Hello,
it's my first RMT on this forum, so i might do some basic mistakes. I'm also French, so I will do many spelling and grammar mistakes, excuse me.
As the title suggest it, I have tried to make a competitive Baton pass team for OU. The first and only non-negotiable rule is that I want all the pokemons in the team to know baton pass. I don't want set-uppers and a final receiver to sweep (even if it might be a bit more effective).
My team is not really aggressive. I don't use shell smach, the EV spreads are defensive. I want my strength to improve slowly, with few risks.
I've had lots of fun with this team, and have had interesting results (peaked #300 on PO). But I still have some weaknesses, and I require your help to fix them.
Team at a glance :
Team building process :
Smeargle (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Spore
- Quiver dance
- Ingrain
Not very original, but I appreciate him very much. Spore is usefull to deal with an annoying pokemon, I'm almost always able to pass a Quiver Dance.
I don't often use Ingrain, but against stall team, I just need it, especially because Espeon can't avoid Dragon Tail. He is always my lead, except when I predict Dragonite @lum berry or Scizors + Tyranitar. In this two situations, I use Gliscor or Vaporeon to lead.
The item and EV spread are obvious.
I don't think I would change it, but I could (Venomoth could be interesting, but sleep powder is not very accurate. Ninjask isn't what I want for this team)
Gliscor (M) @ Toxik Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 200 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Baton Pass
- Earthquake
- Rock Polish
- Ice Fang
A very good wall, able to check Dragonite and Slamence easily with ice fang (with this spread he 2KO offensive Dragonite) and a bit of defence boosts. The double weakness to ice could be annoying, but when he comes, he almost always uses Rock Polish, so he is able to use Baton Pass without problem. I used Substitute over Ice fang before, but he was a s set up fodder for annoying dragons.
Durant (M) @ leftovers
Trait: Hustle
EVs: 176 HP / 140 Atk / 184 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Baton Pass
- X-scissor
- Stone Edge
- Hone Claws
A really underrated pokemon, able to dig holes after one Hone Claws and a bit of speed. The problem is that Stone Edge miss often without Accuracy boosts. He also have a very low SDef, but a good Def. His coverage is interesting, he doesn't like Fight and Steal types, but can destroy fragile fire sweepers. A good check to Gyarados who don't like stone edge at all.
He outspeed 100 base speed pokemon, without +Spe nature, I needed a bit of HP to avoid some OKO, and Atk to hit hard.
Vaporeon (M) @ leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 140 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Heal Bell
- Scald
- Acid Armor
Really good wall, usefull resistances. Heal Bell and Acid Armor help my team a lot, Scald can annoy physical sweepers, and hit surprisingly hard if espeon gave him +SAtk. I would like to give him Substitute or Wish to use his high HP, but I don't know which attack I could forget.
Mew @ leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 156 Atk / 100 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Baton Pass
- Flame Charge
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
A second Psychic pokemon could be annoying for the defensive balance, but it is not, as this set has been planned to lure Espeon's counters. Scizor and Tyranitar are 2KO (or OKO thanks to bulk up) respectively with Flame Charge and Drain punch. Flame Charge is also really usefull to set up despite Taunt. He is really unpredictable, and is bulk is really good. A nice and usefull team-mate.
I like this set, but if you have other advice, such as using taunt or substitute, I'm interested.
Mentali (M) @ leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 100 SAtk / 156 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Stored Power
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
My favourite one. Sometimes he can 6-0 alone, with just a quiver dance and a few calm mind (I often do that against Sun Teams, thanks Morning Sun). With a few boosts, Stored power OKO many things, and with many boosts, even SDefensive Jirachi is OKO... I used wish before instead of Morning Sun, but I often need immediate recovery, especially when I face an other Calm minder. I might use HP fight to deal with Dark type pokemon.
So there it is. This team still has many threats, especially Perish song, Trick, unpredicted lech seed/phazing moove, Haze (not often used)...
I think I really need Taunt and Substitute somewhere, maybe Wish, but I don't know who could use it without breaking my offensive balance.
I might replace some pokemon, especially Durant. I thought of Mienshao, who has a good attack, good speed, nice coverage. But he is also fragile.
Gorebyss could be nice too, he can pass Shell Smash, but also Iron Defense, Agility or Amnesia. But two Water pokemon is annoying.
I appreciate any constructive criticism, I can change Pokemon, attacks, EV spreads.
Thanks for reading this RMT.
Edit : Here is a quite complete threat list :
it's my first RMT on this forum, so i might do some basic mistakes. I'm also French, so I will do many spelling and grammar mistakes, excuse me.
As the title suggest it, I have tried to make a competitive Baton pass team for OU. The first and only non-negotiable rule is that I want all the pokemons in the team to know baton pass. I don't want set-uppers and a final receiver to sweep (even if it might be a bit more effective).
My team is not really aggressive. I don't use shell smach, the EV spreads are defensive. I want my strength to improve slowly, with few risks.
I've had lots of fun with this team, and have had interesting results (peaked #300 on PO). But I still have some weaknesses, and I require your help to fix them.
Team at a glance :
Team building process :
First of all, I wanted to use the amazing Stored power, and I needed a pokemon to be protected from hazards, phazing, status : Espeon comes in mind immediately, as he is quicker and more agressive than Xatu.
I wanted an other pokemon to deal with status, who would be a bit more bulky. With two immunities and the amazing poison heal, Gliscor is a really interesting pokemon for my team.
Now I needed a solid pokemon to provide def for the team. Vaporeon has a really good special defence, and can use acid armor. He also fit very well with Gliscor for the defensive core.
I also needed a reliable lead, as the beginning of the battle is crucial. With his amazing versatility, Smeargle seemed to be an interesting candidate, especially because of his access to spore.
Then I noticed a defensive problem against powerfull dragon attack, so I wanted a steal type. Scizor seemed to be a good candidate, and has a usefull priority for revenge killing.
The last one was chosen to be a finisher, with a good coverage. Togekiss seemed to be interesting, with a good chance to flinch when he couldn't OKO.
I started with this team, and it was funny, but there where too many weaknesses. Togekiss was a weak link, he couldn't do anything without boosts (with the set I used), and his weaknesses were a bit annoying.
So I replaced him with Mew, who is more than usefull in this team, especially because it is really hard to predict the set and send the good counter.
And then I noticed that Scizor was a real problem : even with +1 speed, he was still really slow, and i often had to switch (loosing all the boosts) when a quick fire pokemon came in. Moreover, he didn't had any mooves to hit fire pokemon effectively.
As I like is resistances, I decided to switch it for Durant, which is quicker, and has a better coverage.
I wanted an other pokemon to deal with status, who would be a bit more bulky. With two immunities and the amazing poison heal, Gliscor is a really interesting pokemon for my team.
Now I needed a solid pokemon to provide def for the team. Vaporeon has a really good special defence, and can use acid armor. He also fit very well with Gliscor for the defensive core.
I also needed a reliable lead, as the beginning of the battle is crucial. With his amazing versatility, Smeargle seemed to be an interesting candidate, especially because of his access to spore.
Then I noticed a defensive problem against powerfull dragon attack, so I wanted a steal type. Scizor seemed to be a good candidate, and has a usefull priority for revenge killing.
The last one was chosen to be a finisher, with a good coverage. Togekiss seemed to be interesting, with a good chance to flinch when he couldn't OKO.
I started with this team, and it was funny, but there where too many weaknesses. Togekiss was a weak link, he couldn't do anything without boosts (with the set I used), and his weaknesses were a bit annoying.
So I replaced him with Mew, who is more than usefull in this team, especially because it is really hard to predict the set and send the good counter.
And then I noticed that Scizor was a real problem : even with +1 speed, he was still really slow, and i often had to switch (loosing all the boosts) when a quick fire pokemon came in. Moreover, he didn't had any mooves to hit fire pokemon effectively.
As I like is resistances, I decided to switch it for Durant, which is quicker, and has a better coverage.
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Spore
- Quiver dance
- Ingrain
Not very original, but I appreciate him very much. Spore is usefull to deal with an annoying pokemon, I'm almost always able to pass a Quiver Dance.
I don't often use Ingrain, but against stall team, I just need it, especially because Espeon can't avoid Dragon Tail. He is always my lead, except when I predict Dragonite @lum berry or Scizors + Tyranitar. In this two situations, I use Gliscor or Vaporeon to lead.
The item and EV spread are obvious.
I don't think I would change it, but I could (Venomoth could be interesting, but sleep powder is not very accurate. Ninjask isn't what I want for this team)
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 200 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Baton Pass
- Earthquake
- Rock Polish
- Ice Fang
A very good wall, able to check Dragonite and Slamence easily with ice fang (with this spread he 2KO offensive Dragonite) and a bit of defence boosts. The double weakness to ice could be annoying, but when he comes, he almost always uses Rock Polish, so he is able to use Baton Pass without problem. I used Substitute over Ice fang before, but he was a s set up fodder for annoying dragons.
Trait: Hustle
EVs: 176 HP / 140 Atk / 184 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Baton Pass
- X-scissor
- Stone Edge
- Hone Claws
A really underrated pokemon, able to dig holes after one Hone Claws and a bit of speed. The problem is that Stone Edge miss often without Accuracy boosts. He also have a very low SDef, but a good Def. His coverage is interesting, he doesn't like Fight and Steal types, but can destroy fragile fire sweepers. A good check to Gyarados who don't like stone edge at all.
He outspeed 100 base speed pokemon, without +Spe nature, I needed a bit of HP to avoid some OKO, and Atk to hit hard.
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 140 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Heal Bell
- Scald
- Acid Armor
Really good wall, usefull resistances. Heal Bell and Acid Armor help my team a lot, Scald can annoy physical sweepers, and hit surprisingly hard if espeon gave him +SAtk. I would like to give him Substitute or Wish to use his high HP, but I don't know which attack I could forget.
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 156 Atk / 100 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Baton Pass
- Flame Charge
- Drain Punch
- Bulk Up
A second Psychic pokemon could be annoying for the defensive balance, but it is not, as this set has been planned to lure Espeon's counters. Scizor and Tyranitar are 2KO (or OKO thanks to bulk up) respectively with Flame Charge and Drain punch. Flame Charge is also really usefull to set up despite Taunt. He is really unpredictable, and is bulk is really good. A nice and usefull team-mate.
I like this set, but if you have other advice, such as using taunt or substitute, I'm interested.
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 100 SAtk / 156 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Stored Power
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
My favourite one. Sometimes he can 6-0 alone, with just a quiver dance and a few calm mind (I often do that against Sun Teams, thanks Morning Sun). With a few boosts, Stored power OKO many things, and with many boosts, even SDefensive Jirachi is OKO... I used wish before instead of Morning Sun, but I often need immediate recovery, especially when I face an other Calm minder. I might use HP fight to deal with Dark type pokemon.
So there it is. This team still has many threats, especially Perish song, Trick, unpredicted lech seed/phazing moove, Haze (not often used)...
I think I really need Taunt and Substitute somewhere, maybe Wish, but I don't know who could use it without breaking my offensive balance.
I might replace some pokemon, especially Durant. I thought of Mienshao, who has a good attack, good speed, nice coverage. But he is also fragile.
Gorebyss could be nice too, he can pass Shell Smash, but also Iron Defense, Agility or Amnesia. But two Water pokemon is annoying.
I appreciate any constructive criticism, I can change Pokemon, attacks, EV spreads.
Thanks for reading this RMT.
Edit : Here is a quite complete threat list :
The real threats are : (the worst in red, minor in orange)
- Defensive Politoed, with Encore or Perish song, he is bulky and I've nothing super effective against him. Really difficult to set up against him. But I don't really fear rain dance team anyway, Espeon can really threaten them.
- Surprising dragon tail users, such as Tyranitar or Scrafty, or unpredicted Trick/Taunt.
- Agressive set uppers, such as Volcarona, who can wall vaporeon, and kill the others easily after a quiver dance if I don't have SDef boosts.
- Critical hits (especially when I was supposed to wall easily the opponent), I hate them...
- Shiftry in the Sun, unusual but after a nasty plot he can kill many pokemon.
- Machamp, with the annoying confusion, can hax.
- Jirachi if I don't predict the set, but Vaporeon really walls the physical sweeper, even with hax, and Gliscor can come after defense boosts and kill easily. Espeon can take care of calm mind versions, and then pass to Gliscor who won't be 2KO by water pulse.
- Tentacruel with Haze, terrible wall, but not seen often. Toxik Spikes are also a real problem if they are thrown too quickly, but Espeon is a good switch in.
- Ferrothorn is really annoying if he comes in just after the first pokemon is asleep. Hazards, paralysing and leech seed are terrible. But if I have +2 Def, I can switch for Espeon, and have free turns to set up. Not often a pain.
- Cloyster : A lead with lum berry and Shell Smash can hurt, but Mew and Vaporeon are not OKO, and I can take care with drain punch if I have a few boosts.
- Gengar : After a quiver dance, Espeon OKO ; otherwise a bit of mind game can help. Vaporeon and Mew just br
eak the usual substitute (and it provides speed with flame charge), then baton pass, so disable is useless. If he attacks immediately, can hurt a bit, but he's fragile.
- Chansey/Blissey. Come on Mew that 2KO/OKO with drain punch, or on Espeon who can set up and wall if the weather is not annoying. Not a real threat.
- Gyarados : I need to be carefull. Don't really fears the offensive versions, Vaporeon can provide defense to prepare a kill by espeon. But some sets, with taunt, roar or dragon tail can ruin the team if I don't predict them. Durant can often take care.
- Jolteon : If he kills one pokemon or comes in too early, I will have troubles. With Thunder, Shadow ball and HP ice, he can hurt all my team if he's not scarfed.
- Quagsire : With Stockpile and the rain (too annoy Espeon's Morning sun), I can't kill him if he gets boosts.
- Forretress, Skarmory : Like Ferrothorn, not a problem for Espeon if I've +Def, otherwise Hazards or phasing hurt.
- Scizor : Mew works well, Espeon OKO after 3 CM, he doesn't expect that. Gliscor can wall Bullet punch.
- Houndoum, Zoroark : Often nasty plot, Dark/Fire/Grass coverage and quite quick. Mew can take care with boosts, terrible at the beginning.
- Tyranitar : Vaporeon can come in to provide def, and then Mew kills him easily.
- Celebi : Mind game is needed, I often switch for Espeon, to avoid leech seed/rocks. But Perish song and nasty plot can be annoying.
- Breloom : Don't like spore, but Espeon can take care if I have Def, and if a Pokemon is asleep, I send (without baton pass) Mew who can wall him with bulk up, and have some more speed with flame charge, get some life back with drain punch.
- Sableye : Don't like prankster taunt, but if I predict him coming, Esepon can set up (even if he doesn't hit) and then pass to Vaporeon, who will be taunted but OKO.
- Volbeat, Whimsicott : Same thing, but Espeon can kill, and he often does. Encore is even worse than taunt.
- Gorebyss/Ninjask : Should be annoying, but surprisingly I can usualy take care of the receiver if I predict well.
- Dragonite/Slamence : Gliscor is often really good against them, even if unpredicted Spe Attacker can hurt.
- Lati@s : Espeon walls with a few boost, and kill them if they don't switch quickly.
- Lucario : Annoying priority, but Gliscor takes care easily if he has few boosts, or Mew. Should take care of ice punch/crunch.
- Momartik : Taunt and destiny bond can be terrible if I don't pay attention.
- Rotom W : Annoying trick, but not a pain after +1 or 2 spe def.
- Conkeldur : Not a problem, Vaporeon provides def, Espeon OKO.
- Infernape : Not a problem after a few boosts, can hurt if he runs nasty plot and grass knot, Vaporeon takes care otherwise. Espeon OKO easily after a quiver dance.
- Darmanitan : Choice scarf/band with u-turn and his powerfull stab (especially with the sun) is really aggressive.
- Scrafty : Mew can survive Crunch and hit with drain punch, Vaporeon can set up.
- Reuniclus : Espeon walls the CM (unless he run Psyshock), Durant OKO. Trick room can hurt.
- Jellicent : Espeon walls, if he is dead it's a real problem.
- Chandelure : Good stabs can hurt, but Vaporeon can kill.
- Haxorus : Not a problem, because he's fragile. Annoying if he leads (scarf with double chop, or lum berry).
- Mienshao : Quick, agressive, and u-turn user. Vaporeon can give def, and then Espeon take care easily.
- Terrakion : Gliscor walls and can kill if he doesn't switch.
- Virizion : Must predict the set. Espeon walls CM, Mew kills SD user.
- Tornadus : Hurricane always confuses, he is quick, I don't have any flying resistance. Espeon kills easily if he doesn't come at the beginning.
- Landorus : Annoying scarfer. Often switch to kill Gliscor with HP ice, but thaks to rock Polish Ice fang will hurt him before. Espeon kills after a few boost.
So as you can see, real threats are not often sweepers, but I have problems with some walls.
- Defensive Politoed, with Encore or Perish song, he is bulky and I've nothing super effective against him. Really difficult to set up against him. But I don't really fear rain dance team anyway, Espeon can really threaten them.
- Surprising dragon tail users, such as Tyranitar or Scrafty, or unpredicted Trick/Taunt.
- Agressive set uppers, such as Volcarona, who can wall vaporeon, and kill the others easily after a quiver dance if I don't have SDef boosts.
- Critical hits (especially when I was supposed to wall easily the opponent), I hate them...
- Shiftry in the Sun, unusual but after a nasty plot he can kill many pokemon.
- Machamp, with the annoying confusion, can hax.
- Jirachi if I don't predict the set, but Vaporeon really walls the physical sweeper, even with hax, and Gliscor can come after defense boosts and kill easily. Espeon can take care of calm mind versions, and then pass to Gliscor who won't be 2KO by water pulse.
- Tentacruel with Haze, terrible wall, but not seen often. Toxik Spikes are also a real problem if they are thrown too quickly, but Espeon is a good switch in.
- Ferrothorn is really annoying if he comes in just after the first pokemon is asleep. Hazards, paralysing and leech seed are terrible. But if I have +2 Def, I can switch for Espeon, and have free turns to set up. Not often a pain.
- Cloyster : A lead with lum berry and Shell Smash can hurt, but Mew and Vaporeon are not OKO, and I can take care with drain punch if I have a few boosts.
- Gengar : After a quiver dance, Espeon OKO ; otherwise a bit of mind game can help. Vaporeon and Mew just br
eak the usual substitute (and it provides speed with flame charge), then baton pass, so disable is useless. If he attacks immediately, can hurt a bit, but he's fragile.
- Chansey/Blissey. Come on Mew that 2KO/OKO with drain punch, or on Espeon who can set up and wall if the weather is not annoying. Not a real threat.
- Gyarados : I need to be carefull. Don't really fears the offensive versions, Vaporeon can provide defense to prepare a kill by espeon. But some sets, with taunt, roar or dragon tail can ruin the team if I don't predict them. Durant can often take care.
- Jolteon : If he kills one pokemon or comes in too early, I will have troubles. With Thunder, Shadow ball and HP ice, he can hurt all my team if he's not scarfed.
- Quagsire : With Stockpile and the rain (too annoy Espeon's Morning sun), I can't kill him if he gets boosts.
- Forretress, Skarmory : Like Ferrothorn, not a problem for Espeon if I've +Def, otherwise Hazards or phasing hurt.
- Scizor : Mew works well, Espeon OKO after 3 CM, he doesn't expect that. Gliscor can wall Bullet punch.
- Houndoum, Zoroark : Often nasty plot, Dark/Fire/Grass coverage and quite quick. Mew can take care with boosts, terrible at the beginning.
- Tyranitar : Vaporeon can come in to provide def, and then Mew kills him easily.
- Celebi : Mind game is needed, I often switch for Espeon, to avoid leech seed/rocks. But Perish song and nasty plot can be annoying.
- Breloom : Don't like spore, but Espeon can take care if I have Def, and if a Pokemon is asleep, I send (without baton pass) Mew who can wall him with bulk up, and have some more speed with flame charge, get some life back with drain punch.
- Sableye : Don't like prankster taunt, but if I predict him coming, Esepon can set up (even if he doesn't hit) and then pass to Vaporeon, who will be taunted but OKO.
- Volbeat, Whimsicott : Same thing, but Espeon can kill, and he often does. Encore is even worse than taunt.
- Gorebyss/Ninjask : Should be annoying, but surprisingly I can usualy take care of the receiver if I predict well.
- Dragonite/Slamence : Gliscor is often really good against them, even if unpredicted Spe Attacker can hurt.
- Lati@s : Espeon walls with a few boost, and kill them if they don't switch quickly.
- Lucario : Annoying priority, but Gliscor takes care easily if he has few boosts, or Mew. Should take care of ice punch/crunch.
- Momartik : Taunt and destiny bond can be terrible if I don't pay attention.
- Rotom W : Annoying trick, but not a pain after +1 or 2 spe def.
- Conkeldur : Not a problem, Vaporeon provides def, Espeon OKO.
- Infernape : Not a problem after a few boosts, can hurt if he runs nasty plot and grass knot, Vaporeon takes care otherwise. Espeon OKO easily after a quiver dance.
- Darmanitan : Choice scarf/band with u-turn and his powerfull stab (especially with the sun) is really aggressive.
- Scrafty : Mew can survive Crunch and hit with drain punch, Vaporeon can set up.
- Reuniclus : Espeon walls the CM (unless he run Psyshock), Durant OKO. Trick room can hurt.
- Jellicent : Espeon walls, if he is dead it's a real problem.
- Chandelure : Good stabs can hurt, but Vaporeon can kill.
- Haxorus : Not a problem, because he's fragile. Annoying if he leads (scarf with double chop, or lum berry).
- Mienshao : Quick, agressive, and u-turn user. Vaporeon can give def, and then Espeon take care easily.
- Terrakion : Gliscor walls and can kill if he doesn't switch.
- Virizion : Must predict the set. Espeon walls CM, Mew kills SD user.
- Tornadus : Hurricane always confuses, he is quick, I don't have any flying resistance. Espeon kills easily if he doesn't come at the beginning.
- Landorus : Annoying scarfer. Often switch to kill Gliscor with HP ice, but thaks to rock Polish Ice fang will hurt him before. Espeon kills after a few boost.
So as you can see, real threats are not often sweepers, but I have problems with some walls.
