OU ORAS OU Magic Matchmaking - Round 7: Diggersby!

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slug

formerly sluGGy
is a Pre-Contributor
Hosted by sluGGy
OP copied and modified from here
Approved by Ithi
Art coming soon


Hello everyone and welcome to Pokémon Matchmaking—the project in which we aim to create magic pairings that help to pull out a Pokémon's full potential!

Every week, the host(s) will nominate a Pokémon and set, and you then need to post a partner along with a brief explanation of what makes them a solid teammate for the nominated Pokémon. At the end of each submission phase, I will archive the partners that I think are the best and will highlight any posts that I found to be particularly good before moving onto public voting for the best.

Rules and Notes

  • Submissions phases will vary, but will generally last 5-7 days and voting will last 2 days. Feel free to DM me if I've not posted the next phase in time.
  • When you reserve a Pokémon, please state what set you are reserving.
  • Reservations expire 24 hours after they're posted. If you do not post in that time frame, someone else may take it. I'd delete expired nominations but I'm not an ORAS mod so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (if you are a mod and you see an expired reservation feel free to delete it in my stead :muscle:)
  • Please only nominate OU viable Pokémon. This generally means Pokémon on the viability rankings, although I will make exceptions if an unranked Pokémon is well explained.
  • An explanation is mandatory. It doesn't need to be very long—three or four concise sentences should suffice—but make sure it's there.
  • You may nominate a different set for a Pokémon that has already been submitted. However, it's important that the set is distinct from the other submission—I won't accept submissions where the only difference is something simple like 1 move or an EV spread unless the change substantially alters how the core functions.
  • You may nominate a second Pokémon if three days pass and no one else reserves it.
  • I understand that a little theorymonning is inevitable in a project like this, but please try to post based on your experience using and/or facing the Pokémon in question rather than just listing something you have no experience using and/or facing.
  • It's completely fine (encouraged, in fact) to give feedback on other people's submissions, but please be nice!
  • During voting phase, you CANNOT vote for yourself.
Posting Tips

I HIGHLY recommend using the following format when posting:
serperior.gif


Serperior @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 200 HP / 44 Def / 12 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Rock] / Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare
- Rest

Serperior is great into bulky Water-types that otherwise sit on Mega Gallade such as Slowbro and Alomomola since it uses them to grab free Leaf Storm boosts. Serperior can beat one of Mega Gallade's biggest checks in Zapdos with Leaf Storm boosts + Hidden Power Rock however you can also run Hidden Power Fire to smack Ferrothorn and Metagross (when boosted obviously) to avoid Iron Barbs chip and a potential speed-tie respectively.

Resto Chesto allows Serp to also act as a pseudo status absorber by eating Will-O-Wisp from Rotom and Thunder Wave from Clefable while Glare let's Serp paralyse would be checks such as Tornadus-Therian. Serperior also has a relatively high base speed of 113 that let's it outrun and other checks to Gallade such as Mega Diancie and Thundurus with the afformentioned combo of Leaf Storm + Hidden Power Rock.
Aside from the support Serperior provides Gallade, Gallade also helps Serperior by beating Steel-types who otherwise wall it such as Heatran with its STAB Drain Punch.

s/os to mixnite for the wonderful formatting example. as a direct quote, a format like this;
  • 1st section talking about what threats it beats inherently,
  • 2nd sentence about how it can help beat checks in more detail,
  • 3rd sentence about set details and what they achieve,
  • 4th sentence about how the feature mon helps out the submission mon,
is incredibly appreciated and, again, HIGHLY, encouraged.

I'd like to urge anyone interested in submitting to detailed in their explanations. Some important things to consider as well are:
  • How the Pokémon listed is useful to the nominated partner and vice versa.
  • Why the set listed is chosen over other variants, if applicable.
  • Strengths and/or weaknesses of the core in question.
  • Potential options for additional partners when using the core.
  • Replays that show off the core in full force.
Try and avoid using superfluous formatting (it's usually very ugly) and try to cut out any fluff in your paragraphs if you can (Give details on why you have something, not literally what it does. "Sand Rush doubles Speed" for example isn't useful info, but giving a couple relevant mons that Sand Rush allows you to outspeed is.).

Useful Resources
Please check them out!

P.S. If you want to remove color formatting, please use the eraser icon in the top left of the rich text editor or in the bottom right of the colour picker instead of changing the text color to black. This is to ensure that it's readable for people using dark mode.

If you have ideas for a certain Pokemon to be featured in a week, feel free to DM me and I’ll credit you! Week 1 starts in a few hours!
 
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Round 1: Mega Gallade
:sv/gallade mega:
Gallade-Mega (M) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 152 HP / 100 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Sneak / Knock Off
- Psycho Cut
- Drain Punch​

Mega Gallade is a Mega often overlooked by new players. While yes, it shares its typing with other great megas like Medicham, and half its own with Lopunny, new players think Gallade faces direct competition with the two of them. But quite the contrary. Its 65/95/115 bulk coupled with Drain Punch allows it to become a potent wincon and a prime 1v1ing machine. This allows it to contest some of its own checks by outhealing damage done to it, pick off faster threats with Shadow Sneak, rid of items with Knock Off turning defensive checks into a liability, and clean teams off with a boosted Psycho Cut. With all that said, what partners can help Gallade reach its ful potential?

Deadline: 1.13.2025 at 23:59 GMT -4.
 
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:sm/terrakion:
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Level: 100
Jolly Nature
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Slide / Iron Head
- Iron Head / Rock Polish

Explanation : Mega Gallade has the ability to weaken defensive cores such as Clefable and Zapdos, as well as Slowbro, Tornadus-Therian, and Choice Scarf Terrakion is capable of cleaning the game. Its base speed of 110 allows it to outspeed Volcarona and Mega Charizard X after a +1 speed boost, which is quite important given that few scarfers in the tier can outspeed those Pokémon.
 
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serperior.gif

Serperior @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 200 HP / 44 Def / 12 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Rock] / Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare
- Rest

Serperior is great into bulky Water-types that otherwise sit on Gallade such as Slowbro and Alomomola since it uses them to grab free Leaf Storm boosts. Serperior can beat one of Gallade's biggest checks in Zapdos with Leaf Storm boosts + Hidden Power Rock however you can also run Hidden Power Fire to smack Ferrothorn and Metagross (when boosted obviously) to avoid Iron Barbs chip and a potential speed-tie respectively.
Resto Chesto allows Serp to also act as a pseudo status absorber by eating Will-O-Wisp from Rotom and Thunder Wave from Clefable while Glare let's Serp paralyse would be checks such as Tornadus-Therian. Serperior also has a relatively high base speed of 113 that let's it outrun and other checks to Gallade such as Mega Diancie and Thundurus with the afformentioned combo of Leaf Storm + Hidden Power Rock.
Aside from the support Serperior provides Gallade, Gallade also helps Serperior by beating Steel-types who otherwise wall it such as Heatran with its STAB Drain Punch.
 
thundurus-incarnate.png

Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Though it says life orb there are probably multiple better items to use instead. The point though is that thunder wave would help keep some of Mega Gallade's better checks are bay. It can also probably kill many of said checks outright as it has solid special attack.

Edit: After thinking about it a bit more I felt like I could do this post more justice. As you can see I changed the set to have a bit more longevity in the form of leftovers. When it comes to checks/counters to Mega Gallade that Thundurus can beat/cripple the following come to mind (though these are probably not all of them). Weavile, Unaware Clefable, Non-Scarf Landorus Therian, Mega Pinsir, and Adamant Talonflame. Thundurus cannot outright beat Weavile due to ice shard 2hkoing, but (stealth rock permitting) it can survive 1 turn and thunder wave Weavile back to severely hinder it. Thundurus also has a similiar relationship with Unaware Clefable has it isn't strong enough to actually kill Clefable but it can cripple it with paralysis (I know Unaware Clefable isn't that common but it can absolutely beat Mega Gallade so it is relevant). Thundurus can't thunder wave Landorus Therian, but it can kill it with hp ice provided it isn't holding a choice scarf or yache berry (and even then, stone edge can still miss). Thundurus both cripples and beats Mega Pinsir as thunder wave out priorities quick attack and it doesn't do that much damage anyway leading to an easy ko from thunderbolt. The same can be said about Talonflame as while its priority flying move does more damage, it is still not enough to ko Thundurus (unless it is at really low health) and Thundurus can easily clap back with thunderbolt (or thunder wave if at low health and Talonflame is adamant, which is why I mentioned that nature specifically even if Thundurus can beat jolly at high health). Thundurus provides value even outside of beating/crippling Mega Gallade's checks/counters as it can provide set up oppurtunities by thunder waving an opposing pokemon allowing for Mega Gallade to easily switch in and sweep.

I hope all of this is good enough reason to use Thundurus with Mega Gallade. I am sorry for how short the original post was, but I could not think of anything more substantial at the time and I hope this improved version is better. Thank you for reading.
 
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1736445341277.jpeg

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Healing Wish

Jirachi as a hwisher is an excellent partner for mega gallade

When its tasked with being a bulky 1v1 machine it usually gets hit with status like slowbro twave or zapdos static/discharge or maybe it has to take a big moonblast to 1v1 clef, you can hwish it back up and suddenly your opponent checks are either weakened or dead and your gallade has a second chance. Jirachi can also soft check clef, provide rocks and momentum for mega Gallade.
 
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Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Pain Split
- Sludge Bomb

Checks the bulky waters that can slow down Mega-Gallade like Alomomola, Slowbro and Rotom-W whilst providing the team utility with Knock Off and even pressuring them with your STAB move. Pain Split plus Regenerator allows you to mitigate any status condition that they throw at you and have an easier time sitting on them in 1v1s.

And as the last move, we have Sludge Bomb. It will take a similar role to Scald, it will help us wither down annoying checks to Mega-Gallade (like Zapdos) by fishing for that 30% chance to poison, basically another utility move. It can also come in handy against non-CM Clefables and can even 2HKO an opposing Serperior.
 
njs said:

Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Pain Split
- Sludge Bomb

Checks the bulky waters that can slow down Mega-Gallade like Alomomola, Slowbro and Rotom-W whilst providing the team utility with Knock Off and even pressuring them with your STAB move. Pain Split plus Regenerator allows you to mitigate any status condition that they throw at you and have an easier time sitting on them in 1v1s.

And as the last move, we have Sludge Bomb. It will take a similar role to Scald, it will help us wither down annoying checks to Mega-Gallade (like Zapdos) by fishing for that 30% chance to poison, basically another utility move. It can also come in handy against non-CM Clefables and can even 2HKO an opposing Serperior.
Click to expand...
pain split can't be used w/ av unless you mean to use it post knock
 
:Klefki:
Wonder of U (Klefki) @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Magnet Rise
- Flash Cannon/Foul Play

Who doesn't like spikes?! I certainly do, anyways klefki provides a morbillion things with steel + fairy, speed control, the broken spikes for late game Takes full advantage of gallade's offensive oriented nature and really differentiates this mon from medi/lop which it is most often 'compared' to. Flash Cannon/Fplay is for being able to threaten diancie/excadrill respectively
 
Offensively, Mega-Gallade's 3 most common checks are Serperior, Tornadus-Therian, and Thundurus. Serperior and Thundurus can outspeed and paralyze Mega Gallade, which will usually stop any kind of sweep in progress; Thundurus in particular doesn't care about potentially being picked off by a boosted Shadow Sneak due to Prankster. Meanwhile, Tornadus-Therian also outspeeds Mega-Gallade and can either revenge-kill it or put it in range of being picked off by another faster Pokémon if Mega-Gallade is able to trade with it.

Defensively, some popular answers to Mega-Gallade are Clefable, Slowbro, Cofagrigus, Mega-Latias, and Cresselia. These can all take a hit from Mega-Gallade and threaten to status it back, which will usually spell the end for its usefulness during the match.

One Pokémon that deals with both classes of checks is:
weavile.gif

Weavile @ Choice Band
Ability: Pickpocket
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard

Weavile threatens the main offensive checks to Mega-Gallade with either a KO or a Pursuit-trap, which is always in Weavile's favor due to its access to priority Ice Shard if you end up guessing wrong. Furthermore, Weavile does not even need to KO Serperior and Tornadus-Therian with Pursuit, since they will be crippled enough for a +2 Shadow Sneak to finish them off with SR up.

Weavile's Knock Off will do extreme damage to the more defensively-oriented Mega-Gallade checks, allowing them to similarly be removed or chipped enough for a potential SD sweep later in the game. With a little bit of prior chip from hazards, stray pivoting moves, or status, all of the bulky Psychic-/Ghost-type checks can also be forced into a dangerous Pursuit-trap situation like the aforementioned offensive checks. Clefable can somewhat comfortably tank Weavile's Knock Off and Icicle Crash, but Knock Off will remove its Leftovers and (possibly subsequent) Icicle Crashes can flinch it, leaving it constantly pressured and potentially opening up opportunities for Mega-Gallade later.

Finally, Pokemon that could potentially tank one boosted hit from Mega-Gallade and retaliate such as Rotom-Wash will not enjoy having to switch into potential Icicle Crashes or Knock Offs from Weavile, leaving them easy pickings for Mega-Gallade later in the game.
 
Eight submissions already! We're off to a fantastic start, people! And as stated, here's the vote. Who's the better Gallade partner?

Option A
:sv/terrakion: :choice scarf:

Option B
:sv/excadrill: :leftovers:

Option C
:sv/serperior: :chesto berry:

Option D
:sv/thundurus: :leftovers:/:rocky helmet: (would prefer one item for set accuracy next time, please)

Option E
:sv/jirachi: :leftovers:

Option F
:sv/tangrowth: :assault vest:

Option G
:sv/weavile: :choice band:

Option H
:sv/klefki: :leftovers:

Deadline: 1.16.2024 23:59 -4 GMT
 
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As there are only a few hours left for the voting stage to end, and quite frankly, I'm just excited to get another one put out there, I'll be cutting the voting period earlier. Congratulations to Always! for winning Magic Matchmaking's first ever round! Thank you for everyone who has participated thus far. I hope we can bring in even more people for the next rounds.

Anyways, on to the next one!

Round 2: Dragonite
:sv/dragonite:
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake / Fire Punch
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Extreme Speed
​
Dragonite is one of the most potent sweepers. Boasting a dragon/flying typing, coupled with an incredible ability further boosting its bulk, it's able to set up on almost every Pokémon in the whole tier. Adamant ensures it'll be able to dish out as much damage as possible after a boost or two. Outrage is enough to blow through physically frail resists, and absolutely eviscerates through everything after just one boost. Lum Berry ensures it's able to negate Outrage's secondary effect of confusion, and allows it to rid of usual means of counterplay through status. Dragon Claw, although much weaker, is also a STAB option that ensures it can deal damage to neutral targets. It also has options in Earthquake and Fire Punch to hit targets that would usually resist its combination of a dragon STAB and Extreme Speed. And finally, Extreme Speed gives it the ability to outprioritize attempts of revenge killing through priority. To ensure its ability remains intact, Dragonite appreciates teammates like Excadrill and Taunt users that are able to get rid of, and negate hazards. Now with all of that out of the way, what Pokémon will be able to help Dragonite sweep off teams?

Deadline: 1.21.2024 23:59 -4 GMT.
 
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Weavile and Mega Lopunny are two of the primary offensive checks for Dragonite. Weavile can effectively utilize its Ice-type STAB moves to hit Dragonite super effectively, while Mega Lopunny employs a combination of Fake Out and Quick Attack to check Dragonite by bypassing its speed advantage. On the defensive side, Slowbro and Clefable serve as reliable answers to Dragonite. Slowbro can check Dragonite with Ice Beam, taking advantage of its bulk, whereas Clefable utilizes Moonblast to threaten Dragonite with Fairy-type coverage.

:xy/gallade-mega:
Gallade-Mega (M) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 152 HP / 100 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Drain Punch
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off

Mega Gallade is an excellent partner for Dragonite due to its ability to handle several of Dragonite's main threats. It can check Mega Lopunny effectively, as its Inner Focus ability prevents it from flinching from Fake Out, allowing it to OHKO Mega Lopunny with Drain Punch. Mega Gallade can also check Weavile using Drain Punch, surviving any of Weavile's attacks and remaining immune to flinches thanks to Inner Focus.

In addition to handling these offensive threats, Mega Gallade also exerts pressure on Dragonite's key defensive checks, Slowbro and Clefable. After setting up with Swords Dance, Mega Gallade can severely weaken both Slowbro and Clefable, leaving them crippled enough for Dragonite to clean up.
 
:bw/magnezone:

Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
Hidden Power: Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt


Suggesting magnezone to pair up with Dragonite.
Magnezone breaks past clefable and slowbro - two of dragonite's main defensive checks. It is also decently tanky and can take ice type attacks from weavile too. It forms a drag-mag core with dragonite, ensuring that dragonite doesn't have to run hp fire for steel types like skarmory and ferrothorn - which can be eliminated via magnet pull + hpfire. Overall, a slept on mon for sure.
 
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