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Congrats to the winners of the 2023 Smog Awards!
Project SV RU Victim of the Week: Week 5! Choice Band Okidogi!
- Thread starter Ming549
- Start date
DaRotomMachine
I COULD BE BANNED!
Check: 
COunter:
COunter:
Check: 
Counter:
Counter:
Check: Moltres
Counter: Palossand
Counter: Palossand
Thank you to everyone who voted! Congratulations to trainer_j0nathan and flamingopokeman for winning the week!
Winning Check
Phys Def
Winning Counter
Phys Def
As for our next victim... we have one of the winners of last week, Physically Defensive Moltres!
Moltres @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
Tera Type: Dragon/Steel
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
- Flamethrower
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost
- U-turn / Brave Bird
Moltres is one of the premier defensive stoppers in the RU tier sporting a capable 90/90/85 defensive statline, fantastic defensive typing in Fire/Flying, and benefitting from a potent dual STAB that allows Moltres to have some offensive presence as well as being a defensive stalwart. Moltres’ defensive prowess is further supplemented by a fantastic ability in Flame Body potentially punishing contact moves and Will-o-Wisp for a more consistent way to spread status on the opposing team. How will you cook this phoenix?
Submissions End on Friday April 19th
Winning Check
Phys Def
Winning Counter
Phys Def
As for our next victim... we have one of the winners of last week, Physically Defensive Moltres!
Moltres @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
Tera Type: Dragon/Steel
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
- Flamethrower
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost
- U-turn / Brave Bird
Moltres is one of the premier defensive stoppers in the RU tier sporting a capable 90/90/85 defensive statline, fantastic defensive typing in Fire/Flying, and benefitting from a potent dual STAB that allows Moltres to have some offensive presence as well as being a defensive stalwart. Moltres’ defensive prowess is further supplemented by a fantastic ability in Flame Body potentially punishing contact moves and Will-o-Wisp for a more consistent way to spread status on the opposing team. How will you cook this phoenix?
Submissions End on Friday April 19th
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Counter:
Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 32 SpA / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Nasty Plot
- Pain Split
Heattom my beloved
Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 32 SpA / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Nasty Plot
- Pain Split
Heattom my beloved
This is my ol' reliable set, I put it on every team that struggles with hippo and moltres. It just switches in freely on them and then gets to be a pain in the ass. Pain split will keep you healthy for the whole game, as moltres will keep roosting to give you HP to mooch. Nasty plot gives you a way to really punish moltres, take those free turns it gives you and just become a problem. The EV spread began with enough SpA to ohko hippowdon at +2 and outspeed slither wing, but I optimized it to be slower, fatter and stronger. I am normally reluctant to go below 288 speed with heattom because while hoopa is gone, okidogi is still a bad bad man. However I changed the tera type on this set from steel to poison to not give yourself a moltres weakness, and that made me realize that tera poison rotom can beat okidogi even without that speed. So now heattom is back, toxic and fatter than ever, just like me.
Milotic @ Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Marvel Scale
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 144 HP / 188 Def / 176 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Scald
- Substitute
Relevant Calcs:
0 Atk Moltres Brave Bird vs. 144 HP / 188+ Def Marvel Scale Milotic: 76-91 (20.7 - 24.7%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Leftovers recovery and burn damage
0 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 144 HP / 0 SpD Milotic: 48-57 (13 - 15.5%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery and burn damage
0 SpA Milotic Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 198-234 (51.6 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Milotic Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tera Dragon Moltres: 148-176 (38.6 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Milotic Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tera Steel Moltres: 99-117 (25.8 - 30.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
While Milotic typically runs Haze to negate the effects of other setup mons such as
and 
, we run Substitute here to spam Scald and fish for Burns instead. Tera Dragon helps with the general matchup into most setup mons as well besides 
, but that thing doesn't exist here so...
Check:
Barraskewda @ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flip Turn
- Liquidation
- Close Combat
- Ice Fang
Barraskewda is a check to moltres. With high attack and speed, barraskewda can annihilate moltres outright. Flip turn even has a chance to ohko, which is impressive. It they tera steel on the flip turn, you can come back in to cc them otherwise, or if they tera dragon you can two hit ko them with ice fang. Moltres can never ohko barra, and the only issue is a burn, though liquidation has a good chance to ohko if moltres doesn't tera regardless. Tera water means that liquidation can 3hit ko moltres even if it tera dragon's, giving you more opportunities to ko it.
Counter:
Volcanion @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Water Absorb
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower/Sleep Talk/Earth Power
- Earth Power/Sleep Talk/Flamethrower
- Rest
Volcanion is a counter to moltres. Moltres' best move against volcanion is brave bird, which is a 3 hit ko. Volcanion can respond with a steam eruption which annihilates moltes, always ko'ing. Now, how does volcanion consistenly answer moltres? Well, with rest, that's what. Rest allows volcanion to basically stonewall moltres completely, meaning it can't try to get tricky by using teammates. The rest of the moves are customisable. Flamethrower allows volcanion to threaten tera steel moltres, sleep talk means it can stay active while asleep and earth power destroys tera steel moltres while working well against tera dragon moltres.
Magcargo @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Power Gem
- Shell Smash
- Lava Plume
You found the special counter :D. Magcargo resists all of moltres' moves and can easily recover off the damage. In RU, its the only mon that resists all of fire, flying and bug while having reliable recovery. From here, magcargo can either attempt a sweep with shell smash or just ko it with power gem, which always ohko's. Lava plume is just good stab and helps against tera steel moltres. Tera grass is so when you start a sweep pesky aqua jets don't ko you. Flame body means that if moltres tera's, it could potentially weaken itself by giving it a taste of its own medicine.
Barraskewda @ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flip Turn
- Liquidation
- Close Combat
- Ice Fang
Barraskewda is a check to moltres. With high attack and speed, barraskewda can annihilate moltres outright. Flip turn even has a chance to ohko, which is impressive. It they tera steel on the flip turn, you can come back in to cc them otherwise, or if they tera dragon you can two hit ko them with ice fang. Moltres can never ohko barra, and the only issue is a burn, though liquidation has a good chance to ohko if moltres doesn't tera regardless. Tera water means that liquidation can 3hit ko moltres even if it tera dragon's, giving you more opportunities to ko it.
Counter:
Volcanion @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Water Absorb
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower/Sleep Talk/Earth Power
- Earth Power/Sleep Talk/Flamethrower
- Rest
Volcanion is a counter to moltres. Moltres' best move against volcanion is brave bird, which is a 3 hit ko. Volcanion can respond with a steam eruption which annihilates moltes, always ko'ing. Now, how does volcanion consistenly answer moltres? Well, with rest, that's what. Rest allows volcanion to basically stonewall moltres completely, meaning it can't try to get tricky by using teammates. The rest of the moves are customisable. Flamethrower allows volcanion to threaten tera steel moltres, sleep talk means it can stay active while asleep and earth power destroys tera steel moltres while working well against tera dragon moltres.
Magcargo @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Power Gem
- Shell Smash
- Lava Plume
You found the special counter :D. Magcargo resists all of moltres' moves and can easily recover off the damage. In RU, its the only mon that resists all of fire, flying and bug while having reliable recovery. From here, magcargo can either attempt a sweep with shell smash or just ko it with power gem, which always ohko's. Lava plume is just good stab and helps against tera steel moltres. Tera grass is so when you start a sweep pesky aqua jets don't ko you. Flame body means that if moltres tera's, it could potentially weaken itself by giving it a taste of its own medicine.
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Check:
Revavroom @ Air Balloon
Ability: Filter
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Temper Flare
- Iron Head / High Horsepower
- Shift Gear
Temper Flare Revavroom is a good check to Moltres because a +1 Gunk Shot does huge damage to Moltres, with the added benefit of not making contact. Tera Steel Moltres will react to a +1 Revavroom by Terastalizing, which will boost Temper Flare to 150BP should the Gunk Shot hit into an immunity and fail (or miss). Tera Fire not only boosts the damage of Temper Flare further, but also provides an immunity to the burns inflicted by Moltres and a resistance to its Flamethrower. There is no single Tera type that will protect Moltres from this combination of moves.
An alternative option is Lum Berry so you don't need to Terastalize so early, or to let you use a different Tera type, such as Water, in combination with Tera Blast.
Counter:
Incineroar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Parting Shot / U-Turn
Incineroar serves as a good counter to Moltres, with its Fire resistance and Intimidate resulting in minimal damage on the switch. Moltres does not want to 1v1 Incineroar due to the low damage, and the threat of Knock Off removing the bird's precious boots. Once Incineroar is in, it can either use Knock Off to disrupt the opposing team, pivot to safely bring in your own heavy hitters using Parting Shot or U-Turn, or spread burns itself.
Revavroom @ Air Balloon
Ability: Filter
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Temper Flare
- Iron Head / High Horsepower
- Shift Gear
Temper Flare Revavroom is a good check to Moltres because a +1 Gunk Shot does huge damage to Moltres, with the added benefit of not making contact. Tera Steel Moltres will react to a +1 Revavroom by Terastalizing, which will boost Temper Flare to 150BP should the Gunk Shot hit into an immunity and fail (or miss). Tera Fire not only boosts the damage of Temper Flare further, but also provides an immunity to the burns inflicted by Moltres and a resistance to its Flamethrower. There is no single Tera type that will protect Moltres from this combination of moves.
An alternative option is Lum Berry so you don't need to Terastalize so early, or to let you use a different Tera type, such as Water, in combination with Tera Blast.
+1 252+ Atk Revavroom Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Moltres: 255-300 (66.5 - 78.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Tera Fire Revavroom Temper Flare (150BP) vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Tera Steel Moltres: 632-746 (165 - 194.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Tera Fire Revavroom Temper Flare (150BP) vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Tera Steel Moltres: 632-746 (165 - 194.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Counter:
Incineroar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Parting Shot / U-Turn
Incineroar serves as a good counter to Moltres, with its Fire resistance and Intimidate resulting in minimal damage on the switch. Moltres does not want to 1v1 Incineroar due to the low damage, and the threat of Knock Off removing the bird's precious boots. Once Incineroar is in, it can either use Knock Off to disrupt the opposing team, pivot to safely bring in your own heavy hitters using Parting Shot or U-Turn, or spread burns itself.
0 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Incineroar: 45-54 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO
-1 0- Atk Moltres U-turn vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Incineroar: 34-40 (8.6 - 10.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
-1 0- Atk Moltres Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Incineroar: 84-100 (21.3 - 25.3%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Moltres Scorching Sands vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Incineroar: 94-112 (23.8 - 28.4%) -- 95.2% chance to 4HKO
-1 0- Atk Moltres U-turn vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Incineroar: 34-40 (8.6 - 10.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
-1 0- Atk Moltres Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Incineroar: 84-100 (21.3 - 25.3%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Moltres Scorching Sands vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Incineroar: 94-112 (23.8 - 28.4%) -- 95.2% chance to 4HKO
Counter:
CB Entei
Entei @ Choice Band
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Normal
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Sacred Fire
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
Standard Entei set, outspeeds and kills with stone edge and can switch in freely on flamethrowers and will-o-wisps. Gets slightly worried by scorching sands (on the one Moltres on ladder that runs SSands) however can live one and easily heal up with wish support from a range of mons.
0 SpA Moltres Scorching Sands vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Entei: 154-182 (41.5 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Now for some more heat;
Check:
Guts Luxray
Luxray @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Agility / Trailblaze
- Facade
- Supercell Slam
- Ice Fang
Ladies and gentlemen, do NOT adjust your monitors. Luxray is back from Gen 4 NU in order to run a pack on the RU ladder against water spam meta.
Guts allows you to ignore Moltres' main threat against physical attackers, permitting you to launch a super strong supercell SLAM, OHKO/2HKO (if tera'd) ing Moltres. Moltres is unable to OHKO you back and allows free set up with agility to outspeed Skewda outside of rain (+4 to outspeed in rain). Tera Electric against neutral does more damage than Tera Normal Facade boosted, but Facade exists to hit random Tera'd volt absorb mons such as a Tera Electric Thund-T, which it cleanly OHKOs. You can then go on a killing spree of the opponents mons, claiming at least one and a half souls for the underworld as barely anything in RU can switch in.
Trailblaze can also be used in place of Agility in order to get greedy and allow you to run a range of other coverage options over Ice Fang including Crunch, Fire Fang, Play Rough, Quick Attack or Psychic Fangs however you are unable to outspeed usual scarfers and have no hope of ever outspeeding a Skewda under rain who OHKO's with any non-aqua jet move.
Other possible threats include Bisharp's Sucker Punch, Mimikyu's decoy into shadow sneak and fat mons like Okidogi, all of which CANNOT switch in on Luxray after Tera Electric as are all 2HKO by Supercell Slam.
Warning: Players with blood pressure issues should not use this set as the 5% chance to miss Supercell Slam WILL lose you a game at one point. You have been warned.
CB Entei
Entei @ Choice Band
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Normal
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Sacred Fire
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
Standard Entei set, outspeeds and kills with stone edge and can switch in freely on flamethrowers and will-o-wisps. Gets slightly worried by scorching sands (on the one Moltres on ladder that runs SSands) however can live one and easily heal up with wish support from a range of mons.
0 SpA Moltres Scorching Sands vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Entei: 154-182 (41.5 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Now for some more heat;
Check:
Guts Luxray
Luxray @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Agility / Trailblaze
- Facade
- Supercell Slam
- Ice Fang
Ladies and gentlemen, do NOT adjust your monitors. Luxray is back from Gen 4 NU in order to run a pack on the RU ladder against water spam meta.
Guts allows you to ignore Moltres' main threat against physical attackers, permitting you to launch a super strong supercell SLAM, OHKO/2HKO (if tera'd) ing Moltres. Moltres is unable to OHKO you back and allows free set up with agility to outspeed Skewda outside of rain (+4 to outspeed in rain). Tera Electric against neutral does more damage than Tera Normal Facade boosted, but Facade exists to hit random Tera'd volt absorb mons such as a Tera Electric Thund-T, which it cleanly OHKOs. You can then go on a killing spree of the opponents mons, claiming at least one and a half souls for the underworld as barely anything in RU can switch in.
Trailblaze can also be used in place of Agility in order to get greedy and allow you to run a range of other coverage options over Ice Fang including Crunch, Fire Fang, Play Rough, Quick Attack or Psychic Fangs however you are unable to outspeed usual scarfers and have no hope of ever outspeeding a Skewda under rain who OHKO's with any non-aqua jet move.
Other possible threats include Bisharp's Sucker Punch, Mimikyu's decoy into shadow sneak and fat mons like Okidogi, all of which CANNOT switch in on Luxray after Tera Electric as are all 2HKO by Supercell Slam.
Warning: Players with blood pressure issues should not use this set as the 5% chance to miss Supercell Slam WILL lose you a game at one point. You have been warned.
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Check:
Custap Araquanid
@ Custap Berry
Ability: Water Bubble
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 72 HP / 184 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Liquidation
- Endeavor
- Sticky Web
- Endure
Potentially the greatest Araq spread of all time, this set allows you to always survive a BB from Moltres, and threaten back with webs or a heavy liquidation that does at minimum 75%, but can threaten a potential OHKO after BB recoil. The true magic of this spread though, is that it works wonders in other matchups outside the Moltres one, specifically always being able to live a Kleavor Stone Axe barring crit. Endeavor and endure ensure you get a custap proc off and leave some meaningful damage afterwords. Overall very useful spread that is able to check Phys Def Moltres and threaten big damage or OHKOs or momentum with Sticky Webs.
Calcs:
184 Atk Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Moltres: 288-342 (75.1 - 89.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0- Atk Moltres Brave Bird vs. 72 HP / 252+ Def Araquanid: 176-210 (59.6 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 72 HP / 252+ Def Araquanid: 248-294 (84 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Counter:
Slowbro
@ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Future Sight
- Recover
- Calm Mind
About as countery as you could get, phys def Bro sits on Moltres forever, and can even take advantage of U-Turns with potential burns from scald or by setting up future sights to allow for other breakers on your team. CM can be replaced with T-Wave if desired, however I don’t think that scald and T-Wave mesh well with one another.
Custap Araquanid
@ Custap BerryAbility: Water Bubble
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 72 HP / 184 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Liquidation
- Endeavor
- Sticky Web
- Endure
Potentially the greatest Araq spread of all time, this set allows you to always survive a BB from Moltres, and threaten back with webs or a heavy liquidation that does at minimum 75%, but can threaten a potential OHKO after BB recoil. The true magic of this spread though, is that it works wonders in other matchups outside the Moltres one, specifically always being able to live a Kleavor Stone Axe barring crit. Endeavor and endure ensure you get a custap proc off and leave some meaningful damage afterwords. Overall very useful spread that is able to check Phys Def Moltres and threaten big damage or OHKOs or momentum with Sticky Webs.
Calcs:
184 Atk Water Bubble Araquanid Liquidation vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Moltres: 288-342 (75.1 - 89.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0- Atk Moltres Brave Bird vs. 72 HP / 252+ Def Araquanid: 176-210 (59.6 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Kleavor Stone Axe vs. 72 HP / 252+ Def Araquanid: 248-294 (84 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Counter:
Slowbro
@ Heavy-Duty BootsAbility: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Future Sight
- Recover
- Calm Mind
About as countery as you could get, phys def Bro sits on Moltres forever, and can even take advantage of U-Turns with potential burns from scald or by setting up future sights to allow for other breakers on your team. CM can be replaced with T-Wave if desired, however I don’t think that scald and T-Wave mesh well with one another.
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Check:
Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Scald
- Aura Sphere
My Raikou agenda continues. Raikou has solid natural bulk, so it can switch in and eat a Flamethrower/BB and then use Moltres to set up CM. The EV spread is so you can outspeed base 110s while still investing a bit in bulk.
Counter:
Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Modest Nature
Tera Type: Water
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 144 HP / 188 SpA / 176 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Flamethrower
- Roost
I've been liking Hydro Pump on bulky Mence lately, as it helps it muscle through certain matchups like SpD Rhyp, Hippo and CM Arma (or maybe I'm looking for an excuse to run anything but Hurricane). Moltres struggles to do much to Mence since it can Roost off any damage, particularly after the attack drop from Intimidate. You don't need Tera to beat Moltres, but Tera Water HP cleanly KOs Moltres from full.
Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Scald
- Aura Sphere
My Raikou agenda continues. Raikou has solid natural bulk, so it can switch in and eat a Flamethrower/BB and then use Moltres to set up CM. The EV spread is so you can outspeed base 110s while still investing a bit in bulk.
0 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Raikou: 118-139 (35.6 - 41.9%) -- 87.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 308-366 (80.4 - 95.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Raikou Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 308-366 (80.4 - 95.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Counter:
Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Modest Nature
Tera Type: Water
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 144 HP / 188 SpA / 176 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Flamethrower
- Roost
I've been liking Hydro Pump on bulky Mence lately, as it helps it muscle through certain matchups like SpD Rhyp, Hippo and CM Arma (or maybe I'm looking for an excuse to run anything but Hurricane). Moltres struggles to do much to Mence since it can Roost off any damage, particularly after the attack drop from Intimidate. You don't need Tera to beat Moltres, but Tera Water HP cleanly KOs Moltres from full.
0 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 144 HP / 0 SpD Salamence: 71-84 (19.3 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
0- Atk Moltres Brave Bird vs. 144 HP / 0 Def Salamence: 141-166 (38.4 - 45.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
188+ SpA Salamence Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 256-302 (66.8 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
188+ SpA Tera Water Salamence Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 384-452 (100.2 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0- Atk Moltres Brave Bird vs. 144 HP / 0 Def Salamence: 141-166 (38.4 - 45.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
188+ SpA Salamence Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 256-302 (66.8 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
188+ SpA Tera Water Salamence Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 384-452 (100.2 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO
First, a well known (situational) check:
Hersculegion!
Dead Fish (Basculegion-F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Ghost
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Flip Turn
Using Flip Turn might burn you, but it might be important to scout for Tera. There could technically be a very low chance that if you're already burned from previous scouting and you roll very low on every shadow ball and you don't get any sp. def drops, a tera dragon Moltres might win. (because Timid Tera Ghost Shadow Ball only has a ~97% chance to 2HKO and Moltres can use a single flamethrower [38.8 - 45.9%] when you lose the resist after stalling turns with 8 Roosts - that's got to be like less than 1/100,000 though) I guess use a Modest nature if you're worried?
Next, following a fun trend of letting ZU shine, we have an insane Moltres counter here:
Naclstack!
Salty Much? (Naclstack) @ Eviolite
Ability: Purifying Salt
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Salt Cure
- Recover
- Protect
This won't be a quick job, but it will win the 1v1. Stealth Rock for usefulness outside of beating down this bird. Protect for racking up some extra salt cure damage (especially useful vs the Tera Dragon scenario). After using all of its Roost pp, Moltres is no more. It's very good that Salt Cure has a decent amount of pp, there is a chance we'll need a lot of it. Basically, Naclstack can't get burned and it's at best an 8HKO with these moves. Recover + Protect gives plenty of breathing room.
252 SpA Adaptability Basculegion-F Surf vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 376-444 (98.1 - 115.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Adaptability Tera Ghost Basculegion-F Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tera Dragon Moltres: 189-223 (49.3 - 58.2%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
0- Atk Tera Dragon Moltres Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Basculegion-F: 165-195 (43.3 - 51.1%) -- 5.5% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Tera Dragon Moltres Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Ghost Basculegion-F: 148-175 (38.8 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Naclstack Salt Cure vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Moltres: 100-120 (26.1 - 31.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Salt Cure
0 Atk Naclstack Salt Cure vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Tera Steel Moltres: 12-15 (3.1 - 3.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Salt Cure
(the worst case scenario \/ )
0 Atk Naclstack Salt Cure vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Tera Dragon Moltres: 25-30 (6.5 - 7.8%) -- guaranteed 6HKO after Salt Cure
0 SpA Tera Dragon Moltres Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Naclstack: 37-44 (11.4 - 13.5%) -- possible 8HKO
0- Atk Tera Dragon Moltres Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Naclstack: 39-46 (12 - 14.1%) -- possible 8HKO
Have a great day!
Hersculegion!
Dead Fish (Basculegion-F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Ghost
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Flip Turn
Using Flip Turn might burn you, but it might be important to scout for Tera. There could technically be a very low chance that if you're already burned from previous scouting and you roll very low on every shadow ball and you don't get any sp. def drops, a tera dragon Moltres might win. (because Timid Tera Ghost Shadow Ball only has a ~97% chance to 2HKO and Moltres can use a single flamethrower [38.8 - 45.9%] when you lose the resist after stalling turns with 8 Roosts - that's got to be like less than 1/100,000 though) I guess use a Modest nature if you're worried?
Next, following a fun trend of letting ZU shine, we have an insane Moltres counter here:
Naclstack!
Salty Much? (Naclstack) @ Eviolite
Ability: Purifying Salt
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Salt Cure
- Recover
- Protect
This won't be a quick job, but it will win the 1v1. Stealth Rock for usefulness outside of beating down this bird. Protect for racking up some extra salt cure damage (especially useful vs the Tera Dragon scenario). After using all of its Roost pp, Moltres is no more. It's very good that Salt Cure has a decent amount of pp, there is a chance we'll need a lot of it. Basically, Naclstack can't get burned and it's at best an 8HKO with these moves. Recover + Protect gives plenty of breathing room.
252 SpA Adaptability Basculegion-F Surf vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres: 376-444 (98.1 - 115.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Adaptability Tera Ghost Basculegion-F Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tera Dragon Moltres: 189-223 (49.3 - 58.2%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
0- Atk Tera Dragon Moltres Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Basculegion-F: 165-195 (43.3 - 51.1%) -- 5.5% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Tera Dragon Moltres Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Ghost Basculegion-F: 148-175 (38.8 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Naclstack Salt Cure vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Moltres: 100-120 (26.1 - 31.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Salt Cure
0 Atk Naclstack Salt Cure vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Tera Steel Moltres: 12-15 (3.1 - 3.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Salt Cure
(the worst case scenario \/ )
0 Atk Naclstack Salt Cure vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Tera Dragon Moltres: 25-30 (6.5 - 7.8%) -- guaranteed 6HKO after Salt Cure
0 SpA Tera Dragon Moltres Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Naclstack: 37-44 (11.4 - 13.5%) -- possible 8HKO
0- Atk Tera Dragon Moltres Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Naclstack: 39-46 (12 - 14.1%) -- possible 8HKO
Have a great day!
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Hello everybody, another Saturday another Victim of the Week voting slate! As always you can the find the full lineup of Checks/Counters below as well as links to their original posters. Some reminders for voting: you are allowed to vote for 1 Check AND 1 Counter and you are not allowed to vote for yourself if you submitted this week. Best of luck to everyone who submitted!
DEADLINE FOR VOTING IS SUNDAY APRIL 21st
CB 
from Heatranator
Tera Fire
from MachJacob
Guts from PewPewYoureDead
Custap from HoopsspooH
CM
from Seed Sower
Scarf from lars
from HeatranatorTera Fire
from MachJacobGuts
from PewPewYoureDeadCustap
from HoopsspooHCM
from Seed SowerScarf
from larsNasty Plot 
from Sneakyplanner
Sub
from FlamingoPokeman
Resttalk
from Heatranator
Support
from MachJacob
CB from PewPewYoureDead
CM from HoopsspooH
Special
from Seed Sower
Sp Def from lars
from Sneakyplanner Sub
from FlamingoPokeman Resttalk
from Heatranator Support
from MachJacob CB
from PewPewYoureDead CM
from HoopsspooH Special
from Seed Sower Sp Def
from larsDEADLINE FOR VOTING IS SUNDAY APRIL 21st
My votes:
check: CM (close second place for Custap )
counter: Support
check: CM
(close second place for Custap )counter: Support
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Check:
Counter:
Counter:
Check:
counter:
counter:
Check:
Counter:
Counter:
Check: Raikou
Counter: Heattom
Counter: Heattom
Check: because I’ve been thinking about making a spread that lives Kleavor stone axe but never wanted to do the calcs myself, now I can steal
Counter: hydro pump with Tera water sounds great and I like the bulk and power of modest.
for these posts, I like to vote for sets that deal well with other pokemon in the meta game, instead of only considering what we’re trying to counter.
because I’ve been thinking about making a spread that lives Kleavor stone axe but never wanted to do the calcs myself, now I can stealCounter:
hydro pump with Tera water sounds great and I like the bulk and power of modest.for these posts, I like to vote for sets that deal well with other pokemon in the meta game, instead of only considering what we’re trying to counter.