Amane Misa
Bring Them Home Now!
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Steelix is a great tank that takes advantage of its great bulk, good typing, and high Attack to check prominent threats like Latias, Heal Bell Togekiss, and Klefki. Coupled with access to Stealth Rock, these traits differentiate Mega Steelix from other Stealth Rock setters such as Nihilego and Hippowdon. Mega Steelix's Ground typing allows it to block Volt Switch, which gives it leverage over other Steel-types like Cobalion and Stakataka. That said, Mega Steelix still suffers from heavy competition with Mega Aggron, which has access to Filter and has more resistances. Furthermore, despite having eight resistances, Mega Steelix suffers from a weakness to common types including Fighting, Water, and Ground, which leaves it weak to other prominent threats, including Terrakion, Primarina, and Hippowdon. Mega Steelix's lack of reliable recovery also lessens its reliability, as it is forced to be paired with Wish support if it desires to reach its full potential as a wall. While Mega Steelix's low Speed increases Gyro Ball's damage output, it also leaves Mega Steelix outsped by the vast majority of the metagame, which means it'll have to take a hit before moving in most cases. Finally, despite its Ground typing, Mega Steelix struggles to reliably check common Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Rotom-H because they can hit it super effectively. Hence, other Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert outperform Mega Steelix in this role.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Curse
item: Steelixite
ability: Sturdy
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 208 Atk / 48 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Gyro Ball is Mega Steelix's most powerful STAB move and allows it to OHKO Latias and Hydreigon after Stealth Rock damage. Heavy Slam, alternatively, hits slower Pokemon such as Florges and Sylveon harder and has higher PP, but the power drop against faster threats like Latias, Hydreigon, and Krookodile is noticeable, so Gyro Ball is generally better. Curse boosts Mega Steelix's Attack and Defense to extremely high levels while simultaneously boosting Gyro Ball's Base Power by reducing Mega Steelix's Speed. This eases Mega Steelix's matchup against threats it fails to overpower such as Scizor and Hippowdon, lets it serve as a wincon, and overall improves its wallbreaking capabilities. Toxic, alternatively, lets Mega Steelix reliably punish bulky Water-types like Swampert and Alomomola as well as Defog users that normally beat it, like Moltres and Mantine. Rest is an option that lets Mega Steelix check certain threats like Latias and Mega Aerodactyl more reliably, but it leaves Mega Steelix extremely passive for three turns and thus is not recommended, as Mega Steelix will be taken advantage of.
Set Details
========
252 HP EVs and 48 Special Defense EVs allow Mega Steelix to avoid the OHKO from Mega Manectric's Overheat after Stealth Rock damage. A Brave nature and 0 Speed IVs are used to maximize the damage output of Gyro Ball. If opting for Heavy Slam, Mega Steelix should use 31 Speed IVs and an Adamant nature to Speed tie uninvested Reuniclus, Amoonguss, and Slowbro. Sturdy allows Steelix to act as a panic button if need be, but it generally doesn't have any use. Sand Force in combination with Curse improves Mega Steelix's matchup against Hippowdon, but outside of that has no use.
Usage Tips
========
Prioritize Mega Evolving Steelix as early as possible, as Mega Steelix relies on the boosts it gains by Mega Evolving to check threats like Nihilego and Latias. Also, prioritize setting up Stealth Rock because this allows Mega Steelix to reliably punish switches and KO threats like Latias and Hydreigon. Thanks to its great bulk and typing, Mega Steelix can find a lot of opportunities to set up Stealth Rock, such as against Fairy-types like Florges and Sylveon and Flying-types like Crobat and Mega Aerodactyl. Curse should be used against opposing physical attackers that cannot overpower Mega Steelix like Mega Aggron and against certain setup sweepers like Scizor and Doublade that try to overpower Mega Steelix by boosting their stats. However, be wary of using Curse if the opposing team has means of reliably scaring out Mega Steelix like Starmie or Moltres. Refrain from letting Mega Steelix take unnecessary damage because that'll make it notably harder to switch it into threats like Mega Aerodactyl and Raikou. Furthermore, refrain from using Gyro Ball too often because it has low PP, and if Mega Steelix runs out of Gyro Ball PP, it cannot check dangerous threats like Latias and Togekiss. It is advised to scout against Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot and Togekiss that often carry super effective coverage for Steel-types. Despite its ability to block Volt Switch, Mega Steelix should be wary of switching into certain Electric-types like Rotom-H and Mega Manectric that can hit it with a super effective Fire-type move. However, Mega Steelix's presence still prevents the aforementioned Electric-types from reliably using their Electric-type moves, so keep that in mind. If coupled with Wish support, prioritize healing Mega Steelix as soon as it takes damage, as it appreciates every bit of health to reliably act as a wall.
Team Options
========
Mega Steelix fits best into more balanced and defensive teams. Wish users like Alomomola and Blissey pair well with Mega Steelix because of their ability to heal it. Likewise, not only do Fairy-types like Sylveon and Florges have the ability to heal Mega Steelix, they also are able to check Fighting-types like Terrakion as well as cure status ailments from Mega Steelix with Heal Bell, which allows Mega Steelix to use Rest more reliably. Water-types like Jellicent and Slowbro generally pair well with Mega Steelix because they check Fire-types like Infernape and Volcanion, as well as other Water-types like Tentacruel and Swampert. Teammates like Mantine and Hydreigon can clear entry hazards for Mega Steelix and hence are a necessity in improving its walling capabilities. The former appreciates Mega Steelix's ability to check certain Electric-types like Raikou and Flamethrower Mega Manectric, while the latter appreciates Mega Steelix's ability to take on Fairy-types like Sylveon and Klefki. Furthermore, Hydreigon appreciates Mega Steelix's Stealth Rock support to break down opposing teams more easily. Similarly, other Dragon-types like Latias and Kommo-o appreciate Mega Steelix taking on Fairy-types. In return, they can check Fire-types like Infernape and Volcanion for Mega Steelix. Wallbreakers such as Moltres and Terrakion and setup sweepers like Latias and Scizor appreciate Mega Steelix's Stealth Rock support to break through certain cores and Pokemon more easily. Finally, special walls like Blissey and Florges can take on special attackers like Starmie and Primarina that threaten Mega Steelix out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD with an Impish nature makes the most of Mega Steelix's good Defense and Special Defense stats. However, this set is generally outclassed by Mega Aggron, as it has access to Filter, which makes it generally bulkier than Mega Steelix. Roar can be used to prevent certain setup sweepers like Scizor and Doublade from setting up on Mega Steelix, but Curse generally accomplishes the same goal more efficiently. Regular Steelix with Leftovers could be utilized on certain stall teams that need to utilize Steelix's Ground typing to their advantage and already have a Mega Evolution. However, other than having an immunity to Electric, it is generally outperformed in this role by other Steel-types like Registeel and Stakataka.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Swampert and Alomomola do not mind switching into Mega Steelix's STAB moves and threaten it out with super effective Water-type STAB attacks. However, they do not appreciate switching into Toxic. Similarly, offensive Water-types like Starmie, Primarina, and Volcanion threaten Mega Steelix out with powerful Water-type STAB moves, but they find it hard to switch into Mega Steelix's Earthquake.
**Moltres**: Moltres is able to switch into any of Mega Steelix's STAB moves and OHKO it with Fire Blast. Furthermore, it can reliably prevent Mega Steelix from setting up Stealth Rock thanks to the combination of Pressure and Defog. However, it doesn't appreciate switching into Toxic.
**Special Attackers**: While they can't directly switch into Mega Steelix, strong special attackers like Infernape, Chandelure, and Nidoking can take advantage of their powerful STAB moves to easily threaten Mega Steelix out. Furthermore, they can take advantage of Mega Steelix being forced out to set up with Nasty Plot, Calm Mind, or Substitute, respectively.
**Fighting-types**: Despite not being able to OHKO Mega Steelix, strong Fighting-types like Terrakion and Heracross can deal lots of damage to Mega Steelix and force it out. Not only do special Fighting-types like Infernape and Lucario OHKO Mega Steelix with their powerful STAB moves, but they can also take advantage of a forced switch on Mega Steelix's part to set up with Nasty Plot.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Amane Misa, 312356]]
- Earlier versions by: [[Pak, 245869]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nuked, 382658], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157], [Eyan, 226777]]
- Grammar checked by: [[A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Mega Steelix is a great tank that takes advantage of its great bulk, good typing, and high Attack to check prominent threats like Latias, Heal Bell Togekiss, and Klefki. Coupled with access to Stealth Rock, these traits differentiate Mega Steelix from other Stealth Rock setters such as Nihilego and Hippowdon. Mega Steelix's Ground typing allows it to block Volt Switch, which gives it leverage over other Steel-types like Cobalion and Stakataka. That said, Mega Steelix still suffers from heavy competition with Mega Aggron, which has access to Filter and has more resistances. Furthermore, despite having eight resistances, Mega Steelix suffers from a weakness to common types including Fighting, Water, and Ground, which leaves it weak to other prominent threats, including Terrakion, Primarina, and Hippowdon. Mega Steelix's lack of reliable recovery also lessens its reliability, as it is forced to be paired with Wish support if it desires to reach its full potential as a wall. While Mega Steelix's low Speed increases Gyro Ball's damage output, it also leaves Mega Steelix outsped by the vast majority of the metagame, which means it'll have to take a hit before moving in most cases. Finally, despite its Ground typing, Mega Steelix struggles to reliably check common Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Rotom-H because they can hit it super effectively. Hence, other Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert outperform Mega Steelix in this role.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Gyro Ball
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Curse
item: Steelixite
ability: Sturdy
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 208 Atk / 48 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Gyro Ball is Mega Steelix's most powerful STAB move and allows it to OHKO Latias and Hydreigon after Stealth Rock damage. Heavy Slam, alternatively, hits slower Pokemon such as Florges and Sylveon harder and has higher PP, but the power drop against faster threats like Latias, Hydreigon, and Krookodile is noticeable, so Gyro Ball is generally better. Curse boosts Mega Steelix's Attack and Defense to extremely high levels while simultaneously boosting Gyro Ball's Base Power by reducing Mega Steelix's Speed. This eases Mega Steelix's matchup against threats it fails to overpower such as Scizor and Hippowdon, lets it serve as a wincon, and overall improves its wallbreaking capabilities. Toxic, alternatively, lets Mega Steelix reliably punish bulky Water-types like Swampert and Alomomola as well as Defog users that normally beat it, like Moltres and Mantine. Rest is an option that lets Mega Steelix check certain threats like Latias and Mega Aerodactyl more reliably, but it leaves Mega Steelix extremely passive for three turns and thus is not recommended, as Mega Steelix will be taken advantage of.
Set Details
========
252 HP EVs and 48 Special Defense EVs allow Mega Steelix to avoid the OHKO from Mega Manectric's Overheat after Stealth Rock damage. A Brave nature and 0 Speed IVs are used to maximize the damage output of Gyro Ball. If opting for Heavy Slam, Mega Steelix should use 31 Speed IVs and an Adamant nature to Speed tie uninvested Reuniclus, Amoonguss, and Slowbro. Sturdy allows Steelix to act as a panic button if need be, but it generally doesn't have any use. Sand Force in combination with Curse improves Mega Steelix's matchup against Hippowdon, but outside of that has no use.
Usage Tips
========
Prioritize Mega Evolving Steelix as early as possible, as Mega Steelix relies on the boosts it gains by Mega Evolving to check threats like Nihilego and Latias. Also, prioritize setting up Stealth Rock because this allows Mega Steelix to reliably punish switches and KO threats like Latias and Hydreigon. Thanks to its great bulk and typing, Mega Steelix can find a lot of opportunities to set up Stealth Rock, such as against Fairy-types like Florges and Sylveon and Flying-types like Crobat and Mega Aerodactyl. Curse should be used against opposing physical attackers that cannot overpower Mega Steelix like Mega Aggron and against certain setup sweepers like Scizor and Doublade that try to overpower Mega Steelix by boosting their stats. However, be wary of using Curse if the opposing team has means of reliably scaring out Mega Steelix like Starmie or Moltres. Refrain from letting Mega Steelix take unnecessary damage because that'll make it notably harder to switch it into threats like Mega Aerodactyl and Raikou. Furthermore, refrain from using Gyro Ball too often because it has low PP, and if Mega Steelix runs out of Gyro Ball PP, it cannot check dangerous threats like Latias and Togekiss. It is advised to scout against Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot and Togekiss that often carry super effective coverage for Steel-types. Despite its ability to block Volt Switch, Mega Steelix should be wary of switching into certain Electric-types like Rotom-H and Mega Manectric that can hit it with a super effective Fire-type move. However, Mega Steelix's presence still prevents the aforementioned Electric-types from reliably using their Electric-type moves, so keep that in mind. If coupled with Wish support, prioritize healing Mega Steelix as soon as it takes damage, as it appreciates every bit of health to reliably act as a wall.
Team Options
========
Mega Steelix fits best into more balanced and defensive teams. Wish users like Alomomola and Blissey pair well with Mega Steelix because of their ability to heal it. Likewise, not only do Fairy-types like Sylveon and Florges have the ability to heal Mega Steelix, they also are able to check Fighting-types like Terrakion as well as cure status ailments from Mega Steelix with Heal Bell, which allows Mega Steelix to use Rest more reliably. Water-types like Jellicent and Slowbro generally pair well with Mega Steelix because they check Fire-types like Infernape and Volcanion, as well as other Water-types like Tentacruel and Swampert. Teammates like Mantine and Hydreigon can clear entry hazards for Mega Steelix and hence are a necessity in improving its walling capabilities. The former appreciates Mega Steelix's ability to check certain Electric-types like Raikou and Flamethrower Mega Manectric, while the latter appreciates Mega Steelix's ability to take on Fairy-types like Sylveon and Klefki. Furthermore, Hydreigon appreciates Mega Steelix's Stealth Rock support to break down opposing teams more easily. Similarly, other Dragon-types like Latias and Kommo-o appreciate Mega Steelix taking on Fairy-types. In return, they can check Fire-types like Infernape and Volcanion for Mega Steelix. Wallbreakers such as Moltres and Terrakion and setup sweepers like Latias and Scizor appreciate Mega Steelix's Stealth Rock support to break through certain cores and Pokemon more easily. Finally, special walls like Blissey and Florges can take on special attackers like Starmie and Primarina that threaten Mega Steelix out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD with an Impish nature makes the most of Mega Steelix's good Defense and Special Defense stats. However, this set is generally outclassed by Mega Aggron, as it has access to Filter, which makes it generally bulkier than Mega Steelix. Roar can be used to prevent certain setup sweepers like Scizor and Doublade from setting up on Mega Steelix, but Curse generally accomplishes the same goal more efficiently. Regular Steelix with Leftovers could be utilized on certain stall teams that need to utilize Steelix's Ground typing to their advantage and already have a Mega Evolution. However, other than having an immunity to Electric, it is generally outperformed in this role by other Steel-types like Registeel and Stakataka.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Swampert and Alomomola do not mind switching into Mega Steelix's STAB moves and threaten it out with super effective Water-type STAB attacks. However, they do not appreciate switching into Toxic. Similarly, offensive Water-types like Starmie, Primarina, and Volcanion threaten Mega Steelix out with powerful Water-type STAB moves, but they find it hard to switch into Mega Steelix's Earthquake.
**Moltres**: Moltres is able to switch into any of Mega Steelix's STAB moves and OHKO it with Fire Blast. Furthermore, it can reliably prevent Mega Steelix from setting up Stealth Rock thanks to the combination of Pressure and Defog. However, it doesn't appreciate switching into Toxic.
**Special Attackers**: While they can't directly switch into Mega Steelix, strong special attackers like Infernape, Chandelure, and Nidoking can take advantage of their powerful STAB moves to easily threaten Mega Steelix out. Furthermore, they can take advantage of Mega Steelix being forced out to set up with Nasty Plot, Calm Mind, or Substitute, respectively.
**Fighting-types**: Despite not being able to OHKO Mega Steelix, strong Fighting-types like Terrakion and Heracross can deal lots of damage to Mega Steelix and force it out. Not only do special Fighting-types like Infernape and Lucario OHKO Mega Steelix with their powerful STAB moves, but they can also take advantage of a forced switch on Mega Steelix's part to set up with Nasty Plot.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Amane Misa, 312356]]
- Earlier versions by: [[Pak, 245869]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nuked, 382658], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157], [Eyan, 226777]]
- Grammar checked by: [[A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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