Semi-Official OM Analyses

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
is a Site Content Manageris a Battle Simulator Administratoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Social Media Head
Reserving 1v1 Mega-Gyarados
[QC 2/2]
[GP 1/1]
[Ready]


Overview
Mega Gyarados is a force to be reckoned with in the 1v1 metagame thanks to its immense power, great physical movepool, two useful abilities, and two useful typings. Most of the time, it will set up Dragon Dance on its first turn, allowing it to OHKO the foe. Intimidate allows Gyarados to weaken an opposing physical attacker, while Mold Breaker allows Mega Gyarados to bypass defensive abilities like Multiscale and Sturdy, which could otherwise prevent a KO. Regular Gyarados can capitalize on its few weaknesses to minimize damage taken before Mega Evolving, while Mega Evolving can provide STAB Crunch to break Psychic-types like Deoxys-D and Mega Slowbro. Unfortunately, Mega Gyarados is held back by its lower Speed tier and requires Dragon Dance to boost it. Burns from Pokemon like Mega Sableye also really affect Mega Gyarados's ability to KO and can be especially problematic. Bulky Pokemon that resist Mega Gyarados's STAB moves like Whimisicott can also be dangerous, as Mega Gyarados has trouble fitting in all of the necessary coverage moves it wants into a set.

Standard set
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Def / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall / Outrage
- Crunch / Outrage / Taunt
- Earthquake / Taunt / Waterfall

Moves
Dragon Dance is a necessity on any Mega Gyarados set, as it allows it to overcome its poor Speed and boost its Attack stat to insane levels. Waterfall and Crunch are used as primary STAB attacks with useful secondary effects. Waterfall hits Rock-, Ground-, and Fire-type Pokemon such as Crustle, Rhyperior, and Charizard hard. Crunch hits Psychic-type Pokemon such as Deoxys-D. Outrage is a strong attack that has great coverage against Mega Charizard X and Dragonite. Taunt can be used to stop stall Pokemon like Chansey, Mega Sableye, Deoxys-D, and Whimiscott, assuming they don't Taunt Mega Gyarados first. Earthquake can be used as coverage against Mega Mawile.

Set Details
Mega Gyarados utilizes an Adamant nature and 252 Attack EVs to maximize its damage output. 88 Speed EVs with a neutral nature ensure that after one Dragon Dance, Mega Gyarados outspeeds all fully invested, positive-natured, and unboosted base 100 Speed Pokemon. Mega Gyarados also invests in HP and Defense to allow it to almost always avoid a 2HKO from a Naive Choice Scarf Kyurem-B's Fusion Bolt and a Jolly Mega Charizard X's Outrage. It will also avoid an OHKO from a Mega Charizard Y's Solar Beam.

Usage Tips
Almost always, Mega Gyarados will use Dragon Dance and then attack. A non-boosted attack from Mega Gyarados usually does a decent amount of damage, but Mega Gyarados moves last most of the time and risks being 2HKOed by faster foes. Occasionally, Mega Gyarados wants to hold off Mega Evolving to avoid super effective Fighting- and Fairy-type moves. Sometimes, it will also jump straight into attacking rather than boosting, especially to defeat strong but slow foes like Mega Mawile. Outrage should be picked if Mega Gyarados needs to hit Dragon-types like Mega Charizard X. Taunt should be used when facing stall Pokemon like Deoxys-D and Chansey. Earthquake should be chosen to check Mega Mawile.


Team Options

Mega Mawile is a great teammate that can break through Mega Sableye and Fairy-Type Pokemon like Mega Gardevoir, which can threaten Mega Gyarados. Mega Mawile also appreciates Mega Gyarados's ability to check both Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y. Weakness Policy Aegislash is a great teammate that is able to stop Pokemon like Choice Band Kyurem-B and Choice Specs Porygon-Z. Mega Charizard X is also a good partner, as it is able to avoid Will-O-Wisp, which threatens Mega Gyarados. Mega Charizard Y works as well to threaten bulky Grass-types like Mega Venusaur. Furthermore, they appreciate Mega Gyarados's type advantage over Rock-type Pokemon. Choice Scarf Genesect is a great teammate that can outspeed fast foes, as well as hit Fairy- and Grass-type Pokemon. Genesect also appreciates Mega Gyarados's ability to threaten Fire-type Pokemon like Charizard.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


Substitute is an option to beat slow Pokemon that utilize status and stall Pokemon like Porygon2 and Chansey. Stone Edge can be used to more reliably check Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y.

Checks and Counters

Attack-lowering Moves and Burns: Moves that lower Mega Gyarados's Attack, such as Charm, as well as burns can really pose a problem, as they can hamper Mega Gyarados ability to set up while the foe and burns whittle down its health.

Stall Pokemon: Stall Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Mega Sableye can be really problematic for Mega Gyarados, as it can't outright OHKO them and relies on Taunt to stop them.

Fairy-type Pokemon: Fairy-type Pokemon such as Mega Mawile and Mega Gardevoir are usually very strong and have a high chance to beat Gyarados due to their ability to OHKO it after it Mega Evolves.

Hyper Offensive Choice Pokemon: Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Porygon-Z can take advantage of Choice Band and Choice Specs, respectively, to deal insane amounts of damage to Mega Gyarados.
uploaded! http://www.smogon.com/tiers/om/analyses/1v1/gyarados

mega diancie stabmons
can you get this done soon?

Reserving QC 2/2
please do this soon.
 
Averagemons Wooper [Quality Control 0/1]
Overview

Wooper is one of the metagame's best special walls due to Unaware and an amazing defensive typing with only one weakness in Grass. Its typing also allows it to counter common Pokemon, inculding Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen. However, its weakness to grass is crippling. Some of the Pokemon it is supposed to counter can run Hidden Power Grass to beat Wooper. On top of that, Wooper faces a lot of competition on stall teams from other bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Corsola, as well as facing competition from Unaware Clefable. The reason Wooper is used over Quagsire is that Wooper takes much less damage from Grass Knot.

Special Wall

Wooper @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 Hp / 76 Def / 176 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Encore / Scald

Set Comments

Moves

Recover and Toxic are essential for Wooper to be able to stall out opposing Pokemon. Earth Power allows Wooper to capitalize on its innate ability to counter Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, as well as making Skrelp and Dragalge hesitant to switch in on Wooper. Encore can be used as a way to hinder Substitute users such as Swoobat and can help Wooper's team members set up in preparation for a sweep. Scald can be used instead of Encore, letting Wooper more easily deal with physical attackers. However, this makes him setup fodder for almost any Pokemon with substitute, leaving Scald usually the inferior choice.

Set Details

Unaware is necessary for Wooper to blanket check setup sweepers. The Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from Adamant Primal Groudon's Precipice Blades after Stealth Rock damage, while the Special Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from an itemless Nidoking or Nidoqueen's Hidden Power Grass after Stealth Rock damage. The Speed investment is used for the chance that you can outspeed a threat, which will allow you to more easily wall it.

Usage Tips

Wooper is a fantastic blanket check to setup sweepers and special attackers. However, this means that there will occasionally be multiple Pokemon on the opposing team that are only beaten by Wooper. Because of this, Wooper needs to be kept at full health in most battles. Make sure to avoid status moves as well, as being badly poisoned can easily prevent you from walling threats. You should never leave Wooper in on any Grass-types. Scouting sets on Pokemon such as Nidoking and Nidoqueen is vital for walling them, as some Pokemon can run Grass-type coverage moves to beat Wooper.

Team Options

Pokemon that resist Grass-type attacks such as Skarmory, Ho-Oh, and Foongus pair extremely well with Wooper. Skarmory in particular is a good partner, as it can remove hazards from the field. It is vital to have a cleric on the team, as Wooper is extremely hindered by status. A good example of a cleric is Clefable. Not only does it perform its role as a cleric, it also forms a fantastic Unaware core with Wooper. Between Wooper and Clefable, nearly all setup sweepers are easily walled. Another great partner for Wooper is Mega Sableye, as Magic Bounce allows it to switch in on any Pokemon using a status move. It also has Knock Off, which can weaken opposing Pokemon, making them even easier to wall.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


A physically defensive set can be used to easily wall most Swords Dance users, however Wooper then loses its ability to wall Nidoking and Nidoqueen as well as most other special attackers. Haze and Yawn can both be used to beat Stored Power users. Haze is more reliable, as it bypasses Substitute and works if the opposing Pokemon is already inflicted with a status condition, however Yawn can force switches on Pokemon that aren't setup sweepers as well.

Checks and Counters

Grass-type Attacks: With a 4x weakness to Grass, Wooper fails to take any moderately powerful Grass-type attack, including Grass-type coverage moves such as Hidden Power Grass from a strong offensive Pokemon such as Nidoking or Nidoqueen.

Status Ailments: Status ailments make Wooper much less effective as a wall. Toxic is by far the most threatening status and will force Wooper to switch out, however even burn or poison can make it impossible for Wooper to counter certain threats.

Stored Power: Pokemon that use Stored Power, such as Swoobat or sometimes even Clefable, can effectively bypass Unaware by boosting the base power of the move until it can KO Wooper.
Sorry for taking so long, but this is now ready for QC. AWailOfATail
 

AWailOfATail

viva la darmz
Sorry for taking so long, but this is now ready for QC. AWailOfATail
I think it's worth mentioning that without Scald, Wooper is at risk of a 2HKO from Talonflame:
252+ Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 76 Def Wooper: 199-235 (49.3 - 58.3%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(yes, base stats were changed)

Also, might want to throw in there that a Modest Nidoking/queen has a chance to 2HKO with Rocks and Leftovers (52.3%). Don't think it's as common, but worth mentioning imo: "...to avoid the 2HKO from an itemless, neutral-natured Nidoking or Nidoqueen's..." or something like that.

Those two points are fairly situational, but that's my take on it. You are the other QC member, so this decision is also partially up to you. Also, you mentioned hazards in the "Team Options" section, but they're enough of an issue that it deserves its own "Checks and Counters" section imo, especially if it walls multiple Pokemon on the opposing team and needs to switch in on a regular basis. Other than that, everything looks stellar!
QC 1/1
*insert seal of approval*
 
Grammar Ready [GP 0/1]
Averagemons Wooper
Overview

Wooper is one of the metagame's best special walls due to Unaware and an amazing defensive typing with only one weakness in Grass. Its typing also allows it to counter common Pokemon, inculding Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen. However, its weakness to grass is crippling. Some of the Pokemon it is supposed to counter can run Hidden Power Grass to beat Wooper. On top of that, Wooper faces a lot of competition on stall teams from other bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Corsola, as well as facing competition from Unaware Clefable. The reason Wooper is used over Quagsire is that Wooper takes much less damage from Grass Knot.

Special Wall

Wooper @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 Hp / 76 Def / 176 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Encore / Scald

Set Comments

Moves

Recover and Toxic are essential for Wooper to be able to stall out opposing Pokemon. Earth Power allows Wooper to capitalize on its innate ability to counter Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, as well as making Skrelp and Dragalge hesitant to switch in on Wooper. Encore can be used as a way to hinder Substitute users such as Swoobat and can help Wooper's team members set up in preparation for a sweep. Scald can be used instead of Encore, letting Wooper more easily deal with physical attackers. Scald also lets Wooper fare much better against Talonflame. However, this makes him setup fodder for almost any Pokemon with substitute, leaving Scald usually the inferior choice.

Set Details

Unaware is necessary for Wooper to blanket check setup sweepers. The Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from Adamant Primal Groudon's Precipice Blades after Stealth Rock damage, while the Special Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from an itemless, neutral-natured Nidoking or Nidoqueen's Hidden Power Grass after Stealth Rock damage. The Speed investment is used for the chance that you can outspeed a threat, which will allow you to more easily wall it.

Usage Tips

Wooper is a fantastic blanket check to setup sweepers and special attackers. However, this means that there will occasionally be multiple Pokemon on the opposing team that are only beaten by Wooper. Because of this, Wooper needs to be kept at full health in most battles. Make sure to avoid status moves as well, as being badly poisoned can easily prevent you from walling threats. You should never leave Wooper in on any Grass-types. Scouting sets on Pokemon such as Nidoking and Nidoqueen is vital for walling them, as some Pokemon can run Grass-type coverage moves to beat Wooper.

Team Options

Pokemon that resist Grass-type attacks such as Skarmory, Ho-Oh, and Foongus pair extremely well with Wooper. Skarmory in particular is a good partner, as it can remove hazards from the field. It is vital to have a cleric on the team, as Wooper is extremely hindered by status. A good example of a cleric is Clefable. Not only does it perform its role as a cleric, it also forms a fantastic Unaware core with Wooper. Between Wooper and Clefable, nearly all setup sweepers are easily walled. Another great partner for Wooper is Mega Sableye, as Magic Bounce allows it to switch in on any Pokemon using a status move. It also has Knock Off, which can weaken opposing Pokemon, making them even easier to wall.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


A physically defensive set can be used to easily wall most Swords Dance users, however Wooper then loses its ability to wall Nidoking and Nidoqueen as well as most other special attackers. Haze and Yawn can both be used to beat Stored Power users. Haze is more reliable, as it bypasses Substitute and works if the opposing Pokemon is already inflicted with a status condition, however Yawn can force switches on Pokemon that aren't setup sweepers as well.

Checks and Counters

Grass-type Attacks: With a 4x weakness to Grass, Wooper fails to take any moderately powerful Grass-type attack, including Grass-type coverage moves such as Hidden Power Grass from a strong offensive Pokemon such as Nidoking or Nidoqueen.

Status Ailments: Status ailments make Wooper much less effective as a wall. Toxic is by far the most threatening status and will force Wooper to switch out, however even burn or poison can make it impossible for Wooper to counter certain threats.

Stored Power: Pokemon that use Stored Power, such as Swoobat or sometimes even Clefable, can effectively bypass Unaware by boosting the base power of the move until it can KO Wooper.

Hazards: Hazards, especially Spikes and Toxic Spikes, make it much harder for Wooper to switch in on threats, as Wooper needs to be kept at full health to beat Pokemon such as Primal Groudon.
Ready for GP check
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
Deathly ♛The King
Overview

Wooper is one of the metagame's best special walls due to Unaware and an amazing defensive typing with only one weakness in to Grass. Its typing also allows it to counter common Pokemon, inculding Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen. However, its weakness to Grass is crippling. Some of the Pokemon it is supposed to counter can run Hidden Power Grass to beat Wooper. On top of that, Wooper faces a lot of competition on stall teams from other bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Corsola, as well as facing competition from Unaware Clefable. The reason Wooper is used over Quagsire is that Wooper takes much less damage from Grass Knot.

Special Wall

Wooper @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 76 Def / 176 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover Earth Power
- Earth Power Recover (either do this or fix the order of the moves' mention below, they should be in the same order as this)
- Toxic
- Encore / Scald

Set Comments

Moves

Earth Power allows Wooper to capitalize on its useful ability to counter Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, as well as making Skrelp and Dragalge hesitant to switch in on Wooper.
Recover and Toxic are essential for Wooper to be able to stall out opposing Pokemon. Earth Power allows Wooper to capitalize on its innate ability to counter Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, as well as making Skrelp and Dragalge hesitant to switch in on Wooper. In the last slot, (comma) Encore can be used as a way to hinder Substitute users such as Swoobat and can help Wooper's team members set up in preparation for a sweep. Scald can be used instead of Encore, letting Wooper more easily deal with physical attackers. Scald also lets Wooper fare much better against Talonflame. However, this makes him it setup fodder for almost any Pokemon with Substitute, leaving Scald usually the inferior choice.

Set Details

Unaware is necessary for Wooper to blanket check setup sweepers. The Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from Adamant Primal Groudon's Precipice Blades after Stealth Rock damage, while and the Special Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from an itemless, neutral-natured Nidoking or Nidoqueen's Hidden Power Grass after Stealth Rock damage. The Speed investment is used for the chance that you can outspeed a threat, which will allow you to more easily wall it. (like?)

Usage Tips

Wooper is a fantastic blanket check to setup sweepers and special attackers. However, this means that there will occasionally be multiple Pokemon on the opposing team that are only beaten by Wooper. Because of this, Wooper needs to be kept at full health in most battles. Make sure to avoid status moves as well, as being badly poisoned can easily prevent you Wooper from walling threats. You should never leave Wooper in on any Grass-types due to its 4x weakness to Grass. (pretty obvious but you still need to explain why) Scouting sets on Pokemon such as Nidoking and Nidoqueen is vital for walling them, as some Pokemon can run Grass-type coverage moves to beat Wooper.

Team Options

Pokemon that resist Grass-type attacks such as Skarmory, Ho-Oh, and Foongus pair extremely well with Wooper. Skarmory in particular is a good partner, as it can remove entry hazards from the field. It is vital to have a cleric on the team, as Wooper is extremely hindered by status. A good example of a cleric is Clefable. Not only does it perform its role as a cleric, it also forms a fantastic Unaware core with Wooper. Between Wooper and Clefable, nearly all setup sweepers are easily walled. Another great partner for Wooper is Mega Sableye, as Magic Bounce allows it Mega Sableye to switch in on any Pokemon using a status move. It also has Knock Off, which can weaken opposing Pokemon, making them even easier to wall.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


A physically defensive set can be used to easily wall most Swords Dance users; (semicolon) however, (comma) Wooper then loses its ability to wall Nidoking, (comma) and Nidoqueen, (comma) and as well as most other special attackers. Haze and Yawn can both be used to beat Stored Power users. Haze is more reliable, as it bypasses Substitute and works if the opposing Pokemon is already inflicted with a status condition; (semicolon) however, (comma) Yawn can force switches on Pokemon that aren't setup sweepers as well.

Checks and Counters

Grass-type Attacks: With a 4x weakness to Grass, Wooper fails to take any moderately powerful Grass-type attack, including Grass-type coverage moves such as Hidden Power Grass from a strong offensive Pokemon such as Nidoking or Nidoqueen.

Status Ailments: Status ailments make Wooper much less effective as a wall. Toxic is by far the most threatening status and will force Wooper to switch out; (semicolon) however, (comma) even burns or poison can make it impossible for Wooper to counter certain threats.

Stored Power: Pokemon that use Stored Power, such as Swoobat or sometimes even Clefable, can effectively bypass Unaware by boosting the Base Power of the move until it the foe can KO Wooper.

Entry Hazards: Hazards, especially Spikes and Toxic Spikes, make it much harder for Wooper to switch in on threats, as Wooper needs to be kept at full health to beat Pokemon such as Primal Groudon.
Very well-written, this made it much easier for me to check it; good job! Let me know if you have any questions about my edits. GP 1/1 :)
 
Last edited:
Rhythms Averagmons Wooper is ready for upload!
Ready For Upload
Averagemons Wooper
Overview

Wooper is one of the metagame's best special walls due to Unaware and an amazing defensive typing with only one weakness to Grass. Its typing also allows it to counter common Pokemon, inculding Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen. However, its weakness to Grass is crippling. Some of the Pokemon it is supposed to counter can run Hidden Power Grass to beat Wooper. On top of that, Wooper faces a lot of competition on stall teams from other bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Corsola, as well as from Unaware Clefable. The reason Wooper is used over Quagsire is that Wooper takes much less damage from Grass Knot.

Special Wall

Wooper @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 76 Def / 176 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Toxic
- Encore / Scald

Set Comments

Moves

Earth Power allows Wooper to capitalize on its useful ability to counter Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, as well as making Skrelp and Dragalge hesitant to switch in on Wooper. Recover and Toxic are essential for Wooper to be able to stall out opposing Pokemon. In the last slot, Encore can be used as a way to hinder Substitute users such as Swoobat and can help Wooper's team members set up in preparation for a sweep. Scald can be used instead of Encore, letting Wooper more easily deal with physical attackers. Scald also lets Wooper fare much better against Talonflame. However, this makes it setup fodder for almost any Pokemon with Substitute, leaving Scald usually the inferior choice.

Set Details

Unaware is necessary for Wooper to blanket check setup sweepers. The Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from Adamant Primal Groudon's Precipice Blades after Stealth Rock damage, and the Special Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from an itemless, neutral-natured Nidoking or Nidoqueen's Hidden Power Grass after Stealth Rock damage. The Speed investment is used for the chance that you can outspeed a threat, which will allow you to more easily wall it.

Usage Tips

Wooper is a fantastic blanket check to setup sweepers and special attackers. However, this means that there will occasionally be multiple Pokemon on the opposing team that are only beaten by Wooper. Because of this, Wooper needs to be kept at full health in most battles. Make sure to avoid status as well, as being badly poisoned can easily prevent Wooper from walling threats. You should never leave Wooper in on any Grass-types due to its 4x weakness to Grass. Scouting sets on Pokemon such as Nidoking and Nidoqueen is vital for walling them, as some Pokemon can run Grass-type coverage to beat Wooper.

Team Options

Pokemon that resist Grass-type attacks such as Skarmory, Ho-Oh, and Foongus pair extremely well with Wooper. Skarmory in particular is a good partner, as it can remove entry hazards from the field. It is vital to have a cleric on the team, as Wooper is extremely hindered by status. A good example of a cleric is Clefable. Not only does it perform its role as a cleric, it also forms a fantastic Unaware core with Wooper. Between Wooper and Clefable, nearly all setup sweepers are easily walled. Another great partner for Wooper is Mega Sableye, as Magic Bounce allows Mega Sableye to switch in on any Pokemon using a status move. It also has Knock Off, which can weaken opposing Pokemon, making them even easier to wall.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


A physically defensive set can be used to easily wall most Swords Dance users; however, Wooper then loses its ability to wall Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and most other special attackers. Haze and Yawn can be used to beat Stored Power users. Haze is more reliable, as it bypasses Substitute and works if the opposing Pokemon is already inflicted with a status condition; however, Yawn can force switches on Pokemon that aren't setup sweepers as well.

Checks and Counters

Grass-type Attacks: With a 4x weakness to Grass, Wooper fails to take any moderately powerful Grass-type attack from a strong offensive Pokemon such as Nidoking or Nidoqueen.

Status Ailments: Status ailments make Wooper much less effective as a wall. Toxic is by far the most threatening status and will force Wooper to switch out; however, even burns or poison can make it impossible for Wooper to counter certain threats.

Stored Power: Pokemon that use Stored Power, such as Swoobat or sometimes even Clefable, can effectively bypass Unaware by boosting the Base Power of the move until the foe can KO Wooper.

Entry Hazards: Hazards, especially Spikes and Toxic Spikes, make it much harder for Wooper to switch in on threats, as Wooper needs to be kept at full health to beat Pokemon such as Primal Groudon.
 

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
is a Site Content Manageris a Battle Simulator Administratoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Social Media Head
Ready For Upload
Averagemons Wooper
Overview

Wooper is one of the metagame's best special walls due to Unaware and an amazing defensive typing with only one weakness to Grass. Its typing also allows it to counter common Pokemon, inculding Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen. However, its weakness to Grass is crippling. Some of the Pokemon it is supposed to counter can run Hidden Power Grass to beat Wooper. On top of that, Wooper faces a lot of competition on stall teams from other bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Corsola, as well as from Unaware Clefable. The reason Wooper is used over Quagsire is that Wooper takes much less damage from Grass Knot.

Special Wall

Wooper @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 76 Def / 176 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Toxic
- Encore / Scald

Set Comments

Moves

Earth Power allows Wooper to capitalize on its useful ability to counter Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, as well as making Skrelp and Dragalge hesitant to switch in on Wooper. Recover and Toxic are essential for Wooper to be able to stall out opposing Pokemon. In the last slot, Encore can be used as a way to hinder Substitute users such as Swoobat and can help Wooper's team members set up in preparation for a sweep. Scald can be used instead of Encore, letting Wooper more easily deal with physical attackers. Scald also lets Wooper fare much better against Talonflame. However, this makes it setup fodder for almost any Pokemon with Substitute, leaving Scald usually the inferior choice.

Set Details

Unaware is necessary for Wooper to blanket check setup sweepers. The Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from Adamant Primal Groudon's Precipice Blades after Stealth Rock damage, and the Special Defense investment allows Wooper to avoid the 2HKO from an itemless, neutral-natured Nidoking or Nidoqueen's Hidden Power Grass after Stealth Rock damage. The Speed investment is used for the chance that you can outspeed a threat, which will allow you to more easily wall it.

Usage Tips

Wooper is a fantastic blanket check to setup sweepers and special attackers. However, this means that there will occasionally be multiple Pokemon on the opposing team that are only beaten by Wooper. Because of this, Wooper needs to be kept at full health in most battles. Make sure to avoid status as well, as being badly poisoned can easily prevent Wooper from walling threats. You should never leave Wooper in on any Grass-types due to its 4x weakness to Grass. Scouting sets on Pokemon such as Nidoking and Nidoqueen is vital for walling them, as some Pokemon can run Grass-type coverage to beat Wooper.

Team Options

Pokemon that resist Grass-type attacks such as Skarmory, Ho-Oh, and Foongus pair extremely well with Wooper. Skarmory in particular is a good partner, as it can remove entry hazards from the field. It is vital to have a cleric on the team, as Wooper is extremely hindered by status. A good example of a cleric is Clefable. Not only does it perform its role as a cleric, it also forms a fantastic Unaware core with Wooper. Between Wooper and Clefable, nearly all setup sweepers are easily walled. Another great partner for Wooper is Mega Sableye, as Magic Bounce allows Mega Sableye to switch in on any Pokemon using a status move. It also has Knock Off, which can weaken opposing Pokemon, making them even easier to wall.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


A physically defensive set can be used to easily wall most Swords Dance users; however, Wooper then loses its ability to wall Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and most other special attackers. Haze and Yawn can be used to beat Stored Power users. Haze is more reliable, as it bypasses Substitute and works if the opposing Pokemon is already inflicted with a status condition; however, Yawn can force switches on Pokemon that aren't setup sweepers as well.

Checks and Counters

Grass-type Attacks: With a 4x weakness to Grass, Wooper fails to take any moderately powerful Grass-type attack from a strong offensive Pokemon such as Nidoking or Nidoqueen.

Status Ailments: Status ailments make Wooper much less effective as a wall. Toxic is by far the most threatening status and will force Wooper to switch out; however, even burns or poison can make it impossible for Wooper to counter certain threats.

Stored Power: Pokemon that use Stored Power, such as Swoobat or sometimes even Clefable, can effectively bypass Unaware by boosting the Base Power of the move until the foe can KO Wooper.

Entry Hazards: Hazards, especially Spikes and Toxic Spikes, make it much harder for Wooper to switch in on threats, as Wooper needs to be kept at full health to beat Pokemon such as Primal Groudon.
http://www.smogon.com/tiers/om/analyses/averagemons/wooper bop
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
Overview

Generalize what the Pokemon does in the metagame and as a whole and why you should or shouldn't consider using it on your teams.

[SET NAME]
Beedrill @ Beedrillite
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- U-Turn
- Poison Jab
- Knock Off / Drill Run


Set Comments

Moves

  • Protect allows beedrill to safely mega evolve without taking damage, meaning it jumps speed tiers safely. Also allows it to block Fake Out from Mega Lopunny / Mega Medicham
  • U-turn is a damage dealing free switch move that means Mega Beedrill can still damage the opponent and not tak
Set Details

Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.

Usage Tips

Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.

Team Options

Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.

Checks and Counters

[INSERT THREAT HERE]: Describe why the Pokemon/playstyle/etc is a threat.


Reserving [inverse] Beedrill-M As well as praising rhythms for making this
mega diancie stabmons
[Quality Control 0/2]
[1v1] Porygon-Z
{Completed PZ sets 2/3}
I hate doing standard sets and work, but it seems only I know how to treat my bae right <3

Overview

Porygon-Z is one of the more versatile Pokemon of the 1v1 meta, its typing being walled only by Rock, Steel, and Ghost, which are either rare, or frail enough specially for Porygon-Z to OHKO them with its raw power. With its wide variety of viable moves alongside stats that get the job done, Porygon-Z manages to threaten a vast majority of the entire meta. Statwise, Porygon-Z has monstrously high Special Attack, backed up with relatively good Speed, with everything else being pretty lackluster. Due to the fact that its Speed doesn't allow it to act before many common threats of 1v1, Porygon-Z commonly likes to use a Choice Scarf so it can do just that, its speed becoming high enough to outpace both Charizard Mega Evolutions, Greninja, Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, and more, safely either OHKO-ing or 2HKO-ing them. That being said, though, there are Pokemon that are faster than it, and can run Choice Scarf as well, and since Porygon-Z's bulk isn't that great, it usually needs either the defensive investment necessary to withstand an attack or its second most common set, involving a Custap Berry paired with the move Endure so that Porygon-Z can withstand an attack from the opponent and then attack first on the next turn thanks to its Custap Berry, giving it similar, if not even wider coverage capability than wielding a Scarf. Unfortunately, there will always be things that generally have the upper hand against most Porygon-Z sets, all of which being either Pokemon that resist Porygon-Z's type, such as Mawile, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Aggron, and other Rock, Steel, or Ghost types or Pokemon that are just generally bulky specially, such as Meloetta, Dragonite, and more. That being said, Porygon-Z is still, in fact, capable of taking on most of these threats through sacrificing any means of attacking before speedy opponents by choosing to wield the Choice Specs, an item that makes Porygon-Z so powerful, that it can take on most of its threats that it can either withstand an attack from or outspeed in a single attack.

[Choice Scarf]

Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe or EVs: 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Uproar


Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best move for Porygon-Z to use, since in combination with its Choice Scarf allowing it to outspeed most things, this move alone blanket checks a vast majority of all Pokemon that don't have enough bulk to withstand being hit by it. Thunderbolt doesn't serve as general of a purpose as Hyper Beam, but it instead allows Porygon-Z to safely 2HKO non-bulky Gyarados-Mega, as well as OHKO Greninja, or 2HKO if Greninja tries to PP stall Porygon-Z by using Shadow Sneak. Trick makes Porygon-Z capable of taking down many stall-oriented Pokemon by locking them into using only one move with its Choice Scarf, such as Chansey, Togekiss, and other less common threats. Uproar is generally a superior move to the common Tri-Attack, as it's more powerful, goes through Substitute, and blocks opponents from using Sleep-inducing moves of any kind.

Set Details

The Timid spread is mainly used for people that are intimidated by Mega Alakazam or other Porygon-Z users, otherwise the Modest spread is universally more viable, seeing as Mega Alakazam is a rarity these days, and that you ideally want to take away any 50/50 chances from your teams, rather than adding on to them. The Modest spread is built for the express purpose of being capable of withstanding a neutral natured Kyurem's Outrage more than 4 times out of 5, while also OHKO-ing back with Hyper Beam over 4 times out of 5. The Speed has exactly enough Effort Values for Porygon-Z to outspeed a Jolly Mega Lopunny, since that is the highest speed a viable 1v1 Pokemon has without being a scarf of its own. Thankfully, losing out on a solid chunk of its EVs for Special Attack doesn't really affect it too heavily, only really reducing the chances of OHKO-ing bulky Charizard-Y and Mega Gardevoir.

Usage Tips

There isn't really too much to learn when it comes to the usual Scarf Porygon-Z set, most of the time you just click Hyper Beam and win. That being said, there are a handful of situations where Hyper Beam would not be the ideal move to use, such as when you're against Gyarados; Mega Gyarados has the raw Special bulk to shrug off a Hyper Beam, allowing it to 2HKO Porygon-Z, and as such, Thunderbolt or Uproar come in handy (Adaptability makes Uproar equal to a 2x effective Thunderbolt), either move being capable of 2HKO-ing Gyarados while Gyarados cannot OHKO in return without using Dragon Dance, but, unfortunately for Gyarados, it is still slower than Porygon-Z after a Dragon Dance thanks to Porygon-Z's Choice Scarf. Additionally, in the event you're faced with Porygon-Z vs Aggron, Thunderbolt is capable of knocking out Aggron in two hits if Aggron uses Metal Burst instead of Head Smash for an easy OHKO.
A common trend among Porygon-Z is the random need to run Ice Beam, when the move is pretty much completely unnecessary, since Hyper Beam already OHKO's Garchomp, and Dragonite withstands an Ice Beam, even Whimsicott is more scared of Uproar than Ice Beam, and other than those Pokemon, there is nothing else that is frequent enough in the 1v1 metagame for Ice Beam to warrant any significance.

Team Options

Some of the biggest threats to Porygon-Z are two of the centralizing Steel types, Mawile and Metagross, and as such, Scarfed Porygon-Z likes being backed up by something that can break said Steel types, in particular, Charizard-X. The two pair up so well, that the combination of them manages to cover all the S and A ranks, other than a handful of unique sets.
If you aren't very particular about running specific EV spreads to counteract Scarfed Kyurem-Black, then another option to have in mind would be Rhyperior, who has the raw bulk and power to take on many of the threatening Steel types that threaten Porygon-Z, while also supporting the combination of Charizard-X and Porygon-Z to iron out most of the weaknesses of those two combined as well.
Lastly, if you're not interested in playing mind games with whether or not to have Charizard-X use Substitute against Meloetta, yet another option that assists Scarf Porygon-Z AND does the trick against Meloetta is Mega-Pinsir, who mercilessly OHKO's Meloetta with Giga Impact, while also supporting Porygon-Z against Bulky Charizard-Y, who is capable of surviving a Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and infrequently carries Substitute to make it capable of counteracting Mega Pinsir.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Other than its main moves, Scarfed Porygon-Z is also capable of running various coverage moves that will allow it to defeat other, less common, threats to it, such as Psyshock for Gengar, Hidden Power Fire for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Rest so that way it can safely guarantee that it beats most stall-oriented Pokemon after using Trick, and even going as far as Conversion in tandem with Shadow Ball to counteract Meloetta and other Porygon-Z.

Checks and Counters

Kyurem-Black: Scarfed Kyurem easily OHKO's Porygon-Z with Outrage if it has no bulk investment.
Mega-Mawile: Mawile stands up to a Scarfed Hyper Beam, even with no bulk investment, and easily O/2HKO's with just about anything.
Dragonite: Stands up to anything Scarfed Porygon-Z can throw at it and OHKO's in return with Outrage.
Meloetta: Bulks a Scarfed Hyper Beam and takes out Porygon-Z in 1/2 hits with just about anything.
Rhyperior: Has the Rock typing that gives it the resist against Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and OHKO's in return with Rock Wrecker.
Mega-Metagross: Resists Hyper Beam and 2HKO's in return with STAB moves, or OHKO's with Hammer Arm.


[Custap Berry]
Porygon-Z @ Custap Berry
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Endure
- Nasty Plot
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt or whatever alternative coverage you want/need at the moment


Set Comments

Moves

Seeing as this setup of Porygon-Z relies on the Custap Berry, Endure is a completely necessary move to activate it, while at the same time, also allowing Porygon-Z to gain priority over Pokemon that would have otherwise been faster than it, if it were using a Choice Scarf, such as Choice Scarfed Latios and Kyurem-Black, as well as giving it an edge over Choiced recharge move users, like Meloetta, if they're silly enough to use Hyper Beam, rival Porygon-Z, Slaking, and other similar cases of Endure shenanigans. Nasty Plot gives Porygon-Z the chance to improve the power of its Hyper Beam to even greater lengths than that of Choice Specs Porygon-Z, but at the expense of a turn; all things considered, thanks to its Defense EVs, Porygon-Z is able to withstand a large number of attacks just well enough for Nasty Plot not to go to waste, even going so far as to make it capable of OHKO-ing Chansey. Hyper Beam, as always, never fails to disappoint, and is necessary on just about every Porygon-Z so it can OHKO everything. Porygon-Z's last move slot is variable, since there are no moves that it actually needs in the fourth slot, even Nasty Plot is debatable, and as such, I put Thunderbolt there, since it gives Porygon-Z a safe option for 2HKO-ing Gyarados, while also having a solid chance at 2HKO-ing Aggron.

Set Details

The maxed Defense EVs allows Porygon-Z to withstand an Outrage from a Scarfed Kyurem-Black, as well as having a 70% chance of withstanding a Flare Blitz/Outrage from an Adamant Charizard-X, and even making it capable of going toe-to-toe with Mega Mawile, though Porygon-Z can only win if you're incredibly good at predicting when the opponent isn't going to use Sucker Punch. Otherwise, the SpA EVs work pretty much the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z, being maxed out for the sake of OHKO-ing everything, though you can afford to drop some of them, if there is a specific Pokemon you need to counteract at the moment, otherwise maxed out has the widest general coverage.

Usage Tips

Now, since this is yet another user of Endure + Custap shenanigans, there will always be a lot of predictions going around, specifically once an opponent has learned that you're liable to use the strategy. In particular, if a Charizard-X user has learned that you're a Custap + Endure Porygon-Z, then there's no worry about predictions, since you know he's a Charizard-X user, all you need to do is spam Hyper Beam, even if they use Substitute, since most Charizard-X users just attack straight away instead of using Dragon Dance to secure the Guaranteed OHKO, which in turn, will whittle you down to Custap range, thus allowing you to attack first and wipe them away with Hyper Beam. Secondly, the defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand a +1 attack from Gyarados, meaning that there is no need to use Endure after they've used Dragon Dance once, unless you're not max Defense. Aggron cannot OHKO 252 Defense Porygon-Z unless they're Banded instead of Mega, meaning that Porygon-Z can 2HKO with Thunderbolt, or the combination of Thunderbolt + Hyper Beam, if they decide to Mega Evolve. When you're up against rival Porygon-Z that you know are Scarfed, use Endure; the automatic first instinct of a Scarf Porygon-Z user against another Porygon-Z user is to click Hyper Beam, and as such, Endure negates that; but once you get to fight this opponent again with the same matchup, their usual second instinct is to use Trick, figuring that they'll outsmart you with it, not realizing that now you're Scarfed, while they aren't, thus allowing you to outspeed and OHKO.

Team Options

Unfortunately, Custap Berry Porygon-Z is still threatened by most of the meta-controlling Steel Types, meaning that Charizard-X is, yet again, a viable partner for it, since it does the job well at breaking many Steel Types. In addition, Rhyperior also handles most of the Steel Types that threaten Custap Berry Porygon-Z, sporting the type coverage, and raw stats + ability to stand up to just about any Steel Type. Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z has no fear of Kyurem-Black, this means that you can safely run Banded Garchomp to assist it, since it OHKO's just about all of the highest ranked viable Pokemon that threaten it.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

As mentioned in the move explanations, Thunderbolt is only a secondary move option, since it only provides coverage against a specific selection of Pokemon. Just about all of Custap Berry Porygon-Z's alternative moves are the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z's alternative moves, being Psyshock for Gengar, and Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Ferrothron. That being said, Shadow Ball + Conversion is no longer doable, unless you're willing to sacrifice Nasty Plot. Rest, while still being a usable move to threaten Stall with, isn't quite as viable on Custap Berry Porygon-Z, since it doesn't have the factor of forcing the opponent into being locked into using only one move working with it, that being said, Recover is actually an option for Custap Berry Porygon-Z, if not for anything else, then at least for the sake of counteracting Mawile's attempts at using Sucker Punch, even though it is very realistically possible for Sucker Punch to KO after using a Recover, after Porygon-Z has been hit with a Play Rough, though it definitely still helps.

Checks and Counters

Custap Berry Porygon-Z, while removing offensive threats due to being able to outprioritize them, or withstand their attacks, unfortunately gains defensive threats, due to the lack of Choice-locking with Trick.

Mega Mawile: Still stands up to a Hyper Beam, and usually wins the prediction-fest of Sucker Punch, unless you run Recover.
Deoxys-Defense: Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z can't Choice-lock it with Trick, Deoxys now poses a serious threat to it, either Taunting and Mirror Coating to death, or just PP Stalling.
Dragonite: Unfortunately, 252 Defense EVs are not enough to withstand an Outrage from Dragonite, though you could provide yourself with the HP EVs/Defense boosting Nature necessary to withstand it, if you're that desperate to counteract it.
Meloetta: Still OHKO's Porygon-Z regardless, unless you alter the EVs from Defense to HP or Special Defense, which even then, would only just result in a 50/50 scenario of whether or not they use Hyper Beam.
Mega Pinsir: Has a 2/3 chance of OHKO-ing 252 Defense Porygon-Z with just Jolly Close Combat, and since it runs Protect, it can completely negate Porygon-Z's Custap Berry.
Rhyperior: Though Earthquake is now reduced to little more than a 1/3 chance of OHKO-ing 252 Defense Porygon-Z, Rock Wrecker and Superpower still do the job, meaning that Porygon-Z loses if Superpower, or the battle becomes reduced to whether or not Rhyperior uses Rock Wrecker.
Whimsicott: Since being locked into Uproar isn't good for a non-Choiced Porygon-Z, its only means of handling Whimsicott involve moves that would otherwise only counteract this specific Pokemon.
Mega Gardevoir: Unless Gardevoir is running no HP,Special Defense, OR Speed EVs AND is lacking Protect, Gardevoir either eats up a Hyper Beam, or OHKO's Porygon-Z.
Mega Metagross: Would only lose to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it weren't running either Hammer Arm or Bullet Punch.


Figured I'd at least do one set of the three before going to sleep, let me know if there are any problems.

Finished the second set now, only got Specs left, will make another post to let you guys know once I finish, otherwise, let me know what the correct procedure is.
there's only one OO and C&C per analysis after the final set, and this should've been in bullet points until it received qc 2/2, but since you've done a lot, i wont ask you to rewrite it; please remember this in future
let's get to it then
reserving uhh, Inverse Avalugg, might as well get the fatmons done first

Overview

Generalize what the Pokemon does in the metagame and as a whole and why you should or shouldn't consider using it on your teams.

[SET NAME]
[POKEMON NAME] @ [POKEMON ITEM]
Ability: [ABILITY]
<if necessary, insert happiness/shininess here too if required for the set to work>
EVs: [EV SPREAD]
[NATURE NAME] Nature
<if necessary, insert IVs in here for anything like special attackers/Gyro Ball users, etc>
- [MOVE 1]
- [MOVE 2]
- [MOVE 3]
- [MOVE 4]

(if you couldn't tell, this is the PS! importable's format)

Set Comments

Moves

Describe what the moves on the set do.

Set Details

Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.

Usage Tips

Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.

Team Options

Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.

Checks and Counters

[INSERT THREAT HERE]: Describe why the Pokemon/playstyle/etc is a threat.[/ABILITY]
[ABILITY][/ability]
Reserving mega gardevoir for 1v1
Reserving QC 2/2
[3:03 PM] Rhythms: Mention I gave u permission
[3:03 PM] Rhythms: Copy this log

can you guys please finish your skeleton / QC check? you've had a couple of days / more than a couple of days to get to them and we'd like to get them through qc/gp asap. thanks
 
Last edited:

EV

Banned deucer.
[STABmons] Sylveon

Overview

  • Most defining Pokemon in the metagame atm
  • Fairy is a solid offensive and defensive type in general, hitting common Fighting and Dark Pokemon for SE damage, while tanking those attacks in return
  • Can hit on both physical and special spectrums, often at the same time, making it hard to check
  • Pixilate turns all its Normal moves into Fairy, and it has access to all Normal moves thanks to Eevee, giving it an incredibly diverse movepool
  • Has access to one of the strongest attacks in all of STABmons: Pixilate-boosted Boomburst, with 0 drawbacks
  • Even off a base 65 Attack, Pixilate-boosted FakeSpeed can revenge and KO quite a lot of threats in STABmons (unboosted mega lop, keldeo, weavile are easily dispatched)
  • Has access to Judgment so it can carry any coverage type it wants
  • Has unblockable Rapid Spin for team support
  • Specs set aren't as common but have incredible power
  • Support sets are no slouch either with a strong Boomburst even univested
  • Mixed sets have to sacrifice bulk or Speed
  • Without the right Judgment coverage it struggles with either Heatran or Ferrothorn and Scizor, 3 very common Steel types, unless it carries Hidden Power
  • Even fully invested Atk fails to KO Pokemon of even average bulk, such as Serperior and Aerodactyl if Sylveon lacks a Pixie Plate or LO

Mixed Judgment
Sylveon @ Earth Plate
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 252 Atk / 112 SpA / 144 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Judgment
- Fake Out
- Extreme Speed
- Boomburst

Set Comments

Moves

  • Judgment gives Sylveon Ground coverage to hit most Steels, mainly Heatran
  • Fake Out + Extreme Speed is a strong revenge tactic
  • Boomburst is a powerful special attack that hits many physical walls trying to absorb FakeSpeed

Set Details

  • Pixilate is mandatory so all of Sylveon's Normal attacks turn into STAB Fairy while also getting a boost in power
  • The Earth Plate w/ Judgment OHKOs offensive variants of Heatran that switch-in to take a Boomburst, all others are 2HKO
  • 144 Speed makes Sylveon faster than 0 Speed Heatran so Sylveon can 2HKO with Judgment
  • 252 Lonely make Sylveon's Fake Out + Extreme Speed hit hardest for revenging
  • Remaining EVs go into SpA
  • A Flame Plate can be run over Earth to OHKO Ferrothorn with some prior damage, OHKOs Scizor and Mega Scizor
  • An optional spread of 252 Atk / 252 Spa / 4 SpD, Brave can be used to maximize both attacks while inhibiting Speed

Usage Tips

  • Use FakeSpeed to revenge targets and force switches
  • If you predict a physical wall is coming in, or just want to do as much damage as possible, use Boomburst
  • Use Judgment on predicted Steel-types
  • Don't switch into direct attacks, especially any physical, because it has a -Def nature and no form of recovery

Team Options

  • Anything that can remove Steel-types when Sylveon lacks the right Plate
  • Keldeo and Volcanion can handle Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Scizor but don't like switching into Ferrothorn for fear of status
  • Volc must also watch out for Earth Power
  • Magnezone can trap Ferrothorn and Scizor and remove them for Sylveon
  • Psychic or Flying type to counter Mega Venu/Amoonguss. Tornadus, Talonflame, Meag Pidgeot, Meloetta.

Mono Pixie Plate
Sylveon @ Pixie Plate / Life Orb
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA
+Atk/-Spe (Brave?) Nature
- Fake Out
- Extreme Speed
- Boomburst
- Rapid Spin / Recover

Set Comments

Moves

  • FakeSpeed lets Sylveon revenge common threats such as Keldeo, unboosted Mega Lopunny, Scarf Tar etc
  • Boomburst nails physical walls that want to tank FakeSpeed such as Lando-T
  • Rapid Spin provides utility and is unblockable
  • Recover grants longevity

Set Details

  • Pixilate is mandatory so all of Sylveon's Normal attacks turn into STAB Fairy while also getting a boost in power
  • Pixie Plate is useful because all of Sylveon's attacks are Fairy and it boosts them 20%
  • LO boosts a little bit more at the cost of lost HP
  • Max Attack investment is mandatory so FakeSpeed can revenge as many targets as possible
  • Otherwise Sylveon is very weak
  • 252 EVs are put into SpA so Boomburst does as much as possible
  • The rest are in HP or where ever
  • Speed is lowered because Sylveon relies on priority/switching to do damage and often doesn't need Speed
  • However, 252 Spe and +Atk/-Def nature can be used instead so Sylveon can revenge things like Adamant Ursaring

Usage Tips

  • Use FakeSpeed to revenge foes that have setup or are easy targets (weak to Fairy)
  • If you suspect the foe will switch out, use Extreme Speed instead of Fake Out, as the flinch is no longer relevant
  • Or use Boomburst to deal a ton of damage
  • Rapid Spin on forced switches
  • Try not to switch into direct attacks other than resisted hits as uninvested bulk isn't that good
  • Recover as needed

Team Options

  • Trappers to remove Steel-types are extremely important for this set as it lacks any coverage to deal with them
  • Magnezone/Dugtrio
  • You'll need to remove walls such as Chansey, P2 as well, which Dugtrio can accomplish, or a Fighting type like Terrakion or Mega Lop (which forms a nice FakeSpeed core)
  • Keldeo has great synergy because it can remove Steels for Sylveon while Sylveon removes the Latis
  • A strong Rock-type to remove Fire-types that resist Fairy is usefull
  • Terrakion, Ttar, Aerodactyl
  • Sylveon forces a lot of switches so hazards are helpful
  • Your Rock-type can run SR or bring Spikes Ferrothorn or even Sticky Web Scizor to slow down foes

Choice Specs
Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Boomburst
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power Ground
- Baton Pass

Set Comments

Moves

  • Pixilate Boomburst is one of the most spammable moves in the game with no immunities.
  • It has immense power and can easily 2HKO resists such as Ferrothorn and Scizor
  • Psyshock is mostly only used for Poison-types
  • HP Ground for Heatran
  • Baton Pass keeps up momentum before you can soften up walls for later

Set Details

  • Pixilate is mandatory so all of Sylveon's Normal attacks turn into STAB Fairy while also getting a boost in power
  • Modest and max Special Attack backed up by Choice Specs turn Sylveon into a potent wallbreaker capable of 2hkoing common Fairy resists
  • 252 Speed helps it stay ahead of some slower Pokemon, but 252 HP can be used instead for an increase in overall bulk, as Sylveon is already slow

Usage Tips

  • Spam Boomburst
  • If you predict a Steel-type coming in that's weak to Ground use HP Ground
  • Other Steel types take less from HP Ground than a resisted Boomburst
  • Psyshock should be used for Poison-types (Boomburst is stronger versus Chansey)
  • Baton Pass is helpful for escaping offensive Steels like Scizor, which can Roost off Boomburst damage and threaten Sylveon with Steel STAB

Team Options

  • Trappers such as Magnezone and Dugtrio can remove Scizor, Ferrothorn (in the case of Mag) and Heatran (Dugtrio)
  • A Knock Off user / Fighting type to beat Chansey is appreciated
  • Use Banded Tyranitar, Terrakion, or Mega Lopunny
  • Spikes support is generally more helpful than Rocks to soften Steels
  • Ferrothorn and Garchomp are good Spike setters that can also use Rocks if you prefer
  • Keep hazards off the field as Sylveon needs to be able to switch in/out often
  • Mega Lopunny can also spin, but Starmie and Defog Landorus are better hazard removers

Strategy Comments

Other Options


  • A bulky support set with any combination of Rapid Spin, Heal Bell, Wish+Protect/Recover, Glare, and the move Boomburst can support the team while still having some offensive presence
  • HP can be run alongside Judgment to beat Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Scizor on one set
  • Swords Dance + Extreme Speed
  • Workup
  • Other plates besides Earth/Flame can work but they synergize the best with Fairy. The only other option that helps versus checks is Sky Plate

Checks and Counters

Steel-types: Heatran is probably the most reliable check if Sylveon lacks Ground coverage thanks to its solid all around bulk and SE STAB
  • Ferrothorn is bulkier than Heatran but not as offensively threatening
  • Scizor/Mega has good bulk (when invested) and the best offensive presence of the three
  • Magnezone can work but it's often choiced and is worn down easily

Bulky Poisons: Mega Venu is essentially a hard counter with a full defensive investment, SE STAB, & recovery
  • Amoonguss is nearly as reliable as Mega Venu but will not like taking repeated Fire Judgments unless it has AV
  • Both most be wary of Psyshock

Fire/Flying types: They resist Fairy and both common Judgment types
  • Mega Charizard Y has sun-boosted Blue Flares to threaten Sylveon out plus Oblivion Wing helps mitigate the damage it took switching in
  • A specially defensive Talonflame set can setup on Sylveon while only fearing the 2hko from the Specs set

Specially bulky walls: Chansey can't be 2HKO'd ever and can status/whittle down with Seismic Toss
  • Porygon2 is easily 2hko'd by Specs Boomburst but otherwise can tank any other hit well and retaliate with its own Boomburst or Glare it
 
Last edited:

The Official Glyx

Banned deucer.
[Quality Control 0/2]
[1v1] Porygon-Z
{Completed PZ sets 3/3}
I hate doing standard sets and work, but it seems only I know how to treat my bae right <3

Overview

Porygon-Z is one of the more versatile Pokemon of the 1v1 meta, its typing being walled only by Rock, Steel, and Ghost, which are either rare, or frail enough specially for Porygon-Z to OHKO them with its raw power. With its wide variety of viable moves alongside stats that get the job done, Porygon-Z manages to threaten a vast majority of the entire meta. Statwise, Porygon-Z has monstrously high Special Attack, backed up with relatively good Speed, with everything else being pretty lackluster. Due to the fact that its Speed doesn't allow it to act before many common threats of 1v1, Porygon-Z commonly likes to use a Choice Scarf so it can do just that, its speed becoming high enough to outpace both Charizard Mega Evolutions, Greninja, Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, and more, safely either OHKO-ing or 2HKO-ing them. That being said, though, there are Pokemon that are faster than it, and can run Choice Scarf as well, and since Porygon-Z's bulk isn't that great, it usually needs either the defensive investment necessary to withstand an attack or its second most common set, involving a Custap Berry paired with the move Endure so that Porygon-Z can withstand an attack from the opponent and then attack first on the next turn thanks to its Custap Berry, giving it similar, if not even wider coverage capability than wielding a Scarf. Unfortunately, there will always be things that generally have the upper hand against most Porygon-Z sets, all of which being either Pokemon that resist Porygon-Z's type, such as Mawile, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Aggron, and other Rock, Steel, or Ghost types or Pokemon that are just generally bulky specially, such as Meloetta, Dragonite, and more. That being said, Porygon-Z is still, in fact, capable of taking on most of these threats through sacrificing any means of attacking before speedy opponents by choosing to wield the Choice Specs, an item that makes Porygon-Z so powerful, that it can take on most of its threats that it can either withstand an attack from or outspeed in a single attack.

[Choice Scarf]

Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe or EVs: 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Uproar


Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best move for Porygon-Z to use, since in combination with its Choice Scarf allowing it to outspeed most things, this move alone blanket checks a vast majority of all Pokemon that don't have enough bulk to withstand being hit by it. Thunderbolt doesn't serve as general of a purpose as Hyper Beam, but it instead allows Porygon-Z to safely 2HKO non-bulky Gyarados-Mega, as well as OHKO Greninja, or 2HKO if Greninja tries to PP stall Porygon-Z by using Shadow Sneak. Trick makes Porygon-Z capable of taking down many stall-oriented Pokemon by locking them into using only one move with its Choice Scarf, such as Chansey, Togekiss, and other less common threats. Uproar is generally a superior move to the common Tri-Attack, as it's more powerful, goes through Substitute, and blocks opponents from using Sleep-inducing moves of any kind.

Set Details

The Timid spread is mainly used for people that are intimidated by Mega Alakazam or other Porygon-Z users, otherwise the Modest spread is universally more viable, seeing as Mega Alakazam is a rarity these days, and that you ideally want to take away any 50/50 chances from your teams, rather than adding on to them. The Modest spread is built for the express purpose of being capable of withstanding a neutral natured Kyurem's Outrage more than 4 times out of 5, while also OHKO-ing back with Hyper Beam over 4 times out of 5. The Speed has exactly enough Effort Values for Porygon-Z to outspeed a Jolly Mega Lopunny, since that is the highest speed a viable 1v1 Pokemon has without being a scarf of its own. Thankfully, losing out on a solid chunk of its EVs for Special Attack doesn't really affect it too heavily, only really reducing the chances of OHKO-ing bulky Charizard-Y and Mega Gardevoir.

Usage Tips

There isn't really too much to learn when it comes to the usual Scarf Porygon-Z set, most of the time you just click Hyper Beam and win. That being said, there are a handful of situations where Hyper Beam would not be the ideal move to use, such as when you're against Gyarados; Mega Gyarados has the raw Special bulk to shrug off a Hyper Beam, allowing it to 2HKO Porygon-Z, and as such, Thunderbolt or Uproar come in handy (Adaptability makes Uproar equal to a 2x effective Thunderbolt), either move being capable of 2HKO-ing Gyarados while Gyarados cannot OHKO in return without using Dragon Dance, but, unfortunately for Gyarados, it is still slower than Porygon-Z after a Dragon Dance thanks to Porygon-Z's Choice Scarf. Additionally, in the event you're faced with Porygon-Z vs Aggron, Thunderbolt is capable of knocking out Aggron in two hits if Aggron uses Metal Burst instead of Head Smash for an easy OHKO.
A common trend among Porygon-Z is the random need to run Ice Beam, when the move is pretty much completely unnecessary, since Hyper Beam already OHKO's Garchomp, and Dragonite withstands an Ice Beam, even Whimsicott is more scared of Uproar than Ice Beam, and other than those Pokemon, there is nothing else that is frequent enough in the 1v1 metagame for Ice Beam to warrant any significance.

Team Options

Some of the biggest threats to Porygon-Z are two of the centralizing Steel types, Mawile and Metagross, and as such, Scarfed Porygon-Z likes being backed up by something that can break said Steel types, in particular, Charizard-X. The two pair up so well, that the combination of them manages to cover all the S and A ranks, other than a handful of unique sets.
If you aren't very particular about running specific EV spreads to counteract Scarfed Kyurem-Black, then another option to have in mind would be Rhyperior, who has the raw bulk and power to take on many of the threatening Steel types that threaten Porygon-Z, while also supporting the combination of Charizard-X and Porygon-Z to iron out most of the weaknesses of those two combined as well.
Lastly, if you're not interested in playing mind games with whether or not to have Charizard-X use Substitute against Meloetta, yet another option that assists Scarf Porygon-Z AND does the trick against Meloetta is Mega-Pinsir, who mercilessly OHKO's Meloetta with Giga Impact, while also supporting Porygon-Z against Bulky Charizard-Y, who is capable of surviving a Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and infrequently carries Substitute to make it capable of counteracting Mega Pinsir.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Other than its main moves, Scarfed Porygon-Z is also capable of running various coverage moves that will allow it to defeat other, less common, threats to it, such as Psyshock for Gengar, Hidden Power Fire for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Rest so that way it can safely guarantee that it beats most stall-oriented Pokemon after using Trick, and even going as far as Conversion in tandem with Shadow Ball to counteract Meloetta and other Porygon-Z.

Checks and Counters

Kyurem-Black: Scarfed Kyurem easily OHKO's Porygon-Z with Outrage if it has no bulk investment.
Mega-Mawile: Mawile stands up to a Scarfed Hyper Beam, even with no bulk investment, and easily O/2HKO's with just about anything.
Dragonite: Stands up to anything Scarfed Porygon-Z can throw at it and OHKO's in return with Outrage.
Meloetta: Bulks a Scarfed Hyper Beam and takes out Porygon-Z in 1/2 hits with just about anything.
Rhyperior: Has the Rock typing that gives it the resist against Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and OHKO's in return with Rock Wrecker.
Mega-Metagross: Resists Hyper Beam and 2HKO's in return with STAB moves, or OHKO's with Hammer Arm.


[Custap Berry]
Porygon-Z @ Custap Berry
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Endure
- Nasty Plot
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt or whatever alternative coverage you want/need at the moment


Set Comments

Moves

Seeing as this setup of Porygon-Z relies on the Custap Berry, Endure is a completely necessary move to activate it, while at the same time, also allowing Porygon-Z to gain priority over Pokemon that would have otherwise been faster than it, if it were using a Choice Scarf, such as Choice Scarfed Latios and Kyurem-Black, as well as giving it an edge over Choiced recharge move users, like Meloetta, if they're silly enough to use Hyper Beam, rival Porygon-Z, Slaking, and other similar cases of Endure shenanigans. Nasty Plot gives Porygon-Z the chance to improve the power of its Hyper Beam to even greater lengths than that of Choice Specs Porygon-Z, but at the expense of a turn; all things considered, thanks to its Defense EVs, Porygon-Z is able to withstand a large number of attacks just well enough for Nasty Plot not to go to waste, even going so far as to make it capable of OHKO-ing Chansey. Hyper Beam, as always, never fails to disappoint, and is necessary on just about every Porygon-Z so it can OHKO everything. Porygon-Z's last move slot is variable, since there are no moves that it actually needs in the fourth slot, even Nasty Plot is debatable, and as such, I put Thunderbolt there, since it gives Porygon-Z a safe option for 2HKO-ing Gyarados, while also having a solid chance at 2HKO-ing Aggron.

Set Details

The maxed Defense EVs allows Porygon-Z to withstand an Outrage from a Scarfed Kyurem-Black, as well as having a 70% chance of withstanding a Flare Blitz/Outrage from an Adamant Charizard-X, and even making it capable of going toe-to-toe with Mega Mawile, though Porygon-Z can only win if you're incredibly good at predicting when the opponent isn't going to use Sucker Punch. Otherwise, the SpA EVs work pretty much the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z, being maxed out for the sake of OHKO-ing everything, though you can afford to drop some of them, if there is a specific Pokemon you need to counteract at the moment, otherwise maxed out has the widest general coverage.

Usage Tips

Now, since this is yet another user of Endure + Custap shenanigans, there will always be a lot of predictions going around, specifically once an opponent has learned that you're liable to use the strategy. In particular, if a Charizard-X user has learned that you're a Custap + Endure Porygon-Z, then there's no worry about predictions, since you know he's a Charizard-X user, all you need to do is spam Hyper Beam, even if they use Substitute, since most Charizard-X users just attack straight away instead of using Dragon Dance to secure the Guaranteed OHKO, which in turn, will whittle you down to Custap range, thus allowing you to attack first and wipe them away with Hyper Beam. Secondly, the defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand a +1 attack from Gyarados, meaning that there is no need to use Endure after they've used Dragon Dance once, unless you're not max Defense. Aggron cannot OHKO 252 Defense Porygon-Z unless they're Banded instead of Mega, meaning that Porygon-Z can 2HKO with Thunderbolt, or the combination of Thunderbolt + Hyper Beam, if they decide to Mega Evolve. When you're up against rival Porygon-Z that you know are Scarfed, use Endure; the automatic first instinct of a Scarf Porygon-Z user against another Porygon-Z user is to click Hyper Beam, and as such, Endure negates that; but once you get to fight this opponent again with the same matchup, their usual second instinct is to use Trick, figuring that they'll outsmart you with it, not realizing that now you're Scarfed, while they aren't, thus allowing you to outspeed and OHKO.

Team Options

Unfortunately, Custap Berry Porygon-Z is still threatened by most of the meta-controlling Steel Types, meaning that Charizard-X is, yet again, a viable partner for it, since it does the job well at breaking many Steel Types. In addition, Rhyperior also handles most of the Steel Types that threaten Custap Berry Porygon-Z, sporting the type coverage, and raw stats + ability to stand up to just about any Steel Type. Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z has no fear of Kyurem-Black, this means that you can safely run Banded Garchomp to assist it, since it OHKO's just about all of the highest ranked viable Pokemon that threaten it.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

As mentioned in the move explanations, Thunderbolt is only a secondary move option, since it only provides coverage against a specific selection of Pokemon. Just about all of Custap Berry Porygon-Z's alternative moves are the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z's alternative moves, being Psyshock for Gengar, and Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Ferrothron. That being said, Shadow Ball + Conversion is no longer doable, unless you're willing to sacrifice Nasty Plot. Rest, while still being a usable move to threaten Stall with, isn't quite as viable on Custap Berry Porygon-Z, since it doesn't have the factor of forcing the opponent into being locked into using only one move working with it, that being said, Recover is actually an option for Custap Berry Porygon-Z, if not for anything else, then at least for the sake of counteracting Mawile's attempts at using Sucker Punch, even though it is very realistically possible for Sucker Punch to KO after using a Recover, after Porygon-Z has been hit with a Play Rough, though it definitely still helps.

Checks and Counters

Custap Berry Porygon-Z, while removing offensive threats due to being able to outprioritize them, or withstand their attacks, unfortunately gains defensive threats, due to the lack of Choice-locking with Trick.

Mega Mawile: Still stands up to a Hyper Beam, and usually wins the prediction-fest of Sucker Punch, unless you run Recover.
Deoxys-Defense: Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z can't Choice-lock it with Trick, Deoxys now poses a serious threat to it, either Taunting and Mirror Coating to death, or just PP Stalling.
Dragonite: Unfortunately, 252 Defense EVs are not enough to withstand an Outrage from Dragonite, though you could provide yourself with the HP EVs/Defense boosting Nature necessary to withstand it, if you're that desperate to counteract it.
Meloetta: Still OHKO's Porygon-Z regardless, unless you alter the EVs from Defense to HP or Special Defense, which even then, would only just result in a 50/50 scenario of whether or not they use Hyper Beam.
Mega Pinsir: Has a 2/3 chance of OHKO-ing 252 Defense Porygon-Z with just Jolly Close Combat, and since it runs Protect, it can completely negate Porygon-Z's Custap Berry.
Rhyperior: Though Earthquake is now reduced to little more than a 1/3 chance of OHKO-ing 252 Defense Porygon-Z, Rock Wrecker and Superpower still do the job, meaning that Porygon-Z loses if Superpower, or the battle becomes reduced to whether or not Rhyperior uses Rock Wrecker.
Whimsicott: Since being locked into Uproar isn't good for a non-Choiced Porygon-Z, its only means of handling Whimsicott involve moves that would otherwise only counteract this specific Pokemon.
Mega Gardevoir: Unless Gardevoir is running no HP,Special Defense, OR Speed EVs AND is lacking Protect, Gardevoir either eats up a Hyper Beam, or OHKO's Porygon-Z.
Mega Metagross: Would only lose to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it weren't running either Hammer Arm or Bullet Punch.


[Choice Specs]
Porygon-Z @ Choice Specs
Ability: Download or Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 236 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Hyper Beam
- Uproar
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Fire]/alternative coverage


Set Comments

Moves

As on every Porygon-Z set, Hyper Beam is a necessity to ensure the OHKO's on everything that this Pokemon threatens, in addition to many new ones, such as Mawile, which is either normally OHKO'd by Download Hyper Beam, or has a 2/3 chance of being OHKO'd from Adaptability Hyper Beam, both situations assuming Mawile has 252 EVs in HP; in addition to Mawile, Specs Hyper Beam also threatens 252 HP Rhyperior with very similar chances of being OHKO'd; and on top of that, Adaptability boosted Hyper Beam even OHKO's Meloetta, one of the few threats to Porygon-Z that doesn't rely on type advantages.
On Choice Specs Porygon-Z, Uproar has a little more use than just hitting Whimsicott and other predicted Substitute users; with Adaptability, Uproar is a guaranteed OHKO against Charizard-X, and even a 3/4 chance with Download, assuming the Charizard has no bulk, meaning that Choice Specs Porygon-Z has no fear of Substitute Charizard-X, on the other hand, a Download-boosted Uproar manages to OHKO Kyurem-Black, meaning each ability has their positive gains.
Choice Trick works as well as always, changing very little in coverage when Tricking a Specs vs a Scarf, but still threatening stall equally as well.
Hidden Power Fire takes Thunderbolt's place on this set, since it no longer needs Thunderbolt for handling Gyarados, due to Hyper Beam now being capable of OHKO-ing. Hidden Power Fire is Porygon-Z's coverage move that gives it the widest general coverage, since most of its other coverage options just allow it to beat one or two Pokemon at a time, while Hidden Power Fire grants Porygon-Z coverage against Scizor and Ferrothorn, neither of which are overly common, but used often enough to warrant significance, and more importantly, Mega Mawile, who gets OHKO'd by a Download boosted hit, in the event you don't feel like risking the 10% chance of missing, or the possibility of them running Endure. While on the other hand, if you're using Adaptability, Hidden Power Fire replaces Thunderbolt's role of relatively safely 2HKO-ing Aggron, since it doesn't deal enough damage for Metal Burst to KO back, and Porygon-Z's bulk should allow it to withstand at least a single attack from Aggron, assuming it isn't Banded.

Set Details

Similar to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Choice Specs Porygon-Z is outfitted with a large amount of bulk that makes it capable of standing up to the incredibly common threats of physical Scarf Kyurem-Black, and Charizard-X, but this particular set has a pinch of Speed investment added on for the rare, but still possible event that it manages to use Trick against a Scarf Jirachi or other base 100 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to become faster and 2HKO before Jirachi finishes it off, since Porygon-Z's Defense investment forces Iron Head into the 3HKO range, thankfully, taking away from Porygon-Z's Special Attack doesn't make all that many differences as to what it can and can't KO, but if you like having as much of a KO percentage as possible against a particular Pokemon that you're seeing on the ladder, you can choose to take away from Porygon-Z's Defense instead of Special Attack.

Usage Tips

One of the biggest things to remember when using Choice Specs Porygon-Z is that it generally doesn't have to worry about type disadvantages against most common threats in 1v1, since it's capable of blasting away Mawile, Rhyperior, Aggron, and others just through raw power. One such example would be against Golem, albeit, Golem may not be the most common Pokemon in 1v1, but it still gets used enough for this tip to merit attention; Specs Uproar, regardless of ability, 2HKO's Golem, while Porygon-Z's Defense EVs protect it from being 2HKO'd, unless Golem is packing Superpower, which they generally don't. Specs Uproar even 2HKO's Magnezone, though you'd have to work around a lot of EVs to safely counteract it, since most Magnezone either carry a Custap Berry to 2HKO Porygon-Z, or have Specs of their own to OHKO Porygon-Z.

Team Options

Choice Specs Porygon-Z actually covers a very different field from Scarf Porygon-Z, being more built to threaten many of the things that would threaten Scarf Porygon-Z, meaning that one of the better allies for Specs Porygon-Z would be Scarf Porygon-Z, seeing as the two alone have coverage against all of the S and A ranks combined, as well as threatening a large chunk of the lower ranks.
Alternatively, a Specially biased Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black makes for a nice companion, since it threatens any non-Scarfed Kyurem-Black variants that would have otherwise threatened Specs Porygon-Z, as well as handling things that still have the raw power to OHKO Porygon-Z through its Defense EVs, such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. It doesn't really need the physical side for anything more than coverage moves for Porygon-Z threats with quad weaknesses, such as Charizard-Y and Mega Heracross.
Lastly, for all the threats to Porygon-Z that have the bulk and/or type resistance to stand up to Specs Porygon-Z, there's Whimsicott, acting as a strong anti-stall with Taunt, and being unable to be OHKO'd by most attacks from these types of threats.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

As mentioned earlier, Porygon-Z doesn't really have many options for coverage that beat more than just individual Pokemon, examples being Ice Beam/Blizzard for Dragonite (Ice Beam OHKO's non-bulky, while Blizzard OHKO's all); Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse, which can take on Ghost types that don't beat Porygon-Z as well as OHKO a Metagross if Porygon-Z has Download; Thunder, which is capable of 2HKO-ing a Heatran and +1 Special Defense Sableye, as long as it gets the Download boost; various Hidden Powers for counteracting specific Pokemon that have quad weaknesses to them, if Hyper Beam doesn't do the job; and Rest, just in case Porygon-Z wants to outstall a Pokemon that's been Tricked.

Checks and Counters

Since Choice Specs Porygon-Z doesn't have either speed or priority backing it up like the other two sets, many things that are faster than it can be threatening, particularly on the special side.
Charizard-Y: Outspeeds and OHKO's
Kyurem-Black: Banded/Specs outspeed and OHKO
Porygon-Z: Generally Scarfed to OHKO, but comes to a 50/50 between Tricking or Uproaring against Custap, as well as Speed creep wars
Greninja: Outspeeds and OHKO's
Deoxys-Defense: Is forced to risk the game on whether to boost defenses to survive Hyper Beam, or Taunt to block Porygon-Z from using Trick
Meloetta: Shares the same speed tier as Porygon-Z, meaning the two will often end up trying to outcreep each other
Garchomp: Outspeeds and has a probable chance of OHKO-ing (<60% if Jolly)
Mega Pinsir: Outspeeds and OHKO's
Mega Gardevoir: If speedy or has Protect, outspeeds and OHKO's
Mega Metagross: If speedy, can outspeed and OHKO with Hammer Arm before Porygon-Z gets a chance to Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse


Figured I'd at least do one set of the three before going to sleep, let me know if there are any problems.

Finished the second set now, only got Specs left, will make another post to let you guys know once I finish, otherwise, let me know what the correct procedure is.

Holy balls I'm done :^ I am NOT doing another of these for a while.
I finally finished my one and only analysis that I'll be doing here :O
QC me as you will, just be gentle about criticizing my formatting, since there isn't really much of a formatting template that I'm aware of I just went with copying DEG for the most part.
This post will be deleted either upon command of the owners of this thread or when I get two people to reserve the QC.
 

DEG

The night belongs to you
is a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
God help me.

Overview
Maybe name a few coverage moves, mention sturdy? Other than that looks fine.

[Choice Scarf]

Moves

Looks good.

Set Details

Looks good.

Usage Tips
Looks good, just mention a line of when to not use randomly Porygon-z, ex if u see a sturdy user.

Team Options
Looks good.

[Custap Berry]
I'd slash Dark Pulse with Thunderbolt as only both of these moves should be used on this set.

Moves
If slashing Tbolt/Dark Pulse, I'd change the last lines to reflect it.

Set Details
Looks good.

Usage Tips
Looks good except zard x example, I didn't quiet understand it.

Team Options
Looks good.

[Choice Specs]
Yea here again just pick one coverage move and talk about it, other can go in OO.

Moves
Looks good.

Set Details
Looks good.

Usage Tips
Looks good.

Team Options
Looks good

Other Options

I don't really think recover has a niche here hmm but other looks good.

Checks and Counters
Tbh I'd cut some of these Pokemon to just 4-5 for the sake of uniformity, slapping a lot of Pokemon doesn't look good and some threats such as Kyub, zard x were already to talked about above. Do everything cut out some checks and counters (just like the main one and the ones that beats 2/3 set and say but they have to be wary of [last set])

Do all of the above and you're good to go.
[QC 1 / 2]
 
Last edited:

The Official Glyx

Banned deucer.
I finally finished my one and only analysis that I'll be doing here :O
QC me as you will, just be gentle about criticizing my formatting, since there isn't really much of a formatting template that I'm aware of I just went with copying DEG for the most part.
This post will be deleted either upon command of the owners of this thread or when I get two people to reserve the QC.
Posting because Rhythms tells me I need to so I can get qc #2
 

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
is a Site Content Manageris a Battle Simulator Administratoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Social Media Head
[Quality Control 1/2]
[1v1] Porygon-Z
{Completed PZ sets 3/3}
I hate doing standard sets and work, but it seems only I know how to treat my bae right <3

Overview

Porygon-Z is one of the more versatile Pokemon of the 1v1 meta, its typing being walled only by Rock, Steel, and Ghost, which are either rare, or frail enough specially for Porygon-Z to OHKO them with its raw power. With its wide variety of viable moves alongside stats that get the job done, Porygon-Z manages to threaten a vast majority of the entire meta. Statwise, Porygon-Z has monstrously high Special Attack, backed up with relatively good Speed, with everything else being pretty lackluster. Due to the fact that its Speed doesn't allow it to act before many common threats of 1v1, Porygon-Z commonly likes to use a Choice Scarf so it can do just that, its speed becoming high enough to outpace both Charizard Mega Evolutions, Greninja, Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, and more, safely either OHKO-ing or 2HKO-ing them. That being said, though, there are Pokemon that are faster than it, and can run Choice Scarf as well, and since Porygon-Z's bulk isn't that great, it usually needs either the defensive investment necessary to withstand an attack or its second most common set, involving a Custap Berry paired with the move Endure so that Porygon-Z can withstand an attack from the opponent and then attack first on the next turn thanks to its Custap Berry, giving it similar, if not even wider coverage capability than wielding a Scarf. Unfortunately, there will always be things that generally have the upper hand against most Porygon-Z sets, all of which being either Pokemon that resist Porygon-Z's type, such as Mawile, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Aggron, and other Rock, Steel, or Ghost types or Pokemon that are just generally bulky specially, such as Meloetta, Dragonite, and more. That being said, Porygon-Z is still, in fact, capable of taking on most of these threats through sacrificing any means of attacking before speedy opponents by choosing to wield the Choice Specs, an item that makes Porygon-Z so powerful, that it can take on most of its threats that it can either withstand an attack from or outspeed in a single attack.

[Choice Scarf]

Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe or EVs: 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Uproar


Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best move for Porygon-Z to use, since in combination with its Choice Scarf allowing it to outspeed most things, this move alone blanket checks a vast majority of all Pokemon that don't have enough bulk to withstand being hit by it. Thunderbolt doesn't serve as general of a purpose as Hyper Beam, but it instead allows Porygon-Z to safely 2HKO non-bulky Gyarados-Mega, as well as OHKO Greninja, or 2HKO if Greninja tries to PP stall Porygon-Z by using Shadow Sneak. Trick makes Porygon-Z capable of taking down many stall-oriented Pokemon by locking them into using only one move with its Choice Scarf, such as Chansey, Togekiss, and other less common threats. Uproar is generally a superior move to the common Tri-Attack, as it's more powerful, goes through Substitute, and blocks opponents from using Sleep-inducing moves of any kind.

Set Details

The Timid spread is mainly used for people that are intimidated by Mega Alakazam or other Porygon-Z users, otherwise the Modest spread is universally more viable, seeing as Mega Alakazam is a rarity these days, and that you ideally want to take away any 50/50 chances from your teams, rather than adding on to them. The Modest spread is built for the express purpose of being capable of withstanding a neutral natured Kyurem's Outrage more than 4 times out of 5, while also OHKO-ing back with Hyper Beam over 4 times out of 5. The Speed has exactly enough Effort Values for Porygon-Z to outspeed a Jolly Mega Lopunny, since that is the highest speed a viable 1v1 Pokemon has without being a scarf of its own. Thankfully, losing out on a solid chunk of its EVs for Special Attack doesn't really affect it too heavily, only really reducing the chances of OHKO-ing bulky Charizard-Y and Mega Gardevoir.

Usage Tips

There isn't really too much to learn when it comes to the usual Scarf Porygon-Z set, most of the time you just click Hyper Beam and win. That being said, there are a handful of situations where Hyper Beam would not be the ideal move to use, such as when you're against Gyarados; Mega Gyarados has the raw Special bulk to shrug off a Hyper Beam, allowing it to 2HKO Porygon-Z, and as such, Thunderbolt or Uproar come in handy (Adaptability makes Uproar equal to a 2x effective Thunderbolt), either move being capable of 2HKO-ing Gyarados while Gyarados cannot OHKO in return without using Dragon Dance, but, unfortunately for Gyarados, it is still slower than Porygon-Z after a Dragon Dance thanks to Porygon-Z's Choice Scarf. Additionally, in the event you're faced with Porygon-Z vs Aggron, Thunderbolt is capable of knocking out Aggron in two hits if Aggron uses Metal Burst instead of Head Smash for an easy OHKO.
A common trend among Porygon-Z is the random need to run Ice Beam, when the move is pretty much completely unnecessary, since Hyper Beam already OHKO's Garchomp, and Dragonite withstands an Ice Beam, even Whimsicott is more scared of Uproar than Ice Beam, and other than those Pokemon, there is nothing else that is frequent enough in the 1v1 metagame for Ice Beam to warrant any significance.

Team Options

Some of the biggest threats to Porygon-Z are two of the centralizing Steel types, Mawile and Metagross, and as such, Scarfed Porygon-Z likes being backed up by something that can break said Steel types, in particular, Charizard-X. The two pair up so well, that the combination of them manages to cover all the S and A ranks, other than a handful of unique sets.
If you aren't very particular about running specific EV spreads to counteract Scarfed Kyurem-Black, then another option to have in mind would be Rhyperior, who has the raw bulk and power to take on many of the threatening Steel types that threaten Porygon-Z, while also supporting the combination of Charizard-X and Porygon-Z to iron out most of the weaknesses of those two combined as well.
Lastly, if you're not interested in playing mind games with whether or not to have Charizard-X use Substitute against Meloetta, yet another option that assists Scarf Porygon-Z AND does the trick against Meloetta is Mega-Pinsir, who mercilessly OHKO's Meloetta with Giga Impact, while also supporting Porygon-Z against Bulky Charizard-Y, who is capable of surviving a Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and infrequently carries Substitute to make it capable of counteracting Mega Pinsir.




[Custap Berry]
Porygon-Z @ Custap Berry
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Endure
- Nasty Plot
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt or whatever alternative coverage you want/need at the moment


Set Comments

Moves

Seeing as this setup of Porygon-Z relies on the Custap Berry, Endure is a completely necessary move to activate it, while at the same time, also allowing Porygon-Z to gain priority over Pokemon that would have otherwise been faster than it, if it were using a Choice Scarf, such as Choice Scarfed Latios and Kyurem-Black, as well as giving it an edge over Choiced recharge move users, like Meloetta, if they're silly enough to use Hyper Beam, rival Porygon-Z, Slaking, and other similar cases of Endure shenanigans. Nasty Plot gives Porygon-Z the chance to improve the power of its Hyper Beam to even greater lengths than that of Choice Specs Porygon-Z, but at the expense of a turn; all things considered, thanks to its Defense EVs, Porygon-Z is able to withstand a large number of attacks just well enough for Nasty Plot not to go to waste, even going so far as to make it capable of OHKO-ing Chansey. Hyper Beam, as always, never fails to disappoint, and is necessary on just about every Porygon-Z so it can OHKO everything. Porygon-Z's last move slot is variable, since there are no moves that it actually needs in the fourth slot, even Nasty Plot is debatable, and as such, I put Thunderbolt there, since it gives Porygon-Z a safe option for 2HKO-ing Gyarados, while also having a solid chance at 2HKO-ing Aggron.

Set Details

The maxed Defense EVs allows Porygon-Z to withstand an Outrage from a Scarfed Kyurem-Black, as well as having a 70% chance of withstanding a Flare Blitz/Outrage from an Adamant Charizard-X, and even making it capable of going toe-to-toe with Mega Mawile, though Porygon-Z can only win if you're incredibly good at predicting when the opponent isn't going to use Sucker Punch. Otherwise, the SpA EVs work pretty much the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z, being maxed out for the sake of OHKO-ing everything, though you can afford to drop some of them, if there is a specific Pokemon you need to counteract at the moment, otherwise maxed out has the widest general coverage.

Usage Tips

Now, since this is yet another user of Endure + Custap shenanigans, there will always be a lot of predictions going around, specifically once an opponent has learned that you're liable to use the strategy. In particular, if a Charizard-X user has learned that you're a Custap + Endure Porygon-Z, then there's no worry about predictions, since you know he's a Charizard-X user, all you need to do is spam Hyper Beam, even if they use Substitute, since most Charizard-X users just attack straight away instead of using Dragon Dance to secure the Guaranteed OHKO, which in turn, will whittle you down to Custap range, thus allowing you to attack first and wipe them away with Hyper Beam. Secondly, the defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand a +1 attack from Gyarados, meaning that there is no need to use Endure after they've used Dragon Dance once, unless you're not max Defense. Aggron cannot OHKO 252 Defense Porygon-Z unless they're Banded instead of Mega, meaning that Porygon-Z can 2HKO with Thunderbolt, or the combination of Thunderbolt + Hyper Beam, if they decide to Mega Evolve. When you're up against rival Porygon-Z that you know are Scarfed, use Endure; the automatic first instinct of a Scarf Porygon-Z user against another Porygon-Z user is to click Hyper Beam, and as such, Endure negates that; but once you get to fight this opponent again with the same matchup, their usual second instinct is to use Trick, figuring that they'll outsmart you with it, not realizing that now you're Scarfed, while they aren't, thus allowing you to outspeed and OHKO.

Team Options

Unfortunately, Custap Berry Porygon-Z is still threatened by most of the meta-controlling Steel Types, meaning that Charizard-X is, yet again, a viable partner for it, since it does the job well at breaking many Steel Types. In addition, Rhyperior also handles most of the Steel Types that threaten Custap Berry Porygon-Z, sporting the type coverage, and raw stats + ability to stand up to just about any Steel Type. Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z has no fear of Kyurem-Black, this means that you can safely run Banded Garchomp to assist it, since it OHKO's just about all of the highest ranked viable Pokemon that threaten it.


[Choice Specs]
Porygon-Z @ Choice Specs
Ability: Download or Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 236 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Hyper Beam
- Uproar
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Fire]/alternative coverage


Set Comments

Moves

As on every Porygon-Z set, Hyper Beam is a necessity to ensure the OHKO's on everything that this Pokemon threatens, in addition to many new ones, such as Mawile, which is either normally OHKO'd by Download Hyper Beam, or has a 2/3 chance of being OHKO'd from Adaptability Hyper Beam, both situations assuming Mawile has 252 EVs in HP; in addition to Mawile, Specs Hyper Beam also threatens 252 HP Rhyperior with very similar chances of being OHKO'd; and on top of that, Adaptability boosted Hyper Beam even OHKO's Meloetta, one of the few threats to Porygon-Z that doesn't rely on type advantages.
On Choice Specs Porygon-Z, Uproar has a little more use than just hitting Whimsicott and other predicted Substitute users; with Adaptability, Uproar is a guaranteed OHKO against Charizard-X, and even a 3/4 chance with Download, assuming the Charizard has no bulk, meaning that Choice Specs Porygon-Z has no fear of Substitute Charizard-X, on the other hand, a Download-boosted Uproar manages to OHKO Kyurem-Black, meaning each ability has their positive gains.
Choice Trick works as well as always, changing very little in coverage when Tricking a Specs vs a Scarf, but still threatening stall equally as well.
Hidden Power Fire takes Thunderbolt's place on this set, since it no longer needs Thunderbolt for handling Gyarados, due to Hyper Beam now being capable of OHKO-ing. Hidden Power Fire is Porygon-Z's coverage move that gives it the widest general coverage, since most of its other coverage options just allow it to beat one or two Pokemon at a time, while Hidden Power Fire grants Porygon-Z coverage against Scizor and Ferrothorn, neither of which are overly common, but used often enough to warrant significance, and more importantly, Mega Mawile, who gets OHKO'd by a Download boosted hit, in the event you don't feel like risking the 10% chance of missing, or the possibility of them running Endure. While on the other hand, if you're using Adaptability, Hidden Power Fire replaces Thunderbolt's role of relatively safely 2HKO-ing Aggron, since it doesn't deal enough damage for Metal Burst to KO back, and Porygon-Z's bulk should allow it to withstand at least a single attack from Aggron, assuming it isn't Banded.

Set Details

Similar to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Choice Specs Porygon-Z is outfitted with a large amount of bulk that makes it capable of standing up to the incredibly common threats of physical Scarf Kyurem-Black, and Charizard-X, but this particular set has a pinch of Speed investment added on for the rare, but still possible event that it manages to use Trick against a Scarf Jirachi or other base 100 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to become faster and 2HKO before Jirachi finishes it off, since Porygon-Z's Defense investment forces Iron Head into the 3HKO range, thankfully, taking away from Porygon-Z's Special Attack doesn't make all that many differences as to what it can and can't KO, but if you like having as much of a KO percentage as possible against a particular Pokemon that you're seeing on the ladder, you can choose to take away from Porygon-Z's Defense instead of Special Attack.

Usage Tips

One of the biggest things to remember when using Choice Specs Porygon-Z is that it generally doesn't have to worry about type disadvantages against most common threats in 1v1, since it's capable of blasting away Mawile, Rhyperior, Aggron, and others just through raw power. One such example would be against Golem, albeit, Golem may not be the most common Pokemon in 1v1, but it still gets used enough for this tip to merit attention; Specs Uproar, regardless of ability, 2HKO's Golem, while Porygon-Z's Defense EVs protect it from being 2HKO'd, unless Golem is packing Superpower, which they generally don't. Specs Uproar even 2HKO's Magnezone, though you'd have to work around a lot of EVs to safely counteract it, since most Magnezone either carry a Custap Berry to 2HKO Porygon-Z, or have Specs of their own to OHKO Porygon-Z.

Team Options

Choice Specs Porygon-Z actually covers a very different field from Scarf Porygon-Z, being more built to threaten many of the things that would threaten Scarf Porygon-Z, meaning that one of the better allies for Specs Porygon-Z would be Scarf Porygon-Z, seeing as the two alone have coverage against all of the S and A ranks combined, as well as threatening a large chunk of the lower ranks.
Alternatively, a Specially biased Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black makes for a nice companion, since it threatens any non-Scarfed Kyurem-Black variants that would have otherwise threatened Specs Porygon-Z, as well as handling things that still have the raw power to OHKO Porygon-Z through its Defense EVs, such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. It doesn't really need the physical side for anything more than coverage moves for Porygon-Z threats with quad weaknesses, such as Charizard-Y and Mega Heracross.
Lastly, for all the threats to Porygon-Z that have the bulk and/or type resistance to stand up to Specs Porygon-Z, there's Whimsicott, acting as a strong anti-stall with Taunt, and being unable to be OHKO'd by most attacks from these types of threats.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Other than its main moves, Scarfed Porygon-Z is also capable of running various coverage moves that will allow it to defeat other, less common, threats to it, such as Psyshock for Gengar, Hidden Power Fire for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Rest so that way it can safely guarantee that it beats most stall-oriented Pokemon after using Trick, and even going as far as Conversion in tandem with Shadow Ball to counteract Meloetta and other Porygon-Z.

As mentioned in the move explanations, Thunderbolt is only a secondary move option, since it only provides coverage against a specific selection of Pokemon. Just about all of Custap Berry Porygon-Z's alternative moves are the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z's alternative moves, being Psyshock for Gengar, and Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Ferrothron. That being said, Shadow Ball + Conversion is no longer doable, unless you're willing to sacrifice Nasty Plot. Rest, while still being a usable move to threaten Stall with, isn't quite as viable on Custap Berry Porygon-Z, since it doesn't have the factor of forcing the opponent into being locked into using only one move working with it, that being said, Recover is actually an option for Custap Berry Porygon-Z, if not for anything else, then at least for the sake of counteracting Mawile's attempts at using Sucker Punch, even though it is very realistically possible for Sucker Punch to KO after using a Recover, after Porygon-Z has been hit with a Play Rough, though it definitely still helps.

As mentioned earlier, Porygon-Z doesn't really have many options for coverage that beat more than just individual Pokemon, examples being Ice Beam/Blizzard for Dragonite (Ice Beam OHKO's non-bulky, while Blizzard OHKO's all); Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse, which can take on Ghost types that don't beat Porygon-Z as well as OHKO a Metagross if Porygon-Z has Download; Thunder, which is capable of 2HKO-ing a Heatran and +1 Special Defense Sableye, as long as it gets the Download boost; various Hidden Powers for counteracting specific Pokemon that have quad weaknesses to them, if Hyper Beam doesn't do the job; and Rest, just in case Porygon-Z wants to outstall a Pokemon that's been Tricked.

Checks and Counters

Custap Berry Porygon-Z, while removing offensive threats due to being able to outprioritize them, or withstand their attacks, unfortunately gains defensive threats, due to the lack of Choice-locking with Trick.

Since Choice Specs Porygon-Z doesn't have either speed or priority backing it up like the other two sets, many things that are faster than it can be threatening, particularly on the special side.

Charizard-Y: Outspeeds Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO's it with just about any Fire move, while also being a threat to Custap Berry Porygon-Z once it learns which set it is.
Kyurem-Black: Scarfed Kyurem-Black threatens to OHKO Scarfed Porygon-Z with Outrage if Porygon-Z doesn't have bulk, while Banded/Specs Kyurem-Black threaten Specs Porygon-Z with OHKO-ing it, though it usually loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, unless it can predict right.
Mega Mawile: Tanks a Hyper Beam from Scarf Porygon-Z and 2HKO's Custap Berry Porygon-Z before Porygon-Z can 2HKO it, unless Porygon-Z manages to win the Sucker Punch pp stall mind games.
Porygon-Z: Only really threatens Specs Porygon-Z, since either Scarf or Custap Berry are the more common sets that it runs.
Greninja: Only threatens Specs Porygon-Z, since this set lacks a method of going before Greninja.
Deoxys-Defense: Generally loses to being Choice-Tricked, but can potentially block Specs Porygon-Z out of using Trick with Taunt if it's faster than Porygon-Z. Both Pokemon each end up playing mind games as to who's using which set, as well.
Dragonite: Threatens to OHKO Scarf and Custap Berry Porygon-Z with Banded Outrage/Superpower, while losing to Specs Ice Beam/Blizzard, if it's slower than Specs Porygon-Z.
Meloetta: Meloetta handles Scarf Porygon-Z with ease due to its bulk and power, also being capable of threatening Custap Berry Porygon-Z with the same power, despite losing to Endure if Meloetta uses Hyper Beam. As for Specs Porygon-Z, it only loses to Adaptability Specs Hyper Beam, and ends up in a Speed-creeping war with the Porygon-Z.
Garchomp: Only threatens Specs Porygon-Z with a less than 60% chance of OHKO-ing it with Outrage.
Mega Pinsir: Outspeeds Custap Berry and Specs Porygon-Z and has a very probable chance of OHKO-ing them with Close Combat, and also usually carries Protect to negate Custap Berry Porygon-Z, though it loses to Scarf Porygon-Z in the event that it doesn't have Endure.
Rhyperior: Has the Rock typing that gives it the resist against Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and OHKO's in return with Rock Wrecker.; Though Earthquake is now reduced to little more than a 1/3 chance of OHKO-ing Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Rock Wrecker and Superpower still do the job, meaning that Porygon-Z loses if Rhyperior has Superpower, or the battle becomes reduced to whether or not Rhyperior uses Rock Wrecker.
Whimsicott: Since being locked into Uproar isn't good for a non-Choiced Porygon-Z, Custap Berry Porygon-Z's only means of handling Whimsicott involve moves that would otherwise only counteract this specific Pokemon.
Mega Gardevoir: Outspeeds and OHKO's non-Scarf Porygon-Z with either Hyper Voice or Hyper Beam, but loses to Scarf Porygon-Z if it has no bulk investment, and also loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it lacks Protect, triggers the Custap Berry, and doesn't have the bulk to stand up to a Hyper Beam.
Mega Metagross: Resists Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and 2HKO's in return with STAB moves, or OHKO's with Hammer Arm.; Would only lose to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it weren't running either Hammer Arm or Bullet Punch.; If speedy, it can outspeed Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO with Hammer Arm before Porygon-Z gets a chance to Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse.


Figured I'd at least do one set of the three before going to sleep, let me know if there are any problems.

Finished the second set now, only got Specs left, will make another post to let you guys know once I finish, otherwise, let me know what the correct procedure is.

Holy balls I'm done :^ I am NOT doing another of these EVER.

(Edit: calm down, Sobi)
Akashi DoW Rumplestiltskin Ransei please qc this
 

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
is a Site Content Manageris a Battle Simulator Administratoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Social Media Head
Overview

Generalize what the Pokemon does in the metagame and as a whole and why you should or shouldn't consider using it on your teams.

[SET NAME]
Beedrill @ Beedrillite
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- U-Turn
- Poison Jab
- Knock Off / Drill Run


Set Comments

Moves

  • Protect allows beedrill to safely mega evolve without taking damage, meaning it jumps speed tiers safely. Also allows it to block Fake Out from Mega Lopunny / Mega Medicham
  • U-turn is a damage dealing free switch move that means Mega Beedrill can still damage the opponent and not tak
Set Details

Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.

Usage Tips

Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.

Team Options

Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.

Checks and Counters

[INSERT THREAT HERE]: Describe why the Pokemon/playstyle/etc is a threat.


Reserving [inverse] Beedrill-M As well as praising rhythms for making this
finish this please

Reserving baecanion [AAA]

Overview

- Good Offensive Typing
- Great spammable move in Steam Eruption
- Combined with great SpA stat
- Large enough attack stat and solid movepool for mixed set
- Good natural bulk makes it difficult to ohko and revenge kill
- Slow for an offensive threat
- Weak to Stealth Rocks
- Attacks can be predictable

Choice Specs Wallbreaker
Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature

- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Scald
- Will-o-Wisp / Focus Blast / Sludge Wave

Set Comments

Moves

- Steam Eruption is Volcanion's best move. It provides an extremely powerful STAB attack with solid accuracy as well as a 30% chance to burn the foe.
- Fire Blast provides another strong STAB option for Volcanion
- Scald is a safer option when Steam Eruption is unnecessary, whether to ensure the move hits or to save valuable Steam Eruption pp.
- Due to Tinted Lens, Volcanion almost never uses its fourth move. Will-o-Wisp is a decent option to burn checks like Chansey or RegenVest Meloetta and Manaphy. Focus Blast can hit opponents with immunities and resists to Volcanion's STABs, such as Flash Fire Ferrothorn. Sludge Wave can hit the rare bulky Fairy type foe in AAA, such as Sylveon.
Set Details

- SpA EVs, Modest Nature, and Choice Specs all maximize the power of Volcanion
- Speed EVs to outspeed most defensive foes
- Tinted Lens allows Volcanion to plow through most would-be checks, and it pairs perfectly with Choice Specs

Usage Tips
- Use Steam Eruption whenever you can, unless the opponent has an immunity
- Use a slow teammate's Volt Switch or U-Turn to get Volcanion safely into play to threaten the opponent
- Weaken checks with other special attackers as well as hazards before sending Volcanion into play

Team Options

- Special Attackers with Knock Off, such as Thundurus and Manaphy, are great teammates as they can lure in special defensive walls such as Chansey and RegenVest users, and then significantly weaken their spdef
- Zapdos provides a ground immunity, hazard removal and a slow Volt Switch/U-Turn
- Diancie can provide a check for Gale Wings users that threaten Volcanion, and it appreciates Volcanion's pressure on the opponent's Steel type team members.

Adaptability Mixed Attacker
Volcanion @ Choice Scarf / Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Flare Blitz
- Focus Blast / Earth Power

Set Comments

Moves

- Steam Eruption is Volcanion's best move. It provides a strong, accurate STAB with a 30% chance to burn.
- Fire Blast is Volcanion's alternate STAB move that provides great coverage in tandem with Steam Eruption.
- Flare Blitz provides a powerful physical STAB option to surprise and defeat many checks designed for Volcanion's special attacks, such as RegenVest Meloetta.
- Focus Blast provides coverage for foes with an immunity to Volcanion's STAB such as Flash Fire Ferrothorn and Desolate Land Heatran.
- Earth Power more reliably hits Heatran, at the cost of easily defeating Ferrothorn. Focus Blast is thus the preferred option unless Volcanion's teammates can easily defeat Ferrothorn.

Set Details

The EVs are set to maximize Volcanion's special attack and speed; combined with a Choice Scarf Volcanion outspeeds and OHKO foes like Raikou, Thundurus, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar. The Naughty Nature gives Volcanion max speed, while still provided it with strong special attacking stat, as well as a decent attacking stat. Adaptability further increases the power of Volcanion's STABs, making it a devestating attacker. Life Orb is another option to further increase Volcanion's damage output. However, Volcanion's slow speed leaves it vulnerable to fast attackers like Thundurus, and the Life Orb set is often outclassed by Choice Specs Tinted Lens. That said, a Life Orb mixed Adaptability set is devastating against stall.

Usage Tips

- Volcanion should be played aggresively. If often surprises foes with its Choice Scarf to OHKO them.
- It is better to avoid bringing it in directly on a offensive foe that would outspeed Volcanion if it did not have a Choice Scarf, as you can make your item obvious.
- To expand, leading with Volcanion against a predicted offensive opponent's lead can provide you with a great starting matchup.
- Pivot Volcanion in against defensive opponents with U-Turn and Volt Switch.
- If you can predict remove a special defensive check like Meloetta and defeat it with Flare Blitz, Choice Scarf Steam Eruption will often plow through the opponent's remaining team.

Team Options

- Special Attackers with Knock Off, such as Thundurus and Manaphy, are great teammates as they can lure in special defensive walls such as Chansey and RegenVest users, and then significantly weaken their spdef
- Zapdos provides a ground immunity, hazard removal and a slow Volt Switch/U-Turn
- Diancie can provide a check for Gale Wings users that threaten Volcanion, and it appreciates Volcanion's pressure on the opponent's Steel type team members.
- Magnet Pull Infernape is able to trap and defeat steel typed Volcanion checks such as Ferrothorn and Heatran.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


- Motor Drive can surprise threats like Thundurus to give Volcanion an advantage.
- Swift Swim makes Volcanion a devastating fast attacker on rain teams.
- Magnet Pull seems appealing at first, but is generally outclassed by Heatran and Infernape
- Regenerator can make use of Volcanion's natural bulk to improve its longevity at the cost of power.

Checks and Counters

Special Defensive Walls: Volcanion has a tough time breaking walls like Chansey as well as RegenVest users like Meloetta and Manaphy. These checks can also hinder Volcanion's effectiveness with status or Knock Off, or pivot out.

Bulky Water Types: With a resistance to both of Volcanion's STABs, bulky waters such as Poison Heal Suicune and Manaphy have the stats to check even the Tinted Lens set.

Fast Electric Types: Thundurus and Raikou can outspeed Volcanion without a Choice Scarf and OHKO it easily.
LaxLapras implement motherlove's qc check if you havent already

[Quality Control 1/2]
[1v1] Meloetta

Also how does usage tips work for 1v1? Everything I'd say would be so obvious.

Overview


Meloetta is a reckoning force in 1v1 thanks to a mix of handful factors. Its typing in Normal/Psychic gives it only 2 weaknesses which is neat in the metagame. Alongside its typing Meloetta is gifted with great bulk allowing it to sponge hits from common attackers such as Kyurem-B, Mega Charizard X, and Garchomp. But its true power doesn't lay only in its defensive capabilities but in its offensive traits also, Meloetta also has great Special Attack which with the help of Choice Specs is able to OHKO a number of threats in the metagame with Hyper Beam. Combine that with great coverage moves and you have an amazing specially offensive Pokemon. But that power doesn't come at the cost of nothing, Meloetta's strongest attacking move Hyper Beam is a rechargeable move meaning you if you miss the OHKO there's a very high chance you're losing the battle since there will be an extra turn wasted. Even though it has the bulk, Meloetta still loses to most hyper offensive Pokemon such as Choice Banded Garchomp, Choice Specs Porygon-Z, and Mega Mawile which are able to outseed or tank Meloetta's moves and OHKO. As a specially offensive Pokemon it also has trouble getting past specially defensive Pokemon.

[Choice Specs]
Meloetta @ Choice Specs
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 236 SpA / 24 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Psyshock
- Psyshock / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
- Trick

Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best STAB move for Meloetta with 150 base power allowing it to nail the OHKO on most Pokemon that doesn't resist it or aren't specially defensive such as Kyurem-B, both Mega Charizard X and Y, and Mega Sowbro. Shadow Balls allowed Meloetta to notably hit Ghost-types that are immune to Hyper Beam more importantly Aegislash. Energy Ball is another coverage move allowing Meloetta to hit Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types Pokemon super effectively notably Mega Swampert, Mega Slowbro, Rhyperior. If needing a way to get through specially defensive Pokemon Psyshock can be used as a secondary STAB move allowing Meloetta to bypass them especially Chansey. Trick stops defensive Pokemon and Lvl 1 foes from defeating Meloetta especially Chansey, Aron, Mew, and Deoxys-D.

Set Details

Max Special Attack and Modest nature maximize Meloetta offensive capabilities allowing it to nail the OHKO on various threats while 248 HP gives it enough bulk to endure an Outrage from Both Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard X, and Choice Scarf Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z. 24 Special Defense allows Meloetta to live a Timid Mega Charizard Y Blast Burn and OHKOing it back with Hyper Beam.

Usage Tips

The move that you should pick in the main set depends on what is your team weak to since all of these moves perfectly work on Meloetta with no drawback. The only time you should be afraid of sending out Meloetta is against Sturdy users and Mega Mawile though you should be wary of Choice Band users. Do not use Hyper Beam if you are not sure if it's going to OHKO the foe since you will be wasting an extra turn giving the opponent the upper hand.

Team Options

Mega Charizard X pairs well with Meloetta as it can take on opposing Steel-type or specially defensive Pokemon thanks to its ability in Tough Claws and typing in Fire/Dragon. Mega Mawile is also a good teammate to Meloetta despite not being able to destroy Steel-type Pokemon though it can survive most Choice Banded attackers notably Kyurem-b, and Choice Specs usrers such as Meloetta. Mega Gyarados work fine with Meloetta thanks to its bulky offensive nature and ability in Mold Breaker allowing it to defeat Sturdy users, Ghost-types, and Specially Defensive Pokemon. Greninja works fine alongside Meloetta thanks to its relative high speed and offensive stats allowing it to nail the OHKO to Dragonite, Choice Band Garchomp, Mega Mawile, and Mega Gyarados with Choice Specs.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


Focus Blast can be used on Meloetta as another choice alongside the coverage moves as it can hit effectively Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon though isn't very reliable and using other coverage moves are more worthy but it has its perks in being able to beat Heatran and Tyranitar. Hyper Voice is also another choice but not that great as its only purpose is to allow Meloetta hit behind the foe's Substitute. Psychic can be used instead of Psyshock if you want another strong special STAB move and have your ways dealing with specially defensive Pokemon.

Checks and Counters

**Mega Mawile**: Mega Mawile is backed up with an amazing tying in Steel/Fairy allowing it to survive Meloetta strongest move Hyper Beam and its other coverage moves, furthermore Sucker Punch has a high chance of OHKOing Meloetta.

**Whimsicott**: Thanks to Substitute Whimsicott is able to protect itself from Hyper Beam and stalling Meloetta out, plus it's not OHKOed by other coverage moves so it can Leech Seed freely if Meloetta chooses to use another move but it has to be wary of the rare Hyper Voice.

**Dragonite**: Protected by Multiscale Dragonite is able to sponge any attack from Meloetta directed toward it and retaliate back fainting Meloetta.

**Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados is able to sponge any hit from Meloetta, even Hyper Beam and Energy Ball, and OHKO back with Crunch.

**Faster Choice Banded and Specs users**: Even though Meloetta has great bulk it stills falls prey to hyper offensive Pokemon especially the ones that runs Choice Band and Specs such as Choice Banded Garchomp and Choice Specs Porygon-Z.
Akashi DoW please qc this. Rumplestiltskin dont reserve qcs unless you can finish them within a week maximum.
Reserving mega gardevoir for 1v1
reassigning

1v1 Mega Gardevoir is up for reservation again

let's get to it then
reserving uhh, Inverse Avalugg, might as well get the fatmons done first

edit: I've got most of this saved in a Word doc, I'll c/p it once I'm done
Overview

Generalize what the Pokemon does in the metagame and as a whole and why you should or shouldn't consider using it on your teams.

[SET NAME]
[POKEMON NAME] @ [POKEMON ITEM]
Ability: [ABILITY]
<if necessary, insert happiness/shininess here too if required for the set to work>
EVs: [EV SPREAD]
[NATURE NAME] Nature
<if necessary, insert IVs in here for anything like special attackers/Gyro Ball users, etc>
- [MOVE 1]
- [MOVE 2]
- [MOVE 3]
- [MOVE 4]

(if you couldn't tell, this is the PS! importable's format)

Set Comments

Moves

Describe what the moves on the set do.

Set Details

Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.

Usage Tips

Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.

Team Options

Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.

Checks and Counters

[INSERT THREAT HERE]: Describe why the Pokemon/playstyle/etc is a threat.[/ABILITY]
[ABILITY][/ability]
finish this pls D:

[1v1 Mega Charizard X]

Overview

+Great offensive and defensive typing in Dragon/Fire
+Great mixed stats in defense and offense
+Great ability in Tough Claws boosting its physical attacks
+Makes use of two high base power moves in Flare Blitz + Outrage which comes at minimal opportunity cost
+Surprise Factor, "is it X or Y"
-Is weak to bulky or faster choice specs users as it is less bulky on the spdf side
-Loses to physical defensive Pokemon depending on its set
-Has to choose a move depending on the team because it will get walled by something depending on what is chosen

idk negative points, zard x is too good ;)

[Dragon Dance]

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe or 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Jolly Nature / Bold Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Flare Blitz
- Will-O-Wisp / Substitute / Counter

Set Comments

Moves
  • Dragon Dance boosts Zard X attack and speed allowing it to outspeed and cause heavy damage to a good portion of the meta
  • Outrage is a great move on Zard X being a 120 BP STAB move boosted by Tough Claws with minimal opportunity cost.
  • Flare Blitz also
  • Will-o-Wisp is used to stop physical offensive Pokemon on their track at reducing zard X health fast giving it more set up opportunity and defeats Lvl 1 / Sturdy / Endure Pokemon
  • Substitute blocks rechargeable moves and stall Pokemon allowing it to setup and attack them easily though it should be only used with the first EVs spread
  • Counter is a way to defeat easily most physically offensive Pokemon, it should only used with the second spread.

Set Details
  • Maximized attack and speed allows Zard X especially go through most defensive walls in 1v1 such as Chansey and outspeeding other threats such as Max Speed Gyarados if both uses Dragon Dance.
  • Maximized HP and Def allows Zard X to sponge a hit from the scariest physical hitters in the meta such as Kyurem-B, Garchomp, Zard X and retaliate back with Counter. It also allows it to set up better against Bulky Offensive Pokemon such as Sylveon and Mega Zard Y though it fails to nail the OHKO against bulky threats such as Mega Slowbro.


Usage Tips

  • The set and spread that works better depends on your team if you seem weak to both Zard X and Kyu-B run the defensive set as it can lure both of them in. But if your team lacks a strong physical attacker the first set is the way to go.
  • Be careful of Bulky Specs Pokemon such as Meloetta as they can sponge a hit from Zard X and OHKO back.
  • Think twice before sending it against an opponent with a Water-type Pokemon even though Zard X is neutral to Water most of them has a way of hitting it effectively like Mega Blastoise and Swampert.
Team Options
Strategy Comments

Other Options


Checks and Counters
finish pls D:
Akashi DoW Rumplestiltskin Ransei ^^^


------


also STABmons Mega Diancie is up for reservation again
 

DoW

formally Death on Wings
[08:57:40] +Dream Eater Gengar:qc suspect coverage for hoopa-u :^)
guess I'm a rebel, spheal with it
[Choice Specs]
Meloetta @ Choice Specs
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 236 SpA / 24 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Psyshock
- Psyshock / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
- Trick
The slashes look pretty ugly tbh, I'd be inclined to change it to Shadow Ball / Energy Ball and Psyshock / Energy Ball, as that gives the same information in a neater way. It's not a huge deal though.
Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best STAB move for Meloetta with 150 base power allowing it to nail the OHKO on most Pokemon that doesn't resist it or aren't specially defensive such as Kyurem-B, both Mega Charizard X and Y, and Mega Sowbro. Shadow Balls allowed Meloetta to notably hit Ghost-types that are immune to Hyper Beam more importantly Aegislash. Energy Ball is another coverage move allowing Meloetta to hit Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types Pokemon super effectively notably Mega Swampert, Mega Slowbro, Rhyperior. If needing a way to get through specially defensive Pokemon Psyshock can be used as a secondary STAB move allowing Meloetta to bypass them especially Chansey. Trick stops defensive Pokemon and Lvl 1 foes from defeating Meloetta especially Chansey, Aron, Mew, and Deoxys-D.
It might be worth noting Melo needs both trick and psyshock to reliably beat Chansey. Also IDK if it's worth noting, this is possibly something for the usage tips section and probably not worth a mention at all, but regular swampert are almost always rindo meaning hyper beam does more, though it's best to trick then energy ball.
Other Options

Focus Blast can be used on Meloetta as another choice alongside the coverage moves as it can hit effectively Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon though isn't very reliable and using other coverage moves are more worthy but it has its perks in being able to beat Heatran and Tyranitar. Hyper Voice is also another choice but not that great as its only purpose is to allow Meloetta hit behind the foe's Substitute. Psychic can be used instead of Psyshock if you want another strong special STAB move and have your ways dealing with specially defensive Pokemon.
IDK if this is worth mentioning, but uproar gets past subs and prevents sleep, beating things like Mega Venu.
Checks and Counters

**Mega Mawile**: Mega Mawile is backed up with an amazing tying in Steel/Fairy allowing it to survive Meloetta strongest move Hyper Beam and its other coverage moves, furthermore Sucker Punch has a high chance of OHKOing Meloetta.

**Whimsicott**: Thanks to Substitute Whimsicott is able to protect itself from Hyper Beam and stalling Meloetta out, plus it's not OHKOed by other coverage moves so it can Leech Seed freely if Meloetta chooses to use another move but it has to be wary of the rare Hyper Voice.

**Dragonite**: Protected by Multiscale Dragonite is able to sponge any attack from Meloetta directed toward it and retaliate back fainting Meloetta.

**Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados is able to sponge any hit from Meloetta, even Hyper Beam and Energy Ball, and OHKO back with Crunch.

**Faster Choice Banded and Specs users**: Even though Meloetta has great bulk it stills falls prey to hyper offensive Pokemon especially the ones that runs Choice Band and Specs such as Choice Banded Garchomp and Choice Specs Porygon-Z.
I'd change the Whimsicott point to Sub tbh. Things that normally require hyper beam to be KO'd win if they're running sub and you don't predict that, I've lost to things like kyu-b and zard x more than once because of this.
Also, consider changing Mega Mawile to Steel-types. Maw is definitely the big one, but rachi also wins if it gets one of two flinches while aggron is also a problem and ferro can be tricky. On a similar note IDK if it's worth changing Mega Gyarados to Dark types, as things like M-sab can also win but then greninja loses, so probably not worth the change but might be worth considering.

Most of these things are suggestions rather than things I'm telling you bc you know the meta better than me and it's clearly a well-written analysis. In any case, QC 2/2 after this.
 

DEG

The night belongs to you
is a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
[08:57:40] +Dream Eater Gengar:qc suspect coverage for hoopa-u :^)
guess I'm a rebel, spheal with it
The slashes look pretty ugly tbh, I'd be inclined to change it to Shadow Ball / Energy Ball and Psyshock / Energy Ball, as that gives the same information in a neater way. It's not a huge deal though.
It might be worth noting Melo needs both trick and psyshock to reliably beat Chansey. Also IDK if it's worth noting, this is possibly something for the usage tips section and probably not worth a mention at all, but regular swampert are almost always rindo meaning hyper beam does more, though it's best to trick then energy ball.
IDK if this is worth mentioning, but uproar gets past subs and prevents sleep, beating things like Mega Venu.
I'd change the Whimsicott point to Sub tbh. Things that normally require hyper beam to be KO'd win if they're running sub and you don't predict that, I've lost to things like kyu-b and zard x more than once because of this.
Also, consider changing Mega Mawile to Steel-types. Maw is definitely the big one, but rachi also wins if it gets one of two flinches while aggron is also a problem and ferro can be tricky. On a similar note IDK if it's worth changing Mega Gyarados to Dark types, as things like M-sab can also win but then greninja loses, so probably not worth the change but might be worth considering.

Most of these things are suggestions rather than things I'm telling you bc you know the meta better than me and it's clearly a well-written analysis. In any case, QC 2/2 after this.
Fixed the slashes, remove swampert, added uproar, changed whimsicott to sub. Kept Mega Mawile only as Meloetta can defeat reliably both Aggron and Jirachi even tho the latter can hax it. Mega Mawile is the main target not other steel types since other can be defeated by either Shadow Ball or Focus Blast if carried. Added Mega Sableye and Chansey as threats. This is GP ready.
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
Dream Eater Gengar

GP 1/1
edits said:
Overview


Meloetta is a reckoning force in 1v1 thanks to a mix of handful factors. Its typing in Normal/Psychic gives it only 2 weaknesses which is neatNormal / Psychic typing gives it only two weaknesses, which is very useful in the metagame. Alongside its typing, Meloetta is gifted with great bulk, allowing it to sponge hits from common attackers such as Kyurem-B, Mega Charizard X, and Garchomp. But its true power doesn't layIts true power doesn't lie only in its defensive capabilities, though, but rather in its offensive traits also, Meloetta also. Meloetta has great Special Attack, which, with the help of Choice Specs is able, allows it to OHKO a number of threats in the metagame with Hyper Beam. Combine that with great coverage moves and you haved with great coverage moves, Meloetta is an amazing specially offensive Pokemon. But that power doesn't come at the cost of nothingHowever, Meloetta's strongest attacking move, Hyper Beam, is a rechargeable move meaning you if you miss the OHKO there's a very high chance you're losing the battle, meaning if it misses the OHKO, there's a very high chance you're going to lose the battle, since there will be an extra turn wasted. Even though it has the bulk, Meloetta still loses to most hyper offensive Pokemon such as Choice Banded Garchomp, Choice Specs Porygon-Z, and Mega Mawile, which are able to outspeed or tank Meloetta's moves and OHKO it. As a specially offensive Pokemon, it also has trouble getting past specially defensive Pokemon.

[Choice Specs]
Meloetta @ Choice Specs
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 236 SpA / 24 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
- Psyshock / Energy Ball
- Trick

Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best STAB move for Meloetta with 150 base p, with 150 Base Power allowing it to nail the OHKO on most Pokemon that doesn't resist it or aren't specially defensive such as Kyurem-B, both Mega Charizard X and Y, and Mega Sowbro. Shadow Balls allowedlowbro. Shadow Ball allows Meloetta to notably hit Ghost-types that are immune to Hyper Beam, more importantly Aegislash. Energy Ball is another coverage move, allowing Meloetta to hit Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types Pokemon super effectively, notably Mega Slowbro and Rhyperior. If needing a way to get throughyou need a way to hit specially defensive Pokemon, especially Chansey, Psyshock can be used as a secondary STAB move, allowing Meloetta to bypass them especially Chansey. Trick stops defensive Pokemon and Lvhit their lower Defense. Trick stops defensive Pokemon and level 1 foes from defeating Meloetta, especially Chansey, Aron, Mew, and Deoxys-D. T, though, it needs both Trick and Psyshock to defeat Chansey.

Set Details

Maximum Special Attack and a Modest nature maximize Meloetta's offensive capabilities, allowing it to nail the OHKO on various threats, while 248 HP EVs gives it enough bulk to endure an Outrage from Both Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard X, and Choice Scarf Hyper Beam fromboth Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard X, as well as a Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. 24 Special Defense EVs allows Meloetta to live a Timid Mega Charizard Y Blast Burn and OHKOing it back with Hyper Beam.

Usage Tips

The move that you should pick in the main set depends on what is your team is weak to, since all of these moves perfectly work on Meloetta with no drawback. The only time you should be afraid of sending out Meloetta is against Sturdy users and Mega Mawile, though you should also be wary of Choice Band users. Do not use Hyper Beam if you are not sure if it's going to OHKO the foe, since you will be wasting an extra turn, giving the opponent the upper hand.

Team Options

Mega Charizard X pairs well with Meloetta, as it can take on opposing Steel-type ors and specially defensive Pokemon thanks to its ability in Tough Claws and typing in Fire / Dragon. Mega Mawile is also a good teammate to Meloetta despite not being able to destroy Steel-type Pokemon, though it can survive most Choice Banded attackers notably Kyurem-b attackers, notably Kyurem-B, and Choice Specs usrers such as Meloetta. Mega Gyarados works fine with Meloetta thanks to its bulky offensive nature and ability in Mold Breaker, allowing it to defeat Sturdy users, Ghost-types, and Specially Defensive Pokemon. Greninja works finespecially defensive Pokemon. Greninja works well alongside Meloetta thanks to its relative high sSpeed and offensive stats, allowing it to nail the OHKO ton Dragonite, Choice Band Garchomp, Mega Mawile, and Mega Gyarados with Choice Specs.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Focus Blast can be used on Meloetta as another choice alongside the coverage moves as it can hit effectively Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon super effectively, though it isn't very reliable and using other coverage moves are more worthy but it has its perks in being able to bea it. However, it has its perks in being able to hit Heatran and Tyranitar. Uproar is also another choice but not that great, as its only purpose is to allow Meloetta to hit behind the foe's Substitute to and prevent being put to sleep by moves such as Sleep Powder Mega Venusaur's Sleep Powder. Psychic can be used instead of Psyshock if you want another strong special STAB move and if you already have your ways of dealing with specially defensive Pokemon.

Checks and Counters

**Mega Mawile**: Mega Mawile is backed up with an amazing typing in Steel / Fairy, allowing it to survive Meloetta strongest move Hyper Beam and its other coverage moves, furthermore's strongest move, Hyper Beam, as well as its other coverage moves. Furthermore, Sucker Punch has a high chance of OHKOing Meloetta.

**Substitute**: This move mainly blocks the move important move on the set Hyper Beam notably used by Whimsicott, some other Pokemon can might carry Substitute randomly just to block rechargeable moves are more problematic since you don't know that most importantly Mega Charizard XSubstitute, commonly used by Whimsicott, allows the foe to block Meloetta's Hyper Beam. Other Pokemon, such as Mega Charizard X, might surprisingly carry Substitute just to avoid being hit by rechargeable moves and force Meloetta to recharge.

**Dragonite**: Protected by Multiscale, Dragonite is able to sponge any attack from Meloetta directed toward it and retaliate back fainting MeloettaKO back.

**Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados is able to sponge any hit from Meloetta, even Hyper Beam and Energy Ball, and OHKO back with Crunch.

**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye has the best typing to check Meloetta, as it is immune to both of its main STAB moves, Hyper Beam and Psychic,. It isn't greatly harmed by other moves and can either set up with Calm Mind or defeat Meloetta with Foul Play or Metal Burst.

**Chansey**: This specially defensive behemoth can tank any move that Meloetta has to offer and defeatChansey can tank any move that Meloetta uses and defeats it easily if it doesn't carry both Trick and Psyshock.

**Faster Choice Banded and Choice Specs users**: Even though Meloetta has great bulk, it stills falls prey to hyper offensive Pokemon, especially the ones that runs Choice Band and Choice Specs such as Choice Banded Garchomp and Choice Specs Porygon-Z.
Overview


Meloetta is a reckoning force in 1v1 thanks to a mix of handful factors. Its Normal / Psychic typing gives it only two weaknesses, which is very useful in the metagame. Alongside its typing, Meloetta is gifted with great bulk, allowing it to sponge hits from common attackers such as Kyurem-B, Mega Charizard X, and Garchomp. Its true power doesn't lie only in its defensive capabilities, though, but rather in its offensive traits. Meloetta has great Special Attack, which, with the help of Choice Specs, allows it to OHKO a number of threats in the metagame with Hyper Beam. Combined with great coverage moves, Meloetta is an amazing specially offensive Pokemon. However, Meloetta's strongest attacking move, Hyper Beam, is a rechargeable move, meaning if it misses the OHKO, there's a very high chance you're going to lose the battle, since there will be an extra turn wasted. Even though it has the bulk, Meloetta still loses to most hyper offensive Pokemon such as Choice Band Garchomp, Choice Specs Porygon-Z, and Mega Mawile, which are able to outspeed or tank Meloetta's moves and OHKO it. As a specially offensive Pokemon, it also has trouble getting past specially defensive Pokemon.

[Choice Specs]
Meloetta @ Choice Specs
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 236 SpA / 24 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
- Psyshock / Energy Ball
- Trick

Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best STAB move for Meloetta, with 150 Base Power allowing it to nail the OHKO on most Pokemon that don't resist it or aren't specially defensive such as Kyurem-B, both Mega Charizard X and Y, and Mega Slowbro. Shadow Ball allows Meloetta to notably hit Ghost-types that are immune to Hyper Beam, more importantly Aegislash. Energy Ball is another coverage move, allowing Meloetta to hit Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types super effectively, notably Mega Slowbro and Rhyperior. If you need a way to hit specially defensive Pokemon, especially Chansey, Psyshock can be used as a secondary STAB move, allowing Meloetta to hit their lower Defense. Trick stops defensive Pokemon and level 1 foes from defeating Meloetta, especially Chansey, Aron, Mew, and Deoxys-D, though, it needs both Trick and Psyshock to defeat Chansey.

Set Details

Maximum Special Attack and a Modest nature maximize Meloetta's offensive capabilities, allowing it to nail the OHKO on various threats, while 248 HP EVs give it enough bulk to endure an Outrage from both Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard X, as well as a Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. 24 Special Defense EVs allow Meloetta to live a Timid Mega Charizard Y Blast Burn and OHKO it back with Hyper Beam.

Usage Tips

The move that you should pick depends on what your team is weak to, since all of these moves perfectly work on Meloetta with no drawback. The only time you should be afraid of sending out Meloetta is against Sturdy users and Mega Mawile, though you should also be wary of Choice Band users. Do not use Hyper Beam if you are not sure if it's going to OHKO the foe, since you will be wasting an extra turn, giving the opponent the upper hand.

Team Options

Mega Charizard X pairs well with Meloetta, as it can take on opposing Steel-types and specially defensive Pokemon thanks to its ability in Tough Claws and typing in Fire / Dragon. Mega Mawile is also a good teammate to Meloetta despite not being able to destroy Steel-type Pokemon, though it can survive most Choice Band attackers, notably Kyurem-B, and Choice Specs users such as Meloetta. Mega Gyarados works fine with Meloetta thanks to its bulky offensive nature and ability in Mold Breaker, allowing it to defeat Sturdy users, Ghost-types, and specially defensive Pokemon. Greninja works well alongside Meloetta thanks to its relative high Speed and offensive stats, allowing it to nail the OHKO on Dragonite, Choice Band Garchomp, Mega Mawile, and Mega Gyarados with Choice Specs.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Focus Blast can be used on Meloetta to hit Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon super effectively, though it isn't very reliable and using other coverage moves are more worth it. However, it has its perks in being able to hit Heatran and Tyranitar. Uproar is also another choice but not that great, as its only purpose is to allow Meloetta to hit behind the foe's Substitute to and prevent being put to sleep by moves such as Mega Venusaur's Sleep Powder. Psychic can be used instead of Psyshock if you want another strong special STAB move and if you already have your ways of dealing with specially defensive Pokemon.

Checks and Counters

**Mega Mawile**: Mega Mawile is backed up with an amazing typing in Steel / Fairy, allowing it to survive Meloetta's strongest move, Hyper Beam, as well as its other coverage moves. Furthermore, Sucker Punch has a high chance of OHKOing Meloetta.

**Substitute**: Substitute, commonly used by Whimsicott, allows the foe to block Meloetta's Hyper Beam. Other Pokemon, such as Mega Charizard X, might surprisingly carry Substitute just to avoid being hit by rechargeable moves and force Meloetta to recharge.

**Dragonite**: Protected by Multiscale, Dragonite is able to sponge any attack from Meloetta directed toward it and KO back.

**Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados is able to sponge any hit from Meloetta, even Hyper Beam and Energy Ball, and OHKO back with Crunch.

**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye has the best typing to check Meloetta, as it is immune to both of its main STAB moves, Hyper Beam and Psychic. It isn't greatly harmed by other moves and can either set up with Calm Mind or defeat Meloetta with Foul Play or Metal Burst.

**Chansey**: Chansey can tank any move that Meloetta uses and defeats it easily if it doesn't carry both Trick and Psyshock.

**Faster Choice Band and Choice Specs users**: Even though Meloetta has great bulk, it still falls prey to hyper offensive Pokemon, especially the ones that run Choice Band and Choice Specs such as Choice Band Garchomp and Choice Specs Porygon-Z.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DEG

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
is a Site Content Manageris a Battle Simulator Administratoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Social Media Head
Dream Eater Gengar

GP 1/1
Overview


Meloetta is a reckoning force in 1v1 thanks to a mix of handful factors. Its Normal / Psychic typing gives it only two weaknesses, which is very useful in the metagame. Alongside its typing, Meloetta is gifted with great bulk, allowing it to sponge hits from common attackers such as Kyurem-B, Mega Charizard X, and Garchomp. Its true power doesn't lie only in its defensive capabilities, though, but rather in its offensive traits. Meloetta has great Special Attack, which, with the help of Choice Specs, allows it to OHKO a number of threats in the metagame with Hyper Beam. Combined with great coverage moves, Meloetta is an amazing specially offensive Pokemon. However, Meloetta's strongest attacking move, Hyper Beam, is a rechargeable move, meaning if it misses the OHKO, there's a very high chance you're going to lose the battle, since there will be an extra turn wasted. Even though it has the bulk, Meloetta still loses to most hyper offensive Pokemon such as Choice Band Garchomp, Choice Specs Porygon-Z, and Mega Mawile, which are able to outspeed or tank Meloetta's moves and OHKO it. As a specially offensive Pokemon, it also has trouble getting past specially defensive Pokemon.

[Choice Specs]
Meloetta @ Choice Specs
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 236 SpA / 24 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
- Psyshock / Energy Ball
- Trick

Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best STAB move for Meloetta, with 150 Base Power allowing it to nail the OHKO on most Pokemon that don't resist it or aren't specially defensive such as Kyurem-B, both Mega Charizard X and Y, and Mega Slowbro. Shadow Ball allows Meloetta to notably hit Ghost-types that are immune to Hyper Beam, more importantly Aegislash. Energy Ball is another coverage move, allowing Meloetta to hit Rock-, Water-, and Ground-types super effectively, notably Mega Slowbro and Rhyperior. If you need a way to hit specially defensive Pokemon, especially Chansey, Psyshock can be used as a secondary STAB move, allowing Meloetta to hit their lower Defense. Trick stops defensive Pokemon and level 1 foes from defeating Meloetta, especially Chansey, Aron, Mew, and Deoxys-D, though, it needs both Trick and Psyshock to defeat Chansey.

Set Details

Maximum Special Attack and a Modest nature maximize Meloetta's offensive capabilities, allowing it to nail the OHKO on various threats, while 248 HP EVs give it enough bulk to endure an Outrage from both Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard X, as well as a Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. 24 Special Defense EVs allow Meloetta to live a Timid Mega Charizard Y Blast Burn and OHKO it back with Hyper Beam.

Usage Tips

The move that you should pick depends on what your team is weak to, since all of these moves perfectly work on Meloetta with no drawback. The only time you should be afraid of sending out Meloetta is against Sturdy users and Mega Mawile, though you should also be wary of Choice Band users. Do not use Hyper Beam if you are not sure if it's going to OHKO the foe, since you will be wasting an extra turn, giving the opponent the upper hand.

Team Options

Mega Charizard X pairs well with Meloetta, as it can take on opposing Steel-types and specially defensive Pokemon thanks to its ability in Tough Claws and typing in Fire / Dragon. Mega Mawile is also a good teammate to Meloetta despite not being able to destroy Steel-type Pokemon, though it can survive most Choice Band attackers, notably Kyurem-B, and Choice Specs users such as Meloetta. Mega Gyarados works fine with Meloetta thanks to its bulky offensive nature and ability in Mold Breaker, allowing it to defeat Sturdy users, Ghost-types, and specially defensive Pokemon. Greninja works well alongside Meloetta thanks to its relative high Speed and offensive stats, allowing it to nail the OHKO on Dragonite, Choice Band Garchomp, Mega Mawile, and Mega Gyarados with Choice Specs.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Focus Blast can be used on Meloetta to hit Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon super effectively, though it isn't very reliable and using other coverage moves are more worth it. However, it has its perks in being able to hit Heatran and Tyranitar. Uproar is also another choice but not that great, as its only purpose is to allow Meloetta to hit behind the foe's Substitute to and prevent being put to sleep by moves such as Mega Venusaur's Sleep Powder. Psychic can be used instead of Psyshock if you want another strong special STAB move and if you already have your ways of dealing with specially defensive Pokemon.

Checks and Counters

**Mega Mawile**: Mega Mawile is backed up with an amazing typing in Steel / Fairy, allowing it to survive Meloetta's strongest move, Hyper Beam, as well as its other coverage moves. Furthermore, Sucker Punch has a high chance of OHKOing Meloetta.

**Substitute**: Substitute, commonly used by Whimsicott, allows the foe to block Meloetta's Hyper Beam. Other Pokemon, such as Mega Charizard X, might surprisingly carry Substitute just to avoid being hit by rechargeable moves and force Meloetta to recharge.

**Dragonite**: Protected by Multiscale, Dragonite is able to sponge any attack from Meloetta directed toward it and KO back.

**Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados is able to sponge any hit from Meloetta, even Hyper Beam and Energy Ball, and OHKO back with Crunch.

**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye has the best typing to check Meloetta, as it is immune to both of its main STAB moves, Hyper Beam and Psychic. It isn't greatly harmed by other moves and can either set up with Calm Mind or defeat Meloetta with Foul Play or Metal Burst.

**Chansey**: Chansey can tank any move that Meloetta uses and defeats it easily if it doesn't carry both Trick and Psyshock.

**Faster Choice Band and Choice Specs users**: Even though Meloetta has great bulk, it still falls prey to hyper offensive Pokemon, especially the ones that run Choice Band and Choice Specs such as Choice Band Garchomp and Choice Specs Porygon-Z.
dont implement this yet Dream Eater Gengar , Rumplestiltskin wants to seriously change some things and can actually do it now
 

Ransei

Garde Mystik
is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Battle Simulator Moderatoris a Battle Simulator Admin Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnus
Overview
looks good

Moves

1. looks good
2. looks good
3. "Mega Mawile, who gets OHKO'd by a Download boosted hit, in the event you don't feel like risking the 10% chance of missing, or the possibility of them running Endure." (10% chance of missing what?) Assuming Play Rough.


Set Details
1 "capable of withstanding a neutral natured Kyurem's Outrage" (Is it regular Kyurem, or Black Kyurem?)
2 looks good
3 looks good

Usage Tips
1. looks good
2. looks good
3. looks good

Team Options

1. looks good
2. looks good
3. looks good

Checks and Counters
looks good (even though having a bunch of checks and counters seems to be giving Porygon-Z a bad reputation, at least you're being realistic and even backing up in Porygon-Z's defense that there are ways to defeat most of these checks and counters depending on what set you use, and pretty much the rest of the metagame.)

The 2 changes above I believe would help newer players become less confused when reading.

QC 2/2
 

The Official Glyx

Banned deucer.
[Quality Control 2/2]
[1v1] Porygon-Z
I hate doing standard sets and work, but it seems only I know how to treat my bae right <3

Overview

Porygon-Z is one of the more versatile Pokemon of the 1v1 meta, its typing being walled only by Rock, Steel, and Ghost, which are either rare, or frail enough specially for Porygon-Z to OHKO them with its raw power. With its wide variety of viable moves alongside stats that get the job done, Porygon-Z manages to threaten a vast majority of the entire meta. Statwise, Porygon-Z has monstrously high Special Attack, backed up with relatively good Speed, with everything else being pretty lackluster. Due to the fact that its Speed doesn't allow it to act before many common threats of 1v1, Porygon-Z commonly likes to use a Choice Scarf so it can do just that, its speed becoming high enough to outpace both Charizard Mega Evolutions, Greninja, Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, and more, safely either OHKO-ing or 2HKO-ing them. That being said, though, there are Pokemon that are faster than it, and can run Choice Scarf as well, and since Porygon-Z's bulk isn't that great, it usually needs either the defensive investment necessary to withstand an attack or its second most common set, involving a Custap Berry paired with the move Endure so that Porygon-Z can withstand an attack from the opponent and then attack first on the next turn thanks to its Custap Berry, giving it similar, if not even wider coverage capability than wielding a Scarf. Unfortunately, there will always be things that generally have the upper hand against most Porygon-Z sets, all of which being either Pokemon that resist Porygon-Z's type, such as Mawile, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Aggron, and other Rock, Steel, or Ghost types or Pokemon that are just generally bulky specially, such as Meloetta, Dragonite, and more. That being said, Porygon-Z is still, in fact, capable of taking on most of these threats through sacrificing any means of attacking before speedy opponents by choosing to wield the Choice Specs, an item that makes Porygon-Z so powerful, that it can take on most of its threats that it can either withstand an attack from or outspeed in a single attack.

[Choice Scarf]

Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe or EVs: 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Uproar


Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best move for Porygon-Z to use, since in combination with its Choice Scarf allowing it to outspeed most things, this move alone blanket checks a vast majority of all Pokemon that don't have enough bulk to withstand being hit by it. Thunderbolt doesn't serve as general of a purpose as Hyper Beam, but it instead allows Porygon-Z to safely 2HKO non-bulky Gyarados-Mega, as well as OHKO Greninja, or 2HKO if Greninja tries to PP stall Porygon-Z by using Shadow Sneak. Trick makes Porygon-Z capable of taking down many stall-oriented Pokemon by locking them into using only one move with its Choice Scarf, such as Chansey, Togekiss, and other less common threats. Uproar is generally a superior move to the common Tri-Attack, as it's more powerful, goes through Substitute, and blocks opponents from using Sleep-inducing moves of any kind.

Set Details

The Timid spread is mainly used for people that are intimidated by Mega Alakazam or other Porygon-Z users, otherwise the Modest spread is universally more viable, seeing as Mega Alakazam is a rarity these days, and that you ideally want to take away any 50/50 chances from your teams, rather than adding on to them. The Modest spread is built for the express purpose of being capable of withstanding a neutral natured Kyurem-Black's Outrage more than 4 times out of 5, while also OHKO-ing back with Hyper Beam over 4 times out of 5. The Speed has exactly enough Effort Values for Porygon-Z to outspeed a Jolly Mega Lopunny, since that is the highest speed a viable 1v1 Pokemon has without being a scarf of its own. Thankfully, losing out on a solid chunk of its EVs for Special Attack doesn't really affect it too heavily, only really reducing the chances of OHKO-ing bulky Charizard-Y and Mega Gardevoir.

Usage Tips

There isn't really too much to learn when it comes to the usual Scarf Porygon-Z set, most of the time you just click Hyper Beam and win. That being said, there are a handful of situations where Hyper Beam would not be the ideal move to use, such as when you're against Gyarados; Mega Gyarados has the raw Special bulk to shrug off a Hyper Beam, allowing it to 2HKO Porygon-Z, and as such, Thunderbolt or Uproar come in handy (Adaptability makes Uproar equal to a 2x effective Thunderbolt), either move being capable of 2HKO-ing Gyarados while Gyarados cannot OHKO in return without using Dragon Dance, but, unfortunately for Gyarados, it is still slower than Porygon-Z after a Dragon Dance thanks to Porygon-Z's Choice Scarf. Additionally, in the event you're faced with Porygon-Z vs Aggron, Thunderbolt is capable of knocking out Aggron in two hits if Aggron uses Metal Burst instead of Head Smash for an easy OHKO.
A common trend among Porygon-Z is the random need to run Ice Beam, when the move is pretty much completely unnecessary, since Hyper Beam already OHKO's Garchomp, and Dragonite withstands an Ice Beam, even Whimsicott is more scared of Uproar than Ice Beam, and other than those Pokemon, there is nothing else that is frequent enough in the 1v1 metagame for Ice Beam to warrant any significance.

Team Options

Some of the biggest threats to Porygon-Z are two of the centralizing Steel types, Mawile and Metagross, and as such, Scarfed Porygon-Z likes being backed up by something that can break said Steel types, in particular, Charizard-X. The two pair up so well, that the combination of them manages to cover all the S and A ranks, other than a handful of unique sets.
If you aren't very particular about running specific EV spreads to counteract Scarfed Kyurem-Black, then another option to have in mind would be Rhyperior, who has the raw bulk and power to take on many of the threatening Steel types that threaten Porygon-Z, while also supporting the combination of Charizard-X and Porygon-Z to iron out most of the weaknesses of those two combined as well.
Lastly, if you're not interested in playing mind games with whether or not to have Charizard-X use Substitute against Meloetta, yet another option that assists Scarf Porygon-Z AND does the trick against Meloetta is Mega-Pinsir, who mercilessly OHKO's Meloetta with Giga Impact, while also supporting Porygon-Z against Bulky Charizard-Y, who is capable of surviving a Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and infrequently carries Substitute to make it capable of counteracting Mega Pinsir.




[Custap Berry]
Porygon-Z @ Custap Berry
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Endure
- Nasty Plot
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt or whatever alternative coverage you want/need at the moment


Set Comments

Moves

Seeing as this setup of Porygon-Z relies on the Custap Berry, Endure is a completely necessary move to activate it, while at the same time, also allowing Porygon-Z to gain priority over Pokemon that would have otherwise been faster than it, if it were using a Choice Scarf, such as Choice Scarfed Latios and Kyurem-Black, as well as giving it an edge over Choiced recharge move users, like Meloetta, if they're silly enough to use Hyper Beam, rival Porygon-Z, Slaking, and other similar cases of Endure shenanigans. Nasty Plot gives Porygon-Z the chance to improve the power of its Hyper Beam to even greater lengths than that of Choice Specs Porygon-Z, but at the expense of a turn; all things considered, thanks to its Defense EVs, Porygon-Z is able to withstand a large number of attacks just well enough for Nasty Plot not to go to waste, even going so far as to make it capable of OHKO-ing Chansey. Hyper Beam, as always, never fails to disappoint, and is necessary on just about every Porygon-Z so it can OHKO everything. Porygon-Z's last move slot is variable, since there are no moves that it actually needs in the fourth slot, even Nasty Plot is debatable, and as such, I put Thunderbolt there, since it gives Porygon-Z a safe option for 2HKO-ing Gyarados, while also having a solid chance at 2HKO-ing Aggron.

Set Details

The maxed Defense EVs allows Porygon-Z to withstand an Outrage from a Scarfed Kyurem-Black, as well as having a 70% chance of withstanding a Flare Blitz/Outrage from an Adamant Charizard-X, and even making it capable of going toe-to-toe with Mega Mawile, though Porygon-Z can only win if you're incredibly good at predicting when the opponent isn't going to use Sucker Punch. Otherwise, the SpA EVs work pretty much the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z, being maxed out for the sake of OHKO-ing everything, though you can afford to drop some of them, if there is a specific Pokemon you need to counteract at the moment, otherwise maxed out has the widest general coverage.

Usage Tips

Now, since this is yet another user of Endure + Custap shenanigans, there will always be a lot of predictions going around, specifically once an opponent has learned that you're liable to use the strategy. In particular, if a Charizard-X user has learned that you're a Custap + Endure Porygon-Z, then there's no worry about predictions, since you know he's a Charizard-X user, all you need to do is spam Hyper Beam, even if they use Substitute, since most Charizard-X users just attack straight away instead of using Dragon Dance to secure the Guaranteed OHKO, which in turn, will whittle you down to Custap range, thus allowing you to attack first and wipe them away with Hyper Beam. Secondly, the defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand a +1 attack from Gyarados, meaning that there is no need to use Endure after they've used Dragon Dance once, unless you're not max Defense. Aggron cannot OHKO 252 Defense Porygon-Z unless they're Banded instead of Mega, meaning that Porygon-Z can 2HKO with Thunderbolt, or the combination of Thunderbolt + Hyper Beam, if they decide to Mega Evolve. When you're up against rival Porygon-Z that you know are Scarfed, use Endure; the automatic first instinct of a Scarf Porygon-Z user against another Porygon-Z user is to click Hyper Beam, and as such, Endure negates that; but once you get to fight this opponent again with the same matchup, their usual second instinct is to use Trick, figuring that they'll outsmart you with it, not realizing that now you're Scarfed, while they aren't, thus allowing you to outspeed and OHKO.

Team Options

Unfortunately, Custap Berry Porygon-Z is still threatened by most of the meta-controlling Steel Types, meaning that Charizard-X is, yet again, a viable partner for it, since it does the job well at breaking many Steel Types. In addition, Rhyperior also handles most of the Steel Types that threaten Custap Berry Porygon-Z, sporting the type coverage, and raw stats + ability to stand up to just about any Steel Type. Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z has no fear of Kyurem-Black, this means that you can safely run Banded Garchomp to assist it, since it OHKO's just about all of the highest ranked viable Pokemon that threaten it.


[Choice Specs]
Porygon-Z @ Choice Specs
Ability: Download or Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 236 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Hyper Beam
- Uproar
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Fire]/alternative coverage


Set Comments

Moves

As on every Porygon-Z set, Hyper Beam is a necessity to ensure the OHKO's on everything that this Pokemon threatens, in addition to many new ones, such as Mawile, which is either normally OHKO'd by Download Hyper Beam, or has a 2/3 chance of being OHKO'd from Adaptability Hyper Beam, both situations assuming Mawile has 252 EVs in HP; in addition to Mawile, Specs Hyper Beam also threatens 252 HP Rhyperior with very similar chances of being OHKO'd; and on top of that, Adaptability boosted Hyper Beam even OHKO's Meloetta, one of the few threats to Porygon-Z that doesn't rely on type advantages.
On Choice Specs Porygon-Z, Uproar has a little more use than just hitting Whimsicott and other predicted Substitute users; with Adaptability, Uproar is a guaranteed OHKO against Charizard-X, and even a 3/4 chance with Download, assuming the Charizard has no bulk, meaning that Choice Specs Porygon-Z has no fear of Substitute Charizard-X, on the other hand, a Download-boosted Uproar manages to OHKO Kyurem-Black, meaning each ability has their positive gains.
Choice Trick works as well as always, changing very little in coverage when Tricking a Specs vs a Scarf, but still threatening stall equally as well.
Hidden Power Fire takes Thunderbolt's place on this set, since it no longer needs Thunderbolt for handling Gyarados, due to Hyper Beam now being capable of OHKO-ing. Hidden Power Fire is Porygon-Z's coverage move that gives it the widest general coverage, since most of its other coverage options just allow it to beat one or two Pokemon at a time, while Hidden Power Fire grants Porygon-Z coverage against Scizor and Ferrothorn, neither of which are overly common, but used often enough to warrant significance, and more importantly, Mega Mawile, who gets OHKO'd by a Download boosted hit, in the event you don't feel like risking the 10% chance of missing Hyper Beam, or the possibility of them running Endure. While on the other hand, if you're using Adaptability, Hidden Power Fire replaces Thunderbolt's role of relatively safely 2HKO-ing Aggron, since it doesn't deal enough damage for Metal Burst to KO back, and Porygon-Z's bulk should allow it to withstand at least a single attack from Aggron, assuming it isn't Banded.

Set Details

Similar to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Choice Specs Porygon-Z is outfitted with a large amount of bulk that makes it capable of standing up to the incredibly common threats of physical Scarf Kyurem-Black, and Charizard-X, but this particular set has a pinch of Speed investment added on for the rare, but still possible event that it manages to use Trick against a Scarf Jirachi or other base 100 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to become faster and 2HKO before Jirachi finishes it off, since Porygon-Z's Defense investment forces Iron Head into the 3HKO range, thankfully, taking away from Porygon-Z's Special Attack doesn't make all that many differences as to what it can and can't KO, but if you like having as much of a KO percentage as possible against a particular Pokemon that you're seeing on the ladder, you can choose to take away from Porygon-Z's Defense instead of Special Attack.

Usage Tips

One of the biggest things to remember when using Choice Specs Porygon-Z is that it generally doesn't have to worry about type disadvantages against most common threats in 1v1, since it's capable of blasting away Mawile, Rhyperior, Aggron, and others just through raw power. One such example would be against Golem, albeit, Golem may not be the most common Pokemon in 1v1, but it still gets used enough for this tip to merit attention; Specs Uproar, regardless of ability, 2HKO's Golem, while Porygon-Z's Defense EVs protect it from being 2HKO'd, unless Golem is packing Superpower, which they generally don't. Specs Uproar even 2HKO's Magnezone, though you'd have to work around a lot of EVs to safely counteract it, since most Magnezone either carry a Custap Berry to 2HKO Porygon-Z, or have Specs of their own to OHKO Porygon-Z.

Team Options

Choice Specs Porygon-Z actually covers a very different field from Scarf Porygon-Z, being more built to threaten many of the things that would threaten Scarf Porygon-Z, meaning that one of the better allies for Specs Porygon-Z would be Scarf Porygon-Z, seeing as the two alone have coverage against all of the S and A ranks combined, as well as threatening a large chunk of the lower ranks.
Alternatively, a Specially biased Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black makes for a nice companion, since it threatens any non-Scarfed Kyurem-Black variants that would have otherwise threatened Specs Porygon-Z, as well as handling things that still have the raw power to OHKO Porygon-Z through its Defense EVs, such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. It doesn't really need the physical side for anything more than coverage moves for Porygon-Z threats with quad weaknesses, such as Charizard-Y and Mega Heracross.
Lastly, for all the threats to Porygon-Z that have the bulk and/or type resistance to stand up to Specs Porygon-Z, there's Whimsicott, acting as a strong anti-stall with Taunt, and being unable to be OHKO'd by most attacks from these types of threats.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Other than its main moves, Scarfed Porygon-Z is also capable of running various coverage moves that will allow it to defeat other, less common, threats to it, such as Psyshock for Gengar, Hidden Power Fire for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Rest so that way it can safely guarantee that it beats most stall-oriented Pokemon after using Trick, and even going as far as Conversion in tandem with Shadow Ball to counteract Meloetta and other Porygon-Z.

As mentioned in the move explanations, Thunderbolt is only a secondary move option, since it only provides coverage against a specific selection of Pokemon. Just about all of Custap Berry Porygon-Z's alternative moves are the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z's alternative moves, being Psyshock for Gengar, and Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Ferrothron. That being said, Shadow Ball + Conversion is no longer doable, unless you're willing to sacrifice Nasty Plot. Rest, while still being a usable move to threaten Stall with, isn't quite as viable on Custap Berry Porygon-Z, since it doesn't have the factor of forcing the opponent into being locked into using only one move working with it, that being said, Recover is actually an option for Custap Berry Porygon-Z, if not for anything else, then at least for the sake of counteracting Mawile's attempts at using Sucker Punch, even though it is very realistically possible for Sucker Punch to KO after using a Recover, after Porygon-Z has been hit with a Play Rough, though it definitely still helps.

As mentioned earlier, Porygon-Z doesn't really have many options for coverage that beat more than just individual Pokemon, examples being Ice Beam/Blizzard for Dragonite (Ice Beam OHKO's non-bulky, while Blizzard OHKO's all); Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse, which can take on Ghost types that don't beat Porygon-Z as well as OHKO a Metagross if Porygon-Z has Download; Thunder, which is capable of 2HKO-ing a Heatran and +1 Special Defense Sableye, as long as it gets the Download boost; various Hidden Powers for counteracting specific Pokemon that have quad weaknesses to them, if Hyper Beam doesn't do the job; and Rest, just in case Porygon-Z wants to outstall a Pokemon that's been Tricked.

Checks and Counters

Custap Berry Porygon-Z, while removing offensive threats due to being able to outprioritize them, or withstand their attacks, unfortunately gains defensive threats, due to the lack of Choice-locking with Trick.

Since Choice Specs Porygon-Z doesn't have either speed or priority backing it up like the other two sets, many things that are faster than it can be threatening, particularly on the special side.

Charizard-Y: Outspeeds Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO's it with just about any Fire move, while also being a threat to Custap Berry Porygon-Z once it learns which set it is.
Kyurem-Black: Scarfed Kyurem-Black threatens to OHKO Scarfed Porygon-Z with Outrage if Porygon-Z doesn't have bulk, while Banded/Specs Kyurem-Black threaten Specs Porygon-Z with OHKO-ing it, though it usually loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, unless it can predict right.
Mega Mawile: Tanks a Hyper Beam from Scarf Porygon-Z and 2HKO's Custap Berry Porygon-Z before Porygon-Z can 2HKO it, unless Porygon-Z manages to win the Sucker Punch pp stall mind games.
Porygon-Z: Only really threatens Specs Porygon-Z, since either Scarf or Custap Berry are the more common sets that it runs.
Greninja: Only threatens Specs Porygon-Z, since this set lacks a method of going before Greninja.
Deoxys-Defense: Generally loses to being Choice-Tricked, but can potentially block Specs Porygon-Z out of using Trick with Taunt if it's faster than Porygon-Z. Both Pokemon each end up playing mind games as to who's using which set, as well.
Dragonite: Threatens to OHKO Scarf and Custap Berry Porygon-Z with Banded Outrage/Superpower, while losing to Specs Ice Beam/Blizzard, if it's slower than Specs Porygon-Z.
Meloetta: Meloetta handles Scarf Porygon-Z with ease due to its bulk and power, also being capable of threatening Custap Berry Porygon-Z with the same power, despite losing to Endure if Meloetta uses Hyper Beam. As for Specs Porygon-Z, it only loses to Adaptability Specs Hyper Beam, and ends up in a Speed-creeping war with the Porygon-Z.
Garchomp: Only threatens Specs Porygon-Z with a less than 60% chance of OHKO-ing it with Outrage.
Mega Pinsir: Outspeeds Custap Berry and Specs Porygon-Z and has a very probable chance of OHKO-ing them with Close Combat, and also usually carries Protect to negate Custap Berry Porygon-Z, though it loses to Scarf Porygon-Z in the event that it doesn't have Endure.
Rhyperior: Has the Rock typing that gives it the resist against Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and OHKO's in return with Rock Wrecker.; Though Earthquake is now reduced to little more than a 1/3 chance of OHKO-ing Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Rock Wrecker and Superpower still do the job, meaning that Porygon-Z loses if Rhyperior has Superpower, or the battle becomes reduced to whether or not Rhyperior uses Rock Wrecker.
Whimsicott: Since being locked into Uproar isn't good for a non-Choiced Porygon-Z, Custap Berry Porygon-Z's only means of handling Whimsicott involve moves that would otherwise only counteract this specific Pokemon.
Mega Gardevoir: Outspeeds and OHKO's non-Scarf Porygon-Z with either Hyper Voice or Hyper Beam, but loses to Scarf Porygon-Z if it has no bulk investment, and also loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it lacks Protect, triggers the Custap Berry, and doesn't have the bulk to stand up to a Hyper Beam.
Mega Metagross: Resists Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and 2HKO's in return with STAB moves, or OHKO's with Hammer Arm.; Would only lose to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it weren't running either Hammer Arm or Bullet Punch.; If speedy, it can outspeed Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO with Hammer Arm before Porygon-Z gets a chance to Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse.


Figured I'd at least do one set of the three before going to sleep, let me know if there are any problems.

Finished the second set now, only got Specs left, will make another post to let you guys know once I finish, otherwise, let me know what the correct procedure is.

Holy balls I'm done :^ I am NOT doing another of these EVER.

(Edit: Unwatching thread after this)
Posting finished version here again because Sobi wants me to (?)
 

Sobi

Banned deucer.
The Official Glyx

GP 1/1
Edits said:
Overview
Porygon-Z is one of the morest versatile Pokemon of the 1v1 metagame, its typing being walled by only by Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-types, which are either rare, or frail enough specially for Porygon-Z to OHKO them with its raw power. With its wide variety of viable moves alongside stats that get the job done, Porygon-Z manages to threaten a vast majority of the entire metagame. Stats-wise, Porygon-Z has monstrousastoundingly high Special Attack, backed up withby relatively good Speed, with everything elseits other stats being pretty lackluster. Due to the fact that its Speed doesn't allow it to act before many common threats of 1v1, Porygon-Z commonly likes to useruns a Choice Scarf so that it can do just that, its sSpeed becoming high enough to allow it to outpace both Mega Charizard Mega EvolutionsX and Y, Greninja, and Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, and more, safely either OHKO-ing or 2HKO-ing them. That being said, thoughHowever, there are Pokemon that are faster than it, and that can run a Choice Scarf as well, and since Porygon-Z's bulk isn't that great, it usually needs either the defensive investment necessary to withstand an attack or its second most common set, involving a Custap Berry paired with the move Endure so that Porygon-Zit can withstand an attack from the opponentfoe and then attackstrike first on the next turn thanks to its Custap Berry, giving it similar, if not even wider coverage capability than wielding aits Choice Scarf set. Unfortunately, there will always be thingsPokemon that generally have the upper hand against most Porygon-Z sets, all of which being either Pokemon that resist Porygon-Z's typeNormal, such as Mawile, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Aggron, and other Rock-, Steel, or Ghost types or-, and Ghost-types, as well as Pokemon that are just generally bulky specially, such as Meloetta, and Dragonite, and more. That being said. Nevertheless, Porygon-Z is still, in fact, capable of taking on most of these threats through sacrificing any means of attacking before speedy opponents by choosing to wield the Choice Specs, an item that makes Porygon-Zwhich makes it so powerful, that it can take on most of its threats that it can either withstand an attack from or outspeed in a single attack.

[Choice Scarf]

Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe or EVs: 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Uproar

Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best move for Porygon-Z to use, since, in combination with its Choice Scarf allowing it to outspeed most thingsPokemon, this move alone blanket checks a vast majority of all Pokemon that don't have enoughlack a sufficient amount of bulk to withstand being hit by it. Thunderbolt doesn't serve as general of a purpose as Hyper Beam, but it instead allows Porygon-Z to safely 2HKO non-bulky Mega Gyarados-Mega, as well as OHKO Greninja, or 2HKO if Greninjat if it tries to PP stall Porygon-Z by using Shadow Sneak. Trick makes Porygon-Z capable of taking down many stall-oriented Pokemon by locking them into using only one move with its Choice Scarf, such as Chansey, Togekiss, and other less common threatTogekiss. Uproar is generally a superior move to the common Tri- Attack, as it's more powerful, goes through Substitute, and blocks opponentfoes from using Ssleep-inducing moves of any kind.

Set Details

The Timid spreadA spread of 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Timid nature is mainly used for people that are intimidated by Mega Alakazam or otherpposing Porygon-Z users,; otherwise the Modest spread, a spread of 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe with a Modest nature is universally more viable, seeing as Mega Alakazam is a rarity these days, and thatquite rare and you ideally want to take away any 50/50 chances from your teams, rather than adding on to them. The Modest spread is builtalso used for the express purpose of being capable of withstanding a neutral -natured Kyurem-Black's Outrage more than 4st of the times out of 5, while also often OHKO-ing back with Hyper Beam over 4 times out of 5. The Speed has exactly enough Effort Values for. 224 Speed EVs allow Porygon-Z to outspeed a Jolly Mega Lopunny, since that is the highest sSpeed a viable 1v1 Pokemon has without being a scarf of its ownnon-Choice Scarf Pokemon has. Thankfully, losing out on a solid chunk of its EVs for Special Attack doesn't really affect it too heavily, only really reducing the chances of OHKO-ing bulky Mega Charizard- Y and Mega Gardevoir.

Usage Tips

There isn't really too much to learn when it comes to the usualWith Choice Scarf Porygon-Z set, most of the time you just click Hyper Beam and win. That being said, there are a handful of situations where Hyper Beam would not be the ideal move to use, such as when you're against Gyarados; Mega Gyarados has the raw Sspecial bulk to shrug off a Hyper Beam, allowing it to 2HKO Porygon-Z, and as such, Thunderbolt or Uproar comes in handy (Adaptability makes Uproar equal to a 2x effective Thunderbolt), either move being capable of 2HKO-ing Gyarados while Gyarados cannot OHKO in return without using Dragon Dance, but, unfortunately for Gyarados, it is still slower than Porygon-Z after a Dragon Dance thanks to Porygon-Z's Choice Scarf. Additionally, in the event you're faced with Porygon-Z vsfacing Aggron, Thunderbolt is capable of knocking out 2HKOing Aggron in two hits if Aggron uses Metal Burst instead of Head Smash for an easy OHKO.
A common trend among Porygon-Z is the random need to run Ice Beam, when the move is pretty much completely unnecessary, since Hyper Beam already OHKO's Garchomp, and Dragonite withstandtanks an Ice Beam,; even Whimsicott is more scared oftakes more damage from Uproar than Ice Beam, and other than those Pokemon, there is nothing else that is frequent enough in the 1v1 metagame for Ice Beam to warrant any significance.

Team Options

Some of the biggest threats to Porygon-Z are two of the centralizing Steel -types, Mega Mawile and Metagross, and as such, Choice Scarfed Porygon-Z likes being backed up by something that can break said Steel types,-types; in particular, Mega Charizard- X. The two pair up so well, that the combination of them manages to cover all the S and A ranks, other than a handful of unique sets.
most of the viable threats in the metagame. If you aren't very particular about running specific EV spreads to counteract Choice Scarfed Kyurem-Black, then another option to have in mind would be Rhyperior, whoich has the raw bulk and power to take on many of the threatening Steel -types that threaten Porygon-Z, while also supporting the combination of Mega Charizard- X and Porygon-Z to iron out most of the weaknesses of those two combined as well.
Lastly, if you're not interested in playing mind games with whether or not to have Mega Charizard- X use Substitute against Meloetta, yet another option that assists Choice Scarf Porygon-Z ANDand does the trick against Meloetta is Mega- Pinsir, who mercilessich easily OHKO's Meloetta with Giga Impact, while also supporting Porygon-Z against Bbulky Mega Charizard-Y, who Y, which is capable of surviving a Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and infrequently carries Substitute to make it capable of counteractingtaking on Mega Pinsir.



[Custap Berry]
Porygon-Z @ Custap Berry
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Endure
- Nasty Plot
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt or whatever alternative coverage you want/need at the moment

Set Comments

Moves

Seeing as this setup of Porygon-Z relies on the Custap Berry, Endure is a completely necessary move to activate it, while at the same time, also allowing Porygon-Z to gain priority over Pokemon that would have otherwise been faster than it, if it were using a Choice Scarf, such as Choice Scarfed Latios and Kyurem-Black, as well as giving it an edge over Choiced recharge move users, likesuch as Meloetta, if they're silly enough to use Hyper Beam,; rival Porygon-Z, Slaking, and other similar cases of Endure shenanigans; and Slaking. Nasty Plot gives Porygon-Z the chance to improve the power of its Hyper Beam to even greater lengths than that of Choice Specs Porygon-Z, but at the expense of a turn; all things considered, thanks to its Defense EVs, Porygon-Z is able to withstand a large number of attacks just well enough for Nasty Plot not to go to waste, even going so far as to make it capable of OHKO-ing Chansey. Hyper Beam, as always, never fails to disappoint, and is necessary on just about every Porygon-Z so it can OHKO everything. Porygon-Z's last move slot is variable, since there are no moves that it actually needs in the fourth slot,; even Nasty Plot is debatable, and as such, I put Thunderbolt thereis an option, since it gives Porygon-Z a safe option for 2HKO-ing Gyarados, while also having a solid chance at 2HKO-ing Aggron.

Set Details

The maxedMaximum Defense EVs allows Porygon-Z to withstand an Outrage from a Choice Scarfed Kyurem-Black, as well as having a 70%good chance of withstanding a Flare Blitz/ or Outrage from an Adamant Mega Charizard-X, and even making X. It even makes it capable of going tone-ton-tone with Mega Mawile, though Porygon-Z can only win if you're incredibly good at predicting when the opponent isn't going to use Sucker Punch. Otherwise, the SpA EVs work pretty much the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z, being maxed outThe Special Attack EVs are maximum for the sake of OHKO-ing everything, though you can afford to drop some of them, if there is a specific Pokemon you need to counteract at the moment, otherwise maxed out has the widest general coverage.

Usage Tips

Now, since this is yet another user of Endure + Custap shenanigans, tThere will always be a lot of predictions going around, specifically once an opponent has learned that you're liable to use the strategy. In particular, if a Mega Charizard- X user has learned that you're using a Custap + Endure Porygon-Z, then there's no worry about predictions, since you know he's a Charizard-X user,they're a Mega Charizard X user; all you need to do is spam Hyper Beam, even if they use Substitute, since most Mega Charizard- X users just attack straight away instead of using Dragon Dance to secure the Gguaranteed OHKO, which in turn, will whittle you down to Custap range, thus allowing you to attack first and wipe them away with Hyper Beam. Secondly, the dDefense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand a +1 attack from Gyarados, meaning that there is no need to use Endure after they've used Dragon Dance once, unless you're not running maximum Defense. Aggron cannot OHKO 252 Defense Porygon-Z unless they're Choice Banded instead of a Mega Evolution, meaning that Porygon-Z can 2HKO with Thunderbolt, or the combination of Thunderbolt + Hyper Beam, if they decide to Mega Evolve. When you're up against rivalopposing Porygon-Z that you know are Choice Scarfed, use Endure; the automatic first instinct of a Choice Scarf Porygon-Z user against another Porygon-Z user is to click Hyper Beam, and as such, Endure negates that; but. However, once you get to fight this opponent again with the same matchup, their usual second instinct is to use Trick, figuring that they'll outsmart you with it, not realizing that now you're running Choice Scarfed, while they aren't, thus allowing you to outspeed and OHKO.

Team Options

Unfortunately, Custap Berry Porygon-Z is still threatened by most of the meta-controlling Steel Tgame-defining Steel-types, meaning that Mega Charizard- X is, yet again, a viable partner for it, since it does the job well at breaking many Steel T-types. In addition, Rhyperior also handles most of the Steel T-types that threaten Custap Berry Porygon-Z, sporting the type coverage, and raw stats +, and ability to stand up to just about any Steel T-type. Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z has no fear of Kyurem-Black, this means that you can safely run Choice Banded Garchomp to assist it, since it OHKO'es just about all of the highest ranked viable Pokemon that threaten it.


[Choice Specs]
Porygon-Z @ Choice Specs
Ability: Download or/ Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 236 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Hyper Beam
- Uproar
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Fire]/alternative coverage

Set Comments
Moves

As on every Porygon-Z set, Hyper Beam is a necessity to ensure the OHKO's on everything that this Pokemon threatens, in addition to many new ones, such as Mawile, which is either normally OHKO'either OHKOed by Download Hyper Beam, or has a 2/3good chance of being OHKO'ed from Adaptability Hyper Beam, both situations assuming Mawile has 252 EVs in HP; in addition to Mawile, Choice Specs-boosted Hyper Beam also threatens 252 HP Rhyperior with very similar chances of being OHKO'd; and on top of thatOHKOing it. Furthermore, Adaptability -boosted Hyper Beam even OHKO'es Meloetta, one of the few threats to Porygon-Z that doesn't rely on type advantages.
On Choice Specs Porygon-Z, Uproar has a little more use than just hitting Whimsicott and other predicted Substitute users; with Adaptability, Uproar is a guaranteed OHKO against Mega Charizard- X, and even a 3/4good chance with Download, assuming the Charizard has no bulk, meaning that Choice Specs Porygon-Z has no fear of Substitute Mega Charizard-X, o X. On the other hand, a Download-boosted Uproar manages to OHKO Kyurem-Black, meaning each ability has their positive gains.
Choice Trick works as well as always, changinges very little in coverage when Tricking a Choice Specs vs awith a Choice Scarf, but still threatening stall equally as well.
Hidden Power Fire takes Thunderbolt's place on this set, since it no longer needs Thunderbolt for handling Gyarados, due to Hyper Beam now being capable of OHKO-ing. Hidden Power Fire is Porygon-Z's coverage move that gives it the widest general coverage, since most of its other coverage options just allow it to beat one or two Pokemon at a time, while Hidden Power Fire grants Porygon-Z coverage against Scizor and Ferrothorn, neither of which are overly common, but used often enough to warrant significance, and more importantly, Mega Mawile, whoich gets OHKO'ed by a Download -boosted hit, in the event you don't feel like risking the 10% chance of missing Hyper Beam, or the possibility of them running Endure. While on the other hand, if you're using Adaptability, Hidden Power Fire replaces Thunderbolt's role of relatively safely 2HKO-ing Aggron, since it doesn't deal enough damage for Metal Burst to KO back, and Porygon-Z's bulk should allow it to withstand at least a single attack from Aggron, assuming it isn't Banded.

Set Details

Similar to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Choice Specs Porygon-Z is outfitted withhas a large amount of bulk that, which makes it capable of standing up to the incredibly common threats of physicalsuch as Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black, and Mega Charizard- X, but this particular set has a pinchbit of Speed investment added on for the rare, but still possible event thatin case it manages to use Trick against a Choice Scarf Jirachi or other base 100 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to become faster and 2HKO before Jirachi finishes it off, since Porygon-Z's Defense investment forces Iron Head into the 3HKO range, t. Thankfully, taking away from Porygon-Z's Special Attack doesn't make all that many big differences as to what it can and can't KO, but if you like having as much of a KO percentage as possible against a particular Pokemon that you're seeing on the ladder, you can choose to take away from Porygon-Z's Defense instead of Special Attack.

Usage Tips

One of the biggest things to remember when using Choice Specs Porygon-Z is that it generally doesn't have to worry about type disadvantages against most common threats in 1v1, since it's capable of blasting away Mawile, Rhyperior, and Aggron, and others just through raw power. One such example would be against Golem, albeit, Golemwhich may not be the most common Pokemon in 1v1, but it still gets used enough for this tip to merit attention; Choice Specs Uproar, regardless of ability, 2HKO'es Golem, while Porygon-Z's Defense EVs protect it from being 2HKO'ed, unless Golem is packing Superpower, which they generally don't. Choice Specs Uproar even 2HKO'es Magnezone, though you'd have to work around a lot of EVs to safely counteract it, since most Magnezone either carry a Custap Berry to 2HKO Porygon-Z, or have Choice Specs of their own to OHKO Porygon-Z.

Team Options

Choice Specs Porygon-Z actually covers a very different field from Scarf Porygon-Z, being more built to threatens many of the things that would threaten Scarf Porygon-Z, meaning that one of the betterst allies for Choice Specs Porygon-Z would be Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, seeing as the two alone have coverage against all of the S and A ranks combined, as well as threatening a large chunk of the lower ranks.
Alternatively, a Sspecially biased Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black makes for a nice companion, since it threatens any non-Scarfed Kyurem-Black variants that would have otherwise threatened Choice Specs Porygon-Z, as well as handling thingsPokemon that still have the raw power to OHKO Porygon-Z through its Defense EVs, such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. It doesn't really need the physical side for anything more than coverage moves for Porygon-Z threats with quad weaknesses, such as Mega Charizard- Y and Mega Heracross.
Lastly, for all the threats to Porygon-Z that have the bulk and/or type resistance to stand up to Choice Specs Porygon-Z, there's Whimsicott, acting as a strong anti-stall with Taunt, and being unable to be OHKO'ed by most attacks from these types of threats.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Other than its main moves, Choice Scarfed and Custap Berry Porygon-Z isare also capable of running various coverage moves that will allow it to defeat other, less common, threats to it, such as Psyshock for Gengar, Hidden Power Fire for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Rest on Choice Scarf Porygon-Z so that way it can safely guarantee that it beats most stall-oriented Pokemon after using Trick, and even going as far as Conversion in tandem with Shadow Ball to counteract Meloetta and other Porygon-Z.

As mentioned in the move explanations, Thunderbolt is only a secondary move option, since it only provides coverage against a specific selection of Pokemon. Just about all of
, though for Custap Berry Porygon-Z's alternative moves are the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z's alternative moves, being Psyshock for Gengar, and Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Ferrothron. That being said, Shadow Ball + Conversion is no longer doable, unless you're willing, you'll have to sacrifice Nasty Plot. Rest, while still being a usable move to threaten Stall with, isn't quite as viable on Custap Berry Porygon-Z, since it doesn't have the factor of forcing the opponent into being locked into using only one move working with it, that being said,

Recover is actually an option for Custap Berry Porygon-Z, if noto for anything else, then at least for the sake of counteracting Mawile's attempts at using Sucker Punch, even though it is very realistically possible for Sucker Punch to KO after using a Recover, after Porygon-Z has been hit with a Play Rough, though it definitely still helps.

As mentioned earlier, Porygon-Z doesn't really have many options for coverage that beat more than just individual Pokemon, examples being Ice Beam/can run Ice Beam or Blizzard for Dragonite (Ice Beam OHKO'ess non-bulky, while Blizzard OHKO'es all variants); Shadow Ball/ or Dark Pulse, which can take on Ghost -types that don't beat Porygon-Z as well as OHKO a Metagross if Porygon-Z has Download; Thunder, which is capable of 2HKO-ing a Heatran and +1 Special Defense Sableye, as long as it gets the Download boost; various Hidden Powers for counteracting specific Pokemon that have quad weaknesses to them, if Hyper Beam doesn't do the job; and Rest, just in case Porygon-Z wants to outstall a Pokemon that's been Tricked.

Checks and Counters

Custap Berry Porygon-Z, while removing offensive threats due to being able to outprioritize them, or withstand their attacks, unfortunately gains defensive threats, due to the lack of Choice-locking with Trick.

Since Choice Specs Porygon-Z doesn't have either speed or priority backing it up like the other two sets, many things that are faster than it can be threatening, particularly on the special side.

Charizard-Y: Outspeeds
Mega Charizard Y: Mega Charizard Y outspeeds Choice Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO'es it with just about any Fire-type move, while also being a threat to Custap Berry Porygon-Z once it learns which set it is.
Kyurem-Black: Choice Scarfed Kyurem-Black threatens to OHKO Choice Scarfed Porygon-Z with Outrage if Porygon-Z doesn't have bulk, while Banded/Choice Band or Choice Specs Kyurem-Black threaten Choice Specs Porygon-Z withby OHKO-ing it, though it usually loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, unless it can predict right.
Mega Mawile: TMega Mawile tanks a Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and 2HKO'es Custap Berry Porygon-Z before Porygon-Z can 2HKO it back, unless Porygon-Z manages to win the Sucker Punch ppPP stall mind games.
Porygon-Z: OPorygon-Z only really threatens Choice Specs Porygon-Z, since either Scarf or Custap Berry are the more common sets that it runs.
Greninja: OGreninja only threatens Choice Specs Porygon-Z, since this set lacks a method of going before Greninja.
Deoxys-Defense: G: Deoxys-D generally loses due to being Tricked a Choice-Tricked, bu item but it can potentially blockTaunt Choice Specs Porygon-Z out of using Trick with Taunt if it's faster than Porygon-Z. Both Pokemon each end up playing mind games as to who'at is using which set, as well.

Dragonite: TDragonite threatens to OHKO Choice Scarf and Custap Berry Porygon-Z with its Choice Band-boosted Outrage/ or Superpower, while losing tothough it loses to a Choice Specs-boosted Ice Beam/ or Blizzard, if it's slower than Choice Specs Porygon-Z.

Meloetta: Meloetta handles Choice Scarf Porygon-Z with ease due to its bulk and power,. It's also being capable of threatening Custap Berry Porygon-Z with the same power, despite losing to Endure if Meloetta uses Hyper Beam. As forChoice Specs Porygon-Z, it only loses to Adaptability Choice Specs Hyper Beam, and ends up in a Speed- creeping war with the Porygon-Z.

Garchomp: OGarchomp only threatens Choice Specs Porygon-Z with a less than 60% chance of OHKO-ing it with Outrage.
Mega Pinsir: OMega Pinsir outspeeds Custap Berry and Choice Specs Porygon-Z and has a very probable chance of OHKO-ing them with Close Combat, and. It also usually carries Protect to negate Custap Berry Porygon-Z, though it loses to Choice Scarf Porygon-Z in the event that it doesn't have Endure.
Rhyperior: HRhyperior has the Rock typing that gives it the resist against Scarf Porygon-Z'sa resistance to Hyper Beam and OHKO'ses Choice Scarf Porygon-Z in return with Rock Wrecker.; T, though Earthquake is now reduced to little more than a 1/3 chance of OHKO-ing Custap Berry Porygon-Z,. Rock Wrecker and Superpower still do the job, however, meaning that Porygon-Z loses if Rhyperior has Superpower, orand the battle becomes reduced to whether or not Rhyperior uses Rock Wrecker.

Whimsicott: Since being locked into Uproar isn't good for a non-Choiced Porygon-Z, Custap Berry Porygon-Z's only means of handling Whimsicott involve using moves that would otherwise only counteract this specific Pokemon.
Mega Gardevoir: OMega Gardevoir outspeeds and OHKO'es non-Choice Scarf Porygon-Z with either Hyper Voice or Hyper Beam, but it loses to Choice Scarf Porygon-Z if it has no bulk investment, and it also loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it lacks Protect, triggers the Custap Berry, and doesn't have the bulk to stand up to a Hyper Beam.
Mega Metagross: RMega Metagross resists Choice Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and 2HKO'ses it in return with its STAB moves, or OHKO'es with Hammer Arm.; Would It only loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it wereisn't running either Hammer Arm or Bullet Punch.; If speedy If it is running a faster spread, it can outspeed Choice Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO with Hammer Arm before Porygon-Z gets a chance to use Shadow Ball/ or Dark Pulse.
Overview
Porygon-Z is one of the most versatile Pokemon of the 1v1 metagame, its typing walled by only Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-types, which are either rare or frail enough specially for Porygon-Z to OHKO them with its raw power. With its wide variety of viable moves alongside stats that get the job done, Porygon-Z manages to threaten a vast majority of the entire metagame. Stats-wise, Porygon-Z has astoundingly high Special Attack, backed up by relatively good Speed, with its other stats being pretty lackluster. Due to the fact that its Speed doesn't allow it to act before many common threats of 1v1, Porygon-Z commonly runs a Choice Scarf so that it can do just that, its Speed becoming high enough to allow it to outpace both Mega Charizard X and Y, Greninja, and Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, safely either OHKOing or 2HKOing them. However, there are Pokemon that are faster than it and that can run a Choice Scarf as well, and since Porygon-Z's bulk isn't that great, it usually needs either the defensive investment necessary to withstand an attack or its second most common set, involving a Custap Berry paired with Endure so that it can withstand an attack from the foe and then strike first on the next turn thanks to its Custap Berry, giving it similar, if not even wider coverage capability than its Choice Scarf set. Unfortunately, there will always be Pokemon that generally have the upper hand against most Porygon-Z sets, all of which either resist Normal, such as Mawile, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Aggron, and other Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-types, as well as Pokemon that are just generally bulky specially, such as Meloetta and Dragonite. Nevertheless, Porygon-Z is still capable of taking on most of these threats with Choice Specs, which makes it so powerful that it can take on most of its threats that it can either withstand an attack from or outspeed in a single attack.

[Choice Scarf]

Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe or 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Uproar

Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best move for Porygon-Z to use, since, in combination with its Choice Scarf allowing it to outspeed most Pokemon, this move alone blanket checks a vast majority of Pokemon that lack a sufficient amount of bulk. Thunderbolt doesn't serve as general of a purpose as Hyper Beam, but it instead allows Porygon-Z to safely 2HKO non-bulky Mega Gyarados, as well as OHKO Greninja or 2HKO it if it tries to PP stall Porygon-Z by using Shadow Sneak. Trick makes Porygon-Z capable of taking down many stall-oriented Pokemon by locking them into only one move with its Choice Scarf, such as Chansey and Togekiss. Uproar is generally a superior move to the common Tri Attack, as it's more powerful, goes through Substitute, and blocks foes from using sleep-inducing moves.

Set Details

A spread of 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Timid nature is mainly used for people that are intimidated by Mega Alakazam or opposing Porygon-Z; otherwise, a spread of 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe with a Modest nature is universally more viable, seeing as Mega Alakazam is quite rare and you ideally want to take away any 50/50 chances from your teams, rather than adding on to them. The Modest spread is also used for the express purpose of being capable of withstanding a neutral-natured Kyurem-B's Outrage most of the times while also often OHKOing back with Hyper Beam. 224 Speed EVs allow Porygon-Z to outspeed a Jolly Mega Lopunny, since that is the highest Speed a viable non-Choice Scarf Pokemon has. Thankfully, losing out on a solid chunk of its EVs for Special Attack doesn't really affect it too heavily, only really reducing the chances of OHKOing bulky Mega Charizard Y and Mega Gardevoir.

Usage Tips

With Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, most of the time you just click Hyper Beam and win. That being said, there are a handful of situations where Hyper Beam would not be the ideal move to use, such as when you're against Gyarados; Mega Gyarados has the raw special bulk to shrug off a Hyper Beam, allowing it to 2HKO Porygon-Z, and as such, Thunderbolt or Uproar comes in handy (Adaptability makes Uproar equal to a 2x effective Thunderbolt), either move being capable of 2HKOin Gyarados while Gyarados cannot OHKO in return without using Dragon Dance, but, unfortunately for Gyarados, it is still slower than Porygon-Z after a Dragon Dance thanks to Porygon-Z's Choice Scarf. Additionally, in the event of Porygon-Z facing Aggron, Thunderbolt is capable of knocking out 2HKOing Aggron if Aggron uses Metal Burst instead of Head Smash for an easy OHKO. A common trend among Porygon-Z is the random need to run Ice Beam, when the move is pretty much completely unnecessary, since Hyper Beam already OHKOs Garchomp, and Dragonite tanks an Ice Beam; even Whimsicott takes more damage from Uproar than Ice Beam, and other than those Pokemon, there is nothing else that is frequent enough in the 1v1 metagame for Ice Beam to warrant any significance.

Team Options

Some of the biggest threats to Porygon-Z are two of the centralizing Steel-types, Mega Mawile and Metagross, and as such, Choice Scarf Porygon-Z likes being backed up by something that can break said Steel-types; in particular, Mega Charizard X. The two pair up so well that the combination of them manages to cover most of the viable threats in the metagame. If you aren't very particular about running specific EV spreads to counter Choice Scarf Kyurem-B, then another option to have in mind would be Rhyperior, which has the raw bulk and power to take on many of the threatening Steel-types that threaten Porygon-Z while also supporting the combination of Mega Charizard X and Porygon-Z to iron out most of the weaknesses of those two combined as well. Lastly, if you're not interested in playing mind games with whether or not to have Mega Charizard X use Substitute against Meloetta, yet another option that assists Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and does the trick against Meloetta is Mega Pinsir, which easily OHKOs Meloetta with Giga Impact while also supporting Porygon-Z against bulky Mega Charizard Y, which is capable of surviving a Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and infrequently carries Substitute to make it capable of taking on Mega Pinsir.


[Custap Berry]
Porygon-Z @ Custap Berry
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Endure
- Nasty Plot
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt

Set Comments

Moves

Seeing as this setup of Porygon-Z relies on the Custap Berry, Endure is a completely necessary move to activate it while at the same time, also allowing Porygon-Z to gain priority over Pokemon that would have otherwise been faster than it, if it were using a Choice Scarf, such as Choice Scarf Latios and Kyurem-B, as well as giving it an edge over Choiced recharge move users, such as Meloetta, if they're silly enough to use Hyper Beam; rival Porygon-Z; and Slaking. Nasty Plot gives Porygon-Z the chance to improve the power of its Hyper Beam to even greater lengths at the expense of a turn. Hyper Beam is necessary on just about every Porygon-Z so it can OHKO everything. Porygon-Z's last move slot is variable, since there are no moves that it actually needs in the fourth slot; even Nasty Plot is debatable, and as such, Thunderbolt is an option, since it gives Porygon-Z a safe option for 2HKOing Gyarados while also having a solid chance at 2HKOing Aggron.

Set Details

Maximum Defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand an Outrage from a Choice Scarf Kyurem-B, as well as having a good chance of withstanding a Flare Blitz or Outrage from an Adamant Mega Charizard X. It even makes it capable of going one-on-one with Mega Mawile, though Porygon-Z can only win if you're incredibly good at predicting when the opponent isn't going to use Sucker Punch. The Special Attack EVs are maximum for the sake of OHKOing everything, though you can afford to drop some of them if there is a specific Pokemon you need to counter at the moment.

Usage Tips

There will always be a lot of predictions going around, specifically once an opponent has learned that you're liable to use the strategy. In particular, if a Mega Charizard X user has learned that you're using a Custap + Endure Porygon-Z, there's no worry about predictions, since you know they're a Mega Charizard X user; all you need to do is spam Hyper Beam, even if they use Substitute, since most Mega Charizard X users just attack straight away instead of using Dragon Dance to secure the guaranteed OHKO, which in turn, will whittle you down to Custap range, thus allowing you to attack first and wipe them away with Hyper Beam. Secondly, the Defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand a +1 attack from Gyarados, meaning that there is no need to use Endure after they've used Dragon Dance once, unless you're not running maximum Defense. Aggron cannot OHKO 252 Defense Porygon-Z unless they're Choice Band instead of a Mega Evolution, meaning that Porygon-Z can 2HKO with Thunderbolt or the combination of Thunderbolt + Hyper Beam if they decide to Mega Evolve. When you're up against opposing Porygon-Z that you know are Choice Scarf, use Endure; the automatic first instinct of a Choice Scarf Porygon-Z user against another Porygon-Z user is to click Hyper Beam, and as such, Endure negates that. However, once you get to fight this opponent again with the same matchup, their usual second instinct is to use Trick, figuring that they'll outsmart you with it, not realizing that now you're running Choice Scarf, while they aren't, thus allowing you to outspeed and OHKO.

Team Options

Unfortunately, Custap Berry Porygon-Z is still threatened by most of the metagame-defining Steel-types, meaning that Mega Charizard X is, yet again, a viable partner for it, since it does the job well at breaking many Steel-types. In addition, Rhyperior also handles most of the Steel-types that threaten Custap Berry Porygon-Z, sporting the type coverage, raw stats, and ability to stand up to just about any Steel-type. Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z has no fear of Kyurem-B, you can safely run Choice Band Garchomp to assist it, since it OHKOes just about all of the highest ranked viable Pokemon that threaten it.


[Choice Specs]
Porygon-Z @ Choice Specs
Ability: Download / Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 236 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Hyper Beam
- Uproar
- Trick
- Hidden Power Fire

Set Comments
Moves

Hyper Beam is a necessity to ensure the OHKOs on everything this Pokemon threatens, in addition to Mawile, which is normally either OHKOed by Download Hyper Beam or has a good chance of being OHKOed from Adaptability Hyper Beam, both situations assuming Mawile has 252 EVs in HP; in addition to Mawile, Choice Specs-boosted Hyper Beam also threatens 252 HP Rhyperior with very similar chances of OHKOing it. Furthermore, Adaptability-boosted Hyper Beam even OHKOes Meloetta, one of the few threats to Porygon-Z that doesn't rely on type advantages. On Choice Specs Porygon-Z, Uproar has a little more use than just hitting Whimsicott and other predicted Substitute users; with Adaptability, Uproar is a guaranteed OHKO against Mega Charizard X, and even a good chance with Download, assuming the Charizard has no bulk, meaning that Choice Specs Porygon-Z has no fear of Substitute Mega Charizard X. On the other hand, a Download-boosted Uproar manages to OHKO Kyurem-B, meaning each ability has their positive gains. Trick changes very little in coverage when Tricking a Choice Specs with a Choice Scarf but still threatening stall equally as well. Hidden Power Fire gives it the widest general coverage, since most of its other coverage options just allow it to beat one or two Pokemon at a time, while Hidden Power Fire grants Porygon-Z coverage against Scizor and Ferrothorn, neither of which are overly common, but used often enough to warrant significance, and more importantly, Mega Mawile, which gets OHKOed by a Download-boosted hit, in the event you don't feel like risking the 10% chance of missing Hyper Beam, or the possibility of them running Endure.

Set Details

Choice Specs Porygon-Z has a large amount of bulk, which makes it capable of standing up to the incredibly common threats such as Choice Scarf Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard X, but this particular set has a bit of Speed investment in case it manages to use Trick against a Choice Scarf Jirachi or other base 100 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to become faster and 2HKO before Jirachi finishes it off, since Porygon-Z's Defense investment forces Iron Head into the 3HKO range. Thankfully, taking away from Porygon-Z's Special Attack doesn't make a big difference as to what it can and can't KO, but if you like having as much of a KO percentage as possible against a particular Pokemon that you're seeing on the ladder, you can choose to take away from Porygon-Z's Defense instead of Special Attack.

Usage Tips

One of the biggest things to remember when using Choice Specs Porygon-Z is that it generally doesn't have to worry about type disadvantages against most common threats in 1v1, since it's capable of blasting away Mawile, Rhyperior, and Aggron, just through raw power. One such example would be against Golem, which may not be the most common Pokemon in 1v1, but it still gets used enough for this tip to merit attention; Choice Specs Uproar, regardless of ability, 2HKOes Golem, while Porygon-Z's Defense EVs protect it from being 2HKOed, unless Golem is packing Superpower, which they generally don't. Choice Specs Uproar even 2HKOes Magnezone, though you'd have to work around a lot of EVs to safely counteract it, since most Magnezone either carry a Custap Berry to 2HKO Porygon-Z, or have Choice Specs of their own to OHKO Porygon-Z.

Team Options

Choice Specs Porygon-Z threatens many of the things that would threaten Scarf Porygon-Z, meaning that one of the best allies for Choice Specs Porygon-Z would be Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, seeing as the two alone have coverage against all of the S and A ranks combined, as well as threatening a large chunk of the lower ranks. Alternatively, a special Choice Scarf Kyurem-B makes for a nice companion, since it threatens any non-Scarfed Kyurem-B variant that would have otherwise threatened Choice Specs Porygon-Z, as well as handling Pokemon that still have the raw power to OHKO Porygon-Z through its Defense EVs, such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. It doesn't really need the physical side for anything more than coverage moves for Porygon-Z threats with quad weaknesses, such as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Heracross. Lastly, for all the threats to Porygon-Z that have the bulk and/or type resistance to stand up to Choice Specs Porygon-Z, there's Whimsicott, acting as a strong anti-stall with Taunt, and being unable to be OHKOed by most attacks from these types of threats.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Other than its main moves, Choice Scarf and Custap Berry Porygon-Z are also capable of running various coverage moves that will allow it to defeat other, less common, threats to it, such as Psyshock for Gengar, Hidden Power Fire for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Rest on Choice Scarf Porygon-Z so that it can safely guarantee that it beats most stall-oriented Pokemon after using Trick, and even going as far as Conversion in tandem with Shadow Ball to counteract Meloetta and other Porygon-Z, though for Custap Berry Porygon-Z, you'll have to sacrifice Nasty Plot.

Recover is actually an option for Custap Berry Porygon-Z to foil Mawile's attempts at using Sucker Punch, even though it is very realistically possible for Sucker Punch to KO after using a Recover, though it definitely still helps.

Porygon-Z can run Ice Beam or Blizzard for Dragonite (Ice Beam OHKOess non-bulky, while Blizzard OHKOes all variants); Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse, which can take on Ghost-types that don't beat Porygon-Z as well as OHKO Metagross if Porygon-Z has Download; Thunder, which is capable of 2HKOing a Heatran and +1 Special Defense Sableye, as long as it gets the Download boost; various Hidden Powers for counteracting specific Pokemon that have quad weaknesses to them, if Hyper Beam doesn't do the job; and Rest, just in case Porygon-Z wants to outstall a Pokemon that's been Tricked.

Checks and Counters

Mega Charizard Y: Mega Charizard Y outspeeds Choice Specs Porygon-Z and OHKOes it with just about any Fire-type move while also being a threat to Custap Berry Porygon-Z once it learns which set it is.

Kyurem-B: Choice Scarf Kyurem-B threatens to OHKO Choice Scarf Porygon-Z with Outrage if Porygon-Z doesn't have bulk, while Choice Band or Choice Specs Kyurem-B threaten Choice Specs Porygon-Z by OHKOing it, though it usually loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, unless it can predict right.

Mega Mawile: Mega Mawile tanks a Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and 2HKOes Custap Berry Porygon-Z before Porygon-Z can 2HKO it back, unless Porygon-Z manages to win the Sucker Punch PP stall mind games.

Porygon-Z: Porygon-Z only really threatens Choice Specs Porygon-Z, since either Scarf or Custap Berry are the more common sets that it runs.

Greninja: Greninja only threatens Choice Specs Porygon-Z, since this set lacks a method of going before Greninja.

Deoxys-D: Deoxys-D generally loses due to being Tricked a Choice item but it can potentially Taunt Choice Specs Porygon-Z if it's faster than Porygon-Z. Both Pokemon each end up playing mind games as to what is using which set.

Dragonite: Dragonite threatens to OHKO Choice Scarf and Custap Berry Porygon-Z with its Choice Band-boosted Outrage or Superpower, though it loses to a Choice Specs-boosted Ice Beam or Blizzard if it's slower than Choice Specs Porygon-Z.

Meloetta: Meloetta handles Choice Scarf Porygon-Z with ease due to its bulk and power. It's also capable of threatening Custap Berry Porygon-Z with the same power, despite losing to Endure if Meloetta uses Hyper Beam. Choice Specs Porygon-Z only loses to Adaptability Choice Specs Hyper Beam and ends up Speed creeping with Porygon-Z.

Garchomp: Garchomp only threatens Choice Specs Porygon-Z with a less than 60% chance of OHKOing it with Outrage.

Mega Pinsir: Mega Pinsir outspeeds Custap Berry and Choice Specs Porygon-Z and has a very probable chance of OHKOing them with Close Combat. It also usually carries Protect to negate Custap Berry Porygon-Z, though it loses to Choice Scarf Porygon-Z in the event that it doesn't have Endure.

Rhyperior: Rhyperior has the Rock typing that gives it a resistance to Hyper Beam and OHKOes Choice Scarf Porygon-Z in return with Rock Wrecker, though Earthquake is now reduced to little more than a 1/3 chance of OHKOing Custap Berry Porygon-Z. Rock Wrecker and Superpower still do the job, however, meaning that Porygon-Z loses if Rhyperior has Superpower, and the battle becomes reduced to whether or not Rhyperior uses Rock Wrecker.

Whimsicott: Since being locked into Uproar isn't good for a non-Choiced Porygon-Z, Custap Berry Porygon-Z's only means of handling Whimsicott involve using moves that would otherwise only counteract this specific Pokemon.

Mega Gardevoir: Mega Gardevoir outspeeds and OHKOes non-Choice Scarf Porygon-Z with either Hyper Voice or Hyper Beam, but it loses to Choice Scarf Porygon-Z if it has no bulk investment, and it also loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it lacks Protect, triggers the Custap Berry, and doesn't have the bulk to stand up to a Hyper Beam.

Mega Metagross: Mega Metagross resists Choice Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and 2HKOes it in return with its STAB moves or OHKOes with Hammer Arm. It only loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it isn't running either Hammer Arm or Bullet Punch. If it is running a faster spread, it can outspeed Choice Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO with Hammer Arm before Porygon-Z gets a chance to use Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mq

dhelmise

everything is embarrassing
is a Site Content Manageris a Battle Simulator Administratoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Smogon Discord Contributor Alumnus
Social Media Head
[Quality Control 2/2]
[1v1] Porygon-Z
I hate doing standard sets and work, but it seems only I know how to treat my bae right <3

Overview

Porygon-Z is one of the more versatile Pokemon of the 1v1 meta, its typing being walled only by Rock, Steel, and Ghost, which are either rare, or frail enough specially for Porygon-Z to OHKO them with its raw power. With its wide variety of viable moves alongside stats that get the job done, Porygon-Z manages to threaten a vast majority of the entire meta. Statwise, Porygon-Z has monstrously high Special Attack, backed up with relatively good Speed, with everything else being pretty lackluster. Due to the fact that its Speed doesn't allow it to act before many common threats of 1v1, Porygon-Z commonly likes to use a Choice Scarf so it can do just that, its speed becoming high enough to outpace both Charizard Mega Evolutions, Greninja, Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, and more, safely either OHKO-ing or 2HKO-ing them. That being said, though, there are Pokemon that are faster than it, and can run Choice Scarf as well, and since Porygon-Z's bulk isn't that great, it usually needs either the defensive investment necessary to withstand an attack or its second most common set, involving a Custap Berry paired with the move Endure so that Porygon-Z can withstand an attack from the opponent and then attack first on the next turn thanks to its Custap Berry, giving it similar, if not even wider coverage capability than wielding a Scarf. Unfortunately, there will always be things that generally have the upper hand against most Porygon-Z sets, all of which being either Pokemon that resist Porygon-Z's type, such as Mawile, Rhyperior, Metagross, and Aggron, and other Rock, Steel, or Ghost types or Pokemon that are just generally bulky specially, such as Meloetta, Dragonite, and more. That being said, Porygon-Z is still, in fact, capable of taking on most of these threats through sacrificing any means of attacking before speedy opponents by choosing to wield the Choice Specs, an item that makes Porygon-Z so powerful, that it can take on most of its threats that it can either withstand an attack from or outspeed in a single attack.

[Choice Scarf]

Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe or EVs: 128 Def / 156 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Uproar


Set Comments

Moves

Hyper Beam is easily the best move for Porygon-Z to use, since in combination with its Choice Scarf allowing it to outspeed most things, this move alone blanket checks a vast majority of all Pokemon that don't have enough bulk to withstand being hit by it. Thunderbolt doesn't serve as general of a purpose as Hyper Beam, but it instead allows Porygon-Z to safely 2HKO non-bulky Gyarados-Mega, as well as OHKO Greninja, or 2HKO if Greninja tries to PP stall Porygon-Z by using Shadow Sneak. Trick makes Porygon-Z capable of taking down many stall-oriented Pokemon by locking them into using only one move with its Choice Scarf, such as Chansey, Togekiss, and other less common threats. Uproar is generally a superior move to the common Tri-Attack, as it's more powerful, goes through Substitute, and blocks opponents from using Sleep-inducing moves of any kind.

Set Details

The Timid spread is mainly used for people that are intimidated by Mega Alakazam or other Porygon-Z users, otherwise the Modest spread is universally more viable, seeing as Mega Alakazam is a rarity these days, and that you ideally want to take away any 50/50 chances from your teams, rather than adding on to them. The Modest spread is built for the express purpose of being capable of withstanding a neutral natured Kyurem-Black's Outrage more than 4 times out of 5, while also OHKO-ing back with Hyper Beam over 4 times out of 5. The Speed has exactly enough Effort Values for Porygon-Z to outspeed a Jolly Mega Lopunny, since that is the highest speed a viable 1v1 Pokemon has without being a scarf of its own. Thankfully, losing out on a solid chunk of its EVs for Special Attack doesn't really affect it too heavily, only really reducing the chances of OHKO-ing bulky Charizard-Y and Mega Gardevoir.

Usage Tips

There isn't really too much to learn when it comes to the usual Scarf Porygon-Z set, most of the time you just click Hyper Beam and win. That being said, there are a handful of situations where Hyper Beam would not be the ideal move to use, such as when you're against Gyarados; Mega Gyarados has the raw Special bulk to shrug off a Hyper Beam, allowing it to 2HKO Porygon-Z, and as such, Thunderbolt or Uproar come in handy (Adaptability makes Uproar equal to a 2x effective Thunderbolt), either move being capable of 2HKO-ing Gyarados while Gyarados cannot OHKO in return without using Dragon Dance, but, unfortunately for Gyarados, it is still slower than Porygon-Z after a Dragon Dance thanks to Porygon-Z's Choice Scarf. Additionally, in the event you're faced with Porygon-Z vs Aggron, Thunderbolt is capable of knocking out Aggron in two hits if Aggron uses Metal Burst instead of Head Smash for an easy OHKO.
A common trend among Porygon-Z is the random need to run Ice Beam, when the move is pretty much completely unnecessary, since Hyper Beam already OHKO's Garchomp, and Dragonite withstands an Ice Beam, even Whimsicott is more scared of Uproar than Ice Beam, and other than those Pokemon, there is nothing else that is frequent enough in the 1v1 metagame for Ice Beam to warrant any significance.

Team Options

Some of the biggest threats to Porygon-Z are two of the centralizing Steel types, Mawile and Metagross, and as such, Scarfed Porygon-Z likes being backed up by something that can break said Steel types, in particular, Charizard-X. The two pair up so well, that the combination of them manages to cover all the S and A ranks, other than a handful of unique sets.
If you aren't very particular about running specific EV spreads to counteract Scarfed Kyurem-Black, then another option to have in mind would be Rhyperior, who has the raw bulk and power to take on many of the threatening Steel types that threaten Porygon-Z, while also supporting the combination of Charizard-X and Porygon-Z to iron out most of the weaknesses of those two combined as well.
Lastly, if you're not interested in playing mind games with whether or not to have Charizard-X use Substitute against Meloetta, yet another option that assists Scarf Porygon-Z AND does the trick against Meloetta is Mega-Pinsir, who mercilessly OHKO's Meloetta with Giga Impact, while also supporting Porygon-Z against Bulky Charizard-Y, who is capable of surviving a Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and infrequently carries Substitute to make it capable of counteracting Mega Pinsir.




[Custap Berry]
Porygon-Z @ Custap Berry
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Endure
- Nasty Plot
- Hyper Beam
- Thunderbolt or whatever alternative coverage you want/need at the moment


Set Comments

Moves

Seeing as this setup of Porygon-Z relies on the Custap Berry, Endure is a completely necessary move to activate it, while at the same time, also allowing Porygon-Z to gain priority over Pokemon that would have otherwise been faster than it, if it were using a Choice Scarf, such as Choice Scarfed Latios and Kyurem-Black, as well as giving it an edge over Choiced recharge move users, like Meloetta, if they're silly enough to use Hyper Beam, rival Porygon-Z, Slaking, and other similar cases of Endure shenanigans. Nasty Plot gives Porygon-Z the chance to improve the power of its Hyper Beam to even greater lengths than that of Choice Specs Porygon-Z, but at the expense of a turn; all things considered, thanks to its Defense EVs, Porygon-Z is able to withstand a large number of attacks just well enough for Nasty Plot not to go to waste, even going so far as to make it capable of OHKO-ing Chansey. Hyper Beam, as always, never fails to disappoint, and is necessary on just about every Porygon-Z so it can OHKO everything. Porygon-Z's last move slot is variable, since there are no moves that it actually needs in the fourth slot, even Nasty Plot is debatable, and as such, I put Thunderbolt there, since it gives Porygon-Z a safe option for 2HKO-ing Gyarados, while also having a solid chance at 2HKO-ing Aggron.

Set Details

The maxed Defense EVs allows Porygon-Z to withstand an Outrage from a Scarfed Kyurem-Black, as well as having a 70% chance of withstanding a Flare Blitz/Outrage from an Adamant Charizard-X, and even making it capable of going toe-to-toe with Mega Mawile, though Porygon-Z can only win if you're incredibly good at predicting when the opponent isn't going to use Sucker Punch. Otherwise, the SpA EVs work pretty much the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z, being maxed out for the sake of OHKO-ing everything, though you can afford to drop some of them, if there is a specific Pokemon you need to counteract at the moment, otherwise maxed out has the widest general coverage.

Usage Tips

Now, since this is yet another user of Endure + Custap shenanigans, there will always be a lot of predictions going around, specifically once an opponent has learned that you're liable to use the strategy. In particular, if a Charizard-X user has learned that you're a Custap + Endure Porygon-Z, then there's no worry about predictions, since you know he's a Charizard-X user, all you need to do is spam Hyper Beam, even if they use Substitute, since most Charizard-X users just attack straight away instead of using Dragon Dance to secure the Guaranteed OHKO, which in turn, will whittle you down to Custap range, thus allowing you to attack first and wipe them away with Hyper Beam. Secondly, the defense EVs allow Porygon-Z to withstand a +1 attack from Gyarados, meaning that there is no need to use Endure after they've used Dragon Dance once, unless you're not max Defense. Aggron cannot OHKO 252 Defense Porygon-Z unless they're Banded instead of Mega, meaning that Porygon-Z can 2HKO with Thunderbolt, or the combination of Thunderbolt + Hyper Beam, if they decide to Mega Evolve. When you're up against rival Porygon-Z that you know are Scarfed, use Endure; the automatic first instinct of a Scarf Porygon-Z user against another Porygon-Z user is to click Hyper Beam, and as such, Endure negates that; but once you get to fight this opponent again with the same matchup, their usual second instinct is to use Trick, figuring that they'll outsmart you with it, not realizing that now you're Scarfed, while they aren't, thus allowing you to outspeed and OHKO.

Team Options

Unfortunately, Custap Berry Porygon-Z is still threatened by most of the meta-controlling Steel Types, meaning that Charizard-X is, yet again, a viable partner for it, since it does the job well at breaking many Steel Types. In addition, Rhyperior also handles most of the Steel Types that threaten Custap Berry Porygon-Z, sporting the type coverage, and raw stats + ability to stand up to just about any Steel Type. Since Custap Berry Porygon-Z has no fear of Kyurem-Black, this means that you can safely run Banded Garchomp to assist it, since it OHKO's just about all of the highest ranked viable Pokemon that threaten it.


[Choice Specs]
Porygon-Z @ Choice Specs
Ability: Download or Adaptability
EVs: 252 Def / 236 SpA / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Hyper Beam
- Uproar
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Fire]/alternative coverage


Set Comments

Moves

As on every Porygon-Z set, Hyper Beam is a necessity to ensure the OHKO's on everything that this Pokemon threatens, in addition to many new ones, such as Mawile, which is either normally OHKO'd by Download Hyper Beam, or has a 2/3 chance of being OHKO'd from Adaptability Hyper Beam, both situations assuming Mawile has 252 EVs in HP; in addition to Mawile, Specs Hyper Beam also threatens 252 HP Rhyperior with very similar chances of being OHKO'd; and on top of that, Adaptability boosted Hyper Beam even OHKO's Meloetta, one of the few threats to Porygon-Z that doesn't rely on type advantages.
On Choice Specs Porygon-Z, Uproar has a little more use than just hitting Whimsicott and other predicted Substitute users; with Adaptability, Uproar is a guaranteed OHKO against Charizard-X, and even a 3/4 chance with Download, assuming the Charizard has no bulk, meaning that Choice Specs Porygon-Z has no fear of Substitute Charizard-X, on the other hand, a Download-boosted Uproar manages to OHKO Kyurem-Black, meaning each ability has their positive gains.
Choice Trick works as well as always, changing very little in coverage when Tricking a Specs vs a Scarf, but still threatening stall equally as well.
Hidden Power Fire takes Thunderbolt's place on this set, since it no longer needs Thunderbolt for handling Gyarados, due to Hyper Beam now being capable of OHKO-ing. Hidden Power Fire is Porygon-Z's coverage move that gives it the widest general coverage, since most of its other coverage options just allow it to beat one or two Pokemon at a time, while Hidden Power Fire grants Porygon-Z coverage against Scizor and Ferrothorn, neither of which are overly common, but used often enough to warrant significance, and more importantly, Mega Mawile, who gets OHKO'd by a Download boosted hit, in the event you don't feel like risking the 10% chance of missing Hyper Beam, or the possibility of them running Endure. While on the other hand, if you're using Adaptability, Hidden Power Fire replaces Thunderbolt's role of relatively safely 2HKO-ing Aggron, since it doesn't deal enough damage for Metal Burst to KO back, and Porygon-Z's bulk should allow it to withstand at least a single attack from Aggron, assuming it isn't Banded.

Set Details

Similar to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Choice Specs Porygon-Z is outfitted with a large amount of bulk that makes it capable of standing up to the incredibly common threats of physical Scarf Kyurem-Black, and Charizard-X, but this particular set has a pinch of Speed investment added on for the rare, but still possible event that it manages to use Trick against a Scarf Jirachi or other base 100 Speed Pokemon, allowing it to become faster and 2HKO before Jirachi finishes it off, since Porygon-Z's Defense investment forces Iron Head into the 3HKO range, thankfully, taking away from Porygon-Z's Special Attack doesn't make all that many differences as to what it can and can't KO, but if you like having as much of a KO percentage as possible against a particular Pokemon that you're seeing on the ladder, you can choose to take away from Porygon-Z's Defense instead of Special Attack.

Usage Tips

One of the biggest things to remember when using Choice Specs Porygon-Z is that it generally doesn't have to worry about type disadvantages against most common threats in 1v1, since it's capable of blasting away Mawile, Rhyperior, Aggron, and others just through raw power. One such example would be against Golem, albeit, Golem may not be the most common Pokemon in 1v1, but it still gets used enough for this tip to merit attention; Specs Uproar, regardless of ability, 2HKO's Golem, while Porygon-Z's Defense EVs protect it from being 2HKO'd, unless Golem is packing Superpower, which they generally don't. Specs Uproar even 2HKO's Magnezone, though you'd have to work around a lot of EVs to safely counteract it, since most Magnezone either carry a Custap Berry to 2HKO Porygon-Z, or have Specs of their own to OHKO Porygon-Z.

Team Options

Choice Specs Porygon-Z actually covers a very different field from Scarf Porygon-Z, being more built to threaten many of the things that would threaten Scarf Porygon-Z, meaning that one of the better allies for Specs Porygon-Z would be Scarf Porygon-Z, seeing as the two alone have coverage against all of the S and A ranks combined, as well as threatening a large chunk of the lower ranks.
Alternatively, a Specially biased Choice Scarf Kyurem-Black makes for a nice companion, since it threatens any non-Scarfed Kyurem-Black variants that would have otherwise threatened Specs Porygon-Z, as well as handling things that still have the raw power to OHKO Porygon-Z through its Defense EVs, such as Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Pinsir. It doesn't really need the physical side for anything more than coverage moves for Porygon-Z threats with quad weaknesses, such as Charizard-Y and Mega Heracross.
Lastly, for all the threats to Porygon-Z that have the bulk and/or type resistance to stand up to Specs Porygon-Z, there's Whimsicott, acting as a strong anti-stall with Taunt, and being unable to be OHKO'd by most attacks from these types of threats.

Strategy Comments

Other Options

Other than its main moves, Scarfed Porygon-Z is also capable of running various coverage moves that will allow it to defeat other, less common, threats to it, such as Psyshock for Gengar, Hidden Power Fire for Scizor and Ferrothorn, Rest so that way it can safely guarantee that it beats most stall-oriented Pokemon after using Trick, and even going as far as Conversion in tandem with Shadow Ball to counteract Meloetta and other Porygon-Z.

As mentioned in the move explanations, Thunderbolt is only a secondary move option, since it only provides coverage against a specific selection of Pokemon. Just about all of Custap Berry Porygon-Z's alternative moves are the same as Scarfed Porygon-Z's alternative moves, being Psyshock for Gengar, and Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Ferrothron. That being said, Shadow Ball + Conversion is no longer doable, unless you're willing to sacrifice Nasty Plot. Rest, while still being a usable move to threaten Stall with, isn't quite as viable on Custap Berry Porygon-Z, since it doesn't have the factor of forcing the opponent into being locked into using only one move working with it, that being said, Recover is actually an option for Custap Berry Porygon-Z, if not for anything else, then at least for the sake of counteracting Mawile's attempts at using Sucker Punch, even though it is very realistically possible for Sucker Punch to KO after using a Recover, after Porygon-Z has been hit with a Play Rough, though it definitely still helps.

As mentioned earlier, Porygon-Z doesn't really have many options for coverage that beat more than just individual Pokemon, examples being Ice Beam/Blizzard for Dragonite (Ice Beam OHKO's non-bulky, while Blizzard OHKO's all); Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse, which can take on Ghost types that don't beat Porygon-Z as well as OHKO a Metagross if Porygon-Z has Download; Thunder, which is capable of 2HKO-ing a Heatran and +1 Special Defense Sableye, as long as it gets the Download boost; various Hidden Powers for counteracting specific Pokemon that have quad weaknesses to them, if Hyper Beam doesn't do the job; and Rest, just in case Porygon-Z wants to outstall a Pokemon that's been Tricked.

Checks and Counters

Custap Berry Porygon-Z, while removing offensive threats due to being able to outprioritize them, or withstand their attacks, unfortunately gains defensive threats, due to the lack of Choice-locking with Trick.

Since Choice Specs Porygon-Z doesn't have either speed or priority backing it up like the other two sets, many things that are faster than it can be threatening, particularly on the special side.

Charizard-Y: Outspeeds Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO's it with just about any Fire move, while also being a threat to Custap Berry Porygon-Z once it learns which set it is.
Kyurem-Black: Scarfed Kyurem-Black threatens to OHKO Scarfed Porygon-Z with Outrage if Porygon-Z doesn't have bulk, while Banded/Specs Kyurem-Black threaten Specs Porygon-Z with OHKO-ing it, though it usually loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z, unless it can predict right.
Mega Mawile: Tanks a Hyper Beam from Scarf Porygon-Z and 2HKO's Custap Berry Porygon-Z before Porygon-Z can 2HKO it, unless Porygon-Z manages to win the Sucker Punch pp stall mind games.
Porygon-Z: Only really threatens Specs Porygon-Z, since either Scarf or Custap Berry are the more common sets that it runs.
Greninja: Only threatens Specs Porygon-Z, since this set lacks a method of going before Greninja.
Deoxys-Defense: Generally loses to being Choice-Tricked, but can potentially block Specs Porygon-Z out of using Trick with Taunt if it's faster than Porygon-Z. Both Pokemon each end up playing mind games as to who's using which set, as well.
Dragonite: Threatens to OHKO Scarf and Custap Berry Porygon-Z with Banded Outrage/Superpower, while losing to Specs Ice Beam/Blizzard, if it's slower than Specs Porygon-Z.
Meloetta: Meloetta handles Scarf Porygon-Z with ease due to its bulk and power, also being capable of threatening Custap Berry Porygon-Z with the same power, despite losing to Endure if Meloetta uses Hyper Beam. As for Specs Porygon-Z, it only loses to Adaptability Specs Hyper Beam, and ends up in a Speed-creeping war with the Porygon-Z.
Garchomp: Only threatens Specs Porygon-Z with a less than 60% chance of OHKO-ing it with Outrage.
Mega Pinsir: Outspeeds Custap Berry and Specs Porygon-Z and has a very probable chance of OHKO-ing them with Close Combat, and also usually carries Protect to negate Custap Berry Porygon-Z, though it loses to Scarf Porygon-Z in the event that it doesn't have Endure.
Rhyperior: Has the Rock typing that gives it the resist against Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and OHKO's in return with Rock Wrecker.; Though Earthquake is now reduced to little more than a 1/3 chance of OHKO-ing Custap Berry Porygon-Z, Rock Wrecker and Superpower still do the job, meaning that Porygon-Z loses if Rhyperior has Superpower, or the battle becomes reduced to whether or not Rhyperior uses Rock Wrecker.
Whimsicott: Since being locked into Uproar isn't good for a non-Choiced Porygon-Z, Custap Berry Porygon-Z's only means of handling Whimsicott involve moves that would otherwise only counteract this specific Pokemon.
Mega Gardevoir: Outspeeds and OHKO's non-Scarf Porygon-Z with either Hyper Voice or Hyper Beam, but loses to Scarf Porygon-Z if it has no bulk investment, and also loses to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it lacks Protect, triggers the Custap Berry, and doesn't have the bulk to stand up to a Hyper Beam.
Mega Metagross: Resists Scarf Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam and 2HKO's in return with STAB moves, or OHKO's with Hammer Arm.; Would only lose to Custap Berry Porygon-Z if it weren't running either Hammer Arm or Bullet Punch.; If speedy, it can outspeed Specs Porygon-Z and OHKO with Hammer Arm before Porygon-Z gets a chance to Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse.


Figured I'd at least do one set of the three before going to sleep, let me know if there are any problems.

Finished the second set now, only got Specs left, will make another post to let you guys know once I finish, otherwise, let me know what the correct procedure is.

Holy balls I'm done :^ I am NOT doing another of these EVER.

(Edit: Unwatching thread after this)
http://www.smogon.com/tiers/om/analyses/1v1/porygon-z uploaded
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mq
QC
Reserving [STABmons] Mega Venusaur

Overview
  • Mega Venusaur's great Grass / Poison typing, when paired with it's ability, Thick Fat, leaves it with only two weaknesses in Psychic and Flying.
  • Sporting amazing natural bulk in both Defense and Special Defense, Mega Venusaur is able to utilize support moves such as Spore, Leech Seed, and Toxic Spikes to cripple opponents and allow other offensive threats to shine.
  • While it can handle most attacks, Mega Venusaur is vulnerable to strong STAB Flying and Psychic moves and should be paired with Pokemon who cover these two weaknesses.
  • Grass and Poison is a potent STAB combination for a bulky Pokemon like Mega Venusaur, offering only two combined resistances in Poison and Steel.
  • Even without investment in Special Attack, offensive options like Giga Drain, Seed Flare, Energy Ball, and Sludge Bomb are often enough to scare out offensive Pokemon who lack Super Effective attacks.

Specially Defensive
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spore
- Giga Drain / Seed Flare / Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb / Acid Spray
- Leech Seed / Synthesis


Set Comments

Moves

  • Spore allows Mega Venusaur to put offensive threats to sleep and provides an opportunity for safe healing or a switch to an offensive threat.
  • Giga Drain is the optimal Grass STAB as it appreciates the residual healing.
  • A riskier, but more powerful option is Seed Flare with 120 BP, 85% accuracy, and a 40% chance to sharply lower the opponents Special Defense.
  • Energy Ball provides a middle ground between the two with moderate damage, but no healing.
  • Sludge Bomb is used against Pokemon that resist the Grass STAB, usually opposing Grass or Fairy-types.
  • Acid Spray offers less BP than Sludge Bomb, but the guaranteed drop in Special Defense makes switch-ins think twice about staying in to take a second attack.
  • Leech Seed is useful for crippling offensive threats and winning against other bulky Pokemon.
  • Synthesis is valuable when you need immediate, and more substantial healing. Be careful of weather teams who reduce Synthesis' healing to 1/3.

Set Details
  • Chlorophyll is used as the pre-Mega ability in case an opponent or teammate has setup Sun, giving Venusaur doubled Speed.
  • Standard EV's in HP and Special Defense allow Mega Venusaur to easily tank almost any Special Attack.
  • Calm nature and 0 Attack IV's only increases the ability to wall Special attackers and minimizes damage from Foul Play.

Usage Tips

  • Mega Venusaur excels at switching into Pokemon who have no options to hit it Super Effectively and then putting them to sleep using Spore.
  • Mega Venusaur beats almost all notable Water, Grass, and Ground/Rock-types 1v1 thanks to it's stellar defensive typing.
  • Sludge Bomb is usually used to hit opposing Grass pokemon who are immune to Spore and Leech Seed.
  • The residual healing from Leech Seed and Giga Drain is extremely valuable when facing Pokemon who can 2HKO Mega Venusaur, like unboosted Mega Slowbro and Slowking.

Team Options

  • Tyranitar is immune to Psychic and resists Flying, completely covering Mega Venusaur's weaknesses. Great coverage moves also allow Tyranitar to eliminate checks like Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Talonflame.
  • Strong Fire-types like Heatran and both Mega Charizards clear out Steel types that resist both STABs.
  • Rotom-Wash is a reliable check to Flying-types that threaten it, and Mega Venusaur appreciates the Will-o-Wisp support crippling opposing physical attackers.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


  • When paired with a Sun setter like Mega Charizard Y, a setup move like Growth can turn bulky Mega Venusaur into a serious offensive threat.
  • The less effective physical set using Wood Hammer, Earthquake, and Knock Off can be used to lure in and kill threats like Alakazam and Heatran.
  • Toxic Spikes can be used in place of a support or coverage move to apply status pressure to the enemy team.

Checks and Counters

  • Fire-types: Even with Thick Fat halving the attacking stat of incoming Fire-type attacks, Mega Venusaur is unable to deal reliable damage in return and is usually forced to switch out by strong attackers like Talonflame, Mega Charizard Y, and Heatran.
  • Flying-types: Flying-type STAB moves are a serious threat to Mega Venusaur and should be avoided if possible. Pokemon like Tornadus-therian, Aerodactyl, and Mega Pidgeot can break through Mega Venusaur's bulk with powerful Flying attacks.
  • Psychic-types: Strong Psychic-types like Latios, Latias, Meloetta, and Starmie are able to revenge kill Mega Venusaur with their strong STAB moves.
  • Bulky Walls: Bulky walls like Chansey and Blissey can be worn down eventually by Leech Seed, but if they have teammates to switch out to, they are relatively unphased by Mega Venusaur.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mq
QC
Reserving [STABmons] Mega Venusaur

Overview
  • Mega Venusaur's great Grass / Poison typing, when paired with it's ability, Thick Fat, leaves it with only two weaknesses in Psychic and Flying.
  • Sporting amazing natural bulk in both Defense and Special Defense, Mega Venusaur is able to utilize support moves such as Spore, Leech Seed, and Toxic Spikes to cripple opponents and allow other offensive threats to shine.
  • While it can handle most attacks, Mega Venusaur is vulnerable to strong STAB Flying and Psychic moves and should be paired with Pokemon who cover these two weaknesses.

  • Grass and Poison is a potent STAB combination for a bulky Pokemon like Mega Venusaur, offering only two combined resistances in Poison and Steel.
  • Even without investment in Special Attack, offensive options like Giga Drain, Seed Flare, Energy Ball, and Sludge Bomb are often enough to scare out offensive Pokemon who lack Super Effective attacks.

Specially Defensive
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spore
- Giga Drain / Seed Flare / Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb / Acid Spray
- Leech Seed / Synthesis


Set Comments

Moves

  • Spore allows Mega Venusaur to put offensive threats to sleep and provides an opportunity for safe healing or a switch to an offensive threat.
  • Giga Drain is the optimal Grass STAB as it appreciates the residual healing.
  • A riskier, but more powerful option is Seed Flare with 120 BP, 85% accuracy, and a 40% chance to sharply lower the opponents Special Defense.
  • Energy Ball provides a middle ground between the two with moderate damage, but no healing.
  • Sludge Bomb is used against Pokemon that resist the Grass STAB, usually opposing Grass or Fairy-types.
  • Acid Spray offers less BP than Sludge Bomb, but the guaranteed drop in Special Defense makes switch-ins think twice about staying in to take a second attack.
  • Leech Seed is useful for crippling offensive threats and winning against other bulky Pokemon.
  • Synthesis is valuable when you need immediate, and more substantial healing. Be careful of weather teams who reduce Synthesis' healing to 1/3.

Set Details
  • Chlorophyll is used as the pre-Mega ability in case an opponent or teammate has setup Sun, giving Venusaur doubled Speed.
  • Standard EV's in HP and Special Defense allow Mega Venusaur to easily tank almost any Special Attack.
  • Calm nature and 0 Attack IV's only increases the ability to wall Special attackers and minimizes damage from Foul Play.

Usage Tips

  • Mega Venusaur excels at switching into Pokemon who have no options to hit it Super Effectively and then putting them to sleep using Spore.
  • Mega Venusaur beats almost all notable Water, Grass, and Ground/Rock-types 1v1 thanks to it's stellar defensive typing.
  • Sludge Bomb is usually used to hit opposing Grass pokemon who are immune to Spore and Leech Seed.
  • The residual healing from Leech Seed and Giga Drain is extremely valuable when facing Pokemon who can 2HKO Mega Venusaur, like unboosted Mega Slowbro and Slowking.

Team Options

  • Tyranitar is immune to Psychic and resists Flying, completely covering Mega Venusaur's weaknesses. Great coverage moves also allow Tyranitar to eliminate checks like Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Talonflame.
  • Strong Fire-types like Heatran and both Mega Charizards clear out Steel types that resist both STABs.
  • Rotom-Wash is a reliable check to Flying-types that threaten it, and Mega Venusaur appreciates the Will-o-Wisp support crippling opposing physical attackers.

Strategy Comments

Other Options


  • When paired with a Sun setter like Mega Charizard Y, a setup move like Growth can turn bulky Mega Venusaur into a serious offensive threat.
  • The less effective physical set using Wood Hammer, Earthquake, and Knock Off can be used to lure in and kill threats like Alakazam and Heatran.
  • Toxic Spikes can be used in place of a support or coverage move to apply status pressure to the enemy team.

Checks and Counters

  • Fire-types: Even with Thick Fat halving the attacking stat of incoming Fire-type attacks, Mega Venusaur is unable to deal reliable damage in return and is usually forced to switch out by strong attackers like Talonflame, Mega Charizard Y, and Heatran.
  • Flying-types: Flying-type STAB moves are a serious threat to Mega Venusaur and should be avoided if possible. Pokemon like Tornadus-therian, Aerodactyl, and Mega Pidgeot can break through Mega Venusaur's bulk with powerful Flying attacks.
  • Psychic-types: Strong Psychic-types like Latios, Latias, Meloetta, and Starmie are able to revenge kill Mega Venusaur with their strong STAB moves.
  • Bulky Walls: Bulky walls like Chansey and Blissey can be worn down eventually by Leech Seed, but if they have teammates to switch out to, they are relatively unphased by Mega Venusaur.
Ready for QC i think (first time pls be gentle)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mq

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top