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

[Tuthur]

 

[ironwater]

Thanks to all the voters, I’m ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Demon Mew Victim week:

Checks:

by SLDR

Counters:

by Katy and by agslash23

Full Results

Checks:

Counters:
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
0
0

Congratulations to the three winners and thanks to everyone who made a submission,

For next week we will feature a Pokemon not commonly seen in OU, but with a very threatening set: SubCM Keldeo!

Keldeo @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
- Scald

If Specs Keldeo seems hard to justify in an OU team, this set can be an interesting tool to beat common defensive structure and act as a late game wincon. The idea of this set is to abuse Substitute + Taunt to transform common defensive switch ins into setup fodder. Scald is Keldeo most spammable STAB and only attack on this set and becomes quite strong when boosted with several Calm Mind. Who would you run to check or counter this Pokemon and prevent it from sweeping your entire team with several Calm Mind?

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

 

[Tysonslayer]

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Draining Kiss

Tapu Fini serves as a check to Keldeo as the only way Keldeo can do any progress is Scald which Tapu Fini can comfortably take on has its own Substitue and Calm Mind to fend off from Keldeo. Draining Kiss is also helpful in dealing immediate damage to Keldeo as it tries to Taunt causing immediate pressure against Keldeo. While you have to play around with Scald and Taunt from getting worn down and not getting the boost you need to fend off from Keldeo when it boosts, though if the player doesn't have that mindset you can use that to your advantage and get off a Substitute and get your Calm Mind boosts.

 

[Katy]

taunt bulu


Tapu Bulu @ Leftovers
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Horn Leech
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Taunt​

Tapu Bulu is a counter! It's able to withstand Keldeos Scald pretty well and with Swords Dance it's able to use Keldeo as setup fodder. Tapu Bulus great dual typing allows it to beat Keldeo in a 1v1 situation. Even when Tapu Bulu might get burned due to Scald, it can still threaten Keldeo regardless. Furthermore with Taunt it's able to either disrupt Keldeo itself or even its teammates.

252 Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo in Grassy Terrain: 350-414 (108.3 - 128.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk burned Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo in Grassy Terrain: 175-207 (54.1 - 64%) -- 90.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

+1 252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 102-120 (35.2 - 41.5%) -- 80.3% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[RaikouLover]

Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Overheat

Volcanion is a counter to mono-CM Keldeo. Keldeo can either retreat or die slowly.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Sludge Wave vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 124-147 (38.3 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Sludge Wave vs. +2 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 93-110 (28.7 - 34%) -- 98.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Sludge Wave vs. +3 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 75-89 (23.2 - 27.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[romanji]

Dragapult @ Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Darts
- Phantom Force
- Substitute​

Sub DD Dragapult is a hard check to SubCM Keldeo. Dragapult not only resists Keldeo's STAB combination, it is able to boost its damage output with Dragon Dance. Substitute blocks potential Scald burns. Leftovers is the preffered item for this set, as it works beautifully with Phantom Force to give it the extra recovery during the dead turns. It also lets it get more opportunities to set up a Substitute. The spread has just enough Speed to outpace Tapu Koko since it will already outspeed opposing Dragapult, Zeraora, and every Choice Scarf user at +1.

calcs

defensive calcs

252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 82-97 (24 - 28.4%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 123-146 (36 - 42.8%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 165-194 (48.3 - 56.8%) -- 40.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

offensive calcs

252 Atk Dragapult Dragon Darts (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 168-200 (52 - 61.9%) -- approx. 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 19.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Dragapult Dragon Darts (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 254-300 (78.6 - 92.8%) -- approx. 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 226-267 (69.9 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Dragapult Dragon Darts (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 338-398 (104.6 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 303-357 (93.8 - 110.5%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

 

[InvisibleWater]

Gastrodon @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Clear Smog

Gastrodon is a counter. While it can't threaten Keldeo with a KO, Keldeo can't do much in return other than Taunt. This allows Gastrodon to come in almost for free, where it can attempt to remove Keldeo's boosts with Clear Smog. If Keldeo is behind a Substitute, Gastrodon can break through it with Earthquake.

Calcs

0 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 44-52 (13.6 - 16%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo: 102-120 (31.5 - 37.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Gastrodon Clear Smog vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Keldeo: 37-44 (11.4 - 13.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever

 

[SDK03]

Reserving Rillaboom

 

[SDK03]

Rillaboom @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Knock Off
- Wood Hammer / Superpower
- U-turn​

Choice Band Rillaboom is a Counter Check to Keldeo, hands down. OHKOs with Grassy Glide and can take 3 1+ Scalds from Keldeo easily. Even when Rilla is burned by Scald, Keldeo is still right within KO range, especially after setting up a Substitute.

EDIT: However, if Rillaboom is burned while switching in on a Scald while Keldeo is behind its Sub, then it is easier for Keldeo to dispose of and wear Rilla down due to lack of recovery.

Calcs

252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Rillaboom: 87-102 (25.5 - 29.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
+1 252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Rillaboom: 130-153 (38.1 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo in Grassy Terrain: 518-612 (160.3 - 189.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band burned Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Keldeo in Grassy Terrain: 259-306 (80.1 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[ironwater]

Hey there, I will close the submission phase in ~20 hours, as always, pinging Tysonslayer if you want to fill your submission.

 

[ironwater]

Hey there, submission period is now closed, so let’s move on to the voting phase. The Victim of this week was Calm Mind .
Here are the submissions, we’ve got:

Checks

by Tysonslayer

by avg

by SDK03
(I counted it as check because of its lack of reco + risk of a burn on Scald)

Counters

by Katy

by RaikouLover

by InvisibleWater

Vote for your two favorite checks and two favorite counters (you can’t vote for your own submission).
Voting phase ends on Sunday.​

 

[InvisibleWater]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[ydegaming12]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[D5405]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[RaikouLover]

Checks:

Counters:

 

[SDK03]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[Fopo]

Checks:

Counters:

 

[SLDR]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[ironwater]

Thanks to all the voters, I’m ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Calm Mind Keldeo Victim week:

Checks:

by Tysonslayer and by SDK03

Counters:

by Katy and by RaikouLover

Full Results

Checks:
7
4
3

Counters:
5
5
4

Congratulations to our four winners and thanks for all these submissions.

For next week, our victim will be a fearsome sweeper since BW, Volcarona:

Volcarona @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Flamethrower
- Psychic
- Roost

This Pokemon can quickly become a problem for unprepared teams because of its amazing setup move in Quiver Dance. Flamethrower is its main Fire STAB and Psychic is used as a coverage move to hit plenty of Fire resistant Pokemon. Roost is often chosen over a secondary STAB move as Bug coverage is not amazing and Roost allows Volcarona to setup on a wide variety of Pokemon that can’t break through it because of the Special Defense boost from Quiver Dance. Flame Body is a great ability to punish physical attackers for clicking moves like U-turn and can help transforming some of them into setup fodder. Lastly, Heavy-Duty Boots is the item of choice mainly because you don’t want to take half of your life when arriving on the field. What Checks and Counters would you use to not get swept by this burning bug?

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

 

[Katy]

ttar


Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch​

Tyranitar is a counter to Volcarona, as it is immune to its Psychic-type coverage and it resists its Fire-type STAB move very well. Even after a couple of boosts, Tyranitar can combat Volcarona pretty well. Also Sand Stream can help Tyranitar further with a boost in its Special Defense, which means Volcarona has an incredible hard time bypassing our favorite Rock-type Tyranitar.

calcs:
+6 252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 201-237 (58.9 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+4 252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 150-177 (43.9 - 51.9%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 101-119 (29.6 - 34.8%) -- 11.8% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 51-60 (14.9 - 17.5%) -- possible 6HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 1552-1828 (499 - 587.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tyranitar Crunch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 312-367 (100.3 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Tysonslayer]

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe
Calm Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Toxic

Heatran is a counter you are immune to fire moves of Volcarona thanks to Flash Fire, and you resist Psychic. Heatran can do a couple of things such as using Magma Storm in trapping Volcarona or whatever comes in, Taunt Volcarona to prevent it from setting up or recovering from roost, and even Toxic it crippling it and putting it on a timer. Heatran is the true road blocker to Volcarona.

 

[romanji]

Calm Mind Tapu Fini
Victini

 

[SDK03]

Blissey @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic / Thunder Wave
- Teleport
​

Blissey is a Counter to Offensive Roost Volcarona. Blissey sits on +2 Volc with just max HP and 4 SpD EVs invested along with Soft-Boiled and can put it on a timer with Toxic to beat out Roost. Thunder Wave can cripple Volc’s speed and take away some of its turns, but Toxic is preferred due to it outright beating Volc instead of relying on paralysis RNG. Teleport also helps to safely pivot into an offensive check or counter if needed. Seismic Toss helps to bring Volcarona’s HP lower so Toxic can finish it off earlier.

Calcs

252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Blissey: 117-138 (16.3 - 19.3%) -- possible 6HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Blissey: 175-207 (24.5 - 28.9%) -- 99.7% chance to 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Blissey: 232-274 (32.4 - 38.3%) -- 98.2% chance to 3HKO
+3 252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Blissey: 291-343 (40.7 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[InvisibleWater]

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Flip Turn
- Earthquake
- Toxic

Swampert is a check. Without Bug Buzz or Giga Drain, Volcarona needs multiple Quiver Dance boosts to even 2HKO Swampert, giving it plenty of opportunities to switch in and threaten it with Toxic, or threaten a 2HKO with either of its attacking moves.

Calcs

0 Atk Swampert Flip Turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 200-236 (64.3 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Swampert Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 165-195 (53 - 62.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Swampert: 59-69 (14.6 - 17%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Swampert: 117-138 (28.9 - 34.1%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Volcarona Psychic vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Swampert: 79-93 (19.5 - 23%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Volcarona Psychic vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Swampert: 156-184 (38.6 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[SLDR]

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 236 HP / 48 Atk / 64 Def / 8 SpD / 152 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Roost
- Heal Bell

COUNTER​

any dd dnite is a good check to volcarona, but a bulky variant with dual wingbeat and heal bell is definitely a counter. it has bulk+multiscale+roost to take even boosted psychics and dragon dance to boost alongside it, dual wingbeat to easily ko volcarona and heal bell to heal burns from flame body. not really much else to say about this in relation to volcarona, really. bulky dd dnite is decent in magnezone teams as a bulky win condition capable of checking and beating taunt-less heatran, urshifu-r, volcarona, rillaboom, kartana and even stuff that resists it like zeraora. high maintanance, but also very useful mon to have on bulky offensive teams