Guess I'll start with everyone's favourite addition to the series, Mega Evolution. Mega Evolution was introduced in XY and continues in ORAS and more than likely will continue in future generations. The idea was to give certain Pokemon a new lease on life with upgraded stats and often times a new ability. There are currently a butt tonne of mega's and I'll likely write something about the majority of them with movesets/potential spreads and potential partners. Lets get this hype train rolling shall we?
Mega Evolutions:
Mega Venusaur: Thick Fat Hp-80 Att-100 Def-123 Spa-122 Spdf-120 Speed-80
Venusaur was a Pokemon gifted the power of Mega evolution back in XY as we all know. It received an incredible ability in Thick Fat which reduces damage from Fire and Ice type attacks, both of which Venusaur is weak to, effectively making its only 'real' weaknesses Psychic and Flying.
It's HP and defensive stats combine to make a real tank of a Pokemon, able to survive some of the strongest attacks thrown its way. Some of which include: Talonflames CB Brave Bird and Adamant Mega Kangaskhans Double edge. (Note to survive Talons BB you will need heavy Hp and defence investment) Its bulk being so evenly distributed will mean most teams will have to pound on Venusaur with multiple attacks buying partner Pokemon a free turn if Protect it used correctly. It also has the ability to wall out the rain pairing of Politoed and Ludicolo quite easily, although most rain teams will come with a few checks to this Pokemon, it still exempts heavy pressure if brought in at the correct time.
Venusaurs attacking stats are nothing to joke around with either, boasting a decent 100-Att and a respectable 122-Spa stat. Whilst a physically oriented Venusaur is much much rarer than a special variant it isn't out of the question with a physical move pool including Power whip and Earthquake to hit Heatran. Physical Venusaur has to deal with intimidate and a low accuracy STAB move though, which often makes this route pretty unappealing. Special Venusaur on the other hand, commonly runs Giga Drain Sludge Bomb Leech seed and Protect. These moves can be switched for other options such as Leaf storm to Ko Rotom-W and even a hidden power like Fire or Ice if used alongide Mega Charizard-Y as part of a double mega core.
How does it fair in the VGC15 meta game though? Personally I'd say it was still a very viable choice for a mega. Common pokemon such as Suicune/Psyshockless Sylveon and even Landorus-Therian will struggle to break through this pokemon after an intimidate drop. People are often quick to dismiss Venusaur because of the existence of everyone's favourite bird, Talonflame. However this is just one Pokemon, and a relatively easy Pokemon to shut down at that, so don't let that hurt your opinion of Venusaur as a Pokemon. Other threats include the ever present Kangaskhan who can simply power through this Pokemon and Charizard-Y who can do the same with relative ease. Other threatening Pokemon include Gallade-M, Metagross, Lati@s Aegislash, Gengar, Staraptor and quite a few more. Venusaur can often be a tricky Pokemon to build a team around or use successfully. But I believe this plant monster thing has hope yet and will feature on a few successful teams in this format.
Rating 7/10
