HypnoEmpire
Yokatta...
Hello and welcome to my second RMT! This team is built around SubToxic Articuno, a cool and underrated threat. This team isn't perfect, but I've been enjoying it quite a bit. Hope you enjoy!
The Team at a Glance:
I was casually browsing the forums when I felt like building a team around an uncommon but viable Pokemon that I hadn't used before. After giving it some thought, SubToxic Articuno looked annoying so I went with it.
Ah Mega Steelix, the best Pokemon in the tier. I needed a solid Stealth Rock setter that could take on Rock- and Electric-types well, so this is what I got. I wanted a second Electric-type check and Tyrantrum check with recovery and the ability to take on Emboar and various setup sweepers, so in goes Quagsire.
Articuno has a decent match-up vs more stall oriented teams, but I knew it wasn't going to break stall by itself. I also needed a status absorber and a Fighting-type check, so I went with Sigilyph.
Psychic-types are an issue for the rest of my team and I needed a Defogger, so I went with Skuntank. Dugtrio traps various Steel-types for Articuno as well as stuff like Houndoom for Sigilyph.
The Team at a Glance:
I was casually browsing the forums when I felt like building a team around an uncommon but viable Pokemon that I hadn't used before. After giving it some thought, SubToxic Articuno looked annoying so I went with it.
Ah Mega Steelix, the best Pokemon in the tier. I needed a solid Stealth Rock setter that could take on Rock- and Electric-types well, so this is what I got. I wanted a second Electric-type check and Tyrantrum check with recovery and the ability to take on Emboar and various setup sweepers, so in goes Quagsire.
Articuno has a decent match-up vs more stall oriented teams, but I knew it wasn't going to break stall by itself. I also needed a status absorber and a Fighting-type check, so I went with Sigilyph.
Psychic-types are an issue for the rest of my team and I needed a Defogger, so I went with Skuntank. Dugtrio traps various Steel-types for Articuno as well as stuff like Houndoom for Sigilyph.
Calm | 248 HP / 124 SpD / 136 Spe
Substitute / Toxic / Roost / Freeze-Dry
The star of the show, and everything on the team supports it in one way or another. I couldn't find an RU spread for Articuno anywhere, so I created a custom spread. Considering that most people don't even know what Articuno does or what it's capable of, I'll have to go into great detail here. The given Speed EVs outpace Modest Samurott by 1 point so Articuno can switch into and 2HKO it with Freeze-Dry. I gave it max HP and put the rest into SpD so it can take special hits extremely well. I'll go ahead and post some calcs to demonstrate:
252+ SpA Life Orb Samurott Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 153-181 (39.9 - 47.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Flygon Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 169-200 (44.1 - 52.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 163-193 (42.5 - 50.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Clawitzer Scald vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 121-142 (31.5 - 37%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ SpA Life Orb Omastar Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 320-376 (83.5 - 98.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Impressive, right? Well, this isn't even the main purpose of this Pokemon. It stalls out many defensively-oriented Pokemon and PP stalls attacks. For instance, if my opponent's Steel-type is Bronzong, Articuno can effectively reduce its Gyro Ball PP to 0 with the combination of Substitute and Pressure. Another example, if my opponent sends out a Houndoom as my Articuno sets up a Substitute, it can easily reduce Houndoom's Fire Blast PP to 0, then effectively Toxic stall Houndoom. If you think that's cool, here are some calcs of some defensive Pokemon vs Articuno:
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 58-69 (15.1 - 18%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Alomomola Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 67-81 (17.4 - 21.1%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Aromatisse Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 69-82 (18 - 21.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Uxie Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 67-81 (17.4 - 21.1%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Qwilfish Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 84-99 (21.9 - 25.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery (Only occasionally breaks Articuno's Substitute)
0 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 55-66 (14.3 - 17.2%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
Articuno also lures in Steel-types that Dugtrio can trap, making Toxic stalling much easier for Articuno. In case you were wondering, Articuno stalls out Eelektross unless it decides to run something weird like Adamant Expert Belt Drain Punch since it can Roost on Electric-type attacks and Flamethrower doesn't 2HKO. Now, next up is...
252+ SpA Life Orb Samurott Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 153-181 (39.9 - 47.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Flygon Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 169-200 (44.1 - 52.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 163-193 (42.5 - 50.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Clawitzer Scald vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 121-142 (31.5 - 37%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ SpA Life Orb Omastar Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 320-376 (83.5 - 98.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Impressive, right? Well, this isn't even the main purpose of this Pokemon. It stalls out many defensively-oriented Pokemon and PP stalls attacks. For instance, if my opponent's Steel-type is Bronzong, Articuno can effectively reduce its Gyro Ball PP to 0 with the combination of Substitute and Pressure. Another example, if my opponent sends out a Houndoom as my Articuno sets up a Substitute, it can easily reduce Houndoom's Fire Blast PP to 0, then effectively Toxic stall Houndoom. If you think that's cool, here are some calcs of some defensive Pokemon vs Articuno:
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 58-69 (15.1 - 18%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Alomomola Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 67-81 (17.4 - 21.1%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Aromatisse Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 69-82 (18 - 21.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Uxie Psyshock vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 67-81 (17.4 - 21.1%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Qwilfish Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Articuno: 84-99 (21.9 - 25.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery (Only occasionally breaks Articuno's Substitute)
0 SpA Gastrodon Scald vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 55-66 (14.3 - 17.2%) -- possible 9HKO after Leftovers recovery
Articuno also lures in Steel-types that Dugtrio can trap, making Toxic stalling much easier for Articuno. In case you were wondering, Articuno stalls out Eelektross unless it decides to run something weird like Adamant Expert Belt Drain Punch since it can Roost on Electric-type attacks and Flamethrower doesn't 2HKO. Now, next up is...
Steelix @ Steelixite | Sturdy
Adamant | 252 HP / 96 Atk / 76 SpD / 84 Spe
Stealth Rock / Heavy Slam / Earthquake / Stone Edge
Mega Steelix! The main purpose of Mega Steelix is to eat up Rock- and Electric-type moves aimed at Articuno and set Stealth Rock. It also does a phenomenal job of luring in bulky Water-types so I can double to Articuno or Sigilyph, depending on the situation, and attempt to stall or set up from there. In fact, thanks to Mega Steelix's offensive nature, very few offensive Pokemon will want to switch into any of its attacks, so it baits in defensive Pokemon quite nicely. Mega Steelix also serves as my Flying-resist and emergency Psychic-type check in the event that Skuntank gets incapacitated. I previously used an Assault Vest Escavalier and delegated the role of Stealth Rock setter to a Seismitoad that took Quagsire's place, but I had some problems with setup sweepers like Scrafty, SubBU Braviary, and Malamar, and Seismitoad often got worn down too easily to consistently check what it was supposed to.
Quagsire @ Leftovers | Unaware
Impish | 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Scald / Earthquake / Recover / Curse
Mega Steelix can get pressured trying to check so many things at once, so in order to help alleviate some of that pressure, I decided to run Quagsire. It's useful as a secondary check to Jolteon, which I need to scout to determine its Hidden Power, and Quagsire checks some of the same Pokemon as Mega Steelix courtesy of their Ground-typing, but there are some key differences that set them apart. Quagsire checks Fire-types, particularly Scarf Emboar, and can handle some relevant setup sweepers mentioned above, which Mega Steelix cannot. While Quagsire can't punish its switch-ins with powerful attacks like Mega Steelix can, Quagsire has access to reliable recovery, which helps it take on threats like Tyrantrum and Rhyperior more consistently. When I had Seismitoad on this team in place of Quagsire, I battled Senpai D.M's stall team and he 6-0ed me with Malamar. After this battle, I noticed that I was weak to DD / BU Scrafty as well, so I made the appropriate changes. However, in order to actually deal with BU Scrafty and Malamar, I'm running Curse. In some rare cases, Curse Quagsire can actually serve as a win condition, but this is usually only true against poorly built teams. I'm running Scald over Waterfall because burning stuff is invaluable and Quagsire isn't going to be sweeping with Curse.
Sigilyph @ Flame Orb | Magic Guard
Timid | 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Calm Mind / Psycho Shift / Air Slash / Roost
RIP Stall. Flame Orb CM Sigilyph is easily the best stallbreaker to ever grace this world. It serves as a great check to most Fighting-types except a couple, which are covered by Quagsire. Sigilyph is a great status absorber, which is very necessary on this team as it is. It pairs decently well with Articuno in breaking defensive Pokemon, with Articuno pp stalling attacks so it's easier for Sigilyph to set up on specific Pokemon and Sigilyph burning Steel-type, wearing them down so Articuno has an easier time vs them. Once Dugtrio gets rid of Houndoom for Sigilyph, it gets a lot more leeway to set up and spread status, and Pursuit Spiritomb, an otherwise solid Sigilyph answer, is setup bait for this set. Sigilyph is so great because unlike Articuno, it can switch directly into most defensive Pokemon and it doesn't take Stealth Rock damage.
Skuntank @ Black Glasses | Aftermath
Adamant | 232 Atk / 252 SpD / 24 Spe
Pursuit / Sucker Punch / Crunch / Defog
Skuntank is much more uncommon now and isn't usually chosen for a teamslot when there are better Defog users like Flygon and Togetic as well as better Pursuit trappers like Houndoom and Escavalier, but it fulfills a unique niche in being able to compress these roles, which are both necessary for my team. Skuntank traps Scarf Delphox, Meloetta, and Sigilyph, which are otherwise big threats to my team, and Defogs Stealth Rock for Articuno. It also provides the bulk and typing to keep offensive Tangrowth in check and to be an emergency check to Rotom-C. Sucker Punch is useful in picking off weakened threats and creates 50/50s with Psychic-types. It needs Crunch in order to achieve a 2HKO vs Sigilyph after getting burned, which is unfortunate since it would be really nice to run Poison Jab to hit Tangrowth and Rotom-C.
Dugtrio @ Life Orb | Arena Trap
Naive | 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Earthquake / Substitute / Aerial Ace / Hidden Power Fire
This is a pretty straightforward Pokemon, Dugtrio can trap what it usually does with this set, but with Aerial Ace and Hidden Power Fire, it can trap Virizion and Durant, two very threatening Pokemon to my team. Dugtrio trapping Houndoom is useful for Sigilyph so it has an easier time sweeping and trapping Steel-types is useful for Articuno so it has an easier time stalling. To trap Houndoom, I get it in by double switching from Sigilyph since Sigilyph lures in Houndoom very well. It's also a decent revenge killer thanks to its high Speed and ability. Not much else to say about this, really.
Concerns and Threats:
One of my main concerns with this team is that there's a lot of pressure on Skuntank to Defog, which can be difficult to pull off considering that it's trying to Pursuit trap at the same time. The team's also pretty vulnerable to status outside of Sigilyph, but it can't switch into every user of status moves. Some common users of status that can be troublesome are Fletchinder, Mega Camerupt, and Jellicent. Jellicent can be played around by Articuno + Sigilyph, Fletchinder gets dealt with by Mega Steelix even when burned, but half of Mega Steelix's great offensive presence gets cut down, and Mega Camerupt is just a big threat.
Note: Threats are not presented in any particular order.
High-Level Threats
Mega Camerupt, especially offensive variants with a lot of Speed, OHKOes everything on my team except Quagsire, which goes down after just a bit of prior damage and can't even OHKO Mega Camerupt with Scald. To be fair, Mega Camerupt has to run at least 168 Speed EVs to outpace Mega Steelix, which is quite a bit. To get around this, I have to get some prior damage on it, then revenge kill it with Dugtrio. Articuno can also attempt to PP stall it if it runs Fire Blast over Flamethrower.
Rotom-C is probably the biggest threat to this team. Between sets like Choice Specs and Expert Belt Will-O-Wisp, the only thing on my team that can really take hits from it is Skuntank, which is pressured enough as it is to perform its roles to the point where it can hardly deal with it at all.
Mega Glalie, especially sets with Freeze-Dry, can be quite troublesome. Mega Steelix can switch in a couple of times, but Mega Glalie will eventually break through it. I deal with it by letting Stealth Rock wear it down to the point where Sucker Punch can KO it. Worst case scenario, Skuntank goes down and Mega Glalie dies to Aftermath.
Mid-Level Threats
While Exploud is pretty threatening, this stops it just short of being a high-level threat:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Exploud Boomburst vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 201-237 (52.4 - 61.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
If Exploud tries to come in on Articuno, it can just Toxic it and Roost in its face until Boomburst runs out of PP. Mega Steelix can also take a couple Boombursts and after a bit of prior damage Dugtrio revenge kills it.
Fighting-types (think Hitmonlee, Medicham, Sawk, etc.) are checked by Sigilyph, but are otherwise pretty threatening. Dugtrio revenge kills them assuming they don't have a Choice Scarf, but Choice-locked Fighting-types can be played around.
Eelektross has crazy coverage and will run whatever it wants. Watch out for everything. Scout for everything. You never know when you'll get that Choice Band Rock Slide Eelektross. I could say something along these lines for a lot of other Pokemon but I don't like Eelektross so it gets a section of its own. That's how it is.
I may have missed some because I was pretty tired when I made this. If you see something that stands out as a threat let me know, thanks :)
Replays:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ru-282233321
This is how my matches on the ladder usually turn out.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ru-283083594
How it performed vs a stall team.
I'll try to get more replays later.
Hope you enjoyed!
Concerns and Threats:
One of my main concerns with this team is that there's a lot of pressure on Skuntank to Defog, which can be difficult to pull off considering that it's trying to Pursuit trap at the same time. The team's also pretty vulnerable to status outside of Sigilyph, but it can't switch into every user of status moves. Some common users of status that can be troublesome are Fletchinder, Mega Camerupt, and Jellicent. Jellicent can be played around by Articuno + Sigilyph, Fletchinder gets dealt with by Mega Steelix even when burned, but half of Mega Steelix's great offensive presence gets cut down, and Mega Camerupt is just a big threat.
Note: Threats are not presented in any particular order.
High-Level Threats
Mega Camerupt, especially offensive variants with a lot of Speed, OHKOes everything on my team except Quagsire, which goes down after just a bit of prior damage and can't even OHKO Mega Camerupt with Scald. To be fair, Mega Camerupt has to run at least 168 Speed EVs to outpace Mega Steelix, which is quite a bit. To get around this, I have to get some prior damage on it, then revenge kill it with Dugtrio. Articuno can also attempt to PP stall it if it runs Fire Blast over Flamethrower.
Rotom-C is probably the biggest threat to this team. Between sets like Choice Specs and Expert Belt Will-O-Wisp, the only thing on my team that can really take hits from it is Skuntank, which is pressured enough as it is to perform its roles to the point where it can hardly deal with it at all.
Mega Glalie, especially sets with Freeze-Dry, can be quite troublesome. Mega Steelix can switch in a couple of times, but Mega Glalie will eventually break through it. I deal with it by letting Stealth Rock wear it down to the point where Sucker Punch can KO it. Worst case scenario, Skuntank goes down and Mega Glalie dies to Aftermath.
Mid-Level Threats
While Exploud is pretty threatening, this stops it just short of being a high-level threat:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Exploud Boomburst vs. 248 HP / 124+ SpD Articuno: 201-237 (52.4 - 61.8%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
If Exploud tries to come in on Articuno, it can just Toxic it and Roost in its face until Boomburst runs out of PP. Mega Steelix can also take a couple Boombursts and after a bit of prior damage Dugtrio revenge kills it.
Fighting-types (think Hitmonlee, Medicham, Sawk, etc.) are checked by Sigilyph, but are otherwise pretty threatening. Dugtrio revenge kills them assuming they don't have a Choice Scarf, but Choice-locked Fighting-types can be played around.
Eelektross has crazy coverage and will run whatever it wants. Watch out for everything. Scout for everything. You never know when you'll get that Choice Band Rock Slide Eelektross. I could say something along these lines for a lot of other Pokemon but I don't like Eelektross so it gets a section of its own. That's how it is.
I may have missed some because I was pretty tired when I made this. If you see something that stands out as a threat let me know, thanks :)
Replays:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ru-282233321
This is how my matches on the ladder usually turn out.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ru-283083594
How it performed vs a stall team.
I'll try to get more replays later.
Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 124 SpD / 136 Spe
Calm Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Freeze-Dry
- Roost
Steelix @ Steelixite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Atk / 76 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Recover
- Curse
Sigilyph @ Flame Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psycho Shift
- Air Slash
- Roost
Skuntank @ Black Glasses
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 232 Atk / 252 SpD / 24 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Defog
Dugtrio @ Life Orb
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Substitute
- Aerial Ace
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 124 SpD / 136 Spe
Calm Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Freeze-Dry
- Roost
Steelix @ Steelixite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Atk / 76 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
Quagsire @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Recover
- Curse
Sigilyph @ Flame Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psycho Shift
- Air Slash
- Roost
Skuntank @ Black Glasses
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 232 Atk / 252 SpD / 24 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Defog
Dugtrio @ Life Orb
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Substitute
- Aerial Ace
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Ping_Pong_Along for helping me create the "skeleton" of this team and just being a cool dude
Minus for getting me into Smogon and competitive battling in general. Stay awesome :)
Arikado we don't really talk anymore but you helped me get into RU and you're a cool person to talk to.
gamer boy we hardly talk anymore but you're a good friend
Expulso welcome back to RU lol
DKFirelord aoemica gorex Leer Schaff thecrystalonix Mistress Remilia Heydude:D Diogo Lord Death Man friends in RU, you're all awesome people, we should chat more :)
LightningLuxray GlassGlaceon Sapphire. cacturne FookMi? dawnmidst TheCamelBoy skysolo14 unklewiggles and anyone else, I'm alive, I just haven't been posting much in case you were wondering. I'm usually in the RU room on Pokemon Showdown. Old frends :)
Dododoggy you're one of my oldest friends here, and you were awesome to talk to. You're part of the reason why I kept playing this game.
If I missed anyone then I'm sorry, just pretend your name is here.
Minus for getting me into Smogon and competitive battling in general. Stay awesome :)
Arikado we don't really talk anymore but you helped me get into RU and you're a cool person to talk to.
gamer boy we hardly talk anymore but you're a good friend
Expulso welcome back to RU lol
DKFirelord aoemica gorex Leer Schaff thecrystalonix Mistress Remilia Heydude:D Diogo Lord Death Man friends in RU, you're all awesome people, we should chat more :)
LightningLuxray GlassGlaceon Sapphire. cacturne FookMi? dawnmidst TheCamelBoy skysolo14 unklewiggles and anyone else, I'm alive, I just haven't been posting much in case you were wondering. I'm usually in the RU room on Pokemon Showdown. Old frends :)
Dododoggy you're one of my oldest friends here, and you were awesome to talk to. You're part of the reason why I kept playing this game.
If I missed anyone then I'm sorry, just pretend your name is here.
Hope you enjoyed!
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