I like the set, but what's the basis behind the 40 Atk EVs? It seems like those EVs might be better stuck in bulk, as at least on some of your calcs you're close to the 75% damage from the things you're supposed to be checking - which is a problem with rocks in play.A while ago I decided to look back into Alolan Marowak, since I wanted to see how it should be run after its pre-Pokebank glory. Alolan Marowak saw some usage prior to the Pheromosa suspect test due to it being a pretty great counter, but people only seemed to be focused on that fact. After a couple of weeks of testing a NEW set that I made, I feel I have found Marowak's most optimal set to run in the OU Metagame. This set is actually Specially Defensive with offensive pressure and surprise factor. I say surprise factor because pokemon such as gengar would not expect Alolan Marowak to live a shadow ball and obliterate it in return (calcs below to back this up).
The set:
Marowak-Alola @ Thick Club
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 216 HP / 40 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Shadow Bone
- Flare Blitz
- Stealth Rock /Other desired utility
- Will-O-Wisp /Bonemerang
The goal with this Alolan Marowak is to preserve it and outpace any special attacker below in the calcs I provided (which is basically every specially attacking pokemon except some water types). Also included in the calcs below are the physical threats that this Alolan Marowak outpaces due to the side-effect of having this much HP. When I say "outpace," I mean that it scores a OHKO vs. the opponent's 2HKO, 2HKO vs. 3HKO, etc. The given spread hits key defensive benchmarks as shown in the clacs, as well as important offensive benchmarks shown in the calcs. The majority of the calcs are shown WITHOUT rocks damage, and I annotated any calc with an explanation of why it's important if it's not obvious (for example, check out the Tornadus-Therian annotations.) Also, as seen in the Magearna calcs, I would calc Alolan Marowak taking a hit from offensive Magearna, while dealing damage to a bulky one because BOTH Magearnas would be OHKO'd. This helps show the sheer power and combined bulk.
At the end, I also included a list of pokemon that it'd be a bad idea to leave Alolan Marowak in against, with annotations where necessary.
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Special attackers vs. Alolan Marowak (HUGE amount of calcs)
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 182-216 (57.7 - 68.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 452-534 (180 - 212.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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+1 252+ SpA Celesteela Air Slash vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 147-174 (46.6 - 55.2%) -- 67.6% chance to 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 84 HP / 0 Def Celesteela: 440-518 (123.5 - 145.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
~
252 SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Fire Blast vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola in Sun: 130-153 (41.2 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard-Mega-Y in Sun: 207-243 (69.6 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
~
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Extrasensory vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 121-144 (38.4 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (Protean boost)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 444-524 (155.7 - 183.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO (After type changed to psychic)
NOTE: The standard protean greninja does not run Hydro Pump or Dark Pulse. Ash-greninja does that. Find out which one you're facing first before you bring in Alolan Marowak to check it.
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252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 264-312 (83.8 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Latios: 384-452 (127.5 - 150.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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+2 252 SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 264-312 (83.8 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Calcs at +1 and +0 are obviously less)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 402-474 (110.7 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO (This is the calc vs. Bulky AV magearna)
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252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 202-238 (64.1 - 75.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Magnezone: 402-474 (128.4 - 151.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO (SPECS Magnezone)
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40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Skarmory: 338-398 (101.1 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Sp.Def Skarmory calc)
~
0 Atk Tangrowth Earthquake vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 134-158 (42.5 - 50.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO (Assault Vest Tangrowth)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tangrowth: 372-438 (92 - 108.4%) -- 50% chance to OHKO (Same AV Tangrowth as above) (ALSO: AV Tangrowth usually runs a -speed nature, which lets this Marowak outspeed by 4 points)
~
252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola in Electric Terrain: 178-211 (56.5 - 66.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 258-304 (91.8 - 108.1%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
~
252 SpA Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola in Psychic Terrain: 184-217 (58.4 - 68.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (SCARF Tapu Lele)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 404-476 (143.7 - 169.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
~
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 48-57 (15.2 - 18%) -- possible 6HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 232 HP / 180+ Def Thick Fat Venusaur-Mega: 150-176 (41.7 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (You can add some more attack to push this to a possible 2HKO, but this is not advised due to Venusaur having Synthesis/Giga Drain)
~
+2 252 SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 258-303 (81.9 - 96.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Volcarona Hidden Power Ground vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 224-264 (71.1 - 83.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 321-378 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
~
+1 252 SpA Xurkitree Thunderbolt vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 228-268 (72.3 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Timid Scarf) (WARNING: Alolan Marowak can't take Thunderbolt after a Tail Glow)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Xurkitree: 297-351 (96.7 - 114.3%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
~
0 SpA Zapdos Discharge vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 87-103 (27.6 - 32.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 244+ Def Zapdos: 181-214 (47.2 - 55.8%) -- 24.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
~
+6 252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 244-288 (77.4 - 91.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+4 252 SpA Serperior Hidden Power Ground vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 226-268 (71.7 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (+6 HP Ground has a 75% chance to OHKO)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Serperior: 470-554 (160.9 - 189.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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252 SpA Life Orb Tornadus-Therian Hurricane vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 173-204 (54.9 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-Therian: 271-319 (90.6 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO (This 90.6% minimum guarantees that if the original Flare Blitz does not KO, then the Life Orb Recoil will make the Tornadus-T drop
~
AV Tornadus-Therian
0 SpA Tornadus-Therian Hurricane vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 108-127 (34.2 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Tornadus-Therian: 271-319 (75 - 88.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
~
252 SpA Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 218-258 (69.2 - 81.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Scarf Set)
252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 283-335 (89.8 - 106.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO (IMO a great surprise factor against Gengar.)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gengar: 480-566 (183.9 - 216.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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252 SpA Mew Genesis Supernova vs. 216 HP / 252+ SpD Marowak-Alola: 210-247 (66.6 - 78.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mew: 320-378 (93.8 - 110.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
~
AND ALL THINGS THAT ARE OBVIOUS like Pheromosa, grass types, etc.
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Physical attackers vs. Alolan Marowak spread
252 Atk Choice Band Buzzwole Poison Jab vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 63-75 (20 - 23.8%) -- guaranteed 5HKO (Smogon Choice Band set does not list Earthquake, but if it is run on Buzzwole, CB EQ is a guaranteed OHKO to this set)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 338-402 (95.2 - 113.2%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
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252 Atk Dugtrio Earthquake vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 254-300 (80.6 - 95.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (SCARF SET. Choice Band OHKOs)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Dugtrio: 274-324 (129.8 - 153.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
~
252 Atk Beedrill-Mega Drill Run vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 180-212 (57.1 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Shadow Bone vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Beedrill-Mega: 322-379 (118.8 - 139.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
~
252 Atk Jirachi Iron Head vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 51-60 (16.1 - 19%) -- possible 6HKO (Scarf set)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 450-530 (131.9 - 155.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Shadow Bone has a 62.5% chance to OHKO)
~
+2 252 Atk Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 174-205 (55.2 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 712-844 (274.9 - 325.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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252+ Atk Huge Power Mawile-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 266-314 (84.4 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
WARNING: Mega Mawile will OHKO with Knock Off
-1 40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 92 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 248-294 (93.9 - 111.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO (This calc assumes the intimidate was applied. Without intimidate, this Marowak set gets the guaranteed OHKO.)
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252 Atk Metagross-Mega Earthquake vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 218-258 (69.2 - 81.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Metagross-Mega: 318-374 (105.6 - 124.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
~
252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 210-247 (66.6 - 78.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (After a Swords Dance, Pinsir will OHKO with Return)
252 Atk Pinsir-Mega Earthquake vs. 216 HP / 0 Def Marowak-Alola: 230-272 (73 - 86.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (After a Swords Dance, Pinsir will OHKO with Earthquake)
40 Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pinsir-Mega: 386-456 (142.4 - 168.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
~
AND ALL THINGS THAT ARE OBVIOUS like Scizor, Tapu Bulu, etc.
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It is a bad idea to leave this Alolan Marowak set in against the following:
Ash Greninja,
Life Orb Protean Greninja with Hydro Pump (Can tank a LO Dark Pulse and OHKO back with Flare Blitz after Protean removes water type),
Heatran (Unless you're running Ground move)
Manaphy,
Nihilego,
Rotom-Wash,
Mega Sableye,
Tapu Fini (Can tank Moon Blast all day, but doesn't appreciate Nature's Madness),
Choice Specs Tapu Lele (Psychic has a 75% chance to OHKO, but Shadow Bone still OHKOs. Your call here),
Toxapex (Unless you're running Ground move),
Volcanion,
Primarina,
Keldeo,
Weavile (Doesn't tank Knock Off)
Given these pokemon that beat Alolan Marowak, fast electric types pair perfectly with Alolan Marowak. Scarf Tapu Koko with T-bolt, Dazzling Gleam, HP Ground, and filler move single-handedly annihilates 11 out of the 14 members on the threat list.
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Overall, I feel that Alolan Marowak performs similarly to Heatran, but it hits MUCH harder. Yes, Heatran has the bloom doom trapper set for water types and leftovers; however, I believe that building a offensive team around Alolan Marowak is better since it removes some of the most powerful threats in the game that other pokemon fear. The other 5 members of your team will have 1 or 2 pokemon that wreak havoc vs. them. The odds that Alolan Marowak can dispose of those threats is extremely high.
While the set doesn't have recovery, there's definitely an advantage to being able to take out some extremely strong offensive mons to advantage your team. I also think the fear of Lightning Rod is enough to not make people spam electric moves willy-nilly too, so Rock Head is a perfectly reasonable choice and in a way running Flare Blitz over Fire Punch makes up for a lack of Atk investment. However, I do think vsomani is correct about the need to be careful around Protean Ninja.