Mega Banette uses PranksterPranksterabilityAn ability that gives all Status moves +1 priority — they go before almost everything, even if the Pokémon is slow.Click to read more → to make its support moves move before almost anything else. Will-O-WispWill-O-WispmoveBurns the target — halving their physical Attack and dealing 1/16 max HP chip damage every turn.Click to read more → (burns an opponent, halving their Attack) with Prankster +1 priority almost always lands before the burned Pokémon can attack. TauntTauntmovePrevents the target from using status moves for 3 turns — shuts down Trick Room setters, Tailwind users, and redirectors in doubles.Click to read more → (prevents non-damaging moves for three turns) with Prankster priority shuts down support Pokémon before they can use status, Trick RoomTrick RoomstrategyFor 5 turns, slower Pokémon move first. Reverses the entire speed game — a strategy that builds teams around very slow attackers.Click to read more →, or weather moves.
At 165 base Attack, Mega Banette also hits very hard physically. Shadow Claw (Ghost STABSTABmechanicSame-Type Attack Bonus: a move deals ×1.5 damage when its type matches one of the user's types.Click to read more →) and Knock Off (Dark coverage) deal serious damage on the turns it’s not using support moves.
Dark-type immunity note
Prankster-boosted moves don’t affect Dark-type Pokémon. Will-O-Wisp with Prankster won’t target Mega GyaradosMega GyaradosmegaDrops Flying and gains Dark, trading its Electric weakness for a Ghost weakness — Mold Breaker lets its moves ignore defensive abilities like Intimidate.Click to read more →, Tyranitar, 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 →, or other Dark types. This is an important counterplay option that opponents use to dodge Mega Banette’s disruption.
Destiny Bond
Destiny Bond is one of Mega Banette’s most feared moves: when used, if Banette faints that turn, the opponent that dealt the KO also faints. With Prankster priority, it’s almost always fast enough to land. This threatens opponents with losing a Pokémon even if they KO Banette.
What stops it
- Dark-type Pokémon — Completely immune to Prankster-boosted moves. They can use status moves freely.
- Normal-type moves — Ghost types are immune to Normal damage, but Mega Banette’s physical bulk (65/75) is low. Special attackers threaten it.
- Fairy-type moves — Don’t exist as a weakness for Ghost… but Ghost is weak to Ghost and Dark (2×). Dark moves threaten it significantly.