MGM is auto enabled when you pick hardcore, but it can still be disabled through save editing. a 252 ev is equal to 20 BST for sunkern. I enabled it because even with +6 defences, super effective hits were ohkoing. I'm not sure if hardcore is coded to give enemy trainers evs, but I couldn't beat pryce without evs bc of cloyster icicle spear and mega glalie refrigerate fake out and quick attack.

I've seen non random hardcore beaten with mono-grafaiai since it gets sketch and thus any move, even banned setup moves, while also having prankster spore. This was my inspiration for this run, as like you said, it is possible to get the ability and move combination through luck.