Project SV OU - Victim of the Week (Week 62: Dragon Dance Kyurem) [SUBMISSIONS OPEN!]

Thanks to everyone for being a part of VotW! This week's winners are...

Check
:Samurott_Hisui: by chartung17

Counter
:Slowking: by Anchor9

Congratulations, your sets will be added to the Hall of Fame! Our next week's threat may or may not be the cousin of one of last week's winners - with a recent climb in the VR rankings to S-, what stands in the way of Galarian Slowking?

:sv/Slowking_Galar:
Slowking-Galar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 144 SpA / 96 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Surf


Slowking-Galar is one of the most potent defensive checks in OU, wielding an Assault Vest to enhance its already significant special bulk and allow it to invest in its Special Attack. This Pokemon can fire off powerful Psyshocks and Sludge Bombs to hit special and physical checks alike, with Flamethrower providing coverage to threaten Steel-types with super effective damage, while Surf is a strong option that targets certain Fire- and Ground-types that would otherwise be able to switch in on it with impunity. This combines well with a Tera type of Water, a great neutral defensive typing that gives it an even better matchup into weather teams that already find it hard for their special attackers to muscle through it. Can anything step up to the king?

Submissions are open until Thursday, June 13th at 11:59PM EST
You may submit up to 1 check and 1 counter!

A slow specially defensive poison type who hits hard? I know the perfect mon to counter it (its actually a check because lack of reliable recovery and weakness to surf)

Ursaluna @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
Tera Type: Water / Normal
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- Headlong Rush
- Fire Punch
- Swords Dance

252+ Atk Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 252 HP / 16 Def Slowking-Galar: 536-632 (136 - 160.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO <-- Before guts even triggers
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 16 Def Slowking-Galar: 468-552 (118.7 - 140.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO <-- hits hard through tera

however one does need to be careful because a surf does around 45% and burning tera water to survive surf might not be the best idea, considering ursaluna's poor survivability due to burn, but due to its sheer bulk it could be worth it
 
Counter:
:sv/ursaluna:
Ursaluna @ Flame Orb
Level: 100
Adamant Nature
Tera Type: Normal
Ability: Guts
EVs: 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe
- Facade
- Headlong Rush
- Fire Punch
- Swords Dance

Surf never OHKOs, and Facade always does:
144+ SpA Tera Water Slowking-Galar Surf vs. 116 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 318-374 (73.9 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 16 Def Tera Water Slowking-Galar: 468-552 (118.7 - 140.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

I don't think ursaluna is a counter
 
I don't think ursaluna is a counter
It is though. For the purposes of this challenge, the definition of a counter is this:
Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.
Ursaluna meets this definition. Worst case scenario is Glowking teras and clicks Surf on the switch, at which point Ursaluna takes ~93% from a high roll on the hit plus burn chip then outspeeds and OHKOs on the next turn. Obviously, that interaction is pretty unrealistic, and unrepresentative of both mon's role in the game- among other things Ursaluna isn't a long term answer to anything, Ursaluna is highly unlikely to be switched in to a Surf and takes the other attacks quite well, hazards exist, hitting whatever Glowking switches to is still Ursa winning the interaction, etc. Of course, for the purpose of this challenge that only matters during voting, what matters now is just the technical definition , which Ursaluna meets.
 
And we are back! Apologies for the delay, I'll be handling VotW over the next few weeks. For our next week, we'll take a look at a devastating wallbreaker that has nearly no switch-ins in the tier, with insane power and great bulk that makes it so hard to deal with along with intelligence that leaves it smarter than your average bear; what can take on Ursaluna?

:sv/Ursaluna:
Ursaluna @ Flame Orb
Adamant Nature
Tera Type: Normal
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
- Facade
- Headlong Rush
- Fire Punch
- Swords Dance


Ursaluna fits on both bulkier and more fast-paced offensive builds in SV OU, bringing unmatched wallbreaking power to the table while also functioning as a near un-oneshottable defensive piece that can take advantage of defensive pivots or offensive doubles to find itself in a position to claim a kill. Tera Normal Facade is strong enough to cleanly 2HKO even resists, while Headlong Rush is a perfect pairing to target Ground- and Rock-types that would resist its Facade along with just being a fantastic 120BP STAB option. Fire Punch hits some of the few resistances to Ursaluna's Normal- and Ground-type attacks, and Swords Dance allows Ursaluna to punish passivity and take advantage of switches to force a KO whenever it hits the field. Is there anything that can bear this threat?

Submissions are open until Thursday, July 11th at 11:59PM EST
You may submit up to 1 check and 1 counter!
 
Reserving Sinistcha
COUNTER
:SV/Sinistcha:
Sinistcha @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Heatproof
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Matcha Gotcha
- Shadow Ball
- Strength Sap

Sinistcha is one of the hardest counters to Ursaluna available on the market. It is not 2HKO'd by either Headlong Rush or Fire Punch, and can 2HKO Ursaluna back with Macha Gotcha. Furthermore, Strength Sap will restore Sinistcha's HP back to full almost always because of how high Ursaluna's attack is, while also debuffing it, making its attacks deal less damage on subsequent turns. Ursaluna's best hope against Sinistcha is running Crunch, which does deal a large amount of damage to Sinistcha - however this will hinder Ursaluna's match-ups against other Pokemon such as Corviknight and Skarmory.

0 SpA Sinistcha Matcha Gotcha vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 246-290 (53 - 62.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
0 SpA Sinistcha Matcha Gotcha vs. -1 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 368-434 (79.3 - 93.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
0 SpA Sinistcha Matcha Gotcha vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tera Normal Ursaluna: 123-145 (26.5 - 31.2%) -- 39.5% chance to 3HKO after burn damage
0 SpA Sinistcha Matcha Gotcha vs. -1 252 HP / 0 SpD Tera Normal Ursaluna: 184-217 (39.6 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage

252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Sinistcha: 127-150 (36.7 - 43.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Heatproof Sinistcha: 108-128 (31.2 - 36.9%) -- 75.3% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Sinistcha: 255-300 (73.6 - 86.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Heatproof Sinistcha: 214-252 (61.8 - 72.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Crunch vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Sinistcha: 226-268 (65.3 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Crunch vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Sinistcha: 452-534 (130.6 - 154.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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Counter
:sv/ceruledge:

Ceruledge @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bitter Blade
- Poltergeist
- Shadow Sneak


:v4:
 
Check:
:sv/polteageist:
Polteageist @ Focus Sash
Level: 100
Timid Nature
Tera Type: Fighting
Ability: Weak Armor
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Shadow Ball
- Stored Power
- Tera Blast
- Shell Smash

With focus sash and shell smash, polteagiest will be able to live a hit on 1, and with the boosts from shell smash and weak armor, which will happen as all of ursalunas moves are contact. stored power will one shot

+2 252 SpA Polteageist Stored Power (180 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 482-568 (120.1 - 141.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Counter:
:sv/zamazenta:
Zamazenta @ Leftovers
Level: 100
Jolly Nature
Tera Type: Fighting
Ability: Dauntless Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 Spe
- Body Press
- Crunch
- Heavy Slam
- Iron Defense

With insane physical bulk and access to iron defense, zamazenta can switch into any move from ursaluna, tank it, since it is faster it can then use body press which is an instant knockout with tera fighting.

252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. +1 252 HP / 88 Def Zamazenta: 217-256 (55.9 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. +3 252 HP / 88 Def Zamazenta: 130-154 (33.5 - 39.6%) -- 19.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 88 Def Tera Fighting Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 404-476 (100.7 - 118.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Counter
:sv/bronzong:
Counter (Bronzong) @ Occa Berry
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Body Press
- Iron Defense
- Future Sight
- Flash Cannon
The thing about Tera Ghost Bronzong is that it is immune to Ursaluna’s dual STABs and, with the Occa Berry, if Ursaluna isn’t boosted, you can just not Tera and use Iron Defense. Instead of using physical attack, special attacks are used to take advantage of Ursaluna’s lower special defense.
252+ Def Bronzong Body Press vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 170-202 (36.6 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
4 SpA Bronzong Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 129-153 (27.8 - 32.9%) -- 88.4% chance to 3HKO after burn damage
+2 252+ Def Bronzong Body Press vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 340-400 (73.2 - 86.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
+4 252+ Def Bronzong Body Press vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 508-598 (109.4 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Occa Berry Bronzong: 93-110 (27.5 - 32.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+2 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Occa Berry Bronzong: 185-218 (54.7 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Bronzong: 129-152 (38.1 - 44.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Bronzong: 172-203 (50.8 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Bronzong: 172-203 (50.8 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Check
:sv/kyurem:
Check (Kyurem) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
Tera Type: Ice
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Freeze-Dry
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
Specs Kyurem can just press Ice Beam and OHKO. If it decides to Tera, Focus Blast can OHKO, of course, the miss chance can be high and you can’t comfortably switch into a Facade, getting KOed.
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 530-626 (114.2 - 134.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 414-488 (89.2 - 105.1%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 382-451 (82.3 - 97.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 472-556 (101.7 - 119.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tera Ice Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 552-652 (118.9 - 140.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kyurem: 433-511 (110.4 - 130.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kyurem: 373-439 (95.1 - 111.9%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tera Ice Kyurem: 312-368 (79.5 - 93.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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Check

:SV/Iron Hands:
Iron Hands @ Life Orb
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 224 SpD / 32 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Swords Dance

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I simply took the "OU Showdown Usage" set in the damage calculator, then tweaked a move, item, and Tera type. This spread just happens to outspeed the Bulky Ursaluna we need to beat, then OHKO it with Close Combat.

252+ Atk Life Orb Iron Hands Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 564-665 (121.5 - 143.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Hands: 638-752 (142 - 167.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Hands: 373-439 (83 - 97.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO)
 
Check

:sv/primarina:
Primarina @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sparkling Aria
- Moonblast
- Substitute
- Calm Mind

If Ursaluna is already burned, Sparkling Aria will cure the burn, weakening its attacks enough that Primarina can survive them. Alternatively, switching to either Hydro Pump or Life Orb/Choice Specs will allow you to OHKO it.

252+ SpA Primarina Sparkling Aria vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ursaluna: 380-450 (81.8 - 96.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Primarina: 291-343 (79.9 - 94.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Check:
:sv/cinderace:
Cinderace @ Choice Band
Ability: Libero
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pyro Ball
- High Jump Kick
- U-turn
- Sucker Punch / Gunk Shot

STAB High Jump Kick easily OHKOs Ursaluna

252 Atk Choice Band Libero Cinderace High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 560-662 (120.6 - 142.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

But don't think you can counter the bear!

252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Cinderace: 668-788 (221.9 - 261.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Cinderace: 860-1014 (285.7 - 336.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Counter:
:sv/skarmory:

Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Tera Type: Dragon / Fighting (unneeded)
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature
- Spikes
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Roost

Max HP Ursaluna instead of max Speed changes everything. Skarmory can invest in its bulk now and I'm using Monotype's IronPress Skarmory.

There are 2 scenarios:

The easier one, where Ursaluna clicks Swords Dance on the switch-in. In this scenario, You use Iron Defense to cancel out the attack boost and boost your offensive capabilities. At this point you're out of KO range and are free to use another Iron Defense to KO Ursaluna.

The 2nd scenario, where Ursaluna greets you with a Fire Punch. It takes Rocky Helmet damage on top of its burn, leaving it with roughly 82% of its HP. You click ID to prevent getting 2HKOed, and use Body Press on the weakened Ursaluna.

If you're Bold enough to do it, you can also choose to set up a layer of Spikes for the next opponent trying to revenge kill Skarmory.

252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 151-178 (45.2 - 53.2%) -- 34% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 162-192 (48.5 - 57.4%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO

+2 252+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 386-456 (83.1 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+4 252+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 578-682 (124.5 - 146.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

This was hectic week for me
 
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CHECK:

:kommo-o:
Kommo-o @ Choice Band
Ability: Soundproof
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
- Outrage

Close Combat go brrrr.

252 Atk Choice Band Kommo-o Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 500-590 (107.7 - 127.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Counter:
:sv/skarmory:
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Body Press
- Iron Defense
- Spikes

Skarmory actually tanks the Guts boosted hits surprisingly well.

252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 160 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 151-178 (48.5 - 57.2%) -- 46.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 160 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 162-192 (52 - 61.7%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Guts Tera Normal Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. +2 160 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 82-98 (26.3 - 31.5%) -- 23.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

Note that Skarmory can use ID to prevent getting 2HKO'ed, then Roost back up since Ursa's attacks do less damage.
Skarmory can then click Body Press to delete Ursaluna. After the 2nd Iron Defense click it's a guaranteed KO without Tera.

Since you outspeed, If Ursaluna uses Swords Dance on the switch, you can click Iron Defense twice and immediately KO.

+2 252+ Def Tera Fighting Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tera Normal Ursaluna: 578-684 (144.1 - 170.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Using defensive berries (Occa berry) sucks.
Ursaluna can outdamage Roost.

252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. +2 160 HP / 252+ Def Steel-type Skarmory: 194-230 (62.3 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Check:
:garganacl:
Garganacl (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Purifying Salt
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Salt Cure
- Recover

I decided to use Garganacl due to it resisting normal and fire, and being able to tera out of ground. What you do is that after Garg gets in, you tera flying on what the opponent thinks is the freest headlong rush ever, click iron defense, then next turn click body press. Rocky helm is to help body press get the kill on Ursaluna, and to get chip on it if the strat does not work out.

252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Tera Flying Garganacl: 120-142 (29.7 - 35.1%) -- 19.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Tera Flying Garganacl: 43-51 (10.6 - 12.6%) -- possible 8HKO

+2 252+ Def Tera Flying Garganacl Body Press vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ursaluna: 366-432 (78.8 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage


Bad news: The strat is unfortunately reliant on the opponent clicking headlong into tera, and them not clicking SD earlier in the game.

+2 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tera Flying Garganacl: 475-561 (117.5 - 138.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Facade (140 BP) vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Tera Flying Garganacl: 238-282 (58.9 - 69.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


Good news: This is not that far off from a normal Gargancal set, so you dont lose too much by going with it as long as you have a Glowking/Ting-Lu partner to cover its middling SpDef.
 
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