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OU Check and Counter List
- Thread starter Nog
- Start date
- Status
(Offensive) Gyarados:
Checks:
Counters:
Checks:
- Quagsire (hard): Takes minimal damage from waterfall and can cripple with toxic. However it loses against taunt variants, and has trouble getting past substitute variants, especially with waterfall's flinch rate. Always make sure that it's not mega Gyarados before switching in. Signs that it's regular Gyarados are: any indication of an item such as Leftovers or Life Orb, teammates that only have use in OU mega evolved (such as Charizard or Pinsir)
- Skarmory (hard): Takes minimal damage from waterfall and bounce and can phaze with whirlwind. However, it can't phaze taunt variants, and can get set up on it.
- Mandibuzz (hard): Can OHKO with foul play after two dragon dances, takes maximum of 40% from waterfall after 1 dragon dance, careful of switching in with stealth rock, and of flinch chance.
- Zapdos (soft): Takes maximum of 88% from waterfall at +1, can OHKO with thunderbolt, cannot switch in with stealth rock on field.
Counters:
- Rest-talk Gyarados: Resists waterfall, intimidate lowers attack so it can come in easily, can phaze with dragon tail or roar. Take note that if it runs dragon tail, it will lose to substitute Gyarados, while if it runs roar, it loses to taunt Gyarados.
- Rotom-W: Resists Waterfall and coverage moves, and can OHKO with volt-switch. Again, make sure that it isn't Mega-Gyarados before switching in.
- Ferrothorn: Resists waterfall and is 3HKO'd by a +1 bounce , iron barbs deal damage, can cripple with leech seed or thunder-wave, and 2HKO with power whip after iron barbs activate once.
- Can be played on both balanced and offensive teams. Especially on balanced teams, bulky taunt Gyarados can serve as a great stall breaker if the team has trouble getting past stall.
- Mega pokemon such as Mega Garchomp, Venusaur, Mawile and Charizard-X all have decent synergy with Gyarados. It's good to take advantage of these pokemon on a team with Gyarados, as unlike Mega-Gyarados, it doesn't take up a mega slot.
- On balanced teams, providing it with cleric support can really help extend its longevity. On all teams, providing rapid spin/defog support is almost mandatory.
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Rotom-Wash (defensive)
Checks:
Mega Charizard Y:
Checks:
Checks:
- Ferrothorn (hard): Can come in on any move except Will-O-Wisp and hit back with Power Whip
- Chesnaught (hard): Can come in on any move except Will-O-Wisp and hit back with Power Whip
- Kyurem-B (hard): Defeats Rotom-W with Earth Power thanks to Teravolt, and its Substitutes cannot be broken by any move. It doesn't like switching into Will-O-Wisp however.
- Mega Charizard X (soft): Bulky variants aren't affected by many of Rotom-W's moves, while offensive variants are 2HKOed by Hydro Pump but can spam Roost until it wins. Needs to be in Mega forme before it can check Rotom-W
- Mega Venusaur: Can come in on every single move, isn't too badly affected by Will-O-Wisp, and can easily beat it with Giga Drain
- Amoonguss: In the same boat as Mega Venusaur, but with Regenerator, so it doesn't mind getting hit by Volt Switch as much
- Latios/Latias: Take nothing from all its moves and KOs with Draco Meteor
- Conkeldurr: Assault Vest variants especially counter this and even benefits from Will-O-Wisp thanks to Guts, also heals itself with Drain Punch
- Chansey: Takes nothing from all of Rotom-W's moves bar Pain Split, consistently heal itself, has Natural Cure, and can wear it down with Toxic
- Best fit onto offense or balanced
- Scizor is a great teammate to cover up type weaknesses and form a VoltTurn core
- Heatran can beat Grass-types and wall most Dragon-types, while setting up Stealth Rock
Mega Charizard Y:
Checks:
- Tyranitar (soft): Switches into any move bar Focus Blast. Can OHKO with Stone Edge.
- Heatran (soft): Switches into any move bar Focus Blast and Earthquake but needs Ancientpower or Roar to actually do something to Mega Charizard Y
- Latios/Latias (hard): Can wall most variants of Charizard except those with Dragon Pulse
- Dragonite (hard): Can set up on most variants of Charizard except those with Dragon Pulse
- Politoed (hard): Has a chance of being 2HKOed by Focus Blast after Stealth Rock, but it neuters everything else on Mega Charizard's moveset and easily OHKOes
- Snorlax (hard): Is 2HKOed by Focus Blast, but hard walls everything else and easily 2HKOes in return
- Chansey: Hard walls Mega Charizard Y, can heal itself with Wish or Softboiled and wear it down with Toxic
- Goodra: Takes nothing from even Dragon Pulse and walls it, especially with Assault Vest. Can KO back with Thunderbolt or Draco Meteor
- Used on offense or hyper offense
- Pokemon with Defog, such as Latios and Mandibuzz, are great teammates
- Tyranitar, Aegislash, or Bisharp are excellent to get rid of Latios/Latias with Pursuit
- Keldeo removes Heatran, Tyranitar, and Chansey while Charizard helps it deal with Mega Venusaur
Randorusu
Checks:
Counters:
Checks:
- Latios (soft): Latios can be used on more offensive teams that need a check to Landorus, but it hates Knock Off and can only switch in once without Roost
- Zapdos (soft): can check if using HP Ice, but it loses to CM Landorus regardless
- SDef Clefable (soft): Checks variants without Sludge Wave
- Latias (hard): Can switch in twice on Landorus, but it can't switch into Knock Off, and can get Pursuit trapped easily
Counters:
- SDef Dragonite: Has reliable recovery, can tank any hit from Landorus and can 2HKO with Dragon Claw
- Assault Vest Goodra: It can take any hit and KO back but it also sucks :x
- Chansey can wall just about every set except for Calm Mind + Focus Blast (although that can miss) and Knock Off
- Works best on offense due to its immense power
- Hazads stackers such as Deo-D/S work wonders with it and help it wear down walls
- Powerful physical attackers also help to force out special walls and cause more hazard damage
- Pursuit users in conjunction with other special attackers such as Charizard Y and Keldeo are great
Reserving Thundurus-I, Scizor, and Scizor-Mega (Defensive).
Conkeldurr
Checks:
Counters:
Checks:
- Skarmory (hard): takes maximum of 30% from drain punch, and can 2HKO with brave bird. However, Skarmory without brave bird cannot counter Conkeldurr as drain punch will always do 50%+ after a roost. Also cannot counter if guts is activated.
- Charizard-Y (soft): can switch into any move other than ice punch and 2HKO with Fire Blast (two ice punches followed by a match punch can 3HKO Charizard). Cannot switch in safely if guts is activated or if stealth rock is on field.
- Talonflame (hard): can switch into anything other than knock off and OHKO with brave bird. Careful of stealth rock.
Counters:
- Venusaur-Mega: resists drain punch, takes minimal damage from coverage moves, can cripple with leech seed, or whittle down with sludge bomb.
- Azumarill: resists drain punch and all coverage moves, can KO with play rough
- Mawile: takes maximum of 63% from guts boosted drain punch, and can OHKO with play rough.
- Gyarados: resists drain punch, takes minimal damage from coverage moves, can set up with dragon dance. Rest talk variants can wall Conkeldurr.
- Conkeldurr is mostly used on balance and bulky offense. Guts gives it great utility as a general status absorber, and Assault Vest allows it to absorb attacks from some special attacks.
- As it's a great status absorber and can counter Rotom-W, Heatran, and Thundurus fairly well, it pairs well with pokemon that fear any of these pokemon and/or status in general. Some pokemon that stand out are Latias, Landorus, Zapdos, and Mandibuzz.
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Manaphy
Checks:
Counters:
Teammates / Playstyles:
Checks:
- Venusaur-Mega (soft): can easily switch into Manaphy lacking psychic and quickly 2HKO with giga drain.
- Thundurus (hard): can switch into any attack or tail glow, and OHKO with thunderbolt, careful of switching into ice beam with stealth rock on side. Also, take note that it only has a 50% chance of OHKO'ing 252 HP Manaphy at full health
- Some checks, such as Specially Defensive Rotom-W, and bulky waters in general, become situational depending on whether it runs psychic or energy ball.
Counters:
- Clefable: unaware Clefable ignores tail glow boosts, and can take any neutral hit easily.
- Chansey: has enough bulk to take an take anything from Manaphy, even at +6.
- Assualt Vest Raikou: can switch into Manaphy as it tail glows, take a +3 surf receiving 72% maximum, and 2HKO with thunderbolt.
- Ferrothorn: resists surf, takes minimal damage from all coverage moves, bar ice beam. Can 2HKO with power whip, though it needs some SpD investment to avoid 2HKO with ice beam.
Teammates / Playstyles:
- Generally used on bulky offense or offense because of its ability to tear huge holes in the opposing team before being KO'd.
- Sticky web support can help avoid some revenge killing, but its important to note that many pokemon that can out-speed and threaten it including Thundurus-I, its biggest counter, aren't effected by sticky web.
- Calm mind Landorus-I and other wall breakers can assist Manaphy with getting rid of both Venusaur, Chansey, and Ferrothorn. Conkeldurr serves a good switch in to Chansey, as it can benefit from toxic with guts.
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It's about that time, users Trinitrotoluene and Scarfed Raptor have until Tuesday night to complete their checks/counters or the Pokemon they reserved will be released from their command. Thanks
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All of my entries are about the offensive versions of these pokemons:
Starmie
Checks:
Counters:
Teammates / Play Style:
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Gengar
Checks:
Counters:
Teammates / Play Style:
---------------------------
Cloyster
Checks:
Teammates / Play Style:
Starmie
Checks:
- Rotom-W (hard) – Resists water type moves, has enough bulk to switch into Psyshock twice, can threaten with Thunder bolt and access to Volt-Switch for momentum.
- Greninja (soft) – Immune to Psychic, resists water type moves, has access to Dark Pulse and U-Turn for momentum, must be wary of Thunderbolt.
- Mega Gyarados (hard) – Resists water attacks, immune to Psychic, can OHKO Starmie with Earthquake after a Dragon Dance and one round of life orb recoil. Must be wary of Thunderbolt.
- Kyurem-B (soft)- Resists water attacks, has great bulk, can OHKO Starmie with Fusion bolt and Dragon Claw after one round of life orb coil.
- Aegislash (hard) - Resists Psychic, has great bulk in shield form, can OHKO Starmie with Shadow Sneak after one round of LO recoil or its own Life Orb.
- Gastrodon (hard) - Immune to Water, has great bulk, has access to Recover and Toxic.
Counters:
- Chansey - Has fantastic bulk, can whittle down its health with Seismic Toss, can inflict poison and paralysis on it, access to reliable recovery.
- Ferrothorn – Resists water, takes minimal damage from Psyshock, can switch into Ice Beam at least twice, can OHKO with uninvested Power Whip, stall it with Leech Seed and can inflict paralysis on it.
Teammates / Play Style:
- Starmie is used on offensive teams that could use an offensive spinners as well as a reliable abuser of Rain Dance on Drizzle teams.
- Bisharp- Can pursuit trap Aegislash and Chansey, two of its most common checks and counters.
- Breloom-Focus Sash sets can put to sleep many of its checks and counters and set up upon them and threaten to OHKO them with its Grass and Fight stabs.
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Gengar
Checks:
- Bisharp (hard) - Immune to Poison attacks, resists Ghost, has access to Pursuit and Sucker Punch. Must be wary of Focus Miss.
- Mega Venusaur (hard) - Resists Poison and Fight moves, has great bulk, can stall it with Leech Seed, has reliable recovery.
- Chesnaught (hard) - Immune to Shadow Ball, Focus Miss and Sludge Bomb. Must be wary of Sludge Wave.
Counters:
- Goodra: Has fantastic bulk, takes minimal damage from all its moves, can threaten to 2HKO it back with Dragon Stab and other coverage moves.
Teammates / Play Style:
- Gengar is used in offensive teams as a hard hitting special attacker with unresisted combo of Fight and Ghost attacks, revenge killer, fairy counter and less importantly as a spin blocker.
- Talonflame- Can threaten all of it's checks and counters with Priority Brave Bird and Flare Blitz.
- Mega Charizard-X: Can threaten to OHKO all of it's checks and counters with Flare Blitz and Dragon Claw.
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Cloyster
Checks:
- Rotom-W (hard) - Resists Water attacks, has great bulk, can switch in during set up turn, Thunderbolt and Volt Switch availability.
- Keldeo (soft) - Resists Water, Rock and Ice attacks, can switch in during set up turn, Secret Sword availability.
- Ferrothorn (hard) - Resists Ice and Rock attacks, has great bulk, can threaten to OHKO with Powerwhip, Thunderwave, Toxic and Leech Seed availability.
- Jirachi (soft) - Resists Ice and Rock attacks, has great bulk, specially defensive versions can switch into Shell Smash boosted Hydro Pump, Thunderbolt and Thunder punch availability.
- Mega Mawile (soft) - Can Intimidate pre-mevo, can switch in during set up turn, Play Rough and Sucker punch availability.
- Quagsire: Unaware, reliable recovery, can threaten with Scald and Toxic, must be aware of King's Rock flinch rate.
- Aegishield: Resists Ice and Rock attacks, can decrease it's attack with King Shield (Razor Shell), has great bulk to survive mixed versions, Shadow Ball OHKO's Cloyster.
Teammates / Play Style:
- Cloyster can be used as a set up user in offensive teams and Drizzle teams.
- Mega Charizard-X- Can threaten to OHKO most of its checks and counters with Flare Blitz and Dragon Claw.
- Breloom -Access to spore, can remove Cloysters checks and counters with Grass and Fight stabs, Rock Tomb availability.
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Before I do the write-up for Chansey, I want to know how we're doing checks and counters for fully defensive pokemon.
This is basically how I was picturing what a check and counter is for a fully defensive pokemon:
Counter: A pokemon that can reliably switch in and doesn't mind any status move, and can force the defensive pokemon out, or set up on it. If we take Chansey for example, a good counter would be Conkeldurr, Aegislash, or Mawile.
Check: A pokemon that can switch in to the defensive pokemon and force it out or set up on it, but do mind a status move such as toxic, thunder wave, or leech seed. Pokemon that can switch in easily and don't mind status moves, but cannot do much in return would also count as checks.
Let me know if this definition of checks/counters is good for defensive pokemon write-ups.
This is basically how I was picturing what a check and counter is for a fully defensive pokemon:
Counter: A pokemon that can reliably switch in and doesn't mind any status move, and can force the defensive pokemon out, or set up on it. If we take Chansey for example, a good counter would be Conkeldurr, Aegislash, or Mawile.
Check: A pokemon that can switch in to the defensive pokemon and force it out or set up on it, but do mind a status move such as toxic, thunder wave, or leech seed. Pokemon that can switch in easily and don't mind status moves, but cannot do much in return would also count as checks.
Let me know if this definition of checks/counters is good for defensive pokemon write-ups.
dwarfstar
mindless philosopher
X5Dragon - I think Ferrothorn ought to be listed as a counter to Starmie, rather than a hard check. Even with the Analytic boost on the first turn, Ice Beam scores a 3HKO at best, and Ferrothorn resists all of the other moves that Starmie commonly runs. The only one it fears at all is Hidden Power Fire, which is pretty rare.
I guess I'm one of those people who have strict standards for what a counter is, but yeah a 3HKO is a very tough if not impossible kill in a realistic battle especially where an analytic, LO Starmie is concerned.
Darkerones you have until the end of today to get your stuff done.
Chansey
Checks:
Counters:
Teammates / Playstyles:
Checks:
- Keldeo (hard): can switch into Chansey only fearing toxic, and the rare thunder wave. It can 2HKO with secret sword.
- Deoxys-D (hard): can switch into Chansey, only fearing toxic and thunder wave. It can taunt to prevent status or support moves, and proceed to set up hazards.
- Terrakion (hard): can switch into Chansey only fearing toxic and thunder wave. Band Terrakion can OHKO with close combat.
- Mega-Medicham (hard): can switch into Chansey only fearing toxic and thunder wave. Can OHKO with un-boosted high jump kick.
Counters:
- Conkeldurr: Benefits from toxic (and even more from thunder wave) due to guts boosting its attack, and can recover health using its boosted Drain Punch. Can 2HKO Chansey with drain punch.
- Aegislash: Immune to both toxic and seismic toss. Swords dance version can freely set up, while toxic Aeigslash forces Chansey out.
- Skarmory: Immune to toxic, can heal off seismic toss damage with roost. While it can't do much to Chansey directly, it can set up entry hazards easily.
- Mega-Scizor: Immune to toxic, can heal off seismic toss damage with roost. Can set up with swords dance.
Teammates / Playstyles:
- Its complete lack of offensive pressure and its tendency to be forced out by a wide range of offensive threats (strong physical pokemon, taunters, and set up sweepers) make it more suitable on stall teams, where defensive cores can cover for its short-commings. It can provide enormous wishes, cleric support, and unmatched special walling capability to stall teams in return.
- Chansey works particularly well in a core with Skarmory or Hippowdon (sand force), who absorb strong physical attacks Chansey can't take, and handle almost all fighting types. Venusaur can also handle many fighting types, and can deal with Calm Mind Keldeo.
- Pokemon that have great defensive typing and bulk, but lack reliable recovery, such as Heatran, appreciate Chansey's enormous wishes.
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Thundurus
Checks:
-Tyranitar (hard), special bulk, SE STAB in Stone Edge, but can be hit by Focus Blast/Superpower
-Excadrill (soft), immune to Thunderbolt, takes little from HP Ice and Flying, Rock Slide availability, hit by Fighting coverage.
-Quagsire (soft), Unaware ignores Nasty Plot, immune to STAB, takes little from most coverage, but weak SDef and few ways of damaging it immediately.
-Latios and Latias (soft), special bulk, resists Thunderbolt, can hit Thundurus hard back, slower and hit hard by Knock Off and crippled by Thunder Wave
-Heatran (hard), special bulk, hits decently hard back, hit by Fighting coverage.
-Conkeldurr (hard), special bulk, enjoys status, can Knock Off or Ice Punch it, weak to HP Flying.
-Mega-Venusaur (hard), bulk, resists Electric and takes pitiful damage from HP Ice, Sludge Bomb hits hard, Leech Seed availability, hit by HP Flying.
-Chansey (soft), bulk on both ends to sponge attacks, cannot do much besides Seismic Toss and Toxic
-Aegislash (soft), good bulk, doesn’t mind Twave, hits back hard with Ghost STAB and priority, weak to Knock Off
Counters:
-Mega-Tyranitar, huge special bulk, physical bulk to take Fighting coverage, SE STAB available.
-Mamoswine, immune to STAB and resists HP Ice, threatens with powerful SE STAB priority.
-Sylveon, special bulk, takes little from coverage, hits back with Hyper Voice.
-Gastrodon, special bulk, immune to Electric, takes little from coverage, hits back with Ice Beam or Scald.
Teammates/playstyle:
Hyper Offense: pressures Defog Mandibuzz for Deoxys forms, checks Azumarril for the likes of Bisharp and ZardX, checks Talonflame and bird spam for frail sweepers. Sets up on physical walls. Paralyzes opposing offensive threats. Access to Defiant.
Zard Y balance: checks Azumarril for Keldeo, flying spam check, emergency out for DDtar with Prankster Twave, Baton Pass check with Taunt.
Balance: Volt Switcher, special attacker, mixed attacker, works well with otherwise physically heavy teams. Makes a good Volturn core with Scizor or Landorus-T.
Scizor (Offensive)
Checks:
- Keldeo (hard), resists both STABS and Knock Off, hits hard on its weaker SDef, decent bulk.
-Talonflame (hard), resists both STABS, SE STAB, great Speed, cant really switch in on Knock Off though.
-Thundurus-I (soft), resists both STABS, hits its weaker SDef and can Taunt before it SDs.
-Landorus-T (soft), Intimidate, bulk, resists Bug,hits decently hard with Earthquake.
-Gourgeist/Trevenant (soft), good bulk, immune to Superpower, Will-o-wisp access, weak to Knock Off.
-Quagsire (hard), ignores boosts, resists STAB, can burn with Scald.
-Gyarados (soft), Intimidate, decent bulk, resists both STABs.
Counters:
-Heatran, resists both STABs x4, x4 SE STAB, good bulk, can potentially outspeed.
-Charizard Y, resists both STABs, takes little from Knock Off, x4 SE STAB.
-Magnezone, resists both STABs, traps it, high SAtk for HP Fire.
-Rotom-W, resists main STAB x4, good bulk, access to Will-o-wisp
-Skarmory, resists both STABs, can set up hazards on it, can phase it, neutral to Superpower.
-Defensive CharizardX, resists both STABs, takes little from Knock Off, neutral to Superpower, access to Will-o-wisp and x4 SE STAB, good bulk.
Teamstyle/teammates:
Volturn: classic core formed with Rotom-W and Landorus-T, checks things like Venusaur for Rotom and Mamoswine and Kyurem-B for Landorus-T.
Offense: good teammate to Talonflame to check Tyranitar, checks Mamoswine, Lati@s and Clefable for Dragonite and Garchomp. Also has access to Defog.
Scizor-Mega (Defensive)
Checks:
-Thundurus (soft), access to Defiant for Defog, can otherwise hit its weaker SDef, resists both STABS.
-Bisharp (soft), Defiant, can Taunt it to block Roost, resists Bullet Punch.
-Ferrothorn (hard), resists Steel STAB and access to Iron Barbs, can stall out Defog, Leech Seed, great bulk, Thunder Wave.
-Gyarados (soft), Intimidate, resists both STABs, can set up on it.
-Sableye (hard), decent bulk, priority Taunt to stop Defog, access to Will-o-wisp.
Counters:
-Heatran- resists both STABs, stalls out Defog with Rocks, x4 SE STAB on it.
-Rotom-W, burns it with Will-o-wisp, resists Steel STAB, good bulk.
-Charizard Y- resists both STABs, x4 SE STAB, enjoys Defog.
-Charizard X, same reasons as Y, but can also set up.
-Skarmory, great bulk, stalls out Defog, resists STABs, access to Taunt.
-Talonflame, enjoys having hazards cleared, x4 SE STAB, resists both STABs.
-Keldeo, resists both STABs and Knock Off, hits decently hard off the special side, and can burn with Scald.
Teamstyle/teammates:
Balance: Great Defogger, good teammate for Dragonite and Talonflame once again to check Latis and Tyranitar, also supports Tyranitar itself by being able to take on Garchomp without Fire Blast and other physical attackers like Conkeldurr. Slow U-turn aids frail Pokemon like Greninja to switch in safely.
Semi-stall: makes a good core with Ferrothorn and Chansey, checking physical fighting types they want to deal with. Chansey takes on Fire type special attackers like Zard Y well for it. Ferrothorn checks Rotom-W for it.
Checks:
-Tyranitar (hard), special bulk, SE STAB in Stone Edge, but can be hit by Focus Blast/Superpower
-Excadrill (soft), immune to Thunderbolt, takes little from HP Ice and Flying, Rock Slide availability, hit by Fighting coverage.
-Quagsire (soft), Unaware ignores Nasty Plot, immune to STAB, takes little from most coverage, but weak SDef and few ways of damaging it immediately.
-Latios and Latias (soft), special bulk, resists Thunderbolt, can hit Thundurus hard back, slower and hit hard by Knock Off and crippled by Thunder Wave
-Heatran (hard), special bulk, hits decently hard back, hit by Fighting coverage.
-Conkeldurr (hard), special bulk, enjoys status, can Knock Off or Ice Punch it, weak to HP Flying.
-Mega-Venusaur (hard), bulk, resists Electric and takes pitiful damage from HP Ice, Sludge Bomb hits hard, Leech Seed availability, hit by HP Flying.
-Chansey (soft), bulk on both ends to sponge attacks, cannot do much besides Seismic Toss and Toxic
-Aegislash (soft), good bulk, doesn’t mind Twave, hits back hard with Ghost STAB and priority, weak to Knock Off
Counters:
-Mega-Tyranitar, huge special bulk, physical bulk to take Fighting coverage, SE STAB available.
-Mamoswine, immune to STAB and resists HP Ice, threatens with powerful SE STAB priority.
-Sylveon, special bulk, takes little from coverage, hits back with Hyper Voice.
-Gastrodon, special bulk, immune to Electric, takes little from coverage, hits back with Ice Beam or Scald.
Teammates/playstyle:
Hyper Offense: pressures Defog Mandibuzz for Deoxys forms, checks Azumarril for the likes of Bisharp and ZardX, checks Talonflame and bird spam for frail sweepers. Sets up on physical walls. Paralyzes opposing offensive threats. Access to Defiant.
Zard Y balance: checks Azumarril for Keldeo, flying spam check, emergency out for DDtar with Prankster Twave, Baton Pass check with Taunt.
Balance: Volt Switcher, special attacker, mixed attacker, works well with otherwise physically heavy teams. Makes a good Volturn core with Scizor or Landorus-T.
Scizor (Offensive)
Checks:
- Keldeo (hard), resists both STABS and Knock Off, hits hard on its weaker SDef, decent bulk.
-Talonflame (hard), resists both STABS, SE STAB, great Speed, cant really switch in on Knock Off though.
-Thundurus-I (soft), resists both STABS, hits its weaker SDef and can Taunt before it SDs.
-Landorus-T (soft), Intimidate, bulk, resists Bug,hits decently hard with Earthquake.
-Gourgeist/Trevenant (soft), good bulk, immune to Superpower, Will-o-wisp access, weak to Knock Off.
-Quagsire (hard), ignores boosts, resists STAB, can burn with Scald.
-Gyarados (soft), Intimidate, decent bulk, resists both STABs.
Counters:
-Heatran, resists both STABs x4, x4 SE STAB, good bulk, can potentially outspeed.
-Charizard Y, resists both STABs, takes little from Knock Off, x4 SE STAB.
-Magnezone, resists both STABs, traps it, high SAtk for HP Fire.
-Rotom-W, resists main STAB x4, good bulk, access to Will-o-wisp
-Skarmory, resists both STABs, can set up hazards on it, can phase it, neutral to Superpower.
-Defensive CharizardX, resists both STABs, takes little from Knock Off, neutral to Superpower, access to Will-o-wisp and x4 SE STAB, good bulk.
Teamstyle/teammates:
Volturn: classic core formed with Rotom-W and Landorus-T, checks things like Venusaur for Rotom and Mamoswine and Kyurem-B for Landorus-T.
Offense: good teammate to Talonflame to check Tyranitar, checks Mamoswine, Lati@s and Clefable for Dragonite and Garchomp. Also has access to Defog.
Scizor-Mega (Defensive)
Checks:
-Thundurus (soft), access to Defiant for Defog, can otherwise hit its weaker SDef, resists both STABS.
-Bisharp (soft), Defiant, can Taunt it to block Roost, resists Bullet Punch.
-Ferrothorn (hard), resists Steel STAB and access to Iron Barbs, can stall out Defog, Leech Seed, great bulk, Thunder Wave.
-Gyarados (soft), Intimidate, resists both STABs, can set up on it.
-Sableye (hard), decent bulk, priority Taunt to stop Defog, access to Will-o-wisp.
Counters:
-Heatran- resists both STABs, stalls out Defog with Rocks, x4 SE STAB on it.
-Rotom-W, burns it with Will-o-wisp, resists Steel STAB, good bulk.
-Charizard Y- resists both STABs, x4 SE STAB, enjoys Defog.
-Charizard X, same reasons as Y, but can also set up.
-Skarmory, great bulk, stalls out Defog, resists STABs, access to Taunt.
-Talonflame, enjoys having hazards cleared, x4 SE STAB, resists both STABs.
-Keldeo, resists both STABs and Knock Off, hits decently hard off the special side, and can burn with Scald.
Teamstyle/teammates:
Balance: Great Defogger, good teammate for Dragonite and Talonflame once again to check Latis and Tyranitar, also supports Tyranitar itself by being able to take on Garchomp without Fire Blast and other physical attackers like Conkeldurr. Slow U-turn aids frail Pokemon like Greninja to switch in safely.
Semi-stall: makes a good core with Ferrothorn and Chansey, checking physical fighting types they want to deal with. Chansey takes on Fire type special attackers like Zard Y well for it. Ferrothorn checks Rotom-W for it.
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Input hard or soft check to all the checks and you are golden.
Tyranitar
Checks :
Checks :
- Terrakion - Resists both STABs, receives Attack Boost from Dark Type Moves, must be cautious of Earthquake coverage, Access to Close Combat
- Diggersby - Resists Rock STAB, must be cautious of Ice Punch/Ice Beam coverage, Access to Huge Power and Earthquake
- Aegislash - Resists Rock STAB, Bulk, must be cautious of Crunch/Pursuit/Earthquake coverage, Access to Stance Change Attack Boost and Sacred Sword
- Keldeo - Resists both STABs, does not fear common coverage moves, capable of handling most if not all Tyranitar variants, Access to Hydro Pump and Secret Sword
- Hippowdon - Resists Rock STAB, does not fear Dark STAB, Bulk, does not fear common coverage moves except the rare Ice Beam from Special Tyranitar, receives boost from Sand Force, Access to Whirlwind, Slack Off, Earthquake
- Chestnaught - Resists both STABs, does not fear coverage moves except the rare Ice Beam from Special Tyranitar, Access to Spiky Shield, Wood Hammer, Leech Seed, Hammer Arm
- Tyranitar's versatility allows it to fit onto many team archetypes.
- Choices variants like balanced teams because Choiced variants tend to lose momentum and appreciate bulky pivots to fall back on
- Mega DD Ttar fits well on HO teams due to its bulk and ability to sweep effectively
- Appreciates teammates that can handle its many weaknesses such as Lati@s
Quagsire
Checks:
Counters:
Teammates / Playstyles:
Checks:
- Keldeo (hard): Takes minimal damage from scald and earthquake, and can 2HKO with Hydro Pump or OHKO with specs. Careful of toxic.
- Charizard-Y (hard): Immune to earthquake and takes minimal damage from scald, can OHKO with solar beam. Careful of toxic on switch.
- Mega-Gyarados (hard): Immune/takes minimal damage from earthquake, takes minimal damage from scald. Substitute Dragon Dance can set up sub, and proceed to set up without fear of status. Careful of toxic on switch.
- Ferrothorn (hard): takes minimal damage from earthquake and scald, and can OHKO with power whip. Careful of burn from scald, especially since Ferrothorn has no reliable recovery, and it greatly lowers its walling capabilities.
- Most special attackers can get through Quagsire, as its SpD is unimpressive, especially uninvested.
Counters:
- Mega-Venusaur: Takes minimal damage from earthquake and scald, can OHKO with giga drain, doesn't burn chance that much.
- Magic Guard Clefable: Takes minimal damage from earthquake and scald, can restore health with soft-boiled, benefits from burn and poison as it can no longer be put to sleep, and can set up with calm mind.
- Chansey: Takes minimal damage from earthquake and scald, status is healed on switch due to natural cure, can toxic Quagsire back.
- Celebi: Takes minimal damage from earthquake and scald, status healed on switch due to natural cure, can OHKO with giga drain or leaf storm.
Teammates / Playstyles:
- Quagsire works well on stall teams, as it walls many set up sweepers that would otherwise present a problem to stall. It's lack of offensive pressure and the fact that it slows down momentum can be covered for much easier on a stall team.
- Quagsire can support defog users that fear Bisharp, as it ignores the attack boost due to unaware. One common defog core involving Quagsire is the Latias/Quagsire core.
- Mega Venusaur can cover for many of Quagsire's weaknesses, such as its weakness to grass and to strong special attackers such as Keldeo in general.
- As poison and burn greatly diminish Quagsire's ability to counter set-up sweepers, good partners are those with heal bell or aromatherapy, such as Chansey and Sylveon.
Mega Scizor (Offensive)
Checks:
Heatran (Hard): Resists STABs, barely outspeeds, and OHKOs with Fire-type moves, but Superpower will deal severe damage.
Magnezone (Soft): Magnet Pull traps, outspeeds with a Choice Scarf, has HP Fire to OHKO with a little boost or prior damage, and resists STABs, but Superpower will take out most of its health.
Rotom-W (Soft): 4x resists Steel-type moves, outspeeds, and can burn, but Bug Bite will 2HKO before burning.
Counters:
Jellicent (Hard): Resists STABs, immune to Superpower, has recovery, can burn, and can Taunt.
Skarmory (Hard): Resists STABs, doesn't mind Superpower before using Roost, has recovery, and can phase out.
Volcarona (Hard): Resists STABs, can burn with Flame Body, has recovery, can set up, outspeeds, and can OHKO with Fire.
Teammates/Playstyle:
Mega Scizor does well on offensive and defensive teams, while preferring mostly bulky offensive playstyles.
Starmie: Can take out most checks/counters to Scizor and can clear hazards.
Latios: Resists Fire, can take on physical walls, and can take on many Scizor checks/counters pretty well.
Rotom-W: Can provide Volt/Turn synergy, can come in on most Scizor checks/counters, and can nail physical walls hard.
Gliscor (Defensive)
Checks:
Heatran (Soft): Has an immunity to Earthquake with Air Balloon, has a Toxic immunity, resists Ice Fang, and can KO with HP Ice, but falls to Earthquake without Air Balloon.
Latios (Hard): Has Levitate, outspeeds, and can KO with Surf, but Ice Fang will hurt a bit and is vulnerable to Toxic.
Mamoswine (Soft): Has plenty bulk to take an attack and can break subs with Icicle Spear, though can't consistently KO with it.
Counters:
Skarmory (Hard): Immune to Earthquake, can heal, has Taunt, has Toxic immunity, and can phase Gliscor out.
Gengar (Hard): Has Levitate, has Toxic immunity, can deal large amounts of damage, and can use Sub/Disable to rid Gliscor of its only means of defending itself.
Rotom-W (Hard): Earthquake immunity, resists Ice Fang, can KO with Hydro Pump, and can Rest off Toxic.
Teammates/Playstyle:
Gliscor does well in defensive and balanced teams, and excells at Toxic/Sub stalling and does well at walling physical attacks.
Mega Charizard Y: Can provide sun to remove Water weakness and hits Steel-types that wall Gliscor, while Gliscor can switch in on Rock- and Electric-type moves.
Heatran: Can threaten Steel-types and can nail physical walls, and has good defensive synergy.
Tyranitar: Provides sand to aid in Toxic stalling, and has decent defensive synergy.
Checks:
Heatran (Hard): Resists STABs, barely outspeeds, and OHKOs with Fire-type moves, but Superpower will deal severe damage.
Magnezone (Soft): Magnet Pull traps, outspeeds with a Choice Scarf, has HP Fire to OHKO with a little boost or prior damage, and resists STABs, but Superpower will take out most of its health.
Rotom-W (Soft): 4x resists Steel-type moves, outspeeds, and can burn, but Bug Bite will 2HKO before burning.
Counters:
Jellicent (Hard): Resists STABs, immune to Superpower, has recovery, can burn, and can Taunt.
Skarmory (Hard): Resists STABs, doesn't mind Superpower before using Roost, has recovery, and can phase out.
Volcarona (Hard): Resists STABs, can burn with Flame Body, has recovery, can set up, outspeeds, and can OHKO with Fire.
Teammates/Playstyle:
Mega Scizor does well on offensive and defensive teams, while preferring mostly bulky offensive playstyles.
Starmie: Can take out most checks/counters to Scizor and can clear hazards.
Latios: Resists Fire, can take on physical walls, and can take on many Scizor checks/counters pretty well.
Rotom-W: Can provide Volt/Turn synergy, can come in on most Scizor checks/counters, and can nail physical walls hard.
Gliscor (Defensive)
Checks:
Heatran (Soft): Has an immunity to Earthquake with Air Balloon, has a Toxic immunity, resists Ice Fang, and can KO with HP Ice, but falls to Earthquake without Air Balloon.
Latios (Hard): Has Levitate, outspeeds, and can KO with Surf, but Ice Fang will hurt a bit and is vulnerable to Toxic.
Mamoswine (Soft): Has plenty bulk to take an attack and can break subs with Icicle Spear, though can't consistently KO with it.
Counters:
Skarmory (Hard): Immune to Earthquake, can heal, has Taunt, has Toxic immunity, and can phase Gliscor out.
Gengar (Hard): Has Levitate, has Toxic immunity, can deal large amounts of damage, and can use Sub/Disable to rid Gliscor of its only means of defending itself.
Rotom-W (Hard): Earthquake immunity, resists Ice Fang, can KO with Hydro Pump, and can Rest off Toxic.
Teammates/Playstyle:
Gliscor does well in defensive and balanced teams, and excells at Toxic/Sub stalling and does well at walling physical attacks.
Mega Charizard Y: Can provide sun to remove Water weakness and hits Steel-types that wall Gliscor, while Gliscor can switch in on Rock- and Electric-type moves.
Heatran: Can threaten Steel-types and can nail physical walls, and has good defensive synergy.
Tyranitar: Provides sand to aid in Toxic stalling, and has decent defensive synergy.
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