Help a VGC nub?

SoulRed12

SoulRed12

Gonna enter the 3ds May competition and here's the VGC team I've been using on the sim. I'm trying to make sure I've got something solid before I register it to my battle box. I don't really expect to do great because I'm still a VGC nub, but anyway:

Gardevoir @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
- Imprison
- Shadow Ball
Imprison+Protect. Imprison eases prediction by sealing opponents' protect, and it tends to make Gardevoir a target so a lot of times I've been able to protect with her, absorb two hits, and then have Kanga do some serious damage. It also keeps Aegislash from being able to spam Shadow Ball, though Aegis still could have flash cannon which is I guess what the Babiri Berry is for.

Kangaskhan (F) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Sucker Punch
- Power-Up Punch
- Return
Usually sent out with Gardevoir to fake out while Gardevoir imprisons, then deal damage while Gardevoir becomes a target and protects. I mean, it's the standard max speed adamant set. Return everything, amirite?

Pyroar (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Hyper Voice
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Will-O-Wisp
For dealing with Aegislash. WoW on predicted Kings Shield, Fire Blast to OHKO even from full HP in shield forme (and especially if it's after damage from a WoW) unless it has S.Def investment. HP Ice takes down Garchomp (I love that Pyroar outspends) but of course I can't come in on it. Hyper voice for a very decent dual-hitting STAB. And then it dies to a calm breeze.

Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Bold Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SAtk
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
- Will-O-Wisp
Standard physically defensive rotom. Can you tell I like burning things? The lack of power is a bit disappointing (in smogon singles, I always went bulky specs, so it's a bit disconcerting to do so much less damage with each hit).

Murkrow @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Quash
- Taunt
- Tailwind
- Foul Play
Sometimes comes out with Kanga to get a Tailwind or a taunt (to avoid WoW) alongside the fake out, and then a Quash afterward for faster things as Kanga hits the biggest threat with a return. I'm sure you've all seen this one before.

Staraptor @ Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Double-Edge
- U-turn
Basically decimates everything it can get its hands on. Getting its hands on something is the hard part though. Helps a lot to discourage Amoongus who like to spam Rage Powder from coming out, since whatever comes in on the switch usually gets mauled regardless.

So yeah, as you can see I have zero answers to Garchomp aside from Leading with Pyroar or switching him in after a KO. I guess I could also get Rotom in and burn in, but that doesn't help that much.

Help?
 
http://www.smogon.com/forums/forums/rate-my-team.52/ <<<--- This could be a good place to post your team instead!

Whilst I am aware that the Tour started yesterday (I'm going 22-10 with 1631+, atm), when it is finished, I do have some targets to help you with your team (there is another Internationals in June, too!).

I'd recommend getting a Jolly Kangaskhan instead, for a faster Fake Out potential. Most Kang's in VGC run Jolly Nature as well, to either speed-tie or outspeed opposing other Kang's and Fake Out them when they come out to obtain an advantage.

Will-O-Wisp on Pyroar seems interesting, however I'd swap that move out for Protect, which will be great for your team because of only 2 Pokemon carrying the move, and it help you gain momentum as well.

Whilst CB Staraptor is a great underrated Pokemon in the VGC metagame, I think a Life Orb / Lum Berry Talonflame would work over it as well. It gets Tailwind and Quick Guard too, 2 great support moves that can benefit you to an extent, even if you are running max speed on 5/6 mons on your team. Also, Quick Guarding Prankster users (*ahem* Meowstic and Klefki) in particular is really great and it can shut them down to an extent as well. Personally for your team, Brave Bird, Flare Blitz, Protect, and Quick Guard / Roost / U-Turn would be my set, but it's personal preference, I guess.

I wouldn't run all that Speed on Murkrow, as it doesn't accomplish too much. Priority Tailwind and Quash is nice, however running a Focus Sash where Eviolite can be used isn't the best in my opinion, and it can allow you to run a much bulkier spread as well. I'd recommend running a 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SDef spread with a Careful Nature and Eviolite for as much bulk as possible. I forget what the EV Spread is used for in particular, however I do know that it has helped me take a majority of hits using it in the past.

Whilst Physically Defensive Rotom-Wash is usable, I feel that you could go with a more balanced approach, especially that your Rotom-W carries Will-O-Wisp. I recommend using Ray Rizzo's EV Spread of 252 HP / 116 Def / 4 SAtk / 132 SDef / 4 Spd with a Calm Nature, as Rotom will then only have a ~6% chance of being knocked out by Modest 252 SAtk Mega-Charizard-Y’s Solar Beam, as well as being able to take two Adamant 252 Atk Azumarill Play Roughs without being knocked out when Sitrus Berry is considered, which you are carrying. You could always go Modest>Calm for more firepower though, however Rotom can only has a 1/16 chance (I believe) of being able to take the max power Mega-Charizard-Y.

Nice team though, and I wish you best of luck in the final day of Internationals and good luck in the one next month as well! Hope my advice helped, and have fun! :)
 
Gardevoir: I already discussed this with you before in the other thread. Imprison combo is ok, but the EV spread and the nature should be changed, imo. Make it Modest, and bulk up its HP to 252, and its defense to at least 120. My spread that I left in the other thread should also survive a +2 Sucker Punch from Mega Kanga. BARELY.

+2 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Sucker Punch vs. 252 HP / 192 Def Mega Gardevoir: 147-174 (84 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Note that a normal Gardevoir can expect the same results. Mega Gardevoir gains no defense.

Kanga: Make it Jolly if you're going max speed. You don't want to lose to other Kanga.

Pyroar: Change WoW for Protect.

Murkrow: Change the Focus Sash for Eviolite. I personally prefer Feather Dance, but I can see where Quash is useful.

Rotom: I'm not sure why you're making a pure physical wall out of Rotom. You need Sp.Def and your damage will be piss poor. All it does it wall physical attackers, and most teams tend to have a decent mix of both attack types at this point in the meta. Kanga's been checked enough that fewer people are riding that physical damage hype train.

Staraptor: If you intend to continue using this, I would go with Intimidate. If not, I would get a Talonflame. This might still work as a lead with Kanga to blow someone out of the water, but I'm not too fond of Reckless here. The band and its naturally high damage seem to do enough as is.
 
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Notes I wanted to add:

1) Seriously need some damage on that Rotom. I'll give you my spread for Rotom-W. I made it myself, and although it's slow, it takes good damage on either side and is usually a 3HKO.

Modest Rotom w/Leftovers: 252 HP/108 Def/40 Sp.Atk/108 Sp.Def

-T. Bolt
-H. Pump
-WoW
-Protect

Sure, Kanga's a 2HKO, but you can't do much about that in most scenarios anyway. Get the burn, and it's a 3HKO like all the others. Mega Mawile's also a 2HKO, too. Garchomp's D. Claw is a 3HKO, and it has a good chance to survive Timid Char Y Solar Beams. It's not guaranteed, but it's good. You can run other calcs if needed, but for the most part, this spread can take a hit or two without toppling over, gets coverage on both sides, and gets at least some damage output. Only issue is that it's not hard to outspeed it.

2) I might suggest using Moonblast over Dazzling Gleam if you use my spread for Gardevoir. Even then, your chances of OHKO'ing Garchomp are low. If you reinvest the Sp.Def into Sp.Atk, you get about a 50% chance to OHKO (slightly more in your favor). Still, Dazzle's chances of OHKO are much worse, and at least you can OHKO Salamence no sweat.

Regardless, if you use this, don't think you're unstoppable on the physical side. I'd still be wary of any super-effective hits.
 
FirstWorldProblems said:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/forums/rate-my-team.52/ <<<--- This could be a good place to post your team instead!

Whilst I am aware that the Tour started yesterday (I'm going 22-10 with 1631+, atm), when it is finished, I do have some targets to help you with your team (there is another Internationals in June, too!).

I'd recommend getting a Jolly Kangaskhan instead, for a faster Fake Out potential. Most Kang's in VGC run Jolly Nature as well, to either speed-tie or outspeed opposing other Kang's and Fake Out them when they come out to obtain an advantage.

Will-O-Wisp on Pyroar seems interesting, however I'd swap that move out for Protect, which will be great for your team because of only 2 Pokemon carrying the move, and it help you gain momentum as well.

Whilst CB Staraptor is a great underrated Pokemon in the VGC metagame, I think a Life Orb / Lum Berry Talonflame would work over it as well. It gets Tailwind and Quick Guard too, 2 great support moves that can benefit you to an extent, even if you are running max speed on 5/6 mons on your team. Also, Quick Guarding Prankster users (*ahem* Meowstic and Klefki) in particular is really great and it can shut them down to an extent as well. Personally for your team, Brave Bird, Flare Blitz, Protect, and Quick Guard / Roost / U-Turn would be my set, but it's personal preference, I guess.

I wouldn't run all that Speed on Murkrow, as it doesn't accomplish too much. Priority Tailwind and Quash is nice, however running a Focus Sash where Eviolite can be used isn't the best in my opinion, and it can allow you to run a much bulkier spread as well. I'd recommend running a 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SDef spread with a Careful Nature and Eviolite for as much bulk as possible. I forget what the EV Spread is used for in particular, however I do know that it has helped me take a majority of hits using it in the past.

Whilst Physically Defensive Rotom-Wash is usable, I feel that you could go with a more balanced approach, especially that your Rotom-W carries Will-O-Wisp. I recommend using Ray Rizzo's EV Spread of 252 HP / 116 Def / 4 SAtk / 132 SDef / 4 Spd with a Calm Nature, as Rotom will then only have a ~6% chance of being knocked out by Modest 252 SAtk Mega-Charizard-Y’s Solar Beam, as well as being able to take two Adamant 252 Atk Azumarill Play Roughs without being knocked out when Sitrus Berry is considered, which you are carrying. You could always go Modest>Calm for more firepower though, however Rotom can only has a 1/16 chance (I believe) of being able to take the max power Mega-Charizard-Y.

Nice team though, and I wish you best of luck in the final day of Internationals and good luck in the one next month as well! Hope my advice helped, and have fun! :)
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Chipndip said:
Notes I wanted to add:

1) Seriously need some damage on that Rotom. I'll give you my spread for Rotom-W. I made it myself, and although it's slow, it takes good damage on either side and is usually a 3HKO.

Modest Rotom w/Leftovers: 252 HP/108 Def/40 Sp.Atk/108 Sp.Def

-T. Bolt
-H. Pump
-WoW
-Protect

Sure, Kanga's a 2HKO, but you can't do much about that in most scenarios anyway. Get the burn, and it's a 3HKO like all the others. Mega Mawile's also a 2HKO, too. Garchomp's D. Claw is a 3HKO, and it has a good chance to survive Timid Char Y Solar Beams. It's not guaranteed, but it's good. You can run other calcs if needed, but for the most part, this spread can take a hit or two without toppling over, gets coverage on both sides, and gets at least some damage output. Only issue is that it's not hard to outspeed it.

2) I might suggest using Moonblast over Dazzling Gleam if you use my spread for Gardevoir. Even then, your chances of OHKO'ing Garchomp are low. If you reinvest the Sp.Def into Sp.Atk, you get about a 50% chance to OHKO (slightly more in your favor). Still, Dazzle's chances of OHKO are much worse, and at least you can OHKO Salamence no sweat.

Regardless, if you use this, don't think you're unstoppable on the physical side. I'd still be wary of any super-effective hits.
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Thanks to you both :) I really appreciate the time and thought you both put into your posts.

I would've posted it in the standard RMT forum but I saw other people were posting RMTs here and this seems to be the place where all the more experienced VGC players like you two go.

Yeah, I'll probably just re-breed Kanga for a Jolly one. Using Adamant was really just laziness cuz I had an Adamant Kanga and nothing Jolly in her egg group =p But I might be able to ask my friend for a Jolly Ditto.

As for Pyroar, WoW was mainly to be able to get some damage on Aegislash while it uses King's Shield, to ease the OHKO with Fire Blast. I'm gonna try protect though since I have found myself frustrated I couldn't protect with him.

Funnily enough, a friend of mine just bred some fletchlings with quick guard and tailwind and gave me one :3 Guess I will raise it for June. What does it use Lum berry for? Is paralysis that common? Anyway, I think I will try out both Intimidate Staraptor and QG/Tailwind Talonflame on the sim and see which I prefer. I just really like the whole brave bird nuke thing, haha.

I think I will go with Chipndip's slightly more offensive version of Rotom. For whatever reason I'm just super uncomfortable with Rotom not being able to output any damage. =/ The defensive set was mainly because I wanted to tank Garchomp hits and retaliate with WoW, but if I can have extra damage output and still keep D-claw a 3HKO I will gladly take it.

Also, I will be sure to change Gardevoir. I already have a modest one for singles so I can just breed with that. Also, I'm planning on Trace rather than Synchronize. As for which fairy move, I really like killing Garchomps so I'll try out Moonblast.

Lastly, I will try out Eviolite on Murkrow, I just thought Murkrow's defenses were already poor so even with Eviolite he'll still probably get OHKOd by lots of things, no? I could be wrong, idk. I will try the bulky spread one way or another. Would it be a good idea, if I run tailwind Talonflame, to replace Murkrow's Talonflame with Feather Dance?
 
Murkrow won't get OHKO'd too hard if you build 252 in HP and put as much as you can in both defenses. 80 + (80/2) = 120, so it's more like 2-3HKOs unless it's something that hits rather hard without being nerfed by Feather Dance, Confide, WoW, or whatever.
 
I like how my RMT thread is the only one in the entire VGC forum that got moved to the salad bowl section. >_>

Chipndip said:
Murkrow won't get OHKO'd too hard if you build 252 in HP and put as much as you can in both defenses. 80 + (80/2) = 120, so it's more like 2-3HKOs unless it's something that hits rather hard without being nerfed by Feather Dance, Confide, WoW, or whatever.
Click to expand...

Alright. If I go with Tailwind Talonflame, do you think I should replace Tailwind on Murkrow with Feather Dance?
 
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