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Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 176 SpD / 8 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Due to its even stat distribution, Celesteela is one of the best defensive Pokemon in the tier due to it not being very passive, while also gaining back much of its health back with Leech Seed and Leftovers. Celesteela’s Heavy Slam is actually quite strong due to its weight. Flamethrower hits Grass-types that block Leech Seed and Steel-types like Aegislash. Leech Seed pressures switch-ins like Rotom-H and Thundurus-T. Protect gives Celesteela more Leftovers and Leech Seed recovery and scout the intentions of Choice-locked Pokemon like Keldeo. However, it also gives free switch-in opportunities to Moltres and Volcanion for them to exploit. It also has a crippling Knock Off weakness, as if loses out on its main source of recovery, it can’t check threats like Mamoswine and Nihilego as well. How will you launch this Rocket Ultra Beast to victory? 5 days to submit.
Nihilego @ Black Sludge
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Power Gem
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
Nihilego makes an excellent partner for Celesteela in that it is able to switch into most Fire-types that threaten Celesteela (barring Scarf Darmanitan) as well as Thundurus-Therian and threaten them with a supereffective Power Gem. It can also put pressure on more defensive Pokemon that Celesteela can have trouble beating with Knock Off support and Stealth Rock. In return, Celesteela checks Ground-types like Excadrill that scare Nihilego, and can pressure Steel-types and passive walls like Chansey and Umbreon that Nihilego can't do much damage to.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Flip Turn
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
Swampert provides really nice type synergy with Celesteela. Freely switches into Electric-type moves from things like Rotom-W while Celesteela takes absolutely nothing from Grass-type attacks and can pressure things such as Zarude pretty hard. Swampert can provide a lot of residual damage with Toxic to make Celesteela's Leech Seed and Protect shenanigans even more painful. In return, Celesteela somewhat provides Swampert some extra passive recovery with Leech Seed swapping. Fun combo.
Zarude is a good partner for Celesteela, since it can pressure the bulky Water-types like Slowking, Primarina, and Swampert with its STAB Power Whip, and revenge kills Thundurus-T.
Tapu Bulu @ Life Orb
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Close Combat
- Darkest Lariat / Stone Edge
Tapu Bulu has once again seen more tournament usage in Masters, greatly taking advantage of the decreased usage of Amoonguss. Its Grassy Terrain separates itself from other Grass-types, helping it weaken Earthquake and boost its Horn Leech. Swords Dance sets are great at busting through many of the common defensive Pokemon like Slowking, Swampert, and Chansey. Tapu Bulu also has quite a few key defensive resistances, making it a good check to Zygarde-10%, can also mix and match its coverage well, handling its checks such as Aegislash and Moltres with Darkest Lariat and Stone Edge. However, it does come with shortcomings. It usually creeps in the crowded 220 category, meaning that it can get outsped by other offensive Pokemon like Mamoswine. Moreover if it picks the wrong coverage, it can be relatively easy to wall. How will you you support the Bulu Defense Force. 5 days to submit.
Nidoking @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
Copypasting from my cores post: Nidoking and Swords Dance Tapu Bulu form a nice special-physical offense core that hits everything hard. Nidoking appreciates the added recovery from Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain and its ability to take on Water- and Ground-types, while Tapu Bulu appreciates Nidoking dealing with Poison-, Grass-, and Steel-types. Note that Earth Power does NOT have its base power halved by Grassy Terrain, but Earthquake does, so Nidoking gets to reap the benefit of weaker Earthquakes aimed at it while not weakening its own Ground STAB.