Project Pokémon Matchmaking - Not hosted anymore

[658Greninja]

Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 220 HP / 196 Atk / 32 SpD / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Megahorn/Stealth Rock

Rhyperior the Goat has nice defenisve synergy with Specs Magearna while both having wallbreaking potential. Rhyperior checks fire types like Volc, Wak, Heat, and Non-HJK Cinderace that Mag ofc dislikes. Mag can bring Rhyperior through Volt Switch. Together they pressure Mandibuzz from defogging hazards from another teammate or from Rhyperior. It also helps that Rhyperior can shred through defensive cores itself with EdgeQuake + Megahorn which OHKOs Tang and Bro after a Swords Dance and rocks. The two struggle with Excadrill so another teammate with a ground immunity will be necessary.

 

[Tysonslayer]

Dragapult @ Dragon Fang
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Dragon Darts
- Steel Wing
- U-turn

Magearna and Dragapult create a nice offensive core , with great defensive synergy with there typing Dragapult will generally be inviting things like Chansey , Ghost Resist , and Fairies which Magearna can annoy with Trick or take advantage off, in return where Dragapult can remove Fire types and Amoonguss that are annoying to Magearna , even better after being tricked and using the wrong moves vs Dragapult. These two also form a nice VoltTurn core bringing each other in to apply even more pressure on the things that they bring in and providing momentum for the team. Sucker Cinderace can give this core a problem so crippling it with Will-O-Wisp when it tries to Sucker or Tricking as it comes in can help relieve the pressure from Cinderace.

 

[sparkwings]

Cinderace @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Libero
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Gunk Shot
- Pyro Ball
- Zen Headbutt / High Jump Kick

Cinderace and Magearna form a powerful offensive core that is able to capitalize on each other's switchins. Magearna baits in things like Rotom-H, Chansey, and Toxapex, each of which dislike a Gunk Shot, High Jump Kick, and Zen Headbutt respectively. Cinderace baits in things like Hippowdon, Slowbro, and Mantine, each of which Magearna threatens with Fleur Cannon and Volt Switch. With Rocks up, there are very few defensive answers capable of dealing with both. Magearna's Volt Switch puts Toxapex into range of Cinderace's Zen Headbutt after Rocks, for example. This core is capable of applying an insane amount of pressure to opposing teams through the use of VoltTurn on two of the strongest attackers in the tier.

 

[Random Passerby]

Alakazam @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 28 Def / 228 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Psychic
- Focus Blast / Dazzling Gleam
- Knock Off / Recover

Magearna's common switch-ins such as Toxapex and Amoonguss are forced out by Alakazam while Chansey and opposing Assault Vest Magearna hates losing their item to Trick or Knock Off. Alakazam also appreciates the slow Volt Switch from Magearna to allow it to come in safely. Alakazam is able to remove weakened Pokemon that Magearna hates such as Rotom-H, Ferrothorn and Alolan Marowak. However, this duo will have trouble from Sucker Punch Cinderace and Volcarona.

Note: You can use Psyshock to hit Volcarona and Blissey harder but it sacrifices Psychic's higher power on other Pokemon such as Clefable and Hippowdon.

 

[Rotten]

Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 116 SpD / 144 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Toxic

Rotom-Heat acts as a solid pivot that can bring in the likes of many Pokemon, and force out opposing Steel-types which helps Magearna spam Fleur Cannon even more. It's also a decent check to Volcarona and can cripple threats like opposing Rotom-Heat with Toxic. A good combination of STABs and Nasty Plot also allow Magearna to sweep much easier.

 

[Martin]

Good shit guys; I've got a few chores I need to finish before I close out this round but I just wanted to make a few little announcements before that.

First of all, I'd like to welcome Tysonslayer as the new co-host for this project!

I'd also like to thank Fusion Flare for this wonderful piece of project art!

Art

 

[Martin]

Thank you for your submissions this week. It wasn't quite as slow as last week, and I think all submissions were good partners, but I've decided to archive the following submissions:

The following posts will be archived:


No post showcase this week.

Next round will be up shortly.

 

[Martin]

Round 4: Choice Band Urshifu

Urshifu @ Choice Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Wicked Blow
- Close Combat
- Iron Head / Poison Jab
- U-turn / Sucker Punch

Choice Band Urshifu is probably the most restrictive Pokemon towards defensive structures in the game, so it should be interesting to see what everyone thinks make for the best partners.

 

[Martin]

Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Discharge
- Overheat
- Pain Split / Toxic

The biggest challenge when using Urshifu is finding a way to break past Mandibuzz+Toxapex or Mandibuzz+Amoonguss—both of which Rotom-H has an excellent matchup versus. You can take advantage of Urshifu's U-turn to get in on either before they get a chance to Knock Off and threaten them all out with the threat of Discharge/Overheat and has balance breaking potential with Nasty Plot. Of course, you need to be careful doing this versus a healthy Toxapex, as it can tank an unboosted Discharge and knock off your Boots, leaving you more easily pressured later. Alternatively, if you're able to get opportunities to Nasty Plot up earlier, you can often leave your opponent in a weird position where they have no defensive responses and need to take a risk to force it out, allowing you to pressure other weak spots and create a position where the opponent can no longer safely preserve their anti-Urshifu core (e.g. if they're running team structures like Pex+Mandi+Clef/Gears+Dragapult, which are generally somewhat reliant on Knock Off and good Discharge luck to counteract Rotom-H in the long term). Setting esoterics and theoretical situations aside, the general gist is putting common balance structures under immense pressure to take on both at once.

 

[Rotten]

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

Zeraora is able to easily dismantle the Mandi + Pex core thanks to its powerful combination of coverage and STAB moves, and can deal chip damage to Fairy-types which are problematic for Urshifu. Zeraora is also able to function as a pivot that can bring in Urshifu safely due to Volt Switch. Grass-types such as Amoonguss or Tangrowth can be very easy to lure in, leaving Urshifu to do major damage to them. This core can somewhat struggle against Magearna, so teammates such as Cinderace, Excadrill, or Rotom-H are appreciated.

 

[Tysonslayer]

Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Roost

Nasty Plot Hydreigon can dismantle Mandi + Pex cores , Amoonguss , and other fat mons that can annoy Urshifu after a Nasty Plot which Hydreigon uses a lot of them to set up with and has Roost to recover from any poison damage keeping it healthy. Urshifu's U-turn is really nice on bringing Hydreigon in and being able to set up on most of them, breaking through a lot of balanced teams. Urshifu can also break special walls namely Blissey or Chansey letting Hydreigon go to town with lack of special switchins. This core also has a great addition in inviting fairies and constantly applying lots of pressure between both Urshifu and Hydreigon. This core biggest downsides is against things like Volcarona and revenge killer so having something for them is essential when making a team.

 

[sparkwings]

Slowbro @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Teleport
- Slack Off
- Future Sight

Slowbro makes for an excellent partner to banded Urshifu. the combination of Future Sight + Teleport prevents the opponent from going into a Psychic-weak answer to Urshifu, like Amoonguss or Toxapex, forcing damage with either Wicked Blow or CC. Future Sight also helps break through things like PDef Clefable. Teleport allows Urshifu to get in safely and avoid chip damage.

 

[Lanceybear]

Clefable @ Sticky Barb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Stealth Rock
- Trick
- Soft-Boiled

As mentioned by my peers above, the Toxapex/Amoonguss + Mandibuzz cores are the most popular and effective way to prevent Urshifu from breaking. The reason that these cores are so effective are due to the fact that Regenerator allows a Toxapex or Amoonguss to switch in on a Wicked Blow, without netting a large amount of damage, and then pivot into Mandibuzz afterwards. This sequence allows a Toxapex/Amoonguss + Mandibuzz core to check Choice-Band Urshifu's Dark, Fighting, and Poison coverage.

Sticky Barb Clefable is an amazing partner with Urshifu, since it is able to lure in an opposing Toxapex or Amoonguss fairly easily; an opposing Toxapex wants to Knock Off Clefable, while an opposing Amoonguss wants to Sludge Bomb, Spore, or Stun Spore Clefable. Using Trick to give the opposing Toxapex or Amoonguss a Sticky Barb not only removes a potential Black Sludge or Rocky Helmet that was preventing Urshifu from powering through them with Wicked Blow, but causes these Pokemon to lose an eighth of their health each turn. Stealth Rock furthers the passive damage that Toxapex or Amoonguss recieves, upon switching in, to 25%. Even without any prior damage, an Adamant Choice-Band Urshifu can deal 75% to a 64+ defensive Toxapex with a max roll, and can deal 75% to a 220+ defensive Amoonguss with a high roll:

252+ Atk Choice Band Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 64+ Def Toxapex on a critical hit: 195-231 (64.1 - 75.9%)

252+ Atk Choice Band Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Amoonguss on a critical hit: 301-355 (69.6 - 82.1%)

 

[Tysonslayer]

Hey y'all Martin is busy atm, so we are going to close this round. As this week was a slow week every set that was posted today will be archived soon for this week.

No post showcased for this week.

Next round will be going up shortly.

 

[Tysonslayer]

Round 5: Cinderace

Cinderace @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Libero
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pyro Ball
- Gunk Shot / Sucker Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- U-turn

Since the release of it's hidden ability, Cinderace has proven itself to be another of the tiers biggest threats. A speedy hard hitter, with access to good coverage. As well as being able to come in frequently with the usage of Heavy-Duty Boots and U-Turing out against mons that can take it's coverage. So let's us see what you guys think are great partners for Cinderace.

Submissions are due by the end of the week. Have fun!

 

[Rotten]

Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Close Combat
- Toxic / Play Rough / Knock Off
- Volt Switch

Here comes electric monkey... again
• Zeraora forms an excellent core with Cinderace, being able to take on bulky Water-types such as Slowbro and pivoting out with Volt Switch.
• Zeraora lures in bulky threats such as Hippowdon and Rhyperior, eventually switching into another teammate to deal with them.
• In return, Cinderace can deal with bulky Grass-types such as Amoonguss, Tangrowth, and Rillaboom, as well as Magearna, which Zeraora struggles with.
• It can act as an Electric immunity for the team, gaining recovery and preventing Rotom-H and Magearna from pivoting out.
• You can run Toxic to lure in threats like Hippowdon and Rhyperior, which threaten both Zeraora and Cinderace.
• Play Rough is essentially important for Kommo-o, though you can run Knock Off to better deal with Alolan Marowak and get rid of items such as Leftovers or HDB.​

 

[sparkwings]

Magearna @ Choice Specs
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Trick
Magearna is an excellent partner for cinderace as they both abuse each other's checks and can chip down shared ones. Stuff like Toxapex dies to a Volt + Zen, while pivoting out on things like Blissey and Amoonguss gives cinderace more opportunities to punch holes in opposing teams.

 

[Lanceybear]

Blissey (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 17 Spe
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic / Thunder Wave
- Soft-Boiled
- Teleport

Blissey is an amazing specially-defensive pivot on balance teams; it is able to wall the majority of special sweepers/wallbreakers in the tier and provide slow momentum for the team. However, its lack of Thunder Wave makes Blissey susceptible to Double Dance + Draining Kiss Magearna and Magic Guard Pokemon (Alakazam, Clefable, Reuniclus), and its lack of Toxic makes Blissey susceptible to Roost variants of Volcarona/Hydreigon and Pain Split Rotom-Heat. By teleporting out of an unfavorable matchup, Blissey allows Cinderace to enter safely and threaten these Pokemon offensively. Cinderace functions similarly with other unfavorable matchups, such as mixed Toxtricity, Hatterene, and Nasty Plot Togekiss.

 

[ReadTheMango]

Twave hex pult

Child Shooter? (Dragapult) @ Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hex
- Thunder Wave
- U-turn

Like many other offensive Cinderace partners, this Dragapult set threatens out mons and pivots into Cinderace very nicely and vice versa. They also help deal with each other's checks quite nicely, including Slowbro for Ace and Clef for Pult. This is supported by the extra utility of Thunder Wave providing even further synergy, crippling potential checks. This isn't even mentioning Pult's defensive typing which allows it to take a few resisted hits for the bunny if needed.


It's fast, it hits real hard, pivots and also has yellow magic, what's not to love?

 

[Tysonslayer]

Rillaboom @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Wood Hammer

Rillaboom is a great partner for Cinderace providing passive recovery from Grassy Terrain , adding even more longevity to Cinderace for any times it gets worn down. The reduction damage from Earthquake helps of doing a bit of some aggressive plays for Cinderace and pick off any weakened if possible. This core also forms a very nice pivoting core bringing each other in and momentum grabbing for teams. Rillaboom appreciates the removal of fat walls such as Amoonguss, Ferrothorn , and Corviknight and can heavily weaken or just straight up remove a lot of Cinderace's common switchins.

 

[Random Passerby]

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

Cinderace's common switch-ins are Hippowdon, Rhyperior, Toxapex and Slowbro which Crawdaunt are able to break (need to avoid a Scald burn in Toxapex's case). In return, Cinderace can help to weaken Pokemon that Crawdaunt hates such as Kommo-O, Tangrowth, Kyurem and Azumarill (depending on the coverage that Cinderace carries) . U-turn is also appreciated to bring in Crawdaunt safely.

Note: Take note that Mandibuzz is not 2HKOed by the combination of U-turn + Crabhammer and does about 40% to Crawdaunt with Foul Play.

 

[Martin]

Reserving Ferrothorn; will close this round later today


Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Knock Off
- Body Press
- Leech Seed

As the only viable Spikes user in the format aside from Mew, Ferrothorn fills a really handy niche for Cinderace teams by pressuring common switch-ins like Hippowdon, Toxapex, and Kommo-o, forcing them to take damage that they might not otherwise want to take and letting them get more easily overwhelmed over the course of a drawn-out game. Cinderace also gives Ferrothorn lots of opportunities to come in versus Pokemon that it can easily set up Spikes on, such as Toxapex, Hippowdon, and Slowbro.

 

[Martin]

Gonna reserve another Pokemon because this is closing later today anyway and no one else did it.


Slowbro @ Rocky Helmet / Heavy Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Teleport
- Future Sight

In addition to providing defensive utility versus Excadrill and opposing Cinderace, Slowbro's access to Teleport and Future Sight is useful for helping Cinderace get safely onto the field and overwhelming a number of its switch-ins. More specifically, Future Sight deals upwards of 40% to Hippowdon and hits Kommo-o and Toxapex for super effective damage, dissuading them from switching in to tank the incoming Pyro Ball and thus easing prediction on the Cinderace's part.

 

[voyage]

Clefable @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Thunder

Cinderace is a great offensive mon benefited with a good support ability that makes him more unpredictable. Well, CM Fable seems to me a good partner to cover such threats as Pex, Slowbro, Kommoo among others. LO to gain more power since there is no fear of recoil. Grass type like Ferro or Amoongus is not a problem since it is covered by Cinderace.

 

[Martin]

Hey guys! Great submissions this week! Glad to see the last-minute surge of activity :)

The following partners will be archived:


Additionally, the following posts will be added to the post showcase:
by RottenInfernape
by Martin

Host convo for archive/showcase

[03:10] Tysonslayer: no post showcase this week ?
[14:35] Martin: I think Rotten Infernape’s post could get showcase
[14:35] Martin: Tbh
[14:36] Martin: The explanation is concise and well explained(edited)
[14:37] Martin: Do u agree?
[16:30] Tysonslayer: I kinda went out after posting my post I re read all of them and kinda agree with everything you just said
[16:45] Tysonslayer: oh shit i wake up to more post
[18:16] Martin: ok so
[18:17] Martin: Rotten's post for showcase, and then which ones for archive?
[18:18] Martin: we've got enough now to be picky i think
[18:18] Tysonslayer: ye we do
[18:22] Tysonslayer: i was thinking like mage , pult , ferro are real good ones worth archiving
[18:23] Martin: so mage pult ferro zera?
[18:25] Tysonslayer: those are the ones i see
[18:25] Martin: cool
[18:25] Tysonslayer: daunt is also a good one as well
[18:31] Tysonslayer: actually i really wanna think your ferro post should be showcased as well to me ferro is really solid partner with good utility provided for cinderace with knock off , leech seed , and most notably spikes wearing down all of cinderáces comes switchins
[18:34] Martin: The showcase is primarily looking at the post itself rather than the partner relative to others, so read the description one more time and then if u still want it showcased then lmk
[18:34] Martin: obviously can't comment on my own one bc it's my own lol
[18:34] Tysonslayer: ye i getchu
[18:36] Tysonslayer: ye i definetely think it's worthy like you pretty much described how i think of it
[18:36] Martin: ok cool
[18:36] Tysonslayer: ferro was actually a mon i considered but like me rilla a bit more
[18:37] Martin: i think i prolly wanna archive rilla too just bc of how it takes advantage of hippo n shit(edited)
[18:38] Tysonslayer: true the goater answer of cinder

Next round will be up shortly