Know Your Niche - Round 19 (see: page 12, post 279)

[Martin]

Winners:

by GnralLao

by RedzoneX

by Punchshroom

by Dartrix - Joker

There were a handful of submissions which had the potential to win but were really lacking with their explanations; this is something I'm going to be looking at a lot more from now on, so please make sure that you include a detailed explanation in future. It doesn't need to be a thesis or anything, but make sure you give a decent amount of info.

Also I'd like everyone to give a warm welcome to our two new co-hosts: Colonel M and NukedNukem

Colonel M is a dominant force in C&C who I am already comfortable working with, and both me and Team Pokepals think that he will be able to provide really valuable input on the project going forward.

NukedNukem is a new contributor to the site, but he has shown to be a good contributor so far and is someone who I feel will be a good addition to the team.

And with that out of the way, week 6 will be up shortly.

 

[Martin]

Week 6: Provide a revenge killer that can help deal with Pokemon with limited switch-ins

Specifics

The Pokemon must be capable of consistently revenge killing at least two of the following:

• Mega Pinsir
• Zygarde-50%
• Volcarona
• Mega Mawile
• Mega Metagross
• Greninja

Get submitting!

 

[Eclipse]

Nihilego @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Power Gem
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Scarf Nihilego serves as a great revenge killer to Volcarona, Salamence, Gyarados, Scarf Garchomp, Greninja, Mega Pinsir, Tapu Koko, Scarf Tapu Lele, and even weakened Zygarde-50% due to its phenomenal coverage. Although it has great difficulty switching into a majority of these threats outright besides Volcarona and Tapu Koko, it puts a halt to offensive teams which rely on any of these mons as their wincons.

Calcs

252 SpA Nihilego Hidden Power Ice vs. 240 HP / 212+ SpD Zygarde: 204-240 (48.9 - 57.5%) -- 47.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Nihilego Hidden Power Ice vs. 160 HP / 28 SpD Zygarde: 264-312 (66.4 - 78.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Nihilego: 107-127 (29.8 - 35.3%) -- 24.1% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 336-396 (108 - 127.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 216-256 (60.1 - 71.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Pinsir-Mega: 564-664 (208.1 - 245%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Quick Attack vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Nihilego: 161-189 (44.8 - 52.6%) -- 25% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Nihilego Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Salamence: 312-368 (94.2 - 111.1%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Nihilego Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 388-460 (117.2 - 138.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Nihilego Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 284-336 (99.6 - 117.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Nihilego Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 256-302 (89.8 - 105.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Water Shuriken (20 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nihilego: 270-324 (75.2 - 90.2%) -- approx. 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[GnralLao]

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Knock Off

With Intimidate, Choice Scarf and coverage/utility moves such as Stone Edge and U-turn, Landorus-T has the ability to consistently revenge kill many OU threats including, but not limited to, M-Pinsir, M-Mawile, M-Metagross, Greninja (unless it's Scarfed too) and unboosted Volcarona. Some threats like M-Metagross and Greninja need prior damage before Landorus-T can actually revenge kill them. That's where U-turn's utility comes into play (SR can do the job too, at some point). U-turn will either deal enough damage to those threats for Landorus-T to eventually revenge kill if they stay in (you then choose an appropriate switch-in, if any) or gain momentum for your team if they switch out. However, getting locked into Earthquake can be quite risky, as the opposing team will then have a free swtch-in opportunity if said team have Ground-type immunities/resistances such as Celesteela, Tapu Bulu, etc.

Calcs

+1 252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Quick Attack vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 145-172 (45.4 - 53.9%) -- 46.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pinsir-Mega: 408-480 (150.5 - 177.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 333-393 (104.3 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Scarf Lando sadly can't take on boosted Volcarona)
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 672-792 (216 - 254.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

-1 252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 105-124 (32.9 - 38.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 294-348 (96.7 - 114.4%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO (guaranteed OHKO after SR)

252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 102-120 (31.9 - 37.6%) -- 89.4% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Metagross-Mega: 58-69 (19.2 - 22.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Metagross-Mega: 248-294 (82.3 - 97.6%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 246-291 (86.3 - 102.1%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[RedzoneX]

Reserving Scarf Greninja

 

[Scribble]

Reserving Garchomp

Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage

Calcs

252 Atk Garchomp Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pinsir-Mega: 280-332 (103.3 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 237-280 (66.2 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 336-396 (94.1 - 110.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 240 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 336-396 (80.5 - 94.9%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
176+ Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 133-157 (37.1 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Garchomp Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 468-552 (150.4 - 177.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 267-314 (74.5 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 270-320 (96 - 113.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 300-354 (83.7 - 98.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Metagross-Mega: 230-272 (76.4 - 90.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Meteor Mash vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 217-256 (60.6 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 271-321 (95 - 112.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 228-268 (80 - 94%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Scarf Garchomp has been a well known set for awhile now, as it's good speed tier allows it to be one of the most reliable offensive answers to the ever threatening Volcarona at +1. Garchomp is able to at least 2HKO all of the threats listed, and it outspeeds them all with a Choice Scarf. While it does require Stealth Rock for the straight up OHKO on a couple mons, some chip/getting rocks up isn't hard at all. In fact, Garchomp's Rough Skin ability can serve as the chip needed for the physical attackers like Mega Mawile. Garchomp is a fairly splashable mon that doesn't have too much trouble fitting on to a team, so there's little to no opportunity cost in order to run this to make your matchup vs dangerous offensive threats like Volcarona better. Outrage/Earthquake are on the set for powerful STABS, Dragon Claw for the safer Dragon STAB, and Rock Slide to pick off Volcarona and Mega Pinsir. Poison Jab can be run over Dragon Claw/Outrage if you're weak to Tapu Bulu for whatever reason.

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

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

Scarf Keldeo is one of the best, if not the best scarfer in the tier right now because of the combination of its strong STABs, high speed tier, moderate bulk and resistances. It's also useful early game to wear down checks with Scald. Icy Wind is also nice utility, keeping certain sweepers like Char X at low speed to allow another team mate to revenge kill it after Keldeo does some chip damage. Keldeo is able to do at least 50% or risk a burn to all the listed mons (it does struggle with Pinsir if Psychic Terrain isn't around), however, I'll only list the ones that Keldeo can reliably revenge kill.

Keldeo always lives any attack Greninja throws at it except for Extrasensory which has an 81.3% chance to OHKO with LO. However, Keldeo has a 56.3% chance to OHKO all common typings Greninja will take on with Hydro Pump, putting it in range of dieing to it's own LO. If Greninja has used Ice Beam, Dark Pulse, or has come in, Keldeo will always OHKO it. Keldeo also reliably deals with Ash Greninja because it resists all of its moves (watch for Hydro tho) and has Secret Sword to kill it in return. Scarf Greninja lacks the power to kill Keldeo.

Keldeo can reliably deal with Volcarona under most circumstances. If Volcarona is unboosted, Hydro Pump is a guaranteed OHKO, however at +1 it is a 2HKO (so is Scald). Luckily, Volcarona only has a 6% chance to OHKO Keldeo with Giga Drain, meaning that Keldeo will win in most 1v1 scenarios. Z Hurricane prevents Keldeo from 2HKOing it however. Rarer bulky sets also are also revenged by Keldeo.


Some other threats that Keldeo can revenge kill include unboosted Landorus-T, Scarf Nihilego, Choice locked Terrakion, Salamence, and Gyarados if you run HP Electric.

Calcs

Keldeo dealing damage in Green, Keldeo taking damage in Red
LO Greninja:
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 315-374 (97.5 - 115.7%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 264-312 (92.6 - 109.4%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO (Neutral)
252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 384-452 (134.7 - 158.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO (SE Type)

Scarf Greninja
252 SpA Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 242-288 (74.9 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Ash Greninja
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 165-195 (51 - 60.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Offensive Volcarona
252 SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 184-218 (56.9 - 67.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 276-326 (85.4 - 100.9%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 342-404 (109.9 - 129.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 230-272 (73.9 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 168-198 (54 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Shit Defensive Volcarona
+1 0 SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 228-270 (70.5 - 83.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. +1 240 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 230-272 (61.9 - 73.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Aragorn the King]

Greninja-Ash @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Water Shuriken
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- U-turn

Ash Greninja is a very good revenge killer in the current metagame by virtue of its speed and special attack, which allow it to hurt Pokemon slower than it, and access to the powerful Water Shuriken, allowing it to damage Pokemon faster than it, including those who have boosted their Speed. It's also nice that Ash Greninja's typing allows it to take priority attacks such as Bullet Punch and Sucker Punch in spite of Greninja's bad bulk.

Greninja doesn't even need to have transformed to be able to beat Mega Metagross, as it is able to OHKO it with Dark Pulse 100% of the time while only taking 26.3% max from Bullet Punch.

Regarding Mega Mawile, a previous transformation is optimal, as while Ash Gren has a 100% chance to kill Mawile with Hydro Pump, base Greninja only has a 75% chance after SR. Meanwhile, Sucker Punch does 41% max (at +2 it does 82% max), so played correctly Ash Gren reliably takes Mega Mawile out of the picture.

Assuming Volcarona is at +0 Special Defense, Ash Greninja has a 100% chance to kill with Water Shuriken. If Volc is at +1, however, Stealth Rocks need to be on the field in order for Ash Gren to get the revenge kill.

At +2 Mega Pinsir has a 19% chance to kill Ash Gren while Ash Gren has a 100% chance to kill with Hydro Pump. Gren will be near dead afterwards (if it survives), so it's ideal to get mega pinsir in range of a water shuriken (it does 66% min) because it goes before Quick Attack. If Mega Pinsir is at +0, however, Gren can just OHKO Pinsir with Hydro Pump.

Against Protean Greninja, Ash Greninja is guaranteed the kill no matter what. Water Shuriken destroys Fire- and Ground-type Greninja, Hydro Pump destroys Poison-, Ice-, Psychic-, and Dark-type Greninja, and Dark Pulse destroys Water-type Greninja. The same is true for Ash Greninja before the transformation, with the slight disadvantage in facing water-type greninja as Dark Pulse can do as little as 86% to it. However, assuming Life Orb damage and SR it will crumble to you.

It wasn't on your list, but Water Shuriken is also capable of knocking out Pheromosa easily.

For a tl;dr, a post-transformation Ash-Greninja is guaranteed to revenge kill Mega Metagross, Mega Mawile, Protean Greninja, +0 SpD Volcarona, +0 SpD Pheromosa, and +0 Atk Mega Pinsir. Stealth Rocks are helpful to kill +2 Atk Mega Pinsir and necessary to kill +1 SpD Volcarona.

 

[Random Passerby]

Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Fire

A big part of why these Pokemon are hard to revenge is their access to priority moves (Aeriliate Quick Attack, Extreme Speed, Water Shuriken), all of which gets shut down by Psychic Terrain. With a Choice Scarf, Tapu Lele can outspeed and KO Mega Pinsir, Zygarde, unboosted Pheromosa,Greninja and Ash Greninja. Hidden Power Fire also lets Tapu Lele revenge kill weakened Mega Metagross and Mega Mawile. Note that you can switch Lele in directly if you predict a Swords Dance or Extreme Speed but this isn't recommended as Lele is frail.

 

[drakylon]

Latios @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psychic
- Trick
- Recover / Defog

Has a 100% chance to OHKO on both DD Zygarde-50% and Protean Greninja, a 90+% chance to OHKO post-transformation Ash-Greninja, and a slim chance to OHKO Mega Pinsir, all without Stealth Rock, with Draco Meteor. Rocks turn all of these into guaranteed OHKOs. Outspeeds all of them (and Zygarde at +1) and survives any priority these 'mons might have. Can also revenge kill up to a +2 (+1 if Rocks are up on your side) SubCoil Zygarde unless it is behind a sub, barely surviving a 0 Atk +2 Thousand Arrows and 2HKOing with Draco Meteor. Trick can screw over set-up sweepers not expecting a Choice Scarf, and can lock Volcarona into an attacking move or even Quiver Dance, making it easy for another teammate to handle. Latios can also run Defog over Recover to provide utility to the offensive teams it often finds itself on.

Calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Water Shuriken (20 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 75-90 (24.9 - 29.9%)
252 Atk Choice Band Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 131-155 (43.5 - 51.4%)
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 170-201 (56.4 - 66.7%)
+2 252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Quick Attack vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 216-255 (71.7 - 84.7%)

252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 313-370 (109.8 - 129.8%)
252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 282-333 (98.9 - 116.8%)
252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Pinsir-Mega: 231-273 (85.2 - 100.7%)
252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde: 440-522 (123.2 - 146.2%)

+2 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 234-276 (77.7 - 91.6%)
252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 240 HP / 212+ SpD Zygarde: 330-390 (79.1 - 93.5%)
-2 252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 240 HP / 212+ SpD Zygarde: 164-194 (39.3 - 46.5%)

 

[feel da rain]

Reserving Dugtrio

 

[6ft Torbjorn]

Week 6: Provide a revenge killer that can help deal with Pokemon with limited switch-ins

Specifics

The Pokemon must be capable of consistently revenge killing at least two of the following:

• Mega Pinsir
• Zygarde-50%
• Volcarona
• Mega Mawile
• Mega Metagross
• Greninja

Get submitting!

Gee... some of these...
Where's Deo-S and Mega Pidgeot when you need them? Smh...

Welp, I do have backup as always:

Infernape @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

With Scarf and the coverage it has, alongside 108 base Speed and 104 base Attack: Infernape has the ability to revenge kill at least 3 of the listed Pokemon - if not more with proper support. Volcarona and Greninja* are the two main ones that fall victim to Scarf Infernape. After some nickle and diming, Mega Mawile can be picked off as well (Uturn helps with said chip).

In-depth scenarios:

Volcarona: If you let it kill something that stops it from setting up past +1 - Infernape is able to come in safely and OHKO with Rock Slide. Not much to it, really.

• 252 Atk Infernape Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 400-472 (128.6 - 151.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Greninja: At full, Infernape is actually able to live anything up to a 3-hit clip of WS (252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Water Shuriken (15 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Infernape: 219-264 (74.7 - 90.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO) - and while Infernape can't quite OHKO Mono-water Greninja with CC (or anything neautral), this presumed situation would occur after Greninja has picked something off, leaving it at 80% after hitting Infernape with Water Shuriken, which IS kill range for CC:

• 252 Atk Infernape Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (mono-water) Greninja: 234-276 (82.1 - 96.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Tl;dr Gren commits to a move that leaves it weak to Fighting, and dies to CC.
*Presumed Protean Greninja, where Shuriken is less common. If it's an untransformed Ash Greninja - it straight up dies to CC

Mega Mawile: Not gonna lie, this one's a little more complicated - as Flare Blitz isn't a 100% guaranteed OHKO:

• 252 Atk Infernape Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 278-330 (91.4 - 108.5%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

However, due to Mega Mawile's mediocre 50 base speed, finding Dark resists (as Sucker Punch is it's only way of patching up it's speed) to find said chip is far from an undoable task. Infernape in it's own takes +2 sucker punch comfortably (+2 252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 190-224 (64.6 - 76.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock), but later dies to FB recoil, so this isn't quite what we want. What we DO want is the likes of Rocky Helmet mons; counter-priority (such as Alolan Muk Shadow Sneak); Uturn and the above suggestion of a resist to SP that are able to die in Infernapes' name, and revenge kill with Flare Blitz. Blaze CAN also be proced to kill with Flare Blitz easier - but if an opposing player knows the ranges, this is generally unrealistic.

And that is all! While there is some fiddly nickle and diming to do with certain MUs - it's not an impossible mountain to climb for our good ape friend here, and generally carries out the task to a realistic degree.

BTW Mega Pinsir can also be picked off the same way as Volcarona... but dies to +2 QA, so Psychic Terrain support is needed.
Oh, and sorry about last week...

 

[readytolose]

Tapu Koko @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Brave Bird
- U-turn

Scarf Tapu Koko is a set I've seen a few times and it's kind of bad because it becomes a lot easier to play around once you know it's scarf. That being said it's a pretty decent revenge killer in its own right. Thunderbolt and HP Ice are self-explanatory, Brave Bird is mostly for Volcarona. U-turn lets you get momentum against everything else. The spread here is kinda wonky but Naive lets you do more to Volcarona and the 4 in Special Defense lets you always live a Specs Water Shuriken from full.

Matchups

Tapu Koko is an excellent answer to Mega Pinsir as it resists its Quick Attack and can easily OHKO with Thunderbolt.

Tapu Koko can 2HKO DD Zygarde with HP Ice, but it is KO'd back by Thousand Arrows. Versus SubCoil sets, Tapu Koko's HP Ice basically bounces off. Don't use Tapu Koko as your main answer to Zygarde, but it can take out offensive variants if they're weakened enough.

Brave Bird has a roll of OHKOing offensive Volcarona. It requires a lot more investment to guarantee the KO though, and it's not usually worth losing power on HP Ice and Thunderbolt. That being said a spread with more Attack (switch over to Wild Charge) is usable if you really hate Volcarona.

Thunderbolt can knock out Mega Mawile if it's weakened enough, dealing about 77% to the standard set. Tapu Koko resists Sucker Punch too which means it can take Mawile on if it's at +2. Play Rough simply OHKOs it though.

Similar to Mawile, it is 2HKO'd by Thunderbolt and cannot OHKO back unless it has Earthquake.

Tapu Koko can OHKO Greninja easily with Thunderbolt. Even if it loses its Water typing it can still be OHKO'd. As for Ash Greninja, it can be surprised and taken out, but Water Shuriken does a lot.

 

[TURBODERP]

Just wondering-will we be getting defensive niches too, or is this just solely offensive stuff?

 

[Nuked]

Just wondering-will we be getting defensive niches too, or is this just solely offensive stuff?

We're trying to consider them, but offensive ones are just in general easier to come up with.

 

[vso]

Reserving Talonflame

Talonflame @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Flame Charge/Overheat
Talonflame's niche is revenge killing and is still viable in SuMo, in spite of the Gale Wings' nerf. It Has a workable 90 base attack and still possessing a speed tier to creep Mega Metagross by 1 speed if running an adamant nature. It can Ohko Greninja, Volcarona and Mega Pinsir with stab SSS. It outpriortises Mega Pinsir, can ko Volcarona no matter how many boosts volcarona gets. If Greninja is water shuriken, Talonflame has to be fearful. It does massive damage to Metagross-Mega, and can take it out if it's slightly chipped with flare Blitz, and ohkoes mega mawile with Flare Blitz. However, it requires stealth rocks off the field. Sub coil zygarde needs to be massively chipped to come into SSS range, much more than band and dd.

 

[Martin]

OK we're getting the schedule back to Sunday now

Winners:

by Dartrix - Joker

by Aragorn the King

by Random Passerby

Next theme coming up shortly

 

[Martin]

Week 7: Find a consistent defensive answer to Water-types.

Specifics

The Pokemon must be able to consistently switch into three or more of the following Water-type Pokemon:

• Ash Greninja
• Keldeo
• Manaphy
• Gyarados
• Mega Gyarados
• Mega Sharpedo
• Kingdra
• Primarina

 

[vso]

Reserving Tangrowth
Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 SpD/ 4 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Leaf Storm/Giga Drain
-Earthquake
-Knock Off
- Hidden Power Ice

Tangrowth has gotten more viability over the past months and one of the main reasons for it is because of how reliably it checks bulky and offensive waters alike. Over here, Leaf Storm is chosen over Giga drain to Ohko the likes of keldeo, Manaphy, and Gyarados-Mega. It can reliably beat Keldeo, Greninja-Ash,Manaphy and Kingdra, while beating Gyarados-Mega if left health and a primarina clicking anything besides moonblast. Tangrowth can recover up allother lost health with Regenerator, and is extremely prone to spikes. If greninja-ash has its battle bond activated, Tangrowth takes a lot of damage.

 

[Martin]

Also while I'm at it I might as well say this now 'cause I've had people asking about archives on both of my projects. I have a holiday coming up next week, so I will update them both then; dealing with BBCode can be obnoxious when it doesn't do what you want it to do if you don't have a block of fully uninterupted time, which is why it isn't fully up to date. Thank you for your patience with it :)

 

[Scribble]

Reserving Tapu Fini

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 192 Def / 16 SpD / 52 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Taunt
- Nature's Madness
- Defog

Calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 108-128 (31.4 - 37.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 260-308 (91.2 - 108%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 96-113 (27.9 - 32.9%) -- 83% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 216-254 (66.8 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+3 252 SpA Manaphy Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 294-346 (85.7 - 100.8%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

+1 252 Atk Gyarados Supersonic Skystrike (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 192 Def Tapu Fini: 286-337 (83.3 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Gyarados-Mega Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 192 Def Tapu Fini in Misty Terrain: 187-220 (54.5 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados-Mega: 156-186 (47.1 - 56.1%) -- 76.6% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Strong Jaw Sharpedo-Mega Psychic Fangs vs. 248 HP / 192 Def Tapu Fini: 121-143 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- 81.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sharpedo-Mega: 276-326 (98.2 - 116%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini in Rain: 128-151 (37.3 - 44%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kingdra: 204-242 (70.1 - 83.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 180-213 (52.4 - 62%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Tapu Fini is an interesting mon, as it's viability has fluctuated over the past couple months. The hype it had originally wore off, but it still serves as a very consistent Defogger and Water spam check. Non Normalium Z variants of Keldeo are completely walled by Tapu Fini, along with Ash Greninja and Kingdra. Fini also lives any hit Mega Sharpedo and Mega Gyarados can go for, and it takes +2 for Mega Gyara to 2HKO Tapu Fini with Earthquake. Watch out for Manaphy, Gyarados, and Primarina, though. You wall non Energy Ball Manaphy, but there's no alternate case for Gyarados or Primarina. Fini can live any hit from them at full though, so if a worst case scenario arises Fini can deal some chip with them. Scald can be run on the set over Taunt or Nature's Madness if you're particularly weak to DD Lando-T, but otherwise having the two of them is better than Scald. Tapu Fini is a fairly splashable mon. It's not what it once was, but it's certainly not bad, and is easily one of the best forms of hazard control and Water type answers in the tier.

 

[Leo]

Reserving Toxakek

Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 180 Def / 80 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

The monster itself, Toxapex is a very sturdy Water resist due to its high mixed bulk and access to reliable recovery while also rocking one of the best defensive abilities in the game in Regenerator. Toxapex is extremely hard to break for most Water-type mons and isn't prone to getting worn down due to Regen. Toxic Spikes also helps slowly wear down opposing waters and eventually beat them

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

Tapu Bulu @ Leftovers
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Leech Seed
- Bulk Up / Substitute
- Horn Leech
- Brick Break / Protect

(Really, any Bulu set is great for this, but Leech Seed is the most consistent at doing this for some calcs as seen later)

Due to Tapu Bulus typing of Grass / Fairy, it's able to switch into many of OU's most threatening offensive Water-types, forcing them out and allowing it to wear down switch ins with strong Grassy Terrain boosted Grass STABs, or set-up Subs/Bulk Ups/Swords Dances depending on the set. Out of the mons listed, it's capable of handling Ash Greninja, Keldeo, Mega Gyarados, Mega Sharpedo lacking Ice Fang/Poison Jab, and Choice-locked Kingdra and Primarina.

Calcs

Orange indicates a calc that shows that the Pokemon can carry a common coverage move that beats Bulu. Also, Bulu obviously OHKOs all of these except Kingdra, it's a STAB Grassy Terrain boosted Super Effective hit coming from a max attack Tapu Bulu.

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 159-187 (49.5 - 58.2%) -- 13.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 140-165 (43.6 - 51.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252 SpA Keldeo Icy Wind vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 124-148 (38.6 - 46.1%) -- 70.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Icy Wind vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 188-222 (58.5 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Gyarados-Mega Waterfall vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 132-156 (41.1 - 48.5%) -- 99.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Strong Jaw Sharpedo-Mega Psychic Fangs vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 142-168 (44.2 - 52.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Strong Jaw Sharpedo-Mega Ice Fang vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 200-236 (62.3 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Sharpedo-Mega Poison Jab vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 360-428 (112.1 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Surf vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu in Rain: 153-180 (47.6 - 56%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Hydro Pump vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu in Rain: 186-220 (57.9 - 68.5%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery, Leech Seed recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Ice Beam vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 272-320 (84.7 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Hydro Pump vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 151-178 (47 - 55.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Psychic vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 165-195 (51.4 - 60.7%) -- 46.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Moonblast vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 262-309 (81.6 - 96.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Hidden Power Fire vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 222-262 (69.1 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[TURBODERP]

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Roost
- Defog / Haze
- Toxic / Air Slash

Vs Ash Greninja
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 148-175 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 148-175 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Hard counter if Stealth Rock isn't up, but if they are, then watch out. However, regaining HP on predicted Water Shurikens/Hydro Pumps is really really valuable, and can easily generate momentum for your team.

Vs Keldeo
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 252 HP / 240 Def Mantine: 103-122 (27.5 - 32.6%) -- 85.2% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hidden Power Electric vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 264-312 (70.5 - 83.4%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Keldeo Hidden Power Electric vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 180-212 (48.1 - 56.6%) -- 25% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 252 SpA Keldeo Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 218-257 (58.2 - 68.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Unless Keldeo is packing HP Electric, it always loses, even the Z-Hyper Beam variants at +1 (you can Haze away boosts). Regaining HP on Scald/Hydro Pump is great because the former will be the move Keldeo spams the most.

Vs Manaphy
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 137-162 (36.6 - 43.3%) -- 98.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+6 252 SpA Manaphy Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 219-258 (58.5 - 68.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

This is the best Manaphy can do against you. Since you're immune to Hydro Vortex, that renders Manaphy's most powerful move against you worse-than-useless as you just heal up off of it. Meanwhile you can sit and spam Toxic or Scald burns as you see fit and wear down the PP (while Hazing as needed).

Vs Kingdra
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 189-223 (50.5 - 59.6%) -- 84% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

As long as SR aren't up, you can switch on Draco Meteor and eat the second Draco and Roost up. Gaining HP off of Scald/Hydro Pump (which is what Kingdra wants to spam the most) is great and eats momentum.

Vs Primarina
252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16+ SpD Mantine: 169-199 (45.1 - 53.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Come in, Roost off damage, Toxic stall. You're immune to the Scald spam to boot.

 

[BuoyantLlama]

I'll take Gastrodon