zarator
^_^
Since I already used this team extensively, and Colossoil seems to be a major hindrance to it (more of a nail in the coffin than anything), I decided to retire it. But, after all, it is the team which brought me up to the peak of the CAP leaderboard for a good number of days, so I thought that, rather than throw it in the bin, it would have been more appropriate to make a RMT out of it. Feel free to express any kind of comment and/or criticism! (what are you supposed to do in a RMT, anyway?^^)
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Serene Grace - Adamant nature
EVs: 84 HP/252 Atk/176 Spe
I used to employ Metagross as a lead, but I hated to get the short end of the stick against Starmie leads, which seem to be quite popular in the CAP server. However, I still needed a Steel-typed Pokémon in this slot, since, as you will see at the end of the RMT, I do not have many answers against Dragon attacks. So, my eyes finally glanced at Jirachi, and I did not get disappointed.
This lead is a good mix of bulkyness and utility, which allow me to find uses for it even later in the match. 176 Spd EVs, combined with the Scarf, grant me 418 Speed, enough to outspeed Choice Scarf Heatran. 252 Atk and Adamant nature allow Jirachi to pack quite the punch... err, head^^ and the remaining EVs are put in HP to ease a bit the switch-ins into Dragons and what not. Trick is a good opening move at times, ruining the momentum of some leads if they decide to go for Stealth Rock, but I try to keep the Scarf as long as I can for 2 reasons:
1) I need Trick to fight on an even foot against most Stall teams, and I can't allow some useless Pokémon to get it when I need to cripple something else.
2) Jirachi is a good check against a wide array of set-up sweepers. Despite Steelbeing a bad attacking type, Iron Head's 60% flinch chance allow me to weaken and even kill a lot of foes (even Steel resistant ones)
U-turn is maybe the crux of the set. It turns the table against non-Scarf Starmie leads (at least, compared to Metagross), and not only it gets a supereffective hit, but also keeps the momentum going for my team. between Jirachi and Kitsunoh (read below), U-turn allow me to hold initiative and at the same time weaken the opposition - especially when Spikes and/or Steal Rock are down.
Speaking of Stealth Rock, I rarely lay it down at the start of the match, unless I just Tricked the opposing lead. Generally, unless I desperately need them up (for example, if a Salamence is harassing me somehow), I prefer to wait later in the match, when I already throw the Choice Scarf away. Also, since my sweepers have little fear of airborne foes, Spikes are generally the priority.
To sum it up, Jirachi gets me momentum early on, absorbs Dragon-type attacks, keeps in check the oppositions, disables threatening walls and set up Stealth Rock when the time is right. An awesome lead all around.
Arghonaut @ Leftovers
Unaware - Adamant nature
EVs: 252 HP/36 Atk/220 Def
Fidgit @ Leftovers
Vital Spirit - Timid nature
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
Kitsunoh @ Choice Scarf
Frisk - Jolly nature
EVs: 80 HP/252 Atk/176 Spe
The EVs need a little explaination. 176 Spd with a Jolly nature and Choice Scarf allow Kitsunoh to outspeed the +100 Speed group even after a speed boost, giving me the chance to revenge kill Dragon Dancers should something go wrong with Arghonaut. 252 Atk is a necessity, and 80 HP soften a bit the hits Kitsunoh is doomed to withstand. ShadowStrike is basic STAB and slays Latias and Rotom above others. U-turn is a great scouting move and allow me to control the flow of the match, and Thunderpunch and Ice Punch are here for revenge killing purposes.
Stratagem @ Choice Specs
Levitate - Timid nature
EVs: 4 Def/252 SpA/252 Spe
Latias @ Choice Specs
Levitate - Timid nature
EVs: 4 Def/252 SpA/252 Spe
So, here is the strategy: whenever I can, I bring in safely Stratagem or Latias (Levitate and three Ground weak Pokémon help a lot) and fire off some quick devastation with their impressive power, falling back to my defensive core when I need to switch out. Past the early game, I try to lay down those Spikes, detect the potential stoppers to my special sweepers and focus my atempts on disabling them. Then, I let the rape begin, plain and simple. Obviously, this team is not without its weaknesses. I will compile a threat list soon, but let me assure you in advance that Starmie and Rotom are a pain in the ass to this team, as well as Wispy Kit to a lesser extent. And a well played Blissey (i.e. with Spin support) is tough to take out without a well predicted Trick. Anyway, rate away!
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Serene Grace - Adamant nature
EVs: 84 HP/252 Atk/176 Spe
- Trick
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
- U-turn
I used to employ Metagross as a lead, but I hated to get the short end of the stick against Starmie leads, which seem to be quite popular in the CAP server. However, I still needed a Steel-typed Pokémon in this slot, since, as you will see at the end of the RMT, I do not have many answers against Dragon attacks. So, my eyes finally glanced at Jirachi, and I did not get disappointed.
This lead is a good mix of bulkyness and utility, which allow me to find uses for it even later in the match. 176 Spd EVs, combined with the Scarf, grant me 418 Speed, enough to outspeed Choice Scarf Heatran. 252 Atk and Adamant nature allow Jirachi to pack quite the punch... err, head^^ and the remaining EVs are put in HP to ease a bit the switch-ins into Dragons and what not. Trick is a good opening move at times, ruining the momentum of some leads if they decide to go for Stealth Rock, but I try to keep the Scarf as long as I can for 2 reasons:
1) I need Trick to fight on an even foot against most Stall teams, and I can't allow some useless Pokémon to get it when I need to cripple something else.
2) Jirachi is a good check against a wide array of set-up sweepers. Despite Steelbeing a bad attacking type, Iron Head's 60% flinch chance allow me to weaken and even kill a lot of foes (even Steel resistant ones)
U-turn is maybe the crux of the set. It turns the table against non-Scarf Starmie leads (at least, compared to Metagross), and not only it gets a supereffective hit, but also keeps the momentum going for my team. between Jirachi and Kitsunoh (read below), U-turn allow me to hold initiative and at the same time weaken the opposition - especially when Spikes and/or Steal Rock are down.
Speaking of Stealth Rock, I rarely lay it down at the start of the match, unless I just Tricked the opposing lead. Generally, unless I desperately need them up (for example, if a Salamence is harassing me somehow), I prefer to wait later in the match, when I already throw the Choice Scarf away. Also, since my sweepers have little fear of airborne foes, Spikes are generally the priority.
To sum it up, Jirachi gets me momentum early on, absorbs Dragon-type attacks, keeps in check the oppositions, disables threatening walls and set up Stealth Rock when the time is right. An awesome lead all around.
Arghonaut @ Leftovers
Unaware - Adamant nature
EVs: 252 HP/36 Atk/220 Def
- Recover
- Waterfall
- Revenge
- Thunderpunch
Fidgit @ Leftovers
Vital Spirit - Timid nature
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Earth Power
- Encore
Kitsunoh @ Choice Scarf
Frisk - Jolly nature
EVs: 80 HP/252 Atk/176 Spe
- U-turn
- ShadowStrike
- Ice Punch
- Thunderpunch
The EVs need a little explaination. 176 Spd with a Jolly nature and Choice Scarf allow Kitsunoh to outspeed the +100 Speed group even after a speed boost, giving me the chance to revenge kill Dragon Dancers should something go wrong with Arghonaut. 252 Atk is a necessity, and 80 HP soften a bit the hits Kitsunoh is doomed to withstand. ShadowStrike is basic STAB and slays Latias and Rotom above others. U-turn is a great scouting move and allow me to control the flow of the match, and Thunderpunch and Ice Punch are here for revenge killing purposes.
Stratagem @ Choice Specs
Levitate - Timid nature
EVs: 4 Def/252 SpA/252 Spe
- Paleo Wave
- Energy Ball
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
Latias @ Choice Specs
Levitate - Timid nature
EVs: 4 Def/252 SpA/252 Spe
- Dragon Pulse
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
So, here is the strategy: whenever I can, I bring in safely Stratagem or Latias (Levitate and three Ground weak Pokémon help a lot) and fire off some quick devastation with their impressive power, falling back to my defensive core when I need to switch out. Past the early game, I try to lay down those Spikes, detect the potential stoppers to my special sweepers and focus my atempts on disabling them. Then, I let the rape begin, plain and simple. Obviously, this team is not without its weaknesses. I will compile a threat list soon, but let me assure you in advance that Starmie and Rotom are a pain in the ass to this team, as well as Wispy Kit to a lesser extent. And a well played Blissey (i.e. with Spin support) is tough to take out without a well predicted Trick. Anyway, rate away!