ABSOL - HARD CHECK

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Absol: 351-413 (129.5 - 152.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Mega Absol Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam: 270-320 (107.5 - 127.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO or 252 Atk Mega Absol Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam: 542-638 (215.9 - 254.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aerodactyl - SOFT CHECK

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Aerodactyl: 195-230 (64.7 - 76.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Mega Aerodactyl Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 271-321 (107.5 - 127.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO or 252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Aerial Ace vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 211-250 (83.7 - 99.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO or 252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Pursuit vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 190-224 (75.3 - 88.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Aggron - HARD CHECK

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Filter Mega Aggron: 242-287 (70.3 - 83.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Mega Aggron Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 322-381 (128.2 - 151.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Ampharos - NO THREAT

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Ampharos: 216-255 (56.2 - 66.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Mold Breaker Mega Ampharos Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam: 148-175 (58.9 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO or 4 SpA Mold Breaker Mega Ampharos Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam: 123-145 (49 - 57.7%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

Arcanine - NO THREAT

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Arcanine: 224-265 (58.4 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

8 Atk Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 229-270 (90.8 - 107.1%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO or 8 Atk Arcanine Extreme Speed vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 102-120 (40.4 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Notes on Matchup: Sadly Defensive Arcanine cannot 2HKO Alakazam if he is carrying extra bulk on him and is unable to recover any of the lost HP due to it's speed tier against Zam. With this in mind Arcanine can still get Alakazam down to a reasonable amount of health, allowing it open to another priority user on the team. Arcanine also has the disadvantage on being weak to rocks and coming in healthy in general. Flare Blitz has a chance to kill but becomes to risky as the bulk tips it just enough in Alakazam's favor.



Azelf - SOFT CHECK

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4- SpD Azelf: 346-408 (118.9 - 140.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

252 Atk Azelf Explosion vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 495-583 (197.2 - 232.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO or 252 Atk Azelf Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 384-454 (152.9 - 180.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Notes on Matchup: Only reason I'm listing Azelf as a soft check is because of sashed variants, mainly suicide leads. If the user feels more threatened by Alakazam than letting Azelf set up rocks first turn, then it can be used a soft check in desperate needs. However most of the time having rocks up will mostly be the better choice each time. Explosion can be used against Zam to keep the momentum going but Knock Off is also a decent option to consider. Flamethrower can't do much due to Alakazam's natural special bulk.



Beedrill - SOFT CHECK

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Beedrill: 447-530 (164.9 - 195.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

252 Atk Mega Beedrill Pursuit vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 158-186 (62.6 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO or 252 Atk Adaptability Mega Beedrill U-turn vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 548-648 (217.4 - 257.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Notes on Matchup: Switching out to avoid that U-Turn might be a good decision until the opponent decides to pursuit trap it in leaving you with a dead Alakazam. Pivoting out of the range of getting crippled by thunder wave sashed Alakazam makes Mega Beedrill a hard check against Alakazam as it's natural speed base speed allows it to creep past in both natures, Jolly and Adamant. At the highest risk, the only thing that users of Mega Beedrill would have to worry about is using other attacks outside of Alakazam if they predict a switch out. Should they fail to make the right prediction, they might find the Alakazam sashed and their Beedrill gone or crippled.



Blastoise - SOFT CHECK

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Energy Ball vs. 184 HP / 0 SpD Mega Blastoise: 234-276 (67.8 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

vs.

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Mega Blastoise Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam: 308-364 (122.7 - 145%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Notes on Matchup: Blastoise has the ability to check Alakazam if only it runs Dark Pulse in its set. Hydro Pump and every other move can't OHKO at full health unfortunately as it hits 99.6% of Alakazam's health without any bulk as well. Psychic can reliably 2HKO as well but Energy Ball has the best damage output overall against Blastoise

Bissey - NO THREAT

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 317-374 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

vs.

Blissey Seismic Toss vs. 0 HP Alakazam: 100-100 (39.8 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO







Notes on Matchup: It's free set up bait essentially, seismic tossing or wish passing would be the best option here in order to at least have form of retaliation against CM Alakazam. Thunder Wave is an option once again but it already suffers from 4mss to carry any other moves suitable for Blissey. Wish passing with something that can take a Psyshock from Alakazam could potentially force him out if you can get your prediction just right.

Celebi - HARD CHECK

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 220+ SpD Celebi: 174-205 (43 - 50.7%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO

vs.

=0- Atk Celebi U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 170-200 (67.7 - 79.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO or 0 SpA Celebi Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD

Alakazam: 147-174 (58.5 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO





Notes on Matchup: Access to recover and thunder wave make Celebi a great canidate as a hard check against Alakazam. The only thing that would really set this off would be the unfortunate shadow ball special defensive drop, making it a confirmed 2HKO against Celebi. U-Turn allows it to switch into something else that could pick off Alakazam or Pursuit trap it when it's weakened. Thunder Wave allows Celebi to get recover off first before Alakazam can fight back.

Chandelure - NO THREAT

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Chandelure: 255-302 (97.7 - 115.7%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

vs.

252 SpA Chandelure Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam: 296-350 (117.9 - 139.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO







Notes on Matchup: On the confirmation that Chandelure isn't scarfed at all, Alakazam should be more likely to take this matchup in his favor with a high chance of OHKOing. With the added bonus of potential rocks damage, Alakazam is able to safely face Chandelure with ease.

Chesnaught - NO THREAT

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Chesnaught: 471-556 (123.9 - 146.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

0 Atk Chesnaught Wood Hammer vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 220-261 (87.3 - 103.5%) -- 25% chance to OHKO





Notes on Matchup: Flip flopping from Psychic and Psyshock, I chose the physically defensive set from Chesnaught's analysis in this matchup as I felt as if it gained more traction against the newer drops such as Conkeldurr and Gyarados as well as it being the one I find to be the most standard and common overall.

Cloyster - MINOR THREAT

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cloyster: 368-434 (152.6 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

252 Atk Cloyster Icicle Spear (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam: 305-365 (121.5 - 145.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO







Notes on Matchup: Ice Shard's able to do a nice chunk even if it's unboosted without Shell Smash. Categorized as a MINOR THREAT, due to the fact that some run Focus Sash from time to time. Multi-hit moves can threaten Alakazam out once it gets a shell smash up being able to chip down health without triggering focus sash

Cobalion - NO THREAT

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 434-512 (133.9 - 158%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

252 Atk Cobalion Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 165-195 (65.4 - 77.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO







Notes on Matchup: Psychic can nearly take it on when its weakened but Focus Blast is able to OHKO it from max health. Should it miss the first time, Iron Head doesn't do enough to OHKO Alakazam so should that be the case you get 2 tries with Focus Blast turning it into a 9% chance of missing both of them entirely

Conkeldurr - NO THREAT

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 48 HP / 0 SpD Conkeldurr: 530-624 (146 - 171.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Mach Punch vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 79-94 (31.3 - 37.3%) -- 86.3% chance to 3HKO







Notes on Matchup: Psyshock does the same but isn't a confirmed OHKO with the extra bulk on Alakazam. Still in your favor though with a 93.8% chance of OHKOing

Crawdaunt - MINOR THREAT

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Crawdaunt: 356-421 (132.8 - 157%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Aqua Jet vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 190-226 (75.3 - 89.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO







Notes on Matchup: With Dazzling Gleam in Alakazam's assets, he's able to OHKO certain dark types without the need for Focus Blast which has a habit of missing time to time. Aqua Jet with Adamant and Life Orb isn't enough to cleanly OHKO but with the chance of it holding choice band, users of Alakazam can't be too careless.

Cresselia - HARD CHECK

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Cresselia: 187-221 (42.2 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery or 252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. +1 240 HP / 0 SpD Cresselia: 125-148 (28.3 - 33.5%) -- 95.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

vs.

Cresselia Thunder Wave vs. Alakazam: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- nice move or +1 0 SpA Cresselia Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 95-112 (37.8 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO





Notes on Matchup: Calm Mind as well as the defensive set of Cresselia with Thunder Wave make it difficult to get through especially with Moonlight. Alakazam nor cannot engage in a CM war as both pokemon have access to Psyshock and Alakazam being the frailer one between the two of them.

Crobat - SOFT CHECK

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Crobat: 447-530 (119.8 - 142%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs.

0 Atk Sky Plate Crobat Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 229-270 (90.8 - 107.1%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO or 0 Atk Crobat U-turn vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 148-176 (58.7 - 69.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO





Notes on Matchup: Chances of it still below 50% with even the added power of Sky Plate makes Brave Bird a risky move is Alakazam is still at full health. Using U-Turn however makes it easier for Crobat to come in a second time to finish off the job.

Darmanitan - SOFT CHECK

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darmanitan: 316-372 (90 - 105.9%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

vs.

252 Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam: 501-589 (199.6 - 234.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO or

252 Atk Darmanitan U-turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam: 300-354 (119.5 - 141%) -- guaranteed OHKO





Notes on Matchup: Similar to Beedrill, U-Turn is a confirmed OHKO on Alakazam making it the best play out of all his moveset.

Donphan - SOFT CHECK

252+ Atk Donphan Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 410-484 (163.3 - 192.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO or 252+ Atk Donphan Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 85-101 (33.8 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

vs.

252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Energy Ball vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Donphan: 398-468 (109.3 - 128.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO







Notes on Matchup: AV is fairly difficult to handle but not really that common on Donphan. Sturdy allows it to have the same ability as a pokemon with focus sash would and allows it to beat most sets of Alakazam as it can run Ice Shard as well if it's at max health.

Doublade - SOFT CHECK

172 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 252-299 (78.9 - 93.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

vs.

252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Sneak vs. 4 HP / 80 Def Alakazam: 206-246 (81.7 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO



Notes on Matchup: At first it seems like that Doublade wins single-handly due to Shadow Sneak itself but in reality Doublade's constantly being used to wall other pokemon, so the though of him coming in healthy mid to late game is sort of unrealistic. The extra bulk allows Alakazam to live at least one Shadow Sneak and gives him an opportunity to strike back

vs.Notes on Matchup: Absol essentially plays the best mindgames against Alakazam in a one vs one situation, having access to both Sucker Punch and Pursuit as well as having an immunity towards Thunder Wave due to Magic Bounce. Mega Absol in my opinion has the best tools in dealing with most sets for Alakazam. The only way the opposing pokemon can retaliate is with at full health and a focus sash at hand. Extra bulk on Alakazam had little effect to the calcs aside from having pursuit with Alakazam staying in having a chance to live. With those in mind, all of these situations are in Mega Absol's favor.vs.Notes on Matchup: Utilizing the extra bulk set for Alakazam, he's able to live out now Aerial Ace and Pursuit on staying in at full health, forcing the opponent to click Stone Edge for it's confirmed OHKO. Unfortunately it carries that 80% accuracy making it frustrating when it misses. Overall this still falls under the category of being a check with all the tools that Mega Aerodactyl is given. It may also have boosts from a previous turn due to Hone Claws making this an even harder matchup for Alakazamvs.Notes on Matchup: Due to Aggron having to consistently take damage every battle with no recovery other than Rest, Aggron can only hope that Focus Blast misses as it can't really take one during the end game at most times. Mega Aggron has access to Thunder Wave, a great way of crippling Alakazam but at most times it's better to eliminate the threat at hand rather than letting it live with lowered speed as it can still has a chance at hitting Focus Blast and getting through the paralysisvs.Notes on Matchup: Having great bulk along side it's unique typing, Mega Ampharos is able to take at least one boosted Dazzling Gleam from Alakazam and fight back by lower it's health by more than half with one of it's STAB. How the player would use Ampharos against Alakazam would be to either cleaning it up while it's still weakened or by volt switching out into a pokemon with a strong priority move. Although it can only act as a pivot most times, making it impossible for it to fight Alakazam 1v1 on it's own due to it's poor speed and lack of priority. Thunder Wave is also an option but it suffers from 4mss already making it void from this particular matchup.vs.