Gravity: It will always bring you down

[kingdra]

Gravity: It will always bring you down

Horrible pun, but it gets the general idea out. Yep, my second RMT ever is based around Gravity. I have tried this team on my friends, and it has netted me a good chunk of wins. First of all, I would like to point out that nobody EVER uses the Gravity effect. It is all about Trick Room, or Sandstorm, or recently Rain, or Sheer Power (cough me cough), etc, etc. Gravity is a little known move that negates all levitation, Flying and Air Balloons. It also negates moves such as Bounce, or Fly, Magnet Rise, Hi Jump Kick, Jump Kick, *cough* Splash *cough*, Overhead Throw, Telekinesis and Sky Drop. It also means that if it is effect, then pokemon that switch in that normally would not be hit with Spikes or Toxic Spikes, will be affected. This goes for Flying Types, Levitators and likewise. BUT HERE IS MY FAVORITE PART! If Gravity is in effect, then all pokemon on the field have their evasion lowered by TWO stages! Imagine that! That means a move such as Stone Edge, which has Base 80 Accuracy, will have a Base 133.6 Accuracy! A sure fire hit! A small drawback to Gravity however, is that only a select few pokemon can learn it, but those select few are very good if used correctly!


At a glance:

Team Building Process

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First, I wanted a pokemon that could reliably set up Gravity. Something with decent bulk, and can setup Entry Hazards. So I came across Ferrothorn. I just couldn’t believe this guy could learn Gravity.

Next, I wanted something that can effectively abuse Gravity in the art of Sweeping, or likewise, but had good synergy with Ferrothorn. So I decided to go with Aerodactyl

From there it was to find a second Gravity setter, something that could reliably set up Gravity, yet have some kind of gimmick to it, like a staller. So I ended up with Evolite Dusclops.

So far, I have a variety of types, but I wanted a pokemon that could be Aerodactyl’s special counterpart, that could also abuse Gravity. After looking around, I came up with Alakazam.

Now I wanted a third Gravity user, one that could set up for another pokemon. I though about using Baton Pass Umbreon, or likewise, but I decided to go with Dual Screen Jirachi.

Of course now I needed something that can effectively abuse Jirachi’s setup, Gravity, and have good synergy with the team, all at the same time. So I came up with Volcarona.

Now, since I had Volcarona I realized that, obviously if I am going with Volcarona, I would need a Rapid Spinner. So I decided to replace my Alakazam with a classic Hitmontop, since Volcarona is already a Special Sweeper.

The next major change was when I got suggestions from raters. I liked most of them so here is a major change.

So there you have it, My Gravity team. Now for the indepth stuff.

Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability - Sturdy
Nature - Impish
EVs - 152 Def/252 Atk/4 SpDef/100 HP
Moves:
- Gravity
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Explosion
I got the general idea for this set from oh noeszz with my own touch. Leftovers for slow recovery, Sturdy because it is better than Overcoat, Impish to max defense, and the EVs for max Defense and to make sure Explosion actually does something.Gravity is obvious, Spikes/TS is to abuse gravity, and Explosion is to go out with a bang so to speak.

Garchomp @ Life Orb
Ability - Sand Veil
Nature - Jolly
EVs - 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Moves:
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Tail
- Earthquake
- Dragon Rush

I got this set from ginganinja but I have made some minor changes to fit my playing style better. Basically, originally this was Aerodactyl, my physical sweeper, but I have replaced him with Garchomp. This is a fairly basic set, Life Orb for power, Sand Veil because it is better than Rough Skin, Jolly for speed, and the EVs are standard for a physical sweeper. Now for the moves. Swords Dance is for the chances to set up, Aqua Tail is for the surprise factor (4th Gen Move Tutor), Earthquake is for STAB and to abuse Gravity, while Dragon Rush over Dragon Claw is because Gravity makes the accuracy drop not matter, and STAB.

Porygon2 @ Evolite
Ability - Trace
Nature - Modest
EVs - 100 Def/100 SpDef/252 SpAtk/56 HP
Moves:
- Gravity
- Blizzard
- Thunder
- Recover
I got this set from oh noeszz with some minor changes. This was originally Evolite Dusclops. Evolite to get those huge defenses, Trace to copy useful abilities like Poison Heal, Modest for power (since I don't need defenses because of Evolite), and the EVs to max SpAtk, while still maintaining the defenses. Gravity is obvious because this is my second Gravity user, the BoltBeam Power combo to abuse Gravity, and Recover to Recover (OMG).

Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Ability – Technician
Nture – Adamant
EVs – 252 Atk/100 Spd/100 HP/56 SpDef
Moves:
-Rapid Spin
-Mach Punch
-Pursuit
-Fake Out

My Rapid Spinner. This spinny fellow doesn’t really benefit from Gravity much, but it has won me many battles because my Gravity pokemon fainted and Gravity wore off. Leftovers for slow recovery but I am thinking of switching it to Lum Berry, so I can come in on predicted Spores and what not. I have Technician to bring all my moves up to their full potential, Adamant for that extra power, while the EVs are a little weird. I could go with the first set because I am running mostly priority moves, while I could go with the second set to give me a better chance of Rapid Spinning. Help would be gracious. Rapid Spin is obvious, Mach Punch for Priority/STAB/Technician, Pursuit is to catch any pokemon on the run, as well as take down those annoying Psychic/Ghost types. Fake Out is for that initial damage to bring them down to revenge kill level.

Jirachi @ Light Clay
Ability – Serene Grace
Nature – Bold
EVs – 252 Def/252 SpDef/4 SpAtk
Moves:
-Gravity
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Doom Desire (I will explain this)

No one ever expects a Jirachi that doesn’t ParaFlinch. At least no one I have battled. Light Screen to extend the Dual Screen period. I have Serene Grace because I don’t have a choice, Bold is because physical Ground type moves are much more common than special Fire type moves, while the EVs are for longevity. Gravity is obvious, while the other moves aren’t as much. Reflect and Light Screen are very handy for setting the next pokemon up, while Doom Desire….. Doom Desire is so much fun. Under Gravity it is sure to hit, but that isn’t the point. Basically, I judge when to use it, possibly as the first move if I am against something that is not threatening, or later after Gravity and the Screens are setup. Then, either I die or switch out, whatever pokemon I send out, can either get a extra hit, or the other trainer might have completely forgotten about it, and get a Base 140 STAB move to DAH FACE. On top of that, if they do remember it and switch something in to take the hit, then you have a free turn to switch out into a pokemon that can, and will, abuse Gravity and Dual Screens.

Volcarona @ Life Orb
Ability – Flame Body
Nature – Timid
EVs – 252 SpAtk/252 Spd/4 SpDef
Moves:
-Quiver Dance
-Fire Blast
-Hurricane
-Bug Buzz

Volcarona is ugly. I know that. But when used right, it is BEAST. Life Orb for extra power, as it won’t be taking hits anyways, Flame Body so if it dies, then possibly the other pokemon might get burned. Timid is standard for a special Sweeper, as so is the EVs. Quiver Dance is almost guaranteed to be pulled off under Dual Screens at least once, and if I can pull off more, then that is great. I went with Fire Blast over Fiery Dance because the accuracy is not a problem under Gravity, and I wanted the power. Hurricane again benefits from Gravity, and a Base 120 move with 100% accuracy and no drawbacks is awesome. Bug Buzz is for STAB. The Stealth Rock weakness is not a problem thanks to Rapid Spin Hitmontop.


So that’s my team. I would have a threat list for you, but I never really came across anything that completely devastated my team. The only time I was completely swept was when I battled someone with DrizzleToad, DroughtTails, Tyranitar and Abomasnow, ALL ON THE SAME TEAM. I mean, WTF man. But as soon as I find some big threats, I will post them. Please rate and comment. Thanks!

Thanks for Suggestions - ginganinja, oh noeszz, chimpakt, cerulean

 

[kingdra]

Okay thanks for the set. I will test it as soon as I can.

Firstly, Spikes and Gravity Ferrothorn I understand is illegal so you should consider dropping Spikes for a coverage move such as Gyro Ball or even Thunder Wave.

I really should pay attention to legal breeding combos more often. Thanks for the tip.

 

[thedotwalks]

Doom Desire is typless when it hits and doesn't recieve STAB. Also, it is calculated based on the special defense of the target on the turn it is used, not the pokemon it hits.

 

[kingdra]

Doom Desire is typless when it hits and doesn't recieve STAB. Also, it is calculated based on the special defense of the target on the turn it is used, not the pokemon it hits.

Really? I didn't know that. But on the bright side, I doubt the opponent knows that either. And that will be even better if I come across something with horrible SpDef. But thanks for the info though. You learn something new everyday.

 

[oh noeszz]

Apologies if I'm missing something but it seems like Gravity only helps Garchomp land more earthquakes. Who else on the team does it help? It seems like it would be much more usefull on a Sandstorm team allowing all of Excadrill's EQs to hit.

Considering the five turn expiration, why not use a Dugtrio since gravity allows him to arena trap anything and everything?

Spikes affect everything when there is gravity. You should probably add them back on to Ferrothorn at the cost of gravity since you already have two other pokemon who can set it up. You may want to add a toxic spikes user and phazer as well if you want to stick with the gravity theme, although I think you could just drop gravity from all your sets and use a more conventional team.

 

[kingdra]

1. Apologies if I'm missing something but it seems like Gravity only helps Garchomp land more earthquakes. Who else on the team does it help? It seems like it would be much more usefull on a Sandstorm team allowing all of Excadrill's EQs to hit.

2. Considering the five turn expiration, why not use a Dugtrio since gravity allows him to arena trap anything and everything?

3. Spikes affect everything when there is gravity. You should probably add them back on to Ferrothorn at the cost of gravity since you already have two other pokemon who can set it up. You may want to add a toxic spikes user and phazer as well if you want to stick with the gravity theme, although 4. I think you could just drop gravity from all your sets and use a more conventional team.

1. Did you read the intro?

2. I don't want to use Dugtrio only for Arena Trap because you don't really see Choiced Electrics that much, plus his only stat that is decent is Speed.

3. I really wanted to go with Spikes/TS but I don't like entry hazards that much, plus phazing isn't my style. I really think I should have one though.

4. Really? Dude, do you read what you type? Taking Gravity away from a GRAVITY themed team is like taking Sand Stream and Sandstorm from a SANDSTORM based team. What is the point?

 

[oh noeszz]

I missed the evasion deal somehow so that affects Power Whip, Aqua Tail, Dragon Rush, Will-o-wisp, Heatwave and Hurricane.

On Volcarona you should swap Heatwave out for Fire Blast since gravity negates the accuracy difference. Also unless you feel you need Hurricane to take on fighting types you may want to switch that to Toxic or Will-o-wisp.

Jirachi should be carrying light clay if you are going to use him for dual screens. That way the screens last for 8 turns instead of 5. In any case I think you could find a better pokemon than Jirachi whether you want to dual screen or do something else.

Take a look at Forretress in place of Ferrothorn. It can use gravity and abuse it with zap cannon. 83% accuracy on 120 BP and guaranteed paralysis ain't bad at all even though his SpAtk is only base 60. He can also set up spikes and more importantly toxic spikes which can't poison things that are weak to ground - the only attacking type which gains from gravity. His ability as a rapid spinner would let you switch Hitmontop to something else. The biggest drawback is a drop in SpDef, but I think it would be nice to get something else besides Hitmontop in there.

Porygon 2 has gravity and zap cannon (thunder/blizzard too) but has the SpAtk of 105 to abuse it. Slap on an eviolite and his defensive bulk rolls on up to 85/135/142. Gravity/Zap Cannon/Blizzard/Recover looks pretty tasty to me. He has the bulk to set up gravity, the moves to abuse it and a recover move to last. Trace and Download are useful abilities as well. His bulk would allow you to switch out Dusclops for something else if you so chose (and if you do that, probably put WoW onto Volcarona in place of Hurricaine). On the other hand Porygon 2 and Dusclops compliment each other pretty well as mixed walls and they would allow you to stray from Ferrothorn/Forretress.

I still think you should try to include more ground attacks given their super effectiveness on 5 types and gravity negating flying/levitate - things people absolutely rely upon when they consider their teams typings. Things like Skarmory, Zapdos, Crobat, rotoms, Thundurus, Weezing, Bronzong, Elektross and Gengar suddenly lose their appeal when they no longer dominate ground pokemon. That can open up huge holes on teams that without those pokes have no answer to ground attacks.

Sheerforce Nidoking/Nidoqueen can use toxic spikes and offer some gravity abusing mixed attacks with Stab Earthquake and Thunder/Blizzard.

Something to note - According to Bulbapedia on Doom Desire:

Doom Desire's power changed from 120 to 140 and its accuracy from 85% to 100%.
Furthermore, Doom Desire is now a Steel-type attack that will take typing into account and can therefore receive STAB. Doom Desire no longer uses the Special Defense stat of the targeted Pokémon, but instead the Special Defense of the hit Pokémon.

 

[kingdra]

Wow. Thanks!

I will do that.

I will do that, but I like Jirachi for its typing, and the fact that people don't know whether to expect an offensive or defensive.

I like Ferrothorn for its balanced defenses, but Physical leads are more common these days.......... Plus I am not really focusing on entry hazards but sure! Why not? I will edit it when possible.

Okay. I will replace Dusclops with Porygon2.

I don't check Bulbapedia much, but that is a good piece of info. Thanks!

 

[dacheat... Kinda]

I agree with the above that fire blast > heat wave, but I think fiery dance is better than either due to the chance of SpA increase. As long as you get one boost from fiery dance it will be much better than fire blast or heat wave.

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

thirded, why Heat Wave over Fire Blast?

 

[Heliamus]

Taking Gravity away from a gravity team in this case could be good and bad. You do already have two others that can learn it, and having that other move in there would be good, but if you need to set up Gravity again, there's a higher chance you'll need to switch out to get it. The Dugtrio thing is a good idea, so doing something similar to that would be good, but you're right in saying Dugtrio probably isn't a good choice. I think dacheat... Kinda is right, and the Fiery Dance is better with the Sp.Atk boost. Whether you switch Ferrothorn with Forretress is up to you. I personally don't think it'll make that much of a difference. Just noting you also have two pokemon with double weaknesses (Ferrothorn with Fire and Garchomp with Ice). Otherwise, the Gravity idea is interesting. I've never really liked the move myself, but now looking at this I've seen so many more uses than I knew. Nice job.

 

[kingdra]

I agree with the above that fire blast > heat wave, but I think fiery dance is better than either due to the chance of SpA increase. As long as you get one boost from fiery dance it will be much better than fire blast or heat wave.

That is what Quiver Dance is for, and I really want the power. Basically under Dual Screens, any thing that isn't 4x effective shouldn't kill me so I use Quiver Dance to check it out. If they do more than half damage, I attack. If not then I Quiver again, or Attack depending on the scenario.

 

[oh noeszz]

Stumbled upon this gravity thread:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php? t=85451

 

[kingdra]

Stumbled upon this gravity thread:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php? t=85451

K thanks

 

[chimpact]

Give Hitmontop max HP Max attack. It has low base hp, so it's going to heal more hp from leftovers each turn and it's gonna take roughly the same amount of damage from attacks if you max its defenses, but because you have a lot less hp, you won't take the attacks that well( If that makes sense)

You should also give Forretress/Porygon2 maximum hp over the 128 split in its defenses.

I would also replace toxic spikes on Forretress with Zap cannon. Levitating poison (and poisons in general) types may be rare, but they could come in to absorb the toxic spikes essentially ruining them and it seems to be just a filler move. You can't really abuse it other than with dual screens softening the blow for your team and fake out with hitmontop. With Zap cannon in gravity it gets 83% accuracy and guaranteed paralysis if it connects.

you seem to have a lot of trouble with landlos and volcarona is a really unusual pokemon to have on a team that increases stone edges accuracy and earthquake's spammability. You aren't the only one who can abuse gravity; your opponent can too.

I feel like Vaporeon or another Bulky water would do wonders for your team in place of the moth. It can take unboosted EQ's and punish with hydro pump whose accuracy is boosted by gravity and it can pass wishes to your team members.

A bulky politoed could also help your team in many ways. It can fire off random hydro pumps, help you combat weather wars, increase the power of Garchomp's Aqua Tail, and help your team take Fire attacks better (especially Jirachi/Forretress)

 

[SmileZ]

Just a heads up from something I read above. I don't know enough about the playstyle to comment. But as of Gen 5 Doom Desire is Steel type and receives STAB. It no longer uses the SDef of the original target and will hit through various protection methods but not sash.

 

[Cerulean]

Give your pokes some HP EV's dude

 

[I.care.0]

Think about using a Starmie somewhere. Seriously, Gravity/Blizzard/Thunder/hydro Pump is HUGE. I would put it over Volcanora, since Volcanora is just asking for a 100% accuracy Stone Edge on her ugly face. Being weak to ground in gravity doesn't help.

If you want somethig to be behind screens, Starmie works better, since it can use Gravity in it's own, reducing the burden on jirachi, which can now run wish over gravity. Starmie can also run Recover and a bulkier set to garantee that it WILL NOT DIE while screens are up.

It would be a little redundant with porigon2, but this opens way for my second statement: Gravity teams NEED bulky grass types. Earthquake have been, for some time, the most used move, and gravity suffer quite a bit from it. Tangrowth and Shaymin and Celebi are good choices, with good bulk, recovery, and sleep-inducing moves that have 100% acuraccy under gravity.

Edit: Virizion is also a good choice, being a good Escadrill check to boot.


Also, sorry for the bad english. =P

 

[I.care.0]

Point taken.

My problem with Tournados is that, while he's a beast under gravity, he can't reliably do any damage outside of it, and isn't a gravity user himself. Hurricane/Focus Blast is good and all, until you have a heavy-offense team against you, keeping the momentum and not letting you use gravity without losing somethig or letting something scary set-up and sweep, and this happens quite a bit in my experience.

 

[kingdra]

Holy Crap. I literally go to sleep and when I wake up I find like 5 rates. Okay, I will take some ideas that I like and I will give credit at the bottom of my team. I would quote all of them but I don't really want to go through all that. In general, I will edit the EVs for some HP but I am not going to replace Volcarona. Why? Because it what world would I ever even think about sending in Volcarona on something that has even a remote chance of knowing a Rock type move? Gonna make the edits later Study Hall is almost over.

 

[Cerulean]

i would give forretress 252 HP
hitmontop 252 HP / 252 Att because he doesnt really need speed with that set and really needs HP
give rachi 252 HP / rest in defenses
and give porygon2 max HP

 

[dacheat... Kinda]

That is what Quiver Dance is for, and I really want the power. Basically under Dual Screens, any thing that isn't 4x effective shouldn't kill me so I use Quiver Dance to check it out. If they do more than half damage, I attack. If not then I Quiver again, or Attack depending on the scenario.

Yeah, but you can't attack when you quiver dance. What I'm trying to say is that after a QD you'll outrun nearly everything and all you really want is SpA, and with fiery dance you can attack (and most likely OHKO if it's not resisted) and possibly get a boost to all PF your other attacks. If you QD the second time you may get weakened enough that a priority move can pick you off and end you sweep where fiery dance can OHKO, possibly give you a SpA move, and you take no damage.

Excuse the typos. I'm on my phone...

 

[dacheat... Kinda]

Yeah, but you can't attack when you quiver dance. What I'm trying to say is that after a QD you'll outrun nearly everything and all you really want is SpA, and with fiery dance you can attack (and most likely OHKO if it's not resisted) and possibly get a boost to all PF your other attacks. If you QD the second time you may get weakened enough that a priority move can pick you off and end you sweep where fiery dance can OHKO, possibly give you a SpA move, and you take no damage.

If you can get a QD in and then a FD boost, it's basically GG. After it boosts you once it pays for itself. Trust me, I've used volcarona a lot, and about 85% of the time QD + FD boost ends the game.

Edit: oops.. I meant to edit that in, not quote. Darn iPhone...