Project SS OU - Victim of the Week - Not hosted anymore

[yogo896]

Checks:

Counters:

 

[D5405]

Checks:
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[ironwater]

Ending the voting phase. Here are the winners for the Choice Band Weavile Victim Week:

Checks:

by Smashburn and by InvisibleWater

Counters:

by SLDR and by The Everylord

Full Result

Checks:
5
5
2
0

Counters:
6
3
2
1

Congratulations to the four winners and thanks for all your submissions.

For next week, let’s once again redo a former VOTW with a slightly different set: offensive Heatran.

Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Eruption
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock

Even if most Heatran are defensive, offensive Heatran sees some usage mainly because of its ability to beat common Heatran's checks like specially defensive Landorus-T. Eruption is a powerful nuke when Heatran is healthy. Magma Storm is its secondary Fire STAB and Earth Power is used as a coverage move, mainly to hit other Heatran and Toxapex. With an offensive spread, Heatran trades its defensive utility for way more power and is able to outspeed some decently fast defensive Pokemon like Landorus-T and Buzzwole. Stealth Rock is a great option for the last move, as this Heatran is able to pressure three of the most common Defoggers in Corviknight, Landorus-T and Tornadus-T. If Leftovers or Charcoal are great item options, Air Ballon with Flash Fire allow this set to wall most other Heatran sets and make it even more efficient against Landorus-T. Who would you use to check or counter this Heatran set? Let’s find out!

Submission phase will end on next Friday, good luck!​

 

[Red Raven]

I was waiting for this set to be the victim



Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Flash Cannon
- Magma Storm / Fire Blast

The single best answer to air balloon Heatran is air balloon Heatran. With flash fire and immunity to earth power, you pretty much can't touch yourself. However, this set takes a twist. Since Heatran is gonna get worn down by rocks anyway, I replaced eruption with flash cannon just for the sole purpose of destroying opposing flying Heatran's balloon. After that, opposing Heatrans will be at the mercy of this Heatran's earth power. The last move is just a choice on whether you wanna take your chance with magma miss' horrendous accuracy or you wanna go safer with fire blast which is nearly as strong as eruption

 

[SLDR]

Yo ironwater can you stop making me pick dragonite every other round? lol

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 248 HP / 64 Atk / 56 Def / 140 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Roost
CHECK

4th time submitting Dragonite, 2nd time with DD + 2 Attacks, this time with a bulky spread.
Dragonite is used as a bulky set up sweeper with great defensive utility against Volcarona, Urshifu-R, Kartana and, of course, Heatran.
Max HP is enough to give Dragonite enough special bulk to withstand offensive Heatran even without Multiscale intact. Ice Punch + Earthquake is great offensive coverage and in this case it uses the former to break the Air Balloon and the second to destroy Heatran.

252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Dragonite: 135-159 (35 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Dragonite: 90-106 (23.3 - 27.5%) -- 70.8% chance to 3HKO after trapping damage
64+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 408-484 (126.3 - 149.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

I'm submitting it as a check due to how Dragonite plays, as it needs Multiscale up to comfortably sponge two Eruptions as well as hits from other Pokémon and it's not trying to be a defensive stalwart in the first place. That being said, with the given Speed EVs and a Jolly Nature, Dragonite is able to outrun Modest Heatran, making it quite a fearsome threat.​

 

[hozuuu]

blue walnut
SpD CM Fini

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Draining Kiss
- Calm Mind
- Taunt ​

Fini. That's all I have to say. I dread the day this thing gets reliable recovery. Fini is a counter to this stupid volcano roach because it can switch in on any of its moves and 2HKO it back with Scald. All of Heatran's moves only threaten a 5HKO or 6HKO. This set can also take on other Special Attackers very well like Pult who is a common partner for molten bull.

Notable Calcs

0 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 158-188 (48.9 - 58.2%) -- 97.3% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Tapu Fini: 87-102 (25.2 - 29.6%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Tapu Fini: 58-69 (16.8 - 20%) -- guaranteed 5HKO after Leftovers recovery and trapping damage
252+ SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Tapu Fini: 70-83 (20.3 - 24.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Steel With It]

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

Without Taunt to block Soft-Boiled and Teleport, the blob just does its fat thing all over offensive Tran. A lazy counter, but a counter nonetheless.

252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Blissey: 207-244 (28.9 - 34.1%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO

 

[The Everylord]

Slowking @ Leftovers/ Colbur Berry/ Heavy Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Future Sight
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Teleport
Slowking is a counter to Heatran. It is not 4hkoed by eruption or earth power after leftovers recovery and scald is a 2hko and it can stay healthy with regenerator+slack off.

Calcs

252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking: 90-107 (22.8 - 27.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Slowking Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 164-194 (50.7 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[RaikouLover]

Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Earth Power
- Nasty Plot
- Roost

King Ghidorah is a counter to Heatran. It takes all attacks, outspeeds, and OHKOs with Earth Power. Roost keeps it healthy through the match.

252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 146-172 (44.9 - 52.9%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 97-115 (29.8 - 35.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after trapping damage

252 SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 468-556 (144.8 - 172.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Smashburn]

Slowking-Galar

Slowking-Galar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 12 Def / 124 SpA / 120 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Future Sight
- Scald​

Slowking-Galar is a check to Heatran. Thanks to the benefits of Assault Vest and Regenerator, long term it doesn't mind any of Heatran's coverage and threatens switches with its coverage and status. However, if Slowking-Galar loses its Assault Vest, it will quickly become one of Heatran's many victims. Its bulk also allows it to scout a variety of Heatran partners, which creates less stress on the builder for teams that need it.

 

[SDK03]

Urshifu-R

Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- Aqua Jet / Thunder Punch
- U-turn​

Urshifu-Rapid-Strike is an offensive Counter Check to Air Balloon Heatran. Its Water/Fighting typing not only gives it super-effective dual STAB to use against Heatran, but also softens the blow from Heatran’s own STAB despite having low Special Defense. Choice Band gives Urshifu even more power for breaking through Heatran and its teammates, and Unseen Fist makes Protect an almost useless move for pretty much everything in the meta, nevermind just Heatran. Max Attack/Speed EVs and a Jolly Nature give it that much more speed over Landorus-T and Tapu Lele while ensuring it hits the hardest it can, especially against Heatran. Surging Strikes makes for a spammable super-effective STAB with guaranteed crit that OHKOs Heatran every time, while also hitting switchins hard and not having to worry about immunity. Close Combat is less spammable, but still serves as powerful SE STAB to OHKO Heatran, but watch out for switchins such as Dragapult, Clefable, Zapdos and Tornadus-T along with those defensive stat drops. Aqua Jet is great STAB priority that is also super-effective against Heatran, while Thunder Punch makes dealing with Tornadus-T and Corviknight a little easier. U-Turn allows Urshifu to pivot out of bad matchups while chipping at your opponent a little.

Urshifu’s low Special Defense may wane your confidence in it being a counter a little, but as I said earlier, its Water type gives it resistances to both Fire and Steel allowing it to switch into even Eruption without facing too much trouble. It also outspeeds Heatran, allowing it to return the favour and KO after switching in.

Although Urshifu’s Water typing may help avoid the 2HKO from Magma Storm, Eruption is still powerful enough to handily 2HKO it, meaning that any Urshifu that has been damaged before switching into Heatran can either be severely damaged or OHKO’d.

Defensive Calcs

252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 123-146 (36 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after trapping damage

252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 148-175 (43.4 - 51.3%) -- 7.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 185-218 (54.2 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Offensive Calcs

252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran on a critical hit: 528-630 (163.4 - 195%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 560-660 (173.3 - 204.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 186-222 (57.5 - 68.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers

252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 117-138 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- 95.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 27-32 (8.3 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever

Because of all these qualities, Urshifu-Rapid-Strike is an offensive Counter Check to Heatran.

 

[InvisibleWater]

Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Flip Turn

Kingdra is a check. It has a quad-resistance to Fire and avoids the 2HKO from Earth Power, allowing it to switch in on Heatran fairly easily and threaten a KO with Hydro Pump or Surf, even if Rain isn't up.

Calcs

252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 452-534 (139.9 - 165.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 134-158 (41.4 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Surf vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 372-438 (115.1 - 135.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0- Atk Kingdra Flip Turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 108-128 (33.4 - 39.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0- Atk Kingdra Flip Turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran in Rain: 162-192 (50.1 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kingdra: 70-82 (24 - 28.1%) -- 95.1% chance to 4HKO
252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kingdra in Rain: 34-41 (11.6 - 14%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kingdra: 46-55 (15.8 - 18.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after trapping damage
252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kingdra in Rain: 23-27 (7.9 - 9.2%) -- guaranteed 6HKO after trapping damage
252+ SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kingdra: 113-133 (38.8 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[yogo896]

Pelipper @ Choice Specs
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Weather Ball
- Scald
- U-turn
- Hurricane

Choice Specs Pelipper is a check to Heatran. It can come in on Heatran once and avoid the 2hit OHKO thanks to the rain and resistance to fire. It OHKOs Heatran with both scald and weather ball. However, it gets screwed up is rocks are up and cannot swap in more than once. So, Specs Pelipper is a check to Heatran.

Calcs

252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pelipper in Rain: 90-106 (34.4 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pelipper in Rain: 60-71 (22.9 - 27.2%) -- 45.3% chance to 3HKO after trapping damage

252+ SpA Choice Specs Pelipper Weather Ball (100 BP Water) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran in Rain: 618-728 (191.3 - 225.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Pelipper Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran in Rain: 494-584 (152.9 - 180.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[agslash23]

Garchomp @ Leftovers
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Aqua Tail
- Scale Shot

How do you prepare for tech against you? By deploying your own tech (even though Aqua Tail is hardly a tech now). It sees usage to not only snipe Lando, but also Air Balloon Heatran. Though Garchomp doesn't necessarily need Aqua Tail to beat this variant of Heatran, it is great to reduce Eruption damage, as without Toxic, Heatran has no good way of punishing Garchomp. Thus Aqua Tail Garchomp is a hard Check to Heatran.

Calcs :


252 Atk Garchomp Aqua Tail vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 188-222 (58.2 - 68.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 113-133 (31.6 - 37.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[powergo1]

Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 156 Def / 100 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Scald
- Calm Mind

Whilst Sub+Calm Mind Suicune is the common set in OU, RestTalk Suicune is better at countering Heatran sets in case it swaps into a possible Toxic (which can be run on Heatran to deal with other bulky waters such as Swampert, Quagsire, and/or Gastrodon). 100 speed EVs plus a Timid nature outspeeds Modest Heatran, whereas 192 EVs outspeed Timid Heatran. Suicune can either potentially 2HKO Heatran with Scald, or start setting up Calm Minds.

Calcs

• 0 SpA Suicune Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 152-180 (47 - 55.7%) -- 69.9% chance to 2HKO
• 252 SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Suicune: 109-129 (26.9 - 31.9%) -- 36.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
• 252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Suicune: 88-104 (21.7 - 25.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[HydreigonTheChild]

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 184 HP / 76 SpA / 248 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Earth Power
- Roost

takes everything like a champ and clicks DP -> EP. No toxic = walled permenately as eruption is easily PP stalled lmao

 

[Sp0oN1oRd]

Kommo-o @ Life Orb
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

My personal favorite HO check to pesky eruption heatran. You take any move from it easily and force it out because you outspeed, and can even threaten to setup on it because it does not 2hko you even with full power eruption. This makes it an effective Check on fast paced offensive teams, fulfilling the fire resist setup dragon role that chomp does but with the bonus of beating balloon tran.

252 SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kommo-o: 117-138 (40.2 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kommo-o: 94-111 (32.3 - 38.1%) -- 96.4% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kommo-o: 78-93 (26.8 - 31.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after trapping damage

252 Atk Life Orb Kommo-o Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 432-510 (133.7 - 157.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[JanErik90]

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold / Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP/ 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Toxic / Clear Smog
- Recover

Gastrodon counters Air Balloon Heatran, since it does not have to fear a crippling Toxic. Both STABs hit it super effectivly and potential switch ins are always threatened by a Scald burn, making it not completely passive after Heatran set up Rocks. It takes laughable damage even from a full health Eruption, which means it does not have to click Recover all that often to stay healthy. Also thanks to Leftovers it can mitigate some of Magma Storms passive damage as well, enabling it to stay in longer if need be.

Calcs

• 252+ SpA Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 110-129 (25.8 - 30.2%) -- 1.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
• 252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 73-87 (17.1 - 20.4%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery and trapping damage
• 252+ SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 89-105 (20.8 - 24.6%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
• 0 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 152-182 (47 - 56.3%) -- 81.3% chance to 2HKO

 

[ironwater]

Hey there, submission period is now closed, so let’s move on to the voting phase. The Victim of this week was Offensive .

SDK03 I counted Urshifu-R as a check and not a counter because it can't reliably switch into Heatran and it can't heal back the damage.

With that saying, here are the submissions, we’ve got (and we got a lot of them :o):

Checks

by SLDR

by Smashburn

by SDK03

by InvisibleWater

by yogo896

by agslash23

by Sp0oN1oRd

Counters

by Red Raven

by hozuuu

by Steel With It

by The Everylord

offensive by RaikouLover

Rest by powergo1

by HydreigonTheChild

by JanErik90


Btw, as you may have noticed there's two Hydreigon submissions. Please precise for which one you vote if you chose one of them (you can vote for both). For instance you can say or .

Vote for your two favorite checks and your two favorite counters (you can’t vote for your own submission).
Voting phase ends on Sunday.​

 

[hozuuu]

Checks:
by SDK03
by agslash23
Counters:
by HydreigonTheChild
by JanErik90

 

[Smashburn]

Checks: by SLDR / by agslash23

Counters: by Red Raven / by hozuuu

 

[InvisibleWater]

Checks:
Counters:

 

[SLDR]

Checks: by Sp0oN1oRd / by agslash23

Counters: by The Everylord / by JanErik90

 

[RaikouLover]

Checks:

Counters:

 

[agslash23]

Checks -
Counters - -