I'm posting this because..... well to showcase how effective a strategy this is, but also because I think that it doesn't really matter whether or not you know my movesets and EVs, so this is one place where constructive criticism is actually helpful. This is the team I laddered with under the alt [Inconsistent]. I pretty quickly achieved a rating of 1300 (and rising), which is #1 on the LC ladder by far (my real account is about 50 points lower at #2 which is like another 70 points higher than #3, for clarity).
I made this team because Draco used Inconsistent Remoraid in a battle and it was pretty effective. It seemed to me like Inconsistent could be abused very easily in LC, so I whipped up a team to do so. I haven't made any changes to the team since I made it, because I like it as it is and didn't want to mess with it.
That's what you guys are for.
You're going to want to read this.
Contrary to what most people think, strategy involving Inconsistent isn't just to spam Substitute/Protect. It involves knowing when spamming Sub/Protect is OK, and creating opportunities to do so. Once these opportunites are seized, it's difficult to lose. I'm not justifying Inconsistent as a legitimate strategy that requires as much skill as any other (because its not and it doesn't), just clearing a misconception. It minimizes the amount of skill needed to win consistently, but it certainly doesn't reduce it completely.
The strategy is simple. There are two main scenarios where I can set up an Inconsistent sweep. The first is on defensive/set up pokes that have a hard time killing my Inconsistent Pokemon. The second is on Choice-locked or Encored Pokemon that are stuck into a move that allows me to set up a Substitute. If I can set up a Sub safely in either of these two scenarios, I will quite frequently win.
There are several ways things that can make an Inconsistent sweep difficult though. Hail or Sandstorm will nullify Leftovers recovery, meaning Substitute/Protect can not be spammed as easily. This means Hippopotas and Snover need to be removed from the match and the weather needs to be removed. Toxic Spikes will Poison Remoraid and Bidoof, making them die eventually as they are losing health too quickly to spam Substitute/Protect. Toxic Spikes also need to be taken care of to win. Other ways to stop Inconsistent, like Haze and Perish Song, are too rare in Little Cup to worry about. The only thing left to worry about is teams that don't allow me to set up a Substitute, but I'll go over that.
Here's the real RMT and not just a ramble.
[The Inconsistent Abusers]
Remoraid @ Leftovers
Inconsistent : Hasty
76 HP / 156 Def / 236 Spe
- Substitute
- Protect
- Surf
- Bullet Seed
Not the first poke in my team preview, but I find myself sending it out turn 1 more and more often. Most people try and lead with something that can set up turn 1, and Remoraid really just fucks them over if they do. Also, Fake Out leads give Remoraid a free Protect, and with 17 Speed it's at worst tying with Kojofuu (not if I get a Speed boost turn 1 with Protect though!), so I can usually just throw up a Sub. Meditite can't really do anything to Remoraid either.
The two things Remoraid has going for it is that it is fast, and it's strong. Both 65 Speed and SpAtk are aggrevating, because it only needs one boost in either area to be a true menace. Maxed Speed allows it to set up Subtitute against most Pokemon even without a Speed boost. With 21 HP, Remoraid can use Substitute/Protect 12 times (actually 13 if it Protects first), not factoring in the probably Evasion and defensive boosts that will allow for even more. The other EVs were thrown into Defense, giving Remoraid a Defense and Special Defense of 10.
I originally had Flamethrower with Surf. However, Bullet Seed lets me beat other Inconsistent users. Also, if for some reason I find that only my Attack is getting boosted and my Special Attack is at like -4, I can still do damage. I have one less point in each defense than before, but whatever. I guess I should also be more afraid of [Bullet Seed] Tesshiido but again, whatever.
Bidoof @ Leftovers
Inconsistent : Timid
44 HP / 116 Def / 116 SpD / 188 Spe
- Substitute
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
Bidoof is I think the bulkiest Inconsistent user in LC, so that's a plus. With Timid max Speed it hits 13, which is usable after a Speed boost. 23 HP gives it even more chances to Sub/Protect than Remoraid, and again the rest were thrown in defenses.
Bidoof has a shitty physical movepool, so I decided to go special. I didn't want to have to use Return/Pluck... Thunderbolt and Ice Beam get a lot of kills anyways, especially surprise kills on stuff like Gligar and Murkrow, so I went with those. I should really find better moves .-.
[The Supporters]
Tentacool @ Evolution Stone
Liquid Ooze : Calm
196 HP / 76 Def / 36 SpA / 196 SpD
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Boil Over
- Venom Shock
Tentacool sets up Toxic Spikes and removes opposing Toxic Spikes. To be honest, the latter is far more important. I'm running Evolution Stone because it allows Tentacool to take physical hits without keeling over, as well as surviving basically every special hit. Boil Over burns stuff hopefully (it never seems to though X_X) aiding set up of Inconsistent pokes, but also keeping stuff from setting up on Tentacool. Venom Shock hits Poisoned pokemon for double damage.
I originally had some Speed EVs on Tentacool, but I moved them to Defense so he can be bulkier. HP and Special Defense are mazed to make Tentacool really bulky, giving it many opportunities to set up Toxic Spikes.
I have Haze to help with other Inconsistent teams. I'm also running less Speed so I can let something like Shellder go first and use Shell Smash, then let me Haze, so it doesn't sweep the whole team....
Wynaut @ Evolution Stone
Shadow Tag : Impish
236 HP / 52 Def / 132 SpD / 12 Spe
- Encore
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Destiny Bond
Encore support is very helpful, and nobody does it better than Wynaut. Wynaut also lets me remove a problem Pokemon of choice from the match, like say Snover or Chinchou. I run Destiny Bond because it helps me get kills on slower pokes, and usually against faster pokes that can't OHKO. Tickle could help set up or whatever, but Wynaut usually comes in on SR or something. The other moves are bread and butter.
HP is maximized to maximize CounterCoat damage. Evolution Stone lets me take on stuff like Meditite better, but I usually use Meditite as set-up bait anyways. Oran Berry may actually be best to make it so that CounterCoat damage is truly maximized, but I like being able to Encore lots of weaker attacks more.
[The Revenge Killers]
Elekid @ Life Orb
Static : Jolly
252 Atk / 236 Spe
- Rain Dance
- Wild Bolt
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
Elekid is only here because it's fast and gets Rain Dance. I use it once I kill Hippopotas or Snover so I can start Inconsistent sweeping. I chose Rain Dance over Sunny Day because Sunny Day sweepers are a little more threatening with Sleep moves and good coverage, while Rain sweepers are pretty easy to wall with Tentacool and Wynaut. Also, Rain teams are far less common as there is no LC Pokemon with Drizzle. The other moves are just there to hit as hard as possible against as many Pokemon as possible.
Jolly max Speed ensures that I'll get up Rain Dance against everything but strong Scarf Pokemon. It also means I will probably be able to revenge kill anything that hasnt boosted Speed.
Gligar @ Choice Scarf
Sand Veil : Jolly
236 Atk / 236 Spe
- Earthquake
- Aerial Ace
- Aqua Tail
- U-turn
Gligar is the Pokemon I lead with on team preview. Earthquake + Aerial Ace + Aqua Tail gets nice coverage against most Pokemon in the metagame. U-turn gives me even more opportunites to bring in Remoraid or Bidoof, especially if I kill something with U-turn as I'll get a free boost at the end of the turn.
I chose Jolly to outspeed as much as possible. It hits 29 Speed, so it'll even outspeed some slower Sunny Day sweepers, and obviously every common Scarf Pokemon.
Aerial Ace gives me yet another check against opposing Inconsistent pokes, but also I hate Stone Edge and I basically never used it when I had it.
---
This team is pretty solid I guess. It doesn't really need to be perfect to win most battles, but I suppose any nitpicks would be great.
There is one thing I mentioned earlier that I want to touch on now. I said that I can set up easily against defensive teams and against Choice Scarf/Encore locked Pokemon, but some teams don't allow me to do this. More specifically, when I'm playing bad or the opposing player is playing smart, I won't get that many really safe chances to set up. However, if I bring in Remoraid or Bidoof after a kill and use Protect, there is a 2/7 chance I boost Speed or Evasion. Both of those give me opportunies to Substitute, and from there it's very hard to lose. (The speed boost is generally better unless the opponent has also boosted Speed, since +2 Evasion is still hitting 7/9 times IIRC). This is not counting a possible defense boost that also allows me to set up.
This is a much more frequent occurance than I would like to admit (I'm not perfect....). The player who plays better should be the one that wins, and Inconsistent really makes that unlikely. For this reason, I think it should be removed from competitive play.
Anyways, rate!
I made this team because Draco used Inconsistent Remoraid in a battle and it was pretty effective. It seemed to me like Inconsistent could be abused very easily in LC, so I whipped up a team to do so. I haven't made any changes to the team since I made it, because I like it as it is and didn't want to mess with it.
That's what you guys are for.
[Inconsistent]
You're going to want to read this.
Contrary to what most people think, strategy involving Inconsistent isn't just to spam Substitute/Protect. It involves knowing when spamming Sub/Protect is OK, and creating opportunities to do so. Once these opportunites are seized, it's difficult to lose. I'm not justifying Inconsistent as a legitimate strategy that requires as much skill as any other (because its not and it doesn't), just clearing a misconception. It minimizes the amount of skill needed to win consistently, but it certainly doesn't reduce it completely.
The strategy is simple. There are two main scenarios where I can set up an Inconsistent sweep. The first is on defensive/set up pokes that have a hard time killing my Inconsistent Pokemon. The second is on Choice-locked or Encored Pokemon that are stuck into a move that allows me to set up a Substitute. If I can set up a Sub safely in either of these two scenarios, I will quite frequently win.
There are several ways things that can make an Inconsistent sweep difficult though. Hail or Sandstorm will nullify Leftovers recovery, meaning Substitute/Protect can not be spammed as easily. This means Hippopotas and Snover need to be removed from the match and the weather needs to be removed. Toxic Spikes will Poison Remoraid and Bidoof, making them die eventually as they are losing health too quickly to spam Substitute/Protect. Toxic Spikes also need to be taken care of to win. Other ways to stop Inconsistent, like Haze and Perish Song, are too rare in Little Cup to worry about. The only thing left to worry about is teams that don't allow me to set up a Substitute, but I'll go over that.
Here's the real RMT and not just a ramble.
[The Inconsistent Abusers]
Remoraid @ Leftovers
Inconsistent : Hasty
76 HP / 156 Def / 236 Spe
- Substitute
- Protect
- Surf
- Bullet Seed
Not the first poke in my team preview, but I find myself sending it out turn 1 more and more often. Most people try and lead with something that can set up turn 1, and Remoraid really just fucks them over if they do. Also, Fake Out leads give Remoraid a free Protect, and with 17 Speed it's at worst tying with Kojofuu (not if I get a Speed boost turn 1 with Protect though!), so I can usually just throw up a Sub. Meditite can't really do anything to Remoraid either.
The two things Remoraid has going for it is that it is fast, and it's strong. Both 65 Speed and SpAtk are aggrevating, because it only needs one boost in either area to be a true menace. Maxed Speed allows it to set up Subtitute against most Pokemon even without a Speed boost. With 21 HP, Remoraid can use Substitute/Protect 12 times (actually 13 if it Protects first), not factoring in the probably Evasion and defensive boosts that will allow for even more. The other EVs were thrown into Defense, giving Remoraid a Defense and Special Defense of 10.
I originally had Flamethrower with Surf. However, Bullet Seed lets me beat other Inconsistent users. Also, if for some reason I find that only my Attack is getting boosted and my Special Attack is at like -4, I can still do damage. I have one less point in each defense than before, but whatever. I guess I should also be more afraid of [Bullet Seed] Tesshiido but again, whatever.
Bidoof @ Leftovers
Inconsistent : Timid
44 HP / 116 Def / 116 SpD / 188 Spe
- Substitute
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
Bidoof is I think the bulkiest Inconsistent user in LC, so that's a plus. With Timid max Speed it hits 13, which is usable after a Speed boost. 23 HP gives it even more chances to Sub/Protect than Remoraid, and again the rest were thrown in defenses.
Bidoof has a shitty physical movepool, so I decided to go special. I didn't want to have to use Return/Pluck... Thunderbolt and Ice Beam get a lot of kills anyways, especially surprise kills on stuff like Gligar and Murkrow, so I went with those. I should really find better moves .-.
[The Supporters]
Tentacool @ Evolution Stone
Liquid Ooze : Calm
196 HP / 76 Def / 36 SpA / 196 SpD
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Boil Over
- Venom Shock
Tentacool sets up Toxic Spikes and removes opposing Toxic Spikes. To be honest, the latter is far more important. I'm running Evolution Stone because it allows Tentacool to take physical hits without keeling over, as well as surviving basically every special hit. Boil Over burns stuff hopefully (it never seems to though X_X) aiding set up of Inconsistent pokes, but also keeping stuff from setting up on Tentacool. Venom Shock hits Poisoned pokemon for double damage.
I originally had some Speed EVs on Tentacool, but I moved them to Defense so he can be bulkier. HP and Special Defense are mazed to make Tentacool really bulky, giving it many opportunities to set up Toxic Spikes.
I have Haze to help with other Inconsistent teams. I'm also running less Speed so I can let something like Shellder go first and use Shell Smash, then let me Haze, so it doesn't sweep the whole team....
Wynaut @ Evolution Stone
Shadow Tag : Impish
236 HP / 52 Def / 132 SpD / 12 Spe
- Encore
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Destiny Bond
Encore support is very helpful, and nobody does it better than Wynaut. Wynaut also lets me remove a problem Pokemon of choice from the match, like say Snover or Chinchou. I run Destiny Bond because it helps me get kills on slower pokes, and usually against faster pokes that can't OHKO. Tickle could help set up or whatever, but Wynaut usually comes in on SR or something. The other moves are bread and butter.
HP is maximized to maximize CounterCoat damage. Evolution Stone lets me take on stuff like Meditite better, but I usually use Meditite as set-up bait anyways. Oran Berry may actually be best to make it so that CounterCoat damage is truly maximized, but I like being able to Encore lots of weaker attacks more.
[The Revenge Killers]
Elekid @ Life Orb
Static : Jolly
252 Atk / 236 Spe
- Rain Dance
- Wild Bolt
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
Elekid is only here because it's fast and gets Rain Dance. I use it once I kill Hippopotas or Snover so I can start Inconsistent sweeping. I chose Rain Dance over Sunny Day because Sunny Day sweepers are a little more threatening with Sleep moves and good coverage, while Rain sweepers are pretty easy to wall with Tentacool and Wynaut. Also, Rain teams are far less common as there is no LC Pokemon with Drizzle. The other moves are just there to hit as hard as possible against as many Pokemon as possible.
Jolly max Speed ensures that I'll get up Rain Dance against everything but strong Scarf Pokemon. It also means I will probably be able to revenge kill anything that hasnt boosted Speed.
Gligar @ Choice Scarf
Sand Veil : Jolly
236 Atk / 236 Spe
- Earthquake
- Aerial Ace
- Aqua Tail
- U-turn
Gligar is the Pokemon I lead with on team preview. Earthquake + Aerial Ace + Aqua Tail gets nice coverage against most Pokemon in the metagame. U-turn gives me even more opportunites to bring in Remoraid or Bidoof, especially if I kill something with U-turn as I'll get a free boost at the end of the turn.
I chose Jolly to outspeed as much as possible. It hits 29 Speed, so it'll even outspeed some slower Sunny Day sweepers, and obviously every common Scarf Pokemon.
Aerial Ace gives me yet another check against opposing Inconsistent pokes, but also I hate Stone Edge and I basically never used it when I had it.
---
This team is pretty solid I guess. It doesn't really need to be perfect to win most battles, but I suppose any nitpicks would be great.
There is one thing I mentioned earlier that I want to touch on now. I said that I can set up easily against defensive teams and against Choice Scarf/Encore locked Pokemon, but some teams don't allow me to do this. More specifically, when I'm playing bad or the opposing player is playing smart, I won't get that many really safe chances to set up. However, if I bring in Remoraid or Bidoof after a kill and use Protect, there is a 2/7 chance I boost Speed or Evasion. Both of those give me opportunies to Substitute, and from there it's very hard to lose. (The speed boost is generally better unless the opponent has also boosted Speed, since +2 Evasion is still hitting 7/9 times IIRC). This is not counting a possible defense boost that also allows me to set up.
This is a much more frequent occurance than I would like to admit (I'm not perfect....). The player who plays better should be the one that wins, and Inconsistent really makes that unlikely. For this reason, I think it should be removed from competitive play.
Anyways, rate!
