"Between reality and realization, there was a pause. It was over. There was a beat - time for hearts to skip. There was a gap - time for hearts and minds to connect. There was a moment for joy to find its home. It was over"
-The View From Saturday
This is the team i used mostly throughout ST5 and got pretty high on ladder with a few months ago, your typical offensive team. With a twist.
@ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Flamethrower
- Psychic / Thunderbolt
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
I remember when Azelf leads were running rampant everywhere. There was good reason for that, Azelf can get SR up easily and consistently and go out with a bang.
Thunderbolt was given the nod over psychic generally in most of the teams playing, for being able to hit random gyara leads / bulky waters i'd usually explode on. Thunderbolt is also a pretty nice 3hko on most Heatran. Psychic 3HKOs Rotom A that runs 252 HP, so i used it a few times.
Flamethrower takes Skarm and Forretress nicely. Explosion is great for denting random shit i need to take care of late game and since most smart players never Protect Bliss first turn from experience, Explosion paves the way for a Heatran sweep occasionally.
Azelf is also a consistent Pursuit magnet, which allows Heatran to get a free switch in against Scizor and Tar to cause large amounts of trouble. All of Azelf's weaknesses are covered by Heatran, and Dark and Bug attacks are often choiced, which also aids in Heatran getting a free substitute. Dark attacks also give Machamp a free Substitute to sit behind where it can spam Dynamic Punchs to weaken an opposing core for late game or weaken the Gyarados that loves to switch into it.
One of Azelf's greatest assets is the fact that is a fantastic lead against stall. Hippowdon can only Roar / Ice Fang as Azelf sets up rocks and chips away at its health. Forretress, another somewhat common stall lead, cannot take a chance of Rapid Spin or set up hazards, and if it does, the opposing Rapid Spinner / Spiker is killed off. At the time this team was used, Azelf was also a solid lead against bulky offense and offense, so it got the nod over any other lead I would have used, like Aerodactyl or Machmap (the original lead).
@ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 16 Atk/252 Spd/240 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Earthquake
- Outrage / Brick Break
I'll start off by saying this is the best wallbreaker i have ever used. Fast Mixmence is great for outspeeding random stuff that would never expect it. Outrage was generally used over Brick Break for a great late game sweeping move, but Brick Break means I have a much easier time around SkarmBliss without relying very heavily on prediction using Flamethrower / Outrage and can easily make mistakes.
Draco Meteor off 316 Special Attack is a sever dent in anything not resisting it, and if it does, i can bludgeon it with Flamethrower / Earthquake. Speaking of Flamethrower, i have previously used Fire Blast since after a Draco Meteor my Flamethrower was proving to be too weak, but that was changed after a few crucial misses. Salamence is also one of my 2 fighting resists, and with the other being a suicide lead, Salamence is often the only one, and its Stealth Rock weakness is a hamper. Nonetheless, Salamence is my lone Lucario check, being able to switch in on the Swords Dance and take the Extreme Speed and Earthquake for the OHKO, living with about 15-20%. This is certainly not my only way of beating Lucario, but it is my best shot early game without losing too many pokemon that are key to my team.
@ Lum Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/40 Atk/216 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Pursuit
- Explosion
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
This is probably the first time youve seen this in quite a while. Lum Berry + Pursuit and Bullet Punch give me a very nice Gengar check. Careful nature + the EVs mean Timid Heatran Fire Blast won't OHKO without Stealth Rock. Shuca Berry was used when i used Gyarados in the last slot over Flygon, mainly to help with DDMence and opposing Agiligross weak i opened in doing that.
Lum Berry allows me to scout random TWaves / Will O Wisps / other status moves and make my move accordingly. Although i didn't ladder much since Latias was unbanned, this is a very nice Latias check on paper, Pursuit breaks the sub and i will have to predict around it from there. Metagross also provides great synergy with Salamence, taking Choice locked Dragon and Ice attacks and slowly chipping away at the oppositions health. While it may not seem it, Metagross is really the glue that holds my team together. Without Metagross, Gengar could be a huge problem late game, but with Metagross i can easily Pursuit it into a premature grave. Metagross also acts as my lure to Blissey against stall. Most Blissey will Protect as I Pursuit and then stay in to take the Pursuit only to be met with Explosion. This allows the monster known as Heatran to rear its head be a general nuissance.
Explosion is still powerful with only 40 Atk EVs, OHKOing Bliss / most Swampert / weakened Hippowdons. Bullet Punch has saved me numerous times when this was the last mon on my team and the opposing team was extremely weakened. Metagross is the first of the 2 steels on this team. Metagross was given the nod over Scizor because its Pursuit is much more unexpected and it only has a 2x fire weakness as opposed to 4x. Metagross also packs Explosion for a last ditch effort.
@ Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Grass] / Explosion
- Fire Blast
- Substitute
Always the most valuable mon without question. This set rips through the metagame with all the free switch ins / switches it causes. Hidden Power is a 2HKO on most bulky waters such as Vaporeon and really smacks around Swampert, otherwise a very reliable SubTran check. Dragon Pulse has been an option, but seeing as Fire Blast is 2HKOing all dragons barring Kingdra with SR down, i didn't feel it was needed. Explosion is pretty good in the times when i used it, but i feel Hidden Power Grass worked a lot better.
Earth Power 2HKOs Tentacruel / un SpDef heavy Tar, which is always nice. Substitute is great when i need to ease prediction, and with all the choice locked pursuits / fire blasts / bullet punchs flying around, i find a way to make good use out of them. After Azelf has exploded on Bliss / Snorlax, this almost literally has "no counters". I also recommend you try this set before knocking on it, as it really is a great set that tears through no Bliss teams.
@ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 216 HP/252 Atk/40 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Stone Edge
- Payback
- Substitute
Thank you so much Dawnbringer for showing me this set. Machamp is another mon that is constantly causing switches, as most pokemon wouldnt stay in on it in their right minds (hi Blissey). Once behind a substitute, i have a 3 weapon arsenal. Dynamic Punch and it's awesome power / confusion rate help a lot here, and occasionally allow me to stay behind my sub, which means random Gyara / Mence can't Intimidate me. Speaking of them, Stone Edge bashes both extremely hard after Stealth Rock damage has been taken. Payback is a solid 2HKO on Rotom A Restalk variants, and an OHKO on Scarf variants as well, and Substitute blocks Will O Wisp. Another set you would have to try before knocking. Also, this is an absolute monster against stall.
@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- U turn
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
Weak link to be honest. Usually use this solely for revenge killing and is almost always the last mon i show to my opponent. Gyara was used here quite a few times to beat Luke / Mamo / the physical force that was troubling my team. However, Gyara gave me a horrible charge beam jolteon weakness, which Flygon covers quite nicely. Anyway, I'd like a suggestion as to what should go over Flygon here, as i really only find it useful for revenge killing Mence / Agiligross.
In experimenting with other Pokemon in this slot, I have found that Flygon is a Pokemon that belongs in this team. Without it I am weak to many threats. Even though it lacks a lot of signifigant power, it forces a lot of switchs with U turn and is my sole electric immunity, which my team crumbles without.
Sorry if the descriptions are not all there, I find it troubling to explain every single set in great detail and therefore perfer to just write what i feel is needed.
Also, shout outs to everyone in this thread.
Jimbo- ok i've known you since Nov '07 when i joined Smogon and your definetely the coolest person i've ever met on the internet. Thanks for all the support you gave me, it really helped.
KG- Ive known you about a year now, and the amount you have grown is sensational. You also gave me a lot of support throughout the tournament.
jumpluff- ^_^ misaki is awesome (i have to put her in here) and for 5 starring this like 30 seconds after i posted rofl
Dawnbringer- you can be harsh at times but at least your usually right when you are heh. Thanks for the team building help over the summer whenever i needed it, and i know when you call me gay you really love me.
Beej and adub_banded- the greatest tutees i could ever ask for.
Twash- support <3
Limitless- cool guy
Stathakis- cool dude, also pretty fucking fast lol
Locopoke- for giving me a challenging final that was almost literally based on a coin flip at the end
Legacy Raider- cool guy
Thorns- for giving me an extremely challenging r1 match!
Blue Kirby- for allowing me to become a tutor and being a great guy in general
Sonius- for running a great tournament.
SoT- for being not as cool as Jimbo.
If anyone else thinks they should be in there, just PM me please; i don't want the thread being cluttered with un needed responses.
-The View From Saturday
This is the team i used mostly throughout ST5 and got pretty high on ladder with a few months ago, your typical offensive team. With a twist.
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Flamethrower
- Psychic / Thunderbolt
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
I remember when Azelf leads were running rampant everywhere. There was good reason for that, Azelf can get SR up easily and consistently and go out with a bang.
Thunderbolt was given the nod over psychic generally in most of the teams playing, for being able to hit random gyara leads / bulky waters i'd usually explode on. Thunderbolt is also a pretty nice 3hko on most Heatran. Psychic 3HKOs Rotom A that runs 252 HP, so i used it a few times.
Flamethrower takes Skarm and Forretress nicely. Explosion is great for denting random shit i need to take care of late game and since most smart players never Protect Bliss first turn from experience, Explosion paves the way for a Heatran sweep occasionally.
Azelf is also a consistent Pursuit magnet, which allows Heatran to get a free switch in against Scizor and Tar to cause large amounts of trouble. All of Azelf's weaknesses are covered by Heatran, and Dark and Bug attacks are often choiced, which also aids in Heatran getting a free substitute. Dark attacks also give Machamp a free Substitute to sit behind where it can spam Dynamic Punchs to weaken an opposing core for late game or weaken the Gyarados that loves to switch into it.
One of Azelf's greatest assets is the fact that is a fantastic lead against stall. Hippowdon can only Roar / Ice Fang as Azelf sets up rocks and chips away at its health. Forretress, another somewhat common stall lead, cannot take a chance of Rapid Spin or set up hazards, and if it does, the opposing Rapid Spinner / Spiker is killed off. At the time this team was used, Azelf was also a solid lead against bulky offense and offense, so it got the nod over any other lead I would have used, like Aerodactyl or Machmap (the original lead).
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 16 Atk/252 Spd/240 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Earthquake
- Outrage / Brick Break
I'll start off by saying this is the best wallbreaker i have ever used. Fast Mixmence is great for outspeeding random stuff that would never expect it. Outrage was generally used over Brick Break for a great late game sweeping move, but Brick Break means I have a much easier time around SkarmBliss without relying very heavily on prediction using Flamethrower / Outrage and can easily make mistakes.
Draco Meteor off 316 Special Attack is a sever dent in anything not resisting it, and if it does, i can bludgeon it with Flamethrower / Earthquake. Speaking of Flamethrower, i have previously used Fire Blast since after a Draco Meteor my Flamethrower was proving to be too weak, but that was changed after a few crucial misses. Salamence is also one of my 2 fighting resists, and with the other being a suicide lead, Salamence is often the only one, and its Stealth Rock weakness is a hamper. Nonetheless, Salamence is my lone Lucario check, being able to switch in on the Swords Dance and take the Extreme Speed and Earthquake for the OHKO, living with about 15-20%. This is certainly not my only way of beating Lucario, but it is my best shot early game without losing too many pokemon that are key to my team.
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/40 Atk/216 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Pursuit
- Explosion
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
This is probably the first time youve seen this in quite a while. Lum Berry + Pursuit and Bullet Punch give me a very nice Gengar check. Careful nature + the EVs mean Timid Heatran Fire Blast won't OHKO without Stealth Rock. Shuca Berry was used when i used Gyarados in the last slot over Flygon, mainly to help with DDMence and opposing Agiligross weak i opened in doing that.
Lum Berry allows me to scout random TWaves / Will O Wisps / other status moves and make my move accordingly. Although i didn't ladder much since Latias was unbanned, this is a very nice Latias check on paper, Pursuit breaks the sub and i will have to predict around it from there. Metagross also provides great synergy with Salamence, taking Choice locked Dragon and Ice attacks and slowly chipping away at the oppositions health. While it may not seem it, Metagross is really the glue that holds my team together. Without Metagross, Gengar could be a huge problem late game, but with Metagross i can easily Pursuit it into a premature grave. Metagross also acts as my lure to Blissey against stall. Most Blissey will Protect as I Pursuit and then stay in to take the Pursuit only to be met with Explosion. This allows the monster known as Heatran to rear its head be a general nuissance.
Explosion is still powerful with only 40 Atk EVs, OHKOing Bliss / most Swampert / weakened Hippowdons. Bullet Punch has saved me numerous times when this was the last mon on my team and the opposing team was extremely weakened. Metagross is the first of the 2 steels on this team. Metagross was given the nod over Scizor because its Pursuit is much more unexpected and it only has a 2x fire weakness as opposed to 4x. Metagross also packs Explosion for a last ditch effort.
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Grass] / Explosion
- Fire Blast
- Substitute
Always the most valuable mon without question. This set rips through the metagame with all the free switch ins / switches it causes. Hidden Power is a 2HKO on most bulky waters such as Vaporeon and really smacks around Swampert, otherwise a very reliable SubTran check. Dragon Pulse has been an option, but seeing as Fire Blast is 2HKOing all dragons barring Kingdra with SR down, i didn't feel it was needed. Explosion is pretty good in the times when i used it, but i feel Hidden Power Grass worked a lot better.
Earth Power 2HKOs Tentacruel / un SpDef heavy Tar, which is always nice. Substitute is great when i need to ease prediction, and with all the choice locked pursuits / fire blasts / bullet punchs flying around, i find a way to make good use out of them. After Azelf has exploded on Bliss / Snorlax, this almost literally has "no counters". I also recommend you try this set before knocking on it, as it really is a great set that tears through no Bliss teams.
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 216 HP/252 Atk/40 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Stone Edge
- Payback
- Substitute
Thank you so much Dawnbringer for showing me this set. Machamp is another mon that is constantly causing switches, as most pokemon wouldnt stay in on it in their right minds (hi Blissey). Once behind a substitute, i have a 3 weapon arsenal. Dynamic Punch and it's awesome power / confusion rate help a lot here, and occasionally allow me to stay behind my sub, which means random Gyara / Mence can't Intimidate me. Speaking of them, Stone Edge bashes both extremely hard after Stealth Rock damage has been taken. Payback is a solid 2HKO on Rotom A Restalk variants, and an OHKO on Scarf variants as well, and Substitute blocks Will O Wisp. Another set you would have to try before knocking. Also, this is an absolute monster against stall.
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- U turn
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
Weak link to be honest. Usually use this solely for revenge killing and is almost always the last mon i show to my opponent. Gyara was used here quite a few times to beat Luke / Mamo / the physical force that was troubling my team. However, Gyara gave me a horrible charge beam jolteon weakness, which Flygon covers quite nicely. Anyway, I'd like a suggestion as to what should go over Flygon here, as i really only find it useful for revenge killing Mence / Agiligross.
In experimenting with other Pokemon in this slot, I have found that Flygon is a Pokemon that belongs in this team. Without it I am weak to many threats. Even though it lacks a lot of signifigant power, it forces a lot of switchs with U turn and is my sole electric immunity, which my team crumbles without.
Sorry if the descriptions are not all there, I find it troubling to explain every single set in great detail and therefore perfer to just write what i feel is needed.
Also, shout outs to everyone in this thread.
Jimbo- ok i've known you since Nov '07 when i joined Smogon and your definetely the coolest person i've ever met on the internet. Thanks for all the support you gave me, it really helped.
KG- Ive known you about a year now, and the amount you have grown is sensational. You also gave me a lot of support throughout the tournament.
jumpluff- ^_^ misaki is awesome (i have to put her in here) and for 5 starring this like 30 seconds after i posted rofl
Dawnbringer- you can be harsh at times but at least your usually right when you are heh. Thanks for the team building help over the summer whenever i needed it, and i know when you call me gay you really love me.
Beej and adub_banded- the greatest tutees i could ever ask for.
Twash- support <3
Limitless- cool guy
Stathakis- cool dude, also pretty fucking fast lol
Locopoke- for giving me a challenging final that was almost literally based on a coin flip at the end
Legacy Raider- cool guy
Thorns- for giving me an extremely challenging r1 match!
Blue Kirby- for allowing me to become a tutor and being a great guy in general
Sonius- for running a great tournament.
SoT- for being not as cool as Jimbo.
If anyone else thinks they should be in there, just PM me please; i don't want the thread being cluttered with un needed responses.
