Alright, this team revolves around using some pokemon that can take a hit and can hit back hard at the same time, while preventing as many switches from the opponent as possible. This team has done OK, but sometimes I will run into some pokemon that are a big problem for this team, so I need help. What I do is first lay down spikes/sr, and then block my opponents attacks and hit back.
Here's the team more in-depth:
Skarmory@Shed Shell
Nature: Impish
EV's: 252 hp/72 Def/184 spe
- Taunt
- Roost
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
Explanation: This is my spiker lead. Skarmory has always been useful and can also act as part of my defensive wall for my team. He sets up stealth rock too. I know usually you don't see both on a set for Skarm, usually whirlwind or something. But, I wasn't able to fit SR onto any other pokemon so I decided to use him instead. So, he sets up both spikes and SR for me. Skarmory is also my taunter. He can prevent some annoying physical pokemon from setting up, or others like Acid Armor BP Vaporeon. 184 EV's in speed set me at 222, outspeeding Adamant Ttar and pokemon below him in speed. Roost is to last longer and take hits. Shed shell allows me to escape from Magnezone so I can last longer and be used later in the match instead of being killed by him.
Gyarados@Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: 248 hp/248 def/12 spe
- Sleep Talk
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
Explanation: This guy used to be the regular bulkygyara, with Rest, Sleep Talk, Roar, and Waterfall. But, I noticed I almost NEVER used Roar or Rest on him on my team, and actually found them a waste of space. So instead I thought I would test out how he would do by giving him the ability to sweep. He has the defensive attributes of the defensive version, and the moves of the DD. I kept Sleep Talk though so that I at least have a sleep absorber on this team, and that definitely helps against Breloom. He works pretty well in my opinion. I also catch my opponent off guard, and they're surprised how many hits he can take. I usually use him as a defender as he helps me against many fighting pokemon that would be a problem to my other teammates (usually Blissey), but when I get the chance, if my opponent has a hole in their team to him, I will DD twice if possible and sweep. I think I might change EQ to Stone Edge though, to provide me with more coverage. Waterfall for STAB, and DD to set up.
Latias@Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid
EV's: 160 hp/172 spA/176 spe
-Wish
-Dragon Pulse
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
Explanation: Latias is a huge help in this team, in checking so many pokemon, with quite a few that are threats. First of all, Psychic covers Machamp which can be a problem should he pack ThunderPunch and Payback, which half the time they do. Yes, Payback will nearly OHKO me, but I can KO him first using Psychic. Dragon Pulse covers Salamence and other dragons, while Thunderbolt provides as a check against the likes of Gyarados, and possibly other bulky waters. Wish provides support for my team should they need healing, although I think I could replace this. 176 speed ev's with a Timid nature and a choice scarf sets me at 495 speed, while 330 without the scarf. That's mainly so I can outspeed a +1 Sally no matter what. Sally has created many problems with this team, and Latias is what I was able to think of. Not great, but she works. 172 spA guarantees an OHKO on a 252HP Sally providing SR is in play. The rest is poured into HP for bulk. Overall she can also protect me from Heatran as Fire Blast barely touches her, and provides help with Electric types too. This can definitely be changed a lot as I think it could be better and improved.
Rotom-W@Leftovers
Nature:Bold
EV's: 252 hp/ 168 def/ 88 spe
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Will-o-Wisp
Explanation: Support for my team. His main roll is to either paralyze a sweeper (usually a special one), or if it's a physical sweeper than to burn it. He's actually got some bulk, even though with the 304 HP it wouldn't look like it. His main role though, is an anti-spinner. He can switch in on any spinner to stop them from spinning away my spikes. Not only that, but he also prevents and protects me from fighting moves, and can be another check for Machamp, given I burn him and can get out before I'm KO'd if he carries Payback. Spikes and SR can be pretty important to my team as they prevent the opponent from switching so much, making it easier for me to counter them. Thunderbolt is over Discharge for more power, and I already have T-Wave on him. Shadow ball can help me against pokemon like Gengar which I can have a hard time against if I don't have Latias or he's a Sub-Version, but only if I can para him on a switch.
Magnezone@Choice Scarf
Nature:Naive
EV's: 4 hp/252 spA/252 spe
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- HP Fire
- Explosion
Explanation: This guy catches a lot of people off guard. Usually they lose 1-2 pokemon due to him. First of all, he's a steel trapper. He prevents Skarm from setting up, Jirachi leads, Scizor, and so on, bar Shed Shell Skarm. A lot of Jirachi leads tend to trick a Choice Scarf, so I can switch him in on them and they automatically lose a pokemon already. They are stuck with the move trick, and I can 2HKO Jirachi with HP Fire. Thunderbolt kills bulky waters like Gyara, or flying types such as Flygon. He's my main special attacker really. HP Fire is great when I switch in on a Swords Dance or BP from Scizor, as he's now stuck and OHKO'd by it. Also great against Forry who likes to spin and set up spikes. I can also outspeed and OHKO any Salamence usually from about the 50%-60% mark, and SR makes it that much easier. He can also be switched in on Outrage and go in for the KO.
Blissey@Leftovers
Nature: Calm
EV's: 24 hp/252 def/232 sp.def
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
Explanation: Blissey is really the special defender for just about anything, excluding SubCharge Rotom. With her massive HP and Sp.Def, I can block everything from really any special attacker. Aromatherapy is to help out my teammates, as Latias and Magnezone greatly suffer from Paralysis, and Gyarados will suffer from Burn. Keeps Blissey alive should she be switching in on two layers of Toxic Spikes that have been set up by my opponent. Softboiled is obvious-to survive as long as possible. Toxic prevents pokemon such as Vaporeon from staying in and stalling, along with just about any other pokemon. It's also great for slowly wearing off pokemon, and with spikes and SR down, that becomes much easier and quicker, and sorta traps them. Either they stay in and take more damage from toxic, or switch out and get hit by spikes and SR. Seismic Toss for 100 damage all the time, bar ghosts. Great against Sub, excluding those annoying 101 HP subs. Without Blissey, this team would fall apart to many special pokemon.
Conclusion: There's a few pokemon that need help here. Latias could be worked on, Rotom could, Magnezone, etc. I don't care if any pokemon are switched out, EXCEPT for Skarm and Blissey. They're cheap, but it's effective haha. But, I don't mind different movesets for either of them. Excluding them, makes any switches you feel are right, and change any moveset too. Overall this team focuses on utilizing entry hazards while taking hits using tanks, and hitting back hard all at the same time. Good method in my opinion, but the team needs help.
Here's the team more in-depth:
Skarmory@Shed Shell
Nature: Impish
EV's: 252 hp/72 Def/184 spe
- Taunt
- Roost
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
Explanation: This is my spiker lead. Skarmory has always been useful and can also act as part of my defensive wall for my team. He sets up stealth rock too. I know usually you don't see both on a set for Skarm, usually whirlwind or something. But, I wasn't able to fit SR onto any other pokemon so I decided to use him instead. So, he sets up both spikes and SR for me. Skarmory is also my taunter. He can prevent some annoying physical pokemon from setting up, or others like Acid Armor BP Vaporeon. 184 EV's in speed set me at 222, outspeeding Adamant Ttar and pokemon below him in speed. Roost is to last longer and take hits. Shed shell allows me to escape from Magnezone so I can last longer and be used later in the match instead of being killed by him.
Gyarados@Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: 248 hp/248 def/12 spe
- Sleep Talk
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
Explanation: This guy used to be the regular bulkygyara, with Rest, Sleep Talk, Roar, and Waterfall. But, I noticed I almost NEVER used Roar or Rest on him on my team, and actually found them a waste of space. So instead I thought I would test out how he would do by giving him the ability to sweep. He has the defensive attributes of the defensive version, and the moves of the DD. I kept Sleep Talk though so that I at least have a sleep absorber on this team, and that definitely helps against Breloom. He works pretty well in my opinion. I also catch my opponent off guard, and they're surprised how many hits he can take. I usually use him as a defender as he helps me against many fighting pokemon that would be a problem to my other teammates (usually Blissey), but when I get the chance, if my opponent has a hole in their team to him, I will DD twice if possible and sweep. I think I might change EQ to Stone Edge though, to provide me with more coverage. Waterfall for STAB, and DD to set up.
Latias@Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid
EV's: 160 hp/172 spA/176 spe
-Wish
-Dragon Pulse
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
Explanation: Latias is a huge help in this team, in checking so many pokemon, with quite a few that are threats. First of all, Psychic covers Machamp which can be a problem should he pack ThunderPunch and Payback, which half the time they do. Yes, Payback will nearly OHKO me, but I can KO him first using Psychic. Dragon Pulse covers Salamence and other dragons, while Thunderbolt provides as a check against the likes of Gyarados, and possibly other bulky waters. Wish provides support for my team should they need healing, although I think I could replace this. 176 speed ev's with a Timid nature and a choice scarf sets me at 495 speed, while 330 without the scarf. That's mainly so I can outspeed a +1 Sally no matter what. Sally has created many problems with this team, and Latias is what I was able to think of. Not great, but she works. 172 spA guarantees an OHKO on a 252HP Sally providing SR is in play. The rest is poured into HP for bulk. Overall she can also protect me from Heatran as Fire Blast barely touches her, and provides help with Electric types too. This can definitely be changed a lot as I think it could be better and improved.
Rotom-W@Leftovers
Nature:Bold
EV's: 252 hp/ 168 def/ 88 spe
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Will-o-Wisp
Explanation: Support for my team. His main roll is to either paralyze a sweeper (usually a special one), or if it's a physical sweeper than to burn it. He's actually got some bulk, even though with the 304 HP it wouldn't look like it. His main role though, is an anti-spinner. He can switch in on any spinner to stop them from spinning away my spikes. Not only that, but he also prevents and protects me from fighting moves, and can be another check for Machamp, given I burn him and can get out before I'm KO'd if he carries Payback. Spikes and SR can be pretty important to my team as they prevent the opponent from switching so much, making it easier for me to counter them. Thunderbolt is over Discharge for more power, and I already have T-Wave on him. Shadow ball can help me against pokemon like Gengar which I can have a hard time against if I don't have Latias or he's a Sub-Version, but only if I can para him on a switch.
Magnezone@Choice Scarf
Nature:Naive
EV's: 4 hp/252 spA/252 spe
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- HP Fire
- Explosion
Explanation: This guy catches a lot of people off guard. Usually they lose 1-2 pokemon due to him. First of all, he's a steel trapper. He prevents Skarm from setting up, Jirachi leads, Scizor, and so on, bar Shed Shell Skarm. A lot of Jirachi leads tend to trick a Choice Scarf, so I can switch him in on them and they automatically lose a pokemon already. They are stuck with the move trick, and I can 2HKO Jirachi with HP Fire. Thunderbolt kills bulky waters like Gyara, or flying types such as Flygon. He's my main special attacker really. HP Fire is great when I switch in on a Swords Dance or BP from Scizor, as he's now stuck and OHKO'd by it. Also great against Forry who likes to spin and set up spikes. I can also outspeed and OHKO any Salamence usually from about the 50%-60% mark, and SR makes it that much easier. He can also be switched in on Outrage and go in for the KO.
Blissey@Leftovers
Nature: Calm
EV's: 24 hp/252 def/232 sp.def
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
Explanation: Blissey is really the special defender for just about anything, excluding SubCharge Rotom. With her massive HP and Sp.Def, I can block everything from really any special attacker. Aromatherapy is to help out my teammates, as Latias and Magnezone greatly suffer from Paralysis, and Gyarados will suffer from Burn. Keeps Blissey alive should she be switching in on two layers of Toxic Spikes that have been set up by my opponent. Softboiled is obvious-to survive as long as possible. Toxic prevents pokemon such as Vaporeon from staying in and stalling, along with just about any other pokemon. It's also great for slowly wearing off pokemon, and with spikes and SR down, that becomes much easier and quicker, and sorta traps them. Either they stay in and take more damage from toxic, or switch out and get hit by spikes and SR. Seismic Toss for 100 damage all the time, bar ghosts. Great against Sub, excluding those annoying 101 HP subs. Without Blissey, this team would fall apart to many special pokemon.
Conclusion: There's a few pokemon that need help here. Latias could be worked on, Rotom could, Magnezone, etc. I don't care if any pokemon are switched out, EXCEPT for Skarm and Blissey. They're cheap, but it's effective haha. But, I don't mind different movesets for either of them. Excluding them, makes any switches you feel are right, and change any moveset too. Overall this team focuses on utilizing entry hazards while taking hits using tanks, and hitting back hard all at the same time. Good method in my opinion, but the team needs help.
