POTW like this are the reason I love posting here. Despite never being a strong Dragon type, though I'm still not sure why it's a Dragon (I originally though it was Water given the cloud theme) I always loved Altaria for its unique and beautiful design, and I always wanted to just take a nap on its soft fluffy wings while it sings a relaxing tune. Its pre-evolution Swablu is also one of the cutest Pokemon in existence and is accompanied by Pokedex entries like this:
"Swablu has light and fluffy wings that are like cottony clouds. This Pokémon is not frightened of people. It lands on the heads of people and sits there like a cotton-fluff hat"
"Swablu loves to make things clean. If it spots something dirty, it will wipe and polish it with its cottony wings. If its wings become dirty, this Pokémon finds a stream and showers itself."
Go on and tell me that wouldn't make for the most adorable viral video ever! And I still remember that one episode from the anime where Haruka/May looked after a lost and injured Swablu that had gotten separated from its flock.
They were so cute together, and I actually hoped she would eventually end up catching it given how well Swablu and its evolution would suit her team both in terms of personality, aesthetics, and team balance. And it looked like my wish was about to come true when it looked like they missed its flock...only to have its family come out of freaking nowhere to rejoin the group. Talk about a complete waste!
Anyways, Altaria has always come in dead last behind the other fully evolved Dragon types but that does not mean it is useless. I still remember going out of my way in Gen 3 and 4 to make Altaria competitively viable with mixed success, and it wouldn't be until ORAS that the metagame would finally give attention to this cloud phoenix in the form of the fluffiest Mega Evolution of all time!
With an improvement to base stats, new Fairy typing, and access to the same ability that made Sylveon a surprise offensive threat, Mega Altaria had finally reached the big leagues...until GameFreak announced that 1.) Sword and Shield would only allow Pokemon from its Galar Pokedex, 2.) Swablu and Altaria would not be in Galar Pokedex, 3.) Mega Evolution would no longer be a mechanic in the games. And just like that, Altaria goes back down to the bottom of the heap alongside Pokemon like Beedrill, Pidgeot, Mawile, and Lopunny. But unlike the examples I mentioned, I still feel Altaria can stand alone in the competitive scene even if it's just in a lower tier. My love for Altaria will not wane, even if GameFreak's love does!
Drake Bird
Ability: Natural Cure
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: HP: 252 Def: 156 Sp.Def: 100
Moveset:
Dragon Claw
Earthquake
Dragon Dance
Roost
Set Details:
A bulky defensive set with an offensive twist. If GameFreak is really going to remove Mega Evolutions as a mechanic, then we will have to make due. Dragon Claw is Altaria's main offensive option while Earthquake has mostly perfect coverage hitting those that resist Altaria's STAB. Dragon Dance is used to shore up Altaria's offenses after a few uses while simultaneous allowing it to boost its speed and outpace its opponents which is unique for a defensive Pokemon. Obviously Altaria would not likely survive getting in enough boosts to become an offensive threat even with defensive investment, so Roost is your go-to move for health recovery when needed.
Dark Phoenix
Ability: Natural Cure
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: HP: 252 Def: 156 Sp.Def: 100
Moveset:
Dragon Claw
Earthquake
Toxic
Rest
Set Details:
A set that relies more on being a passive wall than a tank. Dragon Claw and Earthquake form the offensive crux as per the last set, but the major difference here is swapping in Toxic and Rest. Toxic is every defensive Pokemon's best friend and allows Alteria to kick back and not rely as heavily on its direct attacks. Rest is usually used as a last ditch recovery option for defensive Pokemon without access to a move like Recover, but in Altaria's case it's worth a mention because of its ability Natural Cure. Since Natural Cure heals all status afflictions (Including self-inflicted ones) Altaria can just use Rest when things are getting dicey and then swap out completely refreshed and renewed for later use.
Alongside Absol, Altaria stands as one of my favorite Pokemon of all time despite its issues measuring up in the competitive scene. I even consider myself fortune to have caught a shiny golden Altaria back in ORAS (Thank you swarm EV training). To me, its wings represent calm happiness that warms my heart down to the very soul, and I just wish others would appreciate this often underrated Dragon type.
And though GameFreak is going to remove Mega Evolutions, who knows? Maybe they will come up with a "different" kind of gimmick that will give Altaria its time in the spotlight once again...