Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 76 Atk / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Knock Off
- Superpower
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Flying]
Role: Wallbreaker
What It Does: This set is a lesser used Thundurus look, but still a very deadly one. The Attack EVs KO Latios with Knock Off after Stealth Rock, and also juice up Superpower. Combined with Thundurus' high speed tier, it can break down defensive cores very easily with it's high dual offenses. This set in particular beats Chansey (the most common Thundy answer), Skarm, Gliscor, and Slowbro. It's a powerful and underrated wallbreaker that also plays well against offensive teams. Defiant can also allow it to take advantage of common Defoggers not expecting the switch-in, as this set beats nearly every common Defogger in tier 1v1. HP Flying can be run to beat Mega Venusaur, allowing Thundy to break down VenuTran cores. It can also allow it to break down other bulky Grass types, who otherwise resist Electric attacks. Taunt can be run for more of a stallbreaker look instead of a wallbreaker one. Thunder Wave can also be run over a coverage move, however that trends more towards a standard Thundurus set.
Good Teammates: Good teammates include special attackers that would like Chansey taken out or crippled. Thundurus also pairs well with other wallbreakers because while Thundy can often devastate cores, you want insurance in case it cannot finish the job. Hazard support is also helpful, because LO recoil and it's frail defenses can lead to it getting worn down quickly.
What Counters It: There aren't many. This set is designed to take out common Thundurus checks and counters, however some counters still exist. Cresselia stands a great chance at beating it if it carries Ice Beam. Scarf Tyranitar can be a good check if it switches in on a special attack. Quagsire is also a good answer, however some coverage moves can be used over HP Ice to get around Quag. Special Defensive Hippowdon is also a very effective check, being able to take HP Ice three times in most cases (83.5% of the time to be exact). Hippo 2HKOs in return with Stone Edge/Rock Slide.
Any Additional Info: Wild Charge may seem like a good idea over Thunderbolt, to take advantage of the Defiant boost. There are two issues with this. One, the Wild Charge recoil stacks up with the Life Orb recoil very quickly. Two, Thunderbolt and HP Ice allows you to bluff Nasty Plot Thundurus, thereby luring out Chansey and other common answers.
Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast / Taunt / Thunder Wave / Substitute
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Flying]
- Nasty Plot
Role: Special Sweeper
What It Does: Thundurus has the potential to be a frightening Special Sweeper. Nasty Plot combined with Prankster allows you to get the Nasty Plot off almost every time. Once at +2, Thundurus' answers shrink considerably. It sports the ever common BoltBeam coverage, which covers almost every answer to Thundurus' STAB Electric. HP Flying can be used over HP Ice for STAB, at the expense of some coverage. This allows Thundy get by Mega Venusaur, who can otherwise give it issues. Focus Blast hits otherwise solid answers, it hits Mangezone, Tyranitar and Excadrill very hard on the switch-in. Taunt allows it to operate as a stallbreaker, as well as making it the best priority Taunt user in OU. Thunder Wave gives Thundy it's trademark priority paralysis, allowing it to effectively cripple set-up sweepers.
Good Teammates: Depending on what coverage moves it runs, it needs teammates that fill in the gaps. If not running HP Flying, Thundy wants something that can break down Mega Venusaur. It also appreciates something that can beat Chansey outright, as even +2 Focus Blast barley makes a dent. If not running HP Ice, something to break down bulky Ground types is appreciated. Landorus-I is a good partner in general, as it beats Mega Venusaur, Heatran, and Tyranitar. Bisharp is also a good teammate, as is can cripple Chansey with Knock Off as well as handle both Lati@s twins.
What Counters It: Chansey is a hard stop to any variation of Nasty Plot. Tyranitar is a good check, as long as it doesn't switch in on Focus Blast. The Lati twins make good checks, because they can take any attack (even at +2) and strike back. Even +2 HP Ice doesn't OHKO. Excadrill is also a good check, as it's immune to Thunder Wave. Under Sand, it can take take an non-Focus Blast attack and outspeed and KO. Mega Venusaur takes on sets that don't carry HP Flying, as Thundy has to get to +4 to 2HKO with HP Ice.
Any Additional Info: Even though it seems like a good BirdSpam check, in reality it gets worn down too quickly to effectively deal with BirdSpam consistently. It does take it on well, but not as well as Rotom-W or Rhyperior.
AM noted your changes. Made Leftovers the primary item on the Nasty Plot set. I also mentioned HP Flying in the paragraph on the Defiant set, just didn't put it on the set.
-Clone- what set are you referring to putting Sub on?
Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 212 Atk / 44 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge/ Aqua Tail
- Fire Fang / Hone Claws / Taunt
- Ice Fang / Earthquake / Roost
- Aerial Ace
Role: Revenge Killer
What It Does: Mega Aerodactyl is an amazing revenge killer. While it doesn't have the pure wallbreaking or massive sweeping power other Megas possess, it outspeeds the entire unboosted OU metagame. It also has endless coverage options, allowing you to pick what it revenge kills. Stone Edge and Aerial Ace are used most often because of the STAB damage but beyond that, you can really go in whatever direction you want. Hone Claws + Roost + STABs allow Aero to take on more of a cleaning role. Hone Claws works especially well with Stone Edge, giving you a 100% accurate +1 Stone Edge. Roost + Taunt + Aerial Ace + Aqua Tail allows Mega Aero to function as an effective stallbreaker, repeatedly chipping away at walls while using Taunt to shut off recovery and Roost to increase it's sustainability. Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Aqua Tail and Earthquake are all viable options to hit various other threats. Mega Aero is also notable for it's ability to take on BirdSpam from an offensive perspective. It can effectively take on Talonflame, Mega Pinsir and Staraptor in sequence without having to take on too much damage.
Good Teammates: Hazard control is appreciated, allowing it to come in with as much health as possible every time. Wallbreakers are also very helpful, as bulkier opponents give Aero trouble when they are not worn down. Anything that breaks down bulkier cores and teams is a good idea, because Aero is lacking in the pure power department.
What Counters It: Depending on the coverage, it can get walled fairly easily. If not running Water or Ice coverage, Gliscor, Hippo, Rhyperior, and Landorus-T give it issues. If not running Fire Fang, Ferrothorn gives it issues. Skarmory in general gives it trouble if Aero is not carrying Taunt, as Fire Fang is a 3HKO at best. Unaware Quagsire also gives it a lot of trouble, hardwalling virtually every set.
Any Additional Info: Nature is really up to the user. Adamant give it a nice (and needed) power boost, while Jolly gives it the potential to revenge kill Mega Manectric, Mega Lopunny, Mega Sceptile, and Mega Beedrill (although Aero doesn't have issues with Beedrill at all really).
