Day 1 Summary:
Sitting at 1235 as of now and am going to take a break for the night with a 10-1 record.
Quick thoughts:
1. Weezing is boss, which I've battled against, but have never really used before. With Haxorus declining in usage (less than 5.5% if I recall correctly), Mold Breaker + Levitate isn't as big of a concern. Definitely pulling its weight on the team.
2. Cress is an excellent pivot, check and wincon all wrapped into one. That 120/120/130 defenses are no joke. Gen 6 gave it access to Moonblast which lets it check dark types.
Honestly, I won't be surprised if they give Cress a Mega Evo next gen with Psychic/Fairy. This is also a great check to Mega Diancie to set up CM boosts and easily PP Stall Diamond Storm.
3. Serperior was a last minute addition which I honestly couldn't pass up. This little gem is going to be under the radar, but can definitely reach UU in time. I think the biggest abilities to be released in ORAS were Adaptability Dragalgae and Contrary Serperior. Adaptability Drag is fun to nuke things with, but we all know the speed is a let down. But, Contrary Serperior is a different beast altogether. 120 Base Stab that gives you +2? Yes, please! This is one of the few special attackers that can 2HKO most special walls. But, the biggest selling points IMO for Serp is
Glare. 100% accurate paralysis. I've caught so many Jirachi and Crobat off guard, hoping to tank the Leaf Storm, just to be nailed by Glare. Dragon Pulse and Hidden Power round out the coverage moves. People may think that Mega Sceptile is superior (no pun intended) to Serp, but I think Serp is a sweeper, unlike regular Sub + 3 Attacks Mega Scept.
4. Mega Absol has been declining in usage last month (4.57%) and I'm really not sure why. It's still really effective at what it does. One of the most common leads in the game,
Sash Azelf, is pretty common. And this replay shows how people try to play against Mega Absol. Turn 2 with Sash Azelf vs. Mega Absol. Non-sash Azelf would not switch into Mega Absol, leading to the obvious conclusion that this must be Explosion. They are hoping to tank the Sucker Punch, survive and take out my mega. As you see in this replay, I saw it coming and switched into my wall, forcing the forfeit lol
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-201234295
5. Vaporeon and Crobat are my highest usage mons. Honestly, it is difficult to make a team without Crobat. It's a great glue of a mon that jives with almost every team. I was originally going to use Scarf Shao for a RK, but decided that hazard control was too much responsibility on Mega Absol alone and that he needed support. Crobat is a great pivot mon and is very obvious why it is a S-Ranked mon. Vaporeon is a good glue/cleric for my team to absorb random fire moves and pass off huge wishes. I was a little afraid of Suicune, so that really added to my decision for Vaporeon.
Well, until tomorrow fellow Dark Hessians! :-P