Magearna, The Artificial Pokémon. This artificial Pokémon, constructed more than 500 years ago, can understand human speech but cannot itself speak. Its mechanized body is merely a vessel. Its true self is its Soul-Heart, an artificial soul. It synchronizes its consciousness with others to understand their feelings. This faculty makes it useful for taking care of people.
Overview
Magearna is one of the best sweepers in USUM. A fantastic Steel/Fairy typing combined with its good bulk, an excellent Special Attack stat and an incredibly useful ability in Soul-Heart all make Magearna a fearsome opponent capable of sweeping the opponent's team with the right support. Magearna also has incredible versatility as it can be used either as a bulky Assault Vest pivot strong enough to check many special attackers or as a Trick Room sweeper. With all of these attributes, Magearna doesn't have many flaws to pick from, other than its weakness to Fire and Ground attacks and its low Speed. Overall, Magearna is a very easy Pokemon to fit on almost any Singles team.
Positives
A fantastic Steel / Fairy typing gives Magearna plenty of resistances to common types like Grass, Psychic, Dark, Normal, Rock, Ice, Bug and Flying while being immune to Poison and Dragon.
Solid 80/115/115 defenses makes Magearna bulky enough to survive many attacks, even when uninvested.
Access to a superb offensive & support movepool with options like Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, Hidden Power Fire, Trick Room, Heart Swap, Confide, Volt Switch, Calm Mind and its exclusive move Fleur Cannon, makes Magearna incredibly threatening and versatile.
Magearna's exclusive ability, Soul Heart, makes Magearna even more dangerous as it will gain a Special Attack boost for every KO it makes.
Negatives
Magearna is rather slow as without Shift Gear, its base 65 Speed means it will easily be outpaced by many common threats like Landorus-Therian, Garchomp, Heatran, Volcarona and Zygarde.
With all of the benefits of its typing, Fire and Ground are two really bad weaknesses to have given how commonly those types are used for coverage.
Abilities
Soul-Heart - Boosts its Sp. Atk stat every time a Pokémon faints. - This is like a really buffed Beast Boost but focused on a specific stat and not requiring Magearna to get the K.O. This makes it especially dangerous in Doubles as if Sandstorm, Poison or another Pokémon on the field defeats any other Pokémon on the field, Magearna gets a boost in Special Attack making it hit even harder than it already does
Movesets
Madoka Magica
- Shift Gear
- Fleur Cannon / Flash Cannon / Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
Item Attached: Fairium Z / Steelium Z / Electrium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs and Nature:
252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Shift Gear is the main selling point of this set as it doubles Magearna's Speed to extraordinary levels, despite the useless Attack boost, to increase Magearna's sweeping power in order to outspeed threats like Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Fleur Cannon is Magearna's most powerful STAB doing ridiculous damage to anything not resistant to it. When boosted by its Z-Crystal, Magearna is able to fire a ridiculously strong Twinkle Tackle that blows past bulky Pokemon like Zapdos and Clefable, letting it snowball easily after a KO thanks to Soul-Heart. However, once its Z-Crystal is used, despite being strong, Fleur Cannon's negative effect of reducing its Special Attack two stages makes it difficult to use on the long run. This is an issue solved with Flash Cannon as when it is powered by its Z-Crystal, Corkscrew Crash hits Pokemon like Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, Mega Mawile, opposing Magearna and Clefable extremely hard while still being consistent after its use. Ice Beam is Magearna's third option as its main attack. Combined with Thunderbolt and Focus Blast, Ice Beam hits a huge amount of Pokemon for super-effective damage, being able to dispatch Landorus-Therian, Garchomp and Zygarde. However, Ice Beam leaves it without a STAB attack making Magearna rather weak without a boost, specially against neutral targets like Mega Alakazam. Thunderbolt is the main coverage move that Magearna should use to blow up Toxapex and Celesteela. If an Electrium-Z is used, Magearna will become able to OHKO Toxapex after some previous damage. Finally, Focus Blast lets Magearna get past Ferrothorn and Heatran. On the other hand, Hidden Power Fire lets Magearna toast Mega Scizor preventing it from being revenge killed by Bullet Punch easily, with the advantage of being more consistent vs Ferrothorn.
The given EV spread allows Magearna to be as fast as possible while maximizing its sweeping potential. A Timid nature is necessary as it allows Magearna to outspeed Choice Scarf Garchomp after a Shift Gear boost. Soul-Heart is Magearna's only option as an ability, but you wouldn't want it any other way.
Pandora's Heart
- Fleur Cannon / Ice Beam
- Iron Head / Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Fire / Energy Ball
Item Attached: Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs and Nature:
248 HP / 224 SpD / 36 Spe
Sassy / Calm Nature
With an Assault Vest, Magearna becomes a very strong check for strong special attackers like Tapu Koko, Ash Greninja and Gengar combined with its great defenses and resistances. Fleur Cannon is Magearna's strongest move allowing it to tear many switch-ins that do not resist the move. However, if you want to give a nasty surprise to Landorus-Therian or Zygarde on the switch, Ice Beam is an excellent option. As a bonus, it also hits Tangrowth and Amoonguss for good damage. Iron Head is the next move on the set. While it may be weird to use Iron Head on Magearna, it allows it to beat Calm Mind Clefable 1-vs-1 while targeting Tapu Lele's lower Defense. If Calm Mind Clefable is not a concern, Magearna can use Flash Cannon as a viable alternative. Volt Switch is a great pivoting move allowing Magearna to escape from any unfavorable match-ups while regaining momentum for its team. Finally, Hidden Power Fire is the preferred move on the last slot to prevent Pokemon like Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn from walling Magearna. Another option is Energy Ball which allows Magearna to beat Gastrodon, a Pokemon that can easily wall this set.
The given Speed investment allows Magearna to outspeed base 60 uninvested Pokemon like Clefable and Tyranitar. The rest is dumped on HP and Special Defense to make Magearna as bulky as possible from the Special side allowing it to consistently check Pokemon like Tapu Lele, Gengar, Mega Alakazam, Tapu Koko and Ash Greninja.
A Sassy nature is preferred to give Iron Head a decent damage output without weakening its defenses. However, if Iron Head is not desired, a Calm nature should be used as there is no reason to drop its speed. On this case, shift the Speed EVs to Defense as it will allow Magearna to survive Jolly Landorus-Therian's Earthquake at full health.
The Magical Room
- Trick Room
- Fleur Cannon
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
Item Attached: Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
Thanks to its bulk and resistances, Magearna becomes a consistent user of Trick Room. Under Trick Room, Magearna outpaces many Pokemon like Mega Charizard, Tyranitar and many others. Fleur Cannon is Magearna's strongest attack and it becomes a ridiculously powerful nuke when it activates its Z-Crystal. Considering that Magearna only has 5 turns to sweep under Trick Room, it becomes a necessary move in order to activate its snowball effect with Soul Heart and sweep teams as fast as possible. Focus Blast allows Magearna to blast Heatran, Ferrothorn and Magnezone for huge damage. Thunderbolt is used as the main coverage move as it allows Magearna to beat Toxapex and Mantine. If using an Electrium-Z, Gigavolt Havoc allows Magearna to heavily damage Pokemon resistant to Twinkle Tackle like Mega Scizor, while OHKOing Toxapex on the process after Stealth Rock damage.
Maximum Special Attack is required in order to maximize Magearna's sweeping power while max HP investment is used to make Magearna as bulky as possible, letting it set up Trick Room more times throughout the match. A Quiet nature along with 0 IVs in Speed is used so Magearna can outspeed as many Pokemon as possible under Trick Room.
The Enchanted Lens
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Focus Blast
- Volt Switch / Thunderbolt / Energy Ball
Item Attached: Choice Specs
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs and Nature:
160 HP / 248 SpA / 100 Spe
Modest Nature
A Choice Specs allows Magearna to increase its damage output by ridiculous levels making it very difficult to switch into. Fleur Cannon is a ridiculously strong STAB that will heavily damage anything on its way that is not resistant to the move and has the defenses to back it up. Even a resist like 248 HP / 16 SpD Mega Scizor, takes almost a 50% minimum from the move, meaning that it will be heavily pressured to Roost and resign momentum as otherwise, it won't be able to check Magearna again. As a bonus, if Magearna picks a KO after using Fleur Cannon, its Special Attack will be at a neutral state as Choice Specs basically nullifies the drop. Flash Cannon complements this set as well as Magearna can obliterate Clefable into oblivion thanks to the immediate power of the Choice Specs. Focus Blast allows Magearna to OHKO max HP Heatran and offensive Excadrill while being able to OHKO Ferrothorn with some minimum damage. It is also able to 2HKO Mega Scizor on the switch. Finally, Volt Switch allows Magearna to regain some momentum allowing it to switch from unfavorable match ups despite being blocked by Ground types. However, if Volt Switch's utility is not necessary, Magearna can use Thunderbolt to punish Celesteela and Toxapex while still being able to 2HKO Mega Scizor without betting on Focus Blast's accuracy. Thunderbolt is also Magearna's best option against Aegislash as it walls this set otherwise. If Gastrodon is a problem, Magearna can use Energy Ball to get rid of it while nailing Mega Swampert.
100 Speed EVs allows Magearna to outspeed max Speed Alolan Marowak while creeping most Mega Mawile sets and Mega Venusaur. Near maximum Special Attack maximizes Magearna's sweeping potential. The rest is invested in HP to make Magearna decently bulky allowing it to switch more often into attacks. 140 Speed EVs can be used to outpace max Speed Mega Mawile and most Tyranitar which sit on that benchmark, however, reducing the HP EVs makes Magearna weaker as it will be 2HKOed by Specs Tapu Lele's Psychic or OHKOed by Specs Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt after a layer of Spikes & Stealth Rock damage.
A Modest nature is the best nature for Magearna as it allows it to punch holes on the opponent's team with the appropriate move maximizing its damage output. Soul-Heart is Magearna's only ability, that speaks for itself.
To further illustrate this set’s power, you can check some damage calculations below:
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 248 HP / 16 SpD Scizor-Mega: 171-201 (49.8 - 58.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 16 SpD Scizor-Mega: 211-249 (61.5 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 164+ SpD Ferrothorn: 300-354 (85.2 - 100.5%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 225-265 (89.6 - 105.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Flash Cannon vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 254-300 (90.3 - 106.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 180-214 (59.4 - 70.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 156 SpD Celesteela: 183-216 (46 - 54.4%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 156 SpD Celesteela: 274-324 (69 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 420-495 (109.9 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Blacephalon: 210-248 (85 - 100.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 408-482 (105.6 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
248+ SpA Choice Specs Magearna Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Metagross-Mega: 198-233 (65.7 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Other Options and Partners
Magearna can use a set with Heart Swap and Pain Split in order to stop bulky Calm Mind sweepers like Clefable. However, Magearna appreciates the extra bulk provided by an Assault Vest much more.
A Choice Scarf can surprise most of its checks as Landorus-T and Zygarde won't be expecting a fast Ice Beam. However, the inability to switch moves while being weak from start makes it difficult to use.
Calm Mind is an excellent option on the Shift Gear sets as it allows Magearna to set up more consistently against foes like Zapdos. However, this leaves Magearna with less coverage options.
Magearna can use a weakening berry like a Shuca or an Occa Berry on its Shift Gear sets to surprise Landorus-T, Zygarde or Blacephalon. However, Magearna generally prefers the immediate power it gains from a Z-move allowing it to blow past many of its checks while triggering Soul-Heart more reliably from start.
Magearna can use Aura Sphere on its offensive sets such as Shift Gear and Choice Specs, however, the move is very weak as Focus Blast's damage output is generally superior. On Shift Gear sets, Aura Sphere fails to 2HKO Ferrothorn while making All-Out Pummeling considerably weak. On the Choice Specs set, it only 2HKOs whereas Focus Blast can easily achieve the OHKO with a bit prior damage.
VGC, Double, & Triple Battle Options
If you thought Magearna was incredible in Singles or that Xerneas was the best Fairy-type in Doubles, you should be very afraid of Magearna. Soul-Heart in Doubles makes Magearna such an absurd Pokemon that Xerneas looks like a pushover in comparison. Everything good about Magearna in Singles still applies here, but now add to that the fact that Magearna has two foes it can gain boosts from, and most importantly, its own teammate. Unlike Moxie or Beast Boost, Soul-Heart grants a boost any time a Pokemon gets KOed regardless of what causes it, which means that KOing Magearna's teammate comes at a harsh price. This results in an effortless snowball that can't be stopped unless you kill Magearna fast, and with access to Trick Room this can quickly become a huge issue. Simply put, Magearna is arguably the most broken Doubles Pokemon in the entire game. If you're not a fan of GS Cup then be glad Magearna is not allowed.
HP Cannon
- Dazzling Gleam
- Flash Cannon
- Trick Room
- Protect
Item Attached: Shuca Berry / Wiki Berry
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet / Modest Nature
It cannot be emphasized enough how crazy Magearna can get in Doubles, Soul-Heart alone makes it a prime target that the opponent needs to address quickly and running Primal Groudon alone usually won't be enough. Dazzling Gleam might seem fairly weak as a primary Fairy-type STAB due to spread reduction, but it's very easy for Magearna to gain boosts passively and turn that into an insane sweeping tool. Flash Cannon is used as a strong single target STAB move which is particularly useful for dealing with Xerneas and opposing Magearna, and prevents Wide Guard from becoming an issue. Trick Room is a very deadly setup option for Magerana as it can do so while also possibly gaining passive boosts throughout the course of a turn, which can immediately turn it into a game-ending threat. Even if Magearna doesn't sweep by itself, this can easily set up a situation for a teammate such as Primal Kyogre or Primal Groudon to clean up. Protect is naturally a valuable tool on Magearna as it will often be a prime target even before it gains any boosts. The fact that it can gain boosts while protecting itself like this only makes it even more valuable.
Maximum HP and Special Attack investment serve to make Magearna as powerful and bulky as possible so that it can punch holes into teams efficiently. A Quiet nature with 0 IV in Speed is ideal if Trick Room is central to the team, though a Modest nature can be used just as effectively and is preferred if a coverage move is preferred over Trick Room. The item slot is incredibly versatile but Shuca Berry is an excellent option to shut down teams relying heavily on Groudon to beat Magearna, while a pinch berry such as Wiki Berry can also prove effective to give Magearna scary longevity. There are many other item options such as Occa Berry or a Z-Move but the listed ones will generally be the safest options. Again, it can't be overstated how crazy Magearna is in Doubles, never take it lightly.
Other Options & Team Ideas
- As previously noted, Fairium Z or Steelium Z can be used to give Magearna a nuke option to begin its snowballing, but it tends to be overkill and the Z-Move is often better suited to a teammate that benefits more from it.
- Shift Gear can be used over Trick Room if the fast approach is desired with Magearna, though Trick Room tends to be the favored setup move for the general team support it provides.
- Hidden Power Water is a solid coverage move if Trick Room support isn't necessary, as this lets Magearna snipe Groudon any time Kyogre or Rayquaza come into play. However, it serves no other purpose and may not be necessary for the team.
- Moonblast is another option over Trick Room if the single target Fairy-type STAB is desired, though this is usually unnecessary unless Wide Guard is a serious issue for the team.
- Xerneas can buff up Magearna further with Fairy Aura to give it an extra push before it gets boosts. It doesn't need to be a teammate for Magearna to do this since Xerneas is a common sight on opposing teams anyway, but running both can potentially overwhelm teams that are light on the Fairy-type checks.
- Rayquaza and Kyogre make for a classic duo that pair excellently with Magearna, protecting it from Groudon which is one of its few reliable checks. As an added bonus heavy rain prevents foes from relying on Fire-type coverage to deal with Magearna, though V-Create Rayquaza will usually still roast it thanks to its incredible weather control.
Countering Magearna
Magearna's most consistent counter… is Magearna itself! Assault Vest Magearna tends to wall offensive sets as otherwise, without a Special Attack boost, it will become unable to get past it. Jirachi is also one of the best answers to Magearna as well thanks to its great bulk. What's more, is that Jirachi can easily threaten Magearna with a Body Slam paralysis on offensive sets or flinch defensive ones to death with Iron Head. Aegislash falls on the same boat as it is able to even take Gigavolt Havoc and seriously hurt it with Iron Head or Flash Cannon. Gastrodon is able to counter Magearna very well as long as Magearna doesn't packs a Grass-type coverage move to hurt it.
Pokemon like Zapdos, Heatran, Toxapex, Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur and Celesteela are able to check Magearna relatively well. However, all of them must be wary of the coverage moves and potential Z-moves Magearna might carry as otherwise, it will be able to defeat them. Landorus-Therian and Zygarde are capable of revenge killing Magearna, however, they must be careful on switching into it as otherwise a powerful Fleur Cannon or Ice Beam will destroy them.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Not in game
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Not in game
Sun/Moon:
Hau'oli City (QR Code Required)
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Hau'oli City (QR Code Required)
Animé Appearences
