Project Victim of the Week | [Old]

[wadusher]

reserving curse scizor

 

[david0895]

Kyurem-Black as a check

Kyurem-Black @ Icium Z
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Freeze Shock
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power / Substitute

Not a counter because it doesn't appreciate status.
You can OHKO it with the Z-move or sub on the switch

Hide

+2 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black: 195-229 (49.8 - 58.5%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO

252 Atk Teravolt Kyurem-Black Subzero Slammer (200 BP) vs. +2 236 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 676-804 (162.5 - 193.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Teravolt Kyurem-Black Subzero Slammer (200 BP) vs. +4 236 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 456-540 (109.6 - 129.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Jho]

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave / Calm Mind / Flamethrower
- Soft-Boiled
- Stealth Rock
- Moonblast

Thousand Arrows Bounces off and moonblast obviously does a lot. Magic guard lets it not care about Toxic but Glare can be annoying and enough para's can let zygarde beat clef if its Leftovers have been knocked off. Twave/CM/Flamethrower don't really matter in the Zygarde match up but the move choice depends on the rest of Clefable's team.

 

[Alutard]

Mew as a Counter

Mew @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 4 SpD / 76 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Ice Beam
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
A set I ran in one of my team to hard counter zygarde,as well as helping my breakers with heal bell,the following evs allows you to outspeed landos that are trying to outspeed heatran with 254 speed,as the spread in the set reaches 255.252 hp allows mew to be bulky from the specially defensive side also,and rest are put into defenses.

 

[Sickist]

Buzzwole as a Check

Buzzwole @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Roost
- Ice Punch

Zyg isnt breaking this mon with T-arrows at all. Bulk up to settup alongside Zyg and Ice Punch to smack it super effectively. Roost to heal up any damage. This mon doesn't like Toxic at all though, so any Toxic Variant just takes a dump on this mon. Works best on Stall squads or Bulky Offense/Balance. Heal Bell support is key here. 1v1 though, any non-toxic variant loses to Buzzwole.

 

[curiosity]

Hey. I'd like to apologise for the relative inactivity throughout the past 2 months. The holiday period is normally an incredibly busy time for me, and I just didn't have enough time for the forums. I'm sorry to everyone who's been waiting for another update, I promise that I'll actually remind myself to announce a hiatus next time. Now since Zygarde has been banned, I don't really think there's any point in voting for this, as there's no real application for it anymore, so what I've decided to do is just to give some feedback on the submissions. For the most part, these submissions were generally good, but there were a few that stood out as really (in no other ways to put this) just confusing really. I don't think that Mimikyu can be considered a counter by any measure at all, especially considering that a counter can come in on every (viable) variant and beat it in a one-on-one setting, which Mimikyu can not. Not going to sugarcoat it here, it's a really shaky check at best and I wouldn't really recommend it as a consistent Zygarde check, especially considering that once it's been paralysed and it's disguise's been broken, it's not really a check anymore, but I'm not here to stop you from using anything. Everything else is pretty much good so well done everyone.

set

Tapu Bulu @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 76 HP / 248 Atk / 184 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Horn Leech
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Stone Edge / Megahorn

​

This week's victim is Tapu Bulu! Bulu greatly benefited from Zygarde's departure, through the drastic decrease in checks such as Tangrowth and Scizor and the influx of usage

 

[Jordy]

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Knock Off

Mega Scizor doesn't mind anything Tapu Bulu can throw at it thanks to its exceptional typing and stats. Because of its typing and bulk, it can even use Tapu Bulu as setup fodder.

 

[ChrystalFalchion]

Skarmory as a Counter

Skarmory @ Leftovers / Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Stealth Rock / Spikes / Defog

Skarmory can come in on anything Tapu Bulu does, Roost off whatever damage it inflicts and 2HKO with Brave Bird. It could even possibly set up hazards in its face.

0 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 76 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 192-228 (64 - 76%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 122-144 (36.6 - 43.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Egor]

Tornadus-T as a check

Tornadus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog

Can't switch directly on an attack from Bulu but OHKOes with (Z-)Hurrucane.

 

[Failure999]

Reserving Mega Charizard Y since my avatar is one lol TOTALLY NOT BIASED HAHAHAHAHAHA COMPLETLY TRUST ME.

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Solar Beam
- Focus Blast
- Roost

Not going to do one huge write-up on this, so I'll be brief. Switches in to all but Stone Edge, and OHKOs with Flamethrower. What is convenient is that it can shut down Water-type partners like Tapu Fini using Solar Beam, and Heatran, which is also seen with it using Focus Blast.

 

[david0895]

Band Kartana as a check

Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike

252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Smart Strike vs. 72 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 390-462 (130.4 - 154.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

With a safe entry, CB Kartana can OHKO Bulu with Smart Strike

 

[superstrike66]

Ice-Z Kyurem-Black

Kyurem-Black @ Icium Z
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Freeze Shock
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power

KB can't switch into Superpower or Stone Edge for obvious reasons (Stone Edge is only a 50% chance to OHKO, so you can try to switch in if its locked into it, but it's very risky). However, it is able to switch into Bulu's grass STABs and Megahorn. Once in, KB outspeeds and OHKOs with Subzero Slammer from either Ice move.

Calcs:
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black: 358-422 (91.5 - 107.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black in Grassy Terrain: 241-284 (61.6 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black in Grassy Terrain: 151-178 (38.6 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kyurem-Black: 215-253 (54.9 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 Atk Teravolt Kyurem-Black Subzero Slammer (200 BP) vs. 76 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 710-836 (236.6 - 278.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
4 SpA Teravolt Kyurem-Black Subzero Slammer (175 BP) vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 462-546 (154 - 182%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[Sickist]

Buzzwole as a Counter

(cheap to use the same thing I did last week I know.)

Buzzwole @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Roost
- Ice Punch

Literally can sponge any hit, Bulk up on it, Roost, repeat till +6. Best Bulu has got in any scenario is the rare Natue's Madness. Like seriously, Bulu will never beat this thing, barring hax of course. Look at this damage output:

+6 0 Atk Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Buzzwole in Grassy Terrain: 175-207 (41.8 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

That's +6. Not factoring any bulk up boosts Buzzwole has on it either. Here's the banded output:

252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Buzzwole in Grassy Terrain: 140-165 (33.4 - 39.4%) -- 99% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Buzzwole: 168-198 (40.1 - 47.3%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery

Banded Zen barely 3HKO's even. And Buzz can continue to keep boostin and roostin. So to wrap this up, Buzzwole is a Bulu Counter.

 

[Tysonslayer]

Volcarona as a Check

Volcarona @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Flamethrower
- Bug Buzz
- Roost

Volcarona cannot switch in directly on Tapu Bulu as it fears Stone Edge, but Volcarona can OHKO with Flamethrower whenever it can switch in freely

0 SpA Volcarona Flamethrower vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 264-312 (88 - 104%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[Loom]

nomming helmet tang as a counter

 

[xapx]

Mega Venusaur as a check.

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 156 SpD / 16 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Leech Seed
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Hidden Power Fire

Mega Venusaur is capable of taking any hit from Tapu Bulu and retaliate with Sludge Bomb and heal off any damage from Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain and Synthesis.
One must be on the lookout for Megahorn, however.

248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 167-197 (46 - 54.2%) -- 5.9% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[Steel With It]

Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Def / 156 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower
- Leech Seed
- Protect

PhysDef Steela counters most Bulu sets, and Choice Band is no exception.

248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 248 HP / 104+ Def Celesteela: 172-203 (43.3 - 51.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 76 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 234-276 (78 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. -1 76 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 348-410 (116 - 136.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[InvisibleWater]

Heatran as a check (soft counter?)

Heatran @ Steelium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Flash Cannon
- Lava Plume / Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock

Heatran's typing and bulk allow it to switch in on all of Bulu's moves except Superpower or Stone Edge, then either OHKO with a STAB move or set hazards (then KO if Bulu hasn't switched out yet).

Calcs

Offensive:
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 302-356 (100.6 - 118.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 302-356 (100.6 - 118.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 374-444 (124.6 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 56-66 (18.6 - 22%) -- possible 6HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

Defensive:
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 72-84 (22.2 - 26%) -- possible 5HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 114-135 (35.2 - 41.7%) -- 82.2% chance to 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 408-480 (126.3 - 148.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-1 248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 272-322 (84.2 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 170-200 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 51-60 (15.7 - 18.5%) -- possible 8HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

 

[Ruft]

Mega Pinsir as a check

Pinsir @ Pinsirite
Ability: Hyper Cutter
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Return
- Earthquake / Close Combat
- Quick Attack

It can switch in on all of Tapu Bulu's attacks bar Stone Edge, as it is double resistant to Horn Leech, Wood Hammer and Superpower, and resistant to Megahorn. It also has a nice 120 base defense to boot. It gets OHKO'd by Stone Edge however, so a free switch-in is recommended (unless the Bulu is already choice-locked or you have scouted that it does not run Stone Edge). You should also make sure that there are no Stealth Rocks, as Mega Pinsir is not guaranteed to live a Wood Hammer after Stealth Rock damage, so hazard removal support is highly recommended.

In return, it outspeeds and is guaranteed to OHKO Tapu Bulu with Aeralite-boosted Return.

Calcs for Mega form

248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 64-75 (23.6 - 27.6%) -- 82% chance to 4HKO
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 103-121 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir-Mega: 45-54 (16.6 - 19.9%) -- possible 6HKO
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir-Mega: 91-108 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir-Mega: 612-720 (225.8 - 265.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 76 HP / 0 Def Tapu Bulu: 404-476 (134.6 - 158.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

This is assuming it has already Mega Evolved prior. If this is not the case, it has a much harder time coming in as it has a chance to get OHKO'd by Wood Hammer (albeit in Pinsir's favor, but it is a guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock or spike damage) and is still guaranteed to get OHKO'd by Stone Edge. At that point it loses out a lot of its value as a check.

Calcs for regular form

248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir in Grassy Terrain: 150-177 (55.3 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir in Grassy Terrain: 240-283 (88.5 - 104.4%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir: 107-126 (39.4 - 46.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir: 214-252 (78.9 - 92.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pinsir: 356-420 (131.3 - 154.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Deleted User [433215]]

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure/Static
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
- Discharge
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Defog/Toxic

Zapdos acts as a somewhat solid check to Tapu Bulu thanks to it's incredible bulk that avoids the 2HKO from anything other than Wood Hammer (with terrain up) and Stone Edge while Zapdos even outspeeds the given spread. It also cripples Tapu Bulu with a super effective Heat Wave, static paralysis, or even a potential Toxic. However, Zapdos is listed as a check as it doesn't like switching in with rocks down, Wood Hammer if terrain is up, and Stone Edge does a lot no matter what.

Calcs

0 SpA Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 172-204 (57.3 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Horn Leech vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 123-144 (32.1 - 37.5%) -- 0.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 290-342 (75.7 - 89.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
248+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 195-230 (50.9 - 60%) -- 89.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Thamuz]

surprisingly enough nobody mentioned
Magearna as check

t h i c c defensive stats.

There is nothing much to explain. Magearna is Magearna, top threat mon, ex S-ranked in the viability ranking and with the right set it makes you win even even if u took dix the whole game. Not to mention its incredible bulk and typing which allow her to check most offensive threats in the metagame, like Tapu-Bulu. It fits in every team, balanced HO and stall, so also very versatile, more than any Celesteela, Charizard, Zapdos, Skarmory etc.

here’s the set I choose.

You’ll have a nice day if you click me

Magearna @ Steelium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shift Gear
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Focus Blast

 

[curiosity]

​

Thank you everyone for another fantastic week of submissions! All of this week's submissions were excellent; all of them were fantastic to read and had a lot of effort put into them, so keep up the great work!

Checks:

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By: Egor | david0895 | Failure999 | superstrike66 | Tysonslayer | XxAwesomePlayzxX | InvisibleWater | Ruft | Ophi0n | Thamuz


Counters:

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By: Jordy | ChrystalFalchion | Sickist | Steel With It
​

I also wanted to add a little bit of detail to some of these submissions because I though there were a few that really missed a few crucial details.
I think people really undervalued the ability to abuse a choice-locked Bulu, since it is an incredible niche to have in this meta, especially since most bulu teams commonly struggle dealing with these mons. Kartana is my personal favourite this week because you're able to pretty much force out Bulu and take advantage of Grassy Terrain, which makes choiced variants incredibly hard to deal with. While you do have to generally scout out what move it's locked itself into, it's incredibly useful, considering that a lot of teams are just unable to deal with a Grassy Terrain-boosted Kart, especially if your only defensive Kart counterplay is a helmet Tornadus or Zapdos, which are both incredibly pressured if hazards are up. Similarly, Charizard and Volcarona are also able to do the same, as they're able to abuse Grassy Terrain and straight up win versus most CB Bulu teams, which normally lack effective counterplay to either mon, but I'm of the belief that Kartana does this a lot more consistently because of it isn't as susceptible to hazards. Pinsir can also do the same to an extent, but fails to do so as effectively simply because it struggles in this meta; because of the recent rise of Flying resists such as Rotom, Koko and Steel-Types which are supported by Grassy Terrain, I personally don't believe it to be as effective. Because of this, I'll be voting for Kartana and Scizor.

Voting will hopefully end tomorrow, so get your votes in asap! Happy Voting!

 

[Failure999]

Check: Volcarona by Tysonslayer (because I'm not gonna vote for myself)

Counter: Celesteela by Steel With It (because most commonly seen of all counters, in my experience)

 

[xapx]

Volcarona (Check) and Mega Scizor (Counter)

 

[Failure999]

Also, I did the Mega Venusaur nomination, Tysonslayer was the one who nominated Volcarona

CHOKE. Ok Noted, Thank you for pointing that out. Apologies to you and Tysonslayer. My bad.