The Next Best Thing [Current Subject: Tapu Bulu]

op stolen from the old thread
Approved by cant say

The Next Best Thing
What is this?:

I for one, along with many others I'm sure, feel as though there is some untapped power within the Battle Spot environment. There is substantial evidence for this idea in the form of one commonality for most tiers, Battle Spot included: there always seems to be one or more new-fangled, hyped up sets that weren't originally main-stay or seen as "viable" by the community, but somehow has taken the metagame by storm. This can be seen in DPP OU (with Special Lucario transitioning to SD Lucario, Heatran eventually running items other than Choice Scarf, and the influx of ChestoRest Kingdra) in ADV (with the vaunted TyraniBoah now becoming almost an urban myth in comparison to Special and DD Tyranitar, and the increasing popularity of SupeRachi) and in BW OU (with the advent of SubSalac Terrakion, SubDisable Gengar, and ChestoRest Volcarona). Yes, some of these sets may have been found early on with respect to the creation of the tier or fairly recently, the point is, though, that there seems to be an endless supply of effective and potent sets out there yet to be discovered, especially factoring in metagame swings and the possible tier shifts. The purpose of this project will be to systematically subject each and every Battle Spot pokemon to a collective body of research in an attempt to uncover these "hidden gems", so to speak, and hopefully spark some creativity throughout the Battle Spot community.

The Process:

Each week, I will choose a different Battle Spot Pokemon, sometimes chosen by random, sometimes chosen by curiosity, of which participants will try to personally create a new set for that is not already on-site or in the process of being put on-site. Participants will be given 4 days from the time I post a new Pokemon to create their set, with discussion about the particular sets being promoted throughout, a vote will be held to choose which user's set represented the most creative and simultaneously competitively viable set to utilize in the current Battle Spot metagame, this will be open for 3 days. Once the votes are tallied and a winner is crowned, the set will be archived in the OP and the process will start all over again for the next pokemon specimen.

What are we looking for?:

Specifically, I want to stress the importance of the balance between creativity and viability when picking a set to post for the Pokemon in question. There's a very fine line between a "creative" set and a "gimmick", and this project is not meant to produce gimmicks, rather emphasize the ability to think outside the box when using a specific Pokemon in order to maximize it's potential. Having said that, I would also like to deviate from simple one move / item changes. For example, using Lum Berry over Life Orb on an SD Garchomp does nothing to show any untapped potential Garchomp has because we already have a basic understanding of what SD Garchomp is and does, it's just now better at dealing with status and has less power. The same goes for using Knock Off over Superpower on Belly Drum Azumarill, it doesn't yield productive discussion or results for the project. I am looking for sets that test what we think we know about checks or counters, so-called standards, and what it means to be viable. Maybe a particular option for a Pokemon looks inferior at first glance for that particular pokemon, but dig deeper and try and find what it might mean in the big picture, for the entire team.

Pretty much if it would make it onto a main set of an analysis then it is considered to be standard.

Current Subject
 
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The Archive
Week 1
Tapu Fini

cant say - Z-Grass Knot
_________________________________
Week 2
Celesteela

ThickFatAzumarill - Fire Killer
_________________________________
Week 3
Blaziken / Mega Blaziken

cant say - Double Team
_________________________________
Week 4
Aegislash

cant say - Choice Specs
_________________________________
Week 5
Thundurus-Therian

cant say - Physical Z-move
_________________________________
Week 6
Naganadel

cant say - Dragonium Z
_________________________________
Week 7

Blacephalon

Fire Fist Ace - Firium Z
_________________________________
Week 8
Greninja

cant say - Mixed Work Up
_________________________________
Week 9
Landorus-T

ethan06 - Choice Specs
_________________________________
Week 10
Mega Metagross

cant say - HP Fire
_________________________________
Week 11

Mega Salamence

DawnManeDuskWings - Mixed Dragon Dance
_________________________________
Week 12
Ferrothorn

cant say - Sub Curse
_________________________________
Week 13

Tapu Lele

jmal98 - Bulky Tapunium
_________________________________
Week 14
Kartana

cant say - PhysDef
_________________________________
Week 15
Volcarona

Darkinium - Bulky Mago
_________________________________
Week 16
Gengar
/ Mega Gengar

The Squash - Sub Disable
_________________________________
Week 17
Tapu Koko

Darkinium - Calm Mind
_________________________________
Week 18
Mega Khanaskhan

cant say - Bulky Mixed Attacker
_________________________________
Week 19
Heatran

Devilican - Z-Nature Power
_________________________________
Week 20
Gliscor

Steel With It - Baton Pass
_________________________________
Week 21
Pheromosa

Darkinium - Groundium Z
 
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ethan06

⋖(☼┆☼)⋗
is a Community Contributor Alumnus
Tapu Fini @ Tapunium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Nature's Madness
- Brine
- Taunt
- Moonblast

Line em up, knock em down. This Fini set aims to stallbreak bulkier teams by chipping away HP with Nature's Madness, then finishing off the weakened opponent with a powerful 130 power Brine. I'm sure this is a thing, because Tapu Fini doesn't have a lot of undiscovered viable options as it is, but it's a nice way to make use of an underutilised move. Full physdef for coping with big hitters like Blaziken (a mon that more offensive Fini sets actually have trouble checking if it boosts or has Thunder Punch) and Mega Salamence. Taunt to aid in stallbreaking and Moonblast for a consistent damage option. Many Pokémon on fat teams will have healing items, so Guardian of Alola is a really cool way to try and keep certain things under 50% so that repeated Nature's Madnesses aren't as necessary.
 

cant say

twitch.tv/jakecantsay
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus

Tapu Fini @ Grassium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 244 HP / 252 SpA / 12 Spe
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Grass Knot

Bulky Waters usually Toxic each other to death, but Misty Terrain stops that and means you usually have to Moonblast your way through. Or you can save your health and one-shot all the waters instead.
 
Calm Mind + Taunt
@ Leftovers / Iapapa Berry / Sitrus Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 4 SpA / 36 SpD / 68 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Taunt

Kind of standard Fini, but i do like this set. The spread is to outspeed Celesteela, taunt it and prevent Seeds; it's also good vs opposing Finis in the Calm Mind wars. It has 1 point more SpDef than its Def to deal with Download P2 better
 

Thick Fat Azumarill

Certified Pasta Enjoyer
is a Site Content Manageris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributor

Tapu Fini @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 Spe
- Surf
- Moonblast
- Reflect
- Taunt / Nature's Madness

Setting up a Reflect means that Fini has an easier time dealing with physical attackers. Other than that, everything is standard.
 

Ullar

card-carrying wife-guy
is a Smogon Discord Contributor

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Haze
- Taunt
- Reflect
- Moonblast

Maybe a tad gimmicky, but it can be an effective sweeper breaker. It lives a +2 Mimikyu Shadow Claw, can Haze in return, then set up Reflect and Taunt at its leisure. This set can be easily adapted for those few special sweepers as well.
 
Submissions are now closed! There are to be no edits of your own Pokemon, nor are there to be any new submissions. A few quick things to note;
  • Voting will close on the 9/29 at 9:00pm EST (GMT-4), where the next subject will also be announced
  • You can't vote for your own submission
  • You can only change your vote once, so think carefully before doing so
  • You can vote even if you haven't made a submission. It is expected that you vote if you did submit yourself, but not compulsory
Tapu Fini @ Tapunium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Nature's Madness
- Brine
- Taunt
- Moonblast

Line em up, knock em down. This Fini set aims to stallbreak bulkier teams by chipping away HP with Nature's Madness, then finishing off the weakened opponent with a powerful 130 power Brine. I'm sure this is a thing, because Tapu Fini doesn't have a lot of undiscovered viable options as it is, but it's a nice way to make use of an underutilised move. Full physdef for coping with big hitters like Blaziken (a mon that more offensive Fini sets actually have trouble checking if it boosts or has Thunder Punch) and Mega Salamence. Taunt to aid in stallbreaking and Moonblast for a consistent damage option. Many Pokémon on fat teams will have healing items, so Guardian of Alola is a really cool way to try and keep certain things under 50% so that repeated Nature's Madnesses aren't as necessary.
Tapu Fini @ Grassium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 244 HP / 252 SpA / 12 Spe
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Grass Knot

Bulky Waters usually Toxic each other to death, but Misty Terrain stops that and means you usually have to Moonblast your way through. Or you can save your health and one-shot all the waters instead.
Calm Mind + Taunt
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 4 SpA / 36 SpD / 68 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Taunt

Kind of standard Fini, but i do like this set. The spread is to outspeed Celesteela, taunt it and prevent Seeds; it's also good vs opposing Finis in the Calm Mind wars. It has 1 point more SpDef than its Def to deal with Download P2 better
Tapu Fini @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 Spe
- Surf
- Moonblast
- Reflect
- Taunt / Nature's Madness

Setting up a Reflect means that Fini has an easier time dealing with physical attackers. Other than that, everything is standard.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Haze
- Taunt
- Reflect
- Moonblast

Maybe a tad gimmicky, but it can be an effective sweeper breaker. It lives a +2 Mimikyu Shadow Claw, can Haze in return, then set up Reflect and Taunt at its leisure. This set can be easily adapted for those few special sweepers as well.
 
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Congratulations to cant say for winning this week's Next Best Thing! Your submission will be logged in the Archive!

This week's subject is generation 7's best waifu: Celesteela! This is easily one of the best mons of gen 7, thanks to its great stat distribution, allowing it to fill a number of roles. So, with all that in mind, what is The Next Best Thing (TM) for Celesteela?

You have until Tuesday (10/3) at 9:00 p.m. EST (GMT-4) to post your submissions. Best of luck to everyone!
 

cant say

twitch.tv/jakecantsay
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus

Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Flame Charge

Before defensive Steela became the norm during pre-bank I was trying to make this work. I think it worked sick but it didn't catch on. I used an Impish version of this in No Holds Barred and it worked an absolute treat, and I feel like an offensive one could be decent in BSS. There might be a better spread (maybe a careful one) but this is mainly focussing on Flame Charge.
 
@ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 28 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Autotomize
- Leech Seed
- Air Slash
- Substitute

Fast Subseed Celesteela. After an Autotomize you upspeed the whole unboosted tier, even up to Pheromosa, and +1 mons such as Scarf Lele.
Once you're fast you can either stall your opponent with sub, losing 7% health per round, while your opponent usually loses 12% (this if the opponent can OHKO Celes, or heavily damage it) , or just fish for the 30% flinch chance of Air Slash, taking the advantage of the natural bulk and typing of this pokemon. Of course its STAB also let you hit Grass-types that are immune to the seeds.
The SpD evs are to ensure that Download boosts the attack and not the special attack.
 

Thick Fat Azumarill

Certified Pasta Enjoyer
is a Site Content Manageris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributor

Celesteela @ Occa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Substitute / Flamethrower
- Rock Slide
- Leech Seed

Are you tired of switching out Steela out on Charizard Y and Volcarona? Fear no more! Steela tanks every hit and KOes back with Rock Slide.

252+ SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 76-91 (37.2 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 114-135 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 127-151 (62.2 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 190-225 (93.1 - 110.2%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO (OK, maybe not a Modest +1 Z-Move, but it can survive, which is incredible by itself)

252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela in Sun: 129-153 (63.2 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


4 Atk Celesteela Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 164-196 (101.8 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 Atk Celesteela Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 144-172 (94.1 - 112.4%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
 
Well there aren't very many submissions this week, so I might as well add one to the pool:

Celesteela @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 236 SpA / 20 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Air Slash / Giga Drain
- Flamethrower
- Autotomize

With a Weakness Policy and Automotize boost Celesteela becomes a pretty potent sweeper, being able to tear teams apart and snowballing into a huge threat thanks to Beast Boost! The SpD evs ensure that Download boosts attack instead of special attack.



Submissions are now closed! There are to be no edits of your own Pokemon, nor are there to be any new submissions. A few quick things to note;
  • Voting will close on the 10/6 at 9:00pm EST (GMT-4), where the next subject will also be announced
  • You can't vote for your own submission
  • You can only change your vote once, so think carefully before doing so
  • You can vote even if you haven't made a submission. It is expected that you vote if you did submit yourself, but not compulsory
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Flame Charge

Before defensive Steela became the norm during pre-bank I was trying to make this work. I think it worked sick but it didn't catch on. I used an Impish version of this in No Holds Barred and it worked an absolute treat, and I feel like an offensive one could be decent in BSS. There might be a better spread (maybe a careful one) but this is mainly focussing on Flame Charge.
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 28 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Autotomize
- Leech Seed
- Air Slash
- Substitute

Fast Subseed Celesteela. After an Autotomize you upspeed the whole unboosted tier, even up to Pheromosa, and +1 mons such as Scarf Lele.
Once you're fast you can either stall your opponent with sub, losing 7% health per round, while your opponent usually loses 12% (this if the opponent can OHKO Celes, or heavily damage it) , or just fish for the 30% flinch chance of Air Slash, taking the advantage of the natural bulk and typing of this pokemon. Of course its STAB also let you hit Grass-types that are immune to the seeds.
The SpD evs are to ensure that Download boosts the attack and not the special attack.
Celesteela @ Occa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Substitute / Flamethrower
- Rock Slide
- Leech Seed

Are you tired of switching out Steela out on Charizard Y and Volcarona? Fear no more! Steela tanks every hit and KOes back with Rock Slide.

252+ SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 76-91 (37.2 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 114-135 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 127-151 (62.2 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ SpA Volcarona Inferno Overdrive (185 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela: 190-225 (93.1 - 110.2%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO (OK, maybe not a Modest +1 Z-Move, but it can survive, which is incredible by itself)

252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Occa Berry Celesteela in Sun: 129-153 (63.2 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


4 Atk Celesteela Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 164-196 (101.8 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 Atk Celesteela Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 144-172 (94.1 - 112.4%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
Well there aren't very many submissions this week, so I might as well add one to the pool:

Celesteela @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 236 SpA / 20 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Air Slash / Giga Drain
- Flamethrower
- Autotomize

With a Weakness Policy and Automotize boost Celesteela becomes a pretty potent sweeper, being able to tear teams apart and snowballing into a huge threat thanks to Beast Boost! The SpD evs ensure that Download boosts attack instead of special attack.
 
Tfa's Fire killer Steela
one of the most spectacular win factor in the 3vs3 meta is achieved when you are able to build a set that can beat threat. This is what this set does.
Plus iirc it's pretty similar to the one that i suggested you in your rmt lol, so yeah.
 
Voting for The Squash's Weakness Policy
It's honestly the only thing I haven't seen before and that I could actually see working.
 

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