So my team is basically an average balanced one designed to encounter all sorts of teams, not focused on one type. I would like to hear some opinions and suggestions on how to improve it please, and thank you in advance.
Team in depth.
Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 8 SpD / 248 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
I usually lead with either Rotom or Landorus depending on the situation. Lets me scout the opponents lead Pokemon and switch to a safer option. Don't run the usual defensive set, although I'm still not sure on whether I should or not. Choice scarf to trap stalling and bulking Pokemon like Clefable and Chansey and max special attack to capitalize on the speed boost. Besides, its amusing to go up against a Talonflame or Charizard Y with this set.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Knock Off
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Protect
This is just pure bulk and stalling. I can even sometimes sweep with just Leech Seed and Protect.
Run special defense over defense because it has enough defense to deal with anything besides a Close Combat or Flare Blitz or the sort. The investment in special also helps me survive Magnezone, Landorus, even Lava Plumes and gives rain teams a lot of trouble.
Infernape @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Stealth Rock
- Mach Punch
- Endeavor
Sometimes I outright lead with this if there is no Ghosts or Talonflames, set up rocks and die. A suicide lead. Even if I can't set up rocks or it is obvious the opponent will defog or rapid spin, just endeavor and get out waiting for a later rock setup or another endeavor on a slower Pokemon.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 8 Def / 248 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Explosion
Like Rotom, this is used this to scout sometimes, or outright go for a kill on a Manectric, Diancie or the sort if there is no Ground immunity on the opposing team. I don't use this as a sweeper unless its necessary or like I said before, no Ground immunity. I usually keep this alive for that one Pokemon that has boosted or is just too bulky to die. Not too sure about Stone Edge, might replace it with something else.
Diancie @ Diancite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Protect
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Earth Power
A typical set. My team has no defogger or rapid spinners so this keeps the opponent from trying to always set up with spikes unless it is a Ferrothorn. I only run this because of Sableye teams. Between all the fairies this was the best counter and has great speed and offense to use otherwise.
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Earthquake
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Psyshock
This is an unusual set. It's not entirely a sweeper, acts more like a bug spray, taking out those annoying Pokemon by creeping up on them when they least expect it. It has great coverage and will damage almost anything severely and takes out a lot of Pokemon that are not at full health. Any steel type that typically switches in will have a nasty surprise. Although it always gets out sped in that 350 range due to HP Fire, it still has great speed at 349 being faster than many Pokemon. Also, people expect a defog or two but get something else.
Alternate version.
I also have slightly different version of this team which I am confused about using.
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
I used to have Venusaur over Ferrothorn in this version. Great overall mega and a nightmare for fairies. Stops rain teams, takes a hit from Charizard Y and Talonflame, couldn't complain. But speed and coverage was a huge factor. I took leech seed out for Giga Drain due to Slowbros being able to set up on this, so I lost my offense against Heatran, I can't take out anything for Earthquake so a team with Heatran or Chansey and a Slowbro really crippled my team. Most sweepers were faster and usually after rocks and a couple of hits, it was dead with out leech seed. Eventually I replaced this for Ferrothorn for overall performance.
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Moonlight
- Moonblast
- Flamethrower
This was simply used for a counter to Sableye teams and Pokemon that liked to set up.
However, against hyper offense teams I found this to be almost useless, seeing as this Pokemon has very little offense, unless it can set up. A simple taunt or tricked choice scarf cripples it. So does Heatran. If I use it as wish support then I lose either Calm Mind or a second attack which I needed for the other steel types, namely Scizor and Ferrorthorn. Eventually I switched it out for a fairy that was offensive and had other uses too, Diancie.
So there you have it people. I am not currently using Venusaur and Clefable but I would like to hear suggestions please. Besides overall improvements, team mates, EV spread and move sets, I would like advice on two problems please.
1. Should I keep Ferrorthorn and Diancie over Venusaur and Clefable?
2. Should I use bulky scarfed Rotom or offensive scarfed Rotom?
Thank you.
Team in depth.
Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 8 SpD / 248 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
I usually lead with either Rotom or Landorus depending on the situation. Lets me scout the opponents lead Pokemon and switch to a safer option. Don't run the usual defensive set, although I'm still not sure on whether I should or not. Choice scarf to trap stalling and bulking Pokemon like Clefable and Chansey and max special attack to capitalize on the speed boost. Besides, its amusing to go up against a Talonflame or Charizard Y with this set.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Knock Off
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Protect
This is just pure bulk and stalling. I can even sometimes sweep with just Leech Seed and Protect.
Run special defense over defense because it has enough defense to deal with anything besides a Close Combat or Flare Blitz or the sort. The investment in special also helps me survive Magnezone, Landorus, even Lava Plumes and gives rain teams a lot of trouble.
Infernape @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Stealth Rock
- Mach Punch
- Endeavor
Sometimes I outright lead with this if there is no Ghosts or Talonflames, set up rocks and die. A suicide lead. Even if I can't set up rocks or it is obvious the opponent will defog or rapid spin, just endeavor and get out waiting for a later rock setup or another endeavor on a slower Pokemon.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 8 Def / 248 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Explosion
Like Rotom, this is used this to scout sometimes, or outright go for a kill on a Manectric, Diancie or the sort if there is no Ground immunity on the opposing team. I don't use this as a sweeper unless its necessary or like I said before, no Ground immunity. I usually keep this alive for that one Pokemon that has boosted or is just too bulky to die. Not too sure about Stone Edge, might replace it with something else.
Diancie @ Diancite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Protect
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Earth Power
A typical set. My team has no defogger or rapid spinners so this keeps the opponent from trying to always set up with spikes unless it is a Ferrothorn. I only run this because of Sableye teams. Between all the fairies this was the best counter and has great speed and offense to use otherwise.
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Earthquake
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Psyshock
This is an unusual set. It's not entirely a sweeper, acts more like a bug spray, taking out those annoying Pokemon by creeping up on them when they least expect it. It has great coverage and will damage almost anything severely and takes out a lot of Pokemon that are not at full health. Any steel type that typically switches in will have a nasty surprise. Although it always gets out sped in that 350 range due to HP Fire, it still has great speed at 349 being faster than many Pokemon. Also, people expect a defog or two but get something else.
Alternate version.
I also have slightly different version of this team which I am confused about using.
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
I used to have Venusaur over Ferrothorn in this version. Great overall mega and a nightmare for fairies. Stops rain teams, takes a hit from Charizard Y and Talonflame, couldn't complain. But speed and coverage was a huge factor. I took leech seed out for Giga Drain due to Slowbros being able to set up on this, so I lost my offense against Heatran, I can't take out anything for Earthquake so a team with Heatran or Chansey and a Slowbro really crippled my team. Most sweepers were faster and usually after rocks and a couple of hits, it was dead with out leech seed. Eventually I replaced this for Ferrothorn for overall performance.
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Moonlight
- Moonblast
- Flamethrower
This was simply used for a counter to Sableye teams and Pokemon that liked to set up.
However, against hyper offense teams I found this to be almost useless, seeing as this Pokemon has very little offense, unless it can set up. A simple taunt or tricked choice scarf cripples it. So does Heatran. If I use it as wish support then I lose either Calm Mind or a second attack which I needed for the other steel types, namely Scizor and Ferrorthorn. Eventually I switched it out for a fairy that was offensive and had other uses too, Diancie.
So there you have it people. I am not currently using Venusaur and Clefable but I would like to hear suggestions please. Besides overall improvements, team mates, EV spread and move sets, I would like advice on two problems please.
1. Should I keep Ferrorthorn and Diancie over Venusaur and Clefable?
2. Should I use bulky scarfed Rotom or offensive scarfed Rotom?
Thank you.