Hello everyone, and welcome to a new series of Battle Spot threads, Complete the Core!
What is complete the core?
In the past, we've had Battle Spot cores threads. These are in a similar spirit, but with a twist: Each thread, we'll give you one Pokemon you have to use in a core, and you're goal is to complete it with another Pokemon. After about a week, we'll gather all submissions and have a vote. Whoever wins after 2 days of voting gets a nice and juicy twitter shout out on Smogon!
What do I have to do?
For each thread, I want you to post both a set for the featured Pokemon, and the teammate you have thought of. I want the full set for both Pokemon: all 4 moves, EVs, Nature, and item! Additionally, I'd like for each post to explain WHY you made those choices. If you explain your reasoning, you're more likely to win!
Feel free to foster discussion as well. Comment on other people's cores, maybe modify your core a bit after testing, anything like that is fair game before the vote starts! The voting will start on 1/15, 10 PM EST. After that, your sets are locked in. Any editing after that will DQ your post, sorry!
So let's get this show on the road!
Pokemon #1: Tapu Koko
Tapu Koko is the most used generation 7 Pokemon of Sun and Moon, and for good reason: it has an incredible speed tier, lots of power thanks to Electric Terrain, and its versatility rivals even Garchomp's! Tapu Koko has a lot of different viable set variations and tweaking you can do, so we're bound to get a lot of creative cores this time!
The cores to vote on:
Tapu Koko @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Electric Surge
Timid Nature
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Dsp
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- U-Turn
Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
Jolly Nature
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang / Poison Jab
- Swords Dance
Edit : More details about the core
The two top-tiers of BSS. The key here is to provided answers at any time of the game. Sash Chomp is a good Lead that makes holes for Tapu Koko as a RKiller. Tapu Koko is also a good pivot that provides a good path for Chomp as a cleaner.
Each mon covers common weaknesses of the others. Chomp deals with A-Marowak, Aegislash, A-Muk that blocks Koko. On the other hand, Koko is a good answer for Cloyster, even at +2. Scarf Koko also outspeed Scarf Chomp and +1 Mega-Gyarados. Koko has the opportunity to pivot on Chomp and A-Marowak with U-Turn. Scarf and both VoltTurn moves make this Tapu Koko the definition of an offensive pivot.
Chomp has its standard set, needing extra power of Outrage over Dragon Claw, and Earthquake as its other STAB (don't forget that EQ doesn't make contact). Fire Fang (
It's a simple but relevant offensive core.
Optionally, to complete this core, I want to submit Mega Gyarados.
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Crunch / Ice Fang
Why ? The main nemesis of this core is Mamoswine and MDos is an effective answer to that. This is the standard DD Mega Gyarados set, also checking Aegislash, A-Marowak and A-Muk.
The last slot depends on what you needs, I personally choose Ice Fang for MMence.
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Grass Knot / Hidden Power Ground
- Volt Switch
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost / Substitute / Fire Blast / Facade
Just your standard Mence + Koko core. Mence + Raikou was probably my favourite to use last gen and I've tested a bit with this and it seems to work well. This core is more centred around Mence wth Koko supporting it by beating Dragons and Waters. Mence can switch into Ground moves though so there's that. The core's a bit weak to Mamoswine and Marowak-A but that's why using Porygon2 with them makes a really formidable trio.
Ability: Download / Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam / Toxic
@ Focus Sash
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power Ground
- Taunt
Standard Moves, barring Taunt that is mainly for Aurora Veil and setup mons. The Focus Sash is to beat opposing Sash Garchomp, +1 Mega Gyarados and to scout for a Choice Scarf/Sword Dance with no fear of being Earthquaked; it helps a lot even to deal with Rain teams. In this core it mainly acts as a Celesteela, Gyarados, and bulky Water-type check.
@ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 164 HP / 92 Atk / 252 SpD
Brave Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Flamethrower
- Clear Smog
With Celesteela and Gyarados being checked by Tapu Koko, Alolan Muk becomes a great antimeta call, beating popular pokemon such as the tapus, threatening porygon2 with Knock Off, and being able to check Rain cores, Eeveepass teams and setup sweepers such as Mimikyu or Porygon-Z also thanks to Clear Smog. Flamethrower is mainly for Scizor (it always 2HKOs the 252 HP / 4 SpD set), and for Kartana (OHKOing it) that could otherwise threaten either Koko and Slowbro.
@ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs:252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Relaxed Nature
- Scald / Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
- Trick Room
- Slack Off
It completes the Trick Room core with Muk-A, being able to face most of the pokemon that Koko and Muk can't face. Even if Slowbro could be seen as a poor man's Porygon2, not being as bulky on the special side, it still remains a fantastic check to Dragons , and ground-types such as Mamoswine or Rhyperior, while working better than p2 in the Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Metagross and Mega Lucario match up. Its Regenerator ability is also a great ability to have in order to maximize the chances to get Trick Room up in the late stages of the match.
Offensive VoltTurn!
Tapu Koko @ Focus Sash
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch (A harder hitting pivot option which you can abuse if there's no notable Electric immunity on the opponent's team)
- Thunderbolt (Staple STAB, deals with bulky flying / water mons such which Mega-Metagross has trouble with such as Celesteela and Mega-Gyarados)
- U-turn (Perfect lure for Alolan-Marowak as you can predict the switch and then have a good chance to OHKO with Mega-Metagross' Earthquake)
- Dazzling Gleam (Whittles down opposing dragon threats including Garchomp and Mega-Salamence, and can provide a OHKO on Hydreigon)
Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Tough Claws
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Zen Headbutt (Staple STAB, doesn't deal with particularly much that Koko can't handle (bar Mega-Venusaur and Amoonguss in post-bank) but is necessary for general coverage and sheer damage output)
- Meteor Mash (Breaks Porygon2 and Tapu Bulu which Tapu Koko can't do)
- Earthquake (Deals with some Steel-type threats to Koko including Aegislash, Magnezone and Alolan-Malowak)
- Bullet Punch (Priority option commonly used for revenge killing faster threats such as opposing Tapu Koko, Mega Gengar, and Pheromosa. Works in near perfect synergy with Tapu Koko as Electric Terrain can override Psychic Terrain, making Bullet Punch very abusing against Choice Scarf Tapu Lele)
One of my most simple, yet amazing offensive cores I've ever used. Tapu Koko and Mega-Metagross have absolutely beautiful offensive synergy and can cover each other's weaknesses. Sash Koko lets it take a hit from threats to the core including Scarf Garchomp / Mega-Gyarados / Mega-Salamence / Mega-Gengar, to which Koko can retaliate back heavily. While it can't OHKO either of these threats with STAB options, Mega-Metagross plays a pivotal role here by finishing all of these threats with Bullet Punch.
Naturally, this is not a once sided relationship. Mega-Metagross provides a poison immunity which Tapu Koko appreciates, whilst also providing general defensive support with a spectacular 9 resistances, coupled with 80 / 150 / 110 bulk which makes for a really fat Pokemon in general. Metagross breaks defensive mons which Koko often can't get past including Porygon2, while Koko does the same for Metagross for pokemon like Celesteela / Slowbro.252 SpA Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 128-152 (69.5 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Bullet Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 51-61 (27.7 - 33.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados in Electric Terrain: 152-180 (89.4 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 22-27 (12.9 - 15.8%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Salamence: 122-146 (71.3 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Bullet Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Salamence: 40-48 (23.3 - 28%) -- 76.4% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gengar in Electric Terrain: 99-117 (73.3 - 86.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gengar: 58-69 (42.9 - 51.1%) -- 3.5% chance to 2HKO
And to complete the core we add in Hydreigon! Perfect Mega-Gengar and Alolan-Marowak counter due to typing, whilst levitate lets it switch in against choice locked Garchomp and other Pokemon carrying ground coverage. While Tapu Koko and Mega-Metagross naturally run the show, Hydreigon is the glue which keeps this all together, covering for weaknesses to the core whilst providing great speed control, coverage, and pivot.
Hyderigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVS: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast (Notably hits Mega-Scizor which can threaten the core, but also hits Celesteela / Tapu Bulu)
- Dark Pulse (Provides a OHKO on Alolan-Marowak / Mega-Gengar and can also counter them both, bar Focus Blast Mega-Gengar)
- Draco Meteor (Staple STAB, hits hard but also suffers due to the Spa drop)
- U-Turn (U-Turn completes the VoltTurn core with Tapu Koko)
Tapu Koko @ Life orb
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn / Volt Switch
- Grass Knot / Taunt
====>
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang / Substitute / Crunch
I'm using this core right now, and it's really cool.
Since Garchomp, Aegislash and Marowak-A are the most valuable checks for Koko, Gyarados is one of the best partner of the island guardian.
I wanna remind that Garchomp is bulk enough to make Dazzling Gleam a not sure OHKO, and if he's Scarf, be ready for an Earthquake right in the teeth. I know that hoping Garchomp takes the hit is a desperate action but ever better have an immunity in this case.
A combination of Flying type and Intimidate as a trait allows Gyarados to switch on Garchomp's Earthquake and go for a Dragon Dance that allow him to do substantial damage.
Mega Gyarados does not care about Aegislash STABs (but be careful about Sacred Sword, even if Aegislash usually run that move just for Glalie) and can hit him hard with Earthquake.
Water/Dark combination is perfect to counter Marowak and destroy it with a Waterfall or Crunch.
I prefer U-turn on Koko to keep up the momentum and avoiding that annoying Ground types or Lighting Rod users make Volt Switch an useless turn.
So when you think your opponent will go for checking Koko: click U-turn, spit on Koko's check and go for Gyarados. Then the choice is yours, go for destroying the check or, if your opponent wanna switch out, let's dance.
A boosted Gyarados is not a joke.
With these guys you can use:
Buzzwole @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Hammer Arm
- Earthquake
- Leech Life / Lunge
- Thunder Punch / Ice Punch
Buzzwole is a great teammate for this core.
First, he is bulky and so Pokemon that still be a problem for Gyarados and Tapu Koko, like Muk-A with his Gunk Shot, are not a threat anymore.
252+ Atk Muk-Alola Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 139-165 (33.2 - 39.4%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Buzzwole Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Muk-Alola: 318-376 (76.8 - 90.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
As Earthquake is not a OHKO, you can also go first for Leech Life to recover your health a bit. Lunge works too since it drops opposing's attack, in both of cases, in the best conditions, Gunk Shot does not reach the 3HKO anymore.
Look at his muscles, his power spares no one, and Hammer Arm is also ready to punish annoying things like Porygon2.
252+ Atk Buzzwole Hammer Arm vs. 244 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 194-230 (52.1 - 61.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
The offensive one is not a problem too, Massquito can take his Tri Attack at the top of its power and destroy the duck:
+1 252+ SpA Porygon2 Tri Attack vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 204-241 (48.8 - 57.6%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Buzzwole Leech Life vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 109-130 (29.1 - 34.7%) -- 10% chance to 3HKO
And in the next turn
252+ Atk Buzzwole Hammer Arm vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 276-326 (73.7 - 87.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
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