Project SV RU Next Best Thing - Week 12: Hisuian Zoroark

Week 2 - Empoleon
900.jpg


:sv/empoleon: :sv/empoleon: :sv/empoleon: :sv/empoleon:
​
As one of the rare Steel-types in RU, Empoleon brings both defensive utility with access to Stealth Rock, Knock Off and Flip Turn, or can go more offensive with 3 attacks + Roost to utilize its decent offenses combined with Competitive to act as a tank. However, it is well known that Empoleon has much more potential than just that, and your mission for this week is to find new ways to make Empoleon shine.

Submission deadline: Sunday, June 23th, 11:59 pm GMT-7
 
Agility Empoleon
:dp/empoleon:
Empoleon @ Life Orb
Ability: Competitive
Tera Type: Water/Flying
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Agility
- Surf
- Flash Cannon
- Air Slash
Going back to the dpp days with this set (no petaya berry though). Agility empoleon flips the script on anybody expecting it to be a slow mon by doubling its speed instantly, outspeeding most of the unboosted (and some of the boosted meta). From here, empoleon can use its good special attack stat along with life orb to deal impressive damage to most things. Surf and flash cannon are good stab moves while air slash helps deal with grass and fighting types that may be able to take a hit and respond back. Tera water jacks up the power of surf a lot while tera flying increases the power of air slash plus making sure empoleon's ground and fighting weaknesses are reversed.

Calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Tera Water Empoleon Surf vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Cyclizar: 161-191 (46.8 - 55.5%) -- 74.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Tera Water Empoleon Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Cobalion: 299-354 (92.5 - 109.5%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Tera Flying Empoleon Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcanion: 156-185 (51.8 - 61.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Tera Flying Empoleon Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 312-369 (97.1 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
 
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Reserving Sub 3a Empo

:sm/empoleon:

Substitute (Empoleon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Competitive
Tera Type: Water / Ghost
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
- Substitute

After getting my ass kicked again and again in adv by Substitute Politoed, I decided that it would be fun to try Sub Empoleon it works!
The EVs in speed allow it to outspeed Crawdaunt and other mons that try to creep Crawdaunt. STAB Surf from base 111 SpAtk is threatening but pairing it with the coverage Empoleon has AND Substitute makes Empoleon very threatening. It can switch in on many mons with the defensive utility empo always provides with insane offensive prowess. Surf and Ice Beam make already threatening coverage while Grass Knot disposes of the waters that resist both. Try the set, it's very tun.
 
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Swords Dance Roost
:dp/empoleon:
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Liquidation
- Roost

The idea is simple: You keep the defensive utility Empoleon is so well-known for, but you also get the opportunity to be extremely threatening to stuff that would normally not care that much about you. Cyclizar is setup fodder, Volcanion thinks you can't do much and looks like a fool, Tera Water Fezan isn't reverse-sweeping you, (if you get a swords dance first), and Tera Ground makes Electrics rethink their life choices. If you force Tera Poison out of Slowbro with the rest of your team (shouldn't be difficult), you also get to beat it consistently. This set can be extremely awkward to switch into for most teams.

:cyclizar::hippowdon::amoonguss::reuniclus::empoleon::zapdos-galar:
This is a team I made featuring the set. A rather classic-looking fat team but with a little surprise in it.

And a replay to showcase it
 
ROME IS BURNING (Double Dance Power Trip)
Nero (Empoleon) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Competitive
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 248 HP / 108 SpD / 152 Spe
Careful Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Defense
- Power Trip
- Roost

Empoleon has gone mad with power. It uses its already high special defense when invested to set Iron Defense and then Swords Dance while roosting off damage. Power Trip is kind of a crazy move, Stored Power but with no Immunities lets empoleon run a mono-attacking set. Leftovers is an option on this set, but Weakness Policy helps Empoleon start doing damage much faster once the opponent realizes they need to start hitting you, and Empoleon can take Close Combat from fighters once it’s gathered an Iron Defense or 2. Agility is an option over 1 of the 2 set up moves, by my instinct is that you need ID to take hits and SD to not hit like a noodle. If deciding on SD+Agility, a more offensive spread is likely warranted. This set is shut down by Encore And Taunt users, so Empoleon should only be sent out to deal with a weakened team when these threats have been dealt with.

The EVs here are maxed bulk with enough speed to outspeed the unboosted metagame if paralyzed, as I think the best partners here are Pokemon that can spread para like Thundurus and Jirachi.

Tera Fairy is just a good defensive Tera, and Competitive gives empoleon extra power trip boosts.
 
THE CONQUERER (life orb 3a)
empoleon.gif

Conquerer (Empoleon) @ Life Orb
Ability: Competitive
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
- Roost

This penguin smacks so hard, modest life orb surf will chip down everything you need and owns teams that rely on cyclizar and slowbro for water resists. Life orb is fine here thanks to roost, your good defensive stats and elite typing, letting you get a roost off on many things that can't touch you. I've used this set many times before and it's honestly so much fun, highly recommend.
 
CC Bait Empo

Empoleon @ Chople Berry
Ability: Torrent
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 220 Def / 252 SpA / 36 Spe
Modest Nature
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Roost
- Knock Off

Are you tired of having to build around :Zapdos-Galar: :okidogi: :terrakion: :slither-wing: :cobalion: and other more niche fightings types, ripping through with powerful CCs, well have no fear, as I have found the solution in Chople Berry Torrent Empoleon, able to use decent special attacking stats, along with the boost from torrent and lowering of special defense due to CC, to trade with every fighting type in the tier. While you do run the risk of being weaker to special attackers, Empoleon still maintains plenty of bulk uninvested. 36 speed EVs allow you to outspeed Chesnaught, and Tera Ghost provides an out against fighting-spam teams. Knock Off gives you an extra bit of utility and an easier time breaking through usual checks and counters like Cyclizar and Volcanion.

252 Atk Zapdos-Galar Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 220 Def Chople Berry Empoleon: 169-199 (54.6 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Empoleon Ice Beam vs. -1 0 HP / 4 SpD Zapdos-Galar: 316-374 (98.4 - 116.5%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Okidogi Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 220 Def Chople Berry Empoleon: 256-303 (82.8 - 98%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Torrent Empoleon Surf vs. -1 0 HP / 4 SpD Okidogi: 367-433 (115.7 - 136.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Terrakion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 220 Def Chople Berry Empoleon: 258-304 (83.4 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Empoleon Surf vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 314-372 (97.2 - 115.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
etc.
 
Thank you everyone for your submissions!

:empoleon: It is time to vote for your favorite set! :empoleon:

Empoleon @ Life Orb
Ability: Competitive
Tera Type: Water/Flying
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Agility
- Surf
- Flash Cannon
- Air Slash
Substitute (Empoleon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Competitive
Tera Type: Water / Ghost
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
- Substitute
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Liquidation
- Roost
Nero (Empoleon) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Competitive
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 248 HP / 108 SpD / 152 Spe
Careful Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Defense
- Power Trip
- Roost
Conquerer (Empoleon) @ Life Orb
Ability: Competitive
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
- Roost
Empoleon @ Chople Berry
Ability: Torrent
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 220 Def / 252 SpA / 36 Spe
Modest Nature
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Roost
- Knock Off

Voting deadline: Thursday, June 27th, 11:59 pm GMT-7
 
Week 3: Slither Wing
do-you-have-it-slitherwing.gif

:sv/slither_wing::sv/slither_wing::sv/slither_wing:
​
It is time for everyone's favorite bug in the spotlight! Slither Wing is usually seen as either a Choice Band breaker and revenge killer or a Boots pivot, but its movepool is often overlooked and, despite being a Paradox Pokémon, it is never seen using Booster Energy. There is plenty of ways to surprise the opponent with Volcarona, show us your best sets!

Submission deadline: Sunday, June 30th, 11:59 pm GMT-7
 
AV Slither Wing
do-you-have-it-slitherwing.gif

Slither Wing @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Water/Fire
EVs: 104 HP / 236 Atk / 168 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- U-turn
- Close Combat
- Earthquake
AV Slither Wing is a concept that is actually stolen from OU, where its used on sun teams as a special sponge that can still output big damage. Here, it does similar things. The first three moves are standard, with first impression for revenge killing, u-turn to pivot out while dealing solid damage and close combat as fighting stab. I decided e-quake over flare blitz to increase the bugs longevity. The speed evs are in order to outspeed max speed volcanion and bisharp, two targets which could either cripple or heavily damage slither wing. The hp evs are specific. Lemme show you a calc that will show why I chose them.
+2 252 SpA Blastoise Surf vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Slither Wing: 142-168 (42.1 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Yeah, slither wing can survive two +2 blastoise surfs and ko back with a first impression into cc or e-quake into cc. The rest of the ev's go into attack. Tera water can be good for surviving blastoise surf's in a pinch and as just a good general type, while tera fire avoids burns from opposing mons.

I'll just leave some calcs here to show how bulky AV slither is
+2 252 SpA Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Slither Wing: 168-198 (49.8 - 58.7%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Slither Wing: 152-180 (45.1 - 53.4%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Salamence Draco Meteor vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Slither Wing: 121-144 (35.9 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Azelf Psychic vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Slither Wing: 223-262 (66.1 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Armarouge Armor Cannon vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Slither Wing: 246-290 (72.9 - 86%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


:golurk: :talonflame: :mimikyu: :zoroark hisui: :wo chien: :slither wing:
This is a team that involves AV slither wing which originally started out testing how golurk would work out in the tier. With Wo-chien to help it in the recovery department and help it wall special threats, slither wing provides help against any special attacker that might threaten the team while also revenge killing any weakened mons.
 
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It's time: Months ago I theorized the below set as a way to handle the (at the time) oppressive Hippowdon fat teams, but never got around to using it... until now!

Giga Drain Slither Wing:

Slither Wing @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Bug
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- First Impression
- Giga Drain
- U-turn

Okay, first impressions aside, Giga Drain is actually a pretty relevant coverage option for Slither Wing in this day and age. Let me explain before you chalk this up to another "wow fp used LAPRAS as a counter to BASCULEGION woah".
Slither Wing has always felt pretty obligated to run the combination of Close Combat, First Impression, and U-turn. That vital fourth slot depends largely on the item and team composition but is usually something like Earthquake/Morning Sun/Will-O-Wisp. However, is running any of those really mandatory when we have several notable Wish passers in the tier and all kinds of need for big damage priority? No, so Giga Drain fourth makes SO much sense, right?

Calcs:
0- SpA Slither Wing Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 112-132 (26.6 - 31.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO (recovers almost as much as you take from Earthquake WOAH)
0- SpA Slither Wing Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 140-168 (32.8 - 39.4%) -- 11.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (HOLY DAMAGE)
0- SpA Slither Wing Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Quagsire: 240-284 (60.9 - 72%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (WOW THAT'S A LOT OF DAMAGE)
252+ Atk Slither Wing Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Milotic: 214-253 (54.3 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Giga Drain does basically zero but Adamant CC 2HKO's comfortably)
0- SpA Slither Wing Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Swampert: 184-220 (45.5 - 54.4%) -- 52.3% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (I take those odds)
 
Slither Wing @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake

People be using Slither-Wing as a choice bander, but you know that attack stat isn't bad on its own and the speed tier puts it nicely just above gardevoir and okidogi. A scarfer with STAB CC and u-turn has to be good, right? Wild charge is coverage for fliers and EQ is for the toxic chainers. I really wanted to run leech life because I think leech life is a cool move, but sadly you need all that coverage to make up for bug/fighting being ass offensively. Tera electric gives you a 71.5% chance to not die to yanmega and also boosts your wild charge damage.
 
4 attacks booster cleaner

Slither Wing @ Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Fire / Flying
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Flame Charge
- Leech Life
- Close Combat / First Impression

Slither Wing doesn’t typically make use of its access to Booster Energy, but it’s one of the best items in the game for a reason, especially on a pokemon with acrobatics and Slither Wing’s attack stat. I’ve played variations of this set with Bulk Up over CC, but that can leave you walled by things you’re supposed to beat like Empoleon. Dedicating 4 slots to attacking moves gives you the ability to hit as many types as possible right away. This slither wing aims to get a speed boost with flame charge into a strong Acro or CC while using leech life as another nice stab and healing move. Tera fire powers up flame charge to 60 bp and gives slither stab on it while staying safe from Burn, but Tera flying Acro gives it another great nuke against pokemon like Fezandipiti that resist CC. It can also still make use of its strong first impression with the 1 time attack boost in order to revenge a weakened threat and then surprise the slither wing answer that comes in with boosted acrobatics.
 
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Thank you everyone for your submissions!

:slither_wing: It is time to vote for your favorite set! :slither_wing:

Slither Wing @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Water/Fire
EVs: 104 HP / 236 Atk / 168 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- U-turn
- Close Combat
- Earthquake
Slither Wing @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Bug
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- First Impression
- Giga Drain
- U-turn
Slither Wing @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
Slither Wing @ Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Fire / Flying
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Flame Charge
- Leech Life
- Close Combat / First Impression

Voting deadline: Thursday, July 4th, 11:59 pm GMT-7
 
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