Project SS UU Victim Of The Week v2- Week 53: Darmanitan (Submissions)

[Totomon]

Epic Nihilego

Nihilego @ Black Sludge
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Power Gem
- Stealth Rock
- Sludge Wave
- Knock Off

Nihilego checks Thundy-T by virtue of its massive SpDef and slightly higher speed, it can even come in once as before a Nasty Plot, Psychic doesnt KO us. After that we just outspeed and power gem it to death, pretty straight forward.

CALCS
252 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Thundurus-Therian: 308-366 (103 - 122.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nihilego: 170-200 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO

 

[Flare219]

Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpD / 96 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Leech Seed
- Psychic
- Recover

Nominating SpDef Celebi as a counter to Thundurus-T. Celebi naturally resists everything that Thundurus throws at it, and this set in particular easily takes Thundurus down with the combination of Leech Seed and Psychic. Alternatively, it can throw a Leech Seed on Thundurus and then just keep clicking Recover.

Calcs

+4 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Thunderbolt vs. 160 HP / 252+ SpD Celebi: 171-202 (44.8 - 53%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
^Celebi can infinitely stall a +4 Thundurus.
+6 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Thunderbolt vs. 160 HP / 252+ SpD Celebi: 229-270 (60.1 - 70.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
^With Leech Seed, Celebi can infinitely stall a +6 Thundurus.

0 SpA Celebi Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Thundurus-Therian: 117-138 (39.1 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
^Leech Seed + 2 Psychics/ 3 Psychics KOs Thundy before it manages to boost up and 2HKO.

Edit: Didn't know Celebi was on the VR. Here's the (now kinda redundant) replays and the writeup for Celebi.

Time for the rundown on the set. This Celebi's speed EVs let it outspeed max speed, neutral nature base 80s, with the rest of its EVs used to maximise its Special bulk. Toxic and Leech Seed allow Celebi to harass almost the entire tier, and STAB Psychic is supereffective against the rest (excepting Hatterene, of course). Recover is self-explanatory.

Celebi's Grass typing allows it to switch in often against UU's annoying Regenerator walls, Tangrowth and Amoongus, without fearing being put to sleep, and Natural Cure means that any poison inflicted by Sludge Bomb is shrugged off when Celebi switches out. From there, Celebi can force the aforementioned walls out and tag the incoming Pokemon with the status move of its choice. Furthermore, Celebi's excellent bulk means that it can heal off pretty much any neutral special hit, however strong it may be. With such longevity, Celebi can be an incredibly infuriating presence throughout an entire battle, tipping matchups in its teammates' favour with Toxic and Leech Seed. It is a capable Pokemon and I'm honestly surprised that it isn't being used more.

Battle of the Grass-type Walls
^Celebi absolutely soaks up hits from Tangrowth. Unfortunately, due to Leech Seed misses and a surprising Sludge Wave Thundurus, Celebi's impact this match is reduced somewhat.
Celebi keeping LO Azelf at bay

 

[haxlolo]

krookodile



Krookodile @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- Darkest Lariat

Our good old Scarf Krookodile is a decent check to Thundurus-T, being able to switch-in on 2/3 attacks, but pretty much dying to Focus Blast. However, Focus Blast's miserable accuracy can make it pretty unreliable, while Krookodile can easily go for a Stone Edge and OHKOing (with the chance of missing, yes, but blame hax not me)


252 SpA Thundurus Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Krookodile: 340-400 (102.7 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Krookodile Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus: 272-320 (90.9 - 107%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

 

[romanji]

Ninetales-Alola @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Aurora Veil
- Freeze-Dry
- Hypnosis
- Encore

Ninetales is pretty reliable check to Thundurus. Aurora Veil support allows it to tank even Nasty Plot boosted hits. Encore can even be used to lock it into Nasty Plot. 200 Special Attack EVs are for a guaranteed OHKO with Blizzard. The only problem is that Ninetales cannot safely switch in.

calcs

200 SpA Ninetales-Alola Blizzard vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Thundurus-Therian: 300-354 (100.3 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Thunderbolt vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Ninetales-Alola with an ally's Aurora Veil: 159-188 (52.8 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Hitmonstars]

Reserving Quagsire as counter

 

[Monky25]

Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Mystical Fire
- Psyshock

Ah yes, the rule 34 Pokemon Gardevoir. This is a counter to Thundurus-T. Courtesy of Trace, it is able to copy Thundurus' Volt Absorb and take its Thunderbolt effortlessly. Its typing gives it resistances to its other attacks, and it can outspeed and 2HKO with Moonblast as well.

Thundurus-Therian Thunderbolt vs. Volt Absorb Gardevoir: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
+2 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gardevoir: 94-111 (33.9 - 40%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gardevoir: 62-73 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Thundurus-Therian: 181-214 (60.5 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Make sure to write up your submissions if you have reserved something already, and share this project with a friend to get them interested in maybe participating in a future week :)

 

[Yourwelcomethanku]

gastrodon nvm gastro is a terrible thundy check.

Diancie is a check to Thundurus-T
You come are not 2hkod by ant hit and OHKO back after LO recoil


Diancie @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Body Press
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic / Heal Bell

Calcs

0 Atk Diancie Diamond Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus: 288-342 (96.3 - 114.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Diancie: 101-121 (33.2 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

c

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

@ Life Orb
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Accelerock
- Psychic Fangs
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge


252 Atk Life Orb Tough Claws Lycanroc-Dusk Accelerock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 276-328 (92.3 - 109.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Lycanroc-Dusk Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 530-624 (177.2 - 208.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Lycan can threaten it with ohko with any of its stabs. It is a check however because it cannot switch in

 

[BigFatMantis]

Golurk @ Choice Band
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Poltergeist
- Earthquake
- Dynamic Punch
- Ice Punch

Godlurk is a hard check on Thundy as it's immune to 2 of its moves, and Psychic does not 2HKO or OHKO with +2, so you can switch in, and OHKO with Poltergeist on the next turn. And if it switches out, you are probably KOing something else with a banded Poltergeist.

252+ Atk Choice Band Golurk Poltergeist (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 382-451 (127.7 - 150.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Golurk: 255-300 (79.9 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Might even be able to call it a counter 25% of the time.

 

[iLiekMudkipz_]

Mew @ Life Orb
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 Atk / 108 SpD / 148 Spe
Careful Nature
- Smack Down
- Earthquake
- Drain Punch
- U-turn

This set may look weird, don't get me wrong, but I'll explain.

Life Orb - Earthquake OHKO

EV Spread - 148 SPD + careful nature ensures that Mew cannot be 2HKO'd by Thunderbolt

Smack Down + EQ - These two moves work hand in hand so that they can 2HKO thundy together.

252 Atk Life Orb Mew Smack Down vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 81-95 (27 - 31.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Mew Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 317-374 (106 - 125%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Drain Punch / U-Turn - Filler moves for utility purposes.

According to the definition of a Check, this is a Check 100%.

 

[Sagdiyev]

reserving the man Haxorus as a check to thundy.
ya boy has 147 attack and rock slide, but folds to anything not named tbolt at +2. plus it’s p slow, but a choice scarf can fix that.

@
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Poison Jab

252 Atk Haxorus Outrage vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 288-340 (96.3 - 113.7%) -- 75% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Haxorus Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 240-284 (80.2 - 94.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Rae]

Yoinking Gastrodon




Gastrodon-East @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Recover
- Earth Power

Thunderbolt? WACK. Focus Blast? WACK. No form of recovery so it eventually dies to toxic/scald? WACK. Gastrodon? TIGHT AS HELL

This thing has a 50% chance to get 4HKO’d by Focus Blast, to which you ask “who lands 4 Focus Blast in a row?” And I answer no one. You recover off the damage, and just toxic/scald it to death, ezpz

 

[Monky25]

Mew @ Life Orb
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 Atk / 108 SpD / 148 Spe
Careful Nature
- Smack Down
- Earthquake
- Drain Punch
- U-turn

This set may look weird, don't get me wrong, but I'll explain.

Life Orb - Earthquake OHKO

EV Spread - 148 SPD + careful nature ensures that Mew cannot be 2HKO'd by Thunderbolt

Smack Down + EQ - These two moves work hand in hand so that they can 2HKO thundy together.

252 Atk Life Orb Mew Smack Down vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 81-95 (27 - 31.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Mew Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-Therian: 317-374 (106 - 125%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Drain Punch / U-Turn - Filler moves for utility purposes.

According to the definition of a Check, this is a Check 100%.

Hey there iLiekMudkipz_ , glad to see a new participant make a submission. However, I will unfortunately have to ask you to change your submission. While this mew set is innovative, it is far too specific in dealing with thundurus to work as a submission. As seen in the OP, I do encourage innovation but this set is far too specific for mew to count it. This project sorta acts as a resource compendium for checks and counters to top threats as well as a fun game, and mew is not something one puts on a team to deal with thundurus. therefore, I have to disqualify this submission unless it is changed to an actual check to thundurus. However, you are in luck. There are still a few Pokemon that have not been taken yet that check thundurus, so you can change it to one of those. If you are having a hard time coming up with something, feel free to PM me and I can help you out.

 

[Monky25]

The submission stage is up! Down below are the checks and counters for this week. Unfortunately Hitmonstars was unable to write up their submission in time- remember that you should reserve if you cannot complete it!
Checks

by TotomonGang

by Lolito

by UrAverageHuman

by Yourwelcomthank

by HydreigonTheChild

by BigFatMantis

by Sagdiyev V2

by Aqua∞Ring
Counters

by Flare219

by Monky25

by Codename Magnum

Voting ends March 14 at 11:59 PM PST. My votes are...
Checks: Nihilego and Lycanroc-D
Counters: Celebi and Gastrodon

 

[romanji]

Checks: Nihilego and Diancie
Counters: Celebi and Gastrodon

 

[Totomon]

checks: Lycanroc and the Krook
counters: gardevoir and gastrodon

 

[haxlolo]

Checks: Golurk and Godra
Counters: Celebi and Gardevoir

 

[Flare219]

So many rolls with the KOs lmao
Checks: Nihilego and Golurk
Counters: Gardevoir and Gastrodon

 

[Yourwelcomethanku]

Golurk Goodra
Gardevoir Gastrodon

 

[BigFatMantis]

Checks: Lycanroc, Diancie
Counters: Gardevoir, Gastrodon

 

[467 11 11p]

Checks GO D. LURK, Nihilesgoooo
Counters: Gardevoir25, Codename: Gastodon

 

[iceblazer]

Checks: Godlurk & Nihilego
Counters: Gardevoir & Celebi

 

[Monky25]

Voting has concluded! Congrats to BigFatMantis for winning the week with TotomonGang as a close runner up with the checks. For the counters, Codename Magnum took first place while Monky25 comes up in a close second. Congrats all of you, your submissions will be added to the hall of fame. Now, lets take a look at this week's victim!

Lycanroc-Dusk @ Life Orb
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Accelerock
- Psychic Fangs
- Crunch
- Close Combat

We have the murder dog himself, lycanroc! An underrated presence in the metagame, lycanroc is a powerful offensive threat that can hit nearly the entire meta super effectively With a great priority move in accelrock and a wide range of coverage for checks like celesteela, amoonguss, and aegislash, lycanroc is one difficult dog to answer. It even has a great matchup against a lot of the hyper offense running around on the ladder. How will you neuter this bad dog? Submissions are due May 18 at 11:59 PM PST.

 

[Fusion Flare]

Sciz

Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Superpower

bpbpbpbpbpbp

 

[Totomon]

The Forgotten One

Tangrowth @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
- Earthquake

People have forgotten the Helmet Tangrowth, however it still is viable as it gives a knock off absorber and it completely nails Lycanroc, if it tries to brute force through Tang it will just kill itslef with LO recoil and helmet chip, to the point that you dont even need to worry about attacking them, meaning that you still beat them if they have something like amoonguss in the back, it is one of the hardest counters you can find.

CALCS
252 Atk Life Orb Tough Claws Lycanroc-Dusk Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 126-149 (31.1 - 36.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lycanroc-Dusk: 248-294 (85.2 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO