Hello everyone, I'm currently preparing for the winer and spring regionals, and was wanting some advice in regards to the makeup of my team. This team has gone under a number of edits before - however they have all been based on self-observation as opposed to peer critique. It should also be stated that I have never entered an organized competition before, so my only exposure to the current meta-game has been through rating battles and competitive forums. If my team appears to be designed to counter an older version of the meta-game, please do not hesitate to call me out on it. That out of the way, let's begin.
When first building the team, I started with a powerful sweeper that would be able to properly eliminate many of the popular OU threats, (e.g. Garchomp, Salamence, Tyranitar) so I began with a Gardevoir.
After that I decided on adding another sweeper to provide adequate type-coverage.
From there, I added two defensive walls to better create a more balanced team and to better accommodate for my weaknesses.
Lastly, I chose two bulky attackers to be able to switch into to take lots of damage whilst dealing a lot of damage themselves.
-In Depth Analysis-
Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Trace
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SpAtk, 252 Spe, 4 Def
Moves:
Psyshock
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Dazzling Gleam (considering swapping this with Moonblast)
I use gardevoir primarily to handle my opponents dragon-types and their bulkier pokemon. I use it as a special sweeper, however due to its frailty it tends to act like a glass cannon depending on my opponent's pokemon. I use Psyshock and dazzling gleam for the STAB and use focus blast for primary threats such as heatran. I use shadow ball on an "as needed" basis.
Lucario @ lucarionite
Ability: Steadfast
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 def
Moves:
Extreme speed
Stone edge
Close Combat
Swords Dance
I use lucario primarily to handle common threats such as mega-Kangaskhan and Talonflame. Lucario is my physical sweeper, however, due to the amount of time that it takes to set up, I usually favor my bulkier pokemon to it. Extreme speed and close combat are its primary attacks, with SD being used to set up, and stone edge being used as needed.
Aegislash @ leftovers
Ability: stance change
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk, 4 SpD
Moves:
Kings shield
Substitute
Shadow Claw
Iron Head
I use Aegislash as my primary physical wall in most battles, and it has become a primary component of my team. The combination of substitute, kings shield, and leftovers has helped me turn the outcome of many battles. I tend to alternate between kings shield and one of its two attacks, and because of my EV distribution, iron head can generally OHKO any fairy types I encounter. However, I generally only use substitute if the battle is not going in my favor.
Rotom-W @ Sitrus berry
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP, 136 SpA, 120 SpD
Moves:
Hydro Pump
Protect
Will-o-wisp
Thunderbolt
Rotom is another one of my walls, and its levitate ability works well alongside Landorus-T’s earthquake. I generally use thunderbolt and protect the most, using will-o-wisp when my opponent brings out a bulky wall or tank. However, I do use hydro pump as well for larger opponents. However, I get the feeling that I am not using this pokemon to its fullest potential, any tips?
Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Mild
EVs: 252 SpA, 4 SpD, 252 SpD
Moves:
Roost
Fire Blast
Draco Meteor
Dark Pulse
Hydreigon is one of my primary tanks, under most circumstances, it can take a lot of damage as well as deal it out; otherwise I swap into Aegislash to take care of any fighting or fairy types. In terms of its move pool, I try to use draco meteor as a last resort, and favor fire blast and dark pulse instead. Roost isn’t used too often however, and I’ve been considering swapping this move with another (perhaps a support move?).
Landorus-T @ Choice Band
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 200 Hp, 252 Atk, 56 Def
Moves:
U-turn
Earthquake
Superpower
Stone Edge
Landorus is the most recent addition to my team, and a much needed one at that. Landorus takes the role of another physical wall for my team. I’m still tinkering around with its move pool however, but I know that Earthquake, U-turn, and stone edge will be used. So far, earthquake has seen the most use, especially given that two of my primary pokemon have levitate as their ability.
Team Notes
- I am considering swapping Gardevoir for Sylveon with a pixie plate and Hyper Voice setup, but I’m worried about its overall speed. My main issue with Gardevoir is its fragility, and even with perfect speed IV’s and a choice scarf it is still sometimes outsped by heavy hitting pokemon, any suggestions?
- Volcrana has been a main “thorn-in-my-side” since the beginning of my competitive team and I am hoping to change that with Landorus-T is there any movesets that would be perfect against it without limiting its coverage?
When first building the team, I started with a powerful sweeper that would be able to properly eliminate many of the popular OU threats, (e.g. Garchomp, Salamence, Tyranitar) so I began with a Gardevoir.
After that I decided on adding another sweeper to provide adequate type-coverage.
From there, I added two defensive walls to better create a more balanced team and to better accommodate for my weaknesses.
Lastly, I chose two bulky attackers to be able to switch into to take lots of damage whilst dealing a lot of damage themselves.
-In Depth Analysis-
Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Trace
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SpAtk, 252 Spe, 4 Def
Moves:
Psyshock
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Dazzling Gleam (considering swapping this with Moonblast)
I use gardevoir primarily to handle my opponents dragon-types and their bulkier pokemon. I use it as a special sweeper, however due to its frailty it tends to act like a glass cannon depending on my opponent's pokemon. I use Psyshock and dazzling gleam for the STAB and use focus blast for primary threats such as heatran. I use shadow ball on an "as needed" basis.
Lucario @ lucarionite
Ability: Steadfast
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 def
Moves:
Extreme speed
Stone edge
Close Combat
Swords Dance
I use lucario primarily to handle common threats such as mega-Kangaskhan and Talonflame. Lucario is my physical sweeper, however, due to the amount of time that it takes to set up, I usually favor my bulkier pokemon to it. Extreme speed and close combat are its primary attacks, with SD being used to set up, and stone edge being used as needed.
Aegislash @ leftovers
Ability: stance change
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk, 4 SpD
Moves:
Kings shield
Substitute
Shadow Claw
Iron Head
I use Aegislash as my primary physical wall in most battles, and it has become a primary component of my team. The combination of substitute, kings shield, and leftovers has helped me turn the outcome of many battles. I tend to alternate between kings shield and one of its two attacks, and because of my EV distribution, iron head can generally OHKO any fairy types I encounter. However, I generally only use substitute if the battle is not going in my favor.
Rotom-W @ Sitrus berry
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP, 136 SpA, 120 SpD
Moves:
Hydro Pump
Protect
Will-o-wisp
Thunderbolt
Rotom is another one of my walls, and its levitate ability works well alongside Landorus-T’s earthquake. I generally use thunderbolt and protect the most, using will-o-wisp when my opponent brings out a bulky wall or tank. However, I do use hydro pump as well for larger opponents. However, I get the feeling that I am not using this pokemon to its fullest potential, any tips?
Hydreigon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Mild
EVs: 252 SpA, 4 SpD, 252 SpD
Moves:
Roost
Fire Blast
Draco Meteor
Dark Pulse
Hydreigon is one of my primary tanks, under most circumstances, it can take a lot of damage as well as deal it out; otherwise I swap into Aegislash to take care of any fighting or fairy types. In terms of its move pool, I try to use draco meteor as a last resort, and favor fire blast and dark pulse instead. Roost isn’t used too often however, and I’ve been considering swapping this move with another (perhaps a support move?).
Landorus-T @ Choice Band
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 200 Hp, 252 Atk, 56 Def
Moves:
U-turn
Earthquake
Superpower
Stone Edge
Landorus is the most recent addition to my team, and a much needed one at that. Landorus takes the role of another physical wall for my team. I’m still tinkering around with its move pool however, but I know that Earthquake, U-turn, and stone edge will be used. So far, earthquake has seen the most use, especially given that two of my primary pokemon have levitate as their ability.
Team Notes
- I am considering swapping Gardevoir for Sylveon with a pixie plate and Hyper Voice setup, but I’m worried about its overall speed. My main issue with Gardevoir is its fragility, and even with perfect speed IV’s and a choice scarf it is still sometimes outsped by heavy hitting pokemon, any suggestions?
- Volcrana has been a main “thorn-in-my-side” since the beginning of my competitive team and I am hoping to change that with Landorus-T is there any movesets that would be perfect against it without limiting its coverage?
