Howdy. I'm a fairly well known veteran TCG player who has decided to get into the video games more now that it is increasing in support from the Pokemon company. I've browsed various areas of Smogon for a while now, and am familiar with the site, however, this is my first time making an account, as well as posting. I know there is nowhere better to start if one is serious about getting involved in the VGC.
I've gone through a few different Pokemon in my Trick Room team practice, and here is my most current. Most of my team is straight from the Strategy Pokedex to my DS, and I've got roughly 40 battles under my belt with the core of the team.
I would appreciate any kind of help and criticism that could be offered!
Cresselia @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Nature: Sassy
- Trick Room
- Psychic
- Helping Hand
- Safeguard
As per what I've gathered from reading the rules, I shouldn't go into strategy that is really mainstream, such as why Cresselia is chosen to be my Trick Room set up, so I'll only touch on the choices I've made. Sitrus over Mental Herb as I normally pair Cresselia with Amoongus and Rage Powder, so the HP gain later comes in handy more so than the protection that Herb offers. I've gone with Safeguard over either Screen as I was getting tired of my Amoongus losing the Speed-tie with other Amoongus and all my Pokemon being put to sleep before I could eliminate the threat. Helping Hand has been incredibly useful so far in testing, giving the very appreciated support on spread attacks and Giga Drains.
Amoongus @ Mental Herb
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Nature: Sassy
- Spore
- Rage Powder
- Giga Drain
- Protect
So far I have loved Amoongus. He's been on my team since I first made it, while others have been cut. My usual opening is Amoongus with Cresselia, throwing up Rage Powder and Trick Room turn one. This is probably very predictable to veteran players, however so far from my limited experience it's been the most effective way to get it going (until I learned the hard way that Fake Out and Rage Powder have the same priority!). I have greatly considered switching Protect with Sludge Bomb to aid in dealing with Ludicolo.
Hitmontop @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Nature: Adamant
- Fake Out
- Mach Punch
- Wide Guard
- Sucker Punch
My other lead when Amoongus seems lacking. Still have problems from Fake Out when used by Pokemon that can outspeed my Top's Fake Out. Fairly decent Physical hitter after his lead purpose has been served. I used to use Hariyama for a similar purpose while hitting harder when Trick Room was up, but have since switched to Hitmontop for reliability. I'm not quite sure whom I like better so far. I really like his priority Mach Punch, however upon suggestion I will be testing with Close Combat with Intimidate in its place.
Chandelure @ Fire Gem
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs:252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Nature: Quiet
- Heat Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
- Trick Room
My other Trick Room user. I used to have more than just Chandelure and Cresselia on my team for throwing up Trick Room, but over time my Bronzong and Jellicent have been cut, and these are the two whom are left. Chandelure could be useful in aiding my Fake Out problems, however, he's frail enough that he could just be taken out with an early Earthquake and/or Surf. It doesn't seem very smart to throw my Trick Room eggs into this fairly fragile basket until my prediction for Rage Powder vs. Wide Guard opening is better. Although an amazing Special sweeper, I've found myself leaving him behind more often than I would have thought.
Marowak @ Thick Club
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Nature: Brave
- Fire Punch
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Detect
My main Physical sweeper. Used to use Rhyperior instead, however realized that Marowak hit harder more consistently, while not having as many weaknesses. Cresselia, as stated in a comment below, is really the only player on my team whom can avoid an Earthquake without too much trouble, which has been inconvenient at times.
Abomasnow @ Focus Sash
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Nature: Quiet
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Ice Shard
- Protect
Needed another Special hitter besides Chandelure, as well as a soft Rain counter, and Abomasnow seemed like a great choice. Jellicent used to be my Ice Beam coverage, however Abomasnow seems to be a suitable replacement. The chip from Hail has helped me time and time again, alone making Abomasnow a potent addition.
Cresselia, Chandelure, and Amoongus are the three that have always remained a constant on my team, while the other three at any given time have been instead the aforementioned Jellicent, Bronzong, Hariyama, and Rhyperior, as well as a not mentioned Lv 1 Aron gimmick that actually worked quite a bit better than I would have thought, which is something I thought worth mentioning.
So far from my experience what I have the most trouble with is setting up through opposing Fake Outs. The best way to counter that would seemingly be to swap Cresselia out with Dusclops, however, being rather novice I can't say for sure. I would bet that there are some glaring weaknesses of some kind that my team holds to which I am not aware, so again any criticism would be well appreciated!
Hopefully I haven't been too boring with my text, nor have I violated any rules on my first post. Thanks for reading!
I've gone through a few different Pokemon in my Trick Room team practice, and here is my most current. Most of my team is straight from the Strategy Pokedex to my DS, and I've got roughly 40 battles under my belt with the core of the team.
I would appreciate any kind of help and criticism that could be offered!
Cresselia @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Nature: Sassy
- Trick Room
- Psychic
- Helping Hand
- Safeguard
As per what I've gathered from reading the rules, I shouldn't go into strategy that is really mainstream, such as why Cresselia is chosen to be my Trick Room set up, so I'll only touch on the choices I've made. Sitrus over Mental Herb as I normally pair Cresselia with Amoongus and Rage Powder, so the HP gain later comes in handy more so than the protection that Herb offers. I've gone with Safeguard over either Screen as I was getting tired of my Amoongus losing the Speed-tie with other Amoongus and all my Pokemon being put to sleep before I could eliminate the threat. Helping Hand has been incredibly useful so far in testing, giving the very appreciated support on spread attacks and Giga Drains.
Amoongus @ Mental Herb
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Nature: Sassy
- Spore
- Rage Powder
- Giga Drain
- Protect
So far I have loved Amoongus. He's been on my team since I first made it, while others have been cut. My usual opening is Amoongus with Cresselia, throwing up Rage Powder and Trick Room turn one. This is probably very predictable to veteran players, however so far from my limited experience it's been the most effective way to get it going (until I learned the hard way that Fake Out and Rage Powder have the same priority!). I have greatly considered switching Protect with Sludge Bomb to aid in dealing with Ludicolo.
Hitmontop @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Nature: Adamant
- Fake Out
- Mach Punch
- Wide Guard
- Sucker Punch
My other lead when Amoongus seems lacking. Still have problems from Fake Out when used by Pokemon that can outspeed my Top's Fake Out. Fairly decent Physical hitter after his lead purpose has been served. I used to use Hariyama for a similar purpose while hitting harder when Trick Room was up, but have since switched to Hitmontop for reliability. I'm not quite sure whom I like better so far. I really like his priority Mach Punch, however upon suggestion I will be testing with Close Combat with Intimidate in its place.
Chandelure @ Fire Gem
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs:252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Nature: Quiet
- Heat Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
- Trick Room
My other Trick Room user. I used to have more than just Chandelure and Cresselia on my team for throwing up Trick Room, but over time my Bronzong and Jellicent have been cut, and these are the two whom are left. Chandelure could be useful in aiding my Fake Out problems, however, he's frail enough that he could just be taken out with an early Earthquake and/or Surf. It doesn't seem very smart to throw my Trick Room eggs into this fairly fragile basket until my prediction for Rage Powder vs. Wide Guard opening is better. Although an amazing Special sweeper, I've found myself leaving him behind more often than I would have thought.
Marowak @ Thick Club
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Nature: Brave
- Fire Punch
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Detect
My main Physical sweeper. Used to use Rhyperior instead, however realized that Marowak hit harder more consistently, while not having as many weaknesses. Cresselia, as stated in a comment below, is really the only player on my team whom can avoid an Earthquake without too much trouble, which has been inconvenient at times.
Abomasnow @ Focus Sash
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Nature: Quiet
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Ice Shard
- Protect
Needed another Special hitter besides Chandelure, as well as a soft Rain counter, and Abomasnow seemed like a great choice. Jellicent used to be my Ice Beam coverage, however Abomasnow seems to be a suitable replacement. The chip from Hail has helped me time and time again, alone making Abomasnow a potent addition.
Cresselia, Chandelure, and Amoongus are the three that have always remained a constant on my team, while the other three at any given time have been instead the aforementioned Jellicent, Bronzong, Hariyama, and Rhyperior, as well as a not mentioned Lv 1 Aron gimmick that actually worked quite a bit better than I would have thought, which is something I thought worth mentioning.
So far from my experience what I have the most trouble with is setting up through opposing Fake Outs. The best way to counter that would seemingly be to swap Cresselia out with Dusclops, however, being rather novice I can't say for sure. I would bet that there are some glaring weaknesses of some kind that my team holds to which I am not aware, so again any criticism would be well appreciated!
Hopefully I haven't been too boring with my text, nor have I violated any rules on my first post. Thanks for reading!