Project Threats to OU Cores v2: Round 72: Mega Charizard X + Ash-Greninja

Status
Not open for further replies.
approved by Leo
op from Earth




Threats to OU Cores


Pokemon rely on offensive and defensive synergy to function. Cores of Pokemon are units within teams that are built specifically to take advantage of these synergies between Pokemon. Many teams are built around such cores. The premise of this thread is to analyse the best threats to OU cores, with the aim to support teambuilding by providing a list of cores that may threaten your team and suggest viable Pokémon that can be added in response. If anyone has suggestions for cores you can PM me.
Procedure:
1. Each week I will post a core of 2 Pokemon, these will be proven cores in the meta that are difficult to handle.

2. Posters will have the chance to post threats to the core. This is one Pokemon that can counter/check at least one member of the core, while not being itself countered by either member.
Example: Mamoswine is a threat to the core of defensive Landorus-Therian + AV Magearna, because it can outspeed and OHKO both Pokémon with its STAB moves.

3. At the end of the week, I will archive all viable threats listed in the below post and post a new core, highlighting the most effective and creative threats, as well as explaining why others don't make the cut.

Rules:
1. Please follow up your reservations in a timely fashion. I will allow 48 hours after a reservation to make the post. After 2 days are up, if you have not made your post, then someone else may reserve that Pokemon.

2. Please only post Pokemon that are viable in OU. Also avoid using weird/very specific sets to check these Pokemon.

2.1. This does not mean that you can't submit Pokemon that are not on the viability rankings, I will make exceptions to certain unranked Pokemon I deem viable enough to archive.

3. Each poster may post up to 2 threats. Each set counts as a different threat.

4. When posting, please explain yourself. Calcs are not necessary, but please list more reasons than something simple like type synergy. Be descriptive so that other posters and I can fully understand your reasoning behind your nomination. Please paste the full set of your threat, moves, EVs, ability, Showdown importable is preferred.

5. Different sets can be posted for the same Pokemon so long as they serve a different purpose from the other set.

6. Be respectful to others. Constructive criticism is allowed, as long as it is done in a proper and non-hostile manner.

Clarifications Regarding Threats:
A threat to the core must check or counter at least one member and cannot be countered by the other. A threat does not necessarily need to be able to switch into both members of the core, but it should be difficult/annoying to switch into for the members of the core. Of course, the biggest threats can counter both members of the core.

> Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.

> Addtionally, Pokemon A also checks Pokemon B if, Pokemon A is able to deal with a particular set of Pokemon B, and Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, while Pokemon B is using that particular set, then Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax. This is called "Set Dependence".
Example: Tangrowth can switch into defensive Landorus-Therian without much fear, but is unable to deal with Flyinium Z variants of Landorus-Therian.

> Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.
Example: Heatran should always be able to beat any common, viable, and standard Ferrothorn set, because Heatran is able to OHKO Ferrothorn and it can do little back. Bulldoze is the only way Ferrothorn can properly damage Heatran, but it is neither viable, nor common, nor standard, meaning Heatran is always able to manually switch into Ferrothorn. "Heatran counters Ferrothorn" essentially means, "standard Heatran counters standard Ferrothorn".
 
Last edited:
Threats Archive

Below are the threats we have analysed so far, clicking on the core will reveal icons for the Pokémon that were identified as threats. There's also a link to where the core was posted, so you can scroll down below that post and find the specific threatening set, in the case it is not immediately obvious.
















♂




♂














































 
Last edited:



























































Week 1 Core - Tapu Koko + Hawlucha


Welcome to Version 2 of OU Core Threats! To kick off week 1 we're going with one of the most potent, effective and common offensive cores terrorizing the meta right now - KokoLucha. This core threatens with strong Electric STAB from Tapu Koko, who itself can perform a variety of roles and provide momentum with a powerful Volt Switch. For this Core, we'll be going with Specs Koko, the most common set currently. Hawlucha comes in on the Electric Terrain and (with the Smogon standard set) reaches an incredible 592 speed after consuming the Electric Seed, thanks to its ability Unburden. Hawlucha then proceeds to punch holes in the opposing team, boasting a great STAB combination and high base power moves, alongside access to Swords Dance and reliable recovery in Roost. This core has ripped through under-prepared teams countess times, bringing a threat to ladder battles is borderline mandatory, therefore this seemed like the perfect core for week 1!

Hawlucha @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 152 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Roost

Tapu Koko @ Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Ice

As always, all postings are appreciated! But please, only post OU viable Pokémon and do not post sets specifically catered to this core, your threat should not be complete deadweight against teams that do not feature KokoLucha.

At the end of the week I will archive viable threats, post a new core and highlight threats that are particularly creative or effective! I'll also try and explain why I didn't include any threats in the archive, if applicable.​
 
Last edited:
Reserving hippowdon

Hippowdon @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off

Hippowdown is one of the biggest check to kokolucha, aside to some variants like specs grass knot hippowdon can Always come vs specs koko and thanks to 112 spdef ev it Always avoids the 2hko from dazzling gleam/hidden power ice. even if it doesn't 1v1 hawlucha it can phaze it out so that unburden is not activated anymore and the team can handle it better
 
Last edited:
Excadrill as an offensive check



Excadrill @ Life Orb/ Steelium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin/ Swords dance

Pretty standard Excadrill set, which just happens to essentially always run Jolly to outpace the standard Hawlucha set with 92 speed EVs. Needless to say, Hawlucha isn't going to appreciate Excadrill's ability to outrun it in sand even after an Unburden boost and nuke it with life orb Iron head / Corkscrew Crash. And we all know how easily it dispatches Koko in sand.

Here's how fast Sand Rush Excadrill is compared to standard Lucha, taken directly from the speed tiers thread:

604 / Excadrill / 88 / +Spe / 252 / +2
598 / Charizard (Mega-X), Salamence, Volcarona / 100 / Neutral / +2
592 / Hawlucha / 118 / Neutral / 96 / +2

It is worth mentioning that faster Hawlucha spreads like the old 152 speed spread or even just 128 speed EVs are enough to outrun Excadrill, but these spreads are much less common, and obviously not the spreads used in this thread. That said, if your opponent attempts to revenge kill Excadrill with Hawlucha, then they're probably running one of these faster EV spreads, so you'll want to pack a secondary measure like Hippowdon, which also happens to be a really good sand setter.
 
Last edited:

HCJB

Banned deucer.
Adamant Scarf Koko as a soft check to both



Tapu Koko @ Choice Scarf
Adamant Nature
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe or 252 Atk / 12 Def / 244 Spe
- Wild Charge
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Hidden Power Ice / Defog / your choice

This set checks both just about and fits nicely on offensive team, pressurising the core nicely when paired to another soft check for each set (something bulky for Lucha to handle it before it boosts, something else very fast for Specs Koko - I use Gunk Shot Scarf Gren).

You outspeed Specs Koko and get a 2HKO after Rocks with Wild Charge (and won't be KOed by the combo of your own recoil - 11.2% to 13.2% - and taking a Dazzling Gleam turn 1, so long as there's no rocks on your side, and bearing in mind the opposing Koko's like to lock themselves into TBolt more often when they can). You only have a very slight chance of an OHKO after Rocks with +2 Hawlucha, and can shift EVs from Spe into Def (it only takes 12) to guarantee no chance of an OHKO - but you lose out on a couple of niche speed ties (base 85 neutral natured Swift Swim mons mainly, Kingdra and Qwilfish, pretty rare), so the choice is up to you.

Though calcs aren't necessary, I think they're useful in this instance due to Koko's fragile defences:

252+ Atk Tapu Koko Wild Charge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko in Electric Terrain: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 201-237 (71.5 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko in Electric Terrain: 168-198 (59.7 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Tapu Koko Wild Charge vs. +1 152 HP / 0 Def Electric Seed Hawlucha in Electric Terrain: 374-444 (111.6 - 132.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 210-248 (74.7 - 88.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 12 Def Tapu Koko: 207-244 (73.6 - 86.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

In general for the set, you don't lose out on much running Adamant (Scarf Gren and other Scarf Kokos being the main two to watch out for), and the power is definitely appreciated (e.g. Wild Charge has a 86.7% chance of 2HKOing Chansey after Rocks, for example, plus a punchier U-turn) allowing for a late game clean when checks are removed.
 
Last edited:
Reserving Mamoswine


Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Stealth Rock

Mamoswine as a soft check. Mamoswine makes Koko think twice before clicking volt / thunderbolt (however don't try switch it into a Dazzling Gleam) and can threaten it with an Earthquake. It also checks Lucha as Life Orb Ice Shard will chunk it, forcing it to attack and leaving it in range of other common priority attacks.

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Thick Fat Mamoswine: 120-142 (33.2 - 39.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Mamoswine Ice Shard vs. +1 152 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 148-174 (44.1 - 51.9%) -- 12.9% chance to 2HKO
 
Last edited:

Martin

A monoid in the category of endofunctors
is a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus

Greninja (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Spikes

If Greninja is able to transform prior, it is able to put both of these Pokemon under immense pressure with its Water-type moves. It outruns Tapu Koko post-transformation and one-shots with Hydro Pump, and Water Shuriken is able remove Hawlucha if it takes damage while setting up
 
Dang it, mellowyellowhd, mamoswine is the only pokemon I use in these types of threads and you stole it. Well, since the best pokemon has been taken, here's another less amazing and awesome one
1520032666028.png

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Volt Switch
- Ice Beam

While Assault Vest Magearna can't switch in directly into Thunderbolt for fear of a Hawlucha clean afterwards, if safely in, Magearna does the work against these two threatening mons. Fleur Cannon has a good chance to OHKO Tapu Koko after one rocks-switchins, and gets a gauranteed kill after two rocks-switch ins. Afterwards, Magearna can tank a hit from Hawlucha
and Ohko back with Fleur Cannon even at minus 1.
Calcs to prove point
8 SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 223-264 (79.3 - 93.9%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
After two rocks switch-ins, Tapu Koko is a guaranteed kill
-1 8 SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 152 HP / 8 SpD Hawlucha: 338-398 (100.8 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 163-193 (44.9 - 53.1%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna in Electric Terrain: 118-139 (32.5 - 38.2%) -- 96.7% chance to 3HKO
 

Martin

A monoid in the category of endofunctors
is a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Got permission from host to do a second one as a joke sub


Raichu-Alola @ Psychium Z
Ability: Surge Surfer
EVs: 4 Def 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Psychic
- Focus Blast

Alolan Raichu does a really good job of fucking with this core; Surge Surfer leaves its Speed stat higher than Hawlucha's under electric terrain, allowing it to take advantage of the Lucha player's own electric terrain to BTFO it or, if they get Lucha in on the same turn the terrain fades, to use a partnered Tapu Koko of its own in order to outrun it and remove it with its choice of Thunderbolt or Psychic. Z-Psychic allows Alolan Raichu to one-shot opposing Tapu Koko without a boost, but it also serves a number of other purposes from one-shotting all Hippowdon variants at +2 to busting through Mega Venu unboosted, one-shotting AV Amoong and AV Bulu at +2 and demolishing healthy Lando-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde at +2. TBolt vs Thunder comes down to whether Rai has Pelipper support and whether you wanna risk rain not always being up for Chu to abuse. Focus Blast is for Ferrothorn and Tar, which are otherwise giant bastards.
 
Last edited:
Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic
Quagsire can easily switch into both members of this cor and KO Tapu Koko with Earthquake, and can burn Hawlucha. Worst case scenario, Quagsire can use both Pokémon as Curse fodder.
 
Last edited:
Highlights
Hippowdon
- This mon is a very solid check to Koko and although it can output no damage to Hawlucha, it can stomach attacks very nicely and Hawlucha will not be able to boost its speed again after being phazed out by Whirlwind. Sand and Rocks also make Hawlucha much easier to handle by teammates. MultiAmmiratore
Ash-Greninja - Powerful priority for Hawlucha that can KO after minimal chip and the ability to outspeed and OHKO Tapu Koko shows just how great Greninja is. Martin
Not Archived
Alolan-Raichu
- Ironically Raichu is an amazing counter, using the cores abuse of Electric Terrain against it, boosting Thunderbolt and doubling Raichu's speed higher than that of Hawlucha. While Raichu is 2HKO'd by Koko, this allows Raichu to Nasty Plot and OHKO Koko with Psychic, outspeeding in terrain. However this is not a viable mon in OU. Martin

Week 2 Core - Tapu Lele + Mega Alakazam

For week 2 we are going to be looking at another Tapu pairing, the dangerous 'PsySpam' core featured on many Hyper Offensive teams. Tapu Lele's terrain makes the incredibly strong Mega Alakazam very difficult to handle, boosting Alakazam's Psychic by 1.5x, this on top of STAB and a devastating 449 invested Special Attack takes chunks of damage out of even resistant Pokémon. Terrain also nullifies priority moves against Alakazam, which is great because Alakazam is very vulnerable to Sucker Punch and possesses the highest base speed in the game (bar Ninjask). Tapu Lele herself also possesses high damage output and coverage. With Fightinium Z Lele can break past and weaken checks.​

Tapu Lele @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock
- Moonblast

Alakazam-Mega (M) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast


As always, all postings are appreciated! But please, only post OU viable Pokémon and do not post sets specifically catered to this core, your threat should not be complete deadweight against teams that do not feature LeleZam.

At the end of the week I will archive viable threats, post a new core and highlight threats that are particularly creative or effective! I'll also try and explain why I didn't include any threats in the archive, if applicable.​
 
Last edited:

A

Joker fan
is a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Reserving Muk-Alola


Assault Vest Muk-Alola


Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 248 HP / 112 Atk / 148 SpD
Careful Nature
- Fire Punch / Rock Slide
- Pursuit
- Poison Jab
- Knock Off

(the EV spread is a bit specific, reaching 300 SpD, which is a jump point with Assault Vest, reaching a mammoth 450)

Assault Vest Muk-Alola has always been a pretty cool pick for teams, blanket checking a wide variety of threats, such as Hoopa-Unbound, Blacephalon, Volcarona (rock slide), M-Latias, Latios, and can even switch in to the likes of Greninja (pre Battle Bond) no sweat. It can also be a nuisance to switch into thanks to Knock Off and its ability which can just weaken opposing Pokemon. It just so happens that AV Muk can also answer this core. Without Specs, Tapu Lele does pitiful damage to Muk, even unboosted All-out Pummeling only reaching 26.3 - 31.2%, which is underwhelming. If Tapu Lele switches out, it takes a hefty 45.1 - 53.3% from Pursuit, coupled with Poison Touch, entry hazards, and other forms of chip and residual damage, this isn't a battle that the Tapu Lele player is going to come out ahead of, regardless of their choice of play. And as for Alakazam-Mega, its existence is entirely invalidated by Muk, the hardest hitting move it has to actually damage it is Focus Blast, only doing 20% or so while Pursuit on the switch immediately KOs, and you're more than capable enough to stomach 2 Focus Blasts (one on switch in, the other on the turn you Pursuit). FB's low accuracy also means that rolls are heavily in your favor.

While Muk-Alola does suffer from lack of recovery and is prone to being chipped, being able to answer a core like Tapu Lele + Mega Alakazam, and then a variety of other things gives it a good amount of utility and niche for certain balance and even stall teams. I'd classify this as a solid check if not that, quite possibly one of the strongest pro-active checks it has as it also traps both of them, unable to properly respond unlike some of their usual answers which they can just switch out of.

(line of play is hard in Muk on MB, jab as they fight Z, if rocks are up you can't swap into MZam anymore at the risk of double focus blast, but if they're not up you can freely go for it, but Muk would still have enough HP to the point where on a clean send out, it can still suit trap MZam)



Calcs:
252 SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 148+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 109-129 (26.3 - 31.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 148+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 82-97 (19.8 - 23.4%) -- possible 5HKO
112 Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 148+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 86-102 (20.8 - 24.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
112 Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 284-336 (113.1 - 133.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Last edited:
Reserving SpDef Jirachi



Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 152 SpD / 108 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Body Slam / Thunder wave
- Wish / Healing Wish
- U-turn / Stealth rock / Protect

Psyspam teams have always had issues against opposing fat psychics and Jirachi is one of the hardest of those to take down. This thing straight up walls Lele and will easily paraflinch both of them to death or just set up rocks in their face. The EVs are pretty standard, and happen to have just enough SpDef to tank two shadow balls from Alakazam at 1 HP from full, and requires no attack investment to 2HKO with Iron Head most of the time, especially after a body slam.

I personally think Jirachi puts in the most work it possibly can against LeleZam if it has some form of parahax, though the choice of body slam or Twave is really just the choice between near guaranteed parahax, or parahax with very important chip damage.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Jirachi in Psychic Terrain: 49-58 (12.1 - 14.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 108+ SpD Jirachi: 108-128 (26.7 - 31.7%) -- 92% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Yum :3

252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 108+ SpD Jirachi: 180-212 (44.6 - 52.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Only thing to worry about is SpDef drops from a traced Serene Grace. And that's if they break through your paraflinching.

0 Atk Jirachi Body Slam vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 78-92 (27.7 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Puts it well within range of Iron Head

0 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 218-260 (77.5 - 92.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
And RIP

0 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 121-144 (48.2 - 57.3%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Jirachi U-turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 144-170 (57.3 - 67.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Jirachi Body Slam vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 86-102 (34.2 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
All you need is one flinch and its over for Zam.
 
Last edited:
Reserving Magearna
1520632680232.png

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Hidden Power Fire
- Volt Switch

With an Assault Vest on, Magearna take pitiful damage from both members of this core. Its valuable steel typing allows it to dent Tapu Lele with Stab Iron Head, and Fleur Cannon makes short work of Alakazam. However, it doesn't have healing at all, so forms of passive recovery such as Grassy terrain and Wish are appreciated when checking this core. However, it still gets its job done in checking these two alone.

252 SpA Alakazam Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna in Psychic Terrain: 90-106 (24.7 - 29.2%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 90-107 (24.7 - 29.4%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 Atk Magearna Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 210-248 (74.7 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 8 SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam-Mega: 255-300 (101.5 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Note: this calc is under the assumption that Magearna has already K.Oed Tapu Lele
 
Last edited:
Reserving blacwphalon


Blacephalon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Trick
- Fire Blast
- Overheat
scarfblacephalon outspeeds and kills both (lele needs some chips or u have to kill something first if u want a guaranteed ohko)
252 SpA Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 258-306 (91.8 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam-Mega: 282-332 (112.3 - 132.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Last edited:

HCJB

Banned deucer.
I posted this set in the next best thing thread (the inclusion of Grass Knot being the USP), it works as a check to both sets:

Scarf Greninja



Greninja (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 236 Atk / 20 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- U-turn
- Ice Beam
- Gunk Shot
- Grass Knot

The EVs are of my own design, OHKOing Ash-Greninja after rocks with U-turn, and OHKOing Scarf Kartana with Ice Beam after rocks (plus the x4 weak dragons, such as Zygarde at +1 Spe). Grass Knot OHKOes Mega Swampert, who you outspeed with Scarf in the rain, and Gunk Shot takes out Specs Koko who is often seen in rain too, as well as putting the hurt on other fairies. A -Def +Spe nature was chosen to better take Ash-Greninja hits, making you a soft counter (can't switch in too much, but once is fine and usually all you need). Naturally though, you can tailor Greninja's coverage any way you want - with the possibility of Low Kick or HP Fire for steels.

With reference to the core above, it cleanly OHKOes both with Gunk Shot and U-turn respectively and outspeeds with Scarf, making it a dandy check. Given all the other anti-offence potential listed above, it can form the basis of some nice speed-control glue for your team (though you'll need something else for Lucha), allowing you to get your own offence on and serving as a punchy pivot with STAB U-turn.
 
Last edited:
Celesteela
3291C6C8-771A-4941-BDA8-419CADC39419.gif

Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Celesteela can easily check Alakazam and Lele by it’s typing. Heavy Slam OHKOs Tapu Lele and can 2HKO Alakazam. Leech Seed can also annoy the opposing team. Admittedly, Fightinium Z Lele is a problem, but Protect can help fight against that if you predict right.
 
Last edited:

Martin

A monoid in the category of endofunctors
is a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus

Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide / Toxic

Excadrill is faster than both Lele and Alakazam after a boost from Choice Scarf and is able to OHKO both with Iron Head or Earthquake, respectively. Rlly not rocket science here, so I ain't gonna fluff this up.
 
Last edited:

Tapu Bulu @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Atk / 36 Def / 76 SpD / 68 Spe
Impish Nature
- Horn Leech
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Nature's Madness

AV Bulu lives any hit either mon can go for with ease and threaten them both with Horn Leech (or Wood Hammer, Horn Leech doesn't OHKO Lele and has a chance to OHKO Zam, obviously Hammer OHKOS both but the recoil leaves you much weaker and unlikely to be able to beat both 1v1. Also, the recovery Leech provides you with means you take less in the long run anyway). It also removes Psychic Terrain, meaning Alakazam is even less threatening.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 36+ Def Tapu Bulu: 102-121 (29.7 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Tapu Bulu: 102-120 (29.7 - 34.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
80 Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele in Grassy Terrain: 207-244 (73.6 - 86.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery (30.1 - 35.5% recovered)
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 248 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Tapu Bulu: 118-141 (34.4 - 41.1%) -- 62.7% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
80 Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 229-271 (91.2 - 107.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
 
CM Reuniclus


Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball / Focus Blast
- Recover

Reuniclus can prove be a powerful threat to both mons. If Lele clicks something else than Moonblast on the switch-in or given a free switch-in, this mon stop those two cold because of CM and Recover, meaning it can boost to high levels and resisting most coverage aside of Shadow Ball, which gonna do pitiful damage after a few boosts, while it can break both mons with its own Shadow Ball, and adding more salt, it takes advantages of Psychic Terrain, giving it a stronger Psyshock to spam against whatever comes in. Is important to note that the initial matchup is gonna be always Lele because it needs set up Terrain for M-Zam, meaning you can bost even more free.

I don't list Lele's Psyshock because it does less than 25% to Reuniclus.

At +0 SpA/SpD

252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 250-296 (59.1 - 69.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 178-211 (42 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 124-146 (44.1 - 51.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam-Mega: 136-160 (54.1 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

At +1 SpA/SpD

252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 118-141 (27.8 - 33.3%) -- 89.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 168-198 (39.7 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 0 SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 184-218 (65.4 - 77.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 0 SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam-Mega: 202-238 (80.4 - 94.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

At +2 SpA/SpD

252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 126-150 (29.7 - 35.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 90-106 (21.2 - 25%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 0 SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam-Mega: 268-316 (106.7 - 125.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 0 SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 246-290 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
 
images.png

Mew @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Psyshock / Psychic
- Will-O-Wisp / Charge Beam / TBolt / Ice Beam / Shadow Ball / litterally any other coverage move

This is like a downgraded version of CM Mega Latias but with the traits of being able to switch into (Specs) Tapu Lele while still checking Mega Medicham, etc. Yea and it can also switch in on Zam and it sets up on both too. It could also run a Physdef Set with 132 SpDef IVs, making it unable to switch into Specs Lele but still being able to set up on Lele locked into Moonblast (without SR tho).

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mew: 168-198 (41.5 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Mew in Psychic Terrain: 147-173 (36.3 - 42.8%) -- 96.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mew: 158-186 (39.1 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top