Singles Break that Core (Week 17: Hippowdon + Lucario + Dragonite) ~ VOTING (post #395)

DragonWhale

It's not a misplay, it's RNG manipulation
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approved by cant say
95% stolen from Montsegur who stole it from someone etc etc


Battle Spot Singles - Break that Core
a.k.a. Victims of the Week V2.0
Old version by Montsegur found here
Every generation is different and the metagame is constantly changing with new releases and "newly discovered Pokemon"; however, there has always been and always will be threats. Whether they are defensive threats or offensive threats, every competent player should have a way to handle top-tier threats. That's where you guys come in! This project aims to gather some of the common top-tier threats in the metagame and find Pokémon that can either check or counter them.


Now that we've been through the majority of the top-tier threats on Battle Spot and we know what works as a check or counter, we shall discuss what kind of strategies work when we take switching into consideration. Most players will switch out their Pokémon when you send in a counter, so this thread aims at finding ways of beating top-tier threats along with common Pokémon paired with them. In essence, Victim of the Week is a great resource for teambuilding, while this thread aims to help players at battling.​

Procedure:

1. Every round, I will nominate two Pokémon that are commonly seen together on Battle Spot for discussion and maybe even three on occasion. Within one week's time, you guys will have the ability to discuss and nominate various Pokémon that you think can get through them, with a description explaining how they can do that (look at other nominations and the past thread for examples!). You can have more than one Pokémon in your nomination, but usually the fewer the better; it wouldn't sound too useful if you need three Pokémon to beat two!

Starting week 4, mega evolutions will not be specified in the core in order to have a greater number of possibilities to consider. Of course Pokemon like Kangaskhan and Mawile are almost guaranteed to be a mega evolution, but for Pokemon like Gyarados or Tyranitar it's important to note both mega and non-mega scenarios, and both forms in the case of Charizard.

2. After the deadline, we will vote on which strategy we think is the best, do not bandwagon vote. Bandwagon votes will be thrown out. Try to give your reasons as to why you think your pick is the best option for this core.

3. The results will be archived and the process will continue week after week.

Rules:

1. When nominating your strategies please include how your nomination breaks this core, how it works, and how effective it is in the Battle Spot metagame. Damage calcs, while not necessary, help to strengthen your argument for your nomination and show other players just how effective your nomination is.

2. Please also post a set with a nature and evs, you can use Pokemon Showdown's teambuilder for easy exportation or just write it up. You must have at least one Pokémon set in a nomination. If your nomination has more than one Pokémon, the second and third Pokémon don't need to be specific. You can even go as far as specifying just a certain quality e.g. "A Pokémon with priority". Flexibility helps your nomination fit into more players' teams, and therefore is a great attribute to look for.

3. When using the terms checks and counters, follow the definition that was posted in The Smog Issue 32

4. Only post sets viable in Battle Spot. Niche Pokemon are totally acceptable, but bottom-of-the-barrel stuff like Electivire and Shedinja aren't. The viability ranking thread and PGL usage stats are your best friend, so if something isn't ranked there, 95% of the time it's not worth posting here.

5. From Monday to Saturday, each person can only nominate one Pokemon. From Saturday to Monday, you get to vote on which set you think is the most viable. Please don't vote for yourself as that is not in the spirit of things.

6. Help people out if you think they're wrong, but please be nice.

7. Be creative!

8. Have fun!
 
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DragonWhale

It's not a misplay, it's RNG manipulation
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DragonWhale

It's not a misplay, it's RNG manipulation
is a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Dedicated Tournament Host Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Alright, so let's start this off with arguably the most common pairing in Battle Spot Singles: Garchomp and Mega Kangaskhan!



Happy Posting!
 
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Serperior @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Contrary
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 220 Def / 172 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Reflect
- Synthesis
- Glare

Serp can take on kanga with reflect + rocky helmet, and finish it off with leaf storms. It can 2hko garchomp with leaf storm, chomp generally doesnt like taking on reflect rocky helmet, and serp is one of the only viable mons that can para garchomp if ever need be. And as a nice bonus serperior will usually come out with at least +2 spa from an exchange with either of the two.
 

chuckaboomboom

I believe I can HM02


Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Dark Pulse
- Recover
- Will-O-Wisp

Sableye can easily live two Outrages from Chomp and fire off a Wiil-O, then recover. If Sableye is going up against an Adamant Band chomper, then it needs to stay in regular form and get the pseudo prankster will-o-wisp onto Garchomp. Sableye always wins against Chomp. SD chomp gets 2HKO'd at +1 with burn. Lum chomp does less than <50% to sableye, so sableye just needs to fire off two wisps. (Technically it is a roll against chomp but sableye should be able to use recover.) Sable also completely checks Mega-Kangaskhan, including those ratchet ones that carry fire blast or ice beam. Sableye can also set up against these mons with Calm Mind.
 
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ethan06

⋖(☼┆☼)⋗
is a Community Contributor Alumnus

Gengar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt / Protect

Sash Gengar. Completely walls Ice Punch-less Kangaskhan and burns it. Outspeeds non-Choice Scarf Garchomp and survives Outrages with its Focus Sash before spreading a burn on that as well (and maybe getting a hit off too). Choice between Taunt and Protect depends on whether you want to use Gengar as a stallbreaker or if you're more interested in duking out Kangaskhan's Scrappy Fake Out.
 

Blaziken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 52 Atk / 244 SpA / 212 Spe
Naive Nature
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Superpower
- Protect

Blaziken can block Kangaskhan's Protect, brush off Sucker Punch, and can KO both of these Pokemon.

52 Atk Life Orb Blaziken Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 218-257 (121.1 - 142.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
244 SpA Life Orb Blaziken Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 182-218 (98.9 - 118.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

Bulkier Chomp can live, though, so watch out!
 

bobochan

slow mo my bobo
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Suicune @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Reflect
- Roar / Rest

Found this in the archive of the victim of the week thread for Mega Kangaskhan by haban012.
Neither Pokemon would to be burned by Scald (unless Lum Berry on Garchomp).
Reflect is mandatory. Icy Wind has a 97.3% to 2HKO offensive Garchomp.
Not sure exactly why Roar was there (for SD?) but I guess you could also run Rest for recovery (if desirable).
This set works similarly to NOVED's Serperior set, so it comes down to a matter of preference of what you want to bring in during the match and coincidently, both Serperior and Suicune are great on the same team :3
 
Uh, guys, you have already taken every good Pokémon. I'll post this bunny which helped me so much when the Battle Spot Special was Inverted Tiers:


Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Scrappy
Level: 50
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Return
- High Jump Kick
- Ice Punch

Uh, guys, you have already taken every good Pokémon. I'll post this bunny which helped me so much when the Battle Spot Special was Inverted Tiers:
Lopunny is what can beat Kangaskhan and Garchomp in an atmosphere like "fighting the fire with fire". Lopunny's Fake Out laughs in front of the Kangaskhan's one, and High Jump Kick oneshot the Big-Mom that mostly can use a sad Sucker Punch on a fighting Pokémon. Garchomp goes down after an Ice Punch. Then, Lopunny has a high speed that allows to it to outspeed both Kangaskhan and Garchomp even if the bunny runs an Adamant Nature (so you can use moves with more accuracy like Jump Kick or low kick), but it must have already mega evolved. However don't risk with Kangaskhan and go first with High Jump Kick, Mega Kangaskhan do something like 50% with Fake out, ever better than a Inner Focus Kangaskhan that doesn't flinch, hit you with a Double Edge and then kill you with Sucker Punch (even if It should do 2 max damage rolls).

252 Atk Mega Lopunny High Jump Kick vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 230-272 (127 - 150.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mega Lopunny Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 184-220 (100.5 - 120.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 

Jibaku

Who let marco in here????
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One of the reasons Cresselia was in top 10 for a long time, and will still remain highly relevant to the metagame:

Cresselia @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Moonlight
- Psychic / Reflect
- Lunar Dance / Reflect

Well ok Lunar Dance is useless in this but let's be honest it can often take on both of them with the first 2 moves anyways. Throw in Reflect > Lunar Dance if you really want to.

Both Garchomp and Kangaskhan will not beat Cress 1v1 (barring an extremely specialized Sub/Shadow Ball Kanga or some random Pup + Giga Impact which I am pretty sure nobody runs).

At worst, without crits, even max HP Kangaskhan will die to Double Edge recoil + Helmet damage. Speaking of Double Edge, Jolly +2 Double Edge will never OHKO, and Adamant +2 Double Edge has ~50% chance of OHKOing. Assuming Kangaskhan is lucky enough to KO Cresselia with + 2 Double Edge, it will still take 36% from recoil and another 33.3% from Rocky Helmet. It cannot get to +2 Attack without using Power Up Punch, which is another 33.3% . (33.3%*2)+35.7% = more than 100%. Do note that, since Double Edge recoil is calculated last, you will lose to Self KO Clause if this situation happens as the last Pokemon. Reflect will guarantee this 1v1 victory without crits.

Garchomp will lose.

It also makes a fine switch in to both of them thanks to its Earthquake immunity. Choice Band Garchomp fails to 2HKO with Outrage barring ~max roll on both hits (or Adamant), and Mega Kangaskhan requires max HP to survive Double Edge + Helmet recoils after Power Up Punching. Jolly Mega Kanga still usually fails to KO Cress after PuP, and will lose to the combined recoils.
 

cant say

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Well since my personal favourite (Serperior) has already gone, and Suicune and Cres both nommed it's time to get creative! Here's one of my favourite physical walls; Avalugg!


Avalugg @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed / Impish Nature
- Avalanche
- Recover
- Mirror Coat
- Iron Defence / Earthquake / Toxic / Roar

So yeah base 184 def is pretty serious bulk and allows Avalugg to sit in front of both these guys pretty comfortably. Garchomp can't do anything except for aim for its special defence with either (albeit rare these days) Draco Meteor or Fire Blast, but even then Avalugg can just tank it and proceed to kill with Avalanche. Kangaskhan will need to be stalled out with Recover so that it can whittle its own health down with recoil damage. Power-Up Punch is an issue since it allows Khan to do huge damage with +2 Double-Edge, in fact switching into it will result in a follow-up KO (but that happens to all the things here that aren't ghosts), however Khan will KO itself with the two rounds of Rocky Helmet + DE recoil, so at least it's a one-for-one trade off. Low Kick is probably the biggest threat since it's the only move that can 2HKO unboosted, but its quite rare according to usage statistics. Mirror Coat is great for KOing special attackers, however it will only work if Avalugg is at full health and can utilise Sturdy since pretty much all special hits will KO. Pairing Avalugg with a specially bulky mon such as Chansey lets you save Avalugg until the special attacker is gone so you can effectively wall the two. Avoid being tempted into going for an early Mirror Coat kill against a special attacking switch in since it will leave you at 1HP and therefor unable to wall Chomp and Khan (if they're still around).

Garchomp:
  • 252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 64-75 (31.6 - 37.1%) -- 81.8% chance to 3HKO
  • 252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 52-62 (25.7 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
  • 252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 57-68 (28.2 - 33.6%) -- Miniscule chance to 3HKO
  • 4 SpA Life Orb Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Avalugg: 146-173 (72.2 - 85.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 4 SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Avalugg: 166-198 (82.1 - 98%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 4 Atk Avalugg Avalanche (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Garchomp: 324-384 (177 - 209.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  • 4 Atk Avalugg Avalanche (60 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Garchomp: 168-196 (91.8 - 107.1%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
Mega Kangaskhan:
  • 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 76-92 (37.6 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  • +2 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 153-182 (75.7 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Power-Up Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 42-52 (20.7 - 25.7%) -- Miniscule chance to 4HKO
  • +2 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Power-Up Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 76-92 (37.6 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  • 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 102-124 (50.4 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 4 Atk Avalugg Avalanche (120 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 78-93 (43 - 51.3%) -- 5.5% chance to 2HKO
  • 4 Atk Avalugg Avalanche vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 40-48 (22 - 26.5%) -- 8.8% chance to 4HKO
 

Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
-Leech Seed
-Protect
-Curse
-Gyro Ball

So this is somewhat of an obscure set, but hear me out. Ferrothorn is an amazingly effective physical wall, and it's easy to see why. With an incredibly high base Defense stat and an exceptional ability in Iron Barbs, it counters a lot of common threats in the metagame. Mega Kangaskhan has a really hard time against this Pokemon, because it makes contact twice. It can usually set up Leech Seed to get a lot of passive recovery. Another interesting about it is that it carries Gyro Ball. Combined with Curse, it can net a lot of unexpected KOs on opposing Pokemon. Max Special Defense investment is used so that it can set up on physical attackers and proceed to stall them out. Kangaskhan and Garchomp can hardly touch it if it's set up.​
 

Demantoid

APMS Founder
is a Top Tiering Contributor

Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam / Iron Defense

Mega Slowbro can switch in on any attack that either Garchomp or Kangaskhan can throw at it except specs Garchomp or special Kang. Scald is the best STAB for Slowbro in general but doesn't do much against Kang or Chomp. Slack Off allows it to wall them longer. Thunder Wave is so that you can heal off Kangaskhan's damage before it attacks and after a full paralysis allows Slowbro to get a free Scald off. Ice Beam allows Slowbro to beat any Swords Dance Chomp without Focus Sash while Iron Defense lets it beat Sash Swords Dance Chomp and also allows it to take less than a quarter from a Adamnt Kang's Double Edge. Slowbro also can't be beaten by random crits and isn't 2hkoed by the new/old Seismic Toss Kangaskhan.

Garchomp
  • 252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 49-58 (24.2 - 28.7%) -- 97.4% chance to 4HKO
  • 252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 73-87 (36.1 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  • 252+ Atk Choice Band Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 81-96 (40 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  • +2 252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 97-115 (48 - 56.9%) -- 90.6% chance to 2HKO
  • +2 252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 49-58 (24.2 - 28.7%) -- 97.4% chance to 4HKO
  • +2 252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 126-149 (62.3 - 73.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 0 SpA Life Orb Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Slowbro: 97-114 (48 - 56.4%) -- 87.5% chance to 2HKO
  • 252 SpA Choice Specs Garchomp Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Slowbro: 102-120 (50.4 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Kangaskhan
  • 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 73-87 (36.1 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  • 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 79-96 (39.1 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  • 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Sucker Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 66-80 (32.6 - 39.6%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
  • 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Power-Up Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 11-13 (5.4 - 6.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
  • +2 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 155-186 (76.7 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Slowbro: 38-46 (18.8 - 22.7%) -- possible 5HKO
  • 252 SpA Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Slowbro: 102-124 (50.4 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
All the best ones have been taken, but I'll throw up my personal favorite, even if it's a sub-par answer


Gallade @ Galladite
Ability: Justified/Steadfast
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Zen Headbutt
- Close Combat/Drain Punch
- Ice Punch

with a stupid good 165 attack and a comfortable 110 speed to pull a solid edge out of both Mega Kanga and Garchomp, Mega Gallade is a fabulous wallbreaker that can tear holes through most team cores before going down.

M-Gallade's great niche against Mega Kanga in particular is using it's otherwise mediocre Inner Focus ability to blast right though Fake Out, and just go for the outright kill with Close Combat, as well as having the boosted defenses needed to take a sucker punch with health to spare.

252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gallade: 70-84 (48.6 - 58.3%) -- 96.5% chance to 2HKO

same can't be said for Big Mama though.

252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 246-290 (135.9 - 160.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

If you're allowed a turn to set up your swords dance, Drain Punch is marvelous as well for the sustain, as Mega Kanga isn't surviving anything from a +2 Atk Mega Gallade.

Against Garchomp, M-Gallade's much needed defense boost makes it so it can survive any of the Chomp's attacks and deal a bigger blow in kind.

252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gallade: 90-106 (62.5 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gallade: 108-127 (75 - 88.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

The only way for garchomp to OHKO Mega Gallade is to go choice band, but Garchomp can't land a hit first without that choice scarf, so both Garchomp sets just lose to ice punch.

252 Atk Mega Gallade Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Garchomp: 212-252 (115.8 - 137.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Gallade does have to watch out for TankChomp though, as Ice Punch can't OHKO it, but Garchomp still can't KO it after an Earthquake and Rough Skin/Rocky Helmet damage, giving Gallade another turn to pick up the KO or just force him out when the opponent realizes Gallade's still standing.

0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gallade: 75-88 (52 - 61.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (rocky helmet/rough skin will put Gallade to around 6-12% health)

Mega Gallade will still pick up the KO on TankChomp, but will always fall to the second Rough Skin/Rocky Helmet clash.
 
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DragonWhale

It's not a misplay, it's RNG manipulation
is a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Dedicated Tournament Host Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Voting time! We have a lot of nominations, so go through them and make sure you put your votes in bold! Make sure you put at least a few thoughts on why you picked a certain nomination. One liners or "friendship votes" will not be counted.

NOVED : Rocky Helmet Serperior
chuckaboomboom : Mega Sableye
ethan06 : Focus Sash Gengar
unfixable : Life Orb Blaziken
bobochan : Reflect Suicune
Melon Vodka : Mega Lopunny
Jibaku : Rocky Helmet Cresselia
cant say : Rocky Helmet Avalugg
6tennis : Rocky Helmet Ferrothorn
Demantoid : Mega Slowbro
teamjohto : Mega Gallade

My vote goes to Jibaku. Cresselia allows for other megas on the team and can switch into both pokemon, either avoiding earthquakes or forcing them to take massive recoil. It also mentions things to look out for in double-KO situations and the utility of Reflect, which I think makes this a great nomination.
 
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DragonWhale

It's not a misplay, it's RNG manipulation
is a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Dedicated Tournament Host Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
A question, DragonWhale , How does the vote work?
with what criteria I must choose a set?
How it can work against the core? If it's much used or not?
How it works against the core. Usage should not have an impact on your vote.
You just post a comment with your vote and reasoning.
 
Ok, at this point I choose Cant Say.

Avalugg is exactly what resist well to physical pokémons like M-Kangaskhan and Garchomp. Garchomp has not a chance against the STAB, while Kangaskhan takes many damages 'cause Parental Bond and Rocky Helmet combination and then there's avalanche with 120 BP. Then Avalugg has Sturdy, and this helps if the opponent is boosted. Recover is an important move and does not depend from the weather. Toxic makes easier the kill and mirror coat hits hard troll-chomp with Fire blast, or Special Kanga.
 

cant say

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No surprises here, I'm voting for NOVED aka Serperior. Not only is it a really decent mon in the meta, but the bulky Rocky Helmet set does a sweet job at checking these guys and giving him an opportunity to boost with Leaf Storm. He also doesn't really care about their (rare) special coverage moves as they only do a touch over 50% so Serp can just heal off the damage with Synthesis. Fire Blast from Khan does have a good chance to burn Serp though, which somewhat limits his survivability, but hey at least then you can't be toxic'd!

I was really interested by the mixed Blaziken set as it is another good set these days, but it has a hard time against both Sash and Scarf Chomp which is the reason I went with good old Serp! (sorry unfixable, don't mean to throw shade haha)
 

bobochan

slow mo my bobo
is a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Voting for chuckaboomboom~

I feel Mega Sableye is the go-to mon against this type of core.
Priority Will-O, bounces back SR and completely counters Mega Kangaskhan.
No coverage moves from the core will hurt Sableye.
It’s also a great mon to use in general as it counters SwagPlay.
 
I'll vote for unfixable.

Blaziken usually runs a Mega-evolved set that runs physical moves, so running a special set can really fake out your opponents. The damage it does is perfectly suited for taking on Kangaskhan and Garchomp. Yes, it's going to have a hard time against Sash Garchomp, but you could just bring a priority move.

[[cant say]], Secret Power also paralyzes.
 
I have to go with chuckaboomboom

What I would argue to be one of Sableye's greatest strengths is that he keeps the Prankster effect on the turn he mega evolves, ensuring that Will-o-Wisp goes first and can't be stopped short of faster priority or missing, therefore completely neutering either core members before they even throw the first hit.

After they're burned, Sableye is free to set up calm mind in front of their faces and recover when necessary, and let off a stupid strong dark pulse when he's ready.

only downside for me is that it's gonna take a long while before Sableye is at +4/+6 in order to start running over your opponent's team, but the payoff is definitely worth the wait.
 

cant say

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Yes, it's going to have a hard time against Sash Garchomp, but you could just bring a priority move.

[[cant say]], Secret Power also paralyzes.
a) Blaziken doesn't have a priority move
b) I meant that if you try to bop Chomp with a HP Ice and it survives thanks to its Sash then Blaze is dying to an Earthquake that turn. The Scarf set also outspeeds (Mega) Blaze at +1 so you'd need to get two boosts in somehow. Sash + Scarf usage = 62% of all Garchomp so yeah I dunno how reliable it is (again sorry unfixable! I honestly do like Blaziken haha).

I'll admit I did forget about Secret Power (dunno how, I've used it myself!) against Serp but that can be said for everything here except the Ghosts and Lopunny (if it has Limber while switching in), it's also only on ~10% usage (last season) so...

edit: I was hoping someone would nominate Cofagrigus. That thing is a beast against these guys
 
voting for Demantoid

Mega Slowbro with ID is pretty great against both of these. And with ID, it lets slowbro win 1v1 against almost any physical attacker as well. And that 30% chance to burn them/the slowbro switchin is pretty great too.
 
a) Blaziken doesn't have a priority move
b) I meant that if you try to bop Chomp with a HP Ice and it survives thanks to its Sash then Blaze is dying to an Earthquake that turn. The Scarf set also outspeeds (Mega) Blaze at +1 so you'd need to get two boosts in somehow. Sash + Scarf usage = 62% of all Garchomp so yeah I dunno how reliable it is (again sorry unfixable! I honestly do like Blaziken haha).

I'll admit I did forget about Secret Power (dunno how, I've used it myself!) against Serp but that can be said for everything here except the Ghosts and Lopunny (if it has Limber while switching in), it's also only on ~10% usage (last season) so...

edit: I was hoping someone would nominate Cofagrigus. That thing is a beast against these guys
I meant like bring another priority user on your team. But aside from that, Blaziken gets Vacuum Wave. Don't ever use it, but it's still a thing.
 

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