OU BW OU Victim of the Week: Week 9 - Alakazam | Submissions Phase

[asterat]

check: rotom (it's rotom-a past gen 4 right?)
counter: skarmory

i honestly think rotom-w is borderline not a counter it's so shitty at actually beating drill in practice, but whatevs. like p much every sand team with rotom needs one of other 3 listed counters too.

 

[Finchinator]

chomp skarm

 

[A Welcome Guest]

Check: ROTOM

Counter: Lando T

 

[Jhonx~]

Chomp skarm.

 

[Ibby]

Check
Counter Lando-T Since idk how to make it into a image

 

[Rae]

check:
counter:

 

[Aqua Jet]

Congrats to peng for winning the checks, and Ibby0034 for winning the counters of Week 7! Your submission will be added to the Hall of Fame Shortly!

Submissions Phase

Calm Mind

Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Recover

I will write this in later its like 10:30pm and I'm tired ​

The submissions phase will end on Wednesday, May 25th at 11:59pm EDT (GMT -4).

 

[Gamer1234556]

In b4 some1 puts Sableye/Spiritomb as a counter lol.


Jellicent @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Night Shade

The most Psychic + Focus Blast Reuniclus can do against Jellicent is set 1 Calm Mind up when Jelli switches in and hope that it can muscle through Jellicent with a Special Defense drops. Jellicent just endlessly Taunts Reuniclus and wears it down with Night Shade in a 1v1.

It's important to note that Jellicent really only hard counters this CM Reuniclus variant. In practice, you usually don't use Jellicent as your sole CM Reuniclus counter since it has to be wary of Thunder. Nonetheless, I nominate this as a counter.

 

[mad dawg]

Checks and Counters
Tyranitar: Tyranitar can take most of Reuniclus's attacks, Pursuit trap it, and set up Stealth Rock on it if it's running Chople Berry. However, it struggles to take Focus Blast, and the Choice Scarf set can easily be scouted given Reuniclus's bulk. It also tends to get worn down easily by entry hazards and Reuniclus's teammates.

Faster Offensive Pokemon: Offensive Pokemon like Latios, Keldeo, Thundurus-T, Dragonite, Scizor, and Alakazam packing Signal Beam or Shadow Ball can force Reuniclus to use Recover or switch out, and Dragonite and Scizor can even set up on it. However, they struggle to take repeated hits from it and can have the tables turned on them by the Trick Room set.

Jirachi: Jirachi can take repeated hits from every set thanks to its bulk and recovery in Wish while also being able to break through Reuniclus with Iron Head flinches or even pivot its strong teammates in safely to overwhelm it with U-turn. However, Calm Mind variants with Thunder can break through it with paralysis, and it can get overwhelmed if Reuniclus has boosted too many times or it's been worn down.

Anti-Setup Pokemon: Pokemon like Trick Latios, Taunt Jellicent, Perish Song Celebi and Politoed, and Encore Alakazam and Politoed keep Calm Mind variants under control.

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Recover
- U-turn
- Grass Knot
- Perish Song

Perish song forces it out immediately and you can easily take advantage of this by getting a free switch to a pokemon on the 2nd or 3rd turn. You immediately deter it from setting up and makes it so it has to switch out

+1 0 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Celebi: 63-75 (15.6 - 18.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock, sandstorm damage, and Leftovers recovery
+1 0 SpA Reuniclus Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Celebi: 56-66 (13.8 - 16.3%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock, sandstorm damage, and Leftovers recovery

 

[Ibby]

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 240 SpD / 16 Spe
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- Protect

I want to introduce you to the little shitter who makes me unhappy in life, Jirachi!!!!! Thanks to its excellent typing, it is able to resist Reuniclus Psychic. Focus Blast can add up thanks to SpDef drops. However, Jirachi can chip it down thanks to Iron Head and its remarkable ability Serene Grace is not allowed to set up on it with its excellent flinch chance. Also with Wish+Protect, it is able to keep itself healthy.

on
0 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. 252 HP / 236+ SpD Jirachi: 21-25 (5.1 - 6.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Reuniclus Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 236+ SpD Jirachi: 76-90 (18.8 - 22.2%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

on
0 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 76-90 (17.9 - 21.2%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

Mentioning this as a check because if boosted or a Spdef drop the damage becomes very noticable

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk

 

[peng]

Reuniclus @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Recover

Unironically one of the better answers to Reuniclus is to engage it with a Reuniclus yourself, albeit with a tailored set designed to more comfortably win the mirror. Leftovers Reuniclus infamously gets into crit wars with itself in the mirror as two Reuniclus' fail to 2HKO eachother with following 6 Calm Minds. Life Orb sets with Psyshock, however, readily switch in to opposing Reuniclus and handily 1v1 any Leftovers Reuniclus that dare to engage in a CM war with it, thanks to one important calc:

+6 0 SpA Life Orb Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 234-276 (55.1 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Following 6 CMs, LO Psyshock 2HKOs all other Reuniclus after Leftovers recovery.

Compare that to damage rolls that opposing Lefties Reun does back to you assuming both at +6:
+6 0 SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 180-212 (42.4 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
+6 0 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. +6 252 HP / 4 SpD Reuniclus: 67-79 (15.8 - 18.6%) -- possible 6HKO

 

[marsandback]

Scizor @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bug Bite
- U-turn
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch

Can be whatever set but scizor is nice for a lot of things on HO and rain; including reuniclus. Best designed pokemon ever and can abuse reuniclus for momentum or can bug bite to prevent recover spamming

I forgot to mention that its a check, cos u cant really be switching into reuni easily. prevents easy set up tho if its still around

 

[Undorian]

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Earthquake
- Smack Down
- Punishment

Pretty funky idea, as the only other things you are likely to catch with it are things like Calm Mind Latios, Calm Mind Latias and maybe Nasty Plot Celebi, but it should work here. Spam Earthquake, as the opposing Reuniculus assumes you have no counterplay and starts getting greedy. When it reaches +2 or +3, click Punishment:

252 Atk Landorus-Therian Punishment (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 286-338 (67.4 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Punishment (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 368-434 (86.7 - 102.3%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO

Smack Down prevents Skarmory and Gliscor sitting too comfortably on you.

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Punishment

This is an alternative set that could also work, and also has the advantage of being able to catch Calm Mind Lati@s, but is probably a bit more difficult to play well against Reuniculus.

 

[Knight of Cydonia]

Mew @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 148 SpD / 108 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Night Shade
- Roost

+1 4 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Mew: 69-82 (17 - 20.2%)
+1 4 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. -1 252 HP / 148+ SpD Mew: 104-123 (25.7 - 30.4%)
+1 4 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. -2 252 HP / 148+ SpD Mew: 138-163 (34.1 - 40.3%)
+1 4 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. -1 252 HP / 148+ SpD Mew on a critical hit: 208-246 (51.4 - 60.8%)

Mew is an excellent counter to this reuniclus - it can switch in on any move and prevent further calm minds or recovery with taunt. You can whittle away with night shade / stall out psychic and focus blast pp quite easily in sand barring horrendous luck. Even if you get dropped once and then crit, you will be ok provided you were above 60.8 + 6.25% health in sand, which is achievable alternating roost and taunt at -1. If you get dropped twice early, hopefully you have something else to switch into the plus one psychic to reset the drops, then switch back in and deal with the +2 reun.

+2 0 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Mew: 93-109 (23 - 26.9%)

Reuniclus will generally be found on sand teams, and mew also does an excellent job of pressuring some typical examples. Tyranitar hates wisp so has difficulty pursuit trapping it, and other hard physical hitters on sand such as excadrill and lando-t are also ruined by a wisp, which differentiates this from celebi for example. Gastrodon, skarmory, jellicent, ferrothorn and other defensive sand staples barring heatran / toxic orb gliscor all lose to non toxic'd Mew. Once your mew has switched into the reuniclus, it is on the cards that reun will switch out at some point especially once taunted, giving you the chance to try and make a read and land a crippling wisp on something else. It's also nice to have as a solid Alakazam check and non specs / cm latios check, common psychic partners for Reuniclus.

252 SpA Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Mew: 142-168 (35.1 - 41.5%)

This EV spread outspeeds plus speed base 70s like breloom and lead skarm and neutral base 80s like mamoswine to get the wisp / taunt off, EVs can be moved from Sp Def to speed and even plus speed natures can be used to wisp pokemon such as landorus before they u-turn, however in this case this would adversely affect mew's ability to counter reuniclus and other special attackers. Ice beam could also be used over night shade for gliscor and other 4 times weak mons, as you can still stall reuniclus pp without night shade.

 

[BT89]

In b4 some1 puts Sableye/Spiritomb as a counter lol.

Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Foul Play
- Recover
- Will-O-Wisp

Sableye is a counter to this Reuniclus set. It is immune to both of its moves and can steadily wittle it down with Foul Play. There's literally no more to say other than that lol

0- Atk Sableye Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 114-134 (26.8 - 31.6%) -- 25.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Tbolt]

Kyurem-Black @ Choice Band
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam

Kyurem-Black is a great check to Reuniclus since it threatens Reun and nearly all of Reun's teammates with Banded Outrage. It doesn't last throughout a game since Reuniclus is paired with hazards and Sandstorm, and the aforementioned Sand teams love their Steel types, but KB loves Magnezone's support to trap Ferrothorn and Skarmory and open a path to ravage the rest of Reuniclus's team.

252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Kyurem-Black Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 340-402 (80.1 - 94.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Common Reuniclus partners (that can't switch in):
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Kyurem-Black Outrage vs. 244 HP / 176 Def Landorus-Therian: 240-283 (63.1 - 74.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Kyurem-Black Outrage vs. 244 HP / 248+ Def Gliscor: 244-288 (69.3 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after toxic damage
252+ Atk Choice Band Teravolt Kyurem-Black Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gastrodon: 361-426 (84.7 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

If you get some chip damage on Reuniclus before hand, be it through a U-turn or Volt Switch as Reuniclus comes in or by sacrificing a mon to Reuniclus to bring KB in, then it is an instant threat to Sand teams, especially if their Steel is weakened or KO'd.

 

[oldcvcv]

Slowking @

Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Dragon Tail
- Slack Off

Slowking is a great check to standard Calm Mind Reuniclus since it resists Psychic and Focus Blast and can phaze Reu with Dragon Tail. It has great longevity too because of Slack Off and the Regenerator ability, although Tyranitar can trap Slowking if he manages to get in without getting burned by Scald. Spikes can also be a problem for Slowking, but pairing it Excadrill will solve the problem, and Exca can even act as a second check with Sand Force boosted Earthquakes if Reuniclus runs Thunder.

+6 0 SpA Reuniclus Psychic vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Slowking: 180-213 (45.6 - 54%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+6 0 SpA Reuniclus Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Slowking: 160-189 (40.6 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Sand Force Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus in Sand: 208-246 (49 - 58%) -- 58.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Aqua Jet]

Sorry for forgetting about this, IRL has been a headache, thank you for your continued patience.

Voting Phase
The Voting phase will last until Saturday, June 18th at 11:59pm EST (GMT -5). You can click each sprite to go to the corresponding post.

Checks


Counters

Thank you to everybody who submitted a set and have fun voting!​

 

[A Welcome Guest]

Check:

Counter:

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

scizor check
jellicent counter

 

[afuyeas]

Sorry for forgetting about this, IRL has been a headache, thank you for your continued patience.

Voting Phase
The Voting phase will last until Saturday, June 18th at 11:59pm EST (GMT -5). You can click each sprite to go to the corresponding post.

Checks


Counters

Thank you to everybody who submitted a set and have fun voting!​

I think you forgot 2 suggested checks in Life Orb Reuniclus and Mew as well as Sableye as a counter.

 

[Aqua Jet]

After a tiebreaker from Finchinator, we can move onto the next Victim! Congrats to marsandback for winning the checks, and peng for winning the counters of Week 8! Your submission will be added to the Hall of Fame Shortly!

Submissions Phase

Alakazam

Alakazam @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
Hidden Power: Ice
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Encore
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]

I will fill this in tomorrow, probably​

The submissions phase will end on Wednesday, June 22nd at 11:59pm EST (GMT -5)!

 

[Ibby]

Reserving god scizor (band)

 

[Tbolt]

Really isn't June anymore is it?


Tyranitar @ Chople Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Atk / 172 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Thunder Wave
- Superpower

You already know this set, if ur running a Sand team you're probably running this set because it's one of the few reliable ways of removing a Psychic from the opposing team.

✅️ btw, especially with Spikes down