F*CKIN' PROBLEM [peaked #2]

[Smurf.]

F*CKIN' PROBLEM


Introduction

If there’s one aspect of BW that annoys me, it’s that a lot of teams you see are bog standard, and fall under one of the common archetypes such as rain offense, defensive sand, sun offense, dragspam or DeoD. I guess to a large extent, that’s due to the prevailing influence of weather in this generation. Once you select weather, it’s difficult to steer clear of ultimately ending up with a boring team. Another reason why I steer clear of weather teams is that weather inducers are pretty useless, bar tyranitar and hippo, and the thought of carrying a passenger such as toed or ninetales just doesn’t appeal to me whatsoever. I opted to make a weatherless offense team, because that would enable me to avoid falling into a lame archetype, and further use six mons which could each pose a real threat. To be fair, I had rarely dabbled in gen v ou before so I looked to two teams in particular, twash’s Hawaiian Air and husk’s Astral Projection, for inspiration.

The basic premise of the team is to limit the opponent’s opportunities to set up and dictate the match on his/her terms. As such the speed and tempo of the team is extremely fast. The way in which I control weather is pretty unorthodox in that I do not have a weather starter, nor any auxillary weather changer. Rather, I chose mons that inherently threaten all the common archetypes that plague the metagame and this means I rarely if ever look at team preview and feel I am at a distinct team disadvantage. Like Astral Projection, this team is founded upon the basic offensive concept of using high powered sweepers to overwhelm the opposition. The success lies in the way it is executed. In gen v, team preview is vitally important, and selecting the correct lead is absolutely pivotal. With a good lead matchup, I instantly pick up offensive momentum and from there the opponent is hard pressed to ever assert any degree of control over the match. It is also crucial to map out the way in which the end game will be executed, so as to clearly know which specific members of the opposition’s team to overload and leave vulnerable. Each of the six mons in this team has the ability to pull off a sweep in its own right and each brings their own respective strengths and weaknesses that make the team tick.

This team has been very successful for me, and has been my flagship team during BW2 OU. It has seen many transformations over the months, and I have at least 20 or so various iterations, with quirks such as Chain Chomp, Specs Volc, Scarf Latias, Kyurem-B etc. etc. Each version has its own distinct advantages and drawbacks; however, this is the most recent version and probably the best one at that. This round I used it to peak at rank #2 on the suspect ladder with a rating of 2320 but couldn’t catch one Heist with whom I fought a number of great matches with. A number of ladder addicts more dedicated than me have also used this to get reqs.

The Team





Under the Microscope

Garchomp


Garchomp (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Rough Skin
EVs: 92 HP / 164 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Swords Dance

“How do you like your homelets?”
“Rough enough to kill me.”

Homelet chomp is a really cool set, and plays a really pivotal role for the team. It forces a lot of switches which makes it easy to chuck up rocks to instantly mitigate the threat posed by multiscale dragonite and volcarona. Further it makes it a lot easier for me to sweep later after racking up residual damage throughout the course of the match. I like to run a little bit of bulk to survive random ass hp ice and ice beams and such; as well as max speed to help deal out significant damage to shit like thundurus and landorus. Chompers also functions as my primary switch in to pesky u-turners such as scarf rachi and scizor who end up taking more damage than me. This really helps a lot in combating volt-turn teams as they end up killing themselves thanks to both rough skin and rocky helmet. Rotom-w also gets wrecked by this monster. Chomp can also block spin if the spinner drops below 30%. Having SD on this set is a cool option as it enables me to deal out massive damage early game, especially to slower teams. With some prediction, you can easily ruin even the bulkiest of steels that could potentially attempt to foil a dragonite sweep later on.

At various times I’ve opted to use Chain chomp over Homelet chomp, in conjunction to a few other tweaks to the other members and its worked very well. It provides a more convenient way to remove physically defensive skarm who reckless switch in and other assorted physical walls as well. The set is 252 Satk / 12 Atk / 244 Spe with LO equipped and a rash Nature. Moves: Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, Quake, Outrage.

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Volcarona


Volcarona (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 144 HP / 252 SAtk / 112 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance

Volcarona is one of the deadliest sweepers in OU, I’m shocked it isn’t used far more. When I look at teams in the RMT forum, it’s just shocking to see how many are straight up swept by volc with minimal effort. Volcarona forms part I of the deadly triumvirate alongside dragonite and lucario, who between them have nearly perfect offensive synergy and open up sweeps for one another. Volcarona simply devours those sand balance and defensive sand teams that have been popping up everywhere. I use bulk so that scarf keldeo can never revenge me unless it’s raining. When I see keldeo on rain teams I often just giga drain immediately to deal 90% damage, rendering it unable to revenge dragonite or lucario later. Likewise, heatrans that are forced to repeatedly sponge outrages from both garchomp and dragonite are easily pushed aside by volc after a couple of boosts. Volcarona is also my lead of choice against DeoD teams, which inevitably try and taunt me turn 1 to prevent a quiver and just die. Only once has a DeoD lived a LO modest bug buzz but it’s no big deal with starmie waiting to spin. All in all, it is just a monster.

At various times I’ve opted to use Specs with all out 4 attacking moves (hp ground replaces QD), as with good prediction I can ensure the ohko on keldeo, terrakion and heatran. U-Turn also can be used here to mount additional pressure on those rare skarm-bliss teams to rack up residual damage and eventually allow lucario to get an SD and crush.

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Breloom


Breloom (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Spore
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Swords Dance

Breloom is more often than not my choice of lead, purely because it guarantees a spore. Having something slept early game is really a great advantage this gen. SD is quite useful on breloom as after the opponent sacs something to sleep they typically go to either gengar or latios on the boost. With sash intact breloom actually beats both of these handily. Nearly every game it achieves at least 1 kill in addition to sleep. It also matches up very well against rain, allowing me to take out toed immediately. Any scarf politoed’s die immediately to bullet seed; and defensive toeds let me have free set up and dish out huge damage to both genies commonly found on rain teams. Obviously it also matches up well against sand teams picking up easy momentum against the likes of hippo and tar.

With the influx of defensive Celebi as the premier keldeo counter, brelooms effectiveness has been blunted quite a bit. This is the slot I’ve therefore experimented with most, with sash Kyurem-B and healing wish latias having seen some match time. Despite this, breloom has been very successful during the time I used the team and so it gets the nod for this rmt.

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Dragonite


Dragonite (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- ExtremeSpeed

.dancin

Dragonite is probably the best sweeper in all of BW, with multiscale intact it is guaranteed a set up every match. It’s not all that hard to get +2 and from there Dragonite just monsters opposing teams. I like to use EQ > fire punch because fire punch just does shit all under rain and I like to beat jirachi. Also, earthquake complements Volcarona rather well as it annihilates heatrans that assume I have fire punch. Together with SD chompers, it creates an overload for defensive steels that enable one of them to eventually break through. Exteme speed is there for priority; so as to prevent stuff like moxie mence, scarf keldeo and mamo from ruining my party. Lum berry is the preferred item so I can set up in the face of status inflicters and stupid scalders, as well as counteracting any confusion from Outrage.

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Starmie


Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 32 HP / 252 SAtk / 224 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Psyshock
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin

Starmie is essential to the team’s success, especially given dragonite and volcarona’s heavy reliance on SR not being on my side of the field. Starmie is also a great utility counter to the genies, doggies and both latis. Most importantly however, it checks the omnipresent keldeo, forcing it out until I have a sweeper set up to annihilate it. I like to run only enough speed to outrun tornadus and dump the rest into bulk. It essentially is the glue that holds the entire team together, not to mention it has a sick shiny sprite. Lefties is the item of choice purely for longevity as I run 4 attacks and there is no room for recover, however sometimes I do like to go with LO for that extra kick.

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Lucario


Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- ExtremeSpeed
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch

Lucario is an often overlooked threat this generation, but is just as potent without a doubt. When all the other sweepers have come and gone, there isn’t much that is in good enough condition to then prevent a lucario sweep. Lucario helps demolish stall based teams, especially those with the SkarmBliss combo functioning as the defensive spine. As long as I avoid the unlucky scald burn, it can also handily beat tentacruel. Once lucario steps out onto the field, it is generally over for the opponent. What makes it such a crucial component of the triumvirate is that it gets free turns generated by the immense pressure of Dragonite and Volc. It can set up on essentially any of the choice locked revenge killers that they each draw out. All therian landorus are foolishly EV’d slower than adamant luke so Ice punch is my coverage move of choice.

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Conclusion

Thanks for taking the time to read, also shoutout to everyone on #frogs who helped me refine the team. Rates welcome!

...

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gooooooooooooooooooooooooo colchy ^_^
raichy smells
pedrock basculin master

[joshe]

This is an absolutely beautiful team, a true definition of 5th gen HO without Deo-D. Really the only thing i can point out is that Celebi gives you a ton of trouble as it can potentially wall 3 of your pokemon, Garchomp, Breloom, Starmie, and T-wave Volcarona if they're crazy enough to stay in or if you misplay, SCRUB. The only way you can handle it is ouplaying or just setting up early with Dragonite which works of course.

I've tested and worked with you on this team so much that the only thing Ii can suggest is possibly lum over life orb on volcarona but then you lose out on your KOs so ._. Maybe Fire Fang over Swords Dance on Chomp or Signal Beam on Starmie if you dat cray

Luvdisc'd without a doubt :)

[Princess Bri]

I question the use of Volcarona on your team. Lucario already gives you an offensive check to opposing Scizor and Dragonite deals with sun teams. It doesn't open holes to opposing teams for your fellow SD'rs since it will be hurting the special pivots and it also forces you to run Starmie. When Lati@s or any other Special Dragon / big threat switches in you are going to lose a Pokemon and leading with Sash Breloom to try and sleep it is the shakiest strategy. Opposing Rain teams seem problematic if you can't get Stealth Rock off the field since Keldeo is going to 2HKO Starmie and OHKO Dragonite. Icy Wind Keldeo, as seem from earlier, is going to be a pain since if you try to set up Dragonite on it, it will lower your speed and force you to lose Dragonite. Icy Wind Jirachi is annoying too!!!!!!!!!!!!! (lol). Dragonite can set up on Breloom after the sash is broken or even Volcarona and proceed to pracically 6-0 you. All speed boosters are annoying as hell and this seems particularly problematic. Trick Room Reuniclus and the likes also are major pains in the ass. Using a Scarf Jirachi instead of Volcarona fixes most of your problems; however, if you think the lack of a Scarfer isn't terrible then you can try an SD Scizor. Rethink the use of Starmie's teamslot with Volcarona out of the picture as Dragonite doesn't necessarily need Rapid Spin support if your team is very hyper offensive-esque.

Anyways, good luck.

[Mr. Green]

Hey, there

Very cool team, I notice a strong weakness for dragons though, especially Dragonite, Salamence from the physical and well Latios and Latias the special part, on virtually every one of their attacks, the only steel you have is Lucario, but you can of course do rely on him to cash a Outrage / Draco Meteor, I would suggest also as said by Princess Bri one Scarf Jirachi instead of Volcarona, as the steel as Scizor, Ferrothorn already manage them very well with Lucario and Breloom, who also Spore for sleep and do statup on them, Volcarona would force often the entry of Starmie to remove the Stealth Rock. Scarf Jirachi rectify the problem with the dragons, as it can afford to take Draco Meteor / Outrage and counter with Ice Punch, the set I suggest is this: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd Fire Punch - Ice Punch - U-Turn - Iron Head Jolly nature.

Good luck!

[Smurf.]

While on paper there seems to be a severe weak to dragspam, through careful play and thinking its really quite easy to avoid being swept. I really wish I had a replay of my match vs sogeking to show you exactly how. Momentum is the most important part of this team and as long as I am dictating how the match is going no opposing dragon is going to set up on me. When facing drag spam the most crucial dragon to remove is the scarfer. This isnt too difficult as you can easily draw out moxie mence with say dragonite and switch out to lucario for the kill. By incapacitating one dragon with breloom (obviously don't lose it cheaply) and taking one out with lucario, any danger is greatly alleviated. I've only ever once lost to a drag spam team and that was largely due to LO mamoswine + 4 dragons proving too much of an overload.

As for volcarona there is no way im going to replace it with jirachi. So many teams are volcarona weak and it simply monsters those cookie cutter sand balance teams that have become the norm in this metagame. While jirachi may be a good idea Breloom would be the mon to replace, not volcarona. In fact I used scarf healing wish latias in that slot on a number of occasions to mitigate the threat of dragons. So my suggestion is if you're having trouble with dragons, try out latias > loom.

[AphoticSD]

Hi,

Great non Deo-D HO team. I don't rate much but once your set up sweepers has set up im pretty sure you wont want the sweep to be uninterrupted so Lucario would appreciate Cruch>Ice Punch if jelliscent is still out there late game. Also a spread of 144 HP / 84 Def / 120 SAtk / 160 Spd with Timid Nature gives you volcarona more physical bulk meaning an easier time setting up more quiver dances to sweep since you dont have reliable recovery outside giga drain on rona in case starmie cant keep rocks off the field. Speaking of recovery you could use roost>giga drain and leftovers>life orb since my spread allows you more quiver dances as compared to immediate power and it will help volcaronas longetivity.

Good Luck!

Luvdics'd :)

[Alexander.]

Hey Smurf nice team!

First of all, I'd change a little your Garchomp set, an EVs spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe with the same moveset, with the same nature and with Focus Sash should work better than your current one on your team because on an Offensive team as yours Garchomp doesn't need EVs on HP to have more staying power and it doesn't need Rocky Helmet too, Focus Sash is simple a better choice on Lead Garchomp because it allows you to setup Stealth Rock with more chances than Rocky Helmet and put Stealth Rock is the first goal that an Offensive team should have since it allows to kill opponent's team more easily of course and because it's useful against threats such as Tornadus, Thundurus-T, Dragonite, Salamence and opposing Volcarona too.

I also notice that your team lacks a revenge-killer and it lacks a more bulk Steel-type to check Dragon-types too, so I'd go with Princess Bri and Mr. Green's suggestion to use Choice Scarf Jirachi replacing Volcarona which is a good revenge-kill and a good check to Dragon-types too. An EVs spread of 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a moveset of Iron Head, U-Turn, Ice Punch and Fire Punch, with Jolly nature and with Choice Scarf of course should work fine on your team.

After that, try Bullet Punch replacing Ice Punch on Lucario, which is useful against Terrakion, Gengar and Choice Scarf Tyranitar which can revenge-kill your current Lucario easily, this is optional, however, if you prefer Ice Punch you can keep it.

As last thing, I suggest you to use Reflect Type replacing Ice Beam on your Starmie which would help you against Tyranitar and Choice Band Scizor which can trap and kill quite easily your Starmie. Reflect Type allows you to avoid Tyranitar and Choice Band Scizor's Pursuit, which can be really useful since Starmie is an important member of your team, it has Rapid Spin, it checks Keldeo and so on, so try it in some battles and see how it works.

Good luck!

[Honus]

Man A$AP and that Garchomp gif this rmt owns,

Anyways it looks like this team sorta hates DRAGONS as Princess Bri pointed out. Latios can kinda come in and spam Draco Meteor or just Surf/Psyshock which your team has trouble taking. I do see that Latios does put its team in a vulnerable position after Dmeteor spam because it opens up a setup opporunity for Lucario at -2, but that strat is less prevalent if they have a hard stop to SD Lucario like Scarftar or Fire Punch Scarf/Fast Jirachi [like the shakeitup set], plus Latios can always come in later in the game and clean. DD Dragonite could also prove problematic for this team since it can probably net a DD on unboosted Breloom or Volcarona [provided something is slept] and then sorta proceed to murder everything with +1 Fire Punch and Outrage [I believe DClaw does just fine too, as it ohkos starmie after rocks]. To maybe have a better answer to the dragon problem I think you could try a SD Scizor over your Lucario. Scizor has a lot better time coming in on Draco Meteor and can hit Latios hard with Bug Bite/Bullet Punch , killing it or forcing it out and Scizor is also able to 2hko Dragonite with Bullet Punch if you're able to get SR up; so at least you have a "stop" to it if it gets into a +1 outrage. Scizor still has pretty awesome synergy with the rest of the team because it can help wear down the very annoying Skarmory, who takes a nice : 63.47% - 74.55% from +2 Superpower if it comes in [and is then forced to whirlwind] and if it gets anything but Garchomp and Breloom then you can force it out and keep forcing it into SR while double switching to Volc/Starmie to get it down to the point where +1 Outrage or +2 Mach Puns is killing it. This strategy actually works a lot better when Nite has fire punch which straight up 2hkos at +1 so if you wanna change to that it could help but its still fine if you wanna keep EQ. Sick team though, congrats on the peak.


Scizor (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower