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The winner for Week 2 is Specs Victini by Albacore, you will be added to the Hall of Fame.
The Pokemon for Week 3 is Thundurus!
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Thundurus has a great movepool, good stats and has two useful abilities when using them right. Also Thundurus has two forms making more innovative ideas/sets.
Toxic is actually pretty good on Thundurus since it enables it to severaly cripple checks like Hippowdon, Latias, Altaria, Raikou, Manectric and Charizard-X without having to rely on raw power and coverage. It has pretty good synergy with Taunt and Substitute as well, Taunt+Toxic enables it to act as a pseudo stallbreaker which can severely wear down the likes of Chansey and Unaware Clefable, and Substitute lets it get even more chip damage against offensive Pokemon that have been poisoned. And while Toxic isn't as good as Thunder Wave when it comes to crippling setup sweepers, it can still work as a pseudo sweep-stopper on on more balanced teams.
I'll bring you here a peculiar Thundurus set based on Nasty Plot, focused on dealing with its main counters in Mega Venusaur and Hippowdon.
Hidden Power Flying deals with the former (and Ferrothorn) while Grass Knot helps against the latter, and Thunderbolt is the STAB move of choice, as it is able to OHKO or 2HKO anything not resistant to it.
The EV spread is self-explanatory.
Here are some calcs:
+2 252 SpA Thundurus Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Venusaur: 326-386 (89.5 - 106%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
With Stealth Rock support and a single boost, Thundurus is capable of OHKOing Mega Venusaur.
252 SpA Thundurus Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 109-129 (25.9 - 30.7%) -- 55% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Thundurus Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 290-342 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
An unboosted Hidden Power Flying coupled with a Grass Knot is deadly for Hippowdon. A boosted Grass Knot is obviously an OHKO.
+2 252 SpA Thundurus Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 120 SpD Amoonguss: 398-470 (92.1 - 108.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Thundurus Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 120 SpD Amoonguss: 266-314 (61.5 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
Furthermore, Hidden Power Flying is the superior choice over Hidden Power Ice as it can threaten other bulky Grass-type Pokemon, such as Amoonguss.
As partner I suggest Mega Altaria, since few Pokemon can take it on once Mega Venusaur faints. On a similar note, Mega Charizard X greatly benefits from Thundurus's ability to remove Hippowdon from the field, letting it sweep through the rest of the enemy team. Electric-type Pokemon can easily face this set, resisting both its STAB moves and taking little damage from Grass Knot.
This Thundurus set is based around utilising its lesser-used ability Defiant, with a fully physical set taking advantage of the boosted attack stat to come in on defogs etc turning him into an extremely powerful and fast wallbreaker. Bulk up increases his attack further and also patches up his poor defence, increasing the length of a potential sweep. Bulk up also compensates for superpower's stat drops and the lack of life orb boost.
Yache berry allows him to comfortably stomach an ice shard from Weavile or Mamoswine and retaliate with superpower, whereas Leftovers is another option to increase overall longevity and compensate for wild charge recoil.
Wild charge or Fly is for powerful physical STAB depending on what your team is most weak to. Knock off and superpower for coverage - flying/fighting/dark has perfect neutral coverage, as does electric/fighting/dark bar the extremely rare Whimsicott - and has the bonus utility of removing items.
This time is really difficult because both forms don't have much possibilities because the coverage and the status moves can be changed but they are pretty much the same and in the same ratio (3+1 or 2+2) but still I try to explore Thundurus-T:
The idea -a variation of the Double Dance set- is to have a +1 automatic boost in speed even with the help of Substitute (if necessary) which covers you even from status moves preserving your remaining bulk and enables us to scout the opponent, then proceed to sweep with your Spe boosted with the help of Nasty Plot (if you have trouble with bulky teams; otherwise pick Focus Blast) and the other two moves.
This time is really difficult because both forms don't have much possibilities because the coverage and the status moves can be changed but they are pretty much the same and in the same ratio (3+1 or 2+2) but still I try to explore Thundurus-T:
SubSalac Thundurus-T
Thundurus-Therian (M) @ Salac Berry
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD
- Substitute
- Nasty Plot/Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
The idea -a variation of the Double Dance set- is to have a +1 automatic boost in speed even with the help of Substitute (if necessary) which covers you even from status moves preserving your remaining bulk and enables us to scout the opponent, then proceed to sweep with your Spe boosted with the help of Nasty Plot (if you have trouble with bulky teams; otherwise pick Focus Blast) and the other two moves.
The IV spread you listed gives Thundy-T a Flying-type Hidden Power instead of an Ice-type one. You only need 0 Atk / 30 Def to give it the right Hidden Power while also having a HP stat that's divisble by four (don't change the EV spread).
Thundurus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 244 HP / 252 SpA / 12 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Focus Blast
- Knock Off / Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Flying] / [Ice]
Assault Vest allows Thundy-T to make the most out of its ability while not wasting that glorious 145 base SpA. The set primarily acts as a check to VoltTurn as well as a pivot with its own Volt Switch. Focus Blast damages some Electric resists and immune Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Raikou, Mega Manectric and Mamoswine while also dispatching things like Tyranitar and Weavile. Knock Off is used mainly for utility, removing items from the likes of Chansey, Raikou, Thundurus, etc. HP Flying is used for secondary STAB and is best for Grass and Fighting types like Mega Venusaur, Celebi and Conkeldurr, while HP Ice hits Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Thundurus harder among others.
252 SpA Choice Specs Raikou Hidden Power Ice vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Thundurus-T: 146-174 (40.6 - 48.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Raikou Hidden Power Ice vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Thundurus-T: 98-116 (27.2 - 32.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0- Atk Thundurus-T Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 32 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 83-98 (25.2 - 29.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Raikou: 155-183 (47.1 - 55.6%) -- 76.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 32 SpD Assault Vest Raikou: 101-119 (31.4 - 37%) -- 80.1% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Mega Manectric Hidden Power Ice vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Thundurus-T: 110-130 (30.6 - 36.2%) -- 46.6% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Manectric: 187-221 (66.5 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Hidden Power Ice vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Thundurus-T: 135-161 (37.6 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Thundurus: 163-193 (54.5 - 64.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Thundurus: 188-222 (62.8 - 74.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Thundurus-T: 100-118 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Volt Switch vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 127-151 (41.9 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 146-172 (48.1 - 56.7%) -- 39.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Rotom-W: 163-193 (53.7 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
112 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Thundurus-T: 90-106 (25 - 29.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 140 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 408-480 (113.9 - 134%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Volt Switch vs. 140 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 178-211 (49.7 - 58.9%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Thundurus-T: 87-103 (24.2 - 28.6%) -- 98.8% chance to 4HKO
252+ SpA Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 340-400 (104.9 - 123.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This Thundurus set is based around utilising its lesser-used ability Defiant, with a fully physical set taking advantage of the boosted attack stat to come in on defogs etc turning him into an extremely powerful and fast wallbreaker. Wild charge is for powerful physical electric STAB (you could go thunder punch to avoid recoil damage but the power difference is quite noticeable if unboosted). Bulk up increases his attack further and also patches up his poor defence, increasing the length of a potential sweep, Yache berry also helps with this as he can comfortably stomach an ice shard from Weavile or Mamoswine and retaliate with superpower while avoiding life orb recoil. Bulk up also compensates for superpower's stat drops and the lack of life orb boost. Knock off is for overall coverage - electric fighting dark has perfect neutral coverage bar the extremely rare Whimsicott - and beats the likes of Celebi and Latios who otherwise wall you, and has the bonus utility of removing items. (Crunch can be used here for more damage against the likes of M-Venu but in general I prefer the utility)
first off i swear i didnt rip off the np one. I just noticed that. Anyways while building around mega diancie one day i decided to pair her up with a partner that could take on her checks/counters such as hippowdon and mega venusaur. So i decided to use something fresh and use Agility 3 atks thundy-T. Pretty much the goal of this set is to remove said threats to mega diancie as well as other pokemon weak to either hippo or venu like Zard-x,Malt etc. Overall though this set lures aside has a great match up vs offense due to thundy-Ts power and agility allows him to fix his speed up and threaten faster pokemon on offense. Pretty much this is a offense breaker that can help break offense while also luring things in for some pokemon that hate venu and hippo.
Regular Thundurus sets can be outstalled by the likes of Clefable, Hippowdon and MLatias. Heal Block prevents these pokemon from recovering after being hit by a TBolt / HP Ice so Thundurus (or any other teammember) will be able to break through the Hippow / Clef / Lati / Venu etc. It has a few useful niches over Taunt as it also stops recovery from Leftovers, Rest and Leech Seed. It also lasts 5 turns instead of 3 turns which is really useful against stuff like Chansey and Gastrodon which can take multiple HP Ice / TBolts.
This Thunderus set operates similarly to the standard NP Thundurus set, but works better against stall/ bulky balanced teams by shutting opposing walls down with Taunt and boosting with Nasty Plot. You will notice it is very different than the other Stallbreaker Thundurus from the Dex, as that set aims to be an anti-stall version of the T-wave attacker set, while this set is the anti-stall version of the NP set. This one is a much better wincon against stall.
Thunderbolt is the main STAB , while Grass Knot is (imo) the best option against stall to break the likes of Hippowdon, Quagsire, RestTalk Mega Swampert, and Gastrodon, who otherwise wall you. If those aren't a problem, Substitute or HP Ice are solid options for your last moveslot.
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