Introduction
Hi guys, after finishing the latest Ice Core Challenge (got platinum) I remembered the good ol' times when Ice was sorta viable (flying and smooth rock ground spam meta). Since ORAS is kinda dying now and the meta has changed I thought of sharing you this team that I used to ladder early-mid ORAS, when Genesect was still around and Hoopa had just arrived. My idea was trying to build a balanced slightly offensive team that could let me win consistently the supposedly good matchups like Ground and Flying. Ice is so bad that back in the day Ice-Ground was slightly in favor of ground lol.
Anyways here is my team, I feel like it is slightly outdated but I was happy with the results. I think I briefly got into 1600s and then tilted back into mid 1500s with it (stupid fighting teams). I don't have a proof of peak, so just trust me.
Team description
Froslass @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam
- Spikes
Typical lead, spikes help Kyurem a lot and T-wave can make wallbreakers like CharY or M-Gallade much easier to deal with. Sometimes I missed Taunt but the opponent almost always expects either Taunt/Destiny Bond combo so the lack of both sometimes played on my favor as they will switch out allowing me to paralyze something else or set up another layer of Spikes. When playing versus Fighting I'd not lead with this so at least I was forcing Terrakion to use Stone Miss.
Avalugg @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Avalanche
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Again, pretty standard utility set. Avalugg is a staple on Ice teams because it can take most non super effective moves like a champ. The problem is when he can deal damage back to set up mons, like Scizor or Gyarados. You could opt to use Roar instead of Earthquake but you'll have a harder time versus Bisharp or Excadrill. Even though is pretty bulky on the defensive side, its special defenses are shit, so any mixed attacker will destroy this. Add that this is your only way to remove the crippling Stealth Rock, versus offensive teams Avalugg could easily be overloaded (like versus Fighting or Steel), which is why I have a backup defensive poke.
Rotom-Frost @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Rotom-F without Blizzard?? Well, I don't run Hail because the Snow Warning mons are trash so what's the point? I'm not running HP Ice on a monoice team lol. But seriously, this is my Bisharp and Scizor check. It has the same bulk as Rotom-W, except the typing is way worse. What can you do? At least is neutral to steel and checks EQ Pinsir better. Since I don't have a dedicated special wall, I either sac something and switch to Rotom to take one hit or just sac Rotom if their physical attackers can be dealt with just Avalugg. Overall, this pokemon is also a great utility and has saved my fat ass plenty of times.
Weavile @ Lum Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
OK, as someone who mains Ice, I've ran the standard LO set on many teams. But I was tired of sometimes lacking an extra power to muscle through certain walls or bulky teams like Psychic or Water. So at the cost of coverage, I ran a Swords Dance set and to be honest it can clean house when used correctly. Believe it or not, its special bulk is not that awful and most uninvested STAB Scalds max around 40% so you can set up even after SR damage. Depending on the team I'm facing I'd alternate Kyurem and Weavile as wallbreaker/cleaner. Just don't try to set up when there is a priority/scarf user resistant to Ice Shard.
Mamoswine @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Icicle Crash
I believe 8-9 months ago scarf Mamo was more common or at least known than in today's meta. Even then, few people saw it coming. This little swine is MVP versus fire grabbing the surprise OHKO versus Charizard Y or revenge killing Nape, Entei, etc. Only downside is, that unlike band or LO sets, you lack power so Slowbro is barely 3HKO with Earthquake and Porygon2/Skarmory wall you all day as well. Having rocks is odd on a scarfer I know but I didn't have any other place to put them so I'd rather have an emergency button than foregoing the move altogether. I guess I could have Piloswine instead of Rotom but that makes me even weaker to Scizor. I managed to set up rocks most of the times using this set and I think it was very effective at doing its job. Versus Flying I'd bring it into something weak like Lando-T and go for SR on the obvious Skarm switch, that way I get a free Kyurem switch when Skarm defogs.
Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 16 Atk / 252 SpA / 240 Spe
Rash Nature
- Ice Beam
- Iron Head/Toxic
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
Finally the MVP of the team. I know most people run the scarf set but trust me when I say mixed Kyurem just cruises versus unprepared teams. Balanced flying struggles a lot against it (obviously), Grass becomes super easy since M-Venusaur takes at least 80% from Ice beam (it has like 30-45% of OHKO after SR). I used Rash because his defensive stats are higher and it could help me take neutral hits better in a pinch like V-Create or Earthquakes. I think a Mild nature is better though. The matchups you want to abuse with this guy are Poison, Grass, Flying, Electric and Water. If played well, those types shouldn't have switch ins and they will lose a mon everytime you get him in. Just play the mind games correctly. For example, when I played Apples and/or Tezla, Raikou couldn't switch straight into Thundurus because Ice beam or I could be a physical set so after they send in Rotom-W, they would switch then to Thundurus on the expected Earth Power. Ice beam twice took care of that genie. Again, depending on the team I'd use this as a wallbreaker to make a path for either a Mamo or Weavile sweep late game. Do not mindlessly lose this too early as it is your win con versus balanced teams. Also watch Fusion Bolt's PP when playing versus Thimo's stall.
Conclusions
I had a lot of success playing versus Psychic, Poison, Electric, Ground, Grass (SD Loom and well played Ferro can be a problem) and obviously Dragon and Flying. Fighting was an autolose for me, Steel also really hard if they have a combination of two phys attackers Bisharp/Scizor/Excadrill or even just Magnezone was really hard to deal with. If Bug is using offensive Volcarona is pretty much gg, if its a bulkier version, scarf Mamo outspeeds after a quiver dance and revenges. Other than that, just need to win the hazard war and Avalugg/Rotom-F/Weavile will take care of Hera/Scizor/Pinsir. Water was a toss up, if it was offensive it was really hard, if more balanced or stall it was manageable. I've always had an easier time beating Fire than Water with Ice to be honest. Versus Dragon watch out for rocks damage, don't let Weavile fall into ES range because you don't have another Ice Shard user and they tend to use scarf Latios. Normal was fun to play too, obviously harder if they were using M-Loppuny. If Pidgeot, you have an easier time. Save Avalugg if you are trying to sweep with Weavile because Ditto won't beat Avalugg if it is healthy.
Replays
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-237829674 - versus Ground
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-237834619 - versus Flying
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-237896116 - versus Bug
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-241051067 - versus Normal
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-241615177 - versus Dark
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-241887154 - versus Psychic
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-242188859 - versus Psychic
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-245808704 - versus Flying
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-245812036 - versus Flying
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-253411807 - versus Psychic
Threats
Fighting: Just forfeit. I'm serious. No chance against it. Keldeo alone destroys this team.
Scizor: It *can* be checked but the upper hand it's on your opponent. A double switch/U-Turn with rocks up could mean gg (Rotom being at 50% next time he switches in). Nothing you can do about it. This is the same if you use Walrein or Lapras so heads up. You should be losing against a decent player.
Keldeo: See that horn? You will feel it slowly going up your rear as the match progresses. Mamo can revenge if weakened but how do you weaken it in the first place lol. Rotom-F can take a hit if not specs and that's it.
Offensive water: M-Gyara but generally offensive water is a pain because your STAB is useless, your priority is resisted and you don't have a water resist. Kyurem can prevent set up on some but it can't counter or check faster swift swim users.
Specially powerhouses: There is no switch in lol. You can only revenge kill (pray you do otherwise two mons are going down). In an ideal Stealth Rockless meta I'd run Articuno but he is not on my team right now. Just play well and keep the momentum on your favor.
Shoutouts
I don't really have friends on mono lol but I'd like to thank PK-Kaiser/ Barian for his help when I was starting out, about a year ago. He is a nice guy always willing to help. Sorta "hey" to booty/ Sabella because we've battled like at least 20 times on dif alts and I always talk trash but it's only to get him to lose his focus. I've even done that when stalking his games lol. Finally, props for all the ppl who use Ice regularly, cjb1000, Bondie , SWL Boreas and I guess Dece1t who has the only Ice sample teams on the site lol. Sorry if I miss anyone, just holla and keep repping Ice.
Hi guys, after finishing the latest Ice Core Challenge (got platinum) I remembered the good ol' times when Ice was sorta viable (flying and smooth rock ground spam meta). Since ORAS is kinda dying now and the meta has changed I thought of sharing you this team that I used to ladder early-mid ORAS, when Genesect was still around and Hoopa had just arrived. My idea was trying to build a balanced slightly offensive team that could let me win consistently the supposedly good matchups like Ground and Flying. Ice is so bad that back in the day Ice-Ground was slightly in favor of ground lol.
Anyways here is my team, I feel like it is slightly outdated but I was happy with the results. I think I briefly got into 1600s and then tilted back into mid 1500s with it (stupid fighting teams). I don't have a proof of peak, so just trust me.
Team description
Froslass @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam
- Spikes
Typical lead, spikes help Kyurem a lot and T-wave can make wallbreakers like CharY or M-Gallade much easier to deal with. Sometimes I missed Taunt but the opponent almost always expects either Taunt/Destiny Bond combo so the lack of both sometimes played on my favor as they will switch out allowing me to paralyze something else or set up another layer of Spikes. When playing versus Fighting I'd not lead with this so at least I was forcing Terrakion to use Stone Miss.
Avalugg @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Avalanche
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Again, pretty standard utility set. Avalugg is a staple on Ice teams because it can take most non super effective moves like a champ. The problem is when he can deal damage back to set up mons, like Scizor or Gyarados. You could opt to use Roar instead of Earthquake but you'll have a harder time versus Bisharp or Excadrill. Even though is pretty bulky on the defensive side, its special defenses are shit, so any mixed attacker will destroy this. Add that this is your only way to remove the crippling Stealth Rock, versus offensive teams Avalugg could easily be overloaded (like versus Fighting or Steel), which is why I have a backup defensive poke.
Rotom-Frost @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Rotom-F without Blizzard?? Well, I don't run Hail because the Snow Warning mons are trash so what's the point? I'm not running HP Ice on a monoice team lol. But seriously, this is my Bisharp and Scizor check. It has the same bulk as Rotom-W, except the typing is way worse. What can you do? At least is neutral to steel and checks EQ Pinsir better. Since I don't have a dedicated special wall, I either sac something and switch to Rotom to take one hit or just sac Rotom if their physical attackers can be dealt with just Avalugg. Overall, this pokemon is also a great utility and has saved my fat ass plenty of times.
Weavile @ Lum Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard
OK, as someone who mains Ice, I've ran the standard LO set on many teams. But I was tired of sometimes lacking an extra power to muscle through certain walls or bulky teams like Psychic or Water. So at the cost of coverage, I ran a Swords Dance set and to be honest it can clean house when used correctly. Believe it or not, its special bulk is not that awful and most uninvested STAB Scalds max around 40% so you can set up even after SR damage. Depending on the team I'm facing I'd alternate Kyurem and Weavile as wallbreaker/cleaner. Just don't try to set up when there is a priority/scarf user resistant to Ice Shard.
Mamoswine @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Icicle Crash
I believe 8-9 months ago scarf Mamo was more common or at least known than in today's meta. Even then, few people saw it coming. This little swine is MVP versus fire grabbing the surprise OHKO versus Charizard Y or revenge killing Nape, Entei, etc. Only downside is, that unlike band or LO sets, you lack power so Slowbro is barely 3HKO with Earthquake and Porygon2/Skarmory wall you all day as well. Having rocks is odd on a scarfer I know but I didn't have any other place to put them so I'd rather have an emergency button than foregoing the move altogether. I guess I could have Piloswine instead of Rotom but that makes me even weaker to Scizor. I managed to set up rocks most of the times using this set and I think it was very effective at doing its job. Versus Flying I'd bring it into something weak like Lando-T and go for SR on the obvious Skarm switch, that way I get a free Kyurem switch when Skarm defogs.
Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 16 Atk / 252 SpA / 240 Spe
Rash Nature
- Ice Beam
- Iron Head/Toxic
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
Finally the MVP of the team. I know most people run the scarf set but trust me when I say mixed Kyurem just cruises versus unprepared teams. Balanced flying struggles a lot against it (obviously), Grass becomes super easy since M-Venusaur takes at least 80% from Ice beam (it has like 30-45% of OHKO after SR). I used Rash because his defensive stats are higher and it could help me take neutral hits better in a pinch like V-Create or Earthquakes. I think a Mild nature is better though. The matchups you want to abuse with this guy are Poison, Grass, Flying, Electric and Water. If played well, those types shouldn't have switch ins and they will lose a mon everytime you get him in. Just play the mind games correctly. For example, when I played Apples and/or Tezla, Raikou couldn't switch straight into Thundurus because Ice beam or I could be a physical set so after they send in Rotom-W, they would switch then to Thundurus on the expected Earth Power. Ice beam twice took care of that genie. Again, depending on the team I'd use this as a wallbreaker to make a path for either a Mamo or Weavile sweep late game. Do not mindlessly lose this too early as it is your win con versus balanced teams. Also watch Fusion Bolt's PP when playing versus Thimo's stall.
Conclusions
I had a lot of success playing versus Psychic, Poison, Electric, Ground, Grass (SD Loom and well played Ferro can be a problem) and obviously Dragon and Flying. Fighting was an autolose for me, Steel also really hard if they have a combination of two phys attackers Bisharp/Scizor/Excadrill or even just Magnezone was really hard to deal with. If Bug is using offensive Volcarona is pretty much gg, if its a bulkier version, scarf Mamo outspeeds after a quiver dance and revenges. Other than that, just need to win the hazard war and Avalugg/Rotom-F/Weavile will take care of Hera/Scizor/Pinsir. Water was a toss up, if it was offensive it was really hard, if more balanced or stall it was manageable. I've always had an easier time beating Fire than Water with Ice to be honest. Versus Dragon watch out for rocks damage, don't let Weavile fall into ES range because you don't have another Ice Shard user and they tend to use scarf Latios. Normal was fun to play too, obviously harder if they were using M-Loppuny. If Pidgeot, you have an easier time. Save Avalugg if you are trying to sweep with Weavile because Ditto won't beat Avalugg if it is healthy.
Replays
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-237829674 - versus Ground
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-237834619 - versus Flying
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-237896116 - versus Bug
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-241051067 - versus Normal
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-241615177 - versus Dark
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-241887154 - versus Psychic
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-242188859 - versus Psychic
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-245808704 - versus Flying
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-245812036 - versus Flying
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-253411807 - versus Psychic
Threats
Shoutouts
I don't really have friends on mono lol but I'd like to thank PK-Kaiser/ Barian for his help when I was starting out, about a year ago. He is a nice guy always willing to help. Sorta "hey" to booty/ Sabella because we've battled like at least 20 times on dif alts and I always talk trash but it's only to get him to lose his focus. I've even done that when stalking his games lol. Finally, props for all the ppl who use Ice regularly, cjb1000, Bondie , SWL Boreas and I guess Dece1t who has the only Ice sample teams on the site lol. Sorry if I miss anyone, just holla and keep repping Ice.
