OU Playstyles - Week #01 [Hyper Offense]

[ThePillsburyDoughBoy]

Originally Posted by Fat Melee Mewtwo

Skarmory @ Custap Berry
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Spd
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 HP / 0 Atk / 0 Def / 0 SDef
- Whirlwind
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes

It sounds gimmicky but have considered Tailwind over Whirlwind? It is a nifty option to pull out of your hat if you at Sturdy range acting like a mini-Tornadus. If you are bold enough it also means if Skarmory is unable to get into Custap range it can use Tailwind as an attempt to set up an additional layer of hazards.

I never really liked HO since the game you play can really come down to the wire and it often requires you to play a very, very specific series of moves in the endgame. The teambuilding (IMO) is not as intricate as some balance teams are, but actually playing an HO team can be a lot of fun on the ladder.

One thing I try to put on my HO teams is an "equalizing" move. Essentially it is a move that can guarantee a KO most of the time or severely cripple an opposing Pokemon to make up for your lead. They usually get played right after your suicide lead, since most of them use Focus Sash and that is the time hazards are ussually not setup. Most of them use Destiny Bond, Endevor, a Sleep move, or Explosion (here are some examples):

Gengar (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Destiny Bond
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Substitute

Gengar with Destiny Bond is a cool option to level the playing field after you have blocked your hazards with Gengar. His high-speed and frail defenses means most of the time you will be successful. It is a great way to get around Pursuit trapping Tyranitar, who will be adamant to pursuit trap your ass in order to further lower the score.

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

Sash Breloom is pretty standard, but it gets the job done. A sleeping Pokemon is essentially a Pokemon that is killed in the game, since the high pressure of HO will not give the other team a chance for it to wake up. Like Gengar who spinblocks, Breloom brings an additional utility to the table with powerful priority in the form of Technician Mach Punch. SD vs Low Sweep is up to you, but it is important to note Swords Dance does not make you a sitting duck if you retain your Focus Sash.

Mamoswine (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Endeavor
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash / Stealth Rock / Hail

Endeavor Mamoswine can be used as a lead with SR, but it is equally viable as a standalone Pokemon. Terrible defensive Ice-typing+Immunity to Sandstorm+Hail makes it a great Eneavor user. Like Breloom, Mamoswine bring powerful priority to the table with Ice Shard. Now you may be asking yourself why I put Hail in the last slot. Well Hail allows Mamoswine for Endeavor just to be a straight KO move if it gets Hail with its Sash up (other than Kube and opposing Mamoswine of course). In other words, you don't have to waste a turn Ice Sharding, which is an opportunity for the opponent to switch out. More importantly, Hail is there to fuck with all the weather teams running around in OU. Since HO teams are usually weatherless, a Pokemon that can change mess with weather conditions where it is an inherit part of its strategy is greatly appreciated.

[LilOuOn]

Closing the thread. Thanks to everyone! You can find the Week #02 here : OU Playstyles - Week #02 [Sand Offense]