Big, Bold, and Beautiful

[Absolution]

b i g , . b o l d . a n d . b e a u t i f u l :

- - -

r o s e r a d e .
@ Lum Berry
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP/252 SpAtk/252 Spd
Timid nature (-Atk, +Spd)
- Sleep Powder
- Toxic Spikes
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power Fire
---

When I originally was setting up my team, Celebi was in this spot, but I really didn't have a lead in the team. Celebi couldn't work that spot because of the Pursuit weakness, so sticking with my bulky requirements I switched it for a Scarf Venusaur, who could generally play similarly. I really didn't like it much, I hate being stuck in the one attack, and after Venusaur's scarf sleep powder, I had to switch him out anyway, so it was like the game was just restarting, with one of the opponent’s Pokémon asleep.

In came Roserade. While not meeting the bulky requirements I set out for myself, it's an excellent lead, and fully supports the bulkiness of everyone else with Toxic Spikes. Throws sleeps on the first turn, then sets up Toxic Spikes on the second as they switch out. Having the opposing team losing additional health every turn really helps. As for Roserade itself, I actually get more kills throwing HP Fire at unexpected steels or grasses than Leaf Storm, which I think is funny.

h e a t r a n .
@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 20 HP / 236 Spd / 252 SpAtk
Modest nature (-Atk, +SpAtk)
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power Ice
- Explosion
---

Heatran's my second favorite addition from D/P. Kick ass typing/ability combination, easy to bring in (especially with Roserade as my lead), takes special attacks like a champ, etc. Scarf makes him a great revenge killer, and can explode on Blissey. Takes care of Bronzong and many steels, fires, and grasses as well as threatens burn to the Phys. Sweepers.

s n o r l a x .
@ Leftovers
Ability: Choice Band
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Return
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
---

Snorlax is my predominant special wall (though, as I said before, Heatran can support), and my Choice Bander. Return is used over Body Slam due to Roserade already spreading out Sleep and Poison, so most Pokémon don't even have a chance to be Paralyzed. Pursuit catches Gengar who can do some serious damage to my team.

g y a r a d o s .
@ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spd
Adament nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
---

Gyarados is my main Lucario/Heracross counter. Ice Fang lets it do decent against all those dragons as well. You know the story, Dance and go. Gyarados took the place of my old Gliscor.

m a m o s w i n e .
@ Life Orb
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 64 HP/252 Atk/192 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Ice Pebble
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Stone Edge
---

Heatran's my second favorite addition this generation; Mamoswine's my first. His typing is damn fierce attack-wise, his name and design are frickin' hilarious, he’s just damn awesome all around. And who doesn’t love seeing a big bad dragon die from a giant pig shooting high velocity ice pebbles?
Oblivious is completely unnecessary, so Snow Cloak's the ability, which helps with all the Hail.

s w a m p e r t .
@ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 216 Def / 52 SpAtk
Relaxed nature (+ Def, - Sp)
- Surf
- Stone Edge
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
---

Formerly Raikou, and then Vaporeon, when I took out Gliscor I missed my Stealth Rock support. I switched in Swampert, who can take care of, that, as well as mix attack and Roar. Without Vaporeon's Hidden Power Electric i'm more open to Gyarados, but between Stealth Rock and Stone Edge/Roar, I'm hoping not too bad.

b i g , . b o l d . a n d . b e a u t i f u l . i n . s u m m a r y :

This is my first serious Shoddy team. I've largely lurked around Smogon for nearly a year now, just reading and learning as much as I can. This team's letting me get some quality good experience, and my prediction skills have slowly been improving, with help from my team's various immunities; Fire, Poison, Ghost, Ground, and Electric. I really believe that most of my losses are due to dumb things I've done, as opposed to any serious problems with the team. And considering how little experience I have, I'm rather proud of each win I've gotten.

However, any help is definitely appreciated. Oh and if anyone has fought me and I’ve randomly just left at the beginning or in the middle, I’ve been having some computer issues, so don’t take it personally. Just enjoy the win. ;)

Thanks guys!

 

[Ancien Régime]

b i g , b o l d a n d b e a u t i f u l :

In general, you will lose to more dedicated stall teams. 5 Spikes weak, no SR resists, no spinner, Roserade's fragility...no ability to protect your spikes...

But more to the point, Mixape is a huge problem, seeing that it hits super effective on every member of the team unless it's a Plot variant. (and if it's a Grass Knot user with Fire Blast, then it will OHKO Gliscor even without HP Ice.)

SD Lucario with HP Ice is a big problem for this team, seeing that he could potentially 6-0 after a Swords Dance (CC OHKOes Swine/Heatran/Snorlax/Roserade and possibly Vaporeon and HP Ice hits Gliscor.

I think Gengar should go over Mamoswine. It will hold up much better against Lucario, revengekilling non-Bullet Punch versions.

Also, Snorlax does not help your team much, seeing that it's somewhat redundant with Heatran on the team.

It depends on what you want to replace it. Garchomp could be a good choice, as I feel you need some sort of end-game sweeper.

Finally, you need to get a spinner - I would place T-Bolt Starmie over Vaporeon, in order to deal with spikes while being able to counter Gyarados.

Your team already has good synergy and balance, but you also had glaring weaknesses that needed to be addressed. I feel these fixes do so.

 

[Fishin]

I could definitely see Gengar giving your team some trouble - IMO, the most effective way to remedy this would be to change your Snorlax to a CBer with Pursuit, which can easily catch a Gengar that's using an attack besides Focus Blast or Hypnosis (which you should be absorbing with Heatran). This would go against the stallish nature of your team to an extent, but you can still throw Wishes around with Vaporeon.

Normally, I'd advocate Earth Power over Dragon Pulse on Restalk Heatran, but for your team's purposes Dragon Pulse is most likely a bit better. Heatran is your only Dragon resist, so it's going to be one of your main switches into choice'd Dragons like Salamence and Garchomp, and if you do make Snorlax a CBer it'll be a pretty decent switch into opposing Heatran. Without Dragon Pulse, you're really lacking an effective way to hurt them. I'd also consider moving some of the sp atk EV's into the defenses, particularly special defense in order to take Draco Meteor better. Either Heatran or Snorlax could also be replaced, since their roles are fairly similar.

Most importantly, Extremespeed Lucario with HP Ice rips this team apart. Weezing over Vaporeon would solve this problem while still giving you some defense against Gyarados, but then you lose your Wish support (Starmie would also work pretty well here since it lets you spin and helps some against Lucario while still countering Gyara). Suicune can also barely survive one SD'd Close Combat from Lucario IIRC, but it's a pretty shaky defense. Celebi with HP Fire would also be a big help, but then you lose your T-spikes.

edit: as Ancien said Infernape is a huge problem, too...some sort of Scarfed revenge killer would be a pretty big boon to this team. Garchomp would work nicely over Snorlax, since it provides a Rock resist which you currently lack and covers a whole lot of stuff that could get past your defenses.

 

[SarunoX]

Lum Berry on Roserade seems redundant to me. I would rather go with Focus Sash to ensure 2 Tspikes sets or Black Sludge/Leftovers for more potential use later on.

Choice Band Snorlax could be better on this team to give you some quick hard hitting and SelfDestruct could help with some pokes you are having trouble getting around

 

[Aeroblacktyl]

Personally, with the Pokes you picked out with the team, I'd just go all offensive galore with it.

People already mentioned Snorlax to be CB, so why not change Heatran to a revenge killer with Choice Scarf, and replace the Glisor with Gyarados, which adds a lot more offense while still retaining some nice resistances to Lucario and Heracross.

Mamoswine will also seem better as the hard hitting right off the bat Life Orber kind of thing IMO. You don't want to Curse only to be now slower by something you would have 2HKO's anyways while being faster.

As for Vaporeon, supposedly it could stay, however I wouldn't shy away from a Wish Calm Minder, which works as a great support Poke and can sweep if needed.

 

[Absolution]

Alright, I switched in Gyarados for Gliscor, and switched Heatran and Snorlax's purposes, as well as Mamoswine's strategy.

I'm hesitant to take out Vaporeon because its now my only source of healing, but we'll see how the team plays over the next couple of days.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Absolution]

Swampert's gone in for Vaporeon, and I'm going to play around with this over the next couple of days. If anyone has any more suggestions, I'm eager to hear them.

I'm also considering switching Heatran up to the lead, and changing out Roselia for Celebi. Any opinions?

 

[blasphemy1]

You really need some security against strong fighting types like Heracross, Lucario, Infernape, Medicham, Gallade and Machamp. I suggest a Gliscor, which deals with Heracross and Lucario, and the rest can be defeated by Cresselia(yes, even CB Gallade with X-Scissor only 3HKOs.)

Without Gliscor, CB Heracross can easily use Close Combat to sweep most of your team, and Stone Edge will likely defeat Gyarados, who is weak to Stealth Rock and has no recovery/Wish support.

EDIT: Another thing, seeing as you are weak to Gengar and Alakazam, use Pursuit>Crunch on Snorlax.

 

[Zeromus EG]

Choice Band makes DD useless on Gyara'.

Switch CB for Leftovers or DD for Stone Edge.

 

[Absolution]

You really need some security against strong fighting types like Heracross, Lucario, Infernape, Medicham, Gallade and Machamp. I suggest a Gliscor, which deals with Heracross and Lucario, and the rest can be defeated by Cresselia(yes, even CB Gallade with X-Scissor only 3HKOs.)

Without Gliscor, CB Heracross can easily use Close Combat to sweep most of your team, and Stone Edge will likely defeat Gyarados, who is weak to Stealth Rock and has no recovery/Wish support.

I was already told to replace my original Gliscor for Gyarados. Which one is best? Because if I bring back Gliscor w/Stealth Rocks, it would open up the Swampert spot for Tentacruel who could do Toxic Spikes/Spin for me, which means I could replace Roserade with Celebi.

EDIT: Another thing, seeing as you are weak to Gengar and Alakazam, use Pursuit>Crunch on Snorlax.

Will do! Thanks

Choice Band makes DD useless on Gyara'.

Switch CB for Leftovers or DD for Stone Edge.

Choice Band was a typo. There's always been Leftovers. Thanks for pointing that out though.