Project USM RU Victim of the Week (Week 33: Swords Dance Feraligatr)

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aurora

GODQUAZA
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Sneasel @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Pursuit


While not exactly the pinnacle of innovation, Sneasel is a solid means of removing Dragon Dance Flygon, able to halt any sweep with a priority Ice Shard. As it cannot switch into any attack, it is only a check.
 

Natan

...
is a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
Well, so this week we had only 2 checks and 3 counters so that's it:

Checks:
HotFuzzBall's Glalie-Mega
Can revenge kill Flygon with a STAB Ice Shard 100% of the time and can even take a hit without Rocks, though it's a big risk and you shouldn't try.

Aurora's Sneasel
Just like Glalie-Mega Ice Shard is a safe OHKO against Flygon, unlike Glalie-Mega it cannot switch under any circumstance but still work very well as a check.


Counters:
The Bill Cipher's Pyukumuku
Since it will always take a Drake + Outrage even if Rocks are up it's a very safe counter, you can just switch in, don't care about setup and Recover so Flygon can't do anything unless Pyukumuku is slightly weakened and try to hard switch on a Devastating Drake

PursuitOfHappiny's Bronzong
Bronzong resist all the moves Flygon run (unless the Fire Punch that would make it weaker against Comfey if it's Dragonium Z) and Gardevoir and therefore is not recommended), will take any hit with ease and Gyro Ball mean it isn't a setup fodder because each time Flygon click Dragon Dance Gyro Ball will be stronger.

col49's Porygon2
Porygon2 can trace Levitate and take any hit at +1 even with Rocks, it will also take Outrage + Devastating Drake even with Rocks and will just OHKO with Ice Beam, it also have Trace to get Levitate making it even more effective against Groundium Z variants.


The next Victim of the Week is:
Swords Dance Doublade

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Sneak
- Shadow Claw / Sacred Sword
- Iron Head

Unlike our previous Victims of the Week, Doublade is not only a mon that hit really strong, not only a mon that can just setup, but also a really bulky mon who can take a lot of moves (mainly on Physical side) and only a strong STAB won't be enough to beat it sometimes. While being very slow, have a really useful priority move allowing it to revenge kill weakened Pokémon or just starting spamming a priority STAB once it setted up, also have 2 nice STABs that give it a STAB coverage almost unresisted in the tier and, while Sacred Sword can help against some Normal- and Dark-types who take Doublade well, while Shadow Claw is a better option Sacred Sword deserves a mention against being better against some Pokémon in the tier, Swords Dance is great with its bulk since it allows Doublade found a lot of oportunities to set up Swords Dance once or twice and even without investment in any Defense it can still counter some Pokémon only with 252 HP + Eviolite.
 
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Avant Heim

formerly The Bill Cipher
Defensive Nidoqueen as a counter

Nidoqueen @ Black Sludge
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock/Toxic Spikes
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Flamethrower/Poison Jab

This Set is a solid defensive counter to Doublade,since it takes little damage from Doublade's dual stab and can threaten Doublade with Earth Power while even Flamethrower may 2HKO it
Doublade has to set up to plus +2 to do respectful damage(having to get up to +5 to maybe OHKO from full and +6 to OHKO from full)

0 SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Earth Power vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 228-270 (71.4 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Flamethrower vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 152-180 (47.6 - 56.4%) -- 83.6% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Sheer Force Nidoqueen Ice Beam vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 38-45 (11.9 - 14.1%) -- possible 8HKO
252+ Atk Doublade Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Nidoqueen: 102-120 (26.6 - 31.3%) -- 18% chance to 4HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Claw vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Nidoqueen: 88-105 (22.9 - 27.4%) -- possible 5HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Sneak vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Nidoqueen: 51-61 (13.3 - 15.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
+2 252+ Atk Doublade Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Nidoqueen: 201-237 (52.4 - 61.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+2 252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Claw vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Nidoqueen: 177-208 (46.2 - 54.3%) -- 6.6% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
 
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Mantine as a counter

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Roost
- Defog
- Haze


Mantine can easily come to Doublade even with Stealth Rocks Damage. It can burn Doublade with Scald, has a healing move with Roost and can delete Swords Dance boost with Haze.

Calc: 252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mantine: 102-120 (27.2 - 32%) -- 66% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
 
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Natan

...
is a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
Mantine as a counter

Mantine @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic


Mantine can easily come to Doublade even with Stealth Rocks Damage. It can burn Doublade with Scald, has a healing move with Roost and can delete Swords Dance boost with Haze.

Calc: 252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mantine: 102-120 (27.2 - 32%) -- 66% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
You talk about Haze but Haze isn't even slashed in this set
 
Moltres as a check

Moltres @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
- Air Slash / Toxic

Defensive Moltres can take any hit from non-boosted Doublade and OHKO him with Fire Blast / Doublade can get burn by Will-O-Wisp or Flame Body.
Even if Doublade is boosted or not he can take a Shadow Sneak without too much trouble.

The problem is that Moltres can't just go around if there is the Stealth Rock.
And he can't switch in a Boosted Shadow Claw with the SR. That's why he is more a Check than a Counter.
 

poh

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Milotic as a counter


Milotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic
- Haze

Milotic wears Doublade down with Scald. Doublade can absolutely do nothing. If it tries to set up you click Haze. Simple stuff.

252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 220+ Def Milotic: 97-115 (24.6 - 29.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery lol
 

HotFuzzBall

fuzzy-chan \(ㆁヮㆁ✿)
is an Artist
reserving umbreon


Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell
- Foul Play

Umbreon is basically a solid defensive hard check to Doublade. Umbreon outspeeds and is able to threaten Doublade with Foul Play, either potentially OHKO-ing it at +2 or preventing Doublade from setting up Swords Dance from the get-go. Umbreon also resists Doublade's Ghost-STAB and is able to take unboosted hits from Iron Head and Sacred Sword decently well. However, Umbreon is threatened back by Sacred Sword and Iron Head at +2 so it must be careful with that.

Doublade
252+ Atk Doublade Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Umbreon: 176-208 (44.6 - 52.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252+ Atk Doublade Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Umbreon: 350-414 (88.8 - 105%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO

252+ Atk Doublade Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Umbreon: 118-139 (29.9 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252+ Atk Doublade Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Umbreon: 235-277 (59.6 - 70.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Umbreon
0 Atk Umbreon Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Doublade: 144-170 (44.7 - 52.7%) -- 23.4% chance to 2HKO

+2 0 Atk Umbreon Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Doublade: 284-336 (88.1 - 104.3%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
 
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Chesnaught @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 Spe
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Synthesis
- Drain Punch

Taunt Chesnaught is a counter to doublade. You switch in and taunt doublade, then spam synthesis while it kills itself from rocky helmet recoil. +2 iron head does 2hko, but you are always faster so there is no need to be worried. +2 iron head into +2 shadow sneak never kos even with max rolls and rocks.

+2 252+ Atk Doublade Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 84+ Def Chesnaught: 183-216 (48.1 - 56.8%)
+2 252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Sneak vs. 252 HP / 84+ Def Chesnaught: 93-109 (24.4 - 28.6%)

This is just the standard fast taunt chesnaught, if you don't care about outspeeding gligar you can put even more evs into defense to make sure you never get 2hkod, or put spiky shield on the set since doublade's attacks are all contact. But thats overkill. Could also run standard defensive ches with roar but this set is better.

 
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EviGaro

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RU Leader
Vikavolt as a hard check.

Vikavolt @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Bug Buzz
- Roost
- Toxic/HP Ice/Volt Switch

The main reasons why I'm not considering this a full counter are the possibility of Shadow Claw and rocks, but Vikavolt excels at pressuring Doublade, alongside a few other key mons in the meta. With higher base speed and access to recovery, Vikavolt can effectively put a lot of pressure on Doublade, and its extremely high SpA stat - even with minimal investment - makes it difficult for Doublade to withstand hits and has to rely on doubles to put some pressure on it. On that note again though, be mindful of rocks, as even though you're more than likely winning the 1v, rocks and surprise speed investment on Doublade could spell trouble for you if it does pack Shadow Claw.

Calcs:

+2 252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Claw vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Vikavolt: 172-204 (48.1 - 57.1%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
8 SpA Vikavolt Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Doublade: 159-187 (49.3 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
 
Torkoal @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Explosion
- Toxic / Will-O-Wisp

Torkoal has high defenses and can tank anything Doublade has to throw at it really well while being able to OHKO back with Lava Plume. I'm going to consider this a check because of Stealth Rocks and how easily it is to wear down Torkoal due to the lack of recovery.

+2 252+ Atk Doublade Shadow Claw vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal: 127-150 (37 - 43.7%) -- 44.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

0 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Doublade in Sun: 266-314 (82.6 - 97.5%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
 
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Natan

...
is a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
So...the winners are:

Checks
HotFuzzBall's Umbreon
Umbreon is a very useful check that will always beat Shadow Claw variants and will most times beat Sacred Sword variants.

Alolan Grumeaux's Moltres
Not gonna lie, I don't really like Moltres being slower than FO Hera, I think SubToxic is by far a best set, but this set still does well beating Doublade on 1v1 so it's still a great checks, Rocks are a problem but most of our removers aren't a fodder for Doublade anyway so you should always be fine against Doublade.

spookysocialist's Chesnaught
We decided to put Chesnaught as a check for a reason: Chesnaught need its item to actually do any damage on Doublade and also you'll need a 50/50 against Doublade if it decides to stay in: after the Taunt Chesnaught will be at 52% max, if it click Taunt it's risking an Iron Head that will just either beat Chesnaught or put it into Shadow Sneak's range, if you click Synthesis you are risking Doublade clicking Swords Dance again: it will be able to kill you with Iron Head into Shadow Sneak, ofc this mean Doublade will take much in the process, but if you lose this 50/50 Doublade will still be at 17% of it's health after beating Chesnaught, still a useful check though, we just don't think it fits as a counter due to this.


Counters
PursuitOfHappiny's Milotic
That one is obvious, in the SM RU Cup I had to switch a burned Mixed Defensive Milotic with less than 70% against Doublade and 1v1 it and still Milotic did it with ease, obviously it cost a lot of Recovers but it still handled Doublade pretty well. Given it's bulk Milotic will take max 33% from +2 Shadow Sneak (PursuitOfHappiny, include that calc next time btw) and Scald will make a nice damage with a burn chance while Haze will prevent Doublade from boosting, thanks to Recover Doublade can't just weaken Milotic enough so it's a pretty safe counter

Kyora's Mantine
While Mantine is less bulky than Milotic and weak to Stealth Rocks and it's harder to beat Doublade, it still will do it with ease, even with Rocks Shadow Claw into Shadow Sneak won't beat Mantine, who can keep Roosting and Scalding until Doublade is either burned or fainted, also a very safe option.

The Bill Cipher's Nidoqueen
This one is kinda shaky because no recovery beside Black Sludge, but it will pressure well Doublade, if Doublade SD on the switch it won't be able to beat Queen, if it doesn't SD, Iron Head twice into Shadow Sneak also won't be able to beat Queen, Queen will have problems during the match if switch repeatedly on Iron Head but still will handle Doublade quite well


Our next Victim of the Week will be:

Swords Dance Pangoro

Pangoro @ Lum Berry / Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Drain Punch
- Gunk Shot

This time, we decided to bring something more uncommon as a VotW, Pangoro is really strong, once it setup Swords Dance it's almost impossible to take, Knock Off is a great STAB that allows Pangoro to get rid of some key items while Drain Punch will give it some recovery while it's a still a very powerful STAB. This coverage is great because it hit neutrally anything but Fairy-types, that's why this set run Gunk Shot who will hit almost any Fairy for super effective damage. Lum Berry will allow you to prevent a status once while Life Orb will allow you to deal as damage as possible. Thanks to Mold Breaker Pangoro will ignore abilities like Sturdy and Unaware, having even fewer checks.
 
Silvally-Fairy @ Fairy Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Atk
Impish Nature
- Multi-Attack
- Parting Shot
- Toxic
- Rock Slide

Silvally fairy is a great Check to SD pangoro as thanks to it's typing and good bulk. Silvally always outspeeds adamant pangoro even without speed investment, although you can run enough speed to outspeed jolly panda and still always avoid the ohko from gunk shot with rocks. But yeah, silvally takes very little from panda's stabs and always avoids a ko from gunk shot even with rocks up. Plus, panda will be unlikely to click gunk shot the first time silvally switches in, since the opponent won't know silvally is a fairy from team preview. Once in, silvally threatens a ohko with multi attack (even bulky panda dies) and can parting shot whatever comes in to replace panda.

0 Atk Silvally-Fairy Multi-Attack vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pangoro: 456-540 (137.7 - 163.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Pangoro Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Silvally-Fairy: 208-246 (52.7 - 62.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Silvally-Fairy: 42-50 (10.6 - 12.6%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock
 
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poh

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Weezing as a Check

Weezing @ Icium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze

So i used this set in NU since Goro absolutely wrecks the tier and Icium Z Weezing actually works. Z-Haze gives you a one-time recovery and gets rid of possible attack boosts Pangoro has accumulated. If Pangoro is carrying a Life Orb you can Wisp it too.

Life Orb
252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 55-64 (16.4 - 19.1%) -- possible 6HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 94-110 (28.1 - 32.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 57-68 (17 - 20.3%) -- possible 5HKO

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 42-49 (12.5 - 14.6%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 72-85 (21.5 - 25.4%) -- 0.3% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing: 44-52 (13.1 - 15.5%) -- possible 7HKO

0 SpA Weezing Sludge Bomb vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Pangoro: 112-133 (33.7 - 40%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
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HotFuzzBall

fuzzy-chan \(ㆁヮㆁ✿)
is an Artist

Comfey @ Leftovers
Ability: Triage
EVs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Spe
Bold Nature
- Draining Kiss
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
- Synthesis

So Comfey functions as a hard check to Pangoro. Due to Comfey's typing, it naturally resists Pangoro's dual stab combination and it can basically come in safely on a boosted Knock Off (not exactly ideal since it removes Comfey's Leftovers but, it can) or Drain Punch. With Triage, Comfey can easily revenge kill Pangoro since it becomes a priority move while restoring any health that may have been lost upon switch in. However, Pangoro can severely weaken (or potentially OHKO Comfey with prior damage) with Gunk Shot if the player predicts correctly. Also Gunk Shot has a high chance to KO Comfey with a Life Orb.

Comfey
0 SpA Triage Comfey Draining Kiss vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Pangoro: 244-292 (73.4 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Pangoro
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 53-63 (17.3 - 20.5%) -- possible 5HKO

+2 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 105-125 (34.3 - 40.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 46-54 (15 - 17.6%) -- possible 6HKO

+2 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 92-108 (30 - 35.2%) -- 26% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Pangoro Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 226-268 (73.8 - 87.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 69-82 (22.5 - 26.7%) -- 21.1% chance to 4HKO

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 136-162 (44.4 - 52.9%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 60-70 (19.6 - 22.8%) -- possible 5HKO

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 120-140 (39.2 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Mold Breaker Pangoro Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Comfey: 294-348 (96 - 113.7%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
 
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reserving florges


Florges-White @ Leftovers
Ability: Flower Veil
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Synthesis
- Aromatherapy

Putting Nascar Florges as a check. Florges is able to outspeed and OHKO Pangoro with Moonblast while still being a good win-condition for the rest of the team. Listing it as only a check because of it fears switching into Gunk Shot and Florges highly values its Leftovers so getting them Knocked Off isn't always the best option.

0 SpA Florges Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Pangoro: 600-708 (181.2 - 213.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
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reserving gligar

Nominating Gligar as a counter.



Gligar @ Eviolite
Ability: Sand Veil / Immunity
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Defog / Stealth Rock

One of the few mons that can actually appreciate getting knocked off. Gligar is a pretty great counter, resisting fighting stab moves and poison coverage. Knock off is all Pangoro has to deal with Gligar, which can be a double edged sword given that it gives Gligar's acrobatics double power.

A healthy Gligar can counter almost every version of Pangoro, only being unable to switch in against +2, since any coverage move + knock off gets the 2hko. With roughly 20% chip damage however (which can very easily just come from Pangoro's life orb) you're going to have a really solid chance to OHKO with acrobatics either way, so it's not all bad. Even with this being said, more often than not you're going to be switching in Gligar while Pangoro SD's or attacks without a boost, which is fine since then you can spam acrobatics and roost when necessary, making for an easy win 1v1.

Note: All calcs are vs Life Orb
252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gligar: 103-122 (30.8 - 36.5%) -- 60.5% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Gligar Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pangoro: 230-272 (69.4 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gligar: 103-122 (30.8 - 36.5%) -- 60.5% chance to 3HKO

:D
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gligar: 204-242 (61 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Gligar Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Pangoro: 230-272 (69.4 - 82.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gligar: 204-242 (61 - 72.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

:[ (kinda sucks, but your itemless acrobatics hit + Pangoro's life orb damage will do 79.4% minimum / 92.1% maximum, which is some really nice damage either way.
 
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Avant Heim

formerly The Bill Cipher
Toxicroak as a check

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch

Or little poisonous frog here is a very good offensive check to Pangoro,as it resists all of it's moves and can always OHKO with Drain Punch(thanks to Life Orb)
It's only a check because of it cannot switch directly thanks to it's bad defensive stats(65 base) meaning it's OHKOd by +2 Knock Off(if the item is Life Orb)
All of that aside,Pangoro will always lose in the 1v1 scenario,but try not to switch directly into Croak.

252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 153-182 (49.8 - 59.2%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 153-182 (49.8 - 59.2%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 127-149 (41.3 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Gunk Shot vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Pangoro: 273-321 (82.2 - 96.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Drain Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Pangoro: 343-406 (103.3 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Ice Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Pangoro: 114-135 (34.3 - 40.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Iron Fist Pangoro Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 286-337 (93.1 - 109.7%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 308-363 (100.3 - 118.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Pangoro Gunk Shot vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Toxicroak: 253-299 (82.4 - 97.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
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Natan

...
is a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
So...the winners are:

Checks
The Bill Cipher's Toxicroak
This thing can switch (badly) into a predicted Gunk Shot or Drain Punch (not into a Knock Off because no Life Orb mean Drain Punch won't OHKO and Knock Off into Drain Punch from Pangoro will hurt, on a 1v1 will always OHKO Pangoro with it's Life Orb so it's a nice check.

Gastro's Florges
Well, outspeed and OHKO Pangoro, I don't need to explain this one, can switch on a predicted Knock Off / Drain Punch, but if you take a Gunk Shot you're dead, also loses against Bullet Punch variants but that's ok since it's not slashed on that set (also Bullet Punch have less than 10% chance OHKOing at +2 if Life Orb).

PursuitOfHappiny's Icium Z Weezing
This set sound really cool, I used this in NU and it's nice since it's a check to Slurpuff and Pangoro in one slot that can beat most variants, in RU can take a +1 Devastating Drake from Flygon, beat Heracross without Guts and also have a great Physical Defense. That being said, it's passive and will sometimes be a fodder to things like Reuniclus and Flame Orb Heracross so I doubt it's really good in RU rn, but can stop Pangoro really well (we didn't choose Comfey because it fail to OHKO Pangoro from full and will get destroyed by Gunk Shot in return, should be Offensive Comfey imo).


Counters
dogknees's Gligar
The only counter submission, Gligar can basically take Pangoro's hits and Acrobatics, SD can be a problem but you will most times beat it anyway. It should have Speed investments to outspeed Adamant Pangoro imo, it's only 40 (still 216 in Defense and you outspeed Adamant Pangoro, most of the other Gligars and Pokémon who will creep you (like TauntNaught, unless it's running like 212 Speed).


Thanks for all the submissions, the next Victim of the Week will be:

Choice Specs Kommo-o

Kommo-o @ Choice Specs
Ability: Soundproof / Bulletproof
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Clanging Scales
- Focus Blast
- Flamethrower
- Flash Cannon

Specs Kommo-o can be a problem to much teams, with 2 powerful STABs and a good coverage, Flamethrower helps against Steel-types that aren't hit super-effectively by Focus Blast while Flash Cannon will help against Fairy-types. Specs will make Kommo-o hit really hard, and these abilities will give it useful immunities, while its typing + ability allows it to check some common Pokémon in the meta.
 

Avant Heim

formerly The Bill Cipher
Cresselia as a counter

Cresselia @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 SpD
Calm Nature
- Psychic
- Toxic
- Moonlight
- Skill Swap/Ice Beam/Lunar Dance

Cresselia,the lunar duck is one of the best defensive counters to Kommo-o,since it can eat everything that Kommo-o and just stand there,using Moonlight to heal itself or psychic to 2HKO it
Kommo-o can do nothing to take down this thing by itself,as any move it lockes it self into barely does anything.Kommo-o can't even switch into this thing,as it was i explaned before,Psychic is a 2HKO
Toxic damage is also annoying

252 SpA Choice Specs Kommo-o Clanging Scales vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 145-172 (32.6 - 38.7%) -- 99.5% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Cresselia Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kommo-o: 150-176 (51.5 - 60.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Cresselia Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kommo-o: 98-116 (33.6 - 39.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kommo-o Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 78-92 (17.5 - 20.7%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kommo-o Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 87-103 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Kommo-o Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 87-102 (19.5 - 22.9%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
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Milotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Haze
- Toxic

Will get calcs in asap, but basically, milotic walls kommo-o all day, it can't break through and you can just recover stall it's moves. Haze even lets you take on the dd version if it turns out to be that, although thats a lot more troublesome to milotic.
 
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Slowking @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 108 SpA / 148 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Future Sight
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Tail

Slowking as a counter.


Assault Vest Slowking can take any damages from Kommo-o and use his excellent talent Regenerator to heal itself.
252 SpA Choice Specs Kommo-o Clanging Scales vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Assault Vest Slowking: 109-130 (27.6 - 32.9%) -- guaranteed 4HK0.

I would recommand to have a Pokémon with Spikes, because Kommo-o have to switch in order to not be OHKO by Future Sight.
108 SpA Slowking Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kommo-o: 276-326 (94.8 - 112%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO.

Slowking isn't the greatest mon of course but it is nice to add an counter that isn't seen too much, more fun!
I took the most used EV repartition but an all HP / SpA can do the work although you have to be careful when you switch!
 
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