Project Pokemon Matchmaking v2 [Closed]

[Infernal]

Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Return
- High Jump Kick
- Ice Punch

One of LO Torn-T's strengths is its ability to act as a nice stall and balance breaker. Although it's able to put in some work versus offense, LO Torn-T struggles more in these matchups because of the ubiquity of threats like Weavile, Thund-I, Mega Manec, and strong priority users like Bisharp on those builds. So, using something good at dealing with offense is a cool way to approach picking a partner for LO Torn-T, and that's where Mega Lop comes in. With great speed, power, and priority, Mega Lop is a fine tool against the offensive teams LO Torn-T can find itself under performing against. In exchange, Torn-T shines against the defensive builds Mega Lop has a hard time with. This is done by placing a great deal of pressure on Pokemon like Hippo, Slowbro, Clef, and Mega Venu. Even though it's not using Heat Wave, Torn-T can also help wear down Skarm for Mega Lop between Knock Off, Taunt, and Hurricane. If running U-turn, it's also able to bring Mega Lop in for free, which is something any offensive Pokemon enjoys.

Because I find this happens often in practice, one other thing worth mentioning is how Torn-T and Mega Lop can both wear down bulky grounds like Chomp and Lando-T for one another. For example, Mega Lop can Ice Punch them down to a range where Torn-T can KO them with Hurricane, which is nice since Torn-T always needs some prior damage on Lando-T and Garchomp before being able to kill them. Similarly, Torn-T can wear them down itself with Hurricane, allowing Mega Lop to pick them off more easily later.

Overall, these two cover the playstyles the other struggles with, all while providing a team with a good deal of power and speed in two slots. Because you are provided with two good tools against offense and fatter teams in two slots, a builder has the freedom to run a solid defensive backbone alongside Mega Lop and Torn-T to cover any lingering threats. The well known Mega Lop / Torn-T / Exca / Tar / Rotom-W / Amoonguss team found here in the team archive serves as a good example of this.

 

[false]

Sorry I'm a day late. It was my birthday, and I was busy n_n

The Winners:

Infernal's Mega Lopunny

Recreant's Mega Manectric

BrandonBeast's Manaphy
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Week 51 - Swords Dance Crawdaunt

Crawdaunt @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Aqua Jet
- Swords Dance​

 

[Cheryl.]

Latios!

Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 29 HP / 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Roost
- Defog / Calm Mind

Latios makes for a great partner to Crawdaunt because it checks Electric and Grass-types, two big threats to Crawdaunt, and provides extra wallbreaking support with it's powerful Draco Meteors and Psyshocks, and that can be boosted even more with Calm Mind! Defog is still a good option, as Crawdaunt can easily be pushed into kill range by hazards and LO recoil. Good partners to these two include a Talonflame check like Heatran, and possibly a late-game cleaner like Mega Manectric that appreciates the wallbreaking these two provide.​

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

Talonflame


Talonflame @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Roost
​

Talonflame and Crawdaunt have some pretty nice offensive synergy together and they happen to do well against numerous playstyles. So basically, Crawdaunt appreciates having Grass-types removed, among other things that resist its STAB moves like Breloom and Keldeo. This is where Talonflame comes in and swiftly eliminates threats to Crawdaunt including Venusaur, Chesnaught, Breloom, Keldeo and Ferrothorn. In return, Crawdaunt helps remove and/or weaken some of Talonflame's checks with its great wall breaking capabilities, such as Heatran, Lando, Tyranitar, Slowbro etc. Another thing is that Talonflame excels against Offensive playstyles whereas Crawdaunt doesn't, with it being more of a threat to slower teams. Together with their strong priority attacks, they can break through mons that they would otherwise struggle individually against like Rotom-W and Zapdos among other things.

 

[Infernal]

Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Fire
- Synthesis

Although pairing Crawdaunt with something offensively complementing is a good route to take, considering the threats you need to cover defensively for it is also important because of the number of things able to revenge kill the big guy. Mega Venusaur fits the bill here, covering nearly all of the Pokemon Crawdaunt either struggles to break or is revenge killed by. For example, Mega Venu handles troublesome defensive threats like Tangrowth, Mega Altaria, and Chesnaught. Being able to deal with things Crawdaunt doesn't want to face 1v1 without boosts under its belt, such as Rotom-W and Amoonguss, is also helpful. In addition, it's able to take care of several offensive Pokemon Crawdaunt dislikes running into, such as Loom, Serp, Keld, and Azu. Offensive electrics capable of revenge killing Crawdaunt, such as Mega Manec, also fall under the umbrella of things Mega Venu deals with nicely. These Pokemon are all commonly found on offensive teams, which Crawdaunt doesn't perform as well against compared to more defensive ones. As such, Mega Venu's ability to flat out wall a lot of these threats on offense is great here.

While Crawdaunt doesn't offer back such extensive coverage over threats, it does something quite notable in breaking two of Mega Venu's main obstacles: Skarm and Tran. Ripping apart less common obstacles to Mega Venu, like Reuniclus, is an added benefit. Furthermore, Crawdaunt makes use of its main strength as a Pokemon by dismantling stall and defensive builds in general, which is very cool seeing as Mega Venu can often struggle versus these builds. Overall, Mega Venu is a good partner for its ability to patch up a lot of the defensive issues associated with using Crawdaunt. It's not a passive choice to fulfill the role either, as offensive Mega Venusaur packs quite the punch with its STABs.

Lastly, happy belated birthday False!

 

[Random Passerby]

Happy birthday!!!

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw
- Roost

Mega Charizard-X is a good partner for Crawdaunt because it can defeat the Pokemon which Crawdaunt lures in such as Chesnaught, Breloom, Tangrowth and Mega Manectric. Meanwhile, Crawdaunt puts a dent in Rotom-W, Slowbro, Azumarill and Keldeo while also checking Landorus-T and Heatran which is beneficial for a Charizard sweep. They can also whittle down Mega Venusaur and Quagsire which are annoying to face.

 

[Martin]

Happy birthday broski!

Three Little Digletts (Dugtrio) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 21 HP
- Earthquake
- Reversal
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic

Electrocs which are able to take an Aqua Jet give this thing a lot of trouble. As such, Dugtrio makes for a really good partner due to being able to trap and eliminate them. Toxic helps out with fat waters whereas Stealth Rock allows it to pressure Talonflame switch-ins, which is useful due to Crawdaunt struggling with the bird.

 

[Take Azelfie]

Gardevoir-Mega @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 16 HP / 8 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Will-O-Wisp

Gardevoir appreciates having special walls defeated so it can freely spam Hyper Voice. Crawdaunt does an excellent job at this being able to tear through the likes of Chansey and Jirachi and can even dent Skarmory and Ferrothorn if it absolutely must. On the other hand Mega Gardevoir is able to remove Fighting-types with ease and take out Dragons which may be faster and resistant to Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet. Will-o-Wisp can even help Crawdaunt get some safer set up opportunities if it wants.

 

[nameless90]

Bisharp

Bisharp @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance

This is a core consisting of two Dark-type hard hitters which weaken each other "checks" and "counters" (with a +2 physical priority) so the other one can clean the opposite team in the late game. One example of this Keldeo, which dies just by staking damage from a Knock Off plus a +2 Sucker Punch.
The Steel typing on Bisharp comes is useful to take some resisted hits i.e. Grass to which Crawdaunt is weak.
In return, Crawdaunt helps towards Heatran and Hippowdon.

P.S. To cover the Fighting weakness, another member is needed but there are many possible choices to rectify this.

Happy birthday to you, NotFalse!

 

[AM]

Birthdays also signify one year closer to death. Congrats False!

Garchomp @ Lum Berry
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance

Garchomp can set up rocks, cushion up stuff for Crawdaunt with SD, and a big bonus is that a lot of switch ins like Skarmory and Defensive Rocky Helmet Lando-T come in on Garchomp which can be used to double switch to Crawdaunt to apply pressure.

 

[false]

The Winners:

Futatsuiwa of Sado's Talonflame

Random Passerby's Mega Charizard X

AM's Garchomp
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Week 52 - Choice Specs Volcanion

Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power [Grass]

I honestly know nothing about this Pokemon, but it's new so it seemed like a good subject.
I put enough speed for Defensive Landorus, and then the rest in HP because I'm pretty sure there isn't a set spread for this thing yet oo
​

 

[Random Passerby]

Quoting myself from the Good Cores thread,

Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 240 Atk / 16 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
- Freeze-Dry

This is from my experience playing in the ladder where a lot of players used Water/Ground Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Seismitoad to counter Volcanion. Mamoswine helps with this problem by luring those Pokemon and heavily damaging them with Freeze-Dry, which also 2HKOes Rotom-W. As a bonus, Mamoswine checks Dragon-types and Ground-types which prevent you from spamming Steam Eruption while also being able to revenge kill the now popular Thundurus-I and Tornadus-T. In return, Volcanion Offensively checks Steel-types (Scizor, Ferrothorn, etc.) and Azumarill which Mamoswine struggles against. 72 HP / 4 Def EVs on Volcanion allows it to survive Banded Azumarill's Superpower after Rocks while outpacing max Speed Jolly Azumarill (YOU NEED 4 Def EVS to guarantee survival) . Core needs some Speed control because of both mons average Speed, however.

 

[Infernal]

Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Superpower
- Pursuit

The core of CB Tyranitar + Volcanion has been the center of attention around the forums for good reason. CB Tar can trap nearly every Pokemon standing in Volc's way. This includes Pokemon like Mega Latias, Latios, Slowking, and less common things receiving more attention during the craze of Volc's release, such as Jellicent. In addition to trapping these Pokemon, CB Tar can also eliminate a few of the offensive electric types Volc dislikes running into, such as Mega Manec and Raikou. CB Tar's ability to heavily threaten things like Chansey is also an added plus, as after a Pursuit it's incapable of switching into Volc reliably with SR up and the threat of Steam Eruption burns.

In return for the above help, Volc is able to put a scare in several of the Pokemon capable of taking advantage of a choice-locked Tar. This includes defensive and offensive Pokemon like Mega Sciz, Azu, Skarm, and Hippo. Together, these two form a very powerful offensive duo overall. Their coverage is awesome between Dark, Rock, Water, and Fire. With such high-powered attacks behind them, Tar and Volc become very hard to wall together. They excel at applying pressure on the majority of teams, particularly balance and stall. Because playstyles like stall can often be hard to cover without running specific things, having Tar and Volc to do the job in two slots provides you more freedom to focus on using the remaining members to cover pressing offensive threats like Exca and Lando-T. This will definietly be one of the more common Volcanion partners for the foreseeable future, and it's easy to see why with how much support they provide one another with.

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

"Cacaaawww..."

DDD Altaria

Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 96 SpD / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Return
- Heal Bell / Earthquake
​

Volcanion generally hates Dragon-types, especially ones such as Lati@s, D-nite, Garchomp etc. as well as fast Electric-types like Raikou and Mega Man. This is where Mega Altaria comes in, threatening/switching-in to the previously mentioned threats. You can also utilize Altaria's pre-mega typing to switch into Ground attacks aimed at Volcanion. In return, Volcanion's great typing and coverage allow it to break down some of M-Alt's counters and checks, most notably steels like Scizor, Skarmory etc., Fire-types like Talonflame and Heatran, and the wonderful Steam Eruption to burn walls and wear them down. Also, Specs Volcanion's fantastic ability to break through walls allow it to accomplish feats such as 2HKO Defensive Mega Venusaur, Unaware Clefable and OHKOing Quags with HP Grass.

 

[cfdba]

damn you infernal

Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Power-Up Punch
- Frustration
- Fake Out

Mega Lopunny is capable of breaking down offensive teams that give Volcanion few chances to fire off its nuclear-powered steam eruptions. In return, Volcanion can hit fat teams with mons like Hippowdon, Slowbro, and Clefable for a doozy. Volcanion specifically weakens/annihilates bulky grounds for Mega Lopunny to put in more work later game. The fact that they share a few checks in Suicune and Slowbro lets them synergize well and overwhelm said checks. Volcanion can also stomach hits from SpD Talonflame, Scizor, and scarf Keldeo that Lopunny really doesn't want to take. Water Absorb means that Volcanion can eat scalds directed at Lopunny. Even some of the bulkiest mons used in OU get neutered by a Steam Eruption + Burn, making this a very threatening core.

 

[Martin]

Heatran @ Power Herb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Solar Beam
- Stealth Rock / Toxic
- Taunt

Power Herb+Solar Beam Heatran has always been a consistent lure due to its ability to trap and KO fat waters without being scoutable for the opponent due to them being unable to switch out of it. The key thing going for it here is that it helps the matchup versus fat waters like Jellicent and Slowking who attempt to switch in on you, as well as Seismitoad/Quagsire, allowing it to break them down or outright KO them for Volcanion. In addition, due to sharing a lot of the same defensive checks and being weak to what Volcanion is immune to, the synergy between the two is very good in general.

 

[heritage]

Vanity (Serperior) @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Substitute / Hidden Power Fire
- Glare / Knock Off

Pretty much every Grass-type Pokemon pairs up well with Volcanion (let me rephrase that: Every Pokemon pairs up well with Volcanion), and Serperior is certainly no exception. Serperior blows through Water-type Pokemon such as Slowbro, Keldeo, Suicune, Jellicent, and Manaphy but boosting through them with Contrary Leaf Storm. Glare also slows down the likes of Tornadus-T and Mega Lopunny, and Knock Off removes Chansey's Eviolite, allowing Volcanion to 2HKO it after Burn and Stealth Rock damage. In return, thanks to its amazing offensive typing, Volcanion decimates the likes of Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Mega Scizor, and serves as a solid check to Talonflame. All of these factors make Serperior a solid partner to Volcanion.

 

[Ramses]

Landorus-t

 

[Imperator Romanum]

"Cacaaawww..."

DDD Altaria

Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 96 SpD / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Return
- Heal Bell
​

Volcanion generally hates Dragon-types, especially ones such as Lati@s, D-nite, Garchomp etc. as well as fast Electric-types like Raikou and Mega Man. This is where Mega Altaria comes in, threatening/switching-in to the previously mentioned threats. You can also utilize Altaria's pre-mega typing to switch into Ground attacks aimed at Volcanion. In return, Volcanion's great typing and coverage allow it to break down some of M-Alt's counters and checks, most notably steels like Scizor, Skarmory etc., Fire-types like Talonflame and Heatran, and the wonderful Steam Eruption to burn walls and wear them down. Also, Specs Volcanion's fantastic ability to break through walls allow it to accomplish feats such as 2HKO Defensive Mega Venusaur, Unaware Clefable and OHKOing Quags with HP Grass.

Ironically one of your biggest threats are other Volcanion :,)

Reserving Mega Sceptile

 

[MANNAT]

Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Thunder Punch
- Pursuit

MMeta is an excellent partner for specs hp grass volc. Volc already has hp grass to lure shit like gastro, so that already helps meta's job. Meta can use thunderpunch to pressure the shit out of waters and wear them down enough so that either volc or meta can kill them then volc can start firing off steam eruptions. Metagross also has pursuit so that it can switch into the lati twins and trap them as they try leaving the playing field, which is really nice. STABs on meta help deal with mons it's supposed to check that also annoy volc like keld and other shit like that.

 

[ethanlol]

Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Foul Play

So Volcarona hates rocks and Sableye allows it to be really effective by bouncing back hazards. Sableye hates Azumarill which Volcarona is able to check. Volcanion really wants to just be able to wallbreak without having the restrictions that stealth rock has. There is not much to it, except that Sableye allows Volcarona to wallbreak at it's best.

 

[yuruuu]

Thundurus

The two tend to share the same checks: Water/Grounds, Elecs, Latis, etc. This makes Thundurus an amazing partner for Volcanion, as either is able to lure threats for the other to clean up - Volcanion can run HP Grass to bop Gastrodon, but similarly Thundurus could be running Grass Knot, which puts some pressure on the opposing player to guess which is running the lure. Alternatively, they could also just break through through sheer overloading the same checks. I'd say that just the standard NP set would work best so:

Thundurus @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Focus Blast

Superpower is an option if you want to kill Chansey I guess?

 

[FMG]

Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 32 Atk / 224 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Moonblast
- Diamond Storm
- Earth Power
- Protect

Volcanion + Diancie make a really good core, at least that is what I think. The Lati Twins usually like to switch into Volcanion, but with Diancie you can kill them. Also Diancie can kill fast Landorus-T and Garchomp for Volcanion. Diancie can also weaken Pokemon like Slowbro, Slowking, and other bulky water mons because specs Hp Grass doesn't do that much to these mons. I know sometimes these bulky water types can't really touch Volcanion but they can start calm minding up. Volcanion can beat steel types for Diancie like Scizor, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, etc. Diancie can help out by not letting spikes or rocks get up on the field thanks to Magic Bounce, so Volcanion won't have to take damage when it comes in.

 

[false]

Going to finish this round early a bit because I'm likely going to be busy tomorrow, and it doesn't seem like we're going to get any more nominations.

The Winners:

Infernal's Tyranitar

gamer boy's Heatran

Random Passerby's Mamoswine
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Week 53 - Calm Mind + Roar Suicune

Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 240 HP / 248 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Roar
- Calm Mind
- Rest​

 

[heritage]

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 Spe
Impish Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Flare Blitz
- Roost
- Earthquake / Dragon Claw / Dragon Tail

Defensive Mega Charizard X is quite the underrated Mega Evolution on slower teams, as it is quickly looked over for Mega Sableye, which really struggles in the current metagame. Suicune despises Electric- and Grass-types such as Breloom, Mega Venusaur, Serperior, Mega Manectric, Raikou, Magnezone, Thundurus, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth (Ferrothorn is an issue to a degree, but for the majority of the time Suicune can set up on that providing Scald burns). Thanks to Mega Charizard X's typing and good defenses, it can defeat the majority of these Pokemon using Flare Blitz. Will-O-Wisp helps cripple physcial attackers, giving Suicune even more of a chance to set up. In return, Suicune can set up on and defeat most bulky Ground-types, especially Landorus-T and Hippowdon, and eventually defeat non-Calm Mind Slowbro in a stall war. Heatran, Talonflame, Tyranitar, and Gliscor are also defeated easily by Suicune.