Project SV RU: The Next Best Thing (Week 23: Cyclizar) (Votings Open)

[Ayush_1]

banner by Rarelyme | approved by Feliburn | OP adapted from SS RU and SV OU version | hosted by Rarelyme and AyushKr_PKMN​

Welcome to The Next Best Thing, a competition to share interesting alternatives to the standard meta Pokémon sets! Be as creative as possible, but you must also show the viability of your set - troll sets may work once but do not contribute to the growth of a competitive metagame. This project is meant to maximize a Pokemon’s potential: we're doing this both for research and for fun, so don't be afraid to give it a shot!

At the beginning of each week, participants will be tasked with creating a new creative yet effective set for a chosen Pokémon. A list of banned sets will be provided: these will be sets already popular within the meta and therefore are not to be posted for the week. The participants will get around 4 days to make their set and create their post. People may discuss the sets posted during these days. At the end of the week, there will be a voting phase to select a winner. Once the votes are tallied and a winner is selected, the set will be listed in the Hall Of Fame below this post and the process will start over with another Pokémon.

Rules and Guidelines:
Submissions must contain the importable set for the Pokemon of the week followed by an explanation of how it works and why you think it’s useful in the context of the current metagame. Replays are recommended but not mandatory.
As said previously, a list of bans will be provided. A minor change in the spread will not be considered as a different set. The change of one coverage move can be accepted if a detailed explanation is given of why it can be considered a good option. A tera change will be accepted but considered a minor change which should influence voters if there is nothing more to it.

• Your set may not be changed after the voting phase has begun but may be changed prior to the voting stage.
• You may only submit one set per week.
• You cannot vote for your own set.
• You may reserve a set, but if you haven't properly filled it in within 48h of your reservation, it may be taken by someone else. Additionally, sets that haven't been filled out by the time voting starts will not be included in the voting phase.
• Finally, please follow the global forum rules as well

 

[Ayush_1]

HALL OF FAME
click on the sprites for the sets​

Week 1:Weakness Policy Iron Thorns by C0nfiden1 0yster
Week 2:Light Ball Unburden Grafaiai by Elec-ant1234
Week 3:Outrage Brute Bonnet by Beraldo
Week 4:Expert Belt Tera Ice by Ampha
Week 5:Choice Specs by Xin Nevrakis --- Taunt 3 attacks by Forest Guardian --- Assault Vest by Elec-ant1234
Week 6:Sub Nasty Plot by Morge
Week 7:Counter by StoredPowerTrip andEncore Nasty Plot by Sneakyplanner
Week 8:Swagger Mirror Herb by frickEDmt
Week 9:Substitute 3 attacks by C0nfiden1 0yster
Week 10:Mixed Expert Belt by C0nfiden1 0yster
Week 11:Will-O-Wisp Razor Claw by nameless90
Week 12:Special Expert Belt by Ampha
Week 13:Choice Specs by Ampha
Week 14:Suicide Spiker by Elec-ant1234
Week 15:Substitute Bulk Up by carbonlifeform
Week 16:Assault Vest Pirouette by Elec-ant1234
Week 17:Throat Spray by Malpheasant
Week 18:Choice Scarf by Bice
Week 19:Assault Vest by Bice
Week 20:Venoshock Hex by Elec-ant1234
Week 21:Eject Pack by nameless90
Week 22:Choice Specs by Hyper bol

 

[Rarelyme]

WEEK 1
IRON THORNS

​

Newcomer in RarelyUsed, Iron Thorns has already proven itself has a key element of the tier. Our second paradox Pokemon was gifted with a very high Attack stat paired with solid bulk and a great movepool which makes him a very versatile tool in the builder. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to share your creative Iron Thorns sets and explain them in order to contribute to the growth of the RU metagame.

Submission deadline: Sets should be submitted by 11:59 pm GMT+2 on Friday, May 12th,
Voting deadline: votes will go until 11:59 pm GMT+2 on Sunday, May 14th.

Banned sets

From Smogdex:

Iron Thorns @ Loaded Dice
Ability: Quark Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Bug
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Rock Blast
- Pin Missile
- Earthquake

Iron Thorns @ Booster Energy
Ability: Quark Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Electric
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Ice Punch
- Wild Charge
- Rock Blast

 

[xastify]

Iron Thorns @ Leftovers
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Flying/Grass
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Tera Blast
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake

This is double dance no stab moves Iron Thorns! I thought of using this as a way to punish its usual defensive checks such as Arboliva by being able to set up on them twice. Tera Flying is useful for its ability to set up on pokemon with ground coverage where as Tera Grass will own Mudsdale (+2 252 Atk Tera Grass Iron Thorns Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 386-456 (95.5 - 112.8%) -- 75% chance to OHKO). The last move to run with Tera Grass I'm unsure of but I think that EQ with Tera Blast hits a good amount of the tier and the set can be adjustable of course. However, games can quickly get out of control for the opponent if you get the opportunity to set up. Here's some replays of games I played just to test this set! Lol

Hide

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ru-1859540608-42dtam6g4anmv3kibk6cktox77gm593pw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ru-1859543400-z9ryzgt5jbh07r0q5mfmohspadbse1jpw

 

[ThePigThatCriedRii]

Iron Thorns @ Focus Sash
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake

Suicide lead iron thorns is a set I've tried messing with a few times. Being one of the few Pokemon in the tier with stealth rocks and spikes, as well as having ice and ground coverage to chip other common rock leads, which are usually slower, seems like it might have some kind of niche somewhere. I haven't had much success with it. ice punch can be swapped out for pin missile to deal more damage to krookodile although it will never ohko

 

[Stories]

Iron Thorns @ Leftovers
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Blast
- Dragon Tail
- Protect
- Spikes

Nice little defensive piece that walls a good portion of the meta, especially with Tera. Protect allows to scout for coverage from stuff like Bulldoze Revavroom and Tera Ground Oricorio. As a Rock-type you threaten most hazard removers like Cryogonal and Altaria, so Spikes + Dragon Tail can really add up on other common switchins like Mudsdale and Sableye.

 

[C0nfiden1 0yster]

Iron Thorns @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Tera Blast

WP Thorns is a very solid pick on HO, especially paired with Veil/Parting Shot support. This looks to take advantage of its bulk actually punishes lazy eqs from muds and palo, tera-fire to turn the 4x -> 2x weakness. Also is good into a Bonnet seed bomb or other weak super-effective attacks. Tera fire is good into bronzong, cryogonal, and Arboliva. EdgeQuake hits everything else.

 

[AE | ScorpioN]

Iron Thorns @ Choice Band
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
- Tera Blast

Banded Iron Thorns is not something I've seen being experimented with much before, but I've had some success with it on BO Teams. A base 134 Attack coupled with decent coverage lets it bait in and heavily damage many common switch-ins and put holes in defensive cores, which can be heavily abused by other teammates later. I've chosen Tera Blast Water as it gives Thorns a much better defensive type while letting it OHKO Krookodile (even after Intimidate) and 2HKO other common switch-ins like Palossand and Mudsdale (even after Stamina). ChargeQuake and Stone Edge hit the majority of the metagame for at least neutral damage.

 

[Rarelyme]

Thanks everyone for the submissions ! Now it's time to vote !
The entrants are:
1/ Double Dance by xastify
2/ Suicide lead by ThePigThatCriedRii
3/ Defensive by Togkey
4/ Weakness Policy by C0nfiden1 0yster
5/ Choice Band by AE | ScorpioN

My vote goes to Togkey

 

[xastify]

I vote Oyster's Weakness Policy. Very creative!

 

[MachJacob]

My vote goes to Togkey. The note about its effectiveness into hazard removers is nice (three-hit Rock Blast and DTail do 70%+ to Tatsu, and you can potentially 2HKO PhysDef Coal as well). Checking Oricorio and forcing it to Tera is great, but might not be so necessary depending on the suspect results.

 

[C0nfiden1 0yster]

band

 

[AE | ScorpioN]

My vote also goes to vote Oyster's Weakness Policy set. Love the idea.

 

[Squivalonchulous]

I am suprised Loaded dice didnt make it in here, but my vote is to Oyster

 

[Stories]

I am suprised Loaded dice didnt make it in here, but my vote is to Oyster

It is a banned set

 

[Rarelyme]

Congratulation to C0nfiden1 0yster for winning this first week with their Weakness Policy Iron Thorns !
The Hall of Fame has been updated.

votes

C0nfiden1 0yster: 3
Togkey: 2
AE | ScorpioN: 1

Thanks to all participants and voters!

 

[Rarelyme]

WEEK 2
GRAFAIAI

​

The second newcomer from the May shifts! Grafaiai was very quickly welcomed by the RU player base for being a relevant prankster with access to Knock Off. Its second ability Poison Touch coupled with its 110 speed stat and access to U-Turn has also elevated Grafaiai to one of the best pivot of the tier forcing real progress by spreading status. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to share your most creative Grafaiai sets and explain them in order to contribute to the growth of the RU metagame.

P. -S. : The RU Teambuilding Competition is also highlighting Grafaiai ! It is a great place to share your builds and draw inspiration from !

Submission deadline: Sets should be submitted by 11:59 pm GMT+2 on Friday, May 19th,
Voting deadline: votes will go until 11:59 pm GMT+2 on Sunday, May 21th.

Banned sets

From Smogdex:
Grafaiai @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Poison
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Low Kick

Grafaiai @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Poison
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot/Toxic
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
- Encore

Grafaiai @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Poison
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot/Toxic
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
- Encore

 

[MachJacob]

Grafaiai @ Psychic Seed/Grassy Seed
Ability: Unburden
Tera Type: Fighting/Flying/Dark
EVs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Acrobatics/Facade
- Low Kick/Knock Off
- Swords Dance

Did Hawlucha ever truly go? With a surprisingly similar stat spread, Grafaiai can take over where the bird left off. The stat spread lets out outspeed +2 neutral Oricorio (you can go either 232 Spe or Jolly to outspeed Timid Oricorio). Gunk Shot is powerful STAB, and Acrobatics is another powerful move that lets you take advantage of Unburden. Low kick is no Close Combat, but all of the resists to Poison/Flying are either Rock or Steel, and Low Kick will be at least 100BP against them, with the sole exception of Klefki.
Other attacking options are Knock Off, which can hit defensive threats like Bronzong or Palossand better, or Facade, which is slightly weaker than non-STAB Acrobatics but offers you insurance in case you get burned.

 

[nameless90]

Super Fang Grafaiai

Grafaiai @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Electric
Jolly Nature
- Super Fang
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Parting Shot/Taunt


General idea
Here we have a pivot with Super Fang that replaces Gunk Shot, which is quite inaccurate. It is a mix between the standard pivito set and the offensive one.
Don't understimate the possibility to cut in half the health of the target, regardless of its resistances. This really helps the rest of your team, especially when paired with a fast U-turn.
What I really love about Super Fang is the fact that it doesn't require Atk EVs investment. The accuracy is middling, but 90% is still >> 80%, especially if you have a middling bulk.
This set puts a lot of pressure on the opposite pokemons because Poison Touch is really scary, due to that nice 30% chance to put a timer on the opponent's tanks that are not immune to Poison.

• Taunt is added due to its versatility, even though this set doesn't run Prankster because Grafaiai is fast anyway. Parting Shot makes still sense as a filler if your team doesn't have bulky pokemons, though. Poison Touch here is simply more useful.

Tera Electric is a solution to a predicted Thunder Wave and similar.

Team(mates) support
This Grafaiai is perfect to support your cleaners that misses the brute force to KO threats from full health. Pick Taunt if your team have trouble with set-up sweepers and/or hazard setters, otherwise choose Parting Shot to soften the switch-ins of your other teammates.
The biggest flaws of this set is that this Grafaiai needs teammates to work well.

 

[The grassy flapple]

Iron ball Fling Grafaiai

Grafaiai @ Iron Ball
Ability: Unburden
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fling
- Acrobatics
- U-turn/Parting Shot
- Encore

The principal idea of this set

Why i am using Iron ball? Because with you use fling with iron ball,The base power of this move goes to 130,Unburden for raise your speed and acrobatics after you use fling to give more damage,U-turn (for giving damage) or Parting Shot (for giving a SpA and Atk debuf) and switch to an other pokemon and Encore when the opponent use a buff

 

[Elec-ant1234]

Paralysis Unburden Grafaiai

Grafaiai @ Light Ball / Flame Orb
Ability: Unburden
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 252 Atk / 96 Def / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Fling
- Acrobatics
- Low Kick / Facade

Look, another offensive Grafaiai set! Originally I was going to use Razor Fang for this set; which would have been really helpful; given how it would give not only a guaranteed flinch, but also activate Unburden. Only issue is that it isn't available this gen, so I did the next best thing. I could have gone for another status spreading item like the Poison Barb, but being able to put some paralysis on something like Krookidile is pretty helpful (light ball puts on paralysis). Additionally, since light ball doesn't attempt to burn you every turn its a bit better than flame orb, so if you don't have a chance of the set backfiring. Swords Dance is there to set up, and low kick to be able to hit Krookidile and Iron Thorns hard. The slightly modified EV spread is there to make it so that you can take some physical hits after you Tera Flying to avoid a predicted EQ. The speed is still high to outspeed scarfers too. Just make sure to pair together Flame Orb and Facade.

 

[Rarelyme]

Thank you everyone for the VERY creative submissions this week ! Let's get down to the votes now !
1/ Terrain Abuser by MachJacob
2/ Super Fang by nameless90
3/ Iron Ball Unburden by The grassy flapple
4/ Light Ball Unburden by Elec-ant1234

My vote goes to Elec-ant

 

[LOrd Fernado]

MachJacob

 

[C0nfiden1 0yster]

a

 

[MachJacob]

My vote is for nameless90, Super Fang is a nice tech for the bulkier Pokemon like Avalugg and Mudsdale, and something I didn't realise Grafaiai learned.