[SET]
name: Protean
move 1: Sludge Wave / Flash Cannon
move 2: Secret Sword / Searing Shot
move 3: Grass Knot / Freeze-Dry
move 4: Moonblast / Bug Buzz / Earth Power / Gastro Acid
item: Expert Belt / Shed Shell
ability: Protean
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
in-battle-alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Protean Mega Mewtwo Y uses its phenomenal Special Attack stat, high Speed, and coverage moves to target and decimate opposing Wonder Guard cores while holding its own against opposing offensive threats. With Expert Belt, Sludge Wave and Flash Cannon OHKOes Fairy-type Pokemon like Xerneas and Mega Audino, Secret Sword OHKOes Blissey and Arceus, and Searing Shot OHKOes Mega Beedrill and Mega Scizor. Grass Knot and Freeze-Dry both OHKO Mega Swampert, but the former OHKOes Primal Kyogre after Stealth Rock and the latter OHKOes Gyarados and 2HKOes Giratina. Moonblast OHKOes Mega Sableye and Mega Mewtwo X, and sometimes OHKOes Giratina with a Modest nature. Bug Buzz 2HKOes Cresselia and OHKOes opposing Mega Mewtwo Y and Deoxys-A, and Earth Power OHKOes Mega Gengar and Primal Groudon. Gastro Acid can be used against Wonder Guard users Mega Mewtwo Y might not be running the coverage for, allowing it to threaten Mega Scizor if it doesn't run Searing Shot, for example. Shed Shell is used to escape opposing Shadow Tag users such as Regigigas and Mega Mewtwo X, but the lack in power from Expert Belt is noticeable.
Since all teams run at least two Wonder Guard users, Mega Mewtwo Y will inevitably run into teams with a core of Wonder Guard users that can wall it. As a result, it benefits from being on offense or bulky offense teams that can break these cores with strong Mold Breaker users like Primal Groudon, Mega Rayquaza, and Mega Gengar. Shadow Tag users such as Primal Groudon, Mega Rayquaza, and Mega Mewtwo X also work well since they help eliminate Wonder Guard users that Protean Mega Mewtwo Y does not prepare for. The latter is notable for its favorable matchup against Mega Gyarados, which is otherwise a problem for Mega Mewtwo Y. It also appreciates Substitute-passing teammates such as Xerneas to help its matchup against Mega Gyarados.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Both Shadow Tag and Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can run nearly any physical coverage that is desired by a team, and Protean Mega Mewtwo Y can do the same with special coverage. However, many options require significant chip damage to OHKO foes or are hindered by King's Shield. Protean Megw Mewtwo Y can run some physical moves like Bolt Strike to more reliably OHKO foes like Primal Kyogre. Shadow Tag Mega Mewtwo X can run Choice Scarf + Trick to incapacitate many threats. It can also set up entry hazards against passive Pokemon trapped by this. If it keeps its Choice Scarf, it can revenge kill most bulky Mold Breaker sweepers like Primal Groudon and Dialga. Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can run Choice Scarf as well, allowing it to OHKO faster threats like Mega Beedrill and Mega Mewtwo Y. Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can run priority moves to revenge kill common Mold Breaker sweepers. It can run Life Orb to help with these rolls. Pursuit + Gastro Acid can be run to trap some Wonder Guard users like Blissey and Mega Mewtwo Y. No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y can run Shed Shell to escape Shadow Tag users like Regigigas or Primal Groudon. Both Wonder Guard and No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y can run Taunt to shut down passive Wonder Guard users like Blissey and mega Audino. No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y can also run a variety of coverage options like Bug Buzz for opposing Mega Mewtwo Y or Thousand Arrows for Mega Manectric.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Unfavorable Matchup**: If Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y do not run coverage to hit the opponent's Wonder Guard users, or if those users run Shed Shell for Shadow Tag variants, it can struggle to make progress. Many of these defensive Wonder Guard users like Blissey and Mega Audino must be wary of Trick + Choice Scarf.
**Giratina**: Giratina uses its huge bulk and resistances to common attacking types to safely switch into most Mega Mewtwo X and threaten it with Prankster Will-O-Wisp. Trick + Choice Scarf can cripple most Giratina variants, but it is ineffective if Giratina runs Griseous Orb.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Offensive Pokemon that outspeed either Mega Mewtwo forme, such as opposing Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y with speed boosting natures, powerful Choice Scarf users, and Mega Beedrill can force them out. However, most offensive threats to Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y are unable to switch in safely.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Huge Power Pursuit trappers, like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Regigigas, threaten Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y with Sucker Punch and Pursuit.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers like -ate Speed users and Huge Power Mega Gyarados force out variants of Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y lacking King's Shield with their priority attacks. Non-Shadow Tag variants not running Shed Shell are also susceptible to being trapped and KOed by Shadow Tag users such as Regigigas, Choice Scarf Primal Groudon, and Choice Scarf Mega Mewtwo Y
**Sturdy Shedinja**: Shedinja with Sturdy takes no damage from any coverage move, but it must be careful about burns from Sacred Fire. Additionally, it is immune to Sheer Cold, letting it switch in on No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y.
**King's Shield Users**: Some King's Shield users, such as Primal Groudon and Wonder Guard Mega Audino, can use King's Shield to both scout Mega Mewtwo X's moves and lower its attack.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bahamut.506113/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
name: Protean
move 1: Sludge Wave / Flash Cannon
move 2: Secret Sword / Searing Shot
move 3: Grass Knot / Freeze-Dry
move 4: Moonblast / Bug Buzz / Earth Power / Gastro Acid
item: Expert Belt / Shed Shell
ability: Protean
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
in-battle-alt: Mega
[SET COMMENTS]
Protean Mega Mewtwo Y uses its phenomenal Special Attack stat, high Speed, and coverage moves to target and decimate opposing Wonder Guard cores while holding its own against opposing offensive threats. With Expert Belt, Sludge Wave and Flash Cannon OHKOes Fairy-type Pokemon like Xerneas and Mega Audino, Secret Sword OHKOes Blissey and Arceus, and Searing Shot OHKOes Mega Beedrill and Mega Scizor. Grass Knot and Freeze-Dry both OHKO Mega Swampert, but the former OHKOes Primal Kyogre after Stealth Rock and the latter OHKOes Gyarados and 2HKOes Giratina. Moonblast OHKOes Mega Sableye and Mega Mewtwo X, and sometimes OHKOes Giratina with a Modest nature. Bug Buzz 2HKOes Cresselia and OHKOes opposing Mega Mewtwo Y and Deoxys-A, and Earth Power OHKOes Mega Gengar and Primal Groudon. Gastro Acid can be used against Wonder Guard users Mega Mewtwo Y might not be running the coverage for, allowing it to threaten Mega Scizor if it doesn't run Searing Shot, for example. Shed Shell is used to escape opposing Shadow Tag users such as Regigigas and Mega Mewtwo X, but the lack in power from Expert Belt is noticeable.
Since all teams run at least two Wonder Guard users, Mega Mewtwo Y will inevitably run into teams with a core of Wonder Guard users that can wall it. As a result, it benefits from being on offense or bulky offense teams that can break these cores with strong Mold Breaker users like Primal Groudon, Mega Rayquaza, and Mega Gengar. Shadow Tag users such as Primal Groudon, Mega Rayquaza, and Mega Mewtwo X also work well since they help eliminate Wonder Guard users that Protean Mega Mewtwo Y does not prepare for. The latter is notable for its favorable matchup against Mega Gyarados, which is otherwise a problem for Mega Mewtwo Y. It also appreciates Substitute-passing teammates such as Xerneas to help its matchup against Mega Gyarados.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Both Shadow Tag and Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can run nearly any physical coverage that is desired by a team, and Protean Mega Mewtwo Y can do the same with special coverage. However, many options require significant chip damage to OHKO foes or are hindered by King's Shield. Protean Megw Mewtwo Y can run some physical moves like Bolt Strike to more reliably OHKO foes like Primal Kyogre. Shadow Tag Mega Mewtwo X can run Choice Scarf + Trick to incapacitate many threats. It can also set up entry hazards against passive Pokemon trapped by this. If it keeps its Choice Scarf, it can revenge kill most bulky Mold Breaker sweepers like Primal Groudon and Dialga. Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can run Choice Scarf as well, allowing it to OHKO faster threats like Mega Beedrill and Mega Mewtwo Y. Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X can run priority moves to revenge kill common Mold Breaker sweepers. It can run Life Orb to help with these rolls. Pursuit + Gastro Acid can be run to trap some Wonder Guard users like Blissey and Mega Mewtwo Y. No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y can run Shed Shell to escape Shadow Tag users like Regigigas or Primal Groudon. Both Wonder Guard and No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y can run Taunt to shut down passive Wonder Guard users like Blissey and mega Audino. No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y can also run a variety of coverage options like Bug Buzz for opposing Mega Mewtwo Y or Thousand Arrows for Mega Manectric.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Unfavorable Matchup**: If Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y do not run coverage to hit the opponent's Wonder Guard users, or if those users run Shed Shell for Shadow Tag variants, it can struggle to make progress. Many of these defensive Wonder Guard users like Blissey and Mega Audino must be wary of Trick + Choice Scarf.
**Giratina**: Giratina uses its huge bulk and resistances to common attacking types to safely switch into most Mega Mewtwo X and threaten it with Prankster Will-O-Wisp. Trick + Choice Scarf can cripple most Giratina variants, but it is ineffective if Giratina runs Griseous Orb.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Offensive Pokemon that outspeed either Mega Mewtwo forme, such as opposing Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y with speed boosting natures, powerful Choice Scarf users, and Mega Beedrill can force them out. However, most offensive threats to Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y are unable to switch in safely.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Huge Power Pursuit trappers, like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Regigigas, threaten Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y with Sucker Punch and Pursuit.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers like -ate Speed users and Huge Power Mega Gyarados force out variants of Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y lacking King's Shield with their priority attacks. Non-Shadow Tag variants not running Shed Shell are also susceptible to being trapped and KOed by Shadow Tag users such as Regigigas, Choice Scarf Primal Groudon, and Choice Scarf Mega Mewtwo Y
**Sturdy Shedinja**: Shedinja with Sturdy takes no damage from any coverage move, but it must be careful about burns from Sacred Fire. Additionally, it is immune to Sheer Cold, letting it switch in on No Guard Mega Mewtwo Y.
**King's Shield Users**: Some King's Shield users, such as Primal Groudon and Wonder Guard Mega Audino, can use King's Shield to both scout Mega Mewtwo X's moves and lower its attack.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ntothen.569731/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rl.554093/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bahamut.506113/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Last edited: