Project USUM OU Victim of the Week [Week 49: Dragon Dance Gyarados]

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OK, time for voting is up. The winners this week are
Checks: Celesteela (The Bill Cipher ) / Mega Aerodactyl (Eclipse )
Counters: Zapdos(Jucherz ) / Skarmory(Randomnick )

Our victim this week is Ash-Greninja.

Greninja-Ash @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam / Spikes / U-turn / Extrasensory

Ash-Greninja has incredibly high Speed and Special Attack while also possessing a strong priority move in Water Shuriken to make revenge killing it a difficult task. When boosted by a Choice Specs, Hydro Pump and Dark Pulse hits incredibly hard and is difficult to find switch-ins in OU. While Ash-Greninja needs to sacrifice Gunk Shot for the Battle Bond ability, it still has access to Ice Beam and Extrasensory to surprise Tangrowth and Toxapex, respectively. Spikes and U-turn are self-explanatory.
 
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Reserving Tapu Fini as a Counter/Hard Check


Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Moonblast
- Nature's Madness
- Taunt

-----or-----

Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SpA / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
- Moonblast
- Hydro Pump

While Tapu Fini may not be the best or most popular Pokémon at the moment, it is still a fantastic answer to Ash Gren thanks to it's typing and massive bulk. It can easily come in and threaten back with a STAB Moonblast. It can easily prevent Gren from transforming just by staying alive. If it runs Defog, it can Defog away any spikes that Gren wants to lay up. If running Calm Mind, it can eat up hits easily from Gren and use it as set-up fodder. Overall, Fini is a great answer to Ash Gren despite being unpopular in the meta at the moment.

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Tapu Fini: 90-107 (26.2 - 31.1%) -- 12.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery (Pre-Ash)

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Tapu Fini: 120-142 (34.9 - 41.3%) -- 77.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (Ash)

0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 260-308 (91.2 - 108%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. +1 248 HP / 8 SpD Tapu Fini: 80-95 (23.3 - 27.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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Mega Sceptile as Check


Sceptile-Mega @ Sceptilite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power Fire
- Earthquake

Thought it'd be apt to bring a new mon to the table. Not too much to say really, base 145 speed means Sceptile easily outspeeds Greninja. Leaf Storm KOs, Water Shuriken doesn't do much cause Sceptile's Grass/Dragon
 
Primarina as Counter



Primarina @ Choice Specs
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Hidden Power Fire

Primarina is adjusting fairly well to Ash-Greninja's special attacks, will take some hits (because of Primarina low speed) but in a one Moonblast shoot can destroy Ash-Greninja. Some calcs:

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Primarina: 134-158 (38.9 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Extrasensory vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Primarina: 130-154 (37.7 - 44.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD Primarina: 97-115 (28.1 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Primarina Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 662-782 (232.2 - 274.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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Chansey (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Stealth Rock
- Aromatherapy

Sassy Isabella strikes again. She blocks Greninja from transforming into the Ash form and shrugs off anything Greninja can throw at her. Therefore Isabella is a counter.
 
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david0895

Mercy Main Btw
Reserving Landorus-T
Changed idea, i'll take physical greninja as a check



Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Low Kick
- Gunk Shot
- Ice Beam
- Spikes

Not a popular set, but still viable.
It only lose from a non-locked U-turn, taking every hit and landing a OHKO with Low Kick in the 93% of the cases (Gunk Shot guarantee the OHKO in the 100% of the cases but it's not safe)

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 224-264 (78.5 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0- Atk Greninja-Ash U-turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja: 172-204 (60.3 - 71.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


252 Atk Life Orb Protean Greninja Low Kick (60 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja-Ash: 283-338 (99.2 - 118.5%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Life Orb Protean Greninja Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja-Ash: 285-335 (100 - 117.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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Eclipse

Like a chimp with a machine gun
is a Contributor Alumnus
Ferrothorn as a hard check.

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Power Whip

Ferrothorn is a good check to Ash-Gren due to its ability to switch into its STAB moves pre-Battle Bond evolution. I specifically use a Specially Defensive spread on my teams that need a strong check to Ash-Gren. Ferro can come in, Protect to gain back health, Leech Seed the switchin, set up hazards, or simply go for Power Whip, which OHKOes Greninja. This isn't a full counter since Spikes Ash-Gren can pressure Ferro too much to repeatedly switch back into it, and Specs Dark Pulse has a much easier time taking out Ferro once Gren has evolved.

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Ferrothorn: 109-129 (30.9 - 36.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Ferrothorn: 144-171 (40.9 - 48.5%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes and Leftovers recovery
 
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Martin

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Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Recover

Gastrodon is a good stop to Ash Greninja for a few reasons; being capable of completely eliminating the 50:50 aspect (outside of the rare Grass Knot) before you know which Greninja it is is a major perk that Gastrodon has going for it, and it is very capable of preventing it transforming between Storm Drain, its solid special bulk, and Recover. From here, it is able to recover into a safe range before clicking Toxic and stalling it out between Recover and Earth Power. Toxic is incredibly important in this meta given how stuff that can take advantage of it lacking the move is all over the place.

Even if, by some miracle, Greninja manages to transform while Gastro is still alive (this won't realistically happen, but lets humour it for a moment), it avoids the 2HKO after SR+Lefties outside of two consecutive max roles, although obviously if Gasro is weakened this kinda goes out of the window.
 
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Askov

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UUPL Champion
Azumarill as a check



Azumarill @ Normalium Z
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off

or

Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Superpower

Due to its Water / Fairy typing, it can resist both of Ash-Greninja STABs, and can fire off a Play Rough and hurt something or can set-up a Belly Drum if its counters / checks are weakened and possibly clean the opponents team.
 
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Avant Heim

formerly The Bill Cipher
Tangrowth as a counter

Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Leaf Storm/Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Ice

Tangrowth can stop Ash Ninja from transforming due to it's excelent bulk,and kill it with Leaf Storm or recover back up with Giga Drain.There are soem scenarious for tang vs Ash Ninja
Scenario number 1: You switch into Tangrowth to scount the move that Ninja is going to use,if it goes for some water STAB you stay in and use a grass type stab to force it out
Scenario number 2(If Ash Ninja is transformed):After Ninja kills one of your pokémon and transforms,you go to Tang,if the move it's loked on is Ice Beam,you stay,take the ice beam,and either kill it with leaf storm or recover back up with Giga Drain,but let's say that grow has Giga Drain,after the giga drain you switch into a ice resist and procede to forece ninja out while tang recovers with regenerator

0 SpA Tangrowth Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 404-476 (141.7 - 167%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Tangrowth Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 234-276 (82.1 - 96.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Tangrowth Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja-Ash: 99-117 (34.7 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth: 110-129 (27.2 - 31.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth: 240-284 (59.4 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Tangrowth: 160-189 (39.6 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
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Natan

...
is a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus

Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power Fire

Obviously Tapu Lele can't switch into a boosted Hydro Pump, the only way you can switch safely is on a very well predicted Water Shuriken (I wouldn't recommend you to risk it), also you can take any move from Regular Gren and after transforming you can take any move but Hydro Pump, but it will deal a lot so don't risk it unless you really need it. Basically the best thing about Tapu Lele is you don't need HP to revenge kill Greninja since Psychic Surge will Protect you from Water Shuriken and you will always be faster anyway, both Moonblast and Focus Blast will OHKO Greninja.

252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 410-486 (143.8 - 170.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 348-410 (122.1 - 143.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Guaranteed OHKO, just try to don't switch
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 270-318 (96 - 113.1%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 196-232 (69.7 - 82.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 147-174 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0- Atk Greninja-Ash U-turn vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tapu Lele: 79-94 (28.1 - 33.4%) -- 0.1% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 204-240 (72.5 - 85.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 148-175 (52.6 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Lele: 111-131 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
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Leo

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MPL Champion
Mantine as a counter

Mantine (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 188 Def / 72 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic / Haze
- Defog
- Roost

Cutemon Mantine is back for another week with its huge SpDef stat that lets it take any hit Specs Greninja throws at it. A water immunity means it will only have to worry about the weak Dark Pulse, which only 3HKOs after rocks and is a 4HKO without them, while also preventing it from locking itself into Hydro Pump and its priority Water Shuriken. Scald is still one of the best moves in the game and lets it fish for burns on mons that try to switch into it, Roost keeps it healthy and Defog provides crucial support to some teams. The last slot is either Toxic for more chip damage because it's passive or Haze to stop Volcarona from getting too many boosts.
 
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Check: AV Magearna


Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Aura Sphere

252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 178-211 (49 - 58.1%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Water Shuriken (20 BP) (3 hits) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 99-120 (27.2 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Magearna: 65-77 (17.9 - 21.2%) -- possible 5HKO
0- Atk Greninja-Ash U-turn vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 14-16 (3.8 - 4.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever

In return, AV Magearna sends into oblivion Ash-Greninja with Fleur Cannon and almost for sure with Aura Sphere; calcs:
252+ SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 618-728 (216.8 - 255.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-2 252+ SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 308-366 (108 - 128.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Magearna Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Greninja-Ash: 254-300 (89.1 - 105.2%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
 
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Flyinium-Z Moxiedos as a check



Gyarados @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce
- Earthquake


Thanks to it's solid natural bulk, gyara can tank any one hit from ash-ninja. After a DD, gyara can outspeed and get the KO. This gives gyara two options: 1. go straight for the OHKO with SSSS, or 2. grab a dragon dance first and go for a sweep after knocking ninja out.

gyara tanks:
252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 220-261 (66.4 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

ninja dies:
252 Atk Gyarados 160 BP Bounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja-Ash: 351-414 (123.1 - 145.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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