[AAA] Magearna

I'll be taking wishiwashi Magearna, please
Done
QC [2/2] GP [1/1]

Overview

Magearna is blessed with the excellent Steel / Fairy typing, granting it nine resistances and two immunities. This is further boosted by good defensive stats, letting it pivot into and wall common attackers such as Weavile, Kyurem-B, and Hoopa-U. Magearna also has a good special movepool, which gives it excellent neutral coverage and access to Volt Switch to freely bring in frail Pokemon or activate Regenerator. This is backed further by a good Special Attack stat that allows it to deal solid damage, even when not invested. However, Magearna's weakness to Fire- and Ground-type attacks is exploitable due to their commonality, while Magearna’s lack of direct recovery sometimes forces it to switch out on Pokemon that it walls.

RegenVest Pivot
Magearna @ Assault vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere / Focus Blast

Set Comments

Moves

Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out, letting it steal momentum from any switch-ins. This also allows it to prevent the foe from hitting whatever pivots in, gain momentum, and activate Regenerator to heal itself. Fleur Cannon is the most powerful STAB move that Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop in Special Attack is largely a nonissue. Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move to wear down opposing Pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch. Aura Sphere hits Steel-types that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks reliably such as Ferrothorn while Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel-types at the cost of accuracy.

Set Details

252 HP and Special Defense EVs in conjunction with a Calm Nature maximize Magearna's Special Defense, allowing it to better take neutral hits. The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical walling capabilities, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily. Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves. Regenerator is chosen as it heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check Pokemon throughout the match, as well as making up for its lack of recovery.

Usage Tips

Magearna is a safe pivot into many offensive Pokemon, so aggressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-U. If you don't know what move to pick, it's usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum. If possible, you should keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal more easily. Should Magearna be low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats, even if you don't need to do so to let it recover. It's often better to pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged, such as when facing a physical attacker like Mega Metagross.

Team Options

Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep Spikes off the field and allow Magearna to do its job. Meanwhile, other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-T can form a powerful VoltTurn core with Magearna, as both take on Ground-type Pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna. Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, and Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, and Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return. Fire-type switch-ins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they can also handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk. Flying-types such as Zapdos and Dragonite can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

A physically defensive spread is also viable, as it can better take on Kyurem-B and Weavile; however, it is generally inferior to the specially defensive spread, as Magearna is much more adept at checking special attackers, because Fire- and Ground-type attacks are much more commonly physical, and Magearna can take on the majority of special attackers in the meta with investment. Shadow Ball hits Mega Metagross and Doublade, preventing them from switching in freely on Magearna's attacks, but the former is often better targeted by Volt Switch. An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage but comes at the cost of its excellent pivoting abilities.

Checks and Counters

Trappers: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, KOing it after a bit of chip damage. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.

Super Effective Moves: While Magearna is bulky, Regenerator only heals 33% per switch-out and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite can wear it down.

Spikes Setters: Spikes deals 25% damage on the switch in, largely negating the healing effects of Regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another Pokemon, so Pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.

Electric-immune Pokemon: Electric-immune walls such as Volt Absorb Toxapex and Skarmory can take Magearna's hits and steal momentum. Offensive Ground-types can do the same while forcing Magearna out with Super Effective attacks but must be wary of its other moves.

Tinted Lens Wallbreakers: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-U can largely ignore Magearna's resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.

Mixed Attackers: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-U prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense.
 
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I'll be taking wishiwashi Magearna, please

E: QC [1/2]

Overview

Magearna's excellent Fairy/Steel typing gives nine resistances and two immunities, as well as only two weaknesses, letting it wall common attackers such as Weavile and Hoopa-U grant it many chances to pivot. Its good defensive stats allow it to take on both physical and special attackers. Magearna has a good special movepool, giving it options to hit almost everything for at least neutral damage. Magearna even has access to Volt Switch, which allows it to freely bring in frail Pokemon or activate Regenerator. This is backed further by a good Special Attack allows it to deal solid damage even when not invested. However, its weakness to Fire- and Ground-type attacks is exploitable due to their commonality, and Magearna no direct recovery and is thus forced to switch out and in on things it walls

RegenVest Pivot
Magearna @ Assault vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Fluer Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere / Focus Blast / Shadow Ball

Set Comments

Moves

Volt Switch is the most important move on the set, allowing Magearna to switch out after the foe has moved. This allows it to both prevent the opponent from hitting the switchin and gain momentum on any pivoting as well as activating Regenerator to heals Magearna. Fluer Cannon is the most powerful STAB move Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop is largely a nonissue. Flash Cannon, meanwhile, is a secondary STAB move to wear down opposing Pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch. Aura Sphere hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks reliably, while Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel types at the cost of accuracy. Shadow Ball hits Mega Metagross and Doublade, preventing them from taking Magearna's Attacks.

Set Details

252 HP EVs in conjunction with 252 Special Defense EVs and a Calm Nature maximises Magearna's special Defense, allowing it to take neutral hits with ease. The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical Defense, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily.Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves. Regenerator is chosen as it heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check things throughout the match and making up for its lack of recovery.

Usage Tips

Magearna is a safe pivot into many offensive Pokemon, so aggressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-Unbound. If you don't know what move to pick, its usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum. If possible, you should keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal. If Magearna is low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats even if you don't need to to let it recover. It's often better to Pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged, such as when facing a physical attacker like Mega Metagross.

Team Options

Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep spikes off the field. Other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-T, meanwhile, can form a powerful momentum core with Magearna; both take on Ground-type pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna. Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, or Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, while Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return. Fire-type switchins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they also can handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk. Ground immunities such as Zapdos and Dragonite can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


A physically defensive spread is also workable to allow Magearna to better take on threats such as Kyurem-B and Dragonite better, but is generally less reliable due to the lack of an Assault Vest for Defense and the greater prevalence of super effective physical attacks. An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum-Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage, but comes at the cost of it's excellent pivoting abilities. Special Attack may also be run to lure select targets on the Regenerator set, but does much worse at both roles.

Checks and Counters

Trappers: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, KOing it after a bit of chip damage. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.

Super Effective Moves: While Magearna is bulky, it only heals 33% on switchout and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite can wear it down.

Spikes Setters: Spikes deal 25% on switchin, largely negating the effects of Regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another Pokemon, so Pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.

Electric Immunities: Electric immune walls such as Volt Absorb Toxapex or Skarmory can take Magearna's hits and steal momentum. Offensive Ground-types, meanwhile, can do the same while forcing Magearna out with Super Effective attacks, but must be more weary of its other moves.

Tinted Lens Wallbreakers: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-Unbound can largely ignore resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.

Mixed attackers: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-Unbound prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense
This is now ready for QC.
 
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Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
I'll be taking wishiwashi Magearna, please

E: QC [0/2]

Overview

* Excellent typing in Fairy/Steel that gives nine resistances and two immunities, as well as only two weaknesses
* Good defensive stats allow it to take on most physical and special attackers
* Access to Volt Switch allows it to freely bring in frail pokemon
* Good special movepool gives it options to hit most everything for at least nuetral damage
* Resistances to common attackers such as Weavile and Hoopa-U grant it many chances to pivot
* Weakness to fire and ground is exploitable due to their commonality
* Has no direct recovery and is thus forced to switch out and in on things it walls
Add high spa to deal solid damage, esp with fleur

RegenVest Pivot
Magearna @ Assault vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Fluer Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere / Dazzling Gleam
slash focus blast, remove dazzling gleam

Set Comments

Moves

* Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out after the foe has moved, which allows it to both prevent the opponent from hitting the switchin and gain momentum on any pivoting; it also activates Regenerator and heals Magearna .
* Fluer Cannon is the most powerful STAB move Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop is largely a nonissue
* Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move to wear down most opposing pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch.
* Aura Sphere hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks
* Dazzling Gleam is another option to give a more spammable fairy type STAB move at the cost of coverage.
no reason to run dazzling gleam when it can launch a fleur cannon then volt switch out to regain hp.
focus blast is an alternative to deal more damage than aura sphere, possibly even preferable.


Set Details

* 252 HP EVs in conjunction with 252 Special Defense EVs and a Calm Nature Maximises Magearna's special Defense, allowing it to take neutral hits with ease.
* The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical Defense, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily.
* Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves
* Regenerator heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check things throughout the match.

Usage Tips

* Magearna is a safe pivot into most pokemon, so agressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-Unbound.
* If you don't know what move to pick, its usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum.
* Keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal.
* If Magearna is low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats even if you don't need to to let it recover.
* It's often better to Pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged.
^ in what kind of situations?

Team Options

* Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep spikes off the field.
* Other pivots such as Landorus and Meloetta can form a powerful momentum core with Magearna; the former also takes on ground types, while the latter can use regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna.
I don't recommend running meloetta on the same team as mag. Prefer physically defensive regen mons. Lando, Doublade, Rhydon etc
* Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, or Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, while Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return.
* Fire-type switchins such as Flash Fire Ferrothorn and Doublade are handy to take on those attacks for it.
Specify that flash fire buzzwole and skarmory provide phys def support as well as controlling mag's fire and ground weaknesses.
* Ground immunities such as Zapdos and Dragonite can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


* Shadow Ball is a decent option to hit some steel types such as Doublade and Metagross, but is overall worse than Aura Sphere.
meh wouldnt really even consider this
* Thunderbolt is an option to hit Water Types such as Toxapex without switching out, but is often redundant with Volt Switch.
same thing, meh
* A physically defensive spread is also workable, but is generally inferior due to the lack of an Assault Vest for Defense.
Offensive set with Tinted lens is viable, can run specs or fairium z with fleur cannon.

Checks and Counters

[Trappers]: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, Koing it after a bit of chip. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.

[Super Effective Moves]: While Magearna is bulky, it only heals 33% on switchout and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite can wear it down.

[Spikes Setters]: Spikes deal 25% on switchin, largely negating the effects of regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another pokemon, so pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.

[Tinted Lens Wallbreakers]: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-Unbound can largely ignore resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.

[Mixed attackers]: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-Unbound prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense

Volt absorb mons like toxapex. Takes all of Mag's moves easily and prevent momentum gains.
Added comments in bold, QC 1/2 after fixing. tag motherlove when done please.
 
I'm in a bit of a dilemma here.

I've always found physically defensive AV better to max mixed bulk and better take on shit like KyuB, Dnite, Weavile, Hoopa, Gyara, megameta, triage fighting types or mons with u-turn while still having enough special defence to take on coverage moves from psychic types and dragon types. I've found the uninvested av boosted special d to be sufficient enough.

I also know that since mag has significant damage output and doesn't require much more than HP investment to do its job well, max special atk is also a popular set on more offensive teams. It also has much more usage than the other two.

Truth is, magearna actually only really needs 252HP to perform its job well and the other 252 depend mainly on the rest of the team and personal preference so I don't really know which set we should include in the analysis. I don't exactly thing one is strictly better than the other and I don't want to have 3 sets the same in the analisys.

So what do we do?

Overview

* Excellent typing in Fairy/Steel that gives nine resistances and two immunities would be worth mentioning what some key resistances are (especially psychic and dark), as well as only two weaknesses
* Good defensive stats allow it to take on most most seems like a bit of an exaggeration, If anything good defences allow it to comfortably take most neutral hits physical and special attackers
* Access to Volt Switch allows it to freely bring in frail pokemon
* Good special movepool gives it options to hit most everything for at least nuetral damage
* Solid Special Attack allows it to deal solid don't say "solid" twice dude, smh damage versus most opponents not needed even when not invested.
* Resistances to common attackers such as Weavile and Hoopa-U grant it many chances to pivot when you're writing this you could bring that up with the first point and kinda merge them together
* Weakness to fire and ground is exploitable due to their commonality
* Has no direct recovery and is thus forced to switch out and in on things it walls

RegenVest Pivot
Magearna @ Assault vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Fluer Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere / Focus Blast / Shadow Ball hi, yes shadow ball is viable idk why lax says it isn't, hitting doublade and mega meta is p good
Set Comments

Moves

* Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out after the foe has moved, which allows it to both prevent the opponent from hitting the switchin and gain momentum on any pivoting; it also activates Regenerator and heals Magearna .
* Fluer Cannon is the most powerful STAB move Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop is largely a nonissue
* Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move to wear down most stop saying "most" all the time it makes my head hurt pls opposing pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch.
* Aura Sphere hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks
* Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel types at the cost of accuracy.


Set Details

* 252 HP EVs in conjunction with 252 Special Defense EVs and a Calm Nature maximizes Magearna's Special Defense, allowing it to take neutral hits with ease.
* The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical Defense, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily.
* Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves
* Regenerator heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check things throughout the match.

Usage Tips

* Magearna is a safe pivot into most pls stop pokemon, so agressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-Unbound.
* If you don't know what move to pick, its usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum.
* Keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal.
* If Magearna is low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats even if you don't need to to let it recover.
* It's often better to Pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged such as when facing a fire type like Victini. "switch out of super effective moves that kill you" seems like an obvious point that you shouldn't have to bring up

Team Options

* Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep spikes off the field.
* Other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-t can form a powerful momentum core with Magearna; both take on Ground-type Pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna.
* Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, or Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, while Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return.
* Fire-type switchins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they also can handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk.
* Ground immunities such as Zapdos and Dragonite can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


* A physically defensive spread is also workable, but is generally inferior due to the lack of an Assault Vest for Defense. wow dude, that is plain untrue.
*Magearna's great mixed bulk means it can tailor its set depending on the team while still performing its role really well, a physically defensive oriented set can allow it to take on common threats such as Refrigerate Kyurem-Black, Aerilate Dragonite, Triage fighting types or Physically oriented Dark types such as Weavile or Hoopa-U much better while still having enough special bulk to take on coverage moves from common psychic types. Meanwhile a max special attack set can use Magearna's high special attack stat to apply more pressure on the opposing team while still keeping enough bulk to act as a universal pivot and check to common threats.

* An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum-Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage, but comes at the cost of it's excellent pivoting abilities.

Checks and Counters

[Trappers]: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, Koing it after a bit of chip. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.

[Super Effective Moves]: While Magearna is bulky, it only heals 33% on switchout and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite can wear it down.

I would add another point for ground type pokemon since they pretty much fuck up what mag does and kill it

[Spikes Setters]: Spikes deal 25% on switchin, largely negating the effects of regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another pokemon, so pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.

[Tinted Lens Wallbreakers]: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-Unbound can largely ignore resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.

[Mixed attackers]: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-Unbound prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense

[Electric-Immune Walls]: Electric immunities that can take Magearna's hits such as Volt Absorb Toxapex or Skarmory can come in on Magearna and steal momentum.

Check spelling

Quantum Tesseract LaxLapras
 

Sylveon.

Penny saved is still a fucking penny
Actually I second what motherlove is saying, I have been running only 252 hp on magearna with other in spa, and personally I haven't felt any significant loss in special bulk.
Moreover you can try 140 EVs in defense to always survive a adamant lando-t earthquake in a pinch.
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
I don't mean to sound authoritative, but no. Magearna needs the SpD due to all of the ridiculously strong abilities in the meta. Magearna's job is not to check physical attackers. Also, even with phys def Hoopa U will still beat it if TL or Fire Punch. Some calcs to show why Magearna needs the SpD investments:
252 SpA Choice Specs Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 127-151 (34.8 - 41.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(Stakeout thus 2HKOs)
252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Xurkitree Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 190-224 (52.1 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 160-190 (43.9 - 52.1%) -- 17.2% chance to 2HKO
You can play around with more calcs if you want, but I've gone through it, and it needs all the bulk it can get. The set is a specially defensive pivot, really. If you so desire, you can make a separate one with physical defense, but I'd recommend finding a specific EV set to take on common threats in the meta. The thing is, most physical attackers have a good matchup on Magearna with Fire and Ground moves, or even fighting.
I do not agree with running SpA EVs whatsoever

I think the best remedy is to make a seperate set for a phys defensive spread. Offensive Magearna should run TL, and should be left in other options.

Also I still disagree with Shadow Ball. Doublade's usage has fallen dramatically since GW and Atespeed are gone. Metagross is rare. Having fighting coverage for Steels, which are on every team, is much more important.
 
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I'm in a bit of a dilemma here.

I've always found physically defensive AV better to max mixed bulk and better take on shit like KyuB, Dnite, Weavile, Hoopa, Gyara, megameta, triage fighting types or mons with u-turn while still having enough special defence to take on coverage moves from psychic types and dragon types. I've found the uninvested av boosted special d to be sufficient enough.

I also know that since mag has significant damage output and doesn't require much more than HP investment to do its job well, max special atk is also a popular set on more offensive teams. It also has much more usage than the other two.

Truth is, magearna actually only really needs 252HP to perform its job well and the other 252 depend mainly on the rest of the team and personal preference so I don't really know which set we should include in the analysis. I don't exactly thing one is strictly better than the other and I don't want to have 3 sets the same in the analisys.

So what do we do?

Overview

* Excellent typing in Fairy/Steel that gives nine resistances and two immunities would be worth mentioning what some key resistances are (especially psychic and dark), as well as only two weaknesses
* Good defensive stats allow it to take on most most seems like a bit of an exaggeration, If anything good defences allow it to comfortably take most neutral hits physical and special attackers
* Access to Volt Switch allows it to freely bring in frail pokemon
* Good special movepool gives it options to hit most everything for at least nuetral damage
* Solid Special Attack allows it to deal solid don't say "solid" twice dude, smh damage versus most opponents not needed even when not invested.
* Resistances to common attackers such as Weavile and Hoopa-U grant it many chances to pivot when you're writing this you could bring that up with the first point and kinda merge them together
* Weakness to fire and ground is exploitable due to their commonality
* Has no direct recovery and is thus forced to switch out and in on things it walls

RegenVest Pivot
Magearna @ Assault vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Fluer Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere / Focus Blast / Shadow Ball hi, yes shadow ball is viable idk why lax says it isn't, hitting doublade and mega meta is p good
Set Comments

Moves

* Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out after the foe has moved, which allows it to both prevent the opponent from hitting the switchin and gain momentum on any pivoting; it also activates Regenerator and heals Magearna .
* Fluer Cannon is the most powerful STAB move Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop is largely a nonissue
* Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move to wear down most stop saying "most" all the time it makes my head hurt pls opposing pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch.
* Aura Sphere hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks
* Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel types at the cost of accuracy.


Set Details

* 252 HP EVs in conjunction with 252 Special Defense EVs and a Calm Nature maximizes Magearna's Special Defense, allowing it to take neutral hits with ease.
* The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical Defense, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily.
* Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves
* Regenerator heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check things throughout the match.

Usage Tips

* Magearna is a safe pivot into most pls stop pokemon, so agressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-Unbound.
* If you don't know what move to pick, its usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum.
* Keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal.
* If Magearna is low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats even if you don't need to to let it recover.
* It's often better to Pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged such as when facing a fire type like Victini. "switch out of super effective moves that kill you" seems like an obvious point that you shouldn't have to bring up

Team Options

* Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep spikes off the field.
* Other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-t can form a powerful momentum core with Magearna; both take on Ground-type Pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna.
* Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, or Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, while Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return.
* Fire-type switchins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they also can handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk.
* Ground immunities such as Zapdos and Dragonite can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


* A physically defensive spread is also workable, but is generally inferior due to the lack of an Assault Vest for Defense. wow dude, that is plain untrue.
*Magearna's great mixed bulk means it can tailor its set depending on the team while still performing its role really well, a physically defensive oriented set can allow it to take on common threats such as Refrigerate Kyurem-Black, Aerilate Dragonite, Triage fighting types or Physically oriented Dark types such as Weavile or Hoopa-U much better while still having enough special bulk to take on coverage moves from common psychic types. Meanwhile a max special attack set can use Magearna's high special attack stat to apply more pressure on the opposing team while still keeping enough bulk to act as a universal pivot and check to common threats.

* An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum-Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage, but comes at the cost of it's excellent pivoting abilities.

Checks and Counters

[Trappers]: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, Koing it after a bit of chip. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.

[Super Effective Moves]: While Magearna is bulky, it only heals 33% on switchout and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite can wear it down.

I would add another point for ground type pokemon since they pretty much fuck up what mag does and kill it

[Spikes Setters]: Spikes deal 25% on switchin, largely negating the effects of regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another pokemon, so pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.

[Tinted Lens Wallbreakers]: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-Unbound can largely ignore resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.

[Mixed attackers]: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-Unbound prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense

[Electric-Immune Walls]: Electric immunities that can take Magearna's hits such as Volt Absorb Toxapex or Skarmory can come in on Magearna and steal momentum.

Check spelling

Quantum Tesseract LaxLapras
I don't mean to sound authoritative, but no. Magearna needs the SpD due to all of the ridiculously strong abilities in the meta. Magearna's job is not to check physical attackers. Also, even with phys def Hoopa U will still beat it if TL or Fire Punch. Some calcs to show why Magearna needs the SpD investments:
252 SpA Choice Specs Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 127-151 (34.8 - 41.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(Stakeout thus 2HKOs)
252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Xurkitree Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 190-224 (52.1 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 160-190 (43.9 - 52.1%) -- 17.2% chance to 2HKO
You can play around with more calcs if you want, but I've gone through it, and it needs all the bulk it can get. The set is a specially defensive pivot, really. If you so desire, you can make a separate one with physical defense, but I'd recommend finding a specific EV set to take on common threats in the meta. The thing is, most physical attackers have a good matchup on Magearna with Fire and Ground moves, or even fighting.
I do not agree with running SpA EVs whatsoever

I think the best remedy is to make a seperate set for a phys defensive spread. Offensive Magearna should run TL, and should be left in other options.

Also I still disagree with Shadow Ball. Doublade's usage has fallen dramatically since GW and Atespeed are gone. Metagross is rare. Having fighting coverage for Steels, which are on every team, is much more important.
While I would agree that Laxlapras is somewhat underselling a physically defensive set (Which allows you to use a more reliable Regenerator partner than Lando-t in Meloetta), after he suggested I change the set I tried out specially defensive and it's solidly better than physdef. I made the Other Options mention more complementary and highlighted the relative advantages; remember, other options=/=bad. If motherlove thinks it's imprtant enough I can add some Mixed defensive or fully defensive set to set details instead of just OO, but I think another set isn't really needed or useful.

Otherwise, everything bar special attack was implemented, and hopefully to satisfaction.
 

Laxpras

One small yeet for man, one giant yeet for mankind
While I would agree that Laxlapras is somewhat underselling a physically defensive set (Which allows you to use a more reliable Regenerator partner than Lando-t in Meloetta), after he suggested I change the set I tried out specially defensive and it's solidly better than physdef. I made the Other Options mention more complementary and highlighted the relative advantages; remember, other options=/=bad. If motherlove thinks it's imprtant enough I can add some Mixed defensive or fully defensive set to set details instead of just OO, but I think another set isn't really needed or useful.

Otherwise, everything bar special attack was implemented, and hopefully to satisfaction.
If motherlove is ok with it how it is now, I'm good with it. If you want a phys def spread there, I can agree to that.
I would like to change this sentence in OO though:
A physically defensive spread is also workable to allow Magearna to better take on threats such as Kyurem-B and Dragonite better, but is generally less reliable due to the lack of an Assault Vest for Defense and the greater prevalence of super effective physical attacks
to something closer to:
A physically defensive spread is also viable as it can better take on Kyurem-B and Weavile (are we forgetting that Dnite can just 2hko with EQ?), however, it is generally inferior to the specially defensive spread as Magearna is much more adept at checking special attackers as Fire and Ground type attacks are much more commonly physical, and Magearna can successfully take on the majority of special attackers in the meta with investments. Furthermore, Gliscor and and even mons like Manaphy and Mew are more reliable physically defensive pivots.
 
A physically defensive spread is also viable as it can better take on Kyurem-B and Weavile (are we forgetting that Dnite can just 2hko with EQ?), however, it is generally inferior to the specially defensive spread as Magearna is much more adept at checking special attackers as Fire and Ground type attacks are much more commonly physical, and Magearna can successfully take on the majority of special attackers in the meta with investments. Furthermore, Gliscor and and even mons like Manaphy and Mew are more reliable physically defensive pivots.
Remove the last sentence and I'm cool with that. Thought I just want to mention that the 3 most used steel types are magearna, skarmory, Celesteela and doublade so I don't see why shadow ball would be such a shit move.
Mag can switch on espeed and take the following eq which is why it's a check.

Quantum Tesseract GP ppl will still have a bit of work but you're all good for the most part, just please replace the first sentence in OO woth w/e lax wrote and don't say that doublade is rare since he actually kinda isn't.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
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Overview

Magearna is blessed with the excellent Fairy/Steel Steel / Fairy typing, granting it 9 nine resistances and two immunities. This is further boosted by good defensive stats, letting it pivot into and wall common attackers such as Weavile, Kyurem-B, and Hoopa-U. Magearna also has a good special movepool, (AC) which gives it excellent neutral coverage and access to Volt Switch to freely bring in frail Pokemon or activate Regenerator. This is backed further by a good Special Attack stat that allows it to deal solid damage, (AC) even when not invested. However, Magearna's weakness to Fire- and Ground-type attacks is exploitable due to their commonality, while Magearna's lack of direct recovery sometimes forces it to switch out on things Pokemon that it walls.

RegenVest Pivot
Magearna @ Assault vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Fluer Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere / Focus Blast

Set Comments

Moves

Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out, letting it steal momentum from any switchins switch-ins. This also allows it to prevent the opponent foe from hitting whatever pivots in, gain momentum, and as activate Regenerator to heal Magearna itself. Fluer Fleur Cannon is the most powerful STAB move that Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop in Special Attack is largely a nonissue. Flash Cannon, (RC) meanwhile, (RC) is a secondary STAB move to wear down opposing Pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch. Aura Sphere hits Steel-types that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks, (AC) such as Ferrothorn, (AC) that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks reliably, (RC) while Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel-types (AH) at the cost of accuracy.

Set Details

252 HP and Special Defense EVs in conjunction with 252 Special Defense EVs and a Calm Nature maximizes maximize Magearna's Special Defense, allowing it to better take neutral hits. The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical walling capabilities, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily. Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves. Regenerator is chosen, (AC) as it heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check things Pokemon throughout the match, (AC) as well as and making up for its lack of recovery.

Usage Tips

Magearna is a safe pivot into many offensive Pokemon, so aggressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-Unbound. If you don't know what move to pick, it's usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum. If possible, you should keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal more easily. Should Magearna be low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats, (AC) even if you don't need to do so to let it recover. It's often better to pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged, such as when facing a physical attacker like Mega Metagross.

Team Options

Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep Spikes off the field and allow Magearna to do its job. Meanwhile, other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-T, (RC) meanwhile, (RC) can form a powerful momentum VoltTurn core with Magearna, (AC) as; (RSC) both take on Ground-type Pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna. Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, or and Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, while and Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return. Fire-type switchins switch-ins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they can also can handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk. Flying-types such as Zapdos and Dragonite can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

A physically defensive spread is also viable, (AC) as it can better take on Kyurem-B and Weavile; (ASC), (RC) however, it is generally inferior to the specially defensive spread, (AC) as Magearna is much more adept at checking special attackers, (AC) as Fire- (AH) and Ground-type (AH) attacks are much more commonly physical, and Magearna can suddenly take on the majority of special attackers in the meta with investments. Shadow Ball hits Mega Metagross and Doublade, preventing them from switching in freely on Magearna's attacks, but the former is often better targeted by Volt Switch. An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum-Z Fairium Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage but comes at the cost of its excellent pivoting abilities.

Checks and Counters

Trappers: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, KOing it after a bit of chip damage. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.

Super Effective Moves: While Magearna is bulky, it Regenerator only heals 33% on switchout per switch out and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite can wear it down.

Spikes Setters: Spikes deal deals 25% damage on switchin the switch in, largely negating the healing effects of Regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another Pokemon, so Pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.

Electric-immune Pokemon Immunities: Electric-immune (AH) walls such as Volt Absorb Toxapex or and Skarmory can take Magearna's hits and steal momentum. Offensive Ground-types, (RH) meanwhile, (RH) can do the same while forcing Magearna out with super effective attacks but must be weary wary (weary means showing tiredness or being tired, wary means being cautious) of its other moves.

Tinted Lens Wallbreakers: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-Unbound can largely ignore Magearna's resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.

Mixed Attackers: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-Unbound prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense.
GP 1/1
 

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
is a Site Content Manageris a Battle Simulator Administratoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Social Media Head
I'll be taking wishiwashi Magearna, please
Done
QC [2/2] GP [1/1]

Overview

Magearna is blessed with the excellent Steel / Fairy typing, granting it nine resistances and two immunities. This is further boosted by good defensive stats, letting it pivot into and wall common attackers such as Weavile, Kyurem-B, and Hoopa-U. Magearna also has a good special movepool, which gives it excellent neutral coverage and access to Volt Switch to freely bring in frail Pokemon or activate Regenerator. This is backed further by a good Special Attack stat that allows it to deal solid damage, even when not invested. However, Magearna's weakness to Fire- and Ground-type attacks is exploitable due to their commonality, while Magearna’s lack of direct recovery sometimes forces it to switch out on Pokemon that it walls.

RegenVest Pivot
Magearna @ Assault vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere / Focus Blast

Set Comments

Moves

Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out, letting it steal momentum from any switch-ins. This also allows it to prevent the foe from hitting whatever pivots in, gain momentum, and activate Regenerator to heal itself. Fleur Cannon is the most powerful STAB move that Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop in Special Attack is largely a nonissue. Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move to wear down opposing Pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch. Aura Sphere hits Steel-types that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks reliably such as Ferrothorn while Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel-types at the cost of accuracy.

Set Details

252 HP and Special Defense EVs in conjunction with a Calm Nature maximize Magearna's Special Defense, allowing it to better take neutral hits. The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical walling capabilities, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily. Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves. Regenerator is chosen as it heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check Pokemon throughout the match, as well as making up for its lack of recovery.

Usage Tips

Magearna is a safe pivot into many offensive Pokemon, so aggressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-U. If you don't know what move to pick, it's usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum. If possible, you should keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal more easily. Should Magearna be low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats, even if you don't need to do so to let it recover. It's often better to pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged, such as when facing a physical attacker like Mega Metagross.

Team Options

Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep Spikes off the field and allow Magearna to do its job. Meanwhile, other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-T can form a powerful VoltTurn core with Magearna, as both take on Ground-type Pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna. Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, and Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, and Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return. Fire-type switch-ins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they can also handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk. Flying-types such as Zapdos and Dragonite can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

A physically defensive spread is also viable, as it can better take on Kyurem-B and Weavile; however, it is generally inferior to the specially defensive spread, as Magearna is much more adept at checking special attackers, because Fire- and Ground-type attacks are much more commonly physical, and Magearna can take on the majority of special attackers in the meta with investment. Shadow Ball hits Mega Metagross and Doublade, preventing them from switching in freely on Magearna's attacks, but the former is often better targeted by Volt Switch. An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage but comes at the cost of its excellent pivoting abilities.

Checks and Counters

Trappers: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, KOing it after a bit of chip damage. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.

Super Effective Moves: While Magearna is bulky, Regenerator only heals 33% per switch-out and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite can wear it down.

Spikes Setters: Spikes deals 25% damage on the switch in, largely negating the healing effects of Regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another Pokemon, so Pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.

Electric-immune Pokemon: Electric-immune walls such as Volt Absorb Toxapex and Skarmory can take Magearna's hits and steal momentum. Offensive Ground-types can do the same while forcing Magearna out with Super Effective attacks but must be wary of its other moves.

Tinted Lens Wallbreakers: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-U can largely ignore Magearna's resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.

Mixed Attackers: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-U prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense.
Uploaded.
 
Something something, removing mentions from banned things in completed analysis...

Overview
Magearna is blessed with the excellent Steel / Fairy typing, granting it nine resistances and two immunities. This is further boosted by good defensive stats, letting it pivot into and wall common attackers such as Weavile, Noivern and Hoopa-U. Magearna also has a good special movepool, which gives it excellent neutral coverage and access to Volt Switch to freely bring in frail Pokemon or activate Regenerator. This is backed further by a good Special Attack stat that allows it to deal solid damage, even when not invested. However, Magearna's weakness to Fire- and Ground-type attacks is exploitable due to their commonality, while Magearna’s lack of direct recovery sometimes forces it to switch out on Pokemon that it walls.

RegenVest Pivot

  • Magearna @ Assault Vest
  • Ability: Regenerator
  • EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
  • Calm Nature
  • - Volt Switch
  • - Fleur Cannon
  • - Flash Cannon
  • - Aura Sphere / Focus Blast
Set Comments
Moves
Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out, letting it steal momentum from any switch-ins. This also allows it to prevent the foe from hitting whatever pivots in, gain momentum, and activate Regenerator to heal itself. Fleur Cannon is the most powerful STAB move that Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop in Special Attack is largely a nonissue. Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move to wear down opposing Pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch. Aura Sphere hits Steel-types that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks reliably such as Ferrothorn while Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel-types at the cost of accuracy.

Set Details
252 HP and Special Defense EVs in conjunction with a Calm Nature maximize Magearna's Special Defense, allowing it to better take neutral hits. The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical walling capabilities, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily. Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves. Regenerator is chosen as it heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check Pokemon throughout the match, as well as making up for its lack of recovery.

Usage Tips
Magearna is a safe pivot into many offensive Pokemon, so aggressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-U. If you don't know what move to pick, it's usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum. If possible, you should keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal more easily. Should Magearna be low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats, even if you don't need to do so to let it recover. It's often better to pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged, such as when facing a physical attacker like Mega Metagross.

Team Options
Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep Spikes off the field and allow Magearna to do its job. Meanwhile, other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-T can form a powerful VoltTurn core with Magearna, as both take on Ground-type Pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna. Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, and Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, and Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return. Fire-type switch-ins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they can also handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk. Flying-types such as Zapdos and Landorus-T can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments
Other Options
A physically defensive spread is also viable, as it can better take on Weavile and physically oriented Hoopa-u; however, it is generally inferior to the specially defensive spread, as Magearna is much more adept at checking special attackers, because Fire- and Ground-type attacks are much more commonly physical, and Magearna can take on the majority of special attackers in the meta with investment. Shadow Ball hits Mega Metagross and Doublade, preventing them from switching in freely on Magearna's attacks, but the former is often better targeted by Volt Switch. An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage but comes at the cost of its excellent pivoting abilities.

Checks and Counters
  • Trappers: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, KOing it after a bit of chip damage. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.
  • Super Effective Moves: While Magearna is bulky, Regenerator only heals 33% per switch-out and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Salamence can wear it down.
  • Spikes Setters: Spikes deals 25% damage on the switch in, largely negating the healing effects of Regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another Pokemon, so Pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.
  • Electric-immune Pokemon: Electric-immune walls such as Volt Absorb Toxapex and Skarmory can take Magearna's hits and steal momentum. Offensive Ground-types can do the same while forcing Magearna out with Super Effective attacks but must be wary of its other moves.
  • Tinted Lens Wallbreakers: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-U can largely ignore Magearna's resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.
  • Mixed Attackers: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-U prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense.

Laxpras , Quantum Tesseract
That was kinda easy.
 
Last edited:
Something something, removing mentions from banned things in completed analysis...

Overview
Magearna is blessed with the excellent Steel / Fairy typing, granting it nine resistances and two immunities. This is further boosted by good defensive stats, letting it pivot into and wall common attackers such as Weavile, Kyurem-B, Kyurem Kyurem isn't that common, I would change it to Mega Alakazam or noivern or something like that. and Hoopa-U. Magearna also has a good special movepool, which gives it excellent neutral coverage and access to Volt Switch to freely bring in frail Pokemon or activate Regenerator. This is backed further by a good Special Attack stat that allows it to deal solid damage, even when not invested. However, Magearna's weakness to Fire- and Ground-type attacks is exploitable due to their commonality, while Magearna’s lack of direct recovery sometimes forces it to switch out on Pokemon that it walls.

RegenVest Pivot

  • Magearna @ Assault Vest
  • Ability: Regenerator
  • EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
  • Calm Nature
  • - Volt Switch
  • - Fleur Cannon
  • - Flash Cannon
  • - Aura Sphere / Focus Blast
Set Comments
Moves
Volt Switch allows Magearna to switch out, letting it steal momentum from any switch-ins. This also allows it to prevent the foe from hitting whatever pivots in, gain momentum, and activate Regenerator to heal itself. Fleur Cannon is the most powerful STAB move that Magearna gets; since Magearna is constantly switching, the drop in Special Attack is largely a nonissue. Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move to wear down opposing Pokemon and doesn't require Magearna to switch. Aura Sphere hits Steel-types that resist both Fairy- and Steel-type attacks reliably such as Ferrothorn while Focus Blast is a more powerful option to deal more damage to those Steel-types at the cost of accuracy.

Set Details
252 HP and Special Defense EVs in conjunction with a Calm Nature maximize Magearna's Special Defense, allowing it to better take neutral hits. The 252 HP EVs also increase Magearna's physical walling capabilities, allowing it to check weaker attackers and take mixed attackers such as Keldeo more easily. Assault Vest gives a 50% boost to Special Defense, further increasing the number of attacks Magearna can switch in on at little cost thanks to the lack of status moves. Regenerator is chosen as it heals Magearna every time it switches, letting it check Pokemon throughout the match, as well as making up for its lack of recovery.

Usage Tips
Magearna is a safe pivot into many offensive Pokemon, so aggressively use it to scout sets unless you need it at full HP to check something like Hoopa-U. If you don't know what move to pick, it's usually safe to click Volt Switch to gain momentum. If possible, you should keep spikes off your side of the field to allow Magearna to heal more easily. Should Magearna be low on HP, switch it in and out on things it beats, even if you don't need to do so to let it recover. It's often better to pivot out, but don't hesitate to hard switch and prevent Magearna from being damaged, such as when facing a physical attacker like Mega Metagross.

Team Options
Defoggers such as Skarmory, Zapdos, and Tapu Fini are handy to keep Spikes off the field and allow Magearna to do its job. Meanwhile, other pivots such as Zapdos and Landorus-T can form a powerful VoltTurn core with Magearna, as both take on Ground-type Pokemon, while the latter can use Regenerator to form switching loops with Magearna. Physical walls such as Skarmory, Buzzwole, and Hippowdon are useful to take those attacks, and Magearna can switch in on special attackers in return. Fire-type switch-ins such as Flash Fire Skarmory and Buzzwole are handy to take on those attacks for it; they can also handle Magearna's Ground-type weaknesses and lower physical bulk. Flying-types such as Zapdos and Dragonite Gyarados I'd sooner list Lando-T can take those attacks for Magearna, while it can take Ice- and Rock-type moves in return.

Strategy Comments
Other Options
A physically defensive spread is also viable, as it can better take on Kyurem-B and Weavile and physically oriented Hoopa-u; however, it is generally inferior to the specially defensive spread, as Magearna is much more adept at checking special attackers, because Fire- and Ground-type attacks are much more commonly physical, and Magearna can take on the majority of special attackers in the meta with investment. Shadow Ball hits Mega Metagross and Doublade, preventing them from switching in freely on Magearna's attacks, but the former is often better targeted by Volt Switch. An offensive Tinted Lens set can use Fairum Z or Choice Specs to deal heavy damage but comes at the cost of its excellent pivoting abilities.

Checks and Counters
  • Trappers: Trappers such as Magnet Pull Heatran and Dugtrio can prevent Magearna from switching and deal heavy damage to it, KOing it after a bit of chip damage. While they don't like to switch into Magearna's attacks, Magearna cannot do anything to prevent the KO once they are in.
  • Super Effective Moves: While Magearna is bulky, Regenerator only heals 33% per switch-out and nothing elsewhere, so even moderately powerful Fire- and Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Dragonite Salamence can wear it down.
  • Spikes Setters: Spikes deals 25% damage on the switch in, largely negating the healing effects of Regenerator. While this doesn't directly win, it makes it very easy to wear Magearna down with another Pokemon, so Pokemon such as Ferrothorn are a major threat.
  • Electric-immune Pokemon: Electric-immune walls such as Volt Absorb Toxapex and Skarmory can take Magearna's hits and steal momentum. Offensive Ground-types can do the same while forcing Magearna out with Super Effective attacks but must be wary of its other moves.
  • Tinted Lens Wallbreakers: Pokemon with Tinted Lens like Hoopa-U can largely ignore Magearna's resistances, allowing them to lure in and KO Magearna.
  • Mixed Attackers: Mixed attackers such as Keldeo, Tapu Koko, and Hoopa-U prevent Magearna from doing its job as a special tank by hitting it on the opposite defense defence defense is proper unless british english.

Laxpras , Quantum Tesseract
That was kinda easy.
Overview
Thanks to its excellent Steel / Flying typing, Skarmory can check many common threats and has few exploitable weaknesses, both of which can be covered with abilities. Skarmory's Ground immunity lets it avoid Spikes and switch freely into Earthquake, and its multiple viable abilities with different weaknesses keep the foe guessing as to how to hit it. A good support movepool, in combination with an excellent Defense stat, allows it to reliably wall physical attackers and manage entry hazards throughout the match, and an immunity to Toxic prevents it from being worn down easily. However, Skarmory's low HP and Special Defense stats leave it vulnerable to special attackers, and Skarmory's Steel typing lets it get trapped by Magnet Pull.

Physically Defensive

  • Skarmory @ Shed Shell / Leftovers / Rocky Helmet / Shed Shell (reordering)
  • Ability: Fluffy / Flash Fire / Unaware / Intimidate
  • EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
  • Impish Nature
  • - Roost
  • - Brave Bird / Iron Head
  • - Whirlwind / Toxic / Taunt (Unaware set)
  • - Defog / Stealth Rock / Spikes
Set Comments
Moves
Roost is a source of active recovery for Skarmory, letting it stay healthy throughout the match. Brave Bird gives Skarmory a bit of offensive presence and lets it do something versus Taunt and Magic Bounce Pokemon, while Iron Head is another option to do more against Rock-type Pokemon such as Tyranitar (RC) that would otherwise get a free switch in, but is weaker otherwise. Whirlwind phazes setup sweepers and prevents Skarmory from being setup bait for Pokemon that can take its uninvested STAB attacks. Defog clears entry hazards for Skarmory's team and allows free switching. Stealth Rock allows Skarmory to punish the switches it causes and lets it slowly wear down foes with Whirlwind. Spikes may be run over Stealth Rock to better wear down grounded switch-ins but isn't as reliable as Stealth Rock at dealing damage and doesn't affect many Defoggers and so is usually only advisable on teams that already have Stealth Rock. Should Unaware be run, Toxic and Taunt are viable options over whirlwind to pressure switch-ins or keep entry hazards off the field, but are much less useful on other sets.

Set Details
248 HP EVs alongside 252 Defense EVs maximize Skarmory's physical bulk and allow it to take as many hits as possible, which Fluffy further increases by halving the damage of contact moves. Shed Shell prevents Magnet Pull Pokemon such as Heatran and Victini from trapping Skarmory and taking it out. Leftovers gives Skarmory passive recovery and makes it better at its job, but lets some archetypes remove it outright and is generally less useful on Fluffy sets, while Rocky Helmet is a workable alternative to Leftovers to further annoy contact attackers. Flash Fire removes Skarmory's major weakness against physical attackers and lets it check pokemons such as Entei, Fire Blast Garchomp and Volcarona. Because the majority of magnet pullers are fire type, Flash Fire skarmory can afford to run leftovers or rocky helmet to be less annoyed by stealth rocks or wear down physical attackers respectively. Unaware is another alternative that compensates for Skarmory's passivity, meaning it can freely recover in front of boosting pokemons such as Landorus-T, Gyarados, Kartana or swords dance Garchomp without worrying about eventually getting overpowered. Whirlwind isn't as useful on this set so Skarmory can opt for options such as Toxic to wear down pokemons it walls and switchins alike, or Taunt which can help prevent hazards and recovery on slower pokemons such as Ferrothorn or Hippodown. Shed Shell is the preferred item on any non-Flash Fire set as Skarmory is very susceptible to Fire type magnet pullers otherwise. Intimidate can allow Skarmory to take powerful hits that other sets wouldn't such as an adaptability boosted Close Combat from life orb terrakion. Whirlwind and Shed Shell are the preferred options on this set for reasons already mentioned.

Usage Tips
Switch Skarmory liberally into most physical attacks, as it takes very little from them and can use the free turns to recover, manage entry hazards, or chip the opponent's team. Avoid Pokemon that use physical attacks that do not make contact, particularly Hoopa-U and Kyurem-B, as they can ignore the boosts from Fluffy. Keep Skarmory at high health whenever possible, as many physical attackers such as Terrakion can do heavy damage, especially after a boost. Skarmory is a great answer to the physical half of VoltTurn cores and is almost impossible to wear down no matter the power because it takes 1/8 damage from U-turn, so regularly switch it into those attacks for the team. Avoid getting Shed Shell removed, as Skarmory may then be trapped by Magnet Pull Pokemon such as Heatran and prevented from doing its job. Bring Skarmory directly in on entry hazard setters that it beats to Defog, as switching into Stealth Rock greatly pressures it.

Team Options
As Skarmory is a physical wall, specially defensive Pokemon such as Meloetta, Chansey, and Magearna make for good teammates. Should Flash Fire not be run, Fire-type switch-ins such as Tapu Fini, Flash Fire Ferrothorn, and Toxapex are needed due to Skarmory's 4x weakness to Fire-type moves, and Electric-type answers such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Zygarde are useful to take those attacks for Skarmory. Magic Bounce Pokemon such as Chansey pair well with Skarmory, as they take entry hazard control pressure off of Skarmory and reflect back Taunt. Ground-weak Pokemon such as Heatran, Toxapex, and Magearna appreciate Skarmory's immunity to those attacks. Fire-weak Pokemon such as Magearna and Doublade (doublade doesn't pair well with skarm, it's super redundant) also pair well with Flash Fire Skarmory, as it can take on threats such as Entei and Alolan Marowak. Pokemon weak to physical attacks such as Hoopa-U and Chansey are good teammates for Skarmory, as it covers those weaknesses.

Strategy Comments
Other Options
Prankster Skarmory can use priority Taunt, Defog, and entry hazard setting to better control the battlefield but is much easier to take out. Intimidate may be run over Fluffy to better check physical attackers that do not make contact and affect Mold Breaker attackers such as Mega Gyarados, but it doesn't block damage as well. Toxic is a decent option over Brave Bird to annoy some switch-ins such as Zapdos but is unreliable with the prevalence of Poison Heal and makes Skarmory even more prey to Taunt and Magic Bounce. Unaware Skarmory with Whirlwind serves as an excellent physical setup check. Volt Absorb allows Skarmory to check Electric-type Pokemon such as Zapdos and annoy Magearna but is generally less useful of an immunity than Fire.

Checks and Counters
  • Magic Bounce and Taunt: Magic Bounce reflects both entry hazards and Whirlwind, leaving Skarmory with little options due to Brave Bird lacking power off of Skarmory's low Attack stat. While Skarmory can Defog against Magic Bounce, it cannot do so against Taunt, and Magic Bounce users can set up freely without wasting turns using Taunt.
  • Special Attackers: Skarmory has a low Special Defense stat, letting even weak special attackers bypass it. Scald and Volt Switch in particular are troubling, as very little likes risking a burn and Volt Switch can wear down switch-ins.
  • Magnet Pull: Magnet Pull prevents Skarmory from switching out of an unfavorable matchup, allowing it to get KOed before doing its job. While Skarmory can carry Shed Shell or use Whirlwind on a predicted switch to rack up damage, these Pokemon can remove Skarmory and leave its teammates vulnerable to strong attackers.
  • Super Effective Attackers: Super effective attacks, particularly Electric-type moves, can usually easily KO Skarmory. While Fire-type attacks may be blocked by Flash Fire sets, Skarmory has other viable abilities, and thus may sometimes be weak to that as well. Fire-type attacks are boosted by Fluffy, letting them do even more to it, while Fusion Bolt doesn't make contact and bypasses it in that way.
  • Mold Breaker: Mold Breaker ignores abilities, so users of this can bypass Fluffy on all attacks Flash Fire or Unaware. While this doesn't outright beat Skarmory, it makes its job much harder.
Laxpras Quantum Tesseract
 

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