Introduction
The idea for the team was based around banded Araquanid and Flyinium Z Honchkrow, which have good synergy for coverage. As stated the team peaked at 1484 which was 12 on the ladder at the time, I am not the greatest team building, but I believe most of the major problems have been ironed out. First RMT so I am sorry if the formatting isn't correct.
The Team
Araquanid @ Choice Band
Ability: Water Bubble
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Liquidation
- Leech Life
- Poison Jab
- Sleep Talk
Araquanid is an amazing wall breaker with Water Bubble doubling water moves plus STAB liquidation hits like a truck. It also has surprising special bulk and can come in relatively easily on special attack. Liquidation is the bread and butter of the set, even on grass/poison typing liquidation does the same as leech life. Leech life is great coverage on bulky grass types and psychics such as cress and mew, as well as gaining recovery which helps greatly against rocks. Poison Jab gives a good non-resisted move for water absorb and sleep talk allows him to be an easy sleep fodder.
Honchkrow @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Mirror Move
I have loved honchkrow since his gen 5 UU and this provides great clean-up sweeping as well as wall breaking. Brave bird for hard hitting STAB as well as BP 190 Supersonic Skystrike, sucker punch for priority and late game sweeping, and superpower for rock/steel types. Z-mirror move, for those who don't know, the user's Attack stat rises by two stages. Additionally, the copied move will become its corresponding Z-move. For example, if gliscor attacks you with facade, you will get the +2 boost then attack him with Breakneck Blitz.
Swampert @ leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Roar
Swampert is a great tank and pairs well with Roserade, as well as being a reliable rocker. Earthquake and scald for STAB and chance to burn. I prefer roar over toxic because the team can be hit pretty hard by set up mons.
Roserade @ Black Sludge
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 240 HP / 252 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Spikes
- Sleep Powder
Roserade completes the water-grass core with Swampert, gives additional hazards and sleep powder utility, and also provides a great Azumarill check. Giga Drain for STAB and recovery, Synthesis for added recovery, and Spikes are great for wearing down walls which would typically take two hits from Honchkrow or Araquanid. Sleep powder to cripple any non grass/overcoat pokemon and catches Bisharp on switch in. 16 Spe EVs to outspeed max base 60 speed pokemon.
Cobalion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Iron Head
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
The last two were added after some time playing with the team. Cobalion is the main Bisharp check, helps against Azumarill, and is the main counter to stall teams that cannot be broken by Araquanid or Honchkrow. Close Combat and Iron Head for STAB and Stone Edge for coverage.
Latias @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Metoer
- Psyshock
- Healing Wish
- Defog
The team was lacking a lot of speed for revenge killing and both Araquanid and Honchkrow are crippled by opposing hazards. I picked Latias because he outspeeds most scarfers in the tier and can revenge kill banded Zygarde 10% and Haxorus after a DD which can both run through the team. Psyshock over Psychic to hit Blissey for more damage and revenge killing Keldeo and Amoonguss. Healing Wish gives great utility to bring heal Swampert back to full or provide another opportunity for Honchkrow or Araquanid.
Conclusion
I have had pretty good success with the team and I am relatively new to team building, but I seem to have problems with stall even though I run an SD and two wallbreakers. Another problem the team faces is the lack of speed, as most attackers in the tier outspeed the whole team other than Latias and Cobalion. Big threats to the team include Bisharp if Cobalion is weakened, Conkeldurr, banded Zygarde 10%, and pretty much any Scizor set with Superpower. I look forward to hearing any critiques, thank you.
Last edited:
