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

[Egor]

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

Vic easily sets up against M-Medi and proceeds to OHKO M-Medi and Serp with Stored Power and Searing Shot, respectively. Vic can't setup against Glare variants of Serp, though, as paralysis turns Vic into a completely deadweight.

Calcs

252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 73-87 (21.4 - 25.5%) -- 0.5% chance to 4HKO


252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 177-208 (51.9 - 60.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 252 SpA Victini Stored Power (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Medicham-Mega: 280-331 (107.2 - 126.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Victini Searing Shot vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 426-504 (139.6 - 165.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

P. S.

Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power Fire / Leech Seed Glare
- Substitute
- Leech Seed

Fix it please

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Scarf Lele

Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Scarf Tapu Lele easily outspeeds both mons in this core. It OHKOs Mega Medicham with Moonblast and Psychic can KO Serperior. Thanks to Lele’s decent bulk and typing, it can switch into this core in a pinch.

 

[Mellow]

Any set works as long as it has Hurricane - you're faster than both and OHKO both with Hurricane. You don't really want to be switching in on either though as Ice Punch from Mega Medi does a fuck load and Glare means you're outspeed by both.

 

[Arcanine is Regal]

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

Pretty much the same thing as Gengar, this mon makes medicham a little more weary about going for HJK and can easily OHKO both of these mons while outspeeding with choice scarf. Blacephalon doesnt even need choice scarf since it outspeed medicham and can live a +2 leaf storm from serp, but scarf is definitely a safer option and is a great revenge killer/late game cleaner.

 

[teachable]

Azumarill @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 224 Def / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Whirlpool
- Perish Song
- Protect
- Play Rough

Serp can do nothing to Perish Trap Azumarill and does not mind getting paralyzed. Mega Medicham misses out on a 2HKO and gets 2HKO'd back by Play Rough.

calcs

252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Azumarill: 199-235 (49.2 - 58.1%) -- 62.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
3HKO with protect lefties.
4 Atk Azumarill Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Medicham-Mega: 132-156 (50.5 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Finchinator]

Obviously, it needs Electric Terrain (or any other terrain support and the appropriate seed), but beyond that it clearly can kill both and even set up once on Serperior.

Hawlucha @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- High Jump Kick
- Roost

 

[Deleted User 464209]

My favorite volcarona set
Fat Passho Volcarona

Volcarona @ Passho Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Roost
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz

Switches in on serp for free. Leaf storm does zero. You don't care about glare because youre bulky set up. Kills serp through sub with bug buzz. Less reliable vs medicham, but always forces 2 contact moves which is ~50% chance to burn. Totally deters fakeout and ice punch. You can set up in medis face if you get the burn. Also great vs mawile, Scizor, bulu. Passho means you can do dumb things like eat crawdaunt aqua jet, water shuriken, set up on mega gyara. It's fun. Just have hazard control. Outspeeds torn T at +1.

0 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 264-312 (86.5 - 102.2%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Zen Headbutt vs. 248 HP / 208+ Def Volcarona: 216-255 (57.9 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-804280371

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-804297172

 

[Akumeoy]

Pinsir @ Pinsirite
Ability: Hyper Cutter
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Return
- Earthquake
- Quick Attack

Obviously Return OHKOs both, but if Mega Pinsir can get a Swords Dance, it can even OHKO them both with Quick Attack. The core's only hope is to get a few Fake Outs on it.

252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Quick Attack vs. 56 HP / 0 Def Serperior: 186-222 (60.9 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Quick Attack vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Medicham-Mega: 204-242 (78.1 - 92.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir-Mega: 62-74 (22.8 - 27.3%) -- 58.1% chance to 4HKO

 

[Taptricity]

(generic gifs as always)
Moltres @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 208 HP / 60 Def / 240 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Roost
- Defog
- Flamethrower

Ah yes the fiery birb that rapes grass snek. Counters Snek and we all know that but Mega Medi is a trickier matchup. If you are behind a Substitute, then you will most likely win. Since this isn’t Ada Mega Medi, Fake Out doesn’t break the Sub and Flamethrower 2HKOs Mega Medi.

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Week: Blacephalon

: I swear it's a decent Pokemon.

Not Archived

: I will archive Volcarona because it is a threat, but I just want to point out that that set is really bad. Other than that, everything is fine, nice job.

Round 29 Core: Mega Scizor + Greninja

Here are your sets

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Impish Nature
- Curse
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Knock Off / U-turn

先生 (Greninja) (M) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Gunk Shot
- Dig
- Spikes

• This core revolves around allowing Mega Scizor to sweep. Greninja can lure Toxapex, and additionally deals with Heatran as well if its z-move is timed right. However, this can also be accomplished by setting Spikes and forcing Heatran in with Mega Scizor to wear it down.
• 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 Scizor + Greninja. Everyone have a good day!

Song of the Week

This Song of the Week is "zZz" from Droeloe, it's fire. Shoutouts to lyd for getting me on this wave.

"zZz"

 

[Egor]

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

Although, as any defensive mon, Cele hates to take on Knock Off, it walls both M-Sciz and Gren, then KOes them. M-Sciz can't do anything outside of annoy Cele with Knock Off, and is 2HKOed by Cele's Flamethrower. Gren's Ice Beam, this set's only way to deal any damage to Cele, doesn't do many damage. In return, Cele OHKOes Gren after its Ice Beam with Heavy Slam because of Protean.

Calcs

0 Atk Scizor-Mega Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 104+ Def Celesteela: 80-95 (20.1 - 23.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

0 SpA Celesteela Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 156 SpD Scizor-Mega: 236-280 (68.8 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 156 SpD Celesteela: 85-102 (21.4 - 25.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Greninja: 402-474 (141 - 166.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO (after Gren's Ice Beam)

0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Greninja: 201-237 (70.5 - 83.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (after this Gren's any other attack)

 

[wadusher]

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

This thing eats scizor for breakfeast, and while it doesn't like switching in on gren, it can still give gren a hard time switching in since flamethrower still does heaps, plus it can always predict the switch and go for focus blast or solar beam. It also conveniently ignores spikes.

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja in Sun: 170-201 (59.6 - 70.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (on the switch in)
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja in Sun: 340-402 (119.2 - 141%) -- guaranteed OHKO (after losing its water type)
252 Atk Protean Greninja Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 193-228 (64.9 - 76.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Scarf Victini

Victini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Trick
Victini obliterates both members with V-Create and Bolt Strike respectively. That being said, be careful on how many times you switch in Victini, as Stealth Rock can put it into range to +1 Bullet Punch.

 

[Taptricity]

Mega Sableye

 

[Deleted User 464209]

HP-fire Mega Venusaur is a pretty easy counter

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

Switches in on both comfortably. Takes ~50% from Z-Dig and heals it off. Forces Scizor out or otherwise outs speeds and 2hkos with hp fire. Eats every other attack easily. Absorbs T-spikes if gren runs it and really only fears extrasensory. Imo, not running EQ is a mistake with how common heatran is.

 

[Jordy]

@

/

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

Thanks to Acid Armor, Reuniclus can set up on and beat Curse Mega Scizor in a 1v1 situation. Greninja is forced to change its type so it can't really wall Reuniclus despite being a Dark-type.​

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Tapu Koko:
Can outspeed both and do major damage, especially with specs. just has to watch for gren but can otherwise make a p decent check.


Jirachi:
Can take on scizor if it has fire punch or hp fire or can even u turn to a potential magnezone while gren will lose even with z if jirachi is wish due to jirachi’s low weight.

 

[Jordy]

BackAtYouBro please finish your sub soon.

 

[Lotus]

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

With more offensive Greninja's around my pick goes to this. While Tapu Lele doesn't do good job keeping Mega Scizor in control itself Psychic Terrain makes Mega Scizor rather predictable by restricting it from using Bullet Punch and essentially click U-turn 99% of the time. Greninja can't recklessly take on Tapu Lele in the first place and the 1v1 matchup is a win as long as Tapu Lele doesn't recklessly hard switchin. This isn't to mention that Tapu Lele will naturally draw in fat steels and since Mega Scizor will unlikely be with another steel that actually checks Tapu Lele, it is subject to falling prey to a well-timed HP Fire as well. In general, Greninja's plan to pressure fat stuff with Spikes is quite ineffective against the pressure that this set can bring against the core.

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Week: Celesteela

: This core has little to no counter play to Celesteela, the best it can do is Knock Off its Leftovers.

Not Archived

BackAtYouBro if you want to participate, please actually finish your sub.

Round 30 Core: Garchomp + Mega Mawile

Here are your sets

Garchomp @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Swords Dance

Mawile-Mega @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 180 HP / 164 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Thunder Punch / Knock Off

• Garchomp has recently gotten a lot more attention for its Dragonium Z rocks set, which is honestly really solid. This core revolves around pressuring the opponent with Garchomp and Mega Mawile to significantly weaken the opposition to where either Garchomp or Mega Mawile can break through.
• 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 Garchomp + Mega Mawile. Everyone have a good day!

Song of the Week

"New Patek" is the Song of this Week, which is a newly released track from Lil Uzi Vert.

"New Patek"

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Skarmory

Skarmory @ Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Iron Defense
- Roost
- Defog
- Counter
This set allows you to counter Mawile with Iron Defense and Counter. It can also deal with Garchomp for the same reason while keeping Rocks off the field.

 

[Deleted User 464209]

waterium Keldeo

Keldeo-Resolute @ Waterium Z
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Calm Mind
- Hidden Power [Poison] / Taunt

Come in on anything but Z outrage, out speed and bop Chomp
252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Vortex (185 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 345-406 (96.3 - 113.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO

Mmaw is impossible for offensive checks to hard switch on, but you take +2 sucker easy and KO

 

[Lotus]

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

Let's be honest and say that there can't be a safe pivot into this week's core. Being fat isn't enough seeing how chomp has sd + zmove and mmawile is doing mmawile thing so a check has to be able to retaliate in some way before getting hit.

Nothing really new, but as much as many teams do rely on revenge killing to check the two Pokemon listed in the core, scarf landot seems like the most consistent pick to me. I am aware this thing can't switch in multiple times (if not just limited to once) but it has an ability to actually take a hit once and threaten back. Garchomp will eat HP Ice before killing lando with +1 Drake and that means it will probably not do anything else for the rest of the game after losing the way to break other fat grass or airborne targets. Mmawile is stupid and 2HKOs landot through intimidate using play rough but earthquake OHKOs so it is offensively checked. I couldn't come up with anything against this core that has a chemistry to kill literally everything in the tier atm. I was thinking about LO mamoswine but mmawile sucker punch kills at +2

 

[wadusher]

Greninja-Ash @ Waterium Z / Choice specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Ice beam / Spikes

While getting this beast in safely is a challenge, once its in its pretty much guaranteed to claim a kill against those two. It also has the benefit of not really caring much about Sucker Punch, getting 3hko'd by it without a boost, and packing water shuriken to out-prioritize it.

+2 252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 200-235 (70.1 - 82.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Greninja Hydro Vortex (185 BP) vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 268-316 (106.7 - 125.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 238-282 (94.8 - 112.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Greninja Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 384-452 (107.2 - 126.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Greninja:
Z dig with ice beam bops these 2 if u can watch out for sucker at the right time