With the official release of Keldeo, I was eager to try out the musketdeer since I thought it'd be fun. I decided I would build a team around Keldeo and use one main sweeper. This is a new way I decided to approach battling, instead of having many sweepers with hazard support. After going through many versions of a Keldeo team, I ended up with this latest version.
The Fourth Musketdeer:
At a Glance
Closer Look
Keldeo (Keldeo-R) @ Leftovers
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
-Hydro Pump -Secret Sword
-Substitute -Calm Mind
This is the main sweeper from my team. Its EVs are standard sweeper EVs so it hits as hard as it can as fast as it can.I opted not to give it Hidden Power Ghost or Hidden Power Grass in favor of Substitute. While this leaves Keldeo essentially helpless against Jellicent, I have the rest of my team to do that for Keldeo. Substitute helps block against statuses from Ferrothorns and the like who think they can use Leech Seed, T-Wave, etc. against Keldeo to cripple it. With a Timid Nature, Keldeo outspeeds many of these status users. Its STABs of choice are Hydro Pump and Secret Sword. Hydro Pump under the rain, receiving a double-STAB since Keldeo is part water, decimates many Pokemon that don't resist it. Secret Sword enables Keldeo to take down the likes of Blissey and Chansey. These STABs hit a wide array of foes, barring a handful Dragon types, Jellicent, and Starmie. The rest of my team focuses on taking out these threats and enabling Keldeo to sweep.
Politoed (F) @ Eject Button
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
-Scald -Ice Beam
-Toxic -Perish Song
I actually forgot why I put Politoed on my team. Oh yes, it's for adding a 1.5 multiplier to Keldeo's Water STAB, Hydro Pump (along with the other perks of Rain). Politoed has a pretty standard defensive moveset. Except for its item. I have taken a liking to using the Eject Button on Politoed, since it pretty much sets up the weather and another Pokemon to take its place. I usually lure a Fire attack or Ice attack and then switch to Politoed to take the hit, thus simultaneously changing the weather and switching out to a favorable matchup against the opponent's current Pokemon. However, there have been multiple times when I switch in Politoed and my opponent's attack misses or they choose to boost instead, leaving the Eject Button unused and leaving Politoed in. This has led to unfavorable matchups, but it doesn't occur often. So, Scald for Burn chance, Ice Beam to hit Dragons and the like, Toxic to hinder a wall's performance, and Perish Song to wait out a boosting sweeper.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
-U-turn -Bullet Punch
-Pursuit -Superpower
This is a pretty standard Scizor set. It U-Turns to give an opportunity for a safe switch-in to things and do damage at the same time. Bullet Punch hits hard on anything that doesn't resist it, especially after Technician and CB boosts, most notably enabling Scizor to revenge the Therians if they've taken prior damage. Pursuit is to trap Gengar, Starmie, and the like who try to get away, and the boost from Technician helps to do as much damage as possible. The Special Defense EVs help aid Scizor survive if such Pokemon choose to stay in. Superpower is there if I predict a Magnezone or Heatran switch, but I usually just U-Turn out if that's the case.
Mamoswine (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
-Earthquake -Ice Shard
-Stealth Rock -Icicle Crash
Mamoswine, with physical sweeper EVs, does well to get rid of the threat that the Therians pose to my team, especially Tornadus-T and Thundurus-T. Ice Shard, boosted by Expert Belt, does enough damage to KO either Therian after Stealth Rock damage. Icicle Crash is a secondary Ice move that I use against Skarmory in hopes of flinching it to death. Skarmory, I've seen, is a common switch-in to Mamoswine. Earthquake is another STAB move that Mamoswine has in its arsenal, allowing it to KO Pokemon that are weak to it, gaining extra damage from its Expert Belt. Stealth Rock is there if I predict a switch and goes wonders if a Volcarona is on the other team. The moth pretty much destroys my team now that it can gain Giga Drain from B2/W2 move tutors. Enemy Rotom-W poses a problem, though, as I'll explain in the threatlist.
Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
-Roost -Draco Meteor
-Thunder -Hurricane
This is an offensively oriented rain-abusing Dragonite. It works wonders on Jellicent that lack Ice Beam, using Thunder to KO them, albeit while being Burned or Poisoned. With Hurricane, it can outspeed and OHKO Breloom, which is a big threat to my team, whether it packs Technician or Poison Heal. Hurricane also helps me get rid of Volcarona with Giga Drain, as Dragonite resists Fiery Dance, Bug Buzz, and Giga Drain. These two moves are certain to hit in the rain, and their secondary effects have a 30% chance of occurring. Draco Meteor is there to hit Dragons if Dragonite is able to tank a hit. Roost allows for instant recovery, along with its temporary loss of its Flying typing.
Rotom-W @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
-Volt Switch -Thunder
-Hydro Pump -Hidden Power [Ice]
Rotom-W, along with Scizor, gives me a Volt-Turn duo that I can use to pick up momentum. They resist the only type that's super effective against the other one, and allow me to get safe switch-ins for my other Pokemon, as they are relatively slow. I decided to make Rotom-W bulkier so it has a chance to Volt Switch out of there. Thunder is a definite hit under Rain, and Rain boosts Rotom's Hydro Pump to dangerous levels. Hidden Power Ice is there to hit Dragons for super-effective damage and the extra punch that Choice Specs gives to it. Gastrodon would be a problem for Rotom, but I haven't seen much of it while testing my team.
Threat List
Venusaur
If the weather war is won by Sun, I pretty much have no hope for defeating Venusaur, except by sacrificing my Scizor to put it in a KO range for Mamoswine's Ice Shard. If rain is still up, Dragonite can take it on with a STAB Hurricane.
Jellicent
Although it can be taken out with Dragonite or Rotom-W and Toxiced by Politoed, Jellicent poses a problem for Keldeo.
Celebi
Celebi resists both of Keldeo's STABs and has the bulk to shrug a Rain-boosted Hydro Pump. It can be checked with Dragonite if it lacks HP Ice, or it could be revenged by Mamoswine. It could be KOed with a U-Turn from Scizor if Scizor's above 73% health in the Rain.
and
Tornadus-T and Thundurus-T
These two are capable of outspeeding Keldeo and OHKOing with their STAB moves of Hurricane and Thunder(bolt). I can OHKO them in return if I predict that my opponent will switch to them by getting up a Substitute on Keldeo. I can also revenge-kill them with an Expert-Belt boosted Ice Shard from Mamoswine, if they've gone through some Stealth Rock damage.
Jolteon
Jolteon possesses the ability to outspeed all of my team and fire off Thunder(bolt)s or Hidden Power Ice; the only Pokemon on my team that can resist it is Mamoswine. Once Mamoswine goes down, I've pretty much lost against a Jolteon.
Toxicroak
Toxicroak resists both of Keldeo's STAB moves, and if it somehow sets up enough Bulk Up boosts, it becomes a powerhouse that can easily KO the rest of my team with Drain Punch or Sucker Punch. Dragonite can easily take it out if Toxicroak hasn't boosted a lot.
Rotom-W
A full-health Rotom-W spells trouble for my team, as it can take out all of my Pokemon with the appropriate move. However, if it is at around half of its health, then Keldeo can dispatch it with a Secret Sword.
Staraptor
A Scarfed, Reckless-boosted Brave Bird plows through a good part of my team, with possibly a healthy Dragonite's Thunder able to stop the carnage. Mamoswine and Scizor also have their priority moves to deal with the raptor.
Volcarona
If Volcarona boosts even once, it outspeeds Keldeo and it can restore its health and KO the musketdeer with a Giga Drain. It also has super-effective moves to put the rest of my team out of commission. Both Scizor and Mamoswine's STAB moves are resisted by the moth. If Dragonite has enough HP, it can tank a hit and deal considerable damage with a STAB Hurricane.
Thanks for taking the time to look at my team! I now leave you with a...
Last Glance
At a Glance
Closer Look
Keldeo (Keldeo-R) @ Leftovers
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
-Hydro Pump -Secret Sword
-Substitute -Calm Mind
This is the main sweeper from my team. Its EVs are standard sweeper EVs so it hits as hard as it can as fast as it can.I opted not to give it Hidden Power Ghost or Hidden Power Grass in favor of Substitute. While this leaves Keldeo essentially helpless against Jellicent, I have the rest of my team to do that for Keldeo. Substitute helps block against statuses from Ferrothorns and the like who think they can use Leech Seed, T-Wave, etc. against Keldeo to cripple it. With a Timid Nature, Keldeo outspeeds many of these status users. Its STABs of choice are Hydro Pump and Secret Sword. Hydro Pump under the rain, receiving a double-STAB since Keldeo is part water, decimates many Pokemon that don't resist it. Secret Sword enables Keldeo to take down the likes of Blissey and Chansey. These STABs hit a wide array of foes, barring a handful Dragon types, Jellicent, and Starmie. The rest of my team focuses on taking out these threats and enabling Keldeo to sweep.
Politoed (F) @ Eject Button
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
-Scald -Ice Beam
-Toxic -Perish Song
I actually forgot why I put Politoed on my team. Oh yes, it's for adding a 1.5 multiplier to Keldeo's Water STAB, Hydro Pump (along with the other perks of Rain). Politoed has a pretty standard defensive moveset. Except for its item. I have taken a liking to using the Eject Button on Politoed, since it pretty much sets up the weather and another Pokemon to take its place. I usually lure a Fire attack or Ice attack and then switch to Politoed to take the hit, thus simultaneously changing the weather and switching out to a favorable matchup against the opponent's current Pokemon. However, there have been multiple times when I switch in Politoed and my opponent's attack misses or they choose to boost instead, leaving the Eject Button unused and leaving Politoed in. This has led to unfavorable matchups, but it doesn't occur often. So, Scald for Burn chance, Ice Beam to hit Dragons and the like, Toxic to hinder a wall's performance, and Perish Song to wait out a boosting sweeper.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
-U-turn -Bullet Punch
-Pursuit -Superpower
This is a pretty standard Scizor set. It U-Turns to give an opportunity for a safe switch-in to things and do damage at the same time. Bullet Punch hits hard on anything that doesn't resist it, especially after Technician and CB boosts, most notably enabling Scizor to revenge the Therians if they've taken prior damage. Pursuit is to trap Gengar, Starmie, and the like who try to get away, and the boost from Technician helps to do as much damage as possible. The Special Defense EVs help aid Scizor survive if such Pokemon choose to stay in. Superpower is there if I predict a Magnezone or Heatran switch, but I usually just U-Turn out if that's the case.
Mamoswine (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
-Earthquake -Ice Shard
-Stealth Rock -Icicle Crash
Mamoswine, with physical sweeper EVs, does well to get rid of the threat that the Therians pose to my team, especially Tornadus-T and Thundurus-T. Ice Shard, boosted by Expert Belt, does enough damage to KO either Therian after Stealth Rock damage. Icicle Crash is a secondary Ice move that I use against Skarmory in hopes of flinching it to death. Skarmory, I've seen, is a common switch-in to Mamoswine. Earthquake is another STAB move that Mamoswine has in its arsenal, allowing it to KO Pokemon that are weak to it, gaining extra damage from its Expert Belt. Stealth Rock is there if I predict a switch and goes wonders if a Volcarona is on the other team. The moth pretty much destroys my team now that it can gain Giga Drain from B2/W2 move tutors. Enemy Rotom-W poses a problem, though, as I'll explain in the threatlist.
Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
-Roost -Draco Meteor
-Thunder -Hurricane
This is an offensively oriented rain-abusing Dragonite. It works wonders on Jellicent that lack Ice Beam, using Thunder to KO them, albeit while being Burned or Poisoned. With Hurricane, it can outspeed and OHKO Breloom, which is a big threat to my team, whether it packs Technician or Poison Heal. Hurricane also helps me get rid of Volcarona with Giga Drain, as Dragonite resists Fiery Dance, Bug Buzz, and Giga Drain. These two moves are certain to hit in the rain, and their secondary effects have a 30% chance of occurring. Draco Meteor is there to hit Dragons if Dragonite is able to tank a hit. Roost allows for instant recovery, along with its temporary loss of its Flying typing.
Rotom-W @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
-Volt Switch -Thunder
-Hydro Pump -Hidden Power [Ice]
Rotom-W, along with Scizor, gives me a Volt-Turn duo that I can use to pick up momentum. They resist the only type that's super effective against the other one, and allow me to get safe switch-ins for my other Pokemon, as they are relatively slow. I decided to make Rotom-W bulkier so it has a chance to Volt Switch out of there. Thunder is a definite hit under Rain, and Rain boosts Rotom's Hydro Pump to dangerous levels. Hidden Power Ice is there to hit Dragons for super-effective damage and the extra punch that Choice Specs gives to it. Gastrodon would be a problem for Rotom, but I haven't seen much of it while testing my team.
Threat List
If the weather war is won by Sun, I pretty much have no hope for defeating Venusaur, except by sacrificing my Scizor to put it in a KO range for Mamoswine's Ice Shard. If rain is still up, Dragonite can take it on with a STAB Hurricane.
Although it can be taken out with Dragonite or Rotom-W and Toxiced by Politoed, Jellicent poses a problem for Keldeo.
Celebi resists both of Keldeo's STABs and has the bulk to shrug a Rain-boosted Hydro Pump. It can be checked with Dragonite if it lacks HP Ice, or it could be revenged by Mamoswine. It could be KOed with a U-Turn from Scizor if Scizor's above 73% health in the Rain.
These two are capable of outspeeding Keldeo and OHKOing with their STAB moves of Hurricane and Thunder(bolt). I can OHKO them in return if I predict that my opponent will switch to them by getting up a Substitute on Keldeo. I can also revenge-kill them with an Expert-Belt boosted Ice Shard from Mamoswine, if they've gone through some Stealth Rock damage.
Jolteon possesses the ability to outspeed all of my team and fire off Thunder(bolt)s or Hidden Power Ice; the only Pokemon on my team that can resist it is Mamoswine. Once Mamoswine goes down, I've pretty much lost against a Jolteon.
Toxicroak resists both of Keldeo's STAB moves, and if it somehow sets up enough Bulk Up boosts, it becomes a powerhouse that can easily KO the rest of my team with Drain Punch or Sucker Punch. Dragonite can easily take it out if Toxicroak hasn't boosted a lot.
A full-health Rotom-W spells trouble for my team, as it can take out all of my Pokemon with the appropriate move. However, if it is at around half of its health, then Keldeo can dispatch it with a Secret Sword.
A Scarfed, Reckless-boosted Brave Bird plows through a good part of my team, with possibly a healthy Dragonite's Thunder able to stop the carnage. Mamoswine and Scizor also have their priority moves to deal with the raptor.
If Volcarona boosts even once, it outspeeds Keldeo and it can restore its health and KO the musketdeer with a Giga Drain. It also has super-effective moves to put the rest of my team out of commission. Both Scizor and Mamoswine's STAB moves are resisted by the moth. If Dragonite has enough HP, it can tank a hit and deal considerable damage with a STAB Hurricane.
Thanks for taking the time to look at my team! I now leave you with a...
Last Glance