Project Victim of the Week | [Old]

[curiosity]

Approved by OU Mod Team | Co-hosted with Creator of Chaos | Taken over from Random Passerby |
Art by the always amazing Bummer | OP stolen and adapted from last generation's project of the same name​

Every generation is different and the metagame is constantly evolving. However, there has always been and always will be threats - Whether they are defensive threats or offensive threats, every competent player should have a way to handle any threat - whether they are top-tier or are a niche pick. That's where you guys come in! This project aims to gather some of the common top-tier threats in the metagame and find Pokémon that can either check or counter them.


How does it work?

Each week, either Creator of Chaos or I will nominate a Pokemon for discussion. Within approximately 5 days, your job is to discuss and submit various pokemon that you think can either check or counter the victim of the week. At the end of each week (friday) the submissions stage will end and the voting stage will begin.


Rules!
​

• You must follow the definitions of checks and counters, as stated in this article.
• You may only submit one submission per week, unless given permission my myself or Creator of Chaos but please mention that you have been given permission!
• You can only vote for one submission for each category and you cannot vote for your own submission.
• Please give an explanation as to why your submission is a relevant check or counter. It doesn't need to be long, but a paragraph (or a minimum of 3 sentences) will be sufficient.
• You may reserve a Pokemon to nominate, however, please write up your post within 24 hours of the reservation.
• In saying that, you may take or reserve a set of a post if the reservation has not been altered for over 24 hours.
• Different sets of the same Pokemon can be nominated. For example, one person can nominate Flyinium-Z Landorus-T as a check to something, while another person can nominate Rocky Helmet Landorus-T as a counter to the same thing in the same week. Just make sure it's a completely different set and not just a single different move.
• You may help and discuss with people to improve their submission, but please be nice and civil.
• Finally, please do not post one-liners, unless voting. Try to avoid double-posting if possible.

​

 

[curiosity]

Winning Submissions

Also currently undergoing a redesign. Stay Tuned!​

 

[curiosity]

Hall of fame is currently under construction!​

 

[curiosity]

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House

set

Latios @ Latiosite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Psychic
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam / Draco Meteor / Hidden Power fire
- Recover

​

I'll simply rehash what Coc said:

Pretty prominent mega as of recently despite the presence steels and Fairies. Its easy to see why thanks to great typing that lets it check a wide variety of threats such as keldeo, Gyarados, landorous and other offensive threats while dealing problematic mons like heatran and Toxapex with its great power while avoiding the drawbacks that life orb latios have. Psychic and Earthquake let it handle a wide variety of threats offensivly and from there the 3rd move slot comes down to team choice. Ice beam is a great catch all and beats the bulky grounds while meteor acts as a nuke if you can outpredict fairy players. Hidden power fire Functions as a lure for the likes of ferrothorn, mega zor etc. Last slot goes to recover to ensure it can continue to check the things its supposed to through out the game.

all submissions from the previous thread from (see list below) will be included this week. Submissions end tomorrow. Happy Posting!

 

[Jordy]

Gastrodon as a counter.

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic
- Earthquake

Gastrodon can easily take any of Mega Latios' moves, only having to watch out for Psychic into Draco Meteor if Stealth Rock and atleast 1 layer of Spikes is up, which is a fairly specific situation.
​

 

[david0895]

Celesteela as a counter

Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower

Mega Latios has not enough power to break through Celesteela. The latter can instead dealing high damage with Heavy Slam. Also it can stall Mega Latios with the combo Leech Seed + Protect

I'll add calcs and sprite later

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Chansey as a counter.

Chansey (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Soft-Boiled
Nothing Mega Latios carries can put a remote dent into Chansey. Chansey has then two options. It can either Toxic Stall Mega Latios or set up Stealth Rock.
Btw, my b on Scarf Lele, my memory is terrible.

 

[curiosity]

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House
​

Thank you everyone for a fantastic first first week! We saw a lot of interesting submissions this week, so without further ado, here's our nominees!

==Checks==
==

@

==
== Weavile by mellowyellowhd ==
==

@

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==Wet Weavile Ash Greninja by curi sweep ==
==

@

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== Mimikyu by Egor ==
==

@

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== Tapu Lele by PPB ==

==Counters==
==

@

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== Gastrodon by Jordy ==
==

@

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== Chansey by Flame from Heaven ==
==

@

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== Celesteela by david0895 ==
==

@

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== Mantine by TURBODERP ==
==

@

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== Mega Sableye by Chessking345 ==​

Voting will end on Sunday the 24th.

Checks: Weavile, Greninja
Counters: Celesteela, Gastrodon

Happy Posting!

​

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Checks: Weavile, Scarf Tapu Lele
Counters: Celesteela, Mega Sableye

 

[Creator of Chaos]

Checks. Weavile, greninja
Counters. Gastrodon, mega sableye

 

[david0895]

Checks: Greninja, Tapu Lele
Counters: Gastrodon

 

[Creator of Chaos]

I'll be round up voting shortly so last chance to post a vote

 

[Creator of Chaos]

Good first week everyone. Curiosity is busy tonight So I'm Setting up this week. Congrats to mellowyellowhd with Weavile and @Curl sweep with Greninja for making the check list for the archive tieing at 3 votes each while Jordy stole the counter spot single handidly with his gastro nomination. Congrats to everyone

Vote Tally

Hide

Checks
Weavile - 3
Ash greninja - 3
Mimiku -
Tapu Lele - 2

Counters
Gastrodon - 3
Chansey -
Celestella - 2
Mantine -
Mega Sableye - 2

This weeks pokemon is the dreaded Weakness policy Zygarde. A monster that has claimed nearly all before it and sent team builders into a tailspin.

Set

Hide

Zygarde @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 208 Atk / 88 SpD / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Iron Tail / Outrage

Explanation:

Hide

Pretty much what you see is what you get. Taking advantage of its natural bulk to exploit weakness policy to boost its power to insane levels this Zygarde set can in many cases even make a mockery of its supposed checks and counters by luring and using them as set up oppurtunities. Thousand arrows, Extreme speed and Dragon dance are pretty much self explanatory with Thousand arrows being the stab of choice, Extreme speed for prioty and Dragon dance for more power. From there it comes down to the choice of Iron tail For Fat fairies like bulu or Outrage for things like tangrowth.

Nominations last 5 or 6 days and remember you can only nominate once unless we say otherwise. No meme nominations either. Goodluck to everyone

 

[Jordy]

Latios @ Latiosite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Psychic
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam / Draco Meteor
- Recover

Mega Latios can easily come in on a neutral Thousand Arrows. It can also come in on a Dragon Dance and proceed to take a boosted Thousand Arrows after Stealth Rock damage, if Mega Latios is at full health. Once it's in all you have to do is press Ice Beam or Draco Meteor.​

 

[1_TrickPhony]

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite

Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch

This guy with fire punch is quite susceptible to Zygarde blowing it up. The move is to not flinch in the face of the zygarde beast and OHKO with the icy fist of fury

 

[david0895]

Scarf Greninja as a check

Greninja @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 176 Atk / 80 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Ice Beam
- Spikes

With a safe entry, Greninja outspeed Zygarde, even at +1, and OHKO it

80 SpA Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 88 SpD Zygarde: 408-484 (114.2 - 135.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Tangrowth as a check.

Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Earthquake
Tangrowth typing and physical bulk allow it to counter this set except for Outrage variants. Even with Weakness Policy, Tangrowth can safely 2HKO Zygarde with HP Ice. It’s bulk allows it to eat even a +4 Iron Tail.

 

[Geobody]

Curse Scizor-Mega

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Curse
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Roost

One of the things that makes WP Zygarde so dangerous is that you often find out the set only after it sets up. Curse Scizor has the advantage of being able to take on every Zygarde set without needing to scout in advance.

Scizor can switch in on Zygarde at any time, take a +1 Thousand Arrows, and start setting up.

Calcs

Defensive Calcs
+1 208+ Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Scizor-Mega: 111-132 (32.3 - 38.4%) -- 97.7% chance to 3HKO

Offensive Calcs
+3 0 Atk Technician Scizor-Mega Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 195-231 (54.6 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Heika]

Unaware Quagsire as a counter

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic

Basically : 208+ Atk Zygarde Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 138-163 (35 - 41.3%) -- 75% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
This is the best way for zygarde to hit quagsire so you can toxic stall it or fish for the burn any way you're able to in on any move and to refrain it from doing anything.

 

[david0895]

Tangrowth as a counter.
View attachment 124031
Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Earthquake
Tangrowth typing and physical bulk allow it to counter this set. Even with Weakness Policy, Tangrowth can safely 2HKO Zygarde with HP Ice. It’s bulk allows it to eat even a +4 Iron Tail.

It can't hold a boosted outrage

 

[Mellow]

Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Psyshock
- Slack Off

This thing is one of the hardest counters to Zygarde. The damage Zygarde can deal to it is actually laughable, and Zygarde fears Scald burns or just the shitload of damage Ice Beam deals to it. It should be said that you should click Scald first then Ice Beam to not let them get the Weakness Policy boost.

lol zyg is garbo

240+ Atk Zygarde Outrage vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 85-102 (21.5 - 25.8%) -- 1.7% chance to 4HKO (Weakness Policy shouldn't even run Outrage but it doesn't matter it still does nothing anyway)
240+ Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 64-76 (16.2 - 19.2%) -- possible 6HKO
+6 208+ Atk Zygarde Outrage vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 330-388 (83.7 - 98.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Slowbro-Mega Scald vs. 0 HP / 88 SpD Zygarde: 103-123 (28.8 - 34.4%) -- 3.7% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Slowbro-Mega Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 88 SpD Zygarde: 312-368 (87.3 - 103%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO

 

[robofiend]

Mamo checks Zyg easy, unless it's at low enough heath to get picked off by Extremespeed

Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Adamant Nature
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off

252+ Atk Life Orb Mamoswine Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 317-380 (88.7 - 106.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Even in the worst case where you let Zyg set up all the way or pop its WP with Clefable or something on accident:
+3 252+ Atk Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mamoswine: 240-283 (66.4 - 78.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Akumeoy]

Shedinja as a counter

Shedinja @ Focus Sash
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Def / 0 SpD
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Will-o-Wisp
- Toxic
- Protect

Shedinja is fully immune to every move on Zygarde's set and can wear it down with status and Shadow Ball.

Just keep hazards off the field.

 

[curiosity]

My Sweet Lord - George Harrison

Thank you for another great week! I sincerely apologise for the massive delay, as i've been on holidays and I had no way to contact CoC or any way to access the forums.
Excuses aside, this week was a very solid week, with many interesting submissions, so without further ado, here are this week's nominees:

==Checks==

==@

==
== Mega Latios by Jordy ==

==@

==
== Choice Scarf Greninja by david0895 ==

==@

==
== Assault Vest Tangrowth by Flame from Heaven ==

==@

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== Mamoswine by robofiend ==

==Counters==

==@

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== Curse Mega Scizor by Geobody ==
==@

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== Quagsire by Heika ==
==@

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== Mega Slowbro by mellowyellowhd ==
==@

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==Shedinja by Akumeoy ==
​

Voting will end tomorrow!

Checks:

and

Counters:

and

edit: Tyranitar was not included as it does not reliably check zygarde; links to posts have been included in the icons; can you also specify whether your submission is a check or a counter please, it's just easier for newer players to control f and for CoC and I to organise. Thanks!

Happy Posting!

 

[david0895]

Check: Mega Latios and Mamoswine
Counter: Mega Scizor