I'VE UPDATED THE TEAM. YOU CAN SKIP DOWN TO THE TEAM. ALL CHANGES WILL BE IN PURPLE.
I'm TERRIBLE at building teams. I'm an ok battler, but I suck at making teams. I always used to steal teams from this forum and use them. lol. But then one day, I read a warstory featuring a SubPetaya Empoleon. I thought it was such an awesome sweeper that I decided to try my hand at building my own team again. When I was done, it worked better than any of my other teams. Even better than some teams that I've 'borrowed.' After continuous battling and team tweaking, I had a good solid team that got me a rating of high 1400's, almost 1500. But then I went and tried to make other teams that really lowered my rating.
Now I'm trying to raise this rating with my good ol' Empoleon team. I think it's pretty good but I'm losing more than I'd like to. I have some big holes in the team and some times to get rid of specific threats, I have to play very risky or lose the game. I'd rather have a more stable team then have to use an unstble strategy that doesn't always work.
The OLD Building Process
I started off with Empoleon as the intended focus.
The analysis says he works best with Toxic Spikes. I built a team around this and it failed really bad. So I disregarded that option.
Next, I wanted Sandstorm support since I know passive damage helps Empoleon sweep and Empoleon itself is immune to Sandstorm. I wasn't willing to focus the team on setting up Spikes just cause I'm not so good at that strategy. (I'd try it if enough people recommend it but I've never really been successful building a team with Spikes and I didn't just want to slap Skarm or Forrey onto the team.) Well, Hippowdon wasn't really appealing so I opted for Tyranitar. In order to help with Emp's Blissey weakness, I went with the CB version.
What I didn't like right here was that Emp and TTar share common weakness and resistances. I needed something that could come in on Ground and Fighting attacks. I originally tried out Gyarados and Salamence but they weren't cutting it for me. My team was Infernape weak and Infernape can sometimes beat both Salamence and Gyarados. So I went with another dragon that is pretty much a 100% Infernape counter, Latias.
I didn't know what type of set I'd run yet so I originally tried out Specs, CM, and Life Orb versions. None of these sets were really working for me because although I could force Infernape out, all of these sets welcome opposing Pursuiters or other sweepers to set up. I was still Infernape weak because my team couldn't handle Infernape with Latias. I needed Latias to live for as long as possible and I wanted her to support Emp so I decided to use the Dual Screen version.
After playing around with Dual Screen support, I knew this was the way to go. It was way easier to switch Emp in and start to set up sealing the match with Dual Screens. I wanted another sweeper who could strike early on who also benefited from the Screens. Gyarados can survive Emps Torrent +1 Surf so it had to be something that could fool Gyarados into coming out. The sweeper also had to be an 'early game' sweeper who could get a kill or two. I searched the analyses for someone who could do this and came across Infernape. Because it had to take on Gyarados, I needed Stone Edge meaning I needed physical Ape. I used Life Orb with 4 attacks but I'm currently trying Swords Dance set.
Infernape helps spread damage around and causes havoc for teams. I need to know all 6 of the opposing Pokemon before throwing out Emp cause Emp only gets one shot to set up and if they have something like Starmie, Blissey, or Gyarados left unveiled, I'm screwed. Infernape helps with spreading damage to Gyara and Starmie and if I play correctly, I can force them to sac Bliss to Nape.
Anyway, I pretty much had my team except I was still trying out leads and the 6th slot. I decided Scizor would help the team by doing the ncessary scouting and helping with my Celebi and Starmie weakness. U-turning into Emp is awesome.
Now for the lead. We all know how important leads are today. Finding the right one is really important and for this team, Stealth Rock was a must. Since no one else had it and I didn't want to give it my sweeping Ape or CBTar, I needed a lead who could use it. I originally had Metagross here but he amplified my Ground and Fire weaknesses. Ground and Fire, a water type sounds good. However, I don't have any Elec resistances and I need Stealth Rock, something Water types aren't known for ... or are they?
So there's the team.
So the goal of this team is to set up for Empoleon. To do this, I have to set up stealth rock and uncover all 6 of the opposing Pokemon. Once I learn of all 6, I need to take care of any Starmies, Celebis, Blisseys, Tentacruel, Choice Scarfed Pokes, Bulky Waters and preferably Lucario and Scizor. With Dual Screens, Infernape, Scizor, and Tyranitar try to accomplish this while switching to Latias and Swampert for necessary stalling, screens, or Roaring. Empoleon is deployed once all the above threats are gone and that's usually good game.
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP/216 Def/52 SAtk
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
---
Lead Swampert. The EVs are from the analysis for the MixPert set but I can't help but feel they aren't necessarily suited for a lead. Oh well, I like getting them OHKO's on Salamence. I recently replaced Surf with Roar. I feel as though Roar is necessary because I have been screwed over by Baton Pass teams and other threats that I could've used Roar on. Roar also helps me uncover more of the opponent's team, a necessary strategy to a successful Emp sweep. I do miss STAB water but Ice Beam fills the role alright. Since I don't have Protect or a Ghost on my team Exploding Metagross' really hurt but Azelf is met with a switch to CBTar. Aerodactly is 2HKO'd by Ice Beam, Lead Infernape is met by Latias and usually anything else allows Swampert to stay in and get Rocks up.
I chose Swampert over any other lead because he has the bulk and typing my team needs. I needed to handle fighting, fire, and elec attacks better and he can take fire and elec well (lol) but he can only handle nonSTAB fighting. Good enough for me. I also needed Roar and having it on the lead allows me to stop stat up or trapping shaningans before they start. He's been working well so far but I'm up for suggestions on this guy as a whole.
Latias (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 HP/252 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
---
The team originally had a Dual Screen Latias set here but everyone suggested against it so I tried another set. I tried a CM set for a little bit but I didn't like it along with the other changes I made (DDTar) and it also made me even more Bliss weak. This set isn't really a team player but it does help revenge some slower threats and really helps with the Bulky Water type problem. That's why I use Thunderbolt over Dragon Pulse. The set helps Empoleon just by softening up Pokemon or taking out threats altogether. Trick cripples Blissey who can be hell for this team but besides that Latias helps with my Infernape and Bulky Water weakness.
Gengar @ Life Orb
Levitate
40 Atk/252 Spd/218 SpAtk
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
-Explosion
-Shadow Ball
-Thunderbolt
-Focus Blast
I used to have Infernape here but I was recommended to use Gengar in this spot and so far Gengar has been an acceptable replacement. Infernape did more damage early game but didn't really support the team defensively and as odd as it might sound, Gengar does. I have so many ground and fighting weaknesses that I can easily switch Gengar in during any stage of the game. I was told that 40 Atk EVs would allow for a OHKO on Blissey with Explosion but I know this isn't true. However, I don't know what EVs allow for this but this EV spread does allow for a KO on Blissey if she switches into Stealth Rock and Focus Blast, and then I Explode so I've kept it up until now.
Gengar has been a great addition since most people, for whatever reason, don't expect Thunderbolt and therefore don't switch out their bulkywaters. Blissey is handeled by Explosion, and Dragons that don't have a Scarf or a Speed boost can be revenge killed by this guy if they've taken some damage already. But the best part of using Gengar is how he and Empoleon work so well together thanks to all the enemy Scizors. Scizor will always come in on this guy and either Bullet Punch or Pursuit, allowing Empoleon to come in unthreatened and set up. Late game Gengar / Empoleon plays is how I've won most of my matches that have included opposing CB Scizor. Gengar also gives me a switch into Luke's SD, CC, and a way to revenge kill him.
Tyranitar (M) @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
---
I originally had a CBTar here but that's been changed to a DDTar. It was recommended to go with the Dual Screens but I've tried it with and with out screens and it still works without them. DDTar gives me another set up sweeper, something that I like to have. Sandstream helps Emp sweep and I get it up early against Azelf leads. Dragon Dance Tyranitar helps me soften up the enemy team early on while giving me a switch in into special sweepers. With Dragon Dance, I've swept whole teams without Empoleon. Bab. Berry allows me to stop Scizor ... this might seem detremental to my overall strategy but I'd rather eliminate Scizor instead of trying to setup on him. It also gives me a revenge killer for a +2 Scizor. Stone Edge and Crunch gives me better coverage over Ground + STAB.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/4 Def/4 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
---
The one Pokemon whose EV spread I actually changed. I moved 4 speed EVs and put them into Def. Why would I make him slower by 1 point? Well, if the battle ever comes to Scizor vs Scizor, I'll be the last one to move, meaning I can counter whatever they U-turn to (assuming they U-turn as well) or if we both use Superpower, I'll be the victor thanks to them experiencing the Def drop first. Anyway, Scizor helps greatly with two Pokemon who used to give my team a lot of trouble, Celebi and Scizor. U-turn can take care of both of them, if for some reason Celebi stays in without Reflect or HP Fire, and Starmie gets to experience the "U-turn or Pursuit?" situation. I've considered taking out Infernape and using a Swords Dance Scizor but I'd rather use a CB Scizor to take advantage of U-turn. U-turn lets me scout moves and Pokemon, again, this is necessary before sending out Empoleon.
Empoleon (M) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 12 HP/12 Def/232 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam
---
The star of the show. Empoleon is great. After the other members of the team get done with the opponents team, all of their squishy special-attack-taking walls should be down and Empoleon should have the floor. The great thing about this guy is that so many people are unprepared for him. Well anyway, I use the typical EV spread and move set. I use Ice Beam over Grass Knot because I'd rather be able to take on Dragons than Bulky Waters. Bulky Waters are easier to take on than Dragons so I don't mind if their Dragon lives until the end. Empoleon's +1 SAtk, +2Spe, and Torrent Boosted Surfs are hard to live through.
Well that's my team. All comments are welcomed!
I'm TERRIBLE at building teams. I'm an ok battler, but I suck at making teams. I always used to steal teams from this forum and use them. lol. But then one day, I read a warstory featuring a SubPetaya Empoleon. I thought it was such an awesome sweeper that I decided to try my hand at building my own team again. When I was done, it worked better than any of my other teams. Even better than some teams that I've 'borrowed.' After continuous battling and team tweaking, I had a good solid team that got me a rating of high 1400's, almost 1500. But then I went and tried to make other teams that really lowered my rating.
Now I'm trying to raise this rating with my good ol' Empoleon team. I think it's pretty good but I'm losing more than I'd like to. I have some big holes in the team and some times to get rid of specific threats, I have to play very risky or lose the game. I'd rather have a more stable team then have to use an unstble strategy that doesn't always work.
The OLD Building Process
I started off with Empoleon as the intended focus.
The analysis says he works best with Toxic Spikes. I built a team around this and it failed really bad. So I disregarded that option.
Next, I wanted Sandstorm support since I know passive damage helps Empoleon sweep and Empoleon itself is immune to Sandstorm. I wasn't willing to focus the team on setting up Spikes just cause I'm not so good at that strategy. (I'd try it if enough people recommend it but I've never really been successful building a team with Spikes and I didn't just want to slap Skarm or Forrey onto the team.) Well, Hippowdon wasn't really appealing so I opted for Tyranitar. In order to help with Emp's Blissey weakness, I went with the CB version.
What I didn't like right here was that Emp and TTar share common weakness and resistances. I needed something that could come in on Ground and Fighting attacks. I originally tried out Gyarados and Salamence but they weren't cutting it for me. My team was Infernape weak and Infernape can sometimes beat both Salamence and Gyarados. So I went with another dragon that is pretty much a 100% Infernape counter, Latias.
I didn't know what type of set I'd run yet so I originally tried out Specs, CM, and Life Orb versions. None of these sets were really working for me because although I could force Infernape out, all of these sets welcome opposing Pursuiters or other sweepers to set up. I was still Infernape weak because my team couldn't handle Infernape with Latias. I needed Latias to live for as long as possible and I wanted her to support Emp so I decided to use the Dual Screen version.
After playing around with Dual Screen support, I knew this was the way to go. It was way easier to switch Emp in and start to set up sealing the match with Dual Screens. I wanted another sweeper who could strike early on who also benefited from the Screens. Gyarados can survive Emps Torrent +1 Surf so it had to be something that could fool Gyarados into coming out. The sweeper also had to be an 'early game' sweeper who could get a kill or two. I searched the analyses for someone who could do this and came across Infernape. Because it had to take on Gyarados, I needed Stone Edge meaning I needed physical Ape. I used Life Orb with 4 attacks but I'm currently trying Swords Dance set.
Infernape helps spread damage around and causes havoc for teams. I need to know all 6 of the opposing Pokemon before throwing out Emp cause Emp only gets one shot to set up and if they have something like Starmie, Blissey, or Gyarados left unveiled, I'm screwed. Infernape helps with spreading damage to Gyara and Starmie and if I play correctly, I can force them to sac Bliss to Nape.
Anyway, I pretty much had my team except I was still trying out leads and the 6th slot. I decided Scizor would help the team by doing the ncessary scouting and helping with my Celebi and Starmie weakness. U-turning into Emp is awesome.
Now for the lead. We all know how important leads are today. Finding the right one is really important and for this team, Stealth Rock was a must. Since no one else had it and I didn't want to give it my sweeping Ape or CBTar, I needed a lead who could use it. I originally had Metagross here but he amplified my Ground and Fire weaknesses. Ground and Fire, a water type sounds good. However, I don't have any Elec resistances and I need Stealth Rock, something Water types aren't known for ... or are they?
So there's the team.
So the goal of this team is to set up for Empoleon. To do this, I have to set up stealth rock and uncover all 6 of the opposing Pokemon. Once I learn of all 6, I need to take care of any Starmies, Celebis, Blisseys, Tentacruel, Choice Scarfed Pokes, Bulky Waters and preferably Lucario and Scizor. With Dual Screens, Infernape, Scizor, and Tyranitar try to accomplish this while switching to Latias and Swampert for necessary stalling, screens, or Roaring. Empoleon is deployed once all the above threats are gone and that's usually good game.
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP/216 Def/52 SAtk
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
---
Lead Swampert. The EVs are from the analysis for the MixPert set but I can't help but feel they aren't necessarily suited for a lead. Oh well, I like getting them OHKO's on Salamence. I recently replaced Surf with Roar. I feel as though Roar is necessary because I have been screwed over by Baton Pass teams and other threats that I could've used Roar on. Roar also helps me uncover more of the opponent's team, a necessary strategy to a successful Emp sweep. I do miss STAB water but Ice Beam fills the role alright. Since I don't have Protect or a Ghost on my team Exploding Metagross' really hurt but Azelf is met with a switch to CBTar. Aerodactly is 2HKO'd by Ice Beam, Lead Infernape is met by Latias and usually anything else allows Swampert to stay in and get Rocks up.
I chose Swampert over any other lead because he has the bulk and typing my team needs. I needed to handle fighting, fire, and elec attacks better and he can take fire and elec well (lol) but he can only handle nonSTAB fighting. Good enough for me. I also needed Roar and having it on the lead allows me to stop stat up or trapping shaningans before they start. He's been working well so far but I'm up for suggestions on this guy as a whole.
Latias (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 HP/252 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
---
The team originally had a Dual Screen Latias set here but everyone suggested against it so I tried another set. I tried a CM set for a little bit but I didn't like it along with the other changes I made (DDTar) and it also made me even more Bliss weak. This set isn't really a team player but it does help revenge some slower threats and really helps with the Bulky Water type problem. That's why I use Thunderbolt over Dragon Pulse. The set helps Empoleon just by softening up Pokemon or taking out threats altogether. Trick cripples Blissey who can be hell for this team but besides that Latias helps with my Infernape and Bulky Water weakness.
Gengar @ Life Orb
Levitate
40 Atk/252 Spd/218 SpAtk
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
-Explosion
-Shadow Ball
-Thunderbolt
-Focus Blast
I used to have Infernape here but I was recommended to use Gengar in this spot and so far Gengar has been an acceptable replacement. Infernape did more damage early game but didn't really support the team defensively and as odd as it might sound, Gengar does. I have so many ground and fighting weaknesses that I can easily switch Gengar in during any stage of the game. I was told that 40 Atk EVs would allow for a OHKO on Blissey with Explosion but I know this isn't true. However, I don't know what EVs allow for this but this EV spread does allow for a KO on Blissey if she switches into Stealth Rock and Focus Blast, and then I Explode so I've kept it up until now.
Gengar has been a great addition since most people, for whatever reason, don't expect Thunderbolt and therefore don't switch out their bulkywaters. Blissey is handeled by Explosion, and Dragons that don't have a Scarf or a Speed boost can be revenge killed by this guy if they've taken some damage already. But the best part of using Gengar is how he and Empoleon work so well together thanks to all the enemy Scizors. Scizor will always come in on this guy and either Bullet Punch or Pursuit, allowing Empoleon to come in unthreatened and set up. Late game Gengar / Empoleon plays is how I've won most of my matches that have included opposing CB Scizor. Gengar also gives me a switch into Luke's SD, CC, and a way to revenge kill him.
Tyranitar (M) @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
---
I originally had a CBTar here but that's been changed to a DDTar. It was recommended to go with the Dual Screens but I've tried it with and with out screens and it still works without them. DDTar gives me another set up sweeper, something that I like to have. Sandstream helps Emp sweep and I get it up early against Azelf leads. Dragon Dance Tyranitar helps me soften up the enemy team early on while giving me a switch in into special sweepers. With Dragon Dance, I've swept whole teams without Empoleon. Bab. Berry allows me to stop Scizor ... this might seem detremental to my overall strategy but I'd rather eliminate Scizor instead of trying to setup on him. It also gives me a revenge killer for a +2 Scizor. Stone Edge and Crunch gives me better coverage over Ground + STAB.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/4 Def/4 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
---
The one Pokemon whose EV spread I actually changed. I moved 4 speed EVs and put them into Def. Why would I make him slower by 1 point? Well, if the battle ever comes to Scizor vs Scizor, I'll be the last one to move, meaning I can counter whatever they U-turn to (assuming they U-turn as well) or if we both use Superpower, I'll be the victor thanks to them experiencing the Def drop first. Anyway, Scizor helps greatly with two Pokemon who used to give my team a lot of trouble, Celebi and Scizor. U-turn can take care of both of them, if for some reason Celebi stays in without Reflect or HP Fire, and Starmie gets to experience the "U-turn or Pursuit?" situation. I've considered taking out Infernape and using a Swords Dance Scizor but I'd rather use a CB Scizor to take advantage of U-turn. U-turn lets me scout moves and Pokemon, again, this is necessary before sending out Empoleon.
Empoleon (M) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 12 HP/12 Def/232 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam
---
The star of the show. Empoleon is great. After the other members of the team get done with the opponents team, all of their squishy special-attack-taking walls should be down and Empoleon should have the floor. The great thing about this guy is that so many people are unprepared for him. Well anyway, I use the typical EV spread and move set. I use Ice Beam over Grass Knot because I'd rather be able to take on Dragons than Bulky Waters. Bulky Waters are easier to take on than Dragons so I don't mind if their Dragon lives until the end. Empoleon's +1 SAtk, +2Spe, and Torrent Boosted Surfs are hard to live through.
Well that's my team. All comments are welcomed!
