[AAA] Alakazam

Sylveon.

Penny saved is still a fucking penny
Shall I take Alakazam?

QC[3/3]

Overview

Both Alakazam and its Mega Evolution possess a blazing Speed stat, allowing them to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame. Its Speed, combined with a high Special Attack and a good movepool, allows it to revenge kill easily and act as a late-game sweeper. Alakazam has an excellent pre-Mega ability in Psychic Surge, which allows it to avoid all kinds of priority and boosts its Psychic-type attacks, turning it into a wallbreaker; this is invaluable, since Alakazam's poor defenses generally don't allow it to survive priority attacks. Its post-Mega ability Trace enables Mega Alakazam to copy the foe's ability, allowing it to revenge kill weather sweepers. Moreover, Trace, especially in Almost Any Ability, allows it to copy powerful, common abilities like Adaptability and Sheer Force, as well as allowing it to scout the opposing Pokemon's ability. However, Alakazam possesses a mediocre defensive typing in Psychic and paper-thin defenses, leaving it vulnerable to any physical unresisted attacks, most special attacks, and, most importantly, Pursuit. After Mega Evolving, Alakazam loses Psychic Surge, and consequently Psychic Terrain, leaving it susceptible to being revenge killed by priority; its Psychic-type attacks also suffer a significant drop in power. Even though Alakazam possesses tremendous power, checks like Magearna and Alolan Muk are common in the metagame.

Psychic Terrain Attacker
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock / Psychic
- Signal Beam / Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Calm Mind / Encore / Shadow Ball / Signal Beam

Set Comments

Moves

Psyshock hits specially invested Pokemon and RegenVest users such as Chansey, Meloetta, and Magearna hard and allows Alakazam to hit both physically and specially. Psychic provides Alakazam with a powerful STAB move that is boosted by Psychic Terrain, allowing it to KO various metagame threats like Terrakion, Toxapex, and even physically defensive Zapdos after Stealth Rock. Signal Beam provides Alakazam a way to hit Bulletproof Dark-types such as Krookodile, since they are immune to Focus Blast. Shadow Ball provides Alakazam with a way to hit opposing Psychic- and Ghost-types super effectively. Focus Blast hits Dark- and Steel-types such as Tyranitar, Celesteela, and Ferrothorn, which can otherwise easily switch into Psychic. Calm Mind allows Alakazam to break through slower teams due to Alakazam's great coverage while taking advantage of Protect stall from Pokemon like Snorlax and Pokemon that can't damage it much such as Magearna. Encore is an excellent option that shuts down foes that attempt to set up, most notably Suicune and Snorlax; it also forces out Poison Heal users that rely on Protect to recover their health.

Set Details

EVs are set to maximize Speed and Special Attack. A Timid nature lets Alakazam outspeed much of the metagame, most notably Choice Scarf Tyranitar pre-Mega and Choice Scarf Xurkitree after Mega Evolving. Psychic Surge sets up Psychic Terrain, which considerably boosts Alakazam's power and negates one of the main ways to revenge kill it by virtue of blocking priority while also potentially supporting the team. Alakazite is the best possible item, as it allows Alakazam to Mega Evolve, gaining higher Speed and greater immediate offensive presence, though it comes at the cost of losing Psychic Surge as an ability.

Usage Tips

Alakazam can be used effectively as a revenge killer, though one should be careful about Pursuit trappers. It can also be used as a pseudo-wallbreaker during the turns Psychic Terrain is active, as it allow Alakazam to deal massive damage using STAB Psychic. Slow Volt Switches or U-turns should be used to get Alakazam in safely, as Alakazam's poor defenses prevent it from being able to switch into attacks. Entry hazards limit the foe's opportunities to switch in checks even further, allowing Mega Alakazam to achieve more KOs, including physically defensive Zapdos after Stealth Rock; this is especially helpful against RegenVest counters like Alolan Muk and Magearna. Mega Evolution should be delayed until Alakazam needs the increased Speed and Special Attack so as to allow it to set up Psychic Terrain multiple times in a match. Due to Psychic Surge, Alakazam can be utilized as a risky switch-in to predicted priority attacks on offensive teams. Lastly, Alakazam should only be sent out knowing it will be able to KO the foe, as it is unlikely that it will survive any attacks.

Team Options

Alakazam appreciates trapping support from Magnet Pull Pokemon like Heatran to eliminate common checks like Magearna. Additionally, strong Pursuit users like Adaptability Tyranitar are good partners, since they can trap counters like Mew and Meloetta. Slow Volt Switches or U-turns from Magearna or Zapdos can be utilized to get Alakazam in safely, allowing it get off a powerful Psychic-type attack. Strong physical attackers like Terrakion are ideal partners to get past specials walls like Chansey and Celesteela when Alakazam is using Psychic over Psyshock. Normalize Gengar with Mean Look and Skill Swap can trap and beat similar counters like Chansey and Meloetta; since Sheer Force Gengar has nearly identical counters as Alakazam, this makes Normalize Gengar a great lure. Hazard stacking from Pokemon like Skarmory is a great way to support Alakazam offensively, since it alleviates the issue of RegenVest Pokemon, which are some of Alakazam's main counters.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

A Focus Sash set can be used to work as an effective revenge killer, but Alakazam misses out on its Mega Evolution's great Speed tier. Substitute is a good option, since Alakazam forces a lot of switches, to fire off a powerful attack or at least evade Pursuit. A Sheer Force set using Life Orb gives Alakazam more power on its coverage moves but also forces it to give up Mega Evolution and the Speed boost that accompanies it; also, due to not having Psychic Surge, Alakazam becomes really vulnerable to priority attacks.

Checks and Counters

RegenVest Users: Magearna, Meloetta, and Alolan Muk can switch in and take any hit from Alakazam and just switch out into an appropriate check. Alolan Muk deserves a special mention because it usually carries Pursuit, which OHKOes Alakazam.

Specially Defensive Walls: Most variants of Chansey wall non-Psyshock Alakazam. Other than that, Poison Heal Mandibuzz deserves a mention, as it is able to switch in and threaten Alakazam out. However, most of them have to be careful about Encore.

Choice Scarf Users: Due to Alakazam's low bulk, most fast Choice Scarf users, including Victini and Terrakion, easily OHKO it.

Dark-type Bulletproof Users: With immunities to Focus Blast and Psychic, Bulletproof Dark-types are serious threats to Alakazam. Bulletproof Tyranitar can Pursuit trap Alakazam, while Bulletproof Choice Scarf Krookodile can outspeed and also Pursuit trap it.

Celesteela: Due to Celesteela's neutrality to Focus Blast and good special bulk, can easily beat Alakazam by just Leech Seed stalling or KOing it with Heavy Slam.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Sylveon.

Penny saved is still a fucking penny
Shall I take Alakazam?

QC

Overview

  • Both Alakazam and it's mega evolution possess a blazing speed stat allowing them to outspeed the majority of unboosted meta.
  • It's speed combined with the high special attack and a good movepool allow it to revenge kill easily and act as a late game sweeper.
  • Excellent pre-mega ability in Psychic Surge allows it to avoid all kinds of priority and boosts it psychic attacks, turning it into a wallbreaker.
  • It's post mega ability trace enables enables Mega-Alakazam to copy the foe's ability, allowing it to revenge kill weather sweepers. Moreover, trace especially in Almost Any Ability allows it copy powerful common abilities like adaptability, sheer force etc.
  • However, Alakazam possesses a mediocre defensive typing in psychic and paper thin defenses which leaves it vulnerable to the ubiquitous Knock Off as well as Pursuit and U-turn users.
  • After mega evolving it loses psychic surge as it's ability and consequently psychic terrain after it's designated turns, leaving it susceptible to being revenge-killed by priority.
Psychic Terrain Attacker
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Encore/Calm Mind

Set Comments

Moves

  • Psychic provides Mega-Alakazam with a powerful STAB move which is boosted by psychic terrain allowing it to KO various metagame threats like terrakion, toxapex, kartana and even psysically defensive zapdos after stealth rocks.
  • Shadow Ball provides it with a way to hit opposing psychic and ghost types super-effectively.
  • Focus Blast hits dark and steel types such as tyranitar, hoopa-unbound, celesteela and ferrothorn which could easily switch into psychic.
  • Encore is an excellent option that shuts down foes that will attempt to set up, most notably Suicune and Snorlax. It also forces out Poison Heal users that rely on Protect to recover their health. Whereas Calm Mind allows Mega-Alakazam to completely break through slower teams due to it's great coverage.

Set Details
  • EVs are set to maximize Speed and Special Attack.
  • A Timid nature lets Alakazam outspeed much of the metagame, most notably Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Pursuit pre-mega and upto Choice Scarf Xurkitree post-mega evolution.
  • Psychic Surge sets up psychic terrain which boosts psychic attacks and protecting all grounded pokemon on the field from priority for 5 turns.
  • Alakazite is the preferred item allowing alakazam to mega-evolve to gain higher speed and greater immediate offensive presence though it comes at the cost of losing psychic surge as an ability.

Usage Tips
  • Alakazam can be used efficiently as a revenge killer, unless the foe has a Choice Scarf or has pursuit support. It can also be used as a psuedo wallbreaker during the turns psychic terrain is active allowing it to deal massive damage using STAB psychic.
  • You should utilize Volt Switch or U-turn to get Alakazam safely into play, as Alakazam's poor defenses prevent it from being able to switch into attacks.
  • Entry hazards limit the foe's opportunities to switch in even more allowing Mega-Alakazam to achieve KOes like tapu koko after stealth rocks. This is especially helpful against switch-ins like RegenVest counters like Muk-A and Magearna.
  • Mega Evolution can be delayed unless alakazam needs the increased speed and special attack, allowing alakazam to set-up psychic terrain multiple times in a match.
  • Lastly, Alakazam should only be sent out knowing it will be able to KO the foe, as it is unlikely that it will survive an attack.
Team Options
  • Alakazam appreciates trapping support from dugtrio or Mag-Pull mons like heatran to eliminate common checks like RegenVest Muk-A and Magearna.
  • Slow Volt Switches or U-turns from Magearna, Zapdos can be utilised to get Mega-Alakazam in safely, allowing it get off a powerful psychic.
  • Strong physical attackers like Hoopa-Unbound and terrakion are ideal partners to get past specials walls like chansey. Additionally, Pursuit users such as Adaptability Tyranitar can trap counters like Mew and Meloetta.
  • Normalize Gengar with Mean Look and Skill Swap can trap and beat similar counters like Chansey and Meloetta. Sheer Force Gengar has nearly identical counters as Alakazam, making Normalize Gengar a great lure.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

  • A Focus Sash set can be used to work as an effective revenge-killer, but it misses out on Mega-Alakazam's great speed tier.
  • Signal Beam can be used to get past bulletproof dark types which are immune to focus blast, but it fails to KO any of them.
  • Substitute is a good option since Alakazam forces a lot of switches to fire off a powerful attack or atleast evade pursuit.
  • Psyshock can be considered over psychic to 2hko chansey, but other than that it is generally an inferior option as it is generally weaker than psychic.

Checks and Counters
  • RegenVest Users : Magearna, Meleotta and Muk-A can switch in and take any hit from Mega-Alakazam and just pivot or switch out to appropriate counter. Muk-A deserves a special mention because it usually carries pursuit ensuring Alakazam would be KOed.
  • Special Defensive Walls: Most variants of chansey if not carrying psyshock successfully wall mega-alakazam. Other than that poison heal mandibuzz deserves a mention to be able to switch in and threaten it out. Though most of them have to be careful about encore.
  • Choice Scarf Users: Due to it's low bulk, most choice scarf users like victini, kartana, terrakion easily 1hko it.
  • Bulletproof Users: With immunities to Focus Blast and Psychic, Bulletproof Dark-types are rare but serious threats to Alakazam. Bulletproof Tyranitar will Pursuit trap Alakazam, while Bulletproof Choice Scarf Krookodile will outspeed and also Pursuit trap it.
  • Celesteela : Due to it's neutrality to focus blast and good special bulk, it can easily beat Mega-Alakazam by just leech seed stalling or KOing it with heavy slam.
Ready for QC.
Sorry about the delay, was busy with some family things.
 
Shall I take Alakazam?

QC

Overview

  • Both Alakazam and it's mega evolution possess a blazing speed stat allowing them to outspeed the majority of unboosted meta.
  • It's speed combined with the high special attack and a good movepool allow it to revenge kill easily and act as a late game sweeper.
  • Excellent pre-mega ability in Psychic Surge allows it to avoid all kinds of priority and boosts it psychic attacks, turning it into a wallbreaker.
  • It's post mega ability trace enables enables Mega-Alakazam to copy the foe's ability, allowing it to revenge kill weather sweepers. Moreover, trace especially in Almost Any Ability allows it copy powerful common abilities like adaptability, sheer force etc. mention scouting abilities
  • However, Alakazam possesses a mediocre defensive typing in psychic and paper thin defenses which leaves it vulnerable to the ubiquitous Knock Off as well as Pursuit and U-turn users.
  • After mega evolving it loses psychic surge as it's ability and consequently psychic terrain after it's designated turns, leaving it susceptible to being revenge-killed by priority.
Psychic Terrain Attacker
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
Slash Psyshock, that thing 2HKOs Chansey or lax
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Encore/Calm Mind

Set Comments

Moves

  • Psychic provides Mega-Alakazam with a powerful STAB move which is boosted by psychic terrain allowing it to KO various metagame threats like terrakion, toxapex, kartana and even physically defensive zapdos after stealth rocks. I'd add more of the stuff it can't normally OHKO without psychic surge like Tapu koko or Xurk (maybe a garchomp after spikes)
  • Shadow Ball provides it with a way to hit opposing psychic and ghost types super-effectively.
  • Focus Blast hits dark and steel types such as tyranitar, hoopa-unbound, celesteela and ferrothorn which could easily switch into psychic.
  • Encore is an excellent option that shuts down foes that will attempt to set up, most notably Suicune and Snorlax. It also forces out Poison Heal users that rely on Protect to recover their health. Whereas Calm Mind allows Mega-Alakazam to completely break through slower teams due to it's great coverage.

Set Details
  • EVs are set to maximize Speed and Special Attack.
  • A Timid nature lets Alakazam outspeed much of the metagame, most notably Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Pursuit pre-mega and upto Choice Scarf Xurkitree post-mega evolution.
  • Psychic Surge sets up psychic terrain which boosts psychic attacks and protecting all grounded pokemon on the field from priority for 5 turns.
  • Alakazite is the preferred item allowing alakazam to mega-evolve to gain higher speed and greater immediate offensive presence though it comes at the cost of losing psychic surge as an ability.

Usage Tips
  • Alakazam can be used efficiently as a revenge killer, unless the foe has a Choice Scarf or has pursuit support. It can also be used as a psuedo wallbreaker during the turns psychic terrain is active allowing it to deal massive damage using STAB psychic.
  • You should utilize Volt Switch or U-turn to get Alakazam safely into play, as Alakazam's poor defenses prevent it from being able to switch into attacks.
  • Entry hazards limit the foe's opportunities to switch in even more allowing Mega-Alakazam to achieve KOes like tapu koko after stealth rocks. This is especially helpful against switch-ins like RegenVest counters like Muk-A and Magearna.
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 351-414 (124.9 - 147.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 288-339 (102.4 - 120.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

You don't need rocks to kill koko in terrain. Say Dragonite or smt instead.

  • Mega Evolution can should be delayed unless until alakazam needs the increased speed and special attack, allowing alakazam to set-up psychic terrain multiple times in a match.
  • Lastly, Alakazam should only be sent out knowing it will be able to KO the foe, as it is unlikely that it will survive an attack.
Team Options
  • Alakazam appreciates trapping support from dugtrio or Mag-Pull mons like heatran to eliminate common checks like RegenVest Muk-A and Magearna. heatran doesn't really beat mag tho, I'd mention ape instead
  • Slow Volt Switches or U-turns from Pivots such as Magearna, Zapdos can be utilised to get Mega-Alakazam in safely, allowing it get off a powerful psychic.
  • Strong physical attackers like Hoopa-Unbound and terrakion are ideal partners to get past specials walls like chansey I'd add celesteela in case you have psyshock. Additionally, Pursuit users such as Adaptability Tyranitar can trap counters like Mew and Meloetta that goes into trapping support imo.
  • Normalize Gengar with Mean Look and Skill Swap can trap and beat similar counters like Chansey and Meloetta. Sheer Force Gengar has nearly identical counters as Alakazam, making Normalize Gengar a great lure.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

  • A Focus Sash set can be used to work as an effective revenge-killer, but it misses out on Mega-Alakazam's great speed tier.
  • Signal Beam can be used to get past bulletproof dark types which are immune to focus blast, but it fails to KO any of them.
  • Substitute is a good option since Alakazam forces a lot of switches to fire off a powerful attack or atleast evade pursuit.
  • Psyshock can be considered over psychic to 2hko chansey, but other than that it is generally an inferior option as it is generally weaker than psychic.

Checks and Counters
  • RegenVest Users : Magearna, Meleotta and Muk-A can switch in and take any hit from Mega-Alakazam and just pivot or switch out to appropriate counter. Muk-A deserves a special mention because it usually carries pursuit ensuring Alakazam would be KOed.
  • Special Defensive Walls: Most variants of chansey if not carrying psyshock successfully wall mega-alakazam. Other than that poison heal mandibuzz deserves a mention to be able to switch in and threaten it out. Though most of them have to be careful about encore.
  • Choice Scarf Users: Due to it's low bulk, most choice scarf users like victini, kartana, terrakion easily 1hko it.
  • Bulletproof Users: With immunities to Focus Blast and Psychic, Bulletproof Dark-types are rare but serious threats to Alakazam. Bulletproof Tyranitar will Pursuit trap Alakazam, while Bulletproof Choice Scarf Krookodile will outspeed and also Pursuit trap it.
  • Celesteela : Due to it's neutrality to focus blast and good special bulk, it can easily beat Mega-Alakazam by just leech seed stalling or KOing it with heavy slam. I don't think celesteela should have its own section, it's really just another specially defensive wall like mandy or chansey
That seems pretty good to me, I only have a couple of questions for other QC members about changes I'm not sure of, LaxLapras Quantum Tesseract should a sheer force set be included in OO / as a set? I can understand it being less valuable now that koko and weavile are around but I doubt it's bad to the point of no mention.
Also should psyshock be a slash in main set or just an OO? (imo slash main set cause the drop in power actually isn't super significant)
 
That seems pretty good to me, I only have a couple of questions for other QC members about changes I'm not sure of, LaxLapras Quantum Tesseract should a sheer force set be included in OO / as a set? I can understand it being less valuable now that koko and weavile are around but I doubt it's bad to the point of no mention.
Also should psyshock be a slash in main set or just an OO? (imo slash main set cause the drop in power actually isn't super significant)
I'd support a sheer force set in OO, but the disadvantages should definitely be highlighted; Mega Alakazam is far and away the better set.
As for Psyshock, I'm inclined to say no: Alakazam can already beat Chansey with Encore or Calm Mind, depending on whether or not it is Magic Bounce or Unaware (or both for fluffy). I'd advise simply mentioning it as option in moves and talking about the relative advantages and disadvantages.
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
Shall I take Alakazam?

QC

Overview

  • Both Alakazam and it's mega evolution possess a blazing speed stat allowing them to outspeed the majority of unboosted meta.
  • It's speed combined with the high special attack and a good movepool allow it to revenge kill easily and act as a late game sweeper.
  • Excellent pre-mega ability in Psychic Surge allows it to avoid all kinds of priority and boosts it psychic attacks, turning it into a wallbreaker.
  • ^ mention how this helps make up for its poor defenses (prio generally just KOs it)
  • It's post mega ability trace enables enables Mega-Alakazam to copy the foe's ability, allowing it to revenge kill weather sweepers. Moreover, trace especially in Almost Any Ability allows it copy powerful common abilities like adaptability, sheer force etc.
  • However, Alakazam possesses a mediocre defensive typing in psychic and paper thin defenses which leaves it vulnerable to the ubiquitous get rid of ubiquitous. Actually, you don't really need to mention any specific moves, rather just say that generally any unresisted physical move, and many special moves, will ko it Knock Off as well as Pursuit and U-turn users.
  • After mega evolving it loses psychic surge as it's ability and consequently psychic terrain after it's designated turns, leaving it susceptible to being revenge-killed by priority.
  • mention that its checks are very common in the meta (magearna, meloetta)
Psychic Terrain Attacker
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Shadow Ball / Signal Beam
- Focus Blast
- Encore/Calm Mind / Shadow Ball / Signal Beam (Order Calm Mind before Encore, please)

Set Comments

Moves

  • Psychic provides Mega-Alakazam with a powerful STAB move which is boosted by psychic terrain allowing it to KO various metagame threats like terrakion, toxapex, kartana and even psysically defensive zapdos after stealth rocks.
  • Psyshock has a better matchup on Magearna as well as Meloetta if Signal Beam is foregone
  • Shadow Ball provides it with a way to hit opposing psychic and ghost types super-effectively.
  • Signal Beam hits bulletproof users and Meloetta. IMO it should be on the set and shadow ball should be slashed.
  • Focus Blast hits dark and steel types such as tyranitar, hoopa-unbound, celesteela and ferrothorn which could easily switch into psychic.
  • Encore is an excellent option that shuts down foes that will attempt to set up, most notably Suicune and Snorlax. It also forces out Poison Heal users that rely on Protect to recover their health. Whereas Calm Mind allows Mega-Alakazam to completely break through slower teams due to it's great coverage.

Set Details
  • EVs are set to maximize Speed and Special Attack.
  • A Timid nature lets Alakazam outspeed much of the metagame, most notably Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Pursuit pre-mega and upto Choice Scarf Xurkitree post-mega evolution.
  • Psychic Surge sets up psychic terrain which boosts psychic attacks and protecting all grounded pokemon on the field from priority for 5 turns.
  • Alakazite is the preferred item allowing alakazam to mega-evolve to gain higher speed and greater immediate offensive presence though it comes at the cost of losing psychic surge as an ability.

Usage Tips
  • Alakazam can be used efficiently as a revenge killer, unless the foe has a Choice Scarf or has pursuit support. It can also be used as a psuedo wallbreaker during the turns psychic terrain is active allowing it to deal massive damage using STAB psychic.
  • You should utilize Volt Switch or U-turn to get Alakazam safely into play, as Alakazam's poor defenses prevent it from being able to switch into attacks.
  • Entry hazards limit the foe's opportunities to switch in even more allowing Mega-Alakazam to achieve KOes like tapu koko after stealth rocks. This is especially helpful against switch-ins like RegenVest counters like Muk-A and Magearna.
  • Mega Evolution can be delayed unless alakazam needs the increased speed and special attack, allowing alakazam to set-up psychic terrain multiple times in a match.
  • mention that on offensive teams zam can be used as a risky priority switchin
  • Lastly, Alakazam should only be sent out knowing it will be able to KO the foe, as it is unlikely that it will survive an attack.
Team Options
  • Alakazam appreciates trapping support from dugtrio or Mag-Pull mons like heatran to eliminate common checks like RegenVest Muk-A and Magearna.
  • Slow Volt Switches or U-turns from Magearna, Zapdos can be utilised to get Mega-Alakazam in safely, allowing it get off a powerful psychic.
  • Strong physical attackers like Hoopa-Unbound and terrakion are ideal partners to get past specials walls like chansey. Additionally, Pursuit users such as Adaptability Tyranitar can trap counters like Mew and Meloetta.
  • Normalize Gengar with Mean Look and Skill Swap can trap and beat similar counters like Chansey and Meloetta. Sheer Force Gengar has nearly identical counters as Alakazam, making Normalize Gengar a great lure.
  • Hazard stacking

Strategy Comments

Other Options

  • sheer force lo
  • A Focus Sash set can be used to work as an effective revenge-killer, but it misses out on Mega-Alakazam's great speed tier.
  • Signal Beam can be used to get past bulletproof dark types which are immune to focus blast, but it fails to KO any of them. move to actual set
  • Substitute is a good option since Alakazam forces a lot of switches to fire off a powerful attack or atleast evade pursuit.
  • Psyshock can be considered over psychic to 2hko chansey, but other than that it is generally an inferior option as it is generally weaker than psychic. move to actual set

Checks and Counters
  • RegenVest Users : Magearna, Meleotta and Muk-A can switch in and take any hit from Mega-Alakazam and just pivot or switch out to appropriate counter. Muk-A deserves a special mention because it usually carries pursuit ensuring Alakazam would be KOed.
  • Special Defensive Walls: Most variants of chansey if not carrying psyshock successfully wall mega-alakazam. Other than that poison heal mandibuzz deserves a mention to be able to switch in and threaten it out. Though most of them have to be careful about encore.
  • Choice Scarf Users: Due to it's low bulk, most choice scarf users like victini, kartana, terrakion easily 1hko it.
  • Bulletproof Users: With immunities to Focus Blast and Psychic, Bulletproof Dark-types are rare but serious threats to Alakazam. Bulletproof Tyranitar will Pursuit trap Alakazam, while Bulletproof Choice Scarf Krookodile will outspeed and also Pursuit trap it.
  • Celesteela : Due to it's neutrality to focus blast and good special bulk, it can easily beat Mega-Alakazam by just leech seed stalling or KOing it with heavy slam.
changes in bold.
IMO Signal Beam should be used on the set, and shadow ball should be slashed. Signal Beam gives Zam a way to hit Meloetta for some damage, but more importantly, hit bulletproof users.
Psyshock should be slashed on the set because it can hit Magearna and Meloetta better.
+1 252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 164-193 (45 - 53%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO
honestly this calc is why i run psyshock over psychic (the power drop is small). If you both want psychic first though im ok with that.
make sure you address my points throughout, then 1/3
 

Sylveon.

Penny saved is still a fucking penny
changes in bold.
IMO Signal Beam should be used on the set, and shadow ball should be slashed. Signal Beam gives Zam a way to hit Meloetta for some damage, but more importantly, hit bulletproof users.
Psyshock should be slashed on the set because it can hit Magearna and Meloetta better.
+1 252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 164-193 (45 - 53%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO
honestly this calc is why i run psyshock over psychic (the power drop is small). If you both want psychic first though im ok with that.
make sure you address my points throughout, then 1/3
Implemented the changes.
Though why should calm mind come before encore. IMO encore is the superior move as it doesn't allow Mega-Zam to become set-up bait to curse lax and stuff, also it ensures people can't just stall out psychic terrain turns by spamming recover or something, unless it gives me a free switch, also helps against unaware chansey the more common version. I understand the +1 magearna calc but mega-zam should never take on magearna anyways.
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
Implemented the changes.
Though why should calm mind come before encore. IMO encore is the superior move as it doesn't allow Mega-Zam to become set-up bait to curse lax and stuff, also it ensures people can't just stall out psychic terrain turns by spamming recover or something, unless it gives me a free switch, also helps against unaware chansey the more common version. I understand the +1 magearna calc but mega-zam should never take on magearna anyways.
1. Zam is literally the opposite of set up bait, it hits ridiculously hard. Snorlax is getting bopped by Psyshock (again why I prefer running it)
2. Mons that try to stall out Psychic Terrain is exactly why you run Calm Mind? It lets you set up on recovery idk where you're going with that. I can't think of any common Unaware Mons that Encore would help you on either so ye
3. Psyshock beats Chansey
4. Except Mega Zam can clearly take on Magearna, force it to switch out, and thus get rid of its most common check and probably KO something else. Magearna cant KO Zam.
(Doesn't 2hko bc of drop) 0 SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. +1 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam-Mega: 112-133 (44.6 - 52.9%) -- 27.3% chance to 2HKO

So unless you can rebut these please have Calm Mind first. Also unless Motherlove and Quantum T disagree with valid reasoning, I think Psyshock should be first for the reasons I've listed in my QC and last two responses. Mixed attacking is generally better than 10bp anyway
 
Shall I take Alakazam?

QC[1/3]

Overview

  • Both Alakazam and it's mega evolution possess a blazing speed stat allowing them to outspeed the majority of unboosted meta.
  • It's speed combined with the high special attack and a good movepool allow it to revenge kill easily and act as a late game sweeper.
  • Excellent pre-mega ability in Psychic Surge allows it to avoid all kinds of priority and boosts it psychic attacks, turning it into a wallbreaker. This is invaluable since alakazam's poor defenses generally don't allow it to live priority attacks.
  • It's post mega ability trace enables enables Mega-Alakazam to copy the foe's ability, allowing it to revenge kill weather sweepers. Moreover, trace especially in Almost Any Ability allows it copy powerful common abilities like adaptability, sheer force etc. quickly mention ability scouting
  • However, Alakazam possesses a mediocre defensive typing in psychic and paper thin defenses which leaves it vulnerable to any physical unresisted attacks and most special attacks and most importantly pursuit.
  • After mega evolving it loses psychic surge as it's ability and consequently psychic terrain after it's designated turns, leaving it susceptible to being revenge-killed by priority. and more importantly, drop in power
  • Even though it possesses tremendous power, it's checks like magearna and meloetta are very common in the meta.
Psychic Terrain Attacker
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Shadow Ball / Signal Beam
- Focus Blast
- Calm Mind / Encore / Shadow Ball / Signal Beam

Set Comments

Moves

  • Psychic provides Mega-Alakazam with a powerful STAB move which is boosted by psychic terrain allowing it to KO various metagame threats like terrakion, toxapex, kartana and even psysically defensive zapdos after stealth rocks.
  • Psyshock has a better matchup on magearna as well as Meloetta if Signal Beam is foregone. Psyshock hits harder than signal beam regardless make this point more general, like "Psyshock hits specially invested mons or regenvest users such as chansey, melo or mag much harder and allows zam to hit on both sides of the spectrum"
  • Shadow Ball provides it with a way to hit opposing psychic and ghost types super-effectively.
  • Signal Beam provides a way to hit bulletproof dark types such as krook since they are immune to Focus Blast. It also gives Alakazam a way to hit Meloetta super-effectively which otherwise walls this set.
  • Focus Blast hits dark and steel types such as tyranitar, hoopa-unbound, celesteela and ferrothorn which could easily switch into psychic.
  • Encore is an excellent option that shuts down foes that will attempt to set up, most notably Suicune and Snorlax. It also forces out Poison Heal users that rely on Protect to recover their health. make another bullet point here, put that bullet point before the encore one Whereas Calm Mind allows Mega-Alakazam to completely break through slower teams due to it's great coverage. something something, take advantage os protect stall and mons that can't damage it for much, respectively lax and magearna.

Set Details
  • EVs are set to maximize Speed and Special Attack.
  • A Timid nature lets Alakazam outspeed much of the metagame, most notably Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Pursuit pre-mega and upto Choice Scarf Xurkitree post-mega evolution. you can put the two first point in one (or just make appropriate changes when you write it down)
  • Psychic Surge sets up psychic terrain which boosts psychic attacks and protecting all grounded pokemon on the field from priority for 5 turns.we know what psyterrain does in general, you need to say why zam specifically wants to run it (I know it's quite obvious, but something like "psychic terrain considerably boosts zam's power and negates one of the main ways to rk it by virtue of blocking prio, while also potentially supporting the team")
  • Alakazite is the preferred item allowing alakazam to mega-evolve to gain higher speed and greater immediate offensive presence though it comes at the cost of losing psychic surge as an ability.

Usage Tips
  • Alakazam can be used efficiently efficiently =/= effectively as a revenge killer, unless the foe has a Choice Scarf or has pursuit support. It can also be used as a psuedo wallbreaker during the turns psychic terrain is active allowing it to deal massive damage using STAB psychic.
  • You should utilize Volt Switch or U-turn to get Alakazam safely into play, as Alakazam's poor defenses prevent it from being able to switch into attacks.
  • Entry hazards limit the foe's opportunities to switch in even more allowing Mega-Alakazam to achieve KOes like tapu koko after stealth rocks. This is especially helpful against switch-ins like RegenVest counters like Muk-A and Magearna.
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 351-414 (124.9 - 147.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 288-339 (102.4 - 120.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

You don't need rocks to kill koko in terrain. Say Dragonite or smt instead.

  • Mega Evolution can should be delayed unless until alakazam needs the increased speed and special attack, allowing alakazam to set-up psychic terrain multiple times in a match.
  • Due to Psychic Surge, Alakazam can be utilised as a risky switch-in to predicted priority attacks on offensive teams.
  • Lastly, Alakazam should only be sent out knowing it will be able to KO the foe, as it is unlikely that it will survive an attack.
Team Options
  • Alakazam appreciates trapping support from dugtrio or Mag-Pull mons like heatran to eliminate common checks like RegenVest Muk-A and Magearna.
  • Slow Volt Switches or U-turns from Magearna, Zapdos can be utilised to get Mega-Alakazam in safely, allowing it get off a powerful psychic.
  • Strong physical attackers like Hoopa-Unbound and terrakion are ideal partners to get past specials walls like chansey add celesteela since you have psyshock on the set. Additionally, Pursuit users such as Adaptability Tyranitar can trap counters like Mew and Meloetta. mention that when you talk about trrapping imo
  • Normalize Gengar with Mean Look and Skill Swap can trap and beat similar counters like Chansey and Meloetta. Sheer Force Gengar has nearly identical counters as Alakazam, making Normalize Gengar a great lure.
  • Hazard Stacking is a great way to support Alakazam offensively, since it alleviates the issue of RegenVest pokemons, one of it's main counters to an extent.

Strategy Comments

Other Option

  • A Focus Sash set can be used to work as an effective revenge-killer, but it misses out on Mega-Alakazam's great speed tier.
  • Substitute is a good option since Alakazam forces a lot of switches to fire off a powerful attack or atleast evade pursuit.
  • A sheer force set using life orb gives alakazam more power on it's coverage moves but it is forced to give up Mega-Evolution for increased speed. Also due to it's poor defenses it becomes really vulnerable to priority attacks. and it less powerful on stabs

Checks and Counters
  • RegenVest Users : Magearna, Meleotta and Muk-A can switch in and take any hit from Mega-Alakazam and just pivot or switch out to appropriate counter. Muk-A deserves a special mention because it usually carries pursuit ensuring Alakazam would be KOed.
  • Special Defensive Walls: Most variants of chansey if not carrying psyshock successfully wall mega-alakazam. Other than that poison heal mandibuzz deserves a mention to be able to switch in and threaten it out. Though most of them have to be careful about encore.
  • Choice Scarf Users: Due to it's low bulk, most choice scarf users like victini, kartana, terrakion easily 1hko it.
  • Bulletproof Users: With immunities to Focus Blast and Psychic, Bulletproof Dark-types are rare but serious threats to Alakazam. Bulletproof Tyranitar will Pursuit trap Alakazam, while Bulletproof Choice Scarf Krookodile will outspeed and also Pursuit trap it.
  • Celesteela : Due to it's neutrality to focus blast and good special bulk, it can easily beat Mega-Alakazam by just leech seed stalling or KOing it with heavy slam. why does celesteela have a point on his own, isn't it just a spd wall?
Looks good, qc 2. Tag QT after you wrote it down.
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
darksylvion you have to write up the analysis (remove bullets and create prose) to get the third QC. Tag QT when you do this
 
comments in bold and strikethrough
Shall I take Alakazam?

QC[2/3]

Overview


Both Alakazam and it's mega evolution possess a blazing speed stat allowing them to outspeed the majority of unboosted meta. It's speed combined with the high special attack and a good movepool allow it to revenge kill easily and act as a late game sweeper. It has an excellent pre-mega ability in Psychic Surge which allows it to avoid all kinds of priority and boosts it psychic attacks, turning it into a wallbreaker. This is invaluable since alakazam's poor defenses generally don't allow it to live priority attacks. It's post mega ability trace enables enables Mega-Alakazam to copy the foe's ability, allowing it to revenge kill weather sweepers. Moreover, trace especially in Almost Any Ability allows it copy powerful common abilities like adaptability, sheer force etc. as well as allows it to scout opposing pokemon's ability. Combine this and the previous
However, Alakazam possesses a mediocre defensive typing in psychic and paper thin defenses which leaves it vulnerable to any physical unresisted attacks and most special attacks and most importantly pursuit. After mega evolving it loses psychic surge as it's ability and consequently psychic terrain after it's designated turns, leaving it susceptible to being revenge-killed by priority. It also suffers a significant drop in power in it's psychic attacks. Even though it possesses tremendous power, it's checks like magearna and meloetta are very common in the meta. Meloetta isn't that common, use chansey or similar instead

Psychic Terrain Attacker
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock / Psychic
- Signal Beam / Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Calm Mind / Encore / Shadow Ball / Signal Beam Debold like so

Set Comments

Moves


Psyshock hits specially invested mons or regenvest users such as chansey, meloetta or magearna hard and allows Alakazam to hit on both sides of the spectrum. Where as Psychic provides Mega-Alakazam with a powerful STAB move which is boosted by psychic terrain allowing it to KO various metagame threats like terrakion, toxapex, kartana and even physically defensive zapdos after stealth rocks. Signal Beam provides a way to hit bulletproof dark types such as krookodile since they are immune to Focus Blast. It also 1hkoes Hoopa-Unbound which otherwise can take a hit and allows Alakazam to hit Meloetta super-effectively which otherwise walls this set Meloetta is hit harder by psyshock. Shadow Ball provides it with a way to hit opposing psychic and ghost types super-effectively. Focus Blast hits dark and steel types such as tyranitar, hoopa-unbound, celesteela and ferrothorn which could easily switch into psychic. Calm Mind allows Mega-Alakazam to completely break through slower teams due to it's great coverage while taking advantage of protect stall and pokemons that can't damage it much such as snorlax and magearna Magearna actually does quite a bit respectively. Encore is an excellent option that shuts down foes that will attempt to set up, most notably Suicune and Snorlax. It also forces out Poison Heal users that rely on Protect to recover their health. Fix the order of these sentences to match the set.

Set Details

EVs are set to maximize Speed and Special Attack. A Timid nature lets Alakazam outspeed much of the metagame, most notably Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Pursuit pre-mega and upto Choice Scarf Xurkitree post-mega evolution. Psychic Surge sets up psychic terrain which considerably boosts Alakazam's power and negates one of the main ways to revenge kill it by virtue of blocking priority, while also potentially supporting the team. Alakazite is the preferred item preferred to? Just say best allowing alakazam to mega-evolve to gain higher speed and greater immediate offensive presence though it comes at the cost of losing psychic surge as an ability. Trace sentence

Usage Tips

Alakazam can be used effectively as a revenge killer, unless the foe has a Choice Scarf it can be used as a revenge killer regardless.or has pursuit support. It can also be used as a psuedo wallbreaker during the turns psychic terrain is active allowing it to deal massive damage using STAB psychic. Slow Volt Switches or U-turn should be used to get Alakazam in safely, as Alakazam's poor defenses prevent it from being able to switch into attacks. Entry hazards limit the foe's opportunities to switch in even more allowing Mega-Alakazam to achieve KOes like dragonite and physically defensive zapdos after stealth rocks. This is especially helpful against RegenVest counters like Muk-A and Magearna. Mega Evolution should be delayed until alakazam needs the increased speed and special attack, allowing alakazam to set-up psychic terrain multiple times in a match. Due to Psychic Surge, Alakazam can be utilised as a risky switch-in to predicted priority attacks on offensive teams. Lastly, Alakazam should only be sent out knowing it will be able to KO the foe, as it is unlikely that it will survive an attack.

Team Options

Alakazam appreciates trapping support from dugtrio or Mag-Pull mons like heatran to eliminate common checks like RegenVest Muk-A and Magearna. Additionally strong pursuit users like adaptability tyranitar are good partners since they can trap counters like Mew and Meleotta. Slow Volt Switches or U-turns from Magearna, Zapdos can be utilised to get Mega-Alakazam in safely, allowing it get off a powerful psychic attack. Strong physical attackers like Hoopa-Unbound and terrakion are ideal partners to get past specials walls like chansey and celesteela when using psychic. Normalize Gengar with Mean Look and Skill Swap can trap and beat similar counters like Chansey and Meloetta. Since, Sheer Force Gengar has nearly identical counters as Alakazam, thus making Normalize Gengar a great lure. Hazard Stacking give some pokemon examples here is a great way to support Alakazam offensively, since it alleviates the issue of RegenVest pokemons, one of it's main counters.

Strategy Comments

Other Option


A Focus Sash set can be used to work as an effective revenge-killer, but it misses out on Mega-Alakazam's great speed tier. Substitute is a good option since Alakazam forces a lot of switches to fire off a powerful attack or at least evade pursuit. A sheer force set using life orb gives alakazam more power on it's coverage moves but it is forced to give up Mega-Evolution for increased speed. Also due to it's poor defenses it becomes really vulnerable to priority attacks.

Checks and Counters

RegenVest Users :
Magearna, Meleotta and Muk-A can switch in and take any hit from Mega-Alakazam and just pivot or switch out to appropriate counter. Muk-A deserves a special mention because it usually carries pursuit ensuring Alakazam would be KOed.

Special Defensive Walls: Most variants of chansey if not carrying psyshock successfully wall mega-alakazam. Other than that poison heal mandibuzz deserves a mention to be able to switch in and threaten it out. Though most of them have to be careful about encore. Chansey walls out psychic terrain, it just doesn't switch in

Choice Scarf Users: Due to it's low bulk, most choice scarf users like victini, kartana, terrakion easily 1hko it. Specify fast scarfers, as stuff like hoopa-u is still slower. Also please expand on this.

Bulletproof Users: With immunities to Focus Blast and Psychic, Bulletproof Dark-types are rare but serious threats to Alakazam. Bulletproof Tyranitar will Pursuit trap Alakazam, while Bulletproof Choice Scarf Krookodile will outspeed and also Pursuit trap it.
Celesteela : Due to it's neutrality to focus blast and good special bulk, it can easily beat Mega-Alakazam by just leech seed stalling or KOing it with heavy slam. Put in specially defensive walls
I'm going to assume you'll do this properly, so 3/3. You should probably give http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/spelling-and-grammar-standards.3588427/ a check before GP because there's a bunch of issues there, but overall nice work!
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
uh not sure if this is ready for gp but even if it was i'd say this

can you read through the analysis and capitalize pokemon names / items / abilities / types please; it's something that shouldn't be done by a GPer several times. also, can you fix instances where you've used "it's" over "its" - the former means it is and the latter is for possession. when referring to alolan mons, say Alolan <Pokemon>, so Alolan Muk not Muk-A please.

hmu on discord (#4780) if you need help / don't understand, and tag me once this is finished so i can gp it. thanks :]
 
Overview

Both Alakazam and its Mega Evolution possess a blazing Speed stat, (AC) allowing them to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame. Its Speed, (AC) combined with the a high Special Attack and a good movepool, (AC) allows it to revenge kill easily and act as a late-game sweeper. It Alakazam has an excellent pre-Mega ability in Psychic Surge, (AC) which allows it to avoid all kinds of priority and boosts its Psychic-type attacks, turning it into a wall-breaker. (RP); (ASC) this is invaluable since Mega-Alakazam's (this applies to both formes) poor defenses generally don't allow it to live survive priority attacks. Its post Mega ability Trace enables enables Mega- Alakazam to copy the foe's ability, allowing it to revenge kill weather sweepers. Moreover, Trace, (AC) especially in Almost Any Ability, (AC) allows it to copy powerful common abilities like Adaptability, Sheer Force, (AC) etc. as well as allowsing it to scout the opposing Pokemon's ability. However, Alakazam possesses a mediocre defensive typing in Psychic and paper thin defenses, (AC) which leaves leaving it vulnerable to any physical unresisted attacks and, (AC) most special attacks, (AC) and, (AC) most importantly, (AC) Pursuit. After Mega Evolving, (AC) it Alakazam loses Psychic Surge as it's ability, (AC) and consequently Psychic Terrain after it's designated turns, leaving it susceptible to being revenge- killed by priority. (RP); (ASC) its Psychic-type attacks also suffers a significant drop in power in it's psychic attacks. Even though it Alakazam possesses tremendous power, it's checks like Magearna and Alolan Muk are common in the meta (that's not the best connection, in my opinion).

Psychic Terrain Attacker
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock / Psychic
- Signal Beam / Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Calm Mind / Encore / Shadow Ball / Signal Beam

Set Comments


Moves

Psyshock hits specially invested Pokemons or and RegenVest users such as Chansey, Meloetta, (AC) or and Magearna (it may be a good idea to specify which ones are which) hard and allows Alakazam to hit on both sides of the spectrum physically and specially. Where as Psychic provides Mega-Alakazam (talking about both formes) with a powerful STAB move which that is boosted by Psychic Terrain, (AC) allowing it to KO various metagame threats like Terrakion, Toxapex, (AC) and even physically defensive Zapdos after Stealth Rocks. Signal Beam provides it Alakazam a way to hit Bulletproof Dark-types such as Krookodile, (AC) since they are immune to Focus Blast. (RP); (ASC) it also 1hkoes OHKOes Hoopa-Unbound, (AC) which otherwise can take a hit from Focus Blast. Shadow Ball provides it Alakazam with a way to hit opposing Psychic- and Ghost-types super- effectively. Focus Blast hits Dark- and Steel-types such as Tyranitar, Hoopa-Unbound, Celesteela, (AC) and Ferrothorn, (AC) which can otherwise could easily switch into Psychic. Calm Mind allows Mega-Alakazam (referring to both) to completely break through slower teams due to it Alakazam's great coverage (not because of the stat boosts?) while taking advantage of Protect stall from Pokemon like Snorlax and Pokemons that can't damage it much such as Snorlax and Magearna respectively. Encore is an excellent option that shuts down foes that will attempt to set up, most notably Suicune and Snorlax. (RP); (ASC) it also forces out Poison Heal users that rely on Protect to recover their health.

Set Details

EVs are set to maximize Speed and Special Attack. A Timid nature lets Alakazam outspeed much of the metagame, most notably Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Pursuit (you can't outspeed a specific move, you can only outspeed the Pokemon that uses it) pre-Mega and up_to Choice Scarf Xurkitree post-mega evolution after Mega Evolving. Psychic Surge sets up Psychic Terrain, (AC) which considerably boosts Alakazam's power and negates one of the main ways to revenge kill it by virtue of blocking priority, (RC) while also potentially supporting the team. Alakazite is the best possible item, (AC) as it allowings Alakazam to Mega- Evolve to, (AC) gaining higher Speed and greater immediate offensive presence, (AC) though it comes at the cost of losing Psychic Surge as an ability.

Usage Tips

Alakazam can be used effectively as a revenge killer, though one should be careful about Pursuit support trappers. It can also be used as a pseudo-wallbreaker during the turns Psychic Terrain is active, (AC) as it allowsing it Alakazam to deal massive damage using STAB Psychic. Slow Volt Switches or U-turns should be used to get Alakazam in safely, as Alakazam's poor defenses prevent it from being able to switch into attacks. Entry hazards limit the foe's opponent's opportunities to switch in checks even more further, (AC) allowing Mega- Alakazam to achieve more KOes like, (AC) including physically defensive Zapdos after Stealth Rocks. (RP); (ASC) this is especially helpful against Regen-Vest counters like Alolan Muk and Magearna. Mega Evolution should be delayed until Alakazam needs the increased Speed and Special Attack, (RC) so as to allowing Alakazam it to set- up Psychic Terrain multiple times in a match. Due to Psychic Surge, Alakazam can be utiliszed as a risky switch-in to predicted priority attacks on offensive teams. Lastly, Alakazam should only be sent out knowing it will be able to KO the foe, as it is unlikely that it will survive any attacks.

Team Options

Alakazam appreciates trapping support from Mag-net Pull Pokemons like Heatran to eliminate common checks like Magearna. Additionally, (AC) strong Pursuit users like Adaptability Tyranitar are good partners, (AC) since they can trap counters like Mew and Meleoetta. Slow Volt Switches or U-turns from Magearna, (RC) or Zapdos can be utiliszed to get Mega-Alakazam in safely, allowing it get off a powerful Psychic-type attack. Strong physical attackers like Hoopa-Unbound and Terrakion are ideal partners to get past specials walls like Chansey and Celesteela when Alakazam is using Psychic over Psycshock. Normalize Gengar with Mean Look and Skill Swap can trap and beat similar counters like Chansey and Meloetta. (RP); (ASC) since, (RC) Sheer Force Gengar has nearly identical counters as Alakazam, thus this making makes Normalize Gengar a great lure. Hazard stacking from Pokemon like Skarmory is a great way to support Alakazam offensively, since it alleviates the issue of RegenVest Pokemons, one which are some of it's Alakazam's main counters.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


A Focus Sash set can be used to work as an effective revenge- killer, but it Alakazam misses out on its Mega-Alakazam Evolution's great Speed tier. Substitute is a good option, (AC) since Alakazam forces a lot of switches, (AC) to fire off a powerful attack or at least evade Pursuit. A Sheer Force set using Life Orb gives Alakazam more power on it's coverage moves but it is forced also forces it to give up Mega- Evolution for increased speed and the Speed boost that accompanies it (Life Orb doesn't grant Speed). (RP); (ASC) also, (AC) due to it's poor defenses (it has those defenses either way) not having Psychic Surge, (AC) Alakazam it becomes really vulnerable to priority attacks.

Checks and Counters

RegenVest Users: Magearna, Meleoetta, (AC) and Alolan Muk can switch in and take any hit from Mega-Alakazam and just pivot or switch out into an appropriate counter check (counters can switch in directly). Alolan Muk deserves a special mention because it usually carries Pursuit, (AC) ensuring Alakazam would be KOed which OHKOes Alakazam.

Specially Defensive Walls: Most variants of Chansey if not carrying Psyshock successfully wall non-Psyshock mega-Alakazam (can't it wall both the base forme and the Mega Evolution?). Other than that, (AC) Poison Heal Mandibuzz deserves a mention to be, (AC) as it is able to switch in and threaten it Alakazam out. Though However, (AC) most of them have to be careful about Encore (see if you can integrate this better).

Choice Scarf Users: Due to it's Alakazam's low bulk, most fast Choice Scarf users like, (AC) including Victini, (RC) and Terrakion, (AC) easily 1hko OHKO it.

Dark-type (only thing mentioned in here) Bulletproof Users: With immunities to Focus Blast and Psychic, Bulletproof Dark-types are rare but serious threats to Alakazam. Bulletproof Tyranitar will can (not a guarantee; never underestimate the stupidity of man) Pursuit trap Alakazam, while (this is phrased like these are the only two common Dark-type Bulletproof users. Is that correct? If so, please mention that.) Bulletproof Choice Scarf Krookodile will can outspeed and also Pursuit trap it.

Celesteela: Celesteela, due to it's neutrality to Focus Blast and good special bulk, it can easily beat Mega-Alakazam (applies to both formes) by just Leech Seed stalling or KOing it with Heavy Slam.
 
Last edited:

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top