Hello smogon. This is the second team I've had rated here, and in my opinion the only good team I've ever built. This team is pretty balanced overall, and although I still need practice, I believe that this team can succeed. However, I do need suggestions and improvements for the team itself, as it's not perfect. Let's begin!
Mr. T (Landorus-Therian) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk, 232 Spe, 24 Def
Jolly Nature
-Earthquake
-U-turn
-Superpower
-Stone Edge
I usually use Landorus-T as an early-game scout, and it forms a nice VoltTurn core with Rotom-W. It also functions as a late game sweeper, and it can check some specific threats along the way. Earthquake is Landorus-T's physical Ground-type STAB move, hitting Pokemon that are not immune or resistant to it hard. U-turn is important to scout early-game and to keep offensive momentum, while also hitting Psychic-types such as Latios for super effective damage, who would otherwise threaten my Venusaur. I chose Superpower to hit Mega Gyarados and Tyranitar, as well as Air Balloon Heatran and Excadrill. I suppose it could be subsituted for Knock Off, (or Explosion), so let me know what you think. Stone Edge is very important to provide EdgeQuake coverage, nailing targets such as Thundurus, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir. The EVs and nature maximize Landorus-T's physically offensive potential while providing enough speed to outspeed Adamant Mega Charizard X after a Dragon Dance. I put the remaining EVs into physical defense, which is bolstered by Intimidate.
That Salad (Mega-Venusaur) (F) @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP, 240 Def, 16 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature
-Giga Drain
-Sludge Bomb
-Synthesis
-Leech Seed
Venusaur is the first member of my GFW core, and an amazing tank that can stall out a plethora of threats, especially bulky water types like Mega-Swampert, Suicine, and Rotom-W that all threaten Heatran. This set focuses on keeping it both healthy and threatening. Giga Drain is Venusaur's main STAB move and helps in keeping it healthy. Sludge Bomb is a good secondary STAB move that is mainly used to hit Flying- and Dragon-types on the switch to deal decent damage and potentially snag a poison, and it also hits most Fairy-types super effectively. Synthesis is Venusaur's other recovery move, and in a metagame no longer dominated by weather, it is perfectly viable. Leech Seed offers yet another method of recovery in addition to a decent phazing tool, and it also grants Venusaur the ability to stall out Chansey and Blissey, as well as Heatran. I could switch it to Sleep Powder, but the accuracy worries me. 16 Speed EVs are used in order to outrun Adamant Azumarill, and the rest is put into physical bulk.
Dr. Lava (Heatran) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP, 216 SpD, 44 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Calm Nature
-Lava Plume
-Taunt
-Stealth Rock
-Roar
Heatran is the second part of my GFW core, punishing many annoying grass types that would set up on Rotom-W. Lava Plume is Heatran's primary STAB option with a useful burn chance to punish common switch-ins, especially physical attackers such as Azumarill and Landorus-T. Taunt is is crucial for Heatran to deal with Calm Mind Clefable and allows Heatran to wear down defensive Pokemon, such as Chansey, Mandibuzz, and Mega Venusaur. Roar is used to phaze setup sweepers, ensuring Heatran can deal with the likes of Mega Charizard X and Talonflame. Since Heatran boasts a good matchup against every common Defog user, including Latios, Latias, Skarmory, Mandibuzz, and Zapdos, I use it as my Stealth Rock setter. The given EVs allow Heatran to outrun Suicune, Mega Venusaur, and Mandibuzz if they are minimally invested in speed, which is useful with Taunt. The rest is put into special bulk to allow Heatran to more consistently check specially offensive threats such as Latios, Mega-Manectric, and Gengar.
Buddy (Rotom-W) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP, 252 Def, 8 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Will-O-Wisp
-Pain Split
Rotom-W completes the GFW core, and also composes the latter half of the VoltTurn core with Landorus-T. Volt Switch is Rotom-W's Electric STAB move that allows it to regain momentum after pivoting into a threat. Hydro Pump is Rotom-W's secondary STAB that allows it to beat some of the Pokemon it checks, most notably Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Mamoswine, which are immune to Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom-W to inflict burns on the foe and deter physical attackers. Pain Split is used for healing and when predicting a switch into a healthy opponent. The EVs maximize physical defense, and with Leftovers allow Rotom-W to take many non-super-effective hits on the physical side. Rotom-W also holds a lovely ability in Levitate, so I can comfortably switch into it from Heatran when expecting an Earthquake.
Andre (Conkeldurr) (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 SpD, 4 Def
Adamant Nature
-Mach Punch
-Drain Punch
-Ice Punch
-Knock Off
Conkeldurr is awesome. He takes hard hits and hits back even harder, absorbs status and can actually benefit from it with Guts, and just looks badass. This Pokemon has won me entire matches. Drain Punch is Conkeldurr's main STAB move, providing 50% of the damage dealt as recovery. Mach Punch gives Conkeldurr priority and can be used to pick off weakened opponents. Ice Punch gives Conkeldurr excellent coverage against bulky Ground- and Flying-types such as Gliscor and Landorus-T, as well as Dragon-types such as Latios and Latias. Knock Off cripples any Pokemon, as none appreciate losing their item. Assault Vest is the item of choice as it raises Conkeldurr's Special Defense greatly, allowing it to take attacks from powerful special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y and Thundurus. An Adamant nature and maximum Attack investment allows Conkeldurr to hit hard with its great coverage. The rest of the EVs are put in Special Defense to maximize bulk and to get more out of the Assault Vest, allowing it to threaten specially offensive mons.
Li'l Nick (Latios) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA, 252 Spe, 4 Def
IVs: 0 Atk
Timid Nature
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Surf
-Roost
Latios acts as my primary cleanup sweeper, and he does the job remarkably well. Draco Meteor is Latios's strongest move, dealing great damage to Pokemon that don't resist it such as Thundurus and Slowbro, though if I have to stay in with Latios I tend to avoid this move. Psyshock allows Latios to threaten special walls such as Chansey and Assault Vest users such as Raikou, Tornadus-T, and Conkeldurr by hitting their weaker Defense stat. Surf allows Latios to deal with Steel-types such as Heatran and Skarmory, as well as Tyranitar, without resorting to Draco Meteor and immediately being forced to switch out. Roost is for added longevity, but could be switched with HP fire or Thunderbolt. The EVs maximize Latios's specially offensive potential, and a Timid nature allows it to outspeed or tie with its crowded base 110 speed tier.
So, yeah! That's my team. Please leave any suggestions you can, as it would greatly help me. One question I had was about the HP EVs on some of them. 248 HP vs 252? I'm not entirely sure how that works or if it matters, but anyway if you know for sure if one is better than the other then tell me.
Thanks!
-teamjolteon4ever
