Project NU Cores Threat Analysis - Haunter + Shiftry

[Shadestep]

Haunter @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball / Hex
- Sludge Bomb
- Filler

pretty uncommon pokémon, but still very threatening. it OHKOs both, and can check Sawk better due to Will-O-Wisp + Colbur Berry. it OHKOs both of them with Shadow Ball (Hex is useful, but not really in this situation since Xatu is almost never statused) and Sludge wave, respectively.
Filler can be Substitute, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, etc.

 

[Winter's Howl]

Alright, we are now going to switch over and nominate partners for the core until Saturday! As a reminder, the core is Xatu + Sawk.

 

[Dr Ciel]

Taking Rhydon.

Hot Coals (Rhydon) @ Eviolite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rock Blast / Stone Edge
- Megahorn / Swords Dance

Rhydon makes a decent partner for both members of this core thanks to its many redeeming qualities. For Xatu, Rhydon can block Volt Switch, and in general check common Electric types in the tier. As for Sawk, it provides vital Stealth Rock support because of the amount of switches it forces, effectively wearing down it checks and counters.

 

[AJB]

Scyther @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Aerial Ace
- Knock Off
- Quick Attack

CB Scyth is a sick partner for this core for a few reasons. Scyth loves the hazard support that Xatu brings with Magic Bounce, and can also get Sawk in for free to fire off Banded nukes. Scyther also appreciates Sawk's ability to crush bulky rock and steel types such as Rhydon and Steelix that would otherwise give it trouble. Scyth also tears apart the common Psychic-Fighting-Dark core that can give Xatu+Sawk trouble. Overall, Banded Scyth is an excellent partner for this core.

 

[etern]

Skuntank @ Lum Berry
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 232 Atk / 132 SpD / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Taunt
- Poison Jab

Skuntank is a really resourceful partner for both Sawk and Xatu, pursuit trapping annoying ghost and psychic types such as Haunter, Mesprit, Mismagius etc. Skunk also takes down two threats to this core, in Musharna and Mega Audino. In return, Sawk breaks the rock and steel types that Skuntank dislikes, whilst Xatu discourages hazards, and provides is a nice resist against fighting types, as well as an immunity to ground. Overall these 3 mons complement each other very nicely and have good synergy.

 

[NotNova]

Steelix @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Atk / 120 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
- Toxic

Steelix is a bit of a generic partner, but it provides hazard support and also checks two threats mentioned: Musharna and Swellow, and to a much lesser degree (due to Will-O-Wisp) Rotom-Fan. It's a Volt Switch blocker and can check Scyther and Archeops which are huge threats to the core. Makes for some sick mind games against bulky Poisons like Garbodor or Weezing as well, between clicking Will-O or Spikes and getting bounced back or clicking an attack predicting Steelix.

 

[Winter's Howl]

Alright, thank you all for your submissions! We'll be ending the nomination period now. Since NV has returned from his hiatus, he will be taking over hosting duties again. Everyone welcome him back! He will be picking two people to help him vote, and posting the results on Monday, the 11th. I want to say thank you to NV and to everyone who contributed in order to make this a great experience.

 

[nv]

I am surprising everyone by posting the winners today lol. Anyways, thanks goes to MARCU5theBAW5 and Draeden for helping pick the winners. That being said, congratulations for Sir Kay and his Musharna submission and ~Eternally and his amazing Skuntank post.

This week, I decided to go with a tried and true core that I personally love...

+

Sets + Brief Description

Scyther @ Eviolite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Aerial Ace
- Roost
- Swords Dance

Hitmonchan @ Life Orb / Fist Plate
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Ice Punch
- Rapid Spin

Scyther is a very effective setup sweeper that is only crippled by Stealth Rock and its sweep being hindered by Rock- and Steel-types. Hitmonchan not only takes care of those Rock- and Steel-types, it also provides Rapid Spin support to get rid of Stealth Rock that really cripples Scyther. Scyther can take care of the Psychic-types that tend to tank Hitmonchan's hits thanks to STAB U-turn and being able to outboost most CM Psychics bar Barrier Musharna.

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

 

[boltsandbombers]

Rotom @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 108 Def / 148 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split

While Rotom doesn't punish Scyther from clicking U-turn (not much really does), it does a great job of handling this core. Firstly, as Scyther lacks Knock Off it cannot hope to break past Rotom given that Rotom resists both Aerial Ace and U-turn while it is forced to only chip away with U-turn in fear of getting burned by Will-O-Wisp. Hitmonchan's role as a spinner is shut down by Rotom, which hinder's Scyther significantly if Stealth Rocks are kept up on its side of the field. While Rotom takes about half from Ice Punch, it can heal up some of the damage with Pain Split or threaten to burn Hitmonchan.

 

[AJB]

Garbodor @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Haze

Nothing too complicated here. Garb walls Hitmonchan to hell and back and punishes Scyther for clicking u-turn. Haze is actually a really cool option on defensive Garb that nobody expects, but it helps with mons like Scyther, Klinklang, Gurdurr etc. Garb also sets up spikes with ease on Hitmonchan which is cool too.

 

[TONE]

Weezing @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Sludge Bomb
- Taunt
- Flamethrower

Weezing handles both pretty well as both hates being burned by Will-O-Wisp as well as packing Flamethrower for Scyther on top of that. The third slot can be interchangeable with Pain Split to give Weezing some recovery albeit unreliable whereas Rocky Helmet can punish both Scyther and Hitmonchan and wear them down even more.

 

[kay]

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Curse
- Recover

So this is a mon that can set up along Scyther and not loose in a set up war thanks to unaware. Good bulk coupled with recovery leaves both Scyther and Hitmonchan to become set up fodder as it "just wins" the moment it finds itself in vs one of then two. It can even switch in to both of them and set up on their faces, you don't need to get it in safely. It comes in, walls stuff, and sets up.

 

[Silver Aurum]

Pelipper @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 248 HP / 204 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
- Defog
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Roost

Pelipper shuts this core down rather easily with the ability to spread scald burns, recovery reliably vs both Scyther and Hitmonchan, and deal a fair amount of damage with STAB Hurricane. The only problem that you face vs this core is if you are put into a situation where Scyther is able to continuously set up on you due to Hurricane misses or lack of Scald burns, but lets be real Scald burn is inevitable. 56 speed EV's is for Adamant Rhydon BTW.

Calcs

252+ Atk Life Orb Iron Fist Hitmonchan Ice Punch vs. 248 HP / 204+ Def Pelipper: 91-108 (28.1 - 33.4%) -- 92.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hitmonchan: 192-228 (79.6 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 Atk Technician Scyther Aerial Ace vs. 248 HP / 204+ Def Pelipper: 79-94 (24.4 - 29.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Scyther: 168-198 (48.9 - 57.7%) -- 93.4% chance to 2HKO

 

[nv]

Ok the threat nomination period is over. You may now post partners to the core from now until Friday.

 

[Silver Aurum]

Mismagius @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt
- Pain Split

Defensive Mismagius makes a surprisingly good partner for this core. Mismagius' Will-o-Wisp + Hex combo coupled with a decent speed tier and Taunt, allow it to handle almost every defensive answer to this core including all of the defensive threats mentioned above. This core also really benefits from Will-o-Wisp to cripple strong physical attackers that it can struggle to switch in on or handle.

 

[Winter's Howl]

Mesprit @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 52 HP / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Signal Beam/U-Turn
- Ice Beam
- Healing Wish/Stealth Rock

Obligatory Mesprit. Scrolling through the threats that were posted, it becomes apparent how well Mesprit fits with the Hitmonchan + Scyther core. The most common answers are things like bulky poisons, SpDef weak mons, and things that just don't like taking a STAB Psychic in general. Mesprit's Healing Wish is huge for the core, as it can give Scyther another chance if Hitmonchan is to fall and let hazards get up. The set you see here is one of my favorites, but Mesprit is so versatile that it is virtually fully customizable, far beyond the options that I have slashed. U-turn can be used over Signal Beam to create a turn core with Scyther that provides easy momentum, and Stealth Rock can make Mesprit a reliable hazard setter when used in conjunction with Ice Beam to hit deterrents such as Xatu. The EV spread allows Mesprit to speed creep standard Xatu. Note that you can use other items over Colbur Berry if you please, such as Leftovers or Life Orb. I'll leave some calcs below for you guys to dig through.

Calcs

252 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Pelipper: 169-201 (52.3 - 62.2%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom: 157-186 (51.6 - 61.1%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Weezing: 338-398 (101.1 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Garbodor: 300-354 (82.4 - 97.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Quagsire: 178-211 (45.1 - 53.5%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 52 HP / 0 SpD Mesprit: 100-118 (31.8 - 37.5%) -- 89.6% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Weezing Sludge Bomb vs. 52 HP / 0 SpD Mesprit: 82-97 (26.1 - 30.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

0 Atk Garbodor Gunk Shot vs. 52 HP / 0 Def Mesprit: 118-141 (37.5 - 44.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Dr Ciel]

Calling Magmortar

Flame of Passion (Magmortar) @ Life Orb
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Rash / Mild Nature
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Grass / Focus Blast
- Earthquake

Magmortar is a fantastic partner to this core, as it can massacre common physical walls that threaten this core including Weezing, Garbodor, Mega Audino, and others with STAB Fire Blast 2HKOing each of them with relative ease. With these threat eliminated, this opens a huge path for Scyther to sweep with top notch efficence.

 

[AJB]

Musharna @ Mind Plate/Colbur Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Future Sight
- Signal Beam
- Moonlight

As Winter's Howl already posted, Psychic type's are a great asset for this core. Offensive Future Sight Musharna is a sick partner for Scyth + Chan, as not only can Mushy immediately OHKO any Poison type that would otherwise wall the core, but can actually prevent any of these Poisons from coming in due to Future Sight. With a looming 120 BP Future Sight in the air, bulky poisons such as Weezing and Garbodor can no longer switch in to wall Scyther/Hitmonchan, and your opponent must now switch in something else to try and take a LO Drain Punch from Chan or a +2 Aerial Ace from Scyther. Musharna also appreciates the free switches Scyther provides with U-Turn, and Hitmonchan's ability to break down Steel Types like Steelix that give Mush trouble.

Edit: Mind Plate is cool for the extra boost on Psychic/Future Sight, but in a Sawk infested meta like this one, Colbur Berry is a viable option for extra insurance.

 

[nv]

Thanks to GyRro this week for helping choose the winners. This week's winner for threat goes to Aurosis' Garbodor while the best partner goes to Silver Aurum's Mismagius. Congratulations! :)

This week's core is...

+

Sets + Brief Description

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

(Rotom) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split

Not only do these two have decent defensive synergy, their role synergy is really nice. Hariyama takes care of the Fire-types that tend to plague Rotom while Rotom breaks down defensive cores a bit easier and cripple physical attackers while being able to pivot out fairly easily with Volt Switch. These two also work very well at breaking down Dark-types as well thanks to Yama's Fighting STAB and Rotom "luring" with Colbur + Wisp.

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

 

[lolbro]

Im at school so it will be up 2nite, but im reserving sceptile

Sceptile @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Acrobatics
- Substitute

So basically I'm pretty sure this sets up on 8 spatk rotom b/c sub, and hariyama can't kill with fake out into bp, sub or not. It also lures in hari b/c people with think you're special, then you sub on the switch and SD on the cc

 

[Dr Ciel]

Reserving Le Coconut Tree.

Black Sun (Exeggutor) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power Fire

While not able to directly switch-in, Choice Specs Exeggutor is one of the bigger threats to this core thanks to its high Special Attack combined with powerful STAB moves. Psyshock will easily OHKO Hariyama, & Leaf Storm will absolutely clobber Rotom with relative ease.

 

[AJB]

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

Swellow is a pretty big threat to this core. Rotom can't switch into any of its moves as it either gets OHKO'd or 2HKO'd from Boomburst, or loses momentum as Swellow clicks U-turn. Hariyama on the other hand can reliably take 2 Boombursts, but with no form of recovery, is whittled down very quickly and becomes dead weight as it can no longer sponge strong special attacks from the likes of Magmortar and Pyroar.

Cals

252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom: 237-279 (77.9 - 91.7%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 136-162 (31.7 - 37.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[GyRro]

What if I told you the biggest threat to this core... is the core itself?

selfie

(Hariyama) @ Choice Band
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 116 Def / 140 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch

Guts allows it to lure rotom into will-o-wisp or just straight up switch in, and then cripple it back with knock off. The extra speed allows it to outspeed the AV Hariyama set and KO it with cc with the extra power from choice band.

252+ Atk Choice Band Hariyama Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hariyama: 459-540 (106.9 - 125.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Rapture]

Pyroar (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Hyper Voice
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Pyroar is one big threat to this core and also part of the reason I never rely on Hariyama as my main fire check. Rotom is a pretty easy switch in for Pyroar as Hex and Will-o-wisp both do nothing to it and it is forced out by Fire Blast. Hariyama can come in safely in both Fire Blast and Hyper Voice but fears the burn from Pyroars own will-o-wisp. After Hariyama gets burned, it is worn down a lot quicker by Hyper Voice spam due to residual damage racking up. Lo Pyroar manages to 3hko Hariyama with burn damage while Max Hp Rotom has a strong chance to get ohko'd by Fire blast after switching into rocks once.

~calcs~
252 SpA Life Orb Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 122-146 (28.4 - 34%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
252 SpA Life Orb Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom: 257-304 (84.5 - 100%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Winter's Howl]

(Ninetales) @ Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Psyshock

Ninetales wins. Can't switch into Yama comfortably due to CC having a 37.5% chance to OHKO, but Psyshock is an easy 2HKO (OKHO if at +2 with Nasty Plot). Rotom is rendered virtually useless due to Ninetale's Flash Fire absorbing Will-O-Wisp and keeping Hex at 65 BP. In return, the Rotom can be used as set up fodder. If you just feel like killing it, Fire Blast is a clean 2HKO (OHKO with Flash Fire boost).

Calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hariyama: 250-294 (58.2 - 68.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Rotom: 211-250 (69.6 - 82.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Rotom Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales: 73-87 (25.4 - 30.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

0 SpA Rotom Hex (65 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales: 67-81 (23.3 - 28.2%) -- 88% chance to 4HKO