Team Legendary-less
Note: This team has been discarded.
My first RMT, so lets see how it goes. I'm pretty new to the competitive pokemon metagame, joining in on the fray near the end of Gen 4 to Gen 5 transition. After suffering numerous losses, insults and tips from my opponents, I've been able to fare well in the Gen 5 metagames.
This team doesn't really have a strong focus, except this team does not utilizes pokemon considered "legendary." Recently I've seen alot of teams incorporating legendaries and find myself fighting Heatran, Landorus, Thundurus, Latios, etc. More often or not. So the premise of this team came to mind when I thought to myself, "I want to make a team that focuses on crippling the opponent, which giving me the defense and counter to fight back." Having swapped around numerous pokemon and changing held items and movesets, I've finally found a team combination where I haven't lost every other game. Thus, I thought it'd be best to gain some insights on how to strengthen this team.
The way I started building this team was first with Porygon2 and Reuniclus. I know alot of people have told me, "Never use porygon2 to start building your team." However, in the end both Porygon2 and Reuniclus was removed to give me a more defensive team that utilizes status effects, the ability to wall and still be offensively strong to eliminate threats. In a metagame where weather teams are constantly seen, as well as bulky steel/legendaries are used, I wanted something that's a bit different. Skarmory (guilty of utilizing a bulky steel) is great at setting up entry hazards and walling enemies that are a threat to my team. Gastrodon and Sigilyph are there to cripple enemies, with Dragonite and Nidoking to help deal with standard threats. Scrafty is there to fill a small gap of threats that my other pokemons cannot deal with.
However...
Over time I realized, with tips from people on Smogon and on Pokemon-Online that there are some alternative path I can take to solidify my team more. Since I am pretty new to the metagame, I've tested out every suggestion and continued to modify my team. Curious to see whats left on a non-legendary team? Non-weather team?
Lets begin with the team.
Meet the Team
Meet the Ridley
Skarmory @ Shed Shell
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Speed
Impish Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Roost
Generally this is the standard Skarmory that I've seen alot of people run. It's bulky, its hard to take down, and its really annoying. This thing has been able to tank Choice-using Latios Draco Meteor. However, because generally the metagames are prepared for Steel-type entry hazards, I've found myself facing problems with Sunny Day teams and Heatran/Mixednape users. This leaves alot to be considered when using skarmory, but is a core to this team. Without Skarmory, I wouldn't have the entry hazards or the phazing ability to tank and phaze out DD Gyra, DD Scrafty, etc. He works in great synergy with my dragonite, who also has the ability to phaze out enemies. Shed shell is to save me from Magnezone and Probopass (lol), but I miss leftover dearly.
Meet the Boss
Scafty @ Leftover
Trait: Shed Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
Jolly Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Drain Punch
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
Scrafty is a great counter to Gengar, who places a threat on my team, as well as steel types, who plans to wall my team as well. Scrafty, after one or two dragon dance, can begin to take out threats that can cause problems to my team. Drain Punch is there to keep his health supple, while he takes advantage of Shed Skin to setup on enemies that utilizes status effects (Jellicent, Forretress, etc.) He has a great synergy with Sigilyph as he's weak to Fighting (lol) and Flying, which are both common. And luckily, Sigilyph supports him greatly through defense, giving him a free chance to set up as well.
Meet the Hydroslug
Gastrodon @ Leftover
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpDef
Calm Nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Stockpile
- Toxic
- Recover
Suggest by New_World_Older to help me deal with rain teams and electric types, I gave this Gastrodon a go. I liked having Ice Beam on this guy to counter Thundurus, Landurus, etc. Although against Magnezone it's more challenging. Since Thundurus was flying, I found stalling with Toxic causes alot of problem. Poisoning alot of the enemies usually forces switch-outs or just death fodder, to which Gastrodon can proceed with Stockpile to boost its defenses. Scald is there for burns when toxic is unusable. Great counter to rain dance teams, and electric pokemon who attempts to clean Skarmory out.
Meet the Thing
Sigilyph @ Flame Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Speed
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Cosmic Power
- Stored Power
- Psycho Shift
- Roost
This guy is no joke, and should not be taken lightly. He may seem mediocre compared to other walls, but his typings works great with Scrafty. Fighting/Flying will switch in on Scrafty often, and being able to resist Fighting and scare them off allows a free Cosmic Power setup. As Cosmic Power begin to stack, Roosting off damage and tanking enemies turns this guy into a wall where even super effective attacks will do minute damage. Psycho Shift allows burns to physical attackers, crippling them, while Stored Power gains +40 damage each time Cosmic Power is utilized. Magic Guard only prevents stall teams from struggling as this guy will absolutely wall them, and physical threats are not as big as this guy has more defense than Reuniclus.
Meet the Venomking
Nidoking @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpAtk / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast
Nidoking came to mind when I realized that utilizing Rotom-W to counter some of my weaknesses didn't work out the way I wanted. Sure, Nidoking isn't going to be able to take on Rotom-W himself since it resist all of his moves and levitates to avoid earth power. However, he brings something more than just power and speed, he brings more coverage, which is what I needed. Plus with immunity to toxic and thunder wave, with burn not affecting his damage makes him more threatening. This guys able to take on Thundurus, Magnezone, Zapdos, and anything slower on him that he can punch a hole through. His main weakness, which is bulky special walls and fast water, can be taken care of from Dragonite, Scrafty and Gastrodon.
Meet the Knight
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpDef/ 252 Speed
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Outrage
- Fire Punch
- ExtremeSpeed
- Earthquake
Dragonite has changed from a Dragon Dance setup to a Choice Band setup to have better synergy with Rotom-W. This guys job is to revenge kill and to clear out any threats that my opposing pokemon are facing. However, the problem with other dragon types is still there. With Salamence, Latios and others running around, it becomes a risk to utilize Dragonite, but in the end it works out great. Other dragon types are normally injured by entry hazards, allowing Dragonite to take care of it.
Skarmory @ Shed Shell
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Speed
Impish Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Roost
Generally this is the standard Skarmory that I've seen alot of people run. It's bulky, its hard to take down, and its really annoying. This thing has been able to tank Choice-using Latios Draco Meteor. However, because generally the metagames are prepared for Steel-type entry hazards, I've found myself facing problems with Sunny Day teams and Heatran/Mixednape users. This leaves alot to be considered when using skarmory, but is a core to this team. Without Skarmory, I wouldn't have the entry hazards or the phazing ability to tank and phaze out DD Gyra, DD Scrafty, etc. He works in great synergy with my dragonite, who also has the ability to phaze out enemies. Shed shell is to save me from Magnezone and Probopass (lol), but I miss leftover dearly.
Meet the Boss
Scafty @ Leftover
Trait: Shed Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
Jolly Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Drain Punch
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
Scrafty is a great counter to Gengar, who places a threat on my team, as well as steel types, who plans to wall my team as well. Scrafty, after one or two dragon dance, can begin to take out threats that can cause problems to my team. Drain Punch is there to keep his health supple, while he takes advantage of Shed Skin to setup on enemies that utilizes status effects (Jellicent, Forretress, etc.) He has a great synergy with Sigilyph as he's weak to Fighting (lol) and Flying, which are both common. And luckily, Sigilyph supports him greatly through defense, giving him a free chance to set up as well.
Meet the Hydroslug
Gastrodon @ Leftover
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpDef
Calm Nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Stockpile
- Toxic
- Recover
Suggest by New_World_Older to help me deal with rain teams and electric types, I gave this Gastrodon a go. I liked having Ice Beam on this guy to counter Thundurus, Landurus, etc. Although against Magnezone it's more challenging. Since Thundurus was flying, I found stalling with Toxic causes alot of problem. Poisoning alot of the enemies usually forces switch-outs or just death fodder, to which Gastrodon can proceed with Stockpile to boost its defenses. Scald is there for burns when toxic is unusable. Great counter to rain dance teams, and electric pokemon who attempts to clean Skarmory out.
Meet the Thing
Sigilyph @ Flame Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Speed
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Cosmic Power
- Stored Power
- Psycho Shift
- Roost
This guy is no joke, and should not be taken lightly. He may seem mediocre compared to other walls, but his typings works great with Scrafty. Fighting/Flying will switch in on Scrafty often, and being able to resist Fighting and scare them off allows a free Cosmic Power setup. As Cosmic Power begin to stack, Roosting off damage and tanking enemies turns this guy into a wall where even super effective attacks will do minute damage. Psycho Shift allows burns to physical attackers, crippling them, while Stored Power gains +40 damage each time Cosmic Power is utilized. Magic Guard only prevents stall teams from struggling as this guy will absolutely wall them, and physical threats are not as big as this guy has more defense than Reuniclus.
Meet the Venomking
Nidoking @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpAtk / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast
Nidoking came to mind when I realized that utilizing Rotom-W to counter some of my weaknesses didn't work out the way I wanted. Sure, Nidoking isn't going to be able to take on Rotom-W himself since it resist all of his moves and levitates to avoid earth power. However, he brings something more than just power and speed, he brings more coverage, which is what I needed. Plus with immunity to toxic and thunder wave, with burn not affecting his damage makes him more threatening. This guys able to take on Thundurus, Magnezone, Zapdos, and anything slower on him that he can punch a hole through. His main weakness, which is bulky special walls and fast water, can be taken care of from Dragonite, Scrafty and Gastrodon.
Meet the Knight
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpDef/ 252 Speed
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Outrage
- Fire Punch
- ExtremeSpeed
- Earthquake
Dragonite has changed from a Dragon Dance setup to a Choice Band setup to have better synergy with Rotom-W. This guys job is to revenge kill and to clear out any threats that my opposing pokemon are facing. However, the problem with other dragon types is still there. With Salamence, Latios and others running around, it becomes a risk to utilize Dragonite, but in the end it works out great. Other dragon types are normally injured by entry hazards, allowing Dragonite to take care of it.
Threat List
Gengar is still a threat. All I can hope is that Dragonite will overpower it. These things are just so annoying.
Other dragons causes problems at time, especially if they are faster than Dragonite and OHKO it. Normally Skarmory can wall them, but Latios/Latias can destroy Skarmory, which than forces unfavorable walling from Sigilyph or Gastrodon.
A full threat list will be completed when the time has stabilized.
Other dragons causes problems at time, especially if they are faster than Dragonite and OHKO it. Normally Skarmory can wall them, but Latios/Latias can destroy Skarmory, which than forces unfavorable walling from Sigilyph or Gastrodon.
A full threat list will be completed when the time has stabilized.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Bunch of old revisions below.
Bunch of old revisions below.
Previous Members (May be returned)
Meet the Trickbox
Rotom-W @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Rotom-W had a short run until I found myself rarely using Trick. I wanted another pokemon that can do something similar to this guy, and yet have coverage. Than I realized: Nidoking. Poison/Ground means he isn't going to have problems with Toxic or Thunder Wave. Burn isn't an issue since hes specially built. Faster than this guy, hits like a truck with Sheer Force + Life Orb, this made me switch Rotom-W out with Nidoking for now.
Meet the Duck
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Trait: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Speed
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Recover
- Discharge
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
It's a little sad to let this guy go. However, trick users continue to cripple this guy, and with him being replaced by Rotom-W, who essentially can do the same but better, I lost my only immunity to Gengar. This has left me Gengar weak, who can come in and tear apart my team, and cause problem to Rotom-W with disable and substitute. My team started with this guy and Reuniclus, which both ironically has been replaced in the end to support the constant new changes. Only Skarmory (the original member) has stayed until the end.
Meet the Gelatin
Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Reuniclus was great until I realize that with no real counter to Gengar made it tough. A Conkeldurr/Reuniclus suggestion was given, but I realized that my Gengar weakness stays, although Reuniclus other counters are taken care of by Conkeldurr. Thus, lead to a Hitmontop/Sigilyph setup, where Sigilyph starts out weaker than Reuniclus, but over time if given the chance, Sigilyph becomes a monstrous defensive beast that Reuniclus cannot match.
Meet the Mantis
Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Speed
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- U-Turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Scizor was solid on my team, but found myself dealing with fire types a bit more often than I could handle. More people are carrying Hidden Power Fire on Espeon and Reuniclus, while easy tanking this guy with their own variation of fire types. Even with Gastrodon, Magnezone traps and destroys Scizor with little to no effort. Skarmory can escape, but Scizor cant. He was eventually replaced with Dragonite, who can virtually do the same, and Rotom-W, who can scout. I lost a pursuiter, but it doesn't mean the end for my team.
Meet the Fortress
Espeon @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Morning Sun
- Psychic
Espeon was used as a Dual Screen to help keep my team alive, as well as bring support. However, even with great support Dual Screen is not enough of a defense to help benefit my team in the long run. Gastrodon took place of Espeon shortly after.
Meet the King
Slowking @ Leftover
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Dragon Tail
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Thunder Wave
Slowking's goal was to paralyze as many people as well as cripple enemies via Skarmory's Spikes. However, Slowking only made it more difficult for me to counter Electric types, and was shortly swapped out with Dragonite, who effectively could do the same but better.
Rotom-W @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Rotom-W had a short run until I found myself rarely using Trick. I wanted another pokemon that can do something similar to this guy, and yet have coverage. Than I realized: Nidoking. Poison/Ground means he isn't going to have problems with Toxic or Thunder Wave. Burn isn't an issue since hes specially built. Faster than this guy, hits like a truck with Sheer Force + Life Orb, this made me switch Rotom-W out with Nidoking for now.
Meet the Duck
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Trait: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Speed
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Recover
- Discharge
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
It's a little sad to let this guy go. However, trick users continue to cripple this guy, and with him being replaced by Rotom-W, who essentially can do the same but better, I lost my only immunity to Gengar. This has left me Gengar weak, who can come in and tear apart my team, and cause problem to Rotom-W with disable and substitute. My team started with this guy and Reuniclus, which both ironically has been replaced in the end to support the constant new changes. Only Skarmory (the original member) has stayed until the end.
Meet the Gelatin
Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Reuniclus was great until I realize that with no real counter to Gengar made it tough. A Conkeldurr/Reuniclus suggestion was given, but I realized that my Gengar weakness stays, although Reuniclus other counters are taken care of by Conkeldurr. Thus, lead to a Hitmontop/Sigilyph setup, where Sigilyph starts out weaker than Reuniclus, but over time if given the chance, Sigilyph becomes a monstrous defensive beast that Reuniclus cannot match.
Meet the Mantis
Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Speed
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- U-Turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Scizor was solid on my team, but found myself dealing with fire types a bit more often than I could handle. More people are carrying Hidden Power Fire on Espeon and Reuniclus, while easy tanking this guy with their own variation of fire types. Even with Gastrodon, Magnezone traps and destroys Scizor with little to no effort. Skarmory can escape, but Scizor cant. He was eventually replaced with Dragonite, who can virtually do the same, and Rotom-W, who can scout. I lost a pursuiter, but it doesn't mean the end for my team.
Meet the Fortress
Espeon @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Morning Sun
- Psychic
Espeon was used as a Dual Screen to help keep my team alive, as well as bring support. However, even with great support Dual Screen is not enough of a defense to help benefit my team in the long run. Gastrodon took place of Espeon shortly after.
Meet the King
Slowking @ Leftover
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Dragon Tail
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Thunder Wave
Slowking's goal was to paralyze as many people as well as cripple enemies via Skarmory's Spikes. However, Slowking only made it more difficult for me to counter Electric types, and was shortly swapped out with Dragonite, who effectively could do the same but better.
Peak List
Team Legendary-less Version 1
Skarmory - Scizor - Espeon - Porygon2 - Reuniclus - Dragonite
Peak: +1250
Team Legendary-less Version 2
Skarmory - Scizor - Gastrodon - Porygon2 - Reuniclus - Dragonite
Peak: +1300
Team Legendary-less Version 3
Skarmory - Scizor - Gastrodon - Rotom-W - Reuniclus - Dragonite
Peak: +1200
Team Legendary-less Version 4
Skarmory - Scrafty - Gastrodon - Rotom-W - Sigilyph - Dragonite
Peak: +1300
Skarmory - Scizor - Espeon - Porygon2 - Reuniclus - Dragonite
Peak: +1250
Team Legendary-less Version 2
Skarmory - Scizor - Gastrodon - Porygon2 - Reuniclus - Dragonite
Peak: +1300
Team Legendary-less Version 3
Skarmory - Scizor - Gastrodon - Rotom-W - Reuniclus - Dragonite
Peak: +1200
Team Legendary-less Version 4
Skarmory - Scrafty - Gastrodon - Rotom-W - Sigilyph - Dragonite
Peak: +1300
