Offensive Combinations: Mega-Tyranitar + Amoongus [Kalos-Double]

Hey all! We're back again with another article on offensive combinations, this time focusing on a strategy that the Japanese have been loving. If you want to read Markus's analysis on Charizard Venusaur and Garchomp Salamence, click here. 

In double battling, often times Pokemon are used together that have the capacity to complement each others weaknesses and remove threats that their partners fear. However, there is more to a powerful offensive combination than just offensive support. In this duo however, the Pokemon support each other by taking advantage of Status and Boosting Moves.

 A Mushroom and a Tyrant! - Mega Tyranitar + Amoongus

Mega Tyranitar and Amoongus is a combination that has not been receiving as much attention as some of the more straightforward duo's thusfar, yet I believe this makes the combo even more dangerous. Rather than putting fast Offensive Pressure on the opponent, the pair focuses on immobilizing the opponent with Spore while simultaneously making Tyranitar much more dangerous with Dragon Dance.

Amoongus and  Tyranitar compliment each other very well. Amoongus is weak to Flying and Psychic, both of which Tyranitar resists, while its Ice Weakness is covered offensively with Tyranitar's Rock Stab. Tyranitar on the other hand is weak to Fighting, Grass, and Water, all of which Amoongus resists, as well as Bug and Ground. The defensive synergy really comes into play however when you coordinate your attacks with this combo in addition to your typing.

Mega Tyranitar has base 164 Attack Stat. That is so ridiculously powerful it makes regular Tyranitar knocking down buildings seem like a toddler smashing Legos. Now lets take that humongous Attack, and raise it a stage. Oh and lets make Tyranitar outspeed most of its threats as well. Oh and while we're at it, why don't we redirect any Fighting and Water moves into everybody's favorite sponge of a Mushroom. And anything that really threatens Tyranitar can still be put to sleep. Another great advantage of Mega-Evolving Tyranitar is the fact that its defenses go up significantly, meaning with the proper investment it can remain on the field even without Amoongus.

Beginning to see why its dangerous?

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 132 Def / 180 Spd / 180 HP / 4 SDef / 12 Atk
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
- Crunch
- Rock Slide

This is my personal Mega Tyranitar EV Spread, and I think it warrants some explanation. While it might seem strange to not fully capitalize on Tyranitar's enormous Attack or boosted Speed, I find this spread to be more effective. The EV's allotted into HP and Defense make Jolly Garchomp Earthquake Never 2hko after Mega Evolving. Additionally, with 252 EVs invested in Attack and an Adamant Nature, Mega Mawile Iron Head only OHKO's Tyranitar 3/16 Times. Ray's Mawile EV Spread does a maximum of 89 Percent with Play Rough. The move choices are the Standard ones, with both of Tyranitars STAB options, Dragon Dance and Protect. Ice beam or Flamethrower could aid Tyranitars coverage, but it is difficult to give up a moveslot.

Amoonguss @ Coba Berry / Black Sludge / Lum Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 236 HP / 36 Def / 236 SDef
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Rage Powder
- Protect

This Amoongus spread is more Specially bulky than most, but it has its uses. The given EV's allow it to survive Timid Mega Charizard Y Heat Wave in Sun 15/16 times, without Occa Berry. Amoongus still lives Mega Kangaskan Return, which even with defensive investment is going to be a 2HKO regardless. Amoongus is EV'd heavily in Special Defense, whereas Tyranitar focuses more on Physical to ensure that a powerful pair of one side of the spectrum cannot blow through the core. Amoongus's moves are about as standard as you can get, but for good reason. Spore is used to immobilize opponents, while Rage Powder supports Tyranitar while he sets up and sweeps. Giga Drain could be replaced with Sludge Bomb, but I prefer to have a way to hit Rotom-Wash for more damage, and poisoning a Pokemon you wanted to Spore on a Switch in is generally not a good thing. Coba Berry can ensure that Adamant Choice Band Talonflame never OHKO's, whereas Lum can be used to Stop Swagger and Dark Void. Additionally, this core is used with certain types of partner Pokemon in mind, specifically with Intimidate or Will-O-Wisp to cover for Amoongus's lacking physical Defense.

Pokemon that complement the core:

Salamence is an extremely popular Pokemon in VGC 14, and for good reason. He provides fast Intimidate support when holding a Choice Scarf, and his Dragon Stab can be used to counter opposing Dragons such as Garchomp who give Tyranitar trouble. Salamence has good synergy with Tyranitar, resisting Fighting, Bug, Water, and Grass while being immune to Ground, as well as typically carrying a Fire type attack to deal with pesky Scizor.

Rotom-Wash is another popular Pokemon, and can perform a similar role to Salamence for the core. With Will-O-Wisp, Rotom-Wash can cripple opposing Mawile and the Various fighting and ground types who like to beat up on Tyranitar. Will-O-Wisp also allows Rotom to help compensate for Amoongus's low physical Defense as well as adding passive damage, which in addition to Sandstorm can add up quickly. If Rotom-Wash chooses to run Light Screen, it can make sure that Modest Max Special Attack Charizard-Y Overheat in Sun NEVER OHKO's Amoongus. Finally, Rotom's dual STABs of Electric and Water provide coverage dealing with Fire and Flying Types that threaten Amongus, and Water types that Tyranitar fears.

One of the weaknesses to Mega Tyranitar-Amoongus is the fact that Grass Types are able to ignore Amoongus's Rage Powder and Spore or hit Tyranitar for Super Effective Damage. For this reason, Talonflame is a useful addition even if only to make Grass Types more hesitant to show themselves in the battle. 

Another problem that Tyranitar Amoongus faces is the use of repeated Intimidate users such as Manectric, Salamence, or Scrafty who are able to switch in and nullify the boosts received by Tyranitars Dragon Dance. Bisharp makes an excellent addition for this reason, as Bisharp Amoongus is a powerful offensive combination on its own, as well as the fact that Bisharp discourages opponents from bringing Intimidate users to a game at all, and as most Tyranitar currently use the Special Attack stat, an opponent in Team Preview will be unable to identify how large a threat boosted Mega Tyranitar is and might refrain from bringing heavy physical support, especially due to Bisharp.

Fake Out support can be essential when paired with Amoongus's ability Regenerator and a boosted Tyranitar. Mienshao provides Fake Out Support coupled with Wide Guard, and has more speed and power traditionally than the other too. He can also make use of Reckless High Jump Kick, Feint, and a fast Rock Slide. Mr. Mime also gets Wide Guard, but uses a Psychic STAB instead of a fighting one which can be extremely useful when trying to figure out how to deal with Amoongus, which gives the core big trouble. Mr. Mime also gets Icy Wind to help deal with Salamence/Garchomp/Mega Manectric, all of which give Tyranitar Trouble, as well as a Fairy STAB that can help deal with Fighting Types. Scrafty provides Intimidate Support which is essential, and can be used if a Team has a Trick Room option or feels weak to Trick Room, or simply wants more intimidate Support. All of these Pokemon get Quick Guard.

Garchomp is one of Tyranitars oldest partners, and his high Attack base and great offensive typing can be used to complement the core offensively. Choice Scarf, Choice Band, and Focus Sash are all somewhat unconventional Item choices that I would experiment with, and Sand Veil might even be worth a shot if you feel your team can handle Physical Contact Pokemon such as Kanga. Lum Berry and Rocky Helmet are of course options as well, as is Life Orb.

Countering the Core:

Talonflame struggles with Tyranitar, but if paired with the right partner he can effectively ensure that Amoongus struggles to perform its essential role

Intimidate users, as already mentioned, can be very problematic if not checked correctly, Manectric and Scrafty in particular are difficult for Tyranitar to deal with due to Volt Switch Manectric and Scrafty's typing.

Scarf or Specs Dazzling Gleam can be a big pain for Tyranitar, especially as Amoongus often doesn't want to stay in to take a Psychic or a Psyshock. 

Amoongus can bypass Rage Powder and Spore Tyranitar, as well as Rage Powder away Crunches and heal itself with Regenerator and Giga Drain.

Safety Goggles might not seem super threatening at first glance, but in reality it can give the core an enormous amount of trouble. Safety Goggles allow a Pokemon to ignore Spore, Rage Powder, and Sand Damage. Take Rotom-Wash for example. What would normally be a favorable situation where Amoongus Rage Powders and Tyranitar Dragon Dances can become an awful turn if Rotom-Wash, holding Safety Goggles, launches a Will-O-Wisp that connects with Tyranitar, crippling it for the game.

Mega Tyranitar Amoongus is not a combination without flaws, but it is an extremely interesting option that has lots of potential and is, as of yet, still relatively unexplored. A team that capitalizes on its enormous potential can go very far in my opinion. Thanks for reading if you stuck with me until the end, feel free to leave any thoughts in the comments below!

-Wolfe