Regarding the way this thread runs: After asking around for opinions, I will be officially adopting the new method of running this thread (i.e. doing threats and partners at the same time rather than separately). Compared to the old method, the new one receives around the same number of threats and typically more partners. This is all done in a shorter time frame, which everyone I asked seemed to prefer. Thank you for the feedback and continued participation!
I have updated the OP to reflect the way this thread is ran now.
The top partners for the CB Tar + Serp core are as follows:
Keldeo by
gamer boy,
Mega Slowbro by
-Magic-, and
Mega Scizor by
Fire Fist Ace. Nice job to gamer boy in particular for getting three consecutive partners into the archive! All of these partners cover a variety of important threats to the core. Mega Slowbro's resistance to fighting is especially appreciated here, while Mega Scizor's ability to check things like Mega Alakazam, Mega Altaria, and Gengar is handy. Furthermore, each partner takes advantage of the things the core provides to them. For example, Mega Slowbro and Keldeo enjoy Tar's ability to trap Latios and several electrics. Depending on its moves, Mega Scizor can use U-turn to provide momentum/free switch ins to the core or use Knock Off to remove items from Pokemon like Heatran, which helps Serp greatly.
New core for this round:
Crawdaunt @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Aqua Jet
Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Ice Punch
Crawdaunt packs insane power and is blessed with two great STABs to take advantage of it. Its abilities as a stall breaker are especially notable, being able to rip apart those builds like no other after a SD. It packs enough brute strength to threaten most playstyles outside of stall, and has a nice priority move in Aqua Jet to slightly make up for its lackluster speed and threaten the likes of Exca. Like every Pokemon, Crawdaunt still has its issues. Pokemon like Mega Venu, Chesnaught, and Mega Altaria pose issues for its sweep. Offensive threats like Loom are a nuisance, while faster Pokemon resisting Aqua Jet (like Latios) also present problems. Mega Metagross helps with these issues by threatening all of those Pokemon well. It's also able to use Ice Punch to take down Rocky Chomp, which is an annoying obstacle for Crawdaunt. In exchange, Crawdaunt breaks down a lot of Mega Gross' defensive answers, such as Skarm, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Hippo. Overall, they complement each other quite nicely offensively and make for a cool wallbreaking duo.
You may now begin discussing
threats and
partners to this core. When posting, please be sure to clarify whether the Pokemon you mention is a threat or partner. This will last 4 or 5 days depending on activity.