Project NU Cores Threat Analysis - Haunter + Shiftry

[etern]

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

Hitmonchan breaks down the Steel-types such as Ferroseed, Steelix, and Klinklang which annoy this core, as well as providing invaluable hazard removal which gives Aurorus more longevity, and removes Toxic Spikes which Musharna hates. Chan also gives the core some relatively strong priority, Dark-type check, Normal-type revenge killer, and Pyroar/Magmortar revenge killer, which is very useful for any core.

 

[PrinceLucian]

Lanturn @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 40 HP / 156 Def / 204 SpD / 108 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Scald
- Heal Bell
- Thunder Wave

-First time i see core like this so ill just *randomly* post lanturn as its a nice fit for almost every balanced team now, also heal bells the toxiced musharna and switches into things that aurorus didnt kill with hyper voice like fire types, also brings the speed control with twave, this EV Spread isnt my favourite but 108 speed on lanturn outspeeds jolly rhydon if it sets up on psyshosk mushy, alternative spread is 104 hp/232 def/172 spdef.

 

[Dr Ciel]

Reserving Primeape.

Working For It (Primeape) @ Choice Band
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

Choice Band Primeape is a pretty decent partner to this core as it supports both members in significantly different ways. It can eliminate the Dark types that Musharna hates, the most notable being Skuntank. For Aurorus, Primeape easily deals with the Rock and Steel types that Aurorus has trouble with while also making use of U-Turn to get Aurorus in safely or against a favourable matchup.

 

[Rapture]

Scyther @ Eviolite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Wing Attack
Bulky Scyther pairs pretty well with Specs Aurorus and non baton pass Musharna (not to say Musharna using baton pass is a bad choice with Scyther). U-turn is amazing for momentum and bringing Aurorus in safely. Even better, a lot of traditional Scyther checks don't stand up very well to a hyper voice from Aurorus, which is helpful to put Aurorus in a position to put in work versus an opponent's team. Evolite Scyther also makes for a rather sturdy fighting check, meaning Musharna doesn't have to switch in so often which makes a calm mind sweep with it much more likely.

 

[nv]

A little late on this, but thanks to GyRro, Aladyyn, and lolbro for helping me pick the winners this week. This week's winner for threat is PursuitOfHappiny's Klinklang and the winner for threat is ~Eternally's Hitmonchan. Congratulations!

This week's core is one I found recently that I love for its offensive synergy as well as its defensive synergy...

+

Sets + Brief Description

Pyroar @ Life Orb
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Hyper Voice
- Hidden Power Grass / Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp

Rotom @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 SpA / 168 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex
- Volt Switch
- Discharge / Shadow Ball

This core not only helps one another, but they are also self-sufficient enough to be threatening enough on their own. Pyroar can use HP Grass to wear down things such as Lanturn with Wisp while Taunt provides a useful way to prevent Musharna from setting up. Rotom can threaten common Fire-types such as Magmortar with Discharge being able to cripple them and giving Hex a power boost. The defensive synergy of this team comes straight from the two mon's typings with Pyroar being able to take care of Ghost-types for Pyroar while Rotom provides a Ground and Fighting immunity, forcing the opponent to tread carefully.

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

 

[etern]

Camerupt @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Earthquake
- Toxic

Camerupt is one of the best Rotom counters in the tier, absorbing Volt Switch, Wisp, and taking abysmal damage from Hex. Incidentally, Camel also takes on Pyroar quite well, switching in safely on Fire Blast, avoiding the 2HKO from Hyper Voice, and OHKOing in return with EQ. As a bonus, Rupt can even use this core to set up rocks safely.

 

[erisia]

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

This core relies on status to take down Thick Fat Hariyama, so lure in a burn with the Guts set and KO both of these jokers. Obviously Guts Yama takes considerably more damage from Pyroar's Fire Blast, so try not to switch into that unless absolutely necessary.

252 SpA Life Orb Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 149-177 (34.7 - 41.2%)
252+ Atk Guts Hariyama Stone Edge vs. 88 HP / 4 Def Rotom: 209-247 (79.4 - 93.9%)

 

[PrinceLucian]

Swellow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- U-turn
- Heat Wave
- Brave Bird

-One of the coolest looking NU pokemon ,Swellow is a great offensive check to many fast threats as boomburst is great stab that hits very hard even with swellow mediocre sp.atk, Scrappy ability allows it to hit ghosts and I saw a lot of newer people switching into Swellow into their ghost pokemon ,which is why i used it on lower ladder on purpose, spreading the Specs Swellow set which is imo the best set swellow can run atm,its a really good cleaner and performs well on offensive type of teams,its also a good pokemon on spike stack teams,and a hard pokemon to switch into, just because many normal resists in NU dont appreciate being hit with boomburst.

Calcs:

Hide

252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Rotom: 237-279 (90.1 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Rotom: 237-279 (90.1 - 106%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pyroar: 267-315 (85.3 - 100.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pyroar: 267-315 (85.3 - 100.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[poh]

Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 160 HP / 96 Atk / 252 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Thunder Wave / Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Drain Punch / Protect

Regirock can safely switch in to Pyroar since it can't get 2HKOd by it. Switching in to a burn is less neat but Stone Edge still 2HKOs Pyroar. Same story with Rotom. Burn boosted hex still doesn't 2HKO Regirock but on the other hand Regi doesn't like being burned too much. The Rock can safely set up rocks or status something when switching in on Pyroar, unless you play low ladder and they stay in.

calcs

252 SpA Rotom Discharge vs. 160 HP / 252 SpD Regirock: 84-99 (24.6 - 29%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Rotom Hex (130 BP) vs. 160 HP / 252 SpD Regirock: 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and burn damage

252 SpA Life Orb Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 160 HP / 252 SpD Regirock: 120-143 (35.1 - 41.9%) -- 79.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

96+ Atk Regirock Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pyroar: 342-404 (109.2 - 129%) -- guaranteed OHKO
96+ Atk burned Regirock Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pyroar: 171-202 (54.6 - 64.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
96+ Atk Regirock Stone Edge vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 162-192 (61.5 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
96+ Atk burned Regirock Stone Edge vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 81-96 (30.7 - 36.5%) -- 59.1% chance to 3HKO

 

[Silver Aurum]

Sliggoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 SpD
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Outrage

Only way this core can break good ol' Curse Sliggoo is if Pyroar has Taunt, otherwise Sliggoo sets up on both mons and heals consistently with Rest. Not much else to say ;~;

calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 88+ SpD Eviolite Sliggoo: 87-103 (25.5 - 30.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252 SpA Rotom Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 88+ SpD Eviolite Sliggoo: 87-103 (25.5 - 30.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage

 

[nv]

It is a bit early, but I want the schedule of this thread to coincide with the rest of my threads so it is time for partners. Submissions end on Monday.

 

[etern]

Abomasnow @ Life Orb
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Seed Bomb
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake

SD Aboma is an awesome partner to this core, breaking through every threat to it, including Yama, Regirock, Sliggoo, and Magmortar, while also finding set-up opportunities against Swellow thanks to Soundproof. Jolly Abomasnow can also clear away Samurott which would also be dangerous to this core if it gets the chance to set up an SD.

 

[poh]

Mawile @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch

Mawile looks like a nice partner for this core and benefits from Pyroars and Rotoms immunities/resistances. Play Rough destroys Yama, Sligoo and Swellow and 2HKOs Regi with Iron Head. Mawile is also a nice Knock Off absorber so you don't have to run Colbur on Rotom per se.

 

[erisia]

Swellow @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Pursuit / Quick Attack

Swellow is a good offensive partner for Pyroar and Rotom, forming a Normal-spam core with Pyroar while Rotom covers its Electric-type weakness and Swellow covers Pyroar's Ground-type weakness. In particular, Pyroar and Rotom soften up a lot of the common checks to the dangerous Guts set, particularly Steelix and Rhydon, making it a highly threatening cleaner. Pursuit is used in this case to deal with Ghosts like Haunter and Mismagius that might try to cause Rotom problems.

 

[nv]

With the help of Orphic and Allstar, this week's winner for threat and partner is ~Eternally with his awesome Camerupt and Abomasnow submissions. Congratulations!

This week's core is one I found recently that I love for its offensive synergy as well as its defensive synergy...

+

Sets + Brief Description

Steelix @ Leftovers
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 244 HP / 136 Atk / 128 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
- Toxic

Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Superpower
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

This core works really well together thanks to the synergy they provide for each other. Steelix wears down the Psychic-types that may carry specific coverage for Malamar (Signal Beam) while Malamar can beat up on Psychic-types that run specified coverage for Steelix (HP Ground). Steelix also takes on Pokemon that threaten Malamar overall such as Scyther thanks to an immense Defense stat. This core's aim is to wear down the opponent for Malamar to set up and win or for a cleaner to come in and finish them off.

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

 

[Abejas]

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SpA
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Signal Beam
- Defog
- Air Slash
This mantine set is something that I've been playing around with a lot, since malamar is broken man balamar and its been pretty effective since it works as a great lure for malamar. Mantine is a threat to this core since it can 2hko both malamar and steelix with almost no invemsent and these 2 cant do much back. Besides knock off from malamar but it doesnt do a lot of damage.

Calcs

16+ SpA Mantine Signal Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 176-208 (46.8 - 55.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
16+ SpA Mantine Scald vs. 244 HP / 128 SpD Steelix: 192-228 (54.5 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 240 Def Mantine: 97-115 (29 - 34.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
136+ Atk Steelix Heavy Slam (40 BP) vs. 252 HP / 240 Def Mantine: 24-29 (7.1 - 8.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever (lol)

 

[PrinceLucian]

Samurott @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Megahorn
- Aqua Jet

Standard mixed Samurott,a big threat to this core because it Ohkoes both, Steelix has sturdy but cant do much back,since Rott has naturally high physical bulk and wont take a lot of damage from EQ.

 

[Shadestep]

Weezing @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 92 Def / 164 Spe
Bold Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Sludge Bomb
- Taunt
- Toxic Spikes

fast Taunt Weezing poses a threat to this core as it can beat both members without too much trouble. Steelix despices getting Will-O-Wisped, and so does Malamar. normally, Malamar can rest off any status ailment but the speed-creep + Taunt from weezing completely shuts it down. not too much else to say, it's pretty straight-forward.

 

[erisia]

Mesprit @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Signal Beam
- Hidden Power Ground

An uncommon set but if Malamar or Steelix tries to come in on Mesprit as your description suggests then they're going to get outsped and subsequently bodied. While Steelix handles Signal Beam variants and Malamar handles Hidden Power / Ice Beam variants, they can't handle a Pokemon with both moves together. Best used in combination with another Psychic-type like Musharna or Xatu as it also bodies Skuntank.

252+ SpA Life Orb Mesprit Signal Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 354-416 (94.1 - 110.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Life Orb Mesprit Hidden Power Ground vs. 244 HP / 128 SpD Steelix: 192-229 (54.5 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[etern]

Rotom @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 96 HP / 244 SpA / 168 Spe
Timid Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Signal Beam
- Hex
- Volt Switch

Colbur Rotom handles Steelix very easily with Wisp+Hex, and with Signal Beam you can lure in Malamar's that try to absorb status and hit them for massive amounts of damage.

 

[croatiangamer]

Lanturn @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 16 SpD / 240 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Ice Beam
- Signal Beam

Offensive Lanturn is designed to lure out Grass-type mons like

and

to do massive damage to them. However, it also does a good job at defeating Malamar and Steelix with SE moves.

 

[Natan]

Claydol @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Earth Power
- Signal Beam
- Psyshock
Claydol with Signal Beam over Shadow Ball can hit Shiftry, Cacturne and (the main target) Malamar and the damage is even not so lower than Shadow Ball (but can't 2HKO another Claydol after Stealth Rocks, while Shadow Ball has a low chance from doing), with this is a great threat to the core, with Colbur Berry, Knock Off deals 3HKO before any Superpower.

Calcs

Attacking
252+ SpA Claydol Earth Power vs. 244 HP / 128 SpD Steelix: 258-306 (73.2 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Claydol Signal Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 208-248 (55.3 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Defending
136+ Atk Steelix Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Claydol: 93-111 (35.4 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Colbur Berry Claydol: 93-111 (35.4 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Claydol: 39-46 (14.8 - 17.5%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Colbur Berry Claydol: 141-166 (53.8 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Comparing with Shadow Ball
252+ SpA Claydol Signal Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mesprit: 116-138 (31.8 - 37.9%) -- 94% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Claydol Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mesprit: 124-146 (34 - 40.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Claydol Signal Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Claydol: 102-122 (38.9 - 46.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Claydol Shadow Ball vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Claydol: 110-130 (41.9 - 49.6%) -- 24.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[nv]

Sorry I am running a bit behind, but it is time for partners. Submissions end on Monday.

 

[PrinceLucian]

Weezing @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 152 Def / 108 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Sludge Bomb
- Taunt
- Pain Split

-weezing is pretty nice partner since it takes on fighting and ground types for steelix while fixing malamar weaknesses as primeape and yama destroys this core.

 

[etern]

Pelipper @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Defog
- Roost

Pelipper is a great partner, checking Fighting-, and Ground-types, as well as a huge threat to this core in SD Samurott. Pelipper also soft checks Pinsir which can be threatening once Steelix has been whittled. Also, having reliable hazard control is always helpful so Pelipper fills that role as well.