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Congratulations to bigtalk for winning this week with their Celesteela! Certified Idiot came in second and Katy came in third! HoF will be updated soon.
Next Victim is...
Rayquaza @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Ascent
- Earthquake
- Extreme Speed
Xerneas is a check to Rayquaza because it can revenge kill Rayquazavery easily with its STAB Fairy-Aura boosted Moonblast. Also Choice Scarf Xerneas outspeeds Rayquaza even after +1 due to Drageon Dance.
However Xerneas can't come into a non-boosted Supersonic Skystrike and Dragon Ascent on neutral does a good amount. But it can come in on a non-boosted Erathquake and can tank a
Extreme Speed afterwards to OHKO Rayquaza.
Xerneas also has trouble switching into a boosted Rayquazas EQ into an Espeed, but in overall Xerneas is a great option to revenge kill an even +1 Rayquaza as it can tank an Espeed at +1
from Rayquaza therefore Xerneas is a pretty solid answer to Rayquaza.
Calcs:
252+ SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Rayquaza: 494-584 (140.7 - 166.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 249-294 (63.3 - 74.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Rayquaza Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 139-164 (35.3 - 41.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Rayquaza Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 111-131 (28.2 - 33.3%) -- 95.9% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252+ Atk Rayquaza Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 166-196 (42.2 - 49.8%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
This is not really supposed to be a counter to Rayquaza since it usually runs V-Create, but here it's eq so... Anyway skarmory doesn't take any damage from dragon ascent and punishes it with rocky helmet, even the z-move doesn't do that much damage, and if rayquaza is dding too much it can just toxic and then whirlwind it. Finally, skarm can also use rayquaza as a fodder for setting up spikes.
+1 252+ Atk Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 102-120 (30.6 - 36%) -- 52.6% chance to 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Rayquaza Supersonic Skystrike (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 161-190 (48.3 - 57%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 135-160 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Arceus-Rock @ Stone Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 Spe
Timid Nature
- Judgment
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Stealth Rock
So Zong seemed outclassed by the other two Steels, so I chose Rockceus instead. With this spread, it is capable of taking a +1 EQ from Ray and knocking it out with Judgment, while outspeeding Mega Lucario to cripple it with a burn. Because it also outspeeds unboosted Rayquaza and V-create variants are “stone”walled, I’d consider this a counter.
Yveltal can live just about any unboosted attack plus Extreme Speed other than Supersonic Skystrike and nearly OHKO a Rayquaza with Foul Play; a guaranteed one shot with Stealth Rock damage. Choice Scarf Yveltal can even guarantee a check on Rayquaza after it Dragon Dances once. Health management is very important as Extreme Speed and Stealth Rock damage can quickly take away Yveltal's Rayquaza checking utility. Yveltal is the temporary safety check that doesn't allow Rayquaza to blow up your Arceus with +1 Skystrike off of Dragon Ascent or your important steel with a surprise V-Create. Life Orb Rayquaza, while rare, is a nasty surprise for Yveltal and should also be considered when deciding which tools to deplay where. That is all CS Yveltal is, a tool to help keep your steel and Arceus safe if needed. Yveltal may be more important than either of those in common scenarios (most involving an enemy Necrozma), so it is really up to the player and their gamestate awareness when it comes to dealing with this very dangerous dragon.
Yveltal @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 36 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Foul Play
- Oblivion Wing
- U-turn
- Defog
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Heavy Slam
- Toxic
- Protect
Seeing that the Rayquaza set does not have fire coverage, Steela does not fear and it came to mind since it resists its stab well and does not affect EQ. Well, basically it's down with Leech / Toxic + Protect or hit with Heavy Slam directly.
Counter. Resists all of Rayquaza's attacks outside of espeed (even tho it hurts less than Dragon Ascent) including V-Create, can recover from strong hits through Pain Split and can cripple it thanks to Will-O-Wisp while damaging it with tbolt.
Xerneas is a check to Rayquaza because it can revenge kill Rayquazavery easily with its STAB Fairy-Aura boosted Moonblast. Also Choice Scarf Xerneas outspeeds Rayquaza even after +1 due to Drageon Dance.
However Xerneas can't come into a non-boosted Supersonic Skystrike and Dragon Ascent on neutral does a good amount. But it can come in on a non-boosted Erathquake and can tank a
Extreme Speed afterwards to OHKO Rayquaza.
Xerneas also has trouble switching into a boosted Rayquazas EQ into an Espeed, but in overall Xerneas is a great option to revenge kill an even +1 Rayquaza as it can tank an Espeed at +1
from Rayquaza therefore Xerneas is a pretty solid answer to Rayquaza.
Calcs:
252+ SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Rayquaza: 494-584 (140.7 - 166.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 249-294 (63.3 - 74.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Rayquaza Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 139-164 (35.3 - 41.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Rayquaza Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 111-131 (28.2 - 33.3%) -- 95.9% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252+ Atk Rayquaza Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xerneas: 166-196 (42.2 - 49.8%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
This is not really supposed to be a counter to Rayquaza since it usually runs V-Create, but here it's eq so... Anyway skarmory doesn't take any damage from dragon ascent and punishes it with rocky helmet, even the z-move doesn't do that much damage, and if rayquaza is dding too much it can just toxic and then whirlwind it. Finally, skarm can also use rayquaza as a fodder for setting up spikes.
+1 252+ Atk Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 102-120 (30.6 - 36%) -- 52.6% chance to 3HKO
+1 252+ Atk Rayquaza Supersonic Skystrike (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 161-190 (48.3 - 57%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 135-160 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Arceus-Rock @ Stone Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 Spe
Timid Nature
- Judgment
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Stealth Rock
So Zong seemed outclassed by the other two Steels, so I chose Rockceus instead. With this spread, it is capable of taking a +1 EQ from Ray and knocking it out with Judgment, while outspeeding Mega Lucario to cripple it with a burn. Because it also outspeeds unboosted Rayquaza and V-create variants are “stone”walled, I’d consider this a counter.
Check
Yveltal can live just about any unboosted attack plus Extreme Speed other than Supersonic Skystrike and nearly OHKO a Rayquaza with Foul Play; a guaranteed one shot with Stealth Rock damage. Choice Scarf Yveltal can even guarantee a check on Rayquaza after it Dragon Dances once. Health management is very important as Extreme Speed and Stealth Rock damage can quickly take away Yveltal's Rayquaza checking utility. Yveltal is the temporary safety check that doesn't allow Rayquaza to blow up your Arceus with +1 Skystrike off of Dragon Ascent or your important steel with a surprise V-Create. Life Orb Rayquaza, while rare, is a nasty surprise for Yveltal and should also be considered when deciding which tools to deplay where. That is all CS Yveltal is, a tool to help keep your steel and Arceus safe if needed. Yveltal may be more important than either of those in common scenarios (most involving an enemy Necrozma), so it is really up to the player and their gamestate awareness when it comes to dealing with this very dangerous dragon.
Yveltal @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 36 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Foul Play
- Oblivion Wing
- U-turn
- Defog
Taunt prevents Dragon Dance, and Ice Beam OHKOs Rayquaza.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Heavy Slam
- Toxic
- Protect
Seeing that the Rayquaza set does not have fire coverage, Steela does not fear and it came to mind since it resists its stab well and does not affect EQ. Well, basically it's down with Leech / Toxic + Protect or hit with Heavy Slam directly.
Counter. Resists all of Rayquaza's attacks outside of espeed (even tho it hurts less than Dragon Ascent) including V-Create, can recover from strong hits through Pain Split and can cripple it thanks to Will-O-Wisp while damaging it with tbolt.
Congratulations to Solaros & Lunaris for coming first this week with their Arceus-Rock submission. Mitsuharu would have come second but banned deucer. So that means both SiTuM and WreckDra came in joint second!
This will conclude what I'm calling Season 0 of VotW, as this project will now work towards The Ubers Project Leaderboard Challenge so make sure to check out that and carry on competing to earn prizes at the end of each season!
Matchmaking Season 1
Season 1 of Matchmaking has begun and all points earned will both be on the seasonal HoF or on the Project Leaderboard Challenge
Before we move on to the new Season I want to congratulate Katy for winning Season 0 of VotW and hope she can keep it up in the new season.
With that being said lets take a look at this seasons first Victim...
Arceus-Poison @ Toxic Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Sludge Bomb
- Recover
- Earth Power / Fire Blast
(Can be physical if you want)
Arceus Poison is a Counter to GeoXern because of its good bulk, resistance to Moonblast, neutrality/resistance to common coverage moves, and reliable recovery. Sludge Bomb also allows it to chip down the switch in after it forces out Xern.
4 SpA Toxic Plate Arceus-Poison Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Xerneas: 278-330 (70.7 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Poison: 195-229 (43.9 - 51.5%) -- 9.4% chance to 2HKO
+2 252+ SpA Xerneas Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Poison: 226-267 (50.9 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (You Calm Mind first)
+2 252+ SpA Xerneas Thunder vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Poison: 152-179 (34.2 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 SpA Toxic Plate Arceus-Poison Sludge Bomb vs. +2 0 HP / 0 SpD Xerneas: 140-168 (35.6 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 4 SpA Toxic Plate Arceus-Poison Sludge Bomb vs. +2 0 HP / 0 SpD Xerneas: 210-248 (53.4 - 63.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Necrozma-Dusk-Mane @ Leftovers
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock - Sunsteel Strike
- Earthquake - Morning Sun
Specially Defensive Dusk Mane is a great answer to GeoXern because it can come in on neutral Xerneas a lot of times and it scares it out + it is also able to set Stealth Rocks infront
of Xerneas and with Leftovers and Morning Sun it has some reasonable recovery options in its back to be an answer to Xerneas.
Even when Xerneas decides to Geomancy up you can easily go hard Dusk Mane on its Geomancy
and put out a nice Sunsteel Strike on it to be able to clear 2HKO Xerneas in the process.
Also Xerneas would like to have Dusk Mane removed or heavily weakened first, before setting up a Geomancy or otherwise this effort will be wasted due to Necrozma Dusk Manes good option to counter Xerneas throughout the entire battle.
Calcs:
0 Atk Necrozma-Dusk-Mane Sunsteel Strike vs. 0 HP / 168 Def Xerneas: 282-332 (71.7 - 84.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Necrozma-Dusk-Mane Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 168 Def Xerneas: 94-111 (23.9 - 28.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 77-91 (19.3 - 22.8%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Xerneas Thunder vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 90-107 (22.6 - 26.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Xerneas Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 98-116 (24.6 - 29.1%) -- 4.6% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 154-182 (38.6 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ SpA Xerneas Thunder vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 180-212 (45.2 - 53.2%) -- 33.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ SpA Xerneas Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: 196-231 (49.2 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery