Double Bug

[Bork]

When trying to formulate a team, while scanning the various on-site analysis, I read that Salamence is/was often used in Ubers together with Rayquaza, even though they are very similar. I decided that I would similarly take a very powerful sweeper and pair it with a similar, but worse version of itself to lure out threats and promptly dispose of them.

Team building Process:

First I chose one of the most powerful sweepers in OU, Vocarona. Similar to Rayquaza, it has immense power, and a great stat boosting move in Quiver Dance. Then I added a parter for it to lure out threats and knock sizable holes into them

Yanmega may not even be UU, but its similarities to Volcarona were the important part here. Next, as both had huge SR weaknesses, I obviously needed a spinner.

Still realizing I had an immense rocks weakness, I added a magic bounce user.

Having four somewhat frail special attackers on one team wasn't the best idea, so I added something that could both deal with Blissey, and abuse Espeon's screens

Finally, I found a lot of holes on the team--I was weak to the Lati twins, I had no hazards and everyone was pretty frail. I wanted at least rocks and a strong pursuit, but I didn't want to deal with Ttar's SS, so I picked the next best available option.

Now a more in depth look

Espeon (M) @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Light Screen
- Reflect

Espeon lead the team most of the time, trying to get up screens and prevent hazards too early. HP Fire deals with Scizor who often come in brandishing their U-Turns while Psyshock hits most everything else well enough. If I get both screens up and a nice opportunity presents itself, I can normal bring one of my sweepers to set up early to poke holes into my opponent's defense. If I bring Espeon back later, normally to Magic Bounce something, then screens will likely lead me to victory.

My only issue so far with Espeon is surviveability... it normally dies very early on, often before it can do much. Part of this is because of how I play it, but it is almost always the first to die. I've also found that hazards aren't that big of an issue even with just Starmie, so I will take suggestions on an upgrade here.

Metagross @ Life Orb
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake

This is a very peculiar set, but it gets the job done. Bullet Punch and Pursuit are the heart of the set, taking out most of everything that hurts the rest of the team. Rocks, should be fairly obvious, but I actually had difficult in finding a good user who could provide all the support the rest of my team needed. Earthquake as provided me with a useful, heavy hitting move. While I use it sparingly, it is effective in this position. I've tried Meteor Mash over Pursuit, but the shaky accuracy isn't fun nor is losing my best method for dealing with Blissey and Latios, so I kept Pursuit on.

Also, since this is such a weird set, I have no idea what item to use. I've been using LO to get more power on my Bullet Punches, but as I'm Metagross is normally used in a supporting role, I sometimes lose unnecessary amounts of health. I've tried Air Balloon, but I don't get as much power as I would like on my moves, barring EQ, they have very low powers. I also tried Iron Plate but Pursuit was still to weak, but it was better than Air Balloon. Essentially, should I use Iron Plate, Life Orb, or something else?

Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Recover

Starmie provides Rapid Spin--almost required when I have two x4 Rock weaknesses. Surf and T-Bolt give me good coverage and Recover increases my lifespan. Starmie has been generally pretty useful to my team, and normally lasts until the bitter end, to make sure rocks stay off the field. Starmie is also useful in checking Terrakion, who can be a pain often. One Surf is normally enough to castrate it, but it is still a major threat to my team.

Unlike my other pokemon, Starmie, I feel isn't pulling its load offensively. Surf and T-Bolt have great coverage... just not the coverage I need. I don't use Recover all that often, though it is useful. I've been considering changing either T-Bolt or Recover to Ice Beam, but again, other opinions would help.

Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Crunch

A pretty standard set that can run over teams behind screens. Close Combat provides a great STAB move and ExtremeSpeed gives my team another priority move. I've often found it instrumental in dealing with fast ugly stuff like Dragonite and other Volcarona, even when Luke isn't going to be sweeping that battle. Crunch is for ghosts and stuff I can't hurt otherwise.

As a whole, Lucario has proven more useful than expected. Not only does it sweep fairly often, but it can perform in a supporting role with ESpeed as well. Lucario also has good synergy with Espeon and Starmie, being able to set up on Choice locked Pursuits. Overall Lucario provides excellent value to this team.

Yanmega (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ground]

Yanmega is, understandably a rarely seen pokemon in standard, but that doesn't mean its bad. With Tinted Lens and Choice Specs, it will often score me unexpected KO's. Often times I'll fire off a Bug Buzz, expecting to just leave a sizable dent, and it ends up dealing far more than expected. U-Turn and HP Ground are mostly filler, though U-Turn can be very useful if I know they have Blissey.

Yanmega is also bulkier than expected, at least from the physical side. Priority isn't an issue at all, unless I'm on the verge of dying, but this thing can often take large hits, sometimes even super effective Ice Punches and the like. Its main purpose is to break a hole in my opponent's team to allow Volcarona to finish him off (or vice versa) but Yanmega can stand on its own as an OU pokemon.

Volcarona (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Fiery Dance
- Hidden Power [Rock]

And the star of the show, Volcarona. Volcarona is quite amazing. There is little that can stop it after one Quiver Dance aside from a well timed Toxic or a Terrakion. Behind Screens it is incredibly bulky and hits like a truck. Its few counters can be lured out by Yanmega and promptly destroyed.

Generally Volcarona will down one of two things. Either, if I get a good opportunity, I'll bring it in behind screens, ASAP, assuming they have no Terrakion. Otherwise, I keep it at bay, waiting for a late game sweep. Terrakion and Heatran are essentially the only two pokemon that bother me, and only one is manageable. However, a couple of times I've seen them in pairs... which isn't really fun... But other than those two, Volcarona is pretty much the best.

All in all... yeah any suggestions?

 

[ComeAtMe]

I really like this idea, but I don't see why SkarmBliss with a bit of support couldn't stop your team. Blissey walls everyone except Lucario and Metagross who Skarmory can wall and phaze if need be. I would recommend putting Psyshock on Espeon instead of Psychic because I don't see Psychic getting you anywhere. Good luck, I think this team could do really well.

 

[doughboy]

The first change I would make is a move change on Metagross. What does Pursuit accomplish? I understand you have SD Lucario, but the only good thing Pursuit would be for now for Ghosts is Gengar (doesn't do enough against Jellicent). Gengar would fall to Bullet Punch anyway. In place of Pursuit I would put Meteor Mash and in place of Hammer Arm I would put Earthquake. Earthquake isn't on the standard set because of Air Balloon, but Air Balloon isn't used much anymore because of the banishment of Excadrill. I would give Metagross Lefties as well.

The second change would be a move change on Lucario. Considering that Jellicent is more problematic for both of your bug sweepers, since he would resist 3/4 of their STAB's, I would suggest Crunch in place of Ice Punch. These two move changes will help you deal with Jellicent much easier, who would have otherwise walled a huge portion of your team. Glsicor can be dealt with easily by your Starmie because it has Recover.

Finnally, what is the main purpose with Espeon? To setup screens or prevent hazards? I know it really is the only pokemon who can do both, but if as you said "it dies to soon to often before it can do much" then I am sure there is a better option that could be put in place of it.

 

[Yarnus of Bethany]

One thing that might work on your Metagross is to give it an air balloon. That way the only thing that hits it SE is fire. Another option that might work is to give it a bad item and then change hammer arm to trick. Just my opinion

 

[Bork]

I really like this idea, but I don't see why SkarmBliss with a bit of support couldn't stop your team. Blissey walls everyone except Lucario and Metagross who Skarmory can wall and phaze if need be. I would recommend putting Psyshock on Espeon instead of Psychic because I don't see Psychic getting you anywhere. Good luck, I think this team could do really well.

If I end up keeping Espeon, then I'll give it a test. So far I haven't had that much toublr with Blissey as both Yanmega and Volcarona can leave a good sized dent for the other should my physical attackers be dead, but it probably is a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

The first change I would make is a move change on Metagross. What does Pursuit accomplish? I understand you have SD Lucario, but the only good thing Pursuit would be for now for Ghosts is Gengar (doesn't do enough against Jellicent). Gengar would fall to Bullet Punch anyway. In place of Pursuit I would put Meteor Mash and in place of Hammer Arm I would put Earthquake. Earthquake isn't on the standard set because of Air Balloon, but Air Balloon isn't used much anymore because of the banishment of Excadrill. I would give Metagross Lefties as well.

The second change would be a move change on Lucario. Considering that Jellicent is more problematic for both of your bug sweepers, since he would resist 3/4 of their STAB's, I would suggest Crunch in place of Ice Punch. These two move changes will help you deal with Jellicent much easier, who would have otherwise walled a huge portion of your team. Glsicor can be dealt with easily by your Starmie because it has Recover.

Finnally, what is the main purpose with Espeon? To setup screens or prevent hazards? I know it really is the only pokemon who can do both, but if as you said "it dies to soon to often before it can do much" then I am sure there is a better option that could be put in place of it.

1. Pursuit also is there for Latios/Latias who can wall my team. I've found it to be pretty useful so far, but I might give Meteor Mash a whirl... its just I don't like its accuracy. As for EQ if you think its better, I'll definately try it.
2. Luckily I haven't run into many Jellicent, but Crunch does sound like a good idea, as when I do come across them, they are more problematic than Gliscor.
3. Yeah, I'd like to find something better but I could use a suggestion in particular. I might try out Deoxys just to see how it goes.
Thanks for the help, I'll be sure to take you opinions into consideration.

One thing that might work on your Metagross is to give it an air balloon. That way the only thing that hits it SE is fire. Another option that might work is to give it a bad item and then change hammer arm to trick. Just my opinion

I'm not sure about Trick, but Air Balloon sounds like a decent idea. I don't like the drop in power, but I'll see how it goes. Thanks for the rate also.

Any more suggestions.

 

[FlamerMPE]

I like yanmega, but I feel that it may be better served by speed boost than tinted lens. After one hit, yanmega reaches 433 speed, outpacing anything apart from deoxys-s and ninjask. After the second, yanmega's fast enough to prevent most revenge killers. Flying and ground is an excellent offensive combination, hitting everything for neutral damage except for certain levitators/fliers.

 

[Bork]

I like yanmega, but I feel that it may be better served by speed boost than tinted lens. After one hit, yanmega reaches 433 speed, outpacing anything apart from deoxys-s and ninjask. After the second, yanmega's fast enough to prevent most revenge killers. Flying and ground is an excellent offensive combination, hitting everything for neutral damage except for certain levitators/fliers.

Speed Boost would be better i certain situations, but this set is primarily for ramming through Volcarona's checks, so I want to hit as hard as possible. Also, often due to the Rocks weakness, Yanmega won't get more than one switch in (sometimes things just go bad). With Tinted Lens I can hit almost anything for neutral damage and with a lot of power. While Speed Boost is a lovely ability, I'd be dealing with a 75 BP Flying move and an UnSTABed 70 BP ground move off 116 SpA--essentially the E-Vire syndrome. For my purposes, Tinted Lens is more effective. But still, thanks for the suggestion.

After I post this, I'll make some changes for the suggestions people have made that I liked.

 

[wraiders11]

to address your Skarm/Bliss weakness, change your lucario set to a special sweeper. Unknown to many people, Lucario's Sp attack is higher than his attack. This allows him to easily beat skarmory (who will most likely be drawn in expecting the physical set) and then after a few boosts he can easily take down even blissey with STAB super effective moves.

Lucario @ Air Balloon / Leftovers
Timid/modest
4hp/252sp att / 252 speed
inner focus

Nasty Plot
Aura Sphere
Dark Pulse
Vacuum Wave / HP Ice

 

[Bork]

to address your Skarm/Bliss weakness, change your lucario set to a special sweeper. Unknown to many people, Lucario's Sp attack is higher than his attack. This allows him to easily beat skarmory (who will most likely be drawn in expecting the physical set) and then after a few boosts he can easily take down even blissey with STAB super effective moves.

Lucario @ Air Balloon / Leftovers
Timid/modest
4hp/252sp att / 252 speed
inner focus

Nasty Plot
Aura Sphere
Dark Pulse
Vacuum Wave / HP Ice

Eh, I'm not so certain about this at all... Skarm isn't the issue.... Its more Blissey, which the SD set is better against. I already have plenty of special attackers, but with your suggestion, my only physical attacker would be Metagross, whose strongest attack is an unSTABed Earthquake. Also, while Lucario's special attack is higher, Close Combat hits a lot harder than Aura Sphere and Extremespeed hits harder than Vacuum Wave. SD Luke hits harder and better fits my needs. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

 

[Nova]

If u wanted added power on gross while still maitaining hp, try expert belt. +20% to super effective hits. I personally am a big fan of special infernape which is similar to special luc and i believe the special variants are better as they are unexpected

 

[New World Order]

Hi, just came to say that this team is so cool! Although having to deal with Stealth Rock and Sandstorm must be completely gay, its nice to see team thats not your standard Rain stall or whatever once in a while.

The first thing I noticed is that your team absolutely loathes Terrakion. Metagross doesn't hit hard enough to KO with Bullet Punch, while Terrakion can proceed to at least 2HKO your entire team between Stone Edge and Close Combat. IMO, Lucario doesn't really add much to your team. Yeah, it goes through Blissey, but there are better options for this, such as Bulk Up Conkeldurr. Both Volcarona and Yanmega just absolutely despise status, and having 3 status absorbers doesn't hurt. Conkeldurr makes it much easier to deal with Terrakion, and should Espeon/ Starmie go down, Conkeldurr can come in on Thunder Wave, Toxic, and such and grab a free Attack boost. Because of Guts, Conkeldurr also makes a much better switch-in to Pokemon such as Blissey than Lucario. While Conkeldurr does not have as much immediate power as Lucario, it has much better survivability due to Drain Punch, and after enough Bulk Ups, is actually stronger than Lucario. Besides, Volcarona is your primary sweeper anyways, so not a huge loss.

Something else that could really help your team is Wish support. You never know when you'll mispredict and accidentally let Stealth Rock get onto the field. Then as you go to Starmie to spin away the Rocks, your opponent Roars! Now your bugs are screwed. To take care of this situation, I suggest swapping Metagross for Specially Defensive Jirachi. Jirachi seems to be the perfect teammate for your team. Not only does it offer the same resistances as Metagross, it can also distribute Stealth Rock, while at the same time providing Wish support. This is especially important given that Espeon, Volcarona, and Yanmega are all pretty frail. Jirachi actually does a better job checking the Latii twins and Reuniclus by virtue of its superior Special bulk. Finally, Jirachi can provide your team with valuable paralysis support through Body Slam. Since Yanmega's biggest issue, bar Stealth Rock, is its Speed, it would appreciate Jirachi paralyzing half the opposing team. With Tinted Lens and Choice Specs, Yanmega can 2HKO almost every Pokemon in the tier. Paralysis support ensures that it actually gets those 2 hits in.

In Summary:

Hide

Bulk Up Conkeldurr>SD Lucario
pros: can absorb status, more survivability, check Terrakion, get through Blissey
cons: not as much sweeping potential as Lucario, then again, that's Volcarona's job

Specially Defensive Jirachi>Metagross
pros: provides Wish support, provides paralysis support, keeps same typing/ Stealth Rock, better Special bulk to check Latii twins and Reuniclus
cons: none, Jirachi is just as perfect a teammate as you can get for this team

GL

Sets:

Hide

Conkeldurr @ Leftovers
Trait: Guts
120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SpD
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Payback

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
Careful Nature (+SpD, -SpA)
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- Wish
- Stealth Rock

 

[Bork]

Hi, just came to say that this team is so cool! Although having to deal with Stealth Rock and Sandstorm must be completely gay, its nice to see team thats not your standard Rain stall or whatever once in a while.

The first thing I noticed is that your team absolutely loathes Terrakion. Metagross doesn't hit hard enough to KO with Bullet Punch, while Terrakion can proceed to at least 2HKO your entire team between Stone Edge and Close Combat. IMO, Lucario doesn't really add much to your team. Yeah, it goes through Blissey, but there are better options for this, such as Bulk Up Conkeldurr. Both Volcarona and Yanmega just absolutely despise status, and having 3 status absorbers doesn't hurt. Conkeldurr makes it much easier to deal with Terrakion, and should Espeon/ Starmie go down, Conkeldurr can come in on Thunder Wave, Toxic, and such and grab a free Attack boost. Because of Guts, Conkeldurr also makes a much better switch-in to Pokemon such as Blissey than Lucario. While Conkeldurr does not have as much immediate power as Lucario, it has much better survivability due to Drain Punch, and after enough Bulk Ups, is actually stronger than Lucario. Besides, Volcarona is your primary sweeper anyways, so not a huge loss.

Something else that could really help your team is Wish support. You never know when you'll mispredict and accidentally let Stealth Rock get onto the field. Then as you go to Starmie to spin away the Rocks, your opponent Roars! Now your bugs are screwed. To take care of this situation, I suggest swapping Metagross for Specially Defensive Jirachi. Jirachi seems to be the perfect teammate for your team. Not only does it offer the same resistances as Metagross, it can also distribute Stealth Rock, while at the same time providing Wish support. This is especially important given that Espeon, Volcarona, and Yanmega are all pretty frail. Jirachi actually does a better job checking the Latii twins and Reuniclus by virtue of its superior Special bulk. Finally, Jirachi can provide your team with valuable paralysis support through Body Slam. Since Yanmega's biggest issue, bar Stealth Rock, is its Speed, it would appreciate Jirachi paralyzing half the opposing team. With Tinted Lens and Choice Specs, Yanmega can 2HKO almost every Pokemon in the tier. Paralysis support ensures that it actually gets those 2 hits in.

In Summary:

Hide

Bulk Up Conkeldurr>SD Lucario
pros: can absorb status, more survivability, check Terrakion, get through Blissey
cons: not as much sweeping potential as Lucario, then again, that's Volcarona's job

Specially Defensive Jirachi>Metagross
pros: provides Wish support, provides paralysis support, keeps same typing/ Stealth Rock, better Special bulk to check Latii twins and Reuniclus
cons: none, Jirachi is just as perfect a teammate as you can get for this team

GL

Sets:

Hide

Conkeldurr @ Leftovers
Trait: Guts
120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SpD
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Payback

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
Careful Nature (+SpD, -SpA)
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- Wish
- Stealth Rock

Thanks for all the help! I'll definitely try both Jirachi and Conkeldurr. While I think I might miss Pursuit, Jirachi seems like it would be effective. I'll go and playtest both your suggestions. Thanks a ton.