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First of all, let's get the ev spread out of the way. With 150 base spdef, Goodra can shrug off most special hits without any additional investment. Instead, its special attack is maxed out to let it return fire as hard as possible. 56 speed evs allows Goodra to outspeed adamant Azumarill and the rest is put into hp.
Due to its immense special defense and dragon typing, Goodra can switch in on pivots like Slowking and the Rotoms (along with Amoongus and Celesteela courtesy of Sap Sipper) and set up a substitute. Now, since it has no boosting move, Goodra is completely and utterly useless against walls. However, any offensive checks that are brought in are not going to have a good time; most of them will have to contend with Goodra's STAB Draco Meteor, Steel types will have to take a Flamethrower to the face, and non-CM Primarina gets 2HKOed by Thunderbolt.
Facing this Victini isn't that much different for Goodra. It can switch in on Victini's Psychic and KO it with 2 Thunderbolts and a Draco Meteor. Meanwhile, Victini can't 4HKO Goodra, and only has a chance of 5HKOing. U-Turn's damage is somewhat softened by Leftovers, but in extended battles, the chip damage will add up eventually.
Regardless, Goodra is still an extremely bulky special wall that can take hits and bleed your opponent for any damage they might do to it, making it a good counter to Victini and overall, a Pokemon that is quite niche but certainly has merit.
Calcs:
252+ SpA Goodra Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Victini: 96-113 (28.1 - 33.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Goodra Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Victini: 207-244 (60.7 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Victini Psychic vs. 200 HP / 0 SpD Goodra: 87-103 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
0- Atk Victini U-turn vs. 200 HP / 0 Def Goodra: 61-72 (16.4 - 19.4%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
Hey there! So sorry to do this, but typically only viable Pokémon are able to be submitted as checks and counters. Since goodra is not on the VR, it isn’t considered viable. You have 2 options: you can edit your post to have a viable check or counter submitted for this week, check out the VR thread for that. Or, you can submit goodra but provide a few replays showcasing it off so it doesn’t look like the only reason goodra is used is to counter victini. Thanks for posting here regardless, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of whatever option you choose!
I will be nominating my boy chandelure as a check
Chandelure @ Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Trick
If the chandelier gets the free switch, (or even a correct blue flare prediction) something is dying, unlike other offensive checks tini can't just switch out to something that blocks chandelure just because defensively checking chandelure is almost impossible and giving specs chandy a free attack is the last thing you want
252 SpA Victini Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Chandelure: 135-159 (51.7 - 60.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
It doesnt get KO'd even after one round of rocks (+ some u-turn chip)
Keldeo can really only switch into blue flare barring a burn. But keldeo does offensively threaten victini and can use it to pivot out with flip turn assuming the opponent is not throwing it away to a potential hydro pump. It not only outspeeds it and Ko's it.
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Victini: 536-632 (157.1 - 185.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Victini: 440-518 (129 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Its time to vote! Ending it a bit early since there are no submissions. I just want to say thanks so much for all the submissions, it definitely made my day to see lots of activity for this project. Here's to more enjoyment as the weeks go on. Anyway, the checks and counters are down below for this week. Checks
Vote for 2 checks and 2 Counters this week! Remember you CANNOT vote for yourself. Voting ends Thursday, February 18 at 11:59 pm GMT-8. I repeat, vote for 2 CHECKS and 2 COUNTERS.
My votes are:
Checks- Lycanroc-D and Keldeo
Counters- Goodra and Incineroar
Voting is up! Congratulations to Codename Magnum and Monky25 for taking first and second place for this week's checks respectively. As for counters, Askov and Flare219 won first and second place respectively with their own counters. All of these submissions will be added to the hall of fame. Now, lets get started on this week's victim....
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Play Rough
- Volt Switch
Zoom! For this week, we will be taking on the very good (but not broken) zeraora. Zeraora has cemented itself as one of the best, if not the best Pokemon in the tier. With lighting fast speed, solid attack, great pivoting and momentum, and a wide variety of coverage that lets it pick and choose it's counters, zeraora is something every player must watch out for in the current metagame. How will you beat this speed demon? Submissions are due Tuesday, February 23 at 11:59 PM gmt-8.
Amoonguss @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
Amoonguss is well known as the sturdiest answer to Zeraora between its typing and Regenerator. It can even wear down Zeraora with Rocky Helmet until it Knocks Off. Amoonguss is able to capitalize on Zeraora clicking anything but Volt Switch with a free Spore. Amoonguss stands out from the Electric-type immunities since it cannot be easily worn down to be removed the late game.
Krookodile is a check to zeraora and is able to come in on its stabs and use it earthquake it or knock off a teammates item. It also can afford to come onto play rough, but losing its scarf is pretty big since its no longer able to outspeed but it can still pressure it with intimidate and its stabs
Krookodile @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- High Horsepower
- Stone Edge
- Darkest Lariat
Since Ava sniped among us i'll be nominating Rhyperior as a check
Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Smack Down / Stone Edge / Rock Blast
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic / Megahorn / Swords Dance
Rhyperior can easily eat any of zera's attacks if it lacks cc and while it doesn't really enjoy getting its Leftovers knocked out, it can block volt switches and has more offensive pressure than some of its counters/checks
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Recover
With both a ground typing and Sticky Hold, Gastrodon takes no damage from Zeraora's STABs and cannot have its passive Leftovers recovery removed by Knock Off. Damage from both Knock Off and Play Rough is minimal, and can be quickly healed off by Recover and Leftovers. Any Pokemon that switches in on Gastrodon will then have to take a Toxic or risk a burn from Scald.
Since Gastrodon completely walls Zeraora, turning it from a useful pivot into a momentum sink, I am nominating Gastrodon as a counter.
Calcs:
252+ Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gastrodon: 96-114 (22.5 - 26.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Zeraora Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gastrodon: 90-106 (21.1 - 24.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora: 236-278 (74.4 - 87.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Edit: Apparently, Sticky Hold does not reduce the damage from Knock Off. That's accounted for now.
Tangrowth @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
you take basically nothing from whatever the zera user throws out, although having to catch a knock is annoying. The only gripe I have about this as a check so that after getting knocked it becomes complete volt switch bait afterwards, although you do get to pull a knock and spread some status on the team.
Nominating nidoqueen as a counter
Nidoqueen (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 8 Def / 252 SpA / 248 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Wave
Even the standard offensive nidoqueen can effectively counter zeraora, blocking volt switch and plasma fists while bringing an incredible offensive pressure and rocks, getting knocked is very annoying however even after the LO has been knocked the OHKO is still guaranteed, if this is paired with wish support zeraora becomes literally useless.
CALCS:
252+ Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 8 Def Nidoqueen: 117-138 (36.4 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 8 Def Nidoqueen on a critical hit: 175-207 (54.5 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Zeraora Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 8 Def Nidoqueen: 79-93 (24.6 - 28.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock
(Queen can take a max roll crit knock off + rocks, followed up by a max roll itemless knock off and still be able to KO zera)
252+ SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Zeraora: 350-414 (110.4 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
I hate running into this set. But it effectively lures and KOs Zera. Counter does twice the damage received from a physical attack and will OHKO after being attacked by Plasma Fists. It does not OHKO if Knock Off or Play Rough are used but both put Zera in Seismic Toss range after Counter. Even in the worst case where (full HP) Chansey gets its Eviolite knocked off as it comes in and takes the max damage roll from it (23.2%), Plasma Fists will still only do 53.6% at maximum, leaving Chansey with 23.2% HP remaining, and Counter will KO Zera in return. Nominating this set as a check.
Tapu Bulu @ Life Orb
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Close Combat
- Zen Headbutt
Bulu is a great check, no matter the set, as the only thing that does any damage to Bulu is Play Rough at 30-36%, and Bulu just shrugs that off with terrain recovery + Horn Leech. And Horn Leech is a 50% chance to OHKO in terrain so Zera cannot stay in, has to volt switch out which does a measley 13% damage, and Bulu just recovers some health afterwards anyways with Terrain, or can set up a SD to prepare for the Amoonguss switch in and proceed to KO Amoonguss with +2 Zen Headbutt.
252+ Atk Zeraora Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 86-102 (30.6 - 36.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
0- SpA Zeraora Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Bulu: 36-42 (12.8 - 14.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ Atk Life Orb Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zeraora in Grassy Terrain: 290-343 (91.4 - 108.2%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
