Project Victim Of The Week | Week 35: Absol

Yoshi

IT'S FINK DUMBASS
approved by Hootie
OP adapted from Shadestep
Banner by Bummer


Metagames are dynamic, ever-changing, and constantly subject to change. However, there are always key Pokemon which must be prepared for and acknowledged during team building. This project is a great way for the community to come together and find ways to tackle these threats and develop a greater understanding of the tier as a whole.
  • Every round, I'll pick one Pokemon from the "NeverUsed Viability Rankings" to be discussed. The submission stage will last one week.​
  • During the round, post a Pokemon of your choosing which is able to check / counter the current threat, with a Set, Description, and Calculations if necessary. (Note that they MUST be viable, no gimmicks like Trapinch or Emolga, in some cases I'll be a bit more flexible with what's allowed).
  • At the end of the week we start over, until we have an entire compendium of checks and counters for each Pokemon on the VR.​
At the end of the round, results will be archived, so that eventually we'll have a bank of checks and counters for each threat in the tier with descriptions and sets to match.

Rules:
1. When nominating your check/counter please take into consideration this defintion from The Smog:
Pokémon A checks Pokémon B if, when Pokémon A is given a free switch into Pokémon B, Pokémon A can win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.

Pokémon A counters Pokémon B if Pokémon A can manually switch into Pokémon B and still win every time, even under the worst case scenario, without factoring in hax.

There are some parts of those definitions that may be confusing to the unfamiliar, so now I'm going to make sure we're all on the same page. "Hax" does not mean cheats or codes used to win. "Hax" means, loosely, things that have a chance of happening but usually don't, for example, critical hits (under most circumstances), Ice Beam freezing, and Fire Blast missing. This means that we don't take into account these types of things when we analyze if one Pokémon checks or counters another. Despite this, it's unwise to declare that one Pokémon checks another when the victorious Pokémon relies on hitting Focus Blast three times in a row, or something like that. Basically, you're often okay ignoring hax unless something that doesn't have a high chance of happening must happen in order for a Pokémon to check or counter another.

There are some things, like flinching, which you would normally consider to be hax but aren't always so. For example, Jirachi has a 60% chance to flinch a slower opponent with Iron Head, so in this case, flinching is not hax because it happens over half the time. For things such as missing or secondary effects, such as a Scald burn or Special Defense drop from Seed Flare, that have a decently high chance of happening, you need to think about them when you analyze checks or counters. Even though they might fit the standard definition of hax, they happen often enough for you to expect to see them in real situations somewhat commonly. There's no official or best guideline, but in my opinion, if some form of "hax" has a 30% chance or higher of happening, you should keep it in the back of your mind because it's not a negligible occurrence.
2. You may NOT post Shedninja
3. Only post sets and Pokemon viable in NU. Try to stick to Pokemon on the Viability Rankings, however exceptions can be made on rare occasions, (e.g Togedemaru for Rotom-Mow).
4. Reservations are allowed, however if you don't complete your post within 24 hours someone else is free to take your Pokemon.
5. If someone posts an unviable set / mon, you can help them out, but be nice.
6. Post calcs if necessary.


Current Victim:
@

Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Zing Zap
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Nuzzle
 
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Check:


Thanks to higher Speed, strong offensive presence and even some bulk, it's able to reliably check Emboar and in a pinch even take a hit to retaliate.

252 SpA Meloetta Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Emboar: 366-432 (101.3 - 119.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Meloetta: 280-330 (82.1 - 96.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Meloetta: 280-330 (82.1 - 96.7%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Meloetta @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock
- U-turn
 
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Check/Counter?:

Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic

Thanks to its typing and decent bulk it can switch into any move emboar wants to use and deal very mediocre damage after Superpower has been used once.


0 SpA Seismitoad Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Emboar: 240-284 (66.4 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Emboar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Seismitoad: 163-193 (39.3 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

-1 252 Atk Emboar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Seismitoad: 109-129 (26.3 - 31.1%) -- 11.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
 

poh

<?>
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Granbull @ Normalium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Play Rough
- Earthquake
- Heal Bell
- Thunder Wave

Granbull can switch in on Emboar with ease, only Flare Blitz manages to 3HKO it. When at low health use Z-Heal Bell to get back up to full health. Earthquake is a 2HKO.

-1 252 Atk Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 130-154 (33.8 - 40.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
-1 252 Atk Emboar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 54-64 (14 - 16.6%) -- possible 6HKO
-1 252 Atk Reckless Emboar Wild Charge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 66-78 (17.1 - 20.3%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Granbull Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Emboar: 238-282 (65.9 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Check:

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Toxic

Gastrodon can switch onto both Emboar’s STABs easily, being able to avoid the 2HKO on both of these moves. It is obviously unaffected by Wild Charge thanks to its typing. The only thing that would bother it is getting Toxic’d but it’s still very manageable with Recover.
 

BARN ALL (Altaria) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower

Pretty good counter, Emboar's strongest move only deals 29% on a high roll. Altaria can heal off any damage with Roost while Heal Bell and Natural Cure cancel out Toxic
 


Delphox @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick

Scarf Delphox is a decent check to Emboar. Nothing really much to explain, it clicks Psychic and Emboar dies. Oh, also outspeeds due to scarf which is fairly obvious.

252 SpA Delphox Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Emboar: 380-450 (105.2 - 124.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 


Qwilfish @ Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Thunder Wave

Resisting both Emboar's stab attacks and having intimidate, this might be the one true counter. With Rocky Helmet you force emboar to go for Wild Charge which in turn allows you to get your Ground type or say Rotom-C in. If Emboar does not go for wild charge its basically free hazards/free scalds.

-1 252 Atk Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Qwilfish: 69-82 (20.6 - 24.5%) -- possible 6HKO after Black Sludge recovery

-1 252 Atk Emboar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Qwilfish: 58-69 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Black Sludge recovery

-1 252 Atk Reckless Emboar Wild Charge vs. 252 HP / 200 Def Qwilfish: 140-166 (41.9 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
 
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HORSE (Mudsdale) @ Leftovers
Ability: Stamina
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

How did people forget this treasure sigh... Mudsdale is able to take any hit from Emboar gets it's Stamina and without it wasn't even able to 2 hit KO that's how amazing this HORSE is! HORSE laughs at Emboars attacks and then OHKO's it back by shaking the world upside down with Earthquake. If you need some pigmeat to beat use HORSEPOWER.

252 Atk Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 163-193 (40.3 - 47.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. +1 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 109-129 (26.9 - 31.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

Disj edit: don't use big ass pics yo
 
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Metal Sonic

Resurgence
is a Tutor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus

Slowbro @ Waterium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Slack Off

What about this pink poke?

252 Atk Reckless Emboar Wild Charge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 154-182 (39 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowbro Hydro Vortex (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Emboar: 492-578 (136.2 - 160.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Just switch in, Z-Scald, and GTFO. Free healing courtesy of Regenerator.
 

PrinceLucian

Banned deucer.

Druddigon @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail

252 Atk Emboar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Druddigon: 145-172 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

underrated stealth rocker and my favourite set, emboar just dies to recoil damage and if it clicks superpower druddigon can just rest up
 

s++ (Mesprit) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
- Healing Wish

check

Mesprit scarfed outruns scarf emboar and ohko w psychic:
252 SpA Mesprit Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Emboar: 360-426 (99.7 - 118%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
the only real reason to use this besides melo is healing wish, but it still holds its place
nothing much else to say other than mesprit is the nu don and doesn't deserve the injustice of b-

have a good day
 
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etern

is a Community Leaderis a Top Tiering Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnusis a defending SCL Championis a Former Smogon Metagame Tournament Circuit Champion
NU Leader
Thank you for the submissions everyone, great week!
Princelucian
Druddigon @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail

Jarii
Mudsdale @ Leftovers
Ability: Stamina
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Metal Sonic
Slowbro @ Waterium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Slack Off

Laurens
Qwilfish @ Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Thunder Wave

Earth
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Toxic

Realistic Waters
Altaria @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower

Stan Soojung
Mesprit @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
- Healing Wish

SANJAY
Delphox @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick


Next up, to complement the current suspect test, Specs Meloetta is on the slate.


Meloetta @ Choice Specs
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Hyper Voice
- Focus Blast
- U-turn / Trick

Have fun!
 

Spiritomb @ Black Glasses
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-O-Wisp

Meloetta legit can't do anything against this mon 3 special moves it has are immuun, only able to U-Turn out and if you predict it well you always able to Pursuit trap it. Nothing more you need to say about it.
 
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Metal Sonic

Resurgence
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Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Knock Off
- Taunt

The second best counter to Meloetta. Knock Off to win.
 

poh

<?>
is a Community Contributoris a Top Tiering Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Forum Moderator Alumnus


Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Recover
- Mirror Coat

252 SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon: 178-211 (41.7 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Point of this set is to take a Hyper Voice/Psychic and retaliate back with Mirror Coat. It OHKOs Meloetta if it gets a max roll. If it doesn't , you recover enough with Lefties + Recover.
 
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Metal Sonic

Resurgence
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Slowking @ Colbur Berry / Waterium Z
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off

252 SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Slowking: 135-159 (34.2 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Used to be set in alpha but it beats Specs Melo. You can basically set up in its face. Waterium Z is an option to avoid being Tricked.
Why does your Calc say "Assault Vest" Slowking? Pretty sure you can't set up in its face as it's a 2HKO.
 

Sneasel @ Choice Band
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit

Sneasel is a decent check to Specs Melo. While it can't really switch into it safely (except if it's locked into Psychic), it does a great job at trapping it with Pursuit or killing it thanks to Knock Off.
 

Absol @ Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck/Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast

Absol is a good check to meloetta since it will always beat it 1v1 with sucker punch or Pursuit if its locked into psychic.
 
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ping pong (Shiftry) @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature / Lonely
- Defog
- Knock Off
- Leaf Storm
- Sucker Punch

Shiftry's sucker punch can ohko melo after rocks, and if it's an attack increasing nature it always ohkos:
252 Atk Life Orb Shiftry Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Meloetta: 307-367 (90 - 107.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Shiftry Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Meloetta: 335-398 (98.2 - 116.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

and on the very rare sun it outruns melo 100% of the time, although shiftry can't switch in at all unless you're 10000% sure they're clicking psychic bop
 
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Punchshroom

FISHIOUS REND MEGA SHARPEDO
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Wormadam-Trash @ Leftovers / Normalium Z
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Protect / Psych Up

252 SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Wormadam-Trash: 145-171 (44.7 - 52.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Wormadam-Trash Bug Buzz vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Meloetta: 116-140 (33.9 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Dumb counter, doesn't take Focus Blast too kindly but hey it's Focus Blast and forcing Melo to lock itself into that is always a plus. You can go crazier with Z-Psych Up to fully heal yourself while simultaneously blocking Trick as well as combat the possible Calm Mind Meloetta.
 
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cyanize

Mantra Good I Casted So Many Spells U Idiot
is a Community Contributor

Time Stops (Vaporeon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell / Roar / Toxic / whatever else

Cleanly avoids 2HKO from Melo's STABs and stalls it out (provided no drops ofc). Vapo can also run Normalium Z Heal Bell to counteract Trick and still avoid 2hko, as well as have a full heal in its pocket should something go wrong.

252 SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 56+ SpD Vaporeon: 195-231 (42 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 

etern

is a Community Leaderis a Top Tiering Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnusis a defending SCL Championis a Former Smogon Metagame Tournament Circuit Champion
NU Leader
Nice week, thank you all.
Jarii
Spiritomb @ Black Glasses
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-O-Wisp

Metal Sonic

Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Knock Off
- Taunt

PursuitOfHappiny
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Recover
- Mirror Coat

Earth
Sneasel @ Choice Band
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit

StarBlim
Absol @ Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck/Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast

Stan Soojung
(Shiftry) @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature / Lonely
- Defog
- Knock Off
- Leaf Storm
- Sucker Punch

Punchshroom
Wormadam-Trash @ Leftovers / Normalium Z
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Protect / Psych Up

Cyanize
(Vaporeon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell / Roar / Toxic


Next up, one of the best Pokemon in the tier and a common threat on balance, Calm Mind Slowbro


Slowbro @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Slack Off
 

cyanize

Mantra Good I Casted So Many Spells U Idiot
is a Community Contributor

rebound (Golbat) @ Eviolite
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 100 SpD
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
- Toxic / Super Fang

- Roost

Hey, I get to plug this set twice in one night! Nice.

You can hard check Slowbro with this set, as the given EV spread allows Bat to avoid the 2HKO from even Psychic variants, and doesn't really miss the little bit of extra Defense. As long as it doesn't CM immediately, you can even switch in to beat it.

0 SpA Slowbro Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 156+ Def Eviolite Golbat: 116-138 (32.7 - 38.9%) -- 98.9% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Slowbro Psychic vs. 252 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Golbat: 146-174 (41.2 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 

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