Back After Six Years (Don't call it a comeback)

[Crimson]

I've been out of the competitive seen since my senior year in High School and recently I felt like picking it back up. I'd like to blame watching a lot of youtube players play, but I did pick up a thing or two and have been doing pretty well since my return. I played UU at the end of my run six years ago and that's where I wanted to come back in at. I never did like OU, plus UU gives me access to two of my favorite Pokemon: Machamp and Darmanitan.

At A Glance:

In Depth:

(M) @ Leftovers
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature
- DynamicPunch
- Substitute
- Ice Punch
- Stone Edge

One of the two pokemon that I just had to have on this team. I love Machamp and his No Guard ability. After playing my DS game, I was quick to give this guy Lum Berry and Bullet Punch (Over Sub) and just have at it. I initially had Bulk Up there over Sub, but later switched to Sub after seeing how much of a nuisance it truly is, and haven't looked back since.

(M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sheer Force
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

Too powerful! I went with Adamant over Jolly because I can still outspeed the things I want to outspeed while getting that extra bit of power. There really isn't enough I can say about this powerhouse, but I have won many games thanks to Sheer Force Flare Blitz killing everything ever.

(F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
- Psyshock

Knowing that I definitely wanted Machamp and Darmanitan on the team, I wanted to establish a core to help me make sure they are protected and the first thing I considered was Slowbro/king. I went with Slowbro because I like him more and I like the higher Defensive side bulk. Just went with the standard bulky spread and kept it simple. I have considered Thunder Wave or Toxic over Calm Mind, but the ability TO Calm Mind has helped me out before.

@ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 236 Spd / 212 Atk / 60 SAtk
Hasty Nature
- Close Combat
- Leaf Blade
- Work Up
- Hidden Power [Ice]

I saw the set from a Pokemon Youtuber I watch (Can't remember which one sadly), but the spread itself is of my own design. I know Gligar is in this tier and I wanted to make sure I could handle it and I don't trust Stone Edge outside of Machamp to want to use it. HP Ice still hits those Flying things hard and if I'm able to get up a Work Up, things get hurt.

@ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball

Another Pokemon I considered because I have Machamp and Virizon on the team. Helps sponge up Psychic attacks like no other and helps me get up my Rocks. Toxic is invaluable against Walls that want to stop my offensive. It helped me wittle down a Nasty-Room Cofagrigus (sp)

(M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- U-turn
- Fire Punch

I needed a 6th spot and wasn't exactly sure what to add. I know I wanted it to be Offensive (because that's the style I like), but without breaking the synergy on the team already. I decided Flygon because CB Outrage hurts a lot of things once Steel types are out the picture, covers for Darmantian's Ground weakness and isn't SR weak as I have no Spinner. Flygon has been handy, but considerations can be given.

I'm posting this team because I'm out of ideas for it and looking for some help if need be. It's been doing well on the ladder thus far and want to push it to see how far I can take it. Not to mention, it's the first team I've made on my own since coming back, so fresh eyes is appreciated.

 

[666lumberjack]

Hey,
I like the idea behind the Virizion set, but I believe Work Up Virizion was actually originally created for OU. It doesn't work quite so nicely in UU because Work Up doesn't actually allow you to do a great deal you couldn't already - Virizion's STAB Leaf Blade is actually stronger against Gligar than Stone Edge, which means you can 2HKO 252/252 Eviolite Gligar 80% of the time with just Stealth Rock on the field. An unboosted, neutral natured, 0 SAtk Hidden Power Ice will also hit Gligar for over 70%, which is likely irrecoverable damage even if it immediately switches out.
Additionally, since Gligar can barely touch Virizion beyond Toxic or the rare Ariel Ace, you could also run Substitute in the fourth slot, which would enable you to SD further and easily KO. This would, however, make you weaker to Zapdos - a Pokemon you already don't have a great check to - so I would recommend you try going with Stone Edge and just tolerating the accuracy in the situations where it's required. With the increased attack investment and greater boost, you can now OHKO Physically defensive Suicune and Slowbro where before you would fail, potentially paving the way for a Darmanitan sweep. Many Gligar would switch out upon seeing the Work Up anyway, so I don't think this'll affect your ability to handle it too significantly.

You're currently very weak to Heracross, UU's top Pokemon, as the Scarf set can quite easily smash Slowbro with Megahorn and then run through your entire team with Moxie Close Combat the next time it comes in. As Darmanitan is Adamant, it will fail to outrun, and every KO Heracross scores will simply boost its attack further and make it harder to deal with. If Bronzong is healthy you could probably just about beat it, but that's a big if on a Pokemon with no recovery outside of leftovers. You also have, as mentioned, a slight Zapdos weakness - Darmanitan can revenge it, and Flygon can force the speed tie, but you have nothing to comfortably switch into it Darmanitan is easily worn down by hazards, which would leave you reliant on the 50/50 chance for Flygon to KO it. You mentioned that Flygon didn't see like the most useful team member, so I'm going to suggest replacing it for Offensive Nidoqueen. Although Nidoqueen's 75 base special attack may not look impressive, its ability - Sheer Force - boosts the power of any move with a chance to apply a secondary effect (such as burn, freeze, or a stat drop) by 30%. Additionally, moves boosted by Sheer Force will not incurr Life Orb recoil when used, which gives Nidoqueen a boost of almost 70% to its damage with no drawbacks. I'd suggest giving Nidoqueen Earth Power for STAB, as well as Fire Blast and Ice Beam for coverage, allowing it to deal with both Zapdos and Heracross quite easily. An EV spread of 100 HP / 252 SAtk / 156 Spe and a Modest nature maximises Nidoqueen's power while leaving it bulky enough to take hits from Heracross and easily OHKO with Fire Blast and quick enough to outrun defensive variants of Roserade and Arcanine. Just watch out for Earthquake and try to have Slowbro handle it any time it's safely locked into something other than Megahorn, as Nidoqueen has little in the way of recovery.
If you choose to implement the following change, Stealth Rock should occupy the final moveslot. Otherwise, you can use Thunderbolt, Sludge Wave or Focus Blast depending on what seems to be the most useful. I would also recommend Jolly on Darmanitan so that you can outrun

Replacing Flygon patches up most significant threats, but you do also have a bit of a problem with Chandelure and Nasty Plot Mew. The former can be revenged by Darmanitan and the latter likely doesn't clean sweep you due to 4MSS, but they are still very threatening. Since Nidoqueen can take over Stealth Rocking duties from Bronzong, I think it's the best Pokemon to replace in order to make the team more solid against these threats. While useful for its resistances, Bronzong really lacks the offensive prowess to keep up with the rest of this team, so I think it's the best member to replace. There are a couple of different options here, and neither is perfect, so I'll leave it up to you to decide between them. Snorlax provides you with a very solid check to Chandelure, resisting fire thanks to Thick Fat and completely immune to Shadow Ball. With a Choice Band set, it easily maintains the offensive theme of the team, and can usuallly trap and KO Chandelure with Pursuit without much difficulty. However, the rare Specs HP Fighting can 2HKO Offensive Snorlax after SR, so it's not a foolproof counter (but then, Chandelure doesn't really have a foolproof counter). The other issue with Snorlax is the fact it does little to help with the Mew weakness. +2 LO Psyshock has a good chance to OHKO after SR damage, leaving me free to wreak havoc on the the rest of your team.
For this reason, I'd also suggest Specially Defensive Meloetta. As it lacks a fire resistance, Meloetta does not check Specs Chandelure nearly as well as Snorlax does, although it doesn't have much trouble with any other Chandelure set. Due to the resistance to Psyshock, neutrality to Aura Sphere and immunity to Ghost afforded by its typing, it can easily take on Mew, and is not even 2HKO'd by anything +2 LO Mew commonly carries if SR is not on the field. Shadow Ball will always 2HKO Mew in return. A simple 252/252 Calm spread gives maximum special bulk, while a moveset consiting of Psychic, Shadow Ball and Protect gives Meloetta the ability to take on most special attackers in UU. In the final slot, Meloetta has a variety of useful support options, such as Heal Bell, Thunder Wave, Healing Wish, Knock Off and Perish Song. You can also opt to run another attacking move, such as Thunderbolt or Hyper Voice, in order to increase the number of Pokemon Meloetta can succefully damage.
As I mentioned, this is more of an optional change, as it does change the structure of the team more significantly, but I think it will improve your ability to deal with threatening Pokemon overall.

Hopefully these tweaks give you some more ladder success! It's always awesome to see new people coming to UU, so I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Sets

Meloetta @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
- Heal Bell

Snorlax @ Choice Band
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Fire Punch
- Body Slam

Nidoqueen (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 100 HP / 252 SAtk / 156 Spd
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock

Virizion @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Leaf Blade
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge

 

[Crimson]

Thanks for all the advice.

I actually used that same Snorlax and Nidoqueen on another team I used at first to get my barrings in the game again and I loved them, so I wouldn't have a problem removing Flygon for that Nidoqueen.

My fear about moving Bronzong is that it leaves me very open to Crobat (something I've seen a lot) and other Flying things (granted, I'm not sure how common those are). As well as strong Normal attacks. It also keeps my 3 Psychic weak Pokemon in check.

Will most likely make Darmanitan Jolly again.

I like the purely Physical Virizon set, and you explained the idea behind it very well, thanks.

 

[patrick11756]

I like this team a lot, its very good. Just a few points.
1. Fastflygon was correct in saying that scarf heracross is a threat to this team. I have a suggestion that will open more spots on your team. Why don't you try white queens golurk over machamp?

golurk@lefties
no guard
Impish nature
252 hp/ 152 def/ 52 spdef/ 52 speed
stealth rock/shadow punch/dynamic punch/earthquake

It may seem weird to replace machamp with golurk, but this set counters heracross and mienshao perfectly, the tiers top physical threats. Shadow punch and dp get perfect coverage and eq just rounds out the coverage. Another advantage is that he's a spinblocking ghost that lays hazards that beats other spinblockers.

Now, I know you're saying that bronzong lays stealth rock, too. Unfortunately, bronzong is neutral to heracross stab attacks and toxic could make things worse if hera has guts. I would say switch machamp for golurk and you free a spot up on bronzong to possibly lay down more hazards or set up sweeper.
2. Sd virizion is a good idea over mixed virizion. Sd/close combat/leaf blade/stone edge gives great coverage.
3. Since I suggested golurk over machamp as a hazard laying tank, you have some interesting options in this spot. You can consider more hazards with focus sash/destiny bond froslass. It'll guarantee 1-2 spikes, or you can ko crobat with ice beam (especially if it goes to taunt). You can have a setup sweeper of sub/dd kindgra. Kingdras typical counters of slowbro/king and empoleon are beat by sd virizion and flygon, respectively. Both are great options for your team since your team is offensive by nature with cb flygon and scarf darmanitan.

Overall, good team!

edit: Oh and a note in my personal opinion from fastflygons recommendations, if you're running nidoqueen/snorlax (my favorite team as in my rmt), you want to try crunch > fire punch to hit cofagrigus harder. Crunch does around 50 to 60% I believe on 252/252 +def cofagrigus and nidoqueens earth power can pick cofagrigus off once snorlax is gone. That's a personal preference though : )

 

[666lumberjack]

Actually, in the context of the team I think Crunch may be flat-out superior to Fire Punch. The latter is only really useful for hitting Cobalion and Bronzong, both of which are easy prey for Darmanitan and not especially threatening for this team in general. I'm hesistant to remove Machamp since it seems like the overall team is kind of built around it, but I can definitely see the issue with normal-typed moves once Bronzong is removed. Perhaps you could test NP + TR Cofagrius over Flygon rather than Nidoqueen, since it does handle Heracross excellently and is also useful for a variety of other special attackers Slowbro can't wall. Of course, this would leave you weaker to Zapdos, but with Bronzong replaced that might not be quite as big an issue.

Anyway, I've offered enough suggestions already. Hopefully some testing should give you a better idea of the optimal blend for this team haha.

 

[Crimson]

I'm okay with parting ways with Machamp if I have to. Played around with these changes:

Hide

Golurk @ Leftovers
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 52 SDef / 52 Spd
Impish Nature
- DynamicPunch
- Stealth Rock
- Shadow Punch
- Stone Edge

Darmanitan (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sheer Force
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

(Because Heracross)

Virizion @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Leaf Blade
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge

Rhyperior @ Life Orb
Trait: Solid Rock
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Megahorn
- Rock Polish

(Over Bronzong. It can sponge those Flying and Normal hits and be late game clean up. Keep LO or go for Lefties?)

Snorlax (F) @ Choice Band
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Body Slam
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Pursuit

(Over Flygon/Nidoqueen. It gives me some special sponging of sorts and hit back for great damage)

Thoughts? Been going pretty well thus far.

 

[666lumberjack]

Those look like good changes to me. It does look as though you'll find yourself quite significantly weaker to Weavile without Machamp/Bronzong around... perhaps shifting Rhyperior over to a tank set, assigning it more defensive responsibility and going back to Machamp in the first slot might be better. This would also make you a little more comfortable against Mew, as Psyshock hits your massive defence and the rest of its move are generally weak or resisted with the exception of a possible Aura Sphere. Megahorn has a small chance to KO it after SR and will certaintly put it within kill range of your other Pokemon. I would perhaps also speed creep Snorlax a little just so that you're not lumping too much responsibility on Rhyperior, but otherwise that seems pretty solid. If I get around to it I'll try to play a few test games tommorow and see how it fares.

 

[Crimson]

Messing around with Tank Rhyperior (SR user), Nasty Room Cofagrigus (over Virizon), and put Machamp back in the lead spot. After doing that, I noticed how my team could benefit from a more Trick Room oriented offense. Would it then be feasible to consider putting Trick Room on Slowbro? If so, over what?

And did doing that open up any new holes? Cofagrigus helps me a lot with Heracross (took a +2 Guts Boosted Megahorn like a boss).

Seems the team turned more into Bulky Offensive if I keep going down this path.

 

[666lumberjack]

I played 18 test games with the team today, going 14-4. It didn't help that I was running into Weavile on literally every damn team, which the version I was using (Golurk and RP Rhyperior) is pretty weak too if SR is there to weaken Darmanitan.

I'm not sure how much I like the idea of ditching Virizion, since it makes you a lot weaker to rain and special variants of Kingdra (Snorlax will only hold out for so long) but it's tough to find a way to get it back without compromising on something else. If you get rid of Slowbro for it, Physical Kingdra becomes a massive hassle, while ditching Rhyperior means losing SR. Since Rhyperior actually checks electric types pretty well, it might be worth getting rid of Snorlax to make room for Virizion to come back and then swapping Slowbro for something like Milotic that handles Chandelure a little better. You already have Cofagrius, so being slightly weaker on the physical side shouldn't be too big a problem... you can use something like Haze or Dragon tail to completely mess with Baton Pass too.

Also, from playing around with the team, I'm not sure it does that great a job at weakening bulky waters for a Scarf Darmanitan sweep... nothing on it is really primarily checked by bulky waters, since they're very unlikely to come in on Virizion... you might want to test scarf Mienshao over Darmanitan, since between Machamp and Snorlax/Virizion, you're probably doing a much better job of weakening or killing Ghosts and Psychics. It has all the power you're used to in a slightly less accurate but recoiless form, but possibly more importantly, the SR resist makes it last a lot longer and the higher base speed makes it easier to deal with other scarfers attempting to clean up, primarily Flygon. Darmanitan wasn't really contributing that much to the team defensively speaking so I don't think you'll be hindered much in that regard.