Hello everyone! This is my submission for the Aesthetics Teambuilding Competition! I put a lot of effort into this; EVERY SINGLE CHOICE, down to the EVs, Nature, and the order of moves on the set matter. I really hope you enjoy my submission!
Every team tells a story. Some tell of power, others of strategic techs, and even of Pokemon and trainers bonding together. This team tells a story of the world itself; from the formation, to the byproducts, to the entities that take care of it and protect it. It's a pantheon of creation, balance, and love. Every member represents a force that shaped and sustained the natural world.
Groudon
Maker of Lands
:sv/groudon-primal:
Behemoth (Groudon-Primal) @ Red Orb
Ability: Desolate Land
EVs: 252 Atk
Adamant Nature
IVs: 30 Spe
- Precipice Blades
- Eruption
- Rest
- Rock Polish
Groudon may be a combination of ground and don (Spanish for "lord"), and possibly craton (a stable part of the earth's lithosphere, or the outermost rocky shell of a terrestrial planet)
Its nickname, Behemoth, represents the beast from the biblical Book of Job. The Behemoth clashes against the Leviathan, thought to be the origin of Kyogre, before their "creator" (almost certainly Rayquaza) approaches them with his mighty sword and slaying them both, but in Pokemon, this translates to putting them into their slumber.
Precipice Blades is the first move for a good reason; it’s the first thing Primal Groudon does. It forms the Lands in contention with Kyogre forming the seas, battling Kyogre. Eruption, the second move, represents that again; its magma extends the land continuously. It’s also supported by the fact that Groudon sets up the sun with Desolate Land, boosting Eruptions power tremendously.
Upon seeing the battle, Rayquaza stepped in and sealed both Groudon and Kyogre away within the Seafloor Cavern (Though it depends on which version you play in). It is encased in a layer of rock, only for its rocky prison to be shattered when it is awakened by the Red Orb. Rock Polish & Red Orb were put onto the set for this very reason. The move order also matters; Precipice Blades is the start, emphasizing the forming of the lands. Eruption is signifying the clash with Kyogre, Rest being its slumber at the Seafloor Cavern, and Rock Polish explaining the breaking out of its Rock-encased slumber with the Red Orb.
Its EVs tell a story, too. The Maximum attack represents it being known for battling Kyogre, and the adamant nature describing how, even when they got out of their rocky prisons, they went right back at it. The 30 Speed IVs is a callback to the speed races between Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre in 2016, trying to get any advantage they could; much like their actual battles.
Torterra
The World Turtle
:sv/torterra:
Akupara (Torterra) @ Pretty Feather
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Trailblaze
- Grassy Terrain
- Strength
- Iron Defense
Torterra is also known as the Continent Pokemon, sharing the title with Groudon. Its origin is thought to be based on the World Turtle from many mythologies, a giant turtle that carried the world on its back. This giant turtle was called Akupara, inspiring the name for this Torterra.
Groudon was the one who formed the lands, but the people believe that they’re actually living on massive Torterras. HGGS pokedex entry notes, “Ancient people imagined that beneath the ground, a gigantic Torterra dwelled.” Additionally, some Pokemon are born on Torterra, sometimes spending their entire life on its back. “Some Pokémon are born on a Torterras back and spend their entire life there.“
The first move shown is Trailblaze, as the Pearl dex entry states, “Groups of this Pokémon migrating in search of water have been mistaken for "moving forests."” trailblazing is to make a path through land, usually where no walkway or road is. The second, Grassy Terrain, represents the back of its shell being a place of habitualness for many different Pokemon. The Pretty Feather item on the set also emphasizes this, almost alluring Pokemon to come live there in a nice way. There’s a reason it’s known for Torterra to do that! Strength is representative about how it must have INSANE strength to carry a whole tree on its back, not even accounting for the many Pokemon that may be living on top of it. Iron defense emphasizes this point even more!
The EVs, IVs, and Nature tell a story too. The relaxed nature and 0 Speed IVs show how Torterra is not in a rush- it’s the world-bearer, after all. The HP and Defense/SpDef stats show a balanced mix of investment, just like how every ecosystem eventually finds balance in itself and flourishes. The Shell Armor ability supports this as well!
Heatran
Molded in The Core of the Earth
:sv/heatran:
Core (Heatran) @ Fire Stone
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA
Serious Nature
- Rock Blast
- Magma Storm
- Overheat
- Metal Claw
You may be wondering; “Heatran? Doesn’t that guy have no lore? What does he even do?” That’s exactly the reason I'm including him; so many of the world’s processes operate unbeknownst to us, much like Heatran. Since Heatran was formed in the core, let’s give an example of that; Without the Core, the world would go into turmoil in hundreds of ways. Global Freezing of the world, the crust and mantle would collapse due to the empty space, and the atmosphere would dissipate. But, despite how little most people know about the role of the Core of the earth, it’s needed; just like Heatran is. Not every Pokemon can be perfect, or have insane amounts of lore. Heatran is imperfect, and that represents nature and the world in general so well. There are so many imperfect things; Asymmetric leaves, Twisted Trees, and Irregular clouds. Heatran’s imperfection and seemingly-unfinished design represents so many things.
In ancient mythologies of many cultures, the eruptions of volcanoes were explained by the occupancy of a Fire Dragon; Heatran's Japanese name may possibly involve Dragon, supporting this theory.
Rock Blast is on the set because, in Pokemon Generations EP. 12, it was awoken when Team Galactic Scientist Charon removed the magma stone in an attempt to awaken him; this upset Heatran, and he threw a big-ass rock at Charon.
Heatran’s signature move is Magma Storm, and in Pokemon: The Arceus Chronicle, heatran is seen to be using it, and then Overheating due to the insane burst of fire it created trying to power team plasma’s machine; its flash fire ability turning it into a massive blob of fire.
Originating in DP Dex Entries, it mentions, "It dwells in volcanic caves. It digs in with its cross-shaped feet to crawl on ceilings and walls." This is the reasoning for Metal Claw; it digs itself into the volcano to climb and crawl, almost like a spider.
The HP investment shows how it was formed in the core, making it extremely tough to take down, and the Special Attack shows just how powerful it can be when it’s upset or going full-power!
Fire Stone resembles its signature item in the lore to calm it down, the Magma Stone. The serious nature resembles the earth’s core, being an unchanging necessity to the planet.
Landorus
Pokemon of Abundance
:sv/landorus:
Inari Okami (Landorus) (M) @ Electric Seed
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA
- Fly
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Iron Tail
- Defog
His name is Inari Ōkami, which is what the Landorus-Incarnate form is based on. It is the Japanese Kami of Foxes, Fertility, Rice, Tea, Sake, Agriculture, and Industry, and general prosperity and worldly success, and is one of the principal kami of Shinto. Inari works as a name because Landorus blesses the lands with its presence, allowing food to grow.
Reference how in its PLA Pokedex Entry, it is noted how "Landorus soars through the sky in this form, bestowing plentiful harvests upon the land and earning the people's reverence. It can traverse the whole of Hisui in a mere couple of hours." This lets Fly be put onto the set, and also Hidden Power Grass. Reference Pokedex entry of B2W2: “From the forces of lightning and wind, it creates energy to give nutrients to the soil and make the land abundant.” This entry gives reasons for Electric Seed, Defog, and Hidden Power Grass, all of which describe the Lightning (Electric Seed), Wind (Defog), and Energy (Hidden Power Grass).
Reference Pokedex entry of White: “The energy that comes pouring from its tail increases the nutrition in the soil, making crops grow to great size.” This gives reasoning for Iron Tail on the set. Its Sheer Force ability allows it to do all of these things with ease!.
The Jolly nature with maximum speed represents how it flies across Hisui, bringing happiness and bountiful crops to be raised in an efficient manner. The IVs of 30 Attack and 30 Special Attack are just for HP Grass.
Xerneas
A deer of nine colors
:sv/xerneas:
Nine-Colored Deer (Xerneas-Neutral) @ Leftovers
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA
Gentle Nature
- Geomancy
- Nature Power
- Dazzling Gleam
- Rest
Xerneas is reminiscent of the Nine-Colored deer from the Jataka Tales; very similar to them, a man (in Xerneas's story, AZ), tries to take advantage of it, but fails, and is punished afterward. However, unlike the original story where the man dies of drowning, in Pokemon, AZ is granted Eternal life, 2 completely opposite ends of the spectrum.
After all the land is formed, Xerneas is there to share everlasting life upon it. Similar to Groudon, it goes dormant in the form of a Tree; coined the "Tree of Life". It can use its life energy to create vast forests, being able to restore life to them. This is paired nicely with Landorus, being able to sow the seeds of life while Xerneas keeps them healthy. I also specifically chose the Neutral Form of Xerneas; the form it uses out of battle when resting passively. This is somewhat similar to the World Tree form of Xerneas!
The moves have lots of thematic sense for being here. Geomancy comes from the Greek roots geō (earth) and manteia (divination), literally translating to "divination by earth". Nature Power displays its amazing ability to restore and preserve Nature. Dazzling Gleam represents its spectacular capabilities, literally dazzling friends and foes alike with its life-infusing power. Rest is the embodiment of its Tree of Life form, resting in it until it's needed again; very similar to Groudon, but fulfilling a very different purpose.
Its gentle nature describes how graceful it is; caring for the plants, people, and all life alike, invigorating them and wanting to see them flourish. The item Leftovers describes how, no matter what, no matter how small, it will heal you and help you, whether you’re a Joltik or a Wailord. Fairy Aura represents the Tree of Life concept again; passively radiating life energy throughout the globe. The SpA EVs represent how it gives its life all over the world with its power, while the HP investment links to the Tree of Life!
Zygarde
From Hel of the Underworld
:sv/zygarde-complete:
Hel (Zygarde-Complete) @ Zygardite
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
Brave Nature
- Core Enforcer
- Safeguard
- Land's Wrath
- Thousand Arrows
Zygarde's name is based on zygōtos (Greek for "joined") or zygote, garde (French for "guard"), and garðr (Old Norse for enclosure; realm). Hel is what the complete form of Zygarde is based on; it is the son of Loki and Angrboða. Hel represents Zygarde-Complete well, especially here on this team, because Hel is the ruler of the underworld and of the dead. A Pokedex entry in Pokemon Y & AS read, "It's hypothesized that it's monitoring those who destroy the ecosystem from deep in the cave where it lives.", and in UM, "Born when all of Zygarde's cells have been gathered together, it uses force to neutralize those who harm the ecosystem." One could say this represents Zygarde being Under the World, and bringing Death to the people who harm the ecosystem that it loves.
Now, its moves matter too, as you’ve come to know at this point. Core Enforcer represents what I've just explained, it literally neutralizes those who harm the ecosystem. It enforces its rules of nature with it. Safeguard is another example of that, Safeguarding nature and the world. Land's Wrath is yet another example of the 100% form going all-out to protect things; the Pokemon Moon dex entry reading, "This is Zygarde's 100% form. It has enough power to overwhelm even Xerneas or Yveltal." I would certainly say that Zygarde has a lot of Wrath. Finally, Thousand Arrows. It not only fits because it’s its most recognizable signature move, but again, "It's hypothesized that it's monitoring those who destroy the ecosystem from deep in the cave where it lives." (Y, AS) It is ruthless toward them, keeping them in mind for when it unveils itself to dish out its punishment. Even in its 50% form, almost every Pokedex entry reads how it still "Monitors the ecosystem" (Y, AS, M, US, UM, LZA), and "There are rumors that even greater power lies hidden within it. " (M, UM). The nature it proudly wears, Brave, describes how its unending loyalty toward protection of the things it loves will not waver.
Zygardite is supporting its role as the end-all-be-all, only revealing itself during an unprecedented crisis; “In response to people's emotions during an unprecedented crisis, Zygarde Mega Evolves and calms the situation with its unmatched power.” This explains the ability and the item, Power Construct and Zygardite, respectively. The HP and Atk/SpA EVs show how it can survive any onslaught, and enforce peace using its intense powers.
:sv/whimsicott:
Thank you for taking the time to read this! I absolutely love writing about things I'm passionate about; and I absolutely LOVED writing this up and drafting it! Even though this team is of the world, I tried to limit the ground types i used; I would say 2 Primary grounds and 2 Secondary grounds is a good statistic! Together, this team tells an amazing story that I'm very glad I was challenged to write. I really hope you guys enjoyed reading this, and have a great day!
I like the idea a lot, it is good to clarify for everyone if the build is purely based on aesthetics or its competitive viability + aesthetics if you do go thru with this tho imo
