Pokemon VGC 2015 Metagame Megathread
Dec 18, 2014, 01:13 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Thundur(us) dome! (Part 2)
There's no time to waste! Lets follow up with Thundurus Therian, while explaining good pair ups and weaknesses for both forms.
![[Image: 642-therian.gif]](http://media.pldh.net/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/642-therian.gif)
Typing: Electric/Flying
Weaknesses: Rock, Ice (x2)
Resistances: Fighting, Flying, Bug, Steel, Grass (1/2)
Immunity: Ground, Electric
Ability: Volt Absorb (Grants electric immunity, while healing 1/4 of it's max HP if it gets hit by an electric type move.
Stats-
HP: 79
Attack: 105
Defense: 70
Special Atk: 145
Special Def: 80
Speed: 101
The biggest differences from Thundurus-I is that the Therian form has an even stronger special attack stat, along with slightly less speed. Also lost some attack, but not too big of a deal. The higher special attack stat does make a difference, however. Even if it's only by a little, that little bit can make/break and OHKO-2KO. Thundurus-T's sets aren't as vast as Thundurus-I, but they sure do work well.
-Special Attacker-
Thundurus-Therian @ Life Orb/Zap Plate
EVs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Ice]/[Flying]
- Protect
This is a great and oowerful set. Zap plate is there if you already have a life orb user. Thunderbolt hits incredibly hard, even against things that resist it. Feel free to use Thunder if you pair up with Politoed. Grass Knot hits ground types, heavy rock/water/ground that need to go. Especially Swampert. Protect works very well with Thundurus-T because usually, a player will choose to double up on it. I know you're sick of seeing HP Ice/Flying, but theyre too good to pass up. There is no wrong answer when it comes to picking ice or flying. It depends on your team.
248+ SpA Zap Plate Thundurus-T Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Azumarill: 176-210 (85 - 101.4%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
(As you can see, even max HP assault vest Azumarill has a chance to be OHKO'd. The reason why this is a big deal, is because most players opt for leftovers/choice band azu, and rarely do they go max HP.)
248+ SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Flying vs. 96 HP / 80 SpD Conkeldurr: 198-237 (103.1 - 123.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Here shows why running that massive attack investment works for you, this is the set up for trick room sweeping Conkeldurr. Rarely do you see this monster getting OHKO'd.)
248+ SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Salamence: 255-302 (149.1 - 176.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Not a surprise, but it's always funny to see.)
-Choiced-
Thundurus-Therian @ Choice Specs
EVs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Ice]/[Flying]
- Volt Switch
This is an old set from VGC 12. Some people run choice scarf on this set, I prefer choice specs. The only eyebrow raiser is volt switch. I know most players are used to only running thunderbolt. However, volt switch is used to "butter them up" if you will. Nothing that is weak to, or even neutral to electric wants to get hit by a volt switch. It can KO, to considerably weaken your target. Making late game clean up or same turn clean up very easy. You can be very clever with this. Say you're gonna use something like lava plume, surf, self destruct, or even sludge wave. You don't want your Thundurus getting hit by that. Volt switch, hit something hard, then go into something like Gastrodon to eat up your own surf. Or Scizor to not get hit by sludge wave- you get the idea. Don't sleep on volt switch.
248+ SpA Choice Specs Thundurus-T Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 176-210 (87.1 - 103.9%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
(Even specially defensive slowbro doesn't want to take a volt switch. Wanna KO that threat without getting hit? Volt switch on out. It should be noted that Ive never seen someone run max HP/SPD, but I just wanted to show the power. Also take note that mega slowbro has the SAME special defense as regular slowbro.)
248+ SpA Choice Specs Thundurus-T Hidden Power Flying vs. 0 HP / 132 SpD Hariyama: 224-266 (102.2 - 121.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Volt Switch does 60-70%, this is the trick room Hariyama set.)
248+ SpA Choice Specs Thundurus-T Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 72+ SpD Amoonguss: 186-218 (84.1 - 98.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Rage Powder? I invite it with open arms.)
-Favorite Pairs-
Mamoswine- Earthquake spamming and picking off things like lando with ice moves.
Hitmontop- If you played VGC in the past, you know why. These 2 are like best friends. fake out/taunt, fake out/thunder wave. It's not just fake out either. With access to wide guard, Thundurus can't get hit by rock slide. Watch and laugh.
Terrakion- Straight from VGC 11. Great way to take out other thundurus users. Running high speed on Thundurus-I to taunt their Thundurus first, then picking it off with rock slide. It works well for other match ups too. Terrakion hits hard, and paralyzing your opponents or having someone else to hit hard sure does help.
Heatran- May seem odd, but it isn't that too bad of an idea. Imagine Heatran with like 200 speed but with the same bulk and attack prowess. Scary, right? Thats what it feels like when you have T-Wave support with Thundurus.
-Any other pokemon who abuses earthquake/has average speed. Average speed mons enjoy being able to outspeed threats, where as who doesn't love popping earthquakes without hitting your other pokemon?
-The Threats-
Garchomp, Tyranitar, Terrakion, Landorus, and everything else who plans on destroying you with one rock slide. HOWEVER; Wide Guard solves this problem. Not too many people opt to use stone edge, but beware that too.
If using Thundurus-I, beware faster Thundurus users. They'll taunt you and render your shenanigans useless for a few turns.
Mamoswine- Rock slide, ice moves, and can't be thunderwaved. cry if you see this and get as far away as possible.
Things like Ferrothorn can also be an issue. However, Thundurus does have access to Focus Blast. It's rarely used, but maybe it'll be used more in this years format.
-Conclusion-
Both forms of Thundurus will be a threat, and I can't wait to see how both work out in high level play. It'll be a game full of mind games. Will they T-Wave? Substitute? Protect? Taunt? Is he choiced? Life orb? There's a lot of things to worry about, and thats part of what makes it so exciting. I hope this helped!
There's no time to waste! Lets follow up with Thundurus Therian, while explaining good pair ups and weaknesses for both forms.
Typing: Electric/Flying
Weaknesses: Rock, Ice (x2)
Resistances: Fighting, Flying, Bug, Steel, Grass (1/2)
Immunity: Ground, Electric
Ability: Volt Absorb (Grants electric immunity, while healing 1/4 of it's max HP if it gets hit by an electric type move.
Stats-
HP: 79
Attack: 105
Defense: 70
Special Atk: 145
Special Def: 80
Speed: 101
The biggest differences from Thundurus-I is that the Therian form has an even stronger special attack stat, along with slightly less speed. Also lost some attack, but not too big of a deal. The higher special attack stat does make a difference, however. Even if it's only by a little, that little bit can make/break and OHKO-2KO. Thundurus-T's sets aren't as vast as Thundurus-I, but they sure do work well.
-Special Attacker-
Thundurus-Therian @ Life Orb/Zap Plate
EVs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Ice]/[Flying]
- Protect
This is a great and oowerful set. Zap plate is there if you already have a life orb user. Thunderbolt hits incredibly hard, even against things that resist it. Feel free to use Thunder if you pair up with Politoed. Grass Knot hits ground types, heavy rock/water/ground that need to go. Especially Swampert. Protect works very well with Thundurus-T because usually, a player will choose to double up on it. I know you're sick of seeing HP Ice/Flying, but theyre too good to pass up. There is no wrong answer when it comes to picking ice or flying. It depends on your team.
248+ SpA Zap Plate Thundurus-T Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Azumarill: 176-210 (85 - 101.4%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
(As you can see, even max HP assault vest Azumarill has a chance to be OHKO'd. The reason why this is a big deal, is because most players opt for leftovers/choice band azu, and rarely do they go max HP.)
248+ SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Flying vs. 96 HP / 80 SpD Conkeldurr: 198-237 (103.1 - 123.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Here shows why running that massive attack investment works for you, this is the set up for trick room sweeping Conkeldurr. Rarely do you see this monster getting OHKO'd.)
248+ SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Salamence: 255-302 (149.1 - 176.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Not a surprise, but it's always funny to see.)
-Choiced-
Thundurus-Therian @ Choice Specs
EVs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Ice]/[Flying]
- Volt Switch
This is an old set from VGC 12. Some people run choice scarf on this set, I prefer choice specs. The only eyebrow raiser is volt switch. I know most players are used to only running thunderbolt. However, volt switch is used to "butter them up" if you will. Nothing that is weak to, or even neutral to electric wants to get hit by a volt switch. It can KO, to considerably weaken your target. Making late game clean up or same turn clean up very easy. You can be very clever with this. Say you're gonna use something like lava plume, surf, self destruct, or even sludge wave. You don't want your Thundurus getting hit by that. Volt switch, hit something hard, then go into something like Gastrodon to eat up your own surf. Or Scizor to not get hit by sludge wave- you get the idea. Don't sleep on volt switch.
248+ SpA Choice Specs Thundurus-T Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowbro: 176-210 (87.1 - 103.9%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
(Even specially defensive slowbro doesn't want to take a volt switch. Wanna KO that threat without getting hit? Volt switch on out. It should be noted that Ive never seen someone run max HP/SPD, but I just wanted to show the power. Also take note that mega slowbro has the SAME special defense as regular slowbro.)
248+ SpA Choice Specs Thundurus-T Hidden Power Flying vs. 0 HP / 132 SpD Hariyama: 224-266 (102.2 - 121.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Volt Switch does 60-70%, this is the trick room Hariyama set.)
248+ SpA Choice Specs Thundurus-T Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 72+ SpD Amoonguss: 186-218 (84.1 - 98.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Rage Powder? I invite it with open arms.)
-Favorite Pairs-
Mamoswine- Earthquake spamming and picking off things like lando with ice moves.
Hitmontop- If you played VGC in the past, you know why. These 2 are like best friends. fake out/taunt, fake out/thunder wave. It's not just fake out either. With access to wide guard, Thundurus can't get hit by rock slide. Watch and laugh.
Terrakion- Straight from VGC 11. Great way to take out other thundurus users. Running high speed on Thundurus-I to taunt their Thundurus first, then picking it off with rock slide. It works well for other match ups too. Terrakion hits hard, and paralyzing your opponents or having someone else to hit hard sure does help.
Heatran- May seem odd, but it isn't that too bad of an idea. Imagine Heatran with like 200 speed but with the same bulk and attack prowess. Scary, right? Thats what it feels like when you have T-Wave support with Thundurus.
-Any other pokemon who abuses earthquake/has average speed. Average speed mons enjoy being able to outspeed threats, where as who doesn't love popping earthquakes without hitting your other pokemon?
-The Threats-
Garchomp, Tyranitar, Terrakion, Landorus, and everything else who plans on destroying you with one rock slide. HOWEVER; Wide Guard solves this problem. Not too many people opt to use stone edge, but beware that too.
If using Thundurus-I, beware faster Thundurus users. They'll taunt you and render your shenanigans useless for a few turns.
Mamoswine- Rock slide, ice moves, and can't be thunderwaved. cry if you see this and get as far away as possible.
Things like Ferrothorn can also be an issue. However, Thundurus does have access to Focus Blast. It's rarely used, but maybe it'll be used more in this years format.
-Conclusion-
Both forms of Thundurus will be a threat, and I can't wait to see how both work out in high level play. It'll be a game full of mind games. Will they T-Wave? Substitute? Protect? Taunt? Is he choiced? Life orb? There's a lot of things to worry about, and thats part of what makes it so exciting. I hope this helped!
