Project USUM OU Victim of the Week [Week 49: Dragon Dance Gyarados]

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Sorry I was late everyone, Got distracted playing bravely default. Good game Anyway Voting is now over and the Winners for this week are

Checks: Scarf Keldeo (Noveliss ), AV magearna (nameless90 )
Counters: Tapu Fini (Riddikulusness ), Chansey (Jucherz )
Vote Count


Our Victim for this week is our Old ORAS Queen Clefable who while not the dominent all conquering force it once was has become increasingly better as Sun Moon evolved.



Clefable (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Flamethrower / Thunder Wave / Ice Beam / Stealth Rock / Knock Off
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled

Explanation:
With Increasingly powerful physicall attackers emerging and the Poor state of hazard removal Clef has in recent weeks found her way back onto teams. Bold nature with the is the go to as it shuts down the Likes Non Zen headbutt medicham, Beats Heracross at full health while Beating Non earthplate / Z Move varients of Landorous and walling or atleast revenging many other physical threats thanks to its ability take hits and avoid chip dmg while the 40spdef at +1 Walls Koko, Non Gunk gren and Heatran.
Moonblast and softboiled are staples and since we are using CM clef we have 1 free move slot. Flamethrower is prefered as it lets it take on some steels but T-wave still has decent utility in turning slower attackers into set up bait. Ice beam is to kill the ground trinity faster while rocks and knock off offer Role Compression.

Clefable is not without flaws tho and theres a reason shes nolonger the meta ruler, New Threats like toxapex, Tapu Fini and OTR magerna provide answers that Oras simply lacked while Z-moves give mons that were previously walled by her a one off shot to Heavily damage if not outright kill.


Goodluck everyone,
 

Funbot28

Banned deucer.
Reserving Taunt Heatran

Counter


Heatran @ Groundium Z / Grassium Z / Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock / Solar Beam

Taunt Heatran is nothing new and still remains one of the more consistent CM Clefable counters in the game. Its typing already leaves it with a 4x resistance to Fairy-type attacks, meaning that Heatran is able to even soak up +4 boosted Moonblasts from Clefable without leaving itself severely dented. Its ability in Flash Fire also leaves it immune to common coverage options from Clef such as Flamethrower, while welding a Z-Stone also weakens the power of Knock Off (although it is not like it would be doing much anyways). However, Taunt is the most important move on this set when dealing with Clef, as it prevents Heatran from being used as setup fodder and allows it to trap and potentially kill Clefable with Magma Storm since Taunt also blocks the use of recovery moves. Heatran remains to be one of the best answers to CM Clefable in the game, and the introduction of the new generation really did not change much.

+4 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 69-82 (21.3 - 25.3%) -- 0.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 178-210 (45.1 - 53.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. +1 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 118-141 (29.9 - 35.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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Reserving Gengar.

Gengar as a hard check.


Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Taunt

Gengar is a good check to Clefable since it OHKOes and unboosted Clef with a Life Orb boosted Sludge Wave, while preventing it from using Calm Mind or Soft-Boiled with Taunt.
However, it can be 2HKO'd by a +1 Flamethrower or by a Knock Off because of its frailty, making it a shaky switch in. It also cannot OHKO Clef at +1, so it needs a bit of prior damage if Clefable already started setting up.

252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 421-499 (106.8 - 126.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO


 
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Reserving Toxapex as a Counter


Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze

Toxapex can easily come in on this Clef set and wall it forever. It can haze away any boosts that Clef put up and easily set up some TSpikes on it. While Toxapex cannot do much in return to Clef (scald bounces off and burns don't matter), it can win the PP stall war vs. Clef thanks to Haze and Tspikes having such high PP.

+1 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 51-61 (16.7 - 20%) -- possible 7HKO after Black Sludge recovery (absolutely no damage)

0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 34-41 (11.1 - 13.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
 
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david0895

Mercy Main Btw
Electrium Z Tapu Koko as a check



Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
- Hidden Power Ice
- Volt Switch

Standard set but with Z-Thunderbolt to gurantee the 2HKO if Clefable is at +1

252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. +1 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable in Electric Terrain: 289-342 (73.3 - 86.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. +1 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable in Electric Terrain: 150-177 (38 - 44.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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Leo

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MPL Champion
Reserving amoongus

Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Def / 212 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spore
- Stun Spore / Hidden Power Fire
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog

Amoongus has been losing popularity as of late due to Tangrowth outclassing it for the most part. However, it has some draws over Tang such as countering CM Clefable thanks to its Poison typing and its access to Clear Smog, which lets it get rid of all the CMs from Clef. Spore also lets it put it to sleep so a teammate can come in for free later.
 
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Avant Heim

formerly The Bill Cipher
Nihilego as a counter

Nihilego @ Choice Specs
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Power Gem
- Sludge Bomb/Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power Ice
- Thunderbolt

Pretty simple ideia,Nihilego can just click Sludge Wave/Sludge Bomb and nuke past Clefable.
Even if Clefable sets up a calm mind,it will be force out because the next hit will kill it,and in return fable can do nothing agains nihilego because lego takes nothing from Moonblast,Flamethrower,Ice Beam

252 SpA Choice Specs Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 476-564 (120.8 - 143.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Nihilego Power Gem vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 202-238 (51.2 - 60.4%) -- 91.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Nihilego Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 101-119 (25.6 - 30.2%) -- 0.5% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Nihilego Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 151-178 (38.3 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recover
252 SpA Choice Specs Nihilego Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 452-534 (114.7 - 135.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Nihilego Sludge Bomb vs. +1 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 302-356 (76.6 - 90.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Nihilego Sludge Wave vs. +1 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 320-378 (81.2 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 39-46 (10.8 - 12.8%) -- possible 8HKO
0 SpA Clefable Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 25-29 (6.9 - 8%) -- possibly the worst move ever
0 SpA Clefable Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Nihilego: 50-59 (13.9 - 16.4%) -- possible 7HKO
0- Atk Clefable Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Nihilego: 69-82 (19.2 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO
 
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Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower

Specially defensive Celesteela as a counter. Celesteela 2HKOs Clefable with Heavy Slam and Clefable's Flamethrower does very little damage.

0 SpA Clefable Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celesteela: 90-106 (22.6 - 26.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 0 SpA Clefable Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celesteela: 134-158 (33.6 - 39.6%) -- 24.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 0 SpA Clefable Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celesteela: 178-210 (44.7 - 52.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Clefable: 236-282 (59.8 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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Specs Zone as a counter


Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt

It could be AV zone, too, but specs make sure chip on zone or bad rolls can't let clefable come out on top.

If we come in on flamethrower, we take 50% and OHKO clef back.
But assuming we switch in as it uses CM, zone has an easy 2HKO on clef and outspeeds:

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. +1 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 302-356 (76.6 - 90.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
while
+1 0 SpA Clefable Flamethrower vs. 128 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 204-240 (65.1 - 76.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


Also can't be Twaved. If specs are knocked off on the switchin (probly the worst case scenario), flash cannon still 2HKOs and this clef doesn't have flamethrower.
252+ SpA Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 302-356 (76.6 - 90.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery. same as if clef got 1 boost.
 

Natan

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Muk-Alola as a counter

Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant / Brave Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Gunk Shot / Poison jab
- Shadow Sneak / Fire Blast

Muk-Alola will take little damage from any of Clefable's attacks, taking with ease even at +2 or +1 with Assault Vest (be careful with Knock Off variants though because it won't be good for Muk-Alola to lose its item), Poison Jab can be used but since Muk is slower, it will need Gunk Shot to guarantee a 2HKO after Lefties + Soft-Boiled.

240+ Atk Muk-Alola Poison Jab vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Clefable: 236-282 (59.8 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
240+ Atk Muk-Alola Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Clefable: 356-420 (90.3 - 106.5%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+1 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 97-115 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 81.3% chance to 4HKO
+2 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 129-153 (31.1 - 36.9%) -- 69.8% chance to 3HKO
0- Atk Clefable Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Muk-Alola: 30-35 (7.2 - 8.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
+1 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Muk-Alola: 144-171 (34.7 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Muk-Alola: 193-228 (46.6 - 55%) -- 65.6% chance to 2HKO
 
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Martin

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Check

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 56 SpA / 252 SpD OR 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Calm / Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Fleur Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Ice Beam

Magearna makes for a really solid answer to Clefable when using either of these sets between it taking piss all from anything barring Flamethrower and being capable of heavily threatening it with its Steel-type STAB. Assault Vest is able to switch into Flamethrower significantly more comfortably than Shift Gear sets can, taking <25% max assuming it is running the modest spread (and significantly less with the calm spread) while being capable of 2HKOing it with Flash Cannon. That said, of Clefable uses Calm Mind or gets a SpA drop as it switches in it is capable of beating it 1v1 between Calm Mind, but this comes with its own set of issues due to it being OHKOed by a critical hit (which is very likely considering the number of boosts that Clefable needs to attain to eliminate a healthy Magearna).

Shift Gear Magearna is capable of winning if CM is used on the switch without relying on critical hits, with Corkskrew Crash OHKOing through one Calm Mind or Flash Cannon-->Twinkle Tackle (in that order) KOing 100% Clefable which attempt to boost to +2 on the first Flash Cannon before spamming Softboiled. That said, such a set can only switch into Flamethrower twice, making it less consistent at checking Clefable repeatedly, and generally struggles to do much outside of early game situations when compared to other Magearna sets. A special mention goes to Calm Mind+Flash Cannon Magearna too, as it never loses to Clefable in a Calm Mind war provided it is healthy.
 
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Check: Nidoking

Nidoking @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Taunt/Superpower

0 SpA Clefable Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Nidoking: 158-186 (52.1 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0- Atk Clefable Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Nidoking: 58-69 (19.1 - 22.7%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoking Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 40 SpD Clefable: 413-486 (104.8 - 123.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Nidoking can't be paralyzed and it can use Taunt to shut down both SR and Softboiled at once.
STAB LO Sludge Wave OHKOes this Clefable without CM boosts, otherwise it still is a solid 2HKO.
 
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Check: Alolan Marowak

Marowak-Alola @ Thick Club
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Shadow Bone
- Swords Dance
- (some filler, rocks, EQ, etc)

Alolan Marowak takes piss all from any move that Clef can go for, outspeeds, and easily 2HKOes with Flare Blitz. Only thing it doesn't really like is Knock which I've never seen on Clefable, also if you wanted you could use Lightning Rod to be immune to Thunder Wave.

0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Marowak-Alola: 59-69 (22.6 - 26.4%) -- 22.4% chance to 4HKO

+5 0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Marowak-Alola: 204-241 (78.1 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Thick Club Marowak-Alola Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 271-321 (68.7 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Tangrowth @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 48 HP
Relaxed Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sleep Powder
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power Ice

This is one of the best Mega Swampert counters in the game. Takes not much from any move outside of Ice Punch which does 37 max. Giga drain is a pretty solid roll to OHKO after any prior damage, and Regenerator means it can switch in consistently or even sleep powder a teammate.
 

quziel

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Mantine for Check (Counter if not Stone Edge)

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Haze
- Defog
- Roost

Mantine takes next to nothing from any move not called Stone Edge, which is easily scouted for, taking 32% max from Adamant Ice punch, and not even being that vulnerable to hax thanks to scald. It also does an admirable job of taking on a number of rain's other mon's.

252+ Atk Swampert-Mega Ice Punch vs. 240 HP / 252 Def Mantine: 99-117 (26.6 - 31.5%)
252+ Atk Swampert-Mega Stone Edge vs. 240 HP / 252 Def Mantine: 262-310 (70.6 - 83.5%)
0 SpA Mantine Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Swampert-Mega in Rain: 100-118 (29.3 - 34.6%)
 
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