Resource SV Ubers UU Great Cores

FishyRoads

formerly JustCallMeFish
Cores are a major fundamental aspect of teambuilding, that regularly become the determining factor for the success or failure of a team. The reliance on great cores for a thriving team comes from how cores act as the main basis for how a team gets progress in a match. What I mean by this is; a core is the utilization of a combination of 2 Pokemon to achieve a specific objective. This is not conjecture either, all teams at the top of competitive play have combinations of 2 to 3 Pokemon that lay the groundwork for how the team gains progress. This progress can be as simple as dealing great damage through the use of strong coverage between 2 Pokemon, or 2 bulky Pokemon whos typing's complement each other well. However, cores are complex and have more to their value than just the surface level combinations of type that fit well together. Offensive cores prime objective is to use a combination of offensive pressure through either utility moves, raw damage, or baits in order to break opposing team compositions. Defensive cores central game plan is to use longevity, raw bulk, and type resistance combinations in hopes of outliving the opponent and win long term with gradual damage. Cores are not set to be strictly offensive or defensive in their workings, generally any viable option to net progress in a match can be formed into a specific core (EX: Rain). Generally, cores are the foundation of all competitively viable teams and as such consciously forming great cores to net sufficient enough progress for victory is necessary for any team to make sufficient enough progress for victory.

Posting Guidelines
  • Everyone is allowed to post a core in this thread, but be sure to put your core into it's specific category. The main 3 categories include: Offensive, Defensive, and Balanced. Please be sure to include what category your core falls under, within your post.
  • Regardless of how obvious a core may work to you, other players may not understand why it works. When posting a core it is imperative to properly explain the functions of your core and other important details within that post. The explanation is not an essay, so long as the main idea of the core along with other details you deem important are conveyed and well explained it'll do. Here are some added guidelines that may help you better explain your core
  • See SV OUs great explanation of the definition of offensive and defensive cores.
  • Be sure to include the sets in your core post, and any EV deviations from the usual 252/252 need direct explanations.
  • If you have replays utilizing the core in your post, we highly suggest including them into your post!
  • Please refrain from posting cores larger than 3 Pokemon, any core bigger than 3 leaves little room for any additional teambuilding.
  • Constructive criticism is allowed in this thread, however remaining respectful is above all else. If you disagree with a particular statement or the overall viability of a posted core and want to voice this opinion, do so without hostility.
Core Selection Process
  • This thread is being run by NJNP. He'll be thoroughly reviewing the cores submitted, and discuss certain cores with the Ubers UU Moderation team as well as other contributing members. Once discussion is done we will decide on what cores to add to the great cores archive in this thread.
  • Understandably the process of selecting great cores can be subjective so in pursuit of further consistency regarding the submitted cores, we will be looking at more than just the Pokemon themselves. These other factors we'll be reviewing include the effectiveness of the core in the current metagame, the explanation given for the core, and much more for the sake of maintaining quality assurance.
  • When the submitted cores have been decided on for archive, we will publicly announce the cores that were chosen for the great cores archive. We will provide explanation for the reasons of the archived cores, as well as the reasons for why certain cores were rejected within this announcement. We are hoping this feedback can give posters a better idea of what we value in a core.
  • If a core was initially rejected from being added to the archive, we can give critique on how to better optimize your core to better meet the quality standards we look for in a core.
  • If you have any concerns with our post or the selected cores for archive, please let us know! However, we do rather simple question or problem be asked directly to us in a PM for convenience.
 
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:clefable::cyclizar::houndstone:
Going to go ahead and submit this Defensive Core heavily inspired by the sample Revolving Door squad from Qbking3.

It is a fairly simple defensive core that is useful for Balance teams to handle a large portion of the metagame, although it is susceptible to well-positioned strong breakers like CB Palafin, Palkia-Origin, SFLO Landorus, and Specs Chi-Yu.

Clefable is the dedicated Unaware slot and special tank, using Tera Dark and Calm Mind to become a hard stop to Stored Power users such as Magearna while Wish passing and potentially sweeping if conditions are right.

Cyclizar is the utility poke, using everything in its arsenal to support the team. Draco Meteor over Taunt is an option to damage the aforementioned threats to the core.

Houndstone is the blanket physical wall. While it can falter against non-contact attackers such as Dice Baxcalibur and SD Garchomp, being able to tank and threaten most attackers with Wisp is great support for any team. Hound's Wisp improves Clefable's setup opportunities against physical threats, while it benefits from Clefable's Wish passing.

Teambuilding Note: none of the members of this core are using reliable recovery, so consider adding 1-2 more defensive options to stabilize the core. Smart usage of Shed Tail should alleviate this issue somewhat.
 
Here's a core I would like to submit:
A WEATHER-based core,
Sand Core
:Hippowdon: :Houndstone:
https://pokepast.es/9d6b9cc159a01f1f

Utilizing the game ending potential of Last Respects and Sand Rush, Houndstone is one of the most powerful end-game sweepers in the tier being able to outspeed all unboosted threats and many boosted or Choice Scarf 'Mons while under Sand. To set this Sand, Hippowdon is the preferred weather-setter as it functions as a great defensive wall, setting up Stealth Rock for Houndstone to ensure KOs and being able to phase out boosting opponents that would otherwise stop Houndstone's sweep with Whirlwind.

Teambuilding Notes:
Hippowdon works best when paired with a special wall and 'Mons that resist or are immune to water, grass, and ice types to patch up its weakness. Also make sure to have a solid gameplan to remove normal-types (Blissey and Cyclizar being the only relevant ones) otherwise you might find your Last Respects sweep prematurely ended.

Possible 'Mons to add:
Sand Veil is legal in the tier, so you can try and cheese strategically beat your opponents with misses under Sand. (:garchomp:, :donphan:, :orthworm: are notable users)
Other Sand Rush 'Mons can help in facilitating the sweep, especially since even under Sand Houndstone sometimes misses out on outspeeding some boosted threats. (:lycanroc:, :sandslash:)
 
I've had too much fun with this core the past few days, i need to show it off
:Landorus-Therian: :Regieleki: :Dialga:
https://pokepast.es/db20e1265c68d441

It functions as a strong offensive core. Crunch outspeeds and OHKO's 252HP/4def NDW, and lando is bulky enough to live a sash deoxys psycho boost, and brings down to sash w/ u-turn. Can also be used as an intim sack later in the game, and generally banded earthquake is soo good. Regieleki helps with water types and can thunder wave basically anything at +1. Utility eleki is super underrated methinks. Dialga helps on the special side and against water types, and rounds out the necessary utility roles with hazards and phasing. I like pairing this core with THE set arc-grass, but i don't think its necessary.
 
In an attempt to revive this thread as well give what I think is valuable information about building HO, I propose the core of...

THE Hyper Offense Core
:Deoxys-Speed: + :Spectrier:
https://pokepast.es/33aaa7502e153670

I have been primarily playing Hyper Offense and hazard stack seems like the primary way to use it at the moment and these two form a perfect core for it. Upon setting up hazards, Deoxys-Speed can Taunt incoming targets like Giratina trying to Defog them away and upon dying Spectrier can Taunt again whilst picking up the kill. A strategy which has worked for me many times is to lead Deoxys-Speed against a team with Hatterene, then switch into Spectrier which allows it a free attack off on their team. Besides them both having Taunt and Spectrier being capable of 1v1ing most hazard removers, Spectrier is also a spinblocker who can switch into Rapid Spin users like Great Tusk and kill them after their failed attempt by setting up a Nasty Plot into an attack.
 
In an attempt to revive this thread as well give what I think is valuable information about building HO, I propose the core of...

THE Hyper Offense Core
:Deoxys-Speed: + :Spectrier:
https://pokepast.es/33aaa7502e153670

I have been primarily playing Hyper Offense and hazard stack seems like the primary way to use it at the moment and these two form a perfect core for it. Upon setting up hazards, Deoxys-Speed can Taunt incoming targets like Giratina trying to Defog them away and upon dying Spectrier can Taunt again whilst picking up the kill. A strategy which has worked for me many times is to lead Deoxys-Speed against a team with Hatterene, then switch into Spectrier which allows it a free attack off on their team. Besides them both having Taunt and Spectrier being capable of 1v1ing most hazard removers, Spectrier is also a spinblocker who can switch into Rapid Spin users like Great Tusk and kill them after their failed attempt by setting up a Nasty Plot into an attack.
It seems like a great core! I'd be happy to add it
 
Hey, so I was checking the cores out and I noticed every single offensive core was actually illegal. I also noticed that there were barely any cores. I used some samples sets, usage, and commons sense to cobble some stuff together that seems decent (or funny). Feel free to reject any of them, since I don't really play too much.
:slowking-galar: :kyurem-white: https://pokepast.es/5dc261879caaf3ef
Fsight -> Chilly -> Draco -> Win

:deoxys: :zacian: :arceus-poison: https://pokepast.es/a23541a5a029c595
Zacian is Tera Fire for Corv because Arc-Poison loses hard.

:zacian: :arceus-electric: https://pokepast.es/b11fad72877526a8
Physical Sweeper + Special Sweeper. Additionally Arc-Electric is good into Dozo.
:alomomola: :giratina: :arceus-dark: https://pokepast.es/f44be0b38338f120
I'm not sure, they're good defensive pieces, and alo provides additional longevity.

:magearna: :moltres: https://pokepast.es/4306a98417fa3229
I saw this in an Imp sample. Moltres covers Magearna weaknesses.
:landorus: :alomomola: https://pokepast.es/862910700db5bfdd
They pivot into each other, fast and slow pivot go brr.

:magearna: :slowking-galar: :Terapagos-Terastal: https://pokepast.es/808ac16f001141f0
This is actually very fake. But I thought it was funny.
:tyranitar: :excadrill: https://pokepast.es/7847ea1ef8835aed
It's sand.

:torkoal: :hatterene: https://pokepast.es/983411deadd35c0d
Torkoal sets sun, hatt keeps hazards off and helps pivot out.= with eject button.

:rillaboom: :sneasler: https://pokepast.es/87184327be9f7c85
It gterrain sneasler.

:magearna: :arceus-fighting: https://pokepast.es/811f1e1e723cf995
This is my personal inclusion. Mage can set up on stuff like zac and some arc poison. Arceus has chi-yu and some lando-i.

:magearna: :ursaluna: https://pokepast.es/2da2b766b961e671
Meant to be more of a trick room mode you can add to a team. Very cool stuff.
Anywho, I hope these help with the core situation. Ubers UU on top.
 
Weather Core :D
Ninetales + Hatterene is a very solid pairing where both mons support eachother very well and Gouging Fire is a massive benefitiary of both
Some Synergies:
1. Hatterene's Eject button lets Sun Boosted Gouging Fire get in very freely
2. Hatterene offers a way for Sun to play the hazard game without needing to waste turns with Rapid Spin
3. Both Ninetales and Hatterene have access to Healing Wish, basically giving the sun player 2 Gouging Fires that can be accessed depending on the game state
4. Sun + Gouging Fire
5. Sun lets Hatterene be a counter to most variants of Palkia-Origin
6. Hatterene's nuzzle can let things be slow enough so that Ninetales can Encore them
7. Ninetales's Hypnosis can give setup opportunities to Gouging Fire

Edit: guess i'll throw a replay in: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen9ubersuu-815803
 
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Weather Core :D
Ninetales + Hatterene is a very solid pairing where both mons support eachother very well and Gouging Fire is a massive benefitiary of both
Some Synergies:
1. Hatterene's Eject button lets Sun Boosted Gouging Fire get in very freely
2. Hatterene offers a way for Sun to play the hazard game without needing to waste turns with Rapid Spin
3. Both Ninetales and Hatterene have access to Healing Wish, basically giving the sun player 2 Gouging Fires that can be accessed depending on the game state
4. Sun + Gouging Fire
5. Sun lets Hatterene be a counter to most variants of Palkia-Origin
6. Hatterene's nuzzle can let things be slow enough so that Ninetales can Encore them
7. Ninetales's Hypnosis can give setup opportunities to Gouging Fire

Edit: guess i'll throw a replay in: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen9ubersuu-815803
we prolly gotta get someone to replace Vesp, cause his interest in smogon stuff fell off a cliff. I otherwise agree with all of it tho.
 
https://pokepast.es/77d6fae40d92e739

I propose this core for a sand weather team in a post Zacian meta. Tyranitar is built to set up sand and then provide various forms of utility afterwards. Excadril is built as speed control and physical damage, taking advantage of the speed boost from sand to use choice band to maintain high physical damage. Lando is useful as a special attacker that takes advantage of the damage boost from Sand Force to run assault vest to avoid OHKOs from ice beam. Focus blast replaces sludge wave in a meta where one of the best fairy types is part steel and Arceus-Dark is presumed to see higher usage. Mons that are recommended to finish this team include Garchomp, Dugtrio, Zamazenta-Crowned, Arceus-Rock, and Solegao. Hopefully this sand core will provide an alternative to the sun core for those that wish to use weather.
 
https://pokepast.es/77d6fae40d92e739

I propose this core for a sand weather team in a post Zacian meta. Tyranitar is built to set up sand and then provide various forms of utility afterwards. Excadril is built as speed control and physical damage, taking advantage of the speed boost from sand to use choice band to maintain high physical damage. Lando is useful as a special attacker that takes advantage of the damage boost from Sand Force to run assault vest to avoid OHKOs from ice beam. Focus blast replaces sludge wave in a meta where one of the best fairy types is part steel and Arceus-Dark is presumed to see higher usage. Mons that are recommended to finish this team include Garchomp, Dugtrio, Zamazenta-Crowned, Arceus-Rock, and Solegao. Hopefully this sand core will provide an alternative to the sun core for those that wish to use weather.
Ttar is too slow to run taunt, and generally SD excadrill is seen as better for its higher damage output and lack of choice lock abusability. The issue with sand force landorus is that it's simply far too weak into anything that's immune to its ground stab. Part of the appeal of Landorus is precisely that splashable options that can reliably take it on are limited, and how nothing short of Lugia can actually take on the Nasty Plot sets. Furthermore, Landorus is simply took weak without sheer force + life orb to actually make a huge difference vs most pokemon that would click Ice Beam vs it, and its defensive profile also doesn't allow it to really check any particular special threats either. Lastly, since we are fresh off a zacian ban, all resources will probably take a while to be updated since we're currently in a period where the meta is going to rapidly shift.
 
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