Project Core Analysis Workshop (Discussing Partners for Mega Sharpedo + Tank Chomp)

[heritage]

Landorus-Therian @ Soft Sand
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

Landorus-T proves hazard support for the duo, which allows Charizard to break through walls easier, appreciates Metagross's ability to Pursuit-trap Latias, Latios, Alakazam, and Starmie, provides momentum with U-turn and checks Excadrill in the Sand, Tyranitar, Talonflame, and Garchomp. In return, Metagross has the aforementioned Pursuit, and Charizard Y can blast through or severely weaken many of Landorus-T's checks such as Slowbro, Rotom-W, Suicune, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory with Solarbeam and Fire Blast, respectively.

 

[Ramses]

Tyranitar @ Chople Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam

Tyranitar can setup Stealth Rocks to make the job of Wallbreaking easier for Mega Charizard Y, lure Garchomp and Landorus-T who'd be problematic for this core, and most importantly reset weather. Since Metagross is already Pursuit Trapping, Tyranitar has room to run Thunder Wave to offer Speed Control which would be largely appreciated by both of the core members.

 

[Gareth de Voir]

Reserving LO Alakazam

Alakazam @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power Ice / Encore

LO Alakazam is a special case for me; instead of helping both, they work in tandem in harmony, benefiting from each other. Zam definitely loves the Pursuit support by Metagross, and it also helps Charizard Y break more stuff. HP Ice also helps with the Dragons that can be trouble if Meta can't handle it. Encore, however, lets you abuse SR and healing attempts before switching to an appropriate teammate. Sash TWave Zam can also be used to cripple ZardX and the like, but I like LO more for the power.

 

[Random Passerby]

Terrakion @ Choice Band
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Iron Head / X-Scissor
- Quick Attack

Choice Band Terrakion can check troublesome Pokemon such as Mega Charizard-X, Chansey and Volcarona while also heavily denting Garchomp, Gyarados and Scarf Landorus-T. It can also come in on a Choice-locked Tyranitar to nab a Justified boost or soft-check Talonflame. Mega Charizard-Y happens to check Water-types and Scizor which Terrakion hates while Metagross helps Terrakion to trap Lati@s and Gengar while also checking Fairies so that Terrakion can spam Close Combat more freely.

EDIT: You can also run a Rock Polish set which cleans up the majority of the threat list but personally I feel setting up a Terrakion is not that easy because of its poor defensive typing.

 

[Bendiving]

Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 20 Atk / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Mild Nature
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Fusion Bolt
- Roost

Looking through the threat list, Kyurem-B threatens every single one of them except Chansey with its standard ice/electric/ground coverage:- ice beam for mega Latias, Lando, Chomp, Thundurus, fusion bolt for Sharpedo, Talonflame, Gyarados, earth power for Tyranitar, CharX, Victini, Volc, Tran. It can also take a hit from most of them, admittedly CharX and scarf Lando beat it one on one but they can't switch in.

More generally speaking, Kyu-B forms a terrifying bulky wallbreaking duo with CharY, punching huge holes in the opponent's team, not much can stand in the way of the raw power these two possess. Like CharY, Kyurem also appreciates the ability of Metagross to remove problem mons such as the Lati twins which outspeed and do serious damage with Draco meteor, fairies such as M-Gardevoir who can outspeed and destroy with hyper voice, etc.

 

[bludz]

Woops forgot to make a post before I went to work.

New core for the week:

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Spikes
- Iron Head
- Roost
- Whirlwind

Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

Premise is hazard stacking where Skarm Spikes and Ttar traps and removes Latis / Starmie while Exca can't really keep hazards off against Skarm. They have decent synergy with Tyranitar checking fire and electric types and Skarmory checking fairy, grass and ground types.

Discuss threats

 

[Dr Ciel]

Reserving Mega Blastoise.

Binary Sea (Blastoise) @ Blastoisinite
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs: 236 HP / 252 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Scald / Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Aura Sphere

Skarmory can do next to nothing to Mega Blastoise as it can burn it with Scald and hammer away at it with powerful attacks while repeatedly Rapid Spinning away hazards. Mega Blastoise can also take any attack from Tyranitar and OHKO in return with Aura Sphere.

Damage Calculations

252+ SpA Mega Blastoise Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 183-216 (54.7 - 64.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Tyranitar Crunch vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Mega Blastoise: 115-136 (32.1 - 37.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage

252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Mega Blastoise: 144-169 (40.2 - 47.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after sandstorm damage

252 Atk Tyranitar Earthquake vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Mega Blastoise: 96-113 (26.8 - 31.5%) -- 44.4% chance to 3HKO after sandstorm damage

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Mega Blastoise Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 396-468 (116.1 - 137.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[-Ixtamacunxi-]

Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Waterfall
- Taunt

Can set up a DD on either mon (Skarm is complete setup fodder) and then 2HKOs Skarm and OHKOs TTar with +1 Waterfall

+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 184-217 (55 - 64.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 450-530 (131.9 - 155.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 154-183 (46.5 - 55.2%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after sandstorm damage

 

[GnralLao]

Breloom @ Fist Plate
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Spore

I've taken the liberty of borrowing AM's set in the ORAS OU Metagame Discussion thread 'cause it works wonders, but I guess Jolly with LO would've worked too. Anyway, ScarfTar gets "outsped" and OHKOed by Mach Punch while Skarmory gets Spored before being set up on and inevitably KOed.

Calcs

+2 252+ Atk Fist Plate Technician Breloom Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 193-228 (57.7 - 68.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Fist Plate Technician Breloom Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 472-564 (138.4 - 165.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Bendiving]

Infernape @ Life Orb
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Mach Punch
- Flare Blitz
- Gunk Shot
- Swords Dance

Not much to say here. Physical infernape destroys both mons with his STABs, even without setting up, while outspeeding Tyranitar's scarf with mach punch. Outside of this core, a sweeper which is immune to burn and can set up on M-Sableye is cool :]

252 Atk Life Orb Iron Fist Infernape Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 328-390 (96.1 - 114.3%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Life Orb Infernape Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 328-385 (98.2 - 115.2%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

Adamant, swords dance, or stealth rocks guarantees the OHKO in both cases.

 

[heritage]

Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind

um yeah just click Scald
Both Tyranitar and Skarmory get blown away by Keldeo's powerful Scalds or Hydro Pumps and absolutely despise being burned. Neither can do much damage back, either. (the most damage either member can do is Tyranitar's Earthquake, which doesn't even 2HKO after Sandstorm damage, but it gets OHKOed in return by Hydro Pump).

252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Scald vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 177-208 (52.9 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 260-308 (76.2 - 90.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Random Passerby]

Heracross-M. Will write it up in about 3 hours.

Heracross @ Heracrossite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance

Heracross takes very little damage from the core ( except Stone Edge which did a little over half ) and can KO back with Close Combat. It can Swords Dance on Skarmory or Ttar locked into a different move.

 

[JTD783]

Heatran @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA/ 4 SpD/ 252 Spe
Timid Nature
-Overheat
-Flash Cannon
-Earth Power
-Stone Edge

Not much to say here, ScarfTar is outsped and 2HKO'd by Flash Cannon while Skarm is ripped apart by Overheat. Heatran has to be careful of Tyranitar's Earthquake, but that's it.

252 SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 176-210 (51.6 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Heatran Overheat vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Skarmory: 422-498 (126.3 - 149.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[nizzyd18]

Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
-Rest
-Calm Mind
-Scald
-Sleep Talk

Suicune is a really underrated mon in OU that not many people prep for. We know this from UU, after it gets 2 or 3 calm minds in, it's GG. This is another weird ev spread of mine. Offensive crocune :^). In here, it can cm once and scald skarmory (and potentially burn it) for good damage. It uses ttar as set up bait to get up a calm mind because it doesn't mind any of its moves.

 

[Cresselia92]

Halloween may be gone already, but there is always time for a story about poltergeists and hauntings, especially if it features a certain... possessed appliance.

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split

Rotom-Wash can be a true nightmare for this core. Immunity to Spikes and ability to spread burns, coupled with excellent defensive typing and good enough attacks, are what make Rotom-Wash so threatening for this duo. If needed, it can also drain some HP from its opponents, potentially stalling them out and healing in their faces.

Vs. Core

Hide

0 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 12-15 (3.9 - 4.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever

0 SpA Rotom-W Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 144-170 (43.1 - 50.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Rotom-Wash walls Skarmory completely and can cripple it with a nasty Burn caused by Will-O-Wisp, before wearing it down with Volt Switch and, if necessary, Hydro Pump. The most that Skarmory can possibly do is Roaring Rotom-Wash away and let some other partner (or a ghostbuster) handle the ghost for it.

252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 115-136 (37.9 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 168-198 (49.2 - 58%) -- 96.5% chance to 2HKO

Rotom-Wash is capable to tank a Stone Miss Edge from Tyranitar and retaliate back with a couple of Hydro Miss Pumps. Or it could be very happy to give a tan or borrow some HP from Tyranitar. Whichever fits the situation.

 

[MANNAT]

Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Iron Defense
- Slack Off

This set is very threatening to the team as it can wall both members and dent them with scald, and it can use ttar for setup bait and can setup on Skarm if you have last mon slowbro.

Calcs

Calcs

252 Atk Tyranitar Crunch vs. 252 HP / 80+ Def Mega Slowbro: 138-164 (35 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage
0 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 80+ Def Mega Slowbro: 18-22 (4.5 - 5.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever (rofl)
4 SpA Mega Slowbro Scald vs. 252 HP / 4+ SpD Skarmory: 132-156 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 SpA Mega Slowbro Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 146-174 (42.8 - 51%) -- 2.7% chance to 2HKO
that's not the most damage ever, but bro sets up on both mons quite easily, especially with iron defense vs ttar.

 

[SketchUp]

Didn't post a lot in this thread for a while but now I'll help out a bit with the partners by adding a bunch of threats to this core that haven't been mentioned yet.

Defensive Threats

- Tyranitar can only beat it with nice rolls with Stone Edge. Skarmory always loses.

- Walls TTar, Taunts or SDs against Skarmory.

- PDef Mew beats both 1v1.

- Weakens Skarmory by scald burns and walls Tyranitar

- Walls TTar, burns Skarmory though Spikes + WW can be annoying

- Revengekills TTar after it killed something and Encores Skarmory

Offensive Threats

- kinda annoyed by hazards but can set up against a locked ttar and set up a tail glow

- Beats both 1v1

- Beats both 1v1

- Kills both at +1

- 2hko's both at +1 and can tank a few hits

- Kills both although can't switch in against TTar

- Traps Skarmory and 2hko's TTar

 

[Kav]

This is kinda dumb but

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Defog

ttar unfortunately doesnt do anything to his own teammate. cant really stack spikes too well if an opposing skarm is up.

 

[bludz]

lol so once again forgot to make the post this morning but I guess it all lines up then.

Discuss partners

 

[Bendiving]

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Fire
- Sleep Powder

Mega Venusaur makes a great defensive partner for this core. With his bulk and typing he resists the fighting, water and electric attacks aimed at Skarmory or Tyranitar, while his flying and psychic weaknesses are covered by both of the others, making a very strong defensive backbone. Offensively, his grass/poison/fire coverage takes out troubling bulky waters, grasses, fairies, etc . He's also not the most powerful so appreciates the spikes support from Skarmory, and also appreciates Ttar pursuit trapping Latis and starmie.

Going down the threat list, Venu helps vs quite a few:
M-gyara
Breloom
M-Blastoise
Keldeo
Suicune
Rotom
Slowbro
Manaphy
Lopunny
Volcarona
Mega Tyranitar
Crawdaunt
Alomomola
Gastrodon
Skarmory

Just leaving the following mons from the threat list to be covered by other teammates, although most can be played around:
Heatran
Infernape
Heracross
Medicham
Magnezone
M-Sableye
Gliscor
Mew
Wobbuffet

 

[Alfalfa]

Literally Recreant's Specs Keldeo set stated above:

Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind

um yeah just click Scald
Both Tyranitar and Skarmory get blown away by Keldeo's powerful Scalds or Hydro Pumps and absolutely despise being burned. Neither can do much damage back, either. (the most damage either member can do is Tyranitar's Earthquake, which doesn't even 2HKO after Sandstorm damage, but it gets OHKOed in return by Hydro Pump).

252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Scald vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 177-208 (52.9 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 260-308 (76.2 - 90.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

It enjoys Tyranitar trapping Latis and forcing out Slowbro, in addition to Skarmory providing Spikes and a check to Mega Pinsir and Metagross

 

[Kav]

Medicham loves this core

Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Bullet Punch

Ttar rips apart psychics and threatens the flying types that medicham hates to deal with. With spikes support medichams ridiculous damage lets it rip apart its own checks easily.

 

[mmkzero0]

Lopunny-M, write it up in a few hours

Lopunny-Mega @ Lopunnite
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Return
- Ice Punch/Quick Attack

Our Playbunny grants Offensive Pressure while dealing with Offensive teams . MSableye is a big prob for this team, reflecting Skarm's Spikes'n Whirlwind and Burning it as well as Ttar - Lopunny just uses Kick to kill it or be bait to get a double-switch. Dealing with Water types is no problem for it, killing stuff like Keldeo or Manaphy with Fakeout + Kick/Return and Spikedmg. The Last Move is your Choice: IceP for Stuff like LandoT'n Chomp or QA for Prio to kill weakened Mons that would outspeed Adamant Playbunny (aka TornT most of the time). Skarm takes on the Fairys that annoy it while TTar stops Flying-Types like Tallonflame and Pursuit's Psychics.

Stuff it takes on:
MSableye
MGyarados
Heatran
Keldeo
Manaphy
Rotom-W
Breloom
Infernape (Without Mach Punch)
Tyrannitar (-Mega)
MMedicham
Magnezone (no Trapping here :3)
Volc (kills Skarm with ease or dances around)
Gliscor (nice Ice)
Crawdaunt

All in all our AssPlaybunny does a lot for this Team and likes to be choosen as a partner :3

 

[Random Passerby]

Serperior @ Meadow Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power Fire
- Glare

Serperior takes on Water-types such as Manaphy, Suicune and Rotom-W that troubles this core while also applying pressure on Mega Sableye and Mew with Contrary Leaf Storm. Tyranitar helps Serperior to take care of Talonflame and Lati@s which check Serperior.

 

[bludz]

moar plz?