Hey guys, scpinion here with a Water team that I've been meaning to RMT for a while. I started out with Water when I first got into Monotype and I've never RMT'd teams from my favorite type.
This team derives from a water build I made back in the XY meta with Greninja (way before I ever joined the mono staff). The version below has been updated for the ORAS meta—and I'll show my team-building process for the ORAS meta. I decided to dust off the old team and update it when I saw a bunch of new people in the Mono room commenting on how I only knew how to use bulky Normal (rip). Also, a friend, rnbs, mentioned how good some of my old water teams used to be when I actually laddered seriously.
Team Building Process
My original team from the XY meta was built around Greninja and a Slowbro set that can be painfully difficult for many types to break. Obviously, I had to ditch Greninja, but I wanted to keep the Slowbro set (Iron Defense + CM) since the set had fallen off in usage and I had just gotten a shiny new avatar w/ a Slowbro in it.
As I thought about how to build this team I decided to test something I'd been thinking about for a while, but had not really implemented (b/c I went a really long time w/o building/playing seriously). I colloquially call it building around "asymmetric" set up sweepers. Lots of teams are built around two setup sweepers that share the same checks/counters so the first can wear the check down and the other can sweep. While that idea can work in Mono, I think it is a bit flawed because you encounter entire teams that share a type. Often, the opponent is carrying 2 checks by virtue of the shared typings and your offensive core is walled.
My idea was to build a balanced team with 3 different setup sweepers, which would allow me have a win condition in all the type matchups you'll face across the Mono metagame. Fwiw, I'm not claiming this as some revolutionary idea. I think this is how most of the best Mono builders approach team building. Thus, I added Keldeo and Gyarados to go with Slowbro. Both are running set up sets.
As I looked at the team I noticed 5 things I needed to cover in 3 slots:
1) Electric immunity
2) Hazards
3) Hazard Control
4) Speed Control/Revenge Killer
5) Something to enable my set up sweepers to, well, set up!
I added a Tentacruel because it filled the role of hazard removal and could pressure an opponent to defog/spin its t-spikes, which would give my set up sweepers free turns to pivot in/set up. It also served as a secondary Grass check, since I was running an offensive Gyarados. I didn't want to run Empoleon because I felt like it was too passive and would just suck momentum. I also had an eye out for the next 'mon I was going to put on the team.
It was time to chose an Electric immunity, and I think Swampert was the only choice here. I needed Stealth Rocks and I also had the chance to run my original Swampert set that I used on one of my very first Water teams. The set is designed to generate set up opportunities for my 3 set up sweepers while making sure rocks stay on my opponents side of the field.
As I looked at the team, two things really stood out: 1) The team was very slow. 2) Dragon teams were going to destroy me because of this. Thus, I added Mega-Sharpedo to serve as some form of speed control and really help with the Dragon match up. It also gave me a 4th pseudo set up sweeper. I could have added Azu in this slot if I wanted to go with a slower, bulkier build. Cloyster is another 'mon that would mesh well with the concept of the team if you prefer it.
Anttnub (Slowbro) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Iron Defense
This is one of my favorite Slowbro sets. Calm Mind + Iron Defense is rarely expected and it can set up on so many types once specific Pokemon have been removed. Scald spreads burns, wins games, isn't walled by Dark teams, and is the best attacking option for this set. I run Rocky Helmet because it is useful for wearing down offensive threats, like Mega-Lopunny, Mega-Medi, or Kyurem-B (for Sharpedo to sweep). Lefties is fine too, but the passive recovery rarely matters if you pick the correct opportunity to set up.
This is my win condition against Fighting, Flying, Fairy, and when people misplay by letting their counter to this faint.
All the nicknames are (mostly bad) references to Monotype room staff members. In this case, it is a reference to the hax queen herself, Anttya.
Clearly a Keldeo (Keldeo) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
I think sub-CM Keldeo is one of the best Pokemon in Monotype if played well. There isn't a single type matchup where this isn't able to put in work. It preys on the balanced builds that are incredibly common by setting up on the walls/tanks while still having the offensive presence/speed to be threatening w/o set up. It is also one of the premier Mega-Sableye checks. Nothing to explain on the set, it is completely standard.
This is my win condition against Steel, Dark, Rock, Ice, Ground, Normal, and sometimes Fire and Water.
The nickname is a reference to Clearly. He was one of my first "PS! friends" and it is really cool to see him lighting it up in MonoPL and Mono Open this year.
Death on Wings (Gyarados) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 224 Atk / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce
Sub, DD, Bounce Gyarados is another set that really shines in the Monotype metagame. Like sub Keldeo, it is able to prey on the bulky tanks/walls that are everywhere in Monotype. On a Water mono, this set patches up the team's weakness to Grass and Poison, which almost always carry Mega-Venusaur. In the case of Poison mono's they don't have a flying resist, so bringing this in when Mega-Venusaur clicks synthesis is a good way to get a kill. The EVs let it outspeed base 135's after a DD (m-Mane + m-Lop). The HP lets you get a sub on a burned Ferro w/o intimidating it (scald is OP).
Usage note: Always scout with Sub the first time you bring this in on Venu. They'll often try to sleep powder; or if you're playing a good player, they'll pivot to something slower (like Nidoqueen) to bop this w/ a Sludge Wave or Tbolt as it comes down from Bounce.
This is my win condition against Bug, Poison, Grass, and sometimes Fire.
The nickname is a reference to a longtime PS! friend, Death on Wings (Articuno I)
A Wild... Tenta (Tentacruel) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 224 HP / 252 SpD / 32 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Acid Spray
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
First, the collective PS! user base needs to get their minds out of the gutter with Tentacruel nicknames. I can't count the number of times people commented "I don't think I get this hentai reference...". The nick is a bad pun off Acast, who used to go by "A Wild Castform".
The set is really the standard stuff in Monotype. Scald to spread burns. T-spikes to apply pressure. Rapid Spin to control hazards (especially vs HO steel; lead w/ Tenta against it and be ready for Custap Brave Bird to keep you from spinning!). Acid Spray is your primary check to Clefable, so make sure this doesn't get para'd by Klefki unless absolutely necessary. The EVs focus on special bulk to take Giga Drains/Leech Seeds from the likes of m-Venu, Cradily, and Whimsicott while preventing recovery with Liquid Ooze. The 32 speed is there to creep the Bulky Staraptors that like to creep base 70 Adamant. This lets me move first and ensure a T-spike goes up against bulky Normal.
an scp original (Swampert) @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Yawn
Well, I guess this set needs some explaining... I've already explained it once in Mono's good cores thread, so I'll just link you there and briefly explain it here. The purpose of this set is to generate free turns for setup sweepers by spamming Yawn. Yawn + SR also guarantees you'll win the hazard war more often than not, which further helps your sweepers do their job. Roar is there because this is just setup fodder for Pokemon that run Substitute w/o it. Earthquake is just a good stab move not named Scald. Swampert has excellent mixed bulk, so I encourage you to tinker with the EV spread if you find a threat that needs to be checked. For this team, I EV'd Swampert to take two Moonblasts from Diancie because EQ is a roll to KO it, which puts pressure on Fairy users that rely on Magic Bounce to control hazards.
The nick is a reference to thisreally, really cool dude that spends way too much time on PS!
DEG? (Sharpedo-Mega) @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Protect
- Crunch
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Fang
I think this is the best Mega-Evo for Water teams in the current metagame. It destroys 3 of the most used types: Flying, Psychic, Dragon. You should always run a mixed set in Mono because it can 2hko Skarm with Crunch + Hydro Pump. Ice Fang shores up the Dragon Weakness: Set Rocks, chip Kyu-B with Slowbro on an Outrage (I don't have azu so they can spam it), make sure Hydreigon takes two SR hits, sweep w/ shark.
This is my win condition against Psychic, Dragon, Fire, Electric, Ghost and sometimes Flying and Water.
The nick name is another bad pun, which references the mono room mod Dream Eater Gengar because Sharpedo is eating the opponents dreams of winning as it sweeps. :D
Replays
vs. poison: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-313873126
vs. poison: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-313883045
vs. fighting: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-317556732
vs. HO psy: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-333558542
vs. poison: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-334561901
This team derives from a water build I made back in the XY meta with Greninja (way before I ever joined the mono staff). The version below has been updated for the ORAS meta—and I'll show my team-building process for the ORAS meta. I decided to dust off the old team and update it when I saw a bunch of new people in the Mono room commenting on how I only knew how to use bulky Normal (rip). Also, a friend, rnbs, mentioned how good some of my old water teams used to be when I actually laddered seriously.
Team Building Process
My original team from the XY meta was built around Greninja and a Slowbro set that can be painfully difficult for many types to break. Obviously, I had to ditch Greninja, but I wanted to keep the Slowbro set (Iron Defense + CM) since the set had fallen off in usage and I had just gotten a shiny new avatar w/ a Slowbro in it.
As I thought about how to build this team I decided to test something I'd been thinking about for a while, but had not really implemented (b/c I went a really long time w/o building/playing seriously). I colloquially call it building around "asymmetric" set up sweepers. Lots of teams are built around two setup sweepers that share the same checks/counters so the first can wear the check down and the other can sweep. While that idea can work in Mono, I think it is a bit flawed because you encounter entire teams that share a type. Often, the opponent is carrying 2 checks by virtue of the shared typings and your offensive core is walled.
My idea was to build a balanced team with 3 different setup sweepers, which would allow me have a win condition in all the type matchups you'll face across the Mono metagame. Fwiw, I'm not claiming this as some revolutionary idea. I think this is how most of the best Mono builders approach team building. Thus, I added Keldeo and Gyarados to go with Slowbro. Both are running set up sets.
As I looked at the team I noticed 5 things I needed to cover in 3 slots:
1) Electric immunity
2) Hazards
3) Hazard Control
4) Speed Control/Revenge Killer
5) Something to enable my set up sweepers to, well, set up!
I added a Tentacruel because it filled the role of hazard removal and could pressure an opponent to defog/spin its t-spikes, which would give my set up sweepers free turns to pivot in/set up. It also served as a secondary Grass check, since I was running an offensive Gyarados. I didn't want to run Empoleon because I felt like it was too passive and would just suck momentum. I also had an eye out for the next 'mon I was going to put on the team.
It was time to chose an Electric immunity, and I think Swampert was the only choice here. I needed Stealth Rocks and I also had the chance to run my original Swampert set that I used on one of my very first Water teams. The set is designed to generate set up opportunities for my 3 set up sweepers while making sure rocks stay on my opponents side of the field.
As I looked at the team, two things really stood out: 1) The team was very slow. 2) Dragon teams were going to destroy me because of this. Thus, I added Mega-Sharpedo to serve as some form of speed control and really help with the Dragon match up. It also gave me a 4th pseudo set up sweeper. I could have added Azu in this slot if I wanted to go with a slower, bulkier build. Cloyster is another 'mon that would mesh well with the concept of the team if you prefer it.
Anttnub (Slowbro) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Iron Defense
This is one of my favorite Slowbro sets. Calm Mind + Iron Defense is rarely expected and it can set up on so many types once specific Pokemon have been removed. Scald spreads burns, wins games, isn't walled by Dark teams, and is the best attacking option for this set. I run Rocky Helmet because it is useful for wearing down offensive threats, like Mega-Lopunny, Mega-Medi, or Kyurem-B (for Sharpedo to sweep). Lefties is fine too, but the passive recovery rarely matters if you pick the correct opportunity to set up.
This is my win condition against Fighting, Flying, Fairy, and when people misplay by letting their counter to this faint.
All the nicknames are (mostly bad) references to Monotype room staff members. In this case, it is a reference to the hax queen herself, Anttya.
Clearly a Keldeo (Keldeo) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
I think sub-CM Keldeo is one of the best Pokemon in Monotype if played well. There isn't a single type matchup where this isn't able to put in work. It preys on the balanced builds that are incredibly common by setting up on the walls/tanks while still having the offensive presence/speed to be threatening w/o set up. It is also one of the premier Mega-Sableye checks. Nothing to explain on the set, it is completely standard.
This is my win condition against Steel, Dark, Rock, Ice, Ground, Normal, and sometimes Fire and Water.
The nickname is a reference to Clearly. He was one of my first "PS! friends" and it is really cool to see him lighting it up in MonoPL and Mono Open this year.
Death on Wings (Gyarados) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 224 Atk / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce
Sub, DD, Bounce Gyarados is another set that really shines in the Monotype metagame. Like sub Keldeo, it is able to prey on the bulky tanks/walls that are everywhere in Monotype. On a Water mono, this set patches up the team's weakness to Grass and Poison, which almost always carry Mega-Venusaur. In the case of Poison mono's they don't have a flying resist, so bringing this in when Mega-Venusaur clicks synthesis is a good way to get a kill. The EVs let it outspeed base 135's after a DD (m-Mane + m-Lop). The HP lets you get a sub on a burned Ferro w/o intimidating it (scald is OP).
Usage note: Always scout with Sub the first time you bring this in on Venu. They'll often try to sleep powder; or if you're playing a good player, they'll pivot to something slower (like Nidoqueen) to bop this w/ a Sludge Wave or Tbolt as it comes down from Bounce.
This is my win condition against Bug, Poison, Grass, and sometimes Fire.
The nickname is a reference to a longtime PS! friend, Death on Wings (Articuno I)
A Wild... Tenta (Tentacruel) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 224 HP / 252 SpD / 32 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Acid Spray
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
First, the collective PS! user base needs to get their minds out of the gutter with Tentacruel nicknames. I can't count the number of times people commented "I don't think I get this hentai reference...". The nick is a bad pun off Acast, who used to go by "A Wild Castform".
The set is really the standard stuff in Monotype. Scald to spread burns. T-spikes to apply pressure. Rapid Spin to control hazards (especially vs HO steel; lead w/ Tenta against it and be ready for Custap Brave Bird to keep you from spinning!). Acid Spray is your primary check to Clefable, so make sure this doesn't get para'd by Klefki unless absolutely necessary. The EVs focus on special bulk to take Giga Drains/Leech Seeds from the likes of m-Venu, Cradily, and Whimsicott while preventing recovery with Liquid Ooze. The 32 speed is there to creep the Bulky Staraptors that like to creep base 70 Adamant. This lets me move first and ensure a T-spike goes up against bulky Normal.
an scp original (Swampert) @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Yawn
Well, I guess this set needs some explaining... I've already explained it once in Mono's good cores thread, so I'll just link you there and briefly explain it here. The purpose of this set is to generate free turns for setup sweepers by spamming Yawn. Yawn + SR also guarantees you'll win the hazard war more often than not, which further helps your sweepers do their job. Roar is there because this is just setup fodder for Pokemon that run Substitute w/o it. Earthquake is just a good stab move not named Scald. Swampert has excellent mixed bulk, so I encourage you to tinker with the EV spread if you find a threat that needs to be checked. For this team, I EV'd Swampert to take two Moonblasts from Diancie because EQ is a roll to KO it, which puts pressure on Fairy users that rely on Magic Bounce to control hazards.
The nick is a reference to this
DEG? (Sharpedo-Mega) @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Protect
- Crunch
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Fang
I think this is the best Mega-Evo for Water teams in the current metagame. It destroys 3 of the most used types: Flying, Psychic, Dragon. You should always run a mixed set in Mono because it can 2hko Skarm with Crunch + Hydro Pump. Ice Fang shores up the Dragon Weakness: Set Rocks, chip Kyu-B with Slowbro on an Outrage (I don't have azu so they can spam it), make sure Hydreigon takes two SR hits, sweep w/ shark.
This is my win condition against Psychic, Dragon, Fire, Electric, Ghost and sometimes Flying and Water.
The nick name is another bad pun, which references the mono room mod Dream Eater Gengar because Sharpedo is eating the opponents dreams of winning as it sweeps. :D
Replays
vs. poison: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-313873126
vs. poison: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-313883045
vs. fighting: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-317556732
vs. HO psy: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-333558542
vs. poison: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/monotype-334561901
A Wild Tenta... (Tentacruel) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 224 HP / 252 SpD / 32 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Acid Spray
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
DEG? (Sharpedo-Mega) @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Protect
- Crunch
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Fang
Anttnub (Slowbro) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Iron Defense
Clearly a Keldeo (Keldeo) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
an scp original (Swampert) @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Yawn
Death on Wings (Gyarados) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 224 Atk / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 224 HP / 252 SpD / 32 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Acid Spray
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
DEG? (Sharpedo-Mega) @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Protect
- Crunch
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Fang
Anttnub (Slowbro) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Iron Defense
Clearly a Keldeo (Keldeo) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
an scp original (Swampert) @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Yawn
Death on Wings (Gyarados) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 224 Atk / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce