A Classic Core With a Twist
I've kinda been wondering around recently in Gen 5- not particularly stuck to any tier. I've peaked my head into both UU and even RU and found them to be a little hectic right now, so until it cools off, I'm off into the depths of OU to hopefully make a successful team. After extensive testing, this is what the team is now:
Originally I started with Jirachi-Rotom Wash core that complemented themselves well and could check quite a few things in OU currently. I wanted to change up the core a little bit, because I hate the "cookie-cutter" teams that seem to be going around. I wanted to replace Gliscor, which is usually the last member of the trio. I have tried Gliscor but just never found it very effective for me. Whether I was playing it wrong or it just did not suit my team- the reason why is not fully discovered yet. But, I wanted something that could take on similar threats that Gliscor does. I found Zapdos which, while using HP flying, could take on Conkeldurr, something that Jirachi or Rotom could not do very well. I found Zapdos to be lackluster and went on the hunt for something better. I finally found Nidoqueen. It can effectivly take on many of the pokemon that Gliscor can handle, namely Terrakion and Conkeldurr. Heatran was merely added because I've heard good feedback from people using both the Defensive and Balloon sets, of which I've picked the Air Balloon set. At this point, I noticed I lacked a good offensive presence, so I added Calm Mind Vrizion into the mix for mainly the same reason as Heatran. Later, I found out that it's Physical Defense was less than desired and after trying an even less effective bulky one, it still did not deliver, so I replaced it with Latias and never looked back. Hitmontop came on the scene as a spinner with priority, but didn't have quite the punch that I wanted, and my team did not fear Stealth Rock particularly, so I dropped Hitmontop for Heracross. Heatran was recently replaced with Bronzong after realizing I was weak against sandstorm threats such Excadrill. It also alleviated my ground weakness. Heracross is officially replaced with Miensaho who can utilize Hidden Power and can revenge multiple set up threats.
I've kinda been wondering around recently in Gen 5- not particularly stuck to any tier. I've peaked my head into both UU and even RU and found them to be a little hectic right now, so until it cools off, I'm off into the depths of OU to hopefully make a successful team. After extensive testing, this is what the team is now:
Originally I started with Jirachi-Rotom Wash core that complemented themselves well and could check quite a few things in OU currently. I wanted to change up the core a little bit, because I hate the "cookie-cutter" teams that seem to be going around. I wanted to replace Gliscor, which is usually the last member of the trio. I have tried Gliscor but just never found it very effective for me. Whether I was playing it wrong or it just did not suit my team- the reason why is not fully discovered yet. But, I wanted something that could take on similar threats that Gliscor does. I found Zapdos which, while using HP flying, could take on Conkeldurr, something that Jirachi or Rotom could not do very well. I found Zapdos to be lackluster and went on the hunt for something better. I finally found Nidoqueen. It can effectivly take on many of the pokemon that Gliscor can handle, namely Terrakion and Conkeldurr. Heatran was merely added because I've heard good feedback from people using both the Defensive and Balloon sets, of which I've picked the Air Balloon set. At this point, I noticed I lacked a good offensive presence, so I added Calm Mind Vrizion into the mix for mainly the same reason as Heatran. Later, I found out that it's Physical Defense was less than desired and after trying an even less effective bulky one, it still did not deliver, so I replaced it with Latias and never looked back. Hitmontop came on the scene as a spinner with priority, but didn't have quite the punch that I wanted, and my team did not fear Stealth Rock particularly, so I dropped Hitmontop for Heracross. Heatran was recently replaced with Bronzong after realizing I was weak against sandstorm threats such Excadrill. It also alleviated my ground weakness. Heracross is officially replaced with Miensaho who can utilize Hidden Power and can revenge multiple set up threats.
In Depth
Mienshao (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Hi Jump Kick
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Stone Edge
The Revenge killer and a make shift sweeper of sorts. Mienshao comes on the scene as my primary answer to Ferrothorn, which is a thorn in my side. (sorry for pun) After Stealth Rock damage, Mienshao has more than a 50% chance to OHKO the standard Ferrothorn with Hi Jump Kick. U-turn scouts switch-ins for him and lands a Super Effective hit on Psychics that may switch in. Stone Edge allows me to hit dangerous threats such as Salamence. Hidden Power Ice gets Gliscor and other 4x weak pokemon that aren't hit by Hi Jump Kick. Regenerator allows it to come in on hazards with little problems and it is usually at full health. It can't take any hits though, and will most likely get KO'd by Power Whip and Gyro Ball, so something that can take on Ferrothorn a little more reliable while still being a good revenge killer would be helpful.
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Dragon Pulse
- Refresh
- Recover
Pretty much the star of the show if you will. Latias is pretty much what will win me games, and saves me from quite a few threats that could otherwise blow right through me such as Rain. Once steels are killed or on their last leg, Latias comes in and cleans out the rest. It usually sets up on walls such as Defensive Politoed, Vaporeon, and Jellicent that do not carry Shadow Ball. Dragon Pulse is for the STAB and gets good neutral coverage. Calm Mind lets me blow threw teams, Refresh means I can set up on walls much easier, and Recover lets me stick around. I don't feel the need to change Latias all that much, but a different set might be worth trying.
Bronzong @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
(0 IVs in speed)
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Gyro Ball
Pretty much the standard Bronzong. It repalces Heatran as it is a more reliable counter to Excadrill and Gliscor. Hidden Power Ice 2HKOs most Poison Heal Gliscors and Landlorus, while Earthquake lands a Super Effective hit against Excadrill. Gyro Ball is for the STAB and hits fast sweepers harder than the other options. Stealth Rock allows for an easier sweep with Latias. The spread allows Bronzong to take as many physical hits as possible to complement Jirachi.
Nidoqueen (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Poison Point
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Roar
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Toxic Spikes
Before you go bashing Nidoqueen, it does actually have advantages over Gliscor. She can set up Toxic Spikes, she can phaze out dangerous things (like the threats previously mentioned, Terrakion, etc.) Absorbs Toxic Spikes, which very useful because I have no spinner on this team and helps with stall, and it resists Rock. Even though it may not have the offensive capabilties of Gliscor, Earth Power and Sheer Force can usually get the job done and wear down opponents. Fire Blast is added because it takes a huge chunk of damage out of it, KOing it with some prior damage.
Rotom-W @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split
The second member of the core, it provides the additional Water and Ground resistance for the team. The EVs here are a little sketchy and I would like some help with them. I don't like the standard 128 HP spread because Rotom would be just too frail and I need it to be able to take hits. So, I tried to even out the defenses as best I could. Will-O-Wisp helps me against Physical switch ins (especially Ferrothorn) and makes Nidoqueen's job much easier. Pain Split is for annoying Chansey and for when I can't get a Wish in time from Jirachi. Nothing really else to say here, as Rotom checks a bunch of things and complements Jirachi well. I would like some suggestions on a new EV spread however.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Body Slam
- Iron Head
- Wish
- Protect
Overall the Standard Special Defensive Jirachi. Wish is just too invaluable to my team to give it up, as many of them do not have forms of recovery and need to keep healthy by it as a result. Body Slam provides Paralysis and Iron Head for the Flinch, which makes the infamous combination. Protect allows me to heal up Jirachi from its own wishes if need be and scouts moves from Choiced pokemon, which is always a plus. The EVs are for max sturdiness against Special Attacks while giving Iron head and body slam a small boost. From what I can tell it doesn't really need change all that much.
And That's the Team!