I need to improve my team-building skills (OU)

[kiryu3000]

Hi all, I've started to battle on Shoddy again. I'm okay at battling, but the thing is, I kinda suck at team-building. Therefore, I would like some help on the matter.

Team at a glance:

Main tactic:
Okay, so here is my strategy behind the team: set up as much entry hazards as I could, then switch in on something that my opponent will hate, thus causing him/her to switch out and take damage from entry hazard (and from the incoming attack). Well, here goes:

Lead

Item: Focus Sash
Nature: Naive
EV's: 4 Atk, 252 Spe, 252 Sp.Atk
Moves:
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-Fire Blast
-Explosion

Well, this is the typical Azelf lead; set up rocks and, when the situation calls for it, taunt the opposing lead to prevent them from setting up rocks. Pretty straight-forward. Below are the approaches I will take against some common leads:
-Azelf: I use Fire Blast right off the bat, so that I can break its sash and hopefully kill it with a 2nd Fire Blast. If I win the speed tie for the second fire blast and the opponent sets up rocks on his first move, I will still have a full-health Azelf ready to set up rocks, then explode. If I don't win the speed tie, then I am guaranteed to live any incoming attack because of my own sash.
-Aerodactyl: I use Fire Blast to break sash while the opponent predicts a stealth rock and taunts me, then I switch out to Rotom-C or Skarmory to kill it or to set up spikes respectively.
-Infernape: I switch out to Rotom-C to prevent fake out damage and then get him back with thunderbolt.
-Metagross: Fire blast off the bat, then switch out if the Metagross attacks me on the first turn into Skarmory. Otherwise I go for a 2nd fire blast.

Toxic Spiker/Spinner

Item: Black Sludge
Nature: Timid
EV's: 120 Def, 252 Spe, 136 Sp.Def
Moves:
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Toxic Spikes
-Rapid Spin

This is on my team for two reasons: to set up toxic spikes and to get rid of SR on my side of the field. I'm quite iffy about the EV's, but I gave it max speed to outspeed Jolly Gliscor, which has been giving me a lot of trouble lately. I still left the EV's for the defensive stats, but I'm not that good at assigning good EV's, and I was thinking of investing into HP more. Oh, and in case if you guys did not realize, this Tentacruel takes care of dragons and anything weak to water.

Revenge Killer/Surprise Weapon

Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 Def
Moves:
-Mach Punch
-Close Combat
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge

Hopefully, not a lot of people will expect a Hitmonlee in an OU match. This takes care of Blissey, and is also a check for a Dragon Dance Tyranitar/Swords Dance Lucario gone out of hand. Due to its massive attack and speed thanks to choice scarf, Hitmonlee will force switches, and thus suffer from entry hazards. If I don't predict horribly, Hitmonlee will do some nice damage to whatever comes in to counter Hitmonlee.

Spin Blocker/Potential Physical Tank

Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
EV's: 252 HP, 88 Spe, 168 Def
Moves:
-Thunderbolt
-Shadow Ball
-Leaf Storm
-Will-O-Wisp

I really needed a ghost-type Pokemon who can block some rapid spins. Rotom can also cripple physical attackers by giving out burns and deals with water and ghost types. I chose the grass form to switch in on Swampert. Yeah, I think this is straight-forward.

Physical Wall/Spiker

Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: 252 HP, 28 Spe, 228 Def
Moves:
-Brave Bird
-Spikes
-Roost
-Whirlwind

This is the one who sets up spikes and walls physical attackers. This thing has switched in on Metagross several times and took advantage of the situation to set up spikes. If I do predict a guaranteed switch, I use whirlwind to shuffle his team and rack up entry hazard damage. Roost is there for obvious reasons, and brave bird is there for an attacking move so that it doesn't get screwed over by taunt. However, I seldom use it and I might consider replacing it with taunt (so that I can take care of Blissey easier).

Special Wall/Cleric

Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
EV's: 252 Def, 176 Sp.Def, 80 Sp.Atk
Moves:
-Toxic
-Protect
-Wish
-Flamethrower

Ah, the pink blob that everyone hates with a passion. This can come in on any special attackers and will most certainly force a switch. It can even take unresisted physical attacks nicely (provided that it's not something crazy like an outrage), and will toxic on whatever with a recovery move. I gave it flamethrower because I thought I needed a fire move (mainly to surprise Scizors who think they're funny). I chose a WishBliss so that I can heal my team mates (as I'm gonna be switching often in order to force the opponent to switch), and protect is there to scout out moves and make Wish an almost instant-recovery move.

Some issues this team has faced:
-Taunting Gliscor: This thing has given me a lot of trouble lately, which is the reason why I gave Tentacruel max speed. It has been taunting my (mostly) slow Pokemon and stalls me with roost. That means that I cannot use toxic on it. I'm sure that me giving Tentacruel speed isn't the best idea, but again I'm not too good at team building, so I am asking for help on the matter.
-Blissey: I now realized that most of my team consists of special attackers. That means that Blissey will definitely give me troubles. For this reason, I have considered putting a taunt Gyarados in my team, but I don't know who to take out.

I'm sure there are more threats, but I can't remember them all off the top of my head. Well, thank you for looking!

 

[MrIndigo]

What does Hitmonlee gain you that alternatives don't? Scarf Heracross, for instance.

Most people are running Specially defensive EV spreads on Scizor these days, I think. That means Blissey stands no chance, even with Flamethrower, so Ice Beam or Seismic Toss might be a worthwhile alternative (since Gengar isn't that common anymore).

 

[Zach]

Hello.

It appears you are attempting to win by stalling the opponent out. However, you are quite weak to many threats. Stall teams need all the team members they can get to wall the opponent while draining their HP gradually. As such, frail pokemon like Hitmonlee and Azelf are out of place.

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
Impish nature | 252 HP / 200 Def / 16 Spd / 40 SDef
Waterfall / Roar / Rest / Sleep Talk

This set provides you an Infernape and Lucario check (annoying opponents for stall), a pHazer (rack up Spikes damage), an Intimidator (excellent on something as bulky as Gyarados), all while staying alive using Rest, and not becoming useless while asleep due to Sleep Talk. Moreover, Gyarados solves all Gliscor problems with an immunity to Earthquake. Even the odd Stone Edge is weakened due to Intimidate. It can also switch into Blissey and stuff. Most of all, its not out of place on this type of team.

Removing Hitmonlee leaves a weakness to Tyranitar. This, in addition to Azelf's uselessness on a Stall team lead me to suggest you use a Swampert lead.

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Relaxed nature | 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Stealth Rock / Earthquake / Ice Beam / Roar

Swampert provides a reliable Stealth Rock against most leads. It's also an excellent Tyranitar check. It has nice typing and resistances. Roar racks up Stealth Rock / Spikes damage.

I believe that Forretress is a better utility than Skarmory.

Forretress @ Shed Shell / Leftovers
Careful nature | 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Payback / Spikes / Toxic Spikes / Rapid Spin

Yeah, its like an all in one printer. It does all of the jobs you need it too; not perfectly, but it gets the job done. Entry hazards and Rapid Spin are no brainers; Payback is to hit Ghosts who block Rapid Spin for super-effective damage.

Forretress makes Tentacruel unnecessary. Since you currently lose to the 'last pokemon sweeper strategy' - aka like last poke CroCune (Calm Mind, Surf, Rest, Sleep Talk) - I'd like to see Perish Song Celebi.

Celebi @ Leftovers
Bold nature | 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Spe
Grass Knot / Perish Song / Recover / U-turn -or- Hidden Power Ice

This checks Gyarados, walls Suicune, has Natural Cure which is cool, and uses Perish Song, which means you can end the game when you want to. U-turn is useful to scout switch ins that have been Perish Songed, but Hidden Power Ice gives you super-effective coverage on Salamence, which gives this team trouble.

Minor changes now.

Use this Rotom set.

Rotom-a @ Leftoves
Bold nature | 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Thunderbolt / Will-o-Wisp -or- Reflect / Rest / Sleep Talk

Stall teams need their Ghosts to stay alive. This is because they're needed to keep the opposing team from Rapid Spinning away your Stealth Rock / Spikes / Toxic Spikes. Will-o-Wisp puts any physical attacker out of commission for the entire match. Rest and Sleep Talk give longevity.

Finally, I'd consider Ice Beam on Blissey to keep MixMence from destroying you.

 

[kiryu3000]

What does Hitmonlee gain you that alternatives don't? Scarf Heracross, for instance.

Heracross does not have Mach Punch, so he'll get owned by SD + ES Lucario.

Hello.

It appears you are attempting to win by stalling the opponent out. However, you are quite weak to many threats. Stall teams need all the team members they can get to wall the opponent while draining their HP gradually. As such, frail pokemon like Hitmonlee and Azelf are out of place.

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
Impish nature | 252 HP / 200 Def / 16 Spd / 40 SDef
Waterfall / Roar / Rest / Sleep Talk

This set provides you an Infernape and Lucario check (annoying opponents for stall), a pHazer (rack up Spikes damage), an Intimidator (excellent on something as bulky as Gyarados), all while staying alive using Rest, and not becoming useless while asleep due to Sleep Talk. Moreover, Gyarados solves all Gliscor problems with an immunity to Earthquake. Even the odd Stone Edge is weakened due to Intimidate. It can also switch into Blissey and stuff. Most of all, its not out of place on this type of team.

Removing Hitmonlee leaves a weakness to Tyranitar. This, in addition to Azelf's uselessness on a Stall team lead me to suggest you use a Swampert lead.

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Relaxed nature | 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Stealth Rock / Earthquake / Ice Beam / Roar

Swampert provides a reliable Stealth Rock against most leads. It's also an excellent Tyranitar check. It has nice typing and resistances. Roar racks up Stealth Rock / Spikes damage.

I believe that Forretress is a better utility than Skarmory.

Forretress @ Shed Shell / Leftovers
Careful nature | 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Payback / Spikes / Toxic Spikes / Rapid Spin

Yeah, its like an all in one printer. It does all of the jobs you need it too; not perfectly, but it gets the job done. Entry hazards and Rapid Spin are no brainers; Payback is to hit Ghosts who block Rapid Spin for super-effective damage.

Forretress makes Tentacruel unnecessary. Since you currently lose to the 'last pokemon sweeper strategy' - aka like last poke CroCune (Calm Mind, Surf, Rest, Sleep Talk) - I'd like to see Perish Song Celebi.

Celebi @ Leftovers
Bold nature | 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Spe
Grass Knot / Perish Song / Recover / U-turn -or- Hidden Power Ice

This checks Gyarados, walls Suicune, has Natural Cure which is cool, and uses Perish Song, which means you can end the game when you want to. U-turn is useful to scout switch ins that have been Perish Songed, but Hidden Power Ice gives you super-effective coverage on Salamence, which gives this team trouble.

Minor changes now.

Use this Rotom set.

Rotom-a @ Leftoves
Bold nature | 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Thunderbolt / Will-o-Wisp -or- Reflect / Rest / Sleep Talk

Stall teams need their Ghosts to stay alive. This is because they're needed to keep the opposing team from Rapid Spinning away your Stealth Rock / Spikes / Toxic Spikes. Will-o-Wisp puts any physical attacker out of commission for the entire match. Rest and Sleep Talk give longevity.

Finally, I'd consider Ice Beam on Blissey to keep MixMence from destroying you.

*slaps self* I totally forgot about Forretress! Alright, I'm gonna change the teams accordingly...when I am not studying for finals.

EDIT: Just a thought, wouldn't it be more useful to give Forretress Leftovers instead of Shed Shell? I don't really see Magnezones often. Also, should I replace Stealth Rock on Swampert for an attacking move since I have Azelf to set up rocks anyway?

 

[MrIndigo]

He's saying you should replace Azelf, because a suicide lead doesn't help you on a Stall team. He's saying Gyarados should replace Hitmonlee, and Swampert over Azelf.

However, I would run the Hippowdon Stall Lead set over Swampert, though.

Also, I think Crunchatize's advice is otherwise good, except for one thing. He has recommended two RestTalk sets. I would advise against this. I would run a Choice Scarf Trick Rotom set to defend against opposing TrickScarfers; or a Bulky Tauntados to give you a way to break opposing Stall.

 

[Lucalibur]

i dont get the real point of prioirty moves on a scarfed pokemon,i am PRETTY sure scarf is made so that you get enough speed so that priority become redutand..anyway..just little changes,azelf is frail by hymself,change nature to naive so that explosion does more damage,if you use hasty then most prioirty moves will do more damage,while taunt look sweet on azelf thanks to his high speed,the only lead he will use against is metagross,who ko with meteor mash followed by bullet punch,and with occa berry,always survive fire blast,and aero leads totally shut down your azelf and any hope he ever had of hurting then,i would just change for psychic OR you can try a aerodactly lead yourself,its faster,taunt faster,put rocks faster,and often die faster

(Aerodactyl) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- taunt

normaly aero is for hyper offensive teams,but with taunt and rocks,your azefl is almost playing has a worst aero,this set can put rocks and prevent the enemy from using then most of the time,just dont bother in taunting metagross,they always bullet punch first,if you dont want to change azelf or place aero,then i support the lead crunchatize said for you to use,has its a sturdy and realible one....

 

[Quickster]

EDIT: Just a thought, wouldn't it be more useful to give Forretress Leftovers instead of Shed Shell? I don't really see Magnezones often. Also, should I replace Stealth Rock on Swampert for an attacking move since I have Azelf to set up rocks anyway?

No way. You don't see Magnezone often. That don't mean you don't see Magnezone at all. Shed Shell is the preferred item because if a Magnezone appears out of nowhere, Forretress is gonna get OHKO'd. Now you don't want that do you?

 

[animenagai]

The problem I see with your team is that it has an identity crisis. You use an azelf lead, yet you have the bulkiest of pokes to go with it. Why not just go with a bulky lead? You use hipmonlee as a surprise, but the problem is, any team that's prepared for machamp and ape are prepared for hip too. I think you'll be better off making this a full stall team.

Replace azelf with hippow and hip for zapdos/rest talk gyara. Fix your rotom set too. I would just use rest talk, wow, t-bolt.

 

[Zach]

He's saying you should replace Azelf, because a suicide lead doesn't help you on a Stall team. He's saying Gyarados should replace Hitmonlee, and Swampert over Azelf.

However, I would run the Hippowdon Stall Lead set over Swampert, though.

Also, I think Crunchatize's advice is otherwise good, except for one thing. He has recommended two RestTalk sets. I would advise against this. I would run a Choice Scarf Trick Rotom set to defend against opposing TrickScarfers; or a Bulky Tauntados to give you a way to break opposing Stall.

there's nothing wrong with having two resttalkers on a stall team. resttalk is a form of recovery and if you have pokemon that need to stay alive then resttalk can do that job. Besides, Scarf Rotom is a less reliable spin blocker because its succeptible to Pursuit, and Bulky Gyara lacks recovery which would leave him open to a Lucario sweep.

 

[kiryu3000]

i dont get the real point of prioirty moves on a scarfed pokemon,i am PRETTY sure scarf is made so that you get enough speed so that priority become redutand..anyway..just little changes,azelf is frail by hymself,change nature to naive so that explosion does more damage,

Whoops, the Azelf does have a naive nature, it's just that I, for some reason, typed in "timid". Anyways, I would update my team, but I'm kind of busy right now due to final exams.