What's the best way to deal with Z-Geomancy Xerneas? Particularly this spread.
Xerneas @ Fairium Z
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 24 SpA / 36 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Rest
- Ingrain
I've been using SpD P-Don and SpD Solgaleo to check standard Geo-Xern, but neither can check this set at all in my experience. At +1 Def, Xerneas is bulky enough to win a trade against SpD P-Don (because it lacks recovery) and also SpD Solgaleo. Sunsteel Strike doesn't come close to 2HKOing, so Xerneas can set-up Ingrain and then Rest off the damage.
0 Atk Groudon-Primal Precipice Blades vs. +1 248 HP / 200+ Def Xerneas: 112-133 (24.6 - 29.2%) -- possible 5HKO after Ingrain recovery
+3 24 SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Groudon-Primal: 168-198 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
44 Atk Solgaleo Sunsteel Strike vs. +1 248 HP / 200+ Def Xerneas: 152-182 (33.4 - 40%) -- 27.9% chance to 3HKO after Ingrain recovery
+3 24 SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 212 HP / 252+ SpD Solgaleo: 169-199 (36.1 - 42.5%) -- 94.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
While +3 SpA Moonblast also fails to 2HKO Solgaelo, Xerneas can easily outlast it by alternating Moonblasts and Rest because Sunsteel Strike and Morning Sun both only have a measly 8 PP.
Any suggestions? This particular Xerneas set seems to be increasing in popularity, so I'm wondering how to prepare for it without sacrificing too much utility.
the best check I can think of is regular defensive pdon with roar. switch into xern the turn it geomancies, and then roar. you might not want to have that as your only check tho, since you'll be using it for other roles too
When will there be viability rankings for Sun/Moon Ubers?
probably once the meta "stabilizes" and the new toy sydrome wears off. Maybe a month or two?
Even though they are very limited Celebrate Ho-Oh, Celebrate Rayquaza and Happy Hour Jirachi are/will be available. Would sets with the Z-versions of said moves be viable at all for these Pokémon?
Not likely.
Ho-Oh is base 90 speed, which means that pretty much anything running investment can outspeed it and ohko with stone edge. The main reason that Ho-oh is so good is because it's a good xern check, not because it's good in general.
Ray kind of suffers from the same problem, although to a somewhat lesser extent. (remember, there's a reason why swords dance ray isnt very good). It boosts turn 1, opp switches in scarf xern or waterceus, and ohkoes. It does have priority though, which means that it is somewhat better than celebrate ho-oh. I could see it as an "eh" physical wallbreaker, but it would probably be outclassed by the band set anyway.
Jirachi has the same problen as well, considering the fact that virtually every decent team has Pdon on it.