After the guys on the Smogon server said I really needed to improve my rating on Smogon, I constructed a new team because I was getting tired of my old team. This team has been getting me several wins over the last week, which is satisfying to me. Now, without further stall, here is my new-and-improved Standard ladder team:
AntiFaerie/Azelf(?)
Ability: Levitate
-Nasty Plot
-Psychic
-Flamethrower
-Grass Knot
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Timid
EV's: 4 HP/252 SpA/252 Spe
Azelf is my active special sweeper and my lead. Normally, you would see Azelf leads setting up Stealth Rock and simply Exploding afterwards. I chose a different path and used my Azelf as a Nasty Plot sweeper. Seriously, after a Nasty Plot, I can actually 2KO Snorlax with Psychic and put a major dent in 148/252 Blissies with the same attack. Flamethrower allows Azelf to massacre most Steel types if they decide to get their hopes up about switching in. Celebi will not be happy either. Grass Knot covers Swampert and most other bulky waters, who can cause trouble in the short run.
MysticDrgn/Flygon(F)
Ability: Levitate
-Earthquake
-Outrage
-U-Turn
-Fire Blast
Item: Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 252 Atk/80 SpA/176 Spe
Flygon is my main scout as well as a capable physical hitter. Normally, Checkmate would be in this slot, but seeing as Garchomp was 'unfortunately' put in ubers 7 months ago, I felt that MysticDrgn was my only real replacement to Check. While no Garchomp by any means, Flygon's Choice Banded Outrage still hurts coming off of a respectable 328 Atk, and Earthquake hits the Steel types that do resist Outrage. U-Turn fits the theme of Scout and puts a nice dent into Celebi, as well. Fire Blast is filler, but it does 2KO Skarmory in a pinch.
Tyranny/Tyranitar(M)
Ability: Sand Stream
-Curse
-Rest
-Payback
-Earthquake
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful
EV's: 252 HP/40 Def/216 SpD
As I've gotten sick of using Dragon Dance Tyranitar, considering I'm still more vulnerable than not to revenge attack, I decided to give CurseTar a go. While you would think that CBTar is superior to this, with the proper support, this is actually very hard to eliminate after a few Curses, and Rest only makes this task easier, restoring my HP back to full and relieving me of status. On a set like this, I greatly appreciate using Payback rather than Crunch as my STAB. Since Curse lowers speed, Payback will almost always have 100 BP, making it far superior to Crunch. Earthquake seems redundant, but it eases the task of killing Heatran, Magnezone, and other Tyranitar.
ThundaBird/Zapdos(?)
Ability: Pressure
-Thunderbolt
-HP Ice/HP Grass
-Heat Wave
-Roost
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
EV's: 252 HP/168 Def/56 SpA/32 Spe
Zapdos makes a return on my team as a generic wall. I mostly put him on my team because Scizor would tear my team apart from under me otherwise. He also makes an alright Gyarados and Lucario check so long as I avoid Stone Edge from those two. Thunderbolt, even off 'only' 300 SpA, still has the ability to cause a fair bit of damage to things that do not resist it or have a high Special Defense stat. HP Ice allows me to wipe out Hippowdon and Gliscor better while Heat Wave will murder Scizor and maim Metagross. Roost is for generic healing and can buy me an Electric resist in a pinch. I may want to use HP Grass for Swampert since my team has troubles with him if Azelf was KO'd.
Sir Raiser/Swampert(M)
Ability: Torrent
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Avalanche
-Stone Edge/Waterfall
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: 240 HP/16 Atk/252 Def
The second of my walls, Swampert is my Stealth Rock user and the best answer to Tyranitar that I have. Since Azelf is not going to be a suicide lead, I needed to put SR on somebody, so I stuck a Swampert on my team. Earthquake serves as STAB and will massively injure Tyranitar, while Avalanche will OHKO Salamence and the rest of his Dragon-type friends. Stone Edge is my first choice of a third attack, allowing me to hit Gyarados harder, but I've considered Waterfall to hit Rhyperior harder, as well as giving me a 100% accurate option against Azelf.
Skywalker/Lucario(M)
Ability: Steadfast
-Swords Dance
-Close Combat
-ExtremeSpeed
-Ice Punch
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Jolly
EV's: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
The main man of the show, Lucario is my late game sweeping extrodinare. After his main counters(Cress, Rotom-A, etc) are maimed or murdered, Luke can come in using his many resistances and set up his Sword Dance. After a Sword Dance, even Skarmory is risking a huge drop in HP switching into a Close Combat. ExtremeSpeed is Lucario's way of saying '&%$! you' to fast, frail sweepers such as Weavile, Infernape, and Alakazam. Ice Punch lets me do something to Gliscor if he gets any bright ideas coming in on me. Salamence won't be all that happy, either.
Threat List:
Azelf: Lead Azelfs are mostly walled by Tyranitar. Nasty Plot versions may be problematic if he carries Grass Knot.
Blissey: Tyranitar can switch into any of Blissey's moves, and set up to his heart's content, eventually killing with Payback. Lucario can OHKO with CC, but cannot afford being paralyzed, so can't switch in.
Bronzong: Zapdos can readily come in after Bronzong slept something, and tear into its hide with Heat Wave.
Celebi: Tyranitar can readily set up on any Celebi that does not carry Grass Knot. Flygon can U-Turn Celebi and cause massive damage, but only as a last resort.
Cresselia: Tyranitar sets up on Cress all day, whilst not caring about her attacks.
Electivire: Swampert walls the living hell out of any Evire that does not carry HP Grass. Flygon can work if Evire did not switch into Zapdos beforehand.
Empoleon: SubAgility versions are quite problematic, but Specs versions can be revenge killed by Flygon and Lucario.
Flygon: Most Flygon are walled by my Swampert, who gets an Avalanche to the face. Zapdos also works if I avoid Stone Edge.
Gengar: Tyranitar can wall any Gengar that forgo Focus Blast, while Swampert walls any Gengar that forgo Energy Ball.
Gliscor: Zapdos can come in on anything barring a Stone Edge and waste with HP Ice.
Gyarados: Swampert and Zapdos can counter Gyarados to some extent, but neither like +1 LO Waterfalls too much.
Heatran: Any Heatran that does not have HP Grass is throughoutly walled by Swampert. Specs versions can and will be revenge killed by Flygon.
Heracross: Zapdos is an alright counter, provided I don't switch into a Stone Edge.
Hippowdon: Hippo cannot directly harm Zapdos unless he has a few Curses under his belt, so he can switch in readily and put a nice dent in Hippo with Hidden Power.
Infernape: I actually have very little counters to this, but Azelf can revenge kill non-Scarf versions.
Jirachi: Swampert absorbs any attack that physical Jirachi has and hits back with EQ. Tyranitar can do the same thing for special variants.
Kingdra: Swampert is the closest thing to a counter I'll get, but he can heavily damage with EQ.
Latias: Like with Kingdra, this is something that I have few viable switch ins. Swampert is likely my best bet with Avalanche. Tyranitar can wall her if she lacks Surf or Grass Knot.
Lucario: Any SD Lucario that uses Crunch rather than Stone Edge is walled by Zapdos. Swampert can survive a +2 Close Combat and KO with EQ. My own Lucario can revenge kill in a pinch.
Machamp: While I have no reliable switch ins to D-Punch, Zapdos is fine against those without Stone Edge.
Mamoswine: While I have literally no reliable switch into this monster, Lucario, Azelf, and Zapdos can revenge kill him.
Metagross: Swampert. Nuff said.
Porygon-Z: This is one of those things that Tyranitar can set up on if he lacks HP Fight.
Rhyperior: Flygon can switch in on either of its STAB and cause massive injury with Earthquake. Swampert can come in and do something if he has Waterfall.
Salamence: Swampert can come in on a DD, survive the Outrage, and KO with Avalanche.
Scizor: Zapdos resists anything barring Double-Edge and makes a clean humane KO with Heat Wave.
Skarmory: With 3 Pokémon knowing super-effective attacks and Lucario wasting the shit out of him, Skarm is cake for this team.
Snorlax: Curselax is one of those things that I do not have a reliable check for, but Lucario can OHKO with CC.
Starmie: Zapdos says hi.
Suicune: Zapdos can injure Suicune as its CMing, forcing it to Rest if it has it, then I proceed to set up Lucario.
Swampert: If my Zapdos has HP Grass, he is my first switch in. Azelf works with GK, but cannot switch in on Waterfalls too often.
Tentacruel: Swampert happily switches in on those who do not have Giga Drain and kill with Earthquake.
Togekiss: Zapdos can switch in on Togekiss's attacks and threaten with T-Bolt.
Tyranitar: Swampert is about the closest thing I have to countering him.
Zapdos: Tyranitar can survive anything Zapdos can throw at me and can then set up.
Entry Hazards: I have 3 resistances to SR and only one weak. I also have three guys that are immune to Spikes and four that are immune to TSpikes.
Nuff said.
The Slaves:
AntiFaerie/Azelf(?)
Ability: Levitate
-Nasty Plot
-Psychic
-Flamethrower
-Grass Knot
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Timid
EV's: 4 HP/252 SpA/252 Spe
Azelf is my active special sweeper and my lead. Normally, you would see Azelf leads setting up Stealth Rock and simply Exploding afterwards. I chose a different path and used my Azelf as a Nasty Plot sweeper. Seriously, after a Nasty Plot, I can actually 2KO Snorlax with Psychic and put a major dent in 148/252 Blissies with the same attack. Flamethrower allows Azelf to massacre most Steel types if they decide to get their hopes up about switching in. Celebi will not be happy either. Grass Knot covers Swampert and most other bulky waters, who can cause trouble in the short run.
MysticDrgn/Flygon(F)
Ability: Levitate
-Earthquake
-Outrage
-U-Turn
-Fire Blast
Item: Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 252 Atk/80 SpA/176 Spe
Flygon is my main scout as well as a capable physical hitter. Normally, Checkmate would be in this slot, but seeing as Garchomp was 'unfortunately' put in ubers 7 months ago, I felt that MysticDrgn was my only real replacement to Check. While no Garchomp by any means, Flygon's Choice Banded Outrage still hurts coming off of a respectable 328 Atk, and Earthquake hits the Steel types that do resist Outrage. U-Turn fits the theme of Scout and puts a nice dent into Celebi, as well. Fire Blast is filler, but it does 2KO Skarmory in a pinch.
Tyranny/Tyranitar(M)
Ability: Sand Stream
-Curse
-Rest
-Payback
-Earthquake
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful
EV's: 252 HP/40 Def/216 SpD
As I've gotten sick of using Dragon Dance Tyranitar, considering I'm still more vulnerable than not to revenge attack, I decided to give CurseTar a go. While you would think that CBTar is superior to this, with the proper support, this is actually very hard to eliminate after a few Curses, and Rest only makes this task easier, restoring my HP back to full and relieving me of status. On a set like this, I greatly appreciate using Payback rather than Crunch as my STAB. Since Curse lowers speed, Payback will almost always have 100 BP, making it far superior to Crunch. Earthquake seems redundant, but it eases the task of killing Heatran, Magnezone, and other Tyranitar.
ThundaBird/Zapdos(?)
Ability: Pressure
-Thunderbolt
-HP Ice/HP Grass
-Heat Wave
-Roost
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
EV's: 252 HP/168 Def/56 SpA/32 Spe
Zapdos makes a return on my team as a generic wall. I mostly put him on my team because Scizor would tear my team apart from under me otherwise. He also makes an alright Gyarados and Lucario check so long as I avoid Stone Edge from those two. Thunderbolt, even off 'only' 300 SpA, still has the ability to cause a fair bit of damage to things that do not resist it or have a high Special Defense stat. HP Ice allows me to wipe out Hippowdon and Gliscor better while Heat Wave will murder Scizor and maim Metagross. Roost is for generic healing and can buy me an Electric resist in a pinch. I may want to use HP Grass for Swampert since my team has troubles with him if Azelf was KO'd.
Sir Raiser/Swampert(M)
Ability: Torrent
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Avalanche
-Stone Edge/Waterfall
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: 240 HP/16 Atk/252 Def
The second of my walls, Swampert is my Stealth Rock user and the best answer to Tyranitar that I have. Since Azelf is not going to be a suicide lead, I needed to put SR on somebody, so I stuck a Swampert on my team. Earthquake serves as STAB and will massively injure Tyranitar, while Avalanche will OHKO Salamence and the rest of his Dragon-type friends. Stone Edge is my first choice of a third attack, allowing me to hit Gyarados harder, but I've considered Waterfall to hit Rhyperior harder, as well as giving me a 100% accurate option against Azelf.
Skywalker/Lucario(M)
Ability: Steadfast
-Swords Dance
-Close Combat
-ExtremeSpeed
-Ice Punch
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Jolly
EV's: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
The main man of the show, Lucario is my late game sweeping extrodinare. After his main counters(Cress, Rotom-A, etc) are maimed or murdered, Luke can come in using his many resistances and set up his Sword Dance. After a Sword Dance, even Skarmory is risking a huge drop in HP switching into a Close Combat. ExtremeSpeed is Lucario's way of saying '&%$! you' to fast, frail sweepers such as Weavile, Infernape, and Alakazam. Ice Punch lets me do something to Gliscor if he gets any bright ideas coming in on me. Salamence won't be all that happy, either.
Threat List:
Azelf: Lead Azelfs are mostly walled by Tyranitar. Nasty Plot versions may be problematic if he carries Grass Knot.
Blissey: Tyranitar can switch into any of Blissey's moves, and set up to his heart's content, eventually killing with Payback. Lucario can OHKO with CC, but cannot afford being paralyzed, so can't switch in.
Bronzong: Zapdos can readily come in after Bronzong slept something, and tear into its hide with Heat Wave.
Celebi: Tyranitar can readily set up on any Celebi that does not carry Grass Knot. Flygon can U-Turn Celebi and cause massive damage, but only as a last resort.
Cresselia: Tyranitar sets up on Cress all day, whilst not caring about her attacks.
Electivire: Swampert walls the living hell out of any Evire that does not carry HP Grass. Flygon can work if Evire did not switch into Zapdos beforehand.
Empoleon: SubAgility versions are quite problematic, but Specs versions can be revenge killed by Flygon and Lucario.
Flygon: Most Flygon are walled by my Swampert, who gets an Avalanche to the face. Zapdos also works if I avoid Stone Edge.
Gengar: Tyranitar can wall any Gengar that forgo Focus Blast, while Swampert walls any Gengar that forgo Energy Ball.
Gliscor: Zapdos can come in on anything barring a Stone Edge and waste with HP Ice.
Gyarados: Swampert and Zapdos can counter Gyarados to some extent, but neither like +1 LO Waterfalls too much.
Heatran: Any Heatran that does not have HP Grass is throughoutly walled by Swampert. Specs versions can and will be revenge killed by Flygon.
Heracross: Zapdos is an alright counter, provided I don't switch into a Stone Edge.
Hippowdon: Hippo cannot directly harm Zapdos unless he has a few Curses under his belt, so he can switch in readily and put a nice dent in Hippo with Hidden Power.
Infernape: I actually have very little counters to this, but Azelf can revenge kill non-Scarf versions.
Jirachi: Swampert absorbs any attack that physical Jirachi has and hits back with EQ. Tyranitar can do the same thing for special variants.
Kingdra: Swampert is the closest thing to a counter I'll get, but he can heavily damage with EQ.
Latias: Like with Kingdra, this is something that I have few viable switch ins. Swampert is likely my best bet with Avalanche. Tyranitar can wall her if she lacks Surf or Grass Knot.
Lucario: Any SD Lucario that uses Crunch rather than Stone Edge is walled by Zapdos. Swampert can survive a +2 Close Combat and KO with EQ. My own Lucario can revenge kill in a pinch.
Machamp: While I have no reliable switch ins to D-Punch, Zapdos is fine against those without Stone Edge.
Mamoswine: While I have literally no reliable switch into this monster, Lucario, Azelf, and Zapdos can revenge kill him.
Metagross: Swampert. Nuff said.
Porygon-Z: This is one of those things that Tyranitar can set up on if he lacks HP Fight.
Rhyperior: Flygon can switch in on either of its STAB and cause massive injury with Earthquake. Swampert can come in and do something if he has Waterfall.
Salamence: Swampert can come in on a DD, survive the Outrage, and KO with Avalanche.
Scizor: Zapdos resists anything barring Double-Edge and makes a clean humane KO with Heat Wave.
Skarmory: With 3 Pokémon knowing super-effective attacks and Lucario wasting the shit out of him, Skarm is cake for this team.
Snorlax: Curselax is one of those things that I do not have a reliable check for, but Lucario can OHKO with CC.
Starmie: Zapdos says hi.
Suicune: Zapdos can injure Suicune as its CMing, forcing it to Rest if it has it, then I proceed to set up Lucario.
Swampert: If my Zapdos has HP Grass, he is my first switch in. Azelf works with GK, but cannot switch in on Waterfalls too often.
Tentacruel: Swampert happily switches in on those who do not have Giga Drain and kill with Earthquake.
Togekiss: Zapdos can switch in on Togekiss's attacks and threaten with T-Bolt.
Tyranitar: Swampert is about the closest thing I have to countering him.
Zapdos: Tyranitar can survive anything Zapdos can throw at me and can then set up.
Entry Hazards: I have 3 resistances to SR and only one weak. I also have three guys that are immune to Spikes and four that are immune to TSpikes.
Nuff said.
