1st RMT

[dan3067]

Recently got back into Diamond and I wanted to start making competitive teams. So, here we go:

Ninjask @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
Nature: Jolly
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Baton Pass
- X-Scissor

I think this is a great, though somewhat unused, pokemon. Pretty simple strategy, but with many pokemon either setting rocks or setting themselves up, i can sub for some boosts (speed or SD as well), and then switch to a bulkier guy. I think he works best as a starter. Might come in later game if needed, but needs to be a very safe situation for the frail bug.

Gliscor @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Hp / 216 Spe / 40 Def
Nature: Impish
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge/Taunt/U-Turn

I wanted to use him as a tank and to take physical attacks that the rest of my team can't take, so I'm not sure if this is the ideal EV spread. He can take Ninjask's boosts as well (instead of my better attack options if it is unsafe for them), sets up SR, whatever is needed. Also, I like stone edge, but I was not sure if there was a better option. Pretty much comes in on anything that is too physically strong for my other people, since they are not all the bulkiest.

Jolteon @ LeftoversChoice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
Nature: Timid
- Thunderbolt
- HP Ice
- SubstituteBaton Pass
- Shadowball

Special sweeper, pretty simple. He pretty much needs to get a sub from ninjask or himself, but then he's pretty dangerous. Not sure if Shadowball is the best thing for him, but I don't know a better alternative. Actually thinking of changing to choice specs with maybe Baton Pass or something else instead of substitute, since he could use the extra power. Changed to Choice Specs with Baton Pass

Jirachi @ Expert Belt
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Hp
Nature: Jolly
- Iron Head
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
- Grass Knot/T-bolt

Surprise physical sweeper. Love iron head's flinch + serene grace. The punches let him have more usability. 4th spot and EV spread are kind of iffy; I was thinking grass knot, but then wish came to mind. If he's trapped or just is in a bad situation, wish would be a nice way to go out, but grass knot might round him out. Just read another RMT and t-bolt might work out pretty well, since sending in a bulky water is kind of common after they see a physical attack (though grass knot > t-bolt for swampert...).

Tentacruel @ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 Hp / 120 Def / 136 Sp. Def
Nature: Calm
- Surf
- Rapid Spin
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam/Toxic Spikes

Special Wall and Spinner. Ground weakness covered by Gliscor/Salamence, Electric weakness covered by Gliscor/Jolteon. He also covers most of the special attacks aimed at Gliscor. I think I would go with Ice Beam, but Toxic Spikes are very enticing. Rapid spin really helps if ninjask needs to come back in later.

Salamence @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 232 Atk / 252 Spe / 24 Sp. Atk
Nature: Naive
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast

Either used when he can come safely in with a Baton Pass from Ninjask, or just as a late game sweeper. I can't get outrage on him in Diamond I believe, but dragon claw is good enough. Works well with Jirachi to cover weaknesses as well. He's not really a mixmence, but i realized that my team is lacking fighting moves, so maybe making the earthquake into brick break would be an option.

All in all I really like this team, but I'm sure that there are flaws. So, thanks in advance for the (hopefully constructive) criticism.

Note: Didn't say EV's for Jolteon/Ninjask since they are already EV trained for their roles (Ninjask in speed/atk, jolteon in speed/sp. atk).

 

[MrIndigo]

Ninjask isn't a brilliant lead anymore, but he's not unplayable.

Gliscor should have either Taunt or U-Turn over Stone Edge in his last slot, and he absolutely needs to be Jolly with 216 Speed EVs, so he can counter and revenge any Lucario.

Jolteon seems less useful as a Special Sweeper with that set than other alternatives, particularly when you're not really baiting electric attacks. I'd go with Rotom-A instead, and run a Scarf-Trick set.

I'm not convinced you really need a Rapid Spinner, so Tentacruel could be replaced with a better Bulky Water, but I'm not certain.

 

[dan3067]

I understand why you say I should change to jolly, but impish lets him wall more, as he is the main one here to take my physical attacks. U-Turn and Taunt sound like good alternatives... I'll think about which of the three to use (until/unless someone convinces me for one).

If Gliscor is down, I really have no one to take the popular T-bolt besides Jolteon. I might change to choice specs (and get rid of sub), but I like him and he's pretty useful for this team.

I'm not sure that a spinner is NEEDED, but if I need to reuse Ninjask or Salamence wants to come in, SR is pretty annoying.

 

[Sheshi]

Choice Specs Jolteon deals a ton of damage. I think you should use that. Also, using Baton Pass over Substitute and changing Shadow Ball for Signal Beam would also benefit you immensely.

I suggest you use U-Turn in place of Grass Knot or Wish on Jirachi. Also, use a Choice Scarf and you have an effective Revenge killer, which your team lacks.

Tentacruel @ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 Hp / 120 Def / 136 Sp. Def
Nature: Calm
- Surf
- Rapid Spin
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam/Toxic Spikes

Tentacruel: I Wouldn't suggets having Giga Drain. Your Tentacruel's moveset should be:
-Surf
-Rapid Spin
-Toxic Spikes
-HP Electric / Ice Beam
Last moveslot depends on what you want to hit.

Salamence @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 232 Atk / 252 Spe / 24 Sp. Atk
Nature: Naive
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Salamence has Outrage thanks to Platinum. Why don't you use that over Dragon Claw? You get a lot more power after your DD. Also, why do you use a Naive Nature and not Naughty? Naughty gets you a very high attack stat with your current EV's.

 

[dan3067]

Yeah, Choice Specs would probably be better. I don't really see why Signal Beam would be better than Shadowball, can you elaborate?

Yeah, U-Turn is another good choice, but I'm realizing that I am pretty Swampert Weak without at least putting Grass knot on Jirachi. Picking between Grass Knot and U-turn basically determines whether he'll be a revenge killer or a mixed fighter. I think he would work better as a mix to combat multiple threats, but I guess I could be wrong.

Tentacruel has Giga Drain to get a little surprise on the bulky waters that may switch on him, and also to get a little hp back (no other way I think). I originally thought that Ice Beam was preferable, but he's not really meant to fight Dragons anyway, besides coming in on a Fire Blast. Surf/Rapid Spin/Giga Drain/Toxic Spikes seems best to me at the moment.

Oh, I didn't know he gained Outrage. I don't have Platinum for Outrage anyway, but Dragon Claw is still pretty good (Mence's Atk + STAB) and lets him combat more threats (without the confusion, I mean). I chose the speed nature to help with the threats smogon's Salamence guide might outspeed him otherwise (since I am using Fire Blast).

Thanks for the input ^^.