[OVERVIEW]
* A strong ability in Parental Bond synergizes well with Seismic Toss to boost Mega Kangaskhan's damage to acceptable levels, as well as granting it decent utility through amplifying secondary effects.
* Fake Out gives Mega Kangaskhan a niche as an anti-lead with the ability to break the Focus Sash of other dedicated leads such as Smeargle and has strong synergy with residual damage such as from Toxic Spikes.
* Despite its decent defensive stats, Kangaskhan lacks useful resistances outside of its immunity to Ghost-type attacks. Due to this, it can easily be broken through by the offensive titans of the metagame, such as Primal Groudon and Marshadow, and cannot take on many threats by itself in a one-on-one scenario.
* Due to the naturally high HP stat of many threats in the tier, Mega Kangaskhan requires heavy support, typically from Toxic Spikes, to achieve crucial 2HKOs with Seismic Toss and amplify Fake Out damage. This greatly restricts the types of teams that Mega Kangaskhan can fit on.
* However, using Mega Kangaskhan denies the use of other powerful Mega Pokemon, particularly Mega Gengar, a far stronger Pokemon overall that can make use of Toxic Spikes support just as well. Mega Kangaskhan also faces heavy competition from other overall superior Pokemon that benefit from Toxic Spikes such as Dragon Dance Zygarde-C.
* The limited range of builds that Mega Kangaskhan fits on, in combination with a high opportunity cost, little defensive synergy, and generally being outclassed, leaves Mega Kangaskhan largely unviable in the Ubers metagame.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Seismic Toss
move 3: Crunch / Shadow Claw
move 4: Body Slam / Rock Tomb
item: Kangaskhanite
ability: Scrappy
nature: Jolly
evs: 108 HP / 148 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fake Out gives Mega Kangaskhan free chip damage the first turn it switches in and possibly stalls a turn of residual damage.
* Seismic Toss is Kangaskhan's main damage source. As its damage output isn't reliant on Mega Kangaskhan's Attack stat, it allows Mega Kangaskhan to freely invest in other stats. It also bypasses the Defense stat to take advantage of bulky foes with low HP such as Toxapex and Shuckle, though this also leaves its damage output lacking against targets with high HP stats.
* Crunch gives Mega Kangaskhan super effective coverage against most Ghost-types, which are immune to Kangaskhan's STAB attacks and Seismic Toss after it Mega Evolves.
* Shadow Claw is an alternative coverage move against Ghost-types that trades some power for the ability to hit Marshadow super effectively.
* Sucker Punch can be run instead of Crunch or Shadow Claw, allowing Mega Kangaskhan to revenge kill fast Psychic-types such as Ultra Necrozma and Mega Mewtwo Y in tandem with Fake Out. However, it is much less reliable against Ghost-types, as many rely on status instead of direct attacks to take out Mega Kangaskhan.
* Body Slam is a decently powerful STAB option with a high chance of paralysis thanks to Parental Bond. This grants Kangaskhan a lasting, though unreliable, method of crippling many threats. The possibility of the foe being paralyzed before it can move can also let Mega Kangaskhan break through walls that would otherwise stall it out with Recover, such as support Arceus formes.
* Rock Tomb is an alternate form of speed control that offers coverage against Flying-types, notably OHKOing offensive Ho-Oh and preventing Mega Salamence from setting up Dragon Dance on Mega Kangaskhan. It is preferred over Body Slam if Mega Kangaskhan is paired with Toxic Spikes support.
Set Details
========
* The given EVs allow Mega Kangaskhan to outspeed everything up to maximum Speed base 100s, most notably Lunala.
* 108 HP EVs give Mega Kangaskhan enough bulk to survive a Double-Edge from Mega Salamence, a Focus Blast from Lunala, and a Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock as well as two neutral Judgments from support Arceus formes from full health.
* The remaining EVs are invested in Attack to increase Mega Kangaskhan's damage output.
* Scrappy is the ability of choice pre-Mega Evolution, giving Kangaskhan the option to damage Ghost-types with Fake Out, Body Slam, and Seismic Toss before Mega Evolving.
Usage Tips
========
* Attempt to status foes or set down entry hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes, before sending out Mega Kangaskhan, as its damage output is often sorely lacking without the support of residual damage. For example, one layer of Toxic Spikes means support Arceus formes are no longer able to stall out Seismic Toss with Recover and nets Mega Kangaskhan the 2HKO on defensive Primal Groudon with Seismic Toss.
* Fake Out gives Mega Kangaskhan a safe way to damage foes and Mega Evolve and can be especially helpful in stalling out a turn of residual damage, particularly against a boosted foe such as Geomancy Xerneas. However, avoid being too predictable with Fake Out, as some switch-ins hoping to take advantage of Fake Out's low damage output, such as Necrozma-DM, can be heavily punished with a different move such as Seismic Toss.
* Kangaskhan can opt to not Mega Evolve immediately to retain Scrappy, allowing it to damage and immobilize Ghost-types with Fake Out or attempt to paralyze them with Body Slam.
* Make use of Kangaskhan's Ghost-type immunity and decent bulk to take on threats that cannot outspeed or OHKO it such as Lunala and Calm Mind Arceus formes in a pinch, either slowing them down with Body Slam or Rock Tomb for another teammate to take them on or dealing significant damage with its STAB attacks or coverage.
* Recognize what threats Mega Kangaskhan can or cannot take on in a one-on-one scenario and, if necessary, preserve it against threats it cannot defeat, as Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out can be useful against sweepers that have set up and Seismic Toss can clean up weakened teams later on in the game.
* If running Body Slam, Mega Kangaskhan can be played recklessly to try and spread paralysis in matchups where it is otherwise of little use.
* Using Body Slam or Rock Tomb to slow down foes before attacking with Seismic Toss the next turn can help maximise Mega Kangaskhan's damage output against faster Pokemon.
Team Options
========
* Toxapex is one of Mega Kangaskhan's best partners, providing it with both a check to Fighting-types and Toxic Spikes support. The residual damage from a layer of Toxic Spikes lets Mega Kangaskhan's Seismic Toss crucially 2HKO support Arceus formes and defensive Primal Groudon and synergizes well with Fake Out. Cloyster is an alternative Toxic Spikes setter that trades Toxapex's durability and ability to switch into Fighting-types for a much greater offensive presence and the ability to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin.
* Dark types such as Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Tyranitar can take on Ghost-types for Mega Kangaskhan. Additionally, Tyranitar can trap Mega Gengar with Pursuit, removing a prominent threat to both Mega Kangaskhan and any Toxic Spikes setter it may be paired with.
* Fairy-types such as Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy provide Mega Kangaskhan with a solid check to Marshadow, Zygarde-C, and Mega Sableye, all of which Mega Kangaskhan has trouble with.
* Primal Groudon can set Stealth Rock, blanket checks many offensive threats to Mega Kangaskhan, and pressures many of Mega Kangaskhan's defensive answers, such as Giratina and Zygarde-C, with powerful STAB attacks, coverage, and Toxic.
* Ultra Necrozma can lure Mega Sableye, which walls Mega Kangaskhan, and break through it with Swords Dance-boosted Outrage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Power-Up Punch can be run to boost Mega Kangaskhan's Attack, but it is blocked by Ghost-types, and Seismic Toss with Parental Bond already does respectable damage that isn't reliant on Mega Kangaskhan's Attack stat.
* Earthquake or Bulldoze offers super effective damage against Primal Groudon and Steel-types; however, Seismic Toss already does serviceable damage against these targets. Furthermore, as a form of speed control, Bulldoze fails to hit non-grounded Pokemon such as Mega Salamence and Arceus-Flying, allowing them to set up on Mega Kangaskhan.
* Ice Punch is an option for coverage against Zygarde-C and Mega Salamence but lacks utility outside its effective 19% freeze chance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Marshadow**: Marshadow is immune to Fake Out, Body Slam, and Seismic Toss and is not hit super effectively by Crunch, though it is threatened by Shadow Claw. In return it can threaten to OHKO Mega Kangaskhan with its super effective STAB Close Combat.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is immune to Mega Kangaskhan's STAB attacks and takes little damage from any of its coverage moves. Additionally, it can also bounce back Toxic Spikes and Toxic, which Mega Kangaskhan often relies on to amplify its damage against bulkier foes.
**Zygarde-C**: Unless Mega Kangaskhan is running Ice-type coverage, defensive Zygarde-C will easily wall Mega Kangaskhan with its tremendous bulk and retaliate with status, phazing, or wearing down Mega Kangaskan with Thousand Arrows. Offensive Zygarde-C can make use of its massive HP stat to set up multiple Dragon Dances on Mega Kangaskhan before attempting to sweep.
**Mega Lucario**: Mega Lucario is able to outspeed Mega Kangaskhan and threaten to OHKO it with Adaptability-boosted Close Combat or set up Swords Dance.
**Other Ghost-types**: Thanks to their immunity to Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar and Giratina can switch into Mega Kangaskhan and threaten it with status or powerful attacks. Mega Gengar and Giratina can also remove Toxic Spikes, which Mega Kangaskhan often relies on for damage, through Defog or just switching in. However, they have to be wary of Crunch, and if Kangaskhan has not Mega Evolved yet, it can damage them with Normal- and Fighting-type attacks thanks to Scrappy.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn is able to deal considerable amounts of damage to Mega Kangaskhan due to Parental Bond triggering Iron Barbs twice, and Ferrothorn can heal off most of the damage it takes with Leech Seed, Leftovers, and Protect.
**Physical Walls**: Bulky foes with reliable recovery, such as Lugia and support Arceus formes, can stall out Seismic Toss with Roost or Recover and can only be broken through with the support of teammates or the chance of paralysis from Body Slam.
**Chansey**: Thanks to its immense HP stat, Chansey takes little damage from Seismic Toss and is not 2HKOed by Body Slam due to its Eviolite. It can then provide its team with cleric or Stealth Rock support or whittle down Mega Kangaskhan with Toxic or Seismic Toss.
**Bulky Offensive Pokemon** Although they have a hard time switching into Seismic Toss, the likes of Primal Groudon, Yveltal, and Primal Kyogre can easily survive an attack and KO Mega Kangaskhan in return.
* A strong ability in Parental Bond synergizes well with Seismic Toss to boost Mega Kangaskhan's damage to acceptable levels, as well as granting it decent utility through amplifying secondary effects.
* Fake Out gives Mega Kangaskhan a niche as an anti-lead with the ability to break the Focus Sash of other dedicated leads such as Smeargle and has strong synergy with residual damage such as from Toxic Spikes.
* Despite its decent defensive stats, Kangaskhan lacks useful resistances outside of its immunity to Ghost-type attacks. Due to this, it can easily be broken through by the offensive titans of the metagame, such as Primal Groudon and Marshadow, and cannot take on many threats by itself in a one-on-one scenario.
* Due to the naturally high HP stat of many threats in the tier, Mega Kangaskhan requires heavy support, typically from Toxic Spikes, to achieve crucial 2HKOs with Seismic Toss and amplify Fake Out damage. This greatly restricts the types of teams that Mega Kangaskhan can fit on.
* However, using Mega Kangaskhan denies the use of other powerful Mega Pokemon, particularly Mega Gengar, a far stronger Pokemon overall that can make use of Toxic Spikes support just as well. Mega Kangaskhan also faces heavy competition from other overall superior Pokemon that benefit from Toxic Spikes such as Dragon Dance Zygarde-C.
* The limited range of builds that Mega Kangaskhan fits on, in combination with a high opportunity cost, little defensive synergy, and generally being outclassed, leaves Mega Kangaskhan largely unviable in the Ubers metagame.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Seismic Toss
move 3: Crunch / Shadow Claw
move 4: Body Slam / Rock Tomb
item: Kangaskhanite
ability: Scrappy
nature: Jolly
evs: 108 HP / 148 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fake Out gives Mega Kangaskhan free chip damage the first turn it switches in and possibly stalls a turn of residual damage.
* Seismic Toss is Kangaskhan's main damage source. As its damage output isn't reliant on Mega Kangaskhan's Attack stat, it allows Mega Kangaskhan to freely invest in other stats. It also bypasses the Defense stat to take advantage of bulky foes with low HP such as Toxapex and Shuckle, though this also leaves its damage output lacking against targets with high HP stats.
* Crunch gives Mega Kangaskhan super effective coverage against most Ghost-types, which are immune to Kangaskhan's STAB attacks and Seismic Toss after it Mega Evolves.
* Shadow Claw is an alternative coverage move against Ghost-types that trades some power for the ability to hit Marshadow super effectively.
* Sucker Punch can be run instead of Crunch or Shadow Claw, allowing Mega Kangaskhan to revenge kill fast Psychic-types such as Ultra Necrozma and Mega Mewtwo Y in tandem with Fake Out. However, it is much less reliable against Ghost-types, as many rely on status instead of direct attacks to take out Mega Kangaskhan.
* Body Slam is a decently powerful STAB option with a high chance of paralysis thanks to Parental Bond. This grants Kangaskhan a lasting, though unreliable, method of crippling many threats. The possibility of the foe being paralyzed before it can move can also let Mega Kangaskhan break through walls that would otherwise stall it out with Recover, such as support Arceus formes.
* Rock Tomb is an alternate form of speed control that offers coverage against Flying-types, notably OHKOing offensive Ho-Oh and preventing Mega Salamence from setting up Dragon Dance on Mega Kangaskhan. It is preferred over Body Slam if Mega Kangaskhan is paired with Toxic Spikes support.
Set Details
========
* The given EVs allow Mega Kangaskhan to outspeed everything up to maximum Speed base 100s, most notably Lunala.
* 108 HP EVs give Mega Kangaskhan enough bulk to survive a Double-Edge from Mega Salamence, a Focus Blast from Lunala, and a Precipice Blades from Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock as well as two neutral Judgments from support Arceus formes from full health.
* The remaining EVs are invested in Attack to increase Mega Kangaskhan's damage output.
* Scrappy is the ability of choice pre-Mega Evolution, giving Kangaskhan the option to damage Ghost-types with Fake Out, Body Slam, and Seismic Toss before Mega Evolving.
Usage Tips
========
* Attempt to status foes or set down entry hazards, particularly Toxic Spikes, before sending out Mega Kangaskhan, as its damage output is often sorely lacking without the support of residual damage. For example, one layer of Toxic Spikes means support Arceus formes are no longer able to stall out Seismic Toss with Recover and nets Mega Kangaskhan the 2HKO on defensive Primal Groudon with Seismic Toss.
* Fake Out gives Mega Kangaskhan a safe way to damage foes and Mega Evolve and can be especially helpful in stalling out a turn of residual damage, particularly against a boosted foe such as Geomancy Xerneas. However, avoid being too predictable with Fake Out, as some switch-ins hoping to take advantage of Fake Out's low damage output, such as Necrozma-DM, can be heavily punished with a different move such as Seismic Toss.
* Kangaskhan can opt to not Mega Evolve immediately to retain Scrappy, allowing it to damage and immobilize Ghost-types with Fake Out or attempt to paralyze them with Body Slam.
* Make use of Kangaskhan's Ghost-type immunity and decent bulk to take on threats that cannot outspeed or OHKO it such as Lunala and Calm Mind Arceus formes in a pinch, either slowing them down with Body Slam or Rock Tomb for another teammate to take them on or dealing significant damage with its STAB attacks or coverage.
* Recognize what threats Mega Kangaskhan can or cannot take on in a one-on-one scenario and, if necessary, preserve it against threats it cannot defeat, as Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out can be useful against sweepers that have set up and Seismic Toss can clean up weakened teams later on in the game.
* If running Body Slam, Mega Kangaskhan can be played recklessly to try and spread paralysis in matchups where it is otherwise of little use.
* Using Body Slam or Rock Tomb to slow down foes before attacking with Seismic Toss the next turn can help maximise Mega Kangaskhan's damage output against faster Pokemon.
Team Options
========
* Toxapex is one of Mega Kangaskhan's best partners, providing it with both a check to Fighting-types and Toxic Spikes support. The residual damage from a layer of Toxic Spikes lets Mega Kangaskhan's Seismic Toss crucially 2HKO support Arceus formes and defensive Primal Groudon and synergizes well with Fake Out. Cloyster is an alternative Toxic Spikes setter that trades Toxapex's durability and ability to switch into Fighting-types for a much greater offensive presence and the ability to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin.
* Dark types such as Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Tyranitar can take on Ghost-types for Mega Kangaskhan. Additionally, Tyranitar can trap Mega Gengar with Pursuit, removing a prominent threat to both Mega Kangaskhan and any Toxic Spikes setter it may be paired with.
* Fairy-types such as Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy provide Mega Kangaskhan with a solid check to Marshadow, Zygarde-C, and Mega Sableye, all of which Mega Kangaskhan has trouble with.
* Primal Groudon can set Stealth Rock, blanket checks many offensive threats to Mega Kangaskhan, and pressures many of Mega Kangaskhan's defensive answers, such as Giratina and Zygarde-C, with powerful STAB attacks, coverage, and Toxic.
* Ultra Necrozma can lure Mega Sableye, which walls Mega Kangaskhan, and break through it with Swords Dance-boosted Outrage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Power-Up Punch can be run to boost Mega Kangaskhan's Attack, but it is blocked by Ghost-types, and Seismic Toss with Parental Bond already does respectable damage that isn't reliant on Mega Kangaskhan's Attack stat.
* Earthquake or Bulldoze offers super effective damage against Primal Groudon and Steel-types; however, Seismic Toss already does serviceable damage against these targets. Furthermore, as a form of speed control, Bulldoze fails to hit non-grounded Pokemon such as Mega Salamence and Arceus-Flying, allowing them to set up on Mega Kangaskhan.
* Ice Punch is an option for coverage against Zygarde-C and Mega Salamence but lacks utility outside its effective 19% freeze chance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Marshadow**: Marshadow is immune to Fake Out, Body Slam, and Seismic Toss and is not hit super effectively by Crunch, though it is threatened by Shadow Claw. In return it can threaten to OHKO Mega Kangaskhan with its super effective STAB Close Combat.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is immune to Mega Kangaskhan's STAB attacks and takes little damage from any of its coverage moves. Additionally, it can also bounce back Toxic Spikes and Toxic, which Mega Kangaskhan often relies on to amplify its damage against bulkier foes.
**Zygarde-C**: Unless Mega Kangaskhan is running Ice-type coverage, defensive Zygarde-C will easily wall Mega Kangaskhan with its tremendous bulk and retaliate with status, phazing, or wearing down Mega Kangaskan with Thousand Arrows. Offensive Zygarde-C can make use of its massive HP stat to set up multiple Dragon Dances on Mega Kangaskhan before attempting to sweep.
**Mega Lucario**: Mega Lucario is able to outspeed Mega Kangaskhan and threaten to OHKO it with Adaptability-boosted Close Combat or set up Swords Dance.
**Other Ghost-types**: Thanks to their immunity to Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar and Giratina can switch into Mega Kangaskhan and threaten it with status or powerful attacks. Mega Gengar and Giratina can also remove Toxic Spikes, which Mega Kangaskhan often relies on for damage, through Defog or just switching in. However, they have to be wary of Crunch, and if Kangaskhan has not Mega Evolved yet, it can damage them with Normal- and Fighting-type attacks thanks to Scrappy.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn is able to deal considerable amounts of damage to Mega Kangaskhan due to Parental Bond triggering Iron Barbs twice, and Ferrothorn can heal off most of the damage it takes with Leech Seed, Leftovers, and Protect.
**Physical Walls**: Bulky foes with reliable recovery, such as Lugia and support Arceus formes, can stall out Seismic Toss with Roost or Recover and can only be broken through with the support of teammates or the chance of paralysis from Body Slam.
**Chansey**: Thanks to its immense HP stat, Chansey takes little damage from Seismic Toss and is not 2HKOed by Body Slam due to its Eviolite. It can then provide its team with cleric or Stealth Rock support or whittle down Mega Kangaskhan with Toxic or Seismic Toss.
**Bulky Offensive Pokemon** Although they have a hard time switching into Seismic Toss, the likes of Primal Groudon, Yveltal, and Primal Kyogre can easily survive an attack and KO Mega Kangaskhan in return.
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