So, it's been a week, so I have another request for you guys.
Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Blizzard
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Trick
Hariyama @ Choice Band
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 244 SpD / 12 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Heavy Slam/Bullet Punch
- Earthquake/Bullet Punch
Just a couple fun sets I haven't had the chance to mess around with in a while. Couldn't decide which I wanted to ask for, then I realize that they probably could work together well decently since Hariyama resists rock/fire hits and Rotom-F resists flying hits and can kill Vileplume. Frosty also beats pesky Mantines, Pelippers, and whatever other annoying flying types you might run into issues with. Having the coverage to bop annoying Garbodors and fairies with Yama seems fun but if the team ends up needing/wanting priority that option's also there of course.
Oh also, since like nobody's actually talked about their teams I'll talk about birdspam.
Dodrio @ Choice Band
Ability: Early Bird
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Frustration
- Quick Attack
- Pursuit
Archeops
Ability: Defeatist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Aqua Tail
Prinplup @ Eviolite
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 180 Def / 80 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Defog
- Toxic
- Grass Knot
Rotom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
Piloswine @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
Hariyama @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 SpD / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Heavy Slam
- Bullet Punch
Even in my first few matches with the team, just testing it out on the ladder, while I was having fun with the team and having plenty of close wins(and a couple chokes), the most blatant thing I could find was that the defensive aspects of the time were quite frankly overtaxed. Often times I'd find myself having to sack or risk sacking a bird, usually Vivillon, to switch into various things, because I'd either need Prinplup and Pilowsine for other threats on the team, or in Prinplup's case to defog, and scarfed Rotom often was needed to revenge key threats or clean if Dodrio and/or Archeops was incapable of doing so. The team also kinda hated Ferroseed because the only things that weren't hating gyro balls and possible t-waves(leech seed was a pain no matter what, and still is somewhat, though it's definitely a little more manageable as a whole now because something can actually safely kill it in a couple hits) were Prinplup, which did nothing back aside from fish for scald burns and get seeded, and Rotom, which got whittled down extremely quickly, often needed said scarf, could be protect scouted for clicking trick, had like a 4hko with shadow ball to a physically defensive ferroseed which meant it lost at full health. Dodrio, Vivillon and Archeops could do decent damage to it, but both Archeops and Dodrio hate taking damage, and neither, especially Archeops, enjoy gyro balls. My best and only real play was to sack Vivillon in order to do decent damage to Ferroseed and then revenge it hopefully with something else, if they didn't decide to preserve it for later if they were capable of doing so (somewhat) safely. So to improve on the team's defensive aspects and deal with Ferro and a couple other things I can't remember atm, I switched in a pretty standard Hariyama, with heavy slam because at that point Mega Audino was the only mega, and Heavy Slam's still a very useful option to bop the still common M-audino, as well as Togetics and Granbulls. It gives a second, safer switch into fire mons, a resistance to rock, and a special tank to sponge whatever I need to sponge.
The team still has some issues with certain mons, though. Ferroseed's still annoying, but it's manageable typically. If I can't get Dodrio in safely on a +1 or +0 Malamar by foddering, or sabotage it with Rotom and wear it down I think I just lose to it, so there's that. It might be worth looking into swapping out a bird, probably Archeops, for a Scyther, or perhaps even Prinplup for like offensive signal beam Mantine. Weezing can also be a little annoying because nothing on this team enjoys a burn, and Hariyama gives all but free switches into it. It does get whittled down vs this team quickly enough though, and can't switch into Brave Birds(not much can really) so there's that. If it has pain split it might get a little irritating though. Most fighting types are decently managed, but Sawk can be threatening as the only thing that can switch into it is Prinplup typically, as Rotom will still often be needed and I can't really risk switching it in, especially if it's Scarf Sawk which I can't revenge with Dodrio and Archeops.
I also swapped in Pursuit on Dodrio because it can force a lot of switches thanks to it's speed and power, making it easier to pick off various annoying mons. It can also pick off a shadow ball locked Rotom, which is extremely helpful, and often more useful than knocking off a pesky rock/steel type. I put in frustration over facade, which does make burns more annoying, but the ability to have a second stab to spam that doesn't drop heavy recoil on Dodrio outweighs the cons there.
All in all I'd say it's a fun, solid team. It has flaws, and I probably can refine it a little further with a little more playing around with it. That being said, the team works well. The mons do what they're supposed to do, and they do it well, covering each other's weak points pretty well from what I've played with this version. In particular, Dodrio puts in a lot of work with that 100 base speed and often ends up cleaning up matches and picking off various threats. I'll also note Piloswine does a ton of work, as it sets rocks, tanks hits incredibly well, brings more priority, and also hits surprisingly hard.
Oh also, EVs on Prinplup are just to take two specs Typh eruptions after rocks guaranteed, because you never know when that will come in handy.
