Back In The Game - Rusty

[Kurasu]

Hey guys, I haven't played since DPPt and I've recently picked it back up. My main problem is knowledge, I'm not really sure on current threats, I keep thinking I'm going to outspeed something, assuming it's not a Poke with a Scarf and then I'm left baffled afterwards as to why it was faster or why my opponent had a Scarf on it. I'm having trouble calculating DMG towards Pokes from BW also.

Since I mainly used a Sandstorm Team I just went for that again. I've had a few chances to test things and change bits rounds but I'm not too sure on if I'm doing something wrong. I'm not getting trashed, I'm winning 70-80% of the time. I make a mistake, realize I've made it and then after I've won I don't feel like I achieved anything, I just feel like my opponent made 1 more mistake than I did, so I'm trying to eliminate that, it makes me feel like a douche.

Here's a look at the team itself:

バンギラス (Tyranitar) (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 204 HP / 96 Atk / 176 SDef / 32 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch
- Superpower

EVs in HP to keep him bulky against things that don't plan to OHKO him or if he gets Posioned/Burned.
ATK to make sure he kills what he needs to. It also helps him do more that fufill his goal.
SDef to keep him bulky.
Speed so he can outspeed opposing TTars and other slow threats.
I've always picked Tyranitar over Hippo for Weatherman. This TTar is what I used in DPPt, it's main goal is obviously to set up Sandstorm. Ultimately he can rip 3 Pokemon and then they disconnect. For some reason people don't assume he has Fire Punch for Scizor or Ferrothorn. People assume he has Stealth Rock but I've never given Tyranitar Stealth Rock and I don't assume my opponent will Stealth Rock with their TTar. That's mainly why he has a Sash, it gives him what he needs, the ability to hit back and hard.
I chose Adamant Nature because of how strongly I believe in his ability to wreak havoc if the opponents makes an early mistake.
His Moveset covers everything it needs to besides Crunch. Crunch is the only move I miss having on TTar, but Gengar is the only real thing that comes in against Tyranitar that needs Crunch or Pursuit and from the times I have played recently I've seen much more need for SPower/FirePunch than a Dark STAB Move.

メタグロス (Metagross) @ Choice Band
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Zen Headbutt
- Bullet Punch
- Meteor Mash
- Hammer Arm

EVs in HP to to keep him bulky, ATK because he's a monster, 16 Speed so he outspeeds other Grosses without Speed EVs or slower walls that switch in to take the Banded hit.
One of my favourite things about Metagross is that it can serve as a counter-counter-Lead against a good amount of Pokes.
Choice Band Metagross is a beast, just taking full advantage of how huge his base ATK is.
Adamant nature - ^
I assume this is the standard moveset.

ガブリアス (Garchomp) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake

Standard EVs.
Nature - Jolly so he hits over 300 speed.
Sub/Dance I think is still viable because of the amount of Pokes that need to switch out against Garchomp and how easy it is to snipe out Gachomps counters and threats early on.
Leftovers because he isn't hit by Rocks/Sandstorm and there isn't really another Item for him other than Sitrus/Salac Berry and I don't really like Substitute/Berry combos.
Garchomp has been one of my favourite Pokemon since DP, losing Sand Veil doesn't really suck too much, it's kindda nice to see the actually see the sprite of Garchomp at some point other than when he comes out.
Rough Skin is cool though, nice to switch in to something with low HP that wont kill him and has no need to switch out, free Swords Dance.

ボーマンダ (Salamence) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Flamethrower
- Hydro Pump
- Outrage
- Earthquake

Even though this is a MixMence I don't believe he needs the EVs in SAtk, Pump/Thrower serve as 2 outs to otherwise cringeable switch-ins. I don't think 2 slots taken up by Special Moves REALLY warrants the EVs in it when it's other 2 moves hit hard and cover all the fast things that kill Garchomp, making it easier to sweep when you switch out.
Sometimes if they see the Special Move first they assume he wont be as deadly when he Outrages, so I tend to save Outraging until I can do it on something with low HP so they wont be able to calculate damage or how much it will do to what switches in.
Naughty Nature so it doesn't conflict with the Special Moves.
Intimidate over Moxie because of the switching and Scarf.
Salamence serves mainly as a Revenge Killer in this team but as far as going for the greater cause, he really helps his teammates by eliminating strong threats.

クレセリア (Cresselia) (F) @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 152 HP / 120 Def / 56 SAtk / 180 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Psyshock
- Thunder Wave
- Protect

I have a widespread of EV's for my Cresselia to get the most out of her slot on the team I've invested in HP, Def and SDef to make her a giant sponge. The 56 in SAtk are so she has a better chance of OHKO things that want to stay in to raise their Stats.
Bold Nature again to make her more spongey.
I chose Sitrus Berry because of the Sandstorm making Leftovers redundant most of the time and when Cresselia does die, it seems to be no different to having a Leftovers/Sitrus Berry, it's always 2HKOs from big things or ailments.
Ice Beam/Psyshock are to take out threats and wittle down stalling Pokes. I've always gone between Toxic/TWave but at the moment I feel TWave does more, there are Steel Pokes all over the place and I like slowing things down to set up Garchomp or Metagross sweeps.
Protect so she can stall/scout.

ロトム-W (Rotom-W) @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 124 SDef / 132 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
HP + SDef to keep it from being OHKOd and Speed so it gets to do what it needs to.
Calm Nature to push for a 3HKO against certain Special Attackers.
The Sitrus berry here is for the same reason as Cresselia, Leftovers becomes pretty useless and he can live to gain that life back.
ThunderWave again to slow down their team and keep their Scarfers in check, Will-o-Wisp for things that want to switch in to seeing an Electric. Hydro Pump as a standard STAB move and Volt Switch for a cheap-switch into Garchomp/Salamence/Metagross.


Thanks to anyone who read through all that I didn't really realize how much I was typing, I've not had anything to call "mine" or care for or put real effort or time into and it's nice to get lots out haha.

 

[Episode36]

Mamoswine can kind of mop the floor of this team. Sure, two levitate users helps somewhat, but any decent or smart opponent will see that they can use their other 5 Pokemon to take care of your Cresselia and Rotom, and then use Mamoswine to take care of your other 4. Maybe swap out one of your dragons for something not 4x ice weak? Or maybe get rid of Metagross for something not earth weak?

 

[Kurasu]

Mamoswine can kind of mop the floor of this team. Sure, two levitate users helps somewhat, but any decent or smart opponent will see that they can use their other 5 Pokemon to take care of your Cresselia and Rotom, and then use Mamoswine to take care of your other 4. Maybe swap out one of your dragons for something not 4x ice weak? Or maybe get rid of Metagross for something not earth weak?

I'm aware of Mamoswine being a problem for this team but 1, I only count 3 Pokemon it Raw beats and 2, I've found people leading with it and it dying to my TTar or they spend too much time trying to preserve the Mamoswine they have to sac there outs to my outs to Mamoswine.

Every team will have a Pokemon that it has trouble dealing with, yes I'm aware that Mamoswine puts a huge dent in this team. But I'm not asking for bits and bobs of information, perhaps you could mention an actual Mamoswine counter.

If my opponent is decent enough to use his/her other 5 Pokemon to take out Rotom/Cresselia why can I not use my other 4 Pokemon to take out them threats?... Why can't I predict their Mamoswine coming in and get it into Metagross BP KO Range?

I didn't find your post helpful.

 

[Episode36]

Last count it was 4. Tyranitar-earthquake, Metagross-earthquake, Garchomp-ice shard, Salamence-ice shard. Seeing as ground and ice are pretty common attacking types, I'm sure even if you "use your other Pokemon against the opponents 5 other Pokemon," that won't help much.

As for counters to Mamoswine, I will direct you to the Smogon page regarding counters for Mamoswine. Remember, search is your friend!

http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/mamoswine

(Hint: Skarmory, Bronzong, Keldeo, Terrakion, Scizor, pick one and good luck!)

 

[Kurasu]

Last count it was 4. Tyranitar-earthquake, Metagross-earthquake, Garchomp-ice shard, Salamence-ice shard. Seeing as ground and ice are pretty common attacking types, I'm sure even if you "use your other Pokemon against the opponents 5 other Pokemon," that won't help much.

As for counters to Mamoswine, I will direct you to the Smogon page regarding counters for Mamoswine. Remember, search is your friend!

http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/mamoswine

(Hint: Skarmory, Bronzong, Keldeo, Terrakion, Scizor, pick one and good luck!)

I'm pretty sure the majority of types in the game are used, that's kind of the point. I really don't think you understand what makes Pokemon different from a game you can just read over and determine the winner. You seem really narrow minded.
There are only 3 Pokemon on this team Mamoswine Raw beats trust me. It does not Raw beat Tyranitar. It beats Tyranitar in terms of type but actually playing the game, it really isn't hard to kill Mamoswine with TTar.
I don't see Mamoswine as a TTar threat. I see it as a threat to the others.
Before trying to "help" someone, first understand how to "help" them. If you could of provided that information before why didn't you? Your post was messy and not thought out with no intent to actually help.

 

[Episode36]

Last I checked, no match of Pokemon was played "raw", there are hazards, weathers, etc. There's synergy. If you don't want to take my advice, that's fine, say "thank you" and move on. Nevertheless, you have a huge Mamoswine weakness, and I've listed counters to remedy that. Take from that what you will. Good luck!

Edit: Not getting in a flame war with you. Take my advice or leave it, up to you. Don't be surprised when someone comes in here later saying how weak you are to something like Mamoswine. Also, I didn't contradict myself. I didn't mean "any match can do anything" I mean of course. You look at matchups, items, etc. Mamoswine, regardless of set for the most part, annihilates 4 of your 6 Pokemon. That's a fact.

 

[Kurasu]

Last I checked, no match of Pokemon was played "raw", there are hazards, weathers, etc. There's synergy. If you don't want to take my advice, that's fine, say "thank you" and move on. Nevertheless, you have a huge Mamoswine weakness, and I've listed counters to remedy that. Take from that what you will. Good luck!

You've just contradicted yourself, you've just said that no match of Pokemon is played raw and there are other things that contribute to the game. Yet you have a one-sided argument based on the numbers you can see of what you know Mamoswine has super-effective attacks against. That's looking at it raw.
"Thank you" would be needed if you'd done something I should be thankful for, like helped.
I'm just pointing out that you didn't help at all and other people who see you post should not take your advice as you don't seem to be able to look past 1-dimensional thoughts.

 

[joshe]

hello my good sir! I have a few suggestions for your team. Welcome back to pokemon and I hope you enjoy your stay! Now for the changes:


Put Stealth Rock on Tyranitar over Earthquake. With Stealth Rock you deal 12% average to a pokemon everytime they switch in which sure as heck helps your sweepers kill stuff. Garchomp appreciates Stealth Rock as it gives him many OHKOs and 2HKOs that he normally can't get without hazards. Salamence also appreciates stealth rock at it helps with his attacks as well. Breloom and Gengar which are two very common Focus Sash users and having stealth rock up means they can't use the item. I would also like to suggest Fire Blast over Fire Punch. You do more damage to Ferrothorn and Skarmory with Fire Blast as you 2HKO both unlike Fire Punch.

Use Choice Band Scizor over Metagross for many many reasons. Firstly, Scizor pairs incredibly well with your team and Rotom-W in particular as a volt-turn strategy lets you have an easier time keeping the offensive momentum your team desperately needs. Secondly, Scizor checks so many threats with a STAB 90 BP Bullet Punch that OHKOs Terrakion, Tyranitar, and does a ton to Latias, Latios, and Dragonite, 2HKOing them and having a good chance at OHKOing offensive versions after they've taken Stealth Rock damage and Sand Storm damage for example. Scizor can also trap and kill things that are faster than Garchomp, such as Gengar, Latias, Latios, Starmie, etc... with pursuit. Overall, Scizor is much more beneficial to your team than Metagross as it offers a ton of utility compared to Metagross and not to mention it's arguably stronger than Metagross.

Hide

Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit

I want you to use the standard Moxie Scarf Salamence over your current versions because it can sweep late game after you've weakened the opponents team a ton. With Moxie it gives you another win condition that will always be a constant threat and will pressure your opponent into possibly misplaying or sacking something so Salamence can't get that +1 off the kill. Again, it's more beneficial to your team than your current version as it helps keep up the offensive momentum your team needs.

Hide

Salamence @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower

For Cresselia, I want you to use Leftovers over Sitrus Berry and Reflect over Protect. Leftovers is honestly the best defensive item in the game and it recovers more HP per 2 turns than a measly 30 HP when below 50% health. Even if it only nullifies Sand Storm damage: that's good. I guarantee you that you'll be using cresselia in Rain Sand Sun and Weatherless and Leftovers is by FAR better than sitrus berry in every aspect :). My reasoning behind Reflect is that your Cresselia will have to tank alot of physical attacks like +1 Dragonite Outrages and it still helps you scout for when Tyranitar is Pursuiting or Crunching you and switch appropriately to either Garchomp or Scizor and do some good damage on whatever switches into them.

You should use a Chesto Rest version of Rotom-w. This is a super fun set that allows your Rotom to become a status absorber of sorts as well as something that can wall so many special threats. Anyway I'm so sure you'll love this set that i wont bother explaining it more xD.

Hide

Rotom-w @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs 248 HP / 232 SDef / 28 Spd
Calm Nature
- Rest
- Will-o-wisp
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump

Good Luck with your team and make sure to try out my changes! I feel your team will be much better off with my help :)

 

[Kurasu]

hello my good sir! I have a few suggestions for your team. Welcome back to pokemon and I hope you enjoy your stay! Now for the changes:


Put Stealth Rock on Tyranitar over Earthquake. With Stealth Rock you deal 12% average to a pokemon everytime they switch in which sure as heck helps your sweepers kill stuff. Garchomp appreciates Stealth Rock as it gives him many OHKOs and 2HKOs that he normally can't get without hazards. Salamence also appreciates stealth rock at it helps with his attacks as well. Breloom and Gengar which are two very common Focus Sash users and having stealth rock up means they can't use the item. I would also like to suggest Fire Blast over Fire Punch. You do more damage to Ferrothorn and Skarmory with Fire Blast as you 2HKO both unlike Fire Punch.

Use Choice Band Scizor over Metagross for many many reasons. Firstly, Scizor pairs incredibly well with your team and Rotom-W in particular as a volt-turn strategy lets you have an easier time keeping the offensive momentum your team desperately needs. Secondly, Scizor checks so many threats with a STAB 90 BP Bullet Punch that OHKOs Terrakion, Tyranitar, and does a ton to Latias, Latios, and Dragonite, 2HKOing them and having a good chance at OHKOing offensive versions after they've taken Stealth Rock damage and Sand Storm damage for example. Scizor can also trap and kill things that are faster than Garchomp, such as Gengar, Latias, Latios, Starmie, etc... with pursuit. Overall, Scizor is much more beneficial to your team than Metagross as it offers a ton of utility compared to Metagross and not to mention it's arguably stronger than Metagross.

Hide

Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit

I want you to use the standard Moxie Scarf Salamence over your current versions because it can sweep late game after you've weakened the opponents team a ton. With Moxie it gives you another win condition that will always be a constant threat and will pressure your opponent into possibly misplaying or sacking something so Salamence can't get that +1 off the kill. Again, it's more beneficial to your team than your current version as it helps keep up the offensive momentum your team needs.

Hide

Salamence @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower

For Cresselia, I want you to use Leftovers over Sitrus Berry and Reflect over Protect. Leftovers is honestly the best defensive item in the game and it recovers more HP per 2 turns than a measly 30 HP when below 50% health. Even if it only nullifies Sand Storm damage: that's good. I guarantee you that you'll be using cresselia in Rain Sand Sun and Weatherless and Leftovers is by FAR better than sitrus berry in every aspect :). My reasoning behind Reflect is that your Cresselia will have to tank alot of physical attacks like +1 Dragonite Outrages and it still helps you scout for when Tyranitar is Pursuiting or Crunching you and switch appropriately to either Garchomp or Scizor and do some good damage on whatever switches into them.

You should use a Chesto Rest version of Rotom-w. This is a super fun set that allows your Rotom to become a status absorber of sorts as well as something that can wall so many special threats. Anyway I'm so sure you'll love this set that i wont bother explaining it more xD.

Hide

Rotom-w @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs 248 HP / 232 SDef / 28 Spd
Calm Nature
- Rest
- Will-o-wisp
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump

Good Luck with your team and make sure to try out my changes! I feel your team will be much better off with my help :)

Hey, thanks for the reply and the help!
I prefared Scizor over the Metagross in DPPt and I've just been comfortable with Metagross but you've given me good reasoning to try out the Scizor you've posted. So thank you for that.
That's the exact Salamence I tried before this one xD I switched to this one after feeling I didn't have enough SAtk pushes for Skarmory but I'll pair it with your other fixes and see how I feel with it.
I have already changed the Rotom since I didn't think of somewhere to stash ailments other than Starmie and I like that idea!
Thank you very much sir! My hat is off to you :)

 

[joshe]

Your team should pretty easily handle skarmory now with Tyranitar Fire Blast and a special fire attack on salamence. here's some calcs below if you need any more convincing

4 SpA Salamence Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 252-298 (75.44 - 89.22%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Salamence Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 200-236 (59.88 - 70.65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0- SpA Tyranitar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 200-236 (59.88 - 70.65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

skarm shouldn't last very long now!

 

[Kurasu]

Your team should pretty easily handle skarmory now with Tyranitar Fire Blast and a special fire attack on salamence. here's some calcs below if you need any more convincing

4 SpA Salamence Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 252-298 (75.44 - 89.22%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Salamence Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 200-236 (59.88 - 70.65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0- SpA Tyranitar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 200-236 (59.88 - 70.65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

skarm shouldn't last very long now!

THANK YOU! You're VERY helpful! That's exactly the kind of thing I needed!!!!
<333333