Other Good Cores

[CaptainZippers]

Ive been using a defensive core of Florges and M-Aggron recently to some pretty good success

Florges (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flower Veil
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Toxic
- Wish
- Moonblast

Aggron @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Rest
- Heavy Slam
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

Aggron resists/immunity to the steel/poison hits that are going to be aimed at Florges and barely gets scratched by any physical moves they will try to throw at Florges. Florges does the same for aggron, and carries Aromatherapy for when aggron needs to take a nap

 

[Pyritie]

Ive been using a defensive core of Florges and M-Aggron recently to some pretty good success

Florges (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flower Veil
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Toxic
- Wish
- Moonblast

Aggron @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Rest
- Heavy Slam
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

Aggron resists/immunity to the steel/poison hits that are going to be aimed at Florges and barely gets scratched by any physical moves they will try to throw at Florges. Florges does the same for aggron, and carries Aromatherapy for when aggron needs to take a nap

Why not sylveon instead, who has heal bell instead of aromatherapy, slightly bigger wishes, and more of an offensive presence?

 

[CaptainZippers]

Why not sylveon instead, who has heal bell instead of aromatherapy, slightly bigger wishes, and more of an offensive presence?

You're right that Sylveon has larger Wishes, but in terms of offensive presence, Florges actually has 112 base SpA to Sylveon's 110. Florges also beats Sylveon on base Def (68 to 65), Spe (75 to 60), and has SIGNIFICANTLY higher SpD (154 to 130).

That said, if you had a different set in mind, I'm listening

 

[Vixana]

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Heal Bell
- Toxic
- Wish
- Hyper Voice

At least, that's what I would expect the adaption to be.

 

[ColtCababa]

You're right that Sylveon has larger Wishes, but in terms of offensive presence, Florges actually has 112 base SpA to Sylveon's 110. Florges also beats Sylveon on base Def (68 to 65), Spe (75 to 60), and has SIGNIFICANTLY higher SpD (154 to 130).

That said, if you had a different set in mind, I'm listening

The prestigious 2 extra Sp. Atk is barely indifferent, that goes for the Def as well. Speed isn't much a necessity for a defensive Pokemon, and Sylveon also has 20 more HP, effectively giving it more physical bulk and nearly akin special bulk, as well as making it the superior Wish Passer. Not to mention that it has Pixilate Hyper Voice, which is boosted to dish out more than Florges's Moonblast, and hits through Substitutes.

 

[CaptainZippers]

The prestigious 2 extra Sp. Atk is barely indifferent, that goes for the Def as well. Speed isn't much a necessity for a defensive Pokemon, and Sylveon also has 20 more HP, effectively giving it more physical bulk and nearly akin special bulk, as well as making it the superior Wish Passer. Not to mention that it has Pixilate Hyper Voice, which is boosted to dish out more than Florges's Moonblast, and hits through Substitutes.

I'm testing out my team right now, so i'll swap it out and give it a shot

 

[Tokyo Tom]

I've been toying around with Mega Manectric | NP T-T w/ VSwitch | CB Azu, since they can overload and eliminate each other's checks pretty well. They can beat any of the top 30 threats (from PO usage statistics) reasonably easily (with good prediction and double switches out of Azu), bar Mega Mawile, Mega Venusaur, and LO 'Gar to an extent.

Note: This is a bit of theorymon-ing 'cuz I can't say I've excessively tested this, but it's done well in the games I've played so far .-.

spoiler

Manectric-Mega @

Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 216 Spd / 252 SAtk / 32 HP / 8 SDef
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SAtk
- Thunderbolt
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Volt Switch

Great coverage for an electric type that is only shared by (iirc) the Zebra and Heat-Tom. Beats Ferro, Water/Ground types, and maintains momentum, all that good stuff. EVs beat base 130s, that's about it. Maybe creep up to 398 to beat similar-minded Manectric and Scarfers sitting at 265.

Thundurus-Therian (M) @

/

Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Nasty Plot
- Volt Switch

Eh, this guy is kinda played like SD U-Turn 'Zor, whose aim was to maintain momentum early game and then sweep late-game. Idk, Zap Plate lets you bluff a choice set, NP + HP Ice lets you break past ground types threatening Manectric. Bulky Water/Ground 'Mons are dealt with to an extent by Manectric, and Gastrodon falls to Play Roughs on the switch. You want to give Gene the attack boost with this guy.

Azumarill @

Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Play Rough
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off

Beats Blissey and can Knock Off Chansey's Eviolite. Lures in Ferrothorn and Washtom, which can be dealt with by doubling to Manectric or using Play Rough, either way racking up SR/Spikes damage a little more.

 

[dragonizzlenite]

I think I've found the recipe for a successful team. We all know about FWG core, but the results are even better when you combine FWG with a Steel, Fairy, Dragon core. Next time you're building a team, try out Togekiss, Scizor, and Garchomp.

 

[FurryGah]

I think I've found the recipe for a successful team. We all know about FWG core, but the results are even better when you combine FWG with a Steel, Fairy, Dragon core. Next time you're building a team, try out Togekiss, Scizor, and Garchomp.

I can vouch for the potency of this combination. My friend also runs a FWG + SFD core team.

Chandelure @ Choice Scarf
Flash Fire
Timid 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
-Fire Blast
-Shadow Ball
-Energy Ball
-Psychic (Personal tech he uses to take down things like Tentecruel and M-Venesaur)

Chandelure, the Fire in the FWG core is used as a revenge killer that also has immunities to both of Ferrothorn's weaknesses.

Starmie @ Life Orb
Natural Cure
Timid 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
-Rapid Spin
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt

The Water of the FWG core and offensive Rapid Spinner.

Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Iron Barbs
Relaxed 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
-Thunderwave
-Spikes
-Leech Seed
-Power Whip

The Grass of the core, Physical Wall, status spreader, hazards set up, and Physical Wall of the team. I can also tank Water and Electric moves aimed at Chandelure and Starmie, respectively.

Scizor @ Choice Band
Technician
Adamant 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
-Bullet Punch
-U-Turn
-Pursuit
-Aerial Ace

The steel of the SFD core, revenge killer, and bulky pivot. Scizor can take Ice and Dragon moves aimed at Dragonite and Steel and Poison moves aimed at Florges.

Florges @ Leftovers
Flower Veil
Calm 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
-Aromatherapy
-Wish
-Protect
-Moon Blast

The Fairy of the SFD core, Cleric, and Special tank. She easily absobs Dragon moves aimed at Dragonite and can keep his Multi-Scale intact by passing a Wish.

Dragonite @ Weakness Policy
Multi-Scale
Adamant 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Thunder Punch

The Dragon of the SFD core and set-up sweeper. It can easily take Fire moves aimed at Scizor.

WhenhI played against this team it was very hard to take down due to the synergy each core had, as well as the synergy between cores. The team was also built very solidly, having a Special and Physical tank, Special and Physical hard hitters, priority, revenge killing capability, Rapid Spin, and Wish + Aromatherapy support, but the typing and the two cores really tied everything together very nicely.

 

[Celon]

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.

That's what I get for saying a pair of Pokemon work "Terryfying Well" together without even trying them out. (Showderp is USELESS for me) Hmm... Now that I think about it, Bronzong can't be taking repeated Play Roughs or Moonblasts either, since it lacks recovery outside of Leftovers. I might as well give you a good idea on what I planned on running.

Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static - Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Agility

Bronzong Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
- Toxic

Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Taunt
- Whirlwind

Ampharos is used as... oddly enough, a sweeper, seeing as with a Modest Nature, +2 Mega Ampharos can speed creep Greninja and OHKO with Thunderbolt. Dragon Pulse works as a secondary STAB, and Focus Blast rounds out the coverage, hitting things like Excadrill very hard. Bronzong and Mandibuzz work hand-in-hand for stalling. Bronzong sets up Stealth Rock, hits something with Toxic, while Mandibuzz can phaze opponents out with Whirlwind and rack up Stealth Rock damage. (Which is why Defog isn't used) Greninja still wrecks this core, unless it switches in as Ampharos goes for Agility. Meh, I realized now that this core isn't too good.

 

[Judgement Blade]

I think I've found the recipe for a successful team. We all know about FWG core, but the results are even better when you combine FWG with a Steel, Fairy, Dragon core. Next time you're building a team, try out Togekiss, Scizor, and Garchomp.

Man, that's not even FWG, that's just a SFD core. Gotta go with the Charizard X, Azumarill, Ferrothorn core.

 

[dragonizzlenite]

I just assumed you all know plenty of FWG cores and suggested you try it out with a secondary SFD core. I personally go with Suicune, Mega Venusaur, and Rotom H.

 

[Charlotte Zane]

I think dragon/ghost/steel is a pretty nice combination. Steel resists dragon/fairy and can often kill/cripple them (Scizor or the like). Against the fire and ground types that threaten them, dragons are often flying to keep from problems with the latter, and resist fire. Steel resists dragon's weaknesses, of course, and dragon/steel combinations always worked well in past gens (the infamous 4 drag 2 mag), but a ghost type can help out with fighting immunity and possibly levitate if using something like garchomp that lacks those resistances/immunities. Ghost type may seem initially superflous, but it can allow for a few switch-ins to keep something like multiscale Dragonite from sacrificing its ability on a tankable hit-- gengar for ground, jellicent for fire, or any ghost for fighting moves directed at your steel type. That, and ghost is honestly just a ridiculously strong attacking type now, hitting any offensive threats to the other types neutrally barring hydreigon or the like (who can be focus blasted by something like gengar anyway).

Honestly, though, as with fairy/dragon/steel, it's really mostly boiling down to the duo strength of dragon with steel, type-wise. You could probably just add a bulky water type to that to tank the ice beams and fire blasts (in fact, since it's apt to be a rotom forme, ground attacks as well). SD cores are just always going to be strong, even if they're no longer the only types used on some teams. (Or are they?)

Though, now I'm rather wondering at something like a dark/ghost/poison core. It's weak to ground if none levitate, granted, but dark resists all of ghost's weaknesses and ghost covers all of dark's barring fairy. Both are extremely difficult to resist properly in this meta, as well. A poison type has a dark type to deal with its psychic weakness, at least, and a flying or levitating pokemon of one of the other two types (Honchkrow, Gengar, Drifblim, etc.) can take care of its ground weakness. In the old metagames, it'd be hopelessly walled by steels, but now? The only major issues are the common pairing of fighting+ghost attacks and of the secondary types on fairies (steel/fairy types resist the poison weakness, although something like Drapion might have earthquake, and other fairy types like Togekiss or Azumarill have other strong STABs that go unresisted).

It'll be interesting to see what sort of new type-combinations become common.

 

[dragonizzlenite]

I think Fairy can have a huge offensive presence. Fairies are more about turning defensive momentum into an offensive force, as is the case with Clefable, Togekiss, and Sylveon.

 

[Judgement Blade]

I just assumed you all know plenty of FWG cores and suggested you try it out with a secondary SFD core. I personally go with Suicune, Mega Venusaur, and Rotom H.

Oh, i thought you meant a Fire/Dragon, Steel/Grass, Water/Fairy core lol. Or something to that effect.

 

[LoDart210]

How about this for an offensive core

Hydreigon @ choice scarf
252+ sp attack/ 252 speed
- Draco meteor
- dark pulse
- superpower
- u turn

A fast attacker that spams Draco meteor, if resisted, dark pulse. You can also fake full special set, and catch predicted blobs with SP and if you sense a good switch or coverage, use u turn.

He also ignores ground attacks aimed at heatran and ghost attacks at gallade.


Gallade @ lum berry/leftovers
252 HP/ 252+ Def/ 4 attack
- bulk up
- drain punch
- psycho cut
- poison jab/ shadow sneak/ice punch

His set is tailored to tank the physical hits aimed at the other two. Fighting type hits mostly, which is why he carries psycho cut, for AV conk, the musketeers and mega Medicham.

Poison jab is to hit fairies on the switch, although you could use shadow sneak for that coveted priority and getting the drop on aegislash- blade forme, but that's not ideal. Ice punch is an option to deal with goodra and other quad weakness dragons, stone edge is good for the zards to.

and drain punch is for survivability

Heatran @ choice specs / scarf
252 HP/ 252+ sp attack // 252 sp attack / 252+ speed

- magma storm / lava plume
- earth power
- flash cannon
- hidden power ice

Tanks the flying and dragon and fairy attacks and responds in kind and is a good special sweeper in its own right.

 

[Ogami]

Celon: WOW. I completely disregarded your use of Ampharos as a set up sweeper, I'm sorry. I had heal bell pivot in mind for some reason when I was saying all of that. This alleviates the Greninja weakness a good amount as you can agility without mega-evolving to survive the hit, and if you get to set up on something else well then Fabio the electric dragon really doesn't give a rats ass about any greninja set but scarfninja. I would still look to something that can more readily handle greninja defensively as a good addition to those three. With Bronzong and Mandibuzz you're not creating enough momentum to really on checking greninja alone.

 

[Celon]

Celon: WOW. I completely disregarded your use of Ampharos as a set up sweeper, I'm sorry. I had heal bell pivot in mind for some reason when I was saying all of that. This alleviates the Greninja weakness a good amount as you can agility without mega-evolving to survive the hit, and if you get to set up on something else well then Fabio the electric dragon really doesn't give a rats ass about any greninja set but scarfninja. I would still look to something that can more readily handle greninja defensively as a good addition to those three. With Bronzong and Mandibuzz you're not creating enough momentum to really on checking greninja alone.

You make a good point. There aren't a whole lot of things that can boast the ability to wall Greninja, aside from the Egg Bellies. (Chansey and Blissey) However, if I use one of those, then Fighting-types starting becoming a problem. I'm not very experienced with making defensive cores... and everything being aimed towards offense this gen isn't helping.

 

[Ogami]

Try out Goodra! Goodra is actually pretty great at taking on greninja even with that ice beam and offers a mon that doesn't lose as much momentum as the blobs with better hitting power. Pure dragon typing has great synergy with Bronzong and adds a second electric resist for Mandibuzz. Mandibuzz can handle most fighting types, but a scarf lando-T might be a nice partner to all of this to add defensive prowess and a way to outspeed dangerous fighting types. That would lighten the load on Mandibuzz, who can be prayed upon with smart play and SR. That definitely leaves you pretty ice weak though so maybe not.

 

[Albacore]

Hydreigon @ choice scarf
252+ sp attack/ 252 speed
- Draco meteor
- dark pulse
- superpower
- u turn

That Hydreigon is completely walled by Fairy-Types. In fact, your entire core is pretty weak to fairy-types, particularly Azumarill. If that thing switches in on a Hydreigon Draco Meteor, it can set up a free Belly Drum and destroy the rest of the core. Instead of Hydreigon, I'd recommend something like Garchomp with Poison Jab.

kangaskhan-Jolly/Scrappy/MegaStone

Well, Kangaskhanite is banned, so... oh wait, you're talking about the VGCs...
In that case, I'd reccomend Mega Kangaskhan, 2 counters to Mega Kangaskhan, and 3 counters to Mega Kangaskhan Counters. So Gourgeist, Sableye, Garchomp (but with Rough Skin, not Sand Veil), Chandelure, Espeon... Probably throw in a couple of Lunar Dancers in there too...
No seriously, that's pretty much the way to go in the VGCs.

Also, don't use Super Luck Togekiss. Never use Super Luck Togekiss.
And unless it's specially offensive, use Justified on Lucario.
And never, ever, EVER use anything else than Multiscale on Dragonite.

 

[LoDart210]

That Hydreigon is completely walled by Fairy-Types. In fact, your entire core is pretty weak to fairy-types, particularly Azumarill. If that thing switches in on a Hydreigon Draco Meteor, it can set up a free Belly Drum and destroy the rest of the core. Instead of Hydreigon, I'd recommend something like Garchomp with Poison Jab.

While I agree that azumarill is a problem for this offensive core, other fairies are not.

That's why I included heatran. Bar azumarill he doesn't have much to fear from fairies.

As for azumarill, I'm pretty sure I could use a defensive Pokemon to deal with that.

 

[Terminate421]

I've been running Mienshao and Talonflame together on doubles. Does that count? (Mienshao runs fake out while Talonflame gets a Swords Dance boost. Then BAM! The enemy is gone.)

 

[Celon]

Try out Goodra! Goodra is actually pretty great at taking on greninja even with that ice beam and offers a mon that doesn't lose as much momentum as the blobs with better hitting power. Pure dragon typing has great synergy with Bronzong and adds a second electric resist for Mandibuzz. Mandibuzz can handle most fighting types, but a scarf lando-T might be a nice partner to all of this to add defensive prowess and a way to outspeed dangerous fighting types. That would lighten the load on Mandibuzz, who can be prayed upon with smart play and SR. That definitely leaves you pretty ice weak though so maybe not.

Did I seriously forget about the Assault Vest Goodra I had? (Facepalm)
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 151-182 (39.3 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
I guess I can give Mega Ampharos the shaft, since Goodra fits in the core just as well as Amphy did. Now I need to learn how to stop neglecting my Goodra.

 

[Tava]

Been using the old Heatran + Celebi + Bulky Water (been using crocune) early 4th gen core with some really nice results. FWG cores still seem extremely good to me so far.

 

[The TurtleLord]

Ive found this offensive core to work really well;

Pinsir @ Pinsirite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Return
- Earthquake
- Quick Attack

Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast

the two complement each other very well and can set up on each others walls. spinning/defog is needed also tho, and i use starmie cuz ice resist