Project Victim of the Week

[looiiyut]

Reserving tentacruel maractus Choice specs Magnezone

CHECK - Magnezone

Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Fire
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt

Magnezone can switch into scald avoiding 2OHKO. Thunderbolt for main stab, Hidden Power Fire is used in the second slot as it OHKOes Scizor and Ferrothorn. Maximum Special Attack investment is used to make the most of Magnezone's great base 130 Special Attack. The listed Speed EVs let it outspeed minimum Speed Skarmory. The rest of EVs go into HP for more survivability.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 404-476 (102.7 - 121.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. +1 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 270-318 (68.7 - 80.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. +2 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 204-240 (51.9 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 118-141 (36.4 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 178-211 (54.9 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Albacore]

Counter

Mew @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 96 SpD / 160 Spe
Careful Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt
- Knock Off
- Roost

Switch into any move and basically just spam Taunt+Knock Off until it dies. Even at +1, Scald does little damage to the point where you can easily find an opening to recover up :

+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 96+ SpD Mew: 135-159 (33.4 - 39.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

And if Scald Burns, Synchronize activates and you get to wear it down even more. If it Iron Defenses on the switch, it'll be tough to take down, but you'll eventually make it :

0 Atk Mew Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 48-58 (12.1 - 14.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever

so after 9 Knock Offs you break past it. Slowbro can't beat you at all so this is a pretty hard counter.

 

[FullLifeGames]

Counter

Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tail Glow
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam / Rain Dance
- Energy Ball

Manaphy is cool counter to most (if not all) Mega Slowbros, as it takes full advantage of the fact, that with a Tail Glow it can easily overpower Mega Slowbro.

To explain why it's a counter:

The worst move Mega Slowbro possibly could do on switchin is a Calm Mind. After that you just set up two Tail Glow's, while the Mega Slowbro player just Calm Mind's up (or Scald's:
+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Manaphy: 81-96 (22.4 - 26.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Manaphy: 108-127 (29.9 - 35.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery)

After two Tail Glows you 2HKO Mega Slowbro everytime, whatever your opponent does:
+6 252 SpA Manaphy Energy Ball vs. +3 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 218-258 (55.4 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+6 252 SpA Manaphy Energy Ball vs. +4 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 182-216 (46.3 - 54.9%) -- 62.1% chance to 2HKO
+3 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Manaphy: 135-159 (37.3 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Random Passerby]

Name : Hydreigon
Status: Counter

Hydreigon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Focus Blast
- U - Turn

Hydreigon easily comes in on any of Mega Slowbro's move and threaten a OHKO with STAB Dark Pulse (2HKO if Mega Slowbro is at +1). Draco Meteor is secondary STAB and hits neutral targets much harder than Dark Pulse. Focus Blast is used in the third slot to hit Tyranitar, Heatran and Ferrothorn hard while U - Turn is used to generate momentum due to the pressure Hydreigon generates on the opponent due to its coverage. 232 Speed also allows you to outspeed max Speed neutral nature Kyurem-B.

(Note: Stats readjusted for Mega Slowbro)

Calculations:
At +0:
8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 24 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 59-70 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 348-410 (88.5 - 104.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

At +1:
+1 8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 24 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 89-105 (26.8 - 31.7%) -- 57.5% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. +1 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 234-276 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Teeny Victory]

reserving Breloom as a check

 

[silver97]

Reserving mantine
Counter

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Defog
- Toxic
- Scald


What do i have to say, slowbro can't do anything and mantine toxics it and wait for it to die. It is a niche pokemon but can fit sometimes some kind of stall teams.

 

[ArchPhantom]

Hard Check:

Keldeo @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spd / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
-Substitute
-Calm Mind
-Scald
-Secret Sword

SubCM pony is a decent enough check to DoubleDanceBro due to the fact that it can boost alongside it. Substitute is to avoid Scald burns and easily set up, allowing Pony to eventually beat Bro 1v1 because inevitable burns + constant wear-down. You can't Slack Off forever, bruh This menace also helps out vs CM Mega Sableye, sand teams and rain offense.

 

[firehusky]

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Gunk Shot
- Swords Dance

Yeah, this is obvious, but idc. Croak is cool in that hes able to do shit outside of walling Mega Bro. Hes a decent check to non Extrasensory Greninja, every fairy type ever bar Togekiss, and virtually every water type in the tier. Oh, and he handles rain well too, except for Swampert. hes decently powerful and has goods STAB moves in Drain Punch and Gunk Shot, with a good priority move in Knock Off. SD is just to add insult to injury and boost up alongside Bro to the point where he can actually do damage, lol.

Slowbro Scald vs. Dry Skin Toxicroak: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- aim for the horn next time

lol

Oh he's a counter btw

dude if knock off got priority though

 

[Clone]

dude if knock off got priority though

lol fixed. Ty for catching that.

 

[fran17]

Counter:

Amoonguss @ Black Sludge

Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 80 SpA / 12 SpD / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Foul Play

​

Amoonguss is actually an hard counter for this set. Clear Smog remove all the boosts and Giga drain 3HKO, while Slowbro's Scald 5HKO

calcs

80 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 132-156 (33.5 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 12 SpD Amoonguss: 96-113 (22.2 - 26.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 12 SpD Amoonguss: 63-75 (14.5 - 17.3%) -- possible 9HKO after Black Sludge recovery

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Reserving Mega Latias

 

[The Big Aristotle]

Counter:

Jellicent @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP/124 Def/132 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic
- Taunt

The EVs can be adjusted for need (I put 132 SpD EVs in there to help it better take stuff like Volt Switches from Rotom-W and Zapdos), but the general idea is to mess up support Pokemon and setup sweepers while spreading status and causing a lot of passive damage. Slowbro obviously can't do anything to the Toxic/Taunt/Water Absorb combo, so this thing is getting a free switch on Slowbro and threatening status every time. Hazards are definitely necessary for running this set, though.

 

[Teeny Victory]

reserving Breloom as a check

Check

Loom the Shroom (Breloom) @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Spore
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Rock Tomb

Breloom checks This variant of Mega-Bro as it can reliably come in on slack off or calm mind (or scald if you're feeling lucky), put it to sleep and nuke it with bullet seed, which easily KO's this variant of Slowbro. However, Breloom is not a counter as breloom CAN lose if you come in on Iron Defence or get burned by scald and Mega-Bro only gets 2 turns of sleep. This scenario is unlikely though, so that makes Breloom a pretty good Check

Calcs
252+ Atk Life Orb Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 312-375 (79.3 - 95.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (or 37.5% chance after SR)
252+ Atk Life Orb Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (4 hits) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 416-500 (105.8 - 127.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO (guaranteed with 4 hits)
252+ Atk Life Orb Technician Breloom Bullet Seed (3 hits) vs. +2 (or burned loom) 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 165-195 (41.9 - 49.6%) -- approx. 51.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock (can beat +2 bro if rocks are up and you get AT LEAST 3 turns of sleep)

0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Breloom: 81-96 (31 - 36.7%) -- 74.6% chance to 3HKO (Bro cant do much back with this set)

Edit:
Calcs are with mega-Bros stats

 

[blinkie]

Goodra-Counter

Goodra @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper / Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
-Rest
-Sleep Talk / Rain Dance
-Toxic
-Dragon Tail

Goodra hard counters mega Bro as it soaks up any hits and then just phazes Slowbro or statuses it. Sap Sipper is the preferred ability, but Hydration is also viable with Rain Dance as it can offer some support on rain teams as a more sturdy backup rain setter. Max bulk EVs to tank special hits better. Goodra also doesn't fear Scald burns as much as other checks/counters and it can easily heal up and bring in more stuff to be statused.

and now for the lol calcs
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Goodra: 29-35 (7.5 - 9.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
^ done using base 130 SpA
+6 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Goodra: 116-137 (30.2 - 35.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
^dat balk


Quagsire - Check

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware / Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 244 SpD / 8 Spe
Sassy Nature
-Earthquake
-Scald
-Toxic
-Recover

Water absorb quagsire counters bro. Quagsire eats up Scalds because Unaware ignores Slowbro's boosts no matter what. Unfortunately this is not listed as a counter because 2 crit Scalds + burn kills you after 2 SR so yeah if you switch in tank a crit Scald it burns you, switch out without Recover then it is risky to switch back in. The 8 speed EVs let you creep min speed Slowbro so you Recover before it. Anyways rest is standard dot standard except max SpDef. So yeah toxic stall ftw.

Calcs:
8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Unaware Quagsire: 103-123 (26.1 - 31.2%) -- 11.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Unaware Quagsire: 103-123 (26.1 - 31.2%) -- 31.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and burn damage

 

[InvisibleWater]

Counter

Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 116 HP / 176 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Taunt
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Waterfall

Gyarados, along with any other fast Pokemon with Taunt, turns Slowbro into setup fodder. Since Scald only deals scratch damage without any significant boosting, this allows it to set up with relative impunity. Once Gyarados reaches +2, Crunch will 1HKO on a high roll if it didn't switch in on an Iron Defense

Relevant calcs

Gyarados:
176+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Slowbro: 186-222 (47.3 - 56.4%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO
+2 176+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Slowbro: 372-438 (94.6 - 111.4%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
176+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. +2 248 HP / 8 Def Slowbro: 96-114 (24.4 - 29%) -- 98.1% chance to 4HKO

Slowbro:
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 43-51 (11.9 - 14.1%) -- possible 8HKO
+2 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 86-102 (23.8 - 28.3%) -- 94.1% chance to 4HKO
+4 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 129-152 (35.8 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Check

Sableye @ Sableite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Dark Pulse / Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp

Sableye's ability before Mega Evolving allows it to set up alongside Mega Slowbro or burn it with little effort, with Recover making it easier to acquire boosts. Mega Evolving increases its Special bulk, allowing it to tank more attacks.

It's only a check because Scald is a 2HKO before Mega Evolving, it has nothing to deal with burns, and it's slower.

Relevant calcs

Sableye:
4 SpA Sableye Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 126-150 (32 - 38.1%) -- 94.4% chance to 3HKO
+1 4 SpA Sableye Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 188-224 (47.8 - 56.9%) -- 89.5% chance to 2HKO
+2 4 SpA Sableye Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 252-296 (64.1 - 75.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+3 4 SpA Sableye Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 314-372 (79.8 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Slowbro:
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sableye: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 85.7% chance to 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sableye: 144-171 (47.3 - 56.2%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO
+2 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sableye: 192-226 (63.1 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+3 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sableye: 238-282 (78.2 - 92.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Random Passerby]

Reserving CroCune as a check

 

[FullLifeGames]

Check

Heracross @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pin Missile
- Close Combat
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance

Heracross can come in on any move except Iron Defense (0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Heracross: 114-135 (36.6 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO) and then (if it doesn't get burned by Scald) mega evolve and do a lot of damage to Mega Slowbro, if not just kill it:

252+ Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 360-430 (91.6 - 109.4%) -- approx. 37.5% chance to OHKO

If it does get burned, the best thing you can do is not to mega evolve since you have guts and so still have a chance to win (2 average roles or 4 hits on one of them):
252+ Atk Guts Heracross Pin Missile (3 hits) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 240-288 (61 - 73.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Heracross Pin Missile (3 hits) vs. +2 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 126-150 (32 - 38.1%) -- approx. 84.9% chance to 3HKO

If you come in on an Iron Defense, it's a boost war if you have SD. He will Iron Defense twice and Scald you one time, while you SD 3 times. After that you can see the situation, as if you just came in on a Scald, (except a little bit better if he burns your Heracross, since he can't boost his Defense anymore):
+6 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. +6 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 360-430 (91.6 - 109.4%) -- approx. 37.5% chance to OHKO
+6 252+ Atk Guts Heracross Pin Missile (3 hits) vs. +6 248 HP / 0 Def Slowbro: 240-288 (61 - 73.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[looiiyut]

Check

Kingdra @ Scope Lens
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
Modest Nature
- Focus Energy
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Agility / Hidden Power Fire

Critdra is back to ignore your Calm Mind boosts!
It comes in on any move (0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Kingdra: 28-33 (9.1 - 10.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever) and proceeds to setup a Focus Energy. Even if Slowbro is then at +2, Kingdra won't care because crits always go through the boosts:

252+ SpA Sniper Kingdra Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro on a critical hit: 351-414 (89 - 105%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO

If the Slowbro player is staying in with his Slowbro, not knowing about Critdra, you could also use Agility first to boost your speed and then "surprise" him with the Focus Energy, doing good work probably to the rest of his team, too.

Doesn't shell armor work against critdra?

 

[FullLifeGames]

Doesn't shell armor work against critdra?

I knew there was something I missed 0.o removed ^^

 

[Random Passerby]

Name : Suicune
Status: Check

Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Suicune comes in easily on any of Mega Slowbro's moves and can set up Calm Minds alongside it, healing itself with Rest and PP Stalling Mega Slowbro with Pressure. Scald has a 30 % burn chance which can be used to wear Mega Slowbro down and forcing it to Slack Off more often. It also allows for easier set-up against physical attackers.

(Note: Stats readjusted for Mega Slowbro)

Calculations:

8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Suicune: 48-57 (11.8 - 14.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever

 

[byee]

Counter


Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 200 HP / 252 Def / 56 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Earthquake / Knock Off
- Toxic

Seismitoad is an incredibly underrated mon in my opinion. It walls double dance Slowbro-Mega with water absorb, can check Keldeo, and deals with rain offense very well which is a really good play style at the moment. It is harder to deal with if Slowbro has rest, but can still put in work.

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Counter

Latias (F) @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stored Power
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Roost

+6 8 SpA Mega Latias Stored Power (260 BP) vs. +6 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 225-265 (57.1 - 67.2%)
+6 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. +6 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 38-45 (10.4 - 12.3%)

Stored Power lets you win CM war. sub so no burn and crit and even if u do, oh well. you still live
+6 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias on a critical hit: 227-267 (62.5 - 73.5%)

HP fighting or dragon pulse can be run over sub

Something to beat darks is nice.

 

[Inspirited]

Relinquishing Gyarados, between building for ORAS Ubers, lots of irl stuff, and doing VGC C&C things, I have been quite distracted from writing it this week.

 

[HackerKing]

Check

Crobat @ Black Sludge
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Atk / 4 SpD / 176 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Super Fang
- Haze Defog
- Roost

Brobat is back with vengence. This is the standard Crobat set, only with Defog slashed for Haze. Since Crobat is 2x weak to Rock, it isn't too much of an opportunity cost if your team is really weak to Mega-Slowbro.

The trick is to not switch in to Scald. If you do (especially if Slowbro used Calm Mind before), it will hurt. Once you're in, Haze is your top priority. Keep usng Super Fang to halve Mega-Slowbro's health. Since M-Slowbro lacks leftovers, they'll eventually have to spam Slack Off. Use Roost wisely and you should be able to get Slowbro in range to where Brave Bird will kill.

<hopefully>

 

[Random Passerby]

Name : Venusaur
Status: Counter


Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD / 16 Spe
Modest Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- Synthesis

Mega Venusaur comes in easily against any of Mega Slowbro's moves and can either put it to sleep with Sleep Powder or OHKO it with STAB Leaf Storm. Sludge Bomb is a secondary STAB move that allows Mega Venusaur to hit Flying and Dragon types that attempt to come in on Leaf Storm. Synthesis allows Mega Venusaur to regain health and counter Mega Slowbro more reliably.

Calculations:
8 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 232 HP / 8 SpD Mega Venusaur: 46-55 (12.8 - 15.3%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Leaf Storm vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 372-438 (94.6 - 111.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

If Mega Slowbro is at +1, Mega Venusaur can put it to sleep and 2HKO it with Leaf Storm
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Leaf Storm vs. +1 248 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 248-294 (63.1 - 74.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock