Ultra Beast - VGC 17 Counters

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	@h@Key Findings!

			*Alolan-Marowak and Alolan-Muk check or counter many of the top threats of this generation! However, it is 				important not to rely on 1 check to cover all of these threats. Since A-Marowak has to take up to 60% damage to check some of these pokemon, it can be worn down by spamming multiple UBs and Tapus. Bring another niche counter to avoid being overrun by faggots.

			*Most of the UBs have a limited and predictable movepool, but still remain dangerous due to coverage options, or because normal threats & checks are banned under the VGC`17 format.

			*Scarfed Pokemon keep coming up on the counters list. There are some recurring staples, such as [Scarf Gengar]
					(who has something to say about each of the Tapus as well as some Ultra Beasts)

			*Trick Room simultaneously counters many of the Ultra Beasts and Tapus and is immensely difficult to set up due to the raw power of the Legendaries.

			*There are few, if any, true counters to some of these pokemon. However, those pokemon in question are 2HKOed by many things.

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Pheromosa: "137/137/151? Banned to Ubers! Fuck this shit!" Now hold on, friend. Bug/Fighting is bad STAB on Ghosts and Pheromosa has nothing to hit them besides Hidden Power.
My good friend and completely unbiased commentator [Shedinja] also says Pheromosa is fine for Smogon OU Singles.
Its movepool is Bounce/High Jump Kick/Bug Buzz/Hidden Power/Taunt/Ice Beam/Protect/Return/Focus Blast/Poison Jab/U-turn.
In other words, Its coverage is Bug/Fighting/Ice/Poison/Normal. Pheromosa has 37/37 defenses and mediocre HP, so it has no time to use any of the support moves in its movepool,
of which there are not many anyway.
	[FAKE OUT] stop it from fucking attacking.
	[Intimidate] can control its HJKing if it is carrying that move (it probably WILL be carrying that move btw)

	[Alolan-Marowak] is not bothered by anything Pheromosa does. Flame Charges back for an easy KO.
	[Scizor] Bullet Punch guaranteed OHKO
	[Scarf Gengar] Outspeed guaranteed OHKO Sludge Bomb
	[Scarf Salamence] outspeeds, OHKO with Aerial Ace
	[Scarf Alakazam] outspeeds, OHKO with Psychic
	[Arcanine] Can survive one attack. 2HKO ExtremeSpeed (kills before dying, due to ExtremeSpeed priority).
	[A-Raichu] in Electric Terrain, outspeeds. Can OHKO with Psychic.


Can't do much to Ghosts. Just use a priority move. It's not as scary by itself as people would have you believe. Many things can handle it.









Xurkitree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw33u53rF3c
Fast and frail. Predictable moveset. Can only really run the following set, and can only really run Choice Scarf:
Thunderbolt/Energy Ball/Dazzling Gleam/Hidden Power Fire
This will be one of the premier threats of the metagame, so every team must have an answer.
This pokemon is difficult to handle due to its actually-decent defenses on top of monster SpA.

"IT GETS TAIL GLOW YOU IDIOT" - That's a bad set that will only beat scrubs. If it is using Tail Glow, you know it isn't Scarfed. Only the Scarf sets are hard to deal with.
If it isn't scarfed, anything with base 84 Speed or better can beat it. It doesn't have anything to increase its Speed stat. The only real worry is that it will get a Sub up after Tail Glowing, but if
you let this happen you fucking suck. The following counters are designed for Scarfed Xurkitree (believe me, the counters list would open up immensely if you assume no Scarf)

	[Fake Out] Have your field partner use Fake Out and then any of the following slow counters attack it. Finish with a fast priority move next turn if not killed.
	[Assault Vest] may be a useful item, because Xurkitree attacks only the Special Defense stat.
	[Knock Off] Because Scarf is such an important item on Xurkitree, if you can manage to Knock Off while it's switching it, or Knock Off from the pokemon it
			doesn't OHKO, then it will be easier to deal with.
	[Light Screen] Since this pokemon only has Special moves, Light Screen will help you.
	[Trick Room] will help because Xurkitree relies on his Choice Scarf. Mudsdale and other TR sweepers can take care of it under TR.

	[Garchomp] with Roseli Berry takes only 29% to 34% damage from Dazzling Gleam, guarantees OHKO with EQ.
	[Redirection moves] Since this pokemon is a single-target-attacker, it is vulnerable to redirection like Rage Powder.
	[Alolan-Marowak] Takes no damage from anything this fucker does. You can even give it a free Tail Glow and it only manages 72% with Energy Ball.
			Marowak OHKOs almost twice-over with a single Bonemerang. Make sure your Marowak has LightningRod you fuck.
	[Alakazam] Alakazam takes 99% damage from Xurkitree's Thunderbolt. However, Alakazam outspeeds Xurkitree even when Alakazam is running a Modest nature.
			Alakazam can't OHKO, but it can do 85% damage. Alakazam needs a redirecting field partner, such as A-Marowak or Friend Guard Follow Me Clefairy,
			to keep it safe so it can deal 2 turns of damage. Alternatively, anything else that is faster than Scarf Xurkitree and can do minimal damage (20%)
			to it. OR, you could run anything with Helping Hand, and Alakazam becomes able to guaranteed OHKO Xurkitree with Psychic.
	[Alolan-Muk] with 248 HP, 252 Atk, 8 SpDef takes an unboosted hit and can almost OHKO with Gunk Shot. With an Allied pokemon Helping Hand it will kill.
	[Mudsdale] checks if you're a Trick Room user.
	[Parasect] can redirect with Rage Powder. If the enemy doesn't realize this is going to happen, or if the enemy does not have HP Fire, then Parasect actually
			tanks fairly well. He can be EVed specifically for this job.
	[Clefairy] using Follow Me, can redirect and survive for 2 turns while another pokemon attacks it directly.
	[Dragonite] can tank the Thunderbolt using Multiscale from full HP and Earthquake back (it doesn't OHKO but he can ExtremeSpeed next turn and pick up the kill)
	[Lucario] Can outspeed with Scarf, OHKO with Adaptability Close Combat.
	[Scarf Krookodile] Useful pokemon with Intimidate (one of the few Intimidaters of Alola region).
			OHKOs with STAB Earthquake. Can learn useful moves for the rest of your team like Knock Off.
	[Scarf Flygon] Earthquake doesn't OHKO but Earth Power is a guaranteed OHKO with +68 SpA investment
	[Whimsicott] has access to Prankster Light Screen which can lessen the blow on pokemon like Garchomp, Dragonite, Muk, Marowak, and others, so that they they
			have more chances to kill Xurkitree. In a pinch, Whimsicott can use Memento (or even Z-Memento) to reduce Xurkitree's SpA by 2 stages, bringing
			in a fresh sweeper to take advantage of the momentum switch.

	One of the best strategies is to just have [Alolan-Marowak] on the field, because all Xurkitree really wants to do is spam his happy Thunderbolt.
	If you've got LightningRod, plus any Fire-type Pokemon on the field, Xurkitree can't do much on his own. Arcanine can easily 2HKO it back.
	The problem with this strate becomes Xurkitree's field partner. If it has any Water- or Ground-type Pokemon on the field, you're boned.
	You could try [A-Marowak] + [Shiinotic], which fairs better. Shiinotic can survive any of Xurkitree's attacks (even HP Fire is a 3HKO) and Spore it immediately.
	However, many Xurkitree will be under Electric Terrain which prevents sleep.
	You could try [A-Marowak] + any pokemon that protects. It may be necessary to bring Wide Guard as the enemy Xurkitree's allied pokemon may use Earthquake or Surf
	against Marowak
	Another strategy to deal with it is to use Trick Room.

	Basically you are going to want to use a Scarfer of your own to outspeed and do damage. Options are limited because you need a Ground move to kill it, probably STAB,
	and most Ground types are slow. Also troubling is the fact that Earthquake damage will be reduced by 25% because it is an AoE attack in Doubles, which is just enough
	reduction in damage to allow Xurkitree to survive for 1 move and murder something.










Buzzwole: High Physical bulk, Base 139 Atk, Base 79 Speed. There's no question, the counter to this pokemon is to hit it on its weak Special Defense stat.

Relevant moves:
		Brick Break/Gyro Ball/Earthquake/Thunder Punch/Ice Punch/Roost/Substitute/Rock Slide

	[Fake Out] As always in Doubles, it is important to control the tempo. Keeping offensive threats like Buzzwole under control is important.
		Delaying his murderous rampage by just 1 turn is enough to get ~70% damage on him and kill him next turn, possibly with a Priority move.
		There are a lot of pokemon that can deal about 60% to 70% damage to Buzzwole (this pattern is true for many dangerous sweepers, some even on this list).
		If you can use Fake Out to buy yourself one more turn and use that turn to its maximum effect, you can dispatch of Buzzwole before it does
		damage to your team.

	[Tapu Lele] outspeeds, OHKOs with Dazzling Gleam guaranteed
	[Tapu Fini] takes decent damage from Thunder Punch, but if he doesn't have that then you're golden. 2HKO with Dazzling Gleam.
	[Air Slash] If your sweeper learns Air Slash as a coverage move, you can bring it for this fucker.
	[Dragonite] Can Hurricane under Rain if you brought it.
	[Arcanine] or any fast Fire move.
	[Alolan-Marowak] can survive any attack from Buzzwole and OHKO back with Flame charge.
	[Xurkitree] Dazzling Gleam but it will only do 68% at best
	Various [Fairies] can 2HKO with Dazzling Gleam. One example is Tapu Koko, but Koko needs to worry about Earthquake.
	[Alakazam] checks. Psychic OHKO
	[Kartana] Aerial Ace.
	Options are limited because Birds suck dick in this generation, Talonflame was nerfed, and Staraptor is illegal in VGC 17.
	Also, Air Slash distribution is garbage.
	[Tapu Koko] Brave Bird
	[Celesteela] takes 54% from Thunder Punch, has a chance to OHKO with Air Slash.

WATCH OUT FOR TRICK ROOM TEAMS THAT USE THIS POKEMON TO SWEEP! SOME OF THE COUNTERS WILL NO LONGER WORK WITHOUT SPEED ADVANTAGE.
YOU MUST PREDICT THE TRICK ROOM AND STOP IT FROM SETTING UP.






Kartana: Base 181 Atk, Base 131 Def, 109 Spe. All other stats shit. Dies literally to Charmander Ember.
	Moves: Sacred Sword/Aerial Ace/X-Scissor/Smart Strike/Leaf Blade/Return/Vacuum Wave
You shouldn't have to worry about Swords Dance. Aside from enemy redirection, there's no way it can waste time Swords Dancing. It's too frail.
Vacuum Wave also shouldn't be used because Kartana generally can't afford to not kill something every turn. If it leaves something alive on the enemy's side of the field, it dies.
Playing Kartana is about killing your own counters before they can kill you.

	[Intimidate] it. Intimidate users legal for VGC 17: Gyarados, Arcanine, Stoutland, Krookodile, Salamence, Granbull

	[Lucario] Barely outspeeds and will probably need to run a +Spe nature in case Kartana also does.
	[Alolan-Marowak] can survive and kill with Flame Charge.
	[Xurkitree] Scarfed only. HP Fire easy KO
	[Scarf Magneton] Hidden Power Fire
	[Arcanine] tanks any hit that Kartana has, even if it has a +2 boost. Obviously OHKOs.
	[A-Muk] needs to carry Fire Punch: up to 93% damage on Kartana
	[Any fast Special sweeper with HP Fire]
	[Alakazam if it has HP Fire]

Doesn't like Fire types. Not attacking them, not taking hits from them. Arcanine is a specifically-designed counter to this pokemon.








Nihilego: Has odd stats compared to the other UBs. 109/53/47/127/131/103 Rock/Poison type.
	This is the first UB analyzed that has support moves!
	Support Moves: Venom Drench/Tickle/Safeguard/Clear Smog/Stealth Rock/T-Wave/Trick Room/Light Screen/Toxic
	Attacking Moves: Power Gem/Sludge Bomb/Sludge Wave/Dazzling Gleam/Charge Beam/Psychic/Thunderbolt
Nobody talks about this thing, but it is pretty dangerous. It has many options and good coverage.

	Since it's a rock/poison, let's try some Ground moves.

	[Garchomp] is outsped by ONE. FUCKING. POINT. Garchomp OHKOs with Earthquake easily.
	[Scarf Krookodile] EQ
	[Katarna] Smart Strike
	[Lucario] Bullet Punch does 90%. Close combat kills guaranteed.
	[A-Muk] can switch in but can't do much afterwards.
	[Scarf Flygon] OHKO
	[Trevenant] takes 39% or less from Nihilego. Does a Wood Hammer for 66%.
	[Dragonite] can OHKO with Earthquake
	[Alolan-Dugtrio] Outspeeds, OHKOs
	[Celesteela] Earthquake or Iron Head if you didn't bring EQ.
	[Crabominable under TR] shitty crab is useful for something, OHKO Earthquake
	[Mudsdale under TR] Earthquake nice horse





Celesteela: another pokemon with odd stats compared to other UBs. 97/101/103/107/101/61. Thing is slow.
	Steel/flying.
	Movepool: Flash Cannon/Rock Slide/Gyro Ball/Heavy Slam/Flame Charge/Fire Blast/Energy Ball/Earthquake/Return/Seed Bomb/Explosion/Solar Beam/Iron Head
		/Giga Drain/Air Slash/Stone Edge/Smart Strike/Double-Edge
	Support Movepool: Metal Sound/Wide Guard
Deep movepool, good stats to launch attacks. Counters depend on the set it's running. Its best coverage is something like Iron Head/Air slash/Fire Blast/Energy Ball
One of few good pokemon that is also immune to Earthquake this generation. Expect to see it on a lot of teams with Garchomp and whatever, especially because it knows Steel moves.

	Electric attacks hurt it [Alolan-Raichu], [Tapu Koko], [Jolteon], [Xurkitree].
	[Arcanine] can outspeed and kill it with Flare Blitz guaranteed.
	[Alolan-Marowak] can survive the EQ, which is 3HKO at max EV and non-boosting nature, and do 77% to 91% with Flame Charge.

Celesteela is slow and will die to fire and electric moves.








Guzzlord: thing is pure crap. you won't see it because the metagame will be dominated by fairies.
Use any fairy move to remove it. Even Tapu Koko's weak Dazzling Gleam kills it.
	[Tapu Lele] outspeeds and kills 5 times over.
	Even under Trick Room this this sucks dick.