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[OVERVIEW]
Mega Swampert is a physical rain sweeper with high Attack, a well-rounded movepool, respectable bulk, and only one weakness. Whereas other rain sweepers like Kingdra and Ludicolo offer fast but frail stat spreads that are suitable for highly offensive teams, Mega Swampert has enough bulk and power to function well on bulkier, more balance-oriented teams that still want the speed advantages offered by a Swift Swim user. Unlike other popular rain sweepers, Mega Swampert isn't able to make use of an item to augment its power, but its base Attack stat is significantly higher to compensate. That said, as a physical attacker, Mega Swampert can quickly be shut down by Intimidate users like Mega Salamence and Scrafty. Thanks to Mega Evolution mechanics, Swampert is always guaranteed a Swift Swim Speed boost on the turn it Mega Evolves if a rain setter is switched in on that turn, making it a much more flexible and forgiving lead than other Swift Swim users. However, Mega Swampert also takes up a team's Mega slot, whereas its alternatives do not. Furthermore, while Mega Swampert's movepool offers more well-rounded coverage than Kingdra's and Ludicolo's, it still has a slight case of four move-moveslot syndrome; it really wants to run Waterfall, Earthquake, Ice Punch and Superpower on the same set but needs to give one of those moves up for Protect.
[SET]
name: Rain Attacker
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch / Superpower
move 4: Protect
item: Swampertite
ability: Damp
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Mega Swampert's most reliable Water-type attack as well as its hardest-hitting STAB attack overall in rain. Earthquake is a secondary STAB move that provides spread coverage, allows Mega Swampert to hit hard against bulky Water-types like Volcanion and Tapu Fini, and works well as an attack for cleaning up against weakened targets late-game. Ice Punch is used to score OHKOs on Landorus-T, Mega Salamence, and Zygarde while also providing coverage against Grass-types like Amoonguss and Tapu Bulu. Superpower offers super effective coverage against bulky targets like Ferrothorn, Snorlax, and Tyranitar. Low Kick is an option over Superpower for Fighting-type coverage that doesn't drop Mega Swampert's stats, but it is a bit weaker against Ferrothorn and other targets weighing less than 200 kg. While Earthquake is usually too good to give up, if you don't feel your team needs the Ground-type spread coverage, it is acceptable to run both Ice Punch and Superpower for better matchups against both Mega Salamence and Ferrothorn. Protect keeps Mega Swampert safe while its partners deal with any possible threats.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Mega Swampert to hit as hard and fast as possible. Adamant is generally the preferred nature for maximum power. However, a Jolly nature is necessary for Mega Swampert to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect, Choice Scarf Victini, +1 Speed Volcarona, and Tailwind-boosted Zapdos. The power drop inherent to running Jolly is noticeable, though. Neither of Swampert's pre-Mega abilities have much competitive value, but Damp has a small niche in preventing Explosion, while there is never a good reason to attack before Swampert Mega Evolves to utilize Torrent.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Swampert and its respective rain setter make for excellent leads that apply immediate offensive pressure when the opponent isn't carrying their own weather setter. When faced with weather teams, consider playing Mega Swampert more conservatively, opting to take out the opponent's weather setter first if possible; Mega Swampert becomes dead weight once Swift Swim deactivates. When leading with Mega Swampert, don't feel obligated to lead with the rain setter as well. Swampert is always guaranteed a Swift Swim Speed boost on the turn it Mega Evolves if a rain setter is switched in on that turn, so you can lead with a second offensive option and switch it out for your rain setter if you deem the Swift Swim boost desirable on that turn. While Mega Swampert is often a great lead, it is sometimes better to keep it in the back it as a late-game cleaner if you're able to clear out Mega Swampert's checks and counters beforehand. When in play, Swampert's main goal is to spam Waterfall and Earthquake to break down the opposing team. Thanks to its good bulk and great defensive typing, Mega Swampert isn't really threatened by most attackers under rain, so it can leverage its bulk and power to consistently apply offensive pressure while wearing down opposing targets. Just stay clear of any potential Grass-type attacks! The opponent will be tempted to switch in an Intimidate user like Mega Salamence or Landorus-T to drop Mega Swampert's power, so factor that into your expectations about Swampert's damage output, and try to catch Mega Salamence and Landorus-T with an Ice Punch on their switch in. If using Superpower, keep in mind that it is going to drop Swampert's Attack and Defense, potentially making it dead weight.
Team Options
========
A rain setter is a mandatory partner for teams with Mega Swampert. Pelipper has phenomenal synergy with Mega Swampert, allowing Mega Swampert to freely spam Earthquake, KOing Electric-types that threaten Pelipper like Tapu Koko. Politoed is an option over Pelipper that can provide Helping Hand support to cancel out potential Intimidate drops. It is really important to bring strong checks to Grass-types like Tapu Bulu, Amoonguss, and Ferrothorn, since bulky rain teams with Mega Swampert struggle to check these threats. Pelipper can help check Tapu Bulu and Amoonguss, but consider incorporating additional checks like Ferrothorn and Genesect to beat Tapu Bulu and having Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B to beat Amoonguss. Terrakion and Kartana are decent partners that provide strong Fighting-type coverage to beat Ferrothorn, potentially allowing Mega Swampert to justify running Ice Punch over Superpower. Checks to opposing weather, especially sun, are important. Landorus-T is a great option for checking both Mega Charizard Y and Tyranitar. Tapu Koko is a good check to Mega Charizard Y, and it is also a fast attacker that functions outside of rain. Stealth Rock setters like Ferrothorn and Landorus-T can punish opponents that repeatedly switch in Intimidate users like Mega Salamence, weather setters like Mega Charizard Y, and speed control users like Zapdos and Kyurem-B. Ferrothorn enjoys working with rain teams, as they naturally pressure the Fire-types it hates. In return, Ferrothorn is a decent bulky pivot, checks Tapu Fini (a Pokemon typically used on teams as a rain check), helps check opposing rain teams, and serves as a reliable late-game win condition.
Other Options
=============
Stomping Tantrum can be used over Earthquake to allow Mega Swampert to freely use its Ground-type attack without regard for its ally. However, the loss of spread coverage is noticeable at times. Rock Slide and Stone Edge are options that allow Mega Swampert to ensure a KO against Mega Charizard Y on a predicted switch in. Aqua Tail and Liquidation are options over Waterfall for more power. However, using Aqua Tail means sacrificing accuracy, and while Liquidation offers marginally higher Base Power, it is rarely worth missing out on a 20% flinch chance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Tapu Bulu lowers the damage dealt by Earthquake, easily takes a Waterfall, and OHKOes Swampert with Wood Hammer or Horn Leech. Amoonguss tanks hits from Swampert and potentially hits hard with Giga Drain. Solar Beam from Mega Charizard Y and Bloom Doom from Volcanion and Heatran are also things to watch out for.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini and Milotic can comfortably retaliate with STAB Water-type attacks that are boosted by the same rain that Mega Swampert relies on.
**Intimidate**: Intimidate users like Mega Salamence and Landorus-T reduce Swampert's ability to break through an opposing team, but they do risk taking a Waterfall or Ice Punch in retaliation.
**Opposing Weather**: Mega Swampert becomes dead weight outside of rain, since it relies on its Swift Swim Speed boost to maintain its offensive pressure. Therefore, opposing weather setters like Mega Charizard Y, Tyranitar, and Alolan Ninetales can be problematic.
**Tailwind, Trick Room, and Icy Wind**: Mega Swampert relies on its high Speed to maintain momentum, so opposing speed control is disruptive. Tailwind setters like Zapdos and Mega Salamence negate Mega Swampert's Swift Swim Speed boost, while Trick Room setters like Bronzong and Hoopa-U can reverse it. Kyurem-B can wall a non-Superpower Mega Swampert and whittle down its Speed with Icy Wind.
Mega Swampert is a physical rain sweeper with high Attack, a well-rounded movepool, respectable bulk, and only one weakness. Whereas other rain sweepers like Kingdra and Ludicolo offer fast but frail stat spreads that are suitable for highly offensive teams, Mega Swampert has enough bulk and power to function well on bulkier, more balance-oriented teams that still want the speed advantages offered by a Swift Swim user. Unlike other popular rain sweepers, Mega Swampert isn't able to make use of an item to augment its power, but its base Attack stat is significantly higher to compensate. That said, as a physical attacker, Mega Swampert can quickly be shut down by Intimidate users like Mega Salamence and Scrafty. Thanks to Mega Evolution mechanics, Swampert is always guaranteed a Swift Swim Speed boost on the turn it Mega Evolves if a rain setter is switched in on that turn, making it a much more flexible and forgiving lead than other Swift Swim users. However, Mega Swampert also takes up a team's Mega slot, whereas its alternatives do not. Furthermore, while Mega Swampert's movepool offers more well-rounded coverage than Kingdra's and Ludicolo's, it still has a slight case of four move-moveslot syndrome; it really wants to run Waterfall, Earthquake, Ice Punch and Superpower on the same set but needs to give one of those moves up for Protect.
[SET]
name: Rain Attacker
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch / Superpower
move 4: Protect
item: Swampertite
ability: Damp
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Mega Swampert's most reliable Water-type attack as well as its hardest-hitting STAB attack overall in rain. Earthquake is a secondary STAB move that provides spread coverage, allows Mega Swampert to hit hard against bulky Water-types like Volcanion and Tapu Fini, and works well as an attack for cleaning up against weakened targets late-game. Ice Punch is used to score OHKOs on Landorus-T, Mega Salamence, and Zygarde while also providing coverage against Grass-types like Amoonguss and Tapu Bulu. Superpower offers super effective coverage against bulky targets like Ferrothorn, Snorlax, and Tyranitar. Low Kick is an option over Superpower for Fighting-type coverage that doesn't drop Mega Swampert's stats, but it is a bit weaker against Ferrothorn and other targets weighing less than 200 kg. While Earthquake is usually too good to give up, if you don't feel your team needs the Ground-type spread coverage, it is acceptable to run both Ice Punch and Superpower for better matchups against both Mega Salamence and Ferrothorn. Protect keeps Mega Swampert safe while its partners deal with any possible threats.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allows Mega Swampert to hit as hard and fast as possible. Adamant is generally the preferred nature for maximum power. However, a Jolly nature is necessary for Mega Swampert to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect, Choice Scarf Victini, +1 Speed Volcarona, and Tailwind-boosted Zapdos. The power drop inherent to running Jolly is noticeable, though. Neither of Swampert's pre-Mega abilities have much competitive value, but Damp has a small niche in preventing Explosion, while there is never a good reason to attack before Swampert Mega Evolves to utilize Torrent.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Swampert and its respective rain setter make for excellent leads that apply immediate offensive pressure when the opponent isn't carrying their own weather setter. When faced with weather teams, consider playing Mega Swampert more conservatively, opting to take out the opponent's weather setter first if possible; Mega Swampert becomes dead weight once Swift Swim deactivates. When leading with Mega Swampert, don't feel obligated to lead with the rain setter as well. Swampert is always guaranteed a Swift Swim Speed boost on the turn it Mega Evolves if a rain setter is switched in on that turn, so you can lead with a second offensive option and switch it out for your rain setter if you deem the Swift Swim boost desirable on that turn. While Mega Swampert is often a great lead, it is sometimes better to keep it in the back it as a late-game cleaner if you're able to clear out Mega Swampert's checks and counters beforehand. When in play, Swampert's main goal is to spam Waterfall and Earthquake to break down the opposing team. Thanks to its good bulk and great defensive typing, Mega Swampert isn't really threatened by most attackers under rain, so it can leverage its bulk and power to consistently apply offensive pressure while wearing down opposing targets. Just stay clear of any potential Grass-type attacks! The opponent will be tempted to switch in an Intimidate user like Mega Salamence or Landorus-T to drop Mega Swampert's power, so factor that into your expectations about Swampert's damage output, and try to catch Mega Salamence and Landorus-T with an Ice Punch on their switch in. If using Superpower, keep in mind that it is going to drop Swampert's Attack and Defense, potentially making it dead weight.
Team Options
========
A rain setter is a mandatory partner for teams with Mega Swampert. Pelipper has phenomenal synergy with Mega Swampert, allowing Mega Swampert to freely spam Earthquake, KOing Electric-types that threaten Pelipper like Tapu Koko. Politoed is an option over Pelipper that can provide Helping Hand support to cancel out potential Intimidate drops. It is really important to bring strong checks to Grass-types like Tapu Bulu, Amoonguss, and Ferrothorn, since bulky rain teams with Mega Swampert struggle to check these threats. Pelipper can help check Tapu Bulu and Amoonguss, but consider incorporating additional checks like Ferrothorn and Genesect to beat Tapu Bulu and having Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B to beat Amoonguss. Terrakion and Kartana are decent partners that provide strong Fighting-type coverage to beat Ferrothorn, potentially allowing Mega Swampert to justify running Ice Punch over Superpower. Checks to opposing weather, especially sun, are important. Landorus-T is a great option for checking both Mega Charizard Y and Tyranitar. Tapu Koko is a good check to Mega Charizard Y, and it is also a fast attacker that functions outside of rain. Stealth Rock setters like Ferrothorn and Landorus-T can punish opponents that repeatedly switch in Intimidate users like Mega Salamence, weather setters like Mega Charizard Y, and speed control users like Zapdos and Kyurem-B. Ferrothorn enjoys working with rain teams, as they naturally pressure the Fire-types it hates. In return, Ferrothorn is a decent bulky pivot, checks Tapu Fini (a Pokemon typically used on teams as a rain check), helps check opposing rain teams, and serves as a reliable late-game win condition.
Other Options
=============
Stomping Tantrum can be used over Earthquake to allow Mega Swampert to freely use its Ground-type attack without regard for its ally. However, the loss of spread coverage is noticeable at times. Rock Slide and Stone Edge are options that allow Mega Swampert to ensure a KO against Mega Charizard Y on a predicted switch in. Aqua Tail and Liquidation are options over Waterfall for more power. However, using Aqua Tail means sacrificing accuracy, and while Liquidation offers marginally higher Base Power, it is rarely worth missing out on a 20% flinch chance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Tapu Bulu lowers the damage dealt by Earthquake, easily takes a Waterfall, and OHKOes Swampert with Wood Hammer or Horn Leech. Amoonguss tanks hits from Swampert and potentially hits hard with Giga Drain. Solar Beam from Mega Charizard Y and Bloom Doom from Volcanion and Heatran are also things to watch out for.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini and Milotic can comfortably retaliate with STAB Water-type attacks that are boosted by the same rain that Mega Swampert relies on.
**Intimidate**: Intimidate users like Mega Salamence and Landorus-T reduce Swampert's ability to break through an opposing team, but they do risk taking a Waterfall or Ice Punch in retaliation.
**Opposing Weather**: Mega Swampert becomes dead weight outside of rain, since it relies on its Swift Swim Speed boost to maintain its offensive pressure. Therefore, opposing weather setters like Mega Charizard Y, Tyranitar, and Alolan Ninetales can be problematic.
**Tailwind, Trick Room, and Icy Wind**: Mega Swampert relies on its high Speed to maintain momentum, so opposing speed control is disruptive. Tailwind setters like Zapdos and Mega Salamence negate Mega Swampert's Swift Swim Speed boost, while Trick Room setters like Bronzong and Hoopa-U can reverse it. Kyurem-B can wall a non-Superpower Mega Swampert and whittle down its Speed with Icy Wind.
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