Project RU Best Next Thing (Cycle 21: Gardevoir)

[Master Chief]

Bepis is super fun in the RU discord so I gotta do this for him

Espeon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Trick
- Dazzling Gleam/Shadow Ball

Whole Point of this Espeon Set is to trick a scarf to a wall like milotic and mandibuzz and set up in their face in case they make the mistake to not click an attacking move. Espeon's speed tier is still very good without the scarf and gives it the oppurtunity to punish and cripple walls and potentially sweep teams afterwards

 

[KW]

Espeon @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fake Tears
- Psychic
- Grass Knot
- Dazzling Gleam

• Fake Tears
  
  
  Accuracy
  100% PP
  32 Lowers the target's Sp. Def by 2.

Priority: 0 |  Gen: 3 |  ✓ Bounceable |  Z-Effect: Sp. Atk +1 |  Target: One Adjacent Pokémon

+1 252 SpA Espeon Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. -2 252 HP / 220 SpD Steelix-Mega: 329-388 (92.9 - 109.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
+1 252 SpA Espeon Grass Knot (100 BP) vs. -2 252 HP / 0 SpD Milotic: 540-636 (137 - 161.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 SpA Espeon Dazzling Gleam vs. -2 252 HP / 176+ SpD Mandibuzz: 418-492 (98.5 - 116%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[mofro5]

Espeon @ Electrium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Zap Cannon
- Grass Knot

Point is to surprise 2-3 mon cores at once rather than only being able to cripple one the whole battle with Trick. Zap Cannon is literally a Blastoise meme so there's a lower chance of anyone expecting it than even Zap Cannon actually hitting. 190 BP Gigavolt Havoc is quite ridiculous.

Milotic Calcs

+1 252 SpA Espeon Grass Knot (100 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Milotic: 270-318 (68.5 - 80.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Espeon Grass Knot (100 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Milotic: 180-214 (45.6 - 54.3%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Espeon Gigavolt Havoc (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Milotic: 340-402 (86.2 - 102%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Mandi Calcs

252 SpA Espeon Gigavolt Havoc (190 BP) vs. 240 HP / 216+ SpD Mandibuzz: 318-376 (75.5 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+1 252 SpA Espeon Gigavolt Havoc (190 BP) vs. 240 HP / 216+ SpD Mandibuzz: 476-560 (113 - 133%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Steelix Calcs

+1 252 SpA Espeon Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 220 SpD Steelix-Mega: 164-194 (46.3 - 54.8%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Cress Calcs

+4 252 SpA Espeon Gigavolt Havoc (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 400-471 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
+3 252 SpA Espeon Gigavolt Havoc (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 334-393 (75.2 - 88.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(wtf is a cress gonna do to a CM Espeon lol)

Snorlax Calc

+1 252 SpA Espeon Psyshock vs. 188 HP / 128 Def Snorlax: 234-276 (46 - 54.3%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[MultiAmmiratore]

Utility Trick Espeon

Espeon @ Flame Orb/Toxic Orb
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick

This is a small variation of the Choice Specs set, but with the idea to lure some troublesome pokemon (i.e. Milotic, Mandibuzz, Cresselia and Snorlax).
With Magic Bounce you are safe from paralysis (which ruins your good Spe) and from the damage from your own Toxic/Flame Orb.

Magic bounce doesnt prevent damage from burn or poison ò_ò

 

[nameless90]

Magic bounce doesnt prevent damage from burn or poison ò_ò

Sorry, I mixed Magic Bounce with Magic Guard.
Still, I am thinking about a new set.
Double Screen Espeon

Espeon @ Psychium Z
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Light Screen/Dazzling Gleam
- Reflect

Here we have dual screens Espeon, which I think is worth considering now that Psychium Z exists. Not only you cut in half the power of random Knock Offs, but also you have the flexibility to choose three different things depending on what you need:
(1) If you need a strong STAB attack, you can power-up your Psychic;
(2) If you are facing a troublesome physical attacker, you can boost your Def by 1 while putting down Reflect;
(3) The same applies on Light Screen, but on the special side.
With screens support, you are able to attack one or two more times than the usual, thus making Espeon more effective.

 

[roman]

z electric espeon, fuck mandibuzz

 

[aaee]

Z-Electric

 

[Melons-N-Soda]

Z-Electric

 

[HypnoEmpire]

Z-electric

 

[zizalith]

Ninetales is a criminally underused Pokemon in RU right now, and it's not hard to see why; its mediocre stats may make it seem underwhelming and outclassed on paper. However, its access to Drought mitigates this issue and makes it a huge offensive threat to bulkier teams. Its high speed and decent Special Attack can enable it to run several different sets, and it possesses various utility moves, such as Will-o-Wisp and Flame Charge. What can this cycles innovators create?

 

[cyanize]

reserving specs

about you (Ninetales) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock
- Overheat
- Solar Beam
honestly you could probably run flamethrower over psyshock lets be real when are you ever clicking that lol

this set is about as simple as simple gets. click stab moves, kill shit dead. vs offense, you can lead and click overheat because that damn near guarantees 60% on basically anything and kills every rocker cept rhyp/giga which aren't rly offense mons. vs balance click fire blast because it 2hkos neutral sdef mons with frightening consistency, maybe click solar beam once or twice to keep stuff on its toes. psyshock hits drag so you can just fire blast it next time but it barely switches in more than once to fblast w rocks up anyways so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

click the fire button

252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 112+ SpD Cresselia in Sun: 195-231 (43.9 - 52%) -- 72.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 152+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2 in Sun: 160-190 (42.7 - 50.8%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Umbreon in Sun: 177-208 (44.9 - 52.7%) -- 84.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 240 HP / 216+ SpD Mandibuzz in Sun: 226-267 (53.6 - 63.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Florges in Sun: 202-238 (56.1 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Moltres in Sun: 168-198 (43.8 - 51.6%)
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoqueen in Sun: 336-396 (104.6 - 123.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Overheat vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Necrozma in Sun: 382-451 (114 - 134.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Overheat vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Flygon in Sun: 207-245 (68.7 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Overheat vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Aerodactyl in Sun: 220-259 (73 - 86%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock pursuit that lmfao
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Overheat vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Tyrantrum in Sun: 133-156 (43.4 - 50.9%) -- 5.1% chance to 2HKO (this, kingdra, and thick fat lax are like the only offense mons that don't take 50+from overheat lol)
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Overheat vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Moltres in Sun: 198-234 (61.6 - 72.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Overheat vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Feraligatr in Sun: 203-239 (65.2 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Overheat vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Blastoise-Mega in Sun: 153-180 (51.1 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
obviously given that gatr and stoise are taking a good bit over half from overheat, anything with similar bulk that doesn't resist is disappearing.

if you were wondering what clicking the non-fire buttons does:
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Dragalge: 208-246 (62.2 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Milotic: 236-278 (59.8 - 70.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Solar Beam vs. 248 HP / 244 SpD Solid Rock Rhyperior: 489-576 (112.9 - 133%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Solar Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kingdra: 149-176 (51.2 - 60.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Diancie: 202-238 (66.4 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[mofro5]

Ninetales @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Drought
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Solar Beam
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Flamethrower

Ninetales' excellent coverage and speed tier make it an exceptional scarf revenge killer against offensive threats with just minor chip. Furthermore, it's also a very good late game cleaner having both a stronger fire stab and speed tier than Moltres and consequently, many of the other common scarfers in the tier as well (Garde, Rose, Shaymin doing at most 68% with Earth Power if it even runs that anymore).

 

[nameless90]

Double Status Ninetales

Ninetales @ Firium Z
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will o' Wisp
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Toxic

Running Ninetales without Nasty Plot or a boosting item (such as Z-crystals, Choice Specs or LO) is almost pointless because this pokemon has a low SpA, even taking in account the Drought boost.
So, I dropped Nasty Plot and Psyshock in order to run both WoW and Toxic, which pressures a lot many checks putting a timer on them. The former is really good on a fast and "bulkyish" set thanks to burn's side effect that is really helpful to increase Ninetales physical side of the spectrum.
Max HP are here to have higher chances to spread burn and poison, while Fire Blast + Solar Beam are fillers to avoid being Taunt-bait.

 

[roman]

Ninetales @ Firium Z
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Flame Charge

regular ninetales but heavily improves mu vs offensive teams that rely on revenge koing ninetales with choice scarf users such as roserade moltres goodra(^: etc

 

[Katy]

Ninetales @ Grassium Z
Ability: Drought
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Solar Beam
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock

I choose the Bloom Doom set cause it hits quite a good amount of mons in the RU tier, from diancie to milotic to quagsire.
+2 252 SpA Ninetales Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Diancie: 206-244 (67.7 - 80.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Ninetales Bloom Doom (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Diancie: 326-384 (107.2 - 126.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Ninetales Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Quagsire: 540-636 (137 - 161.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Ninetales Bloom Doom (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 120+ SpD Milotic: 410-484 (104 - 122.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery

I think it can break holes into bulkier teams even with bloom doom and allows OHKOs at +2 on mons like specially def diancie and also defensive milotic variants. Hope u guys like it.

 

[KW]

Ninetales @ Life Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Solar Beam
- Fire Blast
- Overheat
- Nasty Plot

Basically the same idea as the specs set, but with a Life Orb so its harder to pivot around you and go to something like Milotic after scouting a Fire Blast with something like Cress and be able to use Nasty Plot. Fire Blast into Overheat generally still takes care of nuking things, and Nasty Plot on pivots is really punishing v. fat squads.

 

[MultiAmmiratore]

Voting for specs because i like brainless things

 

[Katy]

I vote for the Life Orb set!

 

[HypnoEmpire]

Specs

 

[Myosin]

Choice Scarf

 

[Harpp]

Choice specs

 

[nameless90]

Life Orb

 

[zizalith]

the voting stage is up. congrats to cyanize for winning cycle 4! the next slate will be up shortly.

 

[zizalith]

honchkrow is a fearsome wallbreaker in the tier thanks to a high powered stab in brave bird and strong priority. despite its wide movepool, including moves such as nasty plot and perish song, it can be a predictable opponent to face. its up to this cycles innovators to remedy that!

standard set

Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit / Foul Play / Taunt

 

[mofro5]

Honchkrow @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Night Slash
- Tailwind
- Superpower / Sucker Punch

Honchkrow, while powerful, is often prone to having to risk 50/50s against offensive teams or even being checked by anything faster that can take a sucker punch. Tailwind will be a major surprise to those attempting to check krow in such ways as it will outspeed every relevant scarfer besides Salazzle under Tailwind and SSSS gives it a one time nuke to help get the moxie train rolling. If flying stab is not as beneficial in the battle/dark is more beneficial, then Z Tailwind is also usable as it will give Night Slash a 100% crit rate essentially making it a 105 BP dark stab. Obv tailwind is broken for other offensive threats on your team as well.

Making post more aesthetic

252 Atk Honchkrow Supersonic Skystrike (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Feraligatr: 301-355 (96.7 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
Most non flying resistant/physically defensive mons will be easily taken out.

252 Atk Honchkrow Night Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Aerodactyl on a critical hit: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Honchkrow Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Doublade on a critical hit: 158-188 (49 - 58.3%) -- 98% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Honchkrow Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 112+ Def Cresselia on a critical hit: 236-282 (53.1 - 63.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Honchkrow Night Slash vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Bronzong on a critical hit: 296-350 (87.5 - 103.5%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Not bad