The (Past) Dark Horse Project — Volume 1 - Page 9

Stif247 · Jan 7th, 2012, 4:13:28 PM

I seem to be having alot of problems with hard hitting threats like terrakion and haxours can anybody help me out?

Archeops (M) @ Flight Gem
Trait: Defeatist
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Acrobatics
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Wish
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- Fire Punch

Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
- Volt Switch

Volcarona (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Rock]

Espeon (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Sunny Day
- Shadow Ball

Latios (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]

**Pocket** · Jan 7th, 2012, 4:18:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Charge

Updated my registration form with new Dark Horse Pokemon and new laddering name.

Here.

Hey, Pocket. Can you suggest something that can improve my team? Because it's hovering on 1100~ and I keep on losing matches because I don't have the defense to tank damages and that sucks. I'm really not sure what am I having trouble with but yeah, I'm pretty much losing matches every now and then. This is a team built around SD Gatr.

EDIT: Forgot to put in my team lol

Team

Charge, your team is pretty vulnerable to Grass-type Sweepers. I reckon Bulk Up Breloom, CM Virizion, or Nasty Plot Celebi can deal with this team. Your team also doesn't have much answer to opposing Rain abusers, namely Jirachi and Toxicroak that can set up on your Ferrothorn. non-choiced Rotom-W looks annoying as well, with Will-O-Wisp to burn Ferrothorn, Hydro Pump to remove Gliscor, and Volt Switches.

Perhaps try LO Pain Split Gengar over Gliscor? You still check Fighting-types and Ground-types. It can bypass Toxicroak's Sucker Punch with a Substitute, and it can deal with Grass-types. Even more, it provides a spin-blocker to keep the hazards up.

Since your main Sweeper is Feraligatr, you want to have a good answer to Rotom-W, who would undoubtedly be a pest. Ferrothorn is good, but not sufficient imo. Perhaps further bolster your team's defense against Rotom-W by adding a specially defensive Gastrodon? It cripples Rotom-W with Toxic. Even more, it deals with CM Jirachi that sets up on your Ferrothorn with Earthquake. You can try this over Scarf Rotom-W and Scarf Politoed instead.

Another interesting teammate you may want to consider is Mamoswine. It lures in Rotom-W and can take it out with LO Superpower. It also has Ice Shard, which is a good revenge-killing move for Dragonite and Grass-types that may come in and force Feraligatr out. LO Mamo can probably go over Scizor, since it takes out Grass-types, Dragonite, and Tornadus, similarly to CB Scizor. Mamoswine doesn't check Ghost- and Psychic-types too well, but you have Gastrodon and Feraligatr for those.

Berserker Lord · Jan 7th, 2012, 5:05:20 PM

Hey alpha :P

My current peak for now. This should put me in second for the Hall Of Fame.

Edit:

Yeah, I finally got into the 1400's. Maybe I should make a RMT.

Charge · Jan 7th, 2012, 7:39:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Pocket

Charge, your team is pretty vulnerable to Grass-type Sweepers. I reckon Bulk Up Breloom, CM Virizion, or Nasty Plot Celebi can deal with this team. Your team also doesn't have much answer to opposing Rain abusers, namely Jirachi and Toxicroak that can set up on your Ferrothorn. non-choiced Rotom-W looks annoying as well, with Will-O-Wisp to burn Ferrothorn, Hydro Pump to remove Gliscor, and Volt Switches.

Perhaps try LO Pain Split Gengar over Gliscor? You still check Fighting-types and Ground-types. It can bypass Toxicroak's Sucker Punch with a Substitute, and it can deal with Grass-types. Even more, it provides a spin-blocker to keep the hazards up.

Since your main Sweeper is Feraligatr, you want to have a good answer to Rotom-W, who would undoubtedly be a pest. Ferrothorn is good, but not sufficient imo. Perhaps further bolster your team's defense against Rotom-W by adding a specially defensive Gastrodon? It cripples Rotom-W with Toxic. Even more, it deals with CM Jirachi that sets up on your Ferrothorn with Earthquake. You can try this over Scarf Rotom-W and Scarf Politoed instead.

Another interesting teammate you may want to consider is Mamoswine. It lures in Rotom-W and can take it out with LO Superpower. It also has Ice Shard, which is a good revenge-killing move for Dragonite and Grass-types that may come in and force Feraligatr out. LO Mamo can probably go over Scizor, since it takes out Grass-types, Dragonite, and Tornadus, similarly to CB Scizor. Mamoswine doesn't check Ghost- and Psychic-types too well, but you have Gastrodon and Feraligatr for those.

Right, so in summary:

LO Pain Split Gengar > Gliscor
SpD Gastrodon > Rotom-W

I cannot replace Politoed because it's pretty much needed for Gatr.

EDIT: Tested out both Gastro and Gengar. They're pretty nice but they probably just add on to my Grass weakness -even though- Gengar resists them all. He's too fragile and he really just dies too fast. If he died early in the game(which is really possible due to the lack of spinner) I'm done.

I guess I'll need:

1) Spinner.
2) Grass Resist.
3) Electric Resist.

And I'm probably rebuilding my team and see how it goes. I need suggestions, though. Pocket, your suggestions really do help me loads so yeah. I don't know what's not working >_>

Lucario_Guy · Jan 7th, 2012, 10:22:21 PM

I'm done laddering for the day (at about 1164 points - more than half way to 1300!). Chandy's holding up well since I gave her an Air Balloon - switching in on Choiced Ground moves makes it SO much easier to set up subs and blow stuff up. :P

Now I'm lookin' for some aid in the team-building department. I've tried many teams with Chandelure, but the current one I'm using has been the most effective thus far:

...

Opposing hazards are giving me loads of trouble, though. I -would- replace Scolipede with Forretress, but Forry just laaaaaaaags my momentum and I find the speedy Scoli to be a more reliable hazard-setter.

Thoughts?

toshimelonhead · Jan 7th, 2012, 11:33:20 PM

Generally Tentacruel can perform Scolipede's role much better since it is bulkier and doesn't just sit there like a Forretress would. It also covers up some of Chandy's weaknesses. The standard Toxic Spikes set in the Smogon pokedex is the set I would use. Losing Spikes is a problem but I find spinning more useful. Hope that helps :)

alphatron · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:14:23 AM

Scolipede shouldn't really be compared to tentacruel. Tentacruel does have the ability to sit there and do nothing against certain threats, while scolipede can at least take advantage of being faster than most of the prominent Pokemon in the ou tier and possessing the move pool to threaten them. Tentacruel turns tail and runs whenever reuniclus, bulky volcorona under sunlight, Latios, specially defensive heatran under sunlight, or banded terrakion show up. Scolipede laughs at these Pokemon and removes them from its presence. I can take comfort in knowing that scolipede can be run on non stall and non weather teams.

I am currently testing a team shell on PO for a friend, but Gallade is still on it. My main account may be top 100 but my dark horse account is somewhere in hell where my specially defensive breloom loses to volt turn because scizor runs max speed and aerial ace, Gallade gets status'd by fling gliscor who then proceeds to protect four turns in a row, and teams decide that one pokemon with stealth rock and will- o-wisp isn't enough so four Pokemon end up carrying those moves.

Nonetheless, I plan to ladder up. Once I manage to get this cursed for terra set of his to work...

Berry1 · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:18:29 AM

Pokemon Online Username: Wigglytuff
Hall of Fame Standing: None
Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Accelgor
Current Ladder Standing:1000

Accelgor (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Sticky Hold
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Spikes
- U-turn
- Bug Buzz
- Focus Blast

ssbbm · Jan 8th, 2012, 3:13:04 AM

ok im bored so ill do some stuff i guess also the ladder is such bs

teambuilding:

...

how the team is made up:

...

Charge · Jan 8th, 2012, 5:31:27 AM

Updated Team

Yeah, that is my updated team. So far, it has been doing good, though still losing matches but not as oftenly as the previous team. It focuses on using Froslass / Jirachi to cripple notable threats. But yeah, if anybody wanna give suggestions, please do feel free to give. imma update my registration form with Froslass since I wanted to build around Gatr and Froslass after the 2nd round of teambuilding.

Bruno Magno · Jan 8th, 2012, 6:31:28 AM

Old Dark Horse

I tested it, it works, but isn't that good. So, i'd like to keep Crobat but with a different set. I haven't do any ladder battle, i'm still at 1.000 points. Can i start the ladder with this new set?

Jolly | Infiltrator
252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
♫ Taunt
♫ U-Turn
♫ Pursuit
♫ Acrobatics

LuckOverSkill · Jan 8th, 2012, 7:27:49 AM

Looks like a very interesting idea, I'd love to join

Pokemon Online Username: Assenteismo
Hall of Fame Standing: None
Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Virizion, Cobalion
Current Ladder Standing:1000 obv

The 2 pokes I'm using now form a pretty solid offensive core, with a stallbreaker and a pure special attacker

Stallbreaker

Cobalion @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 248 Atk / 56 SAtk / 204 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Close Combat
- Taunt

Special sweeper

Virizion @ Leftovers
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast

The team I'm using is very offensive, no hazards and stuff...will update some logs when I have some good battles with it, I'm starting laddering now.

Ranger Blue · Jan 8th, 2012, 9:01:15 AM

@Stif247

You could try replacing Forretress with a Physical Defensive Skarmory. Both can set up SR/Spikes while Skarm has recovery outside of lefties and whirlwind to phaze. You already have Magic Bounce to stop an opponent from getting his rocks up, so Rapid spin is less necessary, although I can understand running both with Volcarona.

You could also try running a Dual Screen Espeon. Archeops in particular could benefit, as keeping it above half health is vital. Add wish and you have a way to get it back up if it does drop below. Your espeon isn't doing alot that Latios is doing better, aside from not being choiced and changing the weather.

Another possibility is Gengar > Espeon, as it provides a great switchin to Choiced Fighting and Ground attacks, which both Terrakion and Haxorus will likely be using. You could go with a SubSplit set to beat Chansey/Blissey too, helping Volcarona/Latios. Note that if you go with this option, definitely keep Forretress, as its Rapid Spin will be vital.
If you do go with SubSplit Gengar maybe change to a scarf on Latios to deal with opposing Scarfs/+1 threats.

I haven't tested any of these (or your team at all in fact :p), so they might be terrible, but these are just some of what I might try. Perhaps test on a different account at first?

******
As for my own Dark Horse, it's going quite well:

*** Your rank in Standard OU is 310/48556 [1261 points / 75 battles]!

I got stuck in the 1150-1200 range for quite a few battles, but changing SD Luke for Scarf Landorus really helped, as before i had 4!! fighting weaks and only 1 resist, as well as 3 ground weaks.

Cradily in particular is quite remarkable, taking a +2 Dnite Outrage and dealing >50% in return? easy (after I changed to Rock Slide > Energy Ball). Ice Beams are also amusing, most dealing ~40% max.

Crobat is great against choiced fighting moves, taking ~25% from Banded Terrakion Close Combats, and is also decent against Scizor's Bug Bite/Superpowers, although Banded Bullet Punches still hurt.

The team does have problems, such as no water resist once Cradily is gone and no rock resists at all, so I might change Landorus again, maybe to Virizion?

Also final thing, Inner Focus or Infiltrator on Crobat? I see lots of people running Infiltrator, but Screens are much less common now Deoxys is gone and no flinch is handy for Fake Out users.

Darkdiglett · Jan 8th, 2012, 9:06:20 AM

Pokemon Online Username: Lightning Siax
Hall of Fame Standing: None as of yet!
Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Houndoom
Current Ladder Standing: 1178

Houndoom (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Hidden Power [Ground]

fairytale · Jan 8th, 2012, 10:19:05 AM

I've switched from Snorlax to Quagsire and edited my post to show that. I literally just could not win at all with my Snorlax team, but I might come back to it.

For now though, Quag.

Quag @ Leftovers
Unaware
252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD
Relaxed
Scald
Toxic
Earthquake
Recover

I just started playing OU again but I'm assuming this is the standard set? I don't know, maybe some people use Ice Beam over Scald. This is the only set my team could ever run, though, as it helps me better deal with many Steel type threats, mostly SD Scizor.

My current team is Tyranitar/Forretress/Quaggy/Gengar/Reuniclus/Blissey. I'm finding that Quag and Forretress especially play extremely well together, not only for their type synergy, but for the fact that Quag allows Forretress to come in on common mons and set up hazards in peace, without having to worry about getting swept by +6 something.

Going decently well so far, at rank 349 with 1254 points. I should have no problem getting this higher once I learn the metagame a little better. Hopefully I'll get my Quaggy into the Hall of Fame. :)

Axmaster68 · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:03:29 PM

Okay guys, after peaking at 853 on Smogon server, I seem to have hit a brick wall with my offensive sand team, and Virizion as my Dark Horse (edited my regestration post btw). Here's my team:

...

AasTmO · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:08:04 PM

Pokemon Online Username: TheDarkHorse (appropriate, isn't it?)
Hall of Fame Standing: Just getting started, so, nope.
Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Virizion, Snorlax
Current Ladder Standing: 1075

Team

Bruno Magno · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:15:59 PM

Ranger Blue

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Axmaster68

Tyranitar (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 236 HP / 20 Def / 176 SAtk / 76 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam

Landorus (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Rotom-W @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP / 252 SAtk / 144 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Pain Split

Scizor (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Aerial Ace

Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Thunderbolt

Virizion @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]

This team shouldn't be admitted at the Dark Horse Project. Its objective is try different ways to battle, and your team is overcentralizated beyond imagination. Tyranitar, Scarf Landorus, Volturn. You copied even Virizion's set, which is your Dark Horse!

**Pocket** · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:26:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Charge

Updated Team

Yeah, that is my updated team. So far, it has been doing good, though still losing matches but not as oftenly as the previous team. It focuses on using Froslass / Jirachi to cripple notable threats. But yeah, if anybody wanna give suggestions, please do feel free to give. imma update my registration form with Froslass since I wanted to build around Gatr and Froslass after the 2nd round of teambuilding.

Charge, Jirachi & Bronzong seems pretty redundant to me (except for the part that Bronzong isn't weak to Landorus / Mamoswine / Gliscor); I'd replace Bronzong. Also try Thunder and Wish > Body Slam & Fire Punch on your Jirachi. Thunder not only provides that 60% par rate but a great coverage move for Jirachi. Wish would also come in handy for your Feraligatr and Latias.

I would also try Virizion over Bronzong. You still keep the EdgeQuake Resist of Bronzong while you double up on your Water / Electric coverage. Probably CM Virizion with Lefties.

Froslass should have Ice Beam over either Thunder Wave or Destiny Bond.

Stif247 · Jan 8th, 2012, 1:50:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Ranger Blue

@Stif247

You could try replacing Forretress with a Physical Defensive Skarmory. Both can set up SR/Spikes while Skarm has recovery outside of lefties and whirlwind to phaze. You already have Magic Bounce to stop an opponent from getting his rocks up, so Rapid spin is less necessary, although I can understand running both with Volcarona.

You could also try running a Dual Screen Espeon. Archeops in particular could benefit, as keeping it above half health is vital. Add wish and you have a way to get it back up if it does drop below. Your espeon isn't doing alot that Latios is doing better, aside from not being choiced and changing the weather.

Another possibility is Gengar > Espeon, as it provides a great switchin to Choiced Fighting and Ground attacks, which both Terrakion and Haxorus will likely be using. You could go with a SubSplit set to beat Chansey/Blissey too, helping Volcarona/Latios. Note that if you go with this option, definitely keep Forretress, as its Rapid Spin will be vital.
If you do go with SubSplit Gengar maybe change to a scarf on Latios to deal with opposing Scarfs/+1 threats.

I haven't tested any of these (or your team at all in fact :p), so they might be terrible, but these are just some of what I might try. Perhaps test on a different account at first?

******
As for my own Dark Horse, it's going quite well:

*** Your rank in Standard OU is 310/48556 [1261 points / 75 battles]!

I got stuck in the 1150-1200 range for quite a few battles, but changing SD Luke for Scarf Landorus really helped, as before i had 4!! fighting weaks and only 1 resist, as well as 3 ground weaks.

Cradily in particular is quite remarkable, taking a +2 Dnite Outrage and dealing >50% in return? easy (after I changed to Rock Slide > Energy Ball). Ice Beams are also amusing, most dealing ~40% max.

Crobat is great against choiced fighting moves, taking ~25% from Banded Terrakion Close Combats, and is also decent against Scizor's Bug Bite/Superpowers, although Banded Bullet Punches still hurt.

The team does have problems, such as no water resist once Cradily is gone and no rock resists at all, so I might change Landorus again, maybe to Virizion?

Also final thing, Inner Focus or Infiltrator on Crobat? I see lots of people running Infiltrator, but Screens are much less common now Deoxys is gone and no flinch is handy for Fake Out users.

Thanks a lot i think skamory could really fill my defensive cores and help the fact that my momentum gets ruined by forre. I will try out the other pokes as well.I have tested out skarm and the new espeon and i am just getting destroyed by special attackers like alakasam.

lolnub · Jan 8th, 2012, 2:07:34 PM

Registration Form
Pokemon Online Username: Lolnub
Hall of Fame Standing: none
Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Rotom-C (and also a staraptor, but that one is already done right?)
Current Ladder Standing: 1197 (but started at 1000 with the team I am using for this project)

Rotom-C @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP / 236 SAtk / 160 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Pain Split
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Fire]

team

Axmaster68 · Jan 8th, 2012, 2:20:12 PM

@Bruno that's part of the reason why I'm trying to change the team. Also, some of what you said isn't true. It's true that I use T-tar and Scarf Landy, but Landy is the only pokemon on my team with U-turn/ Volt Switch. I do use many centralized pokemon when it comes to my team, but part of the reason I do use them is their effectiveness in battle, with each taking their place. At this point, the reason this team needs work is partially me (I'm not actually all that good at battleing), and also the fact that I'd like to get the same effect that my current team has with some different members.

ssbbm · Jan 8th, 2012, 2:22:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Bruno Magno

This team shouldn't be admitted at the Dark Horse Project. Its objective is try different ways to battle, and your team is overcentralizated beyond imagination. Tyranitar, Scarf Landorus, Volturn. You copied even Virizion's set, which is your Dark Horse!

... no one said you couldn't, lol. also: try running superpower over aerial ace on scizor

risenreturn · Jan 8th, 2012, 6:28:33 PM

Can I join? this sounds fun, and would give me reasons to use someone underrated.

Pokemon Online Username:-Risereturn
Hall of Fame Standing:no
Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Misdreavus
Current Ladder Standing: 1000

Here's my planned set ATM:
Misdreavus@Eviolite
Bold
252 def/252 sp.Def/4HP
Perish Song
Pain Split
Magic Coat
??? will decide later

Master of the Six Kings · Jan 8th, 2012, 6:29:35 PM

Currently at 1241 with Krow. He's really good against some of the major meta, but he's such a glass cannon.

Jan 7th, 2012, 4:13:28 PM	#201
Stif247 Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 21	I seem to be having alot of problems with hard hitting threats like terrakion and haxours can anybody help me out? Archeops (M) @ Flight Gem Trait: Defeatist EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) - Acrobatics - Stone Edge - Earthquake - Hidden Power [Ice] Jirachi @ Leftovers Trait: Serene Grace EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk) - Wish - Iron Head - Body Slam - Fire Punch Forretress (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Sturdy EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk) - Stealth Rock - Rapid Spin - Toxic Spikes - Volt Switch Volcarona (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Flame Body EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk) - Quiver Dance - Fiery Dance - Bug Buzz - Hidden Power [Rock] Espeon (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Magic Bounce EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Psychic - Hidden Power [Fighting] - Sunny Day - Shadow Ball Latios (M) @ Choice Specs Trait: Levitate EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Draco Meteor - Surf - Psyshock - Hidden Power [Fire] __________________ stif247 or stif24-7 on PO Peaks: 900ish UU 1350 OU 336 Ubers Shuckle+maxhp/spdef+sandstrom=power over 9000!! Last edited by Stif247; Jan 7th, 2012 at 4:36:48 PM.

Jan 7th, 2012, 10:22:21 PM	#205
Lucario_Guy Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 211 "Yellow beauty burns gold"	I'm done laddering for the day (at about 1164 points - more than half way to 1300!). Chandy's holding up well since I gave her an Air Balloon - switching in on Choiced Ground moves makes it SO much easier to set up subs and blow stuff up. :P Now I'm lookin' for some aid in the team-building department. I've tried many teams with Chandelure, but the current one I'm using has been the most effective thus far: ... Chandelure (F) @ Air Balloon Trait: Flash Fire EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk) - Substitute - Fire Blast - Shadow Ball - Hidden Power [Fighting] ~The Dark Horse, of course! Virizion @ Life Orb Trait: Justified EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk) - Swords Dance - Leaf Blade - Close Combat - Stone Edge ~Rips rain to shreds and OHKO's all auto-weather 'mons (sans Hippowdon) Scolipede (F) @ Focus Sash Trait: Swarm EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk) - Spikes - Toxic Spikes - Megahorn - Earthquake ~Reliable Spiker lead, although utter setup-bait for Forretress and Skarmory Heatran (M) @ Air Balloon Trait: Flash Fire EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk) - Stealth Rock - Fire Blast - Earth Power - Hidden Power [Ice] ~Sets SR and rapes Sun alongside Chandy Scizor (F) @ Choice Band Trait: Technician EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) - U-turn - Bullet Punch - Superpower - Pursuit ~Mandatory 4x Fire-weakness for Chandy and Heatran, causes switches alongside Landorus to rack up hazards damage Landorus (M) @ Choice Scarf Trait: Sand Force EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef) - Earthquake - Stone Edge - Hidden Power [Ice] - U-turn ~My best answer to Outraging Dragons and an all-around thorn in the side of Sandstorm teams Opposing hazards are giving me loads of trouble, though. I -would- replace Scolipede with Forretress, but Forry just laaaaaaaags my momentum and I find the speedy Scoli to be a more reliable hazard-setter. Thoughts? __________________ ~~~R~W~B~Y~~~

Jan 7th, 2012, 11:33:20 PM	#206
toshimelonhead Raising Whitney's Miltank Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 886 Snowpoint City	Generally Tentacruel can perform Scolipede's role much better since it is bulkier and doesn't just sit there like a Forretress would. It also covers up some of Chandy's weaknesses. The standard Toxic Spikes set in the Smogon pokedex is the set I would use. Losing Spikes is a problem but I find spinning more useful. Hope that helps :) __________________ 01[21:11] <@toshimelonhead> nova you are one lucky son of a gun [21:11] <@Novaray> hahahahaha [21:11] <@durrr> whys he lucky [21:12] <@Colchonero> maybe he got a date with jason's cousin [21:12] <@Novaray> LOL 01[21:12] <@toshimelonhead> rofl [21:13] <@durrr> HAHAHAHHA gtfo shes mine

Jan 8th, 2012, 1:14:23 AM	#207
alphatron Volt turn in every tier! I'm in despair! Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,357	Scolipede shouldn't really be compared to tentacruel. Tentacruel does have the ability to sit there and do nothing against certain threats, while scolipede can at least take advantage of being faster than most of the prominent Pokemon in the ou tier and possessing the move pool to threaten them. Tentacruel turns tail and runs whenever reuniclus, bulky volcorona under sunlight, Latios, specially defensive heatran under sunlight, or banded terrakion show up. Scolipede laughs at these Pokemon and removes them from its presence. I can take comfort in knowing that scolipede can be run on non stall and non weather teams. I am currently testing a team shell on PO for a friend, but Gallade is still on it. My main account may be top 100 but my dark horse account is somewhere in hell where my specially defensive breloom loses to volt turn because scizor runs max speed and aerial ace, Gallade gets status'd by fling gliscor who then proceeds to protect four turns in a row, and teams decide that one pokemon with stealth rock and will- o-wisp isn't enough so four Pokemon end up carrying those moves. Nonetheless, I plan to ladder up. Once I manage to get this cursed for terra set of his to work... __________________ Fifth Gen OU RMT: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthr...67#post3383567

Jan 8th, 2012, 3:13:04 AM	#209
ssbbm Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,001 Where you can play Pokemon with Singing Narwhals and Dancing Clouds	ok im bored so ill do some stuff i guess also the ladder is such bs teambuilding: ... so basically i had to include all of these pokemon because they were my dark horse pokemon. now because i pick frail pokemon, i cant mess around with defense; i have to go out with pure offense. additionally, i picked honchkrow to be my sweeper (because of moxie) and i picked staraptor to be the wall breaker (cb reckless brave bird is incredibly sexy). the problem that i faced was one pokemon: skarmory. it completely walled all three of my pokemon at the time. so an obvious fit was magnezone. at this point, my team really didn't have to worry about breaking through opposing teams: staraptor and honchkrow were basically guaranteed to kill stuff. the problem was, however, that my pokemon were all hurt badly by sr (duggy has focus sash) and brave bird just exacerbated the problem. so i obviously needed a spinner. in order to maintain momentum, i had to pick an offensive spinner. there is only one good offensive spinner in existence that can threaten skarmory: starmie. at this point, the team was looking pretty good. however, i noticed a weakness to weather teams (especially sun, although sand damage also hurt badly) and dd dragonite. scarf politoed dealt with both of these threats admirably. it also provided a secondary threat to steel types like scizor and skarmory in case they were carrying shed shell. how the team is made up: ... the team is constructed of three cores: a trapping core, a physical core, and a special core. the trapping core is made out of duggy and magnezone. these pokemon basically provide my strongest weapon against stall. if i have dugtrio, then the opposing chansey / blissey will be killed and my special core will be able to mess up the other team badly, while magnezone will kill skarmory and allow my birds to kill stuff. the hardest part of using this core is prediction: you have to be able to predict incredibly well to use these pokemon. the next core is my water special core. its made out of politoed and starmie. politoed basically sets up rain and spams hydro pump, thus weakeneing the other teams rotom-w, etc to the point that starmie can sweep. the final core is my bird core. staraptor can come in on basically anything slower than it and use brave bird and kill something besides skarmory but if skarmory comes in then starmie /magnezone gets a free switchin which basically means that i get a free kill, lol. staraptor basically spams brave bird till everything is weakened (or at least one until one really annoying pokemon is gone) then honchkrow sweeps.

Jan 8th, 2012, 1:18:29 AM	#208
Berry1 Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 15	Pokemon Online Username: Wigglytuff Hall of Fame Standing: None Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Accelgor Current Ladder Standing:1000 Accelgor (M) @ Focus Sash Trait: Sticky Hold EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def) - Spikes - U-turn - Bug Buzz - Focus Blast

Jan 8th, 2012, 5:31:27 AM	#210
Charge Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 137	Updated Team Politoed (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Drizzle EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk) - Scald - Toxic - Perish Song - Ice Beam Bronzong @ Leftovers Trait: Levitate EVs: 252 HP / 84 Atk / 80 Def / 92 SDef Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd) - Stealth Rock - Gyro Ball - Earthquake - Hidden Power [Ice] Feraligatr (F) @ Life Orb Trait: Torrent EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) - Swords Dance - Aqua Jet - Crunch - Superpower Jirachi @ Leftovers Trait: Serene Grace EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk) - Iron Head - Body Slam - Fire Punch - U-turn Latias (F) @ Life Orb Trait: Levitate EVs: 152 HP / 176 SAtk / 180 Spd Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk) - Draco Meteor - Surf - Hidden Power [Fire] - Recover Froslass (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Snow Cloak EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Spikes - Taunt - Destiny Bond - Thunder Wave Yeah, that is my updated team. So far, it has been doing good, though still losing matches but not as oftenly as the previous team. It focuses on using Froslass / Jirachi to cripple notable threats. But yeah, if anybody wanna give suggestions, please do feel free to give. imma update my registration form with Froslass since I wanted to build around Gatr and Froslass after the 2nd round of teambuilding. __________________ (19:34:22) Digidestined bitches: hugendugen sounds like man with large genitals. Just saying. (19:34:27) +elDino: tru dat

Jan 8th, 2012, 7:27:49 AM	#212
LuckOverSkill Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 396	Looks like a very interesting idea, I'd love to join Pokemon Online Username: Assenteismo Hall of Fame Standing: None Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Virizion, Cobalion Current Ladder Standing:1000 obv The 2 pokes I'm using now form a pretty solid offensive core, with a stallbreaker and a pure special attacker Stallbreaker Cobalion @ Life Orb Trait: Justified EVs: 248 Atk / 56 SAtk / 204 Spd Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef) - Volt Switch - Hidden Power [Ice] - Close Combat - Taunt Special sweeper Virizion @ Leftovers Trait: Justified EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Calm Mind - Giga Drain - Hidden Power [Ice] - Focus Blast The team I'm using is very offensive, no hazards and stuff...will update some logs when I have some good battles with it, I'm starting laddering now. __________________ Luck>Skill—Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion, / Successful in the battles that he fights

Jan 8th, 2012, 9:01:15 AM	#213
Ranger Blue Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 56	@Stif247 You could try replacing Forretress with a Physical Defensive Skarmory. Both can set up SR/Spikes while Skarm has recovery outside of lefties and whirlwind to phaze. You already have Magic Bounce to stop an opponent from getting his rocks up, so Rapid spin is less necessary, although I can understand running both with Volcarona. You could also try running a Dual Screen Espeon. Archeops in particular could benefit, as keeping it above half health is vital. Add wish and you have a way to get it back up if it does drop below. Your espeon isn't doing alot that Latios is doing better, aside from not being choiced and changing the weather. Another possibility is Gengar > Espeon, as it provides a great switchin to Choiced Fighting and Ground attacks, which both Terrakion and Haxorus will likely be using. You could go with a SubSplit set to beat Chansey/Blissey too, helping Volcarona/Latios. Note that if you go with this option, definitely keep Forretress, as its Rapid Spin will be vital. If you do go with SubSplit Gengar maybe change to a scarf on Latios to deal with opposing Scarfs/+1 threats. I haven't tested any of these (or your team at all in fact :p), so they might be terrible, but these are just some of what I might try. Perhaps test on a different account at first? **** As for my own Dark Horse, it's going quite well: * Your rank in Standard OU is 310/48556 [1261 points / 75 battles]! I got stuck in the 1150-1200 range for quite a few battles, but changing SD Luke for Scarf Landorus really helped, as before i had 4!! fighting weaks and only 1 resist, as well as 3 ground weaks. Cradily in particular is quite remarkable, taking a +2 Dnite Outrage and dealing >50% in return? easy (after I changed to Rock Slide > Energy Ball). Ice Beams are also amusing, most dealing ~40% max. Crobat is great against choiced fighting moves, taking ~25% from Banded Terrakion Close Combats, and is also decent against Scizor's Bug Bite/Superpowers, although Banded Bullet Punches still hurt. The team does have problems, such as no water resist once Cradily is gone and no rock resists at all, so I might change Landorus again, maybe to Virizion? Also final thing, Inner Focus or Infiltrator on Crobat? I see lots of people running Infiltrator, but Screens are much less common now Deoxys is gone and no flinch is handy for Fake Out users.

Jan 8th, 2012, 9:06:20 AM	#214
Darkdiglett Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 148 New Zealand	Pokemon Online Username: Lightning Siax Hall of Fame Standing: None as of yet! Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Houndoom Current Ladder Standing: 1178 Houndoom (M) @ Air Balloon Trait: Flash Fire EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Nasty Plot - Flamethrower - Dark Pulse - Hidden Power [Ground] __________________ I need a better signature Last edited by Darkdiglett; Jan 9th, 2012 at 12:28:06 AM.

Jan 8th, 2012, 10:19:05 AM	#215
fairytale Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 210	I've switched from Snorlax to Quagsire and edited my post to show that. I literally just could not win at all with my Snorlax team, but I might come back to it. For now though, Quag. Quag @ Leftovers Unaware 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD Relaxed Scald Toxic Earthquake Recover I just started playing OU again but I'm assuming this is the standard set? I don't know, maybe some people use Ice Beam over Scald. This is the only set my team could ever run, though, as it helps me better deal with many Steel type threats, mostly SD Scizor. My current team is Tyranitar/Forretress/Quaggy/Gengar/Reuniclus/Blissey. I'm finding that Quag and Forretress especially play extremely well together, not only for their type synergy, but for the fact that Quag allows Forretress to come in on common mons and set up hazards in peace, without having to worry about getting swept by +6 something. Going decently well so far, at rank 349 with 1254 points. I should have no problem getting this higher once I learn the metagame a little better. Hopefully I'll get my Quaggy into the Hall of Fame. :)

Jan 8th, 2012, 1:03:29 PM	#216
Axmaster68 Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 701 The place where the Mudkips lie in peace and harmony.	Okay guys, after peaking at 853 on Smogon server, I seem to have hit a brick wall with my offensive sand team, and Virizion as my Dark Horse (edited my regestration post btw). Here's my team: ... Tyranitar (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Sand Stream EVs: 236 HP / 20 Def / 176 SAtk / 76 SDef Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd) - Stone Edge - Crunch - Fire Blast - Ice Beam My weather setter, and surprise shocker on those pesky Ninetales switches. The EV's are for hitting harder on the special side, since T-tar already has better attack. I run SE and Crunch for STAB, with Fire Blast and Ice Beam for coverage, but quite good coverage at that. The only thing that hinders my T-tar is the multitude of weaknesses that he has. Getting OHKOed by a Terakion on turn 1 sometimes or getting hit by a CB Scizor U-turn hurts. Landorus (M) @ Choice Scarf Trait: Sand Force EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef) - Earthquake - Stone Edge - U-turn - Hidden Power [Ice] The bread-and-butter of my team. Scarf Landy is my one and only answer to pokemon faster than the rest of my team, or Trick pokemon. Even so, I have gotten quite a few sweeps with EQ, but really the most annoying thing is being Choice-locked. If I could switch moves but yet still have the same boost in speed, Landy could sweep almost every team. Still, Landy is one of my personal favorites on my team, and was excanged on this team for Excadrill after he left. He's probably the perfect fit for this team right now. Rotom-W @ Leftovers Trait: Levitate EVs: 112 HP / 252 SAtk / 144 Spd Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk) - Thunderbolt - Hydro Pump - Hidden Power [Fire] - Pain Split A fantastic pokemon, in Rotom-W, but one that really isn't all that useful except for maybe tanking a hit on this HO Sand team. Rotom has troubles with his speed, getting outsped and OHKOed quite a bit, or people send in Blissey right away (which, btw, I HATE). This completly gives the opponent the momentum, making me possible setup fodder. He still gives me my third Fire move, and probably making that the most important. A lot of times the frailty and/or weaknesses of Latios and T-tar come into play, KOing them early, and making my only major fire type move come into Rotom's hands. Scizor (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Technician EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk) - Swords Dance - Bug Bite - Bullet Punch - Aerial Ace I absolutly adore this Scizor set, though Heatran gives it FITS. Seriously, a +6 Bullet Punch does about 31%! Even so, not many people expect there precious Fighting type to get OHKOed or 2HKOed in front of thier eyes by Aerial Ace. It's also great to abuse a never-missing move that is boosted by Technician. Overall, a wonderful member, and probably one of the most valueble. Latios (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Levitate EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Draco Meteor - Surf - Hidden Power [Fire] - Thunderbolt Latios, ah Latios. Definately the main special sweeper of the team, but the most frail all the same. The frailty really hurts Latios, and Latios is the only Dragon on the team, but still one of the most powerful all the same. Latios usually nets one or more KOs per game, but his use is definatly drawing shorter as this team progresses up the ladder. Virizion @ Life Orb Trait: Justified EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Calm Mind - Giga Drain - Focus Blast - Hidden Power [Ice] The Dark Horse of the team, but still one of the best, and our counter to almost any weather. Ninetales is the only weather-creater that is not hit super-effectively by this set, and even Ninetales usually is killed by the rest of this team. The only thing that troubles Virizion again his the weaknesses. Without those, Virizion would shine a whole lot more than he does currently. Overall, this team has done really well so far, but now we need help. Any C&C would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! __________________ Rage SS Scramble- Chapter 2 up! I have now soloed Whitney with a level 23 Totodile without X items or SE moves! Canceled SS Scramble CAP ASB Team

Jan 8th, 2012, 1:08:04 PM	#217
AasTmO Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 155	Pokemon Online Username: TheDarkHorse (appropriate, isn't it?) Hall of Fame Standing: Just getting started, so, nope. Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Virizion, Snorlax Current Ladder Standing: 1075 Team Landorus (M) @ Choice Scarf Trait: Sand Force EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SDef) - Stone Edge - Earthquake - U-turn - Hidden Power [Ice] Snorlax (M) @ Choice Band Trait: Thick Fat EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SDef Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) - Body Slam - Earthquake - Fire Punch - Pursuit Infernape (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Blaze EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef) - Nasty Plot - Fire Blast - Close Combat - Grass Knot Virizion @ Leftovers Trait: Justified EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk) - Swords Dance - Close Combat - Leaf Blade - Stone Edge Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Intimidate EVs: 252 HP / 160 Atk / 96 Spd Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) - Dragon Dance - Waterfall - Earthquake - Taunt Heatran (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Flash Fire EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk) - Stealth Rock - Lava Plume - Protect - Roar Last edited by AasTmO; Jan 8th, 2012 at 1:57:49 PM.

Jan 8th, 2012, 2:07:34 PM	#221
lolnub Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 211 Netherlands	Registration Form Pokemon Online Username: Lolnub Hall of Fame Standing: none Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Rotom-C (and also a staraptor, but that one is already done right?) Current Ladder Standing: 1197 (but started at 1000 with the team I am using for this project) Rotom-C @ Leftovers Trait: Levitate EVs: 112 HP / 236 SAtk / 160 Spd Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk) - Volt Switch - Pain Split - Leaf Storm - Hidden Power [Fire] team Infernape (M) @ Expert Belt Trait: Blaze EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk) - U-turn - Flare Blitz - Close Combat - Mach Punch Heatran (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Flash Fire EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Fire Blast - Stealth Rock - Earth Power - Hidden Power [Ice] Staraptor (M) @ Choice Scarf Trait: Reckless EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk) - Double-Edge - Brave Bird - Close Combat - U-turn Starmie @ Life Orb Trait: Natural Cure EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Hydro Pump - Thunderbolt - Rapid Spin - Recover Rotom-C @ Leftovers Trait: Levitate EVs: 112 HP / 236 SAtk / 160 Spd Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk) - Volt Switch - Pain Split - Leaf Storm - Hidden Power [Fire] Lucario (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Inner Focus EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) - Swords Dance - Close Combat - ExtremeSpeed - Bullet Punch __________________ FC white: 4169 3720 6289 FC black: 1721 7366 4808

Jan 8th, 2012, 2:20:12 PM	#222
Axmaster68 Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 701 The place where the Mudkips lie in peace and harmony.	@Bruno that's part of the reason why I'm trying to change the team. Also, some of what you said isn't true. It's true that I use T-tar and Scarf Landy, but Landy is the only pokemon on my team with U-turn/ Volt Switch. I do use many centralized pokemon when it comes to my team, but part of the reason I do use them is their effectiveness in battle, with each taking their place. At this point, the reason this team needs work is partially me (I'm not actually all that good at battleing), and also the fact that I'd like to get the same effect that my current team has with some different members. __________________ Rage SS Scramble- Chapter 2 up! I have now soloed Whitney with a level 23 Totodile without X items or SE moves! Canceled SS Scramble CAP ASB Team

Jan 8th, 2012, 6:28:33 PM	#224
risenreturn Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 95	Can I join? this sounds fun, and would give me reasons to use someone underrated. Pokemon Online Username:-Risereturn Hall of Fame Standing:no Dark Horse Pokemon Currently Working With: Misdreavus Current Ladder Standing: 1000 Here's my planned set ATM: Misdreavus@Eviolite Bold 252 def/252 sp.Def/4HP Perish Song Pain Split Magic Coat ??? will decide later

Jan 8th, 2012, 6:29:35 PM	#225
Master of the Six Kings Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 791 Where soccer is the correct terminology and bacon isn't dishonest	Currently at 1241 with Krow. He's really good against some of the major meta, but he's such a glass cannon. Last edited by Master of the Six Kings; Jan 8th, 2012 at 8:05:19 PM.