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

[ironwater]

Submission period is now closed, so let’s move on the voting phase. The Victim of the week was the Wrestling Bird . Here are the submissions, we’ve got:

Checks

by Katy

by ralts_boy

by avg

by D5405

by Tysonslayer

by Windingsss

by InvisibleWater

by Dawn Greninja

by RaikouLover



Counters

by SLDR

by Da stall masta 999​

You need to vote for 2 checks and only 1 counter (because we have only two submissions), voting phase will end on Sunday, good luck to everyone! (you can’t vote for your own submission)

 

[Fopo]

Checks:

Counter:

 

[ViZar]

Checks: &
Counter:

 

[D5405]

Checks:
Counter :

 

[InvisibleWater]

Checks:
Counter:

 

[infinitemugen99]

Checks:
Counter:

 

[RaikouLover]

Checks:

Counter:

 

[BT89]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[Sole Survivor]

Checks:

Counter:

 

[romanji]

Checks:
Counter:

 

[ironwater]

Ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Hawlucha Victim week:

Checks:

by Katy and by avg

Counters:

by SLDR

Full Results

Checks:
7
5
4
1
1
0
0
0
0

Counters:
9
0

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who made a submission, nice ideas as always.

Let’s move on to a new Victim of the Week. It’s time for the first of all dragons to shine or rather to be the victim of this week; I’m of course talking about Dragonite!

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
- Roost

This big yellow dragon seems to be a cute and friendly creature, but in SS OU it’s a threat that shouldn’t be underestimated. Sporting a very high Attack stat with a lot of fantastic coverage options, Dragonite becomes a massive threat with Dragon Dance. It has an easy time setting up against most Pokemon in the tier thanks to its wonderful ability in Multiscale. Being able to Roost and heal up from damage means that it can use most defensive Pokemon lacking status moves like Toxic as setup fodder. Dual Wingbeat is a nice Flying STAB and Earthquake is the best coverage option to hit annoying Steel types like Heatran. Have fun finding checks and counters to the dragon who has crossed the ages and still finds his place 8 generations later.

Submission phase will end on next Friday, good luck!​

 

[Katy]

slowbro w ice beam


Slowbro @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Ice Beam
- Slack Off
- Future Sight
- Teleport​

Slowbro is a good counter to Dragonite due to its absurdly high defense and ability to run Ice Beam on its set as well, alongside Slack Off and Regenerator which make it so Slowbro maintains its health for a longterm. Slowbros aforementioned high defense helps it to check Dragonite pretty well and it can do enough damage, so Dragonite cant use it as setup fodder nor can Dragonite just attack it without getting punished. Slowbro is also able to scare Dragonite out. It can also check Dragonite at +1 decently well. Furthermore, Slowbro can also make use of Future Sight + Ice Beam combination to properly pressure Dragonite.

+1 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 134-162 (34 - 41.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 113-134 (28.6 - 34%) -- 1.3% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Slowbro Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 130-154 (40.2 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
without multiscale up
0 SpA Slowbro Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragonite: 260-308 (80.4 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[ViZar]

scarf lando

 

[SLDR]

Unaware clefable

Clefable @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Aromatherapy

COUNTER​

unaware clef is one of the hardest stops to any setup dragonite, especially those without dual wingbeat. it's a hard counter, easily setting up on it and playing safe with soft-boiled recovery to stay out of crit range. having a supereffective stab moonblast also helps in dealing with it a lot quicker.

252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Clefable: 120-144 (30.4 - 36.5%) -- approx. 54.4% chance to 3HKO

252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Clefable on a critical hit: 182-216 (46.1 - 54.8%) -- approx. 57.4% chance to 2HKO

as you can see, dragonite needs to crit twice in a row to have some chances to ko clef and has 0 chance of 2hkoing it with crit into regular or viceversa.

Yeah easy counter.

 

[powergo1]

Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
- Body Press
- Spikes
- Iron Defense
- Roost

Calcs

• +1 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 80 Def Skarmory: 72-84 (21.5 - 25.1%) -- approx. 0% chance to 4HKO (Swapping in on DDance)
• +4 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 80 Def Skarmory: 142-168 (42.5 - 50.2%) -- approx. 0.4% chance to 2HKO (If Dragonite DDances 3 times whilst Skarm sets up 3 layers of Spikes
• +2 80 Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragonite: 85-100 (26.3 - 30.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO (Assuming that Multiscale has been broken by chip from Rocky Helmet
• +6 80 Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragonite: 170-200 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Highest amount of damage Skarm can do)
• +2 80 Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Magnezone: 290-342 (103.2 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Bonus calc vs Specs Zone)

Skarmory is a hard Counter to Dragonite, as it can switch in on any move Dragonite uses, and can then proceed to set up Spikes and/or Iron Defense up. The only damaging move Dnite has vs Skarm is Dual Wingbeat, which thanks to Rocky Helmet means that recoil damage will break Multiscale. At +6 Defense, Skarmory can 2HKO with Body Press, meaning that Dragonite can't Roost back it's Multiscale. Vs this Dragonite set Skarmory can afford to not run maxium defense, therefore allowing it to run enough speed to outspeed Timid Specs Zone, and if it swaps in on an Iron Defense, kill with Body Press

 

[Sole Survivor]

zapdos

Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 76 Def / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Hurricane
- Volt Switch
- Roost

Zapdos is a good counter to Dragonite, resisting Dual Wingbeat and being immune to Earthquake while having the ability to heal off any damage Dragonite may do to it with Roost. Heavy-Duty Boots prevents any chip damage on Zapdos via Stealth Rock, thereby preserving its longevity. Combining Static, Discharge, and Dual Wingbeat, Zapdos has a ~76% chance to paralyze Dragonite on any given turn. Most of the time, Zapdos will end up forcing Dragonite out. Zapdos can also be cheeky and use Hurricane to really ruin Dragonite's day with a potential confusion. Volt Switch allows Zapdos to maintain momentum on a probable switch out from Dragonite.

Calcs

252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 76 Def Zapdos: 70-84 (21.8 - 26.1%) -- approx. 1% chance to 4HKO

+1 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 76 Def Zapdos: 106-126 (33 - 39.2%) -- approx. 99.9% chance to 3HKO (if it Dragon Dances on the switch)

180 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 60-71 (18.5 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO

180 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 83-98 (25.6 - 30.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

180 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragonite: 166-196 (51.3 - 60.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[ralts_boy]

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split​

This is just the standard Rotom-W with the Spdef moved to the Def and an appropriate nature. While even 252 HP 0 Def Rotom lives +6 Dual Wingbeat from full, the extra defense ensures that you can come in with rocks; it also helps mitigate crits.

+6 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 168+ Def Rotom-Wash: 196-232 (64.4 - 76.3%)

Toxic + Pain Split ensures that the Dragonite is a dead one, but Will-o-Wisp is also a viable option, depending on your preferences. Counter.

 

[Cratersmash]

Scarf Kyurem

Kyurem @ Choice Scarf
Modest Nature
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Freeze-Dry
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Earth Power
252+ SpA Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 320-380 (99 - 117.6%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
Scarf Kyu Ice Beam outspeeds Dragonite even at +1 and kills right through Multiscale.
If Dragonite is not running DClaw then Scarf Kyu is a counter,although it is left very,very low after +1 DWB and SR
+1 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem: 218-260 (55.7 - 66.4%) -- approx. 2HKO

 

[Da stall masta 999]

CANT STOP THE LUGG (Avalugg) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Avalanche
- Body Press

Avalugg hard walls Dragonite with 180 defense, and it has an ice type move to deal a bunch of damage back. I was worried about Dragonite just roosting to negate Avalanche damage, but it does not work. (I tested it.) There’s no way Dragonite can stop Avalugg.

Tests
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1428800149
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1428800989

It survives with at least 70 hp to Dragonite, enough to still wall stuff like Weavile, Garchomp, and others. The only other mons that survive with more hp are Corviknight, and Skarmory.

+1 252+ Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 102-122 (25.8 - 30.9%) -- approx. 4HKO
4 Atk Avalugg Avalanche vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 156-186 (48.2 - 57.5%) -- 89.5% chance to 2HKO


(ironwater gave me permission)

 

[InvisibleWater]

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic

Quagsire is a counter. While it can't do much to Dragonite directly, Quagsire's bulk and Unaware make it exceptionally difficult for Dragonite to break through. This allows Quagsire to either cripple it with Scald burns or stall it out with Toxic and Recover.

Calcs

0 SpA Quagsire Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 15-18 (4.6 - 5.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Quagsire Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragonite: 30-36 (9.2 - 11.1%) -- possible 9HKO


252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 108-128 (27.4 - 32.4%) -- approx. 66.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk burned Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 54-64 (13.7 - 16.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 90-106 (22.8 - 26.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk burned Dragonite Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 45-53 (11.4 - 13.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever

 

[RaikouLover]

Was going to post this in the heat thread but I couldn’t resist…

Pelipper @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
- Defog
- Roost

Pelipper is a solid check to Dragonite on rain teams. It is able to switch in (resetting the rain bringing your swift swimmers online) and win 1v1 with Ice Beam. Dragonite can attempt to stall out Ice Beam, but will either succumb to PP loss on Roost or get frozen. Defensively, Pelipper survives +3 Dual Wingbeat and matches up even better vs. Ice Punch / Earthquake variants.

+3 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 240-284 (74.3 - 87.9%) -- approx. 2HKO

0 SpA Pelipper Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragonite: 248-296 (76.7 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Replay of the exchange (starts at turn 26):
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1427720423-axdoz77tbkl54jiire12ns3jc6ykwlcpw

 

[agslash23]

Battle for the title of best Pseduo-Legendary Dragon



Garchomp @ Leftovers/Yache Berry
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang
- Scale Shot

Garchomp is able to survive upto +2 Dual Wingbeat. In the process, it breaks Dragonite's Multiscale due to Rough Skin, enabling it to OHKO it back with Scale Shot (provided it hits 3 times). This ensures that Garchomp can stop a Dragonite sweep in a pitch, while boosting its own speed in the process with Scale Shot. Thus, Garchomp is an offensive Check to Dragonite

Calcs :


+2 252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 282-332 (78.9 - 92.9%) -- approx. 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Garchomp Scale Shot (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragonite: 258-312 (79.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO (This includes the Rough Skin Chip - thus Dragonite's HP was kept at 75% - 2 times 1/8th HP loss)

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

@ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SpD
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Body Press
- Iron Defense
- Defog
- Roost

Corviknight absolutely blanks dragonite with iron defense, being able to boost alongside it means it cannot touch you and you can spam +6 body press till they are forced to roost and they inevitably die from losing their flying type therefore their fighting resistance. It can also PP stall the moves as they have 16PP and 24PP making it only being able to attack 20 times before struggling

 

[ironwater]

I will be closing the submission phase in approximatively 24 hours. ViZar and Sole Survivor little reminder if you want to fill your submissions (would be cool as we don't have a lot of checks this time unlike in the other rounds).

 

[Beka]

Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Psychic

Tapu Lele is a fantastic check to Dragonite as it's able to take a hit from anything Dragonite can do and 2HKO him with a super effective Moonblast. Choice Scarf allows him to outspeed Dragonite even if he attempts to setup a Dragon Dance. Nature doesn't matter because Tapu Lele outspeeds Dragonite anyway and can't OHKO him through Multiscales.

Calcs

252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 154-183 (47.6 - 56.6%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragonite: 308-366 (95.3 - 113.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Dragonite Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 170-204 (60.4 - 72.5%) -- approx. 2HKO

252 Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 141-167 (50.1 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO