Lower Tiers ADV LC: Good Cores

Fiend

someguy
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LC Leader
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ADV LC Good Cores

Welcome to the ADV LC Good Cores thread! This thread is a place where we shall post and archive good cores that work well in the metagame, and provide a resource for players looking to get started.

First of all, what is a core? A core is a group of 2 to 3 Pokémon that function well together in pursuit of a goal - be that removing certain threats or walling certain portions of the metagame. We accept all kinds of cores - offensive, defensive or balanced - as long as they follow certain guidelines

Before you post your core, make sure to test it out in actual ADV LC battles to ensure that the core performs well. Make sure to test out your core before posting it here to ensure that it performs well in the metagame.

While posting your core, you also need to include a short and concise description of the core, such as:

Is it an Offensive, Balanced, or Defensive core?
What team archetype is the core best suited for?
How does the core work?
How do you execute the full potential of the core?
What are common threats to the core to look out for?

To ensure the highest possible quality and keep things running smoothly, several decisions have been reached to ensure order:

1. The official ADV LC council will decide whether or not a core is worthy of being archived.
Aerow
Corporal Levi
Crystalites
Dustflier
Fiend
fran17
GrilledClawitzer
ggggd
Heysup
Krubby
mad0ka
slurmz
sparktrain


2. We will reserve the right to modify the archives as certain cores may be worse than initially assumed as we explore the metagame further, and might not be worthy of being archived anymore.

Please use this format when posting a core for easy viewing and archiving:

+


OFFENSIVE

This core has Diglett open up holes for Wailmer to exploit on offensive builds (be they hyper or bulky offense). There aren't many threats that enjoy taking Wailmer's Water Spout, and Diglett removes many Pokémon that could either block Wailmer or revenge kill it such as Chinchou, Exeggcute, SunnyDay Ponyta or even potentially Elekid (if you win a speed tie or they don't get a roll; don't count on it). Priority users, some pinch berry users, and Porygon will still be a problem but those weaknesses can easily be patched up--and are often solved by spikes. This core can take apart many offensive teams that cannot afford defensive answers to Wailmer's STAB.
Diglett @ Choice Band
Ability: Arena Trap
Level: 5
EVs: 240 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Hidden Power [Bug]
- Double-Edge

Wailmer @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Water Veil
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 76 Def / 200 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
- Water Spout
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Self-Destruct

Archive
&

This core consists of two of the most reliable and powerful sweepers in ADV LC. Having both of them on the same team with the right support almost guarantees an opportunity to setup and potentially sweep the whole opposing team. Spikes support is definitely recommended, but not mandatory. This is a great core to use on HO/offense. This core is fairly simple to use. Get at least 1 spike up (if you have a Spikes user on your team), weaken the opposing team until all of the opposing Pokemon is revealed, then just wait for an opportunity to set up on any Pokemon that either Bagon or Larvitar are able to set up on. As an offensive core, there isn't really any "threats" to this core per se, but certain Pokemon with sky-high Defense (Shellder for example as ggggd mentioned, can survive a +2 Earthquake from Larvitar and +2 Double-Edge from Bagon) can be problematic for this core, and needs to be weakened before you attempt to sweep.

If you want to try out this core, you can check out this team specifically built around this core!
Bagon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Rock Head
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Double-Edge
- Hidden Power [Ghost]
- Substitute

Larvitar @ Berry Juice
Ability: Guts
Level: 5
EVs: 244 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 188 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Substitute
&

Doduo's major fear right now is Larvitar, once it cannot spam it powerful moves without being turn into a setup fodder. Shellder is one of the best Larvitar checks, surviving even a +2 EQ. With the core you have a good way to deal with setup sweepers (Bold Shellder lives Bagon without Spikes, and Larvitar with) and Doduo can therefore spam it moves freely. Shellder also helps with opposing Doduos and Snubbull, and a well placed Boom is always helpful. The speed on Shellder allows for it to outpace -1 Speed Staryu which is rather helpful. Due note that Shellder can only really wall one pokemon a game, so choose wisely.
Doduo @ Choice Band
Ability: Early Bird
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- Drill Peck
- Quick Attack
- Return

Shellder @ Berry Juice
Ability: Shell Armor
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 196 Def / 196 Spe
Bold Nature
- Surf
- Explosion
- Rapid Spin
- Icy Wind
&

Whilst both Lotad and Kabuto are water types, there secondary typings mean they actually compliment each other very well. Both benefit under rain allowing for an anti-weather rain core. Lotad is probably the best check to rain in ADV LC along as being able to check sun teams as well due to it’s great typing of water/grass. Lotad can remove threats to Kabuto like Chinchou and can set up rain allowing the harder hitting Kabuto to switch in and get KOs easier.
Lotad @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 36 Def / 116 SpA / 196 SpD / 116 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Surf
- Rain Dance
- Thief

Kabuto @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 236 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
&

Porygon and Abra are two Pokemon with great type synergy and make for a good core. Calm Mind Abra has very few checks at +1 with Diglett being the most common of them. Diglett is able to outspeed Abra and OHKO it easily. Porygon can easily trap Diglett and KO it to pave the way for Abra to set up a sweep. Porygon’s Thunder Wave can also cripple threats allowing Abra to set up Substitutes and Calm Minds easier. Something to handle houndour also goes well with this core.
Porygon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Trace
Level: 5
EVs: 156 HP / 36 Def / 156 SpA / 156 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Recycle

Abra @ Berry Juice
Ability: Inner Focus
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 236 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Substitute
- Thief
 
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Balanced:
+
or any dd larv check

Doduo's major fear right now is Larvitar, once it cannot spam it powerfull moves without being turn into a setup fodder. Shellder is the best Larvitar check atm, surviving even a +2 EQ, so now you have a good way to deal with setup sweepers and Doduo can spam it moves freely.Shellder also helps with opposing Doduos, Bagon, most of physical attackers and a free boom!

Doduo @ Choice Band
Ability: Early Bird
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- Drill Peck
- Quick Attack
- Return

Shellder @ Berry Juice
Ability: Shell Armor
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 196 Def / 196 Spe
Bold Nature
- Surf
- Explosion
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
 
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Jett

gm gobodachis
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Balanced Core
Porygon + Abra


Porygon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Trace
Level: 5
EVs: 156 HP / 36 Def / 156 SpA / 156 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Recycle

Abra @ Berry Juice
Ability: Inner Focus
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 236 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Substitute
- Thief


Porygon and Abra are two Pokemon with great type synergy and make for a good core. Calm Mind Abra has very few checks at +1 with Diglett being the most common of them. Diglett is able to outspeed Abra and OHKO it easily. Porygon can easily trap Diglett and KO it to pave the way for Abra to set up a sweep. Porygon’s Thunder Wave can also cripple threats allowing Abra to set up Substitutes and Calm Minds easier. Something to handle houndour also goes well with this core.
 
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Aerow

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+

OFFENSIVE

This core consists of two of the most reliable and powerful sweepers in ADV LC. Having both of them on the same team with the right support almost guarantees an opportunity to setup and potentially sweep the whole opposing team. Spikes support is definitely recommended, but not mandatory. This is a great core to use on HO/offense. This core is fairly simple to use. Get atleast 1 spike up (if you have a Spikes user on your team), weaken the opposing team until all of the opposing Pokemon is revealed, then just wait for an opportunity to set up on any Pokemon that either Bagon or Larvitar are able to set up on. As an offensive core, there isn't really any "threats" to this core per se, but certain Pokemon with sky-high Defense (Shellder for example as ggggd mentioned, can survive a +2 Earthquake from Larvitar and +2 Double-Edge from Bagon) can be problematic for this core, and needs to be weakened before you attempt to sweep.
Bagon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Rock Head
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Double-Edge
- Hidden Power [Ghost]
- Substitute

Larvitar @ Berry Juice
Ability: Guts
Level: 5
EVs: 244 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 188 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Substitute


If you want to try out this core, you can check out this team specifically built around this core!
 

Jett

gm gobodachis
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Lotad + Kabuto


Lotad @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 36 Def / 116 SpA / 196 SpD / 116 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Surf
- Rain Dance
- Thief

Kabuto @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 236 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance


Whilst both Lotad and Kabuto are water types, there secondary typings mean they actually compliment each other very well. Both benefit under rain allowing for an anti-weather rain core. Lotad is probably the best check to rain in ADV LC along as being able to check sun teams as well due to it’s great typing of water/grass. Lotad can remove threats to Kabuto like Chinchou and can set up rain allowing the harder hitting Kabuto to switch in and get KOs easier.
 

Jett

gm gobodachis
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I'm going to keep with the weather cores for now. Next in the line is a sun core.

+
or

Ponyta @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Flash Fire
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 236 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam
- Agility / Substitute / Double Edge

Exeggcute @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 36 Def / 200 SpA / 40 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Sleep Powder
- Thief / Sleep Powder

or

Oddish @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Chlorophyll
Level: 5
EVs: 156 HP / 76 Def / 160 SpA / 76 SpD / 40 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Sleep Powder

Ponyta can set up Sunny Day which it and it's partner benefits from. Whilst the sun does allow Ponyta to be able to take a hit from most water types, it pairs up well with two chlorophyll users which have quite good type synergy with each other. Exeggcute has more HP and is more physically defensive than Oddish. It also gets access to thief allowing it to steal other sitrus berry's to recover more health when it has eaten it's own. Oddish is more specially defensive than Exeggcute but overall it's down to personal preference as both hit as hard and are as fast as each other. 11 speed is ran so it speed creeps the 20 mark which is where the quickest unboosted Pokemon under the sun. Overall the Ponyta and Exeggcute/Oddish are massive threats when paired together being able spam Solarbeam and Fire Blast under the sun.

Edit: I double posted to keep this kinda active and my last post was like 3 weeks ago
 
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