Project USM RU Victim of the Week (Week 33: Swords Dance Feraligatr)

[Venoxio]

Registeel as a check

Registeel @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Protect

Iron Head is a fun move that allows Regi to kill Mega Aboma with some effort, 2HKOing after hazards, allowing it to almost always beat Aboma 1v1. It can consistently switch into Aboma's dual STABs and only has to fear getting 2HKOed by the low accuracy Focus Blast after rocks, and it's an even roll. This checks especially well with Wish support. Calcs:

240+ SpA Abomasnow-Mega Blizzard vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel: 54-63 (14.8 - 17.3%) -- possible 6HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery
84 Atk Abomasnow-Mega Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Registeel: 138-164 (37.9 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery
240+ SpA Abomasnow-Mega Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel: 158-186 (43.4 - 51%) -- 53.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock, hail damage, and Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Registeel Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Abomasnow-Mega: 132-156 (41.1 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Natan]

Ok, first I apologize for the weeks this thread has been untouched, I had some tests and travels in the last weeks and didn't have much time to update this. But it is back now, with USM RU Victim of the Week! First the Checks and Counters are:
Checks:

Doublade (Askov)

Reason given by Askov

Although Doublade has a really poor SpDef stat, it can check Mega-Abomasnow decently well because of its typing and help from Eviolite, allowing it to tank 2 Blizzards + Ice Shard if it's at nearly full HP and it can KO Mega-Abomasnow back with Iron Head + Shadow Sneak after rocks damage.

Salazzle (JonathanXtreme)

Reason

Salazzle has a perfect typing that resists everything Abomasnow-Mega can run besides EQ (not in the set), however, Blizzard is a 2HKO so you have to watch out for that but Fire Blast could OHKO an Abomasnow-Mega even if it was under Light Screen.

Rotom-Heat (Miere)

Reason by Miere

Rotom typing and speed are perfect to stop Abomas, it ressists both STAB moves better than Salazzle, and is faster no matter what than Abomasnow, but this set have troubles with Focus Blast, because it does a lot to Rotom. Otherwise, you can run Pain Split over Thunderbolt/Will-O-Wisp.

Counters:

Escavalier (HypnoEmpire)

Reason by HypnoEmpire

Escavalier is immune to Hail damage, resists both of Mega Abomasnow's STABs, and takes neutral damage from Focus Blast. Mega Abomasnow has a chance to 3HKO Escavalier, but this is assuming every Focus Blast hits. Meanwhile, Escavalier OHKOes Mega Abomasnow with Megahorn. (Just moved from Check -> Counter because with Overcoat and Protect it can recover enough HP to beat Abomasnow-M reliably.

Bronzong (Cheryl.)

Reason adapted from Cheryl.'s comment

Bronzong is a perfect Counter to M-Abomasnow, resisting it's STABs, being immune to EQ because of Levitate, and also taking neutral damage from Focus Blast. Zong sadly cant do too much back to Mega Aboma, but Toxic + Tect along with Gyro Ball damage whittles down Mega Abomasnow nicely (and Psywave/Iron Head should be run if you rely on it as Aboamsnow-M check in MY opinion to do it faster), and Zong sets up Rocks in Aboma's face.

Now our next Victim, since this is USM Victim of the Week, lets choose a big threat of USM RU, it will be:
SD Necrozma

Necrozma @ Buginium Z
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Photon Geyser
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake

SD Necrozma is one of the most potencial sets of this Pokemon, it got a lot of moves (Photon Geyser, Earth Power, Heat Wave, Signal Beam), severely increasing the viability of Necrozma in the metagame, this coverage covers everything (and btw note that Photon Geyser will hit SpD if Special and Def if Physical just likei it's on calc)

RU Victim of the Week is back!

 

[hs]

reserving escavalier

Escavalier as a counter

Escavalier @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 52 Atk / 204 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Megahorn
- Iron Head
- Protect
- Pursuit

Escavalier is probably the closest thing to a Necrozma counter, because it resists to Necrozma's STAB, and takes neutral damage to Earthquake, being at best 3HKOed if played right around protect + lefties, and then OHKO with Megahorn as rocks are in the opponent's field.

calcs

+2 252 Atk Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Escavalier: 136-161 (39.5 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Necrozma Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Escavalier: 182-215 (52.9 - 62.5%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Necrozma Savage Spin-Out (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Escavalier: 146-172 (42.4 - 50%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

52+ Atk Escavalier Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Prism Armor Necrozma: 283-334 (84.4 - 99.7%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Sabbio]

[...] note that Photon Geyser always hits on SpD unlike what calc says, that's how a calc with this move looks like:
+2 252 Atk Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Manaphy: 205-243 (50.7 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
However, that's how it should be:
+2 252 Atk Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Manaphy: 285-336 (70.5 - 83.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(You can just turn its SpA into 107, put +2 SpA and use a Naive nature in your damage calculation)

Sorry to chime in, but it does not always target the opposing's SpDef for the damage calculation, as explained in this video.
Pardon me again for the "intrusion".

 

[Natan]

Sorry to chime in, but it does not always target the opposing's SpDef for the damage calculation, as explained in this video.
Pardon me again for the "intrusion".

Oops sure, my bad
Fixed

 

[zizalith]

reserving sigilyph

Sigilyph @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Psychic
- Heat Wave
- Dark Pulse

this is basically the standard defog set but with dark pulse over roost. black hole eclipse followed by dark pulse almost always 2khos without rocks. with rocks its guaranteed. sigi resists necrozmas photon geyser and is immune to earthquake, so it can switch in freely if you predict it correctly. you outspeed necro so you can always win 1v1 since savage spin out doesnt ohko. this set does lack recovery so its easier to chip but magic guard helps a ton in that aspect anyways. sigilyph is a check.

edit: im adding calcs later

 

[cyanize]

reserving p2 take that back, prism armor is broke lol

Mismagius @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Taunt

necrozma is nigh impossible to actually check defensively, thanks to prism armor letting it live attacks like +2 porygon foul play and doublade's shadow claw -> shadow sneak. so instead i'm presenting mismagius as an offensive check; it switches into x-scissor and earthquake easily and can take one unboosted photon geyser from full, and ohkos with never ending nightmare in return.

252 Atk Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mismagius: 216-255 (82.7 - 97.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Necrozma Savage Spin-Out (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mismagius: 115-135 (44 - 51.7%) -- 13.3% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Mismagius Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Prism Armor Necrozma: 373-441 (111.3 - 131.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[HypnoEmpire]

Yanmega @ Choice Specs
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Giga Drain
- U-turn

Yanmega is a check to Necrozma. Savage Spin-out doesn't do too much to Yanmega and Earthquake does nothing. While Yanmega doesn't avoid a 2HKO from Photon Geyser, Yanmega outspeeds and OHKOes Necrozma with Bug Buzz.

calcs

252 Atk Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Yanmega: 160-190 (51.1 - 60.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Necrozma Savage Spin-Out (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Yanmega: 86-101 (27.4 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Yanmega Bug Buzz vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Prism Armor Necrozma: 337-397 (100.5 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[ASKOV]

Cofagrigus @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power Fighting
- Trick Room
- Nasty Plot

Cofagrigus is a great check to Necrozma because it can tank a +2 Photon Geyser decently well and can KO it back with Never Ending Nightmare.

+2 252 Atk Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Cofagrigus: 207-244 (64.6 - 76.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Cofagrigus Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Prism Armor Necrozma: 382-451 (114 - 134.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Meru]

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Curse

Quagsire is a good counter to Necrozma because of its ability Unaware, which ignores SD boosts from Necrozma, allowing it to set up on Necrozma or burn it with Scald.

252 Atk Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 115-136 (29.1 - 34.5%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Necrozma Savage Spin-Out (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 122-144 (30.9 - 36.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

Photon Geyser

Power
100Accuracy
100%
8 PP
Uses user's best attacking stat. Ignores Abilities.

 

[Taskr]

Ninetales @ Firium Z
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock
- Solar Beam

Ninetales is able to outspeed and OHKO Necrozma with sun boosted Inferno Overdrive.

252 SpA Ninetales Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Necrozma in Sun: 364-429 (108.6 - 128%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Chrisloud1]

Houndoom @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Nasty Plot
- Hidden Power Grass / Flame Charge

Houndoom was recently ranked on the vr so I'm using houndoom as a check. Houndoom outspeeds necrozma and 1hkos it with its Black Hole Eclipse.

252 SpA Houndoom Black Hole Eclipse (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Prism Armor Necrozma: 384-454 (114.6 - 135.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Natan]

Sorry for the late response, anyway let's go

(JonathanXtreme)

Reason

Can check Necrozma decently but need Rocks to do a great job and is not a counter.

(Askov)

Reason

Can switch in once and KO with the Z, however it is a bit more shaky without the Z.

(HypnoEmpire)

Reason

Can take a hit without Rocks and KO without the need of a Z Move (KO Necrozma through Prism Armor without Z-Move, that's strong!).

And also including a mention to:

(cyanize)

Reason

That works just like Yanmega but has to be more careful even without Rocks and has to be careful to don't spend the Z.

And the next Victim of the Week will be:

Tsareena @ Life Orb
Ability: Queenly Majesty
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Knock Off
- High Jump Kick
- Synthesis
Offensive Tsareena has proven to be a threat in the RU metagame since USM where it got Power Whip and Knock Off, it's really strong and annoying to face, what are your checks to Tsareena?

 

[hs]

reserving Dragalge

Dragalge as a counter

Dragalge @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 204 HP / 252 SpA / 52 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power Fire
- Toxic Spikes

Dragalge has a perfect typing, that allows it to resist two of Tsareena's moves, and thanks to Dragonium Z, it doesn't take so much of Knock Off, and back can OHKO with Sludge Wave.


252 Atk Life Orb Tsareena Knock Off vs. 204 HP / 0 Def Dragalge: 95-113 (29.5 - 35%) -- 15.9% chance to 3HKO

252+ SpA Adaptability Dragalge Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tsareena: 380-448 (133.3 - 157.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[KW]

Yanmega @ Choice Specs
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Giga Drain
- Shadow Ball

Yanmega makes Tsareena feel very uncomfortable clicking Power Whip or performing cleric roles, as both these options give it a free switch and virtually nothing in the tier switches into specs yanmgea if the yanmega user predicts correctly. At best Tsareena can cripple it with a knock but this can also be detrimental at times, and Yanmega can switch into knocks repeatedly. Of course, rocks also prevent Yanmega from comfortably checking Tsareena, though a persisent need for removal is generally part in parcel with using Yanmega anyway.

 

[HypnoEmpire]

Kommo-o @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Soundproof / Bulletproof
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Close Combat
- Earthquake / Iron Head

Kommo-o takes a pittance from Knock Off and can tank a couple Power Whips, but High Jump Kick has a high chance to 2HKO. Meanwhile, Kommo-o outspeeds and OHKOes with Devastating Drake or, if it's healthy enough, can set up on Tsareena and use Close Combat, which KOes after a round of Life Orb recoil. Kommo-o is a check.

calcs

252 Atk Life Orb Tsareena Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kommo-o: 36-43 (12.3 - 14.7%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Tsareena Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kommo-o: 99-117 (34 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Tsareena High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kommo-o: 143-169 (49.1 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO

252 Atk Kommo-o Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tsareena: 280-330 (98.2 - 115.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
+1 252 Atk Kommo-o Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tsareena: 264-312 (92.6 - 109.4%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

 

[Chrisloud1]

Durant @ Life Orb / Fightinium Z / Darkinium Z / Choice Band
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- X-Scissor
- Superpower
- Crunch

Durant outspeeds Tsareena, takes nothing from its STAB move, takes a decent amount from Knock Off ( 30-36 if holding a Z-Move, 45-54 otherwise) and 1hkos it with X-Scissor. However, HJK 2hkos Durant making it a check.

 

[zizalith]

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off

this is pretty straightforward, croak resists all of tsareenas moves and can set up in its face if it gets a free switch in and ohko with drain punch after rocks damage. alternatively, you can just switch in, outspeed and ohko tsar with gunk shot, but having to rely on its less than perfect accuracy makes it a shaky counter at best.

252 Atk Life Orb Tsareena Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 170-200 (55.3 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tsareena: 281-331 (98.5 - 116.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tsareena: 447-530 (156.8 - 185.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Helias]

not entirely sure I'd call croak a counter when it takes min 55% from power whip and relies on an inaccurate move to kill

anyway here's moltres

Moltres @ Life Orb / Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Hurricane
- Hidden Power Grass
- Roost / U-Turn

probably the most obvious counter to tsareena, as it resists its two strongest moves, outspeeds it, and KOs back with either of its stabs. doesn't like getting knocked off but what doesn't, and ultimately moltres doesn't need an item to outspeed or KO tsareena and can just roost off the damage if you take that

 

[Hot N Cold]

as counter,

Vileplume @ Black Sludge
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Strength Sap
- Synthesis

Vileplume tanks their STAB, resist HJK and takes few damage from Knock Off. Sludge Bomb kills Tsareena after Stealth Rock and life orb recoil damage.

252 Atk Life Orb Tsareena Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 104-123 (29.4 - 34.8%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO after Black Sludge recovery

8 SpA Vileplume Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tsareena: 218-258 (76.4 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Natan]

Since we haven't updated in a while, I'll have you guys to know we're just taking a break due to Xmas, we're probably coming back on January 7th when all this thing of Christmas and New Year is over, I'm currently in a small city here in south of Brazil (I'm from the city of São Paulo if you didn't know, I'm in another state rn), my internet is not great and I'm having some connection issues, I'll be back soon and I'll also be away during New Year, which is why it is gonna take so long, anyway I Hope you don't mind that and have a great Christmas and New Year, just telling you what's happening and why that's "dead", cya!

Tl;dr: I'm kinda busy cuz Xmas and New Year and we'll probably be back on January 7th, merry xmas and a happy new Year!

 

[Natan]

Oops sorry for taking longer than I said I would, I was busy preparing stuff for the Portuguese Premier League, anyway now it's finally back!
Counters:

Helias (Moltres)

Reason

Pretty straightforward, takes any move even with Rocks and can Roost of the damage, any STAB move will ko.

JonathanXtreme (Dragalge)

Reason

Can switch into any move sometimes and KO with STAB Sludge Wave.

Hot N Cold (Vileplume)

Reason

Unranked but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ we had nothing better. Anyway switches into Tsareena and heal off, does a great job at checking it.

Checks:

King Wynaut (Yanmega)

Reason

Can take any hits and more often without Rocks, KOes with Bug Buzz without Specs

Chrisloud1 (Durant)

Reason

Takes 1 HJK and KOes with Z/X-Scissor

tyrantytar (Toxicroak)

Reason

Same as Durant but has to rely on 80% (not even a Z) and is 2HKOed by the most spammable move Tsareena has

And just a mention for:

HypnoEmpire (Kommo-o)

Reason

Takes 1 HJK and KOes with Z or with CC after recoil, pretty straightforward but thanks to me being slow it's already UU

And the next Victim of the Week will be:

Swords Dance Feraligatr
Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Liquidation
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower

It's been a while since DD Gatr was made, now not only Gatr is the best mon in the tier but also the SD set became much better, this set gives it almost perfect coverage to beat almost any Pokemon in the tier, how YOU check this monster?

 

[hs]

reserving Dragalge

 

[Helias]

Vileplume @ Black Sludge
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Strength Sap

strength sap is nutty and makes vileplume unironically a good mon and a counter to gatr. you live any hit at +2 and deal a ton + heal a ton with giga drain or you can click strength sap to give gatr a -1 and fully heal yourself.

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Feraligatr Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 178-211 (50.2 - 59.6%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Feraligatr Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 129-151 (36.4 - 42.6%) -- 96.3% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Feraligatr Aqua Jet vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 65-77 (18.3 - 21.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Vileplume Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Feraligatr: 204-242 (65.5 - 77.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[sol]

reserving PYUKUMUKUUU