I’m relatively new to the 5th Gen competitive battling scene, but I’ve been flipping through the RMTs, picking up strategies and whatnot randomly. With so many weather teams in the fifth gen, I decided on attempting a non-weather team (non-weather is also coincidentally a personal preference as well). My sets are generally generic as I lack experience in the field, so any constructive criticisms would be much appreciated.
The Team
LEAD
Thundurus @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Prankster
EV: 4 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk / -Atk)
-Taunt
-Thunder Wave
-Thunderbolt
-Psychic
So this is basically your run-of-the-mill Thundurus, with the typical Prankster moveset. Obviously a useful lead, always managing to paralyze something and stops the opposing lead from setting up. Thunderbolt is a nice STAB attacking move, and Psychic is there to cover this metagames common Fighting types, since no other Pokemon in my team can do that. The cliche EVs are obviously there for the max Speed in order to Taun/TWave first turn, then attack on the second. Nothing much else here since this guy is pretty frail.
Type Weaknesses:
Rock - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
Ice - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
BULKY PHYSICAL
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EV: 252 HP / 126 Atk / 126 Spd
Nature: Adamant (+Atk / -Sp. Atk)
-Dragon Dance
-Roost
-Dragon Claw
-Fire Punch
Dragonite is my favourite Pokemon and I was severely disappointed when Salamence came along and outsmashed it. Since 3rd Gen, I haven't seen very many Dragonites around, what with being extremely outclassed each generation by new, stronger, faster Dragons like Mence, Chomp, and now Haxorus and Hydreigon, but with the release of Multiscale, Dragonite seemed to take "Bulky" to a new level. The moveset itself is lacking in creativity but what can I say, I wanted my Bulky DDNite. Dance on the switch, then Dance again on the next (or Roost) then go all out with the heavy hitting. I put Fire Punch in because I don't want Ballooned/Flying/Levitating Steels (Excadrill,Bronzong, Skarmory etc.) all over me. I find that this version of perfect coverage suits me better than Earthquake. I've seen various EVs thrown around for Bulky DDNite, but I decided on the 126 Atk to give it more punch. Why put EVs in Spd when I can just Dance again to remedy that?
Type Weaknesses:
Rock - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
Ice - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
Dragon - Covered by Scizor, Heatran and (sometimes) Swampert
SCOUT/PRIORITY
Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EV: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Adamant
-Swords Dance
-Roost
-U-Turn
-Bullet Punch
Ah Scizor, Gen 4's infestation. Choice Banders running around all over the place. I like the idea of versatility, and switching is not something I usually do well, so I prefer LO/SD, as it seems to provide a Scizor that can SD once or twice, Roost, then proceed with a Bullet Punch sweep, U-Turning at the right moment to nab a nice matchup or save its own butt. I often find this Scizor hard to set up (I mentioned that I am relatively new to the battling scene, though I do battle friends who play online) because of the number of Fighting and Fire type moves around, but once I get him set up, this Scizor can easily nab 2-3 KOs. The EVs are standard fare, maxing speed for emergency Roosts/U-Turns on slower Pokemon and Life Orb maxes power without limiting attacking options.
Type Weaknesses:
Fire - Covered by Dragonite, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
SPECIAL SWEEPER/STEALTH ROCK
Heatran @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EV: 4 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk / -Atk)
-Toxic
-Dragon Pulse
-Fire Blast
-Earth Power
Another one of Gen 4's dominating players, I tend to bring Heatran in early/mid-game in order to get Stealth Rocks up, but after that I pull him out until late game, as he is terrific at cleaning up weakened Pokemon. All standard sweeping stuff, but the lack of a Choice Scarf for Speed sometimes is a letdown, although the Balloon is useful while it is intact for negating Ground moves. Heatran gets switched in often because pretty much every weakness the other team members have, Heatran resists. Nothing much more to say.
Type Weaknesses:
Water - Covered by Dragonite, Scizor, Swampert and Starmie
Fighting - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Swampert and Starmie
Ground - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Swampert and Starmie
PHYSICAL PHAZER
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EV: 252 HP / 126 Def / 126 Sp. Def
Nature: Adamant (+Atk / - Sp. Atk)
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Waterfall
-Roar
Swampert is my all-time favourite starter (although I'm really not sure why) and although his usefulness has declined since the last generation, I find that he doesn't have much trouble fitting on to the team. I'm having a dilemma as to whether Swampert or Heatran should have Stealth Rock and what move should be used to replace it on either. Swampert has great natural bulk though and the given EVs completely max out its defensive capabilities. I opted for an attack boosting nature though in order to retain status as a mild threat in Bulky Sweeping. I rarely see Swamperts anymore in this metagame, but from what I have seen, this Swampert seems to have the best defensive capabilities of all.
Type Weaknesses:
Grass - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Scizor and Heatran
RAPID SPINNER/SUPPORT
Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EV: 252 HP / 210 Def / 20 Sp. Def / 28 Spd
Nature: Calm (+Sp. Def / -Atk)
-Rapid Spin
-Toxic Spikes
-Hex
-Scald
So I decided to take Captain Dragan's advice and bring in a Tentacruel to replace my Starmie and so far he's been working much better thanks to his better bulk. I find that he has an easier time switching in because of a nice enough Sp. Def to function as a semi-wall. I decided on Black Sludge in order to prevent Trickers from gaining Leftovers recovery, but its more of a gimmick than anything . Hex works well on Ghosts trying to Spinblock and Scald has so far netted me far more burns than expected. Thanks for the recommendation King Dragan.
RETIRED
RAPID SPINNER/STATUS ABSORBER
Starmie @ Absorb Bulb
Ability: Natural Cure
EV: 4 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Timid (+Spd / -Atk)
-Rapid Spin
-Recover
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
Starmie has several functions on this team, namely to remove entry hazards for Dragonite, absorb Water moves for Heatran and absorb status for everybody in general. It functions nicely, although its frailty is slightly annoying, since it tends to die quicker than I would like it to. The status absorption and hazard removal are the main uses for this Starmie, and it provides those services invaluably. The Absorb Bulb is more gimmicky, since only one Pokemon on my team is weak to water, but under the right circumstances, a +1 Sp. Atk Starmie can become a very viable sweeper in my opinion...although so far I haven't had much luck in activating the Bulb.
Type Weaknesses:
Electric - Covered by Scizor, Heatran and Swampert
Grass - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Scizor and Heatran
Bug - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Scizor and Heatran
Ghost - Covered by Scizor and Heatran
Dark - Covered by Scizor and Heatran
So thats it guys! Constructive criticisms appreciated, especially with the Stealth Rock dilemma on Heatran/Swampert!
EDIT: Added Scarf and Toxic to Heatran, Modest on Thundurus, Timid on Starmie
The Team
LEAD
Thundurus @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Prankster
EV: 4 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk / -Atk)
-Taunt
-Thunder Wave
-Thunderbolt
-Psychic
So this is basically your run-of-the-mill Thundurus, with the typical Prankster moveset. Obviously a useful lead, always managing to paralyze something and stops the opposing lead from setting up. Thunderbolt is a nice STAB attacking move, and Psychic is there to cover this metagames common Fighting types, since no other Pokemon in my team can do that. The cliche EVs are obviously there for the max Speed in order to Taun/TWave first turn, then attack on the second. Nothing much else here since this guy is pretty frail.
Type Weaknesses:
Rock - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
Ice - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
BULKY PHYSICAL
Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EV: 252 HP / 126 Atk / 126 Spd
Nature: Adamant (+Atk / -Sp. Atk)
-Dragon Dance
-Roost
-Dragon Claw
-Fire Punch
Dragonite is my favourite Pokemon and I was severely disappointed when Salamence came along and outsmashed it. Since 3rd Gen, I haven't seen very many Dragonites around, what with being extremely outclassed each generation by new, stronger, faster Dragons like Mence, Chomp, and now Haxorus and Hydreigon, but with the release of Multiscale, Dragonite seemed to take "Bulky" to a new level. The moveset itself is lacking in creativity but what can I say, I wanted my Bulky DDNite. Dance on the switch, then Dance again on the next (or Roost) then go all out with the heavy hitting. I put Fire Punch in because I don't want Ballooned/Flying/Levitating Steels (Excadrill,Bronzong, Skarmory etc.) all over me. I find that this version of perfect coverage suits me better than Earthquake. I've seen various EVs thrown around for Bulky DDNite, but I decided on the 126 Atk to give it more punch. Why put EVs in Spd when I can just Dance again to remedy that?
Type Weaknesses:
Rock - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
Ice - Covered by Scizor, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
Dragon - Covered by Scizor, Heatran and (sometimes) Swampert
SCOUT/PRIORITY
Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EV: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Adamant
-Swords Dance
-Roost
-U-Turn
-Bullet Punch
Ah Scizor, Gen 4's infestation. Choice Banders running around all over the place. I like the idea of versatility, and switching is not something I usually do well, so I prefer LO/SD, as it seems to provide a Scizor that can SD once or twice, Roost, then proceed with a Bullet Punch sweep, U-Turning at the right moment to nab a nice matchup or save its own butt. I often find this Scizor hard to set up (I mentioned that I am relatively new to the battling scene, though I do battle friends who play online) because of the number of Fighting and Fire type moves around, but once I get him set up, this Scizor can easily nab 2-3 KOs. The EVs are standard fare, maxing speed for emergency Roosts/U-Turns on slower Pokemon and Life Orb maxes power without limiting attacking options.
Type Weaknesses:
Fire - Covered by Dragonite, Heatran, Swampert and Starmie
SPECIAL SWEEPER/STEALTH ROCK
Heatran @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EV: 4 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk / -Atk)
-Toxic
-Dragon Pulse
-Fire Blast
-Earth Power
Another one of Gen 4's dominating players, I tend to bring Heatran in early/mid-game in order to get Stealth Rocks up, but after that I pull him out until late game, as he is terrific at cleaning up weakened Pokemon. All standard sweeping stuff, but the lack of a Choice Scarf for Speed sometimes is a letdown, although the Balloon is useful while it is intact for negating Ground moves. Heatran gets switched in often because pretty much every weakness the other team members have, Heatran resists. Nothing much more to say.
Type Weaknesses:
Water - Covered by Dragonite, Scizor, Swampert and Starmie
Fighting - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Swampert and Starmie
Ground - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Swampert and Starmie
PHYSICAL PHAZER
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EV: 252 HP / 126 Def / 126 Sp. Def
Nature: Adamant (+Atk / - Sp. Atk)
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Waterfall
-Roar
Swampert is my all-time favourite starter (although I'm really not sure why) and although his usefulness has declined since the last generation, I find that he doesn't have much trouble fitting on to the team. I'm having a dilemma as to whether Swampert or Heatran should have Stealth Rock and what move should be used to replace it on either. Swampert has great natural bulk though and the given EVs completely max out its defensive capabilities. I opted for an attack boosting nature though in order to retain status as a mild threat in Bulky Sweeping. I rarely see Swamperts anymore in this metagame, but from what I have seen, this Swampert seems to have the best defensive capabilities of all.
Type Weaknesses:
Grass - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Scizor and Heatran
RAPID SPINNER/SUPPORT
Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EV: 252 HP / 210 Def / 20 Sp. Def / 28 Spd
Nature: Calm (+Sp. Def / -Atk)
-Rapid Spin
-Toxic Spikes
-Hex
-Scald
So I decided to take Captain Dragan's advice and bring in a Tentacruel to replace my Starmie and so far he's been working much better thanks to his better bulk. I find that he has an easier time switching in because of a nice enough Sp. Def to function as a semi-wall. I decided on Black Sludge in order to prevent Trickers from gaining Leftovers recovery, but its more of a gimmick than anything . Hex works well on Ghosts trying to Spinblock and Scald has so far netted me far more burns than expected. Thanks for the recommendation King Dragan.
RETIRED
RAPID SPINNER/STATUS ABSORBER
Starmie @ Absorb Bulb
Ability: Natural Cure
EV: 4 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd
Nature: Timid (+Spd / -Atk)
-Rapid Spin
-Recover
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
Starmie has several functions on this team, namely to remove entry hazards for Dragonite, absorb Water moves for Heatran and absorb status for everybody in general. It functions nicely, although its frailty is slightly annoying, since it tends to die quicker than I would like it to. The status absorption and hazard removal are the main uses for this Starmie, and it provides those services invaluably. The Absorb Bulb is more gimmicky, since only one Pokemon on my team is weak to water, but under the right circumstances, a +1 Sp. Atk Starmie can become a very viable sweeper in my opinion...although so far I haven't had much luck in activating the Bulb.
Type Weaknesses:
Electric - Covered by Scizor, Heatran and Swampert
Grass - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Scizor and Heatran
Bug - Covered by Thundurus, Dragonite, Scizor and Heatran
Ghost - Covered by Scizor and Heatran
Dark - Covered by Scizor and Heatran
So thats it guys! Constructive criticisms appreciated, especially with the Stealth Rock dilemma on Heatran/Swampert!
EDIT: Added Scarf and Toxic to Heatran, Modest on Thundurus, Timid on Starmie