VGC Angels of Clarity (VGC 2015 Team)

[Adamant Zoroark]

Hey, what's up? I've got a team all ready up for VGC 2015! I've actually had this layout ready since August, as I already knew what I wanted to use; the only barrier remaining was whether or not the team would actually comply with VGC 2015 rules since the rules had not been announced at the time. What sucked, however, was waiting until ORAS release just to test the team on Battle Spot. After that, though, and after making some small changes, the team was good to go! In fact, I entered into a local VGC-style tournament yesterday using this team and won the tournament 8-2 (initially 7-2 but had to do a tiebreaker round as I was tied for first place.) So, now that the VGC 2015 rules have been announced and I know the team is VGC 2015 legal, let's dig in!

Team Building Process

I knew I wanted to use Mega Sceptile ever since it was first announced. Lightning Rod? Fuck up Rotom-W all day? Prevent any use of Discharge? Fuck yes! Checking Mega Salamence is pretty neato too, although at the time I planned out this team, Mega Salamence hadn't even been announced. But, since I can use Mega Sceptile to check Mega Salamence, that worked out nicely.

Now what I needed was something to use spread Electric-type moves so Mega Sceptile could get the juicy Special Attack boosts. Zapdos immediately popped into my head as it could use Discharge to grant Mega Sceptile those Special Attack boosts (although only after Mega Sceptile used an attack.) In addition, it could support the team with Tailwind so as to allow some slower powerhouses to wreck house more effectively. And I'll get right to that...

Diggersby! I hate this Pokemon. Ever since Shofu started that dumb "Diggersby tho" meme, I hated it with a passion. However, Diggersby perfectly fit the bill for "slow and powerful," and so Diggersby found its way onto the planned team despite my intense hatred for the Pokemon.

While trying to think of other Pokemon to use, I quickly realized a big problem I had at the moment - Everything on this team so far is weak to Ice! So, enter Chandelure. This thing takes Ice moves and roasts Ice-types. In addition, it provides me with a full stop to Trick Room teams while also fitting the "slow and powerful" bill. It's perfect!

Lucario found its way onto the team specifically as a dedicated counterpick against Mega Kangaskhan, something I could see myself having trouble with. I was looking for Mega Kangaskhan checks and counters, but then I realized I could also use a Follow Me user to take all of the Ice-type moves that would inevitably target a lot of my main Pokemon. So, enter a really damned silly Mega Lucario set. You'll see!

Meowstic found its way onto the team for the wrong reason. See, I was worried about the Mat Block Greninja + Perish Trap Mega Gengar strat, so I wanted to build a Pokemon set specifically designed to counter it. And that's how Meowstic initially played into the team - I was using a really gimmicky Role Play set that was designed to copy Mega Gengar's Shadow Tag so that it could freely switch out, while Diggersby would be there to beat up on Mega Gengar with Earthquake. However, after testing it on Battle Spot, I soon realized this strategy wasn't common enough to warrant running a dedicated counter that couldn't function outside of beating that strat. I then switched Meowstic to a more standard Helping Hand set with Fake Out thrown into the mix too.

Save me, falling down, Angels of Clarity...

Zapdos @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Discharge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave
- Tailwind

Here we are with Zapdos, aka bad Thundurus. Okay, not really; Zapdos being bulkier than Thundurus and having Tailwind is pretty neato. It also helps against this dreaded thing called Talonflame, which I can't do a whole lot against. But anyway, Zapdos is here for one main reason: provide Tailwind if necessary for Diggersby and Chandelure to be blazing fast rather than the decidedly slow Pokemon they are. In addition, Zapdos is pretty powerful itself and functions pretty nicely against Scizor if need be, so it's not like Zapdos is here for Tailwind and nothing else.

What you'll realize, though, is that the EV spread is rather... Strange. The given EVs are there to always outspeed Adamant Excadrill in Sand after Tailwind (or in clear skies without Tailwind,) and I'm just looking for every reason possible to invest in HP to take on Talonflame better. However, outspeeding Adamant Excadrill just hasn't been very helpful. I feel like I could go lower with Speed so I can invest in more HP for more bulk.

Diggersby (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Huge Power
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- Quick Attack
- Protect

Have I said how much I hate this Pokemon already? I have? Okay, good. But anyway, Diggersby here, is here for one reason: To wreck house. With Huge Power, we're looking at a grand total of 236 Attack. Combine that with a possible Helping Hand from Meowstic, and you're looking at some serious damage. Slow? Well, Tailwind will patch that up nicely, huh? Up against something that can OHKO Diggersby? FOCUS SASH, BITCH! OHKO right back!

Diggersby is a pretty neat member of this team for these reasons, and because it helps me function against dedicated Sand teams, who very often are very weak to Ground-type moves. If need be, I'll try to get Meowstic in safely and put up Reflect as they also tend to be very physically-based.

Sceptile (M) @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Detect

WOOOOOO MEGA SCEPTILE! Seriously, two words to describe this thing: Fucking fantastic. It's fast, checks Mega Salamence, and hits pretty hard - especially if you switch it in when Zapdos uses Discharge. Checking Mega Salamence is a serious boon, though, and we all know how much that thing will inevitably destroy in VGC 2015.

Oh, and you wanna be silly and make Sceptile hit even harder? Just have Meowstic use Thunder Wave - on Mega Sceptile! Special Attack boost for free. So, if you really need to get Mega Sceptile to hit really hard immediately, that'll get you that in a jiffy.

Lucario (M) @ Lucarionite
Ability: Inner Focus
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 92 SpD / 164 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Follow Me
- Sky Uppercut
- Bullet Punch
- Detect

Alright, you're probably wondering, "LucaroarkZ Adamant Zoroark, what the fuck are you doing? This is the stupidest Mega Lucario set I've ever seen!" Allow me to explain it, Mr. or Mrs. Judge A Book By Its Cover. This Lucario is here to put a full stop to Mega Kangaskhan whenever that is necessary. The EVs allow it to always outspeed Jolly Mega Kangaskhan when Mega Evolved, max out HP, and then the rest into Special Defense to help take Ice Beams as that is mostly what Lucario will be baiting with Follow Me.

In fact, that's probably why this set has been so successful to begin with - nobody expects Lucario to be bulky and nobody expects it to have Follow Me. It's pretty neat for catching people off guard, and can be especially neat to absorb an Ice Beam or HP Ice so Zapdos can safely set up a Tailwind. Time for Diggersby to wreck house!

Chandelure (M) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Flash Fire
Level: 50
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Heat Wave
- Trick Room
- Imprison

Chandelure is here as a Pokemon that can both wreck Trick Room teams (through Trick Room + Imprison) and benefit from Tailwind itself. You probably know of the basis behind TR + Imprison Chandelure already, so I won't spend too much time explaining it. I'll focus mainly on what I think needs the most explanation: The EVs and the item choice.

I had this Pokemon EV trained back in August, and can't exactly remember why I picked this specific EV spread. It hits 122 Speed... Is there anything in particular that outspeeds after Tailwind? I'm probably changing the EV spread. I can't remember why I had these EVs in the first place, but again, I'm just looking for excuses not to run maximum Speed so I can have some HP investment. It probably stems from that. The item choice, however, is very clear to me - The Colbur Berry is there to act as a lure for Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch. Normally, Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch is a clean OHKO - with Colbur Berry, though? You live the Sucker Punch and just OHKO Mega Mawile with Heat Wave. Perfect!

Meowstic @ Mental Herb
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Reflect
- Helping Hand
- Thunder Wave
- Fake Out

Why is this thing so bad in Singles but good in Doubles? Fake Out user? Check. Prankster Thunder Wave? Check. Helping Hand? Check. Reflect to help your team take physical hits? Check! Damn, I just love this thing. Desperate to slow something down? Meowstic has you covered. Really desperate to take physical hits better? Give Meowstic a call. Need your Pokemon to hit harder? Just call up Meowstic. This thing is just so damn useful that I'd be hard pressed to find a reason not to bring this thing.

One problematic thing, however, is Meowstic's Taunt bait status. We've got Mental Herb here to fix that once, though, so it's all good. With all of this in mind, Meowstic functions as pretty neat Speed control, especially if I don't bring Zapdos for whatever reason.

Conclusion

I fucking love Mega Sceptile. Just, wow, this thing is so fucking fantastic AHWOIEHJOIWBJE

Okay, all fanboying done, winning a tournament with this team should show that it has potential. I have found some things that threaten it (Talonflame, Thundurus) that I need to play very carefully around, but nonetheless I have found this team to be quite successful. I just need to figure out more optimal EV spreads for Zapdos and Chandelure because I'm pretty damned sure their current ones are very subpar.

Importable
​

Zapdos @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Discharge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave
- Tailwind

Diggersby (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Huge Power
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- Quick Attack
- Protect

Sceptile (M) @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Detect

Lucario (M) @ Lucarionite
Ability: Inner Focus
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 92 SpD / 164 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Follow Me
- Sky Uppercut
- Bullet Punch
- Detect

Chandelure (M) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Flash Fire
Level: 50
EVs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Heat Wave
- Trick Room
- Imprison

Meowstic @ Mental Herb
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Reflect
- Helping Hand
- Thunder Wave
- Fake Out

 

[Adestria]

You have two megas.

 

[13ulbasaur]

You have two megas.

This is VGC, where you bring 6 and pick 4. Having two Mega is not unheard of, since you don't have to bring all 6 Pokes and can choose which Megas to bring.


Anyway I'm only here for a bit so I'll just quickly point out some things based on the individual pokemon as I can't have the time to look at how the entire team looks.

I suggest replacing SKy Uppercut for Close Combat on Lucario. Close Combat has a lot more power as well as 100% accuracy, and the defense drops aren't the biggest concern when you are frail anyway and should be bopping most things to death.

Lucario follow me is unexpected, yes, but not really hard to play around since it is so frail and has so many weaknesses. I'd figure that another attacking move would be a good option.
If you want a great Follow Me user, I'd recommend Togekiss, who is immensely bulky and has great support options like Air Slash flinches, T-Waves, Tailwind etc. and works well alongside Diggersby.

Consider using this spread for your Meowstic instead.
evs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
nature: Calm/Careful

This spread can survive an Aegislash and Timid Mega Gengar Shadow Ball, Timid LO Hydreigon Dark Pulse, and an Adamant Mega Kangaskhan Return only has a 6.3% chance of OHKOing it.

 

[_Log]

Consider using this spread for your Meowstic instead.
evs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
nature: Calm/Careful

Since the level is 50, all evs should be 4 + 8*n. Anyhow, I agree with what 13ulbasaur has to say about Lucario. At least, about using close combat. With 108 Attack evs, and 244 speed evs, you can outspeed Gengar (avoiding a will-o-wisp, possibly), and being able to OHKO the majority of Kangaskhans (this is from a mega Lucario that Wolfe Glick used in 2014). For evs, just make sure you can survive hits from most pokemon on http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/battle/oras/#double
Also, Azumarill could be a good bulky attacker on your team, since you have a lot of grass and electric resists, as well as some redirection, making it relatively easy to set up a belly drum.

 

[13ulbasaur]

Since the level is 50, all evs should be 4 + 8*n.

Oops my bad, I forgot about that. I have the spread fixed up for "level 50 on my showdown but I'm out right now. I'll fix that soonish

 

[Adamant Zoroark]

Late-ass replies. Been doing other shit and had to drive up to Pomona today so haven't gotten around to this. But anyway

13ulbasaur - I definitely agree with Close Combat on Lucario - missing Sky Uppercut has been my main concern rather than damage output, though, though Close Combat would help it to do more damage against shit that isn't weak to Fighting. The main reason I have Lucario as a Follow Me user instead of Togekiss, though, is that the team is pretty Ice weak; using Togekiss would mean the team would have a grand total of four Ice weaknesses with only Chandelure to resist, which wouldn't exactly put me in a good position. I mostly use Follow Me on Lucario when its other work is done, so that I can absorb Ice Beams / HP Ices and stuff so that Zapdos can safely get up a Tailwind so, for example, Diggersby can sweep.

Anyway, I'll be spending the next few days optimizing EVs on everything - and the next month restarting Pokemon Y and soft resetting for a new Zapdos since the IVs on the Zapdos I have on cart suck. Gotta get a better Zapdos before the regionals in Lancaster on Valentine's Day... (or I can go to trade threads and offer my actually good SRs to get a better Zapdos.... idfk)

e: also, my Meowstic on cart is Calm in order to minimize Confusion damage, I don't know why I have it listed as Careful here... I fucked up

e2: So this is what I pulled out of my ass for EVs on Zapdos:

228 HP / 116 SpA / 164 Spe

This invests in a little more HP by taking points out of Special Attack, instead running enough Special Attack EVs to hit the second jump point (18.8% chance to OHKO Mega Salamence with HP Ice). This allows me to have more HP investment to take hits from Mega Salamence better (still not guaranteed to live Hyper Voice + Draco Meteor though, but I at least don't take as much of a beating from Draco Meteor anymore, for example I now have a good chance to Sitrus back up to >50% after one) while still having enough Speed to outrun everything up to and including Adamant Excadrill.