INTRO
After messing around in XY OU for a few months, I decided it was time to get serious about winning. Since then, my teambuilding skills have developed a bit and it's been reflected in my gradually increasing rank. I have recently made some nice teams but this is the first one that I believe is worthy of an RMT. It is still not perfect by any means which is exactly why I am turning to you guys for some advice.
TEAMBUILDING PROCESS
This team began with the GothiDos core. This particular core captured my interest because it destroys the ever-present Stall and M-Gyarados is just a cool mon with a unique combination of bulk and offense. It makes for a great late game sweeper and is just so deadly after getting to +1.
Obviously no core is complete without it's fair share of weaknesses. Some notable mons that give GothiDos trouble include Kyurem-B, Conkeldurr, and Breloom. Clefable can take care of these Pokes with ease as well as provide Unaware and Stealth Rock support. I don't think Clefable is a replaceable mon on the team at this point with it's valued Fairy typing. Not to mention it baits in those troubling Steel types which it can nail with a decently powerful Flamethrower.
The team still has some flaws. For example, it still can't take on opposing Fairies and some Steel types that well. For these reasons, I added Magnezone to the squad. It takes on stuff like Scizor with ease and aids in Gothitelle's job of destroying stall teams and Gyarados' checks and counters. It quickly became a staple of the team.
None of team really appreciates hazards. Rocks wear down Gyarados if I ever need to bring it in prior to endgame and quickly diminishes it's sweeping capabilities. Hazards also reveal that my Clefable is Unaware inclining my opponents to status it, therefore cutting down on it's normally impressive longevity. For these reasons a defogger was needed. Right now, the Latitwins are some of the most reliable hazard removers. I opted to run Latios over his twin because it learns EQ-- a crucial part in defeating Heatran, aka a common switch in and a mon that generally defeats my team without Gyara. Latios also adds another layer of synergy by completing the DragMag core-- a still viable option in the current meta, imo. Draco support is always nice, too.
Lastly, a mon was needed to patch up any flaws the team might have. I noticed a weakness to things like Zard Y, Breloom, Bisharp, Mawile, and Greninja. All of these mons can be taken on by Talonflame. Everyone loves a little BirdSpam, yeah?
Obviously no core is complete without it's fair share of weaknesses. Some notable mons that give GothiDos trouble include Kyurem-B, Conkeldurr, and Breloom. Clefable can take care of these Pokes with ease as well as provide Unaware and Stealth Rock support. I don't think Clefable is a replaceable mon on the team at this point with it's valued Fairy typing. Not to mention it baits in those troubling Steel types which it can nail with a decently powerful Flamethrower.
The team still has some flaws. For example, it still can't take on opposing Fairies and some Steel types that well. For these reasons, I added Magnezone to the squad. It takes on stuff like Scizor with ease and aids in Gothitelle's job of destroying stall teams and Gyarados' checks and counters. It quickly became a staple of the team.
None of team really appreciates hazards. Rocks wear down Gyarados if I ever need to bring it in prior to endgame and quickly diminishes it's sweeping capabilities. Hazards also reveal that my Clefable is Unaware inclining my opponents to status it, therefore cutting down on it's normally impressive longevity. For these reasons a defogger was needed. Right now, the Latitwins are some of the most reliable hazard removers. I opted to run Latios over his twin because it learns EQ-- a crucial part in defeating Heatran, aka a common switch in and a mon that generally defeats my team without Gyara. Latios also adds another layer of synergy by completing the DragMag core-- a still viable option in the current meta, imo. Draco support is always nice, too.
Lastly, a mon was needed to patch up any flaws the team might have. I noticed a weakness to things like Zard Y, Breloom, Bisharp, Mawile, and Greninja. All of these mons can be taken on by Talonflame. Everyone loves a little BirdSpam, yeah?
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK
Gyarados @
Ability: Intimidate ---> Mold Breaker
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Dragon Dance | Waterfall | Earthquake | Substitute
---
Half of the core of this team. I feel like it doesn't need as much explanation as some of the other pokes. After this thing gets up a DD and its checks and counters are removed by the rest of the team, it's pretty much GG. One of the best late game sweepers and definitely worth the mega spot. It's raw bulk is comparable to that of Ferrothorn and it's type change can force 50/50s with stuff like Landorus-I. Such a good Pokemon. Please try this thing if you haven't already.
Gothitelle @
Ability: Shadow Tag
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 84 HP / 252 SpA / 172 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
Psyshock | Thunderbolt | HP Fire | Trick
---
Gothitelle completes the dynamic duo. To be completely honest, I just ripped these two sets off of this thread, so don't ask me about EVs and stuff. I actually used Psyshock over Psychic to better take on Special Walls. As the post states, Gothitelle pretty much destroys all of Gyardos' counters including the likes of Slowbro, Skarmory, Mandibuzz, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur by trapping them and hitting them with a respective super-effective move. Trick can cripple some things by stealing an Eviolite or just forcing them to lock themselves into one move.
Clefable @
Ability: Magic Guard
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Stealth Rock | Moonblast | Flamethrower | Soft-Boiled
---
As mentioned in the Teambuilding Process, Clefable brings unique support to the table, whether it be Unaware, Rocks, or just it's amazing typing. As much as I'd like to run CM on this thing, it's actually the only thing that can learn Stealth Rock on the team so I'm pretty much stuck with that. CM would definitely be helpful but I haven't run into many scenarios where it's been more useful than those precious pebbles. It takes care of fighting types like Breloom and Conkeldurr that GothiDos can't take out and puts a stop to Cube.
Magnezone @
Ability: Magnet Pull
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
Thunderbolt | Flash Cannon | HP Ice | Volt Switch
---
Magnezone is still pretty viable in the current meta. With a scarf, it outpaces the likes of non-scarfed Keldeo, Garchomp, Gengar and Thundurus. It can soak up incoming paralysis and poison and then gain momentum with a speedy Volt Switch. It's Steel typing is crucial to the team as it adds a plethora of resistances and basically shuts down most Fairies. I opted to run HP Ice to nail those Ground types that enjoy switching in. It's so satisfying when your opponent loses their Lando-T because they thought they were safe. The only other Hidden Power I would consider running is Fire to easily kill Scizor but Thunderbolt still has a very good chance to 2HKO after rocks (as seen below).
252 SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Scizor: 148-175 (43 - 50.8%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Latios @
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Defog | Draco Meteor | Psyshock | Surf
---
Ah, Latios. There isn't too much to say about this guy. He brings very good synergy to the team by removing hazards and dropping powerful Dracos on basically anything. I opted for Latios over Latias because of it's extra Attack. Completes the DragMag core.
Talonflame @
Ability: Gale Wings
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Def
Bulk Up | Brave Bird | Roost | Taunt
---
Pretty self-explanitory. Basically my check to fast/powerful & frail attackers like Weavile, Breloom, and Zard Y. It also is great with Will-O because it can bait things like Bisharp and Mawile to Sucker Punch, only to be burned and then hit with a STAB Flare Blitz. I ended up running Taunt over U-Turn because it's my only answer to that popular Baton Pass team where Smeargle passes a Geomancy/Cotton Guard to Espeon. Talonflame is still a really good Pokemon and it offers the much needed priority to my team. 208 speed is to always outspeed M-Pinsir. EDIT: See Srn9130's post.
Importable/Conclusion
Thanks for taking the time to look over my team. Any help would be appreciated. Here is the importable.
Gyarados @
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Dragon Dance | Waterfall | Earthquake | Substitute
---
Half of the core of this team. I feel like it doesn't need as much explanation as some of the other pokes. After this thing gets up a DD and its checks and counters are removed by the rest of the team, it's pretty much GG. One of the best late game sweepers and definitely worth the mega spot. It's raw bulk is comparable to that of Ferrothorn and it's type change can force 50/50s with stuff like Landorus-I. Such a good Pokemon. Please try this thing if you haven't already.
Gothitelle @
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 84 HP / 252 SpA / 172 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
Psyshock | Thunderbolt | HP Fire | Trick
---
Gothitelle completes the dynamic duo. To be completely honest, I just ripped these two sets off of this thread, so don't ask me about EVs and stuff. I actually used Psyshock over Psychic to better take on Special Walls. As the post states, Gothitelle pretty much destroys all of Gyardos' counters including the likes of Slowbro, Skarmory, Mandibuzz, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur by trapping them and hitting them with a respective super-effective move. Trick can cripple some things by stealing an Eviolite or just forcing them to lock themselves into one move.
Clefable @
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Stealth Rock | Moonblast | Flamethrower | Soft-Boiled
---
As mentioned in the Teambuilding Process, Clefable brings unique support to the table, whether it be Unaware, Rocks, or just it's amazing typing. As much as I'd like to run CM on this thing, it's actually the only thing that can learn Stealth Rock on the team so I'm pretty much stuck with that. CM would definitely be helpful but I haven't run into many scenarios where it's been more useful than those precious pebbles. It takes care of fighting types like Breloom and Conkeldurr that GothiDos can't take out and puts a stop to Cube.
Magnezone @
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
Thunderbolt | Flash Cannon | HP Ice | Volt Switch
---
Magnezone is still pretty viable in the current meta. With a scarf, it outpaces the likes of non-scarfed Keldeo, Garchomp, Gengar and Thundurus. It can soak up incoming paralysis and poison and then gain momentum with a speedy Volt Switch. It's Steel typing is crucial to the team as it adds a plethora of resistances and basically shuts down most Fairies. I opted to run HP Ice to nail those Ground types that enjoy switching in. It's so satisfying when your opponent loses their Lando-T because they thought they were safe. The only other Hidden Power I would consider running is Fire to easily kill Scizor but Thunderbolt still has a very good chance to 2HKO after rocks (as seen below).
252 SpA Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Scizor: 148-175 (43 - 50.8%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Latios @
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Defog | Draco Meteor | Psyshock | Surf
---
Ah, Latios. There isn't too much to say about this guy. He brings very good synergy to the team by removing hazards and dropping powerful Dracos on basically anything. I opted for Latios over Latias because of it's extra Attack. Completes the DragMag core.
Talonflame @
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Def
Bulk Up | Brave Bird | Roost | Taunt
---
Pretty self-explanitory. Basically my check to fast/powerful & frail attackers like Weavile, Breloom, and Zard Y. It also is great with Will-O because it can bait things like Bisharp and Mawile to Sucker Punch, only to be burned and then hit with a STAB Flare Blitz. I ended up running Taunt over U-Turn because it's my only answer to that popular Baton Pass team where Smeargle passes a Geomancy/Cotton Guard to Espeon. Talonflame is still a really good Pokemon and it offers the much needed priority to my team. 208 speed is to always outspeed M-Pinsir. EDIT: See Srn9130's post.
Importable/Conclusion
Thanks for taking the time to look over my team. Any help would be appreciated. Here is the importable.
Gyarados (M) @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
Gothitelle (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 84 HP / 252 SpA / 172 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Clefable (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Moonblast
- Flamethrower
- Soft-Boiled
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Surf
Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Taunt
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
Gothitelle (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 84 HP / 252 SpA / 172 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Clefable (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Moonblast
- Flamethrower
- Soft-Boiled
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Surf
Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Taunt
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MARKED IN RED
(Please note that text relating to said modifications hasn't been revised)
(Please note that text relating to said modifications hasn't been revised)
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