The Hoenn Mega Starters: A Crystal Ball On The Upcoming Mega Starter Pack

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The starters from every generation are some of the most widely recognized and popular Pokémon in any meta.

These are typically the Pokémon that one ‘starts’ with, marking the inception of catching ’em all!

It also helps that starter Pokémon tend to be powerhouses and should inherently be recipients of mega evolutions, going by the long and strong bond that trainers develop and nurture with their starters. Mega evolutions, by lore, are an outcome of the bond that a trainer shares with their Pokémon.

However, out of the 8 generations of Pokémon, only two have been blessed with mega evolved starters: The Kanto (1st gen) and the Hoenn (3rd gen) regions.

Mega evolutions of the Kanto starters are already live in Pokémon Go, and their powers have undoubtedly amazed us.

If you thought that a Blast Burn from a Mega Charizard Y is devastating (ATK stat of 319), then you have no idea what Hoenn would bring!

For that matter, even Mega Venusaur and Blastoise would be shaken to the core with what their Hoenn counterparts bring to the table.

So are the Kanto mega starters totally outclassed by the Hoenn stalwarts? 

Just how strong are Mega Sceptile, Blaziken and Swampert? 

This write-up provides a comprehensive dekko on the mega evolved Hoenn starters and gives you a well-defined clarity on what you should be looking forward to.

Note: The assessment of the Hoenn starters would be undertaken purely, based on their primary typings, that is, Grass, Fire and Water. However, references will surely be made to their secondary typings. 

The Hoenn Starter Mega Evolutions

Mega Sceptile

Max CP 4056
ATK 320 DEF 186 HP 172
Weak to Strong Against
Ice Dragon Fairy Flying Poison Bug Dragon Ground Rock Water

 

Mega Sceptile comes with a whopping 320 ATK stat that puts all other Grass types to shame.

Unlike Mega Venusaur, Mega Sceptile is pretty fragile and has a host of weaknesses to boot.

While Mega Venusuar looks to be a more consistent mega evolved Grass type, Mega Sceptile has a major factor to its credit…

Moveset.

The fast move Bullet Seed received a welcome update, making it have a better energy gain than Vine Whip.

So while Mega Sceptile’s Bullet Seed will gain energy faster than Mega Venusaur’s Vine Whip and get to the dreaded Frenzy Plant quicker, this is not the only reason that Mega Sceptile rounds up as a greater Grass type threat.

You see…

Mega Sceptile gets access to another Grass type move that puts it at a different grassy level altogether!

You guessed it.

Leaf Blade.

With a very acceptable 70 DMG and low energy cost in both PvP (35 energy) and PvE (3-bar, 33 energy), Mega Sceptile can spam Leaf Blades at the blink of an eye and serve as an existential crisis to Pokémon that are weak to it.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Mega Sceptile is also a Dragon type and learns Dragon Claw, a charge move that can be spammed with a low EPS fast move like Bullet Seed. Backed with STAB, Dragon Claw from a Mega Sceptile is nothing to take lightly.

But the Dragon typing gives Mega Sceptile a very special token…

It now triple resists the Water typing, making Mega Sceptile the #1 counter to Water type Pokémon. 

This is a double-edged sword, however, as any Ice type move from any Water type would OHKO Mega Sceptile right away, courtesy of its now 4x weakness to Ice and the inherently underwhelming bulk.

So Mega Sceptile vines down (pun intended) as a rather tricky Pokémon to use. Regardless of its flaws, when used properly, this jungle dragon can cut down any Pokémon to size with its array of fast and ‘blink and you miss’ moves. This undoubtedly makes Mega Sceptile an exciting prospect to any trainer relying on hyper offensive battling strategies.

A kick-ass Christmas tree that hurts. 


Mega Blaziken

Max CP 4162
ATK 329 DEF 168 HP 190
Weak to Strong Against
Flying Ground Psychic Water Bug Grass Ice Steel Dark Rock Normal

 

The immensely destructive Mega Charizard Y has an ATK stat of 319.

Well, Mega Blaziken has an ATK stat of 329.

Equipped with the ever-powerful Fire type combination of Fire Spin and Blast Burn, Mega Blaziken is hands-down the #1 Fire type monster in the game.

The Fire type has always been a very good offensive typing with super-effective damage against the best defensive typing in the meta: the Steel types.

Add in the reliable Fighting type in the mix, and things just get hotter!

It is a well-established fact that the Fighting type fast move, Counter, is one of the best fast moves out there.

Mega Blaziken has access to Counter as well as the lower energy and decently powered Blaze Kick in its arsenal.

All of this sums up to Mega Blaziken being arguably the best counter to Steel types, which have always run rampant in the meta.

It is worth noting that Mega Blaziken goes downhill when it comes to bulk. Even Mega Charizard Y is bulkier. But this shouldn’t really matter…

The sole purpose of Mega Blaziken is to come into the battlefield, thrash and melt the meta, and leave. As simple as that;

Mega Blaziken’s Blast Burn absolutely nukes. Even when resisted, its damage does quite a number.

A truly explosive Pokémon that shows why KFC (Kung-Fu Chicken) should be your favourite indulgence.


Mega Swampert

Max CP 4401
ATK 283 DEF 218 HP 225
Weak to Strong Against
Grass Fire Ground Rock Electric Poison Steel

 

Remember the “I heard you like Mudkipz” meme?

Well, it was a meme before memes were even a thing and when Mega Swampert was released, the meme evolved to “I heard you like murder”.

Yep!

Mega Swampert looks like Swampert on steroids and that’s exactly how this muscular fish thing functions.

I mentioned that this write-up would intend to focus on the primary typing of the starters but I guess I will make an exception for Mega Swampert.

Fair enough?

If not, try to recall what a Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon Swampert is capable of!

Swampert is perhaps the only Pokémon that is top tier in all three PvP leagues and taking that niche to another level is sheer magic. 

While Mega Swampert’s ATK stat of 283 is lower than that of both Mega Sceptile and Mega Blaziken, you can see that it has the most well-rounded stats among the Hoenn starters.

For one, a 283 ATK stat Hydro Cannon is a weapon of mass destruction. Aptly backed with solid defence and bulk, it is easy to see why Mega Swampert has the highest max CP of the trio.

Plus, Mega Swampert can be effectively used both on an offensive and defensive role. A single type weakness is a huge blessing in any scenario.

Mega Blastoise is a very good Pokémon and is a great addition to the meta. But Mega Swampert is just too versatile. The secondary Ground typing gives it an additional super-effective advantage against the famed Steel types. 

Mega Swampert, even when not categorized as a starter, is a Swiss Army Knife. Use it to ensure absolute domination.

Just look at it! A fish that can beat you down to a pulp and should not be messed with! (Yes Dracovish, it’s Mega Swampert’s time now)


Conclusion

The Hoenn starters have always been regarded as the best starter trio in the meta (the Galar starter trio is giving massive competition, but let’s save that for later!)

Their mega evolutions were the icing on the cake and needless to say, these three will occupy a pivotal role in the Pokémon Go meta.

I predict Mega Swampert to have the most impact on the meta as it’s a complete package that has everything going right for it.

This doesn’t take away anything for the other two mega Hoenn starters though!

Each of the three is a beast in its own right and to answer the pressing question…

Yes, the Hoenn starter megas take the crown for the best mega starter trio. 

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MeteorAsh15
MeteorAsh15
My name is Niladri Sarkar. A Team Valor Trainer, I'm a Pokémon Battle Mechanics Specialist & a Dragon Master on Smogon's Pokémon Showdown where I particularly excel with Dragon types and Weather teams in Ubers / OU. I love to apply my vast knowledge and experience to the ever changing meta of Pokémon Go, specialising in DPS/TDO math, movesets, the Master League and Dragon types. Garchomp is my best Pokémon pal through and through.

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