Nelson
Young, Wild & Free
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It has now been one year since I began to play competitive Pokémon on simulators. I wasn't participating in any Smogon tournaments in the past bar some random tours. I have become interested in them since the start of last WC. I remarked that there wasn't any Belgium team, the same as for the Netherlands (and Luxembourg). These three countries used to be an active economic and political corporation before the creation of the EU and even used to be one single country 200 years ago. That's why 'Team Benelux' had the right to participate in the WC.
Having joined the Benelux community, I met many good players who quite influenced me on the 'strategic term of way'.
Because the Indigo Tournament was my first participation in a tournament here and because this same team brought me a high win ratio against really tough players, I decided to RMT it.
This team was originally built around Alakazam, a quite forgotten but really good sweeper in OU. With his new ability, Magic Guard, he quickly becomes unstoppable if the field has been prepared well before. He is helped (supported?) by the many entry hazards this team relies on, letting me limit my opponent's switches and getting an easy revenge kill for Alakazam. Breloom, with Spore's new effect, can prevent a Pokémon from doing anything while asleep. His frenetic subs lure his main counters, which are: Lati twins, Gengar, and Celebi, allowing me to eventually put 'off game' ('out of the game'?) a Zor or Ttar by burning them as it will be explained later on.
In conclusion, Alakazam will often come in late game to easily revenge kill a poke with Charge Beam (if possible) and then finish the rest.
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Tyranitar (M) @
Ability : Sand Stream
EVs : 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Hp
Jolly Nature (+Spe , -SAtk)
~Earthquake
~Crunch
~Stone Edge
~Pursuit
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Tyranitar is a pretty common sight in today's metagame, but as you can see I'm using a Choice Scarf variant, which isn't that common at all anymore. That's actually one of the reasons it's so effective actually as I can net a pretty big amount of surprise kills. Things like Gengar, Starmie and even Dragonite think they can outspeed and kill me only to be KO'ed by the appropriate move. I know Superpower is usually the preferred option, but I went went with Earthquake instead because the attack and defense drop are a real letdown. Using both Crunch and Pursuit might seem like a bit redundant but they each have their own perks and usefulness and it's not like Tyranitar has "better" options anyway, not being situational that is. Stone Edge is a powerful STAB move that gives the coverage of hitting Flying types harder and despite the accuracy issue is a letdown sometimes, it can be a lifesafer.
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Breloom (M) @
Ability : Poison Heal
EVs : 252 Def / 236 Hp / 20 Spe
Impish Nature (+Def , -SAtk)
~Spore
~Leech Seed
~Substitute
~Focus Punch
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Another not-that-common sight anymore, bulky Breloom. Despite it's appearance Breloom actually has decent bulk and a nice couple of resistances. Here are some calcs:
Choice Scarf Terrakion Close Combat : 50,62% - 60%
Choice Band Terrakion : 75,94% - 98,38%
Expert Belt Latios Psyshock : 81,88% - 96,56%
Leftovers Latios Psyshock : 68,44% - 80,62%
Life Orb Latios : 89,06% - 104,06% (31,26% de chances d'OHKO)
Choice Band Haxorus Outrage : 91,88% - 108,12% (50% de chances d'OHKO)
Choice Scarf Haxorus Outrage : 61,25% - 72,5%
+1 Bulky Dragonite Dragon Claw : 49,06% - 58,13%
Choice Band Dragonite Outrage : 85,62% - 101,25% (6,25% de chances d'OHKO)
Modest Choice Scarf Politoed Ice Beam : 83,75% - 98,75%
Mienshao Hi-Jump Kick : 70,31% - 82,5%
+1 Conkeldurr Drain PUnch: 55,62% - 65,62%
+ 2 Bulky Scizor Bug Bite: 71,56% - 84,38%
Choice Scarf Landorus Hidden Power [Ice] : 48,75% - 57,5%
Defensive Gliscor Ice Fang : 23,75% - 28,12%
Choice Band Terrakion : 75,94% - 98,38%
Expert Belt Latios Psyshock : 81,88% - 96,56%
Leftovers Latios Psyshock : 68,44% - 80,62%
Life Orb Latios : 89,06% - 104,06% (31,26% de chances d'OHKO)
Choice Band Haxorus Outrage : 91,88% - 108,12% (50% de chances d'OHKO)
Choice Scarf Haxorus Outrage : 61,25% - 72,5%
+1 Bulky Dragonite Dragon Claw : 49,06% - 58,13%
Choice Band Dragonite Outrage : 85,62% - 101,25% (6,25% de chances d'OHKO)
Modest Choice Scarf Politoed Ice Beam : 83,75% - 98,75%
Mienshao Hi-Jump Kick : 70,31% - 82,5%
+1 Conkeldurr Drain PUnch: 55,62% - 65,62%
+ 2 Bulky Scizor Bug Bite: 71,56% - 84,38%
Choice Scarf Landorus Hidden Power [Ice] : 48,75% - 57,5%
Defensive Gliscor Ice Fang : 23,75% - 28,12%
The main strategy here is to put something to sleep with the 100% accurate Spore, which with his new effect, equals to KO directly a Pokemon and Leech Seed stall, which is both annoying for my opponent as effective. Breloom was my main answer against Stall Teams as it is an awesome StallBreaker knowing that the only stall imuned to leech seed, Ferrothorn coudn’t afford to switch in This makes Breloom able to get past pokes as Gliscor and Dragonite that it otherwise couldn't beat. Don't be mistaken though, as even without offensive investment, Breloom’s attack still reaches 296 with a stab at 150 power, Focus Punch which is still a pretty powerful move and it's sure to dent something that doesn't resist. Breloom also deals with the annoying VoltTurn teams that have become quite common.
Finally, Breloom is my lead in 95% of cases, nearly able to take any hits from the commun leads. However, i’ll directly switch on Latias if oppenement’s lead is Rotom ta take the obvious WoW (or volt switch if it is scarf).
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Skarmory @
Ability : Sturdy
EVs : 252 Hp / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature (+Def , -SAtk)
~Brave Bird
~Roost
~Spikes
~Whirlwind
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Pretty standard Skarmory here, but why not? It's one of the best physical walls available and the ability to lay down Spikes and phaze makes it a more then good poke to use on this team. Roost is for the obvious survivability and without Leftovers, Roost becomes extra important for Skarmory to stay healthy. Brave Bird prevent Skarmory from being Taunt-bait and still is a pretty powerful move that's pretty useful in a metagame filled with offensively strong Fighting-type pokemon. Rocky Helmet might look like a weird option but it helps in beating Voltturn teams that take damage despite switching out. To a lesser extend it fakes Shed Shell so Magnezone users are less tempted to switch it in. The loss of Leftovers can be a pain sometimes but the surprise factor and the ability to severely limit VoltTurn teams make up for this for sure. Also Keep in mind that with SR/spikes support, Zor and the others won't be able to u-turn when ever they want. *
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Latias (M) @
Ability : Levitate
EVs : 252 HP / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Timid Nature (+Spe , -Atk)
~Calm Mind
~Dragon Pulse
~Recover
~Psycho Shift
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After having testing versions with Refresh or HP Fire on Psycho shift, i finally opted for this last for the following reasons. Being my main switch to any stab water attacks, where the most current one is scald, latias generally takes the burn and with a bit of prediction, i can easily psycho shift a burn on dangerous threats for the team, Tyranitar and Scizor mainly. As 95% of latias switch-ins are Zor/Ttar/Ferrothorn or other physically steel mon, psycho shift appears to be really useful here as most of the time, my oppenement doesn't expect that. I never had a match without latias being burned to show you how useful it is. There are always opportunities to be burned with her, as she mainly switches-in against the very commun scald attack, the lava plume from the very commun specially heatran or just a WoW from Rotom.
Calm Mind and Recover appears to be quiet obvious here. Allowing me to set-up and recover when it's necessary, latias also makes a great underrated late game sweeper.
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Heatran (M) @
Ability : Flash Fire
EVs : 248 Hp / 100 SDef / 160 Spe
Calm Nature (+SDef , -Atk)
~Stealth Rock
~Roar
~Lava Plume
~Protect
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Specially defensive Heatran is common but for a reason, it's just a damn good pokemon. It provides my team with some useful resistances while it also acts as a secondary phazer, next to Skarmory. But more importantly it also sets up Stealth Rock, often considered the best move in the game. Having 2 phazers can really put a lot of pressure on the opponent as it prevents him from utilizing set-up pokemon. And with both SR and Spikes on the field, a lot of my opponent's pokes are but in KO range for a late game sweep, preferably Alakazam but Latias or Tyranitar can also work. Protect is a move that has multiple purposes. One, it allows me to scout my opponent, and switch accordingly, this is very useful for checking out opposing Choiced pokemon, especially with hazards up. But Protect also grants an additional turn of Leftovers recovery, seeing I don't have a spinner of my own and the fact that Heatran doesn't have access to a reliable recovery move makes that this extra turn can have a big impact on the battle. To a lesser extent, Protect helps to PP stall moves with low PP. Lava Plum is preferred over the stronger Fire Blast and similar moves because it has a lot more PP, better accuracy and a very useful 30% chance to burn (another reason Protect can be useful). And since this particular Heatran set didn't invest in offense, the lack of a higher damage output is neglectable.
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Alakazam (M) @
Ability : Magic Guard
EVs : 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature (+Spe , -Atk)
~Psychic
~Focus Blast
~Charge Beam
~Shadow Ball
Still UU a couple of weeks ago, Alakazam is probably the most underrated sweaper in OU. He nearly outspeeds any non scarf-mon in the metagame which makes him a great revenge killer. With the support of the entry hasards/spored pokemon and if i’ve Ko’ed his current threats as the team is supposed to do (Celebi, LatiTwins, Zor..) , well it’s then pretty much gg for my oppenement. Jirachi remains quiete a hard threat to take out and he is the main reason why i went on EQ rather then superpower on Tyranitar as he normally doesn’t suspect it.
Why Charge Beam ? Charge beam, beyond the fact to eventually finish a damaged Skarmory/Politoad works like a free Boost in late game. As Alakazam often cames out for a RK or to finish a damaged Pokemon, he easily get the SAtk boost, letting him to nearly OHKO all the mons left ( with at the minimum SR helps). He OHKO Gliscor/Specially Heatran after a boost and rocks damage which says quiete a lot on his offensive potential. The rest is obvious. Psychic for the stab and Shadow Ball/Focus Blast for perfect coverage.
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Offensive Threats :
Rotom-W : Latias is his main switch and can absorb his Will'O'Wisp. If there's a Tyranitar in the opponent team, I usually go on Heatran / Breloom except if I know it hasn't Pursuit.
Scizor : Skarmory definitely, like Heatran and he will faster be down with the Spikes & the Rocky Helmet
Dragonite : I try to have my SR on his side. Defensive variants is walled by Latias and the DD one isn't a problem because it can set up only if Ttar is locked into Earthquake / Pursuit.
Jirachi : His standart version isn't a problem at all. The SubCM one isn't a problem too except if it's played under rain and it can haxx me with Water Pulse.
Latios : is easely trapped by Ttar and Heatran can take some hits.
Reuniclus : Ttar isn't good for him, Latias can set up with him in a CM war but I usually keep Breloom's Spore for him because the Trick Room sweeper is painful.
Haxorus : Skarmory is his best counter, is an ashole if coupled with Magnezone
Conkeldur: Skarmory is here.
Celebi : It's annoying for Breloom so I usually try to substiture when I anticipate when he will come and then I go on Ttar when it uses HP Fire / Psychic and then I crunch him.
Terrakion : In red for every team in lack of Tangwroth / Slowbro / Gliscor. It depends of him between Stone Edge and Close Combat but a mistake let me usually do something else.
Gyarados : Skarmory & Breloom for those without Bounce, Alakazam revenge kill it easely. If it has set one Dragon Dance and if he is under the rain, it can be painfull.
Gengar : I will never Sub with Breloom if there's a Gengar in opponent's team. It's not complicated to anticipate his coming and trap him with Ttar. Alakazam can revenge kill it.
Starmie : Like Gengar, his coming is easy to anticipate (It comes always on Heatran which Stealth Roc) and then is trapped by Ttar
Landorus : Skarmory & Breloom are just great switch in.
Infernape : Latias takes all his hits. Alakazam & Ttar revenge kill it.
Volcarona : Hp ground one just beats me. Hopefully it's not commun. Other ones are easely counter by Heatran.
Magnezone : Painfull because Skarmory could not setting Spikes without taking a risk. I should be aware and I'll have to let Skarmory die at the good moment.
Espeon : Not painfull, Ttar just beats it, Latias takes all its hits.
Salamence : Mixed one are a pain because I have to switch correctly. Same for the Dragon Dance@ Fire Blast one but hopefully, they are not commun at all.
Hydreigon : Like for every team, he is annoying, I have to force tu use Draco Meteor and play around it.
Breloom : Not a problem, Latias and Skarmory ltanks him, Alakazam scares him.
Toxicroak : I beat him with Skarmory.
Lucario : Not really annoying because it can set up only on Latias and is easely revenge kill by Ttar
Virizion : I revenge kill him without any problem with Alakazam, Sword Dance one is walled by Skarmory. Others are walled by latias which can in the baddest case go into a CM war. But I usually preserve Breloom's Spore for him because it can take every hits at +0.
Scrafty : Skarmory without any problems
Venusaur : Heatran except if it has Earthquake, I have to be aware of sleep btw, Latias can come too on it and setup some CM.
Mamoswine : Skarmory is here, Ttar revenge kill it.
Dugtrio : Really annoying because I'll have some issues to Stealth Roc or to trap someone with Ttar without being trapped by him after. I have to be extremely careful and double switch when I anticipate his comming.
Tornadus : Ttar takes some hits except Focus Blast / Brick Break and RK him, Alakazam revenge kill it too and heatran can take a hit.
Sawsbuck : Skarmory wall it, Alakzam revenge kill him under the sand.
Mienfao : Biggest Threat. It 2HKO everyone. I have to anticipate every move he'll do, if played with Ttar, I can't do anything .
Weather Threats : Not at all problems. Ninetales, Politoad, Ttar or Aboma aren't at all threats exept if they are coupled with the red threats.
Scizor : Skarmory definitely, like Heatran and he will faster be down with the Spikes & the Rocky Helmet
Dragonite : I try to have my SR on his side. Defensive variants is walled by Latias and the DD one isn't a problem because it can set up only if Ttar is locked into Earthquake / Pursuit.
Jirachi : His standart version isn't a problem at all. The SubCM one isn't a problem too except if it's played under rain and it can haxx me with Water Pulse.
Latios : is easely trapped by Ttar and Heatran can take some hits.
Reuniclus : Ttar isn't good for him, Latias can set up with him in a CM war but I usually keep Breloom's Spore for him because the Trick Room sweeper is painful.
Haxorus : Skarmory is his best counter, is an ashole if coupled with Magnezone
Conkeldur: Skarmory is here.
Celebi : It's annoying for Breloom so I usually try to substiture when I anticipate when he will come and then I go on Ttar when it uses HP Fire / Psychic and then I crunch him.
Terrakion : In red for every team in lack of Tangwroth / Slowbro / Gliscor. It depends of him between Stone Edge and Close Combat but a mistake let me usually do something else.
Gyarados : Skarmory & Breloom for those without Bounce, Alakazam revenge kill it easely. If it has set one Dragon Dance and if he is under the rain, it can be painfull.
Gengar : I will never Sub with Breloom if there's a Gengar in opponent's team. It's not complicated to anticipate his coming and trap him with Ttar. Alakazam can revenge kill it.
Starmie : Like Gengar, his coming is easy to anticipate (It comes always on Heatran which Stealth Roc) and then is trapped by Ttar
Landorus : Skarmory & Breloom are just great switch in.
Infernape : Latias takes all his hits. Alakazam & Ttar revenge kill it.
Volcarona : Hp ground one just beats me. Hopefully it's not commun. Other ones are easely counter by Heatran.
Magnezone : Painfull because Skarmory could not setting Spikes without taking a risk. I should be aware and I'll have to let Skarmory die at the good moment.
Espeon : Not painfull, Ttar just beats it, Latias takes all its hits.
Salamence : Mixed one are a pain because I have to switch correctly. Same for the Dragon Dance@ Fire Blast one but hopefully, they are not commun at all.
Hydreigon : Like for every team, he is annoying, I have to force tu use Draco Meteor and play around it.
Breloom : Not a problem, Latias and Skarmory ltanks him, Alakazam scares him.
Toxicroak : I beat him with Skarmory.
Lucario : Not really annoying because it can set up only on Latias and is easely revenge kill by Ttar
Virizion : I revenge kill him without any problem with Alakazam, Sword Dance one is walled by Skarmory. Others are walled by latias which can in the baddest case go into a CM war. But I usually preserve Breloom's Spore for him because it can take every hits at +0.
Scrafty : Skarmory without any problems
Venusaur : Heatran except if it has Earthquake, I have to be aware of sleep btw, Latias can come too on it and setup some CM.
Mamoswine : Skarmory is here, Ttar revenge kill it.
Dugtrio : Really annoying because I'll have some issues to Stealth Roc or to trap someone with Ttar without being trapped by him after. I have to be extremely careful and double switch when I anticipate his comming.
Tornadus : Ttar takes some hits except Focus Blast / Brick Break and RK him, Alakazam revenge kill it too and heatran can take a hit.
Sawsbuck : Skarmory wall it, Alakzam revenge kill him under the sand.
Mienfao : Biggest Threat. It 2HKO everyone. I have to anticipate every move he'll do, if played with Ttar, I can't do anything .
Weather Threats : Not at all problems. Ninetales, Politoad, Ttar or Aboma aren't at all threats exept if they are coupled with the red threats.
Defensive Threats :
Ferrothorn : Breloom just set up on it, allow me a free set up but I have to be aware of the firsr Thunder Wave. Heatran stops it.
Gliscor : The sub toxic Gliscor, really played those times is just stopped by Skarmory. Either he'll try to come on Breloom, I just have to predict and Leech Seed him on the switch? Latias & Alakazam can go on him too.
Heatran : Latias is my main switch for offensive/defensive variants. Ttar can come on it too.
Skarmory : 20Spd Ev's of Breloom allows me to outspeed him and spore him if needed. Either Alakazam scares it and I can have a boost with Charge Beam.
Foretress : Breloom just set up on him easely, allows me to have a free Sub and Focus Punch it until his death, Toxic Spikes aren't dangerous because only Tyranitar is getting poisonned.
Jellicent : Latias rapes it, Psycho shift if necessary and cannot do anything to Breloom.
Tentacruel : Let Latias setting up, he'll try to burn me or toxik me in vain. Alakazam put a great preasure on him.
Gastrodon : He will come on Heatran, Latias and Breloom rapes him without problems.
Blissey : Breloom comes on it and let me spikes with Skarmory without problems.
Vapoeron : I never see it. Breloom and Latias are my main switch in.
Latias : heatran walls it/burn and roar if it tries to set up. Ttar trap her too.
Bronzong : I never see it too, Breloom and Skarmory just beat it.
Mew : Latias without problems, will come on Breloom's Sub & allow me to Crunch it with Ttar if his HP is low enough.
Chansey : Like Blissey, Breloom just do all he can do, Skarmory sets up spikes.
Slowbro : Latias walls it, Alakazam put a big preasure on it too.
Tangrowth : The only thing I don't like is the Sleep Powder, either, Skarmory has no problems with it, Alakazam makes tons of dammages & Latias can set up.
Quagsire : Breloom, Latias with Psycho Shift if it tries to Toxik me, Skarmory sets Spikes on it...
Gliscor : The sub toxic Gliscor, really played those times is just stopped by Skarmory. Either he'll try to come on Breloom, I just have to predict and Leech Seed him on the switch? Latias & Alakazam can go on him too.
Heatran : Latias is my main switch for offensive/defensive variants. Ttar can come on it too.
Skarmory : 20Spd Ev's of Breloom allows me to outspeed him and spore him if needed. Either Alakazam scares it and I can have a boost with Charge Beam.
Foretress : Breloom just set up on him easely, allows me to have a free Sub and Focus Punch it until his death, Toxic Spikes aren't dangerous because only Tyranitar is getting poisonned.
Jellicent : Latias rapes it, Psycho shift if necessary and cannot do anything to Breloom.
Tentacruel : Let Latias setting up, he'll try to burn me or toxik me in vain. Alakazam put a great preasure on him.
Gastrodon : He will come on Heatran, Latias and Breloom rapes him without problems.
Blissey : Breloom comes on it and let me spikes with Skarmory without problems.
Vapoeron : I never see it. Breloom and Latias are my main switch in.
Latias : heatran walls it/burn and roar if it tries to set up. Ttar trap her too.
Bronzong : I never see it too, Breloom and Skarmory just beat it.
Mew : Latias without problems, will come on Breloom's Sub & allow me to Crunch it with Ttar if his HP is low enough.
Chansey : Like Blissey, Breloom just do all he can do, Skarmory sets up spikes.
Slowbro : Latias walls it, Alakazam put a big preasure on it too.
Tangrowth : The only thing I don't like is the Sleep Powder, either, Skarmory has no problems with it, Alakazam makes tons of dammages & Latias can set up.
Quagsire : Breloom, Latias with Psycho Shift if it tries to Toxik me, Skarmory sets Spikes on it...
As a conclusion, i’ll say thx to Delko , mynism and HC for having helping me to translate this rmt but also to all benelux team. The title refers to a famous latin author which is by far the most complicated author to translate, Tacite. It’s always hard to understand what he means as it not always easy to guess some non commun mooves in the team. Also, cause i have spend many time and hard work on his texts, and cause it was my first idea to the title, why not. Oh, and didn't want to ladder with the team as it is not representative of any good level and preferred to shall as much as possible good players that i knowed. Well, hope, you enjoyed the read. I’ll probably have difficulties to answer in english but i’ll try, seeya.
Peaked 7 :
under the alt "Malibu Stacy" on Smogon server
