Counters for the new Meta in VGC 2021?
Do people have any eccentric, interesting or conventional ways to counter the metagame right now? I am mainly focusing on doubles format, but singles can be included too, just make sure you include the format you are talking about.
e.g.Rotom-H has great typing against Metagross and Glastrier, serving as a decent check in both doubles and singles after setting up Nasty Plot which can score K.Os really quickly.
Looking forward to the responses!
Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.
Ok, I don’t have much competitive experience, but I can do a crapload of research. So, yeah. I am going to be looking at the top ten most commonly used doubles Pokemon. This is via pikalytics btw.
Incineroar.Based off of the smogon doubles moveset, this poke seems to do well as an intimidate pivot. Common Pokemon that have a good type advantage against it are, tapu fini, urshifu, landorus therian and rapid strike urshifu. Out of these, tapu fini is mostly used as a wall.
Let’s Look at the sets.
Urshifu @ Focus SashAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 SpeJolly Nature-Wicked Blow-Close Combat-Sucker Punch-Protect
-1 252 Atk Urshifu Close Combat vs. 244 HP / 84 Def Incineroar: 134-162 (66.6 - 80.5%) – guaranteed 2HKOUrshifu is a good all around sweeper, and is a powerful Pokemon. It has the added benefit of avoiding protect.
Landorus Therian @ Assault VestAbility: IntimidateEVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 SpeJolly Nature-Earthquake-Swords Dance-Rock Slide-U-turn
-1 252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 236 HP / 4 Def Incineroar: 110-132 (55 - 66%) – guaranteed 2HKO. Counting the IntimidateWith a swords dance,+1 252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 236 HP / 4 Def Incineroar: 246-290 (123 - 145%) – guaranteed OHKO. This is including the Intimidate.
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice BandAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Surging Strikes- Close Combat- Aqua Jet- U-turn
-1 252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 236 HP / 4 Def Incineroar on a critical hit: 222-270 (111 - 135%) – guaranteed OHKOThe good thing is you don’t have to use close combat, thus letting you keep in rapid strike urshifu.
Ok, so the next poke is Tapu Fini.Tapu Fini is usually a wall. Let’s see some common counters. Rilaboom, Regieleki and Zapdos.
Zapdos @ Life OrbAbility: StaticEVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 SpeTimid Nature- Thunderbolt- Heat Wave- Hurricane- Protect
248+ SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 76+ SpD Tapu Fini: 114-134 (64.4 - 75.7%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Rillaboom @ Sitrus BerryAbility: Grassy SurgeEVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 60 SpD / 140 SpeAdamant Nature- Fake Out- Grassy Glide- Knock Off- U-turn
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 252 HP / 60 Def Tapu Fini: 162-192 (91.5 - 108.4%) – 43.8% chance to OHKO
Regieleki @ Choice SpecsAbility: TransistorEVs: 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 SpeTimid Nature-Light Screen-Reflect-Electroweb-Volt Switch
252 SpA Choice Specs Transistor Regieleki Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 76+ SpD Tapu Fini: 198-234 (111.8 - 132.2%) – guaranteed OHKO
Next, Glastrier. It seems to be a sweeper.
Urshifu @ Focus SashAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 SpeJolly Nature-Wicked Blow-Close Combat-Sucker Punch-Protect
252 Atk Urshifu Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Glastrier: 168-198 (81.1 - 95.6%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice BandAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Surging Strikes- Close Combat- Aqua Jet- U-turn
252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Glastrier: 168-198 (81.1 - 95.6%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Heatran @ Shuca BerryAbility: Flash FireEVs: 228 HP / 252 SpAtk / 28 SpeModest Nature-Earth Power-Flash Cannon-Heatwave-Protect
252+ SpA Heatran Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Glastrier: 122-146 (58.9 - 70.5%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Next, is rilaboom. Rilaboom works as a grassy terrain sweeper.
Glastrier @ Assault vestAbility: Chilling NeighEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpDBrave Nature-High Horsepower-Close Combat-Icicle Crash-Heavy Slam
252+ Atk Glastrier Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rillaboom: 188-224 (90.8 - 108.2%) – 43.8% chance to OHKO
Zapdos @ Life OrbAbility: StaticEVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 SpeTimid Nature- Thunderbolt- Heat Wave- Hurricane- Protect
252 SpA Zapdos Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Rillaboom: 242-288 (116.9 - 139.1%) – guaranteed OHKO
Heatran @ Shuca BerryAbility: Flash FireEVs: 228 HP / 252 SpAtk / 28 SpeModest Nature-Earth Power-Flash Cannon-Heatwave-Protect
Next, is Regieleki. It is used with electroweb as speed control, and it also carries screens, however it can do some serious damage with Transistor + 252 SpAtk + Timid nature.
Landorus Therian @ Assault VestAbility: IntimidateEVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 SpeJolly Nature-Earthquake-Swords Dance-Rock Slide-U-turn
252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Regieleki: 260-308 (167.7 - 198.7%) – guaranteed OHKO
Garchomp @ Life OrbAbility: Rough SkinEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature-Rock Slide-Earthquake-Swords Dance-Protect
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Regieleki: 218-260 (140.6 - 167.7%) – guaranteed OHKO
Mamoswine @ Focus SashAbility: ObliviousEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeAdamant Nature-Icicle Crash-Ice Shard-Protect-High Horsepower
252 Atk Mamoswine Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Regieleki: 218-260 (140.6 - 167.7%) – guaranteed OHKO
Next, is Urshifu. It’s a sweeper.
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice BandAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Surging Strikes- Close Combat- Aqua Jet- U-turn
252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Urshifu: 206-246 (117.7 - 140.5%) – guaranteed OHKO
Zapdos @ Life OrbAbility: StaticEVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 SpeTimid Nature- Thunderbolt- Heat Wave- Hurricane- Protect
252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Urshifu: 351-416 (200.5 - 237.7%) – guaranteed OHKO
Next is Porygon 2. It’s a TR setter and sweeper.
Urshifu @ Focus SashAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 SpeJolly Nature-Wicked Blow-Close Combat-Sucker Punch-Protect
252 Atk Urshifu Close Combat vs. 244 HP / 92 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 134-162 (70.1 - 84.8%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice BandAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Surging Strikes- Close Combat- Aqua Jet- U-turn
252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 244 HP / 92 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 134-162 (70.1 - 84.8%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Next, is Landorus Therian. Definitely a sweeper.
Glastrier @ Assault vestAbility: Chilling NeighEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpDBrave Nature-High Horsepower-Close Combat-Icicle Crash-Heavy Slam
-1 252+ Atk Glastrier Icicle Crash vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-Therian: 252-300 (152.7 - 181.8%) – guaranteed OHKO
Dracovish @ Choice BandAbility: Strong JawEVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpeAdamant Nature-Fishious Rend-Psychic Fangs-Rock Slide-Crunch
-1 252 Atk Strong Jaw Dracovish Fishious Rend (85 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-Therian: 122-146 (73.9 - 88.4%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Next is Grimmsnarl. Definitely used as a screener.
Heatran @ Shuca BerryAbility: Flash FireEVs: 228 HP / 252 SpAtk / 28 SpeModest Nature-Earth Power-Flash Cannon-Heatwave-Protect
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Grimmsnarl: 188-224 (93 - 110.8%) – 62.5% chance to OHKO
Metagross @ Life OrbAbility: Clear bodyEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 DefAdamant Nature-Iron Head-Protect-Stomping Tantrum
252 Atk Life Orb Metagross Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Grimmsnarl: 260-307 (128.7 - 151.9%) – guaranteed OHKO
Next is Amoongus. It is used as a wall, especially a special wall.
Glastrier @ Assault vestAbility: Chilling NeighEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpDBrave Nature-High Horsepower-Close Combat-Icicle Crash-Heavy Slam
252+ Atk Glastrier Icicle Crash vs. 236 HP / 76 Def Amoonguss: 206-246 (94 - 112.3%) – 62.5% chance to OHKO
Zapdos @ Life OrbAbility: StaticEVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 SpeTimid Nature- Thunderbolt- Heat Wave- Hurricane- Protect252 SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hurricane vs. 236 HP / 196+ SpD Amoonguss: 211-250 (96.3 - 114.1%) – 68.8% chance to OHKO
Heatran @ Shuca BerryAbility: Flash FireEVs: 228 HP / 252 SpAtk / 28 SpeModest Nature-Earth Power-Flash Cannon-Heatwave-Protect
252+ SpA Heatran Heat Wave vs. 236 HP / 196+ SpD Amoonguss: 116-140 (52.9 - 63.9%) – guaranteed 2HKO
Next, Let’s Go to Kartana.
Kartana is a pure offensive sweeper. Some common counters are: Urshifu, Urshifu Rapid and Cinderace.
Here are some sets and calculations.
Cinderace @ Life OrbLevel: 50Ability: LiberoEVs: 252 Atk/4 SpD252 SpeJolly Nature- Pyro Ball- Bounce- High Jump Kick- Iron Head
252 Atk Life Orb Libero Cinderace High Jump Kick vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 213-252 (157.7 - 186.6%) – guaranteed OHKO. Even a non super effective hit does big damage.252 Atk Life Orb Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 395-468 (292.5 - 346.6%) – guaranteed OHKOLook at Pyro ball.
Urshifu @ Focus SashAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 SpeJolly Nature-Wicked Blow-Close Combat-Sucker Punch-Protect
252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kartana on a critical hit: 123-145 (91.1 - 107.4%) – 50% chance to OHKONot super effective and still a very good move. Close combat is amazing on it.252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu Close Combat vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 246-290 (182.2 - 214.8%) – guaranteed OHKO
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice BandAbility: Unseen FistEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Surging Strikes- Close Combat- Aqua Jet- U-turn
252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 246-290 (182.2 - 214.8%) – guaranteed OHKONiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.
Next is Whimsicott. It is a support mon with tailwind. Honestly, most Pokemon can OHKO it, but still. Glastrier, Zapdos and Heatran.
Heatran @ Shuca BerryAbility: Flash FireEVs: 228 HP / 252 SpAtk / 28 SpeModest Nature-Earth Power-Flash Cannon-Heatwave-Protect
Zapdos @ Life OrbAbility: StaticEVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 SpeTimid Nature- Thunderbolt- Heat Wave- Hurricane- Protect
Glastrier @ Assault vestAbility: Chilling NeighEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpDBrave Nature-High Horsepower-Close Combat-Icicle Crash-Heavy Slam
