VGC Newb Comp-- VGC Doubles

IrishNinjah

IrishNinjah

Hello,

A little background on myself. I haven't played since Ruby and originally started with the Red and Blue. I'm completely new to the competitive Pokemon scene, but am very interested in it. Particularly with the Doubles format as it adds a whole different layer compared to Singles. Since I have not played in so long I'm having to relearn and learn a lot of new things so my efficiency isn't great at the moment but I plan to signup for the Smogon Tutor program.

In the meantime I have put together a team based on Pokemon I like and based on the current meta. I have done a lot of playtesting on Showdown and usually run a 50/50 Win Loss. I could use some feedback on the builds I have, maybe some strategy tips if this is the place for that.

Thank you!


Team dynamic for Doubles: As I'm still learning I don't always pick right when going up against other teams simply because I don't know all there is yet. But usually I lead with Rotom, and another member like Dragapult or Gyarados. I feel like I should start with Rotom/Corsola more often so I can get burns off quickly but I typically see a lot of Dragapults so I try to first turn dynamax my Dragapult and outspeed them which seems to be a gamble.

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Dragapult @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Steel Wing
- Shadow Ball

Description: Using Life Orb as a boost this is my special attacker speed sweeper. Depending on what the other team has lined up I either put Dragapult out first or last. Considering that Dragapult should be Dynamaxed it’s always risky doing that first turn, so I try to save it for when I need it. The moveset is for general coverage, I’m not committed to Steel Wing but find that it can be useful.


Corsola-Galar @ Eviolite
Ability: Weak Armor
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Haze
- Night Shade
- Strength Sap
- Will-O-Wisp

Description: Corsola with eviolite is a solid tank and provides good support with the moveset listed. Will-O-Wisp is used to get burns off; Haze is great for removing status changes. However, since I am new to the competitive scene I find myself lacking the technical knowledge to utilize Corsola effectively. Currently I only have the Weak Armor variant but am working on getting the Cursed Body variant.


Grimmsnarl @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Body Press
- Spirit Break
- Thunder Punch

Description: This variant is setup as a Bulk-up physical attacker, the original build calls for Substitute to combat Dynamax but I haven’t managed to get that in game. Thunder Punch is for coverage, Bulk Up into Body Press is good, and Spirit Break is for coverage. Sitrus berry is what it is, I debate on giving it leftovers but could use some feedback.


Rotom-Heat @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Overheat
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Volt Switch

Description: I have Rotom built out to utilize Trick into Choice Scarf, which is a lot of fun when used right but I’m still learning. Thunderbolt and Overheat are both for coverage, and Volt Switch is great for a quick switch when paired up against something not ideal. I typically lead with Rotom paired with another team member and Volt Switch it out if the lineup is not good.



Milotic (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Protect
- Ice Beam

Description: This build is supposed to be a Flame Orb Milotic to take advantage of Marvel Scale, but I’m still grinding for Flame Orb so currently have leftovers on it. Used as a Tank with coverage moves like Scald and Ice Beam to potentially get a Burn or Freeze. As well as attempting to predict attacks and using Protect as a counter, while Recovering when able.


Gyarados @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Bounce
- Power Whip
- Dragon Dance

Description: I have Gyarados setup as a Bulky Intimidate attacker. However, I can’t decide on a moveset, I like having Power Whip as a counter to water absorbers like Gastrodon, Waterfall is good coverage, and Bounce can buy you time against an opponent if you can predict attacks accurately and make them waste it. Bounce also turns into Max Airstream which can be used for the speed boost. But Crunch is very appealing as it can help deal with threats like Dragapult.
 
Doubles OU and VGC are different things. This appears to be a VGC team, but i'd like clarification. The main difference is that in VGC, you only can pick 4 mons at team preview, and all pokemon are level 50.

50/50 win loss is to be expected, as the ranking system in showdown aims to put you against about equally skilled opponents, and thus you should be expected to get approximately 50%.

i'm going to assume this is VGC.
Problems:
Speed control is entirely lacking. Protect is also almost entirely lacking, as are good support mons (outside of perhaps Milotic).

How do you deal with sand teams (tyranitar+excadrill in particular?)?

What about Trick Room teams?

No fake out user, although admittedly nowadays it's less needed (but still very very useful!)

Small changes:

Protect over steel wing on Dragapult. more useful, and protect's just an awesome move in Doubles.

Gyarados should run banded with Waterfall, Bounce, Power Whip, and Crunch. It allows for an extremely powerful dynamax abuser.

Icy Wind over Ice beam on Milotic: fixes speed control issue somewhat.

Fake out over Body press on Grimmsnarl, and protect over thunder punch.

Clear Body on Dragapult should be replaced with Infiltrator, to avoid substitutes and screens.
Big changes:
Corsola-Galar's too passive. Axe it. In it's place, I'd put whimsicott with the following set:


Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Tailwind
- Trick Room
- multiple options

The last move can be any combination of energy ball, taunt, encore, charm, or helping hand. This allows for speed control, which is the main thing lacking in this team. Trick Room also allows for you to reverse trick room.


Other than this, the team doesn't look too bad, and I've seen worse.
A recommendation I would make is to start playing with a rental team, such as the ones here in order to get a feel for the metagame and how to play.

Best of luck! if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
 
pulsar512b said:
Doubles OU and VGC are different things. This appears to be a VGC team, but i'd like clarification. The main difference is that in VGC, you only can pick 4 mons at team preview, and all pokemon are level 50.

50/50 win loss is to be expected, as the ranking system in showdown aims to put you against about equally skilled opponents, and thus you should be expected to get approximately 50%.

i'm going to assume this is VGC.
Problems:
Speed control is entirely lacking. Protect is also almost entirely lacking, as are good support mons (outside of perhaps Milotic).

How do you deal with sand teams (tyranitar+excadrill in particular?)?

What about Trick Room teams?

No fake out user, although admittedly nowadays it's less needed (but still very very useful!)

Small changes:

Protect over steel wing on Dragapult. more useful, and protect's just an awesome move in Doubles.

Gyarados should run banded with Waterfall, Bounce, Power Whip, and Crunch. It allows for an extremely powerful dynamax abuser.

Icy Wind over Ice beam on Milotic: fixes speed control issue somewhat.

Fake out over Body press on Grimmsnarl, and protect over thunder punch.

Clear Body on Dragapult should be replaced with Infiltrator, to avoid substitutes and screens.
Big changes:
Corsola-Galar's too passive. Axe it. In it's place, I'd put whimsicott with the following set:


Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Tailwind
- Trick Room
- multiple options

The last move can be any combination of energy ball, taunt, encore, charm, or helping hand. This allows for speed control, which is the main thing lacking in this team. Trick Room also allows for you to reverse trick room.


Other than this, the team doesn't look too bad, and I've seen worse.
A recommendation I would make is to start playing with a rental team, such as the ones here in order to get a feel for the metagame and how to play.

Best of luck! if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Click to expand...


Hey,

Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it. To clarify yes I am playing VGC Doubles.

-I've tweaked Dragapult, gave him infiltrator. I wasn't aware of how good protect was so that makes a lot of sense. What about focus sash in place of life orb?

-For Gyarados, I wasn't aware that Dynamax avoided Choice mechanics. So that's good to know.

-How do you feel about Hypnosis on Milotic in place of Icy Wind?

-For Grimmsnarl, I decided to put a Babiri Berry on it. And switched to Fake Out, and should I have protect on three mons?

-As far as replacing Corsola with Whiimsicott. How do you feel about Dusclops as a counter to trick room, in place of Corsola?
 
IrishNinjah said:
Hey,

Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it. To clarify yes I am playing VGC Doubles.

-I've tweaked Dragapult, gave him infiltrator. I wasn't aware of how good protect was so that makes a lot of sense. What about focus sash in place of life orb?

-For Gyarados, I wasn't aware that Dynamax avoided Choice mechanics. So that's good to know.

-How do you feel about Hypnosis on Milotic in place of Icy Wind?

-For Grimmsnarl, I decided to put a Babiri Berry on it. And switched to Fake Out, and should I have protect on three mons?

-As far as replacing Corsola with Whiimsicott. How do you feel about Dusclops as a counter to trick room, in place of Corsola?
Click to expand...

Focus Sash Dragapult's not something i've seen, but it might be interesting. Life Orb is probably best, however.

You learn something every day.

Hypnosis feels a bit questionable, and I think Icy Wind's speed control is more important, but you can give it a try i suppose.

Babiri Berry's a fine item, and putting protect on it wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

Dusclops would make a fair amount of sense, actually. Grimmsnarl at least actually kinda likes trick room, maybe it's something to look into and try.
 
pulsar512b said:
Focus Sash Dragapult's not something i've seen, but it might be interesting. Life Orb is probably best, however.

You learn something every day.

Hypnosis feels a bit questionable, and I think Icy Wind's speed control is more important, but you can give it a try i suppose.

Babiri Berry's a fine item, and putting protect on it wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

Dusclops would make a fair amount of sense, actually. Grimmsnarl at least actually kinda likes trick room, maybe it's something to look into and try.
Click to expand...

So I ended up replacing bulky Grimmsnarl with support Grimmsnarl, which has helped a lot.

Also I got Hypnosis on Milotic, something not a lot of people seem ready for. And Dusclops is doing work against Trick Room teams.

My average play is to lead with Grimmsnarl and Milotic, backed up by Gyarados and Dragapult. I try to Paralyze/Hypnosis as much as I can, get a light screen or reflect up and to tick damage. Then switch into my heavy hitters, and by this time the opponent has already wasted a Dynamax while I still have mine.

This strategy has been working well, and I just substitute when I need to depending on the opponent's lineup.
 
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