banner, headers, and spotlight pics made by metaphysical
Hello guys, NV here with my most successful team to date in NU (no ladder peak because ladder is aids and I hate laddering though lol). This team was based around the common Choice Specs set Aurorus would commonly use. This is being posted as this team has had a good run (been around for ~4 months) and I feel the NU meta is
So as I already stated, the team was based around Choice Specs Aurorus. Aurorus' amazing Refrigerate ability coupled with decent coverage means a lot of common things in NU have a hard time switching in. Sadly, the reason Aurorus is criminally underrated is because it has such low base Speed and can only barely outspeed common walls that speed creep base 55s. That being said, there is little to switchin to this thing, making it a great wallbreaker.
With Aurorus being really slow, this left it susceptible to many offensive Water-types as well as Fighting-types. I went with Vileplume as its ability can leave the opponent crippled as well as Vileplume threatening Water-types with its Grass STAB. Vileplume also provides a nice pivot with Moonlight giving it semi-reliable recovery as well as Stun Spore crippling mons on the switch so Aurorus can outspeed them and hit them hard.
Next, I needed a more solid Fire- and Ice-type resist, so Hariyama was the obvious choice as well as being a SpD pivot as Vileplume was my pivot for physical attackers. Hariyama was also a nice mon for Aurorus as its Fighting STAB nailed the Steel-types that troubled Aurorus as well as Vileplume.
Next, I lacked any form of hazards so I went with a neat little set I got from my friend SilverReaper21. Offensive Stealth Rock Rhydon is really good as it combines the bulk of Tank Rhydon with the damage output of Double Dance Rhydon. Rhydon is also a nice solid Volt Switch absorber and a more reliable Flying and Normal resist.
At this point, I lacked anything that could take advantage of Aurorus' wallbreaking capabilities as well as the pivoting the other members provided, so I settled on Calm Mind Xatu. This gave me a semi-reliable answer to Fighting-types if Vileplume had fainted. It also has the amazing ability Magic Bounce ability, meaning status moves and entry hazards would be harder to setup against this team.
Lastly, I wanted a more reliable way of entry hazard removal that didn't typestack with the team and so I settled with Life Orb Special Skuntank. This mon also helped lure out entry hazard setters such as Rhydon, which gives Xatu trouble, and Ferroseed, which is a general thorn in my side.
Buttercup (Aurorus) (F) @
Ability: Refrigerate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
Choice Specs Aurorus is probably the best wallbreaker that NU has to offer as with its pseudo-STAB thanks to Refrigerate and its coverage, it has amazing power. Hyper Voice is the most spammable move Aurorus has as resists (frail ones anyway) have a hard time switching into it thanks to the Refrigerate boost and thus it gaining STAB. Earth Power is an amazing complementary coverage move, hitting Steel- and Fire-type supereffectively. Freeze-Dry, while seemingly redundant coverage, actually proves useful thanks to it supereffectively hitting Water-types such as Samurott, Lanturn, and Pelipper. Psychic is mainly filler, but it has the bonus of 2HKOing Assault Vest Hariyama after just a bit of prior damage.
Westley (Vileplume) (M) @
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
Vileplume is an amazing defensive pivot in NU thanks to its decent typing, ability, and semi-reliable recovery in Moonlight. Effect Spore, while seemingly haxy, actually can end up crippling the opponent with a clutch paralysis or sleep, allowing me to really snowball the team. Giga Drain gives Vileplume a reliable Grass-type STAB as well as have another form a recovery so as to conserve Moonlight's low PP of 8. Sludge Bomb allows Vileplume to hit most Grass-type resists such as Fire- and Flying-types. Moonlight gives Vileplume an instant form of recovery; however, it is cut to 25% under weather which, while uncommon, it means Vileplume cannot be as good as a pivot as it should be. The last slot is filler, but I ended up settling on Stun Spore as it helps cripple fast mons that may threaten Aurorus and the rest of the team as this team is fairly slow.
Fezzik (Hariyama) (M) @
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 240 SpD / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
Hariyama provides some much needed special bulk to the team and thanks to its high HP stat, it can invest very easily into Attack and Special Defense, making it an amazing pivot albeit with lack of recovery unlike Vileplume. Close Combat is an amazing STAB move, taking a chunk out of the bulky Steel-types that trouble Aurorus and Vileplume as well as hitting Rock- and Dark-types. Knock Off allows Hariyama to get rid of the opponent's item, further crippling them as well as slowly wearing them down with Stealth Rock support. Fake Out is really nice to break Sashes as well as Sturdy. It also gives nice chip damage once mons lose their items such as Leftovers. Bullet Punch is decent priority, KOing a weakened Archeops as well as a weakened Aurorus, but honestly I rarely ever click anything but Close Combat or Knock Off.
Inigo Montoya (Rhydon) (M) @
Ability: Lightning Rod
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 192 HP / 216 Atk / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
Rhydon was added as I needed a Stealth Rock mon and at first I was worried because I didn't want Tank Rhydon as I love the offensive pressure of Double Dance Rhydon. That was when SilverReaper21 let me in on his secret (I am not sure if he came up with the idea or not, but credit goes to him for sharing). This set aims to be a decent medium between the Tank and Double Dance set. 100 Speed EVs is to creep the already crowded base 50s while 216 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature hits a jump point in Attack. The rest of the EVs are dumped into HP for better overall bulk. Stealth Rock is obvious as I needed it and it helps chip away at the enemies even more. Earthquake is a great STAB move as it hits hard with the investment, nailing Steel- and Fire-types alike. Rock Blast was chosen over Stone Edge specifically for Lead Vivillon, which would otherwise do a number to this team, whether it be the Endeavor or Energy Ball variant. Megahorn is to hit Psychic-types such as Musharna, Mesprit, and Claydol harder than Rhydon's STAB moves.
The Ancient Booer (Xatu) (F) @
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
Calm Mind Xatu is a really effective sweeper thanks to its ability Magic Bounce, which means it cannot be phazed or statused via status moves. It also means that it can act as hazard control for the team. The EVs may look weird, but they are specifically made to outpace Jolly Sawk while have the maximum amount of overall bulk and the rest is dumped into its Defense stat to help the defensive stat not being boosted. Calm Mind allows Xatu to setup against more passive teams that rely on status to wear down the opponent as well as pressure special attackers after a few boosts. Roost gives Xatu a form of reliable recovery while getting rid of a few of its weaknesses for one turn. Psyshock allows Xatu to win Calm Mind wars against Mega Audino while Signal Beam beats out opposing Psychic- and Dark-types that aim to switch in on Psyshock.
Vizzini (Skuntank) (M) @
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
Skuntank is something that has made an impact in NU to say the least. This set in particular is really good as it acts like a lure (although not as effective as it once was since most know this set now lol) against common hazard setters such as Ferroseed, Rhydon, Regirock, etc. Dark Pulse is the STAB of choice as it has no immunities and has a nice little flinch chance if the hax gods tend to shed light on me. It also allows me to hit other Poison-types such as Garbodor a lot harder than with a STAB Sludge Bomb. Fire Blast roasts the Steel-types that commonly switch into Skuntank such as Klinklang, expecting to tank a hit. Hidden Power Grass is specifically used to hit Rhydon hard, OHKOing 4/0 Don after one layer of Spikes (or just a bit of prior damage). Defog is again filler, but I felt like it was necessary as backup hazard control should Xatu go down early or somehow I mispredict a hazard move and don't send Xatu in to bounce it back.
vs. yoyoyoyonig
While the opponent had some unconventional mons such as Trapinch and Frogadier, I felt they played really well against me and thus keeping me on my toes. Predicting me to go to Xatu was a bit obvious, but I could not let Garbodor set up hazards as I knew I would get worn down very easily. Aurorus was a huge thorn in his side however as long as I kept his hazards off the field, especially with his Mega Audino going down so early. While it was a forfeit, him and I both knew Aurorus had won with the last two mons being outsped by Aurorus.
vs. Toreutic
Honestly, losing Aurorus so early because I made a dumb play really cost me as it threaten most of his team. Piloswine proved to be a huge pain because it outsped Yama's speed creep, but nonetheless thanks to a clutch Sleep on Barbaracle from Vileplume's Effect Spore, Rhydon was able to squeeze out the win for the team.
vs. Killian Eleuterio
This game I was lucky to get the confuse on Jumpluff, but other than it was a solid game back and forth. The paralysis spamming was a doozy, but I feel like if he had predicted my Xatu coming in on Musharna, he would've still went for Thunder Wave as, thanks to Synchronize, I still would have been paralyzed, leaving my team in a very unfavorable position.
Disjunction - Probably one of my top friends in NU. You have always been a supporter of mine and I am glad that no matter what, you act like you are "one of us" even though you are NU Forums Mod and NU Room Owner lol.
Raseri - RAS!! I love getting to know you not only on a "we play mons" level, but on a personal level. Glad to see we can have a friendship that has evolved from just a lowly reg user talking to the "big dog" i.e. Room Owner.
ryan - First off, love the name change. Secondly, you are probably the most fun to be around. Even though you aren't UU rom auth, you somehow managed to be a part of our modchat and I love it. Also ducks are bae.
Zebraiken - I have to admit, I don't know you very well, but every time I see your name, I always think of Zebstrika and zebras in general lol.
Aladyyn - traitor
Blast - Another auth I don't know that well and while we haven't necessarily talked, I want to thank you for being there when I first started NU because you (along with a few others) were the reason I found NU (the tier and the chat) to be so homey.
boltsandbombers - I know you mean well, but get off my ass about my analyses. I will get them done trust me. Seriously though, thanks for reminding me of my "commitments" and being a good overall friend in and outside of C&C.
Can-Eh-Dian - Thanks for giving me the NU Matchmaking thread way back when as I am apparently destined to be the Matchmaking go with having a hold of 3, count it 3, tiers' Matchmaking threads. Hopefully one day you come back full force, but until then...keep posting those memes!
innovamania - Don't know much about you, except you are like global @ as well lol.
iplaytennislol - Like I said in my UU RMT, you are special because you are auth here and in UU so thus the double special shoutout. Sadly, you are not the only one with this privilege thanks to Colbrushie recently becoming NU Voice, but still :D
marilli - BYEEEEEEEEE!!!
Montsegur - A good fren, fare well in life's endeavors
Pokedots - Your name always reminds of Dots ice cream for some reason. Other than that, while we don't talk much I know you and I are good frens :)
Punchshroom -If paralysis is the devil, then freeze is Lucifer
QueenOfLuvdiscs - The Stalling Queen of CAP
Quite Quiet - I love that while I know 0 about tech and coding, you always seem so eager to tell me about it when I ask and I am glad you don't get frustrated if I happen to ask a somewhat dumb question.
Realistic Waters - Praise Jebus you changed your name back. Now if only we can getrozes metaphysical to do the same.
Shaneghoul - SHANEY!!! One of my best frens in NU, you and I tend to see eye to eye on anything whether it be teambuilding or something else. I am so glad you have risen to the rank of Moderator in the NU PS! room. Congratulations!
SilverReaper21 - Silvbae, another best fren of mine in NU, you and I build the best teams. Maybe one day in the future we can RMT one of those glorious teams so everyone can bow down to our awesome teambuilding skills :P
Sir Kay - Yet another best fren of mine, you are like my guidance counselor. You tell me what I am doing wrong and how to fix it while also being there when I need support. You also have me any time you need support as well and I am glad we can be there for each other no matter what.
SteelEdges - Same as innovamania...
Deej Dy - Deej, we haven't talked in forever (probably our conflicting timezones or your lack of activity idk), but hi!
HJAD - Was the last auth until the near end and you ended up leaving the rest of the non-auth to desecrate Stoned, how could you?
Jarii - Always a great contributor to Matchmaking
Rapture. - Matchmaking Queen y/y
Stoned M&M - Gotta say we don't really interact all that much, but I love the username and I hope to interact with you more in the future.
allstar124 - Allstar, I remember when you were a reg user like me and now you have become voice, yet you still act like a reg user in the sense that "authority" hasn't went to your head :)
blaziken1337 - Always a part of NU Dark Horse project, otherwise don't know you all that well :/
Brick Small. - Not someone I see all that often, but a good guy nonetheless
Colbrushie - Dual special shoutout, look at you go! Anyways, nice to know I have frens who are UUers that are just as invested in NU as I am.
Dentricos - Thanks for the request in the UU Lab. Hopefully your request will be picked up and done asap. Also #Cradily4lyfe
FLCL - A tour god from what I have heard, but I haven't seen you around or talked to you really, but oh well :(
GyRro - We need to hang out in NU more often...
Hootie - Where have you been? I rarely see you in the NU room anymore :(
Kiyo - the biggest noob of them all...all 400 lbs. of you ;)
LessThanThreeMan - We need to find our 3rd Musketeer...of NU! :o
Marikeinen - A remarkable ladder player; other than that, not much I know about you :/
metaphysical - This guy right here...this is who made the headers, the personal pictures for the spotlight of each mon as well as the banner. Thank him for my RMT looking pretty. Also you are another one of my best frens and I won't ever forget that :)
NotNova - We never really talk, but you and I always make sure to say hi and bye to one another when we see each other on.
Orphic - One of my good frens, although your activity sucks. You always seem to die whenever you just get back into contributing and I hate that because I love your contributions.
Teddeh - Mah Fluffeh Teddeh Bae
Winter's Howl - Howl bby <3 You and I were the Terrible Two / when I first started NU / And I am glad to see / That you are happy as you can be.
Raseri - RAS!! I love getting to know you not only on a "we play mons" level, but on a personal level. Glad to see we can have a friendship that has evolved from just a lowly reg user talking to the "big dog" i.e. Room Owner.
ryan - First off, love the name change. Secondly, you are probably the most fun to be around. Even though you aren't UU rom auth, you somehow managed to be a part of our modchat and I love it. Also ducks are bae.
Zebraiken - I have to admit, I don't know you very well, but every time I see your name, I always think of Zebstrika and zebras in general lol.
Aladyyn - traitor
Blast - Another auth I don't know that well and while we haven't necessarily talked, I want to thank you for being there when I first started NU because you (along with a few others) were the reason I found NU (the tier and the chat) to be so homey.
boltsandbombers - I know you mean well, but get off my ass about my analyses. I will get them done trust me. Seriously though, thanks for reminding me of my "commitments" and being a good overall friend in and outside of C&C.
Can-Eh-Dian - Thanks for giving me the NU Matchmaking thread way back when as I am apparently destined to be the Matchmaking go with having a hold of 3, count it 3, tiers' Matchmaking threads. Hopefully one day you come back full force, but until then...keep posting those memes!
innovamania - Don't know much about you, except you are like global @ as well lol.
iplaytennislol - Like I said in my UU RMT, you are special because you are auth here and in UU so thus the double special shoutout. Sadly, you are not the only one with this privilege thanks to Colbrushie recently becoming NU Voice, but still :D
marilli - BYEEEEEEEEE!!!
Montsegur - A good fren, fare well in life's endeavors
Pokedots - Your name always reminds of Dots ice cream for some reason. Other than that, while we don't talk much I know you and I are good frens :)
Punchshroom -If paralysis is the devil, then freeze is Lucifer
QueenOfLuvdiscs - The Stalling Queen of CAP
Quite Quiet - I love that while I know 0 about tech and coding, you always seem so eager to tell me about it when I ask and I am glad you don't get frustrated if I happen to ask a somewhat dumb question.
Realistic Waters - Praise Jebus you changed your name back. Now if only we can get
Shaneghoul - SHANEY!!! One of my best frens in NU, you and I tend to see eye to eye on anything whether it be teambuilding or something else. I am so glad you have risen to the rank of Moderator in the NU PS! room. Congratulations!
SilverReaper21 - Silvbae, another best fren of mine in NU, you and I build the best teams. Maybe one day in the future we can RMT one of those glorious teams so everyone can bow down to our awesome teambuilding skills :P
Sir Kay - Yet another best fren of mine, you are like my guidance counselor. You tell me what I am doing wrong and how to fix it while also being there when I need support. You also have me any time you need support as well and I am glad we can be there for each other no matter what.
SteelEdges - Same as innovamania...
Deej Dy - Deej, we haven't talked in forever (probably our conflicting timezones or your lack of activity idk), but hi!
HJAD - Was the last auth until the near end and you ended up leaving the rest of the non-auth to desecrate Stoned, how could you?
Jarii - Always a great contributor to Matchmaking
Rapture. - Matchmaking Queen y/y
Stoned M&M - Gotta say we don't really interact all that much, but I love the username and I hope to interact with you more in the future.
allstar124 - Allstar, I remember when you were a reg user like me and now you have become voice, yet you still act like a reg user in the sense that "authority" hasn't went to your head :)
blaziken1337 - Always a part of NU Dark Horse project, otherwise don't know you all that well :/
Brick Small. - Not someone I see all that often, but a good guy nonetheless
Colbrushie - Dual special shoutout, look at you go! Anyways, nice to know I have frens who are UUers that are just as invested in NU as I am.
Dentricos - Thanks for the request in the UU Lab. Hopefully your request will be picked up and done asap. Also #Cradily4lyfe
FLCL - A tour god from what I have heard, but I haven't seen you around or talked to you really, but oh well :(
GyRro - We need to hang out in NU more often...
Hootie - Where have you been? I rarely see you in the NU room anymore :(
Kiyo - the biggest noob of them all...all 400 lbs. of you ;)
LessThanThreeMan - We need to find our 3rd Musketeer...of NU! :o
Marikeinen - A remarkable ladder player; other than that, not much I know about you :/
metaphysical - This guy right here...this is who made the headers, the personal pictures for the spotlight of each mon as well as the banner. Thank him for my RMT looking pretty. Also you are another one of my best frens and I won't ever forget that :)
NotNova - We never really talk, but you and I always make sure to say hi and bye to one another when we see each other on.
Orphic - One of my good frens, although your activity sucks. You always seem to die whenever you just get back into contributing and I hate that because I love your contributions.
Teddeh - Mah Fluffeh Teddeh Bae
Winter's Howl - Howl bby <3 You and I were the Terrible Two / when I first started NU / And I am glad to see / That you are happy as you can be.
CoolStoryBrobat DMT dodmen Hikari Sam ajemisOn IronBullet King UU newfren sniperaim Waiv Mahmudkipz Shiba YABO Christo The Gr8 DaSpoofy Patwinking gobosox Hogg iWanka LeoLancaster Pak R0ady teal6 Thisbemyalt Kreme Vapo DrReuniclus Euphonos Jack. LilOu Omfuga Pinkin Lark RowDog Sacri' 2xTheTap galbia Magnemite Dundies Megazard TONE114 gasquakee MaroGod Tect
There you have it! My best NU team to date that is also my 1k post as well as being posted on the date of my 3 year anniversary of being on Smogon. Thanks for all those that have been here through my journey and may you guys continue to be there as I get to 2.5k posts and I hope to always contribute to Smogon and PS! alike.
Buttercup (Aurorus) (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Refrigerate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Earth Power
- Freeze-Dry
- Psychic
Westley (Vileplume) (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Moonlight
- Stun Spore
Fezzik (Hariyama) (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 240 SpD / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- Bullet Punch
Inigo Montoya (Rhydon) (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Lightning Rod
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 192 HP / 216 Atk / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rock Blast
- Megahorn
The Ancient Booer (Xatu) (F) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Psyshock
- Signal Beam
Vizzini (Skuntank) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Defog
Ability: Refrigerate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Earth Power
- Freeze-Dry
- Psychic
Westley (Vileplume) (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Moonlight
- Stun Spore
Fezzik (Hariyama) (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 240 SpD / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- Bullet Punch
Inigo Montoya (Rhydon) (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Lightning Rod
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 192 HP / 216 Atk / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rock Blast
- Megahorn
The Ancient Booer (Xatu) (F) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Psyshock
- Signal Beam
Vizzini (Skuntank) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Defog
