Project Core Analysis Workshop (Discussing Partners for Mega Sharpedo + Tank Chomp)

[-Ixtamacunxi-]

Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid/Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast/Earth Power
- U-turn

Pretty simple tbh. Hydreigon beats both mons 1v1, outspeeding Zam and taking a BP from Scizor, then KOing them with Dark Pulse/Fire Blast respectively. Modest also outspeeds Mega Zam, so you can use that over Timid for more power. Unfortunately it can only come in safely into Shadow Ball and Psychic, but once it's in it can really pressure both members of the core.

Calcs

252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Alakazam: 266-314 (105.5 - 124.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Scizor: 556-656 (162 - 191.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Scizor: 153-180 (44.6 - 52.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock (Dark Pulse 2HKO's Scizor after rocks, so Earth Power is a decent option over Fire Blast)

252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 177-208 (54.4 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[bludz]

Time to discuss partners

 

[DarkNostalgia]

Gold @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Superpower / Knock Off

"Statues and empires are all at your hands,
Water to wine and the finest of sands.
When all that you have's turnin stale and its cold,
Oh you'll no longer fear when your heart's turned to gold."

Azumarill is quite a nice partner for this core, as it boasts the power to deal with numerous Fire-types such as Volcarona, Mega Houndoom, and Mega Charizard X. In addition, numerous Dark-types which trouble the core such as Mega Absol (xD), Mega Sableye, and Mandibuzz fall to Azumarill as well. Azumarill also deals with Landorus-T to an extent, as well as Hydreigon. However, with Azumarill, the core fails against Suicune, Mega Scizor, and Mega Charizard Y, as well as Talonflame to some extent.

In turn, Azumarill struggles with such things like Electric- and Grass-types such as Raikou and Celebi, which Mega Alakazam and Scizor check quite nicely respectively.

 

[Albacore]

Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Superpower

Double pursuit core! But yeah this is a pretty good partner, it swicthes into Talonflame, checks both Zards, traps Victini, and just generally deals with Fire-types which are really annoying to the core. It also checks Dark-types and Flying-types both of which can be a pain for the core And obviosuly, like Scizor, it can trap fat psychics for Zam to have an easier time.

 

[Swagata]

Keldeo @ Leftovers/Choice Specs/Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind/Hp Fire
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Substitute/Hydro Pump

Keldeo is an amazing partner to the core of M. Alakazam and Scizor. Keldeo counters many things which the core is weak to, most notably Mega Sableye, Bisharp and Mega Scizor. Sub CM is one of my most favorite to use which is useful in general and specially for checking Bisharp if it somehow gets nasty boosts to its attack. While the Specs set is common and known for its raw power. Life orb can also be used if being locked into a move is dislicked.

Keldeo however adds more Talon weakness to the core and TankChomp or Defensive Landorus can be used as a great partner to check them. Lati@s weakness which it adds will be dealt with by scizor most of the time unless it carries HP Fire.

 

[Random Passerby]

EDIT: Landorus-I got banned from OU. Doing Terrakion instead.

Landorus @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Rock Polish
- Earth Power
- Rock Slide
- Focus Blast

Notice that most of the threats listed to this core are either Choice Scarfed Pokemon, fast Mega Pokemon or Fire-type Pokemon. Landorus-I is thus a good partner to this core as it can easily outspeed them with a Rock Polish and clean up the threats after a bit of prior damage.

Earth Power obviously OHKOes the Fire-types, Rock Slide for the Flying-types and Volcarona while Focus Blast hits Steel-types and Hydreigon very hard. As a bonus, Earth Power also 2HKOes Mega Scizor, Mega Sableye, Skarmory and Suicune so they can't switch in safely.

Note: The match-up against Skarmory and Suicune are still pretty shaky so an Electric-type such as Thundurus is recommended.

 

[SketchUp]

Gold @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Superpower / Knock Off

"Statues and empires are all at your hands,
Water to wine and the finest of sands.
When all that you have's turnin stale and its cold,
Oh you'll no longer fear when your heart's turned to gold."

Azumarill is quite a nice partner for this core, as it boasts the power to deal with numerous Fire-types such as Volcarona, Mega Houndoom, and Mega Charizard X. In addition, numerous Dark-types which trouble the core such as Mega Absol (xD), Mega Sableye, and Mandibuzz fall to Azumarill as well. Azumarill also deals with Landorus-T to an extent, as well as Hydreigon. However, with Azumarill, the core fails against Suicune, Mega Scizor, and Mega Charizard Y, as well as Talonflame to some extent.

In turn, Azumarill struggles with such things like Electric- and Grass-types such as Raikou and Celebi, which Mega Alakazam and Scizor check quite nicely respectively.

Was thinking of Azumarill too but I was thinking of BD > Band. Main reason is that this core has the opportunities to support Azumarill with setting up BD (Encore on Zam, slow U-Turn with Scizor) Band is definitely a great wallbreaker but I think this core appreciates the BD set more as the core already has 2 great wallbreakers who can support Azu in a late game sweep

 

[MANNAT]

Reserving Heatran

 

[Lord Wallace]

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Intimidate
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly/Adamant

-Waterfall
-Bounce
-Dragon Dance
-Substitute

Bops Heatran and other Fire types, bops Landorus, takes on Mega Scizor decently, sets up on Suicune, discourages Mega Sableye from Wisping due to Substitute, and provides a late game win con after Zam and Scizor weaken the opposing team. Scizor and Zam can also draw out Ferrothorn and either weaken or flat out kill it with their Fighting coverage for Gyarados.

 

[Exeggutive]

Was thinking of Azumarill too but I was thinking of BD > Band. Main reason is that this core has the opportunities to support Azumarill with setting up BD (Encore on Zam, slow U-Turn with Scizor) Band is definitely a great wallbreaker but I think this core appreciates the BD set more as the core already has 2 great wallbreakers who can support Azu in a late game sweep

I was about to post BD Azu as well. It helps break stuff like bulky waters which Scizor has trouble with and it also breaks some steels for both members.
Zam and Scizor can threaten bulky grass types like venu, Amoongus and serperior who often cut Azu sweeps short.
Azu is nice all around but BD just breaks teams more efficiently when using offense imo.

Gonna post skarm
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Impish nature
- Roost
- Spikes
- Brave Bird / Counter
- Defog/ Whirlwind

Ight so it might be weird adding Skarm to an offensive core like this but hear me out. Spikes help this core out soo much it's not even funny. Zam works great with Skarm since Trace can be extremely clutch sometimes. For example, Zam takes Heatran Lava Plumes all day thanks to its new flash fire. One scenario that happened a lot was ppl would try and trap my Skarm or Scizor with Magnezone. Zam can Trace magnet pull, outspeed and kill with focus blast. This allows me to play as agressivly as I want with my steels which is nice since teams with zone are usually struggle getting past steel types. Skarm can make bisharp less annoying and handle Metagross who can be a problem to the core too.
You definitely want to add something that handle electrics though. Raikou is cool since it beats Thundurus and is absoluelty amazing with spike support and mons that destroy clef, ttar, Tran, ferrothron.
Add something to pressure sabeleye and u got a team

 

[Clone]

Landorus @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Rock Polish
- Earth Power
- Rock Slide
- Focus Blast

Notice that most of the threats listed to this core are either Choice Scarfed Pokemon, fast Mega Pokemon or Fire-type Pokemon. Landorus-I is thus a good partner to this core as it can easily outspeed them with a Rock Polish and clean up the threats after a bit of prior damage.

Earth Power obviously OHKOes the Fire-types, Rock Slide for the Flying-types and Volcarona while Focus Blast hits Steel-types and Hydreigon very hard. As a bonus, Earth Power also 2HKOes Mega Scizor, Mega Sableye, Skarmory and Suicune so they can't switch in safely.

Note: The match-up against Skarmory and Suicune are still pretty shaky so an Electric-type such as Thundurus is recommended.

Um Lando is banned fyi

 

[Random Passerby]

Um Lando is banned fyi

It wasn't banned when I made the post lol. I'm just about to make a new nomination.

Terrakion @ Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance

The aim of this set is to set up Rocks against Mega Sableye as it can set-up a SD without fearing a burn due to Lum, and then 2HKO Mega Sableye with +2 Stone Edge (and does not fear getting murdered by Foul Play due to it's Dark resistance) . It can set-up Rocks against almost any opponent bar Taunt Azelf. Furthermore, Terrakion, if at high health, is able to OHKO Talonflame while also being able to take on Absol-M, Pidgeot-M, Charizard (both forms), Hydreigon and Victini. Swords Dance also means it's able to defeat Skarmory (Mega Alakazam can carry Taunt or Encore so that Terrakion can set-up easier on it) and Mandibuzz. Unfortunately, Terrakion is helpless against Scizor-M.

EDIT: yeah, -Clone- , thanks for the heads-up. I just noticed that our nominations work similarly haha.

EDIT 2: You can actually use Scarf Terrakion here to have a better match-up against faster threats but this leaves Terrakion unable to do anything against Mega Sableye. You also lose the utility of Stealth Rock if you go that route.

 

[Clone]

Just letting u know

---

Garchomp @ Lum Berry
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Stealth Rock

Perfect hazard setter for these two. It gets up rocks against basically anything bar Azelf, and it can then wreck havoc on an opposing team with +2 earthquakes and dragon claws, which can easily page the way for a Zam / Scizor sweep since fat stuff'll be weakened from chomp. I chose this over RH Chomp cuz this does a better job at maintaining offensive presence, although having a better pivot could be nice in some scenarios. I just like SD SR better.

 

[Deussol]

A lot of the stuff that threatens this core is fire/bird spam, so...

Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 212 HP / 44 Atk / 252 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge/Rock Blast
- Ice Punch/Toxic

Sets hazards, tanks hits, kills burds and stuff.

Hide

Charizard X -
44+ Atk Rhyperior Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Charizard X: 300-354 (101 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO vs.
+1 252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Dragon Claw vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Rhyperior: 187-222 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Talonbro -
44+ Atk Rhyperior Stone Edge vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 868-1024 (265.4 - 313.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO vs.
+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Rhyperior: 112-132 (26.4 - 31.1%) -- 14.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

Pinsir (which wasn't mentioned but return + qa KOs scizor and pinsir shits on alakazam)
44+ Atk Rhyperior Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Pinsir: 564-664 (208.1 - 245%) -- guaranteed OHKO vs.
252 Atk Mega Pinsir Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 147-174 (34.6 - 41%) -- 61.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Staraptor (which also wasn't mentioned but ohkos scizor and alakazam)
44+ Atk Rhyperior Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Staraptor: 438-516 (140.8 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO vs.
252 Atk Choice Band Staraptor Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 183-216 (43.1 - 50.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[bludz]

Apologies for not having picked the top 3 partners for Altaria + Manaphy yet, I'll do it tonight.

Okay here's the new core for this week.

Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Earthquake

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch

Alright so I guess I'm tooting my own horn a bit since this is a core I posted in the good cores thread. On that note I realize a couple of the cores I've posted have been from there (Mega Lop + Gar and Zam + Scizor I believe) so I'll be going back to those posts and dropping the links in. Anyway I'll leave the link for this one below but basically Gyarados with 3 attacks is underprepared for, with common checks like Keldeo and Azumarill taking a ton from +1 EQ while also bopping Rotom-Wash. Croak thrives against pretty much every counter to Gyara including Chesnaught, Mega Altaria before a DD, Ferrothorn and Scarf Keldeo (beware Specs Secret Sword) and provides a form of priority. In return Gyarados breaks fat ground and psychic types for Toxicroak.

Here's a link to the good cores post: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/oras-good-cores-check-post-714.3524713/page-36#post-6197759

Discuss threats to this core.

 

[Dr Ciel]

Mega Gardevoir please.

Hah, I'm still two fast.

Gardevoir @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Will-O-Wisp

Mega Gardevoir is a huge threat to this core, despite not being able to switch in directly, can OHKO both of them with her STAB moves. It can switch in on Gyarados, as long as it doesn't DD, and can OHKO it with Hyper Voice. It can only switch in on Toxicroak on a Drain Punch or a predicted Sucker Punch and OHKO it with Psyshock. Also if possible, she can burn both with Will-O-Wisp, making her even more of a threat.

 

[Analytic]

Reserving Thundurus-I

 

[p2]

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast / Toxic

Garchomp walls Toxicroak since it lacks Ice Punch can OHKO it with Earthquake, while it prevents Gyarados setting up with Dragon Tail and picks up a lot of damage on it with phazing, especially if it hasn't mega evolved. Gyarados does less than 30% with its own Earthquake and can't afford to take ton of residual damage from Rough Skin + Rocky Helmet most of the time

 

[GnralLao]

Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Foul Play

M-Sableye has great typing and mixed bulk, a mean to Recover its health back, Will-O-Wisp to cripple both M-Gyarados and Toxicroak, and Foul Play to deal great damage to both of them after they've been burned. It can switch on any move from the core, even boosting moves since they'll get burned on the following turn.

 

[SketchUp]

Skarmory @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Whirlwind / Toxic
- Brave Bird / Whirlwind
- Spikes / Defog / Stealth Rock

Skarmory beats this core with either Whirlwind or Toxic + Brave Bird because Mega Gyarados lacks Taunt. Both fail to 2hko Skarmory after a boost so Skarmory can hit them first and then Roost stall or Whirlwind them both away multiple times. Also, Spikes are very annoying for both members so that makes Skarmory even a bigger threat.

 

[Random Passerby]

Gallade @ Galladeite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Zen Headbutt
- Knock Off

Outspeeds and OHKOes both members of the core with it's STAB moves (Toxicroak's Sucker Punch deals 43.8 % max). Knock Off complements the STAB moves while Swords Dance allows Mega Gallade to wallbreak and sweep. However, it can't switch into Gyarados at all as +1 Gyarados will OHKO it with any prior damage (if it is at 100% it can survive a +1 Waterfall but this leaves it crippled).

Calculations

252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 434-512 (131.1 - 154.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 880-1044 (286.6 - 340%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gallade: 103-122 (37 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gallade: 234-276 (84.1 - 99.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Analytic]

Thundurus-I @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Spe / 252 SpA
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Nasty Plot

This move is literally all that Thundurus needs to beat the core. M-Gyarados is not living a Thunderbolt and it does a minimum of 85.6% to Toxicroak but Toxicroak is going to Sucker Punch anyway and the recoil+Thunderbolt should deal with it comfortably and even if Thunderbolt doesn't kill, Sucker Punch only has a 15.6% chance to 2HKO so you should be good. Alternatively, Nasty Plot on the Gyarados while it switches out into something else and the core is dealt with

 

[Albacore]

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 24 Def / 232 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-Turn
- Stone Edge
- Superpower

Comes in very easily against Toxicroak and OHKOs it with EQ, which Gyarados cannot switch in on if it's already Mega Evolved since it gets 2HKOed. Can also swicth in on MGyara's Waterfall once and, if it's already Mega Evolved, deals a ton of damage back with Superpower, having a chance to OHKO if Gyarados took Stealth Rock damage.

-1 252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Landorus-T: 78-92 (24.4 - 28.8%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO
-1 252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Landorus-T: 70-83 (21.9 - 26%) -- 5.2% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Toxicroak: 504-594 (164.1 - 193.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

-1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Landorus-T: 212-252 (66.4 - 78.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 165-195 (49.8 - 58.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 262-310 (79.1 - 93.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Malley]

Diancie @ Diancite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Moonblast
- Earth Power
- Diamond Storm
- Rock Polish

Pretty much the same deal as Mega Gardevoir, except it hardly takes anything from Sucker Punch before KOing with Earth Power (252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Diancie: 45-53 (18.6 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO + 252 SpA Mega Diancie Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Toxicroak: 326-384 (106.1 - 125%) -- guaranteed OHKO) whereas Gardevoir is heavily dented. Moonblast isn't a guaranteed KO on Gyarados (252 SpA Mega Diancie Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Gyarados: 288-342 (87 - 103.3%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO) but it needs very little prior damage.

The other thing distinguishing it from Mega Gardevoir is its bulk pre-mega: if it runs Protect, it can actually switch in on Toxicroak's Gunk Shot, live the Sucker Punch, and KO (252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Diancie: 156-185 (64.7 - 76.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO + 252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Diancie: 45-53 (18.6 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO).

 

[Exeggutive]

Idk I feel like ice Fang works better on Gyara for this example since it can beat Altaria and garchomp which can be annoying.

Altaria @ Altariate
Natural Cure
252 Spe / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
Once it gets a boost on Gyara or something it outspeeds and kills croaker with Eq and resists sucker punch. Return knocks out Gyara.