Project Victim of the Week

[escarlata]

Counter
Gardevoir @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 16 HP / 8 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Will-O-Wisp

Thanks to its typing, Gardevoir 4x resists HJK. Acrobatics is as good as resisted because Gardevoir does not need to break multiple layers of Sub to KO Hawlucha, and as such Hawlucha will never go down to Sitrus range. Even if Hawlucha were to SD on the switch-in, Gardevoir still takes the Acrobatics and OHKO with Hyper Voice.

+2 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (55 BP) vs. 16 HP / 8 Def Mega Gardevoir: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Bashslash]

Defensive Salamence

Check

Salamence (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Blast
- Defog

Calculations
+1 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 248 HP / 100+ Def Salamence: 207-244 (52.6 - 62%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 248 HP / 100+ Def Salamence: 122-144 (31 - 36.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
( BECAUSE OF INTIMIDATE WHEN IT SWITCHES IN)




It is able to switch in on any of Hawlucha's moves(Bar +1 acro) and easily racket damage on it with Rockey Helmet. It can also break its substitute with any one of its offensive moves

 

[Random Passerby]

Name : Altaria
Status: Counter

Altaria @ Altarianite
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 96 SpD / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Return
- Earthquake

Mega Altaria laughs at anything Hawlucha can do and can either set-up, recover HP with Roost or OHKO Hawlucha with Return.

Calculations

252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 105-124 (29.7 - 35.1%) -- 18% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 62-73 (17.5 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 392-464 (130.6 - 154.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[jacob]

reserving lando-t
Name: Landorus-Therian
Status: Check

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

Lando only loses 1v1 if sitrus has been activated, hawlucha gets 2 max rolls, and you miss two stone edges in a row

Calcs

+1 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 166-196 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 7.4% chance to 2HKO- Has to get two rolls in your favor to get 2hko'd

0 Atk Landorus-T Stone Edge vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 126-149 (42 - 49.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[InvisibleWater]

Check

Klefki @ Leftovers / Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish / Bold Nature
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Magnet Rise / Toxic
- Play Rough / Foul Play

Klefki has access to priority Thunder Wave, allowing it to paralyze Hawlucha and 2HKO it with Play Rough.

Klefki loses 1v1 if Hawlucha has a substitute up and the Sitrus Berry has activated, or it switches in on a boosted High Jump Kick.

Ye Olde Wall O' Calcs

Offensive:
0 Atk Klefki Play Rough vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 204-242 (68 - 80.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Klefki Play Rough vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 186-218 (62 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Klefki Foul Play vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 52-61 (17.3 - 20.3%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 0- Atk Klefki Foul Play vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 103-122 (34.3 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+4 0- Atk Klefki Foul Play vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 155-183 (51.6 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+6 0- Atk Klefki Foul Play vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Hawlucha: 206-243 (68.6 - 81%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Defensive:
252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (55 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 27-33 (8.4 - 10.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
+2 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (55 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 54-64 (16.9 - 20.1%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
+4 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (55 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 81-96 (25.4 - 30.1%) -- 0.5% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+6 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (55 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 108-128 (33.9 - 40.2%) -- 44.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 54-64 (16.9 - 20.1%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 108-128 (33.9 - 40.2%) -- 44.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+4 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 162-191 (50.9 - 60%) -- 88.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+6 252 Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 216-255 (67.9 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 129-153 (40.5 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 256-303 (80.5 - 95.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+4 252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 384-453 (120.7 - 142.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[mew-2Chainz]

Check: Thundurus

Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Focus Blast
If Thundurus gets in before the substitute, He can set back Hawlucha tremendously from his goal of sweeping with priority thunder wave. He also has the ability to KO Hawlucha with Life-orb boosted Thundebolt. He doesn't have the bulk to survive hits from Hawlucha, especially if he's boosted.

 

[Ramses]

Manectric @ Manectricite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Mega Manectric can easily outrun it before Unburden and KO it with Thunderbolt or Volt Switch. As long as it hasn't used Swords Dance Mega Man should come out on top.

-1 252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Manectric: 135-159 (48 - 56.5%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Hawlucha: 440-522 (146.6 - 174%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Mega Manectric Volt Switch vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Hawlucha: 342-404 (114 - 134.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Aragorn the King]

Week 84: SubSD Cobalion

First, congrats to JTD783 5 and Vinc608 for making it into the hall of fame!

Second, how would you guys feel about voting for the top three checks and counters instead of me picking them? I've noticed that activity almost always drops to zero after Monday, and this isn't indicative of a lack of interest (there's always a fantastic level of activity on the weekend); it's just that basically everything gets posted during the weekend so there's nothing to post from Tuesday to Friday. To hopefully change this, I'd like to a voting process from Wednesday to Friday, thereby decreasing the amount of time this thread doesn't get posted in. If you agree/disagree with having voting say so in your nominations for this week, and if there's enough support we'll start voting on Wednesday!

Anyway, the set for this week is something cool Albacore posted in the Viability Thread. I know it's not super common; my inclusion of it here is largely geared towards giving it exposure and helping you deal with it if it does gain traction (which it should).

Cobalion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Iron Head
​

 

[p2]

Landorus-T as a counter

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock

Cobalion can't break Lando easily while Lando comes in easily and 2HKOs with EQ.

0 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 240-284 (74.3 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Cobalion Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 54-64 (14.1 - 16.7%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Cobalion Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 118-141 (30.8 - 36.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

voting idea sounds cool and bringing up activity is never a bad idea so I think it should be considered

 

[heritage]

I like the voting idea for what it's worth

Counter

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

Yeah, pretty boring, but Quagsire is a full counter to Cobalion. Thanks to Unaware, it ignores any possible Swords Dance boosts, and Close Combat only does around 36% maximum. Quagsire can easily recover off any damage with Recover and proceeds to do around half with Earthquake, breaking every Substitute no matter what. If it has Encore, it can even lock Cobalion into Swords Dance or Substitute just for fun.

What Cobalion does

252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Unaware Quagsire: 123-145 (31.2 - 36.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

What Quagsire does

0 Atk Quagsire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 152-180 (47 - 55.7%) -- 15.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[michaeloche]

Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind

Role: Check

Hippowdon takes roughly 25-30% from unboosted CC and can 2HKO Cobalion with Earthquake or Whirlwind it out. +2 CC is still a 2HKO, though, so be careful switching in repeatedly.

calcs

252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Hippowdon: 108-127 (25.7 - 30.2%) -- 0.5% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Cobalion Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Hippowdon: 72-85 (17.1 - 20.2%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 192-228 (59.4 - 70.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Also, voting is a cool idea, but something along the lines of the Lure That Threat thread (letting voting decide one of each slot and you picking the others) can work as well.

 

[Albacore]

Check

Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast


Takes a +2 Close Combat from full health after SR damage, which means that Thundurus can switch in on SD, NP up, and OHKO back with Thunderbolt. While unboosted Thunderbolt doesn't KO from full, it still does a good chunk, and even then, unboosted Focus Blast OHKOs, though only barely.

+2 252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Thundurus: 203-239 (67.8 - 79.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 187-222 (57.8 - 68.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 375-442 (116 - 136.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Thundurus Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 334-394 (103.4 - 121.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Dr Ciel]

Tentacruel

Mayhem (Tentacruel) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 28 SpD / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Acid Spray
- Toxic Spikes / Knock Off

Cobalion will never manage to get anything better than a 3HKO against Tentacruel, as it resists both STAB moves, while also taking less than half from a boosted Close Combat. In return, Scald will always break the Sub, and can burn Cobalion, rendering it useless.

Damage Calculations

+2 252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 216+ Def Tentacruel: 148-175 (40.7 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

+2 252 Atk Cobalion Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 216+ Def Tentacruel: 99-117 (27.2 - 32.2%) -- 55% chance to 4HKO after Black Sludge recovery

0 SpA Tentacruel Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cobalion: 93-111 (28.7 - 34.3%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Bendiving]

check

Volcarona @ Lum Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Giga Drain
- Bug Buzz

Volcarona resists both Cobalion's STABs - close combat is only a 3HKO - and OHKOs in return with fire blast, meaning that Volc can switch in on a sub, a SD or an attack, take another attack while boosting up, then take it out as it outspeeds next turn. However, it can't switch in on a close combat or a SD if Cobalion already has a sub up as it can't then take a further two attacks while it breaks the sub, and it can't switch in if rocks are up.

252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 486-572 (150.4 - 177%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 72 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 108-128 (32.8 - 38.9%) -- 99.7% chance to 3HKO

 

[-Ixtamacunxi-]

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 192 Atk / 4 Def / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Waterfall
- Substitute

Thanks to Intimidate, Cobalion can barely touch Gyarados (CC is a possible 7HKO after lefties), and in return Gyara can set up in its face and 2HKO it after 1 DD.

+1 192+ Atk Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 160-190 (49.5 - 58.8%) -- 73.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 88 HP / 4 Def Gyarados: 62-73 (17.5 - 20.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[escarlata]

Check
Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Return
- Fake Out
- Encore / Power-up Punch

Lopunny (obviously) cannot switch in on CC, but switches in on anything else and OHKO with HJK. If you switch in on Sub, you even pull of Encore sheranigans

 

[Random Passerby]

Name: Zapdos
Status: Counter

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 68 SpA / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
- Defog
- Heat Wave

Zapdos resists Cobalion's dual STABs (Cobalion's best move against it is Close Combat which is a 7HKO) so Zapdos can come in easily, heal up with Roost or 2HKO Cobalion with Thunderbolt.

Calculations

252 Atk Cobalion Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 176+ Def Zapdos: 44-52 (11.4 - 13.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 176+ Def Zapdos: 66-78 (17.2 - 20.3%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
68 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 163-193 (50.4 - 59.7%) -- 84% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[noobcubed]

Skarmory as a Counter:

Skarmory @ Leftovers
- Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Counter
Ability: Sturdy
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

The most standard Skarmory set, which runs Brave Bird or possibly Taunt in the last moveslot, is not a particularly good answer to Cobalion as it is 2HKO'd by Close Combat after a Swords Dance. This set, however, does much better, as it can use Counter on a +2 Close Combat to KO Cobalion, and potentially still have enough HP to not be deadweight. If it switches in as Cobalion goes for Substitute it can simply phaze it out. The only way it loses is if Cobalion anticipates Counter and sets up to +6 - but who's going to do that when Counter isn't even that common on Skarmory?

EDIT: Psst, someone post Rocky Helmet Garchomp - it's like the most common thing in OU for crying out loud.

 

[Swagata]

Fat Mence as Counter

Salamence @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail

Defensive Mence can safely switch in vs any of Cobalion's moves even at +2 thanks to intimidate and reliable recovery proceeding to beat Cobalion with EQ.

Calcs

+1 252 Atk Cobalion Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 236+ Def Salamence: 129-153 (32.8 - 38.9%) -- 5.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Salamence Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 150-178 (46.2 - 54.9%) -- 63.7% chance to 2HKO

 

[DoABarrelRoll]

(hard check)

Tangrowth @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature

- Knock Off
- Leaf Storm
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Fire

Tangrowth can switch into any move, avoid the 2HKO from +2 Close Combat at full health, and beat it with HP Fire, which is enough to break its substitute. It can also put Cobalion to sleep, halting its assault and forcing it out. On top of that, Close Combat can bring Cobalion into the 2HKO range. It can lose if rocks are up, but usually Cobalion's first move is Substitute, so it's still a hard check.

0 SpA Tangrowth Hidden Power Fire vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 124-146 (38.2 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Tangrowth Hidden Power Fire vs. -1 4 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 184-218 (56.7 - 67.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 94-112 (23.2 - 27.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 187-222 (46.2 - 54.9%) -- 10.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Aragorn the King]

Week 84: Voting

You guys seemed to like the idea, so here it goes. Choose your favorite check and favorite counter out of:

Checks: Hippowdon (michaeloche)
Thundurus (Albacore)
Volcarona (Bendiving)
Mega Lopunny (escarlata)
SpD Talonflame (NotFalse)
Tangrowth (DoABarrelRoll)

Counters: Landorus-T (fleggumfl)
Quagsire (Recreant)
Slowbro (KidMagic)
Tentacruel (Dr Ciel)
Gyarados (@-lxtamacunxi-)
Zapdos (Random Passerby)
Skarmory (noobcubed)
Bulky Salamence (Mentalist Swag)

[also you don't have to / probably shouldn't tag people like I did; i just did it so I wouldn't have to figure out whose nominations were which on friday]​

 

[Random Passerby]

Check: Talonflame
Counter: Slowbro

 

[Absollite]

Check: Talonflame
Counter: Gyarados

Btw in the counters section, you wrote it as "Bulky MEGA Salamence" for the last one, I believe it should be just "Bulky Salamence". Just pointing it out :)

 

[mew-2Chainz]

Check: Mega Lopunny
Counter: Lando-T

 

[Askeia]

Check: Mega Lopunny
Counter: Quagsire