Cool Girl

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You core has been added! Thank you! I also added some cores if you guys want to check them out!

Infinity

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Thank you! I have added it! That's exactly what I was looking for Do you have a name for this core? (Just like the previous user named it "AV Metagross + Rocky Helmet Garchomp)

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Thank you very much!

Thank you! I'm glad you like it! I did this to help people with their teambuilding! And yes, please explain it! Also, what does AV mean?

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Before we start, I give huge credit to Smogon who really tried to help me understand what cores and synergy is. You can also find their guide on cores and synergy here: http://www.smogon.com/smog/issue39/synergy-cores-teambuilding Also, some parts I copy-pasted from Smogon, I will let you know which parts are those from Smogon. I also want to give huge credit to Smogon as it has been very helpful writing this guide) Anyways, off we go! I - Introduction So, in order to help people with their team building, I thought we should make a core thread. So, what is a core? In order to know what a core is, let's start with what is synergy. Knowing about Cores and Synergy will really help you make a great competitive team. So, off you go reading, young trainee! II - Synergy What is Synergy? Synergy - "The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects." (Copy-pasted off Smogon, all credits for that sentence goes to Smogon) So, basically synergy is how well two or more pokémon can work together. This is a basic part of teambuilding. If you are a beginner, I recommend you know about pokémon types, such as what type each pokémon are and which type they are weak to. Now, there are two types of synergy: synergy through typing and synergy through Checks and Counters Synergy through typing Synergy through typing is when two pokémon or more pokémon can cover each other's weaknesses. Here's an example (gonna use the example from Smogon) Venusaur is weak to Physic, Ice, Flying, and Fire. Heatran is weak to Ground, Fighting, and Water. Heatran can cover Venusaur's weakness. Why? Well, because Heatran is immune to fire and resists Venusaur's other three types. Also, Venusaur can cover Heatran's weaknesses. Why? Well, sure Venusaur gets hit by Ground type, but it resists Heatran's other two types, which is Fighting and Water. That is Synergy through typing, now let's talk about synergy through checks and counters Synergy through Checks and Counters Synergy through checks and counters takes a different approach to synergy; instead of each Pokémon covering the other's weaknesses through its typing, check and counter synergy involves twoPokémon that work well together because each can remove the other's specific checks and counters. This type of synergy aims to give let each Pokémon give its teammate an easier time fulfilling its role, whether it's walling or sweeping, by removing the Pokémon that stop it from doing so. The combination of Mega Gyarados and Talonflame is the perfect example of check and counter synergy. While they don't have the best type synergy, each excels in defeating its partner's counters, opening up opportunities for their partner to sweep. Mega Gyarados is a deadly sweeper but is often hindered by the likes of Keldeo, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Talonflame can help Mega Gyarados by taking down these Pokémon with its super effective STAB attacks. In the same vein, Talonflame is stopped by its fair share of counters, such as Heatran, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon. Mega Gyarados can assist Talonflame's sweep by destroying these Pokémon. This is an illustration of a great synergetic pair through checks and counters. (This part I copy-pasted off Smogon. I give absolute credit to them) III-Cores What are Cores? Cores are groups of two or more Pokémon that have synergy through their typing, through checks and counters, or both. (Copy-pasted off Smogon. I give credit to them) ​Types Of Cores There are two types of cores: offensive and defensive cores. There are also balanced cores. Balanced cores are a combination of both offensive and defensive pokémon. Offensive cores are focused on elimination other pokémon fast with high-powered attacks. They are made of bulky attackers and sweepers. Defensive cores are focused on wearing down the opponent and stopping offensive threats. They are made of walls and very bulky attackers, but from my personal experience, most defensive cores are made of walls. Building Your Own Core Building your own core isn't easy, on the contrary, it is very difficult, but it happens that you may accidentally encounter one, but a core doesn't definitely come off of the top of your head. The key to building a good core is that they have both kinds of synergy: synergy through typing and synergy through checks and counters. A good way to start building your own core is to select a pokémon and to identify its weaknesses and checks/counters. Next, try to find a pokémon that covers the other pokémon's weakness. Don't forget to take into account the pokémon's base stats! After you finish building the core, test it out in battles and see how it goes. If it works out for you, then good for you. If not, then tweak it and keep testing it. Building a great core takes a lot of patience. IV-Conclusion So, we covered everything about cores and synergy. However, this is not everything about team building. It is only a part of teambuilding. There is still a lot to learn about teambuilding such as walls, special attackers, physical attackers......But, that is for another time, I believe. Now that we got all this down! Time to build some great cores! Post your cores here and I'll add them to the list! Here's an example of how you can post your core (this is not me, this is copy-pasted off of Smogon) Offensive Core Keldeo + Mega Metagross Keldeo @ Leftovers (that was my example of an item since Smogon didn't have an item on Keldeo) Ability: Justified EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature - Substitute - Calm Mind - Scald - Secret Sword Metagross @ Metagrossite Ability: Clear Body --> Tough Claws EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Meteor Mash - Earthquake / Hammer Arm - Ice Punch / Pursuit - Zen Headbutt Also, if you guys have replays of how the core is used, that might be really helpful too! Also, feel free to tweak other people's cores! Double Ubers OU RU Ubers UU ~Credits~

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