A couple weeks back, someone challenged me to a battle. I didn't have a team, so I took six random Pokes out of my box and used them. They worked surprisingly well, and I made them a team after a few minor adjustments. After a while, they started to decline in effectiveness, so I changed up the lineup to the following, what it currently is now, and it's been pretty solid. However, I'm still somewhat unsure about the team, and would like some feedback.
Seraph (Volcarona) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spd
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Roost
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
I'd like to start out by noting that, even though Volcarona takes the first slot of my party, it is rarely ever my lead. 99% of the time, I lead with either Rotom-W or Crobat. Anyway, Volcarona is one of my two main sweepers. This is the standard bulky set, with some Speed investment because screw you Latios. Unlike Pinsir, my other sweeper, Volcarona has some staying potential. With surprisingly decent physical bulk, boosted special bulk, and Roost, it can come out, set up, knock out a Poke or two, and return to sweep more later. Dual STABs are the chosen offensive moves. While the coverage may seem lacking, it's just enough after 2 or 3 boosts (which, with QD + Fiery Dance, isn't hard to get to).
Ivarr (Pinsir) (M) @ Pinsirite
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Quick Attack
- Return
- Close Combat
Mega Pinsir is my other sweeper. Unlike Volcarona, Pinsir usually gets one shot at sweeping, and has to make the most of it. If I predict correctly and Swords Dance on a switch, little can stop its wrath. Return is the main STAB attack, with Close Combat rounding out coverage against Steel and Rock types. Quick Attack is nice for priority when Pinsir's speed is lacking, and also can grab a Moxie boost before Mega Evolving. These two sweepers might seem redundant with one another, but they actually have very good synergy. For example, when Heatran completely walls Volcarona, Pinsir can nail it with Close Combat, and if Aegislash stops Pinsir, Volcarona scorches it with a Fiery Dance.
Plasma (Rotom-Wash) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
Rotom-W, infamous leader of X/Y usage statistics, makes an appearance on my team. The main reason for this is Volt Switch. I'm highly uncomfortable without a user of U-Turn or Volt Switch on my team, and Rotom fills this role. Volt Switch can generally be spammed to ease prediction and bring in a certain counter, and the Ground types that could block Volt Switch have to be careful of taking a Hydro Pump or Hidden Power Ice to the face. Since it is often used as a lead, Trick is a great asset to cripple a more defensively oriented Pokemon; often, my opponent will start off by setting entry hazards as I use Trick to lock them into said hazard move, then Volt Switch out as they switch. Rotom is also a great counter to Pokemon like Gliscor or Dragonite that the aforementioned sweepers have a hard time with.
Baxter (Crobat) (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 120 HP / 136 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Taunt
- Defog
- Roost
- Brave Bird
Having two members 4x weak to Stealth Rock can really take its toll, which is the main reason for Crobat. Defog can remove the dreaded rocks from the field, and is also useful to blow away Spikes and Toxic Spikes, since Crobat is immune to both. A blazing fast Taunt stops it from becoming set-up bait, while Roost gives it reliable recovery. Brave Bird is fairly strong with some Attack investment, and is great against unsuspecting frailer Pokes and the dreaded Mega Venusaur.
Tempus (Slowbro) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Spd
Bold Nature
- Slack Off
- Thunder Wave
- Scald
- Ice Beam
Slowbro is a premier physical wall that helps the team greatly. Thunder Wave is the move I use most often; it allows easier set-up for Volcarona and Pinsir. Scald is useful for burning dangerous physical attackers, and also cripples the bane of Pinsir's existence, Terrakion. Slack Off is mandatory healing, and make it a tough nut to crack combined with Regenerator and Leftovers, and Ice Beam is mostly filler, but is useful for nailing Dragons.
Tatl (Sylveon) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Cute Charm
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 Spd
Calm Nature
- Protect
- Wish
- Baton Pass
- Moonblast
Meet Sylveon, everyone's favorite Fairy type. It serves as a Wish passer on my team. Obviously, Wish is a staple. Protect is there as well, to easily pull off a Wish and gain some Leftovers recovery. However, Protect is very predictable, which is where Baton Pass comes in. As an opponent switches out or sets up the turn after Sylveon uses Wish, expecting a Protect, Sylveon simply uses Baton Pass to easily switch to the appropriate counter (I'm all about easing prediction). While the teammates themselves don't usually benefit from the healing (3 have their own recovery moves), it can be useful to gain a free switch in; they take an attack, and heal off the damage with Wish. Moonblast is the obligatory attack, and is chosen over Hyper Voice because the special attack drop is quite useful.
Well, that's the team. More information can be provided on any if desired. Please give me input on it, and thank you for your time!
Seraph (Volcarona) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spd
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Roost
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
I'd like to start out by noting that, even though Volcarona takes the first slot of my party, it is rarely ever my lead. 99% of the time, I lead with either Rotom-W or Crobat. Anyway, Volcarona is one of my two main sweepers. This is the standard bulky set, with some Speed investment because screw you Latios. Unlike Pinsir, my other sweeper, Volcarona has some staying potential. With surprisingly decent physical bulk, boosted special bulk, and Roost, it can come out, set up, knock out a Poke or two, and return to sweep more later. Dual STABs are the chosen offensive moves. While the coverage may seem lacking, it's just enough after 2 or 3 boosts (which, with QD + Fiery Dance, isn't hard to get to).
Ivarr (Pinsir) (M) @ Pinsirite
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Quick Attack
- Return
- Close Combat
Mega Pinsir is my other sweeper. Unlike Volcarona, Pinsir usually gets one shot at sweeping, and has to make the most of it. If I predict correctly and Swords Dance on a switch, little can stop its wrath. Return is the main STAB attack, with Close Combat rounding out coverage against Steel and Rock types. Quick Attack is nice for priority when Pinsir's speed is lacking, and also can grab a Moxie boost before Mega Evolving. These two sweepers might seem redundant with one another, but they actually have very good synergy. For example, when Heatran completely walls Volcarona, Pinsir can nail it with Close Combat, and if Aegislash stops Pinsir, Volcarona scorches it with a Fiery Dance.
Plasma (Rotom-Wash) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
Rotom-W, infamous leader of X/Y usage statistics, makes an appearance on my team. The main reason for this is Volt Switch. I'm highly uncomfortable without a user of U-Turn or Volt Switch on my team, and Rotom fills this role. Volt Switch can generally be spammed to ease prediction and bring in a certain counter, and the Ground types that could block Volt Switch have to be careful of taking a Hydro Pump or Hidden Power Ice to the face. Since it is often used as a lead, Trick is a great asset to cripple a more defensively oriented Pokemon; often, my opponent will start off by setting entry hazards as I use Trick to lock them into said hazard move, then Volt Switch out as they switch. Rotom is also a great counter to Pokemon like Gliscor or Dragonite that the aforementioned sweepers have a hard time with.
Baxter (Crobat) (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 120 HP / 136 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Taunt
- Defog
- Roost
- Brave Bird
Having two members 4x weak to Stealth Rock can really take its toll, which is the main reason for Crobat. Defog can remove the dreaded rocks from the field, and is also useful to blow away Spikes and Toxic Spikes, since Crobat is immune to both. A blazing fast Taunt stops it from becoming set-up bait, while Roost gives it reliable recovery. Brave Bird is fairly strong with some Attack investment, and is great against unsuspecting frailer Pokes and the dreaded Mega Venusaur.
Tempus (Slowbro) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Spd
Bold Nature
- Slack Off
- Thunder Wave
- Scald
- Ice Beam
Slowbro is a premier physical wall that helps the team greatly. Thunder Wave is the move I use most often; it allows easier set-up for Volcarona and Pinsir. Scald is useful for burning dangerous physical attackers, and also cripples the bane of Pinsir's existence, Terrakion. Slack Off is mandatory healing, and make it a tough nut to crack combined with Regenerator and Leftovers, and Ice Beam is mostly filler, but is useful for nailing Dragons.
Tatl (Sylveon) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Cute Charm
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 Spd
Calm Nature
- Protect
- Wish
- Baton Pass
- Moonblast
Meet Sylveon, everyone's favorite Fairy type. It serves as a Wish passer on my team. Obviously, Wish is a staple. Protect is there as well, to easily pull off a Wish and gain some Leftovers recovery. However, Protect is very predictable, which is where Baton Pass comes in. As an opponent switches out or sets up the turn after Sylveon uses Wish, expecting a Protect, Sylveon simply uses Baton Pass to easily switch to the appropriate counter (I'm all about easing prediction). While the teammates themselves don't usually benefit from the healing (3 have their own recovery moves), it can be useful to gain a free switch in; they take an attack, and heal off the damage with Wish. Moonblast is the obligatory attack, and is chosen over Hyper Voice because the special attack drop is quite useful.
Well, that's the team. More information can be provided on any if desired. Please give me input on it, and thank you for your time!