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

[Astoria]

taunt cm keldeo

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

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

It’s immune to tspikes while outspeeding Toxapex with this spread, making Toxapex fear it a lot. After a CM, it can easily break Kyurem’s substitutes while even taking ice beam very well. It’s also not chippable due to the aformentioned toxic immunity and it’s access to recover. And due to acid armor’s high PP, it can’t be pp stalled.

 

[Stall is coming]

reserving Manaphy Z-move

Manaphy @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tail Glow
- Surf
- Psychic
- Rain Dance

Calcs:

+3 252 SpA Manaphy Psychic vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 230-272 (75.6 - 89.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Psychic vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Kyurem: 223-263 (55 - 64.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Manaphy: 26-31 (7.6 - 9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
200 SpA Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Manaphy: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (thanks to Metronome)

Manaphy is troublesome for a lot of stall cores. The core Kyurem/Toxapex isn't a exception. In deed, thanks to Rain Dance, he's not afraid of statuts and thanks to the Z-move, he can nuke some bulky pokemon; like Chansey, Unaware Clefable, or AV Magearna.

Moreover, he's not restricted of stallbreak, if he confronts an offensive team, he can use Z-move to boost his speed.

He can switch on Toxapex without any problem but doesn't like to switch on a Earth Power. When you use Manaphy against a stall team, it's nearly always a wincond, so you need to choose the right moment to place it.

 

[Jordy]

Latios @ Latiosite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Psychic
- Earthquake
- Draco Meteor
- Roost

Mega Latios can easily threaten Kyurem with Draco Meteor and abuses Toxapex for free switch-ins.

 

[ithrowrocksatkids]

SD Kartana

 

[Mellow]

Jordy asked me to do this round for him.

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Round:

: Calm Mind Mega Slowbro's a pretty nice pick against the core, though it does need to watch out for Toxic from Toxapex.

Additional Notes:

: Dragon Claw is mostly just a waste of a slot, so this set won't be archived.
​

​

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Round 48 Core: Mega Slowbro + Amoonguss

Here are your sets

Slowbro-Mega @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 152 Def / 88 SpA / 20 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Slack Off
- Toxic / Thunder Wave

Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 204 SpD
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Fire
- Sludge Bomb / Stun Spore

• Even with Zygarde gone, Mega Slowbro is still a great Pokemon, checking Pokemon like Heatran, certain Protean Greninja sets, Mega Medicham, Swords Dance Garchomp, and Hawlucha. Amoonguss benefits quite a bit from Zygarde leaving as builds are less forced to run Tangrowth as their bulky Grass-type. Amoonguss has pretty great synergy alongside Mega Slowbro, being a good answer to Ash-Greninja, Tapu Bulu, Kartana, Tapu Koko, and Magnezone. It can also absorb Toxic Spikes, which is fantastic as Slowbro is crippled by them.
• 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 Mega Slowbro + Amoonguss. Everyone have a good day!

 

[Vengeance417]

Darkinium Z Nasty Plot Hoopa-U

Hoopa-Unbound @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Magician
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast

Even without a Nasty Plot boost, Mega Slowbro is OHKO'd by Dark Pulse after Stealth Rock, and Amoonguss is OHKO'd by Psyshock after Stealth Rock.

 

[MANNAT]

Greninja @ Metronome
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Low Kick
- Ice Beam

Metronome Greninja is a pretty solid balance breaker, blasting this core especially with two super effective STAB moves that can tear apart this core. This is a pretty underrated Gren set that can tear apart standard balances like the one Pex/Glisc/Torn team that's been popular lately.

 

[MFJK]

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

Tornadus-T is able to threaten both Amoonguss and M-Slowbro, nabbing a 2HKO on both of them (guaranteed after Stealth Rock for the latter) with regular hurricane, and Z having chances to OHKO Slowbro after rocks or any minor chip. If it has Taunt, it is even more dangerous as it can avoid being put to sleep or paralysis, and also prevent Slack Off from Slowbro.​

 

[Stall is coming]

reserving CharY

Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast
- Roost

Calcs:

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Amoonguss in Sun: 450-530 (104.4 - 122.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Solar Beam vs. 248 HP / 20 SpD Slowbro-Mega: 358-422 (91 - 107.3%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 76-90 (25.5 - 30.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
88 SpA Slowbro-Mega Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y in Sun: 102-122 (34.3 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Charizard-Y needs some supports (Hazards removal and Pursuit users) but he can be effective in some teams. Moreover, he destroys this actual core.

 

[Katy]

Reserving Blacephalon


Blacephalon @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
- Calm Mind

With its high SpAttack and the good typing Blacephalon is able to threaten both Amoonguss and Mega Slowbro.
Amoonguss fears the strong Fire STAB in Flamethrower and Fire Blast and Mega Slowbro the STAB in Shadow Ball, which has a chance to OHKO Mega Bro even unboosted.
After the beast boost Blacephalon is able to OHKO both with either of its STABs and Z-Shadow Ball outright OHKOs Mega Bro.

Calcs:

Hide

+1 252 SpA Blacephalon Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Amoonguss: 428-506 (99.3 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Blacephalon Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Amoonguss: 288-338 (66.8 - 78.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Blacephalon Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Amoonguss: 288-338 (66.8 - 78.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
+1 252 SpA Blacephalon Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Amoonguss: 428-506 (99.3 - 117.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

+1 252 SpA Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 20 SpD Slowbro-Mega: 512-606 (129.9 - 153.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 20 SpD Slowbro-Mega: 344-408 (87.3 - 103.5%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Blacephalon Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 20 SpD Slowbro-Mega: 686-810 (174.1 - 205.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 20 SpD Slowbro-Mega: 344-408 (87.3 - 103.5%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Meliodafu7]

Volcarona

Volcarona @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power Ground

Volcarona can OHKO M-Slowbro with unboosted Savage Spinout, and 2HKO Amoonguss with Fire Blast, however, it should be wary of status moves both members can carry. This is usually solved by running Tapu Fini, as it sets up Misty Terrain, and Volcarona can set up safely and win the game.

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Heracross-Mega (M) @ Heracronite
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pin Missile/Substitute
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Rock Blast

Heracross can absolutley mutilate this core with a +2 pin missle and has the bulk to take 2 scalds or a fire blast from Slowbro. And Amoonguss is substitute fodder so you can set up for free and potentially get two kills instead of one. You have to watch for bringing it directly in however as Amoonguss can spore or poison and Slowbro can do ok damage, especially with fire blast.

 

[Egor]

Latias-Mega @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Substitute
- Stored Power

M-Latias easily sets up CMs on both behind a Substitute.

 

[TheJ3estPenguin]

Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- U-turn

 

[astralydia]

Reserving Grassium Z Heatran

 

[Failure999]

Reserving.....Mega Alakazam?

Set For Today

Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Recover
- Focus Blast

Description

Alakazam's huge base 175 Special Attack and access to super effective coverage against Slowbro and Amoonguss in Shadow Ball and Psychic respectively, means none of them want to have any business with this Pokemon. Outside of this matchup, Alakazam still has a good matchup on common pokemon like Heatran and Toxapex, meaning it still is an incredibly good asset in a team.

 

[Mistermegabeedrill]

Reserving Sub Dragon Dance Mega Gyarados

 

[KingofEmpoleons]

Reserving Cm Tapu Lele



Tapu Lele @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
- Psychic
- Moonblast

Psychium-z tapu lele destroys the core, setting up easily against either mon thanks to taunt while none of the attacks deal any major damage. Psychium-z can be used to nuke mega-slowbro at +1.

 

[Sayuze]

[Sub + CM] Keldeo

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

Slowbro-Mega and Amoonguss are routinely adequate checks to Keldeo. However, this set can take them on in the long run is because it can overwhelm them due to burns and hazards as well as setup on them eventually.

To explain, Keldeo with Leftovers negates rocks damage and can fire off Scalds for free, eventually burning the two. Moreover, stacking hazards or getting Amoonguss knocked-off / Slowbro mega'd will eventually wear both of those Pokemon down in the long run (think Wish Killer). As well, Keldeo can actually sometimes setup on the two, with Slowbro being walled except if it carries Psyshock and at Amoonguss eventually not being able to break subs on the switch unless it packs Clear Smog or Spores Keldeo on a prediction.

Conclusion: Sub CM Keld isn't a consistent check to the two, but can pack the surprise factor threat of setting up on Amoonguss & Slowbro or overwhelming them with burns and hazards in the long run.

 

[Astra]

Everyone took the good ones :(

Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Roost
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
Amoonguss can't come in on Kyurem-B, as Ice Beam will 2HKO it with the move doing around 60% to 70%. Mega Slowbro take about half from Fusion Bolt, but a 2HKO is unlikely. Regardless, the damage is enough to force it out. However, Kyurem-B must be wary of their status moves, especially Stun Spore from Amoonguss.

 

[SaveMeJebus]

Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Naive Nature
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
- Wild Charge
- Hidden Power Ice
- Brave Bird
- U-turn/Volt Switch

Although he can't switch in on Amoongus, he can surprise him with Brave Bird if the opponent is expecting a Thunderbolt. Has the added bonus of not having to worry about Spore thanks to Electric Terrain. Completely destroys this core if it lacks Sludge Bomb, though

252 Atk Tapu Koko Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 56 Def Amoonguss: 298-352 (69.1 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252 Atk Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 248 HP / 152+ Def Slowbro-Mega in Electric Terrain: 390-462 (99.2 - 117.5%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

 

[Testgg]

Magearna @ leftovers/Electrium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shift Gear
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Ice beam
As long as something else is sacked to sleep this can set up on either of these 2 and sweep
+1 252 SpA Magearna Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 216+ SpD Amoonguss: 252-298 (58.4 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Amoonguss Hidden Power Fire vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 44-54 (14.6 - 17.9%) -- possible 6HKO
Para is annoying but you can easily shift gear twice

 

[Jordy]

I'm sorry for being late, but I've been having a lot of issues with my computer lately and finally got another device that I can use, so here's the Last Round's Analysis and this Round's core.

Last Round's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Round:

: Really creative sub that I don't think many other people would've picked up on, check out Sayuze's great post here for a detailed explanation.

Additional Notes:

: The given set is unviable, but the standard Hydreigon can be annoying for these type of teams, so it will be archived.

: Brave Bird Tapu Koko is bad.

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Round 49 Core: Rotom-W + Tornadus-T

Here are your sets

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Pain Split
- Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave

Tornadus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 88 HP / 164 Def / 32 SpA / 8 SpD / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off / Taunt
- U-turn
- Defog

• Rotom-W + Tornadus-T is an interesting bulky core on VoltTurn teams. Rotom-W is susceptible to Grass-types like Amoonguss and Tangrowth, which Tornadus-T can take advantage of. Tornadus-T can also take on Rotom-W's role as a Defogger, meaning that Rotom-W will be free to run Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave without much trouble.
• 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 Rotom-W + Tornadus-T. Everyone have a good day!

 

[superstrike66]

LO Kyurem-Black

Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- Roost

KB Eats this core up, Scoring a 2HKO on Rotom with Earth Power. The worst Rotom can do is burn you with wisp, which only effects your ability to beat its teammates not in this core. Tornadus Gets OHKOed by Ice Beam, while Hurricane is a 3HKO, so the only way Kyurem is threatened by Torn is if Huricane confuses, and KB hits itself.

Calcs V.S.

252 SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-Black Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 229-270 (75.3 - 88.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Calcs V.S.

252 SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-Black Ice Beam vs. 88 HP / 8 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 393-463 (122.4 - 144.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
32 SpA Tornadus-Therian Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Kyurem-Black: 160-190 (40.9 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO