If you remember back, it was just a couple of weeks ago that I wrote my last warstory featuring my rain team. Since then I have decided that it is no longer viable in the metagame and have been using a much more 'standard' team, if you like. Although I usually find the battles with these run-of-the-mill OU teams quite boring and repetitive, this one certainly was not.
It was against Nubchos (Nachos), who most of you will have heard of. Certainly a much more accomplished battler than myself. Our battle was definitely one of the best encounters I have had in a long time.
In the past I have been criticised for not having enough prediction in the battles I choose to retell. In this one, I plan on elaborating more on my thought process while I am in an engaging battle, and I sincerely hope I don't disappoint!
Thanks for reading =)
My Team:
Nubchos' Team will be posted at the end of the battle.
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Nicknames will be omitted.
Leftovers will be omitted (I'll tell you now that everyone on his team has Leftovers, and that only Skymin has them on mine)
Weather will be mentioned when it starts.
Score will be presented after each KO (Legacy Raider - Nubchos)
Health (in percentages) will be mentioned after every turn.
Battle text will be in bold.
My commentary will be in blue.
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Legacy Raider sent out Metagross.
Nubchos sent out Tyranitar.
Tyranitar's Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!
A sandstorm brewed!
vs
The opponent's lead usually gives away a lot about their strategy, allowing me to adapt my playstyle with that initial knowledge. If it is, say, an Infernape lead, I know that I am facing an offensive team and need to keep my Jolteon and Scizor alive to revenge kill threatening sweepers. If I am faced with a hungry hippo then I can rest assured that I am playing a stall match. But what does Nachos decide to give me? An ambiguous Tyranitar lead, which tells me nothing about what to expect.
My lead of choice is Metagross - a bulky Trick Scarf Metagross to be exact. Still, despite not knowing what I am playing against, Metagross vs Tyranitar is a very favourable match up for me. I outspeed it without a doubt, Meteor Mash is an easy 2HKO on even the bulkiest of Tyranitars, and Metagross can survive anything up to a CB Earthquake. This is all good for me so I am comfortable in choosing to open the game with a powerful Meteor Mash...
Metagross used Meteor Mash.
Metagross's attack missed!
Tyranitar used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Metagross lost 58% of its health.
Metagross - 42%
Tyranitar - 100%
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...which consequentially misses. And that Earthquake didn't hurt just a little bit either. I am forced to switch Metagross out because Meteor Mash won't OHKO a full health Tyranitar, and his Earthquake will kill me. I'm still not too worried though, seeing as I have a fine selection of flying types to switch in on the predicted ground attack.
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Legacy Raider switched in Gyarados.
Gyarados's intimidate cut Tyranitar's attack!
Tyranitar used Earthquake.
It doesn't affect Gyarados...
vs
Gyarados - 94%
Tyranitar - 100% (-1 Atk)
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So Gyarados gets a free switch in and is ready to cause some havoc. Well actually, no it isn't. I don't like the prospect of Gyarados meeting its full health counter so early on in the game, so, despite not having seen any evidence of Tyanitar's item, I choose to count on it being CB locked into Earthquake and having to switch. Seems like a perfect time to bring Metagross back in and complete my start-of-the-game set up.
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Legacy Raider switched in Metagross.
Tyranitar used Stealth Rock.
Pointed stones float in the air around your foe's team!
vs
Metagross - 42%
Tyranitar - 100% (-1 Atk)
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Ohh crap. Seems not so CB after all. In three turns Nachos has managed to cripple one of my pokemon, scout another, and set up Stealth Rock, while I have done absolutely nothing to him in return. Now I am faced once again with the leadoff scenario, but this time I am pretty badly crippled. The good news is that his Tyranitar has been intimdated by Gyarados and so can no longer produce an Earthquake powerful enough to kill Metagross straightaway. This gives me 3 options which I can now do seeing as giving him a Scarf is out of the question.
I can Meteor Mash away to be done with his Tyranitar; set up Stealth Rock now for team support but be forced to switch; or I can just Explode here and now and be pretty much guaranteed to take a chunk out of one of his pokemon.
Nachos is not stupid, I know that for a fact. He probably realises too that Tyranitar will get 2HKOed by Meteor Mash before it kills Metagross, and so will switch out to something that can take it. Well, seeing as I am already way behind him in the battle already, I decide to just cut my losses and Explode straight away.
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Nubchos switched in Skarmory.
Metagross used Explosion.
It's not very effective...
Skarmory lost 49% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Metagross fainted.
vs
Metagross - 0%
Skarmory - 49%
5 - 6
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The first blood of the game, and it happens to be a suicide. Skarmory comes in to take the Explosion yet still takes a respectable amount of damage. My Metagross is down, yet Nachos has now revealed that he intends on playing a game of stall. I also have a free switch in now - the perfect opportunity to bring in one of my sweepers and start gaining some momentum.
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Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
vs
Jolteon comes in to force Skarmory out. Thunderbolt will fry his metal bird on the spot, but being Specsed I really really don't want to be locked into an Electric attack so early on (very bad idea =P). Well, where there's a Skarmory, most likely a pink globule of fat won't be too far behind. Also there is the all too real risk of Tyranitar coming in to absorb the Thunderbolt and shredding my 'ittle Jolteon with a Pursuit, so Baton Pass will easily be my best option here.
Nubchos switched in Tyranitar.
Jolteon used Baton Pass.
Legacy Raider switched in Gyarados.
Gyarados's intimidate cut Tyranitar's attack!
Pointed stones dug into Gyarados.
Gyarados lost 25% of its health.
vs
Gyarados - 63%
Tyranitar - 100% (-1 Atk)
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Baton Pass did turn out to be the best option after all, allowing Jolteon to escape Tyranitar's clutches and giving me a switch in of choice. Gyarados and Tyranitar have faced each other once already this battle, and the last time I allowed Tyranitar to set up by holding back. There will be none of that this time. Knowing full well that Tyranitar will likely survive (seriously, that thing is a friggin beast defensively!) and Stone Edge Gyarados to oblivion, I once again take the risky route of just plain out attacking.
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Nubchos switched in Rotom-h.
Gyarados used Waterfall.
Rotom-h lost 49% of its health.
Gyarados lost 10% of its health.
vs
Gyarados - 47%
Rotom-H - 51%
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Rotom-H takes a good chunk of damage as it switches in to a Life Orb Waterfall. Gyarados is now under half health through Stealth Rock + Life Orb + Sandstorm, without having taken a single hit! And Rotom-H has just over half of its health left, and I am not too sure whether or not Gyarados can finish the job with another waterfall. That is assuming, after all, that Gyarados outspeeds the higher speed tier ghost.
Obviously my best option here is to switch, and this is where the thought out synergy of my team really comes into play. I can expect to take a Thunderbolt, a Will-O-Wisp, or at worst a Reflect. Jolteon minds none of these and needs no more reason to come straight back in.
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Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
Rotom-h used Discharge.
Jolteon's Volt Absorb absorbed damage!
Jolteon restored 25% of its health.
vs
Jolteon - 94%
Rotom-H - 51%
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And in it comes, healing off Stealth Rock damage along the way with Volt Absorb =). Personally I love the Jolteon/Gyarados combo, beats Gyaravire any day. Anyway, now time to make a decision. So far in this game I have been beating about the bush, thinking ahead and playing very riskily. I can fully expect that Nachos has picked up on the rashness of his opponent and might choose to leave Rotom in, expecting another preemptive Baton Pass. Likewise, he might assume that Jolteon has nothing to hurt Rotom with, which resists its STAB after all. Either way I come to the sketchy conclusion that I can risk a straightforward attack with a Shadow Ball.
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Jolteon used Shadow Ball.
It's super effective!
Rotom-h lost 51% of its health.
Nubchos's Rotom-h fainted.
vs
Jolteon - 88%
Rotom-H - 0%
5 - 5
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Yess! My first kill, and taking out Rotom didn't cost me anything at all! Like when fighting all stall teams, the biggest achievement is breaking the first link of the well wrought chain. With the rest of the links weakened one can now begin to chip away at them until they snap under the pressure.
Jolteon has done a great job, but sadly it is locked into Shadow Ball and is basically an invitation to Tyranitar saying 'Eat Me'. Fearing the dino coming back in, I wait...
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Nubchos switched in Machamp.
Legacy Raider switched in Gyarados.
Gyarados's intimidate cut Machamp's attack!
Pointed stones dug into Gyarados.
Gyarados lost 25% of its health.
vs
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
It's not very effective...
A critical hit!
Gyarados lost 22% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Gyarados fainted.
vs
Gyarados - 0%
Machamp - 100% (-1 Atk)
4 - 5
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Tyranitar is nowhere to be seen, but rather a Machamp takes its place. Jolteon can't do much to it at all with Shadow Ball, so I switch Gyarados back in as death fodder. It could only have gotten one more attack off anyway after Stealth Rock damage, and the Intimdate on Machamp will help my other pokes, so I don't see it as too big of a loss.
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Legacy Raider switched in Shaymin-S.
Pointed stones dug into Shaymin-S.
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
vs
Nubchos switched in Blissey.
Shaymin-S used Air Slash.
Blissey lost 11% of its health.
vs
Shaymin-S - 75%
Blissey - 89%
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Machamp is a royal pain to face and I want to get rid of it ASAP. I bring in the infamous Skymin to brush it away with an Air Slash, but who comes in to greet my attack but Blissey. Although I had predicted Blissey's presence on Nacho's team, it doesn't make facing it any more fun. Fucking whore. =P
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Legacy Raider switched in Tyranitar.
Pointed stones dug into Tyranitar.
Tyranitar lost 12% of its health.
Blissey used Ice Beam.
Tyranitar lost 11% of its health.
vs
Tyranitar - 77%
Blissey - 89%
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CB Tyranitar can switch in easily on almost any of Blissey's moves, beast that it is. Now I have a dilemna - Pursuit or Stone Edge? Pursuit will absolutely wreck Blissey if it chooses to switch, paving the way for one of my special sweepers to do their job. If, however, it stays in, Tyranitar will be the one forced to run. In the end I choose to go with a Stone Edge. Since he is not using a Hippowdon for his sand, almost everything he switches in will take a large hit from that 604 Attack.
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Nubchos switched in Machamp.
Tyranitar used Stone Edge.
It's not very effective...
Machamp lost 45% of its health.
vs
Tyranitar - 77%
Machamp - 55%
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Ah, that thing again. Machamp takes less than half its health from the Stone Edge and still stands, grinning. I need to keep Tyranitar alive here - with Metagross and Gyarados gone it is one of my best hopes against that blob of special wallingness. But Machamp, seriously, what the hell are you meant to switch into this thing? Gyarados or Metagross would have been nice, but as things stand, Scizor is my best choice of switch in.
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Legacy Raider switched in Scizor.
Pointed stones dug into Scizor.
Scizor lost 12% of its health.
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
Scizor lost 57% of its health.
Scizor became confused!
vs
Scizor - 31% (confused)
Machamp - 55%
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...OUCH. That Dynamicpunch hurt a bitch. Scizor is pretty much scrap metal now. The best I can hope for is to do some good damage to Machamp with Bullet Punch - if I survive the confusion, that is.
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Scizor is confused!
It hurt itself in its confusion!
Scizor lost 15% of its health.
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
Scizor lost 16% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Scizor fainted.
vs
Scizor - 0%
Machamp - 55%
3 - 5
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Apparently not then. My mascot falls to Machamp's fists, leaving me 3-5 down. This battle really is not going my way. His team is still really healthy and I strongly doubt my 3 battleworn remaining pokemon can do the the job...
Still, I fight on. Shaymin-S takes to the stage once more.
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Legacy Raider switched in Shaymin-S.
Pointed stones dug into Shaymin-S.
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
vs
Legacy Raider switched in Tyranitar.
Tyranitar's Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!
Pointed stones dug into Tyranitar.
Tyranitar lost 12% of its health.
Nubchos switched in Skarmory.
vs
Tyranitar - 65%
Skarmory - 51%
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A double switch from my Skymin. I was predicting the Blissey coming back in, but Skarmory is just as good. My Tyranitar is specifically EVed to outspeed Skarmory so it can hit it neutral with Stone Edge before it can Roost. At only 51% health, his Skarmory is history =).
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Tyranitar used Stone Edge.
Tyranitar's attack missed!
Skarmory used Roost.
Skarmory restored 49% of its health.
Tyranitar - 65%
Skarmory - 100%
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Aaargh! That was big. If only that had hit, it would have made life soo much easier =(. Skarmory Roosts its way back up to full health as I glumly watch. I have no choice but to go for a successive Stone Edge, praying for that one crit...
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Tyranitar used Stone Edge.
Skarmory lost 57% of its health.
Skarmory used Whirlwind.
Legacy Raider switched in Shaymin-S.
Pointed stones dug into Shaymin-S.
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
vs
Shaymin-S - 24%
Skarmory - 43%
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Of course, I don't get the crit. Stone Edge still manages a decent amount though, but Skarmory still gets a Whirlwind off. Shaymin-S comes out for the final time, ripped to bits by Stealth Rock, but still with enough in him to go down fighting. Air Slash is the only hope now, but will Arceus grant me the 2 flinches I need to take the steel phoenix down?
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Shaymin-S used Air Slash.
It's not very effective...
A critical hit!
Skarmory lost 35% of its health.
Skarmory flinched!
Shaymin-S - 24%
Skarmory - 7%
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Hahaha yess! Go go Arceus =). I get not only the necessary flinch but also a most welcome critical hit =). Finally, after haxily surviving for so long, Skarmory is no more - victory jig
.
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Shaymin-S used Air Slash.
It's not very effective...
Skarmory lost 7% of its health.
Nubchos's Skarmory fainted.
vs
Shaymin-S - 24%
Skarmory - 0%
3 - 4
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I stop celebrating before Skarmory has even hit the ground. Although that was a good kill for me, I cannot convince myself that I am in a favourable position yet. Quite the opposite in fact. Blissey and Machamp are perfect counters to my remaining squad, and he still has a full health Tyranitar and a mystery pokemon waiting in the wings. If Blissey comes in now, Skymin is doomed... and with it almost all my chances of victory.
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Nubchos switched in Tyranitar.
Shaymin-S used Seed Flare.
It's super effective!
Tyranitar lost 78% of its health.
Tyranitar's special defence was harshly lowered.
Tyranitar used Crunch.
A critical hit!
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Shaymin-S fainted.
vs
Shaymin-S - 0%
Tyranitar - 22% (-2 SpD)
2 - 4
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At least Skymin crippled Tyranitar as it went down. Tyranitar is easily in the KO range of Jolteon now, so I switch now to my electric fox in an attempt at a late game sweep.
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Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
vs
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
Tyranitar lost 22% of its health.
Nubchos's Tyranitar fainted.
vs
Jolteon - 76%
Tyranitar - 0%
2 - 3
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Nachos played it safe and let Tyranitar die. The score is starting to even out now, but I will be kidding myself if I think about winning right now. Jolteon isn't getting past Blissey any time soon, and Machamp will take out Tyranitar no sweat. The battle is coming to a close, with the next few turns being crucial to the outcome.
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Nubchos switched in Blissey.
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
Blissey lost 20% of its health.
Blissey used Toxic.
Jolteon was badly poisoned!
Jolteon was hurt by poison.
Jolteon lost 6% of its health.
vs
Jolteon - 64% (badly poisoned)
Blissey - 80%
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Blissey comes in, just as predicted. I decide to keep Jolteon in to Thunderbolt in the hope Nachos brings Machamp into the predicted Tyranitar switch. Blissey chooses to Toxic, which I am more than happy for Jolteon to take over Tyranitar. Now that I have seen his response to the TTar switch in, and I can be nearly assured that he won't Toxic again, I think it is time for the dino to come in and prove his worth.
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Legacy Raider switched in Tyranitar.
Pointed stones dug into Tyranitar.
Tyranitar lost 12% of its health.
Blissey used Ice Beam.
Tyranitar lost 11% of its health.
vs
Tyranitar - 41%
Blissey - 80%
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Phew... he's in safely. Honest to god, if I had been frozen on the switch in, my laptop would be out my window before you knew it! Anyway, this next turn will be crucial. I have justified staying in with Jolteon - if Tyranitar had switched in immediately into the Toxic, Blissey could just sit there and Softboiled away as my health dropped. As things stand, I am now in a prime position to use Tyranitar's most powerful attack.
-----
Blissey, come back!
Tyranitar used Pursuit.
Blissey lost 80% of its health.
Nubchos's Blissey fainted.
vs
Tyranitar - 41%
Blissey - 0%
2 - 2
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Yes, that felt very, very good. Although I was denied Wifi's pleasure of watching Blissey's health bar slowly deplete, I still couldn't help but smile as his Blissey disappeared from view. Tyranitar is all but gone now too, thanks to that annoyance named Machamp. But truth be told, it is a small price to pay for opening up Nacho's team for a Jolteon sweep.
-----
Nubchos switched in Machamp.
Tyranitar used Pursuit.
It's not very effective...
Machamp lost 18% of its health.
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
It's super effective!
Tyranitar lost 41% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Tyranitar fainted.
vs
Tyranitar - 0%
Machamp - 37%
1 - 2
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And Tyranitar collapses to the dirt. I am 1-2 down with a poisoned Choice Specs Jolteon. Machamp is too weak to put up a fight, but Nachos still has one pokemon I have not seen. After a moment's reflection, I click to send Jolteon out.
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Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
Machamp lost 37% of its health.
Nubchos's Machamp fainted.
vs
Jolteon - 31%
Machamp - 0%
1 - 1
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Machamp had been a major pain for my team; it felt good to see him fall. There is but one mystery pokemon left between this battle and its outcome. I take a glance at the OU list, looking to see how approximately many pokemon can win the game for Nachos here. The number of guys not taken out by a Specs Thunderbolt is depressingly high.
But I can't change anything now. This is it... my last chance to bring this game around. I exhale, whisper something under my breath... and look up as Nachos sends out his last remaining pokemon.
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Nubchos switched in Tentacruel.
vs
Tentacruel... a quiet breath of relief leaves me. Although I am not certain that a Specs Thunderbolt will KO (Tentacruel is a SpD monster), it really does feel good to know that I won't go down helpless. The battle has been excellent and hotly contested so far - the ending will be just as close to the wire. I click to Thunderbolt...
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
It's super effective!
Tentacruel lost 94% of its health.
Tentacruel used Surf.
Jolteon lost 31% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Jolteon fainted.
vs
Jolteon - 0%
Tentacruel - 5%
0 - 1
Tentacruel holds on to dear life by a thread, and with the last of its strength washes my chances of winning clear away.
Nubchos wins!
Pretty gutted, but despite not winning, the match itself was amazing fun =). You really could feel the tension in the air during the battle. It was a very close match, but in the end, I just couldn't make the final mile.
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Legacy Raider: gg
Nubchos: gg
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Positives
- Very well played battle on both sides. The prediction was hot and we were both playing our game well.
- Small amount of hax. Well, I won't lie that the hax was a non-issue, but thankfully it wasn't too bad. (although the Meteor Mash and the first Stone Edge really sucked! =P)
- Nacho's and my own team worked the way they were meant to. Synergies were effective and the entire teams played a part.
- Nachos himself, of course, for a great and enjoyable match!
Negatives
- nada -
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And on a final note, Nacho's Team revealed in all its glory =)
Please leave any comments and criticisms.
Thanks again,
LR.
It was against Nubchos (Nachos), who most of you will have heard of. Certainly a much more accomplished battler than myself. Our battle was definitely one of the best encounters I have had in a long time.
In the past I have been criticised for not having enough prediction in the battles I choose to retell. In this one, I plan on elaborating more on my thought process while I am in an engaging battle, and I sincerely hope I don't disappoint!
Thanks for reading =)
My Team:
Nubchos' Team will be posted at the end of the battle.
-----
Nicknames will be omitted.
Leftovers will be omitted (I'll tell you now that everyone on his team has Leftovers, and that only Skymin has them on mine)
Weather will be mentioned when it starts.
Score will be presented after each KO (Legacy Raider - Nubchos)
Health (in percentages) will be mentioned after every turn.
Battle text will be in bold.
My commentary will be in blue.
-----
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Legacy Raider sent out Metagross.
Nubchos sent out Tyranitar.
Tyranitar's Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!
A sandstorm brewed!
The opponent's lead usually gives away a lot about their strategy, allowing me to adapt my playstyle with that initial knowledge. If it is, say, an Infernape lead, I know that I am facing an offensive team and need to keep my Jolteon and Scizor alive to revenge kill threatening sweepers. If I am faced with a hungry hippo then I can rest assured that I am playing a stall match. But what does Nachos decide to give me? An ambiguous Tyranitar lead, which tells me nothing about what to expect.
My lead of choice is Metagross - a bulky Trick Scarf Metagross to be exact. Still, despite not knowing what I am playing against, Metagross vs Tyranitar is a very favourable match up for me. I outspeed it without a doubt, Meteor Mash is an easy 2HKO on even the bulkiest of Tyranitars, and Metagross can survive anything up to a CB Earthquake. This is all good for me so I am comfortable in choosing to open the game with a powerful Meteor Mash...
Metagross used Meteor Mash.
Metagross's attack missed!
Tyranitar used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Metagross lost 58% of its health.
Metagross - 42%
Tyranitar - 100%
-----
...which consequentially misses. And that Earthquake didn't hurt just a little bit either. I am forced to switch Metagross out because Meteor Mash won't OHKO a full health Tyranitar, and his Earthquake will kill me. I'm still not too worried though, seeing as I have a fine selection of flying types to switch in on the predicted ground attack.
-----
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Gyarados.
Gyarados's intimidate cut Tyranitar's attack!
Tyranitar used Earthquake.
It doesn't affect Gyarados...
Gyarados - 94%
Tyranitar - 100% (-1 Atk)
-----
So Gyarados gets a free switch in and is ready to cause some havoc. Well actually, no it isn't. I don't like the prospect of Gyarados meeting its full health counter so early on in the game, so, despite not having seen any evidence of Tyanitar's item, I choose to count on it being CB locked into Earthquake and having to switch. Seems like a perfect time to bring Metagross back in and complete my start-of-the-game set up.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Metagross.
Tyranitar used Stealth Rock.
Pointed stones float in the air around your foe's team!
Metagross - 42%
Tyranitar - 100% (-1 Atk)
-----
Ohh crap. Seems not so CB after all. In three turns Nachos has managed to cripple one of my pokemon, scout another, and set up Stealth Rock, while I have done absolutely nothing to him in return. Now I am faced once again with the leadoff scenario, but this time I am pretty badly crippled. The good news is that his Tyranitar has been intimdated by Gyarados and so can no longer produce an Earthquake powerful enough to kill Metagross straightaway. This gives me 3 options which I can now do seeing as giving him a Scarf is out of the question.
I can Meteor Mash away to be done with his Tyranitar; set up Stealth Rock now for team support but be forced to switch; or I can just Explode here and now and be pretty much guaranteed to take a chunk out of one of his pokemon.
Nachos is not stupid, I know that for a fact. He probably realises too that Tyranitar will get 2HKOed by Meteor Mash before it kills Metagross, and so will switch out to something that can take it. Well, seeing as I am already way behind him in the battle already, I decide to just cut my losses and Explode straight away.
-----
-----
Nubchos switched in Skarmory.
Metagross used Explosion.
It's not very effective...
Skarmory lost 49% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Metagross fainted.
Metagross - 0%
Skarmory - 49%
5 - 6
-----
The first blood of the game, and it happens to be a suicide. Skarmory comes in to take the Explosion yet still takes a respectable amount of damage. My Metagross is down, yet Nachos has now revealed that he intends on playing a game of stall. I also have a free switch in now - the perfect opportunity to bring in one of my sweepers and start gaining some momentum.
-----
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
Jolteon comes in to force Skarmory out. Thunderbolt will fry his metal bird on the spot, but being Specsed I really really don't want to be locked into an Electric attack so early on (very bad idea =P). Well, where there's a Skarmory, most likely a pink globule of fat won't be too far behind. Also there is the all too real risk of Tyranitar coming in to absorb the Thunderbolt and shredding my 'ittle Jolteon with a Pursuit, so Baton Pass will easily be my best option here.
Nubchos switched in Tyranitar.
Jolteon used Baton Pass.
Legacy Raider switched in Gyarados.
Gyarados's intimidate cut Tyranitar's attack!
Pointed stones dug into Gyarados.
Gyarados lost 25% of its health.
Gyarados - 63%
Tyranitar - 100% (-1 Atk)
-----
Baton Pass did turn out to be the best option after all, allowing Jolteon to escape Tyranitar's clutches and giving me a switch in of choice. Gyarados and Tyranitar have faced each other once already this battle, and the last time I allowed Tyranitar to set up by holding back. There will be none of that this time. Knowing full well that Tyranitar will likely survive (seriously, that thing is a friggin beast defensively!) and Stone Edge Gyarados to oblivion, I once again take the risky route of just plain out attacking.
-----
Nubchos switched in Rotom-h.
Gyarados used Waterfall.
Rotom-h lost 49% of its health.
Gyarados lost 10% of its health.
Gyarados - 47%
Rotom-H - 51%
-----
Rotom-H takes a good chunk of damage as it switches in to a Life Orb Waterfall. Gyarados is now under half health through Stealth Rock + Life Orb + Sandstorm, without having taken a single hit! And Rotom-H has just over half of its health left, and I am not too sure whether or not Gyarados can finish the job with another waterfall. That is assuming, after all, that Gyarados outspeeds the higher speed tier ghost.
Obviously my best option here is to switch, and this is where the thought out synergy of my team really comes into play. I can expect to take a Thunderbolt, a Will-O-Wisp, or at worst a Reflect. Jolteon minds none of these and needs no more reason to come straight back in.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
Rotom-h used Discharge.
Jolteon's Volt Absorb absorbed damage!
Jolteon restored 25% of its health.
Jolteon - 94%
Rotom-H - 51%
-----
And in it comes, healing off Stealth Rock damage along the way with Volt Absorb =). Personally I love the Jolteon/Gyarados combo, beats Gyaravire any day. Anyway, now time to make a decision. So far in this game I have been beating about the bush, thinking ahead and playing very riskily. I can fully expect that Nachos has picked up on the rashness of his opponent and might choose to leave Rotom in, expecting another preemptive Baton Pass. Likewise, he might assume that Jolteon has nothing to hurt Rotom with, which resists its STAB after all. Either way I come to the sketchy conclusion that I can risk a straightforward attack with a Shadow Ball.
-----
Jolteon used Shadow Ball.
It's super effective!
Rotom-h lost 51% of its health.
Nubchos's Rotom-h fainted.
Jolteon - 88%
Rotom-H - 0%
5 - 5
-----
Yess! My first kill, and taking out Rotom didn't cost me anything at all! Like when fighting all stall teams, the biggest achievement is breaking the first link of the well wrought chain. With the rest of the links weakened one can now begin to chip away at them until they snap under the pressure.
Jolteon has done a great job, but sadly it is locked into Shadow Ball and is basically an invitation to Tyranitar saying 'Eat Me'. Fearing the dino coming back in, I wait...
-----
Nubchos switched in Machamp.
Legacy Raider switched in Gyarados.
Gyarados's intimidate cut Machamp's attack!
Pointed stones dug into Gyarados.
Gyarados lost 25% of its health.
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
It's not very effective...
A critical hit!
Gyarados lost 22% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Gyarados fainted.
Gyarados - 0%
Machamp - 100% (-1 Atk)
4 - 5
-----
Tyranitar is nowhere to be seen, but rather a Machamp takes its place. Jolteon can't do much to it at all with Shadow Ball, so I switch Gyarados back in as death fodder. It could only have gotten one more attack off anyway after Stealth Rock damage, and the Intimdate on Machamp will help my other pokes, so I don't see it as too big of a loss.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Shaymin-S.
Pointed stones dug into Shaymin-S.
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
Nubchos switched in Blissey.
Shaymin-S used Air Slash.
Blissey lost 11% of its health.
Shaymin-S - 75%
Blissey - 89%
-----
Machamp is a royal pain to face and I want to get rid of it ASAP. I bring in the infamous Skymin to brush it away with an Air Slash, but who comes in to greet my attack but Blissey. Although I had predicted Blissey's presence on Nacho's team, it doesn't make facing it any more fun. Fucking whore. =P
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Tyranitar.
Pointed stones dug into Tyranitar.
Tyranitar lost 12% of its health.
Blissey used Ice Beam.
Tyranitar lost 11% of its health.
Tyranitar - 77%
Blissey - 89%
-----
CB Tyranitar can switch in easily on almost any of Blissey's moves, beast that it is. Now I have a dilemna - Pursuit or Stone Edge? Pursuit will absolutely wreck Blissey if it chooses to switch, paving the way for one of my special sweepers to do their job. If, however, it stays in, Tyranitar will be the one forced to run. In the end I choose to go with a Stone Edge. Since he is not using a Hippowdon for his sand, almost everything he switches in will take a large hit from that 604 Attack.
-----
Nubchos switched in Machamp.
Tyranitar used Stone Edge.
It's not very effective...
Machamp lost 45% of its health.
Tyranitar - 77%
Machamp - 55%
-----
Ah, that thing again. Machamp takes less than half its health from the Stone Edge and still stands, grinning. I need to keep Tyranitar alive here - with Metagross and Gyarados gone it is one of my best hopes against that blob of special wallingness. But Machamp, seriously, what the hell are you meant to switch into this thing? Gyarados or Metagross would have been nice, but as things stand, Scizor is my best choice of switch in.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Scizor.
Pointed stones dug into Scizor.
Scizor lost 12% of its health.
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
Scizor lost 57% of its health.
Scizor became confused!
Scizor - 31% (confused)
Machamp - 55%
-----
...OUCH. That Dynamicpunch hurt a bitch. Scizor is pretty much scrap metal now. The best I can hope for is to do some good damage to Machamp with Bullet Punch - if I survive the confusion, that is.
-----
Scizor is confused!
It hurt itself in its confusion!
Scizor lost 15% of its health.
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
Scizor lost 16% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Scizor fainted.
Scizor - 0%
Machamp - 55%
3 - 5
-----
Apparently not then. My mascot falls to Machamp's fists, leaving me 3-5 down. This battle really is not going my way. His team is still really healthy and I strongly doubt my 3 battleworn remaining pokemon can do the the job...
Still, I fight on. Shaymin-S takes to the stage once more.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Shaymin-S.
Pointed stones dug into Shaymin-S.
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
Legacy Raider switched in Tyranitar.
Tyranitar's Sand Stream whipped up a sandstorm!
Pointed stones dug into Tyranitar.
Tyranitar lost 12% of its health.
Nubchos switched in Skarmory.
Tyranitar - 65%
Skarmory - 51%
-----
A double switch from my Skymin. I was predicting the Blissey coming back in, but Skarmory is just as good. My Tyranitar is specifically EVed to outspeed Skarmory so it can hit it neutral with Stone Edge before it can Roost. At only 51% health, his Skarmory is history =).
-----
Tyranitar used Stone Edge.
Tyranitar's attack missed!
Skarmory used Roost.
Skarmory restored 49% of its health.
Tyranitar - 65%
Skarmory - 100%
-----
Aaargh! That was big. If only that had hit, it would have made life soo much easier =(. Skarmory Roosts its way back up to full health as I glumly watch. I have no choice but to go for a successive Stone Edge, praying for that one crit...
-----
Tyranitar used Stone Edge.
Skarmory lost 57% of its health.
Skarmory used Whirlwind.
Legacy Raider switched in Shaymin-S.
Pointed stones dug into Shaymin-S.
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
Shaymin-S - 24%
Skarmory - 43%
-----
Of course, I don't get the crit. Stone Edge still manages a decent amount though, but Skarmory still gets a Whirlwind off. Shaymin-S comes out for the final time, ripped to bits by Stealth Rock, but still with enough in him to go down fighting. Air Slash is the only hope now, but will Arceus grant me the 2 flinches I need to take the steel phoenix down?
-----
Shaymin-S used Air Slash.
It's not very effective...
A critical hit!
Skarmory lost 35% of its health.
Skarmory flinched!
Shaymin-S - 24%
Skarmory - 7%
-----
Hahaha yess! Go go Arceus =). I get not only the necessary flinch but also a most welcome critical hit =). Finally, after haxily surviving for so long, Skarmory is no more - victory jig
.-----
Shaymin-S used Air Slash.
It's not very effective...
Skarmory lost 7% of its health.
Nubchos's Skarmory fainted.
Shaymin-S - 24%
Skarmory - 0%
3 - 4
-----
I stop celebrating before Skarmory has even hit the ground. Although that was a good kill for me, I cannot convince myself that I am in a favourable position yet. Quite the opposite in fact. Blissey and Machamp are perfect counters to my remaining squad, and he still has a full health Tyranitar and a mystery pokemon waiting in the wings. If Blissey comes in now, Skymin is doomed... and with it almost all my chances of victory.
-----
Nubchos switched in Tyranitar.
Shaymin-S used Seed Flare.
It's super effective!
Tyranitar lost 78% of its health.
Tyranitar's special defence was harshly lowered.
Tyranitar used Crunch.
A critical hit!
Shaymin-S lost 25% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Shaymin-S fainted.
Shaymin-S - 0%
Tyranitar - 22% (-2 SpD)
2 - 4
-----
At least Skymin crippled Tyranitar as it went down. Tyranitar is easily in the KO range of Jolteon now, so I switch now to my electric fox in an attempt at a late game sweep.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
Tyranitar lost 22% of its health.
Nubchos's Tyranitar fainted.
Jolteon - 76%
Tyranitar - 0%
2 - 3
-----
Nachos played it safe and let Tyranitar die. The score is starting to even out now, but I will be kidding myself if I think about winning right now. Jolteon isn't getting past Blissey any time soon, and Machamp will take out Tyranitar no sweat. The battle is coming to a close, with the next few turns being crucial to the outcome.
-----
Nubchos switched in Blissey.
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
Blissey lost 20% of its health.
Blissey used Toxic.
Jolteon was badly poisoned!
Jolteon was hurt by poison.
Jolteon lost 6% of its health.
Jolteon - 64% (badly poisoned)
Blissey - 80%
-----
Blissey comes in, just as predicted. I decide to keep Jolteon in to Thunderbolt in the hope Nachos brings Machamp into the predicted Tyranitar switch. Blissey chooses to Toxic, which I am more than happy for Jolteon to take over Tyranitar. Now that I have seen his response to the TTar switch in, and I can be nearly assured that he won't Toxic again, I think it is time for the dino to come in and prove his worth.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Tyranitar.
Pointed stones dug into Tyranitar.
Tyranitar lost 12% of its health.
Blissey used Ice Beam.
Tyranitar lost 11% of its health.
Tyranitar - 41%
Blissey - 80%
-----
Phew... he's in safely. Honest to god, if I had been frozen on the switch in, my laptop would be out my window before you knew it! Anyway, this next turn will be crucial. I have justified staying in with Jolteon - if Tyranitar had switched in immediately into the Toxic, Blissey could just sit there and Softboiled away as my health dropped. As things stand, I am now in a prime position to use Tyranitar's most powerful attack.
-----
Blissey, come back!
Tyranitar used Pursuit.
Blissey lost 80% of its health.
Nubchos's Blissey fainted.
Tyranitar - 41%
Blissey - 0%
2 - 2
-----
Yes, that felt very, very good. Although I was denied Wifi's pleasure of watching Blissey's health bar slowly deplete, I still couldn't help but smile as his Blissey disappeared from view. Tyranitar is all but gone now too, thanks to that annoyance named Machamp. But truth be told, it is a small price to pay for opening up Nacho's team for a Jolteon sweep.
-----
Nubchos switched in Machamp.
Tyranitar used Pursuit.
It's not very effective...
Machamp lost 18% of its health.
Machamp used Dynamicpunch.
It's super effective!
Tyranitar lost 41% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Tyranitar fainted.
Tyranitar - 0%
Machamp - 37%
1 - 2
-----
And Tyranitar collapses to the dirt. I am 1-2 down with a poisoned Choice Specs Jolteon. Machamp is too weak to put up a fight, but Nachos still has one pokemon I have not seen. After a moment's reflection, I click to send Jolteon out.
-----
Legacy Raider switched in Jolteon.
Pointed stones dug into Jolteon.
Jolteon lost 12% of its health.
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
Machamp lost 37% of its health.
Nubchos's Machamp fainted.
Jolteon - 31%
Machamp - 0%
1 - 1
-----
Machamp had been a major pain for my team; it felt good to see him fall. There is but one mystery pokemon left between this battle and its outcome. I take a glance at the OU list, looking to see how approximately many pokemon can win the game for Nachos here. The number of guys not taken out by a Specs Thunderbolt is depressingly high.
But I can't change anything now. This is it... my last chance to bring this game around. I exhale, whisper something under my breath... and look up as Nachos sends out his last remaining pokemon.
-----
Nubchos switched in Tentacruel.
Tentacruel... a quiet breath of relief leaves me. Although I am not certain that a Specs Thunderbolt will KO (Tentacruel is a SpD monster), it really does feel good to know that I won't go down helpless. The battle has been excellent and hotly contested so far - the ending will be just as close to the wire. I click to Thunderbolt...
Jolteon used Thunderbolt.
It's super effective!
Tentacruel lost 94% of its health.
Tentacruel used Surf.
Jolteon lost 31% of its health.
Legacy Raider's Jolteon fainted.
Jolteon - 0%
Tentacruel - 5%
0 - 1
Tentacruel holds on to dear life by a thread, and with the last of its strength washes my chances of winning clear away.
Nubchos wins!
Pretty gutted, but despite not winning, the match itself was amazing fun =). You really could feel the tension in the air during the battle. It was a very close match, but in the end, I just couldn't make the final mile.
-------------------------
Legacy Raider: gg
Nubchos: gg
-------------------------
Positives
- Very well played battle on both sides. The prediction was hot and we were both playing our game well.
- Small amount of hax. Well, I won't lie that the hax was a non-issue, but thankfully it wasn't too bad. (although the Meteor Mash and the first Stone Edge really sucked! =P)
- Nacho's and my own team worked the way they were meant to. Synergies were effective and the entire teams played a part.
- Nachos himself, of course, for a great and enjoyable match!
Negatives
- nada -
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And on a final note, Nacho's Team revealed in all its glory =)
Please leave any comments and criticisms.
Thanks again,
LR.
