It's a phase...

[Exppoint]

It's a phase...

Hey guys! Today I'm bringing a phasing RU team that peaked at 3rd on the (smogon showdown) ladder with 1867. This team (being a phasing team) clearly focuses on setting up hazards and phasing around with Torterra and Mandibuzz. I also use rotom as a spin blocker to allow my hazards to stay up. Gurrdurr is their for the late game sweep. On to the teambuilding...

Teambuilding

I knew I wanted to build a team based around phasing the enemy, so I decided to start out with the best spiker in the tier, Quilfish.

I then decided to pair him with torterra, who could add stealth rock, a phasing move, and nice coverage.

After having two hazard layers I needed a spin blocker and thought rotom would be great for the job with a small amount of bulk and offences.

Mandibuzz! My main phaser who has reliable recovery, a good move pool, and great bulk. Yes please!

Magneton is a great poke with unique typing that resists bolt beam, something my team was weak to. He also has great bulk w/eviolite and T-wave.

Finally I decided on gurrdurr to be my late game sweeper. When all the opponents pokes have been worn down gurrdurr can bulk up and sweep with great bulk and priority.

In Detail...​

Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 6 Def
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Payback
Gurrdurr is such a monster. It provides this team with a great bulky late game sweeper. It can even switch in on statuses for an extra boost with guts. The set is obvious with bulk up to set up, drain punch and payback for coverage, and mach punch for priority. After hazards have worn down the other team this thing has an easy time sweeping.

Rotom @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 6 Def
Modest Nature
- Trick
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp
Rotom is great spin blocker with it's mix of bulk and offence. With a choice scarf it can be a great lead and revenge killer as well. It can trick its choice scarf to an annoying member of the other team or to a spinner, discouraging it from spinning again. Levitate is a great ability to pretty much completely wall toxic variants of sandslash as well as get free switches in.

Qwilfish @ Black Sludge
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SDef
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Waterfall
- Taunt
Where would my team be without this guy? This is my spiker and great physical wall as well. Taunt prevents him from being taunted as well as not allowing set up. Thunder Wave is just a great status to dish out and waterfall is for damage.

Torterra @ Leftovers
Trait: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 100 SDef
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Leech Seed
- Roar
Torterra cores very well with Quilfish as well as being a top notch wall itself. Stealth rocks are for more hazard damage, leech seed is for recovery, roar is for phasing (makes an excellent 2nd phaser), and earthquake is for damage. This guy has EVs in both Def and SDef so he takes hits from both sides of the spectrum.

Magneton @ Eviolite
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 6 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunder Wave
- Volt Switch
Magneton is the glue. He has really unique SDef typing that allows him to take hits from many typings. He T-Waves things slowing them down and allowing him to volt switch out next turn. T-bolt is for continuous damage while HP ice is for coverage.

Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
Trait: Big Pecks
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Spd / 86 Def
Impish Nature
- Taunt
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird
Mandibuzz racks up so much damage for my team. He has some speed (outspeeding base 100 uninvested) allowing him to taunt before being statused or taunted. Roost is for easy recovery. Whirlwind is obviously for phasing which this poke does greatly with its typing and mixed bulk. Brave Bird is for damage. The team pretty much centers around him (though he wasn't the original member).

Closing Comments​

This team has been working well for me but definitely has some flaws. One thing I would like to fix is my lack of a rapid spinner but am wondering who is best to replace (torterra maybe?). Thanks for reading and feel free to give this team a try, it's done me very well.
Importable:

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Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 6 Def
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Payback

Rotom @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 6 Def
Modest Nature
- Trick
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp

Qwilfish @ Black Sludge
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SDef
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Waterfall
- Taunt

Torterra @ Leftovers
Trait: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 100 SDef
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Leech Seed
- Roar

Magneton @ Eviolite
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 6 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunder Wave
- Volt Switch

Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
Trait: Big Pecks
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Spd / 86 Def
Impish Nature
- Taunt
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird

 

[Bigblue]

Very interesting team you have here but I see you have one obvious problem, being offensive moltres and Typhlosion. They both rip through your team with Fireblast/Flamethrower/Eruption. The only thing that can take more than one of these moves is your mandibuzz but it will quickly be worn down and not be able to stop them. Because by the time it has had to switch in more than once, Stealth rocks and the sheer force of these two massive threats will overpower your mandibuzz.

Here are some calcs,

Moltres

Modest

252 SpAtk Life Orb Moltres (+SpAtk) Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 56.6% - 66.51% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Life Orb Moltres (+SpAtk) Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 44.81% - 52.59% (3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Moltres (+SpAtk) Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 65.09% - 76.65% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Moltres (+SpAtk) Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 51.65% - 60.85% (2-3 hits to KO)
Timid
252 SpAtk Life Orb Moltres Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 51.18% - 60.38% (2-3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Life Orb Moltres Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 41.04% - 48.11% (3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Moltres Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 58.96% - 69.58% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Moltres Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 46.93% - 55.42% (2-3 hits to KO)

Typhlosion

Modest

252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Eruption vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 49.53% - 58.25% (2-3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 39.62% - 46.7% (3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 31.37% - 37.03% (4 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Eruption vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 73.82% - 87.03% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 58.96% - 69.58% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 46.7% - 55.19% (2-3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Life Orb Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 51.18% - 60.38% (2-3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Life Orb Typhlosion (+SpAtk) Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 41.04% - 48.11% (3 hits to KO)

Timid

252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Typhlosion Eruption vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 44.81% - 53.07% (3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Typhlosion Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 36.08% - 42.45% (3-4 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Scarf Typhlosion Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 28.54% - 33.96% (4-5 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Typhlosion Eruption vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 67.22% - 79.25% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Typhlosion Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 53.77% - 63.21% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Typhlosion Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 42.45% - 50.24% (3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Life Orb Typhlosion Fire Blast vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 46.7% - 55.19% (2-3 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Life Orb Typhlosion Flamethrower vs 252 HP/172 SpDef Mandibuzz: 37.5% - 43.87% (3-4 hits to KO)

 

[Exppoint]

Great observation, I hadn't really noticed this or run into any moltres or typhlosion while laddering (strange...). Though my qwilfish can take on weaker fire threats this is a big threat that I'm glad you've pointed out. Right now I'm working on replacing gurrdurr w/something to counter these... Any ideas would be appreciated (who to replace, what are good counters, etc.)! :D

 

[King of Blades]

Hello.

As the guy above me said, you have a weakness to typhlosion and moltres. Due to this weakness, I suggest replacing gurdurr with a more sturdy specially defensive pokemon who can also function as a bulk up sweeper: Gallade.
Although it can't repeatedly absorb hits from these pokemon, gallade, unlike gurdurr, may be able to survive one or two.

here is the set:

Gallade
Careful | 212 HP, 252 Sp. Def, 44 Speed | Leftovers
~Drain Punch
~Shadow Sneak / Night Slash / Zen Headbutt
~Stone Edge
~Bulk Up

This gallade functions like gurdurr, except a little less powerful, but more capable of taking special hits to the face from moltres and typhlosion and koing them with a stone edge. Drain Punch is obligatory STAB, and is great recovery, which this set really enjoys. The second move slot is contested. Shadow Sneak can be used for priority. Night Slash is a powerful move capable of severely weakening ghost types such as rotom. Zen Headbutt can be used for STAB and the ability to maim annoying fighting types as well as qwilfish. Bulk Up is in the final move slot so you can still do what gurdurr was designed for, as well as have a great boosting move to power up your attacks. If outspeeding qwilfish isn't important, you can move the speed evs to either attack or hp.

Gallade should help a little bit, as he is a decent check to typhlosion and moltres with stone edge. Typhlosion's eruption shouldn't hurt too much, as you have stealth rock, spikes, and a spin blocker. Moltres can be weakened severely with stealth rock, and will be in ko range of shadow sneak after two switches, which should be easy to get. (One for switch-in, one phazing move)

(Not to mention that gallade is so much more aesthetically appealing than gurdurr, it looks like gurdurr has hemorrhoids on his head.)


Hope this helps, and good luck!!

 

[Bigblue]

Hello.

As the guy above me said, you have a weakness to typhlosion and moltres. Due to this weakness, I suggest replacing gurdurr with a more sturdy specially defensive pokemon who can also function as a bulk up sweeper: Gallade.
Although it can't repeatedly absorb hits from these pokemon, gallade, unlike gurdurr, may be able to survive one or two.

here is the set:

Gallade
Careful | 212 HP, 252 Sp. Def, 44 Speed | Leftovers
~Drain Punch
~Shadow Sneak / Night Slash / Zen Headbutt
~Stone Edge
~Bulk Up

This gallade functions like gurdurr, except a little less powerful, but more capable of taking special hits to the face from moltres and typhlosion and koing them with a stone edge. Drain Punch is obligatory STAB, and is great recovery, which this set really enjoys. The second move slot is contested. Shadow Sneak can be used for priority. Night Slash is a powerful move capable of severely weakening ghost types such as rotom. Zen Headbutt can be used for STAB and the ability to maim annoying fighting types as well as qwilfish. Bulk Up is in the final move slot so you can still do what gurdurr was designed for, as well as have a great boosting move to power up your attacks. If outspeeding qwilfish isn't important, you can move the speed evs to either attack or hp.

Gallade should help a little bit, as he is a decent check to typhlosion and moltres with stone edge. Typhlosion's eruption shouldn't hurt too much, as you have stealth rock, spikes, and a spin blocker. Moltres can be weakened severely with stealth rock, and will be in ko range of shadow sneak after two switches, which should be easy to get. (One for switch-in, one phazing move)

(Not to mention that gallade is so much more aesthetically appealing than gurdurr, it looks like gurdurr has hemorrhoids on his head.)


Hope this helps, and good luck!!

Don't listen to this advice, it makes no sense as gurdurr reaches 436 spdef with eviolite and 374 HP while gallade reaches 329 sdef and 330 HP. Gurdurr has more bulk but any fire moves will still rip through either of these two.

 

[King of Blades]

No, eviolite does not raise his special defense to 436. I think you are under the assumption that eviolite raises your defenses by 100%. Unfortunately, it only raises an NFE pokemon's defenses by 50%, meaning gurdurr hits 327 Special defense with eviolite, meaning there is at least some validity in my statement. You probably should have double checked what eviolite does before you made a false accusation that my advice made no sense. (this is not meant in a mean or arrogant way, so please don't interpret it like that.) Also, gallade's base stat for attack is 20 points higher (125) than gurdurr's, (105) meaning his stone edges will hurt more.

exppoint, if you are really attached to gurdurr, (no pun intended) then I would suggest using stone edge over payback so you can ko moltres and typhlosion.

 

[Bigblue]

No, eviolite does not raise his special defense to 436. I think you are under the assumption that eviolite raises your defenses by 100%. Unfortunately, it only raises an NFE pokemon's defenses by 50%, meaning gurdurr hits 327 Special defense with eviolite, meaning there is at least some validity in my statement. You probably should have double checked what eviolite does before you made a false accusation that my advice made no sense. (this is not meant in a mean or arrogant way, so please don't interpret it like that.) Also, gallade's base stat for attack is 20 points higher (125) than gurdurr's, (105) meaning his stone edges will hurt more.

exppoint, if you are really attached to gurdurr, (no pun intended) then I would suggest using stone edge over payback so you can ko moltres and typhlosion.

Yeh I realised that after I posted, but I forgot to change it, oh well. Gurdurr is still more bulky, but it will have a hard time killing moltres or typhlosion without rock slide or stone edge. So gallade is still a good option, but it is handy not to have that annoying ghost weakness, especially in RU.