A Baton Pass Team (Kinda) | My First Smogon Post!

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Welcome!
Edits in red
Hey there everyone, this is my first post on the forums, and also my first real team I've been finding (some) success with online. I know it's pretty basic, and nothing anyone hasn't done before, but I was just hoping for get some crit on where I have holes in my team and what I can do to improve on them. So without further adue..
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Ninjask (M) @ Focus Sash Speed Boost
248 HP | 192 Atk | 68 Spe | Adamant Nature

Baton Pass
Swords Dance
Substitute
X - Scissor

Ninjask is the heart and soul of this team. After a few Speed Boosts and maybe a lucky Swords Dance or two, he is ready to to pass onto any offensive Pokemon on the team. I originally used Protect in my 4th slot however I found I was being trapped too often by Taunt, so X - Scissor provided me with a decent offensive move to keep the game moving.
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Espeon (F) @ Leftovers Magic Bounce
252 HP | 4 SpA | 252 Spe | Timid Nature

Baton Pass
Calm Mind
Stored Power
Hidden Power (Fighting)

Although she is more than capable of setting herself up, Espeon appreciates a Baton Pass from Ninjask. After a Calm Mind or two, she is ready to sweep with Stored Power. Hidden Power provides her with some decent coverage to Dark types. Plus, her ability will cause me to swith into hazard users causing some annoyance for the opponent.

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Cloyster (F) @ Shell Bell Skill Link
48 HP | 252 Atk | 208 Spe | Jolly Nature

Shell Smash
Icicle Spear
Rock Blast
Razor Shell

Ever since I learnt about 5th Gen Cloyster, I was hooked on. So many games have come down to a full sweep from this guy (or should I say girl). Like Espeon, Cloyster is more than capable of setting herself up wi, a t isn't necessary with amore often than not, it isn't necessary with a Swords Dance Baton Pass from Ninjask who provides more than enough oomph to hit hard. Rock Blast and Icicle Spear provide some decent coverage in addition to dealing with those annoying substitutes. Originally I used Leftovers, however when boosted, Shell Bell does wonders for me. In addition to giving me a lot more HP, it nearly eliminates Toxic's effect on Cloyster if I am set up to go 6 - 0.

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Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers Multiscale
252 HP | 44 Atk | 212 Spe | Adamant Nature

Dragon Dance
Dragon Claw
Fire Punch
Roost


This guy orginally had a more offensive set. His main role would to be revenge kill. I originally used Haxorus but I soon learned of the team's weakness to Scizor. This more bulky setup can easily take anything Scizor throws at it. Additionally, the EV spread still allows it to pack a punch if he receives a Swords Dance Baton Pass. Alternatively, this Dragonite is just as successful after one or two Dragon Dances, which his defences easily allow him to set up. Outrage isn't really necessary, as Dragon Claw and Fire Punch provide me with more than enough coverage. Roost is there just to make it that much harder to kill this guy.

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Gengar (M) @ Leftovers Levitate
4 HP | 252 SpA | 252 Spe | Timid Nature

Substitute
Disable
Shadow Ball
Hidden Power [Ice]

Gengar has always been so handy for sweeping when unexpected. His great speed and special attack allow him to dominate. The only thing he really needs to look out for are Pursuit users, which Substitute and Disable deal with nicely. Gengar appreciates a Calm Mind Baton Pass from Espeon, although with his great stats, it isn't necesary. Shadow Ball allows for some great STAB, while Hidden Power [Ice] improves my coverage to Dragons and Birds who may see Gengar as an easy switch in. I originally had Focus Blast for Dark types, but the Substitute + Disable combo usually kills their attempt before it even gets off the ground.
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Jirachi (F) @ Leftovers Serene Grace
252 HP | 224 SpD | 32 Spe | Careful Nature

Iron Head
Thunder Wave
Wish
Protect

Jirachi is the final addition to the team. She allows me to induce some annoying payalsis while Wishing and Protecting away. Iron Head gives me some great STAB which can be really annoying when it causes the opponent to flinch 3 times in a row.

So that's about it! I know I haven't given a heap of detail, but any crit or suggestions are welcome. I've had a fair amount of success with this team, but I'm sure there are major flaws in it as well.
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Welcome, and thank you for correctly posting your team since this is your first post.
I'll run you down with the basics then give suggestions.

I always bash people for not having roar, whirlwind, dragon tail. or haze anywhere on their team. These moves are mostly used for a defense against a baton pass team but you still need it. In your time of boosting your own abilities your foe could be doing the same, then he uses roar, etc and you have nothing. After that he could easily sweep your team with a single boosted poke. Iv seen this, you don't want this.

Here's another thing I bash people about, only having one ice type move. What will you do if your cloyster falls and he has a Gliscor?

Defensive core is obviously jirachi, but it doesn't hurt to have a back-up, especial with a "frail" team like this.


First i'd give dragonite defensive EV's + nature and give it dragon tail, killing two birds with one stone. The tradition is that defensive pokes that can't normally sweep well get boosted by baton pass, so they can sweep, but can't be ko'ed for several turns. Next, why not give gengar HP ice, so he can still use substitute defensively, and have a wider type range to sweep. Also why not give jirachi body slam instead of thunder wave, it will do a lot of damage after a good baton pass, and it's 60% par.
Good Luck
 
Thanks for your tips! Dragon's Dragonite set has been working a treat for me. I had a little success with Gengar's HP Ice, but I felt it wasnt common enough for me to use it so I've resorted back to the original set. I'm making a few changes now!
 
Firstly if your using your Ninjask as a lead give it a Focus Sash so it can just set up a Swords Dance, get a Speed Boost then pass.

Secondly change Attract on Cloyster to Waterfall and give it a White Herb to negate the defense drops.
 
This team would probably work better if you switch out Ninjask or Espeon for a Shell Smasher with baton pass (commonly known as SmashPass). By doing this, you can effectively set up one of your sweepers in 1 turn, as opposed to multiple turns of stalling for Speed boosts on Ninjask.
Some recommendations for a SmashPasser: Gorebyss, Huntail, heck even Smeargle if you want (make sure to use Focus Sash if you chose Smeargle).
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Also try out a DD Dragonite with Lum Berry, as it is a better recipient of boosts than one that is locked into a move.
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Hope you find success with this team!
 
The Focus Sash has definitely worked for me. Much more effective.

I've come to find that Espeon is the heart and sould of the team. Perfect to switch in for Skarmorys and Sableyes.

I might play around with Huntail or Gorebyss now
 
Out of curiosity, why do you have an Adamant nature on Ninjask? Wouldn't jolly be better?

Also, you might consider using surf on Cloyster and going mixed. A naive nature would give you a decent amount of power, while keeping the speed boosting nature. Or follow Truth or Dare's advice and go with waterfall. Either way, Attract isn't the greatest move, seeing as a few walls are going to be female so they don't get destroyed even more by Rivalry Haxorus.

For Ninjask, I suggest running U Turn over X Scissor. I know that U Turn removes boosts, but Ninjask shouldn't be trying to hit stuff anyways; it's Attack stat isn't going to put a dent into much at all. U Turn will let you scout the opponents team for counters, and lets you check them easily by sending out the appropriate Pokemon. And think about it. If Ninjask gets Taunted, do you want to attack, or switch out. With Ninjask's huge speed, you can get some free damage while switching out, as opposed to having to choose between damaging an enemy, or saving Ninjask for later.

Other than that, the rest of the team looks solid. Jirachi is a keeper for this team for sure; it gives a lot of resists and support to everyone. Good team!
 
Quick suggestion, Focus Blast is actually still more useful then HP Ice. Without Focus Blast, you'll juz end up getting revenged by Tyranitars and other Pursuit users. GL!
 
Something small, I replaced Leftovers on Cloyster for Shell Bell. Usually heals more HP, especially when boosted. Helps heaps when I have been toxic'd.
 
definitely change ninjasks nature to jolly, take it's attack EVs and put then in defenses and give it protect over X-scissor to get extra boosts and scout at the same time.
strategy would be protect, swords dance, protect, baton bass you get 3 boosts of speed and not just one. also like i said before give cloyster white herb helps a hell of alot more than leftovers or shell bell.
 
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