Team at a Glance:
Intro
This is my first attempt at a team in about 12 months I think. I was once a pretty succesful battler on Marriland, winning and placing high in some big tournaments there. After one of my best real life friends (also very succesful battler) got involved in the Main Event, I couldn't resist picking Pokemon back up. I have been thinking of the new possibilities with platinum moves and the uber/ou shifts now and then for about a week, and this is the result.
It's a team built mainly around an Infernape or Gyarados sweep. The other Pokemon aid in clearing the way of counters and stabilising the team. I've left the concept of walls and sweepers behind, I only chose the Pokemon that help achieve the team's goal. This team is one of the most offensive ones I've built. I won't be able to counter every threat in the metagame perfectly, but I think the firepower of my own team compensates for that.
It's a team built mainly around an Infernape or Gyarados sweep. The other Pokemon aid in clearing the way of counters and stabilising the team. I've left the concept of walls and sweepers behind, I only chose the Pokemon that help achieve the team's goal. This team is one of the most offensive ones I've built. I won't be able to counter every threat in the metagame perfectly, but I think the firepower of my own team compensates for that.
The Team
SWAMPERT @ Leftovers
240 HP / 236 DF / 32 SA
Relaxed : Torrent
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam
-Protect
-Stealth Rock
One of the best leads I've found. Has the opportunity to lay Stealth Rock against a lot of leads immediately. Swampert also counters a lot of threads, mainly Tyranitar, Metagross, Flygon, and physical versions of Salamence. The Special Attack EVs guarantee a OHKO on min HP Flygon.
INFERNAPE @ Life Orb
56 AT / 252 SA / 200 SP
Naive : Blaze
-Close Combat
-Flamethrower
-Grass Knot
-Hidden Power [Ice]
Basically the centerpiece of the whole team. When the other Pokemon take out the Infernape counters the opposing team has, little will stand in this guy's way. I've chosen Hidden Power [Ice] over Nasty Plot, because I already have a Pokemon that can set up, and with an Ice attack I can wreck Salamence. Everything else important I need to take out with Infernape already gets OHKO'd.
GYARADOS @ Leftovers
64 HP / 252 AT / 192 SP
Adamant : Intimidate
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Ice Fang
The second way to win me the match is with Gyarados. After one Dragon Dance he's faster than the Starmie speed group. If the correct Pokemon are eliminated, one Dragon Dance can mean victory. I opted for Ice Fang in the last slot. Since I have a surefire Gyarados counter now, Stone Edge wasn't really needed for anything except Zapdos, so Ice Fang (Salamence, Flygon, Latias) got the spot.
CELEBI @ Leftovers
252 HP / 180 DF / 40 SD / 40 SP
Bold : Natural
-Grass Knot
-Recover
-Thunder Wave
-Reflect
Latias was replaced by this Pokemon. Celebi still manhandles all the Bulky Waters, and counters Gyarados perfectly. This allowed for Protect on Swampert. Thunder Wave nails most switchins (Heatran, Scizor, Tyranitar) and cripples Zapdos. Reflect gives me protection against Pursuit users, and gives Gyarados a better chance of setting up. I felt I didn't need any Hidden Power or Leech Seed here. The SD EVs let me take Vaporeon / Suicune Ice Beam a bit better.
SCIZOR @ Choice Band
248 HP / 252 AT / 8 SP
Adamant : Technician
-U – Turn
-Bullet Punch
-Superpower
-Pursuit
Great Pokemon. Traps Starmie and counters Cresselia, prominent Gyarados/Infernape counters. Takes care of Celebi (Gyarados) and Latias (Infernape) as well. Can make openings for Infernape mainly by using U-Turn on a predicted switch. Bullet Punch ruthlessly takes out weakened Pokemon, can even kill Salamence after it switches in for the second time with Stealth Rock. Important Dragon resist.
HEATRAN @ Leftovers
248 HP / 56 SA / 204 SD
Modest : Flash Fire
-Lava Plume
-Earth Power
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
The status taker and essential special tank of the team. Inflicts burn with Lava Plume on for example Gyarados or Swampert switch ins. Takes down Celebi and Zapdos with ease. Another Dragon resist.
Threat List
Azelf: Heatran takes this thing on, absorbing almost everything it throws at him.
Breloom: I must make sure Heatran takes sleep, then Celebi resists its moves and wittles it away with Grass Knot.
Celebi: Heatran counters this 100%, not caring about status and hitting back with Lava Plume. Scizor can come in and threaten OHKO, but I'm a bit worried about ThunderWave and HP Fire.
Dugtrio: It can kill Heatran and Infernape, and that would suck big time. Gives Gyarados a chance to set up though, it can't harm the rest of my team.
Electivire: Swampert takes on variants without HP Grass. Celebi can handle it.
Empoleon: I must rely on Swampert to get it down with Earthquake, but he isn't well protected against special attacks. Celebi can Thunder Wave it and hit it with Grass Knot. Gyarados sets up on it, Infernape can revenge, and it can only come in on Heatran.
Flygon: Swampert counters physical sets, but will have trouble coming in on CB Outrage. Scizor can finish it off when it's locked in Outrage. I need to predict right when it's choice, otherwise Swampert. Risks taking burn if it switches into Heatran.
Gengar: Scizor can Pursuit. Heatran can take sleep, take a few hits (Shadow Ball + Focus Blast) and kill it.
Gliscor: Gyarados sets up on him, Swampert and Celebi beat it easily.
Gyarados: Celebi counters this with ease.
Heatran: Swampert can switch in and scare it away a few times, my own Heatran can switch in on predicted choice, Gyarados can switch in at least once.
Heracross: Choice Band gives me problems. Gyarados can switch in and scare it away, but after that I need to out predict it with Celebi/Heatran.
Infernape: I need to rely on Gyarados here. Otherwise Scizor to finish it off with 40% Bullet Punch.
Jirachi: Heatran counters this nice and easy. Swampert can do a bit of damage with Earthquake and take hits. Scizor can U-Turn to break the substitute or something if need be. Celebi can Thunder Wave if it isn't using Substitute.
Kingdra: Not much I can do to a Kingdra in rain. I need to predict the Draco Meteor with a Heatran switch, and then Scizor Celebi or Gyarados can take it on.
Latias: Scizor switches in on anything except HP Fire, and threatens OHKO. Celebi Thunder Waves.
Lucario: Gyarados can shake it off most of the time. Celebi comes in and Thunder Waves. Scizor takes off 40% after one Defense drop with Bullet Punch.
Machamp: Celebi resists all of its moves except Payback and Ice Punch, Gyarados can Intimidate it, but will get confused probably.
Magnezone: Traps Scizor if I'm locked in Bullet Punch or Pursuit. Can't do anything to Heatran. Swampert takes it on.
Mamoswine: Gyarados does this fairly well. Celebi too. Luckily can't really come in on anything.
Metagross: Swampert counters it pretty well. Gyarados, Scizor and Heatran can come in on choice Meteor Mashes. Celebi Reflect + Thunder Wave can beat him eventually.
Ninjask: I'm not really afraid of it, even if I lack Roar. Can be dangerous, but if I don't let it Swords Dance, it can't be so bad. They mostly pass to Metagross / Tyranitar, which Swampert already counters.
Porygon-Z: Heatran takes it nicely, as well as Scizor. Celebi Thunder Waves.
Rhyperior: Must predict its choice attacks, tank versions aren't really a problem for Swampert. Gyarados can come in on anything except Stone Edge.
Roserade: Heatran takes it. Also Latias if it lacks Shadow Ball.
Rotom-A: Don't really know anything about this Pokemon. I guess Heatran takes it on if it doesn't have Hydro Pump.
Salamence: Need to look out for Dragon Dance sets, but Swampert does a good job against physical Salamence. If it gets stuck in Outrage, it gets clobbering from Scizor. Special Salamence gets handled by Heatran. Celebi can handle physical sets as well.
Scizor: Gyarados counters it well. Infernape can stop it from sweeping with Bullet Punch.
Snorlax: Scizor takes his chance to come in and hit it hard. Gyarados fears Body Slam, but otherwise takes it. Infernape can always revenge.
Starmie: Scizor traps it with Pursuit. Celebi takes it.
Suicune: Celebi takes this on with ease.
Togekiss: Not very much I can do to it. Scizor has to Bullet Punch it once it is damaged a bit. Infernape CC does 75% on max HP Togekiss.
Tyranitar: Swampert counters it fairly well. Scizor too. Gyarados, Infernape can revenge kill. Risks getting burned if it switches in on Heatran.
Weavile: Swampert tanks it, Scizor beats it hands down. Gyarados can come in once or twice. Celebi needs to look out though.
Yanmega: Heatran beats this if it doesn't run HP Ground. Scizor can come in and Bullet Punch.
Zapdos: Heatran is the best switchin, otherwise Latias or Swampert. Celebi can Thunder Wave.
SWAMPERT @ Leftovers
240 HP / 236 DF / 32 SA
Relaxed : Torrent
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam
-Protect
-Stealth Rock
One of the best leads I've found. Has the opportunity to lay Stealth Rock against a lot of leads immediately. Swampert also counters a lot of threads, mainly Tyranitar, Metagross, Flygon, and physical versions of Salamence. The Special Attack EVs guarantee a OHKO on min HP Flygon.
INFERNAPE @ Life Orb
56 AT / 252 SA / 200 SP
Naive : Blaze
-Close Combat
-Flamethrower
-Grass Knot
-Hidden Power [Ice]
Basically the centerpiece of the whole team. When the other Pokemon take out the Infernape counters the opposing team has, little will stand in this guy's way. I've chosen Hidden Power [Ice] over Nasty Plot, because I already have a Pokemon that can set up, and with an Ice attack I can wreck Salamence. Everything else important I need to take out with Infernape already gets OHKO'd.
GYARADOS @ Leftovers
64 HP / 252 AT / 192 SP
Adamant : Intimidate
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Ice Fang
The second way to win me the match is with Gyarados. After one Dragon Dance he's faster than the Starmie speed group. If the correct Pokemon are eliminated, one Dragon Dance can mean victory. I opted for Ice Fang in the last slot. Since I have a surefire Gyarados counter now, Stone Edge wasn't really needed for anything except Zapdos, so Ice Fang (Salamence, Flygon, Latias) got the spot.
CELEBI @ Leftovers
252 HP / 180 DF / 40 SD / 40 SP
Bold : Natural
-Grass Knot
-Recover
-Thunder Wave
-Reflect
Latias was replaced by this Pokemon. Celebi still manhandles all the Bulky Waters, and counters Gyarados perfectly. This allowed for Protect on Swampert. Thunder Wave nails most switchins (Heatran, Scizor, Tyranitar) and cripples Zapdos. Reflect gives me protection against Pursuit users, and gives Gyarados a better chance of setting up. I felt I didn't need any Hidden Power or Leech Seed here. The SD EVs let me take Vaporeon / Suicune Ice Beam a bit better.
SCIZOR @ Choice Band
248 HP / 252 AT / 8 SP
Adamant : Technician
-U – Turn
-Bullet Punch
-Superpower
-Pursuit
Great Pokemon. Traps Starmie and counters Cresselia, prominent Gyarados/Infernape counters. Takes care of Celebi (Gyarados) and Latias (Infernape) as well. Can make openings for Infernape mainly by using U-Turn on a predicted switch. Bullet Punch ruthlessly takes out weakened Pokemon, can even kill Salamence after it switches in for the second time with Stealth Rock. Important Dragon resist.
HEATRAN @ Leftovers
248 HP / 56 SA / 204 SD
Modest : Flash Fire
-Lava Plume
-Earth Power
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
The status taker and essential special tank of the team. Inflicts burn with Lava Plume on for example Gyarados or Swampert switch ins. Takes down Celebi and Zapdos with ease. Another Dragon resist.
Threat List
Azelf: Heatran takes this thing on, absorbing almost everything it throws at him.
Breloom: I must make sure Heatran takes sleep, then Celebi resists its moves and wittles it away with Grass Knot.
Celebi: Heatran counters this 100%, not caring about status and hitting back with Lava Plume. Scizor can come in and threaten OHKO, but I'm a bit worried about ThunderWave and HP Fire.
Dugtrio: It can kill Heatran and Infernape, and that would suck big time. Gives Gyarados a chance to set up though, it can't harm the rest of my team.
Electivire: Swampert takes on variants without HP Grass. Celebi can handle it.
Empoleon: I must rely on Swampert to get it down with Earthquake, but he isn't well protected against special attacks. Celebi can Thunder Wave it and hit it with Grass Knot. Gyarados sets up on it, Infernape can revenge, and it can only come in on Heatran.
Flygon: Swampert counters physical sets, but will have trouble coming in on CB Outrage. Scizor can finish it off when it's locked in Outrage. I need to predict right when it's choice, otherwise Swampert. Risks taking burn if it switches into Heatran.
Gengar: Scizor can Pursuit. Heatran can take sleep, take a few hits (Shadow Ball + Focus Blast) and kill it.
Gliscor: Gyarados sets up on him, Swampert and Celebi beat it easily.
Gyarados: Celebi counters this with ease.
Heatran: Swampert can switch in and scare it away a few times, my own Heatran can switch in on predicted choice, Gyarados can switch in at least once.
Heracross: Choice Band gives me problems. Gyarados can switch in and scare it away, but after that I need to out predict it with Celebi/Heatran.
Infernape: I need to rely on Gyarados here. Otherwise Scizor to finish it off with 40% Bullet Punch.
Jirachi: Heatran counters this nice and easy. Swampert can do a bit of damage with Earthquake and take hits. Scizor can U-Turn to break the substitute or something if need be. Celebi can Thunder Wave if it isn't using Substitute.
Kingdra: Not much I can do to a Kingdra in rain. I need to predict the Draco Meteor with a Heatran switch, and then Scizor Celebi or Gyarados can take it on.
Latias: Scizor switches in on anything except HP Fire, and threatens OHKO. Celebi Thunder Waves.
Lucario: Gyarados can shake it off most of the time. Celebi comes in and Thunder Waves. Scizor takes off 40% after one Defense drop with Bullet Punch.
Machamp: Celebi resists all of its moves except Payback and Ice Punch, Gyarados can Intimidate it, but will get confused probably.
Magnezone: Traps Scizor if I'm locked in Bullet Punch or Pursuit. Can't do anything to Heatran. Swampert takes it on.
Mamoswine: Gyarados does this fairly well. Celebi too. Luckily can't really come in on anything.
Metagross: Swampert counters it pretty well. Gyarados, Scizor and Heatran can come in on choice Meteor Mashes. Celebi Reflect + Thunder Wave can beat him eventually.
Ninjask: I'm not really afraid of it, even if I lack Roar. Can be dangerous, but if I don't let it Swords Dance, it can't be so bad. They mostly pass to Metagross / Tyranitar, which Swampert already counters.
Porygon-Z: Heatran takes it nicely, as well as Scizor. Celebi Thunder Waves.
Rhyperior: Must predict its choice attacks, tank versions aren't really a problem for Swampert. Gyarados can come in on anything except Stone Edge.
Roserade: Heatran takes it. Also Latias if it lacks Shadow Ball.
Rotom-A: Don't really know anything about this Pokemon. I guess Heatran takes it on if it doesn't have Hydro Pump.
Salamence: Need to look out for Dragon Dance sets, but Swampert does a good job against physical Salamence. If it gets stuck in Outrage, it gets clobbering from Scizor. Special Salamence gets handled by Heatran. Celebi can handle physical sets as well.
Scizor: Gyarados counters it well. Infernape can stop it from sweeping with Bullet Punch.
Snorlax: Scizor takes his chance to come in and hit it hard. Gyarados fears Body Slam, but otherwise takes it. Infernape can always revenge.
Starmie: Scizor traps it with Pursuit. Celebi takes it.
Suicune: Celebi takes this on with ease.
Togekiss: Not very much I can do to it. Scizor has to Bullet Punch it once it is damaged a bit. Infernape CC does 75% on max HP Togekiss.
Tyranitar: Swampert counters it fairly well. Scizor too. Gyarados, Infernape can revenge kill. Risks getting burned if it switches in on Heatran.
Weavile: Swampert tanks it, Scizor beats it hands down. Gyarados can come in once or twice. Celebi needs to look out though.
Yanmega: Heatran beats this if it doesn't run HP Ground. Scizor can come in and Bullet Punch.
Zapdos: Heatran is the best switchin, otherwise Latias or Swampert. Celebi can Thunder Wave.
Well this is it. Please rate and do some good suggestions. I'm always willing to consider. Thanks in advance.