Project Victim of the Week 2.0: ZU Edition

checks​
poliwrath.gif
4​
rotom.gif
2​
shiinotic.gif
3​
eldegoss.gif
2​
exeggutor.gif
3​

counters​
miltank.gif
1​
appletun.gif
6​
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and this week's winners are Corthius's poliwrath with 4 votes and JonAmon 25's appletun with 6 votes! congrats to both, and thanks again to everyone who participated! this concludes week 5, and here goes our 6th victim of the week!

1644287220904.png

Rotom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Trick
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball​

rotom has cemented itself in zu this generation as a wonderful addition to any team, no matter its set. scarf, specs, wisphex + defog or pain split, subplot, and even more niche sets like subhex + wisp + discharge, have all proven to be successful in the tier. we have chosen to go with scarf this week though, due to its consistency, and the fact that it outspeeds our other s-rank scarfer in sawk, as well as much of the unboosted metagame; the only other scarfers faster than it are typically more niche like manectric, raichu, or gapidash it's fun you should try it. from generating momentum with volt switch, to tricking away its scarf to defensive mons hoping to check it, to cleaning late-game with thunderbolt or shadow ball, rotom is a force to be reckoned with. it sits at s-rank for a reason! with all this in mind, who will you use to beat it down? voting will end this friday. feb 11 at 11:59 pm gmt-5. good luck everyone!
 
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:ss/gourgeist-small:
Gourgeist-Small @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Poltergeist
- Power Whip
- Synthesis
- Trick

Gourgeist-Small is the best Scarf matchup against Scarf Rotom as a lead, checking it more effectively than any Pokemon on turn 1. Not only is Gourgeist-Small one of the only Pokemon that outspeeds Rotom on turn 1, it checks to see what item Rotom is holding, meaning that SubHex and any other sets are scouted immediately. Poltergeist one-shots Rotom, and on a good prediction, it can come in on a Rotom Trick and effectively force it out, meaning that Gourgeist can trick any other Pokemon on the other team for free if it wants. Finally, Rotom can't do anything in return.

252 Atk Gourgeist-Small Poltergeist vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 336-396 (139.4 - 164.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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:ss/Silvally-Dark:
Silvally-Dark @ Dark Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 8 HP / 240 Atk / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Multi-Attack
- U-turn
- Psychic Fangs

Silvally-Dark is a counter to Choice Scarf Rotom.
I've been using the given EV spread which avoids a 2HKO from Rotom's Thunderbolt after Stealth Rock damage 100% of the time. In return, Multi-Attack is always a guaranteed OHKO (or 2HKO if you would talk about Colbur Berry).
252 SpA Rotom Thunderbolt vs. 8 HP / 8 SpD Silvally-Dark: 123-145 (36.9 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock

240 Atk Silvally-Dark Multi-Attack vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rotom: 386-456 (160.1 - 189.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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draco appletun my beloved <3
:ss/appletun:

Appletun @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 68 HP / 252 SpA / 188 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Pulse
- Apple Acid

spdef apple defensively checks scarftom better,but is crippled to utter uselessness if tricked a scarf. This is where this set comes in, with hard hitting moves and a workable spatk stat, it doesnt hate the scarf as much anymore.
68 hp means it can come in on a max roll shadow ball,get spdef dropped,and live another max roll sb with 1% health to spare :>
speed creeps uninvested tangela,also covering uninvested rhydon in the process. If tricked a scarf,the speed reaches 235,which means it'll outspeed uxie and qwilfish too,enabling it to spam spdef dropping apple acids on them :>
the spatk is just the residue,and considering how its perfectly maxed out,this set was clearly MEANT TO BE :>
252 SpA Rotom Shadow Ball vs. 68 HP / 0 SpD Appletun: 127-151 (33.5 - 39.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Appletun Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rotom: 220-259 (91.2 - 107.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
extra calc - 252 SpA Appletun Apple Acid vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Qwilfish: 177-208 (52.9 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock - 2 shots qwilly after trick
 
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reserving stunfisk

:ss/stunfisk:

Stunfisk @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earth Power
- Foul Play / Discharge

Stunfisk is a good check towards Scarf Rotom. It is able to take any given hit from Rotom and use Toxic in return, limiting its ability to perform in the late game. Foul Play, in tandem with minor chip damage that can be achieved with either Toxic or Stealth Rock support, can land a 2HKO on Rotom. However, it is only a check, as if it is Tricked a Choice Scarf, it loses a major portion of its defensive utility. Even then, it still forces Rotom to trick and it still comes in on everything else!

252 SpA Rotom Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Stunfisk: 76-91 (18 - 21.5%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

0- Atk Stunfisk Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 90-106 (37.3 - 43.9%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Stunfisk Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 90-106 (37.3 - 43.9%) -- 34.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and toxic damage (after Toxic chip)
 
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:xy/malamar:
Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
With great special bulk when invested and a synergistic ability on Contrary, Malamar is one of the best COUNTERs to Rotom. Although Rotom can pivot out of it with Volt Switch, it cannot wear it down easily since Malamar has Rest to heal off any chip damage Rotom does to it. Trick from Rotom doesn’t change the matchup and can be telegraphed with other teammates like Rhydon, Manectric, or Alolan Dugtrio that can prevent pivoting. Malamar also doesn’t particularly get harmed from getting a Choice Scarf, since it can now outspeed threats like Perrserker or Eldegoss it might’ve not been able to outspeed beforehand. In return, Malamar KOes it 93.8% of the time with Knock Off, even with 0 Attack investment, and can use the opportunity to cripple one of Rotom’s teammates with the move. As a side note, Contrary actually boosts Malamar’s Special Defense if Rotom is unlucky enough to use Shadow Ball on it.

252 SpA Rotom Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 103-123 (27.3 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Rotom Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 81-96 (21.5 - 25.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Rotom Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Malamar: 93-109 (24.7 - 28.9%) -- 64.5% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Malamar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rotom: 240-284 (99.5 - 117.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
 
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:ss/eldegoss:
Eldegoss @ Eject Button
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Giga Drain
- Pollen Puff
- Sleep Powder
Eldegoss is a COUNTER that easily scouts Rotom and recovers any damage dealt with Regenerator, basically forcing a Trick from Rotom for it to make any progress whatsoever. Eject Button is a cool tech that lets you scout Rotom and slow pivot into something that pressures a locked Rotom like a Silvally-Dark/Cinccino/Skuntank if its locked into Shadow Ball or a Manectric/Dugtrio-Alola/Raichu if its locked into Volt Switch or a Scarf Sawk into non-scarf Rotom for example.
 
morpeko.png

Morpeko @ Choice Band
Ability: Hunger Switch
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Aura Wheel
- Parting Shot
- Seed Bomb
​
Morpeko is a counter to Scarf Rotom, its Electric/Dark typing allowing it to switch in on any of Rotom's attacks and threaten it with a OHKO from Crunch - even after damage from rocks, Thunderbolt still only 3HKOs Morpeko - while in the event of receiving a Choice Scarf on the switch via Trick, Morpeko remains powerful enough to kill Rotom with said Crunch attack, its access to Parting Shot meaning that Morpeko itself can preserve its general usefulness as a speedy pivot in such a scenario.

Notably, Aura Wheel and Seed Bomb are both 2HKOs on Rotom for as long as Morpeko retains its Choice Band, giving our little hamster some options to threaten many of Rotom's teammates that may come in following a Volt Switch.

252 Atk Choice Band Morpeko Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 392-464 (162.6 - 192.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Morpeko Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 264-312 (109.5 - 129.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Rotom Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Morpeko: 91-108 (35.4 - 42%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Morpeko Aura Wheel vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 135-159 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Morpeko Seed Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 131-155 (54.3 - 64.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
:ss/Shiftry:
Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Pickpocket
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Knock Off
- Leaf Storm
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch

Shiftry can comfortably take any hit and easily ko back, even leaf storm kills most of the time after rocks. Sucker punch also means it can't volt out for free in a 1v1. Since it can't voltblock it should be considered a check. Cool partner with a frail ground like duggy so they can deter rotom from clicking each other's right move. Another interesting point is that contrary to a lot of rotom checks, it doesn't get crippled by trick and even benefits from the scarf in some situations. (despite obviously being more limited in general it remains decent)
Also I wanted to do Morpeko but people keep sniping me ;_;

252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 468-554 (194.1 - 229.8%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom: 338-400 (140.2 - 165.9%)
4 SpA Life Orb Shiftry Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Rotom: 208-246 (86.3 - 102%)
4 SpA Life Orb Shiftry Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Rotom: 101-120 (41.9 - 49.7%)
252 SpA Rotom Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Shiftry: 90-106 (28 - 33%)
252 SpA Rotom Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Shiftry: 80-94 (24.9 - 29.2%)
252 SpA Rotom Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Shiftry: 69-82 (21.4 - 25.5%)
 
Apologies for getting this out late, but submissions for Week 6 is now over! Here is the voting slate for Rotom’s checks and counters:
CHECKS
Choice Scarf Gourgeist-Small​
:ss/Gourgeist:​
Procrastinasian
Offensive Appletun​
:ss/Appletun:​
Dr Ya Yeet
Mixed Shiftry​
:ss/Shiftry:​
OranBerryBlissey10


COUNTERS
Swords Dance Silvally-Dark​
:ss/Silvally-Dark:​
Corthius
RestTalk Malamar​
:ss/malamar:​
5Dots
Eject Button Eldegoss​
:ss/Eldegoss:​
czim
Choice Band Morpeko​
:ss/Morpeko:​
Marsheaux

Please vote for 1 Check and 1 Counter. Deadline is at Sunday, February 13th at 11:59 PM GMT-5. My votes will be going to :Gourgeist: and :Eldegoss:
 
With a landslide to OBB’s Shiftry check and a close call to Corthius’ Silvally-Dark counter, Week 6 is over! Congratulations to OranBerryBlissey10 and Corthius for winning with their Checks and Counters respectively!
CHECKS​
SETPOKEMONUSERVOTES
Mixed Shiftry:ss/Shiftry:OranBerryBlissey10
6​
Scarf Gourgeist-S:ss/Gourgeist:Procrastinasian
1​
Offensive Appletun:ss/Appletun:Dr Ya Yeet
0​

COUNTERS​
Swords Dance Silvally-Dark:ss/Silvally-Dark:Corthius
3​
Eject Button Eldegoss:ss/Eldegoss:czim
2​
RestTalk Malamar:ss/Malamar:5Dots
1​
Choice Band Morpeko:ss/Morpeko:Marsheaux
1​
Congratulations for winning Week 6! This week, we’re going ride on the first Pokemon created and one of ZU’s titans ever since it dropped from day one! This week, RHYDON debuts as the victim of Week 7!
:BW/RHYDON:
Rhydon @ Eviolite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 156 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
Rhydon has been one of the very best, if not the absolute best, Stealth Rock setter thanks to its frightening combination of physical power and bulk! With a great offensive and defensive typing to function as a versatile tank, Rhydon can take on some of the most prominent Defoggers and Stealth Rock setters like Miltank, Rotom, Altaria, and Clefairy. Rhydon also has options like Toxic and Roar to deter walls and setup sweepers from exploiting it, making it difficult to guess which set to account for in the builder. How will you drill onto this Pokemon’s weaknesses? Voting ends by February 18th, 11:59 GMT-5!

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:ss/Tangela:
Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Knock Off
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb

Tangela is the best set and forget counter to Rhydon, as Rhydon at +2 never 2hkos, and Rhydon on a normal Stone Edge doesn't do more than Regenerator heals. Even if Rhydon was an offensive Adamant spread, Tangela lives a +2 Stone Edge, meaning that Rhydon has to switch out regardless of any circumstance or risk being forced to sleep and drained in 2 turns. It walls better than Eldegoss, its closest contemporary, at the cost of rapid spin. There are situations you can lose on other counters, but there are the fewest situations you'd ever lose on Tangela.
0 SpA Tangela Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 276-328 (66.6 - 79.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 0 Atk Rhydon Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Tangela: 118-139 (35.3 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
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:ss/eldegoss:
Eldegoss @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Giga Drain
- Pollen Puff
- Sleep Powder

Eldegoss is a counter to Rhydon, as it can safely switch in and 2hko while outspeeding it. What's also useful is that it can immediately spin away the rocks it puts up, something else to keep in mind is that it's not prone to getting chipped down because of Regenerator.

0 SpA Eldegoss Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 156 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 256-304 (61.8 - 73.4%)
16+ Atk Rhydon Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eldegoss: 117-138 (36.1 - 42.5%)
+2 16+ Atk Rhydon Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eldegoss: 232-274 (71.6 - 84.5%)
 
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:ss/thwackey:
Thwackey @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Wood Hammer
- U-turn
- Knock Off​

Thwackey is faster and can easily OHKO Rhydon with its Grass STAB moves. The terrain it setups also makes it harder for opposing Rhydon to make progress with Earthquake.

252+ Atk Choice Band Thwackey Grassy Glide vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon in Grassy Terrain: 420-496 (101.4 - 119.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Thwackey Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon in Grassy Terrain: 712-844 (171.9 - 203.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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gurdurr.gif.m.1523036372

Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 60 Def / 60 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
​
Your classic bread and butter set, Bulk Up Gurdurr serves as a check to Rhydon - a single Bulk Up allows it to hammer away at Rhydon with two Drain Punch hits, restoring a significant part of the health lost if Rhydon decides to stay in. Removing Eviolite with Knock Off instead of the first Drain Punch is an option that kills Rhydon in the same amount of turns, whilst the move's very presence means that the opponent should always think twice about who to switch to if Rhydon flees - in any case, Mach Punch outspeeds to guarantee the 3HKO if it stays.

Although not a true counter since Rhydon can use Swords Dance on the switch and 2HKO Gurdurr, it can be difficult for the opponent to find a chance to safely set it up. Lastly, Guts is a general deterrent to any Rhydon with Toxic for as long as Gurdurr remains somewhat healthy.

+2 16+ Atk Rhydon Earthquake vs. +1 252 HP / 60 Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 144-169 (38.5 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 136+ Atk Gurdurr Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 182-216 (43.9 - 52.1%) -- 12.9% chance to 2HKO
+1 136+ Atk Gurdurr Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 98-116 (23.6 - 28%) -- 85.4% chance to 4HKO
+1 136+ Atk Gurdurr Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 78-92 (18.8 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
+1 136+ Atk Gurdurr Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rhydon: 270-320 (65.2 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 136+ Atk Gurdurr Mach Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rhydon: 146-174 (35.2 - 42%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
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:BW/Poliwrath:
Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Circle Throw
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Defensive Poliwrath is a great COUNTER to the standard Rhydon set. Not only does it avoid the 3HKO after Stealth Rock from any of its attacks, it also can run RestTalk to further solidify its excellent matchup against it, maintaining recovery while still deterring Rhydon from setting up 67% of the time with Circle Throw and Scald. Scald easily 2HKOes Rhydon in return, even with an Impish nature. The EV spread enables it to outspeed the standard set.
16+ Atk Rhydon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Poliwrath: 114-135 (29.6 - 35.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 16+ Atk Rhydon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Poliwrath: 226-267 (58.8 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0- SpA Poliwrath Scald vs. 252 HP / 156 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 220-264 (53.1 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Large geist. yay another fat grass...
:ss/Gourgeist-Super:
Gourgeist-Super
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Synthesis
- Will-O-Wisp
- Poltergeist
- Power Whip
Counter (unless it is Toxic or Heat Crash SD)
Gourgeist can come in on any of Rhydons moves without very little immediate risk. In return it threatens to burn it or heavily damage it with Power Whip. Synthesis heals potentially taken damage.
 
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taking wishi
:ss/wishiwashi-school:
the rock breaker (?) (Wishiwashi) @ Leftovers
Ability: Schooling
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 30 Spe
- U-turn
- Scald
- Rest/Protect
- Sleep Talk/Toxic
phys def wishi is a COUNTER to sr rhydon. It can come in on any hit and immediately threaten it out with stab scald. Also doesnt care if rhydon sds on the switch,as long as its healthy,it can eat the hit then scald it to oblivion
 
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