Project SV OU - Victim of the Week (Week 50: Choice Band Dragapult) [OPEN FOR SUBS!]

kd458

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Thanks for voting everyone and thank you for your patience! We'll be extending the voting for one more day as we are currently sat on a 5-way-tie for the checks - voting ends today at 11:59PM GMT!
 

Dead by Daylight

GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL. DO NOT PASS GO.
is a Contributor to Smogon
Checks: :primarina::ting-lu:
Counters: :corviknight::cresselia:
Hey, I’m unfortunately going to have to disallow this vote seeing as voting was supposed to be closed. I sincerely apologize for the mishap.

Hello again, and sorry for the late announcement. The winners are:

Check
:ting-lu:by InvisibleWater

Counters
:cresselia:by Mugenman88
:hatterene: by Anchor9

Congratulations to the winners! Your sets will be added to the Hall of Fame shortly. For this week, we've got a rather old face that has never starred in Victim of the Week. After its buff in DLC2, however, it's been a force to be reckoned with. It's the magic cat itself, Meowscarada!

:sv/meowscarada:
Meowscarada @ Choice Band
Ability: Protean
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Flower Trick
- Triple Axel
- U-turn

Choice Band Meowscarada is a constant progress maker with its access to both Knock Off and U-turn, which can both receive STAB on a switch-in thanks to Protean. Flower Trick is a great STAB move, ignoring defensive boosts and allowing Meowscarada to become a fearsome wallbreaker. Finally, it found access to Triple Axel in DLC2, letting it smash Flying-types trying to come in on its Flower Trick. Choice Band synergizes extremely well with Protean, allowing you to click one strong STAB move per switch-in. Tera Dark powers up its Knock Off to incredible levels of damage, further enhancing its ability to break through opposing teams.

How will you deal with this tricky feline?

Submissions are open until Sunday, February 18.
You may submit up to one check and one counter.

 
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Check:
:sv/weavile:
Weavile @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Ice
Jolly Nature
- Triple Axel
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
- Swords Dance

AHAHAHAHAH how's that base 123 speed working out for you?

252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 504-594 (172 - 202.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Tera Ice Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Dark Meowscarada: 336-396 (114.6 - 135.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO (if you think they’re gonna pull some shit)

Counter:
:sv/kingambit:
Kingambit @ Leftovers
Ability: Supreme Overlord
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe
Tera Type: Fairy
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Kowtow Cleave
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head

Maybe don't skimp on the Fighting coverage next time.

252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 212 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 114-135 (28.9 - 34.2%) -- approx. 98.5% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 212 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 130-154 (32.9 - 39%) -- 9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 198-234 (67.5 - 79.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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Counter
:sv/archaludon:

Archaludon @ Leftovers
Ability: Stamina
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Body Press
- Electro Shot
252+ SpA Archaludon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 303-357 (103.4 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 4 HP / 252 Def Stamina Archaludon: 127-151 (39.4 - 46.8%) -- approx. 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 252 Def Archaludon: 139-165 (43.1 - 51.2%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Tera Dark Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 252 Def Archaludon: 186-220 (57.7 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (not factoring in Stamina)

Check
:SV/KELDEO:
Keldeo @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Secret Sword
- Vacuum Wave
- Hydro Pump
252+ SpA Life Orb Tera Fighting Keldeo Vacuum Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 333-395 (113.6 - 134.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
cant switch straight in (very... 252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Keldeo on a critical hit: 504-594 (156 - 183.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO)
So yeah, I believe that this Keldeo set, even if it is unrealistic:
Wins in a Vacuum
 
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Check

:SV/Deoxys-Speed:
Deoxys-Speed @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 40 Atk / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Psycho Boost
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Ice Beam

I ain't 'fraid of no Sucker Punch!

40 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Dark Meowscarada: 302-356 (103 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Psycho Boost vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Protean Grass Meowscarada: 320-378 (109.2 - 129%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Deoxys-Speed on a critical hit: 279-328 (115.7 - 136%) -- guaranteed OHKO)
 
CHECK

:sv/torkoal:

Torkoal @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Lava Plume
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Will-O-Wisp

If you get in for free (or just lead with it lol) you can burn Meowscarada on the first hit, then you win the 1v1, even if they uses Tera. If Tera isn't on the table you can just hard switch in on anything and OHKO with Lava Plume instead.

252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal: 120-142 (34.9 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Tera Dark Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal: 160-190 (46.6 - 55.3%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band burned Tera Dark Meowscarada Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal: 54-64 (15.7 - 18.6%) -- possible 6HKO

8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Dark Meowscarada in Sun: 153-180 (52.2 - 61.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada in Sun: 306-360 (104.4 - 122.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 

j0nathan

formerly trainer_j0nathan
Counter:
:sv/zamazenta:
Zamazenta @ Choice Band
Ability: Dauntless Shield
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Close Combat
- Heavy Slam
- Body Press
This Zama is really strong and even outspeeds this version of Meowscarada. It'll survive every attack and hit back with a strong move.
Offensive:

252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 744-876 (253.9 - 298.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 4 Def Choice Band Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 588-692 (200.6 - 236.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 248-292 (84.6 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

CC also OHKO's if the Meowscarada is grass type because of Protean.

Defensive:

252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. +1 0 HP / 4 Def Zamazenta: 63-74 (19.3 - 22.7%) -- possible 5HKO

252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Zamazenta on a critical hit: 204-240 (62.7 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. +1 0 HP / 4 Def Zamazenta: 156-189 (48 - 58.1%) -- approx. 92.2% chance to 2HKO
 
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Check:

:sv/skarmory:
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Body Press
- Iron Defense
- Roost
- Spikes

No fun for the cat. Rocky Helmet punishes Triple Axel and Banded Knock Off won’t be enough for the long term. Skarmory can use Roost to heal up, Iron Defense to wall even more, and Spikes to lay hazards in Meowscarada’s face. The reason this is a check is because Meowscarada 2HKOs with Triple Axel.

252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Skarmory: 127-151 (38 - 45.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 160+ Def Skarmory: 162-192 (48.5 - 57.4%) -- approx. 90.6% chance to 2HKO

160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 256-302 (87.3 - 103%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
 
Check

:sv/iron-boulder:
Iron Boulder @ Booster Energy / Choice Band
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance / Zen Headbutt
- Mighty Cleave
- Close Combat
- Earthquake

Iron Boulder just barely outspeeds Meowscarada without needing a Quark Drive boost. As long as Meowscarada is still a Dark (or Ice) type, Close Combat will OHKO it without needing Choice Band, but Choice Band allows you to OHKO it with Mighty Cleave even if it uses Flower Trick before you switch in. However, you can't switch in safely because Meowscarada can OHKO with any of its attacks.

252 Atk Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 332-392 (113.3 - 133.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 295-348 (100.6 - 118.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Check
Blaziken @ Choice Band
Level: 100
Jolly Nature
Tera Type: Dark
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Fight banded mons with banded mons. Blaziken is able to take one hit from Meowscarada and fire back on its own. It doesn't mind losing the choice band as it can outspeed meow after one boost still thanks to speed boost.
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Blaziken: 174-207 (57.8 - 68.7%) -- approx. 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Blaziken: 141-166 (46.8 - 55.1%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Blaziken on a critical hit: 153-180 (50.8 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Check:

:sv/Moltres-Galar:

Curiosity (Moltres-Galar) @ Whatever you want really
Level: 100
Modest Nature
Tera Type: Fire
Ability: Berserk
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Fiery Wrath
- Tera Blast
- Agility
- Nasty Plot

Curiosity does indeed kill the cat.

This thing is practically irresistible to any Meowscarada. It sees the kill with triple axel and goes for it, not knowing that's its falling right into a deadly trap.

252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Moltres-Galar: 576-684 (179.4 - 213%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Unfortunately, this is precisely when it terastalises to fire and kills it in one fell swoop.

252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fire Moltres-Galar: 144-171 (44.8 - 53.2%) -- approx. 26.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Tera Fire Moltres-Galar Tera Blast (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 320-378 (109.2 - 129%) -- guaranteed OHKO

You could also tera turn one and agility and kill with tera blast on turn 2, but that could end with them switching out Meowscarada, foiling your surprise.

The best part is that its applications don't even end here. Tera Blast Fire also has some great applications to surprise a bunch of steel types that normally wall it.

252+ SpA Tera Fire Moltres-Galar Tera Blast (80 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Corviknight: 272-324 (68 - 81%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Tera Fire Moltres-Galar Tera Blast (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 272-324 (79.7 - 95%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252+ SpA Tera Fire Moltres-Galar Tera Blast (80 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 320-380 (95.8 - 113.7%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Tera Fire Moltres-Galar Tera Blast (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Treads: 320-378 (99.6 - 117.7%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

It still functions a lot like regular double dance Moltres, but with a fun little niche to surprise opponents.


Counter:

:sv/Iron Hands:

John Cena (Iron Hands) @ Sitrus Berry/Choice Band*
Level: 100
Adamant Nature
Tera Type: Electric
Ability: Quark Drive
EVs: 56 HP / 200 Atk / 252 Def
- Wild Charge
- Ice Punch/Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Earthquake

This cat may be a magician, but it will never see John Cena coming.

On switch in, the worst hit it can possibly take is protean ice Triple axel. It survives and goes into sitrus berry range, healing up. If it doesn't get the highest roll, it survives the next triple axel even if it is a high roll.

252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 56 HP / 252 Def Iron Hands: 198-234 (42.7 - 50.5%) -- approx. 0.4% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 56 HP / 252 Def Iron Hands on a critical hit: 172-204 (37.1 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Then it OHKOs with a Close Combat even if it is grass type.

200+ Atk Iron Hands Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 295-348 (100.6 - 118.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Pretty simple but still brutally effective at switching in and killing Meowscarada. *If you are not afraid of the double high roll triple axel kill (1/256 odds), you can swap out sitrus berry for another item, but sitrus berry locks in the victory, even living through most crit scenarios.
 
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Counter:
:sv/Registeel:
Registeel @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
- Protect
- Thunder Wave/Shadow Claw
Registeel can HARD wall all of meowscarada's moves, with knock off doing the most damage at 33%, while body press doing minimum 98% back, although it will most likely ko as that is a low roll. Even if it gets its lefties knocked off, that means knock off is doing max 23%, which is nothing.
Thunder wave is to spread more status conditions, making it less passive, while shadow claw means you can do something against ghost types like ghold, who is unaffected by t-wave.
Calcs:
252 Atk Tera Dark Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel: 102-122 (28 - 33.5%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Tera Dark Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel on a critical hit: 42-49 (11.5 - 13.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
252 Atk Tera Dark Meowscarada Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel: 68-82 (18.6 - 22.5%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Def Registeel Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Dark Meowscarada: 286-338 (97.6 - 115.3%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
Against other OU mons:
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel: 216-254 (59.3 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Def Registeel Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Great Tusk: 168-198 (45.2 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. +2 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel: 108-128 (29.6 - 35.1%) -- 15.9% chance to 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Black Glasses Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel: 304-358 (83.5 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 232 SpD Registeel: 160-189 (43.9 - 51.9%) -- 11.7% chance to 2HKO
4 Atk Registeel Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gholdengo: 84-100 (26.6 - 31.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 232 SpD Registeel: 84-99 (23 - 27.1%) -- 60.3% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Gouging Fire Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel: 216-254 (59.3 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Counter
:BW/MOLTRES:


Moltres @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 248 HP / 248 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Flamethrower
- Will-O-Wisp
- U-turn
- Roost

This is the classic PhysDef Moltres that used to be OU.
Now, you could argue that this set teeters between check and counter, since if absolutely everything goes right for Meow, Moltres does get 2HKOed and therefore cannot be called a counter. However, the odds are overwhelmingly in Moltres' favor.

252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 248 HP / 248+ Def Moltres: 201-243 (52.4 - 63.4%) -- approx. 2HKO
(Needs 6 hits to KO)

Flame Body has a 65.7% chance to proc on a full 3 hits Triple Axel, and since a burned Meow is a dead Meow, you basically have a 65.7% chance to instantly KO a Meow trying to Triple Axel and can Roost back to almost full. If Flame Body does not proc on the first use of Axel and the Meow feels lucky and tries to Axel for the kill, it becomes an 83% chance of procing Flame Body at least once on 5 hits (and Moltres survives), and an 88% chance of procing at least once on 6 hits (Moltres dies but Meow is probably already burned at that point). And if no burn proc occurs, since Triple Axel has a 90% accuracy, Meow has a 45% chance of missing at least one of them, letting you roost off the damage. Then, if you REALLY don't want to "risk it" and Meow sweeps you if everything goes wrong, you can still emergency Tera to resist Axel and KO back with Flamethrower.

0 SpA Moltres Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 314-372 (107.1 - 126.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

And this is if Meow clicked Axel on the switch-in. If Meow clicks Flower Trick, it does 0 damage to Moltres ; If it clicks Koff, well, it kinda sucks since Boots is so important for Moltres but you still get a 30% chance to kill Meow on the spot thanks to Flame Body ; and if Meow clicks U-turn, you take 0 and also have a chance to burn. Basically, Moltres just existing threatens a KO on Meow if it uses anything but Flower Trick, and then you get a free pivot with U-turn letting you gain the momentum. It also makes opponents think twice before clicking U-turn.

Another great boon Moltres has over other counters is that even if Moltres does eventually get chipped down to KO range, just switching in and trying to proc Flame Body as a last resort can effectively neuter Meow, especially if it goes for Triple Axel for the KO.

Outside of the Meow use case, Moltres doubles down as a defensive pivot thanks to U-turn and it has a great defensive profile letting it check/counter many top tier threats such as non-Tera Fire Gambit, Great Tusk, Scarf Enamorus, Dragonite, Rillaboom and Weavile. It never really is dead weight.


Check

:SV/IRON_MOTH:

Iron Moth @ Booster Energy
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 124 Def / 132 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fiery Dance
- Sludge Wave
- Dazzling Gleam
- Energy Ball

Very much a one-time check, but Iron Moth can switch in, stomach any hit from Meow, outspeed and kill regardless of which typing Meow switches to. This set is meant be used on BO and HO teams that are looking for a one-time switch-in to Meow while keeping the pressure up.
 
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