VGC 2012-Ace in the Hole

Hey! Dimsun here, and I'd like to show you one of my most successful teams that I've been using on the Skarmbliss PO Server. It's actually netted my highest ranking(4th, at 1303 rating) on the server. So, without further ado, let's get into the team!



Mamoswine is beautiful. See those tusks? The white is just a covering to make sure the PURE GOLD on the inside isn't damaged.
In all seriousness, Mamoswine is a fantastic 'mon. He synergizes really well with Salamence, whom helps to weaken threatening physical attackers. At the moment, I was trying Icicle Spear at Zachdro's suggestion. With Mamo, I would definitely put a slash between Icicle Spear and Icicle Crash most of the time, because both moves work well while one has a flinch chance and the other hits through Yache and Sash. Earthquake is great and helps Rotom-W, whom is great partner to have in the back or with Mamoswine because of how well it deals with most opposing Metagross, one of the largest issues for Mamoswine. EVs are generic, as with Sash I don't need max HP to survive attacks. Mamoswine isn't even damaged by weather, so he really is one of the best users of the item. Also, Mamoswine gets Ice Shard, one of the better priority moves in VGC.


Salamence is almost as marvelous as Mamo. Dragon Gem Draco Meteor is nearly as powerful as Latios'. However, Salamence has Intimidate, which I consider far superior to Latios' Levitate, if only because Salamence is part flying type. This team actually has three ice resists, so Salamence really doesn't have to worry; I can switch him out on a predicted ice type attack. Substitute is there in case he goes up against Cresselia or the like, while Protect is really one of the most useful moves in VGC. 204 Speed Modest allows it to outspeed max speed Timid Chandelure by one point.


Rotom is fantastic. He almost completely checks most Metagross variants and is a huge help beating Sandstorm teams. Electric Gem Thunderbolt tears a dent in anything that doesn't resist it and is therefore preferred over Sitrus Berry with which Rotom sorely misses damage. Hidden Power Grass is a nasty surprise to opposing Gastrodon, forcing the opponent to either switch out or protect with the slug. Although HP Grass only deals about 80% damage to opposing Gastrodon, Gastro will have typically taken damage prior and faint. Rindo Gastro takes about 40% and is forced to switch. Also, HP Grass deals slightly higher damage to opposing Rotom Wash then Thunderbolt, which is nice.


<3 Volcarona, that's all

No, Volcarona is fantastic and I'm glad I started testing it. Lum Berry blocks opposing Cresselia's Thunder Wave, allowing Volcarona to poke a hole in the opponent's defense. After enough Quiver Dances, this thing will deal over half to anything, even Pokemon that resists Volcarona's two STABs. However, Volcarona also constitutes a weakness to rain in my team.


Metagross is a mon that serves a similar role to Mamoswine, just in different situations. Bullet Punch is extremely useful priority, while Iron Flinch(Head) has always-hit goodness stuffed inside of it. Earthquake puts a dent in opposing Chandelures thinking they can Overheat this thing to death. The EVs provide great special bulk, along with buffing up Metagross' attack stat and allowing it to just slightly outspeed 4 Speed Hitmontop and Metagross.


Breloom was put on the team for one reason; stopping Trick Room. Aside from that, it also helps when the opponent leads Hitmontop/Cresselia. The biggest issue with this thing is its measly defenses, which allows it to be OHKO'd even by a Non-STAB Heat Wave from Zapdos. Even then though, Spore is a fantastic move and so is Seed Bomb. With 252 Attack EVs and Adamant, Seed Bomb has a good chance to OHKO opposing Rotom, which again is extremely useful. 140 Speed allows Breloom to just barely outspeed 4 Speed Rotom-Wash(Which also means Cresselia! Get rid of that Chesto.). Breloom doesn't really need speed for anything else.
However, I've used Hitmontop in this slot before and found similar success. Without a Wide Gaurd-er, Volcarona has a hard time getting up a quiver or dealing any damage at all. Therefore, Breloom is definitely the most iffy member of my team.


So, that's the team. I hope you like it! Please, point out issues I may have made teambuilding or just writing errors in general. Thanks!

DIMSUN!!!!

Great team, , the use of Mamo and Mence on the team as well

full rate coming later (why mom WHY D:)

EDIT: Ok, so we talked on PO, and here is the rate in case you forget

The Bold is the actual rate material, but read all of it again anyways :D

Looks exactly like one of my current teams.

Though I have Hp fire on rotom and meteor mash on Meta.

Hitmontop > for this team.

Breloom almost never sees use.

I agree with you, Ravix. ATM though, the PO meta took a huge shift and I'm seeing quite a bit more rain, which this team has quite a bit of trouble with.

Hey, there Dimsun! I might not be able to make it to Nats, but I can definitely help you! First, this rate will be about your threats, and my next post will be the solution. I don't want such a long post to give you an eyesore.

Problems & Threats

As you already pointed out, Rain Teams will give you a lot of trouble. If you don't have another weather check, such as Tyranitar or Abomasnow, Rain Teams will constantly double Surf with a 50% boost from Drizzle.

Although some of your 'mons (Salamence, Breloom) can resist Surf, Absorb Bulb Ludicolo will OHKO Salamence with Ice Beam, while Breloom will not be able to survive a double Surf combo. Ludicolo is probably your biggest threat because it outspeeds all your Pokemon in Rain. I did the calcs, here's what Ludicolo (without boosts) would do to your team:

Mamoswine (in Rain) - Surf: 167.7% - 197.8%
Salamence - Ice Beam: 126.6% - 151.4%
Rotom-W (Max HP) - Giga Drain: 53.5% - 65%
Metagross (in Rain) - Surf: 56.1% - 66.3%
Breloom (Max HP) - Surf: 46.7% - 55.1%
Volcarona (in Rain) - Surf: 179.3% - 209.4% (not sure about this calc ONLY, because I used a 5th Gen beta calculator, but we both know Surf OHKO's Volc)

As you can see, Ludicolo can either OHKO or 2HKO your whole team without boosts from Absorb Bulb, using moves such as Surf, Ice Beam, and Giga Drain.

Rain Teams rely on Swift Swimmers to sweep, such as Kingdra and Ludicolo. If Rain is on the field the entire match, your opponent has the advantage because Swift Swimmers will outspeed you. If you take away the speed of a Rain Team, you have the advantage instead.

Remember, I'm only talking about the threats first, then I'll post the solutions tomorrow. Hope I helped!

Try t-wave or tailwind against rain, it works.

pokemaster649 said:

Try t-wave or tailwind against rain, it works.

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That can work also, but the most effective check is either TTar or Abomasnow because it can end the Rain and start up either Hail or Sandstorm.

MavsObbession said:

That can work also, but the most effective check is either TTar or Abomasnow because it can end the Rain and start up either Hail or Sandstorm.

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I know, but you already mention that, I'm just adding more suggestions.

This team looks like it could have trouble with the occasional Sun and possibly Sandstorm as well. 3 weaknesses to Fire are an issue with Chandelure being somewhat common, while Salamence can outspeed it Sash is an incredibly common item for Chandelure. Volca can't really touch Chandy, but Chandelure can't do too much to it either. Mamoswine is OHKO'd by Chandelure unless it has Thick Fat. Metagross will take big damage before getting rid of Chandelure. For Clorophyll Sleep Powder users, you have no Taunt/Thunder Wave so they could just Sleep your more threatening Mon while Ninetales abuses the 3x Fire weaknesses. Sun is not very common, but I don't think this team would do well against it. Sandstorm is not a huge worry, Breloom, Rotom, and Mamo only have to be careful of Rock Slide flinches. Salamence's Intimidate works nicely against the abundance of physical attackers in Sand. Breloom contributes least to the team's overall success, goin back to Htop would be OK but here is another suggestion:

Cresselia@Chesto Berry
Calm
252 Hp, 4 SpAtk, 252 SpD

Psychic
Thunder Wave/Icy Wind
Trick Room
Rest

Stops opposing sweepers, and can reverse Trick Room. Icy Wind might not make some things slow enough that all your other mons could outrun them, and Clorophyll abusers might not mind unless they were hit by 2 Icy Winds. Thunder Wave only hits one but lowers speed far more. General bulk makes Rest very worthwhile to stay around and keep supporting. 4 SpAtk EVs allow for a likelier KO on HTop, they wouldn't make a big difference in Speed or Defense.

While I agree with the above posts, I'd suggest Sableye. Your team seems to work fine if it's gotten Top 3, so you probably just need a bit of support to handle these threats.

Sableye (F) @ Sitrus Berry / Lagging Tail (if you decide on Trick Sableye) Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Sunny Day
- Taunt
- Fake Out / Trick
-Will-O-Wisp

You could probably find a better variation, seeing as you know the team much better than I do.



This is if you're looking to change up your team of course, otherwise great RMT thread!

Drifblim said:

This team looks like it could have trouble with the occasional Sun and possibly Sandstorm as well. 3 weaknesses to Fire are an issue with Chandelure being somewhat common, while Salamence can outspeed it Sash is an incredibly common item for Chandelure. Volca can't really touch Chandy, but Chandelure can't do too much to it either. Mamoswine is OHKO'd by Chandelure unless it has Thick Fat. Metagross will take big damage before getting rid of Chandelure. For Clorophyll Sleep Powder users, you have no Taunt/Thunder Wave so they could just Sleep your more threatening Mon while Ninetales abuses the 3x Fire weaknesses. Sun is not very common, but I don't think this team would do well against it. Sandstorm is not a huge worry, Breloom, Rotom, and Mamo only have to be careful of Rock Slide flinches. Salamence's Intimidate works nicely against the abundance of physical attackers in Sand. Breloom contributes least to the team's overall success, goin back to Htop would be OK but here is another suggestion:

Cresselia@Chesto Berry
Calm
252 Hp, 4 SpAtk, 252 SpD

Psychic
Thunder Wave/Icy Wind
Trick Room
Rest

Stops opposing sweepers, and can reverse Trick Room. Icy Wind might not make some things slow enough that all your other mons could outrun them, and Clorophyll abusers might not mind unless they were hit by 2 Icy Winds. Thunder Wave only hits one but lowers speed far more. General bulk makes Rest very worthwhile to stay around and keep supporting. 4 SpAtk EVs allow for a likelier KO on HTop, they wouldn't make a big difference in Speed or Defense.

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I like this set :) Most of the teams I build have no issues with sand or goodstuff though. Honestly, those two are no threat. In terms of Sun? Yeah, that was identified almost before I started laddering as a problem, especially if the sun setter Ninetales is carrying HP Ice.

While I agree with the above posts, I'd suggest Sableye. Your team seems to work fine if it's gotten Top 3, so you probably just need a bit of support to handle these threats.

Sableye (F) @ Sitrus Berry / Lagging Tail (if you decide on Trick Sableye) Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Sunny Day
- Taunt
- Fake Out / Trick
-Will-O-Wisp

You could probably find a better variation, seeing as you know the team much better than I do.

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Again, a very good supporter that I will probably try out.,

Cassie said:

While I agree with the above posts, I'd suggest Sableye. Your team seems to work fine if it's gotten Top 3, so you probably just need a bit of support to handle these threats.

Sableye (F) @ Sitrus Berry / Lagging Tail (if you decide on Trick Sableye) Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Sunny Day
- Taunt
- Fake Out / Trick
-Will-O-Wisp

You could probably find a better variation, seeing as you know the team much better than I do.



This is if you're looking to change up your team of course, otherwise great RMT thread!

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I totally agree with this. Sableye/Volcanrona lead is a good pair, I've seen Japs use it online, works really well. Really great anti-weather synergy here.

I was gonna give you the solution, but these awesome VGC battlers already helped you. :)