Project PU Victim Of The Week

[Taskr]

Mr. Mime - Check

Mr. Mime @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Dazzling Gleam
- Healing Wish

Mr. Mime is a great check to Monferno as it 4x resists fighting meaning that even at +6 Monferno's Mach Punch isn't a 2HKO. Mr. Mime alos outspeeds and is able to OHKO Monferno with Psychic.

Calcs

252+ Atk Iron Fist Monferno Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mr. Mime: 21-25 (9.5 - 11.3%) -- possible 9HKO

+6 252+ Atk Iron Fist Monferno Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mr. Mime: 86-102 (38.9 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Mr. Mime Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 276-326 (102.6 - 121.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[LordST]

CHECK
Wilson Fisk (Stunfisk) @ Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Discharge
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Physically Defensive Stunfisk not only has the benefit of being able to take a +2 Close Combat from LO Adamant Monferno and KOing back with Earth Power, it can also punish U-turn variants with its chance of paralysis in Static. Rocky Helmet can be used here to even further punish Monferno, but Leftovers is preferred for longevity. Note that while Earth Power won't KO Eviolite Monferno, it will kill it after Close Combat's Spdef drop or +2 Flare Blitz's recoil.

Calcs

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Monferno Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Stunfisk: 320-378 (75.8 - 89.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Stunfisk Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Monferno: 272-324 (101.1 - 120.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Stunfisk: 246-291 (58.2 - 68.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Stunfisk Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 186-218 (69.1 - 81%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[5gen]

Counter

Frillish @ Eviolite
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Taunt
- Toxic/Acid Armor

One of the few reasons to run Frillish is its ability to counter Monferno (and non-Switcheroo) Floatzel. Water/Ghost typing leaves it immune to CC and resist Flare Blitz.

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Frillish: 110-130 (35 - 41.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
8 SpA Frillish Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 138-164 (51.3 - 60.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Akir]

Altaria as a Counter

Altaria @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Bold / Impish Nature
- Dragon Pulse / Dragon Claw
- Flamethrower / Earthquake
- Roar / Heal Bell
- Roost

Kinda surprised Altaria hasn't been posted yet since it's a classic counter from when Monferno really started to gain traction. Altaria is able to tank even a +2 Monferno by resisting both STABs and healing off the damage taken plus extra with Roost. Altaria does incremental damage back with Dragon Pulse or can grab the possible 2hko with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage, but either way Altaria can win through healing itself and racking up damage. If Monferno opts to set up more, Altaria can just Roar it out too. Great counter for PU Stall.

Calculations

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Altaria: 128-151 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- 95.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Monferno Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Altaria: 128-151 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- 95.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Altaria Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 76-91 (28.2 - 33.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0- Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 108-128 (40.1 - 47.5%) -- 50% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Running Bold on this one still, but moving the nature around to make it physical instead makes the Altaria calcs look like this:

0 Atk Altaria Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 73-87 (27.1 - 32.3%) -- 66% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 122-144 (45.3 - 53.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

 

[LordST]

3. The first two days of a week each user can only post one answer. From then to when I start voting, however, each user can post as many answers as they want.

I'm gonna go ahead and abuse this rule. Since its been two days since the Monferno posting has started, I wanted to post a bunch of checks that I feel should be here. Also I'm bored and don't have anything to do so here goes:

Counter

Hippopotas

Hippopotas @ Eviolite
Ability: Sand Force / Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 128 Def / 132 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic / Whirlwind
Hippopotas can take a +2 CC with ease and KOs back with Earthquake. This EV spread also allows you to check pretty much every electric as well as a few others like Kadabra. It's a counter because it can Slack off any damage Monferno does and continually check it throughout the game.

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 128+ Def Eviolite Hippopotas: 195-231 (57.5 - 68.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Hippopotas Earthquake vs. -1 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 276-326 (102.6 - 121.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

I'm 90% sure that after Flare Blitz recoil and sandstorm damage, Monferno will go down to Quake.

Counter

CM Duosion

Duosion @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Iron Defense
- Recover
Duosion can easily tank a +2 Flare Blitz and KO back with Psyshock. Notably, Magic Guard negates hazard damage so Duosion can check Monferno even if the opponent has a plethora of hazards down. It's a counter because it can easily Recover off the damage and continually check Monferno throughout the match.

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Duosion: 220-261 (65.8 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Duosion Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 236-278 (87.7 - 103.3%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
Again, Monferno will be dying after Blitz recoil.

Check

Utility Gabite

Gabite @ Eviolite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Atk / 56 Def / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic / Roar
Gabite is a solid check to Monferno as it can tank +2 Close Combat and Ohko back with Earthquake. The EV spread lets Gabite outspeed Adamant Pawniard while still giveing it enough bulk to tank a +2 Close Combat after rocks. An alternative spread of 248 HP 252 Def with an Impish Nature lets it check Monferno much more reliably at the cost of being more susceptible to Pawniard and things that like to creep for Pawniard like Grumpig.

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 56 Def Eviolite Gabite: 268-316 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
124+ Atk Gabite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 276-326 (102.6 - 121.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gabite: 193-228 (56.9 - 67.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Gabite Earthquake vs. -1 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 330-390 (122.6 - 144.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Counter

Vullaby

Vullaby (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- U-turn / Brave Bird
Vullaby is a great counter because it can stomach any attack Monferno wants to dish out, Roost off the damage, and deal good damage back with Foul Play. Essentially, if Monferno decides to SD up, Foul Play will be doing more and Monferno will die much quicker. Brave Bird is an option to let Vullaby do much more consistent damage to Monferno as well as lets it actually check Roselia.

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Vullaby: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 0 Atk Vullaby Foul Play vs. -1 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 202-238 (75 - 88.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Vullaby Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 180-212 (66.9 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Counter

Slowpoke

Slowpoke @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Thunder Wave
- Toxic / Calm Mind / Psychic / Magic Coat

This is certainly less viable than the other mons but it can still hard counter Monferno. It resists both of Monferno's STABs, can do solid damage back with Scald, or can cripple it with Twave.

+2 252+ Atk Monferno Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Slowpoke: 96-114 (25 - 29.7%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Slowpoke Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 98-116 (36.4 - 43.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Machoker]

Lampent AKA Monferno's Daddy

Ultra Counter
Lampent @ Eviolite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split/Trick Room​

Huh? How is monferno's daddy not listed here.Anyway, there is no much to explain here because it literally takes zero, nada, zippo damage from SD Monferno so it can even counter it with 1 HP. Dual stabs hits really hard while will o wisp is there to cripple stuff trying to be cheeky. Moreover, for the last move you can use pain split for longevity or trick room to get a little sweep going on.

Epic Calcs

+999 252+ Atk Monferno Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Lampent: (0-0) 0% guaranteed sad Monferno

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-461863399

 

[Machoker]

Swanna @ Life Orb
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Scald
- Defog
- Roost

Counter
It can switch in easily and KO with Hurricane, doesn't care for Mach Punch even at +2. Like Pelipper except this is much more offensive.

I think u should change this to a hard check. With rocks up still takes a ton of dmg from a close combat and it even gets ohko by a +2 + rocks so it can't really come in willy nelly. Just my thoughts.

 

[love chants]

It's time to vote! Vote for your 3 favorite Counter's in order of Favorite to Least Favorite, same goes with Checks.

Counters

Grumpig

Vibrava

Pelipper

Stunfisk

Frillish

Altaria

Hippopotas

Duosion

Vullaby

Slowpoke

Lampent

Checks

Mr.Mime

Gabite

Swanna

Example Post
Checks: Swanna, Mime, Gabite
Counters: Lampent, Slowpoke, Altaria
P.S Please, Please try not to post too much of one section and balance it out between checks and counter post. (my fault for leaving this up for longer sorry)

 

[aki0s]

Counters: Pelipper / Grumpig / Altaria
Checks: Swanna / Mime / Gabite

 

[gz]

Counters: Stunfisk, Pelipper, Grumpig
Checks: Swanna, Gabite, Mr. Mime

 

[HotFuzzBall]

Counters: Grumpig / Pelipper / Vullaby
Checks: Swanna / Mr. Mime / Gabite

 

[Cheryl.]

Counters: Altaria / Grumpig / Slowpoke
Checks: Swanna / Gabite / Mr. Mime

 

[5gen]

Counters: Lampent, Slowpoke, Altaria

Checks: Mr Mime, Swanna, Gabite

 

[LordST]

Counters:
Stunfisk
Vibrava
Duosion
Checks:
Swanna
Mr Mime
Gabite

 

[Machoker]

Counters: Lampent, Stunfisk , Pelipper

Checks: Mr Mime, Swanna, Gabite

 

[Taskr]

Counters: Pelipper, Altaria, Stunfisk

Checks: Mr. Mime, Swanna, Gabite

 

[Take Azelfie]

Counters: Lampent, Altaria, Stunfisk
Check: Mr. Mime, Swanna, Gabite

If Lampent isn't #1 you guys are stupid

 

[pancake]

I'm not here to vote, I'm just here to point out that the following Pokemon should not be able to be nominated because the rules are post viable Pokemon:

Lampent, Frillish, Slowpoke

Also Vullaby is a hard check imo, without Brave Bird SD evio monf can set up on it (life orb can't and and if you have defense drops from CC it can't, but still). You know, just for future reference.

edit: sorry, I'll vote for legit ones

Counters: Stunfisk, Grumpig, Altaria
Checks: Mr. Mime, Swanna, Gabite (if you want to change vullaby to check put that one over all of these ;)

 

[love chants]

Voting is over, here are the results
Checks: Swanna, Mr. Mime, Gabite
Counters: Lampent, Stunfisk, Pelipper
This weeks victim is...

Floatzel

​

Floatzel @ Life Orb
Ability: Water Veil
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 SpA
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Taunt
Although Floatzel has fallen in the Viability Rankings from the S-Rank down to the A+ rank it is still a huge threat to both offense/balance/and bulky offense being able to run mixed,band,and full special sets. This week i chose what is my favorite set being 3 attacks+taunt. As always have fun!

 

[Cheryl.]

Zebstrika @ Life Orb
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Ice

Zebstrika is a Check to Floatzel, outspeeding it with it's 116 Base Speed and OHKOing Floatzel with Thunderbolt or even Volt Switch. However, it's frail defenses prevent Zebstrika from switching in on Floatzel safely.

252 SpA Life Orb Zebstrika Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Floatzel: 476-562 (153 - 180.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[HotFuzzBall]

Reserving Lapras

Lapras as a Check

Lapras @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Surf

Since this Floatzel set specifically does not have Focus Blast, Lapras is an excellent check to it. Due to Lapras's natural bulk, it is able to switch in and take HP Electrics really well, it is also immune to Hydro Pump, while Ice Beam essentially tickles Lapras. Lapras can retaliate with a Freeze Dry to OHKO or a strong Hydro Pump to an incoming mon when predicting a potential switch.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Lapras Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Floatzel: 486-572 (156.2 - 183.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Floatzel Hidden Power Electric vs. 120 HP / 0 SpD Lapras: 133-159 (30.8 - 36.8%) -- 67% chance to 3HKO

 

[Take Azelfie]

Chinchou

 

[aki0s]

Seaking @ Assault Vest / Leftovers
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 112 HP / 200 Atk / 124 SpD / 72 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Megahorn
- Knock Off
- Facade

Status: Counter

Seaking easily counters this variant of Floatzel through virtue of its typing, ability, and decent natural bulk.

calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Floatzel Hydro Pump vs. 112 HP / 124 SpD Assault Vest Seaking: 61-73 (18.5 - 22.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Floatzel Ice Beam vs. 112 HP / 124 SpD Assault Vest Seaking: 32-39 (9.7 - 11.8%) -- possible 9HKO

200+ Atk Seaking Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Floatzel: 175-207 (56.2 - 66.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Slowbroth]

Audino @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Wish
- Protect
- Encore

Status: Counter

Audino can shrug off any special attack Floatzel has to offer and risks getting its Life Orb knocked off, which decreases Floatzel's power. Though Floatzel has Taunt, Audino can simply regenerate the health back after switching out to somethine else that can temporarily tank Floatzel's hit and switching back in. Between lefties and Hydro miss, Audino is a good stop to special Float.

calcs

252 SpA Life Orb Floatzel Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Audino: 140-165 (34.1 - 40.2%) -- 39.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
lol hydro is a probable 4HKO

 

[Taskr]

Shedinja - Counter

Shedinja @ Focus Sash
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- X-Scissor
- Will-O-Wisp
- Baton Pass
- Shadow Sneak

Wonder Guard means that Shedinja takes no damage from any of Floatzel's moves and Shedinja can fire back with X-Scissor or Baton Pass out for momentum.