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

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:ss/rhyperior:

The voting phase is over! By its results, the winner of cycle 33 is Weakness Polishy by ReadTheMango. Congratulations (and great pun)! Your submission will be added to the Hall of Fame soon. Now, let's move on to the next cycle!

Cycle Thirty-Four - Zarude
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While Zarude didn't look very promising from the get-go, it has cemented a solid niche for itself in the OU metagame. With the combination of Bulk Up and Jungle Healing, as well as great natural bulk, Zarude is able to set up on a wide variety of foes, without needing to worry about status. This makes it very good at dismantling defensively oriented teams, which often don't have the means to take it down. This is pretty much the only set that has gained a good amount of traction in OU, but I'm sure you've already got some other cool set ideas in mind. Let's see them!

Banned Sets
:leftovers: | :miracle seed:

The deadline is Friday 9th of October. Good luck!​
 
choice band

:zarude:
Zarude @ Choice Band
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Darkest Lariat
- Close Combat
- U-turn

With a Choice band Zarude hits almost everything incredible hard such as Toxapex, Corviknight, Skarmory and also Clefable. It has the chance to nearly 2hko everything even when they are physically defensive. With U-turn it gives its teammates some momentum and Close Combat is for Steel-Types such as Ferrothorn. Power Whip and Darkest Lariat are its usual STABs and is a great offensive combination. As Zarude offers a great speed-tier naturally Choice Band can be a great option to break through walls.

252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 148-175 (48.6 - 57.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 28 Def Corviknight: 173-204 (43.2 - 51%) -- 53.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 28 Def Corviknight: 184-217 (46 - 54.2%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 112-133 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 244-288 (61.9 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 220-260 (62.5 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
 
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Scarf Zarude

Zarude @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Darkest Lariat
- Power Whip
- U-turn
- Close Combat

General idea
Due to its many weaknesses, Zarude can't really use a defensive set, so I think that the Choice items are good with the access to U-turn and a good base Spe. One redeeming factor is that this pokèmon has more focused stats than Celebi (that has another bad typing), so it can have some niche as a Choice item user.
Power Whip + Darkest Lariat is the dual STAB combo whereas Close Combat is here for coverage. U-turn is here to keep the momentum and it deals some nice damage coming from that Atk.
With a Jolly nature, you reach 339 Spe points (enough to speed tie with Mienshao) and 508 points after the Scarf boost.

Keep in mind that this Zarude is a cleaner, so it doesn't have to OHKO threats from full health.

Team(mates) support
Having the sun up is really a huge advantage in order to avoid detrimental status onto Spe and Atk.
Also, chip damage from hazards is require to ensure the kill when you start cleaning the opposite team.
 
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U-Counter Zarude
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Zarude @ Focus Sash
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 4 HP/252 AtK/ 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Counter
-Power Whip
-Darkest Lariat
-Close Combat​

This set acts as a u-turn lure, which is 4x effective on Zarude. This set’ll surprise them with a focus sash, then counter’ll ko what not ghost type comes in. Darkest Lariat is for ghost types, and the other moves are for when you aren’t facing u-turn.
252+ Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 366-432 (115.4 - 136.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 218-258 (83.5 - 98.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gengar: 438-516 (167.8 - 197.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 28 Def Alakazam: 510-602 (203.1 - 239.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
​
 
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Reserving Sun Sweeper

Zarude @ Life Orb
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Growth
- Solar Blade
- Darkest Lariat
- Close Combat / Synthesis

Zarude is a decent sun sweeper for a few reasons.

1) It has access to Growth (which is unfortunately its best boosting move on the physical side), and Solar Blade, which together give this thing a terrifying STAB move with which to sweep teams if given the opportunity in the sun.
2) Leaf Guard prevents any form of annoying status in the sun, meaning things like TWave Clef can't preemptively stop your sweep.
3) It has both decent speed, and honestly, pretty solid defenses as well. This means that it outspeeds a decent portion of the metagame, while also being able to take a hit from anything faster (Zeraora, Dragapult etc.). For comparison, its bulk is 105 / 105 / 95, while Venusaur's is 80 / 83 / 100.
4) Grass / Dark + Fire type team support in the sun is pretty decent at hitting everything in the metagame

It can also run Synthesis > CC for better longevity over the course of the game, if you don't mind hitting Steel types neutrally. Honestly I don't like using this mon. This set is at least a bit of cheesey fun.
 
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SPECIAL ZARUDE?????
:zarude:
Zarude @ Chople Berry
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Giga Drain
- U-turn

Yes. That's right I create a Zarude special set. The reason why i created it was because well, Why not? Zarude's base stat of 70 really isn't that bad. Because of his access to Nasty Plot, he gets 500+ Special Attack with the Modest Nature, which is definitely not bad. Dark Pulse is his greatest Special attack STAB, and Giga Drain is used to heal HP from whatever it hits. U-turn is to switch away from things you can't potentially beat even with a +2 boost, like Clefable and Corviknight, 2 of the most bulkiest mons in this tier. In my opinion, I don't think Special Zarude isn't very much viable but atleast a fun set to try and use.


Here's 3 replays:

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1199441572-rsvxokmb4dfwiir8gup4oem0v3vxnmrpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1199444817-br0ty4z8rlh11romlsx2wavf3bppoj6pw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1199443947-mmkb5iw7y4mp3uq2ss010x2q906jnghpw​
 
Introducing, Assault Vest Zarude!
Zarude @ Assault Vest
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fling
- Close Combat / U-turn
- Power Whip
- Crunch
The selling point of this set is Fling. Fling the Assault Vest to anything that would usually switch into you such as Corviknight, Tangrowth, and Skarmory. Close Combat is if you want to hit steels (bar Aegislash, Scizor, and steel birds) super effectively. U-turn makes Zarude a fast pivot. Power Whip and Crunch are my choices for STAB. Zarude can even keep the Assault Vest on to survive dangerous special hits with its good natural bulk.
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Zarude: 138-164 (39.3 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Zarude: 228-270 (64.9 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Togekiss Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Zarude: 162-192 (46.1 - 54.7%) -- 50% chance to 2HKO​
 
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kalifguest22 said:
Introducing, Assault Vest Zarude!
Zarude @ Assault Vest
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fling
- Close Combat / U-turn
- Power Whip
- Crunch
The selling point of this set is Fling. Fling the Assault Vest to anything that would usually switch into you such as Corviknight, Tangrowth, and Skarmory. This set is best paired with Knock Off users since you have to remove the opponent's item before you can Fling the Assault Vest. Close Combat is if you want to hit steels (bar Aegislash, Scizor, and steel birds) super effectively. U-turn makes Zarude a fast pivot. Power Whip and Crunch are my choices for STAB. Zarude can even keep the Assault Vest on to survive dangerous special hits with its good natural bulk.
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Zarude: 138-164 (39.3 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Zarude: 228-270 (64.9 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Togekiss Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Zarude: 162-192 (46.1 - 54.7%) -- 50% chance to 2HKO​
Click to expand...
Fling doesn't work like that.
 
kalifguest22 said:
Oh I guess I forgot lol. Can you remind me how it works?
Click to expand...

TypeDark
CategoryPhysical
Power—
Accuracy100%
Priority0
PP10
“The power of this move is based on the user's held item. The held item is lost and it activates for the target if applicable. If there is no target or the target avoids this move by protecting itself, the user's held item is still lost. The user can regain a thrown item with Recycle or the Harvest Ability. Fails if the user has no held item, if the held item cannot be thrown, if the user is under the effect of Embargo or Magic Room, or if the user has the Klutz Ability.”
 
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