An Offensive Team That Relies on Entry Hazards and Revenge-killing

pmjc

I devised this team as a means of trying to elevate my CRE, which has remained in the 1200s and occasionally peaking into the 1300s.

I didn't want to do a stall team, since every time I tried to build one I seemed to be indirectly copying Obi's, and I didn't want a paper-thin offensive team either. I tried to compromise, and this is the result. Unfortunately, I seem to be unable to change it without making it worse, so I'm hoping some knowledgeable folks could assist me. Currently, this is my 5th major team revision.

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Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/36 Atk/220 Def
Sassy nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Ice Beam
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
---

I chose Swampert as my lead because I found suicide leads such as Aerodactyl and Azelf to be more harmful than beneficial, especially since you're sacrificing a slot to set up Stealth Rocks and die. In addition, I needed a reliable answer to both Gliscor, Tyranitar, and incoming grass pokemon as well.

In addition to setting up Stealth Rocks, Swampert pseudo-hazes leads such as Ninjask that hope to baton-pass speed stats to other pokemon.

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Roserade (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Grass Knot
- Sleep Powder
- Hidden Power [Fire]
---

Once Swampert sets up Stealth Rocks, Roserade comes in to set up Toxic Spikes to punish non-flying types. Unfortunately, it does not work so well against Steel or levitating pokemon, and Sleep Powder and Spikes are illegal.

Grass Knot and HP Fire are there for stab and coverage, and Sleep Powder puts any opposing pokemon out of commission.

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Gengar (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ice]
---

Choice Scarf Gengar serves as a revenge-killer and counter for any sweeper that's slower and does not enjoy taking a neutral hit from a 396 special attack. Shadow Ball tends to handle most things that don't outright resist it, but the largest concern are steel-sweepers that are resistant to it. This led me to adopt Thunderbolt to handle steels, in addition to serving as an excellent check against Gyarados. Hidden Power Ice tends to destroy most of the opposing dragons that want to sweep, and handles Salamence easily.

I also took out Focus Blast and replaced with with Sludge Bomb due to concerns over the accuracy of Focus Blast, but I wouldn't mind putting it back on.

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Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 124 HP/168 Def/216 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
---

Rapid Spin support and serves essentially the same function as Gengar, sans the higher speed and special attack. Surf was chosen for STAB-boosted reason, as Starmie has an excellent habit of picking off pokemon late-game that aren't outright resistant to Surf. However, I paired up Surf with Thunderbolt (as opposed to the traditional bolt-beam combination) to handle Gyarados in the instance that Gengar failed.

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Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Quick Attack
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
---

Probably one of the most critical components of my team, Scizor's boosted priority attacks and U-turn all coming off from a 590+ attack tends to destroy much of the opponent pokemon. U-Turn, in particular, causes a massive amount of damage on anything that doesn't outright resist it, and lets me transition to a more appropriate counter if necessary. Superpower serves as a way of hitting normals like Blissey hard or if I need to hit something on the switch. Finally, Bullet Punch, with its 90bp power (factoring in STAB and technician boost) easily allows for quick kills.

In addition, I opted for Quick Attack over Pursuit, as I find that Scizor's slow speed makes him more easy to kill.

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Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Flamethrower

Heatran serves another purpose similar to Gengar's, except for the fact that it's much more bulky and easier to switch. Usually after I set up Stealth Rocks with Swampert I then switch in Heatran to attack the enemy. Hidden Power Electric serves to keep opposing Gyarados at bay, but with Gengar and Starmie's Thunderbolt, I should probably choose a different move.

Thoughts/opinions? Sorry for the brevity, but I find it difficult to write more without feeling like I'm re-stating the same things.
 
I believe that Roserade would be suited better in the lead role. Sleep Powder will ensure at least one layer of Toxic Spikes. I recommend that Heatran knows Overheat over Flamethrower because your Heatran seems to fit the role of a revenge killer, and Overheat will add a large amount of more damage. When a counter comes in, you will have to switch anyway. Almost all Heatran carry Explosion to deliver a final blow on the way out. I would recommend a Naive nature to keep the speed boost, while keeping a neutral natured attack.
 
Puppetmaster said:
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/36 Atk/220 Def
Sassy nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Ice Beam
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
---

I chose Swampert as my lead because I found suicide leads such as Aerodactyl and Azelf to be more harmful than beneficial, especially since you're sacrificing a slot to set up Stealth Rocks and die. In addition, I needed a reliable answer to both Gliscor, Tyranitar, and incoming grass pokemon as well.

In addition to setting up Stealth Rocks, Swampert pseudo-hazes leads such as Ninjask that hope to baton-pass speed stats to other pokemon.

I think you might want to try Relaxed nature on Swampert.


Roserade (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Grass Knot
- Sleep Powder
- Hidden Power [Fire]
---

Once Swampert sets up Stealth Rocks, Roserade comes in to set up Toxic Spikes to punish non-flying types. Unfortunately, it does not work so well against Steel or levitating pokemon, and Sleep Powder and Spikes are illegal.

Grass Knot and HP Fire are there for stab and coverage, and Sleep Powder puts any opposing pokemon out of commission.
I agree with bluewooper and say this should be your lead. Then follow with Swampert. If you do decide this is your lead, then use a Focus Sash over leftovers.


Gengar (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ice]
---

Choice Scarf Gengar serves as a revenge-killer and counter for any sweeper that's slower and does not enjoy taking a neutral hit from a 396 special attack. Shadow Ball tends to handle most things that don't outright resist it, but the largest concern are steel-sweepers that are resistant to it. This led me to adopt Thunderbolt to handle steels, in addition to serving as an excellent check against Gyarados. Hidden Power Ice tends to destroy most of the opposing dragons that want to sweep, and handles Salamence easily.

I also took out Focus Blast and replaced with with Sludge Bomb due to concerns over the accuracy of Focus Blast, but I wouldn't mind putting it back on.
Sludge Bomb does not accomplish much in the OU tier. So, I recommend that you put Focus Blast over Sludge Bomb. Also, I suggest Timid nature so you can speed tie with other Scarfgars.

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Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 124 HP/168 Def/216 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
---

Rapid Spin support and serves essentially the same function as Gengar, sans the higher speed and special attack. Surf was chosen for STAB-boosted reason, as Starmie has an excellent habit of picking off pokemon late-game that aren't outright resistant to Surf. However, I paired up Surf with Thunderbolt (as opposed to the traditional bolt-beam combination) to handle Gyarados in the instance that Gengar failed.
Just as a note, Starmie can't handle Gyarados after a DD. It won't outspeed. But have you considered maxing out Special Attack and Speed, going 252/252 and 6 HP? It may be more useful than the EV set you already have.

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Quick Attack
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
---

Probably one of the most critical components of my team, Scizor's boosted priority attacks and U-turn all coming off from a 590+ attack tends to destroy much of the opponent pokemon. U-Turn, in particular, causes a massive amount of damage on anything that doesn't outright resist it, and lets me transition to a more appropriate counter if necessary. Superpower serves as a way of hitting normals like Blissey hard or if I need to hit something on the switch. Finally, Bullet Punch, with its 90bp power (factoring in STAB and technician boost) easily allows for quick kills.

In addition, I opted for Quick Attack over Pursuit, as I find that Scizor's slow speed makes him more easy to kill.
Pursuit allows you to trap Pokemon like Celebi, Blissey and Azelf. You make them decide whether to switch and eat Pursuit or stay in and get blasted by Bullet Punch. Generally Pursuit is the better option. Also, his attack with CB is 591.

Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Flamethrower

Heatran serves another purpose similar to Gengar's, except for the fact that it's much more bulky and easier to switch. Usually after I set up Stealth Rocks with Swampert I then switch in Heatran to attack the enemy. Hidden Power Electric serves to keep opposing Gyarados at bay, but with Gengar and Starmie's Thunderbolt, I should probably choose a different move.
I think you should try using Fire Blast for extra power on Heatran (Over flamethrower).
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Sheshi, the Starmie that he's using does stop Gyarados. I don't know what damage calculator you're using but Bounce from +1 Adamant Gyarados has no chance of OHKOing Starmie, even with SR damage, and some Gyarados don't even carry Bounce. Do you have any specific reasons for why he should change his Starmie, other than "this EV spread might be more useful"?
 
I agree with the suggestion that Roserade should be your lead over Swampert. Why? Well Swampert being a much bulkier Pokemon, is much easier to switch in on Roserade's threats than the other way around. Also, with Roserade as your lead, you'll find it much easier to set up toxic spikes, and with an early game sleep, momentum will be in your favour, forcing your opponent to waste a turn switching. Swampert will always have time to set up SR later. Swampert's nature should also be Relaxed.

Gengar should have a timid nature to at least tie with other ScarfGars and ScarfLati. and to ensure you outspeed all scarfed base 100's such as Jirachi and Flygon. Also, Sludge Bomb has pretty bad coverage in a metagame dominated by steel, this should be replaced in my opinion with Focus Blast to give you a way of handling Tyranitar and revenging Lucario. Also, i'd suggest the use of Trick over HPIce. With trick, special walls such as Blissey can be crippled further, and by losing your choice item later, Gengar can become a great late game sweeper.

So the new set would be:
Gengar @ Choice Scarf
Timid
4 HP/252 SpAtk/252 Spd
Shadow Ball/Thunderbolt/Focus Blast/Trick

Heatran with a scarf should carry Explosion. A fast explosion is great for taking out problem Pokemon that can pose a threat to your team, and is still capable of inflicting huge damage to Gyarados. I believe you should run this over hidden power. Of course if you do this, change your nature to Naive.

Lastly, your team utilizes toxic spikes, but has no Pokemon that really takes advantage of them? Since your team already decently handles Gyarados, and has no real SR weakness to warrant Rapid Spin, i'm going to suggest replacing Starmie with Suicune. Suicune is a great defensive Pokemon, and by utilizing toxic spikes, it is able to defeat a lot of it's usual walls. A traditional Crocune set would suffice, but with HPelec over Sleep Talk, to enable it to easily counter Gyarados.

The set would be:
Suicune @ Leftovers
Bold
252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Calm Mind/Surf/HP Elec/Rest

This takes advantage of your teams spikes, and also helps to combat stall more effectively, which your team currently struggles with.

Best of luck with the team.
 
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