Hey, this is rachet67 with an HO team. I'm not really trying to showcase this team, as its pretty standard, but was looking for suggestions so I can hopefully break into the 1900's, as I've been hovering around the 1850-1880 mark for a while.
Ladder screenshot: http://snag.gy/jhTkV.jpg
I'm going to put each mon into rough categories of what their job is on the team, but keep in mind that this is only their main goal, and they can perform other roles as well. Without further ado, here's the team:
Hazard-Setter:
Deoxys-Defense @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
Deoxys-D is pretty standard on HO teams, especially those with Bisharp, as it is one of the most reliable hazard setters in the meta. I run taunt to avoid being set up on by other hazard setters and set up sweepers, and as a last resort, to force Aeigislash to stay in its blade form so Bisharp can come in and pursuit it. If it does stick around until the later game, Deoxys-D’s excellent bulk, combined with thunder wave, make it a great disposable check for set up sweepers. Rocky Helmet is used over red card primarily to deal extra recoil damage from Talonflame’s brave bird and flare blitz, as both Bisharp and Mawile need some prior damage to KO’ with sucker punch, and nothing else on the team enjoys Talonflame’s presence.
Wall Breaking Core:
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SAtk / 30 SDef
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
-Surf/Scald
- Hidden Power [Flying]/ Hidden Power [Electric]
As part of the Bisharp/Keldeo/Landorus-I core, Keldeo can break down many bulky ground types that would otherwise bother this team. Specs Keldeo provides immense offensive pressure, and unlike Landorus-I or Bisharp, has the typing and bulk to be able to comfortably switch into weak and resisted moves. It hits a similar range of targets as Landorus-I, which is good overall, as they can overwhelm common defensive cores on stall teams. I run surf because I really hate missing with hydro pump. I'm considering running scald over surf, but I do like getting all the power I can get out of specs Keldeo, and I've found that the 30% burn rate isn't always worth the slight decrease in power. HP flying is to 2HKO Venusaur on the switch in before it Mega Evolves, and to deal with weakened Mega-Venusaur.
Bisharp (M) @ Black Glasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Bisharp is the utility mon of the Bisharp/Keldeo/Landorus core, and is really just the utility mon of the team. In the core with Keldeo and Landorus, Bisharp can pursuit trap Latios and Latias, both pokemon that prevent either from doing their jobs. It also can take a chunk of health off of Chansey on the switch out, in order to ensure that Chansey is 2HKO’d by Landorus-I’s focus blast on the next switch in. It also forms the second partner of the famous DeoSharp Core, as it can easily switch in to predicted defogs from Mandibuzz and Latias, in order to gain +2 attack. Finally, Bisharp can serve as a revenge killer for weakened Sweepers, with stab sucker punch. Together with Mawile, I rarely have a problem with set up sweepers other than substitute Mega-Gyrados. I've been thinking about using Life Orb over Black Glasses, but Bisharp can't take a lot of abuse as it is, and using LO often pushes it into OHKO range by even weak special moves.
Landorus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Hidden Power [Ice]/Calm Mind
- Earth Power
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Landorus-I forms the third component of the Keldeo/Bisharp/Landorus core. Landorus-I is literally the best wall breaker in the game at the moment, and with the help of Bisharp’s pursuit, can even get past Chansey and Latias. Landorus’ earth power is one of the few things that can OHKO all Aeigslash variants and doesn’t have to worry about weakness policy. Focus Blast is to hit common switch-ins such as Skarmory hard and is its best answer to Rotom-W. Psychic is solely for Mega-Venusaur, who can otherwise prove a big threat to this team, as Landorus is the only thing that can 2HKO SpD variants 100% of the time. HP Ice has proven useful against Mega-Garchomp, Landorus-T, and occasionally Dragonite, but has otherwise proven itself to be the least useful move on Landorus. I’m considering replacing it with U-turn to hit incoming Latias for decent damage or Sludge Wave for Azumarill.
I tried rock polish and found that it was difficult to set up against offense (which has powerful priority users such as Talonflame) and that it didn't do much against stall. I'm going to try Calm mind at the suggestion of cuteflounder, as this is great against stall and Mega-Venusaur, and has more utility than HP Ice.
I'll also see how Sludge Wave works over Focus Blast.
Pseudo-Revenge Killer/ Paralysis Support:
Thundurus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave
Thundurus-I is pretty much what keeps me from getting swept by almost all sweepers, and is one of the most invaluable mons on the team, even if it often ends up as thunder wave fodder. Its also the teams best answer to Gyarados. Psychic is to 2HKO incoming SpD Venusaur, a common switch in, though it needs stealth rock to ensure the 2HKO. I’ve been thinking about running HP ice over psychic so I can drop it on Landorus, but Psychic has proved useful multiple times. I’m still open to changing it though. Focus blast is to 2HKO Ferrothorn and Excadrill, who would otherwise wall this set.
Set Up Sweeper/Bulky Pivot:
Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Fang
Definitely my favorite mon on the team, Mawile can find so many opportunities to set up, with its great bulk and typing, and a great initial ability in intimidate. Because of its natural bulk, and the fact that it can still hit insanely hard, even before a swords dance, it can also serve as a great bulky pivot that can wreck teams without dedicated physical walls. Sucker punch both allows it to serve as a last minute revenge killer after Thundurus and Bisharp, and also prevents it from easily being revenge killed itself after setting up a swords dance. Fire fang is to get past Skarmory, Ferrothron, and (through a combination of of it and sucker punch) Aegislash.
The teams not perfect, as I’m far from a perfectionist, and can make mistakes and oversights when teambuilding. I’ll take suggestions for any change, as long as they sound reasonable.
Importable:
Ladder screenshot: http://snag.gy/jhTkV.jpg
I'm going to put each mon into rough categories of what their job is on the team, but keep in mind that this is only their main goal, and they can perform other roles as well. Without further ado, here's the team:
Hazard-Setter:
Deoxys-Defense @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
Deoxys-D is pretty standard on HO teams, especially those with Bisharp, as it is one of the most reliable hazard setters in the meta. I run taunt to avoid being set up on by other hazard setters and set up sweepers, and as a last resort, to force Aeigislash to stay in its blade form so Bisharp can come in and pursuit it. If it does stick around until the later game, Deoxys-D’s excellent bulk, combined with thunder wave, make it a great disposable check for set up sweepers. Rocky Helmet is used over red card primarily to deal extra recoil damage from Talonflame’s brave bird and flare blitz, as both Bisharp and Mawile need some prior damage to KO’ with sucker punch, and nothing else on the team enjoys Talonflame’s presence.
Wall Breaking Core:
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SAtk / 30 SDef
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
-
- Hidden Power [Flying]/ Hidden Power [Electric]
As part of the Bisharp/Keldeo/Landorus-I core, Keldeo can break down many bulky ground types that would otherwise bother this team. Specs Keldeo provides immense offensive pressure, and unlike Landorus-I or Bisharp, has the typing and bulk to be able to comfortably switch into weak and resisted moves. It hits a similar range of targets as Landorus-I, which is good overall, as they can overwhelm common defensive cores on stall teams. I run surf because I really hate missing with hydro pump. I'm considering running scald over surf, but I do like getting all the power I can get out of specs Keldeo, and I've found that the 30% burn rate isn't always worth the slight decrease in power. HP flying is to 2HKO Venusaur on the switch in before it Mega Evolves, and to deal with weakened Mega-Venusaur.
Bisharp (M) @ Black Glasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Bisharp is the utility mon of the Bisharp/Keldeo/Landorus core, and is really just the utility mon of the team. In the core with Keldeo and Landorus, Bisharp can pursuit trap Latios and Latias, both pokemon that prevent either from doing their jobs. It also can take a chunk of health off of Chansey on the switch out, in order to ensure that Chansey is 2HKO’d by Landorus-I’s focus blast on the next switch in. It also forms the second partner of the famous DeoSharp Core, as it can easily switch in to predicted defogs from Mandibuzz and Latias, in order to gain +2 attack. Finally, Bisharp can serve as a revenge killer for weakened Sweepers, with stab sucker punch. Together with Mawile, I rarely have a problem with set up sweepers other than substitute Mega-Gyrados. I've been thinking about using Life Orb over Black Glasses, but Bisharp can't take a lot of abuse as it is, and using LO often pushes it into OHKO range by even weak special moves.
Landorus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Hidden Power [Ice]/Calm Mind
- Earth Power
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Landorus-I forms the third component of the Keldeo/Bisharp/Landorus core. Landorus-I is literally the best wall breaker in the game at the moment, and with the help of Bisharp’s pursuit, can even get past Chansey and Latias. Landorus’ earth power is one of the few things that can OHKO all Aeigslash variants and doesn’t have to worry about weakness policy. Focus Blast is to hit common switch-ins such as Skarmory hard and is its best answer to Rotom-W. Psychic is solely for Mega-Venusaur, who can otherwise prove a big threat to this team, as Landorus is the only thing that can 2HKO SpD variants 100% of the time. HP Ice has proven useful against Mega-Garchomp, Landorus-T, and occasionally Dragonite, but has otherwise proven itself to be the least useful move on Landorus. I’m considering replacing it with U-turn to hit incoming Latias for decent damage or Sludge Wave for Azumarill.
I tried rock polish and found that it was difficult to set up against offense (which has powerful priority users such as Talonflame) and that it didn't do much against stall. I'm going to try Calm mind at the suggestion of cuteflounder, as this is great against stall and Mega-Venusaur, and has more utility than HP Ice.
I'll also see how Sludge Wave works over Focus Blast.
Pseudo-Revenge Killer/ Paralysis Support:
Thundurus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave
Thundurus-I is pretty much what keeps me from getting swept by almost all sweepers, and is one of the most invaluable mons on the team, even if it often ends up as thunder wave fodder. Its also the teams best answer to Gyarados. Psychic is to 2HKO incoming SpD Venusaur, a common switch in, though it needs stealth rock to ensure the 2HKO. I’ve been thinking about running HP ice over psychic so I can drop it on Landorus, but Psychic has proved useful multiple times. I’m still open to changing it though. Focus blast is to 2HKO Ferrothorn and Excadrill, who would otherwise wall this set.
Set Up Sweeper/Bulky Pivot:
Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Fang
Definitely my favorite mon on the team, Mawile can find so many opportunities to set up, with its great bulk and typing, and a great initial ability in intimidate. Because of its natural bulk, and the fact that it can still hit insanely hard, even before a swords dance, it can also serve as a great bulky pivot that can wreck teams without dedicated physical walls. Sucker punch both allows it to serve as a last minute revenge killer after Thundurus and Bisharp, and also prevents it from easily being revenge killed itself after setting up a swords dance. Fire fang is to get past Skarmory, Ferrothron, and (through a combination of of it and sucker punch) Aegislash.
The teams not perfect, as I’m far from a perfectionist, and can make mistakes and oversights when teambuilding. I’ll take suggestions for any change, as long as they sound reasonable.
Importable:
Bisharp (M) @ Black Glasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SAtk / 30 SDef
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Flying]
Landorus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Earth Power
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Deoxys-Defense @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Fang
Thundurus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Atk / 204 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 0 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SAtk / 30 SDef
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Flying]
Landorus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Earth Power
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Deoxys-Defense @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
Mawile @ Mawilite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Fang
Thundurus (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunder Wave
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