Project USUM OU Victim of the Week [Week 49: Dragon Dance Gyarados]

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Hi, it's time for the new victim again. Thankfully, this Wednesday is a public holiday so I will finally be able to find time to update the thread.
This week, our new victim is Tornadus-T.

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Tornadus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog

OR

Tornadus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 40 Atk / 212 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- Superpower
- Defog

While Tornadus-T is not the most common Pokemon in OU, it certainly has its niches due to the combination of its high Base Speed, good typing and Regenerator. All of these traits allows it to have the longevity to check threats such as Tapu Bulu and defensive Landorus-T repeatedly. Besides boasting a powerful nuke in SSS, Tornadus-T has access to Knock Off to remove Leftovers from common switch-ins like Celesteela, Heatran and Zapdos. With 40 Atk EVs and a Naive nature, Tornadus-T will have the power to 2HKO bulky Mega Tyranitar, OHKO Choice Band Tyranitar after Stealth Rock, and 2HKO offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock.
 
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So even in this week we will not vote?
Btw, Toxapex as a counter

toxapex.gif


Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Haze
- Recover
- Toxic

If there are no rocks on the field, Toxapex can even enter on Z-Hurricane, soak it and then stall Tornadus with Toxic and Scald

252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 151-178 (49.6 - 58.5%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 91-108 (29.9 - 35.5%) -- 23.8% chance to 3HKO
 
tapukoko.gif

Tapu Koko @ Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Ice

Tapu Koko as a Hard Check (possibly Counter, not sure atm). Isn't OHKOd by any attack, outruns and OHKOes with Thunderbolt or Volt Switch. Does take a fair bit of damage in the process however.

252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 169-200 (60.1 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 101-119 (35.9 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Tornadus-Therian in Electric Terrain: 648-764 (216.7 - 255.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Koko Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Tornadus-Therian in Electric Terrain: 506-596 (169.2 - 199.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Celesteela as a Counter Edit:Check

40 Atk Tornadus-Therian Superpower vs. 252 HP / 104+ Def Celesteela: 73-86 (18.3 - 21.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
40 Atk Tornadus-Therian Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 104+ Def Celesteela: 59-70 (14.8 - 17.5%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-Therian: 157-186 (52.5 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower

Switches into tornadus pretty easily adn can do massive damage back and get health back from it with leech seed
 
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Tapu Koko as a counter.

Tapu Koko @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch / U-turn
- Hidden Power Ice
- Roost

Tapu Koko takes any move with relatively well from Tornadus-T and can KO it with Thunderbolt or gain momentum from it with Volt Switch / U-turn.

252 SpA Tornadus-Therian Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 170-201 (60.4 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tornadus-Therian in Electric Terrain: 390-462 (130.4 - 154.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Also, Aecito I wouldn't go as far as saying that Celesteela is a counter because it doesn't like getting hit by Knock Off at all because it's almost overly reliant on its Leftovers, it's definitely a good check, but not a counter.
 
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weavile.gif

Weavile @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit

Weavile is faster than Torn and forces it out with the threat of Icicle Crash, which OHKOes Torn. It can use the opportunity to either kill it with Icicle Crash if it expects it to stay in, chunk it with Pursuit as it switches, or remove the switch-in's item. SD+Icium also gets a special mention for setting up as Torn switches.
 
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Ash-Greninja as a soft check

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Greninja-Ash @ Choice Specs/Waterium Z
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Spikes

Ash-Greninja isn't a great switch in as it gets OHKO'd by Superpower after rocks or Super Sonic Skystrike. Hurricane does a minimum of 74% to Ash-Greninia assuming Tornadus-T has full special attack investment and U-turn is a 2hko.

However Ash-Greninja is one of the few viable OU 'mons that outspeed Tornadus-T without the help of an item. Ash-Greninja can easily OHKO Tornadus-T with a specs Hydro Pump or Hydro Vortex (using Hydro Pump):

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 331-391 (110.7 - 130.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Greninja-Ash Hydro Vortex (185 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 373-439 (124.7 - 146.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

Additionally, a specs Dark Pulse or Water Shuriken (if Tornadus-T is Naive) can OHKO after Stealth Rock damage:

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 241-285 (80.6 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Water Shuriken (20 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Tornadus-Therian: 201-243 (67.2 - 81.2%) -- approx. 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
 
reserving spikes ebelt protean greninja

greninja.gif

Greninja @ Expert Belt
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Spikes
- Gunk Shot
- Hydro Pump

Greninja can Ohko TornadusT, whenever it gets a chance to come in, with Ice Beam. With Expert Belt > Life Orb, Greninja is a lot less susceptible to being worn down, allowing it to check TornT throughout the match. What makes Greninja a nice check to TornT though, is the fact it can set up Spikes, allowing pressure to be kept on the opposing team and bringing TornT more, allowing for more opportunity to weather it down.

252 SpA Expert Belt Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tornadus-Therian: 326-389 (109 - 130.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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Substitute Steelium Z Magnezone as a check
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Magnezone @ Steelium Z
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power Fire

Thanks to having both the bulk to take a S.E Superpower, and Electric Stab, Magnezone can be used as an effective check. Not much else to say about this set, other than the fact that most any Magnezone sets are effective checks to Tornadus, but I prefer Substitute in the off chance the opponent decides to use U-turn to switch, and Steelium Z because of the potential knock off, and/ or switch in to a ground type mon.
40 Atk Tornadus-Therian Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Magnezone: 158-188 (56.2 - 66.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Tornadus-Therian: 392-464 (131.1 - 155.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Magnezone Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Tornadus-Therian: 306-362 (102.3 - 121%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Random Passerby said:
Hi, it's time for the new victim again. Thankfully, this Wednesday is a public holiday so I will finally be able to find time to update the thread.
This week, our new victim is Tornadus-T.

View attachment 99646
Tornadus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog

OR

Tornadus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 40 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- Superpower
- Defog

While Tornadus-T is not the most common Pokemon in OU, it certainly has its niches due to the combination of its high Base Speed, good typing and Regenerator. All of these traits allows it to have the longevity to check threats such as Tapu Bulu and defensive Landorus-T repeatedly. Besides boasting a powerful nuke in SSS, Tornadus-T has access to Knock Off to remove Leftovers from common switch-ins like Celesteela, Heatran and Zapdos. With 40 Atk EVs and a Naive nature, Tornadus-T will have the power to 2HKO bulky Mega Tyranitar, OHKO Choice Band Tyranitar after Stealth Rock, and 2HKO offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock.
Click to expand...
EDIT: Also what sort of witchcraft is this. Unless I am mistaken, can't a pokemon only have 508 individual EVs. If that's the case, then why does Tornadus have 40 Atk, 252 Spatk, and 252 Spe on the Superpower set
 
Counter
zapdos.gif

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Defog
- Heat Wave
- Roost

I'm not exactly the biggest fan of Static Zapdos, but it can work fine on builds that already heavily pressure bulkier teams and appreciate its ability to cripple offensive threats like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Choice Scarf Kartana, and Tornadus-T as they're throwing out physical moves. This set in particular annoys Tornadus-T because it threatens to paralyze it as it clicks U-turn to grab offensive momentum without having to heavily predict and threatens it out with Discharge while taking a pittance from Z-Hurricane. When they don't see Pressure on Zapdos, they'll be less likely to click U-turn with Tornadus-T, not wanting it to be crippled, letting you play a lot more aggressively and pull double switches to punish them trying to dodge Static. Zapdos is really good right now and it just shows with how good this set is versus Tornadus-T specifically.
 
magearna.gif
Counter
Magearna @ Electrium Z / Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shift Gear
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam / Fleur Cannon
- Focus Blast

Irrespective of Electrium or Fairium, Magearna cleanly OHKOs Tornadus, doesn't care about Knock Off, and takes upwards to 46% from Supersonic Strike, with everything else hitting 27% tops. AssVest sets take even less, but care a bit about KOff, and cannot OHKO so this one seems to have a easier time.
 
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Hi, yeah, this week there won't be any voting again. I'll get around to organizing stuff (how many times have I said that?) next week with a public holiday coming up.

The Victim of this Week is Nasty Plot Hoopa-U.
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Hoopa-Unbound @ Fightinium Z / Darkinium Z
Ability: Magician
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Focus Blast

Hoopa-U is one of the strongest wallbreakers in the tier due to its incredible offensive stats and typing that allow it to threaten a majority of defensive and balanced teams with its STAB moves and great coverage. Nasty Plot is Hoopa's main tool to threaten defensive and balanced teams. Dark Pulse is a reliable STAB move while Psychic blasts Keldeo, Toxapex and Mega Lopunny who try to switch into Hoopa. Focus Blast is Hoopa's answer to Tyranitar that walls this set.
 
AV Magearna as a counter

magearna.gif


Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Hidden Power Fire
- Volt Switch

It can tank all the Hoopa attacks in any moment and OHKO it back with Fleur Cannon and Stealth Rock support
252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 70-83 (19.2 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 111-131 (30.5 - 36%) -- 48.6% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 221-261 (60.8 - 71.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 282-332 (93.6 - 110.2%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
 
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Reserving Choice Specs Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele as a check

Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power Fire

Tapu Lele is always faster, and can ohko with MoonBlast
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 372-438 (123.5 - 145.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

E: Fixed
 
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stuuful12 said:
Reserving Choice Specs Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele as a counter

Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power Fire

Tapu Lele is always faster, and can ohko with MoonBlast
252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 372-438 (123.5 - 145.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Click to expand...
Random Passerby said:
1. Follow the definitions for checks and counters, by MattL in The Smog Issue 32!
Click to expand...

Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.

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.

Lele is a check, not a counter
 
Reserving torn-t as a check
tornadus-therian.gif


Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest / Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature / Naive Nature
- Knock Off / Heat Wave
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- U-turn

Tornadus-therian Outspeeds Hoopa-u and kills it with u-turn it also lives every hit from unboosted even after rocks if AV, Dark Pulse/Psyshock has a little chance of Killing after rocks if flynium z

4 Atk Tornadus-Therian U-turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 304-360 (100.9 - 119.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Tornadus-Therian: 195-231 (65.2 - 77.2%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-Therian: 193-228 (64.5 - 76.2%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tornadus-Therian: 234-276 (64.6 - 76.2%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-Therian: 193-228 (53.3 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
 
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Reserving Weavile
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Check
Weavile @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
While Weavile can obviously not switch in to Hoopa-U, it can come in after a sac to revenge kill with pursuit, OHKOing even if Hoopa stays in.
 
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diancie-mega.gif
Check
Diancie @ Diancite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Moonblast
- Diamond Storm
- Hidden Power Fire
- Nature Power / Earth Power

Survives anything aside from Z-Focus Blast, and OHKO with Moonblast in return. If not Mega Evolved yet, can even switch into Z-Focus Blast. While it's just AOA Diancie here, any other set would work just find because all you really need is Moonblast, so boosting sets / SubEndeavor still work the same.
 
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Hi, it's me again. I'm updating the OP now but in the meantime, let's have a new victim.

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

Initially thought to be a bad meme, Scarf Magnezone carved out its niche in the metagame thanks to its ability to remove Swords Dance Kartana as well as Mega Scizor, weakened Celesteela and Ferrothorn. Magnezone also boasts a great defensive typing, which allows it to come in and threaten foes out while being able to get momentum with Volt Switch. How do you check or counter this Pokemon in OU?
 
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Toxic
- Recover
Pretty self explanatory. Gastrodon laughs at anything Scarf Magnezone can throw at it, and Gastrodon threatens it with Earthquake.
 
Mega Alakazam as a check

Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Calm mind

Main draw of Alakazam is to trace Magnet Pull, thereby trapping zone and outrunning even scarf sets with its absurd speed tier. Simply bring it in as a revenge kill or a double switch and KO it or use it as setup fodder if its locked into HP Fire. Due to Trace, you'll want to mega evolve Alakazam as soon as possible against Magnezone teams to avoid it switching out on regular alakazam for fear of focus miss Focus Blast.

It is possible to hard switch into scarf zone since alakazam only takes half from tbolt/flash cannon, but you'd want to keep it as healthy as possible so I wouldn't recommend it.
 
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Reserving swampert-mega
swampert-mega.gif

Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock

Swampert-Mega resists every hit, can come multiple times and if in rain even outspeeds it, obviusly eq kills
 
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Hippowdon as counter
hippowdon.png

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

Hippowdon's great bulk and solid typing makes a great counter for Scarf Magnezone, since Flash Cannon can 3HKO, while Hippowdon's Earthquake is a clean OHKO. Also, Magnezone should be careful of spam Electric moves, because Hippowdon can switch in and use it as Stealth Rock fodder or Toxic fodder.

252 SpA Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 148-175 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- 80% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Magnezone: 424-504 (150.3 - 178.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Utility Heatran as a check



Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock

It can take easily a thunderbolt and then shoot a deadly Earth Power or setup the rocks on the switch
252 SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 141-166 (36.5 - 43%) -- 97.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

4 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 356-420 (126.2 - 148.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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landorus-therian.gif

Defensive Landorus as a counter

Thanks to it's ground typing and good bulk, Landorus can easily switch into our Magnet friend ( even Flash Cannon), and precede to destroy it with a high power Earthquake,
252 SpA Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 159-187 (41.6 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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