VGC / Battle Spot / Doubles OU Cores Thread

[Black117]

- Pokémon featured: Mega Gengar and Whimsicott
- Metagame: Battle Spot Doubles (VGC 15)
- Core Type: Hyper Offensive
- Sets:

Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Disable
- Protect

Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Taunt
- Encore
- Tailwind
- Moonblast / Giga Drain

Introducing the infamous Prankster Encore / Disable core of Mega Gengar and its partner in crime Whimsicott. To begin, once Gengar Mega Evolves into Mega Gengar, it gains the ability Shadow Tag, which prevents all Pokemon aside Ghost-types from escaping via switch. With Mega Gengar's insane base 170 Special Attack stat, the opponent have to choose whether to takeconsiderable damage from one of its STABs, or possible use Protect to scout, or avoid any harm. The problem with using "Protect" comes with Whimsicott as it can lock the opponent into the move with Prankster Encore. Mega Gengar can then use Disable to prevent the target from using move "Protect", or any move that puts the opposing side in an unfavorable advantage. If such a scenario occurs, the opponent will be "forced" to struggle to until the Encore ends, though Whimsicott can easily do it again with its priority Prankster ability. Note that Shadow Tag will prevent the opposing Pokemon from switch, and locking the Pokemon into indefinite struggle unless they are knocked out, or Mega Gengar faints.

Keep in mind, this core can act in a Hyper Offensive fashion with Mega Gengar's massive 170 Special attack, and Whimsicott's Prankster Fake Tears. If both potential targets are slower than either Mega Gengar / Whimsicott (chances are they are), then here's what they can do instead of Encore - Disable. Fakes Tears drops the target's Special Defense by -2, and vunerable to and Special Attacks. Now consider Fake Tears can always "goes" first with Whimsicott, then Mega Gengar can essentially eliminate almost target with its STAB Shadow Ball / Sludge Bomb. Keep in mind this is still a high risk, high reward combo as this requires "predicting" if the opponent will Protect with one of their mons. The only problem with that is the opponent has to consider whether the Encore - Disable threat is possible, making this core more so heavy in predictions and mind games.  

 

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- Pokémon featured:  Blaziken and Bisharp
- Metagame: Battle Spot Doubles (VGC 15)
- Core Type: Hyper Offense 
- Sets:

Blaziken @ Life Orb / Focus Sash / Blazikenite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 68 Atk / 196 SpA / 244 Spe or 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naive or Adamant Nature
- Overheat / Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Hidden Power Ice / Rock Slide
- Protect

Bisharp @ Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Protect

Despite being rather frail on both defensive ends and offensively weak to Ground-, and Water-type attacks, don't overestimate the pair between Blaziken and Bisharp. The gist of this core is essentially to attack whats in front of these two Pokemon, or use Protect to scout out a move while receiving no damage. The offensive typing of Fire / Fighting, and Dark / Steel forms perfect neutral coverage to where Blaziken and Bisharp can deal heavy or super effective damage if possible. For Blaziken, it can use protect to "increase" its speed with the Speed Boost ability one stage per turn until maxed out. Most of the time, Blaziken will run the Life Orb item to ensure OHKOs against Mega Kangaskhan, Amoonguss, Heatran,  and 4 HP Landorus-T Mega Salamence, etc. Mega Blaziken is potential option to use if the Life Orb is on Bisharp, or if the players wants the addtional power and speed. Bisharp can deal with most Psychic-type Pokemon like Cresselia, Lati@s, and Meta Metagross, while deter the opponent from using stat reduction stategies like Icy Wind, Snarl, or most likely Intimidate spam. STAB Sucker Punch allows Bisharp to bypass its slow speed and hit faster targets for decent damage, only if they've attacked themselves. Iron Head is used to hit Fairy-type Pokemon which can threaten this core, though it needs to be careful when dealing with Mega Gardevoir. This core requires a devent amount of prediction as it relies on getting those OHKOs before the opponent can respond.