A newbie's first shot at an OU team

CTangent

Hi there Smogon, this is my first post here, although I've lurked around here and ShoddyBattle for about a month. I've been playing around with some of the teams posted in this forum with mixed success, but I think that I was able to learn at least a basic knowledge of the major threats and counters of the OU metagame.

So, without further ado - my first legitimate team.

I designed this team so that I had multiple choices and branches that I could take depending on the team type and strategy of my opponent. I've been playing with this team for about 10 days, making lots of little adjustments here and there (and some big ones; I used to have a Marowak in here, as well as a Rampardos)

roserade.png

Roserade @ Focus Sash
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Sleep Powder
- Toxic Spikes
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Fire]
----
I use Roserade to scout, mostly. I used Sleep Powder a lot when I first made this team, but now I've switched to immediately laying down two layers of Toxic Spikes and then trying to take down/incapacitate whatever I can until I faint. I debated whether or not to switch Natural Cure for Poison Point, and I still haven't really decided. For this set, does one have any particular advantage over the other?


ninjask.png

Ninjask @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 176 HP/252 Atk/82 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Swords Dance
- Aerial Ace
---
Ninjask's sole purpose is to baton pass. I usually try to switch Ninjask in on my opponent's wall, so that I can substitute and get a few Swords Dances in as well as speed boosts, and then baton pass as soon as my HP gets too low to substitute anymore. Stealth Rock cripples this strategy. I chose Ninjask for this purpose primarily for his ability, coupled with Substitue and Swords Dance; it was the best pokemon I knew that could fill this niche. Depending on the need, I baton pass to Magnezone (I'd rather not), Scizor, or...

salamence.png

Salamence @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 234 Atk/252 Spd/24 SAtk
Naughty nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
---
I used to have a Marowak here, but I decided finally that Thick Club was a little gimmick and that his speed sucks. To fill his tank status, I put this guy due to his reasonable speed and outrageous attack. When properly beefed up by Ninjask (or not, that's why Dragon Dance is there) this physical Salamence works pretty well. I don't think I need to explain this one much.


togekiss.png

Togekiss @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP/6 Def/252 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Nasty Plot
- Baton Pass
---
I put a twist on Smogon's recommended set for Togekiss. Obviously, at it's core, it's a Serene Grace abuser, but I usually Nasty Plot/Roost when I have to chance to both 1) stall, due to the fact that the opponent is likely badly poisoned by my spikes unless they were spun or absorbed away, and 2) beef up and sweep for a while with Air Slash, until I can't anymore and then I baton pass to Magnezone.

scizor.png

Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP/254 Spd/252 SAtk
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Brick Break
- Baton Pass
---
Same idea as Togekiss; Swords Dance and attack until I can't anymore, and then baton pass away my stat increases.

magnezone.png

Magnezone @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 172 HP/86 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Magnet Rise
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
---
Pretty self-explanatory here. Magnezone is usually the recipient of a baton pass from Togekiss (Sp. Atk increases) or Ninjask (speed increases). I chose Magnezone due to his wide array of resistances, Magnet Rise, and his excellent Sp. Attack. With Nasty Plot, he's quite a force to be reckoned with (most of the time).

So there you have it. I'd greatly appreciate your input. Hopefully I'll have many more posts at this wonderful site. :)
 
since ninjask is so vulnerable to stealth rock and he isnt your lead you should probably have a rapid spinner put on your team, starmie instead of scizor perhaps since salamence is already a good physical sweeper.

starmie @ leftovers
136 HP / 156 Def / 216 Spe
timid
natural cure
rapid spin
surf
thunderbolt
recover

that set should work. he can also act as your status absorber since the rest of your team doesnt appreciate being statused
 
Problems:

SD Lucario
Lack of SR and Rapid Spin

How to fix:

I like the synergy and all, but don't you think having both Scizor and Ninjask is asking for too much? I would replace Ninjask or Scizor for Donphan which could actually work out for the team.

Donphan
@ Leftovers
Impish Nature (Def+ / SpA-)
252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpD

- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard

The only addition I could think of without ruining too much for your synergy. Basically this guy has Rapid Spin along with Stealth Rock. Rapid Spin is good with this guy, allowing your other members to switch in without loosing 25% or more. Stealth Rock helps your guys sweep if you decide to baton pass. Earthquake checks Lucario while Ice Shard checks Dragon-types mainly.

Other things you might consider is Fire Blast on Salamence, gl.
 
donphan isnt a good idea on this team, it brings another ice weakness to the team leaving 4 out of 6 pokemon vulnerable to one type of attack.
 
Thanks for the input, both of you. I'll try both of these soon; I'm trying out Donphan right now, and it's too early to tell if it's helping, but I had a monster Togekiss sweep a couple games ago that was assisted by Stealth Rock. ^_^
 
I would replace Ninjask for Donphan which allows Scizor and Magnezone to take ice hits better.
 
ok i was just unbanned for speaking my mind but i can help you my friend, im like been playing for years heres what you need to do... get rid of ninjask bug pokemon are weak. you need a dragonite!
 
lol im kidding relax, ninjask will have the hardest time getting the pass off though, so i mean whats the point of having it when something else such as a gliscor could pass what it needs
 
not really ninjask is meant to pass things to its teammates thats what it does, you spam substitutes and protects til you have enough speed boosts and then baton pass out, simple as that
 
when people see scizor they switch to their priority or phaser trust me the plan is almost always stopped especially if its not leading because stealth rock will be up, fast taunting leads and or trick leads screw this team up from the getco. but hey i mean its not my team lol good luck
 
It's extremely rare that Ninjask doesn't get the pass off. In fact, I was able to pass of +4 speed and +6 attack (lol) to Salamence in the last game and swept like a monster.

Donphan has been working very well, much better than my games with Starmie did, so thanks for that.
 
Swap Ninjask for Agility BP Zapdos for more bulk and then switch Togekiss to EspyJump so you have better coverage and hes the best CM passer in the game. You may want to switch your Finisher to

Lucario @ Life Orb
Trait: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 196 Spe / 60 SpA
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
~Close Combat
~Crunch
~Hidden Power [Ice]
~Bullet Punch


He can do both of what Salamence + Magnezone do then you could add one more BP.

Gliscor @ Lum Berry
Hyper Cutter
Timid
252 HP / 196 SpD / 60 Spe

Baton Pass
Rock Polish
Swords Dance
Taunt
 
It's extremely rare that Ninjask doesn't get the pass off
Click to expand...

I have been playing for quite some time and not once have I every seen Ninjask pass anything other than speed boosts. Priority users and phazers will prevent you from passing. With sr on the field Ninjask will only get one shot at the pass.

I suggest you use the spot for something more useful to the team. You are currently weak to several threats so I would suggest getting some counters for them. You also have a huge Ice weakness as 4 poke take SE damage from it. This means things like LO Starmie will be really tough to beat as you will have few switches late game. Before rating I would like to ask, is this a Batton Pass team? If it is then I would suggest using things like Mr.Mime and Smeargle. Mini-Batton Pass doesn't work very well. I see three members that have bp so either you can add more bp support or you can run a non-bp team. If so you would have to replace Ninjask and change up Scizor's and Togekiss' sets and then move on from there.

EDIT: A bit busy right now but I'll rate it soon.

Good Luck
 
try this baton pass set in place of ninjask it may do the job better for your team

smeargle @ salac berry
244 HP / 12 Def / 252 Spe
own tempo
jolly
baton pass
belly drum
substitute
spore

for the most part you spore, sub on the switch, belly drum while the break your sub and then baton pass out to a sweeper. plus smeargle isnt stealth rock weak
 
It seems a bit pointless to put Baton Pass on Togekiss when the only special attackers you have are a Lead Roserade without recovery and an attack that kills a Nasty Plot Boost and a Magnezone with only two attacks. You could opt for Thunder Wave, for mad flinch+parahax, which many people, including me, hate, Substitute for an extra chance at flinchhax, or Aura Sphere. The combination of Flying and Fighting is only resisted by Zapdos and Rotom.
 
mc2094 said:
Before rating I would like to ask, is this a Batton Pass team?
Click to expand...

Well, in the sense that my core strategy revolves around baton passing, no. For example, I don't specifically use Togekiss to pass Nasty Plot boosts unless I'm about to die and I've got +6 special attack that I don't want to waste.

The only exception to that is Ninjask, and since I'm low on the ladder, I rarely see priority users/phazers switching in specifically to stop me. That's just a testament to how limited a view I have of this whole metagame... :( I need to fix that.

I've also cut Scizor from this team in favor of Donphan (rapid spinner/stealth rocker) for now, although I'm still open to ideas (I'm testing out the stuff in this thread)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top