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Aggron-Mega @ Aggronite
Ability: Filter
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Atk / 196 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
- Protect / Fire Punch / Ice Punch
Mega Aggron survives any attack from Tapu Lele as long as it's at full health, so it can switch in on Calm Mind and survive even a Shattered Psyche after Stealth Rock damage. It has to be wary of Fightinium Z variants, however.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 196 SpD / 64 Spe
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Iron Head
- U-turn / Stealth Rock
Jirachi takes nothing from anything Lele wants to go for - the best it can do is Choice Specs / +1 HP Fire and even that only does 40. You do a shitload with Iron Head, and can pretty much just get up free rocks or pass wishes or whatever if they don't double.
0 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 218-260 (77.5 - 92.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Jirachi: 148-176 (36.7 - 43.6%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Jirachi: 157-185 (38.9 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Victini @ Choice Band
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Zen Headbutt / Brick Break
(Band set is just an example, any physical Vic beats Lele)
Vic outpaces non-Scarf Lele and OHKOes it with V-create. Scarf Vic outpaces Scarf Lele, though, and non-Scarf Vic can take on any Scarf Lele's attack and OHKO in return.
Meloetta @ Psychium Z Ability: Serene Grace EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature - Calm Mind - Psyshock - Focus Blast - Thunderbolt
Meloetta is a super hipster lele answer, but very effective nonetheless. First and foremost, she is only 3hkod by any of lele's moves and, thanks to psychic terrain, can easily 2hko back (or calm mind then 1hko), even without prior damage.
Lele vs Meloetta Calcs:
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meloetta: 126-148 (36.9 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meloetta in Psychic Terrain: 122-144 (35.7 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO 252 SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Meloetta: 112-132 (32.8 - 38.7%) -- 99.4% chance to 3HKO
Meloetta vs Lele Calcs:
252 SpA Meloetta Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele in Psychic Terrain: 123-146 (43.7 - 51.9%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Meloetta Shattered Psyche (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele in Psychic Terrain: 171-202 (60.8 - 71.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Meloetta Shattered Psyche (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele in Psychic Terrain: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
Some other notable matchups:
- Outpseeds & 1hkos max-hp heatran at +1, and she has a chance to 1hko offensive heatran without a boost after rocks. Meanwhile, she is only 3hkod by magma storm (including bind damage). After a calm mind, this turns into a 4hko.
- Her normal typing means she is immune to shadow ball, letting her comfortably check alakazam, blacephalon, and gengar. Even without a calm mind, she avoids the 2hko from all of them (excluding specs blac). Boosting her spdef puts her in an even more favorable position, obviously.
- She can 1hko bulky zygarde variants after a calm mind. With a bit of prior damage, she doesn't need a boost. Meanwhile, she avoids the 2hko from their unboosted thousand arrows, meaning that she wins 1v1.
- After a calm mind, she has a chance to avoid the 2hko from unboosted volcarona bug buzz and the 1hko from savage spin-out. She easily 1hkos back with psyshock (regardless of quiver dance boosts since targets defense). If volc isn't carrying savage spin out or you have already lured it, you win the 1v1. Definitely don't use her as your primary volc check, but she can do alright in a pinch.
- Avoids the 2hko from serperior leaf storm even at +0 spdef. unboosted z-psyshock kills in return.
- 1HKOs spdef tapu bulu with unboosted z-psyshock
She has seen a decent amount of use in the top 10 ladder recently, especially during the megazam-heavy meta. Here's one of the teams, for reference: https://pokepast.es/2186c833f8bd7487
Also worth mentioning Z-Psyshock. Psyshock itself targets defence, but shattered psyche targets spdef. That lets you reap the benefits of psyshock, but still kill 252/252 bold clefable (for example) with shattered psych after a boost (or no boost with ~25% chip damage). Psychic is certainly an option, though. One of the other successful meloetta teams opted to run it over psyshock, iirc.
First and foremost, I'd like to apologise for the relative inactivity, as I've had a few issues regarding a few things. Personal issues aside, thank you very much for another excellent week of submissions! As per usual, you can only vote for 1 submission per category, so keep that in mind when voting. With that being said, here are our nomineees:
Sorry for the extended voting time. Retail at christmas time is hell and both me and Curiosity have been busy but I'm here now so its time to update. Sadly no Fairies won this week but the winners are worthy nonetheless. Congratulations to Meliodafu7 for winning the Checks with His Kartana Nomination and mellowyellowhd for taking counters with SPD Jirachi which is surprisingly underrated in the meta currently. Thank youy all for your participation.
Aggron-Mega @ Aggronite
Ability: Filter
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Atk / 196 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
- Protect / Fire Punch / Ice Punch / Dragon Tail
Explanation:
This weeks Victim is something many of you may have frustratingly faced recently in the recent resurgence of Stall. Found Primarily on stall. Mega Aggron is stellar pick in the current meta with its great typing, Filter ability and sheer physical bulk That let it take on a myriad of threats while setting up hazards. It packs a surprising punch to. Usual 1 stop Stall destroyers like Tapu Lele, SD Kartana and Calm Mind Magerna struggle while many others have to scout around before making moves while bulky offence Calm minders like Clefable get forced out. Thats not to say its flawless the ever present Zygarde can beat it while many hard punching neutral special Attackers like gengar can send it packing. Stealth rock and Heavy Slam are self explanatory. Its sets hazards, Hard Counters most fairies and does decent damage. Earthqauke is to lure heatran and opposing steels who would otherwise set up on it. From there its a pick of Protect for scouting, Fire Punch for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Ice punch hits grounds while Dragon tail is for trolling set up sweepers
Goodluck this week. You'll have about a week or so to post nominations.
Specs Keldeo does heavy damage to Mega Aggron with both of its Water STABs, also Scald allows you to fish a burn that reduce its damage output, making it easier to deal with.
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Aggron-Mega: 235-277 (68.5 - 80.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Scald vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Aggron-Mega: 171-202 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 110-130 (34 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 99-117 (30.6 - 36.2%) -- 49.9% chance to 3HKO
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 67-79 (20.7 - 24.4%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
Heatran @ Firium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 16 HP / 216 SpA / 28 SpD / 248 Spe
Modest Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Toxic
I listed Heatran as a check because it can't switch in safely because of EQ. However, this set is a complete terror for stall to face, asides of KO M-Aggron with Magma Storm + Earth Power or OHKO with Inferno Overdrive, other stall staples like Chansey and Toxapex can be trapped and eliminated by Taunt + Toxic in Chansey's case and Taunt + Earth Power in Pex' case. Less common stall dudes like Gliscor can be dealt by Inferno Overdrive in the switch.
216+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Filter Aggron-Mega: 231-274 (67.3 - 79.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
216+ SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Filter Aggron-Mega: 139-165 (40.5 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
216+ SpA Heatran Inferno Overdrive (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Filter Aggron-Mega: 415-490 (120.9 - 142.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind
Hippowdon is able to comfortably counter Mega Aggron, taking nothing from Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Or Ice Punch / Avalanche and is able to hit back with Earthquake wearing it down severely due to lack of recovery. Hippowdon is able to get up rocks for free due to Mega Aggron's inability to break through it, and if Aggron does wear it down, Hippowdon is able to Slack Off.
0 Atk
Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Filter
-
: 87-103 (25.3 - 30%) -- guaranteed 4HKO 56 Atk
-
Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 112+ Def
: 110-130 (26.1 - 30.9%) -- 5.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Well, its been over the 24 hour reservation period, but since I reserved Moltres, I'm not gonna go back on my promise and steal that tempting reservation. So, here you all go folks, Moltres...... Also, if you'll want what I intended to use as my Zard Y set as a counter, go over to my post in "Break this Team" thread. (Featuring Tyranitar)
Some may question the choice, since Moltres' Flamethrower can't even secure a guaranteed 2HKO on that Steel Wall, but Aggron-Mega lacks proper recovery anyways, and the goal of this stall Moltres is to wall it back and chip it to oblivion, so it works fine. Also, unless it's packing something like Head Smash or Thunder Punch, it really can't do much back, solidifying this threat's role as a counter to M-Aggron.
Some may ask why bring SubToxic, but if you see that specific M-Aggron set, it's typically a stall team, so you'll want a way to cheese past non-Aromatherapy Chansey and Quagsire.
0 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Filter Aggron-Mega: 154-184 (44.8 - 53.6%) -- 37.9% chance to 2HKO.
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 208 HP / 60 Def Moltres: 93-109 (24.9 - 29.2%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Earthquake vs. 208 HP / 60 Def Moltres: 206-244 (55.2 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery. (Only if you roost, so be careful, and play 'em like a broken fiddle, which is why you have Substitute)
Thanks to its typing and bulk, Pelipper can switch in on any of Aggron's moves (besides the rare Thunder Punch or Stone Edge), then OHKO with a Rain-boosted Hydro Pump or 2HKO with a Rain-boosted Surf.
Heavy Slam is a guaranteed 2HKO if Stealth Rock is up and the damage rolls are in Aggron's favor, but since Pelipper is faster, it will most likely be able to KO Aggron before that happens.
Offensive:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pelipper Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Aggron-Mega in Rain: 313-370 (91.2 - 107.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pelipper Hurricane vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Aggron-Mega: 105-123 (30.6 - 35.8%) -- 45.4% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pelipper Surf vs. 248 HP / 196+ SpD Aggron-Mega in Rain: 256-303 (74.6 - 88.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0- Atk Pelipper Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Aggron-Mega: 12-15 (3.4 - 4.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0- Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Aggron-Mega: 6-8 (1.7 - 2.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Defensive:
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pelipper: 90-106 (34.4 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pelipper in Rain: 19-22 (7.2 - 8.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pelipper: 76-90 (29.1 - 34.4%) -- 5.4% chance to 3HKO
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Dragon Tail vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pelipper: 61-72 (23.3 - 27.5%) -- 71.5% chance to 4HKO
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect
As I alluded to in the Break This Team thread, Steela counters MAggron, taking less than a round of Leftovers recovery from Heavy Slam and wearing it down with Leech Seed and Flamethrower. Even Fire Punch (which I've never seen in practice) only 4HKOs.
56 Atk Aggron-Mega Fire Punch vs. 248 HP / 104+ Def Celesteela: 122-144 (30.7 - 36.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
