TRUE, did not think of Venomoth.
-
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Other Creative / Underrated Sets Thread (Read the thread, NO SHITTY GIMMICKS)
- Thread starter ginganinja
- Start date
- Status
RecycleRest Klefki (creative set)
Klefki @ Lum Berry
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Recycle
- Thunder Wave
- Spikes
While this may seem like a "shitty gimmick", this set aims to fix klefki's problem of lacking reliable recovery by using recycle lum and rest. While many pokemon have tried(like LC bronzor) and failed at using this type of set reliably, Klefki has prankster and the bulk to abuse this (when invested) and is the best user of this imo. This set can still do what klefki does best: annoy the fuck out of you. Using the paralysis RNG and rest + lum as a reliable way to set up spikes most of the time, getting me layers when I truly need it, or just absorbing hits and para'ing threats to support the team. the amount of things klefki can handle due to this is simply awesome.
Merry Christmas!... oh wait I'm a week too late- Mega abomasnow (underrated)
Abomasnow @ Abomasite
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Quiet Nature
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Ice Shard
This thing is so underrated, abomasnow rips through so many stall cores & pokemon and offensive pokemon like gastro, zygarde, garchomp, rotom-w, mega gyara, bold mega saur etc. Mega abomasnow's power is really underrated, combined with it's coverage and surprisingly nice STABs make it such a threat. The mega mechanics actually help it also it gets to hit off a base 60 speed first turn. It's blizzard is one of the hardest hitting ice moves available in OU, combined with bulky waters being hit hard by it's secondary STAB make it very hard to wall (steels can't switch in much barring aegis due to focus miss). In addition to it's offensive prowess, it hard a very surprisingly good defensive typing resisting all water, electric, grass, ground, and more while being nicely neutral to ice/ice beam (which is very important to walling waters and mamo) while unfortunately being very weak to fighting and fire however this is still a largely surprisingly good typing. letting it pivot into many attackers like starmie, politoed, mamoswine, greninja, zygarde, garchomp, rotom-w etc. . Overall mega aboma is definately a high reward pokemon when played right and is way too underrated
here are some calcs to support my pivoting claims:
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 127-150 (33 - 39%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Zygarde Outrage vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 157-186 (40.8 - 48.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 136-161 (35.4 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 77-90 (20 - 23.4%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow in Rain: 165-195 (42.9 - 50.7%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Politoed Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow in Rain: 135-160 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Politoed Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow in Rain: 120-142 (31.2 - 36.9%) -- 79.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 156-185 (40.6 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 140-165 (36.4 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 95-113 (24.7 - 29.4%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Mamoswine Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 220-259 (57.2 - 67.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mamoswine Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 147-174 (38.2 - 45.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Mamoswine Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 129-152 (33.5 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 122-144 (31.7 - 37.5%) -- 88.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Rotom-W Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 78-92 (20.3 - 23.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
Here are some replays (for all of them, mainly klefki) I just got on the ladder so don't expect the highest quality players, I also made several over time team changes :
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73966845
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73965353
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73963823
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73962598
I will try to get higher quality & quantity replays
Klefki @ Lum Berry
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Recycle
- Thunder Wave
- Spikes
While this may seem like a "shitty gimmick", this set aims to fix klefki's problem of lacking reliable recovery by using recycle lum and rest. While many pokemon have tried(like LC bronzor) and failed at using this type of set reliably, Klefki has prankster and the bulk to abuse this (when invested) and is the best user of this imo. This set can still do what klefki does best: annoy the fuck out of you. Using the paralysis RNG and rest + lum as a reliable way to set up spikes most of the time, getting me layers when I truly need it, or just absorbing hits and para'ing threats to support the team. the amount of things klefki can handle due to this is simply awesome.
Merry Christmas!... oh wait I'm a week too late- Mega abomasnow (underrated)
Abomasnow @ Abomasite
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Quiet Nature
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Ice Shard
This thing is so underrated, abomasnow rips through so many stall cores & pokemon and offensive pokemon like gastro, zygarde, garchomp, rotom-w, mega gyara, bold mega saur etc. Mega abomasnow's power is really underrated, combined with it's coverage and surprisingly nice STABs make it such a threat. The mega mechanics actually help it also it gets to hit off a base 60 speed first turn. It's blizzard is one of the hardest hitting ice moves available in OU, combined with bulky waters being hit hard by it's secondary STAB make it very hard to wall (steels can't switch in much barring aegis due to focus miss). In addition to it's offensive prowess, it hard a very surprisingly good defensive typing resisting all water, electric, grass, ground, and more while being nicely neutral to ice/ice beam (which is very important to walling waters and mamo) while unfortunately being very weak to fighting and fire however this is still a largely surprisingly good typing. letting it pivot into many attackers like starmie, politoed, mamoswine, greninja, zygarde, garchomp, rotom-w etc. . Overall mega aboma is definately a high reward pokemon when played right and is way too underrated
here are some calcs to support my pivoting claims:
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 127-150 (33 - 39%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Zygarde Outrage vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 157-186 (40.8 - 48.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 136-161 (35.4 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 77-90 (20 - 23.4%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow in Rain: 165-195 (42.9 - 50.7%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Politoed Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow in Rain: 135-160 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Politoed Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow in Rain: 120-142 (31.2 - 36.9%) -- 79.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 156-185 (40.6 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 140-165 (36.4 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 95-113 (24.7 - 29.4%) -- 100% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Mamoswine Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 220-259 (57.2 - 67.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mamoswine Icicle Crash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 147-174 (38.2 - 45.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Mamoswine Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Abomasnow: 129-152 (33.5 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 122-144 (31.7 - 37.5%) -- 88.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Rotom-W Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 78-92 (20.3 - 23.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
BAN ME PLS-CB Gene (underrated)
Genesect @ Choice Band
Ability: Download
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Hasty Nature
- Extreme Speed / Explosion
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Blaze Kick / Explosion
This is imo, one of genesect's best sets, due to it's power and surprise factor, and unlike other surprise sets, it has legitimate worth outside of surprise. CB genesect is so easy to abuse because so many pokes are EVd to give download an attack boost. You know what this means right? CB MOTHER FUCKING +1 UTURN. CB +1 uturn and iron head hit so hard. CB genesect uturn after download is legitimately one of the strongest bug moves IN THE GAME. This thing is very much so a threat and should be prepared for. (It does ~43% to bold rotom-wsh without a download boost holy mc Sweet Jesus ) I don't know why this thing isn't used more often, sure you see it every now and then, but it's really underrated compared to RP or scarf. Not to even startt with it's 3 other moves: Iron head is really strong and hits any fairy trying to act cutsey (it hits any azu putting the last 4 EVs in to sdef for a blazing 68.8% to OHKO after SR) for tons of immense damage and overall just hits a lot of things like terrak that would take the threat of uturn not too hugely. Extremespeed is honestly just amazing, it's download makes any higher sdef pokemon give it a psuedo STAB boost to espeed (1.5x in both STAB and download so they are about the same thing), making it just as strong as jolly CB arceus espeed after download! This slot helps revenge lots of pokemon while surprising frailer resisted sweepers (~30% to mega luc w/ no download boost) and bulkier neutral sweepers and is very much so a nice last/fast resort to killing off swepers. Blaze kick rounds off coverage hitting ferrothorn, scizor, forretress, skarm, luke, aegis, gourgeist and much more for SE damage and definatley not failing to hit them hard (has ~95% chance to 2HKO impish 252/232 standard skarm after SR). Alternativley explosion can be used to hit a fuckton of bricks level hard over either one.
Calcs:
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 152-180 (45.5 - 53.8%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect U-turn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 111-132 (36.5 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Extreme Speed vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 164-193 (55 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect U-turn vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 307-363 (79.9 - 94.5%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 166-196 (44.3 - 52.4%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers
recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect U-turn vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 169-201 (47.2 - 56.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 195-229 (54.4 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Gliscor: 120-142 (33.8 - 40.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Extreme Speed vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 223-263 (55.1 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 334-394 (82.6 - 97.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 276-326 (85.1 - 100.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 124-148 (38.2 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (download and kings shield)
etc.
Genesect @ Choice Band
Ability: Download
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Hasty Nature
- Extreme Speed / Explosion
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Blaze Kick / Explosion
This is imo, one of genesect's best sets, due to it's power and surprise factor, and unlike other surprise sets, it has legitimate worth outside of surprise. CB genesect is so easy to abuse because so many pokes are EVd to give download an attack boost. You know what this means right? CB MOTHER FUCKING +1 UTURN. CB +1 uturn and iron head hit so hard. CB genesect uturn after download is legitimately one of the strongest bug moves IN THE GAME. This thing is very much so a threat and should be prepared for. (It does ~43% to bold rotom-wsh without a download boost holy mc Sweet Jesus ) I don't know why this thing isn't used more often, sure you see it every now and then, but it's really underrated compared to RP or scarf. Not to even startt with it's 3 other moves: Iron head is really strong and hits any fairy trying to act cutsey (it hits any azu putting the last 4 EVs in to sdef for a blazing 68.8% to OHKO after SR) for tons of immense damage and overall just hits a lot of things like terrak that would take the threat of uturn not too hugely. Extremespeed is honestly just amazing, it's download makes any higher sdef pokemon give it a psuedo STAB boost to espeed (1.5x in both STAB and download so they are about the same thing), making it just as strong as jolly CB arceus espeed after download! This slot helps revenge lots of pokemon while surprising frailer resisted sweepers (~30% to mega luc w/ no download boost) and bulkier neutral sweepers and is very much so a nice last/fast resort to killing off swepers. Blaze kick rounds off coverage hitting ferrothorn, scizor, forretress, skarm, luke, aegis, gourgeist and much more for SE damage and definatley not failing to hit them hard (has ~95% chance to 2HKO impish 252/232 standard skarm after SR). Alternativley explosion can be used to hit a fuckton of bricks level hard over either one.
Calcs:
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 152-180 (45.5 - 53.8%) -- 94.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect U-turn vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 111-132 (36.5 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Extreme Speed vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 164-193 (55 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect U-turn vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 307-363 (79.9 - 94.5%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 166-196 (44.3 - 52.4%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers
recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect U-turn vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 169-201 (47.2 - 56.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 195-229 (54.4 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Gliscor: 120-142 (33.8 - 40.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Extreme Speed vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 223-263 (55.1 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 334-394 (82.6 - 97.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 276-326 (85.1 - 100.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Genesect Blaze Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 124-148 (38.2 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (download and kings shield)
etc.
Here are some replays (for all of them, mainly klefki) I just got on the ladder so don't expect the highest quality players, I also made several over time team changes :
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73966845
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73965353
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73963823
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-73962598
I will try to get higher quality & quantity replays
Last edited:
Okay I'm going to be honest, this is pretty brilliant. I'm not sure about the Volt-Turn combo thing but Lanturn makes such a great partner to Rotom-H it's unreal, I'd never even considered that.
Thundurus (M) @ Salac Berry
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd (30 Atk / 30 Def)
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This is a twist on the classic Substitute Nasty Plot Thundurus set in BW. Thundurus makes for one of the more interesting SubSalac users because it can raise its speed in the face of scarfers that try to revenge it after a Nasty Plot. 4 HP puts you at 300 HP meaning you can hit Salac Berry range after 3 Substitutes. The idea is to force something out with Thundurus and Substitute up. If you can sweep the opponent, Nasty Plot up and kill the Pokemon that just broke your Substitute. When your opponent sends in their Scarfer, proceed to Substitute down twice to Salac Berry range. The fastest scarfer you will usually find is scarf Latios and Thundurus is just above that speed tier with a Salac Berry. Sometimes though it will be in your best interest to just preserve your Substitute if you have the +2 NP boost already to proect yourself from priority, or if you don't have a boost, just get off a free attack to try to sweep latter in the game.
Well, in case you want to run a baton passer i made this smeargle which helped me a lot recently.
Smeargle @ power herb
Jolly/Ability doesn't matter
Spore
Baton pass
Geomancy
Boom burst
As you'll see, this smeargle has the capability to dish out at least SOME damage if it gets a chance to set up.
I use it in combination with a special attacking clefable and stored power. Stored power has a base power of 120 after just 1 geomancy.
If you end up with only smeargle and 1 opposing pokenon left you might get a chance at setting up on it and spam a 140 base power boom burst until eventually the other pokemon faints, or just kill it off when it had sturdy or something.
Smeargle @ power herb
Jolly/Ability doesn't matter
Spore
Baton pass
Geomancy
Boom burst
As you'll see, this smeargle has the capability to dish out at least SOME damage if it gets a chance to set up.
I use it in combination with a special attacking clefable and stored power. Stored power has a base power of 120 after just 1 geomancy.
If you end up with only smeargle and 1 opposing pokenon left you might get a chance at setting up on it and spam a 140 base power boom burst until eventually the other pokemon faints, or just kill it off when it had sturdy or something.
Why run Geomancy when there is Shell Smash? Boomburst sucks because of that bad Special Attack.
PHP:
Smeargle | Focus Sash | Sketch Monkey
Jolly | 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Spore | Shell Smash | Baton Pass | Sticky WebWell, because i run it alongside my Clefable and my Charizard Y.
The Smeargle alone isn't meant to sweep. It runs BoomBurst to chip off the remaining bits of the last remaining pokemon of your opponent when you've run out of other pokemon to use and to prevent it becoming taunt bait of the opponent tries to disable you.
idk what your point is, Char-Y and Clefable can both abuse Shell Smash, and even without the defense drops from Shell Smash Smeargle still gets KOed by anything remotely powerful so it doesn't help you to run Geomancy Power Herb over Shell Smash Sash.
Also, even if you pack Boomburst, Smeargle is still Taunt bait and you aren't going to be doing any notable amounts of damage even if you do get boosts. If you're paranoid about Taunt, use Magic Coat. If you're left with only Smeargle at the end of a match, Boomburst isn't going to save you 9 out of 10 times and you should be considering what went wrong with your plays and how to stop this from happening instead of desperately throwing weak attacks around hoping for a KO.
+2 252 SpA Smeargle Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mew: 178-210 (44 - 51.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mew: 153-180 (37.8 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Mew was changed to Normal-type for this. Itemless Alakazam was chosen because it's the minimum standard for a special attacker in OU.
I admit that Smeargle's Boomburst does a surprising amount of damage, but it still seems like a waste of a moveslot for an unlikely scenario. If you're facing a Taunt user, use Magic Coat. If you want a Baton Passer that isn't dead weight when it's finished passing, use Venomoth.
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mew: 153-180 (37.8 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Mew was changed to Normal-type for this. Itemless Alakazam was chosen because it's the minimum standard for a special attacker in OU.
I admit that Smeargle's Boomburst does a surprising amount of damage, but it still seems like a waste of a moveslot for an unlikely scenario. If you're facing a Taunt user, use Magic Coat. If you want a Baton Passer that isn't dead weight when it's finished passing, use Venomoth.
One of my new favourite sets that is working well on a stall team of mine: double status Heatran!
Heatran (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Spd / 180 SDef
Careful Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic
- Protect
- Lava Plume
I've grown to really enjoy Heatran's double status support. It's capable of crippling almost any Pokemon (opposing Heatran wall this, but I have many Pokemon on my team that take advantage of its presence anyway) with harmful status, unlike Will-O-Wisp on its own. Blissey and Chansey lacking Aromatherapy will be forced out, Talonflame can't blindly set up Swords Dance or Bulk Up, Gastrodon, Rotom-W, and Jellicent can't wall as effectively, and many more. The things that aren't significantly hampered by Toxic, such as Gyarados, Dragonite, Bisharp, Mawile, and Azumarill, are still going to be neutered with Will-O-Wisp, making Heatran a relatively difficult Pokemon to outright set up against. Protect is an obvious staple, as it works excellently in tandem with Heatran's status and Leftovers recovery, and Lava Plume prevents Heatran from being Taunt bait. The Speed EVs are there to outpace most standard Bisharp to Lava Plume/Will-O-Wisp it before it attacks or sets up Substitute.
Heatran (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Spd / 180 SDef
Careful Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic
- Protect
- Lava Plume
I've grown to really enjoy Heatran's double status support. It's capable of crippling almost any Pokemon (opposing Heatran wall this, but I have many Pokemon on my team that take advantage of its presence anyway) with harmful status, unlike Will-O-Wisp on its own. Blissey and Chansey lacking Aromatherapy will be forced out, Talonflame can't blindly set up Swords Dance or Bulk Up, Gastrodon, Rotom-W, and Jellicent can't wall as effectively, and many more. The things that aren't significantly hampered by Toxic, such as Gyarados, Dragonite, Bisharp, Mawile, and Azumarill, are still going to be neutered with Will-O-Wisp, making Heatran a relatively difficult Pokemon to outright set up against. Protect is an obvious staple, as it works excellently in tandem with Heatran's status and Leftovers recovery, and Lava Plume prevents Heatran from being Taunt bait. The Speed EVs are there to outpace most standard Bisharp to Lava Plume/Will-O-Wisp it before it attacks or sets up Substitute.
A different Smeargle surprise set I've been using: Scarfed Smeargle
Smeargle @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 Spe / 116 Def / 104 HP / 36 SpD, Jolly nature
>Parting Shot
>Switcheroo
>Foul Play
>Spore
Parting Shot basically lets you come in on something, lower its offenses and switch to a counter. It works great when the opponent thinks they can switch to a sleep absorber like Sap Sipper Goodra, only to find it's now at -1 attack stats and I brought out something that checks it. Switcheroo will cripple the defensive switch-ins like Ferrothorn, and has a more fun name than Trick. Foul Play is Smeargle's best shot at doing damage, so it can do a little revenge killing, but it only works if the opponent is weakened. Finally, scarfed Spore can take a lot of faster opponents by surprise and is a better revenge "killing" tool against high health opponents or special attackers. Dark Void is an option to hit Grass/Overcoat pokemon, but if you know they'll switch in, you can generally take advantage of that anyway with Parting Shot or Switcheroo.
Of course, with a Smeargle, you have a lot of other options. Lunar Dance, Destiny Bond and Tailwind are all decent when Smeargle is about to bite the dust.
Smeargle @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 Spe / 116 Def / 104 HP / 36 SpD, Jolly nature
>Parting Shot
>Switcheroo
>Foul Play
>Spore
Parting Shot basically lets you come in on something, lower its offenses and switch to a counter. It works great when the opponent thinks they can switch to a sleep absorber like Sap Sipper Goodra, only to find it's now at -1 attack stats and I brought out something that checks it. Switcheroo will cripple the defensive switch-ins like Ferrothorn, and has a more fun name than Trick. Foul Play is Smeargle's best shot at doing damage, so it can do a little revenge killing, but it only works if the opponent is weakened. Finally, scarfed Spore can take a lot of faster opponents by surprise and is a better revenge "killing" tool against high health opponents or special attackers. Dark Void is an option to hit Grass/Overcoat pokemon, but if you know they'll switch in, you can generally take advantage of that anyway with Parting Shot or Switcheroo.
Of course, with a Smeargle, you have a lot of other options. Lunar Dance, Destiny Bond and Tailwind are all decent when Smeargle is about to bite the dust.
I've been running a Venom Drench Roserade and I feel it's pretty good.
Roserade @ Black Sludge
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP, 240 SpD, 16 Spe, Calm Nature
Venom Drench
Toxic Spikes
Giga Drain
Synthesis
You only need one layer of Toxic Spikes out, get everything poisoned that you can and Venom Drench them. I've been pairing this with Assault Vest Goodra and an offensive Gliscor and it works really well. It also effectively walls Gliscor variants that lack Taunt since they poison themselves, and it puts stat boosters down when they expect a switch and their speed drops. If you get two layers of spikes out, you can just stall them to death after a drench with Synthesis and Giga Drain or switch to one of the other pokes I mentioned to tank hits better.
Roserade @ Black Sludge
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP, 240 SpD, 16 Spe, Calm Nature
Venom Drench
Toxic Spikes
Giga Drain
Synthesis
You only need one layer of Toxic Spikes out, get everything poisoned that you can and Venom Drench them. I've been pairing this with Assault Vest Goodra and an offensive Gliscor and it works really well. It also effectively walls Gliscor variants that lack Taunt since they poison themselves, and it puts stat boosters down when they expect a switch and their speed drops. If you get two layers of spikes out, you can just stall them to death after a drench with Synthesis and Giga Drain or switch to one of the other pokes I mentioned to tank hits better.
I'm not really sold on this. Considering that the vast majority of OU Pokemon are immune to, unaffected by, or helped by Toxic Spikes (only 5 out of the top 20 are actually hurt), and that Mega Venusaur exists as the 4th most popular Mega Evolution to get rid of them, and the new Defog mechanics, and the fact that almost all Defog users are also unaffected by Toxic Spikes, this seems like a very gimmicky strategy. Roserade's also very frail, even with defensive investment, and I'm pretty sure most OU attackers can land a significant hit on it even at -1. Its uninvested base 90 speed means that even if it manages to poison a Greninja or something, it probably won't Venom Drench it before it takes a psuedo-STAB Ice Beam to the face.
Lastly, Venom Drench doesn't even do damage to the opposing Pokemon, it merely lowers their stats. Against something with a +2 setup move (like the commonly seen Swords Dance), Venom Drench won't be lowering stats fast enough to offset a Swords Dance boost.
It's not that Toxic is a bad status condition to abuse, it's rather that Toxic Spikes is a really unreliable method to go about it, that Roserade is an even more unreliable user of it, and that Venom Drench is possibly the most unreliable way to lower a Pokemon's stats. Even Tickle Wobbuffet does a better job at that.
One of my new favourite sets that is working well on a stall team of mine: double status Heatran!
Heatran (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Spd / 180 SDef
Careful Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic
- Protect
- Lava Plume
I've grown to really enjoy Heatran's double status support. It's capable of crippling almost any Pokemon (opposing Heatran wall this, but I have many Pokemon on my team that take advantage of its presence anyway) with harmful status, unlike Will-O-Wisp on its own. Blissey and Chansey lacking Aromatherapy will be forced out, Talonflame can't blindly set up Swords Dance or Bulk Up, Gastrodon, Rotom-W, and Jellicent can't wall as effectively, and many more. The things that aren't significantly hampered by Toxic, such as Gyarados, Dragonite, Bisharp, Mawile, and Azumarill, are still going to be neutered with Will-O-Wisp, making Heatran a relatively difficult Pokemon to outright set up against. Protect is an obvious staple, as it works excellently in tandem with Heatran's status and Leftovers recovery, and Lava Plume prevents Heatran from being Taunt bait. The Speed EVs are there to outpace most standard Bisharp to Lava Plume/Will-O-Wisp it before it attacks or sets up Substitute.
I am timid in trying double status Heatran because you lose out on the ability to shuffle threats with Roar, bait for Substitute users, and the inability to force out other Heatran. It is a very real possibility that Dragonite, Gyarados', and Talonflame may incorporate Substitute on their set. Being faced with a boosting threat that can not have their Substitute immediately removed is possibly one of the scariest situations to be put into. Other Pokemon that you may set up a Substitute on Heatran include Manaphy, Latias, Terrakion, and Garchomp (admittedly though the last 2 haven't really been seen in this metagame yet). Heatran makes out to be one of the best shufflers because it has good bulk on both sides of the spectrum, good resists, and can hit Steel-types that might set up an extra hazard or two on you. Also you become susceptible to Pokemon that use Lum Berry, but that is really only true in Dragonite's case.
Double status isn't a terrible idea but Heatran already has pseudo double-status just with Toxic because of Lava Plume's burn rate. Defensive Heatran really needs Roar IMO otherwise it's total substitute bait as the above poster made clear. I'd ditch Protect for Roar if you insist on Will-o-Wisp. I'm becoming less and less of a fan of Protect as I've gained experience, even my Gliscors and Tentacruels don't have it (I prefer Substitute).
Here's my personal hidden gem.
Hitmontop @ Assault Vest
Intimidate
Brave 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Close Combat
Mach Punch
Rapid Spin
Earthquake / Thief
With an Assault Vest boosting up special defense and Intimidate boosting up defense, this top can come in on any number of threats and spin away hazards, while also threatening to revenge kill / outright kill any number of huge threats, such as T-Tar or Greninja. The only problem with the set, ignoring Hitmontop's Mediocre attack power, is the last move. Earthquake is the preferred last move if the spinblocker you wish to beat is Aegislash, as you will always ohko it in Blade Form and deal large chunks of damage in shield mode. Thief on the other hand is preferred for all other ghosts, making you into a fairly decent Gengar counter as long as you don't get burned.
Thoughts?
Hitmontop @ Assault Vest
Intimidate
Brave 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Close Combat
Mach Punch
Rapid Spin
Earthquake / Thief
With an Assault Vest boosting up special defense and Intimidate boosting up defense, this top can come in on any number of threats and spin away hazards, while also threatening to revenge kill / outright kill any number of huge threats, such as T-Tar or Greninja. The only problem with the set, ignoring Hitmontop's Mediocre attack power, is the last move. Earthquake is the preferred last move if the spinblocker you wish to beat is Aegislash, as you will always ohko it in Blade Form and deal large chunks of damage in shield mode. Thief on the other hand is preferred for all other ghosts, making you into a fairly decent Gengar counter as long as you don't get burned.
Thoughts?
Maybe Pursuit as a possible fourth option as well. I know Technician Thief is stronger, but your not stealing anything while carrying that Assault vest unless it gets Knocked Off. Pursuit allows you to pseudo-trap said Gengar.
Man, Aegislash really screwed with this meta in XY. Can't even Foresight + Close Combat it due to King's Shield :( . Though, I guess you could run Foresight if you have other team members to deal with Aegislash.
Naturally Gifted
Exeggutor @ Custap Berry(GH)/Apicot Berry(GR)/Salac Berry(FI)/Petaya Berry(PO)/Liechi Berry(GS)/Enigma Berry(BG)
Harvest
Brave 252 HP / 252 (Sp)Atk / 4 SpD
Natural Gift
Sunny Day/ More Coverage
Sub/Coverage/(SL,PA)Powder
Coverage
After reading about the buff to NG on serebii my first thought was "100BP priority ghost for Trevenant?" Sadly trev is locked out of this sick combo, but good ol Exeggutor, with his good mixed movepool and decent mixed attack stats, can set his own sun or work together with a teammate to really get the ball rolling.
Custap gives Egg a priority 100BP ghost attack which is pretty good this gen.
Apicot becomes an earthquake that also raises your special defense giving you options against Steel/Fire types Egg might have trouble getting around
Salac is a speed boosting superpower that gives Egg snowball potential and lets the egg tango with Dark/Ice types that would otherwise force it out.
Petaya is more gimmiky than the rest as posion on a grass type isn't the best coverage, and Egg already has great Spatk, but if you have TR/Agi or it's late game a boost or two could spell doom for your opponent.
Liechi a grass type Power-up-Punch that's stronger than seedbomb? This moves potential is great but again you'll need to patch eggs speed to get away with this
Enigma gives you a means of attack and recovery and is just all around a pretty good berry to pack on a pokemon who can potentially replace its berry every turn and has access to draining/recovery.
with the emphasis on bulky offensive I think egg has some great options to round out team coverage while maintaining it's own potential to snowball into an offensive monster or tanky beast.
Exeggutor @ Custap Berry(GH)/Apicot Berry(GR)/Salac Berry(FI)/Petaya Berry(PO)/Liechi Berry(GS)/Enigma Berry(BG)
Harvest
Brave 252 HP / 252 (Sp)Atk / 4 SpD
Natural Gift
Sunny Day/ More Coverage
Sub/Coverage/(SL,PA)Powder
Coverage
After reading about the buff to NG on serebii my first thought was "100BP priority ghost for Trevenant?" Sadly trev is locked out of this sick combo, but good ol Exeggutor, with his good mixed movepool and decent mixed attack stats, can set his own sun or work together with a teammate to really get the ball rolling.
Custap gives Egg a priority 100BP ghost attack which is pretty good this gen.
Apicot becomes an earthquake that also raises your special defense giving you options against Steel/Fire types Egg might have trouble getting around
Salac is a speed boosting superpower that gives Egg snowball potential and lets the egg tango with Dark/Ice types that would otherwise force it out.
Petaya is more gimmiky than the rest as posion on a grass type isn't the best coverage, and Egg already has great Spatk, but if you have TR/Agi or it's late game a boost or two could spell doom for your opponent.
Liechi a grass type Power-up-Punch that's stronger than seedbomb? This moves potential is great but again you'll need to patch eggs speed to get away with this
Enigma gives you a means of attack and recovery and is just all around a pretty good berry to pack on a pokemon who can potentially replace its berry every turn and has access to draining/recovery.
with the emphasis on bulky offensive I think egg has some great options to round out team coverage while maintaining it's own potential to snowball into an offensive monster or tanky beast.
RecycleRest Klefki (creative set)
Klefki @ Lum Berry
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Recycle
- Thunder Wave
- Spikes
While this may seem like a "shitty gimmick", this set aims to fix klefki's problem of lacking reliable recovery by using recycle lum and rest. While many pokemon have tried(like LC bronzor) and failed at using this type of set reliably, Klefki has prankster and the bulk to abuse this (when invested) and is the best user of this imo. This set can still do what klefki does best: annoy the fuck out of you. Using the paralysis RNG and rest + lum as a reliable way to set up spikes most of the time, getting me layers when I truly need it, or just absorbing hits and para'ing threats to support the team. the amount of things klefki can handle due to this is simply awesome.
For any rest set, 99% of the time Chesto berry is better than Lum; this keeps you from getting, say, burned and being forced to Recycle before resting, costing you a valuable turn.
Specially offensive Mega Absol
Absol @ Absolite
Pressure -> Magic Bounce
Naive / Hasty 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
-Sucker Punch
-Fire Blast
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt
Most people expect Absol to be a Physical Attacker, but it also has a fantastic Special move pool and gets decent Special Attack when it Mega Evolves. This set can function as an anti-lead, revenge killer, wall breaker, and late game cleaner.
Absol @ Absolite
Pressure -> Magic Bounce
Naive / Hasty 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
-Sucker Punch
-Fire Blast
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt
Most people expect Absol to be a Physical Attacker, but it also has a fantastic Special move pool and gets decent Special Attack when it Mega Evolves. This set can function as an anti-lead, revenge killer, wall breaker, and late game cleaner.
Oohh, dare I post it...
Togekiss w/King's Rock
Serene Grace
Timid
252SAtk/252Spd/4HP
~Air Slash
~(Filler)
~(Filler)
~(Filler)
Step 1: Repeatedly use Air Slash
Step 2: Wait
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit!
Just kidding, but here's a KR set that's actually useful:
Greninja w/King's Rock
Protean
Adamant
252Atk/252Spd/4HP
~Fling
~Acrobatics
~U-turn
~Water Shuriken
Physical Greninja is scary, mainly because no one expects it. Fling works wonders with King's Rock and Acrobatics, Water Shuriken is a great priority move, and if you're lucky it can wreck someone's day, finally U-turn is for a quick escape. Would heavily recommend baton pass support.
Togekiss w/King's Rock
Serene Grace
Timid
252SAtk/252Spd/4HP
~Air Slash
~(Filler)
~(Filler)
~(Filler)
Step 1: Repeatedly use Air Slash
Step 2: Wait
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit!
Just kidding, but here's a KR set that's actually useful:
Greninja w/King's Rock
Protean
Adamant
252Atk/252Spd/4HP
~Fling
~Acrobatics
~U-turn
~Water Shuriken
Physical Greninja is scary, mainly because no one expects it. Fling works wonders with King's Rock and Acrobatics, Water Shuriken is a great priority move, and if you're lucky it can wreck someone's day, finally U-turn is for a quick escape. Would heavily recommend baton pass support.
Air slash and kings rock don't stack 
and physical greninja
and physical greninja 
Absol has relatively low SAtk, with it being, iirc, equivalent to 85 and a life orb. Without max attack and play rough/superpower, it struggles to break through Tyranitar, for example. It's more effective to use a single s.attack for coverage on physical walls (ice for gliscor, fire for skarmory, electric for gyara) and use dark/fighting or dark/fairy coverage with its higher attack.
Edit:closer to 77 s.attack with a life orb.
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Why would you put U-turn on a baton pass receiver?
I don't know if this has come up yet, but hot damn is Lopunny good this gen:
Lopunny @ Leftovers / Choice Whatever
Ability: Cute Charm / Klutz
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Cosmic Power / Switcheroo / Healing Wish / Work Up / Encore / Heal Bell (if you're not using Cosmic Power due to it being a Tutor Move)
- Agility / Healing Wish / Switcheroo / Work Up / Encore
- Baton Pass
- Magic Coat
Magic Coat negates any Taunting or Encoring (even Prankster taunting and encoring due to its own increased priority) ensuring your Baton Pass. The new addition of Cosmic Power as an egg move is what makes Lopunny a real star in this gen (compared to all the other stuff which it had last gen) allowing you to pass bulk to any fragile sweeper or to any bulky wall you want to make extra wally (Unaware users being particularly noteworthy). Cute Charm enhances its passable 65/84/96 defenses to make it better at its job (causing infatuation 15% of the time - averaging due to gender - when hit with a physical move), or you can just stick with Klutz in case of Trick users to avoid being Choice locked yourself.
From there - you have bags of utility; able to Choice lock another pokemon, double boost (Mega Medicham anyone?), or you can use Healing Wish to get that Mega back on fighting form later in the game. This seems to me, unless I'm missing something, very OU viable as long as you watch for fighting moves - especially if you get it in under dual screens. At any rate, it's better than Smeargle attempting something similar.
Some calcs against common-ish leads:
As a final note, imagine passing Work Up and Agility or Work Up and Cosmic Power (should be a valid set as Work Up was a last gen TM but is still learned naturally this gen by field group pokemon) to an Ingrain Mega Venusaur - chilling stuff (an example: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-75145962 - seems like Work Up and Cosmic Power isn't currently legal).
Lopunny @ Leftovers / Choice Whatever
Ability: Cute Charm / Klutz
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Cosmic Power / Switcheroo / Healing Wish / Work Up / Encore / Heal Bell (if you're not using Cosmic Power due to it being a Tutor Move)
- Agility / Healing Wish / Switcheroo / Work Up / Encore
- Baton Pass
- Magic Coat
Magic Coat negates any Taunting or Encoring (even Prankster taunting and encoring due to its own increased priority) ensuring your Baton Pass. The new addition of Cosmic Power as an egg move is what makes Lopunny a real star in this gen (compared to all the other stuff which it had last gen) allowing you to pass bulk to any fragile sweeper or to any bulky wall you want to make extra wally (Unaware users being particularly noteworthy). Cute Charm enhances its passable 65/84/96 defenses to make it better at its job (causing infatuation 15% of the time - averaging due to gender - when hit with a physical move), or you can just stick with Klutz in case of Trick users to avoid being Choice locked yourself.
From there - you have bags of utility; able to Choice lock another pokemon, double boost (Mega Medicham anyone?), or you can use Healing Wish to get that Mega back on fighting form later in the game. This seems to me, unless I'm missing something, very OU viable as long as you watch for fighting moves - especially if you get it in under dual screens. At any rate, it's better than Smeargle attempting something similar.
Some calcs against common-ish leads:
252+ Atk Mamoswine Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Lopunny: 144-171 (43.1 - 51.1%) -- 4.7% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Mamoswine Earthquake vs. +1 252 HP / 252+ Def Lopunny: 97-115 (29 - 34.4%) -- 4.8% chance to 3HKO
(you were able to pass the defense boost)
252 SpA Thundurus Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny: 115-136 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(easily able to pass multiple boosts and reflect Taunt, so long as it's the common TW/Taunt/HP Ice/Volt Switch set and not using Focus Blast)
252 SpA Thundurus Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny through Light Screen: 131-155 (39.2 - 46.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(light screen support)
252+ Atk Mamoswine Earthquake vs. +1 252 HP / 252+ Def Lopunny: 97-115 (29 - 34.4%) -- 4.8% chance to 3HKO
(you were able to pass the defense boost)
252 SpA Thundurus Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny: 115-136 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(easily able to pass multiple boosts and reflect Taunt, so long as it's the common TW/Taunt/HP Ice/Volt Switch set and not using Focus Blast)
252 SpA Thundurus Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny through Light Screen: 131-155 (39.2 - 46.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
(light screen support)
As a final note, imagine passing Work Up and Agility or Work Up and Cosmic Power (should be a valid set as Work Up was a last gen TM but is still learned naturally this gen by field group pokemon) to an Ingrain Mega Venusaur - chilling stuff (an example: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-75145962 - seems like Work Up and Cosmic Power isn't currently legal).
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- Status