Project Anything Goes Next Best Thing! (Closed)

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pichus

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Hello, and welcome to the newest AG Next Best Thing! This project aims to discover sets for Pokemon in the AG metagame that may not be standard now, but actually work well enough to possibly become the new standard, or at least be quite effective. There are plenty of examples of new sets that have become just as standard as old sets or even overtaken them. As a community it is our goal in this thread to find new sets for established AG threats that may in time even be considered standard or at least close to it. If your favourite Pokemon is Zekrom, don't worry, we'll cover even niche Pokemon to give them a chance to shine!

Each week I will choose a Pokemon on the Viability Rankings. You will have 4 days to come up with and post an original set for that Pokemon, along with an explanation of how the set works. In the 3 days after that, the community will vote on which set is the most creative as well as viable. By "original sets", I mean sets that are not already being given main sets on analyses (for Pokemon that do not have in progress analyses yet you will have to use your judgment on what is considered creative and uncommon enough to be worthy of a set here, you can send me a pm here, on Pokémon Showdown! or on Discord if you aren't sure).

When choosing a set to nominate, you should keep in mind how viable and how unique it is. Despite this project being about uniqueness, please refrain from posting overly gimmicky sets like Choice Band Zygarde. However, your set should not simply be a standard set with a slight deviation either, such as Chople Berry over Shuca Berry on Stealth Rock Tyranitar, unless that change achieves something notable. That said, single move changes are generally okay as long as the new move does something specific that the normal set cannot do, such as breaking past a certain check or counter.

IMPORTANT RULES:
  • Feel free to be as creative as you want, just make sure that you can prove that your set stands apart from the standard sets, especially if yours does not appear much different from the standard ones. Make sure your set is viable as well. The Smogon Strategy Dex is your best friend here.
  • Add an explanation to your post about what your innovation accomplishes, how it differentiates itself from standard creations, etc. It helps people, including the host and even yourself, to understand where your nomination is coming from. Not making one inconveniences others and is, quite frankly lazy.
  • Please submit only one set for every round. Also, make sure that your set isnt very similar to one submitted by someone else.
  • Adding formatting to your post in the correct areas also helps readers to understand how your set is special from the standard. Keep it under check, though; adding too much formatting doesn't help and just makes your post obnoxious to read.
  • Feel free to post replays of your set in action; this will only help everyone (including yourself) understand whether/how your set can be game changing in some particular situations.
  • Do not edit you nomination post after voting phase has started.
  • You may reserve sets, but must have the nomination up in 24 hours of that reservation. Afterwards, others may take your set if you do not get up your own set before them.
  • During voting stage, please don't vote for your own set; if you think your own set is the best, just abstain from the vote.
  • Bandwagon votes are not allowed and will not be counted
  • Posts that are deemed too gimmicky or are not serious at all will be deleted.
  • Changes in votes are allowed, but must be done within the three day deadline and as follows;
Hall of Fame:


Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Iron Defense
- Recover
- Judgment
by Arushi

Lunala @ Lunalium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Moongeist Beam
- Psyshock/Moonblast/Focus Blast
- Calm Mind
by AnythingGoesLegend

Mewtwo @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVS: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psytrike
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
by Silent Mobius

Xerneas @ Fairium Z
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 228 HP / 252 Def / 28 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Block
- Rest
by Game Moderator

Yveltal @ Choice Band
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 8 HP / 248 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Foul Play
- U-turn
- Sucker Punch / Steel Wing
by GRNBLN


Ho-Oh @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 128 HP / 176 Atk / 204 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flame Charge
- Brave Bird
- Sacred Fire
- Recover

by Arushi

Groudon-Primal @ Red Orb
Ability: Desolate Land
EVs: 248 Atk / 84 SpD / 176 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Tail
- Swords Dance
- Precipice Blades
- Fire Punch/Stone Edge

by BaconEatinAssassin

Kyogre-Primal @ Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Water Spout
- Origin Pulse
- Hidden Power [Ground]
by Zenithial

Kyogre-Primal @ Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defense Curl
- Calm Mind
- Scald/Ice beam
- Rest
by Silent Mobius

Necrozma-Ultra @ Ultranecrozium Z
Ability: Neuroforce
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Photon Geyser
- Outrage
by Zenithial

Zekrom @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Haze
- Roost
- Toxic
- Volt Switch
by Zenithial

Marshadow @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swagger
- Substitute
- Spectral Thief
- Close Combat
by Zenithial

Gengar-Mega @ Gengarite
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Disable
- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Perish Song
by ice-master-523

Necrozma-Dusk-Mane @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stored Power
- Rock Polish
- Heat Wave / Signal Beam
- Calm Mind
by pichus

Rayquaza-Mega @ Life Orb
Ability: Delta Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Ascent
- Earthquake
by Zenithial
 
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pichus

is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
OMPL Champion
This weeks pokemon is

Arceus Steel!
Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock / Defog
- Judgment
- Recover
- Perish Song / Toxic / Will-O-Wisp

Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Judgment

I'll submit one set too!!
Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Iron Defense
- Recover
- Judgment​

This is just your standard CM Steelceus set except with Iron Defense > Coverage (Earth Power/Thunder/Flamethrower/whatever else it runs). This set allows it to 1v1 Ho-Oh and some defensive Pdon sets, and it doesnt get forced out by Marshadow/Scarf Ray unlike the regular CM Steelceus.
An alternative EV spread (Max HP/Defense) can also be run over this set, although the speed investment proves to be better most of the time.
 
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Fardin

Tournament Banned
Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Thunder/Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Judgment

This has been an a nice set since gen 6. No recover will suck, but the extra coverage it provides wheter vs hooh+ poger or cele and ferro is a huge bonus which catches many players off guard, especially since those are the mons people typically use to ease their mu vs the standard set
 

baconeatinassassin

smile!
is a Tiering Contributor
OMPL Champion
167788


Arceus-Steel @ Steelium Z
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Stone Edge
- Substitute / Earthquake / Extreme Speed

sd steelceus works as a pretty effective ho-oh lure, given that most steelceus are cm in the current meta. with sub, it can also beat celesteela, another cm steelceus counter. this set therefore allows it to be a good partner for other pokemon that appreciate those gone, like cm groundceus, steelceus and fairyceus, non-thunder xern, and necrozmas.
 

pulsar512b

ss ou fangirl
is a Pre-Contributor
View attachment 167788

Arceus-Steel @ Steelium Z
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Stone Edge
- Substitute / Earthquake / Extreme Speed

sd steelceus works as a pretty effective ho-oh lure, given that most steelceus are cm in the current meta. with sub, it can also beat celesteela, another cm steelceus counter. this set therefore allows it to be a good partner for other pokemon that appreciate those gone, like cm groundceus, steelceus and fairyceus, non-thunder xern, and necrozmas.
How exactly does this beat celesteela?
 

baconeatinassassin

smile!
is a Tiering Contributor
OMPL Champion
How exactly does this beat celesteela?
you sub up as it tries to leech, flame charge needs 2 hits to break sub, and sedge 2hkos at +4.

+4 252 Atk Arceus-Steel Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Celesteela: 218-257 (54.9 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Celesteela Flame Charge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arceus-Steel: 64-76 (16.7 - 19.9%) -- guaranteed 6HKO

ideally, you sd as the opponent switches into celesteela.
 

Silent Mobius

Banned deucer.
Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Judgment
- Recover
- Roar

At first glance, you might see this set and think, "What, another cm variant? Haven't we already gone there?" In actuality, this set functions a bit differently than the previous. Giving up the coverage, for the sure-fire chance to beat opposing cm ceus 1 on 1, as well as phazing Lugia, giratina and other mons which try to stop your sweep. In conjunction with rocks and hazards, this set can be very dangerous to deal with. Just get ho-oh, kyogre, offensive necro( it can easily set up on defensive granted that it lacks thunder wave) and don out of the way and you have a pretty good chance at sweeping. Nothing is more satisfying than phazing an opposing cm ceus that has powered up with you, only to have it roared out, letting you reap destruction on the rest of the team.

Final Note: I forget to add this last night, but it also allows you to pull a number on viv and stop it from sweeping if it is not the last mon out. It has a fair chance of running out the pp of hurricane too.
 
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If your favourite Pokemon is Zekrom, don't worry, we'll cover even niche Pokemon to give them a chance to shine!
>inferring that Zekrom doesn't already shine in every aspect
:(

A set though, it's somewhat gimmicky but it can work nicely as a quick turn-around. Also not just exclusive to Steelceus, just particularly unexpected.

Arceus-Steel @ Steelium Z
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Stone Edge
- Psyche Up

So yeah, pretty typical Swords Dance Steelceus but Psyche Up works very nicely on occasion, perhaps into a half set-up BP team, or a sweeper that thinks it can sleep on Steelceus, w/e. Very situational, but occasionally rewarding. One somewhat interesting instance is an EQ-less Ekiller that tries to SD boost through you, easy ATK boosts. Apart from this, you have the general pressure that SD Steelceus exerts and a nice Ho-Oh bait, but everyone knows how that type of set works, no point going into too much detail. Cheers for reading and pretending this isn't just a flat gimmick
 
Submissions are now closed! a little late on this my apologies. It's time to vote on your favorite set.

Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Iron Defense
- Recover
- Judgment
Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Thunder/Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Judgment
Arceus-Steel @ Steelium Z
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Stone Edge
- Substitute / Earthquake / Extreme Speed
Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Judgment
- Recover
- Roar
Arceus-Steel @ Steelium Z
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Stone Edge
- Psyche Up

Voting for Fardin
 
Arushii's set is actually very scary in concept when you think about it.
Iron Defense + Calm Mind to turn it into a very bulky and scary sweeper and only a critical can break through this if the desired Arceus has had a reasonable amount of defense buffs added to its stats. Also considering how Steel resists Toxic makes it impossible to wall it but you can only do nothing but phaze it. A decent number of Pokemon can still wall it or just simply reset the stat buffs via Spectral Thief but it can steamroll if those Pokemon are removed from play completely. This concept seems like something that could work in Generation 6.

In conclusion, Arushii wins my vote and thank you for taking your time to read this.
 
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uhh bacon set is obv the best and the most set for a reason. i know im late but this is a solid set

Arceus-Steel @ Iron Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 28 speed / 252 hp / 228 def
Timid Nature

- perish song
- magic coat
- recover
- whirlpool

beats a lot of stall teams and is rly good vs set up sleep teams
 
Voting has concluded. Congrats to Arushi for winning with her Calm Mind Iron Defense set!

Our next mon we will feature is Lunala!
Lunala @ Lunalium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Roost/Focus Blast/Moonblast
Lunala @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
Lunala @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Psyshock
- Moonblast/Ice Beam
- Heat Wave/Defog
Lunala @ Choice Specs
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Psyshock
- Moonblast/Ice Beam
- Heat Wave/Defog
Voting begins Thursday since i was a bit late on this​
 
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Lunala @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 52 HP / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Calm Mind
- Moongeist Beam
- Moonblast/psyshock/ice beam

This set functions to be anti offense, as tailwind doubles your speed for 4 turns, Z tailwind also gives you a +2 crit ratio which is generally enough to put a good dent into most offenses even at neutral, and especially at +1.
 
Lunala @ Lunalium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Moongeist Beam
- Psyshock/Moonblast/Focus Blast
- Calm Mind

Lunala is really good on trick room, the ability to reliably set up trick room is invaluable. Trick room can often be more reliable than tailwind because it allows lunala to run more bulk and give it the opportunity to possibly get up calm minds. The z move allows it to kill bulky pokemon that wouldn't die otherwise

edit: grammar because auto-correct is a bitch
 
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Lunala @ Lunalium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Moongeist Beam
- Calm Mind
- Substitute

An introduction to Lunala

When I first saw its limited movepool was rather quite disappointing but still, it attains what could be one of the best typings in the game offensively and can hit many things with its Focus Blasts which could land a kill after Stealth Rocks entrance.

+1 252 SpA Lunala Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Dark: 350-412 (78.8 - 92.7%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

It also has a Z Move which can be launched against anything that is not Blissey or Chansey. It has a chance to sweep behind that Substitute or wear
down a team if is given the opportunity which still makes it one of the scariest sweepers in my eyes.

Lunala is still quite the Menacing Moonrazing Maelstrom since its buff during USUM.
 

pichus

is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
OMPL Champion

Arushi (Lunala) @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rest
- Calm Mind
- Moongeist Beam
- Psyshock / Moonblast / Focus Blast​

I came up with this set few weeks ago and its reallyyy good. It looks like a meme/gimmick/unviable at the first glance, however this thing completely murders balance teams without Darkceus/Ygod. Most balance teams without darkceus rely on Toxic to wear down lunala and with resto chesto - we can get rid of status and get back to 100% health again. You obviously need Moongeist on lunala, you can pick between Psyshock/Moonblast/Fmiss depending on your team. I use this a lot and it works pretty well and I think it needs more recognition.
 
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Silent Mobius

Banned deucer.
Lunala @ Psychium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Moongeist Beam
- Calm Mind
- Focus Blast

This set is not exactly original, as it has been invented and used for quite a long time. But it was not listed in the forbidden sets section and I still find this very viable. The potential of putting your foe to sleep and permanently raising your speed is nothing to sneeze that. Get good sleep rng and power up with free cm's. This set can be pretty destructive when combined with the support of gravity--allowing hypnosis and focus blast to reliably hit.

Bonus Set:
Lunala @ Normalium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psych up
- Moongeist Beam
- Moonblast/Focus Blast
- Psyshock

Inspired by Pokevana, the purpose of this set is to pull reverse sweeps against pokemon such as geomancy Xerneas and CM Arceus not named dark. Psyshock enables Lunala to do this by attacking the defense stat. Z Psych up does two things--copy the foes boosts while also restoring your hp to full health, letting you take advantage of shadow shield. Keeping rocks off the field is a must for this set to work, as xerneas at +2 otherwise kos.

Notable Calcs:
+2 252+ SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Shadow Shield Lunala: 215-253 (51.8 - 60.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+6 252 SpA Iron Plate Arceus-Steel Judgment vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Shadow Shield Lunala: 348-411 (83.8 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ SpA Lunala Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 168 Def Xerneas: 262-310 (66.6 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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Geysers

not round
is a Community Contributoris a Team Rater Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Lunala @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Shield
Evs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 SpA
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Roost
- Toxic
- Roar

This is a special version of lugia, capable of indefinitely stalling and chipping with toxic any support arceus lacking toxic, bar darkceus and ghostceus.
0 SpA Pixie Plate Arceus-Fairy Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Shadow Shield Lunala: 51-61 (10.6 - 12.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever
It even does pretty well against pogre lacking calm mind and water spout. It can fish for an origin pulse miss by roosting repeatedly, while chipping with toxic.
252+ SpA Kyogre-Primal Origin Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Shadow Shield Lunala in Heavy Rain: 130-153 (27.1 - 32%) -- 54.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Kyogre-Primal Origin Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Lunala in Heavy Rain: 261-307 (54.6 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Note: this set is super roll-dependent, and I totally don't expect any votes. If this is stupid enough to merit deletion, that's ok, but I'm just tossing this gimmick out there.

Edit: as with most Lunala sets, this thing is really dependent on good defog/spin support.
 

Kate

Metamodernity
is a Tiering Contributoris a Past SCL Champion
RBTT Champion
Lunala @ Lunalium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moongeist Beam
- Calm Mind
- Magic Coat
- Focus Blast

Let's try it again?

This set is ridiculously dumb, but trust me, it's fun to use. Like Arushi mentioned, Balances often rely on chipping Lunala down with entry hazards or Status. This set Capitalizes on that, surprising opponents by denying them rocks, and bouncing back status. Also allows Lunala to benefit off of Celesteela by Leeching it. Still the regular Calm Mind sweeper, but with an ability to capitalize off of bulkier teams. Also, anything that can check Smeargle is a plus in my book.

Hope this is enough of a Jank change to warrant my post staying.
 
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