Project PU Victim of the week - Week 7: Life Orb Haunter

[MZ]

Reserving scarf Raichu

Raichu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Focus Blast
Although Raichu can't switch in on any of Poli's moves (it can tank an Ice Beam if it has to though), it has the almost unique quality of outspeeding poli even while rain is up, and can just kill it off with a Thunderbolt which does a minimum of 78%, so assuming poli took a hit while getting rain up or just took LO recoil it's going to kill.

calcs

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu: 112-133 (42.9 - 50.9%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Poliwrath: 252-296 (78.5 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[TONE]

Swanna as a check

Swanna @ Life Orb
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 29 HP / 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Defog

Swanna can't directly switch into any of Poliwrath's attacks, it does take advantage of the rain Poliwrath sets and OHKOs it with Hurricane which doesn't miss in rain. Plus if by any chance Swanna gets frozen by Ice Beam, Hydration thaws it out.

Calcs

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Swanna in Rain: 186-218 (63.9 - 74.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Swanna: 135-160 (46.3 - 54.9%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Swanna: 135-160 (46.3 - 54.9%) -- 62.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Swanna Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Poliwrath: 390-460 (121.4 - 143.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Edit: Sorry Ben, this cannon has priority. :^)

 

[Twix]

Sash Kadabra as Check

Kadabra @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Encore

While Kadabra can't switch in on a hit, it can deal massive damage to poli and can kill with some prior damage. If Kadabra's sash is conserved it can take anything from poli with it and has a huge chance to OHKO it in return

calcs

252 SpA Kadabra Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Poliwrath: 306-360 (95.3 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kadabra: 227-269 (102.7 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Fissure]

Grumpig as a check

Grumpig @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 SpD / 252 HP / 4 SpA
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Mirror Coat
- Thunder Wave / Filler
- Heal Bell / Whirlwind / Filler
- Psychic / Seismic Toss
Grumpig is more of a support mon that just takes one hit and uses mirror coat to deal twice the damage it took. Thunder wave is there because para hax as well as to cut their speed.

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Grumpig in Rain: 175-207 (48 - 56.8%) -- 34.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Grumpig: 117-138 (32.1 - 37.9%) -- 0.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

4 SpA Grumpig Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Poliwrath: 194-230 (60.4 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Thick Fat Grumpig: 32-39 (8.7 - 10.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Grumpig: 62-74 (17 - 20.3%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

Mirror Coat is a guaranteed kill if hit by a hydro pump in the rain because the poliwrath will lose some hp due to life orb and then take twice what grumpig took. Mirror Coat just falls short by around 5-18% without rain up. Sorry if this is bad, I'm used to using "cancer" and have trouble distinguishing between good and bad.

 

[ManOfMany]

Yellow Jewish Man as a counter

Yellow Jewish Man (Hypno) @ leftoversj
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252 HP/ 4Def/ 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Thunder Wave
- Psychic/Seismic Toss

So Rain Dance Poliwrath is known for being notoriously difficult to counter despite that base 70 SpA with its only weaknesses being reliance on innacurate moves...but everyone's favorite Pedo doesn't care.

Your Roselia or Togetic's eviolite was knocked off? Your Assault Vest Regice Misdreavus spent all of its HP trying to spinblock? Hypno is here to save the day!

Hypno avoids the 2HKO from Hydro Pump in the rain, but just barely. That's why you spam Protect as much as possible, and you should not have problems switching in, even after stealth rock.
252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Hypno in Rain: 169-200 (45.1 - 53.4%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Sweet dreams PU

 

[Anty]

Megazard Z BenOhver update ur posts pls

Counter

Togetic @ Eviolite
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 244 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
- Roost
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunder Wave
- Defog
Spdef Togetic is pretty decent in this meta as it can successfully check scary spatkers like ninetales (main reason i use thunder wave), while being able to support the team with defog. Togetic can easily switch in and take 2 ice beam, or a rain boosted hydro pump, and then roost off the damage or thunderwave if wrath didnt go for rain dance (paralysed rain wrath outspeeds by 3 points, not much point running 16 ev's for), or 2HKO with dazzling gleam.

252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Togetic: 88-104 (28.1 - 33.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Togetic in Rain: 121-142 (38.6 - 45.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

8 SpA Togetic Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Poliwrath: 158-188 (49.2 - 58.5%) -- 98% chance to 2HKO
One life orb recoil ensures the 2HKO

 

[trc]

just saying i personally think it's worth it to run 16 evs on togetic for paralyzed poli in rain

 

[g]

CHECK

Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hurricane
- Freeze-Dry
- Hidden Power [Fighting] / Roost
- Agility

Articuno can switch into any move if Stealth Rock are not up, take the next hit if Rain is up and Agility or just outspeed and take out Poliwrath with Hurricane

calcs

252+ SpA Articuno Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Poliwrath: 348-410 (108.4 - 127.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Articuno in Rain: 212-251 (66 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Anty]

Checks: Roselia (Raiza.) / Kadabra (BenOhver) / Grumpig (Official Fissure) / Articuno (galbia)
Counters: Togetic (Anty) / Hypno (Pokey-Man)

Week 6:

Misdreavus @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest Nature
- Taunt / Will-O-Wisp
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting] / Thunderbolt

This i know has counters!

 

[Raiza]

RestTalk Throh as a counter

Throh @ Leftovers
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Circle Throw
- Knock Off
- Sleep Talk
- Rest

Throh can enter a lot of times on Misdreavus and her Will-O-Wisp just boosts Throh offensive potential. As an answer he can Knock Off her Eviolite, making him able to 2HKO her in the next turn or forcing the switch. Taunt limits him a bit but he can still handle Misdreavus really well.
Also doesn't even get 2HKO'd by +2 Shadow Ball.

calcs

+2 252+ SpA Misdreavus Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Throh: 172-204 (38.7 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Misdreavus Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Throh: 87-103 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Throh Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 142-168 (48.7 - 57.7%) -- 94.5% chance to 2HKO

^ deals same dmg after Misdreavus lost Eviolite

0 Atk Guts Throh Knock Off vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Misdreavus: 212-250 (72.8 - 85.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

^ deals same dmg after Misdreavus lost Eviolite

 

[Politoad]

Pawniard as a check

Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit / Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head

Pawniard hates Hidden Power Fighting, as well as Will-O-Wisp. However, it is a great check to Ghost-types in general. Knock Off OHKOes most Ghost-types, and 2HKOes Missy, Pursuit can be used for trappin' but Swords Dance helps with setting up in general. Sucker Punch is good priority and Iron Head hits most resistant Pokemon to Dark-type mons well. An Adamant nature boosts its Attack further and Eviolite easens set up.

Damage calcs are coming.

 

[Grim]

Sneasel as a check.

Sneasel @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash / Pursuit
- Ice Shard / Pursuit
- Low Kick

Although Sneasel cannot switch into a Hidden Power Fighting or Will-O-Wisp, it's one of the most reliable Misdreavus checks there (ghosts in general) because of its incredible Speed and STAB Knock Off. Pursuit is not needed but is a very underrated option that is very useful to trap annoying Ghosts, because no one in their right mind would stay in against a Sneasel.

Calcs

252 Atk Life Orb Sneasel Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 335-398 (115.1 - 136.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Life Orb Sneasel Pursuit (80 BP) vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 276-328 (94.8 - 112.7%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Misdreavus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sneasel: 68-81 (27 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

+2 252+ SpA Misdreavus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sneasel: 136-161 (54.1 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Misdreavus Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sneasel: 102-121 (40.6 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Anty]

Soulblaster and GrimoireGod pls read the OP and include damage calcs

Also if you are going to reserve something pls edit the post rather than doing a new one

 

[TONE]

Lickilicky as a counter

Lickilicky @ Leftovers
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell
- Knock Off

Lickilicky can heal off any burn from Will-O-Wisp with Heal Bell, is immune to Taunt, and can take any attack with ease and heal off the damage with Wish and smack Misdreavus with Knock Off.

Calcs

252+ SpA Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Lickilicky: 80-96 (18.8 - 22.6%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Misdreavus Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Lickilicky: 61-72 (14.3 - 16.9%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery

8 Atk Lickilicky Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 124-148 (42.6 - 50.8%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO

 

[Twix]

Ursaring as Check

Ursaring @ Flame Orb / Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts / Quick Feet
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Swords Dance / Protect

Ursaring is a pokemon that can't necessarily switch into an hp fighting, but it can OHKO Missy with a guts boosted crunch, or kill it after rocks or prior damage with Quick Feet. While missy does a solid chunk to ursaring with HP fighting, It can't hit it other than that.

calcs

252+ Atk Guts Ursaring Crunch vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 290-342 (99.6 - 117.5%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Ursaring Crunch vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 178-210 (61.1 - 72.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252+ SpA Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ursaring: 136-162 (42.3 - 50.4%) -- 93.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage
252+ SpA Misdreavus Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ursaring: 102-121 (31.7 - 37.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after toxic damage

 

[2xTheTap]

Ursaring as a check

Shrekt (Ursaring) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Protect / Swords Dance

Ursabear is able to check Misdreavus easily with Crunch by coming in on Taunt, W-o-W, or predicted Shadow Balls. Protect can be used to see whether the last move is HP Fighting or Tbolt, but SD is always there as an alternative. The only case where this sometimes does not work is if Misdreavus is already at +2 and has Hidden Power Fighting, and you're coming in with Stealth Rock damage.

Ursaring vs Misdreavus

252+ Atk Guts Ursaring Crunch vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 290-342 (99.6 - 117.5%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

Misdreavus vs Ursaring

252+ SpA Misdreavus Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Ursaring: 102-121 (31.6 - 37.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage

252+ SpA Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Ursaring: 136-162 (42.2 - 50.3%) -- 93.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage

+2 252+ SpA Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Ursaring: 272-322 (84.4 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252+ SpA Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Ursaring: 272-322 (84.4 - 100%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

EDIT: Ben beat me to it by like a minute? :-(

 

[Anty]

Checks: Ursaring (BenOhver) / Ursaring (2xTheTap) / Sneasel (GrimoireGod)
Counters: Throh (Raiza.) / Lickilicky (TONE114)
Sorry i was late with this, also bad activity this week so I included to of the same mon (pawniard wasnt chosen bcus it has life orb fsr)

Week 7:

Haunter @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Taunt
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

gl (hint, hp fighting drops a speed iv)

 

[Deej Dy]

LickiLicky as Counter

Specially Defensive

Lickilicky @ Leftovers
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell



Licky can easily handle most variants of Haunter bar Destiny bond or sub-disable sheninigans. Its huge special bulk allows it to take Haunter's STAB Sludge Bomb and Heal Bell on the 30% pois without fear and switch on shadow ball with ease if you also have a ghost on your team.
It return it can just easily net a 1HKO with knock off, or at the very least knock off the switch-in's item, as haunter will likely swap out when it meets Lorde Licky.
It is also immune to taunt if Haunter really wants to stay in for some reason. You can also use Protect to sniff out D-Bond Haunter.

Some Calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 248+ SpD Lickilicky: 133-156 (31.3 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Hidden Power Fighting vs. 252 HP / 248+ SpD Lickilicky: 117-140 (27.5 - 33%) -- 83.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery


8 Atk Lickilicky Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 230-272 (99.5 - 117.7%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO. Bop

 

[Raiza]

Regice as a counter

Regice @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rock Polish
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast

Sorry if this is not really in-depth but i'm on a vacation until saturday so I have little time to stay online.
We know that Regice is one of the best Special Sweepers in the tier at the moment with its mix of defensive and offensive stats so even with the Rock Polish Set, which is a pretty much Offensive one, Regice is able to tank and enter a few times on Haunter's STABs and HP Fighting thanks to its high base Special Defense, answering back 1HKOing Haunter most of the time with Ice Beam or forcing his switch, gaining space to set up a Rock Polish.

calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Regice: 86-101 (23.6 - 27.7%) -- 75.3% chance to 4HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Regice: 101-121 (27.7 - 33.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Hidden Power Fighting vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Regice: 86-101 (23.6 - 27.7%) -- 77.2% chance to 4HKO

252+ SpA Regice Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 216-255 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

 

[TONE]

Sneasel as a check

Sneasel @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off
- Pursuit

Sneasel can't directly switch into Haunter due to HP Fighting, but resists Ghost and is faster than Haunter, allowing Sneasel to OHKO with Knock Off.

Calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Hidden Power Fighting vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sneasel: 395-468 (157.3 - 186.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Life Orb Sneasel Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 619-733 (267.9 - 317.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[2xTheTap]

Given the drop in speed due to HP Fighting IVs, Leafeon can serve as a check

Leafeon @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off
- Substitute / Synthesis / Iron Tail

With Haunter running 316 speed total, Jolly 252 Spe (317) Leafeon OHKO's with Knock Off and any item before Haunter can make a move. Leafeon can also switch into obvious HP Fightings, and Shadow Ball one time (assuming SR isn't on the field).

However, if HP Fighting weren't a given, Leafeon would have to win the speed tie (not advisable to use this as a check to Haunter on the ladder, in other words).

Calcs

252 Atk Leafeon Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 352-416 (152.3 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Hidden Power Fighting vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Leafeon: 110-131 (40.5 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Leafeon: 222-263 (81.9 - 97%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Twix]

Kadabra as Check

Kadabra @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Encore
- Psychic
- Calm Mind
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Kadabra may not be a good switch into haunter; but if its sash is preserved it can easily rebound back and knock it out. Kadabra Outspeeds the little ghost and can knock him out in one hit.

calc

252 SpA Kadabra Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 446-528 (193 - 228.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[boltsandbombers]

another ghost, another throh

RestTalk Throh as a counter

Throh @ Leftovers
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Circle Throw
- Knock Off
- Sleep Talk
- Rest

Throh easily takes two hits from Haunter and cleanly OHKOs with Knock Off. The best Haunter can really do is prevent it from resting with Taunt, but foddering itself in the process.

Calcs:

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Throh: 148-175 (33.3 - 39.4%) -- 79.9% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Throh: 125-148 (28.1 - 33.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Throh Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 260-308 (112.5 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[MZ]

Reserving floatzel

 

[ManOfMany]

I'm not sure what the point is of writing checks for Haunter when practically every pokemon that outspeeds it can OHKO it. I could just go down the entire Viability Rankings list...Raichu, Basculin, Dodrio, Jumpluff, Swanna, Ninetales, Scarf Mime, etc...and it would just be a waste of time and clutter up the thread. It would be much more interesting if we only posted checks that can switch in once (such as Ninetales or Sash Kadabra), as they do in the RU Viability Ranking thread instead of pure revenge-killers.