Hello, I'm california roll, and this is Team Scone! (Because why WOULDN'T you name your team after scones?) I started competitive Pokemon in Gen IV, and was decent at it, I played it a lot at least. I wasn't ever top-notch, but I was good enough to win the majority of my battles on Shoddy. When the Gen V metagame began to emerge, I went on a brief hiatus. But now I have returned. After several team attempts, I created this, which has been rather successful so far. I do notice problems against some teams and I want to make my team better. Thus, this post. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
TEAM AT A GLANCE
IN-DEPTH
changes are in RED
Infernape (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SpD)
- Fake Out
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Vacuum Wave
Description: This guy is generally my lead, unless in the Team Preview I see some glaring weakness in my opponent's team. He is very consistent in his ability to set up Stealth Rock and often do some damage as well. I almost always use Fake Out on the first turn. However, against Pokemon such as Tyranitar or Hippowdon who will break my Focus Sash even if the can't attack, I use Stealth Rock mostly to ensure that I get it up. Flare Blitz does decent damage to most leads, and Mach Punch is good for finishing enemies off. I made him as fast as possible to ensure he gets of Stealth Rock as often as possible, and although I forfeit attacking power, it is worth it as Infernape is mostly a suicide lead. His purpose is to get up Stealth Rock, do as much damage as possible, and die, and this he does remarkably well.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Pursuit
Description: Ah, Scizor. The scourge of Platinum and HG/SS is back for another round. He's still a fantastic Pokemon, as he can function as a revenge killer, a powerful attacker, and even a tank of sorts. This is literally the exact same CB Scizor used in Gen IV, but it works just as well. Bullet Punch is the best move on this set in my opinion, as it can OHKO frailer Pokemon and do substantial damage to anything that doesn't flat-out resist it. Superpower is good for wrecking Steel types and destroying Heatran if I can catch it on the switch. Pursuit takes out Pokemon trying in vain to flee the wrath of the iron bug. The EV's are standard: Max Attack, and HP EV's to get the most switches on Stealth Rock. Adamant nature gives the most attacking power. Scizor is probably the second most important Pokemon on this team, and my original strategy when creating this team was building a team around him. Scizor's purpose on the team is to be a bulky revenge killer, and sometimes to be a pure attacker. He also tends to lure in Heatran, who makes good set-up fodder for Suicune.
Conkeldurr (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bulk Up
- Mach Punch
- Stone Edge
- Payback
Desription: Conkeldurr is possibly one of my favorite B/W Pokemon. His Attack stat is ridiculously large. This is the Guts Bulk Up set. The strategy is simple: switch in, Bulk Up, get poisoned, wreak havoc. Mach Punch is the primary attack, as it's STAB and always goes first. Payback hits Ghosts such as Jellicent and Chandelure who are unaffected by Mach Punch, and Stone Edge hits Flyers who resist it. This Conkeldurr doesn't last a terribly long time due to increasing Poison damage, but if I can get it in at the right time I have plenty of time to sweep. I maxed out attack, and the HP and Special Defense investments help it to be a good counter to Volcarona, as it can take a +1 hit and kill it with Stone Edge. Conkeldurr is also a powerful revenge killer with Mach Punch and is very VERY hard to stop once it gets going. He also as an easy time setting up on most things, since its weaknesses are not terribly common.
Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs : 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt
-Recover
Description: Starmie replaced Suicune to provide my team with a better check/counter to Thundurus, as well as maintain the presence of an attacking Water type on my team. Starmie also helps me take out Dragons with Ice Beam, which was difficult without it. Hydro Pump also wrecks a lot of things. Max Speed Starmie also outspeeds a lot of things, which helps me to beat them.
Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
Description: One of the best Physical walls I've used. I originally ran Roost/Taunt/Toxic/Earthquake with Sand Veil, but found myself being walled by things that resisted or were immune to Earthquake. I realized the move I used the least was Roost, so I removed that and added Ice Fang. This allowed me to run Poison Heal with a Toxic Orb. Taunt is great against walls, and it really screws over Forretress and Skarmory, and often times I can switch and set up on the disabled walls. Toxic is also useful for slowly but surely KO'ing Pokemon that are not Steel types. Earthquake is the primary attack move, but Ice Fang is good against most Flying types, Dragons, and other Gliscor, who would wall me otherwise. The EV's and nature give me the highest Defense possible, allowing me to take even some of the strongest physical moves with over half my health. Gliscor is my best Pokemon to take Physical hits, as he can take anything of the nature with impunity. He also is a great counter to Excadrill as even at +2 the mole-thing can't really harm him and falls to Earthquake.
Gengar (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Description: Gengar is the most important Pokemon on this team. He is possibly the only member who can claim to have both top-tier speed and attacking power. Hidden Power Fire is there mainly for the new walling terror, Ferrothorn. He goes down easily to Gengar. Gengar is the most versatile Pokemon on my team. He is a fast attacker who can take on almost everything in the metagame well. He also makes a good switch in to some of the powerful Fighters this generation has introduced (i.e. switch into Mienshao Hi Jump Kick and laugh as the maim themselves). His three immunities (Ground, Fighting, Normal) are also very useful, especially Ground, as having an EQ immunity never hurts. Of all the Pokemon on my team, Gengar is the best at functioning by himself. His main purpose is generally to clean up an opponents team towards the end of the game after they are weakened.
FORMER MEMBERS
Suicune @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Electric]
Description: Yet another standard from Gen IV. Attacking CM Suicune. Suicune is kind of a Special counterpart to Conkeldurr. After a Calm Mind or two, this thing can destroy mostly anything. Surf is a great STAB move. I chose it over Hydro Pump because I really dislike misses and Surf has mostly the same effect after I've set up. Life Orb helps Suicune pack a bit more power in its punch. I use a standard sweeper EV spread, maxing Special Attack and Speed. I use Timid over Modest because Special Attack is going to be boosted anyway and outspeeding things is very useful. Suicune is the closest I have to a bulky water on this team, and is a very good switch in to Fire types like Heatran who can't do anything to it. One of my favorite things to do with Suicune is: after Latios has Draco Meteor'd something which has either died or survived, switch in Suicune and begin setting up as -2 Latios struggles vainly to touch Suicune.
So, that's my team. It's generally good, but I know it could be better. Thank you for taking the time to read it, and for offering your suggestions.
-california roll
TEAM AT A GLANCE
IN-DEPTH
changes are in RED
Infernape (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SpD)
- Fake Out
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Vacuum Wave
Description: This guy is generally my lead, unless in the Team Preview I see some glaring weakness in my opponent's team. He is very consistent in his ability to set up Stealth Rock and often do some damage as well. I almost always use Fake Out on the first turn. However, against Pokemon such as Tyranitar or Hippowdon who will break my Focus Sash even if the can't attack, I use Stealth Rock mostly to ensure that I get it up. Flare Blitz does decent damage to most leads, and Mach Punch is good for finishing enemies off. I made him as fast as possible to ensure he gets of Stealth Rock as often as possible, and although I forfeit attacking power, it is worth it as Infernape is mostly a suicide lead. His purpose is to get up Stealth Rock, do as much damage as possible, and die, and this he does remarkably well.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Pursuit
Description: Ah, Scizor. The scourge of Platinum and HG/SS is back for another round. He's still a fantastic Pokemon, as he can function as a revenge killer, a powerful attacker, and even a tank of sorts. This is literally the exact same CB Scizor used in Gen IV, but it works just as well. Bullet Punch is the best move on this set in my opinion, as it can OHKO frailer Pokemon and do substantial damage to anything that doesn't flat-out resist it. Superpower is good for wrecking Steel types and destroying Heatran if I can catch it on the switch. Pursuit takes out Pokemon trying in vain to flee the wrath of the iron bug. The EV's are standard: Max Attack, and HP EV's to get the most switches on Stealth Rock. Adamant nature gives the most attacking power. Scizor is probably the second most important Pokemon on this team, and my original strategy when creating this team was building a team around him. Scizor's purpose on the team is to be a bulky revenge killer, and sometimes to be a pure attacker. He also tends to lure in Heatran, who makes good set-up fodder for Suicune.
Conkeldurr (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bulk Up
- Mach Punch
- Stone Edge
- Payback
Desription: Conkeldurr is possibly one of my favorite B/W Pokemon. His Attack stat is ridiculously large. This is the Guts Bulk Up set. The strategy is simple: switch in, Bulk Up, get poisoned, wreak havoc. Mach Punch is the primary attack, as it's STAB and always goes first. Payback hits Ghosts such as Jellicent and Chandelure who are unaffected by Mach Punch, and Stone Edge hits Flyers who resist it. This Conkeldurr doesn't last a terribly long time due to increasing Poison damage, but if I can get it in at the right time I have plenty of time to sweep. I maxed out attack, and the HP and Special Defense investments help it to be a good counter to Volcarona, as it can take a +1 hit and kill it with Stone Edge. Conkeldurr is also a powerful revenge killer with Mach Punch and is very VERY hard to stop once it gets going. He also as an easy time setting up on most things, since its weaknesses are not terribly common.
Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs : 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt
-Recover
Description: Starmie replaced Suicune to provide my team with a better check/counter to Thundurus, as well as maintain the presence of an attacking Water type on my team. Starmie also helps me take out Dragons with Ice Beam, which was difficult without it. Hydro Pump also wrecks a lot of things. Max Speed Starmie also outspeeds a lot of things, which helps me to beat them.
Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
Description: One of the best Physical walls I've used. I originally ran Roost/Taunt/Toxic/Earthquake with Sand Veil, but found myself being walled by things that resisted or were immune to Earthquake. I realized the move I used the least was Roost, so I removed that and added Ice Fang. This allowed me to run Poison Heal with a Toxic Orb. Taunt is great against walls, and it really screws over Forretress and Skarmory, and often times I can switch and set up on the disabled walls. Toxic is also useful for slowly but surely KO'ing Pokemon that are not Steel types. Earthquake is the primary attack move, but Ice Fang is good against most Flying types, Dragons, and other Gliscor, who would wall me otherwise. The EV's and nature give me the highest Defense possible, allowing me to take even some of the strongest physical moves with over half my health. Gliscor is my best Pokemon to take Physical hits, as he can take anything of the nature with impunity. He also is a great counter to Excadrill as even at +2 the mole-thing can't really harm him and falls to Earthquake.
Gengar (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Description: Gengar is the most important Pokemon on this team. He is possibly the only member who can claim to have both top-tier speed and attacking power. Hidden Power Fire is there mainly for the new walling terror, Ferrothorn. He goes down easily to Gengar. Gengar is the most versatile Pokemon on my team. He is a fast attacker who can take on almost everything in the metagame well. He also makes a good switch in to some of the powerful Fighters this generation has introduced (i.e. switch into Mienshao Hi Jump Kick and laugh as the maim themselves). His three immunities (Ground, Fighting, Normal) are also very useful, especially Ground, as having an EQ immunity never hurts. Of all the Pokemon on my team, Gengar is the best at functioning by himself. His main purpose is generally to clean up an opponents team towards the end of the game after they are weakened.
FORMER MEMBERS
Suicune @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Electric]
Description: Yet another standard from Gen IV. Attacking CM Suicune. Suicune is kind of a Special counterpart to Conkeldurr. After a Calm Mind or two, this thing can destroy mostly anything. Surf is a great STAB move. I chose it over Hydro Pump because I really dislike misses and Surf has mostly the same effect after I've set up. Life Orb helps Suicune pack a bit more power in its punch. I use a standard sweeper EV spread, maxing Special Attack and Speed. I use Timid over Modest because Special Attack is going to be boosted anyway and outspeeding things is very useful. Suicune is the closest I have to a bulky water on this team, and is a very good switch in to Fire types like Heatran who can't do anything to it. One of my favorite things to do with Suicune is: after Latios has Draco Meteor'd something which has either died or survived, switch in Suicune and begin setting up as -2 Latios struggles vainly to touch Suicune.
So, that's my team. It's generally good, but I know it could be better. Thank you for taking the time to read it, and for offering your suggestions.
-california roll