Psychic Overload
Warning: Reading about this team may affect your mental health and cause serious headache. Read at your own risk!
"If you encounter this team on the ladder, forfeit immediately! You won't be able to beat it anyway, so better preserve your mental health and don't try to play it!" - SaveMeJebus
"The colors of the mons used in this team seem unnatural. Looking at the team alone gave me a headache..." -
RaikouLover
"Genius and madness are close together!" -
Groubon For OU
"Using this team should be forbidden! Sure, it comes with fast and easy wins, but it that worth risking the sanity of unsuspecting opponents?" -
DrPumpkinz
"This team must never be posted on smogon. I can't think of the madness that will arise on the ladder if more people will start using this team..." -
baldur
"The rumors about this teams are fake news! I played it multiple times, and it did not affect my sanitiy at all! " -
TheRealDonaldTrump
(It might very well be that these quotes are all made up)
Introduction
This is a team build around Z-Celebrate Victini, which many teams are underprepared for. Although it can only boost a single time, Z-Tini is an amazing mon that threatens Balance and Offense alike. Revenge killing Victini isn't easy, because it's not just about outspeeding, but also about bringing enough power to KO it, since its defenses are respectable after the Z-boost. The best counters to Z-Tini are:Warning: Reading about this team may affect your mental health and cause serious headache. Read at your own risk!
"If you encounter this team on the ladder, forfeit immediately! You won't be able to beat it anyway, so better preserve your mental health and don't try to play it!" - SaveMeJebus
"The colors of the mons used in this team seem unnatural. Looking at the team alone gave me a headache..." -
RaikouLover
"Genius and madness are close together!" -
Groubon For OU
"Using this team should be forbidden! Sure, it comes with fast and easy wins, but it that worth risking the sanity of unsuspecting opponents?" -
DrPumpkinz
"This team must never be posted on smogon. I can't think of the madness that will arise on the ladder if more people will start using this team..." -
baldur
"The rumors about this teams are fake news! I played it multiple times, and it did not affect my sanitiy at all! " -
TheRealDonaldTrump
(It might very well be that these quotes are all made up)
Introduction
- Priority (Sucker Punch, Water Shuriken...)
- Weather sweepers (i.e. Excadrill in Sand or Kingdra in Rain)
- Chansey
- Fat Psychic Types, e.g. Latias
This team is built to overcome matchups that are hard for Z-Tini to win and overload defensive answers to tiny Tini by using a total of three strong special Psychic Types that break for each other. "Psychic Spam" doesn't do justice to this team, this is "Psychic Overload!", not only for the opposing mons, but also for the poor trainer who has to fight this team! ;)
Teambuilding Process
Tapu-Lele is the perfect partner for Victini. The Terrain strengthens Tini's Stored Power (e.g. to OHKO Clef) and protects it from priority attacks. Lele is also very usefull against Stall, which Tini struggles to beat. Alakazam is used to beat weather teams. After tracing Swift Swim/Sand Rush, it is guaranteed to be the fasted mon on the field. It also profits immensely from Lele's Terrain. Although typewise it seems a bit redundant to use these three together, they all beat different playstyles.
At first, I tried to combine my offensive core with a defensive core that could set up hazards. This however didn't provide enough momentum.
So I decided to use a suicide setter and pair it with two additional sweepers. I tried different options like Custap Ferro and Sash Omastar two set up multiple layers. Using Lucha helped with opposing speed boosting setup sweepers and having another mon profiting from Terrain justified the use of Terrain Extender on Lele. In the last slot, I experimented with lots of different Sweepers, e.g. Magearna, Scarf Kart or even Minior. The team felt better than the previous one, but was too weak to Koko and stuff like Scarf Kartana.
The Koko weakness made me switch to excadrill. Spin is necessary to bring Tiny on the field healthy. I felt like I needed a grass type in the last slot to have a switchin to Ash-Gren, and after experimenting with Tangrowth as a defensive glue for a while, I finally settled with Scarf Serp (although shiny Tangrowth looked heat).
The Team
Spinning Head (Excadrill) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves: Earthquake | Rapid Spin | Stealth Rock | Rock Tomb
I wasn't always insane. It started with feeling dizzy from time to time, even if I had no actual reasons...
Excadrill is the suicide setter that gets up rocks for me and keeps them aways from my side. I choose Rock Tomb over Toxic to deal with Lead Tornadus, which my team doesn't like to lead against otherwise. Otherwise standard moves and spread. It also helps with electric types. When playing against Tapu Koko, it is often a good idea to preserve excadrill to stop Volt Switches, especially if the Koko is scarfed! It also beats most Webs setters and Lead Diancie.
Twisted Thoughts (Tapu Lele) @ Terrain Extender
Ability: Psychic Surge
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moves: Moonblast | Hidden Power [Fire] | Psyshock | Taunt
It seemed like she was surrounded by an aura of pure madness. When she was nearby, I couldn't even think straight...
Lele is mostly on the team to set up the Terrain. Since 3-4 members of my team can take good use of Psychic Terrain, i use a Terrain Extender. The set is also very standard, on the last slot I used to run Calm Mind to pressure Stall even more, but I figured that Taunt helps just as well (by denying recovery) and also denys Setup, Hazards and Status. Ususally, it is a good idea to preserve Lele so it can set up terrain multiple times, especially if there are Tapus on the opposing team. If the opponent has a Fake-out user like Mega-Medicham or Mega-Lopunny, it is often a good idea to lead Lele, which lives one hit and kills in return.
Crazy Eyes (Serperior) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Hasty
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moves: Leaf Storm | Knock Off | Defog | Glare
The scariest thing about him were his eyes. Those crazy, crazy eyes...
Scarf Serperior helps with the weather matchup and acts as a glue that can fulfill many different roles. Knock Off helps to pressure Stuff like Chansey and AV Mag, but also helps to get rid of other Scarfers so Zam and Victini outspeed everything. Scarf Glare is my second emergency stop to speed boosting sweepers. Defog is not used too often, but saved me some games, e.g. vs well played webs. Scarf Leaf Storm acts as a WinCon once all Steels are low enough. Serp checks Ash-Gren and is my switchin to ground type attacks if Lucha has to be preserved.
Brainf*ck (Victini) @ Normalium Z
Ability: Victory Star
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moves: Celebrate | Stored Power | Searing Shot | Focus Blast
My mind simply couldn't comprehend what this thing was doing. I only realized my failure when it was much too late....
Victini is the star-pokemon of this team =) It sets up on steels that like to switch into my other Psychic types like Ferro, Magearna, Scizor or Celesteela. The set is again pretty standard, Focus Blast on the last slot to hit Heatran/Tyranitar/Greninja/Mega Gyara with an accuracy of 77% (factoring in Tini's ability). If you are sure you will win with Z-Tiny, it often is a good idea to sacrifice Lele/Zam to taunt e.g. a Ferro to guarantee a status free setup. Remember that Tini outspeeds and OHKOs adamant Swampert in Rain after a boost, so it singlehandedly beats rain without Kingdra if it hast enough Terrain Turns to prevent Shuriken.
Deep Mind (Alakazam-Mega) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moves: Psychic | Focus Blast | Shadow Ball | Taunt
His presence was overwhelming. I felt like he knew everything and could foresee my every move...
Alakazam is used to deal with weather based abilities and also shines against many balance teams. I use Modest over Timid since the team is already very fast and has other ways to deal with the few mons that timid outspeeds (like +1 Gyara). With it's Trace Ability, it also acts as a switchin to Heatran. Psychic is a given, Focus Blast for Coverage and Shadow Ball is needed to damage fat Psychics for Victini that somehow like to switch in on Zam. Although I would love to have Recover in the last slot, I have to use Taunt, since I need another option than Lele to chip Chansey for Tini (and deny recovery). It also helps to beat setup sweepers like Calm Mind Reuniclus, Shift Gear Mag etc. On top of that, it can be used to guarantee a save setup for Tini (e.g. against Thunder Wave Ferrothorn).
Mental Breakdown (Hawlucha) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Unburden
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves: Acrobatics | High Jump Kick | Swords Dance | Substitute
I never really stood a chance. I fought bravely for so long, but at this point, I simply couldn't take it anymore...
Hawlucha is another WinCon for the team, as well as one of my insurances against speed boosting or scarfed sweepers. Max Speed to beat opposing Luchas, which is vital for the team! Swords Dance, Acrobatics and High Jump Kick are a given. Substitute on the last slot lets it beat Z-Fly Lando/Salamance or guarantees a turn of setup vs things that try to toxic it. Lucha is also stopped by fat Psychic Types like Latias, which it is often able to damage to the point where they are too low to check Victini.
Conclusion
The team is a lot of fun to play. Finding the best wincon, weakening everything that potentially stops a sweep and creating an opportunity to setup is the key to victory. Many teams lack answers to Z-Tini, so oftentimes, the game is mostly about weakening Tini's checks and finding the best turn to set up and sweep from there. Since many sweepers share the same checks (e.g. AV Magearna for Lele, Zam, Serp and Lucha), it's rather easy to wear them down, loosing one or two mons in the process to create an opening for another one to sweep. It has to be noted that the lack of switchins to most attacks makes the lead choice rather important. Good luck while testing this team, and don't let the madness fully overwhelm you...
Mental Breakdown (Hawlucha) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Unburden
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- High Jump Kick
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
Crazy Eyes (Serperior) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Contrary
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Defog
- Glare
Brainf*ck (Victini) @ Normalium Z
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Celebrate
- Stored Power
- Searing Shot
- Focus Blast
Deep Mind (Alakazam-Mega) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
Spinning Head (Excadrill) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Mold Breaker
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Tomb
Twisted Thoughts (Tapu Lele) @ Terrain Extender
Ability: Psychic Surge
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Psyshock
- Taunt
Ability: Unburden
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- High Jump Kick
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
Crazy Eyes (Serperior) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Contrary
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Defog
- Glare
Brainf*ck (Victini) @ Normalium Z
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Celebrate
- Stored Power
- Searing Shot
- Focus Blast
Deep Mind (Alakazam-Mega) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
Spinning Head (Excadrill) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Mold Breaker
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Tomb
Twisted Thoughts (Tapu Lele) @ Terrain Extender
Ability: Psychic Surge
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Psyshock
- Taunt
I used this team on two alts, ElStefano & ElStefanoTest and climbed the ladder about a month ago. Unfortunately, I didn't take screenshots with the higher alt, so 1978 is the highest rank that I can proove with a replay:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-935179649
And here's a screenshot from the peak with the main alt:
I even managed to break past 2000 with this team, but unfortunately I don't have a screenshot to prove this...
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-935179649
And here's a screenshot from the peak with the main alt:
I even managed to break past 2000 with this team, but unfortunately I don't have a screenshot to prove this...
Victini Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934535341 vs Mega-Lop + Azu
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934055003 vs Mega-Medi + Kart
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933986859 vs ZZZ is my goddess Mega-Lop + Hoopa
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931122549 vs Mega-Mawile + Volc
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931099928 vs Mega-Zard-Y
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-929728038 vs The Clown, the Lobster and the Bunny
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933112798 vs German111 Mega-Medicham + Lucha
Hawlucha Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934690120 vs scholarships
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934057281 vs Rain
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931104523 vs Mega-Zard-Y
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-935179649 vs high impulse Mega-Zard-Y team
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933618247 vs opposing Psychic Spam
Alakazam Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931244957 vs Mega-Medi Balance
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933123303 vs Mega-Medi + Kart (even though I had some bad luck this game)
Serperior Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934594741 vs Mega-Scizor Balance
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933962718 vs Stall (I threw when I didn't Taunt Chansey on the Wish and thus let Magearna come back to full)
Lele Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-932924222 vs Mega-Diancie + Cosmic Power Clef
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934535341 vs Mega-Lop + Azu
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934055003 vs Mega-Medi + Kart
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933986859 vs ZZZ is my goddess Mega-Lop + Hoopa
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931122549 vs Mega-Mawile + Volc
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931099928 vs Mega-Zard-Y
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-929728038 vs The Clown, the Lobster and the Bunny
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933112798 vs German111 Mega-Medicham + Lucha
Hawlucha Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934690120 vs scholarships
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934057281 vs Rain
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931104523 vs Mega-Zard-Y
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-935179649 vs high impulse Mega-Zard-Y team
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933618247 vs opposing Psychic Spam
Alakazam Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-931244957 vs Mega-Medi Balance
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933123303 vs Mega-Medi + Kart (even though I had some bad luck this game)
Serperior Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-934594741 vs Mega-Scizor Balance
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-933962718 vs Stall (I threw when I didn't Taunt Chansey on the Wish and thus let Magearna come back to full)
Lele Shines
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-932924222 vs Mega-Diancie + Cosmic Power Clef
This is Madness! - This... Is... Psychic Overload!
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