Project Victim of the Week 2.0: ZU Edition

:ss/articuno:
Articuno @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 204 SpD / 56 Spe
Calm Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Freeze-Dry
- Heal Bell

Thanks to the power of Pressure, Articuno can help to stall Stunfisk out of its PP over the course of longer games. A Defogger which can act as a low-key status absorber and cleric for the team at the same time is pretty helpful against one of the most obnoxious rockers in the tier.
 
throh.gif

Throh @ Leftovers
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 212 SpD / 44 Spe
Careful Nature
- Circle Throw
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk​

RestTalk Throh is a counter to Stunfisk, taking little from its attacks and discouraging the use of Toxic with both Guts and its access to Rest - Knock Off guarantees progress against the fish, meanwhile, with Storm Throw inflicting the most damage long-term as well as giving Throh an opportunity to inflict yet more pain on the enemy team when paired with hazards.

0 SpA Stunfisk Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Throh: 67-81 (15 - 18.2%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
:ss/appletun:
Appletun @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 88 HP / 252 SpA / 168 Spe
Modest Nature
- Substitute
- Recover
- Apple Acid
- Dragon Pulse

Appletun isn't necessarily a counter, because it always is going to fear switching into Toxic. That said, it's a premier check to Stunfisk due to taking minimal damage from its attacks and immediately threatening it.
0- Atk Stunfisk Foul Play vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Appletun: 55-65 (14.3 - 16.9%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Stunfisk Earth Power vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Appletun: 49-58 (12.7 - 15.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ SpA Appletun Apple Acid vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Stunfisk: 174-206 (41.2 - 48.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
:ss/lurantis:
Lurantis @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 16 SpA / 240 SpD or 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SpA
Sassy / Relaxed Nature
- Defog / Aromatherapy / Knock Off
- Leaf Storm
- Superpower
- Synthesis​

i frankly have not used lurantis for a while, but it has merit as a defogger that beats most standard rockers like rhydon, miltank, gunfisk, and of course, stunfisk. in addition, contrary + leaf storm + superpower allows lurantis to have an offensive presence, even with a defensive spread. you dont mind either of stunfisk's stabs thanks to the grass typing's natural resistances, and foul play does negligible damage that you can always heal off. you do have to worry about getting hit with toxic, unless you opt for aroma, but that kind of cuts into your niche so idk if i can recommend it in good faith but it is an option. regardless, leaf storm will always 2hko, making this set a counter. 16 spatk investment is just there to hit an even 200 spatk but it really isnt necessary i just like the look of it :owohehe:

16 SpA Contrary Lurantis Leaf Storm over 2 turns vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Stunfisk: 512-608 (121.3 - 144%) -- guaranteed KO in 2 turns after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Stunfisk Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Lurantis: 78-92 (22.6 - 26.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

keep an eye out for the voting slate!

checks​
USER​
POKEMON​
SET​
:ss/hattrem:​
3ani__773-water__sm (1).gif
:ss/articuno:​

counters​
USER​
POKEMON​
SET​
:ss/thwackey:​
:ss/clefairy:​
:ss/throh:​
:ss/appletun:​
:ss/lurantis:​


ive listed appletun as a counter rather than a check because apple acid will always 2hko spdef stunfisk, and while you do have to worry about toxic over the course of the game, you will guaranteed win the 1v1.

with that said, please vote for 1 check and 1 counter! my votes go to :silvally:-water and :appletun:. voting will end tomorrow, sunday, may 1st at 11:59 pm gmt-4. thanks for eveyone who participated, and good luck!
 
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Week 17 is now over! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to calculate and work their submissions. Here are the results:
CHECKS​
USERPOKEMONSETVOTES
OranBerryBlissey10​
:Hattrem:​
4​
Dr Ya Yeet​
:Water Memory:​
2​
missangelic​
:Articuno:​
1​
COUNTERS​
USERPOKEMONSETVOTES
view noa​
:Appletun:​
2​
Marsheaux​
:Throh:​
2​
waterbend​
:Lurantis:​
2​
5Dots​
:Clefairy:​
1​
Corthius​
:Thwackey:​
0​
With a comfortable margin to OranBerryBlissey10 ’s Hattrem entry as a check and a three-way tie between viet noa , Marsheaux , and waterbend ‘s respective Appletun, Throh, and Lurantis submissions, they are your winners for week 18. Congratulations! Week 18 has a Pokemon that’s extremely unique (we’re not kitten, really)…
:ss/Persian-Alola:
Persian-Alola @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Parting Shot
- Foul Play
- Taunt / Toxic
- Knock Off​
Alolan Persian is renowned for its respectable physical bulk by virtue of Fur Coat, array of utility moves such as Parting Shot, Knock Off, and Taunt, and the third-highest Speed tier in ZU barring Accelgor and the obscure Boltund, it is a staple on bulky offense and balance builds. This allows it to beat up fat builds that involve passive Pokemon like Tangela, Stunfisk, and Pyukumuku. Choice Scarf sets also make for nice Speed control, being the only Pokémon that can conceivably outpace Scarfers like Rotom and Manectric, while also still being catastrophic great choice against slower builds. How will you deal with the cat’s classiness in ZU? Deadline is May 6th, 11:59 PM GMT-4!
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:ss/alcremie-mint-cream:
Alcremie-Mint-Cream (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sweet Veil
EVs: 116 HP / 252 SpA / 140 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Mystical Fire
- Psychic
- Recover

Alcremie is an effective counter as it shrugs off any hit and can ohko back (even after being knocked). Not only does it have recovery but it also appreciates free turns to wallbreak. Other, more passive Alcremie sets can even cleric poison away and are immune to taunt.

0 Atk Persian-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Alcremie: 44-52 (14.6 - 17.3%)
0- Atk Persian-Alola Foul Play vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Alcremie: 39-46 (13 - 15.3%)
252+ SpA Life Orb Alcremie Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Persian-Alola: 468-554 (140.1 - 165.8%)
252+ SpA Life Orb Alcremie Mystical Fire vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Persian-Alola: 147-174 (44 - 52%)
252+ SpA Alcremie Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Persian-Alola: 360-426 (107.7 - 127.5%)
252+ SpA Alcremie Mystical Fire vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Persian-Alola: 113-134 (33.8 - 40.1%)
 
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poliwrath.gif

Poliwrath @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Vacuum Wave​

Specs Poliwrath is a counter to Persian-Alola, its Focus Blast attack OHKOing Persian even after Specs being knocked, while neither of the cat's attacks do significant damage to Poliwrath - in the event of Persian's health being reduced enough through the course of the battle, Vacuum Wave and Hydro Pump become options with priority and/or better accuracy, with Ice Beam likewise providing coverage for switch-ins.

252+ SpA Poliwrath Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Persian-Alola: 408-482 (122.1 - 144.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0- Atk Persian-Alola Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Poliwrath: 46-54 (14.3 - 16.8%) -- possible 6HKO
0 Atk Persian-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Poliwrath: 36-43 (11.2 - 13.3%) -- possible 8HKO
 
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Reserving Malamar

Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Counter
While Malamar does not like being inflicted with Toxic, Rest will heal it up. Persian does not run Toxic and Taunt to stop Rest because it needs the other moves. Parting Shot will boost Malamar leaving a weakened team fearful of getting swept by Superpower. Superpower will do a nice amount of damage and continue to boost Malamar. Malamar is a Counter as it will always win 1v1 and scare it out. However, Persian can wait for a rest then use Malamar for momentum. Overall, Persian can't do anything and Malamar can chunk it and boost simultaneously.
 
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:ss/silvally-fighting:
Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Multi-Attack
- Iron Head
- U-turn

I wanted to specifically highlight SD Silvally-Fighting, because even with its Attack stat boosting Alolan Persian's Foul Play, it still absorbs enough damage from it. While it can get afflicted by Toxic, its purpose as a raw wallbreaker means it doesn't need longevity as much as a sweeper would. Thus, Silvally-Fighting counters Alolan Persian.
252 Atk Silvally-Fighting Multi-Attack vs. 252 HP / 40 Def Fur Coat Persian-Alola: 224-266 (67 - 79.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Silvally-Fighting Multi-Attack vs. 252 HP / 40 Def Fur Coat Persian-Alola: 450-530 (134.7 - 158.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Persian-Alola Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Silvally-Fighting: 66-78 (19.9 - 23.5%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Persian-Alola Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Silvally-Fighting: 131-154 (39.5 - 46.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
frisky fairy pony
:ss/Rapidash-Galar: @ Kee Berry
Ability: Pastel Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
- Stored Power
- Dazzling Gleam

scares it out,cant be toxiced,taunt can be annoying but then it dies so like lol
still leaning towards CHECK tho since foul play does a bit,if it knocks your kee berry first then it gets rougher
0 SpA Rapidash-Galar Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Persian-Alola: 204-240 (61 - 71.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0- Atk Persian-Alola Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rapidash-Galar: 108-127 (32.3 - 38%) -- 95.6% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Persian-Alola Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rapidash-Galar: 93-111 (27.8 - 33.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
 
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:bw/Sawk:
Sawk (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Check
Ignoring Fur Coat with Mold Breaker, Choice Scarf Sawk is a good check to Alolan Persian, cleanly OHKOing it with Close Combat. While resisting Knock Off and Foul Play, it does not appreciate losing its item and getting pivot on with Parting Shot afterwards.
 
:BW/Accelgor:
Accelgor @ Choice Specs
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Focus Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Spikes / U-turn / Energy Ball
Accelgor functions as a nice offensive check to Alolan Persian, as the fastest Pokemon in the unboosted meta. Despite its frailty, it can take one Foul Play or Knock Off without critical hits, even after a layer of Spikes. In return, Accelgor easily OHKOs Persian-Alola with Bug Buzz. Accelgor can take advantage of Alolan Persian switching out by setting up either Spikes or pivoting with U-turn against an anticipated check.​
 
:ss/musharna:
Musharna @ Colbur Berry / No Item
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rest / Moonlight
- Future Sight
- Moonblast
- Sleep Talk / Heal Bell​

on a musharna high lately, mostly thanks to kay. this set is nice for absorbing status, reflecting it back thanks to synchronize, and resting it off. you dont mind knock or foul play, regardless of whether you go colbur or no item, and you really only have to worry about taunt, but theyre usually opting for toxic anyways. moonblast is always a clean 2hko with no investment, making this set a counter, which is kinda funny when you think about a slow psychic-type countering a fast dark-type. you could also run moonlight + heal bell over resttalk to have more control without worrying about sleep talk rolls + to act as a cleric for the team as a whole, but your pp is much more limited vs fat toxicspam if you go this route

0- Atk Persian-Alola Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Musharna: 92-110 (21.1 - 25.2%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO
0 Atk Persian-Alola Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Musharna: 78-92 (17.8 - 21.1%) -- possible 5HKO

0 SpA Musharna Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Persian-Alola: 206-244 (61.6 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
:persian-Alola: Purr usual, it’s the end of a submissions phase, and another start of a voting phase!…voting slate is up for Alolan Persian! :persian-Alola:
CHECKS​
USERPOKEMONSET
:ss/Rapidash-Galar:​
:ss/Sawk:​
:ss/Accelgor:​
COUNTERS​
USERPOKEMONSET
:ss/Alcremie:​
:ss/Poliwrath:​
:ss/Malamar:​
:ss/Silvally-Fighting:​
:ss/Musharna:​
Vote for 1 check and 2 counters by Monday, 11:59 PM GMT-4! My votes will be going towards :Sawk: as a check and :Poliwrath: and :Musharna: as counters.

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