[OVERVIEW]
* Sharpedo is an excellent option for the mega evolution slot on offensive Water-type teams. The combination of Speed Boost before mega evolving and Strong Jaw after mega evolving make it an excellent late-game sweeper.
* Sharpedo commonly utilizes Protect to acquire Speed Boosts while in its base form. After one Speed boost Mega Sharpedo can outspeed most of the Monotype metagame. After two, only niche sets and priority moves can enable an opposing Pokemon to move before Mega Sharpedo.
* Strong Jaw boosts many of Mega Sharpedo's attacks, including Crunch, Psychic Fangs, and Ice Fang. Strong Jaw-boosted Crunch enables Mega Sharpedo it to break some physically defensive Pokemon and OHKO many offensive threats after any residual damage—threats such as Mega Charizard Y or Thundurus. Strong Jaw-boosted Psychic Fangs enables Mega Sharpedo to offensively check Mega Venusaur and net a KO after some prior damage.
* However, Mega Sharpedo still relies heavily on team support for chipping enemies down to allow it to sweep late-game and struggles to get past many physical walls.
* While Mega Sharpedo is an excellent offensive Pokemon, it provides minimal defensive utility to the team. Poor HP, Defense, and Special Defense stats leave it unable to survive most attacks and it should almost never switch in on an expected attack.
* Mega Sharpedo faces competition with Mega Gyarados for the mega slot on a Water-type team. Mega Sharpedo is the superior offensive Pokemon, but contributes nothing to the team's defensive synergy. In contrast, Mega Gyarados contributes defensively on a Water-type team and is able to stallbreak with Substitute or Taunt.
[SET]
name: Physical Sweeper / Mega Evolution
move 1: Crunch
move 2: Protect
move 3: Waterfall / Hydro Pump
move 4: Psychic Fangs
item: Sharpedonite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Crunch is Mega Sharpedo's main source of damage and should be used to damage most Pokemon that do not resist Dark-type attacks.
* Protect is used to acquire Speed Boosts when Sharpedo is in its base form.
* Waterfall is Mega Sharpedo's preferred Water-type attack. It deals significant damage to opposing Ground- and Fire-types, such as Landorus, Excadrill, or Heatran.
* Hydro Pump may be used over Waterfall to allow Sharpedo to 2HKO Defensive Skarmory or Hippowdon. However, it has the potential to miss, unlike Waterfall.
* Psychic Fangs enables Mega Sharpedo to significantly damage Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon that would otherwise stop a sweep. Notably, it OHKOs Heracross and Keldeo, 2HKOs defensive Mega Venusaur and Toxapex. It also breaks Reflect and Light Screen, which enables Sharpedo to annoy Klefki and deny setup opportunities for other Fairy-type Pokemon.
Set Details
========
* Sharpedonite lets Sharpedo mega evolve, granting it an increase in every stat except HP.
* Speed Boost is used to increase Sharpedo's speed before mega evolving.
* Strong Jaw is Mega Sharpedo's ability and boosts many of its attacks, including Crunch, Psychic Fangs, and Ice Fang.
* Max Speed and a Jolly nature enable Mega Sharpedo to outspeed common Choice Scarf users at +1, such as Victini, Jirachi, or Kyurem-Black.
* Max Attack EVs maximize Mega Sharpedo's offensive potential.
* Naive should be used with Hydro Pump to give Sharpedo a good chance to 2HKO Defensive Skarmory.
* Naive is preferred over natures that reduce Defense because Mega Sharpedo often takes physical priority attacks from Pokemon like Choice Band Dragonite.
Usage Tips
========
* Mega Sharpedo is primarily a late game sweeper. It should utilize Protect to acquire Speed boosts prior to Mega Evolving then sweep weakened teams in most matches.
* Mega Sharpedo generally only gets one opportunity to sweep because it loses Speed Boost after mega evolving.
* Sharpedo's Dark typing makes it immune to Prankster moves. Pokemon such as Sableye, Whimiscott, Thundurus, or Klefki cannot utilize Prankster to deny a sweep. However, most Pokemon with Prankster can carry other moves that severely threaten Sharpedo, such as Wil-O-Wisp on Mega Sableye.
* Despite losing its sweeping potential after mega evolving and switching out, Mega Sharpedo remains a potent offensive threat that sits at an excellent Speed tier without a Speed boost, outpacing offensive threats such as Garchomp, Landorus, the crowded base 100 Speed tier, and Mimikyu (to break its Disguise).
* Strong Jaw boosted Crunch enables Mega Sharpedo to function as a wallbreaker in matchups where it might struggle to sweep. Notably, Crunch can weaken specific Pokemon that are troublesome for a Water-type team, such as Ferrothorn.
* Protect can be used for more than just acquiring Speed boosts. For instance, it can scout an opponent's moveset or deny chip damage from moves like Fake Out.
* Sharpedo can attempt to double Protect as a last resort against opposing sweepers that still outspeed it after one boost. Choice Scarf Gengar, Modest Alolan Raichu under Electric Terrain, or Choice Band Sand Rush Excadrill are all common threats that can pressure a Water-type team into such a situation.
* Sharpedo does not always have to mega evolve to threaten the opponent, especially in the early game. It can use Protect to boost its speed and attempt to net revenge KO or force some Pokemon out.
* Priority moves are a common method of revenge killing Mega Sharpedo. It should avoid taking damage from hazards or other weak attacks in the early game so it can reliably sweep in the late game.
* Sharpedo's poor bulk prevents it from switching in on almost every attack and relies on its teammates, a KO, or well-timed double switches to safely enter the battle.
* Sharpedo should also avoid switching into any threats that can status it, as all forms of status prevent Sharpedo from sweeping properly.
Team Options
========
* Sharpedo is a late game cleaner that offers little defensive synergy. It should be paired with Pokemon that help enable a sweep in the late game.
* Hazard setters to net KOs. Empoleon, Swampert, Toxapex, Tentacruel.
* Wallbreakers to soften up opponents team. Manaphy, Greninja, Keldeo, Azumarill, Z-move abusers (Gyarados, Fini)
* Partners to take common priority. On balanced builds, Slowbro, Mantine, Toxapex
* Fini gets special mention because it can can Defog, Stallbreak, deny status moves (para, burn), and take common priority attacks on more offensive teams that can't afford passive Pokemon.
* Pivots enable Mega Sharpedo to safely enter the battle if it is needed as a wallbreaker. Lanturn, Rotom-Wash, or U-turn Greninja fill other important roles while also supporting Mega Sharpedo.
* Rapid Spin support is worth considering as Sharpedo can get worn down, but needs hazards on the opponents side of the field to sweep. Tentacruel, Starmie
* Mega Venusaur is a nuissance for every Water-type team and Mega Sharpedo needs it to be weakened to ~60% to enable a late game sweep. Mega Venusaur checks such as Bounce Gyarados or Psychic Manaphy on offensive builds, or Mantine on balanced builds are important to pair with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* A Life Orb set with Protect, Hydro Pump, Dark Pulse, and Ice Beam is common in standard tiers, but is completely outclassed by other offensive Water-type Pokemon in Monotype, such as Manaphy or Greninja, and shouldn't be used.
* Ice Fang is an option over Psychic Fangs. It is primarily used to hit specific Dragon-type Pokemon and Tapu Bulu for significant damage. Ice Fang ensures an OHKO on Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage, OHKO's Salamence even after Intimidate, and prevents Hydreigon from completely walling Mega Sharpedo.
* An Adamant nature is an option for Water-type teams that need Mega Sharpedo to have a good chance to OHKO Z-Hypnosis Xurkitree without any prior damage. However, it limits Mega Sharpedo's abilities as a revenge killer, making it speed tie with Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian after one Speed boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority Attacks**: Breloom and Infernape threaten an OHKO with Mach Punch. Choice Band Dragonite does at least 70% with Extreme Speed.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users that require Sharpedo to get to +2 can force it to rely on a double Protect to sweep. Latios, Terrakion, and Keldeo sometimes hold a Choice Scarf and outspeed Jolly Mega Sharpedo after one speed boost. Similarly, Alolan Raichu and Excadrill outspeed Mega Sharpedo when their speed is boosted by Electric Terrain and Sand, respectively.
**Colbur Berry**: Colbur Berry is routinely found on defensive Psychic-type Pokemon such as Celebi or Slowbro to prevent Mega Sharpedo from easily sweeping a Psychic-type team. They threaten Mega Sharpedo with an attack that OHKOs or Thunder Wave.
**Bulky Attackers**: Mega Sharpedo has terrible defenses and relies on OHKOing opposing Pokemon. Pokemon that can eat a hit and attack back with an unresisted attack, such as such as Tapu Fini or Zapdos, prevent Sharpedo from sweeping.
**Defensive Grass types**: Common defensive Grass-type Pokemon, such as Mega Venusaur, Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, or Cradily, can eat a hit from Mega Sharpedo and threaten it with an attack or status move.
**Fairy Types**: Most Fairy-type Pokemon are bulky enough survive a hit from Mega Sharpedo and all threaten it with a STAB attack. However, they must be wary of getting worn down by hazards and Sharpedo's teammates. Notably, Magic Guard Clefable cannot be worn down by hazard damage and Sharpedo can not significantly damage it.
**Physical Walls**: While Strong Jaw-boosted Crunch is a very strong attack, it is unable to break some physical walls, such as Porygon2 or Alomomola
* Sharpedo is an excellent option for the mega evolution slot on offensive Water-type teams. The combination of Speed Boost before mega evolving and Strong Jaw after mega evolving make it an excellent late-game sweeper.
* Sharpedo commonly utilizes Protect to acquire Speed Boosts while in its base form. After one Speed boost Mega Sharpedo can outspeed most of the Monotype metagame. After two, only niche sets and priority moves can enable an opposing Pokemon to move before Mega Sharpedo.
* Strong Jaw boosts many of Mega Sharpedo's attacks, including Crunch, Psychic Fangs, and Ice Fang. Strong Jaw-boosted Crunch enables Mega Sharpedo it to break some physically defensive Pokemon and OHKO many offensive threats after any residual damage—threats such as Mega Charizard Y or Thundurus. Strong Jaw-boosted Psychic Fangs enables Mega Sharpedo to offensively check Mega Venusaur and net a KO after some prior damage.
* However, Mega Sharpedo still relies heavily on team support for chipping enemies down to allow it to sweep late-game and struggles to get past many physical walls.
* While Mega Sharpedo is an excellent offensive Pokemon, it provides minimal defensive utility to the team. Poor HP, Defense, and Special Defense stats leave it unable to survive most attacks and it should almost never switch in on an expected attack.
* Mega Sharpedo faces competition with Mega Gyarados for the mega slot on a Water-type team. Mega Sharpedo is the superior offensive Pokemon, but contributes nothing to the team's defensive synergy. In contrast, Mega Gyarados contributes defensively on a Water-type team and is able to stallbreak with Substitute or Taunt.
[SET]
name: Physical Sweeper / Mega Evolution
move 1: Crunch
move 2: Protect
move 3: Waterfall / Hydro Pump
move 4: Psychic Fangs
item: Sharpedonite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Crunch is Mega Sharpedo's main source of damage and should be used to damage most Pokemon that do not resist Dark-type attacks.
* Protect is used to acquire Speed Boosts when Sharpedo is in its base form.
* Waterfall is Mega Sharpedo's preferred Water-type attack. It deals significant damage to opposing Ground- and Fire-types, such as Landorus, Excadrill, or Heatran.
* Hydro Pump may be used over Waterfall to allow Sharpedo to 2HKO Defensive Skarmory or Hippowdon. However, it has the potential to miss, unlike Waterfall.
* Psychic Fangs enables Mega Sharpedo to significantly damage Fighting- and Poison-type Pokemon that would otherwise stop a sweep. Notably, it OHKOs Heracross and Keldeo, 2HKOs defensive Mega Venusaur and Toxapex. It also breaks Reflect and Light Screen, which enables Sharpedo to annoy Klefki and deny setup opportunities for other Fairy-type Pokemon.
Set Details
========
* Sharpedonite lets Sharpedo mega evolve, granting it an increase in every stat except HP.
* Speed Boost is used to increase Sharpedo's speed before mega evolving.
* Strong Jaw is Mega Sharpedo's ability and boosts many of its attacks, including Crunch, Psychic Fangs, and Ice Fang.
* Max Speed and a Jolly nature enable Mega Sharpedo to outspeed common Choice Scarf users at +1, such as Victini, Jirachi, or Kyurem-Black.
* Max Attack EVs maximize Mega Sharpedo's offensive potential.
* Naive should be used with Hydro Pump to give Sharpedo a good chance to 2HKO Defensive Skarmory.
* Naive is preferred over natures that reduce Defense because Mega Sharpedo often takes physical priority attacks from Pokemon like Choice Band Dragonite.
Usage Tips
========
* Mega Sharpedo is primarily a late game sweeper. It should utilize Protect to acquire Speed boosts prior to Mega Evolving then sweep weakened teams in most matches.
* Mega Sharpedo generally only gets one opportunity to sweep because it loses Speed Boost after mega evolving.
* Sharpedo's Dark typing makes it immune to Prankster moves. Pokemon such as Sableye, Whimiscott, Thundurus, or Klefki cannot utilize Prankster to deny a sweep. However, most Pokemon with Prankster can carry other moves that severely threaten Sharpedo, such as Wil-O-Wisp on Mega Sableye.
* Despite losing its sweeping potential after mega evolving and switching out, Mega Sharpedo remains a potent offensive threat that sits at an excellent Speed tier without a Speed boost, outpacing offensive threats such as Garchomp, Landorus, the crowded base 100 Speed tier, and Mimikyu (to break its Disguise).
* Strong Jaw boosted Crunch enables Mega Sharpedo to function as a wallbreaker in matchups where it might struggle to sweep. Notably, Crunch can weaken specific Pokemon that are troublesome for a Water-type team, such as Ferrothorn.
* Protect can be used for more than just acquiring Speed boosts. For instance, it can scout an opponent's moveset or deny chip damage from moves like Fake Out.
* Sharpedo can attempt to double Protect as a last resort against opposing sweepers that still outspeed it after one boost. Choice Scarf Gengar, Modest Alolan Raichu under Electric Terrain, or Choice Band Sand Rush Excadrill are all common threats that can pressure a Water-type team into such a situation.
* Sharpedo does not always have to mega evolve to threaten the opponent, especially in the early game. It can use Protect to boost its speed and attempt to net revenge KO or force some Pokemon out.
* Priority moves are a common method of revenge killing Mega Sharpedo. It should avoid taking damage from hazards or other weak attacks in the early game so it can reliably sweep in the late game.
* Sharpedo's poor bulk prevents it from switching in on almost every attack and relies on its teammates, a KO, or well-timed double switches to safely enter the battle.
* Sharpedo should also avoid switching into any threats that can status it, as all forms of status prevent Sharpedo from sweeping properly.
Team Options
========
* Sharpedo is a late game cleaner that offers little defensive synergy. It should be paired with Pokemon that help enable a sweep in the late game.
* Hazard setters to net KOs. Empoleon, Swampert, Toxapex, Tentacruel.
* Wallbreakers to soften up opponents team. Manaphy, Greninja, Keldeo, Azumarill, Z-move abusers (Gyarados, Fini)
* Partners to take common priority. On balanced builds, Slowbro, Mantine, Toxapex
* Fini gets special mention because it can can Defog, Stallbreak, deny status moves (para, burn), and take common priority attacks on more offensive teams that can't afford passive Pokemon.
* Pivots enable Mega Sharpedo to safely enter the battle if it is needed as a wallbreaker. Lanturn, Rotom-Wash, or U-turn Greninja fill other important roles while also supporting Mega Sharpedo.
* Rapid Spin support is worth considering as Sharpedo can get worn down, but needs hazards on the opponents side of the field to sweep. Tentacruel, Starmie
* Mega Venusaur is a nuissance for every Water-type team and Mega Sharpedo needs it to be weakened to ~60% to enable a late game sweep. Mega Venusaur checks such as Bounce Gyarados or Psychic Manaphy on offensive builds, or Mantine on balanced builds are important to pair with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* A Life Orb set with Protect, Hydro Pump, Dark Pulse, and Ice Beam is common in standard tiers, but is completely outclassed by other offensive Water-type Pokemon in Monotype, such as Manaphy or Greninja, and shouldn't be used.
* Ice Fang is an option over Psychic Fangs. It is primarily used to hit specific Dragon-type Pokemon and Tapu Bulu for significant damage. Ice Fang ensures an OHKO on Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage, OHKO's Salamence even after Intimidate, and prevents Hydreigon from completely walling Mega Sharpedo.
* An Adamant nature is an option for Water-type teams that need Mega Sharpedo to have a good chance to OHKO Z-Hypnosis Xurkitree without any prior damage. However, it limits Mega Sharpedo's abilities as a revenge killer, making it speed tie with Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian after one Speed boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority Attacks**: Breloom and Infernape threaten an OHKO with Mach Punch. Choice Band Dragonite does at least 70% with Extreme Speed.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users that require Sharpedo to get to +2 can force it to rely on a double Protect to sweep. Latios, Terrakion, and Keldeo sometimes hold a Choice Scarf and outspeed Jolly Mega Sharpedo after one speed boost. Similarly, Alolan Raichu and Excadrill outspeed Mega Sharpedo when their speed is boosted by Electric Terrain and Sand, respectively.
**Colbur Berry**: Colbur Berry is routinely found on defensive Psychic-type Pokemon such as Celebi or Slowbro to prevent Mega Sharpedo from easily sweeping a Psychic-type team. They threaten Mega Sharpedo with an attack that OHKOs or Thunder Wave.
**Bulky Attackers**: Mega Sharpedo has terrible defenses and relies on OHKOing opposing Pokemon. Pokemon that can eat a hit and attack back with an unresisted attack, such as such as Tapu Fini or Zapdos, prevent Sharpedo from sweeping.
**Defensive Grass types**: Common defensive Grass-type Pokemon, such as Mega Venusaur, Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, or Cradily, can eat a hit from Mega Sharpedo and threaten it with an attack or status move.
**Fairy Types**: Most Fairy-type Pokemon are bulky enough survive a hit from Mega Sharpedo and all threaten it with a STAB attack. However, they must be wary of getting worn down by hazards and Sharpedo's teammates. Notably, Magic Guard Clefable cannot be worn down by hazard damage and Sharpedo can not significantly damage it.
**Physical Walls**: While Strong Jaw-boosted Crunch is a very strong attack, it is unable to break some physical walls, such as Porygon2 or Alomomola
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