SS OU (1600s) Eject Pack Blaziken Offence

[Redfeatherz]

With Blaziken finally released, and Kyurem-Black and Zygarde gone, I've started experimenting with an eject pack pivot idea that's been bouncing around my head since the start of the generation.










Blaziken @ Eject Pack
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Protect
- Close Combat
- Overheat
- U-turn

With Eject Pack, either Close Combat or Overheat becomes a single-use STAB pivoting move. Protect to activate speed boost if necessary, click the high power move, and leave before taking any damage. Naive max speed to outpace most of the meta after a single speed boost ( including Dragapult). Max attack EVs into Close Combat, as it is the more accurate, hence reliable, of the two STABs.
I've been using regular U-turn in the last slot to maintain Blaziken's utility as a pivot throughout the match, and grants more flexibility over when to use the Eject Pack.
Blaziken lures in ground and water types fairly often,so I paired it with allies that capitalise on them.



Kartana @ Razor Claw
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Swords Dance
- Psycho Cut
- Sacred Sword

Kartana forces out the waters and grounds (such as: Hippowdon, Garchomp, Swampert, Toxapex) that Blaziken lures in.
Razor claw boosts the critical hit rate of Leaf Blade and Psycho Cut to 50%, the latter making some of Kartana's usual switch-ins (such as: Buzzwole, Kommo-o, Amoonguss, Zapdos, Moltres ) far less effective when at lower health, and makes all Landorus-T inconsistent.
Psycho Cut is also non-contact, which is particularly useful in evading Static, Flame Body, Rocky Helmet, etc. from primary switch-ins.
Sacred Sword hits important steels such as Heatran and Ferrothorn, which don't care about Leaf Blade and Psycho Cut at all.
Sword Dance is used to apply additional pressure on the foe on a forced switch. Useful for Zapdos, Moltres, Buzzwole matchups in particular.

I have ran substitute and knock off in the past, but have been favouring preserving HP and healthy status for as long as possible.



Nihilego @ Power Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 80 HP / 176 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Meteor Beam
- Power Gem
- Sludge Bomb
- Dazzling Gleam

Nihilego doesn't appreciate ground or water types, but once they are weakened, it finds sweeping far easier.It makes a nice partner to Kartana, being able to switch into flying types that threaten Kartana (such as: Tornadus-T, Zapdos, Moltres, Mandibuzz). Its lower special attack EVs are necessary to give Nihilego a Beast Boost in speed. All leftover EVs are then placed into HP for increased longevity overall.
Before a sweep can be safely attempted, Nihilego will often be clicking sludge bomb to fish for poisons on some of its sturdier switchins (such as: Swampert, Gastrodon or Tyranitar). Once all its key checks are low enough or weakened, Nihilego's objective is to land a KO with Meteor beam.
Dazzling Gleam is nice for Garchomp.



Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Flip Turn
- Earthquake
- Protect

Swampert is the team's ground type and hazard setter. It serves as a catch-all option for current common electric types that naturally outspeed the team thus far, while also offering some offensive utility versus steel types. A strong STAB Earthquake is useful to whittle away at the opponent and dent steels, while flip turn allows further switchin opportunities for Nihilego and Kartana, luring in grass or flying types that either expect earthquake or intend to defog rocks. Protect is mainly a placeholder slot that has scouting utility and allows slow-paced recovery. However, it is often the case that Swampert gets worn down too quickly, be it via toxic or continuous hazard damage, for protect to be that worthwhile.





Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 Def / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Discharge
- Hurricane
- Defog

Team needed a ground immunity. I had been running Corviknight before, but it was getting destroyed by the likes of Pheromosa and Urshifu-SS. So I added Zapdos, initially for the paralysis opportunities from static and discharge.
I ran a physically defensive Tailwind set for a while, but have since changed it to what you see now. Zapdos is now fast and runs Hurricane over to hit grounds, most notably to hit Nidoking,which otherwise substitutes for free and destroys the team. It also makes life easier versus rain. Tailwind was also removed in favour of Defog, which is appreciated,as webs teams can cause the team problems.
Rest of the EVs went into defence, so Zap can live one CB Wicked Blow from full.



Persian @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Feint
- Double-Edge
- Hypnosis

The team was struggling against rain, as Swift Swim Barraskewda outspeeds everything even in tailwind or at +2 speed.
Pheromosa and Magearna also remained problematic, sweeping if they were allowed an opening. So I have been experimenting with Persian, with a lot of success.
So I turned away from scarfers to control these threats and looked towards priority options. Technician STAB Fake Out is the main draw of the set. It's free damage against opposing offensive teams, and provides utility at stalling out weather turns and trick room.

Alongside STAB Feint, it also prevents Pheromosa and Barraskewda from making progress, forcing them out should they get a KO:

252 Atk Silk Scarf Technician Persian Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 169-199 (59.7 - 70.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Silk Scarf Technician Persian Feint vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pheromosa: 127-150 (44.8 - 53%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Silk Scarf Technician Persian Fake Out vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Barraskewda: 129-153 (49 - 58.1%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Silk Scarf Technician Persian Feint vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Barraskewda: 97-115 (36.8 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

The last two moves are dedicated to things that want to switch in to Fake Out. Double Edge gives the set a far more powerful STAB move. Hypnosis is for ghosts,rocks and steels that are lured in,creating openings for the rest of the team.

Previous Speed Control

Spectrier @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Grim Neigh
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- Dark Pulse

Blacephalon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Flamethrower
- Trick
- Mind Blown

Current team paste:
https://pokepast.es/95cf956d7ae99dc2

 

[Redfeatherz]

Bump.

Been playing on and off, and the team's changed a bit since last week. It's now climbed the ladder to the upper 1600s.

I made a couple of updates to the above post, but in summary:

• I tried to cut down on the explanations.
• I changed Zapdos' set and spread:
  Defog replaces Tailwind, because Sticky Webs were a problem for the team ( they allow Urshifu-SS to go wild);
  Hurricane replaces U-turn, so that Nidoking in particular cannot freely switch in ( but it's nice for other grounds, rain teams etc.)
  Zapdos is now max speed timid and max defence to switch into a single Urshifu-SS Wicked Blow and either defog webs, or attack.
• I added Silk Scarf Persian, over the two choice scarfers I used. Seems to be doing a far better job at checking Pheromosa and Barraskewda in rain, while stalling out weather turns and , more genrally, creating sweeping opportunities with sleep.

My own thoughts on where to look next:

• Psychic Terrain. I have only seen one Lele so far, and it's been specs. Scarf Lele looks more dangerous as the team has little defensively for psychic attacks. No priority moves also makes it harder to stop the likes of Pheromosa, still.
• Nihilego vs steels. Excadrill, Ferro and Magearna are problematic for it. Contemplating running knock off over Dazzling gleam to remove leftovers recovery on these threats.
• Blaziken's set and EVs. It's been doing what it needs to do, but can't help but feel the EV spread could be optimised, or something like u-turn should be replaced with coverage.
• Swampert's set and EVs. I wonder if a swampert with a more defensive spread would help, as opposed to full max hp attack. I also wonder if protect is the best option in its last slot.
• Persian. Most recent member, and whilst it's a better fit than the previous scarfers, there may well be more consistent options that don't leave the team vulnerable versus scarf tapu lele.

That's just me, though. I'd appreciate frank advice from readers!

EDIT: Added the pokepaste, thanks SpuqrS :

https://pokepast.es/95cf956d7ae99dc2

 

[Smashburn]

I like the Blaziken, it's original and Blaziken's stats make it a good set, very smart! However, one thing I find is awkward, that the switch-outs are iffy, a lot of stat and type weaknesses overall making this team a bit sketchy. I feel like Blaziken would pair a lot better with a Future Sight - Scald - Regen Slowbro so it has more utility with most mons. It seems with Persian you are looking for a STAB physical attacker but Persian isn't the place to go for that unless you are in a lower tier where it is actually viable, I would consider choosing another strong mon with priority moves like Rillaboom which holds it own in OU for several reason, namely that it is in OU and all, you know. I have to say I also really like that Kartana Grip Claw set, it is an interesting concept that could be used if it had a higher success rate overall. However, although potentially useful, what do you do with the current coverage in this team to make up for another switch-out if they bring in a threat like sweepers from Hail, Sand, Sun, or Rain teams, or faster/bulkier Pokemon in general? I understand Persian is in here as Spectrier runs almost everywhere but in reality sticking Persian in here weakens everything else, I think keeping Blaziken for these situations is still more worth it anyways.

 

[SpuqrS]

Bump.

Been playing on and off, and the team's changed a bit since last week. It's now climbed the ladder to the upper 1600s.

I made a couple of updates to the above post, but in summary:

• I tried to cut down on the explanations.
• I changed Zapdos' set and spread:
  Defog replaces Tailwind, because Sticky Webs were a problem for the team ( they allow Urshifu-SS to go wild);
  Hurricane replaces U-turn, so that Nidoking in particular cannot freely switch in ( but it's nice for other grounds, rain teams etc.)
  Zapdos is now max speed timid and max defence to switch into a single Urshifu-SS Wicked Blow and either defog webs, or attack.
• I added Silk Scarf Persian, over the two choice scarfers I used. Seems to be doing a far better job at checking Pheromosa and Barraskewda in rain, while stalling out weather turns and , more genrally, creating sweeping opportunities with sleep.

My own thoughts on where to look next:

• Psychic Terrain. I have only seen one Lele so far, and it's been specs. Scarf Lele looks more dangerous as the team has little defensively for psychic attacks. No priority moves also makes it harder to stop the likes of Pheromosa, still.
• Nihilego vs steels. Excadrill, Ferro and Magearna are problematic for it. Contemplating running knock off over Dazzling gleam to remove leftovers recovery on these threats.
• Blaziken's set and EVs. It's been doing what it needs to do, but can't help but feel the EV spread could be optimised, or something like u-turn should be replaced with coverage.
• Swampert's set and EVs. I wonder if a swampert with a more defensive spread would help, as opposed to full max hp attack. I also wonder if protect is the best option in its last slot.
• Persian. Most recent member, and whilst it's a better fit than the previous scarfers, there may well be more consistent options that don't leave the team vulnerable versus scarf tapu lele.

That's just me, though. I'd appreciate frank advice from readers!

Yo that's great and all but can you add a pokepast???????

 

[Redfeatherz]

I like the Blaziken, it's original and Blaziken's stats make it a good set, very smart! However, one thing I find is awkward, that the switch-outs are iffy, a lot of stat and type weaknesses overall making this team a bit sketchy. I feel like Blaziken would pair a lot better with a Future Sight - Scald - Regen Slowbro so it has more utility with most mons.

Thanks! Slowbro looks like a solid partner for the Blaziken. It could be a better fit than swampert with the future sight option and better recovery, if I found the team a new electric immunity + Hazard setter. It wouldn't be chipping down grounds, so much as scaring them out, but it's probably for the better if it lures the rest of the team in.
Its inability to take an urshifu hit concerns me, but hey, this team doesn't really take hits from it anyways. It also makes special Pheromosa scarier, but again, team's not exactly safe to begin with.

It seems with Persian you are looking for a STAB physical attacker but Persian isn't the place to go for that unless you are in a lower tier where it is actually viable, I would consider choosing another strong mon with priority moves like Rillaboom which holds it own in OU for several reason, namely that it is in OU and all, you know. ... I understand Persian is in here as Spectrier runs almost everywhere but in reality sticking Persian in here weakens everything else, I think keeping Blaziken for these situations is still more worth it anyways.

I've been changing up slot 6 a lot, and Persian was sticking longer than usual. I wasn't so much looking for STAB physical attackers, moreso that the one-two priority hit of fakeout-feint stops Pheromosa and Barraskewda sweeps dead. In summary, an option to keep the super fast things from mowing me down... so long as they're weakened or frail. But that doesn't really help with faster/ bulkier mons and weather teams. It does not reliably stop the likes of SG Magearna, or Venusaur, Arctozolt,seismitoad or excadrill in weather, without having to sack other team members for additional fakeout hits.

I have considered Rillaboom myself, as it seems great alongside Kartana and grants passive recovery to the team. It gives birds more opportunities to come in and roost, which Kartana doesn't appreciate (Nihilego, however, does loves that).
Ultimately my biggest reason to not jump at rillaboom so far is the fear the terrain benefits my opponents more than myself: I feel Nihilego thrives most when the enemy swampert or tyranitar is slowly being weakened by sludgebomb chip,potentially poison too and stealth rock. Bringing grassy surge voluntarily negates a lot of progress against those checks, and positively benefits enemy Magearna switchins, which the current team cannot punish.

I will try it though! Think it's just in my head, since it should make a lot of offensive progress to make up for any lost through the terrain healing.

I have to say I also really like that Kartana Grip Claw set, it is an interesting concept that could be used if it had a higher success rate overall. However, although potentially useful, what do you do with the current coverage in this team to make up for another switch-out if they bring in a threat like sweepers from Hail, Sand, Sun, or Rain teams, or faster/bulkier Pokemon in general?

I had Tailwind on Zapdos before, which makes Kartana incredibly threatening to most weather teams, only worrying about Barraskewda and healthy Tornadus-T. If Tailwind was brought back along with Slowbro I'd expect these matchups improve significantly.

Thank you for your detailed response!

Yo that's great and all but can you add a pokepast???????

Of course, sorry about that!

https://pokepast.es/95cf956d7ae99dc2

 

[Smashburn]

Thanks! Slowbro looks like a solid partner for the Blaziken. It could be a better fit than swampert with the future sight option and better recovery, if I found the team a new electric immunity + Hazard setter. It wouldn't be chipping down grounds, so much as scaring them out, but it's probably for the better if it lures the rest of the team in.
Its inability to take an urshifu hit concerns me, but hey, this team doesn't really take hits from it anyways. It also makes special Pheromosa scarier, but again, team's not exactly safe to begin with.



I've been changing up slot 6 a lot, and Persian was sticking longer than usual. I wasn't so much looking for STAB physical attackers, moreso that the one-two priority hit of fakeout-feint stops Pheromosa and Barraskewda sweeps dead. In summary, an option to keep the super fast things from mowing me down... so long as they're weakened or frail. But that doesn't really help with faster/ bulkier mons and weather teams. It does not reliably stop the likes of SG Magearna, or Venusaur, Arctozolt,seismitoad or excadrill in weather, without having to sack other team members for additional fakeout hits.

I have considered Rillaboom myself, as it seems great alongside Kartana and grants passive recovery to the team. It gives birds more opportunities to come in and roost, which Kartana doesn't appreciate (Nihilego, however, does loves that).
Ultimately my biggest reason to not jump at rillaboom so far is the fear the terrain benefits my opponents more than myself: I feel Nihilego thrives most when the enemy swampert or tyranitar is slowly being weakened by sludgebomb chip,potentially poison too and stealth rock. Bringing grassy surge voluntarily negates a lot of progress against those checks, and positively benefits enemy Magearna switchins, which the current team cannot punish.

I will try it though! Think it's just in my head, since it should make a lot of offensive progress to make up for any lost through the terrain healing.



I had Tailwind on Zapdos before, which makes Kartana incredibly threatening to most weather teams, only worrying about Barraskewda and healthy Tornadus-T. If Tailwind was brought back along with Slowbro I'd expect these matchups improve significantly.

Thank you for your detailed response!




Of course, sorry about that!

https://pokepast.es/95cf956d7ae99dc2

Oh one more thought, you're talking about the grassy terrain being an issue, but what about rebuilding the team so it gets more of a core, maybe with some more unexpected combinations? I have been looking at that a lot through old forums going for good builds that might work now and I found a lot, maybe if you scroll through as well you will get some ideas?