Well, remember that I also have a Conkeldurr for stuff like TTar, so there's that going. There's a lot of stuff that certain teams can't be prepared for.
-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
-
Congrats to the winners of the 2023 Smog Awards!
Other Good Cores
- Thread starter GrislyBear
- Start date
- Status
Talon comes to mind as an aid for this, since if you are Adamant, max Attack and Life Orb/Choice Band you can bait it in and U-Turn for ~40% minimum, not to mention the hazard control you probably have to use in some form (defog or rapid spin, whatever floats your boat) for pinsir works nicely with Talon. I'd also recommend Icy Wind on the Keldeo, since you can use it for slowing things down on the switch (example, you can bait a dragon, then make it slower than you and KO it).
Here's a pretty good core that I've come up with:
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Iron Barbs
Relaxed 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
-Stealth Rock
-Leech Seed
-Gyro Ball
-Power Whip
Tentacruel @ Assault Vest
Liquid Ooze
Bold 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
-Rapid Spin
-Knock Off
-Scald
-Sludge Bomb
Latias @ Leftovers
Levitate
Calm 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
-Wish
-Protect
-Roar
-Dragon Pulse
Ferrothorns Fire and Fighting weaknesses are both resisted by Tentacruel and Latias. Tentacruels weakness of Electric, Ground, and Psychic are resisted by Latias (who's immune to Ground), while Ferrothorn also resists Psychic and Electric while taking neutral damage to ground. Latias's weaknesses of Ice, Dragon, and Fairy are covered by Ferrothorn and Tentacruel, who can hit opposing Fairies with super-effective STAB moves.
Ferrothorn supports the team with Stealth Rock and Leech Seed, aiding it's fellow walls in recovery and wearing down the opposing Pokes. Tentacruel aids the team with Rapid Spin, removing pesky Rocks and Spikes. It also disrupts the opposing team with Knock Off, removing precious items, and spamming 30% status-inflicting damaging moves. Scald is spammed mainly against physical attackers, while Sludge Bomb is spammed mainly vs walls. Latias keeps the team healthy with Wish support and phases sweepers that try to set up.
This core is also very effective at absorbing status, even without Aromatherapy or Heal Bell support. Neither Ferrothorn nor Tentacruel can be Poisoned (which Latias appreciates). Latias and Tentacruel don't mind being Burned too much. It may lower their over-all longevity, but neither of them lose much in terms of offense and Latias still packs Wish. Ferrothorn doesn't mind being Paralyzed, as it's super slow anyway, and is also immune to Spore.
As you can see, this core has high bulk, great defensive typing coverage, utility, and status absorption, making it a highly effective and efficient core overall.
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Iron Barbs
Relaxed 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
-Stealth Rock
-Leech Seed
-Gyro Ball
-Power Whip
Tentacruel @ Assault Vest
Liquid Ooze
Bold 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
-Rapid Spin
-Knock Off
-Scald
-Sludge Bomb
Latias @ Leftovers
Levitate
Calm 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
-Wish
-Protect
-Roar
-Dragon Pulse
Ferrothorns Fire and Fighting weaknesses are both resisted by Tentacruel and Latias. Tentacruels weakness of Electric, Ground, and Psychic are resisted by Latias (who's immune to Ground), while Ferrothorn also resists Psychic and Electric while taking neutral damage to ground. Latias's weaknesses of Ice, Dragon, and Fairy are covered by Ferrothorn and Tentacruel, who can hit opposing Fairies with super-effective STAB moves.
Ferrothorn supports the team with Stealth Rock and Leech Seed, aiding it's fellow walls in recovery and wearing down the opposing Pokes. Tentacruel aids the team with Rapid Spin, removing pesky Rocks and Spikes. It also disrupts the opposing team with Knock Off, removing precious items, and spamming 30% status-inflicting damaging moves. Scald is spammed mainly against physical attackers, while Sludge Bomb is spammed mainly vs walls. Latias keeps the team healthy with Wish support and phases sweepers that try to set up.
This core is also very effective at absorbing status, even without Aromatherapy or Heal Bell support. Neither Ferrothorn nor Tentacruel can be Poisoned (which Latias appreciates). Latias and Tentacruel don't mind being Burned too much. It may lower their over-all longevity, but neither of them lose much in terms of offense and Latias still packs Wish. Ferrothorn doesn't mind being Paralyzed, as it's super slow anyway, and is also immune to Spore.
As you can see, this core has high bulk, great defensive typing coverage, utility, and status absorption, making it a highly effective and efficient core overall.
Oops, someone is still in the 200 days. Regice is a dated special which doesn't have the move pool to use an array of attacks. And Ice isn't a good defensive typing even in a metagame with a slightly nerfed Stealth Rock.
No I don't remember.
I can say that Conkeldurr is scared out by Mega-Pinsir but I don't want to make this be a pissing match on whose team can be beat who, so stop it. Beside this is an offensive core not the whole team and any failings it has can be remedied by other members. Sure your statement is true that not all teams can be prepared for everything but I'm just saying that not a whole lot of guys WALL this core, not team, CORE.
I might just delete that post for giving me so much pain. Bear in mind that I did not know how to play OU when I posted that, so take that with a grain of salt, or maybe a whole shaker of salt. I am in no way advocating that you use Regice in OU.
I've tested my Mega Venusaur / Heatran / Greninja core, and with Conk clearing away the Special walls and absorbing status, it works fairly well. However, it suffers from one problem, Talonflame. (Big surprise, stupid bird is ravaging the entire tier) Heatran resists both of Talonflame's STABs, but because I'm running the Offensive set as opposed to the Defensive set, a +2 Talonflame can easily 2HKO Heatran, and then proceed to rip apart everything else I have. Thankfully, I've found a solution for the bird.
Rotom-W @ Assault Vest
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 232 HP / 56 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
It's no question, Rotom-W is easily one of the best Talonflame checks, second to only every Rock-type in the game. Sure, it takes even more damage from a +2 Brave Bird than Heatran does, but unlike Heatran, Rotom can fight back, and with the given EV Spread, OHKO most variants of Talonflame with Hydro Pump. Rotom-W also begins forming a VoltTurn core thanks to Volt Switch, and the first two Pokemon that come to mind for this core are Scizor and Genesect.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Knock Off
Genesect @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- U-turn
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
Both of the Red Armored Insects have the same exact type synergy with the rest of the core, and make for wonderful Fire-type lures for Heatran to absorb an attack with Flash Fire. However, both play entirely different roles. Scizor makes for a powerful wall breaker and team supporter thanks to Knock Off, and can pick off opponents with its infamous Technician Bullet Punch. Genesect, on the other hand, is more of a speedy Special-based Mixed Attacker, and is an effective scout with the Choice Scarf equipped. I'll most likely use Scizor more, mainly because of Genesect's incoming banning to Ubers. Regardless, I'm liking the way this core is shaping up.
Rotom-W @ Assault Vest
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 232 HP / 56 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
It's no question, Rotom-W is easily one of the best Talonflame checks, second to only every Rock-type in the game. Sure, it takes even more damage from a +2 Brave Bird than Heatran does, but unlike Heatran, Rotom can fight back, and with the given EV Spread, OHKO most variants of Talonflame with Hydro Pump. Rotom-W also begins forming a VoltTurn core thanks to Volt Switch, and the first two Pokemon that come to mind for this core are Scizor and Genesect.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Knock Off
Genesect @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- U-turn
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
Both of the Red Armored Insects have the same exact type synergy with the rest of the core, and make for wonderful Fire-type lures for Heatran to absorb an attack with Flash Fire. However, both play entirely different roles. Scizor makes for a powerful wall breaker and team supporter thanks to Knock Off, and can pick off opponents with its infamous Technician Bullet Punch. Genesect, on the other hand, is more of a speedy Special-based Mixed Attacker, and is an effective scout with the Choice Scarf equipped. I'll most likely use Scizor more, mainly because of Genesect's incoming banning to Ubers. Regardless, I'm liking the way this core is shaping up.
I'm sorry I'm constantly bombarding this thread with replies, but I got another idea for a core in UU.
Victini @ Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Blue Flare
- Focus Blast / Psyshock
- Thunder / Thunderbolt
- Glaciate
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stun Spore
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Leech Seed
Empoleon Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Defog
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
These three work fairly well together. Victini runs the rather surprising Special Attacking set, which catches plenty of things off guard. While the choice between power vs. accuracy is fairly obvious in Thunder and Thunderbolt, I'm having a hard time deciding between Psyshock for Chansey, (Even though it still does only 30%) and Focus Blast for... other things. Is Focus Blast even relevant, seeing as Tyranitar isn't even a problem in UU? Anyways, Glaciate takes care of the newly arrived Dragons in Haxorus and Hydreigon, as Glaciate negates their Choice Scarf boost, and does a significant amount of damage to them. Next we have Whimsicott, returning as the annoying puffball that she was in Gen V. Stun Spore, Encore, and Leech Seed, backed by Prankster, allow her to safely shut down any sweeper hoping to set up on the rest of the team. Moonblast, meanwhile, progressively chips away at the opponent, and has great coverage compared to Giga Drain. In addition, Whimsicott covers Victini's weaknesses to Water, Dark, and Ground, while Victini can cover her weaknesses to Fire, Ice, an Steel. Finally, there's Empoleon, who serves as the Defogger and Entry Hazard setter. Empoleon runs the more Specially Defensive set, to coincide with Whimsicott's Physical Defense, and his type synergy works very well with the rest of the core. The three weaknesses Empoleon has to Fighting, Ground, and Electric, are covered by Whimsicott, while Empoleon covers Whimsicott's weaknesses to Steel, Flying, Poison, and Ice, as well as taking care of Victini's weaknesses to Rock and Water. That Steel Nerf kinda hurts this core though, as Ghost-types can do some serious damage, even to Empoleon. Regardless, I'm pretty satisfied with this core. What do you guys think?
EDIT: I've had a bit of time to think about some powerful UU Fighting-Types that can deal with Chansey. Life Orb Keldeo 2HKOes with Secret Sword, and has good synergy with the rest of the core. Heracross also works well, being able to punch through Chansey with a Guts Close Combat. Mega Medicham can also 2HKO, but that increases my Ghost-type weakness. I was just about to consider Terrakion as well, but he's BL now.
Victini @ Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Blue Flare
- Focus Blast / Psyshock
- Thunder / Thunderbolt
- Glaciate
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stun Spore
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Leech Seed
Empoleon Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Defog
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
These three work fairly well together. Victini runs the rather surprising Special Attacking set, which catches plenty of things off guard. While the choice between power vs. accuracy is fairly obvious in Thunder and Thunderbolt, I'm having a hard time deciding between Psyshock for Chansey, (Even though it still does only 30%) and Focus Blast for... other things. Is Focus Blast even relevant, seeing as Tyranitar isn't even a problem in UU? Anyways, Glaciate takes care of the newly arrived Dragons in Haxorus and Hydreigon, as Glaciate negates their Choice Scarf boost, and does a significant amount of damage to them. Next we have Whimsicott, returning as the annoying puffball that she was in Gen V. Stun Spore, Encore, and Leech Seed, backed by Prankster, allow her to safely shut down any sweeper hoping to set up on the rest of the team. Moonblast, meanwhile, progressively chips away at the opponent, and has great coverage compared to Giga Drain. In addition, Whimsicott covers Victini's weaknesses to Water, Dark, and Ground, while Victini can cover her weaknesses to Fire, Ice, an Steel. Finally, there's Empoleon, who serves as the Defogger and Entry Hazard setter. Empoleon runs the more Specially Defensive set, to coincide with Whimsicott's Physical Defense, and his type synergy works very well with the rest of the core. The three weaknesses Empoleon has to Fighting, Ground, and Electric, are covered by Whimsicott, while Empoleon covers Whimsicott's weaknesses to Steel, Flying, Poison, and Ice, as well as taking care of Victini's weaknesses to Rock and Water. That Steel Nerf kinda hurts this core though, as Ghost-types can do some serious damage, even to Empoleon. Regardless, I'm pretty satisfied with this core. What do you guys think?
EDIT: I've had a bit of time to think about some powerful UU Fighting-Types that can deal with Chansey. Life Orb Keldeo 2HKOes with Secret Sword, and has good synergy with the rest of the core. Heracross also works well, being able to punch through Chansey with a Guts Close Combat. Mega Medicham can also 2HKO, but that increases my Ghost-type weakness. I was just about to consider Terrakion as well, but he's BL now.
Last edited:
I like this core, it looks really solid, especially that AV cruel, which never crossed my mind, and I really like that item.
What's your opinion on giving latias healing wish and/or Defog?
Healing comes in handy more often then not, giving sweepers a new set of legs to run havoc with and walls the extra energy they need to pull off their utility.
Defog also comes in more handy than rapid spin and can be an emergency hazard clearing button in case cruel bites the dust, especially since he has no recovery.
Don't you mean Multiscale? And what would Venusaur's ability be in it's normal form?
I'm relatively new to competitive battling but I've had some good success with this core
Venusaur - Mega
Giga Drain
Sludge Bomb
Earthquake
Synthesis
Ability: Thick Fat
Item: Venusaurite
Evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Nature: Relaxed
Dragonite
Dragon Dance
Outrage
Extreme Speed
Fire Punch
Ability: Marvel Scale
Item: Lum Berry
Evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spd
Impish Nature
- Defog / Spikes / Toxic
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird / Toxic
Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite / Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock / Shadow Claw
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
These two work extremely well together. Skarmory sponges physical hits as well as ever, although the steel nerf does hurt it to some extent. Fortunately, Tyranitar makes an excellent special sponge while also being threatening in its own right. Tyranitarite is better overall for some extra physical bulk and punch, but AV works almost as well if you want the mega slot elsewhere. Skarmory loves Sandstorm, too.
The one major hole here is Fighting moves, especially Special Fighting sweepers.
Venusaur's ability doesn't matter, as it will be spending all of its time mega evolved.
Not true. If it's chlorophyll and he's in the sun that's certainly gonna help Venusaur turn one. As a matter of fact, you can use that to check Charizard-Y with HP Rock, or Latios with 4 speed EV's even with a Sassy nature with Knock Off.
This core looks pretty awesome, but perhaps you could explain how you handle CharX? It would seem Latias and Ferrothorn get crushed by it and I'd think it would take a lot of damage before Tentacruel could finish him.
Doesn't matter is an understatement on my part; sun is much less common and the nerf makes it harder to abuse it; but its a defensive core, why the hell would it attempt something like that?
Tbh, the core doesn't handle CharX very well, but what core does? Flare Blitz and Outrage OHKO and 2HKO like everything in the Meta right now. Heatran and Tyranitar are also prett moot since it usually runs Earthquake or Brick Break for coverage, and if it doesn't, it's running Roost so trying to wear it down isn't effective either. Tbh, my anti-CharX plan consists of letting it smash into Ferrothorn with a Flare Blitz, lose 50%+ of its health, and then taking it out with the Banded Talonflame or Azumaril I typically run with the core.
LoDart210: I don't really know how I feel about Healing Wish. Right now I like Wish + Protect better. I could drop Rapid Spin on Tentacruel for Giga Drain then drop Roar on Latias for Defog.
Worst case scenario?
I think it depends on how you play. I assume you play balanced (judging from 3 defensive mons one of which is AV'd making it more a tank), and I do as well but I lean more towards offense bringing in my defense mons only for a quick utility (clearing/setting up, healing, statusing, or even just as a pivot) and then switching to the appropriate offensive mon, which is why I play latias with Defog and healing wish.
I realize now you seem more defensive in which case your move sets make more sense now that I peruse them.
Yeah, I tend to play more balaced / defensive, so when I build a core I aim for longevity on top of utility. Dont get me wrong, I also like to run plenty of offensive threats, but if things go south, I want a durable defensive core to fall back on.
Not really, specifically in the case of Mega-Zard Y, or if you have your own (which isn't that bad) it's really nice for first turn ohko.
While we're on the topic of MegaZard X, it's worth noting that it's easy to revenge-kill with a Choice Scarfed Dragon / Ground / Rock-type, so Scarfed Latios, Garchomp, Terrakion, Landorus-I, and Salamence are all pretty nice checks to Zard X. (Not so much Mence, if Zard X has set up a Dragon Dance) Anyways, who's gonna bring us back to core discussing? I don't have anything as of now.
Last edited:
Hmmm.... Double dragon core! (Sorta kinda)
Entei @ assault vest
Adamant
132 HP/252 attack/124 special defense
-sacred fire
- bulldoze
- stone edge
- extreme speed
His role? Primarily to punch holes and burn things with sacred fire, slow down sweepers with bulldoze, hit anything that resists fire with stone, and pick off weakened Pokemon with speed
Next up!
88 HP/252 attack/168 speed
Jolly (if you run higher speed ev's you can run adamant, but the extra bulk is good)
Intimidate : if you want to set up easier
Moxie: if you think you can get a boost
-dragon dance
-waterfall
- ice fang
- earthquake
One dance against a team that withstood an onslaught from the volcano Pokemon is enough to clean up.
EDIT: oops sorry yes this is gyarados! Also, jolly is speed you need because you want to outspeed other base 80s-ish pokemon
It's a great duo that covers each other decently well.
Entei @ assault vest
Adamant
132 HP/252 attack/124 special defense
-sacred fire
- bulldoze
- stone edge
- extreme speed
His role? Primarily to punch holes and burn things with sacred fire, slow down sweepers with bulldoze, hit anything that resists fire with stone, and pick off weakened Pokemon with speed
Next up!
88 HP/252 attack/168 speed
Jolly (if you run higher speed ev's you can run adamant, but the extra bulk is good)
Intimidate : if you want to set up easier
Moxie: if you think you can get a boost
-dragon dance
-waterfall
- ice fang
- earthquake
One dance against a team that withstood an onslaught from the volcano Pokemon is enough to clean up.
EDIT: oops sorry yes this is gyarados! Also, jolly is speed you need because you want to outspeed other base 80s-ish pokemon
It's a great duo that covers each other decently well.
Last edited:
I've been testing out this core, since I've had a bit of trouble building a team with mega-mawile. I really like it! What would you recommend for the other two slots? Also, would you say Sylveon is a better option than Florges?
yeah sylveon is better than florges especially at wish passing because it has 12 higher hp stat iirc. Another good poke for that core would be aegislash he synergizes well and he is just an overall very stong poke.
Specs Latios + Pursuit Sharp is a fucking awesome core. specs latios is walled by aegis unless I run shadow ball, and i'm running tbolt over shadow ball on it. pursuit sharp rapes aegis, OHKOing it. specsos is also walled by chansey, and bisharp can threaten to knock off its eviolite. the only thing that the core really can't handle is SkarmChans; I usually run something that can break this core when I utilize this sexy core on a team.
- Status