i originally posted this on serebii, but I didn't exactly get the amount of help i originally wanted, so I decided to repost it here.
Hey all, this is my first actual post for a RMT, though I've done competitive battling since the beginning of 4th gen. So hopefully I'm not completely stupid
With a new gen comes a new team. I decided my old team just couldn't handle some of the new threats of 5th gen (Excadrill being my big issue) so instead of fixing it, I decided to retire it and head for a new strategy. I'll start with the team, then list my basic strategy, then I'll go in depth into each member and I'll list possible issues I've already noted.
with that comes the team (NOTE i do like doing custom EV's, but with the new generation I'm still testing out the kinks and seeing what works best, so for now I'm stealing Smogon EV's, but they could be subject to change)
Nidoqueen @ Black Sludge
Sheer Force
Bold
252 HP, 252 Def, 4 SpD
-Earth Power
-Toxic Spikes
-Flamethrower
-Ice Beam
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Trace
Bold
252 HP, 184 Def, 72 SpD
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Recover
-Thunder Wave
Jellicent @ Leftovers
Water Absorb
Bold
248 HP, 216 Def, 44 Spe
-Scald
-Recover
-Will-o-Wisp
-HP Fire/Taunt
Cloyster @ White Herb
Skill Link
Jolly
252 Att, 208 Spe, 48 HP
-Icicle Spear
-Shell Smash
-Rock Blast
-Shell Blade
Gengar @ Life Orb
Levitate
Timid
252 SpA, 252 Spe, 4 HP
-Hex
-Venoshock
-Thunderbolt
-Focus Blast
The star of the team. Gengar hits just as hard this Gen as he did last, and he got plenty of new toys to play with. He's the only Pokemon in the game to get STAB on both Hex and Venoshock, so he was a perfect fit onto my team. It's pretty obvious why I have Hex and Venoshock, Focus Blast gives me that perfect coverage (at least I believe it's still perfect in 5th gen) and Thunderbolt is really there to KO Gyarados and other Flying Types. Also as a plus note, Gengar acts as a spinblocker, so TSpikes can stay out while he's sweeping.
Hey all, this is my first actual post for a RMT, though I've done competitive battling since the beginning of 4th gen. So hopefully I'm not completely stupid
With a new gen comes a new team. I decided my old team just couldn't handle some of the new threats of 5th gen (Excadrill being my big issue) so instead of fixing it, I decided to retire it and head for a new strategy. I'll start with the team, then list my basic strategy, then I'll go in depth into each member and I'll list possible issues I've already noted.
with that comes the team (NOTE i do like doing custom EV's, but with the new generation I'm still testing out the kinks and seeing what works best, so for now I'm stealing Smogon EV's, but they could be subject to change)
OVERVIEW:
It's how I roll
It's how I roll
STRATEGY:
I guess with Team Preview or whatever garbage it is, I get to choose my lead(?) it's whatever, but I'll mostly choose Nidoqueen, unless I feel the need for Porygon2 to start the game. Nidoqueen starts with TSpikes everywhere, and then swap depending on what my opponent has in store (Jellicent if I see a Rapid Spinner. My plan is to spread status in general (Nidoqueen's Toxic Spikes, Porygon2's Paralysis, and Tentacruel's/Jellicent's Burns) and end with an arguably "gimmick" sweep from Gengar, taking advantage of his two STAB moves Venoshock and Hex. To back up my sweeps I have two potent new Gen 5 threats, Cloyster and Conkeldurr, utilizing their new toys (Shell Smash and the upgraded Drain Punch). TD;DR version: Set up Toxic Spikes, Poison/Burn/Paralyze, sweep. I have some back up sweepers if i cannot fully utilize my TSpikes.
I guess with Team Preview or whatever garbage it is, I get to choose my lead(?) it's whatever, but I'll mostly choose Nidoqueen, unless I feel the need for Porygon2 to start the game. Nidoqueen starts with TSpikes everywhere, and then swap depending on what my opponent has in store (Jellicent if I see a Rapid Spinner. My plan is to spread status in general (Nidoqueen's Toxic Spikes, Porygon2's Paralysis, and Tentacruel's/Jellicent's Burns) and end with an arguably "gimmick" sweep from Gengar, taking advantage of his two STAB moves Venoshock and Hex. To back up my sweeps I have two potent new Gen 5 threats, Cloyster and Conkeldurr, utilizing their new toys (Shell Smash and the upgraded Drain Punch). TD;DR version: Set up Toxic Spikes, Poison/Burn/Paralyze, sweep. I have some back up sweepers if i cannot fully utilize my TSpikes.
THE TEAM:
Nidoqueen @ Black Sludge
Sheer Force
Bold
252 HP, 252 Def, 4 SpD
-Earth Power
-Toxic Spikes
-Flamethrower
-Ice Beam
Nidoqueen got a nice little toy with Sheer Force, giving her some good offensive capabilities (not stellar, but much improved) alongside her natural bulk. This, alongside her ground typing, is the main reason I chose her for my team over Tentacruel. Her job is to set up TSpikes and hit what wouldn't usually be Poisoned; steels and Poisons. I really want to toss Venoshock somewhere on here, but I feel that losing coverage on dragons will only hurt my team. Still, I'm thinking about swapping Ice Beam for Venoshock, but I'm not sure if it's secondary effect of doubleing on a poisoned foe counts towards Sheer Force. The EV's are basic; give her as much defensive bulk as possible.
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Trace
Bold
252 HP, 184 Def, 72 SpD
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Recover
-Thunder Wave
I love Porygon2. For one thing he looks sweet. For another he's an awesome check to many threats. I used the thing in 4th gen because it countered threats like Gyarados and Heatran awesomely. In my opinion Eviolite was a godsend to Porygon2, and alongside Trace, he's definitely a wall to watch out for (in b4 no leftovers recovery screws him. He has Recover for christ's sake) Anyway, TWave fits into the team strat of a Hex sweep, while Thunderbolt and Ice Beam give Porygon the tools he needs to counter so much, Discharge for Gyara and Heatran, Ice Beam for the dragons. Once again EV's give him defensive bulk, with enough SpD bulk to avoid being 2HKO'd by Draco Meteor Salamence in sandstorm.
Jellicent @ Leftovers
Water Absorb
Bold
248 HP, 216 Def, 44 Spe
-Scald
-Recover
-Will-o-Wisp
-HP Fire/Taunt
Jellicent used to be Sigilyph, who was awesome as hell. Passed guaranteed burns, could set up with ease, nice instant recovery and could hit hard. In the end, my team lacked a spinblocker (which in all honesty I was not concerned about at first) but I also lacked multiple ways to dealing with Scizor, Forretress and Ferrothorn. Jellicent takes care of the first two with ease, thanks to it's bulk and HP Fire. Jellicent gives burns with both Scald and Will-o-Wisp, and then Recover gives me some nice, uh, recovery. The EV's of Jellicent are a work in progress, as I will most likely be changing them up in due time.
Cloyster @ White Herb
Skill Link
Jolly
252 Att, 208 Spe, 48 HP
-Icicle Spear
-Shell Smash
-Rock Blast
-Shell Blade
And now to the core offensive powerhouses of my team. This is standard 5th gen Cloyster, nothing surprising. I chose White Herb over Life Orb because the defensive recovery is absolutely amazing, and he already has enough power to take out what he needs without Life Orb. The EV's are also standard, they allow him to outspeed Scarfed Garchomp after a Smash. Icicle Spear and Rock Blast both proc Skill Link, turning each attack into automatic Base 125 moves. Shell Blade gets STAB and hits Steels. I opted not for Hydro Pump so I could keepa Jolly nature instead of having to go Naive.
Conkeldurr @ Leftovers
Guts
Brave
252 Att, 120 HP, 136 SpD
0 Spe IV
-Mach Punch
-Bulk Up
-Drain Punch
-Payback
Conkeldurr @ Leftovers
Guts
Brave
252 Att, 120 HP, 136 SpD
0 Spe IV
-Mach Punch
-Bulk Up
-Drain Punch
-Payback
My team originally had some huge problems with Steel Types, especially Heatran (being as how my team focuses on Poison, steels messed me up) Luckily, 5th gen brought Conkeldurr, and he's exactly what my team needed. This is straightforward, you'll be running into this guy a lot this generation. He swaps in on something that can't beat him 1v1, and he Bulks Up. Not much else to say, really, he's there to beat Steel's, and that's what he does.
Gengar @ Life Orb
Levitate
Timid
252 SpA, 252 Spe, 4 HP
-Hex
-Venoshock
-Thunderbolt
-Focus Blast
The star of the team. Gengar hits just as hard this Gen as he did last, and he got plenty of new toys to play with. He's the only Pokemon in the game to get STAB on both Hex and Venoshock, so he was a perfect fit onto my team. It's pretty obvious why I have Hex and Venoshock, Focus Blast gives me that perfect coverage (at least I believe it's still perfect in 5th gen) and Thunderbolt is really there to KO Gyarados and other Flying Types. Also as a plus note, Gengar acts as a spinblocker, so TSpikes can stay out while he's sweeping.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS:
1: No Rapid Spin
This is my biggest worry. I used to have Tentacruel on the team, but I didn't want half my team to be Electric Weak. I don't really feel like my team is in dire need to a rapid spinner, but it couldn't hurt to have one, I suppose. It'd help Cloyster, but at the same time it'd reduce the chance of Conkeldurr living up to his full potential.
This is my biggest worry. I used to have Tentacruel on the team, but I didn't want half my team to be Electric Weak. I don't really feel like my team is in dire need to a rapid spinner, but it couldn't hurt to have one, I suppose. It'd help Cloyster, but at the same time it'd reduce the chance of Conkeldurr living up to his full potential.
2: Heatran, and Steel types in general
Stupid Heatran, resisting both of Gengar's STAB attacks AND FIRE. That butthole. I have Nidoqueen plus Conkeldurr and Gengar, but still those Steels are troublesome It's nothing big, I can manage them, but ugh.
Stupid Heatran, resisting both of Gengar's STAB attacks AND FIRE. That butthole. I have Nidoqueen plus Conkeldurr and Gengar, but still those Steels are troublesome It's nothing big, I can manage them, but ugh.
IN SHORT:
That's the team! Thanks for reading through it (while dealing with ponies) I appreciate all rates (though I appreciate them more if they're well written and intelligent, hint hint. Please feel free to nitpick at your heart's content!
That's the team! Thanks for reading through it (while dealing with ponies) I appreciate all rates (though I appreciate them more if they're well written and intelligent, hint hint. Please feel free to nitpick at your heart's content!