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Project Victim of the Week 2.0: ZU Edition

:ss/articuno:
Articuno @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 236 SpD / 24 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog
- Freeze-Dry
- Heal Bell

Articuno is a counter. Because of it taking not too much from Qwilfish, it can switch into Liquidation or Poison Jab and threaten massive damage with Freeze-Dry. Even if the Qwilfish is faster (and the sample set for this Qwilfish isn't optimal, because it's from Centiskorch era), Pain Split will almost always never be enough to avoid a 2HKO from Freeze-Dry. Articuno can then Defog away the Spikes, and heal away any status it received.

0 Atk Qwilfish Liquidation vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 88-105 (22.9 - 27.4%) -- 58.9% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Articuno Freeze-Dry vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Qwilfish: 236-278 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO​
 
:ss/rotom-fan:

Rotom-Fan @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Volt Switch
- Air Slash
- Will-O-Wisp​

Pretty straightforward, Rotom-Fan is very similar to Rotom-base but a lot bulkier so takes Liquidation better and can Defog any spikes freely. Outspeeds Qwil, Volts on it and threatens it with literally every move it has. Rotom-Fan is a COUNTER
:ss/palpitoad:
Palpitoad absorbs Liquidation, resists Pjab, nukes Qwilfish with EPower ez counter
 
:rs/Sableye:
Sableye @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt
- Recover​

Sableye is a CHECK because you don't want to be taunted on switchin. Prankster taunt stops most of qwil's shenanigans while WoW and recover ridicule incoming damage and revive health respectively. Knock kills from there.

0 Atk Qwilfish Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 76-91 (25 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Qwilfish Poison Jab vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 36-42 (11.8 - 13.8%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 Atk burned Qwilfish Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 38-45 (12.5 - 14.8%) -- possible 7HKO

0 Atk Sableye Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Qwilfish: 73-87 (21.8 - 26%)
0 Atk Sableye Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Qwilfish: 49-58 (14.6 - 17.3%)
 
:SM/Silvally-Psychic:
​
Psyvally is a CHECK to Qwilfish because it can threaten it out due to typing and can take 3-4HKO from Liquidation (even less from Poison Jab, and it will depend on hazards, poisoning, and defense drop). Beyond that, during this turn, it can set up a SD to threaten the other members of the opponent's team. I think due to Qwilfish rise to S last VR, Psyvally became better. No Cofagrigus in the horizon is also amazing for it. However, Multi-Attack is only a 2HKO if Qwilfish is high in HP. Thunder Wave can also be annoying as Psyvally relies on speed to sweep late game.

252 Atk Silvally-Psychic Multi-Attack vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Qwilfish: 276-326 (82.6 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Qwilfish Liquidation vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Silvally-Psychic: 93-109 (28 - 32.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Qwilfish Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Silvally-Psychic: 85-102 (25.6 - 30.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
 
:bw/Spiritomb:
Spiritomb @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Dark Pulse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Spiritomb acts as a defensive COUNTER to Qwilfish. This is because Qwilfish has no way of reliably harming it outside of extremely lucky consecutive paralysis rolls in tandem with Waterfall. In return, Spiritomb can freely boost if Qwilfish lacks Taunt or even directly attack it. While Qwilfish can recover damage off with Pain Split or set up Spikes, Spiritomb can repeatedly pressure it with repeated Dark Pulses and makes such tasks very difficult to do. Spiritomb also reduces Spikes PP, further giving it chances to win PP wars with partners like Articuno:
0 SpA Spiritomb Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Qwilfish: 130-154 (38.9 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 Atk Qwilfish Liquidation vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Spiritomb: 60-72 (19.7 - 23.6%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Qwilfish Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Spiritomb: 57-67 (18.7 - 22%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Qwilfish Poison Jab vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Spiritomb: 28-33 (9.2 - 10.8%) -- lol
​
 
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Kangaskhan @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Silk Scarf
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Double-Edge
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch​

though it’s been some time since kang has been a top-tier pick, it is still certainly viable and is an offensive check. thanks to the intimidate nerf this gen, kang isnt bothered by qwil switching in to try and lower your attack one stage. in return, you 2hko with eq or double-edge, although the former is typically the better choice to both recoil two times over. it’s worth noting that adamant secures the 2hko easy, whereas jolly needs prior chip to do so or at least rocks damage. no matter which nature you choose, both are faster than the proposed set and even other standard spreads that are typically found on the ladder (ie faster than aurorus), but not those running max hp max speed, unless you yourself choose jolly. another point about this set is that if you opt to run boots over silk scarf, qwil’s spikes become a non-issue. the only thing youll have to take into account is the potential to be hit with a thunder wave, so be careful!

on mobile so i’ll fix the formatting and add the voting slate once i get home!

checks​
sableye.gif
silvally-psychic.gif
kangaskhan.gif
Fake Out Kangaskhan​
jynx.gif

counters​
hattrem.gif
rotom.gif
hiss​
articuno.gif
czim​
rotom-fan.gif
spiritomb.gif

please vote for 1 check and 2 counters! remember, you cannot vote for your own submission. i'll be voting for psyvally, hattrem, and base rotom. the voting slate ends january 16 at 11:59 pm gmt -5. good luck to all those who submitted!
 
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And with that, here are the results for Week 2 of Victim of the Week!
CHECKS​
Tuthur:ss/Jynx:Boots Jynx5
risin_glory :ss/Sableye: Utility Sableye3
Mirbro :ss/Silvally: :Psychic Memory: SD Silvally-Psychic1
waterbend:ss/kangaskhan: Offensive Kangaskhan0

COUNTERS​
czim :ss/Rotom-Fan:Bulky Rotom-Fan7
Corthius :ss/Hattrem:RestTalk Hattrem7
Procrastinasian :ss/Rotom:Sitrus Berry Rotom2
hiss :ss/Articuno:Specially Defensive Articuno1
5Dots :ss/Spiritomb:RestTalk Spiritomb0
With 5 votes to Tuthur ‘s check, and a tie between czim ’s and Corthius ‘s counter, they have won Week 2 of Victim of the Week! Congratulations! This next victim may require inner focus to find a proper switch-in to this mold breaker…

:bw/Sawk:

Sawk @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker / Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge​

With a Choice Scarf equipped complemented with a monstrous base 125 Attack stat, Sawk is one of the most fearsome revenge killers to find safe switch-ins to. Excellent coverage in EdgeQuake and Knock Off allows Sawk a way to hit most of the tier for at least neutral damage and cripple incoming switch-ins. The banning of Slush Rush alongside Aurorus’s likely ban from ZU narrows its offensive counterplay even further, and very few Pokemon can outspeed it without boosts. How will you be able to take on the Karate Pokemon? Voting ends on January 21 at 11:59 PM GMT-5!
 
reserving shiinotic
:sm/Shiinotic:
Shiinotic
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Strength Sap
- Giga Drain
- Moonblast
- Spore​
Shiinotic is a COUNTER to sawk.
Shii can ssap the sawk to heal itself back to perfect health or can nearly ohko it with its uninvested stab mblast.

252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Shiinotic: 89-105 (27.4 - 32.4%)
0 SpA Shiinotic Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sawk: 236-282 (81 - 96.9%)
 
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:ss/tangela:
Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder​

Tangela is a counter. Close Combat fails to 2HKO and even once Knocked Off, Tangela has a really small chance to get 2HKOed after SR. As long as it has its Eviolite, Tangela doesn't even need to waste a turn recovering, as Regenerator makes up for the lost damage.


252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Tangela: 84-100 (25.1 - 29.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangela: 126-148 (37.7 - 44.3%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
 
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reserving supergeist
:ss/Gourgeist-Super:
Gourgeist-Super
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Synthesis
- Will-O-Wisp
- Poltergeist
- Power Whip

Counter
Gourgeist-Super is able to take any hit (even Choice Band) Sawk throws at it and either heal of the damage or threaten a burn to heavily cripple Sawk. I tend to run no item a lot as it prevents opposing Poltergeist from hitting me while still reducing the damage taken from Knock Off, Colbur Berry can still find its use.

1642403918491.png
 
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:SS/Alcremie:

Alcremie @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Aroma Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Dazzling Gleam
- Mystical Fire / Aromatherapy​

This Alcremie set has been really good in SS ZU for a while. It can be threatening after some CM and it can work as a mixed wall. No-Poison Jab Sawk cannot do great damage to Cremie as you can see in the calcs (it is a 4HKO), while Dazzling Gleam is a 2HKO and a roll of OHKO after Stealth Rock damage. Beyond this, Alcremie does some other jobs to the team. Part of the recent importance of Alcremie in the metagame is due to the importance of CScarf Sawk. Still if Sawk is running Poison jab is a 3HKO after Leftovers recovery, a roll of 2HKO if no Leftovers, and practically a 2HKO if no Leftovers and Stealth Rock damage. Thus, Alcremie is a COUNTER if Sawk does not run Poison Jab.


4 SpA Alcremie Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sawk: 236-282 (81 - 96.9%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock


252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Alcremie: 92-109 (27.5 - 32.6%) -- 77.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery


252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Alcremie: 92-109 (27.5 - 32.6%) -- 77.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery


252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Poison Jab vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Alcremie: 146-174 (43.7 - 52%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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Drifblim @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 Def / 108 SpA / 148 Spe
- Acrobatics
- Shadow Ball
- Strength Sap
- Destiny Bond / Substitute / Will-O-Wisp

This is a one-time counter CHECK to scarf Sawk. It can take a hit from either of Sawk's moves that actually affect it, even after rocks, and then heal off with strength sap or KO with acrobatics. If the WP gets activated it's usually able to take down at least a couple of mons, especially if running destiny bond. Sub is an option which helps vs. defensive teams while will-o-wisp lets you trigger the WP against unsuspecting lead rockers more easily.

252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Drifblim: 260-308 (58.9 - 69.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Drifblim: 268-316 (60.7 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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:ss/rapidash-galar:
Rapidash-Galar @ Kee Berry
Ability: Pastel Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
- Stored Power
- Mystical Fire

Galarian Rapidash is a counter* to Scarf Sawk. It can switch into any of its attacks, taking 50% at most from Earthquake. This activates the Kee Berry, which makes it unable to 2HKO Gapidash, allowing it to recover and begin setting up CM's.

252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rapidash-Galar: 141-167 (42.2 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Sawk Earthquake vs. +1 252 HP / 4 Def Rapidash-Galar: 95-112 (28.4 - 33.5%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Rapidash-Galar Stored Power (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sawk: 270-320 (92.7 - 109.9%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

Asterick: Although it does counter Scarf Sawk, it can't switch into a Banded Sawk, so it's not something that counters Sawk as a whole.​
 
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