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

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Katy

Banned deucer.
Guys, please vote for EXACTLY 2 Checks!
Also to clear things up, and I have discussed it with multiple persons, Quagsire isn't a counter longterm, as - when weakened - cant come in safely anymore into Entry Hazards + the Damage upon the Switch + a subsequent Attack. So I changed it to a check, whereas Clefable has Heavy-Duty Boots to counteract to the Hazard stacking weakness.
 

Jaajgko

I will disband the soccer club
is a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
Guys, please vote for EXACTLY 2 Checks!
Also to clear things up, and I have discussed it with multiple persons, Quagsire isn't a counter longterm, as - when weakened - cant come in safely anymore into Entry Hazards + the Damage upon the Switch + a subsequent Attack. So I changed it to a check, whereas Clefable has Heavy-Duty Boots to counteract to the Hazard stacking weakness.
I don't think that makes sense tho. Chomp only learns stealth rock as an entry hazard, which leftovers outheals, so for Quag to be crippled by entry hazards Chomp would need to have a team mate with Tspikes or Spikes, but even then EQ doesn't 2HKO after 3 layers of spikes, and tspikes can be easily removed on Quag builds (aka stall). So basically you're saying it's not a counter to Chomp because sometimes its partners are gonna cripple it? With that logic you could say that Buzzwole is not a counter because the opponent could have set up a future sight.
Either way idc I just randomly opened this thread
 

Katy

Banned deucer.
After further investigation I have changed my mind towards Quagsire, I'll put it into COUNTERS, If you want to change your COUNTERS submission feel free to do so. But the rest goes as always: Vote for 2 Counters and 2 Checks! Sorry everyone for that inconvinience!
 

Katy

Banned deucer.
I'm closing the Voting Stage for Leftovers :Garchomp: without further addo, the Winners are:

Counters:
:Buzzwole: by Tysonslayer
:clefable: by HydreigonTheChild
Checks:
:rillaboom: by JTD783
:skarmory: by TailGlowVM

Gratulations!

Now up to the next Victim of the Week for Week 19 Utility Zapdos!


:ss/Zapdos:
Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 220 Def / 40 Spe
Timid Nature
- Discharge / Volt Switch
- Hurricane / Heat Wave
- Roost
- Defog​

Zapdos cemented itself as one of the best defensive Pokemon in the metagame. However, recently its usage and viability decreased, but Zapdos still is a Pokemon people might have some trouble breaking. Zapdos' best assets are Discharge to spread annoying paralysis and with Volt Switch it can easily pivot out on bad matchups. Hurricane gives it a high base power STAB and Heat Wave is a great tool against defensive Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Excadrill. Roost alongside Defog round that set up pretty well and give this Pokemon support for its teammates and longevity for itself. Now what are some Pokemon which can check / counter Zapdos?

Deadline for submission will be 17th June 2021
 
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Latias

very interesting
is a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
Submitting Zeraora as a check
:ss/zeraora:
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Volt Switch
- Close Combat
- Knock Off

Zeraora resists Hurricane and is immune to Discharge and Volt Switch. Its also one of the best pokemon outside of checking Zapdos.
252 Atk Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 248 HP / 220 Def Zapdos: 133-157 (34.7 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zeraora: 100-118 (31.5 - 37.2%) -- 83.6% chance to 3HKO
 
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ViZar

your toast is burned
is a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
Tapu Koko
:ss/Tapu-Koko:
Tapu Koko @ Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- U-turn
- Grass Knot

Tapu Koko serves as a check to Utility Zapdos. I tanks all of its can fire off Electric Terrain-boosted Thunderbolts. Even if Zapdos removes Electric Terrain with Defog, Thunderbolt is still a 2HKO. The problem is that Tapu Koko, while not threaten as much by Zapdos' attacks, can't switch in repeatingly due to the lack of HDB for Hazards and Roost for its attacks.
To overcome this issue, you can run an offensive pivot set with Roost replacing Grass Knot and HDB instead of Choice Specs. This removes the ability to 2HKO Zapdos, but you can come in more often and more easily.

Offensive:
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos in Electric Terrain: 253-298 (66 - 77.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Volt Switch vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos in Electric Terrain: 196-232 (51.1 - 60.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 195-229 (50.9 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Defensive:
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 73.9% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 74-87 (26.3 - 30.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 95.4% chance to 3HKO

Offensive:
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos in Electric Terrain: 169-199 (44.1 - 51.9%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 130-154 (33.9 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Defensive:
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 73.9% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 74-87 (26.3 - 30.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 95.4% chance to 3HKO
 
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swampert

immune to discharge, resists heat wave, shrugs off hurricane, cripples with toxic, sets up rocks in its face and flip turns out. Due to its low speed, it doesn’t mind static para speed drops, but the chance to not move sucks.

:bw/swampert: @ :leftovers:
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Flip Turn

0 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Swampert: 111-132 (27.4 - 32.6%) -- 68.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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:Hippowdon: @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 8 Atk / 248 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic

You can easily switch on zapdos and proceed to toxic it, set up stealth rocks and even deny roosts opportunities since stab eq from hippo outdamages roost without taking into account sand and toxic damage. This is a counter to zapdos as it can switch and stop zapdos from making any progress

8 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 220 Def Zapdos: 218-258 (56.9 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 248+ SpD Hippowdon: 73-87 (17.3 - 20.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 248+ SpD Hippowdon: 127-151 (30.2 - 35.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
 

TailGlowVM

Now 100% more demonic
:ss/gastrodon_east:
Gastrodon @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Sticky Hold / Storm Drain (doesn't matter for this)
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Recover

Gastrodon is immune to Zapdos's Electric moves, and Hurricane is only a 4HKO (less realistically given the chances of all four attacks hitting), meaning Gastrodon can just click Toxic and stall it out. Even offensive Zapdos (though not in the OP) does under 40% maximum with Hurricane, so in the event your opponent randomly decides to bring that you have no problem.
 
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:ss/garchomp:
Garchomp @ Leftovers
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Fire Fang
- Scale Shot / Stealth Rock

Garchomp serves as a check against Zapdos, with its typing you are immune to Electric moves from Zapdos and completely shut down Heat Wave variants only having to worry about Hurricane. Even against Hurricane versions you it won't always be the gaurenteed 2HKO and also needs to hit at the same time, while Garchomp is able to outspeed it and possibly use it as setup fodder. Stone Edge will be needed to pressure Zapdos immensely since Fire Fang won't cut it, however this also could let Garchomp be a hazard setter at the same time to running Stealth Rock since it's able to pressure and deny Zapdos from removing hazards at the same time.
0 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 165-195 (46.2 - 54.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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Reserving Rhyperior



Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 244 HP / 16 Atk / 188 SpD / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Smack Down
- Swords Dance

While admittedly a niche OU pick, Rhyperior is a Rock Solid counter to Utility Zapdos. It's a Stealth Rock setter that threatens Zapdos out thanks to its STABs (EQ when Zapdos Roosts or is Smacked Down) and defensive typing. Rhyperior can block Volt Switch, is immune to Discharge, and resists Zapdos's other attacks. Rhyperior also happens to check Volcarona fairly nicely since none of them ever run Giga Drain anymore, and it can check other Defoggers such as, Mandibuzz, Corviknight, and Skarmory thanks to Smack Down. Pretty good Heatran check, as well. Pair this with a Rillaboom, and the combination of Leftovers and Grassy terrain will also allow Rhyperior to better take on DD Dragonite, too.
 
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AM

is a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnusis a Past WCoP Champion
LCPL Champion
Counter: Stunfisk

:ss/stunfisk:

Stunfisk @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock

Zapdos Discharge vs. Stunfisk: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Stunfisk: 52-62 (12.3 - 14.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Stunfisk: 61-72 (14.4 - 17%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery

Lol
 
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