Gen 6 Victim of the Week - ORAS Edition (Week 14 - 3 Attacks Mewtwo-Mega-X)

[Prinz]

Reserving Terrakion

 

[Shitegotreal]

Reserving Terrakion

Look 2 posts above you.

 

[SparksBlade]

Reserving Terrakion

the obv CM Fairyceus

edit: thanks twinmaster, i'll take terrakion then

sorry

 

[Prinz]

Didn't see the edit, sorry. Ill reserve Mega Diancie then

 

[Iridiscent97]

Reserving sylveon.

 

[xDesch]

Lucario @ Lucarionite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Iron Tail
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance

Mega Lucario is a pretty nice hard check to Darkceus. His pre evolved ability Justified also discourages the use of Darkceus STAB and it can create some mindgames. Sadly, Lucario falls after 3 Judgments, but the fact that Lucario outspeeds after mega evolvong, makes the situation better. the turn Lucario mega evolves can be used as a set-up turn, either giving him +3, or forcing out a Arceus at +1.

0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Lucario: 101-119 (35.9 - 42.3%)
+1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Lucario: 150-177 (53.3 - 62.9%)
252 Atk Adaptability Mega Lucario Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 84 Def Arceus-Dark: 452-536 (102 - 120.9%)

 

[Satoryu]

Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Atk / 244 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Iron Head
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance

Mawile is a pretty good Arceus-Dark Hard-Check, it only takes 24% max from non-boostend Judgment and deals a big chunk of damage with Play Rough. Arceus will be able to do 72% if it boostes on Mawiles switchin, then hit it 2 times with 36% Judgment, while Mawile will be able to KO it with a combination of Play Rough and Iron Head.
Calcs:
0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 248 HP / 244 SpD Mega Mawile: 62-73 (20.4 - 24%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
+1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 248 HP / 244 SpD Mega Mawile: 93-110 (30.6 - 36.3%) -- 55.2% chance to 3HKO
+2 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 248 HP / 244 SpD Mega Mawile: 123-146 (40.5 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

16+ Atk Huge Power Mega Mawile Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 84 Def Arceus-Dark: 360-426 (81 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 16+ Atk Huge Power Mega Mawile Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 84 Def Arceus-Dark: 716-846 (161.2 - 190.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[SparksBlade]

Posting again cos am not sure if people look back unless when checking a mon has been reserved or not, let me know if editing the reservation post is fine. Also, since i'm doing offensive Rocks Terrak, others are free to do sash and scarf variants.

Terrakion @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Taunt

Terrakion is a nice check to CM Darkceus. I went for the LO set cos the sash set, while good to set rocks, actually doesn't help with Darkceus, which is my main focus. This Terrakion can repetitively switch in on Darkceus, and forces it out. This free turn is where you set rocks, rather than lead with it. As for 1v1 with Darkceus itself, Darkceus can never win in a non-hypothetical scenario. Darkceus' first real chance to OHKO Terrak comes at +5 SpAtk, which is a 31.3% chance.

+5 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 286-337 (88.5 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO

Terrakion's ability is also very helpful against Darkceus, as after being hit by a Judgement, it has no way to live.

+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 84 Def Arceus-Dark: 603-712 (136.1 - 160.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Unboosted Terrakion has a 50% chance to OHKO.
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 84 Def Arceus-Dark: 406-478 (91.6 - 107.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

The best thing is that Darkceus HAS to switch out cos it just can't touch Terrakion. Switching in on Judgement boosts Terrakion's attack to +1, which does massive damage to what it would possibly switch out to.

calcs at +1

+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 212 HP / 0 Def Latias: 347-409 (98 - 115.5%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 56+ Def Primal Groudon: 220-261 (54.4 - 64.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Salamence: 335-398 (101.2 - 120.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO--->considering it came in as normal mence with Intimidate
252 Atk Mega Salamence Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 260-306 (80.4 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 248 Def Giratina-O: 251-296 (56.9 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Yveltal: 471-556 (103.5 - 122.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Yveltal: 285-335 (62.6 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

ofc some of those 2HKOs require you to predict right.
It can also be used as a 1-time ekiller counter if the said ekiller is adament. Jolly ekiller outright wins even w/o boosts. Do note that i by no means point to viability of either jolly or ada ekiller, and neither do i enforce that it is a reliable counter to ekiller.

252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 437-515 (114.3 - 134.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Taunt is a good move against stall-ish mons like Bronzong and Solrock(wassup Shrang), PhyDef Yveltal and others. Can be useful on a predicted switch to Gliscor as well.
Thing with Terrakion is, it is easily worn down with LO+possibly switching on hazards. Darkceus' unboosted Judgement also does noticeable damage.
0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 82-97 (25.3 - 30%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
So it REALLY needs Wish support, or Healing Wish if that can work.

 

[Level 56]

Ho-oh (check)

Ho-Oh @ Choice Band
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 200 HP / 252 Atk / 60 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sacred Fire
- Earthquake
- Sleep Talk

The big bulky strong red bird is a nightmare for special attackers in ubers and darkceus Is one of them. With these evs, ho-oh will win everytime vs Darkceus, the calculations will explain everything. Moveset is standard.

252+ Atk Choice Band Ho-Oh Sacred Fire vs. 248 HP / 84 Def Arceus-Dark: 214-253 (48.3 - 57.1%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO

+1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 200 HP / 60 SpD Ho-Oh: 150-177 (37.2 - 43.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[-Leon-]

Can we reserve a pokemon that counters the said victim, but is otherwise not viable in the metagame? If so, I'm gonna reserve Arceus-Fight.

Edit: NVM, fuk bog standard checks, im gonna go with Pangoro!! Will do it when my connection becomes more stable..

 

[yohoE]

you can, but try and make it so your set can do stuff other than check the given set, such as check something, set sr, etc.

 

[SparksBlade]

Can we reserve a pokemon that counters the said victim, but is otherwise not viable in the metagame? If so, I'm gonna reserve Arceus-Fight.

if you can, try and make your set actually useful for others things other than just checking the set posted.

edit: ninja'd but w/e

 

[DSM01]

Defensive Xerneas - counter (except in a last mon situation)

Xerneas @ Leftovers
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Roar

Defensive Xerneas can easily tank a +1 Judgment and phaze Darkceus out or retaliate with Moonblast. Roar is also useful for softening up common Xerneas switch-ins like Primal Don.

+1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Xerneas: 114-135 (25 - 29.6%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Dark: 198-234 (44.6 - 52.8%)

 

[Iridiscent97]

Nominating Calm Mind Sylveon as a check and potential counter:

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Calm Mind
- Hyper Voice

Arceus-Dark cannot win a Calm Mind war against Sylveon, thanks to its typing and great special bulk. It might seem inferior to Fairy Arceus, and in many ways it is really, but it does have a couple of niches in the form of Pixilate Hyper Voice and Wish, allowing it to help its team somewhat. (It can become a cleric as well with Heal Bell, but that will not allow it to beat Arceus-Dark, so I'm not including it here.)

Here are the relevant calculations after allowing for leftovers recovery on Sylveon:

• 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon: 45-54 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- Pathetic
  
• +1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon: 67-80 (17 - 20.3%) -- Possible 7HKO
• +2 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon: 90-107 (22.8 - 27.1%) -- Possible 5HKO
  
• +3 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon: 113-133 (28.6 - 33.7%) -- Almost certain 4HKO
  
• +6 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon: 180-213 (45.6 - 54%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO

And of course, on proceeding to boost:

• 0 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Dark: 236-278 (53.2 - 62.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 0 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Dark: 156-186 (35.2 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  
• +6 0 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. +6 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Dark: 236-278 (53.2 - 62.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Thus, in most cases Arceus-Dark's only options are to flee, or to die in a war it cannot win. Of course, Sylveon performs terribly against many of Arceus' teammates, particularly the physically-oriented ones as well as the three-eyed tooth Mega Gengar, so it should ideally be used to force Arceus out, and triumph only in a last-mon situation. It doesn't lose too much momentum, especially if one uses Wish and plays well to give a safe switch-in to other teammates as Arceus flees.

 

[Prinz]

Calm Mind Diancie (check)

Diancie @ Diancite
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Earth Power
- Diamond Storm

I don't think there is too much to say, Diancie is able to win a CM war with DarkCeus p easily thanks to Fairy-type and Moonblast, while the other moves are mandatory I guess. Diamond Storm destroys Ho-Oh and does a ton on Blissey, while Earth Power is nice to hit Primal Groudon for a very good damage (2HKOs even Specially Defensive variants after Stealth Rock) and for coverage on Steel-type mons in general.

Some calcs:

252 SpA Diancie Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Dark: 296-350 (66.8 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Diancie: 69-82 (22.6 - 26.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Diancie: 105-123 (34.5 - 40.4%) -- 49% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Diancie Moonblast vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Dark: 198-234 (44.6 - 52.8%) -- 21.1% chance to 2HKO

 

[Tomahawk]

Calm Mind Xerneas

Xerneas @ Leftovers / Shed Shell
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

This set can't lose to CM Arceus-Dark. It just can't.

Arceus-Dark got 6 CMs before Xerneas come in? No problem, take the hit, Calm Mind, and Rest. Arceus Dark is now unable to 3HKO except with luck. Meanwhile, +2 Moonblast does more than Recover can heal.

 

[DracoMaster Dab]

Nominating Defensive Yveltal as a check:

Yveltal @ Rocky Helmet/Leftovers
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Roost
+1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Dark Aura Yveltal: 152-179 (33.4 - 39.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

As you can see Yveltal barely takes anything from a Judgement from a plus 1 Arceus-Dark and can quite easily Taunt it Then,Toxic and Roost stall.Leftovers if You want to do better against Arceus-Dark and Rocky Helmet if you want to do better against other things like Mega Mence and Ekiller.Thing about Yveltal is with this set it checks not only Arceus-Dark but a lot of Physical threats like mega mence etc. (also my new quote is op xD.)

 

[SparksBlade]

Nominating Defensive Yveltal as a check:

Yveltal @ Rocky Helmet/Leftovers
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Roost
+1 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Dark Aura Yveltal: 152-179 (33.4 - 39.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

As you can see Yveltal barely takes anything from a Judgement from a plus 1 Arceus-Dark and can quite easily Taunt it Then,Toxic and Roost stall.Leftovers if You want to do better against Arceus-Dark and Rocky Helmet if you want to do better against other things like Mega Mence and Ekiller.Thing about Yveltal is with this set it checks not only Arceus-Dark but a lot of Physical threats like mega mence etc. (also my new quote is op xD.)

The only problematic scenario when going 1v1 with Darkceus is this:
Darkceus comes in on something it threatens. You switch out to Yveltal and Darkceus uses CM. Being faster, Darkceus CMs again, and you go for Taunt.
+2 0 SpA Dread Plate Arceus-Dark Judgment vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Dark Aura Yveltal: 203-239 (44.6 - 52.5%) -- 21.5% chance to 2HKO
You avoid the 2HKO with Leftovers, but with Rocky Helmet it's a roll. Coming in Rocks is 2HKO, so you need it to be healthy to take on Darkceus. I pointed the issues outside of the hypothetical 1v1 cos viability besides this scenario is important as well, and while Yveltal may be able to take on Darkceus, it'll have issues cos it has other jobs as well. Also, since Yveltal is slower, the turn that Taunt ends, Darkceus can Recover or Refresh or CM before you Taunt it again, so it's definitely not a field day for Yveltal against Darkceus.
And that's the sig.

 

[Spyro Chris]

No it is not, Soul Dew is equivalent to Choice Specs + Assault Vest.

A +1 Soul Dew Lati@s actually has 225% of its raw Special Attack stat in teambuilder, as Soul Dew is a 50% boost and Calm Mind is another 50% boost, stacking multiplicatively to give 1.5 x 1.5 = 2.25.

A +[number of Calm Mind boosts] Lati@s's Special Attack is 1.5 x (1 + (0.5 x number of Calm Mind boosts)). These calculations apply to Special Defense in exactly the same way.

In the future, instead of just answering flippantly, I recommend that you do your research so that you are fully aware of all game mechanics~

Pistolero, while you are right in general, when you want to calc a NEUTRAL calculation, you can still use +1 SpA/SpD and get the same results. AFTER Calm Minding once, the results vary from using simply +2 SpA/SpD compared to using +1 SpA/SpD + Specs/AV.

I will elaborate:
+1 SpD with NO Assault Vest: 252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. +1 212 HP / 0 SpD Latias: 156-187 (44 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Neutral SpD WITH Assault Vest: 252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 212 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Latias: 156-187 (44 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Same with Specs.
+1 SpA with NO Choice Specs: +1 44 SpA Latias Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja: 313-370 (109.8 - 129.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Neutral SpA WITH Choice Specs: 44 SpA Choice Specs Latias Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja: 313-370 (109.8 - 129.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO


Meaning, it's safe to calc at +1 SpA/SpD when someone is NOT boosted by CM. Your calcs are right, I'm just pointing this out because it's objectively a lot faster to calc this way when neutral on both sides.

 

[kingmidas]

Reserving scarf xerneas as a check

 

[yohoE]

Thank you everyone once again the nominations! For Week 7 we have Extreme Killer Arceus-Normal!

Arceus @ Life Orb
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake

Just a note: If you're going to reserve a set, please try and do it before moving on to do something else. If you can't do it right now, please try and do it as soon as possible.​

 

[DSM01]

Defensive Yveltal (check)

Yveltal @ Leftovers
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Taunt
- Sucker Punch
- Roost

Yveltal is a great physical tank for balance teams, having solid bulk as well as significant offensive presence. Foul Play has a high chance to OHKO Jolly ExtremeKiller at +2 after LO recoil and Yveltal can comfortably take an ESpeed even after SR. Rocky Helmet or Black Glasses are alternate items that guarantee the OHKO on Arceus with Foul Play (even without LO recoil), though you lose the passive recovery of Leftovers. Taunt annoys slower defensive mons and Sucker Punch can pick off Mewtwo, Latias, and other weakened targets.

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Yveltal: 239-282 (52.5 - 61.9%)
+2 0 Atk Dark Aura Yveltal Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 336-396 (88.1 - 103.9%)

 

[Random Passerby]

Reserving the Great Wall Lugia


Lugia @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Toxic
- Whirlwind
- Ice Beam / Aeroblast

Lugia can take any of Arceus's attacks, poison it with Toxic or Whirlwind it out if Arceus attempts to stack up Swords Dance boosts. Roost is used to keep Lugia's HP high while Ice Beam or Aeroblast are chosen so that you do not become Taunt bait. Ice Beam allows you to OHKO Mega Salamence and Rayquaza while Aeroblast allows you to take on Mega Mewtwo-X and Blaziken (it also forces Mega Gengar to trade 1 for 1 if it attempts to trap you ). The given EV spread allows Lugia to outspeed Adamant Rayquaza while the rest is added into bulk.

Calculations:
252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 120+ Def Multiscale Lugia: 62-74 (14.9 - 17.7%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[benbe]

skarm reserve

e:​

​

Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Spikes
- Counter
- Roost
- Whirlwind

standard skarm set, lefties can be used but walling most physical attackers while racking up residual damage is too good to pass up on. stack spikes or whirlwind on ekiller sds, counter when u predict sclaws. roost for longevity since u should always keep your arc check healthy. whirlwind + hazards shuffles mons and deals a lot of residual damage, also checks dd mmence hard.

calcs

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 107-126 (32 - 37.7%) -- 92.9% chance to 3HKO, +6 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 213-251 (63.7 - 75.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO, +1 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 100-118 (29.9 - 35.3%) -- 24.4% chance to 3HKO (not needed but w/e)

​

 

[Sweep]

Nominating Wallceus as a check

Arceus @ Leftovers
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 8 SpA / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover

In XY, the presence of Mega Gengar and Gothitelle made running Wallceus an extremely questionable prospect. Fortunately, the death of Gothitelle and increased reason to use Earth Power to smack Gar (sup Primal Groudon) have made Wallceus a viable Pokemon again. With only one weakness to a very rare offensive type and access to Leftovers recovery, your opponent will be hard-pressed to break through this thing, especially with Cleric support! The 8 Special Attack EV's guarantee an Ice Beam kill on Rayquaza and 56 Speed allows you to outrun the serpent. The rest of the EV's maximize its physical bulk though the spread is adaptable.

Wallceus easily switches into & beats all Swords Dance Arceus formes barring Lum Arceus-Normal by burning them with Will-O-Wisp and Recover-stalling. Although Lum Berry EKiller is trickier, it cannot 2HKO you with a +2 Extreme Speed, ensuring you will have a chance to burn it. The viability of Lum Berry as an item & Will-O-Wisp's still shaky accuracy make Wallceus only a check, but it's a darn good one that can also beat almost every physical threat in the metagame barring Ho-Oh, which you "wall" but must spam Recover and watch out for status moves in addition to doing nothing back to giant bird. Arceus-Normal's own defensive forme makes a great check to itself & I highly recommend trying it.

There's another Wallceus spread with some Special Attack investment to guarantee the 2HKO on bulkier Rock Polish Groudon after Rocks and bulky DD Salamence at 100% health, but since that sacrifices a little Defensive investment, I'm posting a spread that has as much Defense as possible to handle SD Arceus / Rayquaza / etc 1-1. It's a cool set, though the mediocre defensive typing and almost free switches it can give to mons like Primal Kyogre limit the number of teams it can effectively fit on. It's hard to justify using this on Stall over an Arceus forme that can give your team a more synergistic typing & stronger checks to certain threats, and obviously you are not gonna run this on any offensive team. But on balance as a mon that can give you a solid defensive backbone, I've found it to be quite effective.