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

[Sk3no]

Reserving Hoopa-U

Hoopa-Unbound @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Hyperspace Fury
- Drain Punch
- Gunk Shot
- Fire Punch

Choice Scarf Hoopa-U can out-speed both of then can easily break the core apart using Hyperspace Fury or Fire Punch, Drain Punch can be another option, but due to Mega-Alakazam getting Recover, it doesn't work out so well when using Drain Punch.

 

[lydian]

Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 SpD
Bold Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock / Heal Bell
- Soft-Boiled

Chansey easily walls both. Not much else to say...

 

[Jordy]

Blacephalon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
- Trick / Explosion​

Blacephalon outspeeds both Mega Alakazam and Magnezone, and threatens them with its respective STAB moves. It can't switch in on either Pokemon, so it'll have to get in through VoltTurn or an offensive double.​

 

[Astronautic]

Lopunny-Mega @ Lopunnite
Jolly Nature
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Return
- High Jump Kick
- Power-Up Punch / Ice Punch
- Encore / Fake Out

With Jolly Nature, you can outsped both.

Calc:

252 Atk Lopunny-Mega High Jump Kick vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Magnezone: 390-462 (138.2 - 163.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 244-288 (97.2 - 114.7%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

If you can't take risk then use Fake Out.

252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 96-114 (38.2 - 45.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Katy]

Victini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- Zen Headbutt

Mega Alakazam and neither Scarf Magnezone can come in on Victini. It is also able to U-Turn out on their teammates and give your team momentum support.
Also Victini can withstand Scarf Magnezones Thunderbolt pretty well:
252 SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Victini: 147-174 (43.1 - 51%) -- 3.1% chance to 2HKO
and Victini also can come in once into Mega Zams Shadow Ball:
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Victini: 238-282 (69.7 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

V-Create OHKOes both, Magnezone and Mega Zam.

 

[Dumbber]

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 224 SpD / 36 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Hidden Power Fire
- Volt Switch

Lots of things can put pressure on, check and beat this core 1v1 but if you’re looking for reliable switch ins once Mzam is on the field, AV Magearna is probably the only thing besides Chansey. Iron Head does enough to stop Zam from recovering. Also gets a slow volt switch against both mons so you can bring in one of the checks in this thread. Pair this with Wish support for maximum walling.

calcs

252+ SpA Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 65-77 (17.9 - 21.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 66-78 (18.1 - 21.4%) -- possible 5HKO

0 Atk Magearna Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 117-138 (46.6 - 54.9%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO

 

[Felixx]

Now here's the weekly analysis that's also super late...​

Weekly Analysis

Threat of the Week:

: Self-explanatory. Jordy

Not Archived:

: This is a lure, no common Tapu Koko set runs Brave Bird ragmatho

: This is not a real set either, maybe if Thundy-T was actually good I'd consider it, like B rank or something, but it's mediocre as shit. nameless90

Also,

Matter of the dark 1
Heart Doom
Egor

If you're going to reserve, you better have the intention of actually writing it up, if not, then don't reserve.

And as always...
​

• 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 M-Alakazam + Magnezone. Everyone have a good day!
• PM me a few cores if you guys have any good ideas I could use!

 

[wadusher]

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 80 HP / 148 Atk / 84 Def / 196 Spe
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Hidden Power Ice
- Defog

Standard set, speed creeps zam and pressures both mons with Earthquake and U turn. Otherwise, its pretty self explanatory.

 

[vso]

shed shell lol
mega eye is mine

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Zeraora:
Outspeeds and kills both if the LO mixed set. And if u dont like that, u can run banded and if ur jolly, can smash both of these mons.

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Zygarde @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Iron Tail
- Outrage
Zygarde outspends and OHKOs Magnezone with Thousand Arrows. It can also take a hit from Alakazam and OHKO back or threaten it with Extreme Speed.

 

[Taptricity]

Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 220 HP / 228 Def / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Acid Armor
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Recover

Reuniclus cannot set up on Mega Zam but it can on Magnezone once it’s choice locked. If you make it to +2, Mega Zam has a very small chance of 3HKOing you as you keep using Recover to restore yourself back up while piling up boosts. This will not be an ideal situation for your opponent, as you get boosts with not too big of a trade off.

 

[Felixx]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Week: AV Magearna

: Good submission but I'd run Focus Blast in Heatran meta. Dumbber

Not Archived

None. Good job.

Week 24 Core: Greninja + Zygarde

Here are your sets

Greninja (M) @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Low Kick
- Gunk Shot
- Ice Beam
- Toxic Spikes

Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 236 HP / 68 Atk / 4 Def / 168 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

• This week I paired Z-Low Kick Protean Greninja with RestTalk DD Zygarde. The basic idea is, Greninja is able to lure the many bulky Grass- and Fairy-types that annoy Zygarde, and it's also able to put Toxic Spikes, forming the classic, "Zygarde + Tspike = everything dies slowly combination" that a lot of people enjoyed abusing in the earlier months of OU. Should be an interesting week for sure, now get to core breaking!
• 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 Greninja + Zygarde. Everyone have a good day!
• PM me a few cores if you guys have any good ideas I could use!

Song of the Week

The song of the week is from Nicki Minaj's new album, "Queen", which you all should support btw.

"Come See About Me"

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Curse Mega Scizor

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Impish Nature
- Curse
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- U-Turn
Mega Scizor walls both members of this team and uses them as setup bait.

 

[Jordy]

Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Recover
- Hidden Power Ice

Mega Alakazam outspeeds both Zygarde and Greninja and threatens both with its moves. Psychic hits Greninja once its transformed typing, and has a good shot at OHKOing. Psychic into Hidden Power Ice takes care of Zygarde.​

 

[Sk3no]

Mega Manectric

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

The original Mega-Manectirc set is enough to break though the core, it can outspeed Greninja and can OHKO it with T-Blot, and while Zygarde can 2HKO it with Thousand Arrows, Mega-Manectric can do the same with HP Ice, and since it can outspeed Zygarde, it won't have a problem.

 

[Dumbber]

Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 220 HP / 164 Def / 40 SpD / 52 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Acid Armor
- Recover
- Psyshock

Similar to curse M-Scizor, Reuniclus can switch in and wins the set up war against Zygarde and isn’t threatened by this protean greninja’s attacks or toxic spikes. Protean works against the frog in this case since it loses its dark type if it stays in. EVs are customisable and you can run more HP and Def to cover fully invested Zygarde. This does something weird like living Fairium Magearna and outspeeding Toxapex and TR araquanid.

 

[Jordy]

Felixx asked me to post for him, so I'll do this.

Weekly Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Week: Reuniclus

: Really good Pokemon rn and walks all over this core.

Not Archived

None.

Week 25 Core: Mega Mawile and Ash-Greninja

Here are your sets

Mawile-Mega (F) @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 132 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch

Greninja-Ash (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Spikes

• The basic idea of this core is that Ash-Greninja forces in Pokemon that Mega Mawile can use as setup bait or as a free Knock Off opportunity, and it provides Spikes support to wear down Sucker Punch resists to make cleaning up late-game much easier.
• 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 Mawile + Ash-Greninja. Everyone have a good day!
• PM Felixx a few cores if you guys have any good ideas he could use!

Song of the Week

The song of the week is from Wiz Khalifa's new album, "Rolling Papers 2". i swear i didnt steal that line
"Hopeless Romantics"

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Waterium Z Keldeo

 

[MFJK]

Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 20 SpD / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
- Roost
- Defog

Tapu Koko has the ability to outspeed both Greninja before its transformation and M-Mawile, to OHKO Mawile with Gigavolt Havoc and OHKO Greninja with regular Thunderbolt.

 

[Egor]

Hydreigon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon / U-turn
- Fire Blast

Hydreigon is 2HKOd by Ash-Gren's Hydro Pump and OHKOes it with Draco Meteor. Hydreigon outpaces M Mawile, easily tanks Sucker Punch and OHKOes M Mawile with Fire Blast.

Calcs

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 165-195 (50.7 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 409-483 (143.5 - 169.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 79-93 (24.3 - 28.6%) -- 97.8% chance to 4HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 132 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 364-430 (132.8 - 156.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Dumbber]

Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Jolly Nature
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Waterfall
- Earthquake

As one of HO’s only switchins to AshGren, Gyarados-M doesn’t give Mawile the opportunity to switch in after forcing AshGren out. Intimidate pre-evo also helps against mawile since you live play rough + sucker in base form and +1 EQ kills, or with some chip damage you can straight up OHKO at +0 as well.

 

[Taptricity]

Zeraora @ Choice Band
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Fire Punch
- Close Combat
- Knock Off

So yeah Zeraora’s job is simple here. Zeraora outspeeds Ash Gren as long as it’s not Choiced locked into Water Shuriken (my god Zera is frail though it still gets 2HKOed by Shuriken if Ash lands it 3 times) and Zeraora cleanly 2HKOs Mega Mawile if it even attempts to come in on it. Hopefully the Zeraora movie is good. Femboy Ash better not disappoint.

 

[LeNorm]

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

Scarf Lele was a prominent meta threat at the start of SM OU, but has since fallen off. Still, the combination of Psychic Terrain and high speed makes it a pretty solid revenge killer (when scarfed), or sometimes even a decent late game sweeper in the right situation.

Psychic terrain blocks both Water Shuriken and Sucker Punch, and can really mess with both these mons and can force switches if Lele is locked in or makes Priority a far riskier choice, and it can thus allow frail but fast mons to KO either of these. Lele can comfortably OHKO Greninja with Moonblast or Focus Miss, and does decent damage against Mega Mawile with HP Fire. That said, it is OHKO'd by play rough and there is a decent chance Knock off will too, so is more a nuisance than a check to Mawile. But its main niche is in its ability, and with Psychic Terrain up, both these mons are less effective and way more easily taken out. The scarfed set just does far better against Greninja than the others, but any Lele annoys these two a bit.

 

[lydian]

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 156 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Fire / Earthquake
- Synthesis

Not only is Mega Venusaur arguably the best switch-in to Swords Dance Mega Mawile in the tier, but also takes on Ash-Greninja fairly well, avoiding a 2HKO provided there are no hazards involved. It still has to be paired with a reliable Defogger not to get overwhelmed by Ash-Greninja, but that applies to pretty much any Ash-Greninja checks.