Hi! I'm LittleFoxGod, and I'm new to competitive pokemon. I've been playing since Gen I, but this is the only generation that I've actually gotten interested in competitive. I've been trying to do a bunch of research on team building, and I've come up with what I believe is a Balance team, with an emphasis on type diversity.
I've tested it out on Pokemon Showdown, playing it in 50 matches in a row. I won 33 and lost 17. The ELO i was playing at was 1200-1250, so i know it isn't a really high elo or anything, but winning more than losing is a good start, right?
Anyway, here is what I've come up with:
Froslass @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Taunt
- Destiny Bond
- Spikes
In my research, most team builders say to a pick a pokemon and work your way around that. I started with Froslass, as its a pokemon I like, and is useable as a lead. As a ghost type, Froslass is immune to Fake Out, which is useful, and something I've seen lot used against my leads. Ice beam is a STAB attacking move so it isn't helpless if taunted. Taunt is for facing other leads or to stop a setup. Destiny Bond is useful because as a lead it is likely going to suicide, and so I try to take something with it. Lastly, Spikes are my entry hazard, usually i can get 2-3 layers out before needing to destiny bond or switch out.
Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Return
- Fake Out
- Power-Up Punch
When picking a Mega Evolution, I was looking for something that offensively would be able to take on just about any type with little trouble. Mega Lopunny as a sweeper fits this bill quite well. Scrappy Lets Mega Lopunny hit just abut every type neutrally or better. However, the main reason I am using Mega Lopunny is because scrappy allows her to take on Mega Sableye, whom I've had several bad experiences with. So, I chose to deal with it by punting it via High Jump Kick, a high damage stab fighting type move, great for taking on Dark/Ghost types and just about anything else you may run into. Return is a Stab normal-type, which in tandem with High Jump Kick gives me good coverage offensively. Fake Out is taken in case of sturdy or a focus sash. Power-Up Punch is something I chose to take for the endgame, when alot of pokemon have damage on them, and it is very likely to score a KO with it, acting somewhat like Moxie, and making Lopunny even more powerful, often granting it a sweep.
Whimsicott @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Encore
- U-turn
- Leech Seed
I chose Whimsicott because I was looking for a way to punish people who try to set up or abuse status moves. Pixie Plate STAB Moonblast OHKOs or 2HKOs most dragon types it comes into contact with. Prankster Encore sounded quite infamous in my research, and in use I've found it a great tool for helping me switch safely. U-turn Is the other half of that "switching safely," allowing for damage and a switch-in. Lastly, Leech Seed is used for residual damage and heals, which are specially useful against bulkier pokemon. I am choosing a bulkier ev spread over a speed based one, because with this spread it takes three Earthquakes from a choice banded Landorus-T for a KO.
Raikou @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball
In need of a Special Attacker, I chose Raikou. In my research, Electric typing was a popular type in terms of offensive damage. In OU, your only choices for electric types appear to be between Mega Manectric or Raikou. Seeing as I already have my Mega slot filled I chose Raikou. With Volt Switch, I have the ability to do some significant damage as well as change to Whimsicott or Landorus-T for the likely use of a ground type move. If they have no ground type immunity to electric, Raikou's Choice Specs Thunderbolt can very easily sweep teams. Hidden Power Ice is a OHKO to Landorus-T, should I be able to predict the switch in. Lastly, Shadow Ball is an off type special move for type coverage on ghost and psychic types, most notably Mega-Metagross, which is 2HKOed by it.
Landorus-Therian @ Soft Sand
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
The last part of my Three Cup Monte, Landorus-T. The 8 SpD EVs are so it can survive a Hidden Power Ice from a Mega Manectric. Earthquake is its main move, with STAB and Soft Sand bolstering it further. U-turn lets Landorus-T jump out while dishing out some damage. Knock off gives Landorus some more utility and drops items off of pokemon that switch in on him. Finally Stone Edge is for any flying types who try switch in to get a free entry on an earthquake. Mostly Landorus is used to keep Raikou safe from earthquakes, and to try make a shift in the flow of the battle.
Blastoise @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Roar
- Scald
- Toxic
The last member of my team is Blastoise. Blastoise is being used as a bulky rapid spinner/phazer to try and keep the field safe from entry hazards and anything tying to set up behind a substitute. Rapid Spin as mentioned earlier, is to clear entry hazards. Roar is used to phaze setups as well as push ghost types out to allow rapid spin. Scald is for STAB damage and burn chance, and toxic is for more status ailments. Roar is also used with this moveset to poison multiple pokemon, and also inflict damage with Spikes, should they still be in play.
Weaknesses:
Bulky Grass Types - I have a very limited coverage for grass types, and have a bit of trouble with grass types who are a little tougher to take down. (mainly Mega Venusaur, whom appeared in 6 out of 50 matches)
Toxic Spikes/Status Shuffle - While this was extremely uncommon (2 out of 50 matches), toxic spike setters and status+whirlwind users did give me alot of trouble, due to my lack of a cleric.
So there you have it, that's all I came up with. The team is diverse in terms of typing, and I tried to design it with the means of dealing with just about anything you could throw at it. I was tweaking it for about a week before I did the 50 game test, and now present it to you. Any constructive criticism is fully welcome. I would also appreciate any advice you can give me as well about building teams.
Thank you in advance for any and all time you spend helping me out.
NOTES:
- If you are curious about item selections, the league I am starting to play with has a duplicate item clause.
I've tested it out on Pokemon Showdown, playing it in 50 matches in a row. I won 33 and lost 17. The ELO i was playing at was 1200-1250, so i know it isn't a really high elo or anything, but winning more than losing is a good start, right?
Anyway, here is what I've come up with:
Froslass @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Taunt
- Destiny Bond
- Spikes
In my research, most team builders say to a pick a pokemon and work your way around that. I started with Froslass, as its a pokemon I like, and is useable as a lead. As a ghost type, Froslass is immune to Fake Out, which is useful, and something I've seen lot used against my leads. Ice beam is a STAB attacking move so it isn't helpless if taunted. Taunt is for facing other leads or to stop a setup. Destiny Bond is useful because as a lead it is likely going to suicide, and so I try to take something with it. Lastly, Spikes are my entry hazard, usually i can get 2-3 layers out before needing to destiny bond or switch out.
Lopunny @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Return
- Fake Out
- Power-Up Punch
When picking a Mega Evolution, I was looking for something that offensively would be able to take on just about any type with little trouble. Mega Lopunny as a sweeper fits this bill quite well. Scrappy Lets Mega Lopunny hit just abut every type neutrally or better. However, the main reason I am using Mega Lopunny is because scrappy allows her to take on Mega Sableye, whom I've had several bad experiences with. So, I chose to deal with it by punting it via High Jump Kick, a high damage stab fighting type move, great for taking on Dark/Ghost types and just about anything else you may run into. Return is a Stab normal-type, which in tandem with High Jump Kick gives me good coverage offensively. Fake Out is taken in case of sturdy or a focus sash. Power-Up Punch is something I chose to take for the endgame, when alot of pokemon have damage on them, and it is very likely to score a KO with it, acting somewhat like Moxie, and making Lopunny even more powerful, often granting it a sweep.
Whimsicott @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Moonblast
- Encore
- U-turn
- Leech Seed
I chose Whimsicott because I was looking for a way to punish people who try to set up or abuse status moves. Pixie Plate STAB Moonblast OHKOs or 2HKOs most dragon types it comes into contact with. Prankster Encore sounded quite infamous in my research, and in use I've found it a great tool for helping me switch safely. U-turn Is the other half of that "switching safely," allowing for damage and a switch-in. Lastly, Leech Seed is used for residual damage and heals, which are specially useful against bulkier pokemon. I am choosing a bulkier ev spread over a speed based one, because with this spread it takes three Earthquakes from a choice banded Landorus-T for a KO.
Raikou @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball
In need of a Special Attacker, I chose Raikou. In my research, Electric typing was a popular type in terms of offensive damage. In OU, your only choices for electric types appear to be between Mega Manectric or Raikou. Seeing as I already have my Mega slot filled I chose Raikou. With Volt Switch, I have the ability to do some significant damage as well as change to Whimsicott or Landorus-T for the likely use of a ground type move. If they have no ground type immunity to electric, Raikou's Choice Specs Thunderbolt can very easily sweep teams. Hidden Power Ice is a OHKO to Landorus-T, should I be able to predict the switch in. Lastly, Shadow Ball is an off type special move for type coverage on ghost and psychic types, most notably Mega-Metagross, which is 2HKOed by it.
Landorus-Therian @ Soft Sand
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
The last part of my Three Cup Monte, Landorus-T. The 8 SpD EVs are so it can survive a Hidden Power Ice from a Mega Manectric. Earthquake is its main move, with STAB and Soft Sand bolstering it further. U-turn lets Landorus-T jump out while dishing out some damage. Knock off gives Landorus some more utility and drops items off of pokemon that switch in on him. Finally Stone Edge is for any flying types who try switch in to get a free entry on an earthquake. Mostly Landorus is used to keep Raikou safe from earthquakes, and to try make a shift in the flow of the battle.
Blastoise @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Roar
- Scald
- Toxic
The last member of my team is Blastoise. Blastoise is being used as a bulky rapid spinner/phazer to try and keep the field safe from entry hazards and anything tying to set up behind a substitute. Rapid Spin as mentioned earlier, is to clear entry hazards. Roar is used to phaze setups as well as push ghost types out to allow rapid spin. Scald is for STAB damage and burn chance, and toxic is for more status ailments. Roar is also used with this moveset to poison multiple pokemon, and also inflict damage with Spikes, should they still be in play.
Weaknesses:
Bulky Grass Types - I have a very limited coverage for grass types, and have a bit of trouble with grass types who are a little tougher to take down. (mainly Mega Venusaur, whom appeared in 6 out of 50 matches)
Toxic Spikes/Status Shuffle - While this was extremely uncommon (2 out of 50 matches), toxic spike setters and status+whirlwind users did give me alot of trouble, due to my lack of a cleric.
So there you have it, that's all I came up with. The team is diverse in terms of typing, and I tried to design it with the means of dealing with just about anything you could throw at it. I was tweaking it for about a week before I did the 50 game test, and now present it to you. Any constructive criticism is fully welcome. I would also appreciate any advice you can give me as well about building teams.
Thank you in advance for any and all time you spend helping me out.
NOTES:
- If you are curious about item selections, the league I am starting to play with has a duplicate item clause.
