Project Victim of the Week

[HT]

Greninja - Check

Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Greninja is a solid check to Gengar in the OU metagame because of its staggering speed stat that allows Greninja to outspeed Gengar and OHKO it with Dark Pulse

252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 28 HP / 80 SpD Gengar: 330-393 (123.1 - 146.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Cyphersoul]

Crobat - Check

Crobat @ Choice Band
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Spd/252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Cross Poison
- U-Turn
- Sleep Talk

Crobat can survive all 3 of Gengar's attacks, resisting two of them. Running infiltrator means that even if Gengar has a substitute set up he'll still go down in one attack.
Putting 252 Evs into speed allows Crobat to outspeed Gengar, even if an Adamant nature is used.
To be honest though, I'm not sure how much recoil damage Crobat will take from Brave Bird, so it's easily possible for Crobat to take it's self out if it switches into Shadow Ball.

With Choice Band equipped Brave Bird will always be a guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Crobat Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gengar: 346-408 (132.5 - 156.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Crobat: 51-60 (16.3 - 19.2%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Crobat: 204-242 (65.5 - 77.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Crobat: 121-143 (38.9 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[firehusky]

Choice Band Crobat lezgo
but it kills itself with brave bird after taking a shadow ball so...

 

[Lil YoshiXD]

Check

Bisharp @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head

Calcs really not necessary
Immune to sludgewave
taunt is meh
shadowball does laughable amount
don't get hit by focus blast luckilly gengar doesn't really spam it and that 70% accuracy.
It should be picked because it looks awesome

sucker punch and knock off both ko. If you think it stays in sucker punch. If you think it will switch knock off or sword dance work.
Bisharp is one of offensive teams best checks to gengar. Beware sub and wisp sets tho.

 

[Aragorn the King]

Week 29:
Thanks for all the Gengar checks/counters. This week is LO SD Terrakion

Terrakion @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Quick Attack​

 

[Albacore]

Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Psychic
- Moonlight
- Toxic
- Ice Beam

Not the best switchin all things considered since if it SDs on the switch, Stone Edge 2HKOs you and Psychic can't OHKO back, so it does end up at less than 30% afterwards. However, if he Stone Edges on the switch, you can almost always take 2 more Stone Edges or one Stone Edge at +2 factoring in Leftovers recovery :

252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 134-160 (30.1 - 36%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 269-317 (60.5 - 71.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

And if he CCs or Quick Attacks it's even better. There's also the chance of Stone Edge missing which is hax but still is definitely a factor. All things considered, Phys Def Cresselia deals with SD Terrakion decently enough to be called a check.

 

[boltsandbombers]

Doublade as a Counter

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Gyro Ball
- Toxic

Basically the replacement for Aegislash, to handle Terrakion, Mega Gardevoir, etc. Doublade walls Terrakion by virtue of its typing, being immune to Close Combat and taking very little damage from a Life Orb Stone Edge, only fearing Earthquake which is not on the given set or very common. Even without any Defense investment, Doublade tanks all of Terrakions attacks and can KO with Gyro Ball, heal off damage with rest, or predict a switch out and cripple it with toxic.

Not super necessary, but here are calcs:

252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Doublade: 49-58 (15.2 - 18%) -- possible 6HKO

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Doublade: 99-117 (30.7 - 36.3%) -- 60.8% chance to 3HKO

0 Atk Doublade Gyro Ball (129 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 330-390 (102.1 - 120.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Terrakion Close Combat vs. Doublade: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- aim for the horn next time huehue

 

[Celticpride]

Hard Check:

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Knock Off
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock

This set shuts down LO Terrakion solidly, outside of some odd/obscure circumstances, which makes it a check and not a counter. Landorus-T can come in on the SD, and take any attack at +2 (+1 after Intimidate!) and survive:

+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T: 243-289 (63.6 - 75.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T: 147-173 (38.4 - 45.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Even a follow up Quick Attack can't finish it after Stone Edge, so if you bluff Scarf Lando-T convincingly enough this may matter:

+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Quick Attack vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T: 66-78 (17.2 - 20.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

In return, Landorus-T Earthquake guarantees an OHKO by a slim margin:

4 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 326-386 (100.9 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

There are a few reasons this is a check and not a counter. If Terra manage to get a critical hit with its 80% accuracy attack, you should stop playing Pokemon and buy lottery tickets Landorus-T is most likely OHKOed by Stone Edge (guaranteed if Rocks are on the field):

+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T on a critical hit: 367-433 (96 - 113.3%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T on a critical hit: 367-433 (96 - 113.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

The other reason this is a check and not a counter is that if someone were to dust off their BW history textbook and run Hidden Power Ice over Quick Attack, and hit you on the switch-in with HP Ice, you're 2HKOed:

4 SpA Life Orb Terrakion Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 208-250 (54.4 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Overall, very solid check that outright counters most of the time. Also, it's easy to fit into teams as part of a VoltTurn core, and because Lando-T provides SR support to the team.

 

[bb skarm]

reserving sableye

 

[Puralux]

Check:

Cofagrigus @ Leftovers
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex
- Pain Split
- Nasty Plot

Good Check. He is immune to Close Combat and Quick Attack. With Will-o-wisp he can burn Terrakion and forces him to use swords dance, while he suffers the burn and the life orb recoil of the previous attacks , moreover hex will have its power doubled and will make terrakion in serious trouble. Pain split is an useful move that can be used if Cofagrigus is having some problems while fighting Terrakion. Cofagrigus will OHKO Terrakion if using hex at +2 SpA , after Burn damage / Life Orb recoil , however , he must be statused. He cannot resist in the worst case scenario due to swords dance and other stuffs that would disadvantage Cofagrigus.

Calcs:

Hide

+2 4 SpA Cofagrigus Hex (130 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 292-345 (90.4 - 106.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Life Orb burned Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cofagrigus: 58-70 (18.1 - 21.8%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cofagrigus: 118-140 (36.8 - 43.7%) -- 99.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cofagrigus: 234-277 (73.1 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Random Passerby]

Reserving Latios as a check

 

[hey yal]

reserving slowbro

Slowbro @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Toxic
- Psyshock

Hard Check: Slowbro can deal with Terrakion with it's great physical bulk and psychic typing. He takes little from CC or Quick Attack, while taking some damage from Stone Edge. In return, Slowbro can retaliate with Scald or Psyshock, while crippling it with Toxic and being able to check it multiple times with Slack Off. At worst, Slowbro is 3HKO'd by LO Terrakion and Slowbro 2HKOs Terrakion. However, if Terrakion SDs on the switch, Slowbro is 2HKO'd after rocks.

Calcs:
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 142-169 (36.1 - 43%) -- 96.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 286-337 (72.7 - 85.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[Salemance]

Hmmm.


Reserving Slowbro :D

 

[TheEnder]

Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Toxic Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Acrobatics / Knock Off / Toxic
- Roost
- Taunt

At first I thought this was a hard counter, but apparently Terrakion is a monster, so it isn't o.O However, physically defensive Gliscor is a very good check, as it comes in on anything, eats a hit, and retalitates with Earthquake. Unlike Doublade and Golurk though, this Pokemon is actually viable, and can be fit on almost every team, barring HO. Here are the calcs:

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Gliscor: 274-324 (77.4 - 91.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 224-266 (69.3 - 82.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[hey yal]

reserving slowbro

Reserving Slowbro :D

already reserved
it just shows how it rapes everything

 

[G-Von]

Golurk@Leftovers
EV's: 252 Attack/164 Spe/92 HP
Trait: Iron Fist
Adamant Nature
-Stealth Rock
-EQ
-Fire Punch
-Ice Punch

The pokemon who made a name for itself in OU last gen for being such a good Terrakion counter is back again. Once again he resides in the lower tiers even with the buff to Ghost types this gen, but it doesn't mean he is any less effective against Terrakion now than last generation. Golurk is immune to both QA and Close Combat and resists Stone Edge, being 3HKO'd only about half the time after SR as long as Stone Edge doesn't miss. If Terrakion sets up an SD on the switch, it can only 2HKO Golurk, while EQ OKHO's back. The other moves gives Golurk some coverage and utility to hit things super effectively with Iron Fist boosted attacks and Stealth Rock beats up flying types that are immune to EQ. The EV's are a little weird aside from max attack, but they are to outspeed BD Azumarrill.

 

[Salemance]

already reserved
it just shows how it rapes everything

Wow, I hate it when I overlook that stuff. Sorry bud.

 

[HT]

Hippowdon as Defensive Check

Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind/Toxic/Ice Fang

What can I say, this mon is a defensive monster, it eats any non-boosted hit from Terrak and is even able to tank a +2 Close Combat from LO Terrakion and OHKO it back with EQ at -1. Not much more needs to be said really.

0 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 260-308 (80.4 - 95.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 390-458 (120.7 - 141.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 164-192 (39 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 325-383 (77.3 - 91.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[FullLifeGames]

Check:

Chesnaught @ Leftovers
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Spiky Shield
- Leech Seed
- Hammer Arm (When ORAS comes out, Drain Punch is preferred)

Chesnaught would be a Counter, because it can come in on every move Terrakion throws at it and win every single time, if it attacks:
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 160-188 (42.1 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 66-78 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

The problem after coming in when Terrakion uses SD, it has a chance to die after some little prior damage:
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Chesnaught: 317-374 (83.4 - 98.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

In this situation it's a mindgame, if the Terrakion player will SD predicting a Spiky Shield or if it will just attack.

But other than this situation, Chesnaught is a solid check to Terrakion which can retaliate:
4 Atk Chesnaught Hammer Arm vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Chesnaught Hammer Arm vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 374-444 (115.7 - 137.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[firehusky]

CB Scizor
Status: Check

Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Superpower

CB Scizor can act as a check to LO Terrakion because it can switch in on any move other than CC (because CC + quick attack OHKOs) after rocks, due to it's nice bulk and threaten it out with a STAB super effective technician boosted bullet punch. Choice Band Scizor works as a great revenge killer with bullet punch. U-turn lets it pivot out on predicted switch, Knock off is great utility allowing it to knock off items from item-dependent pokemon (looking at you chansey). Superpower is great for hitting heatran on the switch, and it rounds out scizor's coverage. Scizor is a great choice because it can work as a check to mega gardevoir too. Adamant is chosen because scizor does not need to outspeed lots of stuff since it will most likely be spamming bullet punch most of the time. EVs maximize bulk and attack.

Relevant calcs:
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Scizor: 253-300 (73.7 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (still not an OHKO after rocks but if scizor takes enough prior damage it's dead)
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Scizor: 212-251 (61.8 - 73.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Quick Attack vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Scizor: 29-34 (8.4 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 354-416 (109.5 - 128.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[blinkie]

Counter:

Nidoqueen @ Black Sludge
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 20 SpA
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature
-Earth Power
-Stealth Rock
-Ice Beam
-Roar / Sludge Wave / Dragon Tail

Nidoqueen is a counter to Terrakion by virtue of its typing and bulk, as it takes little from all its moves. Nidoqueen can then hit hard back with an Earth Power, phaze Terrakion, or predict a switch and set up rocks. The only dangerous scenario is if Terrakion SD's on the switch and then uses Stone Edge twice. With high damage rolls and a bit of previous damage, Terrakion can win, but then again this is assuming Stone Edge hits twice and he predicts the Nidoqueen switch in correctly. In case you were wondering, this doesn't work as well with Close Combat since the defense drops put you in Earth Power's KO range.

Relevant calcs:
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Nidoqueen: 168-198 (43.8 - 51.6%) -- 9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Earth Power vs. -1 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 324-384 (100.3 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
^Why you can't CC
0 SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 218-258 (67.4 - 79.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Nidoqueen: 83-99 (21.6 - 25.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

 

[The TurtleLord]

Counter:

Nidoqueen @ Black Sludge
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 20 SpA
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature
-Earth Power
-Stealth Rock
-Ice Beam
-Roar / Sludge Wave / Dragon Tail

Nidoqueen is a counter to Terrakion by virtue of its typing and bulk, as it takes little from all its moves. Nidoqueen can then hit hard back with an Earth Power, phaze Terrakion, or predict a switch and set up rocks. The only dangerous scenario is if Terrakion SD's on the switch and then uses Stone Edge twice. With high damage rolls and a bit of previous damage, Terrakion can win, but then again this is assuming Stone Edge hits twice and he predicts the Nidoqueen switch in correctly. In case you were wondering, this doesn't work as well with Close Combat since the defense drops put you in Earth Power's KO range.

Relevant calcs:
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Nidoqueen: 168-198 (43.8 - 51.6%) -- 9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Earth Power vs. -1 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 324-384 (100.3 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
^Why you can't CC
0 SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 218-258 (67.4 - 79.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Nidoqueen: 83-99 (21.6 - 25.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

just wondering why you calc'd with stone edge and not close combat, as its much stronger.
reserving celebi anyway

 

[firehusky]

He mentioned that if terrakion goes for close combat it is OHKOed by earth power.

 

[Clone]

reserving scarf landorus-t (different set, so its allowed)

 

[blinkie]

He mentioned that if terrakion goes for close combat it is OHKOed by earth power.

^What he said.
Here's the calc if you want it tho...
252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Nidoqueen: 101-120 (26.3 - 31.3%) -- 15.7% chance to 4HKO after Black Sludge recovery