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

[Fredrick1]

Offensive Stallbreaker/Lure Heatran
Heatran @ Power Herb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power/Stone Edge
- Taunt
- Solar Beam

Well apparantly the Slurpuff+Hawlucha core has many Steel-types included as a threat. Stallbreaker+Lure Heatran fortunately is a pretty solid answer to large majority of the threats to the core.
Fire typing assists with removing pesky Steels, Pre Mega Evolution Metagross, Scizor, Doublade,Skarm, etc
It also has a typing advantage to answer Talonflame, Clefable, and Pinsir to a small extent and becomes a full stop to Weezing w/Taunt
SolarBeam removes Quagsire and lures in Mega Slowbro and win vs it on the switchin, allowing Hawlucha and Slurpuff to sweep.

252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 252 HP / 176 SpD Mega Slowbro: 80-95 (20.3 - 24.1%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
12.5% or 1/8 endturn damage
252 SpA Heatran Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 176 SpD Mega Slowbro: 258-304 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
20.3+12.5+65.4=98.2 Min roll, thats a guranteed kill after SR

 

[DarkNostalgia]

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

Volcarona is a cool partner for this core for multiple reasons. Firstly, Volcarona fits nicely on such an offensively-oriented core. Secondly, it provides an answer to multiple annoying Pokemon such as Mega Scizor, Clefable, Quagsire, Doublade, and Skarmory and after a Quiver Dance, Mega Metagross, Weezing, Azumarill, Landorus-T, and Alakazam. Volcarona also provides another setup sweeper yay because who doesn't like those.

Oh and it'll be a perfect partner after AM decides to ban Talonflame Talonflame dies. Stealth Rock is also annoying so Rapid Spin / Defog users such as Excadrill are good partners as well.

 

[Albacore]

Charizard @ Charizardite-Y
Ability: Who cares
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Solarbeam
- Focus Blast
- Roost

Deals with Scizor as well as Unaware Clefable, checks other Steels and Fairies which are threatening to the core, and unlike other Fire-types isn't bait for Slowbro and can actually kinda lure it if the opponent expects an XZard instead of YZard. Generally speaking, YZard hugely threatens balanced teams which this core has some trouble dealing with compared to more offensive teams.

 

[Random Passerby]

Victini @ Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Final Gambit / Zen Headbutt

Obliterates almost every single threat listed above (bar Slowbro and Quagsire) with V-Create and 2HKO Mega Slowbro with Bolt Strike. Final Gambit can be used to allow Victini to lure Quagsire, heavily damaging it at the cost of Victini fainting. U-Turn allows you to switch into a favourable match-up to set up Belly Drum or Sword Dances easier for the core.

 

[Fire-breather Richard]

Houndoom @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 40 HP / 8 Def / 208 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Will-O-Wisp / Taunt

Yet another Fire-type, how original. Mega Houndoom roasts all the Steel-types (and Mega Pinsir) who cannot hope to outspeed it with Fire Blast while 2HKOing (or OHKO at +2) Mega Slowbro with a Super Effective Dark Pulse, which also 2HKOes Quagsire and Talonflame. Will-O-Wisp burns switch-ins and wear them down.

 

[DennisEG]

Why this bird is so good right now?

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 216 HP / 228 Atk / 64 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
- Swords Dance / Will-o-Wisp
- Roost

Since u already have 2 set up mons to weaken all walls, a third one isnt bad also with the ability of stallbreaking this monster can threats steel types, taunt walls and with adamant nature can revenge easily some of the threats for the core like Zam, pinsir,etc. Deals with fairies as well and can wear down unaware mons with wow + taunt.

 

[SketchUp]

Reserving Entei-because why not have 7 fire types in a row

A few things about this core:
*Slurpuff is really weak when unboosted (244 Atk Slurpuff Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 164+ Def Garchomp: 170-204 (40.4 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO) and even after a boost, it fails to OHKO pokemon like Skarmory, Slowbro and MScizor. Its mediocre bulk and speed before the Unburden boost makes it really hard to find setup opportunities.
*With a better STAB move in HJK and a bit more attack, Hawlucha is a lot better before setting up. Its typing is decent but not good enough to set up mutliple times. Just like Slurpuff, it often doesn't get more than one setup opportunity.
*This core really relies on setting up before the opponent does so pokemon like Mega Altaria and Zard X can easily beat this core once they have set up.

Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Fire
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt

First of all Magnezone traps some of the few pokemon that can beat Slurpuff and Hawlucha after they set up: Mega Scizor, Skarmory and regular Scizor. Mega Slowbro and Clefable are respectively threatened by Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon, which gives Magnezone a lot of momentum in those 1v1 matchups. Because of their low bulk, Hawlucha and Slurpuff both love the momentum so they can find these chances to SD or BD. Magnezone also helps against mono-attacking Mega Altaria / Special Mega Altaria which is a huge threat to the core if Slurpuff fails to set up.

Magneton @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power Fire

Alternatively, Magneton is an option because it outspeeds and beats SD Talonflame (ohkos both after a sd) Tornadus-T (LO Hurricane ohkos both after rocks) Weavile (does > 70% with Icicle Crash against Slurpuff) and Alakazam (can live a hit because of sash and twave / psychic Slurpuff and Hawlucha)

 

[PK Bash]

I haven't posted on a thread like this before so I hope I'm not doing anything wrong apart from not suggesting a Fire type. Here goes:

Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Ice

Mega Manectric is great because it severely weakens most of the threats, and has the Initmidate + Volt Switch combo to grant easier set-ups to the two members of the core. It also does a great job at cleaning up if one goes down. It has to Mega Evolve first, but that's never particularly difficult because its not as if it's competing with either of them for earlygame time. Manectric struggles with Quagsire and Clefable the most out of the threats listed but does pretty well against the others. It dislikes hazards but most teams have hazard removal anyway.

 

[Exeggutive]

Azelf @ Light Clay
Levitate
252 HP/ 252 Spe / 4 atk
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Stealth Rocks
- Explosion

Pretty lame but screen work well with this core.

Charizard @ Charizardite-X
Blaze
Adamant Nature
252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Swords Dance
- Flame Charge/Tailwind
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
Fire types yea. Can be any set though really. SD let's zard be a nasty wall breaker that breaks a lot of shit like hippo, Slowbro, what, etc for someone else on the team to go ham

 

[bludz]

lol my bad guys. I'm off work this week so I sorta lost track of it being Monday. I'll also be updating top partners soon, sorry ;_;

Anyway I got positive responses regarding 3 pokemon cores and so we will do a couple this week. Here's the first one.

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

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball

Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Recover

This is a balance core that used to be incredibly popular and still sees a fair amount of usage. Basic hazard stacking + spinner with checks to Talonflame, Bisharp, Mega Lopunny, Mega Charizard X (Hippowdon), Mega Altaria, Mega Gyarados, Rain sweepers (Ferrothorn), Keldeo, Heatran (Starmie).

Here is a link to the Good Cores post

Anyway just to reiterate:
With 3 pokemon cores we will ONLY be discussing threats for half the week and then will move onto another core.

Discuss threats.

 

[boltsandbombers]

Sableye-Mega @ Sablenite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Shadow Ball / Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp

Mega Sableye is a massive threat to this core as it sets up on and has no trouble breaking through all three members, while also blocking Starmie's Rapid Spin. Completely shuts down the hazard stacking core of Hippo + Ferro with Magic Bounce and sets up on them, and is one of the main reasons you see a Clefable paired with this core. However, it dislikes the residual damage from sand and potential Scald burns from Starmie.

 

[p2]

Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]

4 Attacks KyuB completely shreds this core as all 3 mons can do very little to it as KyuB outspeeds them all apart from Starmie (all it does it chip at it with Scald) and OHKOs every mon apart from Ferrothorn, but all it needs is prior damage from Earth Power or Ice Beam.

4 Atk Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-B Fusion Bolt vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Starmie: 338-400 (104.6 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-B Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 452-533 (107.6 - 126.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-B Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 270-322 (76.7 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[heritage]

Illuminate (Altaria) @ Altarianite
Ability: Cloud Nine
EVs: 248 HP / 168 SpA / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Earthquake / Heal Bell

Although this core doesn't have too many problems with Dragon Dance, specially attacking Mega Altaria tears apart this core with the combination of Pixilate Hyper Voice and Fire Blast. Since Starmie doesn't have Ice Beam and no investment into special attack, Mega Altaria easily eats up any attacks that it can throw at it, not particularly caring about Burn since Earthquake doesn't do much to the core. It can even run Heal Bell to cure itself of Burn damage. Altaria is able to 2HKO Hippowdon (which does less than half back with Earthquake) and Starmie with Hyper Voice and OHKO Ferrothorn with Fire Blast. Starmie has a really hard time stalling Hyper Voice out with Recover since it does upwards of 76%.

 

[Exeggutive]

Weavile @ Life Orb
Ability: Pickpocket
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash

It can outspeed the entire squad and nothing can take KO+ other move.

 

[Albacore]

Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild / Modest nature
- Dark Pulse
- Draco Meteor
- Superpower / Fire Blast
- Flash Cannon / Roost

Literally just spams Dark Pulse vs this core.

Starmie obviously hates this thing, it can't touch it at all for obvious reasons and is OHKOed by Dark Pulse.

0 SpA Starmie Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 47-56 (14.4 - 17.2%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 16 SpD Starmie: 408-484 (126.3 - 149.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Hippowdon can't do too much either since Stone Edge does a pitiful amount:

4 Atk Hippowdon Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 87-103 (26.7 - 31.6%) -- 46% chance to 3HKO after sandstorm damage

and though Hydreigon isn't guatanteed to 2HKO, it still has a good chance especially when considering Dark Pulse's flinch chance.

252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 207-243 (49.2 - 57.8%) -- 58.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Also it completely loses to Roost which, while rare, since it sacreifices important coverage, is still a very legitimate option on Hydreigon.

Then you have Ferrothorn, which already takes a lot from Dark Pulse :

252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 140-165 (39.7 - 46.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

so if ferro is weakened to around 75%, which it often is, it ca,n't swicth in. Also, if Hydreigon chooses to run Fire Blast, it completely roasts it:

252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 510-603 (144.8 - 171.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO.

All in all, a big threat to the core which doesn't really need to predict vs it. (you can also go the extra mile and run Specs Hydreigon but it's not as good as LO in general)

 

[Analytic]

Gimme CharY pls

 

[Dr Ciel]

I'm taking Serperior.

Serperior @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power Fire
- Taunt

Serperior is an extremely huge threat to the posted core for a number of reasons. First off, Hippowdon and Starmie are both easily run over by a Life Orb boosted STAB Leaf Storm. Ferrothorn however is tricky, cause Gyro Ball has a chance to 2HKO Serperior, however it is OHKO'd by a +2 HP Fire should it come in to take a Leaf Storm.

 

[Vinc608]

Reserving Azumarill

 

[-Ixtamacunxi-]

Manaphy @ Rindo Berry
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 96 HP / 248 SpA / 164 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tail Glow
- Scald
- Energy Ball
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Manaphy can safely set up a TG on any member of the core thanks to its Rindo Berry, which allows it to easily take Ferrothorn's Power Whip:
0 Atk Ferrothorn Power Whip vs. 96 HP / 0 Def Rindo Berry Manaphy: 123-145 (33.6 - 39.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

After a Tail Glow, Manaphy completely decimates this core with the right move.

+3 248 SpA Manaphy Scald vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 614-726 (146.1 - 172.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+3 248 SpA Manaphy Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 416-492 (118.1 - 139.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+3 248 SpA Manaphy Energy Ball vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Starmie: 466-550 (144.2 - 170.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Celticpride]

Latias @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Refresh / Substitute
- Stored Power

Mega Latias is a big threat to this core, as Ferro is the only one capable of even breaking the Sub (0 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (110 BP) vs. 248 HP / 84+ Def Mega Latias: 82-97 (22.5 - 26.7%)) and that's on a roll. From there Latias proceeds to set-up Calm Minds until it can bust right through this core. Even adding phazing to Hippowdon won't help as Whirlwind only delays the problem temporarily. Refresh is usable over Sub because nothing is doing too much damage anyway, and Refresh offers some situational advantages over Sub.

 

[Random Passerby]

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Fire
- Synthesis

Survives even a Psyshock and OHKOes Starmie back with Giga Drain. Also defeats Ferrothorn with Hidden Power Fire and Hippowdon with Giga Drain without caring about what they did to it.

 

[DarkNostalgia]

Decode (Alakazam) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Grass Knot / Encore

Balance breaker coming to break a balance core! Alakazam is a huge threat due to the lack of switch-ins to it and the fact that all of the Pokemon in the core are OHKOed or 2HKOed with the right combination of moves. It OHKOes Starmie with just a little bit of prior damage (after Stealth Rock it's 70% chance to OHKO), and Hippowdon with Grass Knot. Hippowdon is also 2HKOed by Psychic on the switch. Lastly, Ferrothorn can't switch into any move as any move + Focus Blast results in a dead Ferrothorn. Could run Encore > Grass Knot to screw over Reflect Type Starmie / Stealth Rock Hippowdon / Spikes/Leech Seed Ferrothorn.

Calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 265-315 (75.2 - 89.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Starmie: 268-317 (82.9 - 98.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 398-468 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 224-265 (53.3 - 63%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[Fire-breather Richard]

How did nobody do this yet?

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 SpD
Calm Nature
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Flamethrower

Tanks everything the core can throw at it, even Ferrothorn's Gyro Ball and can set up in their face, healing up when necessary. Flamethrower allows Clefable to get past Ferrothorn and Specially Defensive Skarmory easier.

 

[ThePack]

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Roost
- Focus Blast/Will-O-Wisp/Ancient Power

MegaZard Y absolutely decimates this core, with Fire Blast being able to 2hko standard Hippowdon in the sand, Starmie failing to OHKO with any of its moves and being OHKO'd by The Beam of Light, and Ferrothorn not being able to touch Zard and being OHKO'd by Fire Blast. Even though this thing is relatively rare in the current meta due to its opportunity cost and exploitability, there is no denying that this mon poses a threat to the HippoRroMie core.

 

[Vinc608]

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

Azumarill, equipped of CB, destroys common balanced cores, and this core is not an exception. Indeed, Azumarill comes against Hippowdon and Starmie (be wary of Scald) and can use Superpower against Ferrothorn. A Belly Drum set can also work, as +6 Knock Off OHKO Ferrothorn after a little prior damage.