Introduction:
When the CCAT was first introduced a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to be apart of it. The team came from many ideas from the Smogon community, whether it was someone suggesting a Zapdos for T-wave support, lead Jirachi with Body Slam, or even an offensive Latias with HP Fire to lure in Scizor, this team has been supported by many people. With a focus on primarily physical attacks, the opponent's defensive beasts are worn down by repeated hits. After the counters are worn down, Heracross has a much easier time sweeping the team, as it doesn't have to worry about those threats as much. The whole team was made with the intention of letting Heracross have a solid chance to sweep, and whether he's breaking open midgame, or sweeping towards the end, he plays a major role in the team.
At a glance:
Up close:
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP/80 Atk/176 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Wish
- Body Slam
- Iron Head
Jirachi starts the team off on a high note. There are a few reasons to run this set instead of the classic hax-Rachi set used by most battlers. The Stealth Rock is obvious, as most leads set up rocks, but the wish more incorporates the layout of the team. One reason is that 2/3 of this team gets hit by Spikes, while ½ of the team takes unfortunate damage from SR, and as stated most leads set up rocks, or else some other Pokemon on their team does. The other reason is because Heracross runs Flame Orb to activate the guts, and with the burn, its HP gets worn down fast. The last two move choices are obvious, because all Jirachi’s must have some form of hax. This moveset counters most Pokemon, as it is fast enough to set up rocks first, just in case they end up attacking first, and although it can switch out and heal a teammate, it can also deal some damage itself.
Rotom-S @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 232 SpA / 212 Spe
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Air Slash
- Substitute
- Discharge
After looking through the comments, another electric resist besides Latias would be beneficial for the team. Rotom-S has the bulk to take hits, serves as a great spin-blocker, and can support with a deadly set. The EVs provided make it so that he hits enough speed to outpace +nature 80's, has enough HP to take a few hits, and the rest for a great Special Attack stat. Instead of using the standard moves HP Fighting and Charge Beam, here's a new Rotom set with great support. With Discharge and Air Slash, you have a hax machine that will piss off anything trying to break through the sub. With a little hax, even Blissey will go down to this! Shadow Ball provides decent coverage alongside Air Slash, and Substitute allows Rotom to scout a little bit.
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
Latias has been so overused since it became OU, and you just can’t resist using it. This is a very different Latias than what people are used to. Its EV spread looks familiar to a Scarfed or offensive Latias, but it has a different moveset, which is designed to take all Scizor abusers by surprise. The Dragon Pulse is obvious, because it needs something to counter its Dragon-type counterparts, but the next two moves are where it gets tricky. The first is Grass Knot, which counters Swampert, and all Water-types staying in for an Ice Beam. The Hidden Power Fire is one of the hardest moves to predict on a Latias. Most battlers see a Latias, and the first thing that comes to mind is a Scizor. This move counters Scizor and can change a battle in an instant. And you can switch this Latias into a Scizor, as long as you have substantial HP left. In all the battles with this team, most featured a Scizor, and all of those Scizor’s ended up fainting to Zapdos or Latias.
Machamp (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 216 HP/252 Atk/40 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Payback
- Stone Edge
- Substitute
Machamp provides great bulk and power for the team in an awesome pokemon. For this one, the Sub-Dynamicpunch set seemed to be the way to go. Being a fighting type he lures in pokemon that are general Heracross counters, such as Rotom, Gliscor, and Gyarados. The HP EVs are more than necessary to set up and stay alive under a substitute. The rest mainly go to Attack, because Machamp is pathetically slow anyways. Payback is to be used for all Psychic-types out there, mainly Azelf and Alakazam, because Dynamicpunch and Payback both do neutral damage to Jirachi, and for Ghost-types who switch in, expecting a Dynamicpunch.. Dynamicpunch is obvious, enough said. Stone Edge is for all the flying types out there, mainly Zapdos and Gyarados if necessary, as it easily 2HKO’s Bulky Gyarados.
Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP/216 Def/40 SpDef
Impish nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Waterfall
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
An interesting take on Restalk Gyara, to be sure. Thunder Wave screws over all the Rotom that love to switch in on this. Gengar hoping to get a free switchin find themselves statused and near useless the rest of the game. Besides Latias, Gyarados is able to take care of many threats to the team, like Lucario and Heatran. Although I am lacking another steel type, Gyara's natural bulk allow it to have some nice switching in ability. Abusing Thunder Wave early game with this can prove beneficial, as Gyarados lures out many pokemon that Heracross has a hell of a time with.
Heracross (M) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
Heracross is the alternative to Scizor on this team, and the reason I chose it is because of the overwhelming difference in Speed, plus the Jolly nature. Running Guts and Flame Orb on this, mainly because there are a bunch of other sweepers it can switch in to and because Jirachi runs Wish. Hera has the ability to switch into an EQ that may be directed at Jirachi in order to heal up. The Night Slash is for all Psychic switch-ins, and Ghosts fearing the Close Combat. The Façade is for whatever Dark and Fighting can’t be used for, and the Flame Orb boost raises it to absolutely deadly power. The fact that it OHKO’s Gliscor and company after an SD proves to be amazing. And if you can get one Swords Dance in with this Heracross, you can sweep an entire team.
Threat List:
Defensive Threats:
Blissey - Jirachi, Machamp and Heracross are all good switch ins though Machamp doesn't like toxic.
Bronzong - Rotom makes a good switch in and can Twave or Shadow Ball.
Celebi - Jirachi is a reliable switch in here and can para flinch it. Heracross destroys it and Rotom can take it on.
Cresselia - Double screen sets are definitely annoying. Heracross can set up and Rotom can screw with it.
Donphan - Latias can switch into EQ and hit it with LO Grass knots. Rotom can take it on well. Machamp can switch into Ice Shard and hit it with Dynamic Punch.
Dusknoir - Another annoying pokemon, especially if it has Toxic (and WoW to a lesser extent). If it comes in while Machamp subs then Payback works fine since status and Pain Split won't get through. Rotom can take chunks out of it.
Forretress - Latias can hit it with HP fire, which is usually not expected. Heracross, Empoleon and Machamp can set up on it. Rotom also has flinch to deal with it.
Gliscor - Latias can switch into EQ and Dragon Pulse. Rotom can switch in and give it a hard time. SD Guts Facade takes care of Gliscor expecting to wall a Choice Heracross.
Gyarados - Handled by Latias and Rotom since defensive variants usually only carry Waterfall.
Hippowdon - Latias can switch in and Dragon Pulse it. Gyarados can Intimidate it to be less of a phsyical problem. An annoying pokemon since SS/SR/Burn damage racks up quickly when Heracross is trying to sweep.
Jirachi - Gyarados can switch into scarf versions without Thunderpunch and set up. Zapdos can also switch into anything besides Ice Punch. CM Versions are a problem. Without Thunderbolt it gets walled by Empoelon but otherwise its hard to take down if it gets a turn to set up. If they are running 3 attacks instead of sub then Jirachi can try to paralyze it. Defensive versions usually have to be paralyzed first to take them on easier.
Rotom-A - If they switch into Machamp then Payback will OHKO scarf versions or 2HKO defensive versions. Latias beats any without Shadow Ball and Rotom can T-Wave any non scarf/rest talk variants as long as they are not beind a sub.
Skarmory - Rotom can switch in easily and threaten a KO. Heracross OHKOs after a SD and Latias can 2HKO with HP Fire.
Snorlax - Machamp can switch in and Dynamic Punch. Heracross can Close Combat. Sleep Talk sets with Body Slam/Crunch taken by Machamp.
Suicune - Rotom hits it hard with Shadow Ball. Empoleon walls Crocune and sets up on it. Latias can also Grass Knot it.
Swampert - Latias can switch in and Grass Knot and Rotom can flinch it. Another annoying pokemon for this team.
Tentacruel - Machamp, Latias and Rotom all take care of this. Toxic Spikes bothers Machamp, but its not too big of a threat.
Tyranitar - Machamp can switch in and Dynamic Punch it. Heracross can set up on the curse sets. Jirachi can also Iron Head it. Gyarados has enough bulk to take a hit and do big damage with Waterfall
Vaporeon - Latias and Rotom both handle Vaporeon pretty well. Heracross can set up on ones sometimes.
Zapdos - Toxic Zapdos is a big threat to this team. Latias handles versions without status pretty well.
Offensive Threats:
Azelf - Lead variants usually switch out from Jirachi since they don't want to risk the 60% flinch. Latias and Rotom can handle it, as well as Rotom taking the boom. Nasty Plot sets are handled by Latias if they are running Grass Knot.
Breloom - This thing will have a hard time switching into the team. Gyarados takes the sleep, then go to Rotom from there to threaten.
Dragonite - If I can get it to outrage then Jirachi can finish it off or hope for a paralysis. Gyarados can status it as well as lower its Attack.
Dugtrio - Nothing can be done here. It might take out Jirachi and Heracross if it has Aerial Ace. Gyarados scares it, as does Rotom.
Electivire - Have to be careful not to let it get a boost. Rotom walls this pretty hard and can Shadow Ball up. Latias and Machamp can take a hit and KO.
Gallade - Rotom can outspeed it and Shadow Ball. Heracross can also KO it. Latias has trouble taking Shadow Sneak if its at low health.
Gengar - A threatening pokemon, it can OHKO anything on the team but everything on the team can threaten it somewhat. Usually something has to take a big hit to KO back or be sacrificed.
Gyarados - Rotom scares this out fairly easily. My own Gyarados can take a hit and status it up. Latias and Machamp can also survive a hit and attack back.
Heatran - One of the biggest threats to this team. Gyarados safely walls it though, and Rotom can take an expected Explosion. Surf seems like a good option on Latias just to handle this thing better. Machamp can take a hit and KO back. Heracross outspeeds non scarf versions.
Heracross - Rotom resists both stab attacks and can hit KO it with an Air Slash. Gyarados does a great job of walling this as well. Jirachi can outspeed and handle non scarf versions well also. Jirachi or Machamp can switch in if I predict a choiced Stone Edge.
Infernape - Gyarados walls the hell out of this thing, only fearing SE or T-Punch. Latias takes just about everything besides LO/CB U-turn well. and Machamp can take a hit and KO back while Empoleon can finish off weakened ones.
Jolteon - Jolteon is a big threat if its played well. With only SR it can switch in quite a few times and fire off Specs Tbolts which only Latias and Rotom can take. As long as it doesn't come in on Gyarados I like to stay in and do as much damage to it as possible. Thunder Waves being thrown around give it an easy time switching in.
Latias - Jirachi handles most sets well. Unfortunately I lose the speed tie with my own Latias since I have HP fire. Machamp can Payback if Latias decides to switch in while I sub. Rotom can threaten a KO with Shadow Ball.
Kingdra - Gyarados walls it fairly well. It doesn't really have a chance to set up on the team either. Status from half the team ruins it as well.
Lucario - Such a big threat that I try to never let it get a SD in. Rotom and Gyara make great switch ins. Jirachi can also outspeed and try to finish it off with a few flinches.
Machamp - It can't really get it safely on this team since nearly everything besides Jirachi can 2HKO it. I might have to sacrifice something to put it into KO range for one of my other pokemon since nothing can really switch into it either.
Magnezone - Sub versions are a pain since they can set up on Jirachi, but scarf versions will usually get paralyzed. Latias can handle it pretty well and nearly eveything else on the team can hit it for super effective damage.
Mamoswine - I need careful switching to take care of this. I'll have to get the LO versions to use Ice Shard or Stone Edge so Jirachi can get in. Gyarados can finish off weaker ones that try to come in and SE.
Metagross - Rotom walls most Metagross, and loves taking the explosions. :D
Porygon-Z - Jirachi can handle choice variants pretty well. Jirachi can try to flinch Nasty Plot ones and Latias can also finish it off if its HP is low enough.
Salamence - Pretty much a scarier version of Dragonite to this team. Same strategy pretty much except the higher base speed makes it harder to handle.
Scizor - Rotom walls it and destroys it. Most Scizor try to switch into Latias and end up eating a HP Fire while they try to U-Turn or Pursuit.
Starmie - A huge threat since LO Starmie outspeeds and 2HKOs everything on the team. It'll have a hard time of switching in though and something like Machamp, Rotom or Latias can hopefully take a hit and KO back. Unfortunately it cleans up this team pretty well late game.
Togekiss - Rotom resists air slash/aura sphere and hits back with T wave. The haxer finds itself getting haxed by Rotom. Jirachi can body slam it to make it easier to handle.
Tyranitar - Machamp handles most mix, DD and CB tars pretty well. Heracross can also revenge mix or Cb sets.
Weavile - Machamp and Jirachi can both switchin and threaten to OHKO.
Yanmega - Rotom resists both STABs and KOs with Air Slash. Most Yanmega tend to use HP Ground over Ice. If it does use HP Ice then Empoleon can wall it and set up. Tinted Lens, Specs sets are harder to handle, but they are outsped and KOd by Latias. I'd consider putting more speed EVs Jirachi if this becomes a problem.
Zapdos - Latias resists everything on the standard offensive set and can hit back with Dragon Pulse.
Credits:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61000
Exclamation Point: For coming up with the idea and topic hosting the first Community Create-A-Team.
M4RVIN10: For helping me write up a lot of the descriptions.
Ryo: For making a very in depth threat list.
Justinawe: For writing up most of the RMT!
Everyone that read this far, I hope you enjoyed this RMT. Rate/Hate/Steal, and thanks for reading!
When the CCAT was first introduced a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to be apart of it. The team came from many ideas from the Smogon community, whether it was someone suggesting a Zapdos for T-wave support, lead Jirachi with Body Slam, or even an offensive Latias with HP Fire to lure in Scizor, this team has been supported by many people. With a focus on primarily physical attacks, the opponent's defensive beasts are worn down by repeated hits. After the counters are worn down, Heracross has a much easier time sweeping the team, as it doesn't have to worry about those threats as much. The whole team was made with the intention of letting Heracross have a solid chance to sweep, and whether he's breaking open midgame, or sweeping towards the end, he plays a major role in the team.
At a glance:
Up close:
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP/80 Atk/176 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Wish
- Body Slam
- Iron Head
Jirachi starts the team off on a high note. There are a few reasons to run this set instead of the classic hax-Rachi set used by most battlers. The Stealth Rock is obvious, as most leads set up rocks, but the wish more incorporates the layout of the team. One reason is that 2/3 of this team gets hit by Spikes, while ½ of the team takes unfortunate damage from SR, and as stated most leads set up rocks, or else some other Pokemon on their team does. The other reason is because Heracross runs Flame Orb to activate the guts, and with the burn, its HP gets worn down fast. The last two move choices are obvious, because all Jirachi’s must have some form of hax. This moveset counters most Pokemon, as it is fast enough to set up rocks first, just in case they end up attacking first, and although it can switch out and heal a teammate, it can also deal some damage itself.
Rotom-S @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 232 SpA / 212 Spe
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Air Slash
- Substitute
- Discharge
After looking through the comments, another electric resist besides Latias would be beneficial for the team. Rotom-S has the bulk to take hits, serves as a great spin-blocker, and can support with a deadly set. The EVs provided make it so that he hits enough speed to outpace +nature 80's, has enough HP to take a few hits, and the rest for a great Special Attack stat. Instead of using the standard moves HP Fighting and Charge Beam, here's a new Rotom set with great support. With Discharge and Air Slash, you have a hax machine that will piss off anything trying to break through the sub. With a little hax, even Blissey will go down to this! Shadow Ball provides decent coverage alongside Air Slash, and Substitute allows Rotom to scout a little bit.
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
Latias has been so overused since it became OU, and you just can’t resist using it. This is a very different Latias than what people are used to. Its EV spread looks familiar to a Scarfed or offensive Latias, but it has a different moveset, which is designed to take all Scizor abusers by surprise. The Dragon Pulse is obvious, because it needs something to counter its Dragon-type counterparts, but the next two moves are where it gets tricky. The first is Grass Knot, which counters Swampert, and all Water-types staying in for an Ice Beam. The Hidden Power Fire is one of the hardest moves to predict on a Latias. Most battlers see a Latias, and the first thing that comes to mind is a Scizor. This move counters Scizor and can change a battle in an instant. And you can switch this Latias into a Scizor, as long as you have substantial HP left. In all the battles with this team, most featured a Scizor, and all of those Scizor’s ended up fainting to Zapdos or Latias.
Machamp (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 216 HP/252 Atk/40 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Payback
- Stone Edge
- Substitute
Machamp provides great bulk and power for the team in an awesome pokemon. For this one, the Sub-Dynamicpunch set seemed to be the way to go. Being a fighting type he lures in pokemon that are general Heracross counters, such as Rotom, Gliscor, and Gyarados. The HP EVs are more than necessary to set up and stay alive under a substitute. The rest mainly go to Attack, because Machamp is pathetically slow anyways. Payback is to be used for all Psychic-types out there, mainly Azelf and Alakazam, because Dynamicpunch and Payback both do neutral damage to Jirachi, and for Ghost-types who switch in, expecting a Dynamicpunch.. Dynamicpunch is obvious, enough said. Stone Edge is for all the flying types out there, mainly Zapdos and Gyarados if necessary, as it easily 2HKO’s Bulky Gyarados.
Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP/216 Def/40 SpDef
Impish nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Waterfall
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
An interesting take on Restalk Gyara, to be sure. Thunder Wave screws over all the Rotom that love to switch in on this. Gengar hoping to get a free switchin find themselves statused and near useless the rest of the game. Besides Latias, Gyarados is able to take care of many threats to the team, like Lucario and Heatran. Although I am lacking another steel type, Gyara's natural bulk allow it to have some nice switching in ability. Abusing Thunder Wave early game with this can prove beneficial, as Gyarados lures out many pokemon that Heracross has a hell of a time with.
Heracross (M) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
Heracross is the alternative to Scizor on this team, and the reason I chose it is because of the overwhelming difference in Speed, plus the Jolly nature. Running Guts and Flame Orb on this, mainly because there are a bunch of other sweepers it can switch in to and because Jirachi runs Wish. Hera has the ability to switch into an EQ that may be directed at Jirachi in order to heal up. The Night Slash is for all Psychic switch-ins, and Ghosts fearing the Close Combat. The Façade is for whatever Dark and Fighting can’t be used for, and the Flame Orb boost raises it to absolutely deadly power. The fact that it OHKO’s Gliscor and company after an SD proves to be amazing. And if you can get one Swords Dance in with this Heracross, you can sweep an entire team.
Threat List:
Defensive Threats:
Offensive Threats:
Credits:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61000
Exclamation Point: For coming up with the idea and topic hosting the first Community Create-A-Team.
M4RVIN10: For helping me write up a lot of the descriptions.
Ryo: For making a very in depth threat list.
Justinawe: For writing up most of the RMT!
Everyone that read this far, I hope you enjoyed this RMT. Rate/Hate/Steal, and thanks for reading!
