FerroCent - the SkarmBliss of Gen 5

[lolwut?]

Seeing how well SkarmBliss went in Gen 4, I decided to try out the 'hot' new defensive core: Ferrothorn + Jellicent. They cover each other's weaknesses perfectly, and they provide two essential qualities to my team: Wall and Spinblocker. Jellicent's ability to spread Burn, Ferrothorn's Toxic and Dragonite's parashuffling/phazing role are all combined into this mixed, albeit rather defensively-orientated team.
Team Building
Of course, my team starts out with Ferrothorn and Jellicent.

I needed a lead to deal with the ever-so-common rain and sun teams, so i needed a Sandstorm inducer to lead.

I needed a phazer, and as I already had a mixed wall, I had no need for a Skarmory. I chose Garchomp because of his respectable bulk.

Obviously, I needed some sort of offensive player, and seeing Latios' power from 4th Gen, I decided on him as my (special) sweeper.

I needed a rapid spinner, and i chose Starmie because of its ability to Thunderbolt Jellicent.

I then realised how the team was (apart from Latios) a bit slow and lacking a Physical Sweeper, so I chose Terrakion as a dedicated Revenge Killer.

I found my Garchomp was a bit weak to Taunters such as Thundurus that often carry HP Ice, or , in fact, any pokemon as with an Ice-type attack, but especially Thundurus, who is immune to Earthquake. Then I heard about the wonderful new ability Multiscale exclusive to Dragonite in OU, who has a form of recovery unlike Chomp. His ability to Parashuffle was another pro as well.

So that's my team as it stands. Now, onto the details!
The Team

Smasher (Tyranitar) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 180 SAtk / 76 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
- Crunch
- Stealth Rock

Rather unorthodox, but a great lead. It lures and OHKOs Gliscor, who could otherwise Earthquake him. He also 2HKOs Ferrothorn, Skarmory and Forretress (I hate Sturdy!). Crunch is just for STAB or against Starmie leads and Lati@s. I'm not very sure about Crunch, however. I;m considereing either Earthquake or Stone Edge for coverage and extra power. The Sassy makes sure that sandstorm prevails over other weathers and that Tyranitar's sandstorm-boosted SpecDef is pushed up to sky-high levels. The SpAtk EVs are used for the one- and two-hit KOs as listed Above. The rest are simply dumped into Tyranitar's HP and SpecDef for extra resistance.

RagingBull (Terrakion) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor

This guy is REALLY underrated. He's such a good revenge killer. Base 108 speed with Choice Scarf outspeeds most Pokemon and KOs them with the appropriate SE move. The Choice Scarf and Jolly nature allows it to outspeed all scarfed base 100s (most notably ScarfJirachi) and ScarfChomp. The EVs are rather simple: Max out speed and attack to go first and hit hard. Close Combat is a ridiculously powerful STAB move, while Earthquake and Stone Edge form the EdgeQuake combo. X-scissor is to hit other Pokes for SE damage such as Reuniclus. Terrakion actually has quite good bulk, allowing it to switch in on a resisted move and then KO.

SpikyBlob (Ferrothorn) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Gyro Ball
- Toxic

Spikes is for entry hazards to go along with Dragonite's Dragon Tail. Leech Seed is great with leftovers for recovery. Toxic is (obviously) used to spread poison around the team. I didn't opt for Thunder Wave as Dragonite already has it, and it reduces Gyro Ball's power. I've considered replacing either Toxic or Gyro Ball with Power Whip to hit bulky Waters and slow Pokes.

Blob (Jellicent) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball (Taunt used to be here)
- Surf
- Recover

Ferrothorn's partner. They cover each other's weaknesses extremely well. Jellicent can come in on a fighting-type move and then Will-o-Wisp to burn them. The EVs bulk up Jellicent's weaker physical side while adding to its HP. Taunt is to shut down opposing walls, WoW is to burn physical Attackers, Recover is to extend his longevity and Surf is to attack and not become a sitting duck to Taunt. I'm using Shadow Ball over Taunt now because I find it hits Ghosts and Psychics, especially Rapid Spinning Starmie, who is weak to Shadow Ball.

RedStain (Latios) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover

Latios' immense Special Attack lets it KO even resistant Pokemon with its Draco Meteor. The timid nature and EVs are to tie with other Max Speed base 110s and to maximise its attacking power. Draco Meteor is a nice STAB move, but I dislike the SpAtk drop. Surf and HP fire rounds out the coverage, while Recover extends its longevity and recovers its Life Orb recoil.

IHateMence (Dragonite) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Dragon Tail
- Roost
- Thunder Wave
- Substitute

Multiscale is such an awesome ability! Dragonite at full health can take almost any Ice or Dragon type attack aimed at him when at full health except stuff like STAB Bilzzards. But who even uses SAtking Ice type Pokes in OU anayway? Dragonite's EVs are to maximise his bulk, as he is not an attacking Pokemon. Thunder Wave and Dragon Tail work in tandem to spread paralysis like a virus among the opposing team. Substitute and Roost are for extra longevity. With three layers of Ferrothorn's spikes this Pokemon can wreak some havoc.

 

[Rawrchomp]

Terrakion actually doesn't outspeed positve nature ScarfChomp or Scarfed base 100's with the given nature. He only hits 315 speed pre-scarf, opposed to the 333 speed of Chomp, or the 328 speed of base 100's. You have to change the nature to Jolly if you want to revenge kill.

 

[BurtonEarny]

my one issue with the ferrothorn jellicent core is that its so prepared for. Also, no rapid spin support for dragonite means its going to be a wasted slot about half of the time.

To give something of a more constructive rate, I really like this jellicent set
@ Leftovers
Cursed body; Bold 248 hp/ 88 spe./ rest in def.
scald/ WoW/ recover/ hex

this outspeeds and beats skarmory, most choice pokes, reuniculus that doesn't get uber hax lucky, completely cripples ferrothorn and forretress... I think you get the point. Its an anti- wall wall set.

 

[lolwut?]

Terrakion actually doesn't outspeed positve nature ScarfChomp or Scarfed base 100's with the given nature. He only hits 315 speed pre-scarf, opposed to the 333 speed of Chomp, or the 328 speed of base 100's. You have to change the nature to Jolly if you want to revenge kill.

Thanks for that, its Jolly now.

 

[Green Mage]

Here's the thing about the 'hot new skarmbliss'...it isn't. It's ice cold.

The reason is that jellicent isn't good enough to pull its weight. There are plenty of other pokemon that pair perfectly with ferrothorn that can actually do something...ironically, you've already got two of them on your team (dragonite and latios). Starmie is another one, and it can rapid spin as well. You're better off replacing jellicent with a better ghost for spinblocking duties.

 

[zahariel]

That's a really thought-provoking and true argument Green Mage. Dragonite takes 1/2 Damage from Fire and Fighting-type moves and is immune to Ground-type, the three types that threat Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn takes 1/2 Damage from Dragon and Rock-types and standard damage from Ice-types, the three types that threat Dragonite. I would also argue another good fit is Tentacruel, as it resists the same types as Starmie and can spin, but also adds Toxic Spikes to the mix (though I personally would advise against Toxic Spikes because it doesn't allow Dragonite to Parashuffle, which is the whole reason it is there). The problem with this team is that YOU NEED SPIN-BLOCKING, so you have to have a ghost: ideally Evolite Dusclops or a Gengar-variant (probably Sub/Disable).

 

[lolwut?]

The problem with this team is that YOU NEED SPIN-BLOCKING, so you have to have a ghost: ideally Evolite Dusclops or a Gengar-variant (probably Sub/Disable).

Ummm... I have Jellicent.

 

[zahariel]

Right, but what is being discussed is how Jellicent is a waste of a pokemon for this team. I've been experimenting with Evolite Dusclops and I have to say this thing is a monster with Sub/Split and gets priority w/ Sucker Punch. Trying to figure out a good fourth move now.