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The Steamer denies water moves and takes virtually no damage on Ice fang (and dodges 2hko on psy), only fearing Close Combat from Barraskewda. Skewda can only 2hko though, and Volcanion can just KO back after stomaching one. Volc's also a perfect fit for hail (still viable), a playstyle that matches up naturally well against rain. 252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 177-209 (58.8 - 69.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Psychic Fangs vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 125-148 (41.5 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Volcanion Steam Eruption vs. -1 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda in Rain: 353-416 (134.2 - 158.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Volcanion Sludge Wave vs. -1 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda: 272-320 (103.4 - 121.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Only a check cause you can't just hard in on CC
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split
- Will-O-Wisp
The washer is a strong check to Barraskewda. Liquidation does just over half to Rotom-W if rain is active, and CC is a clean 2HKO regardless, but Rotom-W can take one hit cleanly and either OHKO Barraskewda with Volt Switch or cripple it with Will-O-Wisp.
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 195-230 (64.1 - 75.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 103-122 (33.8 - 40.1%) -- 33.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash in Rain: 155-183 (50.9 - 60.1%) -- 87.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Barraskewda: 270-320 (102.6 - 121.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Tangrowth @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
Tang can take every hit from barraskewda
and can punish its flip turn with its rocky helmet.Tang also stays healthy throught the game with its regenerator and the best move barraskweda can click is ice fang which is a 3HKO:252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Ice Fang vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 138-164 (34.1 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
And tang can always kill skewda with its giga drain:0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda: 306-360 (116.3 - 136.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Seismitoad @ Leftovers Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Spe Impish Nature - Scald - Earthquake
- Knock Off - Stealth Rock
Defensive Seismitoad is a good rain check so it would make sense it would also be a good Barraskewda check. Being able to deter it from clicking its best move is always a benefit, as if it does it is able to heal it up to patch its lack of recovery. Close Combat still has a chance to to 2HKO so it can't directly pivot in, but it still can pivot in on Ice Fang which bounces off of it. It can't even freeze cheese its way through since Scald can thaw it out.
Barraskewda Liquidation vs. Water Absorb Seismitoad: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Barraskewda Flip Turn vs. Water Absorb Seismitoad: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Seismitoad: 190-224 (45.8 - 54.1%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Ice Fang vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Seismitoad: 103-122 (24.8 - 29.4%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Seismitoad Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Barraskewda: 156-184 (59.3 - 69.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
@ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
Mantine is immune to any of barraskewda's stabs, while resisting close combat and only taking 32% max from ice fang. With reliable recovery, the ability to threaten with status, mantine is a counter to barrasewda as it has no way to break through even with ice fang freezes as it can thaw itself.
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Ice Fang vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Mantine: 102-120 (27.3 - 32.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Offensive sets of Primarina act as a solid check because, although it is much slower than Barraskewda, it resists every move in the set. In fact, depending on the rolls on Liquidation, Primarina can be considered a shaky counter to it as well, as it tends to live two Liquidations in a roll 35% of the time, but the roll is obviously on Barraskewda's favor.
Offensive Calculations:
252+ SpA Primarina Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda: 289-342 (109.8 - 130%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Defensive Calculations:
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Primarina: 140-165 (46.5 - 54.8%) -- 65.2% chance to 2HKO
Scarf Gardevoir checks Barry Manilow because it Traces Swift Swim given a free switch into it, outspeeds it even under rain, and can just about always OHKO it with Moonblast. It can also get Swift Swim from other rain abusers, preventing Barry from revenging it once it is already in.
252 SpA Gardevoir Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Barraskewda: 261-307 (99.2 - 116.7%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
Description:
I am submitting Zarude as a potential check to Barraskewda. As Zarude already has a high Speed stat, the Choice Scarf is super beneficial on Zarude, allowing it to outspeed and revenge kill Barraskewda (outside of rain) and other threatening fast Pokemon in the tier. Power Whip OHKOs Barraskewda and Darkest Lariat is a safer option that is used to snipe Barraskewda when it has been whittled down. In theory, any Grass type would be good to revenge Barraskewda, however it would be pretty unsafe for any Grass type to kill when it is slower than Barraskewda, as it carries Poison Jab, Psychic Fang and Ice Fang that would destroy defensive Grass types such as Tapu Bulu and Amoonguss. Choice Scarf Zarude does not have to worry about being outsped outside of rain and can safely retaliate with its strong STAB moves. Furthermore, it is valuable to note that Zarude is one of the few Pokemon that can possibly switch in to Barraskewda under rain, as it has a likely chance of living two Liquidations, but it fails to outspeed Barraskewda if the rain has not ended.
Calculations:
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude in Rain: 158-186 (45 - 52.9%) -- 31.3% chance to 2HKO.
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 105-124 (29.9 - 35.3%) -- 25.4% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Zarude Darkest Lariat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Barraskewda: 198-234 (75.2 - 88.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off
- Liquidation
- Play Rough
Pretty solid Skewda check, as it can stomach most of it's attacks thanks to it's typing and bulk, while also being able to KO back with Knock Off or Play Rough. It can also switch into Liquidation if rain isn't up and there ain't defense drop:
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 132-156 (38.7 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 132-156 (38.7 - 45.7%) -- 14.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Azumarill in Rain: 198-234 (58 - 68.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Barraskewda: 289-341 (109.8 - 129.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
It's overall pretty simple so I won't explain further. But yeah it's only a check due to being unable to switch into it if rain's up and it can't switch into it more than once either.
DESCRIPTION:
Suicune acts as a relatively solid check to Barraskewda. Barraskewda can't 2KO which allows you to use Rest to recover HP and effectively stall out the remaining PP on Close Combat to further neutralize Barraskewda later in the game. On switch in 2 PP are used, next turn on Rest 2 PP are used and you're at full health. Now they can't 2KO which means if they want to put you down to (27 - 39.8%) by attacking 2 more times while risking a Burn during Sleep Talk turns they'll use up all remaining PP on Close Combat. On the turn they struggle or switch out you are free to Rest again and heal back up to full.
CALCULATIONS:
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Suicune: 146-172 (36.1 - 42.5%) -- 94.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Suicune Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda in Rain: 102-121 (38.7 - 46%)
Amoonguss @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
Amoonguss is a hard check to Barra, every time it’s on the opposite team Barraskewda is hella discouraged from clicking its strongest move because of rocky helmet chip, wearing it down like crazy. It gets 2HKOd by ice fang so it’s a check but then barra has to lock into ice fang so you can take advantage of it.
With that out of the way, its time to vote! Down below are the submissions for this week! We got a lot of great ones, it's always amazing to see that! Checks
Vote for 2 checks and 2 counters. I repeat, vote for 2 checks and 2 counters. Voting ends September 23 at 11:59 PM PST. My votes are
Checks: Rotom-W and Gardevoir
Counters: Mantine and Tangrowth
Voting is up! Congrats to Monky25 for winning the checks while StarFalcon555 and Celebiii tied for runner up. Meanwhile, HydreigonTheChild won the counters for this week while D5405 took runner up. All of your submissions will be added to the Hall of Fame. Now, let’s introduce this week’s victim!
Seismitoad @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Weather Ball
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
This week we have Seismitoad! Seismitoad has been growjng lately both as a defensive and offensive rocker in UU, being slated to rise this coming tier shifts. It’s a threatening sweeper in rain, taking down threats like Rotom-H, krookodile, and aegislash. How will you answer this crazy frog? Remember, in order for your check/counter to count it must deal with Seismitoad WHILE rain is up, otherwise I will disqualify it. Submissions are due September 28 at 11:59 PM PST
With minimal special defense investment Gastrodon is able to live 2 Earth Power's from Seismitoad making it a counter. would it be shacky due to critical hits or SpD drops? yes but technically it is a counter I think. Using minimal Special Defense investment leaves Gastrodon with plenty of Defense to help handle rain Barreskewda and Keldeo. (EDIT apparently skewda's banded CC has a chance to 2HKO Gastrodon anyways but it helps)
252+ SpA Life Orb Seismitoad Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 28 SpD Gastrodon: 179-212 (42 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
@ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
Mantine is immune to any of seismitoad's stabs, while being neutral to sludge wave. With reliable recovery, the ability to threaten with status, mantine is a counter to seismitoad as it has no way to break through even with sludge wave poison's it is still able to sit on this. Alongside Life orb recoil which will wear it down even further
252+ SpA Life Orb Seismitoad Sludge Wave vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Mantine: 83-99 (22.2 - 26.5%) -- 16.1% chance to 4HKO
Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Sludge Bomb
Tangrowth is able to check Seismitoad well, as its pure Grass typing allows it to resist both of its STABs. It also can switch out and gets its HP back with Regenerator, as if it wasn’t hit at all. Tangrowth does have to worry about switching into Sludge Wave on the switch, as it has a chance to OHKO it after Stealth Rock.
252+ SpA Life Orb Seismitoad Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth: 161-190 (39.8 - 47%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Life Orb Seismitoad Weather Ball (100 BP Water) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth in Rain: 94-112 (23.2 - 27.7%) -- 74% chance to 4HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Seismitoad Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth: 57-68 (14.1 - 16.8%) -- possible 6HKO
0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Seismitoad: 444-528 (126.4 - 150.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO (43.5 - 43.5% recovered)
Chansey (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic/Teleport
- Soft-Boiled
- Stealth Rock
Chansey is able to take on seismitoad's attacks very eaisly and heal off the dmg with soft boil and chan is also able to cripple the switch with toxic(tport is an option if u dont want to give up momentum) and is also able to setup stealth rocks which will rack up dmg and will preassure the rain team which seimitoad is in and in rain teams there is constant switching with baraskewda flip turn peli u-turn vice versa and chan is able to set up rocks over and over again if they try to remove it.So i submit chansey as a counter to seimitoad
@ Heavy-Duty Boots 
Sus
Gardevoir
Tangrowth
Mantine
and
