The Monotype Challenge: Dark
Now that I'm quite used (and bored) with the OU environment, and thankfully Genesect is gone I think I'm able to come back with this. My last attempt is here, a Dark monotype team. They have one of the most curious status through the video game history: they were introduced in Gen II, but oddly they never had a gym until now; even oddly than this is that darks count with nothing less than three Elite Four members. Just like their history, their statuses are two opposites as well: from the offensive side darks are amazing, packing some big threats and two pseudo-legendaries in their arsenal, hitting both psychics and ghosts hard and backed up by sneaky moves like Pursuit and Sucker Punch; but in the defensive side things aren't so good: even though they have a (not so useful) immunity to psychic moves they pack some problematic weakness in bug and fighting. So, now I present my work:
Now that I'm quite used (and bored) with the OU environment, and thankfully Genesect is gone I think I'm able to come back with this. My last attempt is here, a Dark monotype team. They have one of the most curious status through the video game history: they were introduced in Gen II, but oddly they never had a gym until now; even oddly than this is that darks count with nothing less than three Elite Four members. Just like their history, their statuses are two opposites as well: from the offensive side darks are amazing, packing some big threats and two pseudo-legendaries in their arsenal, hitting both psychics and ghosts hard and backed up by sneaky moves like Pursuit and Sucker Punch; but in the defensive side things aren't so good: even though they have a (not so useful) immunity to psychic moves they pack some problematic weakness in bug and fighting. So, now I present my work:
Team Building Process
Zoroark is the representation of a dark pokémon: quite strong, really frail and deceives others with his ability, even though this ability isn't as useful in a monotype team.
Zoroark needs some friends to copy, and since I can't bait attacks, I can fake defensive pokes. Umbreon is a cleric, while Sableye is my pseudo-physical wall.
Letting weather run as my enemy wish never is a nice option (Dugtrio and Gothitelle see playability because of this), and thankfully Tyranitar can end both rainy and sunny days.
Since darks have two pseudo-legends why not run both? Zoroark doesn't pack a lot of raw power, so a Specs Hydreigon can remedy this.
Since TTar isn't as effective as it used to be as a main offensive power Bisharp is here to cover this, at the same time it is one of the few darks that isn't hit by sandstorm.
The Team Analysis
Zoroark (M) @ Choice ScarfTrait: Illusion
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Flamethrower
- Focus Blast
Zoroark can be both my lead or my revenge killer, and this is why I'm running a timid instead of modest. Since he is my revenge killer his moves must have a nice coverage: Dark Pulse is the main STAB (Night Daze accuracy is kinda tricky); Flamethrower is here to deal to Scizors, Ferrothorns and Forretress; Extrasensory is needed to finish fighting pokemon since Sableye can't hit hard; Focus Blast is here for overall coverage, even though I hate the accuracy. Keep in mind that, most of the times, Zoroark will be faking Umbreon, making possible to nail some revenge kills.
Umbreon (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Wish
- Toxic
- Protect
- Heal Bell
Unfortunatelly darks don't pack a spinner (and this is why many pokes here carry a fire move). But at least I can have a cleric. With 252 EVs in HP Umbreon can pass nice Wishes to her teammates, and Heal Bell is a need, otherwise TTar or Bisharp can get useless burned. Toxic + Protect is classic stall, at the same time the best response I have to most bulky waters. Yeah, this isn't quite reliable, but that't what we have. Synchronize can be nice to punish opposing statuser, except for sleep.
Sableye (F) @ Lagging Tail
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Trick
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
This Sableye is kinda tricky to use (just like any dark poke should be). Even though Lagging Tail lower Sab longevity it helps to either Bisharp setup or Tyranitar kill, thanks to whoever who holds the tail will move last. Except for this, her build is quite standard, being taken down only by strong hits. Keep in my that Sab is my only answer to Scarf Terrakion/Keldeo, specially the first one.
Bisharp (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
- Sucker Punch
- Brick Break
Here I presents you one of the strongest Sucker Punch alive. With amazing 125 base Atk and STAB it can take down may things without setup. But after a Swords Dance it gets almost unstopable. If Sableye did her job, there is someone who won't hit first than him, making possible to setup a SD and a Subs too. Against hazards setuppers is quite easy to get 3 SDs and a Subs, this away taking at least three opposing pokes, this against a bad matchup. I was using Iron Head because of the STAB, but Brick Break coverage is way better, and after a couple SDs a normal hit is all you'll need.
Tyranitar (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
TTar is here mainly to setup a weather. It is much easier to deal against a sand team with a sandstorm than a rain or sun team with its desired weather. Also, TTar can do something few darks can, and this is setting hazards, and at least it is Stealth Rocks (man, there is few mono that can do it, really). EQuake have a better coverage than Stone Edge, and most things I want to hit with dark moves can be dealt with Pursuit, since it traps Gengars and Lati@s. Things like Jelicent is easier dealt with Zoroark's Dark Pulse. Fire Blast isn't an awesome option, but it really helps when you can predict a Breloom switch or hit Skarmory harder.
Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Pulse
Hit hard. Simply, this is what this guy do. Basically this is a mini-Latios, since I'm locked with types here. Draco Meteor is the main move, like most Specs dragons around, sincce they have a hit-and-run strategy. Focus Blast and Fire Blast is for coverage (remember what I said about hazards, and most pokes that set hazards are weak to fire). Dragon Pulse is the best way to Hydre nail a 2HKO, something Draco Meteor can't do all the time.
Overall
The team can do pretty well, but have some weakness to fighting types (oh, you don't say). Strangely enough, sided with the common fight threats like Keldeo, Terrakion and Breloom, the main threat here is also Conkeldurr, thanks to Guts + Mach Punch. Otherwise Zoroark and Hydreigon can get rid of almost everything.
Zoroark is the representation of a dark pokémon: quite strong, really frail and deceives others with his ability, even though this ability isn't as useful in a monotype team.
Zoroark needs some friends to copy, and since I can't bait attacks, I can fake defensive pokes. Umbreon is a cleric, while Sableye is my pseudo-physical wall.
Letting weather run as my enemy wish never is a nice option (Dugtrio and Gothitelle see playability because of this), and thankfully Tyranitar can end both rainy and sunny days.
Since darks have two pseudo-legends why not run both? Zoroark doesn't pack a lot of raw power, so a Specs Hydreigon can remedy this.
Since TTar isn't as effective as it used to be as a main offensive power Bisharp is here to cover this, at the same time it is one of the few darks that isn't hit by sandstorm.
The Team Analysis
Zoroark (M) @ Choice ScarfTrait: Illusion
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Flamethrower
- Focus Blast
Zoroark can be both my lead or my revenge killer, and this is why I'm running a timid instead of modest. Since he is my revenge killer his moves must have a nice coverage: Dark Pulse is the main STAB (Night Daze accuracy is kinda tricky); Flamethrower is here to deal to Scizors, Ferrothorns and Forretress; Extrasensory is needed to finish fighting pokemon since Sableye can't hit hard; Focus Blast is here for overall coverage, even though I hate the accuracy. Keep in mind that, most of the times, Zoroark will be faking Umbreon, making possible to nail some revenge kills.
Umbreon (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Wish
- Toxic
- Protect
- Heal Bell
Unfortunatelly darks don't pack a spinner (and this is why many pokes here carry a fire move). But at least I can have a cleric. With 252 EVs in HP Umbreon can pass nice Wishes to her teammates, and Heal Bell is a need, otherwise TTar or Bisharp can get useless burned. Toxic + Protect is classic stall, at the same time the best response I have to most bulky waters. Yeah, this isn't quite reliable, but that't what we have. Synchronize can be nice to punish opposing statuser, except for sleep.
Sableye (F) @ Lagging Tail
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Trick
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
This Sableye is kinda tricky to use (just like any dark poke should be). Even though Lagging Tail lower Sab longevity it helps to either Bisharp setup or Tyranitar kill, thanks to whoever who holds the tail will move last. Except for this, her build is quite standard, being taken down only by strong hits. Keep in my that Sab is my only answer to Scarf Terrakion/Keldeo, specially the first one.
Bisharp (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
- Sucker Punch
- Brick Break
Here I presents you one of the strongest Sucker Punch alive. With amazing 125 base Atk and STAB it can take down may things without setup. But after a Swords Dance it gets almost unstopable. If Sableye did her job, there is someone who won't hit first than him, making possible to setup a SD and a Subs too. Against hazards setuppers is quite easy to get 3 SDs and a Subs, this away taking at least three opposing pokes, this against a bad matchup. I was using Iron Head because of the STAB, but Brick Break coverage is way better, and after a couple SDs a normal hit is all you'll need.
Tyranitar (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
TTar is here mainly to setup a weather. It is much easier to deal against a sand team with a sandstorm than a rain or sun team with its desired weather. Also, TTar can do something few darks can, and this is setting hazards, and at least it is Stealth Rocks (man, there is few mono that can do it, really). EQuake have a better coverage than Stone Edge, and most things I want to hit with dark moves can be dealt with Pursuit, since it traps Gengars and Lati@s. Things like Jelicent is easier dealt with Zoroark's Dark Pulse. Fire Blast isn't an awesome option, but it really helps when you can predict a Breloom switch or hit Skarmory harder.
Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Pulse
Hit hard. Simply, this is what this guy do. Basically this is a mini-Latios, since I'm locked with types here. Draco Meteor is the main move, like most Specs dragons around, sincce they have a hit-and-run strategy. Focus Blast and Fire Blast is for coverage (remember what I said about hazards, and most pokes that set hazards are weak to fire). Dragon Pulse is the best way to Hydre nail a 2HKO, something Draco Meteor can't do all the time.
Overall
The team can do pretty well, but have some weakness to fighting types (oh, you don't say). Strangely enough, sided with the common fight threats like Keldeo, Terrakion and Breloom, the main threat here is also Conkeldurr, thanks to Guts + Mach Punch. Otherwise Zoroark and Hydreigon can get rid of almost everything.