Rikelek
Guest
Hello all. In the past I've frequently heard of SkarmBliss teams, not really knowing what it meant. It was only recently that I realized that it is one of the best cores in the game and so I decided to try out a team with it.
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Toxic/Drill Peck
- Protect
The first half of the SkarmBliss combo. Its a spiker and phazer which does its job very well due to its immense defense and typing which grants it resistances to all but 2 physical types which neutrally affect it. It is used to cover up Blissey's poor physical bulk. This beast finds it amazingly easy to lay Spikes and take advantage of them with Whirlwind, particularly against Choice Band users such as Metagross and Snorlax. Whirlwind can force out any Pokemon trying to set up on Skarmory and can stop Baton Pass teams. Toxic is Skarmory's best way to damage Pokemon, and can be used in conjunction with Protect or Rest to stall out opponents. It's also Skarmory's best weapon against Cloyster and Claydol, two common spinners. However, it does nothing against poison and steel types. Therefore, I would like to know whether toxic or drill peck is a better option for Skarm.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 106 HP / 252 Def / 152 SpA
Modest Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Ice Beam
The second half of the SkarmBliss combo. Patches up Skarmory's mediocre special defense. This set sacrifices a significant offensive presence in order to support her team. Blissey is found on nearly all stall teams, and with Aromatherapy Swampert and Skarmory's burns will disappear along with healing a poisoned Celebi and destroying a rampant status inflicting Gengar.Seismic Toss is Blissey's most reliable way of dealing damage to opposing Pokemon. Although Seismic Toss makes Blissey a less efficient check to Calm Mind users with recovery moves, Seismic Toss still lets Blissey check a number of important Pokemon such as Raikou, offensive Jirachi, offensive Suicune without Substitute, offensive Zapdos, Jolteon, and many more. As for the last moveslot, there are a number of legitimate options. Ice Beam is preferred by many players as it allows Blissey to beat Dugtrio.Will-O-Wisp Gengar is a good partner for switching to the Fighting-type attacks that Blissey lures in, and burning physical attackers that threaten Blissey. Skarmory is a good partner, as it can take nearly all the physical attacks that Blissey hates, with the exception of STAB Fighting-type attacks; set up Spikes, and defeat physical attackers with Hidden Power Flying, Drill Peck, or Toxic.
Swampert @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpA
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
It was pretty obvious from the start that Swampert was going to be on this team. Along with stamping even more bulk on to the team, Swampert has considerable offensive presence as well. It counters OU behemoths like Metagross, Salamence, Flygon and Tryanitar solidly. As opposed to being an offensive threat itself, this set aims to act as a solid utility counter and defensive pivot; it is excellent at forcing switches. Earthquake is a strong STAB move that threatens many Pokemon that Swampert counters, such as Metagross and Jirachi. Ice Beam provides excellent coverage and, in conjunction with Earthquake, enables Swampert to hit everything in OU for neutral damage. Ice Beam takes a decent chunk out of any Celebi switching in and forces it to Recover, which in turn allows a teammate to switch in without fear of Leech Seed or Psychic. Hydro Pump is the primary option in the third moveslot because it takes a good 50% out of standard Skarmory, stopping Skarmory from setting up on Swampert; it also deals good damage to Gengar. The main reason for Swampert being on this team though, is its symbiosis with Skarmory. The pair has excellent type synergy and together they can check numerous threats, such as Tyranitar, Metagross, Heracross, and Salamence.
Starmie @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 40 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
As the best rapid spinner in the game, Starmie's role is to scare away the opposing Skarmory and spin away spikes. I chose Starmie over Forretress because it doesn't get trapped by Magneton and over Cloyster because Starmie has considerable offensive presence as well. Other than getting rid of entry hazards, Rapid Spin is also useful for getting rid of Celebi's Leech Seed, thus giving Starmie another easy switch in to take advantage of and use Rapid Spin. Recover is another very important move for Starmie. With Recover, the blue star can repeatedly switch into and Rapid Spin on Metagross, Snorlax, and other prominent physical attackers. Surf is non-negotiable on Starmie, allowing it to defeat Skarmory, non-Hidden Power Bug Forretress, and Cloyster if Starmie lacks Thunderbolt. There's no need to use Hydro Pump because its low PP and mediocre accuracy is not worth the increase in power. The final moveslot comes down to personal preference. Thunderbolt is good against opposing Water-types. I was wondering if I should use psychic though, to nail Gengar. Please advise me on that.
Gengar @ Leftovers
EVs: 172 HP / 148 SpA / 188 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Punch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hypnosis
A very common choice on SkarmBliss Spikes teams, Gengar is viable in this set up due to its amazing spin-blocking ability which is second only to Dusclops. None of the spinners can possibly win against it except for Starmie and Claydol. Starmie must have Psychic to beat Gengar(which is uncommon) otherwise Gengar will OHKO it with thunderbolt. Gengar 2HKOs Claydol with Ice punch so it should win unless a swich to Gengar is expected. This set combines Gengar's great coverage with a variety of support moves to cripple Pokemon that normally switch into it. Thunderbolt and Ice Punch create a pseudo-BoltBeam combination, which hits all but dedicated special walls for huge damage. Giga Drain is a great attack to nail Swampert, who can be problematic due to its bulk and immunity to Thunderbolt. However, Will-O-Wisp can be used in its place, as Giga Drain has little use outside of Swampert, who is crippled by Will-O-Wisp anyway. Will-O-Wisp also shuts down other physical attackers, such as Tyranitar and Metagross, both of whom Gengar is otherwise virtually useless against. A myriad of choices are available in the last slot. Hypnosis is the preferred option as it allows Gengar to put one Pokemon to sleep and essentially render it useless; its terrible accuracy is its main drawback though.
Heracross @ Choice Band
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Megahorn
- Earthquake/Focus Punch
- Rock Slide
- Brick Break
And here you have it, the final member of my team. I realized that I didn't have a reliable physical attacker in my team and that my team was weak to bulky water types like Suicune, Swampert and Milotic. Heracross, however really fit the bill as it shrugs off Swampert's Earthquake and Suicune's Hydro Pump for less than 50% and outspeeds and 2HKOs all of them with Megahorn. Its truly brilliant. I believe it fits perfectly into my team. It can deal good damage to any Pokemon in the game. It has a hard time staying alive for long, but it packs a great, great punch. If Heracross switches into the likes of Blissey's Thunder Wave, its Focus Punch will OHKO Skarmory. Hidden Power Ghost is mostly to take down Gengar and Dusclops, but Megahorn will usually do more than enough damage to them. Brick Break is a reliable move which breaks through screens. However, I have one doubt. Focus punch or Earthquake? Because unless Heracross has a status ailment, Focus Punch won't OHKO Skarmory which is kinda its main function. However, Focus punch will screw up anything else. However, Earthquake is more reliable and has a great attacking type.
Well, that's my team. I hope you wil answer the questions I have asked and also provide me with any criticism or suggestions that you think will make my team better.
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Toxic/Drill Peck
- Protect
The first half of the SkarmBliss combo. Its a spiker and phazer which does its job very well due to its immense defense and typing which grants it resistances to all but 2 physical types which neutrally affect it. It is used to cover up Blissey's poor physical bulk. This beast finds it amazingly easy to lay Spikes and take advantage of them with Whirlwind, particularly against Choice Band users such as Metagross and Snorlax. Whirlwind can force out any Pokemon trying to set up on Skarmory and can stop Baton Pass teams. Toxic is Skarmory's best way to damage Pokemon, and can be used in conjunction with Protect or Rest to stall out opponents. It's also Skarmory's best weapon against Cloyster and Claydol, two common spinners. However, it does nothing against poison and steel types. Therefore, I would like to know whether toxic or drill peck is a better option for Skarm.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 106 HP / 252 Def / 152 SpA
Modest Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Ice Beam
The second half of the SkarmBliss combo. Patches up Skarmory's mediocre special defense. This set sacrifices a significant offensive presence in order to support her team. Blissey is found on nearly all stall teams, and with Aromatherapy Swampert and Skarmory's burns will disappear along with healing a poisoned Celebi and destroying a rampant status inflicting Gengar.Seismic Toss is Blissey's most reliable way of dealing damage to opposing Pokemon. Although Seismic Toss makes Blissey a less efficient check to Calm Mind users with recovery moves, Seismic Toss still lets Blissey check a number of important Pokemon such as Raikou, offensive Jirachi, offensive Suicune without Substitute, offensive Zapdos, Jolteon, and many more. As for the last moveslot, there are a number of legitimate options. Ice Beam is preferred by many players as it allows Blissey to beat Dugtrio.Will-O-Wisp Gengar is a good partner for switching to the Fighting-type attacks that Blissey lures in, and burning physical attackers that threaten Blissey. Skarmory is a good partner, as it can take nearly all the physical attacks that Blissey hates, with the exception of STAB Fighting-type attacks; set up Spikes, and defeat physical attackers with Hidden Power Flying, Drill Peck, or Toxic.
Swampert @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpA
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
It was pretty obvious from the start that Swampert was going to be on this team. Along with stamping even more bulk on to the team, Swampert has considerable offensive presence as well. It counters OU behemoths like Metagross, Salamence, Flygon and Tryanitar solidly. As opposed to being an offensive threat itself, this set aims to act as a solid utility counter and defensive pivot; it is excellent at forcing switches. Earthquake is a strong STAB move that threatens many Pokemon that Swampert counters, such as Metagross and Jirachi. Ice Beam provides excellent coverage and, in conjunction with Earthquake, enables Swampert to hit everything in OU for neutral damage. Ice Beam takes a decent chunk out of any Celebi switching in and forces it to Recover, which in turn allows a teammate to switch in without fear of Leech Seed or Psychic. Hydro Pump is the primary option in the third moveslot because it takes a good 50% out of standard Skarmory, stopping Skarmory from setting up on Swampert; it also deals good damage to Gengar. The main reason for Swampert being on this team though, is its symbiosis with Skarmory. The pair has excellent type synergy and together they can check numerous threats, such as Tyranitar, Metagross, Heracross, and Salamence.
Starmie @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 40 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
As the best rapid spinner in the game, Starmie's role is to scare away the opposing Skarmory and spin away spikes. I chose Starmie over Forretress because it doesn't get trapped by Magneton and over Cloyster because Starmie has considerable offensive presence as well. Other than getting rid of entry hazards, Rapid Spin is also useful for getting rid of Celebi's Leech Seed, thus giving Starmie another easy switch in to take advantage of and use Rapid Spin. Recover is another very important move for Starmie. With Recover, the blue star can repeatedly switch into and Rapid Spin on Metagross, Snorlax, and other prominent physical attackers. Surf is non-negotiable on Starmie, allowing it to defeat Skarmory, non-Hidden Power Bug Forretress, and Cloyster if Starmie lacks Thunderbolt. There's no need to use Hydro Pump because its low PP and mediocre accuracy is not worth the increase in power. The final moveslot comes down to personal preference. Thunderbolt is good against opposing Water-types. I was wondering if I should use psychic though, to nail Gengar. Please advise me on that.
Gengar @ Leftovers
EVs: 172 HP / 148 SpA / 188 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Punch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hypnosis
A very common choice on SkarmBliss Spikes teams, Gengar is viable in this set up due to its amazing spin-blocking ability which is second only to Dusclops. None of the spinners can possibly win against it except for Starmie and Claydol. Starmie must have Psychic to beat Gengar(which is uncommon) otherwise Gengar will OHKO it with thunderbolt. Gengar 2HKOs Claydol with Ice punch so it should win unless a swich to Gengar is expected. This set combines Gengar's great coverage with a variety of support moves to cripple Pokemon that normally switch into it. Thunderbolt and Ice Punch create a pseudo-BoltBeam combination, which hits all but dedicated special walls for huge damage. Giga Drain is a great attack to nail Swampert, who can be problematic due to its bulk and immunity to Thunderbolt. However, Will-O-Wisp can be used in its place, as Giga Drain has little use outside of Swampert, who is crippled by Will-O-Wisp anyway. Will-O-Wisp also shuts down other physical attackers, such as Tyranitar and Metagross, both of whom Gengar is otherwise virtually useless against. A myriad of choices are available in the last slot. Hypnosis is the preferred option as it allows Gengar to put one Pokemon to sleep and essentially render it useless; its terrible accuracy is its main drawback though.
Heracross @ Choice Band
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Megahorn
- Earthquake/Focus Punch
- Rock Slide
- Brick Break
And here you have it, the final member of my team. I realized that I didn't have a reliable physical attacker in my team and that my team was weak to bulky water types like Suicune, Swampert and Milotic. Heracross, however really fit the bill as it shrugs off Swampert's Earthquake and Suicune's Hydro Pump for less than 50% and outspeeds and 2HKOs all of them with Megahorn. Its truly brilliant. I believe it fits perfectly into my team. It can deal good damage to any Pokemon in the game. It has a hard time staying alive for long, but it packs a great, great punch. If Heracross switches into the likes of Blissey's Thunder Wave, its Focus Punch will OHKO Skarmory. Hidden Power Ghost is mostly to take down Gengar and Dusclops, but Megahorn will usually do more than enough damage to them. Brick Break is a reliable move which breaks through screens. However, I have one doubt. Focus punch or Earthquake? Because unless Heracross has a status ailment, Focus Punch won't OHKO Skarmory which is kinda its main function. However, Focus punch will screw up anything else. However, Earthquake is more reliable and has a great attacking type.
Well, that's my team. I hope you wil answer the questions I have asked and also provide me with any criticism or suggestions that you think will make my team better.