Resource SM NU Good Cores Thread MK.2

[Rabia]

Approved by rozes
Banner made by blazenix
thread stolen from yogi

​

Welcome to the NU Good Cores thread, where you can post, discuss, and debate about an essential part of teambuilding: Cores, and the synergy between certain Pokemon.

Effective cores are very important in competitive Pokemon, and any good player uses them, intentionally or not. Defensive cores rely on covering a lot of attacking types and common threats within the core, while also offering team support, so that the core is useful even when walled. On the other hand, offensive cores still like having the common attacking types covered between its members, but offensive synergy is most important. Be it one member of the core attracting Pokemon that another member can easily switch into and force out, one member luring and weakening the checks and counters of another, or one member being able to beat the Pokemon that the other can't, those are the characteristics that are wanted from a good offensive core. Finally, there are mixed or balanced cores, as well as support and pivoting cores, which blend in into offensive and defensive cores. Support or pivoting elements in cores aim to either provide easier switch-in and set up chances to offensive Pokemon, or help to wall and stall out the opponent in the case of defensive cores.

The point of the project is to help teambuilders, newcomers, and other battlers to assist them in helping building their teams. Therefore, please don't post bad examples. Post cores that truly work and be ready to defend why. For example, Sneasel + Venusaur is a good offensive core because they break down each other's counters so that the other one can sweep. However, Rhydon + Piloswine is not such a good defensive core because their roles overlap and they stack weaknesses with one another. If you wish to post a core, please make sure to explain how each member of the core works to help each other out. There has to be a reason why the Pokemon is there and not simply tacking on two random Pokemon!

Example

Camerupt-Mega @ Cameruptite
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Toxic

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

Pretty solid offensive core that I've been liking a lot lately featuring one of the drops and the most recent suspect. Mega Camerupt's a fairly dangerous wallbreaker in the tier, though dealing with stuff like Assault Vest Slowking, Altaria (though you do have HP Ice, another way of dealing with it frees up the moveslot a bit), and Type: Null can prove annoying for it. Luckily, Sneasel threatens all three of them, as it can potentially remove Slowking with Pursuit, OHKO Altaria with Icicle Crash, and turn the 3HKO on Type: Null with Fire Blast into a 2HKO by removing its Eviolite with Knock Off. Mega Camerupt's ability to plow through physically bulky Pokemon like Slowbro, Steelix, Diancie, and Blastoise as well as check certain threats to Sneasel like Choice Scarf Delphox gives Sneasel a much easier time cleaning up late-game.

Let's go! I'll be picking out the ones I like and archiving it here. When posting cores, please provide an explaination of why the core works, an importable, a replay is recommended (not needed), and preferably sprites, which can be retrieved here. Note: I reserve the right to make minor changes to cores posted if I feel like they improve the core.

Core Archive:

Offensive Cores

Balance Cores

Defensive Cores

Utility Cores

 

[Rabia]

reserved

 

[TheOhaiGuy]

Comfey @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Triage
EVs: 236 HP / 252 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draining Kiss
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
- Synthesis

Probopass @ Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 144 HP / 252 SpA / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Magnet Rise
- Stealth Rock
- Power Gem/Flash Cannon

Golbat @ Eviolite
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 240 HP / 92 Def / 176 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Brave Bird
- Super Fang

Really simple core based on getting Comfey to sweep. Probopass traps Steelix (HP Fire 3HKOs), Ferroseed(Earth Power missed this), and is a soft flying(hence Power Gem) and normal type switch in. Power Gem also helps deal with Fire types, like Delphox and Houndoom, thanks to its natural SDef. It also always comes in on Diancie if balloon is in tact and Flash Cannon would OHKO, but Diancie is easily whittle-able with other team mates. Speed is to creep base 50s and below. Speedy Golbat deals with Medicham and Passimian(if they come in on Probo) while still beating poison types like Vileplume and Garbodor(watch for Stomping Tantrum). Comfey does a lot as a win condition, especially with Steels limited and or chipped by hazards. Taunt helps it beat slower mons like Slowbro, Palossand, Gastrodon, basically slow mons with Toxic. Taunt also helps with Golbat, preventing it from recovering allowing set up with some chip.

 

[Plas]

Passimian+Guzzlord

Passimian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Iron Head

Guzzlord @ Choice Specs
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 196 SpD / 60 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Heavy Slam

Pretty simple offensive core. Passimian is arguably the best scarfer in the tier with utility in knock off and u-turn along with a strong close combat and coverage in iron head/EQ to hit whimsicott/diancie or toxicroak. The main benefit is its switch ins are so insanely obvious (bulky psychics, poisons, colbur rotom) that you can u-turn on them and take advantage with the heavy hitter of choice Guzzlord in this example. Specs Guzzlord while slow is one of the heaviest hitters in the tier with solid defensive utility as well and getting it in via momentum like u-turn alleviates the speed issue it has.

Sand

Gigalith @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Toxic
- Superpower

Stoutland @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Rush
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Frustration
- Superpower
- Pursuit
- Crunch

Sandslash @ Groundium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off

Sand. You know it. You likely either spam it, hate it or both. Banded Stoutland has extremely limited switch ins. Anything that isn't immune or doesn't resist is likely getting 2hkoed by return. It's a ridiculously good late game cleaner after something like Sandslash breaks through your team. Sandslash is the other sand abuser here and is just as ridiculous. If this gets an SD up and you have no way to stall sand the game is very likely over. With EdgeQuake coverage and a z move that can ohko slowbro at +2 this thing is also insanely threatening. Gigalith simply sets rocks and sand for the other 2 while providing a defensive backbone

 

[lhce628]

Type: Null @ Eviolite
Ability: Battle Armor
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 HP / 244 SpD / 12 Spe
Careful Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sleep Talk/Iron Defence
- Frustration
- Rest

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

mono actacking type null cannot touch ghost types. sneasel traps it wth pursuit. ease

 

[fanyfan]

Defensive Core

+

Slowbro @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Slack Off
- Toxic

Silvally-Steel @ Steel Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Spe
- Defog
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
- Parting Shot

These two work really nicely as a defensive core. Slowbro beats almost every physical attacker while steelvally beats a lot of the special attackers. Slowbro provides a fighting+fire+ground check for steelvally while steelvally provides a grass+blanket special attacker check for bro while also providing Defog and pivot support. Dark types like guzzlord and Incineroar can be threatening so something like diancie works well with these two.

Balance Core

+

Blastoise @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin
- Refresh

Incineroar @ Incinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Darkest Lariat
- Earthquake
- Flare Blitz

These two work quite well together as they each help patch up a big shortcoming of the other. Incineroar’s biggest shortcoming is it’s rocks weakness and blastoise provides one of the best hazard removers in the tier while blastoise has limited offensive presence while Incineroar is insanely good at applying offensive pressure. They also provide a check for a weakness of each other with Incineroar checking grass types and blastoise checking ground and water types. Electric and fighting checks go well with this core to patch up its weaknesses.

 

[yogi]

On holiday right now but since drops have happened I'll update this ASAP!

 

[Yoshi]

+
Here's one of my favorite offensive cores, Heliolisk + Sneasel. The idea is to Volt Switch on Heliolisk's immediate switch-ins, Dhelmise and Decidueye, and trap them with Sneasel. This also works on the Ghost-types that might potentially want to come in as well on a potential Hyper Voice, such as Mismagius. Heliolisk also happens to cover Slowbro and Steelix (if the Sturdy is broken), which are two Pokémon that Sneasel doesn't like. Sneasel also deals with Palossand if it's not in range of a Surf from Heliolisk, or if you're running Thunderbolt instead. You can click on the sprites to get some sets.

+
Here is another offensive core (perhaps a utility core) with Heliolisk, this time using the idea of VoltTurn. VoltTurn is something that I feel is kind of underrated right now, especially when we have the newer strong Pokemon Decidueye and Dhelmise. For those who don't know, the goal of VoltTurn is to pivot around the opposing team, getting off large amounts of chip each time. You could also pivot into a powerful Pokemon, such as the aforementioned ones, and deal heavy damage to the opposing team. My favorite one to use has been Choice Band Dhelmise, which, with the support of VoltTurn, gets it in without taking damage, and allows you to just KO something with Power Whip, Anchor Shot, or Earthquake.

+
Finally, I have this balance core, which a lot of people wouldn't think of as a core. It consists of the two S-rank Pokémon themselves, Incineroar and Slowbro. What makes this so great is that they cover each other's weaknesses so well. Slowbro covers the Fighting-type weakness for Incineroar, and Incineroar covers the Ghost-type weakness for Slowbro. One thing that is a bit troublesome for this core though are Electric-types. Heliolisk mainly just clicks Volt Switch on this core, so it would be wise to pair it with a Ground-type such as Steelix or Rhydon.

 

[Punchshroom]

Dead thread revival

+

Dhelmise @ Choice Band / Groundium Z / Steelium Z
Ability: Steelworker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Power Whip
- Anchor Shot
- Earthquake
- Knock Off

Comfey @ Life Orb
Ability: Triage
EVs: 236 HP / 252 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Draining Kiss
- Hidden Power [Fire] / [Ground]
- Taunt

Think of all the remotely good Dhelmise (aka Power Whip) switch-ins in the tier. Nearly all of them happen to be mons that you'd want to have around to keep Comfey under control, so it's a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation. Dhelmise is an expert at wearing down its checks; most of them simply detest being Earthquaked and/or Knocked Off, or just dislike eating "STAB" Anchor Shot in general.

While Dhelmise can function as a typical holepuncher with Choice Band, if you're dedicated to the luring role, Dhelmise can make use of Z-Moves to smash specific threats, all while bluffing Choice Band as well as weakening Knock Offs.Tectonic Rage OHKOes even defensive Garbodor, almost guarantees a OHKO on offensive Incineroar after Intimidate, has a high chance of picking off Steelix and bulky Incineroar after a Power Whip or Earthquake respectively, and does hefty damage to Ferroseed after Knocking Off its Eviolite. Corkscrew Crash on the other hand allows Dhelmise to demolish Golbat after Knocking Off its Eviolite (though it must be healthy enough to survive a Brave Bird, unless you intend to hit it on the switch again), flattens SpD Vileplume, and KOes phys def Vileplume after Anchor Shot.

The only defensive mon safe from this core that I can think of is Weezing lol

 

[Fragmented]

Dead thread revival attempt 2

+

Vanilluxe @ Choice Specs
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Serious Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Freeze-Dry
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Comfey @ Life Orb
Ability: Triage
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Draining Kiss
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Taunt / Giga Drain

Never actually used this core, but I've played against it one too many times and its so annoying to deal with. Basically, Vanilluxe takes care of most of the things that walls Comfey while Comfey sets up on most of the things that come in to revenge kill Vanilluxe.


Triage is such a disgusting ability, as the things that would normally revenge kill you don't due to +3 priority Draining Kiss or Giga Drain. Fairy + Ground coverage pretty much hits most of the meta for neutral, leaving only Golbat, Zard and Weezing as decent switch ins. None of them appreciates taking a Blizzard and the first and last of the three are pretty easily worn down due to the amount of stuff they have to check.

With good hazard control (Xatu etc.), this core can easily ravage offensive teams and while bulkier teams scrambling for Vanilluxe switch ins will eventually get swept by Comfey. Try the core, I promise it's stupid good.

 

[Rabia]

hi this thread is mine now; I'll update it ASAP. keep on submitting

e: this is updated

 

[Rabia]

https://pokepast.es/32a1c85c8388ad4a submitting this defensive core of Silvally-Steel + Torterra + Vaporeon, which can be turned into a balanced core if you opt for Swords Dance > Synthesis. The idea is pretty simple: Silvally-Steel and Torterra together check most special attackers: Heliolisk, Diancie, Whimsicott, etc., while Vaporeon rounds out that synergy by checking Houndoom and Delphox (non-Grassium Z variants). Vaporeon and Torterra together can handle most physical attackers such as Incineroar, Passimian, and Sneasel, although generally an actual Fighting-resistant Pokemon like Delphox is good to pair with this core.

 

[Fragmented]

might as well start posting some cores since threads have a high chance of becoming inactive :/

Hide

Miltank (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 240 SpD / 20 Spe
Careful Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Seismic Toss
- Milk Drink
- Toxic / Heal Bell

Golbat @ Eviolite
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Toxic / Defog
- Taunt / Defog

Nice defensive core that checks a lot in the meta, and pair it with hazard control, it becomes a pain to take down. They can switch into each other's checks pretty well, bar like Heliolisk and Delphox and any special wallbreaker I guess. Haven't actually tried it out but looks good on paper, loses to most rockers bar Torterra and Druddigon. On second thought, it's a kind of meh core, but it does check stuff like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, Passimian, Slowbro (with Toxic), Non-SD Incineroar (just Toxic), Comfey and etc. you get the idea. It also can compress hazard control and cleric support if that's what you require on a team. Probably add a bulky water like Slowbro or Vaporeon to help deal with the Rockers that give them problems or just add Torterra to do that and check Heliolisk.

edit: f medicham

 

[Go0d]

+

+

core

Slowbro @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Toxic
- Slack Off

Torterra @ Leftovers
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 176 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Wood Hammer
- Synthesis

Hariyama @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Def / 244 SpD
Impish Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Toxic
- Protect

I’ve been using this defensive core and overall it does a solid job in the current meta. The idea of this core is basically tort being able to cover most of the special attackers such as heliolisk, comfey, diancie and most rockers while hari deals with threats that tort can’t such as incin, sneasel, houndoom, and can take hits pretty well in general. bro is a fighting resist and deals with opposing slowbro’s. also can take a hit when yama can’t. you generally wanna add more-so offensive mons with this core like z delphox or sneasel for the purpose of not being too passive when it comes to damage. A pretty easy core to use overall.

 

[Rabia]

https://pokepast.es/fcd1cdb9cf76123d
Assault Vest Incineroar is most known as an inferior set that is outclassed by the bulky pivot sets, which run some form of pinch Berry. The issue with this set has generally been acknowledged to be a lack of sustain, leaving it more easily chipped down by Vanilluxe and other special attackers like Delphox, Houndoom, and Whimsicott. However, when paired with Vaporeon, Assault Vest Incineroar becomes much more effective, as it now has a great form of sustain via Wish. The two also share fine defensive utility with each other, only really needing a Ground-type to stop Volt Switch and something to resist Flying.

 

[Realistic Waters]

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

Magmortar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Steel] / [Grass]

Strong offensive core. Magmortar blows through most things but it really appreciates the presence of CB Sneasel to pursuit trap AV Slowbro/King, Delphox and faster frail offensive mons whom give it some trouble. In return, mortar pretty much destroys every Sneasel check.

 

[Rabia]

Lilligant @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain / Sleep Powder
- Healing Wish
- Hidden Power [Ground]

Incineroar @ Incinium Z / Groundium Z / Firium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Darkest Lariat / Knock Off

Here's my monthly core to revive the thread, which today features Healing Wish Lilligant + SD Incineroar. This core is neat because it allows Incineroar to have an impact throughout much more of the battle rather than just the early-game. It also allows Incineroar to be used a bit more as a defensive check to stuff like Vanilluxe and Decidueye, since it can always fall back on receiving a full restore from Lilligant. I'm honestly not too sure about which moves are the best for Lilligant, but I went with double Grass STAB attacks given its shit movepool, and Hidden Power Ground has the best overall neutral coverage alongside Grass.

 

[Snou]

Lilligant @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain
- Healing Wish
- Hidden Power [Ground]

Incineroar @ Incinium Z / Groundium Z / Firium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Darkest Lariat / Knock Off

Here's my monthly core to revive the thread, which today features Healing Wish Lilligant + SD Incineroar. This core is neat because it allows Incineroar to have an impact throughout much more of the battle rather than just the early-game. It also allows Incineroar to be used a bit more as a defensive check to stuff like Vanilluxe and Decidueye, since it can always fall back on receiving a full restore from Lilligant. I'm honestly not too sure about which moves are the best for Lilligant, but I went with double Grass STAB attacks given its shit movepool, and Hidden Power Ground has the best overall neutral coverage alongside Grass.

I know being locked on sleep powder isn't a good thing, but I'm thinking Sleep Powder over giga drain could work on that set, if you don't have other sleepers. You know, to stop some stuff or force things out.

 

[quziel]

Decidueye @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
- U-turn
- Leaf Storm
- Roost
- Defog

Delphox @ Leftovers
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 HP / 104 Def / 152 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic

Diancie @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Power Gem
- Stealth Rock
- Heal Bell
- Earth Power

Pretend this has pretty sprites pls.

Basically, this covers an incredibly large amount of the metagame. Decid covers Ground / Rock types, Delphox coverage Fairy / Ice Types, and Diancie Covers Incin / Dark Types / Flying Types. Between the three you can take on almost anything in the game to at least an ok degree, and you have a really good base for a team, providing hazard control, rocks, and a wish user. Just remember to add in another ground check, and at least one more klinklang answer, and you are gonna be fine. Would suggest this.

 

[driftingover]

Bumping this neglected thread because cores threads are often the first place I look when I'm trying to learn how to build in a tier. Here's a balance core that I personally have been using which involves Blastoise and Druddigon.

The main thing about both of these Pokemon together is the utility that they offer. With this core on your team, you've already taken care of Stealth Rock and hazard removal through Rapid Spin. These two are two of the most reliable Pokemon in the tier in this respect, thanks to Druddigon using Mold Breaker to get past Xatu and both of them in general having enough bulk to come in and do their thing. They can also spread status through Glare and Toxic, which can help you boost your chances of breaking a core later on with a sweeper.

Their typings are relatively synergistic, with Blastoise resisting Ice and Druddigon resisting both Grass and Electric. It's nice to have this core around to tank moves from quite a few of the tier's most dangerous Pokemon, and with the aforementioned utility aspects of a team mostly taken care of, you're free to build pretty much whatever you want around them thanks to their good defensive typings and spammable moves.

Good teammates for this core include strong breakers that can deter boosting sweepers since these two are more on the passive side. The core also struggles with strong Water, Fairy, and Grass-types, so Pokemon that can handle these are appreciated. Boosting sweepers themselves appreciate Glare and hazard support, as well as the core's good matchups against a variety of threats. Hazard stack works well with this core because Rapid Spin lets you keep up your hazards. Some teammates that work well are Vileplume, Heliolisk, Passimian, Incineroar, Mega Glalie, Garbodor, Comfey, and Magmortar. Basically, this is a heavily splashable core that I use all the time.

Importable

Blastoise @ Leftovers / Normalium Z
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Def / 196 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam / Refresh

Druddigon @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail
- Earthquake
- Glare

 

[majority]

Heliolisk @ Choice Specs
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Swritch
- Hyper Voice
- Thunderbolt
- Surf

Glalie @ Glalitite
Ability: Ice Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spikes
- Double-Edge
- Earthquake
- Explosion

Heliolisk helps Glalie by removing water types that give Glalie trouble and Glalie
gives back by removing ground types that give Heliolisk trouble and it is used to
Set spikes in order to help Heliolisk sweep the opposite team with Choice Specs and
Hyper Voice which is about 135 base power if u do the math.

 

[Rabia]

updated with new cores and removed Slowbro/Diancie cores

 

[quziel]

Garbodor @ Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Spikes
- Explosion / Pain Split
- Stomping Tantrum / Seed Bomb

Steelix @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Dark Pulse

This is just a really effective hazard stacking core. The choice of special lix may seem a bit weird at first glance, but it serves a valuable role of easily luring in and weakening, or outright KOing Rotom, while also being immune to Will-o-Wisp. Garb is set up so that you can also just 2HKO Xatu (as can Lix), and both core members have great defensive synergy, with Garb taking on Fighting-types for Lix, Lix beating Aero for Garb, and both of them eating through Fairy-types. Just a really solid core for Spikestack offense. You can definitely take this core in a more defensive direction by swapping Garb to a defensive spread, or by swapping Lix to a Curse set, but you need at least one of them to break through Xatu for the core to really be that effective at breaking. Hazard control is relatively easy to add on by just shoving a Blastoise on, and both of them work exceptionally with cleaners such as Aerodactyl.