Project Threats to OU Cores v2: Round 72: Mega Charizard X + Ash-Greninja

[Egor]

Heracross-Mega @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Rock Blast
- Pin Missile

Close Combat easily OHKOes Ferro. Hera can setup one SD on an unboosted Psychic and OHKO Reuni with Pin Missile at equal amounts of Reuni's Def and Hera's Atk boost. Don't let Reuni setup both AA and CM.

 

[Komodo_Drogo]

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Focus Blast
- Solar Beam
- Roost

Flamethrower ohkos Ferrothorn and 2hkos reuniclus if no calm mind hasn't already been used prior. It comes in on ferrothorn easily as ferrothorns best option to punish it is gyro ball.

0 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 93-111 (31.3 - 37.3%) -- 84.6% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus in Sun: 295-348 (69.5 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus in Sun: 198-234 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 13.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 164+ SpD Ferrothorn in Sun: 712-844 (202.2 - 239.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Loom]

@

Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 8 HP / 252 Atk / 44 SpD / 204 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Fire Punch​

Choice Band Tyranitar is able to break this core phenomenally, Reuniclus can't touch it unless it opts to run Focus Blast, and Ferrothorn drops to a Fire Punch no matter what spread it runs. Crunch is a little bit off from killing but inevitably Reuniclus will fall to Tyranitar even at +2 defense still being a 2HKO.

252+ Atk

Crunch vs. 252 HP / 196+ Def

: 404-476 (95.2 - 112.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery​

252+ Atk

Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 92 Def

: 408-480 (115.9 - 136.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

​

 

[Ultra Jiren]

Kartana @ Grassium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance

sets up on both and can switch moves so u dont even have to predict! make sure to sd first so you force out the reuni and be on like +3 after killing the ferro, but dont let reuni recover on z-move

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Pinsir: This thing can really easily pressure this core due to it's aerilate returns being disgustingly strong, especially after an SD. Reunicles can't even acid armor vs it to outlast it while Pinsir can set up on it and Ferrothorn. It can even use CC to beat Ferrothorn should the user want to get a guaranteed kill at +2. Pinsir can be prone to getting worn down due to rocks and the like should it not get in safely but this can be alleviated by smart play.

 

[Mellow]

Crawdaunt @ Choice Band
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Aqua Jet
- Crunch

Reuniclus provides free switchins because you're a Dark-type, and both get absolutely chunked by Knock Off. Swords Dance would work perfectly well too, arguably better since you can set up for free on Reuniclus and proceed to OHKO Ferrothorn with a +2 Knock Off (if you get the roll / are Life Orb), however Band is the better set atm so I thought I'd list it instead.

le crab

252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 92 Def Ferrothorn: 242-286 (68.7 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. +2 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 296-352 (69.8 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. +2 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 204-240 (48.1 - 56.6%) -- 87.5% chance to 2HKO
(not even Recovering on the Knock Off will save them - 69.8% + 48.1% = 117.9%)

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Week:

: Hydreigon's probably the best counter available to Reuniclus.

Additional Notes:

: Kinda struggles to set up, but is threatening so it works.
​

​

Round 39 Core: Zygarde + Tornadus-Therian

Here are your sets

Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 236 HP / 160 SpD / 112 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Substitute
- Coil
- Glare

Tornadus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- U-turn / Taunt
- Defog

• Zygarde tends to get walled by Grass-types, which Tornadus-T can easily come in on and pressure. Zygarde also provides a Heatran check.
• Try to post only OU viable Pokémon and don't post sets specifically for this core, additionally your threat should not be complete deadweight against teams that do not feature the core of Zygarde + Tornadus-Therian. Everyone have a good day!

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Greninja @ Waterium Z
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Spikes
- Gunk Shot

Due to it’s strong Ice Beam, neither Zygarde nor Torn are safe staying in on this thing as it outspeeds both of them assuming it’s not glared and that Zyg isn’t behind a sub. It can also spike on their predicted switches. However, it can’t come into either safely unless on a double, sack, or via volt-turn.

 

[Ultra Jiren]

Kyurem-Black @ Icium Z
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Freeze Shock
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power

i dont think i have to explain this

 

[Dreadfury]

Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Jolly/Adamant Nature
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Stealth Rock

It shouldn’t be too surprising that Mamoswine can put some work in OU despite being UU by usage. Those STABs don’t lie and with proper prediction it devastates the majority of the tier. This Ice-weak core is no exception.

Jolly is overall better but Adamant packs way more power. Outspeeds and OHKOs Zygarde with either nature, Tornadus-T can’t afford to switch in to Defog the rocks away, and Ice Shard has a 50% chance to OHKO Tornadus-T after rocks if it’s Jolly. Mamoswine can’t switch into either, but it pressures both to an extreme degree with its raw power and decent speed scaring Zygarde out pretty easily and then it can capitalize on those forced switches by either getting Stealth Rock up to put Torn-T into Ice Shard range when it comes in or just hitting hard as fuck with EQ predictions if a Steel wants to come in on Icicle Crash.

 

[Egor]

Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam

Requires rain support. In rain outpaces and OHKOes both Zyg and Torn with Ice Beam, the latter needs a minimal chip. Kingdra hates being Glared, though.

 

[1_TrickPhony]

Reserving OG Kyurem

Kyurem @ Metronome
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Roost

Being able to set up a sub on a telegraphed switchout of either of these two is really useful. Kyu hits strong enough, has longevity to beat out most switch-in options while leading w/ a sub as well. Super useful vs. this core.

 

[Loom]

@

Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Moonblast
- Diamond Storm
- Earth Power
- Protect​

Mega Diancie is able to break this core easily using Diamond Storm, and Moonblast. Diamond Storm is able to cleanly OHKO Tornadus, and Moonblast is a 2HKO and Zygarde cant glare it due to Magic Bounce. Thousand Arrows is a 2HKO even with a Hasty nature.

Calcs

0 Atk

-

Diamond Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 Def

: 390-462 (130.4 - 154.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA

-

Moonblast vs. 236 HP / 160 SpD

: 320-380 (76.9 - 91.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk

Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0- Def

-

: 200-236 (82.9 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Mellow]

Tapu Bulu @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Stone Edge
- Horn Leech

Banded Bulu's being used again since it's just ridiculously strong and people just assume Bulu's SpDef now, so you can nab surprise kills on stuff like Scarf Lando and Tornadus-T that try to pivot into it. It's pretty good against this core since it comes in on Zygarde and just fires off obscenely powerful Wood Hammers / Horn Leeches.

big nigga

252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Zygarde in Grassy Terrain: 412-486 (99 - 116.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Zygarde in Grassy Terrain: 256-303 (61.5 - 72.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian in Grassy Terrain: 290-342 (96.9 - 114.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tornadus-Therian: 430-508 (143.8 - 169.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[xapx]

Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
IVs: 0 Spe
Quiet Nature
- Trick Room
- Fleur Cannon
- Ice Beam / Thunderbolt
- Filler

Basically all you need to do is to set up Trick Room. Although Magearna can't switch in on Zygarde, it's able to do so on Torn and click Trick Room, threatening both Pokemon with Ice Beam / Z-Fleur. You can put something like FBlast to catch Tran as well. I don't really need to put calcs for Fairy Push on Zyg right

 

[Akumeoy]

Magearna @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Pain Split
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt

Magearna obviously walls this Torn-T set; meanwhile, a Zygarde intent on revenge killing it will find its damage output rather disappointing. Or alternatively, you can psych your opponent out by sending Magearna to revenge kill Zygarde that hasn't set up a Substitute yet. In any case, this goes beyond threatening the core into actively luring it.

+2 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 212 HP / 252+ Def Shuca Berry Magearna: 127-150 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 212 HP / 0 SpD Magearna: 119-141 (33.6 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Magearna Ice Beam vs. 236 HP / 160 SpD Zygarde: 292-344 (70.1 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Magearna Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 178-210 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Just for fun:
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252+ Def Shuca Berry Magearna: 214-253 (60.4 - 71.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Jordy]

Joseph @ Leftovers / Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 96 Def / 164 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Toxic / Thunder Wave
- Slack Off

Slowbro easily takes on Zygarde and can status Tornadus-T with Toxic or Thunder Wave and can also pressure it out with Scald burns and Ice Beam. Slowbro can easily take 2 Hurricane's, just make sure to bait Supersonic Skystrike with something else.

 

[ithrowrocksatkids]

Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power Fire
- Focus Blast

Scarf lele outspeeds both Torn and Zygarde and hits zyg with a stab super effective moonblast and can hit torn with psychic in terrain.

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Round:

: All nominations this round were good but I'll go with Kyurem since it's criminally underrated.

Additional Notes:

None, nice job.
​

​

Round 40 Core: Celesteela + Tangrowth

Here are your sets

Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower

Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Earthquake / Sludge Bomb

• Tangrowth is capable of checking the Electric-types that Celesteela is weak to, mainly Tapu Koko, and also helps with sponging Water-type attacks from Pokemon like Ash-Greninja. Celesteela can deal with special attackers like Tapu Lele, which can overwhelm Tangrowth.
• Try to post only OU viable Pokémon and don't post sets specifically for this core, additionally your threat should not be complete deadweight against teams that do not feature the core of Celesteela + Tangrowth. Everyone have a good day!

 

[Loom]

@

Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Flamethrower
- Bug Buzz
- Roost​

Volcarona is able to heavily threaten this core, both of it's STABs annihilate Tangrowth, and Celesteela after a QD. Earthquake from Tang does nothing and Sludge Bomb can't dent Volcarona. Celesteelas best bet of hitting Volcarona is Heavy Slam, which only does about 20%.

Damage Calcs

0 Atk

Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 248 HP / 124 Def

: 78-92 (20.9 - 24.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
0 Atk

Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 124 Def

: 86-102 (23 - 27.3%) -- 56.9% chance to 4HKO
1 0 SpA

Savage Spin-Out

(175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD

: 528-624 (130.6 - 154.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 0 SpA

Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 156 SpD

: 320-380 (80.6 - 95.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after

recovery

 

[Katy]

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast
- Roost

Threatens both with it's super effective STAB Move in Flamethrower, it is able to Roost of the damage he took from H-Slam and also F-Thrower from Celesteela. Also Sludge Bomb doesnt do a good chunk to Zard Y.

 

[superstrike66]

Reserving 'zard x

 

[~erza]

Volcanion @ Groundium Z / Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power

Really simple: You Sub on Celesteela and start throwing off Flamethrowers to break this core in 2 seconds. (Also, this core is paired often with Toxapex, so Groundium Z is a good option here)

252 SpA Volcanion Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth: 212-252 (52.4 - 62.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Volcanion Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 156 SpD Celesteela: 252-296 (63.4 - 74.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Jordy]

Heatran @ Firium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 16 HP / 216 SpA / 28 SpD / 248 Spe
Modest Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Toxic / Stealth Rock

Both Pokemon are weak to Fire so naturally, any Fire-type breaker should be able to break it, which includes Heatran.

 

[Egor]

Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Pain Split
- Fleur Cannon
- Thunderbolt

Both are setup fodders for this Gear thanks to Pain Split.