What can Calm Mind variants set up on?
CM variants should have no trouble using non-TBolt Latis, Clefable, Azumarill, Scizor without Superpower, Jirachi, Dragalge, and bulky waters like Slowbro, Starmie, Tentacruel lacking Haze, and Alomomola as setup fodder. Depending on whether or not we give it Taunt, it can also win the CM war against Suicune (which otherwise beats us via Pressure). It's also slightly crippled by TWave from Slowbro which, once again, Taunt would be neat for avoiding. It would be really nice if it could set up on Ferrothron and Rotom given that they will most likely wall the DD set.
What can Dragon Dance variants set up on?
Same as the CM variants minus bulky Waters and Ferrothorn which it won't be able to beak past. The DD set will probably use their offensive presence and force switches in order to set up, or use its bulk to take a hit and then sweep. So it won't be able to really safely set up on anything, rather threatening the likes of Heatran, Talonflame, Gliscor, Tyranitar to get to +1.
What threatens Calm Mind variants before setup? What threatens them after?
Both before and after setup, offensive Ground types like Landorus and Garchomp threaten CM, however they generally cannot take a Scald so they can't properly switch in. Fighting types like Breloom also pose a huge threat, Keldeo particularly since it uses it as setup fodder for its Sub CM set. Our CAP is also vulnerable to Celebi who can NP or PSong our CAP away, though other bulky Grass types like MVenu will have trouble breaking past it after one CM, and Amoonguss has to rely on Spore since Clear Smog doesn't affect Steel types. Altaria can use it as setup fodder if running DD since CM will almost certainly not run Flash Cannon, and instead opt for a monoattacking set with Scald. MGyarados can also set up over it very easily. If we don't give it a way to evade it, some Taunt users like Mew, Gliscor (who runs SpD and can actually take Scalds surprisingly well thanks to that), Gardevoir, Azelf, Skarmory, and Mandibuzz can stop a sweep cold. Roar is less common and easier to play around due to its negative priority but can still phaze our CAP away. Burn and Knock off can somewhat whittle our CAP down but aren't exactly full stops. Serperior cleanly Leaf Storms its way through the CAP. And while uncommon, Gastrodon and Toxicroak both have Water immunity and stop the CM set cold. Also, TrickScarf and Gothitelle specifically is a massive bitch but hey, what are you gonna do about that.
What threatens Dragon Dance variants before setup? What threatens them after?
Before setup, faster offensive Pokemon that can outspeed and greatly damage our CAP in general, such as Raikou, Lopunny, and are a threat to it, but they can easily be defeated once it gets to +1. After that, as offensive checks go, Manectric is probably the best, cutting its attack thanks to Intimidate. Metagross can almost certainly take one hit from full and OHKO back with Hammer Arm. Bisharp looks like a real problem since Sucker Punch will probably hurt our CAP a lot. Depending on how fast we make this CAP, faster scarfers like Garchomp and Terrkion can check it, as can Sand Rush Excadrill and Mega Swampert. Thundurus can paralyse our CAP, but it can't actually take a hit. Zapdos, like most electric types, takes on this CAP pretty well. In fact, generic physical walls like Mandibuzz and Skarmory can also stop the DD set. Bulky waters like Slowbro and Manaphy which lost to the CM set will easily take on this one, unless it runs something like Taunt which would be hard to fit on a DD set. Bulky Grass types like MVenu, Ferrothorn and Chensaught are also threatening to the set.
What threatens both sets without setup? After setup?
As mentioned, Keldeo is the single biggest threat to our CAP, and will counter both variants, unless we give DD the appropriate coverage to beat it which is defenitely an option, and a very good one I might add. For Rotom, it's the other way round : DD will almost certainly lose to it, but CM could potentially get enough bulk to handle it. Sand Rush Excadrill is an universal check but can't switch in on any Water move from any set. Swampert in Rain has an easier time switching in, though, and once again, checks both. Celebi can probably handle both sets well. Gastrodon looks like a good counter to both sets. Breloom can potentially set up SDs on CM or Mach Punch its way through DD. Metagross can check any variant without too much difficulty. Zapdos and MGyara look like great answers to both sets as well.
So essentially, if we play our cards right, some bulky waters and bulky grass types will beat one set while some will beat the other.
