OU USUM OU Victim of the Week! Week 13: Rain Sweeper Mega Swampert

[clematis]

approved by Clementine | huge amounts of OP stolen from previous threads and also this thread here | art by Bummer

Hello everyone!

SM OU is an incredible generation of Pokemon to play, with vast numbers of threats splattered all over the metagame. Whether they're offensive threats or defensive threats, teams need to take them into account in order to have the best possible chance of success. With that in mind, I'm restarting this project in order to find the best possible checks and counters to some of the most threatening Pokemon in SM OU.

How does it work?
Every week, I will nominate a Pokemon for discussion. I will post the Pokemon and the set I would like you to find either (or both of) a check or a counter for it. You will then have a set amount of time in order to post your submissions. At the end of this time period, I will end the submissions stage and you will have, again, a set length of time to cast your votes. At the end of the voting phase, I will tally up how many votes each check and counter recieved, and add the winners to the Hall of Fame. I'll then post the next Pokemon for discussion and the cycle starts anew. You may be able to vote for multiple checks or counters each week, depending on how many submissions the Pokemon recieves, so make sure to check beforehand.

What are the rules?
Great question.

• You must follow the definitions of checks and counters that this article states.
• You may submit up to two sets every week; one check and one counter, as long as you clearly state which is which in your description. In addition, they may not be the same Pokemon (for example, a submission of two different Landorus-T sets would not be allowed, but one with a Landorus-T and a Heatran set would be).
• You must explain why your submission(s) are either a check or a counter. It doesn't need to be a huge description but simply posting with no description isn't particularly helpful when we don't know how it's supposed to be used.
• Feel free to reserve Pokemon to nominate, but please write up the reservation within 24 hours of reserving it.
• Similarly, you can take other people's reservations if the reservation has not been fulfilled within 24 hours of being originally posted.
• You can nominate different sets for the same Pokemon. For example, you may suggest using Substitute + Leech Seed Serperior as a check to something, while in the same week another user might suggest Choice Scarf Serperior as a counter to the same mon. However, you should ensure the sets are completely different and not the same thing with a single move changed. PM me if you have any questions.
• Feel free to discuss other people's submissions here, but please remain civil and reasonable.
• Shedinja is banned.
• Finally, please do not post one-liners, unless voting. Try to avoid double-posting if possible.

Best of luck to everyone!

 

[clematis]

Hall Of Fame
Week 1: All-Out Attacker Mega Lopunny
Check: Choice Scarf Tapu Lele by Dr_Vesuvius
Counter: Buzzwole by Uber45

Week 2: Substitute + Glare Serperior
Check: Choice Specs Dragalge by Clementine
Counter: Drampa by Solar Flare Sherbet

Week 3: Icium-Z Kyurem-Black
Check: Mega Scizor by Uber45
Counter: Avalugg by Zaza

Week 4: Swords Dance Mega Mawile
Check: Mega Venusaur by clematis
Counter: Mega Steelix by Uber45

Week 5: Choice Specs Tapu Lele
Check: Delphox by Solar Flare Sherbet
Counter: Cresselia by MangoSteak

Week 6: All-Out Attacker Mega Medicham
Check: Choice Scarf Tapu Lele by Astoria
Counter: Rocky Helmet Reuniclus by Astoria

Week 7: Calm Mind Mega Latias
Check: Mirror Coat Gastrodon by clematis
Counter: Jirachi by Uber45

Week 8: Choice Specs Ash-Greninja
Check: Mega Lopunny by HydreigonTheChild
Counter: Tapu Fini by Astoria

Week 9: Swords Dance Rockium Z Garchomp
Check: Mega Latias by clematis
Counter: Quagsire by clematis

Week 10: Choice Scarf Kartana
Check: Magnezone by Captain Funk
Counter: Zapdos by Captain Funk

Week 11: Mega Diancie
Check: Magearna by trainer_j0nathan
Counter: Mega Scizor by AcneAutist

Week 12: Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian
Check: Tapu Bulu by Heatranator
Counter: Buzzwole by Heatranator

Week 13: Rain Sweeper Mega Swampert

 

[clematis]

Week 1: Mega Lopunny

Lopunny-Mega @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Return
- High Jump Kick
- Ice Punch
​

Mega Lopunny is a powerful threat in the OU metagame owing to perfect unresisted coverage thanks to Scrappy, and powerful STAB moves in Return and High Jump Kick. It also has access to STAB-boosted Fake Outs and a wide movepool with options such as Ice Punch, Power-Up Punch, Encore, and Healing Wish. In addition, Mega Lopunny's high base 135 Speed allows it to outspeed premier metagame threats such as Tapu Koko and Ash-Greninja, and chip away at them or outright OHKO with its STABs.

Can you find a check or a counter to this set? You will have 5 days to submit your answers, with submissions ending on 8pm Monday 11th December, GMT+0.

Good luck!

 

[Dr_Vesuvius]

Choice Scarf Tapu Lele.

EVs: 252 HP, 4 SpA, 252 Speed
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball/HP Fire/HP Ice

Psychic Surge allows Lele to safely switch in on anticipated Fake Outs. Additionally, the bulk means that Return does a maximum of 75%, allowing Lele to survive on the switch even with Rocks and two layers of Spikes, though it will lose if there are three layers.
Even with this minimal amount of SpA investment, Psychic is a guaranteed OHKO (minimum 138%). There's not much need for high SpA investment given Lele's natural power and the boost that Psychic Surge brings.
If trying solely to counter this specific Lopunny set, then you could commit to Shadow Ball (or another coverage move such as Psyshock or Thunderbolt) and rearrange the EVs to 172 HP/252 Def/84 Speed. This would allow you to take slightly chip damage - Return now does a maximum of 59.5%, although it's never a 3HKO. But that feels too metagamey to me - realistically you're always going to want to run max speed to handle threats like Kyurem, Scarf Lando, Kommo-o, and other Scarf Lele.
Moonblast lets you hit most Dark and Dragon types for big damage. Focus Blast, on the other hand, can be useful for certain Steel types but is mostly for Tyranitar.

Lele's most common teammates include Unburden Hawlucha and Mega Alakazam, both of which enjoy Psychic terrain immensely and naturally outspeed Mega Lopunny and OHKO. That's not relevant to how good a check Lele is in itself, but they do help make life hostile for Lopunny.

 

[Cdijk16]

Physically Defensive Slowbro
Slowbro @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 96 Def / 164 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Slack Off
- Future Sight
This is a solid counter to Mega Loppuny. MLop just doesnt have the attacking power to break through Slowbro. Slowbro sits on MLop and threatens it out with a potential Scald burn. Thanks to Regenerator, it's very hard to wear down into range for 2 Mega Loppuny returns.
252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 248 HP / 96+ Def Slowbro: 133-157 (33.8 - 39.9%) -- 29.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny-Mega: 90-106 (33.2 - 39.1%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO

 

[zinnias]

Physically defensive Cofagrigus
Cofagrigus @ Leftovers
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hex
- Pain Split
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic Spikes

This is a quite over the top hard counter that deals with Lopunny with the ability Mummy, removing Scrappy and stopping Lopunny from doing much of anything to it, while it can either burn Lopunny or set up Toxic Spikes to take advantage of it, also winning the 1v1 due to Lopunny not having the ability to damage it other than a pathetic Ice Punch once Mummy activates.

 

[Lizardu'']

Alakazam-Mega @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 84 SpA / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
- Recover
- Psychic
- Knock Off
- Thunder Wave​

I really like the idea of bulky mega zam, with its powerful stats in spa & speed, we can creep it at 407 with enough bulk to take a return after rocks at 100% & OHKO lop after that, this support zam can also koff or twave pokemons like chansey/magearna on switch in to handicap them.
The main problem is than you need to mega evolve 1st to get your bulk/speed tier. You can also put 84 spa EVs into def to have a little chance to take fake out + return without rocs & still OHKO with psychic, it helps to don't click recover every time lop hits you. You also need to check what is the last slot of lop to don't come on a potential quick atk which will kill you.

It's an original set which helps you on many other mons, like latias but with less bulk & more speed/power.

252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 252 HP / 36 Def Alakazam-Mega: 232-274 (73.8 - 87.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 252 HP / 120 Def Alakazam-Mega: 208-246 (66.2 - 78.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Fake Out vs. 252 HP / 120 Def Alakazam-Mega: 82-97 (26.1 - 30.8%) -- 21.1% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock

66 ~ 78 = 72
26 ~ 31 = 28.5

so we're a bit under 50% chance to check return + fake out/quick atk without rocs.

 

[Uber45]

Buzz-wall

Buzzwole @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe
Impish Nature
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Bulk Up
- Roost

Buzzwole is a perfect counter to Lopunny. The bug type gives a resistance to high jump kick and with his huge physical bulk it can easily take return (and ice punch). Buzzwole can set up against lopunny with bulk up and crush it with drain punch that heal more hp than return deals.
252 Atk Lopunny-Mega High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Buzzwole: 67-80 (16 - 19.1%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Buzzwole: 106-126 (25.3 - 30.1%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Buzzwole: 106-126 (25.3 - 30.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, 3 layers of Spikes, and Leftovers recovery (funny)

Drain punch damage : 84.1 - 99.6% (27.2 - 32.2% recovered)

 

[CM Reuniclus]

Surprise surprise...


Reuniclus @ Rocky Helmet / Z move
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast / Energy Ball / Thunder
- Recover

Reuniclus is a nice counter for Lopunny-Mega with its good physical bulk and ability to hit it with a super effective psychic STAB. With rocky helmet, it can wear down Lopunny without even attacking it and can use it for setup fodder by clicking Calm Mind. Magic guard and reliable recovery in Recover means that it has a relatively easy time managing its health throughout a game and doesn't fear status like burn or poison or hazards chipping it down as it switches in.

252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 156-184 (36.7 - 43.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lopunny-Mega: 218-260 (80.4 - 95.9%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[clematis]

Wow, a fair number of submissions in the first week! Just one justification:
- I have decided to accept Choice Scarf Tapu Lele as an offensive check instead of a counter purely on the basis that over the course of a game, Lele really doesn't hold up as a defensive response to Lopunny - it's taking minimum 60% as it switches in, and if there's enough entry hazards it directly dies on switchin as it takes a Return, even though it's able to threaten out Lopunny the turn after.

Counters
Physically Defensive Slowbro by Cdijk16
Physically Defensive Cofagrigus by AcneAutist
Buzzwole by Uber45
Rocky Helmet Reuniclus by CM Reuniclus

Checks
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele by Dr_Vesuvius
Bulky Mega Alakazam by Lizardu''​

You have three days to vote, ending on Thursday 14th December at 8pm, GMT+0 . You may vote for one counter and one check; so please state clearly which of each you will vote for. The winning pair will be added to the Hall of Fame at the end of the voting phase.

 

[Bored Pikachu]

Buzzwole and Lele

 

[Dr_Vesuvius]

Voting Cofagrigus for the counter, won't vote for a check given I'm in the competition.

 

[zinnias]

Voting for buzzwole

 

[GotLowGround]

voting for buzzwole

 

[Uber45]

Counter : Cofagrigus (big brain)
Check : Alakazam

 

[clematis]

Congratulations to Uber45 and Dr_Vesuvius for winning this week with Buzzwole and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele respectively! I'll go ahead and add you to the Hall of Fame!

Week 2: Serperior

Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Hidden Power: Fire
EVs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Substitute
- Glare
​

While unassuming at first glance, Serperior's ability to spam Leaf Storm and receive a Special Attack boost due to Contrary makes it a fantastic cleaner for offensively inclined teams that require its ability to handle various metagame threats. In addition, access to Glare and Leech Seed means that more defensive Serperior sets can be a nightmare for unprepared opponents. Serperior's good base Speed of 113 is beneficial against terrors such as Mega Medicham, Kartana, Latios, and many others, which it can cripple with Glare. This set runs Substitute to take advantage of Toxapex and Rotom-W, while Glare answers more offensively inclined switchins. The EV spread means that Serperior's substitute can sponge a Hydro Pump from Rotom-W and Power Whip from Ferrothorn, with the rest of the EVs going into Speed and SpA.

Can you find a check or a counter to this set? You will have 5 days to submit your answers, with submissions ending on 8pm Tuesday 19th December, GMT+0.

Best of luck!

 

[Solar Flare Sherbet]

Nomination as a Counter:

LTG (Drampa) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 236 HP / 104 Def / 168 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Flamethrower / Earthquake / Hidden Power [Ground]
- Glare
- Roost

Explanations:​

I pick Drampa as a counter since, with Sap Sipper, Serperior can't boost himself with Leaf Storm. He also resists HP Fire, can heal with Roost and break the Sub with either Hyper Voice or Flamethrower (Can run Earthquake or HP ground if you wanna hit Heatran or Blacephalon for example). The spread allows Drampa to take Z-Wild Charge into Wild Charge from Physical Tapu Koko.

 

[Yxzwilliam]

THE GREATEST SERP COUNTER LOL
THE REAL GORLOCK THE DESTROYER BOY!
Miltank @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 196 HP / 56 Atk / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Curse
- Body Slam
- Milk Drink


Earthquake smokes all the opps.......... a- and b-body slam curse m-milk tank....

THE DEVIL ITSELF

NOBODY ESCAPES MILKTANK BOY!

 

[Clementine]

Nomination as a very strong check but not quite a counter

Dragalge @ Choice Specs / Black Sludge
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt / Toxic Spikes
- Focus Blast / Hidden Power [Fire] / Toxic Spikes
​

Dragalge is a very interesting Pokemon in the SM OU metagame, with access to the very interesting STAB combination that got Naganadel banned over 6 years ago (damn, 6 years, am I that old?)
Draco Meteor + Sludge Wave hits everything that's not a Steel type or Chansey for insane damage (non-Specs Draco does 80% min to max HP Lando, Specs Draco drops SD Glis & KOs Careful Glis after Rocks, and comes with the benefit of doing 70% min to Calm Pex, meaning 2 Dracos KOs it even with the drop & Black Sludge recovery), and although Flip Turn doesn't exist in SM, experienced players will appreciate Dragalge's ability to force switches to take advantage of the few mons that can safely eat a hit from this monster.
Thanks to its great defensive typing & huge SpD stat, Dragalge eats even boosted Leaf Storms for breakfast, and even if Serperior can SubSeed it with some timed Leech Seed on the switch and/or well-timed full paras from Glare, Dragalge is a very nice check to Serp that works well on Bulky Offense teams that benefits from its wallbreaking capabilities.
Dragalge is actually quite legit with Magnet Pull support, Zone takes care of Celesteela and Scizor for Specs Dragalge, while the less common Alolan Golem can get rid of Heatran for sets lacking Focus Blast. If Dragalge is not the easiest mon to use, let alone slot on a good team, it's a very fun option for those wanting to explore slow wallbreakers of its kind.

 

[clematis]

Specially Defensive Heatran as a Counter

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 180 SpD / 76 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock

Specially Defensive Heatran is a brilliant Counter because a 4x resistance to Serperior's most powerful STAB move and immunity to Hidden Power Fire allow it to switch in, only fearing Glare. Lava Plume does upwards of 75% and never misses, allowing Heatran to break Serperior's Substitute consistently and deal massive damage if not outright KO back as it shrugs off a Leaf Storm. Toxic is also useful here, as Heatran forces Serperior out 100% of the time, allowing you to cripple whatever comes in. Stealth Rock fits for the same reason.

+6 200 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 180+ SpD Heatran: 102-120 (26.4 - 31%) -- 13.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 228-270 (74.7 - 88.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[clematis]

Lots of fun ideas this week! Let's get to voting! :D

Counters
Drampa by Solar Flare Sherbet
Miltank by Yxzwilliam
Specially Defensive Heatran by clematis

Congratulations to Clementine for autowinning this week's check by default!
​

You have three days to vote, ending on Friday 22nd December at 1pm, GMT+0 . You may vote for one counter this week! The winning set will join Clementine's Dragalge in the Hall of Fame!

Best of luck!

 

[Zaza]

Counter: Drampa

 

[clematis]

Counter: Drampa

 

[GotLowGround]

Dragalge by Clementine

 

[zinnias]

Counter: Heatran