Resource SM ZU Good Cores

5gen

jumper
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SM ZU Good Cores
Based on LC Good Cores by sam-testings

At the most basic level, a good Pokemon core works together to win battles! A good core is comprised of two or three Pokemon that share offensive or defensive synergy, meaning they either break or wall certain sets of Pokemon the other cannot. Having a good core helps you build around a specific goal, making the process much easier and helping create much stronger teams. This thread will showcase some of the really good cores available to team builders in SM ZU! Feel free to submit your two- or three-mon core for consideration; additionally, if you're stuck in a teambuilding rut, stop by this thread to pick up some new ideas!

You may submit cores in this thread! It will be reviewed by the council before either being added to the core or denied with an explanation as to why.

Guidelines
  • Importable sets
  • Short description of the core. Mention which category it fits in and describe what makes the core work well
  • Mini sprites are preferred, but not required
Combusken @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect

Komala @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Bulk Up
- Wish
- Protect

This is a balanced core. Combusken is a solid wallbreaker and sweeper thanks to good STAB moves and its ability Speed Boost. It breaks through a lot of the meta but struggles with things like Altaria, Mareanie, and Silvally-Water, which is where Komala comes in. Thanks to its good special bulk and status immunity, it easily switches into and sets up on each of these, becoming a big threat in an instant.



Muk + Tangela -Froasty
 
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BloodAce

Untier Connoisseur
is a Tiering Contributor
Komala @ Choice Band
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Knock Off

Silvally-Ghost @ Ghost Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Multi-Attack
- Double-Edge
- U-turn

This is an offensive core. Silvally-Ghost and Choice Band Komala form a solid VoltTurn core. Komala is able to break pokemon such as Pyukumuku that Silvally-Ghost struggles with while Silvally-Ghost is able to offensively pressure pokemon that Komala struggles with such as Gourgeist-XL. Silvally-Ghost and Komala also have solid type synergry with Silvally-Ghost being able to switch into Fighting-Types that beat Komala such as Silvally-Fighting.
 
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Combusken @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Protect
- Sky Uppercut

Swanna @ Life Orb
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Roost
- Hurricane
- Surf

OR

Combusken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Focus Blast
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Electric]

Swanna @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Liquidation
- Defog
- Roost

Or mix and match. I've also had success with Scarf Swan.

These two form a truly excellent Offense core, providing the F/W of the FWG core while also giving extremely useful dual-types (Fighting and Flying). Nothing in the tier resists either of these two alone, let alone when you put them together. What do you bring in to Swanna? Fat Normals, Bronzor, Silv-W. Combusken breaks down the vast majority of Swanna's switch-ins with either or both of its STABs. The same goes for Combusken; there isn't a lot that resists or isn't destroyed by its dual STABs, but those switch-ins that exist are thoroughly neutralized by Swanna. Silv-W is worn down over time by both elements of this core, though it does sponge a few hits.

One of the other things that makes this core great is the unpredictability of its two components. Combusken can viably run Life Orb Special (which 2HKOs SpDef Komala and Lickilicky, by the way), Z Focus Blast, Z Fire Blast (less common but still good depending on your team composition), or SD + Fightinium. By the time your opponent has figured out which set you are, it is often too late for them to recover the damage, especially with the pressure that Swanna exerts.

Swanna can also viably run a lot of sets; Standard offensive defog (Phys or Special), Physical or Special scarf, Z Rain Dance, Z Mirror Move, or my personal favorite, LO Defog. This versatility is enough to put most teams on the back foot if played properly, and in combination with Combusken's unpredictabiltiy, can completely disorient opponents.

This core is pretty frail, with zero inherent bulk on Combusken and relative paper on Swan, and without Scarf on Swanna is very susceptible to fast threats, but they fit very well on Offense because of this.

Give it a try! Or don't, because I would be terrified to see it in the hands of a capable player.
 
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Ampha

"They don’t call me Greed for nothing!"
is a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributor
Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze
+
Duosion @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Acid Armor
- Recover
OR
Vigoroth @ Eviolite
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 HP / 164 SpD / 92 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Bulk Up
- Slack Off
- Return

Balanced core,Mareanies toxic spikes support is huge for both vig and duosion,bot love toxic spread to get past its common checks such as Gourgeist, Silv ghost etc for vigoroths case and darks for duos case and Pyukumuku for both
 

BP

Beers and Steers
is a Contributor to Smogon
Image result for Mareanie sprite
Image result for Silvally sprite
(Fighting)
Bronzel-Sprite aus Pokédex 3D Pro

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 40 Def / 220 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Sludge Bomb
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Rest

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 HP / 154 Def / 104 Spe
Impish Nature
- Multi-Attack
- Parting Shot
- Defog
- Toxic


Honestly this is probably me favorite Balanced core right now in the meta despite having two Eviolite users. All the Pokemon compliment each other fairly nicely regarding type synergy and you have virtually 1 Role left to fill ( Choice Scarfer) and after that role is filled you have 2 spots left to fill all willy nilly. Its a straight forward core that gets right down to the point. Not to mention that T-spikes is becoming increasingly better right now in my opinion thanks to a Primarily offensive meta.
 
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Mareanie + Komala Balance Core

While you won´t find much defensive synergy in the typing of these two members (other than Mareanie covering Komalas fighting weakness), the stats are where synergy comes from: With Komala being able to take on special attackers well, while Mareanie does the same on the physical side.
The main selling point, however, is the utility and compression this core offers. With only two members you cover: Hazards (Toxic Spikes), hazard removal (Rapid Spin), status immunity (Komala fully and Mareanie in regard to poison), Knock Off support, passive recovery (Regenerator), active recovery (Recover), pivoting (U-turn) and even (p)hazing (Haze) if you decide on it. You should however keep in mind that this core is rather weak to Knock Off.

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Scald / Sludge Bomb
- Toxic Spikes
- Knock Off / Haze
Komala @ Assault Vest
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Earthquake / Knock Off
- U-turn
- Rapid Spin
* Optional set changes (Komala):
Wish Komala > AV Komala → this comes at the cost of losing special bulk and offensive pressure, but it gives you more longevity on Komala to make better use of Toxic Spikes.
Wish/BU Komala > AV Komala this comes at the cost of losing special bulk and hazard removal, but it gives you a (situational) win condition and more longevity to make better use of Toxic Spikes. (In this case however, you come close to Amphas Mareanie + Vigoroth core)



Anyways, one of the main goals of this post is to encourage more core ideas to make our (already comprehensive) ZU resources even better! (And maybe make Ladder more representative of our understanding of the metagame)
 
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165771
165770

Balance
Swanna @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Big Pecks
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Scald
- Defog
- Roost

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 228 Def / 32 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Protect

Swanna + Golem is a core I slap onto teams very often, and it's very self-explanatory. Golem and Swanna both offer a ton of role compression for teams in the current meta game. Golem provides a normal, flying resist, and electric immunity as well. This is extremely beneficial for Swanna as Scarf Electivire is an extremely common mon in the metagame and having something that checks it extremely well and forces prediction is amazing for a lot of teams. Swanna provides a defogger for teams as well as supporting Golem by coming in on mons such as Tangela, Gourgeist, Machoke, and Silvally-Fighting which are all prove to be very annoying for Golem. This core can struggle with a lot of stuff so it requires some support, but it's only meant to soft-check a lot of the metagame such as Pinsir, E-Vire, Combusken, Zebstrika, Chatot and others. While it isn't a perfect core (or post) I felt this thread needed some more love and hopefully this post may encourage others to post their cores as well!

P.S.- This core has lots of variations in sets. Golem can be Offensive WP, Custap, or even Banded. Swanna can be scarfed and Z-Rain Dance. Since I'm defining it as balance I'll be using the more defensive sets for the two.
 
Tang and 'Tang

Offense

166208



Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leech Seed / Synthesis
- Toxic
- Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
- Sleep Powder / Knock Off / Sludge Bomb

166209


Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 88 SpD / 16 Spe
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Thunder Punch / Toxic

The Sets

The sets you can run with this are quite varied. Really, anything that either of them can run will work within this core. Tangela will always do what it's supposed to do: function as a physically defensive offensive pivot with access to support moves, no matter which 4 moves you choose. Metang's set is a little more restricted, since you really want Thunder Punch for Swanna and Silvally-Water, Meteor Mash for STAB (and more importantly STAB coverage for Golem), and EQ for important coverage I will mention later. I've experimented iwth both 88 SpD and 88 Defense and slightly prefer SpD because Metang's primary purpose in this core is to be a Swanna switchin/special sponge.

Sludge Bomb is slashed on Tangela because it can carry it so it does something back to Shiftry after it eats Knock.

#MTGA

Tangela has been rather forgotten in recent times due to Gourgeist's existence within the tier, but it still holds a distinct niche as an offensive pivot, and is often quite annoying to face. Here's a short list of what it accomplishes:
  • Switches into Golem 100% of the time and forces it to switch out
  • Switches into non-SpA/Flamethrower Electivire (Ice Punch variants can't outdamage its healing)
  • Switches into Kecleon (loses Evio, but checks after it's lost)
  • Switches into Komala (same as above)
  • Does not get completely destroyed by +2 Knock Off from Shiftry (49-58%)
  • Spreads Toxic/Leech Seed/Sleep Powder
  • Hits really hard for a defensive wall (100 base SpA)
  • Regenerates
Tangela is capable of checking and threatening some of the most prominent threats in the tier, as well as making life more difficult for others via Sleep Powder and Leech Seed. Even if it doesn't stay in, Tangela is very good at forcing switches and sets the player up to capitalize with a timely double-switch. Its main drawback is just how one-dimensional it is from a defensive standpoint; it falls to any and all Special attacks, most notably from Swanna and Silvallies. This is where Metang comes in.

#MMGA

Metang is often seen as overshadowed by Bronzor, since Bronzor is a much more reliable defensive check to everything that Metang checks (and then some, with Levitate). However, it packs the punch (pun intended) that Bronzor lacks, specifically against the things it checks. Here's a short list of what Metang accomplishes on its own:

  • Sets rocks (duh)
  • Switches into and forces out or surprise-KOs Swanna with Thunder Punch
  • Switches into Abomasnow (mixed LO only does up to 40% with Earthquake) and threatens out
  • Prevents 6-0 from Muk, even Fire Punch variants
  • Prevents 6-0 from Scarf Mime
  • Provides a blanket Special check for most non-fire threats (namely, silvallies)
  • Switches into Toxic
  • Provides offensive pressure with its coverage and base attack stat
  • Threatens Pyukumuku (niche, but very real)
Metang provides the other side of the defensive core coin by checking some of the most prevalent Special or mixed threats in the tier and providing Stealth Rock support. Since Swanna is arguably S-tier, every team needs a solid answer to it, and Metang provides that. Metang can absorb most hits that aren't named Fire Blast, Flare Blitz, or Knock Off while providing offensive pressure vs most offensive Pokemon in the tier. The important thing about Metang is it, like Tangela, does not lose offensive pressure while performing its defensive and utility role.

The Core

As mentioned above, this core functions together to check the a notable amount of threats in the tier while maintaining offensive pressure and providing utility in the form of sleep powder/leech seed/toxic/knock off/stealth rock, all of which benefit Offensive teams. This core fits well on offense-oriented teams because it provides chip, utility, coverage, and forces switches.

The main weakness of the core is that it lacks longevity (specifically Metang), which means it's not suited to longer battles. You can run Rest on Metang, but it really doesn't want to lose any of its slots, and if it;s being used as an offensive pivot it doesn't need it anyways.

Some Pokemon which completely destroy this core or at least give it trouble are

  • Rapidash
  • Simisear
  • Combusken
  • Shiftry*
  • Silvally-Ghost*
Many of these will have other answers within your team, and if you're running Offense, you'll have enough pressure to deal with them with proper play anyways, so this list is not prohibitive of success as a core.
 

Muk + Shiftry Offensive Core
This core´s synergy is twofold. One the one hand we have amazing defensive type synergy: Shiftry covers Muk´s Psychic and Ground weakness, while Muk covers Shiftry´s Fighting, Bug, Fairy and Poison weakness. This leaves the core with only three uncovered weaknesses in Fire, Ice and Flying. On the other hand, Shiftry supports Muk very well in removing its checks, who stop Muk from Cursing up and winning the game. These include steel types like Bronzor and Mawile*, but also Ground types like Golem and Silvally-Ground. Lasty, Shiftry covers two rather bulky Water Pokemon who tend to annoy Muk: Pyukumuku and Mareanie. Pyukumuku can stall Muk out of PP thanks to Unaware and Mareanie can reset Muk´s stats by using Haze.

Muk (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Poison Jab
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Shiftry (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Storm
- Defog**
*Mawile gets lured by Shiftry and takes a good amount of damage from Leaf Storm. Be aware though, Leaf Storm is rather common now, and people start to expect it and play more carefully with their Mawile
**This last moveslot doesn´t have to be occupied by Defog. If the team already has hazard removal, you can alternatively use Swords Dance, Fake Out or Hurricane in this slot.
 
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Oathkeeper

"Wait!" he says, do I look like a waiter?
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+


Shiftry @ Life Orb / Darkinium Z
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Storm
- Swords Dance

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Eviolite
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Scald / Sludge Bomb
- Toxic Spikes / Toxic
- Haze / Knock Off


Honestly, I'm very shocked that this balanced core isn't on the list yet. One of the better ones imo. These two just share great synergy. They can beat each others problems. For example: Shiftry beats the stuff like the Golems, Sandslash, Marowak, Bronzor, Mr.Mime, Beheeyem, and perhaps Kadabra. Mareanie deals with the mons that Shiftry doesn't like such as: Combusken, Silvally-Fighting, and Mawile.​
 
Hey everyone! I have a really fun offense core that I enjoyed using while laddering for reqs this week.

180523
180524


Beheeyem @ Choice Specs
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 208 HP / 252 SpA / 48 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Trick

Probopass @ Groundium Z
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 160HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Smack Down
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Volt Switch


Beheeyem is one of the hardest hitters in this tier, with two of its main issues offensively being steel types and dark types. With this core, probopass successfully removes every important steel pokemon for beheeyem, allowing it to spam its STAB psychics if dark types are out of the picture. Probopass also has a slow volt switch for beheeyem to get into the match safely. Hardly any other pokemon in the tier can boast the support probopass has to offer for beheeyem, and a well-supported beheeyem can easily force its way through most teams. When using this core it is best to use it on bulkier playstyles like bulky offense or balance, because most of the time the opponent's answer to beheeyem once steel types are removed is sac'ing the least important mon and bringing in an offensive check. If you have a good defensive backbone to react to the check, you're golden. This is an overall very fun core that showcases Beheeyem as a wallbreaking monster, and I hope you enjoy it!


I am having trouble posting the calcs in a hide box because it is doing weird things so I might have calcs up soon, but know that it beats every relevant steel type if they are running their typical sets

in conclusion enjoy nuking things with beheeyem it is very therapeutic​
 

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Submitting a Balance Core thats pretty relevant right now:

+
+


Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Psywave
- Toxic
- Rest

Altaria @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower / Dragon Pulse

Shiinotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spore
- Moonblast
- Strength Sap
- Giga Drain


A solid Dragon + Fairy + Steel core that can provide a solid defensive backbone to the majority of balance teams, checking the likes of Abomasnow, Shiftry, Combusken, Rapidash, and the possible Exeggutor all at once. All the teammembers can handle eachothers type weaknesses relatively well and can provide status spreading, entry hazard support, and entry hazard removal to any balance team which is much appreciated. The core is quite passive and requires the support of offensive teammates to apply pressure, however this does not take away the sheer amount of threats all three of these mons can check, which is why I believe it should be added.
 
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Rapidash @ Firium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Morning Sun

Servine @ Eviolite
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Defog
- Synthesis

Rapidash is a versatile threat thanks to its ability to outspeed a majority of the tier while doing heavy damage and simultaneously checking a myriad of pokemon like Abomasnow, Kecleon, Simisear, Leafeon, Pawniard, and most notably Shiftry. Flame body is a useful ability that allows it to fish for burns while it recovers, and will-o-wisp helps it play around sucker punch from Shiftry and Pawniard and completely invalidates Golem as a switch-in. Rapidash struggles to break common bulky pokemon such as Golem, Mareanie, Altaria, Pyukumuku, and Silvally-Water, and appreciates defog support, making Servine a great partner.

Servine lacks immediate power, but easily overwhelms passive pokemon, and with hp ice it can lure Altaria, dash's most reliable counter. With good bulk and synthesis its able to check things like Electivire, Golem, Floatzel, and Kadabra. Servine is one of the few defoggers that can reliably switch into Golem, and Rapidash can pressure the rockers it can't, namely Bronzor and Monferno.

Together Rapidash and Servine make up part of a defensive backbone to a balanced team, with dash posing problems for offense with its immediate power, and servine breaking bulky teams. This core appreciates pokemon that take on things like Swanna, Combusken, Komala, Bouffalant, Rotom-Fan, and Muk, and something to set rocks, so Golem and spdef Mareanie make good partners. Furthermore, knock off Mareanie can lure Bronzor and Mareanie, helping Servine and Rapidash to break them.
 
&

Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Scald
- Circle Throw

Oricorio @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Dancer
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Revelation Dance
- Hurricane
- Roost

I've been playing with this balanced core since Poliwrath dropped and it's simply phenomenal. Defensive Poli does an excellent job of dealing with Rock, Ground, and Water types that may attempt to switch in on Oricorio. Additionally, the chip provided by Circle Throw can make it easier for Oricorio to sweep a weakened team or nuke a damaged check with Flyinium Z. In return, Oricorio offensively checks Shiftry and the multitude of quiver dancers which would otherwise force out Poli. The end result is a core which can deal with most kinds of setup effectively and consistently threatens to wear down the opposing team.

When running this core it is crucial that you run teammates which can deal with Electivire and other threatening Electric-types, as those mons are the one thing that can really invalidate this core. Poli and Oricorio also appreciate teammates which can deal with Swanna, because it makes Oricorio's predictions harder and completely destroys Poliwrath. Electivire, Golem, Rotom-Fan, and others make great teammates for this core.
 

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