Gonna vote for Solerme as I've also used A-Muk as an answer to Tapu-Lele and it is surprisingly reliable. However, wanna say what a weird feeling it was to read through all these nominations and realize that Tapu Lele could definitely pluck a hole in all of them under the right circunstances and with the right sets.
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Congrats to the winners of the 2023 Smog Awards!
Victim Of The Week [VoTW #27 - Zygarde / Zygarde-Complete]
- Thread starter dogknees
- Start date
- Status
Congratulations to Jhon for winning VoTW 4 (Tapu Lele) with your submission of Bronzong! Your post will be logged into the Archive.
Victim Of The Week #5 - Excadrill
Excadrill burrows its way in as our next victim. There isn't all too much to say about Excadrill to be honest. A Fairly black and white Pokemon, but an amazing one at that. Although not quite as prevalent in the SM metagame as of current, Excadrill holds an amazing new niche with the introduction of Z Moves, making its potential when coupled with a sand stream partner such as Hippowdon / Tyranitar extremely threatening. Choice Scarf isn't off the plate either, making Excadrill a fantastic revenge killer against faster threats. So, how do you deal with Excadrill?
Submissions are open and will close in four days from now (with any luck, at the usual time). Best of luck everyone!
Submissions are open and will close in four days from now (with any luck, at the usual time). Best of luck everyone!
Pelipper @ Rocky Helmet / Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Ice Beam / U-Turn / Toxic / Tailwind (Whatever the fuck you want really)
The Pelican resists both of Excadrill's STABs and avoids the 2HKO from Rock Slide while being physically defensive (Rock Slide flinches are always a thing though, which can make Peli a shaky check at times). The advantage of using Pelipper as a check to Excadrill over any bulky water type is that it has the ability to manipulate the weather with Drizzle and completely stop Sand Rush Excadrill from sweeping entire teams, allowing for a team member faster than Excadrill to revenge kill it. It's also fairly good against pokemon like Garchomp and Blaziken as well.
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 70-84 (41.9 - 50.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Continental Crush (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 130-154 (77.8 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 140-166 (83.8 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 SpA Pelipper Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Excadrill in Rain: 188-224 (101 - 120.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Continental Crush (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 130-154 (77.8 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 140-166 (83.8 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 SpA Pelipper Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Excadrill in Rain: 188-224 (101 - 120.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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I'm more worried about rock slide flinch rather than 0.4% 2HKO chance
Pelipper @ Rocky Helmet / Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Ice Beam / U-Turn / Toxic / Tailwind (Whatever the fuck you want really)
The Pelican resists both of Excadrill's STABs and avoids the 2HKO from Rock Slide while being physically defensive (still has a 0.4 chance to 2HKO but that will almost never realistically happen). Best part of using Pelipper as a check to Excadrill is that it has the ability to manipulate the weather with Drizzle and completely stop Sand Rush Excadrill from sweeping entire teams. It's also fairly good against pokemon like Garchomp and Blaziken as well.
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 70-84 (41.9 - 50.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Continental Crush (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 130-154 (77.8 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 140-166 (83.8 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 SpA Pelipper Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Excadrill in Rain: 188-224 (101 - 120.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Overlooked Rock Slide's ability to flinch when writing out the post because I rushed it lol
Made an edit
Made an edit
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Rock Tomb / Swords Dance
- Spore
Breloom has a chance to OHKO.
252+ Atk Technician Breloom Mach Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 170-204 (91.3 - 109.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
Excadrill can only 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Breloom: 93-111 (68.3 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
Since Mach Punch is priority even if Breloom rolls a 2HKO it still wins.
Something to consider though, Breloom's sash, and Excadrill's bulky sand setting friends don't get along. (Though Mach Punch handles Tyrannitar nicely as well.)
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 220 Def / 44 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Foul Play
Porygon2 can take on unboosted Excadrill and threatens a Foul Play OHKO if it dares to boost. Even at +2, the only thing it fears is Tectonic Rage.
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 66-79 (34.5 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 55-64 (28.7 - 33.5%) -- Miniscule chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 133-157 (69.6 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 107-126 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 184-217 (96.3 - 113.6%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
0- Atk Porygon2 Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 90-107 (48.6 - 57.8%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO
+2 0- Atk Porygon2 Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 181-213 (97.8 - 115.1%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 55-64 (28.7 - 33.5%) -- Miniscule chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 133-157 (69.6 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 107-126 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 184-217 (96.3 - 113.6%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
0- Atk Porygon2 Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 90-107 (48.6 - 57.8%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO
+2 0- Atk Porygon2 Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 181-213 (97.8 - 115.1%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
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Let's see if a spinblocker can counter Excadrill; One of the most common being Mega-Sableye...
Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
- Foul Play
- Recover
Sableye's part Ghost-typing allows it to block Rapid spin. Prankster Will-O-Wisp ignores drill's Speed under Sand Rush and permanently cripple it unless Misty Terrain is in play. Protect is used to waste Sandstorm turns. Foul Play is used to OHKO any drill that runs Swords Dance. Recover is the obvious choice for recovering earthquake and sand damage.
Here's a calc from Sand Rush Drill to prove ordinary Sableye can switch in and burn it:
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 188-224 (62 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
Here's why running Swords Dance isn't the best idea:
+2 0 Atk Sableye Foul Play vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 483-568 (133.4 - 156.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
- Foul Play
- Recover
Sableye's part Ghost-typing allows it to block Rapid spin. Prankster Will-O-Wisp ignores drill's Speed under Sand Rush and permanently cripple it unless Misty Terrain is in play. Protect is used to waste Sandstorm turns. Foul Play is used to OHKO any drill that runs Swords Dance. Recover is the obvious choice for recovering earthquake and sand damage.
Here's a calc from Sand Rush Drill to prove ordinary Sableye can switch in and burn it:
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 188-224 (62 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
Here's why running Swords Dance isn't the best idea:
+2 0 Atk Sableye Foul Play vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 483-568 (133.4 - 156.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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You should probably have some EVs on that lol
Whoops! I was too busy adding the calcs. Thanks for spotting that.
It's interesting how, according to the github usage, Excadrill is mostly Scarfer. But well, we all know the big threat is the Sand Sweeper.
Here it is, once again, Celesteela.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
___________________
Immunity to Earthquake, resistance to Iron Head and does not care much about Rock Slide if not boosted, or even if Excadrill is boosted, Celesteela can take it.
The poor ulta beast does not end this match without a scratch, but who can against this thing?
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Celesteela: 44-53 (21.5 - 25.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Celesteela: 88-105 (43.1 - 51.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+4 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Celesteela: 133-157 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery Not Enough mah mole
0 Atk Celesteela Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 112-134 (60.5 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
If you are in the right mood you can go for a SeedProtect combo, but be careful 'cause if your opponent catch it he can go for another Swords Dance even if I showed you it's not enough, better don't take much damage.
I didn't count the flinch rate, but well, if we have to count the hax I would have suggested you Guillotine Gliscor. lol
You better win this time, Celesteela.. my aluminum bin is ready to receive you.
Here it is, once again, Celesteela.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
___________________
Immunity to Earthquake, resistance to Iron Head and does not care much about Rock Slide if not boosted, or even if Excadrill is boosted, Celesteela can take it.
The poor ulta beast does not end this match without a scratch, but who can against this thing?
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Celesteela: 44-53 (21.5 - 25.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Celesteela: 88-105 (43.1 - 51.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+4 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Celesteela: 133-157 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery Not Enough mah mole
0 Atk Celesteela Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 112-134 (60.5 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
If you are in the right mood you can go for a SeedProtect combo, but be careful 'cause if your opponent catch it he can go for another Swords Dance even if I showed you it's not enough, better don't take much damage.
I didn't count the flinch rate, but well, if we have to count the hax I would have suggested you Guillotine Gliscor. lol
You better win this time, Celesteela.. my aluminum bin is ready to receive you.
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Landorus-Therian @ Choice scarf/Rocky Helmet/Focus sash/AV
Nature: Jolly/Adamant (even Impish)
-Earthquake
-Rock tomb/Rock slide
-U-turn/Toxic
-Stealth Rock/Superpower
252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP or 252 HP`/ 252 Def / 4 Atk, if Impish nature
Landorus-T is immune to excadrill EQ and also gives intimidate support. It's capable of having offensive presence or even defensive. The latter is capable of OHKO 252 HP/ 0 Def Excadrill with only 4 Atk. Max atk Landorus-T bypasses Max atk Excadrill (the most used at PGL), so a scarf set could easily revenge it or U-turn predicting a switch. Below are some interesting calcs:
4 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 236-278 (108.7 - 128.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T: 25-30 (12.7 - 15.3%) -- possible 7HKO
-1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T: 40-48 (20.4 - 24.4%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
-1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 57-67 (34.5 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 84-100 (50.9 - 60.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 76-91 (46 - 55.1%) -- 66% chance to 2HKO (((u could do the following investment if this worry you: 84 HP / 172 Atk / 252 Spe with adamant nature. 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 84 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 76-91 (43.4 - 52%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO, giving excadrill a little chance to 2OHKO Landorus-T)))
EDIT reason: the previous image was to big.
Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Def / 20 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Iron Defense / Trick Room
- Slack Off
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro (before mega): 78-94 (38.6 - 46.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 236+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 55-66 (27.2 - 32.6%) -- 61.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 236+ Def Slowbro: 78-94 (38.6 - 46.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 236+ Def Slowbro-Mega: 121-142 (59.9 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (Assuming worst case scenario, an Adamant Excadrill that SDs on the switch)
20 SpA Slowbro-Mega Surf vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Excadrill: 186-218 (100 - 117.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Slowbro can switch in on any move Excadrill throws at it and threaten an OHKO with Surf. It also looks hilarious while doing it. Surf is over Scald used here specifically to counter Excadrill, as it needs very little SpA investment (20 EVs) to guarantee a OHKO against Exca with Surf (while it needs significant investment to OHKO Exca with Scald). However, if you aren't worried about Excadrill, Scald is still a great option. Slowbro can set up an Iron Defense to become even more physically bulky or throw up a Trick Room (with Relaxed Nature/ 0 Speed IVs) to support slow Pokemon and end an Excadrill sweep.
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Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 84 HP / 244 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 172 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang / Substitute / Crunch
- Earthquake / Substitute / Crunch
With the combination of its ability Intimidate, the immunity to one of Excadrill's STAB and being resistent to the other one, while always OHKOing in return with its supereffective STAB, Gyarados makes a pretty solid check to Excadrill, threatening the sand setters too.
Offensive Calcs:
244 Atk Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 198-234 (107 - 126.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
244 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 230-272 (124.3 - 147%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Defensive Calcs:
Normal: -1 252+ Atk Excadrill Iron Head vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 30-36 (16.5 - 19.8%) -- possible 6HKO
Normal on Mega: -1 252+ Atk Excadrill Iron Head vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 24-28 (13.2 - 15.4%) -- possible 7HKO
Life Orb: -1 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 39-47 (21.5 - 25.9%) -- 7.3% chance to 4HKO
Life Orb on Mega: -1 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 31-36 (17.1 - 19.8%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
Focus Sash + Sword Dance: +1 252+ Atk Excadrill Iron Head vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 54-63 (29.8 - 34.8%) -- 14.2% chance to 3HKO
Focus Sash + Sword Dance: +1 252+ Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 133-157 (73.4 - 86.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO [obviously if he Sword Dances you'd just take one of this, if you decide to Megaevolve for some reason, like if you fear a +1 Rock Slide that has a chances to OHKO regular Gyarados]
Normal: -1 252+ Atk Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 78-92 (43 - 50.8%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO
Normal: -1 252+ Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 84 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 60-72 (33.1 - 39.7%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
-> Rock Slide + Earthquake won't 2HKO.
The spread allows you to outspeed Jolly breloom at +0 speed and base 130 at +1 (Tapu Koko, Mega Gengar, and such..).
So, in the end, this mon not only will most likely beat Excadrill if it decides to stay in, but you would also have chances to predict a switch and try to boost with DD, or even boost on it too, specially if it's a Scarfed set (its most used one according to PGL).
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http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battlespotsingles-399488286
There are a lot of great checks to Excadrill that I could nominate, however last gen I learned the hard way that if you aren't immune to Horn Drill or at least have a way of avoiding it you aren't a counter to Excadrill, that's why I'm nominating......
Whimsicott @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 204 HP / 252 Def / 52 SpD
Bold Nature
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Encore / Protect / Moonblast
- Cotton Guard / Encore / Moonblast
I wanted to nominate a Ghost like Cofagrigus / Dusclops but all of them are 2HKOed by a combination of Earthquake and Techtonic Rage or two Life Orb-boosted Earthquake, so they can't switch in and win safely (even the Sableye posted above). I thought about an offensive option like Greninja and Pheromosa but they don't straight up beat Excadrill and are more suited to revenging or beating the common Ttar/Exca/Mence core. I chose Whimsicott because with Cotton Guard it should be able to beat every Excadrill 1v1 and has Prankster Subsitute for Horn Drill shenanigans.
Cotton Guard allows Whimsi to tank Iron Heads with ease, and Encore can be used if they try Swords Dancing. Once you get the Leech Seed off you can SubProtect until you win.
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 204 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 126-150 (78.2 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. +3 204 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 50-62 (31 - 38.5%) -- 93.5% chance to 3HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. +6 204 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 32-42 (19.8 - 26%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
There are a lot of great checks to Excadrill that I could nominate, however last gen I learned the hard way that if you aren't immune to Horn Drill or at least have a way of avoiding it you aren't a counter to Excadrill, that's why I'm nominating......
Whimsicott @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 204 HP / 252 Def / 52 SpD
Bold Nature
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Encore / Protect / Moonblast
- Cotton Guard / Encore / Moonblast
I wanted to nominate a Ghost like Cofagrigus / Dusclops but all of them are 2HKOed by a combination of Earthquake and Techtonic Rage or two Life Orb-boosted Earthquake, so they can't switch in and win safely (even the Sableye posted above). I thought about an offensive option like Greninja and Pheromosa but they don't straight up beat Excadrill and are more suited to revenging or beating the common Ttar/Exca/Mence core. I chose Whimsicott because with Cotton Guard it should be able to beat every Excadrill 1v1 and has Prankster Subsitute for Horn Drill shenanigans.
Cotton Guard allows Whimsi to tank Iron Heads with ease, and Encore can be used if they try Swords Dancing. Once you get the Leech Seed off you can SubProtect until you win.
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 204 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 126-150 (78.2 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. +3 204 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 50-62 (31 - 38.5%) -- 93.5% chance to 3HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. +6 204 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 32-42 (19.8 - 26%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
Most Excadrills I know carry Fissure, which is terrible for Porygon2
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 220 Def / 44 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Foul Play
Porygon2 can take on unboosted Excadrill and threatens a Foul Play OHKO if it dares to boost. Even at +2, the only thing it fears is Tectonic Rage.
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 66-79 (34.5 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 55-64 (28.7 - 33.5%) -- Miniscule chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 133-157 (69.6 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 107-126 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 244 HP / 220+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 184-217 (96.3 - 113.6%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
0- Atk Porygon2 Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 90-107 (48.6 - 57.8%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO
+2 0- Atk Porygon2 Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 181-213 (97.8 - 115.1%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
It is terrible for anyone that has not immunity. Lol
Yeah, I know. I had in mind checking the sand sweeper set first. Besides that, Fissure/Horn Drill is terrible for anyone not immune to it.
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Fixed
To be perfectly honest, nothing can counter excadrill. For this, it'd have to be a mon immune to both horn drill and fissure, while also being 3HKO'd by iron head / rock slide. This is a rather unusual scenario, but a possibility nonetheless since a counter has to counter the Pokémon even under the worst case scenario. This leaves us with the OG physically defensive eviolite Haunter. Oh wait, not even this can be a counter because of Excadrill's fkn mold breaker.
I really like this Victim Of The Week. A mon which cannot truly be countered. Because of this, voting is going to be extremely difficult as pretty much everything is beaten by excadrill under the right circumstances. Every mon here has to play a game of 30/70 with Excadril to beat it, which I love. I don't see a clear winner this week, looking forward to see how the voting goes.
I really like this Victim Of The Week. A mon which cannot truly be countered. Because of this, voting is going to be extremely difficult as pretty much everything is beaten by excadrill under the right circumstances. Every mon here has to play a game of 30/70 with Excadril to beat it, which I love. I don't see a clear winner this week, looking forward to see how the voting goes.
Worth noting that from usage stats Fissure is much less common than Horn Drill. Fissure has ~1.6% usage and Horn Drill has ~34.5%.
To some degree it may be considered alright to ignore Fissure as an option. Sure, there's no true counter, but a Ghost will likely have a better all round matchup as a defensive check.
Similar to losing to those 30% options, I don't think Iron Head and Rock Slide flinches can be ignored. I personally don't consider them hax as the chance is too high to be ignored or dismissed. This puts slower defensive options in a very strange posistion, they need to be able to take a few of those hits and not have to worry about the expected rate of flinches at the very least.
To some degree it may be considered alright to ignore Fissure as an option. Sure, there's no true counter, but a Ghost will likely have a better all round matchup as a defensive check.
Similar to losing to those 30% options, I don't think Iron Head and Rock Slide flinches can be ignored. I personally don't consider them hax as the chance is too high to be ignored or dismissed. This puts slower defensive options in a very strange posistion, they need to be able to take a few of those hits and not have to worry about the expected rate of flinches at the very least.
Pyukumuku @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Innards Out
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Lax Nature
- Toxic
- Baton Pass
- Soak
- Recover
Max HP investment makes Pyukumuku hit 162 HP, only 8 short of Excadrill's uninvested HP. Pyukumuku can switch in on an OHKO move and drop Excadrill down to 8 HP with Innards Out, making it easily picked off later with a priority move or other residual damage. If it uses Horn Drill, which is a contact move, the combination of Innards Out and Rocky Helmet will OHKO Excadrill on its own. 0 Def investment so Excadrill can kill at high HP if it opts for Earthquake instead. This does the most Innards Out damage possible. Soak if Excadrill tries to Swords Dance, this will cause it to lose its STAB and force it out. On this predict, you can Baton Pass out to another Pokemon to keep your momentum up, or use Toxic on the switch-in.
just kidding
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Iron Defense
- Stealth Rock / Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind
This is a very solid counter, beating almost every single Excadrill set with the notable exception of Choice Scarf Mold Breaker with Horn Drill (which, to be fair, is very much a viable set). Iron Defense counters out Swords Dance boosts. Alternatively, you can Whirlwind it out. But the cool part of this set is not only does it stop Excadrill, it actually uses it as set-up bait to shift momentum to your side, as you can now set up a Mighty Steel Bird with Iron Defense boosts or get up your rocks or spikes. Roost is reliable recovery which is an advantage over Celesteela, and thanks to being slower than Excadrill it never really has to worry about the side effect of losing its Flying-type. This set is practically impenetrable to Tyranitar as well, which is a nice side effect, as Tyranitar is commonly seen with Excadrill to give it sand.
The Walking Tank (Alakazam) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 240 HP / 220 Def / 12 SpA / 36 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Yep, defensive Mega-Zam can beat Excadrill, managing to defeat the dreaded Sand Rush set (and the others). Just send it in when one of your mons faint and Mega Evolve to Trace Sand Rush. Mega-Zam can then out speed Excadrill under the sand and OHKO it with Focus Blast (assuming it doesn't miss). Even if it misses, you have a second chance to hit. Also, you have the surprise factor, as your opponent probably won't expect Mega-Zam to survive an Earthquake.
12 SpA Mega Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Excadrill: 210-248 (113.5 - 134%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Vs. Sand Rush Sweeper
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 240 HP / 220 Def Mega Alakazam: 133-157 (83.1 - 98.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 240 HP / 220 Def Mega Alakazam: 107-126 (66.8 - 78.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 240 HP / 220 Def Mega Alakazam: 66-79 (41.2 - 49.3%) -- 23% chance to 2HKO after sandstorm damage
Vs. Choice Scarf
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 240 HP / 220 Def Mega Alakazam: 102-121 (63.7 - 75.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 240 HP / 220 Def Mega Alakazam: 82-97 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 240 HP / 220 Def Mega Alakazam: 51-61 (31.8 - 38.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage
Mega-Zam has a few thing to worry about though. The Choice Scarf set can out speed Alakazam and beat it if Iron Head flinches. Additionally, it gets OHKOed by Z-Earthquake and has to watch out for Horn Drill and Fissure.
252+ Atk Excadrill Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 240 HP / 220 Def Mega Alakazam: 184-217 (115 - 135.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Alakazam can also beat other common metagame threats such as defensive Lando-T and Blaziken thanks to the heavy bulk investment.
Gourgeist-Super @ Leftovers
Ability: Frisk
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed / Toxic / Synthesis
So having read the stuff about Excadrill (mainly the 1hko stuff) I think I found a decent answer to this guy in this Sp00ky pumpkin. Gourgeist has the distinct ghost typing, allowing a nifty horn drill immunity, which is fairly useful for a counter to it. Also, Gourgeist has a grass typing to sponge up most attack Excadrill can throw at it. The Ev's give Gourgeist the ability to almost always avoid a 4hko from iron head on scarf excadrill, the most effective move excadrill can use along with the ability to have a bit of breathing room in case of Iron Head flinches. Foul Play is used to 2hko adamant excadrill most of the time with shadow sneak to finish the job in case of running into a jolly one, which only have a 41% chance to 2hko. Will-o-wisp is to cripple any physical attacker that would want to switch into Gourgeist, mainly Tyranitar due to the synergy with Sand Rush Excadrill. The final slot is split between Leech seed, Toxic, and Synthesis because each helps Gourgeist cripple opponents / recover health, but any of them are useful.
Defensive Calcs:
Scarf Excadrill:
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 31-37 (16.1 - 19.2%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 32-38 (16.6 - 19.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 51-60 (26.5 - 31.2%) -- 6.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Sand Rush:
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 40-48 (20.8 - 25%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 66-78 (34.3 - 40.6%) -- 33.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 42-49 (21.8 - 25.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
Offensive Calcs:
Sand Rush: 0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 90-107 (48.6 - 57.8%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO
Scarf: 0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Foul Play vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 92-109 (49.4 - 58.6%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
Versatile Attacker: 0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 84-99 (45.4 - 53.5%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO
- Status