Checks: Salazzle and Haxorus
Counters: Swampert and Glowbro
Counters: Swampert and Glowbro
-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
-
Congrats to the winners of the 2023 Smog Awards!
Project SS UU Victim Of The Week v2- Week 53: Darmanitan (Submissions)
- Thread starter Monky25
- Start date
pokemonisfun
Banned deucer.
Checks: Salazzle Nidoqueen
Cntr: Aegislash Tangrowth
Cntr: Aegislash Tangrowth
I’ve decided to end voting early tonight! After a tiebreak by Jade down below...
the winner of the checks is Aqua Jet and the runner up is Permission Slip. Meanwhile, congrats to Celebiii for winning the counters and HydreigonTheChild for taking runner up! All of your submissions will be added to the Hall of Fame. Now, let’s introduce this week’s victim!
Salazzle @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
- Toxic
This week we have the venomous lizard Salazzle! Newly ranked on the VR, Salazzle is a great choice in UU thanks to its amazing speed tier and great offensive typing. Considering Aqua Jet submitted it like 4 weeks in a row, it has a lot of merit checking popular threats like cobalion and Thundurus. It’s ability to even toxic Nihilego means there truly is limited safe switch-ins between it and knock. How will you stop the queen of the poison-types? Submissions end February 4 At 11:59 PM GMT-8
Salazzle @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
- Toxic
This week we have the venomous lizard Salazzle! Newly ranked on the VR, Salazzle is a great choice in UU thanks to its amazing speed tier and great offensive typing. Considering Aqua Jet submitted it like 4 weeks in a row, it has a lot of merit checking popular threats like cobalion and Thundurus. It’s ability to even toxic Nihilego means there truly is limited safe switch-ins between it and knock. How will you stop the queen of the poison-types? Submissions end February 4 At 11:59 PM GMT-8
Last edited:
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic
Gastro can switch in over and over and recover of poison damage and threaten it always with an eq in return which ohko's it and always scares it away meaning even if it stays in on the recover it has to risk every time to be able to attempt to force progress
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Salazzle: 556-660 (200.7 - 238.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Gastrodon: 58-69 (13.6 - 16.1%) -- 1.9% chance to 4HKO after poison damage
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Gastrodon: 58-69 (13.6 - 16.1%) -- 1.9% chance to 4HKO after poison damage
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic
Gastro can switch in over and over and recover of poison damage and threaten it always with an eq in return which ohko's it and always scares it away meaning even if it stays in on the recover it has to risk every time to be able to attempt to force progress
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Salazzle: 556-660 (200.7 - 238.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Gastrodon: 58-69 (13.6 - 16.1%) -- 1.9% chance to 4HKO after poison damage
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Gastrodon: 58-69 (13.6 - 16.1%) -- 1.9% chance to 4HKO after poison damage
Last edited:
Zygarde-10% @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Toxic
Submitting this as a check. The only thing Salazzle can really do to zydog is toxic it:
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde-10%: 75-89 (30.1 - 35.7%) -- 34.2% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde-10%: 75-89 (30.1 - 35.7%) -- 34.2% chance to 3HKO
Meanwhile, even if Salazzle gets a lucky burn AND knocks off your band you get:
252 Atk burned Zygarde-10% Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Salazzle: 414-488 (149.4 - 176.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Toxic
Submitting this as a check. The only thing Salazzle can really do to zydog is toxic it:
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde-10%: 75-89 (30.1 - 35.7%) -- 34.2% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zygarde-10%: 75-89 (30.1 - 35.7%) -- 34.2% chance to 3HKO
Meanwhile, even if Salazzle gets a lucky burn AND knocks off your band you get:
252 Atk burned Zygarde-10% Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Salazzle: 414-488 (149.4 - 176.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Last edited:
Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
Tentacruel pretty much owns Salazzle in a 1v1. Salazzle has no option against Tentacruel and gets 2HKOed by a mile. Of course, getting Poisoned sucks, but it's not nearly fast enough to be able to take Tentacruel down (and using Toxic means its not Knocking Off Black Sludge at that moment). It's a pretty solid counter, and can easily keep coming in over the course of a game.
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tentacruel: 56-66 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 8HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Tentacruel Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Salazzle: 216-254 (77.9 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Last edited:
Gyarados @ Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Power Whip
Gyarados can threaten Salazzle out with Waterfall, outspeed it after a Dragon Dance, and ignore status with Lum Berry. Its high Special Defense lets it avoid the 2HKO from Sludge Bomb as well. I'll submit it as a hard check
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gyarados: 66-78 (19.9 - 23.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gyarados: 132-156 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Salazzle: 428-506 (154.5 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gyarados: 132-156 (39.8 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Salazzle: 428-506 (154.5 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
scorbunnys
Don't dream your life, but live your dream. #Bunny
Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Wish
- Protect
- Flip Turn / Haze / Heal Bell
Submitting this as a counter/hard check (this mon has no counters in my point of view tho), since Sludge Bomb doesn't 2HKO and even tho Toxic sucks, Salazzle gets KOed by Scald and Vaporeon kinda just stomaches everything from Salazzle.
0 SpA Vaporeon Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Salazzle: 282-332 (101.8 - 119.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Vaporeon: 136-162 (29.3 - 34.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and poison damage
It doesn't only check Lazzle either, it has a niche as a Wishpasser able to keep up momentum in fatter teams, Celebiii did a detailed post about it.
Last edited:
Nihilego @ Black Sludge
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Stealth Rock/Pain Split
- Power Gem
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
Nihilego has been making a huge statement in the UU metagame recently. The tier trends for February show that this mons usage is almost 5% higher than last month, which is very unfortunate for a mon as cool as salazzle. Nihilego can come into this set as much as it pleases without having to worry at all. Even if you switch into a knock off, Niheligo is still 4-5 hits away from being knocked out if they get max roll. But, if you get to keep your black sludge, flamethrower is maybe a 6HKO which shows how little a threat salazzle is to a healthy Nihilego. You can also keep a healthier Nihilego by running pain split over stealth rock which allows you to heal off of the pokemon people would want to switch in to wall Nihilego. Nihilego also one shots salazzle with power gem any day, any time, any set. I am nominating Nihilego as a check for now since in a long match it is possible for salazzle to outlast nihilego.
252 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Salazzle: 390-462 (140.7 - 166.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 Atk Salazzle Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nihilego: 89-105 (24.7 - 29.1%) Knock off with item
4 Atk Salazzle Knock Off vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nihilego: 60-71 (16.6 - 19.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after max damage
4 Atk Salazzle Knock Off vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nihilego: 60-71 (16.6 - 19.7%) -- 2.9% chance to 4HKO after min hit
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 52-62 (14.4 - 17.2%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 26-31 (7.2 - 8.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever
(P.S. Shoutout estarossa for the pain split idea)
(P.P.S. Shoutout dragalge as a fun niche pick but it's a little too niche)
4 Atk Salazzle Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nihilego: 89-105 (24.7 - 29.1%) Knock off with item
4 Atk Salazzle Knock Off vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nihilego: 60-71 (16.6 - 19.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after max damage
4 Atk Salazzle Knock Off vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nihilego: 60-71 (16.6 - 19.7%) -- 2.9% chance to 4HKO after min hit
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 52-62 (14.4 - 17.2%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 26-31 (7.2 - 8.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever
(P.S. Shoutout estarossa for the pain split idea)
(P.P.S. Shoutout dragalge as a fun niche pick but it's a little too niche)
Last edited:
Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
COUNTER, Lol nice Toxic. Have fun doing absolutely 0 damage, Salazzle over there becomes a big setup fodder for the CM shenanigans and even then u can just simply OHKO it with Psyshock. Knock Off might be a bit annoying and u definitively u ain't tanking sludge bombs and flamethrowers forever.
CALCS
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 56 SpD Reuniclus: 142-168 (33.4 - 39.6%) -- 18.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 56 SpD Reuniclus: 142-168 (33.4 - 39.6%) -- 18.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Submitting SpDef Swampert as a check.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Flip Turn
- Toxic
Self-explanatory. Pert can switch into any of Salazzle's STABs and proceed to set rock or gain momentum with Flip Turn, with only a poison from Sludge Bomb/Toxic or Knock Off managing to annoy it. It's not a full counter since a Knocked Pert becomes much more susceptible to chip damage and Salazzle can still manage to outlast it during a long game, but Swampert remains a sturdy check to Lazzle, all things considered.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Flip Turn
- Toxic
Self-explanatory. Pert can switch into any of Salazzle's STABs and proceed to set rock or gain momentum with Flip Turn, with only a poison from Sludge Bomb/Toxic or Knock Off managing to annoy it. It's not a full counter since a Knocked Pert becomes much more susceptible to chip damage and Salazzle can still manage to outlast it during a long game, but Swampert remains a sturdy check to Lazzle, all things considered.
Diancie @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 96 Def / 128 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Mystical Fire / Heal Bell
- Stealth Rock
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 96 Def / 128 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Mystical Fire / Heal Bell
- Stealth Rock
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 128+ SpD Diancie: 78-93 (25.6 - 30.5%) -- 1.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
32 Atk Diancie Diamond Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Salazzle: 338-398 (122 - 143.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Last edited:
Slowbro-Galar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 16 SpA / 240 SpD
Quiet Nature
- Future Sight
- Psyshock
- Shell Side Arm
- Flamethrower
Galarian slowbro is a decent counter to salazzle.
Regen heals of nearly all the damage it takes when switching in and it either forces it out right after that or gets the kill with psyshock. It does get crippled by toxic but it shouldn't need to stay in long anyways and it heals of the damage with Regen Knock is annoying but doesn't stop it from beating salazzle. I'm also a big fan of future sight support, which glowbro can set up after it switched into salazzle
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Assault Vest Slowbro-Galar: 88-105 (22.3 - 26.6%) -- 19.1% chance to 4HKO
16 SpA Slowbro-Galar Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Salazzle: 266-314 (96 - 113.3%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Edit: tanks celebii, totally forgot about that ability.
Just want to point out that it is not immune to Toxic because of Corrosion!
Slowbro-Galar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 16 SpA / 240 SpD
Quiet Nature
- Future Sight
- Psyshock
- Shell Side Arm
- Flamethrower
Galarian slowbro is a decent counter to salazzle.
Regen heals of nearly all the damage it takes when switching in and it either forces it out right after that or gets the kill with psyshock. It immune to toxic and doesn't care about toxic. Knock is annoying but doesn't stop it from beating salazzle. I'm also a big fan of future sight support, which glowbro can set up after it switched into salazzle
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Assault Vest Slowbro-Galar: 88-105 (22.3 - 26.6%) -- 19.1% chance to 4HKO
16 SpA Slowbro-Galar Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Salazzle: 266-314 (96 - 113.3%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Slowking @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Psychic
- Slack Off
- Teleport
Slowking is a pretty good counter to Salazzle. It does get crippled by Toxic, but Salazzle can hardly deal any damage to it, Slowking can just heal off all damage inflicted with Regenerator, and both of its STAB attacks are clean OHKOes on Salazzle.
4 Atk Salazzle Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Colbur Berry Slowking: 41-49 (10.4 - 12.4%) -- possible 9HKO
252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Slowking: 60-72 (15.2 - 18.2%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Slowking: 121-144 (30.7 - 36.5%) -- 62.7% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Salazzle: 260-308 (93.8 - 111.1%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Slowking Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Salazzle: 294-348 (106.1 - 125.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Last edited:
as a counterRhyperior @ Leftovers/ Lum Berry
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
Rhyperior can tank any hit from salazzle easily thanks to its typing and bulk. Rhyperior is able to get up Stealth rock freely against Salazzle or it can set up a Swords Dance to damage whatever comes in. Toxic can be used as well on this set to cripple incoming waters/grasses. I included Lum Berry here if you really want a free switch in and it also helps vs. Subtoxic aegis and chansey as well as random burns in the tier.
Lycanroc-Dusk @ Life Orb
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Accelerock
- Close Combat
- Crunch / Psychic Fangs
- Stone Edge
Lycanroc can easily switch into any of Salazzle’s moves and force it out with Accelerock which would OHKO otherwise, making it a great check to Salazzle.
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Liquidation
- Play Rough
- Aqua Jet
- Ice Punch
Check. You can revenge kill with Aqua Jet so it ends up getting a free turn to wallbreak since Salazzle is forced out.
And now, it's time to vote! We've got SO MANY submissions! This is amazing. I'm super glad to see this participation even a year later in the project. That's right, Victim of the Week v2 is now 1 year old! Thank you to everyone for your continued support in this project, seeing you all participate always brightens my day and I couldn't have gotten this far without you! To celebrate, everyone who participated in this week gets 1 point no matter what! Still, those who win will get more. This weeks checks and counters are down below.
Checks
Counters (counters are always shaky when it comes to salazzle but these hold it off long enough)
Voting ends February 6 at 11:59 PM GMT-8. Vote for 3 checks and 3 counters. My votes are..
Checks: Zydog, Swampert, and Lycanroc-D
Counters: Vaporeon, Slowking, and Nihilego
Checks: Swampert, Zygarde, Diancie
Counters: Chansey, Reuniclus, Vaporeon
Counters: Chansey, Reuniclus, Vaporeon
Checks: Lycanroc-D, Gyarados, and Rhyperior
Counters: Reuniclus, Vaporeon, and G-Slowbro
Counters: Reuniclus, Vaporeon, and G-Slowbro