Hello Again Everyone!
I posted a Dragonite-based VGC team a few weeks back and its re-ignited the passion for competitive Pokémon in a way I wasn't expecting. So, as an exercise to better help myself understand the Metagame, and to find a more meta setup myself, I thought I'd take a stab at building a team with each of the most prominent restricted Pokémon in the format over the next few weeks
With that being said I am still a relative newb when it comes to competitive battling so I would still appreciate any insight the community might have with regard to anything I may be overlooking or neglecting with your combined experience.
To wit, lets begin with one of the big boys of the format:
Calyrex-Shadow @ Spell Tag
Ability: As One (Spectrier)
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 228 HP / 84 Def / 36 SpA / 20 SpD / 140 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Astral Barrage
- Draining Kiss
- Nasty Plot
- Protect
Calyrex-S excels as a setup sweeper thanks to Astral Barrage and As One providing it with the potential to snowball. Calyrex-S has good matchups into threats such as Calyrex-I and Iron Defense Zamazenta-C. Draining Kiss hits Dark-types that resist Astral Barrage such as Chien-Pao and Urshifu-S and is a consistent form of recovery allowing Calyrex-S to stay on the field for longer. Nasty Plot is used to allow Calyrex-S to set up its offenses quickly.
Spell Tag allows Calyrex-S to OHKO Flutter Mane.
The EV spread allows Calyrex-S to survive Surging Strikes from Urshifu-R in rain, Volt Switch from Miraidon, and after Terastallization, Gholdengo's Make It Rain. The Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Calyrex-S outspeed base 135 Pokemon like Koraidon and Flutter Mane.
Tera Fairy is used to give Calyrex-S a resistance to Dark-type moves such as Knock Off from Incineroar and Dark Pulse from Chi-Yu as well as a STAB boost to Draining Kiss while also being a good neutral defensive typing.
Incineroar and Terapagos are major checks to Calyrex-S, since both of them resist or have an immunity to Astral Barrage without being vulnerable to Draining Kiss. Urshifu-R helps massively with both of them, since Surging Strikes and Close Combat, respectively, threaten them.
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
Level: 50
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- Aqua Jet
- U-turn
Choice Scarf Urshifu-R is an excellent revenge killer and cleaner against many offensive Pokemon. The Choice Scarf lets Urshifu-R outspeed the dangerous Calyrex-S, meaning that the vast majority of offensive teams get naturally outsped and destroyed by its powerful Surging Strikes or Close Combat, and with Unseen Fist, these teams cannot even attempt to outplay it with Protect.
U-turn lets Urshifu-R use the threat of its powerful attacks to pivot out, letting its team maintain momentum even when the opponent tries to switch around its attacks while also letting it 2HKO Ogerpon-W. Aqua Jet lets Urshifu-R bypass opposing speed control and priority moves when revenge killing an opposing threat
This EV spread maximizes both Urshifu-R's Attack and Speed to make it as fast and strong as possible.
Tera Ghost can is opted for to provide Urshifu-R with a Fake Out immunity, allowing it to keep momentum, and a Fighting immunity that lets Urshifu-R take on Zamazenta-C
Redirectors such as Rage Powder Amoonguss and Follow Me Ogerpon-W disrupt Urshifu-R very effectively, interfering with it attacking vulnerable targets. Rillaboom's Grassy Glide bypasses Urshifu-R's great Speed and threatens it with an OHKO. Miraidon and Raging Bolt both threaten Urshifu-R with their powerful Electro Drift and Thunderclap, respectively. Koraidon, Groudon, and even Tornadus can set up sun, weakening Surging Strikes so that Urshifu-R can be played around more easily. Additionally, a good way to subvert Urshifu-R's great Speed is with opposing speed control. Users include Tailwind Tornadus, Icy Wind Flutter Mane, and Trick Room Calyrex-I or Farigiraf.
Urshifu-R forms a formidable pivoting core with Rillaboom and Incineroar, with the three spamming U-turn or Parting Shot to stay ahead of the opponent's switches, reactivate Fake Out, cycle Intimidate, and let Urshifu-R choose new moves to lock into. Incineroar helps take on opposing Rillaboom and Amoonguss for Urshifu-R, while Rillaboom deals with Kyogre and opposing Urshifu-R well and slows down Miraidon. Both of them can use Fake Out to prevent one of the opposing Pokemon from attacking, letting Urshifu-R attack the other without interference. Fake Out also often forces foes to use Protect, which Urshifu-R can attack through.
Incineroar @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 156 Def / 100 SpD
Impish Nature
IVs: 27 Spe
- Taunt
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
Incineroar is the premier non-Restricted Pokemon in the Regulation G metagame thanks to Intimidate and its ability to check centralizing threats such as Calyrex-S for its team. Its access to Fake Out and Parting Shot combined with its great natural bulk make for a strong combination, demanding respect from foes lest they be forced to switch out, leaving themselves vulnerable to Incineroar's allies, or stay on the field outputting negligible damage. Incineroar is naturally blessed with a typing that lets it take on both Restricted Pokemon, such as Lunala and Calyrex-S, and strong non-Restricteds like Chien-Pao, Rillaboom, and Chi-Yu.
Taunt can is here to shut down Amoonguss. Knock Off is crucial to OHKO Calyrex-S while removing items such as Safety Goggles from opposing Incineroar.
Holding Safety Goggles itself allows Incineroar to have a better matchup against Amoonguss, letting it ignore Spore and Rage Powder.
The given EV spread allows Incineroar to always survive a Jolly Close Combat from Mienshao. As an added bonus, it also takes a +1 Defense Body Press from Zamazenta-C. The special bulk EVs allow Incineroar to avoid a 2HKO from +1 Life Orb Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage, letting it retaliate with Knock Off. 27 Speed IVs are run in order to get a slower Parting Shot than opposing Incineroar, allowing the user's Incineroar's Parting Shot to go off onto a freshly switched-in opposing Pokemon for greater value.
Tera Water is used to to resist Kyogre, Urshifu-R and Calyrex-I's Glacial Lance in exchange for a neutral matchup against opposing Incineroar.
As useful as Incineroar is, it is severely threatened by Pokemon such as Koraidon and Kyogre, the former of which is immune to Intimidate thanks to Clear Amulet and can easily OHKO Incineroar with Collision Course. The latter is Incineroar's worst matchup, as it easily gets OHKOed by Water Spout and even Origin Pulse if rain is on the field. Miraidon is also a huge nuisance when used with Choice Specs, as it can either potentially OHKO Incineroar with Electro Drift or pivot around it with Volt Switch, chipping it or its allies down.
The susceptibility to Koraidon can be mitigated by having Raging Bolt as a partner (who we'll see later), as both take advantage of Koraidon's sun via Protosynthesis and force it to Terastallize. Incineroar should also be carefully preserved against Calyrex-I because it commonly runs Clear Amulet and High Horsepower, which can 2HKO Incineroar. Incineroar also struggles against a top non-Restricted Pokemon in Urshifu-R, so allies such as Rillaboom are appreciated to keep it and other threats like Kyogre and Miraidon in check.
Rillaboom @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 244 HP / 116 Atk / 20 Def / 76 SpD / 52 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Grassy Glide
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Rillaboom is one of Regulation G's strongest pivots, slotting well into most teams because of its extremely flexible toolkit. Terrain control is especially valuable in a format where Miraidon and Indeedee-F are prevalent, with Grassy Terrain elevating Wood Hammer's damage to nuclear levels. Fake Out and Grassy Glide provide strong utility, with the latter threatening the many foes that outspeed Rillaboom and being able to pick off low HP targets. U-turn is used to give Rillaboom a pivot option.
Assault Vest is used to match up better into special threats such as Tornadus and Calyrex-S, as well as because Rillaboom doesn't run status moves regardless.
The Speed investment outspeeds Calyrex-S while under Tailwind, while the bulk investment makes Astral Barrage from Life Orb Calyrex-S almost always a 3HKO after terrain recovery and allows Rillaboom to live a Flare Blitz from Incineroar. The Attack investment almost always OHKOes Urshifu-R at -1 Attack with Wood Hammer
Rillaboom's worst matchups are those that either resist its Grass-type STAB moves or can weaken its attacks. Opposing Incineroar are a prime example, resisting Grass and hampering its damage with Intimidate. It doesn't need any particular support to function, though. Pokemon that complete the Fire / Water Grass defensive core such as Incineroar and Urshifu-R work well. The former can make Rillaboom even harder to KO with Intimidate and has its own Fake Out to complement Rillaboom's cycling, while the latter presents a more offensive threat that hits through Protect, the most common way to beat Fake Out.
Raging Bolt @ Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 148 HP / 12 Def / 188 SpA / 4 SpD / 156 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Thunderclap
- Thunderbolt
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
Raging Bolt's high Special Attack, bolstered by Booster Energy increasing its damage output significantly, makes it an immediate force to be reckoned with. It has positive matchups against Kyogre and Urshifu-R, resisting their STAB attacks and threatening huge damage or an OHKO on them, respectively, with its STAB moves. Raging Bolt also matches up well against Koraidon, threatening an OHKO with Draco Meteor.
The given EV spread outspeeds the rare but dangerous Timid Ursaluna-B while avoiding an OHKO from Timid Flutter Mane's unboosted Moonblast and +1 Ogerpon-H's Play Rough.
Tera Electric provides a powerful damage boost, allowing Raging Bolt to pick up OHKOs on Kyogre and Tera Ghost Urshifu-R and a 2HKO on Sitrus Berry Incineroar with Thunderbolt, which it usually would not be able to do.
Raging Bolt struggles against strong Ground-types such as Landorus, Ursaluna-B, and Groudon, all of which deal significant damage to it, while Calyrex-I is very difficult for Raging Bolt to remove due to its high bulk and potential to OHKO it in return. Farigiraf prevents Raging Bolt from using Thunderclap and often uses Tera Fairy, granting it immunity to Draco Meteor and Dragon Pulse, while Chien-Pao and Flutter Mane also threaten to deal siginificant damage on Raging Bolt. Incineroar is an exceptional partner, as it is difficult for Farigiraf to KO, and deals significant damage to Chien-Pao with Flare Blitz. Calyrex-S takes care of the Calyrex-I susceptibility.
Tornadus @ Covert Cloak
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 4 SpA / 44 SpD / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bleakwind Storm
- Rain Dance
- Tailwind
- Taunt
Tornadus is used as a support Pokemon that can set Tailwind for its team and deal semi-consistent damage with Bleakwind Storm. It is very good into Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Rillaboom, as Tornadus can easily use Taunt or threaten them with Bleakwind Storm. Tornadus can make use of its weather-setting abilities to help itself hit Bleakwind Storms or to help support its teammates by boosting or reducing the damage of Water- or Fire-type moves. It can also provide a check to weather-setting Pokemon like Koraidon and Groudon with opposing weather.
Tornadus can support Urshifu-R with Tailwind to counter opposing speed control, Rain Dance to boost the power of Urshifu-R's Water-type STAB moves, and Bleakwind Storm to threaten opposing Grass-types like Rillaboom that would threaten Urshifu-R. It can also use Taunt to ensure that Amoonguss cannot use Spore or Rage Powder to disrupt Urshifu-R
Covert Cloak allows Tornadus to shine as a supportive piece, as it stops it from being flinched by the common Fake Out. It also prevents it from having its Special Attack lowered by Snarl.
The EV spread on this Tornadus allows it to take a Tera Water Surging Strikes from Urshifu-R. It can also take an Astral Barrage from Choice Specs Calyrex-S.
Tera Dark is mainly used to stop other Tornadus from using Taunt or Whimsicott from using Encore on it. It can also be used as a defensive Tera against Calyrex-S, as it resists or is immune to both of its STAB attacks.
Checks to Tornadus include Miraidon and Raging Bolt. Their ability to resist its attacks and fire back with powerful Electric-type STAB moves can threaten both Tornadus and its common partners. One other check is Kingambit. Often, Tornadus cannot attack with Bleakwind Storm due to the threat of Defiant being activated. It can easily set up in front of Tornadus or, if it has Assault Vest, threaten its partner. Trick Room teams are also a bad matchup, as they flip the Speed stats and make Tailwind useless. Calyrex-I is especially tough for Tornadus, as it can target it down with strong Glacial Lances or set Trick Room right in front of it.
Tornadus, therefore appreciates the support of the Rillaboom/Urshifu/Incineroar core in order to mitigate these checks while providing Taunt, weather and Tailwind support in return.
And thats the team. I admit, not the most off-the-wall or massively inspiring team but I'm not looking to be creative as much as I'm looking to get a solid team together and properly understand how the prominent metagame threats work.
Please do feel free to suggest alterations, ask for clarifications or even better use the team and let me know how you do: https://pokepast.es/241e3d4022bad158
I posted a Dragonite-based VGC team a few weeks back and its re-ignited the passion for competitive Pokémon in a way I wasn't expecting. So, as an exercise to better help myself understand the Metagame, and to find a more meta setup myself, I thought I'd take a stab at building a team with each of the most prominent restricted Pokémon in the format over the next few weeks
With that being said I am still a relative newb when it comes to competitive battling so I would still appreciate any insight the community might have with regard to anything I may be overlooking or neglecting with your combined experience.
To wit, lets begin with one of the big boys of the format:
Calyrex-Shadow @ Spell Tag
Ability: As One (Spectrier)
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 228 HP / 84 Def / 36 SpA / 20 SpD / 140 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Astral Barrage
- Draining Kiss
- Nasty Plot
- Protect
Calyrex-S excels as a setup sweeper thanks to Astral Barrage and As One providing it with the potential to snowball. Calyrex-S has good matchups into threats such as Calyrex-I and Iron Defense Zamazenta-C. Draining Kiss hits Dark-types that resist Astral Barrage such as Chien-Pao and Urshifu-S and is a consistent form of recovery allowing Calyrex-S to stay on the field for longer. Nasty Plot is used to allow Calyrex-S to set up its offenses quickly.
Spell Tag allows Calyrex-S to OHKO Flutter Mane.
The EV spread allows Calyrex-S to survive Surging Strikes from Urshifu-R in rain, Volt Switch from Miraidon, and after Terastallization, Gholdengo's Make It Rain. The Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Calyrex-S outspeed base 135 Pokemon like Koraidon and Flutter Mane.
Tera Fairy is used to give Calyrex-S a resistance to Dark-type moves such as Knock Off from Incineroar and Dark Pulse from Chi-Yu as well as a STAB boost to Draining Kiss while also being a good neutral defensive typing.
Incineroar and Terapagos are major checks to Calyrex-S, since both of them resist or have an immunity to Astral Barrage without being vulnerable to Draining Kiss. Urshifu-R helps massively with both of them, since Surging Strikes and Close Combat, respectively, threaten them.
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
Level: 50
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- Aqua Jet
- U-turn
Choice Scarf Urshifu-R is an excellent revenge killer and cleaner against many offensive Pokemon. The Choice Scarf lets Urshifu-R outspeed the dangerous Calyrex-S, meaning that the vast majority of offensive teams get naturally outsped and destroyed by its powerful Surging Strikes or Close Combat, and with Unseen Fist, these teams cannot even attempt to outplay it with Protect.
U-turn lets Urshifu-R use the threat of its powerful attacks to pivot out, letting its team maintain momentum even when the opponent tries to switch around its attacks while also letting it 2HKO Ogerpon-W. Aqua Jet lets Urshifu-R bypass opposing speed control and priority moves when revenge killing an opposing threat
This EV spread maximizes both Urshifu-R's Attack and Speed to make it as fast and strong as possible.
Tera Ghost can is opted for to provide Urshifu-R with a Fake Out immunity, allowing it to keep momentum, and a Fighting immunity that lets Urshifu-R take on Zamazenta-C
Redirectors such as Rage Powder Amoonguss and Follow Me Ogerpon-W disrupt Urshifu-R very effectively, interfering with it attacking vulnerable targets. Rillaboom's Grassy Glide bypasses Urshifu-R's great Speed and threatens it with an OHKO. Miraidon and Raging Bolt both threaten Urshifu-R with their powerful Electro Drift and Thunderclap, respectively. Koraidon, Groudon, and even Tornadus can set up sun, weakening Surging Strikes so that Urshifu-R can be played around more easily. Additionally, a good way to subvert Urshifu-R's great Speed is with opposing speed control. Users include Tailwind Tornadus, Icy Wind Flutter Mane, and Trick Room Calyrex-I or Farigiraf.
Urshifu-R forms a formidable pivoting core with Rillaboom and Incineroar, with the three spamming U-turn or Parting Shot to stay ahead of the opponent's switches, reactivate Fake Out, cycle Intimidate, and let Urshifu-R choose new moves to lock into. Incineroar helps take on opposing Rillaboom and Amoonguss for Urshifu-R, while Rillaboom deals with Kyogre and opposing Urshifu-R well and slows down Miraidon. Both of them can use Fake Out to prevent one of the opposing Pokemon from attacking, letting Urshifu-R attack the other without interference. Fake Out also often forces foes to use Protect, which Urshifu-R can attack through.
Incineroar @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 156 Def / 100 SpD
Impish Nature
IVs: 27 Spe
- Taunt
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
Incineroar is the premier non-Restricted Pokemon in the Regulation G metagame thanks to Intimidate and its ability to check centralizing threats such as Calyrex-S for its team. Its access to Fake Out and Parting Shot combined with its great natural bulk make for a strong combination, demanding respect from foes lest they be forced to switch out, leaving themselves vulnerable to Incineroar's allies, or stay on the field outputting negligible damage. Incineroar is naturally blessed with a typing that lets it take on both Restricted Pokemon, such as Lunala and Calyrex-S, and strong non-Restricteds like Chien-Pao, Rillaboom, and Chi-Yu.
Taunt can is here to shut down Amoonguss. Knock Off is crucial to OHKO Calyrex-S while removing items such as Safety Goggles from opposing Incineroar.
Holding Safety Goggles itself allows Incineroar to have a better matchup against Amoonguss, letting it ignore Spore and Rage Powder.
The given EV spread allows Incineroar to always survive a Jolly Close Combat from Mienshao. As an added bonus, it also takes a +1 Defense Body Press from Zamazenta-C. The special bulk EVs allow Incineroar to avoid a 2HKO from +1 Life Orb Calyrex-S's Astral Barrage, letting it retaliate with Knock Off. 27 Speed IVs are run in order to get a slower Parting Shot than opposing Incineroar, allowing the user's Incineroar's Parting Shot to go off onto a freshly switched-in opposing Pokemon for greater value.
Tera Water is used to to resist Kyogre, Urshifu-R and Calyrex-I's Glacial Lance in exchange for a neutral matchup against opposing Incineroar.
As useful as Incineroar is, it is severely threatened by Pokemon such as Koraidon and Kyogre, the former of which is immune to Intimidate thanks to Clear Amulet and can easily OHKO Incineroar with Collision Course. The latter is Incineroar's worst matchup, as it easily gets OHKOed by Water Spout and even Origin Pulse if rain is on the field. Miraidon is also a huge nuisance when used with Choice Specs, as it can either potentially OHKO Incineroar with Electro Drift or pivot around it with Volt Switch, chipping it or its allies down.
The susceptibility to Koraidon can be mitigated by having Raging Bolt as a partner (who we'll see later), as both take advantage of Koraidon's sun via Protosynthesis and force it to Terastallize. Incineroar should also be carefully preserved against Calyrex-I because it commonly runs Clear Amulet and High Horsepower, which can 2HKO Incineroar. Incineroar also struggles against a top non-Restricted Pokemon in Urshifu-R, so allies such as Rillaboom are appreciated to keep it and other threats like Kyogre and Miraidon in check.
Rillaboom @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 244 HP / 116 Atk / 20 Def / 76 SpD / 52 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Grassy Glide
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Rillaboom is one of Regulation G's strongest pivots, slotting well into most teams because of its extremely flexible toolkit. Terrain control is especially valuable in a format where Miraidon and Indeedee-F are prevalent, with Grassy Terrain elevating Wood Hammer's damage to nuclear levels. Fake Out and Grassy Glide provide strong utility, with the latter threatening the many foes that outspeed Rillaboom and being able to pick off low HP targets. U-turn is used to give Rillaboom a pivot option.
Assault Vest is used to match up better into special threats such as Tornadus and Calyrex-S, as well as because Rillaboom doesn't run status moves regardless.
The Speed investment outspeeds Calyrex-S while under Tailwind, while the bulk investment makes Astral Barrage from Life Orb Calyrex-S almost always a 3HKO after terrain recovery and allows Rillaboom to live a Flare Blitz from Incineroar. The Attack investment almost always OHKOes Urshifu-R at -1 Attack with Wood Hammer
Rillaboom's worst matchups are those that either resist its Grass-type STAB moves or can weaken its attacks. Opposing Incineroar are a prime example, resisting Grass and hampering its damage with Intimidate. It doesn't need any particular support to function, though. Pokemon that complete the Fire / Water Grass defensive core such as Incineroar and Urshifu-R work well. The former can make Rillaboom even harder to KO with Intimidate and has its own Fake Out to complement Rillaboom's cycling, while the latter presents a more offensive threat that hits through Protect, the most common way to beat Fake Out.
Raging Bolt @ Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 148 HP / 12 Def / 188 SpA / 4 SpD / 156 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Thunderclap
- Thunderbolt
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
Raging Bolt's high Special Attack, bolstered by Booster Energy increasing its damage output significantly, makes it an immediate force to be reckoned with. It has positive matchups against Kyogre and Urshifu-R, resisting their STAB attacks and threatening huge damage or an OHKO on them, respectively, with its STAB moves. Raging Bolt also matches up well against Koraidon, threatening an OHKO with Draco Meteor.
The given EV spread outspeeds the rare but dangerous Timid Ursaluna-B while avoiding an OHKO from Timid Flutter Mane's unboosted Moonblast and +1 Ogerpon-H's Play Rough.
Tera Electric provides a powerful damage boost, allowing Raging Bolt to pick up OHKOs on Kyogre and Tera Ghost Urshifu-R and a 2HKO on Sitrus Berry Incineroar with Thunderbolt, which it usually would not be able to do.
Raging Bolt struggles against strong Ground-types such as Landorus, Ursaluna-B, and Groudon, all of which deal significant damage to it, while Calyrex-I is very difficult for Raging Bolt to remove due to its high bulk and potential to OHKO it in return. Farigiraf prevents Raging Bolt from using Thunderclap and often uses Tera Fairy, granting it immunity to Draco Meteor and Dragon Pulse, while Chien-Pao and Flutter Mane also threaten to deal siginificant damage on Raging Bolt. Incineroar is an exceptional partner, as it is difficult for Farigiraf to KO, and deals significant damage to Chien-Pao with Flare Blitz. Calyrex-S takes care of the Calyrex-I susceptibility.
Tornadus @ Covert Cloak
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 4 SpA / 44 SpD / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bleakwind Storm
- Rain Dance
- Tailwind
- Taunt
Tornadus is used as a support Pokemon that can set Tailwind for its team and deal semi-consistent damage with Bleakwind Storm. It is very good into Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Rillaboom, as Tornadus can easily use Taunt or threaten them with Bleakwind Storm. Tornadus can make use of its weather-setting abilities to help itself hit Bleakwind Storms or to help support its teammates by boosting or reducing the damage of Water- or Fire-type moves. It can also provide a check to weather-setting Pokemon like Koraidon and Groudon with opposing weather.
Tornadus can support Urshifu-R with Tailwind to counter opposing speed control, Rain Dance to boost the power of Urshifu-R's Water-type STAB moves, and Bleakwind Storm to threaten opposing Grass-types like Rillaboom that would threaten Urshifu-R. It can also use Taunt to ensure that Amoonguss cannot use Spore or Rage Powder to disrupt Urshifu-R
Covert Cloak allows Tornadus to shine as a supportive piece, as it stops it from being flinched by the common Fake Out. It also prevents it from having its Special Attack lowered by Snarl.
The EV spread on this Tornadus allows it to take a Tera Water Surging Strikes from Urshifu-R. It can also take an Astral Barrage from Choice Specs Calyrex-S.
Tera Dark is mainly used to stop other Tornadus from using Taunt or Whimsicott from using Encore on it. It can also be used as a defensive Tera against Calyrex-S, as it resists or is immune to both of its STAB attacks.
Checks to Tornadus include Miraidon and Raging Bolt. Their ability to resist its attacks and fire back with powerful Electric-type STAB moves can threaten both Tornadus and its common partners. One other check is Kingambit. Often, Tornadus cannot attack with Bleakwind Storm due to the threat of Defiant being activated. It can easily set up in front of Tornadus or, if it has Assault Vest, threaten its partner. Trick Room teams are also a bad matchup, as they flip the Speed stats and make Tailwind useless. Calyrex-I is especially tough for Tornadus, as it can target it down with strong Glacial Lances or set Trick Room right in front of it.
Tornadus, therefore appreciates the support of the Rillaboom/Urshifu/Incineroar core in order to mitigate these checks while providing Taunt, weather and Tailwind support in return.
And thats the team. I admit, not the most off-the-wall or massively inspiring team but I'm not looking to be creative as much as I'm looking to get a solid team together and properly understand how the prominent metagame threats work.
Please do feel free to suggest alterations, ask for clarifications or even better use the team and let me know how you do: https://pokepast.es/241e3d4022bad158
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