At A Glance:
Special thanks to AragornBird for the images.
Special thanks to AragornBird for the images.
Intro:
This is my very first RMT and as such please excuse any rookie errors I may make, although I’ve read the rules three times over. So there should not be many, if not any.I’ve been using this team for quite awhile in the Smogon University (with the exception of using Starmie instead of Arghonaut) and it works very well for me. Originally when I first started I was playing for kicks and only used my favorite pokes (Umbreon and Flygon still remain, who happen to be my top two fav’s) but as time progressed the competiveness stirred in me and I wanted a team that could not only compete but didn’t sell-out to looking like a lot of the other cookie cutter teams and could also beat those cookie cutter teams. I am admittedly also influenced by flavor and only use pokes that I think look good. But it seems I got lucky and built a team that kicks ass and looks cool.
Like I said at the beginning I sucked (I still have a lot to learn now). So with hour after hour of testing and switching team members and moving in no direction, I remembered the wise words I had always read “find something to center your team around”. That is when it all changed, originally I believed it was impossible to use my favourite Pokémon and be competitive and have a center of focus. Somehow I found that focus in my favorite Pokémon Umbreon who I never once took off my team. After trying the build I’m using now I noticed I was sweeping teams with Umbreon. I thought it was just a fluke, but it kept happening, I began to rely on my Umbreon sweep, and once Umbreon went down I would usually lose. The realization that I had finally found my center of focus dawned on me and the realization that it was my favourite Pokémon made me even happier.
I have now converted my team to play in the CaP metagame, and after switching Starmie for Arghonaut, this team seems to play even better than it did before. Although, since I’m relatively new to this metagame, most of the tips and advice I’ll require, will mainly centre around dealing with CaP Pokémon.
How It Works:
I’ve built this team completely around Umbreon (who is my favourite Pokémon) and although that may seem like a strange concept, if you read further you’ll see how ridiculously well it works. My team has been built to center around an offensively built Umbreon (Well, as offensive as it can get). By eliminating and crippling Umbreons counters through status’ like Toxic (provided by Umbreon and Heatran) and Burn (provided by Rotom-H) and by hitting others damn hard with the likes of Mamoswine, Flygon, and Heatran, Umbreons weaknesses are quickly brought down. This provides Umbreon with the opportunity to stat up and sweep, which is just as funny as it sounds, and just as potent as it is unorthodox. The team also centers itself around using the element of surprise. Surprise you ask?
- How surprising is a team centered around Umbreon in the first place?
- I use some slightly uncommon builds that switch the pace of battle around on the opponent and help me gain the advantage while the opponent is trying to figure out what to do. For example, Heatrans Substitute build, Mamoswine with Focus Sash and Endeavor and Umbreons overall build contribute to this, as the opponent only figures out the builds when it’s too late. The builds are admittedly not super uncommon but it’s enough to make the opponent really re-think how they’re taking on my team, which is a great advantage when your opponent is constantly re-analyzing the situation and it requires lots of memory work to plan a proper course of action.
- I find this team can adapt extremely well to different situations, it provides many counters to common threats and allows me to throw in whichever poke can best kill the enemy poke and provide the support it can offer to Umbreon.
Now that I’ve explained the core part of the strategy let’s look at the team itself.
The Team:
Mamoswine(Johnny) @Focus Sash
Adamant (+Atk/-SpA)
Snow Cloak
252atk 252spe 6def
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Endeavor
The Role:
I got this set off of another RMT and I’ve never looked back, I wish I remembered whose it was so I could thank them and give them some credit here. I was having a lot of trouble finding a lead that worked for this team. I had spent a lot of time trying out and testing new leads but nothing proved to be a reliable choice, especially for this kind of team. I was getting so tired of testing things I began browsing other RMT’s. When I found this build, it sparked my interest and out of pure spontaneity I copied this out of the other RMT and it worked wonders.
Anyways, it’s a fairly standard suicide lead with the addition of Stealth Rock. The amount of hurt this thing can lay on an opponent really makes me wonder why it’s not seen as a lead more often. However, due to the fact that it’s not seen very often opponents tend to make mistakes when trying to counter it and that’s something you do not want to do with something that hits as hard as this. Right at the beginning of the match you typically have the option of smacking the opponent around with STAB Earthquake or Ice Shard or setting up SR when you know they’ll want to switch. The whole suicide lead build works very well for my team as Mamoswine itself hits hard, and I’m never overly worried about Mamo dyeing since by the time that happens it’s taken at least 1 or 2 pokes with it. Although, if it lives through till late game, this thing has great sweeping potential if it finds the right opportunity to switch in. Mamo also attracts many things that would commonly also counter Umbreon. That is why with Sash and such strong STAB’s it is typically able to clear them away before they can even see Umbreon, which is obviously very important for this team.
Move Choices:
Ice Shard: Has great synergy along with Focus Sash + Endeavor, as it packs priority and STAB. Since this Poke is my lead this move absolutely crushes any Ninjask leads who are naïve enough to try and stay in. When Mamo survives into late game this move is also a great Dragon killer, as long as I can predict a safe switch in of course.
Earthquake: A pretty obvious choice as this Poke throws one of the meanest Earthquakes in the game with STAB. I’ve noticed that with Ice Shard and EQ, it’s typically all the coverage I need, as any of the pokes that resist it have reliable counters within my team.
Stealth Rock: This is my only poke that has SR, which may seem funny as he is typically such a hard hitter that he only runs attacks, but seeing as many leads will switch out I set up rocks and either punish their switch in, with a strong STAB or Focus Sash + Endeavor + Ice Shard. Or I set up rocks, switch out, and wait for a good late game opportunity to let him sweep.
Endeavor: Focus Sash + Endeavor, actually surprises many opponents, especially those using a Metagross or Aerodactyl that try to OHKO me, although admittedly I typically switch out of that situation. This move doesn’t always work, but when prediction pays off with Endeavor it really pays off by taking out things that thought they were going to counter Mamoswine. This move also has great synergy with the priority of ice shard as I’m typically able to Endeavor them to 1HP and then kill them with Ice Shard, no matter how fast they are. Also, because of that Endeavor is a great choice for things that outspeed Mamo as you can take the hit, and drop them to the same life in the same turn. Which usually opens up to a kill from Ice Shard and then the next poke switched in will either take a heavy STAB hit or be crippled with an endeavor and finished by someone else. Even when sash doesn't pull off and this guy is low on health, endeavor can still punish any bulky pokes without reliable recovery that try to switch in and finish him off.
Umbreon(Asriel) @Leftovers
Careful (+SpD/-SpA)
Synchronize
252hp 128SpD 128def
- Toxic
- Curse
- Moonlight
- Payback
The Role:
The star player himself, and my favourite Pokémon. I like to bring him in early just to scout out the opponents Umbreon counters. As a specially defensive wall and an over strongly defensive Pokémon he is actually quite easy to switch in. Early game I switch him in, use Toxic, hopefully hitting the counter that tries to switch in or hitting whatever stayed in. Or I switch in on something that can’t hurt me and moonlight whatever damage I’ve taken through Toxicing the opponent, and switch out. But, late game is when Umbreon shows his other side, when all Umbreon counters are taken out or crippled I switch him in on a wall or special attacker and begin to curse up. Half the time opponents have absolutely no idea how much damage and resistance a cursed up Umbreon has under it’s belt and often they leave their wall in (I love when people leave something like Blissey in and let me stat up). It’s almost laughable how often I can get 6 curses off and then begin sweeping and by then it OHKO’s almost everything and takes no damage.
Move Choices:
Toxic: Early game this move gets used a lot, typically Umbreon switches in, uses it, and either cripples the tank/special attacker it switched in on or cripples the Umbreon counter (with the exception of Steels that switch in). This move also gives the opponent no clues as to how this Umbreon actually works.
Curse: An extremely uncommon move seen on Umbreon and arguably the move that makes this all work. Late game Umbreon Curses up and sweeps, it’s as simple as that. Many people don’t respect a cursed up Umbreon and that’s why they lose. It’s high defenses allow it to fire a lot of these off before it even needs to heal. After it’s fired off a lot (I’m typically able to get 6) it’s attack stat commonly allows it to OHKO with Payback (which always seems to surprise people) and it’s super high physical defense makes it easier to try and attack with a special attacker, which won’t do much damage either. People also never seem to realize that after so many Curses Umbreon laughs at things like Machamp, Infernape, and Heracross, since they can’t even scratch it with SE + STAB.
Moonlight: Moonlight was chosen over Wish simply for the speed. Umbreon is slow and needs instant healing, especially with how I’m running it. The fact that it has great defenses to begin with, a stat up move and recovery make this godly. The low pp has never been a factor and with the help of Rotom-H sandstorm and hail aren’t even factors either (provided I choose to run Sunny Day over Shadow Ball).
Payback:
Another move people rarely see at all and with STAB on Umbreon and cursed up it often OHKO’s as only Steels and physical sponges can survive being OHKO and are typically 2HKO not to mention after the curses they can't hit Umbreon for any dangerous damage anyway. It has great synergy with curse as curse lowers speed causing this to almost always hit for double damage, Umbreon rarely outspeeds anything to begin with and since Umbreons defenses are so high it shrugs off the attacks that hit it first anyway. After being cursed up the only thing that hopes to survive this is Lucario due to it’s 4x resistance.
Rotom-H(Faust) @Leftovers
Bold (+Def/-Atk)
Levitate
252hp 168def 88Spe
- Will-o-wisp
- Overheat
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball/Sunny Day
The Role:
This guy is Umbreons right hand man. He’s one of the most valuable members of the team as he is unaffected by fighting moves, which Umbreon runs from and then cripples the user of said move with a burn status. He is used to absolutely cover all of Umbreons weaknesses as Umbreon can cover his and cripple all the physical attackers of the opponent’s team (aside from Heracross, which would recieve a nice Overheat instead of Will-o-wisp). Rotom is very useful in countering water types and some of the common steels like Metagross, Lucario, and Scizor (although this team has never had a Scizor problem) that give this team a lot of trouble and together with Umbreon they provide great defensive coverage. Furthermore, Rotom-H covers almost any weakness this team has as a whole.
Move Choices:
Will-o-wisp:
The most commonly used move on this bad boy as his main role is to absorb attacks Umbreon runs from and cripple the attacker with a burn. Just overall great for crippling anything relying on physical attacks.
Overheat:
The main reason thy this thing counters those bad steel types like Metagross and Lucario is because of this move, it hits them hard, typically OHKOing Metagross who otherwise has a an easy time with this team. This move also pairs excellently with the other moves and Rotom-H's defensive typing.
Thunderbolt:
Provides great STAB coverage on waters that this team has a hard time with, such as Suicune, Starmie, Gyarados etc. And aside from grounds can hit for fairly decent damage.
Shadow Ball:
A great STAB move to use even for scoring neutral hits against things that switch in on Electric and that you don't want to waste the Special Attack drop on Overheating them.
Arghonaut(Jack) @Leftovers
Adamant (+Atk/-SpA)
Unaware
252hp 220def 36atk
- Waterfall
- Brick Break
- Recover
- Ice Punch
The Role:
What a damn beast this thing is, aside from psychic attacks and status this thing is the juggernaut it’s name describes it as. His main use is to take on any opposing stat uppers that this team would have an otherwise hard time dealing with and completely ignore their hard work. Not too mention it’s great on it’s own and is able to take down many things that give Umbreon trouble. The set I use is the run-of-the-mill recover tank, so I won’t go too in depth, but I can’t help stating how good this damn thing is. I mainly use this guy to take out the likes of Tyranitar and Lucario, who are otherwise a pain to this team.
Move Choices:
Waterfall:
an obvious choice, as it is Argho’s strongest and most reliable STAB that can hit even neutral pokes for decent damage.
Brick Break:
Very useful for hitting what Waterfall can’t and hitting for SE + STAB, it even comes in handy when the opponent wants to hide behind screens and wear my team down.
Recover:
Pretty godly on such a tanky Pokémon as it is. He takes hits like a champ and dishes them out as well, and when it’s all said and done he just recovers off the damage.
Ice Punch:
I also use Argho as my Dragon counter, especially when considering DD Mence. Unaware allows him to ignore any DD’s the Mence may have under the belt and then Argho Ice Punches him for 4xSE. Fairly straight forward for a good Dragon counter.
Flygon(Spike) @Choice Band
Adamant (+Atk/-SpA)
Levitate
252atk 252spe 4spe
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- U-Turn
- Stone Edge
The Role:
My second favourite Pokémon that I usually reserve for use as a revenge killer. His attack power is nothing to be laughed at and when he’s in, the opponent needs some good prediction skills or Flygon is going to lay down some big hurt. He takes prediction to use and bring in but after using him for so long, I’m quite familiar with how to use him effectively. The only thing I ever wonder is if I should use Choice Scarf over Choice Band.
Move Choices:
Earthquake:
Again, fairly straight forward as Flygon packs a strong Attack stat and when boosted by STAB + Choice Band (+SE) it really hurts. The only trick is to predict when a levitator or flyer is going to try to switch in and absorb it.
Outrage:
Another amazingly strong STAB attack, able to take down anything hit neutrally, as well as other dragons (provided Flygon can hit first). Again, prediction is key since when using this Flygon becomes locked in and very open, so it’s best reserved for late game cleanup.
U-Turn:
Early game this is the move of choice, it hits for decent damage and occasionally scores a nice SE hit. I use it when Flygon gets an easy switch in early game (usually due to his good typing) and I want to scout the opponent and lay whatever damage on them that I can.
Stone Edge:
Is a fairly reliable move to use when in doubt. Especially after scouting an opponents team or suspecting a switch in to a Flyer when Flygon comes in, not to mention the occasional flinch hax this move provides is always nice.
Heatran(Basker) @Leftovers
Timid (+Spe/-Atk)
Flash Fire
252spe 252 SpA 4hp
-Earth Power
-Fire Blast
-Substitute
-Toxic
The Role:
This guy seems to not only compliment and cover my team well, but seems to cause the opponent so much grief that he finds himself invaluable on this team. Using him is simple and from my opponents perspective killing him is one huge headache. I bring him in on one of the thousand things he counters and either Toxic it or Substitute when they switch. Right after I sub and they bring in their counter, which funnily enough tends to be their own Heatran I can literally hear them say “Fuck!”. From there Heatran either Toxics the enemy or Hits them with a strong Earthpower or STAB Fire Blast and then runs to a counter. It’s super simple and super deadly.
Move Choices:
Earth Power:
Earth Power is one of Heatrans strongest attacks coverage wise and it kills the other Heatrans that try and switch in, only to have me protected under a Sub.
Fire Blast:
Simply, this is Heatrans strong STAB attack, kills Scizor and anything else weak to it with ease and provides good coverage along with Earth Power. Even hits things neutral to it for decent damage. Putting it in easy killing range for my switch in. The accuracy difference when compared to flamethrower has never been an issue and the extra power really helps.
Substitute:
The heart and soul of this build. So many Pokémon can’t even scratch Heatran so they simply run, and give me the chance to Sub up. Then while under a sub I have all the time in the world to lay the hurt on whatever the opponent “thought” was going to counter Heatran.
Toxic:
When the opponent switches in something that Heatran doesn’t reliably hurt or something worth crippling under status, or when the opponent gets cocky and doesn’t switch out I Toxic them. While under a Sub I essentially have a free move and this with it’s Earth Power and Fire Blast coverage provide great options for crippling the enemies poke even further.
Final Look: (A Little RMT Flavor)
Changes Made:
-Replaced Thunder Punch with Stone Edge on Flygon
-Replaced Weezing with Rotom-H
Final Stats:
Mamoswine:
Hp: 361 / Atk: 394 / Def: 197 / SpA: 158 / SpD: 156 / Spe: 259
Umbreon:
Hp: 394 / Atk: 166 / Def: 288 / SpA: 140 / SpD: 360 / Spe: 166
Rotom-H:
Hp: 304 / Atk: 149 / Def: 321 / SpA: 246 / SpD: 250 / Spe: 230
Arghonaut:
Hp: 414 / Atk: 291 / Def: 281 / SpA: 158 / SpD: 236 / Spe: 186
Flygon:
Hp: 302 / Atk: 492 / Def: 196 / SpA: 176 / SpD: 196 / Spe: 299
Heatran:
Hp: 324 / Atk: 194 / Def: 248 / SpA: 359 / SpD: 248 / Spe: 278
Nicknames and Team Name:
I first chose the name of this team simply because of my poke being nicknamed Faust and that the name “Cheating The Devil” was pretty cool. However, after further examination my other nicknames fit in exceptionally well and how this team runs can be described as “cheating the devil” as the team loves to rob the opponent of KO’s they would have thought they would get. Heatran, Umbreon, and Mamoswine are the main ones who specifically do this. Heatran with Substitute, Umbreon with Curse, and Mamoswine with Focus Sash. Not to mention the rest of my reliable checks and counters on the team.
Even though I’m atheist I could take the name in reference to how Judaism views the devil because in Judaism there is no concept of a devil like in mainstream Christianity or Islam. In Hebrew, the biblical word ha-satan which means "the adversary"or “the obstacle”. So, if I were Jewish I could just say I’m cheating my opponent, which is really what I’m doing.
Mamoswine – Johnny:
Johnny is from the song “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” by Charlie Daniels. Where a young fiddle player beats the devil in a fiddle playing contest. The Devil is also beaten again in a Re-Match with Johnny in the sequel to the song which featured Johnny Cash. Mamoswine suits this because he’s almost guaranteed the one KO, but with Focus Sash + Endeavor he’s able to make his comeback when challenged again and usually scores a KO on anything he outspeeds. Not to mention his late game sweep potential.
Umbreon – Asriel:
I actually just chose this name because I like it, and I was first introduced to the name when I read Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” series. I later also learned that the character from that series is possibly named after Azrael who is the Islamic Archangel of Death. He is also the Angel of Death in Judeo-Christian extra biblical tradition and folklore. So, even though I chose this name for no reason, it still fits.
Rotom-H – Faust:
This is the nickname that made me even think of “Cheating The Devil”. The name is based off a classic German tale of a man (Faust) who makes a pact with the Devil in exchange for knowledge. The character is also used in other older literature by Christopher Marlowe and Goethe. The story is also brought up in the movie V For Vendetta when the character Evey (like the Pokémon eevee) notices the inscription “Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici...” on a mirror which is from Faust and means "By the power of truth I, while living, have conquered the universe".
Arghonaut – Jack:
Also, another name I just plain like. However, in this instance we could place the influence upon Jack from the Pirates of The Caribbean movie series or on Jack The Ripper. Jack from the Pirates of The Caribbean movies suits Arghonaut as it is a “pirate squid” and also links to the team name as Jack escapes death numerous times throughout the movies and is even brought back from the dead. Jack The Ripper has influence as he is a famously known serial killer of England who was never caught thus “Cheating The Devil”.
Flygon – Spike:
This is the only name that I have that I like and have no connection to the team name.
Heatran – Basker:
This name is a shortened version of Baskerville. It doesn’t really have any direct influence towards the name, but I’ll explain it anyway. I am a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle and my favourite of those stories was titled The Hound Of The Baskervilles Originally the name was given to a Houndoom I had on my team but since Heatran replaced him and still looks dog-like the name stayed.
So there you have it, any opinions would be much appreciated.