Introduction:
Well, I'm in a bit of a slump. I've been trying to build a reliable, bulky offensive team, but there are always cracks that I can't seem to fix without creating more. So, I figured I'd go back and try to rebuild my old #1 team from back in the Garchomp days. It has been proving rather difficult, but this is where ya'll come in. Plus, I figure some people might want to see it if only for nostalgia. Soooooo here goes nothing.....
At a glance: Strategic Sweeping
This team's ultimate goal was, of course, to secure a Garchomp sweep. The ace of this team was by far Choice Scarf Tyranitar, who could take out stuff like Infernape by surprise. With Maggy taking care of the Skarmorys and the Bronzongs, Garchomp swept around 90% of the time. As for revamps, I've tried Mamoswine over Garchomp, but it has not been working as well as I had hoped, even with Trick Iron Ball on Bronzong for Rotoms. Anyway, here is the team itself.
In-depth look
Bronzong @ Lum Berry
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Relaxed (+ Defense, - Speed)
EVs: 252 HP | 164 Atk | 92 SpDef
` Explosion
` Stealth Rock
` Gyro Ball
` Hypnosis
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Bronzong used to be the most used lead for a reason. It provided enough bulk to almost guarantee that Stealth Rock would get up, and it could come back later in the game to counter Garchomp. Lum Berry was for the plethora of other Bronzong and sleep leads that populated the metagame back when Hypnosis was at its glorious 70% accuracy.
The EVs are pretty standard, with a rather large investment in attack for the boost to Gyro Ball and Explosion. It was pretty necessary back when Garchomp was around, but not so much anymore.
As far as revamping it goes, I'm open to any lead, but I think Bronzong is still a solid choice. I've tried both Occa Berry and Trick Iron Ball with varying degrees of success. Not too sure on this position.
------
Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Bold (+ Defense, - Attack)
EVs: 252 HP | 220 Def | 40 Spe
` Grass Knot
` Thunder Wave
` Recover
` Reflect
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Celebi has always been one of my favorite defensive pokemon. This was my obligatory Gyarados counter, and Reflect provided a great amount of utility to escape Pursuit and take on Garchomp. The rest of the set is standard, but I'd like to mention that Thunder Wave was much more of a surprise back then.
I think this a rather solid spot on the team, but the moveset could probably be switched around. I think HP Fire could fit over maybe Thunder Wave or Reflect, but otherwise this should stay the same I think.
------
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Adamant (+ Attack, - Special Attack)
EVs: 212 HP | 196 Def | 100 SpDef
` Avalanche
` Waterfall
` Rest
` Sleep Talk
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Resttalk Gyarados was my all-purpose counter to.....a lot. My first switch in to Garchomp, it did a remarkable job at countering anything with the dragon or fighting typing. The EVs are kind of rough because this was a new set that was being pioneered back when I started using it.
I think this slot could be used to help advance whatever sweeper is decided to replace swampert. As of now I'm not sure it will be as useful as it was in the past, though I could be wrong.
------
Magnezone @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet PullSp
Nature: Modest (+ Special Attack, - Attack)
EVs: 156 HP | 150 SpA | 204 Spe
` Thunderbolt
` Hidden Power Ice
` Substitute
` Magnet Rise
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Half of the Maggy+Dragon combo that is still popular today, Magnezone was invaluable for killing Garchomp enemy #1: Bronzong. It almost always gave me a strong foothold at the start of every match with all the Bronzong leads, and the pseudo BoltBeam could tear apart offensive teams.
The EVs were specialized to outspeed CM Suicune and 2hko after one CM. The rest was thrown in HP for the heck of it. This spread is obviously outdated, and probably wouldn't work too well in today's metagame.
I've always been a fan of Magnezone, and there is no better time to use it with the swarm of Scizors buzzing around every team. I think this team should still utilize Magnezone to secure a sweep, but with a different set.
------
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Hasty (+ Speed, - Defense)
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe
` Crunch
` Stone Edge
` Earthquake
` Ice Beam
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Quite frankly, I attribute most of this team's success to this set right here. Choice Scarf Tyranitar is awesome for taking out its common counters. Infernape and Lucario are the primary ones, but Starmie and Azelf can be lured into staying in due to "pursuit" and then dieing before they could Hydro Pump or Explode.
I chose a Hasty nature to retain Tyranitar's special defensive presense, and also give a little power to Ice Beam. I had Ice Beam back then for Gliscor, who commonly switched into CBtar, but I don't think it would be as effective now.
I'd like to retain this beast, but it is probably this nostalgia that is preventing me from truly revamping this team.
------
Garchomp @ Yache Berry
Ability: Sand Veil
Nature: Jolly (+ Speed, - Special Attack)
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe
` Swords Dance
` Fire Fang
` Earthquake
` Outrage
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Man do I miss this guy. Building a team around Garchomp has been the most successful strategy I've ever used in my time battling competitively. I kept Fire Fang on the set to hit Skarmory, which started to carry a Shed Shell more and more often as time passed. The rest is just the bread and butter YacheChomp. SD Outrage kills.
This spot obviously needs to be replaced by another sweeper. I tried Mamoswine for awhile, but I don't think its fast enough to sweep as much as I'd like. I'm been struggling with this spot for awhile, and this is where I'd appreciate the most input.
------
Closing Thoughts
This team is obviously outdated, but I don't think it is out of reach of a revamp. I'd like to focus the team around another sweeper, and I'm open to any ideas you may have. It would be really great if Garchomp went OU again--that would make things a lot easier. In the meantime, please rate/hate/reminisce. Thanks in advance!!
Threat List
------------------------------------------------------------------
"It seems like DP will be, more than anything else, about having a certain strategy, planning, and executing that strategy. There is simply too much to counter in too few pokemon and moves; at this point one can never hope to be able to counter everything."
^^quoted for truth.
PS: This is my first RMT without Charizard. Credit to Unholy Calamity for the format.
Well, I'm in a bit of a slump. I've been trying to build a reliable, bulky offensive team, but there are always cracks that I can't seem to fix without creating more. So, I figured I'd go back and try to rebuild my old #1 team from back in the Garchomp days. It has been proving rather difficult, but this is where ya'll come in. Plus, I figure some people might want to see it if only for nostalgia. Soooooo here goes nothing.....
At a glance: Strategic Sweeping
This team's ultimate goal was, of course, to secure a Garchomp sweep. The ace of this team was by far Choice Scarf Tyranitar, who could take out stuff like Infernape by surprise. With Maggy taking care of the Skarmorys and the Bronzongs, Garchomp swept around 90% of the time. As for revamps, I've tried Mamoswine over Garchomp, but it has not been working as well as I had hoped, even with Trick Iron Ball on Bronzong for Rotoms. Anyway, here is the team itself.
In-depth look
Bronzong @ Lum Berry
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Relaxed (+ Defense, - Speed)
EVs: 252 HP | 164 Atk | 92 SpDef
` Explosion
` Stealth Rock
` Gyro Ball
` Hypnosis
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Bronzong used to be the most used lead for a reason. It provided enough bulk to almost guarantee that Stealth Rock would get up, and it could come back later in the game to counter Garchomp. Lum Berry was for the plethora of other Bronzong and sleep leads that populated the metagame back when Hypnosis was at its glorious 70% accuracy.
The EVs are pretty standard, with a rather large investment in attack for the boost to Gyro Ball and Explosion. It was pretty necessary back when Garchomp was around, but not so much anymore.
As far as revamping it goes, I'm open to any lead, but I think Bronzong is still a solid choice. I've tried both Occa Berry and Trick Iron Ball with varying degrees of success. Not too sure on this position.
------
Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Bold (+ Defense, - Attack)
EVs: 252 HP | 220 Def | 40 Spe
` Grass Knot
` Thunder Wave
` Recover
` Reflect
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Celebi has always been one of my favorite defensive pokemon. This was my obligatory Gyarados counter, and Reflect provided a great amount of utility to escape Pursuit and take on Garchomp. The rest of the set is standard, but I'd like to mention that Thunder Wave was much more of a surprise back then.
I think this a rather solid spot on the team, but the moveset could probably be switched around. I think HP Fire could fit over maybe Thunder Wave or Reflect, but otherwise this should stay the same I think.
------
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Adamant (+ Attack, - Special Attack)
EVs: 212 HP | 196 Def | 100 SpDef
` Avalanche
` Waterfall
` Rest
` Sleep Talk
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Resttalk Gyarados was my all-purpose counter to.....a lot. My first switch in to Garchomp, it did a remarkable job at countering anything with the dragon or fighting typing. The EVs are kind of rough because this was a new set that was being pioneered back when I started using it.
I think this slot could be used to help advance whatever sweeper is decided to replace swampert. As of now I'm not sure it will be as useful as it was in the past, though I could be wrong.
------
Magnezone @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet PullSp
Nature: Modest (+ Special Attack, - Attack)
EVs: 156 HP | 150 SpA | 204 Spe
` Thunderbolt
` Hidden Power Ice
` Substitute
` Magnet Rise
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Half of the Maggy+Dragon combo that is still popular today, Magnezone was invaluable for killing Garchomp enemy #1: Bronzong. It almost always gave me a strong foothold at the start of every match with all the Bronzong leads, and the pseudo BoltBeam could tear apart offensive teams.
The EVs were specialized to outspeed CM Suicune and 2hko after one CM. The rest was thrown in HP for the heck of it. This spread is obviously outdated, and probably wouldn't work too well in today's metagame.
I've always been a fan of Magnezone, and there is no better time to use it with the swarm of Scizors buzzing around every team. I think this team should still utilize Magnezone to secure a sweep, but with a different set.
------
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Hasty (+ Speed, - Defense)
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe
` Crunch
` Stone Edge
` Earthquake
` Ice Beam
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Quite frankly, I attribute most of this team's success to this set right here. Choice Scarf Tyranitar is awesome for taking out its common counters. Infernape and Lucario are the primary ones, but Starmie and Azelf can be lured into staying in due to "pursuit" and then dieing before they could Hydro Pump or Explode.
I chose a Hasty nature to retain Tyranitar's special defensive presense, and also give a little power to Ice Beam. I had Ice Beam back then for Gliscor, who commonly switched into CBtar, but I don't think it would be as effective now.
I'd like to retain this beast, but it is probably this nostalgia that is preventing me from truly revamping this team.
------
Garchomp @ Yache Berry
Ability: Sand Veil
Nature: Jolly (+ Speed, - Special Attack)
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe
` Swords Dance
` Fire Fang
` Earthquake
` Outrage
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Man do I miss this guy. Building a team around Garchomp has been the most successful strategy I've ever used in my time battling competitively. I kept Fire Fang on the set to hit Skarmory, which started to carry a Shed Shell more and more often as time passed. The rest is just the bread and butter YacheChomp. SD Outrage kills.
This spot obviously needs to be replaced by another sweeper. I tried Mamoswine for awhile, but I don't think its fast enough to sweep as much as I'd like. I'm been struggling with this spot for awhile, and this is where I'd appreciate the most input.
------
Closing Thoughts
This team is obviously outdated, but I don't think it is out of reach of a revamp. I'd like to focus the team around another sweeper, and I'm open to any ideas you may have. It would be really great if Garchomp went OU again--that would make things a lot easier. In the meantime, please rate/hate/reminisce. Thanks in advance!!
Threat List
------------------------------------------------------------------
"It seems like DP will be, more than anything else, about having a certain strategy, planning, and executing that strategy. There is simply too much to counter in too few pokemon and moves; at this point one can never hope to be able to counter everything."
^^quoted for truth.
PS: This is my first RMT without Charizard. Credit to Unholy Calamity for the format.