TAUROS IN HOT PURSUIT
INTRODUCTION:
Hello Smogon, this is my third post (first post where I actually know what I'm talking about). I haven't had the chance to REALLY ladder but I've cracked 1500 within the first few hours of using this team. I built this team around Tauros. I was watching PokeaimMD and he brought out a Tauros and was talking about it and I realized that with the ability Intimidate, almost every physical sweeper is going to want to switch out. So I went on the computer and looked up pokemon with the ability Intimidate, the best attack, the move pursuit, and in NU. This is just a way of hitting those threats that you normally wouldn't be able to touch. Some people said it was gimmicky but others were surprised they had never heard of it before. So without giving away all the secrets in the introduction here is my team!
Hello Smogon, this is my third post (first post where I actually know what I'm talking about). I haven't had the chance to REALLY ladder but I've cracked 1500 within the first few hours of using this team. I built this team around Tauros. I was watching PokeaimMD and he brought out a Tauros and was talking about it and I realized that with the ability Intimidate, almost every physical sweeper is going to want to switch out. So I went on the computer and looked up pokemon with the ability Intimidate, the best attack, the move pursuit, and in NU. This is just a way of hitting those threats that you normally wouldn't be able to touch. Some people said it was gimmicky but others were surprised they had never heard of it before. So without giving away all the secrets in the introduction here is my team!
AT A GLANCE
IN DETAIL
Tauros @ Life rb
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant
~ Earthquake
~ Pursuit
~ Return
~ Rock Slide
DESCRIPTION:
This is where my team was built from. Who wants to stay in with half the attack? Basically if you switch out you get Pursuit, if you have Drifblim you get Rock Slide, and if you are staying in you get Return. It all just lies in your predictions. At first my Tauros was Choice Banded, that wasnt the best idea. Someone recommended a life orb and since then Tauros has become a better team mate. Its weakness to fighting is taken care of by Haunter but I don't bring Tauros in too much unless I absolutely have to because I don't want to spoil the surprise too early in the match, plus it helps more late game then it would in the beginning.
Haunter @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SPAtk / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
~ Substitute
~ Disable
~ Hidden Power [Fighting]
~ Giga Drain
DESCRIPTION:
Haunters my favorite on this team. I love the Sub Disable combo and Haunter has been my number 1 sweeper so far. This is the standard set with the exception of Giga Drain and that works really well. Haunter doesn't have the HP or defenses to boot so all the health he gets is for the better. I have come back from a couple 3+ to 1 situations with just Haunter. He is completely walled by Psychic types and Grass Types however. Haunter takes out the Guts Normal type sweepers after a few rounds of toxic damage and will take out Alomomola from pretty high health.
Electrode @ Choice Specs
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SPAtk / 252 Spe
Nature: Modest
~ Foul Play
~ Thunderbolt
~ Signal Beam
~ Hidden Power [Grass]
DESCRIPTION:
Electrode has been my 2nd most effective sweeper. He is usually my lead because he will out speed most things and lets be honest, who wants to take a Modest Specs Thunderbolt from an Electrode (or Hidden Power [Grass] for those Stealth Rockers). Signal Beam has been working pretty good as well, whereas Foul Play hasn't helped much. Before I was wondering why Electrode was still on my team, all he did was switch in and die, but I've realized that he shouldn't be switching in. So I made him my lead and switch in when I lose a pokemon (if it's a type friendly match up) and he's doing pretty well.
Murkrow @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SPDef
Nature: Impish
~ Roost
~ Thunder Wave
~ Feather Dance
~ Whirlwind
DESCRIPTION:
Murkrow has been a great support. Obviously it hasn't gotten me any kills but if you're going to tell me having shuffled paralyzed pokemon doesn't help net kills then you're lying. With prankster my moves go first so worst case scenario I paralyze 1 pokemon. I also can stop a Ninjask lead in its tracks with Murkrow. It also has surprising bulk, I forgot to put EVs on it today and it was still living atleast one hit every game. Feather Dance forces switches or just adds to Murkrows lifespan. Whirlwind is for taking out pokemon behind subs but it comes in handy for shuffling too.
Armaldo @ Choice Band
Trait: Battle Armor
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 124 Spe
Nature: Adamant
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Super Power
~ X Scissor
DESCRIPTION:
I was recommended an Armaldo as a Rapid Spinner. So I figured most people will expect a Rapid Spin, BAM your ghost type is gone. I know this set isn't uncommon (it's the standard on smogon) but i like to think the element of surprise comes to play. This has gotten me the 3rd most kills on this team and it definitely pulls its weight. It seems to die pretty easily most times though.
Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SPDef
Nature: Calm
~ Earth Power
~ Stealth Rock
~ Scald
~ Knock Off
DESCRIPTION:
I was also recommended a specially defensive Seismitoad and it is wonderful. Its a special wall that sets up rocks, spreads burns, and knocks off the enemies item. Pokemon without items aren't as good as they would be with items (Obviously). All those pesky Eviolite walls in NU? Gone. I just have to make sure it doesn't get hit by grass moves.
Threat List
Heres the import
Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Knock Off
Tauros (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Return
- Rock Slide
Murkrow @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Thunder Wave
- FeatherDance
- Whirlwind
Haunter @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Disable
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Giga Drain
Electrode @ Choice Specs
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Foul Play
- Thunderbolt
- Signal Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Armaldo @ Choice Band
Trait: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 Atk / 128 HP / 4 Def / 124 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
- X-Scissor
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Knock Off
Tauros (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Return
- Rock Slide
Murkrow @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Thunder Wave
- FeatherDance
- Whirlwind
Haunter @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Disable
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Giga Drain
Electrode @ Choice Specs
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Foul Play
- Thunderbolt
- Signal Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Armaldo @ Choice Band
Trait: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 Atk / 128 HP / 4 Def / 124 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
- X-Scissor