Hey there. For the past few months I've been using the team below with pretty good results on Shoddy, but I would appreciate a way to climb higher in the metagame. Mind you, most of these sets are from 2008-09 which I've not seen a reason to change yet. I realized that perhaps I should take some advice from the pros. So, without further ado, or without pictures since I'm Wii-typing this, I present my current OU team:
Infernape with Blaze @ Focus Sash
Naïve 0/64/0/192/252/0
Fake Out
Stealth Rock
Fire Blast
Close Combat
My LeadApe. Fake Out and SR help me set up for the rest of my team. Fire Blast and Close Combat provide wonderful type coverage, especially with STAB.
Gliscor with Hyper Cutter @ Leftovers?
Jolly 52/252/0/204/0/0
Earthquake
Ice Fang
Swords Dance
X-Scissor
My physical sweeper, and also my favorite Pokemon. Switch in on something it can scare off, like Heatran, and dance on the switch. Earthquake is a powerful STAB, and Ice Fang has awesome coverage, especially against those pesky dragons. X-Scissor hits Psychics hard, and Darks that float or otherwise resist EQ. Some say Stone Edge would go better in that spot, but I'd like a bit more accuracy.
Alakazam with Synchronize @ Life Orb
Timid 0/0/0/252/252/4
Calm Mind
Focus Blast
Psychic
Signal Beam
My special sweeper. That base 130 SpA hurts coupled with a base 120 Speed. Calm Mind is for when there's something I know is going to switch out. Psychic is obviously on this set, and Signal Beam helps against rival Psychics and for catching Darks using Pursuit off-guard. Focus Blast is painfully inaccurate, but it allows me to try to hit Fighting-weak 'mons if Infernape is out. If anyone could suggest something better, that would help.
Blissey with Natural Cure @ Leftovers
Calm 212/0/252/0/44/0
Thunder Wave
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Softboiled
I went with the classic SkarmBliss combo here. It still hurts regardless of its diminished effectiveness. Thunder Wave knocks down the faster Pokemon and helps to get out of stalls. The BoltBeam combo can hit everything but Magnezone, and I've already got Infernape and Gliscor to deal with it. Dragons who Outrage Blissey are stunned to find that she (usually) survives and can throw an Ice Beam right back, which is exactly what the 44 SpA EV's are for. Softboiled is obvious, and prolongs her stalling ability.
Skarmory with Keen Eye @ Leftovers
Impish 196/64/192/0/0/56
Drill Peck
Roar
Roost
Toxic
Skarmory is the second half of the dynamic duo if itself and Blissey, and earns its place well. STABed Drill Peck punishes the Fighting and Bug types who use physical moves, like Machamp and especially Heracross, and prevents Ninjask from trying to Substitute. Roost is obvious, and Roar is for accumulating SR damage and scouting. Toxic seems unorthodox at first glance, but I have found it to be a lifesaver at times. It can force out threats or just outright kill them and cripple non-Steel walls, and also serves as a game-ender, placing a time bomb on their last Pokemon that they hopefully can't Rest off.
Rotom-C with Levitate @ Leftovers?
Modest 252/0/168/88/0/0
Leaf Storm
Thunderbolt
Shadow Ball
Will-o-Wisp
I was looking for a good bulky Water counter when I came across this Rotom. With STABed Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball, great SpA and access to a base 140 Grass attack, all water types besides Kingdra can usually find themselves in a bind when I switch this fella in. Most Ghost-types are too fast to take out with Shadow Ball, so instead I use it mainly for Psychics. Will-o-Wisp gives Physical sweepers the chills, and counters Leftovers and the like on everything else but Fire-types.
And now for the Threat List. Bad threats are bolded.
Azelf: That boom hurts everything but Skarmory, and since I've never really fought an Azelf that does anything other than suicide lead, I know it's coming. Regardless of that, I rarely have trouble with it. Blissey can handle its special attacks and usually lives through the Explosion, but I'd rather try to bait and switch to Skarmory.
Breloom: Infernape can fry it, Gliscor can chill it down, and Skarmory can peck it to death. I have little trouble with it.
Celebi: May have fought it once of twice. Gliscor and Alakazam can hit hard with 4x Bug attacks, and Infernape can Fire Blast if it can outspeed it.
Dugtrio: Very annoying if it can snare Infernape, but Gliscor and Rotom can switch in and hit hard. Never really have too much trouble.
Electrivire: A boosted EQ from Gliscor can OHKO it if it can outspeed its Ice Punch, and if that fails, Infernape's CC can usually take it out in 2 hits. A bit annoying, but not too bad.
Empoleon: 12 resistances do not help when you're weak to Electric, Fighting, and Ground, imo. Gliscor and Infernape outspeed it, Blissey can switch in on its special type attacks and shock it back, and Rotom could probably get a Bolt or two off. Not a big problem.
Flygon: Skarmory can switch in on anything and Toxic it, and while Blissey can't switch in, she can usually take anything it throws at 100% health and Beam it. Gliscor is 3-4HKO'ed by Outrage, and delivers a 2HKO Ice Fang. I have almost no problem with any of the dragons but Kingdra.
Gengar: This is one fast sucker, and unless Alakazam is there to try and stop it with a lucky Psychic, he'll beat up the rest of my team except for Blissey. Certainly one of my bigger threats.
Gliscor: I usually hope my Gliscor can outspeed it, as I will with Adamant ones. Blissey is a 2-3HKO with EQ, which is usually enough time to Beam it down. Not a big problem.
Gyrados: I let Blissey and Rotom handle this one. Skarmory can live long enough to Toxic it if need be. Annoying, but not a large problem.
Heatran: I hate Scarfed variants. Other than that, I bait Earth Power with Infernape, switch to Gliscor, and dance. Gliscor has that 4x EQ, and Infernape can hit with CC if necessary. Not a threat.
Heracross: Skarmory shrugs off its physical attacks and destroys them with Drill Peck. Infernape can burn it. Not a threat.
Infernape: Gliscor's high Def allows it to switch it to CC, but a boosted Fire Blast will hurt badly. Alakazam far outspeeds it and hits hard with STAB Psychic. Not a threat.
Jirachi: This one flinches me way too often with that Iron Head, but besides that, Infernape can burn it and Gliscor can EQ it. Annoying, and certainly dangerous.
Kingdra: I have practically nothing on it. A rain dance variant will sweep my team in full. With his ability to hit hard on both sides of the Physical-Special spectrum, and a Swift Swim speed that outruns every single member of my team, all I can hope to do is Toxic it and try to outstall. That rarely works.
Latias: Gliscor, while not being able to outspeed it, can hit well with both X-Scissor and Ice Fang. Blissey walls its special attacks and can Beam back. Alakazam outruns it and can get off a Signal Beam on it. Not too challenging.
Lucario: Infernape can switch in on Bullet Punch and hit back with two super effective base 120 STABs. Gliscor can also EQ it. Not a threat.
Machamp: Skarmory walls its physical moves well and has Drill Peck to attack with. Alakazam can blast it with Psychic if it can get it. Not too threatening.
Mamoswine: I very rarely see these, so I honestly wouldn't know.
Metagross: A real pain if I can't melt it or burn it. A good threat, but nothing that could sweep my team.
Ninjask: It's fast, but that's all it's really got going for it against my team. Infernape can torch it, Gliscor and Blissey can freeze it, Skarmory can peck at it while being able to switch in, and Blissey and Rotom can zap it away. Not a threat.
Porygon-Z: Infernape usually OHKO's it with CC. Not really a problem.
Rhyperior: With 6 weaknesses, all of my team but Skarmory has some kind of super-effective attack against it. Not a problem.
Roserade: Infernape can burn it and Alakazam can Psychic it, unless they slept. Not a problem.
Rotom: I have no real outright counters, but most of my team can at least hit it for decent damage. Not a huge problem.
Salamance: Like I said, I don't have too much problem with dragons, and Salamence is no exception. Gliscor and Blissey can survive 1-2 non-switch-in hits and hit back with Ice Beam or Fang.
Scizor: No threat at all. Infernape can switch in on Bullet Punch at 100% health and burn it. Oddly enough, Rotom can use Tbolt for a 3HKO, which is why I call Thunderbolt the "bug-zapper".
Snorlax: Infernape can 2HKO it with CC, and Gliscor can 3HKO with EQ. Not a problem.
Togekiss: Annoyingly bulky, but Blissey can switch in, paralyze, and 2-3HKO with the BoltBeam combo.
Tyranitar: Infernape can CC it easily, and Gliscor can EQ as well. Not a threat to me.
Weavile: Infernape is easily the best counter for it, and even without him, I don't really have a problem with it.
Yanmega: The only thing I worry about with it is Tinted Lens. Other than that, I counter it the same as Ninjask.
Zapdos: Blissey can wall its special attack nonsense and Beam it into submission.
And there it is. All in all, I think I've done well with my team. Please comment on it so I can get a better picture on how I stand.
Also, one thing I have thought about is replacing Rotom with Roserade, making it a lead and turning LeadApe into a MixApe. All IV's are 31, and the EV spread is HP/Atk/Def/Spe/SpA/SpD.
Thanks a lot!
Infernape with Blaze @ Focus Sash
Naïve 0/64/0/192/252/0
Fake Out
Stealth Rock
Fire Blast
Close Combat
My LeadApe. Fake Out and SR help me set up for the rest of my team. Fire Blast and Close Combat provide wonderful type coverage, especially with STAB.
Gliscor with Hyper Cutter @ Leftovers?
Jolly 52/252/0/204/0/0
Earthquake
Ice Fang
Swords Dance
X-Scissor
My physical sweeper, and also my favorite Pokemon. Switch in on something it can scare off, like Heatran, and dance on the switch. Earthquake is a powerful STAB, and Ice Fang has awesome coverage, especially against those pesky dragons. X-Scissor hits Psychics hard, and Darks that float or otherwise resist EQ. Some say Stone Edge would go better in that spot, but I'd like a bit more accuracy.
Alakazam with Synchronize @ Life Orb
Timid 0/0/0/252/252/4
Calm Mind
Focus Blast
Psychic
Signal Beam
My special sweeper. That base 130 SpA hurts coupled with a base 120 Speed. Calm Mind is for when there's something I know is going to switch out. Psychic is obviously on this set, and Signal Beam helps against rival Psychics and for catching Darks using Pursuit off-guard. Focus Blast is painfully inaccurate, but it allows me to try to hit Fighting-weak 'mons if Infernape is out. If anyone could suggest something better, that would help.
Blissey with Natural Cure @ Leftovers
Calm 212/0/252/0/44/0
Thunder Wave
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Softboiled
I went with the classic SkarmBliss combo here. It still hurts regardless of its diminished effectiveness. Thunder Wave knocks down the faster Pokemon and helps to get out of stalls. The BoltBeam combo can hit everything but Magnezone, and I've already got Infernape and Gliscor to deal with it. Dragons who Outrage Blissey are stunned to find that she (usually) survives and can throw an Ice Beam right back, which is exactly what the 44 SpA EV's are for. Softboiled is obvious, and prolongs her stalling ability.
Skarmory with Keen Eye @ Leftovers
Impish 196/64/192/0/0/56
Drill Peck
Roar
Roost
Toxic
Skarmory is the second half of the dynamic duo if itself and Blissey, and earns its place well. STABed Drill Peck punishes the Fighting and Bug types who use physical moves, like Machamp and especially Heracross, and prevents Ninjask from trying to Substitute. Roost is obvious, and Roar is for accumulating SR damage and scouting. Toxic seems unorthodox at first glance, but I have found it to be a lifesaver at times. It can force out threats or just outright kill them and cripple non-Steel walls, and also serves as a game-ender, placing a time bomb on their last Pokemon that they hopefully can't Rest off.
Rotom-C with Levitate @ Leftovers?
Modest 252/0/168/88/0/0
Leaf Storm
Thunderbolt
Shadow Ball
Will-o-Wisp
I was looking for a good bulky Water counter when I came across this Rotom. With STABed Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball, great SpA and access to a base 140 Grass attack, all water types besides Kingdra can usually find themselves in a bind when I switch this fella in. Most Ghost-types are too fast to take out with Shadow Ball, so instead I use it mainly for Psychics. Will-o-Wisp gives Physical sweepers the chills, and counters Leftovers and the like on everything else but Fire-types.
And now for the Threat List. Bad threats are bolded.
Azelf: That boom hurts everything but Skarmory, and since I've never really fought an Azelf that does anything other than suicide lead, I know it's coming. Regardless of that, I rarely have trouble with it. Blissey can handle its special attacks and usually lives through the Explosion, but I'd rather try to bait and switch to Skarmory.
Breloom: Infernape can fry it, Gliscor can chill it down, and Skarmory can peck it to death. I have little trouble with it.
Celebi: May have fought it once of twice. Gliscor and Alakazam can hit hard with 4x Bug attacks, and Infernape can Fire Blast if it can outspeed it.
Dugtrio: Very annoying if it can snare Infernape, but Gliscor and Rotom can switch in and hit hard. Never really have too much trouble.
Electrivire: A boosted EQ from Gliscor can OHKO it if it can outspeed its Ice Punch, and if that fails, Infernape's CC can usually take it out in 2 hits. A bit annoying, but not too bad.
Empoleon: 12 resistances do not help when you're weak to Electric, Fighting, and Ground, imo. Gliscor and Infernape outspeed it, Blissey can switch in on its special type attacks and shock it back, and Rotom could probably get a Bolt or two off. Not a big problem.
Flygon: Skarmory can switch in on anything and Toxic it, and while Blissey can't switch in, she can usually take anything it throws at 100% health and Beam it. Gliscor is 3-4HKO'ed by Outrage, and delivers a 2HKO Ice Fang. I have almost no problem with any of the dragons but Kingdra.
Gengar: This is one fast sucker, and unless Alakazam is there to try and stop it with a lucky Psychic, he'll beat up the rest of my team except for Blissey. Certainly one of my bigger threats.
Gliscor: I usually hope my Gliscor can outspeed it, as I will with Adamant ones. Blissey is a 2-3HKO with EQ, which is usually enough time to Beam it down. Not a big problem.
Gyrados: I let Blissey and Rotom handle this one. Skarmory can live long enough to Toxic it if need be. Annoying, but not a large problem.
Heatran: I hate Scarfed variants. Other than that, I bait Earth Power with Infernape, switch to Gliscor, and dance. Gliscor has that 4x EQ, and Infernape can hit with CC if necessary. Not a threat.
Heracross: Skarmory shrugs off its physical attacks and destroys them with Drill Peck. Infernape can burn it. Not a threat.
Infernape: Gliscor's high Def allows it to switch it to CC, but a boosted Fire Blast will hurt badly. Alakazam far outspeeds it and hits hard with STAB Psychic. Not a threat.
Jirachi: This one flinches me way too often with that Iron Head, but besides that, Infernape can burn it and Gliscor can EQ it. Annoying, and certainly dangerous.
Kingdra: I have practically nothing on it. A rain dance variant will sweep my team in full. With his ability to hit hard on both sides of the Physical-Special spectrum, and a Swift Swim speed that outruns every single member of my team, all I can hope to do is Toxic it and try to outstall. That rarely works.
Latias: Gliscor, while not being able to outspeed it, can hit well with both X-Scissor and Ice Fang. Blissey walls its special attacks and can Beam back. Alakazam outruns it and can get off a Signal Beam on it. Not too challenging.
Lucario: Infernape can switch in on Bullet Punch and hit back with two super effective base 120 STABs. Gliscor can also EQ it. Not a threat.
Machamp: Skarmory walls its physical moves well and has Drill Peck to attack with. Alakazam can blast it with Psychic if it can get it. Not too threatening.
Mamoswine: I very rarely see these, so I honestly wouldn't know.
Metagross: A real pain if I can't melt it or burn it. A good threat, but nothing that could sweep my team.
Ninjask: It's fast, but that's all it's really got going for it against my team. Infernape can torch it, Gliscor and Blissey can freeze it, Skarmory can peck at it while being able to switch in, and Blissey and Rotom can zap it away. Not a threat.
Porygon-Z: Infernape usually OHKO's it with CC. Not really a problem.
Rhyperior: With 6 weaknesses, all of my team but Skarmory has some kind of super-effective attack against it. Not a problem.
Roserade: Infernape can burn it and Alakazam can Psychic it, unless they slept. Not a problem.
Rotom: I have no real outright counters, but most of my team can at least hit it for decent damage. Not a huge problem.
Salamance: Like I said, I don't have too much problem with dragons, and Salamence is no exception. Gliscor and Blissey can survive 1-2 non-switch-in hits and hit back with Ice Beam or Fang.
Scizor: No threat at all. Infernape can switch in on Bullet Punch at 100% health and burn it. Oddly enough, Rotom can use Tbolt for a 3HKO, which is why I call Thunderbolt the "bug-zapper".
Snorlax: Infernape can 2HKO it with CC, and Gliscor can 3HKO with EQ. Not a problem.
Togekiss: Annoyingly bulky, but Blissey can switch in, paralyze, and 2-3HKO with the BoltBeam combo.
Tyranitar: Infernape can CC it easily, and Gliscor can EQ as well. Not a threat to me.
Weavile: Infernape is easily the best counter for it, and even without him, I don't really have a problem with it.
Yanmega: The only thing I worry about with it is Tinted Lens. Other than that, I counter it the same as Ninjask.
Zapdos: Blissey can wall its special attack nonsense and Beam it into submission.
And there it is. All in all, I think I've done well with my team. Please comment on it so I can get a better picture on how I stand.
Also, one thing I have thought about is replacing Rotom with Roserade, making it a lead and turning LeadApe into a MixApe. All IV's are 31, and the EV spread is HP/Atk/Def/Spe/SpA/SpD.
Thanks a lot!
