Hello students! My name is Professor Noctowl, and today, I wish to draw attention to Mega Banette. This will be quite a good catch if your roster for Mega Mewtwo X & Y is looking a bit thin. Grab your notebooks, class is in session. For those who wish to do their research independently, our raw data can be found here. And for those who wish for a simple visual guide, go ahead and take a look at the below visual guide by CaptGoldfish.

Course Schedule

This raid will be taking place between April 29th and May 5th. This raid will be preceded by Mega Sharpedo and Tapu Koko, coincide with Tapu Lele, and followed by Nihilego and Mega Camerupt.

Being a pure Ghost type, Banette is weak to Ghost and Dark type, double resisting the martial types of Normal and Fighting.

Effectiveness	Types
Double Resist (0.4x)	Normal Fighting
Resist (0.6x)	Poison Bug
Neutral	Flying Ground Rock Steel Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Fairy
Super Effective (1.6x)	Ghost Dark
Double Super Effective (2.6x)	—

Mega Banette’s moveset includes the following charge moves:

• Shadow Ball
• Thunder
• Dazzling Gleam
• Return

The Dean’s List consists of the top 5 counters to Mega Banette. As always, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and the Third Ranked will have their best moveset alternatives in a table with their rankings and a table detailing their defensive prowess against the charge moves listed above.

Mega Tyranitar A

Best Moveset: Bite / Brutal Swing

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★☆

1

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Bite	Brutal Swing	100%
Smack Down	Brutal Swing	85%
Dragon Breath	Brutal Swing	83%
Bite	Crunch	82%
Iron Tail	Brutal Swing	79%
Bite	Stone Edge	72%

Shadow Tyranitar A

Best Moveset: Bite / Brutal Swing

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★☆☆

1

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Bite	Brutal Swing	100%
Smack Down	Brutal Swing	86%
Dragon Breath	Brutal Swing	84%
Bite	Crunch	81%
Iron Tail	Brutal Swing	80%
Bite	Stone Edge	73%

Mega Absol A

Best Moveset: Snarl / Brutal Swing

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Snarl	Brutal Swing	100%
Psycho Cut	Brutal Swing	84%
Snarl	Dark Pulse	82%
Snarl	Payback	81%
Psycho Cut	Dark Pulse	65%
Snarl	Thunder	62%

Defensive Grades for Top 3

Boss Move
Dazzling Gleam	⚔	⚔	⚔
Shadow Ball	🛡	🛡	🛡
Thunder	—	—	—

Mega Gengar A

Best Moveset: Lick / Shadow Ball

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Mega Houndoom A

Best Moveset: Snarl / Foul Play

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Also Noteworthy: A: Shadow Hydreigon

We here at Pokebattler Pokémon Research Institute can’t expect you to have the best counters every time. So, here are some of our other best options, most of which will be easier to find than the members of the Dean’s List.

Mega Rayquaza A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Dragon Ascent

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Eternatus A

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail / Dynamax Cannon

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Darkrai A

Best Moveset: Snarl / Shadow Ball

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Necrozma - Dawn Wings A

Best Moveset: Shadow Claw / Moongeist Beam

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Mega Salamence A

Best Moveset: Bite / Brutal Swing

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★☆

Reliability★★★☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Of course, besides our 10 best counters, there are plenty of Pokémon that also work against Mega Banette. Here are a few star choices, worthy of praise.

A	TyranitarShadow HoundoomBlack KyuremShadow SalamenceZamazenta - Crowned ShieldDarkraiShadow WeavileKingambitNecrozma - Dusk ManeZacian - Crowned SwordMega GyaradosShadow GiratinaGiratina OriginMega BanetteShadow AbsolShadow ChandelureShadow RaikouMega GarchompIncineroar

Sometimes, the weather can be your most powerful ally. In certain weather conditions, certain Pokémon on our list excel. The most transformative cases are noted below.

Windy

Mega Rayquaza (0.9)Eternatus (0.9)Mega Garchomp (1.0)

Snow

Zamazenta - Crowned Shield (1.0)Zacian - Crowned Sword (1.0)

Fog

Shadow Hydreigon (0.9)Shadow Darkrai (0.9)Necrozma - Dawn Wings (0.9)

Overall, Mega Banette will be easy to counter. Dark types are some of the most common move types around, with plenty of super strong counters. The top counters this time around are mostly Mega Evolutions, but bringing the non-mega version of that counter should work just as well. Of course, if you wish to do more research on your box’s best Pokémon for the job, Pokebattler.com itself can be a great help! Remember, the best counter is the one you have powered up and ready to go. I grant extra credit to those who use their best friend bonus and the weather to their advantage. Class dismissed!