Introduction
So I was bored one day and decided I wanted to build an NU team. So this happened. I'm not too experienced with NU but I figured that wasn't a big deal, seeing as how I can just learn it whilst playing. I got tired of losing to low-ladder garbage like Quick Attack Electivire (.cri) so I decided to get assistance from the forums in not only ways to improve this team but also to hone my NU skills at the same time. Without further ado, let's begin.
In-Depth
The main man himself. I originally wanted to build around Shiftry because I figured that the best way for me to get good at this tier and to learn it is to use the best Pokemon in it. It's apparently S tier too which is cool. But the point is that I like it and it was the first Pokemon I added.
Good ol' Seismitoad. A solid Pokemon in all NU teams (From what I can tell). It's a very reliable Pokemon to use Stealth Rock and to just be a giant nuisance in general. The dynamic duo was fairly weak to the same types of Pokemon such as Vileplume (Pretty much any Grass type that beats Shiftry), Cryogonal, etc. I added Pyroar because it's a solid Pokemon and completed that Fire-Water-Grass combo I had going. Pyroar also beats the aforementioned Pokemon that beat Seismitoad and Shiftry.
Next, I wanted a Pokemon that could essentially clean up late-game, but also one that could take hits, seeing as how some members of my team really can't. I decided on Gurdurr and it stuck ever since.
At this point, I stopped for a second and looked over my half-built team. I immediately spotted that multiple types (EG. Flying / Dragon / Normal etc), when backed by strong offensive stats tear it apart easily. So I wanted a Steel type. After looking at the steel types available in the tier, I picked Klinklang because I don't need Probopass' Support moves and none of the others really fit on an offensive orientated NU team.
Lastly, I wanted a solid user of Choice Scarf to act as a glue and complete my team. After considering some options, I settled with Haunter because A) I needed a secondary Special Attacker, my team was heavily swayed towards Physical Attackers and B) Haunter can Destiny Bond and Trick to eliminate a Pokemon for another member to have an easier time / outright murder the opposition.
Replaced Seismitoad for Omastar because of the Hyper-Offensive nature of this team, it didn't fit in that well. Also, I tried out Vileplume instead of Seismitoad at one point before this, but I felt that it didn't also fit with the nature of the team and didn't play its role as a defensive pivot as well as I thought it would.
Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Early Bird
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Storm
- Sucker Punch
The star of the show. None other than Shiftry! The most overused Pokemon to have ever graced the NU tier. hue. Anyway, I looked over some NU threads and the Neverused chat over at Showdown and plucked out this set, which is the standard SD set. It used to be the defogging one but now that I have a lead Omastar, it would essentially neutralize it's work.
Omastar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Weak Armor
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 8 Def
Timid Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Scald
- Icy Wind
RIP Seismitoad, you shall be missed. Move over and make room for Lord Helix himself. Omastar functions, obviously as a suicide lead, which aims to lay down as many entry hazards as possible to aid it's comrades. EV spread is to give it as much speed as possible to help Omastar do it's thing. Icy Wind is there primarily to catch switch-ins such as Xatu and Shiftry thinking they can block my hazards. After an Icy Wind, Offensive 0/0 Xatu is safely 2HKO'd and the same can be said about standard 0/4 Shiftry.
Pyroar (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower
- Hyper Voice
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power [Grass]
For starters, female over male because male looks stupid.
Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Mach Punch
Here's Gurdurr. He's sure been pulling his weight on the team. I gave it optimal EVs for an odd HP number. Mach Punch replaces Ice Punch which I had originally, but I changed it based on some opinions in the NU chat and my distinct lack of priority on this offensive team. Yeah, nothing more to say, really.
Klinklang @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shift Gear
- Substitute
- Wild Charge
- Gear Grind
Klinklang. What can I say about a couple of gears, apart from the fact that it's pretty good. Again, standard sets, but I threw in Substitute because I reckoned it can withstand many hits and set up safely. Obvious Gear Grind and Shift Gear for obvious reasons and Wild Charge over Return as coverage to hit steels for neutral damage. Switched up the EVs to outpace Shiftry :].
Haunter @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Destiny Bond
- Sludge Bomb
- Trick
- Shadow Ball
The glue to the team. A personal favourite of mine, Haunter. I chose this as my scarfer instead of Rotom because I prefer Haunter's superior offensive stats (Higher Speed and Sp.Atk), it's secondary type in Poison and it's access to Destiny Bond. With Destiny Bond, I usually bait out a Pokemon that threatens another member of my team (EG. Dragalge). I use Destiny Bond on it and get hit with it's Draco for example. Haunter has disgusting bulk as you all know so it won't be living ANYTHING. Now, Dragalge is dead which means Pyroar is free to spam Specs Flamethrowers. Happy days. Sludge Bomb > Wave because poison chance and the miniature damage output difference between the moves.
There ya have it. My squad. Please make sure to leave constructive criticism so I can help make this team better. I may be new to the NU tier but I'm definitely not new to Pokemon so don't worry about dumbing down your advice. I'm perfectly capable of understanding key terminology.
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