Cicada
soul reaver
INTRODUCTION
It's been a while since I wanted to post a RMT, and since the World Cup ended, i guess it's a good occasion to do so. I built it for my round 2 match against PDC with the help of my teamates. When trying to find ideas about what i'll use against him, I chalked up Volcarona as a cool thing to bring considering my opponent tastes, and the fact that its really underrated and so unprepared for. I was a bit reticent at first glance because of the shitton of support needed to make it work consistently. Nonetheless, I haven't been disappointed given the threat he poses to most builds.
Basically, the build is based on keeping the hazards at bay which really hinder Volcarona's efficiency (hence the Magic Bounce + Spin combo), while keeping my own which is really useful for pressuring bulkier archetypes in particular. While there's some noticeable annoyances for the team, I think it fullfils his objectives well enough, and is a nuisance to deal with.
If this is of interest, the names come from my favorite game series Dark Souls. I like nicknaming my mons after anime/game references, and this one isn't an exception. Now im finished writing boring things so, without further ado, let's take a look at the team !
THE TEAM IN DEPTH
« Pyromancy of Carmina, who harnessed the power
of flame to actualize the inner-self.
Iron flesh boosts defense and resilience.
Use of this pyromancy requires caution,
as the caster becomes exceedingly heavy
and unable to move freely. »
of flame to actualize the inner-self.
Iron flesh boosts defense and resilience.
Use of this pyromancy requires caution,
as the caster becomes exceedingly heavy
and unable to move freely. »
Hippowdon @ Leftovers ***** iron flesh
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 172 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake = strong STAB move, dissuades frail mons and other things weak against it from setting up.
- Toxic / Stone Edge = Toss-up between those two moves, i'll elaborate more on that below.
- Stealth Rock = Most useful move in the game, a must-have for every competitive teams.
- Slack Off = Reliable recovery, prolly the best reason to use Hippowdon.
Why this pokemon ?
Because it's Hippo. - Lyconik
I needed something to set up the rocks, while taking some strong physical hits from the likes of Bisharp, Lopunny and Chari X. It's also able to cockblock those momentum-grabbing Elec-types which is great to not be pressured too much.
I also needed a mon that could stick around long enough given the bulky nature of the team, and having a healing move is a huge plus for its staying power. That's why I prefered it over other bulky Ground-types.
About its last move, i'm still pending on Toxic or Stone Edge ; while Toxic is really useful for some mons, Wisp Chari X in particular, Stone Edge really helps me against Balloon Exca and for catching other threats like Chari Y.
Item & Spread :
248 Hps to have as much bulk as possible, 172 SpD to always avoid the 2hko on HP Ice from Thundurus with an Impish nature.
I put Sand Force instead of Sand Stream because those 6% can be annoying for my own mons, and I don't want the opposing Excas to take advantage of my own sand.
Having Sand Stream + Stone Edge may be cool for Chari Y tho, but I didn't put much thoughts on that.
.....
« An esoteric spell created by Navlaan,the infamous exiled sorcerer.Awakens the souls of the long-buried dead.
The heretic Navlaan was executed along withhis entire village, and the mere utterance ofhis name became a crime. Some say it wasbecause he sought to restore the banned artof resurrection. »
The heretic Navlaan was executed along withhis entire village, and the mere utterance ofhis name became a crime. Some say it wasbecause he sought to restore the banned artof resurrection. »
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest ***** scraps of life
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 120 HP / 140 SpA / 248 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane = Strong STAB, fuck those 70% accuracy though.
- Knock Off = Ridiculously good move in this gen, catching Heatran with that might be useful for setting a Volc sweep.
- Hidden Power [Ice] = Mostly to have something to check SpD Gliscor, also useful vs Garchomp.
- U-turn = Rounds the set perfectly, works well with Regenerator.
Why this pokemon ?
At that point, I wanted another check for Lati, Venusaur, Keldeo and a Ground Resist. I also lacked something fast, which I think is necessary on all bulkish teams in order to have ease some pressure.
When discussing about that spot with my teamates, we thought about putting another win condition in this spot, but checking all those mons was more important.
It was the last mon added to the team, and I think it's the most solid choice. Everyone who have played some ORAS games know what this shit does ; tanking some hits with his sufficient bulk coupled with the Assault Vest while outspeeding most of the unboosted metagame. It's a great pivot for most archetypes, even tho Hurricane's accuracy is frustrating sometimes.
Item & Spread:
First, I gave it enough Spe to outspeed Alakazam and because I think it's his most important stat and enough evs in SpA to 2hko 100% of the time SpD Gliscor with the spread on-site. Then I put the rest in HP, twisting it a bit to have an odd number, hence why i didn't go for 252 Spe Evs.
The Assault Vest set is necessary, mostly for checking the Latis and Keldeo. I've seen a variation of the team with a Life Orb set instead but the added bulk is really important here imo.
.....
« A greatshield created from the soul
of the Looking Glass Knight.
Can deflect spells.
The Looking Glass at the castle is
said to have been passage to another world. »
of the Looking Glass Knight.
Can deflect spells.
The Looking Glass at the castle is
said to have been passage to another world. »
Starmie @ Leftovers ***** kings mirror
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald = STAB move, high chance to inflict a burn. Ban pls
- Thunder Wave = Useful move for crippling some threats which could otherwise be really dangerous, like HP Fire Manaphy
- Rapid Spin = Fuck hazards.
- Recover = Reliable recovery move.
Why this pokemon ?
At first, I had Volcarona + Sableye. Even though Sableye is annoying for most SR setter, it would've been dangerous to only have it to control hazard in case something happen, or if i just don't find the right opportunity to mega-evo.
At that point, it was a toss-up between Lati@s and Starmie. Although their ability to check Charizard-Y is really useful, I finally chose Starmie to have something consistant against Heatran, since Sableye isn't safe against it. Plus it's a cool thing to check when playing Volcarona ! !
I think it's the most reliable Hazard Control mon in OU, and paired with M-Sableye it's often a pain in the ass to set up hazards against this team.
Item & Spread:
Nothing out of the ordinary ; 252+ Spe because it's his most important stat, 248 HPs evs to take less damages on SR (odd number), the rest in Def.
.....
« Consume a number of souls and
affix dark to a certain spot.
Inflicts damage upon those who touch it.
This distorted dark, brewed by hexers,
drains the life-force of those who touch it. »
affix dark to a certain spot.
Inflicts damage upon those who touch it.
This distorted dark, brewed by hexers,
drains the life-force of those who touch it. »
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers ***** lifedrain patch
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Power Whip = STAB, useful for preventing some Water mons like Gyarados or Manaphy from setting up.
- Iron Head = Mostly for Fairies, chose it over Gyroball because of the pps, which can be clutch vs Clefable.
- Leech Seed = Recovery + Annoying move in general
- Spikes = To add more pressure on opposing teams, can be considered as an alternative win condition
Why this pokemon ?
At first, I needed a Water-resist and a Fairy-resist which can take on DD Altaria and Twave Clefable, since the latter would force me to get Volcarona crippled otherwise. Having a Spikes setter is also a good thing to have to pressure other teams and, coupled with my mons w/ Knock Off and Wisp from Sableye, i can easily chip some damages on the long run.
With his amazing bulk overall and great utility, it's no wonder that he's been a staple in OU since BW. There isn't much to say about it, everybody know what it does and how annoying it can be.
Item & Spread :
Since Azumarill is a pain for this team, I chose to put more EVs in Def. This spread allows Ferro to live Knock Off+6 75% of the time at full life and without SR (it's ko'd 62.5% of the time with SR up). It's situational, but it's better than nothing, and I didn't want to change this spot just for that threat.
The last 28 EVs in Spe allows it to outspeeed 252+ Manaphy if para'd, so it can be a bit more manageable.
.....
« A hex created by an ostracized cleric.
Blocks the spells of nearby casters.
This hex, born of jealousy and humiliation,
is a locus of dark thoughts. The very things
that reflect the true essence of life itself. »
Blocks the spells of nearby casters.
This hex, born of jealousy and humiliation,
is a locus of dark thoughts. The very things
that reflect the true essence of life itself. »
Sableye @ Sablenite ***** profound still
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off = Helps wear down threats, especially Heatran which is a priority target for Volcarona.
- Will-O-Wisp = Painful for most physical attackers, cool for stacking up damages on the long run too.
- Foul Play = Prevents the set-up of some annoying mons like SD Scizor or SD Talonflame.
- Recover = Reliable recovery move.
Why this pokemon ?
As I briefly explained on the intro, his main role here is to keep hazards off the field. In tandem with Starmie, it's hard to set-up hazards against this team, and that really helps Volca.
Having something to spinblock is cool to have too with the spikes, especially against bulkier teams.
Moreover, it gives me an insurance against Taunt users like Mew or Talonflame which are in general partypoopers for this kind of team.
All in all, it's a difficult mon to remove, especially if the opposing team isnt adequatly prepared.
Spread:
This spread, courtesy of the Reypart maker Reymedy, allows Sableye to not be OHKO'd DM from LO Latios after SR. Full HP with an odd number to take less damages on SR, the rest in Defense. Even with those Evs put in SpD instead of Def, it still tanks what it needs to so it's all good !
Other Options :
Toxic > Foul Play. It gives me something to lure the Charis which might be useful on the long run, especially since Chari Y is threatening for this squad.
.....
« Pyromancy developed in Aldian rites.
Fires a giant fireball with a widely
encompassing explosion.
What could possibly justify such excessive
destructive power? In all likelihood, the madmen
of Aldia never even questioned the need. »
Fires a giant fireball with a widely
encompassing explosion.
What could possibly justify such excessive
destructive power? In all likelihood, the madmen
of Aldia never even questioned the need. »
Volcarona @ Leftovers ***** forbidden sun
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 96 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fiery Dance = Because Fire Blast is the worst move ever. 100% acc, and the SpA boost can be clutch for bypassing Hippowdon.
- Bug Buzz = STAB move, good coverage with Fiery Dance.
- Quiver Dance = ez win.
- Roost = One of the most common ways to deal with Volc is to stack up some damages on it, so you might guess the interest of Roost here.
Why this pokemon ?
« Volcarona is too hot for my black ass nigga » - Leftiez
This mon is just a monster. I chose to play a bulky set with Roost to make profit of his useful typing and his abilities in 1v1 against a good portion of the meta. With a bulky spread and Roost, it can outlast a number of more defensive checks. Moreover, with enough Quiver Dances, Volcarona has the power to blow through pretty much everything.
I put SpAtk EVs instead of Def because this gain in power can be really useful to bypass Hippowdon in particular, which can just come, tank a hit and threaten Volc with Stone Edge or Toxic especially if i don't have hazards up.
It's a lethal threat for most teams, and i think it's well supported on this team.
Item & Spread :
248 Hps for having as much bulk as possible, while taking less damages on the hazards. 164 Spe allows Volcarona to outspeed Adamant Exca w/o sand, 232 Lando-T, 200 Kyurem-B while outspeeding 135 bs mons like Lopunny or Manectric. The rest has been put in SpAtk to have a cool chance to 2hko Hippowdon with Fiery Dance + Bug Buzz if I manage to get the boost.
Here's some calcs against the spread on-site :
- 96+ SpA Volcarona Fiery Dance vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 151-178 (35.9 - 42.3%)
- +1 96+ SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 112 SpD Hippowdon: 253-298 (60.2 - 70.9%)
- Fiery Dance + Bug Buzz (+1) = 96.1 – 113.2, with an average of 104.1
THREAT LIST
- Charizard Modest w/ Flamethrower :
252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Flamethrower vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 180-213 (48.2 - 57.1%) -- 91.4% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Flamethrower vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 135-160 (36.1 - 42.8%)
252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Flamethrower vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 135-160 (36.1 - 42.8%)
- Charizard Modest w/ Fire Blast :
252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 220-261 (58.9 - 69.9%)
252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 166-196 (44.5 - 52.5%)
252+ SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 166-196 (44.5 - 52.5%)
- Charizard Timid w/ Flamethrower :
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Flamethrower vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 165-195 (44.2 - 52.2%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Flamethrower vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 124-147 (33.2 - 39.4%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Flamethrower vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 124-147 (33.2 - 39.4%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
- Charizard Timid w/ Fire Blast :
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 201-237 (53.8 - 63.5%)
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 151-178 (40.4 - 47.7%)
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. +2 248 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona in Sun: 151-178 (40.4 - 47.7%)
Also, Hippowdon takes 86.8 - 102.3% from Modest Fire Blast (aka 81,2% chances of taking the hit at full life, it takes 99,7% max from Solar Beam). Starmie can paralyse it as a last resort.
It's not evident to check it, and my chances of beating it can decrease greatly depending on the other members, but it can be checked individually by playing smartly.
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- Oh yea, against a Hard Stall, the best thing to do is to click [X], as this team can't do shit against them. That's why I don't recommand using it on the ladder.
IMPORTABLE
forbidden sun (Volcarona) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 96 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Quiver Dance
- Roost
profound still (Sableye) @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Foul Play
- Recover
lifedrain patch (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Power Whip
- Iron Head
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
kings mirror (Starmie) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Thunder Wave
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
scraps of life (Tornadus-Therian) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 120 HP / 140 SpA / 248 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
iron flesh (Hippowdon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 172 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 96 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Quiver Dance
- Roost
profound still (Sableye) @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Foul Play
- Recover
lifedrain patch (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spe
Impish Nature
- Power Whip
- Iron Head
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
kings mirror (Starmie) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Thunder Wave
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
scraps of life (Tornadus-Therian) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 120 HP / 140 SpA / 248 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
iron flesh (Hippowdon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 172 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
CONCLUSION
too lazy to put one lol!
i'll just shutout the best player of the french room aka davidTheMaster because of that:
[21:03:51] dragoTresMalfoy: STP FAIT UN SPECIAL SHUT OUT POUR MOI
[21:04:02] dragoTresMalfoy: AINSI ILS RAGERONT
oh yea and to Meridian's mum because she gives me all the love i need.
^^
i'll just shutout the best player of the french room aka davidTheMaster because of that:
[21:03:51] dragoTresMalfoy: STP FAIT UN SPECIAL SHUT OUT POUR MOI
[21:04:02] dragoTresMalfoy: AINSI ILS RAGERONT
oh yea and to Meridian's mum because she gives me all the love i need.
^^
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