Project UU Next Best Thing Crown Tundra Edition: Week 52: Slowking | Voting Phase

TailGlowVM

Now 100% more demonic
Tailwind Salamence

:ss/salamence:
Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tailwind
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Flamethrower

This set is meant to fix special attacking Salamence's (IMO) biggest problem: its good-but-not-great speed tier, while allowing it to function as just about the tier's fastest viable cleaner in the late game and providing some support to teammates. Thanks to Tailwind doubling its speed, it outruns everything in the tier up to +2 Jolly Haxorus, with only +2 Jolly Scolipede, +2 Nihilego, and the rare +4 Polteageist outpacing it. The attacks are straightforward choices, with a Timid nature chosen to preserve Salamence's decent unboosted speed tier.
 
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Blunder Policy
:ss/salamence:
Salamence @ Blunder Policy
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Fire Blast
- Hydro Pump / Roost

As we all know, Special Mence is notorious for all of its moves having either 90% accuracy or less, resulting in situations where one can possibly lose because that Fire Blast or Hurricane missed. Blunder Policy attempts to remedy this, providing a nifty Speed boost whenever one of Mence’s moves misses, which will happen in the course of a game eventually. The last moveslot is up to preference; Hydro Pump nukes Rhyperior and other unlucky Rock and Fire-types, while Roost gives Salamence some longevity.
 

Salamence @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP | 8 Def | 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Flamethrower
Roost
Toxic
Substitute

This set aims to make Salamence your opponents least favorite pokemon. While you're now infinitely walled by Nihilego and don't do that great vs Keldeo anymore, which invalidates a least a third of the point of a Salamence, you can just 1v1 everything else. It shouldn't matter anyways, because after facing this, several of your opponents will indefinitely quit pokemon and the population density of keldeo per ladder should drastically decrease, furthering the efficiency of this set. SubToxic Mence is a very toxic menace, so feel free to accompany loads of shittalk and banter while you toxic every single one of their non-steel type pokemon. Remember, it's not total victory unless you've physically beaten them and psychologically destroyed them!
 
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Mixed Scarf Salamence

Salamence @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Flamethrower/Hydro Pump
- Outrage
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake


General idea: Salamence as a cleaner with Moxie
The idea is to use efficiently the mixed movepool of Salamence alongside the ability Moxie, perfect in order to snowball.
Outrage is the preferred STAB because it almost illegal alongside Moxie if no Fairy/Steel is on our way.
Dual WingBeat is a nice Flying move, not great due to the tricky 90% accuracy, but it is useful to break Sashes and targets weak to it.
Earthquake + Flamethrower is the ideal combination to get rid of Steels and to have a well-rounded coverage.

A Naive nature is chosen in order to (almost) ensure some the key KO on bulky Scizor that, otherwise, walls us endlessly:
  • 4 SpA Salamence Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Scizor: 340-400 (98.8 - 116.2%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
Keep in mind that the main move is still Outrage and the other ones are there to help the cleaning-machine (=Salamence) to beat the opponent's team.
  • Naive nature is better the Hasty one because it allows Salamence to stomach physical priority moves.
This set is effective because it increase the Spe to a point where you find HO threats that have focused offensive stats (thus including the Spe), but middling bulk.


EVs (spread) and item
With a basic fast offensive spread (physical oriented) + a positive nature, Salamence reaches 328 Spe points, 492 after the Choice Scarf and this is enough to speed tie with Jirachi and Victini with the same spread and nature.
The advantage Salamence has over many HO threats is the bulk even when uninvested.
Choice Scarf is the key item of the set because it enhances the sheer power of Outrage alongside because it allows this pokèmon to hit pokemons otherwise faster than our beloved gen3 dragon.


Team(mates) support
Being weak to SR is unfortunate, but some hazards removal as support is enough; also, keep in mind that Salamence doesn't really have to switch-in & out repeatedly because is a cleaner, so it has to come in under certain circumstances:
1) Middle-to-late game;
2) Opposing team being already weakened (hazards are our friends);
3) Fairies gone for sure (madatory). Steels are maneageble to some extent bar Scizor.
In return, Salamence is a good cleaner and it is almest unstoppable if you fish the first +1 Atk boost with Outrage.
 
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Crit Mence

Salamence @ Scope Lens
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Energy
- Draco Meteor
- Air Cutter / Fire Blast
- Roost / Fire Blast

The set that erases the worst thing about clicking Draco Meteor; the SpA drop. Focus Energy + Scope Lens gives Mence the im-mence crit chance, alongside Draco Meteor. The last 2 moves are a choice between the following:

  • Roost - to provide some sort of longevity;
  • Fire Blast - as it really is Mence's only way of breaking through Steel-types;
  • Air Cutter - a high-crit move to begin with and means you don't have to try and hit a Hurricane.
 

Band

scatters things often
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributor
Submission phase is over! Here are the sets you can vote for:

:xy/salamence:
Mygrein your set wasn't added since you didn't provide a description and Monky25 yours wasn't added since you didn't fill your post.
:life-orb:Hone Claws by Kitten Milk
:heavy-duty-boots: Rollout by TotomonGang
:expert-belt: Rain Dance + Hurricane by Katy
:heavy-duty-boots: Iron Defense by UrAverageHuman
:throat-spray: Hyper Voice by Lolito
:life-orb:Mixed Attacker by BigFatMantis
:life-orb:Mixed DD by HydreigonTheChild
:heavy-duty-boots: Tailwind by TailGlowVM
:blunder-policy: Blunder Policy by iceblazer
:heavy-duty-boots: SubTox by Sickist
:choice-scarf:Mixed Choice Scarf by nameless90
:scope-lens: CritMence by MalMoonsault

You have until April 29th to vote!​
 

Band

scatters things often
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributor
Important announcement
Due to personal reasons, I'll be passing on the project solely to ausma + someone else, and they will take care of it for now on. I hope I can come back to the project asap when I'm in the right mindset. Thank you guys so so so much for the constant support on this project, every week we always get a bunch of submissions, which motivated me a lot and still does. Keep those creative and janky sets coming!


Now that the voting phase has ended, its time to announce our winner! Week 23's winner is Mixed Choice Scarf by nameless90! Congratulations and thank you all for participating! Your submission will be added to the Hall of Fame shortly!
This week's Next Best Thing is...

Week 24: Zarude

:xy/zarude:

MONKI FLIP!!!!! Zarude has been picking up in usage lately, due to its impressive Attack, bulk, and Speed tier. Zarude's typing comes in handy against Pokemon like Tapu Bulu, Slowking, and Krookodile. Even without a Choice Scarf, Zarude is very fast and hits hard with Power Whip, Darkest Lariat, and coverage. However, Zarude lacks Knock Off, is walled by top tier Pokemon like Tangrowth and Salamence, is slower than threats like Keldeo, and is deathly afraid of U-turn. How will you explore Zarude's potential?

Banned Sets
:choice-scarf::heavy-duty-boots:
(click me)

You have until May 6th to submit your set!
 

TailGlowVM

Now 100% more demonic
Terrain Seed Zarude
:ss/zarude:

Zarude @ Grassy Seed / Psychic Seed / Misty Seed
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Power Whip
- Acrobatics
- Jungle Healing

Pairing Bulk Up Zarude with either Tapu Bulu, Indeedee, or Galarian Weezing and giving it the correct terrain seed not only gives it more bulk to help it set up, but also gives it access to full-power Acrobatics, which helps it beat Tangrowth, Amoonguss, Kommo-o, Buzzwole, and Tapu Bulu while providing decently strong neutral coverage on other conventional checks like Togekiss, Cobalion, and Incineroar. The only coverage you miss out on is against some Steel-types, but fortunately UU's most common one is neutral to Flying, which makes the set slightly easier to use.
 
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romanji

eepy
is a Tiering Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnus

Zarude @ Life Orb
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Growth
- Sunny Day
- Solar Blade
- Darkest Lariat

Who needs Torkoal when you have Zarude. It has 2 great moves to abuse the sun, in Growth and Solar Blade, allowing it to be a threatening sweeper with great bulk, attack, and speed
 

KM

slayification
is a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributor
:ss/zarude:
Zarude @ TR71
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fling
- Acrobatics
- Bulk Up
- Power Whip

welcome to the future! a little known interaction with the fling mechanics is that any TR will have the base power of its move matched to the base power of fling. in other words, TR71 (leaf storm) offers you a 130 BP, 100% accurate DARK STAB move with fling! The real selling point of this set is the fact that Flinging your item also activates the Acrobatics boost. With Bulk Up boosts and the consistent stab Power Whip that never misses, you remain a huge threat after you drop the Fling bomb. Here's some calcs to show how strong it can be!

+1 252 Atk TR71 Zarude Fling (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Amoonguss: 280-330 (64.8 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 Atk TR71 Zarude Fling (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Hatterene: 313-370 (98.4 - 116.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
+1 252 Atk TR71 Zarude Fling (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 8 Def Tangrowth: 246-291 (60.8 - 72%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 Atk TR71 Zarude Fling (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 180+ Def Mew: 458-542 (113.3 - 134.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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Bulky Bulk Up Snarling Hearlerpalooza Zarude (tm)

:ss/Zarude:
Zarude @ Leftovers
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Snarl
- Bulk Up
- Jungle Healing
- Power Whip

So you are nearly max SpD, you have Bulk Up to bulk up, Snarl to lower Special Attack, and Jungle Healing to heal, then Power Whip to Whip once you get to +6 or w/e you desire to get to while being virtually unkillable by anything without bug moves (you can still tank non-stab U-Turns like a champ).
 

Mygrein

Banned deucer.
:ss/zarude:
Zarude @ Choice Band
Jolly Nature
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Power Whip
- Acrobatics
- Rock Slide
- Assurance

This is of course the massive penile destroyer. Get rocks and spikes up or just 1 and simply click buttons against the removal or the switch ins to this no one is surviving ongod ongang onsolonor, simply obliterating whatever comes in except like a cobalion but that mon is for losers anyway

252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Assurance vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Amoonguss: 258-304 (59.7 - 70.3%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Assurance vs. 252 HP / 8 Def Tangrowth: 228-268 (56.4 - 66.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Acrobatics (55 BP) vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Buzzwole: 208-248 (49.7 - 59.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock, 3 layers of Spikes, and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Zarude Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Buzzwole: 280-332 (66.9 - 79.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Salamence: 186-220 (56.1 - 66.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 88+ Def Moltres: 420-496 (109.6 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Assurance vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 312-367 (96.8 - 113.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Assurance vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Scizor: 277-327 (89 - 105.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and 3 layers of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Heat: 220-260 (72.6 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zarude Assurance vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 554-654 (137.1 - 161.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 

pokemonisfun

Banned deucer.
Zarude @ Leftovers
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Synthesis
- Bulk Up
- Jungle Healing
- Darkest Lariat

Yes it’s awful to be a Grass type countered by Keldeo and Primarina in this metagame but setting that aside (and you can counter both of them without using another Grass by using AV Glowbro or Tentacruel with Wish support), this set is rather dangerous. Jungle Healing’s PP unlike Heal Bell outlasts any single Toxic user and you can go crazy with boosts, easily crushing typical counters like Salamence without Hurricane and defensive Kommo-o (but you have to not get crit over like at least 6 or 7 turns which is getting close to 50-50).
 

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