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Project Victim of the Week [Week 72: Specs Mesprit]

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Hard Check
grumpig.png

Grumpig @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 128 SpA / 48 SpD / 84 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave

Grumpig resists Fire Blast thanks to Thick Fat and is neutral to all of its coverage moves, and thanks to its good special bulk + investment, it can avoid the 2HKO from Energy Ball at +2 and proceed to 2HKO with Psyshock or cripple with T-Wave. And this is the worst case scenario, if Ninetales doesn't Nasty Plot on the switch Grumpig beats it with even more ease. Specially Defensive sets are hard counters to Ninetales, too
128+ SpA Grumpig Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ninetales: 127-150 (44.2 - 52.2%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO (2HKO w/ LO recoil)

252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 48 SpD Grumpig: 82-97 (22.5 - 26.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 48 SpD Grumpig: 164-194 (45.1 - 53.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Regirock as a check.

regirock.gif

Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Stone Edge

Regirock can tank anything: it isn't 2HKO'd by Energy Ball before the boost, nor OHKO'd at +2, so it can switch in easily. After that, you can just paralyze Ninetales or use Stone Edge for the guaranteed KO after LO recoil.

252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 135-161 (37.1 - 44.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 268-317 (73.8 - 87.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
8 Atk Regirock Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ninetales: 276-326 (96.1 - 113.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
 
Check

kangaskhan.gif

Kangaskhan (F) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 64 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpD / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Fake Out
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch

Kangaskhan's natural bulk coupled with the extra SpD gained from Assault Vest makes it a semi-reliable Ninetales check.

252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 64 HP / 96 SpD Assault Vest Kangaskhan: 122-146 (33.2 - 39.7%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 64 HP / 96 SpD Assault Vest Kangaskhan: 243-289 (66.2 - 78.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ninetales: 246-290 (85.7 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Kangaskhan Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ninetales: 75-88 (26.1 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

As you can see from the Kangaskhan vs Ninetales calcs Fake Out + Earthquake is always going to be killing. Worst case scenario you don't click Fake Out and the Ninetales is at +2 forcing you to play mind games with Sucker Punch and Nasty Plot. If you play smart with it though Ninetales shouldn't be a problem.
 
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sliggoo-2.gif

The check!
Sliggoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Outrage
- Curse

First one of the few Dragon types we have in the tier. This little buddy does the job to check ninetales since it's bulky with it's eviolite. If ninetales has no Nasty Plot up you can use curse up with it since the only move to hit it is Psyshock. After a curse Sliggoo is able to 2 hit KO ninetales while psyshock is a 3 hit KO with psyshock.

252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Sliggoo: 91-108 (26.7 - 31.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Psyshock vs. +1 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Sliggoo: 122-144 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 0 Atk Sliggoo Outrage vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Ninetales: 193-228 (67.2 - 79.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
This one is for fun but still:
+6 252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Sliggoo: 149-177 (43.8 - 52%) -- 14.8% chance to 2HKO
 
Munchlax as a check
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Munchlax @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rest
- Body Slam
- Sleep Talk
- Curse

Munchlax can switch in on any of ninetales attacks or a nasty plot and proceed to beat it 1v1. +2 psyshock 3hko so you body slam it, rest, then proceed to deal with it through rest talk, 2 body slams kill after 3 lo hits while it has a chance to kill after 2.

252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Munchlax: 66-79 (16 - 19.2%) -- possible 6HKO
+2 252 SpA Life Orb Ninetales Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Munchlax: 133-157 (32.3 - 38.1%) -- 97.3% chance to 3HKO

4 Atk Munchlax Body Slam vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Ninetales: 102-121 (35.5 - 42.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
Counters: Zweilous (Colbrushie)
Checks: Kangaskhan (SilverReaper21) / Grumpig (Pokedots) / Floatzel (XenoTech N)

Week 40:
sandslash.gif

Sandslash @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge

I know this set certainly isn't the most common Sandslash set but its significantly much more threatening than Rapid Spin sets.

A few other things:
- I've removed the mons which were done in the last thread from the archive and I'll be redoing them over the upcoming weeks because that thread wasn't really that active and it was run in a different style than mine.
- I've removed the sample post from the OP because a. it had two outdated mons and b. there are 14 pages of posts here and I don't think it's that hard to find one as an example.
 
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quagsire.gif

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Scald
- Curse

Uses SD Sandslash as set up fodder, can scald burn it or Curse up.

252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 156-185 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Quagsire Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 198-234 (68 - 80.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
torterra.gif

Torterra the counter
Torterra @ Leftovers
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 128 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Synthesis

With Torterra's bulk and typing it's able to take on Sandslash pretty reliable, even if it Sword Danced on the switch the only move to hit it with is Knock Off what doesn't OHKO torterra. (Even if you're worried about the damage that Knock Off does you just synthesis on the Knock Off since you do not have a item next turn Knock Off does less.)
128+ Atk Torterra Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sandslash: 318-374 (109.2 - 128.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 128 Def Torterra: 108-127 (27.4 - 32.2%) -- 65% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 128 Def Torterra: 82-97 (20.8 - 24.6%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 128 Def Torterra: 213-252 (54 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Hard Check
weezing.gif

Weezing @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split

Nothing too innovative but it gets to job done. Weezing can't be hit by STAB Earthquake and even at +2 Sandslash's coverage options aren't doing enough to stop Weezing from firing off Will-o-Wisps. The reason I list it as a hard check rather than a counter is because Weezing's lack of reliable recovery kind of sucks.

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 165-195 (49.5 - 58.5%) -- 71.1% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb burned Sandslash Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 82-97 (24.6 - 29.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Black Sludge recovery

0 SpA Weezing Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 91-108 (31.2 - 37.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
 
aurorus.png

Aurorus @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Blizzard
- Earth Power
- Ancient Power
- Freeze-Dry

nice sand m8

even just the snow warning makes sandslash a lot less threatening because it's slow as balls outside of sand, making it a lot easier to deal with for other mons

too bad aurorus has the typing of a thin sheet of papyrus and can't switch into anything reliably
 
Offensive Tangela as a Hard Check
114.gif

Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain
- Ancient Power/Sleep Powder

Tangela can easily eat any +2 attack and ko in return with a stab giga drain.

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Stone Edge vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Tangela: 155-182 (49.8 - 58.5%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Tangela Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 362-428 (124.3 - 147%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Gougeist-small as a hard check
gourgeist.gif

Gourgeist-small @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Will-O-Wisp
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed

With the colbur berry and the amazing physically bulk of Gourgeist, Sandslash can't do a huge amount of damages:
+2 252+ Atk Sandslash Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Colbur Berry Gourgeist-Small: 121-143 (38.5 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

While we can burn him and Synthesis, or just Foul Play him, while we outspeed him
+2 0 Atk Gourgeist-Small Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sandslash: 175-206 (60.1 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Defensive Poliwrath as a check
poliwrath.gif

Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Circle Throw
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Poliwrath is bulky enough to take a +2 Life Orb-boosted Earthquake after Stealth Rock and 2HKOes back with Scald. Poliwrath can also heal off any lost HP with Rest and phaze it out as it uses Swords Dance with Circle Throw.

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 289-341 (75.2 - 88.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Poliwrath Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 210-248 (71.9 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
leafeon.gif

Leafeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Impish Nature
- Wish
- Synthesis
- Leaf Blade
- Heal Bell

sayin' Leafeon is a counter. Leafeon completely walls SD Sandslash, including at +2 and it basically forces it to rely on the always reliable Stone Miss (Stone Edge), which doesn't even 2HKO. Leafeon can heal off damage with Synthesis/Wish, and 2HKO with Leaf Blade.

0 Atk Leafeon Leaf Blade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sandslash: 194-230 (66.6 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252+ Atk Sandslash Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Leafeon: 136-161 (40.7 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Articuno as a check!
144.png

Articuno Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVS: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Roost
- Freeze-Dry
- Hurricane
Articuno can come in on Sandslash as it sets up or uses Knock Off or Earthquake and outspeed it (if Sandstorm isn't there) and kill it. But you must be careful of Stone Edge, which kills Cuno. Also, if Sandslash has an SD up and SR is up, it isn't safe to bring in Cuno.

Calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 499-588 (171.4 - 202%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 390-460 (134 - 158%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 126-149 (39.2 - 46.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Sandslash Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 251-296 (78.1 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Sandslash: 304-359 (104.4 - 123.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO lol
 
Goddamn this thing is hard to check.

Actually not really, because this thing destroys it:

db05877de755d60040be151c1325826c50fbc7ed_hq.gif


Magmortar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Flame Charge

Yeaaa this is a definite counter. Mag can take pretty much whatever Articuno throws at it and just KO it with Fire Blast, or use it as set-up bait with Flame Charge. Need I say more? (No, not really)

252+ SpA Magmortar Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Articuno: 318-374 (99 - 116.5%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magmortar: 133-156 (41.9 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
rotom-frost.gif


Rotom-Frost @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Blizzard
- Thunderbolt
- Trick

Has above-average bulk, resists both of Articuno's STABs, and outspeeds and OHKOs with Thunderbolt. Volt Switch also does good damage and seizes momentum against switches, while Trick can lock it into a move so it can Volt Switch out to something else that can set up on it. Stealth Rock needs to be off the field to reliably switch in, of course (similarly to AV Magmortar).

252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-F: 88-105 (36.5 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-F: 73-86 (30.2 - 35.6%) -- 37.7% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Rotom-F Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Articuno: 312-368 (97.1 - 114.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Rotom-F Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Articuno: 242-288 (75.3 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Klinklang as a check.

klinklang.gif

TewMew (Klinklang) @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
Happiness: 0
EVs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gear Grind
- Toxic
- Substitute
- Shift Gear

It's pretty straightforward: tank whatever hit, setup a Shift Gear if you feel like it and win with Gear Grind (implying you won't miss which we know isn't true). The 0 happiness is a representation of your opp's state of mind after he faces this set, because klinklang is actually pretty happy.

252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 136 HP / 0 SpD Klinklang: 108-127 (36.6 - 43%) -- 97.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Ice Beam vs. 136 HP / 0 SpD Klinklang: 88-105 (29.8 - 35.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Klinklang Gear Grind (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 304-360 (94.7 - 112.1%) -- approx. 75% chance to OHKO
+1 obv KOs so w/e
 
XenoTech N said:
Goddamn this thing is hard to check.

Actually not really, because this thing destroys it:

db05877de755d60040be151c1325826c50fbc7ed_hq.gif


Magmortar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Flame Charge

Yeaaa this is a definite counter. Mag can take pretty much whatever Articuno throws at it and just KO it with Fire Blast, or use it as set-up bait with Flame Charge. Need I say more? (No, not really)

252+ SpA Magmortar Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Articuno: 318-374 (99 - 116.5%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magmortar: 133-156 (41.9 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Click to expand...
Better hope rocks aren't up or you get clean 2HKOed if the bird lands two Hurricanes.
 
metang.gif

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch​

Resists Stealth Rock so it always able to switch in safely, pretty good bulk with eviolite and Meteor Mash + Bullet Punch gets the job done. Hurricane is barely doing over 20% so it's not too threatening.

252+ Atk Metang Meteor Mash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 224-266 (69.7 - 82.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Metang Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 102-120 (31.7 - 37.3%) -- 75.9% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Metang: 75-90 (23.1 - 27.7%) -- 71.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Metang: 62-74 (19.1 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO​
 
The counter!
munchlax.png

Munchlax @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Body Slam
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Many people say there is no counter to Articuno. Yet I have to prove them wrong. This thing is the a counter to articuno. With the decent Special Defensive stats and amazing HP stat that Munchlax has and with the Eviolite to even boost it more all the moves that Articuno throws at this thing aren't doing very much. Also Munchlax is just able to Curse up. Also Munchlax is able to Rest up so that if it comes to low HP you can give Rest up.
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Munchlax: 101-121 (21.3 - 25.5%) -- 0.3% chance to 4HKO
8 Atk Munchlax Body Slam vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 81-96 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+2 8 Atk Munchlax Body Slam vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 160-190 (49.8 - 59.1%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO

Special for boltsandbombers new one.
 
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Jarii said:
The counter!
bastiodon.gif

Bastiodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Metal Burst
- Rock Blast
- Roar

Many people say there is no counter to Articuno. Yet I have to prove them wrong. This thing is the ultimate counter to articuno. With the amazing Special Defensive stats that bastiodon has and with the typing all the moves that Articuno throws at this thing are not super effective and the damage is almost the same as it gets back from Leftovers. Also with Rock blast you almost one hit KO if you get 4 hits and with 5 it's a almost all the time a OHKO.
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Bastiodon: 27-31 (8.3 - 9.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Bastiodon: 44-53 (13.6 - 16.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
4 Atk Bastiodon Rock Blast (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 192-252 (59.8 - 78.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Bastiodon Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 256-336 (79.7 - 104.6%) -- approx. 6.3% chance to OHKO
4 Atk Bastiodon Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 320-420 (99.6 - 130.8%) -- approx. 93.8% chance to OHKO

(Don't question my spread I just searched for nu utility...)
Click to expand...
Bastiodon isnt on the viability rankings, please post usable mons.
 
going with Kiyo's favorite Aurorus set :toast:

aurorus.png

Aurorus @ Choice Specs
Ability: Refrigerate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Ancient Power

Aurorus takes any 2 hits from Cuno even with Stealth Rock's up and just kills w/ specs ancient power

252 SpA Life Orb Articuno Hurricane vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Aurorus: 101-120 (26 - 30.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aurorus Ancient Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Articuno: 444-528 (138.3 - 164.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

you can also get boosts and sweep the rest of the opposing team
 
DoubleBullShyte said:
Better hope rocks aren't up or you get clean 2HKOed if the bird lands two Hurricanes.
Click to expand...

Well this thread assumes rocks aren't up (I think) and Magmortar still OHKO'es so does it matter that much? (Now watch this be a joke that just completely sailed over my head.) Also, the bird landing two Hurricanes is just as likely as getting 2 Focus Misses to hit in a row, which just doesn't happen.
 
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