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

[Kiyo]

Archeops
Ability: Defeatist
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Taunt
- Roost
- Acrobatics
- Defog

252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Archeops: 147-174 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Archeops Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 190-225 (53.9 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Bulky Archeops is a really cool check to offensive Normal-types on more offensive teams, access to Defog, Taunt, and Roost make it incredibly difficult to take down throughout the course of a game, and it can easily stall out even Adamant Kangaskhan thanks to Double-Edge recoil.

edit: obv im a god who always predicts correctly but i can see people having trouble with roost / eq / dp situations, if you don't need defog sub can really help you out in that slot. or you could just play better and predict ur opponent haha 4Head

 

[honchkrow]

Avalugg @ Leftovers
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Avalanche
- Recover
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic

252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 96-114 (24.4 - 29%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

Doing nothin Doin nothin. This mon can also beat top threats like Tauros, Archeops and Sneasel so it isn't dead weight. It can recover the damage off that it takes from rocks and Kanga's double edge, and proceed to spin or toxic afterward. COUNTERED

 

[Haruno]

Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 112 Atk / 16 Def / 116 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Thunder Wave

Ev's let it take anything from kanga.
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 16+ Def Regirock: 96-114 (26.3 - 31.3%) -- 16.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Literally zero damage. Regirock can come in and thunder wave kanga, set up sr, etc and between thunder wave full paras + rock slide flinches, kanga does absolutely nothing to king regirock so labeling regirock as a COUNTER
112 Atk Regirock Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 109-129 (30.9 - 36.6%) -- 62% chance to 3HKO. Regirock just wins

 

[Quite Quiet]

Ferroseed @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Hazard of choice
- Gyro Ball

Tanks everything Kangaskhan tries to throw at it, while recovering lots of hpz with Leech Seed + Protect. Beat it with passive damage from Iron Barbs/Seed or Gyro Ball it to death. Counters like half the mons that have been in this, so you know it can do another.

252+ Atk Kangaskhan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Ferroseed: 50-59 (17.1 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
0 Atk Ferroseed Gyro Ball (135 BP) vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 102-120 (28.2 - 33.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

 

[noobcubed]

Crustle @ Leftovers
- Whatever
- Moves
- You
- Want
(but probably Spikes somewhere)
252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
Shell Armor/Strudy

252+ Atk Silk Scarf Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Crustle: 64-76 (18.6 - 22%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Crustle: 60-71 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Yeah, I've always insisted that bulky Crustle was a thing not just totally outclassed by the lead set (and/or Ferroseed I guess), and here is proof. In case you're wondering what Crustle can do back:

0 Atk Crustle X-Scissor vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kangaskhan: 100-118 (28.4 - 33.5%) -- 97.4% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock

Or you can just throw hazards at it of course.

 

[boltsandbombers]

Pretty tough time choosing the counters this week, there are lots of good ones.

Counters: Ferroseed (Quite Quiet) / Avalugg (iplaytennislol) / Rhydon (The Quasar)
Checks: Garbodor (unfixable) / Gurdurr (Hootie) / Archeops (Kiyo)

Week 19:

Haunter @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp

 

[SlickHippo99]

Scarfed Haunted as a check

Haunter @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
-
-
-
Outspeeds and OHKOs with Shadow Ball. The other moves don't really matter much, but Sludge Bomb and Destiny Bond are nice.

 

[Orphic]

Here's a counter:

Muk @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Poison Jab
- Brick Break
- Fire Punch

Switches in EASILY on a Shadow Ball or Sludge Wave, doesn't care for taunt, just has to beware of Will-O-Wisp, however, easily OHKO's with Shadow Sneak.

 

[boltsandbombers]

Pretty normal check:

Rotom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Volt Switch
- filler
- filler

Here's a counter:

Muk @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Poison Jab
- Brick Break
- Fire Punch

Switches in EASILY on a Shadow Ball or Sludge Wave, doesn't care for taunt, just has to beware of Will-O-Wisp, however, easily OHKO's with Shadow Sneak.

You can only nominate one mon.
"4. From Saturday - Tuesday, each person can only nominate one Pokemon. From Wednesday to Friday, you can nominate as many as you want."

 

[Realistic Waters]

Reserving Magmortar

Magmortar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Psychic

With an Assault Vest on Magmortar it's able to withstand haunters attacks. Sludge Bomb is only capable of a 3HKO and Magmortar can OHKO with Fire Blast/Psychic. Being immune to Will'o comes in handy too.
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magmortar: 122-146 (38.4 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Shadow Ball vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magmortar: 109-130 (34.3 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ SpA Magmortar Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Haunter: 340-402 (147.1 - 174%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[MrAldo]

Reserving Malamar

Malamar as a check

Salsaman (Malamar) @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
- Superpower

Malamar is a cool check to this haunter cause it avoids the 2hko from shadow ball and sludge bomb, sludge bomb has a very minimal chance of 2hko (8.2%) but you can bank on that unless you are really unlucky. Knock off will always kills, if burned it only need a round of LO recoil and SR damage to secure the OHKO, Getting taunted on switch can be a bit annoying but not like haunter should stay in anyways.

Haunter vs Malamar:

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 134-160 (35.6 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 153-181 (40.6 - 48.1%) -- 8.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Malamar vs Haunter:

4 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 366-432 (158.4 - 187%) -- guaranteed OHKO

4 Atk burned Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 183-216 (79.2 - 93.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Liarliarpantsonfire]

Hariyama @ Assault Vest
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- Bullet Punch

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 126-149 (29.3 - 34.7%) -- 10% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Hariyama Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 410-484 (177.4 - 209.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Guts Hariyama Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 614-724 (265.8 - 313.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Guts AV Hariyama, never expected and always effective at taking out its opponents.

Also @ Malamar, you also need to factor in poison chance so it adds up to 38.2% chance to 2HKO after SR. Still not much but I had to nitpick.

 

[Sonzinho]

Check

Mesprit @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- U-turn
- Thunderbolt
- Healing Wish/Trick

Scarf Mesprit easily oustspeed and gives OHKO with its powerful Psychic stab.


Calcs:

252 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 410-486 (177.4 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[scorpdestroyer]

Sneasel @ Choice Band
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard

It can come in on anything except wisp and sludge bomb or when a teammate faints and just guarantee that Haunter straight up dies

252 Atk Choice Band Sneasel Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Haunter: 296-350 (128.1 - 151.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Pokedots]

Check

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

Kanga takes any hit other than Will-O-Wisp easily thanks to Assault Vest and good natural bulk, is immune to Shadow Ball, and can even hit it with its Normal STAB thanks to Scrappy. Potentially getting burnt sucks though, but you still beat it

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 40 SpD Assault Vest Kangaskhan: 134-160 (38.1 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Haunter: 109-129 (47.1 - 55.8%) -- 73.4% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk burned Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Haunter: 162-191 (70.1 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (in case they stay in to burn)

 

[The Quasar]

Lickilicky @ Leftovers
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Knock Off
- Dragon Tail

Support Lickilicky is immune to Shadow Ball and inability to be taunted thanks to Oblivious, so it can use Wish/Protect combo after 1vs1, too.Sludge Bomb is not so dangerous, while Lickilicky OHKOs Haunter with Knock Off (or 2HKOs if burned).

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Lickilicky: 133-156 (31.3 - 36.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Lickilicky: 78-92 (18.3 - 21.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Lickilicky Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 228-270 (98.7 - 116.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
0 Atk burned Lickilicky Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 114-135 (49.3 - 58.4%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO

 

[Quite Quiet]

Relatively reliable counter:

Lanturn @ Assault Vest
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 204 SpD / 52 Spe
Modest Nature
- Scald / Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Fire

More Assault Vest :D. Lanturn takes about a third from a Sludge Bomb, and Haunter more often than not miss the 3HKO (unless hax), while Lanturn can OHKO in return with Thunderbolt/Hydro Pump after Life Orb/Stealth Rock.

calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 204 SpD Assault Vest Lanturn: 117-138 (29.9 - 35.2%) -- 20.8% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Lanturn Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Haunter: 184-217 (79.6 - 93.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Punchshroom]

Very hard check

Cryogonal @ Icicle Plate
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Recover
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cryogonal: 121-144 (43 - 51.2%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cryogonal: 136-161 (48.3 - 57.2%) -- 92.6% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Icicle Plate Cryogonal Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 178-210 (77 - 90.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Icicle Plate Cryogonal Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Haunter: 229-270 (99.1 - 116.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

Between its high special bulk, speed, and recovery, Cryogonal is one of the the only Pokemon in the tier that can repeatedly fend off Haunter's assaults, as it can heal before it gets Taunted. Things can become complicated if Stealth Rock and Sludge Bomb poison become involved, but Cryo can adopt a more defensive spread (that still outspeeds Haunter) and still gain the upper hand on Haunter. This also means Haunter has no chance in hell of spinblocking Cryo, either.

 

[Colbrushie]

Checkmate xd

Liepard @ Black Glasses
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Encore
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit

Trapped. Can switch into Shadow Ball once, or Taunt to Encore. Outspeeds and knocks. Burnt Pursuit and Pursuit without switch still almost always KO.

252 SpA Life Orb Haunter Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Liepard: 135-160 (50.1 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Black Glasses Liepard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 548-648 (237.2 - 280.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Black Glasses burned Liepard Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 226-267 (97.8 - 115.5%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO (80 BP, same thing as 40 BP unburnt)

 

[boltsandbombers]

Counters: Hariyama (Liarliarpantsonfire) / Lanturn (Quite Quiet) / Muk (Orphic)
Checks: Kadabra (metaphysical) / Sneasel (scorpdestroyer) / Magmortar (Realistic Waters)

Week 20:

Rhydon @ Eviolite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Rock Polish

 

[Quite Quiet]

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Recover
- Scald
- Earthquake / Filler
- Toxic / Filler

Quagsire ignore any boosts Rhydon gets thanks to Unaware, and an Adamant max Attack Earthquake never 2HKO Quagsire after Stealth Rock, so it can pretty much always switch in. Quag also get Recover so it won't get worn down either. Finally, Quagsire has a chance to get the OHKO with uninvested Scald, or you can Toxic it and stall out if you're out of Scald PPs or something... As a bonus, Quagsire also beats the SD + 3 Attack set that likes to run Megahorn for bulky Grass-types :]

252+ Atk Rhydon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 144-171 (36.5 - 43.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Quagsire Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 304-364 (86.3 - 103.4%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

 

[kay]

Claydol @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psyshock
- Earth Power
- Shadow Ball
- Rapid Spin

Being a ground type with Levitate, it's immune to ground while also resisting. This pairing is together gives it the ability to completely answer back Rhydon. STAB Earth Power lets it reliably 1hko 0 Sp.D Rhydons, and the speed lets it out speed it without a speed boost.

252 Atk Rhydon Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Claydol: 78-93 (29.8 - 35.6%) -- 28.5% chance to 3HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Claydol Earth Power vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 351-413 (99.7 - 117.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

 

[The Quasar]

@boltsandbombers,where's my Lickilicky (vs Life Orb Haunter)?

Reserving Lillegant

Lilligant @ Lum Berry
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
- Sleep Powder

Dual dance Rhydon can boost its Speed or its Attack but it can't do both of these things at the same turn. So Lillegant may be hit by a "normal Stone Edge" or outspeed Rhydon.

252+ Atk Rhydon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Lilligant: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Rhydon Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Lilligant: 226-267 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Lilligant Giga Drain vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 544-648 (154.5 - 184%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[boltsandbombers]

@boltsandbombers,where's my Lickilicky (vs Life Orb Haunter)?

You are right, it does counter Haunter, I just picked three out of the ones I decided were counters.

 

[The Quasar]

You are right, it does counter Haunter, I just picked three out of the ones I decided were counters.

Okay. I thought Lickilicky was the best counter, also considering its too few damages suffered.