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

[Komodo_Drogo]

Reserving Tapu lele

Tapu Lele @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Focus Blast
- Moonblast
- Psychic

2HKOs Clefable and OHKOs Magnezone with All- Out Pummelling.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable in Psychic Terrain: 241-285 (61.1 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 452-534 (160.8 - 190%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Astoria]

reserving celesteela

 

[Martin]

Salazzle btfos this core too but the novelty will wear off if i post it again

Excadrill @ Steelium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin

Excadrill sets up in the face of both of these mons. It resists Clefable’s Moonblast and is immune to T-wave while hitting it super effectively with Iron Head; it resists Flash Cannon, is immune to TBolt, and takes HP Fire comfortably from Zone and obviously pwns it with EQ, although it needs to be careful of repeatedly dealing with Sub because that’s a free HP Fire and Exca has no recovery.

 

[Katy]

Reserve Kartana



Kartana @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Swords Dance

Kartana eats a Moonblast from Clefable, sets up a SD and KOes it with a +2 smart strike. It also KOes Magnezone with All out Pummeling.

Calcs:

Hide

0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 118-139 (45.3 - 53.4%) -- 37.9% chance to 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Kartana Smart Strike vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 516-608 (130.9 - 154.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Kartana All-Out Pummeling (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Magnezone: 432-510 (153.7 - 181.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Magnezone: 446-526 (158.7 - 187.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Dreadfury]

Zygarde @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Iron Tail/Earthquake
- Outrage/Superpower/Toxic/Glare/honestly whatever you want since Glare and Toxic are absolutely nuts on this thing.

You all know what CB Zygarde does. It hits like a nuke and it has ridiculous coverage to the point where its moveslots after Thousand Arrows and ESpeed give you a lot of elbow room.

Basically, Clefable is an extremely shitty Zygarde "counter" since the snake can just run something to hit it on the switch anyway. Any attempts to switch a Clefable into this behemoth - and believe me, that's probably what they'll try doing - will often be swiftly foiled when either Iron Tail or Earthquake 2HKOs Clefable from full roughly 75% of the time (Iron Tail always 2HKOs if it hits but has a low chance to hit twice in a row, while Earthquake 2HKOs Clefable 75% of the time but always hits). I probably shouldn't need to tell you what this thing does to Magnezone.

It's probably one of the most prediction-reliant options to wreck this core, and it can be a little inconsistent against Clefable, but because Choice Band Zygarde poses such a tremendous threat to so many different teams it can easily cover its ass anyway. Running Glare on this set does a fantastic job of severely crippling almost anything that has any business coming in on Zygarde and allows it to function as speed control as well as a potential gateway to a win condition if it gets lucky with Full Paralysis a couple times (which isn't unreasonable), while running Toxic on this set gives the inevitable Tangrowth or Tapu Bulu absolute hell, though both status moves aren't ideal to be locked into. If Clefable receives any notable chip damage whatsoever Thousand Arrows becomes an option to 2HKO it, and Thousand Arrows kinda fucks everything that isn't Tangrowth or Bulu up anyway so it's a great move to be locked into. And its coverage options are okay too, I suppose. Tangrowth gets clapped by Outrage while Ferrothorn gets clapped by Superpower. Bulu already gets clapped by Iron Tail if it hits.

252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 262-310 (66.4 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 196-232 (49.7 - 58.8%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Magnezone: 712-844 (253.3 - 300.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Do I even need to calc this? lmao)

 

[Egor]

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

Clef without TWave is a setup fodder. Zone can't OHKO Volc even with Z-Tbolt and becomes a setup fodder if Volc was brought on the field through a free switch.

 

[1_TrickPhony]

Reserving excadrill

 

[Loom]

@

Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Roost​

Mega Charizard X beats both mons featured on this core with relatively no issue. Blitz is a solid 2HKO on Clefable and it can’t really hit back too much due to Moonblast Being Neutral, and Zard can easily just Roost it off. Magnezone is obliterated by both Earthquake, and Flare Blitz being OHKOd by both.

Calcs

252 Atk Tough Claws

-

Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def

: 223-264 (56.5 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA

Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD

-

: 112-133 (37.7 - 44.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
[/=hide]

 

[Sacred Wings]

Blacephalon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast
- Overheat
- Trick

Nukes both mons hard, ohkos or 2hkos even with Calm Mind Clef. Doesn't want to be in against mag behind a sub, but other than that its match up is fine.

 

[Akumeoy]

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

Mega Diancie is untroubled by Clefable's utility moves like Thunder Wave and Knock Off, and unlike other submissions it denies rocks on the switch. Its Moonblast 2HKO is narrow, though, so it can't properly threaten CM Clef. Magnezone, meanwhile, is just murked by Earth Power.

 

[Martin]

Reserving excadrill

I already reserved it

 

[SBPC]

Victini @ Normalium Z
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Celebrate
- Searing Shot
- Stored Power
- Focus Blast

Victini answers this core rather easily, being able to still outspeed both sets after being para'd, and clefable not having unaware allows victini to use Stored Power to punch through it. Magnezone just gets melted in seconds by a searing shot.

 

[Failure999]

Reserving Camerupt-Mega?

Camerupt-Mega (F) @ Cameruptite
Ability: Sheer Force
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 120 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 132 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Toxic / Nature Power / Hidden Power [Ice] / Solar Beam
- Stealth Rock / Rock Slide / Sunny Day

Description

OK, so many who look at this nomination and aren't familiar with its role in OU are definitely ask, won't you need trick room support on this pokemon? The answer is actually no, despite its horrendous speed tier. It's used on balances that wish to check certain common pokemon, like Clefable, Celesteela, Magnezone, Tapu Koko, and Heatran if you're mad. This core is unable to effectively wall or even hurt this pokemon outside of toxic, hence, send this in as long as you're confident they won't double, and start causing mayhem with the moves of your choice, whether you want to toxic or directly kill Lando-T, Rock Slide an incoming Charizard or Volcarona, or even abuse Nature Power with Tapu Bulu to whack waters on the switch.

All Relevant Calcs

252+ SpA Sheer Force Camerupt-Mega Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 303-357 (76.9 - 90.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Sheer Force Camerupt-Mega Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 247-292 (62.6 - 74.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Sheer Force Camerupt-Mega Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 996-1176 (354.4 - 418.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[NylaTheWolf]

Salazzle btfos this core too but the novelty will wear off if i post it again

Excadrill @ Steelium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin

Excadrill sets up in the face of both of these mons. It resists Clefable’s Moonblast and is immune to T-wave while hitting it super effectively with Iron Head; it resists Flash Cannon, is immune to TBolt, and takes HP Fire comfortably from Zone and obviously pwns it with EQ, although it needs to be careful of repeatedly dealing with Sub because that’s a free HP Fire and Exca has no recovery.

I think Mold Breaker would be better for a possible Unaware Clefable (I know that this Clefable is Magic Guard, but still), and the fact that it's a better and less situational ability in general.

 

[Felixx]

I think Mold Breaker would be better for a possible Unaware Clefable (I know that this Clefable is Magic Guard, but still), and the fact that it's a better and less situational ability in general.

Swords Dance + Mold Breaker Exca is not a thing btw (unless it's a CTC team)

 

[NylaTheWolf]

Swords Dance + Mold Breaker Exca is not a thing btw (unless it's a CTC team)

Whats CTC?

I just think it's a more useful ability, especially when we're countering Clefable who sometimes runs Unaware.

 

[Steel With It]

Garchomp @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Dragon Claw
- Fire Fang / Dragon Claw
- Swords Dance

My boi Mega Chomper's finally been getting some recognition as the ridiculous wallbreaker he's always quietly been - with his ability to 2HKO or even set up on Clefable specifically being one of the reasons why - and all he needs to blast this core into the sun is Sand Force Earthquake. Sorry, Clef, your Fairy typing's not going to save you here.

Calcs

252 Atk Sand Force Garchomp-Mega Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable in Sand: 229-270 (58.1 - 68.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Sand Force Garchomp-Mega Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable in Sand: 456-537 (115.7 - 136.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp-Mega: 204-242 (57.1 - 67.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Jordy]

Whats CTC?

I just think it's a more useful ability, especially when we're countering Clefable who sometimes runs Unaware.

Just for your information, Clefable will literally never run Unaware on builds featuring this core, so it's not worth worrying about. Besides that, Swords Dance + Mold Breaker is a bad set, as has been pointed out.

 

[NylaTheWolf]

Just for your information, Clefable will literally never run Unaware on builds featuring this core, so it's not worth worrying about. Besides that, Swords Dance + Mold Breaker is a bad set, as has been pointed out.

Really? Huh. I didn't think Mold Breaker made much of a difference, but alright.

Though Tyranitar+Excadrill sounds pretty awesome! I should try it~

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Thundurus-Therian @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Nasty Plot
- Focus Blast

This thing can destroy and set up on this core very easily. Magnezone is obviously walled while Thundi can hit it insanely hard thanks to focus blast. Clefable is also set up on as moonblast can’t 2HKO as Thundi proceeds to do 88% minimum at +2 with tbolt and has a 25% chace to kill. At +1, z also kills Clefable and Magnezone. +1 tbolt still 2HKOs Clef btw.

 

[Astoria]

Celesteela @ Groundium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Autotomize
- Earthquake
- Heavy Slam
- Stone Edge

Potentially lures zone and then snowballs.

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Round:

: Excadrill is really annoying for many balances, which may include this core. Just as a side note, but Sand Rush Excadrill is great and more people should use it

Additional Notes:

: This set is way too niche.

​

​

Round 44 Core: Magearna + Zygarde

Here are your sets

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

Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 248 HP / 4 Def / 136 SpD / 120 Spe
Careful Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Toxic
- Rest

• Calm Mind + Pain Split Magearna is a really strong set thanks to its incredible match up against bulky teams, easily breaking through most of them if a sturdy check like Heatran is not present, which isn't hard to wear down anywya. This is where Zygarde comes into play to check Heatran.
• 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 Magearna + Zygarde. Everyone have a good day!

 

[Loom]

@

Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 108 Def / 152 SpD
Impish Nature
- Curse
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Roost
​

Mega Scizor is a huge burden to this core. After a Curse, Scizor can freely spam Bullet Punch against Zygarde, due to Thousand Arrows not even denting Scizor. If Zygarde decides to Dragon Dance, Scizor can easily curse and still not be dented by Thousand Arrows due to boosting it's Defense. Magearna is forced to CM against Scizor because when unboosted, Thunderbolt is only a 4HKO which Scizor can easily roost off. This gives you time to set up against it and at +3 you're able to 3HKO Magearna, and it can't heal up due to no reliable recovery.

Calcs

0 Atk

Thousand Arrows vs. 248 HP / 108+ Def

-

: 61-73 (17.7 - 21.2%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 0 Atk

Thousand Arrows vs. 248 HP / 108+ Def

-

: 121-144 (35.2 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
96+ SpA

Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 152 SpD

-

: 84-99 (24.4 - 28.8%) -- 99.7% chance to 4HKO
+3 0 Atk

-

Bullet Punch vs. 248 HP / 28 Def

: 133-157 (36.6 - 43.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

​

 

[NylaTheWolf]

Reserving Mega Mawile

 

[Felixx]

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Stealth Rock

It's ya boi. Don't switch into Fleur Cannon btw.

Calc

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 338-398 (93.1 - 109.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 165-195 (39.3 - 46.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Supersonic Skystrike (175 BP) vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Zygarde: 288-339 (68.7 - 80.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery