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252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 160-190 (37.5 - 44.6%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock, 1 layer of Spikes, and Leftovers recovery
Even with a layer of Spikes and Rocks (which isn't too uncommon these days), Specially Defensive Gastrodon hard counters Specs Gengar (sans crits/SpDef drops, but whatever). This set also handles stuff like Tapu Koko, Rotom-Wash, Heatran, and all Greninja.
u can make what set u want, specs ninja, spikes setter + 3 atks, etc, this will still be a check, since it can't switch onto the gengar, indeed this will take a ton from gars attacks. This is a check since it can ohko it w/ dpulse and do some damage w/ other moves. thats it
Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
- Rock Slide
Garchomp as a check
Now that Gengar has lost Levitate as it's ability, offensive ground types can easily kill it. What better offensive ground type mon to pick than scarf Garchomp. Garchomp is a solid check to gengar, as it can just completely blow gengar back with an earthquake or even kill gengar with outrage if the opponent has a good ground resist. Garchomp can also take a shadow ball, so you can switch in Garchomp if you really don't have another option. Watch out for the rare icy wind gengar.
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 492-582 (188.5 - 222.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 295-348 (113 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 225-265 (63 - 74.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
So chomp can switch in 1 time if need be.
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 133-157 (37.2 - 43.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 225-265 (63 - 74.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Bisharp @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
Bisharp functions as a check to Gengar. While Bisharp does not want to switch in on any of Gengar's attacks (including Shadow Ball). Bisharp's immunity to Poison means that it can potentially switch it on Sludge Wave and threaten it with Knock Off and in some cases, Iron Head. Bisharp also functions as a fantastic revenge killer with Sucker Punch as long as Psychic Terrain isn't up.
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Bisharp: 131-154 (48.3 - 56.8%) -- 90.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Bisharp: 196-231 (72.3 - 85.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Bisharp Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gengar: 251-296 (96.1 - 113.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Bisharp Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gengar: 439-517 (168.1 - 198%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
Blissey as a Hard Check
Blissey can take any hit from gengar and proceed to calm mind. It has leftovers recovery and can threaten Gengar out with any of its attacks. The only thing that blissey has to fear is trick + an extremely well played Gengar. If gengar tricks another Pokemon on Blissey's team then blissey can super reliably counter it. Having two attacking moves allows you to beat gengar even if one got disabled as long as you are not locked.
Magearna is a good check to gengar as it can live any attack from Gengar and kill it with Steelium Z.Magearna can also set up on Gengar with Shift Gear giving it potential to be a great late game sweeper.
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 174-205 (57.8 - 68.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock.
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 174-205 (57.8 - 68.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock.
252+ SpA Magearna Corkscrew Crash (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gengar: 364-429 (139.4 - 164.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO.
Reserving Muk-Alola (Will post in a couple of hours)
Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Poison Jab
- Shadow Sneak
Counter: Muk-A has an incredible typing which, coupled with an Assault Vest, allow him to eat any hit from Gengar being Focus Blast the best option against it. Muk can always switch into Gengar and trap it with Pursuit unless Rocks and 3 layers of Spikes are up.
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 129-152 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- 69.7% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 129-152 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 368-434 (140.9 - 166.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
I love Alolan Muk and the suggestion to use it here, but I'd like to suggest a different EV spread for this (hell, as well as for the main/listed EV spread). Dunno if this is the right place to post it, but the Alolan Muk analysis is already uploaded sooooo....
Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Slide / Fire Blast / Shadow Sneak
- Gunk Shot
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
Honestly, Alolan Muk doesn't need any Attack investment to do what it needs to do, while dumping everything into making it as specially bulky as possible has noticeable benefits.
Let's do some comparison calcs.
With 240 Attack EVs and a positive nature:
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 186-218 (71.2 - 83.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 446-528 (170.8 - 202.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Other important targets below)
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 187-222 (66.5 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 78-93 (27.7 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 282-332 (112.3 - 132.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 174-206 (69.3 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 356-422 (119 - 141.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 150-176 (50.1 - 58.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 376-444 (126.5 - 149.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 436-516 (140.1 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
With 0 Attack EVs and a neutral nature:
0 Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 326-386 (124.9 - 147.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 134-162 (51.3 - 62%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 58-69 (20.6 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 206-246 (82 - 98%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 128-152 (50.9 - 60.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 264-312 (88.2 - 104.3%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 110-132 (36.7 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 276-328 (92.9 - 110.4%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Muk-Alola Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 320-380 (102.8 - 122.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Alolan Muk achieves almost all the OHKOs/2HKOs it wants with no Attack investment, and is still able to Pursuit-trap what it needs to.
With 15 SpDef EVs and a neutral nature
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 129-152 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- 69.7% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 129-152 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 169-199 (40.8 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 169-199 (40.8 - 48%) -- 62.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 306-360 (73.9 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 134-158 (32.3 - 38.1%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola in Sun: 207-244 (50 - 58.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
With 252 SpDef EVs and a positive nature252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 95-112 (22.9 - 27%) -- 46.2% chance to 4HKO252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 95-112 (22.9 - 27%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 123-145 (29.7 - 35%) -- 17.3% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 123-145 (29.7 - 35%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 223-264 (53.8 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 98-116 (23.6 - 28%) -- 87% chance to 4HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 133-157 (32.1 - 37.9%) -- 94.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola in Sun: 153-180 (36.9 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
With max SpDef investment and a positive nature, Alolan Muk is able to handle threats like Specs Gengar and Tapu Lele even when hazards are up, something it is unable to do with the listed AV set more than once. Plus, with the investment, at full health you switch in on +1 Volcarona's Inferno OBERDRIBU and unless it gets a max roll on Fire Blast, you live and OHKO back with Rock Slide.
Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
This is where Gengar just dies. When M-Mawile was introduced to SuMo, it was already on most teams being a hard hitter with one priority move and good STAB moves. However, with its 95 SpD against Specs Gengar, you just don't switch it in. Its more of a revenge killer that just plays with your head a lot. For instance, switching in your M-Mawile after a fainted mon or a U-Turn/Volt-Switch into Specs Gengar will get your opponent thinking "Is he going to Sucker Punch or set up with Sword Dance?" Which makes it an amazing check.
Vs. Gengar
252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 208-246 (79.6 - 94.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Don't use this move pls)
252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 600-706 (229.8 - 270.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO (If Gengar switches in even though it won't happen)
252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 432-510 (165.5 - 195.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Spam this 8 times)
Vs. M-Mawile
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 204-241 (67.1 - 79.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 204-241 (67.1 - 79.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Gengar Icy Wind vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 47-55 (15.4 - 18%) -- possible 6HKO
Gengar Sludge Wave vs. Mawile-Mega: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- aim for the horn next time
Gengar Trick vs. Mawile-Mega: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- nice move :)
Pursuit Dugtrio is a solid check to Gengar; it naturally outpaces Gengar and OHKOs with Earthquake, allowing it to force Gar out, and an unboosted Pursuit almost always 2HKOs if Rocks are on the field--removing the need for Dugtrio to play a 50:50 between Pursuit and Earthquake if its sash is in tact. It is a check because if it busts its Sash coming in it needs to play this 50:50 in order to take Gengar out.
Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Fire Fang
- Aqua Tail
Aerodactyl is a decent check to Gengar as it outspeed and KO's it with Stone Edge after a bit of prior damage, or alternatively attempt to trap it with Pursuit, as the Gengar should be switching out. Aero can't, however, switch into Shadow Ball safely as it has a very high chance of KO'ing it after a round of Stealth Rock.
252 Atk Mega Aerodactyl Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gengar: 255-300 (97.7 - 114.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gengar: 352-416 (134.8 - 159.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
For posts I omitted:
SubCoil Zygarde : set is not provided despite me posting on his wall to ask him to do it.
Mega Mawile: basically a duplicate of a previous post.
Just as I expected, loads of revenge killers and very few counters. Therefore, just vote for 2 checks (don't vote for your own) this week.
EDIT: Added Zygarde to checks. Icy Wind / Trick still screws it so it is a check instead of a counter.
