Team Preview :
______________________________________
______________________________________
Introduction
How's it going guys, my name's PokeC9 and I'm bringing you my first RMT of a Dragon team I made for Monotype in the new Sun and Moon metagame. For a while I did struggle in finding my niche in the tier having used a variety of types but still had a rough time against the onslaught of Steel, Psychic and Water stall teams in monotype, I sought to change that and find my flavour as a personal goal starting afresh with dragon.
This has been a work in progress and the team has changed alot since starting this ladder run. My goal purely was to have fun using the new Dragon Support in Kommo-o and Turtonator and get into the Top 10.
After settling on a solid build with friends and a few ladder sessions, I was quite satisfied with my current build.
I am aware there some flaws with the build given the pokemon I am using and would like some more input from you guys.
Huge thanks to everyone that helped with the team :)
Team Building Process
Kyurem is almost always obligatory to have in Dragon monotype, because it not only provides a reliable neutrality to Ice Attacks but it also boasts an immense physical strength hitting Fairies hard with Ironhead and Water and Flying pokemon with Bolt Strike ontop of its Dragon Ice coverage.
Historically Dragon has always struggled vs Fat normal pokemon, this is where the new Kommo-o comes in, hitting hard both physically and on the special side. Being the pseudo-legendary of the Alolan region, Kommo-o is blessed with a great BST of 600.
Kommo-o's great 75/125/105 bulk means that it can safely take a couple of hits which can work out to its advantage when throwing out attacks or setting up with Dragon Dance.
Latios has a great speed tier and great Special Attack, so choice specs was a natural fit since our fighting force was lacking a good special attacker. By taking Specs, this gave us a Strong attacker while having Defog and Trick support alike, the later helping in dealing with fat pokemon like Chansey.
Goodra was added in the fourth slot for that much needed Sp Def support and that all important four attacks coverage that Goodra provides with Sludge Bomb, Earthquake, Fire Blast and Dragon coverage.
Goodra's incredible Special Defense allows it to serve as an effective special tank while still being able to dish out decent damage thanks to its base 100 Attack and 110 Special Attack stats. An Assault Vest boosts Goodra's already high natural Special Defense to extraordinary levels, taking even certain super effective hits incredibly well, while our physical team mates deal with dedicated special walls taking the pressure off Goodra which it struggles with.
Turtonator was a last minute addition to the team. Boasting the highly desired Fire Dragon typing Turtonator gives the team a secondary Ice resist and a dedicated Fairy resist and lastly gave us a set up sweeper with Shell Smash.
While Turtonator can be classified as a fairly mediocre pokemon, I wanted to use it as it seemed fun and it certainly delivered.
Garchomp often is the typical lead used on most Dragon teams for Rocks, and our Team was no different.
While many players prefer the dedicated Rocky Helmet set, I opted for the Swords Dance Stealth Rock set to give Garchomp dual roles which helps in numerous cases giving us entry hazards and a potential sweeper all in the one team slot.
Team Description and Process
Kyurem-Black @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Iron Head
- Outrage
Maximum Speed EVs with a Naive nature allow Kyurem-B to outspeed threats like Choice Scarf Landorus-T and OHKO it with Ice Beam, while Iron Head lets it deal with many of the Fairy pokemon plaguing the metagame with their low physical defences particular in removing Choice Scarf Gardevoir.
Full Attack investment maximizes the power of Kyurem-B's Outrage, Fusion Bolt and Iron Head attacks which is further enhanced by the sheer coverage. Choice Scarf makes Kyurem-B outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, allowing Kyurem-B to function as a terrifying cleaner and revenge killer.
Kommo-o (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Bulletproof
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Sky Uppercut
- Earthquake
I went with the classic DD set, in essence it aims to break down many of Kommo-o's bulkier switchins which the current metagame has in abundance. Its quite easy to Set up a Swords Dance or two, and then many slower switchins will find it difficult to switch into Kommo-o. Dragon Claw was chosen over Outrage for the reliability and the ability to switch moves. Sky Uppercut was our most powerful physical Fighting-type STAB to take advantage of which greatly helps in the Normal matchup. Lastly I opted for Earthquake purely for Poison threats like Toxapex and Alolan Muk.
Bulletproof was chosen over Soundproof due to how few Hypervoice users are in the current metagame with no Mega Gardevoir around, and with Bulletproof providing a nice immunity against Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Aura Sphere, Energy Ball, Gyro Ball, Seed Bomb and Sludge Bomb attacks, it felt the better option as a whole.
While Kommo-o has tough competition from other Dragon Dance pokemon, I felt it was a nice choice regardless just for the Fighting Stab it offered us.
Latios @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Energy Ball
- Defog
- Trick
Latios resides in a great Speed tier, allowing it to outspeed and check many threats such as Garchomp and Keldeo. In addition, it has a great Special Attack stat, coupled with an extremely strong move in Draco Meteor, making it a great sweeper.
Furthermore, a decent defensive typing allows Latios to comfortably absorb hits from the likes of Mega Charizard Y and Keldeo and, as a result, gives it ample opportunities to switch in, Specs was chosen to maximize the damage output. Energyball was chosen over Psychic coverage to deal with Water, Rock and Ground teams easier since they were in abundance on the ladder while still having utilities in Defog and Trick.
Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Gooey
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
An Assault Vest boosts Goodra's already high natural Special Defense to extraordinary levels, taking even certain super effective hits incredibly well. With an Assault Vest, Goodra has free reign to switch into the majority of special attacks, taking most of them fantastically well, which makes it a fantastic pivot into special attackers absorbing hits alike from Alolan Raichu and Charizard Y.
Sludge Bomb hits Fairy-type Pokemon such as Clefable and the Tapu pokemon which are immune to Goodra's main STAB move, Earthquake deals with many of the Electric Pokemon in the meta, 2 hit Ko-ing Electric threats and Heatran regardless of our Modest nature while Fire Blast deals with many of the Grass, Ice, Bug and Steel pokemon in the meta.
248 HP EVs boost Goodra's good natural bulk, while reducing residual damage.
Turtonator @ White Herb
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Flamethrower
- Shell Smash
Timid +2 Shellsmash Turtonator has a whopping 376 speed, being slightly awkward in that its faster than Tornadus T but slower than Greninja by 1 Point. After 1 SS, Turtonator can sweep a nice chunk of the unboosted Metagame ( up to base 122 ) however this can leave a good deal of Scarfers faster than you if not careful. Thanks to our natural bulk in base 135 / 85 defences backed with White Herb gives us some safety.
Being a fairy and a Ice Resist in one, getting a SS off is fairly easy, while Dragon, Fighting and Fire coverage respectfully hits most of the metagame very hard. Focus Blast was taken to deal with Heatran who would otherwise wall us.
Damage Calculations :
+2 252 SpA Turtonator Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 388-458 (100.5 - 118.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
While Turtonator is far from a good pokemon, I'm really glad I gave it a go in my team.
Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
Stealth Rock is great for wearing down opposing teams by damaging foes every time they switch in which while backed with Focus Sash gives Dragon's most reliable rocker. Earthquake is Garchomp's main STAB move that deals good damage to most targets, while Dragon Claw hits everything that resists Earthquake bar Skarmory and Togekiss for neutral damage.
By having Stealthrock + Swords Dance, this gives us a pokemon that function as a early rocker or a powerful early-game wallbreaker that can immediately pressure the opponent and weaken the opposing team, opening up holes for a teammate to sweep.
Kyurem-Black @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Iron Head
- Outrage
Kommo-o (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Bulletproof
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Sky Uppercut
- Earthquake
Latios @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Energy Ball
- Defog
- Trick
Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Gooey
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Turtonator @ White Herb
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Flamethrower
- Shell Smash
Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Iron Head
- Outrage
Kommo-o (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Bulletproof
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Sky Uppercut
- Earthquake
Latios @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Energy Ball
- Defog
- Trick
Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Gooey
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Turtonator @ White Herb
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Flamethrower
- Shell Smash
Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
Replays
Vs Electric
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510529057
Vs Steel
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510525342
Older Team Replays :
Vs Water
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510203374
Vs Steel
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510171242
Vs Electric
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510529057
Vs Steel
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510525342
Older Team Replays :
Vs Water
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510203374
Vs Steel
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-510171242
Special Thanks
gingerninja23 for helping behind the scenes and a special thankyou to Shane for providing the new revamped import with Turtonator.
gingerninja23 for helping behind the scenes and a special thankyou to Shane for providing the new revamped import with Turtonator.