ORAS OU Altitude (aka Gravity)

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Welcome to Altitude!
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An Introduction:

Hey everyone, today I will be presenting a team of mine, called Altitude. You may or may not know me around the OU and the C&C forums, where I run numerous threads as well as contribute somewhat regularly, or the OU room on Pokemon Showdown where I chat on sometimes when I'm bored by the same name.
But anyway, here is a balanced/bulky offense team that I decided to build for the OU Teambuilding Competition, but it turned out to be quite a good team, pretty anti-meta as of now. It revolves around two cores, the first being a mini sand Core of Tyranitar and Excadrill, with a Rock Polish Landorus thrown, which in my opinion the deadliest Pokemon around OU as of now, and takes advantage of Tyranitar's ability to Pursuit-trap Latios and Gengar who otherwise give Landorus trouble. The second part of the core is one I found on the ORAS Good Cores thread by AM, which initially I changed a little, but in the end I changed it back to the original out of necessity and accounting for threats. Basically, Reuniclus was the main win-con against stall, and Mega Altaria aided that by getting rid of Mega Sableye who otherwise walls Reuniclus to hell and back; Toxicroak was last and dealt with bulky Grass- and Water-types who trouble my sand core.
Overall, this team has done pretty well, quite innovative I dare say lol and uses pretty anti-meta threats such as Reuniclus and lure Altaria.

Music:

Was listening to these when building and battling, names are also from lyrics in the song (against the current is bae ^_^) Enjoy!

Teambuilding Process:

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These three came in a trio, and it is a great core at that. Choice Scarf Tyranitar provides valuable Pursuit support and sand for both Landorus and Excadrill, and is ultimately the glue of the team. It is also my only check to birdspam on the team. Landorus is the win-con, and with Rock Polish it is a terrifying sweeper with Sheer Force, especially when Gengar and Latios are gone and Keldeo weakened. Last but not least, Excadrill takes advantage of the sand to gain an incredible boost in its Speed, meanwhile providing Rapid Spin support for the team and a valuable late-game sweeper.

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Reuniclus was next, being an extremely consistent check to Keldeo and fast Fighting-types such as Mega Lopunny, as well as a great defensive win-con against balanced and stall builds. It is really anti-meta at the moment, and people just don't notice how good Reuniclus is. Keldeo was then subsequently added, and was initially used over Toxicroak as a more consistent check to Landorus-Therian and bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Slowbro with the less-seen Life Orb + Taunt set. Mega Altaria was last, and the special attacking set that I'm running provides relief against Mega Sableye and numerous Fairy-types that threaten my team.

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However, Keldeo just wasn't pulling the weight of the team, amplifying weaknesses to Azumarill and to some extent Starmie, so Toxicroak was put in place as a check, though shaky, to Azumarill; it is also a good failsafe in the face of Water-types who threaten my team.

In Detail:

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altitude (Landorus) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk, 29 HP

- Rock Polish
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Here it is, the greatest terror in the universe, the slayer of souls, the hunter of hearts, the scourge of the sky. Landorus is, in my opinion, the best Pokemon in the tier right now, capable of running a multitude of sets and easy to support. Having a far-from-bad Base 115 Special Attack as well as a stellar ability in Sheer Force allows it to hit extremely hard. I chose this Rock Polish set as I feel that it is Landorus' best set in the metagame as of now, and a clear win-con against many archetypes at once... I mean this thing destroys all three playstyles at once it's disgusting.
Earth Power is the obligatory STAB here, and combined with a Sheer Force and a Life Orb boost it hits so hard. Sludge Wave was then put as I wanted to deal with Fairy- and Grass-types that can shrug off Earth Power easily, things like Azumarill and Sylveon. Lastly, Hidden Power Ice beats Gliscor and opposing Landorus (-I/-T). The EVs are pretty standard, a Modest Nature is used since I'm running Rock Polish already to boost its Speed so Timid is unnecessary.

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realize (Tyranitar) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
"Everybody gives you advice, yeah
On how to live your life, how to live your life
Don't you know that life is full of surprises
You better realize, better realize"

Tyranitar is the glue of my team, providing invaluable support to Landorus by virtue of Pursuit-trapping Pokemon such as Latios and Gengar who Landorus cannot break through. In addition, it is my sole Talonflame check as well as revenge killer (Excadrill technically doesn't count), as well as a consistent Bisharp and Toxicroak check. The moveset is quite standard. Stone Edge hits birds and bees like Talonflame, Mega Pinsir and Volcarona hard, Pursuit to trap things like Latios, Gengar and Talonflame so that Landorus can have an easier time sweeping, Crunch is the main STAB and more reliably than Stone Edge when revenge killing stuff like Landorus. Lastly, I opted for Earthquake>Superpower (I actually had Superpower at first) because Toxicroak was a big problem to the team, and Earthquake still deals with Bisharp and opposing Tyranitar decently.
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gravity (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 29 HP

- Rapid Spin / Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide

"When the ground drops out I get lost in the clouds
Save me now?
You were my gravity
Now my world is shattering

You were my gravity
You were my gravity"

Excadrill capitalizes on the sand support that Tyranitar provides, and is a valuable revenge killer and physical sweeper. It is also my spinner, even though my team is not hindered too much by hazards, which is why Swords Dance is slashed after Rapid Spin, allowing Excadrill to go for a potential sweep; however I have three setup sweepers already, so I felt that another one would be unnecessary. The moveset and EVs are pretty standard, Iron Head and Earthquake are valuable STAB moves to deal with the plethora of Fairy-, Rock-, Steel-, Poison- and Fire-types right now, not to mention Excadrill's raw power allows it to break through many Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny and Keldeo. Rock Slide allows Excadrill to check Flying-types such as Charizard and Talonflame (does Excadrill even get Stone Edge?).

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surprises (Reuniclus) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind

- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Recover

"Everybody gives you advice, yeah
On how to live your life, how to live your life
Don't you know that life is full of surprises"

Reuniclus is great. No seriously, I'm not kidding, it's hard to believe this Pokemon languishing in the depths of RU was once suspect tested right? But anyway, Reuniclus is really anti-meta and surprising (haha see what I did there, I'm hilarious), most players just don't know how to prepare for it. It checks a shit-ton of threats in OU, including, but not limited to, Mega Lopunny, Keldeo, Clefable, whilst doubling as a great stallbreaker and defensive win-con in general.
Calm Mind allows Reuniclus to act as a bulky setup sweeper, combined with Magic Guard it uses passive walls such as Chansey and Alomomola as well as Pokemon it forces out such as Keldeo and Mega Lopunny for setup fodder. Psyshock is the main STAB move, used over Psychic for its ability to break through Chansey and opposing Calm Mind users easier. Focus Blast hits Dark- and Steel-types such as Tyranitar and Heatran who are immune to / resistant to Psyshock. Lastly, Recover lets Reuniclus gain health to keep Calm Mind-ing.
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through the night (Toxicroak) @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 29 HP

- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch

- Sucker Punch

"Do you remember feeling invincible?
When there was trouble it was us against the world
We kept running, running through the night
Chasing the sun 'til anything felt right"

Toxicroak was thrown on the team just as a check to Grass-types such as Celebi and Breloom, as well as being an extremely shaky check to Azumarill and Mega Altaria. Anyway, Toxicroak is a really underrated Pokemon, and I really love this thing as it stands out of all these Fighting-types due to its unique ability making it immune to Scald. It checks Fairies really nicely, and is my sole answer to Bisharp and Azumarill on the team so it is quite important. Swords Dance gives it some sweeping potential, though I next to never use it, and Gunk Shot and Drain Punch are dual STABs to deal with Fairies, Steels and Darks like Azumafuck Azumarill and Karxrida Bisharp. Lastly, Sucker Punch deals with fast Psychic- or Ghost-types like Latios or Gengar.

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into the clouds (Altaria-Mega) @ Altarianite
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 76 HP / 252 SpA / 180 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Draco Meteor / Heal Bell / Toxic


"Can you save me now?
I get lost up in the clouds
Can you save me now?
You were my gravity"

Mega Altaria can become my favourite Mega in ORAS, and for good reason. Boasting a stellar typing in Fairy and Dragon, allowing it to check many prominent threats such as Mega Lopunny and Keldeo, as well as tons of versatility, bulk and power. I chose the Special set as it fares better against Mega Sableye and Keldeo, and also because it's more unexpected: more people expect Dragon Dance Altaria (or Cotton Guard Altaria 'cos its just so... stylish) than Special Attacking Altaria. Coupled with Pixilate, it is a great wallbreaker. It really aids my team, as it takes care of powerful Fighting-types which may break through Reuniclus easily, as well as Mega Sableye who is otherwise a threat. Altaria + Reuniclus is such a great core <3
Hyper Voice is the main STAB, boosted to sky-high levels with Pixilate, and Fire Blast deals with bulky Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Scizor, as well as dealing better damage to things like Celebi. Roost keeps Altaria healthy. The last slot really can be used for anything. I personally prefer Draco Meteor - even though it seems to have redundant coverage with Hyper Voice, in truth Draco Meteor is great on Altaria, dealing with Mega Charizard Y, Victini, and Talonflame who otherwise are really annoying to deal with, resisting Hyper Voice + Fire Blast. Draco Meteor also let's Altaria check Mega Charizard X easier. However, Heal Bell / Toxic are options, with the former clearing the team of status, particularly burns or poisons on my sand trio, and the latter wears down Talonflame and Chansey.
EV Spread creeps stuff that creeps Adamant Bisharp and Breloom, i.e 16 Speed Celebi (less-used by w/e) and Zapdos. Rest is dumped into HP.

Creator of Chaos: Really nice PS and smogon friend, you really should contribute more n_n also ty for the roselia :)
Sparkl3y: Cute fren :) When do we record lol, and get your art badge already, I'll draw you a whimsicott n_n
Recreant: stop changing your avi already fren :] You led me to like houndoom (though i still hate birds) also ur lazy
Dr Ciel: Thanks for the shoutout :p You're cool, hope you have luck with your team and get a badge soon :) Also no to gk bisharp
astroboy: Another cute fren :) i still think ur a boy :/
Soulblaster: cool d00d, i'd be surprised if you dont getta badge soon for all ur c&c work, gl fren :) also sorry for not adding u on skype earlier lmao
Kurona: write analyses for fucks sake u need a badge fren :)
Karxrida: ur lazy too .__. Write analyses or do some stuff on forums for gods sake lol, but bisharp is sweg as always.
Analytic: you're cool too, you should get TR badge soon fren, also gl on your YT channel
boltsandbombers: tons of respect for you, you always help me out and stuff :)
Mysteria: tons of respect for you too, ty for hosting theorymon, its heaps of fun :)
Teeny Victory: PS fren, you're cool too :) hope we win hydreigon tour lol
Aragorn the King: best mod imo (maybe tied with AM i dunno) :] reuniclus is the best lol
AM: I don't know you too well, but I always look up to mods and you're not an exception, thanks for making ou forums such a fun place :)
Tressed: Lol i didn't know you're name's dessert backwards, its so cute rofl. btw we should battle someday...
ThePack: How could I forget you... You're offensive starmie gives me nightmares... Cool fren tho, make some threads lol
Flygonial: Trinary fren! Lol thanks for battling me, sorry about landorus :( Aim for that fist badge tho fren
Celticpride: congrats on mods and badge lol, good to know we have a good team rater in our midst :)
QuagGod: Cute avi, cute user ^_^
rubsomebacononit: Cute user too :) nice to know we share a love for writing (sigh im better at fiction than other stuff)
@fookmi: best name kevin, i approve n____n
qwazz: havent heard from you in ages, but ill always remember you as the kyube guy n_n
QueBien: Nice fren :) where the 420 shoutouts at rofl
Repeater1947: god of aesthetic imo, ty for the format which i stole :(
blinkie: o_o sorry you're last, but you're cool anyway. blinkie has no friends huehuehue

altitude (Landorus) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rock Polish
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]

realize (Tyranitar) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

gravity (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide

into the clouds (Altaria-Mega) @ Altarianite
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 76 HP / 252 SpA / 180 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Heal Bell

surprises (Reuniclus) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Recover

through the night (Toxicroak) @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch

Conclusion:

We reach the end of an RMT once again... Thanks for reading it, I hope you've enjoyed it, and I hope you have success using it! Now tear it apart Until next time people, bye :)

"When the ground drops out I get lost up in the clouds
Save me now?
You were my gravity
Now my world is shattering
Now my world is shattering
You were my gravity"
 
Cool team,thanks so much for the shout out :]

Threats:
  • Excadrill in Sand:Reuniclus will handle the non SD variants,but the ones with them I'm not so sure about.
  • Landorus-I:Specially the CM and RP Variants,they break apart Toxicroak,Excadrill,Tyranitar and Altaria.
  • Double Dance Landorus-T:LOL.One SD and an RP is all it takes to sweep
  • KyuB:Pretty good matchup vs your team
Suggestions:
  • Air Balloon>Life Orb on Excadrill:The loss of power isn't ideal ofc but it provides you with a rather safe switch into the threats I mentioned above.You could even go for SD over Rapid Spin if you feel like it.
That's all ;-; I couldn't find any other weaknesses in your fantastic team.Great job, hope I helped
 
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That Reuniclus triple dodging my CB Azu's Play Roughs... On a more positive note, I think I've found my new jam.

Seriously though, I would like to point out that 29 HP EVs on Lando-I are completely unnecessary, as Genies naturally achieve a Life Orb number (It's like they're made to use that item). Another nitpick is that Reuniclus has a space in between Calm Mind and Psyshock in its description. In terms of achieving its objectives, this team is quite solid, but it seems to be a bit lacking defensively, especially in synergy. Toxicroak is a secondary win-condition and can get predicted and KO'd due to its mediocre bulk, which leaves Mega Altaria very pressured as a water resist.

Bringing back to what I first said, the team is quite weak to a Choice Band Azumarill barring hax, since it OHKO's two of your win-conditions with Aqua Jet, can OHKO one other with Play Rough, 2HKO the last with the same move, and can come in on your sand setter, while being able to take a hit from two other pokemon. Play Rough spam from then on seems to be a very safe option. There's also a prominent ground weakness, which also leads me to second Analytic's suggestion of Air Balloon Excadrill. As an RP Lando-I team, it seems quite weak to RP Lando-I, and it can find a set-up opportunity against Tyranitar locked in Pursuit as well as shrugging off most of what Toxicroak can throw at it.
 
Yup, Air Balloon Excadrill would definitely work. Azumarill is a problem, don't know how to remedy it. Maybe something like Ice Punch Toxicroak would stop Landorus from RPing in my face.

Thanks for the rates guys :)

e: yeah i dunno y there is a space, its weird, on my editing thing there isnt one :/
 
First thing is first. Extremely nice team nostalgia Offensively your team is extremly solid and has nice if not an anti-meta synergy. I'n addition I notice is it does not get rekt my T-Wave clefable or any for that matter but we'll see come the enevitable match up and overall your team does extremly well against the fairy spam the metagame (do you hate fairies that much because you have 3 Checks to them?) seem to love right now.

Yeah Lando I is a massive problem for you as is Azumarill but others have already explained those. 1 thing you may have missed tho is Scizor expecially the Bulky Band Variant whom needs only a clean switch to start wrecking you. Reinuclus gets wrecked by u-turn/pursuit, Superpower nails Exva everything else needs only a little dmg for bullet punch to Clean. Scizor can piece by piece tear the team apart and will not switch directly into alteria if they suspect you for a moment to be holding fireblast.

Best way for your team to handle these 3 mons in 1 slot is Either Skyplate or Band talonflame. It still checks Bisharp, doesn't overly care for fairies and gives you reliable prioty. Not sure what you could drop tho but its an idea
 
Tho your team is solid. Toxicroak is the shakiest mon there so its up to you. Test it first to make sure it acutally works. Just note its gives you a 4th water weakness but there's not much else I can think of at this point in time that can handle your teams problems without opening up others. If you go talonflame I would suggest the Skyplate varient so you can use prioty roost to mitigate stealth rock dmg
 
Heliolisk could potentially be a BD Azu stop while still putting a dent in non-RP Lando-Is with Surf, or flat out OHKO'ing with Specs. Yes, Heliolisk is mostly outclassed, but it's got enough of a niche in its ability to stop Scald Spam, troll Keldeo, and 2HKO most electrics with Specs Hyper Voice (Volt Switch probably isn't the best thing to use on it BTW), and 2HKO stuff like Mega Venusaur and Physically Defensive Celebi. In order to deal with Bisharp better, Mega Altaria can be made Timid.

Now the problems with this is that it can't deal with steels like Ferrothorn and needs to predict Grass types, it strips the team of all its priority, and compounds a fighting weakness. The team truly does seem to be on the tip of balance, and any options that seem to initially set it straight don't do that much.

BTW, I would have said this earlier but I felt like it would be relevant. Now, whatever. The way the RMT is formatted just looks really cool. Props to you. I see that you've abandoned VoltTurn Eternity from your signature.
 
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