Wow, that was a mouthful, wasn't it? I suppose "U-Turn Team" would've sufficed...
Anyway, hello Smogon community, I am FlameSaber, and this is my first Rate My Team! Moreover, this is my first post at all on Smogon, though I have been lurking for a while. I am fairly new to competitive battling, but I have been playing Pokemon since RBGY (albeit, it was my cousin's, and I played my friend's Silver, with Sapphire being the first I owned (Ruby was sold out D: )).
Now, for a little background on this team. One day, I was in the Battle Factory on my Heart Gold file, when I fell in love with a U-Turn using Infernape. Then spawned the idea of making a team full of U-Turn users to slowing wither down the opponents HP, and scout their team.
Ironically, what was originally supposed to be a gimmick team to fool around with became my most successful team. I have had decent success (for a newbie, I would like to think it was decent). Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find out my ladder score. :(
Note that I play Standard on Poke Labs, so Salamence and Latias (not holding Soul Dew) are permitted, and if either can pose a particular threat to my team, please do mention it. Now, without further ado, the team itself:
In Depth:
(Changes in Bold)
Rachi (Multipurpose-Lead)
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Serene Grace
Jolly (+Spe, -SpA) 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Iron Head
-Stealth Rock
-Trick
-U-Turn / Thunder Wave / Elemental Punch
I love this thing to death. It is great at dealing with so many leads, either flinching them to death, or crippling walls with trick and setting up Stealth Rock in the process. I can't count how many times Iron Head has saved me. Even if it's used against a Poke that resists it, flinch hax can get me through. Stealth Rock is essential, since this team likes to force a lot of switches, and that residual damage helps net some KOs. Spikes would be nice too, but I don't know of any offensively based Spike users that would fit into the team. Perhaps Roserade, but I'm not sure what I'd replace, and I don't think I have enough room for a spin blocker as well. U-Turn is there of course because this is a U-Turn team! I have tried Ice Punch in that final slot for slightly better revenge killing prowess, but every time I did, it seemed U-Turn would have been more useful. :(
Update: I've been testing a few non-U-Turn options for this team, one of them being Thunder Wave on Jirachi. With it, this thing is hellbent on crippling something (or several things) before it goes down. Pretty happy with it, though U-Turn does have better use in some situations.
Update 2: I actually have been using various elemental punches in conjunction to adding Thunder Punch on Flygon to better deal with Gyarados. It's worked better than the previous times I've tried.
EV Spread is just the standard Choice Scarf one.
In addition to all that, he's served well in testing opposing Poke's speed (to determine EV spreads, if it's scarfed or not, etc.), absorbing status (while he doesn't particularly enjoy it, he takes status much better than much of the rest of the team), and as death fodder for even more scouting.
Now, I know Heatran is supposed to be a huge counter to Jirachi, and that's why he's not used as a lead so much, but between Flygon's Earthquake, Infernape's Close Combat/Mach Punch, and to a slightly lesser extent, Zapdos and Starmie's attacks, I haven't had much trouble with Heatran. o_o
For all he does, my Jirachi deserves a better nickname. Unfortunately, I could not come up with anything. :( On a slightly separate note, I do have another Jirachi on another team named Rachai Latte, but it performs a different role, and should be used together with the likes of Cafe Latiato and other coffee minded Pokemon.
---
Goggles (Revenge Killer/Scout/Ballsy)
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
Jolly (+Atk, -Def) 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-U-Turn
- Thunder Punch / Fire Blast (Formerly Stone Edge)
For the most part, your standard Scarf Flygon. Two Scarfers may seem redundant, but Goggles is much more of a Revenge Killer, while Jirachi is more for annoying/support. Despite being a revenge killer, he's normally my first switch in, to just hit something. In fact, she and Jirachi actually juggle some teams all by their selves. Not really KOing anything, but just racking up damage.
Lonely nature to increase attack, while keeping Google's special attack up. I chose a -Def nature, because Googles is my initial switch in to Heatran, so I want to keep my SpD as high as I can.
She also packs an all important electric immunity, as well as other nice resistances, plus another ground immunity.
Fire Blast replaced Stone Edge because I don't really have problems with Gyarados nor Zapdos, and the only times I have used Stone Edge, it seems that Fire Blast would have worked just as well, if not much better. Particularly against Skarmory. Stone Edge would help nail some things on the switch, and is safer for overpredictions against Heatran, but it hasn't really served me well, so I'll be trying out Fire Blast.
Update: I liked Fire Blast in the third slot very much, though I have also used Thunder Punch, to better deal with Gyarados. A few Fire duties can be relegated to Jirachi by giving him Fire Punch in his fourth slot. I had a stint with a Lonely nature for more hitting power, and to not weaken Fire Blast, but ultimately brought it back to Jolly so as to outspeed non-Jolly Metagross, and Fire Blast did enough with negative nature, anyway.
Also, despite being the only Female on the team (well, originally I didn't pay attention to gender, but Goggles sounded cute, so I made her female), she's got the most balls out of any of them. Seemingly stupid Outrages have saved me a few times from total loss, and actually, they've sometimes led me to victory.
---
Ravage (Mixed Sweeper/Status Absorber/Destroyer)
Salamence @ Lum Berry
Trait: Intimidate
Naive (+Spe, -SpD) 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast
One of the suggestions by Blazin Kickin Chicken for better late game sweeping. After setting up, Ravage, well... ravages. Outrage puts a dent even in things that resist it, with Earthquake hitting the steels that do resist it. Fire Blast is for better damaging Skarmory, Forretress and Scizor. Although his moves are nearly identical to Flygons, he serves more of a sweeper role.
The Lum berry is really nice for absorbing sleep, burns and paralysis which could end a sweep. It also cures the confusion brought by Outrage, and lets me continue my attacking spree without having to switch out, also retaining any stat-ups.
Ravage also adds another water and fire resist, which is very helpful.
He's swept whole teams, or at least cause a lot of damage. I can see why he would be elevated to Uber status. Still, sometimes I find him randomly KO'd by some Ice attack coming out of nowhere, so Ravage isn't immortal.
Update: I love you.
---
Hot Head (Mixed Sweeper/Wall Breaker)
Infernape @ Life Orb
Trait: Blaze
Naive (+Spe, -SpD) 252 Atk / 62 SpA / 196 Spe
Close Combat
Mach Punch
Overheat
U-Turn / Taunt
Just a fairly typical Physically-based mixed Infernape. Close Combat for wrecking things, Overheat for nailing physical walls. U-Turn for scouting and added damage. Mach Punch has really saved me from the likes of SD Lucario, and Agility Empoleon that I've let set up. It's also nice for finishing weakened opponents. Mach Punch has even somehow saved me from a Baton Pass team. Extra priority is always nice.
He does nicely to break stall, so long as I predict correctly. Other than that, there's not really too much to mention, that I can think of.
Update: One of the other non-U-Turn options I've been testing is Taunt on Infernape. This helps beat setup sweepers, baton pass teams, and stall (even more so than before).
Also, I run 4 more EVs to outspeed opposing MixApes.
---
Scissors (Cleanup/Multipurpose)
Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
Adamant 248 HP / 252 Atk / 10 SpD
Bullet Punch
Pursuit
Superpower
U-Turn
Another choice user?! Yeah, I know. It seems weird, but Scissors here does well to patch up some things in my team. I'm sure you're all familiar with what it can do. But if not, STAB Technician Bullet Punch for a powerful priority attack, Pursuit for trapping Ghosts/Psychics, Superpower for a counter-counter, and STAB U-Turn for racking up damage.
Originally, I ran a max speed spread, but I found out that was fairly useless, even for the moves that weren't Bullet Punch, so I changed that. Tested a spread made to take a Specs Draco Meteor from Latias, per suggestion of Blazin Kickin Chicken. It worked, but wasn't really necessary.
10 resistances, with a weakness resisted by three of its teammates (though Starmie and Infernape won't be doing much tanking). Er, other than that, I don't think there's much more to mention here either.
---
Starlightz (Rapid Spin Support/Special Sweeper)
Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
Timid 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hydro Pump
Thunder Bolt
Ice Beam
Rapid Spin
Just a standard offensive LO Starmie. With three choice users, and a team centered around U-Turn, you can see how residual damage from entry hazards would be a problem. So of course, I needed a Rapid Spinner. Starmie was an easy choice, because it keeps up offensive pressure with that powerful Hydro Pump, and the BoltBeam combo for great coverage. I have had very few problems with Gyarados, thanks to this.
Update: I love you, too.
---
Benched Members:
Zap Two (Special Sweeper)
Zapdos @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
Timid 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Thunder Bolt
Heat Wave
Hidden Power Grass
Roost
Great against rain teams and DD Kingdra that have setup, and for messing around with switch-ins, but it was easily walled by Blissey and Snorlax. With its good coverage, it could beat half a team if allowed to, but ultimately, Salamence proved more useful from its sheer power. When playing by Smogon rules, with Salamence banned, I use this. With a Life Orb, it easily beats my nemesis, Vaporeon.
Buddy (Physical Sweeper)
Lucario @ Life Orb
Trait: Inner Focus
Adamant 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Swords Dance
Close Combat
Extreme Speed
Crunch
Typical Swords Dance Lucario. One of the suggestions by Blazin Kickin Chicken for better late game sweeping prowess. Its time on my team was short lived though, as it brought me up to three fire weaknesses. While I did have three resists, two of the three didn't like taking hits very much, so that was a problem.
Alright, that's them. Now, I'm not going to do a comprehensive threat list, but I will note Pokemon I have had an issue with.
/
Vaporeon/Jolteon - The siblings from hell. :( More annoying than anything, but they can be taken down with some prediction/good play.
Yeah, after just a little bit of changing, most the problems I've had got cut down. If I do come across anything problematic though, I will edit this post.
Well, that's it for now. I would very much appreciate any help for improving this team. And even though it is based around U-Turn, I would be fine replacing it on a Poke to make my team more competitive; that was just the idea that started the team. Oh, also, if you have any tips for making a better RMT, I'd appreciate those too!
Thanks,
FlameSaber
Anyway, hello Smogon community, I am FlameSaber, and this is my first Rate My Team! Moreover, this is my first post at all on Smogon, though I have been lurking for a while. I am fairly new to competitive battling, but I have been playing Pokemon since RBGY (albeit, it was my cousin's, and I played my friend's Silver, with Sapphire being the first I owned (Ruby was sold out D: )).
Now, for a little background on this team. One day, I was in the Battle Factory on my Heart Gold file, when I fell in love with a U-Turn using Infernape. Then spawned the idea of making a team full of U-Turn users to slowing wither down the opponents HP, and scout their team.
Ironically, what was originally supposed to be a gimmick team to fool around with became my most successful team. I have had decent success (for a newbie, I would like to think it was decent). Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find out my ladder score. :(
Note that I play Standard on Poke Labs, so Salamence and Latias (not holding Soul Dew) are permitted, and if either can pose a particular threat to my team, please do mention it. Now, without further ado, the team itself:
In Depth:
(Changes in Bold)
Rachi (Multipurpose-Lead)
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Serene Grace
Jolly (+Spe, -SpA) 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Iron Head
-Stealth Rock
-Trick
-U-Turn / Thunder Wave / Elemental Punch
I love this thing to death. It is great at dealing with so many leads, either flinching them to death, or crippling walls with trick and setting up Stealth Rock in the process. I can't count how many times Iron Head has saved me. Even if it's used against a Poke that resists it, flinch hax can get me through. Stealth Rock is essential, since this team likes to force a lot of switches, and that residual damage helps net some KOs. Spikes would be nice too, but I don't know of any offensively based Spike users that would fit into the team. Perhaps Roserade, but I'm not sure what I'd replace, and I don't think I have enough room for a spin blocker as well. U-Turn is there of course because this is a U-Turn team! I have tried Ice Punch in that final slot for slightly better revenge killing prowess, but every time I did, it seemed U-Turn would have been more useful. :(
Update: I've been testing a few non-U-Turn options for this team, one of them being Thunder Wave on Jirachi. With it, this thing is hellbent on crippling something (or several things) before it goes down. Pretty happy with it, though U-Turn does have better use in some situations.
Update 2: I actually have been using various elemental punches in conjunction to adding Thunder Punch on Flygon to better deal with Gyarados. It's worked better than the previous times I've tried.
EV Spread is just the standard Choice Scarf one.
In addition to all that, he's served well in testing opposing Poke's speed (to determine EV spreads, if it's scarfed or not, etc.), absorbing status (while he doesn't particularly enjoy it, he takes status much better than much of the rest of the team), and as death fodder for even more scouting.
Now, I know Heatran is supposed to be a huge counter to Jirachi, and that's why he's not used as a lead so much, but between Flygon's Earthquake, Infernape's Close Combat/Mach Punch, and to a slightly lesser extent, Zapdos and Starmie's attacks, I haven't had much trouble with Heatran. o_o
For all he does, my Jirachi deserves a better nickname. Unfortunately, I could not come up with anything. :( On a slightly separate note, I do have another Jirachi on another team named Rachai Latte, but it performs a different role, and should be used together with the likes of Cafe Latiato and other coffee minded Pokemon.
---
Goggles (Revenge Killer/Scout/Ballsy)
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
Jolly (+Atk, -Def) 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-U-Turn
- Thunder Punch / Fire Blast (Formerly Stone Edge)
For the most part, your standard Scarf Flygon. Two Scarfers may seem redundant, but Goggles is much more of a Revenge Killer, while Jirachi is more for annoying/support. Despite being a revenge killer, he's normally my first switch in, to just hit something. In fact, she and Jirachi actually juggle some teams all by their selves. Not really KOing anything, but just racking up damage.
Lonely nature to increase attack, while keeping Google's special attack up. I chose a -Def nature, because Googles is my initial switch in to Heatran, so I want to keep my SpD as high as I can.
She also packs an all important electric immunity, as well as other nice resistances, plus another ground immunity.
Fire Blast replaced Stone Edge because I don't really have problems with Gyarados nor Zapdos, and the only times I have used Stone Edge, it seems that Fire Blast would have worked just as well, if not much better. Particularly against Skarmory. Stone Edge would help nail some things on the switch, and is safer for overpredictions against Heatran, but it hasn't really served me well, so I'll be trying out Fire Blast.
Update: I liked Fire Blast in the third slot very much, though I have also used Thunder Punch, to better deal with Gyarados. A few Fire duties can be relegated to Jirachi by giving him Fire Punch in his fourth slot. I had a stint with a Lonely nature for more hitting power, and to not weaken Fire Blast, but ultimately brought it back to Jolly so as to outspeed non-Jolly Metagross, and Fire Blast did enough with negative nature, anyway.
Also, despite being the only Female on the team (well, originally I didn't pay attention to gender, but Goggles sounded cute, so I made her female), she's got the most balls out of any of them. Seemingly stupid Outrages have saved me a few times from total loss, and actually, they've sometimes led me to victory.
---
Ravage (Mixed Sweeper/Status Absorber/Destroyer)
Salamence @ Lum Berry
Trait: Intimidate
Naive (+Spe, -SpD) 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast
One of the suggestions by Blazin Kickin Chicken for better late game sweeping. After setting up, Ravage, well... ravages. Outrage puts a dent even in things that resist it, with Earthquake hitting the steels that do resist it. Fire Blast is for better damaging Skarmory, Forretress and Scizor. Although his moves are nearly identical to Flygons, he serves more of a sweeper role.
The Lum berry is really nice for absorbing sleep, burns and paralysis which could end a sweep. It also cures the confusion brought by Outrage, and lets me continue my attacking spree without having to switch out, also retaining any stat-ups.
Ravage also adds another water and fire resist, which is very helpful.
He's swept whole teams, or at least cause a lot of damage. I can see why he would be elevated to Uber status. Still, sometimes I find him randomly KO'd by some Ice attack coming out of nowhere, so Ravage isn't immortal.
Update: I love you.
---
Hot Head (Mixed Sweeper/Wall Breaker)
Infernape @ Life Orb
Trait: Blaze
Naive (+Spe, -SpD) 252 Atk / 62 SpA / 196 Spe
Close Combat
Mach Punch
Overheat
U-Turn / Taunt
Just a fairly typical Physically-based mixed Infernape. Close Combat for wrecking things, Overheat for nailing physical walls. U-Turn for scouting and added damage. Mach Punch has really saved me from the likes of SD Lucario, and Agility Empoleon that I've let set up. It's also nice for finishing weakened opponents. Mach Punch has even somehow saved me from a Baton Pass team. Extra priority is always nice.
He does nicely to break stall, so long as I predict correctly. Other than that, there's not really too much to mention, that I can think of.
Update: One of the other non-U-Turn options I've been testing is Taunt on Infernape. This helps beat setup sweepers, baton pass teams, and stall (even more so than before).
Also, I run 4 more EVs to outspeed opposing MixApes.
---
Scissors (Cleanup/Multipurpose)
Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
Adamant 248 HP / 252 Atk / 10 SpD
Bullet Punch
Pursuit
Superpower
U-Turn
Another choice user?! Yeah, I know. It seems weird, but Scissors here does well to patch up some things in my team. I'm sure you're all familiar with what it can do. But if not, STAB Technician Bullet Punch for a powerful priority attack, Pursuit for trapping Ghosts/Psychics, Superpower for a counter-counter, and STAB U-Turn for racking up damage.
Originally, I ran a max speed spread, but I found out that was fairly useless, even for the moves that weren't Bullet Punch, so I changed that. Tested a spread made to take a Specs Draco Meteor from Latias, per suggestion of Blazin Kickin Chicken. It worked, but wasn't really necessary.
10 resistances, with a weakness resisted by three of its teammates (though Starmie and Infernape won't be doing much tanking). Er, other than that, I don't think there's much more to mention here either.
---
Starlightz (Rapid Spin Support/Special Sweeper)
Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
Timid 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hydro Pump
Thunder Bolt
Ice Beam
Rapid Spin
Just a standard offensive LO Starmie. With three choice users, and a team centered around U-Turn, you can see how residual damage from entry hazards would be a problem. So of course, I needed a Rapid Spinner. Starmie was an easy choice, because it keeps up offensive pressure with that powerful Hydro Pump, and the BoltBeam combo for great coverage. I have had very few problems with Gyarados, thanks to this.
Update: I love you, too.
---
Benched Members:
Zap Two (Special Sweeper)
Zapdos @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
Timid 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Thunder Bolt
Heat Wave
Hidden Power Grass
Roost
Great against rain teams and DD Kingdra that have setup, and for messing around with switch-ins, but it was easily walled by Blissey and Snorlax. With its good coverage, it could beat half a team if allowed to, but ultimately, Salamence proved more useful from its sheer power. When playing by Smogon rules, with Salamence banned, I use this. With a Life Orb, it easily beats my nemesis, Vaporeon.
Buddy (Physical Sweeper)
Lucario @ Life Orb
Trait: Inner Focus
Adamant 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Swords Dance
Close Combat
Extreme Speed
Crunch
Typical Swords Dance Lucario. One of the suggestions by Blazin Kickin Chicken for better late game sweeping prowess. Its time on my team was short lived though, as it brought me up to three fire weaknesses. While I did have three resists, two of the three didn't like taking hits very much, so that was a problem.
Alright, that's them. Now, I'm not going to do a comprehensive threat list, but I will note Pokemon I have had an issue with.
Yeah, after just a little bit of changing, most the problems I've had got cut down. If I do come across anything problematic though, I will edit this post.
Well, that's it for now. I would very much appreciate any help for improving this team. And even though it is based around U-Turn, I would be fine replacing it on a Poke to make my team more competitive; that was just the idea that started the team. Oh, also, if you have any tips for making a better RMT, I'd appreciate those too!
Thanks,
FlameSaber
.png){kind=icon}
