Project ORAS RU Victim of the Week V2, with enthusiasm!! (Week 77: Swords Dance Cacturne)

[Miyami~~]

Reserving Gastrodon!

 

[Kableye]

Virizion @ Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance

Virizion as a hard check since Stone Edge can still 2hko and it lacks recovery. Virizion can switch in on any move + Aqua Jet and kill with Leaf Blade since its faster.

Calcs

252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 140-165 (43.2 - 50.9%) -- 54.3% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Aqua Jet vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 56-66 (17.2 - 20.3%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Aqua Jet vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 112-133 (34.5 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Louna]

Reserving Tangrowth

Tangrowth @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 SpD
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
- Sleep Powder

Tangrowth is a decent check to Kabutops as it can switch easily if Kabutops havn't set up a sd before, if Tangrowth switch in when Kabutops set up a sd, don't worry, Tangrowth takes a Stone edge from Kabutops and can heal himself with Regenerator and giga drain.

here are the calcs from kabutops to tangrowth

before SD:
252 Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Tangrowth: 133-156 (33 - 38.7%) -- 3.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
After SD:
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Tangrowth: 263-309 (65.2 - 76.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

what tangrowth do:
0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 472-556 (180.8 - 213%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Cheryl.]

Reserving Venusaur

 

[michaeloche]

Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 248 Def / 12 SpA
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Toxic

Role: Counter

Seismitoad is immune to the Water STAB that Kabutops carries and resists Stone Edge. This spread is a slight tweak to the physically defensive spread, with 12 EVs in Special Attack so that Earth Power will OHKO after Stealth Rock (and a 1 in 4 chance to do so without it).

Hide

252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 248+ Def Seismitoad: 94-109 (22.7 - 26.3%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
12 SpA Seismitoad Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kabutops: 230-272 (88.1 - 104.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

 

[feen]

Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Close Combat
- Foresight
- Toxic

Little to explain here, eats up a +2 Waterfall due to nice Defense and Intimidate drop. Resists Stone Edge too. Can KO it back with Close Combat

+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hitmontop: 191-226 (62.8 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

However, due to lacking in reliable recovery, it can lose to Kabutops if it's previously injured, and therefore Hitmontop is a check.

 

[rau]

Poliwrath as a counter!!!

Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Circle Throw
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Underrated mon imo. Defensive Poliwrath is immune to Waterfall by virtue of Water Absorb, and has enough bulk to even tank hits from Kabutops after two Swords Dance boosts (taking into account you're at full health). Poliwrath then has the tossup between forcing Kabutops out with Circle Throw or fishing for a burn with Scald. Do note that the latter option can be slighly risky against Life Orb variants.

 

[Infernal]

Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Bulk Up

This little guy is a solid check to Kabutops. Unboosted LO Waterfall does 35.5 - 41.7% on the switch in, which isn't too bad. From there, you can Drain Punch back for 85 - 101.1% and heal some of your health back to stay in good shape. Gurdurr is also capable of stomaching a SD boosted LO Waterfall, taking 70.3 - 82.6% from the attack and retaliating back. Mach Punch is also useful to kill Kabutops when the fossil is low on health and you would like to avoid taking unnecessary damage from Waterfall. If Kabutops is running a Lum Berry, it is handled even more comfortably. All of this combined with a resistance to Stone Edge makes Gurdurr a nice response.

 

[Miyami~~]

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Spa / 4 Def
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Toxic
- Earth Power
- Recover

Gastrodon is pretty much a Seismitoad, except Gastrodon's ability to be immune to Water STAB, Storm Drain, boosts Gastrodon's Special Attack, and since Gastrodon resists Rock and Ground, Gastrodon can come in on any of Kabutops' attacks [with an extra chance to boost its special attack upon coming in], and with Toxic, and Reliable Recovery, and the chance to burn with Scald, Gastrodon can't really counter Kabutops because of +2 Stone edge 2HKOing, but it's a Hard Check nonetheless.

EDIT: Calcs

252 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kabutops: 308-366 (118 - 140.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kabutops: 138-163 (52.8 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Not Calcing Aqua Jet or Waterfall because of Storm drain.

252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 4+ Def Gastrodon: 133-156 (31.2 - 36.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 4+ Def Gastrodon: 265-312 (62.2 - 73.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Ramses]

Manectric @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Spd / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ice]

It can't switch-in at all, but pre- Weak Armor (if it even happens tbh) it outrunsit easily and OHKOes it with either of its Electric STAB.

252 SpA Life Orb Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 439-523 (168.1 - 200.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Manectric Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 346-408 (132.5 - 156.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Cheryl.]

Venusaur as a check

Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Knock Off / Hidden Power Fire

Venu can outspeed Kabutops thanks to Timid and max speed and OHKOs it with Leaf Storm. Doesn't like taking LO Stone Edges, however.

 

[Ping_Pong_Along]

Reserving something that isn't OHKOed by Aqua Jet!

Also, please don't forget to post calcs everyone. People seem to have gotten out of the habit.

 

[Miyami~~]

Reserving Dugtrio.

Don't mean to be rude, but how does a Ground type check a water type?

 

[Ping_Pong_Along]

Reserving something that isn't OHKOed by Aqua Jet!

Don't mean to be rude, but how does a Ground type check a water type?

I have no idea what you're talking about. :p

 

[mauritsfb]

Reserving Bronzong

 

[GXS]

Rotom-C for Hard Check

Rotom-Mow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Trick

Im just gonna be blunt here, Rotom is an easy Revenge killer providing there have been no Speed boosts. I dont need to explain much here. But this is only a Hard Check because of Stone edge, and Aqua Jet.

Calcs

Rotom-C > Kabutops

252 SpA Choice Specs Rotom-C Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 1468-1732 (562.4 - 663.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Rotom-C Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 510-600 (195.4 - 229.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Rotom-C Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 396-468 (151.7 - 179.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Kabutops > Rotom-C

252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-C: 203-239 (84.2 - 99.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-C: 82-96 (34 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-C: 40-48 (16.5 - 19.9%) -- possible 6HKO

 

[MrAldo]

Time to BRING THIS BACK TO LIFE

Counter: Seismitoad (michaeloche) | Gurdurr (Infernal) | Poliwrath (esidisi)
Check: Virizion (Kableye) | Venusaur (BrandonBeast) | Tangrowth (Holiano)
Special mention: Hitmontop (Arifeen) | Rotom-Cut (GreasyXSpoon)
​

Im always grateful for your participation :D

Victim of this week is:

Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 108 SpD / 152 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Superpower

A snowball that once it gets bigger is very difficult to stop. How to stop it?! Discuss.

And please, can I get more checks? thanks in advance

 

[rau]

Accelgor as a Check!!!

too lazy to get new img

Accelgor @ Life Orb
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Energy Ball

Simple stuff, Accelgor switches into unboosted Superpower rather comfortably (even +2 to an extent), but it risks being KO'd if it switches into Knock Off with Stealth Rock up. What out favorite shell-less ninja does back is whoop evil squid's arse (or w/e it poops with) with a STAB Bug Buzz.

calcs

0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Accelgor: 198-234 (65.7 - 77.7%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Accelgor: 82-96 (27.2 - 31.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

+1 0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Accelgor: 122-144 (40.5 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Life Orb Accelgor Bug Buzz vs. 248 HP / 108 SpD Malamar: 707-842 (188.5 - 224.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Ramy]

Hitmonlee @ Life Orb
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Mach Punch

Hitmonlee is a nice check to come in and take a knock off or even a superpower, and attack back hard with a good old hjk. Its not all nice and dandy because +1 superpower will hurt this frail thing even killed it if life orbed and missed hjk hurts a lot.

calcs

0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hitmonlee: 133-157 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hitmonlee: 198-234 (82.1 - 97%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hitmonlee: 80-95 (33.1 - 39.4%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Reckless Hitmonlee High Jump Kick vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Malamar: 382-450 (101.8 - 120%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Kableye]

Durant @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Superpower
- X-Scissor
- Thunder Fang
Durant is the most broken Pokemon in the Rarelyused tier. It can switch in on every hit and destroy Malamar even after a boost. It is a hard check because it lacks recovery and only switches in once.

BROKEN

252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Durant X-Scissor vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Malamar: 1003-1185 (266.7 - 315.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Hustle Durant X-Scissor vs. +1 252 HP / 0 Def Malamar: 516-612 (137.2 - 162.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Durant: 88-105 (34.2 - 40.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

I'd also like to note for future reference Malamar sets up on Granbull.

 

[tko]

Durant is the most broken Pokemon in the Rarelyused tier.

can confirm
reserving vivillon

 

[Miyami~~]

Durant is the most broken Pokemon in the Rarelyused tier.

This.
Reserving Escavalier.

 

[MrAldo]

btw, I never said you couldnt post counters lol. Just saying.

Keep it up

 

[Froggyboy]

Counter

Audino @ Audinite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Entrainment
- Wish
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam

Entrainment Audino is something I really like to use from time to time, to cripple mons that rely on their abilities to do work, like Malamar here. Being able to only use two Superpowers before having its Contrary taken from it, it then has no good way of hitting Mega Audino, while it can just WishTect and Dazzling Gleam it to death.

0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Audino: 50-59 (12.1 - 14.3%) -- possible 7HKO
+1 0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Audino: 74-88 (18 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Audino: 98-116 (23.9 - 28.2%) -- 94.9% chance to 4HKO

0 SpA Mega Audino Dazzling Gleam vs. 248 HP / 108 SpD Malamar: 158-188 (42.1 - 50.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[aurora]

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

Scyther is a hard check to Malamar because it shakes off a Superpower with ridiculous ease and OHKOes Malamar with U-turn easily, even at +1. The only reason it is not a counter is because of Stealth Rock, which limits the amount of times it can come in. However, Scyther is never KOed by Knock Off after Stealth Rock should it come in at full health and can still OHKO Malamar at +0 without its Choice Band... although you will be left with a rather sick bug.

252 Atk Choice Band Scyther U-turn vs. +1 252 HP / 0 Def Malamar: 456-540 (121.2 - 143.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Scyther U-turn vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Malamar: 456-540 (121.2 - 143.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 Atk Malamar Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Scyther: 24-28 (8.5 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever

0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Scyther: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO