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

[Steel With It]

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

Between Taunt to shut down Reuniclus, Intimidate to shut down Weavile and careful management of its two different sets of resistances, trusty ol' MegaDos can set up on either member of this core - Weav being the easiest thing ever, Reuni being a lot more prediction-reliant but still in MegaDos' favour - and threaten to go wild.

Calcs

0 SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 127-150 (38.3 - 45.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 189-223 (57 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Reuniclus Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados-Mega: 126-150 (38 - 45.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Reuniclus Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados-Mega: 188-222 (56.7 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Gyarados-Mega Crunch vs. 248 HP / 216+ Def Reuniclus: 402-474 (95 - 112%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

-1 252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 160-189 (48.3 - 57%) -- 91.4% chance to 2HKO
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gyarados-Mega: 60-72 (18.1 - 21.7%) -- possible 5HKO
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Gyarados-Mega Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Weavile: 318-375 (113.1 - 133.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Fightinium Z Weavile.

Weavile @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard / Pursuit
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
Reuniclus gets Knocked or in some cases, Pursuit trapped by Weavile. Z Low Kick obliterates Weavile. Z Low Kick is also nice for luring Ferrothorn, and in some cases, Heatran.

 

[Heart Doom]

Heracross-Mega @ Heracronite
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance

thanks to its high bulk heracross can withstand the icicle crash of the weavile quietly and kill it then and wins the reuniclus with pin missle

 

[aybekay]

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

I think that Volcarona with Bug buzz is pretty good against this core since both of those mons in the core get either One hitted or 2 Hitted according to the calcs below. Another thing to mention is that Volcarona does not get One shotted by even Choice Band Weavile's Knock off. It can potentially set up in front of it since as I said before Knock Off even from Choice Band Weavile doesn't even One hit Ko Volcarona because Volcarona's item can not knock off. Or it just outright kills it with 1 Bug Buzz

Calcs

252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 348-410 (82.2 - 96.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 214-253 (68.8 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Beraldo]

reserving waterium ash gren

 

[Mellow]

Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off

Mawile comes in for free on both mons of the core (Intimidate makes you take even less from Weavile's attacks) and set up an SD or just fire off an attack.

 

[OrangeGuru]

Beam Me Up Scotty! (Celesteela) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Toxic
The only issue I see with Celesteela is that it would be a pain in the ass for Weavile to knock off its Leftovers. The trade off is that you OHKO back with a Heavy Slam while gaining a defense boost which just makes Reuniclus’s matchup even worse against the satellite. Reuniclus can’t do shit to Celesteela and you just Toxic+Leech Seed stall it to death. Even if it gets to +2 it literally does nothing.
+2 0 SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 104+ Def Celesteela: 84-99 (21.1 - 24.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
Energy Ball does even worse damage. Celesteela may be dropping in usage, but it walls this core significantly.

...umm you do know Reuni has Magic Guard, right? so Toxic and Leech Seed do nothing to it

 

[Caetano93]

Reserving the Paper Cut (Kartana SD).

Paper Cut (Kartana) @ Grassium Z / Darknium Z / Fightnium Z / Normalium Z / Stellium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword / Night Slash
- Giga Impact / Knock Off / Smart Strike / Defog

Plain and simple. Weavile can't OHKO Kartana and is KOed back.
Reuniclus is just a setup fodder if it don't have Focus Miss Focus Blast and, at +2, everything that Kartana have will HURT him.
All the options listed are the most comons variations that you can find in the ladder or in room tours.

Vs Reuniclus

0 SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kartana: 42-49 (16.2 - 18.9%) -- possible 6HKO
0 SpA Reuniclus Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 47-55 (18.1 - 21.2%) -- possible 5HKO
0 SpA Reuniclus Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 168-198 (64.8 - 76.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Kartana Bloom Doom (175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 331-390 (78 - 91.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 340-402 (80.1 - 94.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Kartana Black Hole Eclipse (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 352-416 (83 - 98.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 488-576 (115 - 135.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Kartana Breakneck Blitz (200 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 504-593 (118.8 - 139.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Kartana Corkscrew Crash (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 528-622 (124.5 - 146.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery

Vs Weavile

252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kartana: 156-184 (60.2 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Weavile: 268-316 (95.3 - 112.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

 

[wadusher]

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware / Magic guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind / Thunder wave
- Moonblast
- Wish / Stealth Rock
- Protect / Softboiled

Normally Clefable would lose calm mind wars against reuniclus, as each calm mind makes it take less from moonblast, while Clef's calm minds can be completely bypassed with psyshock. Unaware flips this dynamic on its head by letting it ignore reuniclus's calm minds, giving Clefable the upper hand. As for Weavile, that needs to flinch Clef twice if its at full, but we all know how daunting a task that is. It also gets OHKO'd after rocks or a calm mind.

Of course, unaware calm mind isn't all it can do against these two. Neither mon appreciates parahax, especially weavile, as it can't even flinch clef if it gets paralyzed. It doesn't 1v1 reuniclus quite as easily as unaware sets, but it does ease the pressure reuniclus can put on the rest of clef's team.

calcs

0 SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 93-109 (23.6 - 27.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 172-204 (43.6 - 51.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 225-265 (53 - 62.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 224-266 (79.7 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Felixx]

Since my school year is about to start in a few days (Read: South East Asia, Philippines), my future posts in this thread might be late a day or even two, depending on how much bullshit my teachers are willing to pass me. Goddamn, I got actually got put in a crappy section full of a bunch of weirdos, and I have to stay with those pussies for TWO school years. ANYWAYS...

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Week: M-Mawile

: Best wallbreaker award goes to this mon, plain and simple. mellowyellowhd

: Slightly underrated mon, pretty good wallbreaker but gets fucked by Bulky Offense staples such as Heatran, Tornadus, M-Latios, etc, none can switch-in freely though. POP Arthur21

Not Archived

: This isn't ORAS, CM Unaware isn't a set, and non-CM Unaware loses the PP war. wadusher

Week 20 Core: M-Charizard-Y + Tapu Koko

Here are your sets

Charizard-Mega-Y (F) @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast
- Roost

Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 20 SpD / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Defog
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Roost

• Just some nice M-Charizard-Y + Defog Z-move Tapu Koko core, pretty simple idea, Tapu Koko removes hazards and beats down Toxapex, Zard-Y kills a lotta shit with Drought, takes advantage of fat Grasses. This duo is really, really, old, Dugtrio meta old, so you guys should be familiar with it. 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 M-Charizard-Y + Tapu Koko. Everyone have a good day!
• PM me some cores if you guys have any good ideas!

Song of the Week

The song of the week is from Drake's hot new album, "Scorpion"...

"In My Feelings"

This Youtube link will probably get taken down soon so maybe just check it out on Spotify

 

[Flame from Heaven]

Mega Latios

Latios-Mega @ Latiosite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Earthquake
- Roost
Mega Latios can eat anything this core can throw at it and threaten both with Psychic.

 

[LeNorm]

Scarf Tyranitar
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake

The return of Scarf Tyranitar to the meta makes life pretty hard for this core. As it hits so hard, few mons can switch in on it. It beats either of these mons 1v1, and doesn't fear their other variants either. Sand Stream can also get rid of Zard's weather, which also hinders teams which use the Sun to their advantage.

Scarfed Tyranitar outspeeds Zard-Y and can easily OHKO with Stone Edge. Though it can't come in on FocusMiss, if Zard has clicked solar beam it's in trouble without the weather and will be forced to stay in. Tyranitar can easily take any Koko's hits (even Specs Dazzling Gleam only does 70% at best), and has a good chance to OHKO with Earthquake, and Stone Edge can also do massive damage. That said, Tyranitar should watch out for Shuca if it clicks Earthquake, and if it is locked into Earthquake, Zard can come in without worry, so Stone Edge is often a safer option.

Some Calcs:
252 Atk Tyranitar Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after sandstorm damage
252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 192-226 (68.3 - 80.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 816-964 (274.7 - 324.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar: 118-141 (34.6 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar: 229-271 (67.1 - 79.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Akumeoy]

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

Chansey walls both members of the core and uses these free turns to set up rocks or wear them down with Toxic. Moreover, Tapu Koko cannot keep Chansey's rocks off the field in the long run, so the opposing team is at a disadvantage unless they're running a secondary Defogger that threatens Chansey.

252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Eviolite Chansey in Electric Terrain: 114-135 (16.2 - 19.2%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Eviolite Chansey in Electric Terrain: 219-258 (31.1 - 36.7%) -- 69.5% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Eviolite Chansey in Sun: 199-235 (28.3 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO

 

[Jucherz]

Zygarde @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 Atk / 88 SpD / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Iron Tail
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance

WP Zygarde avoids the 2HKO from all Charizard's attacks and can set up with Dragon Dance. If it is against Koko, it can take one HP Ice (which activates it's Weakness Policy), set up with DD and do some serious damage to the opponent's team with +3 Thousand Arrows.

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 88 SpD Zygarde in Sun: 149-176 (41.7 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Solar Beam vs. 0 HP / 88 SpD Zygarde: 145-171 (40.6 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 88 SpD Zygarde: 204-240 (57.1 - 67.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Egor]

Zard-X

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

Both Zard-Y and Tapu Koko are setup baits for Zard-X. Zard-X can survive Focus Miss from Zard-Y, set up with DD and OHKO with Dragon Claw. It also survives Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko and OHKOs Tapu Koko with boosted Earthquake. Switching Zard-X directly into attacks isn't recommended because it can be KOd with combinations like Fire Blast + Focus Miss and Tbolt + Gigavolt Havoc, though regular Tbolt 3HKOs Zard-X, so after consuming Z-move it's safely to switching into Tapu Koko.

Calcs

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-X in Sun: 90-106 (30.3 - 35.6%) -- 33.6% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-X: 175-206 (58.9 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 252 Atk Tough Claws Charizard-Mega-X Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 312-367 (105 - 123.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-X in Electric Terrain: 102-121 (34.3 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-X in Electric Terrain: 198-234 (66.6 - 78.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-X: 61-72 (20.5 - 24.2%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

+1 252 Atk Charizard-Mega-X Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 374-442 (130.7 - 154.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[nameless90]

Scarf Nihilego

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

Defensive calcs:

Hide

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 80 SpD Nihilego in Sun: 117-138 (32.5 - 38.4%) -- 98.1% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Solar Beam/Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 80 SpD Nihilego: 113-134 (31.4 - 37.3%) -- 85.2% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 80 SpD Nihilego in Electric Terrain: 256-303 (71.3 - 84.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 80 SpD Nihilego in Electric Terrain: 133-157 (37 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

You don't have much to fear defensively because Focus Blast is unreliable, so Solar Beam is always better in this situation. Charizard's Fire Blast hits a little stronger, but the miss chance is a thing. With Scarf you outspeed Char-Y, so you don't have much to fear.
You are able to withstand a Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) from Tapu Koko, so there aren't particular problems here. Be wary of paralysis chance from regular Thunderbolts, though.

Offensive calcs:

Hide

180 SpA Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. 20 HP / 20 SpD Tapu Koko: 356-422 (124.4 - 147.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 180 SpA Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 193-228 (64.9 - 76.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
180 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 436-516 (146.8 - 173.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
180 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 20 HP / 20 SpD Tapu Koko: 151-178 (52.7 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 180 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. 20 HP / 20 SpD Tapu Koko: 226-267 (79 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Mellow]

Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Hone Claws / Stealth Rock
- Aqua Tail / Pursuit

Calc:

252+ Atk Aerodactyl-Mega Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 282-334 (98.6 - 116.7%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

252+ Atk Aerodactyl-Mega Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 904-1068 (304.3 - 359.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

literally the post above yours reserved it come on bro you've just purposefully ignored it

 

[Heart Doom]

Latias-Mega (F) @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Roost
- Thunderbolt

mega latias is a great pokemon with an incredible bulky that can easily wall these two sets and besides they are both pokemons that latias can setupar and win

 

[wadusher]

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

Here we have something that outspeeds the core and packs EdgeQuake coverage to OHKO them both, while not being rare or an unset. While admittedly losing Defog is kind of problematic, its not hard to fit it on a teammate, like Zapdos or the latis. Not to mention a team with Zard Y is heavily pressured to Defog for you, so you don't have to go out of your way to preserve your hazard control against such teams.

 

[Caetano93]

So, every pokémon that i wanted got sniped. :(
Let's do the best one that nobody picked yet.

CALM MIND LATIOS

Latios @ Psychium Z / Waterium Z / Dragonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Surf / Draco Meteor

Very underrated mon. Using good plays it becomes a fantastic win con.
With Calm Mind and Recover, nothing in this cores scratches it and it just keep CM to +6. Psyshock let's it defeat Chansey and others CM user, like M Latias, and the last move vary acording to the team. Z Psychic is standart and everyone knows it hurts a lot alowing Latios to muscle pass defensive fairyes. Z Surf destroys Clefable as well and bulk steel types (hi Mega Scizor) but Z Draco anihilates everything that aren't fairy or steel.

Calcs

252 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 98-116 (32.5 - 38.5%) -- 97.6% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Latios Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 151-178 (53.7 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios in Sun: 144-169 (47.8 - 56.1%) -- 83.2% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Latios Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 160-189 (53.8 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Taptricity]

So I was going to originally go with Weakness Policy Zygarde but I got sniped. And then I’m sorry Astronautic but I had to snipe you with Mega Aerodactyl. So time to get this going.

Pterror of the Sky (Aerodactyl-Mega) @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Hone Claws
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Pursuit/Ice Fang
So yeah here we have a mega that literally no one uses that beats this core. Mega Aero outspeeds both Megazard Y and Koko and slaughters them respectively with Stone Miss (this is why I like Hone Claws) and Earthquake. Honestly Pursuit is just a filler move that I just like for trapping the Mega Latis. Ice Fang is also neat if you just hate Zygarde so pick your poison. So hope you enjoy destroying this core with the 2nd most unused mega in OU (Mega Altaria is #1).

Fin!

 

[Felixx]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Week: Scarf Tar

: I really enjoy using Scarf Tar because it's a good way of dealing with M-Latios and Heatran on bulkier builds that can struggle with those two offensive threats, so it makes sense why this set gained a good bit of popularity. Just waste the Z-move on Koko and this threat should be able to break down this core pretty easily. Honestly that's all I have to say for this week, the other submissions were pretty good too. LeNorm

Not Archived

None. Good job.

Week 21 Core: Tapu Lele + Kartana

Here are your sets

Tapu Lele @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off

• We needed more Tapu Lele cores in this archive so I just checked the SM OU Ultra Cores and found this. The idea is that Tapu Lele can literally break down almost any wall with Calm Mind into Z-move/coverage, and then Scarf Kartana is able to clean up late-game and have an excellent match-up versus Offensive builds, a pretty simple concept actually. Both members have some defensive utility, but not a whole lot honestly. Okay, 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 Tapu Lele + Kartana. 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 a brand new track from Chance The Rapper, also a fun fact, the sample you'll hear throughout the whole song is from Jamie Foxx, iirc.

"I Might Need Security"

 

[Jordy]

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

Celesteela walls both Tapu Lele and Kartana with relative ease and immediately threatens them with its moves. The core has a decentl hard time overwhelming Celesteela. Celesteela must however stay wary of Knock Off from Kartana as this greatly cripples it, and makes it so Tapu Lele can overwhelm it. On a sidenote, I do feel that Tapunium Z Tapu Lele would fit better here, as Tapu Lele and Kartana overlap in checks, so it becomes way easier to overwhelm their checks if these are brought down to 25% from full.​

 

[Jucherz]

Greninja @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
EVs: 176 Atk / 80 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Gunk Shot
- U-turn
- Rock Slide

Scarf Greninja outspeeds both Lele and Scarf Kartana and threatens to OHKO Tapu Lele with Gunk Shot and Kartana with Ice Beam. Greninja can't safely switch in on Kartana, but it can switch in on Tapu Lele if you predict Psyshock, HP Fire or Calm Mind.

 

[nameless90]

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

Offensive calcs:

Hide

252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 1776-2092 (683 - 804.6%) -- guaranteed overkill
252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 364-429 (140 - 165%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Volcarona Savage Spin-Out (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 261-307 (92.8 - 109.2%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

There isn't much to say: just click Bug Buzz (in order to avoid missing the move) and a Z-Bug Buzz towards Lele in order to dismantle this core.
Plain and simple.

Defensive calcs:

Hide

252 Atk Kartana Smart Strike vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 105-123 (33.7 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(It outdamages a STAB Leaf Blade on a critical hit)
252 Atk Kartana Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 130-153 (41.8 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(It is the strongest move this Kartana can throw at you)
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona in Psychic Terrain: 306-361 (98.3 - 116%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

On the offensive side, Volcarona can soft check only Kartana, threatening also it with Flame Body. Keep in mind that you need 2 Quiver Dances to outspeed Scarf Kartana. Don't try to enter onto Lele: you have to rely on a slow U-turn or you have to wait for the death of one of your teammates.