Editors note:
This team's been a hit! Many people are using the Azelf and Ttar sets, and I have played my own team so many times, it's incredible! I am so glad that i've inspired some people to use my team, everyone that I meet whose played (or is) playing it. DA Marcel and I just played each other, had an incredibly close match but I basically won on hax, either way, I cannot believe that my team is being used aha.
Hello all, and welcome to my first RMT in a long, long time. Normally I hate giving up such good teams, but seeing as it's almost christmas, I figured i'd just make one for the hell of it. Now normally, it takes me over a week to pair up 6 Pokemon that actually work decently together, but this team took me less than a day to build. In fact, it took me a whole 3 hours. I originally wanted a team that would work decently, just something that I could have fun playing, while still winning games. I already have 2 teams that can top the leaderboards, but it's no fun to play a team that you know can win against pretty much everything barring a few kinks and or hax.
It's almost incredible how much damage one Pokemon can do after allowing one sheer turn of setup. I'm here to present a team that I had created recently. Just last week I had opened up Shoddy battle after not playing for a long hiatus, about 8 months. The 8 months prior I had worked on a team with Stathakis that had a heavy offensive playstyle, requiring many sacrifices to be able to deal massive amounts of damage. That team had already reached the #1 spot by Stathakis (http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53728) and even though my team had quite a bit of tweaking to suit my liking, I still wasn't satifsfyed with winning so many matches with a team that I had been playing for 2 or so months, so I decided to work on a project. The initial idea was to create a team that worked in the heavy offensive playstyle, while still remaining composure, to ensure victory after a few easy steps. If the main plan did not work, then I had many other subroutines to follow, all depending on the opponent's actions. To understand how to properly play this team, you must understand how to play Heavy offense. Heavy offense normally relies on Pokemon that are extremely fast, and deal massive amounts of damage before being knocked out. Heavy offense is usually extremely weak to priority, as most of the heavy offensive Pokemon (Lucario,Infernape, etc) are ridiculously frail, and might be able to take one attack before getting destroyed. This is where I decided to take it one step further, and try out a heavy offensive variation, using bulky Pokemon that can easily be setup. Once the setup is completed, I win. The problem is the fact that this will take one turn, and one turn can really ruin your plans if the opponent catches on to what you're trying to do. In case you haven't realized up to this point, the focus of the team is setting up a Tyranitar sweep. In case you can't achieve that, a Machamp sweep is the second choice, and the last choice is just brawling with the opponent until you win.
After many games with this team i've pretty much mastered the team, so to say. Azelf is the heart and soul of the team. Flinging Paralysis, setting up rocks, and then just generally dealing damage. Machamp works as an early game derailer, as he deals massive confusion damage, and forces switches. Forcing switches gives me the edge in a few ways.
- One switch allows me to deal minimum 12% damage with SR
- The opponent has to bring in another Pokemon who will also take 12% from SR
- Now the incoming Pokemon also gets hit by another attack, decimating its health.
Once it's all said and done, Azelf and Machamp on my team are always KO'd. The swap is usually 2 Pokemon for me, 2 Pokemon for them, and 1-4 of their Pokemon majorly injured, up to 40% HP or less. This opens up many oppurtunites for Gyarados or Tyranitar to drop in and sweep. Once I drop one of them in and setup, I lategame drop Infernape, Vacuum Wave, and end the game. The end result is usually myself up 4-0. Notable players I have defeated include Grizzly Bear, Mein, and RaikouLover, although i'm sure there are more under alts on Shoddy.
The Team:
Santa's main elf
Azelf @ Focus Sash
Levitate [] Timid
6 HP/ 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Thunder Wave
- Psychic
- Flamethrower
- Stealth Rock
Azelf is the banner of offensive (and defensive) teams, and for good reason. Many Azelf sets tend to run the common Explosion/Psychic/Fire move/Stealth Rock set. Now not only does this set reliably get up Stealth Rock, but it can also sweep the opponent. The thing that really puzzled me was the sacrifice. Why explode after setting up Stealth Rock? It just didn't make any sense to me. Azelf is an excellent offensive Pokemon. It's quick, and deals massive damage. Why sacrifice that? So I decided to take it back to square one and try out a bunch of random moves, while still keeping Stealth Rock on Azelf. I came to realize that each set works differently depending on what your overall goal is, so I decided to stick with Thunder Wave.
The nicest thing about Thunder Wave is if you can outspeed the opponent before using it (which Azelf normally does anyway), then you can hopefully get the turn 1 parahax. This means that the opponent gets paralyzed right after you use Thunder Wave, thus allowing you to use another move. Normally, I go on the offensive and either knockout the starter Pokemon, or I go to set up Stealth Rocks. Once I set up Stealth Rock I definately go offensive, and normally get 2 kills right off the bat. Usually, after I KO the starter, I can paralyze the incoming Pokemon, and then prepare to demoarlize it. If the Pokemon that I have paralyzed cannot harm Tyranitar, then I bring him in, and setup, which usually leads to me sweeping the opposing team. Normally I can fling status, deal damage, and setup Stealth Rock. It's almost as if the opponent flips out when they don't see a standard Azelf set.
The genetically retarded elf
Machamp @ Lum Berry
No Guard [] Adamant
252 Hp/ 128 Atk / 128 Spe
- Bulk Up
- Dynamic Punch
- Ice punch
- Payback
I actually just wrecked a Celebi while I was typing this set up, lol. It's a Machamp tank set, utilizing Bulk Up to grab the +1 attack, and +1 defense, and then tank sweeping. If I don't get the setup, i'll generally use Dynamic punch first to get the confusion, and then use Bulk up to raise my stats, and finish with another move, depending on my opponent's actions. I have tested a few machamp sets here, and have found this set to be the most effective. The reason i chose this over the Choice Bander was the same reason why I removed a Choice Scarf Kingdra from this team. Choice items are great for the first knockout, but once they switch into you, you're screwed. Now normally, i'll be able to get at least 2 Bulk Up's flowing, and then i'm off to sweep after that. Machamp vs Scizor happens alot, but I come out on top as long as they don't get a lucky critical hit, and my confusion comes through. Ice Punch over Stone Edge to beat Gliscor, something my team potentially has problems with. Lum berry went over leftovers due to all the Rotom coming in and WoWing me to death. Payback's a 2HKO if I hit first, and a 1HKO if they deal 45% HP with Shadow Ball.
Rudolph
Jolteon @ Life Orb
6 Hp/ 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Volt Absorb [] Timid
- Thunderbolt
- Charge Beam
- Hidden Power Grass
- Shadow Ball
The set probably wont surprise you much, but let me explain anyways. Charge Beamis a move that I have learned to cherish throughout my years. Early game switches is where the move dominates. Charge Beam always opens holes for me to expose at any time in the game. After one Charge Beam, the opponent will start to worry, and usually switch, or they get knocked out. Now if they switch, they have revelaed another Pokemon that can generally threaten Tyranitar, and gives me more time to observe what needs to be done in order to stop the new threat, or I just use Thunderbolt and KO it. I am against choice items, so please, do not even mention choice specs. HP grass one shots Swampert, Shadow Ball one shots Gengar. Jolteon usually drops by early game to deal with injuring the opponents Pokemon. On average, Jolteon deals around 132% damage a game, effectively KOing one Pokemon, and injuring another.
Gyarados @ Life Orb
Intimidate | Adamant
6 Hp/ 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Ice Fang
Intimidate | Adamant
6 Hp/ 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Ice Fang
Standard LODDDos is something that can setup on several Pokemon that my team has a problem with and can honestly punish them. After one Dragon Dance I start to tear everything up. The preferred moveset is used because it helps cover things that my team is lacking. Normally this guy comes in on a Choice Jirachi that just used Iron Head. He then begins to setup and obliterates the playfield. Waterfall flinch with STAB smashed everything that doesn't resist it. The idea is to setup on paralyzed, confused opponents, to practically guarantee me a Dragon Dance. For here, I can start ruining injured Pokemon thanks to Machamp and Jolteon.
The Heat Miser
Infernape @ Life Orb
Blaze | Timid
6 Hp/ 252 SpA/ 252 Spe
- Vacuum Wave
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Nasty Plot
Infernape @ Life Orb
Blaze | Timid
6 Hp/ 252 SpA/ 252 Spe
- Vacuum Wave
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Nasty Plot
NP Priority ape is a long lost IPL creation that Stathakis and I have exploited to incredible limits. I know every Pokemon that this guy can and cannot setup on, every set. I've been playing this same set for over 8 months, it's incredible. Now Vacuum Wave is Priority, and it's move useful over Quick attack for one reason... It gets STAB. Fire Blast is preferred over Overheat because this way you can lategame sweep without stat drops. Focus Blast is to nail bulky waters, and you OHKO a moajority of them (Vaporeon, Suicune, Swampert) after one Nasty Plot. Nasty plot is to drop in on Heracross or Scizor, or something you can setup on, and from there it usually ends at GG. The main plan is usually to drop him by late game to secure the victory through Vacuum wave, although he is mainly used to also stop DDTar that have been able to get a DD or two, although this rarely happens.
Santa Claus
Tyranitar @ Babiri Berry
Sand Stream [] Jolly
6 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
Tyranitar @ Babiri Berry
Sand Stream [] Jolly
6 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for you and your team to be swept. DDBabiriTar is something not to be taken lightly. I have swept numerous, numerous teams with this set. The idea of a Tyranitar sweep occured to me after I kept running over it with my other teams' Infernape, and so I decided to start a project to find a set that would just destroy the metagame. it's pretty much standard DDTar, but the idea is the support. Paralyzing and confusing with Azelf and Machamp opens up so many holes that I can abuse, and eventually just ruin teams with. I guess people take TTar as a joke, because every time I drop him in on something that can't do squat to him, they attack and try to whittle down his HP, and by then, it's too late. 1 DD is going to ruin you. 2 DD's...good game sire. I originally was going to use Bandtar here, but Scizor was too much of a little pest.
Here's more information on this guy, as he is the main reason i decided to create this team. Tyranitar doesn't enjoy anything priority, so to effectively use him to sweep, you have to make sure that you decimate Lucario, Infernape, and Metagross especially. Since My varient runs the Babiri berry, you don't exactly have to worry about Scizor, but you have to be at pretty high HP. ~80% HP is usually safe enough, although even this doesn't guarantee you to beat CBScizor iirc. I normally just play it safe and make sure Scizor is ruined. If you have to bring Tyranitar in on something early game, like a Lead Azelf, I suggest double dancing. One Dragon dance is great, but wont give you an awesome sweep. You might break 2 Pokemon with 1 dragon dance. 2 DD's let you outspeed so much more, and you can usually effectively run through teams 6-0 sweeping.
Switch Ins:
King Penguin
Empoleon @ Petaya Berry
Torrent [] Modest
12 HP / 12 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Spe
- Agility
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam
Empoleon functions as my dragon move check, most importantly as my Outrage counter, because DDMences just love Outrage. I can aslo very easily setup on opposing Latias and pretty much just finish up from there, early, or late game. I can also setup on CBScizor after they use Bullet Punch. The Ev's are pretty standard, and are straight from the Smogon subpetaya set. I have run through so many things with this set, it's not even funny.
Donner
Salamence @ Life Orb
Intimidate [] Adamant
6 HP/ 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
- Earthquake
I originally had a LOgar here, which switched to a Scarfgar, and then to the current Salamence. The thing was, I was weak to DDmence, so I had to add something to at least combat that weakness, which was an Empoleon. Argh, getting sidetracked. DDMence is more of a solo sweeper, much like most of my team. After a Dragon dance, i'm killing at least 2 things before my Sally gets ruined. Outrage is one hell of a move, 120BP, STAB, and a chain attack is amazing, and sick for lategame sweeping once I remove all the pesky steels.
Threat list
Defensive Threats
Offensive Threats
Team Building Process:
A very long process might I add...
The epitome of strength, Tyranitar was the reason I created this team. With a monstrous attack stat, and an excellent movepool, Ttar was my first choice. To be honest, another reason I wanted to use him was that his back avatar looks sweet! Another big reason for running him was that every time I tried to kill him without OHKOing him, I was destroyed quite easily, and this is where I finally figured out that Tyranitar had alot of potential.
Now that I had decided on what to focus the team on, I needed something that could at least bait or lure Scizor. Once I could rid myself of Scizor, I knew that I was pretty much free to sweep. Baiting Scizor would be easy, using Gengar. Then after that, I wanted a lead that was decently initiuitive. I stuck with Azelf, but set him up with an awesome set.
After this, I wanted to use a sweeper that was extremely quick and could deal alot of damage, yet still be able to take a shot. Fake Tears Jolteon definately sprung into my mind as my first choice, as I have had alot of success and experience with the set beforehand, so I stuck with it.
Now that I had a sturdy core, I now needed to observe what I was having problems with. Gliscor seems like it could be an annoyance, so I decided to go with Choice Scarf Kingdra. Not only would this solve my Gliscor problem, but it would also solve my Latias problem, and i'd always be able to beat Latias one on one using Kingdra.
My last Pokemon choice was a very difficult one, although I ultimately decided on using Infernape. I had chosen Infernape because I have had extreme amounts of success with the set on my last team, and he could easily setup right after Gengar was taken out by Scizor if Tyranitar had to be saved, or was sacrificed earlier in the game. NP Special Infernape worked great.
So I started laddering with the team, and it worked well at first, but eventually started losing steam. People pointed out that DDGyarados and DDmence could beat me. Although this was true, it wasn't to a full extent. See, as long as I setup fine I had the game won, but anyways, I knew that my team needed many changes, so I opened my team up once again.
These were the three that I kept as my main core, they functioned very well together, so I looked at why I was losing. Gengar just didn't seem to do squat, and so I removed him and substituted in Machamp. Machamp just seemed to be able to hit so hard while still being able to stat boost and cause conditions, and he just stuck.
After this I saw that Infernape wasn't able to do much because I had moved Machamp in. Machamp seemed to fit the role better, so I removed Infernape and switched in Empoleon. This would give me a dragon resistance and overall benefitted my team much more than I would've ever expected.
Finally I had enough of Kingdra getting setup on, and this would usually cause me to lose games. Since Kingdra was scarved after one attack she had to run, or get setup on, which hindered my main goal of setting up a Tyranitar sweep. I switched in Salamence. Salamence had a much better setup than Kingdra did (obviously) and since it could Outrage for heavy damage, it could end games quickly. This is now how my team looks, and I haven't lost since.
This is another varient of the team that I have been using. No need to brag but I had beat RaikouLover with this version, in a close 2-0 game, although I did get some lucky para/confusion hax :). This is sort of a more offensive version of above, mainly because Infernape can go aggravated very easily, while Empoleon must be setup, and Gyarados and Salamence are very similir, except that Gyarados seems to work better alongside these teammates, and Infernape. I am currently using the Gyarados/Infernape TTar team above.
Closing:
So yadayada i'm finally laddering, currently at cre 1246, under
Kabutopsprime. I haven't lost yet today, even with people linking me to my post and saying " oh i'm looking at your team on Smogon right now". It's actually quite comical how bad I defeat most of my opponents. Half of my wins have come off of Ttar and Machamp sweeps, and the other half have been me up 4 Pokemon and them leaving, just sheer domination. My small share of losses have mostly been my opponents haxxing the crap outta me, but it's been good so far. The team I feel can reach #1 no problem, so i'm not worried in the least.
Side note:
It may look like I have a giant ground weakness, but trust me, I don't
Report #1:
12/22/09
9:31 PM Eastern
Broke CRE 128012/22/09
9:31 PM Eastern
So up to this point alot of Tyranitar sweeps. I've been switching Pokemon around like crazy, but it's the basic idea. I'm currently at 1286 CRE, now this isn't great, but from 1246 it's improvement. Going to break 1300 by tonight, but now i'm gonna go play some MW2, so bye for now
Report #2
12/22/09
9:42 PM Eastern
Broke CRE 130012/22/09
9:42 PM Eastern
So I kinda felt like I wanted to play another few games. Pulled off two Tyranitar sweeps for game. I still feel that SDLuke can give me trouble but at the moment i'm not concerned. Definately getting off now. When I return i'm gonna crack CRE 1320. Bye bye for now
Report #3
12/22/09
2:07 AM Eastern
Broke CRE 132012/22/09
2:07 AM Eastern
Ok, now at CRE 1322. I have been pulling off sick sweeps still through Tyranitar, and my lead Azelf just got a team sweep, hitting 3 paralysis and 2 KO's, and letting Machamp finish up. Going to bed, wanna get to 1350 tomorrow at least. I just defeated RaikouLover, so that's a game that i'm sure proud of...
Report #4
12/24/09
12:30 AM Eastern12/24/09
Now at CRE 1373. Yesterday I went up to 1352, but then just basically stayed there. I'm moving up easily though.
Report #5
12/25/09
10:30 PM Eastern
Broke CRE 1400
Alas, I just broke 1400! Starting from a measly 600, it's great! Another 100 points untill I start to be ranked, gotta keep up the hard work.
12/25/09
10:30 PM Eastern
Broke CRE 1400
Alas, I just broke 1400! Starting from a measly 600, it's great! Another 100 points untill I start to be ranked, gotta keep up the hard work.
So I really hope you guys enjoy the team / read, i'm off to ladder to #1.
Peace.
-Artisan
Peace.
-Artisan
