Project Threats to OU Cores v2: Round 72: Mega Charizard X + Ash-Greninja

[MANNAT]

Garchomp-Mega @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock / Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

Megachomp can come in on anything besides HP Ice from Zapdos, then proceed to SD and OHKO both members of the core with Edgequake, as it's faster than both. Another mon that I really like against this core in particular is SubSeed Serp, who can obviously beat fini and pretty easily wear down zap into range of Leaf Storm and stuff of that sort, preferably with Grassium but Leftovers is obviously fine too.

+2 252 Atk Garchomp-Mega Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 16 Def Tapu Fini: 349-412 (101.7 - 120.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp-Mega Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 184+ Def Zapdos: 454-536 (118.5 - 139.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[xapx]

Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 48 SpD / 168 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake

Choice Band Tyranitar smashes with Stone Edge, and while Tyranitar generally doesn't want to switch into Tapu Fini, it can take anything from Zapdos due to its good bulk and Sand Stream (assuming Discharge doesn't paralyze and Heat Wave doesn't burn). A Choice Band Stone Edge will always 2HKO Tapu Fini and Zapdos, with Zapdos being forced out by Tyranitar due to their typing. In addition, 40HP and 48SpD guarantee Tyranitar will always avoid the 2HKO from Scald and Moonblast from Tapu Fini after Stealth Rock.

252+ Atk Choice Band Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 16 Def Tapu Fini: 240-283 (69.9 - 82.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 444-524 (115.9 - 136.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tyranitar Crunch vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 178-211 (46.4 - 55%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

12 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 40 HP / 48 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 108-128 (30.7 - 36.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
12 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 40 HP / 48 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 128-152 (36.4 - 43.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Blaxithan]

Porygon-Z @ Normalium Z
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Conversion

Hide

Too lazy to do detailed calcs this time around, so long as you don't get paralyzed on the Discharge from Zapdos, PZ can switch in and setup on both of them ez...pz... damnit. ANYWAYS, regardless Misty Terrain helps you more than it helps the core, and because of Recover you can kinda just sit there and get as healthy as possible before actually going for kills. this set is still bad but it's viable (i guess) and beats the core, so there

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Round:

: Nidoking is a creative pick that can do really well against teams with this particular backbone.

Additional Notes:

: Porygon-Z is simply too niche.

Round 67 Core: Magearna + Tangrowth

Here are your sets

Magearna @ Leftovers
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 232 SpD
IVs: 6 Spe
Calm Nature
- Heart Swap
- Pain Split
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon

Tangrowth @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power Ice
- Sludge Bomb / Earthquake / Sleep Powder

• Magearna + Tangrowth is a very common and well-rounded core. While Tangrowth often run Assault Vest, I decided to go with a Rocky Helmet variant this time to match better up against Garchomp and sand teams in general.
• Try to post only OU viable Pokémon and don't post sets specifically for this core, additionally your threat should not be complete deadweight against teams that do not feature the core of Magearna + Tangrowth. Everyone have a good day!

 

[Egor]

Heatran (M) @ Firium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock

Any Heatran set fucks up this core due to the Fire weakness of both members.

 

[ImaginingDragons&Fairies]

blace

Blacephalon @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 232 HP / 4 Def / 20 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball
- Substitute
- Calm Mind

Although Blacephalon cant enter on Volt Switch or Earthquake / Knock Off, Blace scares Maggie and Tang out of the field and get a free turn to setup Calm Mind, Subs or deal damage and possibly sweep.

Sorry if I made any misspelling, English is not my native language.

 

[Katy]

zard y



Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower
- Focus Blast
- Solar Beam
- Roost

Tangrowth and Magearna don't appreciate Mega Charizard-Y at all because both of them are weak to its Main STAB options in Flamethrower
which gets boosted in the Sun which Zard-Y automatically sets, when it Mega Evolves or comes on the field in its Mega Form due to its ability drought.
Due to its high special defense Zard-Y can switch easily into anything these two pokémon can go for besides Volt-Switch from Magearna. But overall none of the Attacks Tangrowth and
Magearna can go for are effective enough to heavily threaten it. The only thing Tangrowth can go for on a predicted switch is Sleep Powder, which has a 25% chance to miss.
Giga Drain, Knock Off, Sludge Bomb as well as Hidden Power Ice won't do too much to Zard-Y and its flying type makes it immune to Earthquake.
On the Hindsight Zard-Y can Roost off any damage it takes as it is faster than both of them. Zard Y OHKOs Tangrowth with Flamethrower and has a high chance of OHKOing Magearna even w/o Stealth Rocks dmg.

Calcs:

Hide

Tangrowth:
0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 19-23 (6.3 - 7.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Tangrowth Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 57-68 (19.1 - 22.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Tangrowth Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 42-50 (14.1 - 16.8%) -- 0.2% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Tangrowth Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 62-74 (20.8 - 24.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 88 SpD Tangrowth in Sun: 764-902 (189.5 - 223.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Magearna:
0 SpA Magearna Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 112-134 (37.7 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard-Mega-Y: 48-57 (16.1 - 19.1%) -- 94.2% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 232+ SpD Magearna in Sun: 342-404 (94.2 - 111.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[S. Court]

Choice Band Victini

Victini @ Choice Band
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Zen Headbutt

Victini can obliterate this core by just pressing V-create

252 Atk Choice Band Victini V-create vs. 248 HP / 172+ Def Tangrowth: 480-566 (119.1 - 140.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Victini V-create vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 636-750 (175.2 - 206.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Solaros & Lunaris]

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake / Outrage*
- Roost

*As stall is coming mentioned below, this core generally leads to heavier balance/stall teams (RH Tang is not something I’d throw on a BO). Outrage can get rid of a pesky Unaware wall / fat Water in your way but its your choice really.

ZardX shreds this defensive core after a DD. It outspeeds both and threatens with a STAB Flare Blitz, getting a DD as they switch out. Or you can be more liberal and throw down the Blitzes immediately, but be weary of the chip—RH Tang can get that sneaky chip and there goes your sweeper.

Also what does 88 SpD survive on Tang? I’m assuming its pre-AshGren’s Dark Pulse after Rocks / 1 layer of Spikes.
Edit: Nope its actually surviving post-AshGren’s Dark Pulse from full.

 

[superstrike66]

Reserving the cover legend from the best pokemon game, Kyurem-B

 

[Sickist]

reserving mixed Mega Chomp

 

[Stall is coming]

Reserving Thundurus-T
This core is a core of stall, so we need to have a pokemon which is strong against a Magearna/Tangrowth Stall.
Almost every stall have Chansey, so CharY, Volcanion or Volcarona are a bad idea.
So I decide to pick a strong wallbreaker: Thundurus-T:

Thundurus-Therian @ Fightium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Nasty Plot
- Hidden Power Ice
- Focus Blast

Calcs:

+2 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Hidden Power Ice vs. 248 HP / 48 SpD Tangrowth: 452-532 (112.1 - 132%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Thundurus-Therian Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 232+ SpD Magearna: 211-250 (58.1 - 68.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Tangrowth Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Thundurus-Therian: 112-134 (37.4 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Thundurus-Therian: 64-76 (21.4 - 25.4%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO

First of all, this set is viable because it is the most played right now. If SR are in the opponent side, you are able to break this core, Chansey and unaware users.

 

[xapx]

Z Dig Gren

 

[Windgrace]

Landorus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Fly
There's essentially no OU team that couldn't utilize Lando-T in one way or another. Z-Fly Lando-T smashes through this core for obvious reasons. Outspeeds both members of the core and has two STABs that unboosted can OHKO or 2HKO both team members while not being OHKO back by HP Ice Tangrowth or Ice Beam-less Magearna.

Calcs

252 Atk Landorus-Therian Supersonic Skystrike (175 BP) vs. 248 HP / 172+ Def Tangrowth: 408-480 (101.2 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Tangrowth Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 224-268 (70.2 - 84%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 306-362 (84.2 - 99.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 130-154 (40.7 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Journalist]

Nidoking

 

[wadusher]

Volcarona @ Buginium Z / Psychium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz / Psychic
- Hidden Power Ground / Psychic

This one's self explanatory, volc just sets up in both these mons' faces and nukes them with boosted fire STABs, while packing plenty of coverage options to hit whatever fire resist those two are paired with, like HP Ground for Heatran, Shattered Psyche for pex, and even giga drain for stuff like Tapu Fini.

 

[Felixx]

Moltres @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 208 HP / 60 Def / 240 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Roost
- Defog
- Flamethrower

Moltres can easily beat Tangrowth lacking Rock Slide, and Substitute lets Moltres avoid Sleep Powder, Knock Off, and possible Slude Bomb poisons. Volt Switch from Magearna w/o Special Attack investmemt will do little damage to Moltres, and Roost can remove Moltres' Flying Typing to mitigate the damage. Flamethrower will roast Tangrowth and beat down Magearna.

 

[RadiantCowbells]

Dragonite @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Fly
- Earthquake
- Roost

Multiscale dramatically increases Dragonite's survivability when it is at full hp and as a result Dragonite prefers Defog/Rapid Spin support to function properly. With entry hazard control, it is capable of switching into anything that either of them has and forcing them out or killing them, and even with rocks up it only has to fear switching into Sleep Powder into HP:I twice. Earthquake nabs the 2HKO on Magearna, and has a chance at OHKOing a full HP Magearna at +1 or a guaranteed kill after minor chip damage or two switch-ins to stealth rock. Tangrowth is OHKOed by +0 Skystrike and has an approximately 50% chance of being OHKOed by +1 fly after stealth rocks.. Roost is run over Extreme Speed to allow Dragonite to switch into both pokemon many times throughout the course of the game and force them out, but it is still capable of being switched into either once while running Extreme Speed instead. Note that due to Multiscale, this set is also safe to be switched into Magearna with Fleur Cannon that lack special attack investment.

 

[Komodo_Drogo]

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 156 SpD / 16 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Leech Seed
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Earthquake
While pain split is annoying, it's still not enough to win the 1v1 for magearna and since you're also faster than both even with a negative nature anything magearna does can just be healed back up on tangrowth with Synthesis

0 Atk Venusaur-Mega Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 28 Def Magearna: 124-148 (34.1 - 40.7%) -- 53.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 248 HP / 88 SpD Tangrowth: 342-404 (84.8 - 100.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Tangrowth Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 56-67 (15.4 - 18.4%) -- possible 6HKO

0 SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 248 HP / 156+ SpD Venusaur-Mega: 75-88 (20.6 - 24.2%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

 

[Jordy]

Last Week's Analysis

Highlights

Threat of the Round:

: Mega Garchomp does a really good job at dismantling cores like this and is more creative than "lol Fire-type".

Additional Notes:

None, good job everyone.

Round 68 Core: Mega Latios + Magnezone

Here are your sets

Latios-Mega @ Latiosite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Psychic
- Earthquake
- Draco Meteor
- Recover

Magnezone @ Steelium Z
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]

• Mega Latios + Magnezone as a core has a very straight forward objective; trap Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Celesteela with Magnezone so that Mega Latios can overwhelm the opposition.
• Try to post only OU viable Pokémon and don't post sets specifically for this core, additionally your threat should not be complete deadweight against teams that do not feature the core of Mega Latios + Magnezone. Everyone have a good day!

 

[Egor]

Volcarona @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 112 Def / 148 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Flamethrower
- Bug Buzz
- Roost

Hates switching into M-Latios directly but on a free switch just sets up on it. Magnezone is just a setup fodder.

 

[Katy]

gastrodon


Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic
- Earthquake

Gastrodon is a hard counter to Magnezone due to its amazing water/ground typing which allows it to render Magnezone completely useless v/s it.
Gastradon also Tanks all the Attacks Latios-Mega dishes out against it and can toxic Latios-Mega in return and recover up all the Damage caused against it.

Calcs:

Hide

Mega-Latios:
252 SpA Latios-Mega Psychic vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 141-166 (33.1 - 39%) -- 73.1% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Latios-Mega Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Gastrodon: 123-145 (28.9 - 34.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Latios-Mega Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 204-240 (48 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
-2 252 SpA Latios-Mega Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 102-120 (24 - 28.2%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
-2 252 SpA Latios-Mega Psychic vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 70-84 (16.4 - 19.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

Magnezone:
252+ SpA Magnezone Corkscrew Crash (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 117-138 (27.5 - 32.4%) -- 99.8% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 59-69 (13.8 - 16.2%) -- possible 9HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Magnezone Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 29-35 (6.8 - 8.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Magnezone: 328-388 (116.7 - 138%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 88-105 (31.3 - 37.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Solaros & Lunaris]

Excadrill @ Steelium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin

*you can afford Adamant here since neither mon outspeeds

Drill comes in, survives every attack from these two after Rocks damage, then has three options. 1) directly Earthquake Magnezone, 2) Corkscrews Latios, leaving it crippled or OHKOed after Rocks or 3) sets up an SD if it has the health. Normalium also works here, but I prefer Steelium for higher rolls against Lati.

 

[superstrike66]

Shift Gear Magearna

Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shift Gear
- Calm Mind
- Fleur Cannon
- Focus Blast​

Mag is able to live an Earthquake from Mega Latios, and OHKO it back with Twinkle Tackle. Don't use Fleur Cannon against Lati, since while it OHKOs it, at -1 Spa, you fail to KO zone. Speaking of which, Mag outspeeds and OHKOs Zone with Focus Blast.

Calcs VS

:​

4 Atk Latios-Mega Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 160-190 (53.1 - 63.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Latios-Mega: 608-716 (201.9 - 237.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Latios-Mega: 408-480 (135.5 - 159.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Calcs VS

:
​

252 SpA Magearna Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 286-338 (101.7 - 120.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-1 252 SpA Magearna Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 192-226 (68.3 - 80.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Stall is coming]

Reserving De Blob

Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Soft-Boiled

Pitiful damage

252 SpA Latios Psychic vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 93-111 (13.2 - 15.7%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 103-123 (14.6 - 17.4%) -- possible 6HKO

Against them, Chansey can make all he wants, Toxic,SR Seismic Toss.
Moreover, Magnezone can't pivot because he doesn't have Volt-switch...
Chansey is a hardcounter to this core.