So, the entire reason of playing in the RU tier was so that I could abuse Sigilyph and its evil moveset. So that was what I built my team around. The basic structure that I've been using is Sigilyph + Entry hazard setter + Rapid spinner + spin-blocker + 2 other stalling pokemon. But I've been having some trouble, specifically with dragon types, and even more specifically with Rest Dragonair.
Roselia (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
Roselia is ok, but that's about it. I am definitely on the lookout for a less mediocre Toxic Spiker. That said, I do appreciate being able to win against Accelgor and the Toxic Spikes removal. But Roselia is definitely a pokemon I am willing to change out, provided I still have Toxic Spikes elsewhere.
Moltres @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
I originally only added him because I saw SubRoost as another form of stalling, but he does so much more than that. This seems like the closest you can get to a Bisharp killer, so that is definitely a plus, and Toxic against many switch-ins seems to be an unexpected move. Not that I like to rely on unexpected, but I think even if Toxic Moltres were expected it would be effective. Other than that, he is basically my go-to pokemon for when there is no other obvious move. I am fairly comfortable with protecting him from Stealth Rock, so that isn't a large concern.
Imposterdisc (Alomomola) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
This pokemon is a god. I know there's some overlap between burn and poison, but I want Toxic to ensure that certain pokemon get poisoned (especially in a mirror match) if Toxic Spikes don't go down, and I want Scald as a spammable move and against steel types. I don't really think there's much to change here, unless there is a reason to run more speed on him. Or if I somehow find a better and more reliable Toxic Spiker, I could theoretically give up Toxic for something else. I'm open to giving up Alomomola for another Wish passer, but there definitely needs to be a good reason to do so.
Cryogonal @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 168 Def / 92 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Haze
I have mixed feelings about Cryogonal. I do really appreciate that he has Levitate as a spinner, and Haze is definitely a lifesaver (especially since I have no phazing moves!), but he's very mediocre overall. If I keep him, I would consider adding Toxic to deal with ghosts. A possible change is to drop Haze for Toxic and fit in a phazer on my team elsewhere. Or, you know, not use Cryogonal. I'm completely open to changing him to something else. Also, this is currently my only source of an Ice attack, so there's that, too.
Spiritomb (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Foul Play
- Pain Split
- Taunt
The best spinblocker I've come across. I'm pretty confident in his moveset as well. I just went for special defense because I feared opposing Cryogonals wearing him down, but that doesn't really seem to be an issue, so maybe I could try out physically defensive.
Sigilyph (F) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Cosmic Power
- Roost
- Stored Power
- Psycho Shift
This is pretty non-negotiable, I'm not willing to replace him since that was the whole point of me using this team. Although I'm open to being convinced on Cosmic Power vs Calm Mind, if you can provide a good argument.
So that's what I've been using. I get faceraped by Dragonair and Fraxure, because they obviously outspeed and kill Cryogonal pre-Haze, and Spiritomb doesn't really stand a chance either, so I have to Scald spam, which isn't the most reliable strategy.
It's also important to point out that I do end up using these status moves because Roselia is not the most reliable Toxic Spiker, and that is definitely one of my major concerns.
Kabutops also makes me uncomfortable because Cryogonal is scared shitless of him. A Swords Dance set can really mess up my team. That also applies to some other boosting sweepers, and I would like to add phazing to my team if possible, but I don't know where.
As of right now, the only pokemon I'm not willing to give up are Sigilyph and Spiritomb.
EDIT: I have decided that, if it would make the rest of my team viable, I would be willing to take this team in a different direction and substitute Sigilyph for something else that would fix many of my existing problems. Basically, I'm just looking to turn this into something that lets me compete and have fun with whatever is necessary.
Any help is always appreciated!
Roselia (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
Roselia is ok, but that's about it. I am definitely on the lookout for a less mediocre Toxic Spiker. That said, I do appreciate being able to win against Accelgor and the Toxic Spikes removal. But Roselia is definitely a pokemon I am willing to change out, provided I still have Toxic Spikes elsewhere.
Moltres @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
I originally only added him because I saw SubRoost as another form of stalling, but he does so much more than that. This seems like the closest you can get to a Bisharp killer, so that is definitely a plus, and Toxic against many switch-ins seems to be an unexpected move. Not that I like to rely on unexpected, but I think even if Toxic Moltres were expected it would be effective. Other than that, he is basically my go-to pokemon for when there is no other obvious move. I am fairly comfortable with protecting him from Stealth Rock, so that isn't a large concern.
Imposterdisc (Alomomola) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
This pokemon is a god. I know there's some overlap between burn and poison, but I want Toxic to ensure that certain pokemon get poisoned (especially in a mirror match) if Toxic Spikes don't go down, and I want Scald as a spammable move and against steel types. I don't really think there's much to change here, unless there is a reason to run more speed on him. Or if I somehow find a better and more reliable Toxic Spiker, I could theoretically give up Toxic for something else. I'm open to giving up Alomomola for another Wish passer, but there definitely needs to be a good reason to do so.
Cryogonal @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 168 Def / 92 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Haze
I have mixed feelings about Cryogonal. I do really appreciate that he has Levitate as a spinner, and Haze is definitely a lifesaver (especially since I have no phazing moves!), but he's very mediocre overall. If I keep him, I would consider adding Toxic to deal with ghosts. A possible change is to drop Haze for Toxic and fit in a phazer on my team elsewhere. Or, you know, not use Cryogonal. I'm completely open to changing him to something else. Also, this is currently my only source of an Ice attack, so there's that, too.
Spiritomb (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Foul Play
- Pain Split
- Taunt
The best spinblocker I've come across. I'm pretty confident in his moveset as well. I just went for special defense because I feared opposing Cryogonals wearing him down, but that doesn't really seem to be an issue, so maybe I could try out physically defensive.
Sigilyph (F) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Cosmic Power
- Roost
- Stored Power
- Psycho Shift
This is pretty non-negotiable, I'm not willing to replace him since that was the whole point of me using this team. Although I'm open to being convinced on Cosmic Power vs Calm Mind, if you can provide a good argument.
So that's what I've been using. I get faceraped by Dragonair and Fraxure, because they obviously outspeed and kill Cryogonal pre-Haze, and Spiritomb doesn't really stand a chance either, so I have to Scald spam, which isn't the most reliable strategy.
It's also important to point out that I do end up using these status moves because Roselia is not the most reliable Toxic Spiker, and that is definitely one of my major concerns.
Kabutops also makes me uncomfortable because Cryogonal is scared shitless of him. A Swords Dance set can really mess up my team. That also applies to some other boosting sweepers, and I would like to add phazing to my team if possible, but I don't know where.
As of right now, the only pokemon I'm not willing to give up are Sigilyph and Spiritomb.
EDIT: I have decided that, if it would make the rest of my team viable, I would be willing to take this team in a different direction and substitute Sigilyph for something else that would fix many of my existing problems. Basically, I'm just looking to turn this into something that lets me compete and have fun with whatever is necessary.
Any help is always appreciated!
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