I was playing on the suspect ladder one day, and I came across a very close battle, and I've been wanting to write a second warstory for a while.
This is my team. Admittedly it is a little bog standard, certainly adhering to the steel-dragon core that litters today's metagame. It's bog standard, but it doesnt matter, since it's worked very well for me. It's bulky offense, with 0 setup sweepers, something rare for my teams. Instead it focuses on taking them down piece by piece.
My opponent's team will be hidden until the end.
Rules: Ladder Match, Sleep Clause, Freeze Clause, OHKO Clause, Evasion Clause, Species Clause, Strict Damage Clause, Soul Dew Clause
The Battle:
GIGANORMOUS sent out Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
Boredomisbliss sent out Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
100%------100%
And the battle begins. I use a standard scarfrachi lead, and my opponent has an Infernape. Overall this is a bad matchup for me, since they have a 40% chance of fire blasting me, in which case I don’t get my rocks up. And I don’t think I 2hko him anyways. In any case, I already know what I am going to do (well, as soon as he fakes me out): U-turn to Latias.
Jirachi used U-turn.
It's not very effective...
Infernape lost 8% of its health.
Boredomisbliss switched in Latias (lvl 100 Latias ?).
Infernape used Stealth Rock.
Pointed stones float in the air around the foe's team!
----
100%-------92%
Well, I can already tell my opponent is conservative, seeking to get his rocks up as soon as possible instead of attempting a Jirachi KO. I also have doubts now as to whether he actually has fake out. In any case, my Jirachi has already broken his sash, so here we go:
GIGANORMOUS switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Latias used Draco Meteor.
It's not very effective...
Jirachi lost 30% of its health.
Latias's special attack was harshly lowered.
----
100%-------70%
(-2 SpA)---_______
Drat. Now I know my opponent is a conservative player. Other players would have let their suicide lead die, but this opponent doesnt want to take the risk. In any case, he has switched in Jirachi. Now, my Latias has Hidden Power Fire, but at -2 Special attack I'm not going to be able to do anything to that Jirachi. So what kind of a Jirachi is it? It could be a scarf version, or a subCM version, or a parahax version. It could be the first or the third, but probably not the second, since its way too early for that kind of thing. And no toxic spikes yet. So I switch to my favorite death fodder/whatever absorber, Jirachi. If he u-turns, I am not in a bad position, since I have my own U-turn.
Boredomisbliss switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Pointed stones dug into Jirachi.
Jirachi lost 6% of its health.
Jirachi used U-turn.
Jirachi lost 20% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS switched in Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
----
74%--------92%
Aha. Now its the exact same thing as the first turn, except we are both down a bit of hp, but he has stealth rocks. The next move is pretty obvious. He might expect me to put up rocks, but then I'm vulnerable to a switch, and he can fire blast me. In any case I think he is going to fire blast me, so I will repeat:
Jirachi used U-turn.
It's not very effective...
Infernape lost 8% of its health.
Boredomisbliss switched in Latias (lvl 100 Latias ?).
Pointed stones dug into Latias.
Latias lost 12% of its health.
Infernape used Fire Blast.
It's not very effective...
Latias lost 24% of its health.
---
64%--------92%
Now I have an advantageous position. He knows I am going to attempt another Draco Meteor, or otherwise I could use Hidden Power Fire for the predicted Jirachi? Either way, my opponent has proven himself very conserative so far, and I know he is going to switch. So what move do I do? I don't want to nerf my Special Attack to fire off another Draco Meteor, and Hidden Power Fire isn't exactly the best option. So I choose Recover. Whatever comes in, Latias wants to be as healthy as possible.
GIGANORMOUS switched in Manaphy (lvl 100 Manaphy).
Latias used Recover.
Latias restored 36% of its health.
---
100%------100%
Looks like I have made a pretty good prediction. At 64%, I would be within Ice Beam's KO range, but now I am not. My Latias's last attack is Thunderbolt, which hits Manaphy for super effective. Thunderbolt it is:
GIGANORMOUS switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Latias used Thunderbolt.
Jirachi lost 31% of its health.
---
100%-------39%
Aha, and he brings in Jirachi again. As of now, I know he is a scarf variant, and he is going to U-turn. Now, I know that he is going to use U-turn, which won't come close to OHKOing me, but I need some idea what the switchin is. I could use Draco Meteor, Hidden Power Fire, or Thunderbolt. Draco Meteor was instantly dismissed, as again, I don't want to nerf my Special Attack in such a bad situation. I could Thunderbolt to hit something, or I could use Hidden Power Fire to hit a generic something, or even Jirachi if it stays to Iron Head me (in which case I switch in Magnezone). So Hidden Power Fire it is:
Jirachi used U-turn.
It's super effective!
Latias lost 55% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Latias used Hidden Power.
It's not very effective...
Garchomp lost 12% of its health.
---
45%--------88%
Ouch. Draco Meteor would have been the smart move there. Now, whatever happens, there is only ONE reason he would bring in garchomp into Latias: It's scarfed. And that means he is going to use a Dragon attack to bring her down. Well, if there's one way to use a locked dragon move to my advantage it is to set up stealth rock:
Boredomisbliss switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Pointed stones dug into Jirachi.
Jirachi lost 6% of its health.
Garchomp used Outrage.
Garchomp went on a rampage!
It's not very effective...
Jirachi lost 28% of its health.
---
40%--------88%
__________________(Locked into Outrage)
Excellent, Outrage means he cannot switch. Rocks up:
Jirachi used Stealth Rock.
Pointed stones float in the air around the foe's team!
Garchomp used Outrage.
It's not very effective...
Jirachi lost 27% of its health.
---
13%--------88%
__________________(Locked into Outrage)
Now, both of us are locked into a bad move. He is still locked into Outrage, and he will inevitably switch after that. So I intend to take advantage of that switch, and deal some damage at the same time. My Choice Band Scizor is the obvious choice, it has the bulk to take an Outrage to the face, and U-turn on the switch.
Boredomisbliss switched in Scizor (lvl 100 Scizor ?).
Pointed stones dug into Scizor.
Scizor lost 12% of its health.
Garchomp used Outrage.
It's not very effective...
Scizor lost 33% of its health.
Garchomp's rampage ended.
Garchomp became confused!
---
55%--------88%
___________(Confused)
He is going to switch, no way he is staying in. U-turn:
GIGANORMOUS switched in Skarmory (lvl 100 Skarmory ?).
Pointed stones dug into Skarmory.
Skarmory lost 12% of its health.
Scizor used U-turn.
It's not very effective...
Skarmory lost 10% of its health.
55%--------78%
So obvious what my switch is. Can anybody say Magnezone?
Boredomisbliss switched in Magnezone (lvl 100 Magnezone).
Pointed stones dug into Magnezone.
Magnezone lost 6% of its health.
Magnezone's leftovers restored its health a little!
Magnezone restored 6% of its health.
---
100%-------78%
Now I have the total advantage. He fears the OHKO with thunderbolt, which of course, is why he opted to use shed shell over leftovers (or wacan berry who knows?). So that means a switch is coming, so I will use substitute, since this is a sub-version.
GIGANORMOUS switched in Latias (lvl 100 Latias ?).
Pointed stones dug into Latias.
Latias lost 12% of its health.
Magnezone used Substitute.
Magnezone lost 25% of its health.
Magnezone made a substitute!
Latias's leftovers restored its health a little!
Latias restored 6% of its health.
Magnezone's leftovers restored its health a little!
Magnezone restored 6% of its health.
---
81%--------94%
(Substitute)______________
Again, the item can tell so much about a pokemon. The leftovers tell me this is a bulky Latias, probably Calm Mind, as opposed to a more offensive version like Life Orb or Scarf. Now Latias gives my team a little trouble, not much though, and judging from what I've seen I shouldn't have too much trouble with Scizors. So now the choice is obvious, I can go hurt it with Hidden Power Ice, since I am paranoid about it having Substitute (Yes, I have seen those before), or I can explode for the OHKO. Either way, if I use Hidden Power, he might just break my sub and switch, so explode it is:
Latias used Calm Mind.
Latias's special attack was raised.
Latias's special defence was raised.
Magnezone used Explosion.
Latias lost 87% of its health.
Boredomisbliss's Magnezone fainted.
Latias's leftovers restored its health a little!
Latias restored 6% of its health.
0%---------13%
________________(+1 SpA, +1 SpD)
Erm, never mind about that OHKO.
Score: 5-6
---
Well, Magnezone did not achieve the OHKO, I was hoping for, but it did leave Latias a sitting duck for a hit from a faster threat, such as a U-turn my Jirachi. Well. Actually my Jirachi has 13% left, just enough for 2 switches, so they better be worth it. And this is pretty worth it:
Boredomisbliss switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Pointed stones dug into Jirachi.
Jirachi lost 6% of its health.
7%--------13%
U-turn:
GIGANORMOUS switched in Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
Pointed stones dug into Infernape.
Infernape lost 12% of its health.
7%--------72%
Wow. His conservativeness shows up YET AGAIN. Right now, that Latias is near useless, pretty much killed by stealth rock, and a smidge at best. So now he's got his Infernape again, which means another inevitable switch to Latias, since she has the absolute advantage over this monkey:
Jirachi used U-turn.
It's not very effective...
Infernape lost 8% of its health.
Boredomisbliss switched in Latias (lvl 100 Latias ?).
Pointed stones dug into Latias.
Latias lost 12% of its health.
---
33%--------72%
Now, again I have to decide what to do. His initial swithins to Latias have been Jirachi, but the Jirachi is nearly dead, dead after a switch into either Draco Meteor OR Thunderbolt. However, I'm looking at that 33% health and thinking that it's way too low to accomplish anything. Besides, if he really wants to be conservative, he is going to switch anyways. The best way for me to take advantage of a switch is to Recover:
Infernape used Fake Out.
Latias lost 14% of its health.
Latias flinched!
---
19%--------72%
If anything made me want to recover more, that was it. Although, why didn't he Fake Out the first turn?...
GIGANORMOUS switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Pointed stones dug into Jirachi.
Jirachi lost 6% of its health.
Latias used Recover.
Latias restored 50% of its health.
---
69%-------33%
How obvious is it that he is going to use U-turn? Now, my own initial switch, Jirachi, is going to die to U-turn, and I'd rather save it to revenge Latias or something again. I take a quick check back at his team, and see that nothing there can really stand up to Latias, so I would be in a better position to have Latias stay in. Now, his U-turn won't KO me barring a critical hit, so I can recover and expect not to die:
Jirachi used U-turn.
It's super effective!
Latias lost 50% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS switched in Latias (lvl 100 Latias ?).
Pointed stones dug into Latias.
Latias lost 12% of its health.
Latias used Recover.
Latias restored 50% of its health.
Latias's leftovers restored its health a little!
Latias restored 6% of its health.
---
69%-----------6%
He probably intended for his Latias to be death fodder, so he could revenge it with Jirachi, except that I stayed in. Now, I'm not sure that Latias, even with a Haban Berry, can survive a Draco Meteor, and there is no way I am risking the speed tie, especially since its a CM version and probably does not have Hidden Power Fire. So I switch my favorite death fodder:
Boredomisbliss switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Pointed stones dug into Jirachi.
Jirachi lost 6% of its health.
Latias used Dragon Pulse.
It's not very effective...
Jirachi lost 0% of its health.
Boredomisbliss's Jirachi fainted.
Latias's leftovers restored its health a little!
Latias restored 6% of its health.
Score: 4-6
I have not killed anything yet, but right now, I have seen a lot of his team, and its pretty weak. Here's the recap:
My Team:
(Fainted) -- (69%) -- (Fainted) -- (55%)
His team:
(72%) ---- (33%) ---- (100%) ---- (88%) ---- (78%) ---- (13%)
As you can see, I still have 2 unrevealed pokemon: 2 out of my 3 Dragons, the critical portion of my offensive core. Just glancing at his team, my Latias can take it on entirely, provided it has over ~60% it can take Garchomp's Outrage due to Haban. His Latias will die upon switching back in.
---
So anyways, now what to revenge kill with? Latias is a nono, since I want to keep that Haban Berry. Salamence? Am I stupid? Scizor would have to bullet punch, which is unfortunately resited by 4 of his pokemon, and thus be setup fodder. So Garchomp it is:
Boredomisbliss switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Pointed stones dug into Garchomp.
94%--------13%
Dragon Claw:
Garchomp lost 6% of its health.
Garchomp used Dragon Claw.
It's super effective!
Latias lost 13% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS's Latias fainted.
---
Score: 4-5
---
GIGANORMOUS switched in Skarmory (lvl 100 Skarmory ?).
Pointed stones dug into Skarmory.
Skarmory lost 12% of its health.
94%--------66%
Aha. Smart switchin on his part. Since I am clearly locked onto Dragon Claw, he has total freedom in setting up spikes. I have to stop him, so I could either go to my Latias or my Salamence. Now, Salamence is still unrevealed so I want to lean away from using him. Latias it is:
Boredomisbliss switched in Latias (lvl 100 Latias ?).
Pointed stones dug into Latias.
Latias lost 12% of its health.
Skarmory used Spikes.
Spikes were scattered around the foe's team!
---
56%--------66%
So I have 1 layer of spikes, in addition to stealth rock. That means, Scizor and Garchomp will be limited in their switchins now. Now, I could either KO Skarmory with Thunderbolt, which would be the obvious choice. Of course, he has a Garchomp, which could conceivably run through my entire team with Outrage, since it can 2HKO Scizor after residual damage has piled up, with a very real chance of OHKOing on the switch. So I have to predict it and Recover, to take full advantage of my Haban Berry:
Latias used Recover.
Latias restored 44% of its health.
Skarmory used Brave Bird.
Latias lost 45% of its health.
Skarmory was hit by recoil!
Skarmory lost 14% of its health.
---
55%--------51%
That was unfortunate, probably the least conservative move he has made all day. I am stuck with the same dilemma as last time, do I Recover or Thunderbolt? I could keep stalling until he kills himself in 4 hits, but there is a very real chance of him landing a critical hit. Still, I can't keep stalling this out:
Latias used Thunderbolt.
It's super effective!
Skarmory lost 51% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS's Skarmory fainted.
---
Score: 4-4
---
55%--------27%
GIGANORMOUS switched in Jirachi (lvl 100 Jirachi).
Pointed stones dug into Jirachi.
Jirachi lost 6% of its health.
Ack. The Jirachi. That 27% actually leaves him in KO range for Hidden Power Fire, but I'd have to take a U-turn to the face, and uselessly hit the possible Garchomp switch. I can't leave Latias in. Right now she is the glue that will lead me to victory. So I have to switch, but who to? Salamence will be cornered by Garchomp, and Scizor will be severly damaged, and wont be able to switch back in. Garchomp is reasonably bulky, and is pretty healthy, so that's my choice.
Boredomisbliss switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Pointed stones dug into Garchomp.
Garchomp lost 6% of its health.
Garchomp was hurt by Spikes!
Garchomp lost 12% of its health.
Jirachi used Iron Head.
Garchomp lost 35% of its health.
---
41%--------27%
Ouch. That actually kind of hurt. So far he has been playing conservatively, but lately he's been playing much less conservatively. Either way, I can't afford to mispredict, since Iron Head will leave me dead once I switch in again, even if it means risking even more spikes.
Garchomp used Earthquake.
It's super effective!
Jirachi lost 27% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS's Jirachi fainted.
---
Score: 4-3
---
GIGANORMOUS switched in Manaphy (lvl 100 Manaphy).
Pointed stones dug into Manaphy.
41%--------88%
Ack, Manaphy. I have no safe switchins to Ice Beam, which is probably his move of choice. Scizor will get punished by hazards, while Salamence and Latias are both OHKOd after SR. Besides, Manaphy is very healthy, sitting at 94%, and I have to bring it down, if at least a little.
Manaphy lost 12% of its health.
Garchomp used Earthquake.
Manaphy lost 35% of its health.
Manaphy used Surf.
Garchomp lost 41% of its health.
Boredomisbliss's Garchomp fainted.
Manaphy's leftovers restored its health a little!
Manaphy restored 6% of its health.
35%? Man that's bulky...
---
Score: 3-3
---
Another recap seems to be in order:
(Fainted) -- (55%) -- (Unrevealed) -- (Fainted) -- (55%) -- (Fainted)
His team:
(72%) ---- (Fainted) ---- (59%) ---- (88%) ---- (Fainted) ---- (Fainted)
Again, Latias is my key to victory, able to handle all three of his pokemon left, but again, she has to be at reasonably high health. Garchomp is his key to victory: if he keeps Latias at low enough HP, Outrage will be a 1-2-3 ohko-ohko-ohko. Which is bad. Very bad.
---
Latias is the clear switch: Manaphy is probably very bulkily EVed, but I can't risk Salamence, since his Garchomp isn't fainted yet.
43%--------59%
I'm actually expecting him to switch, since he knows I have Thunderbolt, so I am going to take the time to Recover:
Boredomisbliss switched in Latias (lvl 100 Latias ?).
Pointed stones dug into Latias.
Latias lost 12% of its health.
Latias used Recover.
Latias restored 50% of its health.
Manaphy used Surf.
It's not very effective...
Latias lost 18% of its health.
Manaphy's leftovers restored its health a little!
Manaphy restored 6% of its health.
---
75%--------65%
... what? He doesn't have Ice Beam? That's a VERY pleasant surprise, a mono-attacking Calm Minder? He can't hurt me, yay =)! Thunderbolt!
Latias used Thunderbolt.
It's super effective!
Manaphy lost 51% of its health.
Manaphy used Surf.
It's not very effective...
Latias lost 17% of its health.
Manaphy's leftovers restored its health a little!
Manaphy restored 6% of its health.
---
Latias used Recover.
Latias restored 42% of its health.
Manaphy used Surf.
It's not very effective...
Latias lost 18% of its health.
Manaphy's leftovers restored its health a little!
Manaphy restored 6% of its health.
---
Latias used Thunderbolt.
It's super effective!
Manaphy lost 26% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS's Manaphy fainted.
---
Score: 3-2
---
82%--------82%
Time for his Dragon to show off against mine. That Scarfchomp won't be able to OHKO me, even with Outrage, since I have Haban Berry. I can finally use Draco Meteor again, yay! ^^
GIGANORMOUS switched in Garchomp (lvl 100 Garchomp ?).
Pointed stones dug into Garchomp.
Garchomp lost 6% of its health.
Latias used Draco Meteor.
It's super effective!
Garchomp lost 75% of its health.
Latias's special attack was harshly lowered.
The Haban Berry weakened Draco Meteor's power!
Garchomp used Outrage.
Garchomp went on a rampage!
It's super effective!
Latias lost 76% of its health.
The Haban Berry weakened Outrage's power!
... o.o lol?
---
6%--------7%
Wait... so that was... a Haban Berry Garchomp? ... Well, I can still beat him =/
Latias used Draco Meteor.
It's super effective!
Garchomp lost 7% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS's Garchomp fainted.
Latias's special attack was harshly lowered.
---
Score: 1-3
---
GIGANORMOUS switched in Infernape (lvl 100 Infernape ?).
Pointed stones dug into Infernape.
Infernape lost 12% of its health.
6%--------60%
Latias is officially death fodder, unable to survive the fake out.
Infernape used Fake Out.
A critical hit!
Latias lost 6% of its health.
Boredomisbliss's Latias fainted.
OmG HaXoRs!1!1!!!!
---
Score: 2-1
---
Well, I have a Salamence and a Scizor, to take his LeadApe. It's probably running Fake Out (unsuable), Fire Blast, Close Combat, and Stealth Rock. It outruns both my remaining pokemon, but Scizor has priority in Bullet Punch, but I don't think it can KO Infernape at 60%. But I have Salamence, which can take anything Infernape can throw at it, and put it into KO range for Bullet Punch.
75%--------60%
Now, I reveal my last pokemon, my Mixmence. Some people say its outclassed with Garchomp around, but nothing is a substitute for Mixmence ok? So I can Draco Meteor his ASS. But wait. What if Draco Meteor misses then I lose? I'm not gonna take that chance =/.
Boredomisbliss switched in Salamence (lvl 100 Salamence ?).
Salamence's intimidate cut Infernape's attack!
Pointed stones dug into Salamence.
Salamence lost 25% of its health.
Infernape used Fire Blast.
It's not very effective...
Salamence lost 38% of its health.
Salamence used Brick Break.
Infernape lost 48% of its health.
Salamence lost 10% of its health.
---
27%--------12%
Alas, it is not an OHKO. Salamence really needs more than 80 Attack EVs, but where do I get them from? =/
Infernape used Fire Blast.
It's not very effective...
Salamence lost 27% of its health.
Boredomisbliss's Salamence fainted.
---
30%--------12%
And its gg ^^
Boredomisbliss switched in Scizor (lvl 100 Scizor ?).
Pointed stones dug into Scizor.
Scizor lost 12% of its health.
Scizor was hurt by Spikes!
Scizor lost 12% of its health.
Scizor used Bullet Punch.
It's not very effective...
Infernape lost 3% of its health.
GIGANORMOUS's Infernape fainted.
Boredomisbliss wins!
GIGANORMOUS has left the room.
GG ^^
Slops:
-Magnezone not OHKOing Latias
-The 100 Image limit =(, making me have to cut out stuff in the first recap
-Nothing else ^^
Props:
-My Opponent for Being Great
-Scizor for having Priority
-Latias for being such great glue
-Hax, for not showing up so much
-Double Haban
-You, for reading all the way to the end! (or skipping)
And Goodnight
