Project PU Core Analysis Workshop (Discussing partners to Rotom-F + Monferno)

[MZ]

Simisear @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Fire Blast
- Grass Knot
- Low Kick
- Knock Off
In general this core is threatened by Ice-types and things that are faster than it. Scarf Simisear is a cool offensive partner because it simultaneously is a nice Ice check (not beating +2 cuno but outside of that) and has a base speed faster/tied with all standard scarfers other than the rare timid raichu (not exactly standard anyway). Takes on the Rotom, unboosted cuno, regice, scarf buck, raichu, and in general isn't really seen coming as it's the one monkey people don't really scarf for whatever reason.

 

[Akir]

Done with finals, so time to post. This thread is pretty cool, so I'll finish the partners section. This core is pretty weird for me to build for because it doesn't really have an "identity" of its own. It covers support for other mons to work though, so I'll say that a good partner is Regice:

Regice @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rock Polish
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast

Regice requires a good amount of support to work fully, and this core provides plenty of it. Jumpluff can put threats to sleep and U-Turn on the Ice attackers that try to switch in and give Regice a good chance to set up, while also resisting Fighting and threatening Regice checks like Machoke. Politoed resists Fire and Steel and provides a good pivot for Regice to rely on. Politoed can even pivot into bulky Water Types that can take Regice on, and threaten slower Rock Types. Golem can also help by giving Stealth Rocks to ease KOs and threaten Steels (especially Pawniard) and Rock Types. In return, Regice provides the core with one of the most brutal and hard-to-stop lategame sweeps that PU has to offer. Regice can even threaten a good number of the core's threats after a Rock Polish.

In short, this core provides plenty of support to offensive mons, and Regice is a fantastic offensive mon that even has type synergy.

 

[Grim]

omg a partner :O

New core:

Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Fire]
- Synthesis
- Knock Off

Audino @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Knock Off / Double-Edge
- Toxic / Thunder Wave / Heal Bell

Straightforward aids Regencore here. Audino walls a big amount of special attackers and Tangela walls a big amount of physical attackers such as Machoke. Type-wise they don't really do much for each other but due to Regenerator and both being great blanket checks in general they cover each other quite well anyway, such as Tangela beating Machoke for Audino and Audino beating Zebstrika for Tangela.

You can now post threats.

 

[Raiza]

Vigoroth @ Eviolite
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 248 HP / 244 SpD / 16 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Return
- Slack Off
- Substitute

Vigoroth smells souls to eat! Both these Pokemon could threaten Vigoroth in some ways by Knocking Off its Eviolite, or putting it under status such as Toxic, which is deadly, but Vigoroth can negate all of that by setting up a Substitute. Substitute can block status thrown at him and even attacking moves thanks to its bulk, and allows Vigoroth to heal up HP lost by using Substitute, and then use this core as set up fodder with Bulk Up, completely running through it and probably the whole opposing team too once it gets some boosts going.

 

[TONE]

Monferno @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Flare Blitz
- Mach Punch

SD Monferno is a threat to this core as it easily handles both Tangela and Audino with its respective STAB attacks. After a Swords Dance, Monferno can possibly OHKO Tangela after Stealth Rock with Flare Blitz whereas Audino dies to Close Combat. Life Orb can be used to guarantee the OHKO on Tangela after a SD.

 

[Akir]

Gogoat @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
Happiness: 0
EVs: 228 HP / 48 Atk / 232 SpD
Careful Nature
- Substitute
- Bulk Up
- Horn Leech
- Frustration/Earthquake

Continuing the trend of Substitute setup mons, Gogoat can set up on this core pretty easily. Gogoat can come in on Tangela using Giga Drain as well to get an extra Attack boost as well. Gogoat outspeeds and takes advantage of the passiveness of the core for almost-free setup. The only real option that this core has is to Toxic on the switch, but that's easy enough to play around.

 

[2xTheTap]

SubRoost Articuno as a threat to Audino + Tangela

Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 124 SpD / 136 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Roost
- Ice Beam / Freeze-Dry
- Toxic

Spread outspeeds neutral nature 252 Spe base 70s, but can be ran slower or faster for various targets. This specific amount of bulk gives you the 3HKO on LO Raichu's Volt Switch, meaning it doesn't kill even after SR. SubRoost Articuno can also be ran with Timid with 252 SpA to Substitute on the maximum number of targets, but the choice is team dependent for the most part.

Articuno doesn't care about Audino, and can even Pressure stall it out of Wishes while Toxic eventually forces it out. Meanwhile, STAB attacks on Timid 252 SpA Articuno OHKO Tangela (or uninvested 2HKO - either way, it is being forced out), so SubRoost Articuno can break apart this core nicely:

0 SpA Articuno Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 254-300 (76 - 89.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Articuno Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 320-380 (95.8 - 113.7%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Articuno Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 392-464 (117.3 - 138.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[MaroGod]

Welp this was obviously late sorry Grim

Regice @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rock Polish
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
or
Regice @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast

Regice just breaks this core down easily with stab ice beam and focus blast. it also takes on pokemon that pair well with them such as Altaria. TankIce can para spam both whilst PolishIce makes Tangela set-up with the ability to outspeed whatever is coming in

 

[Grim]

You can post partners now.

 

[RawMelon]

Partner for Audino+Tangela Core

Grumpig @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave
- Signal Beam / Taunt

Grumpig checks the ice and fire types that threaten this core such as Regice, Artincuo, Rotom-F, Ninetales and Monferno. Grumpig can also handle many set up sweepers such as Gogoat, Vigoroth (with Taunt > Signal Beam) and Arbok. Signal Beam helps with Exeggutor which can be tough to play around too (for now).

A lot of these threats weren't posted but they are still huge threats to this core.

 

[Skankovich]

Honestly, not a huge fan of this core since Machoke is the most common switchin to Audino, and Tangela doesn't really like switching in on it since Knock Off cripples it. For this and a variety of other reasons, I prefer Gourgeist-XL over Tang here, despite the double regen, but still:

Carbink @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast

Crobink beats Sub Vigoroth, Monferno, Guts Machoke, Dodrio and adds another Stout counter, all of which threaten this core. It absorbs status via resttalk which means audino doesn't have to waste heal bell pp and provides a wincon to sweep once its checks are removed, which gives the core some needed offensive presence. Meanwhile, Cute Rock likes the wish support Audino gives it and also the knock off support both provide, which lets it beat the likes of Monferno more easily, and also means that Pawniard doesn't like switching into it later on.

By no means a choice for offense, but Crobink is actually really nice for defensive teams.

 

[Akir]

Month late HYPE!

(Vullaby) (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- U-turn/Taunt

This core relies on switching out to abuse Regenerator, so it would be a shame if entry hazards mitigated the Regenerator healing. In order to fix this, Vullaby is here to reliably Defog away all hazards to maximize Regenerator benefits. Vullaby can also check Machoke decently well with Brave Bird, but doesn't enjoy switching in to Knock Off. Vullaby can also U-Turn to keep the switching shenanigans up, or Taunt the many setup mons that want to take advantage of the core's passiveness. Overall, Vullaby is a very reliable defogger that can also check large threats to the core.

Honestly, Pelipper would be better but RIP...

 

[ShuckleDeath]

Mr. Mime @ Choice Specs/ Choice Scarf
Ability: Filter
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest/Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Focus Blast
- Baton Pass

Both Choice sets of Mr.Mime make a great Partner for the core of TangDino as it beats the Fighting types that threaten this Core, especially Monferno. Specs as some much needed Wallbreaking capabilitys as this core is rather passive, while the Scarf set brings some much needed speed.

 

[Grim]

Alright, this project has been pretty quiet for a while, but I like it and apparently others do too I'll try this again.

Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Trick / Hidden Power Ice

Monferno @ Eviolite / Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Flare Blitz
- Mach Punch
- U-turn

Rotom-F and Monferno form a pretty cool VoltTurn core that does a good job at wearing down mutual checks such as Grumpig that teams often rely on to beat both. Rotom-F also takes on things like Stunfisk, Vullaby, and Altaria for Monferno while Monferno beats things such as Audino, opposing Rotom-F, and Probopass.

You can now post threats.

 

[MZ]

The core is good, but its main weakness to its offensive synergy is the fact that you're running scarf rotom, which is relatively slow for a scarfer. This leaves it easy to abuse with anything faster really

Chatot @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Tangled Feet
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power Fighting
- U-turn
Chose chatot on a whim, Dodrio/simisage/simipour/ninjask all work fine. Cleans through once they're weakened, faster, won't automatically die to CB mach although it's pretty close

 

[Anty]

Monferno @ Life Orb
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Fire Punch
- Mach Punch
Jolly SD monferno is actually quite good rn due to people spamming timid 176 Grumpig. Basically you SD on rotom-f choice locked as it will often be threatened out (or if like CB monferno fire punch), or something else then KO both the mons. You might not even have to SD as both would take upwards of 60% from mach (rotom) and (cc).

Monferno isnt broken you can use it too lol

 

[Akir]

Mr. Mime @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Focus Blast
- Healing Wish

Scarf Mime checks both members of the core pretty handily by outspeeding both and KOing with the appropriate move. Focus Blast kills Rotom and Psychic or Dazzling Gleam kills Monferno as an OHKO for both. Interesting enough, all 3 moves are at least a 2HKO on both members of the core, so with some chip damage Mime can just sweep through. Mime also has the added benefit of 4x resisting Mach Punch, so this core's only option for retaliation is lackluster at best. Mime can't always switch in though and doesn't enjoy it when Mime can, but that's also a possibility.

This thread always goes quiet during the partners part, which is strange to me. The partners is the easier and more fun part...

 

[2xTheTap]

Grumpig as a threat to AoA Monferno + Scarf Rotom-F

Grumpig @ Colbur Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Focus Blast
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball

Grumpig is easily able to take Rotom-F's Ice STABs thanks to Thick Fat and nice special bulk, while it can check Adamant Monferno (not Jolly) by resisting its Fire and Fighting STABs because of its typing and ability. 252 SpA Psychic is enough to OHKO Eviolite Monferno and definitely OHKOes Choice Band variants, while it can also hit Rotom-F hard with Focus Blast (OHKOes with SR support):

252 SpA Grumpig Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 254-302 (94.4 - 112.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Grumpig Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Rotom-F: 192-228 (79.6 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

You could also run a bulky variant, but that is outsped and hit decently hard by Monferno's U-Turn, so offensive Pig was used here.

 

[ShuckleDeath]

Leafeon..... yes Leafeon!!!

Leafeon @ Yache Berry
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Seed
- Knock Off
- Aerial Ace
- Swords Dance

So this is a great lure set in the tier atm. If Leafeon is able to remain healthy it can live a Blizzard from Rotom(considering it doesn't miss anyways ;P) and ignore Bullet Seed as Knock Off has a ~87% chance to OHKO after Rocks, and even if you don't get a kill off the first Knock you know out speed anyways. A common switch in on leafeon is of coarse Eviolite Monferno well be Hold Monferno as Aerial Ace has a 85% chance to OHKO by a +2 Aerial Ace BEFORE Rocks..

Calcs

252 SpA Rotom-F Blizzard vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Yache Berry Leafeon: 220-259 (81.1 - 95.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 Atk Leafeon Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rotom-F: 177-209 (73.4 - 86.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Iron Fist Monferno Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Leafeon: 51-60 (18.8 - 22.1%) -- possible 5HKO

+2 252 Atk Leafeon Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Monferno: 262-310 (97.3 - 115.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[MZ]

Leafeon..... yes Leafeon!!!

Leafeon @ Yache Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Seed
- Knock Off
- Aerial Ace
- Swords Dance

So this is a great lure set in the tier atm. If Leafeon is able to remain healthy it can live a Blizzard from Rotom(considering it doesn't miss anyways ;P) and ignore Bullet Seed as Knock Off has a ~87% chance to OHKO after Rocks, and even if you don't get a kill off the first Knock you know out speed anyways. A common switch in on leafeon is of coarse Eviolite Monferno well be Hold Monferno as Aerial Ace has a 85% chance to OHKO by a +2 Aerial Ace BEFORE Rocks..

Calcs

252 SpA Rotom-F Blizzard vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Yache Berry Leafeon: 220-259 (81.1 - 95.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 Atk Leafeon Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rotom-F: 177-209 (73.4 - 86.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Iron Fist Monferno Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Leafeon: 51-60 (18.8 - 22.1%) -- possible 5HKO

+2 252 Atk Leafeon Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Monferno: 262-310 (97.3 - 115.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Rotom-F Blizzard vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Yache Berry Leafeon: 220-259 (81.1 - 95.5%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
if u actually include SR in the calc, u cant OHKO or set up on either so this barely qualifies as a threat imo

 

[Thisbemyalt]

Golduck @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Might have the set wrong but RD Golduck can setup on blizzard locked Rotom and outspeeds adamant Monferno so it can either OHKO it or setup rain on a predicted switch, once under rain Golduck comfortably kills both. Blizzard+Mach is not enough to kill, without rocks up golduck can get 2 hits off even with max rolls.

252+ SpA Life Orb Golduck Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-F in Rain: 239-282 (99.1 - 117%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Iron Fist Monferno Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Golduck: 114-135 (37.8 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Rotom-F Blizzard vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Golduck: 93-110 (30.8 - 36.5%) -- 63.2% chance to 3HKO

 

[The Jungle Fox]

Ninetales @ Leftovers/Passho Berry
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Substitute/Energy Ball

Ninetales is capable of switch in on any of Rotom-F's moves (assuming rocks aren't up) bar Trick and force it out, setting up on it's switch. It's also capable of switch in on Monferno's Flare Blitz/Mach Punch or force it out after a possible CC drop.

Calcs

252 SpA Rotom-F Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales: 127-150 (44.2 - 52.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-F: 248-294 (102.9 - 121.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Iron Fist Monferno Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ninetales: 118-139 (41.1 - 48.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Ninetales Hidden Power Ground vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Monferno: 318-376 (118.2 - 139.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Iron Fist Monferno Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ninetales: 78-93 (27.1 - 32.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Ninetales Hidden Power Ground vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 214-252 (79.5 - 93.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Grim]

You can now post partners.

 

[zdrup15]

After trying this core out for myself, I have to say cb stoutland is a good partner because this core provides it with good ways to deal with pawn, gourgeist, probo, stunfisk, avalugg and even some mismagius sets (like the taunt/split one), which are usually the best ways for non-HO teams to deal with it.

Stoutland @ Choice Band
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Superpower
- Facade
- Giga Impact (no, it's not a mistake, I never used pursuit or even sleep talk here so I tried this and it worked once or twice, which is one or two more times than all the others)

If you want, you can basically make any normal-type work here because they all appreciate a core to deal with the aforementioned mons but I'll stick to this one.

 

[Azkul]

Gogoat @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 228 HP / 48 Atk / 232 SpD
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Horn Leech
- Earthquake
- Milk Drink

Gogoat basically benefits a lot from what Rotom-F and Monferno can do. Gogoat can't get through bulky things such as Vullaby, Altaria, Misdreavus, Gourgeist-Super, Articuno, Tangela... these two Pokes handle many Gogoat counters, including these ones.
In return, what Gogoat can do is pretty valuable, as it cripples threats to the core, such as Grumpig, Metang, a lot of water types, Golem and other rock setters, etc.

What I think is most interesting with that Gogoat addition is that it brings some nice overall bulk - though mainly special at first - to the core, which allows to tank some hits that would otherwise be quite dangerous.