I can't think of a creative opening paragraph. Sue me.
Heracross (M) @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance
The main man, the centerpiece, the engine, QB1. Hera has always been one of my personal favorites. Just when his Scarf sets were losing their usability, he was blessed by Arceus in the form of a Mega evolution. Hera gains an absolutely absurd amount of power and a decent amount of bulk upon finishing his evolution, at the cost of losing 10 crucial speed points. Onto the specifics of the set. Close Combat and Pin Missile take a healthy slice out of everything, regardless of resistances. Rock Bast finishes off the attacking portion of the set, giving him nearly unresisted coverage. Swords Dance is a luxury, often he doesn't need the +2 to roll through opposing teams. However, at +2 his counters become checks and his checks become dead. His role on the team is shattering every stall team, from SkarmChan to VenuTran he wrecks them all by himself. However, he has his uses in more offensive match-ups, when he gets in safely something will die. He also has decent enough bulk to take a hit and slug the opposition right back. To put his bulk in perspective, LO Latios Psyshock is not a guaranteed OHKO. Yes, a super effective attack coming off of 130 Special Attack and boosted by a Life Orb barely KOes. Hot damn.
Rhyperior (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
This is my Mega Heracross handcuff. Rhyperior flawlessly handles BirdSpam, in addition to surviving any non-Grass or Water physical attack. The three offensive moves give it great coverage. EdgeQuake is EdgeQuake, only a handful of things resist that combo. 100 BP STAB moves allows Rhyp to hit a ton of stuff for damage, and Ice Punch is great coverage. Ice Punch also allows him to beat virtually any Landorus-T out there, even after Intimidate. Fitting SR in the last spot is a bonus, and it had to be fit in somewhere. Things Rhyperior checks: Char-X, Terrakion, Lando-T, Gliscor, Sand Rush Exca that doesn't have an Air Balloon, Mega Pinsir, Talonflame, Staraptor, Garchomp, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Aero... It's a one time shutdown to almost any physical attacker. He also hits back hard enough that he OHKOs or 2HKOs everything he checks.
So at this point, I've got two physical attackers and nothing from the special side. I also want some fast mons that can hang with the faster HO teams. These next two choices aim to fix that.
Greninja (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- U-turn/Taunt
Greninja is an absolute force. Protean and Life Orb boost his fairly unimpressive 97 Special Attack to spectacular heights. Hydro Pump and Ice Beam are only resisted by bulky Waters, and Extrasensory hits a lot of them neutrally or better. Add to that a blistering 123 base speed and you have one heck of a special attacking force. The last slot is a question mark. U-Turn gives good utility to Greninja, and allows him to round out his coverage. Most importantly, it allows him to nail other Greninja if he wins the speed tie. However, I do like a fast Taunt, and most people tend not to run Taunt on Greninja so it could surprise some people. Taunt also screws Chansey on the predicted switch. I've used both moves in the last slot and they both have their merits.
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Defog
The second part of my special attacking core. Draco Meteor is the most spammable move on the set. Psyshock allows Latios to pick off some of the more specially defensive things in the tier, including Azumarill, Sylveon and Mega Venusaur. Latios also gets pegged into the Defog role because... well it learns Defog. Thunderbolt was the choice for the last moveslot because I noticed a distinct lack of Electric type attacks on my team, and it also allows Latios to do some chip damage to Heatran on the switch. It's defensive typing also checks several threats, including Mega Manectric, Char-Y, Keldeo, and some Landorus-I sets.
Talonflame (M) @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Roost
This bird is a beast. I've been hearing some buzz surrounding the new SD set, and it's all for real. At +2, it blows by most of the solid answers to the CB set. Talon's most important role, however, is the main source of priority on the team. Every good team needs at least one priority user and Talon is one of the best. It's also insanely easy to grab a boost because Brave Bird alone forces out a lot of things. I really didn't add Talon until the late stages and it's become either the most or second most important member of this team. Did I mention it also acts as a burn absorber for Mega Hera, and it turns Mew into set-up bait? That's impressive. The damage calcs are too.
Breloom (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
The last member of the Herasquad, Breloom is the current dedicated lead in the revolving door that is my last team slot. Breloom fulfills several roles. Sleep spam is great for a lead, and Spore immunity means he doesn't have to fear Magic Coat or Magic Bounce. He is also a great Spore Smeargle foil because of this. Rock Tomb pairs well with Spore, it allows you to slow something down on the (usual) subsequent switch. Bullet Seed beats most opposing Sash users handily, which is helpful on a lead. Mach Punch becomes very powerful when boosted by Technician and hits a lot of threats to my team (Mega Gyara, Mega TTar) super effectively. Overall a great anti-lead that often opens up advantages early in the match.
So that's my latest team. It's working great so far and I would like to see what you guys think. Sometimes I do feel like I am missing that next gear, even though I am in control and not panicing most of the time. If I were to replace something, Breloom would probably be the first to go. But let's see what you guys think!
Heracross (M) @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance
The main man, the centerpiece, the engine, QB1. Hera has always been one of my personal favorites. Just when his Scarf sets were losing their usability, he was blessed by Arceus in the form of a Mega evolution. Hera gains an absolutely absurd amount of power and a decent amount of bulk upon finishing his evolution, at the cost of losing 10 crucial speed points. Onto the specifics of the set. Close Combat and Pin Missile take a healthy slice out of everything, regardless of resistances. Rock Bast finishes off the attacking portion of the set, giving him nearly unresisted coverage. Swords Dance is a luxury, often he doesn't need the +2 to roll through opposing teams. However, at +2 his counters become checks and his checks become dead. His role on the team is shattering every stall team, from SkarmChan to VenuTran he wrecks them all by himself. However, he has his uses in more offensive match-ups, when he gets in safely something will die. He also has decent enough bulk to take a hit and slug the opposition right back. To put his bulk in perspective, LO Latios Psyshock is not a guaranteed OHKO. Yes, a super effective attack coming off of 130 Special Attack and boosted by a Life Orb barely KOes. Hot damn.
252+ Atk Mega Heracross Close Combat vs. 4 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 746-878 (116.1 - 136.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 319-376 (95.5 - 112.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Unaware Quagsire: 240-285 (60.9 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 1070-1260 (277.9 - 327.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Mega Venusaur: 375-440 (103 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gliscor: 245-290 (69.2 - 81.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal
+1 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T: 225-270 (58.9 - 70.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Just for fun:
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mega Heracross: 256-303 (82.3 - 97.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Heracross: 172-203 (55.3 - 65.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Heracross: 145-172 (46.6 - 55.3%) -- 70.3% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mega Heracross: 179-212 (57.5 - 68.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
It can't switch in, but it's not exactly easy to revenge either.
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 319-376 (95.5 - 112.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Unaware Quagsire: 240-285 (60.9 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 1070-1260 (277.9 - 327.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Mega Venusaur: 375-440 (103 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gliscor: 245-290 (69.2 - 81.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal
+1 252+ Atk Mega Heracross Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Landorus-T: 225-270 (58.9 - 70.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Just for fun:
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mega Heracross: 256-303 (82.3 - 97.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Heracross: 172-203 (55.3 - 65.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 40 HP / 0 Def Mega Heracross: 145-172 (46.6 - 55.3%) -- 70.3% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 40 HP / 0 SpD Mega Heracross: 179-212 (57.5 - 68.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
It can't switch in, but it's not exactly easy to revenge either.
Rhyperior (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
This is my Mega Heracross handcuff. Rhyperior flawlessly handles BirdSpam, in addition to surviving any non-Grass or Water physical attack. The three offensive moves give it great coverage. EdgeQuake is EdgeQuake, only a handful of things resist that combo. 100 BP STAB moves allows Rhyp to hit a ton of stuff for damage, and Ice Punch is great coverage. Ice Punch also allows him to beat virtually any Landorus-T out there, even after Intimidate. Fitting SR in the last spot is a bonus, and it had to be fit in somewhere. Things Rhyperior checks: Char-X, Terrakion, Lando-T, Gliscor, Sand Rush Exca that doesn't have an Air Balloon, Mega Pinsir, Talonflame, Staraptor, Garchomp, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Aero... It's a one time shutdown to almost any physical attacker. He also hits back hard enough that he OHKOs or 2HKOs everything he checks.
252+ Atk Mega Aerodactyl Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 121-144 (28.5 - 33.9%) -- 98.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 148-175 (34.9 - 41.2%) -- 66.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 100-121 (23.5 - 28.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Dragon Claw vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Rhyperior: 187-222 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Mega Pinsir Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 147-174 (34.6 - 41%) -- 61.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Liechi Berry Talonflame Natural Gift (100 BP Grass) vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 159-189 (37.5 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 236-281 (55.6 - 66.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Staraptor Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 183-216 (43.1 - 50.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 148-175 (34.9 - 41.2%) -- 66.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 100-121 (23.5 - 28.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Dragon Claw vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Rhyperior: 187-222 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Mega Pinsir Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 147-174 (34.6 - 41%) -- 61.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Liechi Berry Talonflame Natural Gift (100 BP Grass) vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 159-189 (37.5 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 236-281 (55.6 - 66.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Staraptor Close Combat vs. 212 HP / 252 Def Solid Rock Rhyperior: 183-216 (43.1 - 50.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
So at this point, I've got two physical attackers and nothing from the special side. I also want some fast mons that can hang with the faster HO teams. These next two choices aim to fix that.
Greninja (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- U-turn/Taunt
Greninja is an absolute force. Protean and Life Orb boost his fairly unimpressive 97 Special Attack to spectacular heights. Hydro Pump and Ice Beam are only resisted by bulky Waters, and Extrasensory hits a lot of them neutrally or better. Add to that a blistering 123 base speed and you have one heck of a special attacking force. The last slot is a question mark. U-Turn gives good utility to Greninja, and allows him to round out his coverage. Most importantly, it allows him to nail other Greninja if he wins the speed tie. However, I do like a fast Taunt, and most people tend not to run Taunt on Greninja so it could surprise some people. Taunt also screws Chansey on the predicted switch. I've used both moves in the last slot and they both have their merits.
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Defog
The second part of my special attacking core. Draco Meteor is the most spammable move on the set. Psyshock allows Latios to pick off some of the more specially defensive things in the tier, including Azumarill, Sylveon and Mega Venusaur. Latios also gets pegged into the Defog role because... well it learns Defog. Thunderbolt was the choice for the last moveslot because I noticed a distinct lack of Electric type attacks on my team, and it also allows Latios to do some chip damage to Heatran on the switch. It's defensive typing also checks several threats, including Mega Manectric, Char-Y, Keldeo, and some Landorus-I sets.
Talonflame (M) @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Roost
This bird is a beast. I've been hearing some buzz surrounding the new SD set, and it's all for real. At +2, it blows by most of the solid answers to the CB set. Talon's most important role, however, is the main source of priority on the team. Every good team needs at least one priority user and Talon is one of the best. It's also insanely easy to grab a boost because Brave Bird alone forces out a lot of things. I really didn't add Talon until the late stages and it's become either the most or second most important member of this team. Did I mention it also acts as a burn absorber for Mega Hera, and it turns Mew into set-up bait? That's impressive. The damage calcs are too.
+1 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 140 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 280-330 (79 - 93.2%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Manectric: 256-303 (91.1 - 107.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 162-192 (42 - 49.8%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (That's pretty impressive!)
+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gliscor: 211-249 (59.6 - 70.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Poison Heal
+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 240 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 412-486 (102.7 - 121.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Manectric: 256-303 (91.1 - 107.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 162-192 (42 - 49.8%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (That's pretty impressive!)
+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gliscor: 211-249 (59.6 - 70.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Poison Heal
+2 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 240 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 412-486 (102.7 - 121.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Breloom (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
The last member of the Herasquad, Breloom is the current dedicated lead in the revolving door that is my last team slot. Breloom fulfills several roles. Sleep spam is great for a lead, and Spore immunity means he doesn't have to fear Magic Coat or Magic Bounce. He is also a great Spore Smeargle foil because of this. Rock Tomb pairs well with Spore, it allows you to slow something down on the (usual) subsequent switch. Bullet Seed beats most opposing Sash users handily, which is helpful on a lead. Mach Punch becomes very powerful when boosted by Technician and hits a lot of threats to my team (Mega Gyara, Mega TTar) super effectively. Overall a great anti-lead that often opens up advantages early in the match.
So that's my latest team. It's working great so far and I would like to see what you guys think. Sometimes I do feel like I am missing that next gear, even though I am in control and not panicing most of the time. If I were to replace something, Breloom would probably be the first to go. But let's see what you guys think!
Heracross (M) @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance
Greninja (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- U-turn
Rhyperior (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Defog
Talonflame (M) @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Roost
Breloom (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
Ability: Guts
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance
Greninja (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- U-turn
Rhyperior (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Defog
Talonflame (M) @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Roost
Breloom (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
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