SM UU Aerodyamic Chess

[Nicklypuff]

AERODYNAMIC CHESS

This is my favorite team that I've built since coming back to team building. It is a balanced/semi-stall team that focuses on taking out Aerodactyl's threats before allowing it to come out to sweep at the end of the game.

TEAM DESCRIPTION

Aerodactyl (F) @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Hone Claws
- Aqua Tail
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

This is the Pokémon who I wanted to build this team around. It is the setup sweeper of the team with Hone Claws boosting its attack as well as making sure Aqua Tail and Stone Edge get 100% accuracy. The Earthquake + Stone Edge combo makes sure that Aerodactyl has as wide of a coverage as possible while Aqua Tail is here to take care of Ground-types and Rock-types that may be still sitting around on the opponent's team.

Jellicent (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex

Jellicient checks and counters many of the Pokémon who would otherwise check or counter Aerodactyl. This set uses Taunt to stop other walls from using support moves as well as stopping setup sweepers from using their setup moves. Will-O-Wisp takes care of Pokémon like Scizor and Hex punishes any status'd Pokémon who wants to try to stay in against Jellicent. If Sableye-Mega ends up sticking around after the suspect test, I may switch in Sableye here, but not sure at the moment.

Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Heal Bell
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss

Blissey is the special wall of the team and pairs very well with Jellicient since Jellicient can take on many of the physical attackers who would take advantage of her. Heal Bell allows Blissey to help its team out if they get status'd and makes sure the team survives getting Toxiced or Burned. Soft-Boiled insures her ability to survive and Toxic allows her to threaten other walls that may try to come in on her or take on offensive Pokémon that aren't switched out. Seismic Toss allows her to deal some decent damage on top of everything else.

Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
Impish Nature
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake

Hippowdon serves two roles on the team. It is the hazard setter for the team with Stealth Rock and it is also a wall for the Pokémon that could still give this team problems such as Bisharp. I went with Toxic as many of my games are played defensively in the start and middle of the game so it made more sense to me than Whirlwind. Earthquake was chosen to take out Pokémon like the aforementioned Bisharp. Sand Stream was chosen as all of my Pokémon either have healing items or are immune to sandstorm and it can give Aerodactyl a boost in SPDef if needed.

Crobat (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- U-turn

I needed two things at this point: something to take care of Grass-types and a hazard remover. Crobat fit both of those teams very well and seemed to fit on the team well as a U-turn user who could switch into whatever Pokémon is needed at the moment. I went with a bulky build for Crobat since it can fulfill its role on the team for a longer period of time with the combination of a bulky spread, Black Sludge, and Roost.

Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 1 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt

As I looked over the team at this point and playtested with it, two major weaknesses became apparent. Suicune and Manectric-Mega. Raikou was my answer to try to mitigate that weakness to an extent. I chose to go with the Calm Mind + Substitute build over the Z-move builds as I tend to switch in Raikou throughout the game when needed rather than waiting for a setup sweep. Since this isn't an offensive team, hiding behind a Substitute seemed like a good option for Raikou here while also letting the opponent's team take Toxic, Burn, or Sandstorm damage. Hidden Power Ice was chosen as the coverage move for pseudo-BoltBeam coverage and the ability to take out some Dragons such as Sceptile-Mega or Hydreigon that may try to come in on Raikou.



So there is my team at the moment. Like I said, it is my favorite team to use and I'll likely be sticking with it for a long time so if you have any suggestions on how to improve it let me know, it is deeply appreciated.

Importable

Aerodactyl (F) @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Hone Claws
- Aqua Tail
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

Jellicent (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex

Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Heal Bell
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss

Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
Impish Nature
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake

Crobat (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- U-turn

Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 1 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt

 

[Sickist]

Hi, interesting team there! First off, however, I want to thank you for including an importable, because you don't know how annoying it is to have to go through the RMT copypasting sets into your builder. So yea. Anyways, I noticed some major issues in the build, which I will discuss next. Anyways, let's get into the rate!

>>--What went wrong---->

Alright, so my first issue with this build is the lack of an actual Latias answer, or a steel in general. Calm Mind+Psyshock variants in particular are quite unmanageable due to your only "Latias check" being a Blissey. I also don't really like Crobat or Raikou, as Crobat is kinda just overall subpar, as well as there being better defoggers, and Raikou is basically unviable, especially with that set, being the only "viable" set it has is sub toxic. Your reason for adding it to deal with Suicune is also un-needed due to the fact you have a Jellicent, which walls every variant of Suicune out there. You also have little to no Hydreigon counter, especially Taunt variants. However, the biggest issue in my mind is the fact that you just lose on preview to stall, completely and utterly, due to the lack of any form of stallbreaker. So how do we fix this?

>>--Major Changes---->

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A Cleric is still nice here, due to Jellicent's and Hippowdon's weakness to status, but a stallbreaker and Hydreigon counterplay was really needed. That is why I opted for Togekiss. I'll go more into the details of the set below this, but anyways, Togekiss acts as a stallbreaker due to Nasty plot+Heal Bell, which allows you to basically set-up on toxic-reliant pokemon, such as Hippowdon not carrying Whirlwind, Non-Roar Empoleon, Blissey, and other stallmons not carrying Haze or phasing moves. Togekiss' typing in conjunction with Roost allow it to function as suitable counterplay to Hydreigon as well, but you really need to watch out for Specs Hydreigon, as a well timed Flash Cannon will decimate Togekiss.

Set + Description

Togekiss @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Nasty Plot
- Air Slash
- Roost

Standard Nasty Plot Togekiss. Nasty Plot boosts Togekiss' Special Attack by 2 Stages, letting it tear through things more easily with it's attack, Air Slash. Air Slash with Serene Grace, forms a cheesy 60% flinch rate attack, but has good BP and STAB for Togekiss anyways, even without the flinches. Finally, Heal Bell+Roost lets it settup Nasty Plots in front of status users, letting Togekiss cure its status and remain healthy while setting up.

-->

A Steel type and some form of hazard control is needed on basically every team in this tier. Steel types help with checking the tier's dangerous Fairies and Dragons, such as Latias and Mega Altaria, as well as a Defogger being able to remove hazards from the field, increasing the overall longevity of your team as a whole. Empoleon does both of these, and pressures Latias and friends with Toxic, as well as scout for Z Thunder with Protect. Empoleon also helps to handle Scizor a little bit by switching into Bullet Punch, and Scalding it, but you have Jellicent for your main answer. Finally, Empoleon creates a nice defensive core with Hippowdon, which gives the team a solid defensive backbone. Empoleon also checks Primarina for the team, which is always nice.

Set + Description

Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Protect
- Toxic
- Defog

Scald allows you to not be taunt food to the majority of the tier, with a 30% burn chance as well, making Empoleon a really irritating defensive wall. Protect allows you to scout for coverage, such as Latias' electrium Z, Mega Altaria running EQ, or Celebi running Earth Power. Toxic allows you to pressure said Latias and Celebi, as well as Mega Altaria, and other set-up sweepers. Finally, Defog clears entry hazards from your side of the field, giving you an advantage overall.

-->

I noticed your team was also very weak to Crawdaunt, as well as the team still having a small issue with stall, even with Togekiss. The team also really wanted a Ground immunity that wasn't punished by Rock type coverage. Hydreigon fits the bill quite well, as well as offers a nice way to switch into scald and not really care about it. Hydreigon's typing, in conjuction with not being prone to Knock Off, lets Hydreigon switch into Hydreigon consistently, though it must watch out for +2 Z Crabhammer. Hydreigon also annoys stall with Taunt, as well as having Levitate to switch into Ground types without crumbling (funny joke) to rock type moves.

Set + Description

Hydreigon @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Roost
- Taunt

Draco Meteor and Dark Pulse are Hydreigon's 2 STAB attacks, allowing it to threaten everthing that isn't a Steel type or a Fairy type with its powerful attacks. Dragonium in conjunction with Draco Meteor gives Hydreigon a one time, no miss, nuke, which could give major chip on some steel types, like Lucario. Roost allows Hydreigon to keep itself healthy throughout the match, letting it consistently check what it needs to. Taunt stops slower things like Empoleon from Toxicing it, as well as recovery from the likes of Hippowdon and Alomomola. This greatly improves the Stall Matchup, as the majority of stall teams rely on status to wear things down.

>>--Minor Changes---->

- Set change

This kind of team more appreciate Mega Aerodactyl as a Pursuit trapper, rather then a settup sweeper. Mega Aerodactyl lacks as a settup sweeper anyways, due to it's tendency to be easily revenge killed by the likes of Scizor, as well as being forced to give up coverage. Roost and Pursuit are of much better on this build for reasons listed below.

Set + Description

Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Pursuit

Stone Edge is your main STAB, hitting things like Moltres, Rotom Heat, and other flying types for Super Effective damage. Earthquake hits most steel types, as well as accurately hitting things like Nihilego, as well as things like Infernape and Terrakion. Pursuit lets you trap and either remove or cripple things like Latias, Celebi, and Gengar. Roost rounds off the set, letting you heal and consistently check things like Moltres and Togekiss.

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This is only a small item change. Colbur berry is to help with Scizor, which doesn't really touch you anyways without a Dark type move, such as Knock Off, or Pursuit. Colbur berry allows you to stay in on it and burn it with Will-O-Wisp, greatly benefiting your team.

- Set change

The team didn't really have a way to deal with settup sweepers as a whole (for the most part), as well as not having a general way to punish U-turn, which isn't always necessary, but can be nice for a team like this. Rocky Helmet punishes things like Infernape for clicking contact moves, and Whirlwind phases out set-up sweepers like Scizor into another teammate.

>>--Importable and Conclusion---->

Anyways, the only thing left I have to say here is that if you find yourself struggling against Terrakion more, make Hippowdon fully physically defensive. I hope you enjoy all the changes, and have a great time and a great day! Click the sprites for the importable with the changes.

​

 

[Nicklypuff]

Thank you very much for the suggestions Sickist, I'll test out this version of the team.

 

[Twilight]

Hey again Nicklypuff, really nice team you have here around Mega-Aerodactyl. Sorry for the delay. You have done a pretty good job at creating a strong backbone to support Maero defensively. However, I do think you could support it offensivey a bit better especially when it comes to breaking through its counters. As far as threats go your Latias match-up isn't amazing, especially because you lack a steel type + Maero is lacking Pursuit or Roost. I also think your stall match-up is way too dependant on Jellicent to be able to break through it which is also an issue. I plan to try alleviate this with a few suggestions while helping with the issues you outlined yourself.

Major Changes:

>

: Jellicent does work really well with Maero, however I opted to replace it for Tentacruel because of it still checking most of the same Pokemon while compressing hazard removal onto it too. Tentacruel will still be able to handle Infernape, Lucario etc though it is obviously more susceptible to getting chipped by fighting coverage. The final slot is up to you as both utility moves are useful. Toxic Spikes eases the ability to break balance and put things on timers, while Knock Off is nice utility for removing items and chipping stuff.

>

: Hydreigon has the virtue of having an expansive movepool which can really open the door up for Maero. It also gives an answer to Crawdaunt which is something that could very easily run through your current team. I opted for the Fightinium-Z as Maero appreciates steel types being lured in and nuked. Taunt allows it to be a huge nuisance for stall teams and Suicune + with potential T-Spikes or Knock support it can do its job a lot easier.

>

: To put it bluntly Raikou just isn't very good in the current meta. The only set I would deem viable is a SubToxic variant. Anyways I recommend using Doublade here as it gives you that steel type you were lacking to take on Psyshock Latias and Celebi. It also provides you with another check to Scizor and Malt + makes up for removing Jellicent due to it being immune to Coba and Terrak stab. It acts as your late game cleaner and greatly appreciates Hydra luring in Bisharp due to this set utilizing Shadow Claw.

Minor Changes:

: While I like the HC variant, this team appreciates the Pursuit support it can provide more. Therefore I changed it to a 4 Atks variant. Ice Fang opted in the final slot to break through Gligar and hit Malt & Lati for more consistent damage.

: I gave it enough speed to be faster than base 50s like AloMuk and Mega-Aggron that run a bit of investment. I also recommend using Rocky Helmet to punish Pokemon like Scizor and Terrakion etc.

: Toxic isn't that necessary anymore imo now that you have a better match-up against Celebi and Latias. I opted to run Wish instead as a few of these members can really apreciate the Wish passing now such as Tentacruel and Doublade. Thanks to its high HP stat it will be able to pass fat wishes to your teammates.

<Click Sprites for Importable>
​

I hope you like the suggestions enough to give them a try. Overall you shouldn't be having any issues with Suicune, Mega Manectric and grass types (The most common being Celebi). As far as threats go to this variant you should still be careful around some SD Scizor variants and DD Earthquake Mega Altaria. The stall match-up shouldn't be too vigorous if played correctly, but it is reliant on using Hydra to break through with Tenta + Maero support for Doublade to clean up. If you have any questions feel free to ask ^_^

 

[Nicklypuff]

Thanks for the suggestions for Twilight. For your version of the team, what would you say is the best play against Hydreigons with Roost?

 

[Twilight]

Roost versions of Hydreigon won't be able to break through Blissey even if it is a Taunt variant. You also have access to Toxic on Hippowdon to punish Hydreigon which doesn't have any issues switching into the Mon normally + it will take chip from Sand. Then just pressuring it with Maero which can take it on especially if sand is up. Hope this answers your question regarding said match-up.