Project OU Break This Core! - Not hosted anymore

[AM]

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 92 Def / 16 SpD / 148 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Whirlpool
- Nature's Madness
- Taunt

Prevents Corv from ever getting back health, Traps Clef and removes it from game.

 

[cheru]

Crawdaunt @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Aqua Jet

Set up SD on a free turn and proceed to nuke them with Crabhammer.

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 252 HP / 168+ Def Corviknight: 439-517 (109.7 - 129.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Clefable: 598-704 (151.7 - 178.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[SLDR]

Magnezone @ Expert Belt
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 224 Def / 192 SpA / 92 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon​

ebelt zone is a great midground between specs and sub-id, being able to fit into one set the ability to hit clefable/fairies hard and trap ferrothorn and melmetal. Due to this reason and the lack of volt switch, I think it's different enough from the specs set to count as a valid submission. it's fine if otherwise of course.
anyway, this set and spread cleanly ohkos corvi after rocks and deals 71.8 - 84.7% to the given clefable spread, which incidentally means tbolt into flash is a guaranteed ko. this set has the added benefit of defeating cm clef even if it switches on its calm mind. speed is for skarmory and other magnezones.

if one wants to put emphasis on flash cannon/tbolt damage rather than bodypress, then the spread can easily be tweaked to a modest nature with proper spatk investment. 252 Def / 172 SpA / 92 Spe modest ensures 60% min on +1 cm clef: 60% is the chosen threshold because at +2 spdef flash cannon deals 40% min, which means there is no way clef can live if it decides to cm when you attack. this is a desperate move of course but you gotta show no mercy in this game of rng. 176 Def / 248 SpA / 92 modest ensures a clean ohko on corvi from full, although this spread cuts a lot from body press damage so it's my least favourite. either the given one or the 172 modest one are better.

 

[Darkortex]

Aegislash @ Choice Specs
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 164 HP / 252 SpA / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak

Explanation:

Choice Specs Aegislash switches into both Pokémon virtually for free (with knock off only slightly reducing its damage output) and threatens them with a KO. It also has the benefit of 2hkoing nearly every Pokémon in the tier with specs shadow ball, with the few resists (ttar, hydreigon, weavile, blissey, and mandibuzz) being 1-2hkoed by close combat or flash cannon. Mandibuzz is the only Pokémon that can switch in without risking a OHKO, and it almost never fits on the same team as corviknight due to overlapping defensive profiles. Additionally, mandibuzz has seen a serious fall off in OU, as it is prone to being worn down by Pokémon it is intended to check such as landorus-t, rillaboom, etc.

Aegislash also comes with a nice set of defensive qualities that allow it to contribute to teams. It checks or counters Tapu Lele, kyurem, tapu Koko, tapu fini, the slowtwins, blissey, rillaboom, hawlucha, skarmory, as well as the aforementioned clefable and corviknight. It can soft-check many choice locked pokemon as well due to its excellent defensive typing, the most notable examples being urshifu locked into close combat and dragapult locked into Draco meteor.

Notable Calcs:

252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 88 SpD Corviknight: 235-277 (58.7 - 69.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Corviknight Brave Bird vs. 164 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Blade: 42-51 (13.9 - 16.8%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 60+ SpD Clefable: 422-500 (107.1 - 126.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 60+ SpD Clefable: 211-250 (53.5 - 63.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0- Atk Clefable Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 164 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Blade: 70-84 (23.1 - 27.8%) -- 76.3% chance to 4HKO
0- Atk Aegislash-Blade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 384-452 (95 - 111.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 224-266 (55.4 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 247-292 (76 - 89.8%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Both Flash Cannon vs. 248 HP / 152 SpD Mandibuzz: 204-240 (48.2 - 56.7%) -- 88.3% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 168-198 (55.2 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Aegislash-Blade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 376-444 (52.6 - 62.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[wind]

Hello! First of all, huge shoutouts to Magnum for hosting this project until this week; sadly, he dropped it due to irl stuff, so i'll be hosting it alongside Tyson! I hope you get better and return soon; meanwhile, lets see last week's analysis and this week's core!

Last week's analysis!

Threats of the Round

Tapu Fini can disable Corviknight's recovery and chip it long term and trap Clefable completely. Furthermore, it doesnt care a lot about getting its Leftovers knocked, and it doesnt take a lot from Moonblast or Body Press.

CM Koko uses both Clefable and Corviknight as setup fodders as they can do very little back, and though Clefable can take some Thunderbolts, Koko can beat it thanks to its reliable recovery.

Heatran is very similar to Fini, though this time it can beat Corviknight one vs one, and thanks to Heavy Slam it can deal with Clefable effectively, though it hates losing its Leftovers or taking a Body Press.

Additional Notes
Though it can beat this core with its coverage moves, Knock Off from Clef can cripple it inmmensely.

It doesnt really get any free switch in vs these two, and though it can beat Corviknight with +2 Crabhammer, this will leave it practically dead due to Body Press + Life Orb Recoil + Rocky Helmet.

Similar to Crawdaunt, defeating this core may leave Melmetal heavily chipped due to Clefable's Knock removing its Pads and Corviknight's Rocky Helmet and Body Press hindering it in the process.

Round 7: Tapu Fini + Scizor
​

Its no surprise that Tapu Fini has found another partner in crime in OU; this time its Scizor! These two together act as a defensive core in balance and bulky offensive teams that can check a big handful of Pokemon in OU together, such as Weavile, Urshifu-R and Kyurem, and some others by themselves like Dragapult and Melmetal. How would you break this core?

Sets!

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 140 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Draining Kiss
- Calm Mind
- Taunt

Scizor @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 64 Def / 172 SpD / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Roost

You have 5 days to make submissions!​

 

[Dr Ya Yeet]

Hewwo UwU

BU ZERA TIME PEOPLE​

Zeraora @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat

It doens't necessarily appreciate switching into fini, like it's not bad but it's nice to avoid. Can switch into sciz but to a limit.
However, it offensively pressures them a lot. Has stab super effective for fini, and sciz is enough of a setup fodder to where zera can break it.

+1 252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 248 HP / 64+ Def Scizor: 187-222 (54.5 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 0 Atk Scizor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. +1 0 HP / 4 Def Zeraora: 147-174 (46.3 - 54.8%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
(This is the worst case , assuming it started as a 1v1 scenario where sd and bu were clicked turn 1, so you win this)

0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zeraora: 100-118 (31.5 - 37.2%) -- 83% chance to 3HKO
You 2 shot in return ofc

Have a good day everyone
Edit - uhh forgot about lefties in the calcs but idt it matters as much, also I'm just lazy :p

 

[cheru]

Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Psychic

Tapu Lele is able to break this core down well, as its devastating power alongside Psychic Terrain and Steel-nailing Focus Blast make it a very strong wallbreaker and extremely difficult to switch into.

If Tapu Lele switches into a Scald, it is able to break through with Moonblast or Psyshock. Tapu Fini is also not able to 2HKO with a +1 Scald.

fini calcs

252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 204-241 (59.3 - 70%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini in Psychic Terrain: 204-241 (59.3 - 70%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 109-130 (38.7 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

It is also able to break through Scizor with 2 Focus Blasts (provided you hit) and can't be OHKOed by a +2 Knock Off.

sciz calcs

252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 172 SpD Scizor: 213-251 (62 - 73.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 0 Atk Scizor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 221-261 (78.6 - 92.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[agslash23]

Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 188 HP / 252 SpA / 68 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Toxic

Zone traps Scizor and deletes it with Specs Thunderbolt, even after getting Knocked (however, best to avoid losing Specs). It can easily switch into Fini and electrocute it. A bulkier Specs Zone set is used to avoid 2HKO from +1 Fini's Scald, while still outspeeding the given Scizor variant.

Specs Zone vs Scizor

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 172 SpD Scizor: 238-282 (69.3 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 172 SpD Scizor: 160-189 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 66% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Scizor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 188 HP / 0 Def Magnezone: 78-92 (23.7 - 28%) -- 89.9% chance to 4HKO
+2 0 Atk Scizor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 188 HP / 0 Def Magnezone: 155-183 (47.2 - 55.7%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO

Specs Zone vs Fini

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 302-356 (87.7 - 103.4%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 258-306 (75 - 88.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 188 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 91-108 (27.7 - 32.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 188 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 135-160 (41.1 - 48.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Steel With It]

Slowking-Galar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 176 SpA / 80 SpD
Calm Nature
- Future Sight
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Scald / Ice Beam / Whatever

Fairy + Steel, meet Sludge Bomb + Flamethrower. While not a full stop to this core since Scizor's Knock Off hurts, none of their other attacks so much as tickle Mega Shellder and they're both OHKO'd or 2HKO'd in return.

Calcs

0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 252 HP / 80+ SpD Assault Vest Slowking-Galar: 43-52 (10.9 - 13.1%) -- possible 8HKO
+2 0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 252 HP / 80+ SpD Assault Vest Slowking-Galar: 85-102 (21.5 - 25.8%) -- 1.7% chance to 4HKO
176 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 198-234 (57.5 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
176 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. +2 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 102-120 (29.6 - 34.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

Stomped. By the time Fini can boost enough for Scald to out-damage Regen, the terrain's run out and it's at risk of being poisoned.

0 Atk Scizor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Slowking-Galar: 212-250 (53.8 - 63.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 0 Atk Scizor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Slowking-Galar: 420-496 (106.5 - 125.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
176 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 172 SpD Scizor: 324-384 (94.4 - 111.9%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO (guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock)

Avoid +2 Knock Offs like the plague, but if Glowking switches in on Roost or BP, Scizor loses - and this set can't even predict with U-Turn.

 

[Marnie]

Volcanion @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave​

A rising star in the current metagame, Volcanion can counter both mons due to its offensive movepool and defensive qualities, threatening huge damage to them while taking nothing in return from their STABs because of its typing and ability. This means volcanion helps to stop these mons from sweeping the team while not being passive in return due to its high damage output and hard-to-wall movepool. Flamethrower cleanly OHKOes scizor and you take minimal damage from BP (even if it sets up to +6). Worst case scenario is taking a knock off on the switch, removing your boots and gets repeatedly worn down by rocks throughout the game. On the other hand, tapu fini can't recover enough from draining kiss and sludge wave does too much before it can set up further.
EV spread is standard max/max, modest is preferred here since you still outspeed both and actually threatens the 2HKO on tapu fini without rocks.

Calcs

vs trust me this bug gets cooked
252+ SpA Volcanion Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 172+ SpD Scizor: 580-688 (169 - 200.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+6 0 Atk Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 69-81 (22.9 - 26.9%) -- 46.2% chance to 4HKO

vs
252+ SpA Volcanion Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 182-216 (52.9 - 62.7%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (can't switch into volcanion)

252+ SpA Volcanion Sludge Wave vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 122-144 (35.4 - 41.8%) -- 83.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 0 SpA Tapu Fini Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcanion: 42-50 (13.9 - 16.6%) -- possible 7HKO (with 9.3 - 11% recovered)

 

[Katy]

Victini @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- Glaciate
- U-turn​

Victini can threaten this core effectively, as its able to spread out super effective damage on both Tapu Fini and Scizor with its coverage in Bolt Strike and its STAB V-create. It can also U-turn to gain momentum on these, which allows a teampartner to further threaten Tapu Fini and Scizor. It can also prevent both from a setup very effectively with its presence alone. However, Victini has to be careful about Scald and Knock Off from Tapu Fini and Scizor respectively, but in overall it can scare them out or just threaten them with either a huge chunk of damage or an OHKO in Scizors case with its STAB attack, which turns Victini into a great threat to both of them.

252 Atk Victini Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini: 172-204 (50 - 59.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[H momento]

Our favorite clown steps up to save the day



Blacephalon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball
- Overheat
- Trick

Ever since the dark ages have passed once the My little pony antagonist (I forgot her name) was banished, Blacephalon has been hiding in the shadows waiting for the perfect moment to strike. A couple of months have passed, Tyranitar, Mandibuzz and Blissey don't see nearly as much usage as they once did, that's when blacephalon honked his head-- get it? It looks like a clown nose or something I have no idea- and started enjoying its usual destructive shenanigans just for the heck of it
Flamethrower and Shadow ball are reliable moves, the latter keeping an enemy on edge as a simple special defense drop can cause a game to flip on its head, Trick can cripple what little resists its reign of terror, while its Overheat softens up it's checks, allowing it to defeat them later and utilize its Beast boost ability to raise its special attack letting Blacephalon snowball the game with ease

With its absurdly high special attack of 151, Blacephalon's specs boosted shadow balls are very hard to resist, it juggled several shadow balls as Tapu fini stood there waiting to resist the attack, Scizor scared hiding behind it as it feared Overheat or Flamethrower
Usually used to Dragapult's significantly weaker ones, Tapu Fini felt cocky and prepared to scald the smug look on Blacephalon's face off-- Uhhh metaphorically speaking anyway, but it only took two as Tapu Fini fainted, shouting "Hax" at the top of her lungs as it was a roll before doing so
And so, Scizor bullet punched trying to take it down, but it's no use, and clearly no match for the boosted Shadow ball fired at it



252 SpA Choice Specs Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 175-207 (50.8 - 60.1%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 172+ SpD Scizor: 198-234 (57.7 - 68.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[montegom]

Kartana @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off
- Sacred Sword
​

SD Kartana easily enters in every attack Tapu Fini and Scizor can land on it, only fearing Scald from Tapu (which can burn it also and cripple it, lowing its physical damage) and Knock Off from Scizor. Outspeeding both foes Kartana can OHKO Tapu Fini with Leaf Blade and adter a Beast Boost OHKOes Scizor with Knock Off. If entering vs Scizor it can set up with SD without receiving several damage and OHKO him directly with Knock off.

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 64+ Def Scizor: 302-355 (88 - 103.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini: 359-424 (104.3 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO


I would add mor calcs but im in the mobile

 

[FangFoe]

Jeremy (Venusaur) @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Growth
- Giga Drain
- Weather Ball
- Earth Power

Venusaur can destroy this core effectively with Weather Ball, Giga drain, and a nice typing against this core. It can switch in all day against Fini, it resists draining kiss and Scald's power is lowered because of the sun. Venusaur's only fear against this core is if it gets a Scald burn, because the burn would chip it on top of life orb recoil and stealth rock, it also doesn't really like Knock-off from Scizor. Unboosted Giga Drain is a 2HKO against Fini, and Weather Ball on sun is an OHKO against Scizor. Sun pressures both Fini and Scizor from setting up, due to the many fire types and sun lowering scald's damage output. While Venusaur is exclusive to Sun, it and its teammate is still a threat to this core.

Calcs !

Fini calcs:
(Unboosted) 252+ SpA Life Orb Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 234-276 (68 - 80.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(After one growth) +2 252+ SpA Life Orb Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 463-549 (134.5 - 159.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

(This is not even in sun) 0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Venusaur: 42-49 (13.9 - 16.2%) -- possible 7HKO

Scizor calcs:
252+ SpA Life Orb Venusaur Weather Ball (100 BP Fire) vs. 248 HP / 172 SpD Scizor in Sun: 769-910 (224.1 - 265.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Nobody is surprise kek

 

[SLDR]

Reserving og Zapdos

Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 64 SpA / 24 Spe
Modest Nature
- Discharge
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- U-turn / Toxic / Hurricane​

og zapdos is in a wierd place right now; it has pretty amazing defensive typing but the over-reliance on hdb to check stuff and vulnerability to toxic/burn etc really hinders it. this is why I think zap right now is better used as a bulky offensive mon, taking advantage of its usable natural bulk and good offenses to blanket checking stuff but primarily deal damage and provide offensive momentum. zap doesn't really need to be that fast unless your team is really weak to urshifu, so you can use a bulky spread like this one.
Speed is for the given tapu fini spread, which incidentally hits important targets like defensive lando, timid zone and adamant bisharp. hp and defense is to live knock off into knock off from choice band kartana. rest in spatk for damage output. heat wave comfortably ohkos the given scizor spread and tbolt deals 63% min to fini. even if it isn't astounding damage, fini only recovers via draining kiss which really doesn't recover efficiently enough to compensate tbolt damage unless for some reason you start using zap when fini already is a couple boosts in.
tbolt and heat wave are mandatory to deal damage to water, flying, grass and steel types, roost keeps zap healthy and the last slot is for preference. uturn grabs momentum on ground types, toxic puts them on a timer and gives it another layer of annoyance since heat wave hits steel types well (barring heatran ofc). I don't like defog on zap tbh and as a third option I'd consider hurricane, but in that case maybe going full offensive in the spread is a more realistic idea.

Anyway, this zapdos bullies this fini and scizor core via good supereffective damage output and good defensive matchup vs scizor and good natural bulk vs fini.

 

[Plushietran]

Melmetal @ Protective Pads
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 188 SpD / 68 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Thunder Punch
- Earthquake
- Thunder Wave
Melmetal is famously featured in this thread for good reason, it has a great match-up spread against most of the tier, and this is no exception, with special defense investment it can check tapu fini and can check scizor without investment, so it's. A good choice for breaking this core

 

[neuro]

Tapu Koko @ Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Grass Knot
- U-turn

he comes in on fini and clicks a surprisingly powerful thunderbolt (the common hdb koko loses to tapu fini if he comes in on calm mind, so fini is probably going to stay in)
he also does a ton to scizor, doesn't get 2HKOed by unboosted bullet punch, and retains decent power and all of his speed after getting knocked off (even though he doesn't love it, obviously)
great with things that benefit from weakened or dead grounds

tapu fini calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini in Electric Terrain: 246-290 (71.5 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 0 SpA Tapu Fini Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (21.5 - 25.5% recovered)

+1 0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 156-184 (55.5 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

scizor calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 172 SpD Scizor in Electric Terrain: 229-270 (66.7 - 78.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 93-111 (33 - 39.5%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO

 

[TailGlowVM]

Tapu Bulu @ Life Orb
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

Tapu Bulu can switch in and set up Swords Dance easily on Tapu Fini as long as Scald does not burn, since it's not going to risk being nearly OHKOed by Horn Leech, and +2 Close Combat has a favourable roll to OHKO this Scizor, while Bullet Punch is nowhere near an OHKO. More physically defensive Scizor spreads that survive +2 Life Orb-boosted Close Combat from Tapu Bulu do beat it much more easily, however.

0 SpA Tapu Fini Draining Kiss vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Bulu: 54-64 (19.2 - 22.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 252 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini in Grassy Terrain: 335-398 (97.3 - 115.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Tapu Bulu Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 64+ Def Scizor: 317-374 (92.4 - 109%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 146-174 (51.9 - 61.9%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[MachineParadise]

Dracozolt @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 148 Atk / 176 SpA / 184 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Bolt Beak
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast

This set OHKOs both of the members in (and even out of) sand with Bolt Beak and Fire Blast respectively, with Bolt Beak 2HKOing the latter at absolute worst. Can switch in on anything other than Kiss (Knock from Scizor sucks I guess but it doen't threaten to kill even at +2 and it gets scared out). Only fits on sand and doesn't take a ton from but it works

 

[haxlolo]

reserving offensive volc



Volcarona @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Flamethrower
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain

Just set up lol, Scizor is setup fodder (kinda) and Fini gets hit by Giga Drain, so just click buttons and break the core, you do have to be a bit careful with Fini though since you don't have Roost

+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 222-262 (64.5 - 76.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 148 HP / 172 SpD Scizor: 984-1164 (309.4 - 366%) -- guaranteed OHKO (calc doesn't matter that much but just to add lol)

 

[wind]

hellohellohello! welcome back to break this core!
Round Seven: FiniZor!

Analysis here!

Threats of the Round

Volcanion did it again! This new threat that has taken OU by storm can shred this core down with no problems at all thanks to its great coverage. Be aware of getting your Heavy-Duty Boots knocked though.

Zeraora can destroy this core by virtue of its typing and Bulk Up, and as Fini cant burn it and Scizor cant damage it, the electric cat gets the gold medal here.

Similarly to Volcanion, Victini can remove this core from the game with its excellent coverage and all-around stats. Watch out for V-Create stat drops, maybe Knock Off, and that'll be it.

Additional Notes
Volcarona can set up on both Tapu Fini and Scizor, but getting its boots knocked can be problematic long-term.

Though it can beat Fini, trying to beat Scizor may result on getting its Specs Knocked, and yet again, that can cripple it on the long run.

If it tries to switch into Fini, it can get burned since Grassy Terrain overlaps Misty Terrain, and switching into Scizor may result into getting its Life Orb knocked and Bulu being chipped by +2 Bullet Punch.

Round 8: Tornadus-Therian + Tapu Lele
​

Tapu Lele is an amazing wallbreaker that can defeat defensive cores on its own, though its rather frail and doesnt get a lot of switch ins, and thats where Tornadus-T comes in! The bird can knock items like Leftovers from Corviknight, beat Steel-types with Heat Wave, disable recovery moves and hazards, and send Lele to the field safely with U-turn. How would you break this core?

Sets!

Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 92 SpD / 168 Spe
Timid Nature
- Heat Wave
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Taunt

Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast

You have 5 days to post your submissions! Happy posting! :)​

 

[cheru]

Weavile @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Triple Axel
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard​

Weavile is able to break through this core with its insane Speed stat and Swords Dance, though it has to be careful.

It is able to easily force out Tornadus-T so it can Swords Dance, as it is not KOed by Heat Wave or U-turn, though it takes big damage.

torn calcs

252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian: 450-528 (124.3 - 145.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 170-200 (60.4 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Tapu Lele is harder to switch into, but it can switch in safely on a Psychic move and also be able to find a set up opportunity when it is forced out.

lele calcs

+2 252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 471-558 (167.6 - 198.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 381-448 (135.5 - 159.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 530-626 (188.6 - 222.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[SLDR]

zeraora

Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Bulk Up / Toxic​

simply put, zeraora threatens a clean ohko against tornadus and +1 plasma fists nearly always ohkos lele while outspeeding both. also, zeraora survives any one hit from modest tapu lele if it knocks off its specs before lele attacks. zeraora is in general very threatening to specs lele+tornt structures with either bulk up as a late-game win con or toxic for early-game progress. not really much else to explain here honestly.


252+ SpA Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zeraora in Psychic Terrain: 253-298 (79.8 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian: 354-416 (98 - 115.2%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+1 252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 280-330 (99.6 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

 

[Darkortex]

Arctozolt @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Substitute
- Bolt Beak
- Blizzard
- Low Kick

Under hail, arctozolt outspeeds and OHKOes both Tornadus-t and Tapu Lele with bolt beak. Not only that, but it can use its coverage to threaten defensive pivots into bolt beak such as ground types or specific steel types with blizzard or low kick respectively. If you don't feel like predicting, click substitute and watch them squirm as they try to fend off your assault.

252 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian: 554-654 (153 - 180.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 294-346 (104.6 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

"Nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes, and your team getting 6-0ed by Arctozolt." - Benjamin Franklin

 

[Zeno420]

Dragapult @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
- Draco Meteor
- Shadow Ball

Specs pult is a menace vs both of these mons and especially lele. Easily threatening to revenge it being faster and ohkoing. Although it cannot beat torn out right, torn is by no means a switchin. With both sball and tbolt being a guaranteed 2hko. Dragapult only also needs about 20% chip to ohko torn with Draco which is not a hard task to accomplish. Here are some calcs!

252+ SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 92 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 288-339 (79.5 - 93.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 92 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 266-314 (73.4 - 86.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 318-374 (113.1 - 133%) -- guaranteed OHKO​