Mega Alakazam’s Trace ability makes it uniquely adaptable — it enters the field as whatever the meta’s most threatening ability is on the opposing side. Against rain teams, it gains Swift SwimSwift SwimabilityAn ability that doubles the Pokémon's Speed stat while rain is active on the field.Click to read more → and doubles its own Speed. Against physical teams, it gains IntimidateIntimidateabilityWhen this Pokémon enters the battlefield, the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat drops by one stage.Click to read more → and drops opponent Attack on entry. The opponent has to consider what Mega Alakazam will become before deciding their lead.
At 175 base Special Attack, Mega Alakazam hits very hard before Trace even comes into play. Psychic-type STABSTABmechanicSame-Type Attack Bonus: a move deals ×1.5 damage when its type matches one of the user's types.Click to read more → is excellent coverage against Poison and Fighting, two types that commonly appear in doubles.
Trace targets in Reg M-A
The most useful abilities to Trace against the current meta:
- Swift Swim (Basculegion, Floatzel) — doubles Mega Alakazam’s already-high Speed in rain
- Intimidate (IncineroarIncineroarpokemonThe most-used Pokémon in Reg M-A. Defines doubles tempo with Fake Out, Intimidate on every switch, and Parting Shot pivots.Click to read more →, Corviknight) — drops both opposing Pokémon’s Attack on entry
- Sand RushSand RushabilityDoubles this Pokémon's Speed under sandstorm.Click to read more → (Excadrill) — doubles Speed in sand teams
- StaminaStaminaabilityRaises Defense by one stage every time the Pokémon takes damage from an attack.Click to read more → (Archaludon) — turns every hit into a Defense boost
Against opposing Mega Alakazam mirrors or Pokémon with useless abilities, Trace provides nothing — this is the downside.
High Speed + special offense
Even without a useful Trace, Mega Alakazam has 150 base Speed — it moves before most of the meta. Psyshock hits physical bulk rather than special defense, letting it bypass high Special Defense walls. Shadow Ball covers Ghost and Psychic types, and Focus Blast handles Steel types that resist Psychic.
What stops it
- Dark-type Pokémon — Dark is immune to Psychic moves. Kingambit and Tyranitar wall Mega Alakazam’s STAB completely.
- Bug-type moves — Bug hits Psychic for 2×. U-turn from faster Pokémon can KO.
- Low physical bulk — 65/65 defenses mean a single well-placed physical hit ends it. PriorityPrioritymechanicMove priority brackets determine turn order before Speed is checked — +3 Fake Out always moves first, −7 Trick Room always moves last.Click to read more → moves like Sucker Punch threaten it before it can act.