Project SS CAP Victim Of The Week (Week 9: Venomicon-E)

[Lasen]

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Jolly Nature
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Toxic/Dragon Tail
- Endure

Tank Garchomp is a check to Cinderace that can punish repeated hits while also shrugging off its non contact moves. Between Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet Cinderace takes 29% of its health if it clicks a contact move; Endure further punishes greedy clicks such as U-Turn on a low HP Chomp, making the Cinderace player think twice before clicking any button whatsoever while also threatening Cinderace with an OHKO from Earthquake. This gives you either free Stealth Rock, aToxic on the incoming Tomohawk or phasing with Dragon Tail. As a Ground-Type, it can also safely scout for the mixed Electro Ball set.

relevant calcs

0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Cinderace: 338-402 (112.2 - 133.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Cinderace: 169-201 (56.1 - 66.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Garchomp: 168-198 (40 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Garchomp: 168-198 (40 - 47.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Libero Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Garchomp: 77-91 (18.3 - 21.6%) -- possible 5HKO with or without Stealth Rock

 

[Zephyri]

With Cindy's recent ban, we're unfortunately going to have to restart this week. However, we'll be having a similarly speedy and hard hitting Pokemon in the one and only Dragapult!!

Dragapult @ Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Draco Meteor
- U-turn
- Will-O-Wisp/Thunder Wave​

You have until March 3rd, 6:30 AM GMT to submit your checks and counters to Dragapult, happy posting!!

 

[arn.av136]

Reserving clefable as a counter

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind/ Thunder Wave/ Knock Off/ Aromatherapy
- Soft-Boiled
- Stealth Rock/ Thunder Wave/ Knock Off/ Aromatherapy

Clefable is an excellent counter to Dragapult due to its fairy typing and good special bulk. Clefable is able to withstand any attack that Dragapult throws and is able to force it out. A fantastic ability in Magic Guard makes it immune to any residual damage such as hazards, status and weather which lets it repeatedly switch into Dragapult. It runs Moonblast and Soft-Boiled as STAB and recovery respectively and has a good range of utility options that can be run in the other two moveslots. Thunder Wave and Knock Off let it cripple switchins, Stealth Rocks coz rocks, Aromatherapy to cure status on its teammates and deny Dragapult any progress and Calm Mind to pick off weakened teams and use pokemon that can't really damage it back such as Dragapult, Tomohawk as setup bait.

Calcs

252 SpA Dragapult Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 92+ SpD Clefable: 160-189 (40.6 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 248-294 (78.2 - 92.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Voltage]

Blissey @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic
- Teleport

A counter.

Look at this pink blob with its shiny little boots. It's so happy to sponge a Draco Meteor or absorb a status this stupid stealth bomber dragon wants to drop. Blissey's Natural Cure and frequent switching means that Dragapult has a very tough time applying lasting damage on Blissey, while Blissey can simply sit on the field and shrug off any additional Draco Meteors this Pult will throw its way given its immunity to Pult's other STAB option. While it's true that Blissey's only true counterplay to threaten Dragapult is Toxic, Dragapult's only option to effectively damage Blissey is to click U-turn. Smart play with Blissey will therefore also allow free switches with Teleport off of Pult's U-turn to maintain momentum throughout a game.

Some relevant, but obvious calcs
252 SpA Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Blissey: 136-162 (19 - 22.6%) -- possible 5HKO
0- Atk Dragapult U-turn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 96-114 (13.4 - 15.9%) -- possible 7HKO

 

[SunMYSER]

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Toxic

Submitting this snail as a counter

Specially defensive Gastro is a beast, and can tank Pult for the most part. Gastrodon really only needs to land a Toxic, then spam recover the win the matchup. If you really want, Earth Power deals enough damage to threaten Pult out.

Gastro can also pull it's weight as a answer to nearly every Electric type, Strata, the Slow family, and Heatrans lacking Toxic.


252 SpA Dragapult Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 144-171 (33.8 - 40.1%) -- 32.4% chance to 2HKO after 3 layers of Spikes, Leftovers recovery, and burn damage

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragapult: 114-135 (35.9 - 42.5%) -- 94.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Zephyri]

Ook we're done for this week, and as we've only gotten counter submissions we'll only be voting on counters. Remember, you can vote for one counter only.

Your voting options are:
ar.nav136's
-Voltage-'s
SUNmyser's

You have until March 4th 6:30 AM GMT to vote!

 

[EmpoleonForLife]

-Volage-'s

 

[Gravity Monkey]

-Voltage-

 

[sneakyjeans]

ar.nav136

 

[Aetherl]

-Voltage-

 

[arn.av136]

-Voltage-

 

[Zephyri]

Gz to -Voltage- for winning this week!

Week 3's mon will be up shortly

 

[Zephyri]

Week 3:


Rillaboom @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Grassy Glide
- U-turn
- Knock Off​

With the recent ban of Cinderace and Magearna, Rillaboom now has two less offensive checks and has become a dominant force in the metagame. How do we answer this Pokemon? That's for you guys to decide. Submissions close March 11th 7:00 AM GMT+0, and we'll have a 1 day voting period, extensions are OK as long as you ask well in advance, happy submitting!!

 

[dex]

bird gang go brrr

Corviknight @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn
- Brave Bird

With Cinderace and Magearna banned, Corviknight is better than ever in the metagame, and it is, in my opinion, the premier Rillaboom counter in the game. Corviknight forces damage on Rillaboom with Rocky Helmet and is not threatened by any of its coverage options. Furthermore, it threatens it out with Brave Bird, can Roost off any damage it takes, and can even regain momentum with U-Turn. Sending out Corviknight againt a Rillaboom simply always makes progress against the enemy team.
Some calcs for your viewing pleasure:

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight in Grassy Terrain: 70-83 (17.5 - 20.7%) -- possible 5HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 118-139 (29.5 - 34.7%) -- 9.3% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 79-94 (19.7 - 23.5%) -- possible 5HKO

Have fun kids, and use Corviknight responsibly.

 

[arn.av136]

Reserving tomohawk

Tomohawk @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Hurricane
- Aura Sphere/ Heat Wave
- Stealth Rock/ Rapid Spin
- Roost

Standard Defensive Tomohawk is a counter to Rillaboom. Rillaboom doesnt have a move to even neutrally hit Tomohawk other than the rare Grassy Seed Acrobatics set. It doesnt mind geting its item knocked off as much as the other birds due to not having a stealth rock weakness. If Rillaboom decides to maintain momentum through u-turn, then it takes rocky helmet chip. Tomohawk threatens it out with STAB Hurricane while also providing crucial role compression to teams due to its access to Stealth Rocks and Rapid Spin.

Calcs

-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tomohawk in Grassy Terrain: 105-123 (25.3 - 29.7%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tomohawk: 43-51 (10.3 - 12.3%) -- possible 7HKO
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom U-turn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tomohawk: 15-18 (3.6 - 4.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Tomohawk Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 356-422 (104.3 - 123.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[EmpoleonForLife]

Reserving Zapdos

Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 220 Def / 40 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Defog

Zapdos is a Check to Rillaboom because it takes it's grassy gildes and U-turns super well and can punish them with static.
However it get 2HKOed by Wood Hammer and hates knock off however it's not 2HKOed by gildes after rocks and is likey to leave the rillaboom with a para

Calcs

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 248 HP / 220 Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 108-127 (28.1 - 33.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 220 Def Zapdos: 153-181 (39.9 - 47.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 248 HP / 220 Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 184-217 (48 - 56.6%) -- 89.1% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 222-262 (65.1 - 76.8%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Binacle Pinnacle]

Reserving Cyclohm

Cyclohm @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell / Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Discharge
- Slack Off

Cyclohm doesn’t care for any of Rillaboom’s moves, making it a great counter. All of Rillaboom’s moves make contact, meaning they’ll trigger Rocky Helmet and/or Static, the latter crippling it. Rillaboom’s Grassy Surge also acts as free passive heading for Cyclohm, meaning that Rillaboom’s common teammates can’t force recovery as easily as they’d like. These teammates tend to have trouble with Cyclohm themselves, most notably Tornadus-Therian and Cawmodore.

Calcs:
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cyclohm in Grassy Terrain: 131-154 (31.1 - 36.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cyclohm in Grassy Terrain: 76-90 (18 - 21.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom U-turn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cyclohm: 79-93 (18.8 - 22.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cyclohm: 109-129 (25.9 - 30.7%) -- 3.2% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
0 SpA Cyclohm Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 234-276 (68.6 - 80.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[quziel]

Moltres @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 20 Def / 248 SpA / 240 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Flamethrower / Fire Blast
- Scorching Sands / U-Turn
- Roost

Faster and cannot be 2HKO'd by any move while trivially OHKO'ing with Flamethrower. Offensive Moltres is a check as it can switch in once on any move with no real fear of being KO'd, although losing Boots really sucks, but hey, even a 50% moltres checks Rillaboom once.

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 20 Def Moltres in Grassy Terrain: 108-128 (33.6 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 20 Def Moltres: 181-213 (56.3 - 66.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
248 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 384-452 (112.6 - 132.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
248 SpA Moltres Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 468-552 (137.2 - 161.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[sneakyjeans]

Pyroak @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Bold Nature
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Toxic
- Synthesis

Submitting standard defensive Pyroak as a counter. Pyroak can really shrug off anything Rillaboom has to offer and retaliate with a guaranteed 2HKO with Lava Plume, taking Grassy Terrain into account. Losing boots is a bit unfortunate, but with Synthesis in the back pocket the recovery helps substantially.

Calcs:
Defensive:
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyroak in Grassy Terrain: 70-83 (15.7 - 18.6%) -- possible 8HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyroak in Grassy Terrain: 41-49 (9.2 - 11%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom U-turn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyroak: 85-101 (19.1 - 22.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Pyroak: 118-139 (26.5 - 31.3%) -- 18.4% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

Offensive:
0 SpA Pyroak Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 222-264 (65.1 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[SunMYSER]

Miasmaw @ Choice Band
Ability: Neutralizing Gas
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Hammer
- First Impression
- Close Combat
- Poison Jab

Submitting CB Miasmaw as a Check. Needless to say, you shouldn't be switching Miasmaw into anything due to it's abysmal physical bulk. However, once given a free switch, Miasmaw always forces Rilla out with the threat of Fimp. Too, if you're feeling particularly daring, Miasmaw also passively outspeeds, and 2HKO's Rilla with any of its coverage moves. This allows you to not only force out Rilla, but also beat whatever comes in (with enough prediction). Miasmaw is particularly fun as a check, as it 4HKOed by Grassy Glide, meaning that not even priority can save it.

Other than checking Rilla, Miasmaw functions as a fun revenge killer, and spooky wallbreaker. Pairing Miasmaw with solid hazard removal is important to keep it healthy - especially ones that can act as a slow pivot, like Corvknight and Mandibuzz.

Rillaboom Calcs

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Miasmaw in Grassy Terrain: 154-181 (49.5 - 58.1%) -- 65.6% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Miasmaw in Grassy Terrain: 90-106 (28.9 - 34%) -- 99.5% chance to 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Miasmaw: 255-301 (81.9 - 96.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

Miasmaw Calcs

252 Atk Choice Band Miasmaw First Impression vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rillaboom: 492-582 (144.2 - 170.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Miasmaw Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rillaboom: 294-346 (86.2 - 101.4%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Miasmaw Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rillaboom: 219-258 (64.2 - 75.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Miasmaw Dragon Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rillaboom: 246-291 (72.1 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[snake]

Astrolotl as a check

Astrolotl @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 32 HP / 252 SpD / 224 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spikes
- Fire Lash
- Stomping Tantrum
- Thunder Wave / Will-O-Wisp

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 32 HP / 0 Def Astrolotl: 217-256 (59.4 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off vs. 32 HP / 0 Def Astrolotl: 146-172 (40 - 47.1%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 32 HP / 0 Def Astrolotl in Grassy Terrain: 76-90 (20.8 - 24.6%) -- 16.1% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 32 HP / 0 Def Astrolotl in Grassy Terrain: 130-153 (35.6 - 41.9%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery

0 Atk Astrolotl Fire Lash vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rillaboom: 204-240 (59.8 - 70.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

Fire Lash is a solid 2HKO, while none of Rillaboom's moves OHKO Astrolotl on the switch in. In fact, the mere presence of Astro dissuades the Rillaboom user from using its Grass-type attacks very much. Although the moves on Astrolotl are very malleable, Stomping Tantrum means that Heatran, a common Rillaboom partner, will be less of an issue for Astrolotl to take down. Both status options would cripple Rillaboom if Rillaboom decides to stay in, making a wrong prediction.

Overall, it's a pretty solid check, but if you can afford it, you'll probably want a secondary check.

 

[Aetherl]

Subbing Heatran as a check

Heatran @ Choice Specs/Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Eruption
- Fire Blast/Flamethrower/Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Flash Cannon

Heatran is a good offensive check to Rillaboom. Heatran's unique 4x resistance to grass and bug allows it to take on nearly everything Rillaboom throws at it (only barring Knock Off) and deters it from spamming it's grass STAB. Timid nature allows Heatran to outspeed an adamant Rillaboom. Heatran's Fire-type STAB moves always threatens and forces out Rillaboom with a OHKO. However, despite being 4x resistant to Rillaboom's STAB + U-turn Heatran hates continuously switching into Knock Off and getting chipped down due to it's lack of reliable recovery, it also doesn't appreciate Rillaboom stealing momentum then bringing in partners that can threaten and force Heatran out via U-turn. Hazard removal is important for Heatran's longevity and another check or a counter to Rillaboom would be ideal.

Calcs

Against Heatran
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 97-114 (30 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 56-66 (17.3 - 20.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 161-190 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 108-128 (33.4 - 39.6%) -- 20.8% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

Against Rillaboom
252 SpA Heatran Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 396-468 (116.1 - 137.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Zephyri]

Teensy bit late (as always) but yea tons of good subs here!

In the check category, you can vote for:
Empoleon4Life's
quziel's
SunMYSER's
snake_rattler's
and Aetherl's

while in the counter category, you can vote for:
dex18's
arn.av136's
Binacleisthebest's
and The Metric System's

Make sure to vote for counters and checks separately ^^

You can vote for two checks and one counter

Sample vote: Checks: [bold name] [bold name] Counters [bold name].

You have until March 13th, 10:00 AM GMT to vote!

 

[dex]

Checks: SunMYSER quziel Counters: dex18

 

[sneakyjeans]

Checks: Aetherl snake_rattler Counters: Binacleisthebest