[SET]
name: Wonder Guard (Mega Gengar )
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Toxic Spikes / Sludge Wave
move 4: Shadow Ball / Taunt
item: Black Sludge
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
in-battle-alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Gengar uses its unique typing and Wonder Guard to switch in on many attacks and use Substitute + Baton Pass for a teammate. Shadow Ball threatens Giratina so it can't safely switch in to use Encore, as well as threatening many Mold Breaker users. Toxic Spikes is used, since not only does Mega Gengar absorb it later if Magic Bounce reflects it, but it forces a free turn later when the opponent must use Defog to remove them. Sludge Wave can be used over Toxic Spikes to hit Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Audino, as well as providing strong neutral coverage against Pokemon like Mega Gyarados. Taunt is an option to prevent moves like Defog, Aromatherapy, and Whirlwind, as well as shutting down status users like Giratina.
Wonder Guard Mega Gengar fits best on fast-paced Mold Breaker offense teams in need of Substitute passers for momentum. It stands out in this capacity by compressing multiple roles, like entry hazard user, No Guard check, and Substitue passer, which lets these teams fit more Mold Breaker users to make progress—most notably Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza. Primal Groudon in particular appreciates Mega Gengar weakening Giratina so it can more easily break through. Since Mega Gengar does not typically run moves like Defog and Aromatherapy to sustain momentum, Wonder Guard clerics like Mega Audino and Blissey complement it well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mold Breaker Mega Gengar can use Substitute to reduce reliance on Substitute-passing Wonder Guard users, or to continue its sweep if a passed Substitute gets broken. Boomburst is a powerful alternative to Secret Sword, maintains Mega Gengar's ability to Imposter-proof itself, and threatens Substitute + Baton Pass opponents like Wonder Guard Xerneas. King's Shield is an option to counter -ate Speed users, lowering their Attack while avoiding a turn of potential priority damage.
Wonder Guard Mega Gengar can run a coverage move over Toxic Spikes to hit a specific Pokemon. It can also use status moves like Toxic or Will-O-Wisp over Toxic Spikes. Trick can put an opposing Pokemon on a timer with Black Sludge. Magic Coat can be used to reflect Encore and Taunt from Prankster Giratina and Mega Beedrill, respectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pursuit**: The most common users of Pursuit—Huge Power Dark-types like Mega Gyarados and -ate Speed users like Diancie—can trap and OHKO Mega Gengar or force coinflip scenarios versus it if it has set up a Shell Smash. Drapion and Skuntank may sometimes run Pursuit as well. Wonder Guard sets are less affected, since they can simply use Baton Pass to escape.
**Wonder Guard Blissey and Mega Audino**: Mold Breaker Mega Gengar usually has to pick between Secret Sword and Sludge Wave, so it won't be able to break both. Rarely, Mega Gengar will run both moves.
**No Guard + Fissure**: Mega Gengar is weak to ground, so even Wonder Guard sets will be OHKOed by Fissure.
**Prankster or Faster Disruption**: Prankster Pokemon like Giratina can punish Mold Breaker Mega Gengar's setup with Encore or punish an attack with Destiny Bond. It can also force Wonder Guard sets to switch with Encore. While Mega Gengar's Speed is high, even faster foes like Mega Beedrill can similarly hinder it with Taunt.
**Stealth Rock and Spikes**: Mega Gengar's only recovery comes from its Black Sludge on Wonder Guard sets, meaning Stealth Rock and Spikes quickly wear it down.
**-Ate Speed Users**: -Ate Speed users such as Pixilate Mega Diancie and Aerilate Mega Rayquaza threaten Mega Gengar with STAB Extreme Speed + Pursuit.
**Mold Breaker**: Many Mold Breaker users cannot switch in on Wonder Guard Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball, but they can threaten it if healthy.
**Special Walls**: Special walls like Wonder Guard Primal Kyogre and Magic Guard Ho-Oh can survive a hit from +2 Mega Gengar and OHKO it through its paper-thin defenses or inflict debilitating status.
**Beat Up**: Beat Up is rare, but users of it such as Choice Band Primal Groudon, Mega Mewtwo X, and sometimes Mega Gyarados can OHKO Mega Gengar, even if it has a Substitute.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/berry.226455/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ransei.235009/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adeleine.517429/
name: Wonder Guard (Mega Gengar )
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Toxic Spikes / Sludge Wave
move 4: Shadow Ball / Taunt
item: Black Sludge
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
in-battle-alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Mega Gengar uses its unique typing and Wonder Guard to switch in on many attacks and use Substitute + Baton Pass for a teammate. Shadow Ball threatens Giratina so it can't safely switch in to use Encore, as well as threatening many Mold Breaker users. Toxic Spikes is used, since not only does Mega Gengar absorb it later if Magic Bounce reflects it, but it forces a free turn later when the opponent must use Defog to remove them. Sludge Wave can be used over Toxic Spikes to hit Wonder Guard Xerneas and Mega Audino, as well as providing strong neutral coverage against Pokemon like Mega Gyarados. Taunt is an option to prevent moves like Defog, Aromatherapy, and Whirlwind, as well as shutting down status users like Giratina.
Wonder Guard Mega Gengar fits best on fast-paced Mold Breaker offense teams in need of Substitute passers for momentum. It stands out in this capacity by compressing multiple roles, like entry hazard user, No Guard check, and Substitue passer, which lets these teams fit more Mold Breaker users to make progress—most notably Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza. Primal Groudon in particular appreciates Mega Gengar weakening Giratina so it can more easily break through. Since Mega Gengar does not typically run moves like Defog and Aromatherapy to sustain momentum, Wonder Guard clerics like Mega Audino and Blissey complement it well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mold Breaker Mega Gengar can use Substitute to reduce reliance on Substitute-passing Wonder Guard users, or to continue its sweep if a passed Substitute gets broken. Boomburst is a powerful alternative to Secret Sword, maintains Mega Gengar's ability to Imposter-proof itself, and threatens Substitute + Baton Pass opponents like Wonder Guard Xerneas. King's Shield is an option to counter -ate Speed users, lowering their Attack while avoiding a turn of potential priority damage.
Wonder Guard Mega Gengar can run a coverage move over Toxic Spikes to hit a specific Pokemon. It can also use status moves like Toxic or Will-O-Wisp over Toxic Spikes. Trick can put an opposing Pokemon on a timer with Black Sludge. Magic Coat can be used to reflect Encore and Taunt from Prankster Giratina and Mega Beedrill, respectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pursuit**: The most common users of Pursuit—Huge Power Dark-types like Mega Gyarados and -ate Speed users like Diancie—can trap and OHKO Mega Gengar or force coinflip scenarios versus it if it has set up a Shell Smash. Drapion and Skuntank may sometimes run Pursuit as well. Wonder Guard sets are less affected, since they can simply use Baton Pass to escape.
**Wonder Guard Blissey and Mega Audino**: Mold Breaker Mega Gengar usually has to pick between Secret Sword and Sludge Wave, so it won't be able to break both. Rarely, Mega Gengar will run both moves.
**No Guard + Fissure**: Mega Gengar is weak to ground, so even Wonder Guard sets will be OHKOed by Fissure.
**Prankster or Faster Disruption**: Prankster Pokemon like Giratina can punish Mold Breaker Mega Gengar's setup with Encore or punish an attack with Destiny Bond. It can also force Wonder Guard sets to switch with Encore. While Mega Gengar's Speed is high, even faster foes like Mega Beedrill can similarly hinder it with Taunt.
**Stealth Rock and Spikes**: Mega Gengar's only recovery comes from its Black Sludge on Wonder Guard sets, meaning Stealth Rock and Spikes quickly wear it down.
**-Ate Speed Users**: -Ate Speed users such as Pixilate Mega Diancie and Aerilate Mega Rayquaza threaten Mega Gengar with STAB Extreme Speed + Pursuit.
**Mold Breaker**: Many Mold Breaker users cannot switch in on Wonder Guard Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball, but they can threaten it if healthy.
**Special Walls**: Special walls like Wonder Guard Primal Kyogre and Magic Guard Ho-Oh can survive a hit from +2 Mega Gengar and OHKO it through its paper-thin defenses or inflict debilitating status.
**Beat Up**: Beat Up is rare, but users of it such as Choice Band Primal Groudon, Mega Mewtwo X, and sometimes Mega Gyarados can OHKO Mega Gengar, even if it has a Substitute.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/berry.226455/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ransei.235009/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adeleine.517429/
Last edited: