Overview
When playing Pokemon, it is inevitable that at some point, you will come across an opponent whose team just frustrates you to no end. For me, this came a couple of months ago, when I came across a Hyper Offense team utilizing Deoxys-D. As a former UU mon, I hadn't given Deoxys-D much notice, so after being destroyed by one, I decided to try making a Hyper Offense team, with the goal of just setting up SR and Spikes, and then throwing the strongest attacks I can.
Team Building Process
Sitting at base 100 speed, +1 Jolly Salamence is not able to be revenge killed by Scarf Genesect. This was pretty much the entire reason I decided to center a team around a Salamence sweep. I started off with a simple Dragon Dance set.
I decided that going a very offensive route, and who better to provide hazard support than Deoxys-D? I opted to run LO max SpA with HP Fire and Psycho Boost, so I could obliterate any Forretress/Tentacruel/Donphan foolish enough to switch in on Deoxys.
I decided that I wanted to give mixed Kyurem-B a shot. It had only recently been released into OU, and I had had a rough time playing against it thus far, so I tried using it myself.
As an offensive team, a VolTurn core seemed like the right way to fill out the team. The simple combination of Choice Band Scizor and Specially Defensive Rotom-W is an effective way of gathering offensive momentum, as anyone could tell you.
I chose to add my personal favorite anti-meta Pokemon, I've been using it on pretty much every team since day 1 of BW2. So many teams can be easily dismantled by Mamoswine, so it's a natural choice
Kyurem-B was great, but I needed a better way to handle opposing Steel-types. So I decided to replace Kyurem-B with CB Terrakion. It also gave my team a nice Rock resist. I also changed Salamence to a Scarf Moxie set, as DD was not a very efficient sweeper. I also opted to switch to the standard "Speedy Spiker" Deoxys-D, but still with HP Fire.
A VolTurn core with no Spin support spells doom if I go up against other teams like my own, with Deoxys-D. So, Rotom-W was replaced with Starmie, and I chose to replace Scizor with SpD Jirachi, so that I still have an answer to Tornadus-T. Now, the team is a bit less "Hyper Offense," but it's still quite offensive.
After testing a few changes, I've settled with this version. I absolutely love the addition of Nasty Plot Celebi, and I've gotten so many sweeps with it. A great utility, and a real step up from Starmie.
And thus, we have the current version of the team!
Team In-Depth
Deoxys-Defense @ Red Card
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Magic Coat
- Taunt
Why this Pokemon?
Usage isn't everything. Deoxys-D should get much more use than it does. It's ridiculously effective at setting up entry hazards, which aid Pokemon like Terrakion and Salamence, who just love to punch through everything. Taunt prevents opposing Pokemon from setting up hazards of their own, or using Deoxys-D as setup fodder. Magic Coat is a really nice move, not only reflecting Taunt and entry hazards, but potentially reflecting a crippling status move on the original user, such as Toxic on a bulky water.
(Former set)
Deoxys-Defense @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 48 HP / 252 SAtk / 208 Spd
Timid Nature
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Psycho Boost
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 48 HP / 252 SAtk / 208 Spd
Timid Nature
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Psycho Boost
Terrakion @ Choice Band
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Rock Slide
Why this Pokemon?
Because it's Terrakion. Seriously, almost nothing can safely switch into this monstrosity. Even with only a Jolly nature (which I use so I can at least speed tie with opposing non-Scarf Terrakion and Keldeo), Choice Band Close Combat can muscle straight through almost anything it sees. For those things that it can't, Stone Edge is a secondary STAB attack. Though vastly inferior to CC, it'll still pack a punch. X-Scissor is largely filler, but if the opponent has a Celebi/Latias/Latios, and I see the switch coming, it can deal some massive hurt. Rock Slide is also filler, but it's a useful alternative to Stone Edge when I really don't want to miss, but can afford the power drop (though Rock Slide still misses way too much -_-). Nothing needs to be said about the EVs, they just make Terrakion a relentless threat.
(Formerly Kyurem-B)
Kyurem-Black @ Expert Belt
Trait: Teravolt
EVs: 120 Atk / 252 SAtk / 136 Spd
Rash Nature
- Outrage
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
Trait: Teravolt
EVs: 120 Atk / 252 SAtk / 136 Spd
Rash Nature
- Outrage
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
Salamence (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast/Fire Fang
- Dragon Claw
Why this Pokemon?
Salamence. One of the most intimidating Pokemon you can ever face in competitive play. I chose to use Salamence because of it having 1 Base Speed higher than Genesect, therefore it couldn't be revenge killed by Genesect. The accursed metal bug is no longer around, but Salamence is just as amazing. With a Choice Scarf, it is very capable of being an effective revenge killer, and because it gets an Attack boost with every kill, a revenge kill will often lead to a sweep. Outrage is the obvious STAB move, obliterating all but the most defensive of Pokemon (and even they'll get destroyed after a Moxie boost or two). Earthquake for coverage against Steel-types, not to mention a stronger hit on some Poison, Rock, and Fire-types. Dragon Claw is a secondary STAB, while weaker, it doesn't lock Salamence in for 2-3 turns, meaning it is much less prone to getting revenge killed. I'm undecided on whether to keep Fire Blast, or switch to Fire Fang. Fire Blast is strong, but coming from a completely uninvested SpA stat, it's not hurting much without a 4x Super Effective hit. Fire Fang is much weaker, but can at least benefit from the Attack boosts.
(Former Set)
Salamence @ Life Orb
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang
- Dragon Dance
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang
- Dragon Dance
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Wish
- Thunderbolt
Why this Pokemon?
Besides being my favorite Pokemon of all time (look at that adorable little guy, with his big ol' star hat!), Jirachi is my answer to many fierce special attackers, including Tornadus-T, Latios, and Alakazam. After a Calm Mind, hardly any special attackers can break through Jirachi. Wish keeps it healthy, as well as helping the rest of the team stay at a good level of health. Psychic and Thunderbolt provide great coverage, with Psychic denting Tentacruel, who is a big problem for this team. This set is superior to SpD Jirachi in keeping up offensive momentum.
(Formerly Scizor/Specially Defensive Rachi)
Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Quick Attack
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- Wish
- U-turn/Protect
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Quick Attack
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- Wish
- U-turn/Protect
Celebi @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Why this Pokemon?
Nasty Plot Celebi is a huge step up from Starmie. Not only is it an excellent check to Keldeo, who would otherwise mess this team up hard, but it's amazing and blowing holes through the opposing team, and very little can take it's hits after a boost from Nasty Plot. Giga Drain is the obvious STAB, not only being fairly powerful and reliable, but netting some recovery while it's at it. Earth Power gives coverage against Fire and Steel-types, which is very handy. Hidden Power Ice offers an easy KO vs most Flying-types, and most other Grass-types. I considered Hidden Power Fire, to dent Scizor, but I need Hidden Power Ice to hurt Landorus, who is a bother to this team.
(Formerly Rotom-W/Starmie)
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 28 SAtk / 232 SDef
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split
- Thunder Wave
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 28 SAtk / 232 SDef
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split
- Thunder Wave
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
Mamoswine (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Superpower
- Icicle Spear
Why this Pokemon?
Because it's MANmoswine, simply put. Ice Shard is invaluable priority (since the removal of Scizor, it's the only priority my team has). Earthquake hits insanely hard, leaving a huge dent in anything that doesn't resist it (if not KOing them outright). Superpower is a rarely-used move for me, but it'll pick off a Ferrothorn under 80% HP, and dent a predicted Rotom-W switch in. I use Icicle Spear over Icicle Crash mainly for SubToxic Gliscor, but it's still useful for anthing that feels safe behind a Sub. Life Orb just gives it more power, without restricting it's coverage. So many teams are unprepared for Mamoswine, it's a lot of fun to just go to town with the mammoth.
(Nothing former about this. Mamoswine is the only Pokemon that has remained unchanged since the conception of the team. That's a testament to how good Mamoswine really is. It may be the only Pokemon on the team not in S or A tier in the Viability Rankings, but it's still my MVP quite frequently.)
So, there you have it!
A team I've put a lot of thought into, and plenty of play time too. No team can be perfect, and I'm certain there is room for improvement, so rate away! Thanks in advance!
(I noticed after posting this that half of my team is from Gen 3. With how few Gen 3 Pokemon are actually good in OU, this is a happy coincidence, since I love Gen 3)
Importable
Deoxys-Defense @ Red Card
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Magic Coat
- Taunt
Terrakion @ Choice Band
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Rock Slide
Salamence (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Wish
- Calm Mind
Celebi @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Mamoswine (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Superpower
- Icicle Spear
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Magic Coat
- Taunt
Terrakion @ Choice Band
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Rock Slide
Salamence (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Wish
- Calm Mind
Celebi @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Mamoswine (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Superpower
- Icicle Spear