NastyJames' Ghosts Team! Who Ya Gonna Call?

Hi all, it's been a long time since I've been on the forums. Pokemon Bank immediately rekindled my interest, so I'm back on the scene, and here's a new team I'd like some opinions on. As always, I accept ALL knowledge you can share, as I only want to improve. Thanks in advance for even viewing :)

So I'm new to making a single type team, haha. Ghosts aren't used all that much (From what I've seen), and they have enough variety to a)keep me from getting bored, and b)handle themselves well in different situations. Now, when making any suggestions, please remember that I would like to keep the ghost theme, and as far as I'm willing to stretch is psychic (if it looks evil enough) or dark. Alright, now, here's the team!


Banette (shiny)
@Bannetite
Ability: Insomnia/ Prankster
252 HP/ 4 Atk/ 252 SpD
Careful
-Magic Coat
-Will-O-Wisp
-Confuse Ray
-Shadow Sneak
What an amazing improvement over Banette is it's Mega!? I always use this jerk to lead, and depending on the situation, start with a Magic Coat or Will-O-Wisp. Confuse Ray is a nice annoyance that helps prolong burn damage for those who want to try to tame the beast. Shadow Sneak is the only damaging attack I run in order to keep with the Priority theme. I will say that I'm surprised by the bulk Mega Banette has, and I haven't seen it faint many times yet in battle.


Golurk Leftovers
Ability: Iron Fist
252 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 SpD
Adamant
-Power-Up Punch
-Earthquake
-Ice Punch
-Thunderpunch
The evil, hulking behemoth himself, Golurk. With an impressive attack stat for any Pokemon, let alone a ghost, I wanted to put him in here for dealing with specially defensive threats. If possible, I like to start off with one Power-Up Punch, to get a boost while doing a pretty decent amount of unresisted damage. From there, it's all situational. Earthquake for a good STAB that hits hard regardless of type, Ice Punch mostly in case of Dragons, and Thunderpunch in case a Water type attempts to come in and wash my big baby away. The Speed is an issue, and a Choice Scarf has crossed my mind, while replacing power up punch with something else. Thoughts?


Gengar Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
4 HP/ 252 SpD/ 252 Spe
Timid
-Substitute
-Disable
-Shadow Ball
-Sludge Bomb
Behind Aracanine, Gengar has always been near the top of my list of favorite Pokemon. This set is pretty standard, I'll admit, but it still works so well. Obviously the first priority is to set up a Sub. Then Disable what ever attack was used against me, and set another Sub if needed. That usually causes a switch, and I go for a more straight forward approach from there. The choice between Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball relies on the opponents type, or in some cases if I want the chance for a poison. I've played with Pain Split instead of Disable, but I'm unsure. I like the annoyances Ghosts can cause, after all.


Trevenant Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
252 HP/ 252 Atk/ 4 SpD
Adamant
-Horn Leech
-Shadow Claw
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
Sleep Talkers are fun for me. It's a bit of a gamble, I'll admit (We all know how infuriating it is to have a Pokemon try to use Rest when it's already sleeping!) but I like the recovery method. From there, I was looking for good Attack based STABs, so Shadow Claw was an obvious choice. Then I discovered Trevenant could learn Horn Leech! How cool?! I never played with him in game (I use a super Gourgeist), so I was surprised. It really adds to his longevity, and does decent damage. Really digging this guy.


Chandelure Life Orb
Ability: Infiltrator
252 SpA/ 4 SpD/ 252 Spe
Timid
-Fire Blast
-Shadow Ball
-Psychic
-Hidden Power Electric
The lighting fixture that could blow a hole in the side of a tank, Chandelure! Infiltrator and Life Orb should reveal the usage of this beauty. Literally, nothing can get away without being hurt a little by this. Fire Blast because I don't care enough about accuracy in this case, when there is the potential for so much more damage over Flamethrower. Shadow Ball as the obvious other special STAB. Psychic is here for big ol' fighting types, specifically Conkeldurr. Hidden Power Electric is here in case of emergency. I would rather not have him out if I'm starring down a Water type, but if I must, there it is.


Aegislash Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
252 HP/ 252 Atk/ 4 SpD
Adamant
-Sacred Sword
-King's Shield
-Swords Dance
-Shadow Sneak
Again, I'm out of the loop, but if this isn't the standard set for Aegislash, I would argue that it should be. Sacred Sword is here because it's crazy powerful now, and a STAB Steel just didn't feel necessary. King's Shield because it is one of the best moves I've seen. It's downright dirty. Swords Dance is here because knowing you can just stay in Defensive and boost your attack straight to God's doorstep is a nice feeling. Shadow Sneak is a decent enough Attack based STAB, that also has the priority.


Well there are my evil friends for you to see and rate! Please let me know your thoughts and give me any advice you might have!
 
Well you definitly going to want a dark type Pokemon I suggest one in place of golurk (Just not sure what dark type to put there... Maybe honchcrow, mandibuzz or my favorite Bisharp!!! With the buff to knock up and his dark steel typing perfect for combating fairies and taking those dark type attacks your team despises so much (Dark pulse from anything with good sp atk kos most of your team. And maybe instead of banette run mega houndoom or mega t tar. Know what I mean jelly bean? And if you run mega houndoom (he's amazing fyi) then switch your chamdelure to alakazam maybe with magic gaurd life orb? Other than that this is a pretty ofensive team
so who needs walls or tanks, when you have so many nukes. Good team sorry for grammar and sentence flow doing this on a phone.
 
Well you definitly going to want a dark type Pokemon I suggest one in place of golurk (Just not sure what dark type to put there... Maybe honchcrow, mandibuzz or my favorite Bisharp!!! With the buff to knock up and his dark steel typing perfect for combating fairies and taking those dark type attacks your team despises so much (Dark pulse from anything with good sp atk kos most of your team. And maybe instead of banette run mega houndoom or mega t tar. Know what I mean jelly bean? And if you run mega houndoom (he's amazing fyi) then switch your chamdelure to alakazam maybe with magic gaurd life orb? Other than that this is a pretty ofensive team
so who needs walls or tanks, when you have so many nukes. Good team sorry for grammar and sentence flow doing this on a phone.

Umm, I'm pretty sure this is a Monotype, but I see they are saying they'll use Dark-types. To which I would also use Bisharp somewhere on this team. But I do not agree with getting rid of Golurk, but I want to change the set to a Support set:

Golurk @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 176 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch


This Golurk set is one of its most viable ones, turning it into a nice physical wall who completely counters Terrakion, who mows down your team with Choice Band. The only chance you've got is with Banette burning it and having Mega Evolved already, which isn't always the case. Your team needs SR, and you'll have no problems keeping it up, thanks to this Ghost mono. Just wondering, is this on a cartridge or on Showdown!? Because if it is on cartridge, run Mega Gengar > Mega Banette, as Banette isn't that good. I sense it is cartridge, but just wanted to check. SD Aegislash isn't as good as it was back when XY came out, nowadays people run the CRUMBLER:

Aegislash @ Life Orb / Spooky Plate
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 240 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 12 Spe
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Sneak
- King's Shield / Iron Head

This set turns Aegislash into a ferocious monster, seriously, try this one out. That Chandelure set doesn't make sense? Just run Specs / Scarf with Fire Blast / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Trick, you could use Life Orb, but I feel the other moves make it more worthwhile. If you truly want Life Orb, run Fire Blast / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Hidden Power [Fighting]. Change EVERYTHING about that Trevenant, run this set instead:

Trevenant @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 244 HP / 16 Def / 248 SpD
Careful Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Horn Leech
- Shadow Claw / Leech Seed
- Protect

This set gives you a nice special wall and an all-around great Pokemon! Now, onto Gengar. Just change the EVs to 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe, the SpD is nothing. Also, run Focus Blast > Sludge Bomb for unresisted coverage. Aaaand, finally, just change Mega Banette's moveset to this:

Banette @ Banettite
Ability: Frisk -> Prankster
EVs:
252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpD
Careful Nature
- Destiny Bond
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Claw / Knock Off

This is Mega Banette's most viable set in OU, as with Taunt + Destiny Bond, they're forced to attack you, pulling off a kill for you. Will-o-Wisp takes care of Physical attackers, so invest into SpD. The last slot is up to you, Shadow Claw hits hard, but Knock Off cripples walls and other Pokemon.


I like your team, just has some kinks~!






 
If you want to keep Golurk, maybe you can consider running it with AV and Drain Punch. It would look something like this:

Golurk @Assault Vest
Ability: Iron Fist
252 HP/ 252 Atk/ 4 SpD
Adamant
-Drain Punch
-Earthquake
-Ice Punch
-Thunderpunch

This set increases Golurk's longevity and gives it more reliable recovery. AV allows Golurk to sponge special attacks a lot better, as it can even survive a +2 Dark Pulse from M-Lucario and OHKO in return with Drain Punch/Earthquake.

+2 252 SpA Mega Lucario Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Golurk: 294-348 (76.9 - 91%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

AV Golurk can wall Genesect as well:

252 SpA Genesect Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Golurk: 148-176 (38.7 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

I guess the set would work similarly to AV Conkeldurr, except Golurk's poor typing really prevents it from making an impact in OU.
 
If you want to keep Golurk, maybe you can consider running it with AV and Drain Punch. It would look something like this:

Golurk @Assault Vest
Ability: Iron Fist
252 HP/ 252 Atk/ 4 SpD
Adamant
-Drain Punch
-Earthquake
-Ice Punch
-Thunderpunch

This set increases Golurk's longevity and gives it more reliable recovery. AV allows Golurk to sponge special attacks a lot better, as it can even survive a +2 Dark Pulse from M-Lucario and OHKO in return with Drain Punch/Earthquake.
+2 252 SpA Mega Lucario Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Golurk: 294-348 (76.9 - 91%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

AV Golurk can wall Genesect as well:

252 SpA Genesect Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Golurk: 148-176 (38.7 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

I guess the set would work similarly to AV Conkeldurr, except Golurk's poor typing really prevents it from making an impact in OU.



Both of those are Ubers.
 
I really appreciate all of the input! As soon as I get back from work I'll test out some changes and let you guys know how it goes.
 

Umm, I'm pretty sure this is a Monotype, but I see they are saying they'll use Dark-types. To which I would also use Bisharp somewhere on this team. But I do not agree with getting rid of Golurk, but I want to change the set to a Support set:

Golurk @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 176 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch
This Golurk set is one of its most viable ones, turning it into a nice physical wall who completely counters Terrakion, who mows down your team with Choice Band. The only chance you've got is with Banette burning it and having Mega Evolved already, which isn't always the case. Your team needs SR, and you'll have no problems keeping it up, thanks to this Ghost mono. Just wondering, is this on a cartridge or on Showdown!? Because if it is on cartridge, run Mega Gengar > Mega Banette, as Banette isn't that good. I sense it is cartridge, but just wanted to check. SD Aegislash isn't as good as it was back when XY came out, nowadays people run the CRUMBLER:

Aegislash @ Life Orb / Spooky Plate
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 240 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 12 Spe
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Sneak
- King's Shield / Iron Head

This set turns Aegislash into a ferocious monster, seriously, try this one out. That Chandelure set doesn't make sense? Just run Specs / Scarf with Fire Blast / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Trick, you could use Life Orb, but I feel the other moves make it more worthwhile. If you truly want Life Orb, run Fire Blast / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball / Hidden Power [Fighting]. Change EVERYTHING about that Trevenant, run this set instead:

Trevenant @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 244 HP / 16 Def / 248 SpD
Careful Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Horn Leech
- Shadow Claw / Leech Seed
- Protect

This set gives you a nice special wall and an all-around great Pokemon! Now, onto Gengar. Just change the EVs to 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe, the SpD is nothing. Also, run Focus Blast > Sludge Bomb for unresisted coverage. Aaaand, finally, just change Mega Banette's moveset to this:

Banette @ Banettite
Ability: Frisk -> Prankster
EVs:
252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpD
Careful Nature
- Destiny Bond
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Claw / Knock Off

This is Mega Banette's most viable set in OU, as with Taunt + Destiny Bond, they're forced to attack you, pulling off a kill for you. Will-o-Wisp takes care of Physical attackers, so invest into SpD. The last slot is up to you, Shadow Claw hits hard, but Knock Off cripples walls and other Pokemon.


I like your team, just has some kinks~!



Dude mega gengar is banned.
 
Dude mega gengar is banned.

"Just wondering, is this on a cartridge or on Showdown!? Because if it is on cartridge, run Mega Gengar > Mega Banette, as Banette isn't that good. I sense it is cartridge, but just wanted to check"

On cartridge it isn't banned.
 

"Just wondering, is this on a cartridge or on Showdown!? Because if it is on cartridge, run Mega Gengar > Mega Banette, as Banette isn't that good. I sense it is cartridge, but just wanted to check"

On cartridge it isn't banned.
Oh sorry I always thought I meant if you were battling people from smogon then the rules still applied. Smogon rules confuse me alot.
 
I don't like giving up Gengar's Levitate though. It's an ability I've always seen as useful. And I like the Sludge recovery haha.
 
I don't like giving up Gengar's Levitate though. It's an ability I've always seen as useful. And I like the Sludge recovery haha.

Umm, Mega Gengar doesn't need recovery and Shadow Tag > Levitate any day. Trevenant can take on Ground-types, if that's what you're worried more about. Mega Gengar is nearly guaranteed to kill something.
 
Back
Top