Project OU Break This Core! - Not hosted anymore

[Dr Ya Yeet]

the aegi i had in mind

it was the same as m24 posted, but i ditched it coz of the reason they mention too, it cant check lele if it faces torn first and that was kind of the dealbreaker for me rip

omg cute star UwU (Jirachi) @ Colbur Berry /Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 184 SpD / 72 Spe
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock /U-Turn
- Thunder Wave
- Iron Head
- Wish

this is one of the only *very few* things that actually checks tbolt+fb+psyshock lele, thanks for making it harder wind
on paper its weak to both knock and heat wave from torn, but it eats knock with colbur(works as a weavile lure too idk why i didnt think of it in the lure thread and instead got frekin sitrus clef ) and heat wave damage can be wished off while you twave the torn and take away one of its biggest traits, speed. after that its just serene grace plays. u turn is very nice to have on rachi but it also needs these moves, so ig its team dependent hence why i slashed it
speed for offensive tran and rest dumped in spdef

calcs

252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 184+ SpD Jirachi: 164-194 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (you can also lower its speed a bit and live 2 focuses after rocks but tbh its not too much of a chance anyway so it feels unnecessary)
252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 184+ SpD Jirachi: 164-194 (40.5 - 48%) -- 5.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Tornadus-Therian Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Colbur Berry Jirachi: 63-75 (15.5 - 18.5%) -- possible 6HKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 184+ SpD Jirachi: 112-134 (27.7 - 33.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian: 103-123 (28.4 - 33.9%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO (roll doesnt matter coz flicherinu after twave)
0 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 218-260 (77.5 - 92.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

have a good day everyone

 

[Ehmcee]

SpDef Head Smash Aegislash:



Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 200 SpD
Careful Nature
- Head Smash
- Iron Head
- King's Shield
- Shadow Sneak / Shadow Claw

Aegislash acts as a check to both of these mons, since it is able to fairly reliably switch into Tapu Lele:

Lele Calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield in Psychic Terrain: 95-112 (29.3 - 34.5%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 200+ SpD Aegislash-Shield: 68-81 (20.9 - 25%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

It is also able to cleanly OHKO it with iron head:
56 Atk Aegislash-Blade Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 306-362 (108.8 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Meanwhile, it is able to lure Tornadus in fairly easily, and OHKO it with a surprise Head Smash, usually at the cost of a knock off and a large amount of Recoil.

56 Atk Aegislash-Blade Head Smash vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian: 362-426 (100 - 117.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0- Atk Tornadus-Therian Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 94-112 (29 - 34.5%) -- 5.2% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 200+ SpD Aegislash-Shield: 88-104 (27.1 - 32%) -- 39.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

All in all, Aegi is able to come in multiple times on Lele and threaten it out, and is able to OHKO Tornadus-T with a surprising Head Smash, usually removing it's ability to check Lele unfortunately.

​

 

[Plushietran]

Tapu Koko @ Heavy-Duty-Boots
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- U-turn
- Volt Switch / Roost
Tapu koko can force both of these pokemon out because of its strong thunderbolt, which allows you to pivot around freely, which lets you play around this core more easily

 

[TailGlowVM]

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Toxic / Stealth Rock
- Taunt / Stealth Rock

Checking this core defensively is hard, as previous users show. While it is a bit flawed here, as it hates Knock Off and can be broken through by Tapu Lele, Heatran is probably the closest thing to doing so, as it takes no damage from Tornadus-T, and is only 3HKOed by Tapu Lele's moves other than Focus Blast, which it hates locking into as it is easily taken advantage of by common Pokemon like Landorus-T, Dragapult, Tapu Koko, or Tapu Fini, meaning that Heatran at the very least forces considerable prediction for the core to break. Heatran also quickly wears down both Pokemon with Magma Storm.

 

[D5405]

Melmetal @ Assault Vest
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 128 HP / 116 Atk / 252 SpD / 12 Spe
Careful Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Thunder Punch
AV Melmetal can sponge torn t's heat wave which is 4hko and is 2hko'd by focus blast but most of these moves have crappy accuracy so theres is that aswell and melm can eaisly destroy both of them with its moves
Here are some calcs
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 128 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Melmetal: 94-112 (21.2 - 25.2%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 128 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Melmetal: 248-292 (55.9 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO if it hits that is
116 Atk Iron Fist Melmetal Double Iron Bash (2 hits) vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian: 276-326 (76.4 - 90.3%) -- approx. 2HKO
116 Atk Iron Fist Melmetal Double Iron Bash (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 588-696 (209.2 - 247.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Garchomp @ Life Orb
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Scale Shot
- Stone Edge

Garchomp outspeeds tapu lele and ohko's it with LO eq, while tornadus cannot do much and risks getting set up on or OHKO'ed if it taunts or knock offs.
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 270-320 (96 - 113.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tornadus: 382-450 (127.7 - 150.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Tysonslayer]

Sorry for the delay but we are back in business

Last Round's Analysis

Threats of the Round
Jirachi has a lot going for it against this pair being able to switch into their moves, form of recovery with Wish to check against them, could set up hazard for more pressure or provide momentum, really creative submission and effective at best, though it questionable to fit in a legit team.

Aegislash can tank Knock Off and Heat Wave, and doesn't care about what Tapu Lele does to it and gets clean kills on both of them, handles the core similar to Jirachi, very simple submission.

While Heatran hates losing its item, you wall Torandus-T and only have to watch out for Focus Blast from Tapu Lele which is easy to come around when it gets locked into it and resist its other moveset, good submission.

Additional Notes
Weavile cannot really come into any of them and you don't even get a clean ohko against Tapu Lele, still decent at pressuring the core but cannot immediately break them unless Choice Band.

Similarily like Weavile Zeraora kind off struggles more that you have to force switches to get a free Bulk Up to delete Tapu Lele, but when a Zeraora comes in a reliable switch-in comes in and if you are Toxic you miss out the sweet OHKO Tapu Lele, decent pressure at least.

Unlike the other steels you get 2HKO from Tapu Lele which you are basically hoping it misses, also unlike Heatran it does offer a bit more defensive utility as a steel type being able to Taunt, Toxic, Stealth Rock or trap things for the team, still a decent submission.

Round 9: Ninetales-Alola + Arctozolt

sets

Ninetales-Alola @ Icy Rock
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Aurora Veil
- Encore
- Pain Split

Arctozolt @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 200 Atk / 76 SpA / 232 Spe
Naive Nature
- Substitute
- Bolt Beak
- Blizzard
- Low Kick / Freeze Dry

If you have been keeping up with the Metagame you know how potent this core against majority of teams where games are decided by team preview. Arctozolt is an incredible breaker with very limited switch-ins and its mediocore speed boosts under hail that Ninetales-Alola summons for and the extended duration makes Arctozolt deadly. Ninetales-Alola has a lot of support for Arctozolt such as Aurora Veil making it harder to break while Encore can cripple the opposing side and Pain Split gives it a form of longevity.

You have 5 days to make submissions.
​

 

[Da stall masta 999]

MAROWAK ALOLA

Marowak-Alola @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 248 HP / 72 Atk / 8 SpD / 180 Spe
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Flare Blitz
- Will-O-Wisp / Toxic / Knock Off
- Pain Split
​

The biggest destroyer of hail in the tier. Seeing Alolan Marowak vs hail means you click x. Why? Because it hard walls both Arctozolt and Alolan Ninetales.

vs

Ninetales gets forced out every time when Alowak comes in. If it stays in, Flare Blitz does big damage, it gets knocked, or it gets a status effect. Since Ninetales has to switch every time Alowak comes in on it, this means Alowak can take advantage of getting rocks up, recovering from chip damage with pain split, or knocking/using status on the Pokémon that comes in like Landorus. Ninetales also can’t heal back up since Alowak is immune to pain split, so it really gives Ninetales a lot of trouble and almost all hail teams have a problem dealing with it.

Calcs:
252 SpA Ninetales-Alola Freeze-Dry vs. 248 HP / 8+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 45-54 (13.9 - 16.7%) -- possible 5HKO after hail damage
72 Atk Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ninetales-Alola: 296-350 (84.5 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
Ninetales-Alola Pain Split vs. Marowak-Alola: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
72 Atk Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ninetales-Alola with an ally's Aurora Veil: 148-175 (42.2 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO

vs

Arctozolt also can’t do anything vs Alolan Marowak. Bolt beak basically does nothing since lightning rod makes Marowak immune to electric attacks, and low kick can’t do anything either since Marowak is a ghost type. So the only thing Arctozolt can do against it is blizzard, freeze dry, or stomping tantrum, but stomping tantrum isn’t really used that much. But blizzard and freeze dry also hardly do anything.

76 SpA Arctozolt Blizzard vs. 248 HP / 8+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 64-76 (19.8 - 23.5%) -- 99.4% chance to 4HKO after hail damage
76 SpA Arctozolt Freeze-Dry vs. 248 HP / 8+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 41-48 (12.6 - 14.8%) -- guaranteed 6HKO after hail damage

A 4HKO is pretty bad since you can basically run rest, and hard wall it on the switch. Sure, it can crit, but it’s not like Blizzard has lots of pps and hail’s longevity is terrible. Unlike things like Rotom Heat that take 1 hit and die after that, Alowak can take infinite hits. So conclusion: Alolan Marowak is the best hail destroyer in the game. Now let’s look at it vs a common hail team.

vs Ox Hail

Right off the bat, 2 mons get invalidated like we already covered. Ninetales-A and Arctozolt. Both can’t come in because either rocks get up, someone gets knocked, someone gets burnt, or someone gets toxiced. So this is already pretty much a gg. Volcanion is pretty slow so another member on your team should be able to deal with that, and Corv also is invalided because it can’t defog on Alowak. All it can do is uturn. Landorus and Tornadus are easily exploited, vulnerable to toxic, and eventually will get knocked and die so if you want to 100% win against hail, use Alolan Marowak.

TLDR: Alolan Marowak auto beats hail. This set probably does it the best but I think anything could work tbh.

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Melmetal @ Protective Pads
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 104 SpD / 112 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Superpower
- Thunder Punch
- Thunder Wave

Melm can ohko ninetales even through veil, and can never do anything to it. Arctozolt cannot 2hko melmetal even inside hail, and DIB 2hko's artozolt.

252+ Atk Iron Fist Melmetal Double Iron Bash (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arctozolt with an ally's Aurora Veil: 152-180 (47.3 - 56%) -- approx. 83.6% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Melmetal: 169-201 (40.1 - 47.7%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after hail damage
252+ Atk Iron Fist Melmetal Double Iron Bash (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ninetales-Alola with an ally's Aurora Veil: 708-832 (202.2 - 237.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[cheru]

Excadrill @ Leftovers
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Atk / 68 SpD / 116 Spe
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin​

Excadrill, for the first time, is dropping to UU, but that doesn't mean that it can't be a good hail check. Its good bulk when invested, resistance to Fairy, immunity to Bolt Beak, and neutrality to Ice help it in that regard. The given spread is to not be 3HKOed by Blizzard or Low Kick after Stealth Rock, OHKO Arctozolt with Earthquake, and outspeeding Timid Magnezone. Excadrill can threaten Alolan Ninetales with Iron Head, as it is rarely going to sacrifice itself to limit hail turns for Arctozolt. It is also able to force out Arctozolt with Earthquake, as it risks being OHKOed by Earthquake.

offensive calcs

Arctozolt

72 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arctozolt: 324-384 (100.9 - 119.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
72 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arctozolt with an ally's Aurora Veil: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Alolan Ninetales

72 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ninetales-Alola: 604-712 (172.5 - 203.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
72 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ninetales-Alola with an ally's Aurora Veil: 302-356 (86.2 - 101.7%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO

defensive calcs

Arctozolt

Arctozolt Bolt Beak vs. Excadrill: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
76 SpA Arctozolt Blizzard vs. 252 HP / 68+ SpD Excadrill: 139-165 (32.7 - 38.9%) -- 99.4% chance to 3HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery
200 Atk Arctozolt Low Kick (60 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 158-188 (37.2 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery
76 SpA Arctozolt Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 68+ SpD Excadrill: 88-105 (20.7 - 24.7%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery

Alolan Ninetales

0 SpA Ninetales-Alola Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 68+ SpD Excadrill: 51-60 (12 - 14.1%) -- possible 8HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery

 

[Katy]

rotom heat


Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Nasty Plot
- Pain Split​

heattom can check both very well and gives both pokes a lot of trouble with overheat and the ability to volt switch out into an appropiate partner to handle arctozolt as well, such partners could be scizor, magnezone, melmetal, and ferrothorn. furthermore heattom can set up on alola ninetales with nasty plot as it naturally scares it out with a strong stab overheat. it can also make use of pain split to grant itself some longevity when it is at low health. in overall this tiny oven can give these two ice-type alot of trouble and they need a lot of support to bust through heattom, as it can also set up on them pretty safely and with pain split support it is granted with longevity also.

0 SpA Ninetales-Alola Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Heat: 41-48 (13.4 - 15.7%) -- possible 5HKO after hail damage
0 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales-Alola: 290-344 (82.8 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales-Alola: 290-344 (82.8 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

200 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (85 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Heat: 52-62 (17.1 - 20.3%) -- possible 5HKO
76 SpA Arctozolt Blizzard vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Heat: 55-66 (18 - 21.7%) -- possible 5HKO
200 Atk Arctozolt Low Kick (20 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Heat: 17-21 (5.5 - 6.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
76 SpA Arctozolt Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Heat: 36-42 (11.8 - 13.8%) -- possible 8HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Arctozolt: 390-462 (121.4 - 143.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Plushietran]

reserving scizor

 

[SLDR]

Scarf lando-t

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 12 Def / 244 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off / Defog​

scarf lando periodically pops up in usage when its traits are needed the most. hail is one of its many positive matchups, given how it outspeeds arctozolt in hail and unceremoniously kos it with earthquake, while having a low chance to outright ko alolatales with stone edge from full hp. it's also the only scarfer that can pivot into two of three of arctozolt's moves with proper prediction and, even if zolt uses sub, it can just simply click u-turn to simultaneously break the sub and switch out to an appropriate teammate. edgequake is required to take onto this core and u-turn is a staple; last slot is a lot more flexible.
lando usually has good matchup vs hail seeing how it chips its own checks lando and corvi and break everything else hail has.
scarf lando is also quite good with zone, which puts the nail in the coffin for hail's defensive stability. even without zone, however, it can easily pull its weight via crucial speed tier, uturn and edgequake backed by a monstrous base 145 attack and stab on earthquake.
speed is enough to outspeed zolt in hail and underspeed opposing scarf lando for the slower u-turn.

vs
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ninetales-Alola: 300-354 (85.7 - 101.1%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ninetales-Alola: 225-265 (64.2 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

vs
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arctozolt: 390-458 (121.4 - 142.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arctozolt: 90-107 (28 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arctozolt: 260-306 (80.9 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[TailGlowVM]

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

Generally a big threat to most hail structures, Victini can easily switch into Ninetales, taking very little damage. It OHKOes both Ninetales and Arctozolt in hail, and can take a Bolt Beak fairly well if necessary.

 

[D5405]

Blacephalon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball
- Trick
Scarf blaceph can outspeed and kill both Ninetails and Arctozolt in Hail.
252 SpA Blacephalon Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ninetales-Alola: 404-476 (115.4 - 136%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Blacephalon Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ninetales-Alola: 330-390 (94.2 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Blacephalon Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Arctozolt: 540-636 (168.2 - 198.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Da stall masta 999]

rotom heat


Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Nasty Plot
- Pain Split​

heattom can check both very well and gives both pokes a lot of trouble with overheat and the ability to volt switch out into an appropiate partner to handle arctozolt as well, such partners could be scizor, magnezone, melmetal, and ferrothorn. furthermore heattom can set up on alola ninetales with nasty plot as it naturally scares it out with a strong stab overheat. it can also make use of pain split to grant itself some longevity when it is at low health. in overall this tiny oven can give these two ice-type alot of trouble and they need a lot of support to bust through heattom, as it can also set up on them pretty safely and with pain split support it is granted with longevity also.

0 SpA Ninetales-Alola Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Heat: 41-48 (13.4 - 15.7%) -- possible 5HKO after hail damage
0 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales-Alola: 290-344 (82.8 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales-Alola: 290-344 (82.8 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

200 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (85 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Heat: 52-62 (17.1 - 20.3%) -- possible 5HKO
76 SpA Arctozolt Blizzard vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Heat: 55-66 (18 - 21.7%) -- possible 5HKO
200 Atk Arctozolt Low Kick (20 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Heat: 17-21 (5.5 - 6.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
76 SpA Arctozolt Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Heat: 36-42 (11.8 - 13.8%) -- possible 8HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Arctozolt: 390-462 (121.4 - 143.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Rotom heat may seem like it checks Arctozolt, but it’s actually a fake check. Without any defensive investment like this set here, Arctozolt can basically 2HKO Rotom heat under hail with bolt beak.

200 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom: 136-161 (44.7 - 52.9%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO after hail damage

The calc of bolt beak vs Rotom heat used here doesn’t have hail so Rotom is able to outspeed halfing bolt beak and not taking additional chip damage. Even if Rotom heat has a bit of defense investment, it pretty much only switches once, and then cant be used again.

200 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Rotom: 103-122 (33.8 - 40.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after hail damage

Rotom heat just isn’t very good switching into Arctozolt and this is more explained here by Gomikyu, but it’s still somewhat decent at breaking the core. (The quote “Heattom is a horrible hail check because its constantly chipped due to being forced to run boots and gets beat by arctozolt via substitute baiting out an overheat and removing its ability to take it out. It should absolutely not rise on the basis of its hail MU…”)

 

[agslash23]

Rotom heat may seem like it checks Arctozolt, but it’s actually a fake check. Without any defensive investment like this set here, Arctozolt can basically 2HKO Rotom heat under hail with bolt beak.

200 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom: 136-161 (44.7 - 52.9%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO after hail damage

The calc of bolt beak vs Rotom heat used here doesn’t have hail so Rotom is able to outspeed halfing bolt beak and not taking additional chip damage. Even if Rotom heat has a bit of defense investment, it pretty much only switches once, and then cant be used again.

200 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Rotom: 103-122 (33.8 - 40.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after hail damage

Rotom heat just isn’t very good switching into Arctozolt and this is more explained here by Gomikyu, but it’s still somewhat decent at breaking the core. (The quote “Heattom is a horrible hail check because its constantly chipped due to being forced to run boots and gets beat by arctozolt via substitute baiting out an overheat and removing its ability to take it out. It should absolutely not rise on the basis of its hail MU…”)

While Rotom-H aint a counter to the core at all, it does have pain spilt to get back it's lost HP, so it's still a check. However, I agree that more PDef investment is a must else it can get 2HKOed in Hail coz those calcs are when Arctozolt is slower than Rotom-H

 

[agslash23]

Torkoal @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Body Press
- Rapid Spin

Torkoal disrupts this core by switching in and talking all their hits well - it resists both of A-Ninetales STABs, while it can avoid 2KHO from Arctozolt's Bolt Beak. More importantly, it changes the weather from hail to sun, thereby denying Aurora Veil and Slush Rush respectively (while making Blizzard's accuracy drop back to 70%). It also gives way to Sun Sweeper Venusaur, who can beat both the hail mons under sun.

Calcs

252 Atk Arctozolt Bolt Beak (170 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal: 132-156 (38.4 - 45.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after hail damage
252 SpA Ninetales-Alola Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Torkoal: 75-89 (21.8 - 25.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after hail damage

 

[wind]

After a bit of delay, we're back! Welcome to Break This Core

Last week's analysis!

Threats of the Round

Fire Turtle is back in business to check the Hail Core, which it can effectively break thanks to Drought and great physical bulk. Plus, it also offers some utility with Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin. Sun is a very fringe archetype nonetheless and the lack of a reliable recovery move sucks though.

Excadrill surprisingly finds a way to break this core with its typing, taking Blizzards and Bolt Beak with no problem at all and firing back with its powerful STABs. However, its prone to being worn down long-term.

Even though it doesn't get a lot of free entries against this core, the gained Speed from Choice Scarf allows clown to spam its Fire attacks and break this core after being sent to the field through a pivot or after a teammate has fainted.

Additional Notes
Melmetal is prone to being worn down if it tries to check both Ninetales-A and Arctozolt as Bolt Beak has a very slight chance to 2HKO, so it needs full health to check Arctozolt. However, its powerful Double Iron Bash is capable of tearing down this core and can punish the opposing team if it gives Melmetal a free entry.

Similarly to other submissions, the lack of a reliable recovery hurts Marowak-A and its rather hard to fit in a serious team, even though its typing and ability give it the tools to beat the core.

Defeating this core with its powerful Earthquake usually doesn't make for the exchange between sets nor does it make Choice Scarf really worth it as Landorus-T loses its bulk and utility options while also being blanketed by several Pokémon if it chooses to lock into Earthquake.

Round 10: Heatran + Ferrothorn

Double Steel cores are stronger than ever in SS and you can see why. With the raise in use of threats like Hail, Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele, and others being as strong as they were before like Dragapult and Weavile, the volcano dog and the spiky durian work great together as a bulky safety net for teams that can force progress with hazards, trapping and status while also checking the aforementioned threats that's hard to defeat. How would you defeat this core?

Da sets

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Toxic / Stealth Rock

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
Careful Nature
- Spikes
- Power Whip / Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed

You have 5 days to make submissions, good luck and have fun! :)​

 

[Katy]

reserving tankchomp with quake + fire blast + rest


Garchomp @ Leftovers
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Rest​

This Garchomp set can do well against both, as it can come consistently into Heatrans attacks and if it gets on low health it can heal the HP back with rest. Furthermore Garchomps Earthquake hits Heatran for super effective damage, and Fire Blast can take really good care of Ferrothorn. With Leftovers as additional recovery option Garchomp can do that job consistently. Also Ground / Dragon is a strong typing here and helps to resist Heatrans Magma Storm with ease. Garchomp in overall is just a really great check to both and can do the job well with getting rid off these two Pokemon with ease.

 

[cheru]

Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- Aqua Jet
- U-turn​

Urshifu just clicks CC twice. On a serious note, Urshifu's Water/Fighting typing allows it to come in on Magma Storm from Heatran and either forcing it out or letting it get KOed by Close Combat. Ferrothorn can potentially be annoying if Urshifu used Surging Strikes or it using Power Whip, but it can also just fold to Close Combat.

calcs

252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 80 Def Ferrothorn: 438-516 (124.4 - 146.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 560-660 (145 - 170.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 102-120 (29.9 - 35.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after trapping damage
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 123-145 (36 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Ferrothorn Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 246-290 (72.1 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[BoomFantastic]

Nidoking


Nidoking (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam

This mon stomps on this core along with their common partner-in-crime, Landorus-T, thanks to its powerful STAB and coverage moves backed by a Modest Nature and the Life Orb + Sheer Force combination which lets it freely switch moves. The fact that people have pretty much stopped preparing for Nidoking as of late, as shown by Slowking's drop and the rise of Double Steel + Ground cores, makes it much more potent in the current meta; all it needs is a good entry vs a slower mon to start exerting intense pressure on the opponent's entire team with its scary offensive coverage.

Calcs

252+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 176+ SpD Ferrothorn: 380-447 (107.9 - 126.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Heatran: 582-691 (150.7 - 179%) -- guaranteed OHKO

​

 

[be_woke]

reserving hdb victini with sands

Victini @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blue Flare
- Scorching Sands
- Glaciate
- Thunder​

This Victini set is able to break through the core with only 2 moves. Since most teams lack solid Victini switchins people will have to default to less than desirable ones for the most part. Heatran isn't necessarily a bad switchin since on Victini's most common set: the Mixed Attacker, Victini is only able to Bolt Strike it for some chip damage. That's where this set comes in.

This set forgoes the common mixed plan on Victini and instead opts for a full special moveset. Blue Flare obviously roasts Ferrothorn so Heatran is the only potential switchin on this core. Sadly for Heatran this set is packing Scorching Sands which will invalidate it as a switchin since this move will do 47.6% minimum. This sadly means Heatran is able to sometimes survive two Scorching Sands and can retaliate with their move of choice but because of the Heavy-Duty Boots on this set Victini will not be chipped by any of the core's hazards so it'll reliably survive an Earth Power from the enemy Heatran.

Do note that this Victini is an offensive counter to this core as it doesn't really want to switch into their attacks. Ferrothorn threatens with a Knock Off which not only does a good amount of damage but it'll also strip you of your item which you will need against this hazard heavy core. Heatran can also Earth Power when you switch in potentially 2HKO'ing you in the process. And since Scorching Sand isn't a consistent 2HKO it could mean you lose your Victini whilst their Heatran is on a sliver of HP which obviously means you failed to break this core.

Calcs

252 SpA Victini Scorching Sands vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 184-220 (47.6 - 56.9%) -- 32.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Victini Blue Flare vs. 252 HP / 176+ SpD Ferrothorn: 492-580 (139.7 - 164.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Victini: 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Ferrothorn Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 134-158 (39.2 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[TailGlowVM]

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

Volcanion is very good at breaking most defensive cores with Steel-types, and this one is no exception: it outruns both Pokemon, easily OHKOes Ferrothorn and while it doesn't OHKO Heatran, it does far more than you'll ever want to risk. It doesn't generally want to switch into either in fear of Knock Off and Earth Power, but it can take one hit fairly well if necessary. Modest is an option for better rolls against Heatran, but is generally considered worse against the metagame overall.

 

[SLDR]

Terrakion @ Choice Band
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Poison Jab / Toxic
​

you could feasibly run any fighting type here but I wanted to go for my boy terrakion, my most spammed pokèmon in the bw/bw2 days. choice band is disrespectfully strong and of course beats heatran and ferrothorn without any issues. what's cool about terrak is that its typing is affected offensively and defensively by the common double steel + bulky water + lando/tornt cores flying around, which means it gets involved a lot during games against this team structure. by itself it breaks through the core easily with close combat, but in the context of a game it can be positioned against these steel types and threaten to click one of its stabs - for the defending player, predicting the wrong stab can produce catastrophic results. lando may try to take a close combat with intimidate, but since it runs spdef it quickly crumbles to stone edges. clicking stone edge is especially easy against heatran because it's a steel type neutral to it. finally, to bring the final piece of context to discussion, cb terrak is usually used as the breaker in future sight strats, which only makes it harder to switch into this monstrosity with a double steel core. eq is also a very decent midground option to hit steel types and toxapex the hardest. pjab mauls fairies while toxic is very niche but puts slowbro and tangrowth on the backfoot much more than megahorn and can be good after you scouted the initial switchins that your opponent makes on terrak. overall, this demon is trash defensively but pretty cool offensively and it only thrives against double steel cores.