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Nothing real fancy with this set. This mainly forgoes the nuke from SSSS for the ability to potentially be a late game cleaner once things like Lanturn, CLefairy, Type: Null, etc are gone. Either go for Z-Rain Dance to get the +1 Speed boost and outspeed stuff like Scarf Togedemaru while being able to switch up moves and always hit Hurricane thanks to rain being active or fire off a strong Z-Surf agianst bulkier teams. Last move is more for preference, both options work here. I guess HP Grass if you desperate about 2HKOing Gastrodon, but ain't worth it here.
Z-Mirror Move plays similarly to Z-Mirror Move Murkrow in that it takes some prediction with switching in and deciding when to reveal the Z move for it to work effectively. Once it does get to +2, Swanna breaks down slower, bulkier threats such as Regirock, Eelektross, and Mesprit and picks off weakened Choice Scarf users such as Togedemaru and Primeape with Aqua Jet.
This Swanna set comes in clutch. This is one of the best lures and is such an effective breaker because in people's mind, they always expect Swanna to be special. It's actually disgusting. Clefairy and Eelektross get 2HKO'd from Liquidation and even Assault Vest Lanturn has a chance to be 2HKO'd from Brave Bird with an Adamant nature. Aqua Jet has a chance to OHKO Archeops after Stealth Rock and heavily dents Pyroar which can open a pathway for other Pokemon you have in the back. With Roost, you can effectively break through Pokemon that try and stall you out (A.K.A Audino or Lickylicky) by trying to fish for defense drops with Liquidation while staying healthy. Roost also allows you to switch up moves which I love so much about this Swanna. TRY THIS SET. You might miss the speed, but I promise you that it's worth it once you successfully lure the Pokemon you want to get rid of for other teammates in the back.
Some Calcs:
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lanturn: 165-195 (42.1 - 49.8%) -- 90.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock (AV Lanturn)
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Clefairy: 179-212 (52 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 183-216 (48.9 - 57.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Archeops: 203-242 (69.7 - 83.1%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Similar to Z-Rain Dance and Z-Mirror Move in that this is a sweeping set, but it differentiates itself by also providing a couple turns of support for slightly slower breakers such as Stoutland or Offensive Mesprit by doubling their speed as well. If you're seeking to support teammates, the best way to set up is when Swanna is at low health against a slower foe, set up Tailwind, then either get KOed or suicide with Brave Bird next turn. The set is physical due to Brave Bird being a more reliable cleaning tool than Hurricane.
Before I open voting, I would like to comment on some of the, uh... more interesting sets, for lack of a better word. I'm fine with being innovative with stuff, but when you're sacrificing a lot, your set starts to become a bit more of a gimmick than the next best thing. I let all submissions through this time around due to both lack of notice and wanting to give people a second chance, but in the future I may have to be more strict with what is allowed. Hope this is taken as constructive criticism, and not me trying to trash all over your guys' nominations
This set has one job and one job only. To hard check Gurdurr. This set can come in on any move standard Gurdurr can go for. No item because we want to take as little damage from Knock Off as possible. From there, you can out-debuff him with feather dances in response to any attempted Bulk Ups. Rain Dance is there to cure Swanna of any crippling statuses he may have from other enemy team members besides Gurdurr. Hurricane blows Gurdurr back on the specially defensive side. Of course it also has good synergy with rain. Gurdurr is so bulky you really do want the added power with Hurricane over something like Air Slash. And then of course Roost for longevity and stalling out Gurdurr if he attempts to break through this set. A crit drain punch at neutral does 40 max, so as long as you're reasonably responsible with Roosting you should be fine even it it happens multiple times. Be careful with Roosting though because it removes you resistance to Gurdurr. Max speed because it doesn't even need any defensive investment for Gurdurr with this set. The max speed allows this Swanna set to still be able to do other things as well because it has a good speed tier. But yeah, in the end, this thing's mission is to shut Gurdurr down.
Since Swanna doesn't have the best Attack, Choice Band lets it hit fairly hard. It can also lure some stuff like Clefairy and Eelektross and pick up the 2HKO. As for the set, there isn't much too out of the ordinary outside of the fact that its fully physical. It has dual STAB with Liquidation and Brave Bird, which pretty much explains itself. Then there's Aqua Jet, which lets it revenge kill faster stuff like Archeops and Pyroar, and all that priority stuff. Similar to Swanna's Scarf set, its last slot isn't too important, so some utility is usually the best choice. There's Defog for hazard removal, Toxic for crippling things like Defensive Carracosta, and Tailwind for team support.
There are also be things Banded Floatzel and Kingler if you want a hard-hitting Water-type. However, Swanna has a couple niches with its secondary STAB, some nice utility, and Speed in Kingler's case. It's also much better at luring stuff. As for Swanna's other sets, this can hit harder without wasting a Z-move and can revenge kill stuff like Scarf Pyroar thanks to its priority.
Here's some calcs:
252 Atk Choice Band Swanna Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Clefairy: 187-222 (54.3 - 64.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Swanna Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 190-225 (50.8 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Swanna Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Audino: 252-297 (61.6 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Swanna Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gastrodon: 204-241 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 34% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Swanna Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Archeops: 212-252 (72.8 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Swanna Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pyroar: 194-230 (61.9 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Ok bye.
Cancer - try to get rid of this with offense /stall (depends what variant u choose )
Swanna @ Leftovers / Life Orb / Metronome
Ability: Big Pecks
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk - Air Slash
- Substitute
- Roost
- Endeavor / Toxic
I think swanna is a bad defogger and should be used with Defog in teams not weak to stealth rock but as a safety net and utility Vs spikestacking notably . So here's a better approach to take advantage of swannas traits:
- bulky spread tanks weezing, defensive mesprit and substitute tanks ferroseed
-airslash hits most types neutrally or super effectively and deals with kingler/floatzel/gurdurr /chan/gastrodon
-substitute to avoid statuses and stayin Vs slower voltswitchers
-roost to last longer and beat gurdurr and Chan 1v1 (thanks to hp EVs )
-endeavour +substitute+roost nightmare due to swannas speed and heavily weakens Pokémons for partners. Toxic great vs balance but works too Vs offense.
-Leftovers is the preferred item but metronome (+20% every turn during 5 turns max) is good to break past gastrodon and non calm mind clefa so you can run endeavour for more aggressive teams. Lifeorb allows to revengekill better but has less synergy here.
Note that this set is self-sustaining and will even enjoy rocks on the field to quickly use endeavour so it's costless. Good partners are slow u-turns/voltswitch to get in safely or stuff weak to gurdurr/chan, eel and aggron come to mind. AV chan removes stealth rock and so swanna can come on mesprit which chan attracts easily and chan helps vs eel and aurorus resisting endeavour +airslash.
0 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Swanna: 147-174 (41.5 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Weezing Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Swanna: 123-145 (34.7 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Iron Fist Hitmonchan Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Swanna: 136-160 (38.4 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
192+ Atk Gurdurr Knock Off (65 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Swanna: 93-110 (26.2 - 31%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Kingler Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Swanna: 187-222 (52.8 - 62.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Swanna Air Slash vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Weezing: 97-115 (29 - 34.4%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Swanna Air Slash vs. 208 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Hitmonchan: 90-108 (30.7 - 36.8%) -- 53.4% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Swanna Air Slash vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Gurdurr: 168-198 (44.9 - 52.9%) -- 24.6% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Swanna Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kingler: 126-148 (50.1 - 58.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 0 SpA Swanna Air Slash vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Gastrodon: 169-199 (39.6 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Just flinch one
Nothing real fancy with this set. This mainly forgoes the nuke from SSSS for the ability to potentially be a late game cleaner once things like Lanturn, CLefairy, Type: Null, etc are gone. Either go for Z-Rain Dance to get the +1 Speed boost and outspeed stuff like Scarf Togedemaru while being able to switch up moves and always hit Hurricane thanks to rain being active or fire off a strong Z-Surf agianst bulkier teams. Last move is more for preference, both options work here. I guess HP Grass if you desperate about 2HKOing Gastrodon, but ain't worth it here.
Z-Mirror Move plays similarly to Z-Mirror Move Murkrow in that it takes some prediction with switching in and deciding when to reveal the Z move for it to work effectively. Once it does get to +2, Swanna breaks down slower, bulkier threats such as Regirock, Eelektross, and Mesprit and picks off weakened Choice Scarf users such as Togedemaru and Primeape with Aqua Jet.
Y'know what screw it I'm submitting a Swanna set that I think is good.
This Swanna set comes in clutch. This is one of the best lures and is such an effective breaker because in people's mind, they always expect Swanna to be special. It's actually disgusting. Clefairy and Eelektross get 2HKO'd from Liquidation and even Assault Vest Lanturn has a chance to be 2HKO'd from Brave Bird with an Adamant nature. Aqua Jet has a chance to OHKO Archeops after Stealth Rock and heavily dents Pyroar which can open a pathway for other Pokemon you have in the back. With Roost, you can effectively break through Pokemon that try and stall you out (A.K.A Audino or Lickylicky) by trying to fish for defense drops with Liquidation while staying healthy. Roost also allows you to switch up moves which I love so much about this Swanna.TRY THIS SET. You might miss the speed, but I promise you that it's worth it once you successfully lure the Pokemon you want to get rid of for other teammates in the back.
Some Calcs:
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lanturn: 165-195 (42.1 - 49.8%) -- 90.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock (AV Lanturn)
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Clefairy: 179-212 (52 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 183-216 (48.9 - 57.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Swanna Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Archeops: 203-242 (69.7 - 83.1%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Tough choice between CB, Z-Rain Dance, and Z-Mirror Move, but I think I'll have to settle on TONE's Z-Rain Dance.
Congratulations to TONE for winning with Z-Rain Dance Swanna! Your submission will be logged into the archive!
This week we're focusing on one of, if not the tier's best wallbreaker!
Week 19: Aurorus
You'll almost always be seeing this carrying Choice Specs to break through bulkier teams with ease thanks to powerful Blizzards. However, its occasional Choice Scarf set is a nightmare for offensive teams instead, especially weather-based ones. Good luck finding something unique for this icy dino! Submissions will close and voting will begin Wednesday evening.
Aurorus @ Icium Z
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Calm Mind
- Earth Power
- Rock Polish
Aurorus at +1 can deal some good damage to most mons in the PU tier.
+1 252+ SpA Aurorus Subzero Slammer (185 BP) vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Eviolite Ferroseed: 246-289 (84.5 - 99.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and hail damage
Aurorus @ Choice Specs
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Earth Power
- Freeze-Dry
- Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aurorus Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Pyukumuku: 240-284 (76.4 - 90.4%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock, hail damage, and Leftovers recovery
It's not very clear what's making this set here special. I'd assume that it's Stealth Rock judging by the calc you added, but if you could clarify by adding an explanation and formatting such as bold to your post, that would be great, thanks!
Aurorus @ Groundium Z
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Blizzard
- Earth Power
- Rock Polish
This set was used by TSR in Week 3 of PU Exhibition to great success against PU UnOpen winner Samiyam. +1 Tectonic Rage nukes a plethora of standard checks such as Pyroar, Carbink, Lanturn, and Metang. Furthermore, Rock Polish allows Aurorus to outspeed everything below +1 Base 95s including Scarf Mesprit and Lilligant.
The True Luremon, luring random switchins such as tross and clefairy that wouldn't mind specs too much
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Clefairy: 274-324 (79.6 - 94.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 280-330 (74.8 - 88.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 411-484 (109.8 - 129.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Type: Null: 160-190 (40.6 - 48.2%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 232-274 (60.4 - 71.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (lol fatcuno)
252+ Atk Choice Band Aurorus Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Eviolite Munchlax: 168-198 (40.8 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (lol munchlax)
as for mons that approve of this change
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 248 HP / 128 Def Eviolite Ferroseed: 145-172 (49.8 - 59.1%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
Aurorus @ Leftovers
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 68 HP / 188 SpA / 28 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk - Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Freeze-Dry
- Flash Cannon / Encore / Earth Power
This set differentiates itself from the multiple other CM nominations by being a dedicated stallbreaker. Although on paper Aurorus easily breaks stall due to nothing taking Specs-boosted Blizzards or Freeze-Drys, in practice between Audino and Pyukumuku, its moves can easily be scouted and dealt with the appropriate Pokemon, with even Blizzard PP being an issue. SubCM alleviates this by beating anything stall throws at it: Audino and Pyukumuku are setup bait; Substitute dodges Toxic; Stall's Unaware user can't stop it; even Carbink is bopped by Flash Cannon, which is my recommended last slot because this set's purpose is to be a dedicated stallbreaker. The EVs reach 404 HP, making Subs that take 1 Seismic Toss / Night Shade, and 1 Specs Aurorus Blizzard at +1 Sp. Def. Encore gets free setup turns and Earth Power beats Ice resists such as Probopass and Sandslash-Alola. No Blizzard because no room and hail will run out when you're ready to sweep.
stall WAS broken (Aurorus) @ Never-Melt Ice
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk - Calm Mind
- Freeze-Dry
- Blizzard
- Earth Power
Stall WAS broken. What else. Clefairy maybe.
252+ SpA Never-Melt Ice Aurorus Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Pyukumuku: 152-180 (48.4 - 57.3%) -- 92.2% chance to 2HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery (nice pyuku spread tho)
View attachment 114684
Aurorus @ Icium Z
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Calm Mind
- Earth Power
- Rock Polish
Aurorus at +1 can deal some good damage to most mons in the PU tier.
+1 252+ SpA Aurorus Subzero Slammer (185 BP) vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Eviolite Ferroseed: 246-289 (84.5 - 99.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and hail damage
Aurorus @ Groundium Z
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Blizzard
- Earth Power
- Rock Polish
This set was used by TSR in Week 3 of PU Exhibition to great success against PU UnOpen winner Samiyam. +1 Tectonic Rage nukes a plethora of standard checks such as Pyroar, Carbink, Lanturn, and Metang. Furthermore, Rock Polish allows Aurorus to outspeed everything below +1 Base 95s including Scarf Mesprit and Lilligant.
The True Luremon, luring random switchins such as tross and clefairy that wouldn't mind specs too much
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Clefairy: 274-324 (79.6 - 94.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 280-330 (74.8 - 88.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 411-484 (109.8 - 129.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Type: Null: 160-190 (40.6 - 48.2%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 232-274 (60.4 - 71.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (lol fatcuno)
252+ Atk Choice Band Aurorus Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Eviolite Munchlax: 168-198 (40.8 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (lol munchlax)
as for mons that approve of this change
252+ Atk Choice Band Refrigerate Aurorus Return vs. 248 HP / 128 Def Eviolite Ferroseed: 145-172 (49.8 - 59.1%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
this chips and is annoying if it gets leech :/
anyway CB rorus for best set
Aurorus @ Leftovers
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 68 HP / 188 SpA / 28 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk - Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Freeze-Dry
- Flash Cannon / Encore / Earth Power
This set differentiates itself from the multiple other CM nominations by being a dedicated stallbreaker. Although on paper Aurorus easily breaks stall due to nothing taking Specs-boosted Blizzards or Freeze-Drys, in practice between Audino and Pyukumuku, its moves can easily be scouted and dealt with the appropriate Pokemon, with even Blizzard PP being an issue. SubCM alleviates this by beating anything stall throws at it: Audino and Pyukumuku are setup bait; Substitute dodges Toxic; Stall's Unaware user can't stop it; even Carbink is bopped by Flash Cannon, which is my recommended last slot because this set's purpose is to be a dedicated stallbreaker. The EVs reach 404 HP, making Subs that take 1 Seismic Toss / Night Shade, and 1 Specs Aurorus Blizzard at +1 Sp. Def. Encore gets free setup turns and Earth Power beats Ice resists such as Probopass and Sandslash-Alola. No Blizzard because no room and hail will run out when you're ready to sweep.
Voting ends Saturday!
Thinking CB Aurorus is the best set here. I don't really like Rock Polish due to being easily revenge killed, and CB surprises usually checks such as Eelektross and Clefairy. Only thing I would change is something else over Gigs Impact, perhaps Facade. Gigs Impact is just way too exploitable, but that's all I have to say.
