Project National Dex OU: Break This Core (Week 57 voting: Gouging Fire + Dragonite)

[K302]

approved by mod team
OP stolen from Gen 8 OU Break This Core
Hosted by K302
Co-hosted by Dead by Daylight

Amazing artwork by ASKid679!​

Hello and welcome to National Dex OU: Break this Core! In this project you'll be presented with a popular core in the metagame each week and allowed to submit a mon or core of your own to break the presented one.

Every Sunday a popular offensive or defensive core will be posted by your hosts.
Posting will last until Friday where you will have the chance to submit a Pokemon or core to break it.

Rules

• Submission Cycles will last from Sunday to Friday, and Voting Cycles will last from Friday to Sunday.
• You may reserve a Pokemon, however you must state what set you are reserving as well. You will have 12 hours before your reservation becomes invalid and is free to be taken by someone else.
• The same pokemon may be used by different people, however the sets used must be different. For example, if I wanted to submit specs Dragapult, K302 could still use Dragapult, but it would have to be a different set such as DD or Wisp.
• Submissions may only be of Pokemon that are in the current Viability Rankings.
• An explanation is required, although it doesn't have to be too long. Calcs and Replays are not required, however they help to better support your submission and argument.
• Make sure the mons that you've submitted, have viable sets and spreads and can also be prevalent support for a team.
• Please be respectful of others during submission and voting.

Week	Core	Winning Pokemon	Winner
1			sealoo
2			ASKid679
3			Sputnik
4			hidin
5			Sputnik
6			Giyu
7			setset77
8			Giyu
9			Sputnik
10			sh0shin
11			Giyu
12			Skillbow
13			Skillbow
14			Runo
15			Larrycharizard1
16			montegom
17			Skillbow
18			uppababy
19			Kinzo Ketchum
20			Vainness
21			Oculars
22			Adriyun
23			Kinzo Ketchum
24			GFGcreationz
25			Kinzo Ketchum
26
27			Chino_
28			dewfew
29			seth
30			GFGcreationz
31			Kuhrrohsion
33			Ineros
34			Oculars
35			GoldenCyber
36			Ineros
37			Dabman1069
38			Mullidito
39			DaRotomMachine
40			Ineros
41			Flames Of Elixir
43			Ineros
44			Dabman1069
45			Hittite Jumpscare
46
47			Hittite Jumpscare
48			Animemer
49
50
51
52
53

 

[Redgoop115]

And we're live for our first week of gen 9! To kick things off we're starting with the high-powered offensive core of CB Zamazenta + Specs Dragapult!

Sets

Zamazenta @ Choice Band
Ability: Dauntless Shield
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Wild Charge
- Ice Fang


Dragapult @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Shadow Ball
- U-turn
- Flamethrower

This will be a shorter submission cycle than normal, so get your submissions in by Friday the 20th at 8 PM GMT-5. Good Luck!

 

[Bka Onon]

Iron Valiant @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fairy / Ghost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aura Sphere
- Shadow Ball
- Moonblast
- Psyshock / Trick

Simple and straight forward, you send it in, it kills the 2 things, and doesn't die to their attacks on switching in

Offense Calcs

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 260-308 (80 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Tera Fairy Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 348-412 (107 - 126.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Tera Ghost Iron Valiant Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Ghost Dragapult: 312-368 (98.4 - 116%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 372-438 (117.3 - 138.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Defense Calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 246-291 (85.1 - 100.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Iron Valiant: 150-177 (51.9 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Tera Fighting Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Iron Valiant: 201-237 (69.5 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Tera Fighting Zamazenta Close Combat vs. Tera Ghost Iron Valiant: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever (Trol)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tera Ghost Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 328-388 (113.4 - 134.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

(Footnote: Also btw hope u guys like the art :D)

 

[NeonJolteonWasUsed]

Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Future Sight

Incredibly Simple Solution, but an effective one regardless. Able to revenge kill both from full health with its STABs, and even if they've managed to gather information that it was Scarf Earlier in the game, you can simply use it as an oppertunity to set up Future Sight, and keep them from trying to come in later, or set up one of your own wallbreakers. Psychic is chosen over Psyshock in order to OHKO Zamazenta through Dauntless Shield, whereas Psyshock would fail to do so.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta in Psychic Terrain: 338-402 (104 - 123.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 392-464 (123.6 - 146.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[sealoo]

Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Moonblast
- Diamond Storm
- Mystical Fire


252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Diancie-Mega: 256-303 (84.2 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
spec'd tbh

TrickyTrickRoomer up then click Moonblast 2x

 

[K302]

It's time to start voting, only one Submission can win! Ends Sunday the 22th at 8 PM GMT-5. Good luck!

Iron Valiant @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fairy / Ghost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aura Sphere
- Shadow Ball
- Moonblast
- Psyshock / Trick

Simple and straight forward, you send it in, it kills the 2 things, and doesn't die to their attacks on switching in

Offense Calcs

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 260-308 (80 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Tera Fairy Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 348-412 (107 - 126.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Tera Ghost Iron Valiant Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Ghost Dragapult: 312-368 (98.4 - 116%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 372-438 (117.3 - 138.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Defense Calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 246-291 (85.1 - 100.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Iron Valiant: 150-177 (51.9 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Tera Fighting Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Iron Valiant: 201-237 (69.5 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Tera Fighting Zamazenta Close Combat vs. Tera Ghost Iron Valiant: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever (Trol)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tera Ghost Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 328-388 (113.4 - 134.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

(Footnote: Also btw hope u guys like the art :D)

Annihilape @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 240 SpD / 16 Spe
Careful Nature
- Rage Fist
- Drain Punch
- Rest
- Bulk Up

simple gameplan; dragapult comes out and clicks either STAB move as you tera fairy and bulk up, then you rest and kill it with rage fist and eat a hit from zama because you terastallized and kill it too

Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Future Sight

Incredibly Simple Solution, but an effective one regardless. Able to revenge kill both from full health with its STABs, and even if they've managed to gather information that it was Scarf Earlier in the game, you can simply use it as an oppertunity to set up Future Sight, and keep them from trying to come in later, or set up one of your own wallbreakers. Psychic is chosen over Psyshock in order to OHKO Zamazenta through Dauntless Shield, whereas Psyshock would fail to do so.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta in Psychic Terrain: 338-402 (104 - 123.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 392-464 (123.6 - 146.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Moonblast
- Diamond Storm
- Mystical Fire


252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Diancie-Mega: 256-303 (84.2 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
spec'd tbh

TrickyTrickRoomer up then click Moonblast 2x

 

[adem]

valiant

 

[ArSd]

sealoo

 

[low ladder Erti]

diancie

 

[gamer but swag]

Diancie

 

[Deciduii]

Valiant

 

[SoBalanced]

Valiant, though the Diancie is fire!

 

[Redgoop115]

Congratulations to sealoo for winning the first week with his trickroom Diance!

As I'm sure you all can tell, this is going up a bit late, so to get the project back on track, submissions for this week will last until Saturday, and voting will run until Monday. That said, our core for this week is a defensive one: Skeledirge + Clodsire + Tornadus-Therian. How will you break this core?

Sets

Skeledirge @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Torch Song
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex
- Slack Off


Clodsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Recover


Tornadus-Therian @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Bleakwind Storm
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog

Again, submissions close on Saturday the 28th. Good luck!

 

[Giyu]

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Scorching Sands
- Roost

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Scorching Sands vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Skeledirge: 224-264 (54.3 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Skeledirge: 382-450 (92.7 - 109.2%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Clodsire in Sun: 226-267 (48.7 - 57.5%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tornadus-Therian in Sun: 343-405 (95 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

 

[Deciduii]

Tapu Lele @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind

Calcs

252 SpA Tapu Lele Shattered Psyche (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Skeledirge in Psychic Terrain: 429-505 (104.1 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Clodsire in Psychic Terrain: 510-602 (109.9 - 129.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tornadus-Therian in Psychic Terrain: 204-240 (56.5 - 66.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Bleakwind Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 103-123 (36.6 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

This is a set from gen 8 that holds quite well against this core. Psychium Z is run over Fightinium Z to OHKO Skeledirge.
Heatran is a good pair with this Pokemon as it can deal with Steel types that Lele can’t hit itself such as Gholdengo and Mega Scizor.

 

[SoBalanced]

Garganacl @ Leftovers
Ability: Purifying Salt
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Body Press
- Salt Cure
- Iron Defense
- Recover

The core legit can not touch the guy: sets up +6 Defense and smash Clodsire and Torn; Skel gets chipped to death by Salt Cure.​

 

[diseased rodent]

Baxcalibur @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Thermal Exchange
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Glaive Rush
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash


252+ Atk Tera Dragon Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skeledirge: 226-266 (54.9 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO Copied


252+ Atk Tera Dragon Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Clodsire: 464-548 (100.2 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO Copied

252+ Atk Tera Dragon Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-Therian: 374-442 (124.6 - 147.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
how to break a core with 1 button (band does this even harder but the world aint ready for this conversation)

 

[Triton_da_g.o.a.t]

Hi smogon, i am back, also

Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Trick

This set doesn't necessarily threaten the core offensively, but it manages to cripple them, scarf makes it outspeed torn which makes it capable of vswitching on torn, for the other 2 it can trick and ruin them and for skeld it can hydro pump after the trick (or maybe even before it if skeld was chipped) it also can vswich if sked/clod tera'ed, and it can will-o-wisp on clod which pressures and also tera steel so it doesn't get toxic'ed.

 

[Bka Onon]

Excadrill @ Groundium Z
Ability: Mold Breaker
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin / Rock Slide

Clearly not unaware of these boosts I'm telling you! Tera Fire lets you not be burned by Skeledirge and also resist its Torch Song, the Z Crystallets you absorb Knock Offs from Tornadus.

Offense Calcs

252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Clodsire: 506-596 (109 - 128.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tera Flying Clodsire: 403-475 (86.8 - 102.3%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skeledirge: 486-572 (117.9 - 138.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tera Water Skeledirge: 435-513 (105.5 - 124.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tornadus-Therian: 321-378 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tera Steel Tornadus-Therian: 402-474 (111.3 - 131.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Defense Calcs

0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 258-306 (71.4 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 266-314 (73.6 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 266-314 (73.6 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Bleakwind Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 82-97 (22.7 - 26.8%) -- 39.7% chance to 4HKO
0- Atk Tornadus-Therian Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 64-76 (17.7 - 21%) -- possible 5HKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Bleakwind Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Fire Excadrill: 165-195 (45.7 - 54%) -- 46.5% chance to 2HKO

 

[MajorHurricane]

Gyarados-Mega @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Moxie
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch

Mgyara is surprisingly bulky SpDef, especially behind screens on HO teams like it usually is on, it generally doesn't care about any attack Torn-T throws at it and hits back harder. As long as you don't switch this into toxic or will-o-wisp this guy cuts through this core like butter.

 

[K302]

So many submissions, which broke this stall core best? Voting ends Monday!

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Scorching Sands
- Roost

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Scorching Sands vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Skeledirge: 224-264 (54.3 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Skeledirge: 382-450 (92.7 - 109.2%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Clodsire in Sun: 226-267 (48.7 - 57.5%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tornadus-Therian in Sun: 343-405 (95 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

Tapu Lele @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind

Calcs

252 SpA Tapu Lele Shattered Psyche (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Skeledirge in Psychic Terrain: 429-505 (104.1 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Clodsire in Psychic Terrain: 510-602 (109.9 - 129.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tornadus-Therian in Psychic Terrain: 204-240 (56.5 - 66.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Bleakwind Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 103-123 (36.6 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

This is a set from gen 8 that holds quite well against this core. Psychium Z is run over Fightinium Z to OHKO Skeledirge.
Heatran is a good pair with this Pokemon as it can deal with Steel types that Lele can’t hit itself such as Gholdengo and Mega Scizor.

Garganacl @ Leftovers
Ability: Purifying Salt
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Body Press
- Salt Cure
- Iron Defense
- Recover

The core legit can not touch the guy: sets up +6 Defense and smash Clodsire and Torn; Skel gets chipped to death by Salt Cure.​

Baxcalibur @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Thermal Exchange
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Glaive Rush
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash


252+ Atk Tera Dragon Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skeledirge: 226-266 (54.9 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO Copied


252+ Atk Tera Dragon Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Clodsire: 464-548 (100.2 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO Copied

252+ Atk Tera Dragon Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-Therian: 374-442 (124.6 - 147.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
how to break a core with 1 button (band does this even harder but the world aint ready for this conversation)

Hi smogon, i am back, also

Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Trick

This set doesn't necessarily threaten the core offensively, but it manages to cripple them, scarf makes it outspeed torn which makes it capable of vswitching on torn, for the other 2 it can trick and ruin them and for skeld it can hydro pump after the trick (or maybe even before it if skeld was chipped) it also can vswich if sked/clod tera'ed, and it can will-o-wisp on clod which pressures and also tera steel so it doesn't get toxic'ed.

Excadrill @ Groundium Z
Ability: Mold Breaker
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin / Rock Slide

Clearly not unaware of these boosts I'm telling you! Tera Fire lets you not be burned by Skeledirge and also resist its Torch Song, the Z Crystallets you absorb Knock Offs from Tornadus.

Offense Calcs

252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Clodsire: 506-596 (109 - 128.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tera Flying Clodsire: 403-475 (86.8 - 102.3%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skeledirge: 486-572 (117.9 - 138.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tera Water Skeledirge: 435-513 (105.5 - 124.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tornadus-Therian: 321-378 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tera Steel Tornadus-Therian: 402-474 (111.3 - 131.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Defense Calcs

0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 258-306 (71.4 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 266-314 (73.6 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 266-314 (73.6 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Bleakwind Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 82-97 (22.7 - 26.8%) -- 39.7% chance to 4HKO
0- Atk Tornadus-Therian Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 64-76 (17.7 - 21%) -- possible 5HKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Bleakwind Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Fire Excadrill: 165-195 (45.7 - 54%) -- 46.5% chance to 2HKO

Gyarados-Mega @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Moxie
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch

Mgyara is surprisingly bulky SpDef, especially behind screens on HO teams like it usually is on, it generally doesn't care about any attack Torn-T throws at it and hits back harder. As long as you don't switch this into toxic or will-o-wisp this guy cuts through this core like butter.

 

[Deciduii]

Excadrill

 

[K302]

Congratulations to ASKid679 for winning this week of Break this Core!

This week we will take a look at a very potent (and controversial) HO core: Tapu Koko + Espathra + Cyclizar!



How will YOU break this core? Submissions end Friday!

Sets

Cyclizar @ Heavy Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Draco Meteor
- Taunt
- Shed Tail

Tapu Koko @ Light Clay
Ability: Electric Surge
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- U-turn
- Taunt

Espathra @ Electric Seed
Ability: Speed Boost
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Stored Power
- Tera Blast

 

[MajorHurricane]

Ting-Lu @ Mental Herb
Ability: Vessel of Ruin
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Ruination

The best way to stop Espathra from snowballing out of control is simply tera ting-lu. Just Tera into Steel, click Whirlwind, boom it's no longer a problem at that given moment. Worried about koko taunting you? Mental Herb has got you covered.

 

[Sputnik]

Clodsire @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Recover
- Stealth Rock

Tera Dark Clod hardwalls Espa no matter what tricks its running, even if Cyc and Koko have supported it properly. Even Tera Fighting doesn't beat it.

0 SpA Tera Fighting Espathra Tera Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Tera Dark Clodsire: 126-150 (27.2 - 32.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

Clod can easily break Espa's Cyc provided subs and apply Toxic without running out of Recover PPs.

Other HO teammates beat this Clod set but thats just how Espa HO goes rn so L.