XY OU Please rate my OU team!

[Weavile 4]

Hi, this is a team I recently built that's been having decent success. Any suggestions are welcome!

Also, it should be noted that while I posted this with an XY OU tag, this team can also be used in the ORAS OU metagame.

The Team:

Teambuilding Process:

As you can probably tell from my username, Weavile is my favorite pokemon. In the past, I've always tried to incorporate one into my teams, with varying degrees of success. Anyway, the most common pokemon I'd partner Weavile with was Starmie, another one of my favorites. As with most people using their favorites in competitive play, I felt a little unconfident in the duo. I had it in my head that the core wasn't that good; I just liked it because they were my favorites. But then, on the internet, I saw this very core recommended several times. This inspired me to make another team with this core, only this time, I had full confidence in it.

This core has problems with some common steel types; Scizor and Ferrothorn in particular. For this reason, I added Magnezone to the team.

I needed stealth rock support for the team. I considered Ferrothorn, but that would cause me to have three weaknesses to fire and fighting, so I went with Landorus-T.

The team had problems with bulky waters that Magnezone couldn't handle; particularly Rotom-W. For this reason, Mega Venusaur was added.

At this point, I took a good look at the team to see what it needed. The biggest thing that stuck out to me was that the team didn't have as much physical attacking prowess as I wanted it to. Weavile and Lando-T alone weren't going to cut it, especially in such a physically-oriented metagame. I looked through the metagame to find a pokemon that handled special walls and other things that gave this team trouble. That pokemon was Lucario.

So there's the team! Let's get in into the analysis.


Analysis:

Weavile @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ice Shard
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
- Pursuit

Weavile is part one of my offensive core. It is a really powerful and underrated threat in the metagame. Ice Shard is great STAB priority. It is particularly important against Dragonite, who would otherwise ESpeed and KO. Knock Off is an invaluable move that hits pretty much everything for a lot of damage. Low Kick OHKOs Ttar, and with some prior damage, can kill Heatran and Greninja. I really love when opponents switch in these pokemon thinking that they are safe. Pursuit allows Weavile to act as a trapper, effectively killing Gengar, who hinders Starmie's ability to spin away hazards. The EV spread maximizes Attack and Speed.

Starmie @ Life Orb
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Psyshock
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin

Starmie is the other main attacker of the team. It partners really well with Weavile; taking out a lot of it's counters and getting rid of SR. Hydro Pump and Psyshock deal with fire and fighting types respectively; both large threats to Weavile. Ice Beam provides decent coverage; mainly for grass types. Rapid Spin provides essential support for the team.

Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Magnezone handles the steel types that give the team trouble. I chose a choice scarf set so I wouldn't be out-sped by a lot of pokemon. Magnezone kills Scizor and other steel with HP fire. It also handles Gyarados with Thunderbolt. Flash Cannon handles fairies such as Clefable. Volt switch allows it to form a decent Volt-turn core with Lando-T. The EVs are self-explanatory.

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn

Lando sets up rocks virtually 100% of the time, which is essential for the success of the team. He is my lead in most games. Earthquake and Stone Edge provide great coverage. He serves as my counter to Talonflame, taking little damage from Flare Blitz and CC and KOs with Stone Edge. Lando also forms half of a volt-turn core with 'zone. The EVs maximize physical bulk. 8 EVs in speed allow me to speed creep opposing Landorus-Ts.

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpA
Bold Nature
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis

This was originally a specially-defensive Venusaur. It bothers me to have two physically defensive pokemon on a team and no specially defensive ones. However, I soon realized that a physically defensive spread worked better. Anyway, Venusaur serves as a full stop to any bulky water that may be threatening my team. Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb are STAB; Leech Seed and Synthesis provide recovery. 44 EVs in special attack ensure the 2HKO against specially-defensive Rotom-W after Stealth Rock and leftovers recovery, the main pokemon Venusaur is here to counter.

Lucario @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Bullet Punch

Lucario is basically the "glue" for my team. The opponent has Chansey and neither Weavile or Lando can break through it? Lucario. I need to revenge kill a pokemon that resists Ice Shard? Lucario. Sylveon is too specially bulky for Magnezone to take down? Lucario. With Swords Dance, I can pull off a deadly sweep if the opportunity arises. I've swept entire teams before with this guy. This thing may not see very much use nowadays, but it sure is useful on my team.



So there you have it! Again, all suggestions are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

 

[Valentine]

Hello user Weavile 4, welcome to Smogon forums!

The first problem I notice with the team is that you're fairly weak to stall. Sure, you have play with Magnezone to trap Skarm, and Lucario to set up, but the lack of a dedicated stallbreaker is concerning. Furthermore, Starmie is a pretty suboptimal pokemon, i'd only consider using it if my team desperately needed a Keldeo counter and something to remove hazards. It would work better if you had like, a Mega Pinsir over Venu. I do like that it can beat the tier's only spinblocker, Gengar, but it seems to me that you usually Spin and die on the same turn.

Anyways, i think the best way to use the core you want is with Hyper Offense. This Balance you've presented is actually pretty nice, but when i think about Weavile and Starmie, i think about fast, frail offense. Combining these two pokemon with BirdSpam makes a lot of sense, since Starmie can spin for the birds, Magnezone can trap Ferrothorn and Skamory, which are annoying for both cores, and Flying+Ice priority isn't a bad combination. You can try StallBreaker Talonflame instead of Banded to improve the stall matchup, Pinsir most likely isn't enough, even after the removal of Skarm.

Good luck with testing

Hide

Pinsir @ Mega Stoned
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
JollE Nature
Swords Dance
Quick Attack
Return
Close Combat

Talonflame @ Choice Band
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
Brave Bird
Flare Blitz
U-Turn
Sleep Talk

 

[Celticpride]

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 232 HP / 20 Spe / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis

I would go with this build, as it fits you're team better. This is the set for Tank Venu, with actually fits well with your three fast and frail mons (Starmie, Lucario, Weavile). It retains enough bulk to take hits, but also offers offensive presence to hit back hard. The set you are currently using fits defensive teams better as it is more passive, but this Mega Venu allows you to pivot with giving up the momentum that the more offensive members work to build. Offensive Mega Venu actually fits your team well as a pivot, and the rest of your members cover it's weaknesses well.

Lucario @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Bullet Punch / Iron Tail / Ice Punch

Just two other options if you want to replace Bullet Punch. Iron Tail beats every Fairy except for Gard, who Extremespeed beats to the same degree on most scenarios. Ice Punch can beat Lando-T and Gliscor on the switch, and can also kill Gengar on the switch at +2. Calcs for Iron Tail over Bullet Punch:

252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 229-273 (82.6 - 98.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 152-179 (54.8 - 64.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 455-538 (164.2 - 194.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 303-357 (109.3 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

[Weavile 4]

Hello user Weavile 4, welcome to Smogon forums!

The first problem I notice with the team is that you're fairly weak to stall. Sure, you have play with Magnezone to trap Skarm, and Lucario to set up, but the lack of a dedicated stallbreaker is concerning. Furthermore, Starmie is a pretty suboptimal pokemon, i'd only consider using it if my team desperately needed a Keldeo counter and something to remove hazards. It would work better if you had like, a Mega Pinsir over Venu. I do like that it can beat the tier's only spinblocker, Gengar, but it seems to me that you usually Spin and die on the same turn.

Anyways, i think the best way to use the core you want is with Hyper Offense. This Balance you've presented is actually pretty nice, but when i think about Weavile and Starmie, i think about fast, frail offense. Combining these two pokemon with BirdSpam makes a lot of sense, since Starmie can spin for the birds, Magnezone can trap Ferrothorn and Skamory, which are annoying for both cores, and Flying+Ice priority isn't a bad combination. You can try StallBreaker Talonflame instead of Banded to improve the stall matchup, Pinsir most likely isn't enough, even after the removal of Skarm.

Good luck with testing

Hide

Pinsir @ Mega Stoned
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
JollE Nature
Swords Dance
Quick Attack
Return
Close Combat

Talonflame @ Choice Band
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
Brave Bird
Flare Blitz
U-Turn
Sleep Talk

Hi, thank you for replying! I have tested your suggestions on showdown, and I have found a major issue: the team becomes really weak to bulky waters, especially rotom-w. nothing on the team can safely switch in. Another bulky water that gives the team trouble is Quagsire. These pokemon hard counter pretty much everything on the team.

 

[Weavile 4]

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 232 HP / 20 Spe / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis

I would go with this build, as it fits you're team better. This is the set for Tank Venu, with actually fits well with your three fast and frail mons (Starmie, Lucario, Weavile). It retains enough bulk to take hits, but also offers offensive presence to hit back hard. The set you are currently using fits defensive teams better as it is more passive, but this Mega Venu allows you to pivot with giving up the momentum that the more offensive members work to build. Offensive Mega Venu actually fits your team well as a pivot, and the rest of your members cover it's weaknesses well.

Lucario @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Bullet Punch / Iron Tail / Ice Punch

Just two other options if you want to replace Bullet Punch. Iron Tail beats every Fairy except for Gard, who Extremespeed beats to the same degree on most scenarios. Ice Punch can beat Lando-T and Gliscor on the switch, and can also kill Gengar on the switch at +2. Calcs for Iron Tail over Bullet Punch:

252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 229-273 (82.6 - 98.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 152-179 (54.8 - 64.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 455-538 (164.2 - 194.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Gardevoir: 303-357 (109.3 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Thanks for replying! I will try out your suggestions, they look like they would help. You're right, a tank set would be better for mega-venu. Thank you for your help.

 

[Valentine]

Hi, thank you for replying! I have tested your suggestions on showdown, and I have found a major issue: the team becomes really weak to bulky waters, especially rotom-w. nothing on the team can safely switch in. Another bulky water that gives the team trouble is Quagsire. These pokemon hard counter pretty much everything on the team.

most people would run Lati@s over Starmie to remove hazards and deal with waters, but as team raters we're supposed to leave as much of the original team as possible. you can test lati@s over starmie to see if you like the fit better.. this goes for any version of the team.