Absol, the Disaster Pokémon. It senses coming disasters and appears before people only to warn them of impending danger.
Overview
Introduced in the third generation, Absol has entranced trainers the world over with its stellar design and significant roles in many games. Absol backs up this long history with power befitting the “Disaster Pokémon”. Base 130 Attack is brutal for a non Mega Evolution, having Absol hit obscenely hard even before considering the possibility of boosts from items or Swords Dance. This power is further fueled by Absol’s Dark typing, not only granting it an absurdly strong Knock Off that hampers even Pokémon that resists Dark, but also STAB Sucker Punch, giving Absol one of the strongest priority options available in Champions. This options are backed up by amazing coverage options in Play Rough, Close Combat, Zen Headbutt and X-Scissor, giving Absol an answer for just about every Dark resist out there.
Yet the disaster Absol foresees is often its own, for it has no amazing traits aside from power. 65/60/60 are poor across the board, leaving Absol struggling to endure even resisted attacks, let alone neutral ones. Add in pure Dark’s poor defensive profile of largely redundant resistances to Ghost and Dark along with an immunity to the uncommon Psychic and Absol struggles to fend off any attacker. This gets worse when looking at Absol’s mediocre base 75 Speed, well below even some defensive staples, let alone just about every offensive staple. Being slow and frail is a death knell for many Pokémon as they struggle to do anything before being removed and Absol is no exception. While Sucker Punch does address this to some degree, it is easy to play around and matters little to Dark resists. Additionally, despite Absol’s solid coverage options, it has nothing to directly answer Fairy types outside the unreliable Iron Tail. All Absol’s issues are compounded by the existence of Kingambit, an even stronger Dark type that has plenty of bulk and defensive utility to spare. While Kingambit lacks the Knock Off that makes Absol so difficult to switch into, that means little for the sheer reliability Kingambit provides. The disparity gets even greater when considering Knock Off is weaker in formats with Mega Stone and Z-Crystals, which cannot be knocked off and do not provide a damage buff. Even if it weren’t for Kingambit, Absol’s terrifying offense means little when its poor defenses and speed spell disaster only for itself.
Positives
Base 130 is brutal, ensuring if Absol lands a hit, it is going to hurt, even before Swords Dance.
Fantastic STAB options in Knock Off and Sucker Punch, blend damage and utility, allowing Absol to support its team and pick off weakened foes while still making progress.
Excellent coverage and boosting options enable Absol to threaten just about everything it encounters
Negatives
Poor base 75 Speed means that Absol will often be taking a hit before acting…
…and 65/60/60 defenses and pure Dark typing mean that Absol often won’t be surviving that hit.
Lack of reliable answers to Fairy types.
Largely outclassed by Kingambit who covers most of the same offensive niches.
Movesets
Critical Disaster
-Night Slash
-Psycho Cut
-Play Rough
-Sucker Punch
Ability: Super Luck
Item: Scope Lens
Stat Points and Nature:
2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Jolly Nature
Absol in addition to its impressive power is the best user of the Super Luck ability in Pokémon. With Super Luck and Scope Lens alone, Absol reaches a +2 crit chance stage, a whopping 50% chance to crit, equivalent to that of Sirfetch’d’s signature Stick or Focus Energy. Add in high crit chance moves, which have an innate +1 crit chance stage and Absol is guaranteed to crit every time with such attacks. That is the equivalent of a Choice Band boost that ignores Attack drops, Defense increases and Screens with no penalty, allowing Absol to threaten an absurd amount of damage with such moves. Night Slash is primary STAB on this set for this reason, the guaranteed crit being too good to pass up, allowing Absol to eviscerate Aegislash irrespective of Kings Shield, and Mega Froslass through Aurora Veil. Psycho Cut is anti-Fighting coverage that also reaches the lauded 100% crit rate, preventing the likes of Sneasler, Kommo-o, Blaziken and Sirfetch’d from coming in freely on Absol. The ability to threaten Poison type walls like Toxpaex and Mega Dragalge is a nice bonus as well. Play Rough is coverage for the opposing Dark types that wall both Night Slash and Psycho Cut, with the bonus of hitting the Psychic neutral Gallade. While it only has a mere 50% chance to crit, the coverage more than makes up for the lack of guaranteed crits. Sucker Punch is Absol’s answer to its lacking Speed, allowing it to threaten faster attackers and ensure they don’t remove Absol unscathed.
Stat Points and Items:
Max Speed and Attack are the simplest way to go. While Absol’s speed is lacking, the investment does allow it to outspeed Pokémon in the base 80 range like Modest Archaludon, Modest Gholdengo, Adamant Rillaboom, Adamant Gyarados, Adamant Dragonite, and the Rotom Appliances, a not inconsiderable range of foes. Full attack investment is a given for Absol to make the most of every opportunity it gets to attack. If looking to give Absol some defensive utility, 13 HP does ensure it isn’t 2HKOd by Basculegion’s Aqua Jet. Scope Lens is mandatory for this set as without the +1 to crit chance stage, Absol misses out on the guaranteed/50% crit chance on its moves.
Partners:
As Absol struggles heavily against Fairy types, allies that can answer them are of the utmost importance. Mega Golisopod and Mega Metagross are two of the best Fairy checks available, being immensely bulky Steel types that can weather any Fairy assault before OHKOing back with Tough Claws boosted Iron Head. Leech Life and Body Press for opposing Dark types as well as Psychic Fangs for Fighting types also take care of troublesome Dark resistances for Absol.
Given Absol’s speed issues, measures to address such Speed greatly increase its lethality. Sticky Web support from Araquanid is one way to go about this, setting a persistent Speed debuff that ensures Absol will go before any unboosted grounded attacker, outrunning even the likes of Mega Lucario Z. STAB Leech Life can also compromise some Dark types, making it easier for Absol to pressure the opposing team. Slurpuff can also work as a Dark threatening Sticky Web setter with the added bonus of having Yawn to threaten out the initial Pokémon that otherwise wouldn’t be impacted by Sticky Web.
Other Options:
Stone Edge is a powerful guaranteed crit option that can compromise the likes of Mega Salamence, but offers little coverage into Absol’s resists.
Close Combat is Absol’s strongest anti Dark option but exasperates its poor matchup against Fairy types.
Countering Absol
Absol’s poor defenses and unimpressive speed make it simple to check if one can navigate the threat of STAB Sucker Punch.
Fairy types are a consistent issue for Absol in all its forms, having only the unreliable and seldom seen Iron Tail to fall back on. Even that is sometimes not enough, with Primarina, taking 41-48% from Crit Psycho Cut while always OHKOing with Fairy STAB. 26 HP/2 Def Mega Floette takes 38-45% from Crit Psycho Cut, while OHKOing and recovering every bit of damage back with Draining Kiss, while a more offensive one will simply outspeed and OHKO. Alolan-Ninetails, while not liking the threat of Iron Tail or Stone Edge, easily absorbs any other move, outspeeds and OHKOs with Fairy STAB. 32 HP Sylveon only takes 42-49% from crit Psycho Cut (and 60-71% from crit Stone Edge), and can OHKO back with Hyper Voice. 32 HP/32+ Def Unaware Clefable is the literal bane of any Absol set lacking Iron Tail, with even crit Stone Edge only dealing 37-44% while OHKOing back with Moonblast.
For other checks, stalwart physical walls can put a quick stop to Absol. 32 HP/32+ Def Corviknight takes 31-37% from crit Night Slash while having a 50% chance to OHKO with Body Press. Skarmory takes slightly less and is guaranteed to OHKO. 32 HP/32+ Def Hippowdon takes a laughable 26-32% from Crit Night Slash, allowing it to easily outlast Absol and remove it.
Otherwise, faster attackers that can tank or play around a Sucker Punch are good for stopping Absol before it begins. Of which there are no lack, with Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Mega Lucario (Z), Sneasler, Pawmot, (Mega) Dragonite, Mega Raichu X, Blaziken, Mega Staraptor, and Mega Lopunny, being some of the more prominent examples.
Mega Absol, the Disaster Pokémon. When this Pokémon whips the winglike fur on its back as though beating its wings, it sends an intimidating aura flying at its opponents.
Overview
Befitting its angelic appearance, Mega Absol repels all ills of the world upon Mega Evolution, warding off disaster with speed, power and ability. Base 115 Speed is a fantastic improvement over base Absol, outrunning fast foes like Mega Metagross and Mega Staraptor and allowing Mega Absol to make the most of its offense. Terrifying offenses at that. Base 150 Attack is literally legendary in stature, allowing Mega Absol to hit absurdly hard even before Swords Dance, allowing Mega Absol to make the most of its plentiful coverage. Base 115 Special Attack, while far less impressive, is quite viable in its own right, especially with Absol’s absurdly diverse Special movepool, with options like Thunderbolt, Flamethrower and Ice Beam allowing Mega Absol to subvert physical walls like Corviknight, Skarmory and Hippowdon that other physical attackers may struggle with. Add in the absurd damage and item disruption from Knock Off and there is little that can withstand Mega Absol’s offense. All this is backed by the absurd Magic Bounce ability, not only making Mega Absol effectively immune to status attacks but turning them on their wielders. Cripple Grimmsnarl with its own Thunder Wave, turn Hazard setter’s entry hazards upon them, deny pHazing from Hippowdon’s Whirlwind and more.
The protection of Magic Bounce does not address Mega Absol’s frailty. This is quite distressing as Mega Absol’s defenses are entirely unchanged from its base form, leaving Mega Absol struggling to take a hit and with little to no resistances to fall back upon. This frailty conflicts greatly with Magic Bounce, making it risky to use Mega Absol as an aggressive pivot against status attacks when switching into a normal attack spells disaster, let alone the requirement of having to Mega Evolve Absol first to gain this option. This also limits Mega Absol as an entry hazard denier, as most hazard setters have the power and defense to threaten Mega Absol out, rendering what utility it has moot. Hatterene is a wholly superior Magic Bounce user for this reason, not requiring to Mega Evolve and boasting impressive bulk to allow it such aggressive plays. This niche is lessened even more by external factors, with hazard setters like Toxic Debris Glimmora, and Ceaseless Edge Hisuian-Samurott outright ignoring Magic Bounce, and of hazards being of less worth in 3v3 Singles as opposed to full 6v6 Singles. These issues with Magic Bounce hurt given how flawed Mega Absol is an attacker, lacking any reliable answers to the Fairy types that resist its STABs, Knock Off being far weaker against opposing Mega Evolutions and other Dark STAB options having lacking base power. The presence of Mega Absol Z is also dire, being a faster and stronger Dark attacker, forcing Mega Absol to lean on its flawed utility and coming up short. It all comes back to Mega Absol’s frailty. With such little defensive utility, Mega Absol needs to get knock outs to excel, which is a price to high to pay for one’s Mega Evolution when there are plenty of other Mega Evolutions that can do the same while being able to take a hit or two.
Positives
Base 150 Attack is amazing, and with a single Swords Dance there is little that can stand up to Mega Absol.
Base 115 Speed is fantastic, getting the jump on many already fast Pokémon.
Excellent coverage and boosting options enable Absol to threaten just about everything it encounters
Magic Bounce is an absurd ability, making Mega Absol all but immune to status moves and inflicting such moves on their users.
Usable Special Attack gives Mega Absol some flexibility.
Negatives
65/60/60 defenses and pure Dark typing mean that Mega Absol often won’t be surviving a hit.
Can miss out on vital knockouts due to underwhelming STABs.
Lack of reliable answers to Fairy types.
Movesets
Close Combat Master
-Knock Off
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Flamethrower
Ability: Justified -> Super Luck
Item: Absolite
Stat Points and Nature:
2 Atk / 32 SAtk / 32 Spe
Naive Nature
This Special Attacking Mega Absol set is meant to surprise opponents expecting the more physically inclined Mega Absol Z and more traditional Mega Absol. Knock Off helps sell the illusion of this being a physical set and even with minimal Attack investment is still far stronger than Dark Pulse on Pokémon with removable items. The utility of Knock Off depriving a wall of Leftovers or Sitrus Berry, an attacker of their Choice Scarf or Life Orb is too good to pass up either. After knock off comes Mega Absol’s incredibly diverse special coverage options. Thunderbolt is a nasty surprise for the like of Corviknight, Skarmory and Gyarados, dealing 51-61% to 32 HP Corviknight, 72-84% to 32 HP Skarmory and outright OHKOing Gyarados while being Mega Absol’s best option for Primarina. Ice Beam is valuable for not only Hippowdon, dealing 57-67% to it, but also for simply OHKOing Garchomp, and Salamence. While Flamethrower is a bit redundant with Thunderbolt, for also dealing with Corviknight and Skarmory, it cleanly melts Mega Scizor and Mega Golisopod as well as dealing 51-60% to Kingambit. Justified is recommended as the pre Mega ability, giving Absol an Attack boost when pivoting into Dark moves.
Stat Points and Nature:
For this set, Max Special Attack and Speed are recommended to get the most out of Mega Absol’s offense. Given that Mega Absol’s Special Attack is viable, but not absurdly strong, investment is required to make up the difference. Full Speed investment with a speed boosting nature is strongly recommended as well, given Mega Absol sitting in a highly contested Speed tier, where dropping to neutral nature leaves Mega Absol vulnerable to base 110s like Mega Metagross, Mega Staraptor, Mega Raichu X as well as Pawmot and Garchomp. Naďve is preferred in this instance to not further sink the power of Knock Off, while not worsening Mega Absol’s vulnerability to the predominantly physical priority attacks. If going fully Special, than Timid can be used instead. If wanting to go a bit more mixed, 13 Attack is nice for securing the OHKO on Galarian-Slowking with Knock Off. Otherwise, if going all in on physical attacks, than full Attack investment over special is recommended. Item is locked to the Absolite.
Partners:
Allies that can answer Fairy types are vital for Mega Absol, especially special attacking Mega Absol who is running straight into most Fairy types impeccable Special Defense. Aegislash makes for a strong partner in this instance, its fantastic bulk allowing it to switch into Fairy types with ease and threatening them with Steel STAB. Conversely, Mega Absol can get some mileage from its Ghost and Dark resistances against attackers looking to exploit those weaknesses. Sneasler, while also being paper thin, easily handles most Fairy types and likes special Mega Absol luring in and compromising physical walls like Corviknight and Hippowdon. Scizor is another solid anti Fairy partner that loves special Mega Absol taking care of staple physical walls while its low speed offers a way for Mega Absol to get in safely.
Other Options:
Sucker Punch gives Mega Absol a strong priority option to handle faster foes.
Dark Pulse is Special STAB if one wants to go all in on Special Attacking and is stronger than uninvested Knock Off on Mega Evolutions, but loses out on the utility and mind games of Knock Off.
Calm Mind is a special boosting option for Mega Absol, and while it will still miss OHKOs on bulky physical walls, that can be rectified with hazard support.
Going mixed with Swords Dance to address the lack of investment in Attack and Close Combat for added coverage can further add to the mind games.
Countering Mega Absol
While Mega Absol’s offenses and speed are greatly improved, its fragility means anything it can’t remove while often remove Mega Absol in turn.
Fairy types are a significant issue for Mega Absol thanks to its lack of reliable direct coverage for them and their threatening OHKOs in return. Clefable is easily the worst, with Unaware ignoring any boosting Mega Absol attempts to overwhelm it while OHKOing with Moonblast. Mega Mawile is also a nightmare thanks to Intimidate further sinking Mega Absol’s attack and is immune to Knock Off’s item disruption. However a boosted Close Combat or Flamethrower can still sting, both of which dealing about 60-70%. Primarina is also bulky enough to give Mega Absol issues, enduring even boosted blows with a +2 Play Rough capping at 91% and Thunderbolt only dealing 44-53%. Azumarill is even bulkier physically, though Thunderbolt is an assured 2HKO in return. Alolan-Ninetails is also a strong option thanks to the Defense boost from Snow, though a +2 Close Combat does have a 1/16 chance to OHKO. Mimikyu is also notable thanks to Disguise absorbing any one hit, and OHKOing with Play Rough.
Physical walls can also give Mega Absol issues, though the sheer power of Swords Dance and the possibility of special sets prevent these Pokémon from being clear cut. Corviknight and Skarmory immediately stand out being favored to OHKO with Body Press, while even +2 Knock Off only deals 62-74% and 61-72% respectively. 32 HP/32+ Def Hippowdon also does well, only taking 54-65% from the initial +2 Knock Off, while being able to pHaze with Whirlwind or 2HKO with Earthquake. If Mega Absol doesn’t get a Swords Dance off, then Mega Salamence does wonderfully taking merely 36-43% from -1 Play Rough, the even at +1, Mega Salamence avoids the OHKO, taking only 79-94%. 30 HP/18 Def Mega Scovillain also deserves mention, not only avoiding the OHKO from +2 Knock Off and being unlikely to OHKO with +2 Close Combat while being able to reliably Burn through Magic Bounce with Spicy Spray or just OHKO with Overheat.
Otherwise, faster physical attackers can easily dispatch Mega Absol, though some bulk or a Dark resistance is required to not be annihilated by Sucker Punch. Mega Lucario Z, Sneasler, Mega Lopunny, and Meowscarada. Priority users, especially Mega Golisopod’s and Sirfetch’d’s First Impression which out prioritize Mega Absol’s Sucker Punch can also make quick work of Mega Absol.
Mega Absol Z, the Disaster Pokémon. Using fur that it has made into sharp, clawlike shapes, it cuts down foes with a single blow. This is an act of kindness to keep them from suffering.
Overview
Absol’s enduring history of in-game prominence was answered in the Mega Dimensions DLC with a new alternative Mega Evolution to catapult it back into the limelight. Mega Absol Z takes the promise of Absol’s speed and power to its absolute zenith, trading the defensive utility of Mega Absol for sheer power. While this can be partially attributed to Mega Absol Z’s even more absurd base 154 Attack, this is largely due to the Sharpness ability. A free Choice Band boost on slicing moves is frankly absurd on a Pokémon as strong as Mega Absol Z, especially when stacking with STAB on the newly STAB Shadow Claw granting Mega Absol Z an extremely spammable STAB option. Mega Absol Z has all the coverage it could ask for too in the form of Play Rough, Close Combat and Sharpness boosted X-Scissor to answer the Dark types that resist its STABs. Power alone does not make a good Pokémon and Mega Absol Z answers this with the same astounding base 151 Speed common to all Z Mega Evolutions. With this, Mega Absol Z is tied for the fastest unboosted threat currently in Champions and packs a wicked Sucker Punch for the Scarf users that do outspeed it. Mega Absol Z’s new Ghost typing blocking common priority options in Extreme Speed, Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave
Yet despite the radical departure in design, Mega Absol Z is cursed with the same frailty that plagues all its forms. Base 60 defenses with 65 HP is pitiful defensively, leaving Mega Absol leaning hard on the Normal, Fighting and Psychic immunities its typing provides. One could argue Mega Absol Z is in a worse spot defensively than Mega Absol, lacking the protection of Magic Bounce and the valuable Ghost and Dark resistances that pure Dark provides. Dark types in general are an issue for Mega Absol Z, due to their ability to come in on both STABs and many having sub typings that alter what they are weak to, leaving Mega Absol Z struggling to answer them all. Add in hardy physical walls like Corviknight, Skarmory and Hippowdon that mandate a Swords Dance boost to be removed and Mega Absol Z’s frailty becomes not just a downside, but a shackle. Mega Absol Z needs knockouts to excel, and even with all its power, needs Swords Dance to bridge the gap, a demonic task on a Pokémon so frail. With such a volatile Pokémon, it is of little surprise that trainers flock to more consistent options. Yet the power of Mega Absol Z is an alluring one, and trainers able to get it into position are greatly rewarded as its demonic claws tear all asunder.
.
Positives
Base 154 Attack is absurd, ensuring any physical attack from Mega Absol Z hits hard.
Sharpness pushes Mega Absol Z’s power even further, pushing normally underwhelming moves like Shadow Claw into deadly blows.
Base 151 Speed is the fastest available, ensuring Mega Absol Z goes first in just about every confrontation.
Negatives
65/60/60 defenses and the resistance lacking Ghost-Dark typing means Mega Absol Z will often not be surviving a hit.
Movesets
One Winged Angel
-Shadow Claw
-X-Scissor
-Psycho Cut
-Swords Dance
Ability: Justified -> Sharpness
Item: Absolite Z
Stat Points and Nature:
31 Atk / 3 Def / 32 Spe
Jolly Nature
This Mega Absol Z set exemplifies its capabilities as an offensive attacker and revenge killer, using its incredible speed to get the jump on and clean up weakened opponents and compromising stronger attackers. Shadow Claw is the primary STAB due to the wide neutral coverage of Ghost with very few Pokémon able to switch into Shadow Claw safely. X-Scissor is a Sharpness boosted coverage option that threatens Ghost resistant Dark types like Meowscrada, Greninja, Hydreigon, and Tyranitar, preventing such attackers coming in freely expecting a Shadow Claw, or Dark STAB option. The ability to remove the Ghost immune Indeedee is a nice bonus as well. Psycho Cut is niche coverage for the most part, but it is also Mega Absol Z’s best Sharpness boosted answer into Mega Lopunny, while also dealing 50-61% to 32 HP/32 Def Toxapex and 60-72% to Mega Venusaur, otherwise absurdly strong walls that can give Mega Absol Z difficulty. Swords Dance is hard to use given Mega Absol Z’s frailty, but if it can get a safe turn, the results are devastating, oneshotting even neutral targets as bulky as Garchomp, 32 HP/32 Def Primarina, 2 HP Archaludon, Mega Blastoise, 32 HP Rotom appliances, and more. Justified is recommended as the pre Mega ability, giving Absol an Attack boost when pivoting into Dark moves.
Stat Points and Items:
Near full Attack and Speed are recommended for Mega Absol Z, for as much speed and power as possible. The 3 Defense points are there simply to prevent Mega Lopunny from OHKOing with Scrappy Mach Punch after Stealth Rock damage. As opposed to the other Z Mega Evolutions, Mega Absol Z lacks the same defensive utility they possess, instead relying on what few immunities its typing gives it to excel, meaning less returns for defensive investment. As such going all in on Speed and taking advantage of the fact that most Z Mega Evolutions won’t be fully investing in Speed as it is generally excessive does give Mega Absol Z a niche over its competitors. However, if wanting some points for extra bulk to facilitate surviving specific blows, some speed investment can be sacrificed. 24 Speed with a Speed boosting nature is the minimum necessary investment to outrun base 142s likes Dragapult and Mega Greninja, vital in preventing Mega Absol Z from being crippled by a Will-O-Wisp or simply one shot by Hydro Pump. 17 Speed is the next benchmark, keeping Mega Absol Z ahead of base 135s, namely Mega Lopunny, preventing it from just outrunning and one shooting with Close Combat. Otherwise, going Adamant is viable for the extra bump in Attack for reaching knock outs such as an OHKO on 32 HP/32+ Def Toxapex with +2 Psycho Cut. As much attack as can be spared is also recommended. Mega Absol Z needs knockouts to perform, so as much attack investment to facilitate such knockouts is highly recommended. Item is locked to the Absolite Z.
Partners:
Given Mega Absol Z’s near inability to pivot in safely, allies that act as slow pivots are incredible enablers for it. Primarina is arguably the most prominent, its Water STAB making short work of Hippowdon, Encore to greatly facilitate Swords Dance setup, and Fairy STAB to annihilate troublesome Dark types. Scizor is also a strong slow pivot option, especially given its brutal STAB U-Turns are great for pushing opponents into Mega Absol Z’s knockout range while its Bullet Punches are fantastic at removing Unaware Clefable, an otherwise difficult wall for Mega Absol. Corviknight is another strong pivot option thanks to its fantastic physical bulk allowing it to soak hits for Mega Absol with ease, while having important Steel STAB and Body Press for troublesome foes for Mega Absol.
Hazard setters that double as strong attackers also work well for Mega Absol, being vital for chipping opponents down into Mega Absol’s knockout range. Archaludon is an excellent example, being able to set Stealth Rocks while blowing whole open in opposing walls with Draco Meteor. Garchomp is also a solid option, between Rough Skin, Stealth Rocks, and its own brutal STABs it is more than capable of compromising foes that Mega Absol can clean up.
Other Options:
Close Combat is strongly recommended for Mega Absol, especially given the near perfect coverage Ghost STAB + Fighting boasts.
Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak are both priority options that allow Mega Absol Z to out prioritize other priority users. Sucker Punch is stronger, but can be played around, while Shadow Sneak is more consistent.
Night Slash is Dark STAB that is also boosted by Sharpness, but its coverage is near identical to Shadow Claw, trading out the ability to hit Normal types for being resisted by Fairy and Fighting types.
Doubles and VGC Options
Mega Absol Z’s prowess does not translate well to doubles. While its speed and power are top notch, Mega Absol Z being so frail makes it incredibly volatile where a single misstep can lead to Mega Absol Z being removed without having contributed much if anything. This is exasperated by Mega Absol Z’s lack of spread options outside the non-STAB Rock Slide, greatly limiting Mega Absol Z’s to pressure both opponents. Being a physical attacker hurts as well given the ubiquity of Intimidate between Salamence, Incineroar, Staraptor and Mawile in Reg M-C, which can make it hard for Mega Absol Z to keep its killing power. If one can get past these issues, Mega Absol Z is a monster. Mega Absol Z’s speed is peerless and can use this to great effect, not only when going on the offense, but with speed control and disruptive effects like Icy Wind, Thunder Wave, Taunt and Will-O-Wisp. This speed’s potency is further increased by Mega Absol Z’s Ghost typing, prevent Fake Out from stopping Mega Absol Z from getting its attacks off. Dark Ghost typing is also quite valuable offensively in Doubles where many popular support Pokémon like Indeedee, Farigiraf, Sinistcha, Hatterene, and Gallade are weak to one if not both STABs, let alone popular attackers and Mega Evolutions like Basculegion, Mega Gengar, Mega Froslass, Gholdengo, Mega Metagross.
Reaper’s Call
-Icy Wind
-Shadow Claw
-Night Slash
-Detect
Ability: Justified -> Sharpness
Item: Absolite Z
Stat Points and Nature:
2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Jolly
This Mega Absol Z set popularized by Hakushu_T is meant to be used on hyper aggressive teams that can throw out tons of spread damage. Mega Absol Z can enable such teams with Icy Wind, dropping opponents speed so that they are slower than Mega Absol Z’s partner who can then mop up. Shadow Claw and Night Slash are Mega Absol Z’s own STAB options for dealing with opposing Psychic and Ghost Pokémon. Shadow Claw is generally preferred given it is not resisted by Fighting or Fairy types, but Farigiraf and Indeedee are such prominent Ghost immune Psychic types that it is difficult to drop Night Slash as a result. Detect takes the place of Protect as the Doubles staple, providing all the same utility including scouting for attacks, stalling for allied setup, stalling out detrimental field conditions and more. Detect is preferred to check Imprison Protect strategies, allowing Mega Absol Z to still protect itself even under the lock.
Max Speed and Attack investment are recommended. Like in Singles it is not uncommon for Mega Garchomp Z or Mega Lucario Z to forfeit Speed investment for more bulk, allowing Mega Absol Z to be more assured in outspeeding and disrupting them. Max Attack is just as important, ensuring Mega Absol Z gets the vital knockouts against the bulkier Ghost and Psychic types like Mega Metagross (50% chance to OHKO), 32 HP/22 Def Farigiraf (25% chance to OHKO), and 32 HP/32+ Def Indeedee-F (guaranteed OHKO).If not running speed support, sacrificing speed investment for HP and defenses is worth considering. However, if wanting to guarantee to outrun Scarf Basculegion, 25 Speed points with Jolly is the minimum investment needed for that benchmark.
Preferred Partners & Other Options:
This Mega Absol Z set pairs well with strong spread attackers that can threaten multiple opponents at once and just need some speed control to handle faster threats. Kommo-o is ideal for this set, its Calnging Scales devastating the prominent Garchomp and Mega Salamence, but also having Fighting coverage for opposing Dark types like Incineroar and Kingambit in Aura Sphere. Gholdengo can also work for this with its Make It Rain threatening Fairy types, and loving Mega Absol Z thrashing opposing Ghosts. Hisuian-Typhlosion also enjoys the anti Ghost coverage while pushing spread damage to the limit with Eruption.
PsySpam cores of Indeedee-F and Armarouge also work well with this Mega Absol Z set, loving Mega Absol’s ability to check opposing Ghost and Psychic types and supplying Speed control that allows Armarouge to act first even before Weak Armor. In return, Mega Absol Z flourishes under Psychic Terrain, losing a big weakness to priority attacks.
Given Mega Absol Z’s big weakness to Incineroar, having allies that can answer it are vital. Sneasler is a strong partner in that regard thanks to its own Close Combat, while fitting nicely on the PsySpam cores Mega Absol Z can support. Milotic is a more defensive answer, but between Water typing for Incineroar and Competitive to punish every Intimidate user, it is a strong consideration.
Close Combat is Mega Absol Z’s best answer into opposing Dark types like Kingambit and Incineroar.
X-Scissor can be considered as an alternative to Night Slash, since it also covers Indeedee-F and Farigiraf, without running into Colbur Berry and threatening Rillaboom, but it does miss the OHKO on 32 HP Rillaboom and 32 HP/32+ Def Indeedee-F.
Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak are priority options that are great for cleaning up weakened foes hanging on by a thread, but have negative synergy with Psychic Terrain.
Countering Mega Absol Z
While Mega Absol Z’s insane speed and devastating power are truly terrifying, its abject frailty mean that if it can’t fell its foes, it is often falling itself.
Physical walls are anathema for Mega Absol Z, being able to survive its blows and KO or cripple it back. 32 HP/32+ Def Clefable is easily the best thanks to Unaware ignoring any Swords Dance boosts, and only threatened by Iron Tail, though Shadow Claw does have a 20% chance to 2HKO before items. Mega Salamence is also an issue, able to pivot in as base Salamence and drop Mega Absol Z’s Attack with Intimidate, and regardless of whether Mega Absol Z boosts with Swords Dance or attacks, Mega Salamence will survive the follow up blow and OHKO Mega Absol Z. 32 HP/32+ Def Hippowdon can pivot into a non setup Mega Absol Z, and either pHaze it out with Whirlwind or weaken/knock out Mega Absol Z with Earthquake (dealing 65-78% compared to Mega Absol Z’s unboosted Shadow Claw dealing 30-36%). 32 HP/32+ Def Corviknight and 32 HP/32+ Def Skarmory can pivot in before/as Mega Absol Z is boosting and surviving a boosted blow, but that still deals 80% to them and both can only 2HKO with Brave Bird.
Dark types are also problematic for Mega Absol Z due to resisting both STAB options, though Close Combat is always a concern. 2 Ally Supreme Overlord Blackglasses Kingambit can OHKO Mega Absol Z with Sucker Punch while easily pivoting into any move that isn’t Close Combat. Conversely, with Chople Berry, Kingambit can survive a Close Combat and OHKO back with Kowtow Cleave.
Otherwise, best way to handle a setup Mega Absol Z is to match offense with offense, especially Focus Sash, Multiscale or Sturdy users that are assured to survive a blow and OHKO back. Mimikyu is easily the best at this thanks to its Disguise and STAB Play Rough, though Multiscale Mega Dragonite and Sturdy Archaludon with Draco Meteor are solid as well. As for priority users, Mega Lopunny is notable for its Scrappy Mach Punch dealing 76-90% vs 2 HP Mega Absol Z, allowing it to pick off Mega Absol with relatively minor chip damage. Fast Scarf users like Triple Axel Meowscarada, Cinderace and Garchomp can also stop Mega Absol Z before it starts, especially given how Sucker Punch is less of a guarantee on Mega Absol Z.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Route 120
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
Colosseum/XD:
Snagged from Rider Delan in Realgam Tower Colosseum (Colosseum)
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Route 213 (Diamond/Pearl)
Mt. Coronet (Platinum)
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Slowpoke Well, Union Cave, Mt. Mortar, Dark Cave, Whirl Islands, Mt. Silver, Ice Path, The Cliff Cave, Diglett's Cave, Mt. Moon, Cerulean Cave, Rock Tunnel, Seafoam Islands, Victory Road, Tohjo Falls
Black/White:
Route 13, Giant Chasm
Black 2/White 2:
Route 13, 14
X/Y:
Route 8, Friend Safari
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Route 120
Sun/Moon:
Mount Lanakila, Tapu Village
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Mount Lanakila, Tapu Village
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Frostpoint Field, Giant's Bed, Old Cemetery, Snowslide Slope, Path to the Peak, Giant's Foot, Frigid Sea, Three-Point Pass,
Dynamax Adventures
Max Raid Battles: Frostpoint Field, Giant's Bed, Snowslide Slope, Giant's Foot, Frigid Sea
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Route 213, Grand Underground
Legends: Arceus:
Not in game
Scarlet/Violet:
Not in game
Legends: Z-A:
Wild Zone 20, Bleu District, Jaune District, Magenta District, Rouge District, Vert District
Hyperspace Lumiose - Dark (4 Star)
Anime Appearences
