Pokemons in the team
The team name
This is named after the song of Luciano Ligabue written by Francesco Guccini. It means "I still have the force". I named it like this because I just wanted to say that I still have the force to create balanced teams.
Why did I make this team?
I applied for being a tutor an Jimbo asked me to take a session with Kevin Garrett. When I was taking my session, Kevin Garrett asked me to teach team building like how a tutor teaches an apprentice. That is how this team came.
_____________________________________________________________________
Basically, I only create fully offensive teams but after around 2 years, I'm having my go at a balanced team. It has been extremely successful. I've played around sixty games and lost only eight. This team just tries to complement each others weaknesses and thus, achieves its goal, winning that is.
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I've also observed some weaknesses so far. A thing is that this team lacks a cleric and is also quite prone to Toxic. Only 3 Pokemons get affected due to Toxic but those are crucial, especially Vaporeon and Dusknoir. One person came up with an excellent sunny day team where a Scarf Heatran starts attacking me. I was just crushed in that game since I didn't know what to do. Vaporeon took more than 50%.
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Countering the weaknesses(Types)
It is extremely obvious that Infernape is weak to Water and Ground. Now, I included Vaporeon to counter its Water weakness because Vaporeon has a 100% resistance against this type. Now, Vaporeon's grass weakness is resisted by Infernape. Now, the team has a weakness against Electric and Ground attacks. To tackle both of them, a Gliscor got added.
Now, I needed real strong attackers that could sweep the opponent. So the first to be added in that list was Dragonite. Let's see how its weakness gets tackled.
Dragonite can cover a lot of types and why it gets its edge over Salamence is because it knows the "Art of Survival". Now, Dragonite is weak to Rock, Ice and Dragon. All these three are countered by Jirachi while Jirachi's ground and fire weaknesses can be countered by Dragonite.
Now, This team is not very comfortable with Fighting moves even though there is Gliscor. So, there, I needed a Ghost. Gengar or Mismagius also do not know the "Art of Survival". I've always failed to use a Rotom and for that reason alone, I'm prejudiced against it and thus, I never use it. So, I chose this -
Now, Dusknoir's Ghost weakness is not covered by anyone but Jirachi can survive and hit back all the deadly ghosts.
THE TEAM
Infernape (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk/192 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fake Out
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
This is a very standard moveset which doesn't need much explanation. Fake Out always provides an excellent start since many a times, the 3% that it takes off have proved to be crucial. I've been thinking on whether to have Encore or Close Combat but I felt that Close Combat would be more useful against LeadHeatrans. Infernape is extremely fast and thus is very efficient at laying those rocks.
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Vaporeon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 188 HP/252 Def/68 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Electric]
Provides an excellent Wish support to the team and can also take on hits from Swampert, Scizor, etc. So, this can is a physical tank in my team. I'd say that this moveset is extremely "conventional" since HP Electric is no longer a surprise but still, this can hold a Gyarados off. If it tries to Bounce, I can protect and stall since Bounce only has 8 PP.
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Gliscor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP/40 Def/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Roost
- Toxic
To be honest, this has so far had the least role in the team and doesn't even come out, many a times. However, with its Taunt, it can break stall. For example, a Hippowdon which lays and tries to Roar, this is extremely useful. Then I can switch to a Pokemon like Dragonite which can deal a great deal of damage to it. It also counters Tyranitars without Ice Punch but if it has one, I'm doomed. This is also an excellent Magnezone counter as Magnezones with Magnet Rise is quite rare. Even if it has one, it rarely uses it.
CHANGE
STONE EDGE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO TOXIC.
Stone Edge definitely has not come in very useful and so, it has been changed to Toxic after so many suggestions provided by the members. Now, I'm also easily able to "Toxic stall" the opponent. However, even if I predict a Gengar right now, it can't be attacked now.
---
Latias (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Grass Knot
I know, that several questions will arise asking "Why aren't you using trick"? Firstly, I'm prejudiced against that move. But, that is not the reason why I'm not using it. Already, there is Jirachi to do that. Grass Knot is present there for a guaranteed Swampert kill since Draco Meteor only does 82.4% - 97.3%. Surf is a move for general coverage. With that move, I need not fear a Tyranitar's pursuit. That is the major demerit of Latias. A Dragonite hardly needs to fear a Tyranitar's pursuit. However, I'd mostly die to a CB TTar's pursuit after Stealth Rock or I may narrowly escape which is of no use if Stealth Rock is present. This is Tyranitar's damage against Dragonite - 70.9% - 83.6%. If Stealth Rock is not present, it definitely survives. Just like the Dragonite set, this also needs a lot of prediction unlike the other case where a Jirachi can randomly use Iron Head. If I make a wrong prediction, the situation becomes very bad.
Now, that is the reason why this whole position has come under review.
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Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Trick
- Zen Headbutt
- Fire Punch
- Iron Head
Choice Scarf + Serene Grace = Deadly Combination. I generally do not use Trick and I use it only in late game where I'm unable to kill a wall of my opponent. Zen Headbutt and Iron Head can flinch Pokemons and Serene Grace really helps. They are also STAB moves. Fire Punch is there to kill a Scizor, Magnezone(2HKO), etc. Its main role is to take on the attacks that are actually meant for Dragonite. So far, this has been the most succesful Pokemon in the team.
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Dusknoir (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Shadow Sneak
- Ice Punch
I'm disappointed to know that Dusknoir is underused in OU while it is so excellent. Infernape generally attracts a Latias and I switch over to Dusknoir. Its Surf does only around 20 - 26 % and I set up a Substitute and can gradually start owning a Latias. Ice Punch is unexpected and most expect a Sucker Punch which is a highly unreliable move. I've seen many Salamences switch in when I use Substitute. This is another Pokemon which can fight a Breloom extremely well after Vaporeon is put to sleep. Most of the times, I'm behind a substitute and thus I can 2HKO most of the ghost Pokemons with Shadow Sneak. A priority move is always useful. Next to Jirachi, this has been my most successful Pokemon whereas Infernape is an unseen hero.
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Former Members of the team
Dragonite (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
This is definitely not a conventional set. Choice Specs is added on so that Draco Meteor can do crazy damage. BoltBeam gives excellent coverage and Flamethrower can kill Scizor, Magnezone, Metagross, etcetera. While facing Breloom, I put some Pokemon into sleep(which generally is Vaporeon) and bring in Dragonite. It cannot do anything if it doesn't have Stone Edge and Seed Bomb is the more common set. One problem is that this set needs extreme prediction and I'm quite good at it. But, I pay a huge price if it becomes wrong.
Why was it removed?
Latias was always considered as a replacement for this Pokemon since it has more speed, special attack and special defense. Dragonite has only three merits over Latias. Defense, HP and the surprise factor. Flygons bravely switch into my Dragonite thinking that this is a DDNite but instead it is OHKOed by Draco Meteor. Definitely, Dragonite's position in this team was under review. Not because it has failed but because some other Pokemon may have outclassed this in this role. Now that it has been totally outclassed, Latias is the new member.
So please, rate. Criticism is appreciated while FLAMING is not.
The team name
This is named after the song of Luciano Ligabue written by Francesco Guccini. It means "I still have the force". I named it like this because I just wanted to say that I still have the force to create balanced teams.
Why did I make this team?
I applied for being a tutor an Jimbo asked me to take a session with Kevin Garrett. When I was taking my session, Kevin Garrett asked me to teach team building like how a tutor teaches an apprentice. That is how this team came.
_____________________________________________________________________
Basically, I only create fully offensive teams but after around 2 years, I'm having my go at a balanced team. It has been extremely successful. I've played around sixty games and lost only eight. This team just tries to complement each others weaknesses and thus, achieves its goal, winning that is.
_____________________________________________________________________
I've also observed some weaknesses so far. A thing is that this team lacks a cleric and is also quite prone to Toxic. Only 3 Pokemons get affected due to Toxic but those are crucial, especially Vaporeon and Dusknoir. One person came up with an excellent sunny day team where a Scarf Heatran starts attacking me. I was just crushed in that game since I didn't know what to do. Vaporeon took more than 50%.
______________________________________________________________________
Countering the weaknesses(Types)
It is extremely obvious that Infernape is weak to Water and Ground. Now, I included Vaporeon to counter its Water weakness because Vaporeon has a 100% resistance against this type. Now, Vaporeon's grass weakness is resisted by Infernape. Now, the team has a weakness against Electric and Ground attacks. To tackle both of them, a Gliscor got added.
Now, I needed real strong attackers that could sweep the opponent. So the first to be added in that list was Dragonite. Let's see how its weakness gets tackled.
Dragonite can cover a lot of types and why it gets its edge over Salamence is because it knows the "Art of Survival". Now, Dragonite is weak to Rock, Ice and Dragon. All these three are countered by Jirachi while Jirachi's ground and fire weaknesses can be countered by Dragonite.
Now, This team is not very comfortable with Fighting moves even though there is Gliscor. So, there, I needed a Ghost. Gengar or Mismagius also do not know the "Art of Survival". I've always failed to use a Rotom and for that reason alone, I'm prejudiced against it and thus, I never use it. So, I chose this -
Now, Dusknoir's Ghost weakness is not covered by anyone but Jirachi can survive and hit back all the deadly ghosts.
THE TEAM
Infernape (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk/192 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fake Out
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
This is a very standard moveset which doesn't need much explanation. Fake Out always provides an excellent start since many a times, the 3% that it takes off have proved to be crucial. I've been thinking on whether to have Encore or Close Combat but I felt that Close Combat would be more useful against LeadHeatrans. Infernape is extremely fast and thus is very efficient at laying those rocks.
---
Vaporeon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 188 HP/252 Def/68 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Electric]
Provides an excellent Wish support to the team and can also take on hits from Swampert, Scizor, etc. So, this can is a physical tank in my team. I'd say that this moveset is extremely "conventional" since HP Electric is no longer a surprise but still, this can hold a Gyarados off. If it tries to Bounce, I can protect and stall since Bounce only has 8 PP.
---
Gliscor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP/40 Def/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Roost
- Toxic
To be honest, this has so far had the least role in the team and doesn't even come out, many a times. However, with its Taunt, it can break stall. For example, a Hippowdon which lays and tries to Roar, this is extremely useful. Then I can switch to a Pokemon like Dragonite which can deal a great deal of damage to it. It also counters Tyranitars without Ice Punch but if it has one, I'm doomed. This is also an excellent Magnezone counter as Magnezones with Magnet Rise is quite rare. Even if it has one, it rarely uses it.
CHANGE
STONE EDGE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO TOXIC.
Stone Edge definitely has not come in very useful and so, it has been changed to Toxic after so many suggestions provided by the members. Now, I'm also easily able to "Toxic stall" the opponent. However, even if I predict a Gengar right now, it can't be attacked now.
---
Latias (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Grass Knot
I know, that several questions will arise asking "Why aren't you using trick"? Firstly, I'm prejudiced against that move. But, that is not the reason why I'm not using it. Already, there is Jirachi to do that. Grass Knot is present there for a guaranteed Swampert kill since Draco Meteor only does 82.4% - 97.3%. Surf is a move for general coverage. With that move, I need not fear a Tyranitar's pursuit. That is the major demerit of Latias. A Dragonite hardly needs to fear a Tyranitar's pursuit. However, I'd mostly die to a CB TTar's pursuit after Stealth Rock or I may narrowly escape which is of no use if Stealth Rock is present. This is Tyranitar's damage against Dragonite - 70.9% - 83.6%. If Stealth Rock is not present, it definitely survives. Just like the Dragonite set, this also needs a lot of prediction unlike the other case where a Jirachi can randomly use Iron Head. If I make a wrong prediction, the situation becomes very bad.
Now, that is the reason why this whole position has come under review.
---
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Trick
- Zen Headbutt
- Fire Punch
- Iron Head
Choice Scarf + Serene Grace = Deadly Combination. I generally do not use Trick and I use it only in late game where I'm unable to kill a wall of my opponent. Zen Headbutt and Iron Head can flinch Pokemons and Serene Grace really helps. They are also STAB moves. Fire Punch is there to kill a Scizor, Magnezone(2HKO), etc. Its main role is to take on the attacks that are actually meant for Dragonite. So far, this has been the most succesful Pokemon in the team.
---
Dusknoir (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Shadow Sneak
- Ice Punch
I'm disappointed to know that Dusknoir is underused in OU while it is so excellent. Infernape generally attracts a Latias and I switch over to Dusknoir. Its Surf does only around 20 - 26 % and I set up a Substitute and can gradually start owning a Latias. Ice Punch is unexpected and most expect a Sucker Punch which is a highly unreliable move. I've seen many Salamences switch in when I use Substitute. This is another Pokemon which can fight a Breloom extremely well after Vaporeon is put to sleep. Most of the times, I'm behind a substitute and thus I can 2HKO most of the ghost Pokemons with Shadow Sneak. A priority move is always useful. Next to Jirachi, this has been my most successful Pokemon whereas Infernape is an unseen hero.
---
Former Members of the team
Dragonite (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
This is definitely not a conventional set. Choice Specs is added on so that Draco Meteor can do crazy damage. BoltBeam gives excellent coverage and Flamethrower can kill Scizor, Magnezone, Metagross, etcetera. While facing Breloom, I put some Pokemon into sleep(which generally is Vaporeon) and bring in Dragonite. It cannot do anything if it doesn't have Stone Edge and Seed Bomb is the more common set. One problem is that this set needs extreme prediction and I'm quite good at it. But, I pay a huge price if it becomes wrong.
Why was it removed?
Latias was always considered as a replacement for this Pokemon since it has more speed, special attack and special defense. Dragonite has only three merits over Latias. Defense, HP and the surprise factor. Flygons bravely switch into my Dragonite thinking that this is a DDNite but instead it is OHKOed by Draco Meteor. Definitely, Dragonite's position in this team was under review. Not because it has failed but because some other Pokemon may have outclassed this in this role. Now that it has been totally outclassed, Latias is the new member.
So please, rate. Criticism is appreciated while FLAMING is not.