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Misdreavus is a pure counter to Vigoroth. Even if it is taunted on the switch in, Misdreavus can't be touched. Misdreavus is speed crept by 1 extra point to outspeed Vigoroth so that Vigoroth can always be taunted first. Then, it is free boosts for Misdreavus to sweep / wallbreak the enemy team. Jumpluff is a little more tricky because of sleep powder, but Misdreavus can take a couple hits a dish out a lot of damage with Shadow Ball.
While Sawsbuck may be week to Jumpluff's Acrobatics and possible U-Turn it is still holding Jumpluff back from using the move that Jumpluff was made to use in Sleep Powder. Some might call it a 50/50 but a good player is not going to use Sleep Powder with a Sawsbuck on the opposing field, the consistence would be too high. It risks giving Sawsbuck a Sap Sipper boost, which keep in mind can be Baton passed in to a stronger physical attacker such as Stoutland, or may even give Sawsbuck the power and speed it needs to clean the rest of there team. So you know they will ether Acro or U-turn and with Jumpluff's week 55 base attack stat, and plenty of checks in the teir it is a lot less troublesome than getting something put to sleep and also on the U-turn, if rocks are up Jumpluff will be taking damage every time it comes in really limiting it's usefulness.
As with Vigoroth the threat is pretty obvious, unlike Zebstrika it is hitting on the physical side making it harder to set-up on. Sawsbuck is also faster than Vigoroth's taunt allowing it to get off a Toxic which is putting Vigoroth on a timer.
Swanna is a pretty cool partner to the core, as it provides a solid Specially based offensive Defogger. Since the core is weak to Pokemon such as Klang, Metang, & several physical walls, Swanna can reliably take most of them on with its solid double STAB. In return, Vigoroth can take on powerful Electric types, such as Zebstrika and Rotom-F, although it has to watch out for Trick from the latter. Jumpluff can also provide Memento support in order to give Swanna another chance at Defogging should it get crippled and / or worn down.
TrapGod here actually takes on most of the pre-mentioned Counter/Checks and although it is a rather niche pokemon it can actually put in good work for Vigoroth+Jumpluff.
EQ takes out the pre-mentioned Electabuzz and pluffs other stop Zebtrika+Steel-types which heavily hamper the core. Toxic puts walls on a timer examples are Gourgeist-XL,Missy,Pelipper ect. Quick Attack can help Trapinch take out Sturdy users and Sash-Dabra which can Status/Encore Vigoroth.
I gave two separate EV spreads: 44 Spe lets you outspeed uninvested neutral nature base 70s (i.e. Solrock and Politoed are nice benchmarks to outspeed for this set). The second spread lets you hit Golem super effectively and outspeed other neutral nature 252 spe base 45s, although that is not mandatory.
Roselia makes a nice partner to this core for a number of reasons: firstly, it absorbs any Toxic Spikes for Vigoroth, letting Vigoroth stay in rather than being forced out eventually due to Poison damage. Conversely, laying Toxic Spikes for Vigoroth can let Vigoroth break through many physical walls that it would have normally been hard pressed to do without Toxic Spikes. In return, Vigoroth can protect Roselia's Toxic Spikes (or normal Spikes) by Taunting enemy hazard removal out of using Defog.
Roselia also resists heavy Fighting-type hits such as Focus Blast from various special threats that can easily 2HKO Vigoroth even through its great Special Defense stat. And with Natural Cure, Roselia helps out Vigoroth yet again by absorbing annoying things like Misdreavus' Will-o-Wisp and other status moves that would otherwise disable Vigoroth.
Finally, Roselia can OHKO standard Piloswine with its 252+ STAB Leaf Storm, which is great for protecting Jumpluff from Piloswine during the course of a match (it is still recommended to pack a reliable switch-in for 'Swine though):
252+ SpA Roselia Leaf Storm vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Eviolite Piloswine: 390-458 (96.7 - 113.6%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Machoke @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 24 Def / 28 SpD / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Bullet Punch
- Bulk Up
Machoke does an excellent job supporting this core. It is a great check to a lot of the above mentioned Pokemon.
Simisear @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Grass Knot
- Focus Blast
Simisear can deal a big chunk of damage but will lose a 1v1 scenario, pretty much every time unless it is crited, or Simisear is already set up.
252 SpA Life Orb Simisear Fire Blast vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Eviolite Machoke: 187-220 (54.8 - 64.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Machoke Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Simisear: 262-309 (90 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Don't let the type advantage of Hypno fool you it is not hard to see how Machoke will beat this 1v1.
252+ Atk Guts Machoke Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Hypno: 386-456 (103.2 - 121.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO Bop
Electabuzz @ Eviolite
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Ice
In a 1v1 scenario Machoke does win, but let's be honest Eletabuzz is clicking Volt Switch. No big deal this is a free Knockoff or Bulk Up.
252 SpA Electabuzz Volt Switch vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Eviolite Machoke: 90-106 (26.3 - 31%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Electabuzz Thunderbolt vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Eviolite Machoke: 115-136 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Machoke Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Electabuzz: 102-120 (37.5 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Machoke Close Combat vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Electabuzz: 187-222 (68.7 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Gourgeist-Super @ Leftovers
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Foul Play
- Synthesis
- Magic Coat
Machoke is an excellent counter to this Gourgiest set, and most Gourgiest-XL in general. It will defiantly beat this 1v1, it is what Bulk Up Machoke is designed for, after all.
0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Foul Play vs. 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 41-48 (12 - 14%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after burn damage
252+ Atk Guts Machoke Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 182-216 (48.6 - 57.7%) -- 51.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Foul Play vs. +1 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 41-48 (12 - 14%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after burn damage
Klang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 156 Def / 100 SpD
Impish Nature
- Shift Gear
- Gear Grind
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
To be completely honest, Machoke has to be careful with Klang but with the right plays it will come out intact and ready for more.
+1 0 Atk Klang Gear Grind (2 hits) vs. +1 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 80-96 (23.4 - 28.1%) -- approx. 84.9% chance to 4HKO
(Bulk Up on the Shift gear)
+1 252+ Atk Machoke Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 156+ Def Eviolite Klang: 290-344 (89.5 - 106.1%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+1 0 Atk Klang Gear Grind (2 hits) vs. 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 116-140 (34 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Misdreavus is beaten 1v1 but Machoke is going to leave battered, it is worth it to me because this is a big problem for both Jumpluff and Vigoroth, the latter being completely walled and set-up on. also note if Machoke fails to beat Misdrevus it will be in revenge range.
252+ SpA Misdreavus Dazzling Gleam vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Eviolite Machoke: 140-166 (41 - 48.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Machoke Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 196-232 (67.3 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sawsbuck Double-Edge vs. 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 142-168 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Machoke Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sawsbuck: 476-564 (158.1 - 187.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
As you can see by the visual proof Machoke is great for checking the checks of Jumpluff and vigoroth. it is an AMAZING addition to this core not just because of the above Pokemon, but a lot of pokemon in general.
Gourgeist-Super and Zweilous form a good defensive core due to their great bulk and above average type synergy, with Gourgeist-Super handling Fighting-types and Zweilous handling Fire-, Dark-, and Ghost-types for Gourgeist-Super. Furthermore, with Gourgeist-Super's Ghost typing and Zweilous shuffling the core works great on entry hazard stacking teams as they can both prevent and take advantage of them.
You have until Friday to post threats to the core.
Clefairy @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled
- Moonblast
- Thunder Wave / Stealth Rocks
Yes, this isn't exactly the most original threat to the core, but it works very well nonetheless. Neither Pokemon can touch Clefairy and they end up being setup bait.
Zweilous has a horrible time with Zweilous. Clefairy can't even be phazed out with Dragon Tail because of its Fairy-typing, making Zweilous setup bait. Zweilous only option is a resisted none invested Crunch that does very little damage to Clefairy. In return, Clefairy can setup rocks, Thunder Wave Zweilous, setup, or 2HKOs Zweilous.
Gourgeist doesn't have a much better time. Clefairy is immune to Will-o-Wisp, limiting Gourgeist to a weak Seed Bomb or an even weaker Foul Play. This turns Gourgeist into setup bait and there is not much it can do about it.
4 Atk Hustle Zweilous Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Clefairy: 67-80 (19.4 - 23.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Clefairy: 103-123 (29.9 - 35.7%) -- 31.5% chance to 3HKO
Monferno @ Life Orb
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Flare Blitz / Fire Punch
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Punch / Mach Punch
Monferno can Easily threaten this core just using STAB moves. A Physical Set can make use of Iron Fist however, and since it can't be burned by Gourgeist it can be viabl to break through. A Special Set could be also used to minimize damage from Foul Play, but risking a miss from Focus Miss is just disgusting... However Monferno is pretty Frail and it can't switch onto Zweilous as easily as it feels, But it can easily switch on Gourgeist...
252 Atk Life Orb Iron Fist Monferno Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 174-205 (46.5 - 54.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Monferno Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 229-273 (61.2 - 72.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Monferno Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Zweilous: 328-385 (94.2 - 110.6%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
4 Atk Hustle Zweilous Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Monferno: 144-169 (53.5 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Articuno @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
- Agility
- Ice Beam
- Hurricane
- Hidden Power Fighting
Articuno can easily threaten this core with its high powered STAB moves, as Ice Beam or Hurricane can take out Gourgeist while Ice Beam is a clean 2HKO on Zweilous.
Articuno can easily threaten this core with its high powered STAB moves, as Ice Beam or Hurricane can take out Gourgeist while Hurricane is a clean 2HKO on Zweilous.
RP Regice as a threat to Gourgeist-XL / SpDef Zweilous
Regice @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Rock Polish
To be honest, accounting for Regice during teambuilding is annoying because of how many defensive cores it can easily dismantle. SpDef Zweilous + Gourgeist-XL is a prime example of this, as it's an easy answer with its LO Boosted, SE Ice Beam. It outspeeds both of these threats, and OHKOs Gourgeist-XL / 2HKOs SpDef Zweilous. Meanwhile, Zweilous doesn't do enough damage and can only 3HKO with Crunch (it has to rely on Stealth Rock damage for a chance to turn that 3HKO into a 2HKO, which isn't always guaranteed).
252+ SpA Life Orb Regice Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Zweilous: 213-252 (61.2 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Hustle Zweilous Crunch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Regice: 112-133 (37.4 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Regice Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Gourgeist-Super: 439-517 (117.6 - 138.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Machoke @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 24 Def / 28 SpD / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch/Thunder punch
- Bullet Punch
Neither of these pokes in the core enjoy taking the safe Knock Off, and Close Combat is an ohko on Zweilous more often than not and a clean kill with rocks up. In retaliation, the core can do very little with the best options being slow chip damage, stalling and using up Synthesis pp, or risky phazing. Even the Will-o-Wisp from Gourgeist doesn't really help the core that much, since Machoke gets the Guts boost and just becomes more powerful.
Machoke ---> Core
252+ Atk Machoke Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Zweilous: 320-380 (91.9 - 109.1%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Machoke Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 122-144 (32.6 - 38.5%) -- 2.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Guts Machoke Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 182-216 (48.6 - 57.7%) -- 51.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Guts Machoke Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 142-168 (37.9 - 44.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Core ---> Machoke
4 Atk Hustle Zweilous Crunch vs. 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 49-58 (14.3 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
4 Atk Hustle Zweilous Dragon Tail vs. 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 75-88 (21.9 - 25.8%) -- 2.1% chance to 4HKO
4 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 76-90 (22.2 - 26.3%) -- 10.6% chance to 4HKO
4 Atk Gourgeist-Super Foul Play vs. 160 HP / 24 Def Eviolite Machoke: 41-48 (12 - 14%) -- possible 8HKO
Grumpig @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Whirlwind
- Heal Bell
Grumpig is great partner to this core for several reasons.
It is a good Ice check, for a team that is weak to ice such as Gourgeist, Zweilous this is big deal. It will stop Mons such as Regice from just destroying the core at it's base.
It supports and keep synergy up with Zweilious really well. With whirlwind your helping it rack up hazard damage which is what Zweilous does best. Heal bell is great for supporting both Gourgeist and Zweilious, it can heal status conditions such as badly poisoned and Burned it also can wake up Zweilious if you switch out after using Rest.
Probopass @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 168 SpD / 84 Spe
Calm Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Volt Switch
- Thunder Wave / Toxic
- Power Gem / Flash Cannon
Offensive Pivot Probopass is a pretty cool partner to the core ofr a number of reasons. First, Probopass has pretty solid synergy with Gourgeist-Super, switching into most Fire and Flying attacks, while Gourgeist can take Fighting, Fire, and Ground type moves. Oh the other hand, Probopass provides Stealth Rock support, which allows Zweilous to shuffle the opponents team around by use of Dragon Tail.
Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 212 Atk / 40 SpD / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt/Earthquake/Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
Metang can set up some Stealth Rocks for this core while also resisting Ice and Fairy and threatening a good portion of the threats to this core.
Regice cannot 2hko Metang, while Metang can cripple with a good Meteor Mash and kill with Bullet Punch if needed. Articuno is in a similar position as Regice, but the 2hko is entirely clean with rocks up. Metang can also take on Machoke with Zen Headbutt, and Dodrio is tanked easily as long as Dodrio isn't using Knock Off. Clefairy and other Fairies are also beaten very soundly, and Scarfed Rotom-F is also checked somewhat (not SubWillo though, that set is so good). If any of these threats switch, Metang can just Pursuit them for more chip damage. Even threats like Stoutland that also go through this core are checked by Metang.
Overall, Metang is a good partner for being a versatile check to many of the core's threats while also providing some good defensive synergy and Stealth Rock.
Also, can someone throw up Piloswine? That thing is also a good partner. I only went with Metang because Metang has a much better matchup with Regice, other Ice threats, and Normal Spam, and doesn't stack the Fighting weakness that Zweilous has.
The idea is that the few checks and counters Nasty Plot Raichu has, such as Roselia and Grumpig, get weakened or straight up destroyed by Dodrio's Choice Banded Pursuit. Dodrio's few checks are Rock- and Steel-types, and while Raichu might not be the first thing that comes to mind, it actually beats most Rock- and Steel-types in PU 1v1. Lightningrod is also nice to discourage faster Electric-types from using their STABs against Dodrio, and Dodrio's Flying-type discourages Ground-type attacks against Raichu. Basically you got two wallbreakers, on the physical and special side, that beat each others checks pretty well.
Stunfisk @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Discharge
- Earth Power
- Toxic
Stunfisk is actually a huge threat to the core. It can take 2 hits from Banded Dodrio Return and 2HKO it in return with Discharge, or possibly get a Para vis Static. Raichu cannot win unless it Nasty Plots on the switch in, otherwise Earth Power is an easy 2HKO.
