Hello Smogon! Welcome to my newest, and hopefully my best Rate My Team. I have been building and re-building this team for roughly two months now, and it has been changed so much that it has been nearly perfected for my play style. It has undergone changes with the metagame, as sets have been come more common or less common, my movesets have to change in order deal with new threats and threats that I no longer have to prepare for. I feel like currently my team is very prepared for almost any threat an opponent can throw at me, but I want to see if I can ultimately make it so it has no trouble with virtually any threat. This team originally had no real purpose, but as I formed it I realized it had the potential to be a great DD Kingdra team, and as such I started changing some of the movesets in order to benefit him. In the latest version of the Smog, I read about a new set of Kingdra, and I decided to try it. It turned out to be absolutely fantastic, and has now propelled my team to be even more effective. I titled this Rate My Team "Into The Ocean" because it is currently my favorite song, and the base of this team is Kingdra, so I feel it is appropriate to name it after the King of the Sea. Without further Adieu, I present you, "Into The Ocean"
@ Lum Berry
Jolly ; 252 Hp / 36 Def / 220 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Roost
~ U-Turn
~ Stealth Rock
Analysis
Gliscor leads off the team, and does a damn good job of it. With his fantastic natural bulk, decent speed and good move pool, he definately deserves a spot on any team. Earthquake is my only attack, but that's simply because I need the other moves more than something like Stone Edge, as they all play a crucial part in my team, and Earthquake is still stab and will ohko Lucario. Roost is for added survivability, and in general to keep Gliscor well in case a SD Lucario ever pops up. U-Turn is fantastic for scouting, which helps me formulate my end game plan to know who I can sack, and who is necessary to keep alive. Stealth Rock is fantastic for that extra bit of damage every time my opponent switches in turning 2hko's into ohko's.
Ev's & Nature
252 Hp is for maximum bulk on both sides of the defensive spectrum, 220 Spe is so I can outpace base 176 Spe +nature'd base 100's such as CM Jirachi, and 36 Def let's me take slightly less from random attacks that Gliscor has to switch into. I run Lum Berry because with it, I can beat Roserade leads 100% of the team (Earthquake does 62% minimum) Even though Toxic Spikes only affect Kingdra, I need him to be able to DD as many times as possible before resting, and he can't do that while poisoned. My team also doesn't like sleep so it's perfect.
I'm just a normal boy
That sank when I fell overboard
My ship would leave the country
But I'd rather swim ashore
Without a life that's sadly stuck again
Wish I was much more masculine
Maybe then I could learn to swim
Like 'fourteen miles away'
@ Shed Shell
Adamant ; 176 Hp / 252 Att / 80 SpD
(30 Spe IV)
~ Bullet Punch
~ U-Turn
~ Roost
~ Light Screen
Analysis
Scizor is sort of the un-sung hero of this team. His priority and scouting are so helpful, and light screen is actually extremely helpful even though it seems gimmicky. I actually saw that in a team that was recently nominated for the RMT archive ( A Midnight Screening by El Blecko + Stauffen, you should check it out!) I was interested because of how weird it looked, but it is actually very helpful and an underrated set. Bullet Punch is great for priority against random, weakend things, and U-turn allows me to scout, and gives me a check-mate situation versus grass types such as Celebi and Shaymin, which are annoying for Kingdra sweeps. Roost helps me stay alive until late game when I can set up Light Screen and then head to Kingdra and DD until it's GG.
Ev's & Nature
252 Att and Adamant gives me the maximum amunt of attack possible, so Bullet Punch still does reasonable damage. 244 Hp gives me a good deal of bulk, and 12 SpD is the remaining EV's, because that only increases with Light Screen up allowing me to take weak special attacks surprisingly well. I use Shed Shell because losing Scizor's valuable resists and even more valuable ability to beat Fire attacks, especially choiced one's from Heatran late game for Kingdra to set up. The 30 Spe IV ensures that I will get to U-Turn second against other Scizor 100% of the time, allowing me to gain the other hand in those situations, giving me momentum.
You're floating up and down
I spin, colliding into sound
Like whales beneath me diving down
I'm sinking to the bottom of my
Everything that freaks me out
The lighthouse beam has just run out
I'm cold as cold as cold can be
@ Leftovers
Careful ; 252 Hp / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
~ Taunt
~ Roost
~ Whirlwind
~ Spikes
Analysis
Skarmory is infinitely useful for the ability to set up on damn near the entire metagame, stop opposing walls dead in their track through the use of taunt, and the ability to rack up residual damage and scout my opponents team through Whirlwind. Skarmory's handful of resists are extremely beneficial for this team, and the Fire weakness is just another chance for Kingdra to set up on Choice Scarf Heatran. Taunt is great for stopping walls in their tracks and when taunted, most of them can't touch me, so I get to continue spike stacking. Whirlwind and Spikes are like two pea's in a pod, and are so ridiculously helpful. Roost let's me take weak attacks, recover the damage, and spike stack again.
Ev's & Nature
252 Hp grants Skarmory maximum bulk on both sides of the defensive spectrum, 40 Spe puts me at the top of 180-185 speed area, notably among CB Tar, so I can roost before it Stone Edges. 216 SpD and a Careful nature gives me optimum special bulk. I am not sure whether to use Shed Shell or Leftovers, because Magnezone isn't exactly the most common, and Skarm is not needed late game most of the time, it's only helpful for scouting in the early part of a match and getting up spikes.
I want to swim away but don't know how
Sometimes it feels just like I'm falling in the ocean
Let the waves up take me down
Let the hurricane set in motion
Let the rain of what I feel right now...come down
Let the rain come down
@ Passho Berry
Modest ; 76 Hp / 212 SpA / 220 Spe
~ Hp Grass
~ Magma Storm
~ Explosion
~ Taunt
Analysis
Heatran is so ridiculously helpful for clearing the way for Kingdra to sweep it's astounding. This is the standard HeaTrap set except I use Passho over Shuca and Taunt over Dragon Pulse. I've tested both variants, but I've found Passho more helpful because I need to eliminate them, not Flygon and Hippowdon. Swampert is already easy to take out with HP Grass. HP Grass is good for taking out Swampert and weaker Bulky Waters, and Explosion will take out the one's with more health than HP grass can do damage. Magma Storm is for trapping the bulky waters, so even if they know Explosion is imminent, they can't do anything about it. Taunt also screws up slower walls that Heatran can't really deal with, but will become set-up fodder for Skarmory or Kingdra.
Ev's & Nature
212 SpA and a Modest nature ensures that I can ohko Swampert 100% of the time, 220 Speed means that I can outspeed and can KO 36 Spe neutral base 100's most notably Defensive Celebi, who can threaten Kingdra's sweep and I would love to remove from the match. 72 Hp is the remaining EV's but it gives Heatran some helpful bulk, especially considering his 91/106/106 defenses, which are probably the most under-rated in the game. Heatran has some of the best typing in the whole game, right there behind Rotom. Heatran is another way for abusing Fire type attacks aimed at Scizor and Skarmory.
Where is the coastguard
I keep looking each direction
For a spotlight, give me something
I need something for protection
Maybe flotsam junk will do just fine
The jets, I'm sunk, I'm left behind
I'm treading for my life believe me
@ Choice Scarf
Timid ; 200 Hp / 92 SpA / 216 Spe
~ Shadow Ball
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hydro Pump
~ Trick
Analysis
Rotom is my team's revenge killer, another mean of crippling walls such as Blissey to make it easier on my team, and he is also my anti spinner. Rotom has arguably the best typing in the game, and it really shows on this team. His useful resistances and lack of any extremely common resistances have helped on numerous occasions. Shadow Ball is mainly used for Celebi, because it makes it easier on Kingdra when she is on there. It also hits Shaymin neutrally. Thunderbolt is also stab, and hits those bulky water's extremely hard, which makes it easier on Kingdra. Hydro Pump can ohko Tyranitar using Stealth Rock and Spikes, and hits Heatran very hard, among other pokemon such as Infernape and bulky Ground's like Hippowdon. Trick cripples Blissey, but I love to use it for a secondary reason. If I can get a trick on a bulky water, or grass type, then my opponent begins to believe that pokemon is no longer useful, allowing me to remove it from play, when in reality it could be the one thing that saves them the game.
Ev's & Nature
216 Speed and a Timid Nature coupled with a Choice Scarf ensures that I outspeed all versions of Gyarados that are +1, so I can come in and revenge if necessary, or I can hopefully switch in on an earthquake and not have to sac a poke. Gettin in on a waterfall is less than ideal because Rotom is my spin blocker, my revenge killer, and also my trick absorber. He also lacks any form of recovery, but hey, we can't have everything, so I tend to play conservatively with him. 92 Special Attack EV's with a neutral nature ensures the KO on bulky Starmie assuming stealth rock is in play, and for some reason I don't get spikes up. 200 Hp is the remaining EV's, but they help Rotom to switch into weaker attacks and then immediately put pressure on my opponent.
Not knowing how to think
I scream aloud, begin to sink
My legs and arms are broken down
With envy for the solid ground
I'm reaching for the life within me
How can one man stop his ending
I thought of just your face
Relaxed, and floated into space
@ Chesto Berry
Adamant ; 48 Hp / 96 Atk / 80 Def / 120 SpD / 164 Spe
~ Dragon Dance
~ Waterfall
~ Outrage
~ Rest
Analysis
Ah, the star of the show, and one of my favorite pokemon in the game. Kingdra is an extremely effective Dragon Dance sweeper, mainly due to his fantastic typing, both offensively and defensively. Water + Dragon on the defensive is only weak to one type, which is Dragon, who conveniently just had the most scary user of the type, banished to ubers. On the offensive, Kingdra only needs two attacks to have coverage that hits every pokemon in the game neutrally, bar Empoleon and Shedinja, luckily, they are both STAB, meaning with a few dragon dance's he will hit like a truck, and you can't do anything about it. Chesto Berry + Rest means I can DD until low in health, and then I can rest, wake up the same turn, and commence sweeping.
Ev's & Nature
48 Hp and 80 Defense means that Swampert can only 3hko Kingdra even after Stealth Rock, meaning I can switch in after I sacrifice a pokemon, DD twice, and then Rest up and begin sweeping. 164 Speed means that I outpace base 115's and Scarf-Tar after one Dragon Dance so I can still sweep surprisingly well if I only get 1 DD, but more often than not, I get atleast 2, sometimes even 3, which generally means GG. 48 Hp and 120 Special Defense means that defensive Rotom-A's Shadow Ball will only do around 30%, making it set-up fodder as well.
Now waking to the sun
I calculate what I had done
Like jumping from the bow (yeah)
Just to prove I knew how (yeah)
It's midnight's late reminder of
The loss of her, the one I love
My will to quickly end it all
So thought no end my need to fall
Into the ocean, end it all
Into the ocean, end it all
Into the ocean, end it all
Into the ocean...end it all
Thanks for taking the time to read this Smogon. Threat list on the next post.
Jolly ; 252 Hp / 36 Def / 220 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Roost
~ U-Turn
~ Stealth Rock
Analysis
Gliscor leads off the team, and does a damn good job of it. With his fantastic natural bulk, decent speed and good move pool, he definately deserves a spot on any team. Earthquake is my only attack, but that's simply because I need the other moves more than something like Stone Edge, as they all play a crucial part in my team, and Earthquake is still stab and will ohko Lucario. Roost is for added survivability, and in general to keep Gliscor well in case a SD Lucario ever pops up. U-Turn is fantastic for scouting, which helps me formulate my end game plan to know who I can sack, and who is necessary to keep alive. Stealth Rock is fantastic for that extra bit of damage every time my opponent switches in turning 2hko's into ohko's.
Ev's & Nature
252 Hp is for maximum bulk on both sides of the defensive spectrum, 220 Spe is so I can outpace base 176 Spe +nature'd base 100's such as CM Jirachi, and 36 Def let's me take slightly less from random attacks that Gliscor has to switch into. I run Lum Berry because with it, I can beat Roserade leads 100% of the team (Earthquake does 62% minimum) Even though Toxic Spikes only affect Kingdra, I need him to be able to DD as many times as possible before resting, and he can't do that while poisoned. My team also doesn't like sleep so it's perfect.
I'm just a normal boy
That sank when I fell overboard
My ship would leave the country
But I'd rather swim ashore
Without a life that's sadly stuck again
Wish I was much more masculine
Maybe then I could learn to swim
Like 'fourteen miles away'
Adamant ; 176 Hp / 252 Att / 80 SpD
(30 Spe IV)
~ Bullet Punch
~ U-Turn
~ Roost
~ Light Screen
Analysis
Scizor is sort of the un-sung hero of this team. His priority and scouting are so helpful, and light screen is actually extremely helpful even though it seems gimmicky. I actually saw that in a team that was recently nominated for the RMT archive ( A Midnight Screening by El Blecko + Stauffen, you should check it out!) I was interested because of how weird it looked, but it is actually very helpful and an underrated set. Bullet Punch is great for priority against random, weakend things, and U-turn allows me to scout, and gives me a check-mate situation versus grass types such as Celebi and Shaymin, which are annoying for Kingdra sweeps. Roost helps me stay alive until late game when I can set up Light Screen and then head to Kingdra and DD until it's GG.
Ev's & Nature
252 Att and Adamant gives me the maximum amunt of attack possible, so Bullet Punch still does reasonable damage. 244 Hp gives me a good deal of bulk, and 12 SpD is the remaining EV's, because that only increases with Light Screen up allowing me to take weak special attacks surprisingly well. I use Shed Shell because losing Scizor's valuable resists and even more valuable ability to beat Fire attacks, especially choiced one's from Heatran late game for Kingdra to set up. The 30 Spe IV ensures that I will get to U-Turn second against other Scizor 100% of the time, allowing me to gain the other hand in those situations, giving me momentum.
You're floating up and down
I spin, colliding into sound
Like whales beneath me diving down
I'm sinking to the bottom of my
Everything that freaks me out
The lighthouse beam has just run out
I'm cold as cold as cold can be
Careful ; 252 Hp / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
~ Taunt
~ Roost
~ Whirlwind
~ Spikes
Analysis
Skarmory is infinitely useful for the ability to set up on damn near the entire metagame, stop opposing walls dead in their track through the use of taunt, and the ability to rack up residual damage and scout my opponents team through Whirlwind. Skarmory's handful of resists are extremely beneficial for this team, and the Fire weakness is just another chance for Kingdra to set up on Choice Scarf Heatran. Taunt is great for stopping walls in their tracks and when taunted, most of them can't touch me, so I get to continue spike stacking. Whirlwind and Spikes are like two pea's in a pod, and are so ridiculously helpful. Roost let's me take weak attacks, recover the damage, and spike stack again.
Ev's & Nature
252 Hp grants Skarmory maximum bulk on both sides of the defensive spectrum, 40 Spe puts me at the top of 180-185 speed area, notably among CB Tar, so I can roost before it Stone Edges. 216 SpD and a Careful nature gives me optimum special bulk. I am not sure whether to use Shed Shell or Leftovers, because Magnezone isn't exactly the most common, and Skarm is not needed late game most of the time, it's only helpful for scouting in the early part of a match and getting up spikes.
I want to swim away but don't know how
Sometimes it feels just like I'm falling in the ocean
Let the waves up take me down
Let the hurricane set in motion
Let the rain of what I feel right now...come down
Let the rain come down
Modest ; 76 Hp / 212 SpA / 220 Spe
~ Hp Grass
~ Magma Storm
~ Explosion
~ Taunt
Analysis
Heatran is so ridiculously helpful for clearing the way for Kingdra to sweep it's astounding. This is the standard HeaTrap set except I use Passho over Shuca and Taunt over Dragon Pulse. I've tested both variants, but I've found Passho more helpful because I need to eliminate them, not Flygon and Hippowdon. Swampert is already easy to take out with HP Grass. HP Grass is good for taking out Swampert and weaker Bulky Waters, and Explosion will take out the one's with more health than HP grass can do damage. Magma Storm is for trapping the bulky waters, so even if they know Explosion is imminent, they can't do anything about it. Taunt also screws up slower walls that Heatran can't really deal with, but will become set-up fodder for Skarmory or Kingdra.
Ev's & Nature
212 SpA and a Modest nature ensures that I can ohko Swampert 100% of the time, 220 Speed means that I can outspeed and can KO 36 Spe neutral base 100's most notably Defensive Celebi, who can threaten Kingdra's sweep and I would love to remove from the match. 72 Hp is the remaining EV's but it gives Heatran some helpful bulk, especially considering his 91/106/106 defenses, which are probably the most under-rated in the game. Heatran has some of the best typing in the whole game, right there behind Rotom. Heatran is another way for abusing Fire type attacks aimed at Scizor and Skarmory.
Where is the coastguard
I keep looking each direction
For a spotlight, give me something
I need something for protection
Maybe flotsam junk will do just fine
The jets, I'm sunk, I'm left behind
I'm treading for my life believe me
Timid ; 200 Hp / 92 SpA / 216 Spe
~ Shadow Ball
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hydro Pump
~ Trick
Analysis
Rotom is my team's revenge killer, another mean of crippling walls such as Blissey to make it easier on my team, and he is also my anti spinner. Rotom has arguably the best typing in the game, and it really shows on this team. His useful resistances and lack of any extremely common resistances have helped on numerous occasions. Shadow Ball is mainly used for Celebi, because it makes it easier on Kingdra when she is on there. It also hits Shaymin neutrally. Thunderbolt is also stab, and hits those bulky water's extremely hard, which makes it easier on Kingdra. Hydro Pump can ohko Tyranitar using Stealth Rock and Spikes, and hits Heatran very hard, among other pokemon such as Infernape and bulky Ground's like Hippowdon. Trick cripples Blissey, but I love to use it for a secondary reason. If I can get a trick on a bulky water, or grass type, then my opponent begins to believe that pokemon is no longer useful, allowing me to remove it from play, when in reality it could be the one thing that saves them the game.
Ev's & Nature
216 Speed and a Timid Nature coupled with a Choice Scarf ensures that I outspeed all versions of Gyarados that are +1, so I can come in and revenge if necessary, or I can hopefully switch in on an earthquake and not have to sac a poke. Gettin in on a waterfall is less than ideal because Rotom is my spin blocker, my revenge killer, and also my trick absorber. He also lacks any form of recovery, but hey, we can't have everything, so I tend to play conservatively with him. 92 Special Attack EV's with a neutral nature ensures the KO on bulky Starmie assuming stealth rock is in play, and for some reason I don't get spikes up. 200 Hp is the remaining EV's, but they help Rotom to switch into weaker attacks and then immediately put pressure on my opponent.
Not knowing how to think
I scream aloud, begin to sink
My legs and arms are broken down
With envy for the solid ground
I'm reaching for the life within me
How can one man stop his ending
I thought of just your face
Relaxed, and floated into space
Adamant ; 48 Hp / 96 Atk / 80 Def / 120 SpD / 164 Spe
~ Dragon Dance
~ Waterfall
~ Outrage
~ Rest
Analysis
Ah, the star of the show, and one of my favorite pokemon in the game. Kingdra is an extremely effective Dragon Dance sweeper, mainly due to his fantastic typing, both offensively and defensively. Water + Dragon on the defensive is only weak to one type, which is Dragon, who conveniently just had the most scary user of the type, banished to ubers. On the offensive, Kingdra only needs two attacks to have coverage that hits every pokemon in the game neutrally, bar Empoleon and Shedinja, luckily, they are both STAB, meaning with a few dragon dance's he will hit like a truck, and you can't do anything about it. Chesto Berry + Rest means I can DD until low in health, and then I can rest, wake up the same turn, and commence sweeping.
Ev's & Nature
48 Hp and 80 Defense means that Swampert can only 3hko Kingdra even after Stealth Rock, meaning I can switch in after I sacrifice a pokemon, DD twice, and then Rest up and begin sweeping. 164 Speed means that I outpace base 115's and Scarf-Tar after one Dragon Dance so I can still sweep surprisingly well if I only get 1 DD, but more often than not, I get atleast 2, sometimes even 3, which generally means GG. 48 Hp and 120 Special Defense means that defensive Rotom-A's Shadow Ball will only do around 30%, making it set-up fodder as well.
Now waking to the sun
I calculate what I had done
Like jumping from the bow (yeah)
Just to prove I knew how (yeah)
It's midnight's late reminder of
The loss of her, the one I love
My will to quickly end it all
So thought no end my need to fall
Into the ocean, end it all
Into the ocean, end it all
Into the ocean, end it all
Into the ocean...end it all
Thanks for taking the time to read this Smogon. Threat list on the next post.
