Killjoys: The Team

[Idyll]

Killjoys: The Team

Greetings, Smogon, and welcome to my very first RMT on the forums. I'm also using this to introduce my self a bit. I'm a *decent* competitive battler (I won't use Volt-Switch on a Garchomp or something. I'm not that bad.) but since I like to have fun with pokemon, I decided to give it a shot.

I started playing PS! on Early-October, sometime before XY, usually playing B/W OU until December. Before I even started playing, though, I already know what's "good" and "viable" in the meta from what's crappy since I usually read analyses when I have time. I started out with stuff with Drill Peck Skarmoy and FlingScor - I learned from those; I needed experience, not half-assed knowledge. Now, with this team, I present to you what I have learned.

I present to you: Killjoys: The Team.

Bleeding Out (Latias) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Healing Wish
- Defog

Mainly used as control for hazards, it's also my "bomb things and watch them die" mon with Draco Meteor. Outside of Choice Scarf, it's the fastest on the team. Defog is its main purpose, removing hazards so Volc and Cube can enter the field safely. It's also unaffected by most hazards it removes, a trait shared by Skarm (and maybe others I don't care about). What sets Latias apart from Skarm is that it can kill things, which is pretty much the teams goal. Draco Meteor is pretty much obvious, while Psyshock dents low Defense stat-mons. The surprise for the enemy here is Healing Wish; with it, I can have essentially a seventh mon. EVs and item are for killing power, and that's it.

Not related to competitive whatsover: Although this team has a My Chemical Romance song naming theme, I decided to name her after an Imagine Dragons song since someone other than me, Plus, thought of Latias. Thanks!

Party Poison (Scizor) @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- U-turn
- Swords Dance

Note: Toxic not included. It's just a nick.

Scizor's here to provide some cleaning. The first goal is to clean up what remains on the field after one of my sweepers fall. It can also sweep itself if given the chance to Swords Dance, though it's quite uncommon. It's also my switch-in to Knock Offs since the stone can't drop, while being strong enough to hit back with BP. U-turn is there for momentum, doing a good VoltTurn chain with Rotom-W. EVs are there for bulk and offense, since it doesn't need to outspeed anything because of priority.

Scizor was chosen mostly because of it's Steel-typing, providing good resists. Sciz doesn't really mind a paralyze since it has priority. It does a good check against Terrakion, which takes out two of my stars in Kyurem-B and Volcarona, plus Espeon if it has X-Scissor. It also reliably takes out Rock-types in general which hinder a Volc sweep.

Kiss the Ring (Landorus-Therian) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 76 HP / 252 Atk / 180 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn

SR setter Lando-T, that's pretty much it. He just sets rocks, then proceeds to kill stuff with Earthquake, undoubtably one of the best moves in the game. Knock Off provides decent answers to walls (and Evioliters) like Chansey and co. U-Turn gains momentum. EVs are there to provide killing power while out-speeding the Adamant Gyardaos range. He's my all around utility mon.

Boy Division (Rotom-Wash) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Trick

The usual lead for the team, as well the guy who puts holes on teams with a Scarf on. I often start with him to scout the enemy, Volt Switching out to Espeon if it's Hazard-setter, or to the appropriate check if it's not. Volt Switch is kinda obvious to preserve momentum, while Hydro Pump is there as a good spammable STAB move (a KO to Grounds who think they'll take a Volt Switch). Will-O-Wisp allows me to hinder Physical attackers and is workable because of Trick. Trick takes out Evioliters like Chansey and Doublade, which are both a pain, and also gives me a chance of life by stealing lefties from Blissey, trading power for some longetivity.

Chosen because of typing, it does a good job of helping Scizor, taking out Fire-Types that would otherwise kill it. It's also the team's best answer to Ground, bar Excadrill, with an immunity due of Levitate.

Gun. (Volcarona) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]

It's just that, a gun. He's the team's best (special) sweeper with Quiver Dance as booster of choice. EVs are standard. Fiery Dance is for STAB, Giga Drain's for Waters and Rocks, and HP-Rock is for Talonflame and Charizard who think they're badass (has to hit TF on the switch, though). Typing serves to severely dent steels, most notably Ferrothorn, Forretress, and Skarmory, paving the way to a possible Kyurem-B sweep, while also making Rotom-W's job easier. Lum Berry prevents status from severely hindering a sweep, allowing for more kills.

Disenchanted (Kyurem-Black) @ Leftovers
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 52 HP / 4 Atk / 216 SAtk / 236 Spd
Rash Nature
- Substitute
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power

The wallbreaker and occasional hole-puncher, I think I saw it not in OU on PS!. That's kind of odd, since a pokemon with a BST above the roof at least needs to make it. This set involves Subbing in the faces of the likes of Gliscor. After which it's pick a move and kill. Blisseys who think they can switch will be up for a surprise as they take a Fusion Bolt to the face. Teravolt stops MEnusaur from switching since Thick Fat's negated; same with shit like Shedinja and Rotoms switching in on Earth Power. The sub under screens thing I've been doing is a bit ridiculous, since they're a bit harder to break. EVs are there to provide 101 HP subs while still having killing power. Leftovers increase longevity with screens. Highly appreciates the removal of Steels by Volcarona to punch holes more effectively.


Thanks for looking at the team. I'm still fresh, and willing to listen. Thanks!​

 

[dyp1225]

Use Giga drain over hidden rock on volcarona to take out them water and rock types.

 

[Liquidocelot]

First and foremost welcome to smogon and congratulations on your first RMT.

Now onto a more serious note i agree with the guy above me giga drain>hp rock and now also i see you have no way of removing hazards and your rather weak to them and espeon takes some rather large prediction to do. So for this i would reccomend a defogger or rapid spinner over espeon such as mandibuzz or Assault vest donphan. Also you dont have a scarfer/revenge killer (neutral e-speed wont do that much and lots of sweepers can take a bullet punch) so for this i would probably take away sub from kyub and use a scarf and replace it with either d-claw or outrage heres the set

Kyurem-b @ terravolt
Naive nature
120 att 136 Spa 252 Spe
Ice beam
Fusion bolt
Outrage/dragon claw
Earth power

Other then all that though its overall a great team especially for your first real RMT and congratulations and welcome to the community.

 

[Idyll]

Use Giga drain over hidden rock on volcarona to take out them water and rock types.

I'd do think that it would be a good add, but the thing is that means is gets stopped Flying/Dragon and Fire Types such as Dnite, Mence, and Charizard, all of which it would usually take out boosted since it's really unexpected. I'm considering it over Bug Buzz, though, since it doesn't really add anything to the table. Might be wrong though, thoughts anyone?

First and foremost welcome to smogon and congratulations on your first RMT.

Now onto a more serious note i agree with the guy above me giga drain>hp rock and now also i see you have no way of removing hazards and your rather weak to them and espeon takes some rather large prediction to do. So for this i would reccomend a defogger or rapid spinner over espeon such as mandibuzz or Assault vest donphan. Also you dont have a scarfer/revenge killer (neutral e-speed wont do that much and lots of sweepers can take a bullet punch) so for this i would probably take away sub from kyub and use a scarf and replace it with either d-claw or outrage heres the set

Kyurem-b @ terravolt
Naive nature
120 att 136 Spa 252 Spe
Ice beam
Fusion bolt
Outrage/dragon claw
Earth power

Other then all that though its overall a great team especially for your first real RMT and congratulations and welcome to the community.

Thanks for the welcome. I said my part of Giga Drain > HP-Rock to the guy above, and I 'd like to see your thoughts about it. Espeon does take some prediction, but the screens it provides gives me some much needed set-up oppurtunities. Replacing it is possible, I'm not sure though. Also the lack of a Scarf isn't really hurting me. Scizor dents most foes hard, and if the foe is a Fire or Electric-Type, Zygarde can come in instead. Fast waters packing Ice-moves are often frail, so ESpeed is often good enough if there is some damage inflicted beforehand (which is like, most the time). Bulky waters like Vaporeon gets Rotom-W, so it's not a problem. Kyurem-B is good enough as it is, taking out a wide range of threats. I'm more willing to listen to scarfers above Zygarde, though, since it's not really being good enough. Any ideas?

EDIT: Giga Drain over Bug Buzz is doing fine. Editing the OP

 

[Debury]

With Bug Buzz being a STAB move of his it is pretty useful to have and use on Pokemons that aren't resistant to it after a couple of quiver dances. Bug Buzz can also bypass those pesky sub users and go straight for the jugular. I once saw a sub Kyurem-B get hit for 81.4% damage with the sub up after it had a couple of quiver dances, it didn't care for the substitute which went down with it.

 

[Idyll]

With Bug Buzz being a STAB move of his it is pretty useful to have and use on Pokemons that aren't resistant to it after a couple of quiver dances. Bug Buzz can also bypass those pesky sub users and go straight for the jugular. I once saw a sub Kyurem-B get hit for 81.4% damage with the sub up after it had a couple of quiver dances, it didn't care for the substitute which went down with it.

That is a fact I kinda forgot about. Still, someone using a sub is kinda uncommon in my experience. Just keep the offense flowing, and more often than not the foe will have his HP depleted. Giga Drain provides good healing for Volc, as well as having an answer to Rock-types. The fact that it's the only Grass move we have helps.

 

[dyp1225]

That is a fact I kinda forgot about. Still, someone using a sub is kinda uncommon in my experience. Just keep the offense flowing, and more often than not the foe will have his HP depleted. Giga Drain provides good healing for Volc, as well as having an answer to Rock-types. The fact that it's the only Grass move we have helps.

What I learned fairly quickly when I started competitive was that coverage isn't evreything. Sometimes you need moves to counter your weaknesses, especially when it is a 4x weakness. So go with Giga drain over HP rock. It will be worth it in the end.

 

[Idyll]

What I learned fairly quickly when I started competitive was that coverage isn't evreything. Sometimes you need moves to counter your weaknesses, especially when it is a 4x weakness. So go with Giga drain over HP rock. It will be worth it in the end.

Bug Buzz was left out because it doesn't bring kill anything significant that Fiery Dance doesn't. Giga Drain is there for the Water and Rock-Types which are, as said, a threat to Volc. HP-Rock is there to take out Charizard and Talonflame on the switch. I'm basically using moves to counter my own weaknesses, just like you said. The most notable thing that would make me want Bug Buzz instead of HP-Rock on Volc is Hydreigon. The thing is, unless I'm revealed, it can't and won't switch since it fears something Volc doesn't have.

 

[Idyll]

This is technically a bump, but I'll explain here the latest team change: Zygarde -> Terrakion.

I mostly used Zygarde as a Sweeper and Revenge Killer with ESpeed, only to find itself hitting like an old woman. That Attack stat is quite of a downer, even when boosted. Heck, I never seem to find chances to set up. It was the most useless on the team, dragging us down rather than up.

Enter Terrakion, nicked Summertime. His mere presence forces switches, actually letting me get Rock Polishes. After doing so, he can quickly nuke foes with his highly usable, Life Orb boosted STAB Close Combat, or his unstable STAB Stone Edge. Both of which actually kills stuff. The only thing Zygarde has above Terrakion is priority and an Electric-immunity, but that won't matter when you're still outspeeding stuff. The question is, would Double Dance play the part? Or is it good as it is?

Again, HP-Rock -> Bug Buzz. I realized Volc wins against Charizard Y behind screens, anyway.

Again, bump.

Edit: Replaced Terrak with Scarf Lando-T, since he sucked. Also, Volc gets HP Rock again since coverage > useless move. Also, it's fun to kill random Talonflame on the switch. And Cube to lefties.

 

[Plus]

Sorry for the delay, I've been kinda busy lately

Magic Bounce Espeon as your primary method of ensuring that rocks aren't up on your field is not reliable -- especially when there sweepers like Volc and Kyu-B whose efficiency depends highly on the removal of these hazards. Tyranitar, Mamoswine, Ferrothorn, Excadrill, and Landorus-T are all examples of Pokemon which can hurt Espeon greatly while being able to set up Stealth Rock. You'd need to predict correctly to bounce the SR while avoiding the attack -- this is not reliable enough to sustain your team.

A lack of SR isn't a very good idea for this team either; if you look at things like Charizard Y, your only method of beating it is to lure a Focus Blast or Earthquake into Scarf Landorus and hope that the surprise factor will let you revenge kill it, and that's not even factoring a Stone Edge miss or just the notion of Zard Y switching out. In sun, Fire Blast and Solarbeam are OHKOing everything on that team. Even if it's an offensive team, there are still many opportunities for Zard Y to come in on your team -- Scizor and choice locked Landog and Rotom-W for example.

Run Latias over Espeon, screens really aren't necessary for this team to function, at least not over reliability in hazards removal and surviving Zard Y. Run the offensive set with Healing Wish because a ton of your Pokemon like Rotom, Scizor, and Kyurem-B lack recovery and are often whittling away their HP with chip damage -- this allows you to apply more offensive pressure lategame. Defog will help you deal with hazards much more reliably.

With less pressure on Landorus to revenge/surprise kill things like Zard as well as entry hazard type leads, you can afford to simply run an offensive Landorus-T set with Stealth Rock. Honestly I'd just run Adamant nature with enough speed to outspeed Adamant Gyarados and hit with Stone Edge, then throw the rest into attack, then HP. Next, to compensate for the loss in speed and revenge killing, you can just opt to go Scarf on Rotom-W over Specs, this helps you revenge kill a multitude of threats such as Keldeo (who also seems to be rather annoying for this team atm), DD Gyara and Mega Luke.

Latias @ Life Orb
Timid 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Draco Meteor / Psyshock / Defog / Healing Wish

Landorus-T @ Leftovers
Adamant 252 Atk / 180 Spe / 76 HP
Earthquake / Knock Off / U-turn / Stealth Rock

Scarf>Specs Rotom

 

[Idyll]

^

Something about hazards, Rotom-W spex to scarf, SR Landog.

So far, I'm really LOVING Latias in the mix. I mean, Draco Meteor just kills things, and Defog just lets Volc get in for free (Espeon does that too, although unreliably). I had considered Defog Latias in the past, but I never really thought of offensive; it actually kills things, something Espy had a hard time doing on something other than Ferro and Skarm. Healing Wish has been great, which in a sense lets me have seven Pokemon to wreck stuff with. Psychock is also nice.

On Landog, I liked SR on it, and Knock Off gave me an answer to Chansey which is a huge <bleepers> otherwise. Even then, it still kills stuff I want. To be honest, his team slot is pretty much the "panic button" when things go shit; it had stuff like ESpeed Zygarde before.. Good to see I strayed from that, using something that actually "makes sense" thanks to you. (^O^)

Scarf Rotom-W and Latias me kill Zard Y. I am pleased. However, matchups with Gene still suck, though.

I do miss that Superpower; this team really wants a Fighting move. Other than that, the change has been very beneficial to the team! Thanks for the rate.