Project UU Victim of the Week (Round Twenty Four: Rhyperior)

[Twilight]

Moltres @ Flyinium Z
Timid Nature
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Hurricane
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Defog / U-turn​

Moltres is a strong counter to this thing as can always switch into it even if it tries setting up SR. It has no coverahe to hit it super effectively unless it is carrying Stone Edge which the Curse set can't fit on. It blows Lix back with a Fire Blast and has the potential to burn it with Flame Body. It can also just Defog the rocks it sets each time. Has access to reliable recovery to keep checking it.

+1 208+ Atk Steelix-Mega Gyro Ball (131 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 181-213 (56.3 - 66.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Moltres Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 48 SpD Steelix-Mega: 348-410 (98.3 - 115.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

Kommo-o @ Life Orb
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Clanging Scales
- Close Combat
- Flamethrower
- Stealth Rock​

Kommo-o is a good check which can beat down Lix well. It has access to Flamethrower to punish Curse sets better + hits harder than CC in general. Bulletproof also makes it immune to Gyro Ball. It can also eat a +1 Quake which is really nice, while also setting up rocks vs it very easily thanks to Lix fearing taking a CC in general.

252 SpA Life Orb Kommo-o Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 48 SpD Steelix-Mega: 211-250 (59.6 - 70.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 208+ Atk Steelix-Mega Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kommo-o: 210-247 (72.1 - 84.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[avarice]

Infernape @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Vacuum Wave

Infernape with its STABS can easily nuke Steelix or force it out for a NP. An excellent check if I do say so myself.

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Recover
- Curse

Quagsire sets up on Steelix lacking Toxic or Roar, ezpz counter.​

 

[Estarossa]

Primarina @ Choice Specs
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Sparkling Aria/Scald

Specs primarina serves as a great check to m-steelix. Both of its water stabs ohko,

252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 48 SpD Steelix-Mega: 576-678 (162.7 - 191.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Sparkling Aria vs. 252 HP / 48 SpD Steelix-Mega: 470-554 (132.7 - 156.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Scald vs. 252 HP / 48 SpD Steelix-Mega: 420-494 (118.6 - 139.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

However, it takes heavy damage on swap in to gyro ball / earthquake, therefore only putting it as a check since it can't continually swap in on it, and is better used when it can get a safe swap in. Youu can only swap into either attack once, so if steelix doesn't stay in after you can no longer freely swap in.

208+ Atk Steelix-Mega Earthquake vs. 92 HP / 0 Def Primarina: 217-256 (66.9 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
208+ Atk Steelix-Mega Gyro Ball (84 BP) vs. 92 HP / 0 Def Primarina: 183-216 (56.4 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Rotom-Heat @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 20 SpA / 248 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Toxic

Rotom-heat serves as a great counter to m-steelix. Immnue to earthquake, can defog away rocks and 4x resistant to gyro ball. Overheat greatly threatens steelix in return, and you can volt switch on swaps to maintain momentum.

20 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 252 HP / 48 SpD Steelix-Mega: 296-350 (83.6 - 98.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
208+ Atk Steelix-Mega Gyro Ball (128 BP) vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Heat: 51-60 (17 - 20%) -- possible 5HKO

 

[A Cake Wearing A Hat]

Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Sludge Bomb

Choice Specs Volcanion is a pretty solid check to mega lix. It can always OHKO and can even come in pretty freely on heavy slam, though it has to make sure they're not gonna use Earthquake. It's not a counter, it's far from it, but it's sure to put the pressure on Lix and that's what a check's about.

 

[pkfire.exe]

Houndoom-Mega @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Nasty Plot
- Taunt
- Dark Pulse
I think mega houndoom is a pretty good check to mega lix, as lix cant take a fire blast so most of the time houndoom just gets a free nasty plot

Chesnaught @ Leftovers
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 Spe
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Drain Punch
- Wood Hammer / Taunt / Spikey Shield
- Leech Seed / Synthesis
chesnaughts an amazing counter to mega steelix, it comes it for free, sets up spikes or throws off stabs or leech seeds, can take whatever lix throws at it and heals it off

 

[Piggypassking]

Nidoking is an excellent check as it's earth power is guaranteed ohko on steelix but it doesn't want to be switching into any earthquakes so it's only a check and it hates doing nothing with its sludge waves for example Nidoking has 252 spa 252 spe and 4 def packing earth power, sludge wave, ice beam and taunt with life orb and sheer force

 

[Sickist]

Suicune as a check

Suicune can usually come in for free on Steelix, but it really doesn't like coming in on Curse-Boosted Earthquakes, and non-rest varients hate switching into Toxic.

Gligar as a counter

This mon will literally not lose ever. Taunt shuts down curse attempts while EQ slowly chips it down, and roost can replenish it's health after being slammed a few times. I'm honestly surprised no one jumped on this thing before me.

 

[Taptricity]

Alright it’s voting time! Sickist you didn’t post sets for Suicune and Gligar. I will let this one slide for you though so fair warning. Piggypassking I’d recommend for you to use the given format for sets next time. It’s fairly simple as it only requires you to copy paste the format of the set from PS. Like this:

Format

Nidoking @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam

Shouldn’t be difficult copy pasting from Showdown but if you’re having any troubles just message me. Alright here’s what you can vote for!

Checks:

Mixed Kommo-o by Twilight

Nasty Plot Infernape by Scizorphobic

Choice Specs Primarina by Estarossa

Choice Specs Volcanion by A Cake Wearing A Hat

Mega Houndoom by pkfire.exe

Nidoking by Piggypassking

Suicune by Sickist

Counters:

Offensive Moltres by Twilight

Quagsire by Scizorphobic

Rotom-H by Estarossa

Chesnaught by pkfire.exe

Gligar by Sickist

Alright vote for 2 checks and 2 counters. Voting ends Saturday at 8PM GMT-4. Alright I’m gonna go do some other stuff I gotta handle. Good night!

 

[Twilight]

Checks: Specs Prima and Specs Volcanion
Counters: Quagsire and Chesnaught

 

[avarice]

houndoom kommo-o

chesnaught moltres

 

[Sickist]

what am i doing honestly? im going to literally glue this project to my hands because i keep screwing it up >:I

Checks: Primarina and Volcanion

Counters: Moltres and Quagsire

 

[Mapplle]

Checks : Suicune and Houndoom

Counters : Moltres and Rotom-H

 

[pkfire.exe]

prim and nape


quagsire and moltres

 

[Taptricity]

The Winners are:

Estarossa and Twilight
Estarossa wins a second time with Primarina while Twilight snatches their first win with the fiery bird Moltres! Your sets will be placed into the archive!

Voting Results

Checks:
Primarina=3
Mega Houndoom=2
Volcanion=2
Infernape=1
Kommo-o=1
Suicune=1
Nidoking=0

Counters:
Moltres=4
Quagsire=3
Chesnaught=2
Rotom-H=1
Gligar=0

Round 7’s Victim is:
Mega Sceptile

Sceptile-Mega @ Sceptilite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Ok I’m done with all of these slow mons. Let’s kick it up a notch with a speedy lizard that’s been picking up steam and the first Dragon-type victim, Mega Sceptile! Mega Sceptile has been under some current debate due to how frightening of a force it is in the current meta. Mega Sceptile’s Speed combined with its coverage makes it ridiculously difficult to find a sturdy switch-in for it and not only that, but some of its common counterplay while useful, struggle to consistently switch-in due to a lack of recovery which prevents it from handling Mega Sceptile’s naturally strong Leaf Storms for long. Mega Sceptile also provides teams with an offensive check to Electric-types. Get those submissions in by Wednesday 8 PM GMT-4. Good luck everyone!​

 

[avarice]

SLIPPIN. (Aerodactyl-Mega) (M) @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Ice Fang / Wing Attack
- Pursuit
- Earthquake

WAKE ME UP. (Blissey) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock / Wish
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic / Heal Bell
- Soft-Boiled

aero one of the few faster than sceptile and checks it well. can even trap it. Blissey walls a majority of special attackers and sceptile isnt an exception. uu is easy man.

 

[Estarossa]

Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- U-turn

Scarf hydreigon is a great check when able to be brought in for free / on a guaranteed non dragon pulse. Draco ohkos, while the other 3 attacks each do ~50% damage. Hydreigon cannot live a dragon pulse though, hence needs to be brouught in on a prediction / double / safely.

Offensive calcs

252 SpA Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sceptile-Mega: 474-558 (168.6 - 198.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sceptile-Mega: 145-172 (51.6 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0- Atk Hydreigon U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sceptile-Mega: 120-142 (42.7 - 50.5%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sceptile-Mega: 133-157 (47.3 - 55.8%) -- 79.3% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 125-147 (38.4 - 45.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Altaria-Mega @ Altarianite
Ability: Pixilate
Shiny: Yes
Happiness: 0
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 76 Def / 176 Spe 0r 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature 0r Adamant Nature (2nd spread)
- Dragon Dance
- Frustration
- Refresh
- Roost

Altaria is an amazing counter to sceptile, setting up on it and eating any attack it might try to throw at it. The EV spread here is of no importance, but fully offensive one takes the best advantage of the free set up offered by sceptile. It will take heavy damage from dragon pulse if not already mega'd though, so it's a good idea to try and mega it asap when knowing sceptile is on other team.

252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Altaria-Mega: 110-130 (31.1 - 36.8%) -- 75.1% chance to 3HKO

 

[Mapplle]

​

Check :

Doublade

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword

Given on a pure 1v1 base, Doublade can't lose it's duel against Sceptile. The only way it can win would be to hard it on an Hpfire, otherwise you're safe to in any move.

Calcs

252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 162-192 (50.7 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 131-155 (41 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Dragon Pulse vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 86-102 (26.9 - 31.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252+ Atk Doublade Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sceptile-Mega: 304-358 (108.1 - 127.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sceptile-Mega: 82-97 (29.1 - 34.5%) -- 6% chance to 3HKO

Counter :

Togekiss

Togekiss @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Nasty Plot
- Roost
- Heal Bell

Any fairy is making an awesome Sceptile sponge as it gots no way of luring it properly. Togekiss is, with Altaria, by far the best counter to Sceptile but Togekiss doesnt take the mega slot.
Sceptile got no way of beating this set unless it gets cheap by other Pokémon beforehand or thanks to several rocks damages.

Calcs

252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Togekiss: 102-120 (27.2 - 32%) -- 55% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Togekiss: 63-75 (16.8 - 20%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Togekiss Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sceptile-Mega: 218-258 (77.5 - 91.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Nightingales]

Mamoswine as a check

Click ice shard

 

[Twilight]

Counter

AV Muk

Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Gunk Shot / Poison Jab
- Knock Off
- Fire Punch

Alolan-Muk which was one of the big reasons Sceptile was struggling a lot. It takes nothing from its coverage on the provided set and proceeds to 2OHKO with Pursuit if it tries to switch. Has the chance to prock Poison Touch on it too to wear it down or simply OHKO with Gunk or Jab. I have no clue what the best spread is, but I'll just use the Dex one.

252+ Atk Muk-Alola Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sceptile-Mega: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Dragon Pulse vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 79-94 (22.4 - 26.7%) -- 25.9% chance to 4HKO

​

As I am about to make my post Nightingales comes in with the Mamo snipe. I'll think of a check later maybe and update.

Mega-Shark

Sharpedo-Mega @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Ice Fang
- Earthquake
- Protect

Well I guess Mega Shark can be considered a check. After a Protect it outspeeds and then proceeds to OHKO with Ice Fang in regular form. Meaning it could always come back in to get another speed boost and remove Sceptile if they ever switched.

 

[bukemon123]

Bronzong as counter

Set

Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball
- Psywave

Bronzong is a general answer to different sets of Mega-Scep. Bronzong can eat 3 HP Fire from full and threaten Mega-Scep back with Gyro Ball.
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 92-110 (27.2 - 32.5%) -- 57.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Bronzong Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sceptile-Mega: 186-219 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[pkfire.exe]

gengar as a CHECK

Gengar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
gengar cant come in more than once, but pressures sceptile with its sludge wave. it's a great revenge killer for it

sylveon as a COUNTER
Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 248 HP / 100 Def / 4 SpA / 156 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell
sylveon can switch into mega sceptile as many times as it wants and fires off hyper voice for free. the spdef evs ensure fresh leafstorms will only 3HKO it. it can use wish if scep tries to counter attack and aside from leaf storm doesn't mind taking anything else

 

[Sickist]

Florges as a check

Florges @ Leftovers
Ability: Symbiosis
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Synthesis
- Aromatherapy
- Hidden Power Fire / Defog / Wish

Florges can eat 3 Leaf Storms comfortably and Moonblast for an OHKO after rocks. However, coming in on Leaf Storm every time without recovering makes life difficult and Florges a check.

Amoongus as a counter

Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Spore
- Sludge Bomb / Clear Smog
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Amoongus really only takes damage from Dragon Pulse, but it doesn't even 2HKO after rocks. Regenerator, the broken ability it is, allows Amoongus to consistently counter Sceptile throughout the match.

 

[Taptricity]

Sorry for the delay but voting is now here! Nightingales make sure to provide a set and description next time. Florges is being bumped up into a counter due to it being in the same vein as Sylveon. Here's what you can vote for:

Checks:

Mega Aerodactyl by Scizorphobic

Choice Scarf Hydreigon by Estarossa

Doublade by Mapplle

Mega Sharpedo by Twilight

Choice Scarf Gengar by pkfire.exe

Counters:

Blissey by Scizorphobic

DD Refresh Mega Altaria by Estarossa

Togekiss by Mapplle

Alolan Muk by Twilight

Bronzong by bukemon123

Sylveon by pkfire.exe

Florges by Sickist

Amoonguss by Sickist

Alright guys vote for two checks and two counters! Submissions are hopefully due Saturday 8PM GMT-4.

 

[Twilight]

Voting Malt and Togekiss as counters

Just curious whether Scizorphobic nominations are valid. As I'd personally vote Maero as the best check, if not I'll update and vote something else

Edit: Phobic gets my vote for Maero to make it clearer

 

[Sickist]

Scarf Hydrei for check and Muk+Togekiss for counters

edit: voting for Mega Aero as a check as well, courtesy of BackAtYouBro