Since Zeraora got into the game it's been my favorite offensive threat, very reminiscent of Jolteon back in gen 3. I made a fairly standard balanced offensive team that focuses on removing Zeraora's problems, punching holes in the team with Excadrill, and finishing the game off with Zeraora's insane coverage.
Killua (Zeraora) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Close Combat
- Play Rough
- Grass Knot
Zeraora is the star of the team thanks to its insane coverage and high velocity power. I opt for expert belt over life orb because without running wish I can tend to rack up a lot of passive damage from hazards/recoil that I can't always avoid because Drill isn't as easy to switch in as more common defoggers like Corviknight or Mandibuzz. I was running knock off before but catching Seismitoad/Gastro/Hippo on the switch is just too valuable, and because I have Rotom-M on my team the GK is rarely expected. I do lose some utility/double up on coverage but from experience I enjoy retaining the offensive momentum more than I enjoy the added utility from Knock, especially since expert belt doesn't add any knock off damage to most Zera switch ins.
Gon (Rotom-Mow) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Leaf Storm
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
This is a copy pasted Rotom-H set used for Rotom-M. The prevalence of Seismitoad makes this mon an absolute pleasure to use. Hard switch every time Toad comes out, then I have limitless options with the threat of Leaf Storm OHKO. Wisp takes care of physical threats on switch like Drill or Bisharp. Volt switch for pivots and an OHKO on Gyara after rocks, but sometimes I feel like it's a bit lacking. May change the EV's to guarantee some volt switch OHKO on the likes of Pellipper or Gyara. Its main purpose is still countering Seismitoad however, and any other added benefit is simply icing on the cake.
Lao Tzu (Clefable) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Soft-Boiled
- Flamethrower
Is it really a gen8 team if you're not using Clefable? This mon is busted full stop. I use the calm mind life orb set because it baits out Ferrothorn that's expecting Wish/TP. +1 Flamethrower takes care of Bisharp, Drill, Aegislash (except banded), etc. Free setup on choice locked Dragapult, free kill on non-flash cannon (lol) Hydreigon. I do my best to bluff this clef as a defensive pivot early game to later reveal the CM and get solid mid game damage on fire weak mons.
Zeta (Excadrill) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mold Breaker
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
The Drill does it all and functions as my premier Rotom-H counter. Good switch on non-flamethrower clef and can be a sweeper all on its own if it gets a turn for SD/late game rapid spin. This used to be Corviknight but I prefer the offensive lean of Drill as my hazard remover and the fact that Spin doesn't take out my own rocks as well. Swords dance + iron head flinch can fight non-bodypress Corviknight, solid late game answer to pex, and counter to toxtricity.
Hypnotoad (Seismitoad) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earth Power
- Scald
The one the only Dracovish counter. Toad also functions as my rocks setter, my counter to Bisharp, and a hard switch to Rotom-H. Toxic to cripple other Toad switch ins and mons like Dragapult, Snorlax, and most setup sweepers. Solid against bulk up Zera but needs to worry about grass knot - which goes to Rotom-M instead. Scald burns can cripple the likes of Cloyster (lives a +2 ice spear) and the aforementioned Dracovish. Generally this mon plays as my phys def pivot for mons that Clef doesn't want to switch into like Drill, Bisharp, and Aegislash.
Arvess (Dragapult) (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- U-turn
Great offensive pivot, perfect switch into Ferrothorn. Takes out problems like Kommo-o and specs Kyurem can be revenged. Unfortunately outsped by Zeraora and considering switching to scarf because of it. Dracovish gets revenged, and this mon is really my main way to deal with Conk, who is a huge threat if it predicts the switch and hits with Knock. Strong all purpose switch and good as a lead when I'm not sure what their lead will be as the U-turn will be faster than most of the meta. Of all the mon I have this is one that I would be most comfortable with replacing.
There you have it. Main weaknesses in this team include mold breaker excadrill which, with +1 speed, can truly wreak havoc on my team because I don't have any true counters other than toad, screen setups can be tough too, especially with further Def/SpDef boosts because I don't have any truly versatile setup sweepers, and offensive Clefable which I don't have an answer to outside of some tricky switches that can get Drill in safely. Appreciate any and all feedback. Feel free to use the team, it's brought me plenty of success.
