Resource SS LC Sample Teams

[Laroxyl]

Standard agil pory + trapinch built in lcwc for renny vs wail wailord.


(click on sprites)

Pory + trap is a fucking strong core trapping easy ferro, pawn, pory's counters.
I put foong as fighting resist + grookey check + sleep absorber.
I put vulla for having a good pivot + defogger + ground-immunity + good for uturning and switching in freerly trapinch on pawn/onix.
Timb is for pawn, ferro, scraggy, pory. It is better than foo here for ddance scraggy cuz it's a bit annoying. You can put either tpunch or ipunch but I prefer ipunch, you have a strong mu against foongus with it and you are not forced to put your foong or risking a spore on pawn/vulla. Mare isn't annoying cuz you have both bulky pory and foong.
I needed then a setter so I put pawn also as flying check, psychic check (abra, ponyg, woobat).
It is pretty easy to use because of the real porygon's power and for the easy strat of trapping (thanks to vulla's pressure on pawn). It is also pretty solid and has both speed and priorities that really help against sweepers like scraggy, nplot vulla, grookey, woobat, ponyg, pory and so one.

Replays - Pokémon Showdown (pokemonshowdown.com)
Replays - Pokémon Showdown (pokemonshowdown.com)
[Gen 8] LC replay: Wail Wailord vs. Mionda - Pokémon Showdown (pokemonshowdown.com)

 

[Expulso]

Hi all! I started playing LC recently, playing SS in the last Levi Premier League [an LC Discord tour -- server invite here] and getting to r10 of this seasonal. I lost open and seasonal this week, which was disappointing but which also gives me a chance to share some of the teams I like.



I used this in the LPL Semifinals vs grizz, albeit with some changes (NP > Pivot Vullaby, Recover-less Staryu). DD Onix is really cool, particularly when you don't run into Grookey. It is faster than nearly all scarfers and can be a very cool wincon, especially if you keep it healthy enough to stay out of Timburr range.

Ponyta-Galar is a bit of a demon for this team since the only thing as fast as it is Staryu. Fitting TWave onto Star would make you more secure against it. However you'd have to drop spin and go defog Vulla because I feel like Staryu really needs Recover to help this team against Ice Beam Porygon and late-game Onix.

Going with no Psychic + poison-type Koffing, which lacks recovery, can make Timburr a bit annoying, but knocking it and then forcing it to take chip from onix can be good - especially if you keep hazards off so Koffing lasts longer defensively.

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I built this one most recently (yesterday) and used it in seasonal vs zeriloa (despite losing the series). my idea was that I wanted to use LO Abra, a stupidly strong threat, and needed a way to get it in safely. Eject Button Mareanie ended up being that way; if you switch in on a fighter using anything but Knock, it'll send you into a mon of your choice (Abra) for free, which can be a cool way to break up U-turn cycles. They try to knock you on the switch a lot tbf so it isnt always effective, but Covet lets you take their item after the button is used or knocked off, which is a nice way to get that Eviolite back.

Due to no Onix or Pawn, this team is a bit Vullaby weak; Mareanie + your own Vullaby + LO Abra can manage it OK, though, as long as you don't give it too many chances to come in. (Keep Rocks up!). Mareanie as poison also gives you an issue against Protect Grookey, which Trapinch can't trap; any other Grookey can be handled.

EDIT: If you feel confident in your ability to weaken and/or trap opposing Ferroseed, Abra can run Energy Ball over Fire Punch. Make sure to move the EVs out of Attack if you do so.

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I used this team in LPL vs Zeriloa. Ice Beam or Tbolt on Staryu can also be added to hit Vullaby, but TWave Pawn / your own Vulla can do OK. This team uses Scarf Porygon to sweep while having a pretty decent Fighting-type switch-in for Timburr revenge-killing, Foongus, and just being generally solid defensively.

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Enjoy! Despite being fairly centralized, I have found LC fun to play and build in. Good luck to everyone currently doing open/ssnl!

 

[3HG70]

This is the team that im using in LC
https://pokepast.es/f6cb6edd138ea9b4

Frillish:
Mostly used to Strength Sap physical threat to the team
Or can be used to sweep if dark types already checked by Mienfoo

Cottonee:
Used to kill of dark type and fighting types
Or can be use to encore a baited electric/grass move
(Ex: using Vullaby to bait a thunder punch from an elekid then switching in to cottonee
To encore it)
This strat wont work on dark types

Vullaby:
Mostly use to kill grass types
Can also be use as the bait for the encore strat
Reason of using this: Its literally the meta king lol

Mienfoo:
Can be use to check stuff
Good lead most of the time
Can be a threat to other mienfoo if berry juice was consumed

Alolan Diglett:
Using the alolan one instead of kanto one since the team
Needed a vullaby resist
Works mostly the same as kanto diglett except the trapping thing

Larvesta:
Just all around a good last member
Can be use for a fire punch bait but i don’t recommend it

Thats the team hope You can try it on ladder

 

[kirby of the jet]

These teams helped me learn the meta, thanks!

 

[SimonBoi]

Post Vullaby team. (You can change the spreads and sets if you want.)EDIT:Revamp Time.

https://pokepast.es/aa24c172f3bc533f

Description

Now that vullaby is gone, teambuilding have become a bit more easy, since you no need to scramble and find a decent rock type just for vullaby. I built this team like two or three days ago and its been solid for me. Carvanha is a really underappreciated threat, being to sweep teams at a moments notice. Flip Turn is also generally useful for pivoting and chipping checks such as Foongus, Ferroseed, Mienfoo, Timburr and the list goes on. Diglett is for trapping Mareanie and other Electric Types that can be annoying. Koffing is for a fighting and grass type check, as you really need one, otherwise you have to spam focus sashes which is not fun. Ferroseed provides another Grookey check if the Grookey does not run drain punch. It also provides spikes which can soften the opponents team so that the team can gain more progress in terms of damage. Timburr is a fighting type while running a really odd set in terms of defog and guts as its ability. (I put defog so that my team can have some entry hazard removal, otherwise mienfoo is a bit better.) Abra is the soft check to Scraggy with sash gleam, and can pressure and force switch poison types, so you can switch into your mons much more easily against passive opponents.

THREAT LIST

-when ban this thing. Jokes aside, this pokemon can 6-0 this team if Koffing is heavily weakened. So, keep your Koffing at pristine shape.
-This thing is fat af. You NEED to chip it heavily so that the team can finish it off. Like sure, Ferroseed can stall this out, but they will just switch.
Choice Scarf-Keep your diglett alive to trap it and kill it, otherwise weather ball will 5-0.
-Use Ferroseed to stall this out ig, otherwise it will stall you out.
Choice Scarf-This is the only good set and if you're not running this, what are you doing. I've literally lost to this TWICE LOL.
- If your team does not have a fairy(Some idiots still run Poison Jab lol), your team is weak to this. Very simple, no questions needed.
There are probably more threats, but these are the major ones imo.

Overall, I think this team can get some improvements, but idrk what to change.

 

[kythr]

hi, posting a few teams here that i also submitted as samples in the lc room on ps!

pony-k

a team i built around pony-k; some pretty standard stuff. the idea behind the defensive core of evio pony-k + koffing was to be able to handle grookey + fighter spam teams (see examples below) effectively. typically these teams like to use grookey + 1 or 2 fighters to break through the opposing poison types, but by using pony-k on this build you can save koffing to switchin to fighters (mienfoo/burr) while pony handles grookey comfortably. other specifics include the timburr spread which avoids a 2hko by scraggy from full, while bulldoze on diglett prevents scraggy from setting up and is also nice for 1v1ing other digletts.

fightspam+grookey

a very offensive grookey + fightspam team that is very representative of the meta rn. on this team the idea is to use the 2 fighters to pressure the opposing poison types to set up for a scarffoo or grookey endgame. ice punch timburr helps break thru foongus while ferro abuses it spreading knocks/para/rocks. if this team is played well, there's no way that koffing can keep all 3 offensive mons in check, while mare also suffers vs seed and can have regen stunted by the team's own koffing. when facing a team more prepped for fighters + grookey (ie poison + pony-k) u-turn on grookey provides a good option on a pony switch to bring in either scarffoo or an analytic hydro pump from star.

scrag+grook

this is a cool team i built for a friend that is another example of fighter+grookey synergy but with a different twist. abra here not only works as a breaker and a soft check to opposing scraggys, but also as support for the team's own scraggy as it is able to spread paralysis on incoming pawns/pony-gs/frills/ferros to help scraggy get up a sub more reliably. the other tech on this team is low sweep pawn which again helps prevent opposing scraggy from setting up. with this team you should also aim to overwhelm the opponents' poison fighter core through using grookey to weaken then scraggy to sweep, or vice versa.

 

[wesh papillon]

Reposting the team I made an rmt on ( and topped ladder with)



https://pokepast.es/1e75578dfcbadaeb

Dont feel like writing the same text again, so here's a link to the rmt: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threa...dder-1767-elos-88-4-gxe.3690122/#post-8962284

Tldr: Team is basically made around munchlax+mareanie being super hard to take down, with ferro for hazards support, timburr as removal, larvesta is the grookey check and 2nd fight resist if needed, and ponyta-g is a very strong late game wincon

 

[Steven Stone 007]

Choice Scarf Inkay + Para Suck Ferroseed
Grookey @ Eviolite
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Wood Hammer
- Drain Punch
- Swords Dance


Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 20 Def / 92 SpA / 180 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Sludge Bomb
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes

Mudbray @ Eviolite
Ability: Stamina
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Heavy Slam
- Close Combat

Ferroseed @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 5
EVs: 84 HP / 36 Atk / 108 Def / 4 SpA / 228 SpD / 36 Spe
Bold Nature
- Spikes
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Thunder Wave

Inkay @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Contrary
Level: 5
EVs: 244 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Switcheroo
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Facade

Timburr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 36 Atk / 156 Def / 236 SpD
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
My personal Favourite team And Deadly Balanced of Attack and Defense. Try It yourself
Might one weakness is Hazard but can be overcome if Inkay settles

 

[Collette]

https://pokepast.es/3fe8dc3036a3a816
we don't have many samples at the moment so I thought I'd try to submit one to help contribute, I normally wouldn't try but I ran this team by number of players I consider much better than myself and many had positive things to say, so here.




I wanted to see what building with munchlax would get me in the current meta, as I think it can have insanely dominant matchups vs special orientated teams like Staryu+Abra/Ponyta-G, and it's definitely not a dead weight in other ones, as it has a huge attack stat that can force some progress, and has the very helpful ability to serve as a blanket check to all Ponyta-K's, as it can't be KOd even on the switch by any of the commonly run sets, which makes it more reliable than other resists that can be covered by wild charge or high horsepower (Munchlax also offers an insane matchup edge vs most sun teams). Protect pairs well with Koffing, letting you damage Mienfoo and then nuetralize regen, but you can change this to facade to be more threatening after dealing with a flame body Ponyta or a Wisp Koffing. Toxic can also be run to make the frillish MU substantially better but it's worse in almost all other matchups. You may opt for 9 speed and 17 attack instead of the 7/19 spread provided for more relevant speed tiers after inflicting paralysis, but you may find the damage decrease undesireable.

koffing is already the most dominant poison, but when building with munchlax I was even more certain of using it, because it's very important to limit mienfoo's regenerator. I experimented a bit and decided on a Bold 20 defense EV koffing with Thief, because the fighting types munch brings in can click knock off on it very freely, so I thought a set that was prepared to switch into primarily knock off's, take minimal damage, and regain momentum by taking eviolite's back from the opponent would be best.

No set variance to explain here really, alongside Koffing this completes one of the most powerful build cores in the meta, Mienfoo acts as a defensive pivot, can u-turn into Diglett, breaks for itself and functions as a win condition, pawn has excellent typing, STAB knock off and strong priority, provides rocks, checks Abra, etc.

air balloon Diglett immediately makes things much more dangerous for scarf Mudbray, a problem matchup. You can also run eviolite instead to pivot into more things, have more health for final gambit, and take less from things such as Pawniard sucker punch. Diglett benifits from the combined efforts of Munchlax's high damage, Koffing to still regen cores, and Mienfoo U-turn, to pick off weakened pokemon like Mienfoo or Foongus. Diglett overall is a very self explanatory pokemon but its role fits onto this kind of team very well.

thanks to Expulso for the idea, but Natu was a very important pick for the 6th mon, and gives the team a lot of its identity. It proves a secondary and infinitely more reliable ground immunity, an offensive psychic for pressuring poison-types, another grass and fighting check to shore up things vs grookey, timbur, or foo, as well as the only spore immunity which is fairly critical. Magic bounce also gives you an inherent advantage throughout the match, as it makes plays more difficult for the opponent and can make people hesitate or complicate the play for doing things like getting up rocks or clicking thunder wave, even if you don't take advantage of this. Psychic and heat wave are mandatory, and roost takes advantage of eviolite's bulk vs several pokemon. You may opt for U-turn or twave for your last slot on natu, but I would choose giga drain because it makes things easier vs Mudbray and is relevant vs Frillish, which can give the team trouble.

wrote at 2am so excuse run-on sentences and formatting, here's the paste again https://pokepast.es/3fe8dc3036a3a816

 

[jns0808]

https://pokepast.es/0607eb329d9be9d0
A very standard, solid team. Actually the first sample I've ever tried to make, but apart from a couple minor suggestions I implemented, everyone I've talked to seem to find it good enough

Mienfoo is the standard set, It's a case of if it's not broken don't fix it. The Undisputed King of LC offers strong offensive pressure with a powerful STAB, pivot utility with U-Turn, which synergises great with regenerator letting it stay healthy as the battle goes on. Fake out is great for some reliable priority chip and breaking sashes.

koffing and ferroseed make the main two walls of the team, together covering a majority of threats in the tier.

Koffing carries thunderbolt for waters like frillish and mareanie, fire blast for ferroseed, and sludge bomb as it's STAB. Pain Split is a good move for both recovery and bringing several mons into KO range.

Ferroseed is a bulky set, with rocks and thunder wave as support options, Giga drain as a good healing STAB, and the quintessential knock off.

Staryu brings a strong mix of both support and offence, letting you keep hazards off your side and staying healthy through recover. Hydro pump is inaccurate, but its extra power is a good enough trade. Ice Beam is a strong coverage option that often lets you finish off weakened opponents without risking the accuracy or depleting the PP of Hydro Pump, and also lets you sting common counters foongus and ferroseed for some decent chip damage. All in all, a very strong, versatile mon.

Abra is unquestionably one of the best pokemon in the tier, not just for its ability to take down tier king mienfoo. The combination of it's STAB psychic and shadow ball let it OHKO or 2HKO the majority of the non-eviolite tier. Protect lets it block fake out attempts from mienfoo, as well as stall and scope out the opponent's intentions. Stalling a turn can often change everything, like stalling against grookey for the grassy terrain to run out. Submission is a very powerful move that is a very hard hit on it's counters pawniard and ferroseed, especially the former who takes 4x supereffective damage from it. Magic guard let's it negate LO damage altogether, as well as any hazards or status condition-related damage.

Lastly, we come to diglett, resident trapping specialist. Arena Trap allows it to trap in a variety of steel and fire types, such as ponyta-kanto and pawniard. Substitute allows it to play around the fairly common sucker punch pawniard, and knocking it out with the very hard-hitting STAB Earthquake. A sucker punch of it's own lets it revenge kill faster threats like scarfers when weakened, and hit any mon in general for a surprisingly good amount of chip damage. Beat up serves a very specific purpose, allowing it to Kill focus sash abra in one turn, provided it has at least 5 members of its team, including itself, alive and not statused. Air balloon spells a death sentence for scarf mudbray attempting to earthquake, since the combination of choice locking and arena trap lets it easily setup a substitute for free and/or knock out the mudbray without taking any damage. Also, very good for breaking an opponent's morale :)

All in all a very solid team, that should easily let any newcomer get a hang of the tier!

If you think it's good enough please do approve it, else I'm also open to suggestions for minor changes. Except submission. I'm not changing submission.^_^

 

[Acehunter1]

Hello all, with the end of the circuit tours, I'll share two of the teams that have done great for me.

Steel Spam

https://pokepast.es/87540d8fd1c2637a

This team, that I call steel spam, seeks to overwhelm Fighting and Ground types with both Scarf Magnemite and Scarf Pawniard. I really like Scarf Pawn, because it lets you get the jump on Porygon, Ponyta and the many Psychic types out there, as well as not being trapped by regular Diglett. Koffing is very useful on the team, because with its ability Neutralizing Gas, it denies Regenerator recovery from Mienfoo. Therefore, it pairs extremely well with Pawniard, since weakening Mienfoo often means the opponent doesn't have a good switch-in to Scarf Pawniard's Knock Off anymore.
With more than half the team being weak to Ground, the team seeks to overload any opposing trapper. Air Balloon Diglett is crucial to holding the team together, serving as the only Ground "resist". It can remove opposing Diglett to free the way for Magnemite, and it can trap and remove Ponyta, Scarf Diglett and Scarf Mudbray, which would otherwise be big threats to this team. Diglett also has Protect to notably patch up a weakness to Scarf Mienfoo, which would counter both Steel Scarfers.
With 3 Steel types, the team is also weak to Ponyta after a Flame Charge. This is why Flash Fire Pony is here, to prevent the opposing Ponyta from getting a Flame Charge speed boost, and trading it with Diglett if it loses the ties. Finally, Ferroseed is on the team as the only switch-in to Staryu, and the only hazards. I chose Spikes over Stealth Rock because it chips more the targets that the team wants to wear down, such as Fighting types, Pawniard and Ferroseed.
The team also has a relatively good matchup against setup spam. Scarf Pawniard is good at preventing Natu from setting screens, either by outspeeding it or by breaking screens with Brick Break. It also outspeeds Scarf Tyrunt after a Dragon Dance, which can be useful to revenge kill. Zigzagoon is well covered with 3 Steel types, and Ponyta can stop Magby after a Belly Drum if Stealth Rocks are not up.
Note: in a previous version of the team, I had Staryu instead of Ponyta, which is ok, but makes it weaker to opposing Ponyta, since if Staryu gets chipped, Ponyta can run through the team after a Flame Charge.
Replays (with Staryu):
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1429755762-79nklbbrzw84op1v7lnqjjwk8hpjuh2pw Fall Seasonals Round 2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1433120448 Fall Seasonals Round 6

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Double Rock Dance

https://pokepast.es/1a64637d01fa2b22

This is a team I built with both Dragon Dance Rock types in Onix and Tyrunt. The two together gives a better chance that one of the two gets to sweep, depending on which is better against the opposing team. The team again stacks a Ground type weakness, but this time uses Eviolite Grookey to be able to switch into them handily and set Grassy Terrain to protect its teammates. Ponyta weakens opposing physical attackers with burns to give the Rock types an easier time to set up. Ponyta can also be used to switch into Pawniard, considering the lack of a Fighting type, and can fish for the burn from Flame Body on both Pawniard and Grookey. The rest of the team is pretty self-explanatory. Koffing can still be used to soften up Mienfoo for Onix to break through it. Berry Juice Pawniard with SpD investment is used to switch into Staryu, and check Psychic types and Porygon better. Again, this team has a great matchup against opposing setup spam. Psychic Fangs on Tyrunt destroys screens. It would be difficult for Zigzagoon to break through both Rock types, and both Ponyta and Onix check Magby after it sets up. Here are some replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1450471679-p2gmfp9l3dlco96pgxu4yfdwcxr0db9pw Fall Seasonals Round 9 (rip setup spam)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1454026717-8e04cm6448xugjf51y565pqmzo9a2xlpw LC Swiss Round 7

 

[Acehunter1]

Ok, now with the end of circuit playoffs, I'll share some of the teams I used during the tournament.

Larvesta Hyper-Offense

https://pokepast.es/e2b26e63f7bc1c89
https://pokepast.es/9e113ff1276594dd

With the existence of Grookey, building traditional hyper-offense is pretty hard, and this is probably the only successful hyper-offense team I have built this generation. There are two versions, because the first version had Onix from shortly before Zigzagoon was banned, and I changed it for Mudbray since it might be better, but I haven't had the chance to experiment enough with it yet.
Anyway, this build is basically just fast strong attackers together, coupled with Larvesta to hard check opposing Grookey and maintaining momentum with its U-Turn. 9 speed on Larvesta allows it to underspeed something like Timburr or other slow Pokemon to be able to send in a frail attacker safely. The team focuses on overloading the opposing steel-type, stacking many Pokemon walled by the steel types to wear them down so that one can sweep. Abra is Life Orb and has both Submission and Fire Punch, to be able to hit both Pawniard and Ferroseed, removing/weakening them for the rest of the team. Onix has Body Press, which 2HKOes Ferroseed. Life Orb Staryu and Scarf Porygon are the other Pokemon that enjoy steel types being removed or weakened. Life Orb Staryu is particularly hard to switch into if the opponent doesn't have a Ferroseed, since even Berry Juice Pawniard gets OHKOed by an Analytic Hydro Pump. Staryu can also act as emergency removal for Larvesta if it really needs rocks gone. Grookey is on the team to protect the team against ground types, Diglett in particular for Staryu. Onix can act as a setup sweeper with Dragon Dance once Ferroseed is worn down. Hyper-offense without hazards is weird, though, so running Mudbray over it could be an alternative to have rocks while still smacking Ferroseed hard with Close Combat.
The team is relatively weak to Trapinch, which can remove Abra, Porygon, and Staryu if weakened. Life Orb Staryu is also a very shaky spinner, so if it can't remove rocks, it might be difficult to deal with Fighting types, and more importantly Grookey, since Larvesta gone means Grookey 1v5s the rest of the team.
Replay:
LC Circuit playoffs Round of 16 vs Prodigezz: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-597822

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Carvesta

https://pokepast.es/23e788627636fdd4

This is a team that's been known for some time, I think. This team uses the Larvesta-Natu-Staryu core, which I think is really good, since keeping rocks off the field allows Larvesta to show its true potential.
Carvanha is in my opinion, surprisingly good despite being in a meta with Grookey. Receiving Flip Turn this generation was a huge buff for it, since it allows it to deal damage to the Pokemon it can't KO, and switch out before taking a hit. It threatens to OHKO a good chunk of the metagame, with only a few Pokemon like Ferroseed and Berry Juice Pawniard being able to take more than two hits from it. It acts as a very good wincon against many teams. Shoutout to wesh papillon , from who I got the idea of using Carvanha myself.
Larvesta is the main support for Carvanha, being, once again, a solid check to Grookey, threatening to burn it with Flame Body, discouraging it from using Grassy Glide, and pivoting out of it with U-Turn. It's also the Fighting type check on this team. It once again has 9 speed, to be able to slow U-Turn, and send out Carvanha or Natu safely on Pokemon such as Koffing and Timburr.
Natu is extremely good in the current metagame, and pairs well with Larvesta by preventing hazards from going up with Magic Bounce. It can almost always switch into Ferroseed and completely shut it down, being able to spam Roost on it and threaten it out with Heat Wave. Against teams that rely on Ferroseed to set rocks, Natu can by itself guarantee they never go up, which helps Larvesta immensely. Natu can also act as a shaky secondary Fighting and Grookey check, if Larvesta is weakened, or if rocks are up. I had Sucker Punch with a weird spread because I wanted to have it as a surprise weapon (which worked out in the second replay), but it can easily be replaced by U-Turn or Calm Mind.
Staryu pairs well with Natu and Larvesta as a Rapid spin user. The set is defensive Staryu, to be able to repeatedly switch into Natu better, with the added bonus of not having to worry about paralysis with Natural Cure. Defensive Staryu can also outstall Pawniard's Knock Off with recover, which greatly helps it to be able to use Rapid Spin safely. This Staryu doesn't hit as hard as offensive versions, but Scald threatens the opposing Pokemon with burns. Ferroseed being often the Staryu switch-in, Scald burning Ferroseed is extremely useful, since it halves the damage Natu takes from Ferroseed's Knock Off, allowing it to prevent rocks from getting up much more safely.
Mienfoo is there as a Pawniard switch-in, and because it's just such a good Pokemon. Taunt provides a lot of utility, such as preventing Koffing from using Pain Split or Mareanie/Foongus from using Recover.
Ferroseed is the last Pokemon on the team, has Stealth Rock, and acts as a Water type switch-in and Porygon check.
I think this team is very solid. It needs to be more careful against Pawniard teams, since it has an easier time setting up rocks against Natu. Nevertheless, I've had good success with it, with this team, and with the Larvesta-Natu-Staryu core in general.
Replays:
LC Circuit playoffs Round of 16 vs Prodigezz: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-597821
Another francophone tournament vs Daruma: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1474658077-6mkf7efzj712n46hicmwnzbtjw6hc5xpw

Here's also a Youtube video of TheKingKarp using this team on ladder :

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Frillish balance

https://pokepast.es/f72cdc9016326f2c
https://pokepast.es/0c5b7a713db062c3

Here is a pretty balanced team to finish off, that I used in circuit finals. This again has two versions, one with Diglett, and another with Trapinch. I believe the Diglett version is slightly better. The Diglett version has the advantage of also being a hazard stacking team, with Stealth Rock on Diglett, Spikes on Ferroseed, and Frillish as a spinblocker in case there's Rapid Spin Staryu.
I probably won't say too much about this team, since it follows a pretty standard building core. It has Calm Mind Natu as one of the wincons. Frillish is also very good in my opinion, acting as a solid Natu check, and also probably the best check to fire types possible, maybe after Munchlax. Explosion on Ferroseed is very cool, allowing it to net surprise KOs on Natu and Mienfoo after Knock, and Grookey. The rest is pretty standard. The team is slightly weak to Grookey, so preserving Koffing well is ideal, with Natu and Ferro as secondary shaky checks.
Replays :
LC Circuit playoffs Finals vs Toadow: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1487683565
Another francophone tournament vs Foukrou: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1480454308-shw8cd6d8jny8oy86rh518t8lalr6b4pw

Alright that was a handful to write. I'll probably dump some more stuff once LCWC is over XD

 

[tazz]

wanted to get some recent teams in this thread that are pretty accessible for newcomers.

Bog Standard

This is the type of sturdy balance that daunt vs relied on towards the middle part of SCL to consistently get outplayable matchups. It has solid switchins to most of the meta, and should give you a winnable matchup against most any opponent. It does have some awkward matchups here and there: on the defensive side koffing can be a bit obnoxious to switch into, and it can occasionally lack the offensive tools to break Frillish. Don't be afraid to use diglett as a Koffing switch in a pinch, and if you're concerned about frillish matchups you can change u-turn on natu to shadow ball. This could also help against opposing natu, as is you have to rely on your own natu and staryu to pressure them.

Physical Balance

This is a more offensive team that trades some harder matchups for considerable offensive presence. There are some cool techs on here that can help you get the drop on your opponent: sash diglett in particular makes Ponyta matchups much easier to play, and that sash can be used even when rocks are down in a pinch through tect + grassy terrain (if you don't like how that plays, the sash set can be easily replaced with the eviolite set from the above paste or air balloon). This one can be slightly harder to pilot than the above team because of eq diglett and grookey on the same team, but it rewards good plays well and will be worth its difficulty.

Most of my teams are in my LCWC chat or were cobuilt with boulicrok who is planning to drop some during the first or second round of Winter Seasonal, so there will be all kinds of stuff in this thread soon enough. Now go sign up for that tournament, its the best way to improve!

LC - LC Winter Seasonal VI - Signups | Page 3 | Smogon Forums

 

[Acehunter1]

Hi again, LCWC is now over for me and my team, unfortunately, but it was a fun one, and it means that I can now team dump!
Some of these teams were built with the help of my LCWC teammates or other friends.

Larvesta + Alolan Sandshrew anti-Fighting

https://pokepast.es/ed3b40f101ebdccd

Starting off with an odd one. This team is built around wearing down opposing Fighting types with Choice Scarf Pawniard, Munchlax, and Alolan Sandshrew, all of which are supposed to be checked by Fighting types. The two Steels can Knock Mienfoo or Timburr switch-ins, hit them hard with their Ice or Steel STABs, or sweep once they're weakened with a Rapid Spin speed boost or a Choice Scarf. Fighting types also want to switch into Munchlax, which can help wear them down. Three Fighting-weak Pokemon warrant the use of both Koffing and Larvesta as Fighting type checks, the first helping to wear down Mienfoo with Neutralizing Gas and the second spreading burns while sending its teammates safely into battle with a slow U-Turn. Sandshrew-Alola provides Rapid Spin support for Larvesta. Munchlax, with its ability Thick Fat, is also a great Fire type check, which would otherwise be a big problem for the team. Grookey helps the team with opposing Ground types. The team's main problem is Pawniard, with only Larvesta capable of switching into it, so Brick Break over Stealth Rock on Sandshrew-Alola is an option. I built this team for circuit playoffs, but my LCWC teammate Z Strats also used it in LCWC Preliminary finals.
Replay:
LC Circuit playoffs Quarterfinals: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1479446008-p01fq582ehtpzb60bu065vdrydm2xj2pw

------------------------------------

Trace Porygon Psychic Spam

Diglett version: https://pokepast.es/04292417da5af35d
Magnemite version: https://pokepast.es/7bf88e11026508f5

These are two versions of a team built around trapper-vulnerable Pokemon like Abra, Mareanie and Magnemite accompanied by Trace Porygon, which can counter-trap both Trapinch and non-Air Balloon Diglett, so that its teammates don't have to worry about getting trapped anymore. Porygon can also help Natu and Abra break through opposing Steel types.
Replay:
LC Circuit playoffs Semifinals: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1482671694-thetuy9i7lui3v5g7g05tcwg2o4j22upw

------------------------------------

Larvesta + Scarf Pawniard

https://pokepast.es/ac1a39b1d483da2b

Yet another team with the Larvesta-Natu-Staryu core... but this team is actually built around Scarf Pawniard, which I think has been an underused set for a long time now. I built this team for my circuit finals match a while ago. The team takes advantage of Larvesta and slow Mienfoo's slow pivots to send in Pawn safely. Also, since Scarf Pawn is the Steel type and can't take many hits, the entire team except Pawniard itself is EV'ed so that Porygon gets an Atk boost from Download instead of SpA. This was due to my opponent using a lot of Porygon, but still useful. Staryu's SpD makes it a better switch-in to special attackers like Natu and Koffing, at the cost of losing to Pawniard and taking much more from other physical hits.
Replay:
LC Circuit playoffs Finals: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1487691101

------------------------------------

Non Larvesta Scarf Pawniard

https://pokepast.es/6dd4f4b0c5bb07dd

This is an adaptation of the previous team, with the same idea of building around Scarf Pawniard, but without the Larvesta core. It uses Foongus as a Fighting check instead (yes, after the end of this year's circuit, I lifted my self-inflicted ban of never using Foongus. I think after more than three years of vowing to never use Foongus willingly in LC singles, I'm satisfied with how long it has been going for). Aside from Scarf Pawniard, Frillish is also a star on the team. Its spread with 15 SpD only rather than 17 SpD, putting that investment into HP instead, allows it to take less damage in % from almost everything, physical and special moves alike, at the cost of opposing Foongus' Giga Drain doing more damage. It notably does much better against opposing Staryu and Koffing's Thunderbolt, as will be showcased in the first replay below. Mienfoo has more SpD instead of Def to be able to live Shed Shell Abra's Psychic on the lead, and KO it with U-Turn. Abra has Fire Punch to help get rid of Ferroseed for Foongus, and Drain Punch to keep coverage to KO weakened Pawniard while still keeping Shed Shell.
Replays:
LCWC Semifinals: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1497176277-dkp7ihinzuk7g8nkecvy3hmzhbgysglpw (my Abra was unfortunately Substitute instead of Drain Punch, and if only my Frillish was Cursed Body...)
LC Winter Seasonals Round 2: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1505598551-5z37pjexv9pisui6m5v2ir72x3dvjwbpw

------------------------------------

Shed Shell Abra + Scarf Porygon

https://pokepast.es/6b60337b16b02624

Nothing much to say about this team. Standard enough, Shed Shell Abra with Levitate Koffing as the Ground switch-in. This team was used by my LCWC teammate EviGaro in Week 5 of LCWC.

------------------------------------

Eviolite Grookey Offense

https://pokepast.es/a2ac2a9465b17e10

This is a team that I spent 6 hours building with wesh papillon and TheKingKarp for Game 3 of LC Circuit finals, but that didn't get used in the end. The team is built around offensive Pokemon generally weak to Ground types paired with Eviolite Grookey, which, with its added bulk, can act as a solid Ground switch-in and set up Grassy Terrain many times throughout a game to protect its teammates. This team was used by my LCWC teammate Z Strats in Week 5 of LCWC.

------------------------------------

Onix Offense

https://pokepast.es/6f140ac090060035

This team looks very similar to the last one, but was built completely separately. It's built around Dragon Dance Onix, and Life Orb Abra to help clear Ferroseed to allow Onix to sweep. The team is slightly weak to opposing Grookey and Fighting types, however. A worse version of this team was used by my LCWC teammate Splash in Qualifying finals of LCWC (sorry Splash for sabotaging the team).

------------------------------------

Worry Seed Grookey Fightspam

https://pokepast.es/78419e0c39332dbb

Originally Jox's idea, I built this Worry Seed Grookey team a while back. TheKingKarp, wesh papillon and I revamped it for LCWC, and would've won with it if it weren't for an unfortunate highroll for the opponent at the end. The team is built around Grookey using Worry Seed on opposing Koffing and sacrificing itself for Diglett to trap the Koffing that lost its Neutralizing Gas. When Koffing is removed, Mienfoo and Timburr have a much easier job breaking through the opposing team, since Koffing is arguably the best Fighting type check in the current metagame. The Eviolite Diglett spread is used to survive Life Orb Abra's Psychic, Ponyta's Flare Blitz or Mareanie's Scald. The team is built around a gimmick, but hey, it worked.
Replay:
LCWC Qualifying Finals Tiebreaks (used by wesh papillon) : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-603513

Whew, done... I think. Thanks for reading!

 

[babyboyblues]

LCWC is over for west, and lily wanted me to post some samples so here i am. really proud of the team for making it to semis tb, especially considering no one expected us to even get into playoffs. built a lotta cool teams in SS, shoutout to Eonito for helping out after his team got knocked out. I only really talk about the interesting parts of the teams, obviously every team should have a Mienfoo + Steel. I'm a big Mareanie lover, I generally only used Koffing if I was worried about Grook, or I didn't need an extra knocker. Pawn is generally better than Ferro, I only used the latter if I wanted to be better vs Staryu or Abra.

Stunky-Ponyta offense

This one was a cool team I built for semi's, had a pretty good matchup too. Basically the idea was that Stunky + Ferro is a beast defensive core vs any psychic types, ferro being defensive switch and stunky being the offensive one. Stunky + Ponyta + Grook is an insane offensive core, with Grook to help vs. Diglett trapping and Trapinch only being able to trap one of Stunky/Pony. Also an insane amount of priority on the team with Stunky sucker + Grook and Foo.
Semis, Meru vs PDT

Carvanha-Grook offense with defensive Porygon

Another Grookey team Xiza and I built, I think that Wood Hammer Grook is an insane mon, you're basically just fishing for no Trapinch in exchange for being able to break through Koff/Mareanie a lot easier. Trace Pory is an underrated set, walls Psychics and also is a Ponyta check, you can run Teleport over Ice Beam for momentum. It can also counter-trap Dig/Pinch which can be useful. Flip Turn on Carv over Waterfall can be used if you want to make Carv more of a midgame threat than a lategame sweeper, although I do like waterfall for the raw damage. No rocks because you don't really need it.
vs East, Meru vs Shrug

Trubbish Sun

I think Sun is a pretty underrated threat in SS, people think it's bad if you run into water-types but it's only Frillish that's a problem, and even that is outplayable. Mareanie and Staryu both can't switch into Charmander in sun, and vs. Diglett you can usually wreak enough havoc to win before it can get value from trapping Vulpix, which is the only threat it can reliable trap. You have more auto-win matchups than auto-loss ones, and outside of those, every matchup is decent to good in my opinion. But anyways, main trick on this one is Eject Button on Trubbish, you bring it in on Mienfoo to bring in Charmander and claim a kill, basically. Natu is Rocks preventer, you don't really care if it dies vs Pawn, and timburr loses too much momentum to be good.
Eonito edits: giga on trubbish for onix, flame charge on vulpix to prevent dig trap
Semis, Yellowfin vs Kythr

Tyrunt Offense

Tyrunt is another big threat that has been pretty underrated. It sets up on a number of popular mons, like Natu, Koffing, and Scarf Pory, and can often just outright sweep an unprepared team. I think people think of it as needing a Memento user to setup, which really isn't the case. Fire Fang is used to kill Ferro and Pawn at +1. Balloon Dig + Abra is a cool combo that I've been liking, Abra in general having a ton of interesting sets you can tailor to each individual team. In this team, you can make it Sash or Shed Shell depending on what you wanna fish for.
Playoffs game, TJ vs Papillon

Classic Pory-Pinch

Very standard PoryPinch idea: Pinch traps Ferro/Pawn and Porygon does the rest. Cool idea I picked up after we lost to India was Berry Juice 3 attack Pory; it's very easy to set up on something like a Natu/Koffing, and the coverage from Bolt/Beam/Tri is insane. You can also bluff Scarf pretty reliably, as it's really difficult for opponents to tell. Can run Natu to be better vs grounds, or Abra (probably sash) if you like sweet and sour sauce on your fries.
Playoffs, lax vs. grizz

Life Orb Abra + Pony Offense

Similar idea to PoryPinch: trapping opposing Digletts with your own Diglett, after which Abra and Pony go crazy. Orb Abra is a pretty uncommon set, but it can definitely just 6-0 teams without Diglett, and opposing Digletts can usually only cover one of Abra/Pony.
Playoffs, zeriloat vs. Splash

overall, I think the meta is really garbage, and the skill ceiling is super low. games usually come down to a few 50/50s, even when there should be a large skill gap between the two players, and there isn't a ton of room for innovation. teams that aren't running foo+steel+poison are severely handicapped, and so a bunch of teams end up looking the same, which is part of why almost every game comes down to 50/50s. i'm heavily in support of a Mienfoo ban, it's not just overcentralizing, it's incredibly strong and destroys every team since no team can afford to run multiple checks. simplifies every game into a few 50/50s and low-level predictions. anyways that's all, pce out and cyall around, send me music recs thanks

 

[boulicrok]

Hey, with LCWC being (finally) done, it is now my turn to post here and share some teams too. SCL and LCWC were great experience for myself and as a team (although losing another lc tour final is a pain.) Note that every SCL builds i will share were co-built with tazz.

Staryu + Natu Offense :

Description

This might be one of the most classic and known team of this SS LC meta, but it is also one of my favorite team to play, mainly cause i love Staryu. This team was originally made during SCL so i had to revamp it a bit to make it better in the actual meta. The idea of the team is that most of the Staryus answer are annoyed by Natu's presence (except Trace Pory but you can weaken it with koffing if you get a sludge bomb poison for example), which makes Staryu will be able to break quite easily.

Replays

SCL Week 6 vs DVS : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-587322 (old version of the team)
LCWC Week 2 vs Raj.Shoot : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1476228396 (old version of the team)

LO Grook + Sash Special Dig :

Description

The idea behind this diglett set was to get a hidden secondary check to grook teams with diglett. Thanks to protect, you can heal enough from the grassy terrain to be able to use your focus sash again, while sludge bomb does a lot of damages back to grookey. The rest is pretty classic but solid.
Note : you should probably change the pawn set to a better one like Classic BJ Pawn

Replays

SCL Week 7 vs Luthier : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-588612

Agility PoryPinch Team :

Description

Porygon + Trapinch is one of the best offensive core, with Trapinch being able to trap the bests porygon asnwers (mainly steel types). The goal of the team is to knock the whole team with the 3 knock users, trap the steel and clean with Porygon. What I like with that Porygon set is that you can use it to check some special attackers like Natu or Abra, while still being able to come in early to break and to sweep later in the game.

Replays

SCL Week 9 vs KSG : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-591860

Evio Grook + Staryu Offense :

Description

This is another Staryu + Natu team variant except it has a u-turn grook to make it easier to come in to break with Staryu while also providing a better matchup against sweepers thanks to its priority.

Replays

LCWC Playoffs R1 vs Expulso : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-603198

Abra + Natu Double Psychic :

Description

The idea here is that Abra is broken and the rest of the team is meant to help Abra to win the game. Note that the Abra in the past is Magic Guard cause the team has been made to play against Kythr, who i respect as a player and know he wouldnt fake out to lose his Mienfoo by turn 1, but overall Inner focus is a better ability on this set.

Replays

LCWC Playoffs R1 Tiebreaker vs Kythr : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1494534534

Scarf Pawn + CM Natu :

Description

The team is based on CM Natu with lure sets as in Scarf Pawn + Defensive Trace Porygon. Beat Up Scarf Pawn easily lures an abra under sub set while defensive helps to paralyze everything for Natu. Diglett also allows to trap annoying mons for Natu like Pawniard or even knocked mienfoo

Replays

LCWC Final Tiebreaker vs Kythr : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1519929067

Bonus :
Grook + Pony-G Offense :

Description

This team is kinda outdated but i like it so i'll share it too. The goal of the team is to pressure the steel types with grook and pony to plan a sweep with Porygon in the late game

Replays

SCL Semi Final vs Wail : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-593150
LCWC Week 5 vs Coconut : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-601861

 

[Wes8888]

Hey guys
I've built a team around Mienfoo + Grookey and I've found success with it. It's admittedly standard but it's been consistent and reliable for me.

https://pokepast.es/f3f42f27f19ebab3

Here's the breakdown
Mienfoo: Just the standard Mienfoo set here, helps remove ferroseed for grookey and staryu, uses knock off to soften up walls, pivots around with u-turn, the usual
Grookey: Grookey is this teams primary cleaner. After it's checks are gone it can tap grassy glide against a weakened team and become a great late game wincon. I prefer protect over swords dance for insurance against trapinch.
Staryu: Staryu is here to be a switch in for fire type moves that otherwise aren't resisted by any other members of the team. It also helps this team's iffy koffing matchup by slamming koffing with analytic boosted hydro pump.
Natu: Natu is the main counter play against koffing, mareanie, and foongus, which comfortably wall my mienfoo grookey core. It also provides a much needed counterplay against entry hazards and to a lessser extent status inflicting moves via magic bounce.
Pawniard: Pawniard is mainly here to set rocks, which helps natu KO koffing. It can also become a secondary cleaner if grookey is unable to switch in or KOed, using sucker punch to take out low health mons. Iron head is also a spammable stab move with the capacity to flinch.
Diglett: Natu hates Pawniard, and Grooky and Pawniard hate Ponyta, so Diglett is here to KO them both and round out the team. Beat up is capable of KOing non shed shell abra, which Mienfoo appreciates.

 

[Colin]

Hey, these are my first sample teams, but I have played with them for a good month and they have been excellent.



This team's main wincon is DD tyrunt, which against many team structures such as pory-abra BO's or teams with few priority threatens to 6-0 them. Setup opportunities are most reliably found on poison types, especially Koffing or Foongus that have used spore, which can be forced/lured in by Eviolite U-turn Grookey and Mienfoo. when it is not instantly lethal, pressure its counters (frillish, offensive star, defensive bray, etc) with psychic fangs in conjunction with rocks and other tools and teammates to force chip on them. against teams with capable speed control, consider using Tyrunt as a breaker to support grook and foo, as most of the structures that can fit enough prio/effective scarfers to stop it have difficulties pivoting around it.

The primary defensive core's first member is Mienfoo, which checks Pawniard and other steels and is a backup check to many mons such as grookey and ponyta. Koffing is the second member of the primary defensive core, and it checks Mienfoo and Grookey as well as being a potent offensive threat capable of stopping regen and fishing for sludge poisons or getting major damage onto its checks, many of which are pivots into Tyrunt. Pawniard is the third member of the primary defensive core, and it stops Porygon, Abra (without predicts), and its priority makes a potent speed control core with Grookey's against most sweepers. The holes left against fires, waters, and Koffing are patched by Frillish and Eviolite Grookey, with Tyrunt being an option against Abra with sub and the rare but obnoxious Shellos.

You will most often want to lead Mienfoo thanks to its potent STAB, fake out, and U-turn, with other options such as Tyrunt and Koffing to punish many common suicide leads better + psychics and opposing Mienfoo respectively. try to keep terrain up against Diglett since Tyrunt (chipped Tyrunt or LO dig and without speed boost) and Pawniard are both trappable. your goal is to get Tyrunt in as many times as possible, or if Tyrunt cannot break overwhelming the poison types with Grookey and Mienfoo. defensively rely on your solid defensive core and keep in mind that Mienfoo and Frillish are solid at trading, thanks to their abilities, support moves, and HJK. also rely on your priority as your speed control considering nothing on the team outspeeds the 17 speed tier.



Compared to my previous team, this one is a lot more passive thanks to the Mareanie-Seed core being only able to make progress through utility moves, hazards, and status for the most part. It utilizes Eviolite Agility Porygon as the primary wincon that also fills holes against Natu and Koffing (less reliable) that the Mareanie-Seed core naturally has. Mienfoo is the core's other glue and pivot allowing Pory and Pony to enter. Diglett enables Porygon by trapping Pawniard, is my best speed control, and thanks to air balloon counter traps and severely limits Scarf Mudbray, as well as forming an immunity core with Ponyta against opposing Ponyta. This team utilizes a Ponyta due to its ability to trade with many threats that would disrupt my current playstyle such as Frillish, and as extra insurance against Grooky. Your goal with this team is to enable an endgame sweep through spamming status and utility moves until the opponent can no longer handle one of Porygon and Ponyta, and provide openings to both of them as often as possible depending on their need defensively and threat offensively. On the lead mu, this team really likes to trade knock with their Mienfoo against opposing Mienfoo since it puts it in range of +1 Porygon Tri Attack and prevents foo from checking Ponyta effectively.

EDIT: the EV spread on porygon should have the leftover EVs in defense put into SpDef; not only does it deny a pory boost but it also greatly improves koffing sludge roles. just be a bit more careful around around pawniard sucker punch as it deals 9 damage on its most common roles and a max of 10 instead of 7 damage on most common roles and 9 max. also trying to LO stall carv is far less advisable since it doesn't do the same damage as recover heals.

 

[Éric]

lpl teamdump ig since my teams out and i lost in open

w1 vs tazz:

explanation

i wanted to use tyrunt this week, so i paired it with diglett to trap stuff with memento to allow a dragon dance. im using sash abra bc i didnt really feel safe vs grookey, so sash abra could potentially lure it. you miss the opportunity to focus punch pawniards for tyrunt, so im using counter to make up for it. you can countertrap digletts after they trap abra for tyrunt, so balloon dig is cool here. looking at how has the meta evolved after, maybe this is very carv weak (fuck carv) but you can def win

w2 vs kythr:

explanation

i tried to make a team around the idea of wood hammer grook smashing mareanies, mienfoos or koffings to help ponyta sweep. im using staryu as my carv check + spin for pony, but with a weird spread bc porygon is broken and porypinch could be very hard otherwise, since grook lacks protect. since i have a grookey, i opted for psychic as my coverage, since it hits the most amount of things the hardest.

w3 vs osh:

explanation

yet another pawn koff team, but with a catch. i wanted to use scarf pawniard, bc it pairs w koffing really well by denying mienfoos regen and checks sub abra with beat up. since rocks are a must on every team (they are), im using onix alongside it. its kinda underrated, it sets rocks and checks pony, which a team of grookey pawn really appreciates. im yet again using wood hammer grook, this time bc the team really appreciates smashing mienfoo. pory rounds the team up, being able to sweep after pawn breaks a bit, since i didnt feel i needed anything else defensively.

w4 vs wail:

explanation

i just wanted to abuse the brokens, so i tried to build around carvanha. i think this diglett set in particular helps carv a lot, trapping ferroseed after flip turn (like it happened ingame) or grookey. here i used wow koff bc i wanted to catch other digletts and tyrunts, but i use it over fire blast bc id rather burn pawn than get walled by mareanie lol. turns out these are a very popular six, since ksg built the exact same team and wail used it against me lol.

w5 vs laro:

explanation

the goat team. im a huge pancham believer for reasons i state in my vr post, so i wanted to showcase it. i think this kinda fightspam struggles vs abra, carvanha and grookey, so i decided to pair the duo with evio grookey and sludge bomb diglett. to round the team up, i decided to use mareanie as the ponyta check (no koffing at last LOL) and pawniard as the specials check

 

[TheShoddyStrawman]

https://pokepast.es/7d24eaea746da004


This is a sample team using what I would consider the most potent threats in cleaning out opposing teams: Carvanha and Scarf Porygon.

Carv can hit every mon in the tier for unresisted damage with the combination of flip turn, crunch and psychic fangs, allowing it to function as an effective cleaner once the rest of the team has removed its checks in priority users and bulky steels, as well as a generally hard to deal with damage dealer that forces in its checks reliably. Other teammates can be used for double switches to deal with these checks.

Porygon can do the same with its coverage of bolt beam, psychic and tri attack and hits extremely hard with its +1 download boosted special attack, allowing it to threaten ko's on much of the tier due to its extremely high damage output. It has roughly the same checks as carv, which leads to a slight overload, putting a lot of pressure on the enemy team's steel types and priority users. Its natural bulk makes it hard to knock out cleanly as well, meaning in tight spots Pory can take a hit or two. It should be mentioned that Pory's potency comes from the scarf's speed, so be extremely careful around knock off.

Mienfoo is a given due to its softening up the enemy team, as checks in ferroseed and pawniard fear both knock off and hjk, u turn allows carv and porygon to come in more easily, and fake out dealing chip to opposing priority users that can be worn down over the course of the game.

The defensive core of mareanie ferroseed is used here to cover much of the meta game defensively as well as still wear them down. Ferroseed can wear down teams with knock off and stealth rock, while being able to paralyze faster pokemon to make it is easier for both carv and porygon to deal with. Giga drain can keep it healthy as well as ward off staryu hoping to rapid spin away rocks. Mareanie can spread either poisons or burns with scald and sludge bomb, softening the enemy team even further when combined with knock off.

Natu was chosen as the final mon for a few reasons: It checks both grookey and timburr and hits them hard with heat wave and psychic while resisting their stab moves (be careful not be hit with a knock off on the switch in), u turn provides pory and carv opportunities to switch in and heat wave deals heavy damage to the steels that would otherwise prevent carvanha and porygon from cleaning up late game. Roost keeps it healthy enough to come in multiple times and magic bounce keeps off hazards that would otherwise wear down carv and pory and make them unable to switch in as often.

 

[Shandeur]

Agility Porygon + Trapinch

Hello LC Sample Teams forums, I've been recently using this team that centers around a core of Porygon + Trapinch, with Trapinch trapping steels to let Porygon sweep the rest of the team. The other pokemon have been chosen to help with the cause of this sweep.

Porygon is our main cleaner of the team. Since Steels will be dealt with the combination of Mienfoo, Trapinch, and Pawniard, The set is using Thunderbolt over Ice Beam, as more concerning Pokemon are hit with Thunderbolt, and can deal with Frillish more easily.

Our Trapper on the team is going to be Trapinch. I specifically chose Trapinch over Diglett, as Trapinch is able to dispatch non-protect Grookey, which is becoming more common as Diglett sees more and more usage. Trapinch is also a way to make sure Tyrunt doesn't 6-0 my team against the matchups where it is present. Trapinch is also able to help with Diglett by using First Impression to heavily weaken it.

Natu is used as our hazard control for the team. Heat Wave helps with Pawniard and Ferroseed, two of Porygon's biggest roadblocks. U-Turn can punish switches and keep up momentum for our team.

Of course he had to be on here, why wouldn't he be? Mienfoo is great vs Steels and Rocks, and Knock off is able to soften up Frillish that try to come in on a predicted High Jump Kick. Regenerator and U-Turn are a great combination, and Porygon can be brought in against a Knocked Off Koffing to kill it with Psychic. Just for good measure, here's a calc.

236+ SpA Porygon Psychic vs. 36 HP / 0 SpD Koffing: 22-28 (104.7 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Our main defensive pokemon is going to Mareanie. Mareanie is used over Koffing for one reason; To form a regenerator core with Mienfoo, and are able to spread Burns and Poisons with Scald and Sludge Bomb respectively. If need be, it is able to switch into Grookey in a pinch if it has kept its eviolite, and can deal hefty damage back to it with Sludge Bomb.

Our last mon is Pawniard. When building, I noticed how this team got absolutely DESTROYED by Abra and other Porygon, so I decided to add Pawniard to the team to deal with those two. It's the usual with Pawniard, Knock Off for item removal, Iron Head for STAB, Sucker Punch for Priority, and Stealth Rock for Hazards which can help wear down checks to my other mons even quicker.

Other Options:

If you're noticing you're struggling vs Grookey a bit too much, you can alternatively run Ferroseed over Pawniard. This is because it doesn't crumple to Drain Punch immediately, and is able to thunder wave grookey in return. It is also arguably a sturdier check to Abra, as it doesn't die to Focus Punch variants immediately. However, it's worn down much more quickly.

That's all for this team, if you have any suggestions, let me know!

 

[ACNT]

unranked trick room

https://pokepast.es/38b0cfa117d52b18

I wanted to experiment a bit by trying to make a team that did not include any pokemon ranked in the viability ranking. I finally played this team against pdt at the last LC Open and was able to win. A suicide lead, two other trick room setters, two wallbreaker with cubone and azurill (people often forget how strong it is), with buneary as a glue. This buneary set allows me to lure pokemons like foo or pawniard, to give me some speed control and especially to give a second life to a trick room setter or a wallbreaker via Healing Wish. It's a pretty tough team to play but I think it's a good introduction to Trick Room which is a style that I don't think is used enough in solo LC tournaments compared to its surprise potential. It also helps to learn how momentum can function in heavy offense. If you want to make the team a bit more "correct", you can replace Inkay with Nasty Plot Spritzee and put a Porygon somewhere

Bunnelby BO + Slowpoke

https://pokepast.es/74656b7d9e5d9027

A variant of a team I played at the Majors. Roughly speaking, the idea is to allow Bunnelby to get on the field as often as possible to ensure a huge offensive pressure via pivoting and occasionally put hazard pressure on with Spikes on switch-ins since no one can risk its Natu against it. Stone Edge Foo lures Larvesta, a very trendy and troublesome threat for the team. The other sets are pretty standard, Fire Blast allows Slowpoke to lure Ferro and Pawn, Hammer Arm Grook for slightly higher damage on Ferro which can be decisive for Bunnelby.

 

[Acehunter1]

LPL ended today, teamdump time!

SturdyJuice Magnemite + Trace Porygon counter-trap

https://pokepast.es/3f3bc403805f71d2

SturdyJuice Magnemite + Trace Porygon

So I decided to edit in this older team to show my first build with SturdyJuice Magnemite. I think SturdyJuice Magnemite is very underrated, since it is in my opinion the best counter to both Porygon and Abra, having both recovery and a pivoting move. It resists all of Porygon's attacks except the rare Shadow Ball, and can consistently outheal it and pivot on it. Volt Switch is particularly useful against Abra, since it can scout for Focus Punch if Abra goes for it behind a Substitute, and breaks the sub to send in a teammate that can take Focus Punch easily. The spread I use allows it to reliably take less than 50% from non-Life Orb Abra's Shadow Ball or Fire Punch, and all of Porygon's attacks at +1, allowing Magnemite to outheal two of them with a single Recycle. It also allows it to survive Natu's Heat Wave after rocks, and still outspeeds Koffing. Magnemite's main drawback compared to Pawniard and Ferroseed would be not having access to Knock Off and hazards, but its ability to wall Abra and Porygon, as well as access to a pivoting move in Volt Switch, makes up for it. It has more trouble checking Natu however, since Psychic + Heat Wave kills, so Magnemite must be wary of switching into Natu. Thankfully, on this team, Trace Porygon complements Magnemite well, checking Natu reliably. This team is built around many Pokemon weak to Diglett or Trapinch, and Trace Porygon to counter-trap them to relieve the rest of the team. Since it's an old build, Abra has Submission, but it can now be replaced by Drain Punch since almost all Pawniards are Berry Juice nowadays.
Replays:
LC Winter Seasonals Round 9 vs califlour: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1535071960-wqprawomzb3x9blcrs3o3xmldnh1187pw

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Double Grass

https://pokepast.es/2a5ad965359dd63c

Double Grass

I built this cool team for a French tournament. It has Grookey + Ferroseed, which is cool for helping the former with Foongus, and Ponyta + Staryu to protect the two from Fire types. Wood Hammer Grookey is very strong with Mienfoo to break through opposing Poison types, but is more vulnerable to Trapinch.
Replays:
French tournament game: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1539915340-voc78df5tmp2j513gvcgasal7vc2cftpw

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Mono Blue

https://pokepast.es/c9b676dc87838508

Mono Blue

This team is probably one of my favorites from my recently built teams. I built it for LPL Week 2 against zeriloa. The team was built around Berry Juice Tyrunt, which I think is not necessarily worse, and maybe even better than Eviolite Tyrunt. I also really like defensive Ponyta, which wasn't really popular at the time when I built this (probably still isn't really). The EVs make it give Porygon an Atk boost from Download. Defensive Ponyta and Memento Diglett help Tyrunt set up. The fact that it also makes a mono blue team with the shiny forms is really cool.
Replays:
LPL8 Week 2 vs zeriloa: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1545229663-h3drlu14g82u7hmd0wdz1pu018souhhpw

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Double Ghost Knock-less

https://pokepast.es/e1773623820f0265

Double Ghost Knock-less

This idea first started as a meme, but then from extensive testing, I didn't find it all that bad. I've been a big fan of Golett in the past few months. Golett is nice because its attacks are very hard to switch into, especially the strong Poltergeist, which is only resisted by Pawniard and Porygon. However, it only works on Pokemon that still have their item. This is where the idea of a team without Knock Off came to my mind. Due to not having Knock Off, the team makes progress very differently than what's usually seen in Little Cup, mostly relying on spamming Poltergeist and using Koffing's Neutralizing Gas to make progress. I decided to make it a Ghost spam with Pumpkaboo, since it also hits very hard with Poltergeist. The Steel of choice is Berry Juice Magnemite, which suits the team well since it doesn't have Knock Off, which doesn't matter on this team, and instead boasts recovery to check Porygon and Abra over and over. Magnemite is bad at checking Natu however, so my own Natu is slow to be able to switch into Natu and slow pivot with U-Turn. I ended up using this team for Week 4 of LPL8, but sadly lost after a close game.
Replays:
LPL8 Week 4 vs Crow Music: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1555589502-b8woyqpa05wwsohvbyyukt3llgzh4inpw
Test games vs kythr: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1546256862-r742mbi825gbnytbe1kz02g2v84wm7hpw https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1546262990-xoazv1bmjt7ba7chdcbt1kob5csthw4pw

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Morelull Ferroseed Overload

https://pokepast.es/bd1845cb7d7d45d3

Morelull Ferroseed Overload

Shoutout to wesh papillon for discovering Morelull. I think Morelull is very underrated. It is probably the best counter to Carvanha in the tier. It is also a Fighting-type and Grookey counter that isn't a Poison type. Being a Fairy-type means that it actually has a super-effective STAB to hit Fighting types with, and it also resists Knock Off. Compared to Foongus, Morelull doesn't have Regenerator, but Effect Spore is kind of similar to Flame Body on Larvesta, spreading status on contact, with Poison being less desirable but Sleep highly desirable. This means that Morelull will be clicking recovery moves more often than Foongus, but it boasts higher defenses, reaching the invaluable 16 Def, while also having better special bulk. It also resists Ground, making it a reliable switch-in to Diglett, Trapinch, and Scarf Mudbray's High Horsepower.
Anyway, enough about Morelull, this team is built around overloading an opposing Ferroseed, with Morelull, Porygon and Life Orb Staryu enjoying the removal of Ferroseed, and Trapinch to trap a weakened Ferroseed. Compared to Foongus, Morelull can actually make progress against Ferroseed with Moonblast. The team is very weak to opposing Foongus, however. I used it in Week 3 of LPL.
Replay:
LPL8 Week 4 vs Alkione: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-618421

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Defensive Ponyta + Grookey

https://pokepast.es/bad53d78da01c8bb

Defensive Ponyta + Grookey

This is yet another defensive Ponyta team, this time a team built around the trapper-weak Ponyta and Mareanie and Grookey to protect them with Grassy Terrain. Ponyta also patches the slight weakness to Grookey that Mareanie comes with.
Replay:
LPL8 Week 3 trace vs gali: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1550306419

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Scarf Mudbray + Morelull

https://pokepast.es/4c9d790d481952b4

Scarf Mudbray + Morelull

Yet another Morelull team, this time with Scarf Mudbray. Frillish + Mudbray on this team really enjoy not having to worry about Carvanha thanks to Morelull, and they help Morelull + Ferroseed with Fire-types. Explosion on Ferroseed is cool to net a surprise KO on Natu after the Knock Off, clearing the way for Scarf Mudbray's Ground STAB.
Replay:
LPL8 Week 5 vs Danny: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1560432583-451fzhjebg5ag005xbnyzm3hz3jinnspw

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Double Steel

TheKingKarp 's version: https://pokepast.es/74b9a43affdb4af9
Expert Belt Natu version: https://pokepast.es/2c5d1638d454ee34

Double Steel

Double Steel was an idea TheKingKarp and I got when building together. Both Steel-types are good checks to Carvanha, and having both really solidifies teams against it, and also does well against Steel overload teams with Porygon. Scarf Pawniard is very cool and very good, and Ferroseed and Frillish cover for the lack of defensive utility that set provides. Frillish is a very reliable check to Fire-types, and is essential alongside the two Steel-types. This team is very solid in my opinion, and is very very reliable. I'd use this as a default team to bring any day if I have no prep.
I decided to make a twist with the team by changing Pawniard to Berry Juice Thunder Wave, and Natu to Expert Belt. Thunder Wave Pawniard is very cool, since it is very reliable at paralyzing Mienfoo since Natu rarely wants to be in against Pawniard. Expert Belt Natu sounded like fun to me, since the Expert Belt allows Natu to get crucial unexpected OHKOs, such as on Pawniard and Ferroseed with Heat Wave, and on Mienfoo with Psychic. On this team, Natu and Frillish benefit a lot from Pawniard's Thunder Wave, since it eliminates speed ties for the former and makes the second faster than opposing threats and allows it to fire off a very powerful Hex.
Replays:
(Scarf Pawniard version) French tournament vs CMDoge: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1565295309-l4lt1zuoo42va4uxpn36ni36eqy103qpw
(Expert Belt Natu version) LPL8 Week 6 vs Nineage: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1567492728-gk4itf3asr7bum22fkrlhnq46779rxrpw
(Expert Belt Natu version) LC Majors Pool Stage vs Meminger21: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1582847639-3cfyk2878qinxk5rqq6mygwjgjj9vunpw

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Vulpix + Larvesta

https://pokepast.es/2b6a1f5e51c53f33

Vulpix + Larvesta

It occured to me at some point that Vulpix and Larvesta actually have very good synergy. Larvesta is a slow pivot that brings the frail Vulpix in safely, while chipping the Water-types that it lures in with U-Turn, softening them up for Vulpix. Vulpix, on the other hand, sets sun, which protects Larvesta from opposing Water-type attacks while also increasing its recovery from Morning Sun. Furthermore, both benefit from the hazard control that would've been already necessary with Larvesta. Therefore, this is the team I built around this idea. Timburr is the removal over Staryu, since Staryu wouldn't be too happy under Sun, and having two Fire-types leaves many holes in the team to patch. Scarf Diglett doubles as a trapper for opposing Mareanie and Diglett while also checking opposing Fire-types, which is crucial since this team sets sun and has no Fire resist. I used this team in LPL8 Semifinals, but didn't get to show it off fully, unfortunately.
Replays:
LPL8 Semifinals vs Shou Dui: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1574662581-spwfkpu5nfs1n9e7qlcvqtiypsv2y7rpw
PSPL X Round 4 (Top 16) vs Aqua Jet: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1578488124-44vnk9oqhxpkady9qipiu0c4qw5o4sjpw

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Morelull + Shed Shell Abra

https://pokepast.es/51eafc80d3e05c63

Morelull + Shed Shell Abra

This team takes advantage of how Morelull is a very good switch-in to Diglett to combine it with Shed Shell Abra. The Abra set has Submission to OHKO Berry Juice Pawniard after Rocks or prior chip, and Fire Punch to wear down Ferroseed for Morelull and Frillish. The team also doubles as a status spam team, with Thunder Wave Pawniard and Effect Spore Morelull giving opportunities for Frillish to go ham with Hex. Unfortunately, in LPL, I got into a relatively poor matchup, and didn't play very well, but it's still a very cool team nevertheless.
Replays:
LPL8 Finals vs Danny: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen8lc-629275

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Mareanie + Life Orb Staryu

https://pokepast.es/c8a2945ac1c4cfce

Mareanie + Life Orb Staryu

This is the team I prepared for LPL8 finals tiebreaks. It uses Mareanie to lure Ferroseed and remove its Eviolite with Knock Off, and then Life Orb Staryu, which does huge damage to Ferroseed with Analytic-boosted Ice Beam after its Eviolite is removed. Then, with Ferroseed gone, Staryu can tear through the rest of the team, and Mareanie has no reliable switch-ins anymore either. Eviolite Grookey holds the team together and protects both Water-types from Diglett. Mienfoo's spread is 14 SpD instead of 14 Def to be able to survive a Psychic from lead Shed Shell Abra, and beat it with U-Turn. This is ok for this team, since I figured I already had enough Carvanha counterplay to afford the drop in Defense. However, it does make Pawniard harder to switch into. I really liked this team, sadly I didn't deliver with it in LPL8 Final tiebreaks.
Replay:
LPL8 Final Tiebreaks vs laroxyl: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8lc-1588437281-1054wcemvxp2supwc4pwwrwu3beit17pw

So this is about all the teams I wanted to share. I hope that it wasn't too boring of a read, and that you'll try these teams out some time

 

[TheShoddyStrawman]

https://pokepast.es/263502f6e0cf35c2


This team got me out of pools in little cup majors, so figured I should dump it here for others to use.

Main Core is Carv and Ponyta for having some really high offensive output. The main idea was being able to flip turn on Ferroseed and get a large amount of advantage off of it. Both are naturally very speedy due to Carv's speed boost and Ponyta's base 19. They're good at dealing with each other's checks, as Ponyta deals with Grookey and steels, and Carv deals with opposing Ponyta, rocks and trappers due to stab flip turn.

Mienfoo is a given due to its softening up the enemy team, as checks in Ferroseed and Pawniard fear both knock off and hjk, u turn allows Carv and Ponyta to come in more easily, and fake out dealing chip to opposing priority users that can be worn down over the course of the game.

Ferroseed and Koffing make up the main defensive core. Koffing is preferred due to Neutralizing gas denying Mienfoo regenerator, as it checks both Ponyta and Carv from full health. Will o is used to make Foo's moves weaker, as it makes it set up fodder for pony. Ferroseed wears down the opposing team with rocks and knock off, while still exerting pressure against opposing staryu with giga drain. Thunder wave cripples set up sweepers like agility Porygon or Tyrunt that would otherwise boost to outspeed Carv and Ponyta..

Staryu is the final mon due to its additional speed control and fast special attacks which wear down Ponyta and Carv's checks. Rapid spin was preferred over ice beam, as Grookey is already checked by Ponyta and Koffing and removing hazards help Ponyta and Carv stay healthy until the end game.

 

[Shandeur]

Here's a few teams from my builder.

vs RLPlayer LCSL

How the team came into existence, and how to use it:

This team was created when I was going to play my LCSL match against RLPlayer. My manager, Gali, had suggested to use this team for my match against RL. I just said "Screw It", and ran with this team instead of using a team I had ran before. Everything is Standard here except for Diglett, which can punish Koffing switch outs with Substitute into a Powerful Earthquake for whatever switches in. Pawniard helps out vs the rise of Carvanha, and Frillish is a great support pokemon, being able to chip with Scald and Will-O-Wisp.

Now, for a few of my laddering teams.

Shandeur Spike Stack

How the team came into existence, and how to use it

This is probably my favorite team I have ever made. If you've seen me on ladder, you've probably seen me using this. I was at a point where I couldn't seem to get any lower on ladder, dropping to an embarrassing 1220. Then I had an epiphany: Low ladder doesn't prepare for HO, so I should build that. The premise of the team is around Scarf Mudbray and Life Orb Staryu, two pretty underrated breakers in my opinion. Spikes force checks to switch around a lot, wearing them down quickly. For example, if you get all three layers of spikes up, Ponyta's Flame Charge into Wild Charge kills defensive Staryu. Hazards can also wear down checks to Bulk Up Timburr, mainly Koffing. All of these Pokemon have either the Speed, Priority, or Bulk to generally wear down each other's checks well enough to win the game. For example, If Ferro comes in on Dwebble, Staryu can have an easier time of breaking through.

DARUMAKA

Honestly I wouldn't recommend this team to beginners, Darumaka is just a mon I wanted to build around lmao. If you want something a bit more creative though, by all means.

How the team came into existence, and how to use it

I was sitting at home and just said to myself, "Hey, I should build Darumaka", and now here we are. He's one of my favorite Gen 5 Pokemon, and I really wanted to make him work. Darumaka has absolutely mindboggling power, with the cost of making moves less accurate. Scarf helps with the issue of Speed, and being able to catch something like Ponyta off guard with a fast Rock Slide is great. The main idea was to use Air Balloon Diglett to counter trap other Diglett that come into Darumaka or Pawniard, Ponyta that come into take a hit and retaliate with High Horsepower. It can help clear the way for a breakthrough with Scarf Flare Blitz. Defensive Staryu is used here since I needed hazard control, and Foongus is generally less popular, however I still believe it has a place in LC. The biggest threat to this team is Carvanha, make sure to keep Mienfoo and Pawniard healthy.

Until I feel like team posting again, I will see you all later.

PS: I'll dump more teams here once LCSL is complete.