Other Metagames [BH] The Times They Are A-Changin' [Top 10 / 88.8 GXE]

[aki0s]

A short pre-face: this a rework of my very first gen-7 BH team RMT.

With the release of USUM imminent and the possible new-release of Pokemon; I thought it would be apt to rework my original gen-7 BH team and see how it would do on the current ladder. It turns out it did quite well. Better than the last time in-fact (position wise, a bit poor; but I'm quite happy with my GXE). I ended up going 63W/8L (88.8% GXE) before I decided to hang my hat for this leg of the meta.

proof

I'm ZZZAx04.

Now, usually I'd do a whole breakdown sort-of preview of my team before I even delve into the merits of the team itself. But I'm not sure many people actually read those parts of an RMT. So I'll just run right into the merits.

Mewtwo-Mega-Y @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Moongeist Beam
- Blue Flare

Sheer force Mega-Mewtwo-Y. Need it any introduction? I suppose it does. While everyone is currently going crazy over Psychic-Surge Mega-Mewtwo-Y, I've always been quite partial to Sheer Force. While it lacks the overwhelming utility and breaking pressure of the Psy-surge variant, it does offer flexibility, consistent high damage and great coverage. This is pretty important in the meta as it is right now. A lot of teams are packing darks (Yveltal seemingly the most common with Mega-Gyaradoes rarely seen), meaning coverage such as Ice-Beam (hitting the most common dark [yveltal]) puts in work and other coverage such as blue-flare puts in work versus regen-vest steels. Sheer-force Mega-Mewtwo-Y also has the added benefit of being able to bluff choice-specs most of the time (seeing as the damage is pretty consistent with a choice locked pokemon) meaning it results in some interesting situations.

Overall: This is the breaker or late-game cleaner for the team. It's important to conserve it and ensure it doesn't die earlier than it needs to. To clean: it needs steels weakened (Registeel with AV to 40% for instance) and hard walls such as M-Gyarados and Chansey either removed or weakened.
It is improofed by: M-Gyarados.
Teams it does best versus: Balance, offence or stall. Mega-Mewtwo-Y is quite versatile.

Xerneas @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Earth Power / Magma Storm
- Spore
- Quiver Dance

PH Xerneas is really the only major change I've made since my last iteration of this team. The first iteration of this team had Pheromosa for meta reasons (deoxy's CFZ spam was big back then), so it only made sense that the Pokemon that replaced it was also for meta reasons. And PH Xerneas is a big meta changer. Being immune to core-enforcer and having passable bulk helps it immensely in ensuring slow, but consistent wins versus teams. It shines versus stall and works very well versus balance. My main consideration in placing it on this team however was for stall. Played correctly, it 6-0s stall regularly (see my replays). All-in-all, this has fast become one of my favorite pokemon to use. I usually use earth-power, however Magma Storm has consideration in being an answer to shedinja, steels and opposing imposter Chansey.

Overall: This is the stall-breaker for the team and helps weaken things for Mega-Mewtwo-Y. It also serves as a consistent switch-in to passive dragons such as Giratina or Zygod. Don't let it die in stall matchups. Play carefully and make sure to scout for knock-off + purify or worry seed. To clean: throw it weakened walls or 2 layers of spikes.
It is improofed by: itself. Chansey if need be.
Teams it does best versus: Stall and balance.

Gyarados-Mega @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Core Enforcer
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Spectral Thief

This was probably my favorite regen-vest pokemon to use in early-meta. And the times I've gotten to use it in this meta and here and there during previous iterations, I've really enjoyed. It's a great answer to many things in the meta (mostly as an answer to Psy-Surge Mega-Mewtwo-Y). It also helps discourage the brave pioneers that run Primal-Kyogre in a breaking capacity instead of its newly relegated wall position. There isn't much else to say about this. It knocks off safety goggles / assault vest and is very good at removing Mega-Mewtwo-Y (pursuit).

Overall: This is a solid switch in to most Mega-Mewtwo-Y and water-based offensive pokemon. It can handle Aerilate Ray once specs have been removed. It has great synergy with Aegislash as well. It's a good thing to keep it alive if they have a Mega-Mewtwo-Y. There isn't much else to say here.

Zygarde-Complete @ Groundium Z
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Thousand Waves
- Defog
- Volt Switch
- Strength Sap

Ah, big-z. With the removal of Primal-Groudon and most other physical threats being markedly absent because of the over-abuse of special attackers - passive dragons aren't playing as-an large role. Never-the-less I added Big-z, however instead of using it as a means to check threats I've sort of just relegated it to a supportive role. It traps opposing Chansey and pivotless walls to make my life a little easier. It's also the only reliable answer this team has to normalize gengar. You'll note that this does get knock over by regigigas. And yes, Regi is a huge threat to this team. However, it's become relatively rare (or rarer than usual) on the ladder owing to an uprise in Ferrothorn. This is beneficial to me as I don't have to waste precious move slots on core enforcer or topsy etc. I would however recommend if you're going to be running this team on low ladder that you switch this move set to something more gigas appropriate (maybe core/topsy/defog/shore-up).

Overall: A trapper that removes certain passive walls with 4 moveslot syndrome. It helps against stall and niche-improof pokemon. It also checks M-gengar to a certain extent.

Aegislash @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Haze
- Encore
- Soft-Boiled
- U-turn

Owing to the fact that Shedinja is a thing, rapid spin too, randoms on the ladder that like clicking shell-smash and belly-burden: we have a prankster Aegislash. It has encore instead of the usual destiny bond and what-not to help versus Regigigias a bit and frustrate non-dazzling or psy-surge supported teams. Prankster steels are unfortunately pretty much an important part of a team in this meta. I can't go onto ladder without it.

Overall: It checks set-up sweepers, blocks spin, frustrates shedinja and makes low-ladder FF.

Chansey @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Imposter
Happiness: 122
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Haze
- Soft-Boiled

I don't really need to explain imposter-chansey at this point. I use scarf on Chansey instead of eviolite as it has a higher-reliability factor and its fun seeing people complain about losing speed-ties all the time. Move set wise, spikes helps versus shedinja and some stall teams. Spin is there in case you for whatever reason lose Zyg. Haze is there for hazing, and recovery. Mid happiness is to get good roles on both return and frustration. It's a good answer to most things in the meta.

Overall: With Aegi and this, you are mostly immune to getting messed up by set-up sweepers.

CONCLUSION

Thanks for reading. I guess I could shoutout?

Shoutouts

darksylvion Probably the coolest guy on the P-showdown server. We don't talk much these days (mostly because I'me never on). But keep being the awesome person you are.
GL Volkner Good luck Volkner! Anyhow, jokes aside: you're a pretty cool dude.
RNGIsFatal lately i've come to respect you as a user because you actually help people out and you're pretty nice about it. Keep going the way you're going and I can see you getting places here. ^_^
Pikachuun Pretty cute user tbh. Thanks for drafting me for OMPL; sorry I couldn't perform, but at least my memes were ok. Right? ,__,
motherlove RIP.
jasprose We don't really talk, but you seem cool. I still remember I was the first win you had on your climb to greatness in the BH tournament scene. Keep doing what you're doing tbh :>
Scarf Nidorino you hate BH, that's why I'm tagging you here. ;) Perk up, life will get better soon. I believe in you fam and thanks for always being there to hear me talk about random nonsense.

If I missed anyone, I'm sorry. I still love ya tho.

Replays:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-654043855
v Draconexis (features me 6-0ing morogrim's stall)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-653583611
v Anna says Hi (another stall 6-0. Albeit I got lucky with a crit)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-652516459
v Elmustacho (A good showing of the team versus a solid balance team)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7balancedhackmons-652034860
v Nike (A more offensive Balance here)

team import

Rain (Mewtwo-Mega-Y) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Moongeist Beam
- Blue Flare

Sunshine (Xerneas) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Earth Power
- Spore
- Quiver Dance

Kilimanjaro (Zygarde-Complete) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Thousand Waves
- Defog
- Volt Switch
- Strength Sap

Artic (Gyarados-Mega) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Core Enforcer
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Spectral Thief

Sahara (Aegislash) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Haze
- Encore
- Soft-Boiled
- U-turn

Overcast (Chansey) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Imposter
Happiness: 122
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Haze
- Soft-Boiled

Thanks for reading! See you in USUM!

Please leave me any feedback. ^_^

 

[RNGIsFatal]

Heya.
First of all I wanted to express gratitude for giving me a s/o that I probably don't deserve, but I guess you are too nice to miss out on me.
As much as I endeavor my best to leave the best feedbacks, I will get really formal whilst leaving a rate.

Sheer Force MMY is something very underrated as of the current metagame where priority isn't as prevalent as before due to Psychic Surge being pretty much a norm ability. Moongeist Beam on SF set seemed somewhat counterproductive to me at first, but i like how it nails Shedinja which would most likely throw itself into it after realizing MMY is Sheer Force. In addition, I like the idea of Magma Storm Xerneas; it is one of the very few ways Xerneas can defeat Sturdy Shedinja while trapping Imposter. Also if not for you, I would almost have forgotten about Regenvest Gyarados which shines as one of the most reliable MMY switchin due to its ability to absorb Choice Specs Fleur Cannon unlike other walls such as Unaware Yveltal. Mold Breaker Zygarde-C was something that made me jump, since that serves as an answer to very lethal sweeper called Unburden + Belly Drum Kartana with Strength Sap while not being a complete bait to Magic Bounce Mega Audino. But at the same time, I would spot couple issues in your team, including but not limited to, a hazard setter that can only come out in situational moments, and your MMY is walled by common walls such as Sand Stream Mega Tyranitar and Unaware Meag Gyarados from the other team, both of which commonly carry Pursuit. In addition, I wouldn't really call that Aegislash a check to Regigigas, since it can't do much back unless it is locked into Shift Gear. The only Core Enforcer in your team, Mega Gyarados, falls to +1 Facade and therefore can't dare to switch in recklessly.

When I rate teams I usually don't rate teams when there seems to be a fond memory associated with them. In your case, it is a remake of your team earlier this generation so I would like you to keep in mind that I respect your decisions you made when building your team since the team should be very precious memory of your gameplay in S/M generation and the ladder performance has been superb. Let's get to it.

Major changes:

Blue Flare -> Earth Power

As you may have noticed, V-create is a very norm coverage from most -ate users to smack Steel-types, and stuff like Registeel and Aegislash started running Flash Fire like they did last generation. This phenomenon and Primal Groudon ban is going to cause collateral damage to your MMY since sometimes you will encounter random FF from Solgaleo or Registeel and find yourself walled. I understand how Blue Flare severely dents the likes of Registeel and Solgaleo (KO'ing them after layer of Spikes + prior damage) but I thought you need a more consistent way to hurt them. Earth Power solves this issue because your Mega Gyarados can still take on the Imposter.

252 SpA Sheer Force Mewtwo-Mega-Y Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Assault Vest Gyarados-Mega: 69-82 (17.5 - 20.8%) -- possible 5HKO

This is what your Imposter's Earth Power does to your Gyarados. Also Earth Power nails +SpDef nature Sand Stream Mega Tyranitar by 2HKOing with 76.2% (100% if any hazards are up). RegenVest Solgaleo is still 2HKO'd by Earth Power. Now you hit more targets with your MMY, the counterplay is even narrower, and your opponent is going to have much harder time unless they carry Mega Gyarados themselves.

I know changing a single move isn't really a major change or whatever but again, Earth Power narrows the counterplay against your MMY to worse degree in opponents' position and since your MMY can function as early breaker / late cleaner, I felt like this is something very important to note.

Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce / Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Thousand Waves / Core Enforcer
- Defog
- Volt Switch
- Shore Up

You never mentioned the reason why you have Mold Breaker on Zygarde-C, and in the intro, I assumed it was to check Kartana reliably. But your team has Aegislash which can get rid of the boost or lock Kartana into Encore, so I wouldn't really say there is a reason for you to have Mold Breaker. Also if you want a Gengar check, you might as well consider using Magic Bounce. I personally believe non-Magic Bounce Fairy is godawful due to every hazard setters equipping themselves with Core Enforcer, but this is something you will need if you want to check Gengar. Also Magic Bounce Zygarde-C is quite unexplored since many people in ladder use Red Orb Groudon to set up Stealth Rock whilst abusing its ability to force out common Magic Bounce users. Because your Zygarde-C is your only way to remove hazards, you will have to drop either Thousand Waves or Core Enforcer; this means you give up an ability to reliably revenge kill Gengar & trap Imposter, or, checking Poison Heal Regigigas. In other words, your team will struggle against the threat that your Zygarde-C does not aim to overcome.

Comatose improves your matchup against stall(and still checks Normalize Gengar because Entrainment cannot override the ability), but Magic Bounce is more spicy in general because it bounces back hazards and isn't revealed immediately. Magic Bounce + Safety Goggles is something to consider if you really hate facing Mold Breaker Gengar with Tail Glow and Spore.

Small changes:

Spore -> Lovely Kiss

I understand how you have a dedicated support called Mega Gyarados but Lovely Kiss has a selling point over Spore in many ways. First off it lets your Xerneas pressure slower teams early game without having your Mega Gyarados knock off every single Safety Goggles they have. Also as you have pointed out, Ferrothorn is gaining some usage and if you don't want Unaware variants to mess with you all the time, Lovely Kiss is definitely something for you to try out.

Spectral Thief -> U-turn

You DO need pivoting move on Mega Gyarados. Spectral Thief isn't necessary when Mega Gyarados can easily shut down PH Kyogre and other sweepers with Core Enforcer. Spectral Thief, imo, is only efficient when you are Unaware because then you can just sit there to recover and abuse the boosts you stole to pressure an opponent that Gyarados is tasked to handle. Also U-turn lets you escape from random Anchor Shot and Thousand Waves, keeping it from being eliminated in unexpected situations. Also who doesn't like momentum in BH when every turn of battle matters because of it?

Haze -> Trick

Your Chansey has Choice Scarf and Haze will not deal with sweepers lol. You will still be passive and if you want to deter setups, Whirlwind is gonna be objectively better, but since you want to staple in hazard moves, I suggested Trick over Haze. Since your MMY is going to have a very hard time against stall teams and your Xerneas is the only hope, using Trick on a problematic wall and crippling it for the rest of the match is something your team is going to value a lot when facing stall.

Conclusion:

I also am folding the last chapter of my BH gameplay in S/M generation, and I was happy to read your RMT and see somebody else who is going to leave an RMT which is going to be some sort of nostalgia in the future. Thanks for the time you spent reading this, and feel free to give me a shout if you have anything to say about my fixations. Thanks and have a good day!