Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
Moreso Mold Breaker Excadrill in general, but Scarfed sets are the most common Mold Breaker sets that enough speed to outrun Nidoking, even if they do not need the Scarf to do it. Mold Breaker + STAB Earthquake scores super effective hits on both Nidoking and Rotom-W, the former cleanly OHKOd and the latter KOd with Stealth Rock and some prior damage.
Here's a defensive check to this core, which is a bit rare. Mega Latias can stomach most of Nidoking's attacks, though it will get 2HKOed by Ice Beam. Once it's in, it can boost up it's Defenses with Calm Mind and thoroughly wall Nidoking out while threatening an OHKO with Ice Beam. Rotom-W is, of course, complete set up fodder and does absolutely nothing to Latias.
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 177-208 (48.7 - 57.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Ice Beam vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 117-140 (32.2 - 38.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 43-51 (11.8 - 14%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock -- lol
Due to Nidoking lacking Superpower, this set is able to use both core members as setup fodder. In addition, it is able to threaten Nidoking with an SE Ice Beam. The given EVs provide Blissey with a Leftovers number.
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Sludge Wave vs. 20 HP / 236 SpD Blissey: 129-152 (19.6 - 23.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
Outspeeds and cleanly OHKOs Nidoking, while Earth Power does a sizable chunk to Rotom-Wash, although it will not OHKO.
252 SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-B Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 226-268 (74.5 - 88.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Kyu-B doesn't appreciate switching into Nidoking at all, but it can technically switch into any attack of either mon and proceed to still sweep this core. Will-O-Wisp does cripple it in general but Kyu-B does not need Fusion Bolt for either of these pokemon.
Serperior @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power Fire
- Giga Drain
Serperior OHKOs Rotom-W with Leaf Storm and gains +2 SpA thanks to contrary. Leaft Storm easily OHKOs Nidoking after +2, and even unboosted Leaf Storm can KO after prior damage, either from entry hazards or other attacks.
252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoking: 242-286 (79.8 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoking: 242-286 (79.8 - 94.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoking: 484-569 (159.7 - 187.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 359-424 (118.4 - 139.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb / Thunderbolt
- Muddy Water / Earthquake
This core can barely do anything against Goodra. While Goodra is worn down by burns from Rotom-Wash, Goodra can take anything else from this core and retaliate back with a powerful Draco Meteor (or, if you dislike the Special Attack drop, then Dragon Pulse).
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Ice Beam vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 117-140 (30.7 - 36.7%) -- 65.3% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 29-35 (7.6 - 9.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ SpA Goodra Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 195-229 (64.3 - 75.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Goodra Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoking: 262-309 (86.4 - 101.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast
- Roost
Charizard can outspeed both Pokemon, Mega Evolve and OHKO both of them with a Sun-boosted Fire Blast and Solar Beam respectively. While it is immune to Earth Power, it doesn't appreciate taking a Sludge Wave (won't OHKO but the damage is huge). It can also take hits from Rotom-W but it's better to switch it into a predicted Wisp to avoid unnecessary damage.
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Nidoking in Sun: 397-468 (131 - 154.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Solar Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 284-336 (93.7 - 110.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
EDIT: Maybe Thunder Wave can be slashed over Pain Split on Rotom-W to form a Double Status set? That makes it much more annoying to switch into and helps to patch up Nidoking's subpar Speed.
After mega evolving, Gardevoir can threaten both members of the core beating then quite easily. It cannot switch in vs Nidoking or mega evolve vs it but is still a big threat to the core.
(Set and EVs spread are stolen from the UU dex)
With this set, Kyurem, another C+ rank threat such as Nidoking, can PP stall Rotom-W because the washing machine is unable to break its Sub:
0 SpA Rotom-W Volt Switch vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Kyurem: 42-51 (10.3 - 12.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Kyurem: 67-80 (16.5 - 19.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery (only 8 PP and can miss wasting 2 PP at once)
Then the dragon can proceed to click Ice Beam:
220 SpA Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 67-80 (22.1 - 26.4%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
Kyurem is not OHKOed by Nidoking (Sludge Wave does 53.3 - 62.9% and we don't fear status thanks to Sheer Power), so it is a soft check to it outspeeding and OHKOing Nidoking back:
220 SpA Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoking: 362-428 (119.4 - 141.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Fake Out
- Ice Punch
Outspeeds Rotom-W and OHKOs it (needs Fake Out if at full)
Outspeeds Nidoking and OHKOs it
252 Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham High Jump Kick vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 243-286 (80.1 - 94.3%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Nidoking: 340-400 (112.2 - 132%) -- guaranteed OHKO
As long as you don't dodge High Jump Kick Medicham is big threat to this core
Manaphy destroys this core as it outspeeds both Nidoking and Rotom-W and can severly weaken/OHKO with Scald and Energy Ball respectively. Wacan isnt necessary as Volt Switch does not OHKO but its nice for setting up easier or against other electrics such as Thundy.
M-Tyranitar can deal with a large amount of the threats mentioned to this core due to its insane attack, with M-Zam and Scarf Exca being the only threats to the core which are capable of outspeeding M-Tar after it sets up 1 Dragon Dance. Due to M-Tars great bulk, it can safely switch in to a lot of the threats such as the Lati twins, Goodra, LO Mew, CM Blissey and Char-Y, with Sand Stream also causing Zard-Ys Solarbeam to become a 2 turn attack. Crunch OHKO's all the Psychic types that threaten the core such as Latios, M-Latias and Mew (M-Garde and Medicham are exceptions, but both are OHKO'd by Crunch at +1). Stone Edge nails Kyurem and Zard-Y, as well as dealing more damage to Manaphy and Goodra. Superpower completely destroys the pink blobs, but this can be replaced by any move you want since Crunch and Stone Edge will still do a lot to both of them anyway, especially when TTar has set up.
I'm not posting a partner but I feel like thunder wave should be slashed with willo on rotom-w. Considering that nidoking is kind of slow it enjoys rotom luring in things like latis crippled and other faster mons crippled as well so it will be an easier time for nidoking to come in and revenge vs frail fast offensive mons
Alright, two people have recommend slashing Thunder Wave and I agree with the suggestion for reasons already mentioned. Thanks for the feedback, I've made the change and added a brief explanation of its merits.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 8 / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Taunt
- Toxic
So yeah team's weak to Serperior, Volcarona, Latios, Chansey, and Mega Gardevoir. Ok granted Heatran isn't taking on Gardevoir super well it's still better than nothing, but it pretty much walls the others and sets up rocks. It also lures in opposing Rotom-Wash and weakens it for Nidoking. Protect is optional if you wanna have some better counterplay to Lopunny and Medicham. I think since this is fast Heatran, bases are covered on Scizor and we can go ahead and give Thunder Wave to Rotom-Wash for speed control. Will-O-Wisp over Toxic is an option as well to better check Bisharp
Hoopa-U is a strong mixed attacker with a good special bulk which can kill in one hit most of the threats in this list; for example:
Mega Alakazam, Mega Gardevoir, Mew, Latios, Serperior are OHKOed;
Kyurem, Manaphy, Mega Latias, Blissey, Chansey, Mega Charizard-Y, Goodra are 2HKOed by Hoopa-U before the opposite happens
with the correct coverage move it can easily revenge kill Crawdant (82 - 97%), Mega Medicham (82.6 - 97.3%)
Kyurem-B is a thorn in Hoopa's side, but the latter can 2HKO the former which is well handled if is burned by Rotom
On the defensive side, Hoopa-U (weak to Fairy and very weak to Bug) sinergyzes well with the other two monsters because: Nidoking can check decently some Fairies lacking Psychic coverage (if Hoopa-U is unable to kill them) and Bug moves. Rotom provides speed control in tems of Thunder Wave or softens switch-ins into physical attackers thanks to Will o' Wisp.
Since the OP has reached a character limit, I have split the archive of previous cores. The cores that were featured in bludz's previous thread are included in this post. The cores featured by me are in the OP.
As there were only 4 partners submissions for Nidoking + Rotom-W, I will be picking 1 winner only. Congratulations to nameless90 for winning with their Hoopa-U entry! Having something speedy to revenge kill the various faster threats capable of troubling this core is very appreciated. As nameless90 explained, Hoopa-U is able to revenge kill the majority of mentioned threats while forming a nice offensive pair alongside the core. Below I've included two additional partners I think pair well with the core and weren't mentioned. These won't count towards anything, and are mostly being mentioned in case someone wants to use the core in the future and is looking for more partners:
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 208 HP / 48 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
Torn-T is able to check several big threats to this core, such as Mega Alakazam, Latios, and Serperior. Other special attackers like Gengar and Keldeo are included here, as the core doesn't like switching in on them. As originally mentioned, Nidoking appreciates being brought in for free, and Torn-T is able to do this nicely with U-turn. Moreover, Torn-T adds a good deal of speed to an otherwise slow core, making it an overall good partner.
U-turn Mega Scizor provides Nidoking with further opportunities to come in for free and forms a nice VoltTurn pair with Rotom-W. Additionally, Mega Scizor checks troublesome threats like Latios, Mega Latias, Mega Alakazam, Mega Gardevoir, Kyurem-B, and several others.
Here is the core for this week:
Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse or Roost
- Flash Cannon
- Fire Blast
For the sake of simplicity, I am using the Hydreigon from the analysis. Hydreigon has many other possible options to use between Superpower, Taunt, Earth Power, and so on. Choosing its moves is always tricky, depending largely on personal preference and the needs of your team. As such, I figured it'd be good to use the "standard" in this case. Regardless of coverage, the premise behind the core largely stays the same, so here we go!
Hydreigon is a powerful wall breaker, having few reliable switch ins. Its coverage is impressive and hits a good range of targets. With Roost, it's able to stick around longer and perform the breaker role more effectively. While Hydreigon gives more defensive styles a nightmare, its lackluster speed and weakness to common types leaves it vulnerable to several faster offensive threats. Although they can't switch in reliably, some examples include Mega Diancie, Weavile, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Lopunny, Latios, and so on. This is where Jirachi comes in, checking these threats and more thanks to Choice Scarf and a resistance to some of Hydreigon's main weaknesses. Jirachi can also provide Hydreigon with chances to come in for free with U-turn. Considering how Hydreigon heavily pressures common Jirachi switch-ins like Hippowdon, Skarmory, Slowbro, and defensive Landorus-T, this is really cool. Healing Wish is also nice to give Hydreigon a second life, which is especially useful for variants lacking Roost.
The discussion on threats can now begin. This will go on for 3 days.
While Megazard X cannot switch in against Hydreigon, if it does manage to switch in via a slow U-Turn/Volt Switch user, then it can outspeed Hydreigon and KO it with Dragon Claw, even without a Dragon Dance. As for Jirachi, it can switch into any of its moves and KO back with Flare Blitz.
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 372-440 (114.4 - 135.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 510-602 (149.5 - 176.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 192 SpD / 68 Spe
Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Toxic
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
Okay, so this may not be the strongest threat against Hydreigon but it does avoid the 2HKO from dark pulse, so it can toxic Hydreigon and wear it down faster. Heatran also keeps Jirachi out unless the opponent sacks a mon or pressures Tran out with another member of the team. If Hydreigon doesn't have dark pulse for some reason and it has roost, then it's walled easily after a draco and forces a switch. Nonetheless, Heatran is a decent threat to this core.
252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 192+ SpD Heatran: 133-157 (34.5 - 40.7%) -- 54.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 192+ SpD Heatran: 107-126 (27.7 - 32.7%)
-2 252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 192+ SpD Heatran: 55-64 (14.2 - 16.6%)
-2 252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 192+ SpD Heatran: 66-79 (17.1 - 20.5%)
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide / Toxic / Iron Head / X-Scissor
This isn't a perfect answer to the core, since it can't switch in on Hydreigon's Draco Meteor, or either of Jirachi's STABs, however, it does easily OHKO Hydreigon and outspeeds and 2HKOs Jirachi, meaning that if Terrakion manages to come in on Hydreigon, the core is in serious trouble. Additionally, Earthquake lets it beat Jirachi 1v1, by living an Iron Head and 2HKOing back without dropping its defenses, although it does let Hydreigon come in on it for free.
252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 265-312 (82 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Terrakion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 426-504 (131 - 155%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 240-284 (74.3 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Terrakion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 195-231 (57.1 - 67.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Terrakion Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 218-258 (63.9 - 75.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Cobalion @ Shuca Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
OHKO's Hydreigon, also resists 3 of the 4 moves and even gets an attack boost from Dark Pulse. Jirachi can only try to flinchspam but once the sub is up, Jirachi doesn't have much chance to win 1v1. If Cobalion switches in against Iron Head instead of Heart Stamp things become even easier because you take hits much easier and OHKO Jirachi with a +2 CC
+2 252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 306-360 (89.7 - 105.5%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Jirachi Heart Stamp vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 67-79 (20.7 - 24.4%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 192-227 (59.4 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 336-396 (103.3 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
