Should have posted this long time ago, but when drafted I decide to post after ompl in case I need them. These sets are not necessarily <super new> or <super original>. Despite I do come up with both of them on my own, they might actually be poping up around for a while and I'm not really taking any credit here.
1. Volt Absorb Gyarados
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / Arbitrary Spe
Careful Nature
- Anchor Shot
- Shore Up
- Volt Switch
- Filler
Back in the Age of CFZ spreading cancer on the ladder, I actually enjoyed using this one a lot, paired with the cancerous Leppa berry MMY with the almost-always-crit-bolt and AV-Solgaleo-Luring SSSSS (in the pre-EV meta, it OHKO after a little chip). Switching to SSSS with your Gyara and trap them if they are assuming you are not improofing and dare to hit you with the bolt. A replay I saved showcasing the lures. (vs SW during CFZ suspect)
Down the road, the meta gets a lot more playable after the EV limit and all the tiering work, and this set can still shine as it used to be.
Bolt Strike SF LO MMY can one shot the common Mgyara, Yveltal, and non-FC Porge, which it otherwise having trouble with OHKOing. The mon has a great MU with a lot of BO cores due to the OHKOs. And the Volt Absorb Gyara is doing the same improof work again.
It can also do the same job to improof a tons of threat and affect the gameplay with the information advantage. QD Galvanize Pdon (run spectral on Gyara if you want to check the set-up set consistently) and Galvanize Xurkitree etc can be walled, so can the Surge Spec MMY with Moongeist Beam / Psystrike / Psycho Boost / Volt Switch. Used in Flint's OMPL game W1, too.
In addition, you can opt to use Volt Switch on some of your passive walls pokemon. In a Balance vs Balance MU, any passive wall mons might give your opponent free time to heal up the imposter Chansey (which you need to wear down to actually sweep with certain offense + teammate improof Combo) or sometimes the Chansey just sits there are PP Stall you. Volt Aborb Gyara with a Trapping move can actually stop this from happening if you opt to use Volt Switch on your passive walls. If they send in imposter when you pivot out, sending in Gyara gives them no time to heal up; sending in Gyara can always prevent a PP stall case, etc. (It does lose the momentum on opposing Groud type mons though, as a tradeoff.)
Some versions of Volt Absorb Gyara packed U-turn for safer momentum and Pursuit to deal with some MMY and Gengar sets with direct damage etc. ( See Flint's replay above for example.)
2.
The other set(s) is about Plate Contrary. Low ladder contrary spammer leaves the impression of using it opens the door of being easily counter swept. There are already a lot of Plate Contrary mons that opt for certain coverage type judgment and depending on a teammate to improof. (Ground / Fairy Judgment MMY, for example.) and a lot more using a teammate's special typing/ability to improof. However, the following Contrary sets, if played right can simply win against Imposter one on one.
As you can see, these sets utilize their 2 or 4 times resistance for a combination of Contrary moves, and pack with a STAB Judgment that actually is SE to itself / Imposter, and sometimes pack V-create for the boost on the defensive sides to better tank the Judgment. Be cautious in using them, scout opposing Chansey's item asap with any hits from your side. Even U-turn on your wall mons can reveal the item is eviolite or not for most of the times. If the item is not Etiolate, proceed with cautious since it might be plate / Lucky Punch (died off a bit this gen, idk why lol).
They are effective if played right, but they struggle against Earth Plate Chansey which is quite a reasonable choice this gen with so many plate-using-self-improof attackers weak to ground. Therefore next one is the superior, imo.
Rayquaza-Mega @ Draco Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive/Hasty Nature
- Judgment
- Leaf Storm
- Shore Up
- V-create
Now Earth Plate Chansey does nothing to u and you can use it as a good set up chance. Some calcs vs Eviolite Imposter is presented
+2 252 SpA Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +1 248 HP / 252- SpD Rayquaza-Mega: 164-193 (39.7 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+4 252 SpA Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +2 248 HP / 252- SpD Rayquaza-Mega: 183-216 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
+6 252 SpA Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +4 248 HP / 252- SpD Rayquaza-Mega: 164-193 (39.7 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Once you get enough V-create buff on defense, use Leaf storm twice before attacking with Judgment.
+4 252 SpA Draco Plate Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +1 252 HP / 252- SpD Eviolite Rayquaza-Mega: 588-692 (83.5 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (588, 594, 600, 608, 614, 620, 630, 636, 642, 650, 656, 662, 672, 678, 684, 692)
+4 252 SpA Draco Plate Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +2 252 HP / 252- SpD Eviolite Rayquaza-Mega: 440-518 (62.5 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
I used this quite many times on ladder back in March/April after IO got banned, but didn't save any decent replay to showcase this and switched to abuse more Pdon stuff soon. Somehow I have one featuring morogrim using it, and pretty sure he comes up with this on his own though (mfw I lost my first game against him when he was actually using it too lol)
This set is also used in the game Volkner v Flint, but didn't decide the match that much.
In the end, when using these contrary mons, due to the possibility of getting critted, worn down etc, pack with an unaware wall or sth that can stand as a second improof option.
1. Volt Absorb Gyarados
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / Arbitrary Spe
Careful Nature
- Anchor Shot
- Shore Up
- Volt Switch
- Filler
Back in the Age of CFZ spreading cancer on the ladder, I actually enjoyed using this one a lot, paired with the cancerous Leppa berry MMY with the almost-always-crit-bolt and AV-Solgaleo-Luring SSSSS (in the pre-EV meta, it OHKO after a little chip). Switching to SSSS with your Gyara and trap them if they are assuming you are not improofing and dare to hit you with the bolt. A replay I saved showcasing the lures. (vs SW during CFZ suspect)
Mewtwo-Mega-Y @ Leppa Berry
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt
- Genesis Supernova
- Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike
- Moongeist Beam
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt
- Genesis Supernova
- Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike
- Moongeist Beam
Down the road, the meta gets a lot more playable after the EV limit and all the tiering work, and this set can still shine as it used to be.
Mewtwo-Mega-Y @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Bolt Strike
- Blue Flare
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
Mewtwo-Mega-Y @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Moongeist Beam
- Psystrike
- Psycho Boost
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Bolt Strike
- Blue Flare
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
Mewtwo-Mega-Y @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Moongeist Beam
- Psystrike
- Psycho Boost
Bolt Strike SF LO MMY can one shot the common Mgyara, Yveltal, and non-FC Porge, which it otherwise having trouble with OHKOing. The mon has a great MU with a lot of BO cores due to the OHKOs. And the Volt Absorb Gyara is doing the same improof work again.
It can also do the same job to improof a tons of threat and affect the gameplay with the information advantage. QD Galvanize Pdon (run spectral on Gyara if you want to check the set-up set consistently) and Galvanize Xurkitree etc can be walled, so can the Surge Spec MMY with Moongeist Beam / Psystrike / Psycho Boost / Volt Switch. Used in Flint's OMPL game W1, too.
In addition, you can opt to use Volt Switch on some of your passive walls pokemon. In a Balance vs Balance MU, any passive wall mons might give your opponent free time to heal up the imposter Chansey (which you need to wear down to actually sweep with certain offense + teammate improof Combo) or sometimes the Chansey just sits there are PP Stall you. Volt Aborb Gyara with a Trapping move can actually stop this from happening if you opt to use Volt Switch on your passive walls. If they send in imposter when you pivot out, sending in Gyara gives them no time to heal up; sending in Gyara can always prevent a PP stall case, etc. (It does lose the momentum on opposing Groud type mons though, as a tradeoff.)
Some versions of Volt Absorb Gyara packed U-turn for safer momentum and Pursuit to deal with some MMY and Gengar sets with direct damage etc. ( See Flint's replay above for example.)
2.
The other set(s) is about Plate Contrary. Low ladder contrary spammer leaves the impression of using it opens the door of being easily counter swept. There are already a lot of Plate Contrary mons that opt for certain coverage type judgment and depending on a teammate to improof. (Ground / Fairy Judgment MMY, for example.) and a lot more using a teammate's special typing/ability to improof. However, the following Contrary sets, if played right can simply win against Imposter one on one.
Groudon-Primal @ Earth Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Judgment
- Fleur Cannon
- Shore Up
- V-create
If needed to play safely against imposter, defense up first by ~2 V-create. Or put Sunsteel over Shore up and leave it to a teammate to improof.
Gengar-Mega @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Leaf Storm
- Judgment
- Sludge Bomb / Surf / Taunt
Surf is a meme to beat Pdon one on one without any setup lol
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Judgment
- Fleur Cannon
- Shore Up
- V-create
If needed to play safely against imposter, defense up first by ~2 V-create. Or put Sunsteel over Shore up and leave it to a teammate to improof.
Gengar-Mega @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Leaf Storm
- Judgment
- Sludge Bomb / Surf / Taunt
Surf is a meme to beat Pdon one on one without any setup lol
Reshiram @ Draco Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Judgment
- V-create
- Shore Up
- Leaf Storm
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Judgment
- V-create
- Shore Up
- Leaf Storm
Sceptile-Mega @ Draco Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Judgment
- Leaf Storm
- Spore
- Earth Power
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Judgment
- Leaf Storm
- Spore
- Earth Power
As you can see, these sets utilize their 2 or 4 times resistance for a combination of Contrary moves, and pack with a STAB Judgment that actually is SE to itself / Imposter, and sometimes pack V-create for the boost on the defensive sides to better tank the Judgment. Be cautious in using them, scout opposing Chansey's item asap with any hits from your side. Even U-turn on your wall mons can reveal the item is eviolite or not for most of the times. If the item is not Etiolate, proceed with cautious since it might be plate / Lucky Punch (died off a bit this gen, idk why lol).
They are effective if played right, but they struggle against Earth Plate Chansey which is quite a reasonable choice this gen with so many plate-using-self-improof attackers weak to ground. Therefore next one is the superior, imo.
Rayquaza-Mega @ Draco Plate
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive/Hasty Nature
- Judgment
- Leaf Storm
- Shore Up
- V-create
Now Earth Plate Chansey does nothing to u and you can use it as a good set up chance. Some calcs vs Eviolite Imposter is presented
+2 252 SpA Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +1 248 HP / 252- SpD Rayquaza-Mega: 164-193 (39.7 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+4 252 SpA Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +2 248 HP / 252- SpD Rayquaza-Mega: 183-216 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
+6 252 SpA Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +4 248 HP / 252- SpD Rayquaza-Mega: 164-193 (39.7 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Once you get enough V-create buff on defense, use Leaf storm twice before attacking with Judgment.
+4 252 SpA Draco Plate Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +1 252 HP / 252- SpD Eviolite Rayquaza-Mega: 588-692 (83.5 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (588, 594, 600, 608, 614, 620, 630, 636, 642, 650, 656, 662, 672, 678, 684, 692)
+4 252 SpA Draco Plate Rayquaza-Mega Judgment vs. +2 252 HP / 252- SpD Eviolite Rayquaza-Mega: 440-518 (62.5 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
I used this quite many times on ladder back in March/April after IO got banned, but didn't save any decent replay to showcase this and switched to abuse more Pdon stuff soon. Somehow I have one featuring morogrim using it, and pretty sure he comes up with this on his own though (mfw I lost my first game against him when he was actually using it too lol)
This set is also used in the game Volkner v Flint, but didn't decide the match that much.
In the end, when using these contrary mons, due to the possibility of getting critted, worn down etc, pack with an unaware wall or sth that can stand as a second improof option.
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