Resource SS AG Good Cores

baconeatinassassin

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OMPL Champion
A strong core is one of the single most valuable things to form when creating a new team. Cores are typically made up of a group of Pokémon that,
when used together, work excellently toward accomplishing a specific goal, and any good player uses them, intentionally or not. The majority of cores have varying characteristics that allow them to triumph in different areas, and depending on your team, cores can be built to succeed offensively or defensively. An offensive core is a group of Pokémon that are both focused towards and designed to enable the team to break through most other team styles while being balanced for general play. A defensive core is a group of Pokémon chosen to give a team a solid set of resistances and the ability to switch into many of the common and threatening attacks in the metagame, allowing it to stick around long enough to win the match. Overall, cores function as a fantastic base or starting point for a wide range of teams and they are commonly used while teambuilding to achieve a specific goal.


Posting Guidelines:
  • Any person can post a core in this thread. The cores are broken down into three categories: offensive cores, balanced cores, and defensive cores. When posting your core, please make sure to state which one of these categories your core falls under.
  • Although the way your core works may be obvious to you, this may not be the case for others. As such, when posting a core, please make sure to explain how the core operates and any other details you think are important to include. The explanations don't have to be essays; as long as your post has some substance and conveys the main idea behind the core, it's all good. Here are some things you may like to include when explaining your core:
    • Offensive Core: Should your core be an offensive one, such as Zacian-C + Kyogre, you could explain how those two Pokemon work together to break down their similar checks and any other synergistic traits. You could also mention any weaknesses the core has and any partners you believe work well with the core.
      • Here is a good example of what we look for taken from the ORAS OU iteration.
    • Defensive Core: Should your core be defensive, such as Necrozma-DM + Yveltal, you could explain their typing synergy allows them to cover problematic Pokemon for one another, or any other synergistic attributes you feel are relevant. You could also mention any weaknesses the core has and any partners you believe work well with the core.
      • Here is a good example of what we look for taken from the ORAS OU iteration.
  • This goes without saying, but do make sure your post includes the sets your core is using. In addition, please try to include an explanation of any EV spreads deviating from the standard 252 / 252. Replays are also very helpful and highly encouraged when posting cores.
  • Please do not post a core that has more than 3 Pokemon because cores bigger than this can restrict building immensely.
  • Please be respectful of the cores people post in this thread. If someone posts a core that you think is ineffective or just plain bad, there is no need to jump at their throats. With that said, constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged - simply be nice!
Core Selection Process:
  • I will carefully monitor the cores posted in this thread. When the time comes, I will look at the posted cores and decide which ones will be featured in the archive.
  • While the selection of good cores can often be subjective, I will take into consideration a variety of aspects before deciding which cores are featured in the archive. This includes quality of explanation, effectiveness of the core in the current metagame, and so on. I will carefully discuss everything and seek feedback from others to ensure the selected cores are of high quality.
  • When I decide which cores will be featured in the archive, I will try to announce them and provide brief explanations behind why certain cores were selected and why certain cores weren't. This feedback can potentially help give people a clearer picture of what we are looking for.
  • If a core is originally rejected from the archive, I can definitely provide some tips on how a set or spread can be tweaked so the core meets the standards we look for.
  • Just like with anyone else who posts a core, please feel free to bring up any concerns you might have with our posts and/or the cores I select! However, please be sure to be polite, and if it is a simple question/concern, we'd prefer it being directed to us in a PM.
 
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Will

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OMPL Champion
Offensive Core: Zacian-C and Kyogre

(click on the sprites for an importable)

It goes without saying that Zacian-C is one of the most centralizing offensive forces in Gen 8 AG. It has access to a stellar pool movepool, insane base speed/attack stats, and a great Fairy-Steel typing. The reason why Zacian-C and Kyogre is such a great offensive core is because Kyogre takes advantage of of Zacian-C's only reliable counter, Necrozma-Dusk-Mane.

Upon switching in, Kyogre's Drizzle sets rain which prevents Necrozma-Dusk-Mane from recovering back up to full health with Moonlight/Morning Sun unless they are holding a Utility Umbrella. This is critical as a chipped Necrozma-Dusk-Mane is extremely vulnerable to getting broken through by two Close Combats or Close Combat into Behemoth Blade from Zacian. It should also be noted that Kyogre practically switches in for free on Necrozma-Dusk-Mane every time thanks to its Steel-resistant typing, bulky spread, and leftovers. Besides passively inhibiting Necrozma-Dusk-Mane's ability to recover health, Kyogre is able to threaten it with raw damage through a rain boosted Scald and the 30% chance of burning which Scald carries. Assurance enables Zacian-C to break through Necrozma-Dusk-Manes that are not using Heavy Duty Boots which synergizes perfectly with Kyogre's Drizzle which threatens non Utility Umbrella sets as one Necrozma-Dusk-Mane cannot hold both at once.

Furthermore, Zacian-C also happens to threaten all of the reliable Kyogre checks that Gen 8 AG has to offer: Blissey, Ferrothorn, and SpD invested Eternatus. It can switch in on most of these checks with little to no harm. If played correctly, Zacian-C can enable Kyogre to sweep as a bulky Calm Mind booster with recovery abilities in Rest and Leftovers.​
 
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Fc

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Offensive Core
:ss/calyrex-shadow: + :ss/yveltal:
(Click sprites for sets)
NP BP Calyrex-Shadow + Yveltal is one of the most dangerous offensive cores, as very few things can switch into +2 Yveltal with the right move choices, and without using their own dynamax back it's limited to almost nothing that can take it on. Zacian-C does naturally threaten Yveltal before an airstream boost, something Calyrex can just attack due to it being insanely threatening on its own while forcing a mindgame that constantly makes the opponent have to choose between covering attacking and Baton Passing. Tyranitar is one of the few things that can try to beat this core, so Yveltal was given Focus Blast to help just win against that rare but hard MU, Sucker Punch is another option in that slot though. Since Yveltal already gets +2 special attack when being passed to I felt that Timid Nature worked since it could outrun things like Choice Scarf Kyogre at +1 and the power isn't missed a lot of the time with NP being so good when passed, but Modest again is another option that's possible.
 
Defensive Core
:ss/lunala::ss/eternatus::ss/necrozma-dusk-mane:
(click on sprites for sets)
Necrozma-dusk-mane+lunala+eternatus is one of the most effective defensive cores in the meta since very few things can beat it. All 3 mons are together are capable of beating some of the strongest mons in the meta such as Kyogre, Zekrom, and Zacian-crowned. All 3 mons are also able to support each other which is why they are a great core. Lunala is capable of beating some of the strongest Dynamax sweepers such as Zekrom and Groudon. Since lunala has shadow shield it is able to take half damage when it is at full health allowing it to use will-o-wisp then roar/roost depending on if the pokemon dynamaxes. Even though Lunala can beat some of the strongest mons in the meta, it still loses to special attackers such as yveltal and Kyogre. That is where Eternatus comes in. Eternatus has very high special defensive so it is able to beat mons like kyogre and special attacking Yveltal. Since Kyogre is usually scarf it will usually use its strongest move which is water sprout. Since Eternatus is resistant to Water Sprout it won't do much. But even if Kyogre uses ice beam Eternatus can still survive and use recover then it can kill it using Dynamax Cannon. It can also survive against Yveltal special attacker even if it dynamaxes. Eternatus can keep using recover or use dynamax cannon to do double damage. But lunala and eternatus can't defeat a mon like zacian which is why this core has necorzma-dusk-mane. Ndm is capable of surviving against and killing zacian. If there are rocks or spikes and zacian has assurance then you can trick the zacian and make it think u will switch to ndm but then u can attack it.

One of the few things that can actually beat this core is Yveltal physical Dynamax and Calyrex-shadow. Since this core provides no Calyrex-shadow or Yveltal physical check they will obviously beat the core.
 
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Pokemh

Banned deucer.
:ss/(Ferrothorn: :ss/(Quagsire: :ss/(Yveltal:

Ferro Quag Yveltal is a solid defensive core that can beat cm block Kyogre with ferrothorn as well as quag being able to always live a scald and press haze although it doesn’t do much. Quag also swaps in on most zacian sets helping ferro out by not getting ohkoed by cc. Ferro can also force zygarde to sub or get leeched making ice punch quagsire a viable filler. Unfortunately with most defensive cores you can’t really swap in on specs kyogre but assuming you’re using a good semi stall/BO you’ll have another check to kyogre knowing how devastating kyogre can be when they reveal specs. Yveltal also likes quag’s and ferro’s presence because they cover for the most prominent fairies in the meta xern and zacian. Yveltal also knocks zyg and can U turn into quagsire to force a KO or a swap potentially getting themselves burned toxiced or even frozen by the ice punch variant. Yveltal also helps this core by not getting 3-0ed by np calyrex.
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kyogre Water Spout (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Ferrothorn in Rain: 218-257 (61.9 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kyogre Water Spout (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dynamax Ferrothorn in Rain: 218-257 (30.9 - 36.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Modest specs kyogre can KO on switch unless you dynamax and because they’re specs they will likely want to dynamax something else to clean up endgame.
Which is why ferro is overall a safer check then etern because if you do swap on a specs kyogre you do not have the ability to dynamax you do chip it to about 60 but it still breaks walls with origin.
A threat to this core is pherb etern but rarely seen unless they give up a slot for a defensive ogre check.
Band marsh is also a threat to take into consideration because you have no safe swap ins.


https://pokepast.es/e044de6950d2d27d
 

baconeatinassassin

smile!
is a Tiering Contributor
OMPL Champion
Defensive Core
:ss/lunala::ss/eternatus::ss/necrozma-dusk-mane:
Pretty good post, you explain how Lunala and Eternatus cover each others' weaknesses well. As an additional note, Eternatus can also switch into opposing defensive Eternatus relatively safely and somewhat check Marshadow. I'm going to add Lunala + Eternatus only, as Necrozma-DM is essentially mandatory on nearly all balance teams anyways, and doesn't really help patch the core's weaknesses.

Defensive Core
:ss/(Ferrothorn: :ss/(Quagsire: :ss/(Yveltal:
Another solid post. However, I'm not going to include Quagsire as it doesn't really do that much compared to Necrozma-DM given how most Zygarde sets have workarounds to it and LO Marshadow breaks through it anyways.

I'll be posting some more cores very soon!
 
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baconeatinassassin

smile!
is a Tiering Contributor
OMPL Champion
Some cores (click sprites for sets):

yveltal.gifnecrozma-duskmane.gifeternatus.gif

This core is ubiquitous, and for good reason, as it reliably withstands some of the most prominent threats the metagame has. Yveltal is one of the most reliable checks to Calyrex-S and provides Defog support, while Necrozma-DM switches into Zacian-C and Xerneas that may threaten Yveltal, appreciates the latter's ability to sit in front of Calyrex-S, and can act as a Stealth Rock setter or a setup sweeper. Yveltal can also pivot into Poltergeist Marshadow if necessary, and fast variants can check SD Groudon which would otherwise be very threatening. Eternatus provides a safe counter to most Kyogre sets and can take pressure off the other Pokemon to check offensive Yveltal, opposing defensive Eternatus, Ho-oh and Ferrothorn, as well as Marshadow if it has enough speed investment. This core isn't perfect by any means; each of the aforementioned Pokemon have ways of breaking through their respective checks, and the core also has a weakness to other threats like setup Zygarde, physical Yveltal, Marshadow, Zekrom and Groudon depending on what sets are used, but it's still one of the most dependable defensive cores currently.


marshadow.gifcalyrex-shadow.gif

Marshadow is a fantastic breaker at the moment, taking advantage of a general lack of good physical walls while preying on common ones such as Necrozma-DM, Zygarde-C and Lunala, with teams oftentimes being forced to sack or let several of their Pokemon get weakened in order to manage it. Calyrex-S punishes teams that may try to 1v1 Marshadow with Yveltal by threatening to sweep after Yveltal is weakened, and Marshadow's ability to revenge opposing Calyrex-S means running Choice Scarf isn't as demanding. Marshadow can also double-in on and take advantage of some of Calyrex's other checks, such as Blissey/Chansey, Tyranitar and Porygon2, as well as wear down Ho-oh, while Calyrex can force out Zacian-C and fast Eternatus that check Marshadow.


zygarde-complete.gifcalyrex-shadow.gif

Zygarde-C is another great breaker and sweeper, with Dragon Dance Life Orb able to break through a vast amount of Pokemon with its sheer power. Checks to more common Zygarde-C sets switching in such as defensive Kyogre, opposing Zygarde-C, Ho-oh and Xerneas are able to be defeated with Dynamax as long as Zygarde is healthy, even if the opponent decides to as well, and with Special Defense boosts from Max Quake, strong special attackers such as opposing Calyrex-S struggle to revenge kill it. Calyrex-S provides Aromatherapy support and the ability to force out hard counters in Lunala and Shedinja for Zygarde, and appreciates Zygarde's ability to potentially lure Yveltal even without Dynamax.


zygarde-complete.gifzacian-crowned.gif

Zygarde-C can exploit Zacian-C's main check, Necrozma-DM, as a setup opportunity, either safely setting up a Dragon Dance in its face or trapping it with Thousand Waves, getting +6 and likely winning the game on the spot. Zacian-C can check Xerneas and chip/potentially force Dynamax from Ho-oh and defensive Kyogre in return.


zacian-crowned.gifgroudon.gif

There are two facets to this core: one is that Assurance Zacian-C invalidates Necrozma-DM as a switch-in, with nearly all teams unable to switch into it safely if Stealth Rock is up, and Swords Dance Groudon is one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier, and Groudon also has the option to use a defensive Toxic set to circumvent defensive Defog Lunala. The other is the potential for Zacian-C to 2HKO Necrozma-DM with a sun-boosted Fire Fang, giving it the option to drop both Close Combat + Assurance. This enables it to carry Play Rough to break through defensive Zygarde-C much more easily. Solar Blade can also be used for the very rare Quagsire, which would hard counter it otherwise, or a support move such as Swords Dance or Protect.


dracovish.gifkyogre.gif

Choice Band Dracovish in rain is simply unwallable, placing immense pressure on defensive cores in combination with Kyogre. It has the ability to lure and deal massive amounts of damage to, or KO, common Kyogre checks such as Eternatus, Ferrothorn and Kyurem-W, while others like Blissey/Chansey are forced out. Even niche picks in Shedinja, Gastrodon and Lapras still cannot safely come in on Dracovish. Thunder Wave Kyogre immensely helps Dracovish's job breaking, although other sets are still usable.


lunala.gifcalyrex-shadow.gif

This core is designed to abuse how many teams rely on Yveltal as their Calyrex-S check, with Power Herb Lunala able to lure and KO even max Special Defense Yveltal with Meteor Beam after an Ice Beam or a Calm Mind boost. This paves the way for Choice Scarf Calyrex-S to sweep teams. Even if the opponent is able to scout for Meteor Beam, Lunala (especially Calm Mind variants) is able to threaten many other common defensive Pokemon, and Calyrex-S still can break Yveltal if it is willing to Trick away its Choice Scarf.


gothitelle.gifzacian-crowned.gif

Gothitelle reliably traps and PP stalls Necrozma-DM and Quagsire, Zacian-C's most reliable defensive checks, allowing it to break without any hurdles. Potential annoyances like Defensive Zygarde-C and Ho-oh can also be trapped by Gothitelle, and Zacian-C can take advantage of a lot of the offensive Pokemon that threaten Gothitelle in return.


gothitelle.gifkyogre.gif

Gothitelle also traps Eternatus, Ferrothorn and Blissey/Chansey, some of the most common Kyogre checks in the metagame, freeing it up to break and/or clean. Substitute on Gothitelle is useful for Dragon Tail Eternatus, and can be helpful blocking Leech Seed Ferrothorn.


gothitelle.gifzacian.gif

Another Gothitelle core, similar to the Gothitelle + Zacian-C core in that Necrozma-DM, Quagsire and Ho-oh are trapped, as well as other potential Play Rough switch-ins like Ferrothorn and Eternatus. Although this core is noticeably more reliant on Gothitelle to do the heavy lifting, the advantages of the speed control Zacian provides cannot be understated, preventing non-Choice Scarf Calyrex from threatening the core and revenge killing a plethora of boosted threats Zacian-C cannot.


gothitelle.gifzygarde-complete.gif

Don't worry, this is the last Gothitelle core in this post. Choice Scarf + Trick on Gothitelle is used this time to cripple Zygarde-C's checks in defensive Kyogre, Ho-oh, opposing defensive Zygarde-C and potentially Lunala, things the regular PP stall set fails to trap as reliably.


zygarde-complete.gifferrothorn.gif

Spikes from Ferrothorn make Zygarde a much more scary threat, emphasizing the damage it does by punishing the opponent's grounded checks. Ferrothorn also provides a passable Kyogre and backup Xerneas check for balance teams, and can cripple Ho-oh and Lunala seeking to Defog on it with Knock Off or Toxic, while Zygarde can switch into Ho-oh, Zacian-C, physical Yveltal and Ice Punch-less Marshadow.


kyogre.gifferrothorn.gif

Defensive Kyogre also appreciates Spikes a lot, which allows it to whittle down its checks such as Eternatus, Kyurem-W, Blissey and opposing Ferrothorn a lot more quickly over the course of a match, while it also has the capability to absorb status from Eternatus, Ho-oh and opposing defensive Kyogre for Ferrothorn. Roar Kyogre specifically abuses hazards particularly well, although regular Calm Mind sets still function finely. Rain also grants Ferrothorn the ability to eat Flamethrowers from Eternatus a lot more easily. A physically defensive set with Curse/Iron Defense can help against Zekrom, although this would necessitate a different solid Kyogre check.


That's it from me for now. Community input is important in a project like this, so please make sure you post any cores you feel are missing!
 
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Fc

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Balance Core
:ss/ferrothorn: :ss/eternatus:
(Click Sprites for Importables)
Ferrothorn allows for Eternatus to run a more offensive based set because it covers the role of Kyogre check already. While specs Kyogre still rips through this it kind of beats everything so that's not a huge deal, and Spikes + Leech Seed ideally can weaken Water Spout enough for Ferrothorn to chip it heavily. Offensive Eternatus is one of the most dangerous breakers rn with there being a lack of Blissey and Tyranitar, so I think supporting it is a really good idea for a lot of teams and this core is really good at it. Ferrothorn covers the most important defensive role Eternatus normally has while adding Spikes pressure which helps Eternatus dish out even more damage.

Offensive Core
:ss/zacian-crowned: :ss/darmanitan-galar:
Zacian and Darmanitan form a really strong physical offense core that's incredibly hard to wall reliably. Both mons can 2HKO Necrozma-DM, so even if one has to trade to do so the other is much more free attacking. Zacian-C is soft checked by Zygarde-C and Groudon while Darmanitan can help force those out quite well, and Darm covers for Zacian being slower than things like Calyrex-S as it threatens that with a revenge kill after some chip damage. I think this is one of the best ways to get Darm-G to work, and when it does work it's really good. Rock Slide is to lure Ho-oh but Earthquake is also optional there for coverag ethat hits steels and Eternatus although weaker than Flare Blitz and Icicle Crash respectively, as well as hitting Necrozma-DM without being chipped by helmet and recoil.
 
Balance Core
:ss/ferrothorn::ss/zacian-crowned:
(click sprites for sets)
Zacian-c and ferrethorn make an amazing balanced core. Zacian's power alone allows it to overpower mons like yveltal, eternatus, and more. With the help of ferrethon's spikes, Zacian can take out ndm using assurance then close combat. But zacian easily loses to kyogre. Ferrethon fixes that. Ferrethon can easily switch into kyogre and either uses leech seed or power whip. Assuming that is scarf kyogre. But if it is specs then zacian can easily beat it. Ferrthon can also help against calyrex-shadow when it has sash. Allowing it to use leech seed then spam protect. While Zacian takes care of ferrethon's weakness, ferrethon takes care of zacian's.

:ferrothorn:252 SpA Kyogre Water Spout (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Ferrothorn in Rain: 133-157 (37.7 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
:ferrothorn:252 SpA Calyrex-Shadow Astral Barrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Ferrothorn: 153-180 (43.4 - 51.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
:zacian-crowned: +1 252 Atk Zacian-Crowned Behemoth Blade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Yveltal: 313-369 (79.6 - 93.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
:zacian-crowned: +1 252 Atk Zacian-Crowned Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kyogre: 392-462 (114.9 - 135.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
:zacian-crowned: +1 252 Atk Zacian-Crowned Behemoth Blade vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eternatus: 313-369 (64.6 - 76.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
 
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PrimalKyogre

AG Circuit Champion
1622464954442.gif
+
1622467518950.gif

(Click the + for sets!)
Kyogre + Marshadow
(Offensive Core)

Marshadow does a fine job of beating Kyogre’s checks, OHKOing Ferrothorn, Blissey, Chansey, Kyurem-W, and the occasional Water Absorb Lapras. It also 2HKOs Etern and Gastradon. Not much likes to switch in to an attack from Marsh, even NDM is nearly guaranteed to be 2HKOd by CC followed by Poltergeist (pretty much any minor chip pushes it to guaranteed). Now, Marshadow’s best defensive check is Zygarde. Kyogre doesn’t have a hard time taking Zygarde out at all with Ice Beam and Water Spout at it’s disposal. With it’s checks gone, Kyogre poses a massive threat to balance and stall teams. It can break past Necrozma-Dusk, Zygarde, SpD Yveltal, Tyranitar, Quagsire, Toxapex, Giratina, Lunala, Ho-Oh, and more without much hassle.

Ice Punch can be used over Bulk Up to break Zygarde. However, this makes Toxapex harder to deal with, as well as 92 Spe Etern.

For a more detailed explanation, click here

Click for calculations
 
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aerobee

Pure Hackmons
is a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
This thread seems pretty dead so I'll submit this

:ss/lunala: :ss/zacian-crowned:
Balanced Core
(click the sprites for sets)

Lunala is EVed to have just enough Speed to outspeed Groudon/Zekrom, and Zacian-C is EVed to survive a Poltergeist and Shadow Sneak from Adamant Life Orb Marshadow.

Lunala and Zacian-C cover each other's weaknesses well, with Zacian-C being able to switch into Yveltal and Adamant Marshadow, and Lunala switching into Groudon, Zekrom, and Zygarde-C. Zacian-C can also switch into Toxic and Pokemon with OHKO moves such as Lapras and Kyurem-W, things that Lunala struggles with, and force them out. Lunala can burn Necrozma-DM, and chip switch-ins with Ice Beam. Lunala's access to Defog helps these two Pokemon switch in to check each other's threats.

+1 128+ Atk Zacian-Crowned Assurance vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Prism Armor Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 223-264 (56 - 66.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 128+ Atk Zacian-Crowned Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 149-176 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 128+ Atk Zacian-Crowned Behemoth Blade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Marshadow: 369-435 (114.9 - 135.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 128+ Atk Zacian-Crowned Behemoth Blade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Groudon: 229-270 (67.1 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Lunala Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zekrom: 170-200 (49.8 - 58.6%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Lunala Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Groudon: 186-220 (54.5 - 64.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Marshadow Poltergeist vs. 252 HP / 56 Def Zacian-Crowned: 211-250 (54.3 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Technician Marshadow Shadow Sneak vs. 252 HP / 56 Def Zacian-Crowned: 114-136 (29.3 - 35%) -- 14.2% chance to 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Zekrom Max Lightning vs. 56 HP / 252 Def Shadow Shield Lunala: 162-191 (37.7 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (Bolt Strike)
+2 252 Atk Life Orb burned Groudon Max Quake vs. 56 HP / 252 Def Shadow Shield Lunala: 140-166 (32.6 - 38.6%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO (Precipice Blades)
 
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:zekrom: :gothitelle:
Balanced Core
Gothitelle @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 204 Spe
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Taunt
- Charm
- Cosmic Power/Confide

Zekrom @ Leftovers
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bolt Strike
- Dragon Claw
- Substitute
*

Zekrom and Gothitelle prey off each others weaknesses decently well; The synergy Taunt can bring can shut down walls that threaten Zekrom like :eternatus: most sets of :zygarde: using some speed evs, it can speedcreep :necrozma-dusk-mane: and can is able to punch holes onto the opposing team's defensive pokemons.

Zekrom on the other hand; using the sub DD set can take out threats that threaten Gothitelle such as :ho-oh: the popular :yveltal: and turn :necrozma-dusk-mane: into setup fodder.

They are able to create synergy together through exploitation of what makes them weak.

0 SpA Eternatus Dynamax Cannon vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Gothitelle: 136-162 (39.6 - 47.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Possible damage amounts: (136, 138, 139, 142, 144, 145, 147, 148, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156, 157, 159, 162)

0 SpA Eternatus Dynamax Cannon vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Gothitelle: 93-109 (27.1 - 31.7%) -- 35.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Possible damage amounts: (93, 93, 94, 96, 96, 97, 99, 100, 100, 102, 103, 105, 105, 106, 108, 109)

-2 0 Atk Necrozma-Dusk-Mane Sunsteel Strike vs. 248 HP / 56+ Def Gothitelle: 72-85 (20.9 - 24.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
Possible damage amounts: (72, 73, 73, 75, 75, 76, 76, 78, 79, 79, 81, 81, 82, 82, 84, 85)


252 Atk Teravolt Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Ho-Oh: 380-450 (91.3 - 108.1%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
Possible damage amounts: (380, 386, 390, 396, 398, 404, 408, 414, 416, 422, 426, 432, 434, 440, 444, 450)

4 Atk Necrozma-Dusk-Mane Sunsteel Strike vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Zekrom: 68-81 (19.9 - 23.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

edit 1: spelling mistakes
 
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aerobee

Pure Hackmons
is a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
still dead rip
____________________________________________

Offensive Core

:ss/groudon: :ss/calyrex-shadow:

Groudon + Calyrex-S

These two Pokemon make a threatening offensive core due to them mostly being able to pressure each other's checks. Groudon can scare Yveltal in particular, as well as paralyze most switch-ins with Thunder Wave; Calyrex-S pressures opposing Necrozma-DM, defensive Groudon, Eternatus, and defensive Zygarde. As Groudon often has trouble with opposing status without Rest, Calyrex-S is also useful because it has the chance to use Aromatherapy every time it forces a switch. Groudon's massive bulk allows it to more reliably switch into threats that can stand in the way of Choice Scarf Calyrex-S, such as Choice Scarf Yveltal and Marshadow. While there are a few threats that these two Pokemon have a slightly harder time with (opposing Choice Scarf Calyrex-S, for instance), they're dealt with the three nigh-mandatory roles on balance teams: a Zacian-C check, a Calyrex-S check, and a Kyogre check.

e: i meant kyogre not eternatus sorry

0 SpA Eternatus Dynamax Cannon vs. 108 HP / 60 SpD Groudon: 153-180 (41.5 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Marshadow Poltergeist vs. 108 HP / 0 Def Groudon: 195-231 (52.9 - 62.7%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ Atk Zacian-Crowned Behemoth Blade vs. 108 HP / 0 Def Groudon: 246-291 (66.8 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eternatus: 374-444 (77.2 - 91.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zacian-Crowned: 318-374 (97.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Groudon Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Yveltal: 276-326 (60.6 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Eternatus Dynamax Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex-Shadow Rider: 150-177 (43.9 - 51.9%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Calyrex-Shadow Rider Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 162-192 (41.2 - 48.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Calyrex-Shadow Rider Astral Barrage vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Groudon: 192-226 (56.3 - 66.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Last edited:

baconeatinassassin

smile!
is a Tiering Contributor
OMPL Champion
reserved, i added some cores and will update soon with write-ups (ie. sometime in the next week or so)
oops I lied :x


zekrom.gifgroudon.gif

Zekrom and Groudon have a lot of versatility as an offensive core thanks to the customisable nature of their sets that allows them to choose what checks they want to beat and how. For example, Groudon can utilise Lum Berry on Aerial Ace sets with Dynamax in order to beat Lunala switching in so as to clear the path for a Zekrom sweep, or alternatively, Zekrom can use Crunch with Life Orb to OHKO Lunala at +1 under Dynamax. With Drought, Zekrom also has the option of using Fire-type Weather Ball to immediately OHKO Ferrothorn instead of relying on 2 Focus Blasts. Additionally, the two can force out and set up on a wide variety of Pokemon, with Groudon taking advantage of Earthquake Necrozma-DM and defensive Eternatus, and Zekrom threatening out Yveltal, Kyogre and Giratina-O. Bulky Groudon has the bonus of Imposter-proofing Zekrom fairly reliably.

xerneas.gifyveltal.gif

Oftentimes, teams without Ditto will rely on bulky Zacian-C, along with Necrozma-DM, to check Geomancy Xerneas, one of the most threatening sweepers in the metagame. Offensive Yveltal also has few checks, with Zacian-C being one of the only Pokemon capable of switching into its STAB attacks safely; this makes the two very good partners, with one of the duo easily able to chip Zacian-C to the point where it can no longer check the other, facilitating a late-game sweep. Ho-oh is another soft check to the two which is unable to handle either after being worn down. They also are able to create setup opportunities for each other, with Xerneas drawing in Necrozma-DM and specially defensive Ferrothorn and Yveltal baiting in Toxic Eternatus, opposing defensive Yveltal or defensive Zygarde-C, depending on its set.

kyogre.gifyveltal.gif

Fairly simple; Thunder Wave Kyogre is able to lure and paralyze defensive Eternatus, a near-ubiquitous Pokemon in the metagame which is oftentimes the main roadblock for Taunt Yveltal. With Eternatus no longer a problem for it, it is free to pose a major threat to the opposing team. Even if Yveltal has other Pokemon to deal with, Kyogre appreciates the item removal it provides against their shared checks.

kyogre.gifeternatus.gif

As aforementioned, defensive Eternatus is often the main check to several common metagame threats such as Kyogre, Yveltal, and Marshadow on most teams. Calm Mind Kyogre is able to take pressure off of Eternatus by being able to switch into most Calm Mind variants of opposing Kyogre, as well as check opposing defensive Eternatus and Ho-oh, roles which Eternatus can find itself forced into. Kyogre is also able to provide a Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM and Zygarde check. Without the burden of dealing with Calm Mind Kyogre in particular, Eternatus is able to check other Pokemon more capably and is given more flexibility with its set, such as being able to use 3 attacks to provide an offensive threat on top of its defensive duties.

yveltal.gifhooh.gif

Choice Scarf Yveltal has recently entered the fold of the metagame as a check to Calyrex-S, in particular Baton Pass variants, able to threaten it with an OHKO before it can pass stat boosts to a teammate. However, giving up Heavy-Duty Boots Yveltal requires the roles it usually plays to be filled by teammates, and Ho-oh is able to offer much of this utility with hazard removal, which becomes necessary for Yveltal to function, as well as a Calyrex-S and special Yveltal sponge. It also can pivot into Zacian-C, Eternatus (offensive variants in particular) and Marshadow, Pokemon which often pressure common defensive cores with Heavy-Duty Boots Yveltal.

ferrothorn.gifeternatus.gif

Physically defensive Ferrothorn and Eternatus form a defensive core that wall a large portion of the metagame, with the former providing a check to Dragon Dance Necrozma-DM, Zekrom and certain Zygarde sets, and the latter offering a primary switch-in to Kyogre and Marshadow. Ferrothorn also provides a soft Calm Mind Kyogre check, which Eternatus appreciates given it can struggle to check certain variants of Kyogre, as well as Spikes support for its team, while Eternatus can absorb Knock Off for Ferrothorn since it can struggle to stay healthy without Leftovers, and capable of constraining Ho-oh's Sacred Fire and Defog PP with Pressure.


Maybe I'll add more when I feel like it, but that's it for now.
 
Last edited:

aerobee

Pure Hackmons
is a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
Offensive Cores

:ss/xerneas::ss/xerneas:

Xerneas + Xerneas is a potent offensive core that takes advantage of Xerneas' ability to bait the opposing Dynamax, allowing the dual Xerneas user to preserve their Dynamax for later in the game. On most teams Necrozma-DM is the only check with reliable recovery, which must Dynamax to take on a healthy boosted Xerneas. Additionally, a mind game is forced once Xerneas uses Geomancy, as it can potentially use Substitute to stall out Necrozma-DM's Dynamax turns, heavily damaging it with Moonblast if boosts from Max Quake are not accrued. The second Xerneas can come in later in the game, set up Geomancy, and win on the spot. Xerneas' defensive utility isn't bad either, allowing it to come in multiple times over the course of a game, and allows it to force the likes of unboosted Zekrom, defensive Groudon lacking Roar, and ID Ferrothorn out in a 1v1 situation. Additional checks to Xerneas, like Zacian-C and Ho-Oh, do exist, but they're subject to getting worn down by predicted Moonblast and Thunder uses; the latter can also be broken through if Xerneas uses its Dynamax. Some Pokemon, like Choice Scarf Haze Calyrex-S and the occasional Confide Blissey/Chansey, can hamper a boosted Xerneas' offensive prowess (or prevent it from boosting in the first place if the former is revealed), but long-term answers are very rare in the metagame.

:ss/zacian-crowned::ss/xerneas:

Zacian-C and Geomancy Xerneas create a scary offensive core, aiming to weaken a prevalent shared check in Necrozma-DM and eventually have one of these Pokemon rip through the rest of the team. Zacian-C does well with a Swords Dance set as running it allows it to OHKO pretty much any non-Dynamaxed foe after a Swords Dance, bar healthy physically defensive Groudon and the rare physically defensive Zygarde. Alternatively it can run an Assurance set to cripple Necrozma-DM after luring it in with hazards on the field. Xerneas can force Necrozma-DM in if secondary checks to it, like Zacian-C, are sufficiently checked, and heavily damage as well as force Dynamax from it after using Geomancy. Outside of Necrozma-DM these two make a good pair as well - Zacian-C can come in on the likes of Blissey and Ferrothorn lacking Thunder Wave, while Xerneas can come in on defensive Landorus-T and physically defensive Groudon.

Balanced Cores

:ss/eternatus::ss/blissey:

Offensive Eternatus + Blissey forms a decent balanced core that specifically aims to take care of Kyogre, the top 3 threat that's perhaps the least adequately checked by the nigh-necessary YEN core. Blissey can check the vast majority of Kyogre sets (OHKO move sets being virtually nonexistent nowadays helps), and can deal with sets that many defensive Eternatus would struggle against, such as CM Life Orb/Lum Berry or Sub Twave (though Blissey values Confide if it's the sole defensive Kyogre check on the team). Blissey allows for offensive Eternatus, a devastating but limited threat, to be run alongside it thanks to its ability to check Kyogre; Eternatus also takes advantage of the utility that Blissey provides in removing paralysis with Aromatherapy and safely bringing it in against switch-ins with Teleport. In return, Eternatus can come in on Pokemon that can annoy Blissey like defensive Taunt Yveltal, defensive Necrozma-DM lacking Thunder Wave, Ferrothorn, and to an extent Marshadow.

:ss/kyogre::ss/blissey:

Kyogre + Blissey forms a good balanced core that takes care of the vast majority of Kyogre sets, while also adequately supporting either a terrifying breaker in Choice Specs Kyogre or an equally (or even more) terrifying setup sweeper in Calm Mind Kyogre. Blissey can defensively check almost all Kyogre sets with Confide and Seismic Toss, and can hamper most opposing switch-ins with Thunder Wave; it can also make use of Teleport to safely bring offensive Kyogre in. Choice Specs Kyogre takes advantage of paralyzed foes, outspeeding them and usually netting a KO. Calm Mind Kyogre also appreciates paralysis and Aromatherapy support, whether it's from being reliant on Rest or having no form of status control besides Substitute. Calm Mind Kyogre can also fish for Scald burns against defensive switch-ins to Blissey like Ferrothorn, while also forcing frailer switch-ins like Marshadow and Water-weak ones like Ho-Oh out. Ice Beam is especially valuable, as it annoys a big roadblock to it (and Blissey) in defensive Eternatus, and means Kyogre always breaks opposing Zygarde-C's Substitute. Thunder's also pretty nice to spread paralysis and hit Yveltal and opposing Calm Mind Kyogre. Roar means Blissey can often forgo Confide if running Seismic Toss, though initially scouting CM Thunder Kyogre can be annoying.

:ss/landorus-therian::ss/necrozma-dusk-mane:

Landorus-T + Necrozma-DM forms a balanced (or defensive) core that's able to take care of the majority of physical attackers in the metagame. Landorus-T can provide Stealth Rock, Knock Off, Toxic, and pivoting support while also having a great ability in Intimidate and amazing Ground/Flying typing, allowing it to switch into most offensive Groudon, Zekrom lacking Draco Meteor, SubDD Zygarde, Marshadow lacking Ice Punch, and to an extent Life Orb Zygarde if healthy. It can also soft check Zacian-C, which means Necrozma-DM isn't the sole Zacian-C check. This means that Necrozma-DM can afford to run Dragon Dance sets, sacrificing bulk for speed that it can take advantage of after accruing speed boosts. This can also go the other way: Landorus-T can run Swords Dance with EdgeQuake coverage, while Necrozma-DM annoys switch-ins with Knock Off, provides hazard support with Stealth Rock, or spread status with Thunder Wave or Toxic. You could run defensive Landorus-T and defensive Necrozma-DM together I guess (and thus creating a defensive core), but that seems too passive for most teams incorporating these two Pokemon.
 
Offensive Cores

:ss/xerneas::ss/xerneas:

Xerneas + Xerneas is a potent offensive core that takes advantage of Xerneas' ability to bait the opposing Dynamax, allowing the dual Xerneas user to preserve their Dynamax for later in the game. On most teams Necrozma-DM is the only check with reliable recovery, which must Dynamax to take on a healthy boosted Xerneas. Additionally, a mind game is forced once Xerneas uses Geomancy, as it can potentially use Substitute to stall out Necrozma-DM's Dynamax turns, heavily damaging it with Moonblast if boosts from Max Quake are not accrued. The second Xerneas can come in later in the game, set up Geomancy, and win on the spot. Xerneas' defensive utility isn't bad either, allowing it to come in multiple times over the course of a game, and allows it to force the likes of unboosted Zekrom, defensive Groudon lacking Roar, and ID Ferrothorn out in a 1v1 situation. Additional checks to Xerneas, like Zacian-C and Ho-Oh, do exist, but they're subject to getting worn down by predicted Moonblast and Thunder uses; the latter can also be broken through if Xerneas uses its Dynamax. Some Pokemon, like Choice Scarf Haze Calyrex-S and the occasional Confide Blissey/Chansey, can hamper a boosted Xerneas' offensive prowess (or prevent it from boosting in the first place if the former is revealed), but long-term answers are very rare in the metagame.

:ss/zacian-crowned::ss/xerneas:

Zacian-C and Geomancy Xerneas create a scary offensive core, aiming to weaken a prevalent shared check in Necrozma-DM and eventually have one of these Pokemon rip through the rest of the team. Zacian-C does well with a Swords Dance set as running it allows it to OHKO pretty much any non-Dynamaxed foe after a Swords Dance, bar healthy physically defensive Groudon and the rare physically defensive Zygarde. Alternatively it can run an Assurance set to cripple Necrozma-DM after luring it in with hazards on the field. Xerneas can force Necrozma-DM in if secondary checks to it, like Zacian-C, are sufficiently checked, and heavily damage as well as force Dynamax from it after using Geomancy. Outside of Necrozma-DM these two make a good pair as well - Zacian-C can come in on the likes of Blissey and Ferrothorn lacking Thunder Wave, while Xerneas can come in on defensive Landorus-T and physically defensive Groudon.

Balanced Cores

:ss/eternatus::ss/blissey:

Offensive Eternatus + Blissey forms a decent balanced core that specifically aims to take care of Kyogre, the top 3 threat that's perhaps the least adequately checked by the nigh-necessary YEN core. Blissey can check the vast majority of Kyogre sets (OHKO move sets being virtually nonexistent nowadays helps), and can deal with sets that many defensive Eternatus would struggle against, such as CM Life Orb/Lum Berry or Sub Twave (though Blissey values Confide if it's the sole defensive Kyogre check on the team). Blissey allows for offensive Eternatus, a devastating but limited threat, to be run alongside it thanks to its ability to check Kyogre; Eternatus also takes advantage of the utility that Blissey provides in removing paralysis with Aromatherapy and safely bringing it in against switch-ins with Teleport. In return, Eternatus can come in on Pokemon that can annoy Blissey like defensive Taunt Yveltal, defensive Necrozma-DM lacking Thunder Wave, Ferrothorn, and to an extent Marshadow.

:ss/kyogre::ss/blissey:

Kyogre + Blissey forms a good balanced core that takes care of the vast majority of Kyogre sets, while also adequately supporting either a terrifying breaker in Choice Specs Kyogre or an equally (or even more) terrifying setup sweeper in Calm Mind Kyogre. Blissey can defensively check almost all Kyogre sets with Confide and Seismic Toss, and can hamper most opposing switch-ins with Thunder Wave; it can also make use of Teleport to safely bring offensive Kyogre in. Choice Specs Kyogre takes advantage of paralyzed foes, outspeeding them and usually netting a KO. Calm Mind Kyogre also appreciates paralysis and Aromatherapy support, whether it's from being reliant on Rest or having no form of status control besides Substitute. Calm Mind Kyogre can also fish for Scald burns against defensive switch-ins to Blissey like Ferrothorn, while also forcing frailer switch-ins like Marshadow and Water-weak ones like Ho-Oh out. Ice Beam is especially valuable, as it annoys a big roadblock to it (and Blissey) in defensive Eternatus, and means Kyogre always breaks opposing Zygarde-C's Substitute. Thunder's also pretty nice to spread paralysis and hit Yveltal and opposing Calm Mind Kyogre. Roar means Blissey can often forgo Confide if running Seismic Toss, though initially scouting CM Thunder Kyogre can be annoying.

:ss/landorus-therian::ss/necrozma-dusk-mane:

Landorus-T + Necrozma-DM forms a balanced (or defensive) core that's able to take care of the majority of physical attackers in the metagame. Landorus-T can provide Stealth Rock, Knock Off, Toxic, and pivoting support while also having a great ability in Intimidate and amazing Ground/Flying typing, allowing it to switch into most offensive Groudon, Zekrom lacking Draco Meteor, SubDD Zygarde, Marshadow lacking Ice Punch, and to an extent Life Orb Zygarde if healthy. It can also soft check Zacian-C, which means Necrozma-DM isn't the sole Zacian-C check. This means that Necrozma-DM can afford to run Dragon Dance sets, sacrificing bulk for speed that it can take advantage of after accruing speed boosts. This can also go the other way: Landorus-T can run Swords Dance with EdgeQuake coverage, while Necrozma-DM annoys switch-ins with Knock Off, provides hazard support with Stealth Rock, or spread status with Thunder Wave or Toxic. You could run defensive Landorus-T and defensive Necrozma-DM together I guess (and thus creating a defensive core), but that seems too passive for most teams incorporating these two Pokemon.
I was using double xerneas like over a year ago and I was completely ignored. Glad to see someone else has finally seen the light long after I stopped.
 

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