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Round 6: Toxapex
:ss/toxapex:
Toxapex @ Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Haze
- Baneful Bunker / Knock Off / Toxic

I know it's a second bulky water in 6 rounds but I think it's distinct enough to do now as I want to get all the contentious Pokemon out of the way early. Toxapex dominates the bulky water meta, has absurd utility, and is very hard to wear down consistently thanks to Regenerator. For the purposes of this round, Toxapex can be assumed to carry any combination of Def/SpD EVs.
 
:ss/mandibuzz:
Mandibuzz @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 44 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- U-turn / Brave Bird

• Mandibuzz forms a very potent core with Toxapex, being able to take on prominent attackers in the meta such as Urshifu, Dragapult, Excadrill, Rillaboom, and Alakazam.
• It can also lure in threats like Clefable and Magearna, which are otherwise problematic to the core, and safely pivot into another teammate.
• It serves as one the best Defoggers in the tier, increasing its longevity with Heavy-Duty-Boots.
• In return, Toxapex can wear down checks to Mandibuzz thanks to its amazing bulk and good utility options.
• You can use Brave Bird over U-Turn for a better matchup against notably Volcarona and Amoonguss. It's also generally good STAB that defeats Hawlucha and Urshifu much easier.
• Fire-types such as Rotom-Heat can defeat Fairy-types such as Clefable and Magearna, while also annoying Hippowdon.

​
 
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:Clefable: :Choice Scarf:
Clefable @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Soft-Boiled
- Moonblast
- Stealth Rock
- Trick

• Trick Clef is one of the best lures for opposing Pex in the game, allowing you to win any potential Pex vs Pex action in the long term. Hence why I chose it over Clef's arsenal of options. You can even Trick Black Sludge onto another switch-in once you have it, effectively crippling two Pokemon. Honestly, any defensive Clef could be here.
• Trick can also be used on offensive set up mons like Alakazam and Hydriegon to lock them into their setup move. This relieves some pressure on Pex's Haze.
• Once you trick your scarf onto an opposing switchin, you have a very solid defensive backbone with Pex/Clef at the ready. This can be further augmented by adding Mandibuzz into the mix as seen above in RottenInfernape's post.
• Pex thrives against mons that can't effectively deal with it and this Clef set creates these situations like not much else.
• This core also deals with a monster of the tier, Urshifu relatively comfortably.​
 
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:bw/hippowdon:
Hippowdon @ Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 8 Atk / 248 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Toxic / Whirlwind

Hippowdon is a good defensive partner for Toxapex thanks to its good matchup against Pokemon like Excadrill and Zeraora. While Hippo+Pex teams need to be careful around Rotom-H, Hippo's access to Stealth Rock and ability to shut down Volt Switch attempts from the aforementioned Zera pair well with its colossal physical bulk and ability to wear Pokemon down between Rocky Helmet and/or Toxic, complementing Toxapex's toolset nicely and and helping to open up the option for more specially defensive Toxapex EV spreads, which is helpful in the long term versus Pokemon like Dragapult, Clefable, Togekiss, and Volcarona, as well as the occasional special attacking Water-type that would otherwise hammer Hippowdon.
 
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:ss/tangrowth:
Tangrowth @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Focus Blast
- Sleep Powder

Tangrowth and Toxapex create a very nice defensive grass water core covering their weakness. Tangrowth can switch in onto the annoying electric and ground type that can force Toxapex out , in return Toxapex can absorb any Toxic Spikes that can hurt Tangrowth as well as being a nice fire switchin for the mons that Tangrowth invites in. This core biggest issue however comes to struggling with some strong special attackers such as Kyurem or Reuniclus if it gets status already meaning it can then use Tangrowth as set up fodder so having something for those will patch up that noticeable weakness.
 
Round 7: Choice Specs Kyurem
:bw/kyurem:
Kyurem @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Draco Meteor
- Freeze Dry
- Focus Blast / Earth Power

Choice Specs Kyurem has recently lost two of its best checks in Cinderace and Magearna, bringing back at least some of its former glory. A disgustingly strong wallbreaker that can pretty easily conquer most Pokemon that aren't pink and blob-shaped, what Pokemon pair best with this powerhouse?
 
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:bw/crawdaunt:
Crawdaunt @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Aqua Jet

• Crawdaunt is able to overwhelm Kyurem's biggest checks, such as Blissey, Clefable, and Corviknight, making the two a very dangerous core.
• It also has a neat priority STAB move in Aqua Jet boosted by Adaptability, which allows it to pick off weakened threats.
• Kyurem can defeat some of Crawdaunt's notable checks, such as Kommo-o.
• This core is pretty slow, so you might want to optimize for speed control such as Zeraora for more consistent wallbreaking.
 
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Stallbreaker Gengar

:gengar:
Gengar @ Black Sludge
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Mean Look
- Taunt
- Perish Song
- Substitute / Knock Off / Shadow Ball

You want something to deal with Pink Blobs? Say hello to Stall-Breaker Gengar.

This thing clicks Mean Look on the switch if you suspect the opposing switch-in to be a blob, then Taunts to negate Teleport or a status move, then win the trade with Perish Song. Otherwise you can click Sub if you're not confident of the switch, then proceed accordingly. This thing is faster than every major taunter, so running 4 status moves isn't an issue unless you run into a magic bounce mon. If you are concerned about that however, I recommend running Knock Off over Substitute, because of how good the move is. If you don't like the sound of Knock Off, you can also run Shadow Ball for decent damage.

The reason you pair this with Kyurem is the same reason I pair it with Volcarona, it deals with two of the clearest things in the tier keeping this monster in check (Pink Blob 1 and Pink Blob 1's elder brother). Trapping is gross, and this thing enables Kyurem to thrive by removing at least one of its checks per game. Like RottenInfernape's submission, this core is still slow in the grand scheme of things, 350 speed isn't what it used to be. I would recommend running Zeraora or a scarfed pivot with these mons. Alternatively, run your own fat blob with Teleport if you're so inclined.
 
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Clefable @ Sticky Barb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Stealth Rock / Wish
- Trick

Clefable is able to use Trick on an unsuspecting Blissey, Toxapex or Ferrothorn who can usually come in and use it as free recovery fodder (or set up hazards in Ferrothorn's case). This leaves them with continuous residual damage while also removing Heavy Duty Boots and Leftovers, which reduces their longevity. Meanwhile, Kyurem is normally able to fire off a Draco Meteor or Ice Beam on Pokemon that switches in on Clefable such as Rotom-H and Amoonguss. Clefable is also able to pivot into Fighting-type attacks aimed at Kyurem such as Urshifu's Close Combat . Unfortunately, Teleport is incompatible with Soft-Boiled on Clefable but you can set up Stealth Rock or Wish to support Kyurem.
 
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Sorry for doubleposting. Just wanted to say that on paper, Heracross seems to work well with Kyurem since it scares out Blissey, Pex and Ferro while also being able to set up Spikes. However, I am not able to put out a team that can make this duo work consistently . Maybe someone else is able to do it?

Ferro and Skarmory are other Spikes users that come to mind but being pressured by Urshifu is a problem. At least Skarmory can help out against Excadrill here.
 
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:ss/Alakazam:

Alakazam @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 28 Def / 228 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
-Nasty Plot
-Psychic
-Focus Blast
-Recover

Alakazam forms a powerful core with Kyurem, switching into and KOing Toxapex, Clefable, Chansey, and Blissey, while threatening to 2HKO Ferrothorn with Focus Blast and wearing down Corviknight. In return, Kyurem handles Mandibuzz and Rillaboom for Alakazam.
 
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Hey guys I'm going to be doing my own submission and going be closing the round shortly.
:ss/ferrothorn:
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Knock Off
- Body Press
- Leech Seed

Ferrothorn is able to set up Spikes for Kyurem to greatly improve Kyurem's breaking capabilities. Knock Off removes the items from Blissey and Clefable, this allows to wear them down a lot easier with the removal of Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers , making it easier to break past them. Ferrothorn can check things like Zeraora and Excadrill for Kyurem who can revenge kill Kyurem and provide Leech Seed for Kyurem to recover some health from it, while Kyurem can remove Ferrothorn checks like Rotom-H. The biggest issue with this core is struggling with faster Fighting-Types , notably Urshifu and Hawlucha.
 
This was kinda of a slow week , so everything submitted is going to be archived , but every post where good partners.

As well as the following post going to the post showcase

:clefable: by Random Passerby

Next Round going up in a bit
 
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Round 8: Sword Dance Crawdaunt
:ss/crawdaunt:
Crawdaunt @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Aqua Jet

Crawdaunt is a strong wall breaker thanks to its high attack stat, which can get boosted with Sword Dance for even more damage, and stab boost from Adaptability. Breaking past through the dreaded Toxapex with ease , not much can really safely switch into it , and revenge killers get picked off from Aqua Jet. Though slow and somewhat frail , Crawdaunt is still a menace to teams unprepared for it , so then what are some partners for this crayfish.
 
:bw/togekiss:
Togekiss @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Heal Bell

Togekiss and Crawdaunt form a terrifying stallbreaking core, capable of breaking through most opponents. In addition, Togekiss can deal with Rillaboom, Urshifu-S, and Kommo-o which Crawdaunt struggles with. Air Slash is its main STAB, making slower foes hard to break through it due to Serene Grace + flinch chance. Heavy-Duty-Boots allows it to repeatedly switch in without the omnipresent Stealth Rock. Heal Bell is a useful trait, preventing any status inflicted on the two.​
 
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:ss/Pelipper:
Pelipper @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Roost
- Scald

Rain complements Crawdaunt's raw ability to break through teams with strong, adaptability boosted STAB moves (ala Crabhammer). Pelipper is the primary setter of rain in OU. It just makes sense to put the two together. That isn't the end of their strong partnership, however.

- Peli is able to switch in to strong fighting type moves, something the crawfish is allergic too.
- Peli also provides switch momentum via slow U-turns, which allow Crawdaunt to come in with relative ease.
- The other common partners which Rain provide including RS Urshifu, Kingdra also work well with Crawdaunt, slowly overwhelming water checks.
- Did I mention how strong rain boosted Crabhammer is? It's kind of obscene. See the calc below if you want an idea.
- Crawdaunt is able to comfortably deal with common checks to rain teams, at +2 it can OHKO physdef pex and ferro with knock off.

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex in Rain: 235-278 (77.3 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn in Rain: 263-309 (74.7 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult in Rain: 225-265 (70.9 - 83.5%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes
 
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Reserving CB rillaboom

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

Rillaboom and Crawdaunt form an effective offensive core, as both leave holes in the opponent's defensive core for the other to abuse and clean up with their access to strong priority moves. They deal with offensive threats the other can not, in the case of Crawdaunt Rillaboom can revenge kill Azumarill, and faster mons with close combat such as Zeraora and Urshifu with Grassy Slide, while for Rillaboom Talonflame and Volcarona are dealt with aqua jet.

While they both have overlaps in defensive checks like Kommo-o, Mandibuzz and Amoongus, none bar Mandi (which can't eat a +2 Crabhammer at all) have reliable recovery, so they can be chipped down throughout the match thanks to both mons having Knock Off, removing lefties and rocky helmet, and Rilla's U-turn, which also provides opportunites for Crawdaunt to set up infront of mons it scares out.

Overall this pairing leaves a huge strain on even the most defensive teams, as it's rare for the two to kill fewer than at least two mons in a match. This fits on more offensive builds, so stacking hazards contribute greatly in wearing down checks, and while the pairing can hold on its on an offensive fire type like Volcarona is useful to deal with more physically tanky mons and finish the FWG core
 
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1597842375324.png

Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 92 SpD / 168 Spe
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Toxic
- Pain Split

Rotom-H can come in and pivot against Pokemon like Rillaboom, Zeraora and Togekiss which forces Crawdaunt out. Volt Switch is used to ease prediction and allows Crawdaunt to come in on Pokemon like Blissey, Clefable and Reuniclus which it can threaten immediately. Landing a Toxic on Kommo-O, Dragapult or Mandibuzz allows you to wear them down and have an easier time to clean with Crawdaunt.
 
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Round 9: Hex Dragapult
:ss/dragapult:
Dragapult @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 68 Atk / 188 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Hex
- U-turn
- Dragon Darts
- Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave

Hex Dragapult is a tried and true presence in the metagame, providing a unique mix of speed control and both offensive and defensive utility thanks to its Ghost/Dragon typing and movepool. This helps make Dragapult one of the most versatile options available within team building. Now, what pairs well with it?
 
Reserving Toxic Spikes Toxapex

:ss/toxapex:

Toxapex @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Haze
- Toxic Spikes

T. Spikes Toxapex is one of Dragapult’s best partners, since it is able to force status on Pokémon that will switch in thanks to Toxic Spikes. Although this could seem as useless against Steel-types, think again. Scald has a decent burn chance of 30%, being able to wear down Steel-types. Even if Poison-types like opposing Toxapex are able to remove the Toxic Spikes, they can still be burned by Scald. Dragapult greatly appreciates Toxapex spreading status to power up its Hex to be even more powerful than a Draco Meteor. Here are some calcs on how Dragapult can destroy statused Pokemon with Hex.

188+ SpA Dragapult Hex (130 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Excadrill: 190-225 (52.6 - 62.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and burn damage

188+ SpA Dragapult Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 201-237 (51 - 60.1%) -- 88.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

In return, Dragapult is able to check Pokémon that threaten Toxapex, such as Slowbro, Alakazam, and Reuniclus.
 
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:ss/magnezone:
Magnezone @ Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 252 Def / 116 SpA / 140 Spe
Bold Nature
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Thunderbolt
- Substitute

Magnezone works as a very effective check to both Chansey/Blissey and Mandibuzz, which Dragapult tends to struggle with. Magnet Pull also allows it to trap Steel-types such as Corviknight, Skarmory, Bisharp, Ferrothorn, etc. and revenge kill them which is huge. Air Balloon offers a useful Ground-immuntiy to some omnipresent Pokemon such as Excadrill and Hippowdon, making them more easier to defeat. In return, Dragapult can cover alot for Magnezone. It's an effective check to both Rotom-H and Volcarona, and has a stellar matchup versus Offense thanks to its ability to spread status and dominate any non-bulky Pokemon coupled with an amazing Speed stat. It also helps with some additional things like Hydreigon and Alolan Marowak. Pair these two with some defensive backbones like Mandibuzz+Toxapex and you'll have yourself a very solid structure.​
 
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:SS/Crawdaunt:

Crawdaunt @ Choice Band
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Knock Off
-Crabhammer
-Crunch
-Aqua Jet​

Banded Crawdaunt is a good partner for Dragapult because of Dragapult’s pivoting capabilities. Dragapult can comfortably U-Turn on incoming bulky threats such as Blissey, Clefable, and Mandibuzz, allowing Crawdaunt to enter battle safely and tear through bulky cores. Dragapult helps check Rillaboom and Rotom-H, which otherwise force out Crawdaunt. Crawdaunt also benefits by having its checks weakened by status; burned targets struggle to KO Crawdaunt while Crawdaunt easily outruns and OHKOs most offensive Pokémon if they are paralyzed.

Please give lots of good ideas here bc I’m writing the Dragapult analysis right now lol
 
:ss/weezing-galar:

Weezing-Galar @ Black Sludge
Ability: Neutralizing Gas
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Toxic Spikes
- Pain Split
- Aromatherapy / Will-O-Wisp

Like Toxapex, Weezing-G spreads Toxic Spikes like its from Florida. Weezing-G boosts some solid niches over the Pex though.

- It's an even better switch into Urshifu-S, which can come in to revenge kill on Dragapult if it has clicked Draco Meteor the previous turn.
- It can act as a cleric for the team with Aromatherapy
- You can instead run Will-O-Wisp to status steel and poison types, further enabling Pult to sweep.
- Neutralizing Gas means that Weezing can even use status moves against stuff like Xatu and Clefable and it will still be effective
 
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