Project ZU Victim Of The Week V2 (Round Three: Submission Phase)

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

>“This week will strictly tackle it's Physical Defog set”
>The posted set is 100% special

Specially Defensive Cradily for Counter

Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Recover
- Giga Drain
- Toxic Spikes

Cradily has the bulk, recovery, and ability that supports it being one of the best Swanna checks for ZU. It can come into Hurricans and has a 0% chance to 4hko, as well as take only 40% mac from Z-Hurricane:

252 SpA Big Pecks Swanna Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cradily: 94-112 (25 - 29.7%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Swanna Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cradily: 159-187 (42.2 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Meanwile, unlike other checks, there’s no being worn down by Scald burns. Mons like Silvally-Water or Mare can really suffer being stalled out by burn damage late game, but Crad eats up Scalds with its immunity and at +1, it can even 2hko with Giga:

Without the Scald swith in:
Cradily Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Swanna: 100-118 (34.3 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

With the +1 Scald boost:
Drain Cradily Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Swanna: 148-175 (50.8 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And of course, even without the boost, there’s always Toxic and Recover stalling that Swanna can’t break unless it gets a lot of confusions and Hurricane hits in a row. Finally, it can even afford to SR in the face of swanna. The combo of SR, Toxic, and a +1 Giga means that not only can Swanna not stay in, but you will likely punish the switch out with something.

That to me is what makes Crad such a good counter to this set. It recovers off Swanna’s strongest hits and punishes it or the switch in consistently. Other checks and counters can be burned, but Crad forces the Swanna player to think twice about pressing Scald.

 

[Graceclaw]

Metang as a check (frickin' scald burns, man)

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 88 SpD / 16 Spe
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Thunder Punch

I've used this metal boi before and posted about it in the Tang + Tang core nomination (rip Tangela, return soon pls), and found that it works excellently as an anti-Swanna rocker. Its typing allows it to eat SSS from either side of the spectrum, and its inherent mixed bulk is invaluable when facing Swanna. One fo the great things about it in this MU is that Clear Body does not allow Defog, so your rocks are up until you die.

Some Calcs

252 SpA Hydration Swanna Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 88+ SpD Eviolite Metang: 76-90 (23.4 - 27.7%)
252 SpA Hydration Swanna Scald vs. 252 HP / 88+ SpD Eviolite Metang: 67-79 (20.6 - 24.3%)
152 Atk Clear Body Metang Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Swanna: 296-352 (101.7 - 120.9%)
Post-burn calcs:
152 Atk Clear Body burned Metang Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Swanna: 148-176 (50.8 - 60.4%)
152 Atk Clear Body burned Metang Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Swanna: 74-88 (25.4 - 30.2%) - Roosted

As you can see, Metang can switch in freely (even without evio, but I cba to calc that rn) and KO with ThunderPunch. The only thing Metang has to fear is a Scald Burn + Roost Spam, but even then it has the potential to win if you switch to using Meteor Mash and get your own lucky secondary effects.

Lucky Metal

+1 152 Atk Clear Body burned Metang Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Swanna: 111-131 (38.1 - 45%) - Roosted

Use Metang on offense, it's good.

 

[PH]

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Calm Nature
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Psywave
- Rest

Spdef Zor is a super solid counter to Swanna. Zor takes literally nothing from anything Swanna throws at it, Z+Cane? doesnt even do 50 with ighest rolls possible :/. Zor can set rocks, rest and click Psywave for free on Swanna without taking much damage.

Calcs.

252 SpA Hydration Swanna Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Bronzor: 60-72 (18.8 - 22.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Hydration Swanna Scald vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Bronzor in Rain: 81-96 (25.4 - 30.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

 

[ishtar]

Raichu @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Nasty Plot​

Functioning as an offensive check to Swanna, Raichu is able to get free setup if its able to come in on an expected Defog or if its healthy enough to tank a Supersonic Skystrike or Scald. Raichu is able to OHKO the regular special defog Swanna set with Thunderbolt or force it out and Nasty Plot for a potential endgame. Swanna is able to 2HKO Raichu with Scald and a Z-Hurricane, so this Pokemon should only be brought in through a slow turn or to revenge kill, unless the player is sure that the mouse can take the damage. Would normally post the calcs but these ones are quite self explanatory. Thank you for reading!

 

[SBPC]

It's time for the voting phase!
As usual, you will vote 1 check and 1 counter.

Options for checks:​

User	Pokemon	Set
Oathkeepre		Scarfed Electivire
ImKoolKidz		Curse Lickilicki
Graceclaw		Rocker Metang
KellyKafka		Fightnium Z Raichu

Options for Counters:​

User	Pokemon	Set
Katy		Curse Munchlax
Ho3nConfirm3d		Specially Defensive Cradily
PhantomHurious		Specially Defensive Bronzor

Voting phase will end Wednesday, May 1st!​

 

[Katy]

Check: Electivire
Counter: Cradily

 

[Tack]

Check: Metang
Counter: Munch

 

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

Check: Electravire
Counter: Bronz

 

[Oathkeeper]

Check: Lickilicky
Counter: Munchlax

I wish I could vote for 2 of each like on my thread but it is what it is. I like the new look SBPC

 

[Tuthur]

Electivire
Cradily

 

[Graceclaw]

Check: Raichu
Counter: Cradily

 

[ishtar]

Check: Licky
Counter: Bronz

 

[Rav3]

Licki and Bronz

 

[missangelic]

Check: Metang
Counter: Cradily

 

[85percent]

Check: Lickilicky
Counter: Munchlax

And I second Oathkeepre´s wish of being able to vote for two.

 

[Lucky Dae]

Check: Raichu
Counter: Cradilly

 

[SBPC]

Voting Phase has ended!

Here's your votes!

Checks:
Electivire - 3
Metang - 2
Lickilicki - 4
Raichu - 2

Counters:
Munchlax - 3
Cradily - 5
Bronzor - 3

As such, our winners are Lickilicki by Imkoolkidz and Cradily by Ho3nConfirm3d!
Next round will begin soon, so stick around!

 

[AlolanSableye21]

One fo the great things about it in this MU is that Clear Body does not allow Defog, so your rocks are up until you die.

Nope. Defog still clears hazards when done into Clear Body, it just doesn't drop your evasion. The only moves which would stop a defog are Protect, Self Destruct and Explosion.

 

[SBPC]

Last Round...

I was really enjoying all the neat Curse sets from last round, setup mons are always fun
Surprised that electivire didn't get more votes tbh
Not really much to say, all the entries were solid. Keep it up.​

Round 2: Combusken

The kickin' chicken has struck the stage! This round revolves around one of the tier's most solid examples of an offensive threat. This round will use it's Fight Z Special Attacker set.

Chicken Little

Combusken @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Protect

Submission phase will end Tuesday, May 14th! Good luck!​

 

[Oathkeeper]

Muk @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Poison Jab
- Curse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Counter. Combusken may be increasing its Speed every turn but not its special attacking power. Muk walls any Focus Miss that comes its way and Fire Blast does laughable damage to this special wall and HP Electric is just lol. Should Muk even get low on HP, it can just Rest up and then Poison Jab to its heart's content and 2HKO Combusken!

Funny calcs lol

252 SpA Combusken Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Muk: 97-115 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Combusken Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Muk: 53-63 (12.8 - 15.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever

4 Atk Muk Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Combusken: 136-162 (52.1 - 62%) -- guaranteed 2HKO!

​

 

[Katy]

Reserving Grumpig


Grumpig @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Substitute
- Calm Mind

Combusken has trouble to break through Grumpig as Grumpig has the Thick Fat ability, which minimizes its damage output from its Fire-Type Moves like Fire Blast / Flamethrower;
Focus Blast cannot do much either - has a very little damage output - as Grumpigs typing allows it to withstand the second STAB of Combusken well.
Hidden Power Electric also doesnt do much to Grumpig. In overall Grumpig serves as a good answer to Combusken and is a nice check to Combusken and it is able to OHKO
the Chicken with its Psychic Attacks.

Calcs:

Hide

252+ SpA Combusken Fire Blast vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Thick Fat Grumpig: 69-82 (21.4 - 25.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Combusken All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Grumpig: 117-138 (36.4 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Combusken Focus Blast vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Grumpig: 75-88 (23.3 - 27.4%) -- 2.5% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Combusken Hidden Power Electric vs. 80 HP / 0 SpD Grumpig: 51-60 (15.8 - 18.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Grumpig Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Combusken: 308-366 (118 - 140.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

after +1 due to Calm Mind:
252+ SpA Combusken Fire Blast vs. +1 80 HP / 0 SpD Thick Fat Grumpig: 46-55 (14.3 - 17.1%) -- possible 8HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Combusken Focus Blast vs. +1 80 HP / 0 SpD Grumpig: 50-59 (15.5 - 18.3%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Combusken Hidden Power Electric vs. +1 80 HP / 0 SpD Grumpig: 34-40 (10.5 - 12.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252+ SpA Combusken All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. +1 80 HP / 0 SpD Grumpig: 78-93 (24.2 - 28.9%) -- 53.3% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

 

[PH]

Swanna @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Defog
- Liquidation
- Brave Bird
- Hurricane

Scarf Swan is a fantastic check to busken. Swanna outspeeds Combusken even at +1 and is able to take it out with any of its STABs.

 

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

Reserving mare

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 204 SpD / 12 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Haze
- Toxic Spikes​

Counter.
Mare is hands down the best Combusk check there is, but when just regarding the special attacking set, then its the best counter there is! It takes everything that Combusk can do; even a super effective HP only does (25 - 29.6%) -- a guaranteed 4HKO, and Z-Focus only does (28.6 - 33.8%). Which means even if Combusk switches out in the face of your Mare, Regenerator negates any damage, including the Z move attack. Plus even if Mare gets worn down, there's more then enough time to recover or scald and do over 50%:

0 SpA Mareanie Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Combusken: 134-162 (51.3 - 62%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And thats not even in the worst case scenario, special Combusk can't even 2hko:

252+ SpA Life Orb Combusken Hidden Power Electric vs. 252 HP / 204+ SpD Eviolite Mareanie: 107-127 (35.1 - 41.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Mare takes any hit and effortlessly recovers thanks to its ability Regenerator. It can always come in and force the Combusk to switch out or fear a 2hko. This is an active, awesome reliability that distinguishes Mare from other counters. Take Altaria, where an HP Ice variant of special Combusk gets a guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery. Meanwhile, Muk and Grumpig can't continue to switch in or they're forced to use their lackluster recovery options, as well as lack to be that threatening to switch ins.

In comparison, Mare goes the extra mile. Tspikes threatens the Combusk for later. If Mare gets them up, the next time Combusk comes in its on a timer. No more free protects for the speed boost and scouting; that 12% or toxic damage really adds up. Lastly, there's always the option to go for a Scald and try a burn!

So out of all other counters, mare not only likely deals with Combusk better thanks to its good bulk and recovery, it threatens most of what could switch in after it. Its really good for this matter.

Note about EVs and Haze: Having 40 in def gives generally better rolls against mons like scarf Vire or Swanna, and guarantees that you live an EQ from defensive Golem, meaning you could Scald it if needed. The speed is also to creed Golem and other slow base 45 users. Haze helps Mare deal with defensive wincons like Curse Muk / Liki, as well as other set up attackers in some situations. While these advantages aren't meant to deal with Combusk specifically, it does allow it to deal with many partners on Combusk teams.

 

[missangelic]

Reserving Altaria

Altaria @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs:
- Defog
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower / Dragon Pulse​

Here's the standard defensive Altaria set that works as a flexible counter to special Combusken lacking Hidden Power Ice. Even without any investment into Special Defense, Altaria still takes less than 1/4 of its max HP from Combusken's strongest attack, Focus Blast (if it even hits lol). Even with All Out Pummeling, Combusken can only deal 37.2% at max, meaning Altaria can even switch in on Combusken's Z-Move with Stealth Rock up, then Roost on the next turn with no worry of being KO'd. Altaria can use the free turns generated by switching in to pull its standard Altantics (Defogging hazards, throwing off a Toxic). Altaria is a fantastic stop to a special Combusken sweep, and it doesn't even need to stay completely healthy to do so. As a bonus, Altaria doesn't need to worry about clicking Roost and losing its Flying typing on a Focus Blast because of Combusken's higher speed.

 

[ishtar]

Oricorio @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Dancer
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Revelation Dance
- Calm Mind
- Roost
​

Hi, Im bringing quite the niche pick as a check for the chicken. Checking Combusken without the already submitted posts seemed like a hard task but I decided to give it a shot with one of the neglected Ori birds that still roams around the ZU tier. Ori is a nice offensive Fire-type thats able to take any attack from Combusken, including its HP Electric. Firium Z and HP Electric both have a chance to 2HKO Oricorio, but Ori is always able to beat it 1v1 with Z Hurricane even doing 70 to 80% when used through Protect! Cant sugarcoat the fact that good hazard control is essential to make use of this mon, mostly if you really wanna use it as a check for Combusken. This shouldnt be your main way of dealing with the chicken, but having a nice offensive check in the back is always good. Beat fire with fire, right?