Team Preview
First time making and testing a serious OU team, my goal was to build a bulky-offensive/balanced team, with a fire-water-grass core. Initially I didn’t want to use legendary mons, and the team still doesn’t have any, but I’m not super opposed to adding one if it makes sense :) Been tinkering with this team for about a month now, and climbed the ladder to 1716, but still feel like a bit of a novice!
First time making and testing a serious OU team, my goal was to build a bulky-offensive/balanced team, with a fire-water-grass core. Initially I didn’t want to use legendary mons, and the team still doesn’t have any, but I’m not super opposed to adding one if it makes sense :) Been tinkering with this team for about a month now, and climbed the ladder to 1716, but still feel like a bit of a novice!
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 192 Atk / 4 Def / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce
I’ll lead with my lead. Well, he leads about 75% of the time, depending on team preview (especially Rotom-W). He does great against SR setters and similar leads. Again, depending on the mon, I’ll use Substitute or DD to press my advantage, or fire off a Waterfall if I predict a switch. Bounce becomes more useable behind a Sub, and paralysis is nice hax if I attempt a sweep too early. His mediocre speed is the biggest drawback. Overall, he wins me games against players that prioritize setting up instead of countering/checking him, or teams without reliable checks/counters, making him win condition #1.
Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Win condition #2. Stealth rock is his nightmare, which usually relegates him to late-game use when I’ve cleared the field, or mid-game when I really need something picked off with BB. I think his presence in team preview actually helps out my Gyarados lead, encouraging people to use SR setters. WoW is great for neutering Scizor and Bisharp, who otherwise trouble my team. Clearly, both my win conditions need electric types removed, which isn’t ideal, and may be an area for improvement; however, the rest of team is equipped to help out.
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Synthesis
This monster can take hits and return for more at really any point during the game. I find it easy to predict his switch-ins, and therefore choose the right move to hit hard and run, almost making him a counter for his own checks. Pretty good at hurting the electric types that bother Gyar/Talonflame, which would ordinarily switch out when facing Excadrill/Garchomp.
Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
I played around with MANY variants of Excadrill, and this one is by far the best (for my team), especially late-game with a partner to help it switch attacks. The speed boost is what really makes him threatening, especially w/o Sand Rush + Tyranitar. Between my two ground types, he’s the one I’ll switch in to a potential Electric move, since Garchomp can’t handle HP Ice from a poor prediction (I’m looking at you Mega Manectric). My only problem is choosing between rapid spin – which is crucial for my team – and an attacking move.
Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
My physical wall and phazer, who punishes many contact and priority users. Dragon Tail is great for scouting a switch-in, allowing me to switch in with a check of my own. Fire Blast over Toxic to help Venusaur check Scizor, Bisharp, and Ferrothorn. He’s also a great sacrificial lamb to keep up momentum.
Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Foul Play
- Moonlight
- Wish
- Heal Bell
The newest (UU) addition to my team! Admittedly, I’ve only used him in about 10-15 games but it’s working very well so far. I tried out other special walls/clerics, including Chansey and Tyranitar, but it never gelled. Foul Play is decent, especially against something with a minor boost to Atk, but I have to be careful about Justified mons. The combo of Wish and Moonlight is great for both healing my team and scouting moves, respectively. Most of all, this thing is great against Mew and the Lati twins, and a great status absorber. I’m considering trying out Sylveon, but I’ll miss the Dark typing, immediate self-healing, and Synchronize. Overall, this spot is definitely where I could use the most advice. A different mon would have to check Mew, which destroys my team otherwise.
Threats to my team:
Mega-Gardevoir: My special wall crumbles to it. Excadrill can take it out but it will always switch out, meaning it sticks around for the whole game, lurking as a threat to the rest of the team. I have switch carefully and get boosts.
Skarmory: Garchomp's Fire Blast and M-Venusaur's HP Fire hardly dent it, especially SpDef variants.
Sash-Crawdaunt: A problem if M-Venusaur gets taken out.
Mew: If I get a suggestion to replace Umbreon.
