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That's the opposite case, they were pissed that it got banned not pissed that it wasn't being banned
That being said yeah that's unjustified behavior still.
There was some concern for volc, we can't pretend like literally no one had issues with it, its a mu moth its just meant to cheese some games and be useless other games which I get can be frustrating but its no where near QB worthy, pretty much everyone can agree with that and debate with each other if it actually was broken enough to ban to begin with.
Its not like other mons where its cut and dry 'definite ban worthy' cause it does have legitimate weaknesses, flaws, history, and positive effects on the tier no one can pretend doesn't exist. Even the points that you could argue make it ban worthy can be flipped saying they're actually reasons why its not (volc sounds broken when its running quiver+morning sun+tera ground+tera water+giga drain+tera fairy+tera ice+tera fire+shadow force+fiery dance, but ultimately it can only run one of these sets which actually holds volc back a lot and shows how it struggles in the tier without having to comp around it and specifically target threats.)
This is wild considering how the council members had to come out and say “don’t send us death threats” when the Volc ban happened. Like I agree that the process should have been different but saying there wasn’t much outrage is just not true.
You miss-understand me, I mean the community crying FOR it to be banned, not the crying that happened afterwards. Compare it to the amount of crying something actually QB worthy got like the fish or shed tail.
Anybody sending death threats to the council are bang out of order and should be banned imo.
You miss-understand me, I mean the community crying FOR it to be banned, not the crying that happened afterwards. Compare it to the amount of crying something actually QB worthy got like the fish or shed tail.
Anybody sending death threats to the council are bang out of order and should be banned imo.
The type that absorbs Burn (Fire) is weak to scald, and so it breaks the type chart that way, I guess.
But I don’t like that explanation. If it was a Will-O-Wisp that hit Fire Types for some chip damage instead of failing I’d understand the breaking the type chart but it’s a secondary effect.
Ohhh, okay, yeah I understand what you’re saying now. Forgive my blatant misunderstanding.
The type that absorbs Burn (Fire) is weak to scald, and so it breaks the type chart that way, I guess.
But I don’t like that explanation. If it was a Will-O-Wisp that hit Fire Types for some chip damage instead of failing I’d understand the breaking the type chart but it’s a secondary effect.
That doesn't break the type chart either way, that's a silly side effect. Comparing that to the much more clear cut ways type charts are actually broken in Thousand Arrows, Freeze Dry and Flying Press is weird. Especially since Fire types are not usually what you use to stop burns anyway, even before Scald, it's clerics.
Synchronoise Umbreon too... but for the Umbreon user.
Sadly it got deleted now that it could be used with tera, still would be super bad but as a meme Valiant check could have been funny.
Volcarona, yes, isn’t too bad. But its play style was something unfit for the WcoP that was upcoming. People didn’t want to have to predict what Tera it ran, guessing games like that don’t show the true skill of the players involved. Personally, I think it should have been illegal in just the cup, and free in standard play, but it is what it is.
Ice: now resists water, flying, grass Ice: no longer super effective against grass Scald: now a 70 power move, 10% chance to burn, super effective against ice types. Thaws the user.
ice: becomes a relevant type outside of STAB Water: brought down a peg
Volcarona, yes, isn’t too bad. But its play style was something unfit for the WcoP that was upcoming. People didn’t want to have to predict what Tera it ran, guessing games like that don’t show the true skill of the players involved. Personally, I think it should have been illegal in just the cup, and free in standard play, but it is what it is.
Ice: now resists water, flying, grass Ice: no longer super effective against grass Scald: now a 70 power move, 10% chance to burn, super effective against ice types. Thaws the user.
The thing about volcarona is that it can choose what counters and what doesn’t even more than most Tera mons. It’s Tera that’s the problem here, we should 100% ban that, but banning the generational mechanic would require to adapt REALLY FAST before WcoP, everyone would be super unprepared. As opposed to banning one Mon, which would not be super nuts. We want to make things more fair, not less fair by nuking Terastallization, even if it’s the real issue.
The thing about volcarona is that it can choose what counters and what doesn’t even more than most Tera mons. It’s Tera that’s the problem here, we should 100% ban that, but banning the generational mechanic would require to adapt REALLY FAST before WcoP, everyone would be super unprepared. As opposed to banning one Mon, which would not be super nuts. We want to make things more fair, not less fair by nuking Terastallization, even if it’s the real issue.
Not very specific pal. If you’re talking about Tera breaking mons, those are the ones that got banned. They can be reintroduced if Tera goes bye bye, rebanned if they still remain to be a problem, easy peasy (perhaps even lemon squeezy). Kingambit is an exception, and that pisshead needs to be banned anyways. If you meant something else, tell me.
Also speaking of Kingambit. Did you know that Bisharp, a BISHOP, doesn’t learn Cross Chop, or X-Scissor, a bishop’s ATTACK PATTERN?! I hate this game.
As much as I like volc (and dont think its broken) I can see the arguments for banning it. That being said if they were trying to ban it in order to have a balanced WCOP it seems it kinda backfired with how dominant Enam and Valiant have become. I honestly think Volcs defensive utility was welcome in the tier.
Those half a dozen other mons don't have Quiver dance and near perfect coverage. The thing with Volc was that not only was it good, but because it's base was already good it didn't care if it ran Tera Blast and never tera'd. King gambit and Tusk absolutely cannot do the same thing. (note that these are just examples)
Not very specific pal. If you’re talking about Tera breaking mons, those are the ones that got banned. They can be reintroduced if Tera goes bye bye, rebanned if they still remain to be a problem, easy peasy (perhaps even lemon squeezy). Kingambit is an exception, and that pisshead needs to be banned anyways. If you meant something else, tell me.
Also speaking of Kingambit. Did you know that Bisharp, a BISHOP, doesn’t learn Cross Chop, or X-Scissor, a bishop’s ATTACK PATTERN?! I hate this game.
Gambit, Valiant, Dnite, Pult, Zama-H either have a million sets or can tera in a way to allow them to pick and choose their counters, just like Volc yet none of them are banned.
"Calyrex is said to have ruled Galar in ancient times as a merciful king. Despite its delicate and slight appearance, it can move with grace and dignity." - Bulbapedia
"There are Kingambit, Scald, Tera, and Volcarona talks going in circles again? No problem; here's Calyrex in OU."- Morkal
It's no secret that I love Calyrex-Base's design, even more so than his two horseback forms; there's just something regal and imposing about it in a quiet, subtle manner that I respect. Unfortunately, however, this doesn't tell us anything about Calyrex's competitive prowess. So what does the deer king have going for it? Surprisingly, quite a bit more than I expected when I started slotting him onto several of my teams right after the Pokemon Home update. Calyrex is one of the most unique Pokemon I've used in any competitive metagame and has some of the most distinct role compression I've ever seen in a niche pick in any OU meta; I'm getting ahead of myself here, let's just dive in and see what Calyrex has to offer!
Disclaimer:Calyrex fits onto several types of teams, but absolutely requires knowledge of common movesets due to exploitable weaknesses (notably a 4x weakness to U-Turn). Please do not carelessly place Calyrex on a team without synergy consideration or without understanding the specific traits needed for Calyrex to fit the archetype your team is going for. I highly recommend checking out the awesomeSV OU speed tiers threadbyAtraX Madarato get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Calyrex is specifically tech'd to hit, and how you can use its unique traits most aptly. If you go into fights prepared, you'll be able to watch Calyrex feast on Stall, Kingambit, and multiple other threats that many OU mainstays could only dream of. I'd also like to give a special thanks to Athyesticfor help with the EV tinkering and help with Trick functionality for Calyrex.
Calyrex Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Calyrex's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Calyrex is the only Pokemon in the Gen 9 meta to get access to the unique combination of Future Sight and Leech Seed, allowing it to not only exert pressure but capitalize on stall archetypes as well as sit on Pokemon like Dondozo and Garganacl with ease.
Calyrex's 100/80/80 bulk is solid with its Psychic/Grass typing granting it some key resistances to Ground and Fighting (Great Tusk STABS), in addition to resisting Water, Grass, Electric, and Psychic-type attacks.
Calyrex's Grass typing additionally gives it immunity to Spore, allowing it to threaten Pokemon like Breloom and Amoonguss with Future Sight, and additionally allows it to pair well with and against Rain teams.
Calyrex's access to Tera further boosts its offensive and defensive capabilities and allows it to act as a lure for many notable threats thanks to STAB Body Press with Tera Fighting.
Calyrex having access to both Body Press and Trick combined with Future Sight and Leech Seed effectively allows it to go mixed with very little investment, using Red Card to force a Pokemon out (particularly boosted Pokemon) also allows you to steal an opponent's item using Trick as a sort of "diet Thief" option post-Red Card or set up a Future Sight or Leech Seed easier as well.
Calyrex is a solid lure for Kingambit and the set provided with 16 EVs in speed outspeeds all Kingambit variants except for Jolly 252 Spe EVs; additionally, Pre-Tera-Fighting Calyrex with this set's defensive EV spread 100% lives an Adamant 252 EV STAB Sucker Punch Kingambit up to three allies fainted from Supreme Overlord.
Calyrex's ability to harass stall cores while checking powerful and slow OU attackers is further role compression not shared by any other Pokemon to the same degree, thanks to the ease of switching in with its solid bulk and Red Card pivoting work.
Calyrex has a multitude of other support options at its disposal such as Encore, Dual Screens, Trick Room, and more depending on your team's specific needs.
Calyrex's ability Unnerve is situationally useful for preventing your opponent's Chople Berry from activating when Body Press is used.
We're going to be looking at one Calyrex set, as this has been the aptest Calyrex set for the current OU meta. We will go over Defensive prowess along with Red Card + Trick Pivoting work, why we've chosen this specific EV spread, along with types of threats that Calyrex handles and we will be looking at damage calculations to back up these numbers as well. Since this is a pretty off-kilter set, we'll be structuring this differently regarding analysis of the specific traits of the set as we go along.
Red CardPseudo-ThiefFutureSeed Anti-Stall/Anti-Boost Shuffler
Defensive Prowess (Pre-Tera) + Red Card/Trick Pivoting
Before we dive into the specifics of why Calyrex works the way it does, we need to talk about its defenses, its typing, and what OU Pokemon it can stomach hits from. Thanks to a usable 100/80/80 defensive stat spread, 252 EVs in Defense with a Bold nature brings Calyrex up to a respectable defensive stat spread of 341/284/196. This may not seem like a lot at first... until you consider Calyrex's Psychic/Grass typing and the specific threats that it resists. To give you an idea of the types of hits Calyrex can take before we jump into the utility of Red Card (a powerful option when you have Trick in your moveslot), let's look at some damage calculations!
CalyrexCalculations (Pre-Tera Defensive)
/
Defense
Resisted Hits
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex in Rain: 181-213 (53 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- approx. 100% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 126-147 (36.9 - 43.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Breloom Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 134-158 (39.2 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-42 (10.5 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
0 Atk Dondozo Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 38-45 (11.1 - 13.1%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-60 (14.9 - 17.5%) -- possible 6HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 40-48 (11.7 - 14%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 68-81 (19.9 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 30-35 (8.7 - 10.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Goodra-Hisui Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 27-32 (7.9 - 9.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 46-55 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 137-162 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 28.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Psyblade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 54-64 (15.8 - 18.7%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Valiant Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 6.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Kleavor Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 62-73 (18.1 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 64-76 (18.7 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 49% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-79 (19.6 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Sacred Sword vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 53-63 (15.5 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 60-71 (17.5 - 20.8%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 119-141 (34.8 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 48-57 (14 - 16.7%) -- possible 6HKO 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 58-68 (17 - 19.9%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 115-136 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 43-51 (12.6 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
+3 80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 89.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Thunderous Kick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Neutral Hits
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 183-216 (53.6 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-81 (19.6 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 109-129 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 91% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 217-256 (63.6 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 246-289 (72.1 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 3.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
Super Effective Hits
0 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 86-104 (25.2 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 31.3% chance to 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 228-270 (66.8 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 4.8% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
116+ Atk Iron Hands Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 146-172 (42.8 - 50.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 158-188 (46.3 - 55.1%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 188-222 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 170-204 (49.8 - 59.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 204-242 (59.8 - 70.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 112-134 (32.8 - 39.2%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO
Special Defense
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 265-312 (77.7 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 159-187 (46.6 - 54.8%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 250-295 (73.3 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 282-334 (82.6 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 85-102 (24.9 - 29.9%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 83-98 (24.3 - 28.7%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 178-210 (52.1 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Meowscarada Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 93-110 (27.2 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 4 SpA Mew Stored Power (100 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Slowking Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 41% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Slowking Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 94-111 (27.5 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Toxapex Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 35-42 (10.2 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-114 (28.4 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Hydro Steam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 86-102 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
So now you might be thinking "Okay so Calyrex can take some pretty neat hits and its typing is actually not bad, but why Red Card?" This is where Calyrex's utility role compression starts to come in real handy. A lot of the hits that Calyrex can take are not only common but more importantly, safer options for your opponent to click. Red Card forces out boosted mons or powerful mons, which will (especially with hazards up for additional passive damage) put you in an advantageous position. While Calyrex is itemless, this also allows you to better stomach super-effective Knock Off hits. Trick acts as a sort of pseudo-Thief here that allows you to remove an opposing Pokemon's item post-Red Card. This means on just a single turn most of the time, Calyrex will have forced out a problematic Pokemon simply by switching in and absorbing a hit, forced racked up hazard damage or status (Glimmora Toxic Spikes), then put itself into position to either set up Leech Seed, Future Sight, or use Trick to steal an opposing user's item. A common post-red card switch-in is Heatran; since Heatran commonly runs Leftovers on both Offensive and Defensive variants, it's generally easy to get free Leftovers upon that switch, taking away Heatran's passive recovery and allowing it to be worn down fairly quickly.
We'll come back to defensive prowess for Tera Fighting + Body Press in a moment; for now, let's detour and detail why Future Sight and Leech Seed are such a dangerous combination along with an analysis of Calyrex's speed EVs.
Future Sight/Leech Seed Role Compression + Speed Tier Analysis
Calyrex's base 80 speed is decently fast for a bulkier Pokemon. With 20 EVs in speed and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches a respectable 201 speed stat. This critical threshold allows Calyrex to outspeed Adamant nature Kingambit/Ursaluna with 252 EVs in speed (capped at 199) and Defensive Heatran with 0 or 40 EVs in speed (190 and 200 respectively). In addition, this 201 benchmark allows Calyrex to outspeed Azumarill/Iron Hands that have 252 speed + a neutral nature and Pokemon like Breloom/Volcanion need at least 104 EVs on a neutral nature to outspeed this Calyrex benchmark. All Pokemon with base 50 Speed and below are getting outsped by this minuscule 20 EV allotment unless they run a Jolly nature with heavy investment. So now that we've established this, let's jump into Future Sight and Leech Seed and why this puts many stall teams in an extremely uncomfortable position.
First; Future Sight isn't meant to strike fear from its power directly (although it does hit some notable benchmarks, which we'll get to), it's meant to do just enough damage to bring potentially huge threats into KO range while simultaneously pressuring previously safe switches or forcing uncomfortable switches just to block/tank a Future Sight hit. With 236 EVs and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches 255 SpA - this may not seem like much, but with Future Sight's base 120 power + STAB, this can hit some pretty surprising thresholds and 2HKO a huge portion of the OU metagame. Let's take a look at some damage calculations to show just what kind of Pokemon Calrex can heavily chunk, force out, or even OHKO with Future Sight in some specific cases. Afterward, we'll explain why Leech Seed is so potent in tandem with Future Sight to show how Pokemon such as Dondozo and Garganacl feel insane pressure simply staying in on Calyrex.
Future Sight
Damage Calculations
Super Effective Hits
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Amoonguss: 306-360 (70.8 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Breloom: 420-494 (160.9 - 189.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Clodsire: 204-240 (44 - 51.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 332-392 (108.1 - 127.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 464-548 (106.9 - 126.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Iron Hands: 384-452 (82.9 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Iron Hands: 282-332 (62.8 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Moth: 258-306 (85.7 - 101.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 422-498 (146 - 172.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. +1 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 282-332 (97.2 - 114.4%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lilligant-Hisui: 354-416 (125.9 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sneasler: 672-792 (223.2 - 263.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 198-234 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Toxapex: 138-164 (45.5 - 54.1%) -- 42.2% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (76.3 - 90.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (63.9 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 306-360 (95.3 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
Neutral Hits
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Alomomola: 259-306 (48.5 - 57.3%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 169-199 (45.6 - 53.7%) -- 44.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Basculegion: 178-210 (46.7 - 55.1%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Baxcalibur: 157-186 (42.3 - 50.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ceruledge: 139-165 (47.7 - 56.7%) -- 86.3% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 177-208 (58.8 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 178-210 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Dondozo: 196-232 (38.8 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dondozo: 132-156 (26.1 - 30.9%) -- 4.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 177-208 (55.8 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 178-210 (46.8 - 55.2%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Enamorus: 187-222 (64.7 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 160-189 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 136-162 (33.6 - 40%) -- 30.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 124 HP / 0 SpD Houndstone: 144-169 (45.5 - 53.4%) -- 37.1% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kleavor: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 187-222 (58.6 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 169-199 (44.2 - 52%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Pelipper: 186-220 (71.2 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 186-219 (57.5 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 132-156 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Rotom-Wash: 97-115 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 0.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 188 SpD Skeledirge: 142-168 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Skeledirge: 121-144 (29.4 - 35%) -- 14.6% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowking-Galar: 129-153 (32.7 - 38.8%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 187-222 (54.5 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 153-180 (51.1 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 169-199 (39.3 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcanion: 153-180 (50.8 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 163-193 (47.6 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos: 153-180 (47.6 - 56%) -- 80.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 153-181 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
So now that you've seen both the types of hits Calyrex can dish out with Future Sight along with the previous defensive calculations, we can put into context the terror of Leech Seed against slower/stall-based threats. Not only does Leech Seed rack up passive damage (which turns many potential 2HKOS, 3HKOs, and 4HKOs into OHKOs, 2HKOS, and 3HKOS respectively), it heals Calyrex. Leech Seed healing will outpace Garganacl's Salt Cure damage and (combined with Future Sight + Body Press pressure) force healing or a switch - the same can be said with Pokemon such as Alomomola or Dondozo as well. The point is that Calyrex can force switches, steal items, and passively heal while capitalizing on slow, bulky threats; something is always being worn down by Calyrex through direct damage, passive damage, or forced switches. Ironically enough, this allows Calyrex itself to work quite well on stall teams itself thanks to the ability to force your opponent into a stall loop. This leads us back to our defensive calculations once again to talk about Body Press and Tera Fighting.
Body Press + Tera Fighting
So now we've arrived at Calyrex's meat and potatoes, Body Press (both pre-tera and post-tera). As we mentioned in the speed tiers section, Calyrex gets the jump on some key threats such as 252 EV Spe Adamant Kingambit and 40 EV Spe Neutral Heatran. So why is this important? Simple - Tera Fighting baits Sucker Punch, Knock Off, U-Turn, and other potent moves, and allows Calyrex to check an entirely new roster of threats. Additionally, Tera Fighting gives Body Press STAB bonus and allows it to turn some notable 3HKOs/2HKOs into 2HKOs/OHKOs. Let's first take a look at Body Press calculations Pre-Tera and Post-Tera, then look at some defensive calculations of the types of hits that Calyrex can now survive thanks to its new typing.
Body Press Damage Calculations
(Pre-Tera)
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 148-176 (39.8 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 138-164 (39.4 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (40.8 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (34.1 - 40.4%) -- 41.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 152-180 (46.7 - 55.3%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 105-124 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 120-142 (37.3 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 236-280 (69.2 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (65 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 186-220 (63.4 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 184-218 (52.4 - 62.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 256-304 (75 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 134-158 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
(Post-Tera)
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 252-296 (76.1 - 89.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 222-264 (59.8 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 206-246 (58.8 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (61.3 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- 89.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 157-186 (52.1 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 228-270 (70.1 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 180-212 (56 - 66%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 352-420 (103.2 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (97.5 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 278-330 (94.8 - 112.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 276-326 (78.6 - 92.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 248-294 (77.2 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 384-456 (112.6 - 133.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 200-236 (46.5 - 54.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage
So now we've established that over half the current OU metagame doesn't like taking hits from Calyrex's Body Press + Future Sight offensive combination, let alone some of the shakier checks once passive damage + Leech Seed or Trick shenanigans come into play. So we need to ask, what about the hits that Calyrex couldn't take before in its pre-tera Psychic/Grass typing? Let's take a look at the additional defensive utility that Calyrex gains once terastallized.
Calyrex Calculations (Post-Tera Defensive)
Newly Resisted Hits
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 140-165 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 66-78 (19.3 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 18.2% chance to 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-180 (44.8 - 52.7%) -- 27.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 39-47 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 54-63 (15.8 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 80-95 (23.4 - 27.8%) -- 83.6% chance to 4HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 107-126 (31.3 - 36.9%) -- 80.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 161-189 (47.2 - 55.4%) -- 75.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 65-77 (19 - 22.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 130-153 (38.1 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 195-229 (57.1 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Night Slash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Kleavor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor X-Scissor vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.6% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 29-34 (8.5 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
4 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 88-104 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 63-75 (18.4 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 93-111 (27.2 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 55-65 (16.1 - 19%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 48-56 (14 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
Newly Neutral Hits
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 27.3% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 223-264 (65.3 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-141 (34.6 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 126-148 (36.9 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 151-178 (44.2 - 52.1%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-151 (37.2 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-225 (55.7 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 147-174 (43.1 - 51%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 77-91 (22.5 - 26.6%) -- 26.6% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-120 (29.9 - 35.1%) -- 19% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 148-175 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 110-130 (32.2 - 38.1%) -- 96.6% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 85-101 (24.9 - 29.6%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-224 (55.7 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-181 (44.8 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 112-133 (32.8 - 39%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO
8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-150 (37.2 - 43.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 142-168 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 163-193 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex in Sun: 138-163 (40.4 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-131 (32.5 - 38.4%) -- 98.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Toxapex Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-132 (32.5 - 38.7%) -- 98.6% chance to 3HKO
This is simply one Pokemon that can put so many different potential threats through its careful array of tricks and unique role compression. Calyrex has a wonderful niche through virtue of its typing (only shared with Iron Leaves until Exeggutor and Celebi are released), small yet bountiful movepool, solid bulk, and hybrid offensive/defensive pressure with utility. So, if you're considering putting Calyrex on your team, why not look at some of these teammates?
CalyrexComrades (Team Partners)
Kingambit
Calyrex and Kingambit both cover each other's weaknesses quite well, and Kingambit greatly appreciates the opportunities that Calyrex's utility provides. Whether it be from forcing threats out or bringing them into KO range with Future Sight, or providing passive recovery through Leech Seed to cushion a Kingambit switch-in, the two make a deadly pair.
Glimmora
Glimmora's ability to set Toxic Spikes passively while also providing offensive pressure or setting its own hazards/scouting is extremely beneficial and pairs quite well with Calyrex. In particular, Spiky Shield is a fantastic move that lightly chips physical attackers to allow for simultaneous scouting and, in some cases, concrete moveset identification. Additionally, access to Mortal Spin to get rid of hazards + poison opposing Pokemon comes in handy for keeping Calyrex healthy.
Skeledirge
Skeledirge is one of my favorite Gen 9 Pokemon, and both common variants (Hex + Will-O-Wisp and Substitute) work stupendously with Calyrex. Like with Kingambit, Skeledirge's typing synergizes very well with Calyrex, and Skeledirge's propensity to go specially bulky also pairs well with Calyrex's physical bulk. Additionally, for physical attackers that Calyrex can't quite stomach, Will-O-Wisp can make their hits far more manageable along with accruing further passive damage.
Great Tusk
A wonderful all-around Pokemon with so many different functions that it would be improbably time-consuming to list them all here. Great Tusk can go offensive, defensive, utility, rapid spin, and more. Additionally, this is another case where Calyrex's typing synergizes incredibly well (especially on predicted U-Turns).
Conclusion
I love Calyrex, he's so cool, and in this generation, he's got a pretty neat set of traits not shared by any other Pokemon. Do I think he's got the potential to be an OU staple? Absolutely not. Do I think he has a concrete niche that can take apart specific OU archetypes and wear down specific team cores? Absolutely yes. So if you're having trouble with specific stallmons, boosting mons, or just want the gleeful satisfaction of watching Kingambit get OHKO'd by Calyrex, add him to your team today!
"Calyrex is said to have ruled Galar in ancient times as a merciful king. Despite its delicate and slight appearance, it can move with grace and dignity." - Bulbapedia
"There are Kingambit, Scald, Tera, and Volcarona talks going in circles again? No problem; here's Calyrex in OU."- Morkal
It's no secret that I love Calyrex-Base's design, even more so than his two horseback forms; there's just something regal and imposing about it in a quiet, subtle manner that I respect. Unfortunately, however, this doesn't tell us anything about Calyrex's competitive prowess. So what does the deer king have going for it? Surprisingly, quite a bit more than I expected when I started slotting him onto several of my teams right after the Pokemon Home update. Calyrex is one of the most unique Pokemon I've used in any competitive metagame and has some of the most distinct role compression I've ever seen in a niche pick in any OU meta; I'm getting ahead of myself here, let's just dive in and see what Calyrex has to offer!
Disclaimer:Calyrex fits onto several types of teams, but absolutely requires knowledge of common movesets due to exploitable weaknesses (notably a 4x weakness to U-Turn). Please do not place Calyrex on a team without consideration, its specific traits need to fit the archetype your team is going for. I would also recommend checking out the awesomeSV OU speed tiers threadbyAtraX Madarato get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Calyrex is specifically tech'd to hit, and how you can use its unique traits most aptly. If you go into fights prepared, you'll be able to watch Calyrex feast on Stall, Kingambit, and multiple other threats that many OU mainstays could only dream of. I'd also like to give a special thanks to Athyesticfor help with the EV tinkering and help with Trick functionality for Calyrex.
View attachment 528531 Calyrex Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Calyrex's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Calyrex is the only Pokemon in the Gen 9 meta to get access to the unique combination of Future Sight and Leech Seed, allowing it to not only exert pressure but capitalize on stall archetypes as well as sit on Pokemon like Dondozo and Garganacl with ease.
Calyrex's 100/80/80 bulk is solid with its Psychic/Grass typing granting it some key resistances to Ground and Fighting (Great Tusk STABS), in addition to resisting Water, Grass, Electric, and Psychic-type attacks.
Calyrex's Grass typing additionally gives it immunity to Spore, allowing it to threaten Pokemon like Breloom and Amoonguss with Future Sight, and additionally allows it to pair well with and against Rain teams.
Calyrex's access to Tera further boosts its offensive and defensive capabilities and allows it to act as a lure for many notable threats thanks to STAB Body Press with Tera Fighting.
Calyrex having access to both Body Press and Trick combined with Future Sight and Leech Seed effectively allows it to go mixed with very little investment, using Red Card to force a Pokemon out (particularly boosted Pokemon) also allows you to steal an opponent's item using Trick as a sort of "diet Thief" option post-Red Card or set up a Future Sight or Leech Seed easier as well.
Calyrex is a solid lure for Kingambit and the set provided with 16 EVs in speed outspeeds all Kingambit variants except for Jolly 252 Spe EVs; additionally, Pre-Tera-Fighting Calyrex with this set's defensive EV spread 100% lives an Adamant 252 EV STAB Sucker Punch Kingambit up to three allies fainted from Supreme Overlord.
Calyrex's ability to harass stall cores while checking powerful and slow OU attackers is further role compression not shared by any other Pokemon to the same degree, thanks to the ease of switching in with its solid bulk and Red Card pivoting work.
Calyrex has a multitude of other support options at its disposal such as Encore, Dual Screens, Trick Room, and more depending on your team's specific needs.
We're going to be looking at one Calyrex set, as this has been the aptest Calyrex set for the current OU meta. We will go over Defensive prowess along with Red Card + Trick Pivoting work, why we've chosen this specific EV spread, along with types of threats that Calyrex handles and we will be looking at damage calculations to back up these numbers as well. Since this is a pretty off-kilter set, we'll be structuring this differently regarding analysis of the specific traits of the set as we go along.
Red CardPseudo-ThiefFutureSeed Anti-Stall/Anti-Boost Shuffler
Defensive Prowess (Pre-Tera) + Red Card/Trick Pivoting View attachment 528619
Before we dive into the specifics of why Calyrex works the way it does, we need to talk about its defenses, its typing, and what OU Pokemon it can stomach hits from. Thanks to a usable 100/80/80 defensive stat spread, 252 EVs in Defense with a Bold nature brings Calyrex up to a respectable defensive stat spread of 341/284/196. This may not seem like a lot at first... until you consider Calyrex's Psychic/Grass typing and the specific threats that it resists. To give you an idea of the types of hits Calyrex can take before we jump into the utility of Red Card (a powerful option when you have Trick in your moveslot), let's look at some damage calculations!
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex in Rain: 181-213 (53 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- approx. 100% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 126-147 (36.9 - 43.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Breloom Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 134-158 (39.2 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-42 (10.5 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
0 Atk Dondozo Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 38-45 (11.1 - 13.1%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-60 (14.9 - 17.5%) -- possible 6HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 40-48 (11.7 - 14%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 68-81 (19.9 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 30-35 (8.7 - 10.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Goodra-Hisui Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 27-32 (7.9 - 9.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 46-55 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 137-162 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 28.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Psyblade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 54-64 (15.8 - 18.7%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Valiant Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 6.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Kleavor Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 62-73 (18.1 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 64-76 (18.7 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 49% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-79 (19.6 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Sacred Sword vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 53-63 (15.5 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 60-71 (17.5 - 20.8%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 119-141 (34.8 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 48-57 (14 - 16.7%) -- possible 6HKO 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 58-68 (17 - 19.9%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 115-136 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 43-51 (12.6 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
+3 80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 89.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Thunderous Kick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Neutral Hits
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 183-216 (53.6 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-81 (19.6 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 109-129 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 91% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 217-256 (63.6 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 246-289 (72.1 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 3.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
Super Effective Hits
0 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 86-104 (25.2 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 31.3% chance to 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 228-270 (66.8 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 4.8% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
116+ Atk Iron Hands Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 146-172 (42.8 - 50.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 158-188 (46.3 - 55.1%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 188-222 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 170-204 (49.8 - 59.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 204-242 (59.8 - 70.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 112-134 (32.8 - 39.2%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO
Special Defense
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 265-312 (77.7 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 159-187 (46.6 - 54.8%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 250-295 (73.3 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 282-334 (82.6 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 85-102 (24.9 - 29.9%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 83-98 (24.3 - 28.7%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 178-210 (52.1 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Meowscarada Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 93-110 (27.2 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 4 SpA Mew Stored Power (100 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Slowking Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 41% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Slowking Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 94-111 (27.5 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Toxapex Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 35-42 (10.2 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-114 (28.4 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Hydro Steam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 86-102 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
So now you might be thinking "Okay so Calyrex can take some pretty neat hits and its typing is actually not bad, but why Red Card?" This is where Calyrex's utility role compression starts to come in real handy. A lot of the hits that Calyrex can take are not only common but more importantly, safer options for your opponent to click. Red Card forces out boosted mons or powerful mons, which will (especially with hazards up for additional passive damage) put you in an advantageous position. While Calyrex is itemless, this also allows you to better stomach super-effective Knock Off hits. Trick acts as a sort of pseudo-Thief here that allows you to remove an opposing Pokemon's item post-Red Card. This means on just a single turn most of the time, Calyrex will have forced out a problematic Pokemon simply by switching in and absorbing a hit, forced racked up hazard damage or status (Glimmora Toxic Spikes), then put itself into position to either set up Leech Seed, Future Sight, or use Trick to steal an opposing user's item. A common post-red card switch-in is Heatran; since Heatran commonly runs Leftovers on both Offensive and Defensive variants, it's generally easy to get free Leftovers upon that switch, taking away Heatran's passive recovery and allowing it to be worn down fairly quickly.
We'll come back to defensive prowess for Tera Fighting + Body Press in a moment; for now, let's detour and detail why Future Sight and Leech Seed are such a dangerous combination along with an analysis of Calyrex's speed EVs.
Future Sight/Leech Seed Role Compression + Speed Tier Analysis
Calyrex's base 80 speed is decently fast for a bulkier Pokemon. With 20 EVs in speed and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches a respectable 201 speed stat. This critical threshold allows Calyrex to outspeed Adamant nature Kingambit/Ursaluna with 252 EVs in speed (capped at 199) and Defensive Heatran with 0 or 40 EVs in speed (190 and 200 respectively). In addition, this 201 benchmark allows Calyrex to outspeed Azumarill/Iron Hands that have 252 speed + a neutral nature and Pokemon like Breloom/Volcanion need at least 104 EVs on a neutral nature to outspeed this Calyrex benchmark. All Pokemon with base 50 Speed and below are getting outsped by this minuscule 20 EV allotment unless they run a Jolly nature with heavy investment. So now that we've established this, let's jump into Future Sight and Leech Seed and why this puts many stall teams in an extremely uncomfortable position.
First; Future Sight isn't meant to strike fear from its power directly (although it does hit some notable benchmarks, which we'll get to), it's meant to do just enough damage to bring potentially huge threats into KO range while simultaneously pressuring previously safe switches or forcing uncomfortable switches just to block/tank a Future Sight hit. With 236 EVs and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches 255 SpA - this may not seem like much, but with Future Sight's base 120 power + STAB, this can hit some pretty surprising thresholds and 2HKO a huge portion of the OU metagame. Let's take a look at some damage calculations to show just what kind of Pokemon Calrex can heavily chunk, force out, or even OHKO with Future Sight in some specific cases. Afterward, we'll explain why Leech Seed is so potent in tandem with Future Sight to show how Pokemon such as Dondozo and Garganacl feel insane pressure simply staying in on Calyrex.
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Amoonguss: 306-360 (70.8 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Breloom: 420-494 (160.9 - 189.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Clodsire: 204-240 (44 - 51.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 332-392 (108.1 - 127.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 464-548 (106.9 - 126.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Iron Hands: 384-452 (82.9 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Iron Hands: 282-332 (62.8 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Moth: 258-306 (85.7 - 101.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 422-498 (146 - 172.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. +1 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 282-332 (97.2 - 114.4%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lilligant-Hisui: 354-416 (125.9 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sneasler: 672-792 (223.2 - 263.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 198-234 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Toxapex: 138-164 (45.5 - 54.1%) -- 42.2% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (76.3 - 90.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (63.9 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 306-360 (95.3 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
Neutral Hits
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Alomomola: 259-306 (48.5 - 57.3%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 169-199 (45.6 - 53.7%) -- 44.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Basculegion: 178-210 (46.7 - 55.1%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Baxcalibur: 157-186 (42.3 - 50.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ceruledge: 139-165 (47.7 - 56.7%) -- 86.3% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 177-208 (58.8 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 178-210 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Dondozo: 196-232 (38.8 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dondozo: 132-156 (26.1 - 30.9%) -- 4.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 177-208 (55.8 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 178-210 (46.8 - 55.2%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Enamorus: 187-222 (64.7 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 160-189 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 136-162 (33.6 - 40%) -- 30.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 124 HP / 0 SpD Houndstone: 144-169 (45.5 - 53.4%) -- 37.1% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kleavor: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 187-222 (58.6 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 169-199 (44.2 - 52%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Pelipper: 186-220 (71.2 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 186-219 (57.5 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 132-156 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Rotom-Wash: 97-115 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 0.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 188 SpD Skeledirge: 142-168 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Skeledirge: 121-144 (29.4 - 35%) -- 14.6% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowking-Galar: 129-153 (32.7 - 38.8%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 187-222 (54.5 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 153-180 (51.1 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 169-199 (39.3 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcanion: 153-180 (50.8 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 163-193 (47.6 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos: 153-180 (47.6 - 56%) -- 80.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 153-181 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
So now that you've seen both the types of hits Calyrex can dish out with Future Sight along with the previous defensive calculations, we can put into context the terror of Leech Seed against slower/stall-based threats. Not only does Leech Seed rack up passive damage (which turns many potential 2HKOS, 3HKOs, and 4HKOs into OHKOs, 2HKOS, and 3HKOS respectively), it heals Calyrex. Leech Seed healing will outpace Garganacl's Salt Cure damage and (combined with Future Sight + Body Press pressure) force healing or a switch - the same can be said with Pokemon such as Alomomola or Dondozo as well. The point is that Calyrex can force switches, steal items, and passively heal while capitalizing on slow, bulky threats; something is always being worn down by Calyrex through direct damage, passive damage, or forced switches. Ironically enough, this allows Calyrex itself to work quite well on stall teams itself thanks to the ability to force your opponent into a stall loop. This leads us back to our defensive calculations once again to talk about Body Press and Tera Fighting.
Body Press + Tera Fighting
So now we've arrived at Calyrex's meat and potatoes, Body Press (both pre-tera and post-tera). As we mentioned in the speed tiers section, Calyrex gets the jump on some key threats such as 252 EV Spe Adamant Kingambit and 40 EV Spe Neutral Heatran. So why is this important? Simple - Tera Fighting baits Sucker Punch, Knock Off, U-Turn, and other potent moves, and allows Calyrex to check an entirely new roster of threats. Additionally, Tera Fighting gives Body Press STAB bonus and allows it to turn some notable 3HKOs/2HKOs into 2HKOs/OHKOs. Let's first take a look at Body Press calculations Pre-Tera and Post-Tera, then look at some defensive calculations of the types of hits that Calyrex can now survive thanks to its new typing.
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 148-176 (39.8 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 138-164 (39.4 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (40.8 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (34.1 - 40.4%) -- 41.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 152-180 (46.7 - 55.3%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 105-124 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 120-142 (37.3 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 236-280 (69.2 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (65 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 186-220 (63.4 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 184-218 (52.4 - 62.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 134-158 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
(Post-Tera)
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 252-296 (76.1 - 89.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 222-264 (59.8 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 206-246 (58.8 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (61.3 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- 89.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 157-186 (52.1 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 228-270 (70.1 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 180-212 (56 - 66%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 352-420 (103.2 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (97.5 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 278-330 (94.8 - 112.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 276-326 (78.6 - 92.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 248-294 (77.2 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 200-236 (46.5 - 54.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage
So now we've established that over half the current OU metagame doesn't like taking hits from Calyrex's Body Press + Future Sight offensive combination, let alone some of the shakier checks once passive damage + Leech Seed or Trick shenanigans come into play. So we need to ask, what about the hits that Calyrex couldn't take before in its pre-tera Psychic/Grass typing? Let's take a look at the additional defensive utility that Calyrex gains once terastallized.
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 140-165 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 66-78 (19.3 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 18.2% chance to 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-180 (44.8 - 52.7%) -- 27.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 39-47 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 54-63 (15.8 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 80-95 (23.4 - 27.8%) -- 83.6% chance to 4HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 107-126 (31.3 - 36.9%) -- 80.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 161-189 (47.2 - 55.4%) -- 75.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 65-77 (19 - 22.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 130-153 (38.1 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 195-229 (57.1 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Night Slash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Kleavor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor X-Scissor vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.6% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 29-34 (8.5 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
4 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 88-104 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 63-75 (18.4 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 93-111 (27.2 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 55-65 (16.1 - 19%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 48-56 (14 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
Newly Neutral Hits
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 27.3% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 223-264 (65.3 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-141 (34.6 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 126-148 (36.9 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 151-178 (44.2 - 52.1%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-151 (37.2 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-225 (55.7 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 147-174 (43.1 - 51%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 77-91 (22.5 - 26.6%) -- 26.6% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-120 (29.9 - 35.1%) -- 19% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 148-175 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 110-130 (32.2 - 38.1%) -- 96.6% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 85-101 (24.9 - 29.6%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-224 (55.7 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-181 (44.8 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 112-133 (32.8 - 39%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO
8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-150 (37.2 - 43.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 142-168 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 163-193 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex in Sun: 138-163 (40.4 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-131 (32.5 - 38.4%) -- 98.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Toxapex Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-132 (32.5 - 38.7%) -- 98.6% chance to 3HKO
This is simply one Pokemon that can put so many different potential threats through its careful array of tricks and unique role compression. Calyrex has a wonderful niche through virtue of its typing (only shared with Iron Leaves until Exeggutor and Celebi are released), small yet bountiful movepool, solid bulk, and hybrid offensive/defensive pressure with utility. So, if you're considering putting Calyrex on your team, why not look at some of these teammates?
Calyrex and Kingambit both cover each other's weaknesses quite well, and Kingambit greatly appreciates the opportunities that Calyrex's utility provides. Whether it be from forcing threats out or bringing them into KO range with Future Sight, or providing passive recovery through Leech Seed to cushion a Kingambit switch-in, the two make a deadly pair.
Glimmora View attachment 528651
Glimmora's ability to set Toxic Spikes passively while also providing offensive pressure or setting its own hazards/scouting is extremely beneficial and pairs quite well with Calyrex. In particular, Spiky Shield is a fantastic move that lightly chips physical attackers to allow for simultaneous scouting and, in some cases, concrete moveset identification. Additionally, access to Mortal Spin to get rid of hazards + poison opposing Pokemon comes in handy for keeping Calyrex healthy.
Skeledirge View attachment 528653
Skeledirge is one of my favorite Gen 9 Pokemon, and both common variants (Hex + Will-O-Wisp and Substitute) work stupendously with Calyrex. Like with Kingambit, Skeledirge's typing synergizes very well with Calyrex, and Skeledirge's propensity to go specially bulky also pairs well with Calyrex's physical bulk. Additionally, for physical attackers that Calyrex can't quite stomach, Will-O-Wisp can make their hits far more manageable along with accruing further passive damage.
Great Tusk View attachment 528655
A wonderful all-around Pokemon with so many different functions that it would be improbably time-consuming to list them all here. Great Tusk can go offensive, defensive, utility, rapid spin, and more. Additionally, this is another case where Calyrex's typing synergizes incredibly well (especially on predicted U-Turns).
I love Calyrex, he's so cool, and in this generation, he's got a pretty neat set of traits not shared by any other Pokemon. Do I think he's got the potential to be an OU staple? Absolutely not. Do I think he has a concrete niche that can take apart specific OU archetypes and wear down specific team cores? Absolutely yes. So if you're having trouble with specific stallmons, boosting mons, or just want the gleeful satisfaction of watching Kingambit get OHKO'd by Calyrex, add him to your team today!
Well done as usual Morkal, this is probably one of your best posts. On the topic of the circular Tera discussions stuff like this will be the one thing I'd miss in a non-tera meta
"Calyrex is said to have ruled Galar in ancient times as a merciful king. Despite its delicate and slight appearance, it can move with grace and dignity." - Bulbapedia
"There are Kingambit, Scald, Tera, and Volcarona talks going in circles again? No problem; here's Calyrex in OU."- Morkal
"Calyrex is said to have ruled Galar in ancient times as a merciful king. Despite its delicate and slight appearance, it can move with grace and dignity." - Bulbapedia
"There are Kingambit, Scald, Tera, and Volcarona talks going in circles again? No problem; here's Calyrex in OU."- Morkal
It's no secret that I love Calyrex-Base's design, even more so than his two horseback forms; there's just something regal and imposing about it in a quiet, subtle manner that I respect. Unfortunately, however, this doesn't tell us anything about Calyrex's competitive prowess. So what does the deer king have going for it? Surprisingly, quite a bit more than I expected when I started slotting him onto several of my teams right after the Pokemon Home update. Calyrex is one of the most unique Pokemon I've used in any competitive metagame and has some of the most distinct role compression I've ever seen in a niche pick in any OU meta; I'm getting ahead of myself here, let's just dive in and see what Calyrex has to offer!
Disclaimer:Calyrex fits onto several types of teams, but absolutely requires knowledge of common movesets due to exploitable weaknesses (notably a 4x weakness to U-Turn). Please do not place Calyrex on a team without consideration, its specific traits need to fit the archetype your team is going for. I would also recommend checking out the awesomeSV OU speed tiers threadbyAtraX Madarato get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Calyrex is specifically tech'd to hit, and how you can use its unique traits most aptly. If you go into fights prepared, you'll be able to watch Calyrex feast on Stall, Kingambit, and multiple other threats that many OU mainstays could only dream of. I'd also like to give a special thanks to Athyesticfor help with the EV tinkering and help with Trick functionality for Calyrex.
View attachment 528531 Calyrex Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Calyrex's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Calyrex is the only Pokemon in the Gen 9 meta to get access to the unique combination of Future Sight and Leech Seed, allowing it to not only exert pressure but capitalize on stall archetypes as well as sit on Pokemon like Dondozo and Garganacl with ease.
Calyrex's 100/80/80 bulk is solid with its Psychic/Grass typing granting it some key resistances to Ground and Fighting (Great Tusk STABS), in addition to resisting Water, Grass, Electric, and Psychic-type attacks.
Calyrex's Grass typing additionally gives it immunity to Spore, allowing it to threaten Pokemon like Breloom and Amoonguss with Future Sight, and additionally allows it to pair well with and against Rain teams.
Calyrex's access to Tera further boosts its offensive and defensive capabilities and allows it to act as a lure for many notable threats thanks to STAB Body Press with Tera Fighting.
Calyrex having access to both Body Press and Trick combined with Future Sight and Leech Seed effectively allows it to go mixed with very little investment, using Red Card to force a Pokemon out (particularly boosted Pokemon) also allows you to steal an opponent's item using Trick as a sort of "diet Thief" option post-Red Card or set up a Future Sight or Leech Seed easier as well.
Calyrex is a solid lure for Kingambit and the set provided with 16 EVs in speed outspeeds all Kingambit variants except for Jolly 252 Spe EVs; additionally, Pre-Tera-Fighting Calyrex with this set's defensive EV spread 100% lives an Adamant 252 EV STAB Sucker Punch Kingambit up to three allies fainted from Supreme Overlord.
Calyrex's ability to harass stall cores while checking powerful and slow OU attackers is further role compression not shared by any other Pokemon to the same degree, thanks to the ease of switching in with its solid bulk and Red Card pivoting work.
Calyrex has a multitude of other support options at its disposal such as Encore, Dual Screens, Trick Room, and more depending on your team's specific needs.
Calyrex's ability Unnerve is situationally useful for preventing your opponent's Chople Berry from activating when Body Press is used.
We're going to be looking at one Calyrex set, as this has been the aptest Calyrex set for the current OU meta. We will go over Defensive prowess along with Red Card + Trick Pivoting work, why we've chosen this specific EV spread, along with types of threats that Calyrex handles and we will be looking at damage calculations to back up these numbers as well. Since this is a pretty off-kilter set, we'll be structuring this differently regarding analysis of the specific traits of the set as we go along.
Red CardPseudo-ThiefFutureSeed Anti-Stall/Anti-Boost Shuffler
Defensive Prowess (Pre-Tera) + Red Card/Trick Pivoting View attachment 528619
Before we dive into the specifics of why Calyrex works the way it does, we need to talk about its defenses, its typing, and what OU Pokemon it can stomach hits from. Thanks to a usable 100/80/80 defensive stat spread, 252 EVs in Defense with a Bold nature brings Calyrex up to a respectable defensive stat spread of 341/284/196. This may not seem like a lot at first... until you consider Calyrex's Psychic/Grass typing and the specific threats that it resists. To give you an idea of the types of hits Calyrex can take before we jump into the utility of Red Card (a powerful option when you have Trick in your moveslot), let's look at some damage calculations!
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex in Rain: 181-213 (53 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- approx. 100% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 126-147 (36.9 - 43.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Breloom Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 134-158 (39.2 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-42 (10.5 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
0 Atk Dondozo Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 38-45 (11.1 - 13.1%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-60 (14.9 - 17.5%) -- possible 6HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 40-48 (11.7 - 14%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 68-81 (19.9 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 30-35 (8.7 - 10.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Goodra-Hisui Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 27-32 (7.9 - 9.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 46-55 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 137-162 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 28.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Psyblade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 54-64 (15.8 - 18.7%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Valiant Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 6.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Kleavor Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 62-73 (18.1 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 64-76 (18.7 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 49% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-79 (19.6 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Sacred Sword vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 53-63 (15.5 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 60-71 (17.5 - 20.8%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 119-141 (34.8 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 48-57 (14 - 16.7%) -- possible 6HKO 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 58-68 (17 - 19.9%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 115-136 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 43-51 (12.6 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
+3 80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 89.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Thunderous Kick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Neutral Hits
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 183-216 (53.6 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-81 (19.6 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 109-129 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 91% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 217-256 (63.6 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 246-289 (72.1 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 3.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
Super Effective Hits
0 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 86-104 (25.2 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 31.3% chance to 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 228-270 (66.8 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 4.8% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
116+ Atk Iron Hands Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 146-172 (42.8 - 50.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 158-188 (46.3 - 55.1%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 188-222 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 170-204 (49.8 - 59.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 204-242 (59.8 - 70.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 112-134 (32.8 - 39.2%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO
Special Defense
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 265-312 (77.7 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 159-187 (46.6 - 54.8%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 250-295 (73.3 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 282-334 (82.6 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 85-102 (24.9 - 29.9%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 83-98 (24.3 - 28.7%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 178-210 (52.1 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Meowscarada Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 93-110 (27.2 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 4 SpA Mew Stored Power (100 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Slowking Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 41% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Slowking Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 94-111 (27.5 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Toxapex Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 35-42 (10.2 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-114 (28.4 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Hydro Steam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 86-102 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
So now you might be thinking "Okay so Calyrex can take some pretty neat hits and its typing is actually not bad, but why Red Card?" This is where Calyrex's utility role compression starts to come in real handy. A lot of the hits that Calyrex can take are not only common but more importantly, safer options for your opponent to click. Red Card forces out boosted mons or powerful mons, which will (especially with hazards up for additional passive damage) put you in an advantageous position. While Calyrex is itemless, this also allows you to better stomach super-effective Knock Off hits. Trick acts as a sort of pseudo-Thief here that allows you to remove an opposing Pokemon's item post-Red Card. This means on just a single turn most of the time, Calyrex will have forced out a problematic Pokemon simply by switching in and absorbing a hit, forced racked up hazard damage or status (Glimmora Toxic Spikes), then put itself into position to either set up Leech Seed, Future Sight, or use Trick to steal an opposing user's item. A common post-red card switch-in is Heatran; since Heatran commonly runs Leftovers on both Offensive and Defensive variants, it's generally easy to get free Leftovers upon that switch, taking away Heatran's passive recovery and allowing it to be worn down fairly quickly.
We'll come back to defensive prowess for Tera Fighting + Body Press in a moment; for now, let's detour and detail why Future Sight and Leech Seed are such a dangerous combination along with an analysis of Calyrex's speed EVs.
Future Sight/Leech Seed Role Compression + Speed Tier Analysis
Calyrex's base 80 speed is decently fast for a bulkier Pokemon. With 20 EVs in speed and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches a respectable 201 speed stat. This critical threshold allows Calyrex to outspeed Adamant nature Kingambit/Ursaluna with 252 EVs in speed (capped at 199) and Defensive Heatran with 0 or 40 EVs in speed (190 and 200 respectively). In addition, this 201 benchmark allows Calyrex to outspeed Azumarill/Iron Hands that have 252 speed + a neutral nature and Pokemon like Breloom/Volcanion need at least 104 EVs on a neutral nature to outspeed this Calyrex benchmark. All Pokemon with base 50 Speed and below are getting outsped by this minuscule 20 EV allotment unless they run a Jolly nature with heavy investment. So now that we've established this, let's jump into Future Sight and Leech Seed and why this puts many stall teams in an extremely uncomfortable position.
First; Future Sight isn't meant to strike fear from its power directly (although it does hit some notable benchmarks, which we'll get to), it's meant to do just enough damage to bring potentially huge threats into KO range while simultaneously pressuring previously safe switches or forcing uncomfortable switches just to block/tank a Future Sight hit. With 236 EVs and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches 255 SpA - this may not seem like much, but with Future Sight's base 120 power + STAB, this can hit some pretty surprising thresholds and 2HKO a huge portion of the OU metagame. Let's take a look at some damage calculations to show just what kind of Pokemon Calrex can heavily chunk, force out, or even OHKO with Future Sight in some specific cases. Afterward, we'll explain why Leech Seed is so potent in tandem with Future Sight to show how Pokemon such as Dondozo and Garganacl feel insane pressure simply staying in on Calyrex.
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Amoonguss: 306-360 (70.8 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Breloom: 420-494 (160.9 - 189.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Clodsire: 204-240 (44 - 51.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 332-392 (108.1 - 127.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 464-548 (106.9 - 126.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Iron Hands: 384-452 (82.9 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Iron Hands: 282-332 (62.8 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Moth: 258-306 (85.7 - 101.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 422-498 (146 - 172.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. +1 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 282-332 (97.2 - 114.4%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lilligant-Hisui: 354-416 (125.9 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sneasler: 672-792 (223.2 - 263.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 198-234 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Toxapex: 138-164 (45.5 - 54.1%) -- 42.2% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (76.3 - 90.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (63.9 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 306-360 (95.3 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
Neutral Hits
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Alomomola: 259-306 (48.5 - 57.3%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 169-199 (45.6 - 53.7%) -- 44.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Basculegion: 178-210 (46.7 - 55.1%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Baxcalibur: 157-186 (42.3 - 50.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ceruledge: 139-165 (47.7 - 56.7%) -- 86.3% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 177-208 (58.8 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 178-210 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Dondozo: 196-232 (38.8 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dondozo: 132-156 (26.1 - 30.9%) -- 4.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 177-208 (55.8 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 178-210 (46.8 - 55.2%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Enamorus: 187-222 (64.7 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 160-189 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 136-162 (33.6 - 40%) -- 30.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 124 HP / 0 SpD Houndstone: 144-169 (45.5 - 53.4%) -- 37.1% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kleavor: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 187-222 (58.6 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 169-199 (44.2 - 52%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Pelipper: 186-220 (71.2 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 186-219 (57.5 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 132-156 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Rotom-Wash: 97-115 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 0.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 188 SpD Skeledirge: 142-168 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Skeledirge: 121-144 (29.4 - 35%) -- 14.6% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowking-Galar: 129-153 (32.7 - 38.8%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 187-222 (54.5 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 153-180 (51.1 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 169-199 (39.3 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcanion: 153-180 (50.8 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 163-193 (47.6 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos: 153-180 (47.6 - 56%) -- 80.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 153-181 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
So now that you've seen both the types of hits Calyrex can dish out with Future Sight along with the previous defensive calculations, we can put into context the terror of Leech Seed against slower/stall-based threats. Not only does Leech Seed rack up passive damage (which turns many potential 2HKOS, 3HKOs, and 4HKOs into OHKOs, 2HKOS, and 3HKOS respectively), it heals Calyrex. Leech Seed healing will outpace Garganacl's Salt Cure damage and (combined with Future Sight + Body Press pressure) force healing or a switch - the same can be said with Pokemon such as Alomomola or Dondozo as well. The point is that Calyrex can force switches, steal items, and passively heal while capitalizing on slow, bulky threats; something is always being worn down by Calyrex through direct damage, passive damage, or forced switches. Ironically enough, this allows Calyrex itself to work quite well on stall teams itself thanks to the ability to force your opponent into a stall loop. This leads us back to our defensive calculations once again to talk about Body Press and Tera Fighting.
Body Press + Tera Fighting
So now we've arrived at Calyrex's meat and potatoes, Body Press (both pre-tera and post-tera). As we mentioned in the speed tiers section, Calyrex gets the jump on some key threats such as 252 EV Spe Adamant Kingambit and 40 EV Spe Neutral Heatran. So why is this important? Simple - Tera Fighting baits Sucker Punch, Knock Off, U-Turn, and other potent moves, and allows Calyrex to check an entirely new roster of threats. Additionally, Tera Fighting gives Body Press STAB bonus and allows it to turn some notable 3HKOs/2HKOs into 2HKOs/OHKOs. Let's first take a look at Body Press calculations Pre-Tera and Post-Tera, then look at some defensive calculations of the types of hits that Calyrex can now survive thanks to its new typing.
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 148-176 (39.8 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 138-164 (39.4 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (40.8 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (34.1 - 40.4%) -- 41.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 152-180 (46.7 - 55.3%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 105-124 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 120-142 (37.3 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 236-280 (69.2 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (65 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 186-220 (63.4 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 184-218 (52.4 - 62.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 256-304 (75 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 134-158 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
(Post-Tera)
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 252-296 (76.1 - 89.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 222-264 (59.8 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 206-246 (58.8 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (61.3 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- 89.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 157-186 (52.1 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 228-270 (70.1 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 180-212 (56 - 66%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 352-420 (103.2 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (97.5 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 278-330 (94.8 - 112.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 276-326 (78.6 - 92.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 248-294 (77.2 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 384-456 (112.6 - 133.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 200-236 (46.5 - 54.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage
So now we've established that over half the current OU metagame doesn't like taking hits from Calyrex's Body Press + Future Sight offensive combination, let alone some of the shakier checks once passive damage + Leech Seed or Trick shenanigans come into play. So we need to ask, what about the hits that Calyrex couldn't take before in its pre-tera Psychic/Grass typing? Let's take a look at the additional defensive utility that Calyrex gains once terastallized.
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 140-165 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 66-78 (19.3 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 18.2% chance to 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-180 (44.8 - 52.7%) -- 27.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 39-47 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 54-63 (15.8 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 80-95 (23.4 - 27.8%) -- 83.6% chance to 4HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 107-126 (31.3 - 36.9%) -- 80.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 161-189 (47.2 - 55.4%) -- 75.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 65-77 (19 - 22.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 130-153 (38.1 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 195-229 (57.1 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Night Slash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Kleavor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor X-Scissor vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.6% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 29-34 (8.5 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
4 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 88-104 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 63-75 (18.4 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 93-111 (27.2 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 55-65 (16.1 - 19%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 48-56 (14 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
Newly Neutral Hits
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 27.3% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 223-264 (65.3 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-141 (34.6 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 126-148 (36.9 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 151-178 (44.2 - 52.1%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-151 (37.2 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-225 (55.7 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 147-174 (43.1 - 51%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 77-91 (22.5 - 26.6%) -- 26.6% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-120 (29.9 - 35.1%) -- 19% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 148-175 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 110-130 (32.2 - 38.1%) -- 96.6% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 85-101 (24.9 - 29.6%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-224 (55.7 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-181 (44.8 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 112-133 (32.8 - 39%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO
8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-150 (37.2 - 43.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 142-168 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 163-193 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex in Sun: 138-163 (40.4 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-131 (32.5 - 38.4%) -- 98.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Toxapex Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-132 (32.5 - 38.7%) -- 98.6% chance to 3HKO
This is simply one Pokemon that can put so many different potential threats through its careful array of tricks and unique role compression. Calyrex has a wonderful niche through virtue of its typing (only shared with Iron Leaves until Exeggutor and Celebi are released), small yet bountiful movepool, solid bulk, and hybrid offensive/defensive pressure with utility. So, if you're considering putting Calyrex on your team, why not look at some of these teammates?
Calyrex and Kingambit both cover each other's weaknesses quite well, and Kingambit greatly appreciates the opportunities that Calyrex's utility provides. Whether it be from forcing threats out or bringing them into KO range with Future Sight, or providing passive recovery through Leech Seed to cushion a Kingambit switch-in, the two make a deadly pair.
Glimmora View attachment 528651
Glimmora's ability to set Toxic Spikes passively while also providing offensive pressure or setting its own hazards/scouting is extremely beneficial and pairs quite well with Calyrex. In particular, Spiky Shield is a fantastic move that lightly chips physical attackers to allow for simultaneous scouting and, in some cases, concrete moveset identification. Additionally, access to Mortal Spin to get rid of hazards + poison opposing Pokemon comes in handy for keeping Calyrex healthy.
Skeledirge View attachment 528653
Skeledirge is one of my favorite Gen 9 Pokemon, and both common variants (Hex + Will-O-Wisp and Substitute) work stupendously with Calyrex. Like with Kingambit, Skeledirge's typing synergizes very well with Calyrex, and Skeledirge's propensity to go specially bulky also pairs well with Calyrex's physical bulk. Additionally, for physical attackers that Calyrex can't quite stomach, Will-O-Wisp can make their hits far more manageable along with accruing further passive damage.
Great Tusk View attachment 528655
A wonderful all-around Pokemon with so many different functions that it would be improbably time-consuming to list them all here. Great Tusk can go offensive, defensive, utility, rapid spin, and more. Additionally, this is another case where Calyrex's typing synergizes incredibly well (especially on predicted U-Turns).
I love Calyrex, he's so cool, and in this generation, he's got a pretty neat set of traits not shared by any other Pokemon. Do I think he's got the potential to be an OU staple? Absolutely not. Do I think he has a concrete niche that can take apart specific OU archetypes and wear down specific team cores? Absolutely yes. So if you're having trouble with specific stallmons, boosting mons, or just want the gleeful satisfaction of watching Kingambit get OHKO'd by Calyrex, add him to your team today!
This person is like an actually wise, objective, experienced, and non-gimmicky version of an infamous Youtuber whose name I won't mention to avoid controversy
But it's channel starts with V
And ends with lisify
"Calyrex is said to have ruled Galar in ancient times as a merciful king. Despite its delicate and slight appearance, it can move with grace and dignity." - Bulbapedia
"There are Kingambit, Scald, Tera, and Volcarona talks going in circles again? No problem; here's Calyrex in OU."- Morkal
It's no secret that I love Calyrex-Base's design, even more so than his two horseback forms; there's just something regal and imposing about it in a quiet, subtle manner that I respect. Unfortunately, however, this doesn't tell us anything about Calyrex's competitive prowess. So what does the deer king have going for it? Surprisingly, quite a bit more than I expected when I started slotting him onto several of my teams right after the Pokemon Home update. Calyrex is one of the most unique Pokemon I've used in any competitive metagame and has some of the most distinct role compression I've ever seen in a niche pick in any OU meta; I'm getting ahead of myself here, let's just dive in and see what Calyrex has to offer!
Disclaimer:Calyrex fits onto several types of teams, but absolutely requires knowledge of common movesets due to exploitable weaknesses (notably a 4x weakness to U-Turn). Please do not place Calyrex on a team without consideration, its specific traits need to fit the archetype your team is going for. I would also recommend checking out the awesomeSV OU speed tiers threadbyAtraX Madarato get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Calyrex is specifically tech'd to hit, and how you can use its unique traits most aptly. If you go into fights prepared, you'll be able to watch Calyrex feast on Stall, Kingambit, and multiple other threats that many OU mainstays could only dream of. I'd also like to give a special thanks to Athyesticfor help with the EV tinkering and help with Trick functionality for Calyrex.
View attachment 528531 Calyrex Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Calyrex's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Calyrex is the only Pokemon in the Gen 9 meta to get access to the unique combination of Future Sight and Leech Seed, allowing it to not only exert pressure but capitalize on stall archetypes as well as sit on Pokemon like Dondozo and Garganacl with ease.
Calyrex's 100/80/80 bulk is solid with its Psychic/Grass typing granting it some key resistances to Ground and Fighting (Great Tusk STABS), in addition to resisting Water, Grass, Electric, and Psychic-type attacks.
Calyrex's Grass typing additionally gives it immunity to Spore, allowing it to threaten Pokemon like Breloom and Amoonguss with Future Sight, and additionally allows it to pair well with and against Rain teams.
Calyrex's access to Tera further boosts its offensive and defensive capabilities and allows it to act as a lure for many notable threats thanks to STAB Body Press with Tera Fighting.
Calyrex having access to both Body Press and Trick combined with Future Sight and Leech Seed effectively allows it to go mixed with very little investment, using Red Card to force a Pokemon out (particularly boosted Pokemon) also allows you to steal an opponent's item using Trick as a sort of "diet Thief" option post-Red Card or set up a Future Sight or Leech Seed easier as well.
Calyrex is a solid lure for Kingambit and the set provided with 16 EVs in speed outspeeds all Kingambit variants except for Jolly 252 Spe EVs; additionally, Pre-Tera-Fighting Calyrex with this set's defensive EV spread 100% lives an Adamant 252 EV STAB Sucker Punch Kingambit up to three allies fainted from Supreme Overlord.
Calyrex's ability to harass stall cores while checking powerful and slow OU attackers is further role compression not shared by any other Pokemon to the same degree, thanks to the ease of switching in with its solid bulk and Red Card pivoting work.
Calyrex has a multitude of other support options at its disposal such as Encore, Dual Screens, Trick Room, and more depending on your team's specific needs.
Calyrex's ability Unnerve is situationally useful for preventing your opponent's Chople Berry from activating when Body Press is used.
We're going to be looking at one Calyrex set, as this has been the aptest Calyrex set for the current OU meta. We will go over Defensive prowess along with Red Card + Trick Pivoting work, why we've chosen this specific EV spread, along with types of threats that Calyrex handles and we will be looking at damage calculations to back up these numbers as well. Since this is a pretty off-kilter set, we'll be structuring this differently regarding analysis of the specific traits of the set as we go along.
Red CardPseudo-ThiefFutureSeed Anti-Stall/Anti-Boost Shuffler
Defensive Prowess (Pre-Tera) + Red Card/Trick Pivoting View attachment 528619
Before we dive into the specifics of why Calyrex works the way it does, we need to talk about its defenses, its typing, and what OU Pokemon it can stomach hits from. Thanks to a usable 100/80/80 defensive stat spread, 252 EVs in Defense with a Bold nature brings Calyrex up to a respectable defensive stat spread of 341/284/196. This may not seem like a lot at first... until you consider Calyrex's Psychic/Grass typing and the specific threats that it resists. To give you an idea of the types of hits Calyrex can take before we jump into the utility of Red Card (a powerful option when you have Trick in your moveslot), let's look at some damage calculations!
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex in Rain: 181-213 (53 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- approx. 100% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 126-147 (36.9 - 43.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Breloom Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 134-158 (39.2 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-42 (10.5 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
0 Atk Dondozo Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 38-45 (11.1 - 13.1%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-60 (14.9 - 17.5%) -- possible 6HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 40-48 (11.7 - 14%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 68-81 (19.9 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 30-35 (8.7 - 10.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Goodra-Hisui Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 27-32 (7.9 - 9.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 46-55 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 137-162 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 28.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Psyblade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 54-64 (15.8 - 18.7%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Valiant Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 6.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Kleavor Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 62-73 (18.1 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 64-76 (18.7 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 49% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-79 (19.6 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Sacred Sword vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 53-63 (15.5 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 60-71 (17.5 - 20.8%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 119-141 (34.8 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 48-57 (14 - 16.7%) -- possible 6HKO 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 58-68 (17 - 19.9%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 115-136 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 43-51 (12.6 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
+3 80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 89.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Thunderous Kick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Neutral Hits
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 183-216 (53.6 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-81 (19.6 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 109-129 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 91% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 217-256 (63.6 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 246-289 (72.1 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 3.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
Super Effective Hits
0 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 86-104 (25.2 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 31.3% chance to 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 228-270 (66.8 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 4.8% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
116+ Atk Iron Hands Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 146-172 (42.8 - 50.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 158-188 (46.3 - 55.1%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 188-222 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 170-204 (49.8 - 59.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 204-242 (59.8 - 70.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 112-134 (32.8 - 39.2%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO
Special Defense
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 265-312 (77.7 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 159-187 (46.6 - 54.8%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 250-295 (73.3 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 282-334 (82.6 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 85-102 (24.9 - 29.9%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 83-98 (24.3 - 28.7%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 178-210 (52.1 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Meowscarada Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 93-110 (27.2 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 4 SpA Mew Stored Power (100 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Slowking Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 41% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Slowking Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 94-111 (27.5 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Toxapex Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 35-42 (10.2 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-114 (28.4 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Hydro Steam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 86-102 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
So now you might be thinking "Okay so Calyrex can take some pretty neat hits and its typing is actually not bad, but why Red Card?" This is where Calyrex's utility role compression starts to come in real handy. A lot of the hits that Calyrex can take are not only common but more importantly, safer options for your opponent to click. Red Card forces out boosted mons or powerful mons, which will (especially with hazards up for additional passive damage) put you in an advantageous position. While Calyrex is itemless, this also allows you to better stomach super-effective Knock Off hits. Trick acts as a sort of pseudo-Thief here that allows you to remove an opposing Pokemon's item post-Red Card. This means on just a single turn most of the time, Calyrex will have forced out a problematic Pokemon simply by switching in and absorbing a hit, forced racked up hazard damage or status (Glimmora Toxic Spikes), then put itself into position to either set up Leech Seed, Future Sight, or use Trick to steal an opposing user's item. A common post-red card switch-in is Heatran; since Heatran commonly runs Leftovers on both Offensive and Defensive variants, it's generally easy to get free Leftovers upon that switch, taking away Heatran's passive recovery and allowing it to be worn down fairly quickly.
We'll come back to defensive prowess for Tera Fighting + Body Press in a moment; for now, let's detour and detail why Future Sight and Leech Seed are such a dangerous combination along with an analysis of Calyrex's speed EVs.
Future Sight/Leech Seed Role Compression + Speed Tier Analysis
Calyrex's base 80 speed is decently fast for a bulkier Pokemon. With 20 EVs in speed and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches a respectable 201 speed stat. This critical threshold allows Calyrex to outspeed Adamant nature Kingambit/Ursaluna with 252 EVs in speed (capped at 199) and Defensive Heatran with 0 or 40 EVs in speed (190 and 200 respectively). In addition, this 201 benchmark allows Calyrex to outspeed Azumarill/Iron Hands that have 252 speed + a neutral nature and Pokemon like Breloom/Volcanion need at least 104 EVs on a neutral nature to outspeed this Calyrex benchmark. All Pokemon with base 50 Speed and below are getting outsped by this minuscule 20 EV allotment unless they run a Jolly nature with heavy investment. So now that we've established this, let's jump into Future Sight and Leech Seed and why this puts many stall teams in an extremely uncomfortable position.
First; Future Sight isn't meant to strike fear from its power directly (although it does hit some notable benchmarks, which we'll get to), it's meant to do just enough damage to bring potentially huge threats into KO range while simultaneously pressuring previously safe switches or forcing uncomfortable switches just to block/tank a Future Sight hit. With 236 EVs and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches 255 SpA - this may not seem like much, but with Future Sight's base 120 power + STAB, this can hit some pretty surprising thresholds and 2HKO a huge portion of the OU metagame. Let's take a look at some damage calculations to show just what kind of Pokemon Calrex can heavily chunk, force out, or even OHKO with Future Sight in some specific cases. Afterward, we'll explain why Leech Seed is so potent in tandem with Future Sight to show how Pokemon such as Dondozo and Garganacl feel insane pressure simply staying in on Calyrex.
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Amoonguss: 306-360 (70.8 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Breloom: 420-494 (160.9 - 189.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Clodsire: 204-240 (44 - 51.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 332-392 (108.1 - 127.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 464-548 (106.9 - 126.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Iron Hands: 384-452 (82.9 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Iron Hands: 282-332 (62.8 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Moth: 258-306 (85.7 - 101.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 422-498 (146 - 172.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. +1 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 282-332 (97.2 - 114.4%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lilligant-Hisui: 354-416 (125.9 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sneasler: 672-792 (223.2 - 263.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 198-234 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Toxapex: 138-164 (45.5 - 54.1%) -- 42.2% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (76.3 - 90.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (63.9 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 306-360 (95.3 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
Neutral Hits
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Alomomola: 259-306 (48.5 - 57.3%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 169-199 (45.6 - 53.7%) -- 44.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Basculegion: 178-210 (46.7 - 55.1%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Baxcalibur: 157-186 (42.3 - 50.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ceruledge: 139-165 (47.7 - 56.7%) -- 86.3% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 177-208 (58.8 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 178-210 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Dondozo: 196-232 (38.8 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dondozo: 132-156 (26.1 - 30.9%) -- 4.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 177-208 (55.8 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 178-210 (46.8 - 55.2%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Enamorus: 187-222 (64.7 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 160-189 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 136-162 (33.6 - 40%) -- 30.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 124 HP / 0 SpD Houndstone: 144-169 (45.5 - 53.4%) -- 37.1% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kleavor: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 187-222 (58.6 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 169-199 (44.2 - 52%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Pelipper: 186-220 (71.2 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 186-219 (57.5 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 132-156 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Rotom-Wash: 97-115 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 0.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 188 SpD Skeledirge: 142-168 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Skeledirge: 121-144 (29.4 - 35%) -- 14.6% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowking-Galar: 129-153 (32.7 - 38.8%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 187-222 (54.5 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 153-180 (51.1 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 169-199 (39.3 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcanion: 153-180 (50.8 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 163-193 (47.6 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos: 153-180 (47.6 - 56%) -- 80.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 153-181 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
So now that you've seen both the types of hits Calyrex can dish out with Future Sight along with the previous defensive calculations, we can put into context the terror of Leech Seed against slower/stall-based threats. Not only does Leech Seed rack up passive damage (which turns many potential 2HKOS, 3HKOs, and 4HKOs into OHKOs, 2HKOS, and 3HKOS respectively), it heals Calyrex. Leech Seed healing will outpace Garganacl's Salt Cure damage and (combined with Future Sight + Body Press pressure) force healing or a switch - the same can be said with Pokemon such as Alomomola or Dondozo as well. The point is that Calyrex can force switches, steal items, and passively heal while capitalizing on slow, bulky threats; something is always being worn down by Calyrex through direct damage, passive damage, or forced switches. Ironically enough, this allows Calyrex itself to work quite well on stall teams itself thanks to the ability to force your opponent into a stall loop. This leads us back to our defensive calculations once again to talk about Body Press and Tera Fighting.
Body Press + Tera Fighting
So now we've arrived at Calyrex's meat and potatoes, Body Press (both pre-tera and post-tera). As we mentioned in the speed tiers section, Calyrex gets the jump on some key threats such as 252 EV Spe Adamant Kingambit and 40 EV Spe Neutral Heatran. So why is this important? Simple - Tera Fighting baits Sucker Punch, Knock Off, U-Turn, and other potent moves, and allows Calyrex to check an entirely new roster of threats. Additionally, Tera Fighting gives Body Press STAB bonus and allows it to turn some notable 3HKOs/2HKOs into 2HKOs/OHKOs. Let's first take a look at Body Press calculations Pre-Tera and Post-Tera, then look at some defensive calculations of the types of hits that Calyrex can now survive thanks to its new typing.
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 148-176 (39.8 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 138-164 (39.4 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (40.8 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (34.1 - 40.4%) -- 41.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 152-180 (46.7 - 55.3%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 105-124 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 120-142 (37.3 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 236-280 (69.2 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (65 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 186-220 (63.4 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 184-218 (52.4 - 62.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 256-304 (75 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 134-158 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
(Post-Tera)
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 252-296 (76.1 - 89.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 222-264 (59.8 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 206-246 (58.8 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (61.3 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- 89.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 157-186 (52.1 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 228-270 (70.1 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 180-212 (56 - 66%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 352-420 (103.2 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (97.5 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 278-330 (94.8 - 112.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 276-326 (78.6 - 92.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 248-294 (77.2 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 384-456 (112.6 - 133.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 200-236 (46.5 - 54.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage
So now we've established that over half the current OU metagame doesn't like taking hits from Calyrex's Body Press + Future Sight offensive combination, let alone some of the shakier checks once passive damage + Leech Seed or Trick shenanigans come into play. So we need to ask, what about the hits that Calyrex couldn't take before in its pre-tera Psychic/Grass typing? Let's take a look at the additional defensive utility that Calyrex gains once terastallized.
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 140-165 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 66-78 (19.3 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 18.2% chance to 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-180 (44.8 - 52.7%) -- 27.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 39-47 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 54-63 (15.8 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 80-95 (23.4 - 27.8%) -- 83.6% chance to 4HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 107-126 (31.3 - 36.9%) -- 80.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 161-189 (47.2 - 55.4%) -- 75.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 65-77 (19 - 22.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 130-153 (38.1 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 195-229 (57.1 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Night Slash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Kleavor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor X-Scissor vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.6% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 29-34 (8.5 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
4 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 88-104 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 63-75 (18.4 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 93-111 (27.2 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 55-65 (16.1 - 19%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 48-56 (14 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
Newly Neutral Hits
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 27.3% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 223-264 (65.3 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-141 (34.6 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 126-148 (36.9 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 151-178 (44.2 - 52.1%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-151 (37.2 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-225 (55.7 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 147-174 (43.1 - 51%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 77-91 (22.5 - 26.6%) -- 26.6% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-120 (29.9 - 35.1%) -- 19% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 148-175 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 110-130 (32.2 - 38.1%) -- 96.6% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 85-101 (24.9 - 29.6%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-224 (55.7 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-181 (44.8 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 112-133 (32.8 - 39%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO
8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-150 (37.2 - 43.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 142-168 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 163-193 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex in Sun: 138-163 (40.4 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-131 (32.5 - 38.4%) -- 98.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Toxapex Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-132 (32.5 - 38.7%) -- 98.6% chance to 3HKO
This is simply one Pokemon that can put so many different potential threats through its careful array of tricks and unique role compression. Calyrex has a wonderful niche through virtue of its typing (only shared with Iron Leaves until Exeggutor and Celebi are released), small yet bountiful movepool, solid bulk, and hybrid offensive/defensive pressure with utility. So, if you're considering putting Calyrex on your team, why not look at some of these teammates?
Calyrex and Kingambit both cover each other's weaknesses quite well, and Kingambit greatly appreciates the opportunities that Calyrex's utility provides. Whether it be from forcing threats out or bringing them into KO range with Future Sight, or providing passive recovery through Leech Seed to cushion a Kingambit switch-in, the two make a deadly pair.
Glimmora View attachment 528651
Glimmora's ability to set Toxic Spikes passively while also providing offensive pressure or setting its own hazards/scouting is extremely beneficial and pairs quite well with Calyrex. In particular, Spiky Shield is a fantastic move that lightly chips physical attackers to allow for simultaneous scouting and, in some cases, concrete moveset identification. Additionally, access to Mortal Spin to get rid of hazards + poison opposing Pokemon comes in handy for keeping Calyrex healthy.
Skeledirge View attachment 528653
Skeledirge is one of my favorite Gen 9 Pokemon, and both common variants (Hex + Will-O-Wisp and Substitute) work stupendously with Calyrex. Like with Kingambit, Skeledirge's typing synergizes very well with Calyrex, and Skeledirge's propensity to go specially bulky also pairs well with Calyrex's physical bulk. Additionally, for physical attackers that Calyrex can't quite stomach, Will-O-Wisp can make their hits far more manageable along with accruing further passive damage.
Great Tusk View attachment 528655
A wonderful all-around Pokemon with so many different functions that it would be improbably time-consuming to list them all here. Great Tusk can go offensive, defensive, utility, rapid spin, and more. Additionally, this is another case where Calyrex's typing synergizes incredibly well (especially on predicted U-Turns).
I love Calyrex, he's so cool, and in this generation, he's got a pretty neat set of traits not shared by any other Pokemon. Do I think he's got the potential to be an OU staple? Absolutely not. Do I think he has a concrete niche that can take apart specific OU archetypes and wear down specific team cores? Absolutely yes. So if you're having trouble with specific stallmons, boosting mons, or just want the gleeful satisfaction of watching Kingambit get OHKO'd by Calyrex, add him to your team today!
Calyrax could have a niche on Screens teams with some sort of Weakness Policy + Agility + CM set. It might seem like discount Articuno-G - and it most likely is - but it has some notable pros over it technically,, like being able to activate its Weakness Policy a bit easier and most notably, Draining Kiss to give it reliable sustain. Probably still outclassed by a ton of other Pokemon at this though.
EDIT: Completely forgot Mew does this set way better.
"Calyrex is said to have ruled Galar in ancient times as a merciful king. Despite its delicate and slight appearance, it can move with grace and dignity." - Bulbapedia
"There are Kingambit, Scald, Tera, and Volcarona talks going in circles again? No problem; here's Calyrex in OU."- Morkal
It's no secret that I love Calyrex-Base's design, even more so than his two horseback forms; there's just something regal and imposing about it in a quiet, subtle manner that I respect. Unfortunately, however, this doesn't tell us anything about Calyrex's competitive prowess. So what does the deer king have going for it? Surprisingly, quite a bit more than I expected when I started slotting him onto several of my teams right after the Pokemon Home update. Calyrex is one of the most unique Pokemon I've used in any competitive metagame and has some of the most distinct role compression I've ever seen in a niche pick in any OU meta; I'm getting ahead of myself here, let's just dive in and see what Calyrex has to offer!
Disclaimer:Calyrex fits onto several types of teams, but absolutely requires knowledge of common movesets due to exploitable weaknesses (notably a 4x weakness to U-Turn). Please do not place Calyrex on a team without consideration, its specific traits need to fit the archetype your team is going for. I would also recommend checking out the awesomeSV OU speed tiers threadbyAtraX Madarato get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Calyrex is specifically tech'd to hit, and how you can use its unique traits most aptly. If you go into fights prepared, you'll be able to watch Calyrex feast on Stall, Kingambit, and multiple other threats that many OU mainstays could only dream of. I'd also like to give a special thanks to Athyesticfor help with the EV tinkering and help with Trick functionality for Calyrex.
View attachment 528531 Calyrex Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Calyrex's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Calyrex is the only Pokemon in the Gen 9 meta to get access to the unique combination of Future Sight and Leech Seed, allowing it to not only exert pressure but capitalize on stall archetypes as well as sit on Pokemon like Dondozo and Garganacl with ease.
Calyrex's 100/80/80 bulk is solid with its Psychic/Grass typing granting it some key resistances to Ground and Fighting (Great Tusk STABS), in addition to resisting Water, Grass, Electric, and Psychic-type attacks.
Calyrex's Grass typing additionally gives it immunity to Spore, allowing it to threaten Pokemon like Breloom and Amoonguss with Future Sight, and additionally allows it to pair well with and against Rain teams.
Calyrex's access to Tera further boosts its offensive and defensive capabilities and allows it to act as a lure for many notable threats thanks to STAB Body Press with Tera Fighting.
Calyrex having access to both Body Press and Trick combined with Future Sight and Leech Seed effectively allows it to go mixed with very little investment, using Red Card to force a Pokemon out (particularly boosted Pokemon) also allows you to steal an opponent's item using Trick as a sort of "diet Thief" option post-Red Card or set up a Future Sight or Leech Seed easier as well.
Calyrex is a solid lure for Kingambit and the set provided with 16 EVs in speed outspeeds all Kingambit variants except for Jolly 252 Spe EVs; additionally, Pre-Tera-Fighting Calyrex with this set's defensive EV spread 100% lives an Adamant 252 EV STAB Sucker Punch Kingambit up to three allies fainted from Supreme Overlord.
Calyrex's ability to harass stall cores while checking powerful and slow OU attackers is further role compression not shared by any other Pokemon to the same degree, thanks to the ease of switching in with its solid bulk and Red Card pivoting work.
Calyrex has a multitude of other support options at its disposal such as Encore, Dual Screens, Trick Room, and more depending on your team's specific needs.
Calyrex's ability Unnerve is situationally useful for preventing your opponent's Chople Berry from activating when Body Press is used.
We're going to be looking at one Calyrex set, as this has been the aptest Calyrex set for the current OU meta. We will go over Defensive prowess along with Red Card + Trick Pivoting work, why we've chosen this specific EV spread, along with types of threats that Calyrex handles and we will be looking at damage calculations to back up these numbers as well. Since this is a pretty off-kilter set, we'll be structuring this differently regarding analysis of the specific traits of the set as we go along.
Red CardPseudo-ThiefFutureSeed Anti-Stall/Anti-Boost Shuffler
Defensive Prowess (Pre-Tera) + Red Card/Trick Pivoting View attachment 528619
Before we dive into the specifics of why Calyrex works the way it does, we need to talk about its defenses, its typing, and what OU Pokemon it can stomach hits from. Thanks to a usable 100/80/80 defensive stat spread, 252 EVs in Defense with a Bold nature brings Calyrex up to a respectable defensive stat spread of 341/284/196. This may not seem like a lot at first... until you consider Calyrex's Psychic/Grass typing and the specific threats that it resists. To give you an idea of the types of hits Calyrex can take before we jump into the utility of Red Card (a powerful option when you have Trick in your moveslot), let's look at some damage calculations!
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Basculegion Wave Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex in Rain: 181-213 (53 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- approx. 100% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 126-147 (36.9 - 43.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Breloom Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 134-158 (39.2 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-42 (10.5 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
0 Atk Dondozo Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 38-45 (11.1 - 13.1%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-60 (14.9 - 17.5%) -- possible 6HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 40-48 (11.7 - 14%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 68-81 (19.9 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 30-35 (8.7 - 10.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Goodra-Hisui Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 27-32 (7.9 - 9.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 46-55 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 137-162 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 14.9% chance to 4HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 28.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Leaves Psyblade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 54-64 (15.8 - 18.7%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Valiant Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 6.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Kleavor Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 62-73 (18.1 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 61% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 64-76 (18.7 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex on a critical hit: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 49% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-79 (19.6 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Sacred Sword vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 53-63 (15.5 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 60-71 (17.5 - 20.8%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 119-141 (34.8 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 48-57 (14 - 16.7%) -- possible 6HKO 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 58-68 (17 - 19.9%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 115-136 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 43-51 (12.6 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
+3 80 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 89.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Thunderous Kick vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 89-105 (26 - 30.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Neutral Hits
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- 97.2% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 183-216 (53.6 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garchomp Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 67-81 (19.6 - 23.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 109-129 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 91% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 217-256 (63.6 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 36-43 (10.5 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 246-289 (72.1 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 3.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
Super Effective Hits
0 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 86-104 (25.2 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 108-128 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 154-182 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 31.3% chance to 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 228-270 (66.8 - 79.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 4.8% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
116+ Atk Iron Hands Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 146-172 (42.8 - 50.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 158-188 (46.3 - 55.1%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Hustle Lilligant-Hisui Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 188-222 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 170-204 (49.8 - 59.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 204-242 (59.8 - 70.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Calyrex: 112-134 (32.8 - 39.2%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO
Special Defense
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 265-312 (77.7 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 159-187 (46.6 - 54.8%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 250-295 (73.3 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 282-334 (82.6 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 85-102 (24.9 - 29.9%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-70 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 83-98 (24.3 - 28.7%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 178-210 (52.1 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Meowscarada Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 93-110 (27.2 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 4 SpA Mew Stored Power (100 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Slowking Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 78-92 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- 41% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Slowking Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 94-111 (27.5 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Toxapex Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 35-42 (10.2 - 12.3%) -- possible 9HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 97-114 (28.4 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Hydro Steam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Calyrex: 86-102 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
So now you might be thinking "Okay so Calyrex can take some pretty neat hits and its typing is actually not bad, but why Red Card?" This is where Calyrex's utility role compression starts to come in real handy. A lot of the hits that Calyrex can take are not only common but more importantly, safer options for your opponent to click. Red Card forces out boosted mons or powerful mons, which will (especially with hazards up for additional passive damage) put you in an advantageous position. While Calyrex is itemless, this also allows you to better stomach super-effective Knock Off hits. Trick acts as a sort of pseudo-Thief here that allows you to remove an opposing Pokemon's item post-Red Card. This means on just a single turn most of the time, Calyrex will have forced out a problematic Pokemon simply by switching in and absorbing a hit, forced racked up hazard damage or status (Glimmora Toxic Spikes), then put itself into position to either set up Leech Seed, Future Sight, or use Trick to steal an opposing user's item. A common post-red card switch-in is Heatran; since Heatran commonly runs Leftovers on both Offensive and Defensive variants, it's generally easy to get free Leftovers upon that switch, taking away Heatran's passive recovery and allowing it to be worn down fairly quickly.
We'll come back to defensive prowess for Tera Fighting + Body Press in a moment; for now, let's detour and detail why Future Sight and Leech Seed are such a dangerous combination along with an analysis of Calyrex's speed EVs.
Future Sight/Leech Seed Role Compression + Speed Tier Analysis
Calyrex's base 80 speed is decently fast for a bulkier Pokemon. With 20 EVs in speed and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches a respectable 201 speed stat. This critical threshold allows Calyrex to outspeed Adamant nature Kingambit/Ursaluna with 252 EVs in speed (capped at 199) and Defensive Heatran with 0 or 40 EVs in speed (190 and 200 respectively). In addition, this 201 benchmark allows Calyrex to outspeed Azumarill/Iron Hands that have 252 speed + a neutral nature and Pokemon like Breloom/Volcanion need at least 104 EVs on a neutral nature to outspeed this Calyrex benchmark. All Pokemon with base 50 Speed and below are getting outsped by this minuscule 20 EV allotment unless they run a Jolly nature with heavy investment. So now that we've established this, let's jump into Future Sight and Leech Seed and why this puts many stall teams in an extremely uncomfortable position.
First; Future Sight isn't meant to strike fear from its power directly (although it does hit some notable benchmarks, which we'll get to), it's meant to do just enough damage to bring potentially huge threats into KO range while simultaneously pressuring previously safe switches or forcing uncomfortable switches just to block/tank a Future Sight hit. With 236 EVs and a neutral nature, Calyrex reaches 255 SpA - this may not seem like much, but with Future Sight's base 120 power + STAB, this can hit some pretty surprising thresholds and 2HKO a huge portion of the OU metagame. Let's take a look at some damage calculations to show just what kind of Pokemon Calrex can heavily chunk, force out, or even OHKO with Future Sight in some specific cases. Afterward, we'll explain why Leech Seed is so potent in tandem with Future Sight to show how Pokemon such as Dondozo and Garganacl feel insane pressure simply staying in on Calyrex.
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Amoonguss: 306-360 (70.8 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Breloom: 420-494 (160.9 - 189.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Clodsire: 204-240 (44 - 51.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 332-392 (108.1 - 127.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 464-548 (106.9 - 126.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Iron Hands: 384-452 (82.9 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Iron Hands: 282-332 (62.8 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Moth: 258-306 (85.7 - 101.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 422-498 (146 - 172.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. +1 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 282-332 (97.2 - 114.4%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lilligant-Hisui: 354-416 (125.9 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sneasler: 672-792 (223.2 - 263.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 198-234 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Toxapex: 138-164 (45.5 - 54.1%) -- 42.2% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (76.3 - 90.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 248-294 (63.9 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 306-360 (95.3 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
Neutral Hits
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Alomomola: 259-306 (48.5 - 57.3%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 169-199 (45.6 - 53.7%) -- 44.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Basculegion: 178-210 (46.7 - 55.1%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Baxcalibur: 157-186 (42.3 - 50.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ceruledge: 139-165 (47.7 - 56.7%) -- 86.3% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 177-208 (58.8 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 178-210 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Dondozo: 196-232 (38.8 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dondozo: 132-156 (26.1 - 30.9%) -- 4.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 177-208 (55.8 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 178-210 (46.8 - 55.2%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Enamorus: 187-222 (64.7 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 160-189 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Garganacl: 136-162 (33.6 - 40%) -- 30.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 124 HP / 0 SpD Houndstone: 144-169 (45.5 - 53.4%) -- 37.1% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kleavor: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 187-222 (58.6 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 169-199 (44.2 - 52%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Pelipper: 186-220 (71.2 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 186-219 (57.5 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 132-156 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Rotom-Wash: 97-115 (31.9 - 37.8%) -- 0.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 188 SpD Skeledirge: 142-168 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Skeledirge: 121-144 (29.4 - 35%) -- 14.6% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowking-Galar: 129-153 (32.7 - 38.8%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 187-222 (54.5 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 153-180 (51.1 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 169-199 (39.3 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcanion: 153-180 (50.8 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 163-193 (47.6 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos: 153-180 (47.6 - 56%) -- 80.9% chance to 2HKO
236 SpA Calyrex Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 153-181 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
So now that you've seen both the types of hits Calyrex can dish out with Future Sight along with the previous defensive calculations, we can put into context the terror of Leech Seed against slower/stall-based threats. Not only does Leech Seed rack up passive damage (which turns many potential 2HKOS, 3HKOs, and 4HKOs into OHKOs, 2HKOS, and 3HKOS respectively), it heals Calyrex. Leech Seed healing will outpace Garganacl's Salt Cure damage and (combined with Future Sight + Body Press pressure) force healing or a switch - the same can be said with Pokemon such as Alomomola or Dondozo as well. The point is that Calyrex can force switches, steal items, and passively heal while capitalizing on slow, bulky threats; something is always being worn down by Calyrex through direct damage, passive damage, or forced switches. Ironically enough, this allows Calyrex itself to work quite well on stall teams itself thanks to the ability to force your opponent into a stall loop. This leads us back to our defensive calculations once again to talk about Body Press and Tera Fighting.
Body Press + Tera Fighting
So now we've arrived at Calyrex's meat and potatoes, Body Press (both pre-tera and post-tera). As we mentioned in the speed tiers section, Calyrex gets the jump on some key threats such as 252 EV Spe Adamant Kingambit and 40 EV Spe Neutral Heatran. So why is this important? Simple - Tera Fighting baits Sucker Punch, Knock Off, U-Turn, and other potent moves, and allows Calyrex to check an entirely new roster of threats. Additionally, Tera Fighting gives Body Press STAB bonus and allows it to turn some notable 3HKOs/2HKOs into 2HKOs/OHKOs. Let's first take a look at Body Press calculations Pre-Tera and Post-Tera, then look at some defensive calculations of the types of hits that Calyrex can now survive thanks to its new typing.
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 168-198 (50.7 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 148-176 (39.8 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 138-164 (39.4 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (40.8 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 132-156 (34.1 - 40.4%) -- 41.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 152-180 (46.7 - 55.3%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 105-124 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 120-142 (37.3 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 236-280 (69.2 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (65 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 240-284 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 186-220 (63.4 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 184-218 (52.4 - 62.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 256-304 (75 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 134-158 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
(Post-Tera)
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 252-296 (76.1 - 89.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 222-264 (59.8 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Goodra-Hisui: 206-246 (58.8 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (61.3 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 198-234 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- 89.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 157-186 (52.1 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 228-270 (70.1 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 180-212 (56 - 66%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 352-420 (103.2 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (97.5 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 360-424 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 278-330 (94.8 - 112.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 276-326 (78.6 - 92.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott-Hisui: 248-294 (77.2 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 384-456 (112.6 - 133.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex Body Press vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 200-236 (46.5 - 54.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage
So now we've established that over half the current OU metagame doesn't like taking hits from Calyrex's Body Press + Future Sight offensive combination, let alone some of the shakier checks once passive damage + Leech Seed or Trick shenanigans come into play. So we need to ask, what about the hits that Calyrex couldn't take before in its pre-tera Psychic/Grass typing? Let's take a look at the additional defensive utility that Calyrex gains once terastallized.
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 140-165 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 79-93 (23.1 - 27.2%) -- 66.5% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 44-52 (12.9 - 15.2%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 66-78 (19.3 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-140 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 18.2% chance to 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-180 (44.8 - 52.7%) -- 27.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 39-47 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 54-63 (15.8 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 80-95 (23.4 - 27.8%) -- 83.6% chance to 4HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 107-126 (31.3 - 36.9%) -- 80.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 161-189 (47.2 - 55.4%) -- 75.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 65-77 (19 - 22.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 97-115 (28.4 - 33.7%) -- 0.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 130-153 (38.1 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 195-229 (57.1 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Night Slash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 67-80 (19.6 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Kleavor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor X-Scissor vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.6% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 29-34 (8.5 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 34-41 (9.9 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
4 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 59-69 (17.3 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 88-104 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 42-51 (12.3 - 14.9%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 63-75 (18.4 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 74-87 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 93-111 (27.2 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 55-65 (16.1 - 19%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 58-69 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler U-turn vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 48-56 (14 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 51-61 (14.9 - 17.8%) -- possible 6HKO
Newly Neutral Hits
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-121 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 27.3% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 223-264 (65.3 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 99-117 (29 - 34.3%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 118-141 (34.6 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 126-148 (36.9 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 151-178 (44.2 - 52.1%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-151 (37.2 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-225 (55.7 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 147-174 (43.1 - 51%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 77-91 (22.5 - 26.6%) -- 26.6% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 102-120 (29.9 - 35.1%) -- 19% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 148-175 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Goodra-Hisui Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 141-167 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 61-72 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 110-130 (32.2 - 38.1%) -- 96.6% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 85-101 (24.9 - 29.6%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 196-232 (57.4 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 190-224 (55.7 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 153-181 (44.8 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 187-222 (54.8 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 112-133 (32.8 - 39%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO
8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 114-135 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 127-150 (37.2 - 43.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 142-168 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 120-142 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasler Dire Claw vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Tera Fighting Calyrex: 163-193 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex in Sun: 138-163 (40.4 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-131 (32.5 - 38.4%) -- 98.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Toxapex Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fighting Calyrex: 111-132 (32.5 - 38.7%) -- 98.6% chance to 3HKO
This is simply one Pokemon that can put so many different potential threats through its careful array of tricks and unique role compression. Calyrex has a wonderful niche through virtue of its typing (only shared with Iron Leaves until Exeggutor and Celebi are released), small yet bountiful movepool, solid bulk, and hybrid offensive/defensive pressure with utility. So, if you're considering putting Calyrex on your team, why not look at some of these teammates?
Calyrex and Kingambit both cover each other's weaknesses quite well, and Kingambit greatly appreciates the opportunities that Calyrex's utility provides. Whether it be from forcing threats out or bringing them into KO range with Future Sight, or providing passive recovery through Leech Seed to cushion a Kingambit switch-in, the two make a deadly pair.
Glimmora View attachment 528651
Glimmora's ability to set Toxic Spikes passively while also providing offensive pressure or setting its own hazards/scouting is extremely beneficial and pairs quite well with Calyrex. In particular, Spiky Shield is a fantastic move that lightly chips physical attackers to allow for simultaneous scouting and, in some cases, concrete moveset identification. Additionally, access to Mortal Spin to get rid of hazards + poison opposing Pokemon comes in handy for keeping Calyrex healthy.
Skeledirge View attachment 528653
Skeledirge is one of my favorite Gen 9 Pokemon, and both common variants (Hex + Will-O-Wisp and Substitute) work stupendously with Calyrex. Like with Kingambit, Skeledirge's typing synergizes very well with Calyrex, and Skeledirge's propensity to go specially bulky also pairs well with Calyrex's physical bulk. Additionally, for physical attackers that Calyrex can't quite stomach, Will-O-Wisp can make their hits far more manageable along with accruing further passive damage.
Great Tusk View attachment 528655
A wonderful all-around Pokemon with so many different functions that it would be improbably time-consuming to list them all here. Great Tusk can go offensive, defensive, utility, rapid spin, and more. Additionally, this is another case where Calyrex's typing synergizes incredibly well (especially on predicted U-Turns).
I love Calyrex, he's so cool, and in this generation, he's got a pretty neat set of traits not shared by any other Pokemon. Do I think he's got the potential to be an OU staple? Absolutely not. Do I think he has a concrete niche that can take apart specific OU archetypes and wear down specific team cores? Absolutely yes. So if you're having trouble with specific stallmons, boosting mons, or just want the gleeful satisfaction of watching Kingambit get OHKO'd by Calyrex, add him to your team today!
Swagyrex (real) (not fake)
Man I think the most impressive part of this post is just how close timewise it was to your post on Hisuian Avalugg. Morkal's in the kitchen folks.
Also yeah this marks the second post I've been credited for, I'm just that awesome
