[OVERVIEW]
Altaria receives a strong overall typing in Dragon / Fairy, several notable base stat boosts, and a fantastic ability in Pixilate upon Mega Evolution. Mega Altaria is an extremely versatile threat, viably acting as a physical sweeper with Dragon Dance, a defensive Heal Bell user, or a specially based attacker. Mega Altaria possesses incredibly well-rounded stats and a vast movepool, containing useful options such as Defog and the aforementioned Dragon Dance and Heal Bell. Its great defensive typing complements Mega Altaria's bulk nicely, letting it naturally check threats such as Hydreigon, Mega Sceptile, and Crawdaunt. Mega Altaria's downfall lies in its mediocre Speed stat of base 80, making it fairly easy to revenge kill, as well as its weakness to some of the tier's most common Pokemon in Steel-types like Scizor and Klefki. Also, while solid, its offensive stats are nothing special, leading to struggles against mixed walls like Sylveon and Alomomola. While Altaria loses its weakness to Stealth Rock upon Mega Evolution, it becomes vulnerable to all other entry hazards, possibly leaving it too worn down to do its job effectively.
[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Return / Facade
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance raises Mega Altaria's Attack and Speed, making it a potent late-game sweeper. Pixilate-boosted Return is Mega Altaria's most consistent STAB move, possessing high Base Power. Facade is an option to take advantage of burns potentially inflicted by Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp and Suicune's Scald, though without a status condition, Facade is much weaker and less reliable than Return. Earthquake offers great coverage alongside Mega Altaria's Fairy-type STAB move, hitting Steel-, Poison-, and Fire-types like Empoleon, Nidoking, and Chandelure for super effective damage. Roost keeps Mega Altaria healthy, potentially presenting it with multiple setup opportunities in a match. Fire Blast can be used to threaten Scizor more effectively, but the coverage it provides as a whole makes it generally inferior to Earthquake. Refresh can also be used over a coverage move to cure itself of status conditions such as burns and Toxic poison, though this set is more offensively inclined and really needs the extra coverage alongside its Fairy-type STAB move to threaten some of its checks more effectively.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment makes Mega Altaria hit as hard as possible, aiding it immensely in pulling off sweeps with Dragon Dance. 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature let Mega Altaria outspeed threats such as Mega Pidgeot, Starmie, and Mega Manectric at +1 Speed. Altarianite is necessary for Altaria to Mega Evolve and receive its stat boosts and more useful ability in Pixilate. Natural Cure is the preferred ability on Altaria pre-Mega Evolution, letting it switch into status moves such as Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp and pivot back out if need be. Pixilate turns Return and Facade into 1.2x boosted Fairy-type moves, making Mega Altaria significantly more threatening than it is in its base forme.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its defensive typing, Mega Altaria can be used to check threats like Mega Sceptile, Mega Blastoise, and Krookodile, though it may not be preferable to let it take damage if a sweep later on is possible. Because of these common favorable matchups, Mega Altaria can throw out attacks early- and mid-game to soften its checks for later on. Only set up hoping to sweep if Mega Altaria's checks have taken the necessary damage to be KOed after a Dragon Dance boost or two. Keep in mind Mega Altaria needs to use Dragon Dance twice to outspeed fast Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, and Choice Scarf users such as Nihilego and Latias. This set is more offensively inclined, so do not switch Mega Altaria into strong neutral attacks like Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge and Life Orb Latias's Psychic.
Team Options
========
Offensive Dragon Dance Mega Altaria fits best on offense and balance teams that appreciate its sweeping prowess in combination with its natural defensive utility. Magneton sticks out as an obvious partner, trapping Steel-types like Scizor and Mega Aggron with Magnet Pull and either removing or weakening them, giving Mega Altaria a much easier time sweeping late-game. Pokemon such as Nidoking and Volcanion provide other methods of threatening opposing Steel-types. Wallbreakers like Heracross and offensive Swords Dance Scizor can soften walls like Sylveon and Alomomola, giving Mega Altaria better chances to sweep later on. Krookodile and the aforementioned Volcanion appreciate Mega Altaria's ability to deter Choice item Hydreigon from locking into STAB moves, offering another way of pressuring opposing Steel-types in return.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Roost
move 3: Heal Bell / Defog
move 4: Flamethrower / Earthquake / Defog
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyper Voice is a consistent Fairy-type STAB move, notably ignoring the Attack drop from burns unlike physical counterparts such as Return and Body Slam. Roost keeps Mega Altaria healthy, letting it serve as a reliable check to Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mega Manectric, and Infernape throughout a match. Heal Bell lets Mega Altaria cure itself and teammates of status conditions, helping to alleviate pressure exerted by Will-O-Wisp Rotom-W and Toxic Mega Aggron. Flamethrower hits Pokemon like Scizor and Klefki super effectively, making Mega Altaria less passive as a whole. Earthquake is an alternative that threatens Pokemon such as Tentacruel, Empoleon, and Nihilego, acting similarly to Flamethrower in that it is there to give Mega Altaria better offensive presence. Defog is another good option, letting Mega Altaria clear entry hazards to improve teammates' and its own longevity, though it does not fare well against common entry hazard setters such as Mega Aggron, Klefki, and Tentacruel if it lacks a coverage move. Body Slam can be used over Hyper Voice, possessing a decently high chance to paralyze the foe, though Hyper Voice ignores Attack drops from burns, making it preferable in most cases.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP and Defense along with a Bold nature makes Mega Altaria as physically bulky as possible, helping it combat foes such as Infernape, Crawdaunt, and Krookodile, though an Impish nature is preferred if running Body Slam over Hyper Voice. Natural Cure lets Altaria pivot into status moves such as Toxic before Mega Evolving and pivot back out to cure itself. Altarianite lets Altaria boost its stats through Mega Evolution and gain access to a much more useful ability in Pixilate.
Usage Tips
========
In most cases, it is favorable to Mega Evolve Altaria as soon as possible, removing its weakness to Stealth Rock and shoring up its matchup against Dragon- and Dark-types like Latias, Hydreigon, and Crawdaunt. Take advantage of Mega Altaria's fantastic defensive typing and bulk by pivoting it into physical attackers such as Infernape and Krookodile and scouting out special attackers like Dragonium Z Latias. Use Heal Bell if the rest of the team happens to be inflicted with status ailments. Roost should be used to keep Mega Altaria at high amounts of HP, letting it support the rest of the team with Heal Bell or combat foes it is meant to check as adequately as possible. If inflicted with a status condition prior to Mega Evolution, switch Altaria out to heal itself with Natural Cure. If needed, Mega Altaria can survive Scizor's Bullet Punch from full HP and KO in it return with Flamethower, though it is best to avoid it when possible.
Team Options
========
This set fits best on bulkier teams, offering Heal Bell and even Defog support to go along with its defensive capabilities. Alomomola and Quagsire appreciate Mega Altaria's favorable matchups against opposing Dragon-types as well as its access to Heal Bell, offering a solid check to Steel-types in return. Blissey enjoys a freed-up moveslot due to Mega Altaria carrying Heal Bell, as well as Mega Altaria's ability to check its primary counters in Fighting-types. Steel-types like Scizor, Mega Aggron, and Doublade possess great defensive synergy alongside Mega Altaria, covering its weaknesses to Poison-, Steel-, Ice-, and Fairy-type attacks. Water-types such as Rotom-W and Mantine similarly absorb Ice- and Steel-type moves while appreciating Mega Altaria's ability to take on Grass- and Electric-type moves aimed at them. Mandibuzz and the aforementioned Mantine can also remove entry hazards for Mega Altaria, potentially freeing up a moveslot for another utility move.
[SET]
name: Specially Based Attacker
move 1: Hyper Voice
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Earthquake / Defog / Heal Bell
move 4: Roost
item: Altarianite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyper Voice is special Mega Altaria's best Fairy-type STAB move, being resisted by few Pokemon and hitting much of the metagame for solid damage with its good Base Power. Fire Blast threatens Steel-types like Scizor, Doublade, and Metagross, complementing Hyper Voice nicely. Earthquake hits other Pokemon that resist Hyper Voice such as Tentacruel, Empoleon, and Chandelure super effectively, making Mega Altaria even more difficult to switch into. Defog is a solid option to remove entry hazards for vulnerable teammates, though it should really only be run if no other teammate can do so. Heal Bell cures teammates of status conditions, letting Mega Altaria support them nicely. Roost allows Mega Altaria to remain at high amounts of HP and offensively check Pokemon like Hydreigon and Infernape effectively.
Set Details
========
252 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature maximize the damage output of Mega Altaria's most used attacks in Hyper Voice and Fire Blast. Maximum Speed investment lets Mega Altaria outspeed most of the tier's bulky Pokemon, maximizing its opportunities to throw out strong attacks. A Timid nature is another viable option, guaranteeing that Mega Altaria outspeeds other middling-Speed Pokemon like Timid Mega Blastoise, Choice Specs Volcanion, and Choice Specs Magneton. However, the EV spread can be customized to run more HP and less Special Attack. For example, only 92 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature are needed to 2HKO maximum HP Rotom-W. Earthquake notably misses no crucial 2HKOs with an Attack-hindering nature, letting Mega Altaria preserve its other stats as much as possible. Altarianite lets Altaria Mega Evolve. Natural Cure allows Altaria to cure itself of status conditions upon switching out prior to Mega Evolution.
Usage Tips
========
Take advantage of Mega Altaria's fantastic defensive typing by bringing it on attackers like Hydreigon and Mega Sceptile, letting it throw out powerful attacks of its own. It is best used in this role, breaking holes in the opposing team early- to mid-game by virtue of its bulk and defensive prowess granting it opportunities to do so. Mega Altaria fears little from defensive Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Mandibuzz, presenting more chances to punch holes. Use Roost if this Mega Altaria finds itself too weak to reliably pivot into the Pokemon it offensively checks, as this set's usefulness revolves around its natural defensive utility.
Team Options
========
This Mega Altaria set fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate its ability to punch holes and naturally check some top threats by way of its typing. Rotom-W and Rotom-C can get Mega Altaria in safely on Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon with Volt Switch, also possessing great defensive synergy. Similarly, Scizor brings Mega Altaria in with U-turn while absorbing any Steel-, Ice-, Poison-, or Fairy-type moves aimed at it. Setup sweepers like Swords Dance Cobalion and Nasty Plot Infernape enjoy Tentacruel and Chandelure being weakened by Mega Altaria's Earthquake, giving them an easier time in sweeping later on. Entry hazard removers like Tentacruel and Empoleon pair nicely, alleviating the need for Mega Altaria to run Defog itself.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more defensively oriented Dragon Dance set with Return, Roost, and Heal Bell can act as a bulkier sweeper. However, it struggles to break past ever-present Steel-types like Scizor and Mega Aggron. Ice Beam hits Gliscor for 4x damage, letting Mega Altaria match up favorably against one of the best and most common Pokemon in the tier, but it possesses little utility otherwise. Double-Edge is a more powerful option as the physical Fairy-type STAB move on the offensive Dragon Dance set, though the recoil makes Mega Altaria easier to revenge kill. Cotton Guard boosts Mega Altaria's Defense three stages, but it is hard to justify using it over a move like Earthquake or Heal Bell on a Dragon Dance set. Dragon-type STAB moves like Draco Meteor and Dragon Pulse are options on the special attacker set, though they offer little coverage alongside Mega Altaria's superior Fairy-type STAB moves. Haze removes stat boosts from Pokemon like Suicune and Curse Snorlax, but Mega Altaria has trouble finding room for it on any of its sets given its generally smaller degree of usefulness. Roar can phaze foes such as Alomomola and the aforementioned Suicune, but again, there is little room for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Scizor, Mega Aggron, and Doublade threaten Mega Altaria with their super effective STAB moves. The latter two are not OHKOed by Fire Blast or +1 Earthquake, while the former possesses priority Bullet Punch.
**Bulky Fairy-types**: At full HP, Fairy-types like Sylveon, Azumarill, and Primarina can stomach any one hit from an unboosted Mega Altaria and deal huge damage in return.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Nidoking, Nihilego, and Mega Beedrill can all force out Mega Altaria with their STAB moves. However, Nidoking and Nihilego must watch out for Earthquake, and Mega Beedrill cannot switch in comfortably on any attacking move, though it can still revenge kill +1 Speed Mega Altaria.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to its middling Speed tier and weaknesses to common priority moves, Mega Altaria is prone to being revenge killed by Pokemon like Cobalion, Mamoswine, and Gunk Shot Infernape.
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