Index:
- Background
- Team Preview
- Teambuilding Process
- Team Analysis
- Threat List
- Replays
- Importable of the team
- Conclusion
- Youtube video
... is what I would have said if me n my man Mamoo dropped this RMT on time... what ended up happening is that I smoked an UNHOLY amount of BOOF that sent me into a month-long slumber, where I could only be awakened by Mamoo's EPIC theme song [Mamoo: Yes, I come alive! Riding the badlands without end! Freewind Rider! My soul is flowing in the wind!], with only one goal in mind—publishing this immaculate RMT for the good people of Smogon.
1. Background
It's not that we're tired of seeing the same teams over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again on the ladder. It's that we're upset that y'all keep sleeping on arguably the most versatile mega evolution in the entire metagame. Already sporting one of the best defensive typings, which is further bolstered by its ability, as well as a great support movepool, we know what Mega Venusaur has to offer defensively.
Yeah, we know—offensive sweeper Venusaur is a staple on sun teams thanks to it getting Weather Ball in Gen 8. But the sun don't shine every day
And we wanted to showcase Mega Venusaur's repertoire on a bulky offense teambuild, where it would shine as both an offensive threat, and a defensive check.After building this team, we put it to the test against the ND OU ladder, where it excelled under a surprising number of circumstances. And not only that, I hit my Mega Blaziken suspect test requirements using this team, which further cemented it as both an incredibly durable, and threatening team.
Link to voter identification thread
2. Team Preview
3. Teambuilding Process
Defensive Core
Once upon a generation ago, Mega Venusaur was best friends with the most underrated of the Steel/Flying types—Celesteela. As a result, it was a no-brainer pairing these two on their victory lap of Gen 8, as Celesteela covers Mega Venusaur's two weaknesses: Flying and Psychic, and would serve as the Psychic/Tapu Lele wall for the team. The combination of these two mons already boasts an incredible defensive core, so how do we further reinforce it? By adding the best Tapu of course—that's right, a mon that boasts yet another incredible defensive typing, Tapu Fini pulls up to check Ash-Greninja, Kommo-o (and other threatening dragons) and Heatran, remove hazards, prevent the spread of status, while also operating as a sneaky good scarf user. Mega Venusaur is able to check common electric and grass types that otherwise pose threats to Tapu Fini, such as Kartana, Rillaboom, and Tapu Koko.
Is this core starting to look familiar to you? It's almost as if we have a Tapu Fini-Ferrothorn core in the making... so you know what we usually add to that? That's right, we tossin a Landorus-T on dat bitch. Our intimidator, Mega Lopunny check, hazard setter and Electric/Ground immunity, every team needs a Landorus-T. If you prefer Gliscor to this mon I suggest you just stop reading right here because we don't need uncultured swine like you to finish reading this RMT.
Now, I'm guessing you've already asked the obvious by now—how is this core supposed to deal with Kyurem? That is a fantastic question, and one that forced us to double down on the bulkiness of this team. Obviously we need to get to the offensive core, but we can't possibly end this section without addressing this hole in our defensive core. Yes, we feel bad for employing this ABSOLUTELY BROKEN mon that should've been banned YEARS AGO, but we pullin up with the bulky Volcarona set. We tankin all types of ice moves, eating up all Earth Powers, and laughing at the Misty Terrain nerfed Draco Meteors. So there you have our Kyurem answer.
Offensive core
We've already established that Mega Venusaur serves as a foundational piece in the defensive backbone of this team, but you'd be surprised at the damage output that a max Special Attack Modest Mega Venusaur can dish out to some of the staples of the metagame. In terms of offensive synergy, we weren't really worried about it, because we put the two most broken offensive mons on this team to partner up with Mega Venusaur, and asked our opps to consider their sacks every time we sent these demons out. As stated in the defensive cores section, we got a whole ass Volcarona to keep the Mega Scizors away, and conversely sweep opposing teams at a moment's notice. And with our final mon, we got a whole ass Weavile responsible for shaking up the metagame as monumentally as Rillaboom did after the Isle of Armor DLC dropped.
4. Team Analysis
(we smokin on ladder with this anti-meta set)
BOOF PACK (Venusaur-Mega) @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Synthesis
- Giga Drain
- Earth Power
- Sludge Bomb
Possessing great physical and special bulk, and important resistances to common offensive types, Mega Venusaur carves out a very strong niche in NatDex OU. Its ability Thick Fat negates two of its weaknesses, making it an even stronger defensive check to the many threats in the tier, including Clefable, Mega Diancie, Mega Gyarados, Mega Lopunny, Ferrothorn, Serperior, Tapu Koko, Mega Manectric & many more. Mega Venusaur also provides the team with a Toxic immunity & absorbs T-spikes to protect our team from getting worn down by more bulkier builds. While mostly used as a defensive wall, we've opted for a very offensive set to showcase its lesser known offensive prowess. Mega Venusaur is deceptively strong, boasting a base 122 SpAtk stat. Max EVs in SpAtk & Speed with a Modest nature turns Mega Venusaur into a respectable force. Giga Drain OHKOs pokemon such as Mega Diancie & Gastrodon, & puts a huge dent into Slowbro & its mega, Hippowdon, Alomomola & Landorus-T, all while recovering HP at the same time. Sludge Bomb is the more powerful of the two STABs that threatens to deal massive damage to grass & fairy types such as Rillaboom, Serperior, the Tapus & Clefable. Earth Power rounds out the coverage, being able to nail Heatran, Magnezone & Mega Mawile, as well as dealing good damage to Toxapex. Synthesis provides Mega Venusaur with reliable recovery, restoring 1/2 of its maximum HP when used & 2/3 of its Max HP in Sun. Speaking of weather, Mega Venusaur has a good defensive matchup against rain outside of Zapdos, a really good offensive matchup against sand & can even cause headaches to sun prior to mega evolving.
(STEELA IS UNBREAKABLE)
whole lotta steel (Celesteela) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 232 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Leech Seed
- Flamethrower
One of the great walls of USUM OU makes its triumphant return. Celesteela provides the team with a much needed Psychic & Flying resist. Its massive bulk & fantastic typing allows it to check threatening pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Mega Latias, Rillaboom, Lando-T & Mega Scizor, giving the other members of the team some much needed respite. Celesteela can use Substitute on resisted hits & slower/passive pokemon such as Toxapex & Ferrothorn to plant itself on the field & become extremely difficult to dislodge. Leech seed provides a form of reliable recovery & is useful against switch-ins such as Fire & Electric types. Protect along with leftovers & leech seed allow it to scout choice-locked mons & gain recovery at the same time. When done behind a sub, this can be incredibly frustrating for the opponent to deal with. Protect also allows us to stall out certain HO play styles that operate on a timer such as Dual Screens, Weather & Trick Room. Flamethrower hits the steel types that you would otherwise be unable to touch such as Mega Scizor, Corviknight, Magnezone & especially Ferrothorn. The 28 EVs in Defense allow it to live a HJK from Mega Medicham. The rest of the EVs are to make it as specially defensive as possible to take on specially offensive threats.
(THE BIG DOG)
Judge Dredd (Landorus-Therian) (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Impish Nature
- Toxic
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
No team is complete without everyone's favorite Jack of All Trades & Master of All, Landorus-Therian. The sheer role compression it provides any team is unmatched. Not only being our team's hazard setter but also our check to the tiers array of physically offensive threats. In conjunction with the item rocky helmet & the very-much desired ability in Intimidate, no physical attacker can stand up to its might without being neutered to a significant extent. Dangerous breakers such as Mega Mawile, Mega Lopunny, Garchomp, Mega Pinsir, Zard-X & Blazeeken are taken care of with Intimidate + helmet chip. Lando-T absorbs the pressure from those two, allowing it to pivot out to a safe resist if need be. An electric and ground immunity (which are very valuable to have), it can switch-in to those attacks & most physical attacks in general & slowly pivot out with U-turn to gain momentum for the team. Earthquake is mandatory STAB. Toxic punishes switch-ins like opposing Lando-T, Zapdos, Slowbro & Kyurem that may want to come in on a predicted stealth rock. The EV spread is a physically Defensive one which allows it to tank hits better & be a more sturdy check. The speed EVs allow it to outspeed everything up to max speed neutral nature base 60 mons, like Adamant Tyranitar. Ask yourself this, if a team doesn't have the GOAT to lay down the law, can it even be called a real team?
(The best Tapu—this is not up for debate)
ariel (Tapu Fini) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Misty Surge
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Trick
- Defog
- Scald / Surf / Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
The Goddess of the sea has firmly established herself as the premier Tapu of the tier having been overshadowed by Lele & Koko in the previous generation. We've chosen its role to be more offensive this time around & thus have entrusted her with the choice scarf. Having that extra speed & max SPAtk allows Fini to deal heavy damage or outright OHKO dangerous foes such as Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham & Weavile, before they can wreak havoc against our team. Moonblast hits the aforementioned pokemon as well as Ash-Gren, Hawlucha & the strong dragon types in the tier. Surf is a higher BP option mainly to dent SpDef Heatran. Scald could be used as an alternative to hit flying types & other levitating mons. It's also good vs pokemon that change the terrain. Hydro pump is another option if you regularly win the lottery and like high BP moves that miss more often than not. Trick cripples defensive answers such as Ferrothorn, Blissey, Toxapex & most stall staples, often opening up the door for the breakers of the team to set up & put in work. Defog provides the team with much needed hazard removal to ease Weavile's worries. Fini's Misty Terrian support allows our sweepers the luxury of setting up safely without having to worry about getting statused.
(there is a special place in hell for users of this mon)
shaytan (Volcarona) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 160 Def / 56 SpA / 44 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Psychic
With access to Quiver Dance coupled with its high special attack & good speed stat, this demonic moth strikes fear in the hearts of its opponents. Although a fully offensive Volcarona makes for a very deadly sweeper, we decided to take a more defensive approach to complement the team. Its typing along with the added bulk allow it to check menacing foes such as Kyurem, Mega Mawile, Rillaboom & Kartana. The ability Flame Body is very useful for its 30% chance to burn a Pokemon making contact with Volcarona. This can be very clutch in neutralizing strong physical threats & can be a very realistic out when in a pinch. Fiery Dance has a chance to boost Volcarona's SpAtk, which can make it very threatening despite being a bulky variant. Psychic is primarily to force Toxapex into an uncomfortable position, where it has to cycle through Haze & Recover if Volcarona is under Misty Terrain. Misty Terrain support grants Volcarona the ability to set up safely without having to worry about status. Roost provides reliable recovery & longevity throughout the battle. Heavy-Duty Boots prevents Volcarona from losing half its health upon switching into Stealth Rock. The given EV spread helps to take on the aforementioned threats, 44 EVs in speed allow it to outspeed everything up to Adamant Rillaboom & just enough to outspeed Mega Lopunny at +1 as well.
(THEY HATE EM IN NEW YORK)
ice trae (Weavile) @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ice Shard
- Throat Chop
- Swords Dance
- Triple Axel
Blessed with great offensive typing & powerful STAB moves, Weavile is a force to be reckoned with. Although choice band is a great set in its own right, we decided on going with a set that puts on a lot of pressure on more passive builds. Backed by a 120 base Attack, Swords Dance allows Weavile to raise its attack to scary levels, making it very difficult to switch into & handle. Triple Axel is the ice STAB of choice which threatens to deal devastating amounts of damage to the entire meta & also pick up OHKOs on Mega Latias, Zapdos, Lando-T, Garchomp, etc. A +2 Black Hole Eclipse powered by Throat Chop allows Weavile to muscle through would be checks such as Toxapex, Corviknight, Ferrothorn & Melmetal. Ice Shard is very useful priority to pick off weakened foes & things like Scarf Lando-T, Scale Shot Garchomp & Rillaboom. Misty Terrain support benefits Weavile as well, allowing it to set up safely without worry. Max Attack & Speed with a Jolly Nature is to hit as fast & as hard as possible.
5. Threat List
General weaknesses: Sun, and strong flying/fire types with unresisted/super effective coverage to hit either Celesteela, Tapu Fini or Volcarona. Prioritize getting up rocks against teams with these strategies/mons.
Mega Charizard-Y: Weather Ball/Flamethrower/Fire Blast, Air Slash, and Solar Beam threaten the entire team. If Weavile is down, forfeit. Otherwise, choose a sack and send in Weavile. Z-Throat Chop is a guaranteed OHKO without any boosts, but if you have balls of steel, you should SD.
Zapdos: Discharge/Thunder(bolt), Hurricane (particularly Z-move), HP Ice, Weather Ball (in Rain) once again threaten the entire team. Prioritize getting off a Toxic on this mon with Landorus, and even consider eating an HP Ice for it, because Zapdos with Flying/Electric coverage threatens the defensive core of this team. If you get off the Toxic, you can pivot between Mega-Venusaur and Celesteela, and stall with Protect while it slowly whittles away to Toxic. If you can pivot in safely (via Landorus), Weavile is capable of threatening Zapdos in return.
Victini: Banded V-Create, Bolt Strike/Thunder(bolt), Z-Celebrate - Landorus is the only reliable switch-in for Banded V-Create, as it will 2HKO Scarf Fini. Z-Celebrate is extremely threatening, your only way to play around this is to lure it in with Celesteela on the field, get up a Leech Seed, and play the pivot/stall game until it's in range of a mon that can eat an omniboosted Stored Power, such as Landorus or Tapu Fini.
Blacephalon: Specs/Scarf/Sub-Z - the team has no ghost resist/immunity and is evidently fire weak, so by virtue of its typing and ability to snowball its special attack stat, Blacephalon is also a big threat. Weavile can be switched in—once at the most—to a scarf shadow ball. The combination of Tapu Fini and Weavile is used to play around and neutralize this threat with their super effective STABs.
Heatran: Scarf Eruptran (Sun) - Tapu Fini is really the only switch-in—and once at the most—to max power Eruption here, and fortunately outspeeds Heatran with its choice scarf. Once you chip the Heatran, it should become manageable.
Rotom-Heat: the typing, coverage, ability to pivot, and additionally punish Landorus switch-ins with Will-o-Wisp make this an annoying mon to the team. It is by no means unmanageable, rather it is a pest that you should prioritize getting a Toxic off on.
G-Zapdos: all sets must be dealt with in the same manner (except Sub+Bulk Up, then you just forfeit). Brave Bird recoil + Helmet chip from Lando will put it in range to be revenge killed by Weavile's Ice Shard. If it's not scarf/agility, Fini can revenge/force it out with scarf Moonblast.
6. Replays
vs Zapdos, Victini and Mega Blaziken
vs all the fast broken natdex mons
vs semi-sun (how do you run sun without zard y?)
vs Weather Icon impersonator (PANNU PACK)
7. Importable of the team
8. Conclusion
After spamming this team against the ladder during the Mega Blaziken suspect, and once again after my month-long hiatus brought on by the unholy amount of BOOF I smoked, we are absolutely certain about one thing when it comes to this team: it has incredible synergy. Every pokemon on this team has a defined role & covers for each other's weaknesses both defensively & offensively against the myriad of threats in the tier. Despite being run offensively, both Mega Venusaur & Tapu Fini serve as decent defensive pivots that can threaten foes with their strong STAB coverage. Celesteela, Landorus-Therian & Volcarona are the more bulkier pokemon that can stick around & tank multiple hits for the team & cripple foes with Leech Seed, Toxic or Flame Body burns. Weavile plays an extremely important role, being able to revenge kill, force out or deal massive damage to the Pokemon that threaten our team the most.
Couple of quick shout outs:
First and foremost: biggest shout out to my man Mamoo for co-authoring not only this RMT post, but being the brains behind the teambuild, because I definitely can't build for shit.
Next up we got our gang at Whole Lotta Agents, y'all keep us going fr and we wouldn't be out here absolutely annihilating these nerds on the ladder with our BOOF PACK if it wasn't for you lot.
Showdown mods, please free my guy DerpyBoi. He dropped by during our RMT grind and said he was voting BOOF PACK for the next president of the United States so you know he was gettin a MASSIVE shout out.
Shout out pannuracotta for bein my last battle to hit reqs for the Mega Blaziken suspect (check out the replay in the replays section) and for having arguably the greatest accent known to humankind (Pannu please put us in the Smogon HOF or else we takin Sweden off the map).
Big shout out ElevatedGodlynessOfficial for helpin me and Mamoo build the team in its initial stages and for recording the YouTube video with us, we couldn't have done it without you.
Shout out Djwaot, simultaneously the most creative, yet worst mons player of all time (imagine getting solo'ed by a Skarmory while using a sun team).
And finally shout out to my son martinvtran.
And man shout outs to my WLA forehead banner model smino!!
9. 4/20 B[OOF PACK]LAZE IT: ANTI-META MEGA VENUSAUR SNATCHES BODIES ON THE ND OU LADDER
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