Hello everyone! I know I'm a day short of my usual waiting period, but it's Labor Day here and we can't do anything because of the dreadful rain. So, I decided to post my most recent team up for rates. I know I usually stick to LC and UU, but I was eager to try out Cinccino ever since I started the Minccino analysis. Turns out it actually works really well! So let's get this party started!
When I first started making this team, Cinccino was a Pokemon I was eager to check out. Good speed, decent attack, and its ability Skill Link coupled with enough multihit moves to above made it a good contender to have one the team. Plus, it's just so fancy~
The first major thing about Cinccino I noticed was that it's incredibly frail. I wanted something to absorb attacks, and the first thing that came to mind was the ever-helpful Spore abuser, Amoongus. Regenerator was is pretty awesome too, since I usually switch to Cinccino after I put something to sleep.
Next, I wanted a decent revenge killer, and Braviary was inevitable. High speed + attack makes it a very powerful Scarf abuser.
My next teammate covered two things I was seriously lacking: a special attacker, and a decent Water-type. I'm not kidding when I say I scouted every Water-type in NU to find a decent one that could work as a special attacker. Sadly, it was almost a vain effort. NU lacks many offensive Water-types, and the ones they do have are generally weak and useless. That's when I stumbled on this little baby. It has everything to be the perfect special-Water that I so desperately longed for.
No team is ever complete without a Fighting-type. If you go against anything without one, you're gonna have a bad time. Sawk was the obvious choice. It has tons of moves that give it perfect coverage, and then has the stats to abuse him. No wonder everyone catches him to kill the second gym!
Finally, the pièce de résistance. I wanted Pokemon that could Taunt things whilst still keeping an offensive presence. I considered Weezing, but it didn't really fit what I wanted. And then, BAM; I found this baby. Great typing that gives it only one weakness coupled with the fact that it's just stylish as hell means that this thing was very essential to have.
FLCL suggested that, since my team was offensive, it needed Stealth Rock badly. He suggested Earth Plate Golurk, and I really fell in love with it. It set up Stealth Rocks nicely, and was still good quick enough to hit down most common leads.
What It Does: Ever seen how threatening Minccino is in LC? Cinccino keeps this same momentum up in NU as well. Tail Slap + Skill Link hits so damn hard. Add in Life Orb and max Atk EVs? Goodbye. Cinccino is an amazing sub/sash breaker too, and most of the time it can net 1-2 KOs before getting beaten. Rock Blast nails Flying- and Fire-types for extreme damage, and once this move is revealed, the opponent begins to ponder exactly how much of his/her team is in danger. Bullet Seed nabs the OHKO on Golurk and many other Water-types bar Alomolololololomola. Finally, U-Turn smacks Psychic-types in the face and is a great way to escape Shadow Tag Gothy.
How to Use It: Cinccino can fit two roles: Offensive Lead, or Mid-Game Sweeper. If there are little/no threats at all, lead and start blasting the opponent. See something that could be trouble? Send in Amoongus to Spore it and then switch out to Cinccino. Either way, it's gonna take something down if you don't be careful.
How to Counter It: Priority. Priority priority priority. Cinccino outspeeds practically anything, so you need priority to kill it. Sucker Punch is your best bet since Cinccino's set is composed entirely of attacking moves. Mach Punch from Gurdurr can hit pretty hard too and is a OHKO. Otherwise, if you're using a physically-defensive Pokemon that can hit back hard enough, Cinccino loses.
Changes: What am I doing? Amoongus doesn't even get Thunder Wave. Changed to Synthesis, and went with Sludge Bomb over Clear Smog.
What It Does: Amoongus is the ultimate status spreader in NU. Spore is evil. Only Sleep Clause can save you from this status demon. Giga Drain extends longevity in combination with Sludge + Regenerator. Sludge Bomb slams Sawsbuck, who wants to get a free boost from Spore. Synthesis extends longevity even further.
How to Use It: Amoongus works best as a lead if Cinccino will have trouble early on. Simply Spore whatever it is and switch out as the opponent sends out a counter. You could also use Amoongus mid-game to spread status when most of its counters have been removed.
How to Counter It: Amoongus is going to be switching out often, so the best way to get rid of it is to get it by itself. Since it's not really made to defend itself with attacks, it can die pretty easily if you have enough Pokemon to withstand sleep.
Changes: So I'm using Return even though I absolutely hate it. Also, Sheer Force has become Defiant.
What It Does: Have you ever seen a stronger Flying-type? Braviary just pummels shit. If you don't resist something you get maimed, and even if you do you still get hurt pretty bad. Choice Scarf makes Braviary beyond fast, so it's always going first. Brave Bird just hurts. It just does. The recoil sucks like hell, but it's worth it to destroy everything. Superpower gets Steel-types out of the way. Return for the Normal-type STAB but I still hate it. Finally, U-Turn is good to get out of anything Braviary can't handle.
How to Use It: Use it if something dies. Send it out, revenge, and see if you can't KO the next Pokemon with whatever move you chose. If not, get out. If you can, go for it. Braviary has a lot of attack, so there should usually be a high chance of KOing the next Pokemon.
How to Counter It: Stealth Rock keeps Braviary at bay, and without a spinner it's pretty difficult to send it out with rocks up. If rocks are up, save Braviary for last so you won't wear it down completely.
Changes: Aqua Jet over Taunt for priority and to help with Braviary :D Also, Timid > Modest
What It Does: Specially Offensive Samurott might seem like a horrible idea, but it's actually pretty decent once you get down to it. Samurott gets way more coverage on it's special side. Hydro Pump for the wonderful STAB and the sheer power of it. Ice Beam hits Grass-types and Braviary hard. Grass Knot OHKOs opposing Samurott and deals good damage to all other Water-types. Aqua Jet to stop weakened Pokemon.
How to Use It: Send it out mid/late game. It's simply here to dish out damage and hurt things. Don't expect it to last forever if you use it midgame.
How to Counter It: Just hit it with an Electric-type attack or Grass Knot. It's not exactly the supreme example of bulk.
Changes: Originally was Sawk.
What It Does: Everyone knows I love Ghost-types, so when FLCL suggested I use Golurk, I was undeniably up for it. Golurk has preformed so much better than Sawk. It acts as another lead, which confuses the opponent like hell and gives me an instant mind game advantage. It can reliably set up Stealth Rock, and then just hit shit. EQ gets STAB and a Plate boost, making it strong as hell. Shadow Punch, backed by Iron Fist and STAB as well, hurts shit. Finally, Ice Punch checks Braviary :naughty:, Amoongus, and Sawsbuck.
How to Use It: It's best to use Golurk as a lead, honestly. Getting rocks up early is a great thing, and since it can hit hard afterwards, it's great to help stop the pesky setup sweepers/hazard setters. And it's also the only spinblocker that can use rocks, so it's awesome!
How to Counter It: Golurk drops quickly to Grass- and Water-type moves, and since it's slow it's not that difficult to use one against it. But watch out for EQ or Ice Punch :naughty:
Changes: Bye bye Fire Blast
What It Does: If I had to choose an MVP on this team, it'd be between Sawk or this guy. Taunt + Pursuit is an evil combination. It's used a lot on hazard setters or set-up sweepers who find themselves getting majorly screwed over. First, Taunt them so they can't use their hazards/set-up moves. Then, when they go to switch use Pursuit to hit them hard. Suddenly, the opponent finds themselves questioning how to get rid of this thing while minimizing switches. Sucker Punch can help KO weakened Pokemon. Poison Jab is good against resistant Fighting-types.
How to Use It: Taunt + Pursuit are the main priority. If you can force a switch using Taunt, do it. You'll be dealing good damage every time something switches, so you have to use it whenever you can predict the switch.
How to Counter It: Since it has limited coverage, the best you can do is send out something that threatens it that it can't hit back. It's best not to send out Pokemon that have non-attacking moves as their main selling point since they'll be taunted and probably won't be able to do much in return.
Scarf Braviary: This thing is a horrible thing to deal with. It wrecks my team completely, and Samurott is the only way to actually beat it. That's a very shaky check though. It's slightly more manageable with Golurk, but it still sucks.
Probopass: I hate this thing with a burning passion. I can't even touch this thing. Whenever I see it in Team Preview I almost want to quit completely. I hate it.
Well that's all! :D Hope you enjoyed!
Powernull
When I first started making this team, Cinccino was a Pokemon I was eager to check out. Good speed, decent attack, and its ability Skill Link coupled with enough multihit moves to above made it a good contender to have one the team. Plus, it's just so fancy~
The first major thing about Cinccino I noticed was that it's incredibly frail. I wanted something to absorb attacks, and the first thing that came to mind was the ever-helpful Spore abuser, Amoongus. Regenerator was is pretty awesome too, since I usually switch to Cinccino after I put something to sleep.
Next, I wanted a decent revenge killer, and Braviary was inevitable. High speed + attack makes it a very powerful Scarf abuser.
My next teammate covered two things I was seriously lacking: a special attacker, and a decent Water-type. I'm not kidding when I say I scouted every Water-type in NU to find a decent one that could work as a special attacker. Sadly, it was almost a vain effort. NU lacks many offensive Water-types, and the ones they do have are generally weak and useless. That's when I stumbled on this little baby. It has everything to be the perfect special-Water that I so desperately longed for.
No team is ever complete without a Fighting-type. If you go against anything without one, you're gonna have a bad time. Sawk was the obvious choice. It has tons of moves that give it perfect coverage, and then has the stats to abuse him. No wonder everyone catches him to kill the second gym!
Finally, the pièce de résistance. I wanted Pokemon that could Taunt things whilst still keeping an offensive presence. I considered Weezing, but it didn't really fit what I wanted. And then, BAM; I found this baby. Great typing that gives it only one weakness coupled with the fact that it's just stylish as hell means that this thing was very essential to have.
FLCL suggested that, since my team was offensive, it needed Stealth Rock badly. He suggested Earth Plate Golurk, and I really fell in love with it. It set up Stealth Rocks nicely, and was still good quick enough to hit down most common leads.
Readers use Foresight!
Starr (Cinccino) @ Life Orb | Skill Link
Jolly | 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Tail Slap | Rock Blast | Bullet Seed | U-Turn
Starr (Cinccino) @ Life Orb | Skill Link
Jolly | 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Tail Slap | Rock Blast | Bullet Seed | U-Turn
What It Does: Ever seen how threatening Minccino is in LC? Cinccino keeps this same momentum up in NU as well. Tail Slap + Skill Link hits so damn hard. Add in Life Orb and max Atk EVs? Goodbye. Cinccino is an amazing sub/sash breaker too, and most of the time it can net 1-2 KOs before getting beaten. Rock Blast nails Flying- and Fire-types for extreme damage, and once this move is revealed, the opponent begins to ponder exactly how much of his/her team is in danger. Bullet Seed nabs the OHKO on Golurk and many other Water-types bar Alomolololololomola. Finally, U-Turn smacks Psychic-types in the face and is a great way to escape Shadow Tag Gothy.
How to Use It: Cinccino can fit two roles: Offensive Lead, or Mid-Game Sweeper. If there are little/no threats at all, lead and start blasting the opponent. See something that could be trouble? Send in Amoongus to Spore it and then switch out to Cinccino. Either way, it's gonna take something down if you don't be careful.
How to Counter It: Priority. Priority priority priority. Cinccino outspeeds practically anything, so you need priority to kill it. Sucker Punch is your best bet since Cinccino's set is composed entirely of attacking moves. Mach Punch from Gurdurr can hit pretty hard too and is a OHKO. Otherwise, if you're using a physically-defensive Pokemon that can hit back hard enough, Cinccino loses.
---
Great Ball (Amoongus) @ Black Sludge | Regenerator
Bold | 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpAtk
Spore | Giga Drain | Sludge Bomb | Synthesis
Great Ball (Amoongus) @ Black Sludge | Regenerator
Bold | 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpAtk
Spore | Giga Drain | Sludge Bomb | Synthesis
Changes: What am I doing? Amoongus doesn't even get Thunder Wave. Changed to Synthesis, and went with Sludge Bomb over Clear Smog.
What It Does: Amoongus is the ultimate status spreader in NU. Spore is evil. Only Sleep Clause can save you from this status demon. Giga Drain extends longevity in combination with Sludge + Regenerator. Sludge Bomb slams Sawsbuck, who wants to get a free boost from Spore. Synthesis extends longevity even further.
How to Use It: Amoongus works best as a lead if Cinccino will have trouble early on. Simply Spore whatever it is and switch out as the opponent sends out a counter. You could also use Amoongus mid-game to spread status when most of its counters have been removed.
How to Counter It: Amoongus is going to be switching out often, so the best way to get rid of it is to get it by itself. Since it's not really made to defend itself with attacks, it can die pretty easily if you have enough Pokemon to withstand sleep.
---
Stealin Yo' Fish (Braviary) @ Choice Scarf | Defiant
Adamant | 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Brave Bird | Return | Superpower | U-Turn
Stealin Yo' Fish (Braviary) @ Choice Scarf | Defiant
Adamant | 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Brave Bird | Return | Superpower | U-Turn
Changes: So I'm using Return even though I absolutely hate it. Also, Sheer Force has become Defiant.
What It Does: Have you ever seen a stronger Flying-type? Braviary just pummels shit. If you don't resist something you get maimed, and even if you do you still get hurt pretty bad. Choice Scarf makes Braviary beyond fast, so it's always going first. Brave Bird just hurts. It just does. The recoil sucks like hell, but it's worth it to destroy everything. Superpower gets Steel-types out of the way. Return for the Normal-type STAB but I still hate it. Finally, U-Turn is good to get out of anything Braviary can't handle.
How to Use It: Use it if something dies. Send it out, revenge, and see if you can't KO the next Pokemon with whatever move you chose. If not, get out. If you can, go for it. Braviary has a lot of attack, so there should usually be a high chance of KOing the next Pokemon.
How to Counter It: Stealth Rock keeps Braviary at bay, and without a spinner it's pretty difficult to send it out with rocks up. If rocks are up, save Braviary for last so you won't wear it down completely.
---
Mr. Poke (Samurott) @ Life Orb | Torrent
Timid Nature | 252 SpAtk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Hydro Pump | Ice Beam | Hidden Power [Grass] | Aqua Jet
Mr. Poke (Samurott) @ Life Orb | Torrent
Timid Nature | 252 SpAtk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Hydro Pump | Ice Beam | Hidden Power [Grass] | Aqua Jet
Changes: Aqua Jet over Taunt for priority and to help with Braviary :D Also, Timid > Modest
What It Does: Specially Offensive Samurott might seem like a horrible idea, but it's actually pretty decent once you get down to it. Samurott gets way more coverage on it's special side. Hydro Pump for the wonderful STAB and the sheer power of it. Ice Beam hits Grass-types and Braviary hard. Grass Knot OHKOs opposing Samurott and deals good damage to all other Water-types. Aqua Jet to stop weakened Pokemon.
How to Use It: Send it out mid/late game. It's simply here to dish out damage and hurt things. Don't expect it to last forever if you use it midgame.
How to Counter It: Just hit it with an Electric-type attack or Grass Knot. It's not exactly the supreme example of bulk.
---
Bring Da Blocks 2.0 (Golurk) @ Earth Plate | Iron Fist
Adamant | 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Stealth Rock | Earthquake | Ice Punch | Shadow Punch
Bring Da Blocks 2.0 (Golurk) @ Earth Plate | Iron Fist
Adamant | 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Stealth Rock | Earthquake | Ice Punch | Shadow Punch
Changes: Originally was Sawk.
What It Does: Everyone knows I love Ghost-types, so when FLCL suggested I use Golurk, I was undeniably up for it. Golurk has preformed so much better than Sawk. It acts as another lead, which confuses the opponent like hell and gives me an instant mind game advantage. It can reliably set up Stealth Rock, and then just hit shit. EQ gets STAB and a Plate boost, making it strong as hell. Shadow Punch, backed by Iron Fist and STAB as well, hurts shit. Finally, Ice Punch checks Braviary :naughty:, Amoongus, and Sawsbuck.
How to Use It: It's best to use Golurk as a lead, honestly. Getting rocks up early is a great thing, and since it can hit hard afterwards, it's great to help stop the pesky setup sweepers/hazard setters. And it's also the only spinblocker that can use rocks, so it's awesome!
How to Counter It: Golurk drops quickly to Grass- and Water-type moves, and since it's slow it's not that difficult to use one against it. But watch out for EQ or Ice Punch :naughty:
---
Mr. Pooty Booty (Skuntank) @ Black Sludge | Aftermath
Naughty | 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Pursuit | Taunt | Sucker Punch | Poison Jab
Mr. Pooty Booty (Skuntank) @ Black Sludge | Aftermath
Naughty | 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / 252 Spe
Pursuit | Taunt | Sucker Punch | Poison Jab
Changes: Bye bye Fire Blast
What It Does: If I had to choose an MVP on this team, it'd be between Sawk or this guy. Taunt + Pursuit is an evil combination. It's used a lot on hazard setters or set-up sweepers who find themselves getting majorly screwed over. First, Taunt them so they can't use their hazards/set-up moves. Then, when they go to switch use Pursuit to hit them hard. Suddenly, the opponent finds themselves questioning how to get rid of this thing while minimizing switches. Sucker Punch can help KO weakened Pokemon. Poison Jab is good against resistant Fighting-types.
How to Use It: Taunt + Pursuit are the main priority. If you can force a switch using Taunt, do it. You'll be dealing good damage every time something switches, so you have to use it whenever you can predict the switch.
How to Counter It: Since it has limited coverage, the best you can do is send out something that threatens it that it can't hit back. It's best not to send out Pokemon that have non-attacking moves as their main selling point since they'll be taunted and probably won't be able to do much in return.
---
Threat List
Threat List
Scarf Braviary: This thing is a horrible thing to deal with. It wrecks my team completely, and Samurott is the only way to actually beat it. That's a very shaky check though. It's slightly more manageable with Golurk, but it still sucks.
Probopass: I hate this thing with a burning passion. I can't even touch this thing. Whenever I see it in Team Preview I almost want to quit completely. I hate it.
---
Well that's all! :D Hope you enjoyed!
Starr (Cinccino) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Skill Link
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Tail Slap
- Rock Blast
- Bullet Seed
- U-turn
Great Ball (Amoonguss) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
Stealin' Yo Feesh (Braviary) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Return
- Superpower
- U-turn
Mr. Poke (Samurott) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Aqua Jet
Bring Da Blockz 2.0 (Golurk) @ Earth Plate
Trait: Iron Fist
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Shadow Punch
Mr. Pooty Booty (Skuntank) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Taunt
- Sucker Punch
- Poison Jab
Trait: Skill Link
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Tail Slap
- Rock Blast
- Bullet Seed
- U-turn
Great Ball (Amoonguss) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
Stealin' Yo Feesh (Braviary) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Return
- Superpower
- U-turn
Mr. Poke (Samurott) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Aqua Jet
Bring Da Blockz 2.0 (Golurk) @ Earth Plate
Trait: Iron Fist
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Shadow Punch
Mr. Pooty Booty (Skuntank) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Taunt
- Sucker Punch
- Poison Jab
