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Pokemazter · Aug 21st, 2012, 2:38:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat pwnage77

actually i've sorta patched up the Heracross problem. Intimidate on Arcanine seems to be better although Chandelure is more of a threat now. But anyway I'll go for my current Arcanine + Flygon. Also I'll switch to Wild Charge now that bulky waters are sort a problem.

Yeah, that should fix the problem. Until you eat an Earthquake or Stone Edge. In no way does changing Arcanine's ability "patch up" your Heracross weakness. It's like telling politicians to get along. You're trying to do the right thing, but the attempt itself is so futile, that you've really done nothing. There's a lot of things that need to happen to this team in order for it to be considerably decent. Don't take this the wrong way, but if these changes really don't appeal to you, I'd suggest making a new team. I'm also going to approach this rate a bit differently than I would normal rates. Bear with me.

Before I begin, let me ask you this: Why the hell aren't you posting this at the PO forums? Your getting rates from the Smogon tiering system, which has about 3 or 4 Pokemon in Underused that are banned from the PO tier. You're almost using a team designed for another tier and asking us to rate it based on this tier. I suggest playing with this team on Pokemon Showdown! and maybe even Smogon's PO 2.0 server if there's activity in order to see how it plays against the threats not seen at PO. Otherwise, having it rated here seems to be a waste of time for not only the raters, but for yourself too. I will be posting my rate from the perspective of the Smogon Underused tier tier simply because you're at this forum, and I'll address your team to this tier system.

First change, get rid of Claydol. This thing is terrible. Very rarely will it have time to both Spin and lay hazards in the same match, and it lacks a lot of viable recovery. If anything, this thing is one of the reasons why your team is as bad as it is. The next change is to see Azumaril and Victini removed. Azumarill has no place on this team at all, and its position could be held by somethign providing an answer to trouble Pokemon such as Heracross and Chandelure. It's not actually as strong as most people like to think, as it's incredibly predictable, and has no way around Burns or Cofagrigus' Mummy ability, both of which are rising in popularity, and render Azumaril useless. Victini is being replaced for a similar reason, as it doesn't make for as good of a revenge killer as many people assume it would. It works better as a wallbreaker when equipped with a Choice Band, and Darmanitan does that job MUCH better. It's also just adding another Stealth Rock weakness to the team and leaves your team more susceptible to bulky Water-type Pokemon and Kingdra.

Looking at what's left on your team, Shaymin, Arcanine, and Raikou, the "good" Pokemon on your team, you have some flaws that need to be filled with these three new vacant slots. First and foremost is that you definately want hazards support to make Arcanine all the more deadly. They help with Shaymin's and Raikou's offensive presence too. Another thing your team is going to want is a way to take heavy attacks from the likes of Moxie Heracross or Flygon. The remains of your team are also going to appreciate additional support with breaking through bulky Special Walls such as Snorlax and Porygon2, as Arcanine cannot do this alone. The final thing your team will be looking for is Rapid Spin support. This ensures that Arcanine doesn't die in 2 and a half turns because of all the residual damage. Breaking down your team's needs, one Pokemon instantly comes to mind regarding hazards support and the bulk needed to stomach hits from Heracross and Flygon. Gligar would make an excellent candidate for that fourth slot. It can tank Physical hits nearly all day, and can lay Stealth Rock for your team, making sweeps moderately easier for your other three Pokemon. A Scarf MoxieCross of your own will help with beating Snorlax and Porygon2, enabling Raikou and Shaymin to experience more success. It may be slower than Victini, but it works better as a revenge killer thanks to its STAB, ability, and higher Attack stat. Heracross will also prove to be deadly useful when having to deal with Chandelure, as it can easily revenge kill it or force it out on the double switch. The Rapid Spin support should come from a Pokemon such as Blastoise, who also provides additional support against Chandelure, being able to tank those Overheats relatively easily. Blastoise is arguably the tier's best spinner, and provides this team with a bulky Water-type Pokemon. Blastoise also re-completes the Fire / Water / Grass core that your team held, maintaining that ever-important synergy. I've listed the sets at the bottom of this post.

As I said, and not to be harsh or anything, but you're probably better off building a new team, as this team needs such an overhaul to perform at its best. You still have a weakness to Outrage from Kingdra and flygon (Blastoise can take hits, but doesn't want to repeatedly take them), and are free to use a Tank Bronzong over Gligar, but it leaves you slightly more susceptible to Heracross. If you need, I can help you build a new team sometime down the road if this one doesn't work out.

TL;DR and Sets

Hopefully this mile-long post helps your team see more success. Feel free to ask any questions regarding the suggestions above.

EDIT: I just noticed that you replaced Victini with Flygon. Because you have a massive Ice-type weakness, I'm still suggesting that you use Heracross over Flygon as your revenge killer. It does more for the team, and has more power.