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

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


Checks

:kyurem: by Cratersmash

:pelipper: by RaikouLover

:garchomp: by agslash23

:tapu lele: by Bekaray


Counters

:slowbro: by Katy

:clefable: by SLDR

:skarmory: by powergo1

:rotom-wash: by ralts_boy

:avalugg: by Da stall masta 999

:quagsire: by InvisibleWater

:corviknight: by HydreigonTheChild

:zapdos: by Sole Survivor


You need to vote for 2 checks and 2 counters, voting phase will end on Sunday, good luck to everyone! (you can’t vote for your own submission)​
 
Checks:
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Counters:
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Ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Dragonite Victim week:

Checks:

:kyurem: by Cratersmash and :tapu lele: by Beka

Counters:

:slowbro: by Katy and :rotom-wash: by ralts_boy

Checks:
:kyurem: 10
:tapu lele: 9
:pelipper: 4
:garchomp: 3

Counters:
:slowbro: 7
:rotom-wash: 6
:corviknight: 4
:clefable: 4
:avalugg: 3
:quagsire: 1
:skarmory: 1
:zapdos: 0

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who made a submission, you found a lot of good counter ideas this time.

​
Let’s move on to a new Victim of the Week. It’s time for an old demon to return. This Pokemon has been terrorizing SS OU for quite some time, and even if the metagame completely change since last time, it still runs the same deadly set. Thus, the Victim of the Week is the supersonic Dragon Dragapult. As last time it got Victim of the Week was before the second DLC and with very few suggestions and, as having checks and counters for this thing is extremely important in the current metagame, I will give it another round in this project.


dragapult.gif

Dragapult @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Draco Meteor
- U-turn
- Flamethrower


Choice Specs Dragapult is a long-time threat in SS OU. Abusing its very high Speed tier and its more than decent special coverage, this Pokemon can be a pain to deal with. Shadow Ball is a very spammable STAB move that threaten a lot of slower offensive Pokemon and force them out. It can also fish for SpD drops which may help him beating even reliable checks. Draco Meteor is a powerful breaking option to immediately nuke something, while Flamethrower is used to threaten most Steel types. Lastly, U-turn allows Dragapult to generate momentum as it can force a lot of switches with its amazing Speed. Overall, this Pokemon is a massive threat, and everyone needs to be prepared to face it as, without a decent answer, it will clean your team in a blink of an eye. Have fun finding checks and counters to this OU staple!

Submission phase will end on next Friday, good luck!​
 
:ss/tapu-lele:
Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Future Sight / Psychic​

The guardian of Akala Island dons the Choice Scarf for offensive teams that need a check to Dragapult. It can outspeed and OHKO with Moonblast or force it out, allowing it to freely launch a powerful Future Sight. Tapu Lele can also pivot in freely on Draco Meteor due to its Fairy typing. It also obviously can't pivot in on Shadow Ball, so other teammates that can check Dragapult such as Weavile and Assault Vest Tornadus-T can be secondary checks to help it.

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 434-512 (136.9 - 161.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 396-468 (124.9 - 147.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult in Psychic Terrain: 355-418 (111.9 - 131.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult in Psychic Terrain: 322-381 (101.5 - 120.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. Tapu Lele: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
 
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AV Tornadus-T

:ss/Tornadus-Therian:

Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 92 SpD / 168 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Heat Wave

A relic of the ORAS era, AV and Regenerator means that Tornadus-T can switch in and scout for Dragapult's moves safely. Then it could either proceed to Knock off Specs and weaken its attacks, dealing heavy damage to Pult in the process, or it could U-turn out to bring in a mon that doesn't care about Pult's locked move (e.g. Weavile vs Shadow Ball, Tapu Lele vs Draco Meteor) and regain some HP it lost while scouting.

It's not a counter because Draco Meteor can 2HKO after Rocks, and Pult sometimes runs Electric coverage for Toxapex, Tapu Fini and Mandibuzz. However, switching in safely into Shadow Ball is a big deal in itself, and this makes it a great CHECK to Specs Dragapult.

0- Atk Tornadus-Therian Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 158-188 (49.8 - 59.3%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 163-193 (51.4 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 92 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-Therian: 109-129 (30.1 - 35.7%) -- 31.2% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Thunder vs. 248 HP / 92 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-Therian: 198-234 (54.8 - 64.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor over 2 turns vs. 248 HP / 92 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-Therian: 263-312 (72.8 - 86.4%) -- 81.3% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
 
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other av poke, melmetal

:ss/melmetal:
Melmetal @ Assault Vest
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 128 HP / 116 Atk / 252 SpD / 12 Spe
Careful Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Thunder Punch ​

Assault Vest Melmetal is a check to Dragapult: it can come in a good amount of times on its STAB moves in Shadow Ball and Draco Meteor and it can also take advantage of this with pressureing Dragapult and its teammates with a hard hitting DIB or its coverage options due to Melmetals high Attack stat. Melmetal can also come in on a Choice Specs-boosted Flamethrower a few times and can pressure Dragapult with an Ice Punch.

116 Atk Iron Fist Melmetal Double Iron Bash (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 290-344 (91.4 - 108.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
116 Atk Iron Fist Melmetal Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 242-286 (76.3 - 90.2%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 128 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Melmetal: 103-123 (23.2 - 27.7%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. 128 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Melmetal: 84-99 (18.9 - 22.3%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Dragapult U-turn vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Melmetal: 19-23 (4.2 - 5.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 128 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Melmetal: 156-184 (35.2 - 41.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
 
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Weavile

:SS/Weavile:
Weavile @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly/Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Triple Axel
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
Weavile acts as a check to Dragapult. Weavile can come in on a Shadow ball and threaten Dragapult out with its powerful knock off. It would get completely destroyed by a Flamethrower and doesn’t appreciate U-Turn, but even switching into Dragapult once and gaining some offensive momentum or pressuring the opposing team even more is enough for some offensive teams. Weavile can also revenge kill Dragapult with a +2 ice shard or an unboosted ice shard when Dragapult is chipped, Adamant has a better time picking off chipped Dragapult while being unboosted but jolly is still a very good option if your team is weak to Tornadus, as it still checks Dragapult quite well.

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Weavile Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 170-204 (53.6 - 64.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Weavile Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 156-186 (49.2 - 58.6%) -- 96.5% chance to 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Weavile Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 312-368 (98.4 - 116%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Weavile Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 342-404 (107.8 - 127.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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:ss/blissey:
Blissey (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Seismic Toss
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic
- Teleport

Blissey is a counter you wall it completely and take minimal damage from U-Turn giving Blissey opportunities to heal or Teleport bringing in teammates in safely. Blissey cannot do much against Dragapult besides Toxic to make progress against it or Thunder Wave to make it slower for teammates, but then again Dragapult cannot do much either so gg.
 
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1633889354532.png

Mandibuzz @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 92 Def / 152 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- U-turn

Mademoiselle Buzz is a counter to Dragapult, only fearing the rare Thunderbolt. She can switch into both STABs and Roost off the damage. Furthermore, she can retaliate with Foul Play, using Dragapult’s own attack against it.

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor over 2 turns vs. 248 HP / 152 SpD Mandibuzz: 355-421 (83.9 - 99.5%) -- not a KO

0- Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 270-320 (85.1 - 100.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
 
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:ss/primarina:
Primarina @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 40 SpA / 44 SpD / 176 Spe
Calm Nature
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Moonblast

Primarina is a check. Its typing and bulk allows it to switch in on most of Dragapult's attacks, only fearing the rare Thunderbolt. Once it switches in, Primarina can either begin setting up or immediately threaten a KO with Moonblast. If Dragapult switches out, Primarina can use that as an opportunity to set up a Substitute or threaten the switchin with a Scald burn.

While Shadow Ball's Sp. Def drops can be annoying, Primarina will usually survive a +0 Shadow Ball into a -1 Shadow Ball from full if the damage rolls are in its favor.

:primarina:
40 SpA Primarina Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 69-81 (21.7 - 25.5%) -- 0.8% chance to 4HKO
+1 40 SpA Primarina Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 103-122 (32.4 - 38.4%) -- 98.5% chance to 3HKO
40 SpA Primarina Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 326-386 (102.8 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

:dragapult:
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 44+ SpD Primarina: 127-150 (34.9 - 41.3%) -- 76.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. +1 248 HP / 44+ SpD Primarina: 84-100 (23.1 - 27.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. -1 248 HP / 44+ SpD Primarina: 189-223 (52 - 61.4%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 44+ SpD Primarina: 47-56 (12.9 - 15.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. +1 248 HP / 44+ SpD Primarina: 31-37 (8.5 - 10.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Dragapult U-turn vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Primarina: 34-40 (9.3 - 11%) -- possibly the worst move ever
 
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reserving scarf tapu fini

:ss/Tapu Fini:
Check: Can switch into any of Dragapults atacks and KO back with Moonblast
Paired with a Choice Scarf Tapu Fini find a nice niche being a fearsome revenge killer who can also provide certain defensive utility against pokemon like Dragapult, Urshifu-R and Weaville. Taunt are Trick can made Tapu Fini a wallbreaker who can cripple special defensive walls like Blissey, Toxapex and Slowking-G.

Set:

Tapu Fini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Trick
- Taunt
 
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:ss/Toxapex:

Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Knock Off
- Scald
- Haze
- Recover​

Pex is a counter to Specs Pult given you keep it healthy. Pex can switch in on both Shadow Ball and Draco and heal off the damage through Recover or Regenerator, only fearing the rare Thunderbolt. You can also knock off Pult's specs, making the rest of your life considerably easier and giving you a free item if Pult decides to switch out.

252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 180+ SpD Toxapex: 97-115 (32 - 37.9%) -- 1% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 180+ SpD Toxapex: 156-184 (51.4 - 60.7%) -- 93.4% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery -- doesn't factor in the spatk drop, Pex doesn't get 2HKOd from full
-2 252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 180+ SpD Toxapex: 78-93 (25.7 - 30.6%) -- 3.5% chance to 4HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 Atk Toxapex Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 122-144 (38.4 - 45.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
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Zeraora
zeraora.png

Zeraora @ Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 12 HP / 244 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Bulk Up / Toxic

:Zeraora: CHECK
- naturally outspeeds without needing Choice Scarf
- supereffective Knock Off
- can take a Specs-boosted Shadow Ball in a pinch​

As the only Pokémon that naturally outspeeds it, Zeraora is a premier check to Dragapult in SS OU thanks to its access to Knock Off.

244 Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dragapult: 238-282 (75 - 88.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

As you can see it doesn't OHKO, but Choice Specs Dragapult may take chip damage from Stealth Rock and potentially Rocky Helmet on predicted U-turn and thus can be brought into KO range. Furthermore, Knock Off is unique because it forces out Dragapult anyway due to the threat of removing Choice Specs, which makes it possible for Zeraora to survive a Draco Meteor and two Shadow Balls. Knock Off is also a very easy and safe move to click anyway, so even if you don't catch Dragapult you'll get value out of that turn for sure.

These forced switches can be taken advantage off by a timely Bulk Up or Toxic to end the match on the spot or make progress on the opponent's team, respectively. Speaking of Bulk Up, at +1 obviously Zeraora gains the power to easily OHKO Dragapult.
 
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