ORAS OU Blue's Clues

[IridiumBastiodon]

Hello Smogon(ers?) and welcome to my 3rd ORAS RMT. This is a team based around the awesome underrated anti-meta Mega Houndoom, or my favourite Mega from X&Y.
I loved the idea, challenge and general awesomeness of using an UnderUsed (BL2 whatever...) threat to dismantle OU.
Without further ado, let's get to it:

Team at a Glance:

Team Building Process

I started with Mega Houndoom

Keldeo looked like a great partner to Keldeo, and likewise being able to check each others threats, like Mega Lopunny and Lati@s.

I needed something to take care of my Fairy weakness, so I added Ferrothorn, which also helps by being able to set hazards.

Bird Spam, specifically Talonflame look like they'd wreck face. I added Hippowdon to be able to check Bird Spam and preventing Talonflame from sweeping my team.

Scizor was added to be able to dismantle Fairies and check a bunch of other things like Gengar.

Latias was added since my team looked Fighting weak. It wrecks fighting types in general so I added it.

As recommended by Ryfi110, I swapped Keldeo and Latias for Starmie and Dragonite to better manage Stealth Rock to handle Talonflame.

Team in Depth:

Blue (Houndoom-Mega) @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Will-O-Wisp/Sludge Bomb

Say hi to my team's MVP, Cerberus himself: Mega Houndoom. Nasty Plot is a great boosting move, allowing Blue to boost it's Special Attacks to ridiculous levels, Fire Blast and Nasty Plot are it's useful Dual STABs allowing it to break through a bunch of 'Mons, like Lati@s, Gengar, Scizor and Ferrothorn. The last slot. Will-O-Wisp is a great move allowing 'Doom to cripple threat, like Tyranitar for the whole match, while Sludge Bomb is a great coverage move allowing Houndoom to easily take on fairies, like Clefable and Azumarill. Mega Houndoom's EVs ensure it can survive a Banded Talonflame's Brave Bird (although rare) and ensure it survive 2 Seismic Tosses from Chansey.

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

Starmie is my team's hazards remover while also being a great offensive force. Hydro Pump hits hard, especially with Analytic. Ice Beam is great for coverage against Grass-, and Dragon-Types, while Psyshock is a great secondary STAB, allowing Starmie to handle Fighting types, and Poison Types like Venusaur. Rapid Spin is pretty self explanatory. Starmie's EVs allow it to hit as hard and as fast as possible.

Durian (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip

Ferrothorn is my hazard setter and a great Pokémon overall. Stealth Rock is vital to my team, since Talonflame completely wrecks it if Hippowdon gets taken out. Leech Seed is a great spammable move to get more reliable chip damage and recovery. Gyro Ball is great for heavily damaging faster threat that try to switch-in like Gengar, while Power Whip is another STAB taking care of those pesky Bulky Waters like Rotom-Wash. Ferrothorn EVs are standard, running 168 SpD and Max HP to be able to tank two Ice Beams from Manaphy at +3.

Kaba (Hippowdon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind

Hippowdon is my bird spam check and my catch-all wall. Earthquake is a strong STAB move that dents many annoying Pokémon like Heatran. Stone Edge is vital to my team for taking out Talonflame, and other annoying flying types like Mega-Charizard-Y. Slack Off is a great recovery move allowing Hippowdon to increase it's survivabity and wall handy Pokémon like Mega Lopunny. Whirlwind is great for phazing set-up sweepers and getting handy chip-damage on many Pokémon. Hippowdon EVs, ensure it can avoid 2HKOs from notable threats like Thunderus' and Mega Manectric's HP Ice, while also avoiding the OHKO from +2 Terrakion's Close Combat.

Malachite (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Pursuit

Scizor is my fairy killer, trapper, priority user and pivot. Technician boosted Bullet Punch hits hard OHKOing Fairies not named Azumarill, and 2HKOing pesky things like Lati@s. Superpower is another great move allowing Scizor to heavily damage Steel types, like Ferrothorn and Heatran. U-turn is a great move not only doing great damage to Psychic-, Dark- and Grass-Types, but allowing Mega Houndoom or others to come in safely. Scizor's EVs ensure it hits as hard as possible while also being able to survive as long as possible against notable threats like Mega Metagross, which it checks.

Dragonite (Ryu) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage/Dragon Claw
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake

Finally, we have Dragonite, my hard-hitting late-game cleaner. Outrage hits anything that doesn't resist it extremely hard, destroying lives, while Dragon Claw is another option to avoid being locked-in. Extreme Speed is a great priority move, allowing Dragonite to out-priority things like Talonflame which are a real pain. Earthquake is a great coverage move, letting Dragonite hit Heatran, Bisharp, Mega Diancie and many others hard. Dragonites EVs allowing it, much like Starmie hit as hard and as fast as possible.

I hope you enjoyed reading my RMT! Thanks for checking it out, feel free to leave a rate!

Former Members

Keldeo @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Electric]

Scarfed Keldeo is Blue's partner in crime, beating some of Houndoom's biggest threats and counters, like Tyranitar, Heatran, Chansey, Terrakion and Mega Gyarados. Likewise, Mega Houndoom beats Lati@s, Slowbro, Amoonguss, MegaGross, Chesnaught, Mega Lopunny and much more. Scald and Hydro Pump are great Water STABs, to be used depending on the situation, Scald has accurary and possible status, while Hydro Pump is more for raw power and ensuruing OHKOs. Secret Sword is a great secondary STAB necessary for beating aftermentioned threats like Chansey and Mega Lopunny. Finally, Hidden Power Electric allows Keldeo to handle Azumarill and Gyarados with ease. Keldeo's EVs are simple, allowing it to hit as hard and as fast as possible.
Replaced by Starmie.

Aurai (Latias) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Healing Wish

Finally we have Latias, my hazard remover with an amazing offensive presence. Defog is very good, disallowing allowing chip damage, speed drops, etc... Draco Meteor hits like a nuke, denting Landorus, Thunderus, Mega Gallade, and many others, while Psyshock is a great secondary STAB OHKOing threats like Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, Keldeo and Conkeldurr. Healing Wish is another great move enabling a weakened sweeper to sweep again or a vital Pokémon get a new life. Latias' EVs ensure it outspeeds base 108s and speed ties base 110s, while also being able to avoid a 2HKO from Thunderus' Hidden Power Ice.
Replaced by Dragonite.

Importable

Houndoom-Mega @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Will-O-Wisp

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

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip

Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind

Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Pursuit

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquakei

 

[Ryfi110]

Now, here is the dilemma in my rate:

-You have problems with Tflame.... what fixes that?

Stealth Rock.

You have that, but you lack Rapid Spin. You have Defog, yes, I see it.
By Defogging the opposing rocks, you allow Talonflame to come in for free.
I hate Mold Breaker drill with a passion, and the type coverage is redundant for your team.
Starmie happens to be a staple on my teams, but I struggle to suggest this with a Keldeo sitting there.

I am at an impass, but I feel the addition of rapid spin over Defog really helps this team, netting additional KOs with Houndoom.

 

[IridiumBastiodon]

Now, here is the dilemma in my rate:

-You have problems with Tflame.... what fixes that?

Stealth Rock.

You have that, but you lack Rapid Spin. You have Defog, yes, I see it.
By Defogging the opposing rocks, you allow Talonflame to come in for free.
I hate Mold Breaker drill with a passion, and the type coverage is redundant for your team.
Starmie happens to be a staple on my teams, but I struggle to suggest this with a Keldeo sitting there.

I am at an impass, but I feel the addition of rapid spin over Defog really helps this team, netting additional KOs with Houndoom.

Maybe I could swap out Scizor for a Sand Rush Excadrill, as it could work with Hippowdon's sand, not sure though, but then I'd have to swap Latias for something...

I'm not sure, may just have to be more careful, if a Talonflame is on the other team, I'll have to avoid using Defog.

Can anyone come up with a fix and still have great coverage?

 

[Ryfi110]

Maybe I could swap out Scizor for a Sand Rush Excadrill, as it could work with Hippowdon's sand, not sure though, but then I'd have to swap Latias for something...

I'm not sure, may just have to be more careful, if a Talonflame is on the other team, I'll have to avoid using Defog.

Can anyone come up with a fix and still have great coverage?

You cannot really leave rocks on the field on your side.... your wincondition takes a clean 25% whenever it comes in. Scizor takes 12%, and since its choice locked, it is forced to switch a lot, but also force switches.

 

[IridiumBastiodon]

You cannot really leave rocks on the field on your side.... your wincondition takes a clean 25% whenever it comes in. Scizor takes 12%, and since its choice locked, it is forced to switch a lot, but also force switches.

It's an option' I'll test it out. Don't know if i should keep Latias is I use it, maybe Latios, or another Dragon might work...
You also mentioned Starmie, could a Scarf Starmie work instead of Keldeo? I've seen it used in the past and it may work.

 

[Ryfi110]

It's an option' I'll test it out. Don't know if i should keep Latias is I use it, maybe Latios, or another Dragon might work...
You also mentioned Starmie, could a Scarf Starmie work instead of Keldeo? I've seen it used in the past and it may work.

Starmie outspeeds everything serperior and down, including max speed base 110s. It is already plenty fast. It usually appreciates additional damage output.

With Analytic, it 2HKOs Rotom-W with Psyshock. With Life Orb, it OHKOs max defense chomp, making it a p good anti lead in that situation. If you decide to replace Keldeo, perhaps swapping Latias to something not weak to pursuit would be great. I would consider dragonite, as it would give you a setup physical sweeper.

 

[Afro14ajaja]

Hey there. Interesting team. Okay these suggestions might seem extremely weird as both these mons are not OU but right now I think they might help you with the talon problem to a certain extent. You could replace Hippowdon with Donphan. Donphan has sturdy so you are guaranteed to get stealth rock up. It gives you rapid spin support and a possible priority in ice shard, although in this case not the best option. You could use rock slide to KO Talon along with eq over ice shard. Here is a calc.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Donphan: 150-177 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
The set is extremely defensive and might not be the best for Donphan but it works just enough to get rid of talon. Problem is, like Hippo, you have to keep it at pretty high health. But this is mainly trying to solve the rapid spin issue.

You could however use excadrill with sand rush as that in sand well help you dealing with talonflame as it can take one priority brave bird and KO with rock slide.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 177-208 (49 - 57.6%) -- 95.7% chance to 2HKO
The problem is that you lose your priority, which is rather crucial.

Now comes Cresselia.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 150-177 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- 27% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Mega Lopunny Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 109-130 (24.5 - 29.2%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Cresselia: 114-135 (25.6 - 30.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 4HKO after leftovers recovery
It is a similar case with mega manectric.

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 160-190 (36 - 42.7%) -- 95.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

You can run lunar dance on it similar to healing wish. You can then run thunder wave to cripple the likes of terrakion, lopunny, etc or toxic to put them on a timer. You'll require moonlight for recovery. The final move could be ice beam but preferably psychic. It forms a decent pair with Keldeo as it can come in on all the dark types.

You could also use tankchomp over donphan as talon will hate the recoil from brave bird and rocky helmet put together. You could use endure to get some extra damage on it.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Garchomp: 175-207 (41.6 - 49.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
This would mean that you will have to stick to defog on latias or move it to scizor, get rid of choice band if you are using cresselia.
Hope I could help. Good luck!

 

[IridiumBastiodon]

Starmie outspeeds everything serperior and down, including max speed base 110s. It is already plenty fast. It usually appreciates additional damage output.

With Analytic, it 2HKOs Rotom-W with Psyshock. With Life Orb, it OHKOs max defense chomp, making it a p good anti lead in that situation. If you decide to replace Keldeo, perhaps swapping Latias to something not weak to pursuit would be great. I would consider dragonite, as it would give you a setup physical sweeper.

I'll check it out, Starmie seems like a great fit! I'm pretty sure I'll end up using it, and Mega Lopunny is checked by Scizor anyways, as Bullet Punch 2HKOs.
Dragonite sounds good, I'll also change Hippowdon's ability to Sand Force to avoid breaking Multiscale.
Thanks for the help!

EDIT: Replacing both, just have to write up descriptions, I'll change it tomorrow.

Hey there. Interesting team. Okay these suggestions might seem extremely weird as both these mons are not OU but right now I think they might help you with the talon problem to a certain extent. You could replace Hippowdon with Donphan. Donphan has sturdy so you are guaranteed to get stealth rock up. It gives you rapid spin support and a possible priority in ice shard, although in this case not the best option. You could use rock slide to KO Talon along with eq over ice shard. Here is a calc.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Donphan: 150-177 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
The set is extremely defensive and might not be the best for Donphan but it works just enough to get rid of talon. Problem is, like Hippo, you have to keep it at pretty high health. But this is mainly trying to solve the rapid spin issue.

Now comes Cresselia.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 150-177 (33.7 - 39.8%) -- 27% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Mega Lopunny Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 109-130 (24.5 - 29.2%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Cresselia: 114-135 (25.6 - 30.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 4HKO after leftovers recovery
It is a similar case with mega manectric.

+2 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 160-190 (36 - 42.7%) -- 95.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

You can run lunar dance on it similar to healing wish. You can then run thunder wave to cripple the likes of terrakion, lopunny, etc or toxic to put them on a timer. You'll require moonlight for recovery. The final move could be ice beam but preferably psychic. It forms a decent pair with Keldeo as it can come in on all the dark types. Hope I could help. Good luck!

Thanks, but I think Ryfi110 gave me a good solution by replacing Keldeo with Starmie. and Donphan is a bit lackluster in the Meta, so I'll stay with Hippowdon. Cresselia is also just too defensive to my liking, I'll stick with Ryfi's recommendations.

 

[Afro14ajaja]

Fair enough. Good luck!

 

[IridiumBastiodon]

Replaced Keldeo with Starmie and Latias with Dragonite, as recommended by Ryfi.

 

[IridiumBastiodon]

Might aswell use my bump, anything else I could modify?