Project NU Cores Threat Analysis - Haunter + Shiftry

[pancake]

Swellow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- Heat Wave
- U-turn
- Sleep Talk

252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Garbodor: 225-265 (61.9 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Xatu: 255-301 (94 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

These calcs say it all. This core has absolutely no switch-ins to Choice Specs Swellow. When given a free switch-in, provided that Garbodor has been weakened slightly, Swellow can just click Boomburst, KOing weakened Garbodor and Xatu alike. Garbodor also has no moves that can OHKO Swellow (Gunk Shot does about ~80), so if necessary, Swellow can take a Gunk Shot and 2HKO Garbodor with Boomburst.

 

[PrinceLucian]

Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 108 SpD / 148 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Acid Spray
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Defog

-Skuntank great typing allows it to check both xatu and garbodor, it can also freely defog vs it and Garb cant do much in return unless it runs explosion, which can be a cool option over focus blast. If user decides to run HP Ground on xatu over roost, its still a 2ko on skuntank and it gets revenge killed with dark pulse 1v1.

 

[poh]

Jynx @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Lovely Kiss
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Focus Blast

Scarf Jynx outspeeds both and gets the guaranteed OHKO on Xatu. A bit of chip damage is needed to net the OHKO on Garb. Not much else to say.

252 SpA Jynx Psychic vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Garbodor: 320-378 (88.1 - 104.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Jynx Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Xatu: 362-428 (133.5 - 157.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[BIG G CHOPPA]

Archeops
Ability: Defeatist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Acrobatics
- Stone Edge
- Earth Power
- Roost

Archeops outspeeds both of them without any worries and threatens both with rock and ground coverage. Stone edge nails xatu and it just drops. Earth power picks up the 2 hit ko on garbodor with rocks up while garbodor only 3 hit koes archeops with gunk shot, assuming rocks are up. Xatu does a load of damage to archeops with psyshock but yes archeops cannot directly switch-in due to its severe frailty unfortunately. More of an offensive check to those to say the least.

calcs

4 SpA Archeops Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Garbodor: 170-200 (46.7 - 54.9%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO

4 SpA Archeops Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Garbodor: 170-200 (46.7 - 54.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Garbodor Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Archeops: 88-104 (30.2 - 35.7%) -- 34.7% chance to 3HKO

0 Atk Garbodor Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Archeops: 88-104 (30.2 - 35.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Archeops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xatu: 458-542 (169 - 200%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Xatu Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Archeops: 195-230 (67 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Xatu Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Archeops: 195-230 (67 - 79%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Defeatist Archeops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xatu: 230-272 (84.8 - 100.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Defeatist Archeops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xatu: 230-272 (84.8 - 100.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Abejas]

Steelix @ Life Orb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 128 SpD / 56 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock/Taunt/Toxic
Special Steelix is a huge threat to this core, since normally xatu walls or checks steelix but it really cant take flash cannons or dark pulses very well. Dark Pulse OHKO's after rocks, and steelix can take any 1 hit from xatu. Needless to say Garbodor cant really touch steelix and gets OHKO'd back.

calcs

252+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Steelix Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Xatu: 252-299 (75.4 - 89.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Steelix Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Xatu: 188-224 (56.2 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Xatu Heat Wave vs. 100 HP / 128 SpD Steelix: 158-186 (50 - 58.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Steelix Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Garbodor: 374-445 (102.7 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Garbodor Drain Punch vs. 100 HP / 0 Def Steelix: 56-68 (17.7 - 21.5%) -- possible 5HKO

 

[nv]

The early streak didn't last...anyways, time for partners. Submissions end on Monday.

 

[Shadestep]

Lanturn @ Assault Vest
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 144 SpD / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Scald
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Signal Beam

AV Lanturn deals with a lot of the threats to this core, such as Pyroar, Specs Swellow, special Skuntank, Manectric, etc.. It's a great overall pivot and helps wear down the problems that this core has. One of Lanturn's biggest fear is hazards (especially TSpikes), which both Xatu and Garbodor prevent. It synergizes well with this core all-around, in my opinion.

 

[poh]

Hariyama @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Bullet Punch
- Stone Edge / Fake Out

Deals with the majority of the threats posted above and provides good support with Thick Fat. The core also struggles with wisphex Rotom / Mismagius so you could run Guts to hit them even harder with Knock Off.

Calcs:

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 141-166 (32.8 - 38.6%) -- 99.3% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 136-162 (31.7 - 37.7%) -- 90.8% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Jynx Psychic vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 194-230 (45.2 - 53.6%) -- 34.8% chance to 2HKO

 

[pancake]

What this core really needs is a switch-in to Hyper Voice/Boomburst/Normal Spam.

shoutout to PursuitOfHappiny for also using a good meme sprite

Rhydon @ Eviolite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rock Blast
- Megahorn

Tank Rhydon easily checks threats to this core like Specs Pyroar, Specs Swellow, Skuntank, Archeops. Although it must be weary of HP Grass from Pyroar, it lives one and is able to OHKO back with Earthquake.

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 292-348 (70.5 - 84%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Also make sure it's Specs Pyroar, as it loses 1v1 to WoW variants (but it can still OHKO with a little chip damage when burned).

As for the others, it just checks them as long as they don't run HP Grass, and can easily OHKO back with either Earthquake o

252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 80-95 (19.3 - 22.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Expert Belt Skuntank Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 197-235 (47.5 - 56.7%) -- 84% chance to 2HKO (This is from the calc, the set here didn't have this move or item).
4 SpA Archeops Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 122-144 (29.4 - 34.7%) -- 8.8% chance to 3HKO

 

[PrinceLucian]

Poliwrath @ Life Orb
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald/Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Earthquake
- Vacuum Wave

-Poliwrath is pretty good partner for garbodor/xatu core because it checks Edgequake combo that core is weak to, its also a great check to pokemon like kabutops/rott/omastar that core doesnt like facing, while garbodor provides a good grass check for it. Moveset is pretty offensive, and LO is my favourite set since poliwrath sp.atk is kinda subpar, and it doesnt lock it into a move like specs set. Earthquake is preffered on this set for luring lanturn since it easily 2Ko-es it, hydro pump stab hits hard but it comes with cost of bad accuracy so Scald is usually preffered option.

 

[nv]

Thanks to ~Eternally and erisia for helping me pick winners this week n_n

This week's winner for threat is Shadestep's Pyroar and the winner for partner is PrinceLucian's Poliwrath. Congratulations!

This week's core is one that has somewhat withstood the test of time with tier shifts and metagame trends...

Sets + Description

Haunter @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
- Will-O-Wisp / Taunt

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive / Naughty Nature
- Explosion
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off

This is a solid offensive core that can easily support one another. Haunter is an amazing wallbreaker with a nice Speed tier, leaving a lot of slower things struggling to deal with this powerful Pokemon. It has good enough damage with its STAB moves plus the support of Shiftry that it can afford to run support moves rather than coverage moves. Destiny Bond allows Haunter to take down a slower threat with ease while Will-O-Wisp burns things and Taunt breaks stall esp. with its nice immunity to Toxic. Shiftry helps Haunter break through Skuntank a lot easier while also providing a solid way to break past the faster Pokemon Haunter can't with STAB Sucker Punch. Shiftry also can get rid of the opponent's items, making them not as good for switching into either Shiftry or Haunter's attacks.

The threat nomination period will end on Thursday. You may now post threats to this core.

 

[PrinceLucian]

Skuntank @ Lum Berry
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 Atk / 108 SpD / 148 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Poison Jab
- Sucker Punch
- Taunt

-Skuntank is one of the biggest threat to this core, since it beats both shiftry/haunter with its stab moves, and can switch in defensively with its decent all around bulk. Skuntank also forces mindgames vs core since it can force explosion 1v1 vs shiftry and switch out, while haunter needs to Dbond in order to beat it. Physical set is chosen because it can trap haunter with cost of dying, but special Defog set also works well.

 

[etern]

Liepard @ Choice Band
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Play Rough
- U-turn
- Sucker Punch / Pursuit

CB Liepard is a huge threat to this team, simply due to the fact that it outspeeds both members, OHKO's them, and can gain momentum with U-turn if they switch out. Furthermore, Liepard is resistant to Sucker Punch meaning it can get around Shiftry's ability to pick off faster Pokemon that threaten it.

 

[poh]

Handsome (Barbaracle) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- X-Scissor
- Razor Shell
- Stone Edge
- Switcheroo


Scarfbaracle outspeeds both Haunter and Shiftry and OHKOs them with Razor Shell and X-Scissor respectively. No matter if you outspeed this core or not Sucker Punch will still 2HKO, unless you resist it. Tauros does the same job against this core but has more chance to miss.

252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Barbaracle: 138-164 (48.4 - 57.5%) -- 91.4% chance to 2HKO

 

[cryalot]

Charizard is an hard threat to deal with for this core, being able to switch into Shiftry and Haunter and to outspeed and OHKO both with all its sets:

Special Attacker
Charizard @ Choice Specs / Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power Grass
- Flamethrower / Roost

If specs: OHKO on both with Air Slash. If LO: OHKO on both with Fire Blast.

If you dont believe me

252 SpA Choice Specs Charizard Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Shiftry: 546-644 (170 - 200.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Charizard Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 261-307 (112.9 - 132.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Charizard Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Shiftry: 476-562 (148.2 - 175%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Charizard Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 331-391 (143.2 - 169.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Charizard Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 226-266 (97.8 - 115.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard: 191-226 (64.3 - 76%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard: 200-238 (67.3 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

DD
Charizard @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Thunder Punch
- Dragon Dance

Flare Blitz is an OHKO on both.

calchi

252 Atk Life Orb Charizard Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Shiftry: 572-678 (178.1 - 211.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Charizard Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 355-419 (153.6 - 181.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Bulky SD Acro
Charizard
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost

Packing wow, charizard is able to easily set up on Shiftry. Acrobatics is almost a OHKO anyway.
Thanks to the bulk Charizard can set up on Haunter as well and kill with a +2 acro. Unboosted Acrobatics does 82% min, good chance to OHKO after rocks.

calcarelli

8 Atk Charizard Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Shiftry: 314-372 (97.8 - 115.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Sucker Punch vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Charizard: 191-226 (53.2 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb burned Shiftry Explosion vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Charizard: 199-234 (55.4 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 Atk Charizard Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 195-229 (84.4 - 99.1%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Charizard: 200-238 (55.7 - 66.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[nv]

I forgot again, sorry about that. Anyways, time to post those partners. You have until Monday to do so. Good luck! :)

 

[poh]

Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Atk / 196 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stone Edge
- Drain Punch
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock

Regirock deals with Skuntank, Liepard and Zard. Regirock provides speed control which this core definitely needs and sets up rocks which is really beneficial for Haunter.

 

[erisia]

Lilligant @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Chlorophyll / Own Tempo
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain / Petal Dance
- Hidden Power Rock
- Healing Wish / Sleep Powder

Scarf Lilligant is a rare set but one that I've had a lot of fun with and that checks most of the threats to this core decently well. Most of them rely on outspeeding Haunter, and Scarf Lilligant does heavy damage to them with either its STAB moves or Hidden Power Rock in Charizard/Scyther's case. Sleep Powder could be used to stop non-Lum Skuntank but I think Healing Wish is still superior in general. Shiftry in particular also provides wallbreaking support so that Lilligant can clean more efficiently in the late game. Skuntank can cause problems I guess.

 

[etern]

Piloswine @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 220 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard

Piloswine is a great partner to this core, tackling the Dark-types that give it trouble, particularly Skuntank. Moreover, Piloswine gives the core a solid Ice-type resist, Volt-Switch blocker, and Rock setter, which can distrupt faster threats to this core (namely Charizard).

 

[nv]

This week I decided to pick the winners myself (not because I didn't have anyone to ask, I just felt like it, yea...)

This week's winner for threat is PrinceLucian's Skuntank and the winner for partner is ~Eternally's Piloswine. Congratulations!

This week's core is one I stole from Shadowtags in the Good Cores thread...

Sets + Description

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Yawn / Clear Smog
- Recover

Sliggoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Dragon Breath
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Audino @ Audinite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 212 HP / 44 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Heal Bell / Knock Off
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam

A defensive core that I've found useful on a stall team I made. The slug core of Gastrodon and Sliggoo cover a ton of ground defensively. Add a brainless fat mon like Audino and boom, you get a pretty stubborn trio to take down. Standard sets across the board, the Gastrodon can be optimized and/or tweaked to suit your needs. The spread above is not what I run but max defense is for the most part pretty reliable. Yawn is cool for forcing switches but its a bit more specific to the team I'm using it on. Clear smog is probably the better move to use if you're gonna try to build with this core. Standard rest talk sliggoo, again hp fire is pretty team specific so you can opt to run another coverage move if you wish. Sp def Audino ties up the core as a reliable wish passer and decent check to wall breakers like Aurorus and Abomasnow with Knock Off if you choose to run it over Heal Bell.

The threat nomination period will end on Thursday. You may now post threats to this core.

 

[erisia]

Abomasnow @ Life Orb
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Ice Punch
- Seed Bomb / Wood Hammer
- Ice Shard / Earthquake

As you pointed out earlier, Ice-types do a lot of damage to both members of the core outside Mega Audino. Swords Dance Abomasnow of course can outspeed and break through all three members and cause some serious damage. This set is a little unusual in that it runs Ice Punch over Earthquake to hit Sliggoo harder. Wood Hammer OHKOes this Mega Audino set at +2 after SR + Hail and Seed Bomb can still whittle it down over time thanks to Hail damage.

252 Atk Life Orb Abomasnow Seed Bomb vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Gastrodon: 499-593 (117.1 - 139.2%)
252 Atk Life Orb Abomasnow Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 168 Def Eviolite Sliggoo: 218-257 (64.1 - 75.5%)
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Abomasnow Seed Bomb vs. 212 HP / 0 Def Mega Audino: 220-261 (55 - 65.2%)
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Abomasnow Wood Hammer vs. 212 HP / 0 Def Mega Audino: 331-390 (82.7 - 97.5%)

0 SpA Sliggoo Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Abomasnow: 172-204 (53.5 - 63.5%)

 

[etern]

Sawsbuck-Autumn @ Life Orb
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Double-Edge
- Jump Kick / Substitute

Sawsbuck is a huge threat to this core, as it can set up an SD on Gastrodon, and proceed to tear through Sliggoo and Audino with a +2 STAB Double Edge. Substitute variants of Sawsbuck can also safely set up as Gastrodon or Sliggoo as it sleeps, and proceed to sweep from there. (300th Post!!!!!!)

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Sawsbuck Double-Edge vs. 212 HP / 0 Def Mega Audino: 348-411 (87 - 102.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Sawsbuck Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 168 Def Eviolite Sliggoo: 364-429 (107 - 126.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Sawsbuck Horn Leech vs. 212 HP / 0 Def Mega Audino: 218-257 (54.5 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Punchshroom]

Sawsbuck is a huge threat to this core, as it can set up an SD on Gastrodon, and proceed to tear through Sliggoo and Audino with a +2 STAB Double Edge.

Yeah you definitely do not want to Double-Edge the Audino when u can just outheal it with +2 Horn Leech. Hell, Audino is prime setup fodder.

Anyway, the weakness of this core is pretty apparent; nearly any physical attacker that can best Gastrodon can give this core a lot of issues...

...which is why I'm going to post the exact opposite of that (permission of nv).

Lapras @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Whirlpool
- Perish Song
- Freeze-Dry
- Protect / Substitute

GG

 

[PrinceLucian]

Aurorus @ Choice Specs
Ability: Refrigerate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
- Frost Breath/Flash Cannon

-A bit late, but pretty glad Aurorus wasnt taken because with Choice specs equipped and its great overall bulk, it can nearly one shot the whole core, while barely taking any damage back. Its defensive typing isnt the best, but its definitely useful to check passive defensive pokemon like these. Overall, really underrated threat rn, i dont see people use it and its a pokemon that also offers defensive sinergy so be sure to try it.

 

[BIG G CHOPPA]

Xatu @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Psyshock
- Heat Wave

Due to xatu's respectable bulk, it can easily be able to shrug off attacks directed at it from defensive pokemon like these. They are passive and cannot fear it that much. The only nuisance from them is a possible scald burn (pretty much inevitable), along with a paralysis from dragonbreath. Paralysis makes it harder to setup on them but otherwise it manages to do well against this core. Setting up and then nailing them with a psyshock, pretty simple and straight forward. Though gastrodon is capable of removing its stat boosts with clear smog so keep that in mind, but if it opts for yawn then yea xatu easily sets up on it.