Project Victim of the Week [Week 72: Specs Mesprit]

[boltsandbombers]

Sorry for the delay, everything has been updated. Again, it was pretty difficult to pick which were the three best counters, so some of the checks listed could just as well be counters, so try and post more checks in the future as opposed to just sticking with defensive answers. With that, here is the next threat, taking a slightly different approach from the hard hitters in the past two weeks:

Week 15
Counter This Threat!

Uxie @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Signal Beam
- Giga Drain / Hidden Power Fire​

 

[Liarliarpantsonfire]

Munchlax (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 104 Def / 152 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Curse
- Body Slam

+1 252 SpA Uxie Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 104 Def Eviolite Munchlax: 151-178 (31.8 - 37.5%) -- 90% chance to 3HKO
+6 0 Atk Munchlax Body Slam vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 255-300 (87.6 - 103%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
+6 252 SpA Uxie Psyshock vs. +6 252 HP / 104 Def Eviolite Munchlax: 102-120 (21.5 - 25.3%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO

As you can see you can come in on a CM, setup a Curse, Rest up and you're good to go to win the setup war. Munchlax also walls pretty much every other special attacker in the tier, barring Focus Blast Magmortar and Choice Specs Magneton.

 

[Mega-Fenix]

Reserving for sneasel

Sneasel (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Swords Dance

Sneasel is a perfect uxie counter, if you can do mind games with your opponent and enter to psyshock you can give revenge kill with knock off.

252 Atk Life Orb Sneasel Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 265-315 (91 - 108.2%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

 

[Sonzinho]

Check

Scyther @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn/Bug Bite
- Aerial Ace
- Knock Off
- Quick Attack/Brick Break

252 Atk Choice Band Scyther U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 242-288 (83.1 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Scyther U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 242-288 (83.1 - 98.9%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Technician Scyther Bug Bite vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 314-372 (107.9 - 127.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Uxie Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Scyther: 112-132 (39.8 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

That guy is a good check to Uxie 'cause it hits really hard with stab move + choice band, with U-turn don't OHKO, but you can use Bug Bite over U-turn for a 1 hit K.O. Scyther also can survive a not boosted HP fire so i think the bug pokémon is a decent chek for the Psychic.

 

[Raseri]

Counter:


Uxie @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Signal Beam
- Imprison

it cant hurt you after 1 turn. Switch in and Imprison, then CM up, tho theyll switch out for sure lol

 

[scorpdestroyer]

Good check:

Liepard @ Black Glasses
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Encore
- U-turn

Liepard does a great job as it can switch into half of Uxie's moveset and live any one hit if it predicts wrongly. It can then threaten to Encore it into a move and then Pursuit the Uxie for big damage or U-turn out of the incoming thing. Knock Off does lots of damage too if you just want to kill Uxie. At least, it ensures that Uxie cannot start to set up as long as Liepard is still alive.

252 Atk Black Glasses Liepard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 236-278 (81 - 95.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Uxie Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Liepard: 98-116 (36.4 - 43.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Uxie Signal Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Liepard: 196-232 (72.8 - 86.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Orphic]

Pretty good check/counter here:

Mawile @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Atk
Impish Nature
- Play Rough / Iron Head
- Toxic
- Protect
- Stealth Rock / Baton Pass

This physically defensive Mawile would work against Uxie without HP Fire. Since the CM Uxie in question brings Psyshock, Mawile's good physical bulk can allow it to check Uxie's Psyshock's and wear it down with Toxic and Protect. Uxie won't have enough turns to boost and kill Mawile with Toxic damage and Protect. Mawile can also set the status, protect to wear it down a bit, and then get off a slow Baton Pass for momentum into something fast that can kill Uxie at whatever range Mawile leaves it at. Overall a nice counter and something that scares Uxie from boosting a lot from the offset.

252 SpA Uxie Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mawile: 36-43 (11.8 - 14.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Even Giga Drain does more.

 

[Punchshroom]

Nice and Bold Mawile, Orphic.

Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic / Curse

In direct contrast to Orphic's set countering non-HP Fire Uxie variants, Quagsire counters non-Giga Drain variants (well, Quag is basically the biggest reason to use Giga Drain Uxie in the first place, recovery aside). You can either ruin Uxie with Toxic or even set up in its face with Curse.

 

[ryan]

VANESSA (VESPIQUEN) @ INSECT PLATE
ABILITY: PRESSURE
248 HP / 252 ATK / 8 DEF
ADAMANT NATURE
- ATTACK ORDER
- ACROBATICS
- ROOST
- U-TURN

COME IN, LIVE THREE PSYSHOCKS OR TWO +1 PSYSHOCKS, SMACK THEM HARD

SHOUTOUTS TO CAIBU 12 FOR THE PHOTO

 

[Orphic]

Punchshroom, meant impish and I've fixed it.

 

[Quite Quiet]

Dusknoir @ Spooky Plate / Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Shadow Punch

Uxie just dies :)
Dusknoir can switch in on a +1 psyshock and still have enough hp to ko with a combination of Shadow Punch + Shadow Sneak. It beats a +4 Uxie 1v1 if both are at full. Everything not psyshock does 0 damage and is basically a free switch in, then you win. Even psyshock without boosts is only a 4hko, so no fear from that either.

252+ Atk Spooky Plate Dusknoir Shadow Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 174-206 (59.7 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Spooky Plate Dusknoir Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 116-138 (39.8 - 47.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Power to the Pressure :]

This isn't even a defensive answer :D

 

[Realistic Waters]

Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch

Unlike the other dark types, Pawniard has an easier time switching in due to not being weak to signal beam. If Uxie is not using HP Fire, it can set a swords dance to then swiftly knock out Uxie with sucker punch/Knock off.

252+ Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 210-248 (72.1 - 85.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Pawniard Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Uxie: 170-204 (58.4 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 252 SpA Uxie Signal Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 115-136 (49.7 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO

 

[Lolazo]

Probopass @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Toxic
- Power Gem
- Earth Power
- Volt Switch

Resist all moves, toxic, don't know if he beats giga 1v1 but he can volt switch to a something faster to RK or pursuit trap

 

[noobcubed]

Let's go for something a bit different here:

Torkoal @ Leftovers

- Lava Plume
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
- Clear Smog

252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Ability: Shell Armor
Bold Nature

Not the most splashable Pokemon in the tier, sure - but it has the physical bulk to take Psyshock with ease and is conveniently resistant to all the coverage moves striking at its weaker defense. Click Toxic and Clear Smog if Uxie tries to boost past you.

 

[boltsandbombers]

Week 16
Counter This Threat!

Pyroar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Rivalry
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Hyper Voice
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Overheat

​

 

[Shuckleking87]

Lampent @ Eviolite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp

Takes like 13% from hp grass, lampent kills with fire blast + energy ball

 

[Liarliarpantsonfire]

Carbink @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Stone Edge
- Moonblast
- Stealth Rock
- Protect

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Carbink: 94-112 (30.9 - 36.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Carbink Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pyroar: 164-194 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Gets up rocks and 2HKO's Pyroar with Stone Edge no matter what. Protect to get more Leftovers.

 

[boltsandbombers]

Reserving Magcargo.

Please only nominate Pokemon that are on the viability rankings - if it's not on there, it's probably too gimmicky. And yes Lampent is ranked so I'm perfectly fine with it.

 

[Realistic Waters]

Hariyama @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Bullet Punch
- Fake Out

Assault Vest Hariyama takes very little from Fire Blast/Overheat, hyper voice is only capable of a 3HKO and in return Hariyama can directly OHKO with close combat. Priority is there if you need it.


252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Overheat vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Thick Fat Hariyama: 102-120 (23.7 - 27.9%) -- 86.2% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Hariyama: 141-166 (32.8 - 38.6%) -- 99.3% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Hariyama Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pyroar: 530-626 (169.3 - 200%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[noobcubed]

Crap ninja'd by realistic waters. Reserving Archeops.

EDIT: Too gimmicky? You mean like Clear Smog Torkoal is too gimmicky a counter for Calm Mind Uxie? ;)

EDIT #2: Archeops as a hard check, not a full counter though

Archeops @ Leftovers

- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Stealth Rock / Defog / Taunt

252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Ability: Defeatist
Jolly Nature

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Archeops: 169-199 (47.7 - 56.2%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO

You can switch into Fire Blast and spam Roost until it misses/runs out of PP, although this leaves you vulnerable to burn hax.

If you switch into Hidden Power Grass you can't Roost stall as Roost unfortunately removes your flying type and doubles the damage from Hidden Power. But you can go straight for the Stone Edge and KO Pyroar before he KOs you.

 

[Hootie]

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 36 Def / 224 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Air Slash
- Toxic
- Defog

The given EV spread plus a Calm nature allow Mantine to take two Choice Specs-boosted Hyper Voices after Stealth Rock and 2HKOs Pyroar with Scald or cripples it with Toxic making it easy to wear down and limiting its switch ins if Stealth Rock is up. If Mantine switches in on Fire Blast it only takes an upwards of 24% from it and takes HP Grass extremely well.

Calcs:
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 224+ SpD Mantine: 112-133 (33.6 - 39.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 224+ SpD Mantine: 69-81 (20.7 - 24.3%) -- 8.9% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 248 HP / 224+ SpD Mantine: 51-60 (15.3 - 18%) -- possible 6HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Mantine Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pyroar: 204-240 (65.1 - 76.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Nothing beats Lampent

 

[kay]

Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Thunder Wave

So if your goal is to wall Fire and Normal types, this is your mon. With sky high natural bulk and a resist to both Fire and Normal makes this a very hard wall to break down. Even super effective HP Grass hardly dent this rock monster! This thing is a super cool check to specs Pyroar because of the utility from rocks and twave, as well as the cool Rock/Ground coverage.

Calcs

Against Regirock

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 85-101 (23.3 - 27.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 70-83 (19.2 - 22.8%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 124-148 (34 - 40.6%) -- 53.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Overheat vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 102-120 (28 - 32.9%) -- 85.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery


Against Pyroar

4 Atk Regirock Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pyroar: 212-252 (67.7 - 80.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Also 100 post hype.

 

[Deej Dy]

Sorry I had to do it...
(Check)

DentriDillerz (Cradily) @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Ancient Power
- Recover
- Giga Drain
- Stealth Rock

1. Eaze recovery, until they miss a fire blast
2. 10% chance of Dilly Minisweep
3. Also comes in on common Stunfisk, Carracosta, Rhydon, Mixed Turn and Lanturn easy (RIP Turnt Offense)

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cradily: 163-193 (43.3 - 51.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Overheat vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cradily: 193-228 (51.3 - 60.6%) -- 0% KO after Overheat drops

And if they cant predict...

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cradily: 60-71 (15.9 - 18.8%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cradily: 67-79 (17.8 - 21%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

Fire bak for 2hko
0 SpA Cradily Ancient Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pyroar: 152-182 (48.5 - 58.1%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO

Edit: Copious amounts of Dilly sprites
Do

The

Dentri

Dilly

Dance

 

[scorpdestroyer]

Check:

Lanturn @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 40 HP / 232 Def / 208 SpD / 28 Spe
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Volt Switch
- Toxic
- Protect

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 40 HP / 208+ SpD Lanturn: 174-205 (43.3 - 51.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 40 HP / 208+ SpD Lanturn: 105-125 (26.1 - 31.1%) -- 9.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Lanturn Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pyroar: 194-230 (61.9 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Lanturn stops Pyroar from using Fire Blast and can take 2 Hyper Voices. Protect means it can get out of range of Pyroar's Hyper Voice KO even after SR unless it gets 2 max rolls, and no same Pyroar user would stay in to risk that. It can then choose to attack Pyroar or Volt Switch out for momentum, or even Toxic the incoming switch in.

 

[The Quasar]

Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Thunder Wave

So if your goal is to wall Fire and Normal types, this is your mon. With sky high natural bulk and a resist to both Fire and Normal makes this a very hard wall to break down. Even super effective HP Grass hardly dent this rock monster! This thing is a super cool check to specs Pyroar because of the utility from rocks and twave, as well as the cool Rock/Ground coverage.

Calcs

Against Regirock

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 85-101 (23.3 - 27.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 70-83 (19.2 - 22.8%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 124-148 (34 - 40.6%) -- 53.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Overheat vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Regirock: 102-120 (28 - 32.9%) -- 85.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery


Against Pyroar

4 Atk Regirock Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pyroar: 212-252 (67.7 - 80.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Also 100 post hype.

I like this option, IMO Regirock could be so much effective with its classic tank set:

Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 196 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Thunder Wave
- Drain Punch/Earthquake

Pyroar's damages are still lower, Stone Edge KO it

44 Atk Regirock Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pyroar: 296-350 (94.5 - 111.8%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO