Project Victim of the Week

[G-Von]

Breloom@Life Orb
EV's: 252 Attack/252 Spe/4 Def
Trait: Technician
Jolly Nature
-Spore
-Mach Punch
-Bullet Seed
-Drain Punch

Breloom has personally always given me problems and one of the pokemon that this variant of M-Gyarados has trouble with is indeed the Mushroom Pokemon. There really isn't much that needs to be explained since everything is standard for the most part so I'll post the calcs:

252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Breloom: 89-105 (34 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Breloom: 89-105 (34 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Life Orb Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 444-522 (134.1 - 157.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Technician Breloom Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 237-281 (71.6 - 84.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Breloom Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 296-351 (89.4 - 106%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO

Here are the 3 scenarios:

1. Gyarados attacks right off the bat. Breloom takes that 34-40.2% damage and can either Mach Punch twice or Bullet Seed or it can Drain Punch for the possible KO and recover health.
2. Gyarados could set up a DD while Breloom comes in and follow up with 51.3 - 60.5% of damage, but will go down to the combo of Drain Punch+Mach Punch or double Mach Punch if you're paranoid about flinch hax
3. Gyarados sets up a Substitute while Breloom comes in and Gyara loses through the previous scenarios.

 

[lrode]

reserving mega venusaur.

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

reserving mega venusaur.

already did

 

[Tylta]

Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 108 SpD / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Taunt / Whirlwind
- Defog / Knock Off / Toxic

Check

Mandibuzz is able to safely switch in on any of mega gyarados's attacks at +1 and can roost off any damage that gyarados hits it with thanks to its fantastic bulk. Furthermore, mandibuzz can punish any gyarados that try to set up on it with foul play or just simply phaze gyara out through whirlwind.

Here are some relevant calcs:

+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mandibuzz: 171-202 (40.4 - 47.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mandibuzz: 85-101 (20 - 23.8%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 0- Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 123-144 (37.1 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[branflakes]

Check

Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 16 HP / 240 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower/Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch

Even though Manectric is incapable of outspeeding Jolly +1 Mega Gyarados, it is one of the only relevant pokemon with Intimidate that can actually fight back. Assuming Manectric has had the opportunity to mega evolve, it can switch directly into Waterfall or Crunch and avoid the 2HKO. The only way Mega Gyarados can win 1v1 (assuming no hazards on either side) is to eat a Thunderbolt while mega evolving and DDing, during which the Megados user is throwing away a sweep opportunity by letting itself get severely weakened. If Mega Manectric switches into Substitute, Mega Gyarados will have put itself at a 75% chance of being KO'd by Thunderbolt after the sub is broken. If Stealth Rock catches Gyarados before mega evolving, Manectric can usually just win 1v1 by hard switching into any of its moves.

240 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 240-284 (72.5 - 85.8%)
-1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 16 HP / 0 Def Mega Manectric: 118-141 (41.6 - 49.8%)
252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 16 HP / 0 Def Mega Manectric: 178-211 (62.8 - 74.5%)

Considering Adamant Megados is also pretty common, Manectric is an excellent check and/or revenge killer to Mega Gyarados in general.

 

[TheInsanity]

Check

Sableye @ Sableyeite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Recover
- Foul Play
- Will-O-Wisp
- Knock Off

Even if sableye is neutral to both gyarados's stab, with 125 base def, sableye can deal with him.
With a stab foul play, sableye is able to break the sub of gyarados even if gyarados didn't use ddance.
With wow gyarados is forced to do a sub if wanna stay in against this pokemon, and wanna try to do some damages. If gyarados does a ddance on the switch, he cannot okho sableye, so sableye can recover hp using prankster before the mevo, or simply go for a priority wow.
Knock off is useless in this situation, but is usefull against the other 5 pokemon of the opponent.
Probably with impish nature and 252 evs in def sableye is a counter, but is pretty useless without calm mind. This set is for a mixed wall able to check a lot of threats, not a physical one.

Calcs

252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sableye: 187-222 (61.5 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

With modified stats for mega sableye (125 def instead of 75)

252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sableye: 123-145 (40.4 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sableye: 184-217 (60.5 - 71.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Sableye Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 81-96 (24.4 - 29%) -- 99.8% chance to 4HKO
+1 0 Atk Sableye Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 123-144 (37.1 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Invok3r]

Reserving tangrowth as counter

 

[Random Passerby]

Check

Sableye @ Sableyeite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Recover
- Foul Play
- Will-O-Wisp
- Knock Off

Calcs

252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sableye: 187-222 (61.5 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

With modified stats for mega sableye (125 def instead of 75)

252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sableye: 123-145 (40.4 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sableye: 184-217 (60.5 - 71.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Sableye Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 81-96 (24.4 - 29%) -- 99.8% chance to 4HKO
+1 0 Atk Sableye Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 123-144 (37.1 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

I'm sorry but I feel Mega Eye loses this match-up.

1) See, you come in on a Waterfall or Crunch and take 40+% as Mega Eye.

2) From here, you have three choices ; W-o-W, Foul Play or Recover.
a) W-o-W : cripples Mega Gyara unless he Subs
b) Foul Play: breaks the Sub but will get you killed if he attacks or DD
c) Recover: heals you up as he fails to get the 2HKO if he attacks. Brings you back to the beginning of (2). If he DD as you Recover, it also brings you back to the beginning of (2) but you are in his 2HKO range even though you are at 100% so you will be under pressure to click W-o-W next.

And all this assumes no hax (so no flinch from Waterfall or Defense drop from Crunch)

3) If you come in as Regular Eye, you take 60+% .

4) You can W-o-W him and Mega Evolve but even when burned, it is still strong enough to finish you off so you trade a Sableye to cripple it. If you Recover and Mega Evolve, please proceed to (2).

 

[Invok3r]

Counter: Tangrowth

Tangrowth @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Although it doesn't see much usage, tangrowth is a great answer to mega gyarados. Tangrowth comes in on any of gyarados's moves and 2hkos with giga drain after rocks. Another cool perk of tangrowth is that it has regenerator, which heals up the damage from gyarados's crunch.

Explanation of moveset:

Hide

Synthesis: Provides recovery so you don't have to rely on regenerator only

Giga Drain: A spammable move that is decently powerful coming off a base 110 special attack

Knock Off: This move is helpful for removing leftovers from pokemon like heatran or latios that can switch into tangrowth

HP Fire: Deals nice damage to scizors that switch in, and so you don't get completely walled by ferro.

Here are some calcs:

+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 138-163 (34.1 - 40.3%) -- 42% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Eatin' it up

0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 140-168 (42.2 - 50.7%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Tangrowth can do niche damage back to gyara.

 

[Random Passerby]

Counter: Tangrowth

View attachment 32551

Tangrowth @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Synthesis
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Although it doesn't see much usage, tangrowth is a great answer to mega gyarados. Tangrowth comes in on any of gyarados's moves and 2hkos with giga drain after rocks. Another cool perk of tangrowth is that it has regenerator, which heals up the damage from gyarados's crunch.

Explanation of moveset:

Hide

Synthesis: Provides recovery so you don't have to rely on regenerator only

Giga Drain: A spammable move that is decently powerful coming off a base 110 special attack

Knock Off: This move is helpful for removing leftovers from pokemon like heatran or latios that can switch into tangrowth

HP Fire: Deals nice damage to scizors that switch in, and so you don't get completely walled by ferro.

Here are some calcs:

+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 138-163 (34.1 - 40.3%) -- 42% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Eatin' it up

0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 140-168 (42.2 - 50.7%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Tangrowth can do niche damage back to gyara.

Why do you calculate for Giga Drain when you have Leaf Storm in your set?

 

[firehusky]

Why do you calculate for Giga Drain when you have Leaf Storm in your set?

Because giga drain allows tangrowth to get health back, and leaf storm is still only a 2HKO

0 SpA Tangrowth Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 242-288 (73.1 - 87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[heritage]

Because giga drain allows tangrowth to get health back, and leaf storm is still only a 2HKO

0 SpA Tangrowth Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 242-288 (73.1 - 87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

He means that the calculations that the person did were for Giga Drain, but he has Leaf Storm over Giga Drain in the set he gave.

 

[Invok3r]

Why do you calculate for Giga Drain when you have Leaf Storm in your set?

Sigh, I accidentally forgot to change the set to giga drain, I was originally using leaf storm. It should be fixed now.

 

[firehusky]

He means that the calculations that the person did were for Giga Drain, but he has Leaf Storm over Giga Drain in the set he gave.

Oh lol, for some reason I thought he was running both giga drain and leaf storm on the same set.

 

[Snou]

CoUnTeR

Chesnaught (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Bulletproof
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Def / 40 SDef / 8 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Seed Bomb
- Low Sweep
- Leech Seed
- Spiky Shield

Chesnauht is in my opinion one of the best Mega Gyarados Counters. He has a wonderderful physical bulkyness and a great typing. Spiky Shield + Rocky helmet punish contact moves from Mega Gyarados, especially Waterfall.We can find two differents kind of Gyara's sets: the first is the DD 3 atks (Eq, Wfall, Ice Fang/Stone Edge) and the second is the sub dd (Substitute, DD, EQ and Wfall). The first set is easily defeated from seeds + spiky shield and often Low Sweep to slow the seamon. The second set is rekt by the sub damage and the helmet. There is much to say 'cause calcs speak for me. Cutemon ^_^

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 208 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 112-134 (30.3 - 36.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 208 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 43-51 (11.6 - 13.8%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 208 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 51-61 (13.8 - 16.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
4 Atk Chesnaught Low Sweep vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 138-164 (41.6 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Chesnaught Seed Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 170-204 (51.3 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[silver97]

CoUnTeR

Chesnaught (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Bulletproof
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Def / 40 SDef / 8 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Seed Bomb
- Low Sweep
- Leech Seed
- Spiky Shield

Chesnauht is in my opinion one of the best Mega Gyarados Counters. He has a wonderderful physical bulkyness and a great typing. Spiky Shield + Rocky helmet punish contact moves from Mega Gyarados, especially Waterfall.We can find two differents kind of Gyara's sets: the first is the DD 3 atks (Eq, Wfall, Ice Fang/Stone Edge) and the second is the sub dd (Substitute, DD, EQ and Wfall). The first set is easily defeated from seeds + spiky shield and often Low Sweep to slow the seamon. The second set is rekt by the sub damage and the helmet. There is much to say 'cause calcs speak for me. Cutemon ^_^

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Ice Fang vs. 208 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 112-134 (30.3 - 36.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 208 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 43-51 (11.6 - 13.8%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 208 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 51-61 (13.8 - 16.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
4 Atk Chesnaught Low Sweep vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 138-164 (41.6 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Chesnaught Seed Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 170-204 (51.3 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

sorry snow, chesnaught was already taken :[

 

[Snou]

Oh didn't see sry D:

 

[Knight of Cydonia]

This thread would be a much better read if half the posts weren't "reserving xyz". The point of reserving something should be to let others know you are writing up that pokemon at that point in time so they don't get ninja'd. Reserving something to write it tomorrow leads to some of the good counters not getting written about at all.

Check


Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Thunder Wave

Porygon 2 can take gyaras hits pretty well.
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 115-136 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 58.2% chance to 3HKO. This doesn't include the possible tracing of intimidate back at gyara the first time it comes out.

Unfortunately thunderbolt can't 2hko if it has mega evolved.
0 SpA Porygon2 Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 108-128 (32.6 - 38.6%) -- 98.5% chance to 3HKO
This makes it a check since if they predict perfectly and you don't get the para off, or it flinches you it will likely win.

Porygon 2 overall is not too bad a pokemon to use just now. Its a solid enough answer for greninja and trace is cool for a lot of pokemon.

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Hard to do an entry via phone properly, so least for me I wait until I have comp access to do one up properly.

 

[Random Passerby]

Name: Virizion
Status: Check

Virizion @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Leaf Blade
- Stone Edge

Virizion resists Mega Gyarados's dual STABs and can outspeed and OHKO the latter with STAB Close Combat or Leaf Blade. If Gyarados remains unevolved, Virizion can still OHKO it with Stone Edge while taking few damage. Close Combat and Leaf Blade are Virizion's STAB moves. Swords Dance allows Virizion to patch up its low Attack while Stone Edge allows it to hit Flying-types such as Thundurus and Charizard hard. Virizion can even get a free Justified boost if it switches into a carelessly-thrown Crunch.


Calculations:

1) vs Mega Gyarados
252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 97-115 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- 93.7% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 369-437 (111.4 - 132%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 276-328 (83.3 - 99%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

2) vs Regular Gyarados
252 Atk Gyarados Waterfall vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 84-99 (25.9 - 30.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 268-317 (80.9 - 95.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Check

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Leech Seed/HP Fire/Sleep Powder/EQ

Noming offensive MegaVenu. This is assuming Greninja less meta so its bulk is less important and bulky set seems to be set up bait a lot. This set can hit most switch ins like Lati@s and talonflame quite hard. Also its one of the best Clefable counters. Also beats mega bro, altaria, and can beat Def Mega Sable

Giga drain and sludgebomb for stab
synthesis for recovery
Last slot is customizable for team, HP fire for ferro, leech seed for utility, sleep powder also utility, EQ for Heatran

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 136-162 (37.3 - 44.5%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 205-243 (56.3 - 66.7%)

252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Gyarados: 204-242 (61.6 - 73.1%)
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gyarados: 154-183 (46.5 - 55.2%) In case it hasn't mega'd.

Only a check because flinch hax, defense drops, and mega venu always has prior damage it seems (SR scald burn etc...)

 

[Random Passerby]

Check

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Leech Seed/HP Fire/Sleep Powder/EQ

Noming offensive MegaVenu. This is assuming Greninja less meta so its bulk is less important and bulky set seems to be set up bait a lot. This set can hit most switch ins like Lati@s and talonflame quite hard. Also its one of the best Clefable counters. Also beats mega bro, altaria, and can beat Def Mega Sable

Giga drain and sludgebomb for stab
synthesis for recovery
Last slot is customizable for team, HP fire for ferro, leech seed for utility, sleep powder also utility, EQ for Heatran

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 136-162 (37.3 - 44.5%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 205-243 (56.3 - 66.7%)

252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Gyarados: 204-242 (61.6 - 73.1%)
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gyarados: 154-183 (46.5 - 55.2%) In case it hasn't mega'd.

Only a check because flinch hax, defense drops, and mega venu always has prior damage it seems (SR scald burn etc...)

How does Mega Venusaur win when it is 2HKO-ed by +1 Crunch and you can't OHKO back even with Stealth Rock? (unless you are assuming more damage on Mega Gyara but I'm thinking it DD as you switch Venu in and 2HKO-es you).

 

[Invok3r]

How does Mega Venusaur win when it is 2HKO-ed by +1 Crunch and you can't OHKO back even with Stealth Rock? (unless you are assuming more damage on Mega Gyara but I'm thinking it DD as you switch Venu in and 2HKO-es you).

Because he has to dragon dance once to 2hko. He then crunches, and the giga drain from venu provides enough recovery to live the second crunch.

 

[Random Passerby]

Because he has to dragon dance once to 2hko. He then crunches, and the giga drain from venu provides enough recovery to live the second giga.

Oops, forgot the recovery of Giga Drain. Sorry.

 

[Aragorn the King]

Week 38:
Thanks for the Gyarados checks and counters, this week we'll do DDD Mega Altaria!

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

e: DDD = Defensive Dragon Dance