Another Under-Used Team needs rating.

[tea_and_blues]

Hi guys, I guess some of the UU crew will recognise me from Shoddy, and a few from the OU crew will recognise me as one of the weird UU-folks who uses their UU teams in OU due to the lack of other UU players. Yeah. I'm not a particularly skilled battler, still learn, so I thought I'd get my current team rated:

This team isn't designed to take on OU threats, although with a bit of prediction it can usually knock down a good portion of a OU team. It's a semi-Sandstorm team, but Golduck's Cloud Nine gives me a little more control over the weather. Sandstorm also give Cacturne and Aggron much needed boosts. One concern I have is that Chan is a bit too straight forward as a lead.

Hitmonchan @ Choice Scarf
Adamant with Iron Fist.
6 HP/252 ATK/252 SPE
Close Combat
Fire Punch
Ice Punch
Thunderpunch

Here's my Hitmonchan lead. I freely admit, he doesn't kill every threat that he faces, but he has good coverage and can put plenty a good dent or two into various targets before fleeing. Fire Punch hits Pinsir pretty well, but I'm considering switching it for Bullet/Mach Punch as even scarfed he could use the priority attack.

Golduck @ Choice Specs
Timid with Cloud Nine.
6 HP/252 SPATK/252 SPE
Surf
Hidden Power Grass
Ice Beam
Psychic

I'm very happy with this kid, he has taken down many giants. Surf hits hard enough for my liking (I find low accuracy moves unbearable), HP Grass deals nicely to the Water/Ground threats that sneak around UU. It's especially nice to take out a Quagsire switching in for heal off Surf. I have considered switching him for an Octillery or a Slowking - it might be nice to have Flamethrower at my disposal.

Claydol @ Light Clay/Smooth Rock
Adamant with Levitate.
236 HP/232 ATK/42 DEF
Earthquake
Reflect
Rapid Spin
Sandstorm

This guy spins for me, gets a Sandstorm up and running, and give me some defensive support. People seem to expect Earth Power off him, so Earthquake has been advantageous occasionally.

Cacturne @ Focus Sash
Adamant with Sand Veil.
6 HP/252 ATK/252 SPE
Sucker Punch
Swords Dance
Counter
Seed Bomb

When I'm trapped in OU matches, this guy gives me great comfort. I've had him sweep through a few teams late in the game with nothing more than a double Swords Danced Sucker Punch: Bye Gengar, bye Azelf, by any attacker without resistance/absurd defence. It's amazing how often people let him set up before trying to slam him down with a Physical Attack. He's just as useful in the UU arena where I prefer to use him, although UU players are wiser to his tactics.
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Noctowl @ Flame Orb
Calm with Insomnia.
252 HP/6 DEF/252 SPE
Psycho Shift
Roost
Night Shade
Hypnosis

Same old, ever useful Psycho Shifting Noctowl. This Pokemon seems to be the Blissey of UU, it drives people nuts and has become a firm favourite of mine. It is barely dented by an unboosted Ice Beam of T-bolt.

Aggron @ Leftovers
Relaxed with Sturdy.
252 HP/252 ATK/6 DEF (0 SPE IV)
Focus Punch
Curse
Metal Burst
Stone Edge

Aggron is new to my line-up, replacing the ever-useful Mawile. I'm not certain what there is to say for him yet, but he should provide a good Flying resistance, and as I noted earlier, he benefits very slightly from Sandstorm.


Pros:

- I *think* I have pretty decent type coverage.
- Noctowl makes a brilliant special wall/status-thrower.
- Why does Cacturne work? Who cares... ...it does.

Cons:

- Noctowl can switch into Will-O-Wisp, but not with Stealth Rock out, meaning Claydol's Earthquake is (more) useless.
- Cacturne's Sucker Punch and Noctowl strike me as pretty flimsy protection against Ghost types.
- Primeape *might* make a better lead?


Even the harshest criticism is appreciated. Thanks a lot guys. :)

 

[Strype McClaine]

I hate to say sandstorm in UU seems like a good idea, but kinda harder to pull off. Rain/Sun/Hail have so many more supporting goodness behind it with different, and great abilities while you get the rock bonus and the sand veil, that is nice.

If you were to light screen with claydol; other than the light residual damage, (which is very nice) you would only really be loosening the sand veil, but spreading the love to the entire team. Truth be told, I could almost see as much functionality from the claydol using trick room for argon and cacturn as much as the sand storm.

I'm not exactly experanced in UU, however, its just something I noticed.

 

[ODDish]

- Noctowl makes a brilliant special wall/status-thrower.

It does but I would recommend letting it return status inflicted upon it, rather than Flame Orb, particularly if you are planning on using Sand Storm. You will find that with the constant burn and sand stream its capacity to wall is greatly reduced.

 

[Phadunk]

I want Shiny Oddish to help me make a UU team, lol.
You're like god of UU.

And I've wanted a UU team to use for a while.