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

[Grim]

Tyranitar is a check to both

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

Beats Talonflame all day and pretty much OHKOes Mega Gardevoir with Stone Edge after Stealth Rock damage.

252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Mega Gardevoir: 229-271 (82.6 - 97.8%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 888-1048 (271.5 - 320.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 78-93 (22.8 - 27.2%) -- 53.3% chance to 4HKO

 

[Cresselia92]

Chrome-plated body! Badass draconic appearance! Beastly defense! Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to...

Aggron @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam
- Avalanche
- Rock Slide

Here it is, one of the sturdiest and heaviest walls of the OU metagame! While it is a quite rare sight to behold, this metallic beast can take hits like a champ and wreck this core almost effortlessly, thanks to its amazing Ability, good Attack and decent coverage.

Vs. Mega Gardevoir

232 SpA Mega Gardevoir Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Filter Mega Aggron: 213-252 (61.9 - 73.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Mega Aggron Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 16 HP / 8 Def Mega Gardevoir: 486-572 (172.9 - 203.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Mega Aggron only has to beware of Focus Blast, but even with that it would only be 2HKOed while it OHKOes Mega Gardevoir back with Heavy Slam.

Vs. Talonflame

Mega Aggron Calcs

252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 16+ Def Filter Mega Aggron: 91-109 (26.4 - 31.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

+2 252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 16+ Def Filter Mega Aggron: 184-217 (53.4 - 63%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Mega Aggron Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Talonflame: 384-452 (129.2 - 152.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aggron Calcs

252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 16+ Def Aggron: 76-91 (22 - 26.4%) -- 15.6% chance to 4HKO

+2 252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 16+ Def Aggron: 153-181 (44.4 - 52.6%) -- 21.5% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Aggron Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Talonflame: 468-552 (157.5 - 185.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Staying as regular Aggron while facing Talonflame would be the way to go. It can tank the bird's attacks without issues before demolishing it with a STAB Rock Slide. However, it is able to tank various hits even when Mega Evolved, as long as it is careful to not switch in directly on a Flare Blitz once Talonflame has used Swords Dance.

 

[Random Passerby]

Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance

Although it can't switch into this core, Sand Rush Excadrill is a serious threat to this core as it can outspeed and OHKO both members of the core with the appropriate move. Although Gale Wings bypass the doubled Speed due to Sand Rush, Excadrill is not 2HKOed by it and can KO back with Rock Slide.

EDIT: Jolly Nature is used so that Gard does not cheese its way to victory by using Trace.

 

[Albacore]

Tyrantrum @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Head Smash
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Superpower

Switches in on Talonflame easily and OHKOs both members of the core with Head Smash :

252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tyrantrum: 74-87 (24.1 - 28.4%) -- 97.7% chance to 4HKO

252 Atk Tyrantrum Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Gardevoir: 331-390 (119.4 - 140.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

not even gonna calc head smash vs talon

 

[Taliheim]

Rotom-Heat @

Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split

Rotom-H walls Talonflame as well as its OU counterpart Rotom-W, does, taking pitiful amounts of damage from a +2 BB or FB and doing upwards of 80% with Volt Switch. It has a harder time against M-Gardevoir, but it still avoids a 2HKO from everything except the unreliable Focus Blast, and can finish off a weakened M-Gardevoir with Overheat doing as much as 40%. It can also effectively whittle M-Gardevoir down with Pain Split if M-Gardevoir is lacking Taunt.

calcs

+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-H: 117-138 (38.6 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-H: 97-115 (32 - 37.9%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Rotom-H Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 216-254 (72.7 - 85.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

232 SpA Gardevoir Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-H: 90-106 (29.7 - 34.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

232 SpA Gardevoir Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-H: 87-103 (28.7 - 33.9%) -- 99.5% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

232 SpA Gardevoir Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-H: 119-140 (39.2 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Rotom-H Overheat vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gardevoir: 129-153 (46.5 - 55.2%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO

 

[Random Passerby]

It can also effectively whittle M-Gardevoir down with Pain Split.

Pretty sure Gard carries Taunt

 

[Taliheim]

Pretty sure Gard carries Taunt

It can, but it's not run on all of them. I guess I should mention it, though.

 

[bludz]

Well the way that this works is I'm giving each pokemon a specific set and you don't have to worry about slashes. So this Gardevoir has Taunt.

That said, do you guys think I should include slashes? When team building (which is what this exercise is supposed to help with), movesets aren't set in stone so you can adjust them based on threats. Perhaps this flexibility should carry over into the thread.

BTW as long as we are nitpicking stuff, Jolly Excadrill is a bigger threat to the core since Timid Gard can Trace Sand Rush and outspeed Adamant ones.

 

[Volteli]

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

This core cannot safely switch in to Terrakion, with Stone Edge + LO being able to OHKO both members fairly easily. Lum Berry can be used in order to get a Rock Polish / Swords Dance up on any Talon that carry Will-O-Wisp (it isn't in the core but I thouhgt it's worth mentioning), at the cost of missing the OHKO on the switch, so LO is preferred. Jolly nature allows Terrak to outspeed Gardevoir.

Calcs --- Lum Berry ---

- 252 Atk Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 16 HP / 8 Def Mega Gardevoir: 229-270 (81.4 - 96%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

- 252 Atk Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 864-1020 (289.9 - 342.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Calcs --- Life Orb ---

- 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 16 HP / 8 Def Gardevoir: 298-351 (106 - 124.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

- 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 1123-1326 (376.8 - 444.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Trucy Wright]

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 248 Atk / 44 Def / 216 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Aerial Ace
- Fire Fang
- Roost

Aerodactyl is great against the given core. It's a good check to Talon, able to tank +2 BB and kill back. Mega Gardevoir takes 83.3 - 98.5% from Stone Edge, which is likely goodbye after SR damage. Adamant is an option to secure the KO. It's always hard to choose coverage for Aerodactyl, but this set lets you hit things that would otherwise wall you, like Ferrothorn and Keldeo.

 

[-Ixtamacunxi-]

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Punch/Ice Punch/filler

Mega Tar can set up a DD on Talon (even at +2) and can OHKO each member of the core with Crunch afterwards.

Calcs:
+1 252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Crunch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Talonflame: 307-363 (103.3 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Crunch vs. 16 HP / 8 Def Mega Gardevoir: 328-387 (116.7 - 137.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Tyranitar: 120-141 (35.1 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[bludz]

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge

Left the other 3 slots blank because Stone Edge is all you need and I never know what coverage to use on Aerodactly

Hi, would you mind posting a full set please?

You can find all you need in the following thread.

http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/aerodactyl-qc-2-3-not-written.3548334/

 

[Trucy Wright]

oki bludz, made the changes :)

 

[bludz]

Discuss partners

 

[Tressed]

Landorus-Therian @ Soft Sand
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

There's a ton of Rock and Ground type threats to these two, as listed above, so having something to deal with those is pretty important. Lando-T can check threats such as Tyranitar, Mega Aerodactyl, and Excadrill thanks to its reasonable bulk and Intimidate. It's powerful Ground STAB can help damage Talonflame's checks, and U-Turn can also provide Gardevoir the opportunity to come in on it's checks. Also, Stealth Rock support is nice.

 

[heritage]

<--- good sprite #101
Klefki @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm / Careful Nature
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Magnet Rise
- Flash Cannon / Play Rough

Klefki not only proves Spikes support for the due, which quickly wears down checks to both members, since a good majority are grounded, but it also proves speed control in Thunder Wave so Gardevoir can nuke everything. It also checks offensive Rock-type Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Tyranitar, and Tyrantrum. Makes the core a bit weaker to Heatran and Victini, but in worst case scenario, it can at least Thunder Wave them for other team members.

 

[Random Passerby]

Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs : 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Stone Edge
- Outrage

Scarf Chomp checks common threats to the core such as Victini, Mega Aerodacyl, Terrakion, Mega Diancie, opposing Talonflame and Scarf Tyranitar. Talonflame is useful to be able to check Clefable, Mega Altaria and Steel-types which can switch into Garchomp safely. Mega Gardevoir also lures Steel-types with Hidden Power Fire. Unfortunately, Scarf Chomp is outpaced by Sand Rush Excadrill.

 

[Fredrick1]

Keldeo @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power Electric

Pony hits everything on the threatlist for nice damage, outspeeding the whole threatlist with scarf.

Wall Of Calcs

252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Diancie: 240-284 (99.5 - 117.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Victini: 356-422 (88.3 - 104.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 508-604 (148.9 - 177.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Mega Aggron: 165-195 (47.9 - 56.6%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO or you can just 3HKO with scald while Aggron cant really do heavy damage to you.
252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Excadrill: 372-438 (103 - 121.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Tyrantrum: 274-324 (89.5 - 105.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tyrantrum: 240-284 (78.4 - 92.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-H: 246-290 (81.1 - 95.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Keldeo Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Aerodactyl: 272-324 (90.3 - 107.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Tyranitar: 388-460 (113.7 - 134.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[bludz]

Hey can we get a couple more partner nominations please? :)

I'll allow anyone who's done one already to do another in the case of the low activity this week.

 

[Bendiving]

Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower

Azumarill makes a neat partner for this core. With its water STAB, Azu destroys the cores' checks and counters which mainly consist of rock, fire and ground types. Superpower beats the steels. The powerful fairy spam between hyper voice and play rough wears down fairy resists making Azu and Garde's wall breaking much more effective, and the dual-priority core with Talon destroys faster teams.

Defensively the core is weak to poison and electric but since literally every team ever has a ground type it's not really an issue :]

Edit - just make sure you pack a M-Mane counter

 

[DennisEG]

Starmie @ Life Orb
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin

A spin support is needed to keep longevity on Talon, as well starmie is a keldeo switch in at least one because our core is a bit with to it. Starmie is also cant go without psyshock because Garde + Talon deal with all the psyshock threats we can hit like Venu, and leave a free slot to run t-bolt and bop slowbro for late game talon.

 

[Random Passerby]

Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X- Scissor
- Iron Head

Similar with Scarf Chomp, Scarf Terrakion is able to outspeed and threaten a majority of the threatlist with its STAB moves ( Rotom-H, Scarf Pokemon, Mega Diancie ). Talonflame helps Terrakion take care of Scizor and Clefable while Mega Gard breaks Mega Sableye, Mega Altaria and Garchomp, which it is unable to get past.

 

[bludz]

New core

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

Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Psychic
- Tail Glow
- Rain Dance

Ttar pressures/removes psychics such as Latis/Celebi that can prevent Manaphy from smashing balance. Dual weather gives counterplay against other teams that use weather.

Good Cores post

Discuss threats

 

[heritage]

Another You (Altaria) @ Altarianite
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 96 SpD / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Return
- Heal Bell

KingDDD Mega Altaria can set up all over both members, especially a Tyranitar locked into Earthquake or Crunch, or it can simply spam Return and everything drops. It fears little from the core, even a +3 Scald in the Rain does only around half, while Altaria 2HKOs in return without a boost (this does around the same damage as Psychic, and Manaphy wouldn't really have a chance to set up). Heal Bell also cures Scald burns, so being burned doesn't cripple Altaria. Stone Edge damage is a bit scary, but Altaria can just Roost until it eventually misses (or OHKO t-tar if it doesn't want to get greedy, lol).

Hide

252 Atk Tyranitar Crunch vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 50-59 (14.1 - 16.7%) -- possible 5HKO after sandstorm damage

252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 136+ Def Mega Altaria: 124-147 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage

+3 252 SpA Manaphy Scald vs. 248 HP / 96 SpD Mega Altaria in Rain: 178-210 (50.4 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 96 HP / 0 Def Manaphy: 156-184 (42.7 - 50.4%) -- 43% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 288-338 (84.4 - 99.1%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Dr Ciel]

Taking Mega Sceptile.

Don't try and fix me when I'm broken
I need to hurt for me to feel
Feel anything

Broken (Sceptile) @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Focus Blast

Is faster than both members of this core, OHKO's Tyranitar with Focus Blast and Manaphy with STAB Leaf Storm.

252 SpA Mega Sceptile Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 380-448 (111.4 - 131.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Mega Sceptile Leaf Storm vs. 96 HP / 0 SpD Manaphy: 458-542 (125.4 - 148.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Grim]

Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Rest
- Roar

Walls Tyranitar all day and phazes Manaphy without Energy Ball out with Roar. Not a long term answer to Manaphy though.

252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Suicune: 109-130 (27 - 32.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Scald vs. 248 HP / 4 SpD Suicune: 120-142 (29.7 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Psychic vs. 248 HP / 4 SpD Suicune: 181-213 (44.9 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery