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Project UU Next Best Thing Crown Tundra Edition: Week 52: Slowking | Voting Phase
- Thread starter scorbunnys
- Start date
Now that the voting phase has ended, its time to announce our winner! This week we had a tie between BigFatMantis's Mixed DD set and Monky25's Sub DD set. To break the tie I'll be voting for BigFatMantis's set, as Freeze-Dry makes Kyurem insanely hard to wall, and lets it break past Unaware Quagsire. Congratulations to BigFatMantis for winning week 17 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 18: Skarmory
Skarmory is a defensive behemoth, checking top tier threats such as Scizor and Azumarill very well. Its access to the rare Spikes makes it a very valuable hazard setter, while Body Press and Brave Bird let it not become passive against Pokemon like Lycanroc-D and Tapu Bulu. How will you explore Skarmory's potential?
Banned Set
(click me)
This week's Next Best Thing is...
Skarmory is a defensive behemoth, checking top tier threats such as Scizor and Azumarill very well. Its access to the rare Spikes makes it a very valuable hazard setter, while Body Press and Brave Bird let it not become passive against Pokemon like Lycanroc-D and Tapu Bulu. How will you explore Skarmory's potential?
Banned Set
(click me)
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Skarmory @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Spikes
- Brave Bird/Whirlwind
- Stealth Rock
taunt annoys opposing skarm, amoon, etc. and gets up hazards and stops set up. able to kill itself w sturdy custap bb to prevent defog or be greedy n whirlwind to disrupt since a lot of teams forgo removal anyway.
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Spikes
- Brave Bird/Whirlwind
- Stealth Rock
taunt annoys opposing skarm, amoon, etc. and gets up hazards and stops set up. able to kill itself w sturdy custap bb to prevent defog or be greedy n whirlwind to disrupt since a lot of teams forgo removal anyway.
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Swords Dance Power Herb Sky Attack Weak Armor Sweeper
Skarmory @ Power Herb
Ability: Weak Armor
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sky Attack
- Thief
Swords Dance + Weak Armor give you high octane offensive firepower, as Skarm's modest attack stat set it up to do decent damage, and its bulk could let you set it up twice. Power Herb + Sky Attack after one SD means big big damage that they will not expect. And after your Power Herb is gone just go steal another item with Thief! Maybe you'll nab a Life Orb!
Skarmory @ Power Herb
Ability: Weak Armor
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sky Attack
- Thief
Swords Dance + Weak Armor give you high octane offensive firepower, as Skarm's modest attack stat set it up to do decent damage, and its bulk could let you set it up twice. Power Herb + Sky Attack after one SD means big big damage that they will not expect. And after your Power Herb is gone just go steal another item with Thief! Maybe you'll nab a Life Orb!
Skarmory
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 156 SpD / 100 Spe
Careful Nature
- Thief
- Spikes
- Roost
- Brave Bird
Item less thief is a tech that I saw finch give to me on a rate my team vid ~8 months ago. Their cripples walls such as chansey eviolite, rotom heat's boots, rotom wash's lefties, mence's boots and so on. Many pokemon rely on their item to be useful and by using theif you steal their item making them less useful while giving skarm useful items it can use. Theif can also be used after the item you stole gets knocked off so another pokemon will lose their item. The Sp def investment is so it cannot be exploited by its weak sp def stat and can actually tank hits from pokemon such as aegislash, alakazam, kommo-o, and weak hits such as who easily gets their item stolen afterwards. Brave bird is for it to apply pressure to other pokemon like krook, tang, amoongus and not give them free turns what so ever.
100 speed for is to outspeed bulky sciz which hit 200 speed, this hits 201. Max hp and 156 sp def with a careful nature allow it to tank special hits alongside physical hits to expand its target pool of pokemon to thief safely instead of running away from it.
252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Skarmory: 153-180 (45.8 - 53.8%) -- 43.4% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Krookodile Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 75-88 (22.4 - 26.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 4HKO
(Even with 0 def EV's, due to skarm being itemless, it can infinitely switch into krookidile
0 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Krookodile: 129-153 (38.9 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Kommo-o Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Skarmory: 130-154 (38.9 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking Scald vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Skarmory: 87-103 (26 - 30.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Most of these pokemon you are able to thief their item and be able to cripple them while making yourself having recovery, boots in order to not be forced to roost every sort of chip, or safety goggles to prevent spore/sleep powder from amoongus/tang
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 156 SpD / 100 Spe
Careful Nature
- Thief
- Spikes
- Roost
- Brave Bird
Item less thief is a tech that I saw finch give to me on a rate my team vid ~8 months ago. Their cripples walls such as chansey eviolite, rotom heat's boots, rotom wash's lefties, mence's boots and so on. Many pokemon rely on their item to be useful and by using theif you steal their item making them less useful while giving skarm useful items it can use. Theif can also be used after the item you stole gets knocked off so another pokemon will lose their item. The Sp def investment is so it cannot be exploited by its weak sp def stat and can actually tank hits from pokemon such as aegislash, alakazam, kommo-o, and weak hits such as who easily gets their item stolen afterwards. Brave bird is for it to apply pressure to other pokemon like krook, tang, amoongus and not give them free turns what so ever.
100 speed for is to outspeed bulky sciz which hit 200 speed, this hits 201. Max hp and 156 sp def with a careful nature allow it to tank special hits alongside physical hits to expand its target pool of pokemon to thief safely instead of running away from it.
252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Skarmory: 153-180 (45.8 - 53.8%) -- 43.4% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Krookodile Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 75-88 (22.4 - 26.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 4HKO
(Even with 0 def EV's, due to skarm being itemless, it can infinitely switch into krookidile
0 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Krookodile: 129-153 (38.9 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Kommo-o Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Skarmory: 130-154 (38.9 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking Scald vs. 252 HP / 156+ SpD Skarmory: 87-103 (26 - 30.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Most of these pokemon you are able to thief their item and be able to cripple them while making yourself having recovery, boots in order to not be forced to roost every sort of chip, or safety goggles to prevent spore/sleep powder from amoongus/tang
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe
Impish Nature
- Body Press / Brave Bird
- Toxic
- Taunt
- Roost
Toxic + Taunt allows Skarmory to act as a stallbreaker, Toxicing and Taunting things that it'd usually just either switch out vs or spike on, such as Umbreon, Quagire, or Chansey. Body Press lets you not be useless vs Scizor/Lycanroc-Dusk and other Toxic-immunes, while Brave Bird trades the hit on Lycanroc-Dusk for the ability to hit Nidoqueen and Amoonguss. Finally, the EV spread allows you to outrun Crawdaunt and either taunt or body press/brave bird it.
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This was very difficult but here's what I came up with:
Curse Skarmory
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Brave Bird
- Body Press
- Roost
At the cost of Spikes and Whirlwind, this set makes Skarmory into a win condition. Max HP and SpD is used as Curse boosts Skarmory's already great base Defense, and the speed isn't as useful as a regular set as Curse lowers speed.Brave Bird + Body Press is the best two move coverage Skarmory can get.
Curse Skarmory
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Brave Bird
- Body Press
- Roost
At the cost of Spikes and Whirlwind, this set makes Skarmory into a win condition. Max HP and SpD is used as Curse boosts Skarmory's already great base Defense, and the speed isn't as useful as a regular set as Curse lowers speed.Brave Bird + Body Press is the best two move coverage Skarmory can get.
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Special Skarm
Skarmory @ Wacan Berry / Weakness Policy
Ability: Weak Armour
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe or 80 Def / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Flash Cannon
- Dark Pulse
- Metal Sound
I post this tentatively as I appreciate that special Skarmory is not as good as physical Skarmory (bar the shock your opponent will be feeling), but as it has Metal Sound it at least has some sort of 'boost' move for its attacks. Skarmory's special movepool is rather limited; these really are (pretty much) the 3 attacks it gets; two of them having flinch chances that work great with any Weak Armour boost it gets, 2 STAB and Dark Pulse being the thing that Electric-types don't resist. Icy Wind could be helpful, but its not a powerful move to begin with. The nature is Modest to maximise what SpA Skarmory actually does have, and the item is Wacan Berry (insert other weakness berry if you like) to be able to take an attack well, and give a turn to set-up. You could decide to use something like a Weakness Policy as the item; so the alternative spread has 80 Def allows it to live a hit from Adamant Zeraora. Finally Steel Beam is an option on the set for an all-powerful STAB when you realise that this Skarmory can do no more.
Skarmory @ Wacan Berry / Weakness Policy
Ability: Weak Armour
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe or 80 Def / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Flash Cannon
- Dark Pulse
- Metal Sound
I post this tentatively as I appreciate that special Skarmory is not as good as physical Skarmory (bar the shock your opponent will be feeling), but as it has Metal Sound it at least has some sort of 'boost' move for its attacks. Skarmory's special movepool is rather limited; these really are (pretty much) the 3 attacks it gets; two of them having flinch chances that work great with any Weak Armour boost it gets, 2 STAB and Dark Pulse being the thing that Electric-types don't resist. Icy Wind could be helpful, but its not a powerful move to begin with. The nature is Modest to maximise what SpA Skarmory actually does have, and the item is Wacan Berry (insert other weakness berry if you like) to be able to take an attack well, and give a turn to set-up. You could decide to use something like a Weakness Policy as the item; so the alternative spread has 80 Def allows it to live a hit from Adamant Zeraora. Finally Steel Beam is an option on the set for an all-powerful STAB when you realise that this Skarmory can do no more.
Agility WP Skarmory
Skarmory @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Agility
- Iron Head
- Brave Bird
- Night Slash
Here we have an offensive Skarmory with the combination of Weakness Policy + Agility.
With the combination of Sturdy + WP + Agility you have a nice physical cleaner; keep in mind that Skarmory can withstand some weaker supereffective attacks even without EVs investment on the physical side.
This set lures in some traditional checks and can surprise the opponent even without the ctivation of the WP.
With this EVs spread, Skarmory reaches 262 Spe, enough to outspeed some traditional checks that you are able to put out of the picture.
Calcs:
Team(mates) support
VoltTurn support is appreciated in order to switch-in Skarmory safely and Wish support is appreciated to recharge some hp lost with Brave Bird.
Skarmory @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Agility
- Iron Head
- Brave Bird
- Night Slash
Here we have an offensive Skarmory with the combination of Weakness Policy + Agility.
With the combination of Sturdy + WP + Agility you have a nice physical cleaner; keep in mind that Skarmory can withstand some weaker supereffective attacks even without EVs investment on the physical side.
This set lures in some traditional checks and can surprise the opponent even without the ctivation of the WP.
With this EVs spread, Skarmory reaches 262 Spe, enough to outspeed some traditional checks that you are able to put out of the picture.
Calcs:
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 308-366 (95.3 - 113.3%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 254-300 (90.3 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 265-313 (105.5 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kommo-o: 236-278 (81 - 95.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Starmie: 162-192 (62 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Venusaur: 332-392 (110.2 - 130.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roserade: 404-476 (154.7 - 182.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Hatterene: 150-176 (47.1 - 55.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mamoswine: 228-270 (63.1 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem: 206-246 (52.6 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Togekiss: 200-236 (53.6 - 63.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 128 Def Sylveon: 224-266 (56.8 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Skarmory X-Scissor vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 238-280 (94.8 - 111.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 254-300 (90.3 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 265-313 (105.5 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kommo-o: 236-278 (81 - 95.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Starmie: 162-192 (62 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Venusaur: 332-392 (110.2 - 130.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roserade: 404-476 (154.7 - 182.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Hatterene: 150-176 (47.1 - 55.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mamoswine: 228-270 (63.1 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem: 206-246 (52.6 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Togekiss: 200-236 (53.6 - 63.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Skarmory Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 128 Def Sylveon: 224-266 (56.8 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Skarmory X-Scissor vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Alakazam: 238-280 (94.8 - 111.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
VoltTurn support is appreciated in order to switch-in Skarmory safely and Wish support is appreciated to recharge some hp lost with Brave Bird.
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then me reserves sub roost drill peck stealth rocks skarm with life orb
Skarmory @ Life Orb
Ability: Weak Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Substitute
- Roost
- Drill Peck
- Stealth Rock
Skarmory @ Life Orb
Ability: Weak Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Substitute
- Roost
- Drill Peck
- Stealth Rock
this set aims to setup stealth rocks but it can also fullfill the role as a sub+roost attacker with drill peck, drill peck is chosen, as recoil due to brave bird in combination with life orb makes it hard for it to maintain healthy.
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Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Torment
- Substitute
- Protect
- Drill Peck / Iron Head / Whirlwind
As a throwback the classic DPP Heatran set, I'm submitting Torment Skarmory. As with the DPP Heatran set, the idea is that many Pokemon don't have multiple moves they can break one of Skarmory's substitutes with, allowing you to stall them out with the combination of Substitute and Protect. The attacking move is basically open to you, but this set wants something with a lot of PP, so my suggestions are Drill Peck or Iron Head. If you aren't worried about Taunt and have enough hazard support, Whirlwind is a good option too.
Submission phase is over! Here are the sets you can vote for:
Suicide Lead by avarice
SD Sky Attack by BigFatMantis
Thief by HydreigonTheChild
Stallbreaker by Sickist
Curse Sweeper by TailGlowVM
Special Attacker by MalMoonsault
Agility WP by nameless90
SubRoost by Katy
Torment by Celebiii
You have until March 25th to vote!
Suicide Lead by avarice SD Sky Attack by BigFatMantisThief by HydreigonTheChild
Stallbreaker by Sickist Curse Sweeper by TailGlowVM Special Attacker by MalMoonsault Agility WP by nameless90 SubRoost by Katy Torment by CelebiiiYou have until March 25th to vote!
Curse Sweeper by TailGlowVM
because it allows to underline Skarmory's best trait (its Def) with the advantage of boosting its offensive presence.
This set allows to turn Skarmory into a win condition in some situation; also, it allows us to not invest EVs into Def.
because it allows to underline Skarmory's best trait (its Def) with the advantage of boosting its offensive presence.
This set allows to turn Skarmory into a win condition in some situation; also, it allows us to not invest EVs into Def.
Thief by HydreigonTheChild
Now that the voting phase has ended, its time to announce our winner! We have a tie once again this week between nameless90's Agility WP set, HydreigonTheChild's Thief set, and TailGlowVM's Curse set. To break the tie, I'll be voting for TailGlow's set, since it gives Skarmory not only offensive presence w/ boosted Brave Bird but also defensive and offensive presence with Body Press. Fighting/Flying is also a great offensive combination. 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 19: Zeraora
Zeraora has established itself along with Scizor as a top threat in the UU metagame. With basically unblockable Volt Switches, amazing coverage for checks like Amoonguss and Salamence, access to Bulk Up and a Speed so high it can afford to run Adamant and still outspeed the whole metagame, Zeraora is an incredible Pokemon. How will you explore Zeraora's potential?
Banned Sets
(click me)
You have until March 30th to submit your set!
This week's Next Best Thing is...
Zeraora has established itself along with Scizor as a top threat in the UU metagame. With basically unblockable Volt Switches, amazing coverage for checks like Amoonguss and Salamence, access to Bulk Up and a Speed so high it can afford to run Adamant and still outspeed the whole metagame, Zeraora is an incredible Pokemon. How will you explore Zeraora's potential?
Banned Sets
(click me)
You have until March 30th to submit your set!
Choice Band Zeraora
Zeraora @ Choice Band
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat/Blaze Kick
- Volt Switch/Blaze Kick
General idea: why it is viable
Zeraora has such a good Spe tier that can run an Adamant nature most of the time while still outspeeding the majority of the metagame. Despite the Adamant nature its Atk in not enough to achive some 2HKOs/OHKO, but a Choice Band gives it the final boost needed to achieve these features. His bulk is nice when compared to other fast offensive threats, but still nothing spectacular considering that Zeraora is weak to the common Earthquake.
Being able to OHKO or 2HKO things with little to no support saves a lot of its health, thus granting it some extra staying power.
Also, it is able to force a lot more switches, so is the ideal cleaner with hazards up on the opposing field.
Plasma Fists is the STAB move with a secondary effect that many forgets; Knock Off is here for both utility and coverage. If you look at the calcs below, a Choice Banded Plasma Fists is enough to 2HKO/OHKO with SR support most of the time.
Volt Switch is not boosted by CB, but is too good to simply drop it.
Team(mates) support
SR support is mandatory such as hazards removal on our side of the field (Rapid Spin).
Ther calcs:
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Omastar: 320-378 (113.8 - 134.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Stakataka: 400-472 (122.6 - 144.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tyrantrum: 334-394 (109.5 - 129.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 372-438 (105.9 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cloyster: 232-274 (96.2 - 113.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4+ Def Umbreon: 326-384 (82.7 - 97.4%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 232-274 (53.4 - 63.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Heat: 183-216 (60.3 - 71.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Incineroar: 282-334 (71.7 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 40 Def Rotom-Wash: 176-208 (57.8 - 68.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 514-606 (73 - 86%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chople Berry Krookodile: 156-184 (47.1 - 55.5%) -- 75% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haxorus: 212-250 (72.3 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Prism Armor Necrozma: 234-276 (69.8 - 82.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Doublade: 148-176 (45.9 - 54.6%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Blade: 362-428 (138.6 - 163.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 314-370 (77.7 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 314-370 (77.7 - 91.5%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Golurk: 378-446 (118.4 - 139.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 282-334 (84.4 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Magnezone: 244-288 (86.8 - 102.4%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Amoonguss: 256-302 (59.2 - 69.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 8 Def Tangrowth: 226-266 (55.9 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 244-288 (70.9 - 83.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 220-260 (62.1 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 274-324 (67.8 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Try this set: is good.
Zeraora @ Choice Band
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat/Blaze Kick
- Volt Switch/Blaze Kick
General idea: why it is viable
Zeraora has such a good Spe tier that can run an Adamant nature most of the time while still outspeeding the majority of the metagame. Despite the Adamant nature its Atk in not enough to achive some 2HKOs/OHKO, but a Choice Band gives it the final boost needed to achieve these features. His bulk is nice when compared to other fast offensive threats, but still nothing spectacular considering that Zeraora is weak to the common Earthquake.
Being able to OHKO or 2HKO things with little to no support saves a lot of its health, thus granting it some extra staying power.
Also, it is able to force a lot more switches, so is the ideal cleaner with hazards up on the opposing field.
Plasma Fists is the STAB move with a secondary effect that many forgets; Knock Off is here for both utility and coverage. If you look at the calcs below, a Choice Banded Plasma Fists is enough to 2HKO/OHKO with SR support most of the time.
- If you look at some of this calcs, you'll find that the Choice Band boost is enough to achieve at least 2HKO with or without SR support (i.e. towards Chansey only with the STAB) and this means that the opponent can't switch-in carelessly unless he has a check/hard counter (Palossand with the Berry).
- Some calcs might seem redundant (i.e. Skarmory and Slowking), but they are not. Despite being weak to Plasma Fists, they can be used as emergency check Zeraora to deal chip damage to it before fainting (in particular Regenerator Slowking with Scald). The Choice Band neuters even this situation.
- I think that this set is viable because a neutral Choice Banded Plasma Fists is (often) enough to achieve the KO thanks to the Same Type Attack Bonus (+the Adamant Nature) or achieves a OHKO when supereffective. Most of the time Plasma Fists is the main move to choose especially if SR are up on the opposing side of the field.
- This is why you have to lock Zeraora into a CB Plasma Fists:
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Blade: 280-330 (107.2 - 126.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowking: 404-476 (102.5 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Celesteela: 470-554 (118 - 139.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Primarina: 422-498 (115.9 - 136.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chandelure: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Skarmory: 294-348 (88 - 104.1%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Bisharp: 243-286 (89.6 - 105.5%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Suicune: 342-404 (84.6 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mimikyu: 292-345 (116.3 - 137.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Milotic: 408-480 (103.8 - 122.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Noivern: 292-345 (93.8 - 110.9%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Azelf: 324-382 (111.3 - 131.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyukumuku: 290-344 (92.3 - 109.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
with SR support, Counter is not a problem.
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Durant: 220-259 (85.6 - 100.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Politoed: 420-494 (109.3 - 128.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Porygon-Z: 324-382 (104.1 - 122.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Necrozma: 240-283 (71.6 - 84.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 243-286 (60.1 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal: 138-163 (40.2 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 243-286 (60.1 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Galar: 180-213 (45.6 - 54%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 40 Def Rotom-Wash: 220-259 (72.3 - 85.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 322-379 (45.7 - 53.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haxorus: 132-156 (45 - 53.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Glastrier: 193-228 (47.7 - 56.4%) -- 84.4% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowking: 404-476 (102.5 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Celesteela: 470-554 (118 - 139.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Primarina: 422-498 (115.9 - 136.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chandelure: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Skarmory: 294-348 (88 - 104.1%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Bisharp: 243-286 (89.6 - 105.5%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Suicune: 342-404 (84.6 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mimikyu: 292-345 (116.3 - 137.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Milotic: 408-480 (103.8 - 122.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Noivern: 292-345 (93.8 - 110.9%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Azelf: 324-382 (111.3 - 131.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyukumuku: 290-344 (92.3 - 109.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
with SR support, Counter is not a problem.
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Durant: 220-259 (85.6 - 100.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Politoed: 420-494 (109.3 - 128.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Porygon-Z: 324-382 (104.1 - 122.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Necrozma: 240-283 (71.6 - 84.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 243-286 (60.1 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal: 138-163 (40.2 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 243-286 (60.1 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro-Galar: 180-213 (45.6 - 54%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 40 Def Rotom-Wash: 220-259 (72.3 - 85.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 322-379 (45.7 - 53.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haxorus: 132-156 (45 - 53.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Plasma Fists vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Glastrier: 193-228 (47.7 - 56.4%) -- 84.4% chance to 2HKO
- The loss of HDB is huge, but this Zeraora has a lot of staying power thanks to its Atk prowess, so you don't have to switch-out unless you are facing a counter such as Palossand.
Volt Switch is not boosted by CB, but is too good to simply drop it.
Team(mates) support
SR support is mandatory such as hazards removal on our side of the field (Rapid Spin).
- Palossand with the Berry must be out of the picture because stops us.
- Burn is a bane for this set, so Heal Bell/Safeguard support is appreciated.
Ther calcs:
- If you are locked into Close Combat expect this:
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Omastar: 320-378 (113.8 - 134.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Stakataka: 400-472 (122.6 - 144.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tyrantrum: 334-394 (109.5 - 129.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zarude: 372-438 (105.9 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cloyster: 232-274 (96.2 - 113.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4+ Def Umbreon: 326-384 (82.7 - 97.4%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 232-274 (53.4 - 63.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Heat: 183-216 (60.3 - 71.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Incineroar: 282-334 (71.7 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 40 Def Rotom-Wash: 176-208 (57.8 - 68.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 514-606 (73 - 86%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chople Berry Krookodile: 156-184 (47.1 - 55.5%) -- 75% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haxorus: 212-250 (72.3 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
- If you are locked into Knock Off expect this:
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Prism Armor Necrozma: 234-276 (69.8 - 82.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Doublade: 148-176 (45.9 - 54.6%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Blade: 362-428 (138.6 - 163.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 314-370 (77.7 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 314-370 (77.7 - 91.5%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Golurk: 378-446 (118.4 - 139.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Xatu: 282-334 (84.4 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
- If you are locked into Blaze Kick expect this:
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Magnezone: 244-288 (86.8 - 102.4%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Amoonguss: 256-302 (59.2 - 69.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 8 Def Tangrowth: 226-266 (55.9 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 244-288 (70.9 - 83.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 220-260 (62.1 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Zeraora Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 274-324 (67.8 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
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