sparrow
kacaw
Hey man, thanks for the feedback, I'm definitely interested in what others have to say about Yanmega. I felt I was kinda low balling the suggestion to B- at first, because Yanmega is very effective as a breaker. Especially in a meta with Breloom, Gliscor, Hippowdon & Amoonguss running around, but ultimately decided that B- was fitting. I'd like to explain my reasoning and also include some replays to help justify my position here. Understand that my opinion is quite subjective, I've been able to use Yanmega on the ladder quite a bit, so others opinions are greatly appreciated.Yanmega to B-: Disagree
Yanmega to something like C: Agree
Alright I can't support this nomination all the way up to B- in one swing. You already admit that it needs a ton of support and sports a 4x weakness to rocks; sure it has a really solid offensive presence but it still has trouble getting in and out safely. While its a great wallbreaker, it struggles to find a lot of free turns to get kills with. With the other Pokemon that is 4x weak to rocks that is commonly used, Moltres, has reliable recovery so it can afford to switch into rocks if it gets a free turn, you have to play even harder with Yanmega as it absolutely cannot come in with Stealth Rock, getting KO'd even easier with its laughable defenses. I can support this thing to C, but I've yet to see it actually come in useful and break through a team. With all the options to get up Rocks and Rockers being pretty similar to blanket check, I find it a bit of a stretch to bring this all the way up to B-.
You stated that Yanmega struggles to find free turns to come in and break, I somewhat agree with this, mostly due to the immense pressure that Stealth Rock applies. Yanmega has some really useful resistances and immunities that work really well in this meta, in particular coming in on some common 'mons that I mentioned above give it plenty of free turns. Sure you must be careful of U-turn from Gliscor, or Spore from Amoonguss and Breloom but that's Pokemon for ya, circumstances change through out the match.
Stealth Rock isn't impossible to remove, Defog is every where, obviously you're somewhat forced to prioritise their removal through out the game. As a bonus, Yanmega has the ability to offensively pressure most bulky Stealth Rock setters in UU, excluding Blissey of course. Offensive Stealth Rock setters can be managed by Yanmega's team mates, and that's where things do become tricky when trying to Defog, not impossible!
My main reason for suggesting a move to B- was when it came to looking at it comparatively to other 'mons within that bracket. I feel it's at least comparable to Aurorus and Alolan-Sandslash which must be ran together to achieve their objective. It's somewhat outclassed in its role, similar to Florges (Florges gets Defog, Yanmega has breaking power/U-turn, with unique/useful resistances as a breaker). I'd also consider it to be similar in level if not better than Pokemon such as Kommo-o, Talonflame, Toxicroak and Zygarde-10% as an offensive Pokemon.
Looking at Pokemon on offence that Yanmega is able to outpace we have: Breloom, Crawdaunt (+2 252 Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Yanmega: 242-286 (77.3 - 91.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO), Heracross, Krookodile, Mamoswine (252 Atk Life Orb Mamoswine Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Yanmega: 195-229 (62.3 - 73.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO // 252 SpA Choice Specs Yanmega Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mamoswine: 340-402 (94.1 - 111.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock) and Nidoking (252 SpA Choice Specs Tinted Lens Yanmega Bug Buzz vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Nidoking: 258-304 (85.1 - 100.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock). I agree Yanmega's Speed tier lets it down somewhat, but what on offence safely switches into Yanmega? And it's utilised as a breaker, not an anti-offence 'mon.
Yanmega has reasonable defensive bulk too, tanking hits from the likes of +2 Crawdaunt and Ice Shard Mamoswine are such examples. Heck its an offensive Pokemon that can take a Poison Jab from m-Beedrill, whilst quad resisting U-turn! +2 Iron Head from Cobalion fails to OHKO, nor does +2 Facade from Gliscor, and even +2 Extreme Speed from Lucario!
I'd like to see more discussion based on Yanmega, its clearly a viable threat in the metagame, maybe I'm being too subjective with B- suggestion, but I've tried to be as objective as possible. In short, its great typing lets it force switches, which is dangerous on a Pokemon with the capability to 2HKO a good portion of the metagame. Thanks for comments in advance!
Yanmega @ Choice Specs
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- U-turn
- Giga Drain
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700952652 - lucky Air Slash flinch early game, although my opponent struggled to switch into Yanmega once the Golbat was weakned.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700950336 - once Hydreigon went down, and it was revealed that Scizor could counter, likely, Scarf Terrakion, my opponent realised they had nothing to switch into Yanmega after turn 10.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700949761 - no explanation necessary.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700911223 - early game Yanmega harassing switch-ins.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700907284 - no switch-ins.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700896158 - Yanmega sweep?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700891029 - early game damage by Yanmega is nice, weird Mach Punch play by opponent.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-702305221 - versus Kyurem, Diancie, Mantine, Scizor.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-701443966 - versus Cookeees clone, that was forced to switch into Blissey each time (Adamant Infernape made it easier too, LOL).
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-701437962 - against semi-stall opponent is reckless with Blissey.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700950336 - once Hydreigon went down, and it was revealed that Scizor could counter, likely, Scarf Terrakion, my opponent realised they had nothing to switch into Yanmega after turn 10.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700949761 - no explanation necessary.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700911223 - early game Yanmega harassing switch-ins.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700907284 - no switch-ins.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700896158 - Yanmega sweep?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-700891029 - early game damage by Yanmega is nice, weird Mach Punch play by opponent.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-702305221 - versus Kyurem, Diancie, Mantine, Scizor.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-701443966 - versus Cookeees clone, that was forced to switch into Blissey each time (Adamant Infernape made it easier too, LOL).
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-701437962 - against semi-stall opponent is reckless with Blissey.
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