[OVERVIEW]
Mega Manectric faces competition from Raikou and Thundurus, both of which do not take up a Mega slot. Ground-types, such as Landorus-T, have also strained the viability of Mega Manectric. Mega Manectric also has a very shallow movepool and a very predictable moveset. However, despite having a shallow movepool, Mega Manectric has surprisingly good coverage options. Mega Manectric retains one of the highest Speed stats in the metagame, tied with only Mega Lopunny, which allows it to outspeed all of the unboosted metagame. Having Intimidate and Volt Switch allows Mega Manectric to act as a pivot and Intimidate shuffler.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Overheat / Thunderbolt / Flamethrower
move 4: Protect
item: Manectite
ability: Lightningrod
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 12 HP / 244 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Volt Switch allows Mega Manectric to Intimidate shuffle and reset its stat reductions from Overheat. Thunderbolt, a stronger alternative, can be handy as it doesn't switch Mega Manectric out; it is also an option over Overheat, should Mega Manectric not need the Fire-type coverage. Hidden Power Ice allows Mega Manectric to hit Ground-types, mainly Garchomp and Landorus-T. Overheat is the preferred Fire-type coverage move because it has more power than Flamethrower and has nice synergy with Mega Manectric's role as a hit-and-run Pokemon. However, Flamethrower allows Mega Manectric to stay in and attack. Protect is mandatory because it allows Manectric to gain the Speed boost from its Mega Evolution.
Set Details
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Maximum Speed EVs with a Timid nature are used to take advantage of Mega Manectric's good Speed tier. 244 Special Attack EVs are used because a fast, frail attacker like Mega Manectric prefers having max Speed. 12 HP EVs allow Mega Manectric to always survive a spread reduced Earthquake from a -1 maximum Attack Choice Scarf Adamant Landorus-T and retaliate with an OHKO via Hidden Power Ice. A Timid nature is preferred because Mega Manectric prefers higher Speed, however a Modest nature could be used to increase Mega Manectric's damage output. Lightningrod is the preferred ability because it allows Mega Manectric to switch into opposing Electric-type attacks and gain a Special Attack boost.
Usage Tips
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Mega Manectric performs as a hit-and-run Pokemon. Hit your opponent with a strong attack and Volt Switch out when there is a Pokemon that threatens Mega Manectric. This works really well with Intimidate, as it allows Mega Manectric to Intimidate shuffle and cripple the opponent's physical attackers. There are times when delaying its Mega Evolution is better because Lightningrod can redirect potential Electric-type attacks aimed at Mega Manectric's partners. Mega Manectric doesn't have the bulk that most Intimidate users have, so it cannot switch into many attacks.
Team Options
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Mega Manectric has nice synergy with Water-types such as Gyarados. Gyarados checks Rotom-H and Ground-types while also forming a nice Intimidate core with Mega Manectric. Mega Manectric can switch into Electric-type attacks aimed at Gyarados and gain a free boost due to Lightningrod. Mega Manectric can also check bulky Water-types that Gyarados has trouble beating. Milotic can check the same Pokemon that Gyarados checks while also discouraging Landorus-T from being sent out due to Milotic's Competitive ability. Talonflame can help break through Venusaur, Amoonguss, and common Assault Vest users such as Conkeldurr and Ludicolo and benefits from Mega Manectric's ability to remove most bulky Water-types. Landorus-T, despite being a Ground-type itself, synergizes really well with Mega Manectric, as it can switch into Ground-type attacks aimed at Mega Manectric while being able to force out Pokemon that Mega Manectric has trouble hitting for massive damage, such as Rotom-H and Heatran. Mega Manectric, in turn, checks bulky Water-types that Landorus-T has trouble hitting and Ferrothorn with its Fire-type coverage move.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Mega Manectric has a very shallow movepool, so there aren't many options. Snarl can be used to weaken the opponent's special attackers, while Thunder is a much stronger STAB move that works well in rain teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Speed Control**: Even after lowering the opposing Pokemon's Attack stats with Intimidate, Mega Manectric's bulk still isn't very good. If Mega Manectric's Speed is reduced in some way—for example, with Icy Wind or Tailwind boosting the Speed of the opposing team—then the opponent can easily take advantage of Mega Manectric's low bulk and OHKO it.
**Typing Advantage**: Common Pokemon, such as Rotom-H and Venusaur, can completely wall Mega Manectric. Those two can easily force Mega Manectric out with their respective STAB moves. Dragon- and Ground-types are a huge problem for Mega Manectric, as it has trouble breaking through Dragon- and Ground-types which aren't 4x weak to Ice-type attacks. Faster Ground-types, such as the common Choice Scarf Landorus-T, can force Mega Manectric out with Earthquake, while Dragon-types such as Hydreigon can laugh off a Hidden Power Ice and destroy Mega Manectric with a Draco Meteor.
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