A Wish for Victory
Hey everyone. I've been playing the Fifth Generation metagame for almost a year now and I think it's time I gather some constructive criticism on my favorite OU team. By no means is this team amazing or super competitive (I've only cracked the top 100 or so on PO), but I find it suits my play-style well and has some intersting sets on Pokes that I think work well together. So take a look and let me know what you think!
The Team:
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Fire Punch
-Extremespeed
-Earthquake
-Fire Punch
-Extremespeed
This set is amazing and I am really surprised that CB Nite isn't more popular. It works wonders as a late game sweeper and revenge killer with Extremespeed. Nothing is better when it comes down to the last few Pokemon in the battle and you have this ace up your sleeve, expecially with its Multiscale intact. To show you the power of its priority, Dragonite is capable of hitting a 4 HP Latios for 58.6% - 69.2% damage with an E-speed. It also kills similar fast threats after a round or two of stealth rock damage. Not only that, but this Poke also functions as a wallbreaker against more stall oriented teams with Outrage. Earthquake and Fire Punch are for surprising steel types on the switch such as Heatran, Skarmaory, Ferrothorn, and Jirachi which are all stall team staples. Team preview is a huge blessing as it lets me know if Dragonite is playing the revenge killing or wall breaking role.
Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
-Hydro Pump
-Thunderbolt
-Recover
-Rapid Spin
-Thunderbolt
-Recover
-Rapid Spin
Pretty standard Starmie. It's effective in its role of rapid spinning and dishing out damage at 361 speed. Hydro Pump is there to punish offensive threats while beating them to the punch like Terrakion, Infernape, and Gengar. Thunderbolt is very useful in forcing out bulky water such as Politoed, Slowbro, and Tentacruel. Recover is essential in keeping Starmie alive for late game where speed is very crucial. Rapid Spin is of course for keeping hazards away and allowing Dragonite to switch in with Multiscale intact. As weird as it sounds, Starmie is also useful as Pursuit bait against common choice users such as Scizor. This allows my Lucario a free set-up since he resists the Dark move 4x. Leftovers is an easy choice for me, as I have learned from experience that Life orb + Rapid Spin + possible residual damage severely limits its survivability. I have considered the switch from Hydro Pump to Surf, but then I lose the possible 2HKO on CB Scizor and the KO on standard Gliscor which I feel is more important.
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 SpA
Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 SpA
Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
-Lava Plume
-Roar
-Toxic
-Stealth Rock
-Roar
-Toxic
-Stealth Rock
Another standardish set, but for good reason. Specially defensive Heatran coupled with CB Dragonite shuts down a whole bunch of sun teams which have been increasingly popular. It is also great at absorbing Draco Meteors from Lati@s and status moves aimed at other team members. Air Balloon is a lifesaver as it protects Heatran from Dugtrio and ground moves. Another perk of the Air Balloon is that it is often carried on offensive sets, which allows me to get a Toxic off on bulky waters who think they can threaten me, namely Gastrodon and Jellicent, who's Scalds do little damage anyway. Stealth Rock is mandatory on almost every team, and it helps my team out by whittling down levitating threats such as Latios, Landorus, and Dragonite. Roar is used for shuffling around opposing Dragonites, while Lava Plume is the move of choice because it can punish T-Tar, Terrakion, and Rotom-W switch-ins with a possible burn.
Celebi @ Light Clay
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Bold (+Def, -Atk)
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Bold (+Def, -Atk)
-Psychic
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Recover
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Recover
So next, I needed a Pokemon that could handle Rotom-w and a whole slew of Fighting types that could severely damage my team. The answer I came up with was dual screen Celebi who shares almost perfect defensive synergy with Heatran (both take neutral damage from Rock), forming a solid defensive core. While not standard at all, I find that Celebi sets up screen with ease on Pokemon that like to switch in on Heatran, such as Conkeldurr and a myriad of Water types that are seen in the current metagame. The reason why I opted for a screen set was to ensure that my Lucario has a chance for a set-up and my Dragonite has a chance to Outrage more safely. I also find that screens are super important for my Vaporeon who needs a turn to pass a Wish to one of my offensive threats. Psychic is its attacking move in order to force out Fighting types once I have set up a Reflect. I have often considered removing Reflect for U-turn so that I may evade Scizor while still possessing the Light Screen for Lucario to set up, but then choice scarf Landorus in the sand becomes problematic along with choice banders like Haxorus and Terrakion.
Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
-Scald
-Protect
-Wish
-Baton Pass
-Protect
-Wish
-Baton Pass
Vaporeon rounds out my defensive Fire/Grass/Water core and is the ultimate wish supporter. With a relaxed nature and 0 speed IVs, Vaporeon hits a lowly speed of 121, which means she moves after every OU Pokemon not named Ferrothorn, Reuniclus, Forretress, Bronzong, or Gastrodon. This is important since the whole idea with this set is to set up a Wish, and then Baton Pass the next turn to a recipient without it taking a scratch. Another strategy with this set is to just straight up Baton Pass on a predicted switch to gain switch initiative on the opponent. With Vaporeon under dual screen, I am capable of maneuvering to any Pokemon with ease using either of these strategies. Scald is there for dishing out hits while racking up residual burn damage, and Protect is used for added survivability and scouting.
Lucario @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
-Swords Dance
-Extremespeed
-Ice Punch
-Close Combat
-Extremespeed
-Ice Punch
-Close Combat
Lucario almost always ends up as my MVP against unprepared teams. The screen support from Celebi really allows this Poke to shine. However, the addition of the move Scald this generation has really hindered its sweeping potential, turning what should be a weak special attack into a big concern. Nevertheless, I still consider him to be the best sweeper ever, capable of an OHKO on max Def Skarmory after rocks at +2. Close Combat is mandatory STAB, Extremespeed is to pick off potential revenge killers, and Ice Punch is mainly for Gliscor and Dragonite, the former stopping Lucario's sweep dead cold and the latter being the biggest threat in the metagame. Although I am stopped by Jellicent and Reuniclus without Crunch, I still feel that having Ice Punch to take out Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage is too good to pass up. Against teams that I cannot sweep with Lucario, I use him as a wall breaker with his excellent Fighting / Ice coverage. The key is to switch him in safely and force something to take a Close Combat for heavy damage. Other than that, his E-Speed comes very handy in late game situations against offensive threats and scarfers.
Threat List
Reuniclus - This thing is the biggest problem for my team, especially the Calm Mind set. My only real chance is to preserve my Dragonite and dent it with Outrage. The problem is that good players will often switch it out as I lock myself into Outrage, leaving my Dragonite at risk.
Gengar - Most sets are capable of denting my team quite a bit with its Ghost / Fighting coverage. Sets with Thunderbolt are even more annoying as it hits Vaporeon harder. However, its immunity to Extremespeed is the main reason its's so annoying. Luckily, Starmie can outspeed and KO with Hydro Pump after a little stealth rock damage.
Tyranitar - Although it's not seen too often anymore, the Dragon Dance set is extremely threatening if it achieves a free set up. With Rock / Ground / Dark coverage, it can easily plow through my team. It also resists E-Speed, making it even harder to revenge kill. Wish passing to Dragonite with Multiscale intact is probably my best bet to get an Earthquake off and kill it.
Landorus - If my Dragonite goes down, the choice scarf set becomes very dangerous, outspeeding my whole team and free to spam Earthquake and hit all my members for big damage. If played right, stealth rock damage + an Extremespeed should be enough to take it out.
Starmie - The Boltbeam / Hydro Pump set with Life orb is a problem, since it hits my entire defensive core for super-effective damage. However, the Life orb damage usually puts it into a range where it can be revenge killed with Lucario or Dragonite. Light screen is also useful in getting around it.
Scrafty - Scrafty is one of the few Fighting types that my Celebi can't handle, since it's immune to Psychic. Instead, I am usually forced to sacrafice one of my offensive threats to weaken it due to its bulk and ability to shrug off burns.So that's it everyone, I hope you enjoyed reading this RMT. I appreciate any feedback from you guys. I've had a lot of fun playing around with this team, but I think it's time for me to move on and attempt to build a more competitive team. Still, if you have any suggestions, I will be sure to try them out. : )
