XY OU Rate my OU(ish) team!

[Nockon]

So, when I first started competitive Pokemon this generation, I just made individual Pokemon and mix and matched roles and make balanced teams. This is my first team I actually thought about. This is a very mixed tier team OU, UU, PU, etc. made out of mostly out of Pokemon I already had. So here we go:

Froslass @ Focus Sash

Ability: Cursed Body
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Icy Wind
- Destiny Bond

I decided to have a Froslass because it makes for a good suicide lead with Spikes, Destiny Bond, and good speed. Its role is to be sent out first as a suicide lead and shut down other leads. It sets up Spikes, can make leads unable to set up with Taunt, and then take them out with Destiny Bond. Icy Wind is used to outspeed faster Pokemon and avoid being useless under a Taunt.

Excadrill @ Air Balloon

Ability: Sand Rush
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide

I chose to use Excadrill because I needed a Steel-type and a Rapid Spinner. Its role is to be an offensive Rapid Spinner and to switch-in on Fairy-types and get rid of any hazards if Froslass didn't take care of it. With Sand Rush, Excadrill would come in after Tyranitar got Sand Stream up, then either Rapid Spin or set up and attack with Earthquake and Rock Slide.

Tyranitar @ Leftovers

Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Stone Edge

For a physically defensive pokemon I chose Tyranitar to support Goodra's defense and Excadrill's Sand Rush. Tyranitar's role is to be a sort of utility and defensive option. Stealth Rock is good to use on top of Spikes and the other three moves are to keep pressure on as Tyranitar chips away health with sandstorm and heals with Leftovers.

Goodra @ Assault Vest

Ability: Sap Sipper
Nature: Quiet
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA
- Dragon Tail
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Bomb
- Fire Blast

I chose a Goodra to compliment Tyranitar and Samurott's weakness to Grass-types and get a boost out of it. This set is made to serve as a special tank and attacker. With Sap Sipper, Goodra can switch in on a predicted Grass-type move and boost its Attack have Dragon Tail do more damage. Draco Meteor is the STAB move of choice and Sludge Bomb and Fire Blast are coverage moves against Ice-types and Fairy-types respectively.

Samurott @ Life Orb

Ability: Torrent
Nature: Adamant
EVs : 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Megahorn
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall

I chose Samurott to deal with Ground-type, Psychic-type, and/or specially defensive pokemon with its water moves and Megahorn. Samurott's goa lis to sweep after all his checks and counters have been removed. Samurott could force a switch on a Pokemon that couldn't really do much, then use Swords Dance. It could then use Megahorn or Waterfall on what it needs to and Aqua Jet whatever is faster than it is.

Maractus @ Lum Berry

Ability: Storm Drain
Nature: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
- Synthesis
- Cotton Guard
- Growth
- Petal Dance

While this set may seem odd or not even viable, I've played around with this set and it can do a lot of damage! This Maractus's role is to wreck at least one Pokemon by setting up. First, Maractus tries to switch in on a Water-type move (possibly baited by Tyranitar or Excadrill) to boost Special Attack right off the bat, then use Cotton Guard until Defense is maxed out. Growth until special attack is satisfactory and then Petal Dance! Synthesis is used to heal when Maractus's health gets low when setting up. PS: I'm adamant about this set and would only like minor changes please!


Side Note: I may replace Samurott with a more supportive Pokemon like Florges or something.

 

[Lunistrius]

Hiya! I can see that this team was pretty well thought out, and I have only a few minor suggestions:

• For Froslass (props to you for using it, BTW!), I would switch Ice Beam with Icy Wind. The reason I say this is because Icy Wind can allow you to outspeed a Destiny Bond on certain Pokemon with the speed drop it brings. Although it is significantly weaker to Ice Beam, Icy Wind can help you possibly take down a lead.
• I know that you're adamant about your Maractus set, so I only have two minor suggestions:
  Persim Berry --> Lum Berry - The reason I'm suggesting this is so Maractus can work as a status absorber as well as a water absorber. While curing confusion, it can also cure statuses that can hinder some of your Pokemon.
  Acupressure --> Growth - Although Growth isn't such a stellar move, Acupressure is pretty unpredictable and may raise the stat you don't need. This can lead to Maractus getting KO'd before having a chance to shine. Growth is a better option that boosts your Special Attack enough to hit hard, anyway.

I can't provide a full rate because I'm on mobile, but I hope I helped!
Good luck on your team =)

 

[Nockon]

Hiya! I can see that this team was pretty well thought out, and I have only a few minor suggestions:

• For Froslass (props to you for using it, BTW!), I would switch Ice Beam with Icy Wind. The reason I say this is because Icy Wind can allow you to outspeed a Destiny Bond on certain Pokemon with the speed drop it brings. Although it is significantly weaker to Ice Beam, Icy Wind can help you possibly take down a lead.
• I know that you're adamant about your Maractus set, so I only have two minor suggestions:
  Persim Berry --> Lum Berry - The reason I'm suggesting this is so Maractus can work as a status absorber as well as a water absorber. While curing confusion, it can also cure statuses that can hinder some of your Pokemon.
  Acupressure --> Growth - Although Growth isn't such a stellar move, Acupressure is pretty unpredictable and may raise the stat you don't need. This can lead to Maractus getting KO'd before having a chance to shine. Growth is a better option that boosts your Special Attack enough to hit hard, anyway.

I can't provide a full rate because I'm on mobile, but I hope I helped!
Good luck on your team =)

I had no idea Lum Berry also cured confusion! The more you know! I think I'll follow your tips!

 

[Martin]

IK you're adamant about using Maractus, so I will make suggestions for how to improve the set, as it is currently rather poor tbh. I'll post the set I recommend you use, and then I'll explain the set so you can understand the thought processes behind it.

Maractus @ Focus Sash
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 80 Atk / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Mild Nature
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Spikes
- Sucker Punch

The only role that Maractus can run moderately well is as a Spikes user. The given EV spread outpaces adamant Azumarill, while maximizing its power on the special end of the spectrum. The rest is dumped into attack to beef up Sucker Punch a little. I have gone with Giga Drain as it is the easiest way for Maractus to recover due to the unreliability of Water Absorb and its frailty making Synthesis a poor option. Aditionally, it is its best bet for a powerful STAB while still being reliable and unsituational. Hidden Power rock catches Talonflame, Charizard and Volcarona switch-ins, and Sucker Punch is just there for the priority, and Maractus really needs it due to its low speed stat. Spikes is the crux of the set, getting chip damage when switched in on, and being able to deal a heavy 25% with all 3 layers layed down. I have replaced Lum Berry as Maractus is already a decent status absorber due to its typing, giving it an immunity to all of Spore, Sleep Powder and Stun Spore, and it is far too frail to forgo Focus Sash.

I hope I've been helpful :]

 

[Nockon]

IK you're adamant about using Maractus, so I will make suggestions for how to improve the set, as it is currently rather poor tbh. I'll post the set I recommend you use, and then I'll explain the set so you can understand the thought processes behind it.

Maractus @ Focus Sash
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 80 Atk / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Mild Nature
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Spikes
- Sucker Punch

The only role that Maractus can run moderately well is as a Spikes user. The given EV spread outpaces adamant Azumarill, while maximizing its power on the special end of the spectrum. The rest is dumped into attack to beef up Sucker Punch a little. I have gone with Giga Drain as it is the easiest way for Maractus to recover due to the unreliability of Water Absorb and its frailty making Synthesis a poor option. Aditionally, it is its best bet for a powerful STAB while still being reliable and unsituational. Hidden Power rock catches Talonflame, Charizard and Volcarona switch-ins, and Sucker Punch is just there for the priority, and Maractus really needs it due to its low speed stat. Spikes is the crux of the set, getting chip damage when switched in on, and being able to deal a heavy 25% with all 3 layers layed down. I have replaced Lum Berry as Maractus is already a decent status absorber due to its typing, giving it an immunity to all of Spore, Sleep Powder and Stun Spore, and it is far too frail to forgo Focus Sash.

I hope I've been helpful :]

I really appreciate the suggestions and the explanation, but I'm fully aware that Maractus is best used as a Spikes user (in fact I'm doing an analysis on him at the moment). However, I have a Spikes user already in the form of Froslass and also, I've played around with my set and it can work. I first had a Persim Berry but then Lunistrius told me that Lum Berry cures all status ailments (including the confusion caused by Petal Dance). I then Realized that my Maractus was a bit ruined by Toxic, so a Lum Berry would work even better. Once again, thanks for the advice!