Project National Dex OU Next Best Thing: Cycle 34 - Medicham-Mega (Voting)

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Dorron

BLU LOBSTAH
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Approved by Jho | OP taken from Egor's one | Hosted by Dorron

What is the Next Best Thing?
The Next Best Thing is a project where users search through the listed Pokemon's movepool and post about it. In your post, explain what is does and why it should be used over a standard set. Here are a few examples, courtesy of TPP, Anish and Finchinator, which can be found below!

:sm/garchomp:
click me!
Garchomp by TPP

:sm/zygarde:
click me!
Zygarde by Anish

:sm/tangrowth:
click me!
Tangrowth by Finchinator

How does it work?
Every cycle a new Pokemon will be chosen for participants to create a new creative yet effective set, and this set should not be in progress of being written or already uploaded on the Smogdex. The participants will get 3-4 days to make their set and create their post. People may discuss the set posted during these days, the following two days there will be a vote to represent the most creative yet effective set. After the voting, the winner will have been announced and their post will be archived.

Rules
  • Feel free to be as creative as possible, but you must be able to showcase the viability of your set. Replays are a good asset to demonstrate your arguments - especially for newer players - but are not compulsory.
  • Your set may not be changed after the voting phase as begun, but may be changed prior to the voting stage.
  • You may only submit one set per week.
  • You cannot vote for your own submission.
  • Do not post sets that have either been reserved or have been posted. However, you may reserve a set if the reservation has not been altered for over 24 hours.
  • Please do not make a habit out of not following up on your reservation.
  • Please do not reserve a set that currently has an analysis or is in the process of being created.
 
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Dorron

BLU LOBSTAH
is a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a defending World Cup of Pokemon Champion
Reserved


Cycle 1
:ss/hydreigon:
Z-Belch by Solaros & Lunaris

Cycle 2
:sm/clefable:
Electrium Z by faded love

Cycle 3
:ss/aegislash:
Choice Band by SputnikGT


Cycle 4
:ss/gliscor:
Defog by Super Suit

Cycle 5
:ss/cinderace:
Taunt by Dragonpiley007

Cycle 6
:sm/latias-mega:

Whirlpool + Reflect Type by Saladae

Cycle 7.5
:ss/weavile:
Z Punishment by R8bbit Konijn Lapin

Cycle 8
:ss/landorus-therian:
Substitute + Swords Dance by Jordy

Cycle 9
:ss/mew:
Defensive Stealth Rock by pannuracotta

Cycle 10.5

Sand Veil + Bright Powder by Solaros & Lunaris

Cycle 11

Choice Scarf by adem

Cycle 12

Substitute by adem

Cycle 13

Expert Belt 4A by adem

Cycle 14

Worry Seed by adem

Cycle 15

Z-Move by adem

Cycle 16: Halloween Theme

Safety Goggles by Sputnik

Cycle 17

Work Up by adem

Cycle 18
:ss/tapu-lele:

Assault Vest by Kyotoshi

Cycle 19
:ss/blissey:

Ice Beam by lifemap

Cycle 20
:ss/kyurem:
Subs + DD by Solaros & Lunaris

Cycle 21
:ss/kartana:
Z-Tailwind by Nish the Great

Cycle 22
:ss/slowking-galar:

No Submissions

Cycle 23
:ss/urshifu-rapid-strike:

Protective Pads by TailGlowVM

Cycle 24
:ss/tyranitar: :ss/tyranitar-mega:

Lash Out by Icegod777

Cycle 25
:ss/lopunny-mega:
Toxic by ChrisPBacon

Cycle 26
:ss/kommo-o:

Steelium Z by WM2N

Cycle 27
:ss/tapu-fini:

HP Fire 3A by WM2N


Cycle 28
:ss/serperior:
Stallbreaker by Nish the Great

Cycle 29
:ss/tapu-koko:

CM Z-move by R8

Cycle 30
:ss/heatran:
Metal Sound by Nish the Great

Cycle 31
:ss/tapu-bulu:
SubSeed by GiyuForPresident

Cycle 32
:ss/mr-mime:
Choice Scarf by ibleachyourskin

Cycle 33
:ss/volcanion:
Substitute by K302

Cycle 34
:ss/mawile-mega:
Taunt Stallbreaker by WM2N

:ss/medicham-mega:
 
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Cycle 1
:sm/Hydreigon:

With Nasty Plot in its movepool, Hydreigon has become one of the best offensive threats in the tier. It flagship NP + Roost set dominates common balance structures and has even made otherwise mediocre defensive pokemon like Mandibuzz into real picks on balance. Thanks to the dominance of Ash-Greninja and Galarian Darmanitan, its Choice Scarf set has become a easy glue for Offenses and Balance alike. Due to its great movepool, there a lot it can run so go wild!

Deadline is June 17th
Banned Sets
 
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Solaros & Lunaris

Hold that faith that is made of steel
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
:ss/hydreigon:
Hydreigon @ Poisonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Earth Power
- Belch

For offensive teams who want to preserve momentum and have a check to Blace, Heattom, Tran, Gren and Reuni, Z-Belch Hydreigon is perfect. It lures in the bulky Fairy-types that give offensive teams trouble, like Tapu Fini and Unaware Clefable. These two are particularly important for ensuring the balance and stall mus go in you favor bc they let Hydreigon beat all common defensive cores, letting something like Mega Gyarados sweep the rest of the team with extreme ease.
 
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sanguine

friendly fire
is a Tiering Contributor
:sm/hydreigon:
95 TILL INFINITY (Hydreigon) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 8 HP / 240 SpA / 28 SpD / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Poison]
- U-turn

Choice Specs Hydreigon is a decent alternative to Ash Greninja, providing more up front power combined with pivoting ability, defensive utility, and options to hit traditional answers to Dragon-types hard. Dark Pulse may seem like an odd omission, but Hidden Power Poison + Earth Power is Hydreigon’s best two moves to hit every viable Fairy-type while still maintaining the ability to 2HKO Toxapex. For example, Hidden Power Poison 2HKOes standard physically defensive Clefable and also Tapu Fini after Stealth Rock and minimal chip. Earth Power 2HKOes Toxapex, 3HKOes Assault Vest Magearna (who has no recovery, mind you), and even still can OHKO Metagross / offensive variants of Aegislash after minimal chip.

+1 240 SpA Hydreigon Hidden Power Poison vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 206-244 (52.2 - 61.9%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 240 SpA Hydreigon Hidden Power Poison vs. 248 HP / 40+ SpD Tapu Fini: 134-158 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
(switches in once)
+1 240 SpA Hydreigon Draco Meteor over 2 turns vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Toxapex: 307-362 (100.9 - 119%) -- guaranteed KO in 2 turns after Black Sludge recovery
+1 240 SpA Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Toxapex: 170-202 (55.9 - 66.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+1 252 SpA Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 224+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 128-152 (35.2 - 41.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (switches in once from full)
+1 240 SpA Hydreigon Draco Meteor over 2 turns vs. 252 HP / 48 SpD Corviknight: 276-326 (69 - 81.5%) -- not a KO (minimal chip and it’s in range)
+1 240 SpA Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Aegislash-Shield: 214-252 (81.9 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 240 SpA Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 262-310 (87 - 102.9%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
 
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Sputnik

Bono My Tires are Deceased
is a Contributor Alumnus
:ss/hydreigon:
Hydreigon @ Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 224 Def / 32 SpD
Bold Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn / Earth Power

Well this is...a thing. Hydreigon's typing, reliable recovery, and access to Defog allow it to check Ash Greninja and Heatran while also Defogging away the hazards that they lay down, giving it a sort of Tapu Fini esque niche with reliable recovery. The bulk investment is key for taking on Mega Metagross as your secondary answer to the supercomputer, with it always living two Meteor Mashes from full health. With a layer of Spikes down and chip from Rocky Helmet, you can potentially KO it in return. It also punishes a U-turning Gdarm if it comes to that, as it only does about 60% max, although obviously staying in with your Hydreigon isn't wise. (It is worth noting that Icicle Crash has a rather low chance to OHKO, however.) The rest of the investment is dumped into Special Defense to take on Ash Greninja and Heatran better, which is obviously this sets main job. With Earth Power, Defensive Heatran and Grassium are dealt with, and Steelium no longer OHKOs Hydreigon from full with this investment. Ash Greninja can't 2HKO from full even when transformed with this investment, and with Leftovers, has a very low chance of 2HKOing after Stealth Rock. In addition, this set is hard to wear down thanks to Levitate and Roost, and it can pivot as well, although Earth Power definitely has merit for the Heatran matchup. Just keep in mind you need a round of rocks before Offensive Heatran is guaranteed to be OHKOd by it.

0 SpA Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 300-356 (92.8 - 110.2%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Meteor Mash vs. 252 HP / 224+ Def Hydreigon: 163-193 (42 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 194-230 (64.4 - 76.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 32 SpD Hydreigon: 160-189 (41.2 - 48.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Gorilla Tactics Darmanitan-Galar U-turn vs. 252 HP / 224+ Def Hydreigon: 192-226 (49.4 - 58.2%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Gorilla Tactics Darmanitan-Galar Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 224+ Def Hydreigon: 348-410 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
 
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I'm voting for Z-Belch, anyway congrats to Solaros & Lunaris for winning the first cycle.

Cycle 2
:ss/clefable:

When Urshifu released its blows into the metagame Clefable became a lot of more popular as it resists both its STABs. Clefable's abilities are what make up for its bad stats. Magic Guard lets Clefable greatly annoying defensive teams while Unaware lets it beat a lot of stallbreakers like Reuniclus. Clefable's movepool is actually insane, its only second to Mew in scale. With all of these moves at its disposal it can run a lot of potential sets. Lets see what you guys come up with.

Deadline is June 28th
Banned Sets
 

Solaros & Lunaris

Hold that faith that is made of steel
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
:ss/clefable:
Clefable @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Flamethrower / Thunderbolt
- Soft-Boiled

While Clefable’s defensive utility is what the metagame desires right now, Life Orb Clefable is still fully capable of pivoting in on Urshifu, as it is not OHKOed by Poison Jab and is 3HKOed by Wicked Blow/Close Combat. Regardless, it trades some defensive utility for a major offensive presence, often being enough to dismantle stall and slower balance teams with ease. Its Dark-resist is appreciated by the Ferrothorn, Toxapex, and Reuniclus that are partnered with it. Your choice of coverage is up to preference reslly, but CM is necessary to beat Rotom-Heat and non-Haze Toxapex. Flamethrower allows you to threaten Ferrothorn and Mega Metagross on the switch, while Thunderbolt ensures Toxapex and Specially Defensive Heatran’s deaths are much faster
 
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Fairium Z

:sm/clefable:

Clefable @ Fairium Z
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Thunderbolt / Flamethrower
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled

Fairium Z Clefable is a pretty interesting wincon despite its lack of power against the likes of Toxapex and taunt Heatran, but the ability to set up on a fair few defensive pivots gives this set some sort of utility. Fairium Z allows Clefable to dent other CM users that may try to set up on it to prevent them from winning a CM war, i.e Reuniclus. It also helps to severely dent a random pivot that may try to force Clefable out. Other Z options are possible, such as Electrium Z /w Ice Beam, but I decided to leave those out.
 
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Zneon

uh oh
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Clefable @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 184 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Counter
- Stealth Rock

Pretty, eh, cool set I guess. As you all know, Mega Metagross is absolutely absurd and overcentralising in typical Mega Metagross style, and Metagross + Urshifu has become an absolutely dangerous core, so I this set is trying to take advantage of that via Counter, Meteor Mash always just 2HKOs Clef and it just fires back with Counter, this set could also be incredibly useful for other stuff like Mega Scizor for example. The EV spread allows Clef to always live a +2 Tectonic Rage from Hydreigon at full. Very blessed tech as it allows it to compress rocks as well.
 
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Sputnik

Bono My Tires are Deceased
is a Contributor Alumnus
:ss/clefable:
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Teleport
- Moonblast
- Wish
- Protect

This Clefable works as a pivot that can freely get in dangerous breakers such as Urshifu, Mega Metagross, and Galarian Darmanitan. It unfortunately has to be WishTect because of move illegalities, but if you absolutely need to fit Stealth Rock or something it can run Moonlight. WishPort is also an interesting to safely confirm that your next Pokemon to get in will be healed up properly. Max Defense allows it to deal with Mega Lop, Urshi, Mmedi, you know the drill, and Protect makes it even more of a reliable Mega Medicham answer than normal.
 
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Avery

Banned deucer.
1592778185729.png

Clefable @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Stealth Rock
- Misty Explosion

Obviously this set is uhh... interesting, to say the least. The objective here is to lead with Clef on HO, get both your screens up against the other team, punish Defog with Bisharp, and if their Defogger is Tapu Fini, you get off a FAT Misty Explosion. This is in a similar vein to Sui Mew, but this benefits from opposing Tapu Fini's prescence. If they taunt you just go into a pokemon like Bisharp who can deal heavy damage at neutral, then you go back to Clef on their fighting type. Additionally, it compresses rocks and screens into one suicide lead, and resists both of Urshifu's STABs, which is pretty important right now. 10/10 tech.
 
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sanguine

friendly fire
is a Tiering Contributor


:sm/clefable:
ELECTRIC FEEL (Clefable) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 56 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Flamethrower
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled

This modified variant of a Clefable set from ORAS aims to abuse common answers to it such as Toxapex and Metagross while still maintaining a semblance of of both creativity and viability, unlike some of the sets above. The given EVs guarantee an OHKO at +1 with Z-Thunder on standard 252 / 156+ Toxapex after Stealth Rock and the OHKO on standard 252 / 244 Mega Scizor from full when unboosted, all while hitting a pretty jump point. You can also run 80 Speed EVs if you wish to outrun a paralyzed Metagross, which could be useful depending on how intense your inner pescador is. It’s good, I pinky swear.
 
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