Project Counter That Threat! Mk II

[xzern]

approved by Raseri
taken over from Brawlfest
art by the incredibly cancerous user xzern

The goal of this thread is as follows. Each week a specific threat or core will be chosen, and each person's goal will be to come up with a Pokemon that can effectively nullify the threat selected that week. When nominating a pokemon, make sure that you give a valid description as to why it is an effective counter to the selected threat, and make sure that it is a true counter, and not just a check. At the end of each week, a voting period will ensue in which everybody will vote for a single nomination as the most effective counter to the selected threat of the week. Feel free to discuss and post in the thread, but make sure you only nominate 1x per week to give everybody equal opportunity! Below is an example nomination.

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Threat: Specs Typhlosion

Counter:

Dragalge @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Point
EVs: 252 SAtk / 248 HP / 8 Spd
- Hydro Pump
- Sludge Bomb
- Thunderbolt
- Draco Meteor

Dragalge's already titanic 123 base Special Defense further boosted by Assault Vest allows it to consistantly switch into any moves that Typhlosion has. Resisting all of Typhlosion's STAB and coverage moves in Eruption, Fire Blast, HP Grass, and Focus Blast, Dragalge's Dragon / Poison typing gives it a massive boon in defeating Typhlosion.
252+ SpA Choice Specs Typhlosion Eruption (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Dragalge: 99-117 (29.6 - 35%) -- 17.8% chance to 3HKO
As shown by the calc above, Modest Typhlosion's single strongest move which is known for being essentially a guarantee'd OHKO on any switch in results in a 17% chance for a 3HKO against Dragalge, immediatly forcing it out. Because of these reasons, Dragalge makes for an effective counter towards Typhlosion!

things that are not allowed to be posted:

• anything in LC
• anything with a stupidly specialized set that would only work in the given scenario
• anything in D- or E rank on the viability rankings
• LC ubers may be used, if a LC Pokemon is ranked in C rank or above in the viability rankings it may be used as well
• shedinja

week 1

[mesprit]

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Atk / 80 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake / Bullet Punch / Pursuit

Hi I am a Steel-type with Toxic, and I counter Mesprit xD

This is why Ice Beam on CM Mesprit is bad by the way, it should run Hidden Power Ground or Fire :')

week 2

Week 2:

Counter this threat!

Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain

nominations close in a week

Munchlax @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Body Slam
- Whirlwind
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

This thing is too fat to get 2hko'd, and can either whirlwind ludi out or rest talk it to death.

252+ SpA Life Orb Ludicolo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Munchlax in Rain: 160-188 (33.7 - 39.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

and

0 Atk Munchlax Body Slam vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ludicolo: 108-127 (35.8 - 42.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

week 3

Week 3
Counter this threat!

meow (Pyroar) @ Life Orb
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Fire Blast
- Hyper Voice
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Will-O-Wisp​

Lampent @ Eviolite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Taunt / Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split

252+ SpA Lampent Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Pyroar: 111-132 (35.3 - 42%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Lampent Flash Fire Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Pyroar : 168-198 (53.5 - 63%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Get rekt

week 4

Counter This Threat!

Feraligatr @ Lum Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch/Return
- Swords Dance
​

Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Leech Seed
- Sleep Powder
- Knock Off

This is a fantastic switch in to gatr as even at +4 Gatr cant get the OHKO with Ice Punch and will be 2HKOd 100% of the time by giga drain, not to mention you then just switch out and lose all of the damage that Gatr just inflicted.

xzern pleases slash Return on the set as Gatr is quite easy to wall with Ice Punch, but its hard to find something that walls both Ice Punch and Return.

week 5

rad

Week 5
Counter This Threat!

Xatu @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Roost
- Heat Wave

bad sets will be removed​

Murkrow @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 128 Def / 132 SpD
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Dark Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Substitute

The EVs are designed such that Heat Wave has basically no chance to break the Substitute if we have the same number of Calm Mind boosts.

0 SpA Xatu Heat Wave vs. 248 HP / 132 SpD Eviolite Murkrow: 68-80 (21 - 24.7%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

On the other hand,

0 SpA Murkrow Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Xatu: 204-240 (61 - 71.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

It cannot even hope to crit its way past Murkrow because Substitute.

Burd vs Burd, Burd wins.

Also, Murkrow has the bonus of not being mauled by Grass-type coverage like Rhydon and those other peasants.

week 6

Week 6
Counter This Threat!

Typhlosion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Grass / Extrasensory​

Is Focus Blast even standard on Specs Typh? I'd imagine it is only slash-worthy at best.

Flareon @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Flare Blitz
- Toxic / Will-O-Wisp / Heal Bell

252 SpA Choice Specs Typhlosion Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Flareon: 117-138 (35.1 - 41.4%) -- 5.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Flash Fire Flareon Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Typhlosion: 149-176 (50.1 - 59.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Flareon Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Typhlosion: 99-117 (33.3 - 39.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Walls Typhlosion while boasting recovery in WishTect and decent enough power to bring it down in a hurry if need be. Would've suggested Altaria but that probably won't be relevant in a few month's time.

 

[Shuckleking87]

No stealth rocks? Then reserving shedinja

 

[Ununhexium]

No stealth rocks? Then reserving shedinja

There are projects similar to this in UU and RU, and you should always assume that Stealth Rock is up unless for some reason the threat you're countering doesn't want Stealth Rocks up, and I have no idea why they wouldn't.

 

[Brawlfest]

No stealth rocks? Then reserving shedinja

This comment just gave me aids.

Probopass @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
- Flash Cannon
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock / Volt Switch

Taunt Probopass literally hard walls this thing. Assuming Probo taunts first turn so that you only get one CM up..

+1 252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Psychic vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Probopass: 66-78 (20.3 - 24%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

Toxic wears it down, Flash Cannon to have an attack. Pretty much just straight up walls this set to hell and back, and unlike other steel types such as Steelix or Ferro which I know others are going to post, Probopass actually has Taunt with good special bulk to prevent further setup.

 

[skies]

Reserving Skuntank.

 

[Ares]

Pangoro @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Parting Shot
- Storm Throw / Hammer Arm
- Poison Jab

Pretty self explanatory, Pangoro outspeeds and KO's with Crunch, after rocks. Or any prior damage.
252+ Atk Pangoro Crunch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mesprit: 270-318 (89.4 - 105.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
(Not a true Counter, just a really hard check)

 

[Ares]

Reserving Skuntank.

Skuntank is RU .-.

 

[skies]

Skuntank is RU .-.

:[ Man, I need to pay attention more, sorry bout that.

((brb testing Eviolite Stunky :]))

 

[TheBluRaichu]

Pokemon: Pawniard
Ability: Defiant
Item: Eviolite
Nature: Adamant
EV Spread: 252Atk, 4SpDef, 252Spe
Swords Dance
Sucker Punch
Iron Head
Knock Off

Pawniard resists Ice Beam and Psyshock, so Mesprit is limited to using Dazzling Gleam. Whether the enemy team is carrying Sticky Web or not, Pawniard is capable of taking out Mesprit in one hit at +2 about 100% of the time. If Mesprit is still trying to accumulate Calm Minds, Pawniard can use Knock Off instead.

 

[Swagalge]

Generic steel type comin thru:

Klinklang @ Lum Berry
Ability: Clear Body
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Substitute/Wild Charge
- Frustration
- Gear Grind
- Shift Gear

Klinklang resists all of Mespirit's moves and can set up alongside it. Even at +2 Mespirit cannot 2HKO, while Gear Grind is a OHKO at +2 for Klink (you can use a Life Orb for a 75% chance of OHKO at +1 but Lum Berry is good for Tomb). Pretty boring but guess it works

 

[Fluze3]

Uxie @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 20 Def / 236 Spe
Bold Nature
- Imprison
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Dazzling Gleam

Although this thing can't do much back to it, it can definitely take a hit or two. The EV spread ensures that it outspeeds max speed Mesprit (max base 80) and is able to Impison before it boosts itself. Although they'll eventually stall each other out, Mesprit will die to Life Orb Damage before Uxie dies to anything. Using Imprison, it becomes a psuedo-taunt; where, it cannot boost itself, and is resorted to just spamming Ice Beam until it decides to switch out. To add to that, it lasts until Uxie switches out; not like taunt, which lasts a set amount of turns; meaning that you only need to set up once. Then, Uxie is able to boost itself to amazing levels while still taking those Ice Beams like a Champ.

Considering that Uxie came in on a CM and was able to Imprison before it could CM again, and then Uxie was able to get to +1:

+1 252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Ice Beam vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Uxie: 88-104 (24.8 - 29.3%) -- 76.3% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

This set also works for other boosters, namely Spiritomb (who can't do much without the boost), Musharna (not as common), Xatu (pls) and other more pokemon. These are the ones that are worth naming because now Uxie is able to counter Spritomb as well as Mesprit.

Also, if Mesprit runs any HP type to counter the steel types, it still resists anything aimed for steels (Ground = Immune, Fire/Fighting = lol)

 

[Quite Quiet]

Houndour @ Eviolite
Ability: Early Bird
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Taunt
- Foul Play

Lives any hit at +1 and can abuse Early Bird Rest for a 1 turn full hp sleep. Even have Sleep Talk for that one turn asleep to completely shut down Mesprit either with Taunt to stop boosting or doing ~65% with Foul Play.

 

[Annoyer]

Pokemon: Pawniard
Ability: Defiant
Item: Eviolite
Nature: Adamant
EV Spread: 252Atk, 4SpDef, 252Spe
Swords Dance
Sucker Punch
Iron Head
Knock Off

Pawniard resists Ice Beam and Psyshock, so Mesprit is limited to using Dazzling Gleam. Whether the enemy team is carrying Sticky Web or not, Pawniard is capable of taking out Mesprit in one hit at +2 about 100% of the time. If Mesprit is still trying to accumulate Calm Minds, Pawniard can use Knock Off instead.

mesprit can hit pawniard on the switch-in with dazzling gleam, live the sucker punch, and then ko on the second hit (maybe try a bulkier spread)

calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 133-156 (57.5 - 67.5%)
252+ Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mesprit: 206-246 (68.4 - 81.7%)

Bastiodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Magic Coat
- Roar

The stalwart Bastiodon, a previous staple on BW stall teams, is back. Tanks anything Mesprit wants and can just Toxic it and when it gets a lot of boosts to the point of being dangerous, you can just phaze it out with Roar.

calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Bastiodon: 47-55 (14.5 - 17%)
252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Bastiodon: 31-38 (9.5 - 11.7%)
+3 252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Bastiodon: 116-136 (35.9 - 42.1%) (phaze it out at this point preferably)
+6 252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Bastiodon: 185-218 (57.2 - 67.4%) (if you're dumb...)

 

[Punchshroom]

Ferroseed @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
- Spikes / Stealth Rock

Obligatory Steel mention is obligatory. Even with minimal Def investment compared to SpD investment, Ice Beam does more than Psyshock (+1 LO Ice Beam does 30-35%). Leech Seed it, then Protect stall if necessary or just smack it with Gyro Ball for, coincidentally, also around 30-35%. The difference is that you're gaining Leech Seed recovery; Mesprit is losing health fast to Leech Seed and Life Orb.

 

[watashi]

Wormadam-Trash (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Iron Head
- Protect

Mesprit needs +4 to 2HKO you and by then it will probably be dead due to Toxic and Iron Head damage

 

[scorpdestroyer]

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball
- Protect

+6 252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzor: 173-204 (54.4 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Bronzor walls Mesprit and Toxics it

 

[xzern]

pls keep in mind that when the voting period comes, i wont allow bad sets

 

[ryan]

Regice @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
- Frost Breath
- Psych Up
- Thunderbolt
- Rest

Mesprit needs +4 and Stealth Rock damage on Regice in order to OHKO it, and +1 has only a small chance of 2HKOing. Switch straight into Mesprit and then steal its boosts and kill it with guaranteed-crit Frost Breath. Rest keeps it from killing you and gives you a second life after defeating Mesprit.

 

[Punchshroom]

Regice @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
- Frost Breath
- Psych Up
- Thunderbolt
- Rest

Mesprit needs +4 and Stealth Rock damage on Regice in order to OHKO it, and +1 has only a small chance of 2HKOing. Switch straight into Mesprit and then steal its boosts and kill it with guaranteed-crit Frost Breath. Rest keeps it from killing you and gives you a second life after defeating Mesprit.

Holly, the Mesprit in question is a Psyshock variant. You won't even get to fire off a +1 Frost Breath in time, and even then it's not close to a KO if you somehow pull it off.

+1 252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Regice: 220-259 (60.6 - 71.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Regice Frost Breath vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mesprit on a critical hit: 177-208 (58.8 - 69.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[ryan]

fuck
alternative counter: ddos your opponent

 

[xzern]

can we please restrict the nominations to legal options

 

[soulgazer]

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Atk / 80 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake / Bullet Punch / Pursuit

Hi I am a Steel-type with Toxic, and I counter Mesprit xD

This is why Ice Beam on CM Mesprit is bad by the way, it should run Hidden Power Ground or Fire :')

 

[thegrovylekid]

Mesprit, hmmm….
Okay, I've got one!

Mighteyena @ Toxic orb
Ability: Quick feet
-Protect
-Crunch
-Heal Bell/rest
-Facade/Sleep Talk
EVs: 252 ATK/252 HP, 4 Speed
Adamant nature

This set is a good counter to Mesprit because Mightyena is immune To Psychic, and Mesprit will most likely take a calm mind to OHKO with Gleam, [Especially with the Bulky EV spread] otherwise, if it goes for the attack, you have protect to ensure you'll be faster than Mesprit on the next turn, [If you ran the 252 speed spread, you might otherwise, but insurance is good] Protect is also great for scouting. Then, Blast away at Mesprit with Super-effective STAB Crunch or Facade, Both of which hit like a truck. Heal bell is also Versatile if Mesprit and Mightyena come out later, and your team is suffering from status ailments. Another thing heal bell does is alleviate the toxic, which could help if you're running low on HP from it. If you're going with rest, remember to watch out for the fact that you'll be asleep for two turns.

 

[Expulso]

can we please restrict the nominations to legal options

DDGatr them then. n_n

 

[thegrovylekid]

Uxie @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 20 Def / 236 Spe
Bold Nature
- Imprison
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam

Although this thing can't do much back to it, it can definitely take a hit or two. The EV spread ensures that it outspeeds max speed Mesprit (max base 80) and is able to Impison before it boosts itself. Although they'll eventually stall each other out, Mesprit will die to Life Orb Damage before Uxie dies to anything. Using Imprison, it becomes a psuedo-taunt; where, it cannot boost itself, and is resorted to just spamming Ice Beam until it decides to switch out. To add to that, it lasts until Uxie switches out; not like taunt, which lasts a set amount of turns; meaning that you only need to set up once. Then, Uxie is able to boost itself to amazing levels while still taking those Ice Beams like a Champ.

Considering that Uxie came in on a CM and was able to Imprison before it could CM again, and then Uxie was able to get to +1:

+1 252 SpA Life Orb Mesprit Ice Beam vs. +1 252 HP / 0 SpD Uxie: 88-104 (24.8 - 29.3%) -- 76.3% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

This set also works for other boosters, namely Spiritomb (who can't do much without the boost), Musharna (not as common), Xatu (pls) and other more pokemon. These are the ones that are worth naming because now Uxie is able to counter Spritomb as well as Mesprit.

Just a heads up: I'd switch Psychic with Psyshock. then you could Seal that with imprison, too. And one more thing to keep in mind, Mesprit will be forced into using Struggle if you can keep Imprison going long enough. Kudos to you for thinking this one up.