Effective cores are very important in competitive Pokemon, and any good player uses them, intentionally or not. Defensive cores rely on covering a lot of attacking types and common threats within the core, while also offering team support, so that the core is useful even when walled. On the other hand, offensive cores still like having the common attacking types covered between its members, but offensive synergy is most important. Be it one member of the core attracting Pokemon that another member can easily switch into and force out, one member luring and weakening the checks and counters of another, or one member being able to beat the Pokemon that the other can't, those are the characteristics that are wanted from a good offensive core. Finally, there are mixed or balanced cores, as well as support and pivoting cores, which blend in into offensive and defensive cores. Support or pivoting elements in cores aim to either provide easier switch-in and set up chances to offensive Pokemon, or help to wall and stall out the opponent in the case of defensive cores.
The point of the project is to help teambuilders, newcomers, and other battlers to assist them in helping building their teams. Therefore, please don't post bad examples. Post cores that truly work and be ready to defend why. For example, Sneasel + Machamp is a good offensive core because they break down each other's counters so that the other one can sweep. However, Necrozma + Uxie is not such a good defensive core because their roles overlap and they stack weaknesses with one another. If you wish to post a core, please make sure to explain how each member of the core works to help each other out. There has to be a reason why the Pokemon is there and not simply tacking on two random Pokemon!
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This is a fun offensive core, Machamp is one of the best wallbreakers in the tier with it's incredible Atk stat and combined with the Burn nerf and guts are there only a few mons that can come in safely on this monster. The flaw that Machamp has is that it's fairly slow and most of the time has to take a hit before it can do some massive damage, there is where Persian-Alola comes into play. With fast Parting Shot and ability to threaten both psychic- and Ghost types decently well is it the perfect partner for Machamp, with fast Parting Shot you lower the opponant his atk and spA by 1 which makes Machamp come in easier and deal some massive damage to the opponants team. Persian-Alola Darknium Z Parting Shot makes this duo so good, when Machamp is low it most of the time just sack material since it can't come in anymore and most things outspeed it and kill it before it can do anything anymore. With Z-Parting Shot you are able to bring Machamp back up to 100% and do like the whole process with this core again but instead of doing this once you can use Machamp twice! Last thing to note Darknium Z Foul Play does more damage then you expect it to do so you have a little nuke there as well for psychic types if it's needed.
Persian-Alola @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Foul Play
- Taunt
- Parting Shot
- Toxic
Machamp @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Facade
- Bullet Punch
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Foul Play
- Taunt
- Parting Shot
- Toxic
Machamp @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Facade
- Bullet Punch
This is a fun offensive core, Machamp is one of the best wallbreakers in the tier with it's incredible Atk stat and combined with the Burn nerf and guts are there only a few mons that can come in safely on this monster. The flaw that Machamp has is that it's fairly slow and most of the time has to take a hit before it can do some massive damage, there is where Persian-Alola comes into play. With fast Parting Shot and ability to threaten both psychic- and Ghost types decently well is it the perfect partner for Machamp, with fast Parting Shot you lower the opponant his atk and spA by 1 which makes Machamp come in easier and deal some massive damage to the opponants team. Persian-Alola Darknium Z Parting Shot makes this duo so good, when Machamp is low it most of the time just sack material since it can't come in anymore and most things outspeed it and kill it before it can do anything anymore. With Z-Parting Shot you are able to bring Machamp back up to 100% and do like the whole process with this core again but instead of doing this once you can use Machamp twice! Last thing to note Darknium Z Foul Play does more damage then you expect it to do so you have a little nuke there as well for psychic types if it's needed.
Let's go! I'll be picking out the ones I like and archiving it here. When posting cores, please provide an explaination of why the core works, an importable, a replay is recommended (not needed), and preferably sprites, which can be retrieved here. Note: I reserve the right to make minor changes to cores posted if I feel like they improve the core.
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