[OVERVIEW]
Offensively, Swampert is the premier Mega Evolution choice on rain teams because of its Electric immunity. It also has the ability to break down conventional rain checks such as Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Mantine due to its secondary STAB attack, Earthquake, and its array of coverage moves such as Superpower and Stone Edge. Mega Swampert can also provide great role compression because it is a Stealth Rock user that beats Mega Sableye.
Defensively, Mega Swampert opens holes to Pokemon rain is already weak to, most notably Ash-Greninja and Keldeo. Mega Swampert suffers the same problem with other bulky physical attackers, as it is prone to chip damage from Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, and Iron Barbs, meaning its bulk sometimes cannot be used practically. Mega Swampert is also dependent on rain to function, meaning it can only be used effectively when rain is active.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch
move 4: Stealth Rock / Stone Edge / Superpower
item: Swampertite
ability: Damp
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Swampert's strongest move in the rain, and it is used over Aqua Tail because of its perfect accuracy and chance to flinch. Earthquake is Swampert's secondary STAB move, which is used to hit common nuisances to rain teams such as Toxapex and Tapu Fini. Ice Punch is the coverage move of choice to nail Dragon- and Grass-types such as Zygarde, Garchomp, and Tapu Bulu while 2HKOing Assault Vest Tangrowth on the switch after Stealth Rock damage. Swampert has a unique niche on rain teams, as it is a Stealth Rock user that defeats Mega Sableye. Swampert can use another coverage move if this niche is not valued. Stone Edge prevents Mantine and Pelipper from walling Swampert, while Superpower can be used to KO Ferrothorn from a higher amount of health.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs are utilized to allow Mega Swampert to hit as hard and be as fast as possible. Damp is the preferred ability for its situational use of stopping Landorus-T and Azelf from using Explosion. An Adamant nature is preferred to enhance Swampert's breaking abilities. A Jolly nature is viable to outpace Choice Scarf Keldeo, a common threat to rain teams. Mega Swampert misses out on a lot of power, however.
Usage Tips
========
One of Mega Swampert's best traits as a Swift Swim user is its high bulk, yet it is generally best not to use this bulk because Mega Swampert will need its health to survive priority attacks from Pokemon such as Mega Mawile and Ash-Greninja and attacks from faster Choice Scarf users such as Keldeo and Garchomp. Mega Swampert already finds itself vulnerable to forms of chip damage such as Spikes, Rocky Helmet, and Iron Barbs, as well as weaker attacks such as Tapu Koko's U-turn and Mega Medicham's Fake Out. Mega Swampert should also be kept away from status moves, as they make it useless or easier to deal when trying to dance around rain turns through continuous switching.
When Swampert gets in for free, it should be played based on what the opponent's Mega Swampert checks are. If the opposition has solid checks to it, Mega Swampert should be focused on weakening its checks using its plethora of coverage moves to support a possible secondary sweeper such as Kingdra or Ash-Greninja. If the matchup is more in Mega Swampert's favor, play patiently and use teammates such as Ferrothorn and Tapu Koko more often, as Mega Swampert will want to stay healthy as possible. This is especially important if one decides to run a Jolly nature, as it will not be forced out by Pokemon such as Keldeo and Garchomp in an effort to conserve its health. Finally, Stealth Rock should be used on a predicted switch or if there is a Pokemon that indefinitely walls Mega Swampert such as physically defensive Tangrowth or Mantine. It is also best to use Stealth Rock against Sableye stall teams once Swampert has conditioned the opponent into thinking it will not use Stealth Rock. A mistimed Stealth Rock against Mega Sableye can spell doom for Swampert's team.
Team Options
========
Pelipper is a mandatory teammate because it provides free rain with its ability Drizzle while checking Keldeo, one of the best checks to Mega Swampert. It also creates free turns for Mega Swampert with its slow U-turn and by baiting in Electric-types such as Zapdos and Tapu Koko. Choice Specs Pelipper in particular breaks down a lot of Pokemon Swampert struggles with, making a Jolly nature more affordable. A secondary rain abuser, preferably Kingdra or Ash-Greninja, is also recommended, as the combination of Mega Swampert and one of them can overwhelm a lot of rain checks. If Ash-Greninja is used, it is best to use Spikes, as Mega Swampert appreciates the hazard support so Pokemon such as Mew and Tapu Bulu can no longer safely switch in. Ferrothorn is a great utility Pokemon on rain teams, as its Fire-type weakness is halved, and it can set up Spikes or even Stealth Rock, the latter freeing up a moveslot on Mega Swampert. Landorus-T also frees up a moveslot for Mega Swampert due to it being a powerful offensive Stealth Rock user. It also removes bulky Grass- and Water-types with Supersonic Skystrike.
Swampert appreciates some way to break Tangrowth, so Tornadus-T is a great teammate, wearing down Pokemon Mega Swampert struggles with such as Rotom-W, Tapu Fini, Ferrothorn, and Mantine. Tapu Koko is also a good teammate, as it gets a perfectly accurate Thunder under rain, and it provides free switches for Mega Swampert with U-turn. Tapu Lele is another good teammate, blocking priority and switching into a lot of Pokemon Swampert struggles with, namely Tangrowth and bulky Water-types such as Mantine and Mega Slowbro.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Rain Dance is a good option so Mega Swampert can set up the rain itself rather than relying on Pelipper. Swampert can attempt a sweep by boosting its Attack with Power-Up Punch, but Swampert usually prefers an extra coverage than to boost its Attack in specific situations. Sludge Wave can be used to OHKO Tapu Bulu as well as 2HKO physically defensive Tangrowth after Stealth Rock damage. Lastly, Toxic is a viable option to put some of Swampert's hard counters such as Slowbro, Alomomola, and Mantine on a timer.
Checks and Counters
========
**Water-types**: Most Water-types force out Mega Swampert due to the threat of their Scald burning it. Suicune, Alomomola, Mega Slowbro, and Pelipper are the most notable. Choice Scarf Keldeo outspeeds Adamant Mega Swampert and forces Mega Swampert out due to its powerful Hydro Pump. Physically defensive Rotom-W can come in on Mega Swampert with little fear and neuter it with Will-O-Wisp, and Mantine completely walls Mega Swampert lacking Stone Edge. A healthy physically defensive Tapu Fini can put Mega Swampert at a very low amount of HP with the combination of Nature's Madness and Moonblast.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Ferrothorn threaten Mega Swampert with their Grass-type STAB moves. Tapu Bulu, non-physically defensive Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn must watch out for coverage moves in Ice Punch and Superpower, however.
**Faster Pokemon**: Mega Swampert is not unbelievably fast without a Jolly nature and the use of a Jolly nature makes Swampert much easier to deal with using Pokemon such as Tangrowth and Mew. Choice Scarf users such as Keldeo and Garchomp can outpace an Adamant Mega Swampert and take out a weakened Mega Swampert with their strong STAB attacks. Latios outpaces even Jolly variants and does massive damage to it using Draco Meteor. Mega Swampert can also be surprised by the use of Grass Knot on Choice Scarf users such as Nihilego and Greninja. Finally, Mega Alakazam traces Swift Swim and can take out a weakened Mega Swampert with Psychic or once again surprise it with Grass Knot.
**Ash-Greninja**: While Ash-Greninja cannot directly switch in, Water Shuriken is boosted in the rain and is capable of taking 75% of Mega Swampert's health, which is a common range of health it finds itself in because of how Mega Swampert is vulnerable to chip damage from Rocky Helmet and Pokemon it switches into such as Tapu Koko.
**Removing Rain**: Mega Swampert is slow and lacks a powerful Water-type attack outside of the rain. Tyranitar, Alolan Ninetales, and Mega Charizard Y change the weather, and the latter two can force Mega Swampert out due their STAB attacks and coverage.
Offensively, Swampert is the premier Mega Evolution choice on rain teams because of its Electric immunity. It also has the ability to break down conventional rain checks such as Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Mantine due to its secondary STAB attack, Earthquake, and its array of coverage moves such as Superpower and Stone Edge. Mega Swampert can also provide great role compression because it is a Stealth Rock user that beats Mega Sableye.
Defensively, Mega Swampert opens holes to Pokemon rain is already weak to, most notably Ash-Greninja and Keldeo. Mega Swampert suffers the same problem with other bulky physical attackers, as it is prone to chip damage from Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, and Iron Barbs, meaning its bulk sometimes cannot be used practically. Mega Swampert is also dependent on rain to function, meaning it can only be used effectively when rain is active.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch
move 4: Stealth Rock / Stone Edge / Superpower
item: Swampertite
ability: Damp
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is Swampert's strongest move in the rain, and it is used over Aqua Tail because of its perfect accuracy and chance to flinch. Earthquake is Swampert's secondary STAB move, which is used to hit common nuisances to rain teams such as Toxapex and Tapu Fini. Ice Punch is the coverage move of choice to nail Dragon- and Grass-types such as Zygarde, Garchomp, and Tapu Bulu while 2HKOing Assault Vest Tangrowth on the switch after Stealth Rock damage. Swampert has a unique niche on rain teams, as it is a Stealth Rock user that defeats Mega Sableye. Swampert can use another coverage move if this niche is not valued. Stone Edge prevents Mantine and Pelipper from walling Swampert, while Superpower can be used to KO Ferrothorn from a higher amount of health.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs are utilized to allow Mega Swampert to hit as hard and be as fast as possible. Damp is the preferred ability for its situational use of stopping Landorus-T and Azelf from using Explosion. An Adamant nature is preferred to enhance Swampert's breaking abilities. A Jolly nature is viable to outpace Choice Scarf Keldeo, a common threat to rain teams. Mega Swampert misses out on a lot of power, however.
Usage Tips
========
One of Mega Swampert's best traits as a Swift Swim user is its high bulk, yet it is generally best not to use this bulk because Mega Swampert will need its health to survive priority attacks from Pokemon such as Mega Mawile and Ash-Greninja and attacks from faster Choice Scarf users such as Keldeo and Garchomp. Mega Swampert already finds itself vulnerable to forms of chip damage such as Spikes, Rocky Helmet, and Iron Barbs, as well as weaker attacks such as Tapu Koko's U-turn and Mega Medicham's Fake Out. Mega Swampert should also be kept away from status moves, as they make it useless or easier to deal when trying to dance around rain turns through continuous switching.
When Swampert gets in for free, it should be played based on what the opponent's Mega Swampert checks are. If the opposition has solid checks to it, Mega Swampert should be focused on weakening its checks using its plethora of coverage moves to support a possible secondary sweeper such as Kingdra or Ash-Greninja. If the matchup is more in Mega Swampert's favor, play patiently and use teammates such as Ferrothorn and Tapu Koko more often, as Mega Swampert will want to stay healthy as possible. This is especially important if one decides to run a Jolly nature, as it will not be forced out by Pokemon such as Keldeo and Garchomp in an effort to conserve its health. Finally, Stealth Rock should be used on a predicted switch or if there is a Pokemon that indefinitely walls Mega Swampert such as physically defensive Tangrowth or Mantine. It is also best to use Stealth Rock against Sableye stall teams once Swampert has conditioned the opponent into thinking it will not use Stealth Rock. A mistimed Stealth Rock against Mega Sableye can spell doom for Swampert's team.
Team Options
========
Pelipper is a mandatory teammate because it provides free rain with its ability Drizzle while checking Keldeo, one of the best checks to Mega Swampert. It also creates free turns for Mega Swampert with its slow U-turn and by baiting in Electric-types such as Zapdos and Tapu Koko. Choice Specs Pelipper in particular breaks down a lot of Pokemon Swampert struggles with, making a Jolly nature more affordable. A secondary rain abuser, preferably Kingdra or Ash-Greninja, is also recommended, as the combination of Mega Swampert and one of them can overwhelm a lot of rain checks. If Ash-Greninja is used, it is best to use Spikes, as Mega Swampert appreciates the hazard support so Pokemon such as Mew and Tapu Bulu can no longer safely switch in. Ferrothorn is a great utility Pokemon on rain teams, as its Fire-type weakness is halved, and it can set up Spikes or even Stealth Rock, the latter freeing up a moveslot on Mega Swampert. Landorus-T also frees up a moveslot for Mega Swampert due to it being a powerful offensive Stealth Rock user. It also removes bulky Grass- and Water-types with Supersonic Skystrike.
Swampert appreciates some way to break Tangrowth, so Tornadus-T is a great teammate, wearing down Pokemon Mega Swampert struggles with such as Rotom-W, Tapu Fini, Ferrothorn, and Mantine. Tapu Koko is also a good teammate, as it gets a perfectly accurate Thunder under rain, and it provides free switches for Mega Swampert with U-turn. Tapu Lele is another good teammate, blocking priority and switching into a lot of Pokemon Swampert struggles with, namely Tangrowth and bulky Water-types such as Mantine and Mega Slowbro.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Rain Dance is a good option so Mega Swampert can set up the rain itself rather than relying on Pelipper. Swampert can attempt a sweep by boosting its Attack with Power-Up Punch, but Swampert usually prefers an extra coverage than to boost its Attack in specific situations. Sludge Wave can be used to OHKO Tapu Bulu as well as 2HKO physically defensive Tangrowth after Stealth Rock damage. Lastly, Toxic is a viable option to put some of Swampert's hard counters such as Slowbro, Alomomola, and Mantine on a timer.
Checks and Counters
========
**Water-types**: Most Water-types force out Mega Swampert due to the threat of their Scald burning it. Suicune, Alomomola, Mega Slowbro, and Pelipper are the most notable. Choice Scarf Keldeo outspeeds Adamant Mega Swampert and forces Mega Swampert out due to its powerful Hydro Pump. Physically defensive Rotom-W can come in on Mega Swampert with little fear and neuter it with Will-O-Wisp, and Mantine completely walls Mega Swampert lacking Stone Edge. A healthy physically defensive Tapu Fini can put Mega Swampert at a very low amount of HP with the combination of Nature's Madness and Moonblast.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Ferrothorn threaten Mega Swampert with their Grass-type STAB moves. Tapu Bulu, non-physically defensive Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn must watch out for coverage moves in Ice Punch and Superpower, however.
**Faster Pokemon**: Mega Swampert is not unbelievably fast without a Jolly nature and the use of a Jolly nature makes Swampert much easier to deal with using Pokemon such as Tangrowth and Mew. Choice Scarf users such as Keldeo and Garchomp can outpace an Adamant Mega Swampert and take out a weakened Mega Swampert with their strong STAB attacks. Latios outpaces even Jolly variants and does massive damage to it using Draco Meteor. Mega Swampert can also be surprised by the use of Grass Knot on Choice Scarf users such as Nihilego and Greninja. Finally, Mega Alakazam traces Swift Swim and can take out a weakened Mega Swampert with Psychic or once again surprise it with Grass Knot.
**Ash-Greninja**: While Ash-Greninja cannot directly switch in, Water Shuriken is boosted in the rain and is capable of taking 75% of Mega Swampert's health, which is a common range of health it finds itself in because of how Mega Swampert is vulnerable to chip damage from Rocky Helmet and Pokemon it switches into such as Tapu Koko.
**Removing Rain**: Mega Swampert is slow and lacks a powerful Water-type attack outside of the rain. Tyranitar, Alolan Ninetales, and Mega Charizard Y change the weather, and the latter two can force Mega Swampert out due their STAB attacks and coverage.
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