Metagame Effective Creative & Underrated Sets [REPLAYS REQUIRED]

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2xTheTap

YuGiOh main
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I made some extra sets because I was bored, and am sharing the ones I've found to be the most successful. I've tested all of these and have replays for most of them, so enjoy:


Στύξ (Lapras) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Hydro Pump
- Freeze-Dry

I'm fairly sure this set came from Megazard, but correct me if I'm wrong. Specs or ProTox are nice sets, but this is great for wearing down bulky answers to Lapras, like Grumpig, Audino, Bouffalant, Regice, etc. Set up a Substitute as you scare something out and Toxic the switch-in. I made the EV spread, and the Speed is for Adamant Golem, but this can be dropped and used with more bulk if desired.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-361557927
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-361485250


Golem @ Life Orb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 244 Atk / 136 SpA / 128 Spe
Naughty Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch

Fire off a quick Fire Blast as Quilladin / Tangela / Gourgeist-XL come in to take a predicted Earthquake/Stone Edge, and then outspeed for the 2HKO with that second Fire Blast, easy peasy. If SR is up, Fire Blast OHKOes standard Leafeon too. Use this with Prinplup because this doesn't have room for SR, unless you're giving up Sucker Punch for SR (you really want Sucker though, Life Orb-boosted Sucker Punch hurts like hell and can KO Mr. Mime with a really small amount of prior damage). EQ OHKOes Metang, and Stone Edge OHKOes Vullaby, so this Golem should be outspeeding Vullaby, Metang, and all those fat Grass-types hovering around 156 Spe.
136 SpA Life Orb Golem Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Gourgeist-Super: 200-237 (53.6 - 63.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
136 SpA Life Orb Golem Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Leafeon: 224-265 (82.6 - 97.7%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
136 SpA Life Orb Golem Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 213-252 (63.7 - 75.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
136 SpA Life Orb Golem Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Quilladin: 161-192 (49.5 - 59%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
136 SpA Life Orb Golem Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Simisage: 255-302 (87.6 - 103.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

244+ Atk Life Orb Golem Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Vullaby: 252-299 (73.4 - 87.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

244+ Atk Life Orb Golem Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Stunfisk: 354-421 (84 - 100%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
244+ Atk Life Orb Golem Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Metang: 291-346 (89.8 - 106.7%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

244+ Atk Life Orb Golem Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mr. Mime: 165-195 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-363005575

My second (actually the third, posted Roar Golem here) Golem set is just Chestorest, and lets you continue to check and counter Flying-, Normal-, and some Electric-types.

Golem @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Atk / 16 Def / 208 SpD / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rest
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

Pair this with a cleric that can wake Golem up in case Chesto/Lum Berry is removed by something like Dodrio's Knock Off (Audino or another Heal Bell user like Altaria on bulkier teams). EV spread is homemade: 4 Spe outspeeds uninvested base 45s, 16 Def with Impish lets you live the 2HKO from Pawniard's Iron Head and hits a jump point, 32 Atk lets you OHKO Pawniard without prior damage via Earthquake, and the rest of its EVs maximize its Special Defense and HP.


Probopass @ Air Balloon / Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature

IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Power Gem
- Earth Power

Taunt on max Speed Probopass actually has a HUGE amount of utility (despite what Dundies may tell you :}). It stops base 45s like Golem (and slower entry hazard setters too) from setting SR, prevents Audino from using Wish to heal a teammate, doesn't let Vullaby, Prinplup, or Vibrava Defog, stops bulky Roselia from setting up Spikes, just to name a few things. Use this on Sticky Web teams, especially those that may be Flying weak or Rotom-F weak, as your SR user to prevent Lumineon from Defogging away Webs. But, keep in mind Earth Power no longer OHKOes Pawniard with the drop in SpA resulting from using a Timid nature over a Modest one.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-338421818
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-345253493
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-356125722 (vs ayo sb)


Solrock @ Choice Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Baton Pass
- Stone Edge
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake

This set looks wonky, but trust me when I tell you offensive Solrock is actually a pain to deal with. Jolly 252 Spe Solrock outspeeds Adamant Monferno by 1 point, so rather than being hit by U-Turn or a Close Combat, you just OHKO with CB Zen Headbutt. This also outspeeds Adamant Arbok and any Roselia, which are also hit extremely hard (Arbok is OHKOed, even if this Solrock is at -1 because of Intimidate). This OHKOes AoA Machoke if you use Adamant over Jolly, too. Its other moves hit everything else considerably hard with Stone Edge OHKOing physically bulky Altaria, and EQ 2HKOing Stunfisk, for example. Baton Pass is there to allow Solrock to pivot into its teammates on a predicted switch, but it gets other fun options like Explosion if you're into that.
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Solrock Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arbok: 288-338 (110.3 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Solrock Zen Headbutt vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Monferno: 354-416 (131.5 - 154.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Solrock Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 32 Def Eviolite Roselia: 372-438 (122.3 - 144%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Choice Band Solrock Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 164+ Def Altaria: 330-390 (93.4 - 110.4%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Choice Band Solrock Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Stunfisk: 214-252 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- 83.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-362103843


Roselia @ Eviolite / Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Extrasensory
- Toxic Spikes

- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb

This set is pretty effective in luring grounded Poison-types. Upon setting Toxic spikes, your opponent will most likely switch in something like Arbok to soak them up, at which point you fire off a Modest Extrasensory. Luring Poison-types like this (Swalot, Dustox, Arbok, etc.) opens up the way for Machoke, especially given offensive Roselia also puts a huge amount of pressure on Gourgeist-XL (Use this with Machoke and a Flying/Psychic resist!). Extrasensory hits Monferno considerably hard as it's coming into a predicted Giga Drain, too. Use a Life Orb to OHKO both Arbok and Monferno:
252+ SpA Roselia Extrasensory vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 180-212 (66.9 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Roselia Extrasensory vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Monferno: 268-316 (99.6 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Roselia Extrasensory vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Arbok: 194-230 (74.3 - 88.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ SpA Roselia Extrasensory vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Swalot: 188-222 (52.2 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

With Life Orb:

252+ SpA Life Orb Roselia Extrasensory vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Monferno: 234-276 (86.9 - 102.6%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Life Orb Roselia Extrasensory vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Arbok: 252-299 (96.5 - 114.5%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Roselia Extrasensory vs. 248 HP / 192+ SpD Dustox: 172-203 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery


Gogoat @ Life Orb
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Milk Drink
- Giga Drain
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Specially offensive Gogoat. Its Attack is only 3 base points higher, which means its Special Attack set is totally usable. This moveset honestly just changes what counters Gogoat. For example, Jumpluff counters Bulk Up / Milk Drink / Horn Leech / Earthquake variants of Gogoat with ease, but Hidden Power Ice on the switch actually just OHKOes Jumpluff. The same is true for Altaria, and for other Flying-types like Ninjask coming in who are hoping to absorb the Horn Leech thanks to its Bug and Flying typing. This also brings in and 2HKOes bulky Grass-types, the same as Fire Blast Golem above, like Quilladin and Gourgeist-XL that are looking to get Spikes or a burn off, respectively. Beware though, this Gogoat isn't quite as bulky as the standard, but it's effective at luring Flying-types that would check or counter Monferno. (Use this with Monferno!).
248+ SpA Life Orb Gogoat Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Jumpluff: 322-380 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
248+ SpA Life Orb Gogoat Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Altaria: 291-348 (100 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
248+ SpA Life Orb Gogoat Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Ninjask: 265-312 (100.7 - 118.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
248+ SpA Life Orb Gogoat Hidden Power Ice vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Quilladin: 159-187 (48.9 - 57.5%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO
248+ SpA Life Orb Gogoat Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Gourgeist-Super: 192-229 (51.3 - 61.2%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


Coil recipient (Simisage) @ Salac Berry
Ability: Gluttony
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Grass Whistle
- Seed Bomb
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide

We all saw zdrup use this against galbia during Winter seasonals (with Superpower over Rock Slide, and LO over Salac Berry). All of these Sleep moves with horrible accuracy (i.e. Sing, Grass Whistle, and Hypnosis) can actually become usable though if you somehow up the accuracy by using Gravity, Coil and Hone Claws, Zoom and Wide lens, Defog, etc. So, as this Simisage's nickname suggests, use this together with a Coilpasser like Huntail. Fighting a +1 Acc / Atk / Def / Spe Simisage with access to an unblockable Sleep move (yes, Soundproof blocks it, but Mr. Mime and Electrode can't survive a hit at +1) is literal hell.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-335038319 (working with Huntail's CoilPass)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-334743084
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-334740607

This brings me to my next set:


Huntail @ Leftovers / Wacan Berry
Ability: Water Veil
EVs: 248 HP / 32 SpD / 228 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Coil
- Baton Pass
- Substitute / Sucker Punch
- Waterfall

This isn't a new idea, but it's underrated to say the least. Pass on Coils and even Substitutes to Pokemon with inaccurate moves (like Grass Whistle Simisage), or bulky Pokemon like Regigigas. The boost in Defense will allow Simisage to survive hits and active its Salac Berry more consistently, effectively bringing it to the levels of Scarf and Banded Simisage, with an accurate sleep move to boot. Huntail's EVs are meant to survive Zebstrika's Volt Switch 100% of the time and can live through Thunderbolt via a Wacan Berry. If you want Huntail to be more threatening by itself, use Sucker Punch over Substitute. Alternatively, you can drop the SpDef and use Jolly 252 Spe Huntail to hit 223 Speed, which can let you pass the Coil underneath offensive Roselia's nose if necessary. But, if more bulk is desired, simply aim to outspeed Adamant Golem.
252 SpA Life Orb Zebstrika Volt Switch vs. 248 HP / 32 SpD Huntail: 265-312 (84.6 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


Gourgeist-Small @ Life Orb
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Seed Bomb
- Shadow Sneak
- Synthesis
- Will-O-Wisp / Rock Slide

This set was inspired by ayo sb (at least I think so, I battled someone named Murican Idiot who used it). While SubSeed is an effective set for sure, sometimes just flat out attacking with LO-boosted priority, statusing slower Pokemon, and healing up when necessary is better. While WoW is nice for Golem and Leafeon, this set can also use Rock Slide to hit annoying Flyers for when Seed Bomb isn't doing much, so it's slashed with WoW. LO Shadow Sneak OHKOes Soundproof Mr. Mime after SR, breaks Kadabra's Focus Sash, and 2HKOes Grumpig.
252 Atk Life Orb Gourgeist-Small Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mr. Mime: 182-218 (82.3 - 98.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Gourgeist-Small Shadow Sneak vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kadabra: 315-374 (141.8 - 168.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Gourgeist-Small Shadow Sneak vs. 160 HP / 0 Def Grumpig: 182-218 (53.3 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


Misdreavus @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 204 Def / 56 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball / Hex
- Mean Look
- Perish Song

Ever wanted to remove an Audino or Lickilicky from a battle, but couldn't quite take it down? This set does exactly that to walls that are somewhat passive in nature and don't have super effective coverage for Misdreavus (while they do have Knock Off, Wisp prevents them from doing too much while they are trapped and killed). This outspeeds Mightyena and lets you burn it if necessary, but it can be ran slower for Adamant Pawniard too. Alternatively, this can be ran with Special Defense investment to trap Grumpig and things like Altaria for Monferno and Rotom-F.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-350028701
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-350027604


Dusknoir @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Taunt
- Ice Punch / Rock Slide / Thunder Punch
- Earthquake

Pursuit together with Taunt means that Dusknoir will have the necessary counterplay against Defog and Rapid Spin users alike, which allows it to keep up its teammates' entry hazards reliably. 136 Spe with Taunt allows Dusknoir to outspeed Vullaby and Taunt it out Roost and Defog, while Colbur gives Dusknoir some protection against Foul Play, as well as Pokemon like Pawniard (which is lured, and then struck with Earthquake). Pursuit is for Cryogonal, while an elemental punch or Rock Slide is used to break down Defog users (each coverage option hits Vullaby, but Thunder Punch faints Swanna / Prinplup / Lumineon, while Ice Punch hits Vibrava). Not that it would ever want to use Defog, but Rock Slide is an option that allows Dusknoir to hit Articuno much harder than its standard set does.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-358311837


Ampharos @ Choice Specs
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpA (HP Water) / IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def (HP Ice)
- Thunder / Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Water] / Hidden Power [Ice]

This set is self-explanatory for the most part, but Specs coming off of 361 SpA and Thunder's high BP destroys anything that isn't Roselia, Trapinch, Camerupt and Chinchou (basically specially defensive Grass-types and Ground-types, along with Electric immunities). This basically just plays like Exeggutor and has the power to do ridiculous things like 2HKO Dusclops without a super effective hit or removing its Eviolite first, to give you an idea. Volt Switch also OHKOes quite a bit, with Pawniard being a notable example in the below replays (against Nudisto). Use HP Water for specially defensive Golem, Camerupt, and HP Ice for hitting Grass-types. HP Water can be used on Rain Dance teams, which lets Ampharos 2HKO SpDef Stunfisk.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-346411390
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-332067107
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-357014864
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-348432407
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-346419938

Ampharos @ Leftovers
Ability: Plus
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magnetic Flux
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Charge Beam / Thunderbolt

Magnetic Flux with Plus acts as Cosmic Power effectively, boosting Ampharos's bulk to insane levels. Once all Ground-types and phazers have been removed, this thing honestly just wins (it plays a lot like AA Duosion). Using Toxic Spikes together with this lets you stall out other teams, unless they have some counterplay to RestTalk or a grounded Poison-type. This makes players really angry and results in a lot of "bgs," so that's a bummer, but it's a nice option for a bulky status absorb, check to Flying-types, and wincon all in one package for semi-stall team archetypes.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-327172986
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-357065566

I had more sets, but this is long, so that's it for now. Have fun! :}
 
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Probopass @ Air Balloon / Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature

IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Power Gem
- Earth Power

Taunt on max Speed Probopass actually has a HUGE amount of utility (despite what Dundies may tell you :}). It stops base 45s like Golem (and slower entry hazard setters too) from setting SR, prevents Audino from using Wish to heal a teammate, doesn't let Vullaby, Prinplup, or Vibrava Defog, stops bulky Roselia from setting up Spikes, just to name a few things. Use this on Sticky Web teams, especially those that may be Flying weak or Rotom-F weak, as your SR user to prevent Lumineon from Defogging away Webs. But, keep in mind Earth Power no longer OHKOes Pawniard with the drop in SpA resulting from using a Timid nature over a Modest one.

Probopass @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch / Earth Power

Ive also been using Lead Taunt with this set on more Hyper-Offense based teams not relying on webs switching Power Gem for Flash Cannon and Volt Switch or Earth Power being interchangeable allowing Probopass to beat the majority of rockers (due to Air Balloon) and providing either immediate momentum(with Volt) or taking out the rockers after Taunt. Used mostly as a semi-suicide lead but can provide support for popular mons that trouble Hyper-Offense such as Ninjask,ScarfMime/Rotom-F and check/counter Normal Types. Good set glad tap posted it (Respect the nose)
 
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Basculin @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Taunt
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]

This basculin anti lead set can ohko every common stealth rock lead bar focus sash leads. Also it can taunt oblivious mons and can hit water absorb switch-ins. It is also one of the fastest taunters in the metagame. I'd like to hear your opinions about this mon.
 
Basculin @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Taunt
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]

This basculin anti lead set can ohko every common stealth rock lead bar focus sash leads. Also it can taunt oblivious mons and can hit water absorb switch-ins. It is also one of the fastest taunters in the metagame. I'd like to hear your opinions about this mon.
I am curious about the special attacking EVs. Basculin has higher physical attack as well as priority Aqua Jet. Please explain to me why you chose this set instead.
 
I am curious about the special attacking EVs. Basculin has higher physical attack as well as priority Aqua Jet. Please explain to me why you chose this set instead.
I believe its to counter Crustle as well as other defensive Sturdy mons, as Golem is OHKOed by Waterfall but Crustle is not, and Crustle can heavily damage Basculin. Surf also prevents Weak Armor shenanigans. Also, normal Basculin has nothing much it can do against Relicanth, which HP Grass achieves.
 
I believe its to counter Crustle as well as other defensive Sturdy mons, as Golem is OHKOed by Waterfall but Crustle is not, and Crustle can heavily damage Basculin. Surf also prevents Weak Armor shenanigans.
I was just looking through the teambuilder and saw Relicanth... Just call me an idiot.
 
Drifblim @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 198 Def / 198 SpD / 112 Spe
Impish Nature / Bold Nature
- Stockpile
- Will-O-Wisp / Substitute / Endure
- Baton Pass
- Acrobatics / Shadow Ball

Set up a Stockpile or 2, then pass the boosts onto something else. If weakness Policy activates, you could potentially pass Swords Dance, Iron Defence, Nasty Plot and Amnesia in one fell swoop. Acrobatics or Shadow Ball can be used in case you get Taunted. EVs let you outrun Scarf Rotom-F once the Weakness Policy's gone, with the rest in defences for extra bulk. With Drifblim's massive HP, investing in the defenses is better.
 

ManOfMany

I can make anything real
is a Tiering Contributor
Drifblim @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 198 Def / 198 SpD / 112 Spe
Impish Nature / Bold Nature
- Stockpile
- Will-O-Wisp / Substitute / Endure
- Baton Pass
- Acrobatics / Shadow Ball

Set up a Stockpile or 2, then pass the boosts onto something else. If weakness Policy activates, you could potentially pass Swords Dance, Iron Defence, Nasty Plot and Amnesia in one fell swoop. Acrobatics or Shadow Ball can be used in case you get Taunted. EVs let you outrun Scarf Rotom-F once the Weakness Policy's gone, with the rest in defences for extra bulk. With Drifblim's massive HP, investing in the defenses is better.
This set is a good dedicated Baton Passer, however Substitute is by far the best move in the 2nd slot as with 150 HP Drifblim is able to pass almost unbreakable Subs after a boost. Also I would say that Acrobatics is 100% better than Shadow Ball as it has enough power to actually sweep offense lategame if WP is activated (+2 uninvested SB is just weak), while if there is a resist you can just Baton Pass to a better pokemon.
 
Sawsbuck @ Choice Band/Life Orb
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- Horn Leech
- Baton Pass/Megahorn
- Jump Kick

I've been using this lately, and there really is no switch-in. It roasts almost every witch-in, and wears down its own counters fairly well.

Sum calcs:
252 Atk Choice Band Sawsbuck Megahorn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Tangela: 144-170 (43.1 - 50.8%) -- 95.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Choice Band Sawsbuck Megahorn vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Tangela: 194-230 (58 - 68.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Choice Band Sawsbuck Double-Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Rotom-F: 229-271 (95 - 112.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO

However, this set admittedly fails against more defensive teams, which almost always carries, Gourgeist-XL, but it's still a fun mon to use.
 
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5gen

jumper
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Leavanny @ Life Orb
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid or Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Leaf Storm

So I decided to deviate from the regular physical Leavanny and go special. Literally nobody expects this set, predicting it to be the standard web setter. Two high power STAB moves in Leaf Storm and Bug Buzz make up for it's base 70 SpA (like Draco Altaria for example). Bug Buzz also has the ability to go through subs too. Giga Drain mitigates LO recoil and HP Ice is for coverage. To be fair this set works well but isn't amazing as it can get walled by things like Articuno and Probo. On the bright side, special Leavanny is able to hit regular switch ins like Vullaby or phys def mons like Crustle or Gourg.


Leavanny @ Life Orb
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade

So I saw that Leaf got SD and thought it could work as a stall breaker. Combine SD with Leaf Blade and X-Scissor as solid STABs and that makes Leavanny something to be feared. Knock Off is great for removing items like lefties or eviolites. With the meta shifting to bulky offense, stat boosting sweepers are getting more and more favorable as they can break these teams. Overall SD Leavanny does a pretty good job at sweeping and breaking as it's typing is good offensively and resists things like Mach Punch or Aqua Jet (alright bulk helps too).
 

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Gourgeist-Super @ Leftovers
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Synthesis
- Seed Bomb
- Foul Play

It's ironic how I started using this set- it is in the analysis for Gourgeist-Super! When I started playing PU I simply copy and pasted it of the analysis.

Just because it is in the analysis does not make it standard. These days, Leech Seed is considered a much better move on Gourgeist-Super by far.

However, I find Seed Bomb Gourgeist to have a nice niche in that it can surprise Water types that switch in on Gourgeist, thinking they are safe because most Gourgeists run just Foul Play.

0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Gorebyss: 168-198 (66.9 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Lumineon: 150-176 (43.8 - 51.4%) -- 56.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Relicanth: 208-252 (51.6 - 62.5%) -- 97.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Simipour: 252-296 (86.5 - 101.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock (it lives an LO Ice Beam)
0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Prinplup: 104-126 (31.4 - 38%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Seed Bomb vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Politoed: 218-258 (56.9 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery


Seed Bomb Gourgeist-Super can 1v1 a lot of Water types that Leech Seed Gourgeist-Super can't, which is why I think this set is underrated.
 

ShuckleDeath

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Choice Specs Monferno


Monferno @ Choice Specs
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Vacuum Wave
- U-Turn / Hidden Power [Ice]

There is a big misconception I feel, that special Monferno is not as effective as the more common physical variants on the contrary I feel it certainly has it's merit's. It's dual STAB is still present with high base power attack's, it's special attack is even with it's Attack stat so your not losing to many match-up's in the long run all your doing is making a few check's check you a little better, but the trade off here is a ton of other checks no longer can do there job reliably, at the current point in this metagame Monferno has several checks, who I feel are focusing on the physical set's. This make's Choice Spec's Monferno an excellent partner to the plethora of fast physically oriented attack's of this metagame.

Monferno's stats and STAB movepool comparison
HP: 64
Attack: 78
Defense: 52
Sp.Atk: 78
Sp.Def: 52
Speed: 81

Physical
Flare Blitz --> 120 base power, 100% accuracy, 25% recoil
Close Combat --> 120 base power, 100% accuracy, -1 drop in Defense and Sp.Def
Mach Punch --> 40 base power, 100% accuracy, +1 priority

Special
Fire Blast --> 110 base power, 85% accuracy, 10% burn chance
Focus Blast --> 120 base power, 70% accuracy, 10% chance to drop opposing Pokemon Sp.Def by -1
Vacuum Wave --> 40 base power, 100% accuracy, +1 priority

You lose 10 base power on your fire STAB and that, power wise, is a very small sacrifice to make as you will not even notice it in the long run. Of coarse i'm not going to avoid the elephant by not acknowledging the incredibly shaky unreliability of your traded STAB's. We all now the suck factor involved in losing out on a clutch play, due to a miss, odds are still in your favor to hit two move's in a row with Fire Blast, which is what this set is aming to do the mahorty of the time, being able to hit Stunfisk, Vullaby and other similarly defensive Pokemon for a 2HKO(after Rock's for Stunfisk to be 100%) is so beneficial for the fast Pokemon of the tier that I highly suggest you guy's give this set a go.

Great Partner's
Ninjask
Dodrio
Raichu
Zebstrika
Stoutland

252+ SpA Choice Specs Monferno Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Stunfisk: 211-250 (50 - 59.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Monferno Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Vullaby: 144-171 (41.9 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252+ SpA Choice Specs Monferno Vacuum Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-F: 146-174 (60.5 - 72.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock(Rotom-F can only switch in on rock one time)

252+ SpA Choice Specs Monferno Focus Blast vs. 200 HP / 116+ SpD Politoed: 186-220 (50.1 - 59.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Monferno Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Hippopotas: 274-324 (80.5 - 95.2%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ SpA Choice Specs Monferno Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Altaria: 216-256 (61 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock


 

5gen

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Creative Set

Swanna @ Life Orb
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpD / 30 Spe
- Hurricane
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Roost

Swanna is already known as a great balance breaker because of it's STAB combo of Hurricane and Surf. Something that can reliably stop Swanna (if no rocks) is Articuno, and Cuno is one fat mon, so I decided to run HP Rock for it. Swanna is able to act as an effective Articuno lure and 2HKO with HP Rock (252 SpA Life Orb Swanna Hidden Power Rock vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Articuno: 213-255 (66.3 - 79.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery). Outside of Articuno, Surf and Hurricane hit pretty much everything harder than Hidden Power Rock does.

Edit: Forgot to add this set before.


Raichooseyou (Raichu) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Encore
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch/Hidden Power [Ice]/Hidden Power [Grass]
- Focus Blast/Nasty Plot

This set may look weird, but there are some strats to it believe me. With an Air Balloon and Lightning Rod, you have 2 immunities (ground and electric) until the balloon pops. Encore is really neat here as you can lock things into moves like EQ, Thunderbolt, SR etc. This means you can switch into EQ on Golem, Encore it and beat it. The moveset can vary. You can opt for Encore+3 attacks or Nasty Plot/Encore/T-Bolt/Hidden Power or Focus Miss. I personally choose the former as I like the choice of attacking moves. Note that Surf is illegal with Encore.
 
Last edited:

yogi

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so, well, i don't really delve down to PU often, but since maw dropped i thought i'd give it a go once again as a tier, and obviously i have to share my fav mons fav set n all. So here it is, mixed mawile;


Mawile @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 24 Atk / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Fire Blast
- Play Rough
- Flash Cannon
- Grass Knot/Ice Beam

so why use this over the already good SD sets? because screw burn... but in all seriousness this is a nice lure set that allows it to beat the likes of gourg and such with a decent level of success. some calcs:
232+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Mawile Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Gourgeist-Super: 320-377 (85.5 - 100.8%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
232+ SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Mawile Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 343-406 (102.6 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
232+ SpA Life Orb Mawile Grass Knot (40 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Relicanth: 203-239 (50.3 - 59.3%) -- 69.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

it hits more things, but even though SD hits a lot harder, this things coverage is admirable, especially with a sheer force+LO boost :3
 
is there any reason to use that instead of the standard iron head / pr / sucker / fire blast? being able to 2hko relicanth is nice but you lose a ridiculous amount of power on your stabs and lose your priority just to do so, and relicanth isn't even horribly common right now. 0 spa fire blast 2hkoes gourgeist and tangela regardless so having a more specially oriented set doesn't make a gigantic difference there.
 
It's time I shared this lovely set with you guys! Meet bluff band stoutland:

Stoutland @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Retaliate
- Last Resort

Basically, bluff the band with a silk scarf retaliate, then blast off last resorts!
It catches so many people off guard, it's hysterical!

Cleans up
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-381633162

Surprises Swanna
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-381641128

It's a ton of fun and hits like a truck even when resisted. Last resort comes out to be a base 168 power move with silk scarf, then STAB makes that even higher. Just give it a shot!
 
It's time I shared this lovely set with you guys! Meet bluff band stoutland:

Stoutland @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Retaliate
- Last Resort

Basically, bluff the band with a silk scarf retaliate, then blast off last resorts!
It catches so many people off guard, it's hysterical!

Cleans up
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-381633162

Surprises Swanna
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-381641128

It's a ton of fun and hits like a truck even when resisted. Last resort comes out to be a base 168 power move with silk scarf, then STAB makes that even higher. Just give it a shot!
This is actually nothing new and is more so a popularized meme set that has been consistently used by low ladder ever since Stoutlands' first bump in popularity ages ago now. Bluffing band is also nothing new however this set is just not effective vs what its capable of doing best with an already bluff set in taking out certain normal resists with Superpower that try to take advantage of it such as Pawniard or Probopass (Crunch in Metangs' case)


Stoutland @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Frustration
- Facade
- Superpower
- Pursuit / Crunch
 
Last edited:
I've posted this set 3 times so hopefully it sticks - it's not a crappy gimmick. This lairon set really puts in work

Lairon @ Choice Band
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Double-Edge

Natural bulk and high damage output:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-382439200

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-292609363
I too have used Lairon. However, I've found that a set with Stealth Rock and three attacks is generally far more useful.

Lairon @ Eviolite
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Head Smash
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
- Toxic/Earthquake

This set carries more general utility, soft checking dangerous threats such as most ice-types, while carrying Stealth Rock to support the team.
 

MZ

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I've posted this set 3 times so hopefully it sticks - it's not a crappy gimmick. This lairon set really puts in work

Lairon @ Choice Band
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Double-Edge

Natural bulk and high damage output:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-382439200

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-292609363
Hi. I think the reason it hasn't really caught on despite posting multiple is twofold. First of all, replays to support it are good but generally you want to find more competitive matches. Featuring mons like Dustox and Pikachu don't really tell us much about how it's going to work in the metagame.
Second of all, there's really no discernible niche when relicanth exists and does the CB Head Smash wallbreaker schtick far better. It has nicer secondary stab and bulk and speed, with the only drawback being lack of iron head- which doesn't really hit much.
I too have used Lairon. However, I've found that a set with Stealth Rock and three attacks is generally far more useful.

Lairon @ Eviolite
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Head Smash
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
- Toxic/Earthquake

This set carries more general utility, soft checking dangerous threats such as most ice-types, while carrying Stealth Rock to support the team.
This also begs the question why not use relicanth? Both sets are unique in not being weak to grass and electric I guess, but then look at the drawbacks. Relicanth isn't as much fighting bait with chople, it's bulkier and faster, you have a better secondary stab, you threaten Golem way better and a handful of other things like mawile also, and it's not like Lairon is really going to help versus random special attackers anyway. Sure, it might not suck if we didn't have a ton of things outclassing it, but that's kind of the point of outclassing something.
e: also relicanth is one example, for defensive you can also think of probopass and in general a ton of other things and stuff do this better
 
Hi. I think the reason it hasn't really caught on despite posting multiple is twofold. First of all, replays to support it are good but generally you want to find more competitive matches. Featuring mons like Dustox and Pikachu don't really tell us much about how it's going to work in the metagame.
Second of all, there's really no discernible niche when relicanth exists and does the CB Head Smash wallbreaker schtick far better. It has nicer secondary stab and bulk and speed, with the only drawback being lack of iron head- which doesn't really hit much.

This also begs the question why not use relicanth? Both sets are unique in not being weak to grass and electric I guess, but then look at the drawbacks. Relicanth isn't as much fighting bait with chople, it's bulkier and faster, you have a better secondary stab, you threaten Golem way better and a handful of other things like mawile also, and it's not like Lairon is really going to help versus random special attackers anyway. Sure, it might not suck if we didn't have a ton of things outclassing it, but that's kind of the point of outclassing something.
e: also relicanth is one example, for defensive you can also think of probopass and in general a ton of other things and stuff do this better
I'd venture to guess that it can check room-f far better than relicanth, which is nice for some teams. I've used it on these sorts of teams, that struggle with electric and ice-types, have access to stealth rock, and great offensive presence.
 

MZ

And now for something completely different
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252 SpA Rotom-F Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Lairon: 147-174 (45.3 - 53.7%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
like I said in my post, you do slightly better versus electrics but then they all just 2hko anyway, and every ice type has coverage for this thing whereas relicanth actually outspeeds some
 
Hey all, here's a set that I feel is criminally underrated: mixed wall Hypno.
It's a slightly different take on the typical specially defensive Hypno.

Hypno @ Colbur Berry/Leftovers
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 232 HP / 84 Def / 164 SpD / 28 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Taunt
- Wish
- Thunder Wave
- Psychic/seismic toss

This set functions in fundamentally the same way that a specially defensive set would. The key difference is that it's ev's are set in such a way that it has some extra speed for quicker taunts and twaves and that it has just enough physical bulk to be able to take some notable physical hits.

Some calcs to prove it:
252+ Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 232 HP / 84 Def Colbur Berry Hypno: 157-186 (42.5 - 50.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Mightyena Crunch vs. 232 HP / 84 Def Colbur Berry Hypno: 201-237 (54.4 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
basically, any dark type move is useless against Colbur.
You can switch to lefties for passive recovery, or to a tanga for bug moves/ kasib for ghost moves

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pu-390843801
 
Hello, from now on we will enforce posting replays when posting a set as they promote discussion and really help supporting your point stopping everybody from simply ignoring the case you make for a specific set/Pokemon since you will need evidence to support your claims
Thank you for the cooperation
 

ShuckleDeath

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Defensive Sub-Coil Arbok




Arbok @ Black Sludge
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Def / 168 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake
- Substitute
- Coil

I came up with this set because I wanted to see if it was at all possible for Arbok to stay in a relevant speed tier while also avoiding Gourgeist-Super from breaking its substitute with Foul Play. As it turns out it can. This is a cool set as it checks physical attackers like Ninjask while still keeping the ability to weaken Pokemon like Stunfisk for its teammates. So basically 88 HP 252 defence is what Arbok needs to almost always avoid the 25% from non-STAB Foul Play meaning Arbok can actually set up and beat Gourgeist 1v1, which is great for Pokemon like Bouffalant and Simisage. The reaming EVs are just enough for Arbok to hit 261 speed, the speed stat that Adamant Monferno hit's so, unfortunately, but appreciated it speed ties but it does outspeed adamant base 80's 100% of the time, bar Choice Scarf of course. So this Arbok I feel is best utilized early through mid game to check Pokemon like Leafeon, Jumpluff, Roselia, Clefairy, ect; While also breaking weakening Pokemon like Stunfisk and Metang with Earthquake.

It looks a lot like the standard offensive set but I feel it does have it's merits over it and specially defensive rest, it takes the best out of both it's set's but I feel it eliminates some of the unreliability of Rest. It does miss Sucker Punch but I feel that the added support of this set and it's ability to check Pokemon like Gourgeist can grant it's spot on select teams.

0 Atk Gourgeist-Super Foul Play vs. 88 HP / 252 Def Arbok: 60-71 (21.2 - 25%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO

+3 0 Atk Arbok Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 60+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 205-243 (54.9 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery(Should be able to boost this high on Geist without too many problems)

+1 0 Atk Arbok Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Stunfisk: 152-180 (36 - 42.6%) -- 95.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery(Hopfully behind a Sub but still getting nice chip)

+1 0 Atk Arbok Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Metang: 126-150 (38.8 - 46.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Metang Earthquake vs. +1 88 HP / 252 Def Arbok: 112-132 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

+1 0- Atk Vullaby Foul Play vs. +1 88 HP / 252 Def Arbok: 90-106 (31.8 - 37.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

+2 0- Atk Vullaby Foul Play vs. +1 88 HP / 252 Def Arbok: 118-141 (41.6 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery(forces Vullaby into a Roost cycle, also if Vullaby is burnt you set up on it)

+2 0- Atk burned Vullaby Foul Play vs. +1 88 HP / 252 Def Arbok: 59-70 (20.8 - 24.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Black Sludge recovery

just a few calcs, but the process is easy to remember, Sub when possible, Weaken, Repeat if you can.


Replays
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pususpecttest-396707279

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pususpecttest-396938341
 
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