roman
Banned deucer.
qc: torkool / misaka mikoto / illama
gp: the dutch plumberjack / cryogyro
[OVERVIEW]
Dark
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Mega Sableye's ability, Magic Bounce, allows it to shut down entry hazard setters such as Chansey and Ferrothorn and support teammates by switching in to prevent status such as Toxic. This is especially useful against bulkier teams, as Mega Sableye's teammates get worn down extremely easily without it. Access to Will-O-Wisp in conjunction with Prankster before it Mega Evolves also allows it to cripple physical attackers such as Mega Gallade and Landorus-T. Mega Sableye's Ghost typing gives it an important immunity to Fighting, which allows it to come in on Fighting-types such as Hawlucha and Terrakion and other Pokemon locked into Fighting-type attacks. Furthermore, Mega Sableye has solid defensive stats along with reliable recovery, allowing it to wall offensive threats such as Nidoking. It can also stall out bulky Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Mantine by running Toxic over Foul Play. Any entry hazards, though, especially Toxic Spikes, seriously compromise Mega Sableye's ability to wall Pokemon and provide utility. Mega Sableye's passive nature also allows Pokemon such as Calm Mind Suicune to set up on it and prevents it from doing much work against offensive teams. Mega Sableye is a huge momentum drain and can even have competition with other Mega Evolutions such as Mega Sharpedo for players hoping to keep up momentum. Mega Sharpedo can also wallbreak and can beat Fighting-types that Mega Sableye can't deal with such as Keldeo, and Mega Tyranitar can give you favorable matchups against Flying and Fairy. Pokemon immune to burn such as Volcarona and wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y can blow right past Mega Sableye.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Recover
move 4: Foul Play
item: Sablenite
ability: Prankster
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Knock Off allows Mega Sableye to cripple Pokemon that rely on their item such as Chansey. Will-O-Wisp allow Mega Sableye to cripple physical attackers. Foul Play discourages all physical setup from Pokemon such as Mega Scizor. Recover gives Mega Sableye reliable recovery, allowing it to switch into entry hazards and weaker attacks without being worn down as easily.
Set Details
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Maximum HP allow Mega Sableye to maximize its bulk. 144 Special Defense EVs with a Careful nature allow Mega Sableye to soak up attacks from Pokemon such as Sheer Force Nidoking. 112 Defense EVs let Mega Sableye switch into threatening Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Terrakion. Prankster allows Sableye to hit offensive Pokemon with a priority Will-O-Wisp before it Mega Evolves. Sableye needs Sablenite to Mega Evolve.
Usage Tips
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In some matchups, it can be very beneficial to lead with Sableye and Mega Evolve right away so you can later freely switch it in to prevent entry hazards from Pokemon such as Chansey and Skarmory. It also outright beats other common leads such as Cobalion and Shuckle. Switch Mega Sableye into common hazard setters such as Ferrothorn and Toxapex to bounce back hazards, and switch it into status users such as Gastrodon and Zapdos to cripple them. Preserve Mega Sableye's health and play carefully against types such as Fighting and Normal, where it is extremely important to check threatening Pokemon or prevent hazards. Use Will-O-Wisp liberally against teams with multiple strong physical attackers, as the opponent might try doubling into one. However, keep in mind that the opponent might switch in a wall that appreciates being burned instead of badly poisoned or into a Fire-type such as Volcarona. Other Pokemon, such as Heatran, can switch in freely to take advantage of Flash Fire if Mega Sableye uses Will-O-Wisp. Make sure to prioritize Knock Off over other moves against Pokemon that rely on their item such as Porygon2 and offensive threats like Choice Band Tapu Bulu. Use Recover liberally, as a worn-down Mega Sableye loses its ability to check threats. Use Foul Play against setup Pokemon such as Hawlucha and Mega Pinsir. However, be careful against teams carrying Pokemon with the ability Justified, as they might try to switch in for the free Attack boost.
Team Options
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Mandibuzz can use Defog to remove hazards that lower Mega Sableye's defensive potential and can switch into threats such as Mega Lopunny and Choice-locked Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu and Choice Band Diggersby. Tyranitar has access to Stealth Rock to wear down sweepers and beats extremely threatening setup sweepers such as Volcarona, which fearlessly sets up against Mega Sableye. Greninja is a great offensive check to Pokemon such as Keldeo and Tapu Koko. Alolan Muk supports Mega Sableye by pressuring Fairy-types such as Clefable and Tapu Koko. Bisharp takes out problematic Fairy-types such as Clefable, while Mega Sableye blocks status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave aimed at Bisharp. Bisharp can also pressure Defoggers that can freely pivot and use Defog against Mega Sableye with its ability Defiant. Krookodile can set up Stealth Rock to pressure the opposition, and Mega Sableye can spinblock for it. Krookodile can also beat defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex, which trouble Mega Sableye. Choice Specs Hydreigon can take out Pokemon that threaten Mega Sableye such as Mega Venusaur and Heatran. Choice Scarf Flash Cannon Hydreigon can take out other threats such as Mega Diancie.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Dark
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Fake Out allows Mega Sableye to safely Mega Evolve at any point in the battle. However, Mega Sableye's low Attack stat prevents it from doing anything else, whereas Foul Play lets it pressure physical setup sweepers. Toxic can enable Mega Sableye to wear down defensive threats such as Porygon2, but Foul Play will generally be more useful and other teammates like Mandibuzz and Alolan Muk can easily provide this status move instead. A set of Calm Mind / Will-O-Wisp / Recover and Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse with a physically defensive spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature turns Mega Sableye into a potent setup sweeper. However, Calm Mind only worsens Mega Sableye's inability to counter wallbreakers and completely falls on its face against types such as Water and Poison, where Foul Play would be preferred.
Checks and Counters
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**Mold Breaker Pokemon**: Mold Breaker users such as Excadrill can set up entry hazards against Mega Sableye and even cripple it with Toxic. Setup sweepers with access to Mold Breaker Taunt such as Mega Gyarados threaten it as well.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko can easily beat Mega Sableye one-on-one or outright KO it after some prior chip damage.
**Special Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Quiver Dance Volcarona and Calm Mind Suicune can freely set up on Mega Sableye.
**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Keldeo, Choice Band Diggersby, and Mega Charizard Y tear through Mega Sableye with a bit of prior chip damage.
**Toxic Spikes**: Toxic Spikes from Pokemon such as Toxapex and Nidoqueen greatly threaten Mega Sableye, as poison wears it down very easily, especially in conjunction with other entry hazards.
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