Hello, I'm TCG Trainer Ethan, also known as TheCritic on Pokemon Showdown. I've recently gotten back into the game of PO and PS, and while this team is the best I've had( this is the first time I've ever reached 1400), not to mention the solid run on Pokemon Online( at least for me, it was 1200-ish if I'm correct), I'd like to see if this can be further refined.
Arthur (Gallade) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified/Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off
The whole reason I created the team in the first place. Like the great King himself, he usually leads the team more often that not, poking holes in the opponent's team, laughing at M-Lopunny and various poison and Steel types, and, with a Swords Dance boost, can cripple if not outright sweep(having enough power and speed to OHKO Tornadus-T with Close Combat).
His spread is typical of a Physical Sweeper, with the extras going to SpD to tank just a bit better( it, along with the Mega boost saved me from KO's via special attacks giving a chance to counter) and Jolly to not get out-sped.
As for the moveset: Swords Dance is for that extra power if he scares a switch or if he tanks a hit, leading to to wreak even more havoc( and to make up for the loss of Adamant). Close Combat is a beautiful STAB move and is my go-to move if the other two aren't needed to hit weakness. Psycho Cut is my next choice if CC is not viable; while Zen Headbutt does have more power, I like accuracy more and think that the increased critical can make up for the loss of power. Finally, Knock Off is there to whack Ghosts and Psychics, while crippling Pokemon that rely on Items.
(Credit to trainerparshen on DeviantArt for the Mega picture)
Mordred (Scizor) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 60 Atk / 200 SpD
Careful Nature
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
Like his namesake, the traitorous Scizor, Mordred, plays around with trickery and revenge. He scares the Fairies away and traps unsuspecting Psychic types in his grasp with Pursuit(except for the vexing HP Fire Latios). And, if all else fails, he can revenge kill with Bullet Punch.
Unlike most Scizor, his focus is more of a defensive spread, namely Special Defense, which has had him take many a hit that would usually kill more fragile Scizor. This is also why I gave him Roost and Leftovers, to recover from said hits.
Swords Dance is there if he can take a boost, making him hit that much harder. Bullet Punch is there for Fairies, general damage, and if he takes a Paralyze. Finally, Pursuit is to deal with the annoying Psychic types that would otherwise cripple my team.
Galahad (Keldeo-Resolute) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Secret Sword
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Substitute
Was once my Arthur, but after playing around with him, he seemed more like a person who helped get rid of problems, rather than an outright leader. As Lancelot seemed too "grey" for him, I gave him the name of Galahad, fitting his virtuous nature. He helps deal with the annoying Heatran and general special walls, along with Ferrothorn, if he gets a sub in.
He does get the Special Sweeper spread, fitting the fact that Galahad is close in character to Arthur, but instead of going all hyper offense like his King, I gave him a sub set, helping him avoid status( keeping special walls from otherwise crippling him) and the leech seed of Ferrothorn. Secret Sword helps deal with said special walls and Heatran. Calm Mind is there to make him hit that much harder under a sub. Finally, Scald is the other STAB and helps cripple pokemon if the burn hits.
(Movie image from Bulbapedia)
Morgan Le Fay (Dragalge) (F) @ Dragon Fang
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Toxic Spikes
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power [Fire]
She's the latest addition to my team. I had a Gengar in this spot, but he was a bit too fragile for my tastes( plus the hatred that the RNG has for me means that Focus Blast missed more often than not).
She ends up being the Special Defensive, and more evil version of my Merlin, shown below, using her magic to punish any Fairies, Grass and Steel types or any mentally fragile Pokemon, while slowly wearing down the rest of the opponent's team with Toxic Spikes.
The focus on HP and Special Attack was actually suggested by Pokemon Showdown, and I can see why, considering that HP makes sure that she can hold her own with physical attacks as well, rather than a focus on SpD.
Her "spells" are Toxic Spikes to spread status and generally cripple the opponent if other statuses haven't been added already. Draco Meteor just plain hurts with a boost from Dragon Fang. Sludge Wave is her other STAB( boosted with Adaptability) and helps deal with Grass or Fairy types. Finally, HP Fire is there to make sure my team isn't walled by Metagross.
(Image from Zerochan)
Merlin @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
As Morgan is focused on offense, Special Defense and general evil, my Merlin is focused on support, Defense, and much less evil. His job is to deal with the physical attackers and laugh at any attempt to use Ground attacks, with a bit of scouting on the side.
His spread is that of a Defensive Tank, with a bit of speed to deal with Azumarill, another problem. Volt Switch is my way of hitting Water-types, along with the momentum-keeping properites. Hydro Pump is general STAB and hits any Rock, Ground or Fire types that get in the way, preferably after an Earthquake. Will-O-Wisp is there to hit switch-ins if Toxic Spikes is not up, and to screw physical attackers. Finally, Pain Split is there for recovery.
(image is from the Smogon forums)
Guinevere (Clefable) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Stealth Rock
- Wish
- Protect
If it's not Arthur that's leading a battle, it's his Queen, Guinevere. She acts as cleric, rock setter and scouter all in one and helps keep boosting Pokemon in line with Unaware.
Her spread is that of a general tank, with a greater focus on Defense due to her solid base Special Defense. Moonblast is her only attacking move and helps scare dragons away while also keeping her from being Taunt-locked. Stealth Rock is the quintessential hazard in OU and helps deal with people like Talonflame and Chandelure. Wish brings healing and keeps her or, less likely, others alive. Finally, Protect helps her stall if status has been applied, while also scouting out any problem moves for my team.
General Weaknesses:
Mega Metagross: The extra Psychic typing keeps most of my team in check, which means that, if my Morgan goes down, I have no counter to it at all.
Contrary Serperior: I can kill it if it doesn't get a Leaf Storm off before then. Otherwise, only Gwen can save my team from being crippled or outright swept.
Bulky Water-Types: Merlin's Volt Switch, while nice, doesn't do much to people like Milotic and if I don't have the time to put Toxic Spikes up, I have a hard time taking them out.
And there we have it. I thank you for reading this and for any tips that you give.
The Team
Arthur (Gallade) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified/Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off
The whole reason I created the team in the first place. Like the great King himself, he usually leads the team more often that not, poking holes in the opponent's team, laughing at M-Lopunny and various poison and Steel types, and, with a Swords Dance boost, can cripple if not outright sweep(having enough power and speed to OHKO Tornadus-T with Close Combat).
His spread is typical of a Physical Sweeper, with the extras going to SpD to tank just a bit better( it, along with the Mega boost saved me from KO's via special attacks giving a chance to counter) and Jolly to not get out-sped.
As for the moveset: Swords Dance is for that extra power if he scares a switch or if he tanks a hit, leading to to wreak even more havoc( and to make up for the loss of Adamant). Close Combat is a beautiful STAB move and is my go-to move if the other two aren't needed to hit weakness. Psycho Cut is my next choice if CC is not viable; while Zen Headbutt does have more power, I like accuracy more and think that the increased critical can make up for the loss of power. Finally, Knock Off is there to whack Ghosts and Psychics, while crippling Pokemon that rely on Items.
(Credit to trainerparshen on DeviantArt for the Mega picture)
Mordred (Scizor) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 60 Atk / 200 SpD
Careful Nature
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
Like his namesake, the traitorous Scizor, Mordred, plays around with trickery and revenge. He scares the Fairies away and traps unsuspecting Psychic types in his grasp with Pursuit(except for the vexing HP Fire Latios). And, if all else fails, he can revenge kill with Bullet Punch.
Unlike most Scizor, his focus is more of a defensive spread, namely Special Defense, which has had him take many a hit that would usually kill more fragile Scizor. This is also why I gave him Roost and Leftovers, to recover from said hits.
Swords Dance is there if he can take a boost, making him hit that much harder. Bullet Punch is there for Fairies, general damage, and if he takes a Paralyze. Finally, Pursuit is to deal with the annoying Psychic types that would otherwise cripple my team.
Galahad (Keldeo-Resolute) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Secret Sword
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Substitute
Was once my Arthur, but after playing around with him, he seemed more like a person who helped get rid of problems, rather than an outright leader. As Lancelot seemed too "grey" for him, I gave him the name of Galahad, fitting his virtuous nature. He helps deal with the annoying Heatran and general special walls, along with Ferrothorn, if he gets a sub in.
He does get the Special Sweeper spread, fitting the fact that Galahad is close in character to Arthur, but instead of going all hyper offense like his King, I gave him a sub set, helping him avoid status( keeping special walls from otherwise crippling him) and the leech seed of Ferrothorn. Secret Sword helps deal with said special walls and Heatran. Calm Mind is there to make him hit that much harder under a sub. Finally, Scald is the other STAB and helps cripple pokemon if the burn hits.
(Movie image from Bulbapedia)
Morgan Le Fay (Dragalge) (F) @ Dragon Fang
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Toxic Spikes
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Wave
- Hidden Power [Fire]
She's the latest addition to my team. I had a Gengar in this spot, but he was a bit too fragile for my tastes( plus the hatred that the RNG has for me means that Focus Blast missed more often than not).
She ends up being the Special Defensive, and more evil version of my Merlin, shown below, using her magic to punish any Fairies, Grass and Steel types or any mentally fragile Pokemon, while slowly wearing down the rest of the opponent's team with Toxic Spikes.
The focus on HP and Special Attack was actually suggested by Pokemon Showdown, and I can see why, considering that HP makes sure that she can hold her own with physical attacks as well, rather than a focus on SpD.
Her "spells" are Toxic Spikes to spread status and generally cripple the opponent if other statuses haven't been added already. Draco Meteor just plain hurts with a boost from Dragon Fang. Sludge Wave is her other STAB( boosted with Adaptability) and helps deal with Grass or Fairy types. Finally, HP Fire is there to make sure my team isn't walled by Metagross.
(Image from Zerochan)
Merlin @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
As Morgan is focused on offense, Special Defense and general evil, my Merlin is focused on support, Defense, and much less evil. His job is to deal with the physical attackers and laugh at any attempt to use Ground attacks, with a bit of scouting on the side.
His spread is that of a Defensive Tank, with a bit of speed to deal with Azumarill, another problem. Volt Switch is my way of hitting Water-types, along with the momentum-keeping properites. Hydro Pump is general STAB and hits any Rock, Ground or Fire types that get in the way, preferably after an Earthquake. Will-O-Wisp is there to hit switch-ins if Toxic Spikes is not up, and to screw physical attackers. Finally, Pain Split is there for recovery.
(image is from the Smogon forums)
Guinevere (Clefable) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Stealth Rock
- Wish
- Protect
If it's not Arthur that's leading a battle, it's his Queen, Guinevere. She acts as cleric, rock setter and scouter all in one and helps keep boosting Pokemon in line with Unaware.
Her spread is that of a general tank, with a greater focus on Defense due to her solid base Special Defense. Moonblast is her only attacking move and helps scare dragons away while also keeping her from being Taunt-locked. Stealth Rock is the quintessential hazard in OU and helps deal with people like Talonflame and Chandelure. Wish brings healing and keeps her or, less likely, others alive. Finally, Protect helps her stall if status has been applied, while also scouting out any problem moves for my team.
General Weaknesses:
Mega Metagross: The extra Psychic typing keeps most of my team in check, which means that, if my Morgan goes down, I have no counter to it at all.
Contrary Serperior: I can kill it if it doesn't get a Leaf Storm off before then. Otherwise, only Gwen can save my team from being crippled or outright swept.
Bulky Water-Types: Merlin's Volt Switch, while nice, doesn't do much to people like Milotic and if I don't have the time to put Toxic Spikes up, I have a hard time taking them out.
And there we have it. I thank you for reading this and for any tips that you give.
Last edited:
