Anyone remember Sunny Day and sunshine in general? You know what I'm talking about, that "other" weather, the weather that is shoved in the corner by Mr. Sandstorm and Dr. Rain alongside Hail to rot in hell. For years it has been often called "flawed" and "easily countered" by the people in the competitive environment. But now, I want to bring back the sunshine for a round in competitive play in Pokemon, and to at least give sunshine some more recognition alongside Sandstorm and Rain (Yes, I do hate Hail, deal with it).
Sunshine at a glance is infamous for powering up Fire type moves, weakening Water-type moves, and allowing your uber powerful Skiploom to abuse SolarBeam and Chlorophyll at will, all of which I want to exploit to an extent in this team. However, I don't want to exploit it too much for the sake of type coverage, something some people don't understand yet when it comes to weather based teams. So lets begin this train wreak...
Team in detail
Ninetales @ Leftovers
Ability: Drought (causes permanent sunshine)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SP. ATK/ 252 SPD
-Substitute
-Fire Blast
-SolarBeam
-Nasty Plot
This is basically the heart of the team and strategy in general, setting up Sunshine to support the whole team. However, this Ninetales is more designed to be a set up sweeper then a more traditional supporter, and surprisingly it works! I've even took down a few Chanseys using this set, something that a lot of special sweepers cannot say with a straight face. Substitute is there mostly to avoid getting inflicted with Status, make a barrier for setting up Nasty Plot, and to scout on occasion for threats. Fire Blast is the main STAB on this set, and with sunshine it does a shit ton of damage even with Ninetale's modest special attack. SolarBeam is mostly for countering bulky water types, but I may replace it with Energy ball to counter Drizzle Politoad better. Finally theres Nasty plot, which raises Ninetale's special attack to impressive levels, something that a somewhat weak Pokemon needs overall. I always try to make sure this Pokemon is always a live at all times, in case some other jerk (see also: Politoad and Tyranitar) comes along and ruins the fun.
Espeon @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Mirror (reflects non-attacking moves)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SPE/ 252 SPA/4 DEF
-Psycho Shock
-Hidden Power [Fighting]
-Calm Mind
-Baton Pass
Espeon does what Espeons does best: Calm Mind, attack, Baton Pass, and troll the living day lights out of Supports. Espeons main role in the team is baton passing Calm Minds to whoever wants it (Notably Hydreigon or Ninetales), and countering supporters like Chansey and Ferrothorn. Of course it can go offensive too; wouldn't want to waste that great special attack, right? The main offensive moves are Psycho Shock and Hidden Power [Fighting], Psycho Shock throws off special walls and other Calm Minders (Like Suicune) and Hidden Power [Fighting] is just there for general coverage against Steel types like Heatran or Ferrothorn. All in all, an valued part of the team.
Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll (doubles speed in Sun)
Nature: Mild
EVs: 128 HP /80 ATK/168 SP. ATK/132 SPE
-Energy Ball
-Earthquake
-Growth
-Sleep Powder
This is probably the biggest threat on the team by far, which isn't too far off really. This Venusaur is designed to abuse its ability Chlorophyll and the new mechanics of Growth (Boosting both Offensive stats; 2+ in sun) to become a nasty Mix Sweeper. You'd be greatly surprised how a lot of people under estimate Venusaur's speed and offense in Sunlight. The main offensive moves, Earthquake and Energy Ball, provide the coverage and mixing that Venusaur needs. Energy Ball is the main special STAB, doing a large chunk to Water types, and Earthquake for handling Steel and Fire types mostly. However, Venusaur does have some problems against certain foes, notably Flying and Dragon types mostly. This where Venusaur's 4th move comes in, with Sleep Power, switching in and trying to counter becomes harder unless said Pokemon has a Lum Berry or something. Don't underestimate Venusaur, or else you'll get plowed.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate (Immune to ground type moves)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SP. ATK/ 252 SPE
-Draco Meteor
-Dragon Pulse
-Fire Blast
-U-turn
Hyderigon is the obligatory super powerful Pseudo-legendary on the team and the Offensive Scout of the team. Hydreigon's main goal is causing huge dents to threats, Revenge killing stuff, and scouting for anything that can pose a threat thanks to the power of Choice Scarf and U-turn. Draco Meteor is the strongest move in this set, doing huge amounts of damage to anything that doesn't resist it and great for killing all sorts of stuff. Dragon Pulse is the secondary STAB used for consistence, Fire Blast hurts Steel types and is additionally boosted by sun causing a pseudo-STAB, and U-turn is used mostly for scouting ahead.
Blaziken @ Life Orb (Enough Life Orb there buddy?)
Ability: Speed Boost (Increases speed after every turn)
Nature: Adament
EVs: 252 ATK/252 SPE
-Protect
-Hi Jump Kick
-Flare Blitz
-Stone Edge
What can I say? Game Freak really gave Blaziken the jackpot of its life by giving it the awesome Speed Boost ability (Suck it Infernape). Basically Blaziken is the Frail sweeper of the team, trying to kill everything before being killed by god-knows-what. Protect is mostly there to avoid damage and to gain a Speed Boost or two without hassle, also can be used for scouting too. But the main attraction of this set is Flare Blitz, doing an insane amount of damage when factoring Sun, STAB, and Life Orb. Even Pokemon resisting it will be ripped to shreds without hesitation. Of course having other moves to attack with is also important, such as the incredibly powerful STAB'd Hi Jump Kick doing great amounts of damage to anything and Stone Edge for good coverage alongside the Fighting STAB. Obviously I have to watch out for Priority and to an extent Bulky Water Types from ruining a sweep, but thats to be expected.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Thorns (Causes damage if touched)
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 188 HP/32 ATK/156 DEF/132 SP. DEF
-Power Whip
-Thunder Wave
-Leech Seed
-Stealth Rock
Using Ferrothorn may sound like a dumb idea on a Sun team, but there are some niches to using Ferrothorn in a Sun team. The first niche is being able to counter other weather users like Politoad and Tyranitar (without Fire Blast) from ruining your fun, the second being able to support the other sweepers on your team, and the third being the element of surprise. Power Whip can do decent damage to just about anything not resisting it and is the main weapon against Tyranitar and Politoad. Thunder Wave cripples any sweepers that attempt to sweep, Leech Seed wears down Pokemon and is used for health both Ferrothorn and the other team mates, and Stealth rocks is... well stealth rocks.
And thats the team. So far I had moderate success, with a fair share of wins and losses. However, the team could still use some improvements. If anyone has any ideas for this team, speak up and let me know.
inb4 "LOL WHO THE FUCK USES A SUNNY DAY TEAM? NOOB"
Sunshine at a glance is infamous for powering up Fire type moves, weakening Water-type moves, and allowing your uber powerful Skiploom to abuse SolarBeam and Chlorophyll at will, all of which I want to exploit to an extent in this team. However, I don't want to exploit it too much for the sake of type coverage, something some people don't understand yet when it comes to weather based teams. So lets begin this train wreak...
*BRINGING THE SUNSHINE*
Team in detail
Ninetales @ Leftovers
Ability: Drought (causes permanent sunshine)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SP. ATK/ 252 SPD
-Substitute
-Fire Blast
-SolarBeam
-Nasty Plot
This is basically the heart of the team and strategy in general, setting up Sunshine to support the whole team. However, this Ninetales is more designed to be a set up sweeper then a more traditional supporter, and surprisingly it works! I've even took down a few Chanseys using this set, something that a lot of special sweepers cannot say with a straight face. Substitute is there mostly to avoid getting inflicted with Status, make a barrier for setting up Nasty Plot, and to scout on occasion for threats. Fire Blast is the main STAB on this set, and with sunshine it does a shit ton of damage even with Ninetale's modest special attack. SolarBeam is mostly for countering bulky water types, but I may replace it with Energy ball to counter Drizzle Politoad better. Finally theres Nasty plot, which raises Ninetale's special attack to impressive levels, something that a somewhat weak Pokemon needs overall. I always try to make sure this Pokemon is always a live at all times, in case some other jerk (see also: Politoad and Tyranitar) comes along and ruins the fun.
Espeon @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Mirror (reflects non-attacking moves)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SPE/ 252 SPA/4 DEF
-Psycho Shock
-Hidden Power [Fighting]
-Calm Mind
-Baton Pass
Espeon does what Espeons does best: Calm Mind, attack, Baton Pass, and troll the living day lights out of Supports. Espeons main role in the team is baton passing Calm Minds to whoever wants it (Notably Hydreigon or Ninetales), and countering supporters like Chansey and Ferrothorn. Of course it can go offensive too; wouldn't want to waste that great special attack, right? The main offensive moves are Psycho Shock and Hidden Power [Fighting], Psycho Shock throws off special walls and other Calm Minders (Like Suicune) and Hidden Power [Fighting] is just there for general coverage against Steel types like Heatran or Ferrothorn. All in all, an valued part of the team.
Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll (doubles speed in Sun)
Nature: Mild
EVs: 128 HP /80 ATK/168 SP. ATK/132 SPE
-Energy Ball
-Earthquake
-Growth
-Sleep Powder
This is probably the biggest threat on the team by far, which isn't too far off really. This Venusaur is designed to abuse its ability Chlorophyll and the new mechanics of Growth (Boosting both Offensive stats; 2+ in sun) to become a nasty Mix Sweeper. You'd be greatly surprised how a lot of people under estimate Venusaur's speed and offense in Sunlight. The main offensive moves, Earthquake and Energy Ball, provide the coverage and mixing that Venusaur needs. Energy Ball is the main special STAB, doing a large chunk to Water types, and Earthquake for handling Steel and Fire types mostly. However, Venusaur does have some problems against certain foes, notably Flying and Dragon types mostly. This where Venusaur's 4th move comes in, with Sleep Power, switching in and trying to counter becomes harder unless said Pokemon has a Lum Berry or something. Don't underestimate Venusaur, or else you'll get plowed.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate (Immune to ground type moves)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SP. ATK/ 252 SPE
-Draco Meteor
-Dragon Pulse
-Fire Blast
-U-turn
Hyderigon is the obligatory super powerful Pseudo-legendary on the team and the Offensive Scout of the team. Hydreigon's main goal is causing huge dents to threats, Revenge killing stuff, and scouting for anything that can pose a threat thanks to the power of Choice Scarf and U-turn. Draco Meteor is the strongest move in this set, doing huge amounts of damage to anything that doesn't resist it and great for killing all sorts of stuff. Dragon Pulse is the secondary STAB used for consistence, Fire Blast hurts Steel types and is additionally boosted by sun causing a pseudo-STAB, and U-turn is used mostly for scouting ahead.
Blaziken @ Life Orb (Enough Life Orb there buddy?)
Ability: Speed Boost (Increases speed after every turn)
Nature: Adament
EVs: 252 ATK/252 SPE
-Protect
-Hi Jump Kick
-Flare Blitz
-Stone Edge
What can I say? Game Freak really gave Blaziken the jackpot of its life by giving it the awesome Speed Boost ability (Suck it Infernape). Basically Blaziken is the Frail sweeper of the team, trying to kill everything before being killed by god-knows-what. Protect is mostly there to avoid damage and to gain a Speed Boost or two without hassle, also can be used for scouting too. But the main attraction of this set is Flare Blitz, doing an insane amount of damage when factoring Sun, STAB, and Life Orb. Even Pokemon resisting it will be ripped to shreds without hesitation. Of course having other moves to attack with is also important, such as the incredibly powerful STAB'd Hi Jump Kick doing great amounts of damage to anything and Stone Edge for good coverage alongside the Fighting STAB. Obviously I have to watch out for Priority and to an extent Bulky Water Types from ruining a sweep, but thats to be expected.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Thorns (Causes damage if touched)
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 188 HP/32 ATK/156 DEF/132 SP. DEF
-Power Whip
-Thunder Wave
-Leech Seed
-Stealth Rock
Using Ferrothorn may sound like a dumb idea on a Sun team, but there are some niches to using Ferrothorn in a Sun team. The first niche is being able to counter other weather users like Politoad and Tyranitar (without Fire Blast) from ruining your fun, the second being able to support the other sweepers on your team, and the third being the element of surprise. Power Whip can do decent damage to just about anything not resisting it and is the main weapon against Tyranitar and Politoad. Thunder Wave cripples any sweepers that attempt to sweep, Leech Seed wears down Pokemon and is used for health both Ferrothorn and the other team mates, and Stealth rocks is... well stealth rocks.
And thats the team. So far I had moderate success, with a fair share of wins and losses. However, the team could still use some improvements. If anyone has any ideas for this team, speak up and let me know.
inb4 "LOL WHO THE FUCK USES A SUNNY DAY TEAM? NOOB"