This is my first RMT for Smogon and this team was built with the help of my good friend Mario.
The beginning:
This team didn't actually take too long to create. I had most of the Pokemon i wanted to use in place, it was just a matter of which move sets flowed with the team, and which ones didn't. The main thing i wanted to use was the combination of Celamencepertran. All 4 of those Pokemon flow very well together, taking on plenty of OU threats and actually are very hard to beat, regardless of who of you use. Machamp was thrown in there for insurance against certain Pokemon and Porygon-Z is a heck of a revenge killer and gives me a nice late game cleaner upper.
*** Note, all the moves in red are the moves i'm willing to swap out and add a another move in it's place.
Salamence (M) @ Choice Band *** Flash
Ability: Intimidate
Evs: 212 HP / 40 Atk / 252 Speed * Jolly
-Outrage
-Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Fire Fang
Salamence is a perfect lead for any team. His unexpectedness as a Pokemon leaves a lot of Pokemon thinking, " Should i stay in or go to a counter ?" Well, most of them run like bitches and head to either Blissey, Heatran, Scizor or Metagross. Outrage has 3hko most Scizor switch ins i've come across. Outrage will 2hko any Gyarados including intimidate. Fire Fang is really just for Scizor and Forretress. Outrage has even 3hko'd most Bronzong who come in on it. I actually like spamming Outrage because i actually don't mind Salamence being revenged kill.
Just sending out Salamence alone is basically equivalent to a Roar. You get to see about 1/2 of an opponents team just having him for a lead. Not to mention, when they switch they opposing takes a nice chunk of damage. Then later on in the game when i come in Scizor, Dugtrio or any other thing, i just predict accordingly and get more kills. I chose to go with a defensive Band set because i enjoy having the attack boost while still having solid defensive tanking abilities. He is truely a gem and should have a place on someone's team.
*
Heatran (M) @ Life Orb *** Colt
Ability: Flash Fire
Evs: 4 HP / 252 Speed / 252 Special Atk
Naive Nature
- Explosion
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power {Grass}
Colt can come in on a lot of thing and wreak havoc on the opposition. Life Orb Fire Blast will 3hko most Gyarados and if i feel they will cause i threat to me, i will blow up in their face. The Hidden Power to select was very hard to do. I could have went Electric which helps me more against Gyarados, while Grass let's me hit Swampert and Rhypeioer. I wasn't actually worried about Dragons, so Dragon Pulse wasn't nearly on my mind that much. Since they don't see Leftovers recovery when i switch in, most people think i'm Scarfed and i get a free hit on plenty of Pokemon and if i Fire Blast Heatran, most Fire Blast me, then i Earth Power to kill them.
I once wanted Magma Storm to trap Blissey and other bulky waters so i can just explode in their face without them being able to switch and i explode on a worthless Pokemon. I even had consideration of selecting Dark Pulse over Hidden Power {Grass}, it hits Starmie, Rotom and even though Fire Blast has slight more power against Rotom, the accuracy is a sure fire hit. It also hits Gardevoir who i have ran into lately, and since it traces my Flash Fire, Fire Blast is null. If i find Hidden Power {Grass} isn't exactly getting the job done, i'll switch for Dark Pulse.
*
Celebi @ Leftovers *** Dro
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 148 HP / 240 Defense / 120 Special Attack
Bold Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power {Fire}
- Recover
Now Celebi was probably the hardest Pokemon to EV spread and the hardest Pokemon to give responsibility to. He is main reason why team succeeds. He comes in on Gyarados, Salamence or Kingra while i think they are Dragon Dancing, i Thunder Wave why they Ice Fang, or Dragon Dance again, which then leaves them to easily be revenged killed. Hidden Power {Fire} is obviously for Scizor, while even with the Special Attack investment, he still seems to live 7/10 times. So i may have to go with Life Orb over Leftovers, which isn't that bad. Grass Knot would then net a 2hko on Tyranitar as well, but i don't really care about Tyranitar, he's the last Pokemon on my mind. I also need it to stand up to Vaporeon seeing as though if Vaporeon is still in the game, i will 8/10 times lose, because my Swampert is some what of a late game sweeper in my eyes.
The EV spread was meant to maximize defenses, while i might need to adjust them, because i've been coming in on Starmie a lot of lately and Ice Beam's seriously hurt. Not to mention, most, if not all bulky waters carry Ice Beam and i need to be able to stand a chance against them. I may have to flip-flop the HP and Defense EVs, but so far i like being able to stand up to Ice Fang's and SD Bullet Punches. If any of you have a better EV spread, please present it to my attention.
*
Swampert (F) @ Leftovers *** J-Swagg
EVs: 240 HP / 44 Defense / 224 Special Defense
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Waterfall
J-Swagg, J-Swagg, J-Swagg............J-Swagg. This guy is one hell of a Pokemon. After 1 Curse, he pretty much stands up to any attack that isn't labeled Grass. He beats offensive DD Gyarados and even beats Rest / Talk DD Gyarados. I usually enjoy coming in on Heatran, Zapdos, Starmie and other things like that. Since the move set for this team is working out, i'm not going to change it. At first i wanted to try Rest, Earthquake / Waterfall, Counter, Mirror Coat. Since this move set is working, i've decided to keep it. Everyone by now should know how the Swampert works so going into detail is pretty pointless.
*
Machamp (M) @ Choice Band *** Cooley
Ability: Guts
EVs: 12 HP/ 252 Attack / 236 Defense / 8 Speed
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Payback
- Bullet Punch
Choice Band Machamp has no counter. Payback will kill Rotom, Ice Punch will kill Zapdos, Salamence and Flygon. Close Combat will even put 35%+ on Gyarados. All this is without simple Guts boost. Status is every where, whether it be from Weezing, Dusknoir, Rotom, Zapdos, Blissey or Toxic Spikes. I had to have someone in my team take advantage of status and Machamp is the one. He's a better threat than Heracross and has better defensive tanking than Heracross. While he doesn't have the speed, he sure as hell packs much more of a punch. Many people think Machamp is No Guard and actually attempt to status it, i laugh right in their face and proceed to wish and pray that Will-O-Wisp, or Toxic hits me.
Bullet Punch was selected for a much needed priority or else i would have went Earthquake, for Metagross and Jirachi, who i can't afford taking hits from after Close Combat. Bullet Punch is there for Weavile and in case a DD Mence or what not gets out of hand. He also comes in on Tyranitar and if needed as well. Great physical attacker who can take plenty of hits.
*
PorygonZ@ Choice Scarf *** Money Making Mitch
Ability: Adaptility
EVs: 24 / 232 Speed / 252 Special Attack
Timid Nature
- Tri Attack
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Trick / Hidden Power {Fire}/{Ground}/{Fight} / Dark Pulse
Money Making Mitch. This is my best friend once they have their remaining Pokes with less than 50% health left. He has the coverage, the raw power and the speed thanks to the Choice Scarf. I also needed a Ghost immunity in that can kill Gengar, which is why i might actually use Dark Pulse over all the Hidden Power trio and Trick. I haven't used Trick that much which is why i may want to switch to Hidden Power {Fire}. I do feel i have too much a Scizor paranoia and i don't think i should seriously use Hidden Power {Fire}. Hidden Power {Ground} hits Heatran and Metagross and {Fight} is really just for Tyranitar.
*
Final thoughts
Now that i have presented my team to you all, i would enjoy all the harsh criticism you all have. It's very much needed and welcome. I know i have 3 major problems that i just have to play around.
1. Sub + Dragon Dance Salamence.
2. Rain Dance team
3. CB Snorlax
TEAM GORDON #1
The beginning:
This team didn't actually take too long to create. I had most of the Pokemon i wanted to use in place, it was just a matter of which move sets flowed with the team, and which ones didn't. The main thing i wanted to use was the combination of Celamencepertran. All 4 of those Pokemon flow very well together, taking on plenty of OU threats and actually are very hard to beat, regardless of who of you use. Machamp was thrown in there for insurance against certain Pokemon and Porygon-Z is a heck of a revenge killer and gives me a nice late game cleaner upper.
*** Note, all the moves in red are the moves i'm willing to swap out and add a another move in it's place.
Zoom In:
Salamence (M) @ Choice Band *** Flash
Ability: Intimidate
Evs: 212 HP / 40 Atk / 252 Speed * Jolly
-Outrage
-Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Fire Fang
Salamence is a perfect lead for any team. His unexpectedness as a Pokemon leaves a lot of Pokemon thinking, " Should i stay in or go to a counter ?" Well, most of them run like bitches and head to either Blissey, Heatran, Scizor or Metagross. Outrage has 3hko most Scizor switch ins i've come across. Outrage will 2hko any Gyarados including intimidate. Fire Fang is really just for Scizor and Forretress. Outrage has even 3hko'd most Bronzong who come in on it. I actually like spamming Outrage because i actually don't mind Salamence being revenged kill.
Just sending out Salamence alone is basically equivalent to a Roar. You get to see about 1/2 of an opponents team just having him for a lead. Not to mention, when they switch they opposing takes a nice chunk of damage. Then later on in the game when i come in Scizor, Dugtrio or any other thing, i just predict accordingly and get more kills. I chose to go with a defensive Band set because i enjoy having the attack boost while still having solid defensive tanking abilities. He is truely a gem and should have a place on someone's team.
*
Heatran (M) @ Life Orb *** Colt
Ability: Flash Fire
Evs: 4 HP / 252 Speed / 252 Special Atk
Naive Nature
- Explosion
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power {Grass}
Colt can come in on a lot of thing and wreak havoc on the opposition. Life Orb Fire Blast will 3hko most Gyarados and if i feel they will cause i threat to me, i will blow up in their face. The Hidden Power to select was very hard to do. I could have went Electric which helps me more against Gyarados, while Grass let's me hit Swampert and Rhypeioer. I wasn't actually worried about Dragons, so Dragon Pulse wasn't nearly on my mind that much. Since they don't see Leftovers recovery when i switch in, most people think i'm Scarfed and i get a free hit on plenty of Pokemon and if i Fire Blast Heatran, most Fire Blast me, then i Earth Power to kill them.
I once wanted Magma Storm to trap Blissey and other bulky waters so i can just explode in their face without them being able to switch and i explode on a worthless Pokemon. I even had consideration of selecting Dark Pulse over Hidden Power {Grass}, it hits Starmie, Rotom and even though Fire Blast has slight more power against Rotom, the accuracy is a sure fire hit. It also hits Gardevoir who i have ran into lately, and since it traces my Flash Fire, Fire Blast is null. If i find Hidden Power {Grass} isn't exactly getting the job done, i'll switch for Dark Pulse.
*
Celebi @ Leftovers *** Dro
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 148 HP / 240 Defense / 120 Special Attack
Bold Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power {Fire}
- Recover
Now Celebi was probably the hardest Pokemon to EV spread and the hardest Pokemon to give responsibility to. He is main reason why team succeeds. He comes in on Gyarados, Salamence or Kingra while i think they are Dragon Dancing, i Thunder Wave why they Ice Fang, or Dragon Dance again, which then leaves them to easily be revenged killed. Hidden Power {Fire} is obviously for Scizor, while even with the Special Attack investment, he still seems to live 7/10 times. So i may have to go with Life Orb over Leftovers, which isn't that bad. Grass Knot would then net a 2hko on Tyranitar as well, but i don't really care about Tyranitar, he's the last Pokemon on my mind. I also need it to stand up to Vaporeon seeing as though if Vaporeon is still in the game, i will 8/10 times lose, because my Swampert is some what of a late game sweeper in my eyes.
The EV spread was meant to maximize defenses, while i might need to adjust them, because i've been coming in on Starmie a lot of lately and Ice Beam's seriously hurt. Not to mention, most, if not all bulky waters carry Ice Beam and i need to be able to stand a chance against them. I may have to flip-flop the HP and Defense EVs, but so far i like being able to stand up to Ice Fang's and SD Bullet Punches. If any of you have a better EV spread, please present it to my attention.
*
Swampert (F) @ Leftovers *** J-Swagg
EVs: 240 HP / 44 Defense / 224 Special Defense
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Waterfall
J-Swagg, J-Swagg, J-Swagg............J-Swagg. This guy is one hell of a Pokemon. After 1 Curse, he pretty much stands up to any attack that isn't labeled Grass. He beats offensive DD Gyarados and even beats Rest / Talk DD Gyarados. I usually enjoy coming in on Heatran, Zapdos, Starmie and other things like that. Since the move set for this team is working out, i'm not going to change it. At first i wanted to try Rest, Earthquake / Waterfall, Counter, Mirror Coat. Since this move set is working, i've decided to keep it. Everyone by now should know how the Swampert works so going into detail is pretty pointless.
*
Machamp (M) @ Choice Band *** Cooley
Ability: Guts
EVs: 12 HP/ 252 Attack / 236 Defense / 8 Speed
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Payback
- Bullet Punch
Choice Band Machamp has no counter. Payback will kill Rotom, Ice Punch will kill Zapdos, Salamence and Flygon. Close Combat will even put 35%+ on Gyarados. All this is without simple Guts boost. Status is every where, whether it be from Weezing, Dusknoir, Rotom, Zapdos, Blissey or Toxic Spikes. I had to have someone in my team take advantage of status and Machamp is the one. He's a better threat than Heracross and has better defensive tanking than Heracross. While he doesn't have the speed, he sure as hell packs much more of a punch. Many people think Machamp is No Guard and actually attempt to status it, i laugh right in their face and proceed to wish and pray that Will-O-Wisp, or Toxic hits me.
Bullet Punch was selected for a much needed priority or else i would have went Earthquake, for Metagross and Jirachi, who i can't afford taking hits from after Close Combat. Bullet Punch is there for Weavile and in case a DD Mence or what not gets out of hand. He also comes in on Tyranitar and if needed as well. Great physical attacker who can take plenty of hits.
*
PorygonZ@ Choice Scarf *** Money Making Mitch
Ability: Adaptility
EVs: 24 / 232 Speed / 252 Special Attack
Timid Nature
- Tri Attack
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Trick / Hidden Power {Fire}/{Ground}/{Fight} / Dark Pulse
Money Making Mitch. This is my best friend once they have their remaining Pokes with less than 50% health left. He has the coverage, the raw power and the speed thanks to the Choice Scarf. I also needed a Ghost immunity in that can kill Gengar, which is why i might actually use Dark Pulse over all the Hidden Power trio and Trick. I haven't used Trick that much which is why i may want to switch to Hidden Power {Fire}. I do feel i have too much a Scizor paranoia and i don't think i should seriously use Hidden Power {Fire}. Hidden Power {Ground} hits Heatran and Metagross and {Fight} is really just for Tyranitar.
*
Final thoughts
Now that i have presented my team to you all, i would enjoy all the harsh criticism you all have. It's very much needed and welcome. I know i have 3 major problems that i just have to play around.
1. Sub + Dragon Dance Salamence.
2. Rain Dance team
3. CB Snorlax
