I was looking around for Pokemon that could sweep teams not ready for them, and I came across Lapras. Although that 85 Base attack may not be inviting, that Base 130 HP sure was. And the ability to create massive substitutes thanks to that HP, and then use one of the most feared moves in the game (Dragon Dance) while being protected by that substitute, seemed great! So, I decided to build a team around Lapras. Of course problems with Lapras are that Nasty SR weakness, and the lack of offensive stats to take down walls. So to cover this, I added some other Pokemon that could take away from Lapras' problem. And I came up with this:
Team At A Glance:
Onto the team...
Gardevoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP/32 Spd/48 SAtk/176 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Hypnosis
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Will-o-wisp
Gardevoir is a great lead for me. It can pose as a ScarfVoir, and that will cause many people to switch out. I usually use Will-o-Wisp first, since Weavile and Tyranitar love to switch in on the "Scarfed Psychic". Hypnosis
gets all the other Pokemon that love to switch in.
Gardevoir doesn't really help Lapras, but helps the whole team by softening physical blows that ruin some of them, and crippling the other Pokemon.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP/54 SAtk/204 SDef
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
I needed a sleep absorber that could take out Steels that bother Lapras, and I figured Heatran would do nicely. Lava Plume works very well with Gardevoir, since they will both be burning everything. Earth Power hits other Heatran hard. This thing stops Yanmega cold, even if it has HP Ground, which is a 2HKO.
Heatran helps the team in a lot of ways, whether it be status absorbing, dishing out status, or just absorbing Fire attacks. It also has a Water weakness, which is great for the team as Lapras can use it to switch in.
Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 20 HP/252 Atk/236 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
Mamoswine was something that I had to add. The EVs allow it to out-speed Adamant Lucario, who could give my team troubles. Since Mamoswine forces a lot of switches, I put Stealth Rock on it, so it can set up on the switch. Walled by Bronzong, but that's what the rest of the team is for. Also stops most Hail teams, using their Hail to raise evasiveness, while Stone Edging everything else to Oblivion.
Mamoswine does a lot for the team. It can revenge kill Non-Yache'd dragons, stop Adamant Lucarios without Bullet Punch (Who lose to some of my other members), set up SR, and just hit hard on everything else. The water weakness is a plus, because Lapras will use it for extra health.
Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/6 Spd
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Toxic
- Stone Edge
- Rapid Spin
My rapid-spinner, as well as my T-tar counter. Since Gliscor love to switch into this, I put Toxic on it, so it could whittle away their health. Stone Edge hits Salamence, Gyarados and the like very hard. CC for STAB, although I may change it, since the defense drops don't help with it's general theme of "defense".
Hitmontop is one of the most important members on the team. Lapras can't set up with SR running around, so Hitmontop will spin it away. Toxic Spikes can also damage my team, so Hitmontop will get rid of those as well. Shuts down walls without Rest/Sleep Talk with Toxic.
Dusknoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/76 Def/180 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Thunderpunch
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-o-wisp
- Pain Split
Dusknoir was a good choice for the team, since I wouldn't want anyone to spin away the rocks I set up. Spreads around more burn, while stealing HP from the opponent with Pain Split. Thunderpunch lets Dusknoir kill those pesky Gyarados, and Shadow Sneak to nab quick kills on some Pokemon.
Dusknoir is on the team to also absorb some STAB normal attacks, which will do a lot to the team.
Lapras @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 104 HP/228 Atk/176 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Substitute
- Waterfall
- Return
The main Pokemon on the team. Comes in on a water attack, sets up a massive Sub, and starts DDing. Can come in on anything Blissey throws at it except T-Wave, and sub up. Speed lets it hit 300 after on DD, out-speeding neutral base 100s. Waterfall and Return are only resisted by Empoleon and Shedinja, who are both taken out by Mamoswine. Waterfall hits pretty hard after a few DDs, and Return will hit everything else. Bulky Waters without HP Electric will easily fall to this beast. Even Gyarados without Stone Edge could be taken out, since it may be burned at some point in the match. I'm thinking of moving some of the HP EVs into attack, and just getting enough so I have 404 HP. But, his subs wouldn't be as durable at taking stuff like Swampert EQs and the like.
Threat List:
Tyranitar: Hitmontop is my best bet against Tyranitar, switching in on both STAB moves with ease, and then nailing it hard with Close Combat. If it gets burned, then it is even easier to take down.
Gyarados: Gyarados leads will lose to Gardevoir, thanks to Intimidate and Thunderbolt. Dusknoir only fears Waterfall from it, while Thunderpunch 2HKOs. Hitmontops Intimidate and Stone Edge do well against Gyarados, and Lapras can switch in on CB Waterfall and set up.
Infernape: MixNape is beat by prediction, absorb Flamethrower from Heatran, Hitmontop takes CC, etc. Gardevoir will usually scare it off, because of the fear of STAB Psychic.
Azelf: Heatran and Dusknoir take care of Azelf very well, with Dusknoir not being scared of anything but the occasional Shadow Ball while hitting it hard with Shadow Sneak, and Heatran beating all Azelf except HP Ground ones.
Electivire: Hitmontop fares well against Physical ones, while Gardevoir and Dusknoir stop the special ones. Dusknoir also threatens a burn, putting an end to both E-vires.
Heracross: Dusknoir handles Heracross very well, not being hit by CC, and Megahorn being NFE. As long as it doesn't come in on WoW, it isn't too much of a problem to my team.
Salamence: CB versions risk being burned by most of my team, and Gardevoir can Intimidate thanks to Trace. Heatran handles SpecsMence very well, unless it has HP Ground. MixMence is beat by prediction and letting Life Orb kill it, unless it has Roost, where I can take advantage of it, and let Dusknoir switch in and burn it.
Togekiss: Thunder Wave Togekiss gets beat by Mamoswine, as long as I don't come in on Aura Sphere or Air Slash, and Body Slam Togekiss is handled by Dusknoir. Scarfed Sets could give me trouble, if they get a lot of Flinch hax.
Gengar: Scarf Gars get handled by Heatran, until they use Focus Blast, which Gardevoir shrugs off easily. Life Orb Gengar can't OHKO Gardevoir with Shadow Ball, which means it will lose to Psychic. Mamoswine can come in on a Thunderbolt aimed at Lapras, and Ice Shard Gengar, leaving a nice dent.
Garchomp: Dusknoir can come in on some Garchomp, and threaten a burn. Mamo can revenge kill Garchomp that doesn't have a Yache Berry.
Lucario: SD Versions could be trouble some, but they'll need Bullet Punch to beat Mamoswine, which means that Dusknoir could handle it. Specs is a little difficult, but switching around could deal with it.
Starmie: Gardevoir handles Starmie pretty well, with it's nice SDef, and thunderbolt to take it down.
Weavile: Hitmontop is great for this, switching in on Night Slash and even Ice Punch easily thanks to Intimidate. CC will spell Weavile's demise.
Dugtrio: You can't exactly counter it, but Gardevoir and Mamoswine could revenge kill it (Gardevoir trapping it back, Mamo with Ice Shard)
PorygonZ: Heatran handles this pretty well, shrugging off most hits with ease, while dealing loads of damage with Lava Plume.
Machamp: Dusknoir does great against No Guard variants, coming in on Dynamic Punch and taking 2 of it's PP thanks to pressure. Then it can burn it. Guts variants are a little more troublesome, but since everything out-speeds it, it shouldn't last too long.
Snorlax: Dusknoir and Hitmontop do well against him, although after a few curses it is quite troublesome.
Zapdos: This doesn't really threaten me, since Mamoswine walls it unless it has HP Grass, in which case Heatran fares well against it.
Suicune: Non Roar/HP Electric ones will get set up on by Lapras, but ones with Roar or HP Electric are very troublesome.
Breloom: Heatran absorbs sleep, Dusknoir takes on Focus Punch and Seed Bomb really well, and Hitmontop can intimidate it.
Slaking: Dusknoir takes on its Return/Giga Impact, the rest of the team takes on its other moves.
Ninjask: Gardevoir can trace Speed Boost, so it can keep up with whoever it BPs to. Mamoswine could kill it any he wanted to, either Ice Shard, Stone Edge, or even set up SR so it couldn't switch in again. Offensively, Dusknoir walls it and burns it, preventing it from dealing lots of damage.
Metagross: Agility sets give me trouble if they have Life Orb, if they don't have Life Orb then they lack the power to take out Dusknoir. Choice Banders are taken out according to what move they use.
Heatran: Gardevoir switches on this easily, not taking too much from Earth Power, while Flash Fire doesn't do anything thanks to Trace.
Jirachi: Mamoswine takes on Jirachi quite easily, thanks to it's nice HP. Sub-CM'ers could cause problems though.
Dragonite: Hitmontop can intimidate and Stone Edge, but I don't think it can survive an Outrage. Mamoswine revenge kills. Once it's burned, it's no longer a threat though.
Mamoswine: No one really, but doesn't every team without Bronzong or Skarm get hurt by Mamo? If it gets burned though, almost everything on my team is a counter.
Gallade: Dusknoir takes on Gallade well, since Night Slash is all it has to be worried about which Hitmontop comes into with ease thanks to Intimidate.
Yanmega: Heatran is my best and pretty much only counter to this.
Kingdra: Lapras and Gardevoir do well against Kingdra, since Gardevoir can actually use the Swift Swim boost, and Lapras resists almost everything Kingdra could throw at it.
Roserade: Heatran absorbs sleep and walls this unless it carries HP Ground. Once something is sleeping Gardevoir takes care of it.
So, Please Rate/Offer suggestions!
Thanks in advance.
Team At A Glance:
Onto the team...
Gardevoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP/32 Spd/48 SAtk/176 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Hypnosis
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Will-o-wisp
Gardevoir is a great lead for me. It can pose as a ScarfVoir, and that will cause many people to switch out. I usually use Will-o-Wisp first, since Weavile and Tyranitar love to switch in on the "Scarfed Psychic". Hypnosis
gets all the other Pokemon that love to switch in.
Gardevoir doesn't really help Lapras, but helps the whole team by softening physical blows that ruin some of them, and crippling the other Pokemon.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP/54 SAtk/204 SDef
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
I needed a sleep absorber that could take out Steels that bother Lapras, and I figured Heatran would do nicely. Lava Plume works very well with Gardevoir, since they will both be burning everything. Earth Power hits other Heatran hard. This thing stops Yanmega cold, even if it has HP Ground, which is a 2HKO.
Heatran helps the team in a lot of ways, whether it be status absorbing, dishing out status, or just absorbing Fire attacks. It also has a Water weakness, which is great for the team as Lapras can use it to switch in.
Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 20 HP/252 Atk/236 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
Mamoswine was something that I had to add. The EVs allow it to out-speed Adamant Lucario, who could give my team troubles. Since Mamoswine forces a lot of switches, I put Stealth Rock on it, so it can set up on the switch. Walled by Bronzong, but that's what the rest of the team is for. Also stops most Hail teams, using their Hail to raise evasiveness, while Stone Edging everything else to Oblivion.
Mamoswine does a lot for the team. It can revenge kill Non-Yache'd dragons, stop Adamant Lucarios without Bullet Punch (Who lose to some of my other members), set up SR, and just hit hard on everything else. The water weakness is a plus, because Lapras will use it for extra health.
Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/6 Spd
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Toxic
- Stone Edge
- Rapid Spin
My rapid-spinner, as well as my T-tar counter. Since Gliscor love to switch into this, I put Toxic on it, so it could whittle away their health. Stone Edge hits Salamence, Gyarados and the like very hard. CC for STAB, although I may change it, since the defense drops don't help with it's general theme of "defense".
Hitmontop is one of the most important members on the team. Lapras can't set up with SR running around, so Hitmontop will spin it away. Toxic Spikes can also damage my team, so Hitmontop will get rid of those as well. Shuts down walls without Rest/Sleep Talk with Toxic.
Dusknoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/76 Def/180 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Thunderpunch
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-o-wisp
- Pain Split
Dusknoir was a good choice for the team, since I wouldn't want anyone to spin away the rocks I set up. Spreads around more burn, while stealing HP from the opponent with Pain Split. Thunderpunch lets Dusknoir kill those pesky Gyarados, and Shadow Sneak to nab quick kills on some Pokemon.
Dusknoir is on the team to also absorb some STAB normal attacks, which will do a lot to the team.
Lapras @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 104 HP/228 Atk/176 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Substitute
- Waterfall
- Return
The main Pokemon on the team. Comes in on a water attack, sets up a massive Sub, and starts DDing. Can come in on anything Blissey throws at it except T-Wave, and sub up. Speed lets it hit 300 after on DD, out-speeding neutral base 100s. Waterfall and Return are only resisted by Empoleon and Shedinja, who are both taken out by Mamoswine. Waterfall hits pretty hard after a few DDs, and Return will hit everything else. Bulky Waters without HP Electric will easily fall to this beast. Even Gyarados without Stone Edge could be taken out, since it may be burned at some point in the match. I'm thinking of moving some of the HP EVs into attack, and just getting enough so I have 404 HP. But, his subs wouldn't be as durable at taking stuff like Swampert EQs and the like.
Threat List:
Tyranitar: Hitmontop is my best bet against Tyranitar, switching in on both STAB moves with ease, and then nailing it hard with Close Combat. If it gets burned, then it is even easier to take down.
Gyarados: Gyarados leads will lose to Gardevoir, thanks to Intimidate and Thunderbolt. Dusknoir only fears Waterfall from it, while Thunderpunch 2HKOs. Hitmontops Intimidate and Stone Edge do well against Gyarados, and Lapras can switch in on CB Waterfall and set up.
Infernape: MixNape is beat by prediction, absorb Flamethrower from Heatran, Hitmontop takes CC, etc. Gardevoir will usually scare it off, because of the fear of STAB Psychic.
Azelf: Heatran and Dusknoir take care of Azelf very well, with Dusknoir not being scared of anything but the occasional Shadow Ball while hitting it hard with Shadow Sneak, and Heatran beating all Azelf except HP Ground ones.
Electivire: Hitmontop fares well against Physical ones, while Gardevoir and Dusknoir stop the special ones. Dusknoir also threatens a burn, putting an end to both E-vires.
Heracross: Dusknoir handles Heracross very well, not being hit by CC, and Megahorn being NFE. As long as it doesn't come in on WoW, it isn't too much of a problem to my team.
Salamence: CB versions risk being burned by most of my team, and Gardevoir can Intimidate thanks to Trace. Heatran handles SpecsMence very well, unless it has HP Ground. MixMence is beat by prediction and letting Life Orb kill it, unless it has Roost, where I can take advantage of it, and let Dusknoir switch in and burn it.
Togekiss: Thunder Wave Togekiss gets beat by Mamoswine, as long as I don't come in on Aura Sphere or Air Slash, and Body Slam Togekiss is handled by Dusknoir. Scarfed Sets could give me trouble, if they get a lot of Flinch hax.
Gengar: Scarf Gars get handled by Heatran, until they use Focus Blast, which Gardevoir shrugs off easily. Life Orb Gengar can't OHKO Gardevoir with Shadow Ball, which means it will lose to Psychic. Mamoswine can come in on a Thunderbolt aimed at Lapras, and Ice Shard Gengar, leaving a nice dent.
Garchomp: Dusknoir can come in on some Garchomp, and threaten a burn. Mamo can revenge kill Garchomp that doesn't have a Yache Berry.
Lucario: SD Versions could be trouble some, but they'll need Bullet Punch to beat Mamoswine, which means that Dusknoir could handle it. Specs is a little difficult, but switching around could deal with it.
Starmie: Gardevoir handles Starmie pretty well, with it's nice SDef, and thunderbolt to take it down.
Weavile: Hitmontop is great for this, switching in on Night Slash and even Ice Punch easily thanks to Intimidate. CC will spell Weavile's demise.
Dugtrio: You can't exactly counter it, but Gardevoir and Mamoswine could revenge kill it (Gardevoir trapping it back, Mamo with Ice Shard)
PorygonZ: Heatran handles this pretty well, shrugging off most hits with ease, while dealing loads of damage with Lava Plume.
Machamp: Dusknoir does great against No Guard variants, coming in on Dynamic Punch and taking 2 of it's PP thanks to pressure. Then it can burn it. Guts variants are a little more troublesome, but since everything out-speeds it, it shouldn't last too long.
Snorlax: Dusknoir and Hitmontop do well against him, although after a few curses it is quite troublesome.
Zapdos: This doesn't really threaten me, since Mamoswine walls it unless it has HP Grass, in which case Heatran fares well against it.
Suicune: Non Roar/HP Electric ones will get set up on by Lapras, but ones with Roar or HP Electric are very troublesome.
Breloom: Heatran absorbs sleep, Dusknoir takes on Focus Punch and Seed Bomb really well, and Hitmontop can intimidate it.
Slaking: Dusknoir takes on its Return/Giga Impact, the rest of the team takes on its other moves.
Ninjask: Gardevoir can trace Speed Boost, so it can keep up with whoever it BPs to. Mamoswine could kill it any he wanted to, either Ice Shard, Stone Edge, or even set up SR so it couldn't switch in again. Offensively, Dusknoir walls it and burns it, preventing it from dealing lots of damage.
Metagross: Agility sets give me trouble if they have Life Orb, if they don't have Life Orb then they lack the power to take out Dusknoir. Choice Banders are taken out according to what move they use.
Heatran: Gardevoir switches on this easily, not taking too much from Earth Power, while Flash Fire doesn't do anything thanks to Trace.
Jirachi: Mamoswine takes on Jirachi quite easily, thanks to it's nice HP. Sub-CM'ers could cause problems though.
Dragonite: Hitmontop can intimidate and Stone Edge, but I don't think it can survive an Outrage. Mamoswine revenge kills. Once it's burned, it's no longer a threat though.
Mamoswine: No one really, but doesn't every team without Bronzong or Skarm get hurt by Mamo? If it gets burned though, almost everything on my team is a counter.
Gallade: Dusknoir takes on Gallade well, since Night Slash is all it has to be worried about which Hitmontop comes into with ease thanks to Intimidate.
Yanmega: Heatran is my best and pretty much only counter to this.
Kingdra: Lapras and Gardevoir do well against Kingdra, since Gardevoir can actually use the Swift Swim boost, and Lapras resists almost everything Kingdra could throw at it.
Roserade: Heatran absorbs sleep and walls this unless it carries HP Ground. Once something is sleeping Gardevoir takes care of it.
So, Please Rate/Offer suggestions!
Thanks in advance.