Project RU Best Next Thing (Cycle 21: Gardevoir)

[nameless90]

Rain Dance Goodra

Goodra @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt/Thunder
- Sludge Wave

General idea
Here we have a strange Goodra.
First of all, this dragon runs Hydration instead of Sap Sipper in order to protect its Spe towards paralysis and its bulk form burn and Toxic.
Secondly, it runs a Z-boosted Rain Dance, which gives Goodra a +1 Spe boost only once alongside a Timid nature.
Last, but not least you can now run Thunder that has a nice 30% side effect and Ice Beam (replacing Draco Meteor) in order to have a better coverage than before and to avoid to switch-out after the Spe boost.

Unluckily, I am not able to find room for Rest to have a good recovery move.
The loss of Sap Sipper is bad (an immunity is always nice to have), but nobody really expects it so just avoid switch-ins onto predicted Grass-type move and your opponent will be surprised.

Team(mates) support
Hazards support is mandatory to ensure OHKOs when cleaning the opposite team.
A way to deal with Steels is mandatory.


Some calcs:

Hide

284 Spe points x 1,5 = 426

252 SpA Goodra Thunder vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mandibuzz: 222-262 (52.3 - 61.7%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (the difference between Thunder and Thunderbolt is huge)
252 SpA Goodra Thunder vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 190-224 (58.4 - 68.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Goodra Thunder vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Bruxish: 286-338 (103.2 - 122%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Goodra Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Flygon: 420-496 (139.5 - 164.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Goodra Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Noivern: 420-496 (135 - 159.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Goodra Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Gligar: 332-392 (99.4 - 117.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Goodra Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Tyrantrum: 268-316 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Goodra Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Whimsicott: 220-260 (84.2 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Goodra Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Whimsicott: 468-552 (179.3 - 211.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[ChrystalFalchion]

Can't post sprites, on my phone.

Goodra @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Careful nature
- Curse
- Outrage
- Rest
- Fire Punch / Sleep Talk

Curse Goodra. With sky high Special Defence and good Attack, Curse Goodra is designed to be a bulky late game wincon. Curse boosts Attack and Defence at the cost of Speed. Outrage is Goodra's only good physical STAB move, but if called via Sleep Talk it won't lock you in. Rest heals Goodra and cures status. Fire punch lets you beat Escavalier and Bronzong, as well as giving you a way to hit Fairy types. Sleep Talk lets you act while asleep. The Defence EVs let you avoid a 2HKO from standard Mega Steelix unboosted. The rest is pored into HP and SpD to improve Special bulk. You could also run 120 Defence EVs with an Impish nature to avoid the 2hko from Band Entei's Stone Edge without boosts, although you have a good chance to be 3HKOd by Mega Blastoise's Ice Beam.

 

[KW]

Goodra @ Expert Belt
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Power Whip
- Fire Punch

This set allows Goodra to suprise push through Mandi, Milo, Zong/Mlix cores

 

[Katy]

Goodra @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower

Z-Draco Meteor to pass the likes of Mega Ampharos, opposing Goodras and Dragalges better without getting the Spatt Drop. Ice Beam is for Mandibuzz and Swellow and Gligar. Sludge Wave is to catch Florges.

 

[zizalith]

Goodra @ Electrium Z
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast

pretty standard goodra set except electrium z allows u to bop milotic/mandibuzz without having to be choice locked, and its resistances + dumb special bulk lets it beat some scarfers like shaymin, salazzle, and delphox. this makes the set really effective vs balancey squads.


excellent submissions this cycle! here are your options for the voting slate:

Jmash's Scarf Goodra

Goodra @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt / Ice Beam

Choice Scarf Goodra serves the purpose of being a revenge killer that the opponent might not expect, which may play in your favor (i.e. +2 Salazzle staying in to try to OHKO with Z-Sludge Wave). It has ample coverage for many of the faster threats running around such as Noivern, Virizion, and +1 Gatr. The given moves provide great coverage, although Ice Beam can be an option over Thunderbolt, but Thunderbolt hits Moltres, notably the SubRoost set.

Smeargle's Assault Vest Goodra

Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Tail / Thunderbolt / Muddy Water / Ice Beam

Not gonna lie, I loved LOVED Assault Vest Goodra in XY. This set was designed so Goodra can hit as hard as it can while being as bulky as possible. Probably a pretty underrated counter to Salazzle, as it survives +2 Acid Downpour and retaliates back with Draco Meteor. This set is pretty simple. Draco Meteor is STAB. Fire Blast hits Steels. Sludge Bomb for Fairies. The last one is up to you. Dragon Tail to phase, Thunderbolt is nice for Milotic, Mega Blastoise, and Mandibuzz, Muddy Water can threaten Salazzle, Gligar, and Entei, and Ice Beam for Gligar, ZyDoge, and Mandibuzz.

nameless90's Z Rain Dance Goodra

Goodra @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Sludge Wave

General idea
Here we have a strange Goodra.
First of all, this dragon runs Hydration instead of Sap Sipper in order to protect its Spe towards paralysis and its bulk form burn and Toxic.
Secondly, it runs a Z-boosted Rain Dance, which gives Goodra a +1 Spe boost only once alongside a Timid nature.
Last, but not least you can now run Thunder that has a nice 30% side effect and Ice Beam (replacing Draco Meteor) in order to have a better coverage than before and to avoid to switch-out after the Spe boost.

ChrystalFalchion's Curse Goodra

Goodra @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Careful nature
- Curse
- Outrage
- Rest
- Fire Punch / Sleep Talk

Curse Goodra. With sky high Special Defence and good Attack, Curse Goodra is designed to be a bulky late game wincon. Curse boosts Attack and Defence at the cost of Speed. Outrage is Goodra's only good physical STAB move, but if called via Sleep Talk it won't lock you in. Rest heals Goodra and cures status. Fire punch lets you beat Escavalier and Bronzong, as well as giving you a way to hit Fairy types. Sleep Talk lets you act while asleep. The Defence EVs let you avoid a 2HKO from standard Mega Steelix unboosted. The rest is pored into HP and SpD to improve Special bulk. You could also run 120 Defence EVs with an Impish nature to avoid the 2hko from Band Entei's Stone Edge without boosts, although you have a good chance to be 3HKOd by Mega Blastoise's Ice Beam.

King Wynaut's SubPunch Goodra

Goodra @ Expert Belt
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Power Whip
- Fire Punch

This set allows Goodra to suprise push through Mandi, Milo, Zong/Mlix cores.

Katy's Dragonium Z Goodra

Goodra @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower

Z-Draco Meteor to pass the likes of Mega Ampharos, opposing Goodras and Dragalges better without getting the Spatt Drop. Ice Beam is for Mandibuzz and Swellow and Gligar. Sludge Wave is to catch Florges.

zizalith's Electrium Z Goodra

Goodra @ Electrium Z
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast

pretty standard goodra set except electrium z allows u to bop milotic/mandibuzz without having to be choice locked, and its resistances + dumb special bulk lets it beat some scarfers like shaymin, salazzle, and delphox. this makes the set really effective vs balancey squads.

my own vote goes for subpunch goodra. remember to vote by monday!

 

[Jmash]

King Wynaut’s SubPunch Goodra

 

[Molk]

Jmash's Scarf Goodra

atomicllamas and i have made multiple teams over the course of this gen where Scarf Goodra fit perfectly, it's a fine scarfmon and it's viable as a situational blanket check to a laundry list of Pokemon on offense/bulky offense due to its combination of a decent speed tier (speed ties with Scarf Gardevoir) and straight up excellent special bulk which lets it switch into things such as Salazzle's Acid Downpour (that other offensive Pokemon wouldn't dream of coming in on) comfortably.

 

[rau]

Scarf GOODra

 

[asa]

scarf goodra

 

[curiosity]

Scarf Gooda

 

[JustoonSmitts]

I'm gonna go with Scarf Goodra.

 

[nameless90]

Smeargle's Assault Vest Goodra

AV may seem redundant, but it emphasises the high special bulk this Dragon has and, if combined with Wish support, this monster is difficult to kill.

 

[ChrystalFalchion]

Dragonium Z Goodra

 

[zizalith]

congrats to Jmash324 for winning cycle 15! your set will be added to the hall of fame. also im extending the cycles to a week cause im too busy lol

cycle 16: toxicroak!
while toxicroak may seem like an unpredictable foe to face due to its wide movepool and a large amount of viable moves it can run, it is only really seen running the standard swords dance set. its great typing and decent stats can allow it to run a variety of sets; what will this cycle's innovators create?

https://pokepast.es/246d9cbeb8199ab1​

 

[JustoonSmitts]

**artwork by me**

Toxicroak @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Vacuum Wave / HP Ice

While unorthodox in RU, Nasty Plot Toxicroak is an underrated set in my book. It's so powerful that it straight up 1HKOs or 2HKO's just about every relevant special wall in RU after one Nasty Plot boost. The only Pokemon in RU that can stomach its STABS is Dragalge, but I haven't seen too many of those running around lately. It's simple to run: boost your Special Attack with Nasty Plot, then proceed to sweep with your moves. Sludge Wave hits every Fairy and Grass-type in RU hard. Focus Blast is your strongest STAB. Boosted by a Z-Crystal, a special All-Out Pummeling is the main draw of this set. Here are some notable calcs:

Important Calcs

- +2 252 SpA Toxicroak All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mandibuzz: 487-574 (114.8 - 135.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery
- +2 252 SpA Toxicroak All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel: 506-596 (139 - 163.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Toxicroak All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Gligar: 222-261 (66.4 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Toxicroak All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 304-358 (89.9 - 105.9%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Toxicroak All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Milotic: 385-454 (97.7 - 115.2%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Toxicroak All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 188 HP / 192+ SpD Snorlax: 662-780 (130.3 - 153.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery

The last move is up to you. Vacuum Wave is preferred for priority, KOing most frail sweepers, but HP Ice is useful for Gligar and Flygon.

 

[roman]

Toxicroak @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Earthquake

decent scarfer that rks a plethora of shit while providing useful immunity / resistances bop

 

[Cirlo]

Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 196 HP / 252 Atk / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Toxic
- Ice Punch

I used this set quite a lot during Entei suspect, being this bulky made it a viable option to check the most offensive water types in the tier, while it can absolutely abuse the most defensive ones that can usually ppstall toxicroak that aren't packing the Z move. Also Adamant Focus Punch hits incredibly hard even without a boosting item like Life orb, making this set very troublesome to switch into when sub is up. Toxic makes it easier to deal with psychic types like Cresselia who otherwise completely walls this set, and also synergize pretty well with substitute.

Hide

252+ Atk Toxicroak Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Milotic: 195-231 (49.4 - 58.6%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Toxicroak Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyukumuku: 141-166 (44.9 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Toxicroak Ice Punch vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gligar: 148-176 (44.4 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Toxicroak Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 188 Def Bronzong: 175-207 (51.7 - 61.2%) -- 94.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Dark Pulse vs. 196 HP / 0 SpD Toxicroak: 104-123 (29.2 - 34.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Golisopod Leech Life vs. 196 HP / 0 Def Toxicroak: 74-87 (20.7 - 24.4%) -- possible 6HKO after Black Sludge recovery

 

[zizalith]

Toxicroak @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Impish Nature
- Spite
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Toxic

defensive toxicroak is actually really cool on stall cause you beat like all fighting types (except medicham obviously) without being as passive as cresselia. ghostium z gives you one time recovery with spite. spite itself isnt that useful most of the time but it can let u win pp wars against other stalls, especially pressure users (moltres/articuno). 56 speed lets u creep goro and bewear. going cressless on stall can let u squeeze in something like aromatisse or espeon u wouldnt be able to fit otherwise.

these are your options for the voting stage:

Smeargle's NP Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Vacuum Wave / HP Ice

While unorthodox in RU, Nasty Plot Toxicroak is an underrated set in my book. It's so powerful that it straight up 1HKOs or 2HKO's just about every relevant special wall in RU after one Nasty Plot boost. The only Pokemon in RU that can stomach its STABS is Dragalge, but I haven't seen too many of those running around lately. It's simple to run: boost your Special Attack with Nasty Plot, then proceed to sweep with your moves. Sludge Wave hits every Fairy and Grass-type in RU hard. Focus Blast is your strongest STAB. Boosted by a Z-Crystal, a special All-Out Pummeling is the main draw of this set. The last move is up to you. Vacuum Wave is preferred for priority, KOing most frail sweepers, but HP Ice is useful for Gligar and Flygon.

roman's Choice Scarf Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Earthquake

decent scarfer that rks a plethora of shit while providing useful immunity / resistances bop

NaCl's SubPunch Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 196 HP / 252 Atk / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Toxic
- Ice Punch

I used this set quite a lot during Entei suspect, being this bulky made it a viable option to check the most offensive water types in the tier, while it can absolutely abuse the most defensive ones that can usually ppstall toxicroak that aren't packing the Z move. Also Adamant Focus Punch hits incredibly hard even without a boosting item like Life orb, making this set very troublesome to switch into when sub is up. Toxic makes it easier to deal with psychic types like Cresselia who otherwise completely walls this set, and also synergize pretty well with substitute.

zizalith's Z Spite Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Impish Nature
- Spite
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Toxic

defensive toxicroak is actually really cool on stall cause you beat like all fighting types (except medicham obviously) without being as passive as cresselia. ghostium z gives you one time recovery with spite. spite itself isnt that useful most of the time but it can let u win pp wars against other stalls, especially pressure users (moltres/articuno). 56 speed lets u creep goro and bewear. going cressless on stall can let u squeeze in something like aromatisse or espeon u wouldnt be able to fit otherwise.

im getting really busy with schoolwork and stuff so id like to announce im looking for another person to co-host this project with me so it isn't dead for a week at a time lol. pm me if ur interested! edit: GustavoYAY is my new co-host! this means we will be going back to 5 day cycles.

my own vote goes to np croak. remember to vote by monday!

 

[roman]

nacl

 

[Jmash]

zizalith

 

[KW]

nacl

 

[nameless90]

Smeargle

 

[Katy]

NaCI

 

[Yay]

Congratulations to NaCl for winning cycle 16! And now that i'm here we'll be able to keep this up at all times! So there goes the subject of this week;

Cycle 17: Decidueye!

Due to the prevalence of Mandibuzz and the competition with other Grass-type options, Decidueye fell out in viability as the tier shifted. Still, it has it's quirks in a STAB trapping option, setup, priority moves, pivoting, recovery and even hazard removal! What can we squeeze out of this bird's pool of options?

http://pokepast.es/c507aaefb4cf060a
dl: 13/06​

 

[nameless90]

Specially Defensive Defog set

Decidueye @ Leftovers
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Defog
- Spirit Shackle
- Rest
- Toxic

Here we have a defensive Decidueye, which is focused on the special side (which is already nice), with Defog to get rid of hazards and the combination Toxic + Spirit Shackle to wear down the opponent. Spirit Shackle is chosen because is a STAB trapping move with good coverage.
Rest + Leftovers allows Decidueye to win attrition games and avoid annoying status.

The EVs spread is focused on the special side of the spectrum because it is the better trait this bird has even though the SpA is totally wasted. Unfortunately I'm not able to fit Light Screen on the movepool in order to use a physically defensive spread because I have to drop something important (maybe Defog, but being another hazards controller this is a niche Decidueye has over Defog Flygon and Gligar).

The defensive side of the spectrum is lacking, so Reflect or WoW support is really appreciated.