[Gen7] Victim of the Week CAP S/M (Week 12: Life Orb Syclant)

[Airwind]

Plasmanta (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Psyshock
- Dazzling Gleam

252+ SpA Choice Specs Plasmanta Sludge Wave vs. 248 HP / 16+ SpD Tapu Fini: 368-434 (107.2 - 126.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Plasmanta: 50-59 (19.1 - 22.6%) -- possible 5HKO

COUNTER plasmanta have a strong spa and a abillity who the only atack can do tapu fini is moonblast and nature's madness and the abilitty of plasmanta can boost spa

 

[snake]

Having a bit of a rough time irl, but I shouldn't have delayed this thread because of that. Anyways, winners!

Checks:
It was a defensive threat with little offenses so yeah this was a little barren...

Counters:
Most Effective: KrazyCake's Bulky Mega Venusaur
Most Effective: jas61292's Dual STAB Ferrothorn
Most Effective: sparktrain's Foul Play Amoonguss

Week 10: Stallbreaker Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele @ Twisted Spoon
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Taunt

Imo this set is better than Scarf (not that scarf is bad by any means). Taunt prevents healing and forces switches. Psyshock melts Chansey and Clefable, Moonblast is excellent as always, and HP Fire hits Scizor, Ferrothorn (finally picking up popularity around here lol), and Celesteela. You could run CM over Taunt (REALLY fun btw) but Taunt is a little easier to use. Of course Shed Shell is another option because Dugtrio exists, but Twistedspoon lets it hit harder (get out of here with your useless Mind Plates smh) and Dugtrio is getting the suspect test. Not so say that Dugtrio is out or anything.

Hint: Offensive checks are really fun!

Remember to bold either "check" or "counter." I'd prefer it under the importable and before the description. Also, make sure your calcs are correct, particularly nature. Post your checks and counters to this Victim of the Week!

 

[LucarioOfLegends]

Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Poison Jab
- Shadow Sneak

Alolan Muk is about as hard of a counter as one would want for Stallbreaker Lele, and Lele in general. It renders Psyshock, and therefore its item choice, absolutely useless thanks to its typing. Moonblast isn't much better, as it doesn't do nearly enough on the given set. In return, Muk can OHKO with a Poison Jab.

Calcs:

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 112-133 (27 - 32.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 16 SpD Assault Vest Muk-Alola: 48-57 (11.5 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO

240+ Atk Muk-Alola Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 312-368 (111 - 130.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[BP]

Why run A-Muk when you can run this badass BUG!

Escavalier @ Assault Vest
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Atk / 84 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
- Megahorn
- Iron Head
CHECK

176+ Atk Escavalier Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 356-422 (126.6 - 150.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-
252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Escavalier: 124-147 (36.1 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Assault Vest Escavalier: 51-60 (14.8 - 17.4%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Assault Vest Escavalier: 172-204 (50.1 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


So Escavalier's decent typing and 105 base SpD make it an excellent choice over scizor when checking Tapu Lele. Not only this but with a base Speed of 20 and an Attack of 135 it can be a heavy hitter on Trick Room teams. One of its most redeeming qualities however is the fact so many prominent OU threats can't touch this thing with its great SpD. Pokemon such as Tapu Fini, Greninja, Magearna, etc.

These are just a few redeeming qualities of Escavalier's potential viability but to be Completely honest who doesn't want a pelvic thrusting bug on their side.

 

[Granny Pie]

Checks:
It was a defensive threat with little offenses so yeah this was a little barren...

:C

Mmmmm... cheeeeck, please.

(Tanks, Cdad. Sometimes, I just don't know what I'm thinking.)

set

Cawmodore (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP / 100 Atk / 152 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Belly Drum
- Bullet Punch
- Acrobatics
- Drain Punch

RIP Lele

Man, has this bird taken a nerf from Lele this gen. Locks on your Bullet Punches are driving some players to run Iron Head and hope on Cawmodore's high Jolly-boosted speed PLUS a Belly Drum to sweep. But that idea is dumb. So don't run it. /me kicks himself repeatedly And what if you DON'T wanna be shut down by Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain, cuz you'd never want to? You don't have to be! This set is built for revenge-killing the underappreciated beast that is wallbreaker Tapu Lele, and hopefully Belly Drum Sweeping to glory.
Some numbahs:
252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Cawmodore: 78-93 (32.2 - 38.4%) -- 97.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 4 HP / 152 SpD Cawmodore: 90-106 (37.1 - 43.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 4 HP / 152 SpD Cawmodore: 152-180 (62.8 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
If you switch in to Lele on any move other than Taunt, she will KO you the next turn with HP Fire. Plus, Taunt prevents Belly Drum. In all honesty, never switch into any Tapu Lele with Cawmodore, unless it's a scarfed one locked into Psyshock.
252 SpA Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Cawmodore: 78-93 (32.2 - 38.4%) -- 97.1% chance to 3HKO
That's okay.
But if you switch in to revenge kill, which Cawmodore should ALWAYS do, you'll definitely set up a Belly Drum, because Cawmodore's EVs prevent Lele from EVER getting more than 74.3% on you with HP Fire (barring hax, of course), when you will always be at 75% percent thanks to Sitrus Berry, and you'll end with, like, 1 percent at the end of the turn. And then Acrobatics for the OHKO.
If you really don't believe Lele will get that high roll on you, you can always take a few points from Special Defense and put it in Attack. It's up to personal preference. I'm just making sure Lele has a 0% chance, barring a crit, to kill right after you Belly Drum here. And then, who knows? Your opponent doesn't have priority, because Psychic Terrain's probably still up, and, depending on how late-game it is, Cawmodore can Drain Punch and Acrobatics his way to glorious, hard-fought victory. Boy, that'll be a story to tell the lubbers back at port.
P.S. With a Belly Drum, Cawmodore checks a lot. A lot. Any Belly Drum Cawmodore needs a healthy counter to beat it, and even then... *shrug* 980 attack isn't just something scoff at. But, in any case, at least he did what he was groomed to do, and took out Lele.

 

[Blackdrakon30]

I'd like to reserve Memetran (Heatran) again. :)

Standard SpD Memetran
Memetran (Heatran) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Lava Plume
- Flash Cannon
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp

Heatran is definitely a counter. He eats up Moonblast, Psyshock, and Hidden Power Fire. The worst Tapu Lele can do is use Taunt, which Heatran just laughs at since it merely makes Heatran unable to use Will-O-Wisp.

252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 123-144 (31.8 - 37.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 192-228 (68.3 - 81.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[sparktrain]

Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower

Counter

Celesteela eats up all of Tapu Lele's attacks because it's Celesteela, and OHKOes back with Heavy Slam. Most Tapu Lele sets are going to have a hard time doing much of anything in a match while Celesteela is still healthy, barring random stuff like specs Thunderbolt.

calcs

252 SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Celesteela: 114-135 (28.6 - 33.9%) -- 99.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celesteela: 55-66 (13.8 - 16.5%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Celesteela: 94-112 (23.6 - 28.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 330-390 (117.4 - 138.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[snake]

From now on, I'd like for posts that have a non-standard set to explain briefly (at least a sentence) why the set is good outside of checking/countering the mon. i.e. what else the mon checks. If you can't write a sentence about this, then your set is probably not worth that much. I'm getting kinda sick of situational counters. The point of the thread is to show off how we can innovate checks/counters for the current meta that you would put on a team without having to run seemingly unviable mons (like Bastiodon) or seemingly weird sets (like AV Naviathan). Sorry to pick on these two entries, but you guys need to explain why your sets are good. Escavalier is a little better but still a little out there. Mention what else they can take on, and if you end up with a lot of threats, it might actually be worth considering for a team. If you're out of options for counters, think about some offensive checks that could take on the Victim; those are just as appreciated as counters.

 

[cbrevan]

Also Granny Pie literally no one is ever going to switch this Lele set into a Cawmodore, you literally sack a mon to +6 Acrobatics regardless of terrain. The only Lele thats ever going to switch into a Cawmodore is a Scarf set to try to revenge kill it with HP Fire/Focus Blast, or a Lele sack into a Greninja or something similiar to also deny a sweep. Switching into Taunt isn't even that good for Cawmodore because it lets your opponent switch in pretty much anything without having to fear a BD. So yeah it's a very flimsy check and not nearly as good as you're making it out to be (not to mention the Cawmodore set is pretty bad, Iron Head Cawmodore often has to trade off punching through Steels or killing faster mons).


At least its not as bad as the Escavalier thats 2hkoed if it ever tries to switch in.

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Fleur Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Aura Sphere

Check

252+ SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 254-302 (90.3 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 114-135 (31.4 - 37.1%) -- 85% chance to 3HKO

Surprisingly enough, AV Magearna is only a check to Tapu Lele due to the obscene damage of Modest Psyshock. If it switches in Mag has a good chance of dying to Lele before it can 2HKO it.

 

[DarkSlay]

Time to bring back an old favorite of mine.

Victini @ Life Orb
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 96 Atk / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- Glaciate
- Focus Blast

Calculations

DEFENSIVE:
252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 129-153 (37.8 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Victini: 95-112 (27.8 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Victini: 40-47 (11.7 - 13.7%) -- possible 8HKO

OFFENSIVE:
96 Atk Life Orb Victini V-create vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 352-415 (125.2 - 147.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

MixTini is an extremely strong offensive CHECK to Stallbreaker Tapu Lele. Fire/Psychic resists all three of Tapu Lele's attacks, which is neat. What makes this such a great check is not only its ability to out-speed Tapu Lele (even if Tapu Lele runs Timid for some reason) and OHKO Tapu Lele, but its ability to absolutely destroy common partners to Tapu Lele with its coverage moves and V-create, including Landorus-T, TTar, Mega Metagross (not packing EQ), Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Heatran. The given spread is guaranteed to survive two Psyshocks at max damage and live after one V-create Life Orb recoil.

 

[JayHeaven]

Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake

252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Bronzong: 57-67 (16.8 - 19.8%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 55-66 (16.2 - 19.5%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 94-112 (27.8 - 33.1%) -- 80.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

4 Atk Bronzong Gyro Ball (114 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 284-336 (101 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Counter!

 

[Ria]

Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Zen Headbutt

Calculations

Defensively:
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 134-158 (44.5 - 52.4%) -- 17.2% chance to 2HKO (75.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock)

252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Metagross-Mega: 78-93 (25.9 - 30.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO


Offensively:
252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Meteor Mash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 524-620 (186.4 - 220.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 175-207 (62.2 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


But of course there's a high change Lele will switch, right?:
252 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Pursuit vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 156-184 (55.5 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (on the switch)

Metagross-Mega is one of the best checks to Stallbreaker Tapu Lele, resisting both of it's STABs and threatening Tapu Lele out with Meteor Mash. Because of that you can also punish the expected switch with a powerful Pursuit. Of course always be prepared for the Hidden Power Fire, since it does have a slight chance to 2HKO.

 

[Airwind]

Moai (Probopass) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Thunder Wave
- Volt Switch
- Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Twisted Spoon Tapu Lele Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Probopass: 72-85 (22.2 - 26.2%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Probopass: 60-71 (18.5 - 21.9%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Probopass: 51-61 (15.7 - 18.8%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery

4 SpA Probopass Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Lele: 122-146 (43.4 - 51.9%) -- 12.9% chance to 2HKO
COUNTER probopas with a good typing resist a lot of moves and i can be use for defensive wall beacuse tapu lele destroy the most commond wall in cap (tomohawk, pyroak, cyclohm)​

 

[snake]

Tapu Lele isn't broken :P

Checks:
Most Effective: Ria's Pursuit Mega Metagross
Most Effective: cbrevan's Assault Vest Magearna
Most Creative: DarkSlay's Mixed Victini

Counters:
Most Effective: sparktrain's Specially Defensive Celesteela
Most Effective: LucarioOfLegends's Assault Vest Muk-A
Most Creative: Blackdrakon30's Specially Defensive Memetran

Week 11: Protean Greninja
Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- Gunk Shot
- Hidden Power Fire

I find this set to be most effective, as it nets the most super effective coverage over the metagame. Hydro Pump is definitely an option for raw power, but I always miss whichever coverage move I give up for it, so here's this set.

Don't forget to read the new Rule 7:
7. Write at least one sentence about why your Pokemon is useful outside of checking/countering the Victim. This is to ensure that we have submissions that are viable in the current metagame and can go on current teams. Mention what else it checks or what it can provide for a team. If you cannot write a sentence about it, it's probably not worth using on a team. Ask yourself, "Would I ever use this on a team?" before posting, and if the answer is "no," you probably shouldn't post it.

Remember to bold either "check" or "counter." I'd prefer it under the importable and before the description. Also, make sure your calcs are correct, particularly nature. Post your checks and counters to this Victim of the Week!

 

[Blackdrakon30]

Ahahaha this is getting old, but still. It just happens to counter a ton of things. :P

Standard SpD Memetran
Memetran (Heatran) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Lava Plume
- Flash Cannon
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp

Heatran is definitely a counter. He is immune to HP Fire and Gunk Shot, and can tank both Extrasensory and Ice Beams with ease. Heatran has the coverage to hit Greninja fairly hard regardless of which typing it is in.

Many Pokemon in the current metagame struggle against Heatran. Celesteela lacking Earthquake is completely shut down by Heatran, standard Firium-Z Aurumoth cannot touch Heatran whatsoever, and Heatran can beat several Tapu Lele sets such as the stallbreaker set that we saw last week. Note that Heatran also counters many other Fairy types like Clefable, some Dragon types like Defog Latios, beats Choice-Locked Tapu Bulu, and is an effective switch-in to many other common threats in the current CAP metagame.

Half the things that beat SpD Heatran are scared to death to switch in thanks to Will-O-Wisp and Lava Plume creating a high burn chance, which despite having reduced damage in Generation 7 still cripples most physical attackers throughout the remaining sections of the game. I'll just list out a few more Pokemon that Heatran counters or checks: Ferrothorn, Scizor, Magearna, Magnezone, Skarmory, Volcarona, Serperior, and more.

Calcs

Greninja vs Heatran:
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Heatran: 27-32 (6.9 - 8.2%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Heatran: 49-58 (12.6 - 15%) -- possibly the worst move ever

Heatran vs Greninja:
Water/Dark Greninja: 0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 119-141 (41.7 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Ice Greninja:
0 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 320-378 (112.2 - 132.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 320-378 (112.2 - 132.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Poison Greninja:
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 238-282 (83.5 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Psychic Greninja:
0 SpA Heatran Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 160-189 (56.1 - 66.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Fire Greninja:
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 238-282 (83.5 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Snake pointed this out to me later, but you are in a quite unfortunate position if it turns out that the Greninja is running Hydro Pump or a different Water STAB move. :P

So Memetran is amazing at beating this set if you manage to scout out every single move. e_e

 

[jas61292]

Oh fun. This is actually a set I can counter with something I like.

Naviathan @ Leftovers
Ability: Heatproof
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Substitute
- Scald

Counter

This Naviathan set takes incredibly little from anything this Greninja can do, and can proceed to set up in its face. Very little to say here. Heck, even Ice Beam can't win it with a lucky freeze due to Scald auto thawing. I mean, I guess there is the ~.00001% chance it flinches with Extrasensory 6-8 times in a row, but.... yeah....

Anyways though, as far as the whole point on the mon needing to actually be useful, well, this is actually a Naviathan set I like quite a lot. In general, this set is far more about taking on walls than sweepers. It just so happens that it works out against this Greninja. However, its true goal it to get in on a wall, and get up a sub and start setting up on it until it cannot be stopped. This kind of Naviathan set is one of its two main kinds, and while a lot of people prefer either a second attack or Taunt, I personally find Substitute to work well, as it protects you from both direct status moves as well as secondary effects and the weaker damage things will be throwing at you. One thing you might question with this set is the choice of a specially bulky EV spread instead of a physically bulky one on something that is going to be setting up Calm Minds, but I actually find that the specially bulky spread works out quite well. Naviathan's physical bulk is quite respectable, invested or not, while the special bulk is not so much. And ultimately, its goal is to be taking on special attackers and walls who do not hit that hard physically anyways. But the main thing that initially attracted me to the specially defensive set is Cyclohm. On a physical set, Defensive Clohm can come in and pretty much ruin your day. While you could survive two Discharges after a Calm Mind, the amount of damage it does far outstrips what you can do, and the threat of paralysis could ruin your day. But on a specially bulky set, you only ever need to risk that once. After 2 CMs, there is a very high chance Clohm cannot break your subs, meaning it becomes fodder for you, which is very nice when you want to take on bulky teams where Clohm can appear.

252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Naviathan: 74-88 (18 - 21.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Naviathan Scald vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 60-72 (21 - 25.2%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO

 

[Granny Pie]

Do not ask for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for Greninja!!!

set

Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Earthquake
- Heavy Slam
- Stealth Rock
- Trick Room

Counter

description

Bell beats frog. Who knew? 'Cause everything this frog carries is not very effective on Bronzong, 'cept for HP Fire. Which only 3HKO's him with Protean STAB. 3 guesses what fire type is weak to! ... That's right, Ground! Bronzong's Earthquake 2HKO's Fire-type Greninja, so he will always beat the frog unless you stupid and switch into a HP Fire. And even if you do switch into Ice Beam or Extrasensory, HP Fire is still only a 3HKO with Leftovers recovery.
Y'know what Bronzong also beats? Tapu Lele. Mega Metagross. Tomohawk. Crucibelle. Landorus. Non-Overheat Aurumoth. Magearna. And guess what, Snake??? Yes! Bronzong comes with Trick Room!! No more slow-n-steady for this mon! It's a rip-roaring ride to victory on this Southern Bell!
Sure as sunshine, Bronzong will ring the bell of any Greninja that cross its path.
Some numbahs:
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 53-62 (15.6 - 18.3%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 23-27 (6.8 - 7.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 143-172 (42.3 - 50.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Bronzong Gyro Ball (103 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ice-type Greninja: 278-330 (97.5 - 115.7%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Bronzong Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Fire-type Greninja: 180-214 (63.1 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Good times, good times.

 

[JayHeaven]

Chansey is one of the best counters to life orb protean greninja. It has so much bulk to take one any of greninja's moves including physical ones.
Set:
Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Thunder Wave
- Heal Bell

Calcs:
0 Atk Life Orb Protean Greninja Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 212-251 (30.1 - 35.6%) -- 32.4% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 105-125 (14.9 - 17.7%) -- possible 6HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 94-110 (13.3 - 15.6%) -- possible 7HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 70-83 (9.9 - 11.7%) -- possible 9HKO

Alternatively, you can run the standard 252 def 252 spdef chansey. This also counters but poison is a bitch.

Counter

This thing is also annoying as hell to take down if it is paired very well. This is a good rocker, twaver, and cleric.
Also Counter/Checks:
Any Special Attacking Mon that doesnt have fighting attacks or set up

 

[Valerie]

So yeah, Buzzwole can do stuff to this thing.

Buzzwole @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD ( 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Atk is also good)
Careful Nature
- Leech Life
- Superpower
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch

Check

Calcs:
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 4 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 203-242 (57 - 67.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Hidden Power Fire vs. 4 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 151-182 (42.4 - 51.1%) -- 96.5% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Hidden Power Fire vs. 4 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 151-182 (42.4 - 51.1%) -- 5.1% chance to 2HKO
---
252 Atk Buzzwole Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 572-674 (200.7 - 236.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Buzzwole Leech Life vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 384-452 (134.7 - 158.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
----------
(Max HP Spread)
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 203-242 (48.5 - 57.8%) -- 92.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Buzzwole: 151-182 (36.1 - 43.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
---
4 Atk Buzzwole Leech Life vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 320-378 (112.2 - 132.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO



Buzzwole does really well switching in to this Greninja because of fact that the moves it has to hit Buzz are low powered. It's great for switching in clean. Only a check because it forces a switch, Rocks are a huge problem though.

As for the Max HP spread, while it does much better at switching in, it still has it's troubles living 2 extrasensories, doesn't die from HP Fire + Extrasensory though, which is great.

 

[Agile Turtle]

Stratagem @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ancient Power
- Earth Power
- Vacuum Wave
- Energy Ball

Just a standard ol' Technician Stratagem here.
Check
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Stratagem: 218-257 (67.9 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after hail damage
That's the most Stratagem takes from greninja
252 SpA Life Orb Stratagem Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 356-421 (124.9 - 147.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Stratagem can outright OHKO Greninja before it gets a type change.
252 SpA Life Orb Technician Stratagem Ancient Power vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 266-316 (93.3 - 110.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
But if it switches in, and Greninja is any of Ice/Psychic/Poison/Fire, Stratagem can finish of Greninja regardless of type, doing more than the 90% of HP Greninja has left after one round of Life Orb recoil.

I would call it a counter because it can switch in easily to 252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Stratagem: 71-86 (22.1 - 26.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after hail damage, but with the potential to take 80% from an Ice Beam on the switch, and Life Orb recoil coming into play without any real way to replenish its health, it's not going to want to switch into gren more than once.

 

[snake]

Winnars

Checks:
Most Effective: Blackdrakon30's Specially Defensive Memetran (added this as a check since Hydro Pump is quite common)
Most Effective: Agile Turtle's Technician Stratagem
Most Creative: Nateboomer21's Assault Vest Buzzwole

Counters:
Most Effective: Heaven Jay's Thunder Wave Chansey
Most Effective: jas61292's Substitute + Calm Mind Naviathan
Most Creative: Granny Pie's Trick Room Bronzong

Week 12: Life Orb Syclant
Syclant @ Life Orb
Ability: Mountaineer
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Bug Buzz
- Earth Power
- U-turn

The original is still alive! With access to STAB U-turn and potent special STABs + Earth Power, Syclant can be a force, especially when paired up with Tapu Lele.

Don't forget to read the new(ish) Rule 7:
7. Write at least one sentence about why your Pokemon is useful outside of checking/countering the Victim. This is to ensure that we have submissions that are viable in the current metagame and can go on current teams. Mention what else it checks or what it can provide for a team. If you cannot write a sentence about it, it's probably not worth using on a team. Ask yourself, "Would I ever use this on a team?" before posting, and if the answer is "no," you probably shouldn't post it.

Remember to bold either "check" or "counter." I'd prefer it under the importable and before the description. Also, make sure your calcs are correct, particularly nature. Post your checks and counters to this Victim of the Week!

 

[Granny Pie]

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH

CHECK

set

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Solar Beam
- Roost
- Focus Blast
- Fire Blast

description

Blargh indeed.
When most people think of MegaZard Y, they think of a fast special sun abuser. Sure, on hyper offensive teams. But what if you need a balanced fire type on your team? Bulky MegaZard Y may be just your thing. Obviously, he OHKOs Syclant, and Syclant only 2HKOs him 2% of the time, so with Roost, Zard definitely beats Syclant. But about everything else? Well, for one, this Zard was built to take a slug and dish it back. He's slower than your average fire drake, but he hits harder and tanks well, especially with Roost on his side. He plays incredibly well late-game, when all of his threats have been knocked out, and now there's nothing that can touch him. Syclant also plays late-game very well, so if you play this Zard right, he'll come up against poor old Syclant here and burn him away every time.
When all is said and done, if you ever want a bruiser fire-type that doesn't fear Earthquake, can challenge rock types, and blows everything else away, look no further than tanky MegaZard Y. At least until Mega Moltres is created.

 

[JayHeaven]

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 104 SpD / 96 Spe
Impish Nature
- Swords Dance
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Roost

COUNTER
Mega Scizor is one of the best syclant counter as it resists both its stab and takes little from earth power. The 104 speed ivs allow zor to not get trapped by specs and av zone magnezone and speed tie with standard rotom.

Other Great Things:Mega zor is the best meta metagross counter atm and zor can help with momentem and check psychic types.

Calcs
Defensive:
244 SpA Life Orb Syclant Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 104 SpD Scizor-Mega: 78-92 (22.7 - 26.8%) -- 36.2% chance to 4HKO
244 SpA Life Orb Syclant Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 104 SpD Scizor-Mega: 104-123 (30.3 - 35.8%) -- 44.9% chance to 3HKO

Offensive:
44 Atk Technician Scizor-Mega Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Syclant: 254-302 (90.3 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

 

[Airwind]

Pyroak @ Leftovers
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Lava Plume
- Synthesis
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
Thanks the decent special defence and a reallt good HP live to the most special sweeper like scarf tapu lele (who dont kill with psyquic), tapu koko (is a really counter for almost all the set), def tomo, and specially syclant so yeah is a COUNTER

252 SpA Life Orb Syclant Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Pyroak: 134-160 (30.1 - 36%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Syclant Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Pyroak: 134-160 (30.1 - 36%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Syclant Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Pyroak: 90-107 (20.2 - 24%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 SpA Pyroak Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Syclant: 532-628 (189.3 - 223.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[KirbyRider1337]

Stratagem @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Paleo Wave
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball

This is one of the more common Stratagem sets, which is known to be quite dangerous. Earth Power and Energy Ball are there for coverage if Syclant isn't the Pokémon up against it.

While Syclant is very fast, Stratagem is even faster, allowing it to outspeed and kill with Paleo Wave. Since switching Stratagem in against this set would result in losing 85.3% of its HP worst-case scenario (assuming it's ice beam and it neither crits nor freezes), it functions as a check because rocks and spikes would probably make the difference on whether Strata survives..

252 SpA Life Orb Syclant Bug Buzz vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Stratagem: 231-274 (71.9 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO <- This ties with Bug Buzz for the best Syclant can do against Stratagem.
252 SpA Life Orb Stratagem Paleo Wave vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Syclant: 1097-1295 (390.3 - 460.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO <- Even if it would hit Syclant on a switch-in, Stratagem can still use Paleo Wave again.