What are the sturdiest cores that you've found?
So when I checked the RMT, I saw it filled with teams that had cores inside. It brought me to try to make my own cores that I discussed with Faked Thrower yesterday night. Smogon may have their own cores, but it doesn’t mean we can’t find cores that work efficiently.So many unexperienced members of this site may ask: What is a core?Smogon has this covered, providing an awesome explanation.
A core consists of 2-3 Pokémon that work well together through Defense, Offense, both, or through other ways to counter most of the metagame. This makes having a solid core one of the most important parts of team building. - Smogon University
Now, there is a lot of different types of cores. Smogon has this covered as well.
There are four different types of cores and they are as follows:
Defensive:This core consists of 2-3 Pokémon that compliment each other defensively. They are designed to counter a wide range ofthreats through bulk and synergy, while taking resisted and neutralhits with relative ease.
Offensive:This core is made up of Pokémon that have great coverage and power so that they can take out a wide range of threatsin the tier.
Mixed:This core consists of Pokémon that synergize well both offensively and defensively. For this type, you may have two walls andone offensive Pokémon that all have great synergy and work welltogether.
Other:This includes Pokémon who work together in other ways. Like a Toxic Spikes user and a Substitute + Calm Mind sweeper. Or a Spikerand a Pokémon with a lot of power but not enough to break throughwalls without Spikes. Even a lure and a sweeper can count as acombinations. - Smogon University
Darmanitan-Z
+
Roserade
This is anOffensive core for use in the UU Tier.Darmantian-Z and Roserade provide great offensive synergy while Darmanitan can use Belly Drum to safely render himself to Zen Mode. BLA BLA BLA.
Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect core. Don’t get too arrogant about your core and saying that, for example, your Leavanny could own your Dialga. Make a usable core, meaning no gimmick such as Specs Delibird or Banded Blissey. I hope you guys will post your cores here so everyone who visits this Q will get ideas for new cores and teams.
A very strong, troll, and effective core:
Scizor (M) @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Trait: Technician
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
This is an effective set for Scizor.U-Turnmakes Scizor leave into RotomW.Bullet Punchis a must have on any Scizor + Technician.Pursuitadds to the power. This works great for when Rotom switches out from Volt Switch, because it forces mons out.Roostprovides healing if Rotom gets KO’d. YourLefties / Orballows you to heal or hope he gets the job done quickly.Technicianis obvious.EVsgive a straight bulk as well as offensive capabilities.Naturejust throws away unused stat.
Rotom @ Specs / Scarf / Toxic Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
Hydro Pumpis your basic STAB.Thunderboltis used to cover those annoying Fighting + Water types, and offers a nice secondary STAB.Trickis used to give a hurtful item away.Volt Switchallows you to return back to Scizor.Specsshould be the item since Rotom is so frail, but the other ones might be worth your while.EVsgive Rotom sweeping speed that he needs.Nature, once again, throws away useless stat.
Scizor resists everything Rotom is weak to, and Rotom resists everything Scizor is weak to. Simple. This takes some serious timing + skill to pull off, but if you have it you are good to go. Just switch these guys back and forth. This puts some serious pressure on the opponent. Be sure to run a Spinner, because Hazards will naturally threaten this core. They work unbelievably well together. I highly recommend this one. If you want me to classify this one, it would probably be an"other" core.
Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers / Lum BerryAbility: MoxieEVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpeJolly Nature
Jolteon (F) @ Life Orb / Choice SpecsAbility: Volt AbsorbEVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 SpeTimid Nature
Simple. An offensive core that works pretty well. The reason why these two work well together:
Surprised this isn’t up.
I suggest you listen to this while reading. Props to Hex.
This is quite a fun one to play with. The way it works is very simple.
Ferrothorn is resistant to all of Chandelure’s weaknesses excluding than ground.Chandelure is IMMUNE to Ferrothorn’s weaknesses, and is boosted by Fire.
This allows Ferrothorn to be used in Sun. Sun provokes people to use Fire STABs on Ferro, but Chandy gets boosted by it.
Hex (Chandelure) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
This set makes an excellent wall, effectively screwing physical attackers like Terrakion, DNite, and Infernape. Hell, if you can Trick off an Air Balloon you are in top shape. Anyways, this Chandy can be used as a lead or switch-in to fighting. As a lead,Shadow Ballcombined with Specs is an excellent STAB, hitting OU’s psychics hard, as well as Jelli.Trickis an effective shut down to Fighting sweepers, very common in OU. Terrakion is a notable threat, He would simply OHKO Ferro. If it is Ballooned, Chandy is in a bind. I can see EQuake on Chandy, but if he goes for a Dance or Rock Polish Chandy is lucky to lock him in and pick off one of the weaknesses. After doing so, Chandy completely shuts it down with aWill-O-Wisp. For the stuff like Gastro,Energy Ballis an excellent coverage, most likely an OHKO if Flash activates.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Impish Nature
Ferrothorn… such a beautiful wall, but easily shut down by Focus Miss and Fire Blast. Both of which Chandy negates :D. Not much to say here. Ferro can switch in on Chandy’s weakness, allowing free moves. Ferro can expect a switch to a special FBlast user, allowing a free move. With that free move, Ferro can throw in aLeech Seed, allowing some nice healing. Focus Miss will likely come. LOL, suck onProtect. Naturally some players are persistent, and will try again. THAT is when Ferro switches. Leech Seed give Chandy healing. When annoying stuff like Poli comes in, Ferro can switch in.Power Whipis brute force, KOing all the annoying waters and hippos. When an annoyance like Heatran comes in,Thunder Waveallows both members of the core to troll much easier.
Not much else to say. Very fun, very effective, Ferro in sun.
Regirock @ LeftoversAbility: Clear BodyEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpDAdamant Nature- Stealth Rock- Thunder Wave- Stone Edge- Drain Punch
Amoonguss @ Black SludgeAbility: RegeneratorEVs: 252 HP / 60 Def / 196 SpDCalm Nature- Spore- Giga Drain- Clear Smog- Hidden Power [Ice] / Foul Play / Stun Spore
Regimoonguss > Alomomoonguss.Just sayin'. Anyway, this core is one I fell in love with in NU. It uses Bulky Regirock & Specially Defensive Amoonguss. Regirock, even uninvested, can tank physical hits with ease due to his 200 (TWO HUNDRED!) base defense stat. Amoonguss on the other hand uses its great base HP and solid SDef, along with Regenerator, to comfortably wall a lot of Pokemon that give Regirock trouble. Regirock can set up Stealth Rock, racking up residual damage with the many switches the core forces. It can also paralyse opposing Pokemon, making them easier dealt with by other team members. Stone Edge and Drain Punch are two high power moves with great coverage. Amoonguss has access to Spore, which can potentially cripple a Pokemon for the rest of the game. Giga Drain provides healing along with a reliable STAB move. Clear Smog stops most setup sweepers in their tracks, while HP Ice is coverage, but can be replaced with Foul Play or Stun Spore.
Regirock: Resists Flying & FireAmoonguss: Resists Fighting, Grass, & Water.
They share no weaknesses, and each can threaten Pokemon that give the other trouble.Examples:
Swellow’s STAB Guts boosted Brave Bird is a huge threat to any Amoonguss, but Regirock can comfortably tank it.
A Life Orb STAB Hydro Pump in rain from say, Ludicolo, will OHKO even the most bulky Regirocks, but Amoonguss can take it easily.
Hope I helped :] more to come!
I’m not completely acquainted to cores yet but here is a 2 Pokemon Uber core I found by accident. Been using it all along and didn’t even realize xD.
Forretress @ Leftovers/Red CardTrait: SturdyEVs: 248 HP, 248 Def, 12 SAtkBold Nature (+Def -Atk)
Giratina-O @ Griseous OrbTrait: LevitateEVs: 4 HP, 252 SAtk, 252 AtkBrave Nature (+Atk -Spd)
Now you may be thinking that those sets seem a little wierd, like maxing SAtk on Girstina just for Draco Meteor, but Giratina is insanely bulky even without investment and his Draco Meteor hits like a runaway train. Giratina takes Fire moves for Forry and Forry takes Dark, Ghost, Ice, and Dragon moves for Giratina. Giratina then uses Dragon Tail to phase the enemy down, eventually using Shadow Sneak to pick off weakened opponents. Will-O-Wisp is useful for crippling the foe’s sweepers, and Draco Meteor is for bringing the pain. Giratina-O could be substituted for a regular Specially Defensive double phase Restalk Giratina as well. This core appreciates fellow phazers and rain, although neither of those are essential.
Tentacruel (M) @ Black SludgeTrait: Rain DishEVs: 252 HP / 236 SDef / 20 SpdCalm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
Gliscor (F) @ Toxic OrbTrait: Poison HealEVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 SpdImpish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
This is a combination of both Tentacruel and Gliscor. This Defensive core covers all their weaknesses (besides Psychic) and works pretty well. Gliscor stalls out Pokemon and provides Stealth Rocks for the team, and is immune to Ground and Electric moves, which Tentacruel is weak to. Tentcruel provides Rapid Spin, as well as Toxic Spikes for the team, and takes Water and Ice moves that Gliscor despises. And conveniently, Gliscor is a Physical wall, while Tentcrual is a Special wall.
Genesect @ Choice ScarfTrait; DownloadEVs: 8 Atk / 248 SAtk / 252 SpdNaive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
Dugtrio (M) @ Choice BandTrait: Arena TrapEVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpdJolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
Basic. Genesect can U-turn out to Dugtrio on threats. If a Heatran wants to come out on Genesect, Dugtrio can come in and destroy it. Rotom-H falls to Stone Edge.Basically, Dugtrio shreds Genesect’s counters, leaving Genesect to sweep.
Genesect @ Choice ScarfTrait: DownloadEVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 SpdHasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
Landorus-T (M) @ Choice ScarfTrait: IntimidateEVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpdJolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
The core that is quite popular in lots of Sand teams. Landorus-T gained the wonderful ability Intimidate, which helps Physical attacks. Further, Landorus-T and Genesect make a U-turning offensive core that is pretty hard to play against unless you get lucky and predict correctly. Genesect always had trouble taking down Heatran. While HP Ground helps, Air Ballooners bypass this. Genesect U-turns out to Landorus, and Lando can deal with Heatran. Or U-turn again, providing offensive momentum to the team. They cover the entire tier really well. One might opt to use Giga Drain over HP Ground on Genesect to nail Gastrodon.
Recently I have developed a core and it has been working well for me so far. It is a mixed, 3 Pokemon core and I call itSlowBlissSciz. If you haven’t already geussed that’s Slowbro, Blissey, and Scizor.
Slowbro @ LeftoversTrait: RegeneratorEVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtkBold Nature (+Def, -Atk)- Thunder Wave- Slack off- Scald/Psyshock- Disable/Fire Blast
Blissey @ LeftoversTrait: Natural CureEVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDefCalm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)- Wish- Protect- Siesmic Toss- Stealth Rock/Toxic
Scizor @ Leftovers/Choice BandTrait: TechnicianEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpdAdamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)- Swords Dance/Bullet Punch- Bullet Punch/Pursuit- Bug Bite/U-turn- Superpower
Slowbro takes the physical hits, including Fire moves directed at Scizor, and Fighting moves directed at Blissey. Blissey takes the special moves such as Electric moves aimed at Slowbro and special Fire moves targeting Scizor. Scizor is the offensive Pokemon of the 3 and his job is to sweep once Slowbro and Blissey have frustrated and crippled the opposition via Thuner Wave, Stealth Rock, and Toxic. Scizor also takes Grass and Bug moves trying to catch Slowbro. The core has some trouble with Infernape but for the most part Slowbro counters Infernape save U-turn, which Slowbro can still tank without too much trouble. For Scizor, if you are running a Choice Band set use the moves in bold when the option is given.
Salamence@Choice ScarfTrait: MoxieEVs: 252 atk 252 spe 4 spaNaive Nature-Outrage-Dragon Claw-Earthquake-Fire Blast
Magnezone@LeftoversTrait: Magnet PullEVs: 252 spa 252 spe 4 HP-Substitute-Flash cannon-HP fire-Thunderbolt
Choiced Salamence can rip through almost everything with STAB outrage and moxie. Steel types prove to be a problem for him though. Magnezone is there too trap those steel types and safely dispose of them with HP fire. If Heatran comes in, Magnezone’s biggest threat, he’ll just volt switch to safety, as his speed investment should outspeed the standard heatran. Then safely dispose of Heatran, and you won’t have anything stopping Salamence.
This is my UU defensive core. I use it on one of my teams and it works quite well:
Amoongus@ black sludgeability: regeneratorEV’s: 252 hp/ 252 sp def/ 4 sp attnature: +sp def -attgiga drain/ clear smogsynthesissporefoul playHe can take grass, electric, or other special attacks aimed at Slowbro. With regenerator, if he needs to switch, he heals more hp.
Slowbro@ leftoversability: regeneratorEV’s: 252 hp/ 252 def/ 4 sp attnature: +def -attslack offscald/ surfthunder wave/ psychiccalm mindThis guy takes fire, psychic, and other physical attacks. Regenerator is great.
This is a tested core, and I have used it quite well before. Slowmoongus can be quite hard to take down if it is played right.
JellithornI’m pretty sure I wasn’t the first to use this…
Jellicent@leftoversTrait: Water Absorb(Cursed body could work as well)EVs: 248 HP 216 def 44 speCalm Nature-Scald-Will-o-wisp-Taunt-Recover
Ferrothorn@leftoversTrait: Iron BarbsEVs: 252 HP 68 def 168 spdImpish Nature-Power whip-Leech Seed-Thunder Wave-Stealth Rock
Jellicent and Ferrothorn work well in pretty much any way possible
A defensive core you should try out one day :D
I looked into some common used Pokemon and was surprised to see that I was the only trainer to knowingly use one of the most potentially powerful (mixed) cores! I love this and I hope you do too!
Jirachi @ LeftoversTrait: Serene GraceEVs: 224 Def / 252 HP / 32 SpdImpish Nature- Calm Mind/ cosmic power/stealth rock- Wish/status move of choice/zen headbutt- Iron Head/ flash cannon- Ice Punch/hidden power ice
Salamence @ Dragon GemTrait: MoxieEVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDefJolly Nature- Earthquake- Dragon Dance- Outrage- Fire Fang
I use dragon gem because it gets momentum straight and KO’s most Pokemon regardless of type. Jirachi has lots of choice, but should retain at least an ice type move and a steel type. Other than that feel free to do what you like! Jirachi has many resistances,including ice,dragon and rock. However , it is weak to ground and fire. If only there was a Pokemon that was resistant to these types…oh, Salamence! This constant annoying and demolishing of opponents team is truly epic! Of course you can switch Salamence for Draconite, as they have the same typing. Pretty powerful, eh?
Thanks ;)
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet/LeftoversTrait: Iron BarbsEVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 AtkImpish Nature- Protect- Power Whip- Thunder Wave- Leech Seed
I wanted to try Rocky Helm on Ferro, even though it is outclassed by Lefties. It takes a lot of people by surprise actually when they get the double recoil. Leech Seed is my main recovery when using Rocky Helmet.
Latias @ LeftoversTrait: LevitateEVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDefCalm Nature- Hidden Power Fire- Thunderbolt- Calm Mind- Roost
Calm mind is to go with the Nature……. xD It gives me a massively special defense boost and an added bonus for those special moves. Roost is recovery when I’m low on HP and need more than what leftovers can give me.I thought about doing a Healing Wish set, but I just couldn’t decide. I think it would be better to run Healing wish so here is possible (alternate) moveset
- Healing Wish- Dragon Pulse- Psyshock- Thunderbolt
Meh I dunno, maybe. xD
In any case. They counter each other weaknesses, (Ferro taking neutral damage from Ice and Bug) and they both have those epic walling abilities.These two are such a perfect couple. Essentially the only major threat is TTar, who runs Superpower and Crunch. But with double recoil from Ferro on the switch in, it’s gonna hurt him just as much as it hurts me.
Surprised no one has posted these:
OU: CelebiTran
Celebi @ leftoversAbility: Nature CureEVs: 172 HP, 152 Sp. Atk, 184 SpeedNature: Modest- Leaf Storm- HP Ice- Recover- U-Turn
Heatran @ LeftoversAbility: Flash FireEVs: 240 HP, 252 Sp. Def, 16 SpeedNature: Calm- Lava Plume- Stealth Rock/ Roar- Toxic- Protect
Celebi and Heatran cover each other’s weaknesses, Celebi being able to take Ground, Water and Fighting hits, and Heatran being able to wall every type Celebi is weak to.
Heatran doesn’t really need Sp. Atk investment to be able to deal some good damage, so it can be made defensive while having some offensive presence.
UU: Cofagrigus/ Porygon2
Cofagrigus @ LeftoversAbility: MummyEVs: 252 HP, 252 Sp. Def, 4 DefNature: Calm- Shadow Ball- Will-O-Wisp- Haze- Pain Split
Porygon2 @ EvioliteAbility: AnalyticEVs: 252 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 4 DefNature: Modest/ Quiet- Thunderbolt- Ice Beam- HP Fire/ Fighting- Recover
Cofagrigus actually works quite well as a sp. def wall, since it’s sp. def isn’t that shabby, and it already has Will-O-Wisp to deal with physical attackers, in addition to Mummy negating things like Technician, Guts, Sheer Force or Skill Link. It also negates set up Pokemon/ Baton Passers with Haze, which is a really useful move.
Cofagrigus will provide the Fighting immunity, Porygon2 will provide the Ghost immunity and the Dark neutrality. Por2 has enough bulk to wall a few neutral moves as well as deal some pretty substantial damage with Analytic.
Blissey/ Chansey will also work in place of Porygon2, but that’d have to OU and it would mean that neither Pokemon would be able to deal much damage (unless you Toxic stall).
This offensive core is quite powerful. It is very potent and works very well in OU:
Weavile@ life orb or expert beltAbility: pressureEV’s: 252 att/ 252 speed/ 4 hpnature: +speed -sp attice punchnight slashlow kickfake out/ ice shardThis guy was made for OU. STAB ice and dark moves. Fake out is mostly for multiscale dragonite (allowing him to take on all of the OU dragons). Ice shard is for revenge killing. Use life orb with ice shard and use expert belt with fake out.
Alakazam@ life orbAbility: magic guardEV’s: 252 speed/ 252 spatt/ 4 hpnature: +speed -attpsychichidden power fireshadow ballfocus blastAlakazam is a beast in OU. His coverage is amazing, and he can kill pretty much anything that weavile can’t. Especially those annoying steel types.
Here is ru.Absol@life orbTrait super luckSwords danceSuperpowerPsysco cutSucker punce
Siglyph@leftoversCosmic powerStored powerRecoverAir slash
They cover each other awesomely. Sigyliph deals with bug and fighting and dark and electric is killed by absol. So sigyliph uses stored,power 3 times making a gengar shadow ball do 20%. Which also makes stored power Lethal. Air slash kills the bugs. Absol is kills dark and rock with super power. Electric will just be overpowered.I’m going to complete this answer tomorrow.
Quagsire and bronzong(spelling?)
They both only have 1 weakness (if bronzong has levitate) and 1 resists the others 1 weakness and they are both bulky and hard to take down.
These are the sets I use with this core.
Bronzong @ leftoversCalm nature 252hp 252spdef 4spatkStealth rocks, toxic, flashcannon, psychicLevitate ability
Quagsire @ leftoversRelaxed nature 252hp 252def 4atkScald, e.q, recover, swaggerUnaware ability
Quagsire is a little odd I know but its unaware ignores the atk boost of swagger but they still hurt themselves more and scald can burn the switch ins cuz they’ll switch out of frustration lol.
This is a core I used on my volt-turn team. It has amazing synergy:Staraptor@ sitrus berryreckless252 att/ 252 spe/ 4 hp+spe -sp attbrave birdclose combatdouble edgeu-turnStaraptor is very underrated in OU he destroys things with his moves. Sitrus berry allows you to attack longer. Stealth rocks and recoil take their toll.
Jolteon@ life orbvolt absorb252 sp att/ 252 spe/ 4 hp+spe -attvolt switchthunderboltshadow ballHP iceJolteon is very fast so a strong volt switch set is great for him. His other moves are for coverage.
This core works very much like Joltdos or Gyareon (Jolteon and Gyarados), except that this is a volt-turn core. Ground moves aimed at Jolteon do nothing to Staraptor, and electric moves aimed at Staraptor heal Jolteon’s HP.
My JelliGross Jellicent+ Metagross
These to work surprisingly well together
Jellicent @ leftoversEvs: 252 Hp/ 200 sp defense/ 56 sp attackTrait: water absorb-Hydro Pump-protect-recover- willow wisp
This set allows jellicent to burn any threats to it or metagross. Hydro pump is more reliable than water spout if jellicent isnt full health It takes down or does serious damage to ground type Pokemon that threaten metagross. protect is to stall when the oppenent is burned or for metagross to dispose of it without threatening jellicent. recover is there to keep jellicent running for longer.
Metagorss @ steel Gem or muscle bandEvs: 252 attack/ 200 defense/ 56 special defenseTrait: clear body-meteor mash-bullet bunch- earthquake-hammer harm
having the ability clear body ables metagross do use hammer arm without the lowering of speed. hammer arm counters dark type threats to jellicent while meteor mash usualy OHKO any ghost type threats when steel gem is used. bullet punch is to quickly finish of what jellicent may have started and earthquake is often good to use on opposing metagross.
Over all this core works nicely and I would recommend it on any team
