Other Lower Tier Threats (ORAS Edition)

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First off, I would like to give a huge props to Recreant for constantly updating this thread and telling people to read the OP. :]

Now that that's out of the way:

sharpedo-mega.gif

Sharpedo @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant/Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Crunch
- Ice Fang/Zen Headbutt
- Waterfall

Role: Late-Game Cleaner/Megalodon/Jaws

Mega Sharpedo is quite a unique mega, as it benefits greatly from its pre-Mega ability Speed Boost. Protecting allows Sharpedo to gain the 1.5x speed boost, allowing it to outspeed Modest/Adamant Base 150 speed pokemon (Jolly nature can be used if the intention is to outspeed Timid/Jolly Base 150 pokemon, however this is a noticeable loss in Attack). It also has a really useful Mega Ability which further aids its ability to clean up late-game; Strong Jaw, which boosts bite-based moves by 1.5x, buffing Crunch to a ridiculous base 180 Attack.

Mega Sharpedo still retains its function as an amazing late-game cleaner, however, it now performs the function even better than it did pre-Mega, helped by its new ability. For it to clean up, Mega Sharpedo requires several conditions to be met; in most cases, prior damage needs to be done to the opposing team and opposing priority users must be KO'd before Mega Sharpedo can come in, as it has quite poor defenses, and doesn't eat up many physical attacks. The EV's in this set maximise Sharpedo's Attack and Speed, while its nature maximises attack, as its speed already receives a buff through Speed Boost (although a Jolly nature can be used if the intention is to outspeed Jolly/Timid Base 150 Speed pokemon such as Mega Beedrill). The typical moveset is Waterfall, Crunch, Ice Fang/Zen Headbutt (Zen Headbutt can be used in place of Ice Fang to punish fighting types hard) and Protect, which allows Sharpedo to gain the Speed Boost safely before Mega Evolving.

One of the greatest benefits to Mega Sharpedo is reliable Hazard Setters, and Spin Blockers/Taunters to keep them on the field. Any residual damage on the opposing team is crucial for the Megalodon to clean up; hence, it also synergizes very well with Volt-Turners. Even though it can dent physical walls (it 2HKO's Rotom-W and does ~42% to Skarmory with Crunch), it really appreciates Special Wallbreakers to weaken these walls enough for Mega Sharpedo to crush them.

Mega Sharpedo is extremely scarce in the OU tier, mainly due to its fragility, and the prevalence of fighting types in the tier. However, it is a threat nonetheless, and with the right support, can eat other teams alive.
 
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You should also probably remove the 'hitting harder' mention, as the difference between base 120 and base 130 is pretty negligible. The real big loss is bulk.
got it done.

Yeah! 50th post!

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Venomoth @ Black Sludge
Ability: Wonder Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Sleep Powder
- Baton Pass
- Bug Buzz

Role: Baton Passer
Though venomoth does not look that impressive on the surface, Venomoth is actually quite viable as he is the only pokemon who can baton pass quiver dance. Fortunately for this moth, he is well equipped for the job. He has a great ability in the form of Wonder Skin. This ability lowers the accuracy of status by 50%, which is very helpful for a Baton Passer. Venomoth can also put targets to sleep with Sleep Powder, aiding in his setup. The move Quiver Dance is very useful for special sweepers like Latios and Mega Gardevoir.

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Volbeat @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Tail Glow
- Baton Pass
- Encore
- Thunder Wave

Role: Baton Passer
Volbeat may not have been the most popular of the RSE pokemon, but this old set since his debut is still usable today. Volbeat is a great Baton passer, as he can spread Priority thunder wave and encore on your opponent's team, and baton pass a great boosting in move in Tail Glow. This move boosts the user's SpA by a whopping THREE stages, and Volbeat is the only Pokemon who can baton pass them to other pokemon. These boosts are great when passed to bulky special attackers like Mega Gardevoir, Latias, Mega Venasaur, and Assault Vest Raikou, as they can easily come in on an attack to recieve the boost without being concerned about being KOed unlike Greninja and Mega Manectric.

545.gif


Scolipede @ Mental Herb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 Spe
Timid Nature
- Protect
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Sword Dance

Role: Baton Passer
Scolipede is a good Baton Passer in this metagame, as he functions as a much more efficent bulk, allowing him to set up sturdier subs and doesn't need to use an item slot on focus sash. Scolipede can survive a non-SE hit and setup an Sword Dance, or even a Substitute as well with the proper plays. He can then use protect to nab an extra speed boost and baton pass it to pokemon like Mega Metagross, Landorus - Therian, Mega Gallade, or Azumarill and allow than to sweep the opposing team.
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Froslass @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Taunt
- Spikes
- Destiny Bond
- Ice Beam
Role: Suicide Lead
Though there are spikes setters in OU such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Chesnaught, Froslass still has a niche in the OU metagame as a Suicide Spikes lead because of its unique advantage of spinblocking its own hazards. This set is great for offensive teams that rely on pokemon like Greninja and Scarf Lando-T to force switches as it prevents hazards from being set up and stops defog users with Taunt, set up spikes, and takes out one pokemon of your choosing with Destiny Bond, which is wonderful if your opponent has a pokemon that is a serious threat to your team, not to mention to play mind games with battlers aware of this move.

Sorry for such a long post guys, just wanted to put these up before my last exams. Man am I tired!
 
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got it done.

Yeah! 50th post!

049.gif

Venomoth @ Black Sludge
Ability: Wonder Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Sleep Powder
- Baton Pass
- Bug Buzz

Role: Baton Passer
Though venomoth does not look that impressive on the surface, Venomoth is actually quite viable as he is the only pokemon who can baton pass quiver dance. Fortunately for this moth, he is well equipped for the job. He has a great ability in the form of Wonder Skin. This ability lowers the accuracy of status by 50%, which is very helpful for a Baton Passer. Venomoth can also put targets to sleep with Sleep Powder, aiding in his setup. The move Quiver Dance is very useful for special sweepers like Latios and Mega Gardevoir.

313.gif


Volbeat @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Tail Glow
- Baton Pass
- Encore
- Thunder Wave

Role: Baton Passer
Volbeat may not have been the most popular of the RSE pokemon, but this old set since his debut is still usable today. Volbeat is a great Baton passer, as he can spread Priority thunder wave and encore on your opponent's team, and baton pass a great boosting in move in Tail Glow. This move boosts the user's SpA by a whopping THREE stages, and Volbeat is the only Pokemon who can baton pass them to other pokemon. These boosts are great when passed to bulky special attackers like Mega Gardevoir, Latias, Mega Venasaur, and Assault Vest Raikou, as they can easily come in on an attack to recieve the boost without being concerned about being KOed unlike Greninja and Mega Manectric.

545.gif


Scolipede @ Mental Herb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 Spe
Timid Nature
- Protect
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Sword Dance

Role: Baton Passer
Scolipede is a good Baton Passer in this metagame, as he functions as a much more efficent bulk, allowing him to set up sturdier subs and doesn't need to use an item slot on focus sash. Scolipede can survive a non-SE hit and setup an Sword Dance, or even a Substitute as well with the proper plays. He can then use protect to nab an extra speed boost and baton pass it to pokemon like Mega Metagross, Landorus - Therian, Mega Gallade, or Azumarill and allow than to sweep the opposing team.
478.gif


Froslass @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Taunt
- Spikes
- Destiny Bond
- Ice Beam
Role: Suicide Lead
Though there are spikes setters in OU such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Chesnaught, Froslass still has a niche in the OU metagame as a Suicide Spikes lead because of its unique advantage of spinblocking its own hazards. This set is great for offensive teams that rely on pokemon like Greninja and Scarf Lando-T to force switches as it prevents hazards from being set up and stops defog users with Taunt, set up spikes, and takes out one pokemon of your choosing with Destiny Bond, which is wonderful if your opponent has a pokemon that is a serious threat to your team, not to mention to play mind games with battlers aware of this move.

Sorry for such a long post guys, just wanted to put these up before my last exams. Man am I tired!
Can someone really justify the viability of Volbeat in OU? Heck, it honestly isn't even that great in NU. It's so frail, weak to stealth rock, terrible defensive typing, talonflame is everywhere, etc.
 
Priority baton pass + tailglow is one of it's greatest niches, prankster rain dance is also pretty good, but torn just does that better. Rain dance does give it a niche over whimsicott, but that's about it I guess.
 
It would be nice if the list of pokemon in the OP were in alphabetical order. Also some of the links are wrong, at the very least Suicune's links to Bronzong.

Also so this isn't a one-liner, because I'm lazy and because I want more likes I'm going to copy/paste something from the old thread B)

NwtTL9k.gif


>tfw Hydro Pump (Omastar) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Hydro Pump
- Hydro Pump
- Hydro Pump

Omastar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam
- Knock Off

Do you like power?

Do you like speed?

Are you the sort of person who would bring a stealth bomber to a knife fight?

Then Specs Omastar might just be for you. A literal spawn of Cthulhu, denizen of the abyss and Lovecraftian horror when the sun doesn't shine, Swift Swim Omastar is not only respectably fast (406 speed!) it is also powerful beyond reason. It is capable of 2HKOing some of the sturdiest of resistant pokemon: Amoonguss and even Chansey need to be very healthy to avoid a 2HKO from Specs Hydro Pump. Under the right conditions it can mow through a team like it's nothing. And not only is it powerful, it's quite bulky, too; 70/125 is only a little less bulk than Skarmory's 65/140. Of course, you're not going to be investing much in HP or defense, because why do that when Hydro Pump? Low ladder players may think Talonflame requires no skill to use, but they've never seen Omastar. Talonflame will often need to use moves that are not Brave Bird (Flare Blitz, Will-O-Wisp, U-Turn, Roost, etc.) However, when using Omastar, there are very few situations where you need to use any move that's not Hydro Pump, or at least Surf. Knock Off to troll Chansey, Ice Beam for Amoonguss, that's basically it. In every other situation just Hydro Pump. Ferrothorn? Hydro Pump. Lati@s? Hydro Pump. Mega Venusaur? Hydro Pump. Rotom-W? Hydro Pump. Assault Vest Azumarill? Hydro Pump Scald. You'll be so busy pressing Hydro Pump you won't even notice that you won five minutes ago: all thanks to Omastar and its psychopathic tendencies.

ORAS UPDATE: Mega Sceptile quad resists Hydro Pump and is faster, so that's another thing that can check but it dies to Ice Beam lol. Its base form also takes a wallop from resisted Hydro Pump (I don't care enough to check but it's probably really close to OHKOed.) Besides that its role hasn't really changed from XY, only Mega Sceptile and Beedrill are new things that outspeed it. I guess Swampert is a good partner but Kingdra is better, and Mega Altaria is kind of annoying in that it resists Hydro Pump but isn't bulky enough to avoid 2HKO after rocks anyway.
 
It would be nice if the list of pokemon in the OP were in alphabetical order. Also some of the links are wrong, at the very least Suicune's links to Bronzong.

Also so this isn't a one-liner, because I'm lazy and because I want more likes I'm going to copy/paste something from the old thread B)

NwtTL9k.gif


>tfw Hydro Pump (Omastar) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Hydro Pump
- Hydro Pump
- Hydro Pump

Omastar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam
- Knock Off

Do you like power?

Do you like speed?

Are you the sort of person who would bring a stealth bomber to a knife fight?

Then Specs Omastar might just be for you. A literal spawn of Cthulhu, denizen of the abyss and Lovecraftian horror when the sun doesn't shine, Swift Swim Omastar is not only respectably fast (406 speed!) it is also powerful beyond reason. It is capable of 2HKOing some of the sturdiest of resistant pokemon: Amoonguss and even Chansey need to be very healthy to avoid a 2HKO from Specs Hydro Pump. Under the right conditions it can mow through a team like it's nothing. And not only is it powerful, it's quite bulky, too; 70/125 is only a little less bulk than Skarmory's 65/140. Of course, you're not going to be investing much in HP or defense, because why do that when Hydro Pump? Low ladder players may think Talonflame requires no skill to use, but they've never seen Omastar. Talonflame will often need to use moves that are not Brave Bird (Flare Blitz, Will-O-Wisp, U-Turn, Roost, etc.) However, when using Omastar, there are very few situations where you need to use any move that's not Hydro Pump, or at least Surf. Knock Off to troll Chansey, Ice Beam for Amoonguss, that's basically it. In every other situation just Hydro Pump. Ferrothorn? Hydro Pump. Lati@s? Hydro Pump. Mega Venusaur? Hydro Pump. Rotom-W? Hydro Pump. Assault Vest Azumarill? Hydro Pump Scald. You'll be so busy pressing Hydro Pump you won't even notice that you won five minutes ago: all thanks to Omastar and its psychopathic tendencies.

ORAS UPDATE: Mega Sceptile quad resists Hydro Pump and is faster, so that's another thing that can check but it dies to Ice Beam lol. Its base form also takes a wallop from resisted Hydro Pump (I don't care enough to check but it's probably really close to OHKOed.) Besides that its role hasn't really changed from XY, only Mega Sceptile and Beedrill are new things that outspeed it. I guess Swampert is a good partner but Kingdra is better, and Mega Altaria is kind of annoying in that it resists Hydro Pump but isn't bulky enough to avoid 2HKO after rocks anyway.
I would put HP grass somewhere on that set (the set that isn't the mono hydro pump, that is already a 10/10 set) since you get walled to hell and back by bulky waters.
 
Volbeat is completely outclassed by Celebi, who has significantly better bulk so it can actually pass in front of anything remotely offensive (priority doesn't mean shit if you can't take a hit and you need 2 free turns to do your job), has Natural Cure + Recovery so it can consistently deal with Rotom-W, and has actual offensive presence so it isn't useless outside of passing.
 
Volbeat is completely outclassed by Celebi, who has significantly better bulk so it can actually pass in front of anything remotely offensive (priority doesn't mean shit if you can't take a hit and you need 2 free turns to do your job), has Natural Cure + Recovery so it can consistently deal with Rotom-W, and has actual offensive presence so it isn't useless outside of passing.
Agreed, volbeat is way too niche to actually be consistent. It's still outclassed mostly by like 2 or 3 things even with tail glow and prankster.
 
Agreed, volbeat is way too niche to actually be consistent. It's still outclassed mostly by like 2 or 3 things even with tail glow and prankster.
Volbeat is completely outclassed by Celebi, who has significantly better bulk so it can actually pass in front of anything remotely offensive (priority doesn't mean shit if you can't take a hit and you need 2 free turns to do your job), has Natural Cure + Recovery so it can consistently deal with Rotom-W, and has actual offensive presence so it isn't useless outside of passing.
OK, I'll remove it if Recreant agrees
 
OK, I'll remove it if Recreant agrees
Volbeat has very specific uses, but it's not really too fantastic in OU. I'll think about keeping it, but for now it's going to stay off the list.
It would be nice if the list of pokemon in the OP were in alphabetical order. Also some of the links are wrong, at the very least Suicune's links to Bronzong.
Sorry dude, I'll fix the links. I've been in exams so I haven't had a whole lot of time to organize this. I also have a lot of crap to do here on smogon, so it's all kinda chaotic. I'll fix it soon.

EDIT: ok wtf like all the links are screwed up I swear they all worked yesterday
I blame you guys :I
 
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Volbeat has very specific uses, but it's not really too fantastic in OU. I'll think about keeping it, but for now it's going to stay off the list.:I
Ok, crossed out the Volbeat set. If i get some good replays like you asked for, I'll send them to you.

Time to get back on my grind....

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Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
Role: Swift Swim Sweeper
Under rain, Ludicolo is an effective special attacker. Rain + STAB boosted Hydro Pump is powerful enough to OHKO / 2HKO pokemon like Conkeldurr, Bisharp, Clefable, and Mega Scizor. With the Swift Swim ability, he has the ability to outspeed a lot of scarf-less pokemon in the metagame aswell, such as Greninja and even Mega Manectric. Ludicolo will need Rain support in the form of Damp Rock Politoed, and wallbreakers like terrakion and Kyurem-B to help him get through threats like Chansey. If you do get him the help he needs, however, he'll be a tremendous help to your team.
 
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Oh shit forgot about Cobalion

cobalion.gif

Cobalion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 144 HP / 112 Atk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Close Combat
- Stealth Rock / Taunt / Iron Head / HP Ice
- Stealth Rock / Taunt / Iron Head / HP Ice

Roles: Pivot, Support

Cobalion uses its incredible typing combined with its high defense to work as an Supportive Pivot. It is one of the fastest volt-switchers in the game and is the only viable one with Stealth rocks. Volt switch is a mandetory move which makes Cobalion a fast momentum grabber for offensive and balanced cores alike. It has an important niche in beating Bisharp for Volt-turn teams and for handeling dark types in general. Close combat is your strongest physical STAB, which hits important pokemon like the before mentioned Bisharp, Excadrill, Tyranitar and Terrakion. it also does a fair amount against neutral targets. The final two moves are up for what your team needs. Stealth rock is annoying and gives you chip damage against most teams, especially Flying Spam. Taunt lets you shut down opposing setup sweepers and certian hazard setters like SD M-scizor without superpower and Skarmory. Iron head finally gives you a secondary STAB which makes Fairies think twice about switching in on you and you can hax the living hell out fo them with flinch. Finally HP Ice is a niche option if oyu really dont wat Lando/Gliscor switching in on you The HP EVs are enough to survive Excadrills EQ while the remaining EV go into attack to maximize your damage output, max speed with a Naive nature lets you speedtie with the other pokemon in the 108 speed tier, namely Keldeo and Terrakion. Lefties gives you passive recovery, something which improves your survivabilty and negates SR damage.

boltsandbombers k
 
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Oh shit forgot about Cobalion

cobalion.gif

Cobalion @ Leftovers / Shed Bell
Ability: Justified
EVs: 144 HP / 112 Atk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Close Combat
- Stealth Rock / Taunt / Iron Head / HP Ice
- Stealth Rock / Taunt / Iron Head / HP Ice

Roles: Pivot, Support

Cobalion uses its incredible typing combined with its high defense to work as an Supportive Pivot. It is one of the fastest volt-switchers in the game and is the only viable one with Stealth rocks.
Volt switch is a mandetory move which makes Cobalion a fast momentum grabber for offensive and balanced cores alike. Close combat is your strongest physical STAB, which hits important pokemon like Bisharp, Excadrill, Tyranitar and Terrakion. it also does a fair amount against neutral targets. The final two moves are up for what your team needs. Stealth rock is annoying and gives you chip damage against most teams, especially Flying Spam. Taunt lets you shut down opposing setup sweepers and certian hazard setters like SD M-scizor without superpower and Skarmory. Iron head finally gives you a secondary STAB which makes Fairies think twice about switching in on you and you can hax the living hell out fo them with flinch. Finally HP Ice is a niche option if oyu really dont wat Lando/Gliscor switching in on you The HP EVs are enough to survive Excadrills EQ while the remaining EV go into attack to maximize your damage output, max speed with a Naive nature lets you speedtie with the other pokemon in the 108 speed tier, namely Keldeo and Terrakion. Lefties gives you passive recovery, something which improves your survivabilty and negates SR damage, but Shed Bell could be used to stop Scarf Zone from revenge you.
I'd get rid of Shed Shell (not shed bell lol) as Magnezone cant OHKO you with HP Fire and the passive recovery of leftovers is very important.
 
No you aren't. Murkrow is barely viable in NU, let alone OU. Sorry, it's just not good.
Uhh.... it's a niche pokemon that can be designed to tear apart either special walls, physical walls, shut down leads, or beat physical attackers. It's not an "automatically toss onto every team" pokemon, but a sensible player that knows his team has a hole can fill it with a Prankster Murkrow.

(hell, I'm not even sure why Liepard Prankster is used over Murkrow Prankster.)

But if you want me to reserve a more manestream pokemon, then Roserade. :p
 
Uhh.... it's a niche pokemon that can be designed to tear apart either special walls, physical walls, shut down leads, or beat physical attackers. It's not an "automatically toss onto every team" pokemon, but a sensible player that knows his team has a hole can fill it with a Prankster Murkrow.

(hell, I'm not even sure why Liepard Prankster is used over Murkrow Prankster.)

But if you want me to reserve a more manestream pokemon, then Roserade. :p
Roserade is not mainstream and isnt even on the viability rankings. A while back it's analysis was rejected for OU, so no I disagree.
 
Uhh.... it's a niche pokemon that can be designed to tear apart either special walls, physical walls, shut down leads, or beat physical attackers. It's not an "automatically toss onto every team" pokemon, but a sensible player that knows his team has a hole can fill it with a Prankster Murkrow.

(hell, I'm not even sure why Liepard Prankster is used over Murkrow Prankster.)

But if you want me to reserve a more manestream pokemon, then Roserade. :p
yeah..no

The only reason to use Murkrow is Prankster Haze considering Sableye does everything else better, and we all know what happened to Baton Pass
 
Recreant an easy way to solve this is to say that you can only list Pokemon that are both <BL and are listed on the OU Viability Rankings, unless given a special exception. This will filter out the nonviable/non-lower-tier reservations.
 
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