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

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Hello everyone! I'll be the new host for this project, which I am very happy about! Let's get right into it:
It seems that getting a good look at our victim is quite difficult, seeing that according to the Dex entry it reaches 180mph with kicks powerful enough to pulverize trucks, today we'll be looking at Galarian Zapdos!

:ss/Zapdos-galar:
Zapdos-Galar @ Choice Band
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Stomping Tantrum
- U-turn

Galarian Zapdos has seen more and more usage. It utilizes its great offensive typing and stats to break through walls, its stab CC allows it to easily muscle past the common steels in the tier and force them out, while Brave Bird allows it to hit Pokemon that either resist the move like Clefable, Galarian Slowking, and Toxapex all the while retaining momentum with U-turn, allowing it to keep up its heavy offensive pressure. It also deters Defog and Landorus-Therian's intimidate thanks to its Defiant ability, which further increases its offensive pressure to very big levels. How do you personally check this beast? Let us know!

The submission phase will end next friday, happy posting!​
 
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:ss/toxapex:

Toxapex @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Knock Off / Scald
- Recover
- Haze
- Toxic Spikes / Scald / Toxic

Toxapex is a check. While banded Brave Bird is a clean 2HKO, most of Gapdos' other attacks fail to do so without prior chip damage (unless it somehow manages to hit you with a boosted Stomping Tantrum, but unless you're running Bunker that's probably your own fault), potentially allowing Toxapex to switch in and either remove its Choice Band or cripple it with Scald burns. Running Rocky Helmet adds insult to injury, since all of Gapdos' moves make contact. This causes Brave Bird to shave off roughly a third of Gapdos' health after each use, and punishes it for using U-turn while Toxapex is alive.

As an added bonus, Toxapex can remove Gapdos' boosts with Haze. However, the only moves it can switch in on after a Defiant boost are Close Combat and U-turn.

:toxapex:
0- Atk Toxapex Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zapdos-Galar: 23-28 (7.1 - 8.7%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 57-67 (17.7 - 20.8%) -- possible 5HKO

:zapdos-galar:
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 76-90 (25 - 29.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar U-turn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 30-35 (9.8 - 11.5%) -- possible 9HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Stomping Tantrum vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 128-152 (42.1 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
 
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:sm/zapdos:
Zapdos @ Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Discharge
- Hurricane
- Volt Switch

Regular Zapdos is Galarian Zapdos' worst enemy. Three of its moves are contact moves which means it risks paralysis and both its stabs are resisted by its regular form. Regular Zapdos' own stabs also destroy its Galarian form. Probably the best counter to Galarian Zapdos in the tier
 
:corsola_galar:

Corsola-Galar @ Eviolite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Strength Sap
- Disable
- Will-O-Wisp
- Night Shade

Corsola-Galar is a veritable nuclear bunker for physically weak teams. With Eviolite, 100 base in both defenses, the decent base HP of 60, Ghost typing, and moves that make any Choice Bander shiver in pure terror, Corsola-Galar is on a level with -if not on a level higher than- Dusclops as an NFE wall. This set is unusual, as most often, this counter is used for its Stealth Rock utility. Here, Rocks is replaced with Disable. Disable is used to shut down Specs or Band users that might break through its pure defensive power. Will-O-Wisp cuts Brave Bird down to 60 BP with 33% recoil. Strength Sap is the best recovery move in the game and it instantly nullifies Band, and it also doesn't get destroyed by Wisping the opponent. Night Shade does massive damage (for a tank), picking up the 4HKO (and the 3HKO with rocks up, doing 31.1% damage to Zapdos). And Zapdos doesn't scrape it. Two Brave Birds in a row, with no burn, no stat changes, and no Disables, has a 0.4% chance to 2HKO (making it 99.6% safe to switch in, due to Strength Sap). But one move in and it's clear that Zapdos can't touch it. A -1 Banded Zapdos has a 0.3% chance to 3HKO (with Corsola at full HP again because Strength Sap), and a burned one does 21.2 to 25% (smogon says it has a 0% chance to 4HKO lol). Also, even if Corsola doesn't use Disable (which just wins if they stay in), Cursed Body can activate, putting yet more pressure on the opponent. Corsola is also helpful out of a vacuum, blocking literally every one of the physical (and possibly special) offensive mons in OU on their switch-in. Combine that with the overwhelmingly large pressure Night Shade has, and you have the perfect safeguard against the Galarian Zapdos beast.




Edit: there are two counters posted lol all skill
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Corsola-Galar: 138-163 (42.5 - 50.3%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO

252 Atk Choice Band burned Zapdos-Galar Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Corsola-Galar: 69-81 (21.2 - 25%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO

-1 252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Corsola-Galar: 93-109 (28.7 - 33.6%) -- 0.3% chance to 3HKO

Corsola-Galar Night Shade vs. 0 HP Zapdos-Galar: 100-100 (31.1 - 31.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Click to expand...
 
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:ss/tapu-koko:
Tapu Koko @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- U-turn
- Roost
I would say the common offensive pivot koko is a check to gapdos with its speed, STAB tbolt that always a KO on electric terrain which can force gapdos to switch out so you can U-turn for momentum, you can also hard switch koko into most attacks from an unboosted gapdos then roost to shook off the damage too, but stomping tantrum have a high chance to KO you.

252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar in Electric Terrain: 336-396 (104.6 - 123.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 163-192 (58 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 163-192 (58 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Stomping Tantrum vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 272-322 (96.7 - 114.5%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
 
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Slowbro @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Future Sight
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Teleport

Can pivot into BB at least twice and doesn’t fear CC. Also threatens Gapdos with Scald burns or RH chip. However it is 2HKOd by BB and takes a big chunk from U-Turn. Therefore it is a check.

252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 193-228 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO
 
Hey so been very busy with real life and I accidentally forgot about this oops! I promise to stay on track this time
Let's get onto our next victim:

:ss/garchomp:

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

Notorious since its debut generation for being one of the strongest and coolest Pokemon in each metagame it's in, Garchomp has made quite the name for itself being a dragon that can hit Steel-types super effectively. Around the time Sword and Shield rolled around, Garchomp has started to patch up its speed with Scale shot, making it even more threatening seeing how easy it is to set up thanks to its great typing and bulk. And so we ask, how do you suggest we check this pokemon?


The submission phase will end next friday, happy posting!​
 
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Buzzwole @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 152 HP / 168 Atk / 188 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Roost
- Leech Life

TL;DR: Buzzwole does not have a care in the world for Chomp. It takes any hit at +2 and finishes it off with Ice Punch. You can run more bulk to punish Chomp even harder. Which is why it is a counter to SD Chomp.

168+ Atk Buzzwole Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 372-440 (104.2 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 Atk Garchomp Fire Fang vs. 152 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 214-252 (54.4 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
With lefties as its item, Garchomp isn't as threatening as it could be. As such, the best check for it is none other than

:ss/rillaboom:
Rilla @ Miracle Seed
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Grassy Glide
- Drain Punch / Superpower
- Swords Dance / Wood Hammer

As long as you have monke around, you are never gonna get swept by Garchomp. You will need a slight bit if damage as non choice band glide is never gonna kill -1 sharkyboi from full but that isn't too much of an issue. However, it is nothing more than a check as it dies to fire fang and doesn't really wanna take scale shots
 
:ss/mandibuzz:
Mandibuzz @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 92 Def / 152 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Toxic
- U-turn / Knock Off

Mandibuzz is a check. If Garchomp isn't carrying Rock-type coverage, it struggles to break through Mandibuzz without a Swords Dance boost. In return, Mandibuzz can put it on a timer with Toxic, Roost off the damage, or remove its Leftovers. If Garchomp does manage to set up, switching in does become more difficult thanks to Scale Shot, but Foul Play becomes an almost guaranteed OHKO. If Garchomp is at -1 Defense, it becomes a guaranteed OHKO.

:mandibuzz:
252 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 162-192 (45.3 - 53.7%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 244-288 (68.3 - 80.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 324-382 (90.7 - 107%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 487-574 (136.4 - 160.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Mandibuzz U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 38-45 (10.6 - 12.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 Atk Mandibuzz U-turn vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 56-67 (15.6 - 18.7%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Mandibuzz Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 76-91 (21.2 - 25.4%) -- 0.4% chance to 4HKO
0 Atk Mandibuzz Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 117-138 (32.7 - 38.6%) -- 99% chance to 3HKO

:garchomp:
252 Atk Garchomp Fire Fang vs. 248 HP / 92+ Def Mandibuzz: 57-68 (13.4 - 16%) -- possible 7HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Fire Fang vs. 248 HP / 92+ Def Mandibuzz: 113-134 (26.7 - 31.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Scale Shot (2 hits) vs. 248 HP / 92+ Def Mandibuzz: 66-80 (15.6 - 18.9%) -- approx. possible 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Scale Shot (2 hits) vs. 248 HP / 92+ Def Mandibuzz: 134-158 (31.6 - 37.3%) -- approx. 90.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Scale Shot (5 hits) vs. 248 HP / 92+ Def Mandibuzz: 165-200 (39 - 47.2%) -- approx. 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Scale Shot (5 hits) vs. 248 HP / 92+ Def Mandibuzz: 335-395 (79.1 - 93.3%) -- approx. 2HKO
 
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reserving unaware clef
:ss/clefable:
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Heal Bell
- Soft-Boiled
Clefables ability unaware easily allows it to counter most garchomp sets.Its decent defense stat allows it to not get 2hkoed by any garchomp hits and can use soft boiled to heal its hp back up.It also has its really good STAB moonblast which can easily 2hko most garchomps.

Calcs:
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 144-171 (36.5 - 43.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 224-266 (62.7 - 74.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery.
 
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