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Other Good Cores

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You know what two Pokemon work terrifyingly well together? Mega Ampharos and Bronzong. Ampharos has four weaknesses, Ground, Dragon, Ice, and Fairy. Bronzong, thanks to Levitate, can wall all four of those types. Meanwhile, Bronzong's weakness to Fire is covered by Ampharos. I can see powerful Ghosts breaking through this core, so Dark-types like Tyranitar and Mandibuzz are useful.
 
Cons
-switches might get predictable
- no way of defending against status
I think this is a good core and it has a way of blocking status. Heatran's immune to both poison and burn and you can switch Tangrowth in to take a Spore. But then again, switching in might become predictable. But this can really work. Might try this out!
 
You know what two Pokemon work terrifyingly well together? Mega Ampharos and Bronzong. Ampharos has four weaknesses, Ground, Dragon, Ice, and Fairy. Bronzong, thanks to Levitate, can wall all four of those types. Meanwhile, Bronzong's weakness to Fire is covered by Ampharos. I can see powerful Ghosts breaking through this core, so Dark-types like Tyranitar and Mandibuzz are useful.


I think a specially defensive mandibuzz is the better option because it resists ghost and is neutral to fighting coverage they usually carry. Also, in case you come across mold breaker (mega gyarados and excadrill are more common nowadays and kyurem b is always a possibility) you have natural ground immunity bronzong can no longer in that situation
 
I think a specially defensive mandibuzz is the better option because it resists ghost and is neutral to fighting coverage they usually carry. Also, in case you come across mold breaker (mega gyarados and excadrill are more common nowadays and kyurem b is always a possibility) you have natural ground immunity bronzong can no longer in that situation

I think adding in mandibuzz to create a trio core is a good idea personally, but are you trying to say to replace bronzing for mandibuzz? Mandibuzz shares an ice and fairy weakness, which isn't good, and mold breaker isn't common enough at all to say mandibuzz could do bronzongs job stopping ground attacks persay
 
Here's a defensive core I was thinking of for a rain team (don't know if it's been covered yet or not) - let me know what you think:

Goodra @ Damp Rock
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 Def / 252 HP / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rest
- Rain Dance
- Toxic
- Infestation

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn

The pair have a perfect marriage of weaknesses; Mega Scizor resisting Fairy, Ice and Dragon and Goodra resisting Fire (x4 resist in the rain) - their defenses have very nice complementarity too with Goodra resisting special attacks and Mega Scizor physical. Goodra attempts the stall and trap, or if offense is the better option, you can pivot by way of Mega Scizor - swapping into the Goodra counter then U-Turning out to your rain sweeper. It goes without saying that the Defog support is very nice, especially on something that can roost off the damage of hazards.

Thoughts? I'm not too sure about Infestation on Goodra - would Muddy Water be preferable? At least that would hit any resistant pokemon for neutral damage in the rain (baring Kingdra and Ludicolo plus Water Absorbers and Storm Drainers that you can spot coming a mile away), but that iffy accuracy coupled with its lowish PP doesn't make me too keen in terms of stalling. On the other hand, Infestation allows you to rack up damage on steels that lack recovery and you can trap with it.
 
That Goodra set is total Taunt bait. I don't like that kind of Goodra, you're completely wasting its offensive potential. Use something like Shuckle if you want to run that kind of passive set.
 
M-Venusaur with Rotom-W has been stated a good few times, but it seems to be paired with mostly bulky fire types like Heatran or Entei or the like. While this makes plenty of sense, and they don't have the best synergy without some 'linking' Pokemon, I have an alternative proposal:
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Rotom-W @ Leftovers/Chesto Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 232 HP/56 SpA/220 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split/Rest

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(Mega) Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: (Thick Fat) Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP/252 SpA/8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder

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Scizor @ Choice Band/Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-Turn
- Pursuit/Swords Dance
- Brick Break/Roost (Brick Break for Superpower in Pokebank OU)
(Roost for LO set, SD optional for LO set.)

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Talonflame @ Choice Band/Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 124 HP/252 Atk/132 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-Turn/Swords Dance
- Steel Wing/Tailwind/Roost
(Tailwind can work on either set, Roost optional for LO set, SD optional for LO set.)

Since there's an inherent downside to using more slots in a team to create a core, I was trying to see how many overlapping 'cores' I could fit within four. There's a FWG core (Talonflame isn't an ideal bulky fire, of course), a voltturn core (either Scizor or Talonflame, perhaps both, especially if lacking item clause), and a slew of resistances, while allowing all of them to hit hard, spread status, hit with priority-- I was trying to see what kind of 'balanced' core I could fit together.

Scizor has always worked well with Rotom-W in the past, Rotom tanking the fire attacks Scizor so fears while Scizor 4x resists grass like Venusaur and punishes the likes of Celebi with a combination of U-turn and Pursuit. All the while, voltturn keeps momentum. Scizor works moderately well with Venusaur as well, resisting the psychic attacks that Rotom only sports a neutrality to while remaining neutral to flying. U-Turn and Pursuit, again, helps immensely.

Talonflame, meanwhile, sports less bulk than the others, but can still take unboosted fire or fightings moves, and it decimates the average Ferrothorn. This coverage is invaluable, and the extra ground immunity is certainly welcome, as are the additional fire and fighting resistances. Other options like tailwind, u-turn, roost, or swords dance can provide further momentum, retain bulk, or punish switches.

I'm sure that these aren't the most synergetic setups, but it's a simple setup (throw some bulk and damage on everyone) that's pretty flexible. Voltturns keep any but Venusaur from being trapped (which it can oft handle with a sleep powder on the switch)... but I haven't a clue if Rotom+Scizor is sufficient to stop your average dragon. I'm sure there's plenty of things I've overlooked, so by all means, advise-away. New here, but I just wanted my first post to at least be an attempt to contribute some meaningful discussion. ^^"
 
Sure this has been mentioned somewhere along the line, and it's not particularly original, but CB Talonflame / Dugtrio / Genesect can be brutal. There's nothing to explain, if the opponent doesn't have Rotom-W or niche stuff like Rhyperior, they get swept.
 
I think adding in mandibuzz to create a trio core is a good idea personally, but are you trying to say to replace bronzing for mandibuzz? Mandibuzz shares an ice and fairy weakness, which isn't good, and mold breaker isn't common enough at all to say mandibuzz could do bronzongs job stopping ground attacks persay

No no, when Celon said they were looking for a third pokemon to complete the defensive trio, tyranitar or mandibuzz were listed as possible ghost counters, and I suggested mandibuzz over tyranitar for that third spot and ghost counter.
 
MManectric and Lando-T form a beautiful VoltTurn core, both having strong offenses, good speed and Intimidate to cripple physical attackers. Lando-T is also immune to Ground so it gets easy switch-ins. I'm using them together on a VoltTurn team I'm testing now and loving it.
 
With the Hydreigon/Aegislash core, shouldn't Iron Head be considered as an option to truly cover for Fairy types? I haven't rub calcs but most fairy types are special tanks so a shadow ball wouldn't do too much and they resist fighting
Hydreigon learns Flash Cannon too, if Aegislash needs fighting coverage on your team.
 
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Amoonguss@Black Sludge-Regenerator
252 HP / 28 SpA / 228 SpD
-Giga Drain
-Hidden Power Fire/Ice
-Spore
-Clear Smog
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Porygon2@Eviolite-Trace
252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
-Tri-Attack
-Shadow Ball/Ice Beam
-Recover
-Thunder Wave/Discharge/Toxic


Damn, what a disgusting little core this is. I've been experimenting with these 2 in conjunctions, and they really work well off each other. Aegislash has a terrible time trying to break this core. You could probably sub out Amoonguss for Mega-Venusaur, but Amoonguss gets more recovery over time, and you can sub in a different mega to supplement the needs of your team.
 
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Entei @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Sacred Fire
- ExtremeSpeed
- Stone Edge
- Bulldoze


Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake


I'm liking these two as a core. With the addition of Sacred Fire, CB Entei can lure in and break through (+burn) Charizard-X's checks / counters -- letting it sweep more smoothly.
Zard-X is also a pretty underrated DD sweeper since it can't be burned, has good bulk for a sweeper, and gets near perfect coverage in its two STAB moves. :3
 
Hydreigon's better off running U-Turn rather than Flash Cannon anyway it's got way more utility and is arguably a better answer to fairies anyway. Flash Cannon won't be OHKOing many of them and it's not even super effective against popular ones like Klefki and Azumarill and it's a terrible move to be choice locked into.
 
One core that I've been looking at (I think I mentioned this in the Goodra thread) is a core of Goodra/M-Scizor/(Rotom-W) for use in balanced/bulky offense. Let me go over my reasoning.

My idea for this core started when someone posted that Assault Vest Goodra was great, but really disliked not having leftovers to shrug off hazard damage, making hazards a problem. I immediately turned to my favorite defogger, support Mega-Scizor, who happens to have perfect synergy with Goodra (Goodra resists fire; M-Scizor resists Ice/Fairy/Dragon) and good defensive presence, since Mega-Scizor runs physically defensive while assault vest goodra is basically untouchable from the special side. Finally, I threw a Rotom-W (which I feel is kind of optional) in because not only does it make for great volt turning with scizor (still possessing that same perfect defensive synergy) but it also counters talonflame, which would otherwise be a problem for this core (and because every team needs a talonflame counter... welcome to g6). Additionally, Goodra's Sap Sipper makes it a nice partner for Rotom-W as well.

Here are the sets for the core:

Cshadow's set from the Goodra Thread:
Stickybuns (Goodra) @ Assault Vest
Sap Sipper
Calm
236 HP/ 220 SpA/ 52 SPE
~ Sludge Bomb / Thunderbolt
~ Flamethrower
~ Draco Meteor
~ Hidden Power [Ground] / Dragon Tail
  • With 236 HP and a Calm Nature, Goodra hits 380 HP/ 553 Special Defense factoring in the boost from wearing the Assault Vest, which is just enough to guarantee that you avoid a 3HKO from Life Orb Greninja's Ice Beam after Stealth Rock: (36.84 - 43.68%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock.
  • With 52 EVs in Speed, Goodra hits 209, and is capable of outrunning notable threats like Togekiss and Rotom-W.
  • The rest of the EVs were thrown into Special Attack, giving him a stat 311, and with that investment, is capable of 2HKO'ing 236 HP/ 0 SpD (Bold) Togekiss with either Sludge Bomb or Thunderbolt after Stealth Rock: (40.75 - 48.25%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock.

Plus this

Scizor @ Scizorite
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Knock Off
- U-Turn

Rotom-W's set is a bit of a toss up, but I'd probably opt for a physically defensive spread and something along the lines of hydro pump/volt switch/wil-o-wisp/pain split. You could go for a scarf set with trick and wisp though.

TEAM OPTIONS:
There are a couple things that this core likes to have. First off, none of the members in the core particularly like status, and even though each has an immunity (rotom to paralysis, Scizor to toxic, and goodra to sleep) a heal beller is a welcome addition. In the same vein, Goodra especially enjoys a wish passer, which can really aid in its longevity (a physically defensive passer would be ideal, able to wish as a special attacker switches in and pass to Goodra on the special hit).
VoltTurn can thrive somewhat around this core, thanks to Rotomzor, but it's going to be balanced and bulky offense teams that appreciate this the most.
 
So I've decided to try the core stated above: Mega-Ampharos, Mandibuzz, and Bronzong. To add to that I thought I'd add Milotic and Forretress(to set up rocks and toxic spikes). For the last slot I'm stuck between either intimidate Arcanine, or Thick Fat Mamoswine. Any input would be much appreciated!
 
FurryFurret: That core is super weak to Greninja with Dark Pulse. Which is most Greninja. Ice Beam/Dark Pulse pick that apart. Honestly, I have a hard time getting behind a defensive core of three pokes that are all weak to a very common pokemon, not sure why it was being praised earlier.
 
FurryFurret: That core is super weak to Greninja with Dark Pulse. Which is most Greninja. Ice Beam/Dark Pulse pick that apart. Honestly, I have a hard time getting behind a defensive core of three pokes that are all weak to a very common pokemon, not sure why it was being praised earlier.

Couldn't milotic take care of it? :O
(also i'm not super competitive, it'd just be something i use against my friends xD)

Edit: Also thank you so much for pointing that out!
 
Eh, it shouldn't be how competitive it is, if you want a good defensive core, you want a good defensive core. Yes Milotic can take a greninja, but having 3 slow defensive pokemon weak to a pokemon with u-turn momentum doesn't seem like i place I'd want to be in. Keep in mind I have no experience with this core so i could just be spewing smoke out of my ass, but as a general rule when I build any defensive core I don't like multiple pokemon being type weak to common volt-turn users as they can really tax defensively minded teams.
 
Eh, it shouldn't be how competitive it is, if you want a good defensive core, you want a good defensive core. Yes Milotic can take a greninja, but having 3 slow defensive pokemon weak to a pokemon with u-turn momentum doesn't seem like i place I'd want to be in. Keep in mind I have no experience with this core so i could just be spewing smoke out of my ass, but as a general rule when I build any defensive core I don't like multiple pokemon being type weak to common volt-turn users as they can really tax defensively minded teams.

Hmm I see your point. I think I'll try it out and see how it goes. I honestly keep forgetting how slow mega ampharos is going to be. Maybe I'll do Mega-Garchomp instead. Volt-switch woudn't affect it and then arcanine would help out more with that Ice type weakness. Though that does nothing for greninja. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I take that back, scrap Arcanine and Garchomp for mega-Blaziken. And Then add Dedenne! lol idk my brain is fried now, i'm starting to over think it. Though jolteon could prove useful. I'm going to quit rambling now. Thanks again!
 
How about a very offensive core with Scizor, Garchomp . Max HP Scizor can tank the ice, dragon and fairy type attacks that hit Garchomp hard, while Garchomp blocks Scizor's single fire weakness, and fires back with STAB Earthquake. Both of the two also have new Mega Evolutions to try out, giving both new staying power and raw offensive presence. I think either the choice band or bulky swords dance Scizor might work for this purpose, but I'm not sure about the best garchomp set to abuse this core. The closest is probably the swords dance (since Garchomp's coverage is necessary for the core's versatility), but it may be that a new x and y core will be released to abuse mega evolution, which might play better here.
 
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Talonflame @ Choice Band
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 48 HP / 252 Atk / 208 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-Turn
- Tailwind

So your opponent has a Choice Banded Talon? No worries, you still have your Rotom-W / Heatran / Tyranitar / Landorus-T around, so you have little to worry.
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But first you have to deal with this asshole. You send in your Rotom-W or Lando-T, firmly convinced no paraflinching bullshit will get to you today, when suddenly...
Togekiss @ Pixie Plate / Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace / Super Luck
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Dazzling Gleam
- Aura Sphere
- Flamethrower / Air Slash

WHAM. Nasty Plot Togekiss. This guy happens to lures in notable Talonflame counters like Rotom-W, Heatran, and ocassionally Assault Vest Tyranitar...then either heavily cripples them or go for an outright KO, paving the way for Talonflame to bombard the opponent.

Now, I know what some of you more astute players are thinking: why stack the Flying weakness? Why not use Mold Breaker Excadrill, which not only also destroys Talonflame counters, but also resists Talon's weaknesses and provides spin support? Good question. The reason is that Excadrill scares these away, while Togekiss lures them in and can land a solid hit off on them. Togekiss can also threaten physically bulky Pokemon that won't care for either Talonflame nor Excadrill, such as Hippowdon, Mandibuzz, and Zygarde.

Note that you don't U-turn from Talonflame into Togekiss as the opponent switches in their counter, as that would arouse suspicion. You use Togekiss first, letting the enemy come to you and surprise them with a Nasty Plot set that they have to scramble to respond to now after giving it an essential free +2 (provided Togekiss was threatening something beforehand, like a Mega-Venusaur or something). Honestly I didn't even consider Pixie Plate until I saw the interesting OHKOes it could snag that Leftovers didn't. The last choice is up to the user: Flamethrower is mainly to deal with Aegislash, while Air Slash actually hits Mega-Venusaur in case it calls your bluff of not having Flying STAB and also flinch hax, because it's still Togekiss ya' know.

Speed EVs outspeed 44 Spe Rotom-W and Landorus-T.

+2 252+ SpA Togekiss Dazzling Gleam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-W: 255-301 (84.15 - 99.33%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ SpA Pixie Plate Togekiss Dazzling Gleam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-W: 306-361 (100.99 - 119.14%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ SpA Pixie Plate Togekiss Dazzling Gleam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 391-462 (102.62 - 121.25%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ SpA Togekiss Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 342-404 (105.88 - 125.07%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ SpA Togekiss Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Heatran: 250-296 (64.93 - 76.88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

60+ SpA Rotom-W Thunderbolt vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Togekiss: 210-248 (59.82 - 70.65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Heatran Fire Blast vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Togekiss: 238-282 (67.8 - 80.34%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Hey guys, this is my current defensive core, I do not think it is anything to special but I find it covers a good amount of what i encounter on showdown.

Ra's Al Gul (Tyranitar) (M) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SAtk
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Dance


Lock-Up (Rotom-Wash) @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Rest
- Will-O-Wisp

Poison Ivy (Toxicroak) (F)@ Assault Vest
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 8 Def / 244 SDef / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 SAtk
- Drain Punch
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch

Though mold breaker exadrill causes problem with EQ I have other mons to cover that weakness otherwise rotom can come in on expected EQ moves, as well be a status absorber. The reason for running Toxicroak over conk is really just dry skin, as being to take hydro pumps/scalds is really powerful as well as croak is faster then conk. The last guys though he has no defensive IVs i find that Mega-TTar to be tanky enough to take a hit as well as set up a DD then sweep if need.

Thoughts?
 
As an update to my previous suggestion, I believe Venusaur is superflous. Rotom/Scizor makes for a voltturn core, and the addition of HP invested Talonflame covers many of their mutual weakpoints and can take some surprising hits like Mega Gengar's STABs, most attacks from Charizard Y, etc.. Venusaur sort of slows down an otherwise momentum-gaining core without adding much beyond a solid answer to opposing Rotom-W (which, while significant, may not justify an entire mega slot for).
 
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