[REQUEST] Banette-Mega VGC2016

[SjoerdDN]

(Mar 8, 2016, 07:36 PM)Marcusube Wrote: The only way I see Banette functioning in VGC 16 is as a niche suicide Pokemon. Basically a set with Destiny Bond. You can run other moves such as Taunt, Disable, Swagger or Thunder Wave and if you have space, run an offensive move such as Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch or the lesser Shadow Claw. I say lesser because Banette pretty much gets OHKOd by everything in this meta. It is good in disrupting the opponent but it is flawed in the fact that its Prankster ability doesn't activate until the following turn which is what gives it its function

Banette @ Banettite
Ability: Insomnia
Level: 50
EVs: 92 HP / 80 Atk / 212 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Destiny Bond
- Protect
- Taunt/Disable
- Shadow Sneak/Gunk Shot/Shadow Claw/Thunder Wave

92/212 allows you to survive a +2 Timid Dazzling Gleam from Xerneas. 124 Speed EVs allow you to outspeed uninvested base 90s by one point and the rest of EVs are dumped into attack. If you choose to not run any attacks, you can dump the 80 EVs into defense, though it doesn't achieve any benchmarks.

Prankster Destiny Bond pretty much guarantees you a KO on an opposing Pokemon if they do not have any status inducing moves. You're obviously going to need Protect to scout as well as defend yourself for the first turn so you can fully utilize Prankster the following turns. Taunt stops Pokemon such as Smeargle, Crobat, Xerneas, Primal-Groudon (Rock Polish/Swords Dance set), Primal-Kyogre (Calm Mind set), Mega-Rayquaza (Swords Dance set) and Zapdos. It does not stop Talonflame or Thundurus-Incarnate from pulling their shenanigans - it's best to just switch out in this case. Disable is less useful but can be paired with an Encore user for more shenanigans. Aside from this, Disable only hurts choiced Pokemon. Shadow Sneak is a good means of chip damage to either clean up a remaining Pokemon at low HP or break a Focus Sash. Gunk Shot hits Xerneas but doesn't guarantee an OHKO

80+ Atk Mega Banette Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Xerneas: 170-200 (84.5 - 99.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Shadow Claw is Banette's most reliable STAB move (Phantom Force is too gimmicky) and Thunder Wave cripples the opposing Pokemon.

So yeah, Banette is solely a niche Pokemon in my eyes. I hope this doesn't discourage you from wanting to try it out though

Honestly I was thinking of trying out Snatch/Magic guard to disrupt Geomancy Xerneas, the occasional Dragon Dance and reflect Dark Void Smeargle, Hypnosis, Spore.

Also my Ferrothorn/Kangaskhan still get will-o-wisped occasionally.