OU is probably my least-favorite tier. I just feel like you just see the same stuff over and over again. I decided to make a team was kind of a reaction to that.
After much helpful advice, I've remade much of the team, and now I'm ready for feedback on version 2.0. Since Conkeldurr isn't exactly the biggest problem this team has any more, I've renamed it in honor of Ferris Bueller's return.
At a Glance...
[pimg]665[/pimg][pimg]395[/pimg][pimg]623[/pimg][pimg]376[/pimg][pimg]251[/pimg][pimg]169[/pimg]
In Depth
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Modest
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Dark Pulse
-Surf
-Fire Blast
Unchanged from the original. Great revenge killer. Someone suggested I run Timid over Modest. Honestly, I'd rather have the added power than the extra speed.
Infernape @ Choice Band
Jolly
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Flare Blitz
-Close Combat
-U-Turn
-Stone Edge
Took Lasers' suggestion and replaced Victini with this set. Flare Blitz + Close Combat is an extremely winning duo (take that, Heatran!). U-Turn makes it a great scouting lead as an alternative to Celebi. Great synergy with Hydreigon and Celebi.
Victini @ Choice Band
Adamant
52 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 196 Spe
-V-Create
-Fusion Bolt
-U-Turn
-Zen Headbutt
Took out Brick Break (as nice as it is to ruin dual screeners' days), put U-Turn back in. Heatran really hampers the effectiveness of Victini. I would actually say that Heatran is the number one threat to my team right now, especially in the sun. It's not as simple a matter as "predict the switch into Heatran, go for Fusion Bolt / U-Turn"--my opponents have been competent enough to out-predict me more often than not.
If I'm being completely honest with myself, I don't really think Victini has a place on this team any more--Hydreigon and Crobat already have the fire-type moves covered. I might be better off with someone else in its slot. Bulky Rotom-W? Mamoswine? Mienshao? I'm open to suggestions.
Jellicent @ Choice Specs
Modest / Water Absorb
172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
-Surf
-Shadow Ball
-Energy Ball
-Ice Beam
Rounding out the trifecta is this guy. On one of my other teams, I used to run a utility Jellicent. Apparently, that's what most people expect. People DO NOT expect Specs Jellicent. This guy is my favorite new edition. Note the absence of Water Spout. That's basically because I don't trust that I can keep this guy at or near full health. Although--I gotta say--in testing, it's been doing remarkably well in that regard, so I might have to reconsider. Assuming I don't put Water Spout back in, should I reroute any EVs from Speed to bulk?
This guy's main drawback is that he's OHKOed by Scizor's Pursuit, so if my opponent has a Scizor, I've got to be VERY careful not to lock myself into anything besides Surf.
Metagross @ Leftovers
Brave
252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
-Bullet Punch
-Ice Punch
-Psychic
-Earthquake
I wanted something bulky that could take a few Outrages / Draco Meteors. Psychic is to *threaten* Conkeldurr (haven't calced who wins 1-on-1, but in the absence of Drain Punch recovery, it does 2HKO). EQ is for Jirachi. I'm open to alternate sets/spreads.
That being said this set is surprisingly effective, and I really have no complaints.
Celebi @ Leftovers
Impish
108 HP / 112 Atk / 252 Def / 36 Spe
-Recover
-Stealth Rock
-Heal Bell
-Seed Bomb
This is my replacement for Mew. If I'm not running Tailwind/Transform on Mew, its primary purpose is for Stealth Rocks and Heal Bell. Celebi's got that covered, plus gets STAB grass for Gastrodon and Rotom-W. Now let's talk about that STAB grass. Why the hell am I running Impish and not Bold? And why the hell Seed Bomb? It's mostly a "historic" reason--namely, the first flawless pokemon I RNG'd was an Impish Celebi (can't control the nature, after all). But I've actually found that it does pretty well, since NO ONE expects Celebi to be physical.
More often than not, Celebi is my lead. If my opponent has a Politoed, it lets me scout if Politoed is Scarfed / has Ice Beam (haven't run the calcs, but I haven't been OHKOed by a Politoed's Ice Beam yet). It holds its own against Rotom-W and is generally a good rain counter. I'm open to suggestions, of course. Stealth Rock is vitally important on this team, as is Heal Bell. I've heard great things about Nasty Plot Celebi's sweeping prowess, but I really need a utility poke in this role.
Crobat @ Leftovers
Timid
40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
104 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 8 SpD / 136 Spe
-Nasty Plot
-Sludge Bomb
-Air Slash
-Hidden Power Ground
Took out Heat Wave now that Infernape is on the team. Note that at +2 Air Slash 3HKOs most Ferrothorn. With Flinch hax, this means that Crobat will probably win 1-on-1.
Okay. Crobat. Not someone who you see very often in OU. But this guy is my big answer for Conkeldurr. 4x resists fighting. Fast as anything (speed EVs to outrunJolly Weavile Timid Starmie). Surprisingly bulky, even without Roost. After a Nasty Plot, OHKOes standard Conkeldurr with Air Slash. Sludge Bomb has great power. Without HP Ground, is COMPLETELY walled by Heatran (and taking down Tentacruel takes a few more turns).
Summary
As you'd expect on a team with three choiced pokes, this team relies a lot on switching. Aside fromVictini Crobat, none are weak to Stealth Rock. Three are unaffected by Toxic Spikes, two are unaffected even by Spikes, so I'm not *too* worried about entry hazards.
If you do a typing analysis on this team, you'll notice that I have HUGE weaknesses (3x) to Ice, but I have three Ice-resists. So I'm not overly concerned. Tell me if I should be.
So what do you think?
After much helpful advice, I've remade much of the team, and now I'm ready for feedback on version 2.0. Since Conkeldurr isn't exactly the biggest problem this team has any more, I've renamed it in honor of Ferris Bueller's return.
At a Glance...
[pimg]665[/pimg][pimg]395[/pimg][pimg]623[/pimg][pimg]376[/pimg][pimg]251[/pimg][pimg]169[/pimg]
In Depth
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Modest
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Dark Pulse
-Surf
-Fire Blast
Unchanged from the original. Great revenge killer. Someone suggested I run Timid over Modest. Honestly, I'd rather have the added power than the extra speed.
Infernape @ Choice Band
Jolly
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Flare Blitz
-Close Combat
-U-Turn
-Stone Edge
Took Lasers' suggestion and replaced Victini with this set. Flare Blitz + Close Combat is an extremely winning duo (take that, Heatran!). U-Turn makes it a great scouting lead as an alternative to Celebi. Great synergy with Hydreigon and Celebi.
Victini @ Choice Band
Adamant
52 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 196 Spe
-V-Create
-Fusion Bolt
-U-Turn
-Zen Headbutt
Took out Brick Break (as nice as it is to ruin dual screeners' days), put U-Turn back in. Heatran really hampers the effectiveness of Victini. I would actually say that Heatran is the number one threat to my team right now, especially in the sun. It's not as simple a matter as "predict the switch into Heatran, go for Fusion Bolt / U-Turn"--my opponents have been competent enough to out-predict me more often than not.
If I'm being completely honest with myself, I don't really think Victini has a place on this team any more--Hydreigon and Crobat already have the fire-type moves covered. I might be better off with someone else in its slot. Bulky Rotom-W? Mamoswine? Mienshao? I'm open to suggestions.
Jellicent @ Choice Specs
Modest / Water Absorb
172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
-Surf
-Shadow Ball
-Energy Ball
-Ice Beam
Rounding out the trifecta is this guy. On one of my other teams, I used to run a utility Jellicent. Apparently, that's what most people expect. People DO NOT expect Specs Jellicent. This guy is my favorite new edition. Note the absence of Water Spout. That's basically because I don't trust that I can keep this guy at or near full health. Although--I gotta say--in testing, it's been doing remarkably well in that regard, so I might have to reconsider. Assuming I don't put Water Spout back in, should I reroute any EVs from Speed to bulk?
This guy's main drawback is that he's OHKOed by Scizor's Pursuit, so if my opponent has a Scizor, I've got to be VERY careful not to lock myself into anything besides Surf.
Metagross @ Leftovers
Brave
252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
-Bullet Punch
-Ice Punch
-Psychic
-Earthquake
I wanted something bulky that could take a few Outrages / Draco Meteors. Psychic is to *threaten* Conkeldurr (haven't calced who wins 1-on-1, but in the absence of Drain Punch recovery, it does 2HKO). EQ is for Jirachi. I'm open to alternate sets/spreads.
That being said this set is surprisingly effective, and I really have no complaints.
Celebi @ Leftovers
Impish
108 HP / 112 Atk / 252 Def / 36 Spe
-Recover
-Stealth Rock
-Heal Bell
-Seed Bomb
This is my replacement for Mew. If I'm not running Tailwind/Transform on Mew, its primary purpose is for Stealth Rocks and Heal Bell. Celebi's got that covered, plus gets STAB grass for Gastrodon and Rotom-W. Now let's talk about that STAB grass. Why the hell am I running Impish and not Bold? And why the hell Seed Bomb? It's mostly a "historic" reason--namely, the first flawless pokemon I RNG'd was an Impish Celebi (can't control the nature, after all). But I've actually found that it does pretty well, since NO ONE expects Celebi to be physical.
More often than not, Celebi is my lead. If my opponent has a Politoed, it lets me scout if Politoed is Scarfed / has Ice Beam (haven't run the calcs, but I haven't been OHKOed by a Politoed's Ice Beam yet). It holds its own against Rotom-W and is generally a good rain counter. I'm open to suggestions, of course. Stealth Rock is vitally important on this team, as is Heal Bell. I've heard great things about Nasty Plot Celebi's sweeping prowess, but I really need a utility poke in this role.
Crobat @ Leftovers
Timid
104 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 8 SpD / 136 Spe
-Nasty Plot
-Sludge Bomb
-Air Slash
-Hidden Power Ground
Took out Heat Wave now that Infernape is on the team. Note that at +2 Air Slash 3HKOs most Ferrothorn. With Flinch hax, this means that Crobat will probably win 1-on-1.
Okay. Crobat. Not someone who you see very often in OU. But this guy is my big answer for Conkeldurr. 4x resists fighting. Fast as anything (speed EVs to outrun
Summary
As you'd expect on a team with three choiced pokes, this team relies a lot on switching. Aside from
If you do a typing analysis on this team, you'll notice that I have HUGE weaknesses (3x) to Ice, but I have three Ice-resists. So I'm not overly concerned. Tell me if I should be.
- Scizor: Infernape, Hydreigon--if only I can keep him in long enough to hit him.
- Dragonite: After SR, Hydreigon OHKOes with Draco Meteor. Metagross does the same with Ice Punch. Jellicent does the same with Ice Beam. Metagross can take two +1 Outrages.
- Rotom-W: Most sets 2HKOed by Celebi's Seed Bomb. Most variants don't like switching into Surf from Jellicent in the rain (112/0 set takes 50-59% damage). Not really very threatening.
- Heatran: Biggest threat. Surf from Jellicent or Hydreigon is effective outside of the sun. Metagross takes 71% minimum from no-SpA Lava Plume OUTSIDE the sun. Best hope is HP Ground from Crobat (most sets will be OHKOed after a Nasty Plot).
- Tyranitar: Metagross, Crobat with HP Ground, Infernape's CC.
- Ferrothorn: See Scizor. Infernape's also got this covered.
- Politoed: Celebi/Jellicent have this covered.
- Terrakion: Infernape's CC. Metagross has Bullet Punch to pick off one that's been weakened. Seed Bomb from Celebi is nice. Jellicent can switch into a CC and threaten out with Surf/Energy Ball
- Jirachi: Counting on Metagross here. Outside of rain, plenty of fire I can use. Don't have a phazer on this variant. Could be a problem with the subCM set.
- Latios: Metagross? Hydreigon?
- Skarmory: See here. Metagross walls. Few pokes on my team are hit by all hazards. Outside of rain, Flare Blitz will almost always 1HKO assuming Sturdy's broken (Hydreigon's FB does 77% minimum to the specially defensive set). In rain, Jellicent's Surf does 78-92% to the specially defensive set.
- Reuniclus: No one really OHKOes this guy, but it can be pretty easily taken out if weakened (Dark Pulse does 50% minimum to the Calm Mind set at +1)
- Haxorus: Metagross, Hydreigon, Jellicent, depending on what it locks itself into if Choiced. Standard DD set is Adamant, so Hydreigon will still out-speed if at +1.
- Ninetales: Is a threat?
- Conkeldurr: I overcompensated after my initial iteration of this team. Metagross walls, Crobat is a pretty hard counter.
- Gyarados: Could be scary. I have no electric-type moves on this team. Still, plenty of neutral coverage.
- Gengar: Slim chance that Metagross can take two LO Shadow Balls / Focus Blasts after Leftovers. Psychic has about a 50/50 shot at OHKOing at full HP. If it survives, go with Bullet Punch. Hydreigon can obviously revenge.
- Starmie: Hydreigon. Celebi usually OHKOes 4/0 set after SR or LO.
- Landorus: Celebi walls and does some damage back with Seed Bomb (3HKO?). If it's choiced, Hydreigon or Metagross can switch in safely.
- Infernape: Crobat's a pretty good counter
- Volcarona: If it sets up, it'll be pretty devastating. Trick is making sure Rocks are up and that it doesn't set up.
- Magnezone: If Metagross gets trapped, I've got EQ
- Espeon: Hydreigon
- Salamence: See Dragonite
- Hydreigon: If choiced, see what it locks itself into, and revenge with Metagross/Hydreigon. If not Timid Scarf, my Hydreigon out-speeds
- Breloom: Crobat, mostly. Celebi's a great cleric.
- Latias: See Latios?
- Toxicroak: Crobat Air Slash
- Lucario: Metagross' EQ, Hydreigon's Fire Blast/Surf, Jellicent's Surf, Crobat's HP Ground. Just can't let get off TOO many SDs.
- Virizion: Crobat, Hydreigon
- Scrafty: Crobat, Infernape
So what do you think?
It's not doing particularly well.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
At a Glance...
[pimg]151[/pimg][pimg]665[/pimg][pimg]522[/pimg][pimg]195[/pimg][pimg]619[/pimg][pimg]670[/pimg]
In Depth
Mew @ Leftovers
Calm
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
-Heal Bell
-Stealth Rock
-Tailwind Roost
-Transform
This is a rather strange set, I'll admit. Basically, I'm using Mew's awesome movepool in a utility fashion as both a cleric and a Stealth Rocker. Originally, this set ran Tailwind/Transform, the idea being you switch in on someone who's setting up, Tailwind while they think you're LETTING them set up, Transform, and then proceed to sweep. I pulled off this strategy exactly *once.* I'm open to other options for those two spots. Roost seems an obvious choice, especially if I'm sticking with Transform, but I'm open to getting rid of Transform as well.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Modest
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Dark Pulse
-Surf
-Fire Blast
I love this guy. Great revenge killer. If there's no Conkeldurr on my opponent's team, this guy can do a hell of a lot of damage. But Conkeldurr is plenty common, and this guy's helpless against him.
Victini @ Choice Band
Adamant
52 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 196 Spe
-V-Create
-Fusion Bolt
-Brick Break
-U-Turn Zen Headbutt
Only enough speed EVs to outrun all non-scarfed-base-80s, and, honestly, I haven't missed those extra EVs at all. I'd even consider lowering the speed even further, as this guy's strength is against slower foes. When I was building this team, I figured its typing would make it a good match for Conkeldurr. Thing is, V-Create doesn't OHKO after a Bulk Up. Besides, Heatran is everywhere, so locking myself into V-Create isn't always a safe idea.
Edit: Just had the idea to remove U-Turn (it's grounded, SR-weak and slow--not a good recipe for scouting) and replace it with Zen Headbutt. Zen Headbutt is no more effective against a +1 Def Conkeldurr than V-Create, but it's safe to use with Heatran on the foe's team, plus there's the chance of a flinch.
Quagsire @ Leftovers
Unaware / Careful
212 HP / 44 Atk / 252 SpD
-Recover
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake
-Waterfall
Was supposed to be my answer to sweepers I'd foolishly let set up, but really doesn't hit hard enough to do much. Conkeldurr laughs at Earthquakes and nets a gain in HP after a Drain Punch.
Escavalier @ Leftovers
Swarm / Adamant
248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
-Swords Dance
-Megahorn
-Pursuit
-Iron Head
I put it on the team to deal with Lati@s. It does its job great, assuming they're not running HP Fire. I'd consider a Band set, but I already have a Banded Victini.
Virizion @ Leftovers
Timid
IVs: 31/30/30/31/31/31
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Calm Mind
-Giga Drain
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power Ice
I put it on my team to cover up some weaknesses, but I haven't found it to be particularly useful--it's too hard to find the time to set up a Calm Mind (plus Focus Blast's accuracy sucks). I'm intrigued by the Work Up set if people have had good experiences with it. Otherwise, I'm fine with scrapping this puppy for someone else.
Summary
So basically, this team seemed like a good idea when I was putting it together and in initial testing (was I on the PO ladder or something? idk), but it really doesn't do too well in today's metagame. If the answer you guys have is that this team is beyond saving, I'll respect that, but I figured I'd come and ask in any case. After all, the RMT community saved my Ubers team.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
At a Glance...
[pimg]151[/pimg][pimg]665[/pimg][pimg]522[/pimg][pimg]195[/pimg][pimg]619[/pimg][pimg]670[/pimg]
In Depth
Mew @ Leftovers
Calm
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
-Heal Bell
-Stealth Rock
-
-Transform
This is a rather strange set, I'll admit. Basically, I'm using Mew's awesome movepool in a utility fashion as both a cleric and a Stealth Rocker. Originally, this set ran Tailwind/Transform, the idea being you switch in on someone who's setting up, Tailwind while they think you're LETTING them set up, Transform, and then proceed to sweep. I pulled off this strategy exactly *once.* I'm open to other options for those two spots. Roost seems an obvious choice, especially if I'm sticking with Transform, but I'm open to getting rid of Transform as well.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Modest
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Dark Pulse
-Surf
-Fire Blast
I love this guy. Great revenge killer. If there's no Conkeldurr on my opponent's team, this guy can do a hell of a lot of damage. But Conkeldurr is plenty common, and this guy's helpless against him.
Victini @ Choice Band
Adamant
52 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 196 Spe
-V-Create
-Fusion Bolt
-Brick Break
-
Only enough speed EVs to outrun all non-scarfed-base-80s, and, honestly, I haven't missed those extra EVs at all. I'd even consider lowering the speed even further, as this guy's strength is against slower foes. When I was building this team, I figured its typing would make it a good match for Conkeldurr. Thing is, V-Create doesn't OHKO after a Bulk Up. Besides, Heatran is everywhere, so locking myself into V-Create isn't always a safe idea.
Edit: Just had the idea to remove U-Turn (it's grounded, SR-weak and slow--not a good recipe for scouting) and replace it with Zen Headbutt. Zen Headbutt is no more effective against a +1 Def Conkeldurr than V-Create, but it's safe to use with Heatran on the foe's team, plus there's the chance of a flinch.
Quagsire @ Leftovers
Unaware / Careful
212 HP / 44 Atk / 252 SpD
-Recover
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake
-Waterfall
Was supposed to be my answer to sweepers I'd foolishly let set up, but really doesn't hit hard enough to do much. Conkeldurr laughs at Earthquakes and nets a gain in HP after a Drain Punch.
Escavalier @ Leftovers
Swarm / Adamant
248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
-Swords Dance
-Megahorn
-Pursuit
-Iron Head
I put it on the team to deal with Lati@s. It does its job great, assuming they're not running HP Fire. I'd consider a Band set, but I already have a Banded Victini.
Virizion @ Leftovers
Timid
IVs: 31/30/30/31/31/31
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Calm Mind
-Giga Drain
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power Ice
I put it on my team to cover up some weaknesses, but I haven't found it to be particularly useful--it's too hard to find the time to set up a Calm Mind (plus Focus Blast's accuracy sucks). I'm intrigued by the Work Up set if people have had good experiences with it. Otherwise, I'm fine with scrapping this puppy for someone else.
Summary
So basically, this team seemed like a good idea when I was putting it together and in initial testing (was I on the PO ladder or something? idk), but it really doesn't do too well in today's metagame. If the answer you guys have is that this team is beyond saving, I'll respect that, but I figured I'd come and ask in any case. After all, the RMT community saved my Ubers team.
