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Project SS OU - Victim of the Week - Not hosted anymore

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Ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Offensive Air Balloon Heatran Victim Week:

Checks:

:garchomp: by agslash23 and :dragonite: by SLDR

Counters:

:tapu fini: by hozuuu and :heatran: by Red Raven

Checks:
:garchomp: 6
:dragonite: 5
:urshifu-rapid-strike: 3
:kingdra: 3
:kommo-o: 2
:pelipper: 1
:slowking galar: 0

Counters:
:tapu fini: 4
:heatran: 4
:leftovers: :hydreigon: 3
:slowking: 3
:suicune: 2
:gastrodon: 2
:blissey: 1
:life orb: :hydreigon: 1

Congratulations to the four winners and thanks for all your submissions.

For next week, we will feature a deadly cleaner in a metagame where most people rely on Landorus-T to check Electric types: Bulk Up Zeraora.

zeraora.gif

Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bulk Up
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat

Zeraora is making a comeback in OU, being able to overwhelm its most common check in Landorus-T rather easily. It shines with its blasting Speed that allows it to outspeed all unboosted Pokemon in tier bar the rare Regieleki who can’t even touch Zeraora. If Pivot or Choice Band sets are rather common, a third set sees decent usage because of its ability to claim endgames sweep: Bulk Up Zeraora. Plasma Fists is Zeraora's main STAB move and can threaten a lot of defensive cores once the Ground type is weakened enough. Knock Off is useful to hit Electric immune Pokemon like Landorus-T and to remove their items. Lastly, Close Combat is a powerful coverage move, allowing Zeraora to hit foes like Ferrothorn. Zeraora Attack stat is not the most impressive, but with some Bulk Up boosts it can quickly become a problem for the opposing team, as revenge killing such a fast threat is not always easy. Who would you run to check or counter this electrifying cat? Let’s find out!

Submission phase will end on next Friday, good luck!
 
Reserving tapu bulu
:SS/tapu bulu:
Tapu Bulu @ Life Orb

Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe

Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance

- Horn Leech
- Close Combat

- Stone Edge
:Tapu bulu: CHECK


Tapu Bulu has great physical bulk, resists all of Zeraora's moves and can check it with or without its item since it can take 2 boosted Plasma Fists easily as they don't break the 40% damage mark. A Jolly Life Orb Horn Leech 2HKOs +1 Zeraora factoring Grassy Terrain recovery, but even if Life Orb gets taken out (Bulu doesn't mind losing its item that much) Tapu Bulu can still grab a boost and not only outdamage Zeraora, but also heal a good portion of damage back.
For ensuring a better matchup, one needs to pay attention to Grassy Terrain turns and Life Orb chip accumulating via other contact punishers etc, but Tapu Bulu can always be relied on as an offensive check to Bulk Up Zeraora.
184 EVs + Jolly outspeeds Modest Heatran and stuff that creeps it by one point, while giving an optimal Life Orb HP number of 299.
:Zeraora:
+1 252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 76 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 97-115 (32.3 - 38.3%) -- 3.1% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

+1 252 Atk Zeraora Close Combat vs. 76 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- 5.7% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

:Tapu bulu:
252 Atk Life Orb Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. +1 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora in Grassy Terrain: 175-208 (55.2 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. +1 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora in Grassy Terrain: 135-160 (42.5 - 50.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

+2 Life Orb obviously KOs

+2 252 Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. +1 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora in Grassy Terrain: 271-319 (85.4 - 100.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
 
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reserving zwole
Groundbreaking Mosquito
:Rocky Helmet: :ss/Buzzwole: :Rocky Helmet:
Buzzwole @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 152 HP / 168 Atk / 188 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Roost
- Earthquake


:Buzzwole: Buzz counters :Zeraora: Thundercat as easily as coming in and clicking EQ. It resists both Knock and CC and tanks Plasma Fists. Buzzwole doesn't like losing its item, but it can if necessary.
168+ Atk Buzzwole Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 302-356 (95.2 - 112.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO (OHKOs after Rocky Helmet damage)
168+ Atk Buzzwole Earthquake vs. +1 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 202-238 (63.7 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 152 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 111-132 (28.2 - 33.5%) -- 0.2% chance to 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 152 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 166-196 (42.2 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 152 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 36-42 (9.1 - 10.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever
 
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:sm/hippowdon:
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock

Does this even need an explanation?

Edit: Since people really want an explanation for whatever reason, I'll let the calcs speak for itself

+1 252 Atk Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Hippowdon: 153-181 (36.4 - 43%) -- 97.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 252 Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Hippowdon: 124-146 (29.5 - 34.7%) -- 9.6% chance to 3HKO

Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. Hippowdon: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever

8 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 306-360 (96.5 - 113.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
 
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:ss/quagsire:
Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic

Quagsire is a counter. Thanks to Unaware, Zeraora's attacks will always deal relatively little damage, allowing Quagsire to switch in and threaten a 2HKO with Earthquake (which will always be possible since Unaware ignores Defense boosts), fish for Scald burns, or put Zeraora on a timer with Toxic.

:quagsire:
0 SpA Quagsire Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora: 73-87 (23 - 27.4%) -- 57.2% chance to 4HKO
0 Atk Quagsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 240-284 (75.7 - 89.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

:zeraora:
252 Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 77-91 (19.5 - 23%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Zeraora Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 51-61 (12.9 - 15.4%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 95-112 (24.1 - 28.4%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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:ss/gastrodon:

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 212 HP / 56 Def / 240 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Clear Smog
- Recover

Gastrodon is a counter, as it can switch in on Zeraora fearing none of its moves. Even Knock Off does not bother it, thanks to Sticky Hold. It can then proceed to Clear Smog its Boost away or threaten it greatly with Earthquake and Scald.

252 Atk Zeraora Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 56 Def Gastrodon: 150-177 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Zeraora Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 56 Def Gastrodon: 224-264 (53.8 - 63.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Gastrodon Clear Smog vs. -1 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora: 61-72 (19.2 - 22.7%) -- possible 5HKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Clear Smog vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora: 40-48 (12.6 - 15.1%) -- possible 7HKO

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 236-278 (74.4 - 87.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. +1 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 156-186 (49.2 - 58.6%) -- 96.5% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora: 97-115 (30.5 - 36.2%) -- 54.4% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. -1 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora: 144-171 (45.4 - 53.9%) -- 42.2% chance to 2HKO
 
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3780197F-296E-4118-8052-283D6C5C5435.gif

Kommo-o @ Leftovers
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 40 SpD / 68 Spe
Impish Nature
- Body Press
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic/Protect

A relic from pre-DLC SS. When this mon was used as a Zeraora check, before the days of Lando and Chomp. Kommo easily 3HKOs Zera with EQ while Zera can barely 3HKO back with a +1 CC.

+1 252 Atk Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 148+ Def Kommo-o: 118-139 (33.3 - 39.2%) -- 12.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Because Kommo hates getting knock’d and needs to be relatively healthy to do its job, I consider it a check rather than a full-blown counter.
 
Scarf Urshifu
:ss/urshifu-rapid-strike:
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Ice Punch
Surging Strikes ignore the defence boosts from Bulk Up and OHKOs after small chip like Body Press from ferro or corvi or U-Turn.
Its a check to Zera as it hates knock and plasma fists but can come in on CC.
252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora on a critical hit: 237-282 (74.7 - 88.9%) -- approx. 2HKO
252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 97-115 (30.5 - 36.2%) -- 54.5% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 294-348 (85.9 - 101.7%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
 
:bw/landorus-therian:
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Toxic

Defensive Lando-T is a counter to BU Zeraora, as it can swap in on any attack Zeraora uses, and can threaten to OHKO Zeraora with EQ if it hasn't boosted up. Other moves are standard for defensive Lando.

  • 0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. +1 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 254-300 (80.1 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 252 Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 164+ Def Landorus-Therian: 80-95 (20.9 - 24.8%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
 
1645633602910.png

Seismitoad @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Weather Ball
- Hydro Pump
- Earth Power
- Icy Wind

Big Poppa Toad is a solid check to Zera. It lives all attacks at +1 and OHKOs back with Earth Power. Furthermore, if rain is up Toad just outspeeds and OHKOs with STAB water attacks.

+1 252 Atk Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Seismitoad: 224-264 (63.8 - 75.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 252 Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Seismitoad: 181-214 (51.5 - 60.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Seismitoad Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora: 434-512 (136.9 - 161.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Seismitoad Weather Ball (100 BP Water) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora in Rain: 363-427 (114.5 - 134.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Seismitoad Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zeraora: 290-344 (91.4 - 108.5%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
 
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Hey there, submission period is now closed, so let’s move on to the voting phase. The Victim of this week was Bulk Up :zeraora:.

Here are the submissions, we’ve got (counted Lando-T as a check and not a counter due to the fact that Lando can't heal and get wormed down pretty quickly by Zeraora):

Checks

:tapu bulu: by SLDR

:kommo-o: by 658Greninja

:choice scarf: :urshifu-rapid-strike: by The Everylord

:landorus-therian: by powergo1

:seismitoad: by RaikouLover

Counters

:buzzwole: by hozuuu

:hippowdon: by Red Raven

:quagsire: by InvisibleWater

:gastrodon: by JanErik90

Vote for your two favorite checks and your two favorite counters (you can’t vote for your own submission).
Voting phase ends on Sunday.
 
Ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Offensive Air Balloon Heatran Victim Week:

Checks:

:garchomp: by agslash23 and :dragonite: by SLDR

Counters:

:tapu fini: by hozuuu and :heatran: by Red Raven

Checks:
:garchomp: 6
:dragonite: 5
:urshifu-rapid-strike: 3
:kingdra: 3
:kommo-o: 2
:pelipper: 1
:slowking galar: 0

Counters:
:tapu fini: 4
:heatran: 4
:leftovers: :hydreigon: 3
:slowking: 3
:suicune: 2
:gastrodon: 2
:blissey: 1
:life orb: :hydreigon: 1

Congratulations to the four winners and thanks for all your submissions.

For next week, we will feature a deadly cleaner in a metagame where most people rely on Landorus-T to check Electric types: Bulk Up Zeraora.

View attachment 408398
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bulk Up
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat

Zeraora is making a comeback in OU, being able to overwhelm its most common check in Landorus-T rather easily. It shines with its blasting Speed that allows it to outspeed all unboosted Pokemon in tier bar the rare Regieleki who can’t even touch Zeraora. If Pivot or Choice Band sets are rather common, a third set sees decent usage because of its ability to claim endgames sweep: Bulk Up Zeraora. Plasma Fists is Zeraora's main STAB move and can threaten a lot of defensive cores once the Ground type is weakened enough. Knock Off is useful to hit Electric immune Pokemon like Landorus-T and to remove their items. Lastly, Close Combat is a powerful coverage move, allowing Zeraora to hit foes like Ferrothorn. Zeraora Attack stat is not the most impressive, but with some Bulk Up boosts it can quickly become a problem for the opposing team, as revenge killing such a fast threat is not always easy. Who would you run to check or counter this electrifying cat? Let’s find out!

Submission phase will end on next Friday, good luck!
Ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Offensive Air Balloon Heatran Victim Week:

Checks:

:garchomp: by agslash23 and :dragonite: by SLDR

Counters:

:tapu fini: by hozuuu and :heatran: by Red Raven

Checks:
:garchomp: 6
:dragonite: 5
:urshifu-rapid-strike: 3
:kingdra: 3
:kommo-o: 2
:pelipper: 1
:slowking galar: 0

Counters:
:tapu fini: 4
:heatran: 4
:leftovers: :hydreigon: 3
:slowking: 3
:suicune: 2
:gastrodon: 2
:blissey: 1
:life orb: :hydreigon: 1

Congratulations to the four winners and thanks for all your submissions.

For next week, we will feature a deadly cleaner in a metagame where most people rely on Landorus-T to check Electric types: Bulk Up Zeraora.

View attachment 408398
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bulk Up
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat

Zeraora is making a comeback in OU, being able to overwhelm its most common check in Landorus-T rather easily. It shines with its blasting Speed that allows it to outspeed all unboosted Pokemon in tier bar the rare Regieleki who can’t even touch Zeraora. If Pivot or Choice Band sets are rather common, a third set sees decent usage because of its ability to claim endgames sweep: Bulk Up Zeraora. Plasma Fists is Zeraora's main STAB move and can threaten a lot of defensive cores once the Ground type is weakened enough. Knock Off is useful to hit Electric immune Pokemon like Landorus-T and to remove their items. Lastly, Close Combat is a powerful coverage move, allowing Zeraora to hit foes like Ferrothorn. Zeraora Attack stat is not the most impressive, but with some Bulk Up boosts it can quickly become a problem for the opposing team, as revenge killing such a fast threat is not always easy. Who would you run to check or counter this electrifying cat? Let’s find out!

Submission phase will end on next Friday, good luck!
:tangrowth: easily counters zera thanks to its massive physical bulk and also resisting its stab , bulk up zera can be beaten by sleep power.
 
:tangrowth: easily counters zera thanks to its massive physical bulk and also resisting its stab , bulk up zera can be beaten by sleep power.
Hey Vkhss, Tangrowth would have work as a Zeraora counter, but submission period is over so I can't add it.
Feel free to vote for the current submissions (in post#1118) if you want though.

And btw yes Red Raven, would have been better to have at least one or two lines of explanation for Hippo, even if it's an obvious counter. When a Pokemon is an obvious counter or check to the current victim of the week, you can add explanations about how easy it is to fit this Pokemon in a team, why it is a better counter than other potential counters and how hard it is to overwhelm for the victim of the week and its common partners. I forgot to make a post on Thursday like I sometimes do, and counted the submission anyway because you gave a set (and would have been sad to miss hippo).
 
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