Project OU Next Best Thing: Cycle 87 - Not hosted anymore

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Taunt BU
892.png

Urshifu @ Black Glasses / Lum Berry
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Taunt
- Wicked Blow
- Close Combat

So the main way slower teams are dealing with Urshifu is with MandiPex, which Taunt just shuts down entirely by disabling Roost/Recover, as well as Haze on Toxapex. From there, the only thing that MandiPex can do is hoping for a Scald Burn (which you can run Lum Berry for if you wish). Taunt also prevents another counter in Tangrowth from putting you to sleep (be careful of Focus Blast though).
 
Choice Scarf

:urshifu:
Urshifu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Wicked Blow
- Close Combat
- Poison Jab
- U-turn

Essentially the same set moves wise as the banded set, this set is much better at cleaning late game, and also fares better against offensive builds, outspeeding and KOing many key offensive threats. Fast U-Turn also provides a lot of pressure in VoltFlipPortTurn cores. The tradeoff is obviously a loss of breaking power, which is Urshifu's best trait.

Jolly was chosen over Adamant to ensure you outspeed slower scarfers like Jolly Scarf Drill and Rotom formes. You can choose to run Adamant for a noticeable improvement in your damage, but I found that being sure of outspeeding these Pokémon is important.

With all the balance running around which utilises a mix of Urshifu checks in order to deal with it, pairing this mon with strong pivots and/or like Cinderace and Mage (which they are around anyway) is useful for cutting through these various checks over time. This mon does have a field day against more offensive builds. You can think of this dichotomy between Scarf and Band Urshifu as similar to that of Scarf and Band Vish. Though obviously to far lesser, and healthier extent.
 
Choice Band + Thunder Punch

:Urshifu:

Urshifu @ Choice Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Wicked Blow
-Close Combat
-Thunder Punch
-U-Turn / Sucker Punch

In order to overcome the common Pex + Mandibuzz core, this set runs Thunder Punch as a coverage move, allowing it to 2HKO physically defensive variants of both mons. It also OHKOs Azumarill and Primarina after Stealth Rock. Standard choices for the last slot, depends on whether the team needs a pivot option or a revenge-killing tool.
 
Bulk Up + Black Glasses

Urshifu @ Black Glasses
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Bulk Up
-Wicked Blow
-Drain Punch
-Sucker Punch

With support from mons like broken specs Magearna and Cinderace, this Urshifu set digs into the opposing team with the support of Bulk Up against the traditional Choice sets which can be checked by smart switching. With a single Bulk up, Urshifu digs into even the most defensive mons of the tier by 2HKOing them. Drain Punch provides reliable recovery to continue the sweep without the worry of dying from toxic. If you want to go full offensive Close Combat is another option over Drain Punch (but Drain Punch is better imo). It is suggested to use this set after clearing opposing Clefables or by getting them in the hitting range. (You can always switch to a safe mon). A notable threat to a team running this set is Ditto.
 
Metronome Urshifu
Urshifu_brusco_EpEc.gif


Urshifu @ Metronome
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up / Sucker Punch
- Close Combat / Drain Punch
- Wicked Blow
- Poison Jab / Iron Head / Thunder Punch / Sucker Punch
​
INTRODUCTION:
Hello, I came here a bit late but allow me to introduce you to a very cool set I made ever since I discovered what Unseen Fist was able to do and somehow is surprised this set isn't standard nowadays or even mentioned in this thread.
The concept is basically abusing Urshifu's ability Unseen Fist, a new ability that bypasses protect moves. We are all familiar with the Metronome rework that showdown implimented a few months ago.


INTO THE IDEA'S DETAILS:
So first of all people expect Choice band and either attempt to switch in a pivot and bring in another resist, but with this set you remove prediction.
Allowing you to set up boosts with Bulk Up when needed, i.e; on Toxapex, Corviknight, Mandibuzz, proceeded by clicking the move needed.
Either clicking Wicked Blow vs Pex, or Close Combat vs Mandibuzz and spamming it until X pokemon can no longer recover stall.


ABOUT THE MOVES:
Close Combat and Wicked Blow are the main stabs. If wanted Drain Punch can be used over CC for extra recovery vs passive mons.
Bulk Up is used to setup and give you in theory a Choice Band + Metronome damage, which is actually super scary.
Poison Jab / Iron Head is here for Clefable and only Clefable, calcs can be listed below.
Thunder Punch is used for hitting both Toxapex and Mandibuzz if wanted for good damage.
Sucker Punch is just priority and could be useful if you manage to bluff choice band quite well.

DAMAGE CALCS:
Vs Clefable:

252+ Atk Urshifu Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 170-200 (43.2 - 50.8%) -- not a KO
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 204-240 (51.9 - 61%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
43.2 + 51.9 + 12.5 - 6.1 = 101.5% (both min rolls from Pjab + Stealth Rock + 1 turn of leftovers) (I rounded the leftovers number down)


Vs Toxapex :

If you bulk up on the switch.
+1 252+ Atk Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex on a critical hit: 172-204 (56.5 - 67.1%) -- not a KO
Pex hazes your Bulk Up boost away.
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex on a critical hit: 138-163 (45.3 - 53.6%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
(2nd wicked blow with one metronome boost)
Pex somehow survives and clicks Recover thinking it tanks the 2nd hit.
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex on a critical hit: 161-190 (52.9 - 62.5%) -- not a KO
(3rd Wicked Blow boosted by metronome)


Vs Mandibuzz:
252+ Atk Urshifu Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 151-178 (35.6 - 42%) -- not a KO
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 181-214 (42.7 - 50.5%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO
(if you decide to CC again)
+1 252+ Atk Urshifu Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 225-265 (53.1 - 62.6%) -- not a KO
(if you bulk up on the roost and then CC)
+1 252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 270-318 (63.8 - 75.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(2nd hit with bulk up boost)


Vs Quagsire:
252+ Atk Urshifu Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 172-204 (43.6 - 51.7%) -- not a KO
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 206-245 (52.2 - 62.1%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(43+52 = 95%) (stealth rock + lefties cancel out) CC and Wicked Blow do he same damage output.


Vs Togekiss:
252+ Atk Urshifu Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Togekiss: 202-238 (54.1 - 63.8%) -- not a KO
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Togekiss: 242-286 (64.8 - 76.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


Vs Amoonguss:
252+ Atk Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Amoonguss on a critical hit: 195-231 (45.2 - 53.5%) -- not a KO
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Amoonguss on a critical hit: 234-277 (54.2 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery


THE ONLY TRUE COUNTER (unless you want to run Iron Head over Pjab which works....and is actually a good idea and regret spending 45 minutes of my life doing this)
Vs Weezing-Galar:
252+ Atk Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing-Galar on a critical hit: 69-81 (20.6 - 24.2%) -- not a KO
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing-Galar on a critical hit: 83-97 (24.8 - 29%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252+ Atk Urshifu Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing-Galar: 124-146 (37.1 - 43.7%) -- not a KO
252+ Atk Metronome Urshifu Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing-Galar: 149-175 (44.6 - 52.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
(37.1 + 44.6 = 81.7%) not bad.

Love you OU frens but Urshifu needs to banned. xoxo
 
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Sub-Punch

:Urshifu:
Urshifu @ Muscle Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Focus Punch
- Substitute
- Zen Headbutt
- Wicked Blow​

INTRODUCTION: While experimenting with different Urshifu sets I realised that the Substitute+Focus Punch set hits really hard and punishes it's most common checks. The idea is to get Urshifu in on a Pokemon which doesn't like staying in on it and then using focus punch to deal massive damage to the switch in. Wicked Blow is the second STAB move in this set and is very useful against common defensive Pokemon like Toxapex due it being a guaranteed critical hit. Whereas Zen Headbutt is a standard coverage move useful against the fighting type checks like Kommo-o and Hawlucha. Zen Headbutt is also helpful in chipping Galarian Weezing and deals about 45% to it.

DAMAGE CALCS:
1) Against Mandibuzz:
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mandibuzz: 283-334 (66.7 - 78.7%)
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 207-244 (48.8 - 57.5%)

2) Against Magearna:
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 262-310 (71.9 - 85.1%)

3) Against Clefable:
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Clefable: 191-225 (48.4 - 57.1%)

4) Against Hawlucha and Kommo-o:
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hawlucha: 266-314 (89.5 - 105.7%)
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Focus Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hawlucha: 186-220 (62.6 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 200+ Def Kommo-o: 189-223 (53.3 - 62.9%)

5) Against Galarian Weezing:
252+ Atk Muscle Band Urshifu Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing-Galar: 136-160 (40.7 - 47.9%)

ON MUSCLE BAND: Life Orb outclasses Muscle Band in most of the aspects. However the 10% recoil offered by Life Orb can be really nasty to a set which relies on substitute. Thus I felt that Muscle Band was a better alternative to Life Orb.
 
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Scary Face Support (Offensive pivot)

Urshifu @ Life Orb
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Scary Face
- Drain Punch
- Wicked Blow

The idea is to use Scary Face as support to your teammates and/or to punish careless switch-ins while enhancing the utility of U-turn as a way to keep the momentum in our favour. Also, Scary Face "fixes" the fact we don't have an enhancing nature on Spe.
This Urshifu can't really OHKO anything, but a critical Wicked Blow still hurts.
Drain Punch is there to recover some HP while preserving our bulk unlikely with Close Combat and Superpower.

Adamand Urshifu reaches 293 Spe points, whereas Jolly Urshifu reaches 322 Spe points, enough to outspeed a Spe+ fully invested Mimikyu.

A teammate to deal properly with Fairy-type pokèmons is mandatory because this set is entirely walled by this type.
 
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Taunt + BU by escarlata is a fantastic stalllbreaker. I think this beats Mandi+Pex the easiest out of all subs, so this gets my vote.

Substitute by Katy is also really great and I honestly was going to vote for this. Repetitively keeping up Substitutes while raising your Defense stat seems like a good idea and also works as a stallbreaker.
Choice Scarf by ReadTheMango is a good revenge killer set, and it has actually caught me off-guard in a few battles. While Choice Band is more consistent, I can see this being run.
CB + Thunder Punch by JTD783 is a creative submission that is good against the Mandi+Pex core, wasting a moveslot is a bummer though.
Black Glasses + BU by abd1710 is similar to my Bulk Up set, but utilizes Black Glasses to make Wicked Blow hit even harder which I think is great, considering Close Combat already hits things that Wicked Blow doesn't pretty hard.
Metronome by Amir is a cool concept, I kind of think you'd be better off switching moves though as Wicked Blow/Close Combat have really low PP to abuse.
SubPunch by Blui is a unique idea and Muscle Band isn't a really common item, so seeing it is really cool. Focus Punch can also be a good replacement for Close Combat under substitute, though harder to abuse.
Scary Face by nameless90 is good at what it does, since it basically lowers a foe's Speed, then possibly switches into a slow powerful breaker.
 
Substitute by Katy

Having tested each of the sets now, I can safely say that my favorite was Black Glasses BU by abd1710

Impressed by the sets this week though, lots of viable options. If Wicked Blow / CC has more PP my vote would go to Metronome.
 
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250px-892Urshifu-Single_Strike.png

fuck it wheres urshifus model

And the voting ends right now! By its results, the winner of the Cycle 25 is Black Glasses BU by abd1710. Congratulations! Your submission will be added to the Hall of Fame soon. We're moving forward!

Cycle Twenty Six - Alakazam
:ss/alakazam:

Boasting huge Special Attack and nice Speed tier above Cinderace, Alakazam is a major offensive threat in OU. This is further bolstered by DLC granting it Nasty Plot, which allows Alakazam to be a truly terrifying breaker and sweeper. Alakazam typically uses some combination of Nasty Plot, coverage attacks, and Recover with a Life Orb, or a revenge killer set with Focus Sash. But let's see what other neat sets you guys can invent for Alakazam!

Banned Sets
:life orb:|:focus sash:

The deadline is Tuesday 4th of August. Good luck!​
 
Choice Scarf
:ss/alakazam:
Alakazam @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Focus Blast

Choice Scarf Alakazam makes for a nice revenge killer thanks to its high Special Attack, and its nice Speed tier complemented with Choice Scarf. With this set, it is able to outspeed the entire unboosted tier, as well as some boosted Pokemon like +1
Volcarona, +1 Excadrill, and +2 Magearna. It also makes for a nice special wallbreaker, since this set utilizes Alakazam’s maximum wallbreaking potential, being able to check both offensive threats like Urshifu-S and Hydreigon, as well as defensive Pokémon like Toxapex, Kommo-o, and Amoonguss. This set is best paired with entry hazard setters like Ferrothorn and Excadrill, physical walls like Kommo-o and Toxapex, and late-game cleaners like Volcarona.

252+ SpA Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu: 596-704 (174.7 - 206.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 428-508 (131.6 - 156.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 246-290 (80.9 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ SpA Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Kommo-o: 380-448 (107.3 - 126.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 248 HP / 88 SpD Amoonguss: 360-426 (83.5 - 98.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
 
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Psych Up Alakazam
:ss/alakazam:
Alakazam @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psych Up
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Counter

Set Details
• Psych Up Alakazam can act as a stopper to many setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Hydreigon, which would otherwise try to get out of control and win against the opposing team.
• Psyshock is preferred over Psychic to OHKO Volcarona and Gastrodon after a boost, as well as 2HKOing Chansey/Blissey.
• Focus Blast is useful against Dark- and Steel-types such as Hydreigon, Bisharp, Ferrothorn, and Urshifu.
• Counter lets you deal with physical threats like Rillaboom, Azumarill, and Excadrill.
• Thanks to its ability Magic Guard, it can negate any sort of damage from hazards, making it more effective as a revenge killer.

Usage Tips
• Alakazam still suffers from a bunch of checks such as Slowbro, Magearna, Mandibuzz, and Corviknight, so teammates such as Zeraora + Cinderace would be appreciated.
+2 252 SpA Alakazam Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 379-447 (121.8 - 143.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Alakazam Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Heat: 255-300 (84.1 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Alakazam Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Gastrodon: 366-432 (85.9 - 101.4%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Alakazam Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 357-420 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Alakazam Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 487-574 (68.2 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery[/CALC]
 
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Terrain Boost Expanding Force​

:ss/Alakazam:

Alakazam @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Encore
- Expanding Force
- Focus Blast​

With an amazing speed of 372, this Alakazam set supported by Terrain Extender Indeedee, is a great endgame sweeper. Encore can be quite useful late game but it's effectiveness depends from one game to another. This set boasts on a STAB boosted 180 power Expanding Force which digs into the opposing team. Nasty Plot guarantees a win unless there is a faster mon. Focus Blast checks dark type mons like Mandibuzz, Bisharp. You are safe from moves like First Impression,Sucker Punch in the terrain. You can run Dazzling Gleam if you don't trust the friendship of accuracy Focus Blast offers.
 
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Choice Specs
:ss/alakazam:
Alakazam @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock
​

Summary: With Choice Specs boosting Alakazam's already high Special Attack to an astronomical 607, this Alakazam set has serious breaking power. It OHKOes some of the most common Pokemon in the tier like Rillaboom, Cinderace, Volcarona, Urshifu, Slowbro, Hydreigon and Toxapex while threatening to 2HKO Pokemon like Magearna, Mandibuzz and Chansey (if it is not running a full investment in Defense).

On Modest Nature: Even without a Timid Nature Alakazam is very fast and outspeeds the majority of the unboosted metagame only being outsped by the likes of Zeraora, Dragapult, Hawlucha, Weavile and Timid Gengar.

Damage Calculations:
  1. 252+ SpA Choice Specs Alakazam Psyshock vs. 4 HP / 252 Def Eviolite Chansey: 321-378 (50 - 58.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  2. 252+ SpA Choice Specs Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 296-349 (86.8 - 102.3%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
  3. 252+ SpA Choice Specs Alakazam Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 313-369 (100.6 - 118.6%)-- guaranteed OHKO
  4. 252+ SpA Choice Specs Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro: 354-418 (89.8 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
  5. 252+ SpA Choice Specs Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 160+ SpD Mandibuzz: 238-282 (56.1 - 66.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  6. 252+ SpA Choice Specs Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 196-231 (53.8 - 63.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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Foul Play Alakazam (changed because it really was the bottom of the bottom of the barrel)
Psyhic Terrain Alakazam

Alakazam @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 28 Def / 228 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Expanding Force
- Focus Blast
- Psychic Terrain

The idea behind this set is to heavily punish priority moves that threatens us (such as Sucker Punch).
Still, Alakazam must predict perfectly because it doesn't have the bulk to stomach hits, but one good thing is that you have a great Spe+SpA stat, so you force a lot of switches a.k.a. free turns to set-up the Terrain.
This allows us to use Expanding Force more reliably (although you still need some support from Indeedee) even to help your teammates.
 
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