Project SS PU Victim of the Week | Week 2 - Sneasel (Submissions)

[Bag of Trixx]

Crustle
(Offensive Check)

Crustle @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Shell Smash
- X-Scissor
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake​

Crustle is an excellent offensive check to Raichu for its ability to always be able to OHKO Raichu from full with Earthquake, and always be able to take any hit from Raichu assuming Sturdy is in tact. Sturdy + Heavy-Duty Boots makes for a scary combo. Allowing Crustle to Shell Smash on the first Surf, and OHKO Raichu the 2nd turn with EQ or conversely OHKO Raichu turn 1 with the EQ.

Also, Crustle is not needed to run Jolly to outspeed Raichu at +2, because with Adamant +2 it hits 378 Speed. However, Jolly is great for hitting things such as scarf Mr. Rime and Stonjourner. So, Jolly is more preferable.

This is a check and not a counter because of Crustle requiring to take no prior damage before the interaction or else this strategy will not work. However, once Crustle comes in and sturdy is in tact; Raichu is a dead mouse.

EQ Calc w/o the Shell Smash

252 Atk Crustle Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 304-358 (116.4 - 137.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Raahel]

Offensive AV Hitmontop

Hitmontop (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Atk / 84 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Mach Punch
- Rapid Spin
- Sucker Punch

Hitmontop is a great raichu check since it is able to withstand 3 tbolt hits without rocks and kill it with 1 hit with CC since with that spread it is capable of doing OHKO at least, it is also good since it can enter with rocks or other hazards to serve as hazard control in midgame, also has 2 priority moves to finish killeating raichu after removing hazards.

Calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Assault Vest Hitmontop: 86-101 (28.2 - 33.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Assault Vest Hitmontop: 169-200 (55.5 - 65.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+3 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Assault Vest Hitmontop: 211-250 (69.4 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+4 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Assault Vest Hitmontop: 253-300 (83.2 - 98.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
172+ Atk Hitmontop Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 261-307 (100 - 117.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
172+ Atk Technician Hitmontop Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 130-154 (49.8 - 59%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
172+ Atk Technician Hitmontop Rapid Spin vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 109-129 (41.7 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
172+ Atk Hitmontop Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 102-120 (39 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[wooper]

Shiinotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 SpD
Bold Nature
- Strength Sap
- Moonblast
- Giga Drain
- Spore​

shiinotic serves as a great counter to the proposed raichu set. the given special defense means that this fun guy avoids any chance of a 2hko from +2 tbolt. given that raichu's other moves are both resisted and non-stab, shiinotic can comfortably switch in and deal respectable damage back, heal, or put something to sleep.

calcs

+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 28 SpD Shiinotic: 144-170 (44.4 - 52.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Surf vs. 252 HP / 28 SpD Shiinotic: 96-113 (29.6 - 34.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 28 SpD Shiinotic: 129-151 (39.8 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Shiinotic Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu: 112-133 (42.9 - 50.9%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO

 

[Katy]

Trevenant


Trevenant @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Horn Leech
- Shadow Claw
- Leech Seed
- Will-O-Wisp

is a counter as it can comfortably come in on a +2 raichu as well and can take any hit of it but trevenant can retaliate with a strong horn leech, which not only spreads damage but also gives trevenant recovery. furthermore trevenant can dish out a leech seed which gives it even more recovery and can cripple raichu with a will-o-wisp for the longterm of the game therefore it takes not only LO-recoil but also the wisp burn each turn.
trevenant can also use shadow claw instead of horn leech to make huge damage on raichu.
also the coverage-options on raichu arent super effective and focus blast doesnt do damage at all since trevenant is immunte to fighting-type-attacks.
furthermore trevenant has the added ability harvest alongside with the sitrus berry, which gives it necessary recovery.
in overall raichu can never break thru trev and trev just gives raichu a full stop on it sweep even when raichu is already at +2 therefore trev is a really good counter.

calcs:

Hide

+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Trevenant: 121-143 (32.3 - 38.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Surf vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Trevenant: 81-95 (21.6 - 25.4%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Grass Knot (80 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Trevenant: 71-84 (18.9 - 22.4%) -- 2.2% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock

4 Atk Trevenant Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 142-168 (54.4 - 64.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
4 Atk Trevenant Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 133-157 (50.9 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Squash]

Reserving drakloak as a check

 

[Shing]

reserving vibrava

Vibrava @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 8 Atk / 248 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Roost
- U-turn
- Defog
​

Vibrava immunity to Electric and Earthquake one-shotting Raichu to make sure the opponent has to think twice before using nasty plot. Roost makes sure that Vibrava keeps his health up and Defog/U-turn is team support.

It is a check though because it cannot switch into 2+ Focus Blast/Surf. But you shouldn’t let Raichu get a chance to use Nasty Plot as long Vibrava is in full health (or at least 75% on your health).

Calcs

+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 248+ SpD Eviolite Vibrava: 192-227 (63.1 - 74.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Surf vs. 252 HP / 248+ SpD Eviolite Vibrava: 144-170 (47.3 - 55.9%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

8 Atk Vibrava Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Doesn’t matter with 4 def evs anyway since life orb secures the kill)

 

[rien]

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Fake Out
- Extreme Speed
- Knock Off
- Volt Switch​

yes baby raichu is the best check to adult raichu, as unlike most other checks/counters submitted so far that can attempt to check np raichu but end up just getting volt switched on (yes that is a thing too), pika can actually outspeed and one-shot (well, two-shot if u wanna get technical) raichu, thus guaranteeing that it takes it out reliably even if np raichu is packing volt switch. also unlike persian and drilbur under sand, the only other mons that can accomplish this without choice items, it doesn't suck.

calcs

252+ Atk Light Ball Pikachu Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 90-107 (34.4 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

now taking into consideration the lowest possible fake out roll (34.4%, aka 90 hp):

252+ Atk Light Ball Pikachu Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 180-212 (68.9 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[SergioRules]

Seaking @ Assault Vest
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Megahorn
- Drill Run
- Knock Off

Ugly shiny gang rise up. AV Seaking can easily tank either two hits from an unboosted Raichu, or one from a +2 Raichu and its Adamant Drill Run always OHKOs Raichu after LO damage. This makes it a great offensive check to Raichu.

 

[Sgt Pelipper]

Stonjourner @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Power Spot
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Heat Crash
- Earthquake
- Heavy Slam

Scarf Stonejourner is the perfect check to Raichu due to its simplicity and unexpected nature when facing Raichu. Normally if Raichu sees Stone, his first instinct is to Thunderbolt it, thinking it would outspeed and K/O it due to its poor Special Defense and average Speed . Instead, Stonejourner outspeeds Raichu with Scarf and simply one-shots it with Earthquake. Stonejourner is one of the few Pokemon that can take out Raichu without sacrificing any health in the process.

 

[Greybaum]

Gourgeist @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Power Whip
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-O-Wisp
- Synthesis

252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gourgeist: 94-110 (34.6 - 40.5%)
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gourgeist: 187-221 (69 - 81.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Gourgeist Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 271-319 (103.8 - 122.2%)

submitting offensive gourgeist-regular as a check. lives any hit even at +2 and can OHKO back with power whip, but can't afford to take much chip and may find itself forced to recover on tbolt.

 

[Rubicon]

Sliggoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Gooey
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Toxic
- Dragon Pulse​

Another special attacker on the chopping block? That's a paddlin'. Once again, I'm out thinking of what to do if this thing ever gets boosted, so Sliggoo from last week seems to do the trick for a counter. Anyone who thinks they can trust a Focus Blast connecting will be a bit disappointed to know that it still does poor damage, even after boosted attack. She can just sleep off the damage, and keep coming back for more. Tack on the residual damage of toxic & life orb, and this is where the buck stops

Defending calculations

+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Sliggoo: 66-78 (19.4 - 22.9%)
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Sliggoo: 117-139 (34.4 - 40.8%)
+4 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Sliggoo: 175-207 (51.4 - 60.8%)

Attacking calculations

4 SpA Sliggoo Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu: 94-112 (36 - 42.9%)
Adding up the residual damage, 3 turns of staying in is 37.5% of poison damage + 30% of life orb damage, which means she only needs to attack once before needing to sleep off the damage

 

[Pabloaram]

Shiinotic is a counter to Raichu..

Shiinotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Giga Drain
- Spore
- Strength Sap

Shiinotic has a low chance to be 2HKO against +2 Tbolt
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Shiinotic: 148-174 (45.6 - 53.7%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Giga Drain is a 3HKO, recovering hp (11% aprox)
0 SpA Shiinotic Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu: 90-106 (34.4 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Also Shiinotic can put Raichu to sleep tranks to Spore, if Raichu use NP on the switch....
Curiosity: Shiino didnt need being spdef to bet Raichu, letting be a blanked check to physical attaker (without poison coverage ofc)

Edit: Sorry sexywooper and friends.. i dont see the reserved post... =(

 

[Oathkeeper]

Shiinotic is a counter to Raichu..

Shiinotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Giga Drain
- Spore
- Strength Sap

Shiinotic has a low chance to be 2HKO against +2 Tbolt
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Shiinotic: 148-174 (45.6 - 53.7%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Giga Drain is a 3HKO, recovering hp (11% aprox)
0 SpA Shiinotic Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu: 90-106 (34.4 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Also Shiinotic can put Raichu to sleep tranks to Spore, if Raichu use NP on the switch....
Curiosity: Shiino didnt need being spdef to bet Raichu, letting be a blanked check to physical attaker (without poison coverage ofc)

sexywooper has already reserved Shiinotic! Please choose another mon =)

 

[Pabloaram]

sexywooper has already reserved Shiinotic! Please choose another mon =)

srry dont see the reserved =(... if i find someone new i post

 

[jonago]

Hakamo-o @ Eviolite
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Rest
- Sleep Talk​

So Hakamo-o is a true counter to Raichu. To be fair, I don't know why you would ever use this particular set in the tier if not only for Raichu but maybe you can throw off opposing Fairy Types with this as well.
Other than that, Hakamo-o really does a great job in beating Raichu. Being immune to Focus Blast is nice and the strongest attack Raichu can hit you with is Thunderbolt which is doing 33% max at +2. I chose EQ over Dragon Tail for three reasons:
1: You can't miss
2: You can nearly snack the KO on Raichu. If you ran 80 EVs in Attack for example you could knock it out after Rocks and one turn of Life Orb damage! However, I like my Hakamo-o not being 3HKOed without hazards up, so I'd prefer this generic Max-Max-spread.
and 3: You don't get hard walled by Mawile (or Steel Types in general).

So in my book, I found the strongest counter to this week's victim. Roselia being the only Pokemon that could be considered a better one. However! I think having the ability to knock out Raichu with a little bit Attack investment, puts Hakamo-o over the edge to being the best one.

 

[dhilandesaiisgay]

Nominating specially defensive Bellossom as a counter to Raichu.

Bellossom @ Leftovers
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 196 HP / 60 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Moonlight
- Toxic
- Leech Seed

With the given EV spread, Bellossom can take any hit from Raichu at least once and heal the damage off with Moonlight and lefties recovery. Toxic and Leech Seed allow the flower to chip away at Raichu's health when combined with LO recoil, and grant it recovery thanks to Leech Seed's great healing abilities. In addition, the recovery from Giga Drain and Leech Seed usually allow it to avoid the 2HKO from Focus Blast. (Even if it doesn’t, we all know how accurate Focus Blast is)
Therefore, I believe that Bellossom serves as a hard counter to NP Raichu

Calcs

+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Focus Blast vs. 200 HP / 252+ SpD Bellossom: 191-225 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Surf vs. 200 HP / 252+ SpD Bellossom: 71-84 (20.8 - 24.6%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Volt Switch vs. 200 HP / 252+ SpD Bellossom: 83-99 (24.3 - 29%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 200 HP / 252+ SpD Bellossom: 107-126 (31.3 - 36.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Now for Bellossom
60 SpA Bellossom Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu: 94-112 (36 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Oathkeeper]

I got you gum

Appletun @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 172 HP / 252 SpD / 84 Spe
Calm Nature
- Apple Acid
- Dragon Pulse
- Recover
- Leech Seed

Counter. Raichu can try all it wants with this set but it's never going to take this out since the apple pie can just Recover HP right back that Raichu just dents at anyway. It 4x resists both STAB Thunderbolt and coverage Surf / Grass Knot and Focus Blast just tickles it:

252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 172 HP / 252+ SpD Appletun: 31-36 (7.6 - 8.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Surf vs. 172 HP / 252+ SpD Appletun: 21-25 (5.1 - 6.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Focus Blast vs. 172 HP / 252+ SpD Appletun: 110-131 (27.2 - 32.4%) -- 57.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

Squash17, you're an awesome dude but I had to reject your submission despite it being a good one since you never revised your post to be your submission and didn't do so even after I messaged you about it on Discord

Checks

User​	Pokemon​	Submission​
twitch.tv/Bag_of_Trixx​	​	Crustle​
RahelGamer03​	​	Hitmontop​
Shing'n Streets​	​	Vibrava​
royesk​	​	Pikachu​
SergioRules​	​	Seaking​
Sgt Pelipper​	​	Stonjourner​
uhuhuhu7​	​	Gourgeist​
dhilandesaiisgay​	​	Bellossom​

Counters

​

User	Pokemon	Submission
BulbaBrain​	​	Roselia​
sexywooper​	​	Shiinotic​
Katy​	​	Trevenant​
Rubicon​	​	Sliggoo​
jonago​	​	Hakamo-o​
Oathkeepre​	​	Appletun​

dhilandesaiisgay, while Bellossom can take on Raichu 1v1, it's not a counter (although it feels like one). Bello can come in to take any hit, but it can also come in on a NP, Raichu can then 2HKO with Focus Blast even with the spread you supplied. So, I moved it to checks since Bello would need a head start on Raichu to beat it. Anywho.....

Vote for 2 checks & 2 counters! Voting ends on Sunday.

Checks: Gourgeist, Vibrava
Counters: Shiinotic, Hakamo-o​

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

Seaking and bell

Shiinotic and rose

 

[Cheezy]

Checks: Seaking and Gourg

Counters: Rose and Apple

 

[BulbaBrain]

Checks: Pika and Stonjourner
Counters: Trev and Apple

 

[rien]

checks: vibrava (it's legit a counter as it blocks volt, can take any +2 attack, AND it has reliable recovery), gourg
counters: rose, shii

 

[Shing]

Checks: Crustle and Pikachu
Counters: Appletun and Roselia

 

[Mega Ampharos]

Checks: Vibrava and Stonjourner
Counters: Roselia and Shiinotic

 

[dhilandesaiisgay]

Checks: Crustle and Stonjourner
Counters: Roselia and Appletun

 

[Raahel]

Checks: Vibrava, Gourgeist
Counters: Roselia, Trevenant