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

[Felixx]

reseving mantine

Mantine is already reserved by Chessking345

 

[Jean-Actimel]

Mantine is already reserved by Chessking345

ow yeah didn't see it

 

[innovamania]

Tapu Bulu @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 60 Atk / 52 SpD / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Horn Leech
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Megahorn

AV Tapu Bulu is a good answer to this core as it can switch into any move from Keldeo even Icy Wind and threaten to KO it back. Additionally with MegaHorn over Nature's Madness you can also threaten Mega Latios and can switch into any move from either and threaten them back. One weakness is obviously that you can get worn down pretty easily so pairing it with Wish or Healing Wish support is nice but not needed.

Mega Latios:
252 SpA Latios-Mega Psychic vs. 248 HP / 52 SpD Assault Vest Tapu Bulu: 114-135 (33.2 - 39.3%) -- 14.1% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Latios-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 52 SpD Assault Vest Tapu Bulu: 102-120 (29.7 - 34.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
60+ Atk Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios-Mega: 250-296 (83 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Keldeo:
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Icy Wind vs. 248 HP / 52 SpD Assault Vest Tapu Bulu: 120-142 (34.9 - 41.3%) -- 70.3% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 52 SpD Assault Vest Tapu Bulu: 89-105 (25.9 - 30.6%) -- 2% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 92-108 (26.8 - 31.4%) -- 28% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
60+ Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo in Grassy Terrain: 384-452 (118.8 - 139.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Shrek is Love, Shrek is Life

Shrek (Exeggutor-Alola) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Draco Meteor
- Trick Room
- Earthquake
First, set up Trick Room by virtue of Mega Latios or Keldeo locked into a Water-type move. Then, use Shrek’s STABs to defeat both mons and drive them out of the swamp.

 

[MFJK]

Alakazam-Mega @ Alakazite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Recover

With Keldeo not being Choice Scarf, Mega Alakazam is able to outspeed both of them and threaten them with its moves. It also has recover, which means that they aren't able to shut Zam down.

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earth Power

First time posting in here. Anyway, w/ diancie outspeeding keldeo and tying with latios while not being ohkod by anything latios can use (4 Atk Latios-Mega Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Diancie-Mega: 186-220 (77.1 - 91.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO). plus, both are week to moonblast so they can't stay in w/ the threat of dying. Although the issue is diancie can't switch in either so it's moreso a check.

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

Yet another check to this core, altho better in some ways and worse in others. it can set up on keld if not mega'd and will kill latios w/ crunch (if mega), will outspeed at +1, and won't die to any of latios' moves in either form. it needs to be careful in timing mega correctly tho.

 

[Felixx]

Last Week's Analysis

Good posts as always, keep it up guys, now here’s the part where I give my thoughts on some of the submissions…

Highlights

Mega Bro: "Threat of the Week" for creativity, M-Bro is a really cool mon, but its been struggling to keep up this entire gen after the M-Meta ban. Chessking345

M-Latias: Yeah, set-ups all over this core, really annoying mon to deal with in general, especially the Sub variants. honeydip

M-Alakazam: Did you guys know that Recover M-Zam walls M-Latios? You trace Levitate so you can't be hit by EQ and Ice Beam can't 2HKO most of the time. MFJr King

Not Archived

A-Exeggutor: Uhhh we have better Shrek looking mons. Flame from Heaven

​

For this week I'll be showcasing SD SpDef Tapu Bulu and standard defensive Zapdos, as usual you guys have 7 days to get your submissions in, afterwards I'll be checking the thread and archiving the viable mons, and giving my thoughts on them.

Week 17 Core: Tapu Bulu + Zapdos

Here are your sets

Tapu Bulu @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 224 HP / 216 SpD / 68 Spe
Careful Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Superpower
- Synthesis

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Heat Wave
- Defog
- Roost

• SD SpDef Tapu Bulu is the newest tech, it's incredibly bulky and can still be a fantastic offensive threat, even 1v1 ing M-Latios without Ice Beam, and overpowering Ice Beam variants that try to switch-in to it at +2, because Horn Leech is a balanced move on this mon. Also, because of that special bulk, it's able to eat Magma Storms from Heatran, and KO it back with Superpower at +2. While I understand it can also utilize Lefties, I decided to use Fightinium Z for this round. Now, here I paired it with Zapdos, which is able to take on Torn, M-Scizor, and M-Pinsir, all of which are big annoyances to it. Good luck this round!
• 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 Tapu Bulu + Zapdos. Everyone have a good day!

Hide

252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 224 HP / 216+ SpD Tapu Bulu: 276-326 (81.8 - 96.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery, Grassy Terrain recovery, and trapping damage

gg you need a z-move to kill this fucker. now like this post for good luck and less hax in future battles.

 

[MFJK]

Kyurem-Black @ Icium Z
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Freeze Shock
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Substitute

It's pretty self-explanatory how Kyurem-B threatens this core. Thanks ot it's typing, it can easily set-up a sub on Zapdos and kill both of them with its Ice-type moves. Ice Beam doesn't OHKO Bulu but Subzero Slammer does.

 

[Akumeoy]

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

Outspeeds and threatens to OHKO both with Icicle Crash after rocks.

252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 224 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 350-414 (103.8 - 122.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 236+ Def Zapdos: 320-378 (83.5 - 98.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[Jordy]

Tornadus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off / Toxic
- Toxic / U-turn
- Defog

Tornadus-T naturally checks Tapu Bulu thanks to its pure flying typing and can get a Toxic off on Zapdos, which massively cripples it.

I'd just like to point out how wack these meme subs are.​

 

[honeydip]

Volc

Volcarona @ Buginium Z /Psychium Z
Ability: Swarm/ Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power Ground/ Substitute/ Psychic

Despite seeing not a whole lot of usage lately a well played Volc actually proves to be a threat against a lot of common cores lately and this one is no difference. Volc can take every hit from either of the members, even a +2 fight Z from Bulu and proceeds to boost up on both members with broken QD.

0 Atk Tapu Bulu All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 121-143 (38.9 - 45.9%)
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 100-118 (32.1 - 37.9%)

Substitute is slashed as it can be used to avoid Para (0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 67-79 (21.5 - 25.4%)) and therefore eliminating one of the cores few ways of coming out on top, while also making it easier to get a Swarm boost. Hp Ground or Psychium (with Z-Move ) are prefered tho as they can be used to beat Heatran/ Pex.
While Volc cant outright kill either of the members the only thing stopping it would be Discharge Para into Para Hax vs Bulu with Rocks up on Volcs side of the field.

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Stone Edge Mega Pinsir

Pinsir-Mega @ Pinsirite
Ability: Hyper Cutter
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Quick Attack
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
Stone Edge is actually pretty neat for teams that need a Zapdos lure. It can afford to give up Earthquakes considering that Magearna, Tyanitar, and Heatran are all pretty easy to chip into range of +2 Return. Tapu Bulu lol dies to Return.

 

[Ryomathekillers]

Reserving Stone Edge Hawlucha

Hawlucha @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 152 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Stone Edge

Usually a teams stop to Hawlucha is Zapdos, even if lucha has dropped a little bit, most people still want to send their zapdos in to stop it which SE Hawlucha then proceeds to maim it.

+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 306-360 (79.8 - 93.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(KO after Rocks or chip)
+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Zapdos: 430-506 (112.2 - 132.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 152 HP / 8 SpD Hawlucha: 302-356 (90.1 - 106.2%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

even if you miss or something, you still have a second chance in case they don't KO you.

 

[Geobody]

Firium-Z Heatran

Heatran @ Firium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Toxic/Stealth Rock

While SD SpDef Tapu Bulu thinks it can survive a magma storm, it sure as hell can't survive Inferno Overdrive. And Zapdos can't do shit to Heatran. You also outspeed both.

Calcs

Offensive Calcs
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 224 HP / 216+ SpD Tapu Bulu: 252-296 (74.7 - 87.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery and trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Inferno Overdrive (180 BP) vs. 224 HP / 216+ SpD Tapu Bulu: 452-534 (134.1 - 158.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 178-211 (46.4 - 55%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and trapping damage

Defensive Calcs
0 Atk Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 206-244 (63.7 - 75.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 100-118 (30.9 - 36.5%) -- 63.5% chance to 3HKO

EDIT: I didn't see the (Hide) spoiler in the OP until after I posted this.

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

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

This core is very effectively countered by this thing. Zapdos can't do anything other than para fish while Bulu is forced out. And Zard can Roost chip damage done by the two. And if it's DD over roost, they both become setup fodder should Bulu not be SD'd and even then, it'll be forced out.

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

This thing makes a great check to this core. Again, Zapdos doesn't have anything for it while not even being able to para fish. Meanwhile, Mamo can come in on it safely and fire off a free Icicle Crash. Altho it can't come in on Bulu safely, it can come in on a predicted SD.

 

[Taptricity]

The Best Boi (Greninja) @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 80 Atk / 176 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Gunk Shot
- U-turn

I find Mixed Gren to be a pretty underrated threat. This set consistently breaks the core by outspeeding and hitting them protean boosted moves. Gren has a slightly above 50/50 chance of OHKOing Zapdos after sr damage and do I really need to show the calcs of gunk shot on Bulu? U-turn is also on this set so that Gren has a way to continuously switch out and boost momentum on your team.

176 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 132+ SpD Zapdos: 265-315 (69 - 82%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers

0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 244-288 (85.6 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
This is after Gren changes into an Ice type.

I love it that I get to submit my favorite mon ever though. He’s just so badass and so customizable.

 

[VictiniSwag]

Hide

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

Although it's lower on the viability ranking, it's still worth a mention. Blacephalon outspeeds both Bulu and Zapdos and can OHKO both. Pretty self explanatory.​

 

[Caetano93]

Zygarde @ Steelium Z / Groundium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 76 HP / 252 Atk / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Iron Tail
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed

Zygarde setup free on Zapdos anytime.
Bulu, it natutal check, got squished by +1 Iron Tail or Corkscrew Crash.
Easy game, easy life.

 

[Steel With It]

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

Not much needs to be said here - MegaSaur laughs off every attack this core tries to throw at it, doesn't particularly care about paralysis, OHKOs Bulu and stalls out Dos' Roosts even with Pressure in play thanks to the residual damage from Sludge Bomb's high poison chance and Leech Seed (if you're running it).

Calcs

+2 0 Atk Tapu Bulu All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 132-156 (36.3 - 42.9%) -- 97.9% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 224 HP / 216+ SpD Tapu Bulu: 352-420 (104.4 - 124.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 248 HP / 156+ SpD Thick Fat Venusaur-Mega: 56-68 (15.4 - 18.7%) -- possible 6HKO
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 127-150 (33.1 - 39.1%) -- 14.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (guaranteed 3HKO after poison damage)
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Giga Drain vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Roosting Zapdos: 105-124 (27.4 - 32.3%) -- 68.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery (78.9% chance to 3HKO after poison damage)

 

[wadusher]

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

This thing is surprisingly under-prepared for, despite hitting like a truck with V-Create, which I've seen OHKO and 2HKO through resisted hits. It can easily switch in on everything Bulu has to throw at it, unlike, say, Blacephalon, thanks to its decent natural bulk. It even manages to outspeed 68 EV Neutral bulu at -1. Needless to say, it does massive overkill damage to bulu, and zapdos simply dies after the rocks its supposed to be getting rid of. All it has to fear it parahax from zapdos, which can be mitigated with healing wish support.

calcs

+2 0 Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini in Grassy Terrain: 153-180 (44.8 - 52.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Victini: 105-124 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 58.8% chance to 3HKO

252 Atk Choice Band Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 650-768 (188.9 - 223.2%) -- guaranteed overkill
252 Atk Choice Band Victini V-create vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 297-349 (77.5 - 91.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock[/calcs]

 

[nameless90]

Threat: Nihilego

Nihilego @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 180 SpA / 80 SpD / 248 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Power Gem
- Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power Ice
- Toxic Spikes

Although this Ultra Beast has a low Def and a middling typing, this thing has an interesting dual STAB combination that leaves this thing hopelessly walled by Steels. This EVs spread is taken from the dex.
This is the standard Scarf set (but also Specs or LO is possible), but Nihilego outspeeds both members of the core and heavily dent both of them.

All it has to fear is the 30% paralysis chance from Zapdos, which can be mitigated with Aromatheraphy/Heal Bell support. Nihilego is not able to switch directly into Tapu Bulu, but the former forces the latter out of the battlefield and not even defensive Zapdos can take 2 Sludge Wave in a row + SR damage. Keep in mind that the Eletric bird is a Defogger, so it is pressured to stay healthy throughout the game.

In this case the Specs set is better because it doesn't need hazard damage.


Offensive calcs
180 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 270-318 (70.4 - 83%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+1 180 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 402-474 (104.9 - 123.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
180 SpA Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 159-187 (41.5 - 48.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

180 SpA Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. 224 HP / 216+ SpD Tapu Bulu: 444-528 (131.7 - 156.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Defensive calcs
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 80 SpD Nihilego: 78-93 (21.7 - 25.9%) -- 2% chance to 4HKO

Nihilego can't take hits from Tapu Bulu

 

[Heika]

Threat : Band hoopa

Hoopa-Unbound @ Choice Band
Ability: Magician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Hyperspace Fury
- Gunk Shot
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt

This thing basically OHKO bulu with gunk shot (I don't think calc is needed here)
and the adamant nature allows you to :
252+ Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 204-240 (53.2 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
so in case you're with hoopa last mon against those two mons, you're less likely to get haxxed. More over :
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 84-99 (27.9 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
so if your hoopa is at full, you're allowed to get para/miss twice and still win

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Click here to unlock the secret of maximum power

Cloyster @ Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Liquidation
All you pitiful fools, bow down to the forgotten god of OU, the pride and might of the lower ladder. After Shell Smash, he shall smash the puny false god and bird.
As mighty as Cloyster is, he cannot defeat this core alone. He must have held of removing the entry hazards from the stuck-up noobs. Equally powerful titans such as Mandibuzz and Donphan make good candidates.
(Please don’t take anything I said seriously, and if you are actually using this, use Defoggers from good mons like Kartana and Mega Latios.)

 

[Felixx]

mellowyellowhd yo get dat Band Tar submission in, I'm about to update this

 

[Mellow]

Tyranitar @ Choice Band
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake / Fire Punch

Tyranitar pretty safely comes in on Zapdos aside from Paralysis from Discharge (which honestly doesn't bother Tyranitar that much since it's slow as shit anyway) and fire off a Stone Edge - neither of the two really want to take it. You can go with the 80 HP spread if you want but it doesn't outspeed the Bulu - this just fucks the core a bit more comfortably. A nice bonus is that the Sand that Tyranitar sets actually weakens Bulu's Synthesis to 33%
healing rather than 50%.