Victim Of The Week [VoTW #27 - Zygarde / Zygarde-Complete]

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Submissions are now closed! There are to be no edits of your own Pokemon, nor are there to be any new submissions. A few quick things to note;
  • Voting will close on the 4/3 at 12:30pm GMT+11 (8:30pm EST 3/3), where the next Vitim Of The Week will also be announced
  • You can't vote for your own submission
  • You can only change your vote once, so think carefully before doing so
  • You can vote even if you haven't made a submission. It is expected that you vote if you did submit yourself, but not compulsory
Quick comment I'd like to make about this week, is that none of the submissions can truly counter Excadrill, which I find extremely interesting. Every submissions does a great job in its own way, but can also be completely destroyed if Excadrill is running the right set. Interesting to see how this week goes. Happy voting!

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

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
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
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.

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)))

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.

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).
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

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
 
I'm voting for 3heartschall's Landorus-Therian. Of all of the submissions Lando-T really caught my eye because it is not a defensive check to Excadrill. Looking at all of the submissions most of them are defensive counters, which, looking back on trying to find an Excadrill check was somewhat overlooked. Because Drifblim and Oricorio-Sensu are the only Pokemon immune to both 1hko moves defensive checks are not going to be the soundest because their bulk can be circumvented (I still <3 Gourgeist as a counter) against Excadrill, and obviously Drifblim and Oricorio are not the bulkiest things ever and die to rock moves.
 
Voting cant say's whimscott. First it seems only a counter to exca. But looking beyond this can fit at any stall team, avoiding any setup that could wall/stall break it. I like it and gonna use on my BSS stall team.
 

Thick Fat Azumarill

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Voting for I don't care's Celesteela.

Celesteela only really cares about Horn Drill, resisting or being immune to Excadrill's STABs and doesn't mind much about Rock Slide. It's really safe and a good defensive mon overall to have in a team.
 
PPB's Mega-Slowbro.

I checked about Mega-Slowbro too, but since Scald does not do a sure OHKO, I prefered going for Celesteela.
But I didn't imagine that just with 20 evs and Surf it can reach the OHKO.

This round sure is interesting. All these Pokémon have the same chance against Excadrill.
 
3heartschall

Landorus is a great teambuilding resource who also threatens an immediate OHKO on Excadrill which minimizes his chances of being bullshitted with horn drill, otherwise I'd say Celesteela is the better option. There are no true counters to Excadrill so at this point it becomes a matter of risk minimization.
 
3heartschall

If it were just scarf i dont think i would've voted it but the helmet set is solid. EQ immunity, helmet, intimidate gives it solid bulk vs exca and it sports STAB eq to hit it super effectively. very solid counter that also works well vs ttar. and i think horn drill is not consistent enough to worry about, and sand rush without horn drill is the most threatening exca rn IMO anyway, so yeah lando is good
 

cant say

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even though I posted this:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battlespotsingles-399488286

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
I still think Lando-T is really good. 3heartschall kinda cheated by sneakily nominating every Lando-T set there is (which shouldn't be allowed because I would have nommed whatever set he didn't lol) but Lando-T is great against Exca no matter which set you choose. The only thing I don't like is that Lando-T kinda struggles against Excadrill's main core: Tyranitar + Mega Salamence. Scarf Lando can leave itself locked into a move that can allow any of the core a free switch and setup opportunity (EQ and Superpower let Mence come in, and Stone Edge let's Excadrill come in). Defensive Lando is cool but does worse against Ttar who carry Ice Beam (ie: all of them). So yeah Lando is fantastic but certainly isn't an autopilot-type Pokemon.
 
even though I posted this:I still think Lando-T is really good. 3heartschall kinda cheated by sneakily nominating every Lando-T set there is (which shouldn't be allowed because I would have nommed whatever set he didn't lol) but Lando-T is great against Exca no matter which set you choose. The only thing I don't like is that Lando-T kinda struggles against Excadrill's main core: Tyranitar + Mega Salamence. Scarf Lando can leave itself locked into a move that can allow any of the core a free switch and setup opportunity (EQ and Superpower let Mence come in, and Stone Edge let's Excadrill come in). Defensive Lando is cool but does worse against Ttar who carry Ice Beam (ie: all of them). So yeah Lando is fantastic but certainly isn't an autopilot-type Pokemon.
Going to make this into a rule. Will make a proper, more formal and detailed comment at the end of this VoTW addition explaining the new rule in depth
 
I don't understand.
For the next round you wanna us finding a pokemon which checks and counters not only the victim but even the most used teammates?

Like the Break that Core thread?
 
I'll vote for I don't care and Celesteela, because unlike Gourgeist and (offensive) Landorus, it doesn't get bodied by SD Corkscrew Crash. Celesteela also checks so many other pokemon, including every victim of the week so far, especially with flamethrower over the suggested earthquake.
 
3heartschall. Almost every variety of Landorus is tough for Excadrill to deal with ... it's a faster scarfer, and defensive variants have enough bulk enough not to mind being slower. Even if a weakened Landorus dies on the switch in, Intimidate is crippling. Landorus is versatile enough to find a useful role on most teams.
 
Voting for I dont care's Celesteela.

Celesteela works well against Excadrill, since it either resists or is immune to its STABs (and its really bulky). Granted, it still has to worry about Horn Drill, but so do most of the other entries, barring Skarmory and Gourgeist, which aren't as viable as Celesteela. It can also counter a good deal of the metagame, especially all those Tapus running amok.
 
Actually going to vote for PP8 this week. Mega slowbro is just so damn bulky, able to be either a defensive pivot or lone trick room attacker. Trick room for me is the icing on the cake, completely bodying Sand Rush Excadrill since you can easily take the hit, set up trick room, OHKO in return, and proceed to smack whatever comes in. Of course Horn Drill is an issue, but that goes for every mon here as well.
 

Joint Cena

I swear I'm nice!
Voting for I dont Care

Celesteela is proabably one of the best things that could take Exca's hits and deal massive damage back to Exca with Eq while still keeping defensive pressure.
Just gotta watch out for +2 Rock slide flinch or Horn Drill.
 
Congratulations to both I dont care and 3heartschall for winning VoTW 5 (Excadrill) with the submissions of Celesteela and Landorus-Therian! Both posts will be logged into the Archive.

Victim Of The Week #6 - Volcarona



I can't explain how much this thing BUGS me.... hehehehehe. Volcarona Is undoubtably one of the most threatening setup sweepers, able to clean up with ease late game, especially with the introduction of Z Moves which allow Volcarona to break bulkier threats. Whilst a fairly black and white mon, it'll have you seeing black in no time. It uses quiver dance, it attacks, it wins (unless you're some kind of RNG god that can simply dodge fire blast all the time). Both STAB options give sufficient coverage which can be patched quite well by one of three coverage options, which is usually Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Ground / Giga Drain. So, how do you deal with Volcarona?

Submissions are open and will close in four days from now. Best of luck everyone!
 
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Alolan-Muk @Assault vest
Nature: Sassy
Ability: Poison touch
252 HP / 4 atk / 252 SpD
- Rock tomb / Rock slide
- Knock off
- Poison jab
- Fire blast / Clear smog / Shadow sneak

Volcarona is one of the most threating fire type on meta. After 1QD it can sweep an entire team. The acess to a wide movepool allows it to use many Z moves like my favorite, Z-hurricane.

Because of this I decided to post a tank capable of taking even a 2+ volc, Assault vest Alolan-Muk. The EV spread can take almost any special attack coming from volcarona (even a 2+ fire blast modest nature)

+2 252+ SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 102-121 (48.1 - 57%) -- 90.2% chance to 2HKO

Rock type moves are obligatory. With only 4 attack investment, A-muk can do massive damage on volc to a 0 Def/4 HP volc with Rock tomb, while Rock slide OHKO it.

4 Atk Muk-Alola Rock Tomb vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 136-164 (84.4 - 101.8%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

4 Atk Muk-Alola Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 168-200 (104.3 - 124.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Knock off can be used to fight against P2 or other defensive mons. Poison jab with the poison touch ability has great chance to poison the opponent. The last move act as a filler. Fire blast allows to take opponent ferrothorns and skarmory. Clear smog can be used to stop Evo-Chain-Boost or other setupers like cloyster. Shadow sneak allows to beat sash volc if you are using Rock Tomb.

However, this set has problems. Volc can use WoW + roost, a set which I've seen at PS and few jp players. That will anti-counter A-muk, which is terrible. The good thing, its not a soo common set. Wow isn't at the most used moves by volc at PGL usage stats.

Edit: grammar and image.
 
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Dragonite @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fly
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch / Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance

Volcarona gained some new toys in this generation including grassium solar beam which means a lot of the bulky waters that we used to look towards for checks may no longer work reliably. However being able to run that comes at a cost, Volcarona usually carries both of its STABs as well as quiver dance on most sets which leaves it room for one coverage option which is generally HP ground, HP ice, or giga drain/solar beam. Some of the traditional checks like bulky dragons still work fine though, with a few updates to reflect new item choices and a meta where Outrage is essentially suicide.

Obviously Dragonite does not like HP ice, but ground is the more common coverage. Volcarona players have to choose whether they get walled by Dragonite or Heatran with that slot, and since ground is considered the more standard choice, Dragonite is the safer of the two plays. With multiscale, its main advantage over say, Salamence or Altaria here, if you switch in on a quiver dance Volcarona cannot stop you from OHKOing with Z-Fly, even at +2 HP Ice is not enough when multiscale is up. If you're a gambling man you can try to set up in its face but you need to worry about the odd defensive variant burning you as well as the threat of HP Ice. The only way Volcarona beats this set is predicting the switch in with a neutral HP Ice.

Fire Punch is obviously the better all around coverage option due to flying/normal both being resisted by the common steel types, but rock slide gives you a non-Z move that will OHKO Volcarona if you're really that worried about it as well as potential for hax combined with DD.

Extreme Speed is also a niche attacking option here. if Volcarona takes SR damage, it's put into range at about a 40% chance of KOing. Not the ideal play, but it's there if you need it.
 

Dragonite @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fly
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch / Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance

Volcarona gained some new toys in this generation including grassium solar beam which means a lot of the bulky waters that we used to look towards for checks may no longer work reliably. However being able to run that comes at a cost, Volcarona usually carries both of its STABs as well as quiver dance on most sets which leaves it room for one coverage option which is generally HP ground, HP ice, or giga drain/solar beam. Some of the traditional checks like bulky dragons still work fine though, with a few updates to reflect new item choices and a meta where Outrage is essentially suicide.

Obviously Dragonite does not like HP ice, but ground is the more common coverage. Volcarona players have to choose whether they get walled by Dragonite or Heatran with that slot, and since ground is considered the more standard choice, Dragonite is the safer of the two plays. With multiscale, its main advantage over say, Salamence or Altaria here, if you switch in on a quiver dance Volcarona cannot stop you from OHKOing with Z-Fly, even at +2 HP Ice is not enough when multiscale is up. If you're a gambling man you can try to set up in its face but you need to worry about the odd defensive variant burning you as well as the threat of HP Ice. The only way Volcarona beats this set is predicting the switch in with a neutral HP Ice.

Fire Punch is obviously the better all around coverage option due to flying/normal both being resisted by the common steel types, but rock slide gives you a non-Z move that will OHKO Volcarona if you're really that worried about it as well as potential for hax combined with DD.

Extreme Speed is also a niche attacking option here. if Volcarona takes SR damage, it's put into range at about a 40% chance of KOing. Not the ideal play, but it's there if you need it.
Love this thing. Something worth noting is that z solar beam is rarely even used on Volcarona, given that z fire blast and z bug buzz are much more popular. Giga drain is much better and always limited which bulky waters were actually a check
 

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Nihilego @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Power Gem
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire

Nihilego is an interesting check to Volcarona. Its unique typing and nice HP and Special Defense allows it to come in safely on +1 Volc, aside from the deadly HP Ground(which is not uncommon, bear in mind), outspeed it and KO it through the +1 SpD boost unless it's running a crazy amount of bulk.

Nihilego also has a good matchup against popular threats such as both Charizards, Thundurus and the four Tapus.

Timid Volcarona
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 57-68 (30.8 - 36.7%) -- 68.2% chance to 3HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 96-114 (51.8 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 47-56 (25.4 - 30.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 53-63 (28.6 - 34%) -- 1.4% chance to 3HKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 168-200 (90.8 - 108.1%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+1 252 SpA Volcarona Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 64-76 (34.5 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO


Modest Volcarona
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 63-75 (34 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 105-125 (56.7 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 51-61 (27.5 - 32.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 58-69 (31.3 - 37.2%) -- 83.7% chance to 3HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 184-220 (99.4 - 118.9%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 70-83 (37.8 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO


252 SpA Nihilego Power Gem vs. +1 4 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 172-208 (106.8 - 129.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego in Sand: 112-136 (60.5 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego in Sand: 124-148 (67 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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cant say

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Gyarados @ Flynium Z
Ability: Intimidate / Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Earthquake
- Waterfall / Ice Fang

Honestly, any non-mega Gyara set is amazing against Volcarona (and you can just choose to not mega if you are running mega). I was very tempted to post a Toxic + Bounce + Leftovers set for extra style points but I think Z-Bounce is enough style.

Gyara really only cares about +1 Hidden Power Rock but that's used so little it might as well not even exist.

Would post calcs but it's not needed, Gyara OHKOes comfortably and tanks moves from Volc.
 
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