Project PU Core Analysis Workshop (Discussing partners to Rotom-F + Monferno)

[ManOfMany]

Nice core GrimoireGod! Specially Defensive Air Slash Pelipper is really good with Pilo and I think should even be the standard set.

Lapras @ Expert Belt
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Freeze Dry
- Surf

Lapras is a really interesting pokemon for its ability to destroy balanced cores such as these.

It easily switches in on Pelipper's Scald, Pelipper's Air Slash, and Piloswine's Icicle Spear/Ice Shard and hits both super-effectively. It even avoids the 2HKO from Pilo's Earthquake if rocks aren't on the field, which is incredible. I chose Expert Belt to bluff the Specs.

Calcs:
252+ SpA Expert Belt Lapras Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Piloswine: 360-425 (89.1 - 105.1%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Earthquake vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Lapras: 180-213 (41.7 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Expert Belt Lapras Freeze-Dry vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Pelipper: 408-490 (126.3 - 151.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Pelipper Air Slash vs. 120 HP / 0 SpD Lapras: 75-88 (17.4 - 20.4%) -- possible 5HKO

 

[Grim]

You can now post partners. :>

 

[Raiza]

Ninetales @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Energy Ball

One of Ninetails's biggest flaws is its weakness to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, lack of recovery, and low sheer power before a Nasty Plot boost. Piloswine and Pelipper both help Ninetales fix these flaws. First of all, Pelipper provides Defog support to remove entry hazards, and can further help Ninetales dealing with common Water-types such as Simipour and Poliwrath, while Scald spreads burns, and wears down foes, therefore gives more chances of setup and clean to Ninetales. In the case it's running U-Turn it is also able to bring in Ninetales in the field without letting it take unnecessary damage. Piloswine offers a soft check to Rock-(Ninetales also helps with them w/ Energy Ball) and Fire-types, while it provides Stealth Rock support to wear down foes and net Ninetales some KOs. Ninetales also helps breaking through defensive Pokemon this core struggles with so yeah.

 

[tmacbalanced]

Simisear @ Salac Berry / Life Orb
Ability: Gluttony / Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Grass Knot
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
Basically, this is sort of repeat on what Raiza said about Ninetales. This guy is also weak to hazards, stealth rocks being the main one just like Ninetales. Simisear does have a bit more power & speed than Ninetales but, has less bulk. Pelipper can obviously defog the hazards away although, Pawniard is going to be a problem for Pelipper but, Simisear can come on in with a nice U-turn from Pelipper.
252+ Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Simisear: 157-186 (53.9 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
This of course will activate the Salac berry, causing Simisear to get a speed boost before knocking the Pawniard out with a fire blast.
Simisear can be a nice late game sweeper for this core & can help get rid of most of the pokemon that would cause problems for the core.
My preference, would be the Salac Berry variant since it can handle the checks to the core a bit nicer. Life Orb with Blaze ain't that bad either, though.

 

[RawMelon]

Clefairy @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
- Moonblast
- Thunder Wave
- Soft-Boiled
- Knock Off

Clefairy rounds out this core nicely by taking special hits that Pelipper otherwise couldn't handle such as those coming from Raichu, Zeb, even Simi and crippling them with Thunder Wave / Knock Off and healing any damage they may deal.

 

[Grim]

Nice, these three will be added to the OP. :] This project will be paused until PUPL is over because activity has gone down and players, including me, would rather focus on PUPL at the moment.

 

[Dundies]

Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Taking a defensive look at this core, one thing I notice that it's weak to is Shell Smash Barbaracle and Shell Smash Carracosta. After the boost, both of the two have the capability to OHKO Pelipper and Piloswine. This is where Tangela comes in. Tangela is one of the best checks to Shell Smashers in the tier, taking on any hit (except Ice Beam) and OHKOing in return. A few of the biggest weaknesses for Tangela is Zebstrika and Ninetales; the former is countered by Piloswine and the latter by Pelipper. Therefore, Tangela really fits well in this core.

 

[Grim]

Multiple people want for this to continue and I (and I assume others as well) will have more than enough time to do so. n-n

Arbok @ Black Sludge
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Coil
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch

Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 200 HP / 252 SpA / 56 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Vacuum Wave

Arbok's main checks are bulky Ground- and Rock-types such as Piloswine and Golem. Poliwrath does not like switching into them (although it can), but can easily threaten out almost all of those Ground- and Rock-types with Hydro Pump. Intimidate also gives Pawniard an attack boost and Poliwrath happens to be the best Pawniard counter in PU. What Poliwrath mainly struggles with are Roselia and Clefairy, and Arbok can use both as set up fodder and possibly absorb the Toxic Spikes Roselia sets as well.

You have until Monday to post threats to the core.

 

[g]

@ Colbur Berry
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt / Signal Beam

Offensive Colbur Berry Grumpig easily outspeeds and OHKOs Arbok with Psychic and can take a Sucker Punch if needed too. It also doesn't care about Poliwrath and can take it out while outspeeding it.

 

[Dundies]

Torterra @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Polish
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

Torterra is able to OHKO both Poliwrath and Arbok with Wood Hammer and Earthquake, respectively. It can't switch into either of them safely, but it can set up on Arbok and proceed to take both of them out, even after Intimidate.

Calcs

-1 252+ Atk Life Orb Torterra Earthquake vs. 80 HP / 0 Def Arbok: 374-445 (133 - 158.3%)

-1 252+ Atk Life Orb Torterra Wood Hammer vs. 200 HP / 0 Def Poliwrath: 346-408 (93.2 - 109.9%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Deussol]

greninja'd :P

Standard Offensive Grumpig does really well against this core.

Grumpig @ Leftovers / Colbur Berry
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SPA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Taunt
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave / Signal Beam

Hide

Grumpig vs. Arbok
252+ SpA Grumpig Psychic vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Arbok: 306-362 (108.8 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Arbok vs. Grumpig
+1 252+ Atk Arbok Sucker Punch vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Colbur Berry Grumpig: 153-180 (44.8 - 52.7%) -- 25.8% chance to 2HKO

Grumpig vs. Poliwrath
252+ SpA Grumpig Psychic vs. 200 HP / 4 SpD Poliwrath: 272-324 (73.3 - 87.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Poliwrath vs. Grumpig
252+ SpA Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Grumpig: 121-144 (35.4 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Basically, Grumpig doesn't give a shit about either Arbok or Poli, comes in on everything, and wins.

EDIT: Goddamn Greninja'd

For reals this time:
RP LO Lunatone

Lunatone @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 Spa / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rock Polish
- Psychic
- Earth Power / Moonblast
- Ice Beam / Hidden Power Rock

calcs

Lunatone vs. Arbok
252+ SpA Life Orb Lunatone Psychic vs. 212 HP / 0 SpD Arbok: 413-486 (131.5 - 154.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Arbok vs. Lunatone
252+ Atk Arbok Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Lunatone: 204-242 (72.3 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Lunatone vs. Poliwrath
252+ SpA Life Orb Lunatone Psychic vs. 200 HP / 4 SpD Poliwrath: 369-437 (99.4 - 117.7%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

Poliwrath vs. Lunatone
252+ SpA Poliwrath Hydro Pump vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Lunatone: 302-356 (107 - 126.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

So while Lunatone can't switch in on gunk shot or hydro pump, it can switch in on anything else and threaten to OHKO both members of this core.

 

[Raiza]

Mr. Mime @ Life Orb
Ability: Filter
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Focus Blast
- Healing Wish

Life Orb Mr. Mime outspeeds both Arbok and Poliwrath. Mr. Mime is able to survive Sucker Punch and swiftly KO Arbok with Psychic. Psychic is also able to 1HKO Poliwrath easily with little prior damage, it can 1HKO Poliwrath even at full life, though it has a lower chance.

 

[ManOfMany]

Reserving Physical Drifblim

Drifblim @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 68 Def / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Acrobatics
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond

Drifblim can burn Arbok and it resists its Gunk Shot and Earthquake.

It can switch in on Poli's hydro or ice beam to activate sitrus berry (I shifted the SpD EVs into defense because otherwise Drifblim isn't 2HKOed by Hydro O_O. Drif is bulky)

Then it can spam Acrobatics which does a good amount to Poli.

(252+ Atk Drifblim Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 200 HP / 0 Def Poliwrath: 300-354 (80.8 - 95.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO)

 

[Grim]

Thanks for the threats, you can now nominate partners. You have until Friday.

 

[Raiza]

Grumpig @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave
- Heal Bell

As we have seen, this core mainly struggles with Psychic-types such as Mr. Mime and Lunatone, and also special attackers in general because of Arbok's poor specially defensive bulk. So I thought that Defensive Grumpig would've been a good choice as a partner, first of all it can wall most special attackers, especially Psychic-types. Then it baits in Dark-types such as Pawniard for Poliwrath, even though it has Focus Blast but it has to go on prediction. Thunder Wave is also really nice to cripple Pokemon such as Mr. Mime and Lunatone, which give trouble to this core, but can slow down the opposing team in general, allowing Arbok to have an easier time to sweep. At last but not least, Heal Bell heals Arbok and Poliwrath from statuses, especially burn, which annoys Arbok.

 

[Dundies]

Misdreavus @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Taunt

When looking at all of the threats posted, I noticed Misdreavus was a great check to all of them. For the most part, the core is weak to strong Psychic-type special attackers, which Misdreavus does a great job of taking on. On the other hand, the core is annoyed by strong Ground-types, Torterra for example, and Misdreavus can burn and wear down. It can also prevent opposing Spikes with Taunt, which the core is annoyed by.

 

[TONE]

Clefairy @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Soft-Boiled
- Healing Wish
- Thunder Wave
- Moonblast

Clefairy seems like it would do well for this core as it take special attacks with relative ease while spreading paralysis to slow down faster threats so Arbok and Poliwrath aren't so reliant on Sucker Punch and Vacuum Wave and Healing Wish support to give them a second chance of sweeping.

 

[SparksBlade]

no sprite rip

duckNOIr

Dusknoir @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Pursuit

Ghost+Ice Weakness spotted. Enter fat ghost that nobody loves. Beats all the mentioned threats 1v1, and can switch in on most at least once(except Torterra's Wood Hammer which 2hkos). Drifblim might be a bit annoying but it's 2hko'd(i hope i calc'd right) with 2 Sneaks, considering the 2nd Sneak is from burned Dusknoir, after Rocks, and it doesn't threaten you back immediately, so you always win vs. it anyway(if it switches out after burning then the opp is heavily pressured to get rid of hazards to bring Drifblim back in safely, which gives you a free turn). Ice Punch ohko's while Wood Hammer 2hko's. EQ to bop them Pawniards trying to act sly.

 

[Grim]

Thanks for your contributions. Time for the next core.

Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Stun Spore
- Synthesis

Clefairy @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Moonblast
- Thunder Wave
- Soft-Boiled
- Knock Off

Tangela and Clefairy are both amazing walls, with Tangela taking on the majority of the physical attackers while Clefairy walls quite a lot of special attackers. Both Pokemon have access to a paralyzing move, making the core a great defensive backbone to slow wallbreakers, as they greatly appreciate being able to outspeed more Pokemon. Due to their abilities, Regenerator and Magic Guard, the two are also very hard to wear down. Type wise they do share a weakness in Poison, however, but are mostly neutral to each others weaknesses. Both of them also rely on Eviolite for their bulk so Knock Off users are threatening as well.

You have until Monday to post threats to the core.

 

[Dundies]

Arbok @ Black Sludge
Ability: Shed Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 192 SpD / 64 Spe
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Rest
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake

Bulky Coil Arbok can take numerous hits from both Clefairy and Tangela, set up to +6, and sweep.

Calcs

0 SpA Clefairy Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 192+ SpD Arbok: 30-36 (9.2 - 11.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever

0 SpA Tangela Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 192+ SpD Arbok: 39-46 (12 - 14.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever

 

[TONE]

Ninetales @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Substitute
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball

While it isn't seen much, Substitute Ninetales can easily outspeed and avoid getting paralyzed while setting up Nasty Plot behind the Substitute and can OHKO Tangela and 2HKO Clefairy withh a +2 Fire Blast.

Calcs

+2 252 SpA Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Clefairy: 165-195 (47.9 - 56.6%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 356-420 (106.5 - 125.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[SparksBlade]

....the ugly tanfable, i hate you
unfortunately poison jab machoke failed so...

Hide

Aurorus @ Expert Belt
Ability: Refrigerate
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Frustration
- Earthquake
- Freeze-Dry
- _________

A set which a team of Detect Marowak has which i really like. Frustration easily 2hkos Clefable, EQ bops the steels, Freeze Dry for Peli and other waters in general. Last slot originally had Stone Edge for Rotom-Frost and thick fat mons(never used it much iirc, prolly cos im dumb), but i've messed around with the last slot a bit(rocks, twave/toxic, etc.) so it's up for grabs.

edit:

SparksBlade Just saying that while the set is good and sure threatens the core it should be made clear that the only advantage Expert Belt has over Choice Band is that it 2HKOes defensive Poliwrath with Freeze-Dry, and if your team doesn't particularly care about Poliwrath Choice Band is pretty much always the superior item.

tru tru, but i dont like choice items on many mons and use ebelt to bluff them(ebelt hp electric keldeo!!!)

 

[Raiza]

Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance

Pawniard can Knock Off both Tangela and Clefairy and make them frailer. Tangela can in wall Pawniard just in part, as Tangela can't swiftly KO it and Pawniard can set up Swords Dance on Tangela. Clefairy also has trouble KOing Pawniard, which can threaten it with Iron Head once it knocked its Eviolite off. Pawniard doesn't necessarily need to finish them off, but can also just take away their eviolite to allow teammates to swiftly KO them. However, Pawniard doesn't appreciate being paralyzed or getting hit by Knock Off by Clefairy.

 

[Grim]

SparksBlade Just saying that while the set is good and sure threatens the core it should be made clear that the only advantage Expert Belt has over Choice Band is that it 2HKOes defensive Poliwrath with Freeze-Dry, and if your team doesn't particularly care about Poliwrath Choice Band is pretty much always the superior item.

 

[rubsomebacononit]

Roselia @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Sleep Powder

Roselia has a super effective Sludge Bomb that can take care of Clefairy and Tangela. Roselia doesn't care about T-Wave or Stun Spore as it has Natural Cure, healing its Status whenever it switches out. The only thing that Roselia hates would be a Knock Off from Clefairy, removing its extra bulk, but Clefairy and Tangela can't do much to it anyway and it will still be 2HKOed.

calcs ftw

252+ SpA Roselia Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Clefairy: 254-300 (73.8 - 87.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Roselia Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 366-432 (109.5 - 129.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 SpA Clefairy Moonblast vs. 160 HP / 96 SpD Eviolite Roselia: 24-29 (8.5 - 10.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
4 SpA Tangela Giga Drain vs. 160 HP / 96 SpD Eviolite Roselia: 14-17 (4.9 - 6%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Clefairy Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Roselia: 42-50 (14.9 - 17.7%) -- possible 6HKO
4 SpA Tangela Hidden Power Ice vs. 160 HP / 96 SpD Eviolite Roselia: 64-76 (22.7 - 27%) -- 31.4% chance to 4HKO