With the transition over to the 6th Generation, I had to make various changes in my team's overall appearance. A new entry hazard, and plenty of new threats, are always presentable, which has left me with the following team, as a means to deal with said threats. My team is what I would like to believe a balanced team (nothing weather related etc) so I definitely feel like a large amount of effort was put into it, this time around. Here is the team as follows:
Galvantula (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Sticky Web
- Giga Drain
Galvantula is fairly new. I originally had decided on using a Sashed Smeargle, (with of course a relatively similar EV Spread to an extent). Smeargle's utility was great to have, but sadly late-game, it always resulted in either Taunt bait, or death fodder. I chose Galvantula in order to circumvent this issue. Its offensive movepool, quick and easy Sticky Webs, and the wonderful use of Compound Eyes Thunder, helps out in more ways than before. Bug Buzz and Giga Drain (mainly Giga Drain) provide some much needed coverage, and offensive presence. Sadly, Galvantula's weakness to Stealth Rock, and overall frailty, delays its time around. Hopefully it can stay around just a little longer in the future.
Gengar-Mega (F) @ Gengarite
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Thunderbolt
This thing is a monster. And I love it. I had recently tossed between some other commonly used, (and incredibly viable) Mega-Evolutions, and finally decided upon Mega-Gengar. Between its monstrous Special Attack stat, blazing fast Speed (tying with Jolteon) and incredible offensive movepool, Gengar has proven to be an effectively terrifying presence on the battlefield. Gengar's overall coverage and trapping capabilities in Shadow Tag, help to deal with troublesome threats, that usually give my other teammates and harder time. Shadow Ball provides STAB and great coverage, Focus Blast deals with Steel types trying to switch on (even with the nerf to Steel). Sludge Bomb finally has a reason to be seen, and deals with Fairy types that try to switch in on my Garchomp, while Thunderbolt likewise, provides coverage. Gengar however, does have its faults. Its defenses, with slightly buffed, are still nothing to be amazed by. Gengar has trouble staying around for a long time, and combining damage from entry hazards, and the ever so common priority moves, Gengar's health drops pretty quickly. Likewise, Gengar will be around for a long time to come.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
Scizor has always been fun to use. Its raw physical power always leaves a dent, even on resisted hits, is always a delight to see. I originally planned on an Offensive Swords Dance set, but seeing how slow Scizor can be (outside of Bullet Punch), didn't help it out much. I also tried a Choice Scarf set, but didn't appreciate the power nerf. The Choice Band set accentuates Scizor's raw power, and helps to always leave a mark on opposing Pokemon. U-Turn and Bullet Punch are placed for momentum and STAB, while Pursuit and Superpower provide great coverage. Scizor's obviously crippling weakness to Fire, leaves a dent in my team's defensive synergy. However, this is mitigated by other teammates.
Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Scald
- Psyshock
Knowing how crucial a Spinner can be is half of the reason why I chose Starmie for Rapid Spin Support. Defog seems unappealing to me in terms of usage, seeing as how I'd like to keep Sticky Web active. Due to that, Starmie's classic Bulky Rapid Spin set, has proven time and time again to be effective. The given spread makes switching in much easier, which in turn helps Starmie stay around longer than other commonly seen Spinners (not including its recovery of course). Rapid Spin is used for incredibly obvious reasons. Recover is always great for longevity, while Scald and Psyshock are there for STAB coverage. Starmie always has a hard time dealing with spinblockers like Trevenant and Jellicent, and an even harder time with Aegislash. Hopefully a resolution can be found to alleviate this issue, other than Gengar of course.
Sylveon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Cute Charm
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Def
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Moonblast
- Heal Bell
Previously using Blissey as my Special Wall of choice, Sylveon has found its way as my new favorite Special Wall this generation. Its typing is a blessing on its own, providing numerous switch-in opportunities. Combined with only two (albeit rare weaknesses), Sylveon stays around for a long while. Wish Passing is its primary niche, passing off decently portioned Wishes to my other Pokemon. Wish and Protect are commonly used in conjunction to heal off any residual or battle damage, while also being able to effectively scout. Heal Bell not only provides more support, but also increases its longevity even more. Unlike other Special Walls, Sylveon can actually maintain an offensive presence. STAB Moonblast always leaves a good mark on anything that isn't invested in Special Defense, or isn't resisting it, and allows it to deal with OU's most dangerous Dragons. Sylveon is slower than many would like it to be, and its Defense is lacking (*cough* Bullet Punch). Luckily the investments I have given in defense balance it out efficiently.
Garchomp (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SAtk
Naive Nature
- Fire Blast
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
My last and longest running Pokemon. Choice Scarf Garchomp (aka "Scarfchomp") has been a staple for my previous teams, which hasn't changed in any way since the generation shift. A Naive Nature allows for Fire Blast to OHKO essentially every Steel type thrown its way, even with its lower Special Attack. Outrage and Earthquake are used for STAB, while Stone Edge is used for coverage in conjuction with Earthquake. The newfound Fairy weakness provides some unfortunate matchups (Azumarill, Clefable, looking at both of you) and its crippling Ice weakness also doesn't help much either. Luckily Sylveon helps out in more ways than one, while my other teammates (mainly Scizor and Gengar) provide assistance with their typings. With all of that, Garchomp's revenge killing potential is never underestimated.
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Sticky Web
- Giga Drain
Galvantula is fairly new. I originally had decided on using a Sashed Smeargle, (with of course a relatively similar EV Spread to an extent). Smeargle's utility was great to have, but sadly late-game, it always resulted in either Taunt bait, or death fodder. I chose Galvantula in order to circumvent this issue. Its offensive movepool, quick and easy Sticky Webs, and the wonderful use of Compound Eyes Thunder, helps out in more ways than before. Bug Buzz and Giga Drain (mainly Giga Drain) provide some much needed coverage, and offensive presence. Sadly, Galvantula's weakness to Stealth Rock, and overall frailty, delays its time around. Hopefully it can stay around just a little longer in the future.
Gengar-Mega (F) @ Gengarite
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Thunderbolt
This thing is a monster. And I love it. I had recently tossed between some other commonly used, (and incredibly viable) Mega-Evolutions, and finally decided upon Mega-Gengar. Between its monstrous Special Attack stat, blazing fast Speed (tying with Jolteon) and incredible offensive movepool, Gengar has proven to be an effectively terrifying presence on the battlefield. Gengar's overall coverage and trapping capabilities in Shadow Tag, help to deal with troublesome threats, that usually give my other teammates and harder time. Shadow Ball provides STAB and great coverage, Focus Blast deals with Steel types trying to switch on (even with the nerf to Steel). Sludge Bomb finally has a reason to be seen, and deals with Fairy types that try to switch in on my Garchomp, while Thunderbolt likewise, provides coverage. Gengar however, does have its faults. Its defenses, with slightly buffed, are still nothing to be amazed by. Gengar has trouble staying around for a long time, and combining damage from entry hazards, and the ever so common priority moves, Gengar's health drops pretty quickly. Likewise, Gengar will be around for a long time to come.
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
Scizor has always been fun to use. Its raw physical power always leaves a dent, even on resisted hits, is always a delight to see. I originally planned on an Offensive Swords Dance set, but seeing how slow Scizor can be (outside of Bullet Punch), didn't help it out much. I also tried a Choice Scarf set, but didn't appreciate the power nerf. The Choice Band set accentuates Scizor's raw power, and helps to always leave a mark on opposing Pokemon. U-Turn and Bullet Punch are placed for momentum and STAB, while Pursuit and Superpower provide great coverage. Scizor's obviously crippling weakness to Fire, leaves a dent in my team's defensive synergy. However, this is mitigated by other teammates.
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Scald
- Psyshock
Knowing how crucial a Spinner can be is half of the reason why I chose Starmie for Rapid Spin Support. Defog seems unappealing to me in terms of usage, seeing as how I'd like to keep Sticky Web active. Due to that, Starmie's classic Bulky Rapid Spin set, has proven time and time again to be effective. The given spread makes switching in much easier, which in turn helps Starmie stay around longer than other commonly seen Spinners (not including its recovery of course). Rapid Spin is used for incredibly obvious reasons. Recover is always great for longevity, while Scald and Psyshock are there for STAB coverage. Starmie always has a hard time dealing with spinblockers like Trevenant and Jellicent, and an even harder time with Aegislash. Hopefully a resolution can be found to alleviate this issue, other than Gengar of course.
Ability: Cute Charm
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Def
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Moonblast
- Heal Bell
Previously using Blissey as my Special Wall of choice, Sylveon has found its way as my new favorite Special Wall this generation. Its typing is a blessing on its own, providing numerous switch-in opportunities. Combined with only two (albeit rare weaknesses), Sylveon stays around for a long while. Wish Passing is its primary niche, passing off decently portioned Wishes to my other Pokemon. Wish and Protect are commonly used in conjunction to heal off any residual or battle damage, while also being able to effectively scout. Heal Bell not only provides more support, but also increases its longevity even more. Unlike other Special Walls, Sylveon can actually maintain an offensive presence. STAB Moonblast always leaves a good mark on anything that isn't invested in Special Defense, or isn't resisting it, and allows it to deal with OU's most dangerous Dragons. Sylveon is slower than many would like it to be, and its Defense is lacking (*cough* Bullet Punch). Luckily the investments I have given in defense balance it out efficiently.
Garchomp (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SAtk
Naive Nature
- Fire Blast
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
My last and longest running Pokemon. Choice Scarf Garchomp (aka "Scarfchomp") has been a staple for my previous teams, which hasn't changed in any way since the generation shift. A Naive Nature allows for Fire Blast to OHKO essentially every Steel type thrown its way, even with its lower Special Attack. Outrage and Earthquake are used for STAB, while Stone Edge is used for coverage in conjuction with Earthquake. The newfound Fairy weakness provides some unfortunate matchups (Azumarill, Clefable, looking at both of you) and its crippling Ice weakness also doesn't help much either. Luckily Sylveon helps out in more ways than one, while my other teammates (mainly Scizor and Gengar) provide assistance with their typings. With all of that, Garchomp's revenge killing potential is never underestimated.
