Since the time I began competitive Pokemon, I have always enjoyed stall teams. They turn the pace of the game into something slow, calculated, and drawn-out; something I enjoy greatly. When 5th gen came out, I was eager to see what new assets arose for an avid stall user. Unfortunately, the general game became extremely anti-stall. New threats arose which could annihilate even the toughest stall threats with ease. But in this game of abused weather and stat boosters, I have done my best give stall a glimmer of hope.
The Team
Picard (Hippowdon) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 104 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
The lead of my team and the first part of my core, Hippowdon serves many roles, including some new ones since last generation. His move set is standard from previous generations. Stealth rock provides needed residual damage, while roar helps to amplify that damage. Earthquake is quite useful in removing the threat of Excadrill, and Sand Stream can keep weather in check, as well as provide damage to enemy teams.
Hippowdon’s stats are also quite standard. As one of the main defensive walls on my tem, Hippowdon can survive most any physical attack and have room to counter.
(Borg) Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SDef
Hardy Nature
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Volt Switch
Being the second member of my three member crew, Forretress’s main role is to lay and remove entry hazards. He also has sturdy defences that allow him to act as a physical wall as well. For his final move, I picked Volt Switch so that he can escape and be used again without the threat of being forced to stay in. As he is vital to the team, I can’t allow him to die.
(Considering changing to Ferrothorn for Jellicent Ferrothorn core)
Beverly (Blissey) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
- Protect
The last and favorite member of my core, Blissey has been a personal favorite since she came into being. Maybe it’s the joy of seeing my opponent rip their hair out at the inability to kill her. Anyway, with the new way that wish works, Blissey provides excellent wish support to the entirety of my team. She can also provide residual damage with toxic and protect. Protect also allows her to scout (sort of). For the last move, I chose flamethrower over seismic toss or ice beam because of its ability to hit Scizor, Excadrill, Forretress, and Ferrothorn. Scizor is like the flagship of 5th generation, and can be quite threatening to the team. Blissey can hit a Scizor hard that switches in, hoping for an easy swords dance. Moreover, Excadrill, who benefits from the sand storm, can be double checked. Lastly, Forretress and Ferrothron, which are difficult and common physical walls to deal with, are minimized as a threat.
Tribble (Whimsicott) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Encore
- Leech Seed
- Taunt
-Worry Seed
This is a new attempt on my team, and he still requires more testing before I decide the verdict to keep him or not (See additional comments bellow for potential team switch-around). I really enjoy the priority encore, which can force switches, causing damage with spikes, or allow me to set up (to a degree). Although he has the stats of a physical wall, I don’t rely on him much for that purpose because his role is very unique, and I can’t just go throwing him around like fodder. Whimsicott also has a priority leech seed, which I use greatly to my advantage, as it acts to further wear down the opposing team. Taunt stops Pokemon, such as Forretress, who try to set up on Whimsicott. Finally, in a game full of reliance on abilities such as wonder guard or shadow tag, I decided to use Worry Seed, which will effectively neutralize any advantage the opponent may have with ability. Finally, Because Whimsicott has no attacking moves, I gave him 0 Atk IVs so that he does less damage to himself if he ever becomes confused.
Zindi (Jellicent) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Will-O-Wisp
Ah, Jellicent, a general wall with two immunities, it’s no wonder he’s a greatly loved ghost type, supreme for rapid spin block. I’ve given him a pretty standard set. Scald and Will-O-Wisp can cripple physical attackers, as well as providing some residual damage. Ice beam takes care of common threats of grass and dragon typing.
Quagsire (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Curse
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Recover
One of the newer additions to my team, Quagsire is able to effectively counter most of the stat boosting meta thanks to Unaware. Because of this, he can quite easily stat boost with curse and then hit hard with Earthquake and Stone edge. His stats are geared toward SDef because Curse will raise Def quite quickly, making him a more balanced wall. Forretress works well with him because he can clear and provide entry hazards to make Quagsire’s attacks more formidable.
Possible changes of removing Whimsicott and Forretress, for these two:
Enterprise (Skarmory) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Roar
- Spikes
- Roost
Skarmory, the favorite physical wall for such a long time, I’d like to see if I can get him onto this team. His synergy with Blissey can create a formidable collection of difficulties for the other team. The set is quite standard. Roar to provide residual damage, Brave bird to deal with Grass types and other threats, and then of course, roost in order to recover. Spikes is needed as well to replace what was lost from Forretress.
Number 1 (Tentacruel) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Surf
- Toxic Spikes
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
Another stall-veteran, Tentacruel is another pokemon that I’d like to see come back on this team. His ability to place and remove toxic spikes, as well as rapid spin is redoubtable. He also has enough special attack to deal with common threats. If he were to come back on the team, I would replace Jellicent’s move set to remove Icebeam and replace it with another move to cover more stats.
Anyway, that’s the team. At the moment, it’s very newly built, and so any constructive criticism (with explanation) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks bunches.
The Team
Picard (Hippowdon) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 104 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
The lead of my team and the first part of my core, Hippowdon serves many roles, including some new ones since last generation. His move set is standard from previous generations. Stealth rock provides needed residual damage, while roar helps to amplify that damage. Earthquake is quite useful in removing the threat of Excadrill, and Sand Stream can keep weather in check, as well as provide damage to enemy teams.
Hippowdon’s stats are also quite standard. As one of the main defensive walls on my tem, Hippowdon can survive most any physical attack and have room to counter.
(Borg) Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SDef
Hardy Nature
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Volt Switch
Being the second member of my three member crew, Forretress’s main role is to lay and remove entry hazards. He also has sturdy defences that allow him to act as a physical wall as well. For his final move, I picked Volt Switch so that he can escape and be used again without the threat of being forced to stay in. As he is vital to the team, I can’t allow him to die.
(Considering changing to Ferrothorn for Jellicent Ferrothorn core)
Beverly (Blissey) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
- Protect
The last and favorite member of my core, Blissey has been a personal favorite since she came into being. Maybe it’s the joy of seeing my opponent rip their hair out at the inability to kill her. Anyway, with the new way that wish works, Blissey provides excellent wish support to the entirety of my team. She can also provide residual damage with toxic and protect. Protect also allows her to scout (sort of). For the last move, I chose flamethrower over seismic toss or ice beam because of its ability to hit Scizor, Excadrill, Forretress, and Ferrothorn. Scizor is like the flagship of 5th generation, and can be quite threatening to the team. Blissey can hit a Scizor hard that switches in, hoping for an easy swords dance. Moreover, Excadrill, who benefits from the sand storm, can be double checked. Lastly, Forretress and Ferrothron, which are difficult and common physical walls to deal with, are minimized as a threat.
Tribble (Whimsicott) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Encore
- Leech Seed
- Taunt
-Worry Seed
This is a new attempt on my team, and he still requires more testing before I decide the verdict to keep him or not (See additional comments bellow for potential team switch-around). I really enjoy the priority encore, which can force switches, causing damage with spikes, or allow me to set up (to a degree). Although he has the stats of a physical wall, I don’t rely on him much for that purpose because his role is very unique, and I can’t just go throwing him around like fodder. Whimsicott also has a priority leech seed, which I use greatly to my advantage, as it acts to further wear down the opposing team. Taunt stops Pokemon, such as Forretress, who try to set up on Whimsicott. Finally, in a game full of reliance on abilities such as wonder guard or shadow tag, I decided to use Worry Seed, which will effectively neutralize any advantage the opponent may have with ability. Finally, Because Whimsicott has no attacking moves, I gave him 0 Atk IVs so that he does less damage to himself if he ever becomes confused.
Zindi (Jellicent) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Will-O-Wisp
Ah, Jellicent, a general wall with two immunities, it’s no wonder he’s a greatly loved ghost type, supreme for rapid spin block. I’ve given him a pretty standard set. Scald and Will-O-Wisp can cripple physical attackers, as well as providing some residual damage. Ice beam takes care of common threats of grass and dragon typing.
Quagsire (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Curse
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Recover
One of the newer additions to my team, Quagsire is able to effectively counter most of the stat boosting meta thanks to Unaware. Because of this, he can quite easily stat boost with curse and then hit hard with Earthquake and Stone edge. His stats are geared toward SDef because Curse will raise Def quite quickly, making him a more balanced wall. Forretress works well with him because he can clear and provide entry hazards to make Quagsire’s attacks more formidable.
Possible changes of removing Whimsicott and Forretress, for these two:
Enterprise (Skarmory) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Roar
- Spikes
- Roost
Skarmory, the favorite physical wall for such a long time, I’d like to see if I can get him onto this team. His synergy with Blissey can create a formidable collection of difficulties for the other team. The set is quite standard. Roar to provide residual damage, Brave bird to deal with Grass types and other threats, and then of course, roost in order to recover. Spikes is needed as well to replace what was lost from Forretress.
Number 1 (Tentacruel) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Surf
- Toxic Spikes
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
Another stall-veteran, Tentacruel is another pokemon that I’d like to see come back on this team. His ability to place and remove toxic spikes, as well as rapid spin is redoubtable. He also has enough special attack to deal with common threats. If he were to come back on the team, I would replace Jellicent’s move set to remove Icebeam and replace it with another move to cover more stats.
Anyway, that’s the team. At the moment, it’s very newly built, and so any constructive criticism (with explanation) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks bunches.