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Yeah this core is pretty evil. MLopunny and Wobbuffet pose some pretty good basic synergy. MLopunny can switch-in to Dark and Ghost moves, Wobbuffet Fighting and Psychic. But it's deeper than that. Wobbuffet traps and Encores opponents into moves aimed at it like Knock Off, Shadow Ball, and moves like SR, Spikes, and Status. That's where Lopunny comes in. It can come into these moves with relative ease and gain an easy +1 and maybe +2. Manaphy is a pretty great option if you'd favor a way to easily break Stall as well. The same idea applies to it with MLopunny, except you Encore moves Manaphy could sponge or it resists.
Wobbuffet @ Leftovers
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 52 HP / 232 Def / 224 SpD
Bold Nature
- Encore
- Magic Coat
- Counter
- Safeguard
Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power-up Punch
- Return
- High Jump Kick
- Fake Out
On Wobb, Sitrus Berry has much more utility than Leftovers as it allows it to avoid certain 2HKOs that it can't otherwise avoid (e.g. Orb or Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump and ScarfTar's Crunch) - allowing you to either guararantee a safe encore on them or KO and retain the ability to check a second attacker later on; hell, it means that Wobbuffet can switch in on them directly if it absolutely has to. Leftovers' recovery is just too slow on bulky variants for it to ever be worth it - especially considering Wobb's 1-2 KO limit without Healing Wish support. In addition, running 20 speed is vital for it to eliminate Quag consistently for Lopunny, allowing it choose when it Encores (lets you lock it into Scald or EQ without risking it using Recover and you locking it into the wrong move) and proceed to KO it with Counter or Mirror Coat. This leaves the spread at 28 HP / 240 Def / 220 SpD / 20 Spe (hits a Sitrus number; takes Adamant Orb Bisharp's Knock Off from full health; outpaces neutral Quag) with Sitrus Berry as the item.
One more thing; I suggest following Drop's suggestion and running Baton Pass over PuP as it allows you to get switch initiative, and VoltTurning moves are by far the best way to get Wobbuffet in v.s. offense (and BP classes as VoltTurn in this application), while the core is generally designed to rip holes in offense (as that is what Wobb and Lop both excel at) - making PuP mostly redundant in this scenario.
Okay, I know there's already a core of M-Beedrill/Latios/Keldeo, but I find myself using this core so blatantly often while building offense that I believe it deserves a mention on its own.
Other Options: Thunderbolt, Earthquake, Hidden Power [Fire], Hidden Power [Fighting], Surf, Calm Mind
Keldeo gains momentum from opposing Dark-types trying to take advantage of Latios, most notably Bisharp, while also being able to pressure the likes of Heatran, Excadrill, Hippowdon, and Tyranitar, among others, which Latios appreicates. In return, Latios deals with Amoonguss and M-Venusaur for Keldeo. Latios can also break down defensive Pokemon with Draco Meteor for Keldeo to clean up later.
This core is essentially build around giving Latios maximum time on the field, giving it ample opportunities to Defog and Roost with the threat of Keldeo in the back, and to fire off powerful Dracos. There's not too much in this for Keldeo, but getting rid of the Grass/Poisons certainly helps it spam Secret Sword. Instead, the core whittles down opposing teams while at the same time taking advantage of them if they try and recover off the damage.
Rest/Talk Mega Ampharos (Fabio) + Keldeo + Scizor Offensive Core.
Overview: The lack of Mega Ampharos cores displeases me. This thing is hindered by awful speed, but who said it had to be used offensively? I plan to use it as a rest/talk physically defensive set similarly to how pokeaim uses Fabio in the UCL so speed really doesn't matter. Physically defensive allows Fabio to wall physical attackers that do not hit it super effectively like Talonflame, Mega Scizor, Bisharp, Banded Staraptor, even Weavile has to rely on hitting Icicle Crash to 2HKO and with 165 base Sp. Atk Volt switches and Dragon Pulses will still hit hard even with 4 investment. Even with all this physical bulk the common earthquakers like chomp and lando-t threaten Fabio. That is where Keldeo comes in. Keldeo is able to come in and get a kill off of the earthquakers who threaten Fabio. I like Scarf Modest Keldeo because it outspeeds scarf lando and is able to OHKO it with Hydro Pump, but Specs Timid can work as well if you like the extra power. I also pack HP Bug on Keldo to try and catch latis on the switch and weaken them. Lastly, what do Keldeo and Fabio have in common? If you answered that they get blown away by fairies and the lati twins then you are correct. Scizor is the answer to this predicament. It provides a fairy check while also pursuit trapping the latis. I like choice band the best due to the extra power and it assures the 2HKO on Azu with BP.
Bug Bish (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Threats and Partners: Zard X gives this core tons of issues an answer to it is mandatory. Bulky Lando-T or Tankchomp are recommended to deal with this massive threat. HP Fire Latios can be an issue even with pursuit Scizor. Latias is recommended as a partner because it outspeeds HP Fire Latios and can kill it by Dropping a Draco. Azu is also a massive threat to this core as Scizor can't switch in cleanly on it. An answer to that like Amoongus is also recommended.
Got a nice offense core that is both powerful and fun. The aim of this core is weakening and eliminating checks for the others to clean up afterwards. Mega Lopunny is great, as it greatly threatens opposing offense with Fake Out, high speed, solid power, and nice STABS and ability. However, it has trouble breaking through bulky Pokemon, like Mega Slowbro, Clefable, and Skarmory. That's where Bisharp and Tornadus-Therian come in. Bisharp is able to take advantage of those bulky Pokemon that trouble Lopunny and Tornadus-Therian, like Slowbro, Clefable, Jirachi, and deal heavy damage with them by utilizing Swords Dance and its powerful STABS, all while checking stuff like Mega Aerodactyl, which eats this core almost effortlessly otherwise.. Lopunny is also able to check stuff like opposing Bisharp (some use Low Kick), Heatran, Mega Gyarados, Hydreigon, Cobalion, and Mega Houndoom, all of which can eat even a boosted move from Bisharp and threaten it. There two are powerful on their own, but a few things that remain that annoy the two, like TankChomp, Landorus-Therian, Physically Defensive Skarmory, Fighting-Types (like Keldeo and Chesnaught), and Hippowdon, so I choose to add a Life Orb Tornadus-Therian with a colorful set. Grass Knot is able to reliably crush Hippowdon and Heat Wave annihilates Skarmory , while Hurricane and U-Turn are mandatory moves. For Tornadus, Lopunny defeats Heatran, while Bisharp faints Jirachi and checks Mega Aerodactyl (Fire Fang is a thing but Bisharp can eat it from full and it dies to +2 Sucker Punch).
Good teammates for this core include TankChomp, Klefki, and Rotom-Wash. TankChomp can set up Stealth Rock, while checking Tanonflame and opposing Bisharp, who otherwise are threats to the core. Klefki checks Low Kick Weavile, sets up Spikes (as a side note, Pursuit on Bisharp can definitely work to trap stuff like Latis and Starmie, but I usually prefer Swords Dance so your choice), and provides Thunder Wave support. Rotom-Wash checks Talonflame, provides momentum with Volt Switch ( it works well with Tornadus because it deals with Heatran and baits Grasses in), and can spread burns or Thunder Waves itself.
Stuff like Zapdos is somewhat annoying, but it can't reliably switch into Bisharp and Mega Lopunny with Rocks up, especially if they boost up. RP Mega Diancie literally beats this core, so watch out and pack something like Flash Cannon Klefki. Azumarill is also a threat, so Rotom-Wash is helpful for it. Opposing Mega Lopunny is a threat, but Tornadus can eat a hit from full and defeat it with Hurrimiss Hurricane. Mega Manectric is also a threat, but it can't switch into anything.
Hey, nice core. I kinda love this once since it pays off so much in my own builds. For commentary, I kinda Low Kick on Bisharp. It's quite decent coverage too, as it lets you take down most Dark-types or Cobalion that try to switch that switch, as well as dealing a number to Ferro after SD and at least having neutral coverage on Keldeo. Though it might seem redundant with Lopunny, sometimes there just some matches where Lopunny can't safely switch. As for threats, maybe Talonflame can get a mention? It can BB its way through here while giving Bisharp ridic mindgames with Flare Blitz and Roost in the mix.
Hey, nice core. I kinda love this once since it pays off so much in my own builds. For commentary, I kinda Low Kick on Bisharp. It's quite decent coverage too, as it lets you take down most Dark-types or Cobalion that try to switch that switch, as well as dealing a number to Ferro after SD and at least having neutral coverage on Keldeo. Though it might seem redundant with Lopunny, sometimes there just some matches where Lopunny can't safely switch. As for threats, maybe Talonflame can get a mention? It can BB its way through here while giving Bisharp ridic mindgames with Flare Blitz and Roost in the mix.
SD allows Bisharp to do solid damage to Keld already, even with with its resist, especially if you got LO. All Ferro can do is hit Bish with weak attacks and Twave, while it SDs on it and smashes it with Knock Off. I do see ypur point about stuff like Cobalion, but its hard fitting SD/ Pursuit with Low Kick on the same set, and those two are more useful imo for this core. As for Talonflame, I'll add a mention about it in threats to the core.
Serperior decimates balanced and stall builds easily, while Talonflame terrorizes Offense like a knife through butter. Talonflame struggles with bulky Grounds like Hippo, especially TankChomp because of all the passive damage. Serperior dispatches of them while Talonflame handles things like Volcarona, Mega Venusaur, things like that. Simple yet effective.
Some threats would be Mega Aerodactyl and Manectric as they easily outrun them and KO them. Latias would be great for Hazard Removal and Electric check for the team.
One of my best. The damage these two do by themselves is magnificent and troubles nearly everything. Serperior decimates balanced and stall builds easily, while Talonflame terrorizes Offense like a knife through butter. Talonflame struggles with bulky Grounds like Hippo, especially TankChomp because of all the passive damage. Serperior dispatches of them while Talonflame handles things like Volcarona, Mega Venusaur, things like that. Simple yet effective.
I wouldn't personally slash Taunt with Dragon Pulse as without it you can't touch dragons, which otherwise completely wall you. It also helps v.s. FatChomp, which is a pain in the backside for Talonflame.
One of my best. The damage these two do by themselves is magnificent and troubles nearly everything. Serperior decimates balanced and stall builds easily, while Talonflame terrorizes Offense like a knife through butter. Talonflame struggles with bulky Grounds like Hippo, especially TankChomp because of all the passive damage. Serperior dispatches of them while Talonflame handles things like Volcarona, Mega Venusaur, things like that. Simple yet effective.
I'd mention stuff like Mega Aerodactyl and Manectric as threats to this core and for teammates Rotom-W for bird checking and voltturn and Latis for hazard removal and mega man checking
Support Mega Latias + Stall Breaker Talonflame + Calm Mind Clefable Balance Core
Darkreaper215 here again, and after noticing the lack of balanced cores in the thread, I've decided to post a core that's been working for me very nicely allowing me to peak 1725 on the ladder. (If you need proof, just shoot me a DM on showdown, I'm too lazy to get the pic rn lol). This core is "balanced" but my team went a semistall route but in the end it's up to you if you use the core. Go check out the rmt on this team :p ~~Shameless Advertisement~~ http://www.smogon.com/forums/thread...rd-mega-latias-semistall-peaked-1700.3553779/
Anyways, I wanted to build a core with mega latias, possibly one of the most underused mega in the OU tier. Originally a Calm Mind Mega Latias, I changed it to Bolt Beam support set with the suggestion of Nedor . This set works very nicely in checking Manaphy and other waters and SD gliscor, which threaten balanced or semistall teams a lot. Clefable was added as a wincon that synergyses well with latias, being able to setup on a lot of dark types. The duo was weak to Stall so Spdef stall breaker talonflame makes an apperance. These three are very good options on balance and semistall teams putting offensive and defenive pressure on opponents. It is basically setup spam with mega latias suppoting the duo.
Good teammates: Reliable Mega gyarados, Bisharp, and other dark type check who can hurt clefable. I chose with Chesnaught here to form a bit of hazard stacking, quite good on semistall.
Reliable Stealth Rocker and secondary offensive electric check after mega latias: I chose Hippowdon here
Azumarill check and a hazard remover: I chose tentacruel here.
I chose these three as they fit my desire for a semistall team while checking almost everything I was weak to.
This is a very fun balanced core that can be either turned into a balance or semistall team. Completely up to you if you use it. Thank you for reading my post!
I am surprised no one has proposed this yet. It's been a core I have experimenting with.
This is the Landorus-Therian, Rotom-W, Torn-T Volt-Turn core. The idea is to use Volt-Turn to wear down opponents through Pivots. Volt switch on Rotom-W, as well as U-turn on Torn and Lando is needed. I suggest using AV Torn, Defensive Lando, and Defensive Rotom-W. This team has a nice synergy with each other as they can cover weakness of each other fairly well being able to wear down teams nicely. Rotom-W can block threats such as Azu that may set up on Torn or Lando or and provides nice WoW support, while AV torn can tank grass type attacks that hurt rotom-W as well as other special attacks that hurt it. Lando is for Intimidate and reducing the annoyance of physical set-up
This core is weak to Manaphy as Torn can't tank a +3 Ice Beam for rotom-W, so it is suggested to be wary of manaphy as torn-can't switch in tank. Good teammates: Latias , Ferrothorn, Mega-Lop.
+3 252+ SpA Manaphy Ice Beam vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 328-386 (101.5 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Manaphy Ice Beam vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-T: 132-156 (40.8 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
160 SpA Tornadus-T Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 264-312 (75 - 88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers Recovery
252+ SpA Manaphy Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-W: 170-202 (56.1 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
First Attempt at Introducing a core so any suggestions would be helpful.
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
I'm not really trying to spam the good cores section or anything, but I meant to post these cores yesterday and forgot D:
One is offense and the other is rain.
First Core Mega Sharpedo + Custap Lead Skarmory Offense
This is a core I made a while ago and as you guys have probably noticed from my few cores that I posted, I loved underrated megas (I'm Basically a Hipster) I used the team with this core I built today in a tour and won the whole tour, my replays are gonna be from that tour. This Core was something I came up with a few months ago to optimize the use of Mega Sharpedo the best. Before it mega evolves it has speed boost, boosting it's Speed to insane tiers and after mega it has an insanely powerful STAB Strong Jaws Boosted Crunch. This is literally the defenition of a late game sweeper. The core is pretty simple, lead with skarmory turn 1, get as many hazards as possible, and late game sweep with Mega Sharpedo. I know skarmory is a bulky mon, but with this set it doesn't wall at all, with it's primary goal to stack hazards as a suicide lead. Suicide leads are a staple in a lot of offense teams and I felt that this particular lead helped mega sharpedo the most.
Set Description: Skarmory's set is pretty obvious maximizing HP and Speed to taunt slower crap that wants to set up rocks, etc. Turn 1. Custap Berry allows you to use taunt, setup another layer of hazards, or fire a brave bird when skarmory is low in HP. Stealth Rock and Spikes are to fulfill it's job to stack hazards. Brave Bird is to have an attack if something like keldeo sets up a sub on you and you need to break it as more of a priority than set hazards. Mega Sharpedo has what I consider to be the best set. This Set allows it to hit extremely hard with Crunch boosted by Strong Jaws which is the main late game sweeping tool. Protect is also required to get speed boost turns. Waterfall can be used over Hydro Pump or Ice Fang over Poison Jab if you desire but this moveset is the best coverage imo. EV's are to 2hko a physically defensive skarmory.
Good Partners
Things to pressure hazard removal: I added Bisharp immediately to have a DarkSpam thing going on, deter defog, and have a setup win con. I chose taunt gengar to have a slightly easier time with stall and have a strong special attacker and a mediocre spin blocker. Volt Turn/Ways to keep momentum: This is a hyper offense core with the main goal of weakening to opponent for a mega sharpedo sweep, Volt Turn in my case Specs Raikou and Scarf Landorus therian help in keeping momentum, getting chip damage, and provide Bird Checks which I needed.
Clicked on the Weather Core tab and was appalled to see no Rain Cores at all. Rain is in my honest opinion, the best weather and the easiest to use. This rain core is offensive like most rain teams are. The particular rain team I use was built by imsosorrylol But I made a lot of edits to it along the way. (I was gonna build a team with the core but he just gave me his which I liked and edited). Shoutouts to him btw.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Encore
- Toxic
- Rest
Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 60 Def / 200 SpD
Impish Nature
- U-turn/Superpower/Knock Off
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Roost
All of these are very standard sets so I won't spend much time talking about them. Politoed has enough speed to outspeed belly drum azu and encore it into belly drum. Kingdra outspeed scarf latios and below in rain. Scizor Lives 2 eq's from any lando-t. This Core is very effective as rain is very effective in general. Politoed is mandatory on every rain team with it's great ability. Kingdra is the go to rain sweeper or in this case wallbreaker/sweeper. Mega Scizor however has a very special reason to be here. And that is Ferrothorn. That thing is the bane of every rain team being extremely hard to break, Scizor sets up all over Ferro. U turn, Superpower, or knock off can be used. I personally prefer U turn to provide momentum for my offensive rain teams. Bullet Punch has Priority, STAB, and technician. Swords Dance is obvious as is roost. This core is extremely effective saying goodbye to mega swampert who is becoming less useful in rain compared to other mega's like Mega Scizor. Mega Scizor is also an excellent Dark Type Check eating up knock off's all day. With it's excellent defensive typing, rain just further helps it reducing the fire weakness in rain which is mega scizor's biggest problem.
Good Partners
A second Swift Swim sweeper, Bird Check, Electric Check, Fast Taunt user to check stall a bit, Grass type check, and second rain setter/wish support to keep politoed who is the most important part of any rain team. I used A Kabutops to check Birds and have a second swift swim sweeper and have hazard removal. I also used taunt life orb tornadus therian to have 100% hurricane, grass type check and fast taunt, I used Healing wish latias with roost as well which is a really wierd set but I needed a check to thundurus and a way to heal politoed or a sweeper if necessary.
Hey so I'm back and I'd like to take a jab at these type spam cores. (Walls of text ahead.)
Mega Gardevoir + Latios (or Azumarill)
+
(or
)
Maiden Spam
Okay so Mega Gardevoir is my all-time fave. It hits ridiculously hard, can Taunt annoyances like Mew and Clefable (or Will-O-Wisp things like Scizor). Now, seeing as both its STABs are potent offensive typings, a spam core would be very cool and dangerous. For option 1: Psychic spam. See, Mega Gard and Latios is a core I saw in this RMT so I figured to share it here. Taunt or WoW helps the jet in either way, as Taunt MVoir beats Fable for Latios and WoW helps with non-Lum Bisharp, Scizor or (insert Steel) problems. In turn, Latios can pick up where our gowned 'mon left off and can start nuking everything. Now, for option 2: Fairy spam. Fairy is quite a potent offensive type, and this core can capitalize on this. See, MVoir finds it hard to go in with things like Scizor around, so Azumarill can help weaken those troublesome 'mons so MGard can go to town. MVoir can beat things like Rotom-W and MVenu for our blue bunny. Since this a type spam core, it'd be hard to find switches for their weaknesses so pack appropriate and reliable answers to those. For example, Jirachi just walls both Voir and Latios so something like Landorus-Therian or Magneton/zone (both beat TFlame) will be of help. Faster 'mons like Lop, Talonflame, Thundurus and Serperior will wreck these 'mons either so pack guys like Scarf Landog or TankChomp to handle these. I like Fairyspam more since imo there are less checks.
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower / Knock Off
Mega Sharpedo + Feraligatr
Blue Jaws
I use this core and in experience works quite well. Mega Sharpedo, as we all know, is a ridiculously powerful late-game cleaner given the right opportunities. Alas, it can find it hard to set-up with 'mons like Ferrothorn in the mix. Luckily, we have Feraligatr! Feraligatr can help weaken MSharp's checks like Ferrothorn, Scizor and Keldeo. Waterspam just drowns a lot of things, and their checks can be trumped by amazing coverage. Fast Electric-, Grass- and Dragon-types are so annoying if they haven't set up yet so pack checks like Lati@s and Talonflame. Tflame is also a real pushover for this core so you can improvise with AJet Gatr or MSHarp... or just bring along a check. Completing a FWG core can be very helpful so 'mons like Serperior + Tflame (or Heatran) would be very nice. Fairies are problems too so 'mons like Gengar and Bisharp are helpful. Hazard stacking is honestly very good on Sharp offense so things like tailor-made Custap Skarm and stacking cores like ChompKeys are very much appreciated. Clerics in general make good teammates too.
I have a pretty bulky yet disgusting core for you.
Mega Altaria + Heatran + Gothitelle
Mega Altaria attracts stuff like scizors Venusaurs metagross ferrothorns and sometimes jirachis and unaware clefable. thats where heatran can go deal with these, while heatran attracts stuff like keldeo, (where mega altaria can deal with) and sometimes Rotom-Wash. gothitelle works by disabling walls like skarmory ferrothorn clefable (even if magnezone can do this too, it fails to get stuff like clefable or chansey, the pink blobs and trick pp stall. mwahahah) This core appreciates support against Kyurem black Volt switchers and ESPECIALLY, Mega Alakazam. or Mega Scizor (especially superpower sets). Clerics are good here, but the synergy here is very awesome. Stuff like Lando T or Skarmory help here as well
I have a pretty bulky yet disgusting core for you.
Mega Altaria + Heatran + Gothitelle
Mega Altaria attracts stuff like scizors Venusaurs metagross ferrothorns and sometimes jirachis and unaware clefable. thats where heatran can go deal with these, while heatran attracts stuff like keldeo, (where mega altaria can deal with) and sometimes Rotom-Wash. gothitelle works by disabling walls like skarmory ferrothorn clefable (even if magnezone can do this too, it fails to get stuff like clefable or chansey, the pink blobs and trick pp stall. mwahahah) This core appreciates support against Kyurem black Volt switchers and ESPECIALLY, Mega Alakazam. or Mega Scizor (especially superpower sets). Clerics are good here, but the synergy here is very awesome. Stuff like Lando T or Skarmory help here as well
Nobody's had the decency to post this gem (and my personal favorite core) yet:
Bronzong + Mega Ampharos
Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake/Toxic
- Hidden Power [Ice]/Protect
Ampharos-Mega @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 28 SpA / 232 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Dragon Pulse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
I've been in love with this core since early XY. Their unique typings and abilities create some powerful synergy, allowing them to cover a hugely varied range of threats and playstyles, such as Birdspam and Sand. Bronzong handles fairies, dragons, and ground-types for Ampharos, who returns the favor by taking on the powerful fire and water types that threaten Bronzong. The two aren't without their clear faults, however, and will need some support to be a their most effective. As a fat core, their biggest flaw is lack of reliable recovery outside of Rest, so a cleric is greatly appreciated. Unaware Clefable has great type synergy with the core, as well as providing Heal Bell and Wish support as well as bringing dangerous setup sweepers (such as Mega Sableye) to a halt. Bulky Grasses, such as Chesnaught or Amoonguss, also make great partners. Chesnaught in particular is valuable for being able to bring Bisharp to a screeching halt, whereas Amoonguss can more easily handle Azumarill, which could otherwise be very threatening. Talonflame is a great mon to consider, as it can break through bulky grasses that the core would otherwise struggle with, as well as being able to cripple physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp or helping break through stall with Taunt. Finally, Keldeo, Gyarados, and Azumarill are all great options to consider, because fuck Weavile.
Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 224 HP / 188 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Stealth Rock
- Ancient Power / Protect / Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earth Power
Bulky SD Talonflame is awesome, though it still struggles with Electric types a lot and can only really wear down Rock and Steel types with burns. Furthermore, its Stealth Rock weakness is pretty prevalent and it can struggle breaking through Heatran. Diancie helps Talonflame with these issues, having Magic Bounce to deter hazards, outspeeding and KOing Heatran after Mega Evolution with Earth Power and wearing down physical walls like Hippowdon and Slowbro than could give Talonflame trouble.
The Diancie set is the one I posted in the older Creative/Underrated Sets thread. Standard Offensive Diancie works solidly will Talonflame too, but the general tankiness of the set helps, allowing it to use its own Stealth Rock effectively and giving it a bit less risk when switching into hazards and status moves.
Replays: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-286852518 - I Mega Evolve Diancie early to prevent any possible Rocks and get up my own, then scout to see that the Magnezone is Specs rather than Scarf. Mega Diancie later comes in on defensive Heatran relatively freely, then knocks out Gligar and Magnezone afterwards, allowing Talonflame to sweep. http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-286850142 - Mega Diancie gets up SR, breaks down Clefable and lives a Power Whip from Ferrothorn (not sure why he didn't just Gyro Ball there) http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-286857471 - I take the opportunity to take out Zard Y right away by leaving Diancie un-Mega evolved and using Ancient Power. I find an opportunity to set up rocks on Band T-tar as well. Talon makes a little cameo to burn Excadrill and die.
Back with one of my new favorites. Enjoy guys! CORENAME:E-BRAKE
M-GALLADE + KLEFKI + THUNDURUS (Offense)
The lack of Mega Gallade cores really does sadden me. It's a pretty decent mon, which apparently gets overshadowed by Mega Medicham (Lol) but whatever. This core is based around Mega Gallade's ability to force switches and wallbreak, which both Klefki and Thundurus love. What Klefki offers in return for this is priority TWave, letting Mega Gallade get by Offense better, letting it Mega Evolve easier, and Spikes, racking up great damage which is great with the switches that both MGallade and Thundurus force on the opponent. Thundurus can also spread paralysis with TWave, while also dealing decently well with Sableye; Thunderbolt is a guaranteed 2HKO after a single layer of spikes. It also OHKOes Hippowdown with Grass Knot after a single layer of spikes, 75% chance to OHKO TankChomp with HP Ice after one layer, OHKOes Lando T without fail with HP Ice, no matter the set, and the list goes on. It provides great support and sweeping potential with this core. However, Mega Diancie proves to be a major threat to this core, so running a counter or check to it like a bulky water, bulky grass, SpDef Hippowdon, and others is recommended. Hippowdon deserves a special mention, as it can also set up Stealth Rocks, phase out opposing setup sweepers, etc. Scarfcadrill also poses a prominent threat, so something to handle that would be nice.
MOVES (Explained):
Gallade is given the typical 3 moves of Close Combat, Zen Headbutt, and Knock Off. However, the last slot is a toss up. Swords Dance lets you wallbreak even better than you already do, while Will-O-Wisp can burn things for the other two so they have an easier time dealing with them. It also works to burn a lot of things that aren't already paralyzed, or things that try to switch in on you (Such as Lando T, Gliscor, Hippowdon, Garchomp, Azumarill, Mega Altaria, and more), while Ice Punch allows you to hit fat Ground, Grass, and Flying types, such as the already listed ground types, Tangrowth, Zapdos, and Togekiss.
Klefki is given the typical spread, with Flash Cannon slashed with Play Rough so you can straight up OHKO Mega Diancie if you need to in a pinch.
Before Weavile, there was Mamoswine. In the current meta, it still hits hard and is one of the few Ice (and Ground)-type 'mons that can bypass their Water-type checks with Freeze-Dry. Still, it has problems with 'mons like Scizor, Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Magnezone safely checks these 'mons by trapping them (kinda heartbreaking if the have Shed Shell though). To complete a VoltTurn core, I added Torndaus-T for it since it also appreciate Mag's trapping and has a high Speed stat to patch up the other two's middling Speed. Also, it deals with Mega Venusaur and that's what made me chose it over the others. Still, this is weak to Talonflame (Mag's too damn slow ;-;), so you can run Magneton or Mega Manectric instead of Magnezone to deal with it soundly in one slot. MegaMan can also check Azumarill, which can a pain for these guys. Faster Pokemon like Mega Lopunny are problems so things like ScarfLando-T and Mega Metagross can be useful. The core hates burns so Latias, Celebi, and Natural Cure Starmie would be appreicated. 'Mons who like Thundurus gone like Keldeo and Talonflame are nice. Hazard support is needed for VoltTurn teams regardless (unless you wanna wear down your team fast enough to crumble on its own). Honestly all three have a lot of variants (like Sash Mamo, Specs Magnezone and AV Torn-T) so take as you please.
This is basically a different version of the usual Mega Beedrill + Trapper core. While the usual Mega Beedrill + Mag core is focused on removing Steel types like Skarmory, this core's focus is more on Ground types, Tank Chomp in particular. I think this is a pretty straightforward core, bring in Beedrill to bait in Bulky Grounds + Skarmory, U-turn or hard switch into Goth, then have fun. Beedrill's a scary mon when you don't have good switch ins for it. Also, personally I'd consider running either max speed, or at least enough speed to outrun Defensive Landorus-T on Gothitelle so it can't just U-turn out.
For teammates something that can beat Ferrothorn and Scizor, like Heatran, is important. Answers to common priority users like Talonflame and Bisharp are also important. Also Beedrill always appreciates Volt-Turn partners, so pokemon like Rotom-W and Landorus-T make good teammates.
On rain teams, often opposing bulky water and grass types can be a real pain to put a dent in. Enter: NP Pass Celebi. With the ability to boost its SpA, it can easily plow through opposing water types and sets up freely against Ferrothorn (the bane of rain). Passing +2 or more to Politoed is just evil; Rain boosted Scalds are already decently powerful without any investment, but boosted they are putting a major dent into just about anything. On top of that, Politoed has decent stallbreaking capabilities in the form of Encore + Toxic, making it difficult to stall out rain turns with a defensive pokemon.
The given EV spread on Politoed hits 190 speed, outspeeding most variants of Azumarill and Mega Scizor to Encore them into their respective setup moves. A spread of 248 HP / 164 Def or SpDef / 96 Spe is standard, allowing it to outspeed every Adamant Azu, but I opted for a little more bulk to more reliably check Talonflame and things of that nature. This is team specific, so change it at your whim. Sleep Talk is an option over Toxic which allows Politoed to still be an annoyance while its asleep.
On Celebi, Giga Drain is the preferred option to defeat opposing Water types and to stay healthy while applying offensive pressure. However, Psychic can be used to defeat Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss (which Clear Smogs away boosts otherwise), and Toxicroak (an annoyance to rain). The EV spread outspeeds Jolly Bisharp to Baton Pass out of Pursuit, with the rest dumped into Defense to take on the likes of Mega Lopunny. However, more mixed or specially defensive spreads are equally viable depending on the team composition.
Baton Pass also allows Celebi to function as a pivot, providing momentum, which can be very useful for weather based teams.
Threats include Volt-Turn mons, Tornadus-Therian and opposing Grass types if Celebi is carrying Giga Drain. Dark types like Bisharp and Weavile are also pretty annoying, as is Keldeo which is immensely powerful in the rain and can be problematic for Celebi to take on.
Good partners include things like Kingdra (+2 Kingdra oml) and Tornadus-Therian, as well as ground types such as Garchomp to check Bisharp, block Volt-Turn and set up Stealth Rock.
Basically the idea with this core is to take defensive DD Mega Altaria and load it with offensive presence to dismantle balance and most stall, while simultaneously running Weavile to bash up offensive teams. Mega Altaria with Defensive DD sets up all over walls like Mega Sableye, which can prove very difficult to break for offensive / balanced teams (this core tends to work for both, and I end up with some really weird hybrid of the two playstyles whenever I use this core). It also allows offence to have Heal Bell without losing momentum, which is rather incredible. It also sets up all over common threats to offence such as Mega Sceptile, Mega Manectric, Mega Lopunny etc. Magnezone is of course here to trap Ferrothorn, Skarmory and the like, the biggest counters to DDD Mega Altaria. It's probably a good idea to run Scarf on Magnezone to check Talonflame, something else that stands in Mega Altaria's way, but if you end up with other answers to it on the team don't be afraid to use Specs for the fire power either. This would also help with Azumarill. If you're REALLY paranoid about Jollyflame you could also run Scarf Magneton. Weavile is rather anti offence Pokemon, which broadens this core's scope of destruction and gives it another win con, but it also checks Lando, Latis, Mega Garde after rocks, Jirachi, Celebi, Thundurus, and Excadrill outside of sand, all of which would otherwise be problematic for the core to handle. The only reason to run Pursuit on this Weavile is if the resulting team becomes overly weak to the fire punch variants of Jirachi, which from personal experience, I can say happens a lot with this core. It also helps with Mega Latias if you choose it. Furthermore, Weavile provides Knock Off support to remove Shed Shell for Magnezone and also take out incoming AV Azumarill's AV, again for Magnezone.
This core, as I stated already, can become rather Jirachi weak, and has a lot of trouble with Mega Metagross / Bisharp if Weavile doesn't run Low Kick. For this reason either Landorus - T or Garchomp are fantastic partners, dealing with all of the above, with benefits to each. Lando - T provides U-Turn momentum gains to add to Magnezone's Volt Switch, forming a neat Voltturn core. On the other hand, Chomp probably does better against Bisharp and is overall excelling in this metagame. You could always use something else for U-Turn. Whichever one you choose, you can have Stealth Rocks, which helps Weavile net some important kills. Speaking of hazards, you really want hazard removal with this core, too. What you choose to do this with will really depend on the team, but I like Latios / Latias or Starmie to check Mega Venusaur and Toxicroak (WHO DESTROYS THIS CORE). Hoopa-U is really scary too, so you might want an additional check to that.
I have another disgusting core for you.
Mega Alakazam (CM +3 Attacks) + Belly Drum Azumarill + Spikes T wave Klefki
This is dangerous for various reasons: Klefki gives Speed Control for Azumarill and in return can also try the rare Torment which helps Azumarill greatly to belly drum and after spikes aqua jets are nukes. And its switch ins hate it. If that's the worst nightmare, just wait till Mega Alakazam gives you another nightmare with CM + 3 attacks and Trace. These 2will cause havoc if not win games easy. What is needed is a rocker and if neccesary a toxicroak counter cause aqua jet can't kill it cause of dry skin and sucker Punch ohkoes mega Alakazam. And also switch ins to Bisharp is greatly needed here. Adding Bisharp to this team also help with the plethora of defoggers. Other than that, this core is dangerous if not your worst nightmare.
Is there a possibility that the winners and runner-ups on the type cores thread could go here, to significantly up the amount of cores here? It adds another 50-ish cores to the list.
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