Project NU Cores Threat Analysis - Haunter + Shiftry

[Aladyyn]

Sawk (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Zen Headbutt
- Knock Off
- Earthquake

Scarf Sawk is a big threat to most offensive cores, as it still packs a good punch with Adamant nature and a 120 base power STAB. Close Combat easily OHKO's Shiftry and Combusken is guaranteed to go down to EQ after rocks. If Combusken goes down Sawk can just go ham on the rest of the team because scarfers are not popular at all so it's pretty much guaranteed your own scarfer is going to be the fastest mon in most battles. Obviously Sawk has trouble switching into Combusken and Shiftry, but let's be fair, what is a good offensive switchin to Combusken anyways.

 

[TTFTW]

Altaria @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Heal Bell

Physically defensive altaria takes hits decently well from both shiftry and combusken, once you switch-in roost or dragon pulse is the better play depending on what your opponent does. Fire blast does a nice chunk to shiftry and busken does not beat you 1v1 in any scenario tbh. And that's what happens if it switches-in, but if you can predict correctly and not give shiftry free switch-ins altaria becomes a pretty solid counter.

Try to remove rocks D:

calcs

252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Altaria: 146-173 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Altaria: 99-117 (28 - 33.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
4 SpA Life Orb Shiftry Leaf Storm vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Altaria: 40-47 (11.3 - 13.3%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Explosion vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Altaria: 250-295 (70.8 - 83.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252+ Atk Combusken Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Altaria: 124-147 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Combusken Brick Break vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Altaria: 78-92 (22 - 26%) -- 5.3% chance to 4HKO

 

[nv]

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

 

[Cheryl.]

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

Choice Scarf Jynx can defeat all of the threats to the Combusken + Shiftry core except Mega Audino thanks to it's awesome offensive typing and speed thanks to Choice Scarf, letting it beat Archeops, Altaria and even Sawk. If MegaDino tries to switch in, Jynx can make it sleep with Lovely Kiss, leaving it vulnerable to set-up sweepers like SD Combusken. I hope you like it!

 

[Teddeh]

Partner:
Lapras @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Whirlpool
- Perish Song
- Protect

This helps support the core by adding a way or luring / getting rid of bulky threats like mega-audino, musharna to an extent and offers amazing coverage with freeze dry / water coverage. it also chips away at hariyama with whirlpool + protect and can pressure many switchs whilst stopping people clicking water + ice moves which this core is weak to :3

 

[nv]

Ok sorry this is a bit late, but here it is! Thanks to GyRro and TTFTW in helping choose the winners. This week was a bit small in terms of submissions, however the winner for threat this week goes to Dr Ciel and his Mega Audino while the best partner goes to BrandonBeast and his Jynx. Congratulations! :)

This week, I decided to go with something I have seen grow in popularity...

+

Sets + Brief Description

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

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Air Slash
- Defog
- Toxic

This core is a really effective defensive core as they have perfect defensive synergy with Mantine absorbing Water-, Fighting-, Fire-, and Ground moves for Steelix while Lix has an Electric immunity and a 4x resistance to Rock-type attacks. They also providing role compression as the former provides Defog while the latter gives Stealth Rock. They also have great natural special and physical bulk that they can afford to invest in other stats while still being able to tank hits on the physical side in Steelix's case or on the special side in Mantine's case.

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

 

[boltsandbombers]

Magmortar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Flame Charge

All you need to do is break Steelix's Sturdy and mag takes a dump on this core between OHKOing Steelix with Fire Blast and dealing heavy damage to Mantine with Thunderbolt. You do need a teensy bit of chip damage to secure the OHKO on Mantine with thunderbolt (if they're running the spread on the dex as opposed to the one above), but its not like Scald is doing that much anyways back to Magmortar because of Assault Vest. This mon is why you see Hariyama paired with this core extremely often.

 

[Cheryl.]

Rotom @ Spell Tag
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpA
Timid Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex
- Shadow Ball / Discharge
- Volt Switch

HexTom is a pretty big threat to the Steelix/Mantine core, as it can burn and cripple Steelix with Will-O-Wisp, and then do massive damage to it with Hex. For Mantine, it can't do as much to it, but if it runs Discharge (I like it as it can paralyze a lot of stuff to power up Hex) it can do a lot of damage to it, and Volt Switch already hits Mantine hard. HexTom is also just a really good set right now as it can easily crush bulkier teams pretty easily with Rotom's typing.

 

[Silver Aurum]

Samurott @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Aqua Jet

Pretty cool set at the moment and it absolutely ravages this core. Even if Steelix's sturdy is still intact Samurott can deal with it 1v1 while also having the ability to lure Mantine with HP Electric. Neither Steelix or Mantine really have the offensive capability to take down Samurott either furthering Samurott's effectiveness versus this core.

Calcs

252+ SpA Life Orb Samurott Hidden Power Electric vs. 248 HP / 16 SpD Mantine: 244-291 (73.2 - 87.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery <--- Very good chance to kill after rocks
0 SpA Mantine Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Samurott: 91-108 (27.4 - 32.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Samurott Hydro Pump vs. 244 HP / 128+ SpD Steelix: 491-580 (139.4 - 164.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO <--- Obvious OHKO is obvious
132 Atk Steelix Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Samurott: 124-147 (37.4 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[bogoljubow]

Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Toxic Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance / Quick Attack

Zangoose can bust through this core by KO'ing Steelix with Close Combat at +2, or just 2HKO'ing with Close Combat, although it will have to predict the switch-in. Mantine gets KO'ed by any combination of Facade + whatever attack. This can open up the field for other pokémon that get walled by this core, like Kangaskhan, Tauros or Samurott.

 

[erisia]

Sawk @ Expert Belt
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Thunder Punch / Stone Edge
- Taunt

Sawk can use Knock Off in the early game, feigning a Choice set, and then outspeed and wallop either Steelix or Mantine with its STAB and coverage respectively if they choose to stay in. In both cases Steelix and Mantine are 2HKO'd after Knock Off.

252+ Atk Expert Belt Sawk Close Combat vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Steelix: 274-324 (77.8 - 92%)
252+ Atk Sawk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Steelix: 62-73 (17.6 - 20.7%)

252+ Atk Expert Belt Sawk Thunder Punch vs. 248 HP / 244+ Def Mantine: 379-451 (113.8 - 135.4%)
252+ Atk Expert Belt Sawk Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 244+ Def Mantine: 254-300 (76.2 - 90%)
252+ Atk Sawk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 244+ Def Mantine: 103-122 (30.9 - 36.6%)

 

[Evan.]

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 96 HP / 252 SpAtk / 160 Spe
Modest Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Scald
- Air Slash

hey look its offensive subtox mantine again. sets up a sub incredibly easily on both, obviously beats the steelix, and can toxic the mantine and wear it down with air slash flinches. watch out that you don't switch it in on a toxic from either of the 2, since it pretty much hampers your ability to beat the duo.

 

[Winter's Howl]

Combusken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Protect/Baton Pass

Nothing too special here, but it puts in the work. Originally mentioned as something to look into by ryan over on the NP thread, Combusken eats the Steelix + Mantine core with the addition of HP Electric to complement its excellent STAB combo. I'll run some calcs for you guys to look over.

Obvious Calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Combusken Hidden Power Electric vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 177-208 (53.1 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Combusken Fire Blast vs. 244 HP / 128 SpD Steelix: 416-494 (118.1 - 140.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Of course Steelix having Sturdy up and Combusken's inability to effectively switch into these two can pose a problem, but rocks and playing smart (IE Not switching Combusken into an SE move) can remove these small obstacles. A great thing about Combusken is that as it is dealing with Mantine and Steelix it only gets faster each turn it is left in with Speed Boost, allowing the potential to snowball through opposing teams.

 

[nv]

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

P.S. Winter's Howl is going to be taking over this thread as well as my Matchmaking and ArcheTYPE Cores thread while I am on hiatus (moving and yada yada). So wish him luck and you decide if his submission is valid or he should be exempt since he is now interim host :)

P.P.S. Disjunction approved <3

 

[Silver Aurum]

Clefairy @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Moonblast
- Seismic Toss
- Soft-Boiled
- Thunder Wave

I'm a huge advocate of Clefairy and it actually makes a pretty great partner for this core. Specially defensive Clefairy has the ability to switch in on and semi-reliably handle a plethora of special attackers that threaten this core including Magmortar and Sceptile. You can even use Clefairy to pivot around Rotom's Will-o-Wisp which relieves a lot of pressure from Steelix and Mantine.

calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Sceptile Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Clefairy: 149-177 (43.3 - 51.4%) -- 8.6% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Magmortar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Clefairy: 121-144 (35.1 - 41.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Rapture]

Hariyama @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Bullet Punch
- Fake Out
Even though I think Hariyama is really overrated right now, I think it does a good job of protecting Mantine and Steelix from special wallbreakers like Magmortar and Aurorus that can give both of them trouble if played correctly. Thick Fat is almost always the preferred ability, but if you have another fire and ice type check then Guts can certainly work to punish wisp users like Rotom. Earthquake or Stone Edge both work in the last slot over fake out to cactch some of Yama's checks off guard like Garbodor and Scyther but Steelix does a good enough job of handling both of those two already.

Calcs

VS. Aurorus
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aurorus Freeze-Dry vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 420-496 (126.1 - 148.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Aurorus Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 128 SpD Steelix: 318-376 (89.8 - 106.2%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Aurorus Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Thick Fat Hariyama: 57-67 (13.2 - 15.6%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aurorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 96-114 (22.3 - 26.5%) -- 21.6% chance to 4HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Refrigerate Aurorus Hyper Voice vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Thick Fat Hariyama: 94-112 (21.9 - 26.1%) -- 7.3% chance to 4HKO

VS. Magmortar
252+ SpA Magmortar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 128 SpD Steelix: 458-540 (129.3 - 152.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Magmortar Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 284-336 (85.2 - 100.9%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Magmortar Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Thick Fat Hariyama: 69-82 (16 - 19.1%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ SpA Magmortar Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 76-90 (17.7 - 20.9%) -- possible 5HKO

 

[Sep2936]

M-audino @ Audinite
Abillity: Regenerator/Healer
EVs:248 HP, 100 Def, 160 Spe Def
Calm nature
-Wish
-Protect
-Heal bell
-Dazzling Gleam

Don't kill me please for suggesting it, but I have found that stally/cleric M-audino works well considering mantine and steelix's lack of reliable recovery. Heal bell is there for two reasons A) To help M-audino stall or B) get rid of burn/toxic on either of the core which makes them much worse as good walls. Also with the EV spread its just the spread I use so I can switch into eighty five percent of things barring poison types, steel types, or sawk.

Some Bad Matchups For The Core

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magmortar Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Audino: 177-208 (43.2 - 50.8%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magmortar Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Audino: 96-114 (23.4 - 27.8%) -- 85.7% chance to 4HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Aurorus Freeze-Dry vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Audino: 96-114
(23.4 - 27.8%) -- 80.7% chance to 4HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Refrigerate Aurorus Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Audino: 160-189 (39.1 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Mold Breaker Sawk Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 100 Def Mega Audino: 237-279 (57.9 - 68.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Mold Breaker Sawk Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 100 Def Mega Audino: 132-156 (32.2 - 38.1%) -- 96.8% chance to 3HKO

 

[GyRro]

Sliggoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Outrage

Sliggoo deals with the threat that many spA oriented pokes pose to this core. It can deal with almost any special attacks with the ability to rest back up the damage with the rest talk set. This also allows Sliggoo to swap into troublesome status moves like toxic which poses a threat to Mantine. Sap sipper pretty much eliminates Sceptile too, unless it's physical. The steel STAB and toxic from Steelix also help get rid of fairies like Audino which are annoying for Sliggoo.

 

[Froggyboy]

Camerupt @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic / Roar

SpD Camerupt is a pretty neat partner to this core, as it walls Rotom thanks to being immune to Will-O-Wisp, taking minimal damage from Hex, and is immune to Electric STAB, switches into Magmortar and Combusken and OHKOs with EQ, and can even check Sceptile and Aurorus in a pinch. You can run Lava Plume if you want, but I like FB because it can OHKO Sceptile and Steelix(after 1 spike).

 

[Winter's Howl]

Thanks everyone for your submissions. The entry period is now over. I will be choosing two people to help me pick out the winners. Results will be posted Monday, the 4th.

 

[Winter's Howl]

Alright guys, time for the results. I chose Blaziken. and AuRo^ to help me pick the winners of this round. boltsandbombers and his Magmortar takes home threat of the week, while Silver Aurum and his Clefairy wins partner of the week. Congratulations!

The next core to be analyzed is Sawk and Xatu.

Summary

Xatu @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- U-turn

Sawk @ Choice Band
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Zen Headbutt
- Stone Edge

What's to say about these two that hasn't been said at one point or the other? One of the premier cores in NU, most everyone has had some experience here. Sawk is the best wallbreaker in the tier and Xatu complements it as a Psychic resist, easy momentum grab, and a hazard deterrent. In return, Sawk annihilates Dark types that threaten Xatu, among other things. With these things checked off, Sawk can break to the best of its ability, which explains how this core has remained so popular throughout the many meta changes.

We'll be nominating threats till Wednesday, the 6th. Good luck!

 

[Dr Ciel]

Reserving Rotom-Fan.

Go Quietly (Rotom-Fan) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power Grass
- Will-O-Wisp

Expert Belt Rotom-Fan is an effective threat to most offensive cores, including this one. It OHKO's Sawk with a STAB Air Slash & 2HKO's Xatu with STAB Thunderbolt. It must be wary of switching into Sawk, however.

 

[AJB]

Jynx (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Lovely Kiss
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Focus Blast

Jynx is a pretty huge threat to this core. Outspeeds both mons and STAB Ice Beam and Psychic easily OHKO both Xatu and Sawk respectively.

Calcs

252 SpA Jynx Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Xatu: 362-428 (108.3 - 128.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Jynx Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sawk: 342-404 (117.5 - 138.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[kay]

Musharna @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Barrier
- Psyshock
- Moonlight

CM Barrier Musharna is a win condition that can set up on both Xatu and Sawk at most points in the game while also being a reliable check to Sawk.

 

[GyRro]

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

Guts Swellow is a massive threat to this core. Outspeeding both Sawk and Xatu, whilst being to OHKO both with facade after rocks. Although this set isn't at it's best at the moment with Steelix being in the meta, it still forces a switch from either of the pokes in this core (or gets the OHKO after rocks) and can gain momentum through U-turn, since a steelix switch can be rather obvious.

calcs

252 Atk Guts Swellow Facade (140 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Sawk: 325-384 (111.3 - 131.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Guts Swellow Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 176 Def Xatu: 276-325 (82.6 - 97.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock