Core Analysis Workshop (Week 11: Mega Gallade + Tapu Lele)

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Askov

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UUPL Champion
Threat



Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Ice


With this ev spread, Bronzong never gets 2hko'd by Alakazam's Shadow Ball without rocks on the field and has around 80% with rocks, while Tapu Lele, with this set, can only 4hko Bronzong. Bronzong in return can hit them really hard with Gyro Ball or get rocks up. Of course, it's wise to not send Bronzong mindlessly on them because of its lack of recovery, but it can check them well enough to deserve a spot as a threat to the core.


Teammate


Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Heat Wave

Tornadus-Therian @ Life Orb / Firium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Knock Off / Taunt
- U-turn / Taunt


While Tornadus-T don't break steels, which are the most troublesome pokemons for the core, it can help wear them down with Heat Wave and remove their items with Knock Off, making the core break them easier.

The AV set can be used to help against things like Gengar and Ash-Gren and others dangerous special attackers that may threaten the core, while the other set take a more offensive approach, helping the core to wear down steels types like Celesteela, Magearna and Magnezone. Taunt can be used over U-Turn/Knock Off to break through some pokemons like Mew that would be able to check them spamming Softboiled. Firium Z could be a option to get a surprise big hit and potentially killing them when they don't expect it.
 
Threats:


Uxie @ Mental Herb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Magic Coat
- Stealth Rock
- Memento
- Trick Room

Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 100 HP / 116 Def / 40 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Skill Swap / Taunt
- Magic Coat / Taunt


While these Pokemon can't beat the core by itself, what they do is either lay down Sticky Web or set up Trick Room which greatly hinders the way this core functions as the glass cannon status of these Pokemon gets exposed when the opponent gets to attack first.



Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Trick Room
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Focus Blast


I know Magearna is already given but I feel Trick Room Magearna deserves a mention. It can set up a Trick Room and proceed to reverse sweep the core if given the opportunity.

I'm pretty sure Baton Pass wrecks this core too but I do not know the sets or teams that exploit it.
Partner:

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


Most of the Pokemon that can take on this core are either Scarfed Pokemon or Psychic-types such as Jirachi. Ash Greninja can exploit this by using the Psychic types as an opportunity to spam Dark Pulse and even bypass Choice Scarf by Water Shuriken. In return, the core threatens stuff like Toxapex and AV Tangrowth who prevents Ash Greninja from spamming its STABs.
 
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I don't have access to a computer so I won't be choosing the top three partners and threats as doing that on mobile is a egregious task. Apologies for my negligence.

Week 5: Trick Room Magearna + Mega Heracross

Magearna @ Fightinium Z / Electrium Z
Ability: Soul Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
- Trick Room

Heracross @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Substitute / Swords Dance

Our next core is one I fashioned myself around Trick Room Magearna and Mega Heracross! The premise of the core is for Mega Heracross to function as an incredible wallbreaker that plows through a large portion of Magearna's checks such as Amoonguss, Tangrowth, and Jirachi so it can clean up. They also pose great defensive synergy with Magearna functioning as a durable Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type check and Mega Heracross as a decent Ground-type switch-in. Mega Heracross could opt Substitute to ease the stall matchup or it could possibly go with Swords Dance to take advantage of Trick Room if Magearna gets the chance to set one for it, limiting it's switch-ins even further. Magearna could also run an Electrium Z set to punch through Toxapex and still maul Steel-types, as well as gain generally great Fire / Electric / Ice coverage.
 
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Threat

Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast / Hidden Power Ice
- Roost

The present core is weak to Fire-type mons in general, but ZardY stands out as, imo, the most threatening of them all since Flamethrower OHKOes both members of the core without having an accuracy issue like Fire Blast or Magma Storm. Obviously, ZardY can't switch into Magearna's Thunderbolt or Trick Room and M-Heracross' Rock Blast or Substitute, but in the right circumstances, ZardY can prove to be a great threat to this core.


Partner


Greninja @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

This Greninja set would be mostly used with Magearna holding Elecrium Z and carrying HP Fire as ptherwise, bulky Water-types and some Steel-types would be quite troublesome. Scarf Greninja acts as a nice mean of speed control outside of TR that outspeeds and OHKOes boosted Volcarona, DD Zygarde, RP Landorus-T (by only three points!), as well as slower scarfers and slower threatening mons like ScarfChomp, ZardY and Heatran (not to mention it revenge-kills many other mons like Koko after some prior damage). Moreover, Scarf Greninja doubles as a pivot with U-turn to safely switch Magearna or M-Heracross on the field. In return, Magearna takes care of bulky Water-types with Gigavolt Havoc while M-Heracross deals with many mons usually found on fatter builds, and both take out the numerous Steel-types in OU.
 
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Threat

Mega Medicham

Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch / Thunder Punch


Mega Medicham can't really switch into this core (Boltbeam has a high chance to 2HKO) but it OHKOs Magearna after SR and outright annihilates Mega Heracross. Fake Out also lets it stall a turn of Trick Room, which can prove crucial when it only lasts 4 turns.

Volcarona

Volcarona @ Firium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Ground


A similar situation but possibly even better since Magearna cannot touch Volcarona. Fire Blast does like 90% min and obviously Inferno Overdrive kills.

Partner

Keldeo

Keldeo @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Stone Edge

Keldeo revenge kills the numerous Fire-types that threaten this core with ease. You lose to Charti Berry Volcarona but most other targets (including Mega Medicham) are not keen to stay in. Specs secures a OHKO on Mega Medicham but it's not worth it imo.
 
Threat: Alolan Marowak.



Marowak-Alola @ Thick Club
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Bone
- Flare Blitz / Fire Punch
- Bonemerang / Earthquake
- Will-O-Wisp / Stealth Rock

Honestly, feel free to run whatever spread you like, they're going to die either way.

Marowak resists or is immune to every attack this pair has except for Rock Blast - which OKHOs even if you're running max HP, but Wak outspeeds Hera under TR - and easily takes out both with its Fire STAB of choice. Rocks are needed to guarantee the kill against Magearna with Fire Punch, but Hera is cleanly OHKO'd and they're both utterly demolished by Flare Blitz.
 
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Martin

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Cofagrigus @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Trick Room
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp
- Nasty Plot

I really don't like the Magearna set listed 'cause I think STABless OTR Mage is rlly bad, but the set's only way of really denting Cofag is through the use of Gigavolt Havoc, which fails to OHKO Cofag. Cofag is slower than Magearna and OHKOs with +2 Neverending Nightmare, meaning that, if it can get a free switch, it can set up NP as it gets Gigavolted and proceed to win the matchup without any real difficulty. It avoids the 2HKO from anything Mega Heracross can use barring Rock Blast after SR and neuters it with Will-O-Wisp. Needs to be wary of Sub, however.
 
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power

uh-oh, the game in trouble
This isn't a Threat/Teammate, but I was a bit confused by this quote:

Mega Heracross could opt Substitute to ease the stall matchup or it could possibly go with Swords Dance to take advantage of Trick Room if Magearna gets the chance to set one for it, limiting it's switch-ins even further.
Doesn't Sub+3 Attacks worsen the stall matchup, because then you get walled by Toxapex? You dont have leftovers to heal back the HP lost from substitute so Toxapex can just sit there, heal up, and 2HKO your subs with Scalds.
 

Askov

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UUPL Champion
Threat



Heatran @ Grassium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Solar Beam
- Taunt

Although Heatran can't easily switch in on them, it can be a big threat because of its Fire STAB, which can KO both Magearna and M-Heracross

Partner




Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 212 SpD / 56 Spe
Careful Nature
- Substitute
- Coil
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic

Zygarde is a great check to Heatran (and special Fire types in general), being able to stomach its Fire STAB and can take a Bloom Doom from Heatran, while being a dangerous set-up sweeper against some teams. It also appreciates M-Heracross ability of beating Tangrowth and weakening Landorus-T, Tapu Fini and Clefable.
 
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Corazan

Crystal
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Threat


Victini @ Choice Band
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- V-create
- U-turn
- Bolt Strike
- Zen Headbutt

Victini can easily break the core and spam v create especially vs a trick room team (with the -1 speed)

Partner

Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Toxic

Garchomp can check some mons like Mega-Charizard (X and Y), Heatran, Volcarona, Victini ect..
 
Threat: DD Dragonium Z Zygarde

Zygarde @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage

DD Dragonium Z Zygarde is able to deal with both members of the core at +1, as a +1 Devastating Drake kills Heracross from full. Magearna gets OHKO'd at +1 by thousand arrows after rocks. Zygarde can take any hit from Heracross if it has to, and set up to +1 so it can kill Hera.

252+ Atk Heracross-Mega Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 255-300 (71.4 - 84%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 252+ Atk Zygarde Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 112 HP / 0 Def Heracross-Mega: 378-445 (114.8 - 135.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252+ Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Magearna: 356-422 (97.8 - 115.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO


Partner: Scarf Latios


Latios (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock
- Trick

While not a switch in to Zygarde, Scarf Latios is able to revenge kill Zygarde even if its at +1 with Draco. Scarf Latios is also able to check the fire types that annoy this core as well, like Heatran (it has surf just for it), Volcarona, and Charizard-Y.

252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde: 440-522 (123.2 - 146.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252+ Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 243-286 (80.7 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (can take a +1 arrows. If it kills it with outrage, magearna can kill it. If it kills it with drake, Heracross can take it on.)

252 SpA Latios Surf vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 186-220 (57.5 - 68.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 75-89 (24.9 - 29.5%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 213-252 (70.7 - 83.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Latios Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 186-220 (59.8 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (takes any hit and 2hkos back)

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios in Sun: 144-169 (47.8 - 56.1%) -- 83.2% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 189-223 (63.6 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (once again, outspeeds and 2hkos)



 
Threat:

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Flamethrower

People need to stop sleeping on this lovely set. Clefable laughs at Magearna without Steel STAB and uses it as set-up bait. The EVs listed also allows Clefable to not be 2HKOed by Mega Heracross's Rock Blast while it can OHKO back with +1 Moonblast.


Landorus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Stone Edge

As long as Trick Room isn't up, Landorus-T can outspeed and OHKO both members of the core with Earthquake and Supersonic Strike, respectively.
 
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Seriously why do people insist on Stabless magerna. Leaves her open to so many threats like the much slept on clefable and many other fairies

Threat


Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Thunder Punch / Swords Dance
- Fire Fang / Knock Off

While It doesn't like Switching directly into heras Close combat or Magernas hidden Power fire Once in mawile will almost always win. If you get the intimidate off Hera is forced to swtich out or die and even if you dont it only has a slim chance to kill you back. Every other move heracross has does pittance and if Trick room is up mawile is free to rampage. Magerna fares slightly better but Needs to already be under trick room to beat mawile Otherwise Fire fang 2hkos even without set up.

Partner


Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 200 SpD / 56 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
- Healing Wish / Thunder wave

Bulky Fairies like clefable, mawile and opposing magernas give this core trouble. Jirachi provides a decent blanket check against them forcing them out or flinch-haxing them with Stab Ironhead while giving the team rocks and Healing wish support to give magerna and Heracross a 2nd chance of finishing an enemy team. Getting rocks up also reduces the threat of mawile being able to beat heracross should the worst happen
 
Top 3 Threats


Top 3 Partners


I'm still using mobile so I can't update the archive or explain why these threats and partners were chosen in an articulate fashion, but here's out next core! Also in hindsight, it would have been best to include Flash Cannon on the Magearna set from last week, it totally slipped my mind that its a good option too but once people started nominating I didn't want to interrupt their flow.

Week Six: Choice Band Weavile + Groundium Z DD Zygarde

Weavile @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit

Zygarde @ Groundium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Substitute / Outrage
- Dragon Dance

A neat core based around the awesome offensive synergy between Weavile and Zygod. Although it was pretty unpopular at first, Weavile has begun to be noticed for its great qualities, many of which Zygarde sorely appreciates. Weavile bears a powerful Pursuit which removes threats such as Latios, Tapu Lele, and Gengar while slamming the usual defensive stops to Zygarde such as Tangrowth and Landorus -T. With Groundium Z Zygarde is able to weaken a ton of shared checks between the two like Tapu Fini, Mega Scizor, Clefable, and Ferrothorn to make breaking for Weavile easier and sweeping easier for itself.
 
Threat:

Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Trick Room
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Focus Blast

Magearna sets up a Trick Room in front of Weavile and can now reverse sweep the core. It also takes laughable damage from Ice Shard / Extreme Speed if you wanna try.


Greninja-Ash @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam / Spikes / U-turn

Ash Greninja takes about 40% from Extreme Speed while being able to outspeed and OHKO both Pokemon with Hydro Pump. It can also run Ice Beam if it worries about missing.



Partner:

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 200 SpD / 56 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
- Healing Wish

Jirachi is a great switch in to things like Magearna and Scarf Tapu Lele which can threaten this core. U-Turn gives Weavile a chance to come in without getting damaged while Rocks is for utility. Healing Wish allows you to play Zygarde more aggressively.
 
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Reserving Scarf Tapu Lele as a threat and AV Magearna as a partner. Should have it done by tomorrow. (Sorry this took so long. IRL Stuff got in the way).

Threat:

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

Scarf Lele is able to outspeed and OHKO both members (Zygarde needs some chip to kill) with a STAB Moonblast. It even outspeeds +1 Zygarde because it is Adamant. It is able to block both forms of priority (Ice Shard and ESpeed) because of it's Psychic Terrain. While it cannot switch directly in to either member, it is able to revenge kill both easily with Moonblast.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde: 324-384 (90.7 - 107.5%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 356-420 (126.6 - 149.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO


Partner:

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere

AV Magearna is able to take any hit that Scarf Lele wants to dish out with relative ease and force it out with its STAB Flash Cannon. It is also capable of taking on other threatening mons like OTR Magearna and Tapu Koko. It can help get in Weavile and Zygarde safely too thanks to Volt Switch. Overall a super solid partner to this core.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna in Psychic Terrain: 87-103 (23.9 - 28.3%) -- 96.5% chance to 4HKO (Psyshock does the most).

252+ SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 254-302 (90.3 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Magearna in Electric Terrain: 127-150 (34.9 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 84-100 (23.1 - 27.5%) -- 69.2% chance to 4HKO
 
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Threat:

Buzzwole @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 204 HP / 192 Atk / 12 SpD / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Leech Life
- Ice Punch

Buzzwole can come in on either of the two and either set up a Substitute or simply OHKO with either Leech Life or Ice Punch. Alternatively, the Roost + 3 attacks could be used if there is a slight more investment in physical bulk (as the standard set still has SpD EVs for Pheromosa), which would mean Buzzwole could switch to its heart's content.

252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 204 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 148-175 (36.4 - 43.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery


Partner

Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast
- Roost

Provided Stealth Rock is removed, Charizard can easily switch into a number of threats to this core. Scizor, Ferrothorn, Buzzwole and Clefable are all forced out easily, plus Tapu Fini cannot touch Charizard due to Drought and a weak fairy attack. The presence of Tapu Fini alone and the possibility of the opponent Defogging for you is good news for Charizard.

The presence of Weavile is great news for Charizard, as Weavile can Pursuit away a few checks to Charizard, such as Latios. Zygarde can switch into the likes of Nihilego and stray electric / rock attacks while being able to set up Substitute upon switching into Toxapex, providing it is fortunate enough to avoid a burn.
 
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thank you for participation. the archive has been updated, please check it for the partners and threat of the previous week !

Week 7: Tapu Koko + SubSD Landorus-T

Tapu Koko @ Magnet / Mago Berry
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice / Nature's Madness
- Taunt
- U-turn

Landorus-T @ Earth Plate
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Smack Down
- Substitute

This week we have a core of Tapu Koko and SubSD Landorus-T, the latter of which has gained traction for being able to usually decimate stall by itself. The core is relatively standard overall with Tapu Koko support Landorus-T via U-turn and it's ability to threaten many faster threats as well as beat and / or weaken what Landorus-T may have issues with.
 
Defensive Threat:

AV Tangrowth


Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power Ice
- Earthquake


AV Tangrowth is a hard check to both members of this core. The best Landorus-T can do is 47-55% with a +2 Earthquake, and Tangrowth can simply Giga Drain to put it out of range of the next EQ, then HP Ice to kill. Koko cannot threaten Tangrowth at all unless it carries Nature's Madness, since none of its moves deal more damage than Regenerator heals.

Offensive Threat:

Mamoswine

Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 240 Atk / 16 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Freeze-Dry


No explanation needed, Mamoswine is a beast. It doesn't even need to click EQ against Tapu Koko if it expects a switch, since Icicle Crash + Ice Shard does like 108% min. Even Freeze-Dry OHKOs Landorus-T so Intimidate mind games are useless.

Partner:

Mega Scizor

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 116 Def / 128 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Swords Dance / Defog
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn


Mega Scizor completes a very threatening VoltTurn core with Tapu Koko to give Landorus-T more setup opportunities. In addition it provides the starting point for a strong defensive backbone thanks to its bulk and typing. It checks quite a few Pokemon that threaten this core, including the two I mentioned as well as the faster Mega Evolutions that take a sizable amount of damage from Bullet Punch. Mega Scizor isn't exactly a stellar Pokemon at the moment but this core needs defensive support more than offensive support in my opinion.
 
Reserving Tapu Bulu as a threat and Volcarona as a partner.

Threat:

Tapu Bulu @ Grassium Z / Rockium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer / Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Superpower

Bulu is able to safely come in on this specific Lando set and threaten it out and freely set up or get free hits off. Even at -1, Bulu still hits it hard. Bulu can also take hits from Koko relatively well, as it is able to change its terrain on the switch if you do decide to send it in. It can then threaten out Koko with a Wood Hammer or Horn Leech.

252+ Atk Soft Sand Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu in Grassy Terrain: 51-60 (18.1 - 21.3%) -- possible 7HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Smack Down vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 58-69 (20.6 - 24.5%) -- possible 6HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

-1 252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Bloom Doom (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian in Grassy Terrain: 370-436 (115.9 - 136.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO (even -1 bloom kills)

-1 252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian in Grassy Terrain: 234-276 (73.3 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 75-88 (26.6 - 31.3%) -- 20.5% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 112-132 (39.8 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko in Grassy Terrain: 370-436 (131.6 - 155.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko in Grassy Terrain: 232-274 (82.5 - 97.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu in Electric Terrain: 112-132 (39.8 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu in Electric Terrain: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO (if mago)

252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 62-73 (22 - 25.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery


Partner:

Volcarona @ Charti Berry / Firium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Ice

Volcarona is a great partner for this core. Any Volc set works here, but since I don't want to put a million slashes next to its moves I'm just using this set as an example. While Volcarona cannot come directly into Bulu all of the time (because it could run stone edge), Volc can come in if it goes for a grass move, sets up an SD, or on a safe switch. It can then force it out and potentially set up a QD. Volc appreciates the uturn support Koko brings, since Koko commonly lures in bulky grasses (like bulu, tang, ferro, etc.), which can all give Volc set up opportunity. Overall, Volc is a great partner because it can deal with the bulky grasses that both Lando and Koko struggle with.

252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 386-456 (137.3 - 162.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona in Grassy Terrain: 114-135 (36.6 - 43.4%) -- 99.2% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain

252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Bloom Doom (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona in Grassy Terrain: 181-213 (58.1 - 68.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
 
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Askov

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Threat




Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- HP Fire

Although Kyurem-Black can't really switch in on Landorus-T, it can outspeed this variant and kill it with Ice Beam and also can take some hits from Tapu Koko and hit it hard with Earth Power

Partner




Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 SpD
Calm Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Knock Off

Clefable can help the core dealing with some pokemons that may threaten the core, like switching in on Kyurem-Black, Keldeo and Zygarde for example, while being able to support them with Stealth Rocks, which is good considering that Landorus-T have to give up the ability of setting up rocks to use that set. Knock Off also helps removing items from pokemons that might tank hits from them like AV from Tangrowth, for example.
 
Threats

Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock

Mega Swampert is an extreme threat to this core under Rain as it quite easily decimates both members with its STABs or threaten them out to setup Stealth Rock. Tapu Koko can't really touch it on the switch-in unless they predict right and smack it with Nature's Madness and Landorus-T could possibly beat it if a Sub is up and it catches it with EQ on the switch-in or has accumulated a boost.


Thundurus-Therian @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Nasty Plot
- Agility

Thundurus-T outspeed Landorus-T and easily dispatches it with HP Ice and only fears Nature's Madness from Tapu Koko as it simply absorbs it's Thunderbolts. From there, it simply sets up on Koko and KO's it with +2 Gigavolt Havoc.

Partner

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Impish Nature
- Power Whip
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Spikes / Protect

Although it is by no means a guaranteed check to neither Thundy or Mega Swamp it does function as an overall catch-all to both of them if the need ever so arises. It tanks an EQ from Mega Swampert and retaliates with Power Whip, while it chips away at Thundy with Knock Off + Leech Seed. Protect eases the matchup a bit more to scout what the two mons are using while Spikes wears down Swampert even more.
 

Aragorn the King

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Offensive Threat:

Greninja-Ash @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- U-turn / Ice Beam

Ash Greninja functions as an offensive stop to both of these Pokemon. However, it certainly cannot switch in. Ash Greninja outspeeds Tapu Koko and KOs with Hydro Pump 100% of the time. Given ≈25% prior damage, Ash-Gren can also pick Koko off with Water Shuriken so that it doesn't have to rely on Hydro Pump's accuracy. Ash-Gren is also faster than Landorus-T and can therefore OHKO it even if it's behind a Substitute (because Water Shuriken would break the sub on its first hit, and the next two hits combined are guaranteed to do over 75% of Lando's health). If it's not behind a Substitute, Water Shuriken, Hydro Pump, and Ice Beam are all still guaranteed kills.

Partner:

Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast / Hidden Power Ice
- Roost

Threats to the Tapu Koko / Landorus-T core that have been given are: AV Tangrowth, Mamoswine, Tapu Bulu, Kyurem-B, Mega Swampert, and Ash-Greninja. Mega Charizard Y happens to have positive matchups against most of them. Against AV Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu, Mega Charizard Y can switch in (as long as Rock Slide/Stone Edge have been scouted for) and destroy the bulky grasses with its Fire STAB-move. Charizard can switch into Mamoswine and Mega Swampert's STAB Earthquake and KO them with Solar Beam. This works well against Mega Swampert because Charizard-Y takes away its Rain with Drought, effectively halving its speed and its Waterfall's power. Drought also weakens Ash-Greninja's STAB moves, although Hydro Pump still has a chance to kill Mega Charizard in the sun. However, the sun can impede Gren's ability to transform. Finally, Charizard outspeeds and KOs Kyurem-B the majority of the time.

Overall, Mega Charizard Y destroys Grass- and Ground-types and weakens the potential of opposing Water-types, and therefore complements Landorus-T and Tapu Koko very well.
 
Top 3 Threats


Top 3 Partners



Week 8: Mega Manectric + CB Weavile

Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Volt Switch
- Overheat / Flamethrower

Weavile @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off
- Pursuit

With Mega Manectric amongst our midst the infamous core of Weavile + Mega Manectric is now available for use. Mega Manectric sorta flops against bulky Grass-types since it relies heavily on Overheat to actually sent them and even them it's not enough sometimes and you concede momentum. It also dislikes the growing prevalence of Mew, Latios, and other bulky Psychic-types. Weavile support Mega Manectric's shortcomings beautifully as it traps every Psychic-type in the tier and destroys nearly every Grass-type. It also functions as a wallbreaking presence which is an area in which Mega Manectric is not the best.
 
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Swampert-Mega @ Swampertite
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Superpower
- Ice Punch

Mega Swampert is one of the best counters to Mega Manectric as it is immune to thunderbolt and volt switch, while resisting overheat and taking neutral damage from hidden power. Also, if rain is up, Mega Swampert outspeeds both Weavile and Mega Manectric and can OHKO them with a rain boosted Waterfall. Weavile's ice shard does very little to swampert.

252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Swampert-Mega: 85-102 (24.9 - 29.9%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
 
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