Project National Dex OU Victim of the Week - Week 18: Mega Garchomp

[Zneon]

Since its a tie between Melmetal and Mega Aggron, I'm casting my vote for Melmetal. With that, congrats to Chazm for winning this round!

This week our Pokemon will be one of the most potent Pokemon in the metagame right now, if not the most potent, that being Dragapult:



Dragapult @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Darts
- Phantom Force
- Substitute

The metagames most dangerous wincon, it can easily sweep teams on its own and can fit on a wide variety of teams. What checks/counters do you have for this Pokemon?

Submissions end on November 1st, good luck!​

 

[KirbCena]

Reserving Unaware Clefable as a counter

 

[Chemical_Jackfruit]

Reserving mega ttar

 

[Spyro]

Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Defog/Body Press
- Iron Defense
- Brave Bird

You come in on Dragapult as it uses Dragon Dance then you tank the Z move on the turn you Iron Defense and comfortably Roost up to full because of the 2 turn Phantom Force. If it keeps DDing you simply boost with him and it will never get past you. Brave Bird 2HKOs Dragapult.

 

[Piley]

Reserving curse mega scizor

 

[astralydia]

Reserving Rocky Helmet Tangrowth

 

[TURBODERP]

COUNTER

Mandibuzz @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 160 Def / 44 SpD / 56 Spe
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Taunt / Defog / Knock Off
- U-turn / Toxic

Niche mon but it's one of my favs so HERE IT GOES. The Buzz walls this Dragapult set (and most Dragapult, but watch out for Electrium-Z) assuming that HDB haven't been removed and Rocks aren't up. That's really important, since with Rocks up and HDB off, this Dragapult set 2HKO's Buzz with +1 Dragon Darts on the switch in.

EVs are just the ones from the SS OU Analysis, but 56 Speed EVs hits 210 Speed letting Buzz outspeed Adamant Crawdaunt and anything below (notably Adamant Mega Mawile). You can shift them around as needed. Buzz can Defog but unless it packs Taunt, Ferro and Tran can just reapply hazards, and without U-Turn, Mandibuzz can drain momentum and is also vulnerable to trapping by Heatran.

Mandibuzz has a lot of flaws and is really reliant on HDB to do its job, but having a fat Ghost and Dark resist with reliable recovery is a valuable niche.

 

[pannu]

Votw is back! There was no winner last week because voting was never done so I will just be getting to the new victim


Spectrier @ Leftovers
Ability: Grim Neigh
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- Nasty Plot

Despite the less then ideal movepool this horse has, it can prove a massive threat to any team that doesnt have a reliable Switch-in to it. What Counters or Checks do you have for it? Submissions end on Friday at 11:59PM GMT+1!​

 

[Piley]

reserving mega tyranitar

 

[Sputnik]

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 92 SpA / 72 SpD / 92 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Snarl
- Earth Power
- Roost
- Defog

Defensive Hydreigon is an effective Counter to most Spectrier sets without a Z-Move, and this one is no exception. With Snarl, Hydreigon can come in on Spectrier rather easily and punish Spectrier for either Nasty Plotting or Burning Hydreigon on the switch. Snarl 2HKOs Spectrier in return.

+2 252 SpA Spectrier Hex (65 BP) vs. 252 HP / 72+ SpD Hydreigon: 105-125 (27 - 32.2%) -- 51.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

92 SpA Hydreigon Snarl vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Spectrier: 186-222 (54.5 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Steorra]

reserving zarude

Counter

Zarude @ Darkinium Z
Jolly Nature
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SpD / 232 Spe
- Power Whip
- Darkest Lariat
- Bulk Up
- Jungle Healing

Max hp to take on hits from spectrier as well as possible. speed to creep garchomp and rest in spdef to better handle chomp. Jungle healing gives it recovery so it can keep itself healthy in battle to later handle spectrier, and to also cure burn if spectrier decides to burn it. Bulk up to take advantage of mons that don't threaten zarude that much. Power whip to have a way to hit water types and a generally powerful stab move. Darkest lariat as another generally powerful stab move to abuse and the main move to hit spectrier with. With darkinium z in its arsenal it can threaten to ohko spect after rock chip or some small amount chip when burnt with z darkest lariat and outright ohko without being burnt.

When burnt using z-darkest lariat:
0 Atk burned Zarude Black Hole Eclipse (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Spectrier: 304-358 (89.1 - 104.9%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO

When using z-darkest lariat healthy:
0 Atk Zarude Black Hole Eclipse (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Spectrier: 608-716 (178.2 - 209.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Zarude taking a +2 hex from spectrier while burnt:
+2 252 SpA Spectrier Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Zarude: 234-276 (56.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
Spectrier will need to get massive chip on zarude and keep it burnt prior to setting up in order to have a chance at beating it

 

[Optify]

Reserving mandi

 

[crow crumbs]

Volcarona @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Roost
- Quiver Dance

Counter: volcarona can come in on literally anything at +0 and setup for free unless it has no hdb + rocks up or if its statused for some reason (which in the former case it still wins if it comes in on wow).

calcs

252 SpA Spectrier Hex (65 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 111-132 (29.7 - 35.3%) -- 21.8% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Spectrier Hex (65 BP) vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 148-175 (39.6 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+4 252 SpA Spectrier Hex (65 BP) vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 166-196 (44.5 - 52.5%) -- 21.5% chance to 2HKO
+6 252 SpA Spectrier Hex (65 BP) vs. +3 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 178-210 (47.7 - 56.3%) -- 84% chance to 2HKO

Replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8customgame-1255211901 - hex on switch
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8nationaldex-1255210276 - sub on switch
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8nationaldex-1255203714 - np on switch (worst case scenario)

edit: nvm on winning sub with rocks up lol https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8customgame-1255207557

 

[Sockzz]

reserving blissey

 

[pannu]

voting time because i totally didnt forget to post it when i was supposed to

Counters
by Sputnik
by Aurodian
by Parr0t

there werent any checks submitted this week so well just vote on counters, pick your favourite out of these 3, voting ends on monday the 11th at 11:59pm gmt+1

 

[peap]

>= >


Mostly in a vacuum, Zarude imo is much harder to fit on a team than Drei due to its poorer recovery, worse Heatran matchup, lack of Levitate and few setup opportunities but props for creativity and exploiting passive mons with bulk.

Hydreigon obviously super consistent bar +3 Z-strats and Normalium.

Volcarona also a cutie but Nasty Plot is tough.

 

[R8]

> >

Volcarona is really cool tho, since it effectivly counters the spec set. I would never have thought about it, and i have to admit that Volc is a really cool idea.
I voted it last however, since how much the moth struggles with the current metagame, and is hard to fit in teams.

 

[pannu]

Ooo voting for week 5 has ended, there was a tie so I'll cast In my vote and make Zarude the winner of this week, gz!

For this weeks victim I chose one of the best megas In the current metagame


Latias-Mega (F) @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Aura Sphere
- Roost

Being one of the best wincons in the tier and threatening almost everything with a couple of calm minds set up, Theres not alot of mons to handle this dragon if you let it go out of control. I wonder what counters and checks you will come up!

Voting starts on Friday at 11:59pm GMT+1


​

 

[Jordy]

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Atk / 52 Def / 120 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Roost
- Swords Dance

Mega Scizor is one of the best checks to Mega Latias. It takes minimal damage from both Psyshock and Aura Sphere, like the set above has, and can easily overwhelm Mega Latias with Swords Dance and Knock Off. Unfortunately Mega Latias can run Mystical Fire and it is often run with Magnezone, so Mega Scizor is not perfect.

 

[Sputnik]

Reserving Aegislash

 

[peap]

Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 52 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Calm Mind
- Heart Swap
- Fleur Cannon

Another variant to the most versatile mon in the metagame. This Magearna deters Mega Latias through a natural typing advantage for Psyshock and excellent natural bulk for Aura Sphere.

Calcs

+1 0 SpA Latias-Mega Psyshock vs. 200 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 76-90 (21.6 - 25.6%) -- 1.4% chance to 4HKO
+1 0 SpA Latias-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 200 HP / 0 SpD Magearna: 102-121 (29 - 34.4%) -- 4.9% chance to 3HKO

+2 0 SpA Latias-Mega Psyshock vs. 200 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 102-120 (29 - 34.1%) -- 3.5% chance to 3HKO
+2 0 SpA Latias-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 200 HP / 0 SpD Magearna: 136-161 (38.7 - 45.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Meanwhile, Magearna always KOs back after Heart Swap and neutral stats with Fairium Z, or even closes out the KO on a decently chipped Latias at +2:
252+ SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. +2 252 HP / 0 SpD Latias-Mega: 248-294 (68.1 - 80.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

The highlight of this set is Heart Swap, to steal momentum from Mega Latias and turn Magearna into a dangerous cleaner in its own right. Given the variety of Magearna sets around, the Latias user will often attack to chip or go for additional boosts, which plays right into Magearna's hands.

The speed EVs allow Magearna to creep neutral base 70s and below, of which Corviknight, Mantine (Haze), Blissey, and Mega Mawile (164 Speed EVs) are notable; so it functions as a potent wincon vs bulkier cores with or without Mega Latias.

The drawback of this set is the lack of recovery and adequate counterplay upon Heart Swap reveal. If the opponent anticipates or scouts for Heart Swap, then they can rack chip damage on Mag from hazards or attacking on switchin. This is somewhat unlikely given the need to also account for Dual Dance and Pain Split variants, although Heart Swap shares counterplay with its Specs version. But generally a well-played Magearna puts in work with any of its sets.

 

[Piley]

Gastrodon @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Clear Smog
- Recover
- Toxic

Gastrodon is a pretty cool mon I've been using as a Mega Latias check lately, and its main draw is that it can check Cinderace instead of immediately crumbling to it like most of the fighting neutral steels that are usually used to check Latias do so it provides some neat role compression that way. It can easily switch into pretty much any move Latias can viably run while getting rid of its stat boosts with Clear Smog and wearing it down with Toxic. Even if you screw up and let it get to +3 somehow, +3 Psyshock into neutral Psyshock only KOs with two near maximum rolls in a row, and Aura Sphere does less damage than Psyshock. Unfortunately its pretty passive and this combined with the fact that it offers no utility outside of being a wall can make it hard to fit on teams.

Calcs

0 SpA Latias-Mega Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gastrodon: 106-126 (24.8 - 29.5%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO

+1 0 SpA Latias-Mega Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gastrodon: 159-187 (37.3 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

+3 0 SpA Latias-Mega Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gastrodon: 262-310 (61.5 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 0 SpA Latias-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Gastrodon: 136-160 (31.9 - 37.5%) -- 90.9% chance to 3HKO

 

[R8]

Hoopa-Unbound @ Choice Band
Ability: Magician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Hyperspace Fury
- Gunk Shot
- Fire Punch
- Drain Punch

Submitting as a counter.
Hoopa U is pretty straight forward: it can switch in and OHKO Mega-Latias. (Or even come via pivots, such as corv or slowbro, if you don't want to take chip). It's far from being splashable, however.

Calcs

0 SpA Latias-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 62-73 (20.5 - 24.2%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Latias-Mega: 488-576 (134 - 158.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Avaritia]

Submitting Sableye-Mega as a counter. Super simple here, nothing much to say. This Latias-Mega literally cannot damage it unless it goes to Struggle, and has limited Roosts for repeated burn and Knock Off chip. Obviously this probably does not work nearly as well for different Latias-Mega variants and Sableye-Mega is really only found on stall for the most part, but still nonetheless the first thing that comes to mind when seeing the Aurashock variant.



Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Protect

 

[pannu]

Submissions are over! for this week you will be voting for

Counters
by Sigmatecture
by r8 konijn
by Avaritia GC

Checks
by Jordy
by Dragonpiley007

Vote your favourite pokemon out of each category! voting will stay up untill sunday at 11:59pm gmt+1​