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Project SS UU Victim Of The Week v2- Week 53: Darmanitan (Submissions)
- Thread starter Monky25
- Start date
Chandelure by avg
(Not going to lie, I considered subbing Ditto just because of how slim pickings were this time.)
Votes:
Chandelure and 
Gardevoir.
Votes:
Chandelure and Gardevoir.
Voting has finished! Congrats to ExiDudi for winning the checks and Monky25 for taking runner up. I'm feeling a good mood today, so I'm going to give everyone who participated this week 1 point to celebrate 40 weeks of Victim of the Week. Thank you all for your continued support you guys are amazing. Now, lets introduce this week's victim!
Zarude-Dada @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Darkest Lariat
- U-turn
- Jungle Healing
Swinging to the top of UU we have Zarude! Anyone who has kept up with tours knows how strong Zarude has been lately, being an excellent offensive presence while having great defensive utility because of its bulk and typing. Its ability to pivot around throughout the course of the game while checking threats like Aegislash, Slowking, Excadrill, and Thundurus-T has landed Zarude in many player's top 5 Pokemon. How will you stop this funky monky from going bananas? Submissions are due December 12 at 11:59 PM GMT-8
Zarude-Dada @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Darkest Lariat
- U-turn
- Jungle Healing
Swinging to the top of UU we have Zarude! Anyone who has kept up with tours knows how strong Zarude has been lately, being an excellent offensive presence while having great defensive utility because of its bulk and typing. Its ability to pivot around throughout the course of the game while checking threats like Aegislash, Slowking, Excadrill, and Thundurus-T has landed Zarude in many player's top 5 Pokemon. How will you stop this funky monky from going bananas? Submissions are due December 12 at 11:59 PM GMT-8
This thing is really strong, so how about a Pokemon that's really bulky and abuses it? May I present, Golisopod.
Golisopod @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Emergency Exit
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- Spikes
- Liquidation
- Knock Off
So I don't think many other people will like this but it's actually amazing. With the most common Ev spread power whip doesn't trigger emergency exist. And in my opinion a counter should always try to abuse the free switch in it got. And Golisopod does that in a variety of ways. Obviously it can OHKO the 4x Weak zarude with it STAB first impression. But if zarude is scared out it can knock something and accomplish something regardless of the outcome or it can lay spikes. Even one layer of spikes is so valuable against the Volt turn teams ( which Goli is good against anyways) Oh and because of emergency exit it gives a check like Shao a free switch in into any of zarudes moves the next time it switches in.
252 Atk Zarude Power Whip vs. 172 HP / 0 Def Golisopod: 139-165 (41.6 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Golisopod @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Emergency Exit
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- Spikes
- Liquidation
- Knock Off
So I don't think many other people will like this but it's actually amazing. With the most common Ev spread power whip doesn't trigger emergency exist. And in my opinion a counter should always try to abuse the free switch in it got. And Golisopod does that in a variety of ways. Obviously it can OHKO the 4x Weak zarude with it STAB first impression. But if zarude is scared out it can knock something and accomplish something regardless of the outcome or it can lay spikes. Even one layer of spikes is so valuable against the Volt turn teams ( which Goli is good against anyways) Oh and because of emergency exit it gives a check like Shao a free switch in into any of zarudes moves the next time it switches in.
252 Atk Zarude Power Whip vs. 172 HP / 0 Def Golisopod: 139-165 (41.6 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Mienshao @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
UU's current suspect candidate is a great check to Zarude since it outspeeds and OHKOes it Close Combat. U-turn is another good option since it already forces Zarude out. If the Zarude player is insane they stay in and take huge damage from it. Mienshao is still very frail and can't switch in on Power Whip since it OHKOes, but it can switch in on any other move.
252 Atk Zarude Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mienshao: 280-331 (103.3 - 122.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mienshao: 99-117 (36.5 - 43.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zarude U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mienshao: 54-64 (19.9 - 23.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Mienshao Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 368-434 (104.8 - 123.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mienshao U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 288-340 (82 - 96.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mienshao: 99-117 (36.5 - 43.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zarude U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mienshao: 54-64 (19.9 - 23.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Mienshao Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 368-434 (104.8 - 123.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mienshao U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 288-340 (82 - 96.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
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Conkeldurr @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Mach Punch
haha funny clown with concrete pillars goes brrrrrr
(check bc Power Whip 2HKOes but a really good check bc it's fucking Conkeldurr and it fucks shit up and should have been suspected instead of Shao but that's a topic for the np thread)
252 Atk Zarude Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Conkeldurr: 195-229 (55.5 - 65.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
252+ Atk Guts Conkeldurr Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 218-260 (62.1 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Conkeldurr Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 654-770 (186.3 - 219.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Body Press
- Defog / Spikes
- Iron Defense
Skarmory absolutely sits on zarude and can set up Iron defenses in its face, defog away hazards while at it, and can set up 3 layers of spikes. Zarude cannot touch it and skarmory can just boost up to just absolutely murder it with body press.
252+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 194-230 (55.2 - 65.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 76-90 (22.7 - 26.9%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Body Press
- Defog / Spikes
- Iron Defense
Skarmory absolutely sits on zarude and can set up Iron defenses in its face, defog away hazards while at it, and can set up 3 layers of spikes. Zarude cannot touch it and skarmory can just boost up to just absolutely murder it with body press.
252+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 194-230 (55.2 - 65.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 76-90 (22.7 - 26.9%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
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Celesteela @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Megahorn
- Giga Drain
Steel birds are definitely the word for Zarude, and Celesteela does excellently at both offensively and defensively checking Zarude, being able to OHKO it with Megahorn and comfortably take all of its moves.
0 Atk Celesteela Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 336-396 (95.7 - 112.8%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 252 HP / 0+ Def Celesteela: 117-138 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Zarude Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 0+ Def Celesteela: 41-48 (10.3 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
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Durant @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- First Impression
- Crunch
- Superpower
- Iron Head
Durant outright counters Zarude, as it is comfortably able to switch in on Darkest Lariat and OHKO with First Impression. For more on what Durant does in the metagame in general, see my post here! Even if First Impression misses, Durant has a reasonable chance to survive another Darkest Lariat after switching in, and can OHKO Zarude with Superpower (if it carries it). If not, going for the 2HKO with Iron Head flinches is Durant's best bet.
Calcs:
252 Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Durant: 118-141 (45.9 - 54.8%) -- 59% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Durant First Impression vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 967-1144 (275.4 - 325.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Durant Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 432-510 (123 - 145.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Durant Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 216-255 (61.5 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
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Amoonguss @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 36 SpD / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
Submitting Amoonguss as a Counter to Zarude. Recently, The mushroom was been rising in usage ever since Latias and Kommo-o was banned, We know what it does, Walls many physical and special threats like Zarude, that might to steamroll on the team, However, Hazards or Unusual coverage can become problematic for Amoonguss as it can chip it and make it more vulnerable to more damage, With Spore, It allows to punish set up, 4 Speed on Amoonguss is to outspeed opposing Amoonguss.
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Zygarde-10% @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Skitter Smack
Submitting the "dog" of archery as a check that doubles as a lure since Zarude is otherwise one of the best checks to the overpowering move that is Thousand Arrows. Unfortunately for Zarude, the "usually useless move" Skitter Smack explodes it with Choice Band on and isn't completely deadweight otherwise given things like Slowking, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth exist. Outrage also does a decent chunk of damage too, and Zygarde-10% is naturally faster, so you have at least two moves non-Scarf Zarude can't switch in on despite it wanting to wall Thousand Arrows:
252 Atk Choice Band Zygarde-10% Skitter Smack vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 368-436 (104.8 - 124.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zygarde-10% Outrage vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 235-277 (66.9 - 78.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Just don't miss since Power Whip is almost guaranteed to OHKO back: 252 Atk Zarude Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zygarde-10%: 246-289 (98.7 - 116%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO .
Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Roost
Wish there was more submissions considering there's still plenty of checks and counters to zarude that haven't been submitted. Anyway, salamence counters zarude by being able to switch into its attacks with ease thanks to intimidate and patch itself up with reliable recovery.
And now, its time to vote! Down below are this week's submissions!
Checks
by Celebiii 
Counters
Voting ends December 15 at 11:59 PM GMT-8. My votes are
Checks: Mienshao and Durant
Counters: Skarmory and Amoonguss
Checks: Golisopod and Mienshao
Counters: Salamence and Celesteela
Counters: Salamence and Celesteela
I loathe Amoonguss, but...
Checks: Golisopod and Conkeldurr.
Counters: Amoonguss and Salamence.
Checks: Golisopod and Conkeldurr.
Counters: Amoonguss and Salamence.
Checks: Mienshao and Conkeldurr
Counters: Celesteela and Amoonguss
Counters: Celesteela and Amoonguss
Voting has finished! Congrats to avg for winning the checks and ExiDudi for taking runner up. Meanwhile, congrats to Arxtric for winning the counters and myself and HydreigonTheChild for taking runner up. All of the submissions will be added to the Hall of Fame. Now, here's this week's victim!
Celesteela @ Power Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Air Slash
- Flamethrower
- Meteor Beam
- Autotomize
It's the forgotten but still very deadly sweeper, meteor beam celesteela! With amazing coverage and great bulk and typing to setup on many common threats like zarude and excadrill, celesteela can easily plow through unprepared teams with its snowballing ability Beast Boost. Although not in its prime, it remains a very dangerous threat that can even disguise itself as a regular celesteela to sweep at the end. How will you stop this out of control rocket? Submissions are due December 19 at 11:59 GMT-8
Celesteela @ Power Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Air Slash
- Flamethrower
- Meteor Beam
- Autotomize
It's the forgotten but still very deadly sweeper, meteor beam celesteela! With amazing coverage and great bulk and typing to setup on many common threats like zarude and excadrill, celesteela can easily plow through unprepared teams with its snowballing ability Beast Boost. Although not in its prime, it remains a very dangerous threat that can even disguise itself as a regular celesteela to sweep at the end. How will you stop this out of control rocket? Submissions are due December 19 at 11:59 GMT-8
Nihilego @ Power Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 80 HP / 176 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Meteor Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
Meteor Beam Nihilego can solidly check Meteor Beam Celesteela on all fronts by taking advantage of Nihilego's high base Special Defense. The reason I chose the offensive Nihilego set was because not only does it check Meteor Beam Celesteela, but makes Celesteela into set up fodder.
CALCS:
+1 252+ SpA Celesteela Meteor Beam vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 149-176 (39.3 - 46.4%)
+1 252+ SpA Celesteela Air Slash vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 70-83 (18.4 - 21.8%)
+1 252+ SpA Celesteela Flamethrower vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 56-66 (14.7 - 17.4%)
+1 176 SpA Nihilego Meteor Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Celesteela: 271-319 (80.8 - 95.2%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
176 SpA Nihilego Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Celesteela: 180-214 (53.7 - 63.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
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