Project Victim of the Week [Week 72: Specs Mesprit]

[komet3]

The forgotten threat.

Flareon @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Roar
- Superpower

How it counters it

• 252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Flareon: 132-156 (39.6 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
• 252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Flareon: 29-35 (8.7 - 10.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
  
• Pyroar Overheat vs. Flash Fire Flareon: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- aim for the horn next time
  
• Pyroar Fire Blast vs. Flash Fire Flareon: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- aim for the horn next time

How it beats it

• 0 Atk Flareon Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pyroar: 282-332 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

 

[Sonzinho]

Check

Kecleon(M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protean
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Fake Out
- Drain Punch

Kecleon wins 1vs1 against Pyroar, it can take any attack of Pyroar and win with Stab Drain Punch thanks to its ability and still have access to priority.

Calcs:
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Kecleon: 135-160 (41.7 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Kecleon: 111-132 (34.3 - 40.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Overheat vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Kecleon: 160-190 (49.5 - 58.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Kecleon Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pyroar: 276-326 (88.1 - 104.1%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

 

[boltsandbombers]

Week 17
Counter This Threat!

Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 29 HP / 0 Atk
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam

Assume rain is up when putting damage calcs.
​

 

[Disjunction]

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Air Slash
- Toxic
- Protect

ProTox Mantine can switch in comfortably vs Ludicolo because of its natural Special bulk. Max investment isn't even necessary because you take 33% max from Ludicolo's Giga Drain. Toxic, stall with Protect, and click Air Slash whenever you're ready and the rain dancer is toast.

 

[Sonzinho]

Check

Aurorus @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Blizzard
- Earth Power
- Ancient Power

Aurorus scarf is a great anti-weather thanks to its Snow Warning ability that allows you to stop the rain from Ludicolo and then outspeed and give OHKO with Freeze-Dry.

252 SpA Aurorus Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Ludicolo: 376-448 (124.9 - 148.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO.

 

[scorpdestroyer]

Check

Kabutops @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Rapid Spin
- Aqua Jet

252 Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ludicolo: 263-309 (87.3 - 102.6%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO

Kabutops outspeeds in rain and has a good chance to KO Ludicolo after a LO recoil, guaranteed if it took LO + SR damage

 

[Quite Quiet]

Gogoat @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Milk Drink
- Horn Leech
- Earthquake

Counters unless crit or freeze :(
Gogoat is too fat for Ludicolo to beat, so it can just stall LO recoil with milk drink, or stall for a little bit then Horn Leech for the kill. Gogoat hype

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gogoat: 179-213 (39.7 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[nv]

Counter Check

Thunder Thighs (Hariyama) (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 232 SpD / 24 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- Bullet Punch

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 232 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 148-175 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 232 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama in Rain: 222-263 (51.7 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 232 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 101-121 (23.5 - 28.2%) -- 87.3% chance to 4HKO

252+ Atk Hariyama Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Ludicolo: 271-319 (90 - 105.9%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

Yama is all but guaranteed to beat Ludicolo with Close Combat after one round of LO damage.

 

[Realistic Waters]

Regice @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave

Regice easily tanks all of Ludicolo's hits thanks to it's sky high special bulk including a rain boosted hydro pump.
Thunder Wave cripples Ludicolo and can use ice beam for a guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock.

calcs

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Regice: 109-129 (30 - 35.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Regice in Rain: 164-192 (45.1 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Giga Drain vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Regice: 75-90 (20.6 - 24.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Regice: 30-35 (8.2 - 9.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever

252+ SpA Regice Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Ludicolo: 135-160 (44.8 - 53.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[The Quasar]

Defensive Ludicolo

Ludicolo @ Leftovers
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs: 248 HP / 204 SpD / 56 Spe
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed

This is "classic" defensive Ludicolo. Opponent LO Ludicolo can't hit it with several damages; otherwise Giga Drain, Burn Scald and Synthesis (despite rain is up) with also LO recoil, are able to leave Def Ludicolo perfectly healthy.

Some calcs:

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Giga Drain vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Ludicolo: 103-122 (28.3 - 33.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Rain Dish recovery and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Ludicolo: 82-97 (22.5 - 26.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Rain Dish recovery and Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Ludicolo Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Ludicolo: 75-88 (24.9 - 29.2%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO

 

[Shuckleking87]

Counter

Thunder Thighs (Hariyama) (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 232 SpD / 24 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- Bullet Punch

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 232 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 148-175 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 232 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 101-121 (23.5 - 28.2%) -- 87.3% chance to 4HKO

252+ Atk Hariyama Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Ludicolo: 271-319 (90 - 105.9%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

Yama is all but guaranteed to beat Ludicolo with Close Combat after one round of LO damage.

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 236 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama in Rain: 220-259 (51.2 - 60.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Check I would say

 

[Mistress Remilia]

Counter

Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Spa / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Recover
- Giga Drain
- Earth Power / Stealth Rock

Cradily can simply Recover stall Ludicolo until it dies off LO Damage or Toxic, as Ice Beam miserably fails to 2HKO.
+ Free switch that grants you +1 in Spa in case Ludicolo decides to go for Hydro Pump, so it's pretty cool.
And that's about it. Nice and classic ( & underwhelming usually ) Cradily.

 

[komet3]

The Second Best Wall in the Game
Hard Check

Ferroseed @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Spikes
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave

How it checks it:

• 252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Eviolite Ferroseed: 62-74 (21.2 - 25.3%) -- 0.4% chance to 4HKO
  
• 252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Eviolite Ferroseed: 21-25 (7.1 - 8.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
  
• 252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Eviolite Ferroseed: 69-82 (23.6 - 28%) -- 86.9% chance to 4HKO

Explanation: This allow ferroseed to thunder wave the ludicolo so even under the rain it is slow and knock off to take off the life orb to do less damage towards the ferroseed at the same time you can set up spikes because it can't even kill you in 3 turns so you can get all the spike up and wait for rain to time out.

 

[Punchshroom]

Hard Check

Fletchinder @
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
-
-
-

Switch into any move but Hydro Pump, OHKO or force it out ez (just make sure you have a reason to actually force it to not spam Hydro all the time :P). Or you can just send in this thing on its Rain Dance and burn Rain turns as it flees @3@

 

[Liarliarpantsonfire]

Lickilicky as a counter

Lickilicky @ Leftovers
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Body Slam
- Knock Off
Lickilicky comes in and removes Ludicolo's precious rain, then can stall out Ludicolo with Wishtect and Body Slam or Knock Off its Life Orb since it only takes max 41.7% from Hydro Pump without rain, while doing up to 42.1% back with Body Slam. Plus, Ludicolo takes Life Orb damage and can get paralyzed by Body Slam.

Don't want to be that guy, but Cloud Nine is incompatible with Wish.

 

[SlickHippo99]

OK new idea (RIP in Peace Cloud Nine Wish Lickilicky):

Bulky Cryogonal as a check

Cryogonal @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 240 HP / 172 Def / 56 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- HP Ground / whatever
This Cryogonal set can kill Ludi with Freeze-Dry (does minimum 97%, but Ludi will have probably been damaged by hazards and/or Life Orb beforehand, since something usually has to die to bring Cryo in safely). Cryo does take 59-70% from Hydro Pump in the rain, but you can recover off the damage later. You can move I think 32 EVs from Defense to SpA if you want to guarantee the OHKO (does 100.9% min), but I don't find it as necessary since, like I said before, Ludicolo will probably have take some prior damage.

 

[Orphic]

Check

Uxie @ Leftovers / Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe (I think)
Calm Nature
- Thunder Wave
- U-turn
-
-

Takes over half from rain boosted Hydro Pump but absorbs everything else, a simple thunder wave nullifies Ludicolo for the rest of the game, and U-turn is to pivot once you've done so. Bring this guy in safely and it acts as a very decent check.

 

[Aladyyn]

Roselia @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Spikes
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Rest

Ice Beam is the only move that does meaningful damage and still fails to 2hko, while Rose comfortably 2hko's with Sludge Bomb. Wouldn't attempt to straight up use this as a counter, but it's a very decent check.

 

[noobcubed]

Jynx @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Lovely Kiss
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute

Decent-ish check because it takes advantage of the rain Ludicolo sets up. Can take one Giga Drain (252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Jynx: 142-168 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock) and put Ludicolo to sleep, before proceding to set up Substitute & Nasty Plots.

 

[honchkrow]

HARD CHECK

Scyther @ Eviolite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Aerial Ace
- Roost
-
-

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Scyther in Rain: 242-286 (70.5 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Scyther: 177-208 (51.6 - 60.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Although this easily 2 hit ko's on the switch in, if you sack something first, you can easily revenge it one on one. Revenges Ludi in the same way as Fletch

 

[boltsandbombers]

Counters: Ferroseed (komet3) / Mantine (Disjunction) / Ludicolo (The Quasar)
Checks: Fletchinder (Punchshroom) / Cradily (Mistress Remilia) / Cryogonal (SlickHippo99) ​

Week 18:

Kangaskhan (F) @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Sucker Punch
- Double-Edge
- Earthquake

 

[Hootie]

Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Atk / 64 Def / 56 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off

Takes two Silk Scarf-boosted Double Edges after Stealth Rock damage and in return, the combination of Drain Punch plus Mach Punch take out Kangaskhan. Drain Punch also has good chance to KO Kangaskhan after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes. Gurdurr stays relatively healthy with Drain Punch's recovery as well. All other moves barely touch Gurdurr making it a solid counter to Kangaskhan.

252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 64 Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 148-175 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

136+ Atk Gurdurr Drain Punch vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 254-302 (70.3 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
136+ Atk Gurdurr Mach Punch vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 134-162 (37.1 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[skies]

Garbodor @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Toxic Spikes

252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Fake Out vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Garbodor: 63-75 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Garbodor: 186-220 (51 - 60.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Garbodor: 172-204 (47.2 - 56%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Garbodor Drain Punch vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 124-148 (34.3 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

After Rocky Helmet + a layer of Spikes, Kangaskhan has lot 25%. If it uses Earthquake, it's not 2HKOing because Drain Punch recovers enough health so that it's safer. Going for Double Edge means Kangaskhan takes anywhere from 12% to 20% recoil from Double-Edge. After Rocky Helmet, that's anywhere from 24% to 34% damage. And, combined with the first 25%, 49% to 59% damage. Then it takes 34.3% to 40.9% from Drain Punch. After this whole ordeal, Kangaskhan is left with 83.3% to 99.9% damage it's taken total. So, after just one more little smidgen of health loss, it's dead, typically. Or if it decides to attack again, Rocky Helmet and Aftermath are guaranteed to kill Kangaskhan. Kangaskhan has a hard time beating Garbodor because of this. And, if I got my calculations correct, than Garbodor is going to be a solid check to Kangaskhan because it can be worn down, does take a lot of damage in the process, and is shaky in general.

If I did the calculations incorrectly, please let me know. :_:

 

[Punchshroom]

Carracosta @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 248 HP / 192 Def / 68 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Aqua Jet
- Rock Slide / Superpower

252+ Atk Kangaskhan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Solid Rock Carracosta: 90-106 (25.5 - 30.1%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

Absolutely paltry damage on Kangaskhan's part. Meanwhile, Costa has ample time to wail on it with Scalds, with each one threatening to cripple it with a burn, or even pick off a weakened Kanga with Aqua Jet. Alternatively, while Superpower is primarily to deter Ferroseed switch-ins, it can certainly be used as a tool for dispatching of the Normal-types (as well as physical Dark-types) that it counters, though obviously the Defense drop will yield consequences if Costa does not finish off its target with it.

0 SpA Carracosta Scald vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Kangaskhan: 90-106 (24.9 - 29.3%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
0 Atk Carracosta Superpower vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 222-262 (61.4 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[The Quasar]

Reserving Gurdurr Rhydon

Rhydon @ Eviolite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish

Dancing Dino (but Eviolite set can do it, too) can easily defeat Kangaskhan without using Swords Dance and Rock Polish. It holds on Kangaskhan's attacks and hit it with EQ. Some calcs:

252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Fake Out vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 20-24 (5.6 - 6.8%)
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 45-53 (12.7 - 15%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 59-70 (16.7 - 19.8%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 112-132 (31.8 - 37.5%) -- 88.5% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Rhydon Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 216-255 (61.3 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO