Advice/tips needed. (RMT)

Vapor Trails

Hello everyone, I am txrdriftking and this is the revised version of the team i'm going to be using.
I'm wondering if there are any more changes that need to be made, and sggestions are always welcome.
Despite my low post count, I have been on here since 2007.
I registered this month because I finally learned that you needed to put the image thing's letters/numbers in the registration form in capital letters. (LOL)
Anyway, here is the team:

azelf.png

Azelf @ Focus Sash
Naive / Levitate
EV's: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Speed
~Stealth Rock
~Flamethrower
~Explosion
~Taunt
The normal lead Azelf set.Basically sets up Stealth Rock to start.
Psychic has been replaced with Flamethrower.
Taunt is used to prevent other, slower leads (like Swampert) from setting up SR.
Once I set up SR, most of the time a Rapid Spinner comes in.
The perfect preventer for that is...

rotomheat.png

Rotom-H @ Leftovers
Bold / Levitate
EV's: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 Speed
~Thunderbolt
~Shadow Ball
~Overheat
~Will-O-Wisp
This is the standard anti-Rapid Spin set for Rotom-H.
Thundebolt and Shadow Ball are mostly used to take care of Rapid Spinners, especially Starmie, and Overheat is to take care of opposing Grass-types.
Will-O-Wisp is to prevent Tyranitar from utterly destroying this set.
Next we have...

infernape.png

Infernape @ Life Orb
Naive / Blaze
EV's: 64 Atk / 252 SpA / 192 Speed
~Flamethrower
~Grass Knot
~Close Combat
~Ice Beam
It was brought to my attention that I needed a way to help my weakness to stall teams by Xhizors.
He suggested this set, and so far it's helped well.
I was thinking, "Would it be better if it was a Nasty plot set?"
That is the question now.
Ice Beam is on there because I made a trade with a Japanese Diamond user and these are the moves it had. the EV's weren't changed, so I did that.
Next...

celebi.png

Celebi @ Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Natural Cure
EV's: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Speed
~Reflect
~Grass Knot
~Recover
~Earth Power
This set is useful if I have SR up, even without it, it's still effective.
Reflect is to aid in the defensive capabilities of this set and Recover makes that even better.
Grass Knot is used here over Leaf Storm because I don't like the SpA drop, and the less PP diminishes the effect of Celebi's defensive stand.
Now for the fun part.

swampert.png

Swampert @ Leftovers
Relaxed / Torrent
EV's: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpA
~Earthquake
~Ice Beam
~Surf
~Protect
Swampert's role has been totally changed, with a revised moveset and EV set.
This change has helped very well, and has culminated in a loss of the Dragon-type weaknesses I had before.
Finally, the last one...
scizor.png

Scizor @ Choice Band
Adamant / Technician
EV's: 248 HP / 248 Atk / 12 Speed
~Bullet Punch
~Superpower
~U-turn
~Pursuit
I'll admit, Scizor is way better than Porygon-Z was, at least on this team.
It counters the weaknesses I had before, and betters the attacking potential of the team.
I'm seeing that Swampert switched roles, thereby making it a special attacker, and Scizor is a physical attacker.
The balance of the original team (despite being Gengar and Latias weak) has been inproved, and the results below show it.

The original team's record (after 10 matches): 4-6 (win/loss)
The improved team's record: (10 matches) 7-3 (win/loss)
I see a marked improvement in the team, mainly thanks to Scizor.
Now, at least, the team members fit together better.

All sprites/image credit go to arkeis.com.

Thanks for critiquing!
 
Hello.

The main issue I can see with this team is the lack of focus. I don't understand what this tries to achieve, it doesn't have enough hard hitters to be an offensive team, and it doesn't have what it takes to be used defensively. There is no synergy whatsoever, your Pokemon don't cover each other's weaknesses properly. You also lack a resistance to many key types, including Dragon, Ice and Ghost, wich are all very used types, therefore that would make you weak to the Pokemon that use these types.

First off, the biggest problem is the lack of a Dragon resist. Todays metagame is filled with Dragon types, so it is crucial to have at least one steel type to have a good switch-in against them. This makes you incredibly Latias weak. You are also very Gengar weak, and Mamoswine rips you apart. A solution to this problem would be to replace Porygon-Z. The reason I am suggesting you get rid of Porygon-Z is simply because he doesn't fit your team much, and the lack of speed and bulk makes him somewhat open to revenge killing. The best thing you could do here is use a Choice Band Scizor in that slot. Scizor provides some much needed offense ands counters all three of those threats (Mamoswine/Latias/Gengar) and can help you scout with U-turn while still dishing out damage. Scizor also checks Tyranitar and Salamence that could cause probelms since Swampert cannot take them on unless on full health.

Scizor @ Choice Band
Technician / Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 248 Atk / 8 Spe
-Bullet Punch
-Superpower
-U-turn
-Pursuit

---

I don't really understand why you are running Zapdos. Swampert already counters Heatran only fearing the very rare HP[Grass]. Scizor and SD Lucario are not any threats to this team since Rotom is a great answer to Scizor and Lucario cannot setup on anything. He also gets very similar type coverage to Rotom-H. The only difference is he is less appealing because of that Stealth Rock weakness and the lack of a spinner. Instead of Zapdos I would suggest you use a MixApe to solve your weakness to Stall teams. MixApe can beat every Pokemon on a stall team except Resttalk Gyarados who will be worn down by Stealth Rock and eventually KO'ed. Heres what I've got in mind:

Infernape @ Life Orb
Blaze / Naive
Evs: 64 Atk / 252 SpAtk / 192 Spe
-Fire Blast
-Grass Knot
-Close Combat
-HP[Ice]

---

I'd like to suggest just one more thing, and that is changing around Swampert's moveset and EV spread. I think that the mixed set works better. That 110 base attack might seem tempting, but trust me the mixed set hits much harder. The reason why I am suggesting this is because MixPert hits bulky grounds like Hippowdon, Donphan and Gliscor much harder. It also OHKO'es Salamence, a huge threat to your team while Avalanche cannot do so, since most DD Mence use a -SpDef nature and have Intimidate.

Swampert @ Leftovers
Torrent / Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpAtk
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam
-Surf
-Roar / Protect

---

That's my rate, I hope I somewhat helped. Good Luck with your team.
 
I just want to point out one thing to Xhizors: this is the RMT forum, not the Build my Team forum. Its all good and well to suggest changing one Pokemon, but changing two and then a complete moveset change would completely ruin the balance of any good team. Changing Pokemon because you can't see what they do isn't an acceptable way to rate teams, as it is unfair to the person whose team you are rating
 
Snorlaxe said:
I just want to point out one thing to Xhizors: this is the RMT forum, not the Build my Team forum. Its all good and well to suggest changing one Pokemon, but changing two and then a complete moveset change would completely ruin the balance of any good team. Changing Pokemon because you can't see what they do isn't an acceptable way to rate teams, as it is unfair to the person whose team you are rating
Click to expand...

I know I should try to help the OP as much as I can without changing the team as much as possible, but there are too many things wrong and the team is weak to too many common threats so it's impossible to solve these problems by changing just one moveset/EV spread. If you're that good why don't you rate this team without changing more than one pokemon. There's no denying this team is stall weak, Gengar and Latias weak. It also lacks a good revenge killer. It was getting ignored because it had too many things wrong with it, so I supposed I could help.

So please next time you want to post, think for once and post to improve the team, not to criticise other people's rates.

EDIT: I've seen more than once badged raters replace three Pokemons.

EDIT 2:
changing two and then a complete moveset change would completely ruin the balance of any good team
Click to expand...

This isn't a good team anyway. Therefore your argument is flawed as it doesn't apply here.
 
Snorlaxe said:
I just want to point out one thing to Xhizors: this is the RMT forum, not the Build my Team forum. Its all good and well to suggest changing one Pokemon, but changing two and then a complete moveset change would completely ruin the balance of any good team. Changing Pokemon because you can't see what they do isn't an acceptable way to rate teams, as it is unfair to the person whose team you are rating
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't you just PM him your arguement? It's pointless to state it here...

Anyway, I completely agree with xhizors. His rate was superb, and makes it an overall better team. I really think Rotom should be the restalk variant though, and those 88 EV's in speed to special defense.

Rotom-H @ leftovers
Bold nature
252 HP/168 Def/88 SpD
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
-Thunderbolt
-Wil o Wisp

This set counters Scizor and Rapid Spin just fine, with the benefit of durability. Another thing I see is Azelf. Azelf really doesn't need Psychic, Flamethrower is a much better option, already hitting Rotom while you can still Explode on Swampert.

In my opinion, Celebi gets trapped by Scizor, still taking a lot from U-turn with Reflect up, and getting hit hard with Pursuit if you switch. I think you should change the moveset to HP Fire, T-Wave, Leaf Storm, and Recover with the item Life Orb. This will lure out Tyranitar and Scizor and hit them hard with the appropiate move. I think this will overall make it a better team, so good luck!
 
sprinkles said:
In my opinion, Celebi gets trapped by Scizor, still taking a lot from U-turn with Reflect up, and getting hit hard with Pursuit if you switch. I think you should change the moveset to HP Fire, T-Wave, Leaf Storm, and Recover with the item Life Orb. This will lure out Tyranitar and Scizor and hit them hard with the appropiate move. I think this will overall make it a better team, so good luck!
Click to expand...
The Celebi changes didn't work.
I tested it out and it actually hindered the performance of the team.
I decided to keep the existing moveset.
Thanks for trying to help though.
 
"The physical sweeper of the team,"
Did you call Mixpert your physical sweeper? ._.
Mixpert is a Tank/Wall..not a sweeper.
Nice team, I think you have 4 EVs leftover on that Scizor, so you can move them to 12 speed or 252 attack.
Hmm, what else to say, good team, but it will have it's fair share of losses to both offense and stall teams since it doesn't have many ways of recovery.
And on the stall side the lack of recovery is really going to be the death of you, however since you have Mixape you might do well depending on how prepared they are.
You're alittle bit Rotom weak, just be careful of that, you'll probably have to kill it with your own Rotom or Mixape.
 
Well I saw the team before the changes and after and I think that the changes weren't even that good. You could beat stall with ease and let me tell you how.

You had the following team: Azelf, Rotom-A,Celebi, Zapdos, Swampert and Porygon-z.
Hmm let's see what you can't handle. Dragon attacks are a pain in the ass for your team. Ghost is for Porygon-z to handle. The only replacement I would suggest is to change Azelf for a Metagross lead to take the Dragon attacks. Then keep Porygon-Z but make it this set.
Porygon-Z/Adaptibility/Modest/Salac Berry
Ev's: 4 Hp/ 128 SpA/ 124 SpD/ 252 Spe
Iv's: 30 Atk/ 30 Def/ 30 SpD
Moves: Substitute/ Nasty Plot/ Tri-Attack/HP Water
Well now you think why this set. Because it fits your team well. It can set up easily on stall. and on other types of battlers it is a perfect late game sweeper if used correctly.
Also PZ has great synergy with Rotom. Because if a choiced pokemon uses Shadow Ball on it Porygon gets a free turn set-up. And if it has its Substitute up it almost guarantees to take another poke with it

Good luck with the team
 
^ With Porygon-Z, his team is still Gengar weak. It's very unreliable to use your only steel type as your lead. Also, imo, using your lead to counter late game sweepers isn't a good idea especially if he uses Explosion on Metagross. I mean Metagross probably won't even be alive to see Latias, Kingdra or Salamence and absorb their Dragon attacks. With Scizor he is able to revenge kill Salamence while Metagross cannot as his Bullet Punch is too weak.

Also his team before the changes was stall weak. I mean he had nothing to take out Blissey alone. He had Zapdos who was Stealth Rock weak, Celebi and Swampert who are affected by Toxic Spikes both who play major roles in his team and three Pokemons were affected by Spikes.
 
What you are all stating is just the tactic you are battling with. He can easily keep Metagross for Late game. Just set up SR. With The occa berry it survives every hit that comes to it and you can bring it in Late Game. If He really has problems with Dragons put in ScarfLatias over Zapdos/Infernape. He can kill them all and as an added bonus kill set up sweepers. I think he shouldn't replace PZ because he is the one that is the one that the team is built around
 
Krommetje said:
What you are all stating is just the tactic you are battling with. He can easily keep Metagross for Late game. Just set up SR. With The occa berry it survives every hit that comes to it and you can bring it in Late Game.
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I understand what you're trying to say but this is really risky.
If the does survive something, he won't have enough HP left to take the dragon attack. The occa berry lets him avoid the OHKO only, so he'l have less than half his HP left wich isn't enough to ensure that Dragon types aren't a problem. Also as I already said in my previous post, Metagross cannot revenge kill Salamence or Latias since his Bullet Punch is too weak.

If he had to use Metagross, it would fit better in the team if it doesn't lead.Also, he said it himself, ''Scizor is way better than Porygon-Z''

Another thing is, not once did he mention he based the team around Porygon-Z, I don't know where you got that from.
 
Off course scizor is way better. Because it simply is the best offensive pokemon in the game. But that way you can put a scizor on every team with your rate. And if you use Metagross lead correctly you can have a 100% life when he switches out.

He did not mentioned that he based the team around him but he stated that porygon-z was the one that needed to finish off the oppenent. I think Scizor is a great pokemon. It is the best in OU in my opinion but it is physical. I would've switched it with Swampert because he was the physical sweeper and PZ the special. PZ if used correctly can sweep whole teams. I know from experience since I used it on my last team.

But Xhizors. I think we should stop arguaing. We aren't helping the team with this discussion. If you want to talk about this lets do it in Pm since we don't have the same opinion. Wich is good since if everybody has the same we shouldn't even rate
 
He did not mentioned that he based the team around him but he stated that porygon-z was the one that needed to finish off the oppenent
Click to expand...

I think he shouldn't replace PZ because he is the one that is the one that the team is built around
Click to expand...

Just wanted to point out that you're contradicting yourself.

I would've switched it with Swampert because he was the physical sweeper and PZ the special.
Click to expand...

Switching to Swampert would mean that you become Salamence and Tyranitar weak, Scizor can only revenge kill. You also lose your fire and rock resist. That would ruin the team's synergy. Swampert is not a physical sweeper, you're making the same mistake as the OP. The way you seem to build teams is wrong, you shouldn't always think like: Physical sweeper, special sweeper, physical wall, special wall.

This is my last post regarding your arguments, I don't want to do this through PM. I just wanted to post since there was so many wrong things you said in your last post.
 
BP94 said:
"The physical sweeper of the team,"
Did you call Mixpert your physical sweeper? ._.
Mixpert is a Tank/Wall..not a sweeper.
Click to expand...

Fixed.
That was the original text from the first draft.

Nice team, I think you have 4 EVs leftover on that Scizor, so you can move them to 12 speed or
252 attack.

True to that.
I gave it 12 speed EV's so that problem is fixed.
[/QUOTE]
Additions inside the quotes.
 
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