I wasn't sure if I should post them or keep on using them for a while, but I figured what the hell, I'll just do it.
In my newest team, and arguably the most fun to use, which gave me a win/loss ratio of 7:3 in 60 battles, two Pokes stand out for the unusual or underrated sets – though not extremely creative.
These are:
Roserade @
- Sleep Powder
- Sludge Bomb
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power Rock / Flying
Trait: Natural Cure
IVs: 3 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpD / 30 Spe (for HP Rock)
EVs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
Choice Scarf Roserade. The idea came when I was browsing through old RMTs and I found one that's arguably the best one of Heracross's short period on DPP UU before its ban,
Boss Balance. I figured that, since Roserade is faster and more powerful, it should do a decent job, even if it was much less bulky. Having the fastest non-gimmicky Sleep Powder outside of weather is extremely useful, too, putting to sleep many threats 75% of the time. The EV spread is to get the jump on Timid Scarf Rotom-H, since I already lost the speed tie against opposing base 90 scarfers due to the Hidden Power used. Sludge Bomb is the main STAB move due to Leaf Storm's great drawback, but it can still be used to put the hurt on many things. Hidden Power Rock was a move of my choice to 2HKO Crobat and all Chandelure variants Roserade drew in, since it allowed Heracross to perform a cleaner sweep. Hidden Power Flying is another alternative to revenge kill Heracross, and you can always run HP Fire or HP Ice, if that's your thing. This Roserade set is specific to my team's needs, but you can use whatever move you feel like using.
The next Pokemon is a big threat from past metagames, which can still perform extremely well now. I present to you,
Heracross @
- Substitute
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
Trait: Moxie
IVs: 30 HP
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
The mighty SubSalac Heracross from the ADV and DPP eras. Due to Moxie, it can afford to not run Swords Dance to boost its Attack stat and that way get amazing coverage thanks to Stone Edge (you can use Rock Slide if you don't like the shaky accuracy). This thing actually takes advantage of the fact that Scarf Hera is so common nowadays, forcing switches to set up a Substitute (kinda like a miniature RP Genesect in OU, though not half as broken). Then, it can keep using it until it gets the Salac Berry boost, getting the jump on a huge part of the unboosted metagame. If it couldn't manage to keep the Sub up, it performs as a weakened Scarf Heracross that can switch moves, so that's scary enough. If it did, then it doesn't have to fear priority messing with it and get a clean sweep. Admittedly, I didn't manage to sweep in as many opportunities as I should've, considering I used it in 60 matches, but the fifteen or so times I did, it was extremely nice. Substitute Heracross has the benefit of not fearing burns, and it can be extremely devastating after it gets that important first kill. The sweet thing is, it requires pretty much the same support as Scarf Hera: having Gligar and Cofag/DuscLOLps removed from the match, and having Crobat, Chandelure and Zapdos weakened. Heracross is extremely good, surviving LO Sharpedo's Waterfall and +1 SubCM Raikou's Thunderbolt 15 out of 16 times after SR, effectively being able to revenge kill those extremely powerful late-game threats (Raikou after a bit of prior damage), getting the Salac Berry boost and countersweep late-game if the opponent lacks a priority user or a Choice Scarfer – this works for ScarfHera too, of course, but being able to switch moves makes it a better cleaner.
30 IVs make Salac Berry activate after three Subs, and I chose a Jolly nature to outspeed Timid Togekiss before the boost, and tie with opposing Jolly Heras after it, so that I can actually revenge kill them if they're locked into any move but Aerial Ace.
If anyone's interested, I can provide logs showing the team in action. Admittedly, the team was made to provide Heracross with the chances to sweep, but it still doesn't make the sets any less effective...