreul.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Mega Altaria can opt to run a more defensive Dragon Dance set, providing it more setup opportunities thanks to its added bulk with the cost of significantly less power.
* A fully offensively special attacking set also remains a viable option, enabling Mega Altaria to break through certain defensive threats such as Hippowdon and Gliscor, threats that a physically attacking set would have a difficult time breaking through.
* Fire Blast can be used over Flamethrower for a more powerful coverage option, however the lack of accuracy can be detrimental at times.
* Other STAB moves such as Body Slam and Double Edge can be used instead over Return, where the former has less power but offers the chance in spreading paralysis, while the ladder deals more damage with the cost of recoil.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Steel-types**: Threats such as Scizor, Klefki, Empoleon, and Doublade resist Mega Altaria's Fairy-type STAB attacks and can hit it back hard with their own STAB Steel-type moves or threaten to status it with moves such as Toxic. However, they all must be wary for coverage options such as Flamethrower and Earthquake.

**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Tentacreul, Crobat, and Alolan-Muk can also hit Mega Altaria hard with their own STAB attacks, with the first two examples also resisting Fairy-type moves. However, Mega Altaria can threaten the aforementioned examples bar Crobat with Earthquake.

**Faster Threats**: Pokemon such as Mega Beedrill, Mega Aerodactyl, Choice Scarf Infernape, and Choice Scarf Hydreigon can all outspeed Mega Altaria even after accumulating a Dragon Dance boost and can threaten to revenge kill it with their respective coverage options.

**Priority Moves**: Moves such as Bullet Punch, Ice Shard, and Extreme Speed coming off of threats such as Scizor, Mamoswine, and Zygarde-10% respectively can all prevent Mega Altaria from sweeping if it has been weakened enough.
 
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amcheck, I would recommend waiting until a QC member checks over this to implement anything

Overview
  • What common Pokemon can Mega Altaria set up on? I'd say some examples like Infernape (or Heracross), Latias, and Rotom-W, especially if carrying Facade.
  • Talk about how Fairy is a good offensive typing as well, one that not many Pokemon resist.
  • What does Earthquake and Flamethrower allow Mega Altaria to hit that it would otherwise not be able to handle?
  • Mention Pixilate here somewhere as well.
  • Mention that its Speed stat isn't the greatest, and as such it gets revenged by common scarfers and certain mons that are faster regardless like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill.
Offensive Dragon Dance

Moves

  • I think Refresh deserves a mention either here or in Other Options, up to QC to decide. Toxic actually totally cripples sweeping Mega Altaria and makes it to where it can't sweep anymore and is put on a timer. Refresh really helps against this. Mention that if Altaria did run Refresh on a DD set it would be mono-fairy which would require more team support. Mention that you can also run Heal Bell but the PP is a lot lower, which can be detrimental in long games, but you do get that team utility.
Set Details
  • Mention how Roost allows it set up on defensive Pokemon as well, since it can heal off any residual damage they might do to it.
Usage Tips
  • Mention avoiding status here, since if running Return it's crippled by burns and crippled by Toxic regardless.
Team Options
  • Mention Heal Bell users here, since Mega Altaria can't actually function when Toxic'd or burned. (when not running facade) However I could see QC disagreeing with this since there's not many offensive Heal Bell users so don't take this one to heart. Maybe Togekiss would fit well but it does stack weaknesses.
  • Mention hazard removers since Mega Altaria is really weak to hazard stacking.
Support

Set Details
  • Mention that if Mega Altaria runs Earthquake it gets set up on by physical sweepers like Doublade and Scizor.
  • I think "incredibly hard" is a big exaggeration when talking about Hyper Voice, just mention that it does good damage to offensive threats.
Usage Tips
  • Remove the Iron Tail Sceptile mention and replace it with Ice Fang from Mega Sharpedo, I don't think I have ever seen Iron Tail on Mega Sceptile and I don't think it's viable either. Ice Fang Mega Sharpedo is more common and viable.
Team Options
  • In Steel-types also mention Magneton, since it traps and removes other Steel-types.
  • Again mention hazard removers, since this set is arguably even weaker to hazards than the offensive one.
Other Options
  • Mention that Altaria can run Dragon-type STAB moves like Outrage and Draco Meteor, but that it's never worth it because it doesn't give Mega Altaria any additional coverage.
  • On Fire Blast, specify Support sets, since you mentioned Fire Blast in Offensive DD.
  • (The ones I'm about to mention are a bit shaky and could go either way)
  • Haze and Roar probably deserve mentions, since certain mons like Scizor and Doublade can set up on support sets Altaria if running Earthquake.
  • Mention Cotton Guard on DD sets and how Mega Altaria can set up on physical attackers like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl if running it, but it makes Mega Altaria have mono-fairy coverage.
Checks and Counters
  • Amoonguss could probably get mentioned in Poison-types since it can Spore Mega Altaria and isn't ever OHKOed by Flamethrower.
  • In Steel-types, mention that Altaria can potentially take advantage of status with Facade.
  • This is debatable but I think Quagsire should get its own section since it hard walls Jolly DD sets and cripples with Toxic in return; Jolly Facade when statused isn't even a guaranteed 2HKO and even if Altaria is running facade, it just gets toxic stalled with Recover. Or you could just say "Unaware / Haze users" and also mention Tentacruel or something like that.
 
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A Cake Wearing A Hat

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amcheck, I would recommend waiting until a QC member checks over this to implement anything

Overview
  • What common Pokemon can Mega Altaria set up on? I'd say some examples like Infernape (or Heracross), Latias, and Rotom-W, especially if carrying Facade.
  • Talk about how Fairy is a good offensive typing as well, one that not many Pokemon resist.
  • What does Earthquake and Flamethrower allow Mega Altaria to hit that it would otherwise not be able to handle?
  • Mention Pixilate here somewhere as well.
  • Mention that its Speed stat isn't the greatest, and as such it gets revenged by common scarfers and certain mons that are faster regardless like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill.
Offensive Dragon Dance

Moves

  • I think Refresh deserves a mention either here or in Other Options, up to QC to decide. Toxic actually totally cripples sweeping Mega Altaria and makes it to where it can't sweep anymore and is put on a timer. Refresh really helps against this. Mention that if Altaria did run Refresh on a DD set it would be mono-fairy which would require more team support. Mention that you can also run Heal Bell but the PP is a lot lower, which can be detrimental in long games, but you do get that team utility. (Mention refresh in moves but don't give it a slash)
Set Details
  • Mention how Roost allows it set up on defensive Pokemon as well, since it can heal off any residual damage they might do to it. (give examples)
Usage Tips
  • Mention avoiding status here, since if running Return it's crippled by burns and crippled by Toxic regardless.
Team Options
  • Mention Heal Bell users here, since Mega Altaria can't actually function when Toxic'd or burned. (when not running facade) However I could see QC disagreeing with this since there's not many offensive Heal Bell users so don't take this one to heart. Maybe Togekiss would fit well but it does stack weaknesses. (after qc discussion we're axing this)
  • Mention hazard removers since Mega Altaria is really weak to hazard stacking.
Support

Set Details
  • Mention that if Mega Altaria runs Earthquake it gets set up on by physical sweepers like Doublade and Scizor.
  • I think "incredibly hard" is a big exaggeration when talking about Hyper Voice, just mention that it does good damage to offensive threats.
Usage Tips
  • Remove the Iron Tail Sceptile mention and replace it with Ice Fang from Mega Sharpedo, I don't think I have ever seen Iron Tail on Mega Sceptile and I don't think it's viable either. Ice Fang Mega Sharpedo is more common and viable. (Iron tail scept is a thing but ice fang shark is definitely a better example anyway)
Team Options
  • In Steel-types also mention Magneton, since it traps and removes other Steel-types.
  • Again mention hazard removers, since this set is arguably even weaker to hazards than the offensive one.
Other Options
  • Mention that Altaria can run Dragon-type STAB moves like Outrage and Draco Meteor, but that it's never worth it because it doesn't give Mega Altaria any additional coverage.
  • On Fire Blast, specify Support sets, since you mentioned Fire Blast in Offensive DD.
  • (The ones I'm about to mention are a bit shaky and could go either way)
  • Haze and Roar probably deserve mentions, since certain mons like Scizor and Doublade can set up on support sets Altaria if running Earthquake.
  • Mention Cotton Guard on DD sets and how Mega Altaria can set up on physical attackers like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl if running it, but it makes Mega Altaria have mono-fairy coverage.
Checks and Counters
  • Amoonguss could probably get mentioned in Poison-types since it can Spore Mega Altaria and isn't ever OHKOed by Flamethrower. (Definitely do this, it also gives offensive dd a rly hard time thanks to its eq neutrality)
  • In Steel-types, mention that Altaria can potentially take advantage of status with Facade.
  • This is debatable but I think Quagsire should get its own section since it hard walls Jolly DD sets and cripples with Toxic in return; Jolly Facade when statused isn't even a guaranteed 2HKO and even if Altaria is running facade, it just gets toxic stalled with Recover. Or you could just say "Unaware / Haze users" and also mention Tentacruel or something like that. (Do the second one.)
implement this, comments in bold

not a full check, QC is discussing this still.
 

Eyan

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Alright, so QC has discussed, and we believe that Defensive Dragon Dance and Special Attacker both deserve their own sets. Here's the overall look of how this analysis's set order should go. Nothing too specific now, just stuff that'll let you work on this:

1. Offensive Dragon Dance. The set you have now is fine, as well as the stuff in Moves. Just mention Refresh as an additional option.

2. Support. Honestly, in UU, I think it's fine to just go max HP and max Def. Even with Earthquake, Bold isn't even that bad of an option, since you probably won't be clicking Earthquake immediately on the switch to stuff like Alolan Muk, Tentacruel, and Empoleon. In Set Details, I'd also mention the option of an Impish nature set with Body Slam over Hyper Voice (so remove this from Other Options). You'd also want to talk about certain Speed creep benchmarks you could go with this.

3. Special Attacker. The name is that, but the set itself is Hyper Voice / Roost / Fire Blast / Earthquake or Heal Bell with a Timid / Modest nature and max Speed and Special Attack. Being able to outspeed stuff like Blastoise comfortable to Roost up is nice. Modest is nice too, since you get better rolls with Hyper Voice like being able to guaranteed 2HKO max HP Rotom-W. Reasons for -Atk nature same as above, and you really don't want to sacrifice any other stat with this set. Heal Bell is slashed, since it could support the team as well, and Earthquake isn't an absolute need on this set.

4. Defensive Dragon Dance. The set would be Return or Facade / Roost / Dragon Dance / Refresh or Earthquake or Fire Blast, Jolly nature with 136 Speed EVs, 248 HP, and rest in Defense. This allows Altaria to outspeed Mega Pidgeot at +1 and max Speed Scizor unboosted. You don't need to sacrifice other stats for Fire Blast, since it does enough to Scizor as is. Mention other spreads in Set Details like enough Speed to outspeed base 115s like Starmie or just enough for Latias at +1 if you really want bulk. That's still enough to outspeed Crawdaunt and Adamant Scizor without boosting.

Other Options. Along with what Nuked said, I'd also mention Ice Beam for the support set for defensive teams that are very weak to Gliscor, since uninvested Hyper Voice isn't going to cut it against that damage wise. So overall, after restructuring, these are the things to include here:
  • Double-Edge on offensive DD
  • Cotton Guard on DD sets
  • Dragon-type STAB moves
  • Haze and Roar for support
  • Ice Beam for support
From this, your overview would probably have to be reworked a little regarding its roles. I understand that this is quite a bit, and it doesn't really count as a proper check, since I'm more or less just making sure sets and stuff are okay before looking at the specifics, usage tips, and team options. This is a pretty important analysis though, so yeah. No rush to get this whole thing done before USM releases; chances are the only major change set wise is the addition of Defog to the non-DD sets. Hmu on discord if you're not sure of anything.
 
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Eyan

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I know I didn't say it explicitly, but when I posted that UU C&C is freezing for the time being here, I meant that ALL activity within the section bar those analyses already in GP should stop. This means to not post in threads unless it's GP related. No point in giving input about quality when obviously things aren't going to be up to date anymore, which is why even QC isn't touching anything for now. It's been less than a week since the start of the new meta, so chill out. When we officially reopen, that's the signal to "start updating your stuff and get QC input".

As a matter of fact, looking at the post literally above yours, you'd see that the writer is holding off on even implementing my suggestions that are also pre-USM but still largely relevant. Please don't bother yourself with this during the transition period. Much appreciated.
 
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