I had a winning record on Battle Spot with this team, so I decided to take it to Midseason Showdowns. At my first MSS, I got 3rd, but at the second, I finished 2-3. I think it might could use a bit of sprucing up.
Note: All Pokémon are at level 50.
Kyogre @ Blue Orb
Ability: Drizzle
Modest nature
IVs: 31/x/31/31/31/31
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 60 SpA / 76 SpD / 4 Spe
-Origin Pulse
-Ice Beam
-Thunder
-Protect
Origin Pulse is a great attack. With Primal Kyogre's massive Special Attack, STAB, and the boost from Primordial Sea, it OHKOs many frail threats and puts a big dent into most everything else. It's also my number 1 option against the ever-popular Primal Groudon. Ice Beam hits Dragon-types like Rayquaza and Salamence. I chose Thunder mainly as an option against other Primal Kyogre. I don't trust Water Spout. The EV spread was suggested to me by Draconid777. It allows Kyogre to guarantee survival from a max Atk Brave Ferrothorn's Power Whip and a +2 Timid Xerneas's Grass Knot.
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Rayquaza @ Life Orb
Ability: Air Lock
Hasty nature
IVs: 30/31/29/31/31/31
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
-Dragon Ascent
-Draco Meteor
-Extreme Speed
-Protect
Rayquaza is a very valuable partner for Kyogre. With Air Lock or Delta Stream, Rayquaza can negate or override (respectively) Desolate Land, allowing Kyogre to use Origin Pulse. Dragon Ascent is my main STAB attack, which hits very hard with Life Orb. Draco Meteor is my second, and it OHKOs fast and frail Primal Groudon. With the aid of Cresselia's Helping Hand, it's an OHKO on any Primal Groudon. ExtremeSpeed is a nice +2 priority attack that even goes before opponents' Follow Me. I chose Hasty over Naive as my nature since I have Intimidate to weaken physical attacks.
Thundurus @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
Calm nature
IVs: 31/x/31/31/31/31
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Def / 4 SpA / 180 SpD / 28 Spe
-Thunderbolt
-Thunder Wave
-Taunt
-Role Play
Thundurus is infamous mainly for one thing - Prankster Thunder Wave. As one of my team's forms of speed control, it's great against Pokémon like Kangaskhan, Rayquaza, and Salamence. Thunderbolt is for STAB, and it can score an easy kill against Talonflame leads who Quick Guard in anticipation of me using Taunt or Thunder Wave. Taunt stops Pokémon like Smeargle and Cresselia. Role Play is a controversial choice, but on multiple occasions, it has allowed me to overwrite Desolate Land with my Primordial Sea and give Primal Groudon a nasty surprise in the form of an OHKO via Primal Kyogre's Origin Pulse. Unfortunately, it removes Thundurus's Prankster ability, but I find it to be worth it. The EV spread was recommended to me by Kasoman of NuggetBridge. It allows Thundurus to survive a full-power spread Eruption from Primal Groudon, a spread Origin Pulse from Primal Kyogre, a Double-Edge from M-Kangaskhan, and also keeps Primal Groudon's Rock Slide at a 3HKO, the latter two thanks to Sitrus Berry. The Speed EVs are to speed creep opposing bulky Thundurus.
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Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
Naive nature
IVs: 31/31/31/31/31/31
EVs: 36 Atk / 220 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Double-Edge
-Fire Blast
-Protect
Draco Meteor is a good STAB attack that is effective even if I choose not to mega evolve (to preserve Intimidate or if my one mega evolution is used on Rayquaza). Mega or not, Salamence outspeeds Mega Rayquaza and can OHKO it with Draco Meteor. If I do mega evolve, Double-Edge is my primary attack of choice. Fire Blast is for Ferrothorn, who is otherwise a problem for my team. The Special Attack EVs guarantee that it OHKOs most Ferrothorn, and after maxing Speed, the remaining EVs are placed into Attack for Double-Edge.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Brave nature
IVs: 31/31/31/x/31/0
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Atk / 132 SpD
-Gyro Ball
-Power Whip
-Leech Seed
-Protect
This Ferrothorn is a slightly more offensive reincarnation of a Pokémon I used to a good degree of success in the B/W days of VGC. Ferrothorn is a great answer to 2 of the most popular Pokémon in the metagame: Primal Kyogre and Xerneas. With the 140 Attack EVs, Ferrothorn OHKOs 252 SpA / 252 Spe Xerneas (before Geomancy) and 252 SpA / 252 Spe Primal Kyogre with Gyro Ball and Power Whip, respectively. Meanwhile, it can withstand their most powerful attacks thanks to its typing and great natural bulk. Leech Seed and Leftovers help Ferrothorn's longevity, and allow it to stall out Pokémon like Cresselia.
Cresselia @ Mental Herb
Ability: Levitate
Sassy nature
IVs: 31/x/31/31/31/3
EVs: 244 HP / 172 Def / 92 SpD
-Ice Beam
-Helping Hand
-Magic Coat
-Trick Room
Cresselia provides me with a second form of speed control. While Cresselia's Special Attack isn't particularly strong, Ice Beam hits a number of the metagame's main Pokémon for double or quadruple damage. Helping Hand allows me to turn 2HKOs into OHKOs (most notably M-Rayquaza's Draco Meteor on bulky Primal Groudon) and 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Magic Coat is my answer to Smeargle's Dark Void. If I expect my opponent to lead with Smeargle, I'll lead with Cresselia, use Magic Coat, and have my partner Protect. Trick Room can twist the dimensions if doing so would be in my favor (against fast teams like Standard 6), or it can return them to normal against teams that rely on Trick Room themselves. The EV spread, also provided by Draconid777, guarantees that I survive a +1 Life Orb Dragon Ascent from M-Rayquaza. Mental Herb is mainly used here because Sitrus Berry is being used on Thundurus, but it's nice to have against Taunt.
One of the most difficult decisions I have when using my team is when to mega evolve Salamence. If I do, not only do I lose Intimidate if I switch out and back in, but more importantly, I also lose the ability to mega evolve Rayquaza, who I bring almost every game. I also have trouble with the popular Groudon/Xerneas combo. Occasional Dialga are trouble too, as my best option against them is to stall them out with Ferrothorn's Leech Seed. Gothitelle and M-Gengar Shadow Tag leads have given me fits too.
I could see Thundurus, Salamence, and maybe even Cresselia being switched out for something better.
What do you all think? I have PCs and another MSS coming up, and I'd like to get some more CP! :)
Team at-a-glance:
Note: All Pokémon are at level 50.
Kyogre @ Blue Orb
Ability: Drizzle
Modest nature
IVs: 31/x/31/31/31/31
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 60 SpA / 76 SpD / 4 Spe
-Origin Pulse
-Ice Beam
-Thunder
-Protect
Origin Pulse is a great attack. With Primal Kyogre's massive Special Attack, STAB, and the boost from Primordial Sea, it OHKOs many frail threats and puts a big dent into most everything else. It's also my number 1 option against the ever-popular Primal Groudon. Ice Beam hits Dragon-types like Rayquaza and Salamence. I chose Thunder mainly as an option against other Primal Kyogre. I don't trust Water Spout. The EV spread was suggested to me by Draconid777. It allows Kyogre to guarantee survival from a max Atk Brave Ferrothorn's Power Whip and a +2 Timid Xerneas's Grass Knot.
Rayquaza @ Life Orb
Ability: Air Lock
Hasty nature
IVs: 30/31/29/31/31/31
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
-Dragon Ascent
-Draco Meteor
-Extreme Speed
-Protect
Rayquaza is a very valuable partner for Kyogre. With Air Lock or Delta Stream, Rayquaza can negate or override (respectively) Desolate Land, allowing Kyogre to use Origin Pulse. Dragon Ascent is my main STAB attack, which hits very hard with Life Orb. Draco Meteor is my second, and it OHKOs fast and frail Primal Groudon. With the aid of Cresselia's Helping Hand, it's an OHKO on any Primal Groudon. ExtremeSpeed is a nice +2 priority attack that even goes before opponents' Follow Me. I chose Hasty over Naive as my nature since I have Intimidate to weaken physical attacks.
Thundurus @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
Calm nature
IVs: 31/x/31/31/31/31
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Def / 4 SpA / 180 SpD / 28 Spe
-Thunderbolt
-Thunder Wave
-Taunt
-Role Play
Thundurus is infamous mainly for one thing - Prankster Thunder Wave. As one of my team's forms of speed control, it's great against Pokémon like Kangaskhan, Rayquaza, and Salamence. Thunderbolt is for STAB, and it can score an easy kill against Talonflame leads who Quick Guard in anticipation of me using Taunt or Thunder Wave. Taunt stops Pokémon like Smeargle and Cresselia. Role Play is a controversial choice, but on multiple occasions, it has allowed me to overwrite Desolate Land with my Primordial Sea and give Primal Groudon a nasty surprise in the form of an OHKO via Primal Kyogre's Origin Pulse. Unfortunately, it removes Thundurus's Prankster ability, but I find it to be worth it. The EV spread was recommended to me by Kasoman of NuggetBridge. It allows Thundurus to survive a full-power spread Eruption from Primal Groudon, a spread Origin Pulse from Primal Kyogre, a Double-Edge from M-Kangaskhan, and also keeps Primal Groudon's Rock Slide at a 3HKO, the latter two thanks to Sitrus Berry. The Speed EVs are to speed creep opposing bulky Thundurus.
Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
Naive nature
IVs: 31/31/31/31/31/31
EVs: 36 Atk / 220 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Double-Edge
-Fire Blast
-Protect
Draco Meteor is a good STAB attack that is effective even if I choose not to mega evolve (to preserve Intimidate or if my one mega evolution is used on Rayquaza). Mega or not, Salamence outspeeds Mega Rayquaza and can OHKO it with Draco Meteor. If I do mega evolve, Double-Edge is my primary attack of choice. Fire Blast is for Ferrothorn, who is otherwise a problem for my team. The Special Attack EVs guarantee that it OHKOs most Ferrothorn, and after maxing Speed, the remaining EVs are placed into Attack for Double-Edge.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Brave nature
IVs: 31/31/31/x/31/0
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Atk / 132 SpD
-Gyro Ball
-Power Whip
-Leech Seed
-Protect
This Ferrothorn is a slightly more offensive reincarnation of a Pokémon I used to a good degree of success in the B/W days of VGC. Ferrothorn is a great answer to 2 of the most popular Pokémon in the metagame: Primal Kyogre and Xerneas. With the 140 Attack EVs, Ferrothorn OHKOs 252 SpA / 252 Spe Xerneas (before Geomancy) and 252 SpA / 252 Spe Primal Kyogre with Gyro Ball and Power Whip, respectively. Meanwhile, it can withstand their most powerful attacks thanks to its typing and great natural bulk. Leech Seed and Leftovers help Ferrothorn's longevity, and allow it to stall out Pokémon like Cresselia.
Cresselia @ Mental Herb
Ability: Levitate
Sassy nature
IVs: 31/x/31/31/31/3
EVs: 244 HP / 172 Def / 92 SpD
-Ice Beam
-Helping Hand
-Magic Coat
-Trick Room
Cresselia provides me with a second form of speed control. While Cresselia's Special Attack isn't particularly strong, Ice Beam hits a number of the metagame's main Pokémon for double or quadruple damage. Helping Hand allows me to turn 2HKOs into OHKOs (most notably M-Rayquaza's Draco Meteor on bulky Primal Groudon) and 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Magic Coat is my answer to Smeargle's Dark Void. If I expect my opponent to lead with Smeargle, I'll lead with Cresselia, use Magic Coat, and have my partner Protect. Trick Room can twist the dimensions if doing so would be in my favor (against fast teams like Standard 6), or it can return them to normal against teams that rely on Trick Room themselves. The EV spread, also provided by Draconid777, guarantees that I survive a +1 Life Orb Dragon Ascent from M-Rayquaza. Mental Herb is mainly used here because Sitrus Berry is being used on Thundurus, but it's nice to have against Taunt.
One of the most difficult decisions I have when using my team is when to mega evolve Salamence. If I do, not only do I lose Intimidate if I switch out and back in, but more importantly, I also lose the ability to mega evolve Rayquaza, who I bring almost every game. I also have trouble with the popular Groudon/Xerneas combo. Occasional Dialga are trouble too, as my best option against them is to stall them out with Ferrothorn's Leech Seed. Gothitelle and M-Gengar Shadow Tag leads have given me fits too.
I could see Thundurus, Salamence, and maybe even Cresselia being switched out for something better.
What do you all think? I have PCs and another MSS coming up, and I'd like to get some more CP! :)