Shieldless Sword

[Malleon]

Introduction​

So, it's my second RMT here. After I played my first team, which was a Mega Pinsir team, I found one fundamental problem with it: it's not a bad team, but in the current metagame where the great walls are bombed by thousands of rocket launchers running around in the battlefield such as Greninja and Talonflame, you have to be offencive to win. So, I decided to start from scratch and build a team using an orthodox Pokemon... in an unorthodox way.

Now, in the world of freedom of opinion and speech, one of the best ways to get better is to take criticism and put them into good use. So don't hestitate; it's not North Korea.

The Team

But looking at the team's outer shell is not going to take us anywhere. So, I am going to disembowel the team.
...That sounds really creepy, actually.

Details

Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 88 Atk / 252 SAtk / 168 Spd
Rash Nature
- Autotomize
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Sacred Sword

Most people used Aegislash with King's Shield. It's by no means bad, but it doesn't fit on what I want to achieve by using this Pokemon. I want Aegislash to be a Late Game Sweeper, not a cowardly Attack-King's Shield-rinse and repeat attacker. When I see this set in the analysis preview, my first reaction was, "I really have to use this!"

Autotomize is the centre of the set, raising Aegislash's speed to outspeed base 130. Shadow Ball is the main STAB move for this set, dealing a huge amount of damage to opposing Pokemon. Usually, what happens next is the opponent sent out Landorus-Therian or Dragons, thinking that decreasing my attack would blunt this sword. Nope, Hidden Power Ice. Sacred Sword is there so that the mountain munching Tyranitar doesn't stop the slashing galore, which also provides a nice neutral coverage.

I decided to put Weakness Policy for the possessed sword to turn its weakness to a massive pile of dung field of thorny rose for the opponent. But the sword said to me that he wants something to eat between turns (which strangely, of all food I have, it really desires my Leftovers. I have no idea.) to heal off damage between turns. What do you think?

Roserade @ Black Sludge
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 32 Def / 220 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Spikes
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis​

Aegislash is a really tough sword, but when I faced it against the everyone's favourite washing machine, it ran all the way back to Verdun. When I found it again, it said that it won't appreciate taking Hydro Pump and Will-o-Wisp to the face (which is weird, considering Aegislash doesn't have a face). With Belly Drum Azumarill also running around, it needs some touch of... roses.​

Because Aegislash wants some hazard support, I taught Roserade how to lay Lego Bricks Spikes so that the opponents feet got scarred. Leaf Storm is the main STAB of the set, shutting down the Philips washing machine/tumble drier a.k.a. Rotom-Wash and other hard-to-kill bulky water-types. Sludge Bomb is used to make Azumarill, the pesky water rabbit dissolved to the ground, as the EV spread is designed so Roserade can survive +6 Aqua Jet from Adamant Azumarill. Synthesis is used to heal off damage by using the sophisticated Photosystems and Calvin Cycle as it supposed to be a Wallbreaker.

Why this over Amoonguss? Simple. Amoonguss, albeit much bulkier, simply doesn't hit hard enough, and it cannot absorb status conditions, one of the reason I chose Roserade.

Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon​

As a lot of Steel-types running around such as Scizor the Praying Mantis and Genesect the... um... the Digimon Cockroach, I need a way to trap them and safely dismantle the parts so I can sell them for some money, because the current economy is tough.

This is my main way to defeat them. Because someone broke the plug of Ubers and managed to get Genesect to OU, ability to cage them off and kill them using Hidden Power Fire is always appreciated. But it seems that Skarmory thinks that Hidden Power Fire is not enough, so I fulfill its needs and put Thunderbolt on it. Although the rest of the team can take hits pretty good, its the best for them not to take any damage at all while switching in, so I put some of the Elesa's relic: Volt Switch.

I'm thinking to change the item from Choice Specs to something else, because it said that it looks bad and being locked into a move for a pivot Pokemon is not that good.

Donphan @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock

When I reached this point, I realised that the team is weak to the fire falcon, Talonflame. The stupid bird can easily Flare Blitz the team to a burnt charcoal (and molten alloy). I also need a way to put some floating rocks in the air, so when an opponent thinks that he needs to switch, I can monetise it with some health.

Ground and Rock is a really good coverage as it provides almost neutral coverage (barring Gliscor and Landorus-Therian), but I used Rock Slide over Stone Miss because Stone Miss never hits whenever I need it to hit (also, Rock Slide's flinch chance is really nice). Because most likely I would be switching in and out quite often, the ability to spin out the annoying Rocks and Spikes is needed.

Donphan also used in conjuction with Magnezone. First, when the opponent leads with Scarf Genesect, I sent out Donphan, baiting the Ice Beam/anything other than Flamethrower. Next, I switched immediately to Magnezone to trap it and kill it with Hidden Power Fire. Then, I called the coward Aegislash and told it the cockroach is gone.

Why not Excadrill? Well, using Excadrill only worsens my weakness to Fire. Sorry, Mole.

Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off​

Roserade's ability to absorb burn is nice and all, but... being able to use the burn to our advantage is even better. Say hello to the senior construction worker: Conkeldurr.

There are several reasons why I hired Conkeldurr to the team: 1. Being able to obliterate walls while healing itself is really appreciated as one of the biggest problem of offencive teams is sustainability, 2. Knocking off opponents annoying items such as Porygon2's and Dusclops' Eviolite and Rotom-Wash's Leftovers and Chesto Berry to deteriorate opponent's stalliness, and 3. It's cheaper than Chinese labour. Watch and learn, Apple.

Every construction workers need some safety attire, so I gave it Assault Vest to alleviate Conkeldurr's abysmal Special Defence and increase Conkeldurr's overall bulk so the government doesn't put me into a lawsuit.

Azumarill @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Belly Drum
- Waterfall
- Play Rough​

Belly Drum Azumarill started to reach popularity when NotBlameTruth showcased it in a battle. Of course, the same story as Focus Energy Kingdra, it was EVERYWHERE.

In all seriousness, this is my back-up Sweeper in case Aegislash gets a tantrum, as well as wallbreaker. If Azumarill wallbreaks, I use it as normal without Belly Drum, but if it sweeps, I commanded Azumarill to BellyDrum-roll and Aqua Jet everything. The weird EV Spread is used to make the Pikablu's evolution survived one SolarBeam from Timid Mega Charizard Y at full health, so I can Waterfall-Aqua Jet it to death, even in Sun. I'm considering to change Azumarill to Swampert to at least give me more chance against the Medium Rare KFC Chicken Talonflame.

Conclusion

This team works great, which is surprising since not a lot of Pokemon wants to get close to a possessed sword. But as much as the team succeeds, it still has some problems against several Pokemon, mainly Talonflame, as it has GameFreak's gift of the twelfth day of Christmas, which is Gale Wings Acrobatics/Brave Bird and Flare Blitz. Mega Charizard Y also gives the team massive trouble, as it can use combination of Fire Blast and Solar Beam to defeat the team. Any suggestion and criticism is really appreciated. Again, it's not North Korea.

Thank you for reading.
​

 

[BackStreetTabby]

Got the request!

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the effort you put into making this RMT. As you would have probably seen my recently posted one, you will know that I regard RMTs like a typical essay or presentation; with the multitude of terrible teams lacking much effort, teams like yours (and RMT formats like yours) relieve me. Your sense of humour is also brilliant; I do appreciate a good laugh or two when reading, and yours gave me much more than that.

Unfortunately, as I am North Korean, I cannot rate it.

Just kidding.

Well, on to the team. First of all, I am quite amazed that you didn't use a mega pokemon. Roserade's slot is kind of useless, with the ubiquity of Defog and good users of Rapid Spin Spikes aren't going to stay on the field as much. I would definitely suggest Mega Venusaur over Roserade. It preserves the same excellent typing, but also has much better bulk, ability to take common fire and ice attacks, and has the same benefits that roserade brings.

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
EVs: 176 Def / 252 HP / 90 SDef
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed / Sleep Powder

Next, I definitely suggest Swampert over Azumarill. Your set is extraordinarily high risk/reward, and as you said, it's everywhere, so decent or good players can easily predict and set up a sub or kill your aquamouse with almost any attack. Swampert, though it seems mediocre, is INCREDIBLY RELIABLE in practice. It can take most attacks, and hit back hard.

Finally, if you choose to use Swampert you don't have much use for Donphan. Exchange him for any variant you like of Genesect carrying ESpeed, as the +2 Priority can help with talonflame and the 4x SR weak pokemon after SR damage.

Hope I helped, and keep making good RMTs! Good luck!

 

[Srn]

Hey, got the request, so I am here to give this a rate!

So, this team basically attempts to late-game sweep with aegislash, and you have a belly-drum azumarill to punch holes early-game. Conkeldurr gives you a nice switch in to rotom-w, roserade is there as a defensive spiker, and donphan checks a lot of the physical attackers in the tier. Magnezone is there to trap all those annoying steels getting in the way of aegislash.

But when everything is said and done, your team lacks speed. I wouldn't really classify this team as a bulky offense, and you just have no revenge killer, allowing even pokemon with modest speed like charizard-y to obliterate this team. Ultimately, your azumarill is your revenge killer, and that's not a good thing. I think what you should try, over conkeldurr, is a scarf terrakion. This guy provides your team with a clean-cut revenge killer, and allows you to revenge talonflame and charizard-y easily, along with a few other megas.
Conkeldurr, unfortunately, just isn't as strong as you describe. Sure, he's cool when he gets a guts boost, but without it, honestly, he's pretty dead weight in my eyes. You really, really, really have to present an opportunity to the where using WoW has more benefits than volt-switching, and that's not gonna happen a lot. You don't have a ground type that could come in on a volt-switch and threaten rotom-w out, like excadrill, so volt-switching will always be the best move for rotom-w, which will slowly wear down your conkeldurr until it is killed off by things like talonflame. Smart players just volt-switch more, that's that.
Other than that, there's not much more on this team that I want to mess around with, because if I did, I'd be making it my own team, and that's no good. Good luck with this team!

Movesets

Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SAtk
Hasty Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]

 

[Malleon]

So, I've gotten two replies here. Before I say anything more, thank you for BackStreetTabby and Srn9130 for taking my request and rating the team.

See? No one is going to gouge your eyes for criticising.

Anyway,

BackStreetTabby What can I see, from your rating, is:
1. Solving Roserade's bulk problems by switching it for the nasty frog-like reptile with a ridiculous bouquet on its back, the Venusaur,
2. Switching out the Azumarill for Swampert, because I herd you like mudkipz it's bulkier and more reliable, and
3. Solving my speed problem against Talonflame by switching out Donphan for the Digimon Cockroach Genesect, which means my coward sword has to grow some balls and deal with it.

Now, I definitely like your first suggestion. It can take hits from Azumarill better, as well as lessening my weakness to fire. I am going to try Swampert, too and see if bulky attacker Stealth Rock variant fits my team, with the cost of adding weakness to SolarBeam. However, I'm not sure about Genesect. I like Genesect, but getting rid of Spinner means limiting my switches. I am going to try whether a Spinner is really needed.

Also, your Venusaur's EV spread exceeds limit.

Srn9130 From what I see:
1. Solving my speed problem and stopping the VoltTurn annoyance by firing the construction worker and switching it to a... deer? No, not a deer. Goat? no.... Whatever, Terrakion.
2. I'm really bad at making teams.

The problem is, with the proliferation of the mutated bipedal jackal a.k.a. Mega Lucario, as it can use Bullet Punch/Vacuum Wave before the beast can even move, I am not sure whether I want to switch out Conkeldurr for Terrakion.

EDIT: The combination of Hazards and VoltTurn are really problematic as they force switches.

EDIT2: Srn9130 was right; my team was lacking speed. Massive weakness to ground also not helping me at all.

EDIT3: After testing Genesect, the Digimon Cockroach doesn't really work well with the team. Stupid floating rocks and Lego Bricks spikes really took a serious amount of health considering I have to switch in and out really often, and I have to hire someone from Rentokill get a spinner/defogger to get rid of them. Sorry.

EDIT4: Terrakion is really looking prospectful in the team. Venusaur is now permanent member replacing Roserade, and things are looking bad for Azumarill...

 

[tcr]

Hey man, got the request, and i really like this rmt! You have a great sense of humor lol! I literally lol'd and people around me thought i was crazy :$

From what it looks like, you attempt to sweep with aegislash, an underrated autotomize sweeper in its own right. Ive really wanted to use it, but still unsure how i would like to build around it, so i think that this is pretty cool. You have magnezone to take care of genesect (revenging of course) with your other pokemon doing an excellent job at luring it in. Magnezone is the obvious trapper, for whirlwind skarmory who poops on autotomize aegis, the rare forretress and ferrothorn, as well as opposing Aegislash (i think mag outspeeds lol). Roserade covers azumarill and rotom, bulky waters in general, and hits them really hard with leaf storm, allowing you decent momentum by limiting switch ins (especially with spikes down). Conkelldurr is nice for things like special lucario, or as another rotom w counter. Lastly, donphan is a decent spinner in this metagame, while azumarill helps check Char Y, and is a good switch in to a lot of attacks with arguably the best typing in the game. Pretty cool man!

As you said, you are pretty weak to charizard Y and Talonflame. Having rocks up doesnt check them either as both typically run roost and donphan is a subpar setter. Try running Tyranitar over Magnezone. With Sandstorm up, and excellent special bulk, you can come in on most attacks from Genesect, and trap it with Pursuit, as well as Talonflame and Charizard switchins. It would be a decent switch too as it sets up my next change.

Next, donphan is really really subpar. Since you have tyranitar now, switching donphan for Sand Rush Excadrill gives you a good revenge killer, as well as a really good spinner, far better than donphan. This lets you have a quick check to things like other +2 aegislash, genesect, etc. splitting rocks and spinning up also helps with your team having less pressure on them. You have good pressure on rotom W, with Roserade and Conkelldur being hard counters to them.

Lastly, on Roserade, use Rest>Synthesis! This abuses Natural Cure more, and gives you more reliable recovery! (Hint: keep roserade). Also I find Sub+3 Attacks Azumarill far superior to BD. With a secondary sweeper in Excadrill, you can abuse the pressure on the opponent and easily set up a Substitute. Hope I helped your team man! Good luck with your endeavors, and have a merry christmas!

sets

Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance/ Iron Head

Tyranitar @ Chople Berry
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 SDef/ 4 Def
Careful Nature
- Pursuit
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rocks
- Low Kick/ Stone Edge