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

[Oathkeeper]

Salazzle @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Wave
- Toxic

Check. Despite its bad bulk and pitiful defenses, Lazzle can come in on any of Moth's moves and live them:

252 SpA Frosmoth Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Salazzle: 108-127 (38.9 - 45.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Frosmoth Bug Buzz vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Salazzle: 54-63 (19.4 - 22.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Frosmoth Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Salazzle: 175-207 (63.1 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

and then use the following turn to OHKO the little frosty bug with a 4x effective Fire Blast. What Ice Scales?:

252 SpA Salazzle Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ice Scales Frosmoth: 350-414 (124.5 - 147.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Checks

​

User​	Submission​
Sensei Axew ​	​
Katy ​	​
aVocado ​	​
Mavis ​	​
Oathkeepre ​	​

Counters

​

User​	Submission​
gorex ​	​
413XPlayz ​	​
Datsplashtho ​	​
Expulso ​	​
Loom ​	​

Vote for 2 checks & 2 counters! Voting ends late Sunday

Checks: Ninetales, Steelix
Counters: Copperajah, Coalossal​

 

[Mavis]

T A L E S L A Z Z L E
capper raj, lax

 

[Fusion Flare]

ofc bk chooses the two most dumb mons for their checks

lix and the monkey
capper raj (don't be a kid, be an agent)and also lax

 

[413X]

toge and lix
lax and coal

Note: I also wanna say capper raj

 

[sensei axew]

passi and toge
escav and lax

 

[Katy]

Ninetales, Steelix
Copperajah, Snorlax

 

[MrAldo]

Counters: Copperajah, Snorlax
Checks: Ninetales, Steelix

 

[Seoulite]

Checks: Steelix & Salazzle.
Counters: Copperajah & Escavalier.

 

[Mac3]

lax raj
tales pass

 

[Rarelyme]

Salazzle, Togedemaru
Coalossal, Snorlax

 

[aVocado]

checks: ninetales, toge
counters: agent raj, escav

 

[Expulso]

checks: ninetales, togedemaru
counters: copperajna, coalossal

 

[EviGaro]

Checks: Togedemaru, Salazzle
Counters: Snorlax, Copperajah

 

[Oathkeeper]

Winners

Checks​

User​	Pokemon​	Submission​
Sensei Axew ​	​	Ninetales (7 votes)​
Mavis ​	​	Steelix (6 votes)​
Katy ​	​	Togedemaru (6 votes)​

Counters​

User​	Pokemon​	Submission​
gorex​	​	Copperajah (10 votes)​
Expulso ​	​	Snorlax (9 votes)​

Honorable mentions:

Should Charizard (check) come in before Frosmoth has done any boosting, Ice Scales won't save it from a simple Fire Blast. Cinccino (check) would also have to come in b4 boosts to outspeed and OHKO with Rock Blast. Rapidash (check) following the same pattern by coming in before boots just nails it with STAB Flare Blitz.

Vote counts this week

Checks
Ninetales - 7
Steelix - 6
Togedemaru - 6
Salazzle - 4
Passimian - 3

Counters
Copperajah - 10
Snorlax - 9
Coalossal - 4
Escavalier - 3
Silvally-Steel - 0

Top Assassin Standings

Mavis - 5
Oathkeepre - 4
xerovis - 4
Coton - 3
Katy - 3
Randomnick - 3
Datsplashtho - 2
gorex - 2
Sensei Axew - 2
aVocado - 1
Expulso - 1
HiddenPower23 - 1
MrAldo - 1
Loom - 1
Zneon - 1

ALERT!!! ALERT!!! THIS IS A 2X POINTS WEEK. I REPEAT, WEEK 6 IS A 2X POINTS WEEK!!!! 1st placers get 4 points, 2nd placers get 2 points this week.

Week 6
The mon to kill dead this time is......

Virizion @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Close Combat / Sacred Sword
- Zen Headbutt

Voting will begin on Wednesday, April 29!​

 

[gorex]

Nominating Sneasel as a check

Sneasel @ Choice Band
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Low Kick

while sneasel doesnt take any hits from virizion bar zen headbutt, it is able to outspeed and ohko virizion with icicle crash from full, or with ice shard after defense drop from cc and life orb recoil (if you do not want to risk a miss).

252 Atk Choice Band Sneasel Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 440-518 (136.2 - 160.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sneasel Ice Shard vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 312-368 (96.5 - 113.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

 

[Expulso]

Nominating Raichu-Alola as a check.

Raichu-Alola @ Life Orb
Ability: Surge Surfer
EVS: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Volt Switch
- Grass Knot
- Surf / Focus Blast

[or NP + Psyshock + Thunderbolt + coverage; any Raichu-A set with Psyshock gets the job done]

Raichu-Alola outspeeds Virizion and OHKOs it with Psyshock.
If you want Raichu-Alola to avoid taking chip damage from SR+LO, it can hold an Expert Belt or Twisted Spoon and still OHKO.

252 SpA Life Orb Raichu-Alola Psyshock vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 359-424 (110.8 - 130.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Raichu-Alola Psyshock vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 331-391 (102.1 - 120.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO


Additionally, Raichu-A can switch into anything except for Leaf Blade, comfortably surviving a Close Combat or Zen Headbutt.
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu-Alola: 172-203 (65.9 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu-Alola: 77-90 (29.5 - 34.4%) -- 5.2% chance to 3HKO

 

[Loom]

Nominating Indeedee as a check

->

Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Mystical Fire
- Psyshock​

Choice Scarf Indeedee is able to easily revenge kill Virizion granted Sticky Web isn't up. Psyshock is able to OHKO it 100% of the time.

252 SpA Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def in Psychic Terrain: 384-452 (118.8 - 139.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Sectonia]

reserving salazzle


Salazzle @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Wave
- Toxic

Nominating Salazzle as a Check. Zen Headbutt makes it complicated, but Salazzle can come in on either Leaf Blade or Close Combat, and threaten to ohko Virizon after a round of LO damage.
252 SpA Salazzle Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 258-306 (79.8 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

After a Close Combat, it’s a guaranteed KO even taking out Life Orb damage out of the equation.
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Wave vs. -1 0 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 336-396 (104 - 122.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Sludge Wave is the weaker move here, and it still secures the KO at -1)
Of course, Virizon can KO Salazzle with Zen Headbutt, so Salazzle needs to come in on either Leaf Blade, Close Combat, or get in safely through a slow pivot.

252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Salazzle: 149-177 (53.7 - 63.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
It can only come in once versus Close Combat, though, so I would just get it in safely.

And this all hinges on Virizon not just hitting Sword s Dance on the switch, therefore ridding Salazzle’s chance to threaten out Virizon.

 

[Katy]

Xatu


Xatu @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Defog

counters virizion because it resists both of virizion's stab attacks as well as it resists even virizion's coverage move in zen headbutt.
xatu on the other hand can hit it super effective and can easily 2hko it with psychic. furthermore virizion is getting worn down by xatus item
rocky helmet during the game and when virizion uses close combat it will drop the special defense of it therefore psychic will do more damage output
on virizion. also virizion cant setup infront of xatu and xatu has necessary longevity in roost. all these things combined will make xatu
a really good counter against virizion, since this pkmn is very troublesome for virizion to deal with.

calcs:

Hide

0 SpA Xatu Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 152-180 (47 - 55.7%) -- 69.9% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Xatu Psychic vs. -1 0 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 224-266 (69.3 - 82.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Xatu Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 106-126 (32.8 - 39%) -- 99.5% chance to 3HKO

252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 66-79 (19.7 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 44-52 (13.1 - 15.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 40-47 (11.9 - 14%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 32-39 (9.5 - 11.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 134-159 (40.1 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 88-105 (26.3 - 31.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 79-94 (23.6 - 28.1%) -- 87.1% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 66-79 (19.7 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[alternatecurrent]

nominating Dhelmise as a check.

Dhelmise @ Leftovers
Ability: Steelworker
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Power Whip
- Anchor Shot
- Synthesis

Dhelmise resists or is immune to Virizion's STAB moves, and can 2HKO it comfortably with Anchor Shot.
Furthermore, it is neutral to Virizion's coverage, meaning that it can switch in on an unboosted Zen Headbutt.
Despite this, problems come if Virizion has had its stats boosted - Virizion's +2 Zen Headbutt does well over half, meaning that if Dhelmise comes in on one, or if Viriz SDs on the switch, it is safe to say that the anchor would suffer a quick and timely death.

Calcs

252+ Atk Steelworker Dhelmise Anchor Shot vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 190-224 (58.6 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Zen Headbutt vs. 172 HP / 0 Def Dhelmise: 88-105 (27.1 - 32.4%) -- 63.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 172 HP / 0 Def Dhelmise: 74-88 (22.8 - 27.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Zen Headbutt vs. 172 HP / 0 Def Dhelmise: 177-208 (54.6 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[cyanize]

nominating bulky decid as a counter

tensei jingle (Decidueye) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 36 SpA / 16 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Grass Knot
- Defog
- Hurricane
- Roost

this is my favorite defog decid set rn, it takes on a pretty good selection of mons and dishes out decent damage too thanks to gk nailing all the heavy mons around + invested flying coverage actually getting decent mileage vs stuff. the spa investment always ohkos viriz with hurricane after a round of lo recoil and always 2hkos vileplume. speed is faster than max adamant rhydon, and the rest goes into def to avoid 2hko from raichu-a psyshock, scarf rilla/pass knock (even with no item), always avoid the 2hko from 2 3hit rock blasts from adamant rhydon (and you have a pretty good chance to live 4 + 3hit), and of course always live +2 lo viriz coverage, allowing it to safely come in and remove any sd viriz from anywhere above ~72% hp. roost obviously makes this much easier to manage, and means decid can consistently check viriz through the course of a game.

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 204 Def Decidueye: 220-259 (61.1 - 71.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (bonus points for living crit stone edge 50% of the time too)

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 204 Def Decidueye: 177-208 (49.1 - 57.7%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

36+ SpA Decidueye Hurricane vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 292-344 (90.1 - 106.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[MrAldo]

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

Counter. Try to setup to overpower it, it gets encored. Try to attack by brute force it gets burned and LO stalled until it dies. Virizion has no way of beating it with this set.

The Cash counter was iron defense body press cofagrigus but thats not ranked so...

 

[Oathkeeper]

Aromatisse @ Leftovers
Ability: Aroma Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Wish
- Protect
- Aromatherapy

Counter. Aromatisse can always come in and win the 1v1 since Close Combat and Zen Headbutt are not doing very much and Leaf Blade only has a minuscule chance to 3HKO which means it might as well be a 4HKO and Aromatisse can just WishTect any lost HP:

Virizion attacking calcs

252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Aromatisse: 87-104 (21.4 - 25.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Aromatisse: 133-156 (32.7 - 38.4%) -- 1.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Virizion Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Aromatisse: 79-94 (19.4 - 23.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

And Aroma can 2HKO with STAB Moonblast even w/o investment

Aromatisse attacking calc

0 SpA Aromatisse Moonblast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 164-194 (50.6 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Checks

​

User​	Pokemon​	Submission​
gorex​	​	Sneasel​
Expulso​	​	Raichu-A​
Loom​	​	Indeedee-M​
SectoniaServant​	​	Salazzle​
alternatecurrent​	​	Dhelmise​

Counters

​

User​	Pokemon​	Submission​
Katy​	​	Xatu​
cyanize​	​	Decidueye​
MrAldo​	​	Sableye​
Oathkeepre​	​	Aromatisse​

As usual, vote for 2 checks & 2 counters! Voting will end Sunday most likely.

Checks: Alolachu, Mandeedee
Counters: Xatu, Sableye​

 

[Loom]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[aVocado]

checks: sneasel, raichu-a
counters: sableye, decidueye