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

[Muscle K]

Counter: Mega Venusaur

Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 72 Def / 188 SpD
Calm Nature
- Leech Seed
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb / Earthquake

Similarly to Amoonguss, Venusaur checks Suicune with its fantastic defensive typing, as well as annoying movepool, with it being able to continuously drain with Leech Seed, while also being able to also threaten it with a Poison if both sides misplay if Suicune is Calm Minding or hit it super-effectively with Giga Drain. Giga Drain can consistently break its substitutes at +1, while pssessing the chance to break them at +2. Suicune's scalds do minimal damage in return, while mostly not caring about the burn. As an added benefit, breaks tspikes yada yada Venusaur can also absorb any Toxic Spikes that is commonly paired with it, as well as threatening Suicune's most common teammates (ie. Veil mons). Earthquake can also be used to threaten Magearna, which is commonly seen along side it.

 

[ChrystalFalchion]

Counter: Tapu Fini

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Moonblast
- Taunt

Taunt stops Suicune boosting or restoring its health, meanwhile you can set up in its face and eventually break through it with Moonblast. Misty Surge means Suicune can't even hope for a burn on the switch. Suicune's Scald does virtually nothing, and with Moonblast's stat drops, Tapu Fini will always win. I prefer max speed - those extra 5 stat points aren't going to make a difference anywhere else.

+1 0 SpA Suicune Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Fini: 47-56 (13.7 - 16.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
+1 8 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. +1 252 HP / 24 SpD Suicune: 85-102 (21 - 25.2%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 8 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. +1 252 HP / 40 SpD Suicune: 84-100 (20.7 - 24.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
+3 8 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. +1 252 HP / 40 SpD Suicune: 141-166 (34.9 - 41%) -- 65.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

 

[Creator of Chaos]

Last chance to nominate Pokemon I'll be setting up voting tonight

 

[Meliodafu7]

Kartana as a check

Kartana @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword

I nominate Kartana as a Check to Suicune, this is because you can switch in, since uninvested Scald is a 3HKO, but a burn fuck you up, and you don't want risk that burn.
Any Kartana set works here because Leaf Blade is a clean 2HKO, and if rocks up, there is a high chance to get the OHKO.

252 Atk Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Suicune: 338-398 (83.6 - 98.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk burned Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Suicune: 169-199 (41.8 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Suicune Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 95-112 (36.6 - 43.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Suicune Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 142-168 (54.8 - 64.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 0 SpA Suicune Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 189-223 (72.9 - 86.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Creator of Chaos]

Alright nominations are finished. Thank you everyone for your contributions. Its time to vote for 2 checks and 2 Counters

Checks:
Tapu Koko
Tapu Bulu
Kartana
Amonguss

Counters:
Mega Latias
Toxapex
Toxicroak
Ferrothorn
Mega Venu
Tapu Fini

Voting will last 2/3 Days depending on activity. Goodluck

 

[Dziga]

Checks: Tapu Bulu / Tapu Koko
Counters: Toxicroak / Mega-Venusaur

 

[Deleted User 400951]

Checks: Kartana & Amoonguss
Counters: Ferrothorn & Latias-Mega

 

[david0895]

Checks: Tapu Bulu / Tapu Koko
Counters: Toxapex / Mega-Venusaur

Absorbing Toxic spikes is a great quality at the moment

 

[écarlate]

Checks: Tapu Koko / Tapu Bulu

Counters: Toxicroak / Mega Venusaur

 

[Jordy]

Checks: Tapu Bulu/Tapu Koko

Counters: Mega Latias/Mega Venusaur

 

[Rasberry Pie SG]

Checks: Tapu Koko / Tapu Bulu
Counters: Toxapex / Ferrothorn

 

[TURBODERP]

Checks: Tapu Bulu / Koko

Counters: Toxapex and Mega Latias (absorbing those Tspikes/setting them up and free CM, plus they're not really PP stalled)

 

[Random Passerby]

Hi, I would count the votes when I'm free. Thanks for your contributions.
Checks: Tapu Koko (BPGXMG ) / Tapu Bulu (Martin )
Counters: Mega Venusaur (Muscle K ) / Mega Latias (david0895 )

The victim for this week is Mega Venusaur.

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

Mega Venusaur forms one of the most annoying cores to break in Celesteela + Toxapex + Mega Venusaur thanks to its great typing, Ability and Poison typing to remove Toxic Spikes on the field. Despite being uninvested, Mega Venusaur's attacks still sting coming from a decent base 122 SpA. Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb are STABs while Earthquake is a nice option to prevent Heatran from getting a free Substitute. Meanwhile, Leech Seed and Synthesis provides Mega Venusaur with alternative means of Recovery since it can be worn down by Scald burns and Stealth Rock.

 

[Deleted User 400951]

Tapu Lele as a check

Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power Fire

Lele has been on the rise recently for its ability to break the Pex/Celes/Venu core. Arena Trap being gone - the most likely outcome of this suspect, considering the council and community's discussion on it - would make this set in particular incredible, as it could truly break both stall and balance without being limited to 1 kill. The power of this set is incredible, and Venu's not living a Psyshock or Psychic from this:

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega in Psychic Terrain: 458-540 (126.1 - 148.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 248 HP / 156+ SpD Venusaur-Mega in Psychic Terrain: 452-534 (124.5 - 147.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

This forces Venusaur out. Better yet, Venu can't OHKO with Sludge Bomb, so Lele can come in at least once in a pinch and force it out:

0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 204-242 (72.5 - 86.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

That being said, Moonblast is a free-switch in for Venu and it forces Lele out, though Lele won't be clicking Moonblast vs a Pex/Celes/Venu core at all. HP Fire does even to Venu.

The set for Specs is pretty standard - HP Fire for steels (it can 2HKO Celes with Rocks up :) ), Psyshock for opposing Chansey, Psychic as the main stab and Moonblast as a secondary stab. Timid lets Lele outspeed and KO Zygarde and Kyurem-Black, which is gr8 in this current meta (you could use Modest for more power, but I'd recommend Timid).

Lele is a decent check that holds its own vs Venu and is reacting well to metagame trends. Give it a try!

 

[david0895]

Flynium Z Landorus-T as check

Landorus-Therian @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Gravity / Smack Down
- Stealth Rock / Swords Dance

It can enter on the Mega Venusaur STABs, but probably it's better preserve it from chip damage and poison status, so give it a safe entry.

252 Atk Landorus-Therian Supersonic Skystrike (175 BP) vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 482-570 (132.7 - 157%) -- guaranteed OHKO

It can also threaten Celesteela and Toxapex:

calcs

252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 278-330 (69.8 - 82.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 306-360 (76.8 - 90.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

-1 0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 94-112 (29.4 - 35.1%) -- 18.3% chance to 3HKO


252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 198-234 (65.1 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 218-258 (71.7 - 84.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 126-150 (39.4 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

 

[Rasberry Pie SG]

reserving hoopa-u

Hoopa-Unbound as Counter.

Hoopa-Unbound @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magician
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt

Hoopa-u is one of the best wall breakers in the tier thanks to its ridiculously high special attack, pair that with specs and there are only few Pokémons that can switch into. It can switch-in safely on m-venusaur as it has great special defense, in return it can OHKO m-venusaur with a super effective Psychic/Psyshock.

Calcs:
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 372-440 (102.4 - 121.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO.
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Psychic vs. 248 HP / 156+ SpD Venusaur-Mega: 368-434 (101.3 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO.

 

[Jordy]

Reserving CM Psychium Z Latios

@

Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Roost
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt

CM Latios as a counter.
CM Latios is able to setup all over Mega Venusaur's face, it being able to stay healthy with Roost vs Mega Venusaur means it doesnt get whittled down by Leech Seed and/or a Sludge Bomb poison it also boosts it Sp.Atk meaning it will take less every time you setup a calm mind.

calcs

252 SpA Latios Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 204-242 (56.1 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252 SpA Latios Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 306-360 (84.2 - 99.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Latios Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 408-480 (112.3 - 132.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO


0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 106-126 (35.2 - 41.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 70-84 (23.2 - 27.9%) -- 78.6% chance to 4HKO
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. +2 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 54-64 (17.9 - 21.2%) -- possible 5HKO

 

[ChrystalFalchion]

Victini as a check

Victini @ Normalium Z
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Celebrate
- Fire Blast
- Stored Power
- Focus Blast

Earthquake does 2hko after Rocks, but with no hazards down Victin can come in, boost with Celebrate and wreck with Stored Power. At +1 Venusaur's attacks won't do anything.
0 Atk Veusaur-Mega Earthquake vs 0 / 4 Def Victini: 42.8 - 49.8% guaranteed 2hko after Stealth Rock.
0 Atk Venusaur-Mega Earthquake vs +1 0 / 4 Def Victini: 28.1 - 33.4 % 0% chance to 3hko
+1 252 SpA Victini Stored Power (120) vs 248 / 156 + SpD Thick Fat Venusaur-Mega: 92.5-109% 50% chance to OHKO - guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock.

 

[TURBODERP]

Latias @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind / Reflect Type
- Stored Power / Psyshock
- Thunderbolt / Surf
- Recover

(CM) Mega Latias as a counter. If you're CM, you set up for free (Leech Seed is annoying) and even 1 CM is super threatening for Mega Venusaur with Stored Power or Psyshock. If you're not CM, you can Reflect Type and wall forever because you become immune to Leech Seed/Sleep Powder/being Poisoned in any way. Toxapex takes a bunch from a +1 Stored Power and is cleanly OHKO'd at +2, and Celesteela sits and gets set up on (Leech Seed is annoying but it can't actually beat you barring Poison+Leech Seed+Heavy Slam high rolls and SR.

Defensive Calcs:

252+ SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Latias-Mega: 109-129 (36.2 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after poison damage

Offensive Calcs:

0 SpA Latias-Mega Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 252 Def Venusaur-Mega: 158-188 (43.5 - 51.7%) -- 9.4% chance to 2HKO

+1 0 SpA Latias-Mega Stored Power (60 BP) vs. 248 HP / 188+ SpD Venusaur-Mega: 174-206 (47.9 - 56.7%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO

 

[King Sceptile]

Hard Check

Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Roost

LO KB back at it again as one of the best breakers in the tier. Sludge Bomb does very little (38% max) because the set provided doesn't have any special attack investment and Kyurem-Black can easily Roost off that damage without risking being smashed by a coverage move or stronger attack, while Kyurem-Black does 69% minimum with Life Orb Ice Beam in return. The reason why I listed this as a hard check instead of a counter is because Sludge Bomb Poison + LO prevents you from switching in as freely as you would like to.

Calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Teravolt Kyurem-Black Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 156+ SpD Venusaur-Mega: 250-296 (68.8 - 81.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kyurem-Black: 127-150 (32.4 - 38.3%) -- 98.4% chance to 3HKO

 

[Meliodafu7]

Offensive Celesteela as counter

Celesteela @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Autotomize
- Air Slash
- Fire Blast
- Giga Drain

Celesteela can switch into any move from M-Venusaur, taking pitiful damage from Giga Drain, LOL from Sludge Bomb and Earthquake, only HP Fire 3HKO half of the time, then Celesteela can use it as a setup fodder or nuke it with a Supersonic Skystrike, which OHKO after a little chip and rocks.

Calcs:
252+ SpA Celesteela Supersonic Skystrike (140 BP) vs. 248 HP / 156+ SpD Venusaur-Mega: 300-354 (82.6 - 97.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Celesteela: 102-122 (30.4 - 36.4%) -- 52.1% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Celesteela: 24-28 (7.1 - 8.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever

 

[Dziga]

Chandelure as a Checker

Chandelure @ Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Trick

Chandelure can hard check non EQ variant and 2HKO with two Overheats or Shadow Ball, or 1HKO if it manages to capitalize a Flash Fire boost from HP Fire, taking little damage (26.4%-31%) from Sludge Bomb and taking almost nothing or nothing from other moves. Against Earthquake it can't be simply thrown on the field as Earthquake 2HKOs and if rocks are up it also gets 2HKO'ed by Sludge Bomb + Quake, but if it can get a free switch or if it can enter in a Giga Drain or Seed, it's going to win the fight. Flamethrower or Blast could work as last move, but since Venu is commonly used with Balanced or Stall cores, Trick can prove greatly effective on breaking these teams.

 

[GnralLao]

M-Medicham as a Check

Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Telepathy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Fake Out
- Ice Punch

M-Cham easily takes care of M-Venu with (Fake Out +) Zen headbutt. Additionally is one of the few mons that can take on the infamous VenuCelePex core by itself with its powerful STAB moves. M-Cham's frailty restrains it from continuosly switching into M-Venu, but in the right situation, M-Cham can dispose of M-Venu (or whatever switch-in) without much trouble.

Calcs

0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Medicham-Mega: 132-156 (50.5 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Fake Out vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 57-68 (15.7 - 18.7%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Zen Headbutt vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 338-402 (93.1 - 110.7%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO (guaranteed OHKO after SR)


As for Celesteela and Toxapex,
252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 107-126 (26.8 - 31.6%) -- 33% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 277-327 (69.5 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (watch out for Protect)

252 Atk Pure Power Medicham-Mega Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 242-288 (79.6 - 94.7%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[Flygoner818]

Blue Beetle as a check

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

Comes in on Sludge Bomb / HP Fire reasonably well, and can maul the aforementioned Venu + Cele + Toxa core.

252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 354-416 (97.5 - 114.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

In return:
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pinsir-Mega: 127-150 (46.8 - 55.3%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pinsir-Mega: 112-134 (41.3 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

For reference:
+2 252 Atk Pinsir-Mega Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 233-275 (58.5 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 252-297 (82.8 - 97.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[I like donkeys]

Blue Beetle as a check

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

Comes in on Sludge Bomb / HP Fire reasonably well, and can maul the aforementioned Venu + Cele + Toxa core.

252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur: 480-566 (132.2 - 155.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

In return:
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pinsir-Mega: 127-150 (46.8 - 55.3%) -- 74.2% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Venusaur-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pinsir-Mega: 112-134 (41.3 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

For reference:
+2 252 Atk Pinsir-Mega Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 233-275 (58.5 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 252-297 (82.8 - 97.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

U calcd for venusaur instead of mega venusaur

252 Atk Aerilate Pinsir-Mega Return vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 354-416 (97.5 - 114.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO