Project RU Victim of the Week! Week 16: Arcanine (Sub)

snow

snow

184899

Approved by phantom
168759


Welcome to RU's iteration of Victim of the Week. Hopefully this project will help gather information and spread knowledge of checks and counters to popular Pokemon in the tier.

How it works
Each week I will nominate a Pokemon as VotW. You guys will need to nominate a Pokemon to either check or counter the VotW (make sure to state which in post).
The submission phase will last 5 days and the voting phase will last 2 days each cycle.
The "Hall of Fame" will be a ladder system with the winner getting 3 points each week, 2nd place getting 2, and 3rd place getting 1. Plus your sets will be archived.

Rules
1. Follow the definitions for checks and counters in The Smog issue #32.
2. Please make sure to explain the set. Doesn't need to be long just make sure people know why its a check / counter. Preferably with calcs
3. Reservations only last 12 hours, don't john.
4. Different sets of the same Pokemon can be nominated.
5. Don't be toxic, if someone posts a 'bad' set help them out instead of flaming.
6. Make sure Pokemon is on the VR

​
 

Attachments

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snow

snow

VotW:
// Winners: zizalith - ssunbae - Xiri
VotW:
// Winners: Sickist - Scizorphobic - Jmash324
VotW:
// Winners: Rey Joya - Averardo - Katy
VotW:
// Winners: Jmash324 - ssunbae - MrAldo
VotW:
// Winners: Katy - Scizorphobic - royesk
VotW:
// Winners: Applemoose - Loom - Scizorphobic - Katy
VotW:
// Winners: zizalith - Applemoose - Katy
VotW:
// Winners: insydia
- Katy
- TheFugginKid

VotW:
// Winners: Sickist
- Katy
- insydia

VotW:
// Winners: cyanize
- Rawbi
- Molk

VotW:
// Winners: Kyora
- Katy
- Garance

VotW:
// Winners: Katy
- Hubriz
- eifo


Katy - 15
Scizorphobic - 5
Applemoose - 5
Sickist - 5
insydia - 5
Jmash324 - 4
ssunbae - 4
zizalith - 4
Kyora - 3
cyanize - 3
Rey Joya - 3
Hubriz - 2
eifo - 2
Rawbi - 2
Averardo - 2
Loom - 2
TheFugginKid - 2
Molk - 1
MrAldo - 1
royesk - 1
Xiri - 1
Garance - 1
 
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snow

snow

First RU Victim is...


Blastoise @ Blastoisinite
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Dark Pulse
- Aura Sphere
- Ice Beam

RU's best spinner and all around tier bully needs to be stopped!
Tell me some ways to Check or Counter this Pokemon!

[Submission phase ends Wednesday 10th April]​
 
Loom

Loom


->

Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252
/ 4
/ 252

Timid Nature
IVs: 0

Substitute

Calm Mind

Hidden Power [Ice]

Thunderbolt


Pretty self-explanatory here, Raikou is able to beat M-Toise with its Electric STAB in Thunderbolt. Toise can deal decent damage with all of its moves so being behind a sub w a CM under your belt is ideal.
252 SpA Mega Launcher
168937
Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
168938
: 134-158 (41.7 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA
Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
: 240-284 (80.2 - 94.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO



​
 
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MaroGod

MaroGod

https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/machamp.gif

Machamp @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Atk / 56 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Thunder Punch
- Bullet Punch

Machamp is a solid offensive Check to Mega-Blastoise due to the Assault Vest item granting it 1.5x SpD allowing it to tank all of Mstoises move options and returning with a 2HKO from Thunder Punch (or Thunder Punch+Close Combat if you are paranoid)
200+ Atk Machamp Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Blastoise-Mega: 148-176 (49.4 - 58.8%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Machamp: 113-134 (29.4 - 34.8%) -- 11.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ SpA Blastoise-Mega Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Machamp: 85-101 (22.1 - 26.3%) -- 8.4% chance to 4HKO (just dont get frozen)

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Machamp: 56-67 (14.5 - 17.4%) -- possible 6HKO (Don't get flinched 5 times)
 
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Xiri

Xiri

Solar Vision of Life
is a Tiering Contributoris a Past SCL Championis a Three-Time Former Smogon Metagame Tournament Circuit Champion
RBTT Champion
168765

Florges @ Leftovers
Ability: Symbiosis
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Psychic/Heal Bell
- Synthesis
- Wish

Probably one of the best counters to Mega Blastoise. Eats any hit and can recover HP with Synthesis (not that it really needs to lol)

252 SpA Blastoise-Mega Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Florges: 70-83 (19.4 - 23.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Yay

Yay

is a Smogon Media Contributor

Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 240 HP / 96 Def / 156 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Freeze-Dry
- Roost
- Protect

Articuno can switch into Blastoise for days (even into rocks if full), and take it out comfortably with Freeze-Dry. It also doubles as a check to many special attackers and Ice STAB is generally very dangerous.

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Dark Pulse vs. 240 HP / 156+ SpD Articuno: 98-116 (25.7 - 30.4%) -- 1.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Articuno Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 128-152 (42.8 - 50.8%) -- 1.6% chance to 2HKO
 

MeeMoon78

Banned deucer.
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Toxic
- Recover
- Ice Beam / Foul Play

Porygon2 has amazing defenses and pretty good hp it has to be the best or one of the best eviolite holders in RU. It manages to easily toxic stall pokemon to the ground. It can hit psychical attackers hard with foul play. An aura sphere from a Modest Mega Blastoise only deals 39-46%. Porygon can easily toxic blastoise chip away with discharge or spam recover.

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 146-174 (39 - 46.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2 on a critical hit: 220-260 (58.8 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Porygon2 Discharge vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 108-128 (33.2 - 39.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Porygon2 Discharge vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 160-190 (49.2 - 58.4%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
 
Chicos

Chicos

Hitmonlee @ Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Earthquake
- Close Combat
- Knock Off

Hitmonlee can't bee okho by blastoise (WATER SPOUT DOESN'T EXIST OK). And he can okho him, it's a nice SI but you can SI only once time per match
252 Atk Choice Band Reckless Hitmonlee High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Blastoise-Mega: 307-363 (102.6 - 121.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hitmonlee: 136-161 (56.4 - 66.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Water Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hitmonlee: 153-181 (63.4 - 75.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
snow

snow

Chicos said:
Hitmonlee @ Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Earthquake
- Close Combat
- Knock Off

Hitmonlee can't bee okho by blastoise (WATER SPOUT DOESN'T EXIST OK). And he can okho him, it's a nice SI but you can SI only once time per match
252 Atk Choice Band Reckless Hitmonlee High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Blastoise-Mega: 307-363 (102.6 - 121.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hitmonlee: 136-161 (56.4 - 66.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Water Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hitmonlee: 153-181 (63.4 - 75.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Click to expand...
Hitmonlee is not on the VR sorry bud.
 
zizalith

zizalith

is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
hitmonlee is honestly a pretty alright mon even if its not on the vr but this isnt my project so:mehowth:. id only ever run it for spin though

Raikou @ Assault Vest
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 88 HP / 144 SpA / 24 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Extrasensory
- Hidden Power [Ice] / [Grass]
- Volt Switch

av kou is a solid counter to stoise and pivots on basically most flying/water/special mons so it isnt like specifically just for stoise. anyways the evs ensure it avoids the 3hko from dpulse so it can actually switch into it multiple times unlike other raikou sets
 
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ponponyo

ponponyo

formerly ssunbae
specs goodra as a check

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

its huge special defense stat makes it act as an okay switch-in, surviving ice beam. it outspeeds and threatens to ohko with thunder or with draco meteor after some chip


252 SpA Choice Specs Goodra Thunder vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 284-336 (94.9 - 112.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Goodra Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 252-297 (84.2 - 99.3%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Goodra: 95-112 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 11.3% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Blastoise-Mega Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Goodra: 142-168 (44.2 - 52.3%) -- 15.6% chance to 2HKO
 
snow

snow

Voting has begun for Week 1's Victim: Blastoise!

Checks


->

Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252
/ 4
/ 252

Timid Nature
IVs: 0

Substitute

Calm Mind

Hidden Power [Ice]

Thunderbolt


Pretty self-explanatory here, Raikou is able to beat M-Toise with its Electric STAB in Thunderbolt. Toise can deal decent damage with all of its moves so being behind a sub w a CM under your belt is ideal.
252 SpA Mega Launcher View attachment 168937 Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD View attachment 168938: 134-158 (41.7 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA
Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
: 240-284 (80.2 - 94.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO



​

https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/machamp.gif

Machamp @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Atk / 56 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Thunder Punch
- Bullet Punch

Machamp is a solid offensive Check to Mega-Blastoise due to the Assault Vest item granting it 1.5x SpD allowing it to tank all of Mstoises move options and returning with a 2HKO from Thunder Punch (or Thunder Punch+Close Combat if you are paranoid)
200+ Atk Machamp Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Blastoise-Mega: 148-176 (49.4 - 58.8%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Machamp: 113-134 (29.4 - 34.8%) -- 11.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ SpA Blastoise-Mega Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Machamp: 85-101 (22.1 - 26.3%) -- 8.4% chance to 4HKO (just dont get frozen)

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Machamp: 56-67 (14.5 - 17.4%) -- possible 6HKO (Don't get flinched 5 times)

hitmonlee is honestly a pretty alright mon even if its not on the vr but this isnt my project so:mehowth:. id only ever run it for spin though

Raikou @ Assault Vest
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 88 HP / 144 SpA / 24 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Extrasensory
- Hidden Power [Ice] / [Grass]
- Volt Switch

av kou is a solid counter to stoise and pivots on basically most flying/water/special mons so it isnt like specifically just for stoise. anyways the evs ensure it avoids the 3hko from dpulse so it can actually switch into it multiple times unlike other raikou sets

specs goodra as a check

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

its huge special defense stat makes it act as an okay switch-in, surviving ice beam. it outspeeds and threatens to ohko with thunder or with draco meteor after some chip


252 SpA Choice Specs Goodra Thunder vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 284-336 (94.9 - 112.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Goodra Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 252-297 (84.2 - 99.3%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Goodra: 95-112 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 11.3% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Blastoise-Mega Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Goodra: 142-168 (44.2 - 52.3%) -- 15.6% chance to 2HKO


Counters

View attachment 168765
Florges @ Leftovers
Ability: Symbiosis
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Psychic/Heal Bell
- Synthesis
- Wish

Probably one of the best counters to Mega Blastoise. Eats any hit and can recover HP with Synthesis (not that it really needs to lol)

252 SpA Blastoise-Mega Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Florges: 70-83 (19.4 - 23.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery


Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 240 HP / 96 Def / 156 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Freeze-Dry
- Roost
- Protect

Articuno can switch into Blastoise for days (even into rocks if full), and take it out comfortably with Freeze-Dry. It also doubles as a check to many special attackers and Ice STAB is generally very dangerous.

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Dark Pulse vs. 240 HP / 156+ SpD Articuno: 98-116 (25.7 - 30.4%) -- 1.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Articuno Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 128-152 (42.8 - 50.8%) -- 1.6% chance to 2HKO

Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Toxic
- Recover
- Ice Beam / Foul Play

Porygon2 has amazing defenses and pretty good hp it has to be the best or one of the best eviolite holders in RU. It manages to easily toxic stall pokemon to the ground. It can hit psychical attackers hard with foul play. An aura sphere from a Modest Mega Blastoise only deals 39-46%. Porygon can easily toxic blastoise chip away with discharge or spam recover.

252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 146-174 (39 - 46.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Blastoise-Mega Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2 on a critical hit: 220-260 (58.8 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Porygon2 Discharge vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 108-128 (33.2 - 39.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Porygon2 Discharge vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 160-190 (49.2 - 58.4%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO


Voting Rules!
Your vote should include 3 different sets ranking from 1 (best) and 3 (worst).
I will demonstrate by voting myself.
1. Xiri (counter)
2. Ssunbae (check)
3. zizalith (check)

Shoutouts to everyone that posted a set! Xiri although going for the obvious choice has by far the best counter to Blastoise in the tier where as Ssunbae and zizalith have some really cool checks to help deal with it.

Voting ends April 12th
 
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Pepeduce

Pepeduce

PepeDuce, le seul, l'unique ! #SGZ
is a Tiering Contributoris a Past SCL Champion
I don't get why we refuse hitmonlee even in viability, I believe I made a post about it. Even Gallade I think he deserves to be there, there is so many things unexplored to handle these Toise MU.
1) my hitmonlee
1) Xiri
2) MeeMoon78
3) zizalith
 
snow

snow

Congratulations to zizalith for winning this weeks VotW with his Assault Vest Raikou submission. ssunbae and Xiri came in second and third respectively for their sets this week. Hall of Fame entries and Leaderboards have been updated here.

Moving on to the second VotW we have...


Sceptile @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Earthquake
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast

More than likely will be RU's newest member, the currently suspected Mega Sceptile has the Speed and Special Attack to be a force in the tier. Lets find a few ways of beating it.

[Submission phase ends Wednesday 17th April]​
 

Katy

Banned deucer.
Reserving Florges
Florges.png
Florges @ Leftovers
Ability: Flower Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Moonblast
- Synthesis
- Heal Bell

Florges is an excellent check to Mega-Sceptile because it is able to come in on pretty much every move it dishes out and it is also immune to Mega-Sceptiles Stab in Dragon Pulse.
Focus Blast and Earthquake won't do too much either as the former is resisted and the latter does only 30% max.
Leaf Storm does 52% max roll but after it, Mega-Sceptiles SpAtt drops by two stages, so Florges is able to heal itself up with Synthesis.
Due to the mentioned move in Synthesis Florges can come in multiple times into Sceptile-Mega and can keep it at bay consistently.
Calcs:
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Florges: 159-187 (44.1 - 51.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Florges: 48-57 (13.3 - 15.8%) -- possibly the worst move ever
4 Atk Sceptile-Mega Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 120 Def Florges: 91-108 (25.2 - 30%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Florges: 159-187 (44.1 - 51.9%) -- 75% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
into
-2 252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Florges: 79-94 (21.9 - 26.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Florges Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sceptile-Mega: 258-306 (91.8 - 108.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
 
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tondas

tondas

Life of the party
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Golisopod @ Insect Plate
Ability: Emergency Exit
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- Leech Life
- Liquidation
- Spikes

cool check since you click first impression and ohko or set spikes upon a forced switch. protect sceptile or bust
 

MeeMoon78

Banned deucer.
Araquanid @ Splash Plate
Ability: Water Bubble
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Leech Life
- Liquidation
- Spider Web
- Toxic
Araquanid can easily leave a leaf storm from Sceptile-Mega.
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Araquanid: 181-214 (53.2 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Spider Web allows it to trap Mega Sceptile in.
Even if Araquanid gets low it can KO or get Sceptile low with leech life and heal back hp.
252+ Atk Araquanid Leech Life vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Sceptile-Mega: 270-320 (96 - 113.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

Sceptile's other moves barely hurt Araquanid.
4 Atk Sceptile-Mega Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Araquanid: 42-50 (12.3 - 14.7%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Dragon Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Araquanid: 118-141 (34.7 - 41.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Araquanid: 56-66 (16.4 - 19.4%) -- possible 6HKO
 
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