Monte Cristo
Banned deucer.
Introduction
Hello Smogon. For those who do not know me, this is only my 2nd RMT ever aside from an old one called "Victory Garden" back in gen 5. But yes, I'm back, some brief info on me: I've been lurking for a lot more than I've had an account, I like to analyze stuff A LOT so be expecting a lot of TL;dr edits soon, ,I love testing around with VIABLE unique -not used very much- threats that and I love Adventure time. All of the above have a lot to do with this RMT so be prepared. I like to theme my teams around something so I chose something I'd doubt someone else would do: Adventure time songs. Get ready to have to look up 6 songs just because I chose those song names for pokemon names!
I would describe the playstyle of this team as "balanced" but leaning more into offense. This team attempts to have multiple checks to every threat in the OU metagame while providing easy and clear targets for supporting pokemon to nuke until it's ready for a clean by either, Mega-Gyara, Weavile or Victini (or even something else, who knows?)
At a Glance
Teambuilding process
Weavile | Victini
Yes, so here comes the truth, this team was originally built around Lum SD weavile and LO Victini, Why? It's literally because I wanted a strong nice ice type with the ability to nuke, and nobody can deny +2 knock off isn't a nuke in this metagame, and Victini generally provided nice pivoting into Mega-Saur and proved very unpredictable due to me choosing the special set and popping rotom-w with LO modest psychic. Overall these were 2 unprepared for threats in the metagame and I wanted to see how they could fare.
Weavile | Victini | Deoxys-S
Quickly I found myself desperate for a choice scarf user in order to revenge kill top threats or even a priority abuser, but then I decided "fuck it, I'll use the one thing people will never expect: Deo-S with no SR" And from then on Superpower, Knock Off, Psycho Boost, Ice beam and whatever slots I alternated became LO nukes at my disposal to revenge kill whatever I wanted.
Weavile | Victini | Deoxys-S | Breloom
Scraping out for good Rotom-W checks/Counters I decided to see what else besides latias and mega saur could handle it well. And eventually I found it: Poison Heal Breloom. Now you may be asking- why the fuck would you ever use poison heal over technician, and here's my answer: Breloom instantly becomes an insta WOW, scald and rotom-w counter as soon as toxic orb activates, it also lets it not worry about getting burned for the rest of the game and it also lets it recover at a really nice pace.
Weavile | Victini | Deoxys-S | Breloom | Zapdos
So basically, I needed nice Talonflame, Thundurus, Mega Pinsir and tons of other SpAttacker checks, and I found it in LO pivot dos. LODos is able to fire off strong thunderbolts, have nice amount of HP investment to live what it's supposed to check (like pinsir after SR for example) and not only that but have 2 niches over it's competition(Bulky Thundy-I and Rotom-W): Roost over both, giving it able recovery at a moments notice and Flying type instead of levitate in Rotom's case, which actually lets it not be bait for mold breaker Pinsir's EQ pre-mega. That and it's amazing stats. Not only that but I have a certain strong hidden power to dispatch bulky grasses and other threats(this HP even 2HKoes gliscor w/o SE!)
Weavile | Victini | Deoxys-S | Breloom | Zapdos | Gyarados-Mega
And in the end, this is what the team looked like. SO to explain the changes: I added DDTaunt Mega-Gyara with EQ to lure and set up on standard Rotom-w and it was really effective as steamrolling most unprepared teams, and most of the time it cleaned with little to no damage. And I was finding lum berry to be pretty weak on Weavile so I swapped items for Icicle Plate letting it's Ice Shard pick off things it was edging on before. I may change it to LO Weavile and SubDD Gyara-M in the future however
In Depth
So you've all seen the team from teambuilding stance and from a glance, but how does it REALLY look? Well you're about to find out
. . .
(changes over time in bold)
Ability: Pickpocket
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
Swords Dance | Ice Shard | Ice Punch / Low Kick | Knock Off
"I know you just wanna' give your little girl the world.
But daddy I'm not just your little girl!
I've got my own life
I've got my own plans.
I hope you understand and like the way that I am.- Marceline the Vampire Queen ~ Little Girl"
OverviewThe all star of the team, right in the front. Anyways, Weavile is extremely nice to have in this metagame imo, the sheer number of things just checked by Ice Shard alone is important:
- 252+ Atk Icicle Plate Weavile Ice Shard vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Pinsir: 140-168 (51.4 - 61.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ Atk Icicle Plate Weavile Ice Shard vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Thundurus: 218-260 (72.6 - 86.6%) -- guerenteed 2HKO
- 252+ Atk Icicle Plate Weavile Ice Shard vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 340-408 (94.9 - 113.9%) -- almost guaranteed OHKO
- 252+ Atk Icicle Plate Weavile Ice Shard vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 170-204 (52.4 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Multiscale Break
- 252+ Atk Icicle Plate Weavile Ice Shard vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 102-120 (34.2 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
- etc
Top 3 things to watch out for when using this
- Jolly over Adamant to get faster, out prioritizing, Ice Shards and Faster Nuke-Offs.
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Spd / 184 SAtk / 72 HP
Modest Nature
Blue Flare | Psyshock | Glaciate | Focus Blast
"What am I to you:
What am I to you?
I am I a joke, your knight or your brother?
What am I to you?
Do you look down on me 'cause I'm younger? - Finn the Human ~ What Am I to you "
Overview
When it comes to nuking, Victini will make you realize you don't even know the first thing about it. Victini, imo, right now is one of the most unpredictable wall breakers in OU due to Blue Flare/V-Create being so stupidly powerful alone or mixed. Not only that but Victini has the bulk and Coverage to not only run the typical Scarf and CB physical sets everybody expects, but to run special sets like these. Not going to lie right now, When I saw Victini I thought it was going to be near useless compared to scarf chandalure or other fire types as a special attacker, but back in gen 5, I learned this was not true at all, Victini's Blue Flare going not nerfed this gen was quite the blissful surprise I must say. This allowes Victini to rip out niches as one of the strongest special attackers in OU right now:
- 184+ SpA Life Orb Victini Blue Flare vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mew: 173-204 (42.8 - 50.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mew: 142-169 (35.1 - 41.8%) -- 82% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Manaphy: 149-177 (36.8 - 43.8%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Top 3 things to watch out for when using this
-
-
-
Most of Victini's checks are simple so this list was kind of short and odd.
Alternative Options
-
- Different, more standard spreads like 252/252/4
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 72 Spd / 252 SAtk / 184 HP
Modest Nature
Thunderbolt | Defog | Roost | Hidden Power [Flying]
"Bacon Pancakes:
Bacon Pancakes,
makin' Bacon Pancakes.
'Take some bacon and you put it in a pancake.
Bacon Pancake,
that's what it's gonna' MAAAAAKE.- Jake The Dog ~ Bacon Pancakes"
Overview
I cannot lie about how damn good Zapdos is right now. The fact that it gets such good offensive and defensive stats and typing at the same time is amazing, especially with firing off strong HP flyings to break switch ins like Mega Saur. 72 Speed EVs si to creep uninvested base 100s and lower, or even minimal invested ones like Sdef Celebi. Roost provides the main backbone to the reason to use LO Zapdos, and clearly sets it apart from the competition. Heat Wave provides very good safety nets to top steel type pokes in this metagame such as Mega Mawile, Scizor, and Bisharp. And STAB Thunderbolt coming from Zapdos's beast special attack hits EXTREMELY hard in this meta with few ground types that can tango with HP Flying Zapdos. Zapdos is very crucial to this team's balance, it provides me a consistent check to things like Mega Pinsir, Thundurus and Mega Venusaur while providing much needed offensive pressure for a pivot on this team. SOme calcs to support my claims:
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 188-222 (44.7 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Venusaur: 234-276 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Venusaur: 174-205 (47.8 - 56.3%) -- 84.4% chance to 2HKO
- 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Pinsir Return vs. 184 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 141-167 (38.4 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
- 252 SpA Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 184 HP / 0 SpD Zapdos: 157-186 (42.7 - 50.6%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Thundurus: 246-290 (82 - 96.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 164-192 (41.6 - 48.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Hidden Power Flying vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 156-185 (43.5 - 51.6%) -- 10.9% chance to 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Rotom-W: 142-168 (46.7 - 55.2%) -- 9.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- etc
Top 3 things to watch out for when using this
Alternative Options
-
Defog is a HUGE consideration right now due the fact that I don't really use hazards and stuff like SR can really mess with this team's main offensive core(Weavile/Victini/Gyara) but I don't know what to ditch. HP flying is the kicker of this set and is only 10 BP less than heat wave on average, however Heat Wave is key for beating stuff like Mega Maw(tbolt can do it but it's not as threatening to it) and AV Bisharp. However Tbolt and Roost are staples on this set and are not options for being taken off the set.Attempted and Made Official. Done.
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 12 Spd / 252 Atk / 244HP
Adamant Nature
Spore | Drain Punch | Seed Bomb | Mach Punch / Bulk Up
"This isn't how I go
I'm gonna kill it
I'm gonna kick life's butt!!- Finn the human ~ Hero Boy"
Overview
Ah, the underrated threat, Breloom, and the even more underrated set, POISON HEAL Breloom. PH Breloom is by far one of the greatest checks to Rotom-W in this metagame and Scald in general. Poison Heal lets Breloom get a Leftiesx2 recovery and an immunity to status post-orb-activation. Not only that but it resists scald and both of Rotom-w's stab, proving how easily it walls the 2 things, while being immune to the burn side effect of facing off with those 2. Drain Punch is really good imo because it lets Breloom handle so much more things with being able to heal up with Drain Punch + PH in one turn making it recovery around ~30% on an average OU target. It's also an emergency TWave answer in case Zapdos can't afford to absorb Twaves. SPeaking of Zapdos, Breloom and it's synergy together is remarkable. Being able to take each others checks really well. Breloom is also great because it's non Saur-Mega counters get insta slept by spore making it all the more difficult to check. Mach Puch gives you the option to handle things like boosted Ice Punch DDtar in a pinch however Bulk Up is a nice way to slowly set up sweeps of your own.
Top 3 things to watch out for when using this
- None Yet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 184 Atk / 72 Spe
Naughty Nature
Psycho Boost | Superpower | Knock Off | Ice Beam / Hidden Power [Fire] / Thunderbolt
"Sorry I don't treat you like a Goddess,
is that what you want me to do?
Sorry I don't treat you like your perfect,
like All Your little Subjects do.
Sorry I'm not made of sugar,
Am I not sweet enough for you?
Is that why you always avoid me?
I must be such an inconvenience to you.- Marceline The Vampire Queen ~ I'm Just Your Problem"
Overview
Problem is quite the fitting name for this beast. Deoxys-S always proves to be a Problem for the opposing team's sweepers, whether it be Mega TTar or Latios, Deo-S can handle it. Deoxys is key to this team because without it, I wouldn't have the nuke, revenge killer and ability to switch up moves all in one pokemon, which Deoxys-SPeed uniquely provides. I personally believe KNock Off is such a strong and good move right now that is is worth giving up stealth rock for in order to revenge things like Latios. Psycho Boost provides me with a nice, strong, nuke button that takes care of things like Rotom-W, Avest Conkeldurr, and others. Superpower gets amazing coverage and is a staple on offensive Deoxys-S however the last slot is easily switched up depending on what you want, if you want the ability to handle Scizor and other steels, HP fire is a nice choice, Ice Beam is the primary choice however, considering how it hits so much threats for niuce strong SE damage, However Thunderbolt is also a last slot option to handle things like Talonflame better. Now Here are some calcs to show some of what deo-s can do:
- 184+ Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Tyranitar: 400-473 (99 - 117%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
- 184+ Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Superpower vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Tyranitar: 400-473 (116.9 - 138.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
- 184+ Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latios: 278-328 (92 - 108.6%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
- 184+ Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 72 HP / 0 Def Latias: 250-296 (78.3 - 92.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-S Psycho Boost vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Venusaur: 307-361 (84.3 - 99.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 184+ Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Starmie: 265-312 (101.5 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
- 252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-S Psycho Boost vs. 0 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Conkeldurr: 330-393 (94 - 111.9%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
- 252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-S Psycho Boost vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-W: 226-266 (74.3 - 87.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-S Psycho Boost vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 325-383 (109 - 128.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
- etc
Top 3 things to watch out for when using this
- Stealth Rock over one coverage move for this team to apply greater offensive force
Ability: Intimidate || Mold Breaker
Jolly Nature
Dragon Dance | Taunt | Waterfall | Earthquake
"But I'm losing myself and I'm afraid your going to lose me too.
This magic keeps me alive but it's making me crazy.
And I need to save you,
But who's going to save me?
Please Forgive me, for whatever I do,
When I don't remember you.- Simon the used to be human / Ice King & Marceline with Vampire Queen ~ Remember You"
Overview
Mega Gyarados is one of the most threatening sweepers in the tier right now to face, the way DD MeGyara works is you DD, luring in checks like Rotom-W, then BAM! Mega evo to Mold Breaker EQ them to death. Mega Gyara quite honestly takes a lot of prediction and tactical use of your move options in order to be effective. Taunt is the real drive here, Taunt lets you play around so much common stall pokes like Skarmory, Chansey, etc. The fact that it's type varies so much between forms lets it easily play extreme mind game with it's foes. Not only that but it's original ability, intimidate, provides it with so much nice set up opportunities. +1 or even +2 EQs can be fired off as mega to easily remove Rotom-W, Latios and other levitators, that and, goddamn it is strong:
- +1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latios: 224-264 (74.1 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- +1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 350-414 (115.1 - 136.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
- +2 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 171-202 (51.1 - 60.4%) -- 92.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- +3 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 214-253 (64 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- +4 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 256-303 (76.6 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- +1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Scizor: 168-198 (48.8 - 57.5%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO
- Substitute over Taunt Is a very real consideration to me at this point, but it takews away my ability to set up upon WoW users, nail thundy on the switch with taunt, and phazers. It does, however, offer me protection from Thundurus and other RKers or status users.
Closing Statement, Shout outs and Importable
So that's it guys, I hope you enjoyed reading my RMT and have some good advice! At the very least WATCH ADVENTURE TIME IF YOU HAVEN'T ESPECIALLY SEASON 5 MY GOD THE FEELS.
lol, jk, I appreciate y'all just for reading, it's the least one could do :]
. . .
- CTC - for being CTC
- Turtwig - for eating it up
- Users on the ladder for making me adjust my team
- aim for inspiring me to use Special Victini last gen and making me fall in love with it
- The Other Metagames community, for making me somewhat more of a creative person
- Leafshield for helping greatly on the team's progress by group laddering with me on PS to test what works and what flops
. . .
Code:
What am I to you? (Victini) @ Life Orb
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Spd / 184 SAtk / 72 HP
Modest Nature
- Blue Flare
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Glaciate
Little Girl (Song) (Weavile) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Pickpocket
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch
Hero Boy (Breloom) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 Atk / 244 HP / 12 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Seed Bomb
- Drain Punch
- Spore
- Mach Punch
Problem (Deoxys-Speed) @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 184 Atk / 252 SAtk / 72 Spd
Naughty Nature
- Psycho Boost
- Superpower
- Ice Beam
- Knock Off
Bacon Pancakes (Zapdos) @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 72 Spd / 252 SAtk / 184 HP
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
- Defog
- Hidden Power [Flying]
Remember You (Gyarados) @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Taunt
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