Project UU Matchmaking v4 - Week 29: - Special Salamence! (Submissions!)

[Rae]

thank you UU mods for approving this!
Opening written by me!

UU MATCHMAKING V4

Art made by the magnificent lydian! Thank you again, it's great!

Ciao! (That’s hello in Italian c;) and Welcome to the Underused Matchmaking Project! I’ll be your host, Earl E. Bird and I’m glad to be running the show! I somehow found myself at a loss for words due to the current situation the tier is in...Our Pokémon are at a loss when it comes to relationships! We need to help them! I would like to see all of you do your best to help find our friends their most suitable partners!

Lets get to a more serious overview of the project. Every week, I will give you a Pokémon from the VR Rankings that need a partner, and your job is to find the best partner! You can only submit one, so make sure you find the right one for the job! Please list a specific, viable set for our partner! This way, your submission can really help out people building teams and it gives us a better perspective to judge your submission on!

Submission phase will last for four days, and voting for two days. If you manage to win, give yourself a pat on the back! Your name and post will be linked in the Matchmaking Hall of Fame (that’s a bit of a mouthful huh). At the end of the project’s lifespan, the winner will be crowned the Matchmaking King, a glorious title to hold! Wishing you all the best and happy posting :)

Rules!​

• To submit a partner for our young lovebirds, you must decide who will be best suited for our bachelors/bachelorettes. Give us a 2-3 sentence explanation of why, we want to know why you think this way and it gives you a way to justify your answer!​
• Reservations are allowed, but must be completed within 48 hours of posting! After this time, other participants are allowed to take these cores so be wary!​
• In order to encourage creativity and more originality between submissions, the same Pokemon CANT be used more than once for the same round.​
• Please do not try to manipulate or rally voting. It really ruins the point of the project and we’ll have to ban you from participating in the project if you’re caught, so just don’t do it :)​
• You may not vote for your own core, please vote for someone who you think is deserving!​
• Last but most important: have fun! This is the purpose of the project after all, as well as providing a good resource for teambuilding!​

If you are new to Smogon or don't know how to do all of the fancy things, take a look at the posting guide linked here!

Example Response

(using an example from the RU thread just so we have more mons to use)



Golisopod @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Emergency Exit
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- Aqua Jet
- Spikes
- Knock Off

Golisopod is able to pivot in on fighting-types, as well as Zygarde if it tries to revenge and set up spikes which greatly help Obstagoon with breaking. Obstagoon carrying knockoff help with removing HDBs from the opposing team as well, which helps Golisopod. These form a great core for offensive teams, providing a breaker as well as hazards and priority.

HALL OF FAME:

Week 1 - Thundurus-Therian:
Week 2 - Choice Specs Keldeo:
Week 3 - Choice Band Buzzwole:
Week 4 - Nihilego:
Week 5 - Crawdaunt:
Week 6 - Rotom-Wash:
Week 7 - Rhyperior:
Week 8 - CB Scizor:
Week 9 - Salamence:
Week 10 - Choice Scarf Mienshao:
Week 11 - Mew:
Week 12 - Lycanroc:
Week 13 - Thundurus-Incarnate:
Week 14 - Pelipper:
Week 15 - Nidoking:
Week 16 - Regieleki: No one yet!​

 

[Rae]

WEEK 1: Thundurus-Therian


Thundurus-Therian (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Focus Blast

This Special-attacking savage was just moved up on the VR Rankings, and looks to improve with the removal of Zeraora in less than a week. It has some amazing plusses: An astronomical Special Attack, good coverage and a great speed tier, letting it outspeed the bountiful base 100’s in the tier. Even with all these boons, it struggles to find a perfect partner to dominate the meta with, so that’s your task for the week! Find this handsome young...uh (actually, what animal even is Thundy? Some kind of bird?) Pokémon a partner! You have until 2pm GMT Thursday to submit a Pokémon and a set, as well as an adequate description! Wishing you all the best!
​

 

[Fusion Flare]

Shuckle @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 204 Spe
Serious Nature
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
- Knock Off

Wallbreaking by yourself can get a little lonely, so why not a partner to help you have a little more fun? Webs ensure that any scarfer doesn’t ruin the party, so that Thundurus can keep on grooving!

 

[gglrg]

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Close Combat
- Flash Cannon
- Shadow Sneak

Aegislash can serve as a good partner for thundurus as thundurus hates faster pokemon that can stop it's sweep like lycanroc dusk, nihilego and alakazam. Therefore, I think that Aegislash can help it with this. It also resists ice attacks from things like kyurem and ninetales alola who it can force out (depending on set, kyurem). Thundurus can serve as a switch in to a choice locked krookodiles earthquake and then cause problems for the opposition. Soo win win?

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Scizor @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Technician
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Roost

Scizor takes advantage of most answers to thundurus-t being special walls, frail fast mons, or in general priority attacks. Scizor has the bulk to take accelerocks from lycanroc-dusk, psychic from alakazam, it can set up on AV tang with ease, and it takes full advantage of chansey. Scizor also attracts the attention of likes of skarmory, magnezone, celesteela and rotom, which gives thundurs-t free rain on whatever it wants to do because it is resisting most moves from them or being straight up immune due to volt absorb and a nice ground immunity.

 

[Monky25]

Krookodile @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- Darkest Lariat

Krookodile makes a great partner with Thudy-T for being able to outspeed and remove all the Pokemon that can revenge thundy-t or take a hit. Pokemon like Nihilego, Alakazam, Lycanroc-D, Zydog, who all outspeed thundy drop to Krook while Pokemon who can take Thundy's hits like diance and rotom-h get forced out by krook as well.

 

[Totomon]

Alakazam @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Knock Off

Knock off alakazam and setup Thundy form a terrifying breaking duo with some inmense power, the knock off variant specifically is incredibly synergistic with thundy as both share some shaky defensive checks that they can gang up on and destroy, removing items from the likes of Chansey, AV Tangrowth and Rotom-Heat goes a long way in opening the path up for Thundy to shine and destroy everything that alakazam weakened.
A truly beautiful couple <3

 

[Rae]

Voting time! Thank you for all the Week 1 submissions, I hope this continues to get some traction!

Webs HO Lead Shuckle by Fusion Flare

Mixed Aegislash by 25oof

Bulky SD Scizor by HydreigonTheChild

Choice Scarf Krookodile by Monky25

AoA Alakazam by TotomonGang

You have 48 hours from now to vote!

 

[Monky25]

Scizor

 

[Totomon]

Krookodile

 

[Band]

Scizor

 

[Rae]

Congrats to HydreigonTheChild for winning the first week! Onto Week 2!

Week 2: Specs Keldeo



Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Flip Turn
- Secret Sword
- Air Slash

This fine horse is more than a one-trick pony, but today we're gonna focus on it's Choice Specs set! It's quite powerful without the likes of Slowking and Zeraora (and Alakazam) around, three of it's best known checks and counters. It does still struggle to break through Specially Defensive walls at times and can still be offensively checked, so that's your job! Find this young gentleman a partner! You have until Thursday to get your submissions in, good luck!​

 

[Monky25]

chandelure

Chandelure @ Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Shadow Ball
- Flamethrower
- Sleep Talk

Specs Chandelure is a fantastic partner for Keldeo, as Keldeo can lure in grass types like Amoonguss and Tang for them to be removed while Chandy appreciates Keldeo dealing with faster threats like Nihilego for it. This is a incredibly deadly duo in the meta right now.

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Fire Blast
- Roost

Salamence Rips through any grass types hoping to switch into air slash then pivot out such as tangrowth, tapu bulu, and amoonguss. Using its excellent coverage to tear apart teams that are worn down by keldeo such as mons like primarina, jirachi, celesteela, and hatterene. Keldeo helps salamence by giving it a nice ice resistance, and supports it by breaking through special walls like umbreon, chansey, and rhyperior.

 

[Totomon]

Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Whirlpool
- Rest
- Scald
OH NO ITS THE RAIN! But ye rain is absolutely busted when paired with specs keldeo, together they make the strongest breaker in the entire tier, capable of ohko'ing or 2hko'ing every single mon not named AV tangrowth with such a vicious hydro pump.
Politoed isnt only a rain bot either, thanks to whirlpool, scald and especially toxic, annoying mons for keldeo like bulky rotom-w, tentacruel and the already mentioned AV tangrowth are easily chipped by politoed and they can enter hydro pump range if they are not careful, and certainly they wont be! as the mons that beat keldeo also beat politoed so most of the times those mons that threaten keldeo will directly switch unto us without realizing they've already fallen unto our trap.

 

[SillierCrayon]

*Krookodile Picture*

Krookodile @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Sp. Def
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 Special Attack
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Knock Off
- Roar

Everyone know the basic type matchups, especially competitive players. Looking into Pokemon that go well with Keldeo's two type, I stumbled on Krookodile. With this set you can cover a majority of Keldeo's weaknesses. Even though Alakazam and Kantonian Slowking (not Slowbro) were banned/moved up, Keldeo still has to deal with Mew, Jirachi, and Azelf, especially Azelf who has a higher base speed than Keldeo. Because of Krookodile's typing it can switch into a Electric or Psychic move and take no damage. And with this set it can even swap into a Flying type and use Rock Slide. Plus if necessary it can use Roar to switch out matchups that neither it nor Keldeo could win.

 

[Rae]

Alright, time to vote! Thank you everyone who participated in Week 2!

Bulky Offensive Scizor by Aqua∞Ring

Choice Specs Sleep Talk Chandelure (heat set btw) by Monky25

Rain Setter Politoed by TotomonGang

Special Attacker Salamence by HydreigonTheChild

Bulky Roar Krookodile by SillierCrayon

48 hours to vote! May the best submission win! Next round will hopefully be a bit easier to find a partner.

 

[SillierCrayon]

Alright, time to vote! Thank you everyone who participated in Week 2!

Bulky Offensive Scizor by Aqua∞Ring

Choice Specs Sleep Talk Chandelure (heat set btw) by Monky25

Rain Setter Politoed by TotomonGang

Special Attacker Salamence by HydreigonTheChild

Bulky Roar Krookodile by SillierCrayon

48 hours to vote! May the best submission win! Next round will hopefully be a bit easier to find a partner.

TotomonGang/Politoed

 

[Chicknemacnchez]

Chandelure

 

[Totomon]

Chandelure

 

[Mendeez]

Salamence

 

[scorbunnys]

Chandy owowo

 

[Rae]

Alright! So it looks like the winner of the second week is Monky25! Grats bud, you'll be added to the Hall of Fame shortly! Now for our next bachelor...

Week 3: Choice Band Buzzwole



Buzzwole @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Dual Wingbeat

This mighty trooper will do anything to flex it's rippling muscles, and with the aid of a Choice Band it's able to plough through teams with the correct move selected! However, it struggles to break alone, get in onto the field safely and is squashed by any special-attacking sneeze. That's where you all come in! Help find Buzzwole it's breaking buddy (or defensive friend)! You have until 2pm GMT Thursday to submit a Pokémon and a set, as well as an adequate description! Wishing you all the best!​

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Thundurus (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Focus Blast

Buzzwole has a great weakness to flying types, a mediocre speed stat, and gets checked by pokemon such as moltres, amoonguss, slowbro-g, and helmet tang. Thundurus is a great partner for it since it has a resist to flying, takes advantages of amoonguss, moltres being scared of SE hits, and slowbro-g not having a high sp def to want to take hits. buzzwole also appreciates thundurus' ability to break through those pokemon especially moltres which gives it a hard time via flame body, while thundurus can set up on it while it runs for its life.

 

[The Disco Devil]

Rotom-Heat @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Defog
- Pain Split

Rotom-Heat does a fine job of getting Buzzwole onto the field safely via Volt Switch, and happens to be a pretty effective Moltres/bulky Salamence check to boot. It can also dispatch of bulky Grass-types (or take a Spore) to make Buzzwole's life easier. In return, Buzzwole obliterates Rhyperior, one of Rotom's best answers, and manhandles Chansey.