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Project Pokemon Matchmaking - Week 6: Iron Defense Zamazenta
- Thread starter Hyper bol
- Start date
Round 4 : Swords Dance Baxcalibur
Baxcalibur @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Thermal Exchange
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Glaive Rush
Ability: Thermal Exchange
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Glaive Rush
Swords Dance Baxcalibur is one of the strongest wall breaker with its good offensive and speed stats which can threaten the popular defensive core of the meta, unfortunately, it is easily revenge killed by faster threat such as Scarf Gholdengo or Iron Valiant if you don't have enough Attack boost.
So what pair well with it ?
You have until Monday, the 14th of August to post !
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Kingambit
Kingambit @ Lum Berry
Ability: Supreme Overlord
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Kowtow Cleave
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head / Low Kick
Kingambit is an excellent teammate for Baxcalibur. It resists Dragon and Ghost, making it a good switch in to Pokemon that can threaten Baxcalibur such as Dragapult and Gholdengo. It is also able to easily pick off these threats thanks to Sucker Punch OHKOing them. Lum Berry is used so that Kingambit can take one Will-o-Wisp for itself and then switch into Baxcalibur for it to absorb the next one. Additionally, Baxcalibur and Kingambit can overwhelm Pokemon like Rotom-W, Azumarill, and Dondozo together.
Kingambit @ Lum Berry
Ability: Supreme Overlord
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Kowtow Cleave
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head / Low Kick
Kingambit is an excellent teammate for Baxcalibur. It resists Dragon and Ghost, making it a good switch in to Pokemon that can threaten Baxcalibur such as Dragapult and Gholdengo. It is also able to easily pick off these threats thanks to Sucker Punch OHKOing them. Lum Berry is used so that Kingambit can take one Will-o-Wisp for itself and then switch into Baxcalibur for it to absorb the next one. Additionally, Baxcalibur and Kingambit can overwhelm Pokemon like Rotom-W, Azumarill, and Dondozo together.
Samurott-Hisui @ Assault Vest / Choice Scarf
Ability: Sharpness
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Ceaseless Edge
- Razor Shell
- Sacred Sword
Sam is great for chipping/ surprising faster Mons that Bax struggles to KO with ice shard. It's also able to stack plenty of hazards to further help Bax KO with ice shard. The knocks also remove boots to help hazards chip. It just overall supports Bax, chipping / killing anything that checks Bax, helping it finishing off thick walls, or chipping Mons that are faster.
Round 5 : Greninja Bond
Greninja @ Life Orb / Wise Glasses
Ability: Battle Bond
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam / Grass Knot
Greninja
has proven to be one of the most powerful cleaner thanks to its high offensive stats, amazing movepool and its ability Battle Bond which provide a boost on its SpA and Speed (and Attack but useless here) when it kill an opponent.This set fit more in HO/offense but is also used in BO with Wise Glasses (
) to not get the recoil of Life Orb.So what pair with it ?
You have until Monday, 21st of August to post your teammate !
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Slowking-Galar (F) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Sludge Bomb
- Future Sight
- Thunder Wave
- Chilly Reception
Yeah, so the one major roadblock I see Greninja run into when facing it is Toxapex, since it takes roughly 30% from Dark Pulse, which a simple switch will completely heal. Since Greninja is hurting itself from LO and hazards, this really diminishes Greninja's threat level in match-ups it should be winning like vs Lando-T. Slowking-G is a great partner because it can set-up a future sight, which will give Toxapex a much harder time switching into Dark Pulse. It also does a good job at luring a few Pokemon Greninja does decently against, such as Lando-T, and can bring Greninja in safely with its slow Chilly Reception.
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Sludge Bomb
- Future Sight
- Thunder Wave
- Chilly Reception
Yeah, so the one major roadblock I see Greninja run into when facing it is Toxapex, since it takes roughly 30% from Dark Pulse, which a simple switch will completely heal. Since Greninja is hurting itself from LO and hazards, this really diminishes Greninja's threat level in match-ups it should be winning like vs Lando-T. Slowking-G is a great partner because it can set-up a future sight, which will give Toxapex a much harder time switching into Dark Pulse. It also does a good job at luring a few Pokemon Greninja does decently against, such as Lando-T, and can bring Greninja in safely with its slow Chilly Reception.
Dragapult @ Choice Band
Ability: Infiltrator
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Darts
- Phantom Force
- U-turn
- Sucker Punch
Dragapult CB
pairs very well with Greninja because it can overhelm Greninja’s check with its powerful Dragon Darts, OHKOing Slowking-G 
,Clodsire 
, Zapdos semi-defensive 
, Amoonguss Mixed 
and Toxapex full SpD 
with tera dragon.Except in stall, only one of those pokemons are used in a team. As Dragapult
is not often played with CB, you can try to lure your opponent and grab a kill at the beginning of the game if he switches into a special wall.Dragapult has 81% to OHKO Samurott Lead
with ddarts (unless it has HP investment like the sample), which is very useful to help Greninja’s sweep and prevent hazard stack. Sucker Punch can lure others Dragapult and chip setup sweepers mon such as Sneasler 
that Greninja can’t revenge kill with Water shuriken. (Even if you wouldn’t sac your dpult for that)Finally, this set fit more with Wise Glasses Greninja as you usually don’t want to get LO recoil in a team with CB Dpult (which is mainly used in BO)
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Thanks everyone for your teammates ! It's now time to vote !
Entries this week are :
1/ Slowking-Gby Magcargo
2/ Dragapult CB by Foufakirby (me)
You have until Thursday, August 24th to vote !
Entries this week are :
1/ Slowking-G
by Magcargo2/ Dragapult CB
by Foufakirby (me)You have until Thursday, August 24th to vote !
slowking-g
Voting phase is over !
Congratulation to Foufakirby (me) for winning Pokemon Matchmaking this week with my Greninja-Bond + Dragapult Core !
Hall of Fame will be update soon !
Congratulation to Foufakirby (me) for winning Pokemon Matchmaking this week with my Greninja-Bond + Dragapult Core !
Hall of Fame will be update soon !
Round 6 : Zamazenta ID
Zamazenta @ Leftovers
Ability: Dauntless Shield
Tera Type: Steel / Fairy
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Def / 136 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Crunch
- Substitute / Heavy Slam / Stone Edge
Zamazenta is one of the best physical tank and sweeper of the game thanks to its ability and its high defensive stat.
Since gen 9, Zamazenta can learn Body Press that allow it to become a powerful sweeper with Iron Defense. Some Coverage moves like Crunch and Stone Edge are often used to hit its check.
Now what pair with it ?
You have until Monday, 28th of August to post your teammate !
Deadline Expansion : You have until Saturday, the 9th of September to submit a partner for the last round before DLCs
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Why has no-one done this yet...
Sneasler @ Protective Pads
Ability: Poison Touch
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Dire Claw
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Sneasler gives Zama some support in chipping off a lot of Mons so it can finish them off later. Especially zap and moltres, who are especially annoying for the Zama. The poison overtime let's the b-presses clean, since the graduall chipping of tusk is annoying. The only annoying Mon is
, but crunch can finish it off from 
with decent enough chip.
Sneasler @ Protective Pads
Ability: Poison Touch
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Dire Claw
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Sneasler gives Zama some support in chipping off a lot of Mons so it can finish them off later. Especially zap and moltres, who are especially annoying for the Zama. The poison overtime let's the b-presses clean, since the graduall chipping of tusk is annoying. The only annoying Mon is
, but crunch can finish it off from with decent enough chip.
Am guessing that this is still open due to there only being one submission, I was considering a different mon but I feel like this is still fine under the rules as the set is completely different? Happy to change it if not though.
Sneasler @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Unburden
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 44 HP / 252 Atk / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Close Combat
- Night Slash
- Swords Dance
Sneasler is Zamazenta's greatest ally in SVOU, with a range of sets being able to weaken targets for an ID Zama sweep. Unburden Sneasler invites in mons like, , and 
, all of which Zama greatly appreciates being weakened or removed; Other methods of proc'ing Unburden can be considered but Grassy Seed provides fantastic defensive utility, allowing you to dodge a 2HKO from defensive 
's EQ while terrain is up. Grassy Terrain is also useful in general for this team structure, as it provides more healing for Zamazenta who can often struggle with having to switch in repeatedly over a game.
Alternative Sets
Tera Ghost Shadow Claw over Night Slash hits the same targets while giving you an immunity to
's Extreme Speed, but allows for the even more common 
to revenge you with Sucker Punch. Dire Claw can be used over Gunk Shot, but Gunk is extremely useful for securing the OHKO at +2 on and not proc'ing Static or Flame Body from Zap and Molt. The only issue for this set is the rare PhysDef Colbur , but popping that resist berry is greatly appreciated by . The given EV spread maximises attack while still outspeeding Timid without Unburden or while paralysed under Unburden, with remaining EVs in bulk. An alternative spread of Adamant 152HP / 252Atk / 104 Spe can be used to speedcreep mons like Defensive that run 301 speed, but being faster than both 
and Offensive unboosted is greatly appreciated.
Calcs
Calcs are provided at +2; an essential part of using is switching it in on turns where it can get a free Swords Dance, such as vs a choice-locked attacker, offensive mon that it forces out or defensive mon that cannot touch it with the 
+1 Def boost.
Threats
One thing that both of these sets struggle with and appreciate a team having an answer for is
, as PhysDef variants will wall both mons and easily heal off any damage with Rest. However, a SpDef Dozo (admittedly less common) will be guaranteed 3HKOd by CC or Gunk as it tries to switch in, even if it curses on the turn after coming in. is a massive issue that will wall both and , and is one of the biggest arguments for Dire Claw over Gunk since it lets you sit on Pex and fish for paralysis and sleep chances. Gunk Shot is still generally better though since Pex is usually seen on stall and neither or are effective stallbreakers, so another team slot dedicated to this role is appreciated. is one of the best answers to this set, as it resists both STAB attacks, shrugs off even a Tera Dark Night Slash after intimidate and threatens back with EQ, which can 2HKO non-tera'd even with terrain up. However, 's lack of reliable recovery means that and can work in tandem to break through it over the course of a game.
Sneasler @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Unburden
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 44 HP / 252 Atk / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Close Combat
- Night Slash
- Swords Dance
Sneasler is Zamazenta's greatest ally in SVOU, with a range of sets being able to weaken targets for an ID Zama sweep. Unburden Sneasler invites in mons like
, , and , all of which Zama greatly appreciates being weakened or removed; Other methods of proc'ing Unburden can be considered but Grassy Seed provides fantastic defensive utility, allowing you to dodge a 2HKO from defensive 's EQ while terrain is up. Grassy Terrain is also useful in general for this team structure, as it provides more healing for Zamazenta who can often struggle with having to switch in repeatedly over a game.Alternative Sets
Tera Ghost Shadow Claw over Night Slash hits the same targets while giving you an immunity to
's Extreme Speed, but allows for the even more common to revenge you with Sucker Punch. Dire Claw can be used over Gunk Shot, but Gunk is extremely useful for securing the OHKO at +2 on and not proc'ing Static or Flame Body from Zap and Molt. The only issue for this set is the rare PhysDef Colbur , but popping that resist berry is greatly appreciated by . The given EV spread maximises attack while still outspeeding Timid without Unburden or while paralysed under Unburden, with remaining EVs in bulk. An alternative spread of Adamant 152HP / 252Atk / 104 Spe can be used to speedcreep mons like Defensive that run 301 speed, but being faster than both and Offensive unboosted is greatly appreciated.Calcs
Calcs are provided at +2; an essential part of using
is switching it in on turns where it can get a free Swords Dance, such as vs a choice-locked attacker, offensive mon that it forces out or defensive mon that cannot touch it with the +1 Def boost.vs Offensive Ghold: +2 252+ Atk Sneasler Night Slash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gholdengo: 350-414 (111.1 - 131.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
vs Defensive Ghold: +2 252+ Atk Tera Dark Sneasler Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gholdengo: 374-444 (98.9 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
vs SpDef Glowking: +2 252+ Atk Sneasler Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 4+ Def Slowking-Galar: 366-432 (92.8 - 109.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
vs PhysDef Glowking: +2 252+ Atk Tera Dark Sneasler Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowking-Galar: 420-494 (106.5 - 125.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
vs Defensive Ghold: +2 252+ Atk Tera Dark Sneasler Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gholdengo: 374-444 (98.9 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
vs SpDef Glowking: +2 252+ Atk Sneasler Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 4+ Def Slowking-Galar: 366-432 (92.8 - 109.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
vs PhysDef Glowking: +2 252+ Atk Tera Dark Sneasler Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowking-Galar: 420-494 (106.5 - 125.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Sneasler Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 104 Def Zapdos: 438-516 (114 - 134.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
vs SpDef Moltres: +2 252+ Atk Sneasler Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 469-553 (122.4 - 144.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
vs PhysDef Moltres: +2 252+ Atk Sneasler Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 248+ Def Moltres: 333-393 (86.9 - 102.6%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
vs SpDef Moltres: +2 252+ Atk Sneasler Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 469-553 (122.4 - 144.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
vs PhysDef Moltres: +2 252+ Atk Sneasler Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 248+ Def Moltres: 333-393 (86.9 - 102.6%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
Threats
One thing that both of these sets struggle with and appreciate a team having an answer for is
, as PhysDef variants will wall both mons and easily heal off any damage with Rest. However, a SpDef Dozo (admittedly less common) will be guaranteed 3HKOd by CC or Gunk as it tries to switch in, even if it curses on the turn after coming in. is a massive issue that will wall both and , and is one of the biggest arguments for Dire Claw over Gunk since it lets you sit on Pex and fish for paralysis and sleep chances. Gunk Shot is still generally better though since Pex is usually seen on stall and neither or are effective stallbreakers, so another team slot dedicated to this role is appreciated. is one of the best answers to this set, as it resists both STAB attacks, shrugs off even a Tera Dark Night Slash after intimidate and threatens back with EQ, which can 2HKO non-tera'd even with terrain up. However, 's lack of reliable recovery means that and can work in tandem to break through it over the course of a game.
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