Project SS OU - Victim of the Week - Not hosted anymore

[Monky25]

kartana

Kartana @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off

Standard Kartana set, this is a check to Tapu lele, as it outspeeds and OHKOs with Leaf Blade.
252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 312-368 (111 - 130.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Lando-San]

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 180 SpD / 76 Spe
Careful Nature
- U-turn / Body Slam
- Iron Head
- Wish / Healing Wish
- Protect / Stealth Rock / Body Slam
​

I'm nominating Jirachi as a Tapu Lele's counter. This EV spread ensures that Jirachi outspeeds defensive Landorus-T while making Tapu Lele's and Kyurem's Choice Specs Focus Blast a 3HKO after rocks. For more balanced teams, Iron Head + WishTect and U-turn/Body Slam is very good, as it can punish common checks with Body Slam or gain momentum with U-turn as it forces out Lele or Kyurem. For more offensive builds, HW + SR is a very good combo because it provides a lot of role compression with good utility and momentum. Other options include Future Sight, Doom Desire and Thunder Wave on defensive sets, and more offensive approaches can run Choice Scarf with Healing Wish.


252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 180+ SpD Jirachi: 150-177 (37.1 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 180+ SpD Jirachi: 150-177 (37.1 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 218-260 (77.5 - 92.5%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Steel With It]

Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Def
Sassy Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect

Steela might be the least common of the three Steel/Flying-types in this meta, but with her idiotic special bulk and strong Steel STAB, she still counters Lele the hardest of the three. Focus Blast never hits barely 3HKOs, and Heavy Slam OHKOs right back.

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Celesteela: 140-165 (35.2 - 41.5%) -- 80.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Celesteela in Psychic Terrain: 123-145 (30.9 - 36.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery (69.4% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery)
0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 330-390 (117.4 - 138.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[ChoiceScarfed]

Reserving Aegislash

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- King's Shield
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Shadow Sneak
A pretty standard Aegislash set. While Shadow Sneak won't work because of Psychic Terrain, its nice to have. A 252 Atk Aegislash-Blade Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 350-414 (124.5 - 147.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO, so you don't need to sd.

 

[Comradesquidwar]

Reuniclus @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 24 Def / 236 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Future Sight
- Focus Blast/Knock Off
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball

While Reuniclus may be more well-known in the OverUsed tier for its Magic Guard sets, it can utilize its hidden ability Regenerator with an Assault Vest set and serve as a counter to choiced Lele. With said assault vest equipped, along with heavy HP and SpDef investment, Reuniclus actually serves as a great specially defensive sponge on a variety of team styles, being able to comfortably switch into attacks from threats such as Lele, Specs Kyurem, Nidoking, Tapu Koko, any Slowtwin variant, offensive Zapdos, and offensive Tornadus-Therian lacking Knock Off.

The given EVs make it so that Lele cannot 2hko us with any attack after stealth rock damage, including Specs Psyshock (hence the 24 defense EVs).
Not only can Reuni take damage, it can also dish it out with a variety of coverage moves off of a base 125 special attack. Shadow Ball on this set is used specifically to better check Lele, and with a Modest nature, you have a 93% chance to 2hko without rocks up. It should be noted that Reuni also has access to a number of utility options on this set as well, including Knock Off, which can be used to remove Lele's choice specs and substantially weaken it for the remainder of the match.

Regenerator lets Reuni heal off all or nearly all of the damage taken from any of Lele's attacks upon switching out, allowing it to stay healthy over the course of a match.

Defensive calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 236 SpD Assault Vest Reuniclus: 139-165 (32.8 - 39%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 24 Def Reuniclus in Psychic Terrain: 156-184 (36.8 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

Offensive calcs

0+ SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 136-162 (48.3 - 57.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

0+ SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele in Psychic Terrain: 94-111 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

The Psyshock calc can be relevant if your opponent is using the uncommon Calm Mind Tapu Lele, as Reuniclus can still 3hko at worst when targeting Lele's weaker defense stat.

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Kartana @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off
- Synthesis

Kartana is a check to tapu lele being able to one shot it with leaf blade 100% of the time while knock off KO's lele with little chip and since specs lele has no recovery its easy to force chip damage via rocks, weak moves such as scald, body press and more, it also outspeeds and forces lele to switch out in which kartana can force progress either way with knock off so it is not useless against teams without lele. Kartana can be used as a last ditch effort to switch into psyshock since its defense is not that bad.

252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 312-368 (111 - 130.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kartana in Psychic Terrain: 101-119 (38.9 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 224-264 (79.7 - 93.9%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[ArcticBreeze]

Check

Toxapex @ Payapa Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Scald
- Knock Off
- Recover
- Haze


Toxapex can safely pivot into Tapu Lele once and then pivot out. If the opposing Tapu Lele does not use a Psychic-Type move then you can continue to use it as a solid way of pivoting around Tapu Lele and can mix it up a bit with your switches. In general I would only ever use this with a strong Dark-Type so you can actually punish a second Psychic or Psyshock. Super niche, but could be nice on teams somewhat desperate against Tapu Lele and has a few other uses such as against the ever so prevalent Future Sight.

Moves and Evs do not matter in the context of beating Tapu Lele, I just put the most standard set.

 

[SLDR]

Scizor @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 20 Atk / 40 Def / 172 SpD / 24 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off / U-turn / Toxic
- Swords Dance / U-turn / Toxic
- Roost

s/o finch for spread, mainly helps w kyurem lele after knocked with insurance vs things like def lando/tankchomp eq, pivot torn hurricane, etc

Scizor is a great check to Tapu Lele because of its resistances to both Psychic-type and Fairy-type STABs, letting it switch in situationally while threatening to remove its item with Knock Off or U-turn for free momentum. Scizor must be careful when switching into Focus Blast, as it is 2hkod if Tapu Lele hits twice. It is used in OU because of its ability to check common specially attacking threats such as Kyurem, Tapu Lele, and Clefable, and can even situationally check physical attackers like Rillaboom.

calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Scizor in Psychic Terrain: 129-152 (37.5 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Scizor: 105-123 (30.5 - 35.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Scizor: 176-208 (51.1 - 60.4%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 8 Def Scizor in Psychic Terrain: 126-149 (36.6 - 43.3%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Scizor: 133-157 (38.6 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

20 Atk Scizor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
20 Atk Scizor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 123-145 (43.7 - 51.6%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO
20 Atk Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 210-248 (74.7 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Just to be precise, the calcs you showed are with a Careful nature while the set you posted has Adamant. They also feature Leftovers while yours has Heavy-Duty Boots. At last, I wouldn't consider Bullet Punch as a reliable move for Lele because of course it doesn't work in Psychic Terrain.

 

[JBone832]

Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn

Along with being the best Steel/Flying in the tier, Corviknight can also act as one of the most reliable counters to choice Lele. Corviknight can effortlessly switch into Lele's 3 main stab moves (Psychic/Psyshock/Moonblast) with Psychic/Psyshock only threatening a 4hko, and Moonblast threatening with a mere 5hko. With roost recovery alongside leftovers, Corviknight can easily stayed healed up to never be threatened by these moves.

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Corviknight in Psychic Terrain: 114-135 (28.5 - 33.7%) -- 97.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Corviknight: 93-110 (23.2 - 27.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Corviknight in Psychic Terrain: 122-144 (30.5 - 36%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

One may argue that Focus Blast securing a 3hko on Corviknight may be a problem, but that is simply not the case. Going for a Focus Blast read is risky on its own, but there's a few things to understand... Focus Blast is only an 8pp move, and with Pressure active Lele is limited to 4 Focus Blasts. Focus Blast only has 70% accuracy, and the chance of hitting 3 of these in succession is only about 34%. This is all while not mentioning how easily Corviknight could either Roost, Hard Switch, and U-Turn pivot out. The only scenario Lele beats Corviknight is one in which Corviknight already has substantial chip, or Lele hits Corviknight on the turn it switches in getting the 10% SPD drop with Focus Blast, then proceeds to hit Corviknight with another Focus Blast- which only has a 5% chance of occurring. In Conclusion, Tapu Lele will have a very difficult time attempting to KO a specially defensive Corviknight.

 

[Fusion Flare]

Vote for 1 check and 1 counter.

Checks:

by ashwins72

by Katy

by Monky25

sd kart

Not counting this because it’s basically near identical to Monky25’s variant.

by Monsareeasy

Counters:

by Lando-San

by Steel With It

by ChoiceScarfed

by Comradesquidwar

by Fc

by JBone832

 

[Katy]

ashwins, FC

 

[AM]

Jirachi, probably doesnt need all those slashes though LandoS. Iron, U-Turn, Slam, SR/Filler is fine.

Edit: Scizor for check.

 

[PlusC]

Reuniclus for funsies

Edit : Also Kartana

 

[Fusion Flare]

Jirachi, probably doesnt need all those slashes though LandoS. Iron, U-Turn, Slam, SR/Filler is fine.

Reuniclus for funsies

Oh, forgot to say, its one check and one counter. Sorry for the mixup.

 

[gglrg]

Corviknight, kartana

 

[SLDR]

Counter: Corviknight
Check: Kartana

 

[Fusion Flare]

Ok, voting time is over!
In the checks section, With 3/5 votes, Monky25 wins with Kartana!
In the counters section, With 2/5 votes, JBone832 wins with Corviknight

Now, onto our next victim!
The FLAMING FROG, the SCORCHING SPIDER, whatever the fuck our next victim, HEATRAN is supposed to be!!


Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 128 SpD / 128 Spe
Calm Nature
- Magma Storm / Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock / Toxic / Heavy Slam

This pokemon is the epitome of what all defensive pokemon must respect, lest they be melted away and broken down with ease! How will you adapt against the blazing conditions?

 

[Katy]

hydreigon


Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Earth Power
- Dark Pulse
- Roost​

Hydreigon is an offensive check to Heatran; it can come in on its Magma Storm or Erath Power, or when it sets up Stealth Rocks onto the field. Hydreigon can threaten Heatran with a strong Life Orb-boosted super effective Earth Power and Hydreigon can also recover any damage off it took with Roost. Hydreigon can also dish out a strong Dark Pulse / Draco Meteor on any switch, in case the Heatran user calls it back. However, Hydreigon dislikes getting hit by Toxic, as it forces it to Roost more often. But in overall Hydreigon serves as a great check.

calcs

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 73-87 (22.4 - 26.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and trapping damage
0 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 59-69 (18.1 - 21.2%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Heatran Heavy Slam (60 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 58-70 (17.8 - 21.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 128+ SpD Heatran: 380-452 (98.4 - 117%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Tysonslayer]

Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- Aqua Jet
- U-turn

Urshifu-R acts as an offensive check to Heatran being able to come into Magma Storm and Earth Power and can threaten it with either Close Combat and Surging Strikes. If the Heatran decides to switch out then you can easily click U-Turn in keeping momentum for your team as it brings in something to handle Urshifu-R. Really just like some of Heatran's check Urshifu-R doesn't like switching into Toxic, but for non Toxic you can switch into Magma Storm and Earth Power but must be very warry of it getting worn down, so really only switch into Heatran if it's necessary and has a good amount of health.

 

[AM]

Check: Suicune



Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Substitute
- Protect
- Calm Mind

Realistically a counter but you can't switch into a potential Toxic read, if no Toxic you'll pretty much beat this variation of Heatran all the time. Once Suicune is in for the most part it will force Heatran out and or just set up in its face freely. Earth Power isnt able to break the Substitute unless its offensive with a high roll and this set is the Spdef one so it's Suicune food. It's a loss of momentum to click Magma Storm against Suicune switch in due to Pressure eating up the low pp on Magma as well.

 

[airfare]

yo i thought this was the partners one. tran has no defensive counters but i will reserve gastrodon as a check


Gastrodon-East @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Storm Drain / Sticky Hold
EVs: 248 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Curse / Toxic / Clear Smog
- Waterfall / Scald
- Earthquake / Earth Power
- Recover

Gastrodon (only the east one) is a great win condition on stall teams and derives a lot of defensive utility by being able to check Heatran and Electric-types with more defensive sets. It uses Heavy-Duty Boots to avoid consistent chip from switching into pivots like Tapu Koko through Spikes or Toxic Spikes. Gastrodon can even serve as a Water-type immunity by using Storm Drain, situationally becoming a Toxapex GSI depending on its set, while Sticky Hold can be used for its utility in checking Zeraora specifically. Gastrodon's defensive typing and high Special Defense stat lets it act as a decent check to Heatran, although it must fear Taunt mind games and is ideally paired along cleric support to block Toxic.

 

[Comradesquidwar]

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 108 Spe
Impish/Bold Nature
- Earthquake
- Flamethrower/Ice Beam/Thunder Wave/Toxic
- Heal Bell
- Roost

Nominating Dragonite as a counter to Heatran, possibly the best available in the tier. Dragon/flying typing along with 91/95/100 bulk and Multiscale means Dnite cares little about Magma Storm or Earth Power. Toxic is an annoyance for nearly every Heatran switch-in, but Dragonite can at least offer cleric support via Heal Bell, keeping itself and its teammates healthy over the course of a match, though it admittedly has a low 8 PP.

108 speed EVs outspeed the standard 128 speed 'Tran, meaning Dragonite can Roost before being hit with Taunt in a 1v1 scenario.

Base 134 attack and 100 special attack are enough to do damage without investment, as even a hindering-nature Earthquake can OHKO Heatran after stealth rock damage. Coverage options like Flamethrower or Ice Beam can be used to check other targets like Kartana, Rillaboom, and Landorus, while Twave or Toxic can be used to annoy switch-ins, such as Clefable and Kyurem, that would otherwise use Dragonite as setup fodder. Dragon Tail and Roar are niche phasing options worth mentioning.

Offensive calcs

0 Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 352-416 (91.1 - 107.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

0- Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 316-376 (81.8 - 97.4%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Defensive calcs

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 33-40 (8.5 - 10.4%) -- possible 5HKO after trapping damage

0- Atk Heatran Heavy Slam (60 BP) vs. 244 HP / 148+ Def Multiscale Dragonite: 21-26 (5.4 - 6.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
Careful Nature
- Crunch
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake

Tyranitar eats any attack besides lava plume and threatens it out with earthquake, or sets up stealth rocks. Even a heavy slam is only a 5hko and has to be read otherwise its threatened out. Tyranitar is a check due to it being unable to counter heatran over the period of the game

0 Atk Tyranitar Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 352-416 (91.1 - 107.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 33-40 (8.1 - 9.9%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery and trapping damage
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 216+ SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 80-96 (19.8 - 23.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
0- Atk Heatran Heavy Slam (60 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 102-120 (25.2 - 29.7%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[PlusC]

Nominating Air Balloon Heatran as a Counter.


Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 124 SpD / 132 Spe
Calm Nature
Earth Power
Lava Plume/ Magma Storm
Protext / Toxic
Stealth Rock / Torment

4 more speed EVs to outspeed and Earth Power is a clean 2HKO. Otherwise plays like a normal Heatran, keep your balloon unpopped as long as you can. Torment and Protect can be fun to use for this but not really optimal.

 

[TURBODERP]

SubRoost Kyurem as a counter

Kyurem @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 56 HP / 252 SpA / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
- Roost

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Kyurem: 148-175 (36.5 - 43.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after trapping damage

200 SpA Kyurem Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 128+ SpD Heatran: 292-344 (75.6 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Don't eat a Toxic on the switch, but otherwise you can PP stall Heatran easily as long as it's not running Flash Cannon (even max SpA Magma Storm needs to hit repeatedly while Kyurem outspeeds and can PP stall with Sub and Roost pretty well.