Project Victim of the Week 2.0: ZU Edition

[wooper]

USER​	POKEMON​	SET​	VOTES​
Corthius​	​	mixed def articuno​	2​
OranBerryBlissey10​	​	defensive shiinotic​	1​
Marsheaux​	​	band unfezant​	1​
5Dots​	​	sd LO gapidash​	2​
waterbend​	​	band froslass​	1​

looks like weve got a tie! congrats to 5Dots and Corthius for their wins this week. and on from one grass-type to another whos been patiently awaiting their turn...

Tangela @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb / Synthesis
- Toxic / Sleep Powder / Leech Seed / Synthesis​

tangela has long been a zu staple in the swsh metagame. exceptional physical defense shored up by its eviolite and broken regenerator ability allows it to consistently pivot in and blanket check many of the tier's physical attackers like sawk, rhydon, klinklang, thwackey, and so many more. it also comes equipped with knock off, able to remove the opposition's items, which is phenomenal support for a pivot. giga drain (or the rare leaf storm) and knock are required on this mon, but its last two moves are quite flexible: sludge bomb is great for opposing grass types and with some speed investment, can be handy in an alcremie matchup; synthesis isnt always necessary because of giga drain + regen for recovery, but healing without switching can be beneficial; toxic racks up damage over the course of a match; sleep powder is nice for incapacitating foes to aid teammates or on a predicted silvally-poison switch-in; and leech seed forces chip damage on targets and can heal up your teammates slightly. this mon formerly ran the tier alongside kangaskhan and has been a strong pick for many, many months. what ways have you used to handle the vine pokemon?

submissions will be accepted until friday june 17th at 11:59 pm gmt -4. good luck to those participating!

 

[Corthius]

Miltank (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Milk Drink
- Toxic
- Heal Bell
- Seismic Toss

Counter
Due to Sap Sipper, Miltank is immune to a plethora of Tangela's annoying utility moves and STAB attacks which, in addition to its solid bulk and Tangela's rather low damage output, makes it only worry about Poison from either Toxic or Sludge Bomb, or Knock Off removing its item. But with Heal Bell + Milk Drink Miltank can stay healthy throughout the match.

 

[5Dots]

Ivysaur @ Eviolite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off
- Synthesis
While Ivysaur is more renowned for its wallbreaking/sweeping capabilties under sun, Ivysaur can still run a good defensive utility set with the combination of its STAB moves, Knock Off, and Synthesis. Without investment to its Special Attack and/or Knock Off support, Tangela will struggle to damage Ivysaur, therefore making Ivy a COUNTER to Tangela. The Speed EVs allow it to be as physically bulky as possible while outrunning Jolly Rhydon.

Calcs

0 SpA Tangela Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Ivysaur: 52-62 (16 - 19.1%) -- possible 6HKO
0 SpA Tangela Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Ivysaur: 16-19 (4.9 - 5.8%) -- :(
0- Atk Tangela Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Eviolite Ivysaur: 28-34 (8.6 - 10.4%) -- :(
0 SpA Tangela Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ivysaur: 79-93 (24.3 - 28.7%) -- 98.4% chance to 4HKO (no eviolite)
0 SpA Tangela Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ivysaur: 24-28 (7.4 - 8.6%) -- :(
0 SpA Ivysaur Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 218-258 (65.2 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Ivysaur Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 45-54 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
0- Atk Ivysaur Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Tangela: 19-23 (5.6 - 6.8%) -- lol
0 SpA Ivysaur Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Tangela: 324-384 (97 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Ivysaur Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Tangela: 67-80 (20 - 23.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

 

[OranBerryBlissey10]

Roselia @ Eviolite
Ability: Poison Point
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis

Roselia is a counter that sits on Tangela all day long, recovering off any damage taken and setting up spikes in its face. Although getting knocked is annoying, one can also punish this with Poison Point and prevent other team members from getting knocked long-term.

calcs

0 SpA Tangela Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Roselia: 52-62 (17.1 - 20.3%)
0 SpA Tangela Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Roselia: 79-93 (25.9 - 30.5%)
0 SpA Roselia Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 260-308 (77.8 - 92.2%)

 

[wooper]

taking skuntank
okay i am on mobile rn i am going to just post something simple and edit later

Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
20 HP / 236 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Taunt / Corrosive Gas​

resists giga, sludge bomb, and knock, and immune to toxic. doesnt appreciate getting knocked, seeded, or put to sleep, but will still win the 1v1. sludge is a 2hko, guaranteed ohko without eviolite or if at +2

 

[5Dots]

Sorry for getting this out incredibly late, but VOTW Week 24 results are here! With zero checks and four counters, please vote for 1 of the nominees here!​

USER	POKEMON	SET
Corthius​	​	Sap Sipper Miltank​
5Dots	​	Utility Ivysaur​
OranBerryBlissey10	​	Utility Roselia​
wooper	​	Standard Skuntank​

Deadline will be Tuesday, June 21 at 11:59 PM GMT-4 to accommodate for the late post. My vote will be going to .​

 

[Marsheaux]

Miltank

 

[wooper]

rose and ivy are both so good but im gonna go ivy

 

[OranBerryBlissey10]

rose and ivy are both so good but im gonna go ivy

the shadow council will not forgive you for this decision

also miltank

 

[Corthius]

rose

 

[Yuri_z9]

Skuntank

 

[5Dots]

The results are in! From the 4 COUNTERS we received, there can only be one (winner)… Corthius! Congratulations for winning Week 24, and thank you to everyone who took the time to run calculations and compile sets.​

USER	POKEMON	SET	VOTES
Corthius​	​	Sap Sipper Miltank​	3​
5Dots​	​	Utility Ivysaur​	1​
OranBerryBlissey10​	​	Utility Roselia​	1​
wooper​	​	Standard Skuntank​	1​

From one great Grass-type to another, this week’s victim is none other than the lovable walking cabbage, Ivysaur!

Ivysaur @ Eviolite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Growth
- Solar Beam
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
Sun has risen once again in popularity in recent months, able to devastate teams without sturdy answers to the archetype. Ivysuar is very notable for its access to STAB Sludge Bomb and greater bulk with Eviolite, which makes easier for it to set up Growth and sweep. Unlike Shiftry’s Heat Wave, Weather Ball is also completely accurate and gives Ivysaur more consistency than Shiftry. Alongside said partner, Ivysaur can also work with other Chlorophyll sweepers like Exeggutor and Leafeon to overwhelm the opposition. How will you deal with this scary sweeper? Deadline will still be on Friday, June 24 at 11:59 PM GMT-4. Apologies for the shorter amount of time, but next week will continue with the usual scheduling.
​

 

[Corthius]

Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Bomb
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast

Check
Skuntank can easily beat Ivysaur outside of sun but in sun it needs to be worried about Weather Ball because it OHKOs at +2. If you switch into any other move tho you can retaliate with a strong Fire Blast.

 

[Marsheaux]

Coalossal @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Spikes / Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Blast
- Flamethrower​

Coalossal is a check to Sun Sweeper Ivysaur, reliably 2HKOing it outside of sun and inflicting further damage inside it, potentially eliminating Ivysaur with one attack if used in conjunction with hazards. The ability to use Growth on the switch prevents Ivysaur from being truly countered, though none of its attacks should cause the Fire-type too much trouble without that boost.

Calcs

0 SpA Coalossal Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Ivysaur: 132-156 (50.5 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Ivysaur Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Coalossal: 109-130 (25.7 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

 

[OranBerryBlissey10]

Ninetales @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball
- Scorching Sands

Counter. Tales can switch in and ohko while avoiding the 2hko. Can also set up on Ivysaur outside of sun and is immune to Weather Ball. That's it, really.

calcs

252 SpA Ivysaur Solar Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales: 71-84 (24.7 - 29.2%)
252 SpA Ivysaur Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales: 106-126 (36.9 - 43.9%)
+2 252 SpA Ivysaur Solar Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales: 141-166 (49.1 - 57.8%)
+2 252 SpA Ivysaur Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ninetales: 211-250 (73.5 - 87.1%)
252 SpA Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Ivysaur in Sun: 320-378 (122.6 - 144.8%)

 

[5Dots]

Rapidash @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Toxic
- Morning Sun
Rapidash can effectively take Ivysaur in a 1v1 situation as a CHECK. Rapidash can avoid the OHKO from a +2 Sludge Bomb and deal massive damage to it with Flare Blitz, OHKOing it 75% of the time without sun. However, since Ivysaur will (most of the time) be under sun and/or has taken residual damage, Rapidash in these situations will always OHKO ivysaur.

Calcs

0 Atk Rapidash Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Ivysaur: 252-296 (96.5 - 113.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Rapidash Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Ivysaur: 252-296 (96.5 - 113.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Ivysaur Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Rapidash: 255-300 (76.3 - 89.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Voting is up for Week 25! Please vote for 1 Pokemon. My vote will be going to .​

USER	POKEMON	SET
Corthius​	​	Fire Blast Skuntank​
Marsheaux​	​	Specially Defensive Coalossal​
OranBerryBlissey10​	​	Nasty Plot Ninetales​
5Dots​	​	Utility Rapidash​

​

 

[Marsheaux]

Ninetales

 

[Corthius]

dash

 

[wooper]

 

[OranBerryBlissey10]

coal

 

[5Dots]

It’s been an entire week late, but congratulations to our winners to Week 25, Marsheaux and me!​

USER	POKEMON	SET	VOTES
5Dots		Utility Rapidash	2
Marsheaux		Utility Coalossal	2
OranBerryBlissey10		Standard Ninetales	1
Corthius		Standard Skuntank	0

Votes will be shortly updated in the Leaderboard. Thanks to everyone who took the time to calculate and submit submissions. With ZUPL IV coming around the corner and shifts hitting ZU, we will be putting Victim of the Week on hiatus. Me and wooper have a lot of real-life stuff that has come up that has made things more difficult to handle. Don’t know how long break will last, but stay tuned for updates!
Shoutouts to everyone who has compiled submissions at any point throughout this year. Also special thanks to wooper for doing a ton of work and help for VOTW!
ZU later for now!​

 

[wooper]

With ZUPL IV coming around the corner and shifts hitting ZU, we will be putting Victim of the Week on hiatus. Me and waterbend s have a lot of real-life stuff that has come up that has made things more difficult to handle. Don’t know how long break will last, but stay tuned for updates!

Shoutouts to everyone who has compiled submissions at any point throughout this year. Also special thanks to @waterbends for doing a ton of work and help for VOTW!
ZU later for now!​

you beat me to it! as my lovely cohost said, irl responsibilities have made it harder for us to stay on top of hosting, as im sure many of you have noticed. we are just going to take a brief hiatus to get back into the swing of things for an indeterminate amount of time. with shifts today and zupl on the horizon, i think this couldnt have had better timing. we have truly had so much fun hosting victim of the week 2.0 for the zu community. thank you for all for your participation over these past few months, and for your understanding and patience. we will be back soon, dont you worry!