Great new Strategies

Deinosaur · Mar 7th, 2011, 10:46:57 PM

All great teams have a good strategy behind them. There are simple strategies, such as just dishing out more damage than your opponent(as commonly seen on Hyper Offense teams), to deeper strategies such as indirectly beating the metagame by a series of intelligent switching to counter threats(commonly known as Stall).

Other such strategies are Spike-Stacking offense, as seen in This RMT, or teams that rely on Parahax, seen Here

I will ask around and add to this as much as I can, so feel free to post your ideas for good strategies!

Zebstrika · Mar 7th, 2011, 11:18:33 PM

Scouting team; Spam U-turn or Baton Pass. Usually, about two users will have very powerful U-turns (like Scizor, Staraptor or Azelf) which are even more fun to spam. Spinning is extremely important and entry hazards on the opponent's field are quite welcome too. Use lots of synergy. It's less useful now with Team Preview, unfortunately.

Bird team; Use birds. (Generally stuff like Empoleon and even Mud Sport is now viable and works well, Honchkrow, Blaziken, legendary birds, Staraptor, etc.)

Bad team; Slop crap together and see what happens.

That pretty much sums up the teams I have used.

Also, why is this in Stark Mountain if it is Great New Strategies? Black and White are pretty new, and a lot newer than generation 4.

SlimMan · Mar 7th, 2011, 11:20:49 PM

^^^ Volt Switch, Team Preview, and Genesect don't exist yet. This is in Stark Mountain.

--------------------

I don't have an example RMT to give, but Trick Room and Baton Pass teams definitely deserve a mention here.

Also, you mention HO and Stall teams, but Balanced teams are probably the single most common type of team.

This was a short post, but I can go into more detail if that's what this thread is about.

Deinosaur · Mar 8th, 2011, 12:25:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Zebstrika

Also, why is this in Stark Mountain if it is Great New Strategies? Black and White are pretty new, and a lot newer than generation 4.

Okay well, some people like to play DPP until BW settles down a little. These teams still have potential, as the metagame is the best it's been in a while.

Plusle · Mar 8th, 2011, 1:55:59 AM

I like to use Anti-Stall. You use things like Heatrap and Mixnite to lure out common srall members and eliminate them.

~~bubbly~~ · Mar 8th, 2011, 2:48:08 AM

Hmm. You know this is just going to turn into 'your favourite playstyle' ? :)
Anyway, to answer the question, I'd say quickstall, as its really been made possible by some of the new pokemon like Whimsicott, Nattorei, Poison Heal Gliscor and so on.

Something I love to do in gen 4 goes like this. You start with a bulky Spikes user not called Forretress (because I hate it). Then, if you want, add a Toxic Spikes user. These two cannot be the same pokemon.
Then, add two or three synergistic sweepers or wallbreakers.
Then add some more defensive backbone to your team with something like Gliscor, Hippowdon, Cresselia, Gyarados etc. Try and use a pokemon which complements or lures setup for existing members.

More Cowbell · Mar 8th, 2011, 2:56:10 AM

Bulky Offense? Have some bulky 'mons who are also capable of dishing out some damage when used right (like Celebi, Heatran, Zapdos (yay there goes my standard core)). Add a a lead that can take a hit and set up SR and then add a real sweeper or maybe a spinner/spinblocker to your liking. Quite easy to do, and worked out pretty well for me in Gen IV, even though I suck as a player :)

Deinosaur · Mar 8th, 2011, 9:34:02 AM

Another effective strategy I have seen is basic Balance teams.
You have a good lead, 1-2 physical walls, a special sponge, a sweeper, and a revenge killer.
See it absolutely everywhere, and a few of the teams in the RMT archive are balance.

DracoMihawk · Mar 8th, 2011, 7:34:14 PM

i use a good lead, walls for each stat two revenge killers and my main sweeper. i use my lead to cripple stuff and set up hazards, my walls to break other walls and cripple dangerous threats and also to sacrifice for my later revenge killers (both physical) to come in and when i have a chance my main sweeper to make a huge dent after threats are gone and clean up with revenge guys

BKC · Mar 10th, 2011, 3:16:33 PM

I'm a fan of U-turn teams; putting on pressure through forcing constant switches and being able to scout is great and it's very effective. It's basically a twist on hyper offense.

FlameSaber · Mar 11th, 2011, 2:03:00 PM

^ I second that.

Another team strategy I've enjoyed is all choice. It can be a little difficult to pull off effectively in standard play, but it's really fun. Especially when you have an all choice tournament.

Showsni · Mar 14th, 2011, 10:09:51 AM

I tend to use gimmicky strategies, that win due to surprise value (or, more likely, don't win at all). Stuff like Setting up Trick Room and sweeping with FEAR Pokémon, using Assist to shuffle the opponent around hazards with speed, trying to baton pass an awesome number of boosts to a single sweeper...

Mysterious Trainer · Mar 27th, 2011, 6:36:44 AM

Here's something that can only work in pre-BW:

Lead with Smeargle. Max speed. Focus sash.

Obviously any taunt lead or anti-lead will destroy you. This can only be set up against things like swampert; basically slower pokemon that set up hazards.

The idea is to use Spider Web or something of the like first turn when a metagross is using SR. Although, most players would go for Meteor Mash versus a smeargle.

Anyways, the foe is now trapped, and they just set up rocks. Smeargle then proceeds to Encore, thus disabling their lead altogether for the next 5-8 turns. As for the last move, well, there are a few options, Spore and Ingrain. It's very situational, Spore can help with leads that will completely mess you up anyways, things like TrickScarf Jirachi. Ingrain obviously gives recovery and prevents phazing, but you'll find that if you can pull this strategy off, Cradily or Octillery will be more than good enough to sweep. Here's where the magic happens:

Baton Pass into one of the few Pokemon that can learn Trick/Switcheroo and and Baton Pass. I suggest Drifblim, as it can outspeed a lot of things when max speed with a Choice Scarf, and even more things with an Unburden boost after you Trick your foe into the scarf. The foe is now at your mercy. They cannot switch, they cannot attack, they can't do anything. Do what you want with Drifblim. You can set up a super bulky Substitute and Stockpile up, or just Baton Pass to something like Gorebyss to set up Amnesia/Iron Defense/Aqua Ring.

After you have your defenses set up, proceed to Baton Pass to something like Ninjask or Gliscor that can set up Speed and Attack for a Physically-oriented Baton Pass receiver. Or, if you prefer to pass to a Specially-Oriented receiver, Minun/Plusle and Ambipom/Aipom are available for having the handy ability to be able to Baton Pass Agility and Nasty Plot.

Time for the sweep. Make sure you have a Substitute for blocking status and critical hits up, because right about now your foe is about to Struggle. Literally any Pokemon can pull this off. I've done it before with Pichu and Chimchar.

Well, good luck, and have fun.

Mar 7th, 2011, 10:46:57 PM	#1
Deinosaur Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 485 Pretty average user.	Great new Strategies All great teams have a good strategy behind them. There are simple strategies, such as just dishing out more damage than your opponent(as commonly seen on Hyper Offense teams), to deeper strategies such as indirectly beating the metagame by a series of intelligent switching to counter threats(commonly known as Stall). Other such strategies are Spike-Stacking offense, as seen in This RMT, or teams that rely on Parahax, seen Here I will ask around and add to this as much as I can, so feel free to post your ideas for good strategies! __________________ I knew you were trouble when you walked in~ Pretty much all I do on Smogon anyway

Mar 7th, 2011, 11:18:33 PM	#2
Zebstrika Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 623	Scouting team; Spam U-turn or Baton Pass. Usually, about two users will have very powerful U-turns (like Scizor, Staraptor or Azelf) which are even more fun to spam. Spinning is extremely important and entry hazards on the opponent's field are quite welcome too. Use lots of synergy. It's less useful now with Team Preview, unfortunately. Bird team; Use birds. (Generally stuff like Empoleon and even Mud Sport is now viable and works well, Honchkrow, Blaziken, legendary birds, Staraptor, etc.) Bad team; Slop crap together and see what happens. That pretty much sums up the teams I have used. Also, why is this in Stark Mountain if it is Great New Strategies? Black and White are pretty new, and a lot newer than generation 4. Last edited by Zebstrika; Mar 7th, 2011 at 11:31:51 PM.

Mar 7th, 2011, 11:20:49 PM	#3
SlimMan Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,475 Caroline du Nord	^^^ Volt Switch, Team Preview, and Genesect don't exist yet. This is in Stark Mountain. -------------------- I don't have an example RMT to give, but Trick Room and Baton Pass teams definitely deserve a mention here. Also, you mention HO and Stall teams, but Balanced teams are probably the single most common type of team. This was a short post, but I can go into more detail if that's what this thread is about. __________________ Messidor

Mar 8th, 2011, 1:55:59 AM	#5
Plusle Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,041	I like to use Anti-Stall. You use things like Heatrap and Mixnite to lure out common srall members and eliminate them. __________________ VGC 2011 Seniors UK 1st \| VGC 2012 Seniors UK 4th \| Worlds 2011 18th \| Worlds 2012 19th \| Winter Battle and International Challenge January Seniors 1st

Mar 8th, 2011, 9:34:02 AM	#8
Deinosaur Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 485 Pretty average user.	Another effective strategy I have seen is basic Balance teams. You have a good lead, 1-2 physical walls, a special sponge, a sweeper, and a revenge killer. See it absolutely everywhere, and a few of the teams in the RMT archive are balance. __________________ I knew you were trouble when you walked in~ Pretty much all I do on Smogon anyway

Mar 8th, 2011, 2:48:08 AM	#6
~~bubbly~~ Banned deucer. Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 884 Australia	Hmm. You know this is just going to turn into 'your favourite playstyle' ? :) Anyway, to answer the question, I'd say quickstall, as its really been made possible by some of the new pokemon like Whimsicott, Nattorei, Poison Heal Gliscor and so on. Something I love to do in gen 4 goes like this. You start with a bulky Spikes user not called Forretress (because I hate it). Then, if you want, add a Toxic Spikes user. These two cannot be the same pokemon. Then, add two or three synergistic sweepers or wallbreakers. Then add some more defensive backbone to your team with something like Gliscor, Hippowdon, Cresselia, Gyarados etc. Try and use a pokemon which complements or lures setup for existing members.

Mar 8th, 2011, 2:56:10 AM	#7
More Cowbell Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,063 Singing of the freedom of utopic space	Bulky Offense? Have some bulky 'mons who are also capable of dishing out some damage when used right (like Celebi, Heatran, Zapdos (yay there goes my standard core)). Add a a lead that can take a hit and set up SR and then add a real sweeper or maybe a spinner/spinblocker to your liking. Quite easy to do, and worked out pretty well for me in Gen IV, even though I suck as a player :)

Mar 8th, 2011, 7:34:14 PM	#9
DracoMihawk Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 631	i use a good lead, walls for each stat two revenge killers and my main sweeper. i use my lead to cripple stuff and set up hazards, my walls to break other walls and cripple dangerous threats and also to sacrifice for my later revenge killers (both physical) to come in and when i have a chance my main sweeper to make a huge dent after threats are gone and clean up with revenge guys

Mar 10th, 2011, 3:16:33 PM	#10
BKC bringer of torture Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,231 Prague	I'm a fan of U-turn teams; putting on pressure through forcing constant switches and being able to scout is great and it's very effective. It's basically a twist on hyper offense. __________________ RYM

Mar 11th, 2011, 2:03:00 PM	#11
FlameSaber Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 63 On Paper	^ I second that. Another team strategy I've enjoyed is all choice. It can be a little difficult to pull off effectively in standard play, but it's really fun. Especially when you have an all choice tournament. __________________ This is the story of a girl Who cried a river and drowned the whole world And while she looked so sad in photographs I absolutely love her When she smiles~

Mar 14th, 2011, 10:09:51 AM	#12
Showsni Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 880	I tend to use gimmicky strategies, that win due to surprise value (or, more likely, don't win at all). Stuff like Setting up Trick Room and sweeping with FEAR Pokémon, using Assist to shuffle the opponent around hazards with speed, trying to baton pass an awesome number of boosts to a single sweeper... __________________ Platinum FC: 4340-2125-1106 Heart Gold FC: 4769-9875-9410 CAP ASB Team

Mar 27th, 2011, 6:36:44 AM	#13
Mysterious Trainer Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 175 At the right hand of satan	Here's something that can only work in pre-BW: Lead with Smeargle. Max speed. Focus sash. Obviously any taunt lead or anti-lead will destroy you. This can only be set up against things like swampert; basically slower pokemon that set up hazards. The idea is to use Spider Web or something of the like first turn when a metagross is using SR. Although, most players would go for Meteor Mash versus a smeargle. Anyways, the foe is now trapped, and they just set up rocks. Smeargle then proceeds to Encore, thus disabling their lead altogether for the next 5-8 turns. As for the last move, well, there are a few options, Spore and Ingrain. It's very situational, Spore can help with leads that will completely mess you up anyways, things like TrickScarf Jirachi. Ingrain obviously gives recovery and prevents phazing, but you'll find that if you can pull this strategy off, Cradily or Octillery will be more than good enough to sweep. Here's where the magic happens: Baton Pass into one of the few Pokemon that can learn Trick/Switcheroo and and Baton Pass. I suggest Drifblim, as it can outspeed a lot of things when max speed with a Choice Scarf, and even more things with an Unburden boost after you Trick your foe into the scarf. The foe is now at your mercy. They cannot switch, they cannot attack, they can't do anything. Do what you want with Drifblim. You can set up a super bulky Substitute and Stockpile up, or just Baton Pass to something like Gorebyss to set up Amnesia/Iron Defense/Aqua Ring. After you have your defenses set up, proceed to Baton Pass to something like Ninjask or Gliscor that can set up Speed and Attack for a Physically-oriented Baton Pass receiver. Or, if you prefer to pass to a Specially-Oriented receiver, Minun/Plusle and Ambipom/Aipom are available for having the handy ability to be able to Baton Pass Agility and Nasty Plot. Time for the sweep. Make sure you have a Substitute for blocking status and critical hits up, because right about now your foe is about to Struggle. Literally any Pokemon can pull this off. I've done it before with Pichu and Chimchar. Well, good luck, and have fun. __________________ The truth? You can't handle the truth.