The Dark Horse Project

Lady Alex

Mew is blue
is a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
It's been a while.

Pokemon Showdown! Username: Thief Queen
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: Platinum if it refers to past dark horse projects. Otherwise, none
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Smeargle
Current Ladder Standing: finished



Smeargle (F) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Spore
- Taunt
 
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blunder

the bobby fischer of pokemon
is a Tiering Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis the Smogon Tour Season 25 Championis a defending SPL Champion
Big Chungus Winner
Pokemon Showdown! Username:
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: none
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Bisharp
Current Ladder Standing: None
 

TROP

BAN DRUDDIGON. FIREWALL DRAGON DID NOTHING WRONG
is a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
Pokemon Showdown! Username: Verz Ouroboros
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: idr
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Samurott | Kricketune | Cresselia | Drapion
Current Ladder Standing: None
 

Shurtugal

The Enterpriser.
is a Tiering Contributor
Pokemon Showdown! Username: Dark Smeargle

Prior Hall of Fame Standing: n/a

Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Smeargle

Current Ladder Standing: #10

(see below)
 
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Will the ladder reset after the suspect test? Don't want to waste time now...

Current Pokemon Showdown! Username: Down Over ABQ

Current Dark Horse: Azelf

Current Ladder Standing: None
 
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I'm curious: Are we going off the basic usage stats or are 1850 eligible as well? I'm using a team with Haxorus (4.4% on regular, 3.4% on 1850) that I think is gonna go places and I'd be interested in laddering (also Kingdra but he's already on two other people's projects).
 
Pokemon Showdown! Username: RS Arbok

Prior Hall of Fame Standing: N/A

Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Arbok

Current Ladder Standing: I got #1 using an Arbok and no OU/BL pokes. 2349 ACRE.

 
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Pokemon Showdown! Username: thatmoltresguy2.0
Dark Horse Pokemon: moltres and chansey
Screenshot of the Top 100 Ladder Ranking:

darkhorseproject.jpg

Dark Horse Complete Set:

Moltres @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Hurricane
- Will-O-Wisp
- Substitute
- Roost
Moltres might seem an awkward mon on rain stall, but it provides a check to 2 of the most annoying mons to rain: ferro and breloom, beeing capable of seting subs on their face and procede to hurricane it's way towards victory. Moltres also has a main role in luring ttar and jirachi into play and burn them. Needless to say that a burned ttar can't do much, making the weather war much much easier for rain, not to mention stone edge can be pp stalled and a burned ttar can't break even the weak subs of moltres. also moltres has the ability to outspeed adamant toxicroak and burn them before they cause too much problems to skarmory. The fenix pairs well with gastro as they cover each others weaknesses just like gastro/skarmory core. Also, needless to say spinner suport is obligatory so always bring your starmie or tenta in play when using the bird.

Chansey (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Stealth Rock
- Softboiled
- Toxic
Chansey is my utility wall... i need to wall a scarf chomp? chansey. Need to wall a specs tornadus? chansey. Need to tank a SE techloom low sweep? chansey. toad,jolteon,lando-t,rotom,hydreigon, lati@s, all crumble to the pink blob. Chansey is pretty much garanteed stealth rocks and a great switch in to discover what are the enemys sets. while ferro is a nuiance for the blob, moltres solves this problem like no one. I guess there isn't much to say about chansey other than: it makes people rage quit, and that's fun muahaha!!

Entire team:
Politoed @ Choice Specs
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Hypnosis

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Toxic

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 232 Def / 252 HP / 24 Spd
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind

Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunder
- Recover
- Rapid Spin

Moltres @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Hurricane
- Will-O-Wisp
- Substitute
- Roost

Chansey (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Stealth Rock
- Softboiled
- Toxic
 
Glicko is similar to ACRE. You want it to be as high as possible. It's your deviation (the thing after the +/-) that you want low.
 

Shurtugal

The Enterpriser.
is a Tiering Contributor
Thanks @Co5ta!

OK I want to thank @sanches br for the screenshot because I actually titled thinking my Glicko2 needed to be lower. I am Dark Smeargle, and I am re-using his screenshot but with an orange indicator of my peak:





@

Trait: Own Tempo
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Spore
- Explosion


Smeargle (F) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Spore
- Explosion

Lucario (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Bullet Punch

Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Trait: Justified
EVs: 24 HP / 252 SAtk / 232 Spd
Modest Nature
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Ghost]
- Icy Wind

Kyurem-Black @ Leftovers
Trait: Teravolt
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 176 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Roost
- Dragon Tail
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam

Scizor (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Iron Head

Gengar (F) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunder


OK so I built this team around Lucario. I decided that Modest Specs Keldeo was the perfect lure for Lucario since you do around 71% to opposing Jellicents, and I decided that hazard support would be optimal. KyuB is there to spread hazards around as well as checking Rain and Sun teams in general. Scizor and Gengar are clutch; Scizor lures Lati@s and Starmie's for the team while Gengar can defeat Landorus-T's for Lucario as well as opposing Tentacruels. This challenge wasn't too difficult and I'm glad I participated!


Here is my OP updated:

Shurtugal said:
Pokemon Showdown! Username: Dark Smeargle

Prior Hall of Fame Standing: n/a

Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Smeargle

Current Ladder Standing: #10
 
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Pokemon Showdown! Username: GnuGnu134

Prior Hall of Fame Standing: n/a

Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Shaymin, Cresselia, Snorlax

Current Ladder Standing: n/a
 

Sage

From the River To the Sea
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Pokemon Showdown! username: Sage's 1st Path

Prior Hall of Fame standing: N/A

Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Drifblim, Mienshao

Current ladder standing: N/A

Edit: Starting over
 
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ganj4lF

Nobody is safe from the power of science!
is a Team Rater Alumnus
Not sure I'll have the time for this, but... (EDIT: done)

Pokemon Showdown! Username: EvilGrin01
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: ???
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Azumarill, Tornadus
Current Ladder Standing: 2161 (#48)

Screenshot:


Team:


Dark Horse sets (as they're not obvious enough):
Azumarill @ Choice Band | Huge Power
Adamant | 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower
- Ice Punch

Tornadus @ Choice Specs | Prankster
Timid | 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- U-Turn
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
- Rain Dance / Tailwind


Used an old BW1 Rain offense which was one of my favourite teams back at that time. Once Azumarill or Tornadus start to get free switch-ins, they just punch holes in the enemy team so Starmie or ScarfRachi (or CB Rain Aqua Jet, of course) can usually finish the game easily. It's probably not that great in BW2, but it's good enough to remember me how I used to love CB Waterfall under Rain.

Oh, and sorry to everyone I haxed in the process, I know it's part of the game and whatever, but still it's annoying...

Good luck to every other participant!
 
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PokèManiac Livio

Un panino al salame
is a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
Pokemon Showdown! Username: Only Dark Horses
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: n/a
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Mienshao / Raikou / Darmanitan
Current Ladder Standing: n/a
 
Pokemon Showdown! Username: Test Dragon5
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: Nope
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Kingdra
Current Ladder Standing: None
 
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PS! Username: DeoxyHorse
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: None
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Hippowdon, Stoutland, Rhydon, Wobbuffet
Current Ladder Standing: None

This is gonna be fun.
 
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Shurtugal

The Enterpriser.
is a Tiering Contributor
Alright I'm going to ladder for Dark Horse again with a new DH and another alt:

Showdown Alt: Stoutland's Jaws
Dark Horse Pokemon: Stoutland
Previous Rankings: #10 with Smeargle
Current Standing: n/a
 
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I updated my first post with my current ladder peak (#36) and Dark Horse sets, so I might as well post the full team here:


Politoed @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 SAtk / 208 Spd / 48 HP
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]


Magnezone @ Expert Belt
Trait: Magnet Pull
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Thunder
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch


Tornadus @ Expert Belt
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 Atk
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Tailwind


Articuno @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 232 Spd / 24 HP
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Tailwind


Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Volt Switch
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin


Abomasnow @ Focus Sash
Trait: Snow Warning
EVs: 176 SAtk / 80 Spd / 252 Atk
Mild Nature
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard


A weird dual weather team that works surprisingly well and doesn't have issues with any particular play-style in OU. As you can probably tell, the team was designed to support LO Articuno. The Articuno set packs two base 120 stabs (hurricane and blizzard) with perfect accuracy in their respective weathers, and it functions as a hard-hitter/late game Tailwind sweeper. 232 speed EVs and modest nature allow it out-speed Scarf Latios with Tailwind support from either itself or Tornadus. Articuno is better suited for this role than Dragonite and Kyurem for a few reasons:
-greater speed than dragonite allowing it to run modest nature more safely. Dragonite needs a Timid nature to outspeed Scarf Latios
-stab on blizzard
-greater natural bulk (somewhat offset by typing) than dragonite
-hail immunity and no ice weakness
-powerful stabs without stat reduction (ie draco meteor) for added sweeping potential
-neutral stab coverage on almost everything non-steel in OU
-access to tailwind unlike kyurem

Abomasnow and Tornadus have fairly standard sets, and I hardly even consider them Dark Horse mons. 80 speed EVs on Abomasnow is for out-speeding base 110s with provided Tailwind support. Scarf Politoed is nothing new, but it provides adequate defensive synergy with Abomasnow and it has enough speed investment to beat Alakazam by 2 points. I opted against giving Politoed 252 speed because I rarely find it necessary, and the slight increase in bulk is good to have. Forretress also has a fairly typical support set, but with Overcoat instead of Sturdy to act as a decent wall in Hail. Its most important function is providing Rapid Spin support for the team, and hazards somewhat defeat the purpose of Sturdy in this respect. Magnezone is your average Steel trapper with an expert belt to bluff choice and be good at what Magnezones do. Also being locked into HP fire usually ends badly.
 
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Showdown Alt: day shaps
Dark Horse Pokemon: jumpluff archeops aerodactyl tornadus blastoise honch
Previous Rankings:
Current Standing: n/a
 
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MikeDawg

Banned deucer.
Pokemon Showdown! Username: MikeDawg Victini
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: None
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Victini
Current Ladder Standing: None
 

Lady Alex

Mew is blue
is a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
Round 2

Pokemon Showdown! Username: Thief Queen 2
Prior Hall of Fame Standing: gold
Current Dark Horse Pokemon: Hippowdon, Stoutland, Roserade
Current Ladder Standing: Finished



Stealth Rock (Hippowdon) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind


TSPIKES (Roserade) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 24 SDef / 192 Spd
Careful Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SAtk / 30 Spd
- Sleep Powder
- Toxic Spikes
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]


Bitch (Stoutland) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Superpower
- Pursuit
- Wild Charge
 
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