The Dark Horse Project: Little Cup Edition! (Month three!)

[absdaddy]

uuhh just a lil' suggestion for the OP: maybe increase the marker to 4 darkhorse pokemon?let's face it, one can run feebas/magikarp + top10 pokemon and still do well

 

[athleteandy1]

Pokemon Showdown Username: Andyisacoolguy
Dark Horse Pokemon: Magby, Zigzagoon
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking:

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Full Team Importable (in hide tags please):

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Zigzagoon @ Berry Juice
Ability: Pickup
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 196 Atk / 124 Def / 188 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Extreme Speed
- Thief
- Protect

Pawniard @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Brick Break

Dwebble @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Rock Blast
- Counter

Cottonee @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 116 HP / 196 Def / 196 SpD
Bold Nature
- Leech Seed
- Memento
- Encore
- Dazzling Gleam

Magby @ Berry Juice
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 20 HP
- Belly Drum
- Fire Punch
- Return
- Mach Punch

Scraggy @ Eviolite
Ability: Shed Skin
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab

Ashley11 I did it! I got A rank again. The only 2 losses were for the same reason. Somebody got a lucky Iron Head flinch on my Ziggy that prevented me from setting up. Hax is hax. But I did it. And here's my evaluation:

Zigzagoon: 11/10
I swept more times with this thing that not. It's absolutely phenomenal. Not a single bad thing can ever be said about my boy ziggy.

Magby: 4/10
I could never get this thing to work. I would never find time to set up, and I was always getting outsped or hit with priority. Also, Magby is super weak. I was unaware that Mach Punch barely 2HKOs Pawniard, but apparently is does. So yeah. Magby was hugely overshadowed by the awesome power that is Zigzagoon. I probably could have run a Magikarp in its spot and only lost maybe one extra battle.

 

[Holiday]

The rules of the project are as follows:

• You must choose two Pokemon on the list of usage stats (found , at least for now) that have had less than 3.41% usage in the previous month.Yes, that means pretty much LC UU.
• You must build a team with them (don't just steal an RMT that happened to have both).
• You must post here stating the two Dark Horse Pokemon you were using and the fresh alt you are going to ladder under.
• After that, you have the entire month to bring said fresh alt up to a point where you can be a Dark Horse champion!
• Once you've achieved this, edit your registration post with a screencap of your ranking to be added to the Hall of Fame.
• Every month, the Hall of Fame will be preserved, but a new Dark Horse challenge will start, so you can pick another couple Pokemon that you want to use and score leaderboard points again!
• Note you can't get in the Hall of Fame with the same Dark Horse Pokemon multiple times (though the rest of your team can be recycled if you so wish).
• Discussions of your Dark Horses are greatly encouraged. Post here with commentary, findings, teams, strategies, etc.—anything to do with the Dark Horse you've been using and what you've learned from it! Pls do what's in red, that will make me happy :O

And yeah as shown in rules, you won't get points for it :<


EDIT: Are these different pokemon from first time?

I'm using different pokemon from last time. Actually, all 6 are different. So I won't get points for it?

 

[Ashley11]

You WILL get points Kiba Roserade I thought you were using same pokemon :P go for it

 

[Ashley11]

You ballsy bastard.

Also, Ashley11 , is there a change in the points if you use more Dark Horses?

Yes there is :O. Lets say you got silver rank with 3 pokemon. You'd get 2 points normally for silver, then +1 for the extra pokemon. each extra pokemon is 1/2 of the original points value added on.

Another example, you get gold with 4 dark horses. You'd get 3 points normally +3 more for the 2 extras, because each of themr were worth 1.5 points, and 1.5+1.5 is 3. In the end you'd get 6 points for that.

 

[zf]

Pokemon Showdown Username: i use trash FUCK YOU SWAGPLAY. TAKING LEGITMATE 4-1'S AND TURNING THEM INTO 0-1 LOSSES New alt: swagplay can die
Dark Horse Pokemon: Trubbish, Snubbull
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking: fresh alt atm A rank pls :]

Full Team Importable (in hide tags please):

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Staryu @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Spd / 116 HP / 156 Def
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Thunderbolt

Snubbull @ Eviolite
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 36 SDef / 36 Spd / 36 Atk
Careful Nature
- Play Rough
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Heal Bell

Trubbish @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sticky Hold
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 180 Def / 120 SDef
Impish Nature
- Recycle
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Spikes

Ponyta @ Eviolite
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Spd / 116 HP / 156 Def
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Wild Charge
- Morning Sun
- Will-O-Wisp

Porygon @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace
Level: 5
EVs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 76 SDef
Calm Nature
- Tri Attack
- Shadow Ball
- Recover
- Thunder Wave

Ferroseed @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 5
EVs: 164 HP / 108 Def / 228 SDef
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Bullet Seed
- Leech Seed

will edit in the other stuff later

 

[Shaymin :D]

Pokemon Showdown Username: Shaymin's Magby
Dark Horse Pokemon: Magby, Snubbull, Lickitung, Shellos, Rufflet :I
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking: fresh

Full Team Importable (in hide tags please):

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Magby @ Life Orb
Ability: Vital Spirit
Level: 5
EVs: 252 Spd / 236 Atk
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Cross Chop
- Return
- Mach Punch

Snubbull @ Eviolite
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 5
EVs: 116 Atk / 116 SDef / 196 Def / 36 HP / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Thunder Wave
- Earthquake
- Heal Bell

Lickitung @ Eviolite
Ability: Oblivious
Level: 5
EVs: 236 SDef / 36 Atk / 196 HP / 40 Spd
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Wish
- Protect
- Dragon Tail

Shellos @ Eviolite
Ability: Sticky Hold
Level: 5
EVs: 132 Def / 148 SAtk / 228 HP
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Infestation

Murkrow @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 180 SDef / 100 Def / 196 HP / 32 Spd
Careful Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Taunt

Rufflet (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Hustle
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Spd / 252 Atk / 60 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Aerial Ace
- Return
- U-turn
- Shadow Claw

Random Murkrow cause Wynaut

 

[acestriker19]

Thank goodness its another month I need the teambuilding inspiration.
Showdown Username: AceFishThing2
Dark Horse Pokemon: Finneon, Magby and Trubbish
Screenshot of Empty Alt: http://imgur.com/YqQucbN
Final Ladder Rank: http://imgur.com/xz7LJY7 C-rank for now (I'll probably reach B-rank later so I'll update this when this happens)
Team Importable:

Importable

Finneon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Storm Drain
Level: 5
EVs: 228 Spd / 208 SAtk / 72 Atk
Hasty Nature
IVs: 30 SAtk
- U-turn
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power Electric

Magby @ Berry Juice
Ability: Vital Spirit
Level: 5
EVs: 96 HP / 160 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Belly Drum
- Mach Punch
- Fire Punch
- Thief

Trubbish @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sticky Hold
Level: 5
EVs: 212 HP / 116 Atk / 180 Def
Impish Nature
- Drain Punch
- Gunk Shot
- Rock Blast
- Thief

Misdreavus @ Berry Juice
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 236 SAtk / 236 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam

Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 156 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 36 SDef
Impish Nature
- U-turn
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Taunt

Porygon @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace
Level: 5
EVs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 76 SDef
Bold Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Tri Attack
- Shadow Ball
- Recover

More talk about my Dark Horses

Trubbish is a phenomenal pokemon and one I would have used regardless of if this was a Dark Horse challenge or not. It counters all relevant knock off users in the tier, protecting Missy and Porygon. I chose thief instead of recycle or spikes to cripple switch-ins to Trubbish and to regain an item after BJ is used up. Trubbish is an excellent pokemon in the current metagame and he is the pokemon that I believe deserves to be LC OU more than anything else 10/10.

Finneon is actually a really good scarf user in the metagame, unfortunately the problem is not that its bad, its just outclassed by Chinchou. Except in the rare situation of Finneon v. Chinchou (Finneon can turn away faster into trace Porygon who becomes immune to volt switch) or using its immunity to water to switch in on a SSing tortouga's and take it out did scarf Finneon outperform scarf Chinchou. Its unpredictability was nice and storm drain came in handy a couple times but its movepool and typing were outclassed by scarf Chinchou. The only time I can really recommend Finneon over Scarfchou would be if you need the reliability of U-Turn over volt switch 7/10.

Magby is now my favorite Belly Drummer in the metagame, being able to reach 19 speed is great as it allows Magby to outspeed most every relevant threat (and get off fast belly drums) and speed tie with the fastest pokemon in the metagame. Magby is a bit frail so it must be played carefully and mach punch was a bit unwhelming at times but it was an excellent mid to late-game sweeper and surpassed my expectations for it. It also acted as an emergency revenge killer for things like Pawniard which saved my hide a couple times. Forgot to add Vital Spirit is excellent too as it turns foongus into complete set up fodder. 7.5/10

(I'll add more about the team as a whole later :P)

 

[Mewsthebest]

Ok here are my dark horses:Surskit,ZIGZAGOON woooooo,trubbish,Axew,tentacool and karrablast. A very random team but let's gooooo.

I will be usingb the gengar/mewsthebest profile

 

[athleteandy1]

Um, Ashley11, I did get A rank again......

 

[Ashley11]

I have been hit with a crapload of things in the past week, sorry :/ I will get this updated and the teambuild comp updated now, but I will be very inactive besides for updating in the upcoming weeks, I have gotten sudden changes and events happening which is taking away my time.

 

[Mewsthebest]

its not a lot but so far I won 3-1

 

[athleteandy1]

Starting again:
Pokemon Showdown Username: Andyisacoolguy2
Dark Horse Pokemon: Omanyte, Karrablast
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking:

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Full Team Importable (in hide tags please):

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Karrablast @ Choice Scarf
Ability: No Guard
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 196 Spd / 236 Atk / 76 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Megahorn
- Poison Jab
- Knock Off
- Drill Run

Omanyte @ Focus Sash
Ability: Weak Armor
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 76 HP / 196 SAtk / 236 Spd
Timid Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Spikes
- Protect

Pawniard @ Berry Juice
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 236 Atk / 76 Def / 196 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance

Corphish @ Eviolite
Ability: Adaptability
Level: 5
EVs: 92 HP / 196 Atk / 76 Def / 76 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off

Carvanha @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spd
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 HP
- Protect
- Crunch
- Waterfall
- Destiny Bond

Shellder @ Eviolite
Ability: Skill Link
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 236 Atk / 76 SDef / 196 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Shell Smash
- Razor Shell

Warm Fuzzy Questions:

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Omanyte: 8/10
This team was so hyper-offensive that hazards were necessary, and Omanyte was pretty good at getting up at least SR and usually a layer of Spikes. I originally had Hydro Pump on this, but its accuracy feels like 30%. My only grievances about Omanyte were that it started off slow (Weak Armor rectified this), it didn't have as many "lives" as Dwebble, which I'm used to, and I was limited to one attacking move, but besides these, Omanyte was a fantastic addition to this team.

Karrablast: 9/10
Because this was a hyper-offense team, I needed a way to check faster pokes and still hit hard; moreover, huge defenses or resists weren't that necessary since hyper-offense is a different style of play. Karrablast hits like a truck with Megahorn. Also, since it was so underused, few people actually knew what I was going to do with it. How fast is it? Is it Scarfed? What moves does it run? Am I supposed to be wetting my pants at the sight of this thing? Granted, the element of surprise won't help a Dark Horse when it's LC OU, but it helps before then. But, seriously. No Guard STAB Megahorn is sweet.

Finished again Ashley11, whenever you see this.

 

[The Avalanches]

Also starting again.
Pokemon Showdown Username: The Horsalanches2
Dark Horse Pokemon: Teddiursa, Trubbish
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking:
Full Team Importable:

 

[Edge989]

Pokemon Showdown Username - "Ethereal Dreams"
Dark Horses: Hippopotas (named "Sabaku") and Tyrunt (named "Dunkey")

still trying movesets out. will post back after ten games.

---------

Didn't do all that well. Went 7-5 then gave up, they don't have much rhythm and I couldn't find good jobs for them to do. I'm sure there's a good niche for them, especially hippopotas, but I just can't seem to find it. Hard to find good teammates besides the obvious ones. Dweeble helped a lot for sandstorm teams.

 

[The Avalanches]

Pokemon Showdown Username - "Ethereal Dreams"
Dark Horses: Hippopotas (named "Sabaku") and Tyrunt (named "Dunkey")

still trying movesets out. will post back after ten games.

I don't think either of those are Dark Horses.

 

[Amp Pharaohs]

They are both under 3.41% usage(according to the usage stats of Febraury), so yes they are Dark Horses.

 

[jg1198]

Pokemon Showdown Username: Cool Joe III
Dark Horse Pokemon: Vulpix, Bellsprout
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking:

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Full Team Importable:

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Huge Queer (Murkrow) @ Berry Juice
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SDef / 188 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Brave Bird
- Thief
- Thunder Wave

Onion Fairy (Meditite) @ Eviolite
Ability: Pure Power
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 160 Atk / 196 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Psycho Cut
- Drain Punch
- Thunder Punch

Sixtales (Vulpix) @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
Level: 5
EVs: 52 HP / 220 SAtk / 236 Spd
Timid Nature
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Protect

Big Glowing Balls (Chinchou) @ Eviolite
Ability: Volt Absorb
Level: 5
EVs: 148 SDef / 212 Def / 76 HP / 72 Spd
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Volt Switch
- Ice Beam
- Heal Bell

Like my Highlights? (Misdreavus) @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 116 Def / 76 SDef / 156 Spd
Bold Nature
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt

Do The Wave (Bellsprout) @ Eviolite
Ability: Chlorophyll
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Spd / 196 SAtk / 36 SDef / 36 HP
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Growth
- Giga Drain
- Solar Beam
- Weather Ball

Alright so let's answer those questions about my mons:

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Vulpix: 6/10
To be honest, Vulpix was more of a liability than anything else. Of course, it is what allowed Bellsprout to sweep, but it offered no significant defensive or offensive presence. It could take one STAB hit from basically anything, and return a decently hard hit, but it needed to avoid knock off and super effective hits as much as possible. I would expect that a Modest Choice Scarf variant could do well on it's own, but with a timid heat rock set, Vulpix was just a little bit short on speed, bulk, and power. However, it gets a 6 instead of a 5, just because it was great at putting Misdreavus, Meditite, and a number of other mons in OHKO range for Bellsprout.

Bellsprout: 8/10
Bellsprout was a very threatening sweeper with Growth and Weather Ball, which is what makes it more useful as an all out sweeper than either Bulbasaur or Oddish. Bellsprout has just enough bulk to take a Sucker Punch from Bisharp, and has enough power to blast through walls like Spritzee and Porygon. The biggest problem with Bellsprout though, is that it is hugely vulnerable to Fletchling, and that it needs a boost in order to OHKO a lot of threats, and its not always easy to get set up. The bottom line is that Bellsprout and the other chlorophyll users just can't fill Tangela's big red clown shoes.

Miscellaneous thoughts: Chinchou pairs up very well with sun teams, and can take the strong flying type attacks that chlorophyll users fear, and it's slow volt switch is great at bringing chlorophyll sweepers back in after OHKO'ing or forcing out flying types.

 

[Zirpeise]

Heyo, I wanna try this even though I'm not completely sure how it works.
Probably picked a bad time of the month to start. Oh well.

Showdown Username: Nab1
Dark Horse Pokemon: Nosepass, Frillish
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking:

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Coming soon!

Importable Team:

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Nothing special.

Other Comments:

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I haven't started yet, baby. Expect results in a few days!

 

[The Quasar]

I would to contribute this month. But I don't want to do as long as my "little" C Rank will be on leaderboard.

 

[The Avalanches]

Which set of LC stats will we be using for this month?

 

[athleteandy1]

Is Ashley11 still doing this?

 

[natu]

hey quote or macle can i take this thread over and revive it