VGC A Fall Classic

DragonDemiGod

I decided to make a second team to use for VGC play, a bit more Defensive minded than my Rain Team.

Altaria
Hold Item: Altarianite
Ability: Natural Cure
IV: 31/31/31/31/31/0
Relaxed Nature
EV: 244 HP/ 104 Def / 156 SpDef / 4 Spe

Moveset:
~ Heal Bell
~ Roost
~ Hyper Voice
~ Earthquake

Role: Tank / Cleric

Altaria has some pretty good bulk despite a piddling 75 for base HP. The Relaxed Nature lets me get a full power Earthquake off which should, let me 2HKO Heatran and similarly 4x weak to ground. It also nets me an answer to Mega Charizard X, a more uncommon but still plausible threat. Altaria is easy to get in on a lot of threats safely and still packs a wallop. The 0 Speed IV is to help under Trick Room, should it get imposed, turning Mega Altaria into a fast attacker which great bulk.

Excadrill
Hold Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Mold Breaker
IV: 31/31/31/x/31/31
Jolly
EV: 252 Atk / 252 Spe /4 Def

Moveset:
~ Iron Head
~ Rock Slide
~ Earthquake
~ Protect

Role: Offensive

Excadrill is selected to form a powerful offensive core alongside Altaria, since everyone of Altaria's weaknesses (Normal and Mega) and Fire back. With Moldbreaker, Excadrill gets some big negates on Rotom Levitate and can soften up, if not outright slay Rotom-W while Rotom-H should definitely go down on a 2HKO. Excadrill is chosen more for it's typing and may be adjusted with Empoleon who brings about the same on resistances though Excadrill brings two immunites to the fight.


Rotom-W
Hold Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
IV: 31/x/28/31/31/31
Modest
252 HP/ 52 Def/ 152 SpAtk/52 SpDef

Moveset:
~ Volt Switch
~ Hydro Pump
~ Pain Split
~ Will-O-Wisp/ Hidden Power Ice

Role: Bulky Special Attack

Rotom-W sets up a trifecta where this core has 4 immunities / 14 Resists between the team. Despite not having a huge investment in either defense stat, Rotom-W still is a 2HKO pokemon. It's primary function is to cripple physical attackers on the switch and Volt Switch itself primarily to Altaria who will dodge ground and resist anything that Rotom may have trouble resisting. The potential to Carry HP Ice is also there, because it puts a nice dent in Garchomp and potentially can OHKO Salamence.


Crobat
Hold Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Infiltrator
IV: 31/31/31/x/31/31
Jolly
EV: 252 HP/ 252 Spe / 4 Def

Moveset:
~ Taunt
~ Roost
~ Brave Bird / U-Turn
~ Super Fang

Role: Stallbreaking

Crobat's 130 Speed makes him one of the fastest Taunt Pokemon in the game; although I don't put in him in the lead off much. Crobat is pretty Frail, so his main purpose to come in, stop a set up, and Super Fang the incoming threat or U-Turn out to Altaria/Rotom-W/Excadrill to deal with the threat on field. Crobat isn't going to pound for pound pour on the damage but he can weaken them for his partner to get the big finish.

Tyranitar
Hold Item: Lum Berry
Ability: Sandstream
IV: 31/31/31/x/31/31
Adamant Nature
EV: 204 HP/ 4 Atk / 60 Def / 4 SpDef / 236 Spe

Moveset
~ Dragon Dance
~ Protect
~ Rock Slide
~ Low Kick / Crunch

Role: Set-Up Sweeper

Tyranitar Brings some bulk to the fight and is also a very interesting Volt-Turn Target. Tyranitar brings a Five Turn Sandstorm, breaking sash for all non Sand immune Pokemon on field. Dragon Dance allows for a decent set up and the spread lets it take 2 Earthquake from Garchomp while setting up. The main idea really is to get some speed and start flinging rock slide while the other pokemon I have on the field can operate fairly well.

Gengar
Hold item: Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
IV 31/X/31/31/31/31
Timid Nature
EV: 252 SpAtk/ 252 Spe /4 HP

Moveset:
~ Sludge Bomb
~ Shadow Ball / Focus Blast
~ Icy Wind
~ Protect

Role: Controlling Tempo

Gengar is here mainly to control the tempo upfront with Icy Wind, giving the team some desperately needed Speed Control. While it is defensively frail, it can pack a wallop with a life orb and being faster, can threaten Mega Gardevoir, Azumarill etc, while still outspeeding a considerable portion of the meta. Still, due to it's typing, it gets on Ground pokemon and fighting type hits, though it is unlikely to switch in a considerable amount of time to a Pixilate Hyper Voice. The Ev spread is a simple one, aimed at jumping in, hitting for high damage. Essential, this pokemon wants to make them slower and get at least two KO before it goes down.
 
I'll give a small bit of info to hopefully help your team. Right off the bat I notice you are using alot of OU sets. I won't change any of your mons just give you some new sets. For Altaria run Modest nature with something like Fire Blast, Hyper Voice, Hidden Power Ground and Protect. The only EV spread I know is the smogon one which is 252 HP / 196 Spa / 60 Spe. If you are running Tyranitar and Rotom why are you running Mold Breaker. Run Sand Rush with life Orb instead (if you aren't changing any mons). Crobat could maybe run Quick Guard over U-Turn/Roost imo. Focus Blast isn't a good move with 70% accuracy. You cold maybe run Will-O-Wisp on there.

Good luck with team.
 
Mishimono said:
I'll give a small bit of info to hopefully help your team. Right off the bat I notice you are using alot of OU sets. I won't change any of your mons just give you some new sets. For Altaria run Modest nature with something like Fire Blast, Hyper Voice, Hidden Power Ground and Protect. The only EV spread I know is the smogon one which is 252 HP / 196 Spa / 60 Spe. If you are running Tyranitar and Rotom why are you running Mold Breaker. Run Sand Rush with life Orb instead (if you aren't changing any mons). Crobat could maybe run Quick Guard over U-Turn/Roost imo. Focus Blast isn't a good move with 70% accuracy. You cold maybe run Will-O-Wisp on there.

Good luck with team.
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I really wanted to go with the Defensive Altaria as a matter of choice. I like the fact that Altaria can get in and soak up a lot of damage. If I needed raw output, Mega Salamence would be a vastly superior choice.

My Thought Process was more into I am not going to really bring the Tyranitar in the 4 v 4 situation unless I should suspect that I will need the weather war. Also, because I usually Volt Switch / U-Turn out.

I'll consider the Focus Blast Switch
 
DragonDemiGod said:
I really wanted to go with the Defensive Altaria as a matter of choice. I like the fact that Altaria can get in and soak up a lot of damage. If I needed raw output, Mega Salamence would be a vastly superior choice.

My Thought Process was more into I am not going to really bring the Tyranitar in the 4 v 4 situation unless I should suspect that I will need the weather war. Also, because I usually Volt Switch / U-Turn out.

I'll consider the Focus Blast Switch
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For Altaria you could maybe still run Roost but since VGC is very fast paced Heal Bell is generally not needed. Hidden Power Ground>Earthquake because you naturally want to invest in SpA and it doesn't hit opponents. (I don't even know if this OHKOs Heatran).

Pivoting is also less used. Also due to fast pace Pain Split isn't really worth it.

I really think you should not run Mold Breaker as you'll kill your own Gengar and Rotom-W with it.

Again just my opinion. But I personally think it will help. Maybe a big rater can give you better info.
 
Mishimono said:
For Altaria you could maybe still run Roost but since VGC is very fast paced Heal Bell is generally not needed. Hidden Power Ground>Earthquake because you naturally want to invest in SpA and it doesn't hit opponents. (I don't even know if this OHKOs Heatran).

Pivoting is also less used. Also due to fast pace Pain Split isn't really worth it.

I really think you should not run Mold Breaker as you'll kill your own Gengar and Rotom-W with it.

Again just my opinion. But I personally think it will help. Maybe a big rater can give you better info.
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im not invalidating your suggestions. Since i had already bred two different excadrill, it is just a matter of a swap.

As far as Altaria goes

Defensive Altaria
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 240 HP / 156 SpD Altaria: 63-75 (35 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Altaria Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 112-132 (67.4 - 79.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Modest Altaria
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Altaria: 73-87 (40.1 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
196+ SpA Altaria Hidden Power Ground vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 92-112 (55.4 - 67.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

I can get a bit more damage out of on EQ. Either way, it's a 2HKO, but I get more damage out with the EQ > HP Ground.

The Heal Bell is mainly to kill the burn I might get switching in or a toxic that hits my tank pokes. I don't anticipate the heal bell use often, but I keep it in the pocket in the event of it's need. If I am swapping Excadrill's ability, the Earthquake won't matter since Rotom-W / Gengar will Levitate against it.

Pain Split is helps keep Rotom-W Healthy and help wear down the opposition.

I'm ok with some suggestions for team changes (minor = 1 or 2 pokemon). I am also considering Zoroark
 
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Your opinion is okay but your Heatran calc is wrong this is the real calc.
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 240 HP / 156 SpD Mega Altaria: 126-150 (70 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Just saying if you want a tanky fairy your better off with Clefable/Sylveon.
 
Mishimono said:
Your opinion is okay but your Heatran calc is wrong this is the real calc.
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 240 HP / 156 SpD Mega Altaria: 126-150 (70 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Just saying if you want a tanky fairy your better off with Clefable/Sylveon.
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You're assuming choice specs. I am assuming choice scarf and this is set at level 50 apiece.
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DragonDemiGod said:
You're assuming choice specs. I am assuming choice scarf and this is set at level 50 apiece. View attachment 49305
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I see what you did wrong that calc is for normal Altaria. Look at the stats. Anyway I've been playing VGC for a little while so I know that stall and Clerics aren't very common. Sorry if I sounded rude earlier I was kinda having a rough day with school starting up and all. Anyway hope I helped and good luck.


Edit: I'm not sure Zoroark is very viable, you could maybe try it out.
 
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Mishimono said:
I see what you did wrong that calc is for normal Altaria. Look at the stats. Anyway I've been playing VGC for a little while so I know that stall and Clerics aren't very common. Sorry if I sounded rude earlier I was kinda having a rough day with school starting up and all. Anyway hope I helped and good luck.


Edit: I'm not sure Zoroark is very viable, you could maybe try it out.
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No worries.

But I am beginning to draw some concern with the offensive output here.

Defensively, I'm looking out on 6-8 immunities and at least 14 good resistances. Which is not too bad, but it's slowing me on good offenses.

I am pretty much set on Altaria-M Gengar and Excadrill. Tyranitar, I am almost certain of, but I am really questioning the Crobat and Rotom-W. While Rotom-W has only one real weakness, Thundurus would give me a priority Taunt, Thunder Wave, retain a Ground Immunity, but add on a Rock and Ice type weakness. Something that Rotom-W is neutral and resistant to respectively. I'd also not solve the damage output problem, although I get more offensive with status. Crobat, even with the Super Fang to bite into my opponents' really doesn't mean anything if I can't convert into a KO right there. The thing is, I could draw more offense using a Weavile in the leadout, but that almost assures I'll drop the Tyranitar for sure and I'd still need something to cover down on Weavile's Six weaknesses.
 
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