Project USUM OU Victim of the Week [Week 49: Dragon Dance Gyarados]

[nameless90]

Hard Check (or counter?): CM Slowking

Slowking @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Calm Nature
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Psyshock

0 SpA Slowking Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele in Psychic Terrain: 81-96 (28.8 - 34.1%) -- 2.9% chance to 3HKO

Slowking can tank some hard hits on the special side thanks to the good special bulk and the typing.

252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 188 Def Slowking in Psychic Terrain: 126-148 (31.9 - 37.5%) -- 0.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 68+ SpD Slowking: 135-159 (34.2 - 40.3%) -- 40.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 68+ SpD Slowking: 152-180 (38.5 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 68+ SpD Slowking: 152-180 (38.5 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Luckily, Tapu Lele has Twisted Spoons and not Choice Specs.​

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Shadow Ball vs. +1 252 HP / 68+ SpD Slowking: 102-120 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- 1.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Shadow Ball vs. +1 252 HP / 68+ SpD Slowking: 102-120 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- 98.7% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Tapu Lele always loses 1 vs 1 bar crits or 2 SpD drops in a row. After 1 CM the situation is much better, but Slowking is pressured to be healthy throughout the match due to its low Spe despite the ability Regenerator, so instead of being a counter, Slowking is in actual fact an hard check because can't really switch into Shadow Ball. Therefore, you want to stay onto Tapu Lele while stacking Calm Mind boosts to increase your longevity while boosting your STABs in order to OHKO the opposite monster.

 

[david0895]

Mega Metagross as a counter

Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
- Meteor Mash
- Filler
- Filler
- Filler


Firstly, I was thinking that MegaGross was a check, but then I noticied this:

252+ SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 209-247 (69.4 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

This is the worst entry for MegaGross, but it can still survive and then get the OHKO, since it's faster:

252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Meteor Mash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 524-620 (186.4 - 220.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

other calcs

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 178-210 (59.1 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 134-158 (44.5 - 52.4%) -- 75.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 133-157 (44.1 - 52.1%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega in Psychic Terrain: 67-79 (22.2 - 26.2%) -- 85% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Avant Heim]

Reserving Magearna as a counter

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Aura Sphere

Magearna works really well as a counter because it can force Tapu Lele to switch out,or even if Lele stays in,it will do a massive amount of damage.
Thanks to Assault Vest and HP+SpD investiment,Magearna is ensured to live and retaliate back with a powerfull stab attack,here,have some calcs:

Calcs

252+ SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 254-302 (90.3 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 207-244 (73.6 - 86.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 134-158 (36.9 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Ramses]

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 204 SpD / 56 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
- Healing Wish

Jirachi is a rather underrated counter to Tapu Lele. It tanks Psyshock and Moonblast with ease, while HP Fire only threatens a 4HKO at most. Iron Head threatens a KO after Stealth Rock or since Lele will more than likely which out, grab momentum with U-turn. It also comes in quite easily on Focus Blast, Fightinium Z, and Shadow Ball variants, only fearing a 3HKO at worst from the latter or the possible Never-ending Nightmare.

e: i was already writing this and i really didn't want to just scrap it :x

 

[Martin]

Gengar as a check

 

[BM]

Reserving Duggy as a check

Dugtrio @ Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Substitute
- Toxic/Sucker Punch
- Memento/Pursuit

This set is pretty standard; Z-EQ allows Dugtrio to pick up notable KOs, particularly vs things like tapu lele for example. This set tends to fit on more offensive teams, but I've seen it function on stall to decent effect as well.

252 Atk Dugtrio Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 309-364 (109.9 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

This also means that hazard removal isn't forced onto dugtrio in order to revenge most lele sets right now.

 

[Sunchipps]

Nihilego @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sludge Wave
- Filler
- Filler
- Filler

As Check

Scarf Nihilego is a decent check to Tapu Lele, just dont hard switch into it but predict the switch and throw this sucker. This even outspeeds Scarf Lele and can deal massive damage to it due to Sludge Wave and it being STAB. Lele of course can hit back if it somehow lives but that's unlikely.

C A L C S

252 SpA Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 270-320 (96 - 113.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 270-320 (96 - 113.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Nihilego in Psychic Terrain: 780-918 (217.2 - 255.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Now, if you're me and you overthink a lot, just use Sludge Wave against Lele. IDC if he has a Steel type, just don't flex

 

[volx757]

Greninja as a check

Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Spikes
- Ice Beam
- Gunk Shot
- Hydro Pump

4 Atk Life Orb Protean Greninja Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 413-486 (146.9 - 172.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Greninja ouspeeds and OHKOs lele. If you're a god you can predict the psyshock and switch right in.


edit: why do we even do reservations of mons? It takes like 5 minutes max to write a couple sentences about a mon and paste in it's set, I feel like if someone doesn't have a couple minutes to write something, they should just not do it? Let other's do it? idk it's whatever tho. (also it doesn't prevent double posting like the jirachi above which is I assume the original reason behind it)

 

[Jucherz]

Mimikyu @ Life Orb
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
- Play Rough
- Swords Dance

Mimikyu as a counter. Mimikyu can switch in on any Tapu Lele's attack thanks to Disguise and then outspeed and OHKO next turn.

252 Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 296-351 (105.3 - 124.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[So Noisy]

Bronzong as a counter
all of the decent ones are taken

Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def / 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]

even if the set is defensive(for mmeta ofc) it doesnt get 2hkod by modest hp fire tapu lele and gyros it.

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Bronzong: 126-150 (37.2 - 44.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Bronzong Gyro Ball (114 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 284-336 (101 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO



EDIT - put 0 speed ivs

 

[Jucherz]

0 Atk Bronzong Gyro Ball (79 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 198-234 (70.4 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

You should run 0 Spe IVs when using Gyro Ball to make it as strong as possible.

It turns the 2HKO into an OHKO:
0 Atk Bronzong Gyro Ball (114 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 284-336 (101 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[nameless90]

Bronzong as a counter

You forgot to calc Shadow Ball, a move which is slashed on this Tapu Lele:

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Bronzong: 170-200 (50.2 - 59.1%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

===> hard check seems more suitable to me, even without taking in account Stealth Rocks. Dethroning Tapu Lele is really hard if you mispredict the set.

 

[Wob]

Kartana as a Check

Kartana @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword

Standard SD Kartana, with a slow U-turn or after a teammate faints it's able to come in and either beat or force out Tapu Lele with Smart Strike. If it manages to KO Lele, it gets a free attack boost, and if Lele switches out, Kartana can use that opportunity to set up a Swords Dance with a bit of prediction. Either way it becomes extremely threatening, and this alone basically punishes Tapu Lele for picking up a KO. Kartana is able to take advantage of Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain as well, as it really appreciates not having to deal with (particularly special) priority.

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

Stealing Gengar as a check since it's been over 6 hours.

Gengar @ Choice Specs / Life Orb / Ghostium Z
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Trick / Taunt

Gengar resists one of Leles STABs and both of Gengars STABs are able to threaten Lele. Any Gengar set works really since you outspeed naturally anyways, but Scarf sets exist so be cautious when using non Scarf Gengar. Keep in mind Scarf needs a little chip or Rocks to OHKO Lele however and since Scarf Lele is pretty rare and abusable, I chose standard breaker here and because you avoid the 2HKO from Moonblast. Psyshock from any set obviously deletes Gengar from the face of the Earth though so be cautious when predicting. Also Specs Gengars wallbreaking power punishes and breaks down switch ins like Celesteela if the opponent tries to preserve their Lele by sending in something they think can take on Gengar as Gengar switch ins are rare this gen.

Non Specs Lele

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gengar: 108-128 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Scarf Gengar calcs for those curious

252 SpA Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 234-276 (83.2 - 98.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Gengar Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 276-326 (98.2 - 116%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

 

[Creator of Chaos]

Last chance to post checks/counters for voting begins tonight. You might be the one who dethrones lele

 

[Random Passerby]

Alright, time for submission is up. Thanks for the ideas. Now is the time to cast your vote. You may vote for 2 checks and 2 counters. Do not vote for your own set. Voting ends on Friday night.

Checks:
CM Slowking
Bronzong
Dugtrio
Choice Scarf Nihilego
Greninja
Kartana
Gengar

Counters:
AV Alolan Muk
SpD Celesteela
Mega Metagross
AV Magearna
SpD Jirachi
Mimikyu

 

[david0895]

Checks: Greninja and Dugtrio
Counters: Magearna and Mimikyu

 

[Creator of Chaos]

Checks: bronzong and gengar
Counters: magearna and AV alo muk

 

[Jucherz]

Checks: Dugtrio and Gengar
Counters: Mega Metagross and Celesteela

 

[Natan]

Checks: Dugtrio and Gengar
Counters: Magearna and Celesteela

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

Checks: Bronzong and Greninja
Counters: Magearna and Jirachi

 

[Avant Heim]

Checks: Bronzong and Gengar
Counters: Av alolan muk and celesteela

 

[écarlate]

Checks: Bronzong and Gengar
Counters: Alolan Muk and Jirachi

 

[zCheshrye]

Checks CM slowking and greninja
Counters magerna and alola muk

 

[nameless90]

Checks: Kartana, Dugtrio

Counters: Alolan Muk, Mimikyu