xzern
for sure
In teambuilding, a core is a batch of usually 2 or 3 mons which work together towards a certain goal. Post cores you've had success with here, along with a short explanation of why they work well together and some suggestions for potential teammates that would compliment the core.
This thread aims to compile cores in order to be a resource for teambuilding. Good cores will be edited into the below post - please note that this will be selective, a "good core" should be able to point to at least a handful of successful teams or repeated tour success. I'll split cores into Offensive, Defensive and Balanced categories. This is intended to be an ongoing and up to date list, so if you feel a core listed in the OP is no longer viable / worth listing, feel free to provide evidence of why you think this and it can be discussed between the community.
Things to remember when posting:
- Include a concise description of how the core functions
- Remember to post full importable sets
- For spreads that deviate from 252/252, please explain what the EVs do
- Avoid posting gimmicks
- Please specify whether your core is meant to be offensive, defensive, balanced, etc
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Spore
- Protect
Suicune @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 12 Def / 188 SpA / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Tailwind
- Protect
(Suicune lives +2 Adamant Mega Kang Return with Sitrus, outspeeds Deo-A in TW)
SuiLoom. This is one of my favorite offensive cores to use as it's pretty strong as a base while also being pretty splashable with other offensive mons such Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Metagross. It's also good for forming an offensive FWG which is always great no h8 m8.
Both sets are the standard, Sash Breloom and Tailwind Suicune. The biggest selling point of this core is that Breloom is pretty dangerous under Tailwind, as it can just Spore anything threatening as appropriate. There's synergy between the two too (wew); Breloom can take out opposing Waters like Rotom-W that Suicune can't touch (and Spore anything else really), and Suicune can take out Heatran, Talonflame, Landorus-T, and Shayming-Sky if in Tailwind, all threats to Breloom.
While the core does have problems with Amoonguss and Cresselia, they aren't really that much of a deal since it's pretty easy to add something like Hydreigon or Heatran since both appreciate the Tailwind Cune brings and have synergy with the core. One can also add strong physical attackers with the core such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Metagross, or Mega Diancie to pair with the core as they appreciate Cune's ability to destroy Lando-T and Breloom's ability to pressure and get set-up turns with Spore. This is just a great core and should be tried out imo :D
Cresselia @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Moonlight
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 48 Atk / 132 Def / 80 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
The semi Trick Room core that never dies. Bulky Landorus-T is an excellent set, and it thrives in semi-TR with a slow U-turn, letting Cresselia set up Trick Room as soon as an attacker like Mega Abomasnow hits the field. Calm Mind TR Cresselia is a pretty standard and straightforward set - set Trick Room, clean up lategame with Calm Mind. Bulky Landorus-T weakens Kangaskhan (and switches in!) and many other physical attackers. With this EV spread, Landorus-T takes a Life Orb Draco Meteor from Hydreigon and an Adamant Mega Kangashan Return. Watch out for Bisharp, but never be worried about Talonflame again!
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