The Team
I made this team because I always liked neat little tricks in my teams. This time, I decided to build a team around abusing Shell Smash with Baton Pass. I was able to peak at top 200 on Pokemon Online. I haven't played this team much sense but i'm fairly certain I can get it to top 100. t isn't a big accomplishment, but i felt like the team can do better with the proper tuning. My team's philosophy is to try to set up a sweep as fast as possible. So far this team has been hit or miss. I want to tune this team so it'll be more consistent. I originally played this team a while back and I am now revisiting it. All changes will be in BLACK =D
I made this team because I always liked neat little tricks in my teams. This time, I decided to build a team around abusing Shell Smash with Baton Pass. I was able to peak at top 200 on Pokemon Online. I haven't played this team much sense but i'm fairly certain I can get it to top 100. t isn't a big accomplishment, but i felt like the team can do better with the proper tuning. My team's philosophy is to try to set up a sweep as fast as possible. So far this team has been hit or miss. I want to tune this team so it'll be more consistent. I originally played this team a while back and I am now revisiting it. All changes will be in BLACK =D
IN-DEPTH LOOK!
K. Perkins (Espeon) (M) @ Light Clay Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 184 HP / 60 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Ice]
EVs: 184 HP / 60 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Ice]
When looking to make a team whose main purpose is to Baton Pass in a Shell Smash, dual screen support is a must. The screens give my Gorebyss a chance to take hits to pass off the Shell Smash. My candidates for dual screening was Deoxys, Serperior, Cresslia, Bronzong, Xatu, or Espeon. Immediately I disregarded Cresslia and Bronzong because I felt that they were taunt bait. I also chose to not use Deoxys or Serperior because they can be Mischievous Heart taunted. My final choices were Espeon or Xatu. They both carry Magic Bounce, so not only do they guarantee screens, they don't allow hazards or phazing. I finally chose to go with Espeon because he makes a fine Shell Smash receiver as well. During team preview, if i feel that my opponent is a threat, I lead with dual screens. If not, i lead with Gorebyss right away. I gave Espeon max speed EVs and a timid nature to ensure that she is able to speed tie other base 110s. I gave him 60 Special Attack to always OHKO Gliscor with HP ice. The rest is into HP for added survivability. Saucy fact for the day: Magic Bouncing back a Whirlwind from Skarmory is hilarious.
For the moves, Reflect and Light Screen are a given. They're the main reason why I use Espeon. I normally go for Reflect first due to how physically frail Espeon is. If I have time, i'll set up a Light Screen. Psychic is there for STAB. I chose HP [Ice] because my team doesn't have that many ways to check dragon types. I also didn't want to use HP Fire because then i'd get walled completely by Heatran.
In relationship to Kendrick Perkins: Espeon is the man who anchors down the team. Although Perkins may be only average offensively, his defensive presence is what makes him so good. This same philosophy applies to Espeon. Offensively he is average at best, but defensively it is spectacular. On some nights, Perkins really gets off and destroys the game offensively, which is equivalent to the rare occasion where I pass a Shell Smash to Espeon.
S. Ibaka (Dragonite) (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
- Roost
First and foremost, I have her Dragon Claw because it's his most reliable STAB move. I paired up Dragon Claw with Fire Punch because Scizor and Nattorei walls him. If i wanted a Bulky Dragonite, Dragon Dance is a must. Multiscale allows him to set up extremely easily. Roost is added into the last slot for added survivability. Bulky DDnite is an extremely powerful threat in this metagane. His only weaknesses of Ice and Dragon can also be absorbed by Metagross.
In relationship to Serge Ibaka: Serge is nicknamed "Iblocka" because of how good he is defensively. He blocks sooooooo many shots during games. Likewise, Dragonite is here to "block" incoming attacks by making them do minimal damage. Ibaka is also no slump offensively, which Dragonite isn't either.
T. Sefolosha (Breloom) (M) @ Toxic Orb Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Spore
- Seed Bomb
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
For the moveset, I had many movesets to choose from. I can either do Technician for a huge offense threat, or go more defensively. I decided to use the safest moveset IMO and went with Sub Punch. Sub Punch is extremely safe, and it eases the need to predict as much as some of the other sets. Breloom is one crazy meat mountain. He has something I like to call "The Punch." Sub on the switch, OHKO with FP, ANOTHER sub, ARE YOU SERIOUS, spore. I gave it Spore because it is a must, and Spore coming off of someone with +2 Speed is nuts. Next I gave it Substitute as the first part of the Sub Punch combo. Next Is Focus Punch to complete the combo (lol i called it a combo >_>). Finally I gave it Seed Bomb to deal with Jellicent and Bulky Waters. I don't need a Shell Smash on Breloom for it to be good, but if i manage a Smash on it, something is going to die.
In relationship to Sefolosha: Sefolosha is the role player on the Thunder. He is all around a good player, and does what ever is needed at the time to help the team. Is is Breloom's philosophy. It can either take a lightning attack aimed at Gorebyss when Latias is weak, or it can all out attack. Complete love for Breloom <3
R. Westbrook (Gorebyss) (M) @ White Herb Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 116 HP / 160 SAtk / 232 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Surf
- Shell Smash
- Hidden Power [Electric]
I can't have a Shell Smash team without a Shell Smasher. Gorebyss is the reason why I made this team. Out of all of the Shell Smashers, I feel that Gorebyss is the best option. Smeargle is too fragile and Huntail sucks. She is here to pass the Shell Smashes. She usually has no trouble doing so if she is behind screens. Unfortunately, even though she's the bulkiest Shell Smash passer, she is still fragile. In the event that I can not pass a Shell Smash, she is able to attack on her own. This isn't optimal, but she is able to do some damage. If i'm not scared of my opponents team, i sometimes lead with Gorebyess and SS right off the bat. Her EVs were taken straight from the analysis and it reflects the best spread for passing SS as well as attacking.
Shell Smash and Baton Pass were the given 2 moves I had to have. They turn threats into HUGE threats. +2 in both attacks and speed is just nuts. This is truly the fastest setup. Next up, I gave her Surf for STAB and the need to attack. People usually underestimate the power of Gorebyss's surf after a Shell Smash and it usually leads to a KO. She is able to OHKO the standard Hippowdon lead after a smash iirc. The final move is HP electric. I originally had Ice Beam, but many of my other pokemon were able to check Dragons and Gliscor. HP Electric is there incase a Gyarados or another random bulky water switches into me.
In relationship to Russel Westbrook: Westbrook is the Point Guard. He facilitates the ball movement and sets up his teammates to score. He is also able to attack the rim if no other options exist. Likewise, Gorebyss is the pointguard for my team. her presence makes the other pokemon "play better" and she sets up the big pivotal plays for my team.
K. Durant (Metagross) @ Lum Berry Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- ThunderPunch
- Zen Headbutt
The ultimate Shell Smash recipient IMO. It has near flawless coverage and doesn't afraid of anything. It is also blessed with amazing typing to resist the most common priority attacks. It resists Extreme Speed, Quick Attack, Bullet Punch, and Ice Shard. It is neutral to Sucker Punch, Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, and Aqua Jet. It is also naturally immune to Toxic, and with the Lum Berry, it pretty much isn't scared of anything.
His move choices were carefully thought out to give him maximum coverage. Earthquake was first chosen because of it's insane 100 base power and 100 accuracy. It is able to hit fire types, rock types, and steel types for super effective damage. With all of these pros, Earthquake was immediately chosen. I tested Brick Break for the Balloon Trans, but I had other pokemon to check Heatran so I went with Earthquake. Next, I chose Ice Punch to pair with EQ to hit the common resistors of EQ. Ice Punch after a Shell Smash cleanly OHKOs Salamence, Garchomp, Flygon, and even a Dragonite through multiscale. It also OHKOs grass types as well as ground types. Ice Punch is also a clean OHKO against Zapdos. Next Thunder Punch is chosen. It OHKOs full HP bulky Vaporeon as well as most waters. The final move is Zen Headbutt. It wrecks Colkedurr. It also OHKOs Volcarona, which i was surprised at.
In relationship to Kevin Durant: He's Kevin motherfreaking Durant.
His move choices were carefully thought out to give him maximum coverage. Earthquake was first chosen because of it's insane 100 base power and 100 accuracy. It is able to hit fire types, rock types, and steel types for super effective damage. With all of these pros, Earthquake was immediately chosen. I tested Brick Break for the Balloon Trans, but I had other pokemon to check Heatran so I went with Earthquake. Next, I chose Ice Punch to pair with EQ to hit the common resistors of EQ. Ice Punch after a Shell Smash cleanly OHKOs Salamence, Garchomp, Flygon, and even a Dragonite through multiscale. It also OHKOs grass types as well as ground types. Ice Punch is also a clean OHKO against Zapdos. Next Thunder Punch is chosen. It OHKOs full HP bulky Vaporeon as well as most waters. The final move is Zen Headbutt. It wrecks Colkedurr. It also OHKOs Volcarona, which i was surprised at.
In relationship to Kevin Durant: He's Kevin motherfreaking Durant.
J. Harden (Thundurus) (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Nasty Plot
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt
For the moves, Thunderbolt was the obvious STAB of choice. A LO STABed Tbolt after a Nasty Plot can even OHKO Jellicent. Next up i paired Thunderbolt with HP Ice because Dragons are everywhere in this metagame. Thunder wave is given to Thundurus as sort of a "security package" against weather sweepers and speed boosted sweepers. Finally I gave him Nasty Plot to boost attack.
In relationship to James Harden: He is option number 2 behind KD (ok that's a lie Westbrook is #2 but meh). He is the 6th man and the person responsible for the bench's surge. Likewise, Thundurus is my second choice if i do not feel that Metagross can do a sweep.
That is all
