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

[Katy]

Reserving Mamoswine


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

Mamoswine's offensive typing allows it to set Stealth Rocks infront of Magearna and Zygarde.
It also scares both of them out due to it's dual typing hitting Magearna super effectively with Earthquake and hitting Zygarde super effectively with Icicle Crash.


Calcs:

Hide

252 Atk Life Orb Mamoswine Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 614-723 (146.5 - 172.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Mamoswine Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 369-437 (101.6 - 120.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[astralydia]

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

Volcarona is capable of countering Magearna, and then heavily damages Zygarde at +1 without being 2HKO'd itself. It can also utilize Zygarde as setup; however, it requires it to either be on low HP such so that +1 Spinout would KO, or requires Zygarde to be asleep.

(this core has to be my favourite combination of any two Pokemon, any variation of this core always seems to work in the tiers these two are usable in)

 

[Egor]

Zygarde @ Groundium Z
Ability: Aura Break
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Substitute

Unboosted Z-TArrows OHKOes Gear. Sub helps Zyg avoid opposing Zyg's Toxic and then setup. Zyg dislikes switching directly on both members of the core, though.

 

[Mellow]

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Flare Blitz
- Roost

Zard X outspeeds both at neutral and OHKOes both with the respective STAB move. 3 Attacks would work too, but this is Zard X's best set in the current meta imo.

calc

252 Atk Tough Claws Charizard-Mega-X Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 440-522 (121.2 - 143.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Charizard-Mega-X Outrage vs. 236 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 432-510 (103.8 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[wadusher]

Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 244 HP / 44 Def / 68 SpD / 152 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Earthquake
- Ice fang

While Gliscor obviously hates taking a boosted Twinkle Tackle, if it does manage to get in on an unboosted Magearna, it will be forced to tank a potentially +2 earthquake before firing off a twinkle tackle. Though since thousand arrows bounces off this thing, your best bet vs this duo is to come in on Zygarde and ice fang it to death at +2 or, hell, even +4 if you force it to rest.

calcs

0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 244 HP / 44 Def Gliscor: 78-93 (22.1 - 26.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Poison Heal
+1 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 244 HP / 44 Def Gliscor: 117-138 (33.2 - 39.2%) -- 96.9% chance to 4HKO after Poison Heal

96+ SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 244 HP / 68 SpD Gliscor: 162-191 (46 - 54.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Poison Heal
96+ SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. 244 HP / 68 SpD Gliscor: 243-286 (69 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

+2 0 Atk Gliscor Ice Fang vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 304-360 (72.5 - 85.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 356-422 (98 - 116.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock[/calcs]

 

[Stall is coming]

Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Giga Drain
- Spore
- Clear Smog
- Stomping Tantrum

Calcs:
0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 184 Def Amoonguss: 103-123 (23.8 - 28.4%) -- possible 5HKO after Black Sludge recovery
96+ SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 252 HP / 72+ SpD Amoonguss: 105-123 (24.3 - 28.4%) -- possible 5HKO after Black Sludge recovery
96+ SpA Magearna Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 72+ SpD Amoonguss: 48-57 (11.1 - 13.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever

Amoonguss tanks both and have the possibility of pseudo-haze Zygarde. Moreover, he can put to sleep both and then switch.

 

[Failure999]

I'm honestly scraping the bottom of the barrel here, so here we go.

Not OU Viable (Garchomp) @ Draconium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Stealth Rock

Description

As mentioned above, this is the best I could think of since all the good options have been taken while I was asleep, with the other option being Z-Dig Weavile, so here is Garchomp instead. Switch in on a predicted DD or Toxic from Zygarde, or anything from Magearna not named Fleur Cannon or Ice Beam on any other Magearna set, then Stealth Rock if you predict a switch or directly attack if you want. Simple.

All Relevant Calcs

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Zygarde: 572-678 (136.5 - 161.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 153-180 (42.7 - 50.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO

252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 369-437 (101.6 - 120.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Ultra Jiren]

Greninja @ Groundium Z
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dig
- Ice Beam
- Spikes
- U-turn

lures in mag and kills it with groundium z and then 2 hit ko's zygarde while zygarde cant ko it back
252 Atk Protean Greninja Tectonic Rage (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 366-432 (100.8 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 SpA Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 136+ SpD Zygarde: 336-396 (80.1 - 94.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Greninja: 223-264 (78.2 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[SBPC]

Swampert-Mega @ Swampertite
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock


Pretty standard set, put some rain up and watch swampert rain hell on these two, both mons are confirmed OHKO by EQ and Ice Punch after rocks, respectively. And if by some misfortunate event swampert gets caught outside of his rain, he's faster than magearna and doesn't mind eating up a TArrows from zygarde.

 

[birdkeeperdrew]

It's a little unconventional, but a physical Z-Happy Hour set on Jirachi is capable of setting up on both of these then winning by firing off attacks.

Jirachi @ Normalium Z
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Iron Head
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
- Happy Hour

+1 252+ Atk Jirachi Ice Punch vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 384-452 (91.6 - 107.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
50% chance to KO, literally any prior damage and this thing is gone.
+1 252+ Atk Jirachi Fire Punch vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 194-230 (53.4 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Fire Punch is a guaranteed 2HKO while nothing Magearna does touches Jirachi in any meaningful way.

Like I said, unconventional, but it works.

 

[Jordy]

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

Kyurem outspeeds Zygarde and can force it out and set a Substitute on it, minimizing the need for prediction. Kyurem doesn't always 2HKO Magearna, but it's not very hard to chip away at.

 

[JTD783]

just ban zygarde lmao

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

Mega Heracross ignores the defensive synergy of this core because of its colossal Attack stat. An unboosted Close Combat easily 2HKOs both members and Pin Missile, if used instead of Substitute or Bullet Seed in the last slot, hits Zygarde even harder. Mega Heracross cannot switch into Fleur Cannon but it easily walls Zygarde's Thousand Arrows, although Toxic can be an annoyance. Mega Heracross also outspeeds both Magearna and Zygarde.

Hide

252+ Atk Heracross-Mega Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 244-288 (67.2 - 79.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


252+ Atk Heracross-Mega Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 238-282 (56.8 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Heracross-Mega Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 255-300 (60.8 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Heracross-Mega: 43-51 (14.2 - 16.8%) -- possible 6HKO

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Acid Armor
- Psychic
- Recover

Can beat Magearna in a CM war if it gets a boost before it comes in and plays around the z move while it sets up acid armor on Zygarde thanks to magic guard making it status immune and proceeds to wall it bar a critical hit after both of them boost. It does have to be wary of PP vs Magearna if it's running psychic though.

 

[Starlight ecstasy]

Blacephalon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast
- HP Ice
- Trick

Blacephalon is a mon that has a very good base special attack. It has an interesting offensive double stab. This time you can eliminate this core thanks to the coverage of HP Ice for Zyg and FBlast in the case of Magearna.

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Round:

: Offensive Landorus-T is an absolute menace to Magearna + Zygarde, and I'd just like to highlight this set specifically because it's still severely underused.

Additional Notes:

: Like you said yourself, this set is very unconventional. birdkeeperdrew

​

​

Round 45 Core: Keldeo + Weavile

Here are your sets

Keldeo @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Calm Mind
- Taunt / Substitute

Weavile @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit

​

• Keldeo is easily checked by Pokemon like Mega Latios and Mega Latias, which are checked by Weavile. Furthermore, Weavile often forces in Toxapex, allowing it to remove its item, which frees up Keldeo, and actually allows it to beat Toxapex.
• 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 Keldeo + Weavile. Everyone have a good day!

 

[xapx]

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Knock Off

Despite being unable to switch into both Pokemon's attacks, Kartana is able to threaten Keldeo and Weavile with a powerful Leaf Blade. Leaf Blade is actually all Kartana needs to blow through this core, as it is a 68.8% chance to OHKO Weavile from full, and therefore a guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock. In emergency, Kartana can come in on Weavile's Icicle Crash if it has 71% health or above.

 

[Diophantine]

I went with Tapu Fini.

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt / Surf
- Moonblast
- Nature's Madness
- Defog / Ice Beam

Why this beats the core:

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Interesting Damage calcs vs Keldeo

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252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Tapu Fini: 60-71 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 52-62 (15.1 - 18%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 78-92 (22.7 - 26.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Tapu Fini: 89-105 (25.9 - 30.6%) -- 4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 216-254 (66.8 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Tapu Fini Nature's Madness vs. 0 HP Keldeo: 161-161 (49.8 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Interesting damage calcs vs Weavile

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0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 224-266 (79.7 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Tapu Fini: 97-114 (28.2 - 33.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Tapu Fini: 84-100 (24.4 - 29.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Tapu Fini: 65-77 (18.9 - 22.4%) -- possible 5HKO

Tapu Fini can switch in on either of these Pokemon no matter what they click and 1v1 them thanks to its bulk and typing. Auto-setting Misty Terrain means that Keldeo cannot burn things with Scald either. It also has some pretty good utility moves such as Nature's Madness and Defog.

Why this Pokemon is good otherwise/what it brings to a team:

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Tapu Fini is a Battle Bond Greninja switch in that has access to Defog, which can prevent Spikes getting set up by the opponent. Misty Terrain that it brings allows it to protect itself and its teammates from status such as Zygarde/Serperior's Glare, Toxapex's Scald/Toxic, Ice Beam freezes, etc.
Tapu Fini also functions as a Heatran switch in (so long as it's not the Grassium-Z varient) which can Defog on it.

Being faster than Zygarde, it also works as an offensive check to it and 1v1s it (if you do not throw it in to banded Zygarde).

Ice Beam allows it to beat Gliscor; Taunt allows it to annoy Stall more; Surf allows it to 1v1 Heatran. There are many options that you can get out of this underrated Pokemon

Limitations

Hide

Fini has no relaible recovery and switching it into Weavile is asking to have your Leftovers removed. Throughout the game, the core may be able to wear it down with hazard support or by just clicking buttons.

What this mon needs to be able to perfectly beat this core

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Wish support. I can see this being paired with a Chansey or something on some balance build which allows it to continue to check the core forever (which will get pressured by hazards and its item being knocked off). Being paired with a hazard remover may also be nice, but is less necessary.

 

[Felixx]

Tapu Koko @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 104 HP / 12 Def / 176 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Roost

Tapu Koko outspeeds both members even w/o max speed investment and hits both of them hard with Thunderbolt. Roost lets Koko heal off chip damage so it doesn't get put in range of Ice Shard.

 

[Stall is coming]

Pyukumuku @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Block
- Recover
- Spite
- Taunt/Rest

Calcs:
252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyukumuku: 84-99 (26.7 - 31.5%) -- 22.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyukumuku: 135-160 (42.9 - 50.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Pyukumuku tanks and ppstalls both. Moreover, he can trap Weavile.

This set of Pyukumuku is perfectly viable on stall team. An example is in the finale of the World Cup: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-389227

 

[wadusher]

scarf lele

 

[Starlight ecstasy]

MManectric.

Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Ice

Manectric does not presume to have a wide range of movements but to break the chosen core it goes with the right thing. In the case of Keldeo it has TBolt and for Weavile coverage (Flame or Overheat) even electric stab. It has the advantage of Intimidate and is faster.

 

[Failure999]

This core is tricky, reserving Magearna

Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 96 SpA / 132 SpD / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Calm Mind
- Pain Split
- Thunderbolt

Description

The hunted has now become the hunter. With virtue of its bulk and typing, it's able to switch into both pokemon, even a +1 Scald or Sacred Sword from Keldeo, and OHKO back, whether it be Weavile or even a +2 SpD Keldeo with Twinkle Tackle. Nice. Only thing that may be threatening to this set is a +1 Z-Hydro Pump from a Keldeo with that set, which will hurt so be careful.

Shift Gear is an option, but will require a specific EV spread to out speed both while still being able to switch in to both, which I don't have, so I'm not gonna use that.

All Revelant Calcs

Calculator is no longer on holiday, so I can get it to do this immediately. Here you all go, folks.

96+ SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 456-536 (141.1 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
96+ SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. +2 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 338-402 (104.6 - 124.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
96+ SpA Magearna Thunderbolt vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 140-166 (43.3 - 51.3%) -- 5.9% chance to 2HKO
[This calc shows that even if it Subs and Calm Minds on you, you can still break Keldeo's Substitute with an unboosted Thunderbolt]
96+ SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 714-840 (254 - 298.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 248 HP / 132 SpD Magearna: 154-183 (42.4 - 50.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 178-211 (49 - 58.1%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
[These two Calcs are considering it Calm Minds on the switch, because if it doesn't, it's not 2HKOing you without a crit]
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 84-100 (23.1 - 27.5%) -- 73.6% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 65-77 (17.9 - 21.2%) -- possible 5HKO

 

[Katy]

Reserve CM Clefable.


Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Stealth Rock

Clefable is a solid pick against Keldeo and Weavile because its fairy typing provides resistances against Keldeo's fighting type and Weavile's dark type respectively.
Clefables main stab in Moonblast always 2hkoes Weavile and Keldeo. Max HP max Def Clefable always survives 2 Icicle Crashes from Banded Weavile and can easily revenge with Moonblast.
It also easily walls Keldeo as Keldeo can never 2hko Clefable and it can set up Calm Minds alongside Keldeo and always beat it 1v1.


Some Calcs:

Hide

0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 216-254 (66.8 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Keldeo: 216-254 (66.8 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 224-266 (79.7 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 172-204 (43.6 - 51.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 142-168 (36 - 42.6%) -- 94.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Loom]

->

Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Haze
- Recover
- Toxic
​

Toxapex stops both Keldeo, & Weavile with relative ease. Toxapex resists both of Keldeo's dual STABs, shutting it down and preventing it from setting up with Toxic, while taking nothing from anything Weavile can do either. Knock Off being it's only choice for attacking barely dents Toxapex, while it can Recover off the damage, and fish for burns with Scald.

calcs

252 Atk Choice Band

Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 4 Def

: 105-124 (34.5 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (no item)

 

[Egor]

Hawlucha @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 36 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Roost

Requires Terrain support, depending on the Seed. Both Keld and Weav are OHKOed by Acrobatics after Seed activation and HJK, respectively. Keld can try to fish for Scald burns if it uses Substitute or Scald on the switch, though.