What EVs would allow a Mild natured Mega-Altaria to withstand common physical hitters like heatran?

Question

I am trying to make a terrifying mixed sweeper Mega Altaria. It's has perfect IV's, hyper voice, and a mild nature. For now its move set is hyper voice, earthquake, dragon dance, and fire blast. However, I'm considering setting up with a baton passed she'll smash (after a white herb boost of course) so dragon dance may be replaceable. My biggest concern is just ensuring it can survive long enough to actually begin sweeping.

Thank you in advance and I'm sorry if this question is too similar to another, I searched but didn't really find any good answers for me.

Comments

When was Heatran a physical attacker or has the metagame changed so much in the time I was playing ACNL.

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Wow I just noticed I put that...I typed this kind of fast yesterday but I specifically meant earthquake from heatran plus physical sweepers. Sorry for my mix up.

Answer 1

Very interesting set. Mixed Sweeper Altaria is really overlooked.

Anyways, I'll be making a few suggestions:

EV Spread

The EV spread should look something like this: 248 HP / 168 Sp. Atk / 92 Speed. (stolen from Smogon without any regrets :P).

>The given EV spread prioritizes bulk, which is crucial for Mega Altaria to handle threats such as Mega Lopunny and Mega Charizard X, and special attacking power. The Speed EVs allow Altaria to outrun Jolly Azumarill; it is generally advised to invest a bit more in order to outspeed defensive Rotom-W and Landorus-T, which commonly run enough Speed to hit this benchmark. Depending on the team, more Speed can be run; some benchmarks include 240 for Adamant Bisharp (176 EVs) and even max Speed if outrunning Adamant Diggersby and slower base 100s is desired. Another option is 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe with a Timid nature, sacrificing bulk to outspeed certain key threats, including Jolly Mega Heracross, Jolly Bisharp, Adamant Excadrill, Adamant Lucario, and Timid Heatran, as well as tie with opposing base 80 Speed Pokemon such as opposing Altaria, Mamoswine, and non-Mega Gallade.
~Smogon

A really good explanation about the EVs above. Moving on to the moves...

Moveset

Now, your moveset is pretty good, but I'll make only make one small adjustment.

If you're thinking about replacing D-Dance, then I would suggest Heal Bell (for team support) or Roost (for a reliable recovery). I'm not sure if you're willing to put in effort to get these moves on Altaria, but it'll be worth it.

That's it. I hoped I helped!

Source: Smogon - Altaria, Experience

Comments

My concern with adding roost or heal bell for support is that this set is meant to be a mixed sweeper, so naturally its defense is going to be sub-par at best. I feel like roost would only delay a KO by one turn in which they would deal back the same, if not more, damage back to me. Also, do you feel as though no Defense IV's are needed to survive from physical attackers? Especially priority moves (I don't believe it's possible for any set with a mild nature to survive a Scizor bullet punch, but if so that would be amazing)

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Well, obviously, Heal Bell isn't the best option for a Mixed Sweeper (but I felt it was important to include), but Roost is a very good option. Roost doesn't necessarily delay a KO; you would only use it when you know that the Pokemon is either going to switch out or only does 30 - 40% max damage to you. Plus it is a really helpful move compared to D-Dance.

Also, here is a calc:

168+ SpA Altaria Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Scizor: 320-380 (113.8 - 135.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 4 HP / 0- Def Altaria: 145-172 (49.6 - 58.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

However, if M-Scizor gets a Swords Dance boost, no EV spread of Altaria is able to withstand an OHKO (unless if you invest everything in both Def / HP, but that is a dumb EV spread).

So, basically, if you can get your Fire Blast to hit Scizor / M-Scizor and prevent it from setting-up, it'll OHKO (while Scizor / M-Scizor is only doing 50 - 55%.

I'm not sure what other Pokemon you want to withstand an OHKO from / which Pokemon to OHKO or 2HKO, but if you can give me a list, I'll probably be able to make a custom EV spread for it.

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Are those calculations for Mega Altaria or just Altaria? If they are for normal Altaria, then would the 2x super effect increase take the 49.6-58.9% into KO territory? Also, I really appreciate the calculations so thank you!