Introduction
Hi guys, this is my first RMT here.
The idea behind this team is to utilize the weather effect, Rain (via Drizzle Politoad) for it's defensive effect to set up a Calm Mind Jirachi. With Rain in effect, Jirachi's fire weakness is neutralized and he can fire of extremely powerful Thunder and Water Pulse both which have 60% chance of Paralysis and Confusion respectively.
The rest of the team will act as support to ensure Jirachi can enter safely and get a few calm minds off and proceed to sweep. Due to the defensive/stall nature of the team, Toxic is heavily used as well.
I have played this team for a while and have a relative success with it. It moves my OU ladder rating from 1200+ to 1400+. However, I still find something amiss on this team and there is still a great room for improvement.
Without further due, here are the Pokes!
The core pokemons!
These are the core pokemons which the entire team is built around.
Politoad @ Leftovers
Traits: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Toxic
- Encore
- Protect
This is the core pokemon of the team, it's main aim is to set up Rain. If opposing team do not have any weather starter on their team, Politoad becomes "dispensable". It can be used as a death fodder or fire of as much toxic as it can before it dies.
It can take any form of uninvested Super Effective attacks (Powerwhip, Voltswitch, Gigadrain) and lives to Encore or Toxic the opponent. Against other weather starters, Politoad can take any attacks from Tyranitar, Hippowdon and get toxic on them, thus assuring that you will win the weather war (eventually). While it can take most fire attacks from Ninetales, Politoad needs to be weary of Solarbeam which can OHKO. It is also OHKOed by the rather rare Woodhammer from Abomasnow.
Vaporeon @ Life Orb
Traits: Hydration
EV: 212 Def/ 252 Spa / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
-Acid Armor
-Baton Pass
-Surf
-Rest
The purpose of this Vaporeon is to Baton Pass an Acid Armor to Jirachi, which will allow Jirachi to set up even in presence of Earthquake. If opponent is affected with Toxic/Poison, Vaporeon can outstall him with Rest. However its main objective is to pass Acid Armor thus one should always look out for opportunity to switch Vaporeon in. Under special circumstances, Acid Armor maybe passed to Volcanora instead of Jirachi.
Also keep note that with the help of Toxic spikes, Vaporeon is capable of sweeping by himself, especially against physical sweeper.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Traits: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP/ 236 Def/ 20 Spe
Bold Nature
-Calm Mind
-Wish
-Thunder
-Water Pulse
The star of this team. Thus it's description will be pretty long.
With rain removing it's Fire weakness, Jirachi is only left with one weakness from Earthquake. Pokemon who runs Earth Power do not have the EV investment ( Gastrodon and Heatran) and Jirachi can wish stall them after a Calm Mind boost. If opponent do not have any attacks that can deal more than 50% of Jirachi's HP, they are in for a huge trouble.
Special Wall such as Blissey/Heatran/Latios/Ferrothorn cannot hope to outstall as they can get haxed by the 60% chance of Parafusion.
Jirachi is immune to Toxic/Poison. If opponent do not have any hard physical hitters and is relying on status effect to wear Jirachi down, they would be surprised. Being a special sweeper, Burn does nothing more than residual damage every turn which can be mend with wish. Decrease in speed from Paralyze hardly matter due to Jirachi massive bulk, although consecutive parahax can get it killed. Ensure Jirachi is not taking more than 25% damage each turn if you are planning to sweep through status.
Due to its massive amount of bulk and resistance Jirachi can set up in the face of many popular OU pokemons who relies on their Special Attack. However, due to the effect of rain, be wary of Choice Specs Surf/HydroPump from the likes of Starmie and RotomW.
While Roar/Whirlwind/Dragontail can end Jirachi Sweep prematurely, most pokemon who uses these moves are weak to Jirachi's attack. Skarmory/Gyarados can be OHKO via Thunder. After one CM max HP/ Max SpD Heatran is OHKO by Water Pulse. Dragonite is OHKO by Thunder if Multiscale is not intact (Stealth Rock).
However, even with Max HP/ Max Def EV, Jirachi is still weak on the physical side. Any strong physical sweeper can be a trouble for Jirachi. A very strong STAB Earthquake from the likes of Garchomp can kill it pretty quickly. Close Combat from Terrakion can 2 hit KO Jirachi. Toxicroak can be hassle if it Bulk Up alongside with your Clam Mind. Other threats include SD Lucario, DD Salamence, Conkulddeur, Landorus, Breloom and Haxorus. If Jirachi get at least one Acid Armor from Vaporeon, most of these threats becomes negligible.
Note that this set is completely walled by Gastrodon although in turn Gastrodon cannot touch Jirachi. You can try to fake the Gastrodon into switching if you have not reveal your moves earlier. If you can get toxic on Gastrodon, you can set up in it's face.
The Supports
These pokemons are supports. I tend to change them around for other pokes but I am still working on an optimal choice. This is what I have thus far that is works our for me.
Forretress @ Leftovers
Traits: Sturdy
EV: 252 HP/ 252 Def / 2 SpD
Relaxed Nature
-Toxic Spikes
-Stealth Rock
-Rapid Spin
-Gyro Ball
Forretress's usefulness is dependent greatly on what opponent have on his team. It's role is to set up Toxic Spikes thus, if opponent team have a lot of Steel/Poison/Flying types, Forretress's role diminishes. Stealth Rock included to punish flying types and more importantly to break Multi Scale on Dragonites. As this is a Toxic/stall team, you would not want opposing pokemon to switch too often. Thus always prioritize Toxic Spikes over Stealth Rock unless situation and opponent's team dictate otherwise.
Against Sun team however, Stealth Rock is important as there will be a lot of switching due to weather war. Ninetales takes 25% each switch in.
This team is very resilient to opposing Stealth Rocks. Still, Rapid Spin is included should Volcarona need a switch in.
Volcarona @ Leftovers
Traits: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
-Quiver Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Hurricane
-Fire Blast
This is a Drizzle Volcarona and it's serves 2 purpose on this team
1) To get rid of bulky Grass, namely Celebi which not only capable of sweeping the most of this team with Giga Drain, it cannot be outstall via Toxic due to Natural Cure. Jirachi needs to be careful setting up in front of Celebi as Perish Song is not uncommon. Volcarona can switch in on any of its attack and threaten it with Bug Buzz.
Both Ferrorthorn and Scizor are OHKO by Fire Blast even in Rain. Breloom who otherwise is a a nuisance for this team is OHKO by Hurricane.
2) Insurance against Sun Team. All of Volcarona's attacks OHKO all Chlorophyll users. Fire Blast deals massive damage even to other fire types under the sun. Take good care of Volcarona and get rid of Stealth Rocks should you be facing a Sun Team.
Gastrodon@Leftovers
Traits: Storm Drain
EV: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpD
Calm Nature
-Ice Beam
-Earth Power
-Toxic
-Recover
This slot is meant for an Electric resistance pokemon to take incoming Thunder/Thunderbolt that is aimed at Politoad or Vaporeon. Initially this spot was Jolteon who not only can switch into Electric attacks, it can utilize the Rain by running its own Thunder. However the most common electric attack comes from RotomW which threaten Jolteon back with Rain boosted water attack.
Thus Jolteon was replaced by Gastrodon who is not only immune to Electric, it also absorb water attacks which rain attracts. Gastrodon can safely switch into water attacks from Politoad, RotomW, Gyarados, Latias and force them out with Toxic.
Here are some of the replays to show the team in action. Any suggestion or improvement I can make to the team are welcome.
Against Sun Team. Volcarona Sweep, using their own Sun against them
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou14038535
Setting up CM in the face of Earthquake. This shows that you need a Strong STAB Earthquake to break Jirachi.
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou14040195
Against Sun Team. Jirachi sweep through the sun.
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou14040833
Jirachi sweep through Sandstorm while burned
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou13539716
Jirachi breaks Blissey
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou13440612
Hi guys, this is my first RMT here.
The idea behind this team is to utilize the weather effect, Rain (via Drizzle Politoad) for it's defensive effect to set up a Calm Mind Jirachi. With Rain in effect, Jirachi's fire weakness is neutralized and he can fire of extremely powerful Thunder and Water Pulse both which have 60% chance of Paralysis and Confusion respectively.
The rest of the team will act as support to ensure Jirachi can enter safely and get a few calm minds off and proceed to sweep. Due to the defensive/stall nature of the team, Toxic is heavily used as well.
I have played this team for a while and have a relative success with it. It moves my OU ladder rating from 1200+ to 1400+. However, I still find something amiss on this team and there is still a great room for improvement.
Without further due, here are the Pokes!
The core pokemons!
These are the core pokemons which the entire team is built around.
Politoad @ Leftovers
Traits: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Toxic
- Encore
- Protect
This is the core pokemon of the team, it's main aim is to set up Rain. If opposing team do not have any weather starter on their team, Politoad becomes "dispensable". It can be used as a death fodder or fire of as much toxic as it can before it dies.
It can take any form of uninvested Super Effective attacks (Powerwhip, Voltswitch, Gigadrain) and lives to Encore or Toxic the opponent. Against other weather starters, Politoad can take any attacks from Tyranitar, Hippowdon and get toxic on them, thus assuring that you will win the weather war (eventually). While it can take most fire attacks from Ninetales, Politoad needs to be weary of Solarbeam which can OHKO. It is also OHKOed by the rather rare Woodhammer from Abomasnow.
Vaporeon @ Life Orb
Traits: Hydration
EV: 212 Def/ 252 Spa / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
-Acid Armor
-Baton Pass
-Surf
-Rest
The purpose of this Vaporeon is to Baton Pass an Acid Armor to Jirachi, which will allow Jirachi to set up even in presence of Earthquake. If opponent is affected with Toxic/Poison, Vaporeon can outstall him with Rest. However its main objective is to pass Acid Armor thus one should always look out for opportunity to switch Vaporeon in. Under special circumstances, Acid Armor maybe passed to Volcanora instead of Jirachi.
Also keep note that with the help of Toxic spikes, Vaporeon is capable of sweeping by himself, especially against physical sweeper.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Traits: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP/ 236 Def/ 20 Spe
Bold Nature
-Calm Mind
-Wish
-Thunder
-Water Pulse
The star of this team. Thus it's description will be pretty long.
With rain removing it's Fire weakness, Jirachi is only left with one weakness from Earthquake. Pokemon who runs Earth Power do not have the EV investment ( Gastrodon and Heatran) and Jirachi can wish stall them after a Calm Mind boost. If opponent do not have any attacks that can deal more than 50% of Jirachi's HP, they are in for a huge trouble.
Special Wall such as Blissey/Heatran/Latios/Ferrothorn cannot hope to outstall as they can get haxed by the 60% chance of Parafusion.
Jirachi is immune to Toxic/Poison. If opponent do not have any hard physical hitters and is relying on status effect to wear Jirachi down, they would be surprised. Being a special sweeper, Burn does nothing more than residual damage every turn which can be mend with wish. Decrease in speed from Paralyze hardly matter due to Jirachi massive bulk, although consecutive parahax can get it killed. Ensure Jirachi is not taking more than 25% damage each turn if you are planning to sweep through status.
Due to its massive amount of bulk and resistance Jirachi can set up in the face of many popular OU pokemons who relies on their Special Attack. However, due to the effect of rain, be wary of Choice Specs Surf/HydroPump from the likes of Starmie and RotomW.
While Roar/Whirlwind/Dragontail can end Jirachi Sweep prematurely, most pokemon who uses these moves are weak to Jirachi's attack. Skarmory/Gyarados can be OHKO via Thunder. After one CM max HP/ Max SpD Heatran is OHKO by Water Pulse. Dragonite is OHKO by Thunder if Multiscale is not intact (Stealth Rock).
However, even with Max HP/ Max Def EV, Jirachi is still weak on the physical side. Any strong physical sweeper can be a trouble for Jirachi. A very strong STAB Earthquake from the likes of Garchomp can kill it pretty quickly. Close Combat from Terrakion can 2 hit KO Jirachi. Toxicroak can be hassle if it Bulk Up alongside with your Clam Mind. Other threats include SD Lucario, DD Salamence, Conkulddeur, Landorus, Breloom and Haxorus. If Jirachi get at least one Acid Armor from Vaporeon, most of these threats becomes negligible.
Note that this set is completely walled by Gastrodon although in turn Gastrodon cannot touch Jirachi. You can try to fake the Gastrodon into switching if you have not reveal your moves earlier. If you can get toxic on Gastrodon, you can set up in it's face.
The Supports
These pokemons are supports. I tend to change them around for other pokes but I am still working on an optimal choice. This is what I have thus far that is works our for me.
Forretress @ Leftovers
Traits: Sturdy
EV: 252 HP/ 252 Def / 2 SpD
Relaxed Nature
-Toxic Spikes
-Stealth Rock
-Rapid Spin
-Gyro Ball
Forretress's usefulness is dependent greatly on what opponent have on his team. It's role is to set up Toxic Spikes thus, if opponent team have a lot of Steel/Poison/Flying types, Forretress's role diminishes. Stealth Rock included to punish flying types and more importantly to break Multi Scale on Dragonites. As this is a Toxic/stall team, you would not want opposing pokemon to switch too often. Thus always prioritize Toxic Spikes over Stealth Rock unless situation and opponent's team dictate otherwise.
Against Sun team however, Stealth Rock is important as there will be a lot of switching due to weather war. Ninetales takes 25% each switch in.
This team is very resilient to opposing Stealth Rocks. Still, Rapid Spin is included should Volcarona need a switch in.
Volcarona @ Leftovers
Traits: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
-Quiver Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Hurricane
-Fire Blast
This is a Drizzle Volcarona and it's serves 2 purpose on this team
1) To get rid of bulky Grass, namely Celebi which not only capable of sweeping the most of this team with Giga Drain, it cannot be outstall via Toxic due to Natural Cure. Jirachi needs to be careful setting up in front of Celebi as Perish Song is not uncommon. Volcarona can switch in on any of its attack and threaten it with Bug Buzz.
Both Ferrorthorn and Scizor are OHKO by Fire Blast even in Rain. Breloom who otherwise is a a nuisance for this team is OHKO by Hurricane.
2) Insurance against Sun Team. All of Volcarona's attacks OHKO all Chlorophyll users. Fire Blast deals massive damage even to other fire types under the sun. Take good care of Volcarona and get rid of Stealth Rocks should you be facing a Sun Team.
Gastrodon@Leftovers
Traits: Storm Drain
EV: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpD
Calm Nature
-Ice Beam
-Earth Power
-Toxic
-Recover
This slot is meant for an Electric resistance pokemon to take incoming Thunder/Thunderbolt that is aimed at Politoad or Vaporeon. Initially this spot was Jolteon who not only can switch into Electric attacks, it can utilize the Rain by running its own Thunder. However the most common electric attack comes from RotomW which threaten Jolteon back with Rain boosted water attack.
Thus Jolteon was replaced by Gastrodon who is not only immune to Electric, it also absorb water attacks which rain attracts. Gastrodon can safely switch into water attacks from Politoad, RotomW, Gyarados, Latias and force them out with Toxic.
Here are some of the replays to show the team in action. Any suggestion or improvement I can make to the team are welcome.
Against Sun Team. Volcarona Sweep, using their own Sun against them
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou14038535
Setting up CM in the face of Earthquake. This shows that you need a Strong STAB Earthquake to break Jirachi.
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou14040195
Against Sun Team. Jirachi sweep through the sun.
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou14040833
Jirachi sweep through Sandstorm while burned
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou13539716
Jirachi breaks Blissey
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou13440612