A BW OU RMT by Trinitrotoluene
Updates are underlined.
"Get ready. Put the entirety of your spirit on the line and crush them here! Even if your flesh is torn asunder, be as a steel wall down to your last shard of bone! You must not let them take even a single step into Soul Society." -Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain-Commander of Soul Society, to the members of the Gotei 13 present at the invasion of the fake Karakura Town
Introduction
The above quote by Captain-Commander Yamamoto describes the way offensive sun teams usually play themselves out. Most sun teams are fast, crushingly offensive, and offer little leeway for error. Even if one member goes down, the team will continue to fight until they either beat the opponent or go down trying. Most members are frail, but powerful, and often require Stealth Rock support to ease the manner in which they break through the opponent's team. Sun also boasts some of the deadliest sweepers available for use in OU, such as Volcarona, Infernape, and Venusaur. Some underrated, but consistent Pokemon, such as Lilligant, Sawsbuck, and Arcanine, also call sunny weather beneficial to their cause. While it's true that individual sweepers can be countered rather easily, not many teams can deal with a whole slew of sun-boosted sweepers coming at them.
I decided to give this team a Bleach-based theme since I enjoy watching and reading Bleach. Specifically, I decided to base the team members off of the captains of the Gotei 13. Every captain in the Gotei 13 (with the exception of Kenpachi Zaraki) can utilize their Bankai, giving them incredible strength. Each of the team members selected has at least one trait that allows them to correlate to the captain they're associated with in this team. On that note, the video below is the opening theme song for part of the Soul Society: The Rescue arc titled Ichirin no Hana, which was performed by HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR. I chose this song to set the mood for this RMT. With all that being said, I hope you enjoy reading this RMT!
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Team Building
Volcarona is an amazing Pokemon. The offensive pressure it carries is just tremendous. It's because of Dragonite and this Pokemon that many teams force themselves to dedicate one moveslot on their team to Stealth Rock, in order to reduce or eliminate a weakness to those two. While Volcarona has some problems defensively, it offensively can be supported by sun and other sweepers included in the sun.
As mentioned earlier, Ninetales offers many benefits and reduces many drawbacks for Volcarona. Sun boosts the power of its main STAB, and reduces the power of one of its more common weaknesses. Venusaur covered Volcarona's vulnerability to Toxic Spikes and Water weakness. With its STAB Grass-type moves, it could cause panic for the Rock-types that plague Volcarona. Also, Sleep Powder lets Venusaur incapacitate one member of my opponent's team, essentially erasing one Pokemon from the picture.
To deal with the hazard problem that Volcarona faced, Espeon and its ability Magic Bounce appealed as an option to deal with it. Having Espeon meant that stall teams became less of a bother to face, and that opposing Infernape didn't become too problematic. Terrakion ensured that Cloyster and Dragon Dance Dragonite didn't become too troublesome for the team to face down.
I knew that my prediction abilities weren't the best, and that Espeon wouldn't live forever, so I decided to equip Forretress as a secondary hazard layer and eliminator. Its Steel-typing also helped in dealing with Dragons that tended to trouble the team.
Opposing physical sweepers, such as Landorus, got the best of my team, and gave it a harsh beat-down. This first change from Forretress to Donphan was suggested by my friend Expert Physics. He thought that Donphan could deal with the problems better due to its Ground STAB and respectable bulk. It worked extremely well in warding off many physical sweepers.
The next change, also suggested by Expert Physics, was the shift from Terrakion to Infernape. While I initially objected, pointing Cloyster out, using Infernape ultimately was the best decision ever made for the team. Infernape provides powerful Fire STAB, a means of threatening the SkarmBliss core, and a means of dealing with Heatran.
This last change is one I instituted myself. With nothing on my team that could outspeed Cloyster, I decided to switch out Venusaur, who really wasn't doing much for the team for Lilligant, who was faster and stronger than Venusaur. It could outspeed Cloyster, a problem for the team, and OHKO it with Leaf Storm. It also had access to Sleep Powder. In times of near death, Lilligant could also use Healing Wish to bring a teammate back to full health.
Importable
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Ukitake (Espeon) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Kyōraku (Ninetales) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drought
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SAtk / 216 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Sunny Day
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Suì-Fēng (Infernape) (F) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Yamamoto (Volcarona) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Komamura (Donphan) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 176 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
Unohana (Lilligant) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 SAtk / 64 SDef / 192 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Sleep Powder
- Healing Wish
The Team in Detail
Sajin Komamura, Captain of the 7th Division
Donphan (M) @ Leftovers | Sturdy
Impish Nature | 252 HP / 80 Atk / 176 Def
Rapid Spin | Stealth Rock | Earthquake | Ice Shard
"The corruption I speak of is betraying your friends, allies and even subordinates in an attempt to gain excessive power." -Sajin Komamura, to Kaname Tōsen before their fight
Donphan, despite being a late addition to the team, has proven itself extremely worthy of its slot as the team's spinner and Stealth Rock layer. While it may share a weakness to Water with many of the main members of the team, it doesn't fear the weaker Water-type moves under the sun. With Sturdy, Donphan is an automatic switch-in for taking on physical powerhouses that threaten the team's stability. Stealth Rock is the obligatory hazard that helps against opposing Volcarona and Dragonite. Rapid Spin is the main reason Donphan is in this team, and Earthquake is Donphan's main STAB. Ice Shard is used occasionally, to pick off weakened Dragons that can threaten the team. The EVs let Donphan fulfill the purpose of walling the majority of physical attacks aimed at the team.
While this RMT may show Donphan first in the team, it'll only be placed in the lead position if an offensive sand team or SmashPass team is being faced. Since physical attacks from sand attackers tend not to phase Donphan too much, it's free to set up Stealth Rock and spin away the opponent's Stealth Rock, saving the team from the threat of Stealth Rock. When facing SmashPassing teams that opt to lead with Smeargle, Earthquake will be selected, knowing that this team can choose several courses of action depending on what the Smeargle does. If it Spores first, Donphan will take the sleep and open up a switching opportunity for Ninetales or Infernape. If it boosts up, Earthquake can knock it down to Focus Sash range, and from there, it can be KOed with Ice Shard.
Donphan was given Sajin Komamura's name because of the level of utility it displays for the team, which mirrors the loyalty Komamura has to Yamamoto and the rest of the Gotei 13. In addition, just like Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō (seen above), Sajin Komamura's Bankai, Donphan can take a massive beating.
Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of the 13th Division
Espeon (M) @ Leftovers | Magic Bounce
Timid Nature | 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe | 2 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD / 30 Spe
Calm Mind | Morning Sun | Psyshock | Hidden Power Fighting
"There are two types of fights. Whenever we are in battle, we must be one of the two. The fight for life or…the fight for pride! Right now…He is fighting for his pride! His wife’s pride…his men's pride…Most importantly…his own personal pride. Dismiss this as his stubbornness…and let him fight alone like this…" -Jūshirō Ukitake, to Rukia Kuchiki
Magic Bounce. The one ability that shot Espeon, a former NU Pokemon, up to UU, and with the advent of female Dream World Eevee and egg moves, right up to OU. Espeon does so much for the team, whether it be reflecting hazards or passing boosts off to another one of my sweepers. It possesses a surprising amount of bulk, enough to survive a Scarfed Landorus's U-turn once, alongside a great amount of Speed, thanks to the EV distribution. This combination of traits, alongside its access to Magic Bounce, makes this Espeon a nightmare for most stall teams to face down. Calm Mind boosts Espeon's Special Attack and Special Defense, and Hidden Power Fighting allows Espeon to put up a fight against Heatran and Tyranitar. Psyshock is to assure that Espeon's boosts don't go to waste, and Morning Sun is amazing.
Magic Bounce, Espeon's main draw for being on this team, isn't only useful for blocking hazards. It's also useful for blocking attempts to spread status for the team. Taunt, normally a scourge for Pokemon that attempt to set up, is negated as a threat thanks to Magic Bounce's effects. Against a stall team lacking a Pokemon that can use Dragon Tail, Espeon can boost itself up and proceed to beat down stall using Psyshock and Hidden Power Fighting. While Espeon can't do anything to Sableye, Sableye is rendered powerless against Espeon, since Magic Bounce reflects moves affected by Prankster. Should it use Taunt, then Sableye would be rendered useless for a few turns and vulnerable to Ninetales's or Infernape's fiery wrath.
In its Shikai form, Sōgyo no Kotowari (seen above in Shikai), Jūshirō Ukitake's Zanpakutō, has the capability of absorbing energy-based attacks, altering them slightly using the 5 charms on the string connecting the twin swords, and sending the attacks back to the opponent. This process is done so quickly that it forces the illusion that the attacks originated from Sōgyo no Kotowari itself. Magic Bounce works in a similar way, reflecting all non-attacking moves back toward the opponent as though they were Espeon's own. That is why Espeon was given Ukitake's name.
Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain of the 8th Division
Ninetales (M) @ Leftovers | Drought
Modest Nature | 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe | 2 Atk / 30 Def
Sunny Day | Fire Blast | SolarBeam | Hidden Power Ice
"Getting caught up in style and throwing away victory is something for the lower ranks to do. Captains can't even think about doing such a carefree thing. Don't try to be a good guy. It doesn't matter who owes who. From the instant they enter into a war, both sides are evil." -Shunsui Kyōraku, to Love Aikawa
Ninetales is needed for a sun team to function. Drought bolsters this team so much it's ridiculous. It reduces the power of Water-type moves, raises the Speed of Lilligant, enhances Espeon's Morning Sun, and adds power to the Fire STAB of many of the team members. In addition to being this team's weather inducer, Ninetales acts as a pHazer of sorts, forcing out those that can and will attempt to set up on it. Sunny Day helps Ninetales do better in the weather war, which is especially important considering that this team lacks a Dugtrio and has to use less reliable methods of assuring that the sun stays out on the field. Fire Blast is a powerful STAB move that can and will leave a dent in anything that doesn't resist it and isn't named Blissey or Chansey. Solarbeam is the main draw of packing Sunny Day on this Ninetales. By ensuring that the sun stays up, Ninetales gets a means of eliminating Rock-types that would normally give it trouble. Hidden Power Ice gives Ninetales a weapon to use against Dragons and Gliscor switching in.
If the opponent lacks a weather inducer, Kingdra, or Heatran, Ninetales will lead. This grants the team an early-game advantage against the opponent. With this early-game advantage, Lilligant can be employed as a revenge killer extraordinaire, Infernape a fantastic wall-breaker, and Volcarona a death-inducing late-game sweeper. Should I be facing other weather teams, different Pokemon will be looked to as leads, which will be covered later. If a VoltTurn team is being faced, Ninetales is the lead of choice, seeing that they'll most likely lead with Scizor in an attempt to gain a quick advantage over the team by KOing Espeon. If they have Landorus, then Donphan will be the lead chosen. Since Dragonite tends to switch into Ninetales, expecting a weak Fire Blast or a Will-O-Wisp, which they can easily stave off with a Lum Berry, Hidden Power Ice is an often unexpected surprise, dealing a great amount of damage; in fact, it can 2HKO Dragonite.
Shunsui Kyōraku is one of the most powerful captains in the Gotei 13. When it's in its Shikai form, Kyōraku's Zanpakutō, Katen Kyōkotsu (seen above in Shikai), brings the games of children to life, often turning the battle away from the usual by integrating these children's games into the fight. Examples include Bushogana, Takaoni, and Irooni. The sun brought about by Ninetales's Drought affects the battle in ways similar to the "games" that Katen Kyōkotsu brings to Kyōraku's battles, giving Ninetales the right to use Kyōraku's name.
Suì-Fēng, Captain of the 2nd Division and Commander of the Onmitsukidō
Infernape (F) @ Choice Scarf | Blaze
Naive Nature | 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe | 30 HP / 30 Def
Fire Blast | Close Combat | U-turn | Hidden Power Ice
"Think of your comrade getting beat as an opportunity. Don't get in the middle of it. Stab from behind. If the difference in power between you and the enemy is so great that you cannot even do that, then let your comrade die right there. That is the way of the Onmitsukidō." -Suì-Fēng, to Marechiyo Ōmaeda
Infernape is one of OU's premier offensive Pokemon. Its Speed, which gives it the ability to outpace most of OU, and access to high-powered STAB moves, makes it the fear of those that fail to outspeed it. It acts as a revenge killer, mid-game sweeper, and scout for the team. What it fails to KO can easily be dealt with by another team member. Sometimes, while Infernape may never land a killing blow to the opponent, it'll leave them so worn down that the other members of the team can run through them. Sun helps Infernape drastically by boosting the power of its Fire Blast, which can bust holes even in some of its resists, despite the minimal EV investment. Close Combat is a reliable STAB move that feeds off of Infernape's modest Attack stat. U-turn lets Infernape play the role of the scout for the team, while Hidden Power Ice is a nasty surprise for Dragons, Gliscor and Landorus expecting a free switch-in. The EVs are standard, and the IVs give Infernape a base 70 Hidden Power Ice without forfeiting a point in Speed.
If the opponent has a sand team with Tyranitar as its Sand Streamer, Infernape will lead and go for the killing blow. However, should the opponent also have Landorus in reserve, then Donphan will lead. Infernape also is the main answer for Skarmory and other Steels that will attempt to impede the progress of the team. Infernape is also the main way in which Gliscor and other non-Scarfed Dragons meet their early end. Since Infernape's two STABs are resisted by many of the common Dragons, they tend to switch in, only to meet a Hidden Power Ice on the next turn, as they try to set up a Dragon Dance. Gliscor also tends to come in on Close Combats, thinking that it can force Infernape out by its ability to take hits and recover, thanks to Poison Heal, only to meet a Hidden Power Ice.
Suì-Fēng is fast. Infernape is fast. They both share similar fighting styles, and while Suì-Fēng has her Suzumebachi, which can kill an opponent in 2 strikes, Infernape has its STABs and great offensive stats, which can do the same for many opponents.
Retsu Unohana, Captain of the 4th Division
Lilligant (F) @ Life Orb | Chlorophyll
Modest Nature | 252 SpA / 64 SpD / 192 Spe | 2 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpD / 30 Spe
Leaf Storm | Hidden Power Rock | Sleep Powder | Healing Wish
"The act of saving a comrade in need should require no thanks." -Retsu Unohana, to Shinji Hirako
Underneath the sun, Lilligant is an amazing revenge killer. Outside of the sun, Lilligant is an amazing wallbreaker and weather-inducer killer. Just like Espeon, Lilligant performs so many functions for the team, it's near indispensable. While it may lack the Poison sub-typing that Venusaur may have, it makes up for that with the sheer power behind its Leaf Storm and ability to outpace a +2 Cloyster, a threat to this team, with a Modest Nature. Leaf Storm is an incredible STAB move coming from Lilligant, being a slight superior in terms of numerical power of a Draco Meteor coming from a MixMence or LO Tank Latias. Hidden Power Rock discourages Fire-types not named Heatran from switching into Lilligant. It also hits Salamence and Dragonite super-effectively, dealing a solid blow to them upon the switch. Sleep Powder can essentially take out one member of the opponent's team for the game. Healing Wish helps to heal other teammates at the cost of Lilligant's own time on the field. While that may sound like a horrible idea at first, sacrificing oneself to revitalize another teammate, not many teams can withstand another assault by Infernape or Volcarona. The EVs were drawn from Katakiri's Lilligant set, and they give Lilligant the most power it can attain while letting it outpace all variants of Cloyster at +2 in the sun. The Special Defense EVs let Lilligant stand up to a Modest Scarfed Politoed's Ice Beam and live to tell the tale. This becomes important in a weather war against an offensive rain team, where sun will be absolutely necessary.
Healing Wish was the biggest factor in the decision to adopt Lilligant over Venusaur. Lilligant's higher speed and power were another factor that cast it in a better light than Venusaur. Its ability to go toe-to-toe with every weather inducer and beat them without too many problems is all due to the lovely EV spread delineated in the previous paragraph. When facing down sand teams that use Hippowdon as a weather inducer, Lilligant is the first one out in battle. Once there, it can threaten Hippowdon with a quick Sleep Powder or Leaf Storm. Should a rain team be the opponent for this team, Lilligant also is the first one out, seeing that it outspeeds all non-Scarfed Politoed and can take a blow from the Scarfed versions and threatens it with its insanely powerful Leaf Storm. If a Tornadus is seen in the opponent's rain team, then Lilligant will use Hidden Power Rock first, in an attempt to nail it on the switch. However, should Lilligant not be facing those types of teams, it will be saved for revenge killing jobs, and when its end nears, Healing Wish will be used, revitalizing one team member at almost no cost to itself. Not many teams can withstand one assault from Infernape. Even fewer can take two and still be in good shape. Should Volcarona be forced out to KO something, Lilligant can prop it up again, letting the destruction continue.
Lilligant's access to Healing Wish and its position as a team supporter enabled it to use Retsu Unohana's name. Just like the Fourth Division's captain, whom is the source of fear for many members of the Eleventh Division (which, keep in mind is the Zanjutsu-specializing division), she's not someone to take lightly, as even grown Pokemon fear the meek-looking Lilligant's power.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13
Volcarona (M) @ Leftovers | Flame Body
Modest Nature | 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe | 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 SpD
Quiver Dance | Fire Blast | Bug Buzz | Hidden Power Ground
"There is no individual sense of justice that can overrule the justice of the world." -Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, to Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake
Volcarona is the strongest sun sweeper available in OU. Once ridiculed for its typing, it's now such a large force that every team either carries a Heatran, Dragonite, or Stealth Rock, just to stave off attempts at a Volcarona sweep. Unlike most Volcarona, who will attempt to abuse their bulk and Flame Body to capture multiple Quiver Dances, the set chosen for this team capitalizes on Volcarona's incredible power after a Quiver Dance. Quiver Dance is Volcarona's boosting move of choice, raising its best stats by one stage. Fire Blast is sheer power. Bug Buzz is a more reliable STAB move, and a better one for taking down Psychic-type Pokemon when it cannot afford to miss. Hidden Power Ground allows Volcarona to troll Heatran, who normally would expect a Bug Buzz or Fire Blast. The EVs, while standard, give Volcarona maximum power and speed.
Power and speed are the reasons why an offensive Volcarona was chosen as a late-game sweeper instead of another Pokemon. At +1, while under the sunlight, Fire Blast will deal 83.64% - 98.46% to a Scarfed Terrakion (4 HP / 0 SpD), while an Offensive DD Dragonite (4 HP / 0 SpD) switching into this attack will take 76.54% - 90.12% after Stealth Rock damage. Assuming no Stealth Rock damage, that same Offensive DD Dragonite will be taking 38.27% - 45.06%, just from a +1 Modest Volcarona's Fire Blast. Assuming that there's sunlight, no Stealth Rock, and that Volcarona is at +1, Salamence is OHKOed upon switching in. Not even 252 HP / 0 SpD Blissey is safe from Volcarona's rampage, seeing that it takes 53.5% - 63.03% from a +1 Fire Blast in the sun. Bug Buzz covers what Fire Blast can't KO, such as Slowbro, Vaporeon, and Reuniclus. Truly, the only safe switch-in to Volcarona's STAB attacks after it has boosted is Heatran, who is obliterated by Hidden Power Ground. Of course, Stealth Rock and revenge killers are a slight problem, but that's what Donphan and Healing Wish support from Lilligant are for.
Volcarona is strong, as those damage calculations have just proven. Ryūjin Jakka, Yamamoto's Zanpakutō, is the strongest and oldest of all the Zanpakutō in Soul Society. Its powers are Fire-based, and even its sealed form (as seen above) can cause fear in many lower-ranking shinigami. In a similar way, Volcarona can cause panic in battle just by being seen in Team Preview.
One Last Glance at the Team
Closing Comments
I'd like to thank my friends and fellow authorities on the Treehouse (Harsha, Expert Physics, CrossFire12) who helped me test and improve the team. A special mention to Expert Physics for suggesting the changes that helped drag the team from the land of disaster to the land of success. Harsha also gets a special mention for just being a great battler, friend, and fellow admin all the time.
While Stone_Cold may not be an authority at the Treehouse, I'd like to thank him and Alice for inspiring me to chase sun again after the posting of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. While my team may be more standard than theirs, their interpretation of sun changed mine forever. I don't think they know who I am, but Kinglypuff and Grimm70 both deserve some thanks, because their sun teams (Sun means fun !, French Orgy with Belzebuth) helped shape my first sun teams (Sunny Supremacy, .::Fire Power::.). I hope you enjoyed and took your time reading this RMT, for I surely enjoyed writing it up.
