Project Threats to OU Cores v3: Round 7 1/2: short hiatus

How about Tail Glow Xurkitree?

Xurkitree @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Energy Ball
- Tail Glow

Z- Thunderbolt OHKO Rotom at +0 and Xur can easily tailglow up on rotom since its not really afraid of anything it can do and while it can't safely switch into lando it outspeeds defensive lando and can ohko with HP-Ice.

Not saying that its would be good overall since these teams tend to have Tang or Ferro as well as the prevalence of offense lando or Choice scarf lando overall in the meta but it does beat them both.
 
Nice round everyone. As you might've noticed I am super busy so sorry for the delay. There are plans for a huge send-off before the new generation comes around. lets get right into it :blobthumbsup: [same intro, still stays true]
A lot of really good suggestions which results in a lot of TotR!
Threats of the Round:


:kartana: one of the most threatening pokemon to face, it doesn't appreciate being volturned on but neither of the cores members can come in on it. Rotom-w obviously dies multiple times to a leaf blade and lando can't beat it 1v1 either. Huge threat to volturn teams
:tapu koko: while other tapu koko sets find themselves in an awkward spot, shuca koko really appreciates lando-offenses. The whole point of shuca koko is to reliably beat those.
:kyurem-black: Best switchin to this monster usually is an av-mag on teams with those type of cores. Needless to say rotom&lando die to it. volx757 While your set certainly performes even better against this core it will work less well than Katy s standard z kyurem-b. The zmove on cube is absolutely broken and claims kills in matchups where it shouldnt. While lefties recovery is appreciated, standard z-freeze-shock does well enough already and has many better matchups in general. :thumbsup:
:kyurem: the counterpart of kyub. This one has a lot of potential because it not only beats rotom-lando reliably but subs on them and then proceeds to pp stall the countermeasure that was sent in. Roost+sub+pressure has proven a reliable strategy over the course of the generation, while metronome helps building pressure that leftover sets usually lack.
:charizard-mega-y: 85% chance to claim a kill. Basically every time you hit a fire blast against teams with the featured core. Once rocks are up it performs significantly worse though because being volturned on will result in it being dead. As long as you have a hazard removal this should almost always be an amazing matchup.
:zapdos: While being weak to status zapdos gets great matchups against lando-rotom offenses that rely on kartana/lando to beat electric types. It obviously beats both of those. I'd like to mention defog here since heatwave can be replaced depening on your team and keeping hazards off the field will hurt volturn strategies a lot!
:tapu-lele: yea well lele is kinda broken against offense and the counterplay is usually limited to switching an avmag into a psyshock once or plainly sacking a mon to then try to revenge it. Pivoting into your dark type on a psychic stab may work as well but honestly this thing is ridiculous to face with a lando-rotom core even though those feature 2 steel types most of the time.
Additional Notes:


:thundurus-therian: While it certainly beats the core I feel like it is a worse zapdos in this specific situation. Thundi-T only fits on hyper offense, is hard to build around and has a lot less longevity than zapdos. Thanks for posting though, any players that want to build an HO team that struggles with this core will thank you!
:rotom-wash: Offensive rotom has been a set that gained a bit of attention earlier this year. In this case it performs decently against this core but z-thunder will always trigger the iapapa berry on rotom and doesnt even ko after rocks. After that it relies on hitting 2 thunders. Furthermore the lack of recovery makes it prone to getting volturned on and you usually don't get a pain split off in these matchups. Thanks for suggesting though, it's important to have it listed here.
:magearna: yea sure it probably beats this core but it's not a good set and is too cteam-y to consider it for a good team. I've tried shuca magearna myself and while it can work, it fails to work in just as many situations and most teams that feature it are lacking something important which leaves them with no choice but to do some role compression. Especially this set can't do what it's supposed to do without the fairium z.
:xurkitree: This suggestion feels a lot like the thundurus-t suggestion, but it even lacks z-hypnosis. You already mentioned that it's not good overall and as you said it DOES beat the core of two. It's not reliable enough to make it a threat of the round but thanks for posting it!
Short Notes on other Submissions:


no notes :o
:diancite: :sm/diancie-mega: Round 7 Core: Diancie + Volcarona :sm/volcarona: :iapapa berry:
Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Endeavor
- Substitute
- Moonblast

Volcarona @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Quiver Dance
- Hidden Power [Ground]

  • While it might not be the most prominent core right now, Ojama and some other players have brought this core consistently in official tournaments and it is missing in the archives! While the sets may differ, sub-endeavor works especially well with volcarona as long as you have the freedom to not have to put rocks on diancie.
  • Try to post only OU viable Pokémon and don't post sets specifically for this core. Additionally, your threat should not be complete deadweight against teams that do not feature Diancie-Mega + Volcarona. Keep in mind what pokemon are commonly paired with those two! Have a great day everyone!
 
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I'm taking this one away so all of you can consider other options. Ashgren kills both and abuses them to hit it's ashform.
This one's a nobrainer

:sm/Greninja: @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump/Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Spikes
- Water Shuriken
 

Solaros & Lunaris

Hold that faith that is made of steel
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:sm/swampert-mega:
Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock

OHKOs both and outspeeds both in rain. The Hasty nature on Diancie helps. Good bulk and Fire/Rock resistance let it switch-in, but you’re better going into Peli or Ferro.

Edit: Also
Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Endeavor
- Substitute
- Moonblast
I don’t want you to change it now, but I feel Earth Power over Diamond Storm might be better here. In addition, run 5 HP IVs to use a better Endeavor against Chansey.
 
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Katy

Banned deucer.
toxapex

:sm/Toxapex:
Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Haze
- Recover
- Toxic


We all know what this fat pokémon does, checking those cores because it doesn't take much damage at all from Moonblast nor Diamond Storm
thanks to its superb natural bulk it provides.
It can switch multiple times into that core, while being able to offer Recover + Regenerator + Black Sludge as ways to
Recover from damage it took. It can also reliably beat Volcarona due to its access to +Haze, which means Volcarona cannot just use this mon as set-up fodder during the game.
Mega-Diancie faces almost the same destiny as Volcarona, tho it has Sub + Endeavor to threaten Toxapex, it will be their only way to threaten Toxapex reliably.
Toxapex has also a 100% guaranteed hit with Toxic as it is part poison-type and can hit Volcarona with its Toxic and whittling it down during the turns of the battle.
Even when Toxapex uses Toxic and Mega-Diancie switches into it, it has no negative effect on The Pex as its poison-typing allows it to not get Toxic'ed at all.
In overall this core dislikes the appareance of Toxapex and wants this mon gone before Volcarona comes into play as it cannot just set with Quiver Dances up freely + it hates getting poisoned.

Calcs:
Pex vs Volc:
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 102-120 (32.7 - 38.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 51-61 (16.7 - 20%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 42-51 (13.8 - 16.7%) -- possible 8HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 78-92 (25.6 - 30.2%) -- 94.8% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. +1 0 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 66-80 (21.2 - 25.7%) -- 6.3% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 78-92 (25.6 - 30.2%) -- 97% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 63-75 (20.7 - 24.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 114-136 (37.5 - 44.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

Pex vs Mega-Diancie:
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Diancie-Mega: 98-116 (40.6 - 48.1%) -- 60.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

4 Atk Diancie-Mega Diamond Storm vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Toxapex: 112-133 (36.8 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Diancie-Mega Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 51-60 (16.7 - 19.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
 
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Egor

нет, товарищ генерал, это вы даёте
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RoAPL Champion
:sm/greninja:
Greninja (M) @ Waterium Z / Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Gunk Shot
- Hidden Power Fire
- Spikes

Outpaces and threatens both with Hydro Pump.
 
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Reserving Azu


Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Liquidation
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off


Azumarill is a strong pick on Rain team because it is a great check to Ash. The general set is Z Belly Drum but I decide to post the Band set, which has little viability.
Azumarill OHKO the whole core with aqua jet. Moreover, it can switch into volcarona easily.
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 338-402 (108.6 - 129.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Diancie-Mega: 246-290 (102 - 120.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 111-131 (32.4 - 38.3%) -- 97.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Diancie-Mega Moonblast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 219-258 (64 - 75.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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:Landorus-Therian:

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 232 Atk / 68 Def / 212 Spe
Jolly Nature
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-U-Turn
-Defog

Scarf Lando destroys this core, outspeeding and OHKOing both members with Earthquake and Stone Edge, respectively. Volcarona is OHKOd by EQ after very little prior damage. Lando also U-Turns against any partners to this core and can eat one unboosted hit from either member if necessary.
 
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Tapu Fini

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Def / 12 SpA / 40 SpD / 192 Spe
Calm Nature
- Defog
- Moonblast
- Surf
- Taunt

Water STAB 2HKO's Volcarona and Diancie and only has a chance to be 4HKOed by +1 Volc and 4HKO by Diancie. Can use Taunt to prevent being setup fodder for Roost Volcarona. Can be punished by endeavor Diancie to remove a threat to Volc. Pump is useful for 2HKO +1 SD Volc.
 
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Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 224 HP / 32 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake

This beast has such a ridiculous amount of sp. def that it can easily out-tank both those mons, especially without a Z crystal on volc. You'll find rock slide dealing massive overkill damage to Volcarona, and while earthquake doesn't quite OHKO Diancie, it does more than enough for the rest of your team to finish it off. Only problem is getting ttar worn down over the course of a match, but there's ways around that like wish/healing wish support.

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 224 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tyranitar in Sand: 146-174 (36.7 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
32 Atk Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 612-720 (196.7 - 231.5%) -- guaranteed overkill

252 SpA Diancie-Mega Moonblast vs. 224 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tyranitar in Sand: 116-140 (29.2 - 35.2%) -- 18.7% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Diancie-Mega Diamond Storm vs. 224 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 150-177 (37.7 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
32 Atk Tyranitar Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Diancie-Mega: 194-230 (80.4 - 95.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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Threats of the Round:

:greninja: the all-feared specs ash but protean sets with water coverage leave this core no chance bar hydro pump misses
:swampert-mega: While it obviously needs rain to 1v2 both easily, it even claims a kill w/o rain and prevents set-up. And no, diamond storm is the exact move it needs. I also don't want to lose my entire bulk just to have better endeavors against chansey, when endeavor hurts it extremely nonetheless.
:toxapex: while endeavor diancie + volc beat it 2v1, tox can always switch out after endeavor, assuming there are teammates left. Annoying to say the least
:tyranitar: av tar beats both 1v2 if it doesn't get crit and can counter 1 even if it comes in. Also offers opportunity to use excadrill which is another tool to beat this core.
Additional Notes:

:landorus-therian:
is a bad switchin to both, volcarona sets up on eq's and ohkoes with it's fire stab. Of course it's threatening to the core but it can't really defeat it on it's own.
:azumarill: banded azu really isn't a set in gen7, z-belly azu would get TotR though since both members can't KO it so azu easily gets it's health back and blows our core to hell
:tapu-fini: diancie does tons of damage with it's stabs, especially diamond storm and volcarona has potential to set-up on it if it's chipped. Lives a few surfes as well due to spdef boosts and pinch berry
Short Notes on other Submissions:
I want to remind everyone to not only post names of the sets/mons, that is not a valid way of contributing to this thread. Please read the rules as they explain how this thread works, what is allowed and what not! No core this time as this thread is going on a short hiatus to then end this generation with a banger, look forward to it! If anyone has favorite cores (viable ones) that aren't listed in the archives (first few posts of this thread) shoot me a pm! :blobthumbsup:
 

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