75% Win Ratio in a shitty metagame. Oh, and I wrote a lot too. (UU RMT)

[Rinsting]

Well, after getting back into UU last week or so, I achieved an average ranking of around 1275. I was planning on making this team for getting onto the leader-board, and I was hoping the people on Smogon could help me find any mishaps.

This team is fairly balanced, as most UU teams are, and is fairly easy to use. The team members all have key resistances as well, which makes prediction and switching a breeze, or so I thought. This team has about a 75% win ratio, and never really wins by hax. The high win ratio might make you think I'm not telling the truth, but it was a crowded time, so I could have been facing lesser players. Whatever.

The strategy is this: Cripple opponents with Banette and Clefable, and come in on hits with my teams resistances. The 3 sweepers often don't come out until late game, so they can sweep easier. Steelix is a bit of an oddball, but is a must in all UU teams. Now, the team itself.

Banette (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 204 HP/90 Atk/216 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spe, -SpA)
-Trick
-Wil-o-wisp
-Thunder Wave
-Shadow Claw

Description: skiddle's Banette lead. Tricks a Choice Scarf onto wall leads like Steelix or Claydol, and then proceeds to double status. Electrode and Miltank leads are it's only problem. Wil-o-wisps first, and proceeds to Thunder Wave sweepers. Shadow Claw deals with Claydol, Drifblim, Rotom, and Mr. Mime leads.

EVs: These EVs allow for Banette to get to 363 speed with the Scarf, 263 without it. The HP EVs allow for minimum Stealth Rock damage, and Banette can live through most hits. Attack EVs for Shadow Claw to hopefully do something.

Team Work: Lot of it. Banette gives me a great start by giving Venusaur and Hitmonlee paralyzed opponents, and Wil-o-wisp allows for safer switch-ins. Tricking a Scarf onto Clefable also just destroys it. Banette can also come back in on Close Combats for more crippling.

Clefable (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP/252 SpD/6 Def
Calm nature (+SpD, -Att)
-Thunder Wave
-Encore
-Seismic Toss
-Softboiled

Description: This Clefable fits best with my team's strategy by just messing up my opponent's. Thunder Wave to support my sweepers, and Encore for safe switches. Counters almost every special threat in UU. Seismic Toss to out-stall Miltank and friends. Most of the time, people anticipate Calm-Clefable, which is a big mistake.

EVs: Max Special Defense to take two Specs/LO Ice Beams from Glaceon, and two Leaf Storms from a Specs-Saur. No Defense EVs needed, because this Clefable isn't meant for mixed walling, unlike the analysis says.

Team Work: Pairs well with Banette to be able to screw over my opponent's team. If I encore a Ninetales' Flamethrower, I switch to my Ninetales to get a free Nasty Plot. Encore also works with my team's "resistance" strategy.

Steelix (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/120 Att/136 SpD
Brave nature (+Atk, -Spe)
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Gyro Ball
-Roar

Description: The most used Pokemon in the UU metagame, happens to be on my team. Steelix is bog-standard, and so is the set. Sets up Stealth Rock, and Roars away things. Earthquake and Gyro Ball for STAB and coverage. Takes hits like a man.

EVs: Max HP, and put the rest in Special Defense to survive weak attacks. Attack EVs to actually hurt something. 0 Speed IV and Brave for Gyro Ball's power.

Team Work: Takes hits for the entire team, and counters a hell lotta Pokemon. Setting up Stealth rock helps Clefable and Banette with their Status shuffle.

Ninetales (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA/6 HP/252 Spe
Timid nature (+Spe, -Att)
-Nasty Plot
-Flamethrower
-Energy Ball
-Hidden Power Rock

Description: Almost nothing can take a Flash Fire x2 LO Flamethrower, which this guy often gets. Come in on a Fire move, and Nasty Plot up, then sweep with good coverage. Hidden Power Rock counters Altaria and other Ninetales, and rounds out the coverage on this set.

EVs: Max Special Attack and Speed to outpace and OHKO most things. Timid over Modest to win the speed tie with other Ninetales, and beat a once boosted Altaria.

Team Work: My general sweeper, and revenge killer if needed. Kills Fire types for Steelix and Venusaur, and takes their fire hits. My only answer to Altaria.

Venusaur (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 SpA/236 HP/22 Spe
Modest nature (+SpA, -Att)
-Leaf Storm
-Hidden Power Psychic
-Sludge Bomb
-Sleep Powder

Description: Venusaur is another staple on any of my UU teams. That Specs Leaf Storm is just so awesome, it OHKOs half the metagame. Sludge Bomb to hit bulky grass types, and I use it whenever I feel like I can get over 1 kill. Hidden Power Psychic is for Hitmontop, Weezing, and Toxicroak, which this team can't really handle.

EVs: Max Special Attack for the hurting on most opponents, and to 2HKO Grumpig, and 3HKO Hypno. HP Evs seeing as I want this to be able to take most Close Combats, and come back for the OHKO with HP Psychic.

Team Work: Takes out Bulky Waters, and is 1 out of 2 of my team's offensive core. Supports team with taking out most counters, and can also Sleep opponents.

Hitmonlee (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Limber
EVs: 252 Att/6 SpD/252 Spe
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
-Close Combat
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-Sucker Punch

Description: Hitmonlee gives the team it's offensive core. It covers a wide amount of Pokemon with Venusaur, and hurts about everything. Close Combat for STAB and the possible OHKO on Steelix with Stealth Rock up. Earthquake and Stone Edge provide good coverage, and Sucker Punch is useful with it's priority.

EVs: Max Attack and Speed for general sweeping. Nothing else really notable, except it runs rampant when the Thunder Waves are up.

Team Work: Hitmonlee forms my offensive core with Venusaur, and breaks down enemies. This guy is needed on the team, but I feel like something could replace him.


Damage Calculations:

Ninetales:

2x Flamethrower v. Max HP / SpD Thick Fat Grumpig 31.56%-37.21%
2x Flash Fire Flamethrower v. Max HP / SpD Thick Fat Grumpig 47.18%-55.48% 2HKO
2x Flash Fire Flamethrower v. Max HP / SpD Hypno 44.05%-51.77%

Venusaur:

Specs Leaf Storm v. Max HP / SpD Hypno 65.27% - 76.85% 2HKO
Specs Leaf Storm v. Max HP / SpD Clefable 75.53% - 88.82% 2HKO
Specs Leaf Storm v. Max HP / SpD Grumpig 70.10% - 82.39% 2HKO

Hitmonlee:

Close Combat v. Max HP / Min Def 82.49% - 96.89% Stealth Rock OHKO


​

 

[Buckles]

SD Toxicroak Sucker Punch will dispose of Ninetales fairly quickly, especially with SR down, so I find HP Psychic a viable option on Venusaur. Not only does it OHKO Croak, it also 2HKOs Weezing who would otherwise wall it and can help against bulky Fighters when you don't want to use Leaf Storm.

You could try also Scarf Lee if you're disappointed by his speed, just change his nature to Adamant. And as for Rain Dance teams and Electrode leads, well, there isn't much that can stop them in UU right now, but a Special Wall Blastoise with HP Grass has worked for me before, you could try that.

The rest is fairly standard, looks pretty solid

 

[Rinsting]

SD Toxicroak Sucker Punch will dispose of Ninetales fairly quickly, especially with SR down, so I find HP Psychic a viable option on Venusaur. Not only does it OHKO Croak, it also 2HKOs Weezing who would otherwise wall it and can help against bulky Fighters when you don't want to use Leaf Storm.

You could try also Scarf Lee if you're disappointed by his speed, just change his nature to Adamant. And as for Rain Dance teams and Electrode leads, well, there isn't much that can stop them in UU right now, but a Special Wall Blastoise with HP Grass has worked for me before, you could try that.

The rest is fairly standard, looks pretty solid

HP Psychic, eh? I'll try it. It also sounds good for my Hitmontop weak.

I wasn't saying that I wanted more speed, just that more speed would be helpful.

 

[Vrolok]

It's not a shitty metagame!

It's interesting in that your team is really similar to one of my teams. I run the exact same set on my Ninetails and Steelix. My Venusaur uses HP: Ice for better coverage and starts as my lead. It's good against most trick users, as well as deceives many players into thinking I'm running status.

My Clefable uses Wish/Protect over SToss/SBoiled. Altho you lose any attacking options, you create a wall that supports like no other. I've been commented on that set to be annoying as hell, and totally supports a team such as yours. With your various resistences, it's easy to give a switch, so why not pass a wish as well? Protect can scout if your opponent switches on encores, as well as ease prediction against one of its most hated enemies, ScarfLee.

My ghost is Drifblim, the CM Petaya Unburden set. I can't comment on your Banette set, but it seems like a good lead. Does it work for your team? Does your team rely on a quick trick and double status? It seems with smart switches, WoW doesn't really seem helpful. TWave is always useful, but do you need it on two pokes? If it's been working, keep it.

Lastly, I run BulkUpWrath instead of Hitmonlee. Tbh, LO Lee doesn't really impress me too much. I've seen the common ScarfLee wreck havok, as well as the CB set taking advantage of it's ability to force switches with mach punch to make up for it. As well, Wrath provides Water Absorb, some bulk, and comes in easy with an Encore. If you don't like Wrath, give CBLee a try.

Steel/Normal/Ghost and Water/Grass/Fire provide great coverage and resistences. An alright team. Good luck and cool team!

 

[Rinsting]

It's not a shitty metagame!

It's messed up. Unbalanced, if you will.

It's interesting in that your team is really similar to one of my teams. I run the exact same set on my Ninetails and Steelix. My Venusaur uses HP: Ice for better coverage and starts as my lead. It's good against most trick users, as well as deceives many players into thinking I'm running status.

I think I saw your team. But didn't you have HP Rock over HP Ground? And, after testing the Venusaur lead, it didn't work as well as I thought.

My Clefable uses Wish/Protect over SToss/SBoiled. Altho you lose any attacking options, you create a wall that supports like no other. I've been commented on that set to be annoying as hell, and totally supports a team such as yours. With your various resistences, it's easy to give a switch, so why not pass a wish as well? Protect can scout if your opponent switches on encores, as well as ease prediction against one of its most hated enemies, ScarfLee.

Wish passing isn't really needed on this team, and ScarfLee isn't really a threat with Steelix, Banette, and Venusaur lying around. Seismic Toss is also important to do anything, in my experience.

My ghost is Drifblim, the CM Petaya Unburden set. I can't comment on your Banette set, but it seems like a good lead. Does it work for your team? Does your team rely on a quick trick and double status? It seems with smart switches, WoW doesn't really seem helpful. TWave is always useful, but do you need it on two pokes? If it's been working, keep it.

It has been working. I can't really think of any other lead that really supports this team as well as Banette. WoW is useful for Steelix leads, and physical sweeper switches.

Lastly, I run BulkUpWrath instead of Hitmonlee. Tbh, LO Lee doesn't really impress me too much. I've seen the common ScarfLee wreck havok, as well as the CB set taking advantage of it's ability to force switches with mach punch to make up for it. As well, Wrath provides Water Absorb, some bulk, and comes in easy with an Encore. If you don't like Wrath, give CBLee a try.

I normally don't like to have more than one choiced pokemon on a team. LO Lee is a beast late-game, and is even better than Hitmontop. Poliwrath never, ever seems to work for me, so, yeah.
Steel/Normal/Ghost and Water/Grass/Fire provide great coverage and resistences. An alright team. Good luck and cool team!

 

[Vrolok]

Wow, your memory is better than mine. Yes, I do run HP: Rock, my bad. It provides stronger coverage, in my opinion. How did you use your Venusaur lead? I usually start with Leafstorm. Coming off specs and with enough bulk, the only thing that basically didn't die was something that had faster status. But each team requires a different lead, as does each player.

Also, I'm sorry to hear you haven't had success with Polywrath. Bulk Up/Sub/Watefall/Focus Punch has worked wonders for me, especially with Encore. It worries me that you don't have a substitute user, for I share with Skiddle the immense love for it. Eases prediction, gives yourself another hit, and allows for Focus Punch. However, with good paralysis support, I can see why you'd want to keep LO Lee.

 

[Rinsting]

Wow, your memory is better than mine. Yes, I do run HP: Rock, my bad. It provides stronger coverage, in my opinion. How did you use your Venusaur lead? I usually start with Leafstorm. Coming off specs and with enough bulk, the only thing that basically didn't die was something that had faster status. But each team requires a different lead, as does each player.

E-xacly. I just couldn't ever seem to use it correctly. It got owned by too many other leads.

Also, I'm sorry to hear you haven't had success with Polywrath. Bulk Up/Sub/Watefall/Focus Punch has worked wonders for me, especially with Encore. It worries me that you don't have a substitute user, for I share with Skiddle the immense love for it. Eases prediction, gives yourself another hit, and allows for Focus Punch. However, with good paralysis support, I can see why you'd want to keep LO Lee.

Substitute isn't really needed on this team, with Ninetales taking Wil-o-wisps, Hitmonlee/Steelix taking Thunder Waves, Venusaur taking Leech Seed, no-one using Sleep moves, and Clefable taking Toxic. And, the paralysis support does help. Why would I need a Sub user?

 

[Vrolok]

Substitute.

The value of this move can never be underestimated. Yeah, it blocks status. but Substitute is so much more than that. It's the ultimate strategy for aiding prediction. Take Gengar for example; normally you could just try and switch in Weavile or Scarftran on the Shadow Ball and take it out, but no; it uses Substitute instead! Now you either have to sacrifice your pokemon breaking it's Sub, or let something else eat two hits from Gengar. It's totally evil.

Then you've got awesome strategies like Sub + Encore, Sub + Calm Mind, Sub + Salac Berry, Sub + Focus Punch, Sub + Leech Seed... the list goes on. I usually have at least two pokemon with the move on every team I make. It's that important to me.

Just something I agree with personally. If you've found success without it, keep doing what you're doing. However, I've always found Substitute to be a move worth meriting to every team.

 

[1059860]

What about Altaria? What you going to take him out with? I suggest HP Ice on Ninetales.

 

[XIIIII]

Haha, I remember taking down 5 pokes with a Specs-Altaria. HP Ice on Ninetales is an interesting prospect.

Steelix can't really counter Mix-Taria, as Fire Blast would almost OHKO and EQ takes out Ninetales. Banette's Sucker Punch would work once, until Altaria started to Roost. Venusaur is smoothly countered by Altaria as well, and Lee can't switch in.

Maybe a Toxicroak over Lee? Ice punch, Cross chop, Sucker punch, Swords dance @ Life orb?

 

[Rinsting]

Just something I agree with personally. If you've found success without it, keep doing what you're doing. However, I've always found Substitute to be a move worth meriting to every team.

Well, Substitute could be useful on something, I guess. What do you think I should put it on?

What about Altaria? What you going to take him out with? I suggest HP Ice on Ninetales.

If you look carefully, I have already stated my Altaria problem. And, I think HP Rock does just fine.

Haha, I remember taking down 5 pokes with a Specs-Altaria. HP Ice on Ninetales is an interesting prospect.

Steelix can't really counter Mix-Taria, as Fire Blast would almost OHKO and EQ takes out Ninetales. Banette's Sucker Punch would work once, until Altaria started to Roost. Venusaur is smoothly countered by Altaria as well, and Lee can't switch in.

Maybe a Toxicroak over Lee? Ice punch, Cross chop, Sucker punch, Swords dance @ Life orb?

Hidden Power Rock does basically the same thing as Ice, but with more coverage. No-one uses Specs-Altaria, or any special Altaria.

Toxicroak just can't do enough damage without Swords Dancing. Sorry, but I need the immediate power.

 

[Rinsting]

Haha, I remember taking down 5 pokes with a Specs-Altaria. HP Ice on Ninetales is an interesting prospect.

Steelix can't really counter Mix-Taria, as Fire Blast would almost OHKO and EQ takes out Ninetales. Banette's Sucker Punch would work once, until Altaria started to Roost. Venusaur is smoothly countered by Altaria as well, and Lee can't switch in.

Maybe a Toxicroak over Lee? Ice punch, Cross chop, Sucker punch, Swords dance @ Life orb?

Also, how does Croak even help my team? Sure, Ice Punch, but...What? It doesn't make sense to randomly ask me to put something over my best counter to most UU threats.

 

[Rinsting]

B
U
M
P

 

[DesignOfAges]

On your banette lead, I would use Shadow Sneak over Sucker Punch. Sucker Punch is stronger, but gives people the chance to possibly set up or switch if they think you are going to use it. It can be useful with status moves and prediction, but shadow sneak would be good for quick finishing of weakened pokemon, breaking sashes, and all that good stuff.

 

[Bourbon]

I voted Hidden Power Rock.

If you are looking for another physical sweeper over Hitmonlee, I suppose that Relicanth could work. Choice Scarfed Head Smash is very powerful, and could help against Altaria. You could come in on Fire Blast or Dragon Claw, and force it out with Head Smash. Earthquake wouldn't phaze him much either, even without any EV investment, Relicanth has nearly 300 defense and 340 HP. If the Altaria stayed in to Earthquake they would surely die.

 

[LonelyNess]

This team is pretty standard, it's deadly effective and should win a lot of your battles for you. The only problem with it being that bog standard is that it is woefully weak to Glaceon, your only hope being Ninetales (although that's quickly disposed of with HP Ground which has become almost a mainstay on Glaceon sets). Although I suppose that you can revenge kill it with Hitmonlee too.

I would like to see your Clefable's EV spread changed to 252 HP / 252 SpD because atleast with that spread you can survive two Specs / LO Ice Beams from Glaceon and then Thunder Wave it, making it infinitely easier to deal with.

The next problem with the team I see is that you have problems taking out Hitmonlee's counters... which makes me wonder why you're using him as your late game sweeper. None of your Pokemon are particularily effective in taking out Claydol / Weezing / Rotom with the exception of Venusaur... but who would keep these in on them?

This team probably has significant problems with stall... unfortunatley I don't see how you could fix this without A. Opening up significant weaknesses with the rest of the team or B. Losing coverage against OTHER walls that you right now effectively take out.

This team will have to rely heavily on prediction to win in the current metagame.

 

[Rinsting]

On your banette lead, I would use Shadow Sneak over Sucker Punch. Sucker Punch is stronger, but gives people the chance to possibly set up or switch if they think you are going to use it. It can be useful with status moves and prediction, but shadow sneak would be good for quick finishing of weakened pokemon, breaking sashes, and all that good stuff.

Thanks, changed. Seems worthy. :P

 

[Rinsting]

I voted Hidden Power Rock.

If you are looking for another physical sweeper over Hitmonlee, I suppose that Relicanth could work. Choice Scarfed Head Smash is very powerful, and could help against Altaria. You could come in on Fire Blast or Dragon Claw, and force it out with Head Smash. Earthquake wouldn't phaze him much either, even without any EV investment, Relicanth has nearly 300 defense and 340 HP. If the Altaria stayed in to Earthquake they would surely die.

I wasn't saying I wanted another physical sweeper, really, but I'll test this out.

Hidden Power Rock seems like the logical choice, hitting enemy Ninetales, Altaria, and fliers.

 

[Rinsting]

This team is pretty standard, it's deadly effective and should win a lot of your battles for you. The only problem with it being that bog standard is that it is woefully weak to Glaceon, your only hope being Ninetales (although that's quickly disposed of with HP Ground which has become almost a mainstay on Glaceon sets). Although I suppose that you can revenge kill it with Hitmonlee too.

Glaceon never seems like to much of a threat to me. I've only seen it like, twice, in the 30 so matches I've played this week.

I would like to see your Clefable's EV spread changed to 252 HP / 252 SpD because atleast with that spread you can survive two Specs / LO Ice Beams from Glaceon and then Thunder Wave it, making it infinitely easier to deal with.

Hmm. I'll test it. Does this survive a Specs-Saur Leaf Storm? I was aiming for that befire.

The next problem with the team I see is that you have problems taking out Hitmonlee's counters... which makes me wonder why you're using him as your late game sweeper. None of your Pokemon are particularily effective in taking out Claydol / Weezing / Rotom with the exception of Venusaur... but who would keep these in on them?

It's not really my late game sweeper, all of my sweepers normally come out late game. *strategy* Would something along the lines of Hitmontop work better, then?

This team probably has significant problems with stall... unfortunatley I don't see how you could fix this without A. Opening up significant weaknesses with the rest of the team or B. Losing coverage against OTHER walls that you right now effectively take out.

This team will have to rely heavily on prediction to win in the current metagame.

Yeah, whatever. Thanks. I'll edit this later.

 

[Rinsting]

BUMP Edited Format

 

[Taylor]

You have bumped more than what you're permitted to.