Therian Reign2(OU Team Revamp)

[CedOmega]

Team Preview

Team Preview

Introduction

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Hello Smogon, it's CedOmega bring to everyone a new RMT for your enjoyment. So, I made this team with the thought that my last team was now outdated with the bann of Deoxys-D. Since I drew my focus from using Thundurus-T to Landorus-T, I knew the team would need a balance of sorts to ensure that Landorus-T would function as well as Thundurus-T did on my previous RMT(Not For the Weak Hearted... @ Serebii). I then did some tests with the team through Random MatchUps and after scoring a total of 50+ wins, I decided to then use it as an official Wi-Fi battling team. With that said, I find myself, again, beginning to ramble about my team. So why don't we get down to the team's debut, shall we?

Upon Closer Examination

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Landorus-T(InariOkami)@ChoiceScarf
Trait: Intimidate
Naive nature
252 Attk/ 252 Spd/ 4 Sp.Attk
Earrthquake, Rock Slide, Hidden Power(Ice) & U-Turn​

Opening with the star of the show, I introduce Landorus-T as the lead. Utilizing Intimidate's potential, it U-turns out to either Gorebyss for a straightforward set up or Porygon2 for the start of what I like to call "The Ultimate Depression". Many often wonder why I prefer to run the naive natured HiddenPower(Ice) set. Simply put, it gives Landorus-T the wonderful niche of all around coverage against Salamence, opposing naive Landorus-T, and helps take down Gliscor annoyances. ToxicStall Gliscor are easy to handle, but you'll see why soon enough. Earthquake is for STAB and ofcourse to score KOs against weakened foes that don't resist it. This, too, is true for RockSlide, which has also helped score 2 wins with the rare additional flinch hax.

Infernape@LifeOrb
Trait: Iron Fist
Jolly nature
252 Attk/ 252 Spd/ 4 Hp
Mach Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch & U-Turn​

Coming in as the second member of the team is Infernape. I can't understand for the life of me why some people use Infernape's Iron Fist ability when using no boosted moves. It is this reason that I tend to boast just how to one can abuse an Iron Fist Infernape. Mach Punch provides priority while also allowing Infernape to contend with the likes of weakened TechLoom and IceShard Mamoswine. Often enough, Infernape revenges the latter and can then switch to Scizor or Porygon2 to cover its weaknesses. Fire Punch and Thunder Punch enable Infernape to have a variety of coverages against immediate Steel types like Cobalion, Jirachi and Scizor, Water types like Specs Politoed, SubDD Gyarados and the occasional weakened Vaporeon. U-Turn is again used to scout, but Infernape is the most desposable at times and often stays in while the consistant Life Orb recoil adds up.

Alakazam(Chronicle)@FocusSash
Trait: Magic Guard
Timid nature
252 Sp.Attk, 252 Spd/ 4 Def
Psychic, Shadow ball, Focus Blast & Hidden Power(Ice)​

Alakazam was added as filler at first, but has since then earned the permanent position on the team as the team's emergency revenge killer and occasional sweeper. It's set is solely based around coverage and coverage only. Psychic also recieves STAB, which is nice, but it often wishes to have Psyshock when facing Blissey and Chansey. Fortunately, neither of the two enjoy taking a Focus Blast when lacking Softboiled. Shadow Ball helps rid me of pesky opposing Psychic- and Ghost- types. Now you may be asking yourself and me, Why Hidden Power(Ice)? Any experienced player has run across a dragon or two that have set up entirely too many DD to stop without anything short of a miracle. This is that miracle. Garchomp are one hell of an issue all the time. Alakazam fixes the patch up quite nicely with a revenge attack and OHKO. Alakazam is also Part 2 to handling SubToxic Gliscor annoyances.

Porygon2(Error Code)@Eviolite
Triat: Trace
Bold nature
252 Hp/ 248 Def/ 8 Sp.Def
Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Wave & Recover​

Porygon2 enters as the overall wall of the team. Also, as Part 3 to handlng Gliscor annoyances. Trace is the best for almost any occasion, as the opponent's own natural ability is also its worst downfall... That said, Porygon2 has gained me alot many wins recently. Rarely seen, it is the most unsuspecting threat to most team. This is but a scratch on the virsatility that Porygon2's ability grants it. Heatran threats that come in on Scizor are walled after Trace'ing Flash Fire. Chandelure is badly walled, as Porygon2 resists its dual STABs. BoltBeam allows it overall coverage great coverage. Thunder Wave is support and Recover to keep Porygon2 healthy.

Scizor@IronPlate
Trait: Technician
Adamant nature
252 Attack/ 248 Hp/ 8 Spd
Bullet Punch, U-Turn, Super Power & Swords Dance​

As a common Choice Band user, Scizor is often mispredicted in battle. The following set allows him to set up maybe once, twice if possible, and proceed to sweep with STAB Bullet Punch. U-Turn was chosen over Bug Bite and, while it may seem redundant, it allows Scizor to get in some much needed "hit-and-runs" when the time demands it. Super Power is for coverage, although I've found myself considering to replace it for Brick Break. The loss of power doesn't seem significant, so on the matter, I'm still indecisive.​

Gorebyss@White Herb
Trait: Hydration
Modest nature
252 Sp.Attk/ 252 Spd/ 4 Sp.Def
Surf, Hidden Power(Grass), Shell Smash & Baton Pass​

As the last member, Gorebyss makes a decent impact. SmashPassing is quite easily achieved when the opponent sees it and thinks to attack. Unfortunately for the opponent, I usually try and get in one Intimidate activation from Landorus-T to keep Gorebyss' natural bulk intact. Surf serves as a nice STAB while not taking any unnecessary risks using HydroPump. Ice Beam was replaced with Hidden Power(Grass) after a while due to Jellicent's annoying presence on opposing teams. Hydration as an ability is one for the record books, as it assists in tackling Rain teams head on. Rain not only prevents its status, but boosts its initial power provided by Surf after x1 Shell Smash.

Conclusion

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As I come to a closing with my team, I want thank everyone for taking the time to read my newest RMT. Being the first RMT I've made for Smogon in a while, I hope that everyone enjoyed reading about the team and how each Pokemon's role plays against certain notable threats. With that said, I look forward to everyone's critiques and suggestions. Happy Rating!

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[GCSChris]

Cool team!

Unfortunately, having shell smash and baton pass on the same moveset is banned, so you may want to consider changing that.

I also didn't understand this bit:

Heatran threats that come in on Scizor are walled after Trace'ing Flash Fire.

Are you predicting the Heatran switch into Scizor and going out to Porygon2 in this situation?

Other than that, pretty solid team, looks pretty fun to use!

 

[RaijueR]

Cool team!

Unfortunately, having shell smash and baton pass on the same moveset is banned, so you may want to consider changing that.

I also didn't understand this bit:

Heatran threats that come in on Scizor are walled after Trace'ing Flash Fire.

Are you predicting the Heatran switch into Scizor and going out to Porygon2 in this situation?

Other than that, pretty solid team, looks pretty fun to use!

Baton Pass plus Shell smash is only banned in RU and NU not UU and above

 

[Gimili]

Honestly, I think you shoul be using pretty much any Shell Smash sweeper other than Gorebyss. Omastar, Cloyster, and Carracosta are places to start.

 

[GCSChris]

just realized. my bad

 

[CedOmega]

When it comes to Heatran, the scenario I spoke of was that Scizor comes in on something it can set up 1 SD on. The opponent switches out to Heatran when Scizor either uses Bullet Punch or Swords Dance. Porygon2 then switches in, Traces Flash Fire and absorbs the predicted Flamethower/OverHeat/FireBlast.

 

[fire r a g e]

Honestly, I think you shoul be using pretty much any Shell Smash sweeper other than Gorebyss. Omastar, Cloyster, and Carracosta are places to start.

I honestly don't think you understand the point. He wants to Baton Pass Shell Smash, and none of the Pokemon you listed can do that. Please read the OP before saying things.

 

[TGMD]

Hey CedOmega, nice team!

First of all, Offensive Volcarona can completely destroy you. It easily sets up on pretty much your entire team and at +1 it can outspeed your entire team, and it can ohko everything after a little residual damage. Even if it's a weaker Volcarona variant, it can still get past Porygon2 and sweep your team if it's in the sun (it almost is anyway) or it carries Lum Berry / Sub / Chesto Berry and Rest. To help remedy this situation, I suggest running a Choice Scarf Landorus over your current Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Landorus has the speed to outspeed +1 Volcarona, making it much easier to deal with. I understand the loss of Intimidate is unfortunate, but Volcarona is too much of a threat, and Landorus-T doesn't have the speed to function as a reliable scarfer.

Rain in general is a pretty huge ptoblem. Your one and only water resist doesn't have much it can do to Water Pokemon in return, your Porygon2 is physically defensive, so it has a lot of trouble standing up to rain, and everything else is either frail, or weak to Water or both. To help fix this problem, I suggest running Life Orb Keldeo over your current Infernape. Keldeo doesn't really help too much, as it lacks the bulk neccessary, but it helps a decent amount and an extra Water resist is always nice. Not only thi, but Infernape isn't a very good Pokemon in general at the moment, it's incredibly frail, weak, and it's terrible under rain, the most common weather. Keldeo on the other hand is a force to be reckoned with, it has good bulk, power, typing, it's great under rain, it has good coverage, etc. Overall, it'll definitely help with your rain problem, and it's a far better smashpass recipient due to the reasons mentioned earlier.

Choice Scarf Landorus

Landorus @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-Turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Life Orb Keldeo

Keldeo @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Icy Wind

 

[CedOmega]

Thanks for the suggestions The Great Mighty Doom!

So I tested out the change to Landorus' form and I'm pleased to say that it made some beneficial differences. The extra Speed really helped when encountering Salamence and some Dragonite, too. Volcarona, however were very rarely seen in general. But the threat is still imminent, so I'll keep him as Landorus-I for a while.

For Keldeo, I found it annoying to not land HydroPump when needed, so I changed it to Surf for assurance. That's really the only problem I've had with that. The loss of Mach Punch was missed about 3 times, but I was able to play around it. Again, thanks for the suggestion. :

I'll update the thread later, however.

Any suggestions from others would help, too.