Great team!
I'm posting because I've actually used this team before in its entirety (with permission from Panamaxis :-D).
My only suggestions I've ever had to make were real minor EV fixes and such:
I still prefer this spread for Metagross
252 HP / 240 Atk / 16 Spe so that you can outspeed and Explode on Skarm. However, the positive is that you also explode on those 84 Spe Magnezone's that are just trying to beat Skarm since they actually do exist still and I've taken a few down with me. Also, Lum Berry > Leftovers IMO, but its preference.
For Gyarados... why not just max Speed and Attack? What does the HP get you? But then again, the extra speed doesn't get much either now that Shaymin-S is banned. So between your spread and the standard spread is Dugtrio, Sceptile, Alakazaam, Swellow, and Weavile. None of them pose too much of a threat I guess, and I haven't seen Sceptile in about two months.
For Salamence.... man just go
4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe... your wierd EV spread, lol.
As far as the team goes.. This team obviously works great, but it does take some getting used to when you play with it. It took me a few battles to understand exactly how everything worke. One of the things I did have trouble with was Sitzmark annoying protect Stall Team, but meh.
Originally Posted by JohnR011
Wow, impressive team and a good rmt as well. My only question would be why you have Azelf on your team. I can't really see it doing that much for you other than just exploding on something..which most people will probably expect it to do. I would suggest considering something like Tyranitar over it; it would flow fairly well with the rest of your team and could also give you an answer to specsjolt. Anyway, it's a good, solid team. Nice job
Azelf really is the secret weapon. For starters, any time you can bluff a Choice Item is a good thing, especially with the type coverage Azelf has. I've found myself using Psychic on Machamp as they go to something like Scizor, then just Flamethrowering for the OHKO, as they expect me to switch out. Then blowing up out of no where... thats 2 kills right there, which is crucial for an offensive team.
Also, I don't know why people suggest Tyranitar as an answer for SpecsJolt as it is a solid 3HKO with SR (I've run into the situation a ton of times). As soon as they see the initial attack, they don't bother pursuiting since Thunderbolt does
34-40% (so the calculator says, but for some reason I've always seem to done more...) so just switch out and Tyranitar has no business "countering" SpesJolt for the rest of the match. If your Tyranitar has taken ANY prior damage, it most likely loses.
Anyway, Tyranitar hurts this team more than helps. Its slow, and Sandstorm will hurt Salamence and Latias severely.
Originally Posted by Lee
Not sure about Latias only having 281 Speed. I'd be tempted to bump it up to 300 so as not to lose out to Adamant Salamence/Flygon but I guess that's a preference thing and it's not as if either will switch in on Latias or stay in on her.
Well, the key to that set is the Speciall Attack. Latias is just barely managing the 2HKO and Tyranitar and Scizor so has little offense to spare. If you want to stay in on Salamence, you need to make sure you outrun ALL Salamence, meaning you need to switch to a Timid nature. If you do that, you no longer are guarenteed to 2HKO Tyranitar. In most cases, you soundn't stay in for the dragon confrontation. As for other Latias' if you see leftovers, I always stay in and I'm sure Panamaxis does to as most Latias' Dragon Pulse only hits for 55-60ish%, while you Draco for the OHKO. So when you look at what sits between 330 Speed, Timid and a 280, Modest you see these pokemon:
Zapdos
Salamence
Flygon
Calm Mind Jirachi
Calm Mind Celebi
Calm Mind Life Orb Suicune
Mamoswine
Roserade
Porygon-Z
Jolly Lucario
Gliscor
So out of this common list... Zapdos can't hit you for shit, Salamence and Flygon you should avoid, Calm Mind Jirachi will set up on you anyway, Celebi you shouldn't fight if it Calm Minds, Suicune never tries that confrontation, Mamoswine will Ice Shard you, Roserade is a lead or scarf 100% of the time, Porygon-Z is most likely Scarfed, Jolly Lucario you can't OHKO either way, and Gliscor you just pummel with DM. So against most of these Pokemon the increase of speed doesn't benefit the ant-pursuitness and the extra power.
Anyway, great team man!