FAHRENHEIT
So, as I breifly explained in the Thread Title, I've been away from competitive pokemon for a while, but now. I'm back. (And in classic me style, right before exams)
Anyway, some of you may remember me and, if you do, you'll know that I havent actually been away for that long, just a few months or so. But still, it's long enough for me to lose my touch (that I was losing already) with competitive pokemon.
So when I decided to get back into competitive pokemon, I decided to go with a Sun Team. It's a fairly easy style to grasp thanks to the fact it's the only weather with an OU-legal immediate speed boost. True, you have to compete with the other weathers, but as you'll see later on, I've got a lot of tried-and-tested (and some not) tricks on winning the 'ol Weather War.
The team comprises of some very standard sun team pokemon and sets, as you'll expect from someone returning to the game, but I've tried to inject some originality into the team, which I hope shows and you approve of.
I won't do a team building section because, well, there isn't too much to it to be honest. So, on with the team:
--Team in Detail--
Ninetales (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drought
EVs: 116 HP / 252 SAtk / 140 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Sunny Day
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Hidden Power [Rock]/Roar
Ninetales, the 'worst' of the Weather Starters. Well, thanks to this set, Ninetales can hope to relinquish that title. I don't know who thought up the concept of Sunny Day Ninetales, but whoever he or she is, they deserve a hearty pat on the back because, in my opinion, you should never use any other set than Sunny Day Ninetales. As you should all know, Sunny Day helps Ninetales deal with switch-ins from TTar and Politoed which, normally, it'd be unable to do anything about. With the Sun up, I'm in a powerful position, I can smack them with a Solarbeam, or predict a likely switch. Fire Blast is another important move and I've chosen it over Flamethrower because, well, Ninetales is no Mewtwo, but with a combination of high BP, STAB and Sun, it should really pack a punch. Solarbeam, as I've mentioned is to deal with Politoed and TTar, and many other things besides. The 4th move could've been anything really, but I've chosen Hidden Power Rock for the extra coverage which is great against Volcarona in particular. Roar has been slashed as a possible alternative, helping me stop set up sweepers and rack up Hazard damage. The 140 Speed EVs allow Ninetales to outspeed threats such as Adamant Toxicroak, a frequent sight on the very team I need to be at my best to beat.
~ ~ ~
Venusaur (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 84 Atk / 252 SAtk / 164 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Growth
- Energy Ball
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 84 Atk / 252 SAtk / 164 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Growth
- Energy Ball
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Ah, Venusaur, what a monster. As I've hinted at, Venusaur is really the reason I've used a Sun Team. Its ability to come in, outspeed most threats and nail them with powerful moves hitting a wide variety of pokemon is astonishing. Of all Venusaur sets, a mixed set is by far the best purely because of what it can hit and what it can hit hard. The all-important 164 Speed EVs allow it to do just that, critically outspeeding Scarf Terrakion. Growth is an excellent move and that +2 boost to my attacking stats means it's likely to be the end for my opponent if I know I have permanent sun. Energy Ball is STAB of choice here and I've chosen it over Solarbeam because there's a high chance that Solarbeam will be exploited by a clever player. Earthquake puts the 'mix' in the mixed set and it allows me to nail stuff like Heatran, Jirachi and Lucario. The spare 84 EVs are invested in attack to give this as much power as possible. Hidden Power Ice rounds off the set as an excellent coverage move that allows me to hit various other pokemon such as Gliscor and dragons. I've used Black Sludge as the item to give Venusaur a bit more durability and increase the chances of getting a growth off.
~ ~ ~
Dugtrio (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Arena Trap
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch
- Reversal
- Stealth Rock
Dugtrio is another familiar face(s) on Sun Teams, and it's Weather-War-Winning-Trick #2. Arena Trap is what makes this set work, allowing it to trap Tyranitar with ease, and even Politoed in some situations, especially if the Sash is still intact. Dugtrio's high speed allows it to outspeed many threats and dent or KO with STAB Earthquake. If that doesn't work, when Dugtrio's sash kicks in, it can respond with Reversal which is not only very powerful at 1HP, but great coverage too. Sucker Punch is useful priority, often giving Dugtrio the edge over its opponent or allowing for a 'last hurrah'. Stealth Rock is, as on most teams, very useful and thanks to Dugtrio's Sash, speed and ability it can get them down fairly easily in most games. (Thanks for the tip, Asek)
~ ~ ~
Azelf @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Fire Punch
- U-turn
- Explosion
- Zen Headbutt
Here, I hope, you start to see this isn't totally a conventional Sun Team. Azelf is rapidly becoming one of my favourite pokemon, both aesthetically and competitively. I've used it before and found it to be an unexpected little monster. So, when I saw that a ground immunity would be useful, I cast aside CB Dragonite and added this little guy. Azelf also bears the Title of Weather-War-Winning-Trick #3, and bears it well, as he has taken down many a Politoed, using Explosion and martyring himself for the Sun! Granted, he isn't nearly as effective against Tyranitar but vice versa is true for Dugtrio, so it balances it out. Besides, TTar still isn't going to appreciate a LO-boosted U-turn. Now SR is on Dugtrio, that frees up a slot for Fire Punch. Fire Punch is an excellent choice as, not only does it grant extra coverage, but also gives me a pseudo-STAB in the Sun. Finally, Zen Headbutt rounds off the set as a powerful STAB attack when Azelf wants to be less subtle about its general domination of the planet.
~ ~ ~
Starmie @ Expert Belt
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
Starmie plays the very important role of this team's spinner. I'm not going to be winning the Weather War when Ninetales is taking 25% damage when it switches in, so it's vital I keep Stealth Rocks (and other hazards for that matter) off my side. I'd originally gone with a more defensive Starmie (leftovers, HP EVs, that kinda stuff) but I found a more offensive Starmie doubled up as a pretty nice check to many rain teams too. Rapid Spin is, obviously, key move on this set, but Starmie also has the brilliant FlamingBoltBeam coverage. Which is like BoltBeam. But better. The addition of HP Fire not only allows me to make up cool coverage move names, but also allows Starmie to hit things that would otherwise wall it, such as Ferrothorn. In the Sun, I can almost always guarantee a OHKO on these things.
~ ~ ~
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Gyro Ball
Odd choice, huh? Now, I know what you're thinking, Ferrothorn in the sun will get destroyed by fire attacks! True, but, unless it's in a rain team, you're not going to let Ferro get hit by fire attacks anyway. And what difference does being KO'd to being KO'd twice over make? Ferrothorn is basically here to reduce my weakness to Dark and Ghost attacks and to act as something I can fall back on (tanking those Toed Hydro Pumps etc). He also adds a little extra hazard support in the form of spikes, which is nice. Leech Seed and Thunder Wave are my annoying moves and should help sap and cripple my opponent and make it easier for my guys to sweep. Gyro Ball is Ferrothorn's STAB and anti-taunt-bait-thing and it really does pack a punch against fast opponents.
~ ~ ~
--Conclusion--
So, as I said, this is my returning try at competitive pokemon. I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out and performed but I reckon it, and I, can get much better.
I'd appreciate any criticism and comments on the team or even on how I should play the team. As I said, I need to improve again.
So, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed doing so and take time to rate!
