"Mega Crafting: Mega Sunflora, the Nova Flower Pokemon!"

Checkoutmypreviouspostshere!MegaVileplume|MegaStantler|MegaExploud|MegaSeviper|MegaZangoose|MegaTogekiss|MegaGarbodorOne last post for the week.Recently I have been inspired to design and “theorycraft” mega evolutions for Pokemon I find deserving. Some things you should know about me and these posts:I AM NOT AN ARTIST. I like to think I’m okay at drawing, so I’m comfortable posting them here, but these are sketches for the most part.I don’t own photoshop. Hopefully my sketches suffice.Reasons for choosing the Pokemon I did…I like it and want to improve it.I’m trying to fill a competitive niche.I’m trying to improve it because it seems so sad and forgottenIf you want to make requests, go ahead. I may or may not.This post is primarily for discussing the theoretical use of this Pokemon in the current Sun and Moon meta. I use showdown, so Smogon will by my basis for discussing, but feel free to talk about the implications in other formats.Lastly, if you have anything you would change, tell me! I'm open to constructive criticism.And now, put on some sunglasses, it’s Mega Sunflora!Mega SunfloraNova Flower PokemonThe intense energy emitted from sunfloranite combined with the energy built up from facing the sun its entire life have allowed Sunflora to bloom spectacularly. Scientists believe, like with Aerodactyl, this is Sunflora’s original form, and the change in oxygen levels in the atmosphere over millennia resulted in the smaller form we all know and… well, know. The front row of petals are burning with a white hot fire that somehow doesn’t burn the rest of it’s body. The back row have become massive, jetting out from its face like the points on a star. Its body has grown like a stalk, rising high up above the ground, yet despite its awkward height it is able to move at incredible speeds, as if it is being carried on light itself! When Mega Sunflora is around, there is no night, because daytime seems to follow it. Travelers may even be disoriented by the change in lighting, leading them to wander to what they think is east when it is really west!Height: 8’ 4” (+5’ 9”) Weight: 73.8 lbs (+55.1 lbs)Type: Grass / FireAbility: DroughtBase Stat Total425 -> 525HP75Attack75 -> 55 (-20)Defense55 -> 65 (+10)Special Attack105 -> 140 (+35)Special Defense85 -> 95 (+10)Speed30 -> 95 (+65)New Move Access:Weather Ball, Bloom*New Moves:IntheeventIaddnon-existentmovestotheprevioussection,thissectionwillservetodescribethem.BloomType: GrassStatusBP: - ACC: - PP: 10The user blooms, increasing the speed of all grass types in battle by one stage. In the sun OR on grassy terrain, it also increases special attack by one stage (no effect from having both sun and grassy terrain). This move fails in rain, sandstorm, or hail. These boosts persist even if the weather changes. Z-Bloom boosts speed by two stages and never fails.This move goes to flower-like Pokemon, including Vileplume, Sunflora, Cherrim, Florges, Meganium, etc. Grass types need a buff and this is a good move to help with that, it becomes very useful on sun teams or with Tapu Bulu.Half-assed Analysis:HereIwilltrytoexplaintheramificationsofthisPokemoninthecurrentSunandMoonsmogonmetagame.Ifitismoreappropriatetodiscussdoublesvs.singles,Iwilldoso.NoothermetagamewillbediscussedinthissectionI get it, this mega is predictable. But sometimes that kind of predictability is exactly what the Pokemon needs. Yes, Sunflora, the sunflower, is now half-sun itself, but that’s OK, because it is awesome and doesn’t suck.Unfortunately, however, the strategy behind using Mega Sunflora is pretty straightforward. There is no reason not to mega evolve it right away because the evolution is such a huge improvement. Drought on a grass type is clearly amazing thanks to the ability to use uncharged STAB solar beams, but Sunflora is a flower, and therefore has access to bloom. This means it gets essentially a special version of dragon dance. Weather ball allows it to take advantage of its typing by giving it another powerful STAB, but it also allows it to be somewhat useful even if the weather changes.For example, you got one bloom off in the sun, and Politoed comes out and ruins your fun. This is a guaranteed OHKO after leftovers with giga drain if it has zero special defense investment or guaranteed 2HKO if it does, but either way, nothing it can do can KO Mega Sunflora. Now you have a BP 100 water type move instead of fire. Of course, that brings me to the main strategic choice: Solar beam, or no solar beam? Also synthesis is good but I don’t think Mega Sunflora is bulky enough for that.As soon as the sun wears off you are left with a useless move! Sunflora comes with a shallow movepool, so more coverage with hidden power is so helpful, but where can you fit it in?Finally, like Vileplume, it shines in doubles, as well. When paired with another grass type, it boosts both of their speed and special attack with bloom, and if both have bloom? Well you should just watch out.Mix and Mega:Thissectionisdedicatedtodiscussingoneofmyfavorite‘alternative’metagames:mixandmega.Ilovethisconcept,soI’vedecidedtoanalyzehowmyideafitsin.Victreebel, Venusaur, Roserade - All three have access to both solar beam and weather ball. Venusaur and Roserade also get bloom, so they are much prefered.Typhlosion, Entei - Eruption boosted by drought with a huge speed and special attack boost. Now that’s spicy.Any fast special attacker with strong fire moves or solar beam can use sunfloranite to dominate.Potential Set (Singles):Sunflora@SunfloraniteTimid Nature252 SpA, 4 SpD, 252 SpeBloom / Growth (if you just want to increase special attack a lot)Solar Beam / Giga Drain / Leaf Storm (in case you are worried about weather changes)Weather Ball (STAB fire move, still useful in other weathers)Hidden Power (preferably ice, rock, electric, I really don’t know, just more coverage)Potential Set (Doubles, Bloom Abuse):Sunflora@SunfloraniteTimid Nature252 SpA, 4 SpD, 252 SpeBloomSolar Beam / Giga Drain (in case you are worried about weather changes)Weather Ball (STAB fire move, still useful in other weathers)Hidden Power (preferably ice, rock, electric, I really don’t know, just more coverage)So bright! I hope you guys like this one, I know anyone could see a mega like this coming from a mile away (get it?). Next time it’ll be *cough* *cough*, sorry… it’s just a little dusty in here right now... via /r/pokemon http://ift.tt/2qIzUUj