The Science Behind Team Building: An Attempt at Understanding the Gen VI Meta
Ask A Question: My title subtly asks the question, but to put it into form. With our knowledge that no team is perfect, the goal of building a team is to compose parts that, though individually might be flawed, but combined can exceed almost all challenges. Other factors play into this such as the individual players skill level, hax and such, however; we are interested in obtaining a team that can answer many questions, albeit, not all of them.
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence” – Vince Lombardi
Do Background Research: I will not bore everyone with these details as this is an RMT and I would like to get to it sometime today. But for anyone who plays PS, and to a lesser extent Wi-Fi, knows what the major threats are and the sets and such. However, the metagame is a living thing that is every developing and changing. Stall, Hyper Offense, Heavy Offense, on and on we are all striving to gain another 1% of that “edge” that the rest of the Meta seems to be overlooking.
“The search for objective knowledge about competitive Pokémon gameplay” – Definition of Poké-metrics (Term I will copyright and sue for if anyone else uses it :-P)
Construct a Hypothesis: Even though the metagame has been largely defined, will there another shift that can be constructed if the right team were to be constructed that can answer a large portion of the current Meta? Would this team cause a trend similar to SwagPlay? Will it receive as negative a backlash as SwagPlay received and still receives?
Test your Hypothesis: Now we will attempt to construct a team that meets what we are trying to accomplish, eventually leading to a new scientific theory.
The Team:
Stealth Rock Support:
Landorus-I @ Life Orb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Ability: Sheer Force
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
IVs: 2 Atk
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Psychic
- Stealth Rock
Reasoning: When we think of Ground/Flying Stealth Rock User, we usually think of Landorus-T, affectionately known and Lan-Dog by my buddy Memoric. However, since we are trying to determine the Meta, I have a sincere feeling that Landorous-T, though still a very potent member to any team, seems to have hit a point where many players, especially the Top echelon players, know how to work around him. With that being said, we are playing a little devil’s advocate and assigning Stealth Rock duty to his Incarnate Form. When people see an Incarnate, they are sub-consciously revert to whatever default move they have for facing a powerful special attack aka switch to their Special Defense Wall. With that mindset this set takes advantages of the switches it can force to set up rocks while still very effectively having the absolute firepower necessary to crush any obstacle. The Sheer Force + Life Orb Combo is a monstrosity to deal with and thus, we still have all the prerequisite moves to deal with many threats. EP is its go-to STAB move, HP Ice for ground and flying types, ironically crushing Landorous-T and outspeeding him if the opponent is trying to milk a U-Turn or Knock Off out of this altercation, and Psychic is for Mega Venusaur and Conkeldurr, if Conk has taken enough damage as the AV set does give him more bulk than we would like to deal with. Since Water and Ice Moves are not this guy’s best friend, we will compliment him with the following partner:
Defensive Wall (The Annoyance)
Quagsire @ Leftovers
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Ability: Unaware
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spe)
- Recover
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Toxic
Reasoning: This guy handles many of the team’s weaknesses; we’ll get to the rest of the team soon; and laughs at set-up users thanks to Unaware. Quagsire may not be the sexy pick; I mean come on… the guy looks like an amphibious version of Ed from Ed, Edd and Eddy. However, this guy has one weakness (Grass) and an Ability that allows him to come in on guys like Talonflame, Bisharp and Clefable and ruin their lives. The set is also pretty standard, with a little reliance on the 30% Burn chance but when it comes to synergy and tanking hits, this guy can take them without showing the slightest bit of pain on his face… either that or he lacks the intelligence to correctly display pain with his facial muscles…
Special Defense Wall (Annoyance 2.0)
Zapdos @ Leftovers
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA/ 252 SpD
Ability: Pressure
Calm Nature (+SpD, -Atk)
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Defog
- Volt Switch
Reasoning: If Mega-Venusaur, one of the more prominent Megas in the Meta is going to cause our boy Ed problems, then why not bring out the Thunderbird. We are using the Specially Defensive investment as most people would probably expect the Bold/Modest Set and plan accordingly. It also makes sense to use the Calm Set to Tank Sludge Bombs that M-Venusaur would without a doubt fire his way if the opponent predicts the switch. He is the Hazard Remover of this team and has respectable bulk along with nice recovery. Interesting side bar, Roost changes him from Flying to Normal typing, making for some interesting scenarios in terms of avoiding SE Ice and Rock Attacks. Aside from that, Heat Wave scorches Venusaur while Volt Switch allows us to Pivot when Zap is done Defogging. When he Pivots, I usually like going into:
Defensive Pivot (The Glue)
Scizor @ Assault Vest
EVs: 248 HP / 40 Atk / 220 SpD
Ability: Technician
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-Turn
- Pursuit
Reasoning: I’ll admit, Scizor is one of my fav mons, but the set does have merit. 220 SpD Scizor with the Assault Vest Boost basically makes his Special Defense the equivalent of a Fully Invested Special Defense Latias. That is not a misprint. He can duplicate one of the best Special Walls around. Then we factor in things like +1 Stab Priority Goodness, Superpower for Bisharp and Chansey/Blissey, Pursuit to trap the Latis and U-Turn for a Pivot and we are looking at a possible scary mon who can either keep the assembly line moving or clean up late if everyone left has been dinged up in advance. Yes, he is 4x weak to Fire but that’s what Quagsire and the next guy are for…
Special Attacker (The Nuke)
“Toaster” (Rotom-Heat) @ Choice Specs
EVs: 208 HP / 252 SpA / 48 Spe
Ability: Levitate
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Trick
Reasoning: If you’re reading this Memoric, then yes, I admit it; this is YOUR very inspirational set and one of the MANY reasons why I liked your team so much. They say that “Imitation is the greatest form of Flattery.” Well considered yourself flattered sir. What is there to say about Trick-Tom. Well a lot actually… Overheat is blessed with slightly better accuracy then is wash form’s Hydro Pump and hits a HELL of a lot harder. Sure the recoil sucks but it’s a Choice set so switching is inherent; more so when the Specs gets Tricked for Lefties (evil thought). HP Ice is for Gliscor and Lando that try to ruin my VoltTurn shenanigans, though if predicted correctly, is hilarious to steal Lando’s Lefties or Choice Scarf. (Muahahaha) But when all is set and done, we want to move on to the main event…
The Mega (The Main Man)
Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate -> Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Focus Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Play Rough
- Substitute
Reasoning: Yes, this is the main attraction and when all the crap has been brushed to the side, he comes in and puts in WORK. Heaven Forbid I get behind a Substitute, “I pity a fool” said Mr. T. No but seriously, with Mega-Luke, Mega Gengar and Mega Khan banished to Ubers, it seems that Mawile is just begging to smash some heads. So WHY THE HELL NOT!!! SP and PR are standard for Priority and STAB goodness respectively, and with 3 teammates that can potentially lead into a favorably in-turn switch, well, let’s just say things won’t look too bright for anyone going up against Mawile.
Well that’s the team everybody. The last two steps are:
1. Analyze your Data and Draw a Conclusion: (Most likely will post replays)
2. Communicate Your Results (again replays)
Thank You for all who took the time to read this RMT as I know it is lengthy but I try my best to entertain and be thought provoking in the process. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and , if applicable, will be used in attempt to study the Meta further.
Sincerely,
Prof. R. Feliciano
Director of Metagame Studies, Smogon University, New York Campus
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