Hello,
I've been in the team rating game for some time now, and rather than just rate other peoples squads I figured I'd post a squad of my own. This is a balanced team I have been working on for about a week now and I think it's pretty good overall. No team is without flaws however so here we go.
Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpA
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock
- Slack Off
The star of the show himself. Mega Slowbro's monstrous defense stat allows for heavy investment in either Special Attack or Special Defense. I choose Special Attack in this case because 130 Special Attack backed by heavy investment isn't exactly a cakewalk to deal with. Slowbro also has surprisingly wide coverage, allowing him to pressure common balanced cores members like Hippowdon, Ferrothorn, and Gliscor. Psyshock is used to check Keldeo, as well as to surprise Mega Venusaur that try to switch in on Scald. Other options over Psyshock include Grass Knot (for other (Mega) Slowbro) or Ice Beam (for Dragons). 40 EVs allow it to check Char-X at +1 after Rocks iirc. Also currently one of the best Talonflame counters in the meta.
Relevant threats checked: Char-X, Keldeo, DD Mega Altaria, Landorus-T, Talonflame, Banded Azumarill, Gliscor, Mega Lopunny, Dragonite, Excadrill, Garchomp, Mega Tyranitar lacking Crunch (aka most of them), RP Mega Metagross, Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, Mamoswine, Mega Pinsir, non-Mega Gyarados
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
Hippo was added to check the many Electric types that give Slowbro trouble in OU. This specific EV spread allows it to take avoid the 2HKO from a Mega Manectric and LO Thundurus-I Hidden Power Ice. In addition, Hippo also checks a lot of the same threats that Slowbro does due to similar physical bulk. The EdgeQuake combo gives very solid coverage overall. Hippo also adds Rocks to the team, creating chip damage and generating free turns for when the opposing team has to Defog or Spin.
Relevant threats checked: Char-X, Mega Manectric, Mega Beedrill, Talonflame, Mega Pinsir, Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, Garchomp, Excadrill, Gengar, Thundurus, Raikou
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 132 HP / 160 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Now we turn our attention to the third member of my defensive backbone, Tornadus-T. Added as a solid Grass check, it also provides a rare hard check to Landorus-I. In addition, it also provides a large amount of general bulk with the Assault Vest, which it can use effectively due to Regenerator. Hurricane and Focus Blast are a strong yet inaccurate combo that can pressure offensive teams. Knock Off provides a lot of overall utility, and in particular cripples Gengar. U-Turn can gain a lot of momentum in a hurry, and the more times Torn-T switches out the more health it can recover. It is EVed to outspeed Scarf TTar and OHKO Keldeo with Hurricane, with the leftovers thrown into HP for added bulk.
Relevant Threats checked: Mega Sceptile, Serperior, Landorus-I, Keldeo, Gengar, Mega Venusaur, Mega Gallade, Volcarona, Hyper Voice Mega Altaria, Timid Mega Alakazam
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Defog
- Roost
After I had built out my defensive backbone, I needed Defog support. Latias seemed like a logical choice, and it also added quite a bit from a defensive perspective. It also checks the former mentioned Electrics, as well as providing a second check to Landorus-I (how many Rock Slide / Knock Off Lando-I exist? exactly). Hidden Power Fighting was an interesting choice, but Latias was an excellent Bisharp lure. Psyshock is in general a better choice, but I already had Mega Venu covered by Torn-T. Dragon / Fighting is pretty solid coverage so small loss there.
Relevant threats checked: Mega Manectric, Landorus-I, Thundurus-I, Keldeo, HP Ground Volc, Raikou
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Bug]
Once I had built out my defensive core, I needed a strong wallbreaker, and Mega Sableye check. SubCM Keldeo was ok, but Specs provided me a much stronger source of power from the get-go. This is my biggest weapon against stall teams, and softens them up to the point that the other members can break it down. Being locked into a move wasn't as awful as it seemed because I have a solid defensive core to fall back on. HP Bug was an interesting choice, it can do a great job of weakening Celebi, Lati@s, Slowbro, and other common checks to standard Keldeo. Keld also offers great defensive synergy with the team and also offers a way to overpower Mega Sableye.
Relevant threats checked: Mega Sableye, Mega Scizor, Weavile, Bisharp, Mega Gyarados
Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 224 SpA / 32 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball
- Calm Mind
Raikou was added as a strong and quick revenge killer, and CM Raikou is a great and underrated finisher in the current metagame. BoltBeam gives good standard coverage, and Shadow Ball is useful for picking off weakened Metagross and Gallade. This is probably the weakest point on my team and if there were changes to occur this is probably the weakest spot. Really doesn't add a whole lot of defensive synergy, its role is revenge killing most of the 100 to 115 base speed group who can give me trouble. Also doubles as a much needed cleaner at +1 later in the match, especially if its few checks have been eliminated.
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Atk / 178 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Roost
Great suggestion by Halcyon here, I don't know how I skipped over regular Scizor. I'm going with the suggested bulky SD set for now and will probably look into a Banded set later. This actually plugs up the Fairy problem rather well, as well as checking Lati@s.
Relevant threats checked: Mega Gardevoir, Mega Diancie, Mega Altaria, Latios, Latias
That's it, I'm all done! This team is in the later stages but there is always room for growth. I really don't have many bad match-ups overall and the team is pretty hard to break apart. Everything I can think of I have a solid way of dealing with, and usually more than one! The threat list got a little lazy towards the end, I'll probably update this a few times as I continue working on this. Hope you all enjoyed reading this!
I've been in the team rating game for some time now, and rather than just rate other peoples squads I figured I'd post a squad of my own. This is a balanced team I have been working on for about a week now and I think it's pretty good overall. No team is without flaws however so here we go.
So I started off with what I think is a very underrated mon in the current meta, Mega Slowbro. Often overlooked in favor of its non-Mega counterpart, MegaBro is actually quite the building block. So I started there.
From there I looked to pick off Slowbro's weaknesses. An Electric weakness stood out so I went to tackle that first. Hippowdon seemed like a logical next step as a mixed spread checks common Electric types.
The next step was to seek a strong Grass type resist. Assault Vest Tornadus-T seemed like a great choice, as it also plugged several other holes as well.
From there my main defensive core was complete. Next I looked to a Defogger. I wanted to go in a more defensive direction with this choice, to add support to my main core and provide an emergecy check to some threats. Latias ended up being the better pick between herself and her brother (I've gone back and forth several times).
At this point I needed a strong wallbreaker against stall teams, and a check to Mega Sableye. I looked to Manaphy at this point.
Manaphy... didn't fit well for whatever reason. I found it just a tad but too slow and preferred a slightly faster wallbreaker who could revenge some threats in addition to holding a ton of power. Specs Keldeo was my answer.
Nearing the end, I felt my match-up with most playstyles was pretty good. However, I felt a fast revenge killer would suit my needs well. I especially wanted to revenge kill Metagross. I chose CM Raikou as it accomplished that purpose as provided a strong booster, something I was lacking.
From there I looked to pick off Slowbro's weaknesses. An Electric weakness stood out so I went to tackle that first. Hippowdon seemed like a logical next step as a mixed spread checks common Electric types.
The next step was to seek a strong Grass type resist. Assault Vest Tornadus-T seemed like a great choice, as it also plugged several other holes as well.
From there my main defensive core was complete. Next I looked to a Defogger. I wanted to go in a more defensive direction with this choice, to add support to my main core and provide an emergecy check to some threats. Latias ended up being the better pick between herself and her brother (I've gone back and forth several times).
At this point I needed a strong wallbreaker against stall teams, and a check to Mega Sableye. I looked to Manaphy at this point.
Manaphy... didn't fit well for whatever reason. I found it just a tad but too slow and preferred a slightly faster wallbreaker who could revenge some threats in addition to holding a ton of power. Specs Keldeo was my answer.
Nearing the end, I felt my match-up with most playstyles was pretty good. However, I felt a fast revenge killer would suit my needs well. I especially wanted to revenge kill Metagross. I chose CM Raikou as it accomplished that purpose as provided a strong booster, something I was lacking.
The Team
Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpA
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock
- Slack Off
The star of the show himself. Mega Slowbro's monstrous defense stat allows for heavy investment in either Special Attack or Special Defense. I choose Special Attack in this case because 130 Special Attack backed by heavy investment isn't exactly a cakewalk to deal with. Slowbro also has surprisingly wide coverage, allowing him to pressure common balanced cores members like Hippowdon, Ferrothorn, and Gliscor. Psyshock is used to check Keldeo, as well as to surprise Mega Venusaur that try to switch in on Scald. Other options over Psyshock include Grass Knot (for other (Mega) Slowbro) or Ice Beam (for Dragons). 40 EVs allow it to check Char-X at +1 after Rocks iirc. Also currently one of the best Talonflame counters in the meta.
Relevant threats checked: Char-X, Keldeo, DD Mega Altaria, Landorus-T, Talonflame, Banded Azumarill, Gliscor, Mega Lopunny, Dragonite, Excadrill, Garchomp, Mega Tyranitar lacking Crunch (aka most of them), RP Mega Metagross, Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, Mamoswine, Mega Pinsir, non-Mega Gyarados
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
Hippo was added to check the many Electric types that give Slowbro trouble in OU. This specific EV spread allows it to take avoid the 2HKO from a Mega Manectric and LO Thundurus-I Hidden Power Ice. In addition, Hippo also checks a lot of the same threats that Slowbro does due to similar physical bulk. The EdgeQuake combo gives very solid coverage overall. Hippo also adds Rocks to the team, creating chip damage and generating free turns for when the opposing team has to Defog or Spin.
Relevant threats checked: Char-X, Mega Manectric, Mega Beedrill, Talonflame, Mega Pinsir, Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, Garchomp, Excadrill, Gengar, Thundurus, Raikou
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 132 HP / 160 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Now we turn our attention to the third member of my defensive backbone, Tornadus-T. Added as a solid Grass check, it also provides a rare hard check to Landorus-I. In addition, it also provides a large amount of general bulk with the Assault Vest, which it can use effectively due to Regenerator. Hurricane and Focus Blast are a strong yet inaccurate combo that can pressure offensive teams. Knock Off provides a lot of overall utility, and in particular cripples Gengar. U-Turn can gain a lot of momentum in a hurry, and the more times Torn-T switches out the more health it can recover. It is EVed to outspeed Scarf TTar and OHKO Keldeo with Hurricane, with the leftovers thrown into HP for added bulk.
Relevant Threats checked: Mega Sceptile, Serperior, Landorus-I, Keldeo, Gengar, Mega Venusaur, Mega Gallade, Volcarona, Hyper Voice Mega Altaria, Timid Mega Alakazam
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Defog
- Roost
After I had built out my defensive backbone, I needed Defog support. Latias seemed like a logical choice, and it also added quite a bit from a defensive perspective. It also checks the former mentioned Electrics, as well as providing a second check to Landorus-I (how many Rock Slide / Knock Off Lando-I exist? exactly). Hidden Power Fighting was an interesting choice, but Latias was an excellent Bisharp lure. Psyshock is in general a better choice, but I already had Mega Venu covered by Torn-T. Dragon / Fighting is pretty solid coverage so small loss there.
Relevant threats checked: Mega Manectric, Landorus-I, Thundurus-I, Keldeo, HP Ground Volc, Raikou
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Bug]
Once I had built out my defensive core, I needed a strong wallbreaker, and Mega Sableye check. SubCM Keldeo was ok, but Specs provided me a much stronger source of power from the get-go. This is my biggest weapon against stall teams, and softens them up to the point that the other members can break it down. Being locked into a move wasn't as awful as it seemed because I have a solid defensive core to fall back on. HP Bug was an interesting choice, it can do a great job of weakening Celebi, Lati@s, Slowbro, and other common checks to standard Keldeo. Keld also offers great defensive synergy with the team and also offers a way to overpower Mega Sableye.
Relevant threats checked: Mega Sableye, Mega Scizor, Weavile, Bisharp, Mega Gyarados
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 224 SpA / 32 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball
- Calm Mind
Raikou was added as a strong and quick revenge killer, and CM Raikou is a great and underrated finisher in the current metagame. BoltBeam gives good standard coverage, and Shadow Ball is useful for picking off weakened Metagross and Gallade. This is probably the weakest point on my team and if there were changes to occur this is probably the weakest spot. Really doesn't add a whole lot of defensive synergy, its role is revenge killing most of the 100 to 115 base speed group who can give me trouble. Also doubles as a much needed cleaner at +1 later in the match, especially if its few checks have been eliminated.
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Atk / 178 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Roost
Great suggestion by Halcyon here, I don't know how I skipped over regular Scizor. I'm going with the suggested bulky SD set for now and will probably look into a Banded set later. This actually plugs up the Fairy problem rather well, as well as checking Lati@s.
Relevant threats checked: Mega Gardevoir, Mega Diancie, Mega Altaria, Latios, Latias
Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpA
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock
- Slack Off
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 132 HP / 160 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Defog
- Roost
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Bug]
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Atk / 178 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Roost
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpA
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Psyshock
- Slack Off
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 132 HP / 160 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Defog
- Roost
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Bug]
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Atk / 178 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Roost
That's it, I'm all done! This team is in the later stages but there is always room for growth. I really don't have many bad match-ups overall and the team is pretty hard to break apart. Everything I can think of I have a solid way of dealing with, and usually more than one! The threat list got a little lazy towards the end, I'll probably update this a few times as I continue working on this. Hope you all enjoyed reading this!
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