Project Victim of the Week (Week 1: Pawniard)

[AJB]

approved by Quote Fiend
OP adapted from Shadestep's NU version
*in need of a banner*
Every generation is different and the metagame is constantly changing. However there has always been and always will be threats. Whether they are defensive threats or offensive threats, every competent player should have a way to handle top-tier threats. That's where you guys come in! This project aims to gather some of the common top-tier threats in the metagame and find Pokémon that can either check or counter them.

1. Every round, I will nominate a Pokémon for discussion. Within one week's time, you guys will have the ability to discuss and nominate various Pokémon that you think can either check or counter the victim of the week.

2. After the deadline, I will choose the top three checks and the top three counters. Should there be a lot of nominations, I will discuss my choices with other skilled players to ensure the selections are not biased and that all nominations have been considered thoroughly.

3. The results will be archived and the process will continue week after week.

Rules:

1. When nominating your check/counter please take into consideration this defintion from The Smog:
Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.

Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.

There are some parts of those definitions that may be confusing to the unfamiliar, so now I'm going to make sure we're all on the same page. "Hax" does not mean cheats or codes used to win. "Hax" means, loosely, things that have a chance of happening but usually don't, for example, critical hits (under most circumstances), Ice Beam freezing, and Fire Blast missing. This means that we don't take into account these types of things when we analyze if one Pokémon checks or counters another. Despite this, it's unwise to declare that one Pokémon checks another when the victorious Pokémon relies on hitting Focus Blast three times in a row, or something like that. Basically, you're often okay ignoring hax unless something that doesn't have a high chance of happening must happen in order for a Pokémon to check or counter another.

There are some things, like flinching, which you would normally consider to be hax but aren't always so. For example, Jirachi has a 60% chance to flinch a slower opponent with Iron Head, so in this case, flinching is not hax because it happens over half the time. For things such as missing or secondary effects, such as a Scald burn or Special Defense drop from Seed Flare, that have a decently high chance of happening, you need to think about them when you analyze checks or counters. Even though they might fit the standard definition of hax, they happen often enough for you to expect to see them in real situations somewhat commonly. There's no official or best guideline, but in my opinion, if some form of "hax" has a 30% chance or higher of happening, you should keep it in the back of your mind because it's not a negligible occurrence.

2. When giving checks, don't merely give revenge killers. Give Pokemon that can switch in on at least one move.

3. Reservations are allowed, but please complete your post within 24 hours. If not, anyone else is free to take your reservation over. Also, one Pokemon per reservation, please.

4. Help people out if you think they're wrong, but please be nice.

5. Post calcs if not extremely obvious.

6. Have fun!

Week 1:

Pawniard @ Eviolite
Level: 5
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance

 

[AJB]

reserved

 

[Highways]

Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Level: 5
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Acrobatics / Taunt

Mienfoo is a solid check to Pawniard. It tanks every unboosted attack fairly well, even without Eviolite, and it OHKOes back with Drain Punch. It only dies if it switches in Iron Head (with Eviolite KOed if followed by Sucker Punch) or if it switches in a +2 Knock Off followed by SR damage and Sucker Punch.

Calcs:

+2 156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 196 Def Eviolite Mienfoo: 15-18 (71.4 - 85.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 156 Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 196 Def Eviolite Mienfoo: 6-8 (28.5 - 38%) -- 32.8% chance to 3HKO

+2 156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 196 Def Mienfoo: 21-25 (100 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Coconut]

you didn't actually think I'd make a serious post in these threads, did you?

Rufflet @ Firium Z
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 116 Def / 220 SpA / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sunny Day
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Work Up

Rufflet being a hot pokemon in the current metagame, with it's new toy in Hustle Brave Bird, has received a lot of love lately. However we're going to be using a powerful check to Pawniard with Hot Wings, the Roaring Reckless Rufflet. Rufflet sets a Z-Move Sunny Day to help it get a tan on, and to boost the power of a Heat Wave. This also gives Rufflet a speed boost, putting Rufflet at a blazing 21 speed. After tanking a hit however, it is not looking good for our baby eagle. It can then choose to use it's support options: Roost allows it to heal back up so it can tank another hit safely, while Work Up does fun things with it's Special Attack stat, ensuring that Heat Wave scores a kill even without the Sun. Rufflet then fires off a powerful Heat Wave and scores the kill.

252+ SpA Sheer Force Rufflet Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 116 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 22-26 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

(it's only a roll out of the sun, and this way was more fun.)

 

[Merritt]

Pawniard as a counter

Pawniard @ Eviolite
Level: 5
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Brick Break

Due to Pawniard's fortunate resistance to all attacking moves on that Pawniard set, Brick Break Pawniard makes a comeback to slay all its brethren who have failed to learn martial arts. Pawniard can switch in on any attack, and due to having 18 Attack has a 94% chance to OHKO with Brick Break. Outside of getting profoundly unlucky (losing multiple speed ties and getting flinched by Iron Head) this Pawniard will be a safe switchin and proceed to threaten whatever else comes in with the general staples of Pawniard - aka Knock Off and Iron Head.

Certainly a rather specialized move to run on Pawniard (Brick Break doesn't hit all that much outside of opposing Pawniard - lets you 2HKO Ferroseed with KOff and BB though), but Pawniard has the mostly free moveslot to use it.

 

[Nineage]

reserving gunk

 

[Fiend]

Ponyta @ Eviolite
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 5
EVs: 76 Atk / 156 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Will-O-Wisp
- Morning Sun
- Flame Charge

Ponyta is a rather solid Pawniard counter. Ponyta makes Pawniard timid to attack, as 30% of the time it will suffer a burn. Moreover, Ponyta's high speed plus Will-O-Wisp makes Pawniard have to guess correctly 4 times in a row to have a shot at beating Ponyta. Ponyta is also extremely good at threatening Sun teams who often lack solid answers to opposing Fire-types, plus also being a giant issue for Cutiefly and most physical attackers.

Diglett and Mudbray are irksome, but Mudbray gets worn down by Flare Blitz quickly enough that its almost a nonissue and Diglett has enough counter play you should be okay.

 

[Rowan]

Stufful @ Eviolite
Ability: Fluffy
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 116 Atk / 196 Def
Impish Nature
- Hammer Arm / Brick Break
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Bulk Up

Thanks to Fluffy, Stufful basically 4x resists Knock Off and 2x resists Iron Head. Obviously it OHKOs. This is what a +2 Iron Head does to Stufful after Stufful's eviolite has been knocked off.

+2 156+ Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 196 HP / 196+ Def Stufful: 10-13 (38.4 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
(10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)

It really is the best Pawniard counter being able to switch into it and take less damage from it than any other Pokemon in LC. It's also the cutest

 

[Schmedly]

Diglett. That's all that needs to be said.

 

[AJB]

Mudbray, bcuz Stamina.
Or Diglett.

Hi, please reserve just one Pokemon! This is now listed in the op to clear any further confusion

 

[Brambane]

these are fun

Houndour @ Firium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
Level: 5
EVs: 36 Def / 196 SpA / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam
- Dark Pulse

This Houndour counters Pawniard while pooping on its lawn because you can't knock off Z-Stones. +2 Sucker Punch never kills (even with Stealth Rock up!) and Houndour OHKOs with Fire Blast. Alternatively, you can set up Z-Sunny Day and do what fire-types do in the sun. You can use Modest but then you tie with Pawniard which is lame.

 

[sam-testings]

reserving timburr

Timburr @ Eviolite
Level: 5
Ability: Guts
EVs: 116 Atk / 156 Def / 236 SpD
Careful Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Bulk Up

Standard Timburr set. It tanks whatever Pawniard throws at it due to its amazing bulk and threatens to OHKO it with Mach Punch. No real need to go in depth, we all know what this thing does.

 

[PD]

Reserving Trubbish.

 

[Rotom-Undefined]

Scraggy @ Eviolite
Ability: Moxie
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 212 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- High Jump Kick

This little guy can counter (at full health) Pawniard: Scraggy doesn't get 2HKOed by his STAB, and he can OHKO Pawniard with Drain Punch. You can use Dragon Dance on the switch, but Knock Off + Iron Head + Sucker Punch may kill it.

Swords Dance + Iron Head :
+2 156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 36 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Scraggy: 16-19 (72.7 - 86.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Iron Head + Iron Head :
156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 36 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Scraggy: 7-10 (31.8 - 45.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
Knock Off + Iron Head :
156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 36 HP / 0 Def Scraggy: 12-15 (54.5 - 68.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Knock Off :
156 Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 36 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Scraggy: 2-3 (9 - 13.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[sparktrain]

Crabrawler @ Eviolite
Ability: Hyper Cutter
Level: 5
EVs: 180 Atk / 60 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Crabhammer

Crabrawler is a counter to Eviolite Pawniard, as it is not KOed by the combination of Iron Head + Sucker Punch and one-shots Pawniard with Close Combat. Crabrawler obviously has some serious competition as a Fighting-type, and the lack of Drain Punch/Knock Off hurts it in this regard. However, it is one of three Fighting-types that can naturally outpace Jolly Pawniard (the other two being Mienfoo and Mankey), so it doesn't have to worry about Iron Head hax, plus it has some neat coverage.

156+ Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Crabrawler: 9-12 (42.8 - 57.1%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
156+ Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Crabrawler: 3-5 (14.2 - 23.8%) -- possible 5HKO
180 Atk Crabrawler Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 36 Def Eviolite Pawniard: 40-52 (190.4 - 247.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[gali]

Magnemite @ Eviolite
Ability: Magnet Pull
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 200 Def / 160 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

this wins

 

[trash]

Carvanha @ Eviolite
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 5
EVs: 116 Def / 156 SpA / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Hydro Pump
- Protect

calcs

156 SpA Carvanha Hidden Power Fighting vs. 0 HP / 116 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 20-24 (95.2 - 114.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
pawn dies after rough skin.
236 Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 116 Def Eviolite Carvanha: 6-8 (31.5 - 42.1%) -- 94.7% chance to 3HKO
236 Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 116 Def Carvanha: 7-9 (36.8 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

bulky carv strikes again....

 

[Conni]

itz ur boi guzma slugma

Slugma @ Eviolite
Level: 5
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 116 SpD
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp

calcs

Pawn vs Slugma
156 Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 196 HP / 196+ Def Eviolite Slugma: 9-12 (39.1 - 52.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 196 HP / 196+ Def Eviolite Slugma: 3-5 (13 - 21.7%) -- possible 5HKO
156 Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 196 HP / 196+ Def Eviolite Slugma: 7-9 (30.4 - 39.1%) -- 17.6% chance to 3HKO
with SD
+2 156 Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 196 HP / 196+ Def Eviolite Slugma: 13-16 (56.5 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 156 Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 196 HP / 196+ Def Eviolite Slugma: 16-21 (69.5 - 91.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 196 HP / 196+ Def Eviolite Slugma: 7-9 (30.4 - 39.1%) -- 62.9% chance to 3HKO
Slugma vs Pawn
0 SpA Slugma Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 116 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 18-24 (85.7 - 114.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Slugma Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 116 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 10-14 (47.6 - 66.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
also can burn and cripple unless SD'd, still wins however if burned

 

[ChrystalFalchion]

Pancham as a counter

Pancham @ Eviolite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 180 Atk / 100 Def / 212 SpD / 12 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Gunk Shot
- Parting Shot

Survives any attack and OHKOes with Drain Punch.

156 Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 100 Def Eviolite Pancham: 4-6 (17.3 - 26%)
156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 100 Def Pancham: 10-13 (43.4 - 56.5%)

Knock Off + Iron Head doesn't come close to a 2HKO.

+2 156 Atk Pawniard Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 100 Def Eviolite Pancham: 15-18 (65.2 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Has to hope for a flinch

180+ Atk Mold Breaker Pancham Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 36 Def Eviolite Pawniard: 28-40 (133.3 - 190.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Pikasohn]

Based Camel (Numel) (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Simple
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 156 SpA / 76 SpD / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
or
EVs: 36 Def / 156 SpA / 76 SpD / 236 Spe
Bold Nature
- Flame Charge
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock / Growth

Spritzee's best friend

 

[Camden]

Looks like I'll continue this in AJB's absence. Sorry for the wait, everyone. We'll have winners picked in the next day or two.