Quick Pass

[Nix_Hex]

I've got a half marathon tomorrow but I'm restless and need to let out some ideas before I get my real rest.

This is a strategy that has been occupying my brain for the past few weeks. The idea is really simple. Set up hazards and dual screens (and possibly Memento with Latios and Uxie, the latter which can do all three) as if you were running a heavy offense team, then send out your defensive Gorebyss, use Shell Smash one time, and pass it to extremely powerful and diverse Pokemon that can utilize a +2 boost right off the bat. Just a quick set up, with almost no need to get another boost (but it certainly wouldn't hurt!). It all started when I asked in #pokemon about a mixed attacker that would make a good Smash Pass receiver. Poppy made me aware of a set that Nails created that absolutely dominates after just one Shell Smash:

Jirachi @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 160 SAtk / 96 Spe
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SpD)
- Iron Head
- Drain Punch
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Punch / Energy Ball


This set is tailor-made to:
1) Hit as hard as possible after one boost (Naughty nature with mixed investment).
2) Outspeed nearly relevant threat, including the most powerful and common Choice Scarfer, Terrakion (96 Speed EVs to beat Jolly).

3) Maintain longevity and whittle away at Ferrothorn (Drain Punch).
4) Beat even Specially Defensive Skarmory (Thunderbolt).
5) Beat Gliscor and Dragonite (Ice Punch).

When people see a Gorebyss on your team, they're almost 100% certain you'll be Quick Passing. Will they be so certain you'll be passing it to Jirachi? Possibly not. Jirachi has such a massive offensive movepool that most people are unprepared to eat a Drain Punch or Ice Punch, or have their wise ass Unaware Quagsire get OHKOed by Energy Ball after some entry hazard damage. Lum Berry is an option to protect Jirachi from a crippling burn or paralysis, but Life Orb gives it several crucial OHKOs.

Another devastating receiver I've been dreaming of is Choice Band Haxorus:

Haxorus (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Outrage
- Earthquake

It might be pretentious of me to only run 2 moves and a Choice Band on a Baton Pass receiver, but that's honestly all it needs. Outrage 2HKOes every single Pokemon in the game, and OHKOes many more! Even Earthquake is almost unnecessary since all of its 2HKOs are Outrage's OHKOs. No coverage move is necessary. Dragon Claw could be added for posterity's sake as the safe option but really, you should use this this thing to absolutely murder everything in it's path while it still can and let it die either to confusion damage or an enemy's Ice Shard. You can mess around with the Speed EVs, perhaps to help it outspeed Scarf Latios (since it can afford to, whereas Jirachi needs those precious SpA points) and invest in some bulk. Also, if you are able to pull off two boosts, Outrage does 91.01 - 107.18% to Physically Defensive Skarmory and 88.98 - 105.08% to Physically Defensive Forretress, surefire OHKOs with Stealth Rock. Don't count on it.

Anyone want to come up with some other receivers of this ridiculous strategy? Remember, the idea is to utilize one quick turn of set up, outspeed and 2HKO virtually every Pokemon in the game. GO!

Also, wish me luck since it's my biggest run so far and I'm sort of nervous!

 

[RitterCat]

Probably Terrakion would be a great receiver, with more power than Band, more Speed than Scarf and the ability to switch moves with it's great Dual STABs.

Terrakion @ Expert Belt / Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4HP/ 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Filler

also good luck with your marathon or whatever all I know is it's a long ass run

 

[haunter]

Terrakion's main problem is that its weakness to bullet punch makes it a fairly easy Scizor prey and considering Scizor's popularity you won't likely be able to sweep a whole team with it.

I've used the cheap shell smash strategy with decent success in the past and while Jirachi is an excellent receiver, I found that mixed Hydreigon is very good too.

Hydreigon (F) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 184 Atk / 212 SAtk / 112 Spd
Rash Nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Earthquake
- Outrage


With enough speed to outspeed scarf Terrakion at +2 this set is almost impossible to stop. Earthquake OHKOs TTar and obviously Heatran. Flamethrower deals with things like Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Dark pulse OHKOs Gliscor and any dragon not named Dragonite. Outrage OHKO's Blissey and Dragonite through multiscale.

Hydra also has perfect synergy with shell smash passers, resisting both grass and electric attacks.

 

[Onicon]

Great, I love Quick Pass. There are still some monster to be, for I am looking forward for the release of Tinted Lens Sigilyph with Stored Power. Anyway:

Lucario @ Air Balloo/Life Orb (or splashable Lum)
Trait: Inner Focus
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat/Drain Punch
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
- ThunderPunch

4-move syndrome? Nah, thanks for not having to setup itself Lucario gains the ability to cover almost any Pokemon in OU tier (well, Earthquake would ease your job against Jirachi a lot, to be honest).
+2 Ice Punch allows you to disintegrate every Pokemon with quadruple weakness to Ice, especially Gliscor, so there is no need to run HP Ice. Honestly, some opponents may play smart and intimidate it before bringing in max health 252/252 impish Gliscor, for Lucario have a more shaky OHKO potential when you don't use a Life Orb.
Gyarados, another one who constantly revenge Lucario without Electric moves (due the priority of Ice Punch and Crunch/ExtremeSpeed), won't be able to harm it directly.
Though I have my issues with Reuniclus: While a trick room sweeper is straight OHKOed, the 252/252 bold one may survive +2-LO-Crunch 56,25% of the times (espcially frustrating because of Magic Guard). Without LO, you will not be able to decapitate it within time - you still can hope for a critical or Focus Miss to miss, though.

I usually alternate betweenBalloon/Close Combat andLO/Drain Punch - sometimes Lefties/Close Combat and in rare cases LO/Close Combat or Lum instead of Balloon.
Why Drain Punch? You can heal yourself after a switch, and you opponent won't switch in anything susceptible to Fighting in anyway, so you won't need the extra firepower for a long time. Rotom-W is OHKOed by Drain Punch. Skarmory is 2HKOed most of the time by Drain Punch even with Lefties (surefire 2HKO with SR). Shoudn't happen too often, because we would be doing something wrong when we allow the sturdiest phazer in the game to keep its maximum healt.
When to use Balloon/CC? It's easier to finish of Skarmory, besides, you can OHKO Scizor any kind of common Scizor, like the 252/0 CB-Scizor. You still have to note that LO-Drain Punch still OHKOs offensive 0/0 Scizor while HEALING you.
Is there any use for LO/CC? Only one occasion: You are allowed of a clean OHKO on 252/0 Jirachi (Sub-CM); though it is easily migrated by SR, Spikes or prior damage, because the regular +2-CC does enough damage to get a chance to OHKO without entry hazards. Your choice.

 

[Lee]

Can you really have Quick Pass without Deoxys-S though? Without him, you're lacking that perfect lead/transition Pokemon. How about something a little different...

Whimsicott @ ???
252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
nature: Impish
- Taunt
- Light Screen
- Memento
- Encore

Prankster Taunt and Memento speaks for itself pretty much. What's especially handy is this guy -will- lure in Scizor. Memento as he locks himself into U-turn which can only muster a maximum of 34% against against 252/0 Gorebyss. Encore is just for utility really, and the lack of a better move. He'd actually outclass Deoxys-S in this role if he got Reflect and Stealth Rock but alas...

Don't forget Espeon as a recipient, even if her only intention is to block a phazing attempt before passing to a better option. That Jirachi does seem excellent...I'd be tempted to go with Energy Ball in that last slot given how huge of a problem Quagsire is to smashpass teams. Besides, it's pretty easy to beat down Gliscor and Dragonite with Iron Head - once flinch and they're done for. Either way, you get walled by enemy Jirachi and Metagross so I just question whether Fire Punch would be a superior option to Drain Punch. Of course, Heatran becomes a problem then...

 

[Cooky]

Salamence @ Draco Plate / Lum Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 160 SAtk / 96 Spe
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SpD)
-Dragon Claw / Outrage
-Earthquake
-Flamethrower
-Substitute / Whirlwind

This guy is so easy to use, and has great synergy with NixHex's Jirachi set as well. Switch in to your Smash Pass boosts behind screens and OHKO pretty much everything (after SR, which is completely necessary) except Hippowdon, max HP / Def Reuniclus, Quaggy, and Gliscor, none of which OHKO you behind screens.

Substitute is great if you can come in and Intimidate a physical attacker / predict status, but Whirlwind means you can outphase Hippowdon if its really bothering you. Lum Berry and Outrage together works as it does on DD Dragonite, but is not as effective overall as Dragon Claw given the lock making you easier to revenge.

Pros: OHKOs common Metagame, good Bulk + Intimidate + Screens + Sub makes it hard to take down, easy to switch in.
Cons: basically replacement Garchomp v1 cos chompy is smashpass god, losing outright to Quagsire sucks so use a complementary sweeper that can kill it.

By the way Deoxys D is the best dual screener by miles, and bear in mind that you will often have to choose between either both screens or SR, so base your decision on team preview. also this strat is for noobs

 

[Nova]

MixApe as another good receiver?

Infernape @ Life Orb/Lum Berry
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spd
Rash Nature ( +SpAtk , -SpDef)
-Close Combat
-Fire Blast
-Hidden Power Ice
-Grass Knot

Hits hard fom both the physical and special side to deal with several common walls (Blissey, Chansey, Skarm, Jelli, Hippowdon, Ferro, Gliscor)

 

[alexwolf]

Salamence @ Draco Plate / Lum Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 160 SAtk / 96 Spe
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SpD)
-Dragon Claw / Outrage
-Earthquake
-Flamethrower
-Substitute / Whirlwind

This guy is so easy to use, and has great synergy with NixHex's Jirachi set as well. Switch in to your Smash Pass boosts behind screens and OHKO pretty much everything (after SR, which is completely necessary) except Hippowdon, max HP / Def Reuniclus, Quaggy, and Gliscor, none of which OHKO you behind screens.

Substitute is great if you can come in and Intimidate a physical attacker / predict status, but Whirlwind means you can outphase Hippowdon if its really bothering you. Lum Berry and Outrage together works as it does on DD Dragonite, but is not as effective overall as Dragon Claw given the lock making you easier to revenge.

Pros: OHKOs common Metagame, good Bulk + Intimidate + Screens + Sub makes it hard to take down, easy to switch in.
Cons: basically replacement Garchomp v1 cos chompy is smashpass god, losing outright to Quagsire sucks so use a complementary sweeper that can kill it.

By the way Deoxys D is the best dual screener by miles, and bear in mind that you will often have to choose between either both screens or SR, so base your decision on team preview. also this strat is for noobs

Maybe Moxie would fit better. After you kill something the game is over even without SR, and you don't really need Intimidate since you already have Reflect up right?

 

[Showsni]

My go to receiver for quick pass is Nidoking; a pretty obvious set of

Nidoking @ Life Orb

Sheer Force
Timid 252 Sp. Att/252 Speed/4

Earth Power
Flamethrower
Ice Beam
Thunderbolt

He has awesome coverage, and with Sheer Force and Life Orb can do massive damage to pretty much anything not named Chansey/Blissey. Rotom-H is another problem, as it resists/is immune to everything, but they're pretty rare. OHKOing Dragonite through multiscale after a single boost is fun. Immunity to Thunder Wave and Toxic is also a plus. When Excadrill was around, it was often better to try and get two boosts to it, since +2 Nidoking outspeeds Adamant Excadrill in the sand but is outsped by Jolly variants; now of course that isn't a worry.

I also run mixed Jirachi on my quick pass team, as it happens, and I have to agree that it's very good (my set has Hidden Power Ice and Fire Punch over Ice Punch and Drain Punch, since I often end up passing it Quiver Dance instead of Shell Smash.) Getting a flinch or two with Iron Head to turn moves from 2HKOs into OHKOs is just gravy.

 

[gamer40000]

THIS THING

[pimg]6[/pimg]

Charizard @ Choice Specs
Trait: Solar Power
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast

In sun, this monster only needs two moves to kill, and one on them is only used for Politoed, Tyranitar, and Heatran. The only Pokemon it doesn't have a chance of OHKO with the appropriate move is Quagsire and Dragonite. And it does 76.39 - 89.84%(Quagsire) and 59.58 - 70.2% before rocks. That is true strength.

 

[Pippy]

@gamer: I see 3 problems with that:
1. SR. While you're SSing, your opponent could set up rocks, leaving Charizard open to revenge killing since it loses 50% of its HP. His frailness and Solar Power's damage doesn't help things either.
2. Changing the weather. When you SS or BP, your opponent can simply change the weather on you. This causes Zard to lose his effectiveness, especially in the Rain.
3. Inaccurate moves: Relying on Fire and Focus Blast are just begging for a miss, and due to Zard's frailness, this can easily lead to his doom. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about that.

I suppose with the right support (and luck) that could be effective, but it seems a bit outclassed by other sweepers.

 

[AccidentalGreed]

So if you guys are aiming to outrun Jolly Choice Scarf Terrakion, why not just bump up the Speed EVs a little so that your recipient can also outrun Choice Scarf Latios? They pop up every now and then.

 

[New World Order]

Salamence @ Draco Plate / Lum Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 160 SAtk / 96 Spe
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SpD)
-Dragon Claw / Outrage
-Earthquake
-Flamethrower
-Substitute / Whirlwind

This guy is so easy to use, and has great synergy with NixHex's Jirachi set as well. Switch in to your Smash Pass boosts behind screens and OHKO pretty much everything (after SR, which is completely necessary) except Hippowdon, max HP / Def Reuniclus, Quaggy, and Gliscor, none of which OHKO you behind screens.

Substitute is great if you can come in and Intimidate a physical attacker / predict status, but Whirlwind means you can outphase Hippowdon if its really bothering you. Lum Berry and Outrage together works as it does on DD Dragonite, but is not as effective overall as Dragon Claw given the lock making you easier to revenge.

Pros: OHKOs common Metagame, good Bulk + Intimidate + Screens + Sub makes it hard to take down, easy to switch in.
Cons: basically replacement Garchomp v1 cos chompy is smashpass god, losing outright to Quagsire sucks so use a complementary sweeper that can kill it.

By the way Deoxys D is the best dual screener by miles, and bear in mind that you will often have to choose between either both screens or SR, so base your decision on team preview. also this strat is for noobs

Wouldn't it be easier just to use Moxie+Lum Berry as the ability and item respectively, as well as Dragon Pulse instead of Substitute? Lum Berry is more than enough protection from status, Hippowdon will not enjoy taking a +2 Dragon Pulse one bit. Maybe add in more Special Attack for a higher chance to KO. With Moxie, it's pretty much game over after you nab your first KO, unless your opponent has Mamoswine/ Weavile. Scizor doesn't quite pack enough of a punch to take out a Salamence behind screens.

 

[ssbbm]

trick completely rapes this strategy

run something like specs latios and specs rotom-w, then you'll basically get a GG against these type of teams because a specs'd huntail / gorebyss / smeargle is useless

also: salamence shoudl run something like

moxie @ lum berry
- brick break
- flamethrower
- outrage
- dragon pulse

additionally:

espeon should run something like

- stored power
- hidden power ground
- baton pass
- substitute

 

[Demist]

I find that half of Psycic types are good recipients. So aftermentionen Latios is pretty good recipient as we speak. Thunderbolt, Surf, Hidden Power Fire and Psyschock can dent just about any Pokemon and gets decent coverage even without it's Dragon STAB. Alakazam and Azelf are eventually interesting recievers. They, however, are frailer than Latios.

 

[min min]

Dragonite itself is a pretty nice choice for a Quickpass recipient if you can keep rocks off the field using a Dual Screen Espeon. With Waterfall, Extremespeed, Fire Punch and Dragon Claw you pretty much operate like a physical Hydreigon with priority. Skarmory might be a problem but on the bright side you take down Balloon Heatran and Gliscor with Waterfall. Dragonite is also bulkier than Salamence.

 

[AccidentalGreed]

Hydreigon (F) @ Expert Belt / Lum Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 162 HP / 224 SAtk / 124 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Taunt

I also use a Hydreigon, although it's a bit inspired by Haunter's mixed variant. The use of Taunt allows Hydreigon to bypass more defensive counters and prevent them from using certain moves, such as recovery moves, status attacks, phazing moves, and ESPECIALLY Perish Song. Although Dragon Pulse / Dark Pulse won't be bringing down things like Blissey in a hit, a few turns of being taunted will eventually weather it down in three turns. The lack of coverage against Heatran doesn't really matter, since I AM using two Water-types with Shell Smash (Huntail and Gorebyss), and Taunt pretty much cockblocks any attempt to phaze or cripple Hydreigon.

 

[haunter]

Well, usually your opponent isn't able to make any move after the SM boost so non-attacking moves aren't really a problem. The only things that might phaze or status you are sturdy Pokemon like Skarmory and Forretress, but that's one of the reasons why shell pass strategy appreciates stealth rock and spikes on the field.

As for perish song, the only 2 OU users are Celebi and Politoed. Celebi, even the bulkiest variant, is OHKO'd by dark pulse. Politoed can take a dark pulse if it's the specially defensive variant, but is OHKO'd by outrage, taking a minimum of 105% with my spread.

The only Pokemon that you might want to taunt rather than smash with the appropriate move is eviolite Chansey, as it's only 2HKO'd by outrage and can status you, or wish\protect stall, until confusion hax ends your sweep.

 

[DDRMaster]

Chansey can't actually use Wish/Protect to stall out Outrage as Outrage will end after it Protects. Chansey would have to spam Softboiled until Confusion stops Hydreigon, but then it would still get KOd after the second hit of Outrage if it switched in on SR.

 

[haunter]

True, but since it's not ohko'd it can still toxic or thunderwave you, potentially stopping your sweep.

 

[Cooky]

Wouldn't it be easier just to use Moxie+Lum Berry as the ability and item respectively, as well as Dragon Pulse instead of Substitute? Lum Berry is more than enough protection from status, Hippowdon will not enjoy taking a +2 Dragon Pulse one bit. Maybe add in more Special Attack for a higher chance to KO. With Moxie, it's pretty much game over after you nab your first KO, unless your opponent has Mamoswine/ Weavile. Scizor doesn't quite pack enough of a punch to take out a Salamence behind screens.

Shit yeah, was using this guy way back before Moxie was released so I guess it never occurred to me to mention it, obviously its the better ability here.

Also lthough Draco Plate is actually quite necessary for a few OHKOs after SR on things like Blissey, 252 HP Dnite with multiscale, tinkerbell Celebi etc. I guess that doesnt really matter so much with Moxie going. thinking about it i guess you could switch into status like rachis bodysalm much more easily and set up a sub on the follw up with lum.

Thing is d pulse doesnt do much more than fire blast on neutral targets, still wont come close to ohkoing the hippo for example, and substitute's use cannot be underestimated against chansey, pre prankster mons, priority and stuff

bingo use lum, sub and moxie i think

also: salamence shoudl run something like

moxie @ lum berry
- brick break
- flamethrower
- outrage
- dragon pulse

dragon pulse, brick break and outrage are pretty unecessary on this guy, i mean, brick break is for blissey and TTar, both of whom are killed by dragon claw / earthquake and earthquake is a better coverage move in general. Outrage aint the best, its worth a slash but it will get baited and punished by steels as a last resort. also its hard to find a case for dragon pulse its just redundant. if you successfuly get off a sub youre guaranteed a sweep with sr so it really is worth its place.

btw i did use a team with this guy in for a while when i got bored of regular laddering so im not just theory bullshitting here honest

 

[Tenodera]

As funny as two moves are on CB Haxorus, Dual Chop should really be there too. A Baton Pass is an awesome opportunity to set up a sub and turn the tables on the recipient. Of course, it's not like sweeping with a +2 CB Dual Chop is impossible either if you have to.

I think Hydreigon and Salamence are two of the best receivers of a SS pass. I'd be intrigued to try some special breed of mixTar though, maybe with a Chople or Babiri Berry.

 

[Pippy]

Thought I'd throw in another potential receiver:

Metagross @ LO
Trait: Clear Body | Nature: Jolly
EVs: 52 HP/252 Atk/204 Spd
Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash | Earthquake | Ice Punch/Thunder Punch

Metagross is an awesome recipient of SS. One thing he has over almost everything else suggested here is bulk. (especially def, which helps against common revenge killers) The only drawback is his poor speed, but fortunately SS remedies that. He also has a gigantic Atk stat, which is only made scarier by SS. Add on the potential boost from Meteor Mash, and you've got a frightening sweeper. He's also got BP which helps against other scarf users (mainly Terrakion) and EQ for Tran. The last slot is a bit of a toss up. Ice Punch helps against all the common dragons in the meta, but TPunch is nice for Skarm and bulky waters.

Thoughts?

 

[DDRMaster]

I think Metagross would be better with a moveset of Meteor Mash/Earthquake/Thunder Punch/Ice Punch or Zen Headbutt with a Jolly Nature. Bullet Punch isn't really necessary, as with a Jolly Nature, you outrun all +Speed Scarfed Pokemon with a Base Speed of 108 or lower and most priority moves won't do much to Metagross. Lucario needs a Nasty Plot and a LO boost to have a chance to OHKO Metagross, and all other priority moves won't hit as hard besides +2 LO Absol's Sucker Punch. However, Jolly does miss out on a few guarenteed OHKOs after a Shell Smash. (I'm not sure which ones but I'm fairly certain Adamant guaranteed a OHKO or two, and it does give a better chance to OHKO Gliscor with Meteor Mash or Rotom-W with Thunder Punch, so you don't have to worry as much about the last slot.)

Meteor Mash is for STAB, Eathquake is to take out Steel and Fire-types, and Thunder Punch is for Water-types. The last slot is a choice between a guaranteed KO on Gliscor and Dragonite through Multiscale or Rotom-W. Although, with SR up, Defensive Gliscor still has a chance to be OHKO'd by Meteor Mash, Dragonite will be OHKO'd after Multiscale is broken, and Defensive Rotom-W has a chance to be OHKO'd by Thunder Punch.

 

[papita]

I agree with DDRMaster. Metagross should run boltbeam punches and EQ as coverage. I don´t think there is a poke who can resist that and with +2 you don´t necessarily need the priority