Project USUM OU Victim of the Week [Week 49: Dragon Dance Gyarados]

[Random Passerby]

Voting is now over. I'll count the votes later. Thank you for the activity.

Here are the winners.

Checks: Gengar (Futatsuiwa of Sado ) / Bronzong (N01syBoy )
Counters: AV Magearna (Bill Cipher ) / AV Alolan Muk (Randomnick )
​

The victim for this week is Toxapex.

Toxapex @ Black Sludge / Eject Button / Shed Shell
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic / Toxic Spikes
- Haze

With monstrous bulk of 50/152/142 and a great defensive typing in Water / Poison, Toxapex is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in OU - which makes it easy to fit on Balance and Stall teams. Access to Regenerator and Recover while also being immune to Toxic makes wearing down Toxapex a difficult task. Toxapex also possesses a pseudo-phazing move in Haze, which prevents it from being set-up on because of its passiveness. However, Toxapex doesn't really have much in terms of offensive capabilities so it relies a lot on Scald burns or Toxic / Toxic Spikes to outlast its opponents. The given EV spread here allows Toxapex to live 2 hits from Life Orb Gengar's Shadow Ball after Stealth Rock. The items are fairly standard; Black Sludge for recovery, Shed Shell to escape from Dugtrio while Eject Button is a tech on Stall teams to get Dugtrio in to trap specific threats.

Note:
1) Dugtrio and Bronzong got the same number of votes but I picked Bronzong because Tapu Lele can escape from Dugtrio if it holds a Shed Shell. Bronzong can win against Lele without being item-dependent.

 

[david0895]

Choice Scarf Tapu Lele as a counter

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

Despite it doesn't like entering on Toxic, it can do this, since it's a revenge killer and then shoot a boosted Psychic that land a OHKO.
Obviously, Scald has no much effect on Lele.

calcs

252 SpA Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 252 HP / 92 SpD Toxapex in Psychic Terrain: 306-362 (100.6 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 46-55 (16.3 - 19.5%) -- possible 6HKO

 

[Avant Heim]

Tapu Koko as a Hard Check

Tapu Koko @ Magnet
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
- Hidden Power Ice
- Taunt/Volt Switch

Simple Set,simple Ideia.This set allows Tapu Koko to enter in Toxapex and either kill it or force out it out with a strong Electric Type Stab

It has to be noticied that you can't switch Tapu Koko that many times on Toxapex,because it can:

1:Burn you with a Scald
2:Set up Hazards
3:Toxic You

And we all know very well how much is Toxic/Burn Damage annoying.As i will show in the calcs,Toxapex's scald why do about 20% on Koko,and it can burn,so try not to switch Koko in Toxapex really often,it can Burn/Toxic cripple Koko,reducing it's usifulness on batte

calcs

252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex in Electric Terrain: 312-368 (102.6 - 121%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex in Electric Terrain: 242-288 (79.6 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 67-79 (23.8 - 28.1%) -- 91.2% chance to 4HKO

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

Duggy as a check

Dugtrio @ Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 8 HP / 248 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Substitute
- Reversal
- Stealth Rock / Memento / Pursuit

Dugtrio is able to trap and OHKO Toxapex after Stealth Rocks with Tectonic Rage. While obviously it can't switch in, as it risks the burn from Scald, it can easily be brought in off of a double switch or a U-Turn from the likes of Scizor, and Ash-Greninja prior transforming since Toxapex can check these. Dugtrio is also extremely threatening to Stall, which Toxapex is frequently found on. This set is meant to trap and kill Chansey with Subs+Reversal after switching into one Stealth Rocks. Keep in mind that Shed Shell Toxapex can still switch out though.

248 Atk Dugtrio Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Toxapex: 266-314 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Wob]

reserving megacham

 

[Wob]

Mega Medicham as a check

Medicham-Mega @ Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Ice Punch
- Zen Headbutt

Adamant Mega Medicham is a solid Toxapex check, as with the combination of Fake Out + Zen Headbutt it's able to net the guaranteed OHKO on non-Black Sludge sets from full (if Toxapex is Black Sludge, it needs a bit of chip damage to OHKO it 100% of the time, otherwise it's a roll). If rocks are up it doesn't even need Fake Out and can just OHKO pex straight away. Mega Medicham can also theoretically switch-in on Toxapex and take it out, because Scald is only a 4HKO. I've marked this as a check though, because megacham dislikes risking a Scald burn.

calcs

252+ Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Fake Out vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 45-53 (14.8 - 17.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 266-314 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 266-314 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Medicham-Mega: 60-72 (22.9 - 27.5%) -- 63.1% chance to 4HKO

 

[GnralLao]

Tapu Fini as a Counter (more of a "disrupter" if you ask me, especially against defensive threats like Toxapex)

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 192 Def / 16 SpD / 52 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Nature's Madness
- Moonblast
- Defog

Tapu Fini has everything it needs to completely shut down Toxapex. Firstly, Taunt prevents Toxapex from using any move not named Scald. Secondly, Tapu Fini can freely switch into Toxapex's Scald and Toxic (Spikes) due to Misty Surge and Defog. Finally, Toxapex's Scald is so weak against Tapu Fini (low SpAtk against an opposing bulky Water-type mon) that there's only a 1/16th chance (barring crits) that Tapu Fini's Leftovers won't recover the damage off by itself! If, by any chance, Toxapex is the last mon standing (or too stupid to stay in), Tapu Fini only has to spam Nature's Madness (and Taunt) until Toxapex is in KO range for Moonblast (13.4%). I guess Whirlpool can be used here to completely counter Toxapex, but I've never used it and I don't know the actual set and spread for it (if they're any different).

Not-so-relevant calcs

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 18-22 (5.2 - 6.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever

0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 34-41 (11.1 - 13.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever

lol

 

[Sunchipps]

reserving mega alakazam / normal alakazam

As Check

Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Filler
- Filler
- Substitute / Taunt

Alakazam as well as Mega Alakazam are very good checks to Toxapex. Before Mega, Alakazam can uses it Magic Guard to not be hurt by Toxic/Toxic Spikes and can take Scalds from Toxapex. When using Substitute, it can avoid Toxic if its not using Toxic Spikes and when using Taunt, it forces Toxapex to only use Scald, forcing it to switch. When Mega Evolving, it gains a Special Attack boost and can hurt Toxapex as well as gaining the ability Trace as it traces Toxapex's Ability Regenerator.

Calcs

252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 260-308 (85.5 - 101.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 216-254 (71 - 83.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam-Mega: 51-60 (20.3 - 23.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

 

[nameless90]

Check: Nidoking

Nidoking @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Flamethrower

252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 265-312 (87.1 - 102.6%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoking: 134-158 (44.2 - 52.1%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO

Nidoking doesn't fear Toxic and absorbs Toxic Spikes, fearing only Scald's burns.
With little prior damage, which is very easy to achieve because Toxapex is very passive and slow, you can even OHKO this bulky Water.

 

[daunt vs]

Magnezone Specs as a Counter:

Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 132 HP / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Fire
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
Immunity to Toxic ,and taking a little to Scald made magnezone one of the best Counters.
It can gais momentum with Volt Switch or OHKO with ThunderBolt
Defensive Calcs
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 128 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 58-69 (18.5 - 22%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock
Ofensives Calcs
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 338-402 (111.1 - 132.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 266-314 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
Even Max SpDef is OHKO with rocks
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 272-324 (89.4 - 106.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Askov]

Latios as a counter

Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock / Psychic
- Recover / Defog
- Hidden Power Fire / Defog

Latios can easily switch in on Scalds and can use Defog to get rid of Toxic Spikes that Toxapex can put on the field, it also doesn't mind being burned by scalds burns although getting Toxic'ed could be annoying. Psychic is the superior option for the purpose of defeating Toxapex, because Latios can KO it after rocks using Psychic (Without rocks it has 31,3% chance to knock out Toxapex from full) , while Psyshock never gets a 1HKO even after rocks, although Psyshock has the benefit of hitting Chansey and others walls weaker on the physical side that may be paired with Toxapex.

calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psychic vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 268-320 (88.1 - 105.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psychic vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 268-320 (88.1 - 105.2%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 190-226 (62.5 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

 

[Psychobuzz]

Haven't posted here before (if not a while ago) so I hope I'm doing this correctly.

Starmie as a Check.

Starmie @ Life Orb / Psychium Z
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt / Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Rapid Spin

This is a check I've been using to take on Toxapex since Day 1 of SM OU. Rapid Spin is to remove Toxic Spikes. Psychic and Thunderbolt are to hit Tox for super-effective damage. Natural Cure is a handy ability, curing Toxic poison when switching out. Shattered Psyche is an OHKO, giving Tox no chance to utilise Regenerator unless it packs Baneful Bunker, which Starmie can still play around if the player predicts well.

Here're the calcs:
252 SpA Starmie Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex: 344-408 (113.1 - 134.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Starmie Psychic vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex: 180-212 (59.2 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Starmie: 30-36 (11.4 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO
0 SpA Toxapex Venoshock (130 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Starmie: 97-115 (37.1 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after toxic damage

 

[Jucherz]

Hoopa-Unbound @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magician
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt

Choice Specs Hoopa-U as a counter. Hoopa-U takes pathetic damage from Scald, so it is able to switch in safely. Possible burns aren't a big problem since this Hoopa-U set is special and not physical. Dark Pulse 2HKOs Toxapex and Psyshock OHKOs after Rocks.

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 42-51 (13.9 - 16.9%) -- possible 6HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 169-199 (55.5 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 266-314 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 266-314 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Natan]

SubSeed Serperior as a check

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

Serperior can't switch in safely in Toxapex since Toxic will cripple Serperior, but once Serperior came in safely, it can get a Subs in front of Toxapex and then Toxa won't be able to do anything, Serperior's Substitute will take 3 Scalds and it can just Leech Seed or start getting Leaf Storm boosts in the incoming Pokémon, since Toxapex shouldn't stay in front of Serperior.

Calcs

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 27-33 (8.8 - 10.8%) -- possibly the worst move ever
200 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 99-117 (32.5 - 38.4%) -- 2% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+2 200 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 196-232 (64.4 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

 

[nameless90]

[...]
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 27-33 (8.8 - 10.8%) -- possibly the worst move ever
200 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex: 102-121 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- 24.1% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+2 200 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Toxapex: 204-240 (67.1 - 78.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

You are using the wrong spread on Toxapex: the EVs on SpD are 64 (and not 24) in order to survive from 2 Gengar's Shadow Ball + Rocks.
This means that your Serperior hits softer.

P.S. Subseed Serperior with Taunt is still legit to blank 3 moveslot at once, forcing Toxapex to use Scald to break the Substitutes.

 

[vso]

Check
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability : Pressure
EVs: 16 Spe/252 HP/240 Def
Bold Nature
-Discharge
-Hidden Power Ice
-Roost
-Defog / Heat Wave
Zapdos is capable of taking pretty much anything Toxapex throws at it, can Defog Toxic Spikes and can click Discharge and fish for a paralysis when Toxapex is forced to spam scalds if it wants to stay in. 3 Attacks is the better set, with Heat Wave to hit Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, however, Defog helps with Toxic Spikes. Toxic does annoy Zapdos if Toxapex is spamming recover, but more times than not Zapdos is going to force Toxapex out with paralysis, and even if it doesn't it can switch out and switch back in. It also PPstalls Scald in the long run, and ppstalls Toxic Spikes with pressure.

 

[Martin]

Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast / Incinerate

NP Thundurus sets up on Toxapex by forcing it out with the threat of Thunderbolt, which OHKOs PhysDef variants after SR, almost always OHKOs the listed variant after SR, and 2HKOs more specially defensive variants. Furthermore, it proves itself a threat to a number of common partners to Toxapex like Ferrothorn, Scizor etc. with its defensive typing and access to Focus Blast and Incinerate, whereas HP Flying variants (which I've not listed above) are capable of shutting down cores like Tangrowth+Toxapex with a high level of efficiency. Focus Blast hits Heatran and Ferrothorn for heavy damage as well as being the sets's only way 2HKOing Chansey after a boost, whereas Incinerate sacrifices a few matchups so as to guarantee a 100% accurate hit on Ferrothorn.

 

[Spore Values]

Most overpowered frog in world can deal with Toxapex considering his op-ness

Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Extrasensory
- Gunk Shot
- Ice Beam
- Spikes

Extrasensory does billion damage to Toxapex. Scald won't hurt too badly if Toxapex tries to spray Greninja with water.

Stands out over other checks (i.e. Latios) because Greninja is good in current meta (unlike aforementioned blue screamer), and is able to handle practically any answer opponent tosses. Is S rank for reason (don't know what S means).

Picture is crap, and don't have calcs. May update pic later if time allows (just made a sketch).

 

[Leo]

Reserving Ash Ninja as a counter

 

[M BLADE]

SD Toxicroak as a counter

Toxicroak @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
Evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly/Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake / Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch / Ice Punch

Toxicroak completely counters Toxapex, being immune to both Toxic and Scald. If you come in after Toxic Spikes has been laid down, it will absorb it. Basically you can do anything you want to because Toxapex is unable to even scratch Toxicroak.
Swords Dance is mandatory since Croak isn't that strong. Gunk Shot is mandatory: it hits fairies hard while being the strongest attack it can offer. EQ is the attack that hits Toxapex for SE damage, so you can keep clicking SD and EQ everytime; all it can do is Haze to get rid of your boosts:

+2 252 Atk Toxicroak Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 210-248 (69 - 81.5%)

Drain Punch is the other STAB move; hits slightly harder than EQ and heals you which is quite nice.

Sucker Punch lets you hit faster mons as well as a way to avoid Dugtrio from easily dispose of Croak, as well as hitting faster Psychic mons for SE damage. Ice Punch hits Landorus who otherwise walls you completely and offers the most coverage.

 

[matthewc20090]

Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Recover

reuniclus is fat so it can take scalds. magic guard is nice cause u avoid burn/toxic damage, meaning pex can't touch you at all. 44 speed allows reuniclus to outspeed toxapex and calm mind up on it without getting hazed.

 

[Random Passerby]

Alright, time for submission is up. Thanks for the ideas. Now is the time to cast your vote. You may vote for 2 checks and 2 counters. Do not vote for your own set. Voting ends on Friday night.

Checks:
Tapu Koko
Dugtrio
Mega Medicham
Mega Alakazam
Nidoking
Starmie
Hoopa-U
Serperior
Zapdos
Thundurus
Greninja

Counters:
Tapu Lele
Tapu Fini
Magnezone
Latios
Toxicroak
Reuniclus

 

[Futatsuiwa of Sado]

Checks: Tapu Koko, Mega Zam
Counters: Reuniclus, Latios

 

[Empo]

Tapu Koko, Kazam
Toxicroak, Tapu Lele

 

[GMars]

Checks: Hoopa-U, Dugtrio
Counters: Reuniclus, Toxicroak