Project SS RU Victim of the Week: Week 31 - NP Alolatales

[Expulso]

Nominating SpDef Togedemaru as a counter.


Togedemaru @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 192 HP / 12 Atk / 252 SpD / 52 Spe
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Spiky Shield
- Nuzzle
- U-Turn / Iron Head

Despite its pitiful base 65/63/73 bulk, Togedemaru is one of the few mons in RU with access to Wish, making it a counter to Scarf Indeedee that has access to reliable recovery (which seems to be rare!).

52 Speed EVs (241 Speed) chosen because idk what you'd want to outspeed beyond the 238 speed of paralyzed Scarf Indeedee, the 239 Speed of Modest Mantine, and the 240 Speed of Jolly Bewear. 12 Attack chosen to 2HKO Indeedee with Iron Head if you get Tricked a Scarf (so not relevant to this example, I guess, but it's just 12 EVs).

252 SpA Indeedee Mystical Fire vs. 192 HP / 252+ SpD Togedemaru: 124-148 (38.8 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

other calcs

252 SpA Indeedee Psyshock vs. 192 HP / 0 Def Togedemaru in Psychic Terrain: 107-126 (33.5 - 39.4%) -- 25.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Indeedee Psychic vs. 192 HP / 252+ SpD Togedemaru in Psychic Terrain: 72-85 (22.5 - 26.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Indeedee Dazzling Gleam vs. 192 HP / 252+ SpD Togedemaru: 33-39 (10.3 - 12.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever

Nothing 2HKOs you, and you Wish-Protect to yourself, paralyze Indeedee, and then KO with 2 more Nuzzles and U-Turn or 2 Iron Heads.

U-Turn is better than Iron Head generally for momentum, but Iron Head checks Indeedee better since you can 2HKO (which is more useful if you get Tricked a Scarf. If running Iron Head, you can 2HKO Indeedee with Iron Head after Trick instead of U-Turning out or paralyzing Indeedee and needing to switch after).
12 Atk Togedemaru Nuzzle vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Indeedee: 36-43 (13.7 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
12 Atk Togedemaru Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Indeedee: 139-165 (53.2 - 63.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Even if you get crit on the first Mystical Fire, you can Protect to get two turns of Leftovers recovery and then you will be more likely than not to live the second one if hazards are not up and have about a 1/3 shot is hazards are up (Crit + non-crit + 2 turns Lefties = 85.2-103.3). If you get crit twice, complain about hax and forfeit :/

252 SpA Indeedee Mystical Fire vs. 192 HP / 252+ SpD Togedemaru on a critical hit: 188-222 (58.9 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
58.9 - 12.5 + 38.8 = 85.2
69.5 - 12.5 + 46.3 = 103.3

Indeedee will also be reluctant to trick Togedemaru, initially assuming that Togedemaru is running the more common Scarf set.

If Indeedee does trick Toge on the switch, however, Toge is faster and 2HKOs with Iron Head while not being 2HKOd back.
12 Atk Togedemaru Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Indeedee: 136-162 (52.1 - 62%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (0 Atk has a 0.7% to live thanks to the Lefties you give it)
252 SpA Indeedee Mystical Fire vs. 192 HP / 252+ SpD Togedemaru: 124-148 (38.8 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Enjoy!
Final word of advice: this might provide better team support if you run 252 HP and 192+ SpDef to pass bigger Wishes. I don't want to redo all these calcs, but it would still avoid 2HKO. Crits may then be annoying, though.

 

[Oathkeeper]

Escavalier @ Choice Band
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Megahorn
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Close Combat

Check. Cannot come in on Mystical Fire of course. You can try to get in on either Psychic move or Gleam if you're feeling lucky, but it's best to have it come in safely and just click Knock Off for a OHKO:

252+ Atk Choice Band Escavalier Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Indeedee: 578-680 (221.4 - 260.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Checks​

User​	Pokemon​	Set​
Datsplashtho ​	​	Barraskewda​
Katy​	​	Steelix​
daunt vs ​	​	Xatu​
f is for frens ​	​	Runerigus​
Coton​	​	Scrafty​
Ghostmanz​	​	Orbeetle​
Oathkeepre ​	​	Escavalier​

Counters​

User​	Pokemon​	Set​
Randomnick ​	​	Copperajah​
bkdrew ​	​	Silvally-Steel​
xerovis​	​	Snorlax​
Expulso​	​	Togedemaru​

Vote for 2 checks AND 2 counters. Voting ends Saturday!

Checks: Steelix, Scrafty
Counters: Copperajah, Snorlax
​

 

[Katy]

escavalier, runerigus
togedemaru, steelvally

 

[HiddenPower23]

Check: Scrafty and Escavalier
Counter: Silvally-Steel and Snorlax

 

[sensei axew]

Check: Xatu, Scrafty
Counter: Snorlax, Copperajah

 

[Pro_Hybrid]

Check: Scrafty, Steelix
Counter: Copperajah, Snorlax

 

[Coton]

Checks : Escavalier, Steelix
Counters : Snorlax, Silvally

 

[Ghostmanz]

Checks: Scrafty. Runerigus
Counters: Snorlax, Steelvally

 

[Zach Parrott]

Checks: Steelix, Scrafty
Counters: Silvally-Steel, Togedemaru

 

[xerovis]

Checks: Orbeetle and Scrafty
Counters: Togedemaru and Copperajah

 

[Gilme]

checks: Xatu / Steelix.
counters: Copperajah / Snorlax.

 

[daunt vs]

Checks: Steelix, Scrafty
Counters: Copperajah/Snorlax

 

[Expulso]

Checks: Xatu, Runerigus
Counters: Copperajah, Snorlax

 

[gorex]

steelix / scrafty
copperajah / snorlax

 

[Fusion Flare]

scrafty / escav
toge / rajah

 

[Natan]

Checks: Scrafty, Steelix
Counters: Togedemaru, Snorlax

 

[Oathkeeper]

Winners


Checks​

User​	Pokemon​	Set​
Coton ​	​	Scrafty (11 votes)​
Katy ​	​	Steelix (8 votes)​

Counters​

User​	Pokemon​	Set​
xerovis ​	​	Snorlax (11 votes)​
Randomnick ​	​	Copperajah (9 votes)​

Great submissions from all you once again. This is going to be a fun project for weeks to come in our Gen 8 meta. Indeedee sure doesn't have a lot of answers but these certainly do work. Good job to all of you!

Honorable mentions:

Silvally-Dark (check) can take a chance and come in on either psychic move or Mystical Fire and then OHKO with Multi-Attack the following turn. Sawk (check), whether it be Band or Scarf combined with Sturdy can OHKO with Knock Off upon getting and living its hit. Sneasel (check), as with Silvally-Dark, can try its luck with either psychic move but is hesitant to try it given Mystical Fire is there. It does OHKO with Knock Off, however.

Vote counts this week

Checks
Scrafty - 11
Steelix - 8
Escavalier - 4
Xatu - 3
Runerigus - 3
Orbeetle - 1
Barraskewda - 0

Counters
Snorlax - 11
Copperajah - 9
Silvally-Steel - 5
Togedemaru - 5

Top Assassin Standings

Coton - 3
bkdrew - 2
Oathkeepre - 2
xerovis - 2
f is for frens - 1
HiddenPower23 - 1
Katy - 1
Randomnick - 1

Week 3
The victim to kill dead this time is.....

Bewear @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Fluffy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Double-Edge
- Close Combat
- Darkest Lariat

Voting begins Wednesday, April 1!​

 

[Mavis]

reserving sableye


Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Encore
- Recover

The textbook definition of a hard counter, Sableye is the only Pokemon in the tier that can switch into Bewear from full health and then proceed to force it out, or beat it in a one on one situation every single time (provided Will-O-Wisp doesn't miss, or a critical hit, of course.) Sableye can take a +2 Darkest Lariat from Adamant Bewear, and then burn it and proceed to live the follow-up Darkest Lariat guaranteed due to Leftovers recovery. If Sableye switches in on the Swords Dance, it can simply Encore Bewear and then burn it, locking Bewear into continuous Swords Dances. Without substantial prior chip damage or entry hazard support, Sableye will beat Bewear every single time, no exceptions.

+2 252+ Atk Bewear Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 171-202 (56.2 - 66.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk burned Bewear Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 85-101 (27.9 - 33.2%) -- 84.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[MrAldo]

Rotom @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball

Check. If we consider the possibility of lum, this is a mon that is very hard to check if you dont outspeed it. Rotom is one of the few mons available that can proceed to outspeed it and switch into 2 of its stabs. Prediction reliant since if the opponent gets the darkest lariat right you are screwed but ideally you switch into cc/double-edge, nasty plot and kill it back 100% after rocks.

+2 252 SpA Rotom Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Bewear: 358-423 (93.9 - 111%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[aVocado]

Charizard @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Solar Power
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Defog
- Roost
- Toxic

Check. Charizard's typing allows it to resist close combat which is the move bewear's most likely to use. It's faster and Fire Blast OHKOs while Roost can heal up throughout the game. It surprised me how decent it was at checking bewear honestly but from my brief experience it seems like a good option

That being said, silk scarf double edge does a fuckton:

252 Atk Silk Scarf Bewear Double-Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Charizard: 280-331 (94.2 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

You could run max HP but I personally prefer a bit of a punch.

 

[Katy]

reserving haunter


Haunter @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick

is a check as it can come in on both of its stab-options in double-edge and close combat
but it has to be wary about a darkest lariat but in overall it is a decent check because its immune to both of bewears
stab-attacks and can retaliate with a sludge wave or darrling gleam - it can also trick the item to bewear to make it less
effectful in the rest of the game.

calcs:

Hide

252 SpA Choice Specs Haunter Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Bewear: 322-381 (84.5 - 100%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Haunter Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Bewear: 362-428 (95 - 112.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Bewear Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haunter: 338-398 (146.3 - 172.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[xerovis]

Indeedee (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Mystical Fire
- Psyshock



Nominating Indeedee as a check. Checks don't need to switch in and only need to be able to kill on a free entry as per the Smog definition. As such last week's victim can become this week's assassin.

Indeedee can revenge kill with ease with psychic:

Calc

252 SpA Indeedee Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Bewear in Psychic Terrain: 498-588 (130.7 - 154.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

We established that Indeedee is tough to counter last week, and so bar a few mons like snorlax or dark type switch in, whoever comes in in place of bewear will be taking some damage.

 

[LBN]

Nominating runerigus as a Check.

Runerigus @ Leftovers
Ability: Wandering Spirit
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Body Press
- Will-O-Wisp
- Trick Room/Earthquake/Toxic Spikes

With the way the metagame is, while i think runerigus is fuckin dick, it is still a solid bewear counter. If it comes in on an SD, it'll take +2 darkest lariat with relative ease, and either will-o-wisping to cripple for life unless they have a aromatherapy mon, or body press for huge damage, as wandering spirit snags their fluffy for yourself, and then it becomes a roll in your favor to live if you body press from fluffy, albeit questionably a coin flip.

Calcs

+2 252 Atk Bewear Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Runerigus: 200-236 (62.5 - 73.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Bewear Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Fluffy Runerigus: 100-118 (31.2 - 36.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Def Runerigus Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Bewear: 248-294 (65 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Obviously runerigus is warranted to being knocked off, so it appreciates partners who can switch in to the mons who click knock off aswell, like silvally-fairy, and aromatisse, silvally being able to sponge knock and keep up offensive pressure against passimian and be less passive, and aromatisse provides wish support and aromatherapy.

 

[Loom]

Nominating Salazzle as a CHECK

->

Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Wave
- Toxic​

Fluffy: Halves the damage taken from moves that make direct contact, but doubles that of Fire-type moves.

252 SpAFire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Fluffy:486-573 (127.5 - 150.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Fusion Flare]

hey


fluffy basically makes fire blast super effective. Check. Faster? Check. Even better now that Gigalith is gone? Check.

Ninetales @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Toxic