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OU USUM OU Victim of the Week! Week 15: Swords Dance Tapu Bulu
- Thread starter clematis
- Start date
clematis
formerly EdDaBoss
Hi everyone! I'm massively late on updating this, work has been pretty stressful, and as such I'm going to be extending the voting period until Tuesday 7th May in order to get everything done on time. Has to come first unfortunately, I'm sorry <3 (also to get some more votes lol)
(here is a piece of music to keep you satiated until then)
(here is a piece of music to keep you satiated until then)
clematis
formerly EdDaBoss
Alright, voting is now closed. Thanks everyone for your submissions.
Congratulations to zinnias for singlehandedly winning this week with Serperior and Mega Slowbro! I'll go ahead and add your sets to the Hall of Fame shortly.
Can you find a check or a counter to this set? You have 6 days to submit your answers, with submissions ending on Tuesday 14th May. If you wish, you may submit both a check and a counter, though you are of course allowed to submit one or the other if you please.
Best of luck!
Congratulations to zinnias for singlehandedly winning this week with Serperior and Mega Slowbro! I'll go ahead and add your sets to the Hall of Fame shortly.
Week 14: Calm Mind + Pain Split Magearna
Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 224 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Pain Split
- Fleur Cannon
- Thunderbolt
After somehow realising I never featured Magearna here, we're doing it now. Calm Mind + Pain Split Magearna is a terrifying threat for unprepared teams, able to boost up to astronomical levels and stay healthy by siphoning its opponents' HP with Pain Split. STAB Fleur Cannon powered up into Twinkle Tackle is a monstrous nova attack even unboosted, and can singlehandedly OHKO pretty much anything that doesn't resist when boosted. Thunderbolt rounds out Magearna's coverage, allowing it to hit Pokemon such as Celesteela and Skarmory that would otherwise be reasonable answers. The EV spread aims to allow Magearna to take different attacks from full HP such as Landorus-T's Earthquake, and then maximising its Special Attack stat. Soul-Heart is an excellent ability, allowing Magearna to snowball upon getting a kill and boost its SpA further.
Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 224 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Pain Split
- Fleur Cannon
- Thunderbolt
Can you find a check or a counter to this set? You have 6 days to submit your answers, with submissions ending on Tuesday 14th May. If you wish, you may submit both a check and a counter, though you are of course allowed to submit one or the other if you please.
Best of luck!
Reserving Lando-T and Mega Venusaur
Check:
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 132 SpD / 124 Spe
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Now, normally lando-t does not in fact check magearna. However, this lando-t set does. With these specific evs, you always live a twinkle tackle, meaning you can actually switch into any move that magearna has at neutral. From here, you can respond with a tectonic rage which cleanly ohko's magearna, meaning you don't have to deal with any of its shenanigans with pain split. Rest of the moveset is more supportive, and the speed evs are just the leftovers, though they of course can go into attack if wanted.
Counter:
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Growth
- Earthquake
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
Mega Venusaur is bulky AF. Just look at this calc:
+3 224+ SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Venusaur-Mega: 271-320 (74.4 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Yes, it can live a +3 twinkle tackle from magearna, and synthesis off the damage even if it hits it on the switch as venusaur is faster than magearna. From here, magearna can't do much. Even at +6, fluer cannon is never ohko'ing venusaur and is getting weaker. Venusaur can earthquake the magearna for a 3hit ko, which magearna can try to outheal with pain split, but this doesn't do too much if the venusaur player plays it right. Leech seed can help venusaur to stay healthy passively, while growth helps it to boost up and ko the magearna, as at +1 e-quake 2hit ko's magearna.
Check:
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 132 SpD / 124 Spe
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Now, normally lando-t does not in fact check magearna. However, this lando-t set does. With these specific evs, you always live a twinkle tackle, meaning you can actually switch into any move that magearna has at neutral. From here, you can respond with a tectonic rage which cleanly ohko's magearna, meaning you don't have to deal with any of its shenanigans with pain split. Rest of the moveset is more supportive, and the speed evs are just the leftovers, though they of course can go into attack if wanted.
Counter:
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Growth
- Earthquake
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
Mega Venusaur is bulky AF. Just look at this calc:
+3 224+ SpA Magearna Twinkle Tackle (195 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Venusaur-Mega: 271-320 (74.4 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Yes, it can live a +3 twinkle tackle from magearna, and synthesis off the damage even if it hits it on the switch as venusaur is faster than magearna. From here, magearna can't do much. Even at +6, fluer cannon is never ohko'ing venusaur and is getting weaker. Venusaur can earthquake the magearna for a 3hit ko, which magearna can try to outheal with pain split, but this doesn't do too much if the venusaur player plays it right. Leech seed can help venusaur to stay healthy passively, while growth helps it to boost up and ko the magearna, as at +1 e-quake 2hit ko's magearna.
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clematis
formerly EdDaBoss
reserving Camel
Charizard-Mega-X @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Roost
Mega Charizard X is a good check to Magearna owing to its ability to outspeed in every situation and threaten an OHKO with a Tough Claws-boosted Flare Blitz. You can really run any set here, but recently I've been enjoying dumping Dragon Dance in favour of Toxic to punish the switches it forces. You can't eat an unboosted Twinkle Tackle from full, sometimes not even a Fleur Cannon, but Charizard's ability to threaten out Magearna shouldn't be overlooked.
Camerupt-Mega @ Cameruptite
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Nature Power
A sometimes underrated mon in OU, Mega Camerupt fills a funny niche in that it can switch into Magearna in every situation, sponge any hit up to a +3 Twinkle Tackle then retaliate with a Sheer Force-boosted Fire Blast or Earth Power which makes it an excellent counter. Max investment in a base 145 SpA btw allow Camel to hit as hard as possible with its STAB moves. You don't outspeed, but decent enough 70/105 bulk means you can sponge pretty much anything from Magearna as long as you get in before it gets to +3.
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clematis
formerly EdDaBoss
Alright, submissions are now closed.
Checks:
Groundium Z Landorus-Therian by Heatranator
Mega Charizard X by clematis
Counters:
Mega Venusaur by Heatranator
Mega Camerupt by clematis
You have four days to vote, ending on Saturday 18th May. You may vote for one check and one counter this week.
I will add the winners to the Hall of Fame once voting ends as usual.
Best of luck!
Checks:
Groundium Z Landorus-Therian by Heatranator Mega Charizard X by clematisCounters:
Mega Venusaur by Heatranator Mega Camerupt by clematisYou have four days to vote, ending on Saturday 18th May. You may vote for one check and one counter this week.
I will add the winners to the Hall of Fame once voting ends as usual.
Best of luck!
clematis
formerly EdDaBoss
haha I entirely forgot to do this. Again. Sorry.
Congratulations to Heatranator for winning this week's counter with Mega Venusaur, and also this week's check with Landorus-Therian! Somebody stop this man.
Can you find a check or a counter to this set? You have 6 days to submit your answers, with submissions ending on Sunday 26th May. If you wish, you may submit both a check and a counter, though you are of course allowed to submit one or the other if you please.
Best of luck!
Congratulations to Heatranator for winning this week's counter with Mega Venusaur, and also this week's check with Landorus-Therian! Somebody stop this man.
Week 15: Swords Dance Tapu Bulu
Tapu Bulu @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 236 HP / 144 Atk / 32 SpD / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Superpower
- Stone Edge
Swords Dance Tapu Bulu is a little-seen but potent threat in OU, with a frankly surprising amount of bulk and a nasty base 130 Attack stat it can use to fire off powerful attacks. Grassy Terrain not only provides Tapu Bulu with a small amount of recovery each turn, but boosts its STAB Horn Leech to further power levels. Superpower allows Tapu Bulu to chunk potential threats to it such as Celesteela or Ferrothorn, and is augmented further into All-Out Pummelling, which allows it to muscle past Magearna and Mega Mawile at +2. Stone Edge rounds out Tapu Bulu's coverage, allowing it to slam Zapdos, Volcarona, and Mega Charizard X. However, Tapu Bulu is held back very slightly by its mediocre base 70 Speed, along with weaknesses to some common attacking types in OU such as Flying, Ice, and Steel, meaning it can require a small amount of team support to truly shine.
Tapu Bulu @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 236 HP / 144 Atk / 32 SpD / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Superpower
- Stone Edge
Can you find a check or a counter to this set? You have 6 days to submit your answers, with submissions ending on Sunday 26th May. If you wish, you may submit both a check and a counter, though you are of course allowed to submit one or the other if you please.
Best of luck!
is a great check to this as it resists Grass and Fighting and can just melt Bulu with VCreate, though it doesnt particularly want to switch into EdgeVictini @ Choice Band
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Zen Headbutt
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Zen Headbutt
is a solid counter to this set, resisting Grass and Fighting and switching into Edge just fine. Payapa allows Buzzwole to handle ,,, using Zen Headbutt, despite the set being assBuzzwole @ Payapa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe
Impish Nature
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Bulk Up
- Roost
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe
Impish Nature
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Bulk Up
- Roost
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clematis
formerly EdDaBoss
Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog
Tornadus is a good check to Tapu Bulu, being able to handily switch into all of its moves except Stone Edge (even +2 All-Out Pummelling), and retaliate with either a STAB Hurricane (which kills if Bulu's taken any chip damage at all), or STAB SSSS which kills irregardless of how much health Bulu has. Regenerator allows it to stay healthy throughout a match and come in against Bulu multiple times.
Check:
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Def / 244 SpD
Impish Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Knock Off
Mega scizor is a check to Tapu Bulu. With Bullet Punch and amazing bulk, mega scizor can take on most hits from tapu bulu. It can even take a +2 all out pummeling from full and always survive, roosting off the damage. From here, mega scizor can sd up itself and have a good chance to OHKO tapu bulu with bullet punch.
Counter:
Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
Doublade is a counter to Tapu Bulu. Although its evolution is banned (for good reason), doublade is still able to take any move from tapu bulu all day. Even +6 horn leech does max 64%. From here, doublade is able to fire off a iron head, which does big damage to tapu bulu. It can even pick off a low hp tapu bulu with shadow sneak if needed. Doublade can itself set up if you want to, so it can use SD tapu bulu as a setup opportunity, which most things cannot do.
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Def / 244 SpD
Impish Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Knock Off
Mega scizor is a check to Tapu Bulu. With Bullet Punch and amazing bulk, mega scizor can take on most hits from tapu bulu. It can even take a +2 all out pummeling from full and always survive, roosting off the damage. From here, mega scizor can sd up itself and have a good chance to OHKO tapu bulu with bullet punch.
Counter:
Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
Doublade is a counter to Tapu Bulu. Although its evolution is banned (for good reason), doublade is still able to take any move from tapu bulu all day. Even +6 horn leech does max 64%. From here, doublade is able to fire off a iron head, which does big damage to tapu bulu. It can even pick off a low hp tapu bulu with shadow sneak if needed. Doublade can itself set up if you want to, so it can use SD tapu bulu as a setup opportunity, which most things cannot do.
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