what even is this (NU)
So uh, NU has always been my favorite tier, and I play it often, but have never really found a team that works. 90% of my favorite Pokemon are in it, so I try using them, like Furret, Linoone, Plusle, among others, all of which aren't necessarily bad, but certainly not good either. After having mixed results with a stall team revolving around a defensive core of physical wall Mantine/assault vest Dragalge/special wall Wigglytuff, I decided to create a new team based on some really interesting and fun sets I've heard of, and tweaked to my own liking. I didn't expect it to do well at all, but somehow it didn't lose in its first three days - I've gone 12-3 now which is a pretty good ratio for my standards haha, and now I feel like I really have something that works, and want to make it as good as it can possibly be. Hope you enjoy!
At a Glance:
The Process:
I'm that guy that goes - okay, lead-mon, physical attacker, special attacker, physical wall, special wall, filler. This time around, I decided to build around a Pokemon that I felt would be a ton of fun to use. So, I did that.
Now, Qwilfish on it's own isn't going to do too much, and so I decided to pick up a Pokemon that would be able to come in for Qwilfish and continue its job.
Right off the bat, we have a glaring electric weakness. Need a way to remedy this, as well as have a counter to pesky fairy types running around. I chose a mon that is bulky, and provides the niche I'm looking for in this team.
Now, this is a solid group of attackers and a wall, but a support component wouldn't hurt. This was an interesting choice and definitely not conventional, but it has been working seamlessly every battle. This mon is able to remain alive deep into the battle, setting up its hazards multiple times.
So, we have a pretty solid four at this point. I really value the Fairy type in competitive battling; I feel it's very useful to have one on your team. And as such, I knew the perfect mon to fill this role.
And now, the only slot I had left I decided to try another gimmick mon to aid Qwilfish and Slurpuff in their wrecking of opponent's teams. Initially I felt this was a choice that I'd quickly change, but so far I'd even go as far as to say this mon has been the MVP continously.
In-Depth:
The Process:
I'm that guy that goes - okay, lead-mon, physical attacker, special attacker, physical wall, special wall, filler. This time around, I decided to build around a Pokemon that I felt would be a ton of fun to use. So, I did that.
Now, Qwilfish on it's own isn't going to do too much, and so I decided to pick up a Pokemon that would be able to come in for Qwilfish and continue its job.
Right off the bat, we have a glaring electric weakness. Need a way to remedy this, as well as have a counter to pesky fairy types running around. I chose a mon that is bulky, and provides the niche I'm looking for in this team.
Now, this is a solid group of attackers and a wall, but a support component wouldn't hurt. This was an interesting choice and definitely not conventional, but it has been working seamlessly every battle. This mon is able to remain alive deep into the battle, setting up its hazards multiple times.
So, we have a pretty solid four at this point. I really value the Fairy type in competitive battling; I feel it's very useful to have one on your team. And as such, I knew the perfect mon to fill this role.
And now, the only slot I had left I decided to try another gimmick mon to aid Qwilfish and Slurpuff in their wrecking of opponent's teams. Initially I felt this was a choice that I'd quickly change, but so far I'd even go as far as to say this mon has been the MVP continously.
In-Depth:
Uxie @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
Analysis: This is my lead practically every battle, and quite the useful one. Dual screens have proven to be extremely useful to this team chock-full of set-up sweepers, and usually this set runs Memento in its third slot, but I threw Stealth Rock in there because after the first few battles I found I wasn't using Memento at all. As soon as I get all three of my hazards up, I switch into one of my many attackers and get rolling. There isn't really much to this mon, but it has been a huge help, and I'm quite content with it.
Qwilfish @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Explosion
- Poison Jab
- Waterfall
Analysis: The Pokemon that this team was built around! Extremely fun to use, gotta say. It is an absolute joy to have a foe try and take me out while I set up an SD, while they're at full and Qwilfish is at like 6% HP, and then OHKO their mon with an Explosion. So much fun! Really though, this set is a blast. Intimidate is extremely helpful in many situations, and thanks to dual screen I'm usually able to get an SD off if I make a smart switch-in. Even still, Qwil has a hard time taking out opponents by itself. Which is where the next member comes in...
Feraligatr @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 28 HP / 252 Atk / 228 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
Analysis: Probably the slot I'm most open to changing. Not to say that Feraligatr hasn't had its uses, but generally it's in here as support for Qwil to take out things that the pufferfish couldn't quite bring down. Also Ice Punch is very helpful as a coverage move; I find myself using it often. Feraligatr isn't as bulky as I'd like it to be, though, and I haven't been able to sweep with it, because in most scenarios I don't have the option to set up a DD.
Slurpuff @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Substitute
- Frustration
- Play Rough
Analysis: One of the most prominent threats in NU, at least in my opinion. It might be the dual screen support, but it is surprisingly easy to get a sub + belly drum + activate unburden on this cute mon and proceed to plow through the opponent's team. Boosted Frustration obliterates pokemon like Vileplume who are usually sent in on Slurpuff to 'wall' it, and Play Rough is a powerful STAB that is this set's main source. In some cases, however, Belly Drum isn't an option, and this cripples Slurpuff to a degree, which is why in most battles I try to save this pokemon for the end as more of a revenge killer, although it is completely capable of early game sweeps.
Steelix @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Dragon Tail
- Roar
Analysis: My electric/fairy/dragon check, Steelix is a versatile Pokemon on this team, but its moveset is worth changing. I could throw another move onto Uxie and give Steelix Stealth Rock, but I think the way it is right now works better. Would like some feedback on that, though! Roar, obviously, is the filler move in this set, as Dragon Tail is essentially a better form of it. I'm pretty open to changing this slot as well. It's this team's only true 'wall', but has been working well, and it dying doesn't hurt this team too much either, much like Uxie.
Liepard @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Substitute
- Copycat
Analysis: The ace of this team, and another gimmick set. This may be new to some, and it's actually quite the genius strategy that has allowed me to pick apart unprepared teams. Liepard subs, gets a free Nasty Plot, Dark Pulse, and then thanks to Prankster, Copycat becomes priority, meaning that Dark Pulse is a priority move! Essentially the perfect late-game sweeper, and it fits this role perfectly. Especially if I can keep screens up, it is a breeze to get max SpA on this thing and go to town. Not much can stop Liepard once Copycat gets rolling.
Replays:
Checks & Counters:
- Trick users like Rotom spell trouble for this team.
- Grass types like Ludicolo.
- Other fairies are tricky because Steelix's Gyro Ball doesn't exactly hit hard, but if Qwilfish remains alive they aren't too much trouble.
- Cradily can be very annoying for this team to take out if none of my sweepers get the chance to set up/Feraligatr is gone. I've faced off against one multiple times, and those were probably the most difficult for me to win.
- Obvious Whirlwind/Dragon Tail/Roar-centric teams that negate my setup sweepers.
- This team is still in a testing stage so as I battle more I'll update this section! :]
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